ENThe Concise Oxford Dictionary of English EtymologyOxford University PressOxford University Press

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology

© Oxford University Press 2000, 2003
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Abbreviations
In the following list, ‘etc.’ means that the abbreviation in question may be used to represent, in addition to the word cited, some related form. Thus ‘alt.’ may represent both ‘alteration’ and ‘altered’, and ‘sb.’ may represent ‘substantival’ and ‘substantivally’, as well as ‘substantive’. Abbreviations such as ‘(O)F.’ indicate that a word so labelled occurs in the same form in both the ‘Old’ and the ‘Modern’ period of the language in question.

a.

ante

abbr., abbrev.

abbreviation, etc.

abl.

ablative

absol.

absolute

abstr.

abstract

acc.

according; accusative

accus.

accusative

act.

active

add.

addition

adj.

adjective, etc.

adv., advb.

adverb, etc.

Aeol.

Aeolic

Afr.

Africa, etc.

agric.

agriculture, etc.

AL.

Anglo-Latin

Alb.

Albanian

alch.

alchemy, etc.

alt.

alteration, etc.

Amer.

America, etc.

AN.

Anglo-Norman

anal.

analogy, etc.

anat.

anatomy, etc.

Angl.

Anglian

Anglo-Ind.

Anglo-Indian

Anglo-Ir.

Anglo-Irish

anthrop.

anthropology, etc.

antiq.

antiquities, etc.

aor.

aorist

Apocr.

Apocrypha

app.

apparently, etc.

Arab.

Arabic

Aram.

Aramaic

arch.

archaic, etc.

archaeol.

archaeology, etc.

archit.

architecture, etc.

arith.

arithmetic, etc.

Arm.

Armenian

art.

article

A.-S.

Anglo-Saxon

assim.

assimilated, etc.

assoc.

associated, etc.

astrol.

astrology, etc.

astr., astron.

astronomy, etc.

attrib.

attributive, etc.

augm.

augmentative, etc.

Austral.

Australia, etc.

Av.

Avestan

A.V.

Authorized Version

Balto-Slav.

Balto-Slavonic

biochem.

biochemistry, etc.

biol.

biology, etc.

bot.

botany, etc.

Bret.

Breton

Bulg.

Bulgarian

B.V.M.

Blessed Virgin Mary

c.

circa

Cat.

Catalan

Celt.

Celtic

cent.

century

cf.

confer, ‘compare’

CGmc.

Common Germanic

Ch.

Chaucer

chem.

chemistry, etc.

ChrGr.

Christian Greek

ChrL.

Christian Latin

classL.

classical Latin

cogn.

cognate

coll.

collective, etc.

colloq.

colloquial, etc.

comb.

combining, etc.

comm.

commerce, etc.

comp.

compound

compar.

comparative

concr.

concrete

conj.

conjugation, etc.; conjunction

cons.

consonant, etc.

contemp.

contemporary, etc.

contr.

contracted, etc.

Corn.

Cornish

corr.

corresponding, etc.

correl.

correlative

Cotgr.

Cotgrave

cryst.

crystallography, etc.

CSl.

Common Slavonic

d.

dative; died

Da.

Danish

dat.

dative

decl.

declension, etc.

def.

definite

dem., demonstr.

demonstrative

deriv.

derivative, etc.

dial.

dialectal, etc.

dim.

diminutive

dissim.

dissimilated, etc.

dist.

distinct

disyll.

disyllabic, etc.

Du.

Dutch

E.

East, etc.

E. Angl.

East Anglian

eccl.

ecclesiastical

ecclGr.

ecclesiastical Greek

ecclL.

ecclesiastical Latin

EFris.

East Frisian

e.g.

exempli gratia, ‘for example’

el.

element

electr.

electricity, etc.

ellipt.

elliptical, etc.

emph.

emphatic

Eng.

English

ent., entom.

entomology, etc.

equiv.

equivalent

erron.

erroneous, etc.

esp.

especially

etym., etymol.

etymology, etc.

euph., euphem.

euphemistic, etc.

Eur.

European

ex. (exx.)

example (examples)

exc.

except

excl., exclam.

exclamation

expl.

explained

ext.

extended

F.

French

f.

formed on

fem.

feminine

fig.

figurative, etc.

Finn.

Finnish

fl.

floruit, ‘lived’

Flem.

Flemish

foll.

following, etc.

fortif.

fortification

Frank.

Frankish

freq.

frequent, etc.

frequent.

frequentative

Fris.

Frisian

fut.

future

G.

German

g.

genitive

Gael.

Gaelic

Gallo-Rom.

Gallo-Roman

Gaul.

Gaulish

gen.

general, etc.; genitive

geog.

geography, etc.

geol.

geology, etc.

geom.

geometry, etc.

Gmc.

Germanic

Goth.

Gothic

Gr.

Greek

gram.

grammar, etc.

Heb.

Hebrew

her.

heraldry, etc.

HG.

High German

Hind.

Hindustani

hist.

history, etc.

Hung.

Hungarian

ib., ibid.

ibidem, ‘in the same book or passage’

Icel.

Icelandic

id.

idem, ‘the same’

i.e.

id est, ‘that is’

IE.

Indo-European

imit.

imitative

immed.

immediate, etc.

imper.

imperative

imperf.

imperfect

impers.

impersonal, etc.

ind., indic.

indicative

indecl.

indeclinable, etc.

Indo-Iran.

Indo-Iranian

inf., infin.

infinitive

infl.

inflected; influenced, etc.

instr.

instrumental

int.

interjection

interrog.

interrogative, etc.

intr.

intransitive, etc.

Ir.

Irish

iron.

ironic, etc.

irreg.

irregular, etc.

It.

Italian

Jap.

Japanese

joc.

jocular, etc.

L.

Latin

lang.

language

Lapp.

Lappish

Latv.

Latvian

law-L.

law-Latin

leg.

legal, etc.

LG.

Low German

lit.

literal, etc.; literary

Lith.

Lithuanian

liturg.

liturgy, etc.

loc.

locative

LXX

Septuagint

M

Middle (preceding the abbr. for any language name)

magn.

magnetism

m., masc.

masculine

math.

mathematics, etc.

MDu.

Middle Dutch

ME.

Middle English

mech.

mechanics, etc.

med.

medicine, etc.; medieval (also preceding the abbr. for any language name)

medGr.

medieval Greek

medL.

medieval Latin

metaph.

metaphysics, etc.

metath.

metathetic

meteor.

meteorology, etc.

Mex.

Mexican

MHG.

Middle High German

midl.

midland

mil.

military, etc.

min.

mineralogy, etc.

MIr.

Middle Irish

mistr.

mistranslation, etc.

MLG.

Middle Low German

mod.

modern (also preceding the abbr. for any language name)

monosyll.

monosyllable, etc.

MS. (MSS.)

manuscript (manuscripts)

MSc.

Middle Scots

MSw.

Middle Swedish

mus.

music., etc.

myth.

mythology, etc.

N.

North, etc.

n.

neuter

nat. hist.

natural history

naut.

nautical

N.E.

north-eastern

NEF.

north-eastern French

neg.

negative, etc.

Nhb.

Northumbrian

nom.

nominative

north.

northern

Norw.

Norwegian

N.T.

New Testament

N.Z.

New Zealand

O

Old (preceding the abbr. for any language name)

obj.

object, etc.

obl.

oblique

OBret.

Old Breton

OBrit.

Old British

obs.

obsolete

occas.

occasional, etc.

ODa.

Old Danish

OE.

Old English

OF.

Old French

OFris.

Old Frisian

OHG.

Old High German

OIr.

Old Irish

OL.

Old Latin

OLF.

Old Low Franconian

ON.

Old Norse

ONF.

Old Northern French

ONhb.

Old Northumbrian

OPers.

Old Persian

OPg.

Old Portuguese

OPol.

Old Polish

opp.

opposed to; opposite

OPruss.

Old Prussian

orig.

origin; original, etc.

ornith.

ornithology, etc.

OS.

Old Saxon

OSl.

Old Slavonic

OSp.

Old Spanish

OSw.

Old Swedish

O.T.

Old Testament

OW.

Old Welsh

P.

proprietary term (see note below)

palaeogr.

palaeography, etc.

pass.

passive

path.

pathology, etc.

perf.

perfect

perh.

perhaps

pers.

person; personal

Pers.

Persian

pert.

pertaining

Pg.

Portuguese

pharm.

pharmacy, etc.

philol.

philology, etc.

philos.

philosophy, etc.

phon.

phonetics, etc.

photogr.

photography, etc.

phr.

phrase

phys.

physics, etc.

physiol.

physiology, etc.

pl.

plural

poet.

poetic, etc.

Pol.

Polish

pop.

popular

popL.

popular Latin

poss.

possessive; possibly, etc.

pp.

past participle, etc.

ppl.

participle, etc.

Pr.

Provençal

prec.

preceding

pref.

prefix

prep.

preposition

pres.

present

prim.

primary

prob.

probably, etc.

pron.

pronoun, etc.

pronunc.

pronunciation, etc.

prop.

proper, etc.

pros.

prosody, etc.

prp.

present participle

Ps.

Psalm

psych., psychol.

psychology, etc.

pt.

past (tense)

q.v.

quod vide, ‘which see’

R.C.Ch.

Roman Catholic Church

redupl.

reduplication, etc.

ref.

reference, etc.

refash.

refashioned, etc.

refl.

reflexive, etc.

rel.

related (to); relative

repl.

replacing, etc.

repr.

representing, etc.

rhet.

rhetoric, etc.

Rom.

Roman; Romance

Rum.

Rumanian

Russ.

Russian

S.

south, etc.

S.Afr.

South Africa, etc.

S.Amer.

South America, etc.

sb.

substantive, etc.

sc.

scilicet, ‘understand’ or ‘supply’

Sc.

Scots, Scottish

Scand.

Scandinavian

scholL.

scholastic Latin

S.E.

South East

Sem.

Semitic

Serb.

Serbian

sg.

singular

Sh.

Shakespeare

sing.

singular

Sinh.

Sinhalese

Skr.

Sanskrit

Sl., Slav.

Slavonic

sl.

slang

south.

southern

Sp.

Spanish

sp.

spelling, etc.

spec.

specific, etc.

str.

stress, etc.; strong

subj.

subject; subjunctive

subseq.

subsequently, etc.

superl.

superlative

surg.

surgery, etc.

s.v.

sub voce, ‘under the word’

Sw.

Swedish

s.w.

south-western

syll.

syllable

syn., synon.

synonym, etc.

Syr.

Syrian

techn.

technical, etc.

theatr.

theatre, etc.

theol.

theology, etc.

Toch.

Tocharian

tr.

transitive, etc.; translation, etc.

trans.

transitive, etc.

transf.

transferred, etc.

trisyll.

trisyllabic, etc.

Turk.

Turkish

typogr.

typography, etc.

ult.

ultimate, etc.

uncert.

uncertain

unexpl.

unexplained

Univ.

University

unkn.

unknown

unstr.

unstressed

U.S.

United States

usu.

usually, etc.

var. (varr.)

variant (variants)

vb.

verb

vbl.

verbal

viz.

videlicet, ‘namely’

voc.

vocative

Vulg.

Vulgate

W.

Welsh; west, etc.

w.

with

WGmc.

West Germanic

wk.

weak

WS.

West Saxon

zool.

zoology, etc.

Note on proprietary terms
This dictionary includes some words which are or are asserted to be proprietary names or trade marks. Their inclusion does not imply that they have acquired for legal purposes a non-proprietary or general significance, nor is any other judgement implied concerning their legal status. In cases where the editor has some evidence that a word is used as a proprietary name or trade mark this is indicated by the letter P, but no judgement concerning the legal status of such words is made or implied thereby. Special symbols

indicates a hypothetical form

†

obsolete

=

corresponding to

f.

formed on, as ‘L. discipulus learner, f. discere learn’

-

adoption of, as ‘OE. discipul - L. discipulus’

:-

normal development of, as ‘ME. mesel leper (- OF. mesel:- L. misellus, f. miser wretched)’

A

A

used in the symbol A1, applied in Lloyd's Register to ships in first-class condition in respect of hull (A) and stores (1). Hence A1 adj. first-class.

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a1

reduced form of AN1 used since XII immed. before a word beginning with a cons. For the loss of n cf. MY, THY, NO2, and i', o' for IN, ON.

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a2

ME. o, a in a distributive sense, e.g. twice a day, reduced form of ON; surviving in comps. of A-1, and NOWADAYS; linked with a gerund, as in go a-begging, etc.

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a-1

reduced form of ON prep. (in late OE., but not gen. before XII); the first el. of many predicative adjs. and advs. consisting of the prep. and a sb., e.g. aback, alive, asleep, away; early ME. are afire, afoot; later aflame, ashore. Some depend upon French, as aboard, across, around, in which the preps. à, en have been assim. to or replaced by the Eng. prefix. From XVI combined with a vb.-stem as in adrift, astride.

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a-2

reduced form of OF prep., as in afresh, akin, anew. Cf. †a clock (XV–XVIII), now O'CLOCK. Not in living use since ME. In comps. with vbs. the pref. of- is repr. in e.g. athirst.

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a-3

pref. of vbs., OE. -, orig. ar-, or- = OHG. ar-, ir-, ur- (G. er-), Goth. us-, ur-, meaning ‘away, out’, and hence used as an intensive, as in abide, ago, arise, ashamed.

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a-4

pref. of negation and privation, repr. Gr. a- (before a vowel AN-2) = UN-1. Occurs in (i) words repr. Gr. comps., mostly via F. or L., and in which the significance of the pref. is wholly or partially obscured, as abyss, adamant, amethyst, atom; (ii) terms of the arts and sciences, having Gr. bases, but coming mainly through late, med., or modL., as aseptic, athematic; (iii) such terms derived from other bases, as asexual; (iv) gen. terms modelled on these, as amoral, asocial.

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ab-

L. pref., being the adv.-prep. ab () away, off (see OF), used in composition with vb.-stems, as in abdicre ABDICATE etc., Var. ABS-.

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aback

late OE. on bæc, i.e. ON, A-1 and BACK1. From XVII of the sails of a ship laid back against the mast, esp. ‘be taken aback’ XVIII; hence fig. (of persons) be discomfited (XIX). Aphetic BACK2.

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abacus

XVI. — L. abacus, f. Gr. ábax, abak- table.

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abaft

(esp. naut.) in or to the rear (of). XIII. ME. o(n) baft, i.e. ON, A-1 and baft, OE. beæftan behind.

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abandon1

†subjugate; give up, orig. to the control of another XIV; †banish XVI. — OF. abandoner (mod. -nn-), f. phr. a bandon, i.e. a to (AD-), bandon jurisdiction, control, ult. f. bandum, var. of medL. bannum BAN1.

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abandon2

freedom from restraint. XIX. — F., f. abandonner (see prec.).

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abase

XIV. ME. abessen, abassen — OF. abaissier (mod. -sser), f. a-, AD- + baissier lower :- Rom. bassiare, f. late L. bassus BASE2, whence the present form abase (XVI). Hence, or — F., abasement XV.

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abash

XIV. ME. abaissen — AN. abaiss-, for OF. e(s)baïss-, lengthened stem of e(s)baïr (mod. ébahir) astound, dumbfound.

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abate

XIII. — OF. abatre (mod. -tt-) :- Rom. abbatt(u)ere, f. AD- + L. batt(u)ere beat; cf. BATE. So abatement XV.

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abattoir

XIX. — F., f. abattre fell (see prec., -ORY1).

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abbacy

XV. — ecclL. abbcia, var. of abbtia, f. abbt- ABBOT; see -ACY. abbé XVI. — F., see ABBOT. abbess XIII. — OF. ab(b)esse :- ecclL. abbatissa, f. abbt-. abbey XIII. — OF. ab(b)eie (mod. abbaye) :- ecclL. abbtia; see next, -Y3. abbot OE. abbod, -ad (cf. OHG. abbat, Du., G. abt) — ecclL. abbatem, for abbtem (whence F. abbé), nom. abba(s) — ecclGr. abbâ — Aram. abb father; the word was formerly applied in the East gen. to monks. The var. sp. abbat (XII) was esp. freq. XV–XVII.

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abbreviate

XV. f. pp. stem of late L. (Vulg.) abbrevire, f. AB- or AD- + brevis BRIEF2; see -ATE3 and cf. ABRIDGE. So abbreviation XV. — F. or late L.

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abdicate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. abdicre, f. AB- + dicre proclaim; see -ATE3.

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abdomen

XVI. — L. abdmen. So abdominal XVIII.

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abduct

XIX. f. abduct-, pp. stem of L. abdcere, f. AB- + dcere lead, carry. So abduction XVII.

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abed

XIII. ME. abedde, OE. on bedde, i.e. ON, A-1 and BED.

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aberration

XVI. — L. aberrti, -n-, f. aberrre, f. AB- + ERR. So aberrant XVI.

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abet

incite (now, to wrongdoing). XIV. — OF. abeter, f. a- AD- + beter BAIT. So abetment XIV.

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abeyance

(leg.) state of expectancy XVI; suspension XVII. — AN. abeiance, OF. abeance, f. abaer aspire after, f. a- AD- + beer, baer gape.

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abhor

XV. — L. abhorrre, f. AB- + horrre shudder. So abhorrence, -ent XVII.

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abide

OE. bdan = Goth. usbeidan, f. A-3 + BIDE.

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ability

†fitness; sufficient power XIV; faculty of mind XVI. ME. ablete, abilite — OF. ableté, (h)abilité, the first form being :- L. habilits, -tt- (f. habilis ABLE), the second a later latinization of it (modF. habileté).

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abject

†pp. rejected XV; adj. downcast, degraded XV; sb. outcast XVI. — L. abjectus, pp. of abicere, f. AB- + jacere throw.

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abjure

XV. — (O)F. abjurer or L. abjrre deny on oath, f. AB- + jrre swear.

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ablative

(gram.) of a case expressing removal, source, agent, etc. XV. — (O)F. ablatif, -ive or L. abltvus, f. ablt-, used as pp. stem of auferre take away; see -IVE.

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ablaut

(philol.) vowel gradation, as in sing, sang, sung. XIX. — G., f. ab OFF + laut sound.

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ablaze

XIX. f. A-1 + BLAZE1, after afire, aflame.

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able

having sufficient power; †apt, fit. XIV. — OF. :- L. habilis, f. habre have, hold (see -ILE); cf. ABILITY. Hence ably XIV.

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-able

— (O)F. -able — L. -bilis, produced orig. by the addition of -bilis -BLE to vbs. with -stems, as amre, ambilis, but extended to vbs. with other stems, e.g. capere, capbilis CAPABLE, and to sbs., as amcbilis AMICABLE, favrbilis FAVOURABLE. Eng. formations on sbs. are actionable, pleasurable, saleable (XVI). The meaning in new formations is now always passive, but the active meaning, always formerly possible, is seen in agreeable, comfortable, durable, suitable. The wide application of the suffix in Eng. is largely due to assoc. with ABLE, eatable (e.g.) being analysed as eat + able ‘able to be eaten’ hence its use in come-at-able (XVII), get-at-able (XVIII). Notable formations are knowledgeable and reliable. The corr. advs. end in -ably .

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ablution

XIV. — (O)F. ablution or ecclL. ablti, -n-, f. L. abluere, f. AB- + luere wash; see -TION.

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abnegate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. abnegre, f. AB- + negre say no, deny; see -ATE3. So abnegation XIV. — F. or late L.

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abnormal

XIX. refash., after †abnormous (XVIII–XIX) or its source L. abnormis, of earlier †anormal — (O)F. anormal — medL. anormlis, -us, resulting from blending of late L. anmalus ANOMALOUS and abnormis; see AB-, NORM, -AL1.

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aboard

alongside (a ship) XIV; on or onto (a ship) XV. var. of on board, partly after (O)F. à bord; see A-1, BOARD.

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abode

†delay, stay XIII; dwelling-place XVII. ME. abd, abd, f. abden ABIDE, after OE. bd waiting, f. BIDE.

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abolish

XV. — F. aboliss-, lengthened stem of abolir — L. abolre destroy; see -ISH2. So abolition XVI. — F. or L.

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abominable

XIV. — (O)F. — ecclL. abminbilis, f. abminr deprecate as an ill omen, f. AB- + men, min- OMEN; see -ABLE. In medL., OF., and Eng. (XIV–XVII) commonly spelt abhom-, being regarded as f. ab and hom, homin- man, quasi ‘inhuman’. So abominate^3 XVII. f. pp. stem of L. abminr. abomination XIV. — (O)F.

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aborigines

XVI (sg. aborigine XIX). — L. aborgins pl. the first inhabitants of Latium and Italy; usu. expl. as f. ab orgine from the beginning (see OF, ORIGIN); but perh. a proper name alt. by pop. etym. Hence aboriginal XVII.

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abortion

XVI. — L. aborti, -n-, f. abort-, pp. stem of aborr miscarry. So abortive (first as sb.) XIII. — (O)F.

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abound

XIV. — (O)F. abonder — L. abundre, f. unda wave. Cf. ABUNDANCE.

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about

adv. round, round the outside OE.; afoot, astir; †(with inf.) busy or engaged in XIII; going to XVI; prep. in corr. senses; (also) near, approximating to XII; concerning XIII. OE. onbtan, abtan, ME. abuten (XII–XIII), aboute; f. ON, A-1 + btan outside (of); see BUT.

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above

ME. abufan XII, abuve(n) XIII, above(n) XIII–XV, f. A-1 + OE. bufan, ME. buven, f. be BY + ufan (= OHG. obana, G. oben) from above, above.

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abrade

XVII. — L. abrdere, f. AB- + rdere scrape. Cf. ERASE. So abrasion XVII. — L., f. abrs-, pp. stem of abrdere.

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abreast

XVI. f. A-1 + BREAST; cf. F. de front.

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abridge

XIV. ME. abreg(g)en — OF. abregier (mod. abréger) :- late L. abbrevire ABBREVIATE. So abridg(e)ment XV.

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abroad

†widely, at large XIII; out of doors XIV; in or into foreign lands XV. f. A-1 + BROAD; prob. suggested by ME. a brde, on brde (OE. brdu BREADTH).

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abrogate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. abrogre, f. AB- + rogre propose (a law); after earlier pp. †abrogate (XV). See ROGATION, -ATE3.

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abrupt

†broken away or off; sudden XVI; steep XVII. — L. abruptus, pp. of abrumpere, f. AB- + rumpere break; see RUPTURE.

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abs-

var. of AB- before c, t.

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abscess

XVI. — F. abcès — L. abscessus (Celsus, rendering Gr. apóstma IMPOST(H)UME), f. abscess-, pp. stem of abscdere depart, f. ABS- + cdere go.

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abscond

XVI. — L. abscondere, f. ABS- + condere put together, stow.

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absence

XIV. — (O)F. — L. absentia, f. absent-, used as prp. stem of abesse be away. Cf. ESSENCE, PRESENCE. So absent adj. and vb. XIV. Hence absentee XVI (earlier also †absentie, of obscure orig.).

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absinthe

wormwood XVII; liqueur orig. flavoured with this XIX. — F. — L. absinthium — Gr. apsínthion wormwood, of alien orig.

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absolute

free from imperfection or qualification XIV. — L. absoltus freed, pp. of absolvere ABSOLVE; infl. partly by F. †absolut (mod. absolu). Gram. use based ult. on Gr. apoleluménos.

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absolution

XII. — (O)F. — L. absolti, -n-, f. absolt-, pp. stem of absolvere free, acquit (whence absolve XV), f. AB- + solvere SOLVE, rendering Gr. apolúein.

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absorb

XV. — (O)F. absorber — L. absorbre, f. AB- + sorbre swallow. So absorbent XVIII. absorption XVI. — L. absorptive XVII.

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absquatulate

XIX. joc. formation with reminiscence of abscond, squat, perambulate.

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abstain

XIV. ME. abste(i)nen, repr. tonic stem of (O)F. abstenir — L. abstinre, f. ABS- + tenre hold, keep. So abstention XVI.

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abstemious

XVII. f. L. abstmius, f. ABS- + base of tmtum intoxicating drink; see -IOUS.

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abstinence

XIII. — (O)F. abstinence — L. abstinentia, f. abstinre ABSTAIN; see -ENCE.

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abstract

adj. XIV, sb. XV. — (O)F. †abstract or L. abstractus, pp. of abstrahere, f. ABS- + trahere draw. So abstract vb. XV. Partly f. pp. †abstract, partly f. L. abstract-, pp. stem of abstrahere. abstraction XV.

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abstruse

XVI. — F. abstrus, -use or L. abstrsus, -a, pp. of abstrdere, f. ABS- + trdere thrust.

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absurd

XVI. — F. absurde or L. absurdus. So absurdity XV.

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abundance

XIV. — (O)F. abondance — L. abundantia, f. abundant- (whence abundant XIV), prp. stem of abundre ABOUND; see -ANCE.

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abuse

sb. XV. — (O)F. abus or L. absus, f. abs-, pp. stem of abt, f. AB- + t USE. So abuse vb. XV. abusive XVI.

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abut

A
border upon XV;

B
end on or against XVI. In A, — AL. abuttre, f. a- AD- + butta strip of land; in B, — (O)F. abouter, †abuter, f. a- AD- + bouter BUTT1.
Top
Hence abutment XVII.

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abysm

XIII. ME. abime, later abisme — OF. abi(s)me (mod. abîme) — medL. abysmus, alt. of abyssus ABYSS by assim. to Gr. suffix -ismós -ISM. Hence abysmal XIX.

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abyss

XVI. — late L. abyssus — Gr. ábussos unfathomable (sb. use).

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ac-

assim. form of AD- before c, q. In OF., L. acc- was reduced to ac-, which appears in ME adoptions. In later F., and hence in Eng., acc- was restored by latinization, e.g. OF. acorder, ME. acorden, ACCORD.

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-ac

suffix primarily of adjs. denoting ‘pertaining to’, formerly -aque, -ack(e), -ak(e), repr. ult. (through L. -acus) Gr. -akós, as in kardiakós CARDIAC, on the model of which others were formed at various periods. Cf. -ACAL.

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acacia

XIV. — L. — Gr. akakí.

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academy

XVI. — F. académie or L. acadma — Gr. akadmí and akadmeí name of a gymnasium (called after the hero Academus) in the suburbs of Athens, where Plato taught, and hence applied to the Platonic school of philosophy; see -Y3. So academic, academical XVI. academician XVIII. — F.

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-acal

suffix compounded of -AC and -AL1, forming adjs., some merely alternative to those in -AC, some with differentiated use, some serving as adjs. to sbs. in -ac; e.g. ammoniacal, demoniacal, zodiacal.

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acanthus

XVII. — L. — Gr. ákanthos, f. ákantha thorn.

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accede

XV. — L. accdere, f. AC- + cdere go (CEDE); cf. (O)F. accéder. So accession XVI. — L. accessi, -n-, f. access-, pp. stem of accdere.

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accelerate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. accelerre, f. AC- + celer swift; see CELERITY, -ATE3. So acceleration XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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accent

XIV (rare before XVI). — (O)F. accent or L. accentus (f. AC- + cantus song, CHANT), lit. rendering of Gr. prosidí PROSODY. So accent vb. XVI. — OF. accenter. accentual XVII. f. L. accentus. accentuate XVIII. f. medL. accenture; cf. (O)F. accentuer.

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accept

XIV. — (O)F. accepter or L. acceptre, f. accept-, pp. stem of accipere, f. AC- + capere take. So acceptable XIV. — (O)F. — late L. acceptance XVI. — OF. acceptation XV. — (O)F. — late L.

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access

XIV. — OF. ac(c)és (mod. accès) :- L. accessus, f. access-, pp. stem of accdere ACCEDE. So accessible XV. — (O)F. or late L. accession XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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accessary

XV. — medL. accessrius, f. access-; see prec. and -ARY. So accessory XV. — medL. accessrius.

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accidence

part of grammar dealing with inflexions. XIV. — L. accidentia (tr. Gr. parepómena ‘accompanying things’), n. pl. of accidns ACCIDENT, taken as fem. sing.; see -ENCE.

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accident

something that happens; (philos.) attribute of a subject. XIV. — (O)F. — late L. accidns, -ent-, f. prp. stem of accidere happen, f. AC- + cadere fall; see CASE, -ENT. So accidental XIV.

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acclaim

XVII. — L. acclmre, f. AC- + clmre, with sp. assim. to CLAIM. So acclamation XVI.

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acclimatize

XIX. f. F. acclimater, f. climat CLIMATE + -IZE; has superseded older acclimate (now chiefly U.S.) — F.

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acclivity

ascending slope. XVII. — L. acclvits, f. acclvis, f. AC- + clvus slope; see LEAN2, -ITY.

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accolade

salutation on the bestowal of knighthood. XVII. — F. accolade — Pr. acolada, f. Rom. accollre embrace about the neck, f. AC- + L. collum neck; see COLLAR, -ADE.

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accommodate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. accommodre, f. AC- + commodus; see COMMODIOUS, -ATE2. So accommodation XVII. — F. or L.

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accompany

XV. (Earlier also accompa(i)gne) — (O)F. acompagnier, f. compaing COMPANION; assim. to COMPANY. Hence accompaniment XVIII, after F. accompagnement.

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accomplice

XVI. prob. alt., by assoc. with prec., of complice (XV) — (O)F. complice — late L. complex, -ic- confederate.

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accomplish

XIV. — OF. acompliss-, lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of acomplir (mod. acc-), f. AC- + complir (L. complre fill, COMPLETE). Hence accomplishment XV, after F. accomplissement.

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accord

vb. XII. — OF. acorder (mod. acc-) :- Rom. accordre, f. AC-, after concordre agree (see CONCORD). So accord sb. XIII. accordance XIV. The use of according as adv. dates from XV.

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accordion

XIX. — G. akkordion, f. It. accordare tune (an instrument).

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accost

†lie or go alongside; approach; make up to and address. XVI. — F. accoster — It. accostare :- Rom. accostre, f. L. AC- + costa rib, side; see COAST.

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account

reckoning XIII; estimation XIV; report XVII. — AN. ac(o)unte, OF. aconte, f. acunter, aconter (f. AC- + conter COUNT3), whence account vb. XIV. Hence accountable XIV So accountant XV. — Law F. use of prp. of OF. aconter.

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accoutre

furnish with proper equipment. XVI. — (O)F. accoutrer, earlier acoustrer, f. AC- + cousture (mod. couture) sewing. So accoutrement XVI.

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accredit

XVII. — F. accréditer, after phr. mettre à crédit lit. ‘put to CREDIT’.

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accretion

XVII. — L. accrti, -n-, f. accrt-, pp. stem of accrscere, f. AC- + crscere grow. See CRESCENT, -TION.

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accrue

XV. — OF. acreue, ac(c)rue increase (sb.), f. pp. of acroistre :- L. accrscere (see prec.).

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accumulate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. accumulre, f. AC- + CUMULUS; see -ATE3. So accumulation XV. Cf. (O)F. accumuler, -ation.

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accurate

XVII. — L. accrtus, f. accrre, f. AC- + cra care; see CURE, -ATE2. Hence accuracy XVII.

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accurse

XII. Now only in pp.; f. A-3 + CURSE vb.

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accusative

(gram.) case expressing chiefly destination or the goal of motion. XV. — (O)F. accusatif or L. accstvus (sc. csus case), f. pp. stem of accsre ACCUSE. L. csus accstvus renders Gr. ptôsis aititik case of accusing.

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accuse

XIII. — OF. acuser, (also mod.) accuser :- L. accsre, f. AC- + causa CAUSE. So accusation XIV.

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accustom

XV. — AN. acustumer, OF. acostumer (mod. accoutumer), f. AC- + costume CUSTOM.

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ace

throw of one at dice XIII; playing-card bearing one pip (reckoned as of the highest value) XVI; the highest or best XVIII. ME. a(a)s —(O)F. as :- L. as, ass- unit(y).

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-acean

f. L. -ceus -ACEOUS + -AN. In sb. use supplying an Eng. form for names of groups in -acea (n. pl.; sc. animalia animals), e.g. Crustacea, crustaceans.

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-aceous

f. L. -ceus (f. -c- -AC) + -OUS (cf. -EOUS); in nat. hist. it supplies adjs. for names of groups in -acea , -aceae , e.g. crustaceous pert. to the Crustacea, rosaceous pert. to the Rosaceae.

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acerbity

XVI. — F. acerbité or L. acerbits, f. acerbus bitter; see -ITY.

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acetic

name of the acid of vinegar. XIX. — F. acétique, f. L. actum vinegar, f. acre be sour; see ACID, -IC.

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ache

OE. æ.e, also e.e, early ME. eche (:- akiz), f. base of acan str. vb., repl. by weak forms (akede, aked) in XIV; mod. ached. The normal repr. of the OE. sb. was ache, and the pronunc. with -ch was prevalent until c.1820. Infl. of the vb. (earlier repr. of the vb. was ake, but now with the sp. proper to the sb.) appears in XV.

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achieve

XIV. — (O)F. achever, f. Rom. capum; see AD-, CHIEF. Hence, or — (O)F. achèvement, achievement XV.

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acid

XVII. — F. acide or L. acidus, f. IE. ak- be pointed or sharp, as in L. acre be sharp, acus needle, etc.; see -ID1. So acidity XVII. — F. — late L. acidulated XVIII. f. L. acidulus sourish (whence acidulous XVIII); see -ATE3.

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-acious

suffix repr. F. -acieux, as in astucieux, audacieux, based on L. sbs. asttia, audcia + -eux -OUS; capacious, fugacious, loquacious, rapacious are immed. f. L. adjs. in -x, -c-. The earliest Eng. exx. are audacious and contumacious.

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acknowledge

XV. prob. f. †KNOWLEDGE, on the analogy of the relation of †aknow (OE. oncnwan) and KNOW. Hence acknowledgement XVI.

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acme

highest point, culmination. XVII. — Gr. akm point, etc., f. IE. ak- (see ACID).

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acne

XIX. — modL. acn, deduced from a misreading aknás for akmás, acc. pl. of Gr. akm eruption on the face (ACME).

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acolyte

(eccl.) member of one of the minor orders of the Church XIV; minor attendant XVI. — OF. acolite (mod. -yte) or ecclL. acolytus, -it(h)us — Gr. akólouthos follower.

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aconite

poisonous plant Aconitum napellus. XVI. — F. aconit or L. acontum — Gr. akónton.

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acorn

OE. æcern = ON. akarn, Goth. akran fruit; rel. ACRE. OE. æcern is also repr. by ME. and mod. dial achern, but forms with k are found XIV, and assoc. with corn (and oak) had established the present standard form by XVI.

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acolistic

XVII. — Gr. akoustikós, f. akoúein HEAR; cf. F. acoustique (XVIII); see -IC.

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acquaint

XIII. ME. aqueynten, aquointen, acointen — OF. acointier :- medL. accognitre make known, f. L. accognitus, f. AC- + cognitus, pp. of cognscere know (see COGNITION). So acquaintance XIV.

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acquiesce

†remain quiet; †submit; agree tacitly. XVII. — L. acquiscere, f. AC- + quiscere rest; see QUIET. So acquiescence, acquiescent XVII. Cf. F. acquiescer, etc.

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acquire

XV. ME. acqueren — OF. aquerre :- Rom. acquærere, for L. acqurere, f. AC- + quærere seek; superseded c.1600 by the latinized form acquire. So acquisition XIV. — L. acqusti, -n-, f. acqust-, pp. stem of acqurere.

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acquit

XIII. ME. acwiten, aquiten — OF. aquiter — Rom. acquitre, f. AC- + quitre QUIT2. Hence acquittal XV.

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acre

†field; unit of square measure of land. OE. æcer = OS. akkar (Du. akker), OHG. ackar (G. acker), ON. akr, Goth. akrs :- Gmc. akraz :- IE. agros, repr. by L. ager, Gr. agrós, Skr. ájra- field.

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acrid

XVIII. irreg. f. L. cer, cr- sharp + -ID1, prob. after acid.

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acrimony

XVI. — F. acrimonie or L. crimnia, f. cer, cr- sharp. So acrimonious XVII. — medL. crimnisus.

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acro-

repr. Gr. akro-, comb. form of ákros terminal, etc.; in mod. techn. terms XIX.

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acrobat

XIX. — F. acrobate — Gr. akrobáts, f. akróbatos walking on tiptoe.

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across

adv. in the form of a cross, crosswise XIII; transversely, from side to side XVI; prep. XVI. ME. a cr(e)oiz, o cros (XIII), later acros, acrosse (XIV), also in or on crosse (XV–XVI) — OF. en croiz; later assim. to native formations in A-1 and the sb. CROSS.

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acrostic

XVI. — L. acrostichis — Gr. akrostikhís, f. ákros endmost, ACRO- + stíkhos row, line of verse. The etym. sp. acrostich has been superseded through assoc. with -IC. Cf. F. acrostiche.

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act

deed XIV; legislative decree XV; section of a drama XVII. Mainly — L. ctus doing, ctum public transaction, f. ct-, pp. stem of agere do; partly through F. acte. So act vb. XV.

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action

XIV. — (O)F. — L. acti, -n-, f. ct-; see ACT, -TION. Hence actionable XVI. So active XIV. — L. ctvus, partly through (O)F. actif, -ive. activity XV. — F. or late L. activate XVII. f. pp. stem of medL. ctivre; later infl. by F. activer, G. aktivieren.

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actor

†steward XIV (in Wycl. Bible Gal. 4: 2 a literalism; later Sc. XV–XVII); †pleader XV; doer XV; stage-player XVI. — L. ctor, f. ct- (see ACT). Cf. (O)F. acteur, and see -OR1. Hence actress XVI.

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actual

exhibited in acts, spec. actual (opp. original) sin; existing in fact XIV. orig. actuel — (O)F. actuel; later assim. to the source, late L. ctulis, f. ctus ACT; see -AL1. So actuality XIV. — (O)F. or medL. actually XV. partly after F. actuellement, L. ctuliter.

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actuary

†registrar XVI; official who compiles statistics of mortality, etc. XIX. — L. cturius shorthand writer, keeper of accounts, f. ctus ACT, see -ARY.

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actuate

XVI. f. pp. stem of medL. cture, f. ctus ACT; see ATE3.

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acuity

XV. — F. acuité or medL. acuits, f. acuere; see ACUTE, -ITY.

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acumen

XVI. — L. acmen, f. acuere (see next).

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acute

XIV. — L. actus, pp. of acuere sharpen (cf. ACID); as applied to accent tr. Gr. oxeîa, fem. (sc. prosidí accent) of oxús sharp.

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-acy

suffix repr. (i) L. -cia, forming nouns of quality on adjs. in -x, -c-, as fallcia fallacy (the corr. Eng. adjs. ending in -ACIOUS); (ii) L. -tia, in medL. often -cia, as abbtia abbacy; (iii) medL. -tia, forming nouns of state on sbs. in -tus, as advoctia advocacy, on the anal. of which the suffix was extended to Eng. sbs. in -ate, as confederacy, and to adjs. in -ate, as accuracy, privacy.

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ad-

pref. repr. L. ad (see AT) to express motion to, direction towards, etc., as advenre arrive, adversus ADVERSE; the d was assim. to following c, f, g, l, n, q, r, s, t, producing AC-, AF-, etc.; ad- was reduced to a- before sc, sp, st (e.g. ASCEND, ASPIRE, ASTRINGENT) and gn (as in AGNATE). In OF. the double cons. of acc-, add-, agg-, etc. were reduced to single ones, and adv- became av-, and OF. words were adopted with such forms in Eng.; but in XIV these began to be latinized (as some had been in French) by the resumption of the second cons., as in address, allow, arrest.

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-ad

suffix (= F. -ade) repr. L. — Gr. -ad- (nom. -as, pl. -ades) in (i) coll. numerals, as TRIAD, MYRIAD, and similarly OLYMPIAD; (ii) fem. patronymics, as DRYAD, NAIAD; (iii) the name of Homer's Iliad, imitated in Dunciad, etc. (In decade the F. form is retained.)

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adage

XVI. — F. — L. adagium, f. AD- + agj (ai) I say.

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adagio

(mus.) slowly. XVIII. — It., i.e. ad agio at ease.

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adamant

hard rock or mineral, now only as a symbol of extreme hardness (cf. Ezek. 3: 9); †diamond; †loadstone. XIV. — OF. — L. adamant- — Gr. adáms, adamant-, orig. adj. ‘invincible’, f. A-4 + damân TAME. The sense ‘magnet, loadstone’ arose from assoc. of medL. adams with L. adamre have a strong liking for. Cf. DIAMOND. So adamantine XIII. — L.

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adapt

XVII (pp. once XV). — (O)F. adapter — L. adaptre, f. AD- + aptre, f. aptus APT. So adaptation XVII.

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add

unite, say in addition, perform the arithmetical process of addition. XIV. — L. addere, f. AD- + base of facere DO1. So addendum, pl. -a XVIII. sb use of gerundive of L. addere, additament XIV. — L. additmentum, f. addere, addit-. addition XIV. — F. or L. Hence additional XVII; cf. F. additionel. additive XVII. — late L. additvus.

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adder

†serpent; viper. OE. nd(d)re, corr. to OS. ndra, OHG. ntara (G. natter) and (with a different vowel-grade) ON. naðr(a), Goth. nadrs; rel. to L. natrix water-snake. As in apron, auger, umpire, orig. n- has been lost by coalescence with a preceding indef. art., a nadder becoming an adder (XIV). For the reverse process see NEWT, etc.

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addict

devote or apply habitually. XVI. At first and still mainly in pp. addicted, which superseded †addict (XVI) — L. addictus, pp. of addcere, f. AD- + dcere appoint, allot (see DICTION). Hence addict sb. XX.

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addle

(of an egg) rotten, putrid. XIII. ME. adel (in adel eye ‘addle egg’), adj. use of OE. adela stinking urine, etc. Used fig. in addle-head(ed) XVII. Hence addled XVII (cf. -ED1), whence addle vb. XVIII.

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address

†make straight or right; †accoutre, dress; †direct; refl. apply oneself to XIV; direct (words or speech) to XV; speak directly to XVIII. — OF. adrecier (mod. adresser) :- Rom. addrectire, f. AD- + L. drectus DIRECT. Cf. DRESS. Hence, or partly — (O)F., address sb. XVI.

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adduce

XV. — L. addcere, f. AD- + dcere lead, bring (cf. DUKE).

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-ade

repr. F. -ade in adoptions of (i) Pr., Sp., Pg. words in -ada or It. words in -ata, as ambuscade, barricade, cavalcade, crusade; (ii) new F. formations, as balustrade, cannonade, fusillade, lemonade. (In ballad and salad reduced to -ad.) Of limited use in Eng. as a living suffix, e.g. blockade, gingerade; but several words formerly current with -ADO survive only with -ade.

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adenoid

glandular; sb. pl. glandular growths. XIX. — Gr. adenoeids, f. adn, aden- gland; see -OID.

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adept

XVII. — L. adeptus, f. adept-, pp. stem of adipsc attain, acquire, f. apere fasten (cf. APT).

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adequate

XVII. — L. adæqutus, pp. of adæqure equalize, f. æquus equal; see -ATE2.

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adhere

XVI. — (O)F. adhérer or L. adhærre, f. AD- + hærre stick. So adherent adj. XIV; sb. XV. — (O)F. adhérent — L. adhærent-. adhesion XVII. — F. adhésion or L. adhæsi, -n-, f. adhæs-, pp. stem of adhærre.

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adieu

XIV (late ME. also adew(e)). — AN. adeu, (O)F. adieu, f. à to (AD-) + Dieu God :- L. deus.

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adipose

XVIII. — modL. adipsus, f. L. adeps, adip- fat; see -OSE.

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adjacent

XV. — L. adjacns, -ent-, prp. of adjacre, f. AD- + jacre lie down; see -ENT.

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adjective

(gram.) designating an attribute. XIV. — (O)F. adjectif, -ive — late L. adjectvus, -va, f. adject-, pp. stem of adicere add, f. AD- + jacere throw; see -IVE.

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adjoin

XIV. — OF. ajoi(g)n-, stem of ajoindre (mod. adjoindre) :- L. adjungere, f. AD- + jungere JOIN.

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adjourn

†appoint a day for XIV; defer XV. — OF. ajorner (mod. ajourner), f. phr. a jorn (nomé) to an (appointed) day, jorn :- L. diurnum day (whence F. jour, etc.), n. of diurnus daily (cf. DIURNAL).

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adjudicate

XVIII. f. pp. stem (see -ATE3) of L. adjdicre (f. AD- + jdex, jdic- JUDGE), whence OF. ajugier (mod. adjuger), the source of adjudge XIV. So adjudication XVII. — F. or L.

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adjunct

adj. and sb. XVI (earlier Sc.). — L. adjunctus, -um, pp. of adjungere ADJOIN.

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adjure

†put (one) to his oath XIV; charge solemnly XV. — L. adjrre, f. AD- + js, jr- oath (cf. JURY). So adjuration XIV (rare before XVII). — F. or L.

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adjust

XVII. — F. †adjuster (mod. ajuster), f. juste JUST. So adjustment XVII.

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adjutant

XVII. — L. adjtns, -ant-, prp. of adjtre, frequent. of adjuvre help; see -ANT.

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ad libitum

XVII; abbrev. ad lib. XIX. — L. phr., i.e. ad according to, libitum pleasure.

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administer

XIV. ME. a(d)ministren — OF. amenistrer — L. administrre, f. AD- + ministrre MINISTER. So administration XIV. — F. or L.

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administrative

XVIII. — L. administrator XVI. — F. or L.

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admiral

†Saracen ruler or prince XIII–XV; naval commander-in-chief XV. ME. a(d)mira(i)l — (O)F. amiral — medL. a(d)mirlis, etc., f. Arab. amr commander. See EMIR. So admiralty XV.

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admire

†wonder (at); regard with pleased surprise. XVI (late). — F. admirer (OF. amirer) or L. admrr, f. AD- + mrr wonder (see MIRACLE). So admirable, admiration XV.

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admit

let in XIV; allow the truth of XV. — L. admittere, f. AD- + mittere send (see MISSION). Hence admittance XVI. So admission XV. — L. admissi, -n-, f. admiss-, pp. stem of admittere. So admissible XVII. F. — medL.

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admixture

XVII. f. admixt-, pp. stem of L. admiscre, f. AD- + miscre MIX (cf. MIXTURE).

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admonish

XIV. ME. amonesten — OF. amonester — Rom. admonestre, unexpl. deriv. of L. admonre, f. AD- + monre advise (cf. MONITION). The initial syll. was latinized to ad-, and the final syll. became -ish by assoc. with -ISH2. So admonishment XIII (first a(d)monestement). admonition XIV (first amonicio(u)n).

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ado

(arch., dial., first in northern and eastern areas) dealings, trouble, fuss. XIV. f. phr. at do, f. adoption of ON. at (see AT) + DO1; corr. to the native formation TO-DO.

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-ado

repr. Sp., Pg. -ado (:- L. -tus -ATE2), m. pp. ending of vbs. in -ar, as in DESPERADO, TORNADO. This suffix was also freq. used irreg. in late-XVI and XVII adoptions of words in F. -ADE, Sp. -ada, It. -ata; e.g. bravado, crusado, palisado, some of which have survived as the regular form, while in others -ado has been superseded by -ADE.

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adobe

unburnt brick dried in the sun. XVIII. — Sp., f. Arab. atb, i.e. AL-2, b brick.

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adolescent

sb. XV; adj. XVIII. — (O)F. adolescent — L. adolscns, -ent-, prp. of adolscere grow up; see AD-, ALIMENT, -ESCENT. So adolescence XV.

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adopt

XV. — (O)F. adopter or L. adoptre choose for oneself; see AD-, OPT. So adoption XIV, adoptive XV.

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adore

XIV. — (O)F. adorer, refash., after L., of OF. ao(u)rer (whence ME. aouren XIV) :- L. adrre reverence, worship, f. AD- + rre; cf. ORATE. So adorable XVII. — F. or L. adoration XVI.

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adorn

XIV. — OF. adorner, refash., after L., of OF. ao(u)rner (whence ME. aournen) :- L. adornre, f. AD- + ornre furnish, deck; cf. ORNAMENT. So adornment XV.

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adown

(dial., poet.) down(ward). OE. adn(e), reduced form of ofdne, i.e. of from (A-2) + dat. of dn hill, DOWN1. Aphetic DOWN3.

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adrift

XVII. f. A-1 + DRIFT.

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adroit

XVII. — (O)F. adroit, f. adv. phr. à droit rightly, i.e. à to (AD-) + droit right :- L. drectus DIRECT (cf. DRESS).

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adulation

XV. — (O)F. adulation or L. adlti, -n-, f. adlt-, pp. stem of adlr fawn upon, whence adulate XVIII; see -ATION.

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adult

adj. XVI, sb. XVII. — L. adultus, pp. of adolscere (see ADOLESCENT); cf. F. adulte.

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adulterate

†commit adultery; †debauch; falsify, debase. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. adulterre; see -ATE3. So adulteration XVI. — F. or L.

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adulterer

XVI. Used XVI–XVIII beside synon. †adulter, but finally established as the more congruent form in the series adulterate †commit adultery, -erer, -eress, -erous, adultery, which repl. the ME. forms (XIV) avoutren, -rer, -resse, -rous (XV), -rie, all of which were from derivs. in OF. of L. adulterre (see prec.).

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adumbrate

shadow forth, prefigure XVI; over-shadow XVII. f. pp. stem of L. adumbrre, f. AD- + umbra shade, shadow; see -ATE3. So adumbration XVI (earlier than the vb.). — L.

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advance

XIII (first in the sense ‘promote, forward’). ME. ava(u)ncen — OF. avancier (mod. -cer), f. Rom. abantire, f. late L. abante (whence F. avant), f. L. ab OFF, away + ante before (see ANTE-). Hence advance sb. XVII. So advancement XIII.

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advantage

XIV. ME. ava(u)ntage — (O)F. avantage, f. avant before; see prec. and -AGE. Aphetic VANTAGE. Hence, or — (O)F., advantage vb. XV. advantageous XVI. — (O)F.

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advent

Church season preceding Christmas XII; the Coming of Christ XV; arrival XVIII. — OF. advent, refash. after L. of avent (also mod.) — L. adventus, f. advent-, pp. stem of advenre arrive, f. AD- + venre COME.

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adventitious

coming from without, accidental, casual. XVII. f. adventitius, medL. sp. of L. adventcius, f. advent-; see prec. and -ITIOUS1.

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adventure

†chance, hazard, risk XIII; hazardous enterprise XIV. ME. aventure — (O)F. :- Rom. adventra, sb. use of fut. part. of L. advenre; see ADVENT, -URE. So adventure vb. XIV. adventurer XV. adventurous XIV. Aphetic VENTURE.

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adverb

word that qualifies an adjective, a verb, or another adverb. XV. — F. adverbe or L. adverbium, f. AD- + verbum word, VERB; lit. rendering of Gr. epírrma (f. EPI- + rhma word). So adverbial XVII, adverbially XV.

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adverse

XIV. — later OF. advers, -se, refash. after L. of avers :- L. adversus, pp. of advertere turn towards; see AD-, VERSE. So adversary XIV. — (O)F. or L. adversity XIII.

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advert

(obs. or arch.) turn one's attention (cf. ANIMADVERT). XV. (Earlier also avert) —(O)F. avertir (now only) warn :- Rom. advertre; see next. The rel. advertence (XIV), advertency (XVII), advertent (XVII) are now mainly repr. in the neg. INADVERTENCE, etc.

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advertise

†take note of; †direct the attention of; give notice of. XV. f. advertiss-, lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of F. †advertir, refash. of avertir warn :- Rom. advertre, for L. advertere (see ADVERSE). The current form has been infl. by advertisement XV (earlier also avert-) — F. avertissement, †ad-.

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advice

†opinion XIII; †deliberation; counsel XIV; information given XV. ME. avis — (O)F. :- Rom. advsum, f. L. AD- + vsum, n. pp. of vidre see (vidr seem); cf. WIT2. So advise XIII. ME. avisen — (O)F. aviser (refash. after L. as †adviser) :- Rom. advsre, f. -vsre, for L. vsere, f. vidre.

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advocate

ME a(d)vocat — (O)F. avocat — L. advoctus, sb. use of pp. of advocre call in as witness or counsellor, f. AD- + vocre call. The form with ad- is due to latinization. So advocate vb. XVII.

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advowson

patronage of an ecclesiastical office, etc.; right of presentation to a benefice. XIII. — AN. a(d)voweson, OF. avoeson :- L. advocti, -n-, f. advocre; see prec., -ATION.

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adze

tool for cutting away the surface of wood. OE. adesa, ME. adese, later adys, etc.; adz(e) dates from XVIII; peculiarly Eng.; of unkn. orig.

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aegis

defence, protection. XVIII. — L. — Gr. aigís shield of Zeus (in L. of Jupiter or Minerva).

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aegrotat

(in Eng. universities) certificate of illness. XIX. 3rd pers. sing. pres. indic. of L. ægrtre be sick. f. æger, ægr- sick.

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aeon. eon

an age of the universe. XVII. — ecclL. æon- Gr. ain age, rel. to L. ævum (cf. AGE, AY).

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aerate

XVIII. f. L. r AIR + -ATE3, after F. aérer, a learned formation on the L.

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aerial

pert. to or resembling air or the atmosphere. XVII. f. L. erius (f. Gr. érios, f. r, er- AIR) + -AL1.

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aerie

see EYRIE.

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aero-

comb. form of Gr. r AIR, in many techn. terms, some of which are — F. terms in aéro-, aerodrome † (i) aeroplane XIX; (ii) airfield XX; in (i) — Gr. aerodrómos traversing the air; in (ii) f. Gr. drómos course (cf. HIPPODROME). aerodynamic , aerodynamics XIX. cf. F. aérodynamique. aeronaut XVIII. — F., f. Gr. naúts sailor; hence aeronautical , aeronautics XIX. aeroplane † (i) plane of a flying-machine; (ii) heavier-than-air flying-machine XIX; in (i) f. PLANE3; in (ii) — F. aéroplane, f. Gr. -planos wandering (see PLANET).

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aery

aerial; etherial. XVI (in later use poet.), — L. erius, f. r AIR; suffix assoc. with -Y1 (cf. AIRY).

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aesthetic

XIX (but used occas, before 1800 in the Kantian sense ‘pert. to the philosophy of sensuous perception’). The current sense ‘pert. to the criticism of the beautiful or to the theory of taste’ is derived ult. from the title of A. T. Baumgarten's ‘Aesthetica’ (1750). — Gr. aisthtikós, f. aisthtá things perceptible by the senses, f. aísthesthai perceive; see -IC. Also aesthetics XIX. Hence aesthete XIX, prob. after athlete.

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aestival

pert. to the summer. XIV. Also, as in early use, estival — (O)F. estival — L. æstvlis, f. æstvus, f. æstus heat; see -IVE, -AL1.

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aetiology, U.S. etiology

doctrine of cause or causation. XVI. — L. ætiologia — Gr. aitiologí, f. aití cause; see -LOGY.

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af-

assim. form of AD- before f.

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afar

(†from or) at a distance. ME. of feor XII, on ferr XIV, later a fer, a far, i.e. OF from (A-2), ON (A-1), FAR.

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afeard

(dial., arch.) afraid. OE. fred, pp. of fran; see A-3 and FEAR vb. Superseded by AFRAID.

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affable

XVI. — (O)F. affable — L. affbilis easy to be spoken to, f. fr speak; see AF-, FABLE, -ABLE. So affability XV.

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affair

XIII. ME. afer(e), affer(e) — OF. afaire, afere (mod. affaire), f. phr. à faire to do. Cf. ADO, TO-DO.

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affect1

†aspire to XV; †have a liking for XVI; display or assume openly; assume or pretend falsely XVII. — F. affecter or L. affectre, f. affect-, pp. stem of afficere put to, (refl.) apply oneself to; see next. So affectation XVI.

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affect2

attack, influence, move. XVII. — F. affecter or f. L. affect-, pp. stem of afficere act upon, influence, f. AD- + facere do.

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affected

(i) †sought after, cherished; assumed; full of affectation XVI; pp. of AFFECT1. (ii) having (a certain) disposition or affection XVI; f. L. affectus disposed, pp. of afficere (see prec.) + -ED1. (iii) infected XVII; pp. of AFFECT2.

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affection

emotion, disposition, fondness XIII; bodily state, spec. abnormal XVI. — (O)F. — L. affecti, -n-, f. afficere AFFECT2. So affectionate XVI. — medL. affectiontus or F. affectionné. affective XV.

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affidavit

statement confirmed by oath. XVII. 3rd pers. sing. pt. of medL. affdre declare on oath, f. L. AF- + fdre, f. fidus trusty (see FAITH).

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affiliate

XVIII. f. pp. stem of medL. affilire, f. AF- + filius son (see FILIAL); prob. after F. affilier; see -ATE3. So affiliation XVIII. — F. — medL.

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affinity

relationship (esp. by marriage) XIV; (nat. hist., chem.) structural likeness XVIII. — OF. afinité (mod. aff-) — L. affinits, f. affinis related, lit. bordering on, f. AF- + finis border; see -ITY.

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affirm

XIV. ME. affermen — OF. afermer (mod. affirmer) :- L. affirmre-, f. AF- + firmus FIRM1. So affirmation XV. — F. or L.

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affix

vb. XV. — OF. affixer or medL. affixre, f. AF- + fixre FIX. So affix sb. (cf. PREFIX, SUFFIX). XVII.

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afflict

XIV. — L. afflictre or f. afflict-, pp. stem of afflgere f. AF- + flgere strike; partly after pp. †afflict. So affliction XIV. — (O)F. — L. (esp. eccl.).

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affluent

flowing in abundance XV; wealthy XVIII; sb. feeder of a river XIX. — (O)F. — L. affluns, -ent-, prp. of affluere, f. AF- + fluere flow (see FLUENT). So affluence XIV.

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afford

†further, carry out OE.; be able, have the means XIV; grant, yield XVI. Late OE. eforðian, f. e- Y- + forðian to further, f. FORTH. After the reduction of the prefix to a-, the sp. was assim. to words of L. origin in aff-; for the change of th to d cf. burden, murder.

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afforest

convert into forest. XVI. — medL. afforestre, f. AF- + foresta FOREST. So afforestation XVII.

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affray

vb. (arch.) startle, frighten. XIV. — AN. affraier, OF. esfrëer, effrëer (mod. effrayer) :- Rom. exfridre, f. L. EX-1 + Rom. fridus — Gmc. friþuz peace; see AFRAID. So affray sb. XIV. — AN. affrai, for OF. esfrei, effrei, f. the vb. Aphetic FRAY1.

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affright

(arch.) frighten. XVI. f. †affright frightened, OE. fyrhted, pp. of fyrhtan (cf. FRIGHT). Hence affright sb. XVI.

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affront

vb. XIV. — OF. afronter strike in the face (mod. aff-) :- Rom. affrontre, f. L. phr. ad frontem; see AF-, FRONT. Hence affront sb. XVI; cf. F. affront.

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afield

on or to the field OE.; abroad XV. OE. on felda, ME. o felde, a felde, i.e. ON, A-1, and dat. of FIELD.

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afire

XIII. ME. afire, o(n)fire, i.e. ON, A-1, and dat. of FIRE.

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aflame

XVI. f. A-1 + FLAME, after AFIRE.

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afloat

on the water or the sea. XII. — ME. o(n) flote on the sea, at sea, i.e. ON, A-1, and dat. of OE. flot sea (see FLOAT); in ME. partly after ON. á flot and OF. a flote; from XVI prob. a new formation.

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afoot

on foot (lit. and fig.). XIII. ME. afote, o(n) fote, i.e. ON, A-1, and dat. of FOOT; partly after ON. á fótum.

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afore

(arch.) in front, in advance. OE. onforan, ME. on-, aforen, reinforced by afore (XIV), f. †fore adv. and prep. Hence †aforehand (XIV), aforetime(s) (XV), aforesaid (XIV), modelled on BEFOREHAND, -TIME, †beforesaid (XIV). aforethought XVI, after †prepensed.

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afraid

XIV. ME. af(f)raied, pp. of AFFRAY used as adj. after AN. afrayé; superseded AFEARD.

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afresh

XV. After ANEW (earlier of (a) fresh (XV–XVI)); see A-2, FRESH.

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African

OE. (sb.), XVI (adj.). — L. fricnus, f. frica, f. fr (sg. fer) ancient people of N. Africa; see -AN.

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Afrikaner

(earlier also Afrikander ) white native of S. Africa. XIX. — Afrikaans, earlier (Cape) Du. Afrikaander, f. Afrikaan (sb.) African + -der, pers. suff. after Hollander Dutchman. So Afrikaans XX. var. of Afrikaansch.

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aft

(prop. naut.) in or near the hinder part. XVII (fore and aft). prob. alt. of earlier ABAFT, baft, after LG., Du. achter (see next).

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after

OE. æfter adv. and prep. = OS., OHG. aftar (Du. achter), ON. aptr, Goth. aftra; Gmc. adv., prob. compar. deriv. of af- in OE. æftan from behind. Hence after adj., OE.; later the adv. in attrib. use (cf. next).

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after-

the adv.-prep. AFTER in comb., in senses ‘hinder’, ‘subsequent(ly)’, etc. OE. had, e.g., æfterboren posthumous, æfterfolgere successor.

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after-birth

placenta. XVI (also †after-burthen). perh. directly — G. afterbürde (Luther, Deut. 28: 57), also aftergeburt; see prec., BIRTH.

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aftermath

second crop of grass XVI; esp. fig. XVII. f. AFTER- + †math a mowing, OE. mæ, f. Gmc. m- MOW2.

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aftermost

XVIII. f. AFTER + -MOST.

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afternoon

XIII. f. AFTER- + NOON; cf. late L. post-meridiem adv., F. après-midi.

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afterward

†behind OE.; subsequently XIII. OE. æfterweard (also adj.); see AFTER-, -WARD(S).

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ag-

assim. form of AD- before g.

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aga, agha

Ottoman title. XVI. — Turk. aa master, lord.

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again

†in the opposite direction, back OE.; †in return XIII; once more, anew XIV; †prep. towards, opposite, against OE. OE. (WS.) onan, onn, later an, (Angl.) onæn, onen, whence typical ME. forms azen and azain, azein, corr. to OS. angegin, OHG. ingagan (G. entgegen). The native forms in az-, ay- did not survive beyond XVI, being superseded universally by forms in ag- from Scand., and appearing first in northern and eastern texts XIII.

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against

opposite (now only in over against); in resistance to XII; contrary to; in return for XIII. ME. azeines, azaines, azens, f. azein, etc. + -es, see prec., -S. For the parasitic -t cf. AMIDST, AMONGST.

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agape1

gaping. XVII. f. A-1 + GAPE.

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agape2

early Christian love-feast XVII; Christian love XIX. — Gr. agáp brotherly love, f. agapân. vb. love.

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agaric

kind of fungus. XV. — L. agaricum — Gr. agarikón, said by Dioscorides to be named from Agaria in Sarmatia; see -IC.

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agate

variety of chalcedony. XVI. — (O)F. — L. achts — Gr. akhts.

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age

sb. XIII. — OF. ëage, äage, age (mod. âge) :- Gallo-Rom. ætticum, f. L. æts, ætt-, earlier ævits, f. ævum age of time (cf. AEON). Hence age vb. XIV. aged XV; after F. âgé.

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-age

suffix repr. (O)F. -age :- L. -ticus -ATIC. For the Rom. extended use of -ticum see prec., COURAGE.

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agenda

items of business to be considered. XIX. — L., pl. of agendum, sb. use of n. gerundive of agere (see next).

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agent

XV. — L. agns, agent-, sb. use of prp. of agere do; see -ENT. So agency XVII.

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agglomerate

gather into a mass. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. agglomerre, f. AG- + glomus ball, mass, partly through F. agglomérer; see -ATE3. So agglomeration XVIII. — F. or L.

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agglutinate

unite as with glue. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. agglutinre, f. AG- + glten GLUE; see -ATE3. So agglutination XVI, agglutinative XVII.

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aggrandize

make or make to appear greater. XVII. f. agrandiss-, lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of (O)F. agrandir, prob. — It. aggrandire, f. AG- + grandire — L. grandre, f. grandis GRAND; the ending was assim. to verbs in -IZE. So aggrandizement XVII.

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aggravate

†burden; add weight or gravity to XVI; incense, provoke XVII. f. pp. stem of L. aggravre, f. AG- + gravis heavy, GRAVE3; prob. through F. aggraver; see -ATE3. So aggravation XV. — F. — medL.

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aggregate

collected into one body; sb. sum total, entire mass. XV. — L. aggregtus, pp. of aggregre, f. AG- + grex, greg- flock (cf. GREGARIOUS). Hence aggregate vb., aggregation XV.

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aggression

XVII. — F. agression or L. aggressi, -n-, f. aggress-, pp. stem of aggred attack, f. AG- + grad walk (see -GRADE). So aggressive XIX; perh. after F.

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aggrieve

XIV. ME. agreven — OF. agrever make heavier :- L. aggravre AGGRAVATE.

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aghast

XIII. ME. agast, pp. of †agasten frighten, f. A-3 + †gasten, app. :- OE. gstan. The sp. with gh (XVIII) is due to assoc. with GHASTLY.

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agile

XV. — (O)F. agile — L. agilis, f. agere do; see AGENT, -ILE. So agility XV.

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agitate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. agitre move to and fro, frequent. of agere do (see AGENT, -ATE3); cf. (O)F. agiter. So agitation XVI. — F. or L. agitator XVII.

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agley, aglee

(Sc.) crooked, awry. XVIII. f. A-1 + †gley, gly (XIII) squint.

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agnate

kinsman by the father's side XVI (adj. XVIII). f. L. agntus, f. AD- + (g)ntus born; see COGNATE.

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agnostic

XIX. f. A-4 + GNOSTIC; invented by T. H. Huxley .

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ago,

(arch. and dial.) agone XIV. pp. of ME. agon, OE. gn pass away, corr. to OS. gangan, OHG. irgangan, irgn (G. ergehen), Goth. usgaggan; see A-3, GO.

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agog

XV. prob. modelled (with assim. to formations with A-1) on late OF. en gogues, i.e. en IN, pl. of gogue merriment, pleasantry, of unkn. orig.

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agony

anguish of mind XIV; death struggle XV; extreme bodily suffering XVII. — (O)F. agonie or late L. agnia — Gr. agní, f. agn contest, struggle; see -Y3. So agonize XVI.

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agoraphobia

morbid dread of public places. XIX. — modL., irreg. f. Gr. agor (place of) assembly, market-place; see PHOBIA.

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agrarian

XVII. f. L. agrarius, f. ager, agr- land; see ACRE, -ARIAN.

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agree

†please; become favourable, accede XIV; be in harmony or accord XVI. — (O)F. agréer :- Rom. aggrtre, f. L. AG- + grtus pleasing (cf. GRACE). So agreeable (hence agreeably), agreement XIV.

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agriculture

XV. — (O)F. agriculture or L. agricultra; see ACRE, CULTURE. Hence agricultural XVIII, agriculturalist XIX, agriculturist XVIII.

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agrimony

plant of the genus Eupatorium or Agrimonia. Earlier egre-, egrimoine (XIV) — (O)F. aigremoine; the later agrimony (XV) is based directly on L. agrimnia, misreading for L. argemnia — Gr. argemn poppy, f. árgemon white spot on the eye, which the plant was reputed to cure.

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agro-

comb. form of Gr. agrós field, ACRE.

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aground

†on or to the ground XIII; on or to the bottom of shallow water XVI. f. A-1 + GROUND; cf. ON. á grunn into the shallows.

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ague

†acute fever XIII; malarial fever XIV. — OF. :- medL. acta, sb. use (sc. febris fever) of fem. of L. actus ACUTE.

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ah

int. XIII. Earliest form a — OF. a (later and mod. ah); cf. It., Sp. ah, and similar forms in various languages. Comb. with HA produced aha XIII.

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ahead

(orig. naut.) XVII. Earlier †on head (XVI); f. A-1 + HEAD.

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ahoy

XVIII. f. a AH + HOY1.

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aid

vb. XV. — OF. aidier (mod. aider) — L. adjtre, frequent. of adjuvre, f. AD- + juvre help. So aid sb. XV.

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aide-de-camp

XVII. — F., lit. ‘camp assistant’.

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ail

(arch.) trouble, afflict OE.; be ill (now in prp. ailing) XV. OE. elan, elian, f. ele troublesome, rel. to Goth. agls disgraceful, agl oppression, usagljan oppress. Hence ailment XVIII.

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aileron

XX. — F. aileron, dim. of aile wing.

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aim

†estimate; direct (a missile, blow). XIV. ME. a(i)men; partly — OF. e(s)mer, a(s)mer :- L. æstimre (see ESTEEM); partly — OF. ae(s)mer :- L. adæstimre (see AD-). Hence (or — OF. ae(s)me, e(s)me) aim sb. XIV.

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air

A
atmosphere XIII;

B
appearance, manner XVI;
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C
melody, tune XVI. prop. three words, but, as in F., the earliest has absorbed the others. In A, ME. eir, air — (O)F. air — L. r, er — Gr. r. In B, — F. air (XVI), prob. repr. OF. aire place, race, quality (cf. DEBONAIR); see EYRIE. In C, like later F. air (XVII), repr. It. aria, orig. :- L. (Gr.) era, acc. of r, but later infl. by OF. aire.
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Hence air vb. XVI. airy XIV (cf. AERY).

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air-tight

XVIII. f. AIR + TIGHT, after water-, wind-tight; cf. G. luftdicht.

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airwood

see HAREWOOD

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aisle

lateral section of a church XIV; passageway in a church XVIII. ME. ele, ile; later isle (XVI–XVIII), aile, aisle (from XVIII) — OF. ele (mod. aile) :- L. la wing of bird, army, or building. The forms show confusion with ISLE.

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aitch-bone

the bone of the buttock. XIX (also H-bone), orig. nache-BONE (XV), f. earlier nage (XIV) — OF. nache, nage, pl. naches :- late L. naticas, acc. pl. of naticæ, f. L. natis (usu. pl. -es) buttock.

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ajar

slightly open. XVIII. alt. of Sc. and north. dial. achar, on char(e) (XVI), i.e. ON, A-1, and char :- OE. .err (WS. .ierr) turn (see CHARE). The earliest records of the j-form (XVII) are in the analytical var. at jar, (up)on the jar, etc.

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akimbo

with hands on hips and elbows turned outwards XV. Late ME. in kenebowe, later (by assim. to A-1, ON) a or on kenbow, etc., akimbo (XVIII); prob. — ON. phr. í keng boginn ‘bent in a curve’; see IN, BOW2.

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akin

XVI (earlier of kin). f. A-2, KIN.

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al-1

assim. form of AD- before l.

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al-2

Arab. def. art. al the, forming an essential element of many words of Rom. (esp. Sp. and Pg.) orig. adopted in Eng., as alcohol, algebra, alkali.

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-al1

suffix repr. L. -lis forming adjs. from sbs. with the sense ‘of the kind of, pertaining to’. It became -el in OF., with which many F. words were adopted, e.g. actuel, mortel; this form, to some extent in F. and gen. in Eng., was refash. after L. as -al, whence L. adjs. in -lis and F. adjs. in -el have been adopted with -al unrestrictedly.

The L. adjs. were primarily f. sbs., as rlis ORAL, f. s, r- mouth. This type was greatly increased in medL. and modL. and consequently in the Rom. languages by formations not only on L. but on Gr. stems (after L. borelis, hebdomadlis). In L. itself -lis was added to existing adjs., as annulis (f. annuus), infernlis (f. infernus); hence the suffix is added freely in the mod. langs. to many classes of formations, including those with suffixes of Gr. origin, -ac, -ic, -oid (see -ACAL, -ICAL, -OIDAL).

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-al2

earlier -aile, repr. F. -aille, which was generalized from such words as bataille BATTLE, (e)spousaille(s) (E)SPOUSAL, funeraille FUNERAL, where the orig. L. was a sb. use of the n. pl. of an adj. in -AL1. Among the earliest exx. are acquittal (XV), arrival (XIV); from XVI many derivs. of L. or F. vbs. came into use, e.g. trial; a few have been made on native end-stressed vbs., as bestowal, betrothal, withdrawal. Bridal and burial simulate this ending, though their orig. is different.

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alabaster

XIV. — OF. alabastre (mod. albâtre)- L. alabaster, -trum container for perfume — Gr. alábast(r)os.

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alack

(arch.) excl. of dissatisfaction, (hence) of surprise or regret. XV. prob. f. a AH + LACK (sb.), after ALAS. Hence alack-a-day; cf. LACKADAISICAL.

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alacrity

XV. — L. alacrits, f. alacer, alacr- brisk; see AMBLE, -ITY.

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alarm

†(excl.) to arms! XIV; call to arms, †surprise attack; state of surprise with fear XVI. ME. alarme, alarom, later alarum (XVI) — (O)F. alarme — It. allarme, i.e. all'arme ‘to the arms’ (see ARM2), orig. a call. Hence alarm vb. XVI.

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alas

XIII. — OF. a las(se) (also helas, mod. hélas) ‘ah! weary (that I am)!’, i.e. a AH + las(se) :- L. lassus, fem. lassa weary (cf. LASSITUDE).

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alb

(eccl.) long tunic with sleeves. OE. albe — ecclL. alba, sb. use (sc. tunica tunic, vestis garment) of L. albus white.

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albatross

XVII. usu. taken to be alt., by assoc. with L. albus white, of †alcatras pelican, etc. (XVI) — Sp., Pg. alcatraz, var. of Pg. alcatruz orig. bucket of an irrigating water-wheel, corr. to Sp. alcaduz — Arab. al-ds, i.e. AL-2, ds pitcher. The changes of sense and form are a serious difficulty.

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albeit

XIV. Conjunctive phr. al be it, fuller form of albe, i.e. ALL adv., be 3rd sing. pres. subj. of BE, with a clause following (introduced or not by that), the orig. meaning being ‘let it entirely be (that)’; formerly with corr. pt., †al were it. Cf. HOWBEIT.

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albino

XVIII. — Sp., Pg. albino, f. albo white + -ino (see -INE1).

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Albion

Britain. OE. Albion — L. Albin , Gr. Alouín — Celtic Albio, -on-; usu. referred to albho- (L. albus) white, the allusion being to the white cliffs of Britain (cf. ALPS).

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album

blank book for the insertion of collected items. XVII. — L. album (white tablet on which records, etc., were inscribed, list), sb. use of n. of albus white; first in G. use as album amicorum ‘album of friends’, in which the owner collected the signatures of fellow scholars.

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albumen

white of egg. XVI. — late L. albmen, f. albus white.

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alchemy

XIV. ME. alkamye, etc. — OF. alkemie, alkamie (mod. alchimie) — medL. alchimia, -chemia = Arab. al-kmiy', i.e. AL-2, kmiy' — Gr. khm(e)í art of transmuting metals. By assoc. with Gr. khmeí infusion arose the modL. alchymia, whence the frequent XVI–XVIII Eng. sp. alchymy (cf. chymistry, var. of CHEMISTRY). Hence alchemical XVI. So alchemist XV (cf. †alchemister, etc. XIV). — OF. alkemiste or medL. alchemista.

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alcohol

†fine metallic powder, esp. as produced by sublimation XVI; distilled or rectified spirit of wine XVIII; (chem.) compound of the type of this XIX. — F. (now alcool) or medL. — Arab. al-kul, i.e. AL-2, kul antimony (used as powder to stain the eyelids). Hence alcoholic XVIII, alcoholism XIX.

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alcove

XVII. — F. alcôve — Sp. alcoba — Arab. al-ubba, i.e. AL-2, ubba vault.

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aldehyde

(chem.) fluid obtained by oxidization of alcohol; compound of this type. XIX. f. al. dehyd., abbr. of alcohol dehydrogenatum dehydrogenated alcohol.

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alder

the tree Alnus glutinosa. OE. alor, aler, rel. OHG. elira, erila (G. erle), ON. lr, also to L. alnus.

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alderman

†man of high rank OE.; †warden of a guild XII; (hence) magistrate of a borough. OE. aldormann, f. aldor (ealdor) chief, prince (f. OLD) + MAN. Hence aldermanic XVIII.

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Aldine

XIX. Designation of editions of Gr. and L. classics printed or published by Aldo Manuzio and his family (1450–1597). — modL. Aldnus, f. Aldus, latinized form of Aldo; see -INE1.

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ale

OE. alu (ealu) = OS. alo- (rare), ON. l. Only Eng. retains both ale and beer, the Scand. langs. only ale, and the other Gmc. langs. only beer.

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aleatory

depending on chance. XVII. — L. letrius. f. letor gambler, f. lea game of chance; see -ORY2.

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alecost

the plant Chrysanthemum balsamita, formerly used for giving a flavour to ale. XVI. f. ALE + cost — L. costum — Gr. kóstos plant used as a spice.

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alee

(naut.) on or to the lee side. XIV. f. A-1 + LEE1, partly after ON. á hlé.

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alegar

malt vinegar. XIV. f. ALE + -egar (see EAGER) of vinegar. Cf. †beeregar (XV) vinegar made from beer.

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alembic

former distilling apparatus. XIV. ME. alambic, alembike — (O)F. alambic — medL. alembicus — Arab. al-'anb i.e. AL-2, 'anb still — Gr. ámbix, ambk- cup, cap of still. Almost superseded by the aphetic limbeck (earlier lembik) from XV to XVII, when the full form again came into vogue.

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alert

adj. XVII. — F. alerte, earlier allerte, à l'airte — It. all'erta on the watch, f. erta look-out (tower).

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alexandrine

pert. to verse of twelve syllables. XVI. — F. alexandrin, f. Alexandre, title of a famous OF. romance (XII–XIII), concerning Alexander the Great, in which the metre is used; see -INE1.

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alexin

(biochem.) substance having the property of destroying bacteria. XIX. — G. alexin, f. Gr. aléxein ward off; see -IN.

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alfalfa

XIX. — Sp. alfalfa, formerly alfalfez — Arab. al-fafaa ‘the best sort of fodder’.

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al fresco

in the open air. XVIII. — It. phr. al fresco ‘in the FRESH (air)’. Cf. FRESCO.

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alga pl. algae

XVI. — L. alga seaweed.

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algebra

†bone-setting XIV; branch of mathematics XVI. — medL. algebra — Arab. al-jabr, i.e. AL-2, jabr reunion of broken parts, f. jabara reunite. Hence algebraic XVII, algebraical XVI, algebrist XVII.

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algid

cold, chill. XVII. — L. algidus, f. algre be cold; see -ID1.

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algorism

Arabic (decimal) system of numeration. XIII. Earliest form augrim, later algorisme — OF. augori(s)me, algorisme — medL. algorismus, f. Arab. — Pers. al-K(w)rizm, surname of 9th-cent. Arab mathematician through the European translation of whose work on algebra Arabic numerals became generally known.

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alias

otherwise named XVI; another name XVII. — L. alis at another time, otherwise, f. alius (see ELSE).

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alibi

(leg.) †elsewhere; plea of having been elsewhere. XVIII. — L. alib elsewhere, f. alius (see ELSE).

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alien

adj. and sb. XIV. — OF. — L. alinus, f. alius (see ELSE). So alien vb. XIV — (O)F. aliéner; earlier synon. of alienate (XVI), which was preceded by the pp. †alienate (XV) — L. alintus, pp. of alinre. alienable XVII. alienation XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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alight1

get down, dismount OE.; settle on XIII. OE lhtan, f. A-3 + lhtan (rel. LIGHT2).

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alight2

lighted, on fire. XVIII. prob. evolved from phr. †on (also of, in) a light fire (XVI–XVIII) ablaze, where light appears to be pp. of LIGHT1 vb. kindle, ignite.

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align

XVII. — (O)F. aligner, f. phr. à ligne, repr. L. ad lneam in a straight line (see AD-, LINE2). So alignment XVIII.

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alike

adj. (now almost always used predic.). OE. el. (ME. ilich(e), ilik(e); a-forms from XIV) :- Gmc. za- Y- + lkam form (see LIKE2); for the development of OE. e- to a- cf. AFFORD, AWARE. Cf. LIKE1. So alike adv. OE. el.e. In ME. both words were prob. infl. by ON. adj. álikr, adv. álika and corr. OE. onl.e, ME. anlich(e), in which the pref. is Gmc. ana- (see ON).

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aliment

XV (rare before XVII). — F. aliment or L. alimentum, f. alere nourish; see -MENT. So alimentary XVII. — L.

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alimony

XVII. — L. alimnia, f. alere; see prec. and -MONY.

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aliquot

XVI. — F. aliquote, medL. aliquota sb. use of fem. adj. (sc. pars part), f. L. aliquot some, several.

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-ality

comp. suffix — (O)F. -alité- L. -lits, -tt-; see -AL1, -ITY.

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alive

OE. on lfe, ME. o(n) live, alive, i.e. ON, A-1, and dat. of LIFE.

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alkali

†soda ash XIV; saltwort, Salsola kali XVI; any substance having the properties of soda XVII; (mod. chem.) hydroxide of sodium, potassium, etc. XIX. — medL. — Arab. al-ily calcined ashes, f. al fry, roast; see AL-2, KALI. Cf. F. alcali. So alkaline XVII; cf. F. alcalin. alkaloid XIX. — G.

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all

OE. all (eall) = OS., OHG. al (Du. al, G. all). ON. allr, Goth. alls.

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Allah

XVI. — Arab. allh, for al-'ilh, i.e. AL-2, 'ilh god = Aram. elh, Heb. elah.

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allay

†lay aside OE.; put down, repress; appease, assuage XIV; dilute, temper XV; mitigate XVII. OE. le.an, ME. aleggen, superseded by aleien, alay (see A-2, LAY1). The sense-development has been infl. by formal assoc. with OF. alegier lighten (see ALLEVIATE) and aleier, aloier temper, qualify (see ALLOY).

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allegation

XV. — (O)F. allégation or L. allgti, -n-, f. allgre bring forward, f. AL-1 + lgre dispatch, commission (cf. LEGATE); see -ATION.

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allege

†declare before a tribunal; cite; advance as a reason; assert without proof. XIV. — AN. alegier, for OF. esligier :-Rom. exltigre clear at law (f. L. EX-1 + ls, lt- lawsuit), used in the senses of L. allgre (see prec.), whence F. alléguer (which cannot be the source of allege).

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allegiance

XIV. — AN. alligeance (AL. alligantia), f. OF. ligeance (AL. ligantia), f. lige LIEGE; see -ANCE.

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allegory

XIV. — (O)F. allégorie — L. allgoria — Gr. allgorí ‘speaking otherwise’, f. állos other + agor — in agoreúein speak; see -Y3. So allegoric XIV. allegorical XVI; see -IC, -ICAL. allegorize XV. — F. allégoriser — late L. allgorizre.

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allegro

XVII. — It., repr. L. alacer brisk (see ALACRITY).

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alleluia

XIII. —ecclL. allluia — Gr. allloúïa, the LXX repr. of Heb. HALLELUJAH.

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allergy

XX. — G. allergie. f. Gr. állos other, ALLO- + érgon work + -Y2 (cf. ENERGY). Hence allergic XX.

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alleviate

XV. f. pp. stem of late L. allevire, f. AL-1 + levis light (see LEVITY); see -ATE3.

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alley1

walk, passage. XIV. — OF. alee (mod. allée), f. aller walk, go :- L. ambulre walk.

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alley2, ally

toy marble. XVIII. Familiar dim. (see -Y6) of ALABASTER. Cf. the similar use of LG., Du. albast.

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All Hallows

(feast of) All Saints, 1 November. OE. ealra hlgena (day) of all saints; hence, with retention of the g. pl. inflexion, ME. alle halewene (XIII), all halowen (XV), allhollon (XVI), etc.; with loss of this, al halow, al hal (XIV), etc.; with substitution of -s from XV. See HALLOW1.

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alliance

XIII. — OF. aliance (mod. alliance), f. alier ALLY2; see -ANCE.

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alligator

XVII (earlier lagarto, aligarto, ala- XVI). — Sp. el lagarto the LIZARD, which was applied spec. to the large saurians of the New World. Alligator pear (XVIII) is a corruption of AVOCADO pear.

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alliteration

XVII. — modL. allitterti, -n-, f. AL-1 + littera LETTER, after L. agnminti paronomasia; see -ATION. Hence alliterate XIX, alliterative XVIII.

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allo-

comb. form of Gr. állos other.

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allocate

XVII. f. pp. stem of medL. allocre, f. AL-1 + locre place, LOCATE; see -ATE3. So allocation XV.

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allocution

address, exhortation. XVII. — L. allocti, -n-, f. alloct-, pp. stem of alloqu address, f. AL-1 + loqu speak. Cf. LOCUTION.

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allodium

estate held in absolute ownership. XVII. — medL. al(l)dium, f. Frankish ald- ‘entire property’, f. ALL + d (OHG. t, OE. ad, ON. auðr) property. So allodial XVII.

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allot

assign, orig. by lot. XV. — OF. aloter (repl. by mod. allotir), f. a AL-1 + lot LOT. Hence allotment XVI.

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allow

A
†commend; admit, permit;

B
assign, allot. XIV. — OF. alouer, later all- :- (i) L. allaudre, f. AL-1 + laudre praise, LAUD, (ii) medL. allocre place, ALLOCATE. The phonetic identification in OF. of the orig. distinct forms involved semantic conflation in which the two main senses were blended, e.g. assign with approval, grant, concede, permit.
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So allowable, allowance XIV.

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alloy

sb. XVI. — (O)F. aloi, f. OF. aloier, earlier aleier :- L. alligre, f. AL-1 + ligre bind (cf. ALLY2, LIEN). So alloy vb. XVII; superseded †allay sb. and vb. (XIV) — OF. alei(er).

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allspice

pimento. XVII. f. ALL + SPICE, so called because supposed to combine the flavour of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

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allude

†‘play’ upon; refer (to). XVI. — L. alldere, f. AL-1 + ldere play, f. ldus game. So allusion XVI.

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allure

vb. XV. — OF. alurer. f. a AL-1 + luere LURE. Hence allure sb. XVI.

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alluvion

wash of sea against shore; flood; alluvium. XVI. — F. alluvion — L. alluvi, -n-, f. allu, f. AL-1 + luere wash.

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alluvium

deposit left by water flowing over land. XVII. — L., n. of alluvius washed against, f. AL-1 + luv- of luere (cf. prec.). Hence alluvial XIX.

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ally1

A
†kindred, kinsman XIV;

B
allied person or people XV. In A, — OF. alié, sb. use of pp. of alier (see next). For the loss of -é cf. ASSIGN2, etc. In B, f. next.
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ally2

join as associate. XIII. — OF. alier, analogical alt. of aleier (see ALLOY).

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almacantar

see ALMUCANTAR.

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Alma Mater

XIX. — L., ‘bounteous mother’, title given by the Romans to Ceres, Cybele, and other goddesses, transf. to universities and schools as the fostering mothers of their alumni.

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almanac

XIV. — medL. almanac(h) (Roger Bacon, 1267). Its origin remains unknown.

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almandine

variety of garnet. XVII. — F. †almandine, alt. of †alabandine — late L. alabandna (sc. gemma gem), f. Alabanda city of Caria; see -INE1.

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almighty

OE. ælmihti = OS. alomahtig, OHG. alamahtg, ON. almáttigr; f. pref. form of ALL + MIGHTY, rendering L. omnipotns.

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almond

XIII. — OF. alemande, a(l)mande (mod. amande), for almandle — medL. amandula, alt. of L. amygdala — Gr. amugdál, initial al- app. due to assoc. with Rom. words having AL-2 prefixed.

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almoner

(orig.) official distributor of alms. XIII. — AN. aumoner, OF. aumo(s)nier, earlier almosnier (mod. aumônier) :-Rom. almosinrius, for medL. elemosynrius ELEEMOSINARY, used as sb.; see -ER2 and cf. ALMS.

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almost

OE. phr. eall(e) mst nearly all; see ALL, MOST; substitution of -most for regular -mest was established XIV.

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alms

OE. ælmesse, -mysse, whence almes (XIII–XVII; so in A.V.); reduced to alms XVII; corr. to OS. alamsna, OHG. alamuosan (G. almosen), ON. lmusa :- Gmc. alemos(i)na — popL., Rom. alemosina, alt., prob. through L. alimnia ALIMONY, of Chrl. elemosyna — Gr. elemosún, f. elemn compassionate, f. éleos mercy. Treated as a pl. like eaves, riches, which are orig. sings.

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almucantar, almacantar

(pl.) parallels of altitude, XIV. — OF. almicantarat or medL. -arath — Arab. al-muanart pl., f. anara to arch; see AL-2.

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aloe

†(resin or wood of) lign-aloes OE.; liliaceous genus of plants with bitter juice, whence is made a drug XIV. OE. al(e)we — L. alo — Gr. aló plant and drug. In late ME. reinforced by OF. aloes (mod. aloès) or its source alos, g. sg. of L. alo, as in LIGN-ALOES, whence the frequent use of the word in pl. form.

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aloft

XII. ME. o loft(e) — ON. á lopt(i), i.e. á in, on, to, A-1, lopt air, sky (see LOFT).

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alone

XII. ME. al ane, al one, i.e. ALL, OE. na by oneself (f. n ONE). In ME. sometimes written a lone (whence LONE).

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along

OE. andlang (cf. ANTI-, LONG1). For the development of ndl to l cf. ELEVEN.

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aloof

(naut.) †order to the steersman to go to windward; to or at a distance. XVI. Early forms are a luf, aloufe, on luffe, i.e. a, ON, A-1, LUFF, prob. after Du. te loef.

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alopecia

XIV. — L. alpecia — Gr. alpekí, f. alpx, alpek- fox; so named from the resemblance to mange in foxes.

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aloud

XIV. f. A-1 + LOUD.

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alpaca

Peruvian Ilama, its wool, fabric made from this. XVIII. — Sp. alpaca (also paco) — Quechua alpako (also pako), f. pako reddish-brown.

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alphabet

XV. — late L. alphabtum, f. Gr. álpha + bêta, first two letters of the Gr. alphabet taken to repr. the whole; cf. F. alphabet, etc. Hence alphabetic XVII, alphabetical XVI, alphabetize XIX.

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Alps

(pl.) XIV. — F. Alpes — L. Alps = Gr. Álpeis, variously expl. as (i) ‘white’ (cf. ALBION), and (ii) ‘high’ (cf. the Italic names of towns in high positions). So alpine XV. — L.

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already

XIV. orig. two words, ALL adv. and READY, used predic. ‘fully prepared’, passing into adv.

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Alsatian

German shepherd dog. XX. f. Alsatia Alsace.

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also

OE. alsw (ealsw) = OHG. als (G. also therefore); see ALL, so (cf. AS).

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altar

OE. altar, alter = OS., OHG., ON. altari; Gmc. adoption of late L. altar, altre, altrium for L. altria n. pl. burnt offerings, altar, prob. rel. to adolre burn in sacrifice. The native OE. word was w()bed, wofod ‘idol table’; the alien word was applied spec. to the Christian altar.

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altazimuth

(astron.) instrument for determining the altitude and azimuth. XIX. f. ALT(ITUDE) + AZIMUTH.

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alter

XIV. — (O)F. altérer — late L. alterre, f. alter other. So alteration XIV. — (O)F. or late L.

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altercation

XIV. — (O)F. altercation — L. altercti, -n-, f. altercre wrangle, f. alter other; see -ATION.

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alternate

adj. XVI. — L. alterntus, pp. of alternre do things by turns, f. alternus, f. alter one or other of two, second. So alternate vb. XVI; cf. F. alterner; see -ATE2, -ATE3. alternation XV. — F. or L. alternative adj. XVI, sb. XVII. — medL.; see -ATIVE.

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although

XIV. ME. alþah, þa(u)z, þo(u)z, i.e. ALL adv., THOUGH. For the use of al cf. ALBEIT.

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altitude

XIV. — L. altitd, f. altus, high; see OLD, -TUDE.

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alto

highest male voice, counter-tenor. XVII. — It. alto high — L. altus.

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altogether

XII. ME. al togeder(e), i.e. ALL., TOGETHER.

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altruism

devotion to the welfare of others. XIX. — F. altruisme, f. autrui somebody else (infl. by L. alter other). Hence altruist, altruistic XIX.

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alum

XIV. — OF. alum (mod. alun) :- L. almen.

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aluminium

XIX. alt. (after potassium, sodium, etc.) of aluminum, H. Davy's modification (1812) of the form first suggested by him, viz. alumium (1808). Aluminum (now U.S.) is parallel to alumina (XVIII), modL. formation on the type of magnesia, potassa, soda for the ‘earth of alum’, aluminium oxide. f. L. almen, almin- ALUM. So aluminous (F. alumineux) XVI.

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alumnus

XVII. — L., f. alere nourish, bring up (cf. ALIMENT).

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alveolus

small cavity, tooth-socket, etc. XVIII. — L., dim. of alveus trough. Hence alveolar XVIII. alway †all the time, every time. OE. alne we, acc. of ALL and WAY; orig. denoting extent of space or distance, but at its first appearance already transf. to extent of time. Superseded in ordinary use by always XIII.

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am

see BE.

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amadou

tinder prepared from fungus. XIX. — F. — modPr. amadou li. ‘lover’ :- L. amtor, -r-.

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amalgam

mixture of a metal with mercury XV; mixture or combination XVII. — (O)F. amalgame or medL. amalgama, prob. ult. f. Gr. málagma emollient, f. malássein soften, through some Arab. form with prefixed AL-2. So amalgamate XVII, amalgamation XVII.

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amanuensis

XVII. — L. manunsis, f. man in servus man ‘slave at hand’, secretary + -nsis belonging to (see -ESE).

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amaranth

mythical fadeless flower; genus of ornamental plants. XVII (XVI in L. form). — F. amarante or modL. amaranthus, alt. after names in -anthus (Gr. ánthos flower) of L. amarantus — Gr. amáranton, f. A-4 + maran-, stem of marainein to wither. So amaranthine XVII. — modL.

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amaryllis

genus of bulbous plants. XVIII. modl. (Linnaeus) use of L. Amaryllis, Gr. Amarullis typical name for a pretty country girl in Theocritus, Virgil, and Ovid.

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amass

XV. — (O)F. amasser :-Rom. admassre, f. AD- + L. massa MASS2.

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amateur

XVIII. — F. — It. amatore — L. amtor (see next).

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amatory

XVI. — L. amtrius, f. amtor lover, f. pp. stem of amre love; see -ORY2.

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amaze

†stun, bewilder OE.; overwhelm with wonder XVI. OE. masian, pp. masod, whence ME. amased; not frequent till XVI. See (aphetic) MAZE.

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Amazon

one of a race of female warriors. XIV. — L. Amazn — Gr. Amazón, -ónos, expl. by the Greeks as meaning ‘breastless’ (as if f. A-4 + mazós breast), but prob. of foreign origin. So Amazonian XVI. f. L. amazonius.

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ambassador

XIV. ME. ambassatour, -dour, em-, later with many vars. of sp.; the present sp. ambassador dates from XVI. orig. — various Rom. forms, (O)F. ambassadeur, etc.; all ult. resting on medL. ambactia mission, f. Gmc. ambaxtija- (Goth. andbahti, OE. ambeht, OHG. ambaht(i), G. amt), f. ambaxta-servant — L. ambactus, a Gaulish word ambactos, prob. f. amb- around + ag- drive; see AMBI-, ACT, -OR1. Cf. EMBASSY. Hence ambassadress XVI.

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amber

†ambergris; yellow fossil resin. XIV. ME. aumbre — (O)F. ambre (medL. ambar(e), ambrum) — Arab. 'anbar ambergris, amber.

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ambergris

wax-like substance found floating in tropical seas, and in the intestines of the sperm whale. XV. — (O)F. ambre gris ‘grey amber’; this is the orig. sense of amber (cf. preco), the word gris being added to distinguish the cetaceous secretion.

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ambi-

repr. L. amb(i)- (Gr. amph, see AMPHI-; rel. OE., ymb(e), OHG. umbi, etc.) around.

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ambidexter

XVI. — late L. ambidexter, f. ambi-, comb. form of amb both + dexter right-handed (see DEXTER). So ambidextrous XVII; see -OUS.

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ambient

XVI. — F. ambiant or L. ambient-, prp. stem of ambre go round, f. amb- AMBI- + re go; see -ENT.

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ambiguous

XVI. f. L. ambiguus, f. ambigere go round, f. amb- AMBI- + agere drive; see ACT, -UOUS. So ambiguity XV. —(O)F. or L.

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ambit

XVI. — L. ambitus circuit, etc., f. ambre (see AMBIENT).

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ambition

XIV. — (O)F. — L. ambiti, -n- going round to solicit votes, etc., f. ambre, ambit- (see AMBIENT, -ITION). So ambitious XIV. —(O)F. or L.

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amble

sb. and vb. (orig. denoting distinctive pace of a horse). XIV. —(O)F. amble sb. and its source ambler vb. — Pr. amblar :- L. ambulre walk.

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ambrosia

(Gr. myth.) fabled food of the gods. XVI. — L. ambrosia — Gr. ambrosí immortality, elixir of life, f. ámbrotos immortal. Hence ambrosial XVI.

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ambulance

moving hospital accompanying an army; vehicle to convey injured. XIX. — F. ambulance, repl. hôpital ambulant ‘walking hospital’, earlier hôpital ambulatoire; F. ambulant — prp. of L. ambulre walk; see -ANCE, -ANT.

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ambulatory

XVII. — L. ambultrius (in medL. ambultrium as sb.), f. pp. stem of ambulre walk; see -ORY1, -ORY2.

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ambuscade

XVI. — F. embuscade — It. imboscata or Sp. emboscada, Pg. embuscada, pp. deriv. of imboscare, etc.; in XVI–XVIII also †ambuscado; see next, -ADE, -ADO.

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ambush

vb. XIV. ME. embushen — OF. embuschier :- Rom. imboscre lit. ‘put in a wood’, f. in IM-1 + boscus wood, BUSH1. So ambush sb. XV.

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ameliorate

XVIII. alt. of earlier MELIORATE after F. améliorer.

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amen

XII. — ecclL. mn — Gr. mn — Heb. mn certainty, truth.

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amenable

liable to be brought before any jurisdiction; answerable or responsive (to) XVI. — legal AN. ame(s)nable, f. (O)F. amener bring to, f. a- AD- + mener bring, lead; see -ABLE.

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amend

XIII. — (O)F. amender :- Rom. admendre, alt. of mendre EMEND. Aphetic MEND. So amendment XIII. amends XIII. — (O)F. amendes, pl. of amende reparation, f. amender.

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amenity

pleasantness. XIV. — (O)F. aménité or L. amœnits, f. amœnus pleasant. See -ITY.

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amerce

impose a fine on. XIV. — AN. amercier, f. phr. à merci at (the) MERCY. So amercement XIV.

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American

XVI. — modL. Americnus, f. America (1507). f. L. form, Americus Vesputius, of the name of the It. navigator Amerigo Vespucci (XV); see -AN. Hence Americanism, Americanize XVIII.

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amethyst

XIII. ME. amatist(e), ametist — OF. ama-, ametiste — L. amethystus — Gr. améthustos, sb. use (sc. lithos stone) of adj. f. A-4 + méthustos, f. méthu wine, MEAD1; the stone was supposed to prevent intoxication. In XVI remodelled with -th- after later F. and L.

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amiable

friendly (now only of temper, etc.), †lovable XIV; likeable XVIII. — (O)F. :- late L. amcbilis AMICABLE. Later infl. in sense by F. aimable lovable :- L. ambilis; see -BLE. Hence amiability XIX.

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amianthus

variety of asbestos. XVII. — L. amiantus — Gr. amíantos, f. A-4 + miaínein defile; so called because freed from all stains by being thrown into fire. For the sp. with -th- cf. AMARANTH.

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amicable

XV. — late L. amcbilis, f. L. amcus friend (rel. to amre love); see -ABLE, AMIABLE.

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amice

(eccl.) linen vestment covering neck and shoulders. XIII. — medL. amicia, amisia, of obscure formation; superseding the var. †amit (XIV) — OF. amit (mod. amict) :- L. amictus outer garment, cloak.

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amid.

OE. on middum, on middan, on midre, i.e. ON (in) with obl. case of MID in concord with a sb. ME. amidde (XIII) was later extended with -S to amiddes, whence amidst (XVI), by addition of parasitic t; cf. AGAINST, AMONGST.

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amide

XIX. f. AM(MONIA) + -IDE. So amine XIX. Cf. VITAMIN.

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amidships

XVII. alt., by assoc. with AMID, of midships (XVII), prob. of LG. orig. (Du. midscheeps; cf. G. mittschiffs).

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amiss

XIII. ME. a mis, on mis, prob. — ON. á mis so as to miss or not to meet, i.e. á ON, A-1, mis, rel. to MISS1.

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amity

XV. — (O)F. amitié :- Rom. amcits, -tt-, f. L. amcus friend; see -ITY.

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ammonia

XVIII. — modL. ammnia, so named as being obtained from sal ammoniac. ammoniac XIV, earliest form armoniak — medL. armniacus, -um, alt. of ammniacus, -um — Gr. ammniakós, -kón, applied to a salt and a gum obtained from a region in Libya near the temple of Jupiter Ammon. So ammoniacal XVIII. ammonium XIX. — modL. ammnium.

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ammonite

XVIII. — modL. ammnts, f. L. name cornu Ammnis ‘horn of Ammon’ given to these fossils from their resemblance to the involuted horn of Jupiter Ammon; see prec. and -ITE.

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ammunition

military supplies, formerly gen., now only of offensive missiles. XVII. — F. †am(m)unition, resulting from a wrong analysis of la munition the supplies (see MUNITION) as l'amunition.

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amnesia

XIX. — modL. — Gr. amnsí, f. A-4 + mn-; see MIND.

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amnesty

XVI. — F. amnestie or L. amnstia — Gr. amnstí oblivion; see prec. and -Y3.

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amnion

(anat.) caul. XVII. — modL. — Gr. amníon, dim. of amnós lamb.

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amoeba

(zool.) microscopic animalcule of the class Protozoa, the shape of which is perpetually changing. XIX. — modL. — Gr. amoib change.

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among.

OE. onemang, -mong, i.e. ON, emang (cf. (e)mengan MINGLE), prop. a phr. used as a prep. with dative; later onmang, -mong, whence amang, among (cf. A-1). Extended with adv. -S to amonges (XIII), whence amongest, amongst (XVI); cf. AMIDST, AGAINST.

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amoral

XIX. f. A-4 + MORAL.

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amorous

XIV. — OF. amorous (mod. amoureux) — medL. amrsus, f. amor love; see -OUS.

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amorphous

XVIII. f. modL. amorphus — Gr. ámorphos, f. A-4 + morph shape; see -OUS.

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amortize

(leg.) alienate in mortmain XIV; extinguish (a debt) XIX. f. amortiss-, lengthened stem of (O)F. amortir :- Rom. admortre, f. AD- + L. mors, mort- death. Hence amortization XVII; in medL. admortizti.

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amount

†go up, ascend; rise to a certain level. XIII. — AN. am(o)unter, OF. amonter, f. amont upward, i.e. à mont :- L. ad montem to the hill; see MOUNT1. Hence amount sb. XVIII.

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ampère

unit of electric current. XIX. f. name of A. M. Ampère (d. 1836); adopted by the Congrès Électrique at Paris, 1881. abbrev. amp .

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ampersand

XIX. For ‘and per se- and ’ i.e. ‘& by itself = and’ (in a primer, etc.).

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amphi-

repr. Gr. amphi-, being the adv.-prep. amphi around, on both sides (of) (see AMBI-).

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amphibian

creature that lives both on land and in water. XVII. f. modL. amphibium (sc. animal) — Gr. amphíbion (sc. zôion), sb. use of n. of adj. amphíbios (see prec., BIO-). So amphibious XVII.

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amphitheatre

oval or circular building round an arena. XIV. — L. amphithetrum — Gr. amphithétron; see AMPHI-, THEATRE.

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amphora

two-handed vessel; liquid measure. XIV. — L. — Gr. amphoreús lit. ‘borne on both sides’, f. AMPHI- + phor- pher- BEAR2.

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ample

spacious, copious, quite enough. XV. — (O)F. — L. amplus. So amplify XV, amplification XVI, amplitude XVI, amply XV.

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ampulla

vessel for holy oil, etc. OE. — L., dim. of ampora, var. of AMPHORA; for Eng. ampoule, †ampul(le) cf. also (O)F. ampoule.

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amputate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. amputre, f. am- for amb-, AMBI- + putre prune, lop; see -ATE3. So amputation XVII. — F. or L.

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amuck, amok

in frenzied thirst for blood; also fig. XVII. — Malay amok in homicidal frenzy. Appears first in XVI in forms repr. Pg. amouco, amuco in the sense of ‘frenzied Malay’; otherwise chiefly in phr. run amuck.

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amulet

XVII. — F. amulette — L. amultum.

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amuse

†beguile, delude XV; †distract, bewilder XVII; divert with entertaining matter. — (O)F. amuser †deceive; entertain, f. à AD- + muser MUSE1. So amusement XVII. — F.

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an1

reduced form of OE. n ONE, due to loss of stress; now a var. of A1 retained before vowel sounds and sometimes before unstressed syllables having initial h (e.g. an historical).

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an2

reduced form of AND, recorded from XII and in colloq. use since then. For the sense ‘if’ see AND.

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an-1

assim. form of AD- before n.

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an-2

repr. Gr. privative an- not, without, lacking, orig. form of A-4 retained before vowels, as in words taken from Gr., e.g. anarchy, anonymous, and hence in mod. technical terms, e.g. analgesic, anhydrous.

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-an

repr. L. -nus, -na, -num of or belonging to, as in silvnus SILVAN, urbnus URBAN. The F. form -ain, -aine was at first retained in some adoptions, but was later superseded by -an. In german, germane, human, humane, urban, urbane, there is differentiation of meaning by the use of different forms of the suffix. See also -EAN, -IAN.

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ana-

before a vowel an- repr. Gr. aná up (in place or time), back, again, anew (see ON), as in Anabaptist, analysis, anatomy.

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Anabaptist

one who rebaptizes (German sect). XVI. — F. anabaptiste or modL. anabaptista, f. ecclL. anabaptismus, ecclGr. anabáptisma; see ANA-, BAPTIZE, -IST.

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anabasis

military advance (spec. that of Cyrus the Younger into Asia, related by Xenophon ). XVIII. — Gr. anábasis ascent, f. anabaínein walk up; see ANA-, BASIS.

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anachronism

XVII. — F. anachronisme or Gr. anakhronismós, f. aná back + khrónos time; see CHRONIC, -ISM.

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anacoluthon

lack of grammatical sequence. XVIII. — lateL. — Gr. anakólouthon, n. sg. of adj. ‘lacking sequence’, f. AN-2 + akólouthos following (cf. ACOLYTE).

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anaconda

large S. American boa. XVIII. unexpl. alt. of anacandaia (XVII) for Sinh. henakanday whipsnake, f. hena lightning + kanda stem.

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anacrusis

(pros.) unstressed syllable(s) at the beginning of a line. XIX. — modL. — Gr. anákrousis prelude, f. aná up, ANA- + kroúein strike.

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anadromous

(zool.) ascending rivers to spawn. XVIII. f. Gr. anádromos, f. aná up, ANA- + drom-, as in drómos course; see -OUS.

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anaemia

morbid lack of blood. XIX. — modL. — Gr. anaimí, f. AN-2 + haîma blood. Hence anaemic XIX.

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anaesthesia

loss of feeling or sensation. XIX. — modL. — Gr. anaisthsí, f. AN-2 + aísthsis sensation. So anaesthetic XIX. f. Gr. anaisthtós. Hence anaesthetist, anaesthetize XIX.

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anagogic

mystical. XIV (rare before XVII). — medL. anaggicus — Gr. anaggikós, f. anagg (religious or ecstatic) elevation, mystical sense, f. anágein lift up, elevate. So anagogical XVI.

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anagram

XVI. — F. anagramme — modL. anagramma, f. Gr. aná ANA- + grámma letter, after anagrammatízein transpose letters.

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analects

literary gleanings. XVII. — L. analecta — Gr. análekta (n. pl.) things gathered up, f. aná up, ANA- + légein gather.

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analogue

XIX. — Fr. — Gr. análogon, sb. use of n. sg. of análogos (f. aná ANA- + lógos ratio) whence, through L. analogus, analogous XVII.

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analogy

proportion XV; similarity, parallelism XVII. — (O)F. analogie or L. analogia — Gr. analogí equality of ratios, f. análogos (see prec.). So analogic XVII, analogical XVI.

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analyse

XVII. perh. orig. f. †analyse (XVII–XVIII), anglicized form of ANALYSIS, and later infl. by F. analyser. analysis XVI. — medL. — Gr. análusis, f. analúein unloose, undo. So analyst XVII. — F. analyste. analytic XVI. — late L. — Gr. Also analytical XVI.

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anapaest

(pros.) the foot –. XVII (XVI in L. form). — L. anapæstus — Gr. anápaistos reversed. So anapaestic XVII.

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anaphora

(rhet.) repetition XVI; (liturg.) Eucharistic canon XVIII. — L. — Gr. anaphor carrying back, f. anaphérein carry up or back, f. aná ANA- + phérein BEAR2.

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anarchy

XVI. — medL. anarchia — Gr. anarkhí, f. AN-2 + arkhós leader (cf. ARCH-); so (O)F. anarchie. Hence anarchic XVIII, anarchical XVI; cf. F. anarchique. anarchism, anarchist XVII; in more recent use dependent on F. anarchisme, anarchiste.

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anathema

curse; accursed thing. XVI. — ecclL. anathema — Gr. anáthema accursed thing (Rom. 9: 3). So anathematize XVI. — F. — ecclL. — Gr.

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anatomy

(science of) bodily structure XIV; †skeleton XVI; dissection. — F. anatomie — late L. anatomia — Gr. anatomí, f. aná up, ANA- + tom- cut (cf. -TOMY). Also aphetic ATOMY1, etc. XVI. So anatomist XVI. — F. -iste or medL. -ista, f. anatomizre, whence anatomize XV.

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-ance

repr. F. -ance :- L. -antia, f. -ant- -ANT + -ia -Y3. Through such pairs as appear, appearance, it became to some extent a living suffix and was appended to vbs. of non-Rom. origin, e.g. for-bearance, hindrance, riddance, utterance. Cf. -ANCY.

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ancestor

XIII. Early forms are of three types: (i) auncetre, surviving XVII in latinized sp. auncitor; (ii) ancestre, antecedent of the present form through ancestour, by assim. to -tour, -TOR; (iii) ancessour (rare). — OF. ancestre (mod. ancêtre) orig. nom. :- L. antecssor, and OF. ances(s)our acc. :- L. antecssrem predecessor, f. antecdere precede, f. ante before + cdere go (cf. CEDE). So ancestry XIV. Modification, after ancestre, of OF. ancesserie, f. ancessour.

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anchor

appliance for mooring a vessel to the bottom. OE. ancor, -er, ancra — L. anc(h)ora — Gr. ágkra; cf. late OHG., G. anker, ON. akkeri. Reinforced in ME. by (O)F. ancre. So anchor vb. XIII. — (O)F. ancrer or medL. anc(h)orre. Hence anchorage XVI, after F. ancrage.

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anchorite, anchoret

religious recluse occupying a cell. XV. — medL. an(a)chorta, -rta — ecclGr. anakhrts, f. anakhreín retire, retreat, f. aná back, ANA- + khr, khôros space, place. Superseded earlier †anchor (OE. — OIr. anchara, shortened — medL. anachorta), whence anchoress , ancress XIV. anchor-hold (see HOLD2) anchorite's cell XVII.

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anchovy

XVI. — Sp., Pg. anchova, anchoa. Further connections disputed.

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anchylosis

formation of a stiff joint. XVIII. — modL. — Gr. agkúlsis, f. agkúlos crooked; see -OSIS. Hence anchylose vb. XVIII.

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ancient1

XIV. ME. auncien, -ian — AN. auncien, (O)F. ancien, repr. Rom. anti-, antenus, f. ante before, ANTE- + -nus -AN. The addition of homorganic t to final n (XV) is paralleled in pageant, pheasant, and tyrant.

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ancient2

XVI. (arch.) corruption of ENSIGN by assoc. of such forms as ensyne with ancien, ANCIENT1; in senses (i) standard and (ii) standard-bearer, for †ancient-bearer.

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ancillary

XVII. — L. ancillris, f. ancilla handmaid; see -ARY.

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-ancy

repr. L. -antia -ANCE.

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and

OE. and, ond, corr. to OS. endi, OHG. anti, inti, etc. (G. und). A special development of meaning is that of ‘if’ (OE.). Now usu. sp. an, an' in this sense (cf. AN2); formerly often coupled with if.

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andante

(mus.) moderately slow. XVIII. — It., prp. of andare go.

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andiron

fire-dog. XIV. ME. aundire(n), etc. — OF. andier (mod. landier for l'andier), with assim. of the second syll. to IRON.

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androgynous

hermaphrodite; spec. in bot. XVII. f. L. androgynus — Gr. andrógunos, f. anr, andro- man + gun woman; see -OUS. Also androgyne XVI. — (O)F. — L.

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-ane1

see -AN.

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-ane2

(chem.) in the systematic nomenclature of Hofmann (1866), the termination for names of the hydrocarbons called paraffins, e.g. ethane; devised to introduce with a the vowel series already in vogue, -ene, -ine, -one in the nomenclature of other classes of hydrocarbons.

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anecdote

†(pl.) secret history XVII; story of a detached incident XVIII. orig. pl. — modL. anecdota (or its deriv. F. anecdotes) — Gr. anékdota things unpublished, n. pl. pp. f. AN-2 + ek out + didónai give. Derived primarily from the title Anékdota of Procopius' unpublished memoirs (VII) of the private life of the Emperor Justinian and Theodora. Hence anecdotage XIX.

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anele

(arch.) anoint, give extreme unction to. XIV. f. an- (OE. on-) + ME. elien, f. OE. ele — L. oleum OIL. Cf. UNANELED.

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anemo-

repr. anemo-, comb. form of Gr. ánemos wind (see ANIMATE); e.g. anemometer XVIII.

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anemone

genus of plants XVI; (sea anemone) large polyp with petal-like tentacles XVIII. — L. anemn — Gr. anemn, perh. f. ánemos wind.

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anent

†beside OE.; †opposite, towards, in respect of XIII; (arch.) concerning. OE. phr. on ef(e)n, emn, ME. onevent, anont, anentes, anenst, from XIV anent; i.e. ON, A-1, and EVEN2 side by side (with), etc. (cf. G. neben). Parasitic t and the suffix -es, -S appear c. 1200; cf. AGAINST, AMIDST.

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aneroid

kind of barometer not using a column of fluid. XIX. — F. anéroïde, f. Gr. A-4 + nrós wet + F. -oïde -OID.

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anew

†recently; afresh. XIV. ME. of newe, o newe, i.e. OF, A-2, NEW, prob. after OF. de neuf, de nouveau, L. d nov. The form anew was established XVI.

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anfractuosity

circuitousness, intricacy. XVI. — F. anfractuosité, f. late L. anfractusus winding, f. L. anfractus bending. So anfractuous circuitous XVII; cf F. anfractueux.

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angel

XII. — OF. angele — ecclL. angelus — Gr. ággelos messenger. Superseded OE. enel (which survived till XIII) = OS., OHG. engil (Du., G. engel), ON. engill, Goth. aggilus; one of the earliest Gmc. adoptions from L. (Goth. poss. immed. — Gr.). So angelic XV. Hence angelical XV.

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angelica

XVI. — medL., short for herba angelica ‘angelic plant’.

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angelus

devotional exercise commemorating the Incarnation. XVIII. Named from its opening words ‘Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariæ’.

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anger

†distress, vex XII; excite to wrath XIV. — ON. angra, f. angr grief, f. base ang- narrow, repr. also by ON. ngr, Goth. aggwus, and OE. ene, OS., OHG. engi (Du., G. eng) narrow; rel. to L. angere (see ANGUISH). Hence anger sb. XIII; whence angry XIV.

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angina

†quinsy XVI; short for angina pectoris XVIII. — L. angina quinsy — Gr. agkhón strangling, with assim. to angere (see ANGUISH).

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angio-

first el. in many scientific terms, repr. Gr. aggeíon vessel, dim. of ággos.

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angle1

(arch.) fishing-hook. OE. angel = OS., OHG. angul (Du., G. angel), ON. ngull; f. Gmc. ag (cf. next). Hence angle vb. XV. angler XIV.

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angle2

space between two meeting lines or planes. XIV. — (O)F. angle or L. angulus corner (cf. Gr. agkúlos bent, arched, ágkra ANCHOR) see ANKLE.

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Angle

one of a Gmc. tribe that settled in Britain. XVIII. — L. Anglus, pl. Angl, in Tacitus Angli — Gmc. Agli- (whence OE. Engle; cf. ENGLISH) the people of Angul district of Schleswig so called from its shape (mod. Angeln), the same word as ANGLE1. Hence Anglian XVIII.

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Anglican

XVII. — medL. Anglicnus (as Anglicana ecclesia), f. Anglicus, f. Anglus ANGLE; see -IC, -AN.

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anglicism

English feature or idiom. XVII. f. medL. Anglicus; see prec. and -ISM. So anglicize XVIII.

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Anglo-

comb. form of L. Anglus ENGLISH, as in modL. Anglo-Americanus XVIII, Anglopuritanus XVI;. so Anglomania mania for what is English XVIII, after F. anglomanie; Anglophobia XVIII; Anglo-American, -Catholic, -Irish; Anglo-Norman or -French, variety of French current in England in the Middle Ages. See next.

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Anglo-Saxon

XVII (P. Holland, tr. Camden's ‘Britannia’). — medL. Anglo-Saxones pl. (see prec.), earlier Angli Saxones (Paulus Diaconus, VIII) designation of Continental origin for the ‘English Saxons’ in distinction from the ‘Old Saxons’ of the Continent; cf. hybrid form Angulsaxones, after OE. Angelseaxe, -seaxan.

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Angostura

(formerly also Angustura). Name of a town (now Ciudad Bolivar) in Venezuela; applied to (i) Angostura bark (XVIII), exported from Angostura and formerly used as a febrifuge and tonic, (ii) Angostura bitters (XIX; P.), a tonic first made in Angostura.

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angry

see ANGER.

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anguish

XIII. — AN. anguisse, (O)F. angoisse :- L. angustia narrowness, f. angustus narrow, f. IE. anh- in L. angere, Gr. ágkhein strangle (cf. ANGER). See -ISH2.

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angular

XV. — L. angulris, f. angulus ANGLE2; see -AR and cf. (O)F. angulaire.

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anhydrous

(chem.) having no water in its composition. XIX. f. Gr. ánudros, f. AN-2 + hudr- (cf. húdr WATER); see -OUS.

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anile

old-womanish. XVII. — L. anlis, f. anus old woman, see -ILE.

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aniline

chemical base, the source of many dyes. XIX. — G. anilin, f. anil indigo (whence orig. obtained) — F. or Pg. — Arab. an-nl, i.e. AL-2, Arab.-Pers. nl (cf. LILAC); see -INE5.

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animadvert

observe XVI; pass criticism on XVII. — L. animadvertere, i.e. animum advertere turn the mind to. So animadversion XVI. — L. or F.

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animal

XIV. (i) — (O)F. animal or L. animlis (in medL. bestial), f. anima breath, life; see -AL1. (ii) sb. ult. — L. animal, for animle, sb. use of n. of the adj.. Hence animalism XIX.

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animalcule

†tiny animal XVI; (biol.) microscopic animal XVII. — modL. animalculum, dim. of animal; see prec. and -CULE.

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animate

vb. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. animre give life to, f. anima air, breath, life, soul, rel. to animus spirit, Gr. ánemos wind; see -ATE3. So animate adj. XIV. animation XVI. — L.

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animosity

†spiritedness XV; active enmity XVII. — F. animosité or late L. animsits, f. animus; see prec. and -OSITY.

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animus

hostile spirit. XIX. — L.; see ANIMATE.

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anion

(electr.) ion with negative charge which moves towards the anode during electrolysis. XIX. — Gr. anión, f. ANA- + ION; cf. ANODE.

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anise

umbelliferous plant with aromatic seeds. XIV. — (O)F. anis :- L. ánsum — Gr. nson. Hence aniseed XIV (anece seed).

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ankle

XIV. — ON. ankul- (OIcel. kla; cf. MLG. enkel, OHG. ank(a)la, enkil, G. enkel), f. Gmc. ak-, IE. ang-, as in L. angulus ANGLE2.

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annals

pl. XVI. — F. annales or L. annls, m. pl. (sc. libr books) of annlis yearly, f. annus (see ANNUAL). Hence annalist XVII; after F. annaliste.

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anneal

†kindle OE.; fuse, fire XIV; burn in colours, temper, etc. with fire XV. OE. onlan, f. on- + lan kindle, burn, bake, f. l fire, rel. to (e)d fire = OS. ld, ON. eldr.

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annelid

(zool.) red-blooded worm. XIX. — F. annélide or modL. annelida, n. pl. f. F. annelés ‘ringed animals', pp. of anneler, f. OF. annel (mod. anneau) ring. See ANNULAR, -ID3.

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annex1

something annexed XVI; supplementary building (usu. annexe ) XIX. — F. annexe — L. annexum, sb. use of pp. of annectere (see next).

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annex2

add, attach. XIV. — (O)F. annexer, f. annex-, pp. stem of L. annectere, f. AN-1 + nectere bind (cf. NEXUS). So annexation XV (first in Sc.). — medL.

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annihilate

XVI. Superseded †annihil (XV) — (O)F. annihiler — late L. annihilre (f. AN-1 + nihil nothing, NIL), from the pp. of which was derived the pp. annihilate (XIV), whence the inf. form; see -ATE2. So annihilation XVII.

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anniversary

XIII. — L. anniversrius adj., f. annus year + versus turning + -rius; used sb. in medL. anniversria (sc. dis day) and -rium (sc. festum feast); cf. (O)F. anniversaire and see ANNUAL, VERSE, -ARY.

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Anno Domini

XVI. — L., abl. of annus year, and gen. of dominus lord; see ANNUAL, DOM.

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annotate

XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. annotre, f. AN-1 + nota mark, NOTE. So annotation XV. — F. or L.

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announce

XV (rare before XVIII). — AN. an(o)uncer, OF. anoncier (mod. annoncer) :- L. annuntire, f. AN-1 + nuntius (cf. ANNUNCIATION, NUNCIO). Hence announcement XVIII.

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annoy

XIII. — OF. enoier, anoier (mod. ennuyer) :- late L. inodire, from the L. phr. mih in odi est it is hateful to me (cf. ODIUM). So annoyance XIV.

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annual

XIV. ME. annuel — (O)F. — late L. annulis, for L. annuus and annlis, f. annus year; see -AL1.

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annuity

yearly grant XV; investment securing annual payment XVII. — F. annuité — medL. annuits, f. annuus (see prec.); see -ITY. Hence annuitant XVIII.

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annul

XIV. — OF. anuller (mod. -nn-) :- late L. (Vulg.) annullre, f. AN-1 + nullus NULL.

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annular

ring-shaped, ringed. XVI. — F. annulaire or L. annulris, f. annulus, late form of nulus, dim. of nus ring; see -ULAR.

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annunciation

announcement (spec. of the Incarnation). XIV. — (O)F. annonciation — late L. annuntiti, -n-, f. annuntire ANNOUNCE; see -ATION.

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anode

(electr.) positive electrode. XIX. — Gr. ánodos, f. ANA- + hodós way. Cf. CATHODE, ELECTRODE.

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anodyne

(med.) assuaging pain. XVI. — L. andynus — Gr. andynos free from pain, f. AN-2 + odún pain. Cf. F. anodin, -ine, perh. the immed. source.

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anoint

XIV. f. †anoint anointed — OF. anoint, enoint, pp. of enoindre :- L. inungere, f. IN-1 + ungere anoint (cf. OINTMENT). The (Lord's) Anointed , the CHRIST. XVI.

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anomalous

XVII. f. late L. anmalus — Gr. anmalos uneven, f. AN-2 + homós SAME; see -OUS. So anomaly XVI.

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anon

†in one, at once OE.; soon, now again XVI. OE. on n, on ne in(to) one, i.e. ON, and acc. and dat. of n ONE.

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anonymous

XVII. f. late L annymus — Gr. annumos, f. AN-2 + ónoma NAME. Hence anonymity XIX.

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another

XIII. ME. an other (in two words as late as XVI), i.e. AN1, OTHER.

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anserine

goose-like. XIX. — L. ansernus, f. anser GOOSE; see -INE1.

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answer

sb. OE. andswaru (cf. OS. antswr, ON. andsvar :- Gmc. andswar, f. and- against (see ANTI-) + swar-, base of OE. swerian SWEAR; orig. a solemn affirmation in rebutting a charge. Hence answer vb. OE. andswarian = ON. andsvara. answerable XVI.

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ant.

OE met(t)e = MLG. mete, mete, OHG. meiza (G. ameise) :- WGmc. maitjn, f. - off, away + mait- cut, hew. The OE. forms gave two ME. types, (i) am(e)te, whence ant, and (ii) emete (arch. and dial. emmet).

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ant-

var. of ANTI- used before vowels, as antacid, formerly also antiacid (XVIII).

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-ant

repr. (O)F. -ant :- L. -ns, -ant, under which all prps. were levelled in French. See -ENT.

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antagonist

opponent XVI. — F. antagoniste or late L. antagnista — Gr. antagnists, f. antagnízesthai struggle against, vie with; see ANTI-, AGONY. So antagonism XIX; prob. after F. antagonize oppose XVII; make hostile XIX. — Gr.

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Antarctic

XIV. ME. antartik — OF. antartique (mod. -arctique) or its source L. antarcticus — Gr. antarktikós opposite to the north; see ANTI-, ARCTIC.

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ante

(in poker) stake put up by the player before drawing new cards. XIX. — L. ante before (see next).

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ante-

repr. L. adv.-prep. ante in comps. (corr. to Gr. ánta over against, and antí ANTI-), with the sense ‘before’ in place or time, as in ANTECEDENT, etc.; also ante-chapel XVIII, antedate XVI, antenatal XIX, antepenultimate XVIII, ante-room XVIII.

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antecedent

XIV. — (O)F. antécédent or L. antecdns, -ent-, prp. of antecdere, f. ANTE- + cdere go, CEDE.

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antechamber

XVII (before XIX usu. anti-). — F. antichambre — It. anticamera; see ANTE-, CHAMBER.

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antediluvian

before the Flood. XVII. f. ANTE- + L. dluvium DELUGE + -AN.

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antelope

XV. — OF. antelop (once) or medL. ant(h)alopus — medGr. anthólops.

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antenna

horn or feeler of insects. XVII. — L. antenna, prop. antemna sail-yard, used in pl. (XV) to tr. Aristotle's keraioi ‘horns’ of insects.

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anterior

XVII. — F. antérieur or L. anterior, f. ANTE- (after posterior); see -IOR.

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anthem

OE. antef(e)n — late L. anti-phona, for antiph-na ANTIPHON. The pronunc. developed: antevne, ante m ne), anthem, a.nthem, the last from XV; the sp. with th finally affected the pronunc., as in author.

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anther

(bot.) part of a stamen containing the pollen. XVIII. — F. anthère or modL. anthra, in classL. medicine extracted from flowers — Gr. anthrá, fem. of anthrós, f. ánthos flower.

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anthology

collection of literary ‘flowers’. XVII. — F. anthologie or medL. anthologia — Gr. anthologí, f. ánthos flower.

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anthracite

XIX. — Gr. anthrakítis kind of coal, f. ánthrax, anthrak-; see next and -ITE b.

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anthrax

†carbuncle XIV; disease of sheep and cattle XIX. — late L. — Gr. ánthrax coal, carbuncle.

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anthropo-

comb. form of Gr. ánthrpos man; e.g. anthrpológos treating of man, whence modL. anthrpologia, Eng. anthropology (XVI); ecclGr. anthrpomorphitai sect ascribing human form to God, whence Eng. anthropomorphite (XVI);. so anthropomorphism (XVIII), anthropomorphist (XVII), anthropomorphic (XIX).

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anti-

before a vowel ant- , before h anth- , repr. Gr. antí, anti- opposite, against, instead of, rel. to OE. and - (as in ALONG, ANSWER), OS, and-, ant-, OHG. ant-, int-, ent-, ON. and-, Goth. and along, above, L. ante (ANTE-), Skr. ánti before, in the presence of, near. Used in many words adopted from Gr. comps. and in words modelled on these and, as a gen. living formative, very freely prefixed to (i) sbs., on the pattern of ANTICHRIST, antipope (xvi; medL. antippa), (ii) adjs., the prefix governing the sb. implied, as anti-national, anti-Semitic; (iii) sbs. in attrib. phr., as anti-aircraft (defences), anti-church (politics), anti-slavery (committee).

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antic

(arch.) grotesque, fantastic; sb. †fantastic or grotesque figure, clown; ludicrous gesture or posture XVI. — It. antico ANTIQUE, used as synon. with grottesco GROTESQUE.

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Antichrist

XII. ME. ante-, anticrist — OF. antecrist (mod. antéchrist) — ecclL. antichrstus — Gr. antikhrstos (1 John 2: 18), f. ANTI- + Khrstós CHRIST.

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anticipate

XVI. f. (partly after F. anticiper) pp. stem of L. anticipre, f. ANTE- + capere take; see -ATE3. So anticipation XIV.

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antidote

XV. — (O)F. antidote or L. antidotum — Gr. antídoton, sb. use of n. of antídotos, f. ANTI- + do-, stem of didónai give.

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antimacassar

covering for chair-backs, etc., orig. to protect them from grease in the hair. XIX. f. ANTI- + MACASSAR.

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antimony

XV. — medL. antimnium.

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antinomy

contradiction. XVI. — L. antinomia — Gr. antinomyí, f. ANTI- + nómos law; see -Y3.

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antipathy

XVII. — F. antipathie or L. antipatha — Gr. antipátheia, f. antipaths opposed in feeling, f. ANTI- + páthos; see PATHOS, -Y3. So antipathetic XVII.

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antiphon

XV. — ecclL. antíphna — Gr. antíphna, n. pl. of antiphnos responsive, f. ANTI- + phn sound; cf. ANTHEM.

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antipodes

†people inhabiting the opposite side of the globe XIV; places on the earth exactly opposite to each other XVI. — (O)F. or late L. — Gr. antipodes, pl. of antipous having the feet opposite, f. ANTI- + poús FOOT.

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antiquary

XVI. — L. antqurius, f. antquus; see next and -ARY. So antiquarian XVII.

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antique

XVI. — F. antique or L. antquus, antcus, f. ANTE- + suff. -cus; orig. identical in form and pronunc. with ANTIC, but finally differentiated after 1700. So antiquity XIV. — OF. — L. antiquated XVII, orig. pp. of antiquate (XVI).

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antirrhinum

XVI. — L. — Gr. antírrhnon, f. antí counterfeiting, ANTI- + rhís, rhn- nose (cf. RHINOCEROS).

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antiseptic

XVIII. — modL. antispticus, f. ANTI- + Gr. sptikós SEPTIC.

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antithesis

XV. — late L. — Gr. antíthesis, f. ANTI- + tithénai set, place (cf. THESIS). So antithetic XVII, antithetical XVI. ult. — Gr. antithetikós.

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antler

XIV. ME. aunteler — AN. var. of OF. antoillier, etc. (mod. andouiller).

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antonym

XIX. — F. antonyme, f. Gr. ANTI-, after synonyme SYNONYM.

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anus

XV. — L. nus orig. ring. So anal XVIII. — modL.

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anvil

OE. anfilt(e), anfealt, corr. to MDu. aenvilte, OHG. anafalz, to which are parallel MLG. anebelte, MDu. aen-, anebelt, and OHG. anabz (G. amboss); all based on Gmc. ana ON + vb.-stem meaning ‘beat’ (cf. FELT) and perh. all modelled on L. incs anvil, f. in IN-1 + cd-, stem of cdere beat.

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anxious

XVII. f. L. anxius, f. pp. stem anx- of angere choke, oppress; see ANGUISH, -IOUS. So anxiety XVI. — F., or L. anxiets.

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any

OE. ni = OS. nig (Du. eenig), OHG. einag (G. einig), ON. einigr, Goth. ainah- :- Gmc. ainizaz, -azaz, f. ain- ONE + -iz- -Y1; cf. L. nicus UNIQUE. In ME. two types were current, ani and eni; the present sp. continues the first, the pronunc. the second. anybody XIII, anyhow XVIII, anything OE., anywhere XIV.

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Anzac

XX. Made up of the initials of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

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aorist

(gram.) tense denoting past time (simply, without limitation). XVI. — Gr. aóristos undefined (sc. khrónos time), f. A-4 + horistós, f. horízein define (cf. HORIZON).

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aorta

XVI. — modL. — Gr. aort, f. aeírein raise; cf. ARTERY.

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ap-

assim. form of AD- before p.

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apace

XIV. — OF. a pas at (a considerable) pace, i.e. a AD-, pas PACE1.

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apanage, appanage

provision made for younger children of kings, etc.; natural accompaniment. XVII. — (O)F. apanage, f. apaner dower (a daughter ) — medL. appnáre, f. AP- + pnis bread; see -AGE.

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apart

XIV. — (O)F. à part, i.e. à AD-, PART.

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apartheid

XX. — Afrikaans, f. Du apart (— F. à part, see prec.) + -heid -HOOD.

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apartment

XVII. — F. appartement — It. appartamento, f. appartare separate; see -MENT.

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apathy

XVII. — F. apathie — L. apatha — Gr. apátheia, f. apaths without feeling; see A-4, PATHOS, -Y3. So apathetic XVIII, after PATHETIC.

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ape

OE. apa m., ape fem. = OS. apo (Du. aap), OHG. affo (G. affe), ON. api :- Gmc. apan-,. Hence apery XVII, apish XV.

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apeak

(naut.) vertical(ly). XVI. orig. a pike — F. à pic, i.e. à AD-, pic PEAK1 (to which the second syll. was assim.).

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aperient

XVII. f. L. aperins, -ent-, prp. of aperre open; see -ENT.

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aperture

XV. — L. apertra, f. apert-, pp. stem of aperre; see prec., -URE.

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apex

(pl. apices). XVII. — L. apex, apic-,. Hence apical XIX.

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aphasia

(med.) loss of speech. XIX. — modL. — Gr. aphasí, f. A-4 + phánai speak; see -IA1.

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aphelion

(astron.) point of a planet's or comet's orbit at which it is farthest from the sun. XVII. Graecized form (Kepler) of modL. aphlium, f. APO- + Gr. hélios SUN, after L. apogæum APOGEE.

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aphesis

(philol.) loss of a short initial unaccented syllable as in (a)lone, (e)squire. XIX. — Gr. áphesis letting go, f. aphiénai, f. APO- + hiénai let go, send. So aphetic XIX. f. Gr. áphetos vbl. adj.

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aphis

(pl. aphides, whence new sg. aphid (XIX)) XVIII. — modL. aphis (Linnaeus) — late Gr. áphis (first in 1523, with gloss cimex; prob. an error for kóris bug).

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aphorism

XVI. — F. aphorisme, or late L. aphorismus — Gr. aphorismós, f. aphorízein define, f. APO- + horizein (see HORIZON).

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aphrodisiac

XVIII. — Gr. aphrodísiakós, f. Aphrodït goddess of love (‘foam-born’; aphrós foam).

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apiary

XVII. — L. apirium, f. apis bee; see -ARY. apiculture XIX.

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apiece

XIV. orig. two words, A1, PIECE sb.

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aplomb

†perpendicularity, steadiness; selfpossession. XIX. — F., f. phr. à plomb according to the plummet (see PLUMB).

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apo-

before a vowel ap- , before h aph- , prefix repr. Gr. apo-, comb. form of prep. apó away, OFF, in many words adopted ult. from Gr. and denoting removal, departure, completion, cessation, return, or reversion.

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Apocalypse

Revelation of St. John the Divine. XIII. — (O)F. apocalypse — ecclL. apocalypsis — Gr. apokálupsis, f. apokalúptein uncover, disclose. So apocalyptic, apocalyptical XVII.

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apocope

(gram.) cutting off the end of a word. XVI. — late L. — Gr. apokopé, f. apokóptein cut off. So apocopate XIX, apocopation XVIII.

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Apocrypha

†adj. of unknown authorship, uncanonical; sb. writings of doubtful authorship, (spec.) uncanonical books of the O.T. XIV. — n. pl. (sc. scripta writings) of ecclL. apocryphus, Gr. apókruphos hidden, f. apokrúptein hide away; see APO- and CRYPT. Hence apocryphal XVI.

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apodosis

(gram.) consequent clause answering to the protasis. XVII. — late L. — Gr. apódosis ‘a giving back’. f. apodidónai.

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apogee

(astron.) point of a planet's orbit at which it is farthest from the earth. XVII (XVI in L. form). — F. apogée or modL. apogæum, -eum — Gr. apógeion, sb. use (sc. diástma distance) of n. of adj. apógeios far from the earth, f. APO- + gê earth.

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apologue

moral fable. XVII. — F. apologue or L. apologus — Gr. apólogos, f. APO- + lógos discourse (see LOGOS).

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apology

defence, justification; acknowledgement of offence given. XVI. — F. apologie or late L. apologia — Gr. apologí speech in defence, f. apologeîsthai, f. APO- + log- leg- speak (see LOGOS). So apologetic XVII; sb. XV. apologist XVII. — F. -iste, f. Gr. apologízesthai render an account (f. aplogos; see prec.), whence apologize XVI; now assoc. with apology.

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apo(ph)thegm

XVI. — F. apophthegme or modL. apothegma — Gr. apóphthegma, f. apophthéggesthai speak one's opinion plainly.

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apoplexy

sudden loss of powers of sensation and motion. XIV. — (O)F. apoplexie — late L. apoplxía — Gr. apoplxí, f. apoplssein disable by a stroke. So apoplectic(al) XVII.

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aport

(naut.) on or to the port side. XVII. f. A-1 + PORT4, after ALEE.

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aposiopesis

(gram.) sudden breaking-off in the middle of speech. XVI. — L. — Gr. aposipsis, f. aposipân be silent, f. APO- + sip silence.

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apostate

XIV. — (O)F. apostate or ecclL. apostata — late Gr. apostts, f. apostnai, f. apó APO- + stênai STAND. So apostasy XIV. — ecclL. — late Gr. apostasí, for apóstasis defection. apostatize XVI. — medL.

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apostle

OE. apostol, ME. apostel — ecclL. apostolus — Gr. apóstolos one sent forth, f. apostéllein, f. APO- + stéllein place, make ready; the early forms were reinforced or superseded by adoption of OF. apostle (mod. apôtre). So apostolic XII, apostolical XV.

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apostrophe1

(rhet.) exclamatory address. XVI. — L. — Gr. apostroph turning away (to one in particular), f. apostréphein. Hence apostrophize XVIII.

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apostrophe2

†omission of a sound or letter; the sign' denoting this. XVII. — F. apostrophe or late L. apostrophes — late Gr. apóstrophos (see prec.); assim. to prec.

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apothecary

XIV. ME. apotecarie — OF. apotecaire — late L. apothcrius store-keeper, f. apothca — Gr. apothk store-house, f. apotithénai put away. Cf. BODEGA, and see -ARY.

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apotheosis

deification. XVII. — ecclL. apotheðsis — Gr. apothésis, f. apotheoûn deify, f. theós god (cf. THEO-). Hence apotheosize XVIII.

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appal

XIV. — OF. apal(l)ir grow pale (also trans.), f. a- AD- + pale PALE2.

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appanage

see APANAGE.

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apparatus

XVII. — L. appartus, f. apparre make ready, f. AP- + parre PREPARE.

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apparel

†prepare, equip XIII; array, attire XIV. ME. aparailen — OF. apareillier (mod. appareiller) :- Rom. appariculre make equal or fit, f. AP- + pariculum (F. pareil like), dim. of L. pr equal. So apparel sb. XIV. — OF. apareil (mod. app-).

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apparent

manifest XIV; seeming XVII. — OF. aparant, -ent (mod. apparent) — L. apprns, -ent-, prp. of apprre APPEAR; see -ENT.

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apparition

action of appearing, something appearing XV; ghost XVII. — (O)F. apparition or L. appariti, -n-, f. apprre; see prec. and -ITION.

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appeal

XIV. — OF. apeler (mod. appeler) call :- L. appellre, f. AP- + pell- of pellere drive. So appeal sb. XIII.

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appear

become or be visible or manifest XIII; seem to be XIV. ME. aperen — tonic stem of OF. apareir :- L. apprre, f. AP- + prre come into view. So appearance XIV. ME. aparaunce — OF. aparance, -ence (mod. apparence) :- late L. apprentia; see -ANCE.

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appease

XIV. — AN. apeser, OF. apaisier (mod. -er), f. a- AD- + pais PEACE. So appeasement XV.

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appellant

XV. — (O)F. appelant, prp. of appeler APPEAL. So appellation XV. appellative adj. XV; sb. XVI. — late L.

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append

XV (Sc.; in Eng. XVII). — L. appendere, f. AP- + pendre hang (see PENDENT). Hence appendage XVII.

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appendix (pl. -ices, -ixes

XVI. — L. appendix, -ic-, f. appendere (see prec.). Hence appendicitis XIX.

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appertain

XIV. ME. apertenen — OF. apartenir (mod. app-) :- Rom. appartenre, alt. of late L. appertinre, f. AP- + pertinre PERTAIN. cf. APPURTENANCE.

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appetite

desire, spec. for food. XIV. — OF apetit (mod. appétit) — L. appettus, f. appetere, f. AP- + petere seek (see PETITION). So appetizing XVII. — (O)F. appétissant, with ending assim. to -IZE, -ING2.

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applaud

XV. — L. applaudere, f. AP- + plaudere clap (see PLAUDIT), partly after F. applaudir. So applause XV. — L. applauses, f. applaus-, pp. stem of applaudere.

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apple

OE. æppel, corr. to OS., (M)Du. appel, OHG. apful (G. apfel), Crimean Goth. apel :- Gmc. aplu-; cf. ON. epli. Rel. to OIr. ubull, W. afal, OSl. ablko, Lith. obuols.

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applicable

†compliant XVI; capable of being applied XVII; pertinent XIX. f. L. applicre APPLY + -ABLE; cf. F. applicable. Superseded †appliable (XIV) in all senses. So application XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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appliqué

XVIII. — F., pp. of appliquer — L. applicre (see next).

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apply

XIV. — OF. apl(o)ier :- L. applicre, f. AP- + plicre fold. Hence appliance XVI.

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appoggiatura

XVIII. — It., f. appoggiare cause to lean.

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appoint

XIV. — OF. apointier, f. POINT (see AD-). So appointment XV.

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apportion

XVI. — (O)F. apportionner; see AP-, PORTION.

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apposite

XVII. — L. appositus, pp. of appnere apply, f. AP- + pnere place (cf. POSIT). So apposition XV. — F., or late L. appositi, -n-, f. apposit-, pp. stem of appnere.

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appraise

XV. alt., by assim. to PRAISE, of arch. apprize, †apprise — OF. aprisier, f. a- AD- + pris PRICE. Hence appraisal XIX, appraisement XVII.

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appreciate

estimate duly; esteem highly XVII; raise or rise in value (orig. U.S.) XVIII. f. pp. stem of late L. appretire set a price on, f. AP- + pretium PRICE; see -ATE3. Cf. (O)F. apprécier and APPRAISE. So appreciation XVII. — (O)F. — late L. appreciable (once XV), appreciative XIX; after F.

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apprehend

XIV. — F. appréhender or L. apprehendere, f. AP- + prehendere seize (cf. GET). So apprehension, apprehensive XIV. — (partly through F.) late L. apprehensi, -n-, medL. apprehensvus.

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apprentice

XIV. — OF. aprentis (mod. apprenti), f. aprendre learn. Aphetic PRENTICE.

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apprise

inform. XVII. f. F. appris, fem. -ise, pp. of apprendre teach (causative of the sense ‘learn’) :- L. apprendere, contr. form of apprehendere APPREHEND.

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apprize

see APPRAISE.

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appro

abbrev. of APPROBATION or APPROVAL.

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approach

XIV. — OF. aproch(i)er (mod. approcher) :- late L. (Vulg.) appropire, f. AP- + propius, compar. of prope near. Hence approach sb. XV.

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approbation

XIV. — (O)F. — L. approbti, -n-, f. approbre APPROVE; see -ATION.

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appropriate

make one's own, take to oneself. XV. f. appropriate pp. and adj. (XV), or pp. stem of late L. approprire, f. AP- + proprius own, PROPER, see -ATE2, -ATE3. So appropriation XIV. — (O)F. — late L.

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approve

†prove, demonstrate; sanction, commend. XIV. — OF. aprover (mod. approuver) :- L. approbre, f. AP- + probus just, good. The tonic stem appreuv- of the OF. vb. gave ME. appreven. Cf. PROVE. Hence approval XVII (rare before XIX).

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approximate

very near in position or nature XV; nearly exact XIX. — late L. approximtus, pp. of approximre, f. AP- + proximus PROXIMATE. Hence, or directly f. pp. stem approximt-, approximate vb., approximation XV.

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appurtenance

XIV. — AN. apurtenaunce, OF. apartenance :- Rom. appertinentia, f. late L. appertinre APPERTAIN; see -ANCE.. So appurtenant XIV.

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apricot

XVI. Earliest forms abrecock, apricock — Pg. albricoque or Sp. albaricoque — Arab. albar, -bir, i.e. AL-2, bir — late Gr. praikókion, Byzantine Gr. beríkokkon — L. præcoquum (sc. mlum), f. var. of præcox earlyripe (see PRECOCIOUS). Assim. to F. abricot.

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April

XIV. — L. Aprlis, prop. adj. (sc. mnsis month).

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apron

XV. Evolved by misdivision of a napron as an apron (cf. ADDER); ME. napron, -(o)un (XIV) — OF. naperon (mod. napperon), f. nape, nappe table-cloth (see NAPKIN).

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apropos

XVII. — F. à propos, i.e. à to (AD-), propos plan, purpose.

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apse

arched or domed recess in a church. XIX (in L. - Gr. form apsis XVIII). — L. apsis, apsid- — Gr. hapsís vault, etc. Hence apsidal XIX.

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apt

XIV. — L. aptus, pp. of apere fasten (cf. ADAPT, ADEPT, INEPT). So aptitude XV. — (O)F. — late L.; see ATTITUDE.

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apteryx

kiwi. XIX. — modL., f. A-4 + Gr. ptérux wing.

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aquamarine

XIX. — L. aqua marna sea-water, i.e. aqua water and fem. of marnus MARINE.

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aquarelle

XIX. — F. — It. acquerella watercolour, f. acqua :- L. aqua water.

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aquarium

XIX. sb. use of n. sg. of L. aqurius of water, f. aqua water (see -ARY); after VIVARIUM.

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aquatic

XV. — (O)F. aquatique or L. aquticus, f. aqua water; see -ATIC.

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aquatint

method of etching on copper. XVIII. — F. aquatinte, It. acqua tinta, repr. L. aqua water, tincta dyed (see TINT).

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aqueduct

XVI. — L. aquæductus, i.e. aquæ, g. of aqua water, ductus conveyance (see DUCT). cf. F. aqueduc, †aqueduct (XVI), perh. the immed. source.

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aqueous

XVII. f. L. aqua water + -EOUS; perh. suggested by F. aqueux (— L. aqusus).

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aquiline

eagle-like, (of nose) hooked. XVII. — L. aquilnus, f. aquila EAGLE, prob. after F. aquiline; see -INE1.

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ar-

assim. form of AD- before r.

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-ar

repr. L. -ris belonging to, of the kind or form of, as in globulris GLOBULAR, lunris LUNAR, stellris STELLAR; synon. with -AL1, but replacing it where l preceded. The regular F. descendant of L. -ri- is -ier (AN. -er), whence -er in Eng. adoptions, which was often assim. to L. with -ar; e.g. L. scholris, AN. escoler, ME. scoler, later scholar. Learned F. formations have -aire (cf. -ARY). In beggar, liar, pedlar, -ER1 has been assim. to this suffix.

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Arab

XIV. — L. Arab(u)s — Gr. Áraps, Arab- — Arab. 'arab. So arabesque XVII. — F. — It. arabesco, f. arabo :- L. Arabus. Arabian XIV. f. OF. arabi or L. Arab(i)us — Gr. Arábios. Arabic, Araby (-Y3 ) XIV. — (O)F. — L. — Gr.

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arable

XV. — (O)F. arable or L. arbilis, f. arre plough; see -ABLE.

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arachnid

XIX. — F. arachnide or modL. arachnida (n. pl.), f. Gr. arákhn spider; see -ID2.

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arbalest

XI. — OF. arbaleste (mod. arbalète) :- late L. arcuballista, f. arcus bow + BALLISTA.

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arbiter

XV. — L. So arbitrage XV. — (O)F. arbitrament, arbitrement XIV. — (O)F. — medL. arbitrary XV. — L., perh. after (O)F. arbitraire. arbitrate XVI. f. pp. stem of L. arbitrr. arbitration XIV. — (O)F. — L. arbitrator XIV. — late L.

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arboreal

XVII. f. L. arboreus, f. arbor tree; see -AL1. Hence arbor(e)ous, arborescent XVII. arboriculture XIX.

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arbour

†plot of grass, flower-garden; bower. XIV. orig. erber — AN. erber, OF. erbier (mod. herbier), f. erbe HERB + -ier -ARIUM. Normal phonetic change gave (h)arber, (h)arbour, -our being after L. arbor tree.

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arc

XIV. — (O)F. :- L. arcus bow, arch.

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arcade

arched passage. XVIII. — F. — Pr. arcada or It. arcata, f. Rom. arca ARCH1; see -ADE.

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Arcadian

XVI. f. L. Arcadius, f. Gr. Arkadí, district in the Peloponnese; see -IAN.

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arcana

mysterious secrets. XVI. — L., n. pl. of arcnus hidden, secret (whence arcane ), f. arca chest; see ARK, -AN.

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arch1

curved structure. XIV. — (O)F. arche :- Rom. arca n. pl. taken as fem. sg., f. L. arcus ARC. Hence arch vb. XIV.

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arch2

chief, pre-eminent XVI; (through arch rogue, etc.) cunning, waggish XVII. The prefix ARCH- used as an adj.

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arch-

repr. ult. Gr. arkh(i)- chief, comb. form f. base of arkhós chief, arkh rule, as in arkhággelos archangel, arkhidikonos archdeacon, arkhiepískopos archbishop, whence L. archangelus, archidiconus, archiepiscopus, OF. arc(h)angele, arc(h)ediacre, arc(h)evesque. In OE. at first tr. by hah HIGH, as in hahenel, but later adopted from L. as ær.e-, ar.e-, er.e-, as in ær.ebis.op, etc. The OE. forms gave ME. erche-, arche-, the latter coinciding with OF. arche-. From such comps. the prefix was generalized, and freely used in the senses ‘chief’, ‘principal’, ‘pre-eminent’, ‘extreme’. Cf. ARCHI-.

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-arch

repr. Gr. -arkhos ruling, rel. to arkh (see prec.), as in mónarkhos MONARCH, tétrarkhos TETRARCH. Cf. -ARCHY.

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archaeology

XVII. — modL. archæologia — Gr. arkhaiologí, f. arkhaîos ancient; see -LOGY.

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archaic

XIX. — F. archaïque — Gr. arkhaïkós, f. arkhaîos ancient; see -IC. So archaism XVII. — modL. — Gr.

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archangel

(repl. OE. hahenel) XII. — OF. archangele — ecclL. archangelus — ecclGr. (LXX) arkhággelos; see ARCH-, ANGEL.

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archer

XIII. — AN. archer, OF. archier (mod. archer) :- Rom. arcrius f. L. arcus bow, ARC; see -ER2. So archery XIV. — OF.

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archetype

XVII. — L. archetypum — Gr. arkhétupon, sb. use of n. of adj. ‘first moulded as a model’, f. arkhe- (var. of arkhi-) + túpos model, TYPE. Cf. F. archétype.

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archi-

repr. ult. Gr. arkhi- (see ARCH-); some adjs. with this prefix have corr. sbs. with arch-, e.g. archidiaconal (XV), archdeacon (OE.).

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archimandrite

(Gr. Ch.) superior of a monastery. XVII. — F., or ecclL. archimandrta — ecclGr. arkhimandrts, f. ARCHI- + mándr monastery; see -ITE.

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archipelago

Aegean Sea; sea with numerous islands; group of many islands. XVI. — It. arcipelago, f. ARCHI- + Gr. pélagos sea.

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architect

XVI. — F. architecte — It. architetto, or their source, L. architectus — Gr. arkhitéktn, f. ARCHI- + téktn builder. So architectonic XVII. — L. — Gr. architecture XVI. — F. or L.

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architrave

XVI. — F. — It., f. ARCHI- + trave beam :- L. trabs, trabe-.

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archives

XVII. — F. — L. arch(v)a, Gr. arkheîa n. pl., f. arkh government. So archivist XVIII. — F.

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-archy

terminal el. of abstract nouns corr. to words in -ARCH, repr. Gr. -arkhí rule, rel. to ARCH-, ARCHI-; e.g. monarchy, tetrarchy.

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Arctic

XIV. ME. artik — OF. artique (mod. arctique) — L. arcticus — Gr. arktikós, f. árktos bear, the Great Bear, north; see -IC.

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-ard

repr. (O)F. -ard, †-art — OHG. -hart, being the adj. hart bold, hardy, HARD, often forming part of personal names, as OHG. Reginhart REYNARD; in MHG. and Du. a formative of common nouns, gen. pejorative; in Eng. orig. in adoptions of F. sbs., as bastard, coward, mallard; the depreciatory sense of some of these led to its being used to form similar words on various stems, as dastard, drunkard, laggard, niggard, sluggard, wizard. In several words it conceals endings of a different origin, as bustard, custard, hazard, leopard, steward, tankard.

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ardent

XIV. — OF. ardant (mod. -ent) :- L. ardns, -ent-, prp. of ardre burn; see -ANT, -ENT. So ardour XIV. — OF. ardour (mod. -eur) :- L. ardor, -r-.

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arduous

f. L. arduus high, steep, difficult; see -UOUS.

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are1

unit of square measure (100 sq. metres). XIX. — F. — L. rea AREA.

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are2

see BE.

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area

clear open space; superficial extent XVI; enclosed court XVII. — L. rea vacant piece of ground.

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arena

XVII. — L. arna, prop. harna sand, (sand-covered) centre of an amphitheatre. So arenaceous XVII.

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argent

XV. — (O)F. — L. argentum silver.

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argon

(chem.) inert gas of the atmosphere. XIX. — Gr. argón, n. of argós idle, inactive, for aergós, f. A-4 + érgon work.

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argot

XIX. — F., of unkn. orig.

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argue

XIV. (O)F. arguer :- L. argtre babble, f. arguere make clear, prove. So argument XIV, argumentation XV.

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argy-bargy

XIX. var. of argle-bargle sb. and vb. (XIX), f. dial. argle to dispute, bandy words (XVI), prob. alt. of prec. with -le as in haggle.

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aria

XVIII. — It. See AIR.

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-arian

f. L. -rius -ARY + -AN, first appearing in late XVI in disciplinarian, quinquagenarian, later (XVII) becoming common in designations of religious bodies and their tenets, e.g. millenarian, predestinarian, sectarian, Trinitarian, Unitarian, on the analogy of which were formed humanitarian, parliamentarian, utilitarian.

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arid

XVII. — F. aride or L. ridus, f. rre be dry or parched; see -ID1. So aridity XVI.

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aright

OE. on riht, ariht, i.e. ON, A-1, and RIGHT.

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-arious

adj. suffix, f. L. -ris -AR or -rius -ARY, + -OUS.

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arise

OE. rsan = OS. rsan, OHG. arrsan, Goth. urreisan; f. A-3 + RISE.

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aristocracy

government by ‘the best’ citizens; political supremacy of a privileged order XVI; patrician order, nobles XVII. — (O)F. aristocratie — Gr. aristokratí, f. áristos best; see -CRACY. So aristocrat XVIII. — F. aristocrate (a word of the French Revolution). aristocratic XVII. — (O)F. — Gr. -ical XVI.

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arithmetic

XIII. Earliest forms arsmetrik(e), -metike — OF. arismetique — Rom. arismetica, for L. arithmtica — Gr. arithmtik (sc. tékhn art) ‘art of counting’, f. arithmeîn, f. arithmós number; assoc. with L. ars metrica ‘measuring art’ led to forms of the type arsmetrik(e) which were later (XV) conformed to the orig. L. and Gr. So arithmetic XVI. — L. and Gr. arithmetical XVI. arithmetician XVI. — F.

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-arium

– L., n. sg. of -rius -ARY, in sb. use of adjs. e.g. honorarium, sacrarium, and the group aquarium, herbarium, vivarium.

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ark

†chest, coffer; floating vessel built by Noah (Gen. 6: 14–16). OE. arc (earc), corr. to OHG. archa (G. arche), ON. rk, Goth. arka; Gmc. — L. arca.

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arm1

upper limb of the body. OE. arm (earm) = OS., OHG. (Du., G.) arm, ON. armr, Goth. arms :- Gmc. armaz; cf. L. armus shoulder (of animal), Skr. rmá- arm, etc.

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arm2

(pl.) weapons for fighting. XIII. — (O)F. armes :- L. arma n. pl. (no sg.). So arm vb. XIII. — (O)F. armer :- L. armre.

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armada

XVI. Early forms armado (see -ADO), armada, and -ade, -ata — Sp. armada :- Rom. armta ARMY.

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armadillo

XVI. — Sp., dim. of armado armed man :- L. armtus, pp. of armre (see ARM2).

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Armageddon

place of the last decisive battle at the Day of Judgement (see Rev. 16: 16 A.V.; R.V. Harmagedon ); any ‘final’ conflict on a large scale XIX. Taken to be the Gr. equivalent of Heb. har megiddn mountain region of Megiddo.

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armament

XVII. — L. armmentum, f. armre; see ARM2, -MENT, and cf. F. armement.

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armature

†arms, armour XV; piece of iron placed in contact with the poles of a magnet to preserve its power XVIII; wire-wound core of dynamo, etc. XIX. — F. — L. armtra, f. pp. stem of armre; see ARM2, -URE.

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armiger

person entitled to heraldic arms. XVIII. — L. armiger bearing arms, f. arma ARM2 + -ger, gerere bear, carry.

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armistice

XVIII. — F. armistice or modL. armistitium, f. arma arms (ARM2) + -stitium stoppage. Cf. SOLSTICE.

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armory

heraldry. XV. — (O)F. armoirie, f. armoier blazon, f. arme ARM2; see -Y3. Hence armorial XVI.

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armour

XIII. OF. armure, earlier armeüre :- L. armtra ARMATURE.

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armoury

†armour XIV; place for keeping arms XV. prob. orig. — (O)F. armoirie ARMORY, with assim. to ARMOUR.

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army

†armed expedition XIV; armed force XV. — (O)F. armée :- Rom. armta, sb. use of pp. fem. of L. armre ARM; see -Y5.

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aroma

XVIII. — L. arma — Gr. árma, -at-. So aromatic XIV. — F. — late L. — Gr.

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around

XIV (not frequent before XVI). In earliest use perh. after OF. a la reonde roundabout; later f. A-1 + ROUND1.

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arouse

XVI. f. A-3 + ROUSE, after rise, arise, wake, awake.

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arpeggio

XVIII. — It., f. arpeggiare play on the harp, f. arpa HARP.

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arquebus

see HARQUEBUS.

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arrack

Eastern name for a kind of alcoholic spirit. XVII. ult. — Arab. 'arak. Aphetic RACK6.

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arraign

XIV. — AN. araigner, areiner, OF. araisnier — Rom. arratinre, f. AR- + rati, -n- account, REASON.

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arrange

XIV. — OF. arangier, arengier (mod. arranger), f. a- AD- + rangier RANGE. So arrangement XVIII.

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arrant

notorious, downright XVI. First in knight arrant, arrant thief, in which arrant is a later form of ERRANT vagabond; in arrant thief it acquired the sense ‘public, common’, and hence, when transf. to other nouns, ‘manifest, undisguised, notorious’.

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arras

XV. — arras in AN. draps d'arras ‘cloths of Arras’, name of a town in Artois, France.

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array

XIV. — AN. arai, OF. arei (mod. arroi), f. AN. araier, OF. areer :- Rom. arrdre put in order, f. AR- + Gmc. ræ- prepare (see CURRY1). So array vb. XIII.

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arrear

†adv. backward, behind XIV: sb. (chiefly pl.) liability overdue, debts unpaid XVII. — OF. ariere (mod. arrière), AN. arere :- medL. adretr, f. ad to (AT) + retr backward. As sb. arrear(s) took the place of arrearage(s) XIV (now U.S.) — OF. arierages (mod. arrérages), f. ariere; cf. AN. sb. areres XIV.

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arrest

vb. XIV. — OF. arester :- Rom. arrestre, f. AR- + L. restre stop behind, REST2. So arrest sb. XIV.

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arrival

†coming to land XIV; act of arriving XVI. — AN. ar(r)ivaille, f. ariver; see next and -AL2.

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arrive

†come to shore, land XIII; come to the end of a journey, etc. XIV. — OF. ariver (mod. arriver) :- Rom. arrpre come to land, f. AR- + L. rpa shore.

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arrogance

XIV. — (O)F. — L. arrogantia, f. arrogns, -ant-, prp. of L. arrogre lay claim to; see -ANCE, ROGATION. So arrogant XIV. arrogate XVI. f. pp. stem of L. arrogre. arrogation XVI.

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arrow

Late OE. ar(e)we — ON. arw-, nom. r (g. sg., pl. rvar), rel. to Goth. arhwazna arrow, — Gmc. base ar?w- :- IE. arkw-, whence also L. arcus bow, ARC.

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arrowroot

herb of the W. Indies, the tubers of which were used to absorb poison from wounds, esp. those made by poisoned arrows XVII; starch made from this XIX. Perversion of Aruak aruaru ‘meal of meals’, by assim. to ARROW and ROOT.

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arse

OE. ærs (ears) = MLG. ars, MDu. aers (Du. aars), OHG. ars (G. arsch), ON. ars :- Gmc. arsaz :- IE. orsos, whence also Gr. órrhos; cf. our tail (:- ors).

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arsenal

†naval dock (in early use, of Venice); establishment for storage of weapons and ammunition. XVI. Early forms arsen-, arzen-, archynale — F. arsenal, †archenal or its source It. †arzanale, (mod.) arsenale, f. Venetian It. arzanà, ult. (with unexpl. loss of d-) — Arab. dr a-in'a, i.e. dr house, AL-2, in'a industry.

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arsenic

XIV. — (O)F. — L. arsenicum (arrhen-) — Gr. arsenikón (arrhen-), ult. — Iranian (cf. Pers. zirn, f. zar gold), but assoc. with arsenikós (arrhen-) male, f. ársn, árrhn male. Also arsenic (cf. -IC) XIX, arsenical XVII, adjs.

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arsis

(pros.) unemphatic syllable XVIII; strong syllable XIX. — late L. — Gr. ársis lifting, raising, f. aírein raise; opposed to THESIS. By Gr. writers applied to the raising of the foot in beating time, which marked the unaccented syllable, by later L. writers referred to the raising of the voice, which marked the accented syllable; there is consequently the same opposition of meaning in thesis.

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arson

XVII. OF. :- med L. arsi, -n-, f. ars-, pp. stem of ardre burn.

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arsy-versy

back-foremost, upside-down. XVI. f. ARSE + L. versus turned, with -Y1 added to both elements to make a jingle.

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art1

XIII. — (O)F. :- L. ars, art-, f. base ar- put together, join, fit (cf. HARMONY). Hence artful XVII.

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art2

see BE.

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artefact, artifact

XIX. f. L. arte, abl. sg. of ars ART1 + factum, n. pp. of facere make, DO1; cf. It. artefatto.

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artery

XIV. — L. artria — Gr. artrí, prob. f. base ar- raise, repr. in AORTA, ARSIS. So arterial XV. — F. †artérial (mod. -el).

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artesian

XIX. — F. artésien of Artois (name of an old French province), applied orig. to wells made there; see -IAN.

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arthritis

inflammation of a joint. XVI. — L. arthrtis — Gr. arthrîtis, f. árthron joint (cf. L. artus limb, ARTICLE); see -ITIS. So arthritic XV. The comb. form arthro- of Gr. árthron is repr. in various scientific terms, as arthropod.

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artichoke

plant allied to the thistle, having edible parts XVI; Jerusalem a. species of sunflower with edible tuberous roots XVII. Earliest forms archicokk, -choke, artechock, etc. — northern It. arti-, arciciocco — OSp. alcarchofa (mod. alcachofa) — Arab. al-karfa, i.e. AL-2. karf artichoke.

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article

clause of the Creed, of a contract, etc. XIII; †item of business, etc. XV; detail, particular, material thing XVIII. — (O)F. — L. articulus, dim. of artus joint, f. base ar- join (cf. ARM1, ART1). In gram. sense (XVI) repr. the use of L. articulus tr. Gr. árthron joint.

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articulate

adj. XVI. — L. articultus jointed, pp. of articulre, f. articulus ARTICLE; see -ATE2. So articulate vb. XVI. articulation XV. — F. — L.

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artifice

XVI. — (O)F. — L. artificium, f. ars, art- ART1 + fic-, var. of fac- of facere make, DO1. So artificial XIV. — (O)F. or L. artificer XIV. — AN. artificer (cf. medL. artificirius), prob. after OF. artificien.

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artillery

XIV. — (O)F. artillerie, f. OF. artillier, alt. (after art) of atillier equip, arm, prob. a byform of atirier, f. tire order; see TIER, -ERY.

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artisan

XVI. — F. — It. artigiano, f. arte ART1.

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artist

XVI. — (O)F. artiste — It. artista, f. arte ART1; see -IST. Hence artistic XVIII, artistry XIX.

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artiste

XIX. — F. (see prec.).

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arum

cuckoo-pint, Arum maculatum. XV (in form aron XV–XVIII). — L. arum — Gr. áron.

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-ary

suffix repr. L. -rius ‘pertaining to, connected with’: formed on sbs., as honrrius HONORARY; on adjs., as prmrius PRIMARY; on advs., as contrrius CONTRARY. Many of these adjs. were used as sbs.: in the masc., as adversrius ADVERSARY; in the n., as salrium SALARY; and occas. in the fem., as Calvria, see CALVARY. Since L. -rius and -ris were repr. in French by -aire, it came about that, when F. words in -aire were adopted in mod. Eng., they received the ending -ary, as militaire MILITARY; cf. -AR.

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Aryan

(arch.) Indo-European; Indo-Iranian. XIX. f. Skr. rya- national name, subsequently ‘noble’. See -AN.

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as

ME. reduced form (XII) of ase or als, which are divergent developments of alse :- OE. alsw (ealsw) ALSO.

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as-

assim. form of AD- before s.

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asafoetida

resinous gum with a strong smell. XIV. — medL., lit. ‘stinking asa’, i.e. asa (usu. derived from a Persian az mastic, but this word is of doubtful authenticity), fœtida, fem. of fœtidus FETID.

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asbestos

†fabulous unquenchable stone XIV; fibrous mineral made into an incombustible fabric XVII. ME. albeston — OF. — medL. — Gr. ásbeston, acc. of ásbestos, f. A-4 + sbestós, f. sbennúnai quench. The present form dates from XVII.

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ascend

XIV. — L. ascendere, f. AD- + scandere climb. So ascendant XIV. — (O)F. — prp. of L. ascendere. ascendancy XVIII.

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ascension

XIV. — (O)F. — L. ascensi, -n-, f. ascens-, pp. stem of ascendere. Also ascent XVII. f. ASCEND, after the pair descend, descent.

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ascertain

make certain XV; learn, find out XVIII. — OF. acertain-, tonic stem of acertener (later ass-, asc-, and so in Eng.), f. a- AD- + certain CERTAIN.

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ascetic

XVII. — medL. ascticus or Gr. asktikós, f. askts monk, hermit, f. askeîn exercise; see -IC.

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ascribe

XV. — L. ascrbere, f. AD- + scrbere write. Preceded by †ascrive (XIV–XVII) — OF. ascriv-, stem of ascrire — L. ascrbere. So ascription XVI. — L.

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aseptic

XIX. f. A-4 + SEPTIC.

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ash1

forest-tree of genus Fraxinus. OE. æs. = OS. ask (Du. esch), OHG. ask (G. esche is infl. by the adj. eschen), ON. askr :- Gmc. askiz. Rel. L. ornus, R. yásen', W. onnen; Gr. oxú beech.

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ash2

powdery residue of combustion. OE. æs.e, æxe = MLG. asche, Du. as, OHG. asca (G. asche), ON, aska; cf. Goth. azg. Ash Wednesday first day of Lent XIII; after ecclL. dies cinerum ‘day of ashes’; cf. F. jour or mercredi des cendres, G. aschermittwoch.

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ashamed

OE. s.amod, pp. of s.amian, f. - A-3 + s.amian, f. s.amu SHAME.

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ashlar

squared stone for building. XIV. ME. as(s)heler — OF. aisselier, f. L. axis, assis board, plank (whence F. ais).

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ashore

XVI. f. A-1 + SHORE1, on the model of the earlier aland (XII).

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Asian

XIV. — L. Asinus — Gr. Asinós; see -IAN. So Asiatic XVII.

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aside

XIV. ME. on side, a side, i.e. ON, A-1, SIDE.

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asinine

XVII. — L. asinnus, f. asinus ASS; see -INE1.

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-asis

repr. L., Gr. -sis, forming names of diseases, prop. nouns of state or process derived from verbs in Gr. -áein, -ân; as elephantiasis, psoriasis.

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ask

OE. scian, xian = OS. scn, OHG. eiscn (G. heischen) :- WGmc. aiskjan. Rel. Skr. icchti, OSl. iskati, Lith. iekóti seek.

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askance

sideways, obliquely. XVI. Early forms a scanche, a sconce suggest a F. origin (but cf. It. a, di, and per scancio obliquely). Source remains unknown.

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askari

native soldier of E. Africa. XX. — Arab. 'askar soldier, f. 'askar army.

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askew

XVI. f. A-1 + SKEW.

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aslant

XIII. ME. o slant(e), i.e. A-1, SLANT (var. on slent, Sc. asklent, esk-; relations obscure).

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asleep

OE. on slpe, ME. o slepe, aslepe; see A1, SLEEP.

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asp1

tree of the poplar family. OE. æspe = OHG. aspa (G. espe is from the adj. espen) :- Gmc. aspn. Rel. Russ. osína, OPruss. abse, Lith. pue. Superseded by ASPEN.

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asp2

small viper of N. Africa. XVI. — OF. aspe or its source L. aspis — Gr. aspis, aspid-. The L. form was formerly (XIV) current in Eng., as well as aspic (XVI) — F.; also †aspide — OF.

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asparagus

XVI. — L. — Gr. aspáragos. Various alt. or deriv. forms have been current: (i) sparagus (XVII); (ii) (a)sperage, sparage (XV); (iii) sparrow-grass, sparagrass (XVII).

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aspect

XIV. — L. aspectus, f. aspect-, pp. stem of aspicere look at, f. AD- + specere look.

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aspen

adj. of an asp-tree XIV; sb. aspen tree XVI. f. ASP1 + -EN1. The sb. arose in such collocations as aspen leaf.

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asperity

XV. — L. asperits, -tt-, f. asper rough; see -ITY.

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asperse

besprinkle XV; calumniate XVII. f. aspers-, pp. stem of L. aspergere, f. AD- + spargere sprinkle (cf. SPARSE). So aspersion XVI.

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asphalt

XIV. Early forms aspalt(oun), ult. — late L. asphalton, -um — Gr. ásphalton, -os; later asphalt(e) reproduces the F. asphalte.

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asphodel

liliaceous plant. XVI. — L. asphodelus — Gr. asphódelos. See DAFFODIL.

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asphyxia

stoppage of the pulse, (hence) suffocation. XVIII. — modL. — Gr. asphuxí, f. A-4 + sphúxis pulse, f. sphúzein beat, throb. Hence asphyxiate (-ATE3), asphyxiation XIX.

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aspic1

savoury meat jelly. XVIII. — F., a use of aspic serpent (see ASP2), due to comparison of the various colours of the jelly with those of the serpent (F. sauce or ragoût à l'aspic).

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aspic2

see ASP2.

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aspidistra

XIX. — modL., f. Gr. aspís, aspid- shield (with ref. to the shape of the leaves).

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aspire

have a desire for something above one XV; rise up, mount XVI. — (O)F. aspirer or L. asprre have an ambition, etc., f. AD- + sprre breathe. So aspirant XVIII. — F. or L. aspirate adj. XVII; sb. XVIII. — pp. of L. asprre. aspirate vb. XVIII. aspiration XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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aspirin

acetylsalicylic acid, an analgesic and febrifuge. XIX. — G., shortened from Acetylirte Spirsäure ‘acetylated spiraeic acid’ + -IN.

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asquint

(arch.) to look to one side XIII; obliquely through a defect in the eyes, cross-eyed XIV; with a sidelong or furtive glance XV. perh. f. A-1 + a LG. or Du. form now repr. by Du. schuinte obliquity, slant, f. schuin oblique = LG. schüns. Aphetic SQUINT.

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ass

donkey OE.; stupid person XV. OE. assa — OCelt. as(s)in (W. asyn) — L. asinus. Gmc. asiluz (— L. asinus or asellus) is repr. by OE. e(o)sol, OS., OHG. esil (Du. ezel EASEL, G. esel), Goth. asilus.

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assail

XIII. — OF. asalir (mod. assaillir) :- popL. assalre f. AS- + salre leap. Hence assailant XVI, after F. assaillant.

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assassin

(hist., in pl.) Muslim fanatic engaged to murder Christians; one who kills treacherously. XVII. — F. assassin or medL. assassnus — Arab. a HASHISH-eater. Hence assassinate (see -ATE3), assassination XVII.

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assault

sb. XIII. ME. as(s)aut (later with l as in fault) — OF. asaut (mod. assaut) :- Rom. assaltus, f. popL. assalre ASSAIL. So assault vb. XV. — OF. assauter :- Rom. assaltare, f. AS- + saltre, frequent. of salre leap.

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assay

trial (gen. and spec., now only of metals). XIV. — OF. assai, var. of essai ESSAY. So assay vb. XIV. — OF. assaier.

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assegai, assagai

spear used by African (now esp. S. African) tribes. XVII. — Pg. azagaia — Arab. az-zaya, i.e. AL-2, zaya Berber word for ‘spear’.

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assemble

XIII. — (O)F. assembler :- Rom. assimulre, f. AS- + L. simul together (cf. SIMILAR). So assembly XIV. — OF. assemblée, sb. use of fem. pp., with ending assim. to -Y5.

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assent

vb. XIII. — OF. assentir (AN. assenter) :- L. assentre, f. AS- + sentre feel, think. So assent sb. XIII.

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assert

XVII. f. assert-, pp. stem of L. asserere, f. AS- + serere join. So assertion XV. — F. or L. assertive XVII (the corr. adv. is XV). — F. assertif.

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assess

settle the amount of; rate for taxation. XV. — OF. assesser — assess-, pp. stem of L. assidre sit by, etc. (cf. ASSIDUOUS), in medL. levy, tax, f. AS- + sedre SIT. Hence assessment XVI. So assessor XIV. — OF. assessour (mod. -eur) — L. assessor.

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assets

XVI. — legal AN. assets, (O)F. assez :- Rom. assatis, f. AD- + L. satis enough (cf. SATISFACTION); orig. in legal phr. aver asetz have sufficient (sc. to meet claims).

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asseveration

XVI. — L. assevrti, -n-, f. assevrre, f. AS- + sevrus grave, SEVERE; see -ATION. So asseverate (see -ATE3) XVIII.

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assibilate

make SIBILANT. XIX. f. pp. of L. assbilre; see AS-, -ATE3.

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assiduous

XVI. f. L. assiduus, f. assidre, attend or apply oneself to; see ASSESS, -OUS. So assiduity XV.

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assign1 vb.

XIV. — OF. as(s)ignier (mod. assigner) :- L. assignre, f. AS- + signre SIGN. So assignation XV. assignee ASSIGN2 XIV. — (O)F. assigné, pp. of assigner, used sb. assignment XIX. — OF. assignement — medL. assignmentum.

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assign2

one to whom a property or right is assigned. XIV. — AN., (O)F. assigné; see ASSIGNEE, from which it is differentiated by the muted final syll. (cf. ALLY1, ASTRAY, COSTIVE, DEFILE2, TAIL2, TROVE).

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assimilate

make like; absorb and incorporate. XV. f. pp. stem of L. assimilre, f. AS- + similis SIMILAR; see -ATE3. So assimilation XV. assimilative XIV. — F. or L.

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assist

†give help to XV; help; †stand near XVI; be present at XVII. — F. assister — L. assistere, f. AS- + sistere take one's stand. So assistance XIV. — F. — medL. assistentia. assistant XV. — F. — medL. assistns, -ent-, prp. of assistere.

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assize

XIII. — OF. assise, sb. use of fem. of assis, pp. of asseoir sit, settle, assess :- popL. assedre for assidre (see ASSESS). Cf. SIZE1.

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associate

pp. joined in function or status XIV; sb. companion, colleague XVI. — L. associtus, pp. of associre, f. AS- + socius sharing, allied (cf. SOCIAL); see -ATE2. So associate vb. XV (see -ATE3). association XVI. — F. or medL.

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assoil

(arch.) absolve XIII; acquit XIV. — AN. as(s)oilier, -ir, f. OF. as(s)oil- tonic stem of asoldre (mod. absoudre) :- L. absolvere ABSOLVE.

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assonance

XVIII. — F., f. L. assonre (of Echo) answer to, f. AS- + sonre SOUND3.

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assort

arrange in sorts. XV (rare before late XVIII, when it was prob. readopted). — OF. assorter, mod. assortir, f. a- AD- + sorte SORT. So assortment XVII; after F. assortiment.

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assuage

XIV. —' OF. asso(u)agier :- Rom. assuvire, f. AS- + L. suvis SWEET.

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assume

take to or upon oneself XV; claim, take for granted XVI. — L. assmere, f. AS- + smere take.

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assumption

(feast of) the reception of the Virgin Mary into Heaven XIII; taking to or for oneself, taking for granted, postulate XVII. — OF. asompsion (mod. assomption) or L. assumpti, -n-, f. assmere; see prec., -TION. So assumptive XVII.

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assure

XIV. — OF. asserer (mod. assurer) :- Rom. asscrre, f. AS- + scrus SECURE. So assurance XIV.

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aster

genus of plants with radiated flowers. XVIII. — modL. use of L. astr — Gr. astr STAR.

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-aster

repr. L. -ster (whence F. -âtre), suffix of sbs. and adjs. expressing incomplete resemblance, and hence gen. of pejorative force; e.g. philosophaster petty philosopher, oleaster wild olive. The best-known comp. in Eng. is POETASTER, on which was modelled criticaster.

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asterisk

XVII. — late L. asteriscus — Gr. asterískos, dim. of astr STAR.

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astern

in, at, or towards the stern. XVII. f. A-1 + STERN2, after AHEAD.

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asteroid

XIX. — Gr. asteroeids star-like, f. astr STAR; see -OID.

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asthma

XIV. — Gr. ásthma, -mat-. So asthmatic XVI.

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astigmatism

defect in the eye preventing exact focusing. XIX. f. A-4 + Gr. stigmat- point (see STIGMA) + -ISM. So astigmatic XIX.

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astir

stirring, up and about. XIX. Anglicization of Sc. asteer, f. ON, A-1+ Sc. form of STIR.

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astonish

†dumbfound, stun XV; amaze XVII. First in (Sc.) pp. astonist, prob. extension, with -ISH2, of pp. of †astonie, †astony (XIV–XVII), obscure var. of †astone, the pp. of which is the source of ASTOUND.

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astound

†shock, stun; amaze. XVII. prob. f. pp. †astound, †astouned, earlier †astoned, †astuned (XIII), f. AN. astoné, astuné, for OF. estoné, pp. of estoner STUN.

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astrakhan

XVIII. f. name of a Russian province north of the Caspian Sea.

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astral

XVII. — late L. astrlis, f. astrum — Gr. ástron STAR; see -AL1.

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astray

XVIII. ME. o strai, astrai(e) -AN. astraié, OF. estraié, pp. of estraier, f. estree road :- late L. strta STREET. Aphetic STRAY. For the loss of -é cf. ASSIGN2.

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astride

XVII. f. A-1 + STRIDE.

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astringent

causing contraction of bodily tissues XVI; severe, austere XIX. — F. astringent or L. astringns, -ent-, f. astringere, f. AD- + stringere bind, draw tight (see STRICTURE).

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astro-

repr. comb. form of Gr. ástron STAR.

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astrolabe

instrument used for taking altitudes and solving astronomical problems. XIV. — OF. astrelabe — medL. astrolabium — Gr. astrólabon, sb. use of n. of adj. astrólabos ‘star-taking’, f. ástron STAR + lab-, base of lambánein take.

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astrology

XIV. — (O)F. astrologie — L. astrologia — Gr. astrologí, f. astrológos astronomer, f. ástron STAR; see -LOGY. So astrologer XIV. f. (O)F. astrologue, based on L. astrologus — Gr. astrológos; see -LOGUE (-LOGER). astrological XVI. f. F. -ique or late L. -icus — Gr. -ikós.

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astronomy

XIII. — (O)F. astronomie — L. astronomia — Gr. astronomí, f. astronómos, f. astronomeîn observe the stars, f. ástron STAR; see -NOMY. So astronomer XIV. ME. astronom(i)er, f. astronomy; earlier -ien — OF. astronomical XVI. f. F. -ique or L. -icus — Gr. -ikós.

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astute

XVII. — F. †astut or L. asttus, f. astus craft, cunning.

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asunder

ME. asunder, o sunder, OE. on sundran, -um, i.e. ON, A-1 + sundor; see SUNDER.

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aswoon

(arch.) in a swoon. XIV. ME. aswoune, alt. of iswouen, OE. eswgen; see SWOON.

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asylum

sanctuary, place of refuge. XV. — L. aslum — Gr. áslon, sb. use of n. of áslos inviolable, f. A-4 + sl, sûlon right of seizure.

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asymptote

(geom.) line which approaches nearer and nearer to a curve without meeting it. XVII. — modL. asymptta (sc. lnea line) — Gr. asúmpttos, sb. use (sc. gramm line) of adj. ‘not falling together’, f. A-4 + sun- SYN- + pttós apt to fall.

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asyndeton

(gram.) construction in which a conjunctive element is omitted. XVI. — modL. — Gr. asúndeton, n. of asúndetos unconnected, f. A-4 + súndetos, f. sun- SYN- + deîn bind.

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at

OE. æt = OS. at, OHG. az, ON., Goth. at; CGmc. prep. and verbal prefix denoting position and motion towards, further rel. to L. (and Osco-Umbrian) ad to, at, AD-, OIr. ad-. Lost in s.w. Eng. dial., as in modDu. and G., and repl. by to; in Scand., on the other hand, to was lost and repl by at (e.g. with the infin.; cf. ADO).

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at-

assim. form of AD- before t.

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atavism

resemblance to remote ancestors rather than parents. XIX. — F. atavisme, f. L. atavus great-grandfather's grandfather, f. avus grandfather; see -ISM. Hence atavistic XIX.

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ataxy

†disorderliness; (path.) functional irregularity. XVII. — modL. ataxia (also used) — Gr. ataxí, f. A-4 + táxis order; see -Y3.

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-ate1

repr. F. -at = Sp. -ADO, It. -ato — L. -tus, comp. suffix orig. f. stems of verbs in -re + -tus (cf. juventus YOUTH), but later added directly to sbs. to form abstract sbs. (i) denoting action or state, as plrtus weeping, consultus consulship; (ii) in coll. sense, as equittus cavalry, sentus SENATE; (iii) in concr. sense, as magistrtus MAGISTRATE; corr. to OE. -o, -a (as in fis.o fishing), OHG. -d, Goth. -þu-.

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-ate2

suffix of pps., ppl. adjs., and sbs., repr. (partly through F. -at, -ate) L. -tus, -ta, -tum, ending of the pps. of verbs in -re, f. -- + -tus, gen. ppl. suffix, as in doctus, rctus, audtus, pps. of docre, regere, audre. There are many adjs. of this origin, as desperate, separatea.
A
Added to sbs. with the sense ‘provided with’, it produced many adjs., as denttus toothed, folitus leaved, littertus LITERATE; on this model were made numerous adjs. in nat. hist., etc., as angustifoliate narrow-leaved, lunulate crescent-shaped.
B
L. pps. were used as sbs., in all three genders, as (i) legtus LEGATE, (medL.) præltus PRELATE, curtus CURATE; (ii) medL. caructa CARUCATE, virgta VIRGATE, and numerous sbs. in the Rom. langs. (repr. by F. -ée, Sp. -ada, It. -ata; cf. -ADE); (iii) L. mandtum MANDATE, modL. præcipittum PRECIPITATE. In chem. extended to the nomenclature of salts of acids denominated by adjs. in -IC, as NITRATE, SULPHATE.

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-ate3

suffix of verbs formed on pp. stems (-t-) of L. verbs in -re, orig. on the basis of existing pp. forms in -ATE2, which were at first often used concurrently with the infs. as their pps., e.g. inf. CONSECRATE, pp. †consecrate (later consecrated); it consequently became possible to form an Eng. verb in -ate on any L. verb in -re. Many F. verbs in -er (:- L. -re) have been anglicized by the addition of this suffix to their stems, e.g. FELICITATE.

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atheism

XVI. — Fr. athéisme, f. Gr. átheos, f. A-4 + theós god; see -ISM So atheist XVI. — F. athéiste or It. ateista; hence atheistic XVII, atheistical XVI.

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athirst

(arch.) thirsting. OE. ofyrst, short form of ofyrsted, pp. of ofyrstan suffer thirst, f. of- A-2 + þyrstan THIRST.

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athlete

XVIII (once XV). — L. thlta — Gr. athltés, f. athleîn contend for a prize. So athletic XVII. — F. athlétique or L. thlticus — Gr. athltikós; hence athletics XVIII, athletical XVI.

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athwart

across. XV (first in Sc.). f. A-1 + THWART1, prob. after ON. um þvert ‘over in a transverse direction’.

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-atic

repr. F. -atique — L. -ticus, orig. f. pp. stems in -t- (see -ATE3) + -icus -IC, as errticus ERRATIC, later extended to sbs., e.g. aquticus AQUATIC. The neuter of such adjs. was used as sb., e.g. VIATICUM, whence the extended use of the suffix in Rom. repr. by -AGE. In AROMATIC, AXIOMATIC, PROBLEMATIC, and the like, -atic repr. Gr. -atikós, f. n. stems in -at-.

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-atile

repr. F. -atile — L. -tilis, in formation (see -ILE) and sense similar to -ATIC, e.g. voltilis VOLATILE, (with sb.) fluvitilis, f. fluvius.

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atilt

tilted; at the tilt (in jousting). XVI. f. A-1 + TILT1.

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-ation

ME. -acio(u)n — OF. (mod. -ation) — L. -ti, -tin-, the form resulting from the addition of -tin- -TION to verb-stems in --. The great majority of Eng. words in -ation have corr. vbs. in -ATE3, as creation, moderation, saturation, beside create, moderate, saturate; some have no such corr. vb., as capitation, constellation, duration; others are formed directly on vbs. in -IZE, as civilization, organization. A large number have corr. vbs. of other forms, as apply and application, publish and publication, prove and probation. Others have the appearance of being formed on Eng. vbs., as alteration, causation, formation; hence the practice (from XVI) of adding the suffix to miscellaneous vbs., as botheration, flirtation, starvation.

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-ative

— F. -atif, -ative — L. -tvus, -tva, formed by the addition of -vus -IVE to pp. stems in -t-, as dmonstrtvus DEMONSTRATIVE; the number of such adjs. was increased in late and medL., and they were the models for many more in the Rom. langs. Cases like represent, representative afforded a formal analogy for talk, talkative (XV). In medL. qulittvus, quantittvus were formed on the sbs. qulits, quantits; hence authoritative, f. authority.

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Atlantic

XV. — L. Atlanticus — Gr. Atlantikós, f. Átls, Atlant- name of (i) the Titan who was supposed to hold up the pillars of the universe, and (ii) the mountain in Libya which was held to support the heavens, whence the application of the adj. to the ocean west of Africa.

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atlas

supporter, mainstay XVI; volume of maps XVII. The Titan Atlas (prec.) was often figured with the terrestrial globe on his shoulders, whence the application of the name to a collection of maps (XVII).

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atmosphere

XVII. — modL. atmosphæra, f. Gr. atmós vapour + sphaîra SPHERE. Hence atmospheric XVIII, atmospherical XVII.

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atoll

ring-shaped coral reef enclosing a lagoon. XIX (in XVII as atollon). — Maldive atou.

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atom

†body so small as to be incapable of division XVI; supposed ultimate particle of matter XVII; hence in mod. physics and chem. XIX. — (O)F. atome — L. atomus — Gr. átomos, sb. use of adj. ‘indivisible’, f. A-4 + tom- (cf. -TOMY). Hence atomic XVII. — modL.

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atomy1

(arch.) skeleton (lit. and fig.). XVI. Aphetic of ANATOMY.

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atomy2

(arch.) atom, tiny being. XVI. prob. f. atom, pl. of L. atomus ATOM, but assoc. with prec.

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atone

†reconcile, appease XVI (once XIV be reconciled); make reconcilement, amends XVII. Back-formation from atonement (XVI), f. phr. at one in harmony (XIII) + -MENT, after medL. adnmentum (VIII), f. adnre unite, and earlier onement, as used in make an onement be reconciled, set at onement reconcile.

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-ator

repr. L. -tor, suffix combining -TOR with vb.-stems in -- and forming agent-nouns, e.g. cretor, dicttor, specttor. The earliest of such sbs. were first adopted in OF. form with -atour. From XVI modL. formations such as denominator and numerator appear. From XVII the suffix began to be used for names of instruments, e.g. perambulator, and in anat., e.g. levator; but such formations were not common till early XIX, since when they have become fairly numerous as names of implements and machines, e.g. detonator, elevator, escalator, generator, refrigerator, ventilator.

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atrabilious

melancholy, ill-tempered. XVII. f. L. tra blis black BILE, tr. Gr. melagkholí MELANCHOLY; see -IOUS.

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atrium

central court of Roman house XVII; (anat.) chamber of an organ of the body XIX. — L. trium.

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atrocious

XVII. f. L. atrx, atrc- terrible, fierce, etc., f. ter black + oc-, stem of oculus EYE; see -IOUS and cf. F. atroce. So atrocity XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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atrophy

wasting away of the body. XVII. — late L. atrophia — Gr. atrophí, f. átrophos ill-nourished, f. A-4 + tréphein nourish. So atrophied XVI. — F. atrophié.

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atropine

alkaloid poison from deadly nightshade. XIX. f. modL. atropa deadly nightshade, fem. f. Gr. Átropos (‘Inflexible’) name of one of the Fates, f. A-4 + trópos turn; see TROPE, -INE5.

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attach

seize, arrest XIV; fasten, join XV. — OF. atachier (mod. attacher), alt., by prefix-substitution, of estachier fasten, fix, f. Gmc. stak- STAKE1. So attachment XIV.

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attaché

one attached to the suite of an ambassador. XIX. — F., pp. of attacher ATTACH.

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attack

vb. XVI. — F. attaquer — It. attaccare as in attaccare battaglia join battle f. Gmc. stak- (see ATTACH). Hence, or — F. attaque (— It. attacco) attack sb. XVII.

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attain

†strike; reach (to). XIV. — OF. atain-, atein-, stem of ataindre, -eindre (mod. atteindre) :- L. attingere touch on, reach, f. AT- + tangere touch. Hence attainment XIV.

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attainder

consequences of sentence of death or outlawry. XV. -AN. attainder, atteinder, sb. use of infin., OF. ataindre ATTAIN; see -ER5.

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attaint

†convict; subject to attainder XIV; (arch.) affect, infect XVI. f. †attaint pp. — OF. ataint, ateint, pp. of ataindre ATTAIN; infl. later in meaning by TAINT. Hence attaint sb. XIV.

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attar

fragrant essence (of roses). XVIII. — Pers. 'Ir — Arab., f. 'aira be fragrant.

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attempt

vb. XIV. — OF. attempter, latinized form of attenter (also mod.) — L. attemptre, f. AT- + temptre TEMPT. Hence attempt sb. XVI.

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attend

direct the mental or physical faculties, apply oneself to XIII; take care of, wait upon XV; †wait for, expect; be present at XVII. — OF. atendre (mod. attendre wait for) :- L. attendere, f. AT- + tendere stretch, TEND2. So attendance XIV. — OF. atendance. attendant adj. XIV; sb. XVI. — OF. atendant. attention XIV (rare before XVI). — L. attenti, -n-; cf. F. attention (XVI). attentive XIV (Sc.). — OF. atentif.

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attenuate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. attenure, f. AT- + tenure f. tenuis THIN; see -ATE3.

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attest

XVI. — F. attester — L. attestr, f. AT- + testr witness (cf. TESTAMENT). So attestation XV.

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attic

(archit.) small order placed above a taller one XVII; (room in) the top storey of a building XVIII. spec. use of next.

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Attic

of Attica, Athenian. XVI. — L. Atticus — Gr. Attikós.

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attire

†put in order, equip XIII; dress XIV. — OF. atir(i)er arrange, etc., f. phr. OF. a tire in order. Aphetic TIRE2. Hence attire sb. XIII.

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attitude

†disposition of a figure in statuary or painting XVII; posture XVIII. — F. — It. attitudine :- late L. aptitd, — tdin- APTITUDE; see -TUDE.

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attorney1

legal agent. XIV. — OF. atorné, sb. use of pp. of atorner assign, appoint, f. a- AD- + torner TURN.

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attorney2

legal agency (in letter, power of attorney). XV. — OF. atornée, sb. use of fem. pp. of atorner (see prec.).

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attract

XV. f. L. attract-, pp. stem of attrahere, f. AT- + trahere draw (cf. TRACT3). So attraction XV. — F. or L. attractive XIV. — F. — late L.

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attribute

sb. XV. — (O)F. attribut or L. attribtum, sb. use of n. pp. of attribuere, f. AT- + tribuere allot (cf. TRIBUTE). So attribute vb. XVI. f. the pp. stem. attribution XV. — (O)F. — L. attributive XVII. — F.

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attrition

(theol.) imperfect contrition XIV; rubbing away XV. — late L. attrti, -n-, f. attrt-, pp. stem of atterere, f. AT- + terere rub; see TRITE, -ITION.

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aubergine

XVIII. — F. — Cat. albergínia — Arab. al-binjn, i.e. AL-2, Pers. bdingn.

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auburn

(orig.) yellowish-white, (now) golden-brown. XV. — OF. alborne, auborne :- medL. alburnus, f. L. albus white.

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auction

sb. XVI. — L. aucti, -n-, f. auct-, pp. stem of augre increase (cf. AUGMENT); see -TION. Hence auction vb. XIX. auctioneer XVIII; see -EER.

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audacious

XVI. f. L. audx, audc-, f. audre dare; see -IOUS So audacity XV. f. medL. audcits; see -ITY.

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audible

XVI. — late L. audbilis, f. audre hear; see -IBLE. So audience XIV. — (O)F. audit sb. XV. — L. audtus hearing, f. audt-, pp. stem of audre. Hence audit vb. XV. audition XVI. — L. auditor XIV. -AN. auditour, (O)F. auditeur — L. audtor, -r-. auditorium XVIII, earlier auditory XIV. — L.

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auger

carpenter's boring-tool. OE. nafogr, f. nafu NAVE1 + gr borer, etc. (cf. GORE2); corr. to OS. nabugr, ON. nafarr. Forms showing loss of initial n (cf. ADDER) occur XV.

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aught

(arch.) anything. OE. wiht, uht, ht, corr. to OS. owiht, OHG. eo-, iewiht; WGmc. comp. of AY and WIGHT. cf. NAUGHT.

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augment

sb. XV. — (O)F. augment or late L. augmentum, f. augre increase; see -MENT. So augment vb. XIV. — (O)F. augmenter or late L. augmentre. augmentation XIV. augmentative XVI.

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augur

Roman religious official with duty of foretelling future events. XIV. — L., f. base of augre (see prec.). Hence augur vb. XVI (Sc.), after L. augurr. So augury XIV. — OF. augurie or L. augurium; see -Y4.

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august

of stately dignity. XVII. — (O)F. auguste or L. augustus, f. base of augre (see AUGMENT).

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August

eighth month of the year. OE. — L. Augustus (see prec.); so named after the first Roman emperor, Augustus Cæsar .

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auk

XVII. — ON. álka.

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aunt

XIII. —AN. aunte, OF. ante (mod. tante) :- L. amita. Hence auntie, aunty XVIII; see -Y6.

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aura

subtle emanation. XVIII. — L. — Gr. aúr breath, breeze.

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aural

XIX. f. L. auris EAR1 + -AL1.

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aureate

golden (lit. and fig.). XV. — late L. auretus, f. aureus, f. aurum gold; see -ATE2.

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aureola, aureole

saint's crown of glory XIII; halo XVIII. — (O)F. auréole or L. aureola, sb. use (sc. corna crown) of adj. aureolus golden, f. aurum gold.

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auricle

cavity of the heart XV; external ear, lobe-shaped process XVII. — L. auricula, dim. of auris EAR So auricular XV (see -AR).

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aurochs

extinct wild ox XVIII; European bison XIX. — G., early var. of auerochs (OHG. rohso, f. r = OE. r, of unkn. orig. + ohso ox).

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aurora

dawn XIV; luminous atmospheric phenomenon near the poles, ‘northern lights’ XVIII; also aurora borealis (see BOREAL), so named by Pierre Gassendi in 1621. — L. aurra (see EAST).

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auscultation

listening (spec. med.) XVII. — L. auscultti, -n-, f. auscultre listen to; see -ATION.

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auspice

usu. pl. divination by birds XVI; propitious token, favourable influence XVII. — F. auspice or L. auspicium, f. avis bird + spek- look (cf. SPY). Hence auspicious XVII.

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austere

XIV. — (O)F. austère — L. austrus — Gr. austrós harsh, severe. So austerity XIV.

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autarchy

absolute sovereignty. XVII. — Gr. autarkhí, f. aútarkhos, f. autós AUTO- + árkhein rule; see -Y2.

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autarky

self-sufficiency. XVII. — Gr. autárkeia, f. autárks, f. autós AUTO- + arkeîn suffice; see -Y3.

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authentic

†authoritative XIV; entitled to acceptance or belief as being reliable; actual, not imaginary XV; genuine, not counterfeit XVIII. ME. au(c)tentik — OF. autentique — late L. authenticus — Gr. authentikós; see -IC.

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author

originator, inventor; composer of a book, etc. XIV. ME. au(c)tour -AN. au(c)tour, OF. autor (mod. auteur) — L. auctor, -r-, f. auct-, augre increase (cf. AUGMENT). Hence authoress XV. So authority XIII. ME. autorite (hence authoritative XVII). authorize XIV.

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auto-

repr. comb. form of Gr. autós self.

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autobiography

XIX. f. prec. + BIOGRAPHY.

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autochthon

one sprung from the soil XVII; (pl.) original inhabitants XVIII. — Gr. autókhthn, f. AUTO- + khthn earth. Hence autochthonous XIX.

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autocrat

XIX. — F. autocrate (a word of the French Revolution) — Gr. autokrats, f. autós AUTO- + krátos power. So autocracy XVII. — Gr. autokráteia. autocratic XIX.

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auto-da-fé

sentence of the Inquisition, and (esp.) its execution. XVIII. — Pg., ‘act (i.e. judicial sentence) of the faith’.

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autograph

author's own manuscript XVII; signature XVIII. — F. autographe or L. autographum — Gr. autógraphon; see AUTO-, -GRAPH. Hence vb. XIX.

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automaton

XVII. — L. automaton, -um — Gr. autómaton, f. autós AUTO- + men- (see MIND). So automatic XVIII, automation XX.

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automobile

adj.;
self-propelling; sb. (chiefly U.S.) motor-car. XIX. — F.; see AUTO-, MOBILE.

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autonomy

XVII. — Gr. autonomí, f. autós AUTO- + nómos (see -NOMY). Hence autonomous XIX.

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autopsy

XVII. — F. autopsie or modL. autopsia — Gr. autopsí seeing with one's own eyes; see AUTO-, OPTIC, -Y3.

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autumn

XIV (rare before XVI). — OF. autompne (mod. automne), later directly — L. autumnus. So autumnal XVI. — L. autumnlis.

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auxiliary

XVII. — L. auxilirius, f. auxilium help; see -ARY.

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avail

be of use or advantage. XIII. Native formation on †vail vb. (of equal date). — OF. valoir :- L. valre be strong or worth; prob. after pairs like amount, mount. So avail sb. XV; cf. AN. avail. Hence available XV.

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avalanche

XVIII. — F., alt., by blending with avaler descend, of Alpine F. dial. lavanche, of unkn. orig.

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avarice

XIII. — (O)F. — L. avritia, f. avrus greedy. So avaricious XIV. — (O)F. avaricieux.

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avast

(naut.) stop! XVII. — Du. hou' vast, houd vast hold fast; first syll. assim. to A-1.

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avenge

XIV. f. A-1 + OF. vengier :- L. vindicre VINDICATE.

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avenue

XVII. — F. avenue, sb. use of fem. pp. of avenir :- L. advenre approach, f. AD- + venre COME.

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aver

†assert the truth of XIV; state positively XVI. — (O)F. avérer — medL. advráre, f. L. AD- + vrus true (cf. VERY). So averment XV.

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average

†charge over and above the shipment freight XV; loss arising from damage at sea, equitable distribution of such loss XVI; arithmetical mean XVIII. Earlier forms averays, averi(d)ge — F. avarie (pl. -ies) damage to ship or cargo — It. avaria — Arab. 'awrya damaged goods.

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averse

opposed, disinclined. XVI. — L. versus, pp. of vertere, f. - AB- + vertere turn So aversion XVI. — F. or L. avert turn away XV. (Partly through F.) — L. vertere.

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aviary

XVI. — L. avirium, f. avis bird; see -ARY.

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aviation

XIX. — F., irreg. f. L. avis bird + -ATION. So aviator XIX. — F. aviateur.

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avid

XVIII. — F. avide or L. avidus, f. avre long for; see -ID1. So avidity XV. — F. or L.

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avocado

XVII (avogato). — Sp. avocado advocate substituted for Aztec ahuacatl, more closely repr. by Sp. aguacate; further corrupted, through avigato, to alligator (pear) XVIII.

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avocation

†distraction from an occupation; task to which one is called away, minor occupation XVII; transf. to ordinary occupation XVIII. — L. vocti, -n-, f. vocre, f. - AB- + vocre call.

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avocet

XVIII. — F. avocette — It. avosetta, of unkn. orig.

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avoid

†empty; †withdraw, retire; make void; leave alone, evade. XIV. —AN. avoider = (with prefix-substitution) OF. esvuidier (mod. évider hollow out, cut away), f. es- (:- EX-1) + vuide empty, VOID. Hence avoidance XIV.

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avoirdupois

†merchandise sold by weight XIV; system of weights based on the 16 oz. pound XV. ME. aver-, avoirdepeis — OF. aveir de peis ‘goods of weight’, i.e. aveir, avoir (whence ME. aver) possession (:- L. habre have), de of, peis weight (see POISE). du for de XVII.

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avow

XIII. — (O)F. avouer acknowledge as one's own — L. advocre (see ADVOCATE). Hence avowal XVIII; see -AL2.

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avulsion

forcible separation or removal. XVII. — L. vulsi, -n-, f. vuls- pp. stem of vellere, f. - AB- + vellere pluck; see -SION.

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avuncular

XIX. f. L. avunculus UNCLE; see -AR.

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await

†watch for XIII; wait for XIV. -AN. awaitier ( = OF. ag(u)aitier), f. a- AD- + waitier WAIT.

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awake

be roused from sleep OE.; rouse from sleep XIII. OE. str. pt. onwc, wc; wk. pt. wacode; see A-3, WAKE3. Hence awake adj. XIII; clipped form of str. pp. awaken So awaken cease to sleep OE.; rouse from sleep XVI. OE. onwæcnan, wæcnan, wæcnian; see WAKEN.

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award

†decide, determine XIV; determine upon, assign judicially XVI. —AN. awarder, var. of ONF. eswarder, OF. esg(u)arder consider, ordain :- Rom. exwardre, f. EX-1 + wardre GUARD. So award sb. XIV. -AN. award, f. the verb.

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aware

†on one's guard; cognizant of XIV. ME. awar, for earlier iwar, OE. ewær = OS., OHG. giwar (G. gewahr); WGmc. formation f. za- Y- + war- WARE2.

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awash

XIX. f. A-1 + WASH.

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away

Late OE. awe, for earlier onwe, i.e. ON, A-1 + WAY.

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awe

XIII. ME. aze — ON. agi :- azan-, f. Gmc. az-, repr. by Goth. agis fear. The Scand. word displaced the native eie, eze, OE. ee (:- aziz). Hence awe vb. XIV. awestruck XVII. awful XIII, awfully XIV.

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awhile

OE. ne hwle, ME. ne hwle, acc. of ONE and WHILE, reduced to a while and written as one word XIV.

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awkward

†adv. in the wrong direction XIV; adj. †perverse, untoward XVI; clumsy or ungainly XVI; embarrassing, difficult XVIII. orig. north. and Sc.; f. †awk backhanded, perverse (—ON. fugr turned the wrong way) + -WARD.

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awl

OE. æl = OHG. ala (G. ahle), ON. alr, of unkn. orig.

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awning

XVII (prop. naut.). of unkn. orig.

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awry

XIV. ME. on wry, awri(e), i.e. ON, A-1 + WRY.

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axe, U.S. ax,

OE. æx (eax), æces OS. akus (Du. aaks), OHG. ackus (G. axt), ON. øx (obl. ex-), Goth. aqizi :- Gmc. akwisj, akusj.

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axiom

XV. — F. axiome or L. axima — Gr. axima self-evident principle, f. axioûn hold worthy, f. xios worthy. Hence axiomatic XVIII.

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axis

XIV. — L. axis axle, etc., rel. to Skr. áka-, Gr. áxn, and OE. eax, æx, OHG. ahsa (G. achse) :- Gmc. a?s; cf. next.

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axle

XVII. Earlier in axletree (XIII) — ON. xultré, f. xull :- a?sulaz, f. a?s, ult. repl. the native ax-tree; see prec.

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ay

ever XII. ME. ai, ei — ON. ei, ey = OE. (ME. , ), OS. eo, OHG. eo, io (G. je), Goth. aiws age :- Gmc. aiwaz, rel. to L. ævum age, Gr. aeí ever.

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aye

yes. XVI. In earliest use spelt I (XVI–XVIII), later ai, ay, and ey; aye not common before XIX; of uncert. orig. Cf. OFris. ay.

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azalea

XVIII. — modL. — Gr. azaléa, sb. use of fem. of azaléos dry, so called because it flourishes in dry soil.

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azimuth

arc extending from zenith to horizon. XIV. — medL. — Arab. as-sumt, i.e. AL-2, sumt, pl. of samt point of the compass (see ZENITH).

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azure

†lapis lazuli; bright or clear blue (colour). XIV. ME. asur(e) — OF. asur, (also mod.) azur — medL. azur(i)um — Arab. al-lzaward, i.e. AL-2, Pers. lzhward, ljward LAPIS LAZULI, blue.

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B

baa

bleat. XVI. imit. Cf. G. bäh, L. b, Gr. bê.

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baba

rich cake soaked in rum syrup. XIX. — F.

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babble

XIII. prob. — MLG. (Du.) babbelen, if not a native imit. formation; cf. (O)F. babiller, see -LE2.

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babe

see BABY.

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babel

XIV (see Gen. 11:9). — Heb. bbhel Babylon.

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baboon

†grotesque figure XIV; one of a subdivision of monkeys XV. ME. baboyne, babewyn(e) — OF. baboïn (mod. babouin) or medL. babewynus. Ult. orig. uncert.

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babouche

oriental slipper. XVII. — Fr. — Arab. bbj — Pers. pp, f. p foot + p covering.

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baby, babe

XIV. prob. f. redupl. form baba (cf. ME. baban) similar to MAMA, PAPA.

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baccalaureate

bachelor's degree in a university. XVII. — F. baccalauréat or modL. baccalaureatus, f. medL. baccalarius BACHELOR; see -ATE1.

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baccara(t)

gambling card game. XIX. — F., of unkn. orig.

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bacchanal

pert. to Bacchus XVI; riotously drunken XVIII. — late L. bacchnlis, f. Bacchus — Gr. Bákkhos god of wine.

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bachelor

young man, aspirant to knighthood XIII; knight, university graduate XIV. ME. bacheler — OF. bacheler, of uncert. orig. For the sp., see -OR1.

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bacillus

XIX. mod. use of late L. dim. of baculum rod, stick. Cf. BACTERIUM.

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back1

hinder surface. OE. bæc, OS., ON, bak :- Gmc. bakam. Hence back vb. XIV; adj. XVI, with superl. backmost XVIIII. So backside XV (prob. Scand., cf. Norw. bakside).

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back2

adv.
to the back XIV. Aphetic of ABACK.

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back-bite

detract from the character of. XIII. — MSw. bakbta, f. bak BACK1 + bta BITE. vb.

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back-formation

formation of a word from a longer word which has the appearance of being derived from it, e.g. edit from editor. XIX (J. A. H. Murray ). Hence G. rückbildung.

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backgammon

XVII. f. BACK2 + an earlier form of GAME1.

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backward

towards the back of rear. XIV. Aphetic of †abackward, f. ABACK + -WARD.

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bacon

XIV. — OF. bacon, AN. -un — Frankish bako ham, flitch. f. Gmc. bakam BACK1.

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bacterium

XIX. — modL. — Gr. baktrion, dim. of baktrí staff, cane. Cf. bacillus.

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bad

XIII (first applied to worthless or contemptible persons). ME. badde, perh. repr. OE. bæddel hermaphrodite (Cf. bædling sodomite) with loss of l as in MUCH, WENCH.

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badge

XIV. ME. bage, of unkn. orig.

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badger

XVI (also †bageard XVI, †badgerd XVI–XVII). perh. f. prec. + -ARD, with allusion to the white mark on the animal's forehead (but badge is not recorded in this sense).

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badinage

banter. XVII. — F., f. badin joker, buffoon.

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badminton

XIX. Name of the Duke of Beaufort's country seat (Avon).

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baffle

A
†disgrace XVI;

B
†hoodwink XVI; foil the plans of XVII. A. perh. f. Sc. bauchle (XV) disgrace, of unkn. orig. In B we have perh. a word of different orig. rel. to F. bafouer ridicule (XVI).
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baffy

kind of golf-club. XIX. f. Sc. baff sb. stroke or vb. strike (of imit. orig.; Cf. G. baff, Du. baffen) + -Y1.

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bag

XIII. poss. Scand., cf. ON. baggi; but similar forms are found in Rom., cf. OF. bague, Pr. baga baggage. Hence bagpipe XIV, prob. tr. MLG. sackppe, Du. †zakpijp.

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bagatelle

A
trifle XVII;

B
table ball-game XIX. — Fr. — It. bagatella, of uncert. orig. Sense B is purely Eng.
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baggage

portable property XV; worthless person XVI; young woman XVII. — OF. bagage, f. baguer tie up, or f. bagues (pl.) bundles; see BAG and -AGE.

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bagnio

oriental prison; Turkish bath, brothel. XVI. — It. bagno :- L. balneum bath.

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bah

int. XIX. After F. bah.

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bail1

†charge, custody XIV; †(security for) temporary release from custody; person(s) providing such security XVI. — OF. bail control, etc., f. baillier bear, rule, give:- L. bjulre bear a burden, (later) care for, support, f. bjulus carrier. Hence bail vb. release on bail, be bail for XVI.

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bail2

(cricket, orig. single) XVIII. perh. — F. dial. bail cross-bar, prob. rel. to OF. bail(l)e BAILEY.

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bail3

see BALE3.

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bailey

(court within) wall surrounding castle XIII. ME. bail(l)y, var. baile, prob. — OF. bail(l)e enclosed court. The Old Bailey in London stood in the ancient ‘bailey’ of the city wall between Ludgate and Newgate.

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Bailey bridge

1944. f. name of the designer. D. C. Bailey (1901–).

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bailie

(now only) municipal magistrate in Scotland. XIV. ME. bail(l)i — OF. bailli, later form of baillif (see next). Hence bailiwick XV, with suffix -wick :- OE. wice office, duty (see WEEK).

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bailiff

sheriff's officer, landholder's steward. XIV. ME. baillif — OF. baillif. prob. f. bail BAIL1.

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bain-marie

XIX. — F. (chem.) waterbath etc., tr. medL. balneum Mariæ bath of Maria (alleged Jewish alchemist).

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bairn

child. XVI. Sc. form of ME. barn (as airm of arm). OE. bearn = OS., OHG., ON., Goth. barn :- Gmc. barnam, f. bar-, var. of ber-; see BEAR2. In ME. reinforced by ON. barn.

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bait

A
set dogs on XII;

B
provide provender for XIV;
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C
furnish with bait XIV. A and B — ON. beita pasture, hunt or chase with dogs or hawks, causal of bita BITE. Sense C prob. f. bait , sb. food (partly — ON. beit and partly f. the vb. (B)).
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baize

XVI (baies). — F. baies, fem. pl. sb. use of bai reddish-brown, BAY5. The pl. form was early taken as a sg.; the sp. with z was not established before XIX

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bake

OE. bacan str. vb., f. Gmc. bak-. Weak inflexions (baked) began to appear before 1400, and were established by XVI.

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Bakelite P.

name of synthetic resin used as plastic. XX. f. name of L. H. Baekeland , Belgian-Amer. inventor (1863–1944); see -ITE

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baksheesh

gratuity. XVII. ult. — Pers. bak, f. bakdan give, chiefly through Arab., Turk., or Hind. Cf. BUCKSHEE.

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balalaika

guitar-like instrument. XVIII. — Russ.

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balance

weighing-scales, uncertainty XIII; adjustment of accounts XVI; sum remaining over XVIII. — (O)F.:- Rom. bilancia, f. late L. bilanx, bilanc-, f. BI- + lanx scale. So balance vb. XVI. — (O)F. balancer.

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balas

variety of spinel ruby. XV. — (O)F. — Arab. balak, alt. of badak, f. Badakn province where balas is found.

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balcony

balustraded platform on the outside of a house. XVII. — It. balcone, prob. f. Gmc. balkan- beam, BALK. Regularly str. balcony till early XIX.

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bald

XIV. ME. balled(e), MSc. bellit hairless, having a white blaze, prob. an OE. formation (bællede, beallede) with suffix -ede on a base ball- meaning orig. ‘white patch’. Cf. PIEBALD, SKEWBALD, and Ballard (XIV) bald-headed person, which survives as a surname.

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baldachin, baldac(c)hino

(hist.) rich embroidered stuff XVI; canopy XVII. — It. baldacchino rich stuff, f. (with suffix -ino -INE1) Baldacco, It. form of Baghdad, where stuff was orig. made.

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balderdash

†froth XVI; †mixture of drinks XVII; nonsense XVII. of unkn. orig.

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baldric

belt worn pendent from one shoulder under the opposite arm. XIV (baudry, bauderyk; forms with l from XVI). The earliest ex. is — OF. baldrei; later forms corr. to early MHG. balderich, of unkn. orig.

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bale1

evil, harm. OE. balu (bealu) = OHG. balo, ON. bl :- Gmc. balwam, n. of adj. balwaz. Cf. Goth. balwawesei wickedness. The OE. word was reinforced in ME. by ON. bl, bal-.

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bale2

bundle, package. XIV. prob. — MDu. bale (Du. baal) — OF. bale (mod. balle); ult. identical with BALL1.

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bale3

lade out. XVII. Later sp. of bail (XVII), f. †bail sb. vessel for lading water (XV) — OF. baille bucket, prob.:- Rom. bajula, fem. of L. bjulus carrier.

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baleen

whalebone. XIV. — OF. baleine whale:- L. balæna.

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balk

A
ridge, esp. between furrows OE.; hindrance XV;

B
†wooden fetter OE.; beam of timber XIV. A. Late OE. balc — ON. bálkr partition (see BULKHEAD):- Gmc. balkuz, rel. to balkan-beam; cf. BALCONY.
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B
OE. balca :- WGmc. balkan-.
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ball1

globular body. XIII. perh. — ON. bllr, ball- :- Gmc. balluz.

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ball2

assembly for dancing. XVII. — (O)F. bal dance, f. †baler to dance — late L. ballre — Gr. ballízein.

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ballad

XV. — (O)F. ballade — Pr. balada dancing-song; see BALL2, -ADE

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ballade

specific verse-form. XIV. Early (and modF.) form of BALLAD differentiated in application.

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ballast

XVI. prob. f. LG., of uncert. orig. (perh. f. (i) bar BARE, mere or (ii) barm bosom, hull (of a ship) + last burden).

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ballet

XVII. — F. ballet — It. balletto, dim. of ballo BALL2.

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ballista

ancient missile engine. XVI (earlier balist XIV). — L., f. (ult.) Gr. bállein throw. Hence ballistic pert. to projectiles XVIII (sb. -ICS XIX).

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ballock

(vulgar) testicle. OE. balluc (bealluc), dim. of Gmc. ball- BALL1; see -OCK.

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balloon

XVI. — Fr. ballon or It. ballone, augm. of balla ball (of Gmc. orig.); see -OON.

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ballot

(hist.) ball, ticket, etc. used in secret voting; method of such voting, orig. by dropping a ball into a box. XVI (the earliest exx. refer to Venice). — It. ballotta, dim. of balla ball (see prec.). So vb. XVI (cf. It. ballottare).

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bally

(sl.) XIX. euphem. alt. of BLOODY.

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ballyhoo

showman's touting speech, noisy publicity, bombastic nonsense. XX. of unkn. orig.

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ballyrag

see BULLYRAG.

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balm

aromatic resin; aromatic oil or ointment XIII. ME. ba(s)me, baume — OF. basme, bau(s)me :- L. balsamum BALSAM. Hence balmy XV (see -Y1); also in fig. sense, var. of BARMY.

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baloney, boloney

(orig. U.S.) humbug, nonsense. XX. Commonly regarded as from Bologna (sausage), but the connection remains conjectural.

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balsam

XV. — L. balsamum — Gr. bálsamon, perh. of Sem. orig. Cf. BALM.

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baluster

one of a series of short moulded shafts supporting a coping or rail. XVII. — F. balustre — It. balaustro, ult. f. L. balaustrum blossom of the wild pomegranate (which the moulded pillar resembled) — Gr. balaústion. See BANISTER. So balustrade XVII. — F. — It. balaustrata.

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bambino

image of the Infant Jesus. XVIII. — It., dim. of †bambo silly.

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bamboo

XVI (bambus, -os). — Du. bamboes — (with unexpl. -s) Pg. bambu, of Dravidian orig. Bamboo was deduced from bambus, etc., taken as pl.

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bamboozle

trick, cheat, mystify. XVIII. prob. of cant orig.; cf. Sc. bumbaze, bom- (XVII).

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ban1

in earliest use ‘proclamation, summons to arms’ (XIII); partly aphetic of ME. iban, OE. ebann, partly — OF. ban — Gmc. bannan BAN2. The later senses ‘curse’ (XV), ‘prohibition’ (XVII) are prob. partly a separate word, f. BAN2. Cf. BANNS.

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ban2

†proclaim, summon OE.; †curse XII; prohibit XIX. OE. bannan (str. vb.) = OHG. bannan :- Gmc. bannan. Weak inflexions from XIII.

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banal

(hist.) obligatory for all the tenants of a feudal jurisdiction XVIII; commonplace XIX. — (O)F. banal, f. ban BAN1; see -AL1.

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banana

XVI. — Pg. — a lang. of W. Africa (Guinea).

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band1

that which binds. XII. — ON. band = OHG. bant (G., Du. band) :- Gmc. bandam, f. base band- of bindan, BIND; superseded OE. bend BEND1 in the sense ‘fetter’ and repl. mainly by BOND1 in the fig. sense ‘restraint, binding agreement’. Now assoc. with BAND2.

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band2

strip, stripe. XV. — (O)F, bande, earlier bende (cf. BEND1), — Gmc. bindn (OHG. binda), f. bindan BIND.

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band2

company XV; body of musicians XVII. — (O)F. bande, prob. of Gmc. orig. The var. bende (— OF. bende) was in regular use from late XV to early XVII. Hence band vb. XVI; cf. DISBAND.

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bandage

XVI. — F. bandage, f. bande BAND2; see -AGE.

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bandanna

coloured handkerchief with spots left white or yellow. XVIII. prob. through Pg. bandana from Hind. (cf. bndhn, mode of dyeing).

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bandeau

head- or hair-band. XVIII. — F., dim. of bande BAND2.

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banderol(e)

narrow flag, streamer. XVI. — F. banderole — It. banderuola, dim. of bandiera BANNER.

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bandit

XVI. Earliest forms bandetto, bandito; bandit from XVII. ult. — It. bandito, sb. use of pp. of bandire proclaim, proscribe.

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bandoleer, bandolier

XVI. — F. bandoulière.

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bandy1

throw, toss; exchange (blows, etc.). XVI. perh. — F. bander ‘to bandie at Tennis’ (Cotgr.).

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bandy2

(of legs) curved inwards. XVII. of uncert. orig.

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bane

†murderer OE.; †death, destruction XIII; poison XIV; cause of ruin or trouble XVI. OE. bana = ON. bani, OHG. bano :- Gmc. banan-.

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bang,

sb., vb. int. XIV. imit.; perh. immed. — Scand. (cf. ON. bang hammering, banga to hammer, knock).

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bangle

XVIII. — Hind. bangr, (dial.) bangl, orig. coloured glass bracelet.

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banian, banyan

Indian fig-tree, XVII. An Eng., not native name for the tree; so called because used as a market-place for merchants or ‘banyans’, — Pg. banian or Arab. banyn, ult. : — Skr. vij- merchant.

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banish

XIV. — OF. baniss-, lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of banir (mod. -nn-) — Gmc. bannjan, f. bann- BAN1.

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ban(n)ister

XVII. alt. of BALUSTER; var. †barrister in XVII by assoc. with BAR1.

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banjo

XVIII (†banjer, †-jore). of uncert. Orig.; perh. Negro slave pronunc. banj, banjre of bandore lute-like instrument.

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bank1

raised ridge XII; bordering slope XIV. — ON. banki (OIcel. bakki) :- Gmc. bakan-, rel. to BENCH.

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bank2

†bench XIII; tier of oars XVII; row of keys etc. XIX. — (O)F, banc bench, f. Gmc. bak- (see BENCH).

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bank3

†money-changer's table XV; establishment for the custody of money XVII. — F. banque or its source It. banca — Gmc. bak- (see prec.). So banker †money-changer, usurer XVI; proprietor of a bank XVII. — F. banquier (see -ER2).

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bankrupt

XVI (banka rota, banqueroute). The orig. sense ‘bankruptcy’ is found esp. in phr. †make bankeroute = F. faire banqueroute — It. banca rotta, f. banca BANK3, rotta broken, insolvent. The forms in Eng. were infl. by F. banqueroute, and by L. ruptus broken, in medL, ruined or insolvent man. Hence as vb. XVI. bankruptcy (-CY) XVI.

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banner

XIII. — AN. banere, OF. baniere (mod. bannière), prob, f. ban BAN1.

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bannock

flat round loaf. OE. bannuc (once); XV in north. Eng., XVI in Sc.; perh. orig. — OBrit. word repr. by Bret. bannac'h drop, bit.

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banns

proclamation of marriage. XIV. pl. of BAN1, after medL. pl. banna.

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banquet

XV. — (O)F. banquet, dim, of banc bench (BANK2), corr. to It. banchetto, dim. of banco; the orig. application seems to have been to a slight meal taken on the domestic bench.

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banshee

female spirit whose wail portends death. XVIII. — Ir. bean sídhe, OIr. ben síde, i.e. ben woman, síd fairy hill.

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bantam

small variety of domestic fowl. XVIII. app. f. name of westernmost district of Java (Javanese Bantèn); the fowl is not native there.

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banter

ridicule good-humouredly; also sb. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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banyan

see BANIAN.

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baptize, baptise

XIII. — OF. baptisier (mod. baptiser) — ecclL. baptizre — Gr. baptízein, f. báptein dip; see -IZE. So baptism XIV. ME. baptesme — OF. baptesme (mod. baptême) — ecclL. baptismus — ecclGr. baptismós. Baptist name of John, forerunner of Jesus Christ. XII. — (O)F. baptiste — ecclL. baptista — ecclGr. baptists.

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baptistery

XIV. — OF. baptister(i)e — ecclL. baptistrium — ecclGr. baptistrion.

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bar1

barrier XIII; rod XIV. — (O)F. barre :- Rom. barra, of unkn. orig. So bar vb. XIII.

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bar2

unit of barometric pressure. XX. — Gr. báros weight. So millibar a thousandth of a bar.

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barb

recurved process (of arrow). XIV. — (O)F. barbe :- L. barba BEARD.

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barbaresque

pert. to Barbary; barbarous. XIX. — F. — It. barbaresco f. Barberia (ult. f. Arab. barbar BERBER), which was identified with L. harbaria, -is land of barbarians, medGr. barbaría (cf. next); see -ESQUE.

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barbaric

uncivilized XV; not Greek or Roman, foreign XIX. — F. barbarique cr L. barbaricus — Gr. barbarikós, f. bárbaros foreign, rude. So barbarian adj. and sb. XV; see -IAN. barbarism XV; see -ISM. barbarous XV; f. L. barbarus (see -OUS).

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barbecue

XVII (earliest sense †‘wooden frame-work on which to sleep or to smoke a carcass’). — Sp. barbacoa — an indigenous word of the Caribbean area.

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barbel

freshwater fish with fleshy filaments hanging from mouth XV; such a filament in any fish XVII. — OF. barbel (mod. barbeau) :- late L. barbellus, dim. of barbus barbel, f. barba BEARD.

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barber

XIV. — AN. barber, barbour, (OF. barbier, barbëor), f. barbe (:- L. barba) BEARD; see -ER2, -OR1.

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barbette

platform or mound for guns within a fortification. XVIII. — F., dim. of barbe (:- L. barba) BEARD; see -ETTE.

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barbican

outer fortification. XIII. — (O)F. barbacane, medL. barbacana, of unkn. orig.

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barbituric

XIX, — F. barbiturique, f. G. barbitur(säure), f. Barbara, a woman's name. So barbitone (-ONE) XX, barbiturate (-ATE2) XX.

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barcarol(l)e

Venetian boat-song. XVIII. — F. barcarolle — It. barcarola, f. barcarolo (Venetian dial.) gondolier, f. barca BARQUE.

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bard

Celtic minstrel-poet, etc. XIV. — Gael., Ir. bárd, W. bardd :- OCelt. bardos.

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bare

OE. bær (G. bar, Du. baar) :- Gmc. bazaz.

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bargain

XIV. — OF. bargaignier trade, dispute — Gmc. borzanjan, f. borz- BORROW. So bargain sb. XIV. — OF. bargaine.

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barge

long heavy boat XII. — (O)F. barge, poss. :- medL. barica, f. Gr. bâris Egyptian boat. Cf. BARQUE.

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baritone

XVII. — It. baritono — Gr. barútonos, f. barús heavy.

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barium

(chem.) metallic element. 1808 (H. Davy ). f. barytes native sulphate of barium; see -IUM.

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bark1

yelp as a dog. OE. beorcan :- berkan, perh. var. of Gmc. brekan BREAK1. Hence bark sb. XVI.

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bark2

outer rind of tree. XIII. — ON. bark-, obl. stem of brkr (Sw., Da. bark).

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bark3

see BARQUE.

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barley

OE. bærli. adj.; as sb. XII; app. f. OE. bære, bere barley + -lic -LY1. Cf. ON. barr, Goth. barizeins.

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barm

yeast. OE. beorma (prob. a Common LG. word; cf. Fris. berme, barm, LG. barm (e); rel. to L. fervre boil.

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barmy

frothy XVI; empty-headed, daft XVII. f. prec. + -Y1. In the fig. sense also BALMY.

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barn

OE. ber(e) n, earlier berern, f. bere BARLEY + ern, ærn (ON. rann, Goth. razn) house.

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barnacle

wild goose Anas leucopsis XIII; marine crustacean XVI. ME. bernak, -ek(ke), corr, to medL. bernaca, -eca, whence app. F. barnache; barnacle(XV) corr. to F. barnacle, but may be of independent orig. ult. source unkn. The two meanings depend on an early belief that the goose was generated from a shellfish.

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barometer

XVII. f. Gr. báros weight + métron -METER. Hence barometric XIX, barometrical XVII. So barograph XIX.

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baron

XII. — AN. barun, (O)F. baron :- medL. bar, barnem man, male, warrior, of Gmc. orig. For ‘baron of beef’ Cf. SIRLOIN. So baronage XIII. ME. barnage — OF. barnage, medL. baronagium. baroness XV. — OF. baronesse (AL. -issa). baronet XIV (mod. title instituted 1611). — AL. barnettus. barony XIII. — OF. baronie (AL. -ia).

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baroque

XIX. — F., orig. of irregular pearl, — Pg. barroco, of unkn. orig.

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barque, bark

boat XV; three-masted vessel XVII. — (O)F. barque, prob. — Pr. barca :- late L. barca, of which a var. barica may be repr. by BARGE. Hence barquentine XVII, after BRIGANTINE.

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barrack1

(usu. in pl.) soldiers' quarters. XVII. — F. baraque — Sp. barraca soldiers' tent, of unkn. orig.

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barrack2

shout or jeer at. XIX. alt. of (Austral.) borak sb. banter (Aboriginal word).

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barrage

bar in a watercourse XIX; curtain of artillery fire XX. — F., f. barrer BAR1 vb.

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barrel

XIV. — (O)F. baril, of uncert. orig.

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barren

incapable of offspring. XIII (barain). — OF. (fem.) barai(g)ne (mod. bréhaigne), of unkn. orig.

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barricade

sb.
XVII. Earlier barricado (XVI). — F. barricade, f. barrique cask. See -ADE, -ADO. Hence barricade vb. XVI, after F. barricader.

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barrier

XIV (bar(r)ere). — AN. barrere, (O)F. barrière, f. barra BAR1.

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barrister

XVI (barrester). Obscurely f. BAR1, perh. after †legister lawyer, or minister.

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barrow1

†mountain; grave-mound. OE. beorg, OHG.(G., Du.) berg :- Gmc. berzaz.

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barrow2

ME. bar(e)we handbarrow XIV, wheel-barrow XV. — OE. bearwe :- barwn, f. bar-, ber- BEAR2.

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barter

XV. poss. f. OF. barater cheat, exchange; but connecting links are wanting.

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basalt

XVII. — L. basalts, var. of basants — Gr. basans, f. básanos touchstone.

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bascule

apparatus on the lever principle. XVII. — F. bascule, earlier bacule see-saw, f. stem of battre beat + cul posteriors.

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base1

bottom, foundation. XIV. — (O)F. base or L. BASIS. Hence basal, basic XIX; cf. F. basal, basique.

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base2

of low quality or status. XIV. — (O)F. bas, fem. basse :- medL. bassus, bassa, found in classical times as a cognomen.

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basement

XVIII. prob. — Du. †basement foundation, in WFlem. bazement, perh. — It. basamento base of a column, etc.; see -MENT and Cf. (O)F. soubassement.

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bash

strike heavily. XVII. ult. imit., perh. a blend of bang and dash, smash, etc.

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bashful

XVI. f. †bash aphetic of ABASH + -FUL1. Cf. mournful.

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basil

aromatic plant. XV. — OF. basilic — medL. basilicum — Gr. basilikón, n. of adj. ‘royal’ (see next).

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basilica

XVI. — L. — Gr. basilik, sb. use of fem. of basilikós royal, f. basileús king.

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basilisk

fabulous reptile XIV; large cannon XVI. — L. basiliscus — Gr. basilískos, dim. of basileús king.

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basin

XIII. — OF. bacin (mod. bassin) :- medL. bacinus, perh. of Celt. orig.

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basis

XIV. — L. — Gr. básis step, pedestal, rel. to COME.

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bask

XIV. usu. referred to ON. baask, refl. of baa BATHE.

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basket

XIII. AL. baskettum (XIII–XV), AN., OF. basket, of unkn. orig.

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bas-relief

XVII. — It. basso rilievo (alt. after F. bas-relief).

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bass1

fish of the perch family. XV (bace). alt. of dial. barse, OE. bærs, bears = MDu., MHG. bars (Du. baars, G. barsch), rel. to OE. byrst BRISTLE. For the loss of r cf. DACE.

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bass2

XVII. alt. of BAST.

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bass3

deep-sounding; (mus.) of the lowest part. XV. orig. identical in form and still in pronunc. with BASE2; from XVI assim. in form to It. BASSO.

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basset

short-legged hound. XVII. — F. basset, f. bas low; see -ET.

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basset-horn

tenor clarinet. XIX. partial tr. of F. cor de bassette — It. corno di bassetto.

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bassinet

baby's cradle with hood at one end. XIX. — F., dim. of bassin BASIN.

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basso

(mus.) bass. XIX. — It.; see BASE3.

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bassoon

XVIII. — F. basson, augm. f. bas BASS2; see -OON.

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bast

inner bark of the lime. OE. bæst, corr. to (M)Du., (O)HG., ON. bast :- Gmc. bastaz,-am, of unkn. orig.

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bastard

XIII. — OF. bastard (mod. btard) :- medL. bastardus, of uncert. orig. Hence bastardize XVI, bastardy XV (Cf. AN. bastardie XIII); see -IZE, -Y3.

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baste1

sew loosely. XIV. — OF. bastir (mod. btir) — Gmc. bastjan (cf. OHG. besten lace, sew), f. bastaz BAST.

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baste2

pour fat over (roasting meat). XV. of unkn. orig.

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bastinado

beating with a stick (esp. on the soles of the feet). XVI. — Sp. bastonada, f. baston BATON; see -ADO.

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bastion

projecting part of a fortification. XVI. — F. bastion — It. bastione, ult. f. Gmc. bastjan BASTE1.

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bat1

club, stout stick OE.; implement for striking ball in games XVIII. Late OE. batt ‘clava’ some uses poss. from (O)F. batte (f. battre beat). Hence, or directly — (O)F. battre, bat vb. XV; in the sense ‘wink (the eyelids)’ perh. a var. of BATE.

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bat2

mouse-like winged quadruped. XVI. alt. of ME. bakke (till XVII in gen. use) — Scand. word repr. in OSw. aptan-, nattbacka evening or night bat.

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batch

†process of baking; loaves produced at one baking XV; quantity or number coming at one time, set XVI. ME. bac(c)he :- OE. bæ..e, f. bacan BAKE.

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bate

reduce, restrain, (now chiefly in with bated breath). XIV. Aphetic of ABATE.

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bath

OE. bæð = OS. bað, (O)HG. bad, ON. bað :- Gmc. baþam. Hence bath vb. XV, a new formation distinct from BATHE, now restricted to the sense ‘wash ( another or oneself ) in a bath’.

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bathe

OE. baðian = OHG. badn (G. baden), ON. baða :- Gmc. baþn, f. baþam BATH.

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bathos

XVIII. — Gr. báthos depth, f. bathús deep. Hence bathetic XIX; after pathos, pathetic.

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batiste

XVII (baptist cloth, tr. F. toile de Batiste). — F. batiste, of uncert. orig.

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batman

army officer's servant. XIX. f. bat packsaddle (- OF. bat, mod. bât) in bat horse, bat mule, etc. + MAN.

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baton

XVI. — F. bâton :- Rom. bast, -n-, f. bastre drive with a stick (cf. L. burdubasta donkey-driver), f. late L. bastum stick.

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battalion

XVI. — F. bataillon — It. battaglione, augm. of battaglia BATTLE.

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battels

(pl.) college account at Oxford for board etc. XVIII (from XVI in L. batili etc.). of unkn. orig. So battel vb. XVI.

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batten1

strip of wood. XV. Earliest forms bata(u)nt, -ent. — OF. batant, sb. use of prp. of batre beat (see BATTERY).

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batten2

†improve in condition XVI; grow fat, thrive (on) XVII. — ON. batna improve, f. Gmc. bat-; see BETTER, -EN5.

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batter1

beat with repeated blows. XIV. — AN. baterer, f. OF. batre (mod. battre) :- L. battuere, later battere; cf. BAT1 and -ER4.

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batter2

paste used in cooking. XV. prob. f. BATTER1, but cf. OF. bat(e)ure beating.

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battery

beating (as in assault and battery); †battering (as of fortifications by guns); unit of artillery XVI; combination of pieces of equipment etc. (first used with ref. to apparatus for discharge of electricity) XVIII. — (O)F. batterie, f. batre BATTER1; see -ERY.

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battle

sb.
XIII. ME. bataile — (O)F. bataille ( = It. battaglia, etc.) :- Rom. battlia, for late L. battulia (n. pl.), military or gladiatorial exercises, f. battuere beat. So battle vb; XIV.

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battledore

wooden implement for washing, etc. XV; bat used with a shuttlecock XVI. perh. — Pr. batedor beater, f. batre beat, infl. by †battle vb. (XVI), f. BAT1 vb., but the history is obscure.

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battlement

XIV. contemp. with †battled — pp. of OF. batailler fortify with batailles fixed or movable turrets of defence. See -MENT

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battleship

XIX. Short for line-of-battle ship (XVIII) ship designed to fight in line of battle.

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batty

(sl.) crazy. xx. f. phr. ‘to have bats in the belfry’ to be crazy; see BAT2, -Y1.

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bauble

trinket; jester's baton XIV; trifling matter XVI. ME. babel, babulle — OF. babel, baubel child's toy, plaything, of unkn. orig. (cf. AL. baubellum XII–XIII).

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bauxite

XIX. — Fr., f. Les Baux, near Arles, France; see -ITE.

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bawbee

(Sc.) halfpenny. XVI. Named after the laird of Sillebawby, mint-master under James V.

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bawd

pander, procuress XIV. The fuller form bawdstrot, Sc. bald(e)strod (XIV–XV) suggests ult. deriv. from OF. baudetrot, baudestroyt, app. f. baud lively, gay (- Gmc. bald- BOLD) + the word repr. by AN. trote old woman. Hence bawdry XIV. bawdy XVI, sb. XVII; see -Y1.

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bawl

†bark; cry vociferously. XV. cf. medL. baulre bark; also Icel. baula (Sw. böla) low, as an ox.

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bay1

†berry XIV; bay tree, Laurus nobilis; pl. leaves of this made into a garland XVI. — (O)F. baie :- L. bca berry.

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bay2

indentation of the sea. XIV. — (O)F. baie, of uncert. orig.

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bay3

opening between columns, etc. XIV; recess XVI. — (O)F. baie, f. bayer, earlier baer, beer gape, stand open. So bay window XV.

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bay4

barking of dogs in company XIII; chiefly (now only) in phr. (keep etc.) at bay, (bring, etc.) to bay XIV. — OF. bai, or aphetic of ME. abay — OF. abai (mod. aboi in phr. être, mettre aux abois). See BAY6.

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bay5

reddish-brown. XIV. — (O)F. bai :- L. badius chestnut-coloured (of horses).

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bay6

bark with a deep voice. XIV. Aphetic of †abaye — OF. abaiier (mod. aboyer), f. imit. base bai-; infl. by BAY4.

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bayonet

†short dagger XVII; stabbing blade for fixing to the muzzle of a musket or rifle XVIII. — F. baïonnette, said to be f. Bayonne, France, the orig. place of manufacture. The early vars. †bag(o)net (XVII–XVIII) are not accounted for.

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bayou

XVIII. — Amer. F. — a Choctaw word.

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bazaar

oriental market-place XVI; fancy fair XIX. ult. — Pers. bzr market, which has passed directly or indirectly into many Eur. langs.

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be

Forms: pres. ind. am ; (arch. and dial.) art ; is ; pl. are , (arch. and dial.) be ; past ind. was , pl. were ; pres. subj. be ; past subj. were ; pp. been . The forms are derived from four bases as follows.
A
IE. es-, s-. 1st pers. sg. OE. (e)am, eom, corr. to ON. em, Goth. im, Gr. eimí, Skr. ásmi :- IE. ésmi.

3rd pers. sg. OE. is = OS., (O)HG., Goth. ist, ON. er, L. est, Gr. estí, Skr. ásti :- IE. ésti.

pl. OE. sind(on) = OS. sind(an), OHG. sint (G. sind), Goth. sind, L. sunt, Gr. eisí, Skr. sánti :- IE. sénti.

pres. subj. OE. se, pl. sen = OS., OHG. s, sn (G. sei, seien), L. sim, sim, Gr. eín, Skr. syt :- IE. s(i)jm, s(i)jénti.
B
Gmc. ar- (:- or-), of unkn. orig. 2nd pers. sg. OE. eart, pl. (e)ar on.
C
IE. bheu-, bh-, 1st pers. sg. OE. bo(m) = OS. bium, OHG. bim (G. bin), corr. to L. fo I become, rel. to fu I was, Gr. phúein bring forth, cause to grow, Skr. bhávati becomes, is. The orig. meaning of this base is ‘grow’; the derived sense ‘become’ led to its adoption as an element in the paradigm of the verb ‘be’, esp. for expressing the future.
D
IE. wes-. inf. OE. wesan = OS., OHG. wesan, ON. vera, Goth. wisan, rel. to Skr. vásati dwells, remains. The orig. meaning is ‘dwell, remain’, and the use of this base is therefore appropriate to the imper. (OE. wes, pl. wesa) and the past (OE. 1st and 3rd sg. wæs, 2nd sg. wære, pl. wæron), in which latter alone it remains.

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be-

pref. OE. be-, weak var. of BY, varying in cognate comps. with b-, e.g. begn surround, begang and bgeng circuit; = OS. be-, b, OHG. b- (G. be-, bei-). The main uses are:
A
with verbs, meaning
‘around, on all sides’, ‘to and fro, in all ways’, as beset, besmear, bestrew (mod. Eng. are bedaub, besmirch);
‘thoroughly, extremely’, as beseech (early ME.);
‘off, away’, as behead;
‘about, over’ (lit. and fig.), as OE. beotan sprinkle, bethink;
B
with sbs. and adjs. ‘so as to make what is expressed by them’, as becalm (XVI), befoul (XIV);
C
with sbs. ‘surround or envelop with’, ‘affect with’, as befog (XVII), benight (XVI);
D
with ppl. adjs., often combining uses A (2) and C, as bedabbled, bemused (both mod. Eng.).

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beach

(dial.) shingle, pebbles of the seashore; seashore. XVI. Early forms also bache, baich(e). The first sense remained in the local usage of Sussex and Kent; it is difficult to determine the date of the emergence of the present sense; perh. identical with OE. bæ.e, be.e (BECK1).

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beacon

†sign, standard OE.; signal-fire, lighthouse XIV. OE. bacn = OS. bkan, OHG. bouhhan :- WGmc. baukna (Cf. BECKON), of unkn. orig.

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bead

†prayer OE.; (pl.) rosary; ornamental perforated object XIV. OE. bedu (ME. bede partly aphetic from ibede, OE. ebed) = OS. beda, OHG. beta (and gibet, G. gebet), Goth. bida; f. Gmc. beð- BID.

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beadle

†herald, messenger; parish constable, ceremonial officer, etc. XIII. — OF. bedel (mod. bedeau), of Gmc. origin. The adopted F. word ousted the native OE. bydel, f. Gmc. buð-, base of OE. bodan (see BID).

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beagle

small hound used for hare-hunting. XV. perh. — OF. beegueule ‘having the mouth open’, f. beer gape + gueule throat (cf. GULLET).

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beak

XIII. ME. bec, bek (beck continuing till XVIII; the form with the lengthened vowel arose from the obl. form beke) — (O)Fr. bec :- L. beccus.

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beaker

XIV. — ON. bikan = OS. bikeri, OHG. behhri (G. becher) — popL. bicrium, perh. f. Gr. bîkos drinking-bowl.

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beam

†tree; plank; ray of light. OE. bam, OS. bm, OHG. boum (G. baum) :- WGmc. bauma; rel. obscurely to Goth. bagms, ON. baðmr tree.

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bean

OE. ban = OHG. bna (G. bohne), ON. baun :- Gmc. baun, of unkn. orig. Hence beanfeast XIX, whence beano orig. printers' colloq.; see -O.

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bear1

mammal of the family Ursidae. OE. bera, OHG. bero (G. bär) :- WGmc. beran-.

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bear2

carry; give birth to. OE. str. vb. beran = OS., OHG. beran, ON. bera, Goth. bairan, f. Gmc. ber- :- IE. bher-, as in Skr. bhárati, Gr. phérein, L. ferre. The mod. pt. bore dates from c.1400, but did not gen. supersede bare till after 1600; for the pp. See BORN, BORNE.

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beard

OE. beard = OHG., G. bart :- WGmc. bara, rel. to OSl. brada beard (Russ. borodá), L. barba.

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beast

XIII. — OF. beste (mod. bête) — L. bestia. Beast displaced deer and was itself largely displaced by animal.

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beat1

strike repeatedly. OE. batan = OHG. bozan, ON. bauta :- Gmc. bautan.

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beat2

strive against a contrary wind or current at sea. XVII. of uncert. orig.

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beatific

making blessed. XVII (earlier -ical). — F. béatifique or L. betificus, f. betus blessed, pp. of bere make happy. So beatify XVI, beatitude XV.

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beau

dandy XVII; lady's suitor XVIII. — F. :- L. bellus pretty, fine. Cf. BELLE.

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beau ideal

perfect type of beauty. XIX. — F.; beau sb., idéal adj.; see BEAU, IDEAL; often apprehended as meaning ‘beautiful ideal’.

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beauty

XIII. ME. bealte, beaute — OF. be(a)lte, biaute (mod. beauté) :- Rom. bellitt-, f. L. bellus; see BEAU, -TY. Hence beautiful XV, beautify XVI.

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beaver

amphibious rodent. OE. be(o)for = (M)LG., (M)Du. bever, OHG. bibar (G. biber), ON. bjórr :- Gmc. bebruz, rel. to Skr. babhrús brown, L. fiber beaver, ult. f. IE. bhru- brown.

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because

XIV. ME. bi cause, i.e. BY, CAUSE, after OF. par cause de by reason of.

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béchamel

white cream sauce. XVIII. — F., name of Louis de Béchamel , steward of Louis XIV.

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beck1

(arch. and dial.) brook. XIV (in place names XI). — ON. bekkr :- Gmc. bakkiz, rel. to bakiz, whence OE. be.e, OS. beki, OHG. bak (G. bach).

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beck2

(arch. exc. in phr. at one's beck and call) significant gesture, as a nod. XIV. f. (now arch.) beck vb. (XIV), shortening of ME. bekene BECKON, the -(e)n- of the stem being taken for the inf. ending.

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beckon

make a mute signal (to). OE. bcnan, becnan = OS. bknian. OHG. bouhnen :- WGmc. bauknjan, f. baukna BEACON.

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become

†come, arrive; come to be; befit. OE. becuman = MLG., (M)Du. becomen, OHG. biqueman (G. bekommen) obtain, receive, Goth. biqiman come upon; f. BE- + COME.

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bed

OE. bed(d) = OS. bed, beddi, OHG. betti (G. bett), Goth. badi :- Gmc. baðjam (cf. baðjaz, whence ON. beðr), ult. orig. uncert.

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bedad

Anglo-Ir. int. XVIII. For by dad, substituted for by Gad; see BEGAD.

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bedel(l)

old forms of BEADLE retained in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. XVI.

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bedevil

treat diabolically; play the devil with. XVIII. f. BE- + DEVIL.

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bedew

cover with dew. XIV. f. BE- + DEW; cf. MHG. betouwen, MLG. bedauwen.

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bedim

make dim. XVI. f. BE- + DIM.

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bedizen

dress up. XVII. f. BE- + †dizen (XVI) deck out (f. base repr. by the first syll. of DISTAFF; cf. MDu. disen, perh. the immed. source; see -EN5).

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Bedlam, bedlam

Hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem, orig. for the entertainment of the bishop and canons of the Church of St. Mary at Bethlehem XV; †inmate of this XVI; lunatic asylum XVII; scene of uproar XVII. (Early forms of the town name are OE. Betleem, Bedlem.)

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Bedlington

Name of a town in Northumberland applied to a breed of short-haired terrier. XIX.

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Bedouin

Arab of the desert. XIV (Bedoyn). — OF. beduin (mod. bédouin) — Arab. badaw. f. badw desert.

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bee

OE. bo=OHG. ba (G. dial. beie), ON. bý :- Gmc. bn-.

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beech

forest tree of the genus Fagus. OE. b.e = MLG. bke :- Gmc. bkjn (wk. fem.), rel. to bk (str. fem.), whence OE. bc, OHG. buohha (G. buche), ON, bók (cf. BUCKWHEAT); all cogn. w. IE. bhgos, whence Gr. phgós edible oak, L. fgus beech. Cf. BOOK.

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beef

flesh of the ox. XIII. ME. boef, beef — AN., OF. boef, buef (mod. bœuf):- L. bovem, nom. bs ox (see COW1). Hence beefeater eater of beef; Yeoman of the Guard. XVII.

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Beelzebub

the Devil. OE. Belzebub, ME. Beelzebub — L. Beelzebub, rendering (i) Heb. ba'al zeebb ‘lord of flies’ (2 Kings 1: 2) and (ii) Gr. Beelzeboúb of the N.T. (Matt. 12: 24).

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been

see BE.

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beer

OE. bor = MLG., MDu. br, OHG. bior (Du., G. bier), a WGmc. word, perh. — monastic L. biber drink, f. L. bibere (see IMBIBE). Until XV rarely found exc. in verse; prob. reinforced from LG. on the introduction of hopped liquor.

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beestings

first milk from a cow after calving. OE. bsting (late WS. bsting), f. synon. bost = (M)Du. biest, OHG. biost (G. biest, as in biestmilch); of unkn. orig.

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beet

OE. bte = MLG., MDu. bte, OHG. bieza; early WGmc. — L. bta, perh. of Celtic orig. Unrecorded between OE. and late ME., when its currency was prob. due to LG. Hence beetroot XVI.

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beetle1

beating instrument. OE. btel (WS. betel) :- Gmc. bautilaz, f. bautan BEAT1 + -il- -LE1. Cf. OHG. bzil cudgel.

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beetle2

coleopterous insect. OE. bitula, -ela, f. bit-, short base of btan BITE; see -LE1.

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beetle-browed

XIV. of unkn. orig.

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beetroot

see BEET.

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befall

fall (chiefly fig.) OE.; pertain, belong XII; fall out, happen XIII. OE. befeallan = OS. bifallan, OHG. bifallen, f. BE- + FALL2.

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befit

XV. f. BE- + FIT3.

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before

OE. beforan = OS. biforan, OHG. bifora (G. bevor), f. BE- + Gmc. forana from the front (f. fora FOR). Hence beforehand XIII.

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beg

XIII. ME. begge, prob. :- OE. bedecian (cf. Goth. bidagwa beggar), f. Gmc. beð-, base of BID. So beggar sb. XIII, vb. XVI; cf. -AR.

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begad

XVIII. f. BY + GAD2; cf. BEDAD.

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beget

pt. begot, arch. begat, pp. begotten †acquire XII; procreate XIII. First in north. texts with g repl. , z of the native forms OE. beietan, ME. bizete, corr. to OS. bigetan seize, OHG. pigezzan receive, Goth. bigitan find; see BE-, GET (XIII in the sense ‘procreate’, after ON. geta).

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begin

pt. began, pp. begun. OE. beinnan = OS., OHG. biginnan (Du., G. beginnen), WGmc. f. BE- + ginnan, of unkn. orig.

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begone1

depart! XIV. imper. be gone treated as one word, like BEWARE.

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begone2

see WOE-BEGONE.

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begonia

XVIII. modL., named by Charles Plumier (d. 1706), French botanist, after Michel Begon (d. 1710), French patron of botany; see -IA1.

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beguile

delude XIII; charm (away) XVI. f. BE- + †guile vb. (cf. GUILE sb.); cf. MDu. beglen, AN. degiler.

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begum

Indian Muslim lady of high rank. XVIII. — Urdu begam — E. Turk. begim, f. beg prince, princess (cf. BEY) + 1st pers. sg. poss. suffix -im, i.e. ‘my lady’.

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behalf

XIV. orig. and mainly in phr. with genitive, as on God's, my, etc. behalf, replacing earlier on goddes, min, halve, etc. (in late OE. on mnre healfe for my part); see BY, HALF.

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behave

XV. orig. refl., lit. hold oneself in a certain respect; f. BE- + HAVE. Hence behaviour XV.

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behead

OE. behafdian, f. BE- + hafod HEAD.

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behest

†promise; (arch.) command. OE. behs (f. BE- + Gmc. ?aitan bid, call) + parasitic t.

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behind

OE. behindan = OS. bihindan, f. BE- + hindan (see HIND3). Hence behindhand XVI; after BEFOREHAND.

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behold

OE. beh(e)aldan = OS. bihaldan, OHG. bihaltan (G. behalten keep); see BE- and HOLD. Eng. alone has the sense ‘watch, look’, the cogn. languages only ‘keep, maintain’.

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beholden

(arch.) obliged. XIV. repr. OE. behealden cautious, assiduous, pp. of behealdan, in the senses ‘guard’, ‘keep’, ‘observe’ (see prec.).

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behoof

(arch.) use, advantage. OE. behf, in phr. t.. behfe for (one's) use or needs = (M)Du. behoef, MHG. behuof (G. behuf ), WGmc. f. BE- + ?f-, var. of the base of ?abjan HEAVE.

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behove

(arch.) †need OE.; be needful or fitting XII. OE. behfian = MLG. behven, (M)Du. behoeven; f. prec.

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beige

woollen fabric orig. left in its natural colours; yellowish-grey. XIX. — F. beige (OF. bege), of unkn. orig.

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belabour

†labour at; thrash. f. BE- + LABOUR vb.

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belated

XVII. f. BE- + †lated (XVI), f. LATE + -ED1.

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belay

†beset, surround OE.; (naut.) fasten a running rope round a pin, etc. XVI. OE. bele.an = OHG. bileggen (G. belegen), f. BE- + le.an LAY. From XVI a new formation; the current (naut.) sense seems to be after Du. beleggen.

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belch

XV. of uncert. orig.; perh. shortening of OE. be(a)l.ettan.

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beldam

†grandmother XV; old woman; hag XVI. f. bel (OF. belle (fair, fem. of bel BEAU) as in †belsire grandfather + DAME.

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beleaguer

besiege, invest. XVI. — Du. belegeren, f. be- BE- + leger LEAGUER2.

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belfry

†movable siege-tower XIII; bell-tower or -chamber XV. ME. berfrey, belfrey — OF. berfrei, belfrei (mod. beffroi) — Frankish berzfri, prob. f. berzan protect + friuz peace, shelter; the etymol. meaning being ‘defensive place of shelter’.

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Belial

spirit of evil personified; the Devil. XIII. — Heb. beliya'al worthlessness, destruction, f. beli not, without + ya'al use, profit.

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belie

OE. belogan = OHG. biliugan, f. BE- + LIE2.

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believe

late OE. belfan, belfan, replacing, by prefix-substitution, earlier elfan = OS. gilbian, OHG. gilouben (G. glauben), Goth. galaubjan :- Gmc. zalaubjan hold dear, trust in, f. za- Y- + laub- dear (see LOVE). So belief XII, repl. OE. elafa.

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belike

(arch.) probably. XVI. orig. by like i.e. BY, LIKE1 used as sb. ‘probability, likelihood’.

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belittle

XVIII (orig. U.S.) f. BE- + LITTLE.

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bell1

hollow cup-shaped metal body producing a resonant musical sound when struck. OE. belle = MLG., MDu. belle (Du. bel); perh. rel. to BELL2.

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bell2

bellow, roar. OE. bellan, corr. to OHG. bellan (G. bellen) bark, bray; cf. ON. belja and BELLOW.

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belladonna

deadly nightshade, drug prepared from this. XVIII. — It., lit. ‘fair lady’ said to be so named because in Italy a face cosmetic was made from it.

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belle

handsome woman. XVII. — F., fem. of bel, BEAU.

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belles-lettres

XVIII. — F., lit. ‘fine letters or literature’, parallel to beaux arts fine arts; see BELLE, LETTER. Hence belletrist, belletristic XIX.

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bellicose

warlike. XV. — L. bellicsus, f. bellicus, f. bellum war; see -OSE1.

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belligerent

waging war. XVI. Earlier belligerant — L. belligerant-, prp. stem of belligerre, f. bellum war + gerere (see GESTATION).

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bellow

roar as a bull. XIV. ME. belwen, of uncert. orig.

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bellows

instrument used to blow a fire. ME. belwes, belows, pl. of belu, below, prob. repr. OE. pl. belga, belgum, of bel(i), bæl(i) BELLY, which in late OE. occurs as abbrev. of earlier blæstbel(i) ‘blowing-bag’ = ON. blstrbelgr; see BLAST, BELLY.

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belly

†bag, pod, bellows OE.; †body XIII; abdomen, stomach XIV. OE. beli = OHG. balg, ON. belgr, Goth. balgs :- Gmc. balziz bag, sack, f. balz-belz- be inflated, swell; cf. BILLOW, BELLOWS.

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belong

XIV. f. ME. longen (cf. long, OE, elang at hand, dependent on); see BE-
Hence belongings circumstances connected with a person or thing XVII; possessions XIX; see -ING1.

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beloved

XIV. pp. of (arch.) belove (XIII), f. BE- + LOVE.

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below

XIV (rare before XVI). f. BE- + LOW1.

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belt

OE., corr. to OHG. balz, ON. belti, ult. — L. balteus, -um.

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beluga

great sturgeon; white whale. XVIII (in XVI bellougina). — Russ. belúga (in the latter sense also belúkha), f. bél white.

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belvedere

turret on a building commanding a view. XVI. (partly through F. belvédère) — It. belvedere lit. ‘fair sight’, f. bel, bello beautiful + vedere sight.

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bemoan

XVI. repl. ME. bemene, OE. bemnan; see BE-, MOAN.

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bemuse

XVIII. f. BE- + MUSE1.

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bench

OE. ben. = OS., Du., (O)HG. bank, ON. bekkr :- Gmc. bakiz; cf. BANK1.

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bend1

†ribbon, band OE.; (her.) ordinary formed by two parallel lines XV. OE. bend :- Gmc. bandj, f. band- bind- BIND; later coinciding with bende — OF. bende (mod. bande) BAND2. Cf. BAND1.

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bend2

bow, curve. OE. bendan (also ‘bind, fetter’) = MHG. benden, ON. benda :- Gmc. bandjan, f. band- BAND1.

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beneath

OE. benian, beneoðan, f. BE- + niðan, neoðan below, down (f. Gmc. niþ-, see NETHER).

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Benedictine

(monk or nun) of the order of St. Benedict, founded by him c.529. XVII. — F. bénédictin or modL. benedictnus, f. Benedictus; see -INE1. So benedictine liqueur made by these monks. XIX. — F. bénédictine (sc. liqueur), fem. of above adj.

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benediction

XV. — (O)F. bénédiction — L. benedicti, -n-, f. benedcere, benedict- bless, f. bene well + dcere speak (see DICTION).

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benefaction

doing good; gift for a charitable purpose. XVII. — late L. benefacti, -n-, f. beneficere, benefact-; see next and -TION. So benefactor XV.

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benefice

†favour, benefit; ecclesiastical living. XIV. — OF. benefice (mod. bénéfice profit, perquisite) — L. beneficium, f. bene well + fic- var. of stem of facere DO1, make. So beneficence XVI, beneficent XVII. — F. — L. beneficial XV. — F. or late L. beneficiary XVII. — L. (cf. F. bénéficiaire).

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benefit

†good or kind deed XIV; advantage XV. ME. ben(e)fet — AN. benfet, OF. bienfet, -fait :- L. benefactum good deed, f. bene facere do well. Hence benefit vb. XVI.

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benevolence

XV. — OF. benivolence — L. benevolentia well-wishing, f. benevolns, -ent-, prp. of bene velle wish well. So benevolent XV.

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benighted

overtaken by the darkness of night XVI; in intellectual or moral darkness XVII. pp. of †benight vb., f. BE- + NIGHT.

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benign

XIV. — (O)F, bénigne fem., bénin masc. :- L. benigna, -us, f. roots of bonus good and gignere beget (see KIN). Cf. MALIGN. So benignant XVIII. benignity XIV. — OF. or L.

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bent1

(arch.) reedy or rush-like grass; grassy plain, field XIV. repr. OE. beonet-, found as an element of place-names, e.g. Bonetlah (Bentley); corr. to OS. binet, OHG. binuz (G. binse) :- WGmc. binut-, of unkn. orig.

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bent2

†curved position; inclination; †extent to which a bow may be bent (fig. ‘to the top of my bent’, Sh.). XV. prob. f. BEND2 on the analogy of pairs like descend, descent, extend, extent.

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benthos

flora and fauna of the sea-bottom. XIX. — Gr. bénthos depth of the sea.

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benumb

XV. f. †benome(n), pp. of †benim, OE. beniman take away, f. BE- + niman take; see NUMB.

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benzene

aromatic liquid hydrocarbon XIX. f. BENZOIC acid, whence it is derived; earlier benzine (now used for a mixture of petroleum hydrocarbons). So benzol (esp. unrefined) benzene.

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benzoin

resin obtained from tree of genus Styrax XVI; a constituent of this; genus of trees (including Benjamin tree) XIX. ult. (through F., etc.) — Arab. lubn-jw ‘frankincense of Java’. Hence benzoic acid. XVIII.

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bequeath

†utter, declare; assign (property), esp. by will. OE. becweðan, f. BE- + cweðan say; see QUOTH.

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bequest

XIV. f. (after BEQUEATH) BE- + †quiste, repr. OE. -cwiss (only in comps.), f. Gmc. kweþ- say (see QUOTH); for the parasitic t cf. BEHEST.

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berate

scold XVI. f. BE- + RATE2.

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Berber

XIX. — Arab. barbar.

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bereave

OE. berafian = OS. birbon, OHG. biroubn, Goth. biraubn :- Gmc. biraubjan, f. bi- BE- + raubjan REAVE.

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beret

XIX. — F. béret Basque cap — s.w. F. dial. berret, Pr. berret (see BIRETTA).

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bergamot

kind of pear. XVII. — F. bergamotte — It. bergamotta — Turk. begarmdi, f. beg prince + armdi pear.

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beriberi

mainly tropical disease marked by paralytic weakness. XIX. — Sinhalese.

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berry

OE. beri()e = OS., OHG. beri, ON. ber :- Gmc. bazja- (cf. Goth. -basi).

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berserk(er)

Norse warrior who fought with frenzied fury. XIX. repr. ON. berserkr, acc. berserk, prob. f. ber- BEAR1 + serkr coat.

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berth

(naut.) adequate sea-room XVII; appointment (esp. on board ship); sleeping-place on a ship XVIII. Early vars. birth, byrth; prob. f. BEAR2 + -TH1, with ref. to the nautical sense of the verb ‘sail in a certain direction’.

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beryl

precious stone. XIII. — (O)F. beril (mod. béryl) — L. bryllus — Gr. brullos.

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beseech

XII. f. BE- + seche SEEK. The type beseek was current XII–XVII.

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beseem

†seem; (arch.) suit, befit. XIII. f. BE- + SEEM.

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beset

surround, besiege OE.; †bestow XII. OE. besettan = OS. bisettian, OHG. bisezzan (G. besetzen), Goth. bisatjan, f. BE- + Gmc. satjan SET1.

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beside(s)

by the side (of); apart (from); in addition (to). XIII. ME. biside(s), repr. OE. be sdan, i.e. be BY + dat. sg. of sde SIDE; see -S.

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besiege

XIII. f. (by substitution of prefix BE-) ME. assiege (XIII) — OF. assegier (mod. assiéger) :- Rom. assedicre, f. AS- + sedicum SIEGE.

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besmirch

soil, discolour, (fig.) sully. XVI. f. BE- + SMIRCH.

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besom

broom. OE. bes(e)ma, OS. besmo, OHG. besamo (G. besen) :- WGmc. besman-, of unkn. orig.

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bespeak

†speak or call out OE.; speak for, order; speak to, address XVI; tell of, indicate XVII. OE. besprecan = OS. besprekan, OHG. bisprehhan (G. besprechen); WGmc., f. bi- BE- + sprekan SPEAK. Hence bespoke (of work commissioned), earlier †bespoken (XVII).

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best

(adj. and adv.) OE. bet(e)st, best = (as adj.) OS. (Du.) best, OHG. bezzisto (wk.; G. best), ON. beztr, Goth. batists :- Gmc. batistaz, superl. of bat-; see BETTER, -EST. Hence best vb. XIX; cf. worst (XVII).

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bestial

of beasts, like a beast. XIV. — (O)F. bestial — late L. bstilis, f. bstia BEAST; see -IAL. So bestiality XIV. — (O)F.

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bestir

rouse to activity. XIV. f. BE- + STIR.

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bestow

place, deposit, apply, XIV. f. BE- + OE. stw a place. Hence bestowal XVIII; see -AL2.

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bestrew

OE. bestrowian, f. BE- + STREW.

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bestride

OE. bestrdan, f. BE- + STRIDE.

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bet

(lay) a wager. XVI. The sb. and vb. appear in the last decade of XVI, and it is uncertain which is prior; perh. aphetic of ABET (†sb.) ‘instigation, support (of a cause)’, the vb. being then derived from the sb.

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betake

†hand over, commit XIII; refl. commit oneself XVI; refl. resort, go XVII. f. BE- + TAKE; in ME. functioning as a var. of †beteach, OE. bet.an (f. t.an TEACH).

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betel

leaf of the plant Piper betle. chewed in the East with areca nut. XIV. — Pg., of Dravidian orig. (Malayalam veila, etc.). Hence betel-nut areca nut XVII.

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bête noire

object of aversion. XIX. — F., lit. ‘black beast’.

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bethink

†think about OE.; (refl.) †collect one's thoughts OE.; reflect, recollect XIII. OE. beðen.an, OS. bithenkian, OHG. bidenken, Goth. biþagkjan; Gmc., f. bi- BE- + þankjan THINK.

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betide

happen. XIII. f. BE- + TIDE2. Surviving mainly in woe betide…!

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betimes

at an early time, in good time. XIV. f. betime (XIII), f. be BY + TIME; see -s.

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betoken

XII. OE. betcnian = OHG. bizeihhann (G. bezeichnen); see BE-, TOKEN.

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betony

purple-flowered plant. XIV. — (O)F. bétoine — popL. betonia for betonica.

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betray

give up treacherously XIII; reveal involuntarily XVI. f. BE- +†tray (XIII) — OF. traïr (mod. trahir) — L. trdere deliver up (see TRADITION). Hence betrayal XIX; see -AL2.

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betroth

engage with promise to marry. XIV. ME. betrouthen, f. BE- + trouthe TRUTH, later assim. to TROTH. Hence betrothal XIX; see -AL2.

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better

adj.
(OE.); adv. (XIII). OE. bet(e)ra (adj.) = OS. betiro, OHG. bezziro (G. besser), ON. betri, Goth. batiza :- Gmc. batizan-, f. bat-, rel. to OE. bt BOOT1, btan improve. Hence better vb. XIV. betterment XVI.

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between

OE. betwon(um), f. Gmc. bi BY + twon, rel. to TWO.

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bevel

† adj.: (her.) having two equal acute alternate angles XVI; oblique XVII; sb.; joiner's tool for setting off angles; slope, sloping surface XVII. — OF. bevel, F. bi-, béveau etc. (XVI), f. OF. baif open-mouthed, f. baer gape; cf. OF. bever give bias to.

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beverage

XIII. — OF. bevrage (mod. breuvage), f. L. bibere drink; see -AGE.

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bevy

company of ladies, birds, etc. XV. of unkn. orig.

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bewail

XIV. f. BE- + WAIL.

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beware

XIII. orig. be war, i.e. BE, WARE2.

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bewilder

XVII. f. BE- + †wilder (cause to) lose one's way, perh. back-formation from WILDERNESS.

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bewitch

XIII. f. BE- + WITCH (vb.; OE. wi..ian).

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bewray

(arch.) betray. XIII. f. BE- + ME. wreien, OE. wran accuse = OS. wrgian, OHG. ruogen (G. rügen), ON. rœgja :- Gmc. wrzjan (in Goth. wrhjan), of unkn. orig.

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bey

Ottoman title. XVI. — Turk.

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beyond

OE. beeondan, f. be BY + eondan from the farther side, f. Gmc. jand- YOND.

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bezel

sloping edge or side. XVII. — F. besel (mod. béseau, bizeau); of unkn. orig.

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bezique

card-game. XIX. — F. bésigue, of unkn. orig.

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bhang

Indian hemp. XVI. ult. (via Pg. bangue, Pers. bang, Urdu bhng) — Skr. bhag.

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bi-

repr. L. bi- (earlier dui- = Gr. di-, Skr. dvi-) twice, doubly, two-, in L. chiefly in adj. formations on sb. stems, as BICEPS, bicolor of two colours, also with pp. ending, as biformtus of two forms; in a few, e.g. BIFID, the formation is on a vb.-stem. The prefix appears in Eng. first in adoptions from F., as bigam XIII (cf. BIGAMOUS), later from L. words, as biformed XVI (L. biformis), bipartite XVI (L. biparttus). From XVII the L. analogy was widely extended and the prefix used with any adj. to express that a quality or property is doubled or repeated; in mod. scientific terminology forms in -ate, -ated are most frequently employed.

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bias

oblique; sb. oblique line, inclination; adv. XVI. — (O)F. biais, of unkn. orig. Hence bias vb. XVII.

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bib

sb.
cloth to protect the front of a child's dress XVI. perh. f. (arch.) bib vb. drink, tipple (XIV), which is poss. — L. bibere but may be independently imit.

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Bible

the Holy Scriptures XIII. — (O)F. — ecclL. biblia, n. pl. taken as fem. sg. — Gr. (tà) biblía ‘(the) books’, pl. of biblíon, orig. dim. of bíblios, bblos papyrus, scroll.

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biblio

— repr. Gr. biblio-, stem of biblíon (see prec.), as in bibliography (XIX) — F. or modL. — Gr. bibliographí writing of books.

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bibulous

given to much drinking. XVII. f. L. bibulus, f. bibere drink; see -ULOUS.

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bicameral

having two legislative chambers. XIX. f. BI- + L. camera CHAMBER + -AL1.

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biceps

muscle with double head or attachment. XVII. — L. biceps two-headed, f. BI- + -ceps, rel. to caput HEAD.

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bicker

†skirmish XIII; altercation XIV. ME. biker, beker, of unkn. orig. So bicker vb. XIII.

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bicycle

XIX. — F. f. BI- + Gr. kúklos CYCLE.

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bid

pt. (in D) bade, (in B) bid; pp. (in D) bidden, (in B and C) bid. A. ask, pray; B. offer; C. announce; D. command. The present forms repr. OE. str. vb. biddan, pt. bæd, bdon, pp. beden ask, entreat, demand = OS. biddian, OHG. (G.) bitten, ON. biðja, Goth. biðjan :- Gmc. biðjan.

The present meanings combine those of this vb. with those of OE. bodan, pt. bad, budon, pp. boden offer, announce, command = OS. biodan, OHG. biotan (G. bieten), ON. bjóða, Goth. biudan.

OE. biddan had already acquired the sense ‘command’, and the similarity of several of the ME. forms of the two vbs. furthered the unification of the two words.

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bide

(arch.) remain; wait for OE.; †endure, suffer XIII. OE. bdan = OS. bdan, OHG. btan (G. dial. beiten), ON, biða, Goth. beidan :- Gmc. bðan; formally identical with Gr. peíthein persuade, etc., but the connection of sense is not clear.

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biennial

lasting two years; recurring every two years. XVII. f. L. biennis of two years, biennium space of two years; see BI- and ANNUAL.

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bier

stand for a corpse. OE. br (WS. bær) = OS., OHG. bra (G. bahre) :- WGmc. bro, f. beran BEAR2; the sp. with ie dates from c.1600.

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biffin

variety of apple XVIII; baked apple XIX. dial. pronunc. of beefing, f. BEEF, in ref. to the deep-red colour of the apple; see -ING3.

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bifid

cleft in two. XVII. — L. bifidus, f. BI- + fid-, base of findere cleave.

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bifurcate

XVII. f. medL. bifurcre, f. L. bifurcus two-forked, f. BI- + furca FORK; see -ATE3. Hence bifurcation XVII.

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big

†strong, stout XIII; of great bulk XVI. The earliest exx. are from northerly texts; of unkn. orig., possibly Scand.

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bigamy

XIII. — (O)F. bigamie, f. bigame (whence ME. bigam) — late L. bigamus. f. BI- + Gr. -gamos married. Hence bigamist XVII, bigamous XIX.

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bight

bend, angle OE.; (loop of a rope XVII); bay XVI. OE. byht :- bu?tiz; cf. (M)LG. (whence G.) bucht :- buz-, short stem of beuz-, see BOW2.

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bigot

†hypocritical or superstitious adherent of religion XVI; obstinate adherent of a creed or opinion XVII. — F., of unkn. orig. Hence bigoted, bigotry XVII.

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bigwig

man of note or importance. XVIII. f. BIG + WIG, with ref. to the large wigs worn by men of distinction.

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bilberry

XVI. prob. of Norse orig.; cf. Da. bøllebær, f. bølle bilberry + bær BERRY.

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bile

XVII. — F. — L. bilis. So bilious XVI (see -OUS).

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bilge

bottom of a ship's hull XV; filth collecting there XIX (cf. bilge water XVIII). prob. var. of BULGE, used in the same senses.

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bilk

spoil an adversary's score at cribbage; defraud; elude. XVII. perh. alt. of BALK vb.

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bill1

(hist.) weapon of war (sword or halberd); pruning-hook. OE. bil = OS. bill, OHG. billi :- WGmc. bilja.

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bill2

beak. OE. bile, not elsewhere in Gmc.; perh. from same base as prec. Hence bill vb.1 peck XIII; stroke or caress with the bill XVI.

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bill3

†written document; †legal statement of a case; †list, catalogue, XIV; note of charges, account; poster XV; draft of an act of parliament XVI. — AN. bille or AL. billa, of uncert. orig. Hence bill vb.2 enter in a bill XIV; announce by bill XVII.

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billet1

†short document XV; (f. the vb.) military order to provide board and lodging XVII; place of such lodging; situation, job XIX. — AN. billete or AL. billeta, dim. of billa BILL3; see -ET. Hence billet vb. assign quarters to XVI.

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billet2

thick piece of wood. XV. — (O)F. billette, billot, dims. of bille tree-trunk, length of round timber — medL. billa, billus, prob. of Celtic orig. (cf. Ir. bile sacred tree, large tree); see -ET.

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billet-doux

love-letter. XVII. — F., ‘sweet note’; see BILLET1, DULCET.

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billiards

XVI. — F. billard name of the game and the cue, f. bille; see BILLET2 and -ARD. Made pllike bowls, etc.

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billion

XVII. — F. billion, arbitrarily f. million MILLION, by substitution of BI- for the initial mi-.

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billow

XVI. — ON. bylgja billow (Sw. bölja, Da. belge), f. Gmc. bulz- belz- swell; Cf. (M)HG. bulge †billow, leather bag, and BELLY.

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bin

†manger OE.; receptacle for corn, etc. XIV. OE. bin(n), binne — OBrit. benna (W. ben cart) :- bhendhn, f. IE. bhendh- weave, BIND; or — medL. benna, which is the source of F. banne. It. dial. benna hamper, Du. ben, G. benne body of a cart.

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binary

XV. — late L. bnrius two together (cf. BI-); see -ARY.

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bind

OE. bindan, pt. band, bundon, pp. bunden = OS. bindan, OHG. bintan (G. binden), ON. binda, Goth. bindan :- Gmc. bendan. f. IE. base bhendh- (Skr. bandh bind). Hence binder OE. (of books XVI); whence bindery XIX (orig. U.S.), after Du. binderij.

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bindweed

XVI. f. BIND + WEED1.

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bine

flexible (climbing) stem. XIX. See WOODBINE.

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binge

XIX. prob. sl. use of dial. binge. vb. soak (a wooden vessel).

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binnacle

box containing ship's compass. XV. Earlier forms biticle, bittacle — Sp. bitácula, bitácora or Pg. bitácola (corr. to It. abitacolo, F. habitacle) — L. habitculum habitation, F. habitre inhabit; the change from tt to nn may have been bridged by such a form as biddikil (XVII).

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binocular

adapted to both eyes XVIII; sb. pl. field or opera glasses XIX. f. L. bn two together (cf. BI-) + oculus EYE, after OCULAR.

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binomial

(math.) having two terms. XVI. f. F. binôme or modL. binmius, of uncert. orig. (see BI-, -IAL).

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bio-

comb. form of Gr. bios life (Cf. QUICK), as in biography XVII. — F. biographie or modL. biographia, medGr. biographia; so biographer XVIII. biology XIX. — F. biologie — G.

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biped

XVII. — L. bips, biped-, f. BI- + ps FOOT.

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biplane

XX. f. BI- + PLANE3.

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birch

OE. bi(e)r.e = MLG. berke, OHG. birka (G. birke) :- Gmc. berkjn; rel. to synon. OE. be(o)rc = Du. berk, ON. bjrk :- Gmc. berk; Cf. Skr. bhrja-, L. farnus, fraxinus ash-tree.

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bird

(obs. or dial.) young bird OE., feathered animal (in this sense supersending fowl); maiden, girl XIII. OE. brid, of unkn. orig. In the sense ‘maiden’ there may have been blending with ME. burde young woman, lady.

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bireme

(galley) having two banks of oars. XVII. — L. birmis, f. BI- + rmus oar (cf. ROW2).

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biretta

clerical square cap. XVI. — It. beretta or Sp. birreta, fem. dims. corr. to Pr. berret BERET, based on late L. birrus, -um hooded cape or cloak, perh. of Celtic orig.

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birth

XII. — ON. byrð birth, descent, corr. to Goth.(ga)baurps, f. Gmc. bur- ber- BEAR2; see -TH1. Hence birthday XIV; cf. OE. ebyrddæ.

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biscuit

XIV. — OF. bescuit (mod. biscuit) :- medL. biscoctus twice-baked (sc. panis bread). f. L. bis twice + coctus, pp. of coquere COOK.

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bisect

XVII. f. BI- + sect-, pp. stem of L. secre cut. So bisection XVII.

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bishop

OE. bis.op, corr. to OS. biskop. OHG. biscof (G. bischof ), ON. biskup — popL. biscopus, for ecclL. episcopus — Gr. episkopos overseer (whence Goth. aipiskaupus), f. epí EPI- + -skopos looking (cf. -SCOPE).

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bismuth

XVII (bismute). — modL. bisemutum, latinization of G. wismut, of unkn. orig.

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bison

in the present form first recorded from A. V. (Deut. 14: 5 margin), earlier in L. pl. bisontes of bison (whence F. bison) — Gmc. wisand-, wisund- (OE. wesend, OHG. wisant. -unt, ON. visundr); familiar in recent times in connection with the American bison.

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bisque

rich (esp. crayfish) soup. XVII. — F. bisque, of unkn. orig.

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bissextile

leap(-year). XVI. — late L. bis(s)extilis (sc. annus year) year of the bissextus intercalary day inserted in the Julian calendar every fourth year after the sixth day before the calends of March (24 Feb.), f. bis twice + sextus SIXTH.

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bistoury

scalpel. XVIII. — F. bistouri, of unkn. orig.

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bit1

A
†biting, bite OE.; †cutting edge XIV; boring-piece, borer XVI;

B
mouth-piece of a bridle XIV. OE. bite = OS. biti, OHG. biz (G. biss), ON. bit :- Gmc. bitiz, f. btan BITE. The origin of sense B is not clear; cf. OE. bitol bridle, ON. bitull, G. gebiss.
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bit2

portion bitten off; morsel of food OE.; small piece XVI. OE. bita = OHG. bizzo (G. bissen), ON. biti (see BITT) :- Gmc. bitan-, f. btan BITE.

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bitch

female dog OE.; bad woman XV. OE. bi..e, rel. obscurely to ON. bikkja, of unkn. orig.

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bite

pt. bit, pp. bitten, bit. OE. btan, pt. bt, biton, pp. biten = OS, btan, OHG. bzan (G. beissen), ON. bita, Goth. beitan :- Gmc. btan; the corr. short base is repr. by Skr. bhidyáte is split, L. fid-, findere cleave. Hence bite sb. XV.

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bitt

(naut.) usu. pl. pair of posts on deck for fastening cables. XIV. prob. orig. a LG. sea term; cf. synon. LG., Du. beting, f. Gmc. bit-, repr. also by MHG. bizze wooden peg. ON. biti cross-beam.

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bitter1

contrary of sweet. OE. biter, corr. to OS., OHG. bittar (Du., G. bitter), ON. bitr, Goth. baitrs; prob. f. Gmc. bit-, base of btan BITE. Hence bitter-sweet sb. XIV, adj. XVII. cf. F. aigre-doux, amer-doux. L. dulcamrum. So bitterly OE. biterlce; see -LY2. bitterness OE. biternes.

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bitter2

‘a Bitter is but the turn of a Cable about the Bitts. . And the Bitters end is that part of the Cable doth stay within boord’ (1627, Capt Smith). f. BITT + -ER1. Hence prob. phr. to the bitter end to the last extremity (now assoc. with BITTER1).

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bittern

marsh bird with booming note. XIV. Earliest forms botor, butor, etc. — OF. butor — Rom. btitaurus, f. L. bti bittern + taurus bull. Forms with final n (XVI) are perh. due to assoc. with hern HERON.

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bitumen

XV. — L. So bituminous XVII. — F. bitumineux — L. bitminsus.

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bivalve

XVII. f. BI- + VALVE.

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bivouac

(orig.) night-watch under arms; (hence) temporary encampment without tents. XVIII. — F. bivouac — MLG. biwacht or Du. bijwacht lit. ‘extra watch’. Hence as vb. XIX.

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bizarre

XVII. — F. — It. bizzarro, of uncert. orig.

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blab

tell-tale, tatler; loose chatter, XIV. contemp. with †blabber vb. babble, chatter and synon. †lab sb. and vb. Perh. f. an imit. Gmc. base blab-; cf. OHG. blabbizn, MHG. blepzen, G. plappern. Hence blab vb. XV.

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black

OE. blæc, blac, corr. to OS. blac ink, OHG. bla(c)h-; cf. ON. blakkr dusky, dun; of unkn. orig. (In ME. confused with blac pale, wan; Cf. BLEAK2.) Superseded SWART in gen. use as a colour-name. Hence vbs. black XIII, blacken XIII (see -EN5). Blackamoor Ethiopian, Negro. XVI (orig. black More; see MOOR. Forms with inserted -a-, unexpl., appear XVI). black-ball black ball recording an adverse vote; hence vb. XVIII. blackberry OE. pl. blaceberian. blackguard A. †(coll.) menials, camp-followers, etc. XVI; †vagrants, criminals XVII; B. †man in black, †boot-black, etc. XVI; low worthless character XVIII; orig. meaning and application unknown. blackleg turf swindler XVIII; workman taking the place of one on strike XIX; of unkn. orig. blackmail (hist., orig. Sc.) tribute (see MAIL2) exacted by freebooting chiefs in return for protection XVI; (gen.) payment extorted by intimidation or pressure XIX. blacksmith one who works in ‘black metal’ (i.e. iron). XV.

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bladder

OE. bldara, later blæddre = OS. bldara, OHG. bltara (G. blatter), ON. blaðra :- Gmc. bl- BLOW1 + -dro-, instr. suffix corr. to L. -trum, Gr. -tr, -tron, Skr. -tram.

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blade

A
leaf OE.; spathe of grass XIV.

B
broad flattened part of an implement OE.; thin cutting edge, sword XIV. OE. blæd, pl. bladu = OS. blad, OHG. blat (G. blatt), ON. blnað leaf, etc. :- Gmc. blaðam, perh. pp. formation (IE. -tos) on the base bi- BLOW2. The present form derives from OE. obl. cases.
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blame

vb.
XII. — OF. bla(s)mer (mod. blámer) = Pr. blasmar, Sp. lastimar :- popL. blastmre for ecclL. blasphmre revile, reproach (see BLASPHEME). So blame sb. XIII. — (O)F. blme, f. the vb.

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blanch

XIV. — (O)F. blanchir, f. blanc, fem. blanche white, BLANK.

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blancmange

†dish of white meat with dressing XIV; jelly made with milk XVI. Earliest form blancmanger — (O)F., f. blanc white + manger food, sb. use of manger eat (cf. MANGER). The second el. was shortened to mange in XVIII.

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bland

XV (only Sc.), XVII. — L. blandus.

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blandish

flatter gently. XIV. — OF. blandiss-, lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of blandir :- L. blandr, f. blandus BLAND. Hence blandishment XVI.

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blank

XIV (orig. †‘white’). — (O)F. blanc white :- Rom. blancus -Gmc. blakaz.

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blanket

†white woollen stuff XIII; sheet of soft woollen cloth XIV. — OF. blanket (AL. blanchettum), var. of blanchet, f. blanc white; see BLANK, -ET.

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blare

roar, bellow XIV; trumpet XVIII, ME. blere — (M)Du. bleren and MLG., MDu. blaren; of imit. orig.

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blarney

cajoling talk. XIX. f. Blarney, name of a village near Cork, Ireland.

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blasé

XIX. — F., pp. of blaser exhaust by enjoyment or indulgence.

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blaspheme

XIV. — OF. blasfemer (F.-ph-) — ecclL. blasphmre revile, blaspheme — Gr. blasphmeîn, f. blásphmos evil-speaking (pha- speak; phmi I say). Cf. BLAME. So blasphemous XV. blasphemy XIII (see -Y3).

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blast

gust of wind or air. OE. blst = OHG. blst, ON. blástr (perh. the immed. source in ME.) :- Gmc. blstaz, f. bls (see BLAZE3). Hence blast vb. XIV.

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blatant

first used by Spenser in the blat(t)ant beast (F.Q. v. xii. 37, etc.) to describe the thousand-tongued monster produced by Cerberus and Chimæra and symbolizing calumny 1596; offensively noisy or clamorous XVII. perh. alt., after adjs. in -ANT, of Sc. blatand, prp. of blate BLEAT.

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blather, blether

talk nonsense. XV. orig. Sc. — ON. blaðra, f. blaðr nonsense. For the var. blether Cf. Sc. gether for gather. Hence as sb. XVIII.

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blaze1

†torch; bright flame or fire. OE. blæse, blase :- Gmc. blasn; rel., through the gen. sense ‘shining’, to BLAZE2. Hence blaze vb. XIII. blazer thing that blazes or shines bright XVII; brightcoloured jacket for sports wear XIX; see -ER1.

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blaze2

white spot. XVII. of uncert. orig., but identical in meaning with ON. blesi, MDu. blesse (Du. bles), G. blässe, blesse. Hence blaze vb. mark a tree with white by stripping the bark, indicate (a trail) in this way. XIX.

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blaze3

†blow (a trumpet, etc.) XIV; proclaim, publish XV. — MLG., MDu. blzen blow = OHG. blsan (G. blasen), ON. blása, Goth. -blsan :- Gmc. blsan (cf. BLAST), extension of bl-; see BLOW1.

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blazon

(her.) shield XIII; heraldic description XVI. — (O)F. blason orig. shield; of unkn. orig. Hence as vb. XVI.

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-ble

— (O)F. — L. -bilis, adj. suffix denoting tendency, fitness, ability, or capability of doing or being something; added to vb. -stems, as flbilis lamentable, tearful. f. flre weep; mbilis easily moved. MOBILE; stabilis steadfast, STABLE2; with vb.-stems in a, i, and u it combined to form the compound suffixes repr. in Eng. by -ABLE, -IBLE, and -uble, of which the first (the only one in living use) is by far the most common, and capable of being compounded with any verb; the last is repr. only in soluble, voluble. The corr. abstract nouns end in -bility and advs. in -bly.

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bleach

vb.
OE. bl.an = ON. bleikja :- Gmc. blaikjan, f. blaik- shining, white, BLEAK2.

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bleak1

small river-fish. XV. prob. — ON. bleikja = OHG. bleicha :- Gmc. blaikjn, f. blaik- white (see next).

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bleak2

†pale, wan; bare of vegetation, exposed; cold from bareness; XVI. Obscurely rel. to †blake pale, yellow, †bleach pale, bare, †bleike, blayke pale, yellow — ON. bleikr shining, white = OE. blc (ME. blke, blke), OS. blk, OHG. bleih :- Gmc. blaika-.

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blear

(of the eyes) dim. XIV. (vb. XIII). of uncert. orig. Hence bleary XIV; see -Y1.

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bleat

OE. bltan = OHG. blzen, Du. blaten; of imit. orig.

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bleed

OE. bldan = MLG. blden, ON. blœða :- Gmc. blðjan, f. blðam BLOOD.

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blemish

XIV. — OF. blemiss-, extended stem (see -ISH2) of ble(s)mir render pale, injure, prob. of Gmc. orig. Hence blemish sb. XVI.

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blench

†deceive OE.; start aside XIII. OE. blen.an = ON. blekkja impose upon :- Gmc. blazkjan; cf. BLINK.

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blend

vb.
XIII. At first mainly north.; prob. of Scand. orig. and due to blend- pres. stem, blnd- pt. stem, of ON. blanda mix = OE., OS., Goth. blandan, OHG. blantan. Cf. BLIND vb.

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blende

native sulphide of zinc. XVII. — G. blende, f. blenden deceive (see BLIND); so called because, while often resembling galena, it yielded no lead.

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blenny

genus of spiny fishes. XVIII. — L. blennius, var. of blendius — Gr. blnnos slime, in ref. to the mucous coating of its scales.

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blesbok

S. African antelope. XIX. — Afrikaans, f. Du. bles BLAZE2 + bok goat (BUCK).

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bless

A purely English formation. OE. bltsian, blëdsian, perh. f. blðam BLOOD, the etymological meaning being ‘mark so as to hallow with blood’ the sense-development was influenced by its being used to translate L. benedcere and Gr. eulogeîn in Christian use, and by its formal assoc. with bliss.

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blight

disease in plants, as mildew; baleful influence, orig, on plants, XVII (also blite). perh. for earlier blht, repr. formally OE. blæ.ðu, blæ.ð(rust), rel. to blæ.e (all applied to skin diseases), and further to BLEACH.

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blighter

contemptible fellow. XIX. f. blighted euphem. substitute for blasted (see BLAST) as an epithet of reprobation; see -ER1.

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Blighty

(army sl.) England, home. XX. contr. form, originating in the Indian army, of Hind. bilyat foreign, (esp.) European, f. Arab. wilyat inhabited country, district.

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blimp

small non-rigid dirigible airship. XX. of uncert. orig. (said to be based on the adj. LIMP).

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blind

adj.
OE. blind = OS. blind, OHG. blint (G. blind). ON. blindr, Goth. blinds :- Gmc. blindaz :- IE. bhlendhos; cf. Latv. blendu see dimly, and BLUNDER. Hence blind vb. XIII; repl. †blend, OE. blendan = OHG. blentan (G. blenden) :- WGmc. blandjan. blind sb. screen; misleading pretext XVII. blind-man's-buff (see BUFF1). XVI. blind-worm slow-worm XV; cf. Du. blindworm.

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blindfold

cover the eyes of, with a bandage. XVI. Superseded †blindfelle (XII–VI); OE. eblindfellian strike blind, f. BLIND + FELL4.

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blink

A
† deceive; start aside XIV;

B
twinkle with the eyes or eyelids; †glance XVI; cast a momentary gleam XVIII. prob. of mixed origin; partly later form of synon. †blenk XIV, var, of BLENCH; partly — (M)Du. blinken shine, glitter, which may be based on a nasalized var. of blik- shine (see BLEAK2).
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bliss

OE. bliss, blðs = OS. bldsea, f. Gmc. blþiz BLITHE.

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blister

sb.
XIII. ME. blister, blester, of unkn. orig.; poss. — OF. blestre, blostre swelling, pimple. Hence blister vb. XV.

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blithe

joyous. OE. blðe = OS. blði, OHG. bldi cheerful, friendly, ON. blðr, Goth. bleiþs :- Gmc. blþiz; of unkn. orig. Cf. BLISS.

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blithering

(colloq.) senselessly talkative; contemptible. XIX. f. blither, var. of blether (see BLATHER).

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blitz

shortening of G. blitzkrieg ‘lightning-war’. XX.

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blizzard

XIX. of unkn. orig. (first (U.S.) senses ‘sharp blow’, ‘shot’).

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bloat

†bloat herring, herring smoked and halfdried. XVI. Hence †bloated in the same sense XVII; whence bloater XIX; see -ED1 -ER1. Of uncert. orig. Identical in form are bloat adj. and vb. and bloated ppl. adj., which are used of a puffed, swollen, or inflated condition, but it is doubtful whether the two groups have the same ult. orig.

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blob

XV. in early use north.; imit. Cf. BLUBBER, BUBBLE.

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block

solid piece or mass (orig. of wood) XIV; mould for a hat, etc. XVI; group of buildings XVIII. — (O)Fr. bloc — (M)Du. blok, (M)LG. block, of unkn. orig. Hence (or — F. bloquer) block vb. XV; whence blockade XVII.

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blond

XV. — (O)F. blond, fem. blonde :- medL. blundus, blondus yellow, perh. of Gmc. orig.

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blood

OE. bld = OS. bld, OHG. bluot (G. blut). ON. bl, Goth. blp :- Gmc. blam, of unkn. orig. Hence bloodhound XIV, bloodthirsty XVI (Coverdale, after Luther's blutdürstig), bloody OE. bldig; see -Y1.

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bloom1

blossom, flower XIII; powdery deposit on fruits XVII. ME blom(e) — ON. blóm flower. blossom, and blómi prosperity, pl. flowers, corr. to OS. blómo, OHG. bluomo, -ma (G. blume). Goth. blóma :- Gmc. blóma-, blóman-, n-, f. blð- BLOW2. For the OE. syn. See BLOSSOM. Hence bloom vb. XIII.

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bloom2

mass of iron brought into the form of a thick bar. OE. blóma identical in form with BLOOM1, but prob. a different word.

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bloomer

(chiefly pl.) women's trouser costume. XIX. f. name of Mrs. Amelia Bloomer , who advocated the use of the dress.

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blossom

flower OE.; mass of flowers on a tree XIII. OE. blstm, bls(t)ma corr. to (M)Du. bloesem. MLG. blós(s)em; cf. ON. blómstr; gen. referred to the same base as BLOOM1. viz. blð-, of which blðs- appears to be an extended form. Hence blossom vb. OE. blstmian. blossomy XIV; see -Y1.

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blot

spot, stain. XIV. The distribution of the earliest exx. is consistent with a Scand. orig., but no suitable form is known; cf., however, Icel. blettr blot, stain, Da. dial. blat spot, blot. Hence blot vb. spot, stain. XV (blotting-paper XVI).

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blotch

inflamed patch on the skin XVII; blot (as of ink) XVIII. Partly alt. of synon. †plotch (XVI). by assoc. with BLOT and †botch pimple, etc. (XIV), partly blending of these. Cf. contemp. SPLOTCH.

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blouse

XIX. — F., of unkn. orig.

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blow1

produce a current of air; puff air (into). OE. str. vb. blwan, pt. blow, pp. blwen, OHG. bl(h)an, also (wk.) blen (G. blähen blow up, swell); IE. base bhl-, repr. also by L. flre.

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blow2

(arch.) bloom, flourish. OE. str. vb. blwan, corr. to wk. verbs OS. bljan, OHG. bluoen (G. blühen); all f. Gmc. bl- (Cf. BLADE, BLOOM1. BLOSSOM).

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blow3

hard stroke with fist or weapon. XV (first in northern texts as blaw). of unkn. orig.

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blowzy

bloated or red-faced; dishevelled. XVIII. f. †blowze wench XVI, of unkn. orig.; see -Y1.

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blub

(colloq.) weep effusively. XIX. Shortening of next vb.

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blubber

vb.
†bubble; weep copiously XIV; sb. †foam, bubble XIV; jelly-fish, fat of whales XVII. ME. blob-, bluber sb., blob-, bluberen vb., perh. of imit. orig.; Cf. G. dial. blubbern bubble, gabble.

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bludgeon

heavy-headed stick. XVIII. of unkn. orig. Hence as vb. XIX.

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blue

XIII. ME. blue — (O)F. :- Rom. blvus — Gmc. blwaz (whence OE. blwen, OHG. blw, G. blau, ON. blár), prob. rel. to L. flvus yellow. In blue blood tr. Sp. sangre azul, applied to Spaniards claiming freedom from Moorish, Jewish, or other admixture.

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blue-stocking

attrib. wearing blue stockings XVII; applied from c.1780 to the intellectuals who met in London at the houses of Mrs. Montague and others, where blue worsted stockings were worn by some instead of black silk.

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bluff1

nearly vertical or perpendicular XVII; rough, blunt XVIII; good-naturedly curt or abrupt XIX. orig. naut., perh. of LG. orig. As sb. broad precipitous headland XVII (first in N. America).

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bluff2

(orig. U.S. in poker) give a false impression of strength. etc.; also sb. XIX. — Du. bluffen brag, boast, and bluff bragging, boasting.

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blunder

move blindly or stupidly XIV; make a stupid mistake XVIII. prob. of Scand. orig.; cf. MSw., Norw. blundra shut the eyes, frequent, of the base found in ON. blunda, rel. to BLIND; but the sense-development is not clear.

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blunderbuss

short gun with large bore. XVII. alt., by assoc. with BLUNDER, of Du. donderbus, f. donder THUNDER + bus gun (orig. box, tube).

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blunt

†dull, stupid XII; not physically sharp XIV; †rude, unrefined XV; abrupt of speech XVI. of uncert. orig.

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blur

sb. and vb.
smear, stain. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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blurb

(orig. U.S.) publisher's commendatory advertisement. XX. of unkn. orig.

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blurt

†puff in scorn; utter abruptly. XVI. prob. imit.

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blush

vb.
OE. blys.an, corr. to MLG. bloschen, LG. blüsken; cf. (M)Du. blzen, OE. blysian.

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bluster

XV. ult. imit.; cf. LG. blustern, blistern flutter.

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boa

large S. American snake. XIX. — modL. use of L. boa, of unkn. orig.

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boar

OE. br = OS. br(swn), OHG. br :- WGmc. bairaz.

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board

flat piece of wood; table (now only as used for meals); border, edge (now only in seaboard); ship's side. OE. bord combines two orig. distinct Gmc. words: (i) a str. n. = OS. bord, MHG., G. bort board, ON. borð, Goth. (ftu)baurd :- Gmc. borðam; (ii) a str. m. = OS. bord, ON. borð :- Gmc. borðaz. The OE. words were reinforced in ME. by the uses of F. bord (of Gmc. orig.). Hence board vb. XV.

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boast

sb.
XIII; vb. XIV (in early use both sb. and vb. often denote or imply clamorous or threatening utterance). — AN. bost and boster, of unkn. orig.

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boat

OE. bt, corr. to ON. beit (:- bait-, of uncert. orig.). Hence boatswain (now commonly bosun); late OE. btsween.

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bob1

bunch. knob, knot (of hair). XIV. of unkn. orig. Hence bob vb. fish with a bob or bunch of worms XVII; make into a bob, cut short, dock XIX.

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bob2

A
†pummel, buffet, rap XIV;

B
move with a jerk up or down or to and fro XIV; curtsy XVIII. prob. of limit. orig.
Top
Hence bob sb. †blow, rap XVI; method of change-ringing XVII; curtsy XIX.

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bobbin

XVI. — F. bobine, †bobin, of unkn. orig.

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bobby

dim. (see -Y6) of Bob, pet-form of Robert, used as a sl. nickname for a policeman, in allusion to Robert Peel, Home Secretary when the Metropolitan Police Act was passed in 1828.

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bobtail

(animal) having the tail cut short. XVII. f. BOB1 or bobbed adj.

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Boche

(army sl.) German. XX. — F. (sl.) ‘rascal’, ‘German’, held to be shortening of tète (de) boche, in which boche is perh. for caboche hard skull (see CABBAGE1).

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bode

†announce, proclaim OE.; betoken, portend XIV. OE. bodian, f. boda messenger = OS. bodo, OHG. boto (G. bote), ON. boði :- Gmc. buðan-, f. buð-, weak grade of beuðan (OE. bodan) BID.

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bodega

wine-shop. XIX. — Sp. :- L. apothca — Gr. apothék store (see APOTHECARY).

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bodge

see BOTCH.

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bodice

XVI. orig. bodies, pl. of BODY in the sense ‘part of a woman's dress above the waist’, formerly often in a pair of bodies, i.e. stays, corsets. For the retention of the unvoiced pronunc. of the pl. ending Cf. dice, pence.

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bodkin

†dagger XIV; small pointed instrument XIV; long pin for hair XVI; blunt needle for drawing tape, etc. XVIII. ME. boidekin, of unkn. orig.

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body

OE. bodi, corr. to OHG. botah (MHG. botich, mod. Bavarian dial. bottech body of a chemise); of unkn. orig.

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Boer

Dutch-descended S. African. XIX (earliest form boor). — Du. (see BOOR).

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bog

XIV. — Gael. and Ir. bogach, f. bog soft. Hence bog vb. XVII. boggy XVI.

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bog(e)y

person or thing much dreaded. XIX. orig. as proper name (Bogey and Old Bogey the Devil), presumably rel. to synon. †bog, north. Dial. boggard, -art, Sc. bogle, north. Eng. boggle (all from XVI), and further to BUG1, but the connections of the group are uncertain.

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Bogey

( golf ) the number of strokes a good player should need for each hole. XIX. Said to be from an imaginary partner ‘Bogey’ (same as prec.).

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boggle

start with fright (formerly often of horses) XVI; demur, hesitate XVII. prob. f. dial. boggle (see BOGEY) as if orig. ‘to see a boggle or spectre’.

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bogie

(north. dial.) low truck on four wheels; (hence gen.) pivoted undercarriage. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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bogle

see BOGEY. XVI; its use by Burns, Scott, and Hogg brought it into Eng. literature.

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bogus

XIX (orig. U.S.). Appears first in 1827 applied to an apparatus for coining false money; of unkn. orig.

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bohea

black tea of lowest (orig. finest) quality. XVIII. — Fuhkien Chinese Bui, local var. of Wui, name of hills in northern Fuhkien, whence black tea was first brought to England.

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Bohemian

gipsy XVII; socially unconventional person XIX. f. Bohemia a region of Central Europe + -(I)AN; after F. bohémien gipsy, (transf.) vagabond, adventurer.

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boil1

hard inflamed tumour. OE. bl, ble = OS. bla. OHG. blla bladder (G. beule), f. bl- (Cf. Goth. ufbauljan puff up). The form boil dates from XV.

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boil2

bubble up with heat. XIII. — AN. boiller, OF. boillir (mod. bouillir) :- L. bullire, f. bulla bubble. Hence boil sb. XV.

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boisterous

†stout, stiff, bulky; violent and rough in manner. XVI. var. of †boisteous, earlier †boist(u)ous (XIII), of unkn. orig.

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bolas

S. Amer. missile consisting of balls connected by cord. XIX. — Sp., Pg., pl. of bola ball.

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bold

OE. b(e)ald = OS., OHG. bald (G. adv. bald soon), ON. ballr dangerous, fatal :- Gmc. balþaz. Hence boldly OE.

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bole

tree-trunk. XIV. — ON. bolr; Cf. MHG. bole (G. bohle) plank.

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bolero

lively dance XVIII; short jacket XIX. — Sp., presumably f. bola ball.

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boll

†vesicle, bubble XIII; rounded seed-vessel XV. — MDu. bolle (Du. bol) round object, introduced in connection with the medicinal use of poppy-heads and flax-cultivation.

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bollard

(naut.) post in a ship, etc. XIV. of uncert. orig.

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Bolshevik

XX. — Russ. bol. shevik, f. bó l. shl.i. compar. of bol shóì big. Orig., group favouring a maximum socialist programme. Cf. MENSHEVIK.

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bolster

OE. bolster pillow, cushion = (M)Du. bolster, OHG. bolstar (G. polster), ON. bolstr :- Gmc. bolstraz. perh. for bol?straz, f. belz- swell (Cf. BELLY). Hence bolster vb. (chiefly fig.) prop up XVI.

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bolt1

stout arrow OE.; stout pin for fastening XII; (from LG.) roll of fabric, etc. XV. OE., = MLG. bolte(n), bolt, fetter, piece of rolled-up linen, (M)Du. bout bolt, OHG. bolz (G. bolzen) arrow, bolt for a door; of unkn. orig. Hence bolt vb. dart off XIII; fasten with a bolt XVI.

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bolt2, boult

sift. XIII. — OF. bul(e)ter (mod. bluter). prob. of Gmc. orig.

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bolus

large pill. XVII. — medL. blus — Gr. blos clod, lump of earth. Cf. HOLUS BOLUS.

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bomb

sb.
XVII. — F. bombe — It. bomba, prob. f. L. bombus — Gr. bómbos booming, humming, of imit. orig. Hence (or — F.) bomb vb. XVII. So bombard early kind of cannon XVI. — F. bombarde, medL. bombarda bombard vb. XV. — F. bombarder; hence bombardment XVIII. bombardier †artilleryman XVI; N.C.O. of artillery XIX. — F.

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bombast

†cotton-wool, esp. as used for padding; turgid language. XVI. var., with parasitic t, of †bombace — OF. bombace — medL. bombax, -c-, alt. of bombyx silk. Hence bombastic XVIII. bombastical XVII.

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bombinate

make a buzzing noise. XIX. f. pp. stem of late L. bombinre, also medL. bombilre. So bombination XIX (Cf. Sir T. Browne's bombilation, 1646).

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bona fide

XVI (as adj. XVIII). — L. ‘with good faith’, abl. of bona (fem. of bonus good) fids (FAITH).

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bonanza

(U.S.) good luck, prosperity. XIX. — Sp. bonanza fair weather, prosperity :- Rom. bonacia, f. L. bonus good, after L. malacia (analysed as if containing malus bad) — Gr. malakí softness, f. malakós soft.

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bonbon

XIX. — F., lit. ‘good-good’, f. bon good :- L. bonus.

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bond1

fetter; binding force XIII; covenant XIV; deed binding a person to pay money XVI; debenture XVII. var. of BAND1, and at first interchangeable with it.

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bond2

in bondage or servitude. XIV. adj. use of ME. bonde serf, late OE. bonda householder — ON. bóndi (see HUSBAND). Forming permanent comps. in bondmaid (XVI), bondman (XIII), bondservant (XVI), bondwoman (XIV), which are assoc. in sense with BOND1.

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bone

OE. bn = OS. bn, OHG. (G.) bein, ON. bein :- Gmc. bainam. Hence bone vb. XV. bony XVI.

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bonfire

†fire of bones XIV; open-air fire in celebration, etc. XV. f. BONE + FIRE.

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bonhomie

XVIII. — F., f. bonhomme ‘good man’ (L. bonus, homo), good-natured fellow.

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bonnet

XIV. — OF. bonet (mod. bonnet), short for chapel de bonet hat made of a material ‘bonet’, medL. bonetus, -um, of unkn. orig.

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bonny

XV (chiefly Sc. and north. Eng.). of doubtful orig., perh. to be referred to F. bon good.

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bonus

addition to normal pay. XVIII. prob. joc. or ignorant application of L. bonus m. for bonum n. good thing.

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bonze

Buddhist priest in Japan, etc. XVI. — F. bonze or Pg. bonzo (medL. bonz(i)us), prob. — Jap. bonzo or bonzi — Chinese fan seng religious person, or Jap. bo-zi — chinese fa-sze teacher of the law.

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booby

silly fellow; gannet. XVII. prob. (with -Y6) — Sp. bobo (used in both senses) :- L. balbus stammering, stuttering (ult. imit).

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book

OE. bc, pl. b., corr. to OS. bk, OHG. buoh, pl. buoh (G. buch), ON. bók, pl. bœkr :- Gmc. bks, pl. bkiz (Cf. Goth. bka, pl. bks); usu. taken to be a deriv. of bk BEECH.

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boom1

give out a deep humming note XV; sail with great speed XVII. ult. imit. (Cf. BOMB); Cf. Du. bommen. Hence boom sb. XVI.

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boom2

(naut.) long spar; floating timber barrier. XVI (Sc. boume). — Du. boom tree, pole, BEAM.

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boom3

(orig. U.S.) sudden activity in commerce. XIX. prob. application of BOOM1. Also as vb. XIX.

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boomerang

XIX. Austral. aboriginal name.

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boon1

†prayer, request; thing prayed for; favour XII; benefit, blessing XVIII. — ON. bón, var. of bœn = OE. bn; of uncert. orig.

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boon2

good, gracious XIV; surviving in boon companion (XVI) in the sense ‘jolly’, ‘convivial’. — (O)F. bon good :- L. bonus.

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boor

husbandman XV; Dutch or German peasant XVI (Dutch colonist, BOER XIX); rustic ill-mannered fellow XVI. — LG. br or Du. boer (f. Gmc. stem b- dwell, see BOWER1).

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boost

(orig. U.S.) hoist up, give a lift to, increase. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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boot1

(arch.) advantage (in phr. to boot †to advantage, in addition); †making good, remedy. OE. bt = OS. bta OHG. buoza (G. busse), ON. bót, Goth. bta :- Gmc. bt, f. bt- bat- (see BETTER, BEST). Hence boot vb. profit, avail. XIV. bootless irremediable (OE. btlas); useless XVI.

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boot2

A
covering for the foot and (lower part of) the leg XIV;

B
†space for attendants on the outside of a coach XVII; receptacle for luggage on a coach XVIII. ME. bote — ON. boti or its source, OF. bote (mod. botte); in AL. bota (XII), botta; of unkn. orig. The senses under B appear to derive from modF.
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booth

temporary dwelling; covered stall. XII. — OEast Norse bóð (Sw., Da. bod stall, shop) = OIcel. búð dwelling, f. East Norse bóa = OIcel. búa dwell (see BOWER1).

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booty

plunder XV. of uncert. orig.; Cf. (O)F. butin (whence Eng. †butin XV–VII) — MLG. bte exchange, distribution.

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booze

(sl. or colloq.) drink. XIII. ME. bous sb., bouse vb.; these normally gave bouse, but this pronunc. appears to have been gen. arrested by re-adoption in XVI of the orig. etymon, MDu. bsen (Du. buizen) drink to excess.

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borage

genus of plants. XIII. — (O)F. bourrache — medL. bor(r)go, -gin-, perh. — Arab. 'ab 'araq 'father of sweat’, the Arabian physicians using the plant as a diaphoretic.

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borax

biborate of sodium. XIV (boras; borax, after medL., from XVI). — OF. boras — medL. borax, borac- — Arab. braq — Pers. So boracic XIX.

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border

XIV — OF. bord(ë)ure — CRom. deriv. of bordre (F. border, etc.), f. bordus; see BOARD, -URE. Hence border vb. XIV.

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bore1

pierce. OE. borian = MLG., MDu. boren, OHG. born (G. bohren), ON. bora :- Gmc. born. The IE. base bhor- bhr is repr. by L. forre pierce.

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bore2

tidal wave. XVII. of doubtful orig.; Cf. ON. bára wave, billow.

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bore3

†ennui; †annoyance, nuisance; tiresome thing XVIII; tiresome person XIX. of unkn. orig. (references in XVIII to French bore are unexplained). Also as vb. XVIII.

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boreal

northern. XV. — (O)F. boréal or late L. borelis, f. L. bores — Gr. borés north wind; see -AL1.

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born, borne

var. forms of the pp. (OE. boren) of BEAR2. differentiated since c.1600; born is now no longer assoc. with bear, the phr. to be born being an independent intr. verb equiv. to F. natre, L. nsci; borne is retained in lit. use for ‘carried’, ‘endured’.

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boron

(chem.) non-metallic element, extracted from borax and resembling carbon in some of its properties. XIX. f. BOR(AX) + (CARB)ON.

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borough

†fortress; town (orig. fortified) OE.; town of a certain (political) status XVI. OE. burg, burh = OS. burg, OHG. burug (G. burg), ON. borg, Goth. baurgs :- Gmc. burzs, rel. to berzan protect, shelter (Cf. BORROW, BURY).

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borrow

take on pledge or credit. OE. borgian = OHG. borgn (G. borgen), f. Gmc. borz-, whence OE., OS. borg pledge, rel. to OE. beorgan = OS., OHG. bergan (Du., G. bergen), ON. bjarga, Goth. bairgan :- Gmc. berzan (see prec.).

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borzoi

Russian wolf-hound. XIX. — Russ., f. bórz swift.

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bosh

nonsense. XIX. — Turk. bo empty, worthless; gained currency from its frequent use in J. J. Morier's novel Ayesha (1834).

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bosom

OE. bsm = OS. bsom, OHG. buosam (G. busen) :- WGmc. bsm-, of uncert. orig.

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boss1

protuberance. XIII. — OF. boce (mod. bosse) :- Rom. bokja or bottia, of unkn. orig.

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boss2

(orig. U.S.) master, employer. XIX. — Du. baas master, of unkn. orig.

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bosun

see BOATSWAIN.

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botanic

XVII. — F. botanique, or its source, late L. botanicus — Gr. botanikós, f. botán plant; see -IC. So botanical, botanist XVII. Hence botany XVII; on the analogy of astronomic, astronomy; see -Y3.

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botargo

relish of mullet or tunny roe. XVI. — It. bottarga, ult. of Gr. orig. (f. iá eggs, tárkhos salted fish).

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botch

put a patch on, repair clumsily XIV. of unkn. orig.

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both

XII. ME. bþe, be — ON. báðir = OS. bðia, OHG. bde, beide (G. beide); extended form of the base found in OE. ben, Goth. bai, and as the second element of L. amb, OSl. (Russ.) oba, Skr. ubháu, Av. uva both.

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bother

(dial.) bewilder with noise, confuse; pester, worry. XVIII. — Ir. bodhraim deafen. Hence bother sb. XIX.

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bottle

XIV. — OF. botele, botaille (mod. bouteille) :- medL. butticula, dim. of late L. buttis BUTT4.

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bottom

A
lowest surface or part OE.; valley, dell (surviving in place-names); foundation XV;

B
keel of ship, hull XVI. OE. botm = OS. bodom (Du. bodem), corr. with variation of suffix to ON. botn, and parallel to OE. bodan, corr. to OHG. bodam (G. boden ground, earth) :- Gmc. bubm- bun :- IE. bhudhm(e)n-, f. bhudh-, whence also L. fundus, Skr. budhná-, Sense B is from Du.
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bottomry

borrowing on the security of a ship. XVI. — Du. bodemerij, f. bodem BOTTOM; see -RY.

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botulism

poisoning by a bacillus found in infected sausages, etc. XIX. f. L. botulus sausage + -ISM, after G. botulismus.

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boudoir

lady's private room. XVIII. — F. boudoir prop. ‘place to sulk in’, f. bouder pout, sulk, of imit. origin.see OIR

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bougainvillaea

XIX. f. name of Louis Antoine de Bougainville , French navigator (1729–1811).

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bough

†shoulder; †(Sc.) limb; limb of a tree. OE. bg, bh = MLG. bch, bch (LG. boog), MDu. boech (Du. boeg), shoulders, bows of a ship, OHG. buog (G. bug), ON. bógr shoulder :- Gmc. bzuz :- IE. bhghús, repr. also by Gr. pâkhus, pêkhus fore-arm, Skr. bú- arm, etc.

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bouillon

broth. XVIII. — F., f. bouillir BOIL2.

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boulder

XIII. First as bulder ston, of Scand. orig.; Cf. Sw. dial. bullersten, buldurstajn; perh. orig. a stone that causes a rumbling noise in water (Cf. Sw. buller sb., bullra vb. rumble).

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boulevard

broad tree-lined walk. XVIII. — F. — G. bollwerk BULWARK; orig. applied to a promenade laid out on the horizontal portion of a rampart in a demolished fortification.

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bounce

First in the vb. (bunsen †beat, thump XIII); the application to loud explosive noise, blustering, and bounding like a ball appears in vb., sb., and int. in early XVI; poss. from LG., but perh. of independent imit. orig.

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bound1

†landmark XIII; boundary; pl. territory; limit of action XIV. — AN. bounde, OF. bun(n)e, bunde, bonde, earlier bodne :- medL. bodina, earlier butina, of unkn. orig. Cf. BOURN1. Hence bound vb. †limit XIV; form the boundary of XVII. boundless XVI.

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bound2

†ready XIII; prepared to go, destined XIV. ME. bn, boun — ON. búinn, pp. of búa prepare (Cf. BOWER1); the final d of bound (XVI) may be purely phonetic, as in SOUND3, but is prob. in part due to assoc. with BOUND3.

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bound3

obliged, fated, destined. XIV. Shortened form of BOUNDEN.

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bound4

†rebound; spring upwards. XVI. — (O)F. bondir resound, (later) rebound :- Rom. bombitre, for late L. bombitre, var. of bombilre. So bound sb. XVI. — F. bond.

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boundary

XVII. alt. of (dial.) bounder (XVI), f. BOUND1 vb. + -ER1.

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bounden

pp. (OE. bunden) of BIND, formerly used in various senses of the vb., in modern times mainly in the sense ‘beholden, indebted’ (XVI), and in echoes of the phr. bounden duty (XVI).

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bounder

A
(sl.) †four-wheeled dog-cart or trap;

B
(sl.) ill-bred fellow. XIX. f. BOUND4 + -ER1.
Top

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bounteous

XIV. ME. bounte(v)ous, f. OF. bontif, -ive benevolent (f. bonté BOUNTY); see -EOUS.

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bounty

†goodness, excellence; gracious liberality XIII; gift, gratuity XVIII. — (O)F. bonté :- L. bonits, -t-, f. bonus good; see -TY2. Hence bountiful XVI.

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bouquet

XVIII. — F. bouquet (earlier, clump of trees), f. dial. var. of OF. bo(i)s wood (Cf. BUSH1); see -ET.

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bourdon

†undersong XIV; (f. modF.) bass stop in an organ XIX. — (O)F. bourdon drone :- Rom. burd, -n-, of imit. orig. Cf. BURDEN2.

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bourgeois

XVI (orig., French citizen of the trading middle class). — (O)F. bourgeois, earlier burgeis (see BURGESS); adj. XVIII.

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bourn1

(arch.) boundary, limit. XVI. — (O)F. borne, earlier bodne BOUND1.

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bourn2

var. of BURN1.

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bourse

money exchange, spec. (B-.) French stock exchange. XIX. — F. bourse purse.

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boustrophedon

alternately from right to left and from left to right. XVII. — Gr., f. bos ox (see COW1) + stroph- (Cf. STROPHE).

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bout

†circuit; (dial.) length of a furrow and back again; round of exercise, fighting. XVI. var. of †bought (XV) bend, fold, turn, prob. — LG. bucht (see BIGHT); assoc. with bout, aphetic form of ABOUT.

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bovine

XIX. — late L. bovnus, f. L. bs, bov-; see COW1, -INE1.

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bow1

weapon for shooting arrows OE.; transf. to various bent objects XIV. OE. boga bow, rainbow, arch = OS. bogo, OHG. bogo (G. bogen), ON. bogi :- Gmc. bozan-, f. buz-, short stem of beuzan (Cf. BOW2).

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bow2

bend (esp. the body) OE.; cause to bend XIII; incline the head in salute XVII. OE. bgan = MLG. bgen, MDu. bghen (Du. buigen), corr. to OHG. biogan (G. biegen), Goth. biugan :- Gmc. beuzan (Cf. BOW1). The obvious connections outside Gmc. have -g- (to which Gmc. -k- should corr.), viz. L. fugere, Gr. phegein flee, Skr. bhuj bow, bend. Hence bow sb. XVII.

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bow3

fore-end of a boat XV. — LG. boog, Du. boeg; see BOUGH and Cf. BOWLINE, BOWSPRIT, which are earlier.

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bowdlerize

XIX. f. the name of Dr. T. Bowdler , who in 1818 published an edition of Shakespeare's works ‘in which those words and expressions are omitted which cannot with propriety be read aloud in a family’ see -IZE.

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bowel

intestine, gut. XIII. ME. b(o)uel — OF. b(o)uel, boiel (mod. boyau) :- L. botellus pudding, sausage, small intetine, dim. of botulus sausage.

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bower1

†dwelling; inner apartment, lady's apartment OE.; arbour XVI. OE. br = OS., OHG. br (G. bauer birdcage), ON. búr :- Gmc. braz, -am, f. b- dwell :- IE. bh- (see BE).

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bower2

either of two anchors carried at the bows. XVII. In full bower anchor, f. BOW3 + -ER1.

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bowie(-knife)

large slightly-curved knife. XIX. f. name of Colonel James Bowie (d. 1836).

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bowl1

basin. OE. bolla, bolle, corr. to OS. bollo cup, OHG. bolla bud, globular vessel.

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bowl2

†ball; globular body used in games; (pl.) game with bowls. XV. — (O)F. boule :- L. bulla (see BULL2). Hence as vb. XV.

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bowler

low-crowned stiff felt hat. XIX. f. name of John Bowler , London hatter.

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bowline

(naut.) rope connecting the weather side of a sail with the bow. XIII (in ONF. and AN. boeline XII–XIII). — MLG. blne, MDu. boechlijne, f. boeg BOW3 + lijne LINE1. So bowsprit spar running out from the stem of a vessel. XIII. — (M)LG. bgsprt, MDu. boechspriet (see SPRIT).

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box1

evergreen tree Buxus. OE. box — L. buxus — Gr. púxos.

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box2

receptacle of wood, etc. Late OE. box, prob. — buxem, for late L. buxidem, acc. of buxis, var. of L. pyxis (see PYX).

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box3

blow, slap (now usu. on the ear). XIV. of unkn. orig. Hence box vb. XVI; whence boxer pugilist XVIII.

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box4

phr. box the compass repeat the points of the compass in order and backwards; (fig.) make a complete revolution; (in full box-haul) veer a ship round on her keel. XVIII. prob. f. Sp. bojar (boxar) sail round — MLG. bgen to bend, bow, f. base of BOW1, BOW2.

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box-calf

XIX. f. name of Joseph Box , London bootmaker.

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boy

†male servant; youth or man of low estate; ‘fellow’, ‘knave’ XIII; young male child XIV; native servant, negro slave XVII. ME. boi(e), prob. aphetic — AN. abuié, embuié, pp. of OF. embuier fetter :- L. imboire, f. IM-1 + boia fetter — Gr. boeíai (doi) ox-hides, f. boûs ox, COW1. The primary meaning would be ‘man in fetters’, hence ‘slave’, ‘serf’.

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boycott

XIX (first used of the action of the Irish Land League against those who incurred its hostility). f. name of Captain C. C. Boycott (1832–97), who was a victim of such treatment as agent for the estates of the earl of Erne, Co. Mayo, Ireland, at the hands of the tenants.

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brace1

†guard for the arm XIV; pair, couple XV; clasp, strap XIV; (archit.) strengthening band; carpenter's tool to hold a bit XVI; (typogr.) bracket XVII. — OF. brace two arms or their extent (mod. brasse fathom) :- L. bracchia, pl. of bracchium arm (whence F. bras) — Gr. brakhín. Some senses depend upon BRACE2.

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brace2

†embrace, gird XIV; make tense or firm XV. — OF. bracier embrace, f. brace (see prec.); the later sense is direct from the sb.

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bracelet

XV. — (O)F. bracelet, dim. of bracel :- L. bracchile, f. bracchium arm; see BRACE1, -IAL.

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brachy-

comb. form of Gr. brakhús short, as in brachycephalic having a short or broad head XIX; brachlogy conciseness of speech XVII. — late L. — Gr.

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bracken

XIV. ME. braken — ON. brakni (Cf. Sw. bräken, Da. bregne).

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bracket

projection serving as a support XVI; (typogr.) one of the marks () [] { } XVIII (earlier brace). Earliest forms brag(g)et — F. braguette codpiece, or Sp. bragueta codpiece, bracket, dim. of F. bragues (pl.) breeches — Pr. braga, It. (arch.) braga (mod. braca, pl. brache breeches). The source is L. brca, pl. brcæ breeches, long hose, of Gaulish origin (see BREECH). It has been suggested that the bracket of architecture and ship-building was so called from its resemblance to a codpiece or a pair of breeches. See -ET.

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brackish

saltish. XVI. f. †brack salty, brine (XVI) — MLG., MDu. brac (LG., Du. brak), of unkn. orig.; see -ISH1.

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bract

(bot.) small leaf below calyx. XVIII. — L. bractea thin plate of metal, gold leaf. So bracteate XIX; see -ATE2.

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brad

thin flat small-headed nall. XV. var. of (dial.) brod shoot, spike, prick (XII) — ON. broddr = OE. brord point, spike, blade of grass, OHG. brort edge, margin :- Gmc. brozdaz. Hence bradawl XIX.

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brae

steep bank. XIII. Sc. and north. ME. br — ON. brá eyelash = OE. brw eyelid, OS., OHG. brwa (G. braue) eyebrow; the sense-development is parallel to that of BROW.

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brag

First as †adj. (XIII–XVII), which means (i) ‘spirited, brisk, mettlesome’, and (ii) ‘boastful’; sb. and vb. (XIV) denote arrogant, boastful, or pompous behaviour. of unkn. orig. So braggart XVI. — F. bragard, f. braguer vaunt, brag; see -ARD.

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braggadocio

idle boaster or swaggerer XVI; boasting XVIII. Spenser's name for his personification of vainglory (F.Q. II. iii. Argt.); f. r-less form of BRAGGART + -occio, It. augm. suffix.

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Brahmin

member of the priestly or learned caste of Hindus. XIV (bragman; cf. AL. Bragmannus XIII). Early forms reflect mainly late L. pl. Brachmnæ, -mni, -mnes, corr. to Gr. Brakhmânes — Skr. brhmaná- one of the caste, f. brahmán- priest.

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braid

†move with a sudden movement; interweave, plait OE.; (from the sb.) bind or ornament with braid XVIII. OE. str. vb. bredan = OS. bregdan, OHG. brettan, ON. bregða :- Gmc. brezóan, of unkn. orig. Hence braid sb. †sudden movement XIII; plait XVI; plaited fabric XVIII.

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brail

(naut.) pl. small ropes for trussing up sails. XV. — OF. brail, braiel :- medL. brcle waistbelt, f. brca (see BRACKET). Hence brail vb. XVII.

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braille

embossed printing for the blind, named after the inventor, Louis Braille (1809–52).

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brain

OE. bræen = MLG. bragen, bregen, (M)Du. brein :- Gmc. braznam, a word of the LG. area, prob. ult. rel. to Gr. brekhmós, bregmós forehead. Hence brain vb. XIV.

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braise

XVIII. — F. braiser, f. braise hot charcoal (Cf. BRAZIER2).

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brake1

thicket. OE. bracu, corr. to MLG. brake branch, etc.; prob. f. brak- brek- BREAK1, the orig. sense being ‘broken wood’ perh. reinforced in ME, from LG.

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brake2

fern, bracken. XIV. perh. shortening of BRACKEN, through the apprehension of this as a pl. form.

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brake3

apparatus for retarding the motion of a wheel. XVIII. prob. spec. use of †brake bridle, curb (XV-XVIII) — MDu. braeke, rel. to breken BREAK1.

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brake4

see BREAK2.

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bramble

OE. bræmbel, later form of brmel, brmel, f. the base repr. in OE. brm BROOM; see -LE1.

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bran

XIII. ME. bran, bren — (O)F. bran, †bren bran, (now) excrement, filth; of unkn. orig.

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branch

XIII. — (O)F. branche :- late L. branca, of unkn. orig.

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brand1

piece of burning wood OE.; mark made with a hot iron; stigma XVI; trade-mark XIX. OE. brand = OHG. brant (G. brand), ON. brandr :- Gmc. brandaz, f. bran- bren- BURN2. Hence brand vb. XIV.

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brand2

(poet.) sword. OE. brand = MHG. brant, ON. brandr; perh. a use of prec.

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brandish

XIV. — (O)F. brandiss-, lengthened stem of brandir :- Rom. brandre, f. Gmc. brandaz BRAND2; see -ISH2.

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brand-new, bran-new

XVI. perh. f. BRAND1 + NEW, as if meaning ‘fresh from the furnace’.

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brandy

XVII. Earlier brand(e)wine, alt. later to brandy wine, whence ellipt. brandy — Du. brandewijn, f. branden burn, roast, distil (f. brand fire, BRAND1) + wijn WINE.

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brant-goose

see BRENT.

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brash

brittle XVI; rash, impetuous XIX; ‘raw’, showy XX; of unkn. orig.

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brass

OE. bræs = OFris. bres, MLG. bras; of unkn. orig.

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brassie, brassy

wooden golf-club shod with brass. XIX. f. BRASS + -Y1.

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brassiere

XX. — F. brassière camisole, etc., f. bras arm (see BRACE1).

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brat

XVI. of unkn. orig.

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bravado

XVI. — Sp. bravata (- It., f. bravo BRAVO), with alt. of suffix (see -ADO).

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brave

XV. — F. brave — It. bravo bold, accomplished, or Sp. bravo courageous, fine :- Rom. brabus, for L. barbarus BARBAROUS, through brabarus. So brave vb. XVI. — F. braver, f. brave (after It. bravare). bravery XVI. — F. braverie or It. braveria.

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bravo

cry of approval. XVIII. — F. — It. (see prec.).

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bravura

XVIII. — It., f. bravo BRAVE; see -URE.

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braw

(Sc.) fine, excellent. XVI. var. of brawf, BRAVE.

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brawl

vb.
XIV, sb. XV. of unkn. orig., perh. imit.

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brawn

fleshy part, muscle; flesh of the boar or swine, now esp. as collared, boiled, etc. XIV. — AN. braun, OF. braon fleshy part, esp. of the hind leg — Gmc. brdon (OHG. brto, G. braten roast flesh; Cf. synon. OE. brde, and brdan roast); prob. ult. rel. to BREATH, BROOD.

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bray1

†cry out XIII; of animals, now esp. of the ass XIV. — (O)F. braire :- Rom. bragere, perh. of Celtic orig.

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bray2

crush small. XIV. — AN. braier, OF. breier (mod. broyer) — Gmc. brekan BREAK1.

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brazen

made of brass. OE. bræsen, f. bræs BRASS; see -EN3. Hence brazen vb. face impudently. XVI.

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brazier1

worker in brass. XIV. prob. f. BRASS on the model of glass, glazier.

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brazier2

pan for holding burning charcoal, etc. XVII. — F. brasier, f. braise hot coals (see BRAISE).

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breach

breaking XIV; gap in a fortification XV. — (O)F. brèche :- Gallo-Rom. brecca — Frankish breka, f. brek- BREAK1; cf. OHG. brecha.

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bread

OE. brad = OS., (M)LG. brd, OHG. brt (G. brot), ON. brauð :- Gmc. brauðam, of unkn. orig.

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breadth

XVI. f. †brde breadth (OE. brdu, OHG. breiti (G. breite), ON. breidd, Goth. braidei :- Gmc. braidjn, abstr. sb. f. braid- BROAD) + -TH1; Cf. LENGTH, WIDTH.

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break1

sever into parts. OE. brecan = OS. brekan, OHG. brehhan (G. brechen), Goth. brikan :- Gmc. brekan; IE. base bhreg- bhrg-, whence also L. frangere break. The pt. brake began to be displaced in XV by broke (after the pp. broken ).

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break2, brake

carriage-frame; large waggonette. XIX. perh. identical with †brake cage, rack (XVI), frame (XVII), of unkn. orig.

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breaker1

one who or that which breaks XII; heavy ocean-wave breaking on the shore XVII. f. BREAK1 + -ER1.

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breaker2

(naut.) small keg. XIX. — Sp. bareca, var. of barrica, f. stem repr. in BARREL.

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breakfast

XV. f. phr. break one's fast (XIV); see BREAK1, FAST2.

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bream

fresh-water fish of genus Abramis. XIV. — OF. bre(s)me (mod. brème) — WGmc. bre?sman- beside bra?sman- (OS. bressemo, OHG. brahsema (G. brachsen, brassen)).

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breast

OE. brost (freq. in pl.) = OS. briost, ON. brjóst :- Gmc. breustam, parallel to a fem. cons.-stem brusts repr. by OHG., G. brust, Goth. brusis.

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breath

†odour OE.; †vapour, respiration XIII; air from the lungs XIV. OE. brð odour, exhalation :- Gmc. brþaz :- IE. bhrtos, f. bhré- burn. heat, as in OE. brdan roast, and BROOD. Hence breathe XIII.

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breech

usu. pl. breeches OE. br. (pl. only) = OS. brk, OHG. bruoh, ON. brók :- Gmc. brks, of uncert. orig.

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breed

vb.
OE. brdan = OHG. bruotan (G. brüten) :- WGmc. brdjan, f. brd- BROOD. Hence breed sb. XVI.

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breeze1

†north(-east) wind XVI; cool wind from the sea (or land) on tropical coasts; light wind XVII. prob. — OSp., Pg. briza (Sp. brisa) north-east wind.

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breeze2

small cinders, XVIII. — F. braise, earlier brese hot charcoal, half-burnt coal.

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brent(-goose),

also brant-goose, kind of wild goose, Bernicla brenta. XVI. perh. rel. (with ref. to variegation of colour) to branded, brended, brinded (all XVI), for which see BRINDLED.

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brethren

pl.
of BROTHER.

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breve

ME. breve (XIII), var. of BRIEF in various senses; (mus.) orig. the shortest note of the series large, long, breve (XV), after medL. brevis; in mod. usage (XVII), after It. breve, note equal to two semibreves, the longest now used.

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brevet

official document granting privileges XIV; (in the army) XVII. — (O)F. brevet, f. br(i)ef BRIEF1; see -ET.

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breviary

†epitome XVI; (eccl.) book containing the Divine Office for the year XV. — L. brevirium summary, abridgement. f. brevire abridge, ABBREVIATE.

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brevity

XVI. — AN. breveté, (O)F. brièveté, f. bref, fem. briève BRIEF2; see -ITY.

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brew

make ale, beer, etc. OE. browan = OS. breuwan, OHG. briuwan, brwan (G. brauen, bräuen), ON. brugga :- Gmc. breu(w)an, f. IE. bhreu- bhru-. Hence brewery XVIII. prob. — Du. brouwerij; earlier brewhouse XIV. brewster brewer (see -STER).

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briar1,2

see BRIER1, BRIER2.

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bribe

†purloin, steal XIV; corrupt by means of gifts XVI. — OF. bri(ni)ber beg. be a mendicant = Sp. bribar beg. of unkn. orig. So briber †thief, vagabond, scoundrel XIV; †one who levies blackmail or accepts bribes; one who gives bribes XVI. orig. — AN. bribour, OF. bribeur beggar, vagabond; later f. the vb.; see -ER1. bribery †theft XIV; †exaction of money; offer or acceptance of bribes XVI. — OF. briberie. Hence bribe sb. XV.

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bric-à-brac

XIX. — F., f. phr. †à bric et à brac at random, of unkn. orig.

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brick

XV. prob. introduced by Flemish workmen and so — MLG., MDu. bri(c)ke (whence also (O)F. brique, which prob. reinforced the adoption from LG.); of unkn. orig.

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brickbat

piece of brick XVI; (fig.) un-complimentary remark, etc. XVII. f. BRICK + BAT1 (in sense †lump XIV, †piece of brick XVI).

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bridal

(arch., except in attrib. use, which from late XVI has been furthered by assoc. with adjs. in -AL1) wedding feast, (later) wedding. Late OE. brdealu, f. brd BRIDE (in attrib. use equivalent to ‘marriage’) + ealu ALE, i.e. ale-drinking.

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bride

OE. brd = OS. brd, OHG. brt (G. braut), ON. brúðr, Goth. brþs :- Gmc. brðiz, of unkn. orig. Hence bridegroom OE. brdguma = OS. brdigomo, OHC. brtigomo (G. bräutigam). ON. brúðgumi, alt. by assim. to GROOM. bridesmaid XVIII, earlier bridemaid XVI.

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bridge1

elevated structure (often arched over water) forming a passageway between two points. OE. bry. = OS. bruggia, OHG. brucca (G. brücke), ON. bryggja :- Gmc. bruzj. Hence vb. OE. bry.ian.

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bridge2

card game based on whist. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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bridle

OE. brdel = OFris. brdel, (M)Du, breidel, OHG. brittil; WGmc. deriv. of brezd-; see BRAID, -LE1. Hence bridle vb. OE. brdlian.

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brief1

letter of authority XIV; letter patent from the sovereign as head of the Church XVI; (leg.) summary of the facts of a case for the instruction of counsel XVII. — AN. bref, OF. brief :- L. breve (in late L., summary), n. of brevis (see next).

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brief2

of short duration. XIV. ME. bref — (O)F. bref :- L. brevis. Cf. BREVITY.

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brier1, briar1

prickly bush OE.; species of wild rose XVI. OE. (Angl.) brr, (WS.) brr, of unkn. orig.

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brier2, briar2

white heath, Erica arborea, the root of which is used for tobacco pipes. XIX (bruyer). — (O)F. bruyère heath :- Gallo-Rom. brcria, f. brcus — Gaulish brko; assim. in form to prec.

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brig

XVIII. Shortening of BRIGANTINE2, but applied to a ship of a different rig.

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brigade

XVII. — (O)F. brigade — It. brigata troop, company, f. brigare be busy with, f. briga strife, contention, which has been referred to Gmc. brekan BREAK; see -ADE. So brigadier XVII. — F.

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brigand

†light-armed irregular foot-soldier XIV; bandit XV. — (O)F. — It. brigante, sb. use of prp. of brigare (see prec.). Hence brigandage XVI; after F.

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brigandine, brigantine1

chain or body armour. XV. — (O)F. brigandine, f. brigand BRIGAND (in the earlier sense): see -INE3.

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brigantine2

†small vessel attending on larger ships XVI; two-masted vessel XVII. — F. brigantin — It. brigantino, f. brigante; see BRIGAND, -INE2.

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bright

OE. beorht, Anglian berht, late Nhb. breht = OS. ber(a)ht. OHG. beraht, -eht, ON. bjartr, Goth. bairhts :- Gmc. ber?taz, f. IE. bhereg-, repr. also by Skt. bhrjate shine, Lith. brkta dawns, W. berth beautiful.

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brill

flat-fish, Scophthalmus rhombus, having brilliant spots. XV. Also brell, prylle XV, prill XVII, pearl XVII–XIX, of obscure connections and unkn. orig.

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brilliant

XVII (not frequent before XVIII). — F. brillant, prp. of briller shine — It. brillare, of unkn. orig. See BERYL.

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brim

†border, margin, brink XIII; edge of a cup, etc.; projecting rim of a hat XVI. of obscure history, but corr. in sense to MHG. brem (G. brä(h)me), ON. barmr edge.

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brimstone

sulphur. XII. The earliest forms are brynstan etc., continued as brinston etc. till XVI; prob. f. OE. bryne ( = ON. bruni) burning + STONE; a common ME. var. brenston is due to ON. brennisteinn; forms in brim-appear c. 1300.

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brindled

brown with streaks of other colour. XVII. alt. (prob. by assoc. with grizzled, speckled) of (arch.) brinded (XVI), earlier †brended (XV), f. †brende, prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. ON. bröndttr brindled, f. brandr burning).

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brine

OE. brne = MDu. brne (Du. brijn), of unkn. orig.

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bring

OE. bringan = OS., OHG. bringan (G. bringen), Goth. briggan :- Gmc. brenzan.

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brink

XIII. ME. also brenk — ON. brenkn, corr. to MLG. brink edge of a field, (brow of ) a hill (whence G. brink hill), MDu. brinc (Du. brink grassland), of unkn. orig.

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briony

see BRYONY.

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briquette

block of compressed coal-dust. XIX. — F., dim. of brique BRICK; see -ETTE.

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brisk

†smart, spruce XVI; quick and active; sharp (in various senses) XVI. prob. — F. brusque BRUSQUE, but the connection of sense is not clear.

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brisket

breast of a beast. XIV (brusket). prob.- AN. brusket, brisket, vars. of OF. bruschet, etc. (mod. bréchet), poss. f. ON. brjósk cartilage, gristle; see -ET.

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bristle

sb.
XIII. ME. brüstel, bristel, brestel, pointing to OE. brystel, byrstel, corr. to OS. brustil, (M)Du. borstel, f. the base repr. by OE. byrst bristle, OHG. burst (G. borste), ON. burst, bursti.

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Britain

XIII. ME. Bretayne — OF. Bretaigne (mod. -agne) :- L. Brittania, -annia, f. Brit(t)ann Britons = Gr. Bret(t)anoí, Pret(t)anoí. (OE. Breoten, Breten, Bryten — L. Brittones; cf. BRITISH.)

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British

pert. to ancient Britons OE.; pert. to Great Britain XIV. OE. Brettisc, Brit-, Bryt-, f. Bret, pl. Brettas, etc., based on L. Britt (pl. Brittones), or OCelt. Britto or Brittos; see -ISH1.

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Briton

XIII. — (O)F. Breton — L. Britt, -n- (see prec.).

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brittle

ME. britil, bretil, brütil point to deriv. from bryt-, f. mutated form of Gmc. brut-, weak grade of breutan (OE. brotan = ON. brjta) break up, of unkn. orig. See -LE2.

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broach

A
†pointed rod or pin; roasting-spit XIV; church spire XVI; tapered boring-bit XVIII.

B (f. the vb.)
†perforation with a tap XV. — (O)F. broche spit (see BROOCH).
Top
So broach vb. pierce XIV; give vent to XVI. — (O)F. brocher.

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broad

OE. brd = OS. brd, (O)HG. breit, ON. breiðr, Goth. braiþs :- Gmc. braiþaz, of unkn. orig.

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brocade

textile fabric with raised figures. XVII. Earlier broca(r)do (XVI) — Sp., Pg. brocado, with blending of F. brocart — It. broccato, lit. ‘embossed stuff’, f. broco twisted thread; see -ADE.

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broccoli

kind of cauliflower. XVII. — It. broccoli, pl. of broccolo cabbage sprout or head, dim. of brocco shoot.

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broch

(archaeol.) prehistoric tower-like structure in north. Scotland. XVII (brugh, brogh, burgh). var. of BURGH.

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brochure

XVIII. — F., lit. ‘stitching’, f. brocher stitch; see -URE.

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brock

(dial.) badger. OE. broc(c) — OBrit. brokkos (W., Corn., Bret. broch, Ir., Gael. broc, OIr. brocc).

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brogue1

rough shoe of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands XVI; pl. †hose, trousers XVII; strong outdoor shoe XIX. — Ir., Gael. brg (OIr. bróc) — ON. brók (see BREECH).

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brogue2

strongly marked provincial (esp. Irish) accent. XVII. perh. the same word as prec. used in playful allusion to the foot-gear of Ir. or Sc. speakers.

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broil1

turmoil, quarrel. XVI. f. †broil vb. confuse, disturb (cf. EMBROIL) — AN. broiller, (O)F. brouiller, earlier brooillier :- Rom. brodiculre. Cf. IMBROGLIO.

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broil2

†burn XIV; grill XIV. Earliest forms (Sc.) brulze, broille, bru(y)le — OF. bru(s)ler (mod. brúler) burn :- Rom. brustulre, perh. f. Gmc. brun- bren- BURN2 + L. stulre burn up.

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broker

†pedlar, small trader; second-hand dealer; middleman XIV; appraiser or seller of distrained goods XIX. Late ME. broco(u)r — AN. brocour, beside abrocour, corr. to Pr. abrocador broker, abrocatge brokerage, beside brocatge charge on wine; of unkn. orig. Hence brokerage XV; repl. †brokage (XIV) — AN. brocage.

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brolly

(colloq.) unexpl. alt. of UMBRELLA. XIX.

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bromine

(chem.) non-metallic element. XIX. f. F. brome (formerly also used in Eng.), f. Gr. brômos stink + -INE5; so named from its strong irritating smell.

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bronchia

branches of the bronchi. XVII. — late L. — Gr. n. pl. brógkhia, f. brógkhos windpipe, whence late L. bronchus , pl. bronchi the branches of the windpipe. So bronchial XVIII, bronchitis XIX. — modL.

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bronco

(U.S.) half-tamed horse. XIX. — Sp. bronco rough. rel. to OF. bronche, It. bronco block, lump.

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brontosaurus

XIX. f. Gr. bront thunder + saûros lizard.

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bronze

XVIII. — F. — It. bronzo, of uncert. orig.

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brooch

XIII. — (O)F. broche spit, long needle :- Rom. brocca spike, sb. use of fem. of L. brocc(h)us projecting.

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brood

progeny, offspring. OE. brd, corr. to OHG. bruot (G. brut. f. Gmc. brd-, f. br warm, heat. Hence brood vb. sit on eggs XV. hover over XVI; meditate intensely XVIII. broody (a broody hen) inclined to sit OE.; †prolific. OE. brdi; see -Y1.

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brook1

small stream. OE. brc, corr. to LG. and HG. words meaning ‘marsh, bog’, MLG. brk. (M)Du. broek, OHG. bruoh (G. bruch); of unkn. orig.

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brook2

†enjoy. use OE.; (lit.) put up with, endure XVI. OE. brcan str. vb. = OS. brkan, OHG. brhhan (G. brauchen use, want, need) (cf. Goth. brkjan). f. Gmc. brk- make use of :- IE. bhrug-, whence L. fru enjoy (see FRUIT). Weak inflexions occur XIV.

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broom

yellow-flowered shrub OE.; sweeping implement, orig. one of broom †wigs XV. OE. brm, corr. to MLG. brm, OHG. brmo, brma (cf. G. brombeere blackberry), also MLG. brme, brumme. Cf. BRAMBLE.

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broth

OE. broð = OHG. brod, ON. broð :- Gmc. broþam, f. bru-, base of BREW.

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brothel

†worthless fellow XIV; †prostitute XV; bawdy-house XVI. ME. bropel, f. OE. broðen gone to ruin, pp. of broðan deteriorate, degenerate, of unkn. orig. In the present sense, short for †brothel-house, etc., by assoc. with earlier †bordel (- (O)F.), which it superseded.

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brother

OE. brðor, OS. brðar, OHG. bruodar (G. bruder), ON. bróðir, Goth. brpar :- Gmc. brþar :- IE. bhrter, whence Skr. bhrtr, Gr. phrtr, L. frter, OSl. bratr, OCelt. brter (Ir., Gael. brathair, W. brawd, Breton breur).

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brougham

one-horse closed carriage. XIX. f. name of Henry Peter, Lord Brougham (1778–1868).

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brow

†eyelash, eyelid; arch of hair above the eye OE.; projecting edge of a hill, etc. XV; forehead XVI. OE. br :- Gmc. brs :- IE. bhrs, whence also Gr. ophrs, Lith. bruvis, Skr. bhrûs.

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brown

OE. brn = OS., OHG. brn (Du. bruin, G. braun), ON. brn :- Gmc. brnaz. Reinforced in ME. from (O)F. brun — Gmc. OE. brn, ME. broun, ON. brúnn, OHG. brn were applied to burnished or glistening surfaces; see BURNISH.

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brownie

benevolent sprite. XVI. f. BROWN + -ie -Y6.

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browse

sb.
young shoots and twigs, cattlefodder; vb. crop and eat, feed on leaves, etc. XVI. ult. — early mod. F. broust (now brout) bud. young shoot, brouster (now brouter) crop. prob. of Gmc. orig.; but the loss of t in Eng. is difficult to account for.

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Bruin, bruin

common or brown bear. XVII. — Du. bruin BROWN, used as a proper name in ‘Reynard the Fox’ (whence its isolated early occurrence in Caxton's transl.).

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bruise

(orig.) crush, mangle, (now) injure by a blow. or pressure without breaking skin. OE. brsan (whence ME. brüse, brise), rel. to OE. brosnian crumble, decay. With this coalesced brüse, bro(y)se, later bruise — AN. bruser, OF. bruisier (mod. briser) break, smash. of unkn. orig. Hence bruise sb. †breach XV; contusion XVI.

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bruit

(arch.) noise, rumour. XV. — (O)F. bruit, sb. use of pp. of bruire roar :- Rom. brgere, alt. of L. rugre roar by assoc. with bragere BRAY1. Hence as vb. XV.

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brumby

(Austral.) wild or unbroken horse. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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Brummagem

counterfeit, sham. XVII. dial. form of the name of Birmingham, England, used allusively, orig. with ref. to the counterfeit groats made there c. 1680, more recently to the cheap plated and lacquer ware manufactured there.

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brunette

XVII. — (O)F. brunette, fem. of brunet, dim. of brun BROWN; see -ETTE.

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brunt

†blow, attack XIV; shock; (chief') stress XVI. of unkn. orig.

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brush1

(dial.) loppings of trees XIV: (U.S., etc.) thicket XVI. ME. brusche — AN. brousse, OF. broce, brosse (whence F. broussaille) :- Rom. bruscia, perh. f. L. bruscum excrescence on the maple.

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brush2

utensil for sweeping, etc. XIV. — OF. broisse, (also mod.) brosse, perh. to be identified with prec.; cf. BROOM. Hence vb. XV.

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brush3

†rush XIV; move briskly by, past, etc. XVII. poss. — OF. brosser go through brushwood, f. brosse BRUSH1. Hence sb. forcible rush or encounter. XIV.

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brusque

XVII. — F. brusque lively, fierce, harsh — It. brusco sour(-looking), tart, a use of the sb. = Sp., Pg. brusco butcher's broom :- Rom. bruscum, perh. blend of L. rscum butcher's broom with brcus heather (see BRIER2). Cf. BRISK.

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brutal

†animal XV; inhuman, brutish XVI. — (O)F. brutal or medL. brutlis, f. L. brtus BRUTE + -AL1. Hence brutality XVI. brutalize XVIII. — F. So brute adj. (esp. in brute beast) of the lower animals XV; brutish; irrational XVI; sb. lower animal XVII. — F. brut(e) — L. brtus heavy, stupid, dull. Hence brutish XV; see -ISH1.

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bryology

science of mosses. XIX. f. Gr. brúon mossy seaweed + -LOGY.

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bryony

climbing plant of genus Bryonia. XVI. — L. brynia — Gr. bruní. Earlier †brione (XIV) — OF. brione.

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Brythonic

pert. to the Celts of South Britain. XIX. f. W. Brython Britons (:- Celtic Brittones. pl. of Britto BRITTON) + -IC.

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bubble

sb. and vb.
XIV. prob. imit., like the parallel Du. bobbel(en), G. dial. bobbel, bubbel, -en, Sw. bubla, Da. boble; perh. in part a modification of the earlier BURBLE.

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bubo

inflamed swelling in groin or armpits. XIV. — medL. bub, -n- swelling — Gr. boubðn groin, swelling in groin. Hence bubonic XIX.

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buccal

pert. to the cheek(s). XIX. f. L. bucca cheek, mouth; see -AL1.

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buccaneer

†curer of flesh on a barbecue; sear-over. XVII. — F. boucanier, f. boucaner cure flesh on a boucan or barbecue (Tupi mokaém). The sb. and vb. boucan, buccan (from the F. sb. and vb.) appear earlier in XVII. The orig. application was to French and English hunters of oxen and swine in San Domingo and Tortugas.

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buck

A
male of deer; †he-goat OE.;

B
†fellow XIV; gay, dashing man XVIII.
i
OE. buc male deer = OHG. boc (G. bock), ON. bukkr, bokkr :- Gmc. bukkaz;
ii
OE. bucca he-goat = ON. bokki my good fellow, old buck :- bukkan-; prob. of IE. orig. (cf. OIr. bocc he-goat, Arm. buc lamb, Av. bza-, Skr. bukka- he-goat).
Top
Hence buck vb. (dial.) dress up (i.e. like a ‘buck’ or smart fellow); (sl.) cheer up; hurry up XIX.

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bucket

XIII. — AN. buket, buquet tub, pail (cf. AL. bo-, bukettum XIII), perh. f. OE. bc belly, pitcher = MLG, bk, OHG. bh (G. bauch), ON. búkr body; see -ET.

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buckle

sb.
XIV. — (O)F. boucle metal ring, boss of a shield :- L. buccula cheek-strap of a helmet, boss of a shield, dim. of bucca cheek. Hence buckle vb. fasten with a buckle XIV; (after F. boucler) bend under stress XVI. See -CLE.

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buckler

small round shield. XIII. ME. boc(e)ler — OF. bocler, b(o)ucler (mod. bouclier), orig. adj. in escu boucler shield having a boss. f. boucle boss (see prec.) + — er -ER2.

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buckram

†fine linen or cotton fabric XIV; coarse linen or cloth stiffened XV. ME. boker(h)am — AN. bukeram, OF. boquerant (mod. bougran), obscurely f. Bukhara, name of a town in Turkistan.

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buckshee

(sl.) extra rations; adj., adv. gratuitous(ly). XIX. alt. of BAKSHEESH.

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buckthorn

shrub Rhamnus catharticus. XVI. f. BUCK + THORN; transl. modL. cervi spina ‘stag's horn’.

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buckwheat

ceral of genus Fagopyrum. XVI. — MDu. boecweite, MLG. bkwte (LG. bookweten), f. boek, bk (see BEECH) + weite WHEAT.

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bucolic

pastoral, rustic; sb. pl. pastoral poems. XVI. — L. bcolicus — Gr. boukolikós, f. boukólos herdsman, f. boûs ox (see COW1); see -IC.

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bud1

flower or leaf not opened. XIV. ME. bodde, budde, of unkn. orig. Hence bud vb. XIV.

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bud2

(U.S.) infantile or negro alt. of BROTHER. Also buddy (-Y6). XIX.

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budge

stir. XVI. — (O)F. bouger, prob. = Pr. bolegar disturb oneself, It. bulicare bubble up :- Rom. bullicre bubble, f. L. bulla bubble.

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Budgerigar

XIX. Austral. aboriginal name, f. budgeri good + gar cockatoo.

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budget

†pouch, wallet XV; bundle, stock XVI; annual estimate made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer (who was formerly said to ‘open his budget’) XVIII. — OF. bougette, dim. of bouge leather bag :- L. bulga; see -ET.

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buff1

blow, buffet (surviving only in BLINDMAN'S-BUFF). XV. — OF. buffe BUFFET1.

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buff2

A
†buffalo, wild OX XVI;

B
(earlier buff leather) leather of buffalo hide, hence of ox hide; military attire (orig. of this leather) XVI; the bare skin XVII;
Top

C
light brownish-yellow (hence as adj.) XVIII. prob. — F. buffle BUFFALO.
Top

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buffalo

XVI. prob. immed. — Pg. bufalo (mod. bufaro). corr. to It. bufalo (whence F. buffle) :- late L. bufalus, L. bbalus — Gr. boúbalos antelope, wild ox.

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buffer1

fellow. XVIII. prob. ult. from an imit. base buff -blow, puff, make the sound of a soft blow, whence the meanings ‘stammerer’ XIV, ‘soft fellow’ (dial.); see next.

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buffer2

device for deadening the force of concussion. XIX. prob. f. buff vb., sound as a soft body when struck.

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buffet1

blow. XIII. — OF. (now dial.) buffet, dim. of buffe, of imit. orig. So buffet vb. XIII.

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buffet2

sideboard, cupboard in a recess XVIII; refreshment bar XIX. — F., of unkn. orig.

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buffoon

clown. XVI. — F. bouffon — It. buffone, f. buffare puff (prob. with allusion to puffing out the cheeks as a comic gesture), of imit. orig.; see -OON.

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bug1

†object of dread. XIV. The earliest of several words of similar form and meaning, the connections of which are obscure; viz. †bog, †boggard, (dial.) bogle, bogle-bo, BUGABOO, BUGBEAR, and the more recent BOGEY. Comparison with W. bwg, bwgan ghost, hobgoblin, bwgwl fear, threat, is inevitable, but it is uncertain how these forms are related.

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bug2

insect, beetle; bed-bug. Cimex lectularius. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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bugaboo

bogey, bugbear, XVIII. prob. of dial. orig.; cf. W. bwcibo the Devil (bwci hobgblin, bo scarecrow), Corn. buccaboo. See BUG1.

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bugbear

†hobgoblin; object of dread. XVI. app. f. BUG1 + BEAR1.

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bugger

sodomite XVI (bouguer, bowgard); (vulgar) coarse term of abuse; also fellow, chap XVIII. — MDu. — (O)F. bougre †heretic, (arch.) sodomite, (colloq.) ‘chap’ :- medL. Bulgarus Bulgarian, heretic (the Bulgarians being so regarded as belonging to the Greek Church). So buggery XIV. — MDu. buggerie (OF. bouguerie).

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buggy

light horse-vehicle. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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bugle1

†buffalo, bull; kind of horn (short for bugle horn horn of a wild ox used as a drinking vessel and as a musical instrument). XIV. — OF. bugle :- L. bculus, dim. of bs ox (see COW1).

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bugle2

plant of the genus Ajuga. XIII. — late L. bugula.

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bugle3

tubular glass bead. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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bugloss

boraginaceous plant. XV. — F. buglosse or L. bglssus — Gr. boúglssos lit. ‘ox-tongued’, f. boûs ox (see COW1) + glôssa tongue (cf. GLOSS).

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build

OE. byldan (cf. bylda builder), f. bold dwelling, house, var. of botl = OS. bodl, ON. ból :- Gmc. buþlam, f. b- dwell (see BOWER1).

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bulb

†onion XVI; ‘root’ of onion, etc. XVII; roundish dilatation, spec. of a glass tube XVIII. — L. bulbus = Gr. bólbos onion, bulbous root. Hence bulbous XVI; cf. F. bulbe (XVI), bulbeux.

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bulge

†wallet, pouch XIII; bottom of a ship's hull XVII; (f. the vb.) protuberance XVIII. — (O)F. bouge — L. bulga leathern sack, bag, of Gaulish orig.; the second sense is of obscure orig. (cf. BILGE). Hence bulge vb. stave in the bottom of a ship; also intr. XVI; protrude XVII.

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bulk

A
cargo (in bulk, in large unbroken quantities) XIV; †heap XV;

B
†belly, trunk, body XIV; large body, huge frame XVI;
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C
magnitude, volume, mass XV. In A — ON. (cf. OIcel. búlki cargo); in B perh. at first an alt. of †bouk, OE. bc belly = OS, bk, OHG. bh (G. bauch), ON. búkr :- Gmc. búkaz; in C prob. transf. use of either A or B.
Top
Hence bulk vb. (in several unconnected uses) XVI. bulky XV.

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bulkhead

upright partition in a ship XV; roof of a stall XVIII. f. †bulk stall (- ON. bálkr partition, etc.) + HEAD.

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bull1

male of the ox, etc. Late OE. bula (in place-names), ME. bole — ON. boli, corr, to MLG. bulle, MDu. bulle, bolle (Du. bul), f. a base whence the OE. dim. bulluc BULLOCK.

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bull2

papal edict XIII; official seal XIV. — (O)F. bulle — L. bulla bubble, round object, in medL. seal, sealed document; cf. BOIL2.

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bull3

†jest; expression containing contradiction in terms or implying ludicrous inconsistency. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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bullace

species of wild plum. XIV. — OF. buloce, (also mod.) beloce sloe :- Rom. bullucea, f. bulluca, perh. of Gaul. orig.

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bulldose, bulldoze

(U.S.) intimidate (orig. Negroes) by violence. XIX. f. BULL1, the second element being uncertain. Hence bulldozer XIX (person), XX (machine).

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bullet

†cannon-ball; ball for small-arms. XVI. — F. boulette, dim. of boule ball (BOWL2).

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bulletin

†note, warrant, etc. XVII; short account or report XVIII. — F. — It. bulletino, boll- safe conduct, pass. f. bulletta passport, lottery ticket, dim. of bulla BULL2.

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bullfinch1

finch of the genus Pyrrhula. XIV. f. BULL1 + FINCH: so called from its large head and squat form.

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bullfinch2

high quickset hedge with a ditch. XIX. The first el. is presumably BULL1; the second el. may be a corruption of fence.

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bullion

XIV. — AN. bullion, which appears to mean ‘mint’, var. of (O)F. bouillon :- Rom. bullio, -n- boiling. f. L. bullre BOIL2.

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bullock

Late OE. bulluc, dim. of BULL1; see -OCK.

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bully1

†sweetheart; fine fellow XVI; bravo. swashbuckler, (hence) tyrannical coward XVII; †hired ruffian; †protector of prostitutes XVIII. prob. — (M)Du. boel(e) (MHG. buole, G. buhle) used as a term of endearment or reproach.

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bully2

(now esp. U.S.) capital, first rate. XVII. perh. arising from attrib. use of prec.

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bully3

(also bully beef) corned beef. XVIII. — F. bouilli boiled beef, sb. use of pp. of bouillir BOIL2.

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bullyrag, ballyrag

(orig. U.S.) †bully; use abusive language of. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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bulrush

XV. perh. f. BULL1 (as later used in BULLFINCH1, bull-frog, in the sense ‘large’ or ‘coarse’) + RUSH1.

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bulwark

rampart, fortification XV; raised side of a ship XIX. immed. source doubtful, but prob. ult. a comp. of the words repr. by BOLE and WORK; cf. late MHG. bolwerk ballista, fortification.

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bum

fundament, buttocks. XIV. ME. bom, of unkn. orig. Hence bum-bailiff XVII.

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bumble-bee

XVI. f. †bumble frequent. of ME. bumme, bumbe, bombe boom, buzz (see -LE3) + BEE. Cf. HUMBLE-BEE.

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Bumbledom

official pomposity and stupidity. XIX. f. Bumble (prob. to be assoc. with prec.) name of the domineering beadle in Dickens's ‘Oliver Twist’; see -DOM.

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bumboat

†scavenger's boat on the Thames XVII; boat for the carriage of small merchandise XVII. prob. f. Du. bom bluff-bowed fishing-boat.

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bummalo

small fish. Harpodon nehereus, of S. Asia. XVII. perh. — Marathi bombl(a).

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bummaree

middleman in the fish trade at Billingsgate. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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bump

imit. of a heavy dull blow; its result, swelling, protuberance. XVI. The sb. and vb. appear about the same time; perh. of Scand. orig.; cf. MDa. bumpe strike with fist. Hence bump vb. †swell, bulge XVI; strike heavily XVII. bumper full glass of drink XVII; anything unusually large XIX; f. †bumping (XVI) prp. adj. huge, ‘thumping’.

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bumpkin

XVI. The earliest ex., with the gloss Batavus Batavian, suggests that it was orig. applied joc. to Dutchmen; perh. — Du. boomken little tree, or MDu. bommekijn little barrel, used fig. for ‘squat figure’.

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bumptious

XIX. joc. f. BUMP. after FRACTIOUS; cf. the fig. uses of bounce and bounder.

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bun1

kind of cake. XIV. ME. bunne, of unkn. orig.

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bun2

(now U.S.) squirrel XVI; (dial.) rabbit XIX. Cf. BUNNY. Of unkn. orig.

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bunch

†hump, swelling XIV; †bundle XIV; collection of similar things XVI. of unkn. orig.

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buncombe

early var. of BUNKUM.

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bundle

A
† bandage XIV;

B
collection of things bound together XIV. orig. perh. repr. OE. byndele binding, taken in concrete sense = OS. bundilin, OHG. gi-buntili (G. bündel), but reinforced later by (if not wholly due to) LG., Du. bundel; f. Gmc. bund (bend. band-) BIND.
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bung

stopper. XV. — MDu. bonghe, varying with bomme and bonde (whence MDu. bonne, beside Du. bom); of doubtful orig.

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bungalow

XVII (bungale). — Gujarati bangalo — Hind. bangl belonging to Bengal.

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bungle

XVI. prob. of symbolic formation. like synon. and contemp. †bumble.

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bunion

XVIII. Formerly also bunnian, -on, bunyan, -on; rel. to dial. (E. Anglian) bunny swelling, earlier bony (XV), and obs. dial. (Essex) boine — OF. buigne (mod. bigne) bump on the head.

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bunk1

sleeping-berth in a ship. etc. XIX. of unkn. orig.; perh. rel. to BUNKER.

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bunk2

(sl.) be off, make off. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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bunk3

(sl.) short for BUNKUM. XX.

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bunker

chest or box often serving as a seat XVI (Sc. boncure, etc.; bunker XVII); sandy hollow on a golf-course XIX; storage room for coal or oil fuel XIX. Not Eng. before XIX; of unkn. orig.

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bunkum

political chicanery or clap-trap; humbug. XIX. Said to be f. Buncombe name of a county in North Carolina, U.S.A., the member for which, it is reported, in a debate in Congress persisted in speaking, declaring that he was bound to ‘make a speech for Buncombe’.

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bunny

†term of endearment for a woman or a child; rabbit. XVII. f. BUN2 + -Y6.

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bunsen

XIX. f. name of R. W. von Bunsen (1811–99), German chemist, applied to a gas-burner, lamp. etc., invented by him.

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bunt1

baggy part of a sail, net, etc. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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bunt2

push, butt. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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bunting1

bird of the sub-family Emberizinae. XIII. of unkn. orig.; perh. f. a base meaning ‘short and thick’, buntin(g) being used in this sense from c. 1600.

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bunting2

open-made woollen stuff for flags; flags collectively. XVIII (also -ine). of unkn. orig.; perh. connected with (dial.) bunt sift, boult, as if orig. ‘boulting-cloth’.

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buoy

XIII. Earlier forms boy(e), buy, buie, bwoy; prob. — MDu. bo(e)ye (Du. boei), perh. — OF. boie, buie chain, fetter :- L. boia, esp. pl. boiæ — Gr. boeîai (sc. doraí) straps of ox-leather, f. boús (see COW1).

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buoyant

XVI. — OF. bouyant or Sp. boyante light-sailing, prp. of boyar float. f. boya buoy; see -ANT. Hence buoyancy XVIII.

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bur, burr3

rough or prickly seed-vessel or flower-head XIV. perh. of Scand. orig.; cf. Da. burre bur, burdock, Sw. kardborre burdock, perh. rel. to BRISTLE.

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burble

†form bubbles, flow with bubbling sound XIV; (revived or formed afresh by Kipling ) talk with a continuous murmur XIX. of imit. orig.; there are similar and synon. forms in Rom., e.g. Sp. borbollar bubble, gush, barbullar talk loud and fast, It. borbugliare.

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burbot

freshwater fish, Lota lota. XIV. — F. bourbotte, earlier bourbet(t)e, prob. f. bourbe slime, mud; see -ET.

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burden1,

(arch.) burthen load. OE. byrðen = OS. burthinna :- WGmc. burþinj, f. burpi (see BIRTH) + -EN2; cf., with different suffix, OHG. burdi (G. bürde), Goth. baurpei. Forms with d appear XII. cf. MURDER; for u repr. OE. y cf. BLUSH. Hence burden vb., †burdenous, burdensome. XVI.

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burden2

†bass, ‘undersong’; refrain XVI; chief theme XVII. Later form of BOURDON, assim. to prec. as if with the notion that the bass or the refrain was ‘carried’ by the melody or the song.

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burdock

XVI. f. BUR + DOCK1.

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bureau

writing-desk with drawers; office. XVII. — F. bureau orig. woollen stuff, baize, used for covering writing-desks. So bureaucracy XIX.

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burgee

(naut.) small three-cornered flag, yacht flag. XVIII. perh. for burgee's flag, i.e. owner's flag: — F. bourgeois (see BURGESS) in the sense of ‘master’, ‘owner’.

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burgeon

sb.
(arch.) bud. XIII. — OF. bor-, burjon (mod. bourgeon) :- Rom. burrin-, f. late L. burra wool (whence F. bourre tag-wool, flock-wool, etc.). So burgeon vb. XIV. — (O)F. bourgeonner.

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burgess

inhabitant of a borough XIII; parliamentary representative XV. ME. burge(i)s, borges — OF. burgeis :- Rom. burgensis, f. late L. burgus BOROUGH + -ensis (cf. -ESE).

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burg(g)rave

hereditary ruler of a town in Germany. XVI. — G. burggraf, f. burg BOROUGH + graf count.

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burgh

Sc. form of BOROUGH since XIV.

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burgher

citizen. XVI. — G. or Du. burger. f. burg BOROUGH.

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burglar

XV. — AN. burgler = AL. burg(u)ltor, varying with AN. burge(y)sour,- issour, and AL. burgtor, -isor, with corr. vb. AL. burg(u)lre and noun of action AN. burglarie (whence burglary XVI; see -Y3); all apparently f. a base burg-, repr. by OF. burgier pillage, plunder, agent-noun burgur, AL. burgria, -eria, -tio burglary. Hence burglarious XVIII. burgle vb. XIX; joc. back-formation.

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burgomaster

chief magistrate of a Dutch or Flemish town. XVI. — Du. burgemeester, f. burg BOROUGH, with assim. to MASTER.

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burial

†grave XIII; interment XV. ME. buriel, biriel, spurious sg. of buriels, OE. byrels = OS. burgisli :- Gmc. burisli-, f. bur- (see BURY) + -isli-; see -AL2.

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burin

engraving-tool. XVII. — F., rel. to It. burino (bulino), which has been referred to OHG. boro auger (see BORE1).

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burke

suffocate, stifle; ‘smother’, hush up. XIX. f. name of William Burke , executed at Edinburgh in 1829 for smothering people in order to sell their bodies for dissection.

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burlesque

†droll; derisively imitative; sb. burlesque composition. XVII. — F. — It. burlesco, f. burla ridicule, fun; of unkn. orig.; see -ESQUE.

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burly

†comely, imposing, stately XIII; hence as a conventional epithet in ME. ‘noble’; massively built, corpulent XIV. ME. borli, burli, -lich, prob. :- OE. brli. ‘fit for the bower’ = OHG. brlh exalted, excellent, stately; see BOWER1, -LY1.

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burn1

stream, brook. OE. burna wk. m., burne wk. fem., burn str. fem., corr. to MLG. born(e), MDu. borne, Du., G. born, repr. a metathetic form of Gmc. brunnan-, -az, in OS., OHG. brunno (Du. bron, G. brunnen), ON. brunnr, Goth. brunna; ult. orig. unkn.

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burn2

A
be on fire.

B
consume with fire. In meaning repr. two OE. verbs:
i
an intr. str. vb. birnan, beornan;
ii
a trans. wk. vb. bærnan. Both verbs contain metathesized forms of Gmc. bren- bran; OE. birnan, var. of brinnan = OS., OHG., Goth. brinnan; OE. bærnan = OS., OHG. brennan (G. brennen), ON. brenna, Goth. brannjan.
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Hence burn sb. XVI.

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burnet

plant of the genus Sanguisorba or Poterium. XIV. sb. use of ME. burnet (XII) dark-brown — OF. burnete BRUNETTE.

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burnish

XIV. f. burniss-, lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of OF. burnir, var. of brunir, f. brun BROWN.

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burnous

hooded mantle worn by Arabs. XVII. — F. — Arab. burnus — Gr. bírros kind of cloak.

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burr1

rough edge on cut metal, etc. XVII. prob. same word as BUR. Hence as vb. XIX.

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burr2

uvular pronunciation of r, characteristic of Northumberland XVIII; rough whirring sound XIX. prob. imit., but perh transf. application of BUR to a ‘rough’ sound.

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burrow

sb.
XIII. ME. borwz, borow, prob. var. of BOROUGH in the sense of ‘fortified or inhabited place’. Hence burrow vb. make a burrow XVIII; fig. XIX.

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bursar

A
treasurer XIII;

B
(Sc.) endowed student, exhibitioner XVI. In A — medL. bursrius, f. bursa PURSE; in B — F. boursier, f. bourse PURSE; see -AR.
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So bursary treasury, bursar's office XVI; student's endowment XVIII. — medL. bursria.

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burst

(tr. and intr.) OE. str. vb. berstan = OS., OHG. brestan. ON. bresta :- Gmc. brestan; IE. bhrest- is repr. also in OIr. brissim I break, Gael. bris. The form burst for all parts prevailed by the end of XVI. Hence burst sb. XVII.

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burthen

var. of BURDEN1.

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burton

(naut.) tackle-block used to tighten rigging. XV. orig. in Breton or Brytton takles; presumably a use of Breton of Brittany.

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bury

OE. byran :- WGmc. burzjan (cf. BURIAL), f. burz- berz-, base of OE. beorgan shelter, protect (see BOROUGH).

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bus

XIX. Short for OMNIBUS.

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busby

†large bushy wig XVIII; tall fur cap of hussars, etc. XIX. of unkn. orig.; cf., however, buzz wig (XVIII–XIX), and the local use of buzz for various hairy or downy objects.

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bush1

shrub XIII. Early forms are buss(ch)e, boisshe, buysche, pointing to an OE. bys.; beside this, in northern and eastern areas there was a form busk (XIII) — ON. buski. There were also ME. forms with -o-, viz. bosk (XIII), surviving dial., beside bosh, bossche (XIV–XV); these were perh. — OF. bos(c), vars. of bois wood.

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bush2

metal lining of a hole, etc. XV. — MDu. busse (Du. bus) bush of a wheel (see BOX2). Hence bush vb. XVI.

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bushel

dry measure of capacity. XIV. — OF. boissel (mod. boisseau); perh. of Gaul. orig.

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business

†solicitude OE.; †industry, diligence XIII; occupation, pursuit XIV; affair XVI. OE. bisinis, f. bisi BUSY + -NESS.

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buskin

half-boot; high thick-soled boot worn in Attic tragedy. XVI. prob. — late OF. bouzequin, var. of bro(u)sequin (mod. brodequin), corr. to Cat., Sp. borcegui, Pg. borzeguim. It. borzacchino; of unkn. orig.

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buss

(arch.) sb. and vb. kiss. XVI. of uncert. orig.; cf. earlier †bass (XV).

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bust1

sculpture representing head, shoulders, and breast XVII; female bosom XVIII. — F. buste — It. busto; the Rom. word is of unkn. orig.

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bust2

vulgar and dial. pronunc. of BURST. XVIII.

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bustard

bird of the genus Otis. XV (earlier as a surname). perh. — AN. bustarde, blending of OF. bistarde and oustarde (mod. outarde) :- L. avis tarda ‘slow bird’; but the bustard is a swift bird, and the L. term may be a perversion of a foreign word.

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bustle1

bestir oneself busily, XVI. perh. alt. of †buskle, frequent, of busk prepare, hurry (- ON. búask); see -LE. Not certainly identical with ME. bustele (XIV).

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bustle2

frame or pad thrusting out a woman's skirt behind. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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busy

constantly or fully occupied OE.; officiously active XIV; marked by activity XVI. OE. bisi, later bysi (ME. büsi, besy, bisy) = MLG., MDu. besich (Du. bezig), of unkn. orig. Hence busybody XVI.

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but

†adv. outside; prep. †outside; except; unless. if.. not OE.; adversative conj. XIII. OE. b(e)tan = OS. b(i)tan, OHG. bizan; WGmc. comp. of be, bi BY and tana from without (see OUT).

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butcher

XIII. ME. bo(u)cher — AN. var. of OF. bo(u)chier (mod. boucher); f. OF., Pr. boc (F. bouc) he-goat, prob. — OCelt. bukkos; see BUCK, -ER4. Hence butcher vb. XVI. So butchery slaughter-house, butcher's shop XIV; butcher's trade XV; (brutal) slaughter XVI. — (O)F. boucherie.

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butler

servant having charge of the wine-cellar. XIII. — AN. buteler, OF. bouteillier, f. bouteille BOTTLE; see -ER4.

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butt1

strike, thrust (now with the head), intr. XII; trans. XVI. — AN. buter, OF. boter (mod. dial. bouter put), of Gmc. orig.

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butt2

(locally) applied to various flat-fish. XIII. — MLG. but, MDu. but(te), bot(te), whence also G. butt(e), Sw. butta turbot, Da. bot flounder; prob. rel. to LG. but, MDu, bot stumpy. Cf. HALIBUT.

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butt3

mark for archery practice (orig. embankment holding targets) XIV; †goal, object XVI; target for ridicule, etc. XVII. prob. — (O)F. but, of unkn. orig.; perh. infl. by F. butte (cf. BUTTE) rising ground, knoll, (also) target.

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butt4

cask for wine, etc. XIV. In AL. butta (XIII), bota (XIV) — AN. but, var. of OF. bo(u)t :- late L. buttis, perh. based on Gr. btn, var. of ptn osier-covered flask. (Cf. BOTTLE).

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butt5

thicker end of a thing; (dial.) buttock XV; base of a tree-trunk XVII. rel. to the base of which BUTTOCK seems to be a deriv. and which is repr. by words meaning ‘short and stumpy’, as Du. bot (BUTT2).

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butte

(U.S.) isolated hill or peak. XIX. — F. (cf. BUTT3).

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butter

OE. butere, corr. to OHG. butera (G. butter), Du. boter; WGmc. — L. btrum — Gr. boútron. The L. word is repr. in Rom. by OF. burre (mod. beurre), Pr. buire, It. butirro.

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buttercup

XVII. prob. blending of †butterflower (XVI, after Du. boterbloeme) with goldcup or kingcup.

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butterfly

Late OE. buttorfloe, f. BUTTER + FLY1; cf. Du. botervlieg, G. butterfliege and buttervogel (-bird).

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butterscotch

XIX. perh. orig. of Scotch manufacture.

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buttery

(orig.) store-room for liquor, (hence) for provisions in general. XIV (boteri). — AN. boterie, buterie, prob. f. but BUTT4; see -ERY. An earlier term was †botelery (XIII) — OF. butelerie, bouteillerie, f. bouteille BOTTLE.

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buttock

(chiefly pl.) rump. XIII. Formally identical with OE. buttuc (once) prob. end ridge of land, rounded slope, cf. butt (XIII) ridge, strip of land; see -OCK.

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button

XIV. — (O)F. bouton, f. boter (see BUTT1).

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buttress

XIII. ME. butras, -es, boterace, -as, — OF. bouterez (ars bouterez ‘thrusting arch’), inflexional form of bouteret, f. bouter BUTT1; the ending was assim. first to -ace, and thence in XVI to -ess.

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butty

(dial.) partner, mate; middleman in mining. XIX. prob. evolved from the phr. play BOOTY (XVI) join with confederates to share ‘plunder’ with them.

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butyric

(butyric acid, found in rancid butter) XIX. f. L. btrum BUTTER + -IC.

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buxom

†obedient, compliant XII; †flexible; †blithe, gay; plump and comely XVI. ME. buhsum, etc., repr. OE (e)bhsum, f. (e)bgan bend, BOW2 + -SOME1.

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buy

pt., pp. bought OE. by.an = OS. buggian, ON. byggja, Goth. bugjan; Gmc. wk. vb. of unkn. orig.

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buzz1

make a sibilant humming sound. XVI. Earlier busse (XIV); hence as sb. XVII; of imit. orig.

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buzz2

epithet of a large bushy wig. XVIII. abbrev. of BUSBY.

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buzzard

XIII. — (O)F. busard, based like OF. buson (whence F. buse) on L. bte, -n-, of unkn. orig.; see -ARD.

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by

alongside; in the course of; according to; in relation to; marking the means or instrument (ult. superseding from, through, of) OE.; marking the agent (ult. superseding of, from) XIV. OE. b, unstressed bi, be = OS., OHG. b (Du. bij, G. bei), Goth. bi :- Gmc. bi, prob. identical with the second syll. of Gr. amphi, L. ambi- (see AMBI-, AMPHI-), OE. ymb(e)- around. Cf. BE-, BEFORE, BEHIND, BESIDE, BETIMES, BY-, BY-AND-BY.

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by-

the adv. BY used attrib. and entering into composition with a sb. in the senses ‘lying or situated at one side’, ‘out of the way’, ‘running alongside and apart’, ‘devious’, as by-path, by-way (XIV), ‘collateral’, ‘side-’, as by-play, by-product (XIX), ‘additional’, ‘subsidiary’, as by-name (XIV), by-election (XIX).

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by-and-by

(adv. phr.) †one by one, in succession, on and on XIV; †straightway XV; shortly, before long XVI. prob. originating in the use of BY to denote succession, as in by two and two, by little and little, ME. bi sixti and bi sixti.

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bye

†second or subsidiary object or course XVI; phr. by the bye
i
as a subsidiary matter XVII,
ii
‘by the way’ XVIII. The usual sp. of by when used sb., but varying with by; ellipt. use of BY-meaning ‘secondary’, ‘subsidiary’, e.g. as opp. to main in dicing, referring to stake, throw, or chance, and in various sports.

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bye-bye1

sounds to lull a child to sleep XV; (nursery colloq., also bye-byes) sleep XIX.

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bye-bye2

XVIII. colloq. and child's var. of GOOD-BYE.

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bygone

past XV; sb. pl. things past; arrears XVI (orig. Sc., and hardly naturalized in England before XVIII). f. BY adv. ‘past’ + pp. of GO.

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by-law, bye-law

A
local law or custom established by common consent XIII;

B
ordinance regulating internal matters made by a local authority or corporation XIV. In A orig. var. with birlaw (XIII) — ON. býjarlagu, f. gen. sg. of br habitation, village, town (f. b-; cf. BOWER1) + lagu LAW; in B alt. of this by substitution of by sb. town and by assoc. with BY-.
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byre

cow-house. OE. bre, prob. :- brjam, rel. to bram BOWER1.

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byssus

fine textile fabric. XVII. — L. — Gr. bússos, of Sem. orig. Earlier repr. by ME. biis, bys — OF. bysse.

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byword

proverb XII; person etc. taken as typical XVI. Early ME. biword, preceded by late OE. bwyrde = OHG. piwurti, rendering L. proverbium; see BY- and WORD.

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C

cab

XIX. Shortening of CABRIOLET. Hence cabby cab-driver; see -Y 4.

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cabal

†cabbala; private intrigue; clique. XVII. — F. cabale — medL. cab(b)ala; see CABBALA. Hence cabal vb. conduct an intrigue XVII; cf. F. cabaler.

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caballero

Spanish gentleman. XIX. — Sp., = F. chevalier, It. cavaliere CAVALIER.

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cabaret

French tavern XVII; restaurant, etc., offering entertainment XX. — (O)F., prob. of Walloon orig.

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cabbage 1

green vegetable with a round heart. XIV. Earliest forms cabache, -oche — (O)F. caboche head, Picard var. of OF. caboce, of unkn. orig.

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cabbage 2

shreds of cloth cut off by tailors and kept as a perquisite. XVII (also garbage, carbage). of unkn. orig. Hence cabbage vb. pilfer, crib. XVIII.

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cabbala

oral tradition handed down from Moses to the Rabbis; tradition of mystical interpretation of the O.T. XVI. — medL. — Rabbinical Heb. abblh tradition, f. ibbl receive, accept, admit. Hence cabbalist XVI, -istic XVII, -istical XVI.

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caber

(Sc.) pole, spar. XVI. — Gael. cabar = Ir. cabar, W. ceibr beam, rafter.

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cabin

†hut, tent; †cell; †cave, den; compartment in a ship XIV; rude habitation XV; †political cabinet (only XVII). ME. cabane, ult. (perh. via (O)F. cabane — Pr. cabana) — late L. capanna, cavanna; spellings with -in appear XVI.

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cabinet

†hut, tent; †small chamber; †room for exhibiting works of art, etc.; case for keeping valuables XVI; †council room; body of councillors (orig. cabinet council) XVII. Early vars. are cabanet, cab(b)onet; perh. f. cabane, cabon CABIN, after F. cabinet (XVI), if the Eng. word is not to be considered as directly — F.; see -ET.

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cable

XIII. — AN., ONF. cable, var. of OF. chable (mod. câble — Pr.) — late L. cap(u)lum halter — Arab. habl, assoc. with L. capere seize, hold (cf. HEAVE); perh., however, immed. — Pr. cable, and in any case reinforced by (M)LG., (M)Du. kabel. Applied c. 1850 to a rope-like line used for submarine telegraphy; hence cable vb. send a message by cable; cablegram message so sent. XIX.

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cabochon

gem polished but not faceted. XVI. — (O)F. cabochon, dim. of caboche head (see CABBAGE 1).

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caboodle

(orig. U.S.) often whole caboodle whole lot; varying with whole kit and boodle (- Du. boedel whole of one's possessions), of which it may be a contraction. XIX.

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caboose

cook-house (galley) of a ship XVIII; (U.S.) guard's van, etc., on a train XIX. — early modDu. cabse, var. combse (now kabuis, kombuis) = (M)LG. kabse, of unkn. orig.

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cabotage

coasting trade. XIX. — F., f. caboter coast along, perh. f. †cabo (XVI) — Sp. cabo CAPE 2.

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cabriole

curved leg in Queen Anne and Chippendale furniture, its form suggesting a leaping animal's front leg. XVIII. — F., f. cabrioler; see next.

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cabriolet

(hist.) light two-wheeled one-horse vehicle. XVIII. — F., f. cabrioler, later form of caprioler — It. capriolare leap into the air, f. capriola CAPRIOLE; see -ET; so named from its springiness.

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ca'canny

‘going slow’ at work. XIX. f. Sc. and north. Eng. phr. ca' canny (i.e. CALL vb., in Sc. from XIV ‘drive’, CANNY used adv. ‘warily’) drive cautiously, go warily or carefully.

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cacao

seed from which cocoa is prepared. XVI. — Sp. — Nahuatl cacauatl (uatl tree). See also COCOA 2.

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cachalot

sperm-whale. XVIII. — F. — Sp., Pg. cachalote, of unkn. orig.

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cache

XIX. — F., f. cacher hide (see next).

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cachet

(Sc.) seal XVII; stamp. mark XIX. — F., f. cacher (in the sense of ‘press’ repr. now in écacher crush) :- Rom. coacticre, for L. coactre constrain, f. coact-, pp. stem of cgere compel, f. co- CON- + agere drive (see ACT).

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cachexy

depraved condition or habit. XVI. — F. cachexie or late L. cachexia — Gr. kakhexí, f. kakós bad + héxis habit, state, f. ékhein have, be (in a certain state). So cachetic XVII.

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cachinnation

immoderate laughter. XVII. — L. cachinnti, -n-, f. cachinnre, of imit. orig., whence cachinnate vb. XIX. See -ATE 3, -ATION.

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cachou

†CATECHU XVIII; sweetmeat for sweetening the breath XIX. — F. — Pg. †cacho, cachu — Malay kachu.

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cackle

make a noise as a hen. XIII. perh. — (M)LG., (M)Du. kkelen, of imit. orig. (but partly f. kke jaw (CHEEK)). See -LE 2.

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caco-

repr. Gr. kako- stem of kakós bad, as in cacod(a)emon XVI (Gr. kakodaimn) evil spirit, cacography XVI (F. cacographie, medGr. kakographia) bad writing or spelling, cacophony XVI (F. cacophonie. Gr. kakophní) discordant sound.

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cactus

†cardoon XVII; prickly plant with thick fleshy stems XVIII. — L. — Gr. káktos cardoon or Spanish artichoke (of Sicily); the name was adopted by Linnaeus for a genus of entirely different prickly plants.

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cad

XVIII. Shortening of CADDIE.

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cadaver

XVI. — L. cadver, prop. ‘fallen thing’, f. cadere fall. So cadaverous XV. — L. cadversus (see -OUS).

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caddie

†army cadet XVII; †errand boy, porter, commissionaire XVIII; golfer's attendant XIX. orig. Sc. (earliest form caudie) — F. CADET.

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caddis(-worm, -fly)

XVII. contemp. with synon. (dial.) cadbait, codbait, cadew; of unkn. orig.

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caddy

small box for holding tea. XVIII. alt. of catty (XVI) weight of 1 1/3 lb. — Malay kati.

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cadence

rhythm XIV; fall of the voice; close of a musical phrase, etc. XVI. — OF. — It. cadenza — popL. cadentia, f. cadent-, prp. stem of cadere fall. So cadency †cadence XVII; (her.) descent of a younger branch from the main line XVIII; see -Y 3. cadenza (mus.) flourish at a cadence. XIX. — It.

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cadet

younger son, etc.; gentleman in the army without a commission XVII; junior officer XVIII. — F. cadet, earlier capdet — Gascon dial. capdet :- Rom. capitellus, dim. of caput head, CHIEF; orig. applied to Gascon officers (younger sons of noble families) at the French court.

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cadge

†carry (a pack) XVII; go about begging XIX. of obscure orig.; perh. back-formation from cadger orig. carrier, itinerant dealer XV (first in Sc.), of unkn. orig.

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cadmium

XX. f. †cadmia CALAMINE (XVII).

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cadre

frame(work); permanent establishment of a regiment XIX. — F. — It. quadro :- L. quadrus square.

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caecum

(anat.) blind end of the first part of the large intestine. XVIII. — L. (intestinum) cæcum blind (gut), n. sg. of cæcus blind; tr. Gr. tuphlòn énteron.

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Caesarean, -ian

pert. to the delivery of a child by cutting through the walls of the abdomen, as was done, according to legend, at the birth of Julius Caesar. XVII. — L. Cæsarinus or f. Cæsareus; see -EAN, -IAN.

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caesium

(chem.) metallic element. XIX. — modL., n. of L. cæsius bluish-grey; after names in -IUM.

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c(a)esura

(pros.) division of a foot between two words. XVI. — L. cæsra lit. cutting, f. cæs-, pp. stem of cædere cut; see -URE. (Early forms †cesure, †ce(a)sure may be — F. césure.)

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café

coffee-house. XIX. — F. — It. caffè COFFEE.

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cafeteria

(orig. U.S.) restaurant in which customers serve themselves. XX. — Amer. Sp cafeteria coffee shop, f. Sp. cafetero maker or seller of coffee, f. café COFFEE.

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caffeine

(chem.) alkaloid found in the coffee and tea plants. XIX. — F. caféine, f. café COFFEE; see -INE 5.

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caftan

oriental under-tunic. XVI. — Turk. kaftan, partly through F. cafetan.

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cage

XIII. — (O)F. :- L. cavea stall, cage, coop, etc.

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caiman

see CAYMAN.

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cainozoic

(geol.) Tertiary. XIX. f. Gr. kainós recent + zôion animal; see ZOO, -IC.

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caique

light boat used in the Mediterranean. XVII. — F. caïque — It. caicco — Turk. kayik.

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cairn

pile of stones. XV. Earlier carn (cf. barn BAIRN) — Gael., OIr., W. carn heap of stones. So cairngorm precious stone, named from a mountain (Gael. Carngorm ‘blue cairn’) where it is found.

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caisson

chest for ammunition, etc.; watertight vessel used in deep water. XVIII. — F. caisson, †casson — It. cassone; assim. to caisse CASE 2; see -OON.

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caitiff

†prisoner; †poor wretch; base fellow, villain. XIII. ME. caitif, occas. chaitif — OF. caitif captive, var. of chaitif (mod. chétif wretched) :- Rom. cactivus, alt. of L. captvus CAPTIVE by assoc. with OCelt. cactos ( = L. captus).

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cajole

delude by flattery, etc. XVII. — F. cajoler, perh. a blend of two or more words (cf. cageoller, cajoller XVI chatter like a jay, prate, babble, and enjôler put in GAOL, inveigle, allure). So cajolery XVII.

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cake

(arch.) flat sort of loaf XIII; confectionery made with flour XV; (Sc.) thin hard-baked oaten bread XVI. prob — ON. kaka (Icel., Sw. kaka, Da. kage), f. kak-, rel. to kk-, repr. by G. kuchen, etc., COOKIE. Hence cake vb. form into a cake. XVII.

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calabash

gourd(-shell). XVII (calibasse, -bash). — F. calebasse, †cala- — Sp. calabaza.

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calamary

squid, pen-fish. XVI. — medL. calamrium pen-case, n. of L. calamrius, f. calamus pen — Gr. kálamos; see -ARY.

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calamine

ore of zinc. XVII. — (O)F. — medL. calamna, alt. of L. cadma — Gr. kadm(e)í (sc. gê earth), fem. of the adj. of Cadmus.

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calamint

aromatic herb. XIV. — (O)F. calament — medL. calamentum, for late L. calaminthe — Gr. kalaminth.

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calamity

grievous affliction or distress XV; grievous disaster XVI. — (O)F. calamité — L. calamits; see -ITY. So calamitous XVI. — F. calamiteux or L. calamitsus.

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calash

light carriage with folding hood XVII; woman's hood XVIII. Early forms caleche, galeche, calleche — F. calèche, †galèche — G. kalesche — Pol. kolaska or Czech kolesa, f. kolo WHEEL.

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calcareous

of the nature of lime. XVII. f. L. calcrius, f. calc- CALX + -rius -ARY.

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calceolaria

genus of plants having slipper-shaped flowers. XVIII. — modL., f. L. calceolus, dim. of calceus shoe (f. calx heel) + -ria, fem. of -rius -ARY.

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calcine

reduce to quicklime. XIV. — (O)F. calciner or medL. calcinre (a term of alchemy), f. late L. calcna lime, quicklime, f. L. CALX, calc-. So calcination XIV.

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calcium

XIX. f. L. calc- CALX; see -IUM.

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calculate

XVI. f. pp. stem of late L. calculre, f. calculus stone (see next); superseded †calcule (XVI–XVI) — (O)F. calculer; see -ATE 3. So calculation XIV. — (O)F. — late L.

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calculus

stone in an animal body; †gen. (system of) calculation XVII; spec. in differential, integral (etc.) calculus XVIII. — L. calculus pebble, etc.

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Caledonian

XVII.f. Caldonia, Roman name of part of northern Britain, now assoc. with the Scottish Highlands or Scotland in general.

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calefaction

heating. XVI. — (O)F. caléfaction or late L. calefacti, -n-, f. calefacere, f. calre be warm + facere make, DO 1; see -TION.

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calendar

system of divisions of the civil year XIII; table showing these XIV. ME. kalender — AN. calender, OF. calendier (mod. calendrier) — L. kalendrium account-book, f. kalendæ CALENDS, the day on which accounts were due.

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calender

pass material between rollers for glazing, etc. XV. — (O)F. calendrer, of unkn. orig. So calender sb. machine for calendering. XVII.

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calends

XIV. — (O)F. calendes — L. kalendæ, acc. -as, first day of the month, when the order of days was proclaimed, f. kal- call, proclaim, as in L. calre, Gr. kaleîn.

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calf 1

young of the cow. OE. cælf (.ealf), pl. calfru = OS. calf, OHG. chalb (G. kalb) n., beside ON. kálfr m. and Goth. kalb, OHG. chalba fem.

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calf 2

fleshy hinder part of the shank of the leg. XIV. — ON. kálfi, of unkn. orig.

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calibre

†diameter of a projectile; bore of a gun; (fig.) weight of character, ability, XVI. — F. — It. calibro or Sp. calibre — Arab. klib mould for casting metal, f. kalaba turn, convert.

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calico

XVI. Earliest exx. have Callicut, kalyko, Calocowe cloth; f. name of a city and port on the coast of Malabar, India; relevant forms are Arab. Klkt, etc.

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calipash, calipee

correl, words denoting (i) †the upper/lower shell of the turtle, (ii) gelatinous substance next to these. XVII. Earliest forms of the first are galley patch, calapatch; perh. of native W. Indian orig., unless a native alt. of Sp. carapacho CARAPACE.

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caliph

Muslim chief ruler (successor of Muhammad). XIV. — (O)F. caliphe (medL. calpha, -es) — Arab. kalfa, f. kalofa succeed. So caliphate XVIII. — F. caliphat (medL. caliphtus); see -ATE 1.

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calix, calyx

(pl. calices) cup-like cavity. XVIII. — L. calix cup.

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call

cry out OE.; summon with a shout, name XIII. Late OE. ceallian (once) — (or perh. only reinforced by) ON. kalla cry, summon loudly, name, claim = MLG., (M)Du. kallen, OHG. challn talk, chatter :- Gmc. kalljan, f. kal- :- IE. gol-, repr. also by W. galw call, OSl. glas voice, glagol word.

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caller

(Sc. and north. dial.) fresh. XIV (caloure). var. of ME. calver, calwar, presumably adj. use of OE. calwer curds.

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cal(l)i-

repr. Gr. kalli-, used as comb. form of kalós beautiful (cf. kállos beauty), as in calligraphy (elegant) penmanship. XVII. — modL. calligraphia — Gr. kalligraphí. callisthenics exercises for developing strength with beauty. XIX. f. Gr. sthénos strength.

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calliper

(usu. pl.) XVI. orig. calliper compasses compasses used for measuring the calibre of a bullet, etc.; presumably var. of CALIBRE.

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callous

hardened. XVI. — (partly through F. calleux) L. callsus, f. callus hardened skin, which has been used in Eng. since XVI.

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callow

†bald OE.; unfledged XVI. OE. calu (calw-) = MLG. kale, MDu. kale (Du. kaal), OHG. kalo (G. kahl) :- WGmc. kalwa, perh. — L. calvus bald.

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calm

XIV.The sb., adj., and vb. appear about the same time, and earlier than the corresp. F. words (XV), which are presumed to be — It. calma, calmo, calmare; these are referred to popL. calma, alt. of late L. cauma — Gr. kaûma heat (of the day or sun), by assoc. with L. calre be hot.

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calomel

mercurous chloride. XVII. — modL. calomel(es) (so in F. XVIII), said to be f. Gr. kalós beautiful + mélas black.

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calorie

unit of heat. XIX. — F., arbitrarily f. L. calor heat; cf. -Y 3. calor- , stem of L. calor, as in calorific XVII (F. and L.), calorimeter XVIII (F. -mètre).

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calotte

skull-cap. XVII. — F. — Pr. calota or It. callotta, of disputed orig.

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caltrop 1

(usu. pl.) name of various plants that entangle the feet; (later) star-thistle, Trapa natans. OE. calcatrippe, ME. calketrappe — medL. calcatrippa.

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caltrop 2

†trap, snare XIII; (mil.) iron ball with sharp spikes XVI. ME. calketrap — OF. kauketrape, dial. var. of c(h)auchetrape, later (mod.) chaussetrape, f. chauchier (mod. côcher) tread + trappe trap; ult. identical with prec.

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calumet

Amer.-Indian pipe of peace. XVIII. — F., dial. var. (with suffix-substitution) of chalumeau — late L. calamellus, dim. of calamus reed — Gr. kálamos HAULM.

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calumny

XV. — L. calumnia false accusation; cf. CHALLENGE and CAVIL. So calumniate XVI. f. pp. stem of L. calumnir; see -ATE 3. calumniation XVI. calumniator XVI. calumnious XV. — (O)F. calomnieux or L. calumnisus.

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calvary

outdoor (life-size) representation of the Crucified Christ. XVIII. — L. calvria skull (f. calva scalp, calvus bald, rel. to Skr. kulva-), tr. in Matt. 27: 33, etc. of Aram. gogulth, gogolth skull (= Heb. gulgleth), rendered in Gr. by golgothá; see -ARY.

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calve

give birth to a calf. OE. calfian (.ealfian), f. cælf CALF; cf. Du. kalven, (M)HG. kalben.

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calvered

applied to salmon that is cut up alive. XVII. f. calver (see CALLER) + -ED.

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calx

(alch. and early chem.) powder resulting from calcination of a mineral. XV. — L., ‘lime-(stone)’, prob. — Gr. khálix pebble, limestone. Cf. CALCINE, CALCULATE, CALCULUS, and CHALK.

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calyx

outer envelope of a flower. XVII. — L. — Gr. kálux shell, pod, f. base of kalúptein hide. Confused with CALIX.

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cam

projection on a wheel. XVIII. — Du. cam COMB, as in kamrad toothed wheel, cog-wheel.

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camaraderie

XIX. — F., f. camarade COMRADE; see -ERY.

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camber

XVII. — OF. cambre, dial. var. of OF. chambre arched :- L. camurus curved inwards. So as vb. XVII.

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cambist

one skilled in monetary exchange. XIX. — F. cambiste — It. cambista, f. cambio CHANGE.

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Cambrian

Welsh. XVII (preceded by Camber XVI). f. Cambria, var. of Cumbria, latinization of W. Cymru Wales :- OCelt. Kombroges, f. kom- together, COM- + brog- border, region; see -IAN.

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cambric

XVI (cameryk). f. Kamerijk, Flemish form of Cambrai a town of northern France, famous for fabrics :- medL. Camaracum.

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camel

OE. camel, reinforced in ME. by OF. cameil, etc. (mod. chameau) :- L. camlus (also camellus) — Gr kámlos, of Sem. orig. (Heb. gml).

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camellia

genus of shrubs. XVIII. — modL., f. name of Josef Kamel (latinized Camellus), a Moravian Jesuit who described the botany of Luzon; see -IA 1.

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Camembert

soft rich cheese originating from Camembert, village of Normandy, France. XIX.

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cameo

precious stone having two layers of different colours. XV (cameu). — OF. came(h)u, camahieu (mod. camaïeu), corr. to Sp., Pg. camafeo, pointing to a type camahæus (cf. medL. camahutus, etc.); later — It. cam(m)eo; prob. ult. of Oriental orig.

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camera

CHAMBER, in several spec. uses. XVIII. — L. camera vault, arched chamber — Gr. kamár object with arched cover. In photography, short for camera obscura, darkened chamber or box, orig. an optical instrument.

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camisole

(formerly) woman's jacket, (now) underbodice. XIX. — F. — It. camiciola or Sp. camisola, dim. of camicia, cumisa shirt (see CHEMISE).

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camomile

plant of the genus Anthemis. XIV. — (O)F. camomille — late L. c(h)amomilla, alt. of chamæmlon — Gr. khamaímlon ‘earth-apple’ (khama on the ground, mêlon apple), so called from the apple-like smell of the blossoms.

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camouflage

XX. — F., f. camoufler (thieves' sl.) — It. camuffare disguise, deceive, perh. assoc. with camouflet whiff of smoke in the face; see -AGE.

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camp

place where troops are lodged in tents, etc.; temporary quarters. XVI. — (O)F. — It. campo :- L. campus level field, place for games and military exercises, field of battle, whence Gmc. kampaz, repr. by OE., MDu, camp, OHG. champf (G. kampf), ON. kapp. So camp vb. XVI. — F. camper; cf. ENCAMP.

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campaign

army's operations in the field. XVII. — F. campagne — It. campagna (used in the mil. sense XVI) = (O)F. champagne CHAMPAIGN.

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campanile

bell-tower. XVII. — It., f. campana — late L. campna bell.

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campanology

bell-ringing. XIX. — modL. campnologia, f. late L. campna bell; see prec. and -LOGY.

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campanula

genus of plants with bell-shaped flowers. XVII. — modL., dim. of campna; see prec. and -ULE. So campanulate bell-shaped XVII; see -ATE 2.

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Campeachy

epithet of a red dye-wood, also called log-wood. XVII (Cam-, Compeche wood, tree). Name of a southern state of Mexico, Campeche, whence the wood was orig. exported.

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camphor

XV. Early forms are various, both disyll. and trisyll., camphire prevailing from XV to c. 1800. — OF. camphore (later and mod. camphre) or medL. camphora — (prob. through Sp. alcanfor) Arab. kfr, ult. — Skr. karpra-.

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campus

(orig. U.S.) college or university grounds. XVIII (first at Princeton, New Jersey). — L. campus field.

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can 1

vessel for liquid. OE. canne, corr. to MDu. kanne (Du. kan), OHG. channa (G. kanne), ON. kanna; it is uncertain whether the word is orig. Gmc. or — late L. canna (VI), whence OF. channe, Pr. cana. OE. canne is recorded only once, after which there is no Eng. evidence till XIV, when the word was prob. introduced from the Continent.

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can 2

†know; (with inf.) know how, (passing into) have power, be able. One of the group of preterite-present verbs (see DARE, MAY, SHALL, WIT 2); the primary meaning was ‘have learned’, 'come to know'. OE. cunnan, OS. cunnan, OHG. kunnan (G. können), ON. kunna, Goth. kunnan. For the IE. base n- n- n- see KNOW. See also CON 1, CUNNING, UNCOUTH.

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canaille

rabble, mob. XVII. — F. — It. canaglia, f. cane dog :- L. canis (see HOUND).

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canal

†pipe to convey liquid XV; tubular cavity in the body, duct, artificial watercourse XVII. — (O)F., refash. of earlier chanel CHANNEL after L. canlis or It. canale. So canalize, canalization XIX.

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canard

cock-and-bull story. XIX. — F., lit. ‘duck’; the sense of ‘hoax’ is said to have arisen from the phr. vendre un canard à moitié ‘half-sell a duck’.

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canary

name of a dance, a wine, and a singing-bird from the Canary Islands. XVI. — F. canarie — Sp. canaria, in L. Canria insula ‘Isle of Dogs’, so named from its large dogs (L. canrius pert. to dogs, f. canis dog, HOUND). As the name of the bird modelled on F. canari, †-ie — Sp. canario.

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canaster

kind of tobacco, so called from the rush basket in which it was imported. XIX. — Sp. canastro — medL. canastrum — Gr. kánastron CANISTER.

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cancan

XIX. — F., of uncert. orig.

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cancel

XIV. — (O)F. canceller — L. cancellre make lattice-wise, cross out (a writing), f. cancellus, pl. cancell cross-bars (see CHANCEL).

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cancer

zodiacal constellation of the Crab XIV; malignant tumour XVII. — L. cancer crab, creeping ulcer, after Gr. karkínos crab, karkinma CARCINOMA.

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candelabrum

(prop. pl.) -bra XIX. — L., f. candla CANDLE.

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candid

†white; free from bias or malice; frank XVII. — F. candide or L. candidus, f. candre be white, glisten; see -ID 1.

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candidate

XVII. — (O)F. candidat or L. candidtus clothed in white, candidate for office (who appeared in a white toga), f. candidus; see prec. and -ATE 1.

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candle

OE. candel — L. candla, later -della, f. candre glisten; reinforced in ME. by AN. candele, OF. candeile (var. of chandeile, -oile), and OF. candelle (mod. chandelle). Hence Candlemas 2 February; OE. candelmæssedæ; see MASS 1. candlestick OE. candelsticca.

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candour

†purity; freedom from bias or malice XVII; outspokenness XVIII. — F. candeur or L. candor, f. cand- of candre and candidus CANDID; see -OUR 2.

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candy

XVIII. — F. (sucre) candi SUGAR-CANDY.

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candytuft

plant of the genus Iberis. XVII. f. †Candy, the island Candia (Crete), whence orig. brought + TUFT.

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cane

XIV. ME. can(n)e — OF. cane, (also mod.) canne :- L. canna reed, etc. — Gr. kánna, kánn — Assyrian an (Heb. aneh) — Sumerian gin. Hence cane vb. XVII.

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canine

XVII. — F. canin, -ine, or L. cannus, -na, f. canis dog, HOUND; see -INE 1.

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canister

†basket XVII; small box XVIII. — L. canistrum basket for bread, fruit, etc. — Gr. kánastron wicker basket, f. kánna CANE.

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canker

OE. cancer, reinforced or superseded by ONF. cancre, var. of (O)F. chancre :- L. cancer CANCER.

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cannel

bituminous coal burning with a bright flame. XVI (canel). of uncert. orig.

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cannelure

grooving. XVIII. — F., f. canneler, f. OF. cannel CHANNEL.

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cannibal

XVI. First in pl. Canibales — Sp. Canibales, a form of the ethnic name Caribes (See CARIB).

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cannon 1

piece of ordnance. XVI. — (O)F. canon — It. cannone, augm. of canna tube, CANE; see -OON. So cannonade XVII; see -ADE.

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cannon 2

stroke at billiards. XIX. alt., by assoc. with prec., of car(r)om (XVIII), shortening of carambole — Sp. carambola, f. bola ball. Also as vb. XIX.

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canny

(Sc.) sagacious, cautious XVI; clever, cunning XVIII; (north. Eng.) agreeable, comely XIX. Presumably f. CAN 2 + -Y 1; corr. to cunning in its primary sense.

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canoe

XVI. — Haitian (whence Sp.) canoa.

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canon 1

rule, law (of the Church) OE.; central portion of the Mass XIII; books of the Bible accepted as authentic XIV; (mus.) XVI. OE. canon — L. cann — Gr. kann rule; reinforced or superseded by ME. cano(u)n — AN. canun, (O)F. canon. So canonic(al) XV. f. F. canonique or L. canonicus — Gr. kanonikós. canonize place in the canon of saints, canonization XIV. — medL.

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canon 2

clergyman living according to the ‘vita canonica’, i.e. religious life based on rule. XIII. ME. can(o)un, chan(o)un — OF. canonie, chanoine (with ending assim. to cano(u)n CANON 1) — ecclL. canonicus.

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canopy

XIV. Late ME. canope, canape — medL. canopeum, for L. cnpum net over a bed — Gr. knpeîon Egyptian bed with mosquito curtains, f. knps gnat, mosquito.

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canorous

melodious. XVII. f. L. canrus, f. canor song, f. canere sing; see CHANT, -OUS.

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cant 1

†edge, border (?) XIV; nook, corner XVII; oblique line or face XIX. prob. — MLG. kant point, kante side, edge, (M)Du. cant border, side, corner — Rom. canto, for L. cant(h)us iron tire. Hence cant vb. bevel, slant, toss, tilt XVI; whence a new sb. cant toss, slope, tilt XVIII.

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cant 2

(sl.) speak, talk, esp. in the whining fashion of beggars XVI; use the particular jargon of a class or set, affect religious or pietistic phraseology XVII. prob. — L. cantre sing (see CHANT), which was applied contemptuously as early as XII to the singing in church services and perh. later to the speech of religious mendicants. Hence cant sb. XVII.

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cantaloup

XVIII. — F. — It. Cantaluppi, name of a former summer residence of the popes near Rome, where it was cultivated.

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cantankerous

XVIII. perh. blending of Irish cant auction, outbidding, with rancorous.

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cantata

XVIII. — It. (sc. aria AIR), fem. pp. of cantare sing; see CHANT, -ADE.

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canteen

sutler's shop in a camp, etc.; outfit of cooking and table vessels and utensils. XVIII. — F. cantine — It. cantina cellar, perh. f. canto corner.

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canter

XVIII. Short for Canterbury gallop, pace, trot (XVII), a pace such as mounted pilgrims to Canterbury were supposed to have ridden. Hence as vb. XVIII.

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cantharides

XV. — L., pl. of cantharis — Gr. kantharís blister fly.

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canticle

XIII. — OF., var. of cantique — L. canticum, f. cantus CHANT; prob. reinforced by L. dim. canticulum (cf. -CLE).

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cantilever

bracket of stone, etc. XVII; projecting support in bridge-building XIX. Earliest forms cantlapper, candilever; of unkn. orig.

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canto

XVI. — It., lit. ‘song’ :- L. cantus CHANT.

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canton

†corner; (her.) ordinary of a shield XVI; subdivision of a country XVII. — (O)F. — Pr. :- Rom. canto, -n-, f. L. cantus CANT 1. So canton vb. quarter (in various senses). XVI. cantonment quarters. XVIII.

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cantor

XVI. — L., ‘singer’, f. canere, cant- (see CHANT, -OR 1).

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canvas

strong hemp or flax cloth. XIV. ME. canevas — ONF. (and mod.) canevas, var. of OF. chanevaz :- Rom. cannapceum, f. cannapum, for L. cannabis HEMP.

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canvass

A
†toss in a canvas sheet, (hence) criticize destructively, discuss.

B
solicit votes, etc. XVI. f. CANVAS; the emergence of sense B is difficult to account for.
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canyon

deep gorge. XIX. — Sp. cañon pipe, conduit, augm. of caña CANE.

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caoutchouc

indiarubber. XVIII. — F. — Carib cahuchu.

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cap

OE. cæppe — late L. cappa, poss. f. L. caput head; cf. CAPE 1. Hence as vb. XV.

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capable

XVI. — F. — late L. capbilis, f. capere take (see HEAVE); see -ABLE. Hence capability XVI.

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capacious

XVII. f. L. capx, capc-, f. capere take; see prec., -ACIOUS. So capacity XV. — F. — L.

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caparison

trappings of a horse. XVI. — F. †caparasson (mod. -açon) — Sp. caparazón saddle-cloth, f. capa CAPE 1. So as vb. XVI.

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cape 1

tippet of a cloak XVI; sleeveless cloak XVIII. — F. — Pr. capa :- late L. cappa; see CAP.

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cape 2

promontory. XIV. — (O)F. cap — Pr. :- Rom. capo, f. L. caput head (cf. CHIEF).

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capelin

small smelt-like fish. XVII. — F. capelan — Pr. capelan CHAPLAIN.

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caper 1

the shrub Capperis spinosa XIV; its flower-buds XV. ME. capres — F. câpres — L. capparis — Gr. kápparis. The final s, being apprehended as a pl. sign, was dropped to form a new sing. (XVI).

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caper 2

frisky leap. XVI. Shortening of CAPRIOLE. Also as vb. XVI.

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capercaillie, -lzie

wood-grouse. XVI. — Gael. capull coille great cock (lit. horse) of the wood. The sp. lz (in MSc. lz) has influenced the Eng. pron., as in Menzies.

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capillary

of hair, hair-like. XVII. — L. capillris, f. capillus hair; after F. capillaire; see -ARY.

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capital 1

†pert. to the head XIII; affecting the head or life (capital crime, punishment); (of letters) standing at the head, of the largest size XIV; chief XV; first-rate XVIII. — (O)F. — L. capitlis, f. caput, capit- HEAD; see -AL 1. So capitalist XVIII. — F. capitaliste; hence capitalism XIX. capitalize XIX.

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capital 2

head of a column. XIV. — OF. capitel (mod. chapiteau) — L. capitellum, secondary dim. of caput HEAD.

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capitation

XVII. — F. capitation or late L. capitti, -n-, f. caput, capit- HEAD; see -ATION.

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capitular

(eccl.) pert. to a chapter. XVII. — late L. capitulris, f. capitulum CHAPTER; see -AR.

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capitulate

†specify as under heads; †propose terms, make terms about XVI; make terms of surrender XVII. f. pp. of medL. capitulre draw up under distinct heads, f. capitulum head of a discourse, CHAPTER; see -ATE 3. So capitulation XVI. — late L.

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capon

castrated cock. Late OE. capun — AN. capun, var. of (O)F. chapon :- Rom. cappone for L. cap, -n-, prob. to be referred to a base meaning ‘cut’ (cf. Gr. kóptein).

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caprice

sudden unaccountable turn of mind XVII; work of art of lively or sportive character XVIII. — F. — It. capriccio orig. horror (the mod. sense being due to assoc. with capra goat), f. capo head (:- L. caput) + riccio hedgehog (:- L. ericeus URCHIN), lit. ‘head with the hair standing on end’. So capricious XVI.

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Capricorn

zodiacal constellation. XIV. — (O)F. Capricorne — L. capricornus, f. caper, capr- goat + cornu HORN, ‘goat-horn’, after Gr. aigókers.

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capriole

leap. XVI. — F. (now cabriole) — It. capriola, f. capriolare leap, f. capriolo roebuck :- L. capreolus, dim. of caper goat.

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capsicum

seed-pod of Guinea pepper. XVIII. — modL., perh. f. capsa CASE 2.

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capsize

XVIII. f. cap- as in Pr. capvirar = F. chavirer capsize; 2nd el. unexpl.

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capstan

XIV. — Pr. cabestan, earlier cabestran, of unkn. orig.

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capsule

XVII. — F. — L. capsula, dim. of capsa box, CASE 2; see -ULE.

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captain

XIV. ME. capitain — late OF. (mod. -aine), superseding earlier chevetaigne CHIEFTAIN and chataigne, catanie — late L. capitneus chief, f. caput, capit- HEAD. Hence captaincy XIX.

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caption

(arch.) seizure, arrest XIV; †cavilling objection XVII; (orig. U.S.) heading, title XVIII. — L. capti, -n-, f. capere, capt- take, seize; see HEAVE, -TION.

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captious

XIV. — (O)F. captieux or L. captisus, f. capti deception, fallacious argument; see prec., -IOUS.

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captivate

†make captive, capture; enthral. XVI. f. pp. stem of late L. captivre (after captivate pp. XIV), f. captvus; see next and -ATE 3. So captive (taken) prisoner. XIV. — L. captvus, f. capt-, pp. stem of capere take. captivity XIV, captor XVII. capture sb. XVI; hence as vb. XVIII.

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capuchin

(C-) Franciscan friar of the new order of 1528 XVI; woman's hooded cloak XVIII. — F. (now capucin) — It. cappuccino, f. cappuccio hood, augm. of cappa CAPE 1; so named from the pointed hood adopted by the order.

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car

XIV. ME. carre — AN., ONF. — Rom. carra, pl. or parallel fem. form of L. carrum n., carrus m. (whence F. char, It. carro, etc.; cf. CHARIOT) — OCelt. karrom (karros), repr. by (O)Ir. carr, OW. carr (W. car), rel. to L. currus chariot.

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carabineer

soldier armed with a carbine. XVII. — F. carabinier, f. carabine CARBINE; see -EER 1.

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carafe

XVIII. — F. — It. caraffa, prob. (through Sp. garrafa) — Arab. arrfa, f. arafa draw water.

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caramel

XVIII. — F. — Sp. caramelo, of unkn. orig.

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carapace

body-shell of tortoises, etc. XIX. — F. — Sp. carapacho, of unkn. orig.

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carat

measure of weight for precious stones; measure of 1/24 used in stating the fineness of gold. XVI. — F. — It. carato — Arab. r weight of 4 grains — Gr. kerátion fruit of the carob, f. kéras horn.

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caravan

company travelling through the desert; fleet of ships XVI; covered carriage or cart XVII. Mainly — F. caravane — Pers. krwn, but some early forms (e.g. carouan) repr. the Pers. directly. So caravanserai Eastern inn. XVI. ult. — Pers. krwnsar (sar() palace, inn), but the various early forms repr. more or less closely F. caravanséraï, etc.

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caraway

‘seed’ of the umbelliferous plant Carum carvi. XIV. The form corr. most closely to OSp. alcarahueya (mod. alcaravea) = Pg. alcaravia — Arab. al-kar(a)wiy (see AL- 2); the ult. source may be Gr. káron cummin.

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carbine

XVII. Earlier carabine — F.; orig. the weapon of the †carabin (- F.) mounted musketeer.

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carbolic

XIX. f. CARB(ON) + -OL + -IC.

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carbon

XVIII. — F. carbone, f. L. carb, -n- (char)coal. So carbonate XVIII; see -ATE 1. Hence carbonaceous XVIII, carbonic XVIII.

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carboy

large wicker-covered bottle for chemicals. XVIII. ult. — Pers. ar(r)bah large flagon.

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carbuncle

fiery-coloured precious stone XIII; inflammatory tumour XVI. The early forms present several types — OF. c(h)arbu(n)cle (mod. escarboucle) :- L. carbunculus small coal, carbuncle stone, red tumour, dim. of carb coal (cf. CARBON); later assim. to L.

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carburet

(chem.) compound of carbon with another element. XVIII. Superseded earlier †carbure — F., f. L. carb CARBON; see -URET; in turn superseded by carbide XIX. Survives in carburetted adj., whence carburettor XIX.

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carcase, carcass

XIV. — F. carcasse. Earlier forms carcays, carkeis, etc. (XIV), prob. repr. a distinct word — AN. carcois = OF. charcois; ult. orig. unkn.

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carcinoma

XVIII. — L. — Gr. karkínma, f. karkínos crab; cf. CANCER.

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card 1

implement orig. consisting of teasel heads set in a frame, for raising the nap on cloth; toothed instrument for combing out fibre. XV. — (O)F. carde — Pr. carda, f. cardar tease, comb :- popL. caritre, f. crere card. So card vb. XIV.

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card 2

piece of pasteboard XV; †map, chart XVI. — (with unexpl. d) (O)F. carte — L. charta papyrus leaf, paper (whence F. charte CHART) — Gr. khárts leaf of papyrus, written work; supposed to be of Egyptian orig.

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cardamom, -mum

XV. — (O)F. cardamome or L. cardammum — Gr. kardámmon, f. kárdamon cress + ámmon Indian spice.

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cardiac

XVII. — F. cardiaque or L. cardiacus — Gr. kardiakós, f. kardí HEART; see -AC.

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cardigan

XIX. Named after James Thomas Brudenell , seventh earl of Cardigan (d. 1868).

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cardinal

chief, principal. XIII. — (O)F. cardinal or L. cardinlis, f. card, cardin- hinge; in Eng. first applied to the four virtues of justice, fortitude, temperance, prudence, on which conduct ‘hinges’; see -AL 1. So cardinal sb. any of the seventy princes (cardinal bishops, priests, and deacons) of the Roman Church that constitute the Pope's council or the Sacred College. XII. — (O)F. — medL.

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cardio-

comb. form of Gr. kardí HEART, as in cardiograph (XIX).

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cardoon

plant allied to the artichoke. XVII. — F. cardon, f. carde edible part of the artichoke — Pr. cardo :- Rom. carda, for L. cardu(u)s thistle, artichoke (rel. to crere; see CARD 1); see -OON.

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care

†grief; burdened state of mind; serious attention OE.; charge, oversight XIV; object of concern XVI. OE. caru = OS., OHG., Goth. kara, ON. kr (gen. karar) :- Gmc. kar. So care vb. OE. carian = OS. karn, OHG. charn, -n, Goth. karn :- Gmc. karjan, -æjan; in later uses reformed on the sb. Hence careful OE. carful; see -FUL 1. See CHARY.

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careen

position of a ship heeled over. XVI. — F. carène, †carine — It. carena, repr. L. carna keel. Hence careen vb. XVI.

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career

†racecourse; †gallop at full speed; course (of action) XVI; (a re-adoption from F.) course of life or employment XIX. — F. carrière — It. carriera — Pr. carreira :- Rom. carrria (sc. via) (carriage-)road, f. carrus CAR. Hence career vb. XVI.

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caress

sb. XVII. — F. caresse — It. carezza :- Rom. critia, f. crus dear; see CHARITY, -ESS 2. Hence, or — F. — It., caress vb. XVII.

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caret

mark indicating omission. XVII. — L., 3rd sing. pres. ind. of carre be without, taken to mean ‘is lacking’.

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cargo

XVII. — Sp. cargo (also carga), corr. to (O)F. charge load (etc.) :- Rom. carricre CHARGE.

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Carib

name of (i) a race of the West Indies, (ii) a group of West Indian languages. XVI. — Sp. caribe; formerly often synon. with CANNIBAL.

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caribou

XVIII. — Canadian F. caribou, from a N. Amer. Indian dialect.

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caricature

XVIII. — F. — It. caricatura, f. caricare load, exaggerate (see CHARGE). So as vb. XVIII.

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caries

(med.) decay of bones, etc. XVII. — L., ‘rottenness, decay’. So carious decayed. XVI. — L. carisus.

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carillon

(tune played on) a set of bells. XVIII. — F., alt. of OF. car(e)ignon, quarregnon — Rom. quatrini, -n-, peal of four bells, alt, of quaterni (see QUATERNION) after late L. trni number three, f. trnus threefold.

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carl

churl XIII; (later, Sc.) fellow. — ON. karl man = OHG. karl :- Gmc. karlaz; see also CHURL.

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carline

genus of plants allied to thistles. XVI. — F. carline = Sp., It. carlina, medL. carlina, perh. alt. of cardina (f. L. card thistle) by assoc. with Carolus Charles , it being said that Charlemagne received a revelation of the plant's efficacy (it was used as a sudorific).

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Carlovingian

pert. to the French dynasty founded by Charlemagne (Carolus Magnus). XVIII. — F. carlovingien, f. Karl Charles after mérovingien MEROVINGIAN; largely superseded by Carolingian (XIX), a re-formation on Carolus Charles.

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Carmelite

one of an order of mendicant friars originating from Mount Carmel, a White Friar. XV. — F. carmélite or medL. carmlta.

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carminative

expelling flatulence. XV. — (O)F. carminatif, -ive, or medL. carmintvus, f. carminre CHARM, (hence) heal, or card wool, (hence) purify; see -ATE 3, -IVE.

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carmine

crimson pigment obtained from cochineal. XVIII. — (O)F. carmin or medL. carminium, perh. conflation of carmesnum (see CRIMSON) and minium cinnabar.

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carnage

XVI. — F. — It. carnaggio :- medL. carnticum, f. car, carn- flesh; see -AGE.

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carnal

XV. — ChrL. carnlis, f. car, carn- flesh, rel. to Umbrian karu, Oscan carneis (g.) part, Gr. keírein cut; see -AL 1. So carnality XIV.

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carnation 1

rosy pink colour. XVI. — F. — It. carnagione — late L. carnti, -n- fleshiness, corpulence, f. car, carn- flesh; see prec. and -ATION.

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carnation 2

clove-pink, Dianthus caryophyllus. XVI. In early use varying with coronation; of uncert. orig.

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carnival

(orig.) season of revelry immediately preceding Lent. XVI. — It. carne-, carnovale, f. L. car, carn- flesh (see CARNAL) + levre lighten, raise; lit. ‘cessation of flesh-eating’.

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carnivorous

XVII.f. L. carnivorus, f. car, carn- flesh; see CARNAL, -VOROUS.

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carob

(fruit of) the leguminous tree Ceratonia siliqua. XVI. — F. †car(r)obe (mod. caroube), superseding OF. carouge :- medL. carrbia, -ium — Arab. karrba.

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carol

†ring-dance accompanied by song XIII; †the song itself XIV; hymn of joy for Christmas, etc. XVI. — OF. carole = Pr. carola, corola, of doubtful orig. So carol vb. †dance in a ring XIII; sing XIV.

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Caroline

pert. to Charles. XVII. — med. or modL. Carolnus, f. Carolus Charles; see -INE 1.

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Carolingian

see CARLOVINGIAN.

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carotid

(anat.) name of the two great arteries supplying blood to the head. XVII. — F. carotide or modL. cartides — Gr. kartídes, pl. of kartís, f. karoûn stupefy; so named because compression of these arteries was said to produce stupor.

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carouse

full draught XVI; drinking-bout XVII. From the phr. drink or quaff carouse (XVI), repr. G. gar aus trinken drink completely. So carouse vb. XVI.

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carp 1

†talk, speak XIII; †sing, recite XV; talk censoriously XVI. — ON. karpa brag, with generalization of sense; in the mod. sense infl. by, or a new formation on, L. carpere pluck (see HARVEST), (fig.) slander.

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carp 2

freshwater fish of genus Cyprinus. XIV. — (O)F. carpe — Pr. carpa or the source late L. carpa; perh. of Gmc. origin (cf. (M)LG. karpe, (M)Du. karper, OHG. karpfo, G. karpfen, ON. karfi).

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carpal

(anat.) pert. to the wrist. XVIII. — modL. carplis, f. carpus (used in Eng. from XVII) — Gr. karpós wrist; see -AL 1.

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carpel

(bot.) division of a compound pistil or fruit. XIX. — F. carpelle or modL. carpellum, f. Gr. karpós fruit (cf. HARVEST); see -EL 2.

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carpenter

XIV. — AN. carpenter, OF. carpentier, (also mod.) charpentier :- late L. carpentrius (sc. artifex) carriage-maker, f. carpentum two-wheeled carriage, like carrus CAR, of Gaulish origin; see -ER 2. So carpentry XIV; see -RY.

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carpet

†thick fabric for covering tables, etc. XIV; (piece of) fabric for covering a floor or stairs XV. — OF. carpite or medL. carpta — It. †carpita woollen counterpane, corr. to (O)F. charpie lint, sb. use of pp. of charpir :- Rom. carpre, for L. carpere pluck, pull to pieces (see HARVEST).

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carrel

study in a monastic cloister. XV (used hist. XVIII–XIX and more recently revived for a study in a library). — OF. carole, medL. carola, of unkn. orig.

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carriage

conveyance, transport XIV; means of conveyance, vehicle XV; manner of carrying oneself, bearing XVI. — ONF. cariage, f. carier CARRY; see -AGE.

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carriole

small carriage; Canadian sledge. XIX. — F. — It. carriuola, f. carro CAR.

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carrion

†corpse; dead putrefying flesh. XIII. ME. caroine, etc. — AN., ONF. caroi(g)ne, OF. charoigne (mod. charogne) :- Rom. carnia, f. L. car flesh (cf. CARNAGE).

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carrot

XVI. — (O)F. carotte — L. carta — Gr. kartón.

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carry

XIV. — AN., ONF. carier, var. of charier (mod. charrier cart, drag), f. c(h)ar CAR. Hence carrier XIV; see -ER 1.

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cart

†carriage; strong two-wheeled vehicle XIII; light sprung two-wheeled vehicle XIX. ME. carte; (i) partly metathetic repr. of OE. cræt; (ii) partly — cogn. ON. kartr; prob. infl. by AN., ONF. carete (mod. charrette cart), dim. of c(h)ar CAR.

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carte blanche

XVIII. — F. ‘blank paper’.

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cartel

written challenge XVI; written agreement as to exchange of prisoners XVII; (after G. kartell), combination for business or political purposes XX. — F. — It. cartello placard, challenge, dim. of carta paper, letter (cf. CHART); see -EL 2.

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Cartesian

XVII. — modL. Cartesinus, f. Cartesius, latinized form of the surname of René Descartes , French philosopher and mathematician (1596–1650); see -IAN.

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Carthusian

one of an order of monks founded by St. Bruno in 1084. XVI. — medL. Carthusinus, f. Chart(h)sia Chartreuse, near Grenoble, France. The earlier form of the place-name was Charteuse; the altered form Chartreuse, AN. Chartrous, was adopted in later ME. and, by assim. to HOUSE, became Charterhouse (i) Carthusian monastery XVI, (ii) hospital founded 1611 on the site of the C. monastery in London, later a public school.

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cartilage

XVI. — F. — L. cartilg (-gin-). So cartilaginous XVI. — (O)F. or L. (-sus).

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cartography

XIX. — F. cartographie, f. carte map — L. charta CHART; see -O-, -GRAPHY.

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carton

white disk within the bull's-eye of a target XIX; pasteboard container XX. — F. carton pasteboard, cardboard (see next).

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cartoon

drawing made as a design for a painting XVII; illustration in a periodical as a comment on current events XIX. — F. carton — It. cartone, augm. of carta paper, CARD 2; see -OON.

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cartouche

†cartridge; (archit.) corbel, tablet, etc. XVII. — F. cartouche cornet of paper, cartridge — It. cartoccio, f. carta paper (cf. CARD 2).

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cartridge

XVI. alt. of prec., but recorded earlier.

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c(h)artulary

(hist.) place where records are kept; collection or register of records. XVI. — medL. c(h)artulrium, f. c(h)artula, dim. of c(h)arta paper; see CHART, CHARTER, and -ARY.

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carucate

(hist.) as much land as can be tilled with one plough in one year. XV. — medL. car(r)cta, f. car(r)ca orig. coach, chariot, in Gaul early applied to the wheel-plough, rel. to carrus CAR; see -ATE 1.

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carve

†cut; cut artistically or ornamentally OE; cut up meat at table XIII. OE. .eorfan str. vb. = (M)Du. kerven, MHG. kerben :- WGmc. kerfan. The weak conj. is found as early as XV. The normal repr. of OE. .eorfan would be charve, but initial k had established itself by c. 1200 in the pres. stem through the infl. of other parts of the vb. or of the Scand. forms.

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caryatid

(archit.; orig. and usu. pl.) female figure used as a column. XVI. — F. cariatide — It. cariatide, or their source, L. caryatides — Gr. karuátides (pl.) priestesses of Artemis at Karuai (Caryae) in Laconia.

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cascade

waterfall. XVII. — F. — It. cascata, f. cascare fall :- Rom. csicare, f. L. csus fall; see CASE 1, -ADE. Hence as vb. XVIII.

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cascara

(sagrada) a laxative drug. XIX. — Sp. ‘(sacred) bark’, f. cascar crack, burst.

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case 1

†event, chance; instance, example XIII; state, condition XIV; (gram.) inflexional form of noun, etc. XIV; (leg.) state of the facts, cause, suit XIV. ME. ca(a)s — (O)F. cas — L. csus fall, chance, grammatical case (tr. Gr. ptôsis lit. fall), f. base of cadere fall.

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case 2

receptacle XIII; protective covering XIV; chest; frame XVI, as in staircase (XVII). — OF. casse, dial. var. of chasse (mod. châsse reliquary, frame) :- L. capsa box, bookcase, f. base of capere hold (see HEAVE).

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casein

protein constituent of milk. XIX. f. L. caseus CHEESE; see -IN.

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casement

(archit.) hollow moulding XV; window frame opening on hinges XVI (caze-, -mund). cf. medL. cassa, etc., and cassa fenestre casement or moulding; cassimentum casement (of window); app. f. CASE 2 + -MENT. For the application of -MENT in Eng. cf. BATTLEMENT.

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caseous

of cheese. XVII. f. L. caseus CHEESE + -OUS.

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cash

†money-box; money. XVI. — F. †casse, or its source, It. cassa :- L. capsa CASE 2.

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cashew

large W. Indian tree, Anacardium occidentale, XVIII. — Pg. (a)caju — Tupi.

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cashier 1

one who pays out and receives money. XVI. — Du. kassier, or its source, F. caissier, f. caisse CASH; see -IER.

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cashier 2

disband (troops); dismiss from office. XVI (casseer, casseir). — early Flem. kasseren disband (soldiers), revoke (a will) — F. casser break, dismiss, rescind = It. cassare cancel :- L. quassre QUASH.

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cashmere

(in full Cashmere shawl), shawl made of fine wool obtained from the Kashmir goat; the material itself. XIX. Kashmir, name of a province in the W. Himalayas, India.

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casino

XVIII. — It., dim. of casa house :- L. casa cottage.

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cask

hooped wooden vessel; †casket; †helmet. XV. — F. casque or Sp. casco helmet, CASQUE. The earliest and prevailing sense was prob. imported with the wine trade and depended on provincial uses of the S. French or Sp. region, where, however, the only recorded sense is ‘helmet’.

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casket

XV. of obscure orig.; poss. — AN. alt. of synon. (O)F. cassette — It. cassetta, dim. of cassa :- L. capsa box (see CASE 2); see -ET.

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casque

helmet. XVII. — F. — Sp. casco; cf. CASK.

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cassation

annulment. XV. — (O)F. cassation, f. casser QUASH; see -ATION.

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cassava

tropical plant of genus Manihot; starch obtained from this (tapioca). XVI. The earliest forms cazibi, cas(s)aví, etc. repr. original Taino casavi; the pres. is an alt. of these after F. cassave.

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casserole

XVIII. — F., extension of cassole, dim. of casse — Pr. casa :- Rom. (late L.) cattia pan — Gr. kuáth(e)ion, dim. of kúathos cup.

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cassia

kind of cinnamon. OE. and ME., but not naturalized till XVI. — L. cas(s)ia — Gr. kasí — Heb. e’h bark resembling cinnamon, f. ’ strip off.

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cassock

soldier's or rider's cloak; long loose coat or gown XVI; long (esp. black) tunic worn by ecclesiastics XVII. — F. casaque — It. casacca, prob. — Turk. kazak tribal name.

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cassowary

bird related to the ostrich. XVII. — Malay ksuari.

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cast

superseded OE. weorpan WARP in the sense of THROW, but is now largely itself superseded by the latter in the ordinary physical sense, though used extensively in many transf. and techn. applications. XIII. — ON. kasta. Hence cast sb. throw XIII; in many derived uses, e.g. †design, device XIII; assignment of parts in a play; twist, turn XVI; tinge, hue XVII; style, sort XVII.

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castanet

XVII. — Sp. castañeta (with later assim. to F. castagnette), dim. of castaña :- L. castanea CHESTNUT; see -ET.

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castaway

rejected, reprobate; and as sb. XVI. f. pp. of CAST + AWAY.

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caste

race, stock XVI; hereditary class in Indian society XVII. — Sp., and (particularly in its Indian application) Pg. casta, sb. use (sc. raza, raça race) of fem. of casto pure, unmixed (see CHASTE).

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castellated

built like a castle, as with battlements XVII; furnished with castles XIX. f. medL. castelltus, f. L. castellum CASTLE; see -ATE 2, -ED. So castellation XIX.

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castigate

correct by punishment or discipline. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. castgre correct, reprove, CHASTISE, f. castus pure, CHASTE; see -ATE 3. So castigation XIV. — L.

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castle

XI. — AN., ONF. castel, var. of chastel (mod. château) :- L. castellum, dim. of castrum entrenchment, fortified place, fort.

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castor 1

beaver, unctuous substance obtained from the beaver (used as a drug). XIV. — (O)F. or L. castor — Gr. kástr. The history of the use of castor oil (XVIII) for the pale-yellow oil obtained from the seeds of the plant Ricinus communis is obscure.

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castor 2

perforated vessel for sprinkling pepper, sugar, etc. XVII; swivel wheel on legs of furniture XVIII. var. of caster, agent-noun f. CAST + -ER 1. The sp. -or for -er (still current) may have been favoured as being more appropriate to an instrument; cf. razor, mirror, and words in -ATOR.

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castrate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. castrre, f. castrum knife; see -ATE 3. So castration XV. — F. or L.

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casual

accidental XIV; occurring uncertainly XV; occurring without design XVII. — (O)F. casuel and L. csulis (in its late and med. uses), f. csus CASE 1; see -AL 1. Hence casually XIV; after medL. csuliter. casualty casual occurrence, loss, etc. XV; casual charge XV; after medL. csulits.

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casuist

student of cases of conscience. XVII. — F. casuiste — Sp. (modL.) casuista, f. L. csus CASE 1; see -IST. Hence casuistry XVIII; prob. after sophistry, and so at first derogatory.

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cat

OE. catt m. ( = ON. kttr), catte fem. ( = MDu. katte, Du. kat, OHG. kazza, G. katze); reinforced in ME. by AN., ONF. cat, var. of (O)F. chat :- late L. cattus, of unkn. orig.

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cata-

before a vowel cat- , combining with h cath- , repr. Gr. adv.-prep. katá down, down from, according to, used with the senses
1.
down, in position,
2.
down, in quantity or degree,
3.
amiss, mis-,
4.
against, alongside,
5.
thoroughly, entirely.

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catachresis

improper use (of word). XVI. — L. catachrsis — Gr. katákhrsis, f. katakhrêsthai use amiss, f. CATA- 3 + khrsthai use. So catachrestic(al) adjs. XVII.

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cataclysm

deluge; great upheaval. XVII. — F. cataclysme — L. cataclysmos — Gr. kataklusmós, f. kataklúzein, f. CATA- 1 + klúzein wash.

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catacombs

subterranean cemeteries in Rome, and hence gen. XVII. — F. catacombes — late L. catacumbas, specific name from c. 400 of the cemetery of St. Sebastian on the Appian Way; the word seems to be orig. invariable, but later was treated as acc. pl., from which a sing. catacumba was formed, whence the occas. use of the sg. in modern langs.; the ult. orig. is unkn.

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catafalque

erection in a church to receive the coffin of a deceased person. XVII. — F., It. catafalco ( = OF. escafaut, mod. échafaud). See SCAFFOLD.

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catalepsy

disease characterized by a seizure or trance. XVI. — F. catalepsie or late L. catalpsia, f. Gr. katálpsis, f. katalambánein seize upon, f. CATA- 5 + lambánein take. See -Y 3. So cataleptic XVII.

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catalogue

XV. — (O)F. — late L. catalogus — Gr. katálogos, f. katalégein pick out, enlist, enrol, f. CATA- 5 + légein collect, choose, enumerate.

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catalysis

†dissolution XVII; (chem.) chemical action brought about by a substance that remains unchanged XIX. — modL. — Gr. katálusis, f. katalúein dissolve, f. CATA- 2 + lúein loosen. Hence catalyse, catalytic XIX, catalyst XX; after analyse, etc.

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catamaran

XVII. — Tamil kaumaram ‘tied wood’, f. kau tie, bond + maram wood.

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catamite

sodomite's subject. XVI. — L. catamtus — (through Etruscan catmite) Gr. Ganumds Ganymede, cup-bearer of Zeus.

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catamountain

leopard, panther, etc. XVI (also catamount XVII); earlier cat of the mountain (XV–XVI), which was first used to render L. pardus, Gr. párdos PARD.

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catapult

(mil.) missile engine XVI; shooting instrument consisting of a forked stick with elastic band XIX. — (O)F. catapulte or L. catapulta — Gr. katapélts, f. CATA- 1 + pel-, var. base of pállein hurl.

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cataract

†(pl.) floodgates of heaven (cf. Gen. 7: 11, 8: 2) XV; †waterspouts; (sg.) waterfall; opacity of the lens of the eye (prob. fig. use of the sense ‘portcullis’) XVI. — L. cataracta — Gr. katar(r)hkts down-rush, waterfall, portcullis.

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catarrh

XVI. — F. catarrhe — late L. catarrhus — Gr. katárrhous rheum, f. katarrheîn run down, f. CATA- 1 + rheîn flow.

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catarrhine

(zool.) monkey having the nostrils close together and pointed downwards. XIX. f. Gr. CATA- 4 + rhs, rhin- nostril.

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catastrophe

dénouement of a drama; disastrous end XVII; event subversive of order XVII; sudden disaster XVIII. — L. catastropha — Gr. katastroph overturning, sudden turn, f. katastréphein overturn. Hence catastrophic XIX.

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catch

†chase; capture, grasp, seize; take, get, receive. XIII. ME. cac(c)hen — AN., ONF. cachier, var. of OF. chacier (mod. chasser) :- Rom. captire, repl. L. captre try to catch, lie in wait for, (hence) hunt, CHASE 1 (the sense in all the Rom. langs.). Catch took over the sense ‘seize’ and its conjugational forms from the native latch (OE. læ..an), e.g. ca(u)hte, caught and cachte, catched beside la(u)hte, laught and lachte, latched. Hence catch sb. act of catching. something caught XV; contrivance for checking a mechanism XIV; (mus.) round XVII.

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catchup, catsup

see KETCHUP.

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catechize

give systematic oral instruction XV; question systematically (from the question-and-answer form of the Church Catechism) XVII. — ChrL. catchzre — ecclGr. katkhízein, f. katkheíîn sound through, instruct orally, f. CATA- 5 + kheîn sound; see -IZE. So catechism catechetical instruction; manual of religious instruction in the form of question and answer. XVI. catechetic(al) XVII.

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catechu

astringent substance obtained from various Eastern barks, etc. XVII. — modL. catechu, defined as ‘terra japonica’ (Japanese earth) on account of its appearance, unexpl. deriv. of Malay kachu; see CACHOU.

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catechumen

convert under instruction. XV. — (O)F. catéchumène or ecclL. catchmenus — Gr. katkhoúmenos being instructed, prp. pass. of katkheîn (see CATECHIZE).

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category

XV. — F. catégorie or its source, late L. catgoria — Gr. katgorí accusation, etc., f. katgoros accuser, etc., f. CATA- 4 + agor assembly; see -Y 3. So categoric XVII, categorical XVI. — F. catégorique or late L. catgoricus.

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catena

series of quotations in support of a thesis, etc. XVII. Short for ecclL. catna patrum ‘chain of the Fathers’ (viz. of the Church); see CHAIN. So catenary (math.) curve formed by a chain hanging from two points. XVIII. catenation linking into or as with a chain, XVII.

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cater

XVII. f. †cater (XIV) buyer of provisions, caterer, aphetic form of †acater purchaser — AN. acatour, var. of OF. achatour, f. achater buy (mod. acheter) :- Rom. accaptre, f. AC- + captre catch. Hence caterer XVI; see -ER 1.

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caterpillar

XV. The earliest recorded form, catyrpel, is prob. — AN. var. of OF. chatepelose ‘hairy cat’; assoc. in XVI with †piller ravager, plunderer (see PILLAGE), prob. brought about the extended form in -piller, -pillar.

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caterwaul

XIV. One of a group of cogn. formations of which the earliest is caterwawed caterwauling, a noun of action with -ed, repr. OE. -að. The first el. is to be identified with CAT, but it is doubtful whether it is rel. to or — LG., Du. kater male cat, or whether the -er- is merely an arbitrary connective syll.; the second el. appears variously as -w(r)awe, -wall (XVI), etc.

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catgut

dried intestines of sheep, etc. used for the strings of musical instruments. XVI. f. CAT + GUT; the reason for the use of cat is unkn.

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cathartic

cleansing, purgative. XVII. — late L. catharticus — Gr. kathartikós, f. kathaírein cleanse, f. katharós clean. So catharsis purgation. XIX. — modL. — Gr. kátharsis.

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cathedral

pert. to an episcopal see. XIII. — (O)F. cathédral — late L. cathedrlis, f. L. cathedra — Gr. kathédr seat, f. CATA- 1 + hed- :- sed- SIT; as sb., short for cathedral church XVI.

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catheter

XVII. f. late L. — Gr. kathetr, f. kathe-, kathiénai send or let down, f. CATA- 1 + hiénai send + agent-suffix -tr

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cathode

(electr.) negative electrode. XIX. — Gr. káthodos going down, f. CATA- 1 + hodós way. Cf. ANODE, ELECTRODE.

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catholic

universal (spec. of the Christian Church) XIV; sb. member of the Catholic Church XV. — (O)F. catholique or its source ChrL. catholicus — Gr. katholikós general, universal, f. katá in respect of (cf. CATA-) + hólos whole. Hence catholicism, catholicize XVII; catholicity XIX.

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cation

(electr.) a positive ion moving towards the cathode during electrolysis. XIX. — Gr. katión, f. CATA- 1 + ION; cf. CATHODE.

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catkin

XVI. — Du. †katteken lit. kitten, dim. of katte CAT.

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catmint

the plant Nepeta cataria, which attracts cats. XIII (kattesminte). f. CAT + MINT2, after medL. herba catti, h. cataria.

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catsup

var. of CATCHUP.

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cattle

†property; livestock. XIII. ME. catel(l) — AN., ONF. catel, var. of chatel (see CHATTEL).

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caucus

(U.S.) private meeting of the chiefs of a political party XVIII; in Eng. use applied from 1878 to organizations for mangaging political elections, etc. Perh. repr. an Algonquian word meaning ‘elder, adviser’.

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caudal

pert. to a tail. XVII. — modL. caudlis, f. L. cauda tail; see -AL 1. So caudate tailed. XVII. — medL.; see -ATE 2.

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caudle

thin gruel sweetened and spiced. XIII. — ONF. caudel, var. of chaudel (mod. chaudeau) :- medL. caldellum, dim. of L. caldum hot drink, sb. use of n. of cal(i)dus hot.

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caul

(hist.) woman's close-fitting cap, hairnet; investing membrane, e.g. omentum, amnion. XIII. ME. calle, of doubtful orig.; perh. — (O)F. cale head-covering, f. calotte (see CALOTTE) by back-formation; but the Eng. word is recorded earlier.

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cauldron

XIII.ME. caudroun — AN., ONF. caudron (mod. chaudron), augm. of Rom. caldario, L. caldrium hot bath, f. cal(i)dus hot. The etymologizing sp. with l appeared XV and subseq. infl. the pronunc.

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cauliflower

XVI. Earlier cole flory, colliflory alt. (by assim. to COLE) of F. †chou fleuri (flori), prob. — It. cavolfiore or modL. cauliflra ‘flowered cabbage’. The second element was assim. to flower XVII, as in F. chou-fleur.

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caulk

XV. — OF. cauquer, caukier, north. var. of OF. cauchier tread, press with force :- L. calcre tread, press, f. calx, calc- heel.

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cause

ground or reason for action XIII; legal case or suit XIII; that which produces an effect XIV. — (O)F. — L. causa reason, motive, law-suit. So causal XVI. — late L. causlis. causality, causation XVII, causative XV, all — late L. or F. cause vb. be the cause of. XIV. — (O)F. causer or medL. causre.

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causeway

raised road XV; (paved) highway XVII. Early forms are cawce, cawcy, and causey way, reduced to caus(e)way XVI. Causey (dial.) is — AN. caucé(e) = ONF. cauciée (mod. chaussée) :- Rom. calcita (sc. via way, road), fem. pp. f. L. calx, calc- lime, CHALK.

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caustic

corrosive XIV; fig. bitter XVIII. — F. caustique or L. causticus — Gr. kaustikós capable of burning, f. kaustós combustible, f. kaf, base of kaíein burn; see -IC.

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cauterize

XIV. — (O)F. cautériser — late L. cautrizre, alt. — Gr. kautriázein, f. kautrion, whence (through L. cautrium) cautery XIV cauterizing instrument, drug, or operation; ult. f. Gr. kaíein; see CAUSTIC, -IZE.

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caution

security, bail XIII; taking heed, word of warning XVII. orig. — (O)F. — L. cauti, -n-, f. pp. stem of cavre take heed; a re-adoption from L. took place c. 1600; see -TION. Hence caution vb. warn. XVII. So cautious XVII; see -TIOUS.

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cavalcade

†ride XVI; procession on horseback XVII. — F. cavalcade, earlier †-cate- It. cavalcata, f. cavalcare :- Rom. caballicre ride, f. L. caballus pack-horse, nag, in Rom. (VI) soldier's word for ‘horse’ (F. cheval, etc.), which, like Gr. kabálls, is an alien word; see -ADE.

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cavalier

horseman; courtly gentleman, gallant XVI; Royalist XVII. — F. cavalier or its source It. cavaliere, deriv. of L. (Rom.) caballus horse (see prec.); see -IER.

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cavalry

XVI (cavallerie). — F. cavallerie — It. cavalleria (corr. to F. chevalerie CHIVALRY), f. cavallo :- L. caballus; see CAVALCADE and -ERY, -RY.

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cave 1

underground hollow. XIII. -(O)F. (now ‘cellar’) — L. cava, sb. use of fem. sg. or n. pl. of cavus hollow.

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cave 2

fall in over a hollow. XVIII. prob. var. of dial. (esp. eastern) calve (XVIII), cauve, which may be of LG. orig.; cf. WFlem. inkalven fall in, Du. afkalven fall away, uitkalven fall out.

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caveat

XVI. — L., 3rd sing. pres. subj. of cavre beware.

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cavern

XIV. — (O)F. caverne or L. caverna, f. cavus hollow; cf. CAVE 1 and, for the suffix, CISTERN, TAVERN. So cavernous XV. — (O)F. caverneux, L. cavernsus.

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caviare

XVI. Various early forms, repr. It. caviale (whence F. †cavial), F. caviar, etc.; the source appears to be Gr. khaviári, of uncert. orig.

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cavil

XV. — (O)F. caviller — L. cavillr, f. cavilla scoffing, mockery. So cavillation XIV.

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cavity

XVI. — F. cavité or late L. cavits, f. cavus hollow; see CAVE 1, -ITY.

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cavort

(orig. U.S.) prance or caper about, orig. of a horse or rider. XIX. perh. alt. of CURVET.

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cavy

rodent of the family Caviidae, including the guinea-pig. XVIII. — modL. cavia, f. Galibi (French Guiana) cabiai.

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caw

imit. of the cry of rooks and the like. XVI.

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cayenne (pepper)

XVIII. Early forms kayan, kian; orig. — Tupi kyynha, quiynha, later assim. to Cayenne, chief town of French Guiana.

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cayman, caiman

American alligator. XVI. — Sp., Pg. caiman — Carib acayuman, cay(e)man.

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cease

XIV. ME. ces(s)en — (O)F. cesser :- L. cessre stop, f. cess-, pp. stem of cdere yield, CEDE.

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cecity

blindness. XVI. — L. cæcits, f. cæcus blind; see -ITY.

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cedar

XIII (cedre). — OF. cedre (mod. cèdre) — L. cedrus — Gr. kédros juniper, cedar. OE. had ceder from L. The sp. with -ar dates from XVI.

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cede

†give way XVII; give up, yield XVIII. — F. céder or L. cdere go (away), retire, yield.

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cedilla

the mark, written under c. XVI. — Sp. cedilla, now zedilla, dim. of zeda letter z.

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ceiling

†lining of the inside of roof or walls XIV; †screen of tapestry, curtain XV; (naut.) inside planking of a ship's bottom XVII; plaster covering the top of a room XVI. Late ME. celynge, siling, early modEng. syll-, seel-, ciel-, seyl-, appearing contemp. with celure, selure, sil(l)our, later seller canopy, hangings, tapestry (XIV–XVI); these corresp. in use to medL. clum (XII) cltra (XIII), clra (XIV), but the meaning is freq. uncert.; possible OF. connections are rare, and it remains doubtful whether L., cælum heaven is the ult. base and how far L. cælre engrave, cæltra engraving, carving are concerned.

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celadon

pale shade of green. XVIII. — F., a use of the name of a languorous gallant in the ‘Astrée’ of d'Urfé (1610), who took it from Ovid's ‘Metamorphoses’.

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celandine

name of two (distinct) plants bearing yellow flowers. XIII. Earliest form celidoine, the intrusive -n- being recorded XV. — OF. celidoine — medL. celidonia, for L. chelidonia (sc. herba plant), -onium — Gr. khelidónion, f. khelidn swallow.

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celebrate

XV. f. †celebrate, pp. (XV) — L. celebrtus, pp. of celebrre, f. celeber, celebr- frequented, frequent, renowned; see -ATE 3. Hence celebrated famous XVII. So celebration XVI.

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celeriac

XVIII. f. CELERY, with arbitrary use of the suffix -AC.

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celerity

XV. — (O)F. célérité — L. celerits, f. celer swift; see -ITY.

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celery

XVII. — F. céleri — It. dial. selleri — L. selnon, selnum — Gr. sélinon.

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celestial

XIV. — OF. — medL. celestilis, f. L. cælestis, f. cælum heaven; see -IAL.

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celibacy

XVII. f. L. cælibtus, f. cælebs, cælib- unmarried; see -ACY.

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cell

dependent religious house XII; small dwelling or apartment; cavity in an organism XIV; various subsequent uses. — OF. celle, or its source L. cella store-room, chamber, small apartment, in medL. in the first two senses above, rel. to L. clre CONCEAL.

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cellar

†store-room XIII; underground room XIV. ME. celer — AN. celer = OF. celier (mod. cellier) :- late L. cellrium set of cells, storehouse for food, f. cella CELL.

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cello

shortening of VIOLONCELLO. XIX.

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cellular

XVIII. — F. cellulaire — modL. cellulris, f. cellula, dim. of cella CELL; see -AR.

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cellulose

adj. consisting of cells XVIII; sb. a carbohydrate, main constituent of plant-cell walls XIX. As adj. — modL. cellulsus; as sb. — F. cellulose; see prec. and -OSE. Hence celluloid XIX; the use of -OID is arbitrary.

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Celt, Kelt

†a Gaul XVII; one who speaks a Celtic language XVIII. In the earliest use — L. Celtæ pl. — Gr. Keltoí; in the mod. use — F. Celte. So Celtic XVII. — L. Celticus and F. celtique.

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celt

prehistoric instrument with chisel edge. XVIII. — modL. celtes, based on celte, which occurs in the Clementine text of Vulg., Job 19: 24 (‘stylo ferreo et plumbi lamina vel celte sculpantur in silice’), where some MSS. read certe ‘surely’ (corr. to ‘for ever’ of A. V.); the adoption of the word as a techn. term of archaeology was prob. assisted by a supposed connection with Celt.

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cement

sb. XIII. ME. siment — (O)F. ciment :- L. cæmentum quarry stone, pl. chips of stone, f. cædmentum, f. cædere hew; see -MENT. So as vb. XIV. — (O)F. cimenter.

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cemetery

XIV. — late L. cœmtrium — Gr. koimtrion dormitory, (in Christian writers) burial-ground, f. koimân put to sleep.

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cenobite

var. of COENOBITE.

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cenotaph

sepulchral monument to a person buried elsewhere. XVII. — F. cénotaphe — late L. cenotaphium — Gr. kenós empty + táphos tomb.

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censer

vessel in which incense is burnt ceremonially. XIII (senser). — AN. censer, senser, OF. censier, aphetic of ensensier, f. ensens INCENSE 1. So cense vb. burn incense to, fumigate with incense. XIV.

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censor

supervisor of morals, etc. XVI. — L. cnsor, f. cnsre pronounce as an opinion, assess, judge. Hence censor vb. XIX. So censure †judgement XIV; adverse judgement XVII. — (O)F. — L. cnsra; see -URE. censure vb. XVI. — F. censurer.

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census

registration of citizens in ancient Rome XVII; enumeration of population XVIII. — L. cnsus, rel. to prec.

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cent

(U.S., etc.) 1/100 of a dollar. XVIII. — F., or It. cento, L. centum HUNDRED. See also PER CENT.

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centaur

fabulous creature, half man, half horse. XIV. — L. centaurus — Gr. kéntauros, of unkn. orig.

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centaury

plant the medicinal properties of which were said to have been discovered by Chiron the centaur. XIV. — late L. centauria, -ea, f. L. centaurion, -um — Gr. kentaúr(e)ion, f. kéntauros CENTAUR.

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centenary

adj. of a hundred years XVII; sb. † 100 pounds XVI; century XVII; centennial anniversary XVIII. — L. centnrius, containing a hundred, f. centn hundred each, f. centum HUNDRED; see -ARY. So centenarian 100 years old. XIX. centennial of 100 years. XVIII. f. L. centum, after biennial. centesimal hundredth (part). XVII. f. L. centsimus hundredth.

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centi-

comb. form of L. centum hundred, used in the F. metric system to denote the 100th part of a unit, as centigramme , -litre , -metre ; also in centigrade pert. to Celsius's thermometer XIX. — F. centigrade, f. L. gradus step, GRADE. centipede XVII. — F. centipède or L. centipeda (ps, ped- FOOT).

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centime

1/100 of a franc. XIX. — F., f. L. centum HUNDRED.

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cento

†patchwork; composition made up of scraps. XVII. — L. cent patchwork garment, poem made up of verses from other sources; rel. to Gr. kenteîn stitch, kéntrn patchwork garment.

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centre, U.S. center

sb. XIV. — (O)F. centre or its source L. centrum — Gr. kéntron goad, peg, stationary point of a pair of compasses, f. base of kenteîn prick. From XVI to XVIII the prevalent sp. was center; centre appeared in Bailey's dict. 1727 and was adopted by Johnson . Hence centre vb. XVII. So central XVI, -ize XIX.

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centri

- comb. form of L. centrum CENTRE in centrifugal, centripetal XVIII, f. modL. centrifugus, -petus, f. stems of L. fugere flee, petere seek. In some other techn. terms centro-, repr. Gr. kéntron, has been used.

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centuple

hundredfold. XVII. — F. centuple or ecclL. centuplus, var. of centuplex, f. centum HUNDRED; cf. -FOLD.

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century

group of 100 XVI; 100 years XVII. — L. centuria assemblage of 100 things, division of the Roman army (orig. 100 horsemen), f. centum HUNDRED; see -Y 3. So centurion commander of a century. XIV.

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cephalic

of the head. XVI. — (O)F. céphalique — L. cephalicus — Gr. kephalikós, f. kephal head; see -IC.

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ceramic

adj. XIX. — Gr. kermikós, f. kéramos potter's earth, pottery; see -IC.

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cere

wax-like membrane at the base of a bird's beak. XV. — medL. use of L. cra wax.

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cereal

adj. and sb. XIX. — L. cerelis pert. to the cultivation of grain, f. Cers goddess of agriculture; see -AL 1.

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cerebral

XIX. f. L. cerebrum, rel. to Skr. íra- head, point, Gr. kéras horn, ON. hiarni (whence ME. hernes, mod. dial. harns brains); see -AL 1. So cerebration action of the brain. XIX.

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cerecloth

waxed cloth used as a winding-sheet, etc. XV (sirecloth). Also cered cloth, with pp. of cire, cere vb. (XIV) — (O)F. cirer assim. to L. crre, f. cra wax. So cerements waxed wrappings for the dead XVII; see -MENT.

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ceremony

XIV. — (perh. through (O)F. cérémonie) L. cærimnia religious worship, (pl.) ritual observances; see -MONY. So ceremonial XIV. — late L. ceremonious XVI. — F. or late L.

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cerise

light clear bright red. XIX. adj. use of F. cerise :- Rom. ceresea CHERRY.

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cerium

(chem.) metallic element. XIX. — modL., named after the asteroid Ceres; see -IUM.

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certain

fixed; sure XIII; some (particular or definite) XIII; established as truth; fully confident XIV; a certain XVIII; a certain age (after F. d'un certain âge rather elderly) XIX. — (O)F. :- Rom. certnus, extension of L. certus settled, sure, pp. formation on cernere sift, separate, decide, rel. to Gr. krnein (see CRISIS). So certainty XIV. — AN. certainté, OF. certaineté.

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certify

XIV. — (O)F. certifier — late or medL. certificre, f. certus CERTAIN; see -FY. So certification XV. certificate XV. — F. certificat or medL. certifictum, sb. use of pp. of certificre; see -ATE 2.

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certiorari

(leg.) writ from a higher court for the production of records from a lower. XV. pass. of late legal L. certirre inform (certiorem facere), f. certior, compar. of certus CERTAIN.

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certitude

XV. — late L. certitd, f. certus CERTAIN; see -TUDE.

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cerulean

of a deep blue. XVII. — L. cæruleus sky-blue, prob. :- cælolos, f. cælum sky, heaven; see -EAN.

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ceruse

white lead. XIV. — (O)F. céruse — L. crussa.

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cervical

XVII. — F. cervical or modL. cervclis (cf. L. cervcal pillow), f. cervx, cervc- neck; see -AL 1.

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cess

local rate (in Ireland still the official term). XVI. var. of sess, aphetic form of ASSESS.

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cessation

XIV. — L. cessti, -n-, f. pp. stem of cessre CEASE.

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cesser

(leg.) cessation. XVI. sb. use of (O)F. cesser CEASE; see -ER 5.

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cession

action of ceding or surrendering. XIV. — (O)F. cession or its source L. cessi, -n-, f. cdere, cess- CEDE; see -ION.

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cesspool

excavation in the bottom of a drain to retain solid matter XVII; well to receive soil from privies, etc. XVIII. perh. alt., with assim. to POOL 1, of cesperalle, susprall, suspirel settling tank, cesspool (XVI), vars. of †suspiral vent, esp. of a conduit, water-pipe — OF. souspirail (mod. soupirail) air-hole, f. sou(s)pirer (L. susprre) SUSPIRE + L. spiraculum air-hole. Hence cesspit XIX.

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cetaceous

of the whale kind. XVII. f. modL. ctacea (used zool. as the name of an order), f. L. ctus — Gr. kêtos whale; see -ACEOUS.

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Chablis

French white wine. XVII. — F., f. name of a town in E. France.

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chafe

†heat, inflame; ruffle, vex XIV; rub so as to warm XV; rage, fret XVI. ME. chaufe — OF. chaufer (mod. chauffer) :- Rom. calefre, for calefacere make warm (see CALEFACTION).

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chafer

beetle (now chiefly in COCKCHAFER). OE. .eafor :- Gmc. kabraz, -uz, parallel to .efer = OS., (M)Du. kever, OHG. chefar(o) (G. käfer) :- Gmc. kebraz; prob. lit. ‘the gnawer’, and rel. to next and OE. .eafl, JOWL 1.

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chaff 1

husks of grain OE.; refuse XIII; cut hay and straw XVIII. OE. .eaf = MLG., (M)Du., MHG. kaf (G. dial. kaff), corr. to OHG. cheva husk; prob. f. Gmc. base kaf- kef- gnaw, chew.

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chaff 2

banter lightly; also as sb. XIX. of slang orig.; perh. a var. of CHAFE, for which sps. with -ff- occur from XVI in the sense of ‘scolding’.

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chaffer

traffic, trade; merchandise. XIII. ME. chaf-, cheffare, ch(e)apfare :- OE. .apfaru, f. .ap bargain, sale + faru going, journey, proceedings (prob. after ON. kaupfr trading journey); see CHEAP, FARE. The orig. word became obs. in XVII; a new sb. meaning ‘bargaining’, f. the vb., appeared XIX. Hence chaffer vb. †trade; bargain, haggle XIV.

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chaffinch

OE. .eaffin., f. CHAFF 1 + FINCH.

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chagrin

†anxious care, melancholy XVII; vexation XVIII; also †adj. grieved, mortified XVII. — F. chagrin sb. and adj., of unkn. orig.

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chain

sb. XIII. — OF. chaine (mod. chaîne) :- L. catna. Hence, or — (O)F., chain vb. XIV.

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chair

XIII (chaere, chaier). — AN. chaere, OF. chaiere (mod. chaire bishop's throne, pulpit, etc.) :- L. cathedra — Gr. kathédr (see CATHEDRAL). Hence chairman XVII.

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chaise

pleasure or travelling carriage. XVIII. — F. chaise, var. of chaire CHAIR.

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c(h)alcedony

precious stone (now a subspecies of quartz). The present forms, dating from XV–XVI, are — L. c(h)alcdonius — Gr. khalkdn (Rev. 21: 19), assumed to mean ‘stone of Chalcedon’ in Asia Minor, but var. L. forms carc(h)edonia, -ius led to the assoc. with Carthage (Gr. Karkhdn). Earlier forms, cassidoine, calcidoine, etc. (from XIII) were — OF.

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chaldron

dry measure (32 bushels). XVII. — OF. chauderon (mod. chaudron) CAULDRON.

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chalet

XIX. -(Swiss) F., dim. of OF. chasel farmstead, dairy :- Rom. casle, f. L. casa hut, cottage.

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chalice

XIII. — (O)F. — L. calix, calic- cup, rel. to Gr. kálux CALYX.

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chalk

OE. .ealc = OS. calc, OHG. chalch (G. kalk), WGmc. — L. calx, calc- lime, which sense has remained in the Gmc. langs. except Eng., where it has taken over that of L. crta (whence F. craie; cf. CRAYON). Hence chalk vb. XVI. chalky XIV.

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challenge

†accusation XIII; †claim; invitation to a contest XIV; legal exception taken XVI. ME. c(h)alenge — OF. :- L. calumnia false accusation, malicious action at law (see CALUMNY). So challenge vb. XIII. ME. c(h)alange — OF. c(h)alengier :- L. calumnir CALUMNIATE.

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Cham

XVI. Earlier form of KHAN.

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chamber

XIII. — (O)F. chambre :- L. camera — Gr. kamár vault (cf. CAMERA).

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chamberlain

attendant on a royal or noble chamber XIII; steward of a king, etc. XV. ME. cha(u)mberleyn, -laine — OF. chamberlain, -lenc (mod. chambellan) — Frank. kamarling, f. kamara CHAMBER; see -LING 1.

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chameleon

XIV — L. chamælen — Gr. khamailén, f. khamaí on the ground (rel. to HUMUS) + lén LION.

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chamfer

make a groove in XVI; bevel off a square edge XVII. Back-formation from chamfering — (with assim. to -ING 1) F. chamfrain, f. chant edge (CANT 1) + fraint, pp. of OF. fraindre :- L. frangere BREAK.

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chamois

European antelope; soft pliable leather orig. from this. XVI. First recorded from the Geneva Bible (1560), Deut, 14: 5, where the Vulgate has camlopardus, LXX kamlopárdalis. — (O)F., prob. ult. from a pre-Rom. name current in the Alpine areas.

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champ

chew noisily, etc. XVI. prob. imit.

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champagne

wine of Champagne, a province of E. France XVII; see next.

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champaign

level open country. XIV. ME. champayne — OF. champagne :- late L. campnia fem. sg. and n. pl., sb. uses of adj. f. campus level field (cf. CAMP), particularized as proper names of regions in France (Champagne) and Italy (Campagna).

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champion

fighting man; one who fights on behalf of another. XIII. — (O)F. :- medL. campio, f. campus field, CAMP. Hence champion vb. †challenge XVII; fight on behalf of XIX.

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chance

sb.
XIII. — AN. ch(e)aunce, OF. cheance (mod. chance), f. cheoir fall, befall :- Rom. cadre, for L. cadere fall. Hence chance vb. XIV. chancy †Sc. lucky XVI; risky XIX; see -Y 1.

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chancel

part of a church reserved for clergy and choir. XIV. — OF. chancel (now in latinized form cancel) :- L. cancell lattice, grating, dim. of cancer lattice, perh. dissimilated form of carcer barrier, prison.

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chancellor

Chancellor of England, the highest officer of the crown XI; Chancellor of the Exchequer, the highest finance minister XIV; head of a university XIV; diocesan vicar-general XVI; (Sc.) foreman of a jury XVIII. The earliest forms canc(h)eler were succeeded by chanceler, later (XVI) by forms with the substituted suffix -o(u)r. — AN. c(h)anceler, OF. cancelier, (also mod.) chancelier, semi-learned — late L. cancellrius porter, secretary, f. cancell (see CHANCEL) + -arius -ER 2; the L. word was orig. applied to an officer whose position was ad cancellos at the bars (e.g. of a court).

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chancery

court of the Lord Chancellor; since 1873, a division of the High Court of Justice. XIV. Reduced form of ME. cha(u)ncel(e)rie — (O)F. chancellerie, f. chancelier CHANCELLOR.

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chancre

venereal ulcer. XVI. — F. — L. cancer, cancr-; see CANCER.

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chandelier

(mil.) wooden framework to protect sappers in trenches XVII; branched support to hold lights XVIII. — F., f. chandelle CANDLE; see -IER.

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chandler

maker or seller of candles XIV; retail dealer (now in corn-chandler, ship-chandler) XVI. — AN. chaundeler, OF. chandelier, f. chandelle CANDLE; see -ER 2.

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change

alteration, substitution, †exchange XIII; place of meeting for merchants XIV; money given in exchange XVIII. — AN. chaunge, OF. change, f. changer (whence change vb. XIII) :- late L. (Rom.) cambire, f. L. cambre exchange, barter, prob. of Celt. orig. Hence changeling †waverer, turncoat; person, esp. an infant, substituted for another XVI; see -LING 1.

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channel 1

bed of running water XIII; tubular passage XIV; course, direction XVI; groove XVII. — OF. chanel, partly latinized var. of chenel :- L. canlis, canl- pipe, channel, f. canna pipe, CANE; see -EL 2. Cf. CANAL.

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channel 2

(naut.) plank, etc. projecting horizontally from a ship's side. XVIII. alt. of chainwale (XVII), f. CHAIN (in the sense ‘contrivance used to carry the lower shrouds of a mast outside the ship's side’) + WALE.

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chant

sing XIV; sing as to a chant XV. — (O)F. chanter :- L. cantre, frequent. of canere sing. Hence chant sb. song XVII; tune to which the psalms, etc. are sung XVIII; cf. (O)F. chant (:- L. cantus).

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chanticleer

cock, orig. as a proper name. XIII. — OF. chantecler (mod. -clair), proper name of the Cock in the fabliau of Reynard the Fox, f. chanter CHANT + cler CLEAR.

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chantry

endowment for a priest to pray for the departed XIV; chapel, etc., so endowed XV. — OF. chanterie, f. chanter sing, CHANT; see -ERY, -RY.

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chanty

var. of SHANTY 2.

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chaos

†chasm, abyss (as in Luke 16: 26) XV; primordial formless void XVI; utter confusion XVII. — F. or L. — Gr. kháos vast chasm, void, f. IE. base ghw- hollow. Hence chaotic XVIII.

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chap 1

open fissure, spec. in the skin. XIV. rel. to chap vb. (north. dial. and Sc.) strike XIV; crack in fissures XV; similar in meaning to (M)LG., (M)Du. kappen and to CHOP 1, but initial ch is unexpl.

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chap 2

jaw, chiefly pl. XVI. Somewhat later in appearance than the synon. CHOP 3; of unkn. orig.

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chap 3

(dial.) purchaser, customer XVI; fellow, (young) man XVIII. abbrev. of CHAPMAN. Hence chappie XIX (orig. Sc.); see -IE.

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chap-book

pamphlet of popular literature formerly hawked by itinerant dealers. XIX. f. chap in CHAPMAN + BOOK.

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chape

metal plate covering an object. XIV. — (O)F. chape cope, hood, in techn. uses; see CAPE 1.

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chapel

oratory in a large house, etc. XIII; compartment (with an altar) of a church XIV; parochial place of worship dependent upon a church XV; nonconformist place of worship XVII; printing office, association of journeyman printers XVII. — OF. chapele (mod. -elle) :- medL. cappella (dim. of cappa CAPE 1), orig. the sanctuary devoted to the preservation of the cloak (cappella) of St. Martin of Tours, later (c.800) extended to oratories attached to palaces or the like, and to parochial places of worship other than churches; cf. CHAPLAIN. Hence chapelry XVI.

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chaperon

A
†hood, cap XIV;

B
woman who accompanies a young unmarried woman as protector (often spelt -one, as if a fem. ending were required) XVIII. — (O)F., f. chape cope. CAPE 1. Sense B appears to have arisen from the application of the sb. and of the vb. chaperonner (whence chaperon vb. XVIII) to protection of various kinds.
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chaplain

XII. Early ME. capelein, superseding OE. capelln and superseded by chapelein — AN., OF. c(h)apelain :- medL. cappellnus orig. custodian of the cloak of St. Martin , f. cappella CHAPEL; see -AN.

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chaplet

wreath for the head XIV; string of beads in the rosary XVII. — (O)F. chapelet orig. a crown of roses, dim. of chapel (mod. chapeau hat) :- Rom. cappellus, dim. of cappa hood, CAPE 1; see -ET. The application to the rosary arises from the orig. rose form of the beads.

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chapman

(arch.) trader, dealer OE.; †purchaser, customer (CHAP 3) XIII. OE. .apman = (M)Du. koopman, OHG. koufman (G. kaufmann); WGmc. comp. of kaup- (see CHEAP) and MAN.

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chapter

main section of a book XIII; assembly of a religious community or collegiate church (orig. with ref. to the reading of a chapter of Scripture or of the Rule) XIV; members of this XV. — (O)F. chapitre, earlier chapitle — L. capitulum, dim. of caput HEAD.

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char 1

small trout. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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char 2

reduce to charcoal, scorch. XVII. Presumably a back-formation f. CHARCOAL.

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char 3

(i)
var. of CHARE sb. XIII;

(ii)
short for CHARWOMAN XIX.
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Hence as vb.

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char-a-banc

XIX. — F. char-à-bancs lit. ‘carriage with seats’ (see CAR, BANK 2), in its earlier form a long light carriage open or only curtained at the sides.

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character

distinctive mark XIV; graphic symbol XV; sum of mental and moral qualities XVII; personage, personality XVIII. ME. caracter — (O)F. caractère — (mostly late) L. charactr — Gr. kharaktr instrument for marking, impress, distinctive nature, f. kharássein scratch, engrave. So characteristic XVII. — F. — late Gr. characterize XVI. — F. or medL. — late Gr.

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charade

XVIII. — F. — modPr. charrado conversation, f. charra, perh. of imit. orig.

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charcoal

XIV. The second el., COAL, orig. meant ‘charcoal’; the first el. is obscure, but has been referred to CHARE, as if the comp. meant ‘turn-coal’. Cf. CHAR 2.

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chard

central leaf-stalk of artichoke, midrib of white beet. XVII. — F. carde, alt. by assoc. with chardon thistle :- late L. card, -n-, for L. carduus.

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chare, char

†turn (in various senses) OE.; turn of work, odd job, esp. of household work (cf. CHORE) XIV. OE. .err, WS. .ierr, rel. to .ierran turn away or aside, whence chare , char vb. †turn OE.; †do or accomplish (a job) XVI; (from the sb.) do odd turns of work XVIII.

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charge

†load, burden (material or immaterial) XIII; task or duty laid upon one, official instruction XIV; burden of expense; accusation XV; (from F.) impetuous onset XVI; (f. the vb.) quantity loaded (cf. CARGO) XVII. — (O)F. :- Rom. carrica, f. late L. car(ri)cre, f. L. carrus wagon, CAR; cf. CARRY. So charge vb. †load, burden XIII; lay a duty or command upon; put to expense; lay blame or accusation upon XIV; (from F.) put (a weapon) in position for offence; make a powerful onset (upon) XVI.

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chargé d'affaires

XVIII. — F. ‘one charged with affairs’.

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chariot

†cart, wagon; stately vehicle for the conveyance of persons. XIV. — (O)F. chariot wagon, augm. of char CAR. Hence charioteer XVII.

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charisma

(theol.) free gift of God's grace. XVII. — Gr. khárisma, f. kharízesthai show favour, f. kháris favour, grace. So charismatic XIX.

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charity

Christian love; benevolence, charitableness, alms. The earliest forms were carited, kariteth (XI), repr. AN. vars.; these were succeeded by the immed. antecedent of the present form, ME. charite (XIII) — (O)F. charité — L. crits, critt-, f. crus dear; see -ITY.

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charivari

serenade of ‘rough music’, in derision of unpopular persons, babel of noise. XVII. — F. (earlier chalivali, -vari); many vars. in F. and medL.; of unkn. orig., perh. echoic.

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charlatan

†mountebank; quack XVII; pretentious impostor XIX. — F. — It. ciarlatano, f. ciarlare babble.

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charlock

field mustard. OE. .erlic, .yrlic, synon. with .edelc (cf. dial. kedlock, †cadlock); the var. carlock is found as early as XV; of unkn. orig. Cf. HEMLOCK.

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charlotte

(usu. apple charlotte) dish consisting of apple marmalade baked in bread XIX; also charlotte russe (i.e. Russian), custard in a mould of sponge cake. — F.; an unexpl. use of the female proper name.

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charm

incantation, enchantment XIII; amulet XVI; attractive quality XVII. — (O)F. charme :- L. carmen, carmin- song, oracular response, incantation. So charm vb. enchant XIV; fascinate XV.

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charnel

mortuary XIV; now only charnel house (XVI). — OF. :- medL. carnle, sb. use of n. of late L. carnlis CARNAL.

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chart

sb.
XVI. — L. charta — Gr. khárts, perh. of Egyptian orig. Hence as vb. XIX.

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charter

document conveying a privilege or right. XIII. — OF. chartre :- L. chartula, dim. of charta CHART.

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charter-party

deed between owners and merchants for hire of a ship and delivery of the cargo. XV. — F. charte partie — medL. charta partta ‘divided charter’, i.e. deed written out in duplicate and then divided like an indenture; first part assim. to CHARTER.

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Chartist

(hist.) one of the Eng. political reformers who upheld ‘the People's Charter’ of 1837. f. L. charta (used in the sense of ‘charter’) + -IST.

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chartreuse

liqueur made at La Grande Chartreuse, near Grenoble, XIX. — F., fem. of Chartreux CARTHUSIAN.

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chartulary

see CARTULARY.

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charwoman

XVI. f. CHARE, CHAR + WOMAN.

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chary

†sorrowful OE.; †dear, precious XIV; careful, frugal XVI. OE. .eari, = OS. carag, OHG. charag :- WGmc. karaga, f. kar CARE; see -Y 1.

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chase 1

hunting, pursuit. XIII. — OF. chace (mod. chasse) :- Rom. captia, f. captire. So chase vb. pursue, drive away XIII; hunt XIV. — OF. chacier (mod. chasser) :- Rom. captire, for L. captre, frequent. of capere take (cf. HEAVE). See CATCH.

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chase 2

adorn (metal) with engraving. XIV. contemp. with synon. enchase, of which it may be an aphetic deriv.; perh. — (O)F. enchâsser enclose in a reliquary, put a gem in a setting, f. EN- 1 + châsse casket, reliquary :- L. capsa CASE 2.

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chase 3

A .
(typogr.) frame in which composed type is locked up;

B .
cavity of a gun-barrel. XVII. perh. f. F. chas enclosure, châsse setting, case :- L. capsus enclosed receptacle and capsa repository, CASE 2; but it is doubtful whether A and B should be coupled.
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chasm

XVII. — L. chasma — Gr. khásma yawning hollow, rel. to khaínein gape.

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chassé

perform the gliding step called chassé. XIX. — imper. of F. chasser CHASE 1, or some other part of the verb similarly pronounced.

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chassis

†window-frame, SASH XVII; base-frame of a carriage XIX. — F. châssis :- Rom. capscium, f. L. capsa CASE 2.

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chaste

XIII. — (O)F. — L. castus. So chastity XIII.

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chasten

discipline, chastise XVI; restrain, subdue XIX. Extension (with -EN 5) of †chaste vb. XIII (— OF. chastier :- L. castigre CASTIGATE).

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chastise

†correct the faults of; inflict punishment on. XIV. of doubtful orig.; prob. (like CHASTEN) a new formation on †chaste vb., or its var. †chasty (both XIII), after vbs. in -iser or -iss- (-ir); see -IZE, -ISH 2. Hence chastisement XIV.

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chasuble

(eccl.) sleeveless vestment. XIII. ME. chesible — OF. (cf. AL. cassibula XIII); vars. of this were in use till XVI; from XVII superseded by chasuble — (O)F. :- late L. casubla, obscure alt. of L. casula little cottage, hut, hooded cloak, dim. of casa house.

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chat 1

†chatter XIV–XV; converse easily and familiarly XVI. Shortening of CHATTER. So chat sb. XVI. Hence chatty XVIII; see -Y 1.

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chat 2

small bird. XVII. prob. imit.

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chatelaine

mistress of a castle, etc.; chains on girdle bearing articles of domestic use. XIX. — F. châtelaine, fem. of chátelain lord of a castle :- L. castellnus, f. castellum CASTLE. See -AN.

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chattel

†property XIII; movable possession; property other than real estate XVI. — OF. chatel (cf. CATTLE) :- medL. capitle; see CAPITAL 1.

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chatter

vb.
XIII. imit.; see -ER 5. Hence as sb. XIII. chatterbox XIX.

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chauffeur

XX. — F. ‘stoker’, ‘fireman’, f. chauffer heat up, CHAFE.

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chauvinism

bellicose patriotism. XIX. — F. chauvinisme, f. name of Nicolas Chauvin , a veteran of the First Republic and Empire, noted for demonstrative patriotism, and popularized as the name of a character in ‘La Cocarde tricolore’ (1831) by the brothers Cogniard; see -ISM.

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cheap

adj. and adv.
XVI. ellipt. for †(at) good cheape (XIV) ‘as a great or good bargain’, phr. formed, after (O)F, à bon marché ‘at good market’, on ME. chp, OE. .ap bargain, price = OS. kp, OHG. kouf (G. kauf) :- WGmc. kaupa m. (cf. ON. kaup n.); based on an early Gmc. adoption of L. caup small trader, innkeeper.

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cheat

†escheat XIV; †booty, spoil; †(thieves' cant) stolen thing, (gen.) thing, article XVI; fraud; deceiver, impostor XVII. Aphetic for ESCHEAT. The two last senses are from the vb. (escheat XV; defraud, deceive XVI); but cheater is earlier (XIV) — AN. chetour, for eschetour.

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check 1

threat to the king at chess XIV; †attack, reprimand XIV; (f. the vb.) arrest, restriction XVI; counterfoil, identifying token (cf. CHEQUE) XVIII. Aphetic — OF. eschec (mod. échec), alt. of eschac :- Rom. (medL.) scaccus — (via Arab.) Pers. h king, SHAH; cf. CHECKMATE, CHESS, EXCHEQUER. So check vb. put in check, arrest, stop. XIV.

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check 2

pattern of cross lines forming squares XIV; also vb. XV. prob. short for CHEQUER.

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checkmate

(chess) the move which puts the king into inextricable check. XIV. Aphetic — OF. eschec mat — Pers. h mt the king is dead; see CHECK 1. Hence as vb. XIV.

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Cheddar

epithet of a cheese named after a Somerset village. XVII.

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cheek

†jaw, jawbone; fleshy side of the face OE.; side, side-piece (in techn. uses) XIV; insolence XIX. OE. .oce = OFris. zike :- WGmc. keukn; varying with OE. .(a)ce = (M)LG. kke, kke, MDu. kke (Du. kaak) :- WGmc. kkn. Hence cheeky XIX.

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cheep

vb.
XVI. In early use only Sc.; of imit. orig.

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cheer

†face, visage; disposition, mood (arch. or dial. in What cheer?, be of good cheer, etc.); kindly reception XIII; fare, provisions XIV; (from the verb) shout of encouragement or welcome XVIII. ME. chere — AN. chere, OF. chiere face :- late L. cara face — Gr. kár head. Hence cheer vb. make cheerful XIV; encourage by word or deed XV. cheerful XIV.

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cheese 1

food made of pressed curds. OE. .se, .ese, .se = OS. ksi (Du. kaas), OHG. chsi (G. käse) :- WGmc. ksj — L. cseus.

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cheese 2

(slang) cheese it, stop, have done. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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cheetah

XVIII. — Hind. ct — Skr. citraka-, f. citrá- bright, variegated.

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chef

head cook. XIX. — F., for chef de cuisine ‘head of cooking or kitchen’; see CHIEF.

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chef d'œuvre

masterpiece. XVII. — F., orig. work qualifying for mastery in a craft (lit. ‘principal piece of work’).

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cheir(o)-

see CHIRO-.

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chela

(zool.) prehensile claw. XVII (chely). — modL., alt. of L. chl or its source Gr. khl.

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chemic

†alchemical XVI; †pert. to Paracelsian medicine (based on chemical doctrines); pert. to chemistry XVII. Earlier form chymick — F. chimique or modL. chimicus, for alchimicus ALCHEMICAL. So chemical XVI (earlier than chemic in the last sense). The sp. che- (XVII) is based on Gr. khm(e)í (cf. ALCHEMY).

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chemise

XIX. — (O)F. :- late L. camsia shirt, nightgown.

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chemist

†alchemist XVI; one versed in chemistry XVII; dealer in medicinal drugs XVII. Earlier form chymist — F. chimiste, †chymiste — modL. chimista, for alchimista ALCHEMIST. Cf. CHEMIC. Hence chemistry †alchemy; branch of science dealing with natural elementary substances. XVII (chymistry). The sp. has been assim. to chemical.

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chenille

kind of velvety cord. XVIII. — F. chenille hairy caterpillar :- L. cancula small dog, dim. of canis dog.

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cheque, U.S. check

(banking) †counterfoil; written order to a banker to pay out money. XVIII. Spec. use of CHECK 1 in the sense ‘device for checking the amount of an item’, with Eng. sp. perh. after EXCHEQUER.

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chequer

†chess(-board) XIII; †exchequer XIV; chequered pattern XVII. Aphetic of EXCHEQUER. Hence chequer vb. diversify as with a chessboard pattern. XIV.

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cherish

XIV. — (O)F. chériss-, extended stem of chérir, f. cher dear :- L. crus; see -ISH 2.

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cheroot

XVII. — Tamil churuu roll of tobacco. Cf. F. cheroute.

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cherry

XIV. ME. cheri(e), chiri(e) — ONF. cherise (apprehended as pl.), mod. cerise :- medL. ceresia, for cerasia, perh. orig. n. pl. of adj. ceraseus, f. L. cerasus cherry-tree — Gr. kérasos.

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chert

flint-like variety of quartz. XVII. Local (N. midl.) name of unkn. orig., taken up by geologists.

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cherub,

(as †sg. and pl.) cherubim †(cherubim) seat or dwelling of the Deity (after biblical use) OE.; (cherub, -im, -in) angel(s) of the second order XIII; †(cherubin) beautiful or beloved woman XVI; (cherub) beautiful innocent child XVIII. OE. and ME. cherubin, -im, ult. (through L. and F.) from Heb. kerûbhm, pl. of kerûbh — Accadian karbu gracious, kirbu propitious, f. karbu incline graciously.

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chervil

garden herb. OE. .erfille, -felle, corr. to (M)LG., (M)Du. kervel, OHG. kervola (G. kerbel) — L. chærephylla, -um — Gr. khairéphullon.

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chess

XIII. Aphetic — OF, esches (mod. échecs), pl. of eschec CHECK 1. Hence chessmen the pieces with which the game is played. XV.

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chest

box, coffer OE.; thorax XVI. OE. .est, .ist, corr. to MDu. kiste (Du. kist), OHG. kista (G. kiste), ON. kista :- Gmc. kist — L. cista — Gr. kist box, chest.

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chestnut

XVI. The first element is ME. chesteine, chasteine (XIV) — OF. chastaine (mod. châtaigne) :- L. castanea — Gr. kastané.

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chevalier

horseman, knight XIV; cavalier, gallant XVII. ME. chevaler — AN. chevaler, (O)F. chevalier :- medL. caballrius, f. L. caballus horse; refash. after modF. in XVI. Cf. CAVALIER.

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chevaux-de-frise

spiked contrivance for obstructing enemy troops. XVII. — F., lit. ‘horses of Friesland’, so called because they were first used by the Frisians to compensate for their lack of cavalry.

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chevron

(her.) charge of this shape XIV; mark of rank XIX. — (O)F. :- Rom. caprine, f. caper goat, corr. to ON. hafr he-goat.

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chevrotain, -tin

small musk deer, XVIII. — F. chevrotain, -tin, dim. of F. chevrot, dim. of chèvre goat :- L. capra, fem. of caper (see prec.).

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chew

grind to pulp with the teeth. OE. .owan str. vb. = MLG. keuwen (Du. kauwen), OHG. kiuwan (G. kauen) :- WGmc. kewwan; rel. to OSl. vati. Conjugated weak from XIV.

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chianti

Italian wine. XIX. Named from the Chianti Mountains, Tuscany, the place of its production.

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chiaroscuro

†painting in light and shade; disposition of light and shade. XVII. — It., f. chiaro CLEAR + oscuro dark, OBSCURE.

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chiasmus

figure of speech in which the order of parallel words in phrases is inverted. XIX. — modL. — Gr. khiasmós crossing, diagonal arrangement, f. khiázein mark with the letter X (kh).

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chic

good style; stylish. XIX. — F. (in artists' slang XIX), perh. identical with chic (XVI) trickery in legal matters, (in Walloon) skill in conducting legal cases (— MLG. schick order, skill), or joc. shortening of chicane (see next).

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chicanery

legal trickery, quibbling, XVII. — F. chicanerie, f. chicaner pursue at law (XV), quibble, wrangle, of unkn. orig.; see -ERY. So chicane sb. and vb. XVII.

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chick

XIV. Shortening of CHICKEN, which prob. lost the final n, like pps. and such words as seven, in southern dialects (in some of which chick is now sg., with pl. chicken). Hence chickabiddy (†biddy fowl) child's name for a fowl XVIII.

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chicken

OE. .cen, .cen (late WS.) :- Gmc. kiuknam, f. keuk-, of imit. orig. (cf. COCK), with dim. suffix characteristic of animal names; corr. synon. forms are (M)Du. kieken, Du. kuiken, (M)LG. küken, MHG. kcheln (G. küchlein), ON. kjúklingr.

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chick-pea

dwarf species of pea. XVI. Earlier †ciche pease(n), chick peas — F. (pois) chiche (earlier †ciche) — L. cicer chick-pea.

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chickweed

XVI. Earlier (and still Sc.) chickenweed (XV).

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chicory

the plant Cichorium intybus XV; ground root of this used with or instead of coffee XIX. Late ME. cicoree — F. †cicoree, mod. chicorée endive — medL. cic(h)ora, for L. cichorum, -ium — Gr. kikhóreia, kikhora n. pl., kikhórion.

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chide

†wrangle; dispute angrily with OE.; scold, reprove XIII. OE. .dan (str. vb.), of unkn. orig.

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chief

head man; (feudal law) in chief (OF. en chief, medL. in capite) holding or held immediately from the lord paramount XIII; †head, top XIV; (her.) in chief on the upper part of the shield XV. — (O)F. chef, †chief :- Rom. capum, for L. caput HEAD. As adj. XIII, as in OF.; hence chiefly XIV.

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chieftain

XIV. Late ME. cheftain, alt., by assim. to prec., of earlier †chevetaine — OF. chevetaine, semi-pop. — late L. capitneus (see CAPTAIN).

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chiff-chaff

one of the warblers, Phylloscopus collybita. XVIII. imit. of the bird's note.

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chiffon

(pl.) fallals, finery XVIII; diaphanous silky muslin XIX. — F., f. chiffe scrap of paper, rag, of unkn. orig.

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chignon

coil of hair worn at the nape of the neck. XVIII. — F., orig. nape of the neck, earlier chaaignon :- Rom. catnine, f. L. catna CHAIN; cf. -OON.

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chigoe

tropical flea. XVII. Earliest in F. form chique; later chego(e), chig(g)er, jigger; native (Carib) name.

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chilblain

XVI. f. CHILL + blain blister, pustule (OE. bleen = MDu. bleine, Du. blein, LG. bleien; a WGmc. word), or reduction of chilled blain (child-blain is recorded XVII).

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child

A word peculiar to English. OE. .ild :- kilþam, rel. to Goth. kilþei womb, inkilþ pregnant; OSw. kulder, kolder (Sw. kull), ODa. kol(l). Da. kuld, young of a litter, child, have been compared. The nom. pl. of OE. .ild appears as .ild and .ildru (ME. childre, mod. dial. childer); the addition of the weak pl. ending -(e)n produced the surviving standard pl. children (XII).

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chiliad

1,000, esp. 1,000 years. XVI. — late L. chlis, -d. — Gr. khliás, -ad-, f. khlioi 1,000; see -AD.

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chill

sb., adj., and vb.
The earliest member of this group is the vb. (‘grow cold’), which appears in late XIV. Its orig. is obscure; in the pp. †child it may repr. an OE. .ieldan, .ildan (:- Gmc. kalþjan, f. kalþaz COLD). The adj. chill (XVI) may be an alt. of †child on the analogy of cool, cold; the sb. chill (XVII) is f. the vb. Hence chilly XVI; see -Y 1.

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chil(l)i

dried pod of capsicum. XVII. — Sp. chile, chili — Nahuatl chilli.

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chim(a)era

(Gr. myth.) fire-breathing monster; horrible phantasm; wild fancy. XVI. — L. chimæra — Gr. khímaira she-goat, monster, f. khímaros he-goat. So chimerical XVII.

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chime 1

†cymbal XIII; †apparatus for striking bells XV; set of bells or of sounds produced by them XVI; (musical) concord, harmony XVII. ME. chim(b)e prob. arose from chym(b)e bell (XIII–XV), which may have been an analysis of a ME. chimbel :- OE. .imbal — L. cymbalum CYMBAL. So chime vb. †make a musical sound XIV; accord or join in harmoniously XVII.

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chime 2, chimb

projecting rim of a cask. XIV. prob. identical with the sb. occurring in OE. .imstn base, pedestal, .imren clamp-iron, .imbing joint, corr. to MDu, kimme (Du. kim) edge of a cask, MLG. kimme, kimm (whence G. kimme).

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chimney

†fireplace; †stove; smoke-flue. XIV. — (O)F. cheminée fireplace, chimney — late L. camnta, perh. orig. for camera camnta (whence OHG. kaminta, (M)HG. kemente) room with a fireplace, f. camnus — Gr. kámnos oven, furnace, rel. to kamár CHAMBER.

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chimpanzee

XVIII. — F. chimpanzé — native name in Angola, W. Africa.

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chin

OE. .in(n), corr. (with variation of gender and decl.) to OFris. kin, OS. kinni (Du. kin), OHG. kinni (G. kinn), ON, kinn chin, lower jaw, Goth. kinnus cheek; Gmc. kinn- :- kenw- :- IE. genw-, whence Gr. génus, Skr. hánu-, L. gena cheek, OIr. gin, W. gen jaw, chin.

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china

XVII. Short for china ware, i.e. ware from China.

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chinch

bed-bug. XVII. — Sp. chinche :- L. cimex, -ic-.

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chinchilla

small S. Amer. rodent. — Sp. chinchilla, dim. of chinche (see prec.).

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chine 1

†cleft, chink OE.; (generalized from place-names in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight) deep narrow ravine cut by a stream. XIX. OE. .inu = MDu. kne (Du. keen), f. Gmc. base k- burst open, repr. also by OE. .nan = OS., OHG. knan, Goth. keinan sprout, shoot forth, CHIT 1.

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chine 2

spine, backbone. XIV. Aphetic — OF. eschine (mod. échine) :- Rom. skna, blending of Gmc. skin- (in OHG. skina, G. schiene) and L. spna SPINE.

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chine 3

projecting rim. XV. unexpl. var. of CHIME 2.

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chink 1

fissure; slit. XVI. rel. in some way, as yet undetermined, to CHINE 1.

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chink 2

make a sharp ringing sound. XVI. imit. Hence as sb. XVI.

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chintz

varicoloured cotton cloth with floral designs. XVII. Earlier chints, orig. pl. of chint — Hindi ch.

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chip

small thin piece of wood, stone, etc. XIV. repr. OE. .ipp, .yp beam, corr. to OS. kip post, kipa stave, OHG. kipfa (G. dial. kipf(e)) axle, stave, ON. keppr stick, staff. The basic sense seems to be ‘piece hewn or cut’. So chip vb. †chap XIV; pare the crust from (bread) XV; crack and break open XVI; cut with an axe or adze; cf. OE. .ippian = (M)LG., (M)Du. kippen hatch out by chipping the shell.

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chipmunk, chipmuck

N. Amer. ground-squirrel. XIX. of Algonquian orig.

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chippendale

f. name of Thomas Chippendale , which belonged to three English cabinet- makers of XVIII.

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chir(o)-

comb. form of Gr. kheír hand, more usual var. of CHEIRO-, as in chirograph †obligation, bond XV; papal expression of will in writing XVI; indenture XVII. — F. chirographe — L. chirographum — Gr. kheirógraphon, chiromancy divination by the hand. XV. — F. or L. — Gr. chiropodist one who treats the (hands and) feet. XVIII. f. Gr. poús, pod- FOOT + -IST.

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chirp

utter a short sound as a bird, etc. XV. alt. of earlier chirk (XIV; cf. OE .earcian) or chirt (XIV). Hence chirrup XVI.

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chisel

XIV. — ONF. chisel (mod. ciseau, in pl. scissors) :- Rom. csellum, for cæsellum after late L. csrium (see SCISSORS), f. cs-, var. of cæs, stem of cædere cut.

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chit 1

young of a beast XIV; very young person; (potato) shoot XVII. perh. repr. obscurely OE. .ð, ME. chithe shoot, sprout, corr. to MDu. kijt, OHG. -kdi (MHG. kde, kt) sprout; f. Gmc. k- split (cf. CHINE 1).

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chit 2

letter, certificate, pass. XVIII. Shortening of †chitty (XVII) — Hindi, Marathi citth.

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chitterlings

smaller intestines of beasts used as food. XIII (cheterlingis). orig. form uncert.; perh. OE. .ieter-, f. Gmc. keut- kut-, whence synon. MHG. kutel (G. kutteln); see -LING 1.

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chivalrous

†knightly, valorous XIV; (in mod. revived use) pert. to the Age of Chivalry XVIII; having the virtues of the ideal knight XIX. — OF. chevalerous, f. chevalier; see CHEVALIER, -OUS. So chivalry XIII. — (O)F. chevalerie — Rom. deriv of medL. caballerius, for medL. caballrius CAVALIER.

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chive

XIV (c(h)ive). — dial. var. chive of (O)F cive :- L. cpa onion.

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chivy

chase, harass. XIX. var. of chevy; formerly used as a hunting cry, prob. arising out of Chevy Chase, name of a ballad celebrating a Border skirmish at Chevy or Chevyat Chase.

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chlorine

XIX. f. Gr. khlrós pale green + -INE 5.

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chloro- 1

comb. form of Gr. khlrós pale green, as in chlorophyll (XIX) — F. chlorophylle (Gr. phllon leaf).

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chloro- 2

comb. form of CHLORINE.

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chloroform

XIX. — F. chloroforme, f. chloro- (see prec.) + formyl, as being a chloride of formyl (in its obs. sense of methenyl, CH).

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chock

(dial.) block, log XVII; piece of wood, etc. for holding an object in position, etc. XIV. prob. — ONF. cho(u)que (mod. Picard choque, Norman chouque), var. of OF. ço(u)che (mod. souche) log, block of wood = Pr. soca stump, trunk, of unkn. orig.

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chock-full

(colloq.) full to the utmost. The rare ME. (XIV) forms chokkefulle, chekefull are of doubtful status because of the uncertainty of the tradition; but, if genuine, they may repr. differentiated forms of OE. .oce or .ace CHEEK, according as the diphthong was rising or falling. The modern chokefull dates from XVII, chockfull from XVIII, with a var. chuckfull, which may be due to the gen. variation between CHOCK and CHUCK. Hence prob. chock adv. (XVIII) close (up) to, and in chock-a-block (i) naut., said of a tackle with the two blocks run close together, (ii) gen., crammed close together.

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chocolate

beverage made from seeds of the cacao tree; paste made from these ground. XVII. — F. chocolat, or its source Sp. chocolate — Nahuatl chocolatl article of food made from cacao seeds; this seems to have been confounded by Europeans with cacaua-atl, which was actually a drink made from cacao.

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choice

XIII. ME. chois — OF. (mod. choix), f. choisir choose :- Gallo-Rom. causre — Gmc. kausjan CHOOSE. Superseded ME. kire, cüre, OE. cyre :- Gmc. kusiz, f. wk. grade kus-. Hence as adj. chosen, selected. XIV.

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choir

†cathedral or collegiate church clergy; body of singers in a church; part of a church appropriated to them XIII; (gen.) organized body of singers XVI. ME. quer(e) — OF. quer (mod. chœur) — L. chorus (see CHORUS). The sp. choir, with assim. to F. and L., was established XVII.

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choke

ME. cheke, choke, aphetic of acheke, achoke :- late OE. .ocian (once), f. - A- 3 + .(o)ce jaw, CHEEK.

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chok(e)y

toll station in India; (sl.) police station. XVII (chukey, chowkie). — Hindi cauk shed, station, lock-up.

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choler

bile XIV; anger XVI. ME. coler(e) — (O)F. colère — L. cholera; see next. In late L. cholera took over the meanings of Gr. khol bile, anger, and became the techn. name for one of the four ‘humours’ of the old physiologists (cf. MELANCHOLY). So choleric †bilious XIV; irascible, angry XVI. — (O)F. colérique — L. cholericus — Gr. kholerikós.

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cholera

†bile XIV; disorder attended with bilious diarrhoea, etc. XVII; disease endemic in India XIX. — L. — Gr. kholér.

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choose

OE. .osan (str. vb.) = OS., OHG. kiosan, ON. kjósa, Goth. kiusan :- Gmc. kiusan, kaus, kusum, kusanaz. The IE. base eus- us- is repr. also by L. gustre taste, gustus, Gr. geúein give a taste of.

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chop 1

cut, hew. XVI. var. of chap vb. (see CHAP 1). Hence chop sb. cutting blow XIV; slice of meat with bone XV.

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chop 2

barter, exchange XIV; phr. chop and change bargain (XV), make frequent changes (XVI); hence, change as the wind, veer XVII. perh. var. of ME. chappe, which appears to have been evolved from OE. .apian with infl. from CHAPMAN.

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chop 3

(usu. pl.) jaws xv; opening, entrance (as in Chops of the Channel the entrance into the English Channel from the Atlantic) XVII. var. of CHAP 2.

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chopsticks

XVII. f. Pidgin English chop quick + STICK 1; tr. Chinese k'wai-tse nimble boys, nimble ones.

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chop suey

XIX. — Chinese (Cantonese) tsap sui, lit. ‘mixed bits’.

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choral 1

pert. to a choir XVI; pert. to a chorus XVII. — medL. chorlis; see CHORUS and -AL 1.

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choral 2

(often chora le) German choral song on a devotional theme. XIX. — G. choral, f. choralgesang, tr. medL. cantus choralis (cf. prec.).

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chord 1

†harmony XV; (mus.) concord, note of a chord XVI; combination in harmony of simultaneous notes XVIII. orig. cord, aphetic of ACCORD.

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chord 2

†tendon; line joining extremities of an arc XVI; string of musical instrument. refash. of CORD, after L. chorda.

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chore

XIX. unexpl. var. of CHARE.

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chorea

convulsive disorder of the body. XIX. Short for earlier chorea sancti Viti St. Vitus's dance; L. chora — Gr. khoreí, f. khorós CHORUS.

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choreography

XVIII. f. Gr. khoreí dancing + -GRAPHY. So choreographer XIX.

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choric

pert. to a chorus. XIX. — late L. choricus — Gr. khorikós, f. khorós CHORUS. See -IC.

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chorister

member of a choir. XIV. ME. queristre — AN. cueristre, var. of OF. cueriste, f. quer CHOIR; refash. (XVI) after †chorist or its source (O)F. choriste, medL. chorista (see CHORUS, -IST).

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chorography

description or delineation of particular regions. XVI. — F. chorographie or L. chrographia — Gr. khrographí, f. khr country; see -GRAPHY.

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chortle

Invented by ‘Lewis Carroll ’ (C. L. Dodgson ) in ‘Through the Looking-glass’, 1871; a ‘portmanteau’ word combining chuckle and snort. Cf. GALUMPH.

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chorus

in Greek drama and dramatic pieces modelled thereon XVI; band of singers XVII; musical composition to be sung by this; refrain or burden XVIII. — L. — Gr. khorós dance, band of dancers, choir.

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chough

bird of the crow family, Pyrrhocorax. XIV. ME. choghe, chow(e), not repr. directly synon. OE. .o, .o. Some ME. forms, e.g. co, c(h)owe may be — OF. cauwe, choue — Frank. cava; but the type chough remains unexpl.; no doubt orig. imit.

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chow

dog of Chinese breed. XIX. Short for next.

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chow-chow

A .
mixture; mixed.

B .
Chinese dog. CHOW. XIX. perh. Pidgin English.
Top

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chowder

stew of fish, bacon, etc. XVIII. perh. — F. chaudière pot. CAULDRON.

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chrestomathy

collection of choice passages. XIX. — F. chrestomathie, or its source Gr. khrstomátheia, f. khrstós useful + -matheia learning.

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chrism

consecrated oil OE.; Holy Unction; chrisom cloth XIII. OE. crisma — medL. c(h)risma — Gr. khrîsma, f. khrein anoint (cf. CHRIST); refash. after L. (XVI).

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chrisom

(orig. chrisom cloth) white cloth put on a child at baptism, perh. orig. to protect the chrism. Differentiated form of prec. first appearing in XIII.

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Christ

the Lord's Anointed, title of Jesus of Nazareth. OE. (= OS., OHG.) Crst — L. Chrstus — Gr. Khrstós, sb. use of khrstós anointed, pp. of khrein anoint; tr. Heb. ma MESSIAH. So christen †make Christian OE.; baptize XII. OE. crstnian, f. crsten Christian (see -EN 5), whence Christendom †Christianity OE.; Christians collectively XII; †baptism XIII. OE. crstendm. So Christian adj. and sb. XVI. — L. chrstinus; superseding †christen, OE. crsten. Christianity †Christendom; the Christian religion. XIV.

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Christmas

Late OE. Crstes mæsse, ME. cristes masse, cristmasse, i.e. MASS 1 ‘festival’ of CHRIST.

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chromatic

(mus.) including notes not contained in the diatonic scale XVII; pert. to colour XIX. — F. chromatique or L. chrmaticus — Gr. khrmatikós, f. khrôma, khrmat- colour, fig. modification; see -IC.

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chrome

†chromium; hence applied to pigments obtained from chromate of lead. XIX. — F. — Gr. khrôma colour (see prec.). Hence chromium (metallic element) XIX. See -IUM.

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chromo-

used as comb. form of Gr. khrôma colour, as in chromo(litho)graph, chromosome (Gr. sôma body).

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chronic

long-continued, inveterate XV; continuous, constant XIX. — F. chronique — L. chronicus- Gr. khronikós, f. khrónos time; see -IC.

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chronicle

register of events in order of time. XIV. ME. cronikle — AN. cronicle, var. of OF. cronique (mod. chronique) — L. chronica — Gr. khroniká annals, sb. use of khronikós pert. to time (see prec.).

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chrono-

comb form of Gr. khrónos time, as in chronology, chronometer.

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chrysalis

XVII (occas. with -ll-). — L. chrsal(l)is — Gr. khrsallís gold-coloured sheath of butterflies, f. khrsós gold.

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chrysanthemum

— L. chrsanthemum — Gr. khrsánthemon, f. khrsós gold + ánthemon, rel. to ánthos flower.

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chrysolite

(in early use) applied to various green gems. XIII. ME. crisolite — OF. — medL. crisolitus, for L. chrsolithus — Gr. khrsólithos perh. topaz, f. khrsós gold + líthos (see -LITE).

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chrysoprase

(in early use) golden-green gem, perh. beryl, (in mod. min.) apple-green chalcedony. XIII. ME. crisopace — OF. — L. chrsopassus, var. of chrsoprasus — Gr. khrsóprasos, f. khrsós gold + práson leek.

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chub

river fish of the carp family, Leuciscus cephalus. XV. of unkn. orig.

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chubby

†thickset XVII; round-faced XVIII. f. CHUB + Y 1, presumably from the shape of the fish.

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chuck 1

(dial.) lump XVII; contrivance for holding work in a lathe XIX. var. of CHOCK. Cf. CHUNK.

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chuck 2

give a playful touch under the chin; throw with the hand XVI. Also (dial.) chock XVI. perh. — OF. chuquer, earlier form of choquer knock, bump, of unkn. orig.

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chuckle

†laugh vehemently XVI; cluck, cackle XVII; laugh in a suppressed manner XIX. perh. chokelyng (c. 1400) repr. an early form; f. chuck cluck + -LE 3.

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chum

one who shares rooms with another, (hence) intimate associate. XVII. prob. short for chamber-fellow (XVI), orig. a word of Oxford univ. sl., corr. to the Cambridge crony. Hence chum vb. share rooms. XVIII.

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chump

short thick lump of wood XVIII; blockhead XIX. perh. blending of CHUNK and LUMP 1 or STUMP 1.

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chunk

XVII. prob. alt. of CHUCK 1.

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chupatty, chapat(t)i

small cake of unleavened bread. XIX. — Hindi capt.

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church

OE. .ir(i).e, .yr(i).e = OS. kirika (Du. kerk), OHG. kirihha (G. kirche) :- WGmc. kirika — medGr. krikón, for kriakón, sb. use (sc. dôma house) of n. of kriakós pert. to the Lord, f. krios master, lord. Hence church vb. present or receive in church. XIV. churchman ecclesiastic XVI (earlier XIV kirkman); male member of the church (of England) XVII. churchwarden XV. churchyard XII.

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churl

†man, husband; free man without rank OE.; †serf; (arch.) peasant, rustic; low base fellow XIII; niggard, miser XVI. OE. .eorl = MLG. kerle, (M)Du. kerel :- WGmc. kerla, rel. to Gmc. karlaz CARL. So churlish OE. .eorlis., .ierlis., see -ISH 1.

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churn

butter-making machine. Late OE. .yrin, var. of .i(e)rn, corr. to MLG. kerne, kirne, MDu. kerne, ON. kirna :- Gmc. kernjn, of unkn. orig. Hence churn vb. XV (also transf. and fig. XVII).

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chute

rapid fall in a river; steep slope or channel down which stuff is shot. XIX. — F. chute fall, refash. of OF. cheoite, fem. sb. f. pp. of cheoir :- popL. cadre, for L. cadere fall; often extended to senses which originated with SHOOT or are still commonly so spelt.

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chutney

XIX. — Hindi catn.

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cicada

insect, the male of which makes a shrill chirping sound. XIX. — L. cicda, also cicla.

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cicatrice

scar remaining from a wound. XIV. — (O)F. cicatrice or L. cictrx, cictrc- (also used in Eng. from XVII).

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cicerone

guide who shows antiquities, etc. XVIII. — It. cicerone :- L. Cicer, -n- cognomen of the Roman orator Marcus Tullius Cicero ; orig. applied to learned It. antiquaries.

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-cide 1

repr. F. -cide, L. -cda -killer, f. cædere (-cdere) cut down, kill, as in homicda HOMICIDE 2, parricda PARRICIDE 1.

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-cide 2

repr. F. -cide, L. -cdium -killing (cf. prec.). as in homicdium HOMICIDE 2, parricdium PARRICIDE 2.

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cider

†(in biblical use) strong drink (esp. in forms ciser, sicer); beverage made from apples. XIV. ME. sither(e), cidre — OF. sidre, earlier cisdre (mod. cidre) :- ecclL. scera — ecclGr. skéra — Heb. khr intoxicating liquor, f. khar drink heavily.

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cigar

XVIII (often segar till early XIX). — F. cigare or its source Sp. cigarro, of uncert. orig. So cigarette XIX. — F.

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cilia

(anat.) eyelids, eyelashes. XVIII. — L., pl. of cilium (cf. SUPERCILIOUS). So ciliary XVII.

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cinch

saddle-girth (U.S., from Mexican use); (fig.) sure hold, dead certainty. XIX. — Sp. cincha :- L. cingula girdle, f. cingere gird.

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cincture

†girding XVI; girdle XVII. — L. cinctra, f. cinct-, pp. stem of cingere gird; see -URE.

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cinder

scoria, slag OE.; residue of burnt substance XIV. OE. sinder = MLG. sinder, OHG. sintar (G. sinter), ON. sindr, rel. to OSl. sdra stalactite; respelt with c from XVI after unrelated F. cendre (L. cinis, ciner- ashes).

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cinematograph

XIX. — F. cinématographe, f. Gr. knma, -mat- movement, f. knen move; see -GRAPH. Abbrev. cinema XX (after F. cinéma). Comb. form cine- XIX; cf. F. ciné.

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cineraria

genus of composite plants. XVI. modL., fem. (sc. herba plant) of L. cinerrius (see next); so called from the ash-coloured down on the leaves.

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cinerary

pert. to ashes. XVIII. — L. cinerrius, f. cinis, ciner- ashes; see -ARY.

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cinnabar

vermilion XV; red sulphide of mercury XVI. — L. cinnabaris — Gr. kinnábari.

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cinnamon

XV. ME. sinamome — (O)F. cinnamome — L. cinnammum — Gr. kinnámmon; later refash. after L. cinnamon, -um — Gr. kínnamon, of Sem. orig. (cf. Heb. innmn).

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cinquefoil

plant Potentilla reptans, with leaves of five leaflets. XIII. repr. L. quinquefolium, f. quinque FIVE + folium leaf, FOIL 2.

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cipher, cypher

A .
(arith.) symbol by itself denoting ‘nothing’ XIV; nonentity; Arabic numeral XVI;

B .
secret manner of writing; †hieroglyph XVI; literal device, monogram XVII;
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C .
continuous sounding of a note on an organ due to mechanical defect XVIII. ME. siphre, sipher — OF. sif(f)re (mod. chiffre) — medL. cif(e)ra, partly through It. cifra, †cifera f. Arab. ifr ZERO, sb. use of adj. ‘empty’, f. afira be empty.
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Hence as vb. work sums; write in cipher. XVI. Cf. DECIPHER.

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cipolin

an Italian marble. XVIII. — F. cipolin or its source It. cipollino, f. cipolla onion (L. cpa); so called from the resemblance of its foliated structure to the coats of an onion.

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circle

sb.
XIV. ME. cercle — (O)F. :- L. circulus, dim. of circus ring (see CIRCUS); later respelt after L. OE. circul was an adoption directly from the Latin, but did not survive. So circle vb. XIV. — L. circulre, or from the sb.

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circuit

distance round XIV; journey through an area, as of judges XV; area of this XVI. — (O)F. — L. circuitus, f. circumre, f. CIRCUM- + re go. So circuitous XVII.

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circular

of the form of a circle XV; affecting a ‘circle’ of persons XVII (circular letter); sb. for ‘circular note’ XVIII. — AN. circuler, OF. circulier (mod. -aire), learned alt. of cerclier :- late L. circulris, f. circulus CIRCLE; further latinized in Eng. (XVI). See -AR. So circulate †subject to repeated distillation XV; †encircle XVI; move or turn round; pass continuously from place to place XVII. f. pp. stem of L. circulre, f. circulus; see -ATE 3. circulation XVI. — F. or L.

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circum-

repr. L. circum-, being the adv. and prep. circum round (about), around (orig. acc. of circus circle, CIRCUS), used as the first el. of many comp. verbs and sbs.

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circumcise

XIII. — OF. circonciser or f. F. circoncis-, stem of circoncire — L. circumcdere, f. CIRCUM- + cædere cut. So circumcision XII.

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circumference

XIV. — (O)F. circonférence — L. circumferentia; see CIRCUM-, -FEROUS.

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circumflex

XVI. — L. circumflexus (pp. of circumflectere bend round; cf. FLEX 1), tr. Gr. perispmenos drawn round, f. peri PERI- + spân draw (Cf. SPASM).

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circumjacent

lying around. XV. — L. circumjacent-, prp. stem of circumjacre; see CIRCUM-, ADJACENT.

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circumlocution

XV. — F. circonlocution or L. circumlocuti, -n-, lit. rendering of Gr. periphrasis PERIPHRASIS; see CIRCUM-, LOCUTION. Hence circumlocutory XVII.

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circumscribe

draw a line round; describe (a figure) about another; delimit. XV. — L. circumscrbere, f. circum around + scrbere write (see CIRCUM-, SCRIBE). So circumscription XV.

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circumspect

XV. — L. circumspectus (of things) well considered, (of persons) considerate, cautious, pp. of circumspicere look round. f. CIRCUM- + specere look. So circumspection circumspect action. XIV (rare before XVI).

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circumstance

(pl.) adjuncts of an action XIII; condition of affairs XIV; formality, ceremony; accessory matter, detail. — (O)F. circonstance, †circun- or L. circumstantia, f. prp. of circumstre stand around, surround; see CIRCUM-, STAND. Hence circumstantial XVI.

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circumvallation

(construction of) a rampart or entrenchment round a place. XVII. — late L. circumvallti, -n-, f. circumvallre, f. CIRCUM- + vallum rampart, WALL; see -ATION.

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circumvent

encompass with evil or hostility; overreach, outwit. XV. f. circumvent-, pp. stem of L. circumvenre surround, beset, deceive, f. CIRCUM- + venre COME. So circumvention XV.

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circumvolution

revolution, rotation XV; winding or rolling round XVI. f. L. circumvolvere wind round, after revolution.

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circus

building surrounded with rising tiers of seats XVI; circular area for equestrian and acrobatic feats; circular range for houses XVIII. — L. circus circle. circus = Gr. kírkos, kríkos ring. circle. prob. rel. to L. curvus CURVE.

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cirque

circus XVII; (poet.) circle, ring XVII; natural amphitheatre XIX. — F. — L. circus.

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cirrhosis

(path.) disease of the liver occurring in spirit-drinkers, orig. so called from the presence of yellow granules. XIX. — modL., f. Gr. kirrhós orange-tawny; see -OSIS.

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cirrus

(bot.) tendril; (zool.) filamentary appendage XVIII; form of cloud having the appearance of wisps XIX. — L., ‘curl’, comb. form cirro- (see -o-), as in cirro-cumulus, -stratus XIX.

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Cistercian

pert. to (a monk of) the Benedictine order of Citeaux, founded 1098. XVII. — F. Cistercien, f. L. Cistercium Cîteaux, near Dijon, France (cf. medL. Cisterciensis); see -IAN.

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cistern

XIII. — OF. cisterne (mod. citerne) :- L. cisterna, f. cista CHEST; perh. of Etruscan orig., with suffix as in caverna CAVERN, taberna TAVERN.

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citadel

XVI. — F. citadelle or It. citadella, dim. of cittade, obs. var. of città :- L. cvits, -t- CITY.

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cite

summon officially XV; quote, adduce as an authority XVI. — (O)F. citer — L. citre, frequent. of cire, cre set in motion, call, rel. to Gr. kí I go, kneîn move. OE. htan call. So citation summons XIII; quotation XVII.

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cither

(var. of foll.) XVIII. — (O)F. cithare or G. zither (cf. ZITHER) — L. cithara — Gr. kithár.

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cithern, cittern

instrument of the guitar kind. XVI. — L. cithara (see above), crossed with GITTERN.

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citizen

XIV. — AN. citezein, alt. of OF. citeain (mod. citoyen) :- Rom. cvittnus, f. L. cvits, -t- CITY.

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citric

derived from the citron. XVIII. — F. citrique, f. L. citrus; see next and -IC. So citrate XVIII; see -ATE 2.

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citron

(tree bearing) fruit like a lemon but larger and less acid. XVI. — (O)F. citron, f. (after limon LEMON) L. citrus.

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city

†town XIII; town of ecclesiastical or political importance XIV. ME. cite — (O)F. cité :- L. cvits -t- state, city, f. cvis citizen (see CIVIC).

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civet

(quadruped yielding) the musky secretion called by the same name. XVI. — F. civette — It. zibetto — medL. zibethum — Arab. zabd (the secretion). Also civet-cat XVII.

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civic

pert. to a citizen or citizens XVI; of a city XVII; of citizenship, civil XVIII. — F. civique or L. cvicus, f. cvis citizen; see HIDE 2, and -IC. As sb. pl. (after politics) XIX (orig. U.S.).

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civil

A .
of citizens XIV; befitting a citizen, refined XVI; courteous XVII;

B .
non-ecclesiastical XVI; non-military XVII. — (O)F. — L. cvlis, f. cvis citizen; see CIVIC and -ILE.
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So civility XIV. — (O)F. civilité — L. cvlits. civilize XVII. — F. civiliser; hence civilization XVIII.

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civilian

student or professor of civil law XIV; †follower of civil (i.e. natural, unregenerate) righteousness XVII; non-military man XVIII. — OF. civilien, f. civil; see CIVIL, -IAN.

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clack

chatter XIII; make a clattering noise XVI. prob. — ON. klaka twitter, (of birds) chatter; of imit. orig.; cf. Du. klakken crack, F. claquer. Hence clack sb. clatter of talk XV; clapping or clacking noise XVI.

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clad

see CLOTHE.

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claim

vb.
XIII. — OF. claim-, tonic stem of clamer cry, call, appeal :- L. clmre cry, call, proclaim, rel. to clrus CLEAR. So claim sb. XIII. Hence claimant XVIII; primarily a legal term, after appellant, defendant.

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clairvoyance

XIX. — F., f. clairvoyant (in Eng. also XIX), f. clair CLEAR + voyant, prp. of voir see (see VISION).

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clam

clamp XIV; bivalve shell-fish XVI (clamshell). OE. clam bond, fetter, corr. to OHG. klamma (G. dial. klamm), and MHG., G. klemme, Du. klemme, klem, f. Gmc. klam- press or squeeze together.

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clamber

XV. Of frequent. form, prob. f. clamb, obs. pt. of CLIMB; see -ER 4.

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clammy

XIV. f. (with -Y 1) clam (XIV) smear, daub, a new formation on clammed, pt. and pp. of OE. clman smear, anoint, daub = MDu. klmen, OHG. kleimen, ON. kleima daub, plaster :- Gmc. klaimjan, f. klaimaz clay, f. base repr. by CLAY.

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clamour

sb.
XIV. — AN. clamur, OF. -clamour — L. clmor, -r-, rel. to clmre, see CLAIM and -OUR. Hence clamour vb. XIV.

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clamp 1

brace or band of metal. XIV. prob. of LG. orig.; cf. Du., LG. klamp, †klampe, f. klamp-, by-form of klamb- (cf. CLIMB), klam- (cf. CLAM). Hence clamp vb. XVII.

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clamp 2

stack of bricks XVI; (agric.) stack of earth, turf, etc. XVIII. prob. — MDu. klamp heap, rel. to CLUMP.

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clan

group of associated families in Scotland bearing the same name. XIV (Sc. clen). — Gaelic clann offspring, family, race, corr. to OIr. cland, (mod.) clann — L. planta sprout, scion, PLANT.

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clandestine

XVI. — F. clandestin or L. clandestnus, f. clam secretly.

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clang

sb.
XVI. imit. formation parallel to (O)HG. klang. Also as vb. XVI; perh. partly — L. clangere resound (as a trumpet)..

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clango(u)r

XVI. — L. clangor, f. clangere, rel. to Gr. klagg loud cry. Hence clangorous XVIII.

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clank

sb.
XVII. imit. formation parallel to MLG., (M)Du. klank, OHG. klang. Cf. prec. and CLINK 1. Also as vb. XVII.

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clap 1

make a sharp, forcible, or resounding noise. OE. clappian throb, beat = MLG. klappen, OHG. klapfn, ON. klappa beside OE. clæppan = MLG. kleppen, OHG. klepfen; also OE. clæpp-, cleppet(t)an; of imit. orig.

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clap 2

(sl.) gonorrhoea. XVI. of uncert. orig.; cf. OF. clapoir venereal bubo.

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clarence

four-wheeled four-seated carriage. XIX. Named after the Duke of Clarence, afterwards William IV.

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clarendon

(typogr.) thick-faced type. XIX. Named after the clarendon Press, which was first housed in the Clarendon Building at Oxford, erected with funds partly provided by the profits of the sale of the Earl of Clarendon's history of ‘the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England’ (1647).

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claret

XIV. orig. qualifying wine, after OF. vin claret (mod. clairet), which superseded OF. claré :- medL. clrtum (sc. vinum) ‘clarified wine’, n. pp. of clrre, f. L. clrus CLEAR.

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clarify

†illumine, make illustrious XIV; make clear XV. — (O)F. clarifier — late L. clrificre, f. clrus CLEAR; see -FY.

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clarion

kind of trumpet. XIV. — medL. clri, -n-, f. L. clrus CLEAR; cf. OF. claron (mod. clairon). Hence clarionet XVIII; partly alt. of clarinet — F. clarinette, f. clarine, sb. use of fem. of †clarin, f. clair CLEAR.

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clarity

†lustre, splendour XVI; clearness XVII. — L. clrits, f. clrus CLEAR; see -ITY.

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clash

sb.
XVI. imit. Also as vb. XVI.

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clasp

sb.
fastening consisting of interlocking parts; vb. secure with this. XIV. of unkn. orig.

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class

division of persons or things. XVII. Prob. first in gen. use in the sense ‘division of pupils in a school’, and immed. — L. classis each of the six ancient divisions of the Roman people, body of citizens under arms, spec. fleet. Cf. (O)F. classe. Hence class vb. XVIII. So classification XVIII ( — F.), whence classify XVIII.

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classic

of the first rank; of the standard authors of ancient Greece or Rome XVII; sb. (esp. pl.) ancient Gr. or L. writer XVIII. — F. classique or L. classicus, f. classis CLASS; see -IC. So classical XVI.

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clatter

XIV. OE. clatrian, implied in clatrung, corr. to (M)Du. klateren rattle, chatter, frequent. formation (see -ER 4) on imit. base klat-.

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clause

short sentence XIII; article or proviso XIV. — (O)F. clause = Gallo-Rom. clausa, for L. clausula close of a rhetorical period, (later) conclusion of a legal formula, section of a law, fem. dim. of claus-, pp. stem of claudere CLOSE.

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claustral

of a cloister. XV. — late L. claustrlis, f. claustrum CLOISTER; see -AL 1.

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claustrophobia

XIX. f. claustro-, taken as comb. form (see -o-) of L. claustrum CLOISTER + -PHOBIA.

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clavichord

string-and-key instrument. XV. — medL. clvichordium, f. L. clvis key + chorda string, CHORD.

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clavicle

collar-bone. XVII. — L. clvicula key, dim. of clvis key.

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clavier

keyboard XVIII; keyboard instrument XIX. — F. clavier (or its deriv. G. klavier) — medL. clvirius (see -ARY), f. clvis key.

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claw

sb.
OE. clawu (new formation on the obl. cases, the orig. nom. being cla, whence ME. and dial. clee) = OS. cluua, OHG. klwa (G. klaue) :- WGmc. klw. Hence claw vb. OE. clawian = MLG. klwen, OHG. klwn.

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clay

OE. cl = (M)LG., (M)Du. klei :- WGmc. klaij-, f. klai- klei- kli-, repr. also by OE. clm, mod. dial. cloam mud, clay, OE. clman (see CLAMMY); IE. gloi- glei- gli- as in Gr. glía, glín, L. gls, glten (see GLUE).

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claymore

Highlander's two-edged broad-sword. XVIII. f. Gaelic claidheamh sword + mór great.

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-cle

terminal el. repr. F. -cle — L. -culus, -a, -um -CULE, as in article, follicle, versicle.

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clean

OE. clne = OS. klni, OHG. kleini clear, delicate, small (G. klein small) :- WGmc. klaini. The historically orig. sense ‘clear, pure’ is most nearly preserved by Eng. among the mod. langs. Hence cleanly adj. and adv. OE. clnl., -l.e; see -LY 1, -LY 2. cleanse OE. clnsian.

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clear

XIII. ME. clr — OF. cler (mod. clair) :- L. clrus bright, clear, manifest. Hence clear vb. XIV, clearance XVI.

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cleat

wedge XV; (naut.) block round which a rope is secured XVIII. Formally repr. OE. clat = MLG. klt (Du. kloot ball). OHG. klz clod, lump, etc. (G. kloss dumpling) :- WGmc. klauta (cf. CLOT); but the naut. sense in Eng. is unexpl.

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cleave 1

cut asunder, split. OE. clofan str. vb. = OS. klioan, OHG. kliuban (G. klieben), ON. kljfa :- Gmc. kleuan, f. IE. base gleubh- (cf. Gr. glphein hollow out, L. glbere peel). Hence cleaver XVI.

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cleave 2

stick fast, adhere. The present form repr. OE. cleofian, clifan = OS. clion, OHG. klebn (G. kleben) :- WGmc. wk. vb. klijan, -jan, f. kli-, the strong form of which is repr. by OE. clfan = OS. biklan (Du. beklijven), OHG. klban, ON. klífa; f. Gmc. kl- stick, adhere (cf. CLAY, CLIMB). Cleft dates from XVII.

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clef

(mus.) symbol marking the pitch of notes on a given line of a stave. XVI. — F. :- L. clvis key.

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cleft

fissure, split. XIII. Earliest form clift (cf. OE. -clyft, OHG. kluft; f. base of CLEAVE1); the present form, due to assim. to cleft, pp. of CLEAVE 1, dates from XVI.

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clematis

XVI. — L. clmatis — Gr. klmatís, f. klêma vine-branch.

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clement

XV. — L. clmns, -ent-, of unkn. orig. So clemency XV. — L. clmentia.

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clench

fix or grasp firmly XIII; close tightly (the fist, etc.) XVIII. OE. -clen.an = OHG. klenken :- Gmc. klakjan, f. klak- klek- kluk-, parallel to klag-, etc. (see CLING). Cf. CLINCH.

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clerestory

row of lights above the arches or triforium of a church. XV. f. CLEAR + STOREY.

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clergy

A .
body of ordained men in the Church;

B .
learning (survived in legal phr. benefit of clergy). XIII. repr. two F. words, (O)F. clergé :- ecclL. clrictus, f. clricus (see CLERK, -ATE 1), and (O)F. clergie, f. clerc CLERK + -ie -Y 3.
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cleric

adj.
clerical; sb. clergyman. XVII. — ecclL. clricus — Gr. klrikós (eccl.) belonging to the Christian ministerial order, f. klêros lot, heritage, as used (e.g.) in Acts 1: 17 ‘the lot (klêros) of this ministry’. So clerical of the clergy XVI; of a clerk or penman XVIII. — ecclL. clriclis, f. clricus.

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clerk

ordained minister of the Church XI; learned man, scholar XIII; lay officer of a church (e.g. singing c., parish c.); one having charge of records, correspondence, or accounts XVI. Late OE. cler(i)c — ecclL. clricus CLERIC; this merged with ME. clerc — (O)F. clerc, of the same orig. The sp. clark appears XV. Hence clerkly adj. XVI; modelled on clerkly adv. XV, which is after late L. clricliter; see -LY 1, -LY 2.

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clever

adroit, dexterous (XIII?) XVI; (dial.) nimble, active; lithe, handsome XVII; (dial.) convenient, agreeable, nice XVIII. The context of the earliest ex. (in the form cliuer) suggests etym. connection with †cliver claw, as if ‘sharp to seize’; rare Sc. cleverous apt to seize, similarly assoc. with cluik claw, precedes the earliest ex. of clever in the mod. period. Cf. LG. klöver, klever, MDu. klever sprightly, smart.

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clew

(arch.) ball, esp. of thread OE.; (naut.) corner of a sail to which tacks and sheets are made fast XVI. OE. cliwen, cleowen = MLG., Du. kluwen, f. base of OHG. kliuwi, kliuwa, MHG. kliuwel(n); prob. ult. rel. to CLAW. See CLUE.

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cliché

stereotype block; stereotyped phrase, literary tag. XIX. — F., sb. use of pp. of clicher stereotype.

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click

sb. and vb.
XVII. ult. imit.; cf. OF. clique tick of a clock, cliquer vb.

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client

one under the protection of a patron XIV; one for whom an advocate pleads XV; customer XVII. — L. clins, client-, earlier cluns, sb. use of prp. of cluere, clure hear, listen; see LISTEN. So clientele, orig. (XVI) — L. clientla, but obs. in XVII and readopted from F. XIX.

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cliff

XII. OE. clif = OS. (Du.) klif. OHG. klep, ON. klif :- Gmc. klibam; of unkn. orig.

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climacteric

pert. to a critical period (in human life); also sb. XVI (formerly often climateric). — F. climatérique or L. clmactricus — Gr. klmaktrikós, f. klîmax, klmak- ladder + -tr agent-suffix. Also climacterical XVI.

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climate

belt of the earth's surface between two parallels of latitude XIV; (region having certain) atmospheric conditions XVII. — (O)F. climat or late L. clma, clmat- — Gr. klíma, klímat-, f. kl- as in klnein slope, LEAN 2. Hence climatic XIX.

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climax

(rhet.) ascending series of expressions XVI; culmination, highest point XVIII. — late L. clmax — Gr. klmax ladder, f. kl- (see prec.).

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climb

OE. climban (str. vb.) = (M)LG., (M)Du. klimmen, OHG. klimban (G. klimmen) :- WGmc. klimban, nasalized var. of kliban (see CLEAVE 2).

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clime

XVI (now arch.). — late L. clma CLIMATE.

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clinch

var. of CLENCH, now differentiated for certain meanings. XVI.

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cling

†coagulate, congeal; †shrink, wither OE.; adhere, stick, cleave XIII. OE. clingan (str. vb.), corr. to MDu. klingen stick, adhere, beside OE. clengan, ME. clenge adhere, cling; f. Gmc. klag- klig- klug-; see CLENCH.

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clinic

adj.
pert. to the sick-bed XVII; sb. bedridden person XVII; private or specialized hospital XIX. — L. clnicus — Gr. klnikós, f. kln bed; see -IC. So clinical XVIII.

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clink 1

make a sharp metallic sound. XIV. prob. — (M)Du. klinken sound, ring, rel. to MLG., (M)Du. klank sound (Cf. CLANK), and parallel to OHG. klank (G. klang); Cf. CLANG. Hence clink sb. XIV.

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clink 2

name of a prison in Southwark; (gen.) prison. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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clinker 1

very hard kind of brick XVII; mass of slag or lava XVIII. Earlier klincard, clincart — early modDu. klinckaerd (now klinker), f. klinken CLINK 1; so called because the brick rings when struck.

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clinker 2

applied to boats of which the planks are overlapped and secured with clinched nails. XVI. f. klink, var. of CLINCH + -ER 1; prob. infl. by LG., Du. klinken rivet. Clincher-built has varied with clinker-built from XVIII.

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clinometer

instrument for measuring slopes. XIX. f. clino-, used as comb. form of stem of Gr. klnein slope (see LEAN 2) + -METER.

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clip 1

embrace, grip, clutch. OE. clyppan = OFris. kleppa :- WGmc. kluppjan, rel. to Lith. glóbti embrace. Hence clip sb. instrument that clips or grips. XV.

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clip 2

cut, shear XII; mutilate (coin) XIV; cut short (words) XVI; move rapidly XVII. — ON. klippa. prob. imit. of the sound produced.

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clipper

fast-sailing vessel. XIX. f. CLIP 2 in the sense ‘move quickly’; prob. infl. by CUTTER.

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clique

small exclusive set. XVIII. — (O)F., f. OF. cliquer make a noise — (M)Du. klikken (see CLICK).

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cloaca

sewer XVIII; (anat.) excretory canal XIX. — L. cloca, cluca, earlier clovca, rel. to cluere cleanse, f. IE. klu- kleu- klou-, repr. also by OE. hlt(t)or pure, Gr. klúzein wash, bathe. So cloacal XVII.

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cloak

sb.
XIII. — OF. cloke, cloque, dial. var. of cloche bell, cloak :- medL. clocca (VII), perh. of Ir. origin (cf. CLOCK). Hence cloak vb. XVI.

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clock

XIV. Introduced by Flemish clockmakers imported by Edward I. — MLG., MDu. klocke (LG., Du. klok), corr. to OE. clucge, OFris. klokke, OHG. glocka (G. glocke bell), ON. klokka, klukka; Gmc. — medL. clocca bell (Cf. CLOAK).

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clod

†clot of blood XIV; lump of earth, etc. XV. In OE. in clodhamer fieldfare, Clodhangra (placename); corr. to (M)HG. klotz. Hence clodhopper †ploughman, country lout XVII; (pl.) heavy shoes XIX.

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clog

(dial.) block of wood XIV; wooden-soled shoe XV. of unkn. orig. Hence clog vb. fetter, hamper, encumber. XIV.

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cloisonné

(of enamels) divided into compartments. XIX. pp. of F. cloisonner, f. cloison partition :- Rom. clausi, -n-, f. L. claus- (see CLOSE).

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cloister

enclosure, close XIII; convent, covered walk (esp. a round a court) XIV. — OF. clo(i)stre (mod. cloître) :- L. claustrum, clstrum bolt, place, f. claud-, stem of claudere CLOSE, + -trum, instr. suffix.

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close

sb.
enclosed space, enclosure XIII; adj. closed, shut up XIV. — (O)F. clos :- L. clausus, pp. of claudere shut, close. So close vb. stop an opening. XIII. f. clos-, ppl. stem of (O)F. clore :- L. claudere.

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closet

private room XIV; cabinet, cupboard, privy XVII. — OF., dim. of clos; see prec. and -ET.

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closure

†barrier, fence XIV; †ENCLOSURE XV; conclusion, close XVI. — OF. :- late L. clausra, f. claus-; see CLOSE, -URE. In the last sense a new formation on CLOSE.

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clot

lump, esp. one formed by coagulation. OE. clot(t) = MHG. kloz (G. klotz) :- WGmc. klutt-, f. klut- kleut- klaut-; Cf. CLEAT, CLOUT.

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cloth

A
piece of woven or felted stuff OE.; the stuff or material itself (in these two uses with mod. pl. cloths) XIV;

B
†(coll.) clothing, raiment XII, equivalent to clothes , OE. clþas, ME. clþes, clþes. OE. clð = MDu. kleet (Du. kleed), MHG. kleit (G. kleid); cf. ON. klæði; of unkn. orig.
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So clothe vb., pt., pp. clothed and (arch.) clad provide with clothes. XII. ME. clþen, pointing to OE. clðian, f. clð.

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cloud

†hill, rock OE.; visible mass of watery vapour in the air XIII. OE. cld, prob. rel. to CLOD. Hence cloud vb. XVI.

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clough

ravine. OE. clh (in place-names) :- Gmc. kla?-, rel. to OHG. klinga (G. dial. klinge) ravine.

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clout

†patch, metal plate OE.; piece of cloth XIII; (from the vb.) blow with the hand XIV. OE. clt, corr. to (M)LG., MDu. klt(e) (Du. kluit lump, clod), ON. klútr kerchief; rel. to CLEAT, CLOT. Hence clout vb. patch OE. (cltian, in pp. ecltod) cuff heavily XIV.

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clove 1

one of the divisions of the bulb of garlic, etc. OE. clufu, corr. to the first element of OS. cluflk ‘clove-leek’, garlic, OHG. klobolouch (G. knoblauch), f. weak grade of Gmc. kleub- (see CLEAVE 1).

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clove 2

dried flower-bud of tropical myrtle. XIV. orig. clow (of) gilofer — (O)F. clou de girofle (gilofre) ‘nail of clove-tree’, so called from its shape; see GILLYFLOWER. The change from clow to clove is difficult to account for.

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cloven

str. pp. of CLEAVE 1, now mainly restricted to adj. use (e.g. cloven hoof).

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clover

OE. clfre = (M)LG., Du. klver :- Gmc. klaibrn, the first syll. of which corr. to OS. kl, OHG. klo (G. klee) :- WGmc. klaiwa clover. The common XV–XVII var. claver may repr. OE. clfre, or may be of LG. or Du. orig.

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clown

rustic, ill-bred man; fool or buffoon, esp. on the stage. XVI. perh. of LG. orig.; cf. NFris. klönne, klünne clumsy fellow, klünj clod, lump, and the like.

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cloy

†nail XIV; †clog, obstruct XVI; surfeit, satiate XVI. Aphetic of †acloy — AN. acloyer, var. of OF. encloyer (mod. enclouer) :- Rom. inclvre, f. L. in EN- 1 + clvus nail, rel. to clvis key, claudere CLOSE.

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club

heavy stick XIII; stick used in ball-games XV; (tr. It. bastone, Sp. baston BATON) suit at cards XVI; combination or association of persons XVII. — ON. klubba (klumba) club, rel. to CLUMP.

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cluck

vb. XVII. corr. to MHG. klucken, Da. klukke, Sw. klucka, imit. formation to which there are parallel forms with the vowel o, OE. cloccian, MDu. clocken (Du. klokken), Sw. dial. klokka.

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clue

later form (XV) of CLEW, now restricted mainly to the sense ‘fact, etc., leading (through a difficulty) to a solution or discovery’.

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clumber

breed of spaniel. XIX. f. Clumber, name of a seat of the duke of Newcastle, in Nottinghamshire.

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clump

compact mass of trees XVI; transf. of other things XVII. — MLG. klumpe (LG. klump), rel. to MDu. klompe (Du. klomp) lump, mass, and OE. clympre (mod. dial. clumper) lump of metal, and further to CLAMP 2; cf. CLUB.

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clumsy

†benumbed; moving as if benumbed, awkward in action. XVI. f. (dial.) clumse benumb (XIII), prob. of Scand. orig.

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Cluniac

pert. to (a monk of) the monastery of Cluny. XVII. — medL. Cluniacus, f. Clun(i)æum Cluny, France; see -AC.

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cluster

sb.
OE. clyster, (rare) cluster bunch of grapes, prob. f. Gmc. klut- (see CLOT).

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clutch 1

†crook, bend; seize with claws, seize eagerly. XIV. ME. clucche, repr. OE. cly..an crook, clench. Hence clutch sb. claw; grasp. XVI.

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clutch 2

laying or sitting of eggs, brood of young birds. XVIII. prob. southern dial. var. of synon. north. cletch (XVII), rel. obscurely to cleck hatch (XV; chiefly Sc.) — ON. klekja; assoc. with CLUTCH 1.

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clutter

†clotted mass XVI; confused mass or crowd, noisy turmoil, confused noise XVII. var. of †clotter (XIV), †clodder (XV), f. CLOT, CLOD; see -ER 4; assoc. to some extent with cluster and clatter. So as vb. XVI.

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clypeus

(ent.) shield-shaped part of the head of insects. XIX. var. of L. clipeus, clupeus shield.

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co-

var. of COM- used before vowels, h, and gn. as in L. coalescere COALESCE, cogntus COGNATE, cohrs CO-HEIR; in extensive use from XVII as a living formative in the senses ‘together’, ‘in common’, ‘joint(ly)’, ‘reciprocally’. In math. repr. complement, in the sense ‘ … of the complement’, ‘complement of … ’, as in COSINE, etc.

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coacervation

heaping together. XIV. — L. coacervti, -n-, f. coacervre, f. CO- + acervus heap; see -ATION.

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coach

large carriage XVI; private tutor (orig. university sl.), instructor in sport and athletics XIX. — F. coche. A common European word since XVI, e.g. G. kutsche, Du. koets, Sp., Pg. coche, It. cocchio, Pol. kocz; ult. — Hungarian kocsi, adj. f. Kocs name of a town near Raab in Hungary.

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coadjutor

XV. — (O)F. coadjuteur, †-tor — late L. coadjtor, f. CO- + adjtor helper (see ADJUTANT).

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coagulate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. cogulre, f. cogulum rennet, f. coagere drive together; see COGENT, ATE 3. So coagulation XV.

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coal

†glowing piece of wood OE.; †charcoal XIII; black mineral used for fuel XIII (orig. seacoal). OE. col, corr. to OFris., MLG. kole, MDu. cole (Du. kool), OHG. kol(o) (G. kohle), ON. kol, of uncert. orig.

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coalesce

XVI. — L. coalscere, f. CO- + alscere grow up, f. alere nourish. So coalition XVII. — medL.

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coalmouse, colemouse

the bird Parus ater. OE. colmse, corr. to MDu. koolmze (Du. koolmees), MHG. kolemeise (G. kohlmeise), f. col COAL (with allusion to its black cap) + mse (see TITMOUSE).

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coaming

(naut.) raised edges of hatches, etc. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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coarse

†ordinary, common XIV; wanting in fineness or delicacy XVI. Earliest forms cors(e), course; the present form appears XVII, but is anticipated by †cowarce (XVI); the earliest application is to cloth or clothes; of unkn. orig.

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coast

†tract, region XIII; †quarter, direction; †side; sea-shore XIV; (N. Amer.) toboggan slide XVIII. ME. cost(e) — OF. coste (mod. côte) :- L. costa rib, flank, side. So coast vb. †keep or move by the side or coast of; †border upon XIV; †traverse, scour XV; (U.S.) slide down a slope on a sled (also in transf. use) XIX.

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coat

man's outer garment XIII; natural covering XIV. ME. cote — OF. cote (mod. cotte) :- Rom. cotta — Frankish kotta (cf. OHG. kozzo (G. kotze) coarse woollen garment or stuff, OS. cot woollen coat or cloak), of unkn. orig.

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coati

Amer. mammal resembling civet and racoon. XVII. — Tupi coati, coatim, f. cua cincture + tim nose.

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coax

†fool, take in; pet, fondle XVI; wheedle XVII. orig. ‘make a cokes (i.e. fool) of’; of unkn. orig.

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cob

in many applications which can be mostly grouped under the headings ‘head’ and ‘roundish object, round clump’, among the earliest being ‘great man, leader’ (XV), ‘male swan’ (XVI), cob-nut (XVI); loaf with a round head (XVII); the application to a stout short-legged horse (XIX) has been referred to dial. cobs testicles. of obscure orig.; in AL. cobus cob-loaf (XIII); cf. WFlem. kobbe tuft of feathers, head of hair, dome of the head, WFris, kobbe drop.

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cobalt

XVII (cobolt). — G. kobalt, -old, disparaging application of MHG. kobolt (mod. kobold) fairy or demon of the mine, from the miners' belief that cobalt ore was deleterious to the silver ores in which it occurred.

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cobble 1

rounded stone XV (in earliest exx. c.-stone, also †cobled stone); pl. small coal XIX. f. COB + -LE 1.

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cobbler

XIII. of unkn. orig. Hence cobble^2 vb. mend roughly, patch up XV.

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coble

(Sc.) boat used esp. for salmon-fishing XIII; (north. Eng.) sea fishing-boat XIII. In AL. cobellum (XIII), cobla (XIV); poss. of Celt. orig. (cf. W. ceubal ferry-boat, skiff, Bret. caubal).

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cobra

XIX. Short for cobra (de) capello (XVII) hooded snake — Pg. cobra (:- L. colubra) snake, de with, capello hood (:- medL. cappellus, dim. of cappa CAPE 1).

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cobweb

spider's web. XIV. ME. cop(pe)web, f. coppe :- OE. (t(t)r)coppe (t(t)r poison) = MDu. koppe; see WEB.

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coca

shrub, Erythroxylon coca, of which the dried leaves are used as a masticatory, etc. XVI. — Sp. — Quechua cuca. Hence cocaine alkaloid occurring in the leaves of the coca; see -INE 5.

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coccus pl. cocci

insect of the genus so named XVIII; (bot.) carpel of a dried fruit XIX (earlier coccum); (med.) rounded form of bacterium XIX. — modL. — Gr. kókkos berry, seed.

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coccyx

(anat.) terminal bone of the spinal column. XVII. — L. — Gr. kókkux CUCKOO (the bone being supposed to resemble a cuckoo's bill).

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cochineal

dye-stuff consisting of the dried bodies of a S. American insect, which was at first supposed to be a berry. XVI. — F. cochenille or Sp. cochinilla, which is gen. referred to L. coccinus scarlet (Gr. kókkos kermes).

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cochlea

spiral cavity of the internal ear. XVII. — L. coc(h)lea snail-shell, screw — Gr. kokhlías, prob. rel. to kógkh CONCH.

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cock 1

male domestic fowl OE.; male bird XIV; in various transf. applications, the earliest (XV) being ‘spout, tap’ paralleled by G. hahn cock; the latter, like Du. haan, is also used, as cock is (XVI), for the discharging mechanism of firearms. OE. cocc, kok = ON. kokkr, prob. f. medL. coccus, of imit. orig.; reinforced in ME. by (O)F. coq. The native Gmc. word is repr. by OE. hana (see HEN). Hence cock vb. set or stick up (assertively) XVII; prob. from the attitude of fighting-cocks; whence a new sb. upward turn. XVIII.

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cock 2

heap of hay. XIV. immed. source uncertain; perh. Scand. (cf. Norw. kok heap, lump, Da. dial. kok haycock, Sw. koka clod), but an OE. cocc hill has been assumed for the place-names Cookham (Coccham VIII), Coughton (Cocton XIII). Hence as vb. XIV.

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cockade

rosette, etc., worn in the hat as a badge. XVII (in cockared cap), XVIII (cockard, cockade). — F. cocarde, orig. in phr. bonnet à la coquarde cap worn assertively on one side; fem. of †coquard proud, saucy, as sb. coxcomb, f. coq COCK 1; see -ARD. The ending was assim. to -ADE.

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cock-a-hoop

orig. in phr. set cock a hoop denoting some action preliminary to hard drinking. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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cockalorum

self-important little man XVIII; hey cockalorum cry in certain games XIX. f. COCK 1 in the sense ‘leader’ (XVI), with fanciful termination simulating L. g. pl. ending -orum.

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cock-and-bull

applied to an idle story. XVIII. orig. in phr. talk of (a story of) a cock and a bull (XVII), said of rambling and misleading talk; parallel to F. coq-à-l'âne (anglicized as †cockalane XVII), orig. in phr. saillir du coq en l'âne ‘jump from the cock to the ass’.

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cockatoo

XVII (cacatoe). — Du. kaketoe — Malay kakatua; infl. by COCK 1.

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cockatrice

basilisk XIV; (her.) hybrid of cock and serpent XVI. — OF. cocatris — medL. calctrix, cau- (fem. agent-noun f. calcre tread, (later) track, f. calx heel) used to render Gr. ikhneúmn, ICHNEUMON, lit, ‘tracker’. OF. cocatris came to denote the crocodile; by a further (obscure) transference cockatrice was applied in English translations of the Bible to the basilisk; assoc. with COCK 1 produced the her. sense.

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cockboat

small ship's boat. XV. Formerly also simply cock — OF. coque, dial. var. of coche :- medL. caudica (cf. caudiceus, cdicrius applied to boats as being carved out of trunks, f. caudex, cdex block of wood).

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cockchafer

XVIII. The second el. is (dial.) chaf(f)er :- OE. .eafor, prob. f. Gmc. kab- gnaw, parallel to keb-, repr. by OE. .efer = OS. kevera (Du. kever), OHG. kevar (G. käfer beetle); if the first el. is COCK 1, the reference is obscure.

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cocker 1

pamper, indulge, humour. XV. of uncert. orig. (cf. synon. †cock and †cockle (both XVI)).

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cocker 2

spaniel of a breed trained to start wood-cock, etc. XIX. f. cocking (XVII) shooting of wood-cock, f. COCK 1 + -ING 1; see -ER 1.

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cockerel

young cock. XV. f. COCK 1 + -EREL.

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cockle 1

plant growing among corn. OE. coccul, -el, perh. — medL. cocculus, f. late L. coccus, earlier coccum kermes — Gr. kókkos.

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cockle 2

edible bivalve mollusc. XIV. — (O)F. coquille shell :- medL. cochilia — medGr. kokhúlia. pl. of kokhúlion, f. kógkh CONCH.

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cockle 3

go into rucks, pucker. XVI. — F. coquiller blister (bread) in cooking, f. coquille shell, etc. (see prec.).

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cockloft

small upper loft. XVI. prob. f. COCK 1 + LOFT, as being orig. a place where fowls roosted.

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cockney

†hen's egg (perh. small or mis-shapen, ‘cock's egg’); †pampered child XIV; †townsman, as a type of effeminacy; one born in the city of London XVI. ME. cokeney, -ay, prob. f. cokene, g. pl. of cok COCK 1 + ey, ay (OE. ) egg.

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cockpit

pit or enclosure to be used for cock-fighting XVI; (naut.) after part of the orlop deck of a man of war XVIII. f. COCK 1 + PIT.

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cockroach

XVII (cacarootch, cockroche). — Sp. cucaracha; unaccountably assim. to cock and roach.

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cocksure

†(objectively) quite secure or certain XVI; (subjectively) feeling quite sure or certain XVII. of uncert. orig.

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cocktail

A
‘cock-tailed’ horse, i.e. one with the tail docked and so sticking up like a cock's tail; beetle that cocks up its ‘tail’
;
B
(orig. U.S.) mixed drink with a spirit as basis. XIX. A. f. COCK 1 vb. + TAIL 1; B. of unkn orig.
Top

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cocky

(sl.) arrogantly pert. XVIII. f. COCK 1 + -Y 1.

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coco, cocoa 1

†nut of the coco-palm, Cocos nucifera, and the tree itself XVI; now only in coco(a)-, coker-nut XVII. — Sp., Pg. coco, orig. playful use of coco grinning face, grimace, with allusion to the monkey-like appearance of the base of the nut. Appears first in latinized form †cocus, later †cocos. The sp. cocoa is due to an error in Johnson's dictionary, in which this word and COCOA 2 were combined under one heading; coker dates from XVII.

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cocoa 2

†seed of a tropical American tree; powder produced by grinding the seed, and beverage made from this. XVIII. Alteration of CACAO (also †cacoa). Cf. CHOCOLATE.

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cocoon

XVII. — F. cocon — modPr. coucoun egg-shell, cocoon, dim. of coca shell.

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cocotte

XIX. — F., (also) child's word for a fowl, ult. f. coq COCK 1.

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cod 1

husk OE. (surviving dial., as in peascod pea-shell); scrotum; (pl.) testicles XIV; hence codpiece XV. OE. cod(d) bag, husk, corr. to ON. koddi, ODa. kodde, Sw. kudde cushion, pillow. Norw. kodd testicle, scrotum; f. Gmc. kud- keud- (whence OE. .od pouch).

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cod 2

sea-fish, Gadus morrhua. XIII. of unkn. orig.; possibly a use of COD 1, as if ‘bag-fish’, from its appearance. Cod's head was sl. for ‘blockhead’ (XVI); hence prob. (sl.) cod fool, simpleton (XVII), whence cod vb. (sl.) hoax, humbug. XIX.

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coda

(mus.) concluding passage. XVIII. — It. :- L. cauda tail.

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coddle

XIX. prob. a var. of caudle (XVII) administer a CAUDLE to: but perh. a fig. use of coddle (XVI) parboil, stew. Cf. MOLLYCODDLE.

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code

systematic collection of laws XIV; system of signals, esp. for secrecy XIX. — (O)F. — L. cdex, cdic- block of wood, block split into leaves or tablets, book. The L. word codex was formerly (XVI–XVIII) in Eng. use in the sense ‘law-code’, but is now used only for ‘manuscript volume’.

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codger

stingy (old) fellow; familiar appellation for an elderly man; (hence) fellow, chap. XVIII. perh. var. of CADGER.

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codicil

supplement to a will. XV. — L. cdicillus, dim. of cdex (see CODE).

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codlin(g)

variety of apple. XV. Earliest form querd(e)lynge, later quodling, quadlin; but codlyng occurs XVI, when it appears to be already assoc. with coddle vb. cook. The forms correspond to those of the surname Codling, earlier Querdelioun, Querdlyng — AN. Quer de lion (F. Cœur-de-lion) ‘lion-heart’.

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coefficient

XVII. — modL. coefficiens; see CO- and EFFICIENT.

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coeliac

pert. to the abdomen. XVII. — L. cœliacus — Gr. koiliaks, f. koilí belly, bowels, f. koilos hollow, rel. to L. cavus (see CAVE 1); see -AC.

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coenobite

member of a religious order living in a community. XVII. — (O)F. cénobite or ecclL. cœnobta, f. cœnobium — Gr. koinóbion community life, (eccl.) convent, f. koinós common + bios life (cf. QUICK); see -ITE.

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coerce

XVII. — L. coercre shut up, restrain, f. CO- + arcre restrain. ward off. So coercion XVIII.

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coeval

contemporary. XVII. f. late L. coævus, f. CO- + ævum AGE; see -AL 1.

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coffee

XVI (Chaoua). The present form is first recorded in XVII, with vars. cahve, coffe, cauphe, cophee; — Du. koffie — Turk. kahve — Arab. kahwa.

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coffer

XIII. — (O)F. coffre :- L. cophinus basket; see next.

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coffin

†chest, box, basket XIV; box for a corpse XVI. — OF. cof(f)in little basket, case — L. cophinus — Gr. kóphinos basket.

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cog

projecting tooth on a wheel. XIII. ME. cogge, of unkn. orig but prob. Scand. (cf. synon. Sw. kugge, kughjul cog-wheel, Norw. kug).

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cogent

XVII. — L. cgns, -ent-, prp. of cgere drive together, compel. f. CO- + agere drive; see ACT, -ENT.

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cogitation

XIII. — OF. cogitacioun — L. cgitti, -n-, f. cgitre think, f. CO- + agitre put in motion, spec. turn over in the mind; see AGITATE, -ATION. So cogitate XVI; see -ATE 3.

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cognac

prop. French brandy distilled from Cognac wine. XVI (Coniacke wine). — F., f. name of a town in the department of Charente, France.

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cognate

akin, descended from a common ancestor; also sb. XVII. — L. cogntus, f. CO- + -gntus born, f. IE. gn- gen- produce; see KIN, ATE 3.

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cognition

action or faculty of knowing. XV. — L. cogniti, -n-, f. cognit-, pp. stem of cognscere get to know, investigate, f. CO- + gnscere, inchoative of gn-; see KNOW, -TION.

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cognizance

knowledge (now take c. of); device by which one is known XIV; taking legal notice, jurisdiction; acknowledgement, admission XVI. — OF. conis(s)aunce, conus(s)aunce, vars. of conois(s)ance (mod. connaissance) — Rom. connscentia, f. cognscent-, prp. stem of L. cognscere (see prec.). Latinization of the sp. has infl. the pronunc. Hence cognizant XIX.

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cognomen

third name of a Roman citizen; distinguishing epithet; (sur)name. XIX. — L., f. CO- + gnmen NAME.

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cognoscente

connoisseur. XVIII. — It., latinized form of conoscente :- L. cognscent- (see COGNITION and -ENT).

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cognovit

(leg.) acknowledgement by defendant that plaintiff's cause is just. XVIII. Short for L. formula cognovit actionem he has acknowledged the charge; 3rd sg. pt. of cognscere (see KNOW).

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cohabit

XVI. — late L. cohabitre. So cohabitation XV. Cf. (O)F. cohabiter, -ation, and see CO-, HABITATION.

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co-heir

XVI. — L. cohrs; see CO-, HEIR.

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cohere

XVI. — L. cohærre, f. CO- + hærre stick. So coherent XVI, cohesion XVII.

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cohort

body of infantry in the ancient Roman army; also transf. XV. — (O)F. cohorte or L. cohors, cohort- enclosure, company, crowd, f. CO- + hort-, as in hortus garden.

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coif

close-fitting cap. XIV. — OF. coife (mod. coiffe) head-dress :- late L. cofia helmet.

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coil 1

(arch.) disturbance, confusion, fuss. XVI. of unkn. orig.; now familiar mainly in mortal c. (from Sh. Hamlet III. i. 67).

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coil 2

lay up (a rope or cable) in concentric rings XVI; twist or twine up XVII (also †quoil). — OF. coillir (mod. cueillir gather) :- L. colligere COLLECT. Hence coil sb. length of rope coiled up XVI (quille); series of concentric rings XVII.

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coin

A
†corner-stone; †corner, angle, wedge;

B
†die for stamping money; piece of money; coined money. XIV. — (O)F. coin, †coing, wedge, corner, †stamping-die :- L. cuneus wedge.
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So coin vb. make (money) from metal, make (metal) into money. XIV. — OF. coignier mint, f. coin. coinage coining money XIV; money coined XV. — OF. coigniage, f. coignier.

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coincide

XVIII. — medL. coincidere, f. CO- + incidere fall upon or into, f. IN- 1 + cadere fall. So coincidence XVII. after coincident XVI.

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coition

†conjunction XVI; copulation XVII. — L. coiti, -n-, f. coit-, pp. stem of core, f. CO- + re go; see -TION. So coitus XVIII.

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coke

solid residue of the dry distillation of coal. XVII (formerly often pl.). prob. identical with north. dial. colk (XIV) core, of unkn. orig.

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coker-nut

see COCO.

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col

depression in a mountain chain. XIX. — Fr. col :- L. collum neck.

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col-

assim. form of COM-, CON- before l. In Rom., L. coll-, earlier conl-, was reduced to col-, and this form was preserved in early adoptions of F. words; the later coll- was due to assoc. with L.

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colander

XIV (colonur, culdor(e), etc.). perh. alt. of Pr. colador :- Rom. cltr-, f. L. clre strain.

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colchicum

genus of plants. XVI. — L. — Gr. kolkhikon, sb. use of n. of Kolkhikós pert. to Colchis, ancient name of a region east of the Black Sea.

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cold.

OE (Angl.) cald (WS. .eald) = OS. cald, (O)HG. kalt, ON. kaldr, Goth. kalds :- Gmc. kaldaz prop. chilled, frozen; formation with ppl. suffix (= L. -tus. Gr. -tos) on kal- :- IE. gol-, var. of gel-, as in L. gelu frost, gelidus GELID, Lith. gelumà severe cold, OSl. golot ice; see CHILL, COOL, and CONGEAL.

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cole

kind of cabbage. XIV. — ON. kál, corr. to OE. cwel, cul, MDu. cle (Du. kool), OHG. chlo, kl(i) (G. kohl), and Ir., Gael, cál, W. cawl, all — L. caulis (later caulus, -a) stem, stalk, cabbage. Surviving mainly as in coleseed (prob. — Du. koolzaad; cf. OE. cwelsd), colewort XIV. Cf. KALE.

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colemouse

see COALMOUSE.

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coleoptera

(zool.) the beetles. XVIII. modL. n. pl., f. Gr. koleópteros sheath-winged, f. koleón sheath + pterón wing (see FEATHER).

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colic

sb. griping pains in the belly XV; adj. affecting the colon XVI. — (O) F. colique — late L. clicus, collicus. f. clon COLON 1; see -IC.

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collaborate

XIX. f. pp. stem of late L. collabrre. f. COL- + labor LABOUR. So collaboration, collaborator XIX.

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collapse

vb. XVIII. Back-formation f. pp. collapsed (XVII), f. L. collpsus, pp. of collb, f. COL- + lb fall; see LAPSE, -ED 1. So collapse sb. XIX.

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collar

XIII (various techn. uses from XVII). ME. coler — AN. coler, OF. colier (mod. collier) :- L. collre, f. collum neck; see -AR. The sp. was early assim. to the L. Hence as vb. lay hold on (first in wrestling) XVI.

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collate

A
†confer XVI; appoint to a benefice XVII
;
B
compare critically XVII. f. collt-, stem of the form used as pp. of L. conferre CONFER; see -ATE 3.
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collateral

situated or existing side by side. XIV. — medL. collaterlis; see COL- and LATERAL.

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collation

A
in renderings of Johannes Cassianus' ‘Collationes Patrum in Scetico eremo commorantium’ (Conferences of hermits in the Egyptian desert); reading of this at monastic meals XIII; light meal after such reading XIV; light meal (gen.) XVI
;
B
bringing together, esp. for comparison XIV
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;
C
bestowal, spec. of a benefice XIV. Occurs first in sense A in AN. form collatiun, and later (XIV) in the form collacion, -tion — L. collti, -n- contribution, collection, comparison, in medL. conference, repast, noun of action to conferre CONFER; see COLLATE -ATION.
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colleague

XVI. — F. collègue — L. collga partner in office, f. COL- + lg- as in lx law, lgre depute.

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collect 1

(liturg.) short prayer, varying with the day or season. XIII. — (O)F. collecte — L. collcta collection, (late) assembly, sb. use of fem. pp. of colligere COLLECT 2.

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collect 2

gather together. XVI. — OF. collecter or medL. collctre, f. collct-, pp. stem of colligere, f. COL- + legere collect, assemble, choose, read. So collection action of collecting XIV; things collected XV. — (O)F. — L. collective XV. — F. or L. Hence collectivism, -ist XIX. collector XIV. — AN. collectour — medL. collector; see -OR 1.

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colleen

girl. XIX. — Ir. cailín, dim. of caile countrywoman, girl.

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college

society or corporation of persons having common functions and rights; building occupied by this. XIV. — (O) F. collège or its source L. collgium association, partnership, corporation, f. collga COLLEAGUE. So collegial XIV, collegian XV, collegiate (-ATE 2) XV.

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collide

XVII. — L. colldere clash together, f. COL- + lædere hurt by striking. So collision XV. — late L. collsi, -n-, f. colls-, pp. stem of colldere.

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collie

shepherd's dog. XVII. orig. Sc., perh. f. coll COAL (from its black colour) + -IE.

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collier

†charcoal-burner XIV; coal-miner XVI. ME. colyer, f. col COAL; see -IER. Hence colliery XVII.

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colligate

bind together. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. colligre, f. COL- + ligre bind; see -ATE 2.

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collimation

adjustment of the line of sight of a telescope. XVII. — modL. collimti, -n-, f. collimre, erron. reading in some editions of Cicero for collnere aim, f. COL- + lnea LINE 2.

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collocate

place side by side. XVI. f. L. collocre, -t-, f. COL- + locre place, LOCATE. So collocation XVII.

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collop

†fried bacon and egg XIV; fried slice of meat XV; thick fold of flesh XVI. ME. col(h)oppe — Scand. word repr. by OSw. kolhuppadher roasted on coals (f. kol COAL + huppa leap), Sw. kalops, dial. kollops dish of stewed meat.

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colloquy

conversation. XVI. — L. colloquium (also used in Eng. XVII), f. COL- + loqu speak.

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collotype

process or print in which a thin sheet of gelatine is used. XIX. f. Gr. kólla glue + TYPE.

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collusion

XIV. — (O)F. collusion or L. collsi, -n-, f. colldere, colls- have a secret agreement (whence collude XVI), f. COL- + ldere play, f. ldus play, sport.

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collywobbles

(sl.) belly-ache. XIX. Fancifully f. COLIC and WOBBLE.

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colon 1

greater portion of the large intestine. XVI. — (O)F. côlon or L. clon — Gr. kólon.

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colon 2

member of a sentence; the punctuation mark (:). XVI. — L. clon — Gr. kôlon limb, clause.

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colonel

XVI. In earliest use both coronel and colonel, but the first prevailed before mid-XVII. — F. †coronel (so also Sp.), later and mod. colonnei — (orig. with dissimilation of l..l to r..l) It. colonnello, f. colonna COLUMN, the officer being so named as leader of the first company of a regiment.

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colonnade

XVIII. — F., f. colonne COLUMN; see -ADE.

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colony

XVI. — L. colnia farm, landed estate, settlement, f. colnus cultivator, settler, f. colere cultivate; see -Y 3. Hence colonial XVIII, colonize XVII (whence colonist XVIII).

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colophon

inscription containing title, date, etc., at the end of a book. XVIII. — late L. colophn — Gr. kolophn summit, finishing touch.

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colophony

dark or amber-coloured resin. XIV. — L. (rsna) colophnia resin of Colophon, a town in Lydia.

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coloration

XVII. — F. coloration or late L. colrti, -n-, f. colrre COLOUR; see -ATION. So coloratura (mus.) XIX. — It.; see -URE. colorific XVII. — F. or modL.

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colossus

gigantic statue, e.g. that at Rhodes. XIV. — L. colossus — Gr. kolossós. So colossal XVIII. — F.

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colour, U.S. color

XIII. — OF. col(o)ur (mod. couleur) :- L. color, colr-, rel. to clare hide, CONCEAL; see -OUR 2. So colour vb. XIII. — OF. coulourer (mod. colorer) — L. colrre.

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colt

OE. colt, applied to the young of the ass and the camel; of obscure orig.

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colubrine

snake-like. XVI. — L. colubrnus, f. coluber snake; see -INE 1.

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columbarium

dove-cot; underground sepulchre with niches. XVIII. — L., f. columba dove, pigeon; see -ARIUM.

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columbine

dove-like. XIV. — (O)F. colombin, -ine — L. columbnus, f. columba dove. As sb., name of plants. XIII. — OF. colombine — medL. columbna (sc. herba) ‘dove's plant’, so called from the resemblance of the inverted flower to five pigeons clustered together.

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Columbine

(orig. in It. comedy) the mistress of Harlequin. XVIII. — F. Colombine — It. Colombina, sb. use of fem. of colombino dove-like in gentleness (cf. prec.).

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column

pillar XV; vertical division of a page, etc. XV. Partly — OF. columpne (mod. colonne), partly — its source L. columna pillar, f. col-, var. of cel-, as in cellere (see EXCEL), celsus high. So columnar XVIII, columniated XVIII, columniation XVII.

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colure

each of the great circles intersecting at right angles at the poles. XVI. — late L. colr pl. — Gr. kólourai (sc. grammaí lines), pl. of kólouros truncated, f. kólos docked + our tail; so called because their lower part is permanently cut off from view.

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colza

(oil expressed from) coleseed. XVIII. — F. (Walloon) kolza, earlier kolzat — LG. klst, Du. koolzaad; see COLE, SEED.

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com-

repr. L. com-, arch. form of the prep. cum with, used in comps. with the meanings ‘together, in combination or union’, ‘altogether, completely’. Com- was retained before b, p, m, and some vowels (as in comes COUNT 1), assim. before r, l (as in corruptus CORRUPT, collti COLLATION), and reduced to CO- before most vowels; elsewhere it became CON- (but before f, as in COMFIT, COMFORT, com- has replaced con- in Eng.).

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coma 1

unnatural deep and prolonged sleep. XVII. — medical L. — Gr. kôma, kmat-, rel. to koít bed. keîsthai lie down. Hence comatose XVIII.

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coma 2

(bot.) tuft XVII; (astron.) nebulous envelope of a comet XVIII. — L. coma — Gr. kóm hair of the head; cf. COMET.

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comb

toothed implement for straightening the hair; cock's crest, which is indented or serrated OE.; flat cake of cells of wax made by bees (an exclusively Eng. use, the orig, of which is doubtful), late OE. in hunicamb honeycomb. OE. camb, comb = OS. camb, OHG. kamb (G. kamm), ON. kambr :- Gmc. kambaz :- IE. gombhos, whence also Gr. gómphos, Skr. jámbha-, OSl. zb tooth. Hence comb vb. XIV; repl. kemb, OE. cemban (:- Gmc. kambjan), which survives in UNKEMPT.

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combat

sb. XVI. — F., f. combattre vb. (whence combat vb. XVI), OF. cumbatre — late L. combattere, f. COM- + battere, for batuere fight. So combatant XV. — OF. combatant, prp. of combattre.

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combe

see COOMB.

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combine

vb. XV. — (O)F. combiner or late L. combnre join two and two, f. COM- + bn two together. So combination XIV. Hence combine sb. †plot XVII (rare); commercial (etc.) combination XIX (orig. U.S.).

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combustion

XV. — (O)F. combustion or late L. combusti, -n-, f. combust-, pp. stem of L. combrere burn up, f. COM- + brere; see -TION.

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come

OE. str. vb. cuman = OS. cuman, OHG. queman, koman (G. kommen), ON. koma, Goth. qiman :- Gmc. kweman, kuman. The IE. base gem- gm- is repr. also by Skr. gámati goes, Gr. baínein go, L. venre come (cf. ADVENT, CONVENE, etc.).

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comedy

†narrative poem with a pleasant ending XIV; †miracle play or interlude with a happy ending XVI; light and amusing play XVII. — (O)F. comédie — L. cmœdia — Gr. kmidí, f. kmidós comic actor, comic poet, f. kômos revel. So comedian comic writer XVI; comic actor, †stage-player XVII.

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comely

†decent, proper; pleasant to look at, fair XIII. ME. cumelich, cumli, prob. aphetic of †becumelich (XII), f. BECOME + -LY 1.

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comestible

eatable. XV (†adj.), XIX (sb.). — (O)F. — medL. comestibilis, f. comest-, pp. stem of L. comedere eat up, f. COM- + edere EAT; see -IBLE.

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comet

XIII (XII in L. form). — (O)F. comète — L. comta — Gr. komts long-haired, sb. comet (for astr komts ‘long-haired star’), f. komân wear the hair long, f. kóm hair of the head, tail of a comet.

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comfit

sweetmeat. XV. ME. confyt — OF. confit(e) :- L. confectum, confecta, sb. uses of n. and fem. of confectus, pp. of conficere prepare (see CONFECTION).

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comfort

†encouragement, support; relief in distress XIII; cause of satisfaction or content XVI; material well-being XIX. — OF. confort, Rom. sb. f. late L. confortre, f. CON- + fortis strong. So comfort vb. XIII. comfortable †encouraging, reassuring, pleasant XIV; affording content; at ease XVIII. — AN. confortable.

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comfrey

the plant Symphytum officinale, formerly esteemed as a vulnerary. XV. — AN. cumfirie, OF. confi(e)re :- medL. confervia, for L. conferva, f. confervre intr. heal, prop. boil together (see CON-, FERVENT).

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comic

pert. to comedy XVI; ludicrous, funny XVIII. — L. cmicus — Gr. kmikós, f. kômos revel; see COMEDY, -IC. So comical XV.

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comitadji

Balkan (esp. Bulgarian and Macedonian) rebel against the Ottoman Empire before World War I. XX. — Turk. komitaci, f. komita (- F. comité COMMITTEE) + occupational suffix -ci; lit. ‘member of a (revolutionary) committee’.

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comity

courtesy XVI; friendly understanding XIX. — L. cmits, f. cmis courteous; see -ITY.

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comma

phrase smaller than a colon; the punctuation mark (,); (mus.) minute interval. XVI. — L. — Gr. kómma piece cut off, short clause, f. kop-, stem of kóptein strike, cut.

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command

vb. XIII. ME. com(m)a(u)nde — AN. comaunder, OF. comander (mod. comm-) :- late L. commandre, f. COM- (intensive) + mandre enjoin; see MANDATE. Hence command sb. XVI. So commandant XVII. — F., or It., etc. commander, commandment XIII. — OF. commando (orig. S. Africa) military party, raid. XIX. — Pg.

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commandeer

(orig. S. Africa) seize for military use. XIX. — Afrikaans kommanderen — F. commander (see prec.).

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commemorate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. commemorre, f. COM- (intensive) + memorre relate, f. memor mindful (see MEMORY). So commemoration XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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commence

XIV (reduced form comse, cumse XIII). — OF. com(m)encier :- Rom. cominitire, f. COM- (intensive) + initire INITIATE. So commencement XIII.

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commend

A
give in trust or charge;

B
approve conduct or character OF. XIV. — L. commendre, f. COM- (intensive) + mandre commit, entrust (see MANDATE). In earlier ME. command, like OF. comander, was used in this sense.
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So commendable XIV. — (O)F. — L. commendation XIII. — (O)F. — L. commendatory XVI. — late L.

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commensal

(one) who eats at the same table. XIV. — medL. commenslis, f. COM- + mensa table; see -AL 1.

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commensurable

XVI. — late L. commensurbilis, f. COM- + mensurbilis MEASURABLE. So commensurate XVII. — late L. commensurtus; see -ATE 2.

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comment

†commentary; explanatory note. XV. — L. commentum invention, interpretation, comment, f. comment-, pp. stem of comminisc devise, contrive, f. COM- + men-, base of mns MIND. Hence (or — F. commenter) comment vb. XVI. So commentary XV. commentator †chronicler XIV; writer of a commentary XVII.

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commerce

XVI. — F. commerce or L. commercium trading, merchandise, intercourse, f. COM- + merx, merc- merchandise (cf. MERCHANT). Hence commercial XVII.

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commination

threatening of punishment or vengeance. XV. — L. comminati, -n-, f. comminr MENACE; see COM-, -ATION.

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comminute

reduce to small particles. XVII. f. L. comminuere, commint-, f. COM- (intensive) + minuere lessen (see MINUTE 2). So comminution XVI. — late L.

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commiserate

XVII. f. L. commiserr, -re, -t-, f. COM- (intensive) + miserr lament, pity, f. miser wretched; see MISERY, -ATE 3. So commiseration XVI.

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commissar

head of a government department in the U.S.S.R. XX. — Russ. komissár — F. commissaire — medL. commissrius COMMISSARY.

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commissary

(eccl.) officer representing another XIV; official having charge (esp.) of supplies XV. — medL. commissrius officer in charge, f. commiss-, pp. stem of L. committere COMMIT; see -ARY. So commissariat (Sc. law) commissary's court XVII; military department charged with providing supplies XVIII; partly — medL. commissritus, partly — F. commissariat; see -ATE 1.

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commission

authoritative charge; warrant of authority XIV; body charged with special authority XV. — (O)F. — L. commissi, -n-, f. commiss-, pp. stem of committere COMMIT; see -ION. So commissioner XV. — medL. commissionrius; cf. -ER 2. commissionaire XVIII. — F. — medL. (as above).

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commissure

juncture, seam XV; (physiol.) bundles of nerve-substance XIX. — L. commissra, f. commiss-, pp. stem of committere put together; see next and -URE.

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commit

A
entrust XIV;

B
perpetrate XV;
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C
engage, involve XVII. — L. committere join, join (battle), practise, perpetrate, place with another for safety, etc., entrust, f. COM- + mittere put, send (see MISSION).
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Hence commitment XVII, committal XIX.

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committee

A
(surviving leg.) one to whom a charge is committed XV;

B
body of persons appointed for a special business XVII. f. COMMIT + -EE 1.
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commode

†woman's tall head-dress XVII; chest of drawers XVIII; close-stool XIX. — F. commode (in first two senses), sb. use of commode convenient — L. commodus (see next).

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commodious

†advantageous, serviceable XV; conveniently roomy XVI. — F. commodieux or medL. commodisus, f. L. commodus of due measure, convenient, f. COM- + modus measure (see MODE). So commodity XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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commodore

XVII. orig. commandore, later commadore, prob. — Du. komandeur — F. commandeur COMMANDER; but the form suggests Sp. or Pg. influence.

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common

adj. XIII. — OF. comun (mod. commun) :- L. commnis, OL. comoinis, cogn. with OE. emne, OHG. gimeini (G. gemein), Goth. gamains. So commonalty †people of a nation, etc. XIII; general body of the community, common people XIV; †the commons XVI. — OF. comunalt (mod. communauté) — medL. commnlits; see -AL 1, -ITY. commoner †burgess, citizen XIV; member of the House of Commons; student or undergraduate not on the foundation of a college XVII. — medL. commnrius.

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commonplace

†passage of general application, leading text, theme; notable passage stored up for use in a book of common places or commonplace book; ordinary topic, stock theme or subject. XVI. As adj. XVII. tr. L. locus commnis, tr. Gr. koinòs tópos (cf. TOPIC).

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common weal, commonweal

the body politic, state, community XIV; the general good, public welfare XV. orig. and properly two words, rendering L. rs commnis, F. le bien commun. See WEAL 1.

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commonwealth

†public welfare XV; the body politic, state, community XVI; republic, or democratic state; spec. (hist.) the republican government established under Oliver Cromwell XVII. See WEALTH Both common weal and common wealth were at first used indiscriminately in the senses ‘public welfare’ and ‘body politic’, but in XVI commonwealth became the ordinary Eng. term for the latter sense, whence the later sense ‘republic’ was developed.

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commotion

public disturbance XV; (gen.) agitation, perturbation XIV. — (O)F. commotion or L. commti, -n-; see COM-, MOTION.

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commune 1

communicate, esp orally, with XIII; hold spiritual intercourse with XVII. — OF. comuner share, f. comun COMMON.

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commune 2

in France, territorial division XVIII; (hist.) commonalty, corporation XIX. — F. commune, earlier †comugne — medL. commnia, n. pl. of commnis COMMON, taken as fem. sing. in sense ‘group of people having a COMMON life’. So communal XIX.

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communicate

give a share of, share in; receive, administer Holy Communion; hold intercourse with XVI; have a common channel of passage XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. commnicre, f. commnis COMMON; see -ATE 3. So communication, communicative XIV.

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communion

sharing, participation; spiritual fellowship XIV; sacrament of the Lord's Supper, participation in this XV (in religious uses earlier †communing). — (O)F. communion or L. commni, -n-, f. commnis COMMON; see -ION.

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communism

XIX. — F. communisme, f. commun COMMON; see -ISM. So communist XIX. — F. communiste.

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community

A
a body of people associated by common status, pursuits, etc. XIV;

B
common character XV. Late ME. comunete — OF. comuneté (mod. communité) — L. commnits, -tt-, f. commnis COMMON; see -ITY; later assim. to modF. and L.
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commute

†exchange; change for something else. XVII. — L. commtre change altogether, exchange, f. COM- + mtre change (see MUTATION). So commutation XV. — (O)F. or L. commuter XIX.

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compact 1

covenant, contract. XVI. — L. compactum, sb. use of n. of pp. of compacisc make an agreement; see COM-, PACT.

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compact 2

closely packed or knit together. XIV. — L. compactus, pp. of compingere put closely together, f. COM- + pangere fasten. Hence compact sb. compact make-up powder, etc. XX. So compact vb. join firmly together. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. compingere.

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compages

compacted whole, framework of conjoined parts. XVII (earlier anglicized †compage). — L. compges, f. com COM- + pg- as in pangere (see prec.).

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companion 1

associate, mate. XIII. ME. compainoun — OF. compaignon :- Rom. compnin-, stem of compni (whence OF, compain, mod. copain), f. L. COM- + pnis bread, after Gmc. za?laibaz (Goth. gahlaiba, OHG. galeipo messmate) ‘one who eats bread with another’, f. za- Y- + ?laib LOAF. Hence companionable XVII. So company XIII. ME. compainie, -paig- — AN. compainie, OF. compa(i)gnie :- Rom. compnia, f. compni; see -Y 3.

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companion 2

(naut.) framed windows over a hatchway, hooded staircase to the captain's cabin. XVIII. alt., by assoc. with prec., of Du. †kompanje (now kam-) — OF. compagne — It. compagna (for camera della compagna store-room for provisions, caboose) :- Rom. compnia ‘what is eaten with bread’, f. L. COM- + pnis bread.

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compare

represent as similar. XV (earlier comper XIV). — (O)F. comparer (earlier comperer) :- L. comparre pair, match, f. compar like, equal, f. COM- + pr equal (see PEER 1). So comparative XV. — L. compartvus, f. comparre, -t-. comparison XIV. — OF. comparesoun (mod. -aison) :- L. comparati, -n- (see -ATION).

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compartment

XVI (-iment, -ement). — F. compartiment — It. compartimento, f. compartire share — late L. compartr, f. COM- (intensive) + partr, f. pars, part- PART; see -MENT.

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compass

†designing, ingenuity; †area, space XIII; †circle, circuitous course; (pl.) two-legged measuring instrument XIV; instrument showing magnetic or true north XVI. — (O)F. compas †measure, rule, pair of compasses, etc. The transference of sense to the mariner's instrument is held to have arisen in It. compasso, from the circular shape of the compass-box. So compass vb. contrive, devise XIII; go round, encircle XIV; attain to XVI. — (O)F. compasser (now only) measure as with compasses, repr. Rom. compassare measure, f. L. COM- + passus step, PACE.

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compassion

XIV. — (O)F. — ecclL. compassi, -n-, f. compass-, pp. stem of compat suffer with, feel pity; see COM- and PASSION. So compassionate characterized by compassion. XVI.

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compatible

†sympathetic XV; mutually tolerant, congruous XV. — F. — medL. compatibilis (as in beneficium compatibile benefice tenable with another), f. compatí; see prec. and -IBLE.

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compatriot

XVII. — (O)F. compatriote — late L. compatrita; see COM-, PATRIOT.

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compeer

companion, fellow XIII; peer, equal XV. ME. comper — OF.; see COM-, PEER 1.

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compel

constrain XIV; drive or force together XV. — L. compellere (lit. and fig.), f. COM- + pellere drive.

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compendious

XIV. — (O)F. compendieux — L. compendisus abridged, brief, f. compendium (XVI; lit. ‘that which is weighed together’, saving, abbreviation), f. compendere, f. COM- + pendere weigh.

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compensate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. compensre weigh (one) against another, counterbalance, f. COM- + pensre, frequent. of pendere weigh; see prec. and -ATE 3. So compensation XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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compère

organizer of an entertainment. XX. — F. ‘godfather’, ‘accomplice’, ‘announcer’ — Rom. compater, f. L. COM- + pater FATHER. Also vb.

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compete

XVII (not frequent before XIX). — L. competere, in its late sense of ‘strive for (something) together with another’, f. COM- + petere aim at, seek. So competition XVII. — late L. (cf. PETITION. competitive XIX. competitor fellow candidate, rival. XVI. — F. (-eur) or L.; see -OR 1.

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competent

suitable, proper, adequate XIV; legally qualified or sufficient XV. — (O)F. compétent or L. competns, -ent-, prp. of competere in the sense ‘be fit, proper, or qualified’; see prec. and -ENT. Hence competence, competency sufficiency (of qualification) XVI.

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compile

XIV. — (O)F. compiler put together, collect, or its presumed source L. complre plunder, (contextually) plagiarize, f. COM- + pla PILE 2. So compilation XV, compiler XIV.

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complacent

†pleasing XVII; satisfied, esp. with oneself XVIII. — L. complacns. -ent-, prp. of complacre, f. COM- (intensive) + placre PLEASE; see -ENT. So complacence XV. complacency XVII. — medL. complacentia. Cf. COMPLAISANT.

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complain

XIV. ME. compleigne — (O)F. complaign-, pres. stem of complaindre (orig. refl.) :- Rom. (medL.) complangere, f. COM- (intensive) + plangere lament (cf. PLAINT). So complaint XIV.

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complaisant

politely agreeable. XVII. — F. complaisant obliging, prp. of complaire acquiesce in order to please, repr. L. complacre (see COMPLACENT). So complaisance XVII.

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complement

accomplishment, consummation XIV; something which completes a whole XVI; †adjunct, personal accomplishment; †observance of ceremony, tribute of courtesy XVI. — L. complmentum, f. complre; see next and -MENT, and cf. COMPLIMENT. Hence complemental, complementary †accessory; †ceremonious, complimentary XVII; forming a complement XIX.

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complete

entire, finished, perfect. XIV. — (O)F. complet or L. compltus, pp. of complre fill up, finish, fulfil, f. COM- (intensive) + pl-, base of plnus FULL. Hence complete vb. XVI. So completion, completive XVII. — late L.

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complex

XVII. — F. complexe or its source L. complexus, pp. of complectere, complect encompass, embrace, comprise; but sometimes analysed as COM- + plexus woven. Hence complexity XVIII.

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complexion

combination of the four humours of the body, (hence) bodily constitution and (further) habit of mind XIV; natural texture of the skin XV. — (O)F. — L. complexi, -n- combination, association, (late) bodily habit, f. complex-; see prec. and -ION.

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compliant

XVII. f. COMPLY + -ANT. prob. after PLIANT. Hence compliance XVII.

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complicate

†intertwine; mix up with XVII; make complex XIX. f. pp. stem of L. complicre; f. COM- + plicre fold. So complication XVII.

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complicity

partnership in wrong. XVII (rare before XIX). f. †complice (XV) — (O)F. (see ACCOMPLICE), perh. partly after F. complicité; see -ITY.

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compliment

ceremonious tribute of courtesy, esp. polite phrase of commendation XVII; pl. formal greetings XVIII. — F. — It. complimento, repr. Rom. complimentum, for L. complementum COMPLEMENT.

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compline

last of the canonical hours. XIII (comp(e)lin). alt., prob. after matin(e)s, of (O)F. complie (now pl. complies), sb. use of fem. pp. pl. of complir complete :- Rom. complre (cf. ACCOMPLISH) for L. complre COMPLETE.

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comply

A
†fulfil;

B
†use compliments, observe formalities; †be complaisant with; act in accordance with circumstances, others' desires, etc. XVII. — It. complire — Cat. complir, Sp. cumplir — L. complre COMPLETE.
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component

composing, constituent; also sb. XVII. — L. componns, -ent-, prp. of compnere COMPOUND; see -ENT.

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comport

†bear, endure; agree with XVI; behave oneself XVII. — L. comportre, f. COM- + portre carry, bear (see PORT 2).

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compose

A
put together, make up XV; set up (type);

B
arrange, adjust; pacify, tranquillize XVII. — (O)F. composer, based on L. compnere; see COMPOUND 2, POSE 1.
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Hence composure †composition, in various senses XVI; composed state XVII; see -URE. So composite (archit.) fifth of the classical orders XVI; of compound structure XVII. — F. composite or L. compositus, pp. of compnere. composition XIV. — (O)F. — L. compositor †(Sc.) arbiter XIV; type-setter XVI. — AN. — L.

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compost

(cookery) compote XIV; prepared manure XVI; (arch.) composition XVII. — OF. composte and compost :- L. composta, -tum, sb. uses of fem. and n. of compnere COMPOUND 2.

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compote

fruit preserved in syrup, (later) fruit salad. XVII. — F., later form of OF. composte stew, dish consisting of fruit :- L. composita, sb. use of fem. of compositus, pp. of compnere COMPOUND 2.

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compound 1

compounded, composite. XIV. pp. of compoune; see next. Also sb. compound word XVI; compound substance XVII.

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compound 2

put together, combine, compose XIV; trans. and intr. settle differences, etc. XV. ME. compoune — OF. compo(u)n-, pres. stem of compondre :- L. compnere put or bring together, arrange, devise; see COM-, POSITION. The orig. ME. form was superseded by the present form in XVI.

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compound 3

in the East, enclosure within which a (European) residence or factory stands. XVII. — Pg. campon or Du. kampoeng — Malay kampong enclosure, fenced-in space, quarter occupied by a particular nationality.

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comprehend

XIV. — OF. comprehender or L. comprehendere, f. COM- + prehendere seize (cf. GET). So comprehensible XVI, comprehension XV, comprehensive XV.

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compress

press together XIV; condense XVIII. — OF. compresser or late L. compressre, or f. pp. stem compress- of comprimere; see COM-, PRESS. So compress sb. (surg.) mass of material formed into a pad. XVI. — F. compresse, f. compresser. compression XIV.

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comprise

†lay hold of; comprehend, include. XV. f. F. compris, -ise, pp. of comprendre COMPREHEND, on the analogy of comps. of prendre, of which a sb. and vb. in -prise existed, as enterprise (†emprise), surprise (†supprise).

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compromise

†joint agreement to abide by a decision XV; coming to terms by concessions on both sides XVI. — (O)F. compromis — juridical L. comprmissum, sb. use of n. of pp. of comprmittere consent to arbitration, f. COM- + prmittere PROMISE. Hence compromise vb. XV.

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comptometer

calculating-machine. XIX. f. F. compte COUNT 1 + -O- + -METER.

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comptroller

sp. of CONTROLLER, due to assoc. of cont- with COUNT 1 (L. computus), used in certain official designations. XVI.

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compulsion

XV. — (O)F. — late L. compulsi, -n-, f. compuls-, pp. stem of compellere COMPEL; see -SION. So compulsive XVII, compulsory XVI.

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compunction

pricking of the conscience XIV; in weakened sense XVIII. — (O)F. componction — ChrL. compuncti, -n-, f. compungere, f. COM- + pungere prick (see PUNCTURE and -TION).

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compurgator

witness who swears to the credibility of an accused person when he purges himself by oath. XVI. — medL. compurgtor, f. COM- + purgtor purger (see PURGE). So compurgation XVII.

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compute

XVII. — F. computer or L. computre, f. COM- + putre clear or settle (an account), reckon, think. So computation XV, computer XVII.

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comrade

XVI. Earlier came-, camarade, etc. — F. camerade, camarade (orig. fem.) — Sp. camarada room-mate, f. camara CHAMBER; see -ADE.

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con 1

‘get to know, learn’, hence ‘get by heart, commit to memory’, ‘peruse, scan’; differentiated var. of ME. cunne, OE. cunnan know (see CAN 2); not clearly evidenced (with pt. and pp. conned) before XV, earlier instances of conne, konne being normal graphic vars. of cunne.

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con 2

direct the steering of (a ship) from a commanding position. XVII (cun, con). Reduced form of †cond, †cund (XVII), shortening of †condie, †condue (XIV) — (O)F. conduire :- L. condcere CONDUCT. Survives mainly in conning-tower pilot house of a warship or submarine. XIX.

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con 3

see PRO 1.

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con 4

(U.S.) short for CONFIDENCE (man, trick). XIX.

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con-

comb. form of L. prep. com (later cum) with, used regularly before all consonants except b, p, m, h, r, and l; see COL-, COM-. In OF. conv- was reduced to cov-, e.g. COVENANT, COVET; many Eng. adoptions preserve this, but in some words con- was restored, e.g. CONVENT (q.v.). For the meaning see COM-.

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conation

(philos.) faculty of volition. XIX. — L. cnti, -n-, f. cnr, -t- endeavour; see -ATION. So conative XIX.

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concatenate

link together. XVI. f. pp. stem of late L. concatnre, f. CON- + catna CHAIN; see -ATE 3. So concatenation XVII. — F. or L.

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concave

XV. — L. concavus (perh. through F. concave), f. CON- + cavus hollow. So concavity XIV. — F. or late L.; see -ITY.

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conceal

XIV. — OF. conceler — L. conclre, f. CON- + clre hide, f. IE. base kel-. So concealment XIV.

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concede

XVII. — F. concéder or its source L. concdere withdraw, yield; see CON- and CEDE. So concession XVI.

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conceit

†conception, thought; personal opinion XIV; fanciful opinion, etc., fancy XV; for self-conceit XVII. f. CONCEIVE on the analogy of the pairs deceive, deceit, receive, receipt, which have French originals. The sense-development was infl. by It. concetto (cf. CONCEPT), which the Eng. word was prob. designed to represent. Hence conceit vb. XVI. conceited XVI. f. vb. or sb.; see -ED 2.

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conceive

become pregnant (with) XIII; take into the mind XIV; formulate in words XVI. — OF. conceiv-, tonic stem of concevoir, for conceivre :- L. concipere take to oneself, etc. f. CON- + capere take. So conceivable XVI.

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concentrate

bring to a COMMON centre. XVII. f. †concentre (XVI) — F. concentrer; see CON-, CENTRE vb., -ATE 3. So concentration XVII. concentric having a common centre XIV (rare before XVII; concentrical from XVI). — (O)F. concentrique or medL. -icus; see -IC.

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conception

action of conceiving in the womb XIII; apprehension, imagination XIV; notion XVII. — (O)F. — L. concepti, -n-, f. concipere, concept- CONCEIVE. So concept †thought, opinion, etc. XVI; (philos.) XVII. — late L. conceptus, f. pp. stem of concipere. conceptual XVII. — medL. conceptulis, f. conceptus; hence conceptualist (scholastic philos.) XVIII, -ism XIX.

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concern

†discern; relate to XV; engage the attention of XVI; pass. be interested, involved XVII. — (O)F. concerner or late L. concernere sift, distinguish, in medL. have respect or reference to, f. CON- + cernere sift (cf. CERTAIN). Somewhat earlier in prp. concerning (XV) in uses leading to its use as prep., prob. modelled on a similar use of F. concernant. Hence concern sb. XVI.

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concert 1

harmony; musical performance. XVII. — F. — It. CONCERTO.

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concert 2

†unite XVI; arrange by agreement XVII. — F. concerter — It. concertare bring into agreement or harmony, of obscure orig.

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concertina

XIX (invented by Sir Charles Wheatstone , 1829). f. CONCERT 1.

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concerto

XVIII. — It., f. concertare (see CONCERT 2).

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concession

XVI. — (O)F. concession or L. concessi, -n-, f. concess-, pp. stem of concdere CONCEDE; see -ION. So concessive (chiefly gram.) XVIII. — late L.

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conch

shell(-fish). XVI. — L. concha bivalve, mussel, pearl oyster, etc. — Gr. kógkh.

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concierge

janitor, caretaker. XVII. — F. (OF. cumcerges) :- Rom. conservius, alt. of L. conservus fellow slave (see CON-, SERF).

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conciliar

pert. to a council. XVII. — medL. conciliarius, f. L. concilium COUNCIL.

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conciliate

gain the goodwill of, win over; reconcile. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. concilire unite, procure, win, f. concilium COUNCIL; see -ATE 3. So conciliation, conciliator, conciliatory XVI.

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concinnity

congruity; elegance of literary style. XVI. — L. concinnits, f. concinnus skilfully put together, elegant, neat; see -ITY.

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concise.

XVI — F. concis, -ise or L. concsus divided, broken up, brief, pp. of concdere cut or divide up, f. CON- (intensive) + cædere cut.

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conclave

†private chamber; private place of assembly of cardinals XIV; private assembly XVI. — F. — L. conclve, f. CON- + clvis key.

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conclude

†enclose, include; bring or come to a close, settlement, decision; infer, prove. XIV. — L. concldere, f. CON- + claudere shut (cf. CLOSE). So conclusion XIV. — (O)F. conclusion or L. conclsi, -n-, f. concldere, concls-. conclusive XVI. — late L.

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concoct

†digest (food) XVI; compose, devise XVII. — L. concoct-, pp. stem of concoquere digest, etc., f. CON- + coquere cook, f. coquus COOK. So concoction XVI.

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concomitant

XVII. — prp. of late L. concomitr accompany, f. CON- + comitr, f. comes, comit- companion; see COUNT 2, -ANT. So concomitance XVI.

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concord.

XIII — (O)F. concorde — L. concordia, f. CON- + cor, cord- HEART. So concordance A. alphabetical register with citations of words contained in a work (orig. and esp. the Bible) XIV; B. agreement XV. concordant agreeing. XV. concordat agreement, compact. XVII. — F. concordat or L. concordtum, sb. use of n. pp. of concordre agree.

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concourse

running or flowing together, meeting XIV; concurrence; assemblage XVII. — (O)F. concours — L. concursus, f. concurrere, concurs- run together, CONCUR.

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concrete

†united, composite; opp. to abstract XIV; sb. concreted mass XVII; composition of sand or gravel and cement XIX. — F. concret or L. concrtus, pp. of concrscere grow together, f. CON- + crscere grow. So concretion XVI.

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concubine.

XIII — (O)F. — L. concubna, f. CON- + cub- lie down (cf. CUBICLE). So concubinage XIV. concubinary (one) living in concubinage. XVI. — medL. concubnrius.

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concupiscence.

XIV — (O)F. — late L. concupiscentia, f. prp. stem of concupiscere, inceptive of concupere, f. CON- + cupere desire; see -ENCE.

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concur

†collide, converge XV; fall together, coincide; agree in action or opinion XV. — L. concurrere, f. CON- + currere run. So concurrent XIV, concurrence XV.

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concussion

violent agitation XV; injury due to the shock of a blow, etc. XVI. — L. concussi, -n-, f. concuss-, pp. stem of concutere dash together, shake violently, f. CON- + quatere shake (cf. QUASH); see -ION.

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condemn.

XIII — OF. condem(p)ner (mod. condamner) — L. condem(p)nre, f. CON- + damnre DAMN. So condemnation XIV. — late L.

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condense

increase the density of XV; reduce from vapour to liquid XVII. — (O)F. condenser or L. condensre, f. condensus very dense; see CON-, DENSE. So condensation XVII. — late L.

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condescend

†settle down to XIV; bend down to, be complaisant, agree XV. — (O)F. condescendre — ecclL. condscendere stoop (fig.), in medL. accede, agree to, f. CON- + dscendere DESCEND. So condescension XVII. — ecclL.

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condign

†of equal worth; †worthy, deserving; deserved, fitting, esp. in condign punishment. XV. — (O)F. condigne — L. condignus wholly worthy, f. CON- (intensive) + dignus worthy (cf. DIGNITY).

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condiment

XV. — L. condmentum, f. condre preserve, pickle, by-form of condere preserve, prop. put together.

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condition

convention, stipulation; mode of being. XIV. — OF. condicion (mod. -tion) — L. condicio, -n- agreement, etc., rel. to condcere agree upon, etc., f. CON- + dcere declare, say (cf. DICTION). So conditional XIV. — OF. condicionel (mod. -tionnel) or late L. condicinlis.

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condole

†sorrow greatly; †trans. grieve with or over XVI; express sympathy with XVII. — ChrL. condolre, f. CON- + dolre suffer pain, grieve. So condolence †sympathetic grief; outward expression of sympathy. XVII. f. the vb.; but in the second sense orig. in the form †condoleance — F. condoléance.

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condominium

joint rule. XVIII. — modL., f. CON- + L. dominium DOMINION.

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condone.

XIX — L. condnre refrain from punishment as a favour, f. CON- + dnre give (cf. PARDON), a term of canon law with spec. reference to violation of the marriage vow. So condonation XVII.

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condor

large S. American vulture. XVII. — Sp. cóndor — Quechua cuntur.

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condottiere

leader of mercenary troops. XVIII. — It., f. condotta contract, troop of mercenaries under contract.

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conduce

†lead XV; †engage, hire; contribute, lead, or tend to XVI. — L. condcere bring together (and all the above senses), f. CON- + dcere lead. Hence conducive XVII (earlier conductive XVI).

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conduct

guiding, leading (surviving in safe conduct); management XV; manner of conducting oneself XVII. — L. conductus, f. condcere, conduct- (see prec.). Preceded by condu(i)t(e) (XIII–XVI) — OF. conduit, (also mod.) conduite — medL. conductus, Rom. conducta. Cf. CONDUIT. So conduct vb. lead, guide XV; command XVI; direct, manage XVII. Preceded by conduite (XV), f. (O)F. conduite, pp. of conduire; later assim. to the L. pp. conductus. conduction †leading, leadership; †management; †hiring XVI; conducting (of liquid) XVII; transmission of heat, electricity, etc. XIX. — (O)F, or L. conductor A. leader, commander XVI; manager XVII; director of singers and musicians XVIII; B. substance or object that conducts heat, etc. XVIII. — (O)F. conducteur — L.; see -OR 1.

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conduit

channel or pipe for the conveyance of liquid. XIV. ME. condut, condit — (O)F. conduit :- medL. conductus, f. conduct-, pp. stem of condcere CONDUCE.

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condyle

rounded process at the end of a bone. XVII. -F. — L. condylus — Gr. kóndulos knuckle.

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cone

figure of which the base is a circle and the summit a point XVI (in earlier use her. †angular division of a shield XV). — F. cône or L. cnus — Gr. kônos pine-cone, geometrical cone, etc., rel. to HONE. So conic, -ical XVI. — modL. cnicus — Gr. knikós.

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confab

XVIII. colloq. shortening of confabulation talk, chat. XV. — late L. confabulti, -n-, f. confabulr converse (see CON-, FABLE), whence confabulate XVII, also abbrev. confab.

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confection

compounded medicinal preparation; prepared dish, preparation of fruit, etc., conserve, sweetmeat. XIV. —(O)F. — L. confecti, -n- preparation (abstr. and concr.), f. confect-, pp. stem of conficere prepare, f. CON- + facere put, make. Hence, through the vb. confection (XVI), confectioner maker of sweetmeats, cakes, etc. XVI; see -ER 1; whence confectionery XVIII.

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confederate

leagued, allied XIV; sb. accomplice XV; ally XVI. — late (eccl.) L. confœdertus; see CON-, FEDERATE. So confederation league, alliance, †conspiracy XV; body of states leagued together XVII. —(O)F. or late L. confederacy (in same senses) XIV. — AN. confederacie.

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confer

†bring together, collect; compare, collate; converse, take counsel; bestow. XVI. — L. conferre, f. CON- + ferre bring, BEAR 2. So conference †collation, collection; taking counsel, discourse; meeting for consultation. XVI. — F. conférence or medL. conferentia.

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confess

own to, acknowledge, esp. guiltily; hear the confession of, shrive. XIV. —(O)F. confesser :- Rom. confessre, f. L. confessus, pp. of confitr acknowledge, f. CON- +fatr declare, avow, rel. to fr speak, fbula FABLE. So confession acknowledgement (of guilt) XIV; matter confessed XV; formulary of belief XVI. confessional place for hearing confessions. XVIII. — F. confessional- It. confessionale — medL., sb. use of n. sg. of adj. confessor (eccl.) one who avows his religion in the face of danger but does not suffer martyrdom XII; (gen.) one who makes confession (of belief, guilt, etc.) XIII; (eccl.) one who hears confessions XIV. — AN. confessur, OF. confessour (mod. -eur) — ecclL. confessor; see -OR 1.

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confetti

small sweets used as missiles at a carnival, small disks of paper so used at weddings. XIX. — It., pl. of confetto = OF. confit(e) COMFIT.

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confide

put faith in. XV. — L. confdere, f. CON- (intensive) + fdere trust (see FAITH). So confident trusting, self-assured XVI; †trusted, trusty XVII; sb. confidential friend or adviser XVII; in the earlier sense — L. confdns, -ent-; in the later, and as sb. — F. — It. confidente; in sb. use superseded by confidant, fem. confidante (XVIII). which are not regular F. forms, but were presumably adopted orig. to represent the pronunc. of F. confidente. confidential †confident XVII; done in confidence, betokening intimacy XVIII.

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configuration

(astron.) relative position XVI; conformation, outline XVII. — late L. configrti, -n-, f. L. configrre fashion after a pattern; see CON-, FIGURE, -ATION.

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confine

have a common boundary with, border; keep within bounds, imprison. XVI. — F. confiner, f. confins CONFINES. Hence (or — F. confinement) confinement imprisonment XVII; childbed XVIII.

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confines

(pl.) †region XIV; boundaries, borders XVI. — F. confins, †confines — L. confnia, pl. of confne and confnium, f. confnis bordering, f. CON- + finis end, limit (pl. fnes territory).

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confirm

settle, establish XIII; administer confirmation to; strengthen, fortify XIV. — OF. confermer (later confirmer) — L. confirmre, f. CON- (intensive) + firmre strengthen, f. firmus FIRM. So confirmation eccl. rite conveying special grace for the strengthening of the baptized; corroboration, ratification. XIV.

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confiscate

appropriate to the public treasury XVI; seize summarily XIX. f. L. confiscre, -t-, f. CON- + fiscus chest, treasury; see FISCAL, -ATE 3. So confiscation XVI. — L.

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conflagration

†consumption by fire; great fire. XVI. — L. conflagrti, -n-, f. conflagrre burn up; see CON-, FLAGRANT, -ATION.

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conflation

blowing or fusing together XVII; fusion of textual readings XIX. — late L. conflti, -n-, fanning (of fire), fusion (of metals), f. conflre kindle, effect, fuse; see CON-, BLOW 1, -ATION. So conflate XVII. f. ppl. stem of L. conflre; see -ATE 3.

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conflict

sb. XV. — L. conflctus. f. conflct-, pp. stem of conflgere, f. CON- + flgere strike. So conflict vb. XV.

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confluence

flowing together, junction of streams. XVI. — late L. confluentia, f. confluns, -ent-, prp. of confluere; see CON-, FLUENT. So confluent XVII.

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conform

XIV. — (O)F. conformer — L. conformre; see CON-, FORM vb. So conformable XVI. — medL. conformist XVII. conformation XVI. — L. conformity XV. — (O)F. or late L.

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confound

†overthrow XIII; bring to perdition; throw into confusion XIV. — AN. conf(o)undre, (O)F. confondre :- L. confundere pour together, mix up, f. CON- + fundere pour (see FOUND 2).

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confraternity

organized (religious) brother-hood. XV. — (O)F. confraternité — medL. confrternits, f. confrter CONFRÈRE; see -ITY.

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confrère

†fellow member of a fraternity, etc. XV; fellow member of a learned body XVII. — (O)F. — medL. confrter, see CON- and FRIAR.

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confront

stand in front of, face with hostility XVI; bring face to face XVII. — F. confronter — medL. confrontre, f. L. CON- + frns, front-, forehead, face, FRONT.

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confused

†discomfited, confounded XIV; thrown into disorder, mixed XVI. f. (O)F. confus or its source L. confsus, pp. of confundere CONFOUND + -ED. Hence confuse vb. in corr. active senses, and in the sense ‘mix up in the mind’. XVIII. So confusion discomfiture XIII; throwing into disorder, result of this XIV.

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confute

prove to be wrong or false. XVI. — L. conftre check, restrain, answer conclusively, f. CON- + ft-, as in reftre REFUTE. So confutation XVI.

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congeal

make or become solid as by freezing. XIV. — (O)F. congeler — L. congelre, f. CON- + gelre freeze (see GELID).

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congener

member of the same class or group. XVIII. — L., f. CON- + gener- GENUS.

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congenial

of the same disposition or temperament XVII; suited to one's taste XVIII. f. CON- + GENIUS + -AL 1.

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congenital

dating from one's birth. XVIII. f. L. congenitus born along with, connate, f. CON- +genitus, pp. of gignere produce (see GENITAL).

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conger

large species of eel. XIV. — (O)F. congre :- L. congrus, also conger, — Gr. góggros.

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congeries

XVII. — L. congeris heap, pile, f. congerere (see next).

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congestion

†accumulation XVI; (med.) of blood XV; overcrowded state XIX. — (O)F. — L. congesti, -n-, f. congest-, pp. stem of congerere heap together (whence congest XVI), f. CON- + gerere carry; see -TION.

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conglomerate

†massed together XVI; (physiol.) of complex glands XVII; (geol.) formed of fragments cemented together (also sb.) XIX. — L. conglomertus, pp. of conglomerre, f. CON- + glomus, glomer- ball, rel. to globus GLOBE; see -ATE 2. So conglomeration XVII.

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congratulate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. congrtulr, f. CON- (intensive) + grtulr manifest one's joy, f. grtus pleasing; see GRATEFUL, -ATE 3. So congratulation XV.

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congregation

A
meeting, assembly XIV;

B
orig. in biblical language, in O.T. assembly of Israelites XIV; in N.T. body of Christians; body assembled for worship XVI. — (O)F. congrégation or L. congregti, -n-, f. congregre, whence congregate collect together XV; see CON-, GREGARIOUS, -ATE 3, -ATION.
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Hence congregational XVII.

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congress

meeting, union XVI; formal assembly of delegates, etc. XVII; legislative body of U.S.A. XVIII. — L. congressus, f. congress-, pp. stem of congred go together, meet, f. CON- + grad step, walk.

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congressional

XVIII. f. CONGRESS with insertion of -ion- from L. congressin-; see -ION, -AL 1.

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congruent

conforming, accordant, agreeable. XV. — L. congruns, -ent-, prp. of congruere meet together, agree, correspond, f. CON- + gruere, ruere fall, rush; see RUIN, -ENT. So congruity XV. — F. or late L. congruous XVI.

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conic

see CONE.

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conifer

XIX. — L. cnifer, f. cnus CONE. So coniferous cone-bearing. XVII.

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conjecture

†interpretation of signs, etc. XIV; (formation of) an opinion on grounds insufficient for proof XVI. — (O)F. conjecture or L. conjectra conclusion, inference, f. conject-, pp. stem of conicere throw together, put together in speech or thought, conclude; see CON-, ABJECT, -URE. So conjecture vb. XIV. — (O)F. conjecturer — late L. conjecturre. conjectural XVI. — F. — L.

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conjoin

XIV. Late ME. conjoigne, -oyne — (O)F, conjoign-, pres. stem of conjoindre :- L. conjungere (see CONJUNCT). So conjoint XVIII (earlier in adv. conjointly). — (O)F. conjoint, pp. of conjoindre.

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conjugal

XVI. — L. conjuglis, f. conju(n)x, conjug- spouse, f. CON- + jug-, base of jungere JOIN; see -AL 1. So conjugate joined. XV. — L. conjugtus, pp. of conjugre, whence conjugate †couple, yoke; inflect (a verb) in its various forms XVI. See -ATE 2, -ATE 3. conjugation earliest in gram. sense XV.

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conjunct

XV. — L. conjunctus, pp. of conjungere, f. CON- + jungere JOIN. So conjunction union, connection (gen. and astron.), (gram.) connecting particle. XIV. — (O)F. conjonction — L. conjuncti, -n-, f. conjungere. conjunctive XV. — late L. conjunctivitis (see -ITIS) inflammation of the membrana conjunctiva ‘conjunctive membrane’ connecting the inner eyelid and the eyeball.

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conjure

A
constrain by oath or by a sacred invocation XIII;

B
affect or effect by jugglery XVI. — (O)F. conjurer to plot, exorcise, adjure :- L. conjrre band together by an oath, conspire, in medL. invoke, f. CON- + jrre swear, f. js, jr- right, law.
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Hence conjurer one who conjures spirits XIV; one who practises legerdemain XVIII. Partly — AN. conjurour, OF. conjurere, -eor — medL. conjurtor, -r-; see -ER 1.

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conkers

children's game played orig. with snail-shells, later with chestnuts on a string. XIX. f. dial. conker snail-shell, presumably f. CONCH.

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connate

existing from birth, congenital XVII; congenitally united XVIII. — late L. conntus, pp. of connasc, f. CON- + nasc be born (see NATAL).

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connect

XVII. — L. connectere (cnectere), f. CON- + nectere bind, fasten. Hence connective XVII. So connection, connexion XIV. — L. connexi, -n-, f. connectere, connex-.

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conning-tower

see CON 2.

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connive

shut one's eyes to, wink at. XVII. — F. conniver — L. connivre (cnivre) shut the eyes, f. CON- + nivre, rel. to nictre blink. So connivance XVI. orig. connivence — F. connivence or L. connventia.

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connoisseur

XVIII. — F., earlier sp. of connaisseur, f. ppl. stem of connaître know.

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connote

XVII. — scholastic L. conntre mark in addition, f. CON- + notre NOTE. So connotation XVI.

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connubial

XVII. — L. connbilis, f. connbium marriage, wedlock, f. CON- + nbere marry; see NUPTIAL and -IAL.

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conquer

XIII. — OF. conquerre :- Rom. conquerere, for L. conqurere seek for, procure, gain, win, f. CON- + quærere seek. So conqueror XIII. — AN. conquerour, OF. -eor, f. conquerre; see -OR 1. conquest XIII. — OF. conquest, conqueste (mod. conquête), repr. sb. uses of n. and fem. of Rom. conquestus, pp. of conquerere.

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consanguinity

XIV. — L. consanguinits, f. consanguineus of the same blood, f. CON- + sanguis, sanguin- blood; see -ITY.

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conscience

XIII. — (O)F. — L. conscientia privity of knowledge, consciousness, f. conscre know or be privy with (another or oneself); see CON- and SCIENCE. So conscientious XVII. conscionable conscientious, scrupulous, XVI. f. †conscions, var. of conscience, + -ABLE; now familiar in unconscionable, conscious †privy to a thing with another or within oneself; aware of. XVII. f. L. conscius, f. CON- + sci-, base of scre know.

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conscript

enrolled or elected as a senator XV; enrolled by compulsory enlistment XIX (also as sb. after F. conscrit). — L. conscriptus, pp. of conscrbere enrol, f. CON- + scrbere write. So conscription †enrolment XIV; compulsory enlistment XIX (after F. conscription). — late L. Hence conscript vb. XIX.

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consecrate

devote to a sacred purpose XV; dedicate XVI; make sacred XVII. f. (after †consecrate pp. XIV) L. consecrre, -t-, f. CON- (intensive) + sacrre dedicate, f. sacer, sacr- SACRED; see -ATE 3. So consecration XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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consecution

logical sequence XVI; succession XVII. — L. consecti, -n-, f. consequ, consect- follow closely; see CONSEQUENCE and -TION. So consecutive XVII. — F. consécutif — medL. consectvus.

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consensus

general agreement. XIX. — L., f. consns-, pp. stem of consentre CONSENT.

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consent

sb. XIII. — OF. consente, f. consentir (whence consent vb. XIII) — L. consentre agree, accord, f. CON- + sentre feel (see SENSE).

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consequence

thing resulting, logical result XIV; importance, moment (orig. in phr. of consequence prop. having issues or results) XVI. — (O)F. conséquence — L. consequentia, f. consequ, consequent- follow closely; see CON-, SEQUENCE. So consequent resulting XV (earlier in consequently), consequential XVII.

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conservancy

control of, (hence) commission controlling, a port, river, etc. XVIII. alt., by assim. to -ANCY, of †conservacy (XV–XVIII) — AN. conservacie — AL. conservtia (see -ACY), by-form of L. conservti CONSERVATION.

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conservatoire

academy for instruction in music, etc. XVIII. — F. — It. conservatorio — modL. conservtrium, sb. use of n. of late L. conservtrius, f. conservre, -t- to preserve, CONSERVE. So conservatory †preservative XVI; †storehouse; greenhouse for tender plants XVII; (U.S.) conservatoire XIX. — late L.

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conserve

vb. XIV. — (O)F. conserver — L. conservre; see CON- (intensive) and SERVE. So as sb. †preservative XIV; medicinal or confectionary preparation XVI. — (O)F., f. the vb. conservation XIV. — (O)F. or L. conservative preservative XIV; (in politics) XIX; hence conservatism XIX.

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consider

XIV. — (O)F. considérer — L. consderre, f. COM- (intensive) + base sder-, found also in dsderre DESIRE. Hence considerable †that can be considered XV; worthy of consideration, large in amount, etc. XVII. — medL. considerbilis. So consideration XIV.

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consign

†attest, confirm XV; †mark with the cross; hand or make over XVI. — F. consigner — L. consignre attest with a seal. f. CON- (intensive) + signre SIGN.

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consist

XVI. — L. consistere stand still, remain firm, exist, f. CON- (intensive) + sistere place, stand firm or still, stop. So consistence, consistency XVI. — F. consistance, †-ence or late L. consistentia. consistent †remaining still XVI; agreeing, esp. self-consistent XVII.

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consistory

†council chamber; council; (eccl.) bishop's court, papal ‘senate’ XIV; court of presbyters XVI. — AN. consistorie = (O)F. consistoire — late L. consistrium, f. consistere (see CONSIST); see -ORY 1. Hence consistorial XV.

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consolation.

XIV. — (O)F. — L. conslti, -n-, f. conslr, -t-, whence, or through F. consoler, console^1 vb. XVII; see CON- (intensive), SOLACE, -ATION.

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console 2

(archit.) kind of bracket XVIII; ensemble of keyboards and stops in an organ XIX. — F., obscure deriv. of consolider CONSOLIDATE.

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consolidate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. consolidre, f. CON- (intensive) + solidre, f. solidus SOLID; see -ATE 3. So consolidation XV. — late L.

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consols

XVIII. Short for consolidated annuities, the government securities of Great Britain, consisting orig. of a great variety of public securities, which were consolidated in 1751 into a single stock.

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consommé

XIX. — F., sb. use of pp. of consommer — L. consummre CONSUMMATE; the nutriment of the meat is completely used up.

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consonant

sb. XIV. — (O)F. — L. consonns, -ant-, sb. use of prp. of consonre sound together (see CON-, SOUND 3); so named because it can only be ‘sounded with’ a vowel. So consonant adj. in harmony, concordant. XV. consonance XV, consonancy XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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consort 1

†partner, mate XV; ship sailing with another; partner in marriage, spouse. XVII. — F. consort, fem. -sorte — L. consors, -sort- sharing in COMMON, partner, colleague, f. CON- + sors portion, lot (see SORT).

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consort 2

†accompany, escort; associate or accord with. XVI. In the first sense f. CONSORT 1; in the second prob. a reinforcement of SORT vb.

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conspectus

XIX. — L., f. conspect-, pp. stem of conspicere look attentively, f. CON- (intensive) + specere (see ASPECT).

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conspicuous

XVI. f. L. conspicuus, f. conspicere; see prec. and -UOUS.

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conspire

XIV. — (O)F. conspirer — L. consprre agree, combine, f. CON- + sprre breathe (see SPIRIT). So conspiracy XIV. — AN. conspiracie, alt. of (O)F. conspiration (— L.), whence earlier ME. conspiration (XIII). conspirator XV.

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constable

chief officer of the household, etc. of a sovereign; governor of a royal castle XIII; officer of the peace XIV. — OF. cune-, conestable (mod. connétable), repr. late L. comes stabul lit. COUNT (i.e. head officer) of the STABLE; cf. the development of the senses of marshal. So constabulary †constable's office or district XVI; body of constables XIX. — medL.

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constant

steadfast XIV; invariable XVI. — (O)F. — L. constns, -ant-, prp. of constre stand firm; cf. COST, STAND, and see -ANT. So constancy XVI. — L. constantia.

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constellation

†(astrol.) relative position of the stars; (astron.) number of fixed stars artificially grouped together. XIV. — (O)F. — late L. constellti, -n-, f. CON- + stella STAR; see -ATION.

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consternation

XVII. — F. consternation or L. consternti, -n-, f. consternre lay prostrate, terrify, f. CON- + sternere lay low; see -ATION.

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constipate

†pack or bind close together; confine the bowels. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. constpre, f. CON- + stpre press, cram; see -ATE 3. So constipation XV. — (O)F. or late L.

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constituent

A adj.
jointly constituting XVII; constituting or appointing a representative XVIII; having the power to frame a constitution XIX;

B sb.
one who appoints a representative XVII; elector; constituent element XVIII. — (partly through F. constituant) L. constituns, -ent-, prp. of constituere; see next and -ENT.
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Hence constituency body of constituents. XIX.

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constitute

set up, establish XV; make up, form XVI. f. L. constitt-, pp. of constituere establish, appoint, f. CON- (intensive) + statuere set up (see STATUTE). So constitution decree, ordinance XIV; nature, disposition XVI; mode or principles of state organization XVII. — (O)F. — L. Hence constitutional XVII. constitutive constructive XVI; formative, component XVII.

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constrain

force, compel, confine forcibly. XIV. — OF. constraindre, pres. stem constraign- (mod. contraindre) :- L. constringere bind tightly together; see CON- and STRINGENT. So constraint †affliction XIV; compulsion, confinement XVI; restraint of natural feelings XVIII. — OF. constrainte, fem. pp. sb. f. constraindre.

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constriction

compression XV; constricted part XIX. — late L. constricti, -n-, f. constrict- (whence constrict vb. XVIII), pp. stem of constringere (whence constringe vb. XVII); see prec. and -TION. So constrictor (anat.) constricting muscle XVIII; large snake that crushes its prey XIX. — modL.; see -OR 1.

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construct

XVII. f. construct-, pp. stem of L. construere pile up, build, f. CON- + struere (see STRUCTURE). So construction A. †construing XIV; interpretation XV; (gram.) syntactical arrangement XVI; B. building XV; mode of building, etc. XVI. — (O)F. — L. constructive inferential XVII; pert. to construction XIX.

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construe

(gram.) analyse the construction of; expound, interpret. XIV. — L. construere CONSTRUCT.

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consubstantiation

see TRANSUBSTANTIATION.

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consul

supreme magistrate in the ancient Roman republic XIV; applied to various magistrates or chief officials, spec. head of a merchant company resident in a foreign country XV; representative agent of a state in commercial relations with a foreign country XVI. — L., rel. to consultre (see next). So consulate XIV; see -ATE 1.

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consult

XVII. — (O)F. consulter — L. consultre, frequent. f. consult-, pp. stem of consulere take COUNSEL. So consultation XV. — (O)F. or L.

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consume

XIV. — (partly through F. consumer) L. consmere, f. CON- + smere take. So consumption using up, wasting away, spec. by disease. XIV. — (O)F. consomption — L. consumpti, -n-, f. consumere, consumpt-, consumptive XV. — medL. consumptvus.

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consummate

pp. †completed XV; adj. complete, perfect XV. — L. consummtus. So consummate vb. bring to completion. XVI. f. L. consummre, -t-, f. CON- + summa SUM, summus highest, utmost, supreme; see -ATE 2, -ATE 3. consummation completion, perfection XIV; crowning end XVII. — (O)F. consommation or L. consummti.

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contact

sb. XVII. — L. contctus, f. contct-, pp. stem of contingere touch closely, border on, be CONTIGUOUS to, f. CON- + tangere touch.

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contagion

contagious disease, infecting influence. XIV. — L. contgi, -n-, f. CON- + base of tangere touch. So contagious XIV.

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contain

keep within certain limits XIII; have in it, comprise XIV. ME. conte(i)ne repr. tonic stem of (O)F. contenir :- L. continre, f. CON- + tenre hold.

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contaminate

XV. f. pp. stem of L. contaminre, f. contmen-, -min- contact, pollution, for contagmen, f. CON- + tag-, base of tangere touch; see -ATE 3. So contamination XV. — late L.

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contango

percentage which a buyer of stock pays to the seller to postpone transfer. XIX. perh. arbitrary formation on the anal. of L. 1st pres. sing. in -, poss. with the notion ‘(I) make contingent’.

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contemn

XV. — OF. contemner or L. contemnere, f. CON- (intensive) + temnere despise.

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contemplate

XVI. f. L. contemplr, -t-, f. CON- + templum open space for observation, TEMPLE 1; see -ATE 3. So contemplation XIII. — (O)F. — L. contemplative XIV.

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contemporary

XVII. — medL. contemporrius, f. CON- + tempus, tempor- time, after L. contemporneus (whence contemporaneous XVII) and late L. contemporlis. See -ARY.

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contempt

XIV. — L. contemptus, f. contempt-, pp. stem of contemnere CONTEMN. So contemptible XIV. — (O)F. or late L. contemptuous †contemptible; full of contempt. XVI. — medL. contemptusus.

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contend

XV. — OF. contendre or L. contendere, f. CON- + tendere stretch; see TEND 2. So contention XIV. — (O)F. contention or L. contenti, -n-, f. content-, pp. stem of contendere. contentious XV. — (O)F. contentieux — L. contentisus.

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content 1

(usu. pl.) what is contained; containing capacity or extent. XV. — medL. contentum, pl. -ta things contained, sb. use of n. of L. contentus, pp. of continre CONTAIN.

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content 2

satisfied, gratified. XIV. — (O)F. :- L. contentus that is satisfied, pp. of continre fig. repress, restrain (see CONTAIN). So content vb., contentment XV.

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content 3

satisfaction. XVI. immed. source obscure; perh. f. prec. as a shorter form equiv. to the earlier †contentation (XV) or contentment (XV), and corr. to Sp., Pg., It. contento.

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conterminous

having a boundary in common. XVII. f. L. conterminus, f. CON- + terminus boundary, TERM; see -OUS.

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contest

†bear witness to XVI; contend for, dispute XVII. — L. contestr call to witness, introduce (a suit) by calling witnesses, set on foot (an action), f. CON- + testr bear witness. Hence, or — F. conteste (f. the corr. vb.), contest sb. wordy strife, (gen.) conflict. XVII.

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context

†construction, composition XV; connected structure of a composition or passage, parts immediately before and after a given passage XVI. — L. contextus, f. context-, pp. stem of contexere weave together, f. CON- + texere weave. Hence contextual XIX.

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contiguous

XVII. f. L. contiguus, f. contingere; see CONTACT and -UOUS. So contiguity XVII.

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continence

(sexual) self-restraint. XIV. — (O)F. continence or L. continentia, f. continns, -ent-, prp. of continre restrain, CONTAIN, whence continent self-restraining XIV; †cohering, continuous XV (†continent land); sb. †container; †summary; continuous land, mainland XVI (spec. of Europe, Asia, etc. XVII). Hence continental XVIII.

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contingent

liable to happen XIV; dependent upon or subject to conditions XVI; sb. †accident, possibility XVI; †proportion falling to one; spec. of troops contributed to a force XVIII. — L. contingns, -ent-, prp. of contingere be CONTIGUOUS, in connection or in contact, befall. So contingency XVI.

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continual

XIV. — (O)F. continuel, f. continuer; see below and -AL 1. So continuous uninterrupted in space or time. XVII. f. L. continuus. continuity XV. continue carry on, persist, last. XIV. — (O)F. continuer — L. continure, f. continuus uninterrupted, f. continre in its intr. sense of ‘hang together’ (cf. CONTINENT). continuance XIV. continuation †persistency XIV; prolongation XV. continuum XVII. — L., n. sg. of continuus.

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contort

XV. f. contort-, pp. stem of L. contorqure, f. CON- (intensive) + torqure twist. So contortion XVII.

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contour

outline. XVII. — F. — It. contorno, f. contornare draw in outline, f. CON- + tornare TURN.

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contra

against; adv. on or to the contrary XIV; prep., esp. in absol. use in pro and contra (abbrev. CON 3) for a motion (etc.) and against it XV; sb. the contrary or opposite; now only in per contra on the opposite side of the account, as a set-off XVI; orig. an It. banking term. — L. contr against (adv. and prep.).

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contra-

repr. L. prefix contr- (cf. prec.), denoting opposition or the opposite side or direction, which, somewhat rare in classical L., became common in later L. and Rom. (in Sp., Pg., It. contra-, in F. contre- COUNTER-).

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contraband

sb. and adj. XVI. The present form was not current before XVII, the earlier forms being †counterbande (after F. contrebande) and †contrabanda — Sp. -banda — It. -bando (now contrabb-), f. contra- (see prec.) and bando BAN 1.

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contraceptive

XIX. irreg. f. CONTRA- + (CON)-CEPT(ION) + -IVE. So contraception XIX.

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contract 1 sb.

XIV. — OF. (mod. contrat) — L. contractus, f. pp. stem of contrahere; see next.

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contract 2

A
agree upon, make a contract;

B
incur, be involved in;
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C
reduce in compass or in limits. XVI. Based partly on earlier contract pp. (now used only of contracted grammatical forms) — OF. — L. contractus, pp. of contrahere, f. CON- + trahere draw.
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So contraction XIV. contractor †contracting party XVI; undertaker of a work XVIII. — late L.; see -OR 1.

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contradict

XVI. f. contrdict-, pp. stem of L. contrdcere, orig. contr dcere speak against. So contradiction XIV. — (O)F. — L. contradictory adj. and sb. XIV. — late L. contrdictrius. See CONTRA-, DICTION.

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contralto

XVIII (earlier contrealt). — It., f. CONTRA- and ALTO.

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contraption

XIX. perh. f. contrive (cf. deceive/deception), by assoc. with TRAP 1.

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contrapuntal

(mus.) pert. to counterpoint. XIX. f. It. contrappunto COUNTERPOINT + -AL 1.

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contrary

XIV. — AN. contrarie, (O)F. contraire — L. contrrius, f. CONTRA; see -ARY. Regularly stressed contra ry till XVIII, and still so in the sense of ‘perverse, obstinate’.

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contrast

A
†contention XVI;

B
(in art) juxtaposition of varied forms, etc., to heighten effect; hence gen. XVIII. — F. contraste — It. contrasto strife, opposition, f. contrastare withstand, strive :- medL. contrstre, i.e. contr against, stre STAND.
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So as vb. XVII.

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contravene

XVI. In earliest use Sc. — late L. contrvenre, i.e. contr against, venre COME. So contravention XVI. — (O)F. — medL.

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contretemps

†(fencing) inopportune thrust XVII; inopportune occurrence XIX. — F., orig. motion out of time, f. contre against, CONTRA- + temps (:- L. tempus) time.

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contribute

XVI. f. L. contribt-, pp. stem of contribuere bring together, f. CON- + tribuere bestow (see TRIBUTE). So contribution XIV. — (O)F. or late L. contributory XV. — medL.

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contrite

broken in spirit. XIV. — (O)F. contrit, -te — L. contrtus, -ta, pp. of conterere, f. CON- + terere rub, grind. So contrition XVIII.

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contrive

XIV. ME. controve, contreve — OF. controver (mod. controuver) †imagine — medL. contropre compare, prob. f. L. CON- + tropus TROPE. The transition to contrive (XV) is unexpl. Hence contrivance XVII.

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control

check (accounts) by comparison with a duplicate register; exercise restraint or sway over. XV. — AN. contreroller, F. †conteroller (now contrôler) — medL. contrrotulre, f. contrrotulus, f. contr opposite + rotulus ROLL 1. Hence, or — F. contrôle, control sb. restraint, check, sway. XVI. So controller, COMPTROLLER.

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controvert

XVII. First in pp. and ppl. adj. controverted, replacing †controversed disputed, called in question — F. controversé, for earlier †controvers — L. contrversus disputed, questionable, f. contr-, var. of CONTRA- + versus, pp. of vertere turn. So controversy XIV. — L. contrversia (see -Y 3). controversial XVI. — late L. controversialist XVIII.

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contumacy

rebellious stubbornness. XIV. — L. contumcia, f. contumx, -c-, perh. f. CON- (intensive) + tumre swell; see -ACY. Hence contumacious XVI.

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contumely

insulting or offensively contemptuous treatment. XIV. — OF. contumelie — L. contumlia, f. CON- + tumre, as in prec. So contumelious XV.

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contuse

bruise. XV. f. conts-, pp. stem of L. contundere, f. CON- + tundere beat. So contusion XIV. — F. or L.

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conundrum

†whim, crotchet XVI; †pun XVII; riddle involving a pun, puzzling statement or question XVIII. In early use also conimbrum, quinombrum, quonundrum, quadundrum; of obscure orig., but prob. based on some L. formula (involving quoniam or quin) current in the schools.

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conurbation

XX. f. CON- + L. urbs, urb- city (cf. URBAN) + -ATION.

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convalesce

XV (not in regular use till XIX). — L. convalscere, f. CON- (intensive) + valscere grow strong, f. valre be strong or well. So convalescence XV. — F. or late L.; hence convalescent (see -ESCENT).

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convection

XIX (a casual instance of conuexion occurs XVII). — late L. convecti, -n-, f. convect-, pp. stem of convehere, f. CON- + vehere carry (see WAY).

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convene

come together XV; call together XVI. — L. convenre assemble, f. CON- + venre COME. So convenient †accordant, suitable XIV; personally fitting, commodious XV. — L. convenins, -ent-, pp. of convenre. convenience XV. convention A. assembly XV; B. agreement, covenant XV; general agreement or consent; conventional usage XVIII. — (O)F. — L. conventi, -n-, meeting, covenant. conventional XV. — F. conventionnel or late L. conventinlis.

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convent

company of religious persons living together XIII (since XVIII often restricted to nunneries); building housing this XVI. ME. covent — OF. covent (varying with convent with latinized sp., which finally prevailed in Eng.), mod. couvent :- L. conventus assembly, company, f. convent-, pp. stem of convenre CONVENE. So conventual XV. — medL. conventulis.

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conventicle

†meeting, assembly, esp. of a clandestine or illegal kind, at first political, later religious XIV; meeting or meeting-place of Protestant Dissenters XVI. — L. conventiculum (place of) assembly, in form dim. of conventus meeting (see CONVENT), but not used with derogatory reference till medieval times.

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converge

XVII. — late L. convergere; see CON- and VERGE 2. Hence convergent XVIII.

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conversation

†(mode of) living XIV; familiar discourse XVI; †acquaintance, company XVII. — (O)F. — L. conversti, -n-, frequent use or abode, intercourse, f. conversr CONVERSE 1; see -ATION. Hence conversational XVIII. So conversant †dwelling habitually; associating familiarly with XIV; versed in, familiar with XVI. — prp. of (O)F. converser CONVERSE 1.

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conversazione

assembly for conversation and social or intellectual recreation, orig. in Italy. XVIII. — It.

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converse 1

†dwell XIV; †associate familiarly with XVI; talk with XVII. — (O)F. converser †pass one's life, exchange words :- L. conversr live, have intercourse, middle use of conversre turn round, f. CON- + versre, frequent. of vertere turn. Hence as sb. †intercourse; conversation; communion. XVII.

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converse 2

proposition or relation turned round or upside down. XVI. — L. conversus, pp. of convertere CONVERT.

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convert

turn or change into. XIII. — (O)F. convertir :- Rom. convertre, f. L. convertere turn about, transform, f. CON- + vertere turn. Hence convert converted person XVI. So convertible, conversion XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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convex

XVI. — L. convexus vaulted, arched.

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convey

†escort XIII; †guide, conduct; transport; communicate XIV; transfer; steal XV. — OF. conveier (mod. convoyer CONVOY) :- medL. convire, f. CON- + via way. Hence conveyance XVI.

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convict

prove guilty XIV; bring error home to; †convince XVIII. f. convict-, pp. stem of L. convincere CONVINCE; the pp. was adopted earlier as convict (also in AN.) pronounced or proved guilty, whence, with shift of stress, convict sb. †convicted person XVI; condemned criminal XVIII.

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convince

†overcome in argument; †convict; †prove XVI; bring to a belief XVII. — L. convincere convict of error, prove clearly (guilt, etc.), f. CON- (intensive) + vincere overcome.

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convivial

XVII. — L. convvilis, f. convvium feast, f. CON- + stem of vvere live; see VIVID, -IAL.

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convocation

XIV. — L. convocti, -n-, f. convocre, whence convoke XVI; see CON-, VOCATION.

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convolution

XVI. — medL. convolti, -n-, f. pp. stem of convolvere, f. CON- + volvere roll; see -TION. So convolvulus XVI.

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convoy

accompany, escort XIV; †convey, conduct XV. — (O)F. convoyer CONVEY. So as sb. XVI.

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convulse

XVII. f. convuls-, pp. stem of L. convellere pull violently, wrench, f. CON- + vellere pluck, pull. So convulsion XVI. — F. or L.

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con(e)y

rabbit (fur). XIII. Earliest forms cunin(g), conyng — AN. coning, OF. conin, parallel form to OF. conil — L. cunculus, prob. of Iberian orig. The form cony (XIV) is a back-formation from pl. conyes — AN. con(i)ys, pl. of conil. In the cant sense of ‘dupe’ familiar XVI–XVII in cony-catcher cheat, swindler, cony-catching.

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cook

preparer of food. OE. cc — popL. cqus, for L. coquus. The base of L. coquus is qeqo :- IE. peqo- (as in Gr. péssein ripen, boil, cook; cf. OSL. pek I bake, roast, Skr. pácati cook, bake). Hence cook vb., cookery XIV.

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cookie

XVIII. — Du. koekje, dim. of koek cake.

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cool

adj. OE. cl = MLG., MDu. kl (Du. koel) :- Gmc. kluz, f. kl- kal- (see COLD); as sb. from XIV. Hence cool vb. OE. clian = OS. clon :- Gmc. kljan, f. kluz.

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coolie, cooly

hired native labourer (prop.) in India and China. XVII. — Urdu ul, Bengali, etc., kl, of Dravidian orig. (cf. Tamil kli wages, etc.).

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coomb, combe

deep hollow, valley, OE. cumb, not found in OE. or ME. literature, but occurring from early times in south. place-names. In gen. use from XVI.

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coon

(U.S.) raccoon XVIII; fellow; negro XIX. Aphetic of RACCOON.

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coop

†basket XIII; cage for poultry XV; place of confinement XVI. — MLG., MDu. kpe (Du. kuip tub, vat), parallel with OS. kpa, OHG. kuofa (G. kufe) cask — L. cpa, also medL. cpa tun, barrel. Hence as vb. XVI.

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cooper

one who makes and repairs casks, etc. XIV (earlier as a personal designation passing into a surname XIII). — MDu., MLG. kper, f. kpe COOP; see -ER 1.

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co-operate

XVII. f. pp. stem of ecclL. cooperar, f. CO- + operr work, OPERATE. So co-operation XIV. — L., partly, in later use, through F. co-opération. co-operative XVII, co-operator XV.

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co-opt

XVII. — L. cooptre, f. CO- + optre choose (see OPT).

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co-ordinate

of equal rank XVII; sb. (math.) each of two or more magnitudes used to define a position XIX. f. CO- + L. ordintus, pp. of ordinre arrange, ORDAIN, after the earlier SUBORDINATE. So co-ordinate vb. XVII. co-ordination XVII. — F. or late L.

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coot

XIV (first in balled cote ‘bald coot’). prob. of LG. orig. (cf. Du. koet).

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cop

(sl.) catch, capture. XVIII. prob. var. of cap arrest, seize (XVI) — OF. caper seize — L. capere take. Hence cop, copper^2 (-ER 1) policeman. XIX.

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copal

resin yielding varnish. XVI. — Sp. — Nahuatl copalli incense.

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coparcener

co-heir(ess). XV. f. CO- + PARCENER.

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cope 1

long cloak or cape (esp. eccl.) XIII; ‘canopy’ of night, heaven XIV; outer mould in founding XIX. ME. cpe, repr. OE. -cp, cpe = ON. kápa — medL. cpa, var. of cappa (whence F. chape; cf. CAP, CHAPEL). Hence cope-stone top stone of a building XVI; whence prob. cope vb. cover (a wall) with a head stone XVII; coping uppermost course of masonry or brickwork XVII; see -ING 1.

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cope 2

†come to blows (with) XIV; meet or contend with XVI. — OF. coper, var. of colper (mod. couper) strike, (now) cut, f. co(l)p (mod. coup) blow :- Rom. colpus :- L. colaphus — Gr. klaphos.

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copious

XIV. — (O)F. copieux or L. cpisus, f. cpia abundance, f. CO- + ops wealth, OPULENCE, opp. of inopia want; see -IOUS.

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copper 1

metal of reddish colour OE.; vessel made of this XVII; copper money XVIII. OE. copor, coper, corr. to MDu. coper (Du. koper), ON. koparr (cf. MLG. kopper, OHG. kupfar (G. kupfer)) — late L. cuprum, for L. cyprium (æs) ‘(metal) of Cyprus’, so named from its most noted ancient source.

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copper 2

see COP.

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coppice

XIV (cop(e)ys). — OF. copeïz :- Rom. colptcium, f. colpt-, pp. stem of colpre cut (F. couper; see COPE 2).

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copra

dried kernel of the coconut. XVI. — Pg. (and Sp.) — Malayalam koppara.

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copse,

contr. of coppis, COPPICE. XVI.

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copula

(gram.) part of a proposition connecting subject and predicate, spec. the verb ‘to be’; connection XVII. — L. cpula connection, linking of words, f. CO- + apere fasten; see APT, -ULE, and cf. COUPLE. So copulate †couple; unite sexually. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. cpulre, f. cpula; see -ATE 3. copulation XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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copy

transcript of an original XIV; individual specimen of a work XV. (The etymol. sense of ‘abundance’ occurs XIV–XVII.) — (O)F. copie — L. cpia abundance, plenty, pl. ability, opportunity (see COPIOUS). The sense ‘transcript’. which is medL. and Rom., arose from such phr. as copiam describendi facere give permission to transcribe, whence the sense ‘right of reproduction’ and simply ‘reproduction’. Hence copyhold holding of lands by copy of the manorial court roll XV. copyright right to print, publish, and sell copies of a work of literature or of art. XVIII.

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coquette

XVII. — F., fem. of coquet gallant, amorously forward, f. coqueter flirt, prop. strut like a cock before hens, f. coq COCK 1.

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cor-

assim. form of com CON- before r.

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coracle

small wickerwork boat. XVI (corougle). — W. corwgl, cwrwgl, f. corwg coracle, †carcass ( = Ir., Gael. curach CURRACH).

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coral

XIV. — OF. coral (mod. corail) :- L. corallum, -alium — Gr. korállion, kourálion, prob. of Sem. orig.

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corbel

(archit.) projection jutting from a wall to support a weight. XV. — OF. corbel (mod. corbeau) raven, also archit., dim. of †corp, corb :- L. corvus raven.

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corbie

(Sc.) raven. XV. — OF. corb (see prec.) + -IE.

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cord

string XIII; cord-like structure XV; measure of cut wood XVII. — (O)F. corde :- L. chorda — Gr. khord gut, string of musical instrument. Hence cordage XVI.

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cordial

pert. to the heart XIV; stimulating to the heart; hearty XV; sb. XIV. — medL. cordilis, f. cor, cord- HEART; see -IAL. Hence cordiality XVII.

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cordite

smokeless explosive so called from its cord-like appearance. XIX. f. CORD + -ITE.

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cordon

projecting course of stones XVI; line of military posts or police XVIII. — It. cordone, augm. of corda CORD; superseded by F. cordon.

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cordovan

Cordova leather. XVI. — Sp. cordován (now -bán); cf. CORDWAINER.

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corduroy

XVIII. prob. f. CORD + †duroy, †deroy (XVII) coarse West-of-England woollen stuff, of unkn. orig.

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cordwainer

shoemaker. orig. maker of Cordovan leather. XI. — AN. cordewaner, OF. cordoanier (mod. cordonnier), f. cordewan, cordoan, f. Cordoue — Sp. Cordoba, †Cordova :- L. Corduba town in Spain where a goatskin (later, horsehide) leather was made. The Sp. adj. †cordovano and sb. †cordovn were adopted in Eng. as CORDOVAN.

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core

horny seed-capsule of apple etc. XIV; unburnt centre of coal XV; hard centre of a boil XVI; central or innermost part XVII. of unkn. orig.

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corf

basket, (later) spec. in mining. XIV. — (M)LG., (M)Du. korf — L. corbis; reintroduced in XVII by continental miners.

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coriaceous

leathery. XVII. f. late L. coriceus, f. corium hide, leather; see -ACEOUS.

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coriander

the plant Coriandrum sativum. XIV. — (O)F. coriandre — L. coriandrum — Gr. korannon, -dron.

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cork

bark of the cork-oak XIV; †cork sole or sandal XIV; stopper, prop. of cork XVI. prob. — Du., LG. kork — Sp. alcorque cork sole or shoe, of Arab. orig. (see AL- 2). Hence as vb. †furnish with a cork sole XVI; stop with a cork XVII.

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cormorant

XIII. — OF. cormaran (mod. cormoran), earlier cormareng, for corp mareng, repr. (with assim. of adj. suffix to Gmc. -ing) medL. corvus marnus ‘sea raven’. For the final parasitic t cf. pageant, pheasant.

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corn 1

grain, seed, fruit of a cereal. OE. corn = OFris., OS., OHG., ON. korn, Goth. kaurn :- Gmc. kurnam :- IE. gnóm ‘worn down particle’, n. pp. of base gr- ger- wear away, grow old, whence also L. grnum GRAIN, OIr. grn, OSl. zrno seed, Gr. graûs old woman, gérn old man, Skr. jryati wastes away, jrá- wasted, old. Hence corn vb. †make or become granular; sprinkle with salt in grains, preserve with salt (as corned beef). XVI. corncrake XV; see CRAKE.

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corn 2

horny hardening of the skin. XV. — AN. corn = (O)F. cor :- L. corn HORN.

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cornea

(anat.) horny covering of the eyeball. XIV. — modL., short for medL. cornea tla or tunica horny tissue or coating; fem. of corneus (whence corneous XVII), f. L. corn HORN.

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cornel

tree of the genus Cornus. XVI. orig. in cornel berry, cornel tree, semi-tr. of G. kornelbeere, -baum (OHG. kornulberi, -boum, the source of which is some medL. deriv. of L. cornus cornel tree).

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cornelian

red or reddish variety of chalcedony. XIV (corneline). — OF. corneline (mod. cornaline); refash. after medL. cornelius.

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corner

sb. XIII. — AN. corner, OF. cornier :- Rom. cornrium, f. L. corn HORN, point, end; see -ER 2. Hence corner vb. furnish with, place in, a corner XIV; (orig. U.S.) drive into a corner XIX. cornerstone XIII.

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cornet

wind-instrument XIV; conical twisted paper, and other transf. uses XVI. — (O)F., dim. of Rom. corno, L. corn HORN; see -ET.

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cornice

XVI (cornish). — F. corniche, †-ice, †-isse — It. cornice, perh. — L. cornix, cornic- crow (cf. CORBEL), but with blending of a deriv. of Gr. kornís coping-stone.

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Cornish

XV. f. first el. of Cornwall, OE. Cornwalas, f. OCelt. Kornovjos, -ja, whence medL. Cornubia Cornwall; see WELSH, -ISH 1. The native name was Kernak, Kernewec, f. Kernóu (cf. W. Cernyw Cornwall, Breton Kerné Cornouailles in Brittany).

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cornucopia

XVI. — late L. corncpia, earlier corn cpiæ ‘horn of plenty’, the horn of the goat Amalthea placed in heaven, emblem of fruitfulness and abundance.

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corolla

†little crown, garland XVII; (bot.) whorl of petals XVIII. — L., dim. of corna CROWN.

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corollary

(geom.) proposition appended to another as a self-evident inference XIV; immediate deduction or consequence XVII. — L. corollrium money paid for a garland, present, gratuity, f. corolla; see prec. and -ARY.

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corona

member of a cornice XVI; circle or halo of light XVII. — L., CROWN.

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coronation

XIV. — (O)F. — medL. cornti, -n-, f. L. cornre CROWN vb.; see -ATION.

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coroner

(hist.) officer orig. charged with maintaining the rights of crown property XIV; officer who holds inquests on persons who have died by violence or accident XV. — AN. coro(u)ner, f. coro(u)ne CROWN, after the L. title custos placitorum coronæ guardian of the pleas of the crown; latinized as cornrius, corntor (XIII). From XV freq. in contr. form crowner.

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coronet

XV. — OF. coronet(t)e, dim. of corone CROWN; see -ET.

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corporal 1

linen cloth on which the host and chalice are placed at the Eucharist. XIV. — (O)F. corporal or medL. corporle, sb. use of corporlis CORPORAL 2.

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corporal 2

bodily; †corporeal, material. XIV. — OF. (mod. corporel) — L. corporlis, f. corpus body; see -AL 1. So corporality XIV. — late L.

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corporal 3

non-commissioned officer below a sergeant. XVI. — F. †corporal, var. of caporal — It. caporale, of which there appears to have been a Venetian form †corporale, f. corpus, corpor- body (of troops), the standard form being assim. to capo head. cf. prec.

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corporate

forming a corporation XV; corporeal, belonging to the body politic XVII. — L. corportus, pp. of corporre fashion into or with a body, collect, f. corpor-; see CORPUS, -ATE 2. So corporation †incorporation XV; body of persons, esp. one formally incorporated XV; (large) abdomen XVIII (cf. the obs. use of corporate for ‘corpulent’)

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corposant

ball of light observed on the masts and yards of a ship on stormy nights. XVII (earlier in foreign forms). — OSp., It., Pg. corpo santo ‘holy body’, i.e. of a saint.

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corps

XVIII. — F. corps, used as short for corps d'armée army corps; see next.

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corpse

†body, person; lifeless body. XIV. orig. graphic var. of cors (XIII), later corse (XIV; still arch.) — OF. cors (mod. corps) :- L. corpus body (see CORPUS). The inserted p had infl. the pronunc. before 1500; the sp. corpse (with final e), though appearing as early as XVI, did not become general before XIX.

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corpulent

†material, gross; bulky of body. XIV. — L. corpulentus, f. corpus; see next and -ULENT.

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corpus

pl. corpora body XIV; body of writings XVIII. — L. ‘body’. In XIV–XVI perh. a var. of corpes, CORPSE.

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corpuscle

minute particle of matter. XVII. — L. corpusculum, dim. of CORPUS. See -CLE.

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corral

XVI. — Sp., OPg. corral, Pg. curral, whence KRAAL.

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correct 1 vb.

XIV. f. correct-, pp. stem of L. corrigere, f. COR- + regere lead straight, direct (see REGENT). So correction XIV. — (O)F. — L. corrective adj. XVI; sb. XVII. — F.

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correct 2

that is in accordance with a standard XVII; with truth XVIII. — F. — L. correctus amended, correct, pp. of corrigere (see prec.). Hence correctitude correctness of conduct. XIX.

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correlate

XVIII. Back-formation from correlation , correlative XVI. — scholL. correlti, -tvus (XIII); see COR-, RELATION.

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correspond

be agreeable to or congruous with XVI; communicate by interchange of letters XVII. — (O)F. correspondre — medL. correspondre; see COR-, RESPOND. So correspondence congruity XV; †(gen.) relation XVI; intercourse spec. by letters XVII. correspondent adj. XV; sb. XVII.

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corridor

covered way XVI; outside gallery round a court, etc. XVII; passage through a building, etc. XIX. — F. — It. corridore, alt., by assim. to corridore runner, of corridoio :- Rom. curritrium, f. currit-, for curs-, pp. stem of L. currere run (see CURRENT, -ORY 1).

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corrie

(Sc.) circular hollow on a mountainside. XVIII. — Gael. coire cauldron, hollow.

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corrigendum pl. corrigenda

XIX. — L., sb. use of n. of gerundive of corrigere CORRECT 1.

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corroborate

strengthen, confirm XVI; support (an opinion, etc.) by concurrent evidence XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. corrborre, f. COR- + rborre strengthen, f. rbur strength; see ROBUST, -ATE 3. So corroboration XV. — F. or late L.

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corroboree

native Australian dance. XIX. Aboriginal word.

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corrode.

XIV — L. corrdere, f. COR- + rdere gnaw (see RODENT). So corrosion XIV. — OF. or late L. corrosive adj. and sb. XIV. — OF. corosif — medL. corrsvus.

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corrugated

wrinkled XVII; of iron, etc. XIX. f. pp. of L. corrgre, f. COR- (intensive) + rgre, f. rga wrinkle; see -ATE 3, -ED 1.

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corrupt

†as pp. corrupted; unsound, rotten, debased, venal. XIV. — OF. corrupt or L. corruptus, pp. of corrumpere destroy, ruin, falsify, seduce, f. COR- + rumpere break (see RUPTURE). Hence corrupt vb. XIV. So corruption XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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corsage

†body XV; bodice XIX. — (O)F., f. cors body; see CORPSE, -AGE.

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corsair

privateer XV. Not in gen. use in this form before XVII, current early forms being corsale, cursarie, corsar(i)o. — F. corsaire, †c(o)ursaire, Sp. corsario, It. corsale, -are, †-ar(i)o :- Rom. (medL.) cursrius, f. cursa and cursus hostile inroad, plunder, COURSE.

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corse

arch. form of CORPSE.

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corset

close-fitting body garment XIV; laced inner bodice, stays XVIII. — (O)F., dim. of cors body; see CORPSE, -ET.

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corslet

garment, spec. defensive armour, covering the body. XV. — (O)F., dim. of cors body; see CORPSE, -LET.

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cortège.

XVII — F. — It. corteggio, f. corteggiare attend court, keep a retinue, f. corte COURT.

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cortical

XVII. — modL. corticlis, f. L. cortex, cortic- bark (whence Eng. cortex XVII), rel. to corium leather; see -AL 1.

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corundum

mineral allied to sapphire and ruby. XVIII. — Tamil kurundam = Telugu kuruvindam — Skr. kuruvinda- ruby.

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coruscate

sparkle, glitter. XVIII. f. pp. of L. coruscre vibrate, glitter; see -ATE 3. So coruscation XV. — L.

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corvette

XVII. — F., dim. f. MDu. korf kind of ship; see -ETTE.

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corvine

of the crow kind. XVII. — L. corvnus, f. corvus raven; see -INE 1.

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corymb

(bot.) species of raceme. XVIII. — F. corymbe or L. corymbus — Gr. kórumbos summit, cluster of fruit or flowers, close head of a composite flower.

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cos

variety of lettuce introduced from the island of Cos (Gr. Ks) in the Aegean Sea. XVII.

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cosh

stout stick, truncheon. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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cosine

(math.) sine of the complement of an angle. XVII. f. CO-, SINE. So cosecant, cotangent XVII.

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cosmetic

adj. and sb. XVII. — F. cosmétique — Gr. kosmtikós, f. kosmeîn adorn. f. kósmos; see next and -IC.

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cosmos

XVII (isolated ex. XII). — Gr. kósmos order, ornament, order of the universe, (with the Pythagoreans) the world. Hence cosmic XIX. So cosmogony XVII, cosmography, XV, cosmology XVII; all ult. from Gr. forms through F. or (mod)L. cosmopolitan, cosmopolite citizen of the world XVII; as adjs. XIX.

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cosset

XVII. f. dial. cosset pet lamb, prob. a transf. use of AN. coscet, cozet cottager — OE. cotsta, f. COT 1 + st- var. of set-, base of SIT.

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cost

sb. XIII. — AN. cost, OF. coust (mod. coût) :- Rom. costo, f. costre stand firm, be fixed, stand at a price, f. CON- (intensive) + stre STAND. So cost vb. XIV. — OF. co(u)ster (mod. coûter) :- Rom. costre. Hence costly XIV; see -LY 1.

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costal

pert. to the ribs. XVII. — F. — modL. costlis, f. costa rib; see -AL 1.

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costard

large prominently ribbed variety of apple. XIV. — AN., f. coste rib :- L. costa; see -ARD. Hence †costardmonger, costermonger (XVI) fruiterer, in mod. use a seller of fruit, vegetables, fish, etc., from a barrow in the street.

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costive

constipated. XIV. — AN. costif, for OF. costivé :- L. constiptus (see CONSTIPATE). For the loss of -é cf. ASSIGN 2.

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costmary

aromatic plant. XV. f. cost (OE. cost — L. costum, -os — Gr. kóstos — Arab. ust — Skr. kúha-) + the name of the Virgin Mary.

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costume

†manners and customs proper to a time and place XVIII; mode of personal attire; set of outer garments, etc. XIX. — F. — It. costume custom, fashion, habit :- L. consuetd, -din- CUSTOM. So costumier maker of costumes. XIX.

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cosy, cozy

adj. XVIII; sb. cover to keep tea-pot etc. warm XIX. orig. Sc., earliest form colsie; of unkn. orig.

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cot 1

cottage. OE. cot = MLG., MDu., ON. kot :- Gmc. kutam, rel. to COTE.

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cot 2

light bedstead XVII; swinging bed for officers, the sick, etc., XVIII; small child's bed XIX. — Hindi kht bedstead, couch, hammock :- Prakrit kha, Skr. kháv.

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cote

†cottage XI; small building for sheltering small animals, as dovecot(e), sheepcote XIV. OE. cote, corr. to LG. kote (whence G. kote) :- Gmc. kutn, rel. to COT 1.

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coterie

†society, club; exclusive set or clique. XVIII. — F. (in OF. fedual tenure, tenants holding land together), f. cote hut (cf. †cotin) — MLG. kote COTE; see -ERY.

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cothurnus

buskin of ancient tragic actors. XVIII. — L. — Gr. kóthornos.

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cotillion

one of several kinds of dance. XVIII. — F. cotillon petticoat, dance, dim. of cotte COAT.

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cotoneaster

genus of rosaceous trees. XVIII. f. L. cotneum QUINCE; see -ASTER.

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cottage.

XIV — AN. cotage, AL. cotgium (XII), f. COT 1, COTE; see -AGE. Hence cottager XVI; see -ER 1.

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cotter, 1 cottar

(Sc.) cottager paying rentservice. XIV. f. COT 1 + -ER 1.

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cotter 2

pin, etc. for fastening a thing into its place. XVII. Earlier (dial.) cotterel XVI; perh. transf. uses of COTTER 1 and cotterel (cf. AL. coterellus cottager).

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cottier

cottager XIV; (in Ireland) peasant cultivating a smallholding XIX. — (O)F. cotier, f. cote; see COTERIE, -IER.

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cotton

XIV. — (O)F. coton — Arab. utn, in Sp. Arab. oton. Hence cotton vb. furnish with or take on a nap XV; (prob. transf. from the production of a nap in the finishing of cloth) †prosper, get on XVI (orig. in This gear or matter cottons); get on with XVII; take to XIX.

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cotyledon

seed-leaf. XVIII. — L. cotyldon navelwort, pennywort — Gr. kotúldn applied to various cup-shaped cavities, f. kotúl hollow, cup.

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couch

XIV. — (O)F. couche, f. coucher (whence couch vb. lay down, lie down XIV) :- L. collocre lay in its place, COLLOCATE.

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couch-grass

var. of QUITCH. XVI.

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cougar

XVIII. — F. couguar, ult. repr. Guarani guaçu ara.

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cough

vb. XIV. ME. coze, cowhe, co(u)we, f. imit. base ko?- repr. by OE. cohhetan shout, (M)LG., (M)Du. kuchen cough, MHG. kchen breathe, exhale. Hence as sb. XIV.

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could

pt. of CAN 2.

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coulisse

groove in which a partition slides; side-scene or wings of a stage. XIX. — F., sb. use of fem. of coulis, orig. adj. sliding, f. couler flow, glide, slide.

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coulomb

unit of electric quantity. XIX. f. name of C. A. de Coulomb (1736–1806). French physicist.

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coulter

OE. culter — L. culter knife, ploughshare.

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council

XII. — AN. cuncile, concilie — L. concilium convocation, assembly, f. CON- + calre call, summon, rel. to Gr. kaleîn call. In form and meaning blended at an early date with counsel, but differentiation began XVI. So councillor XIV; alt. of COUNSELLOR by assim. to council.

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counsel

consultation, advice XIII; body of legal advisers XIV; legal advocate XVIII. — OF. c(o)unseil (mod conseil) :- L. consilium consultation, advice, judgement, deliberating body, f. CON- + sal-; cf. CONSUL, CONSULT. Now restricted to the above senses; for the sense ‘deliberating body’ see COUNCIL. So counsel vb. advise. XIII. counsellor adviser. XIII.

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count 1

reckoning, ACCOUNT XIV; consideration, notice XV; particular of a legal charge XVI. — OF. co(u)nte (mod. compte reckoning, conte tale) :- late L. computus calculation. f. computre COUNT 3.

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count 2

used to repr. foreign titles of nobility (F. comte, G. graf, etc.). XVI. — OF. conte (mod. comte) :- L. comes, comit- companion, associate, one of the imperial retinue, (late L.) occupant of a state office; for comis :- comits lit. ‘one who goes with’, f. COM- + ppl. stem it- of re go. So countess XII.

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count 3

tell over; reckon. XIV. — OF. c(o)unter reckon, relate (mod. compter count, conter relate) :- L. comptre calculate, COMPUTE. Cf. RECOUNT.

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countenance

†demeanour, conduct; composure XIII; †aspect, appearance; facial look or expression; face, visage XIV; moral support XVI. — AN. c(o)untenaunce, (O)F. contenance bearing, behaviour, mien, contents, f. contenir maintain (oneself), CONTAIN; see -ANCE. Hence countenance vb. †make a show (of), pretend XV; †face out; †set off; give support to XVI.

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counter 1

object used in counting; desk for counting money, etc., (hence) money-changer's table, tradesman's table in his shop. XIV. — AN. count(e)our, OF. conteo(i)r (mod. comptoir) :- medL. computtrium, f. L. computre COMPUTE.

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counter 2

A
†opposite direction to that taken by the game XVI;

B
part of a horse's breast lying between the shoulders; curved part of a ship's stern XVII. f. COUNTER 3 or COUNTER 5.
Top

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counter 3

opposed, opposite. XVI. adj. use of the prefix COUNTER-.

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counter 4

go counter to, oppose XIV; give a counterblow XIX. orig. aphetic of †acounter, var. of ENCOUNTER; in later use a fresh formation on COUNTER- or COUNTER 5.

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counter 5

in the opposite direction. XV. — OF. countre :- L. contr adv. and prep. against, in return; cf. CONTRA.

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counter-

prefix, ME. countre- — AN. countre-, (O)F. contre- :- L. contr- CONTRA-; denoting
i against, opposite, in opposition to,
ii in reversal of or parallelism with a former action, as counter-reformation, -revolution,
iii in reciprocation or reply, as countersign,
iv as the opposite member or constituent, as counterfoil, -part,
v. with a contrary action or movement, etc., in mutual opposition, as counterchange. counterblast XVI. counterfeit made in imitation; also sb. XIV. — OF. countrefet, -fait (mod. contrefait). So counterfeit vb. XIII. — AN. countrefeter, f. countrefet pp. counterfoil XVIII; see FOIL 2. countermand XV. — OF. contremander; see MANDATE. counterpane XVII. alt., by assim. to PANE in the same sense (XIV), of †counterpoint (XV) — OF. contrepointe, alt. of coutrepointe, cou(l)tepointe :- medL. culcit(r)a puncta ‘quilted mattress’; see POINT. counterpart XV. counterpoint XV. — (O)F. contrepoint — medL. contrpunctum, cantus contrpunctus ‘song pointed-against’, the accompaniment being orig. noted by points or pricks set against those of the plainsong melody. counterpoise weight balancing another weight XV; equilibrium XVI. — OF. contrepeis, -pois, countersign sign used in response to another sign. XVI. — F. contresigne — It. contrasegno. countertenor XIV. — OF. contreteneur — It. †contratenore.

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countervail

match, counterbalance, compensate. XIV. — OF. contrevaloir (pres. stem. -vail-) — L. phr. contr valre be effective or avail against (cf. VALID).

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country

tract of land; one's native land XIII; territory of a nation; nation, people XIV; rural districts XVI. ME. cuntre(e), contre(e) — OF. cuntrée, (mod.) contrée :- medL., Rom. contrta, sb. use (sc. terra land) of fem. of adj. meaning ‘lying opposite or facing one’, hence ‘the landscape spread out before one’. Hence countryman native XIV; compatriot XV; husbandman XVI. So countrywoman XV. countryside particular region of a country; orig. Sc.

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county

XIV. — AN. counté, OF. cunté, conté (mod. comté) :- L. comittus, f. comes, -it- COUNT 2.

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coup

XVIII. — F. (see COPE 2).

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coupé

short four-wheeled closed carriage for two. XIX. — F., short for carosse coupé ‘cut carriage’, the body having the form of a berline from which the hind seat has been cut away; sb. use of pp. of couper cut, f. coup (see COPE 2).

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couple

sb. XIII. — (O)F. :- L. cpula tie, connection (see COPULA). So couple vb. XIII. — OF. copler, cupler (mod. coupler) :- L. cpulre. couplet XVI. — (O)F., dim. of couple.

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coupon

XIX. — F. coupon piece cut off, slice, f. couper cut; see COPE 2.

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courage

†heart as the seat of feeling, spirit XIII; †intention, purpose; bravery, valour XIV. — OF. corage, curage (mod. courage) :- Rom. corticum, f. cor HEART; see -AGE. So courageous XIII.

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courier

running messenger XVI; servant employed to make travelling arrangements XVIII. — F. †courier, (also mod.) courrier — It. corriere, f. corre :- L. currere run (see CURRENT).

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course

running, onward movement; path, direction; progress, order XIII; set of dishes for a meal, one of the successive parts of a meal XIV; series, serial succession; sail attached to lower masts or yards XV. — (O)F. cours :- L. cursus, f. curs-, pp. stem of currere run (cf. CURRENT); reinforced XV by (O)F. course :- Rom. cursa, sb. use of corr. fem. form of ppl. Hence course vb. chase, hunt; cause to run; run about. XVI.

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courser

XIII. — OF. corsier (mod. coursier) :- Rom. cursrius, f. cursus COURSE; see -ER 2.

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court

(residence of) royal household and retinue; assembly held by a sovereign XII; (place of) assembly of judges, etc.; enclosed area, yard XIII; homage, courtly attention XVI. — AN. curt, OF. cort (mod. cour) :- late L. (Rom.) curt-, earlier co(ho)rt- yard, enclosure, crowd, retinue, COHORT. court-card picture card of a suit. XVII. alt. of †coat card card bearing a ‘coated’ or habited figure (XVI–XVII). court-martial XVII; earlier †martial court. court-plaster stickingplaster for wounds XVIII; so called from being used for the black silk patches worn on the face by ladies at court. court vb. †frequent the court; pay court to, woo. XVI; after OIt. corteare (later corteggiare), OF. courtoyer (later courtiser), f. corte, court. courtier attendant at the court of a sovereign. XIII. ME. courteour — AN. courte(i)our, f. OF. cortoyeur, f. cortoyer; suffix assim. to -IER. courtly XV; see -LY 1. courtship XVI.

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courteous

XIII. — OF. corteis, curteis (mod. courtois) :- Rom. cortensis, f. corte COURT; see -ESE. The suffix -EOUS replaced -eis XVI.

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courtesan

XVI. — F. courtisane — It. †cortigiana, fem. of cortigiano COURTIER, f. corte COURT.

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courtesy

XIII. — OF. cur-, co(u)rtesie (mod. courtoisie); f. courteis, etc., COURTEOUS; see -Y 3.

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cousin

†relative; son or daughter of one's uncle or aunt XIII; term of address from one sovereign to another, or to a peer XV. — OF. cosin, cusin (mod. cousin) :- L. consobrnus mother's sister's child :- conswesrnos, f. CON- + swesr SISTER + -nos -INE 1.

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cove 1

†bedchamber, storechamber; (Sc. and north.) hollow in a rock, etc. OE.; sheltered recess on a coast XVI. OE. cofa chamber = MLG. cove, MHG. kobe (G. koben) stable, pigsty, ON. kofi hut, shed :- Gmc. kuan-.

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cove 2

(colloq.) fellow, chap. XVI. orig. thieves' cant, perh. identical with Sc. cofe chapman, pedlar.

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covenant

mutual agreement; divine contract with mankind XIII; legal agreement or contract XIV. — OF. covenant (later and mod. convenant), sb. use of prp. of co(n)venir agree (see CONVENE). Hence as vb. XIV.

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cover

vb. XIII. — OF. cuvrir, covrir (mod. couvrir) :- L. cooperre, f. CON- (intensive) + operre cover. Hence cover sb. XIV; or partly variant of COVERT.

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coverlet

XIII. — AN. covrelet, -lit. f. covre- pres. stem of OF. covrir COVER + lit bed (cf. LITTER).

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covert

covering XIV; woody shelter for game XIV; feathers covering the bases of larger feathers XVIII. — OF. covert (mod. couvert), pp. of co(u)vrir COVER. So covert adj. covered, hidden. XIV. coverture cover, covering XIII; position of a woman during her married life XVI.

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covet

XIII. ME. cuveite, coveite — OF. cu-, coveitier (mod. convoiter) :- Rom. cupiditre, f. cupidits CUPIDITY. So covetous XIII.

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covey

brood of partridges, etc. XIV. — OF. covee (mod. couvée) :- Rom. cubta hatching, f. L. cubre lie.

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covin

†company; private agreement; collusion, fraud. XIV. — OF. covin, covine :- medL. convenium, pl. or fem. sg. -ia, f. convenre come together, agree (see CONVENE).

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cow 1

female bovine animal. OE. c = OS. k (Du. koe), OHG. kuo (G. kuh), ON. kýr :- Gmc. k(u)z :- IE. gwus, whence also Skr. gú-, Arm. kov, Gr. boûs, L. bs, OIr. bó, Latv. gùovs. The normal descendant of the mutated OE. pl. c is north. kye; the form kine (now arch.) descends from a ME. (XIII) extension of this with -n from the weak decl.

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cow 2

depress with fear. XVII. prob. — ON. kúga oppress, tyrannize over.

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coward

XIII. ME. cu(e)ard — OF. cuard, later couard, f. Rom. cda, L. cauda, tail; see -ARD. In the OF. ‘Roman de Renart’, coart is the name of the hare. So cowardice XIII. — OF. couardise.

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cower

XIII (koure). — MLG. kren lie in wait.

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cowl

hooded garment worn by religious OE.; hood of the habit or of a cloak XVI; hood-shaped top of a chimney XIX. OE. cug(e)le, cle, corr. to MLG., MDu. cghel, OHG. cucula, cugula (G. kugel, kogel) — ecclL. cuculla, f. L. cucullus hood of a cloak. In ME. reinforced by kuuele :- OE. cufle = MLG., MDu. cvele (Du. keuvel), ON. kofl, kufl, and prob. by (O)F. coule :- ecclL. cuculla.

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cowrie

shell of a small gastropod, Cypraea moneta. XVII. — Urdu, Hindi kau :- Skr. kaparda-, kapardik-.

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cowslip

OE. cslyppe, f. c COW 1 + slyppe viscous or slimy substance, i.e. ‘cow-slobber’ or ‘cow-dung’.

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cox

shortening of COXSWAIN; hence as vb. XIX.

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coxcomb

cap worn by a professional fool (in shape and colour like a cock's comb); (arch.) †head; †fool; fop. XVI.

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coxswain

helmsman of a boat. XV. f. cock (see COCKBOAT) + SWAIN.

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coy

†quiet, still; shyly reserved. XIV. — (O)F. coi, earlier quei :- Rom. qutus, for L. quitus QUIET. Cf. QUIT 1.

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coyote

prairie wolf of n. America. XIX. — Mex. Sp. — Nahuatl coyotl.

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coz

abbrev. of †cozen, COUSIN. XVI.

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cozen

cheat, defraud. XVI. prob. orig. vagrants' cant, and perh. to be assoc. with COUSIN, through OF. cousin dupe, or cousiner ‘to clayme kindred for aduantage, or particular ends’ (Cotgr.); but the frequent sp. with -on has suggested deriv. from It. cozzonare ‘to play the horse-breaker, to play the craftie knaue’ (Florio). Hence cozenage, cozener XVI.

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crab 1

crustacean of the tribe Brachyura. OE. crabba = (M)LG., (M)Du. krabbe, ON. krabbi, rel. to OS. krit, MLG. krvet, (M)Du. kreeft, OHG. krebiz, krebaz (G. krebs), and to MLG. krabben, ON. krafla scratch, claw.

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crab 2

wild apple. XIV. contemp. with north. scrab (prob. of Scand. orig.; cf. Sw. dial. skrabba wild apple), of which it may be an alteration by assoc. with prec. or CRABBED.

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crab 3

(of hawks) scratch, claw XVI; (sl.) find fault with, ‘pull to pieces’ XIX. — (M)LG. krabben (see CRAB 1).

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crabbed

†froward, wayward XIII; out of humour; †harsh, rugged XIV; difficult to deal with or make sense of; cross-tempered XVI. f. CRAB 1 + -ED 2, with orig. ref. to the gait and habits of the crab, which suggest cross-grained or fractious disposition. There has been later assoc. with CRAB 2 with connotation of sourness.

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crack

A
make a sharp short noise OE.; break with a sudden sharp report XIII
;
B
utter loudly or sharply XIV; (dial.) boast XVI (whence crack up eulogize XIX). OE. cracian sound, resound = (M)Du. krken, OHG. krahhn (G. krachen). The normal repr. of the OE. word, i.e. crake (now dial.), has been superseded by the short form by assoc. with (i) crack sb. XIV, or with (ii) F. craquer (XVI), of Gmc. orig.
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Hence crack adj. pre-eminent, first-class. XVIII. cracked crazy. XVII. cracker †boaster, liar; kind of fire-work XVI; instrument for cracking or crushing XVII. crackle XVI; see -LE 3; whence crackling crisp skin of roast pork XVIII.

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cracknel

light crisp biscuit. XV. alt. of F. craquelin — MDu. krkelinc, f. krken CRACK.

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-cracy

repr. F. -cratie, medL. -cratia, Gr. -kratí power, rule (f. krátos strength, might, authority) in Gr. originals of ARISTOCRACY, DEMOCRACY, PLUTOCRACY. The suffix has in modern times acquired the sense of ‘ruling body or class’ of the kind denoted by the first element.

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cradle

child's light bed or cot OE.; framework of bars, cords, etc. XIV. OE. cradol; perh. f. the same base as OHG. kratto, (MH)G. kratte basket.

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craft

A
†strength, power OE.;

B
skill, deceit OE.;
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C
art, trade OE.;
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D
structure, work XII;
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E
vessels, boats XVII. OE. cræft = OS., (O)HG. kraft, ON. kraptr, with no cogns. outside Gmc. As a second el. of comps. in the sense ‘art’, in handicraft, statecraft, witchcraft.
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Hence craftsman XIV. crafty †strong; †skilful OE.; cunning, wily XIII. OE. cræfti = OS. kraftag, -ig, OHG. kreftig (G. kräftig), ON. krptugr; see -Y 1.

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crag

XIII. of Celt. orig.; not, however, from a form repr. by Ir., Gael. creag, W. craig rock (:- krakjo-) but prob. from an OBrit. crag (:- krako-). Hence craggy XV; see -Y 1.

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crake

(dial.) crow, raven XIV; CORNCRAKE XV. — ON. kráka, krákr, of imit. orig. (cf. CROAK).

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cram

OE. (e)crammian, corr. to MLG. kremmen, ON. kremja squeeze, pinch, Du. krammen cramp, clamp, MHG. krammen claw; f. Gmc. kram- krem-; cf. OE. (e)crimman cram, stuff, and further L. gremium bosom, OSl. gramada, Lith. grmatas heap, Skr. grma- group of men.

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crambo

rhyming game; (contemptuously) rhyme, rhyming. XVII. alt. of †crambe (two sylls.) used XVI–XVIII in phr. echoing Juvenal's crambe repetita (VII. 154) cabbage served up again.

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cramp 1

violent contraction of the muscles. XIV. — (O)F. crampe — MLG., MDu. krampe = OHG. krampho, rel. to OS. kramp, (O)HG. krampf, sb. uses of an adj. meaning ‘bent’; cf. CRIMP. Hence cramp vb. affect with cramp; (in applications infl. by CRAMP 2) compress, confine narrowly. XVI.

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cramp 2

metal bar with bent end(s). XV. — MDu. krampe = OHG. krampho, MHG. kramphe, of the same ult. orig. as prec.

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cranberry

fruit of the shrub Vaccinium oxycoccos. XVII. First used in England for the imported American species, Vaccinium macrocarpon, and thence transf. to the native European kind. Adopted by the colonists of N. America from G. kranbeere or LG. kranebere ‘CRANE-berry’.

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crane

large wading bird OE.; machine for raising and lowering weights (so Gr. géranos, L. grs battering-ram, F. grue, G. kran, etc.). XIV. OE. cran, corr. to MLG. krn, krn, and MDu. crne (Du. kraan), OHG. krano (G. kran machine), also (with k-suffix; cf. hawk, lark), OE. cranoc, cornuc, MLG. krnek, OHG. kranuh, -ih (G. kranich bird); IE. bird-name f. imit. base ger-, repr. also by L. grs, Gr. géranos, Arm. kunk, Lith. garns heron, stork, gérv crane, OSl. erav, W. garan. Hence crane vb. hoist or lower with a crane XVI; stretch one's neck XVIII.

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cranium

XVI. — medL. crnium — Gr. krníon, rel. to kár head, and hence to the group of kéras, L. corn HORN. The comb. form is cranio- (see -O-), as in craniology XIX. Hence cranial XVIII.

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crank 1

portion of an axle bent at right angles. OE. cranc in crancstæf weaver's implement, rel. to crin.an (rare), parallel to crinan fall in battle, of which the primary meaning appears to have been ‘bend up, crook, curl up’, hence ‘shrink, give way, become weak’; cf. (M)HG., Du. krank sick, ill. Cf. CRINGE, CRINKLE.

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crank 2

†bend, crook; fanciful turn of speech XVI; crotchet, whim; (orig. U.S., back-formation from CRANKY) eccentric or crotchety person XIX. prob. ult. identical with prec.

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crank 3

(naut.) liable to capsize. XVII (also cranke sided). perh. to be connected with crank adj. crabbed, awkward (XVIII), infirm, shaky (XIX), and CRANK 1.

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cranky

(dial.) sickly XVIII; out of order; wayward, cross-tempered; (colloq.) crotchety XIX. perh. orig. f. cant †crank (XVI) rogue who feigned sickness (see CRANK 1), but infl. later by assoc. with CRANK 2; see -Y 1.

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crannog

ancient lake-dwelling. XIX. — Ir. crannog, Gael. crannag timber structure, f. crann tree, beam.

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cranny

XV. Earliest form cranye; poss. based on (O)F. cran, cren(ne) :- late popL. crna notch.

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crape

thin gauze-like fabric. XVII (earliest exx. have crispe, crespe). — F. †crespe, crêpe, sb. use of OF. crespe curled, frizzed (see CRISP).

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crapulous

grossly excessive in drink or food XVI; suffering from such excess XVIII. — late L. crpulsus, f. crpula intoxication — Gr. kraipál result of a drunken debauch; see -OUS.

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crash 1

dash to pieces XIV; make the noise of this XVI. imit. formation, perh. partly suggested by craze and dash. Hence as sb. XVI.

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crash 2

coarse linen. XIX. — Russ. krashenína dyed and glossed linen.

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crasis

blending of elements XVII; combination of two vowels in one XIX. — Gr. krâsis mixture, combination, f. base of keránnnai mix.

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crass

coarse, gross XVI; grossly stupid XVII. — L. crassus solid, thick, fat. So crassitude †thickness XV; gross ignorance XVII.

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-crat

repr. F. -crate, Gr. -krats in aristocrate, démocrate partisan of an aristocracy or democracy (at the time of the French Revolution, passing into) member of the aristocracy, etc. The corr. abstr. sbs. end in -CRACY, the adjs. in -cratic(al).

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cratch

(dial.) crib, manger XIII; wooden grating, hurdle XIV. ME. crecche (mod. dial. cretch) — OF. CRÈCHE.

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crate

XVII. Earliest forms creat (XVII), crade (XVIII); poss. introduced with imports from Holland; cf. Du. krat tailboard of a wagon, †basket, †box of a coach, of unkn. orig.

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crater

mouth of a volcano XVII; hole made in the ground by an explosion XIX. — L. crtr bowl, basin, aperture of a volcano — Gr. krtr bowl, lit. mixing-vessel.

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cravat

XVII. — F. cravate, appellative use of Cravate — G. Krawat, dial. var. of Kroat. The early form of the cravat was copied from the linen scarf worn round the neck by Croatian mercenaries in France.

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crave

†demand OE.; beg for XII; yearn for XIV. OE. crafian, rel. to ON. krf request; the base is perh. that of CRAFT, with the radical sense of ‘force, exact’.

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craven

defeated XIII; poor-spirited, pusillanimous XIV; sb. XVI. ME. crauaunt, later crauaunde, cravand, perh. — clipped AN. form (cf. ASSIGN 2) of OF. cravanté overcome, vanquished, pp. of cravanter crush, overwhelm — Rom. crepantre, f. crepant-, prp. stem of L. crepre rattle, burst; later assim. to pps. in -EN 6.

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craw

pouch-like enlargement of the gullet in birds. XIV. — or orig. cogn. with MLG. krage, MDu. crghe (Du. kraag) neck, throat, gullet, of unkn. orig.

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crawfish

see CRAYFISH.

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crawl

XIV. ME. crawle, superseding earlier creule, croule, of unkn. orig.

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crayfish

†crustacean XIV; fresh-water crustacean XV; spiny lobster XVIII. ME. crevis(se), -es(se) — OF. crevis (mod. écrevisse) — OHG. krebiz (G. krebs) CRAB. Stressed orig. on the final syll., the word developed two types, (i) crevis, whence crevish, which became crayfish (XVI), and (ii) cravis which, through cravish, crafish (XVI), became crawfish (XVII), which survives as the U.S. form.

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crayon

XVII. — F., f. craie chalk :- L. crta chalk, clay; see -OON.

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craze

†shatter, crack XIV; †break down in health; impair in intellect (cf. cracked) XV. perh. — ON. krasa (cf. Sw. krasa crunch). Hence craze sb. †crack, flaw XVI; †crack-brain XVII; insane fancy, mania XIX. crazy unsound, liable to fall to pieces; †failing in health XVI; of unsound mind XVII; see -Y 1.

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creak

†croak XIV; †speak stridently or querulously XV; make a shrill grating noise XVI. orig. synon. with †crake (XIV) and CROAK, and of similar imit. orig.

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cream

oily part of milk XIV; best or choice part XVI; applied to purified preparations XVII. ME. creme (creym, craym) — OF. creme, craime, cresme (mod. crème), repr. blending of late L. crmum, crma (perh. of Gaulish orig.) with late L. chrisma CHRISM.

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crease

sb. and vb. XV. In XVI–XVII also creast, which was a frequent var. of CREST; orig. crst, which was reduced to crease by assim. to the var. cress (XVI–XVII) of the vb., the mark of a fold being looked on as a ridge in the material.

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create

XV. first as pp. created, extension (see -ED 1) of †creat (XIV) — L. cretus, pp. of crere bring forth, produce, cause to grow, prob. rel. to crscere grow. So creation XIV. — (O)F. — L. creative XVII. creator XIII. — OF. creat(o)ur (mod. créateur) :- L. cretor, -r-. creature XIII. — (O)F. créature — late L. cretra.

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crèche

public nursery for infants. XIX. — F., ‘manger, crib’, ‘day nursery’ :- Rom. creppia — Frank. krippja CRIB.

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credence

A
†trust, confidence, credit; belief XIV.

B †assaying of food XV; †sideboard for dishes, etc. XVI; (eccl.) in full credence table, side table near an altar for holding vessels XIX. — (O)F. crédence — medL. crdentia (whence It. credenza, the source of F. crédence in the senses under B above), f. crdns, crdent-, prp. of L. crdere believe; see -ENCE.
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So credential recommending or entitling to credit, esp. in letters credential, c. letters XVI; sb. pl. XVII. — medL. crdentilis; see -IAL. credible believable, reliable. XIV. — L. crdibilis; see -IBLE. So credibility XVI. — medL. credit faith, trust; (favourable) repute; power based on confidence; confidence in or reputation of solvency XVI; sum at one's disposal in a bank XVII; acknowledgement of payment (hence fig. phr. give a person credit for) XVIII. — F. crédit — It. credito or L. crditum thing entrusted to one, loan, n. pp. of crdere. Hence, or f. pp. crdit- of crdere, credit vb. put trust in; †do credit to XVI; enter on the credit side of an account XVII; ascribe to XIX. So creditor XV. — AN. creditour, (O)F. créditeur — L. crditor; see -OR 1.

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credo

creed. XII. 1st pers. pres. sg. ind. of L. crdere believe. So credulous ready (now overready) to believe. XVI. f. L. crdulus; see -ULOUS. credulity †belief, credence XV; over-readiness to believe. — (O)F. — L.

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creed

OE. crda — L. crd I believe (with cogns. in Indo-Iranian and Celtic), the first word of the Apostles' and the Nicene Creeds in the Latin versions.

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creek

A
narrow inlet in a coast XIII; arm or branch of a river (esp. in non-British use) XVI;

B
chink, corner, nook XIII.
i ME. crike — ON. kriki chink, nook (in handarkriki armpit), whence also (O)F. crique, which may be partly a source of the Eng. word;
ii ME. crke, either — MDu. crke (Du. kreek creek, bay), or by lengthening of in crike; ult. orig. unkn. (a stem with occurs in ON. krikar m. pl. groin).
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creel

large wicker basket. XV. orig. Sc., of unkn. orig.

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creep

move forward with the body prone and close to the ground OE.; move forward cautiously or slowly XII; grow along the ground, a wall, etc. XVI. OE. cropan str. vb. = OS. criopan, ON. krjúpa :- Gmc. kreupan; cogn. forms have in the pres. stem, as OS. krpan (Du. kruipen, MLG. krpen); rel. to CRIPPLE. Weak forms of the pt. are found as early as c. 1300 and of the pp. in XV.

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creese

see KRIS.

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cremate

XIX. f. pp. stem of L. cremre, or back-formation from cremation XVII. So crematorium XIX.

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crenate

(nat. hist.) notched, finely scalloped. XVIII. — modL. crntus, f. L. crna notch; cf. next and see -ATE 2.

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crenellate

provide with embattlements or embrasures. XIX (first in pp.). f. (O)F. créneler, f. crenel embrasure :- popL. crenellus (medL. kernellus), dim. of late L. crna (see prec.). So crenellation XIX.

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Creole

(descendant of) European or Negro settler in the W. Indies, etc. XVII (criole). — F. créole, earlier criole — Sp. criollo, prob. — Pg. crioulo Negro born in Brazil, home-born slave, formerly of animals reared at home, f. criar nurse, breed :- L. crere CREATE.

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creosote

XIX. — G. kreosote, f. Gr. kreo-, kre-, comb. form of kréas flesh + str saviour, strí safety, with ref. to the antiseptic properties.

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crêpe

transparent dress material, esp. in crêpe de chine ‘China crape’. XIX. — F., see CRAPE.

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crepitation

crackling noise XVII; (path.) sound accompanying breathing in lung disease, etc. XIX. — F. crépitation — late L. crepitti, -n-, f. crepitre, frequent. of crepre crack, creak, of imit. orig. So crepitate XVII; see -ATE 3. crepitus (path.) crepitation. XIX. — L.

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crespuscular

pert. to twilight. XVII. f. L. crepusculum (evening) twilight, f. crepus, creper dark, obscure; see -AR.

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crescendo

(mus.) direction for increase in loudness. XVIII. — It., prp. of crescere INCREASE.

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crescent

figure as of the waxing moon XIV; row of buildings in an arc XVIII. ME. cressa(u)nt — AN. cressaunt, OF. creissant (mod. croissant) :- L. crscns, -ent-, prp. of crscere grow, INCREASE. In XVII assim. to the L. form, which was already current in crescent adj. XVI. See -ENT.

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cress

cruciferous plant with pungent edible leaves. OE. cressa, cresse, cærse, cerse = MLG. kerse, MDu. kersse, korsse (Du. kers), OHG. kresso, kressa (G. kresse) :- WGmc. krasjn, -jan-.

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crest

tuft or plume of feathers; top, ridge XIV; ridge of an animal's neck XVI. — OF. creste (mod. crête) :- L. crista tuft, plume.

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cretaceous

chalky. XVII. f. L. crtceus, f. crta chalk; see -ACEOUS.

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cretin

deformed idiot of the Alpine valleys. XVIII. — F. crétin — Swiss F. creitin, crestin :- L. Chrstinus CHRISTIAN, the reprs. of which in Rom. langs. also mean ‘human being’ as dist. from the brutes.

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cretonne

figured cotton cloth. XIX. — F., f. Creton village in Normandy famous for linen manufacture.

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crevasse

XIX. — F.; see next.

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crevice

XIV. ME. crevace, crevisse, later creves(se), -ice — OF. crevace (mod. crevasse), f. crever burst, split :- L. crepre crack, break with a crash.

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crew

†military reinforcement XV; (armed) company XVI; ship's company XVII. Late ME. crue — OF. creue increase, reinforcement, sb. use of fem. pp. of croistre (mod. croître) :- L. crscere grow, INCREASE.

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crewel

thin worsted yarn. XV. orig. crule, crewle, croole; of unkn. orig.

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crib

rack for fodder, manger OE.; ox-stall; †wicker basket XIV; cabin, hovel XVI; child's bed XVII. OE. crib(b) = OS. kribbia, OHG. krippa (G. krippe); beside OE. crybb (also repr. by crib in standard Eng.) = MLG. krübbe, Du. krub. Hence crib vb. †feed as at a manger XV; confine narrowly XVII; pilfer, thieve XVIII (prob. orig. thieves' cant from the sense ‘basket’ of the sb.).

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cribbage

card-game, a characteristic feature of which is the crib, which consists of cards thrown out from each player's hand and belonging to the dealer. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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crick

painful stiffness in the neck. XV. of unkn. orig.

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cricket 1

chirping house-insect. XIV. — (O)F. criquet †grasshopper, cricket, f. criquer crackle, of imit. orig.

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cricket 2

game played with ball, bat, and wicket. XVI. of uncert. orig.; perh. — OF. criquet stick used as aiming-mark in a ball-game, with which cf. Flem. krick(e) stick.

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crikey

dial. and sl. excl. of astonishment. XIX. euphem. alt. of CHRIST.

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crime

XIV. — (O)F. :- L. crmen judgement, accusation, offence, f. reduced form of base of cernere decide, give judgement; cf. DISCERN. So criminal XV. — late L. crminlis.

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crimp

crumple, wrinkle. Sparsely evidenced before XVII; prob. — (M)LG., (M)Du. krimpen shrink, wrinkle, shrivel = OHG. krimphan (MHG. krimpfen), rel. distantly to OE. (e)crympan curl, with which, though it would now be repr. by crimp, there appears to be no continuity. Cf. CRAMP 1.

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crimson

XIV. ME. crem-, crimesin — medL. cremesnus, var. of kermesnus, or corr. Rom. forms, — Arab. (Pers.) irmiz, f. irmiz KERMES.

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cringe.

XIII ME. crenge, varying with crenche, corr. to OE. crinan, crin.an fall in battle, Du. krengen heel over, and rel to ON. krangr weak, frail, kranga creep along, and MLG., Du., MHG. krenken weaken, injure, (M)LG., (M)HG. krank sick, ill, slight (see CRANK 1).

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cringle

ring or eye of rope. XVII. — LG. kringel, dim. of kring circle, ring.

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crinkle

XVII (in pp. krynkeled, crenkled). frequent. f. base of OE. crin.an yield, orig. weaken, CRINGE; see -LE 2.

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crinoid

lily-shaped. XIX. — Gr. krinoeids, f. krínon lily; see -OID.

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crinoline

stiff fabric of horse-hair, etc.; stiff petticoat. XIX. — F., irreg. f. L. crnis hair + lnum thread, with ref. to the warp of horsehair and the weft of thread.

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cripple

sb. OE. crypel, ME. crüpel, corr. to OLG. krupil; also OE. cropel, ME. crpel, corr. to MLG., MDu. krpel, rel. to CREEP. Hence as vb. XIII.

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crisis

turning-point of a disease XV; vital or decisive stage in events XVII. — L. — Gr. krísis decision, event, turning-point of a disease, f. krnein decide.

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crisp

curly OE.; wrinkled, rippled XIV; brittle but hard or firm XVI. OE. crisp, crips — L. crispus curled.

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criss-cross

A
†figure of a cross; †alphabet XVI;

B
transverse crossing (also adj., adv., and vb.) XIX. Early modEng. c(h)ris(se)-crosse, for Christscrosse figure of a cross, esp. as used in front of the alphabet in hornbooks and primers; in later sense usu. regarded as a redupl. formation on CROSS 1 with variation of vowel.
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criterion

XVII. — Gr. kritrion means of judging, test, f. krits judge.

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critic

XVI. — L. criticus — Gr. kritikós, sb. use of adj. f. krits judge, rel. to CRISIS; see -IC. So critical XVI. f. L. criticus. criticism XVII. criticize XVII. critique criticism, esp. a critical review XVII. later form of †critic(k) XVII, alt. after F. critique, the orig. source, which is based on Gr. (h) kritik the critical art.

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croak

vb. XVI. Preceded by synon. †crok (XIII), with similar imit. formations, viz. OE. cræccettan, ME. †crake (XIV). †creke (see CREAK), †crouk (XIV), †craik (XV).

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crochet

knitting with a hooked needle. XIX. — F., dim. of croc hook (see CROTCH).

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crock 1

earthen pot, etc. OE. croc and crocca, rel. to synon. Icel. krukka, and prob. further to OE. crg ( = OHG. kruog, G. krug), OE. crce ( = OS. krka, Du. kruik, MHG. krche), Ir. crogn, Gael. crog(an), W. crochan, Gr. krssós (:- krkjos).

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crock 2

old ewe XV; old broken-down horse; decrepit person or thing XIX. In earliest use Sc.; perh. of Flem. orig., cf. MDu. kraeke (Du. krak), Flem. krake; presumably rel. to CRACK.

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crocket

†curl; (archit.) small ornament on the inclined side of a pinnacle, etc. XVII; bud of a stag's horn XIX. — var. of (O)F. crochet CROTCHET.

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crocodile.

XIII ME. coko-, cokadrille — OF. cocodrille (mod. crocodile) :- medL. cocodrillus, for crocodlus — Gr. krokódlos, for krokódrlos ‘worm of the stones’, f. krók pebble + drîlos worm. The present form, assim. to L., appears XVI.

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crocus

XVII. — L. — Gr. krókos, of Sem. orig.

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croft

enclosed piece of land OE.; small agricultural holding XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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cromlech

prehistoric erection of large unhewn stones. XVII. — W., f. crom, fem. of crwm bowed, arched + llech flat stone.

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crone

withered old woman XIV; old ewe XVI. prob. — MDu. c(a)roonje carcass, old ewe — ONF. carogne CARRION (also, cantankerous woman), which may be the source of the first sense.

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crony

XVII. Earliest form chrony — Gr. khrónios long-lasting, f. khrónos time; orig. university sl.

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crook

trick, wile XII; hooked instrument; †claw XIII; shepherd's staff, bishop's staff XIV; bend, curve XV. ME. crk — ON. krókr hook, bend. Hence crook vb. bend, curve XII.

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crooked

not straight (lit. and fig.). XIII. f. CROOK sb. + -ED 2, prob. after ON. krókóttr crooked, winding, cunning.

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croon

(dial.) bellow, roar, rumble XIV; utter a low murmuring sound XVIII. north. Eng. and Sc. croyne, crune — MLG., MDu. krnen lament, mourn, groan (Du. kreunen groan, whimper), of imit. orig.

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crop

A
bird's craw OE.;

B
†head of a plant OE.; top of an object XV; upper part of a whip XVI (hence, whipstock with a handle and loop XIX);
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C
produce of plants used for food XIII. OE. crop(p), corr. to MLG., MDu. kropp, (O)HG. kropf, ON. kroppr; further relations uncert.
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Hence crop vb. lop. poll XIII; pluck, pull XIV; raise a crop on, bear a crop XVI; come up to the surface XVII; whence a new sb. crop cropping (in various uses) XVII.

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croquet

XIX. Supposed to be — var. of F. crochet hook; see CROCHET, CROTCHET.

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croquette

fried ball of potato, etc. XVIII (occas. croquet). — F., f. croquer crunch, of imit. orig.; see -ETTE.

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crosier, crozier

†cross-bearer to an archbishop XIV; bearer of a bishop's pastoral staff, hence (through the phr. crosier('s) staff) the staff itself XIV. Two words have blended here, (i) — F. croisier cross-bearer, f. crois CROSS, (ii) — OF. crocier, crossier bearer of a bishop's crosse or crook (OF. croce :- Rom. croccia, f. croccus CROOK).

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cross 1

gibbet consisting of a vertical post with transverse bar; sign or symbol representing this, esp. in Christian use. Late OE. cros — ON. kross — OIr. cros — L. CRUX. cruc-, whence also OF. croiz (mod. croix), Sp. cruz, etc. The L. word is also repr. by OE. cr., ME. crouch (whence crouched adj. wearing a cross, esp. in Crouched, later Crutched, Friars, earlier †crossed freres). Hence cross vb. †crucify; set or lie in a cross-position XIV (draw a line across XVIII); mark with a cross; put or pass across XV; thwart, oppose XVI.

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cross 2 adj.

lying or passing athwart; contrary, opposite; †contentious XVI; out of humour, peevish XVII. Partly attrib. use of CROSS 1, partly ellipt. use of CROSS 3 adv.

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cross 3

† adv. crosswise, and prep. across. XVI. Aphetic of ACROSS; the prep. survives in crosscountry adj. (XVIII).

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crotch

fork or fork-shaped stake, branch, etc. XVI. perh. identical with ME. croche crook, crozier — OF. croche hook, etc., f. crocher, f. croc hook — ON. krókr CROOK.

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crotchet

A
†crocket XIV; hook (latterly techn.) XV;

B
(mus.) note in the form of a stem with a black head XV;
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C
whimsical fancy XVI. — (O)F. crochet, dim. of croc hook (see prec.); see -ET.
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croton

XVIII. — modL. — Gr. krótn sheep-tick, castor-oil plant.

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crouch

XIV. poss. — OF. crochir be bent, f. croc hook (see CROTCH).

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croup 1

hindquarters. XIII. — (O)F. croupe :- Rom. croppa — Gmc. krupp, rel. to CROP.

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croup 2

throat-disease with a sharp cough. XVIII. f. croup vb. XVI, of imit. orig.

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croupier

† second standing behind a gamester; raker-in of money at a gaming-table; assistant chairman at a dinner. XVIII. — F., orig. one who rides behind on the croup, f. croupe CROUP 1.

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crow 1

black carrion-feeding bird OE.; bar of iron with beak-like end XIV. OE. crwe, corr. to OS. kria (Du kraai), OHG. krwa, kr(ha) (G. krähe); f. next.

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crow 2

utter the cry of a cock. OE. crwan, corr. to Du. kraaien, OHG. kr(w)en (G. krähen). WGmc. word of imit. orig. The str. pt. is still prevalent in the proper sense, but crowed is used in the sense ‘utter joyful cries’. Hence crow sb. act of crowing XIII.

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crowd

press on OE.; †push; press in a throng XIV; fill up with compression XVI. OE. crdan intr. push forward, orig. str. vb. corr. to MLG., MDu. krden; cf. OE. croda crowd. Hence crowd sb. dense multitude. XVI.

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crown

circlet, wreath, etc., worn on the head XII; †tonsure; vertex of the skull XIII; various coins, orig. bearing the figure of a crown XV; top, summit XVI. ME. c(o)rune (superseding OE. corona) — AN. corune, OF. corone (mod. couronne) :- L. corna wreath, chaplet — Gr. korn anything bent (kornís crown), rel. to curvus bent (see CURVE). So crown vb. XII. — AN. coruner, OF. coroner (mod. couronner) :- L. cornre; cf. CORONATION.

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crowner

see CORONER.

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crozier

see CROSIER.

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crucial

cross-shaped XVIII; that decides between rival hypotheses, decisive XIX. — F., f. L. crux, cruc- CROSS 1; see -IAL.

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crucible

vessel for fusing metals. XV (early forms corusible, kressibulle). — medL. crucibulum night-lamp, crucible, f. L. crux, cruc- CROSS 1; perh. orig. lamp hanging before a crucifix.

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crucifer

cross-bearer XVI; cruciferous plant XIX. — ChrL., f. L. crux, cruc- CROSS 1; see -FEROUS. So cruciferous bearing or wearing a cross XVII; (bot.) belonging to the Cruciferae (having petals crosswise) XIX. cruciform cross-shaped. XVII. — modL.

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crucifix

figure of Christ on the cross. XIII. — (O)F. — late L. crucifixus, i.e. cruc fixus fixed to a cross. So crucifixion XVII. — late L. crucify put to death on a cross. XIII. — (O)F. crucifier :- Rom. crucificre, repl. ChrL. crucifigere, i.e. cruc figere FIX to a CROSS.

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crude

in a raw state XIV; ill-digested, not matured XVI. — L. crdus raw, rough, cruel; see RAW. So crudity XV.

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cruel

XIII. — (O)F. :- L. crdlis, rel. to crdus CRUDE. So cruelty XIII. — OF. crualté (mod. cruauté) :- Rom. crdlits, for L. crdlits.

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cruet

small bottle or vial. XIII. — AN. cruet(e), dim. of OF. crue — OS. krka (see CROCK 1).

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cruise

vb. XVII. prob. — Du. kruisen cross, f. kruis sb. (cf. CROSS 1). So cruiser XVII.

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crumb

sb. OE. cruma, corr. with variation of vowel to MDu. crme (Du. kruim), MLG., MDu. crme, (M)HG. krme, Icel. kr(a)umr; rel. to L. grmus mound, Gr. grmé crumb. The parasitic b appears XVI. Hence crumb vb. superseding †crim (XV) — OE. ecrymman :- krumjan. crumble vb. break into crumbs or little bits. XVI.

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crumpet

XVII. of doubtful orig.

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crumple

XVI. f. crump curve, curl up (XIV), rel. to CRAMP 1; see -LE 2.

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crunch

crush with the teeth. XIX. var. of craunch (XVII), assim. to munch.

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crupper

leather strap passing under a horse's tail XIII; horse's hindquarters XVI. — AN. cropere, OF. cropiere (mod. croupière) :- Rom. croppria, -ria, f. croppa — Gmc. krupp- CROP; see -ER 2.

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crural

pert. to the leg. XVI. — L. crrlis, f. crs, crr- leg; see -AL 1.

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crusade

military expedition for the recovery of the Holy Land from the Muslims XVI; gen. XVII. The earlier forms were (i) croisade (XVI) — F., alt. of earlier croisée by assim. to the Sp. form (see -ADE); (ii) crusado, -ada (XVI) — Sp. cruzada; (iii) croisado, -ada (XVII), blends of (i) and (ii). Cf. CROSS 1. The current form is first recorded XVIII.

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crush

†crash, clash; compress with violence XIV; break down the power of XVI. — AN. crussir, corussier, OF. croissir, cruissir gnash (the teeth), crash, crack :- Rom. cruscre, of unkn. orig.

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crust

XIV. ME. crouste — OF. crouste (mod. croûte) :- L. crusta rind, shell, incrustation, rel. to Gr. krúos frost, krústallos CRYSTAL, L. crdus CRUDE, OHG. hrosa crust, ice, OE. hruse earth, ON. hrúr crust, scab. Hence crusted, crusty XIV.

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crustaceous

that is or having a hard integument; of the crustacea. XVII. f. modL. crustceus, f. L. crusta CRUST; see -ACEOUS. So crustacea XIX. — modL., n. pl. of the adj.

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crutch

staff with crosspiece for an infirm person. OE. cry.(.) = OS. krukka, OHG. krucka (G. krücke), ON. krykkja; cf. CROOK.

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Crutched Friars

see CROSS 1.

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crux pl. cruxes, cruces

†conundrum, riddle XVIII; difficulty the solution of which perplexes XIX. — L., ‘CROSS 1’; short for crux interpretum, crux philosophorum torment of interpreters, of philosophers.

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cry

call out (for); announce publicly; shout in lamentation XIII; weep XVI. — (O)F. crier :- L. quirtre cry aloud, wail. So cry sb. loud utterance. XIII. — (O)F. cri.

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cryo-

comb. form of Gr. krúos frost, icy cold.

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crypt

XVIII. — L. crypta — Gr. krúpt vault, sb. use of fem. of kruptós hidden. Cf. GROT.

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cryptic

hidden, secret. XVII. — late L. crypticus — Gr. kruptikós, f. kruptós; see prec. and -IC. So crypto- used as comb. form of Gr. kruptós hidden, as in cryptography secret manner of writing. XVII. — modL. cryptographia. So cryptographer XVII.

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crystal

†ice; pure quartz (resembling ice) OE.; piece of rock crystal, etc., XIV; highly transparent glass XVI; mineralogical form XVII. — (O)F. cristal — L. crystallum — Gr. krústallos ice, f. krustaínein freeze, krúos frost. So crystalline XIV. — (O)F. cristallin — L. — Gr.; see -INE 1. crystallize XVI.

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cub

young of the fox, bear, etc. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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cubby-hole

XIX. f. dial. cub cattle-pen, coop, crib, prob. of LG. orig. (cf. COVE 1).

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cube

XVI. — (O)F. cube or L. cubus — Gr. kúbos. So cubic, cubical XV. cubism form of pictorial art in which the design is based on cubes. XX. — F. cubisme.

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cubeb

berry of the shrub Piper cubeba. XIV (quibibe). — (O)F. cubèbe, †quibibe :- Rom. cubba — Arab. kabba.

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cubicle

†bedchamber XV; one of a series of sleeping-rooms XIX. — L. cubiculum, f. cubre recline, lie in bed; see -CLE.

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cubit

†forearm; measure of length derived from this. XIV. — L. cubitum elbow, distance from the elbow to the finger-tips.

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cucking-stool

instrument of punishment consisting of a chair (sometimes in the form of a close-stool) in which the offender was exposed or ducked. XIII. orig. varying with †cuckstool (XIII); presumably f. †cuck void excrement — ON. kúka, rel. to kúkr excrement.

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cuckold

husband of an unfaithful wife. XIII (cukeweld, later cokewold, cokwald, cocold). — AN. cucuald, var. of OF. cucuault, f. cucu CUCKOO + pejorative suffix -ald, -aud, -ault.

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cuckoo

XIII. — OF. cucu (mod. coucou); of imit. orig.

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cucumber

Late ME. cucumer (XIV–XVII) was superseded by cucumber (XV), †cocomber, by assim. to OF. co(u)combre (mod. concombre) — L. cucumer.

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cud

half-digested food of a ruminant. OE. cudu, earlier cwudu, cwidu what is chewed, mastic, corr. to OHG. quiti, kuti glue (G. kitt cement, putty) and rel. ult. to L. bitmen BITUMEN, pitch, Skr. játu resin, gum and further to ON. kváða resin.

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cudbear

dyeing powder prepared from lichen. XVIII. f. var. Cudber(t) of the name of Dr. Cuthbert Gordon , who patented the powder.

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cuddle

XVIII. perh. f. dial. couth comfortable, snug + -LE 2. But cf. †cull (XVI) fondle, var. of †coll (XIV) aphetic — OF. acoler embrace.

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cudgel

OE. cy.el, of unkn. orig.

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cue 1

actor's word(s) serving as a signal for another to enter or speak; (hence) hint. XVI (q, qu, quew, kew, cue). of unkn. orig.

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cue 2

pigtail; billiard-player's stick. XVIII. var. of QUEUE.

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cuff 1

†glove, mitten XIV; band at the bottom of a sleeve XVI; fetter for the wrist XVII. of unkn. orig.

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cuff 2

strike with the fist or open hand. perh. imit. of the sound. Hence cuff sb. XVI.

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cuirass

armour for the body (orig. of leather). XV. — F. cuirasse, †curas, †-ace, perh. — It. corazza :- Rom. coricia, sb. use of fem. of L. coriceus, f. corium leather (see -ACEOUS). So cuirassier XVII.

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cuisine

cookery. XVIII. — F. cuisine kitchen, cookery :- L. coquna (cf. KITCHEN).

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cuisse, cuish

thigh-piece of armour. XV. pl. cus(c)hes, cushies, cuisses, later forms of ME. cussues, quyssues (XIV) — OF. cuisseaux, pl. of cuissel :- late L. coxle, f. coxa hip.

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cul-de-sac

(anat.) vessel, etc., open at only one end XVIII; blind alley XIX. — F., lit. ‘bottom of the sack’.

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-cule

terminal element (var. with -CLE) repr. F. -cule, L. -culus, -a, -um, dim. suffix of all three genders.

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culinary

XVII. — L. culnrius, f. culna kitchen; see KILN, -ARY.

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cull

select, pick XV; gather XVII. Earlier co(i)le and (rare) cuyl (XIV). — OF. coilli(e)r, cuiller, (also mod.) cueillir, repr. L. colligere (see COLLECT 2), Rom. colgere.

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cullet

refuse glass with which crucibles are replenished. XVII. Earlier collet neck of glass left on the end of a blowing-iron — OF. collet, dim. of col, cou neck :- L. collum (cf. COLLAR); but cf. F. cueillette rags collected for making paper.

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cully

(sl.) dupe, simpleton; man, mate. XVII. prob. orig. rogues' cant; of unkn. orig.

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culm 1

(dial.) coal dust XIV; soot XV; anthracite XVIII (hence geol. series of shales containing anthracite XIX). repr. earlier in colmie (XIII), culmy (XIV) sooty; of unkn. orig., but presumably based on col COAL.

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culm 2

(bot.) stalk of a plant. XVII. — L. culmus; cf. HAULM.

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culminate

XVII. f. pp. stem of late L. culminre exalt, extol, f. culmen, culmin- summit, acme; see -ATE 3. So culmination XVII.

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culpable

guilty XIV; blameworthy XVII. ME. coupable — (O)F. :- L. culpbilis, f. culpre blame, censure, f. culpa blame; see -ABLE. The sp. and pronunc. were later assim. to L. Hence culpability XVII.

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culprit

in the formula ‘Culprit, how will you be tried?’, formerly said by the Clerk of the Crown to a prisoner who pleaded Not Guilty; the accused XVII; (by assoc. with L. culpa guilt) offender XVIII. According to legal tradition, compounded of cul, short for AN. culpable guilty (cf. prec.), and pri(s)t ( = OF. prest, F. prêt) ready; it is supposed that, when the prisoner had pleaded Not Guilty, the Clerk replied with Culpable: prest daverrer notre bille, i.e. ‘Guilty: ready to aver our indictment’, and that this was noted in the form cul. prist.

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cult

XVII. — F. culte or L. cultus, sb. of action f. colere inhabit, cultivate, protect, honour with worship (see COLONY).

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cultivate

XVII. f. medL. cultivre, -t-, f. medL. cultvus, in cultva terra arable land, f. cult-, pp. stem of colere; see prec., -IVE, -ATE 3. So cultivation XVIII, cultivator XVII.

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culture

piece of tilled land; cultivation XV; cultivating of the mind, etc., XVI; intellectual training and refinement XIX. — F. culture (repl. earlier †couture) or its source L. cultra, f. cult-; see prec. and -URE. Hence cultural XIX.

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culverin

gun and cannon formerly in use. XV. — (O)F. coulevrine, f. couleuvre snake :- Rom. colobra, for L. colubra, beside coluber snake; see -INE 1.

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culvert

tunnel drain for water crossing a road, etc. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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cumber

†harass, overwhelm XIII; burden, load XIV. prob. aphetic of †acumber, ENCUMBER, but there are difficulties of chronology. Hence cumbersome †obstructive, harassing XIV; inconveniently bulky or heavy XVI; see -SOME. cumbrous XIV.

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Cumbrian

pert. to Cumberland or to the ancient British kingdom of Cumbria. XVIII. f. medL. Cumbria, f. W. Cymry (cf. CYMRIC) :- OW. kombrog, pl. of kombrogos fellow countryman, f. kom- COM- + mrog- (W. bro) region (cf. MARK 1); see -IAN.

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cummerbund

XVII. — Hind. — Pers. kamarband ‘waist-band’.

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cum(m)in

XII. — OF. cumin, comin :- L. cumnum — Gr. kúmnon, prob. of Sem. orig.

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cumquat

small variety of orange. XVII. Cantonese var. of Chinese kin kü ‘gold orange’.

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cumulate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. cumulre, f. cumulus heap; see -ATE 3. So cumulative XVII. cumulus heap, accumulation XVII; (meteor.) cloud of rounded masses heaped one on the other XIX.

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cuneiform

wedge-shaped, spec. of the elements of Assyrian and other inscriptions. XVII (cune(o)form). — F. cunéiforme or modL. cuneiformis, f. cuneus wedge (cf. COIN); see -FORM.

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cunning

learning, wisdom XIV; (arch.) ability, skill XIV; skilful deceit, craftiness XVI. perh. — ON. kunnandi, f. kunna know (see CAN 2). So cunning adj. †learned XIII; able, skilful XIV; crafty, artful XVI. — ON. kunnandi. In both words the ON. suffix has been assim. to the native -ING 1, -ING 2; the sb. was perh. modelled on the adj. rather than derived immed. from ON.

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cup

OE. cuppe — medL. cuppa, presumably differentiated var. of L. cpa tub, vat. ME. byforms c(o)upe, cop(p)e repr. partly OF. cupe, etc. (mod. coupe), but there was some blending with the descendant of OE. (late Nhb.) copp = MLG., Du. kop, (O)HG. kopf head. Hence cupboard †sideboard (to hold cups, etc.) XIV; cabinet XVI.

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cupel

vessel for assaying gold and silver. XVII. — F. coupelle — late L. cpella, dim. of cpa (see CUP); assim. to the L. form.

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Cupid

XIV. — L. Cupd, personification of cupd desire, f. cupere desire, long for. So cupidity XV. — F. cupidité or L. cupidits, f. cupidus, eagerly desirous, f. cupere; see -ID 1, -ITY.

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cupola

rounded dome XVI; furnace for melting metals, orig. with a dome leading to the chimney XVIII. — It. — late L. cpula little cask, small burying-vault, dim. of cpa (see CUP).

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cupreous

of copper. XVII. f. late L. cupreus, f. cuprum COPPER 1; see -EOUS.

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cupro-

used as comb. form (see -O-) of late L. cuprum COPPER 1.

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cur

watch-dog, shepherd's dog; now always, low-bred dog. XIII. prob. orig. in cur-dog, perh. f. ON. kurr grumbling, kurra murmur, grumble, as if ‘growling dog’.

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curaçao

liqueur flavoured with rind of bitter oranges. XIX. — F. name of one of the Antilles that produces the oranges.

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curare

substance obtained from plants, used by S. Amer. Indians to poison arrows. XVIII. Also woorara (XVIII), urari, (w)oorali, (wo)urali (all XIX). — Carib.

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curate

(arch.) one having the cure of souls XIV; assistant to a parish priest XVI. — medL. crtus, f. cra CURE; see -ATE 1. Hence curacy XVII.

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curative

XV. — F. curatif, -ive — medL.; see -ATIVE.

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curator

†one having a cure of souls XIV; guardian of a minor, lunatic, etc., XV; manager, governor, spec. as member of an academic body XVII. — AN. curatour, (O)F. curateur, or the source L. crtr, -r-, agent-noun f. crre; see CURE, -ATOR.

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curb 1

chain or strap passing under a horse's lower jaw and fastened to the bit. XV. Early forms co(u)rbe, prob. f. †co(u)rbe vb. bend, curve (XIV) — (O)F. courber :- L. curvre CURVE. Hence curb vb. put a curb on (a horse); restrain, check. XVI.

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curb 2

enclosing framework or border. XVI. f. CURB 1. See also KERB.

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curd

coagulated substance formed from milk. XIV. ME. crud(de), crod(de); the present form dates from XV; of unkn. orig., but Gael., (M)Ir. gruth curds have been plausibly compared. Hence curd vb. curdle XIV. curdle form into curd(s). XVI; see -LE 2.

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cure

A
†care, charge, office XIII; spiritual charge, as of a parish XIV;

B
(successful) medical treatment XIV. — (O)F. :- L. cra.
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So cure vb. A. †take care or charge of XIV; B. †treat medically; heal XIV; preserve for keeping XVII. — (O)F. curer take care of, clean :- L. crre care for, cure, f. cra. curable XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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curette

surgeon's small scraping instrument. XVIII. — F. curette, f. curer (see CURE) in the sense ‘clear, cleanse’ + -ETTE.

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curfew

ringing of an evening bell for the covering or extinction of domestic fires; also transf. and gen. XIII. — AN. coeverfu (mod. couvrefeu), f. tonic stem of couvrir COVER + feu fire :- L. focus hearth.

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curia

(Rom. antiq.) XVI; Papal Court XIX. — L. cria division of the Roman people, its place of assembly, (hence) senate; of unkn. orig. So curial XV. — F. — L.

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curio

XIX. Shortening of curiosity, prob. suggested by the form of It. words.

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curious

A
†careful, studious; †ingenious, skilled; eager to know or learn;

B
†carefully or skilfully wrought XIV; †interesting XVII; exciting attention by being strange or odd XVII. — OF. curios (mod. curieux) :- L. crisus (only in subjective sense) careful, inquisitive, f. cra care; see CURE, -IOUS.
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So curiosity †carefulness, attention XIV; eager desire to know, inquisitiveness XVI.

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curl

twist or form into ringlets. First recorded (XIV) in pp. crolled, crulled, extended form with -ED 1 of ME. crolle, crulle — MDu. krul ( = MHG. krol) curly, prob. rel. to MLG. krs crisp, curly (G. kraus curled). Hence curl sb. XVII; whence curly (see -Y 1) XVIII.

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curlew

†quail; wading bird with musical cry. XIV. ME. cor-, curlu(e) — (O)F. courlieu, var. of courlis, orig. imit. of the bird's cry, but prob. assim. to OF. courliu courier, messenger, f. courre run (cf. CURRENT), lieu place :- L. locus (cf. LOCAL).

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curling

Sc. game played on the ice with large rounded stones. XVII. perh. f. CURL with ref. to the motion given to the stone; see -ING 1. Also curler; whence prob. curl vb. XVIII.

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curmudgeon

miser, churl. XVI. Early vars. are cormogeon, curmuggion, curre-megient; of unkn. orig.

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currach

(Sc. and Anglo-Ir.) small wicker boat. XV. — Ir., Gael. curach boat; cf. CORACLE.

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currant

dried fruit prepared from a dwarf seedless grape of the Levant; transf. (XVI) to species of Ribes, popularly supposed to be the source of the Levantine currant. orig. (XIV) in pl. phr. raysons of coraunce (see RAISIN) — AN. raisins de corauntz, for OF. raisins de Corinthe grapes of Corinth (their orig. place of export).

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current

flowing XIII; in circulation or vogue XV; in progress XVII. ME. cora(u)nt — OF. corant, prp. of courre :- L. currere run; see -ENT. Also sb. stream XIV; course, progress (of time, etc.) XVI; (electr.) XVIII. Hence currency circulation, vogue XVII; medium of exchange XVIII.

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curricle

two-wheeled carriage. XVIII. — L. curriculum racing-chariot, dim. f. currere (see prec.). In the orig. sense of ‘course’ the L. word curriculum has been adopted (XIX) for ‘course of study or training’.

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currier

leather-dresser. XIV. ME. corier — OF. :- L. coririus, f. corium leather.

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curry 1

rub down with a comb and brush XIII; dress (tanned leather) XV. — OF. correier arrange, equip, curry (a horse) :- Rom. conrdre, modelled on Gmc. zarðjan, f. za- Y- + raið- READY. Hence currycomb XVI.

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curry 2

dish (esp. of rice) cooked with a preparation of turmeric. XVI (carriel), XVII (carree). — Tamil kari relish with rice, Kannada kari.

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curse

utterance consigning an object to evil; formal ecclesiastical censure OE.; evil inflicted by supernatural power XVI. Late OE. curs, of unkn. orig.; it has been referred to OIr. crsagim I censure. chastise. Hence curse vb.; late OE. cursian.

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cursive

written in a ‘running’ hand. XVIII. — medL. cursvus (in scriptura cursiva), f. curs-, pp. stem of L. currere run; see -IVE.

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cursory

XVII. — L. cursrius, f. cursor runner; see prec. and -ORY 2. So cursorily adv. XVI; see -LY 2.

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curt

short, terse XVII; so brief as to be lacking in courtesy XIX. — L. curtus cut short.

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curtail

†dock; cut short. XVI. orig. curtal(l), f. †curtal horse with docked tail (XV) — F. courtault, -auld (mod. courtaud), f. court short; assoc. at an early date with TAIL 1.

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curtain

sb. XIII. ME. cortine, curtine, later curtain(e), -ein(e) — OF. cortine (mod. courtine) :- late L. cortna, used in the Vulgate (Exodus 26: 1) to render Gr. aulaía curtain (f. aul court), as if it was regarded as a deriv. of L. co(ho)rt- COURT, whereas in classical L. it meant ‘cauldron’ and was hence applied to circular or arched objects. Hence curtain vb. XIII.

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curtana

pointless sword used at English coronations. XIII. — Al. curtna fem. (sc. spatha sword) — AN. curtain, OF. cortain name of Roland's sword, so called because it had broken at the point when thrust into a block of steel, f. cort, curt short.

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curtilage

area attached to and enclosing a dwelling-house. XIV. — AN. curtilage, OF. co(u)rtillage, f. co(u)rtil small court, f. cort COURT; see -AGE.

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curts(e)y

XVI. var. of COURTESY, formerly used in various senses of this, but restricted since c. 1700. Hence as vb. XVI.

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curve

†curved XV; sb. short for curve line XVII. — L. curvus, app. rel. to Gr. kurtós curved, and further to circus CIRCLE, corna CROWN. So curve vb. XVII. — L. curvre. curvature XV. — OF. or L.

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curvet

special leap of a horse in the manège. XVI. — It. corvetta, dim. of corva, early form of curva curve :- L. curva, fem. of curvus; see prec. and -ET. Hence as vb. XVI.

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cushion

XIV. Two types are repr. in ME. by (i) quisshon, (ii) cushin — OF. (i) coissin, cuissin, (ii) cossin, cussin, (also mod.) coussin :- a Gallo-Rom. form based on L. culcita mattress, cushion.

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cushy

(sl.) easy, comfortable. XX (orig. used in the British army in India). f. Hind. (- Pers.) ku excellent, charming, healthy, happy + -Y 1.

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cusp

(astrol.) entrance of a house XVI; point, apex XVII. — L. cuspis, -id- point, pointed weapon. So cuspidate(d) sharp-pointed. XVII. — pp. of L. cuspidre, see -ATE 2.

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cuspidor

(U.S.) spittoon. XVIII. — Pg. cuspidor spitter, f. cuspir spit :- conspure, for L. conspuere, f. CON- (intensive) + spuere spit.

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cuss 1

(orig. U.S.) colloq. var. of CURSE. So cussed pp. used as adj.

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cuss 2

(sl.) person or thing regarded as an affliction or a nuisance; (humorously) fellow, chap. XVIII. prob. orig. identical with CUSS 1, but later regarded as short for customer.

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custard

†open meat or fruit pie, thickened with eggs, etc. XV; dish or sweet made from eggs beaten up with milk XVII. In early recipes varying with †custade, also †crustarde — AN. crustade, f. cruste, OF. crouste CRUST; see -ADE.

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custody

safe-keeping XV; the keeping of an officer of justice; imprisonment XVI. — L. custdia, f. custs, custd- guardian, keeper; see -Y 3. Hence custodian XVIII.

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custom

habitual practice XII; established usage; tribute, impost XIV; business, patronage XVI. — OF. custome, co(u)stume (mod. coutume) :- costumne, for costudne :- L. consuetd, -din-, f. consuscere accustom, accustom oneself, f. CON- + suscere become accustomed, f. su g. sg. of refl. pron. ‘oneself’. So customary liable to customs or dues, holding by custom XVI; accustomed XVII. — medL. custumrius, f. custuma, f. AN. custume. customer †customary tenant; †collector of customs XIV; customary purchaser XV; (colloq.) person (to have to do with) XVI. orig. — AN. custumer, medL. custumrius; in some senses newly f. custom; see -ER 1.

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cut 1

lot, in phr. draw cuts formerly cut. XIII. of unkn. orig.

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cut 2

make a way with an edged instrument into (an object). XIII. The earlier dial. vars. cutte, kitte, kette point to an OE. cyttan, f. kut- cf. Norw. kutte, Icel. kuta cut with a little knife, kuti sb. little blunt knife). Hence cut sb. XVI.

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cutaneous

XVI. — modL. cutneus, f. L. cutis skin; see HIDE 1, -AN, -EOUS.

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cute

clever XVIII; (U.S.) attractive XIX. Aphetic of ACUTE.

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cuticle

epidermis. XVII. — L. cutcula, dim. of cutis; see CUTANEOUS.

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cutlass

XVI. — F. coutelas, corr. to It. coltellaccio, repr. Rom. cultellceum, f. L. cultellus, dim. of culter COULTER.

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cutler

XIV. — AN. cotillere, (O)F. coutelier, f. coutel (mod. couteau) knife :- L. cultellus, dim. of culter COULTER; see -ER 2. So cutlery XIV.

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cutlet

XVIII. — F. côtelette, OF. costelette, dim. of coste (mod. côte) rib :- L. costa; assim. to CUT 2 sb. and -LET.

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cutter

ship's rowing and sailing boat; small one-masted vessel. XVIII. perh. f. CUT 2 + -ER 1.

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cuttle

cuttle-fish (XVI). Later OE. cudele, ME. codel, f. base of COD 1, with allusion to its ink-bag. The unexpl. change of -d- to -t- appears XV (cotul).

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-cy

suffix corr. to F. -tie, †-cie, originating in L. -cia, -tia, Gr. -k(e)í, -t(e)í, f. -k-, -t- + -a, etc. -Y 3; occurs chiefly in -ACY, -ANCY, -CRACY, -ENCY, -MANCY. On the model of prophet/prophecy was formed idiocy from idiot, and thence secrecy from secret. The correspondence of agent and agency and consequently of lieutenant and lieutenancy gave rise to captaincy, chaplaincy, from captain, chaplain. The suffix is added to some words ending in t, as bankruptcy, baronetcy, paramountcy.

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cyan(o)-

comb. form of Gr. kúanos dark-blue mineral, kuáneos dark-blue, in designation of certain bluish salts and minerals, as cyanogen (XIX) — F. cyanogène, so named from its entering into the composition of Prussian blue. So cyanic, cyanide, etc.

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cybernetics

theory of control and communication in animals and machines. XX. f. Gr. kubernts steersman, f. kubernân steer, GOVERN; see -ICS.

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cyclamen

XVI. — medL. cyclamen, for L. cyclamnos, -on — Gr. kuklámnos, perh. f. kúklos circle, CYCLE, with ref. to its bulbous roots.

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cycle

recurrent period of years XIV (only occas. before XVII); recurrent succession of things XVII; series of poems, etc., relating to a central event or epoch XIX. — F. cycle or late L. cyclus — Gr. kúklos circle (see WHEEL). So cyclic XVIII. — F. cyclique or L. cyclicus or Gr. kuklikós.

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cyclo-

comb. form of Gr. kklos CYCLE, in: (i) scientific terms denoting circular or coiled forms or parts, e.g. cyclostomatous, cyclostomous having a round sucking mouth, as the lamprey, (ii) names of inventions having circular parts of concerned with circles, e.g. cyclometer instrument for measuring arcs, apparatus for registering distance travelled by a vehicle. XIX.

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cyclone

orig. storm in which the wind takes a circular course XIX; (hence) tornado; system of rotating winds. prob. intended to repr. Gr. kúklma wheel, coil of a snake, f. kúklos CYCLE; cyclome occurs as an early var.

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cyclopaedia

XVII. Clipped form of ENCYCLOPAEDIA (in Gr. form in the title of ‘Lucubrationes vel potius absolutissime uoí by Joachim Fortius Ringelbergius , 1541). As the title of an English work it appears first in Ephraim Chambers's ‘Cyclopædia, or General Dictionary of Arts and Sciences’ (1728).

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Cyclops

(Gr. myth.) one of a race of one-eyed giants. XV. — L. Cyclps — Gr. Kúklps ‘round-eyed’, f. kúklos (see CYCLE) + ps EYE.

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cyder

var. of CIDER.

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cygnet

XV (signett). prob. — AN. cignet, f. OF. cigne (mod. cygne) swan, latinized form of earlier †ci(s)ne :- medL. (Rom.) ccinus, for L. cycnus (in late MSS. cygnus) — Gr. kúknos; see -ET.

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cylinder

XVI. — L. cylindrus — Gr. kúlindros roller, f. kulindein roll. So cylindrical XVII. f. modL. cylindricus — Gr. kulindrikós.

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Cymric

pert. to the Welsh or their language. XIX. f. W. Cymru Wales, Cymry the Welsh, CUMBRIAN; see -IC.

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cynic

sect of ascetic philosophers in ancient Greece; sneering critic. XVI. — L. cynicus — Gr. kunikós dog-like, churlish, Cynic (the application being derived from the gymnasium (Kunósarges) where they taught or from certain dog-like qualities), f. kún, kun- dog (HOUND); see -IC. So cynical XVI, cynicism XVII.

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cynosure

constellation Ursa Minor; ‘guiding star’ XVI; centre of interest XVII. — F. cynosure or L. cynosra — Gr. kunósoura, f. kunós, g. of kn dog + our tail.

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cypher

see CIPHER.

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cypress

dark-foliaged coniferous tree. XIII. ME. cipres (assim. later to L.) — OF. cipres (mod. cyprès) — late L. cypressus — Gr. kupárissos.

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Cyrillic

of the alphabet used by Slavonic peoples in the Eastern Church, the invention of which is traditionally attributed to the Greek missionary Cyril (IX). XIX; see -IC.

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cyst

sac, esp. of morbid matter. XVIII. — modL. cystis — Gr. kústis bladder.

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czar, tzar, tsar

emperor of Russia. XVI. Russ. tsar', ult. repr. L. Caesar through the medium of Gmc., in which the word meant ‘emperor’ (cf. MLG. ke(y)ser, OHG. keisar, ON. keisari, Goth. kaisar).

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D

dab 1

(dial.) strike with a sharp blow XIV; strike with soft pressure XVI. Rare before XVI, when there may have been a fresh formation, but perh. in continuous use from early times; of imit. orig., but cf. DABBLE.

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dab 2

small flatfish. XV. of unkn. orig.

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dab 3

adept, expert. XVII. of unkn. orig. Hence synon. dabster XVIII.

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dabble

make or become wet by splashing or dipping. XVI. — Du. †dabbelen, or f. DAB 1 + -LE 2.

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dabchick

XVI. The early forms dap-, dop-chick, and (later) dipchick suggest connection with OE. dufe doppa ‘pelicanus’. ME. doue/doppe, dyve dap (later divedopper, -dapper), OE. dop ened, dop/fugol moorhen, and hence with the base deup- dup- (see DEEP, DIP).

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dabster

see DAB 3.

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da capo

(mus.) direction to repeat from a certain point. XVIII. — It., da from, capo beginning (:- Rom. capum, for L. caput head; see CHIEF).

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dace

XV (da(r)ce, darse). — OF. dars, nom. of dart dace (identical with DART).

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dachshund

XIX — G., lit. ‘badger-dog.’

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dacoit

class of robber in India and Burma. XIX. — Hindi akait, f. k gang-robbery.

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dactyl

†date (fruit); (pros.) the foot — . XIV. — L. dactylus — Gr. dáktulos finger, date, dactyl. So dactylic XVI.

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dad

(colloq.) father; also daddy (see -Y 6) XVI; dad(d)a XVII. Cf. the series bab(by), baby, baba and mam(my), mam(m)a, and synon. Gr. táta, Skr. tatá-, W. tad, etc.; perh. of infantile orig.

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dado

cubical block of a pedestal XVII; lining along the lower part of a wall XVIII. — It. dado die, cube (= F. dé DIE 2).

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daemon(ic)

see DEMON, DEMONIC.

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daffodil

†asphodel; plant of the genus Narcissus. XIV. Alt. (with unexpl. d-) of †affodil (XV–XVII) — med L. affodillus, prob. a book-perversion of asfodillus, var. of L. asphodilus, -elus ASPHODEL.

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daft

†mild, meek XIII; stupid XIV; crazy XVI. ME. daffte, repr. OE. edæfte mild, gentle, meek :- Gmc. zaðaftjaz, f. zaðafti, f. stem dab- of Goth. gadaban become, be fit (cf. OE. edæftl.e fitly, suitably, edæftan make fit. prepare). The transition to the sense ‘stupid’ may have been assisted by ME. †daff (of unkn. orig.) simpleton, fool. See DEFT.

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dagger

XIV. Has the form of an agent-noun in -ER 1, and perh. f. ME. dagge (XIV) pierce, stab; but infl. by (O)F. dague (XIII) — Pr. or It. daga, which has been referred to Rom. daca ‘Dacian knife’, sb. use of fem. of Dacus Dacian.

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dago

American Spaniard. XIX (dego). alt. of Diego, Sp. equivalent of the name JAMES.

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daguerreotype

early photographic process. XIX. — F. daguerréotype, f. name of Louis- Jacques-Mandé Daguerre (1789–1851) the inventor; see -O- and TYPE.

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dahlia

XIX. f. the name of Andreas Dahl , Swedish botanist; see -IA 1.

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daily

see DAY.

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dainty

†honour, esteem; †liking, pleasure; choice or delightful thing, delicacy. XIII. — AN. dainté. OF. daintié, deintié :- L. dignits, -t- worthiness, worth, beauty, DIGNITY. Hence dainty adj. †choice, excellent; pleasing to the taste, of delicate beauty XIV; fastidious XVI.

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dairy

XIII. ME. deierie, dayerie, f. deie, daye female servant, dairy-woman :- OE. de kneader of bread = ON. deigja :- Gmc. daizjn, f. base of Goth. deigan knead; cf. DOUGH. See -RY.

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dais

†high table in a hall; raised platform for this. XIII. ME. deis — OF. :- L. discus quoit, DISH, in medL. table. Obsolete in Eng. use before 1600; the present use is due to revival since 1800.

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daisy

OE. dæes ae ‘day's eye’; so named from its covering the yellow disc in the evening and disclosing it in the morning.

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dale

OE. dæl n. corr. to OS. (Du.) dal, OHG. tal, m. and n., ON. dalr m., Goth. dals m. or dal n. :- Gmc. dalam n., dalaz m., the relations of which are doubtful. Reinforced in ME. from ON.

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dally

talk lightly XIV; sport, esp. amorously XV; trifle, spend time idly XVI. — OF. dalier converse, chat, of unkn. orig. Hence dalliance talk; sport, amorous play XIV; frivolous action XVI.

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dalmatic

(eccl.) wide-sleeved tunic slit up the sides. XV. — (O)F. dalmatique or late L. dalmatica, sb. use (sc. vestis robe, prop. made of Dalmatian wool) of Dalmaticus pert. to Dalmatia; see -IC.

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dam 1

barrier checking the downward flow of water. XII (in mulnedam ‘mill-dam’). — (M)LG., (M)Du. dam, f. a base repr. also by OE. fordemman (ME. demme), OFris. demmen, Goth. faurdamnjan dam up, close up; of doubtful orig. Hence dam vb. XVI.

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dam 2

†dame, lady XIII; female parent XIV. var. of DAME.

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damage

(arch.) loss, detriment; injury, harm XIV; money value of something lost XV. — OF. damage (mod. dommage), f. dam(me) loss, damage, prejudice — L. damnum loss, hurt; see DAMN and -AGE. So damage vb. XIV.

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damascene

pert. to the city of Damascus, famous for its steel and its silk fabrics; also sb. XIV. — L. Damascnus — Gr. Damasknós, f. Damaskós- Sem. name. Hence damascene vb. ornament (steel) by inlaying XIX; earlier (XVI) in the form damaskene, later -keen — F. damasquiner, f. damasquin — It. damaschino. Cf. next and DAMSON.

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damask

in various names of natural and artificial products reputed to derive from Damascus (cf. prec.); orig. attrib. uses of the name (in ME. Damaske), in some uses absol. as sb., e.g. damask (cloth) XIV; damask plum, damask rose XVI; †damask water; damask (steel) XVII; the colour of the damask rose XVI.

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dame

†female head or superior; as a form of address or title; †mother, dam XIII; (arch.) lady of the house XIV. — (O)F. :- L. domina fem. corr. to dominus lord.

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damn

†condemn XIII; doom to eternal perdition XIV; (in imprecations) XVI. — (O)F. damner — L. damnre orig. inflict loss upon, f. damnum loss, damage. Cf. CONDEMN. Hence damn sb. the imprecation ‘damn!’ XVII. So damnable XIV (rare before XVI), damnation XIII. damnatory XVII. — L.

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damp

vapour, (noxious) gas XIV; fog, mist; humidity; depression, discouragement, †stupor XVI. — (M)LG. damp vapour, steam, smoke = (O)HG. dampf steam; rel. to OHG. dempfen (G. dämpfen) = OS. bithempian; f. Gmc. þamp- (rel. to pump-, (O)HG. duft). Hence damp adj. †dazed XVI; †noxious; slightly wet XVIII. damp vb. XIV. dampen XVII; see -EN 2.

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damsel

young unmarried lady XIII; young unmarried woman (without implication of rank or respect) XIV; female attendant. ME. dameisele, damisel — OF. dam(e)isele (mod. demoiselle), alt. (after dame) of danzele, donsele :- Gallo-Rom. dominicella, dim. of domina lady, DAME.

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damson

XIV. ME. dama(s)cene, damesene — L. damascnum (sc. prunum) plum of Damascus (see DAMASCENE).

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dance

vb. XIII. — OF. dancer, (also mod.) danser :- Rom. dansre, of unkn. orig. So dance sb. XIII.

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dandelion

XV (dent de lyon). — F. dent-de-lion, rendering medL. dns lenis ‘lion's tooth’; so called from the toothed leaves.

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dander

temper. XIX. of uncert. orig.

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Dandie Dinmont

terrier from the Scottish border. XIX. Name of a character in Walter Scott's ‘Guy Mannering’ (ch. xxii ‘Dandy Dinmont's Pepper and Mustard Terriers’).

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dandle

XVI. of unkn. orig.; presumably f. a symbolic base dand- dond- denoting from-side-to-side motion (cf. F. se dandiner waddle, It. dondolare waggle).

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dandruff

XVI. The first el. is obscure; the second el., -ruff, may be identical with late ME. rove. later ro(u)fe scurviness, scab — ON. hrufa or MLG., MDu. rve (Du. roof) rel. to OE. hrof. OHG. riob, ON. hrjúfr scabby, leprous.

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dandy

beau, fop; the dandy the correct thing XVIII; applied to various trim or handy objects XIX. First recorded from the Scottish Border; perh. a shortening of jack-a-dandy pert fellow (XVII); the source of dandy remains unkn., but it may be ult. identical with Dandy, pet-form of Andrew.

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Dane

native of Denmark XIII; breed of dog XVIII. — ON. Danir pl. (late L. Dan); superseding OE. Dene, which is repr. in Denmark (OE. Denemearc). So danegeld tax imposed c. 1000. XI. — ON. Danagjald (ODa. Danegjeld), f. g. pl. of Danir Danes + gjald payment, tribute (cf. YIELD). Danelaw the Danish laws anciently in force over the part of England occupied by the Danes, (hence) the region itself. Late OE. Dena lagu ‘Danes' law’, ME. Denelawe, was modernized by Lambarde (1576) as Dane lawe, and taken up by historians of XIX in the forms Danelage, -lagh, -law.

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dang

XVIII. euphem. alt. of DAMN suggested by hang!

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danger

†power of a master, dominion XIII; †liability to punishment, etc.; †hesitation, reluctance XIII; liability to injury XIV. — AN. da(u)nger. OF. dangier :- Rom. domnirium, f. dom(i)nus lord, master. So dangerous †difficult to deal with or please XIII; †reluctant to comply XIV; fraught with danger XV.

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dangle

XVI. of symbolic formation; cf. NFris, dangeln, Sw. dangla, Da. dangle, parallel to Icel., Sw. dingla, Da. dingle, of similar meaning; see -LE 2.

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dank

†wet, watery XIV; (injuriously) damp XVI. Implied earlier in the deriv. dank vb. (XIII); prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. Sw. dank marshy spot, Icel, dökk pit, pool).

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dapper

XV. — MLG., MDu. dapper heavy, powerful, strong, stout (Du. dapper bold, valiant) = OHG. tapfar heavy, weighty, firm (G. tapfer brave), ON. dapr sad, dreary.

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dappled

XIV. contemp. with dapple-grey, whence dapple sb., adj., and vb. (all XVI). of unkn. orig.; dappled varies XIV with pomelee (-OF. pommelé ‘appled’), and the notion ‘apple-grey’ is expressed in ON. apalgrár, OHG. aphulgr (G. apfelgrau).

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dare

pt. durst, pt. and pp. dared have boldness or courage (to dare) OE; trans. senses with a plain object appear XVI. A preterite-present verb (cf. CAN 2), OE. durran, corr. to OS. gidurran, OHG. giturran, Goth. gadaursan; f. the Gmc. series ders- dars- durs- :- IE. dhers- dhors- dhs-, whence Skr. dh. perf. dadhára be bold, Gr. tharseîn be bold, thrasús bold, OSI, drzati be bold.

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dark

OE. deorc, prob. f. Gmc. base derk- dark-, whence also OHG. tarkenen conceal, hide (:- darknjan). Hence darken XIII (rare in ME.); see -EN 5. darkling in the dark XV; being, lying, etc., in darkness XVIII; see -LING 2. Whence as a back-formation darkle XV.

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darling

OE. dorling; see DEAR and -LING 1.

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darn 1

mend (clothes) with yarn or thread, XVI. poss. a use of darn, later form of †dern conceal, hide (OE. diernan); cf. MDu. dernen stop holes in (a dike).

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darn 2, darned, darnation.

Earliest in darn adv. (late XVIII), used as an intensive, which Noah Webster identified with †dern (OE. d(i)erne) ‘concealed’, later ‘dark, drear, dim’, as in the phr. dern and dismal, which presumably became darn(ed) dismal; cf. var. durn. When darn(ed) had become a mild substitute for damn, darnation would readily follow. Cf. U.S. tarnation sb., adj., adv. (XVIII), which is prob. to be assoc. with the similarly used and somewhat earlier tarnal, aphetic form of etarnal, eternal.

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darnel

the grass Lolium temulentum. XIV. prob. of NEF. orig., e.g. Walloon darnelle (var. -ette), which has been connected with words denoting giddiness and the like, the plant being so named from its stupefying properties.

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dart

pointed missile to be hurled through the air. XIV. — OF. dart (mod. dard):- Gmc. daroðaz spear, lance, repr. by OE. daroð, OHG. tart, ON. darraðr. Hence dart vb. cast as a dart XIV; move swiftly XVII.

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dartre

herpes, etc.; tetter, scab. XIX. — (O)F. :- medL. derbita, of Gaulish orig.

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dash

strike with violence (with many transf. and fig. uses) XIII; move violently XIV; euph. for ‘damn’ (partly from the use of a dash — in place of this word) XIX. ME. dasche, dasse, prob. of imit. orig.; an appropriate base dask- is repr. by Sw. daska, Da. daske beat, but no older Scand. forms are recorded. Hence dash sb. act of dashing XIV; stroke made with a pen, etc. XVI.

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dastard

†dullard, sot; despicable coward. XV. of obscure orig.; prob. to be referred ult. to ME. dase, DAZE, but perh. immed. based on ME. †dasart (XIV) dullard and †dasiberd (XIV), f. †dasi inert, dull + berd BEARD, with infl. from DOTARD.

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data

pl. of DATUM.

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date 1

fruit of the palm Phoenix dactylifera. XIII. — OF. date (mod. datte) :- L. dactylus (see DACTYL). The application to the date-palm has reference to the finger-like shape of its leaves.

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date 2

time or period of an event. XIV. — (O)F. — medL. data, sb. use of fem. of datus, pp. of dare give. Derived from the L. formula used in dating letters, e.g. Data (sc. epistola letter) Romæ, given or delivered at Rome, i.e. by the writer to the bearer. So date vb. XV.

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dative

(Sc.) appointed by the king or the commissary; (gram.) case denoting ‘to’ or ‘for’. XV. — L. datvus pert. to giving, f. dat-, pp. stem of dare give; see -IVE.

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datum

thing given or granted; chiefly pl. data. XVII. — L., n. pp. of dare give.

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daub

coat with a layer of mortar, etc. XIV; lay on colours crudely XVII. — OF. dauber :- L. dalbre whiten, whitewash, plaster, f. DE- 3 + albus white. Hence daub sb. mortar, plaster XV; coarsely executed painting XVIII.

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daughter

OE. dohtor = OS. dohtar (Du. dochter), OHG. tohter (G. tochter), ON. dóttir, Goth. dauhtar :- Gmc. do?tr, earlier dhuktr :- IE. dhughtr, whence also Skr. duhitár-, Av. duðar, Gr. thugátr, Arm. dutr, OSl. dti; of unkn. orig.

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daunt

†overcome, tame XIII; dispirit, abash XV.- AN. daunter, OF. danter. var. of donter (mod. dompter) :- L. domitre, frequent. of domre TAME.

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dauphin

title of the King of France's eldest son. XV (daulphyn, dolphyn). — F. dauphin, earlier †daulphyn — Pr. dalfin — medL. dalphnus (VIII) for L. delphinus DOLPHIN; orig. a title attached to certain seigneuries. Hence dauphiness XVI; see -ESS 1.

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davenport

writting-table with drawers XIX. Supposed to be f. the maker's name.

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davit

crane for hoisting an anchor, ship's boat, etc. XVII. Formerly also David, and an application of that Christian name. Cf. F. davier, the name of several tools, etc., alt. f. daviet.

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davy

in full Davy lamp. Davy's lamp. miner's safety lamp invented by Sir Humphrey Davy (1778–1829), natural philosopher. XIX.

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Davy Jones

(naut. sl.) spirit of the sea, sailor's devil; Davy Jones's locker, grave of those who perish at sea. XVIII. The allusion is unkn.

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daw

jackdaw; †simpleton; (Sc.) sluggard. slut. XV. prob. to be referred to an OE. dwe, rel. to OHG. tha (G. dial. tach), beside MHG. dhele (G. dahle, dohle).

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dawdle

XVII. prob. of dial. orig. (there are vars. daddle, daidle, doddle); see -LE 2.

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dawn

vb. XV. Back-formation from dawning, ME. dai(z)ening, da(i)ning (XIII), dawenyng (XIV), alt. of daiing, dawyng (OE. dagung, f. dagian grow light) after Scand. (OSw. daghning, Sw., Da. dagning); see DAY, -ING 1. Hence dawn sb. XVI.

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day

OE. dæ = OS. (Du.) dag, OHG. tac (G. tag), ON. dagr, Goth. dags :- Gmc. dazaz, beside which a gradation-var. dðz-is repr. by OE. dgor (s-stem), Nhb. dœg day, ON. dœgr 12 hours, Goth. fidurdgs of four days. Hence daily adj. and adv. XV; see -LY 1, -LY 2.

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daze

benumb the senses of. XIV. First in pp. dased — ON. pp. dasaðr weary or exhausted from cold or exertion (cf. Icel. dasask refl. become exhausted, dasi lazy fellow, Sw. dasa lie idle).

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dazzle

†lose distinctness of vision XV; confuse the vision of XVI. Late ME. dasele, f. dase DAZE +-LE 3.

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de-

repr. (often through F. dé-) L. d-, which is the prep. d down from, away from, off, aside, used in vbl. comps., as dcrscere DECREASE, dfendere DEFEND. The earliest adoptions of such vbs. in Eng. were through F., as OF. decreistre, defendre; later adoptions were direct from L. infins. or pps. The meanings denoted are
1
down (from or to a place or state), as in DEPEND, DEPRESS;
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2
off, away, aside, as in DECLINE, DETER;
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3
down to the bottom or dregs, (hence) completely, thoroughly, as in L. dcoquere (see DECOCTION); sometimes merely strengthening vbs., as in DECLARE, DENUDE;
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4
with pejorative sense, as in DECEIVE, DERIDE;
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5
by late L. grammarians used uniquely in dcompositus derived from a compound word, further compounded, whence decomposite, decompound in chem., bot., etc.;
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6
with the sense of undoing or reversing what is expressed by a vb., as in L. darmre disarm, dvelre unveil, whence the formation of similar vbs. from sbs. to denote removal, as in DEFLOWER, DESPOIL; a similar notion was expressed by L. dis-, as in DISJOIN, and the use of this prefix, repr. in Rom. by des-, was widely extended, and through F. dé- (OF. des-) it became in Eng. adoptions identical with de- (cf. DEBATE, DEVELOP). Hence
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7
as a living formative de- forms vbs., with corr. sbs., (a) denoting removal or riddance, as †debowel (XIV) disembowel, defrost (XX), DEHYDRATE; (b) with privative or reversive force mainly from late XVIII, as decentralize, decontrol, demagnetize.
Top

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deacon

OE. diacon — ecclL. diconus — Gr. dkonos servant, messenger. (eccl.) Christian minister (cf. dikoneîn serve). Hence deaconess XVI.

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dead

OE. dad = OS. dd (Du. dood), (O)HG. tt, ON. dauðr, Goth. dauþs :- Gmc. dauðaz :- dhautós, pp. of base dhau-, repr. also in OS. dian, OHG. touwen, ON. deyja DIE 1. Hence deaden XVII; see -EN 5 deadly adj. and adv. OE. dadli., -l.e; see -LY 1, -LY 2.

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deaf

OE. daf = OS. df (Du. doof), OHG. toup (G. taub), ON. daufr, Goth. daufs :- Gmc. dauaz. The IE. base dhoubh- dheubh- dhubh- is repr. also by Gr. tuphlós blind. The pronunc. with a long vowel was still gen. current in XVIII, and remains widely diffused dial. and in U.S. Hence deafen XVI; see -EN 5.

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deal 1

†part, portion; quantity, amount. OE. dl = OS. dl (Du. deel), (O)HG, teil, Goth. dails :- Gmc. dailiz, f. dail-; see DOLE 1. So deal vb. A. †divide; distribute, bestow among a number OE.; deliver (blows) XIII; B. †take part in XII; have to do with XIII. OE. dlan = OS. dlian, (O)HG. teilen, ON. deila, Goth. dailjan. Hence deal sb. distribution of cards XVII; transaction (orig. U.S.) XIX.

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deal 2

plank, board of fir or pine XIV; wood of these XVII. Introduced through the Baltic trade in timber. — MLG., MDu. dele plank, floor, corr. to OHG. dil, dil(l)o, dilla (G. diele), ON. þilja, OE. þille :- Gmc. þelaz, þeliz, þeljn.

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dean 1, dene

valley. OE. denu, rel. to DEN.

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dean 2

head of cathedral or collegiate chapter XIV; supervisor of conduct and studies in a college; president of a university faculty XVI. ME. deen, den(e) — AN. de(e)n, OF. d(e)ien (mod. doyen) :- late L. decnus — Gr. deknós one set over ten, f. déka TEN. Hence deanery XV.

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dear

†glorious, noble; regarded with esteem and affection; †precious OE.; high-priced, costly XI. OE. dore, WS. dere = OS. diuri (Du. dier beloved, duur high-priced), OHG. tiuri (G. teuer), ON. dýrr :- Gmc. deurjaz, of unkn. orig.

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dearth

XIII. ME. derþ, f. dr DEAR + -TH 1; cf.OS. diuriða (Du. duurte), MHG. tiurde honour, value, ON. dýr glory.

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death

OE. dað = OS. dð, OHG. td (G. tod), ON. dauðr, Goth. dauþus :- Gmc. dauþuz, f. dau- (cf. ON. deyja DIE 1) + -TH 1.

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débâcle

breaking up of ice, sudden deluge; sudden downfall or rout. XIX. — F., f. débâcler unbar, remove a bar, f. dé- DE- 6 + bâcler bar.

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debar

bar out, exclude XV; prohibit, prevent XVI. — F. débarrer, OF. desbarer, f. des- DE- 6 + barrer BAR.

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debark

disembark. XVII. — F. débarquer, f. dédes- DE- 6 + barque BARQUE.

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debase

†abase; †decry, vilify; lower in quality or character. XVI. f. DE 1, 3 + BASE 3.

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debate

contention XIII; dispute, discussion XIV. — (O)F. débat. repr. a Rom. deriv. of the vb. So debate vb. XIV. — (O)F. débattre :- Rom. desbattere (see DE- 6, BATTERY).

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debauch

†seduce from allegiance XVI; seduce from virtue or chastity XVII. — F. débaucher, OF. des-, f. des- DE- 6 + an el. of unkn. orig. SO debauch sb., debauchee, debauchery XVII.

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debenture

voucher for a sum due XV; †certificate of a loan made to a government XVIII; bond issued by a corporation acknowledging indebtedness for interest XIX. mod. use of L. dbentur are owing or due, 3rd pl. pres. ind. pass. of dbre owe (see DEBT), occurring as the first word of a certificate of indebtedness (XIV); there has been assim. of the final syll. to -URE.

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debility

XV. — (O)F. débilité — L. dbilits, -tt-, f. dbilis weak. See -ITY. So debilitate XVI. f. pp. stem of L. dbilitre, f. dbilits; see -ATE 2. debilitation XV. — (O)F. — L.

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debit

†debt XV; entry of a sum owing XVIII. — L. dbitum DEBT; in the later sense — F. débit.

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debonair

†gracious, courteous; genial. XIII. — OF. debonaire (mod. débonnaire), prop. phr. de bon aire of good disposition.

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debouch

emerge from a narrow into a wider space. XVIII. — F. déboucher, f. DE- 6 + bouche mouth (:-L. bucca).

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debris

XVIII. F. débris, f. débriser break down or up, f. DE- 1 + briser break.

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debt

XIII. ME. det(te) — (O)F. dette :- Rom. dbita, feminized pl. of L. dbitum, pp. n. of dbre, f. DE- 6 + habre have. From XIII to XVI spelt debte in F., whence debt in Eng. from XVI onwards. So debtor XIII. — OF. det(t)or, -our :- L. dbitor, -r-; see -OR 1.

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debunk

(orig. U.S.sl.) remove the humbug and pretence from. XX. f. DE- 7 + BUNK 3.

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début

entry into society. XVIII. — F., f. débuter make the first stroke in a game, f. DE- + but goal.

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deca-

repr. Gr. déka TEN, as in decagon ten-sided figure (XVII) — modL. decagnum — Gr. dekágnon (gní angle); decasyllable XIX.

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decade

group of ten, esp. of ten years. XV. — (O)F. décade — late L. decas, decad- — Gr. dekás, f. déka TEN. See -AD.

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decadence

XVI. — F. décadence — medL. dcadentia, f. dcadre DECAY. So decadent XIX.

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decalogue

the Ten Commandments. XIV. — F. décalogue or ecclL. decalogus — Gr. dekálogos, orig. fem. adj. (sc. biblos book), f. DECA- + lógos saying.

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decamp

break up a camp XVII; make off XVIII. — F. décamper, earlier †descamper, f. DE- 6 +, camp CAMP.

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decanal

pert. to a dean; of the decani side. XVIII. f. late L. dcanus DEAN 2 + -AL 1. So decani dean's side of the choir (opp. cantoris). XVIII. g. sg. of. L. decnus.

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decant

pour off (liquid) so as not to disturb the sediment. XVII. — medL. dcanthre, f. L. d- DE- 1 + canthus angular lip of a jug — Gr. kánthos corner of the eye. Hence decanter XVIII; see -ER 1.

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decapitate

XVII. f. pp. stem of late L. dcapitre, f. DE- 6 + caput, capit-; see -ATE 3.

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decay

XV. — OF. decair, by-form of decaoir, var. of dechaoir, decheoir (mod. déchoir):- Rom. dcadere, dcadre, for L. dcidere, f. DE- 1 + cadere fall. Hence decay sb. XV.

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decease

death. XIV. — (O)F. décès — L. dcessus departure, death, f. pp. stem of dcdere go away, depart, f. DE- 2 + cdere go. Hence vb. XV.

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deceit

XIII. — OF. deceite, f. pp. deceit of decevoir DECEIVE. So deceive †ensnare, betray XIII; lead into error XIV. — OF. deceivre, deçoivre :- L. dcipere, f. DE- 4 + capere take, seize; or — deceiv-, tonic stem of OF. deceveir (mod. décevoir) :- Rom. dcipre. So deception XIV. — (O)F. or late L.

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decelerate

XIX. f. DE- 7 after ACCELERATE.

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December

XIII. —(O)F. décembre — L. December, f. decemTEN, this being the tenth month of the ancient Roman year.

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decennial

pert. to a period of 10 years. XVII. f. L. decennium decade, f. decennis, f. decem TEN + annus year; see -IAL.

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decent

†becoming, fitting; modest, in good taste XVI; respectable; fair, tolerable XVIII. — F. décent or L. decns, decent-, pp. of decre be fitting, rel. to DECOROUS, DIGNITY. So decency XVI. — L. decentia; see -Y 3.

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deci-

in the metric system, short for L. decimus tenth, f. decem TEN, designating weights and measures that are one tenth of the standard unit.

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decide

determine XIV; settle a question XVIII. — F. décider or L. dcdere cut off, cut the knot, determine, f. DE- 2 + cædere cut. So decision XV. — (O)F. décision or L. dcsi, f. dcs-, pp. stem of dcdere, decisive XVII. — F. — medL.

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deciduous

falling off at a particular season. XVII. f. L. dciduus, f. dcidere fall down or off, f. DE- 2 + cadere fall.

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decimal

proceeding by powers of 10; also sb. XVII. — modL. decimlis, f. decimus tenth, f. decem TEN; see -AL 1.

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decimate

exact tithe from; put to death one in ten of a number. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. decimre, f. decimus tenth; see prec. and -ATE 3. So decimation exaction of tithe XV; destruction of one in ten. XVI. — late L.

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decipher

reduce to ordinary writing, make out (a writing in cipher, etc.). XVI. f. DE- 7 + CIPHER.

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deck 1

†covering; platform extending from side to side of a ship XV; pack of cards XVI. — MDu. dek roof, covering, cloak (cf. THATCH); the nautical sense appears to be an Eng. development, since it does not appear for the Du. word till late XVII.

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deck 2

†cover; clothe richly, array. XVI. — (M)Du. dekken cover = OE. þe..an cover, roof over, THATCH.

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deckle

in paper-making, contrivance to limit the size of the sheet. XIX. — G. deckel cover, lid, dim, of decke covering (f. base of decken DECK 2); cf. -LE 2.

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declaim

XIV. — F. déclamer or L. dclmre; see DE- 3 and CLAIM. So declamation XV. declamatory XVI. — L.

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declare

†manifest; state publicly or explicitly. XIV. — L. dclrre make clear, f. DE- 3 + clrre, f. clrus CLEAR. So declaration XIV, declaratory XV.

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declension

XV. repr. (O)F. déclinaison, f. décliner DECLINE, after L. dclnti DECLINATION.

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decline

turn aside, deviate (trans. and intr.); bend or go down; (gram.) inflect XIV; turn aside or away from XV. — (O)F. décliner — L. dclnre, f. DE- 2 + clnre bend, cogn. with Gr. klinein bend; cf. LEAN 2. Hence decline sb. XIV. So declination (astron.) XIV; †(gram.) declension XV; turning aside or down XVI. — L.

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declivity

downward slope. XVII. — L. dclvits, f. dclvis sloping downwards, f. DE- 1 + clvus slope; see -ITY.

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decoction

liquor in which a substance has been boiled. XIV. — (O)F. décoction or late L. dcocti, -n-, f. pp. stem of dcoquere boil down, f. DE- 3 + coquere COOK; see -TION. Hence decoct †pp. adj. and vb. XV.

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decode

XIX. f. DE- 7 + CODE.

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décolleté

cut low at the neck. XIX. — F., pp. of décolleter, f. DE- 6 + collet, dim. of col collar :- L. collum neck.

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decompose

separate into its parts; decay. XVIII. — F. décomposer, f. DE- 6 + composer COMPOSE. So decomposition XVII.

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décor

theatre scenery. XIX. — F., f. décorer DECORATE.

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decorate

†adorn XVI; deck with ornamental accessories XVIII; invest with an honour XIX. f. decorate pp. (XV) or its source L. decortus, -re beautify, f. decus, decor-; see DECOROUS and -ATE 3. So decoration XV. — (O)F. or late L. decorative XV. — F. decorous f. L. decrus, rel. to decns DECENT. decorum XVI. — L.

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decorticate

strip the bark from. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. dcorticre, f. DE- 6 + cortic-, CORTEX; see -ATE 3.

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decoy

pool with netted approaches for the capture of wildfowl. XVII. Evidence for the corr. vb. is earlier in Sc. (XVI) and in the gen. sense ‘entice, allure’; but the sb. was no doubt prior, and perh. — Du. de kooi ‘the decoy’, with assim. to †decoy gambling card-game (XVI), of unkn. orig. Du. kooi, †koye is a parallel development to MDu. kouwe, MLG. kaue — L. cavea CAGE.

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decrease

grow less. XIV. — OF. de(s)creiss-, pres. stem of de(s)creistre (mod. décroître) :- Rom. discrscere, for L. dcrscere, f. DE- 6 + crscere grow. So decrease sb. XIV.

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decree

ordinance, edict. XIV. OF. decré, var. of decret — L. dcrtum, sb. use of n. of dcrtus, pp. of dcernere, f. DE- 2 + cernere separate, distinguish, decide. So decree vb. XIV.

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decrement

decrease, lessening. XVII. — L. dcrmentum, f. dcr-, stem of dcrscere DECREASE; see -MENT.

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decrepit

XV. — (partly through F. décrépit XVI) L. dcrepitus, f. DE- 3 + crepitus, pp. of crepre rattle, creak, of imit. orig. Hence decrepitude XVII.

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decretal

adj. of a decree or decretal XV; sb. papal decree XIV. — (O)F. décrétal — late L. dcrtlis (medL. dcrtls, sc. epistol, papal letters containing decrees, dcrtle decree), f. dcrt-, pp. stem of dcernere DECREE.

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decry

denounce by proclamation; disparage openly. XVII. f. DE- 4 + CRY vb.

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decuman

(of a wave) very large. XVII. — L. decumnus, var. of decimnus of the tenth part, f. decimus tenth (cf. DECIMAL); see -AN. The application to waves rests on the belief that every tenth wave is greater than the others.

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dedicate

devote to the service of a deity XV; assign to an end or purpose XVI. f. pp. stem of L. ddicre proclaim, devote, consecrate, f. DE- 2 + dic-, weak var. of dc- say (cf. DICTION); see -ATE 3. So dedication XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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deduce

†bring, convey; †derive; trace the course of; draw as a conclusion XV; †deduct XVI. — L. ddcere, f. DE- 2 + dcere lead. So deduct take away, subtract XV; †derive; †trace out; deduce by reasoning XVI. f. dduct-, pp. stem of L. ddcere. deduction subtraction, abatement XV; †detailed account; deducing a conclusion, inference by reasoning XVI. — (O)F. — L.

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deed

that which is done OE.; legal instrument in writing XIV. OE. (Angl.) dd, (WS.) dd = OS. dd, OHG. tt (G. tat), ON. dáð, Goth. -dps :- Gmc. ddiz :- IE. dhtís, f. dh- dh- (see DO 1). deed poll deed made by one party only, so called because it is ‘polled’ or cut even, not indented. XVI.

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deem

†give judgement, judge; think, consider. OE. dman = OS. dmian (Du. doemen), OHG. tuomen, ON. dœma, Goth. ( = Gmc.) dmjan, f. dmaz DOOM. Hence deemster either of the two judges of the Isle of Man. XVII; see -STER.

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deep

having great extension downwards; fig. profound OE.; penetrating XIII; (of colour) intense; subtle, crafty XVI. OE. dop = OS. diop, diap (Du. diep), OHG. tiuf (G. tief), ON. djúpr, Goth. diups :- Gmc. deupaz, f. deup- dup- (see DIP). As sb. deep water OE.; the deep the ocean (XIV). Hence deepen XVI, deeply XV; see -EN 5, -LY 2.

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deer

†animal OE.; antlered ruminant XII. OE. dor = OS. dior (Du. dier), OHG. tior (G. tier), ON. dýr, Goth. dius (in d. pl. diuzam) :- Gmc. deuzam :- IE. dheusóm orig. ‘breathing creature’ (cf. the sense-development in ANIMAL), if rel. to OSl. duch, dua breath, Lith. dùsti sigh.

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deface

XIV. — F. †defacer, earlier deffacer, for desfacer, f. DE- 6 + face FACE.

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defalcate

†lop off, retrench, deduct XV; commit defalcation XIX. f. pp. stem of medL. dfalcre, f. DE- 2 + L. falx, falc- sickle, scythe; see -ATE 3. So defalcation †diminution, reduction XV; fraudulent monetary deficiency XVIII. — medL.

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defame

†render infamous; attack the good name of. XIV. ME. diffame, defame — OF. diffamer (also desf-, def(f)-) — L. diffmre spread about as an evil report, f. dis-, DIF-, DE- 6 + fma FAME. So defamation XIV. defamatory XVI. — medL.

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default

sb. XIII. ME. defaut(e) —
1
OF. defaute, f. defaillir, on the model of faute FAULT, faillir FAIL;
Top

2
(O)F. défaut, back-formation on defaute.
Top
Hence default vb. XIV.

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defeasance

(Sc.) discharge (of debt, etc.) XIV; (leg.) condition upon the performance of which an instrument is made void XV; annulment XVI. — OF. defesance, f. defesant, prp. of de(s)faire (mod. défaire) undo, f. DE- 6 + faire make; see -ANCE.

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defeat

†undo, ruin, destroy XIV; frustrate, nullify XV; †disappoint, defraud; discomfit, vanquish XVI. ME. def(f)ete — AN. defeter, f. defet, OF. deffait, desfait, pp. of desfaire (mod. défaire) :- medL. disfacere undo, mar, f. L. dis- DE- 6 + facere make, DO 1. Hence defeat sb. XVI. So defeatism, defeatist sb. and adj. XX. — F.

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defecate

clear from impurities XVI; void the faeces XIX. f. †defecate pp. (XV) — L. dfæctus, -re, f. DE- 6 + fæx, fæces dregs; see -ATE 3. So defecation XVII. — late L.

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defect

shortcoming, deficiency. XV. — L. dfectus, f. dfect-, pp. stem of dficere leave, desert, fail, f. DE- 2 + facere make, DO 1. So defection failing, falling away. XVI. defective XV. — (O)F. or late L.

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defend

guard from attack; †ward off, prevent, prohibit XIII; vindicate (a cause, person) XV. — (O)F. défendre :- L. dfendere ward off, protect, f. DE- 2 + -fendere (only in comps.). So defendant XIV. — (O)F. défendant, sb. use of prp. of défendre. defender XIII. — AN. defendour; see -ER 2. defence, U.S. defense XIII. ME. defens and defense, -ence — OF. defens and (also mod.) défense — L. (Rom.) dfnsum, dfnsa, sb. uses of n. and fem. pp. of dfendere. defensible †defensive; defendable, justifiable. XV. late L. dfnsibilis, f. dfns-, pp. stem of dfendere.

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defenestration

action of throwing out of a window. XVII. — modL. dfenestrti, -n-, f. DE- 1 + fenestra window; see -ATION.

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defer 1

put off, postpone, XIV. ME. differre, deferre — (O)F. différer defer, differ — L. differre carry apart, delay, bear in different directions, differ. Often spelt with diff- until XVII, but finally differentiated from the ult. identical DIFFER, perh. partly by assoc. with delay.

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defer 2

†submit oneself, submit or refer (a matter) XV. †offer, proffer XVI; submit in opinion to XVII. — (O)F. déférer — L. dferre carry away, grant, report, refer (a matter), f. DE- 2 + ferre BEAR 2. So deference XVII. Hence deferential XIX.

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defiance

declaration of hostilities XIV; challenge to combat XV; setting at nought XVIII. — (O)F. défiance (now only ‘distrust’), f. défier DEFY; see -ANCE. Hence defiant XIX.

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deficient

wanting in something. XVI. — L. dficins, -ent-, prp. of dficere undo, take oneself away, fail, f. DE- 2, 6 + facere make, DO 1. Hence deficiency XVII.

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deficit

XVIII. — F. déficit — L. dficit there is wanting, 3rd pers. sing. pres. ind. of dficere (see DEFECT); formerly placed against an item in an account.

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defile 1

make foul or unclean. XIV. alt. of †defoul, †defoil, by assoc. with synon. †befile, OE. beflan (f. BE- + flan, f. fl FOUL). The earlier defoul (XIII), of which there is an unexpl. var. defoil (XIV), was — OF. def(o)uler trample down, outrage, violate, f. DE- 1 + fouler tread, trample :- Rom. fullre stamp, f. L. full FULLER. Hence defilement XVII.

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defile 2

narrow pass between mountains. XVII. orig. defilé, defilee — F. défilé, sb. use of pp. of défiler march by files, f. DE- 2 + file FILE 2. For the loss of the final syll. cf. ASSIGN 2.

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define

determine the limits of; state exactly what (a thing) is. XIV. — OF. definer — Rom. dfnre, for L. dfinre, f. DE- 3 + fnre FINISH. So definite having fixed limits. XV. — L. dfntus, pp. of dfnre. definition, definitive XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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deflate

XIX. f. DE- 6 + -flate of INFLATE.

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deflect

XVII. — L. dflectere, f. DE- 3 + flectere bend. So deflexion, deflection XVII.

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deform

XV. — OF. difformer, de(s)former (mod. difformer, déformer) — medL. difformre, Rom. disformre, L. dformre, f. DIS-, DE- 6 + forma FORM. So deformation, deformity XV.

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defraud

XIV. — OF. defrauder or L. dfraudre, f. DE- 3 + fraudre cheat, f. fraus, fraud- FRAUD.

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defray

†disburse; discharge (expense). XVI. — (O)F. défrayer (†deff-, †desf-), f. DE- 6 + †frai(t) (usu. pl. frais, †fres) expenses, cost :- medL. fredus, fine for breach of the peace — Frank. friðu peace.

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deft

†gentle, meek XIII; skilful XV; neat, pretty (now dial.) XVI. ME. defte, var. of DAFT.

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defunct

XVI. — L. dfunctus discharged (from an office or obligation), deceased, pp. of dfung discharge, perform, finish, f. DE- 3 + fung perform (see FUNCTION).

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defy

†renounce allegiance to; (arch.) challenge to a contest; challenge the power of, set at nought. XIV. — (O)F. défier :- Rom. disfdre, f. L. dis-, DE- 6 + fdus trustful, rel. to fids FAITH. Cf. DEFIANCE.

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degenerate

that has declined in character or qualities. XV. — L. dgenertus, pp. of dgenerre depart from its race or kind, f. dgener debased, ignoble, f. DE- 2 + genus, gener- KIND 1. So degenerate vb. become degenerate. XVI. f. pp. stem of the L. vb.; see -ATE 2, -ATE 3. degeneration XVII. — F.

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degrade

reduce to a lower rank. XIV. — (O)F. dégrader :- ecclL. dgradre, f. DE- 1 + gradus rank, DEGREE. So degradation XVI. — (O)F. dégradation or ecclL. dgradti.

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degree

step (now only her. in lit. sense); relative rank XIII; unit of geometrical measurement XIV; musical interval XVII; unit of temperature XVIII. — (O)F. degré :- Rom. dgradus, f. L. DE- 1 + gradus step, GRADE.

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dehydrate

f. DE- 7 + Gr. húdr, hudr- WATER + -ATE 3.

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deictic

pointing, demonstrative, XVII. — Gr. deiktikós showing directly, f. deiktós, vbl. adj. of deiknúnai show, rel. to L. dcere say.

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deify

XIV. — (O)F. déifier — ChrL. deificre, f. deus god; see DIVINE, -FY. So deification XIV.

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deign

think fit, vouchsafe XIII; condescend to give XVI. — OF. degnier, later degner, (also mod.) daigner :- L. dignre, -r deem worthy, f. dignus worthy.

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deist

one who acknowledges the existence of God but rejects revealed religion. XVII. — F. déiste, f. L. deus god (see DIVINE) + -iste -IST. So deism XVII.

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deity

XIV. — (O)F. déité — ChrL. deits; see DIVINE, -ITY.

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deject

†cast down XV; depress in spirits XVI. f. dject-, pp. stem of L. deicere, f. DE- 1 + jacere throw.

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delaine

light textile fabric. XIX. Short for muslin delaine = F. mousseline de laine ‘MUSLIN of wool’.

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delay

put off till later XIII; impede the progress of XIV. — OF. delayer, var. of deslaier, presumably f. des- DIS- + laier leave (of unkn. orig.). So delay sb. XIII. — (O)F. délai, f. the vb.

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delectable

delightful. XIV. — (O)F. délectable — L. dlectbilis, f. dlectre DELIGHT; see -ABLE. So delectation XIV.

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delegate

person chosen to act for another. XIV. — L. dlgtus, pp. of dlgre, f. DE- 2 + lgre send on a commission (cf. LEGATE). Hence delegacy delegation XV; body of delegates XVII. So delegate entrust to another XVI; commission XVII. f. pp. stem of the above vb.; see -ATE 3. delegation XVII. — L.

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delete

†destroy, abolish; obliterate. XVII. f. dlt-, pp. stem of L. dlre. So deletion XVI. — L.

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deleterious

XVII. f. medL. dltrius — Gr. dltrios, f. dltr destroyer, f. dleîsthai injure, destroy; see -IOUS.

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delf(t)

orig. Delf(t) ware, kind of glazed earthenware made at Delf, now Delft, in Holland. XVIII.

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deliberate

adj. XV. — L. dlbertus, pp. of dlberre, f. DE- 3 + lbrre weigh, f. lbra scales. So deliberate vb. †think over; think carefully XVI. See -ATE 2, -ATE 3. deliberation XIV. — (O)F. — L. deliberative XV. — F. or L.

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delicate

†delightful, elegant, dainty; †indolent, †fastidious XIV; fine, not coarse or robust XVI; finely sensitive or skilful XVI. — (O)F. délicat or L. dlictus; of unkn. orig., but assoc. in sense-development with L. dliciæ (see next); see -ATE 2. Hence delicacy XIV; concr. XV.

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delicious

XIII. — OF. delicious (mod. délicieux) — late L. dlicisus, f. L. dlicia, pl. -iæ, f. dlicere allure aside, f. DE- 2 + lic-, as in licere ELICIT.

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delight

sb. XIII. ME. delit — OF., f. stem of delitier, etc. :- L. dlectre allure, charm, frequent. of dlicere (see prec.). The sp. with -gh- on the anal. of native words such as light dates from XVI. So delight vb. XIII. — OF. delitier.

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delineate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. dlnere, f. DE- 3 + lnea LINE 2; see -ATE 2.

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delinquent

XVII. — L. dlinquns, -ent-, pp. of dlinquere be at fault, offend, f. DE- 3 + linquere leave; see -ENT.

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deliquesce

dissolve by absorption of moisture. XVIII. — L. dliquscere, f. DE- 3 + liquscere, f. liqure be fluid; see LIQUID, -ESCENT.

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delirium

XVI. — L. dlrium, f. dlrre deviate from a straight line, be deranged, f. DE- 2 + lra ridge between furrows. Hence delirious XVIII.

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deliver

A
set free XIII; disburden XIV;

B
give up, give over, surrender XIII;
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C
give or send forth, utter XVI. — (O)F. délivrer :- Gallo-Rom. dlberre, f. DE- 3 + lberre LIBERATE.
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So deliverance XIII. delivery handing over, †deliverance XV; being delivered of a child; utterance of words XVI. — AN. délivrée, sb. use of fem. pp. of délivrer; see -Y 3.

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dell

deep hollow or valley. OE. dell = MLG., MDu. delle (Du. del), MHG. telle :- Gmc. dalj (cf. Goth. ibdalja slope of a mountain). f. dal- (see DALE).

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Delphic

pert. to Delphi on the slope of Mt. Parnassus in Greece and the oracle of Apollo there; obscure and ambiguous. XVI. See -IC.

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delphinium

XVII. — modL. delphinium — Gr. delphnion larkspur, f. delphís, delphn- DOLPHIN; so called from the dolphin-like form of the nectary.

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delta

triangular tract of alluvial land at the mouth of a river, orig. of the Nile. XVI. Name of the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. , derived from Phoenician daleth ().

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delude

XV. — L. dldere play false, mock, f. DE- 4 + ldere play, f. ldus play, game. So delusion XV. — late L. delusive XVII, delusory XV. f. dls-, pp. stem of the vb.

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deluge

sb. XIV. — (O)F. déluge, alt. of earlier diluvie — L. dluvium, rel. to lavere, lavre wash. Hence deluge vb. XVII.

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delve

dig, lit. and fig. (dial. and lit.). OE. delfan str. vb. = OS. bidelan (Du. delven), OHG. bitelban :- WGmc. del- dal- dul-. The weak form of the pt. appeared in XIV and of the pp. in XVI.

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demagogue

leader of the people or of a popular faction. XVII. — Gr. dmaggós, f. dêmos people + aggós leader, f. ágein lead. So demagogic XIX. demagogy XVII. — Gr. dmaggí; see -Y 3.

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demand

sb. XIII. — (O)F. demande, f. demander (whence demand vb. XV) :- L. dmandre hand over, entrust, f. DE- 3 + mandre enjoin (see MANDATE).

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demarcation

marking a boundary, orig. applied in the phr. line of demarcation to the division of the New World in XV between the Spaniards and the Portuguese. XVIII. — Sp. demarcación, f. demarcar mark out the bounds of, f. de- DE- 3 + marcar MARK; see -ATION. Hence demarcate vb. XIX.

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démarche

proceeding. XVII. — F., f. démarcher march, take steps, f. DE- 3 + marcher MARCH 3.

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demean 1

†carry on, manage XIII; conduct oneself XIV. — (O)F. démener lead, exercise, practise, (refl.) behave :- Rom. dminre, f. L. DE 3 + minre drive (animals), orig. urge on with threats (L. minr threaten). Hence demeanour conduct, behaviour. XV.

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demean 2

lower, humble. XVII. f. DE- 4 + MEAN 2.

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demented

XVI. f. dmenttus, pp. of late L. dmentre, f. dmns, -ent-, f. DE- 6 + mns, ment- MIND; see -ED 1.

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Demerara

epithet of a kind of brown cane sugar orig. from Demerara in Guyana. XIX.

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demerit

†desert, merit XIV; †sin, offence XV; ill-desert, want of merit XVI. — OF. de(s)merite or L. dmeritum, f. pp. stem of dmerr merit, deserve, f. DE- 3 + merr MERIT; in Rom. the prefix was taken in a pejorative or negative sense.

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demensne

possession of real estate as one's own; possession, estate XIV. — AN., OF. demeine, later AN. demesne, sb. use of adj. belonging to a lord, seigneurial, that is private property :- L. dominicus pert. to a lord or master (see DOMINICAL).

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demi-

— F. demi :- medL. dmedius, for L. dmidius, used in comb. to denote things that are half the normal or full size, length, etc.

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demijohn

large bulging bottle usu. in wicker case. XVIII. prob. f. F. dame-jeanne, with early assim. to DEMI- and later to the proper name John; prop. ‘Lady Jane’.

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demi-monde

class of women of doubtful reputation. XIX. — F., ‘half-world’ (Alexandre Dumas fils, 1855, who used the term for the kind of society midway between the conventional respectable life and the life of licence and vice).

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demise

transfer of an estate XVI; transfer of sovereignty XVII; death (as occasioning this) XVIII. — AN. demise, sb. use of fem. pp. of OF. de(s)mettre (mod. démettre) DISMISS, (refl.) resign, abdicate.

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demiurge

creator of the world (in Platonism). XIX (earlier in L. form). — ecclL. dmirgus — Gr. dmiourgós handicraftsman, artisan, etc., f. dmios public + erg- WORK.

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demobilize

disband (armed forces); also demobilization. XIX. — F. démobiliser, -isation; see DE- 7, MOBILIZE. abbrev. demob vb. XX.

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democracy

XVI. — (O)F. démocratie — late L. dmocratia — Gr. dmokratí, f. dmos people; see -CRACY. So democrat XVIII. — F. démocrate, f. démocratie, after aristocrate. democratic XVII.

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demolish

XVI. — démoliss-, lengthened stem of (O)F. démolir — L. dmlr, f. DE- 1 + mlr construct, f. mles mass; see -ISH 2. So demolition XVII.

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demon

inferior divinity, genius, attendant spirit; evil spirit, devil. XV. — medL. dmn, L. dæmn — Gr. daímn divinity, genius. In both senses repr. L. dæmonium, Gr. dim. daimónion. So demoniac (one) possessed by an unclean spirit. XIV. — (O)F. — ChrL. demoniacal XVII. demonic XVII.

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demonetize

deprive of standard monetary value. XIX. — F. démonétiser, f. DE- 7 + L. monta MONEY; see -IZE.

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demonstrate

†indicate, exhibit; make evident by proof. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. dmonstrre, f. DE- 3 + monstrre show; see -ATE 3. So demonstration XIV. — (O)F. or L. demonstrative XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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demoralize

corrupt the morals of XVIII; lower the morale of XIX. — F. démoraliser; see DE- 7, MORAL, -IZE.

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demote

reduce in rank or grade. XIX. f. DE- 7 + -mote of PROMOTE.

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demotic

of the people; spec. of the popular form of ancient Egyptian character. XIX. — Gr. dmotikós popular, f. dmóts one of the people, f. dêmos people; see -IC.

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demulcent

soothing. XVIII. — L. dmulcns, -ent-, prp. of dmulcre soothe caressingly, f. DE- 3 + mulcre stroke, appease; see -ENT.

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demur

†linger XIII; †hesitate; put in a demurrer; make difficulties XVII. — OF. demourer, (also mod.) demeurer :- Rom. dmorre, for L. dmorar, f. DE- 3 + morr delay. The present sp. begins in XVI, superseding demo(u)re, and appears to be based on demurrer. So demurrage †delay; detention of a vessel beyond the agreed time; payment for this XVII. demurrer (leg.) pleading which stops an action XVI. — AN., sb. use of inf.; see -ER 5.

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demure

†(of the sea) calm XIV; sober, serious XV; †affectedly or unnaturally grave XVII. perh. (with muting of é as in ASSIGN 2, etc.) — AN. demuré, OF. demoré, pp. of demorer (mod. demeurer) remain, stay (see prec.), but infl. by OF. m(ë)ur grave (mod. mûr) :- L. mtrus ripe, MATURE.

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demy

†(Sc.) half-mark; foundation scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford (L. semicommunarius one whose commons were orig. half that of a Fellow) XV; size of paper XVI. ellipt. uses of DEMI-, the sp. with -y being appropriate for the final position.

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den

lair of a wild beast OE.; cave XIII; (Sc.) dingle XVI. OE. denn, corr. to MLG., MDu. denne low ground, OHG. tenni (G. tenne) floor, threshing-floor :- Gmc. danjam, danj; rel. to DEAN 1.

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denarius

ancient Roman coin. XVI. — L. (ellipt. for dnrius nummus coin containing ten asses), f. dn by tens, distributive of TEN.

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denationalize

deprive of nationality. XIX. — F. dénationaliser; see DE- 7, NATIONAL, -IZE.

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dendrite

tree-like form in stone or mineral. XVIII. — F. — Gr. dendrts pert. to a tree, f. déndron tree; see -ITE.

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dene

sandy tract by the sea. XIII. The meaning suggests affinity with LG. düne and Du. duin sand-hill on the coast (see DUNE).

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dene-hole

ancient excavation in SE. England and northern France traditionally attributed to the activities of the Danes. XVIII. perh. repr. OE. Denahol, f. Dena, g. pl. of Dene Danes + hol HOLE; assoc. by later archaeologists with DENE and DEN.

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dengue

fever epidemic in E. Africa, etc. XIX. — W. Indian Sp. — Swahili denga, dinga. Identified with Sp. dengue fastidiousness, prudery.

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denier

twelfth of a sou XV; unit of fineness of silk yarn, etc. XIX. — AN. dener, (O)F. denier :- L. dnrius DENARIUS.

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denigrate

blacken, lit. and fig. XVI. — pp. stem of L. dnigrre, f. DE- 3 + nigrre, f. niger, nigr- black; see -ATE 3. So denigration XV.

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denim

(formerly) kind of serge, (now) coloured twill cotton. XVII. orig. serge de Nim — F. serge de Nîmes ‘serge of Nimes’, a manufacturing town in S. France.

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denizen

inhabitant XV; foreigner admitted to residence XVI. ME. deynseyn — AN. deinzein, f. OF. deinz within (:- late L. d intus from within) + -ein (:- L. -neus).

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denominate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. dnminre; see DE- 3, NOMINATE. So denomination naming XIV; appellation, designation; (arith.) class of one kind of unit XV; class, sort, sect (of individuals) XVII. — (O)F. or L. denominative XVII. — OF. — late L. denominator (spec. in math.) XVI. — F. or medL.

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denote

mark out, distinguish by a sign; indicate, signify XVII. — (O)F. dénoter or L. dnotre; see DE- 3, NOTE. So denotation XVI.

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denouement

XVIII. — F., f. dénouer (earlier des-), f. des- DIS- + nouer :- L. nodre knot, f. nodus NODE.

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denounce

declare to be XIII; give formal information of XIV; declare to be evil XVII; (after modF.) announce formally the termination of XIX. — OF. denoncier (mod. dénoncer) :- L. dnuntire give official intimation, f. DE- 3 + nuntire make known, report.

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dense

thick, crowded XV; stupid XIX. — F. dense or L. dnsus. So density XVII.

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dent

†stroke, blow XIII; hollow made as if by a blow XVI. In the first sense, var. of DINT, in the second, f. dent vb. XIV, which is prob. aphetic of INDENT.

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dental

XVI. — medL. dentlis, f. L. dns, dent-TOOTH; see -AL 1. So dentifrice toothpaste or -powder. XVI. — F. dentifrice — L. dentifricium, f. dns, dent- + fricre sub. dentine XIX; see -INE 4. dentist XVIII. — F.; whence dentistry XIX. dentition cutting of the teeth XVII; arrangement of the teeth XIX. — L. dentti, -n-, f. dentre teethe. denture set of (artificial) teeth. XIX.

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denude

XV. — L. dndre, f. DE- 3 + ndre bare, f. ndus NUDE. So denudation XV.

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denuciate

denounce. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. dnuntire DENOUNCE; see -ATE 3. So denunciation †proclamation XV; warning announcement; public condemnation XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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deny

XIII. ME. denie — tonic stem-form deni- of (O)F. dénier, earlier deneier, denoier :- L. dnegre, f. DE- 3 + negre (see NEGATION). Hence denial XVI; see -AL 2.

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deodand

chattel which has been the instrument of death forfeited to the crown for pious uses. XVI. — law F. deodande — AL. dedanda, -um, i.e. De danda, -um that is to be given to God (d. of deus god, gerundive of dare give).

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deontology

science of duty. XIX. f. Gr. déon, deont- that which is binding, duty, n. prp. of deî it is binding, it behoves + -LOGY.

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depart

†divide into parts, distribute; †sunder, separate XIII; go away XIII; leave, quit XIV; die XVI. — (O)F. départir, †des- :- Rom. d-, dispartre, for L. dispertre divide; see DE- 2, DIS- 1, and PART. So department separately allotted province, division, or part. XVIII. departure †separation; going away, setting out; deviation. XV.

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depend

be suspended, be resultant or contingent upon. XV. — (O)F. dépendre — Rom. dpendere, for L. dpendre; see DE- 1, PENDENT. So dependant †dependency; dependent person. XVI. — F. dépendant, sb. use of prp. of dépendre. dependent pendent XV; contingent XVI; subordinate, subject XVII. orig. dependant — (O)F. dépendant. So dependence †dependency XV; dependent condition XVII. — (O)F. dépendance. dependency dependence XVI; dependent country or province XVII; see -ENCY.

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depict

represent in colours XVII; portray XVIII. f. dpict-, pp. stem of L. dpingere; cf. pp. depictyd (XV, once). †depict (XV–XVI) and see DE- 3, PAINT.

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depilate

remove hair from. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. dpilre, f. DE- 3 + pilre deprive of hair. So depilation XV, depilatory adj. and sb. XVII.

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deplete

empty (orig. as by blood-letting). XIX. f. dplt-, pp. stem of L. dplre, f. DE- 6 + -plre FILL. So depletion XVII. — late L. dplti, -n-, repl. late L. dpltra blood-letting.

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deplore

XVI. — (O)F. déplorer or It. deplorare — L. dplrre, f. DE- 3 + plrre wail, bewail. Hence deplorable XVIII. — F. or late L.

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deploy

XVIII. — F. déployer :- L. displicre unfold, DISPLAY.

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deponent

gram. XV; one who makes a deposition XVI. — L. dpnns, -ent-, prp. of dpnere lay aside, put down, deposit, (medL.) testify, f. DE- 1 + pnere place, lay; see -ENT. Deponent verbs in Latin were regarded as having ‘laid aside’ a passive meaning.

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depopulate

†lay waste; deprive of population. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. dpopulre, -r, ravage, f. DE- 3 + populre, -r lay waste (f. populus PEOPLE), in medL. deprive of inhabitants, by assoc. with Rom. dispopulre (OF. despeupler, mod. dé-, whence dispeople XV). So depopulation XV. — L.

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deport

A
†bear with, forbear, refrain XV; refl. comport oneself XVI;

B
carry away or off XVII. In A — OF. deporter, f. DE- 3 + porter carry :- L. portre; in B — F. déporter — L. dportre (see DE- 2).
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So deportment †conduct; personal carriage. XVII.

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depose

put down from office, dethrone XIII; lay aside, lay down, remove XIV; testify (to), attest XV. — (O)F. déposer, based on L. dpnere lay aside or down, deposit, entrust, f. DE- 2 + pnere place; see POSE 1. So deposit sb. (- L. dpositum, sb. use of n. of pp. of dpnere) and vb. (— F. †dépositer or medL. dpositre, f. L. dpositum) XVII. depositary one with whom a thing is deposited XVII; place of deposit XVIII. — late L. dpositrius. deposition degradation, dethronement XIV; giving of testimony on oath XV; taking down of Christ from the Cross XVI. — (O)F. — L. depository keeper of a deposit XVII; place of deposit XVIII. — medL. dpositrium. depot place for military stores or troops XVIII; depository; (U.S.) railway station XIX. — F. dépôt, OF. depost — L. dpositum DEPOSIT.

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deprave

XIV. — (O)F. dépraver or L. dprvre, f. DE- 3 + prvus crooked, perverse, bad. So depravity XVII.

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deprecate

pray against; plead for the avoidance of. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. dprecr, f. DE- 2 + precr PRAY; see ATE3. So deprecation XV. — L. deprecatory XVI. — late L.

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depreciate

lower in value or estimation XV; fall in value or estimation (orig. U.S.) XVIII. f. pp. stem of late L. dpretire (medL. -prec-), f. DE- 1 + pretium PRICE; see -ATE 3.

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depredation

XV. — F. déprédation — late L. dprædti, -n-, f. dorædr, f. DE- 3 + prædr prey; see -ATION.

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depress

†subjugate XIV; press down; bring down in vigour or spirits XV. — OF. depresser — late L. dpressre, frequent. f. dpress-, pp. stem of dprimere press down, f. DE- 1 + premere PRESS. So depression (astron.) angular distance below the horizon, etc., XIV; lowering of condition or powers XV. — (O)F. or L.

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deprive

XIV. — OF. depriver — ecclL. dprvre, f. DE- 3 + prvre deprive. So deprivation XV. — ecclL.

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depth

XIV. prob. based on ME. dpnes deepness + -TH 1; cf. MDu. diepde, (also mod.) -te, MLG. dpede. OE. had depe, etc. (:- Gmc. deupn-), dopnes; see DEEP.

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depute

XV. Partly — (O)F. députer — L. dputre destine, assign, f. DE- 2 + putre consider; partly based on depute pp. (XIV) — (O)F. député, the final syll. of which was dropped as in ASSIGN 2, etc. So deputation appointment, delegation XIV; body of deputed persons XVIII. — late L. deputy XVI. var. of depute (see above) with final syll. retained; see -Y 5. Hence deputize XVIII.

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deracinate

XVI. f. F. déraciner (OF. des-), f. DE- 6 + racine :- late L. radcna, f. L. rdix, rdc- root; see -ATE 3.

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derail

XIX. — F. dérailler, f. DE- 2 + rail RAIL 2.

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derange

XVIII. — F. déranger, OF. desrengier; see DE- 6, RANGE.

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Derby

name of an annual horse-race founded in 1780 by the twelfth earl of Derby; (U.S.) bowler hat. XIX.

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derelict

XVII. — L. drelictus, pp. of drelinquere, f. DE- 3 + relinquere leave. So dereliction abandonment XVII; reprehensible neglect (of duty, etc.) XVIII.

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deride

XVI. — L. drdre, f. DE- 3 + rdre laugh (at). So derision XV. — (O)F. — late L.

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derive

pass. and intr. emanate, take its origin XIV; trans. conduct (water) from a source into a channel XV; †convey, direct; obtain from a source XVI. — (O)F. dériver or L. drvre, f. DE- 2 + rvus brook, stream. So derivation origination, spec. of a word; deviation into a channel; (med.) withdrawal of morbid fluid. XV. derivative XV. — F. — L.

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dermat(o)-

comb. form, varying with the shortened form dermo- , of Gr. dérma, -mat- skin.

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derogate

†abrogate in part; †detract from, disparage; take away a part from XV; fall away from a standard XVII. f. pp. stem of L. drogre, f. DE- 2 + rogre ask, question, propose (a law). So derogation XV. — (O)F. or L. derogatory XVI. — late L.

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derrick

†hangman; †gallows XVI; hoisting contrivance XVIII. f. surname of a noted hangman at Tyburn c. 1600.

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derring-do

(arch.) feats of daring. XVI. Taken up from sixteenth-century prints of Lydgate's ‘Chronicle of Troy’, where derrynge do is misprinted for orig. dorryng do ‘daring to do’. Its currency in mod. writers is due to Scott's use of deeds of such derring-do (‘Ivanhoe’ XXIX).

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derringer

(U.S.) small pistol. XIX. f. surname of the inventor.

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dervish

Muslim ascetic. XVI. — Turk. dervi — Pers. darv, darv poor, (sb.) religious mendicant.

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descant

sb. XIV. orig. deschaunt — OF. deschant (mod. déchant) — medL. discantus part-song, refrain f. L. dis- asunder, apart + cantus song; see DIS-, CHANT. The present form is due to partial assim. to L. So descant vb. XVI. prob. f. the sb.

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descend

XIII. — (O)F. descendre :- L. dscendere, f. DE- 1 + scandere climb. So descendant issue, offspring. XVI. — (O)F., prp. of descendre. descent XIV.

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describe

XV. — L. dscrbere write down, copy off, f. DE- 1 + scrbere write. So description XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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descry

A
†proclaim, declare; †disclose; †cry down, decry XIV;

B
catch sight of, discern XIV. — OF. descrier cry, publish, DECRY. Sense B appears to have arisen through identification with †descrie (- OF. descrire) DESCRIBE, which combined the senses of ‘write down’ and ‘mark down, discern’.
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desecrate

XVII. Formed with DE- 6 as the antithesis of CONSECRATE. So desecration XVIII.

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desert 1

worthiness, meritoriousness XIII; action or quality deserving appropriate recompense XIV. — OF. desert, deserte, sb. derivs. of deservir DESERVE (obs. pp. desert, repr. Rom. dservitus, for L. dservtus).

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desert 2

waste tract of country. XIII. — (O)F. désert — ecclL. dsertum, sb. use of n. of dsertus abandoned, left waste, pp. of dserere sever connection with, leave, forsake. The L. pp. is the source of (O)F. désert adj., whence desert adj. (XIII), which is now apprehended as an attrib. use of the sb.

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desert 3

forsake, abandon. XV. f. †desert pp. or — F. déserter, in OF. make desert, ult. f. L. dsertus DESERT 2. So desertion XV. — (O)F. — late L.

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deserve

†become entitled to earn or claim XIII; be worthy to have XIV. — OF. deservir (now dess-) :- L. dservre serve zealously or well, f. DE- 3 + servre SERVE. So deservedly XVI. f. pp. deserved + -LY 2.

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deshabille

see DISHABILLE.

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desiccate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. dsiccre, f. DE- 3 + siccre make dry, f. siccus dry; see -ATE 3. So desiccation XV. — late L.

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desiderate

feel the want or loss of. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. dsderre, f. DE- 1, 2 + base sder-, as in consïderre CONSIDER; see -ATE 3 and cf. DESIRE. So desideratum something wanting and desired. XVII. sb. use of n. sg. of the pp. of the L. vb. desiderative (gram.) expressing desire. XVI. — late L.

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design 1

plan, scheme, purpose XVI; plan for a work of art XVII. Earliest forms des(e)igne, disseigne — F. †desseing, †des(s)ing (mod. dessein), f. †desseigner (see next).

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design 2

A
point out, designate;

B
plan, purpose, intend XVI;
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C
delineate, draw XVII. In form — F. désigner indicate, designate, and L. dsignre mark out, point out, delineate, depict, contrive, DESIGNATE. All the meanings derive ult. from the L. word, but sense B has been affected by DESIGN 1 and F. †desseigner, sense C by F. dessiner, †dessigner (an alt. of desseigner after It. disignare).
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So designate †indicated XV (once), marked out or selected for office, appointed or nominated XVII. — L. dsigntus, pp. of dsignre, f. DE- 3 + signre mark, SIGN; see -ATE 2. designate vb. appoint or nominate for office XVIII; point out, name XIX. f. pp. stem of L. dsignre; see -ATE 3. designation XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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desire

vb. XIII. — (O)F. désirer :- L. dsderre (see DESIDERATE). So desire sb. XIV. — (O)F. désir, f. the vb. desirous XIV. — AN. desirous, OF. -eus (mod. désireux).

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desist

XV. — (O)F. désister — L. dsistere, f. DE- 2 + sistere, redupl. formation on stre STAND.

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desk

XIV. — medL. desca, prob. based on Pr. desc(a) basket or It. desco table, butcher's block :- L. discus quoit, DISH, DISC; cf. DAIS.

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desolate

left alone; deserted XIV; destitute of life, joy, or comfort XV. — L. dsltus, pp. of dslre abandon, f. DE- 3 + slus alone, SOLE 2; see -ATE 2. So desolation XIV. — late L. or partly through (O)F.

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despair

vb. XIV. f. despeir-, tonic stem of OF. desperer :- L. dsprre (see DESPERATE). So despair sb. XIV. — AN. despeir, for OF. desespeir (mod. désespoir).

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despatch

see DISPATCH.

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desperado

†one in despair; desperate adventurer XVII. refash. of the somewhat earlier †desperate, sb. use of next (XVI), after Sp. words in -ADO.

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desperate

XV. — L. dsprtus despaired, OF. pp. of dsprre despair, f. DE- 6 + sprre hope; see -ATE 2. So desperation XIV. — OF. — L.

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despise

XIII. f. despis-, pres. stem of OF. despire :- L. dspicere, f. DE- 1 + specere look.

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despite

†scorn; outrage, injury XIII; indignation, vexation, spite XIV. — OF. despit (mod. dépit) :- L. dspectus looking down (upon), f. dspect-, dspicere (see prec.).

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despoil

XIII. — OF. despoill(i)er, despuillier (mod. dépouiller) :- L. dspolire, f. DE- 6 + spolire (see SPOIL).

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despond

lose heart or confidence. XVII. — L. dspondre give up, resign, abandon, f. DE- 2 + spondre promise. Hence despondence, despondency, despondent. XVII.

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despot

lord, prince, ruler XVI; absolute ruler, tyrant XVIII. — F. despote, earlier †despot — medL. despota — Gr. despóts master, lord. So despotic XVII, despotism XVIII.

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desquamation

scaling, peeling of skin. XVIII. — F. désquamation or modL. dsqumti, -n-, f. désqumre remove the scales from, f. DE- 6 + squma scale; see -ATION.

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dessert

course of fruit after dinner. XVII. — F. dessert m., desserte fem., pp. derivs. of desservir remove what has been served at table, f. des- DIS- 2 + servir SERVE.

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destine

vb. XIV. — (O)F. destiner — L. dstinre make fast or firm, establish. Hence destination XV. — (O)F. or L. destiny XIV. — (O)F.

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destitute

†abandoned, forsaken, forlorn XIV; devoid of XV; bereft of resources XVIII. — L. dstittus forsaken, pp. of dstituere, f. DE- 1, 2 + statuere set up, place.

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destroy

XIII. ME. destru(i)(e), destr(o)ie — OF. destruire (mod. détruire) :- Rom. dstrgere, for L. dstruere, f. DE- 6 + struere pile up. Hence destroyer XIV. So destruction XIV. — (O)F. — L. destructive XV. — (O)F. — late L.

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desuetude

XV. — F. désuétude or its source L. dsutd, f. dsuscere, dsut- disuse, become unaccustomed, f. DE- 6 + suscere be wont; see -TUDE.

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desultory

shifting from one place or thing to another XVI; disconnected and irregular XVIII. — L. dsultrius pert. to a vaulter, superficial, f. dsultor, f. dsult-, pp. stem of dsilre leap down, f. DE- 1 + salre leap; see -ORY.

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detach

XVII. — F. détacher, earlier †destacher, f. des- DIS- 1 + stem of attacher ATTACH. So detachment XVII.

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detail

in detail item by item; minute account XVII; minute part; (mil.) distribution in detail of the daily orders to the officers concerned, body detached for special duty XVIII. F. détail, f. détailler (f. dé- DE- 3 + tailler cut up in pieces). whence detail vb. deal with in detail XVII; (mil.) XVIII.

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detain

XV. repr. tonic stem of (O)F. détenir (AN. detener) :- Rom. détenre, for L. dtinre, f. DE- 2 + tenre hold. So detainer (leg.) detention XVII. — AN. detention XV. — F. or late L.

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detect

†uncover, expose XV; expose the secrecy of XVI. f. dtect-, pp. stem of L. dtegere, f. DE- 6 + tegere cover; after †detect pp. (XIV). So detection XV. — late L. detective XIX; first in detective police(man); hence ellipt. as sb.

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detent

in clocks and watches, the catch which regulates the striking. XVII; (gen.) stop or catch in a machine XIX. — F. détente, earlier destente orig. mechanism in a cross-bow by which the string is released, f. destendre slacken, f. des- DIS- (privative) + tendre stretch (see TEND).

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détente

easing of strained relations. XX. — F.; see prec.

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deter

XVI. — L. dterrre, f. DE- 2 + terrre frighten. So deterrent XIX.

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deterge

wipe or clear away (esp. med.). XVII. — F. déterger or L. dtergre, f. DE- 2 + tergre wipe. So detergent adj. and sb. XVII.

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deteriorate

make worse XVI; grow worse XVIII. f. pp. stem of late L. dterirre, f. dterior worse, compar. of dter-, f. d down (see DE-) + compar. suffix; see -ATE 3.

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determine

XIV. — (O)F. déterminer L. dterminre bound, limit, fix, f. DE- 3 + terminre TERMINATE So determinant XVII, determination XIV.

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determinism

(philos.) doctrine that human action is necessarily determined. XIX. — F. déterminisme or its source G. determinismus (Kant, 1793), which may have been extracted from prädeterm inismus, if not directly f. determinieren — L. dterminre (see prec.) + -ismus -ISM.

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detest

†execrate; have abhorrence OF. XVI. — L. dtestr denounce, renounce, f. DE- 4 + testr bear witness, call to witness, f. testis witness; perh. partly back-formation from detestation (XV) — (O)F. — L.

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detonate

XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. dtonre, f. DE- 3 + tonre THUNDER (see -ATE 3); partly back-formation from detonation (XVII) — F. détonation, f. détoner — L. dtonre. Hence detonator XIX.

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detour

XVIII. — F. détour change of direction, f. détourner (OF. destorner) turn away; see DE- 2, TURN.

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detract

XV. f. dtract-, pp. stem of L. dtrahere draw off, take away, disparage, f. DE- 2 + trahere draw. So detraction XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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detriment

XV. — (O)F. détriment or L. dtrmentum, f. pt. stem dtr- of dterere wear away, f. DE- 2 + terere rub; see -MENT. Hence detrimental XVII.

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detritus

†wearing away by rubbing XVIII; (after F. détritus) matter produced by such action XIX. — L. dtrtus, f. dtr- (see prec.).

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deuce 1

two at dice or cards XV; (at tennis) the point at which each side has scored 40 and the game is à deux ‘at two’, i.e. when two successive points must be gained to win XVI. — OF. deus (mod. deux) :- L. dus acc. TWO.

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deuce 2

in imprecatory phr. †a deuce on, the (†a) deuce take, what the (†a) deuce, plague, mischief, (later) the Devil. XVII. — LG. duus = G. daus, prob. to be identified ult. with prec. as a dicer's exclamation on making the lowest throw, viz. a two.

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deuterium

(chem.) an isotope of hydrogen. symbol D. XX. f. Gr. deúteros (cf. next) + -IUM.

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deutero-

comb. form of Gr. deúteros second, also in the sense ‘secondary’.

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deutzia

genus of shrubs. XIX. f. name of J. Deutz of Amsterdam; see -IA 1.

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devastate

XVII (rare before XIX). f. pp. stem of L. dvstre, f. DE- 3 + vstre lay waste, f. vstus WASTE; see -ATE 3. So devastation XV.

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develop

unfold, lay open (more fully). XVII (first as pp. developed; preceded by †disvelop (XVI–XVIII).- OF. desveloper, mod. développer :- Rom. vb. f. L. DIS- 2 + volup-, velup- (ult. orig. unkn.). So development XVIII.

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deviate

XVII. f. pp. stem of late L. dvire, f. DE- 2 + via way; see -ATE 2. So deviation XVII. — F. — medL.

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device

plan, planning; pleasure, fancy XIII; †opinion; design, figure XIV; contrivance XIV. ME. devis, later devise, from XV device; the present form is — OF. devis m.; devise is — OF. devise fem.; — Rom. derivs. of L. dvs-, pp. stem of dvdere DIVIDE. Cf. DEVISE.

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devil

the supreme spirit of evil; malignant being OE.; printer's apprentice XVII; (highly seasoned) fried or boiled dish XVIII. OE. dofol = OS. diubul, -al (Du. duivel), OHG. tiufal (G. teufel), ON. djfull, Goth. diab(a)ulus. The Goth. forms were directly — Gr. diábolos prop. accuser, slanderer, f. diabállein slander, traduce, f. diá across + bállein throw. The other Gmc. forms were — ChrL. diabolus (whence also (O)F. diable, etc.). Hence devil vb. †play the devil XVI; grill, broil (with hot condiments) XVIII; act as devil to a lawyer or writer XIX. devilish XV; see -ISH 1. devilry XIV; after (O)F. diablerie.

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devious

lying out of the way XVI; deviating from the direct way XVII. f. L. dvius, f. DE- 2 + via way; see -OUS.

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devise 1

order, appoint XIII; assign by will; plan, contrive XIV. — (O)F. deviser divide, dispose (of), design, contrive, discourse :- Rom. dvsre, f. dvs-, pp. stem of L. dvdere DIVIDE.

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devise 2

testamentary disposition. XVI. — OF. devise (see DEVICE) — medL. dvsa, used for dvsi DIVISION.

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devoid

XV. orig. pp. (contr.) of †devoid make void or empty (XIV) — OF. devoidier, -vuidier (mod. dévider), f. DE- 3 + voidier, vuidier VOID.

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devolve

†roll down XV; pass or cause to pass to or fall upon another XVI. — L. dvolvere, f. DE- 1 + volvere roll (see VOLUME). So devolution XVI.

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devote

XVI. f. dvt-, pp. stem of L. dvovre, f. DE- 3 + vovre vow. Hence devotee XVII. See -EE. So devotion XIII. — (O)F. — L.

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devour

XIV. f. devour-, tonic stem of (O)F. dévorer — L. dvorre, f. DE- 3 + vorre swallow.

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devout

XIII. — (O)F. dévot — L. dvtus, pp. of dvovre DEVOTE.

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dew

OE. daw = OS. dau (Du. dauw), OHG. tou (G. tau), ON. dgg :- Gmc. dawwaz, -am, f. the base repr. in Skr. dhv flow, Gr. theîn run.

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dew-claw

rudimentary inner toe in dogs. XVI. prob. f. DEW + CLAW, being so called because it touches only the dewy surface of the ground.

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dew-lap

fold of loose skin hanging from the throat. XIV. f. DEW + LAP 1, perh. after ON. dggleppr.

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dexter

(her.) right-hand. XVI. — L. dexter, compar. formation, f. IE. base seen also in Gr. dexiós on the right hand (with Indo-Iran., Balto-Slav., Gmc., Celt., and Alb. cogns.); the primary meaning passes sometimes into ‘adroit’. So dexterity XVI. — F. — L. Hence dext(e)rous XVII.

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dextrin

(chem.) gummy substance into which starch is converted at high temperatures, having the property of turning the plane of polarization to the right, whence its name. XIX. — F. dextrine, f. L. dextr on the right hand, abl. fem. of dexter; see prec. and -IN.

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dextro-

used as comb. form of L. dexter, dextr- right-handed (see DEXTER) or dextr on the right-hand, in physical and chemical terms to denote ‘turned or turning to the right’ with ref. to the property of causing a ray of polarized light to turn to the right.

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dhow

native vessel used on the Arabian Sea. XIX. ult. orig. unkn.; in Marathi as w, in Arabic as dw.

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di- 1

see DIS-.

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di- 2

repr. Gr. di-, for dis twice (cf. TWO).

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dia-

before a vowel di-3 repr. Gr. dia-, di-, the prep. diá (app. alt. of IE. dis in two, apart; cf. DIS-) in comps. with the senses ‘through’, ‘thoroughly’, ‘apart’, occurring in a few words going back (sometimes through F. and L.) to Gr. originals, as DIALECT, DIATRIBE, and in many mod. scientific and techn. formations.

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diabetes

disease marked by immoderate discharge of urine containing glucose. XVI. — L. diabts — Gr. diabts, f. diabaínein go through; see DIA- and COME.

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diablerie

dealings with the devil, devilry XVIII; devil-lore XIX. — F., f. diable DEVIL; see -ERY.

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diabolic

XIV, diabolical XVI. — or f. (O)F. diabolique, ChrL. diabolicus, f. diabolus DEVIL; see -IC, -ICAL.

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diaconal

pert. to a deacon. XVIII. — ChrL. diconlis, f. diconus DEACON; see -AL 1. So diaconate XVII. See -ATE 1.

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diacritic

serving to distinguish XVII; sb. diacritic sign XIX. — Gr. diakritikós, f. diakrnein distinguish; see DIA-, CRITIC.

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diadem

XIII. — (O)F. diadème — L. diadma — Gr. didma, f. diadeîn bind round. f. DIA- + deîn bind.

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diaeresis

(sign ¨ marking) the separation of a vowel from its neighbour. XVII. — late L. — Gr. diaíresis, f. diaireîn divide, f. DIA- + haireîn take.

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diagnosis

XVII. — modL. — Gr. dignsis, f. diagignskein distinguish, discern, f. DIA- + gignskein perceive (see KNOW).

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diagonal

XVI. — L. diagnlis, f. Gr. diagnios, f. DIA- + gní angle; see -AL 1.

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diagram

XVII. — L. diagramma — Gr. diágramma (-at-), f. diagráphein mark out by lines, f. DIA- + gráphein write; see -GRAM. So diagrammatic XIX.

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dial

instrument to tell the time of day by the shadow cast by the sun. XV. Obscure deriv. of medL. dilis, f. dis day; see -AL 1.

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dialect

XVI. — F. dialecte or L. dialectus — Gr. diálektos, f. dialégesthai hold discourse, f. DIA- + légein speak. Hence dialectal XIX; dialectical was earlier in this sense XVIII. So dialectic XVII, dialectical XVI pert. to logical disputation. dialectic sb. investigation of truth by discussion XIV. dialectician XVII. — F.

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dialogue

XIII. — OF. dialoge (mod. dialogue) — L. dialogus — Gr. diálogos conversation, discourse, f. dialégesthai converse (see DIALECT).

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dialysis

†statement of disjunctive propositions, asyndeton XVI; (chem.) separation of the soluble crystalloid substances in a mixture from the colloid XIX. — L. — Gr. diálusis, f. dialúein part asunder, f. DIA- + lúein set free.

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diamanté

material scintillating with powdered crystal, etc. XX. — F., pp. formation on diamant DIAMOND.

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diameter

XIV. — (O)F. diamètre — L. diametrus, -os — Gr. diámetros, f. DIA- + métron measure. So diametrical XVI.

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diamond

XIII. ME. diama(u)nt — (O)F. diamant — medL. diamas, diamant-, alt. of L. adams ADAMANT, by assoc. with words in DIA-.

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diapason

(mus.) †octave XIV; harmonious or melodious succession of notes or parts; foundation stop in an organ XVI; scale, range, pitch XVIII. — L. diapsn — Gr. diapsôn, i.e. dià psôn ‘through all (the notes)’, i.e. of the scale.

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diaper

linen fabric with a small diamond pattern XIV; pattern of this kind XVII; small towel XVI. — OF. diapre, earlier diaspre — medL. diasprum — medGr. diaspros, f. DIA- + áspros white. Hence diaper vb., diapered ppl. adj. XIV.

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diaphanous

transparent. XVII. f. medL. diaphanus, f. Gr. diaphans, f. DIA- + phan-, phaínein show; see -OUS.

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diaphoretic

sudorific. XV. — late L. diaphorticus — Gr. diaphortikós, f. diaphórsis perspiration, f. diaphoreîn throw off by perspiration, f. DIA- + phoreîn carry, rel. to phérein BEAR 2.

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diaphragm

partition dividing the thorax from the abdomen. XVII (earlier in L. form). — late L. diaphragma — Gr. diáphragma f. DIA- + phrágma fence.

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diarrhoea

XVI (also diaria, diarie XV). — late L. — Gr. diárrhoia, f. diarrheîn flow through, f. DIA- + rheîn flow.

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diary

XVI. — L. dirium daily allowance, (later) journal, in form sb. use of n. of dirius daily (which, however, is not pre-medieval), f. dis day; see -ARY. Hence diarist XIX.

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Diaspora

the Jews dispersed among the Gentiles. XIX. — Gr. diasporá, f. diaspeírein disperse. f. DIA- + speírein sow, scatter.

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diastole

(physiol.) dilatation. XVI. — late L. — Gr. diastol separation, expansion, f. diastéllein, f. DIA- + stéllein place.

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diatessaron

†(mus.) interval of a fourth XIV; medicine of four ingredients XV; harmony of the four Gospels XIX. — late L. diatessarn, f. Gr. diàtessárn ‘through, i.e. composed of, four’ (diá DIA-, tessárn, g. of téssares FOUR).

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diatonic

XVII (†diatonical XVI). — (O)F. diatonique or its source, late L. diatonicus — Gr. diatonikós proceeding through, i.e. at the interval of, a tone, f. DIA- + tónos TONE; see -IC.

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diatribe

disquisition XVI; severely critical discourse XIX. — F. — L. diatriba — Gr. diatrib employment (of time), study, discourse, f. diatríbein consume, waste, while away, f. DIA- + tríbein rub.

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dibble

instrument for making holes in the ground. XV. In form a deriv. with -LE of †dib vb. (XIV), a syn., and prob. a modified form, of DIP; but the senses of this vb. that are more directly connected with dibble are of much later emergence.

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dibs

pl. children's game played with pebbles or knuckle-bones XVIII; (sl.) money XIX. perh. f. dib vb. (see prec.) tap, dip, bob, apprehended as a var, of DAB.

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dice

XIV. pl. of DIE 2.

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dichotomy

division into two parts. XVII. — Gr. dikhotomí, f. dikhótomos cut in two, equally divided, f. dikho-, comb. form of díkha in two, rel. to dís (see DI- 2) — -TOMY. So dichotomize XVII.

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dickens

euph. substitute for devil. XVI. prob. a fanciful use of the personal name Dickens, f. Dicken, Dickon, dim. of Dick, alt. of Rick, petform of Rickard, Richard.

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dicker

ten, esp. of hides. ME. dyker (XII) points to an OE. dicor, corr. to MLG. dker, MHG. techer, (also mod.) decher :- WGmc. decura — L. decuria set of ten. Hence (perh.) dicker vb. trade by barter, haggle. XIX. A use supposed to be due to the bartering of skins on the N. Amer. frontier.

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dicky 1

he-ass, donkey; †under-petticoat XVIII; driver's or rear seat in a carriage; detached shirt-front; small bird (also dicky-bird) XIX. dim. of the proper name Dick (cf. DICKENS); see -Y 6.

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dicky 2

(colloq.) shaky, insecure, ‘queer’; feeling ill. XVIII. perh. orig. f. Dick in phr. ‘as queer as Dick's hatband’; see -Y 1.

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dicotyledon

(bot.) flowering plant having two seed-lobes. XVIII. — modL. pl. dcotyldones; see DI-, COTYLEDON.

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dictate

utter aloud (something to be written down); lay down authoritatively. XVII. f. dictt-, pp. stem of L. dictre pronounce, prescribe, f. dcere say (see DICTION). So dictate sb. XVI. — L. dicttum, sb. use of n. pp. of dictre. dictation XVII. — late L. dictator XIV. — L.

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diction

†word, phrase XV; choice of phraseology, wording XVII. — (O)F. diction or L. dicti, -n- saying, mode of expression, (later) word, f. dict-, pp. stem of dcere say, rel. to Gr. deiknúnai show, Goth. gateihan announce, OHG. zhan (G. zeihen), OE. ton (:- teohan) accuse, ON. tjá show, tell; see -TION.

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dictionary

XVI. — medL. dictinrium, -us, f. L. dicti phrase, word; see prec., -ARY.

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dictum

XVII. — L. ‘thing said’, sb. use of n. pp. of dcere say.

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didactic

XVII. — Gr. didaktikós, f. stem didak- of didáskein teach; see -IC.

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didapper

dabchick. XV. Reduced form of divedapper (not recorded so early), extension of dive-dap (cf. OE. dufedoppa; see DABCHICK).

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die 1

cease to live. XII. ME. de(i)zen, deye, pt. de(i)zede, deide, of disputed orig.: two hypotheses are admissible:
i
that the ME. forms repr. unrecorded OE. dean, dan = OS. dian, OHG. touwen (MHG. töuwen), ON. deyja :- Gmc. dawjan, f. daw-, repr. also in DEAD, DEATH, and Goth. afdauips vexed, rel. by gradation to diwans mortal, undiwanei immortality; but it is more likely
ii
that the ME. forms were immed. — ON. deyja. In OE. the words for ‘die’ were steorfan (see STARVE), sweltan (see SWELTER), or wesan dad, pt. wæs dad (‘be, was dead’).

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die 2

pl. DICE cube used in games of chance. XIII. ME. d, dee, pl. ds, dees — OF, dé, pl. dés :- L. (Rom.) datum, sb. use of n. pp. of dare give, spec. play.

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diet 1

food XIII; customary or prescribed course of food XIV. — (O)F. diète — L. diæta — Gr. díaita course of life. Hence diet vb. XIV. So dietary course of diet XV; adj. XVII. — medL. diætrium.

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diet 2

†day's journey; appointed day or time, meeting, session XV; metal scraped from gold and silver plate assayed day by day at the Mint XVII. — medL. dita day's journey, allowance, work, wages.

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dif-

assim. form of DIS- before f, as in L. differre DIFFER. In Rom. it became def-, OF. de-, as in DEFY.

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differ

XIV. — (O)F. differer
i
put off, DEFER,
ii
be different — L. differre, f. DIF- + ferre, carry, BEAR 2. So different, difference XIV. — (O)F. — L. differential XVII. differentiate, differentiation XIX. — medL.

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difficult

XIV. Back-formation from difficulty (XIV) — L. difficults, f. DIF- + facults FACULTY.

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diffident

†distrustful XV; wanting in self-confidence XVIII. — L. diffdns, -ent-, prp. of diffdere mistrust, f. DIF- + fdere trust, rel. to fides FAITH; see -ENT. So diffidence XV. — F. or L.

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diffraction

XVII. F. diffraction or modL. diffractio, f. diffract-, pp. stem of L. diffringere break in pieces, f. DIF- + frangere BREAK 1.

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diffuse

†confused, indistinct XV; opp. of confined and condensed XVIII. — F. diffus (fem. -use) or L. diffsus extensive, ample, prolix, pp. of diffundere pour out, f. DIF- + fundere pour. So diffuse vb. XVI. f. diffs-, pp. stem of L. diffundere. diffusion †outpouring XIV; spreading abroad XVI; permeation of a fluid by another XVIII. — L.

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dig

XIII. ME. digge, perh. f. OE. d.iian, f. d. DITCH. Orig. weak (digged); the new dug appears XVI.

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digamma

Gr. letter . XVII. — L. — Gr. dígamma (so called from its shape, which suggests two gammas set one above the other).

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digest

methodical or systematic compendium. XIV. — L. dgesta ‘matters methodically arranged’, n. pl. of dgestus, pp. of dgerere divide, distribute, digest, f. DI- 1 + gerere carry. So digest arrange methodically; assimilate (food) in the body. XV. f. dgest-, pp. stem of dgerere. digestion digesting of food. XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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digit

any numeral from 0 to 9 XV; 1/12 of the diameter of sun or moon XVI; finger, toe; finger's breadth XVII. — L. digitus finger, toe.

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digitalis

plant of the foxglove family XVII; drug prepared from this XVIII. — modL., sb. use of L. digitlis pert. to the finger, after the G. name of the foxglove, fingerhut ‘finger-hat’, thimble.

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dignify

XV. — F. dignifier — late L. dignificre; see next and -FY.

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dignity

worth, nobility, honourable estate or office XIII; nobility or gravity of manner XVII. — OF. digneté (mod. dignité, with latinized sp.) — L. dignits, f. dignus worthy; see -ITY. Hence dignitary XVII.

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digraph

group of two letters representing one sound. XVIII. f. Gr. DI- 2 + graph writing.

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digress

XVI. f. dgress-, pp. stem of L. dgred, f. DI- 1 + grad step, walk, f. gradus step. So digression XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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dike, dyke.

A
(dial.) ditch XIII;

B
embankment XV. — ON. dík, díki or MLG. dk dam, MDu. dijc ditch, pool, mound, dam (Du. dijk dam); see DITCH. In A prob. of Norse orig.; in B prob. originating from the Low Countries in connection with drainage works.
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So dike, dyke vb. XIV.

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dilapidate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. dlapidre, f. DI- 1 + lapis, lapid- stone; see -ATE 3. So dilapidation XV. — late L.

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dilate

A
†relate at length XIV; discourse at large upon XVI;

B
make wider XV; become wider, expand XVII. — (O)F. dilater — L. dltre spread out, f. DI- 1 + ltus wide.
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So dilatation XIV; largely superseded by the shorter dilation (XV), formed as if dilate contained the suffix -ATE 3.

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dilatory

tending to cause delay XV; given to delaying XVII. — L. dltrius, f. dltor delayer, f. dlt-, pp. stem of differre DEFER 1; see -ORY 2.

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dilemma

form of argument involving the opponent in the choice of alternatives; choice between two equally unfavourable alternatives. XVI. — L. — Gr. dílmma, f. DI- 2 + lêmma assumption, premiss (see LEMMA).

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dilettante

amateur of the fine arts; (later) mere amateur. XVIII. — It. ‘lover (of music or painting)’, sb. use of prp. of dilettare :- L. dlectre DELIGHT.

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diligent

XIV. — (O)F. — L. dligns, -ent- assiduous, attentive, adj. use of prp. of dligere esteem highly, choose, take delight in, f. DI- 1 + -legere (as in neglegere NEGLECT). So diligence XIV.

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dill

the plant Anethum graveolens, having carminative properties. OE. dile and dyle, corr. to OS. dilli (Du. dille), OHG. tilli, and MDu. dulle, MHG. tülle, ON. dylla; of unkn. orig.

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dilly-dally

XVII. redupl., with variation of vowel, of DALLY.

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dilute

XVI. f. dlt-, pp. stem of L. dluere wash away, dissolve, f. DI- 1 + -luere, comb. form of lavre wash, LAVE. Hence dilution XVII.

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diluvial

pert. to the Flood XVII; (geol.) caused by extraordinary action of water on a large scale XIX. — late L. dluvilis, f. dluvium flood, DELUGE.

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dim

adj. OE. dim(m) = OFris. dim, ON. dimmr, rel. to synon. OHG. timbar (MHG., mod. dial. timmer), OSw. dimber, OIr. dem black, dark. Hence dim vb. XIII; in OE. comps. dimmian, fordimmian, corr. to ON. dimma darken.

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dime

†tenth part XIV; 1/10 of a dollar XVIII. — (O)F. dime, †disme :- L. decima tithe, sb. use (sc. pars part) of fem. of decimus TENTH.

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dimension

XIV. — F. — L. dmnsi, -n-, f. dmns-, pp. stem of dmetr; see DI- 1 and MEASURE.

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dimidiation

halving. XV. — L. dmiditi, -n-, f. dmidit-, pp. stem of dmidire, f. dmidium half, f. DI- 1 + medius middle, MID; see -ATION.

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diminish

XV. Resulting from a conflation of †diminue XIV (- (O)F. diminuer — L. dminuere) and minish (- OF. menu(i)sier :- Rom. mintire, f. mintus MINUTE). So diminution XIV. — (O)F. — L. diminutive XIV (as sb. in gram.). — (O)F. — late L.

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dimissory

XIV. — late L. dmissrius, f. dmiss-, pp. stem of dmittere; see DISMISS.

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dimity

stout cotton fabric. XV (demyt). — It. dimito or medL. dimitum — Gr. dímitos, f. DI- 2 + mítos thread of the warp.

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dimorphous

XIX. f. Gr. dímorphos, f. DI- 2 + morph form; see -MORPH, -OUS. So dimorphic XIX.

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dimple

†hollow in the ground XIII; small hollow in the cheek or chin XIV. prob. repr. OE. dympel, corr. to OHG. tumphilo (G. tümpel) deep place in water, f. Gmc. dump-, perh. nasalized form of dup- deup- DEEP; see -LE 1.

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din

sb. OE. dyne (:- duniz) and dynn, corr. to OHG. tuni, ON. dynr (:- dunjaz, -uz). So din vb. †sing, resound OE.; assail with din, make resound, make a din XVII. OE. dynian = OS. dunian, MHG. tünen roar, rumble, ON. dynja come rumbling down, gush, pour :- Gmc. dunjan. The IE. base dhun- is repr. also by Skr. dhúni- roaring, Lith. dundéti sound.

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dinar

name of various Oriental coins. XVII. — Arab., Pers. dnr — late Gr. dnárion — L. dnrius DENARIUS.

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dine

XIII. — (O)F. diner, earlier disner :- Rom. disjnre, for disjjnre break one's fast, f. DIS- 2 + jjnium fast.

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ding-dong

redupl. form imit. of the tolling of a bell. XVI.

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dinghy

native Indian rowing-boat; (gen.) small rowing-boat. XIX. — Hindi g.

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dingle

deep hollow. XIII (once; not otherwise recorded in literature till XVII). perh. a dim. form (see -LE 1); ult. orig. unkn.

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dingo

wild dog of Australia. XVIII. Aboriginal name.

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dingy

XVIII. perh. to be referred ult. to OE. dyne dung, manured land, f. dung DUNG; see -Y 1.

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dinky

(colloq.) neat, spruce. XIX. f. Sc. and north. dink decked out, trim (XVI); of unkn. orig.; see -Y 1.

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dinner

XIII. — (O)F., sb. use of diner DINE.

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din(o)-

comb. form in modL. terms of Gr. deinós terrible, denoting certain huge extinct animals, as dinornis moa (Gr. ornis bird), dinosaur (Gr. saûros lizard), dinothere proboscidean quadruped (Gr. thríon wild beast). XIX.

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dint

†stroke, blow OE.; force of attack or impact XIV; (by assoc. with dent, indent) mark made by a blow, dent XVI. OE. dynt, reinforced in ME. by the rel. ON. dyntr (dyttr), dynta. Phr. †by dint of sword (XIV–XVIII); by dint (earlier dent XVI) of, by means of XVII. So dint vb. XIII. — ON. dynta (dytta).

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diocese

XIV. — OF. diocise (mod. diocèse) — late L. diocsis, for L. diœcsis governor's jurisdiction, district, (eccl.) diocese — Gr. dioíksis administration, government, (Roman) province, (eccl.) diocese, f. dioikeîn keep house, administer, f. DI- 2 + oikeîn inhabit, manage, f. oîkos house. So diocesan XV.

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dioecious

(bot.) having the two sexes in separate individuals. XVIII. f. DI- 2 + Gr. oîkos house; see -IOUS.

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diorama

XIX. f. DI- 3 + Gr. hórma view, f. horân see.

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dip

let down into liquid OE.; go down, sink XIV; have a downward inclination XVII. OE. dyppan :- dupjan, f. Gmc. dup- deup- (see DEEP). Hence dip sb. act of dipping XVI; depression; downward inclination XVIII.

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diphtheria

infectious disease affecting chiefly the throat. XIX. — modL. — F. diphthérie (now diphtérie), substituted for earlier diphthérite, f. Gr. diphthér, diphtherís skin, hide, piece of leather; so named on account of the tough membrane which forms on parts affected by the disease.

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diphthong

XV. — F. dipthongue — L. diphthongus — Gr. díphthoggos, f. DI- 2 + phthggos voice, sound.

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diploma

official document of state or church; document conferring an honour, privilege, or license. XVII. — L. diplma — Gr. díplma folded paper, letter of recommendation or conveying a license or privilege, f. diploûn double, fold, f. diploûs double.

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diplomacy

XVIII. — F. diplomatie, f. diplomatique. diplomatic pert. to original official documents; concerned with diplomacy. XVIII. In the former sense — modL. diplmaticus, f. L. diplmat- DIPLOMA; in the latter sense — F. diplomatique. As sb. diplomatic
A
†diplomatist; diplomacy XVIII;
B
(also -ics) study of original documents XIX. A. sb. uses of the adj.; B — F. diplomatique. So diplomat XIX. — F. diplomate, back-formation from diplomatique. diplomatist XIX. f. F. diplomate or L. stem diplmat-.

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dipsomania

XIX. f. Gr. dípsa, dípsos thirst + MANIA. So dipsomaniac XIX.

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diptera

two-winged flies. XIX. — Gr. díptera, n. pl. of dipteros two-winged (f. DI- 2 + pterón wing) used sb. So dipterous XVIII.

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diptych

two-leaved hinged tablet for writing. XVII. — late L. diptycha — late Gr. díptukha, n. pl. of díptukhos double-folded, f. DI- 2 + ptukh fold.

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dire

XVI. — L. drus, rel. to Gr. deídein vb. fear, deinós terrible.

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direct

address (a letter or message) XIV; instruct XV. prob. based immed. on pp. direct — L. drectus, pp. of drigere, d- straighten, direct, guide, f. DI- 1, DE- 3 + regere put straight, rule, whence also direct adj. straight XIV; straightforward, immediate XVI. So direction action of directing XV; course pursued XVII. — F. or L. directive adj. XV, sb. XVII. — medL. director XV. — AN. directory adj. serving to direct XV; sb. book of directions XVI.

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dirge

office of matins for the dead XIII; song of mourning XVI. ME. dirige (later dyrge, derg(i)e), the first word of the L. antiphon to the first psalm in the office: ‘Dirige, Domine, Deus meus, in conspectu tuo viam meam’ Direct, O Lord my God, my way in thy sight; imper. of L. drigere DIRECT.

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dirigible

that can be directed or steered. XVI. f. L. drigere DIRECT + -IBLE.

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diriment.

nullifying. XIX. — L. dirimns, -ent-, prp. of dirimere separate, interrupt, f. DIS- + emere take; see -ENT.

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dirk

XVII. Earliest in Sc. durk, dowrk; of unkn. orig.

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dirt

excrement; unclean matter XIII; soil XVII. ME. drit — ON., corr. to MDu. drte (Du dreet), rel. to the vb. OE. edrtan, ON. drta, MDu. drten (Du. drijten) void excrement.

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dis-

prefix repr. L. dis-, rel. to Gr. DIA-. It was reduced to d- before some voiced consonants, as in drigere DIRECT, dvidere DIVIDE, became dir- between vowels in dirimere (see DIRIMENT), was assim. before f, as in differre DIFFER, but retained its full form before p, t, c, and s.

In Eng. dis- appears
i
as repr. dis- in words adopted direct from L.,
ii
as repr. OF. des- (mod. dé(s)-) :- L. dis-,
iii
as repr. late L. dis-, Rom. des-, substituted for L. d-,
iv
as a living prefix combined with words of no matter what origin.

As an etymol. el. dis- occurs
1
with the meanings ‘apart’, ‘asunder’, ‘separately’, as in discuss, disperse; hence
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2
with privative, negative, or reversive force, as in disaster, dissuade, or with intensive force, as in disturb. As a living prefix from XV with such privative or reversive force it
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3
forms comp. vbs., as disestablish, disinter, disown,
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4
with sbs. forms vbs. meaning to free or deprive of a quality or character, or reverse a condition, as dischurch, disrobe,
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5
with adjs. forms vbs., as disable,
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6
with sbs. expresses the reverse or lack of, as disquiet, disservice,
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7
with adjs. expresses the negative or opposite, as discourteous, disreputable, and
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8
is used with intensive force, as disannul.
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disability

XVI. DIS- 6. disable XV. DIS- 5. disabuse XVII. DIS- 3, 4. disadvantage sb. XIV. — (O)F. désavantage; DIS- 2. disaffect †dislike; (esp. in pp.) alienate the friendship or loyalty OF. XVII. DIS- 3. disagree XV. — (O)F. désagréer; DIS- 2. disallow XIV. — OF. desalouer; DIS- 2.

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disappear

XV. f. DIS- 3 + APPEAR, after F. disparaître. Hence disappearance XVIII.

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disappoint

†deprive of appointment; frustrate the expectation or fulfilment OF. XV. — (O)F. désappointer, f. des- DIS- 2 + appointer APPOINT. Hence disappointment XVII.

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disarm

XIV. — (O)F. désarmer; see DIS- 2, ARM 2. So disarmament XVIII.

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disarray

XIV. — AN. desarei, OF. desaroi; see DIS- 2, ARRAY.

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disaster

XVI. — F. désastre or its source It. disastro, f. dis- DIS- 2 + astro (:- L. astrum) STAR; lit. ‘unfavourable aspect of a star’. So disastrous †ill-starred, ill-boding XVI; calamitous XVII. — F. désastreux — It. disastroso.

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disband

XVI. — F. †desbander (mod. dé); see DIS- 1, BAND 2.

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disbelief

XVII. DIS- 6. So disbelieve XVII. DIS- 3. disburden XVI. DIS- 4.

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disburse

XVI. — OF. desbourser (mod. déburser), f. des- DIS- 2 + bourse PURSE.

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disc, disk

XVII. — F. disque or its source L. DISCUS.

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discard

reject (a card) from the hand; cast off, abandon. XVI. f. DIS- 4 + CARD 2.

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discern

XIV. — (O)F. discerner — L. discernere separate, distinguish, f. DIS- 1 + cernere separate, rel. to Gr. krnein (see CRISIS).

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discharge

disburden, relieve XIV; remove (a charge) XV; acquit oneself of XVI. — OF. descharger (mod. décharger); see DIS- 2, CHARGE. Hence discharge sb. XV.

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disciple

OE. discipul — L. discipulus learner, f. discere learn, rel. to docre teach (see DOCTOR); reinforce in ME. by OF. deciple; later conformed to the L. sp.

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discipline

chastisement, penitential correction XIII; †instruction, schooling; branch of learning XIV; training in action or conduct XV; system of control over conduct XVI. — OF. — L. disciplna, f. discipulus (see prec.). So disciplinary XVI. — medL. disciplinarian XVI.

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disclaim

XVI. — law AN. desclaim-, tonic stem of desclamer, f. des- DIS- 2 + clamer CLAIM. So disclaimer XV. See -ER 5.

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disclose

XIV. f. OF. desclos-, pres. stem of desclore; see DIS- 2, CLOSE. Hence disclosure XVI.

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discolour

XIV. — OF. descolorer or medL. discolrre; DIS- 2. So discoloration XVII.

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discomfit

defeat utterly; thwart, disconcert. XIV. ME. disconfite, based on pp. disconfit (XIII) — OF. desconfit, pp. of desconfire (mod. déconfire):- Rom. desconficere, f. des- DIS- 2 + L. conficere put together, complete. So discomfiture XIV.

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discomfort

†discouragement, distress, desolation XIV; being uncomfortable XIX. — OF. desconfort (mod. dé-). So vb. XIV. See DIS- 2, 6.

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disconcert

XVII. — F. †desconcerter (mod. dé-), f. des- DIS- 2 + concerter CONCERT 2.

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disconsolate

XIV. — medL. disconsltus, f. DIS- 2 + consltus, pp. of conslr CONSOLE.

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discontinue

XV. — (O)F. discontinuer; DIS- 2. So discontinuance XIV. — AN. discontinuous XVII.

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discord

XIII (mus. XV). — OF. des-, discord, f. des-, discorder — L. discordre be at variance, f. discors, discord- discordant, f. DIS- 2 + cor, cord- HEART. So discordant XIV.

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discount

XVII. — F. descompte (mod. décompte), f. descompter vb., whence, if not direct f. It. (di)scontare, discount vb. XVII. See DIS- 2, COUNT 2,

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discountenance

discourage, disfavour. XVI. DIS- 4.

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discourage

XV. — OF. descourager (mod. dé-); see DIS- 2, 4, COURAGE.

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discourse

†reasoning XIV; conversation, talk; treatment of a subject; †course XVI. — L. discursus running to and fro, (late) intercourse, (med.) argument, f. discurs-, pp. stem of discurrere run to and fro, (late) speak at length, f. DIS- 1 + currere run; assim. in form to COURSE. Hence discourse vb. XVI.

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discover

disclose to knowledge XIII; reveal, exhibit; †uncover XIV; find out XVI. — OF. descovrir (mod. découvrir) :- late L. discooperre, f. DIS- 2 + cooperre COVER. Hence discovery XVI.

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discredit

sb. disrepute XVI; distrust XVII; vb. disbelieve; destroy confidence in; bring into discredit XVI. DIS- 6, 3.

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discreet

showing good judgement. XIV. — (O)F. discret, -ète — L. discrtus separate, DISCRETE, which in late L. and Rom. took over its new meaning from discrti DISCRETION.

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discrepant

XV. — L. discrepns, -ant-, prp. of discrepre be discordant, f. DIS- 1 + crepre make a noise, creak; see -ANT. So discrepancy XVII.

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discrete

distinct, separate. XIV (rare before XVI). — L. discrtus, pp. of discernere separate, DISCERN. Cf. DISCREET. So discretion discrimination; liberty or power of deciding; sound judgement. XIV. — OF. — L.

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discriminate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. discrminre, f. discrmen, -min-, distinction, f. discernere DISCERN; see -ATE 2. So discrimination XVII. — late L.

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discursive

passing rapidly from one thing to another XVI; ratiocinative XVII. — medL. discursvus, f. discurs-; see DISCOURSE, -IVE.

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discus

XVII. — L. — Gr. dskos:- dkskos, f. dikeîn throw.

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discuss

A
investigate, decide XIV; examine by argument XV;

B
†dispel, disperse XIV. f. discuss-, pp. stem of L. discutere dash to pieces, disperse, dispel, in Rom. investigate; f. DIS- 1 + quatere shake.
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So discussion XIV. — OF. — L.

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disdain

sb. XIII (dedeyn). — OF. desdeign, AN. dedeign (mod. dédain), f. Rom. disdignre, for L. ddignr reject as unworthy; see DIS- 2, DEIGN. So as vb. XIV.

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disease

†uneasiness, discomfort; morbid physical condition. XIV. — AN. des-, disease, OF. desaise, f. des- DIS- 2, 6 + aise EASE.

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disembark

XVI. — F. désembarquer, Sp. desembarcar, or It. disimbarcare; see DIS- 2, EMBARK.

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disembogue

†come out of the mouth of a river, etc., into the open sea; (of a river, etc.) discharge itself. XVI (early forms also disemboque, -boke). — Sp. desembocar, f. des- DIS- 2 + embocar run into a creek or strait, f. en IN- 1 + boca mouth:- L. bucca.

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disembowel

XVII. Intensive (DIS- 8) of †embowel (XVI) eviscerate — OF. embouler, alt. of esbouler, f. es- EX- 1 + bouel BOWEL.

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disfigure

XIV. — OF. desfigurer (mod. dé-); see DIS- 2, FIGURE.

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disgorge

eject from the throat XV; transf. and fig. XVI. — OF. desgorger (mod. dé-), f. des- DIS- 1, DE- 6 + gorge throat, GORGE.

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disgrace

sb. XVI. — F. disgrâce- It. disgrazia, f. dis- DIS- 2 + grazia GRACE. So as vb. XVI.

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disgruntled

XVII. f. DIS- 8 + †gruntle grunt, complain (XVI), frequent. of GRUNT + -ED 1.

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disguise

alter the dress of, now only to conceal identity XIV; conceal by a counterfeit appearance XVI. — OF. desguisier (mod. déguiser), f. Rom. dis- DE-, DIS- 2 + guisa GUISE. Hence as sb. XIV.

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disgust

XVI. — F. desgoust (mod. dégoût) or It. disgusto, f. desgouster (mod. dégoûter), disgustare, whence disgust vb. XVII (ppl. adj. disgusting XVIII); see DIS- 2, 6 and GUSTO.

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dish

broad shallow vessel OE.; food served ready for eating XV. OE. dis. plate, bowl, platter, corr. to OS. disk (Du. disch) table, OHG. tisc plate (G. tisch table), ON. diskr (perh. — OE.) — L. discus DISCUS, disc, dish. Hence as vb. XIV.

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dishabille

XVII. — F. déshabillé, sb. use of pp. of déshabiller undress, f. dés- DIS- 2 + habiller dress. For the loss of -é cf. ASSIGN 2.

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dishearten

XVI. DIS- 3.

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dishevelled

†without head-dress XV; (of the hair) unconfined XVI; fig. disorderly XVII. f. late ME. †dischevel(ee), -y — OF. deschevelé, f. des- DIS- 1 + chevel hair; see -ED 1.

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dishonest

†entailing dishonour XIV; †unchaste; fraudulent, not straightforward or honest XVII. — OF. deshoneste (mod. déshonnête); see DIS- 2.

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dishonour, U.S. dishonor

sb. XIII. — OF. deshonor (mod. déshonneur); see DIS- 2, HONOUR. So as vb. XIV.

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disincline(d), disinclination.

XVII. DIS- 3, 6, 7.

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disinherit

XV. f. DIS- 3 + INHERIT.

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disinter

XVII. — F. désenterrer; see DIS- 3, INTER.

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disinterested

XVII. DIS- 7.

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disjunctive

XV. — L. disjunctvus, f. disjunct-, pp. stem of disjungere, whence OF. desjoindre, -joign- (mod. déjoindre), the source of disjoin XV; see DIS- 1, JOIN, -IVE.

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disk

var. of DISC.

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dislike

†displease; not to like. XVI. f. DIS- 3 + LIKE 2. Hence dislike sb. †displeasure; distaste, aversion. XVI.

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dislocate

XVII. prob. back-formation from dislocation (XIV; first in medical sense) — OF. or medL.; see DIS- 1, LOCATE.

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dismal

†sb. evil days, orig the unpropitious days, two in each month, of the medieval calendar XIII; adj. †(of days) unlucky XIV; †(of other things) disastrous; causing dismay or gloom; depressingly dreary XVI. — AN. dis mal :- medL. dis mal evil days. The (orig. superfluous) addition of day to dismal led to the apprehension of dismal as an adj.

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dismantle

†uncloak; divest, strip. XVII. — F. desmanteller (mod. démanteler); see DIS- 2, MANTLE.

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dismay

vb. XIII. — OF. de(s)maier :- Rom. dismagre deprive of power, f. L. DIS- 2 + Gmc. maz- be able, MAY 1. Hence sb. XIV.

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dismember

XIII. — OF. desmembrer — Rom. desmembrre, f. des- DIS- 2 + L. membrum MEMBER.

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dismiss

XV. First in pp., repr. OF. desmis (mod. démis) :- medL. dismissus, for L. dmissus, pp. of dmittere, f. DIS- 1 + mittere send. So dismission XVI; after F. †desmission (mod. dé-); largely repl. by dismissal XIX.

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dismount

remove (a thing) from that on which it has been mounted; come down, esp. alight from a horse, etc. XVI. f. DIS- 3 + MOUNT 2.

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disobey

XIV. — (O)F. désobéir :- Rom. desobedre, for late L. inobdre; see DIS- 2, OBEY. So disobedience, disobedient XV.

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disorder

(arch.) put out of order XV; derange XVI. app. modification after ORDER vb. of earlier †disordeine (XIV) — OF. desordener (see DIS- 2, ORDAIN). Hence disorder sb. XVI; whence disorderly XVII.

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disorganize

XVIII. — F. désorganiser, f. dés- DIS- 2 + organiser ORGANIZE.

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disparage

†match unequally; bring discredit on XIV; speak of slightingly XVI. — OF. desparagier, f. des- DIS- 2 + parage (high) rank, prop. equality of rank :- Rom. paraticum, f. L. pr equal; see PEER, -AGE. So disparagement XV.

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disparity

XVI. — F. disparité — late L. disparits; see DIS- 2, PARITY.

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dispatch, despatch

vb. XVI. — It. dispacciare or Sp. despachar, f. dis-, des- DIS- 2 + base of It. impacciare hinder, stop, Sp. empachar impede, embarrass; of uncert. orig. Hence (or f. It. dispaccio, Sp. despacho) dispatch, despatch sb. XVI.

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dispel

XVII. — L. dispellere, f. DIS- 1 + pellere drive.

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dispense

A
deal out, distribute, administer XIV; make or put up (medicine) XVI;

B
arrange administratively with; relax or release administratively XIV. — OF. despenser (mod. dépenser spend) — L. dispensre weigh out, disburse, administer, dispose, frequent. of dispendere, f. DIS- 1 + pendere weight. The phr. dispense with (medL. dispensare cum) has an extensive development.
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So dispensation distribution; administration, management; act of dispensing with a requirement. XIV. dispensary place for dispensing medicines XVII; †collection of drugs; †book containing formulae for making up medicines XVIII. — absol. use of medL. adj. dispensrius.

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dispeople

depopulate. XV. — OF. despeupler (mod. dé-), Rom. formation on L. DIS- 2 + populus PEOPLE.

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disperse

XIV. — F. disperser, f. dispers — L. dispersus, pp. of dispergere, f. DIS- 1 + spargere strew. Hence dispersal XIX; see -AL 2. dispersion XIV (earliest in spec. meaning of ‘Jews dispersed among Gentiles after the Babylonian Captivity’ tr. Gr. DIASPORA).

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displace

XVI. DIS- 3.

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display

†unfold; expose to view XIV; exhibit, manifest XVI; show off XVII. — OF. despleier (mod. déploier DEPLOY), earlier desplier :- L. displicre scatter, (medL.) unfold, unfurl, f. DIS- 1, 2 + plicre fold (see PLY). Hence sb. XVII.

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displease

XIV. — desplais-, pres. stem of OF. desplaire (mod. dé-) — Rom. displacre, for L. displicre, f. DIS- 2 + placre PLEASE. So displeasure XV.

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disport

†divert; refl. enjoy oneself, frolic. XIV. — AN. desporter (cf. F. déporter DEPORT), f. des- DIS- 1 + porter carry. So disport sb. (arch.) diversion, pastime. XIV. — OF. desport, f. the vb. Aphetic SPORT.

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dispose

put in a suitable place; prepare the mind of, incline (esp. in pp.); make arrangements, ordain events XIV; with of †
i
order, control,
ii
put away, get rid of XVI. — (O)F. disposer, f. dis- DIS- 1 + poser place, set in order, settle (see POSE 1), after L. dispnere, -pos-. Hence disposal XVII. So disposition arrangement, management, bestowal; inclination, aptitude. XIV. — (O)F. — L. dispositi, -n-,

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dispraise

vb. XIII. — OF. despreisier — Rom. despretire, for L. dpretire DEPRECIATE; see DIS- 2.

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disproof

XVI. f. DIS- 6 + PROOF, after disprove XIV. — OF. desprover; see DIS- 2.

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disproportion, disproportionate

XVI. DIS- 6, 7 (after F. disproportion, disproportionné).

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dispute

debate or discourse argumentatively XIII; debate upon XIV; argue against, contest XVI. — (O)F. disputer — L. disputre argue, debate, f. DIS- 1 + putre reckon, consider. Hence as sb. XVII. So disputation XIV, disputant XVII.

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disquisition

investigation; treatise or discourse in which a subject is investigated. XVII. — (O)F. — L. disqusti, -n-, f. disqust-, pp. stem of disqurere, f. DIS- 1 + quærere seek.

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disrobe

XVI. DIS- 3 or 4.

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disruption

XVII. — L. disrupti, -n-, f. disrupt-, pp. stem of disrumpere; see DIS- 1, RUPTURE. So disrupt intr. XVII; trans. XIX. f. the L. pp.

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dissect

XVII. f. dissect-, pp. stem of L. dissecre; see DIS- 1, SECTION. So dissection XVII. — medL.

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disseisin

(leg.) dispossession of property. XIV. — AN. disseisine, OF. dessaisine; see DIS- 4, SEISIN. So disseise, disseize XIV. — AN. disseisir.

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dissemble

†feign XV; pretend not to see; disguise by feigning XVI; intr. conceal one's intentions. ME. dissemile, -immil, alt. of †dissimule (XIV) — (O)F. dissimuler — L. dissimulre (see DIS- 2, SIMULATE), through †dissimble, and assoc. with SEMBLANCE, etc.

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disseminate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. dissminre, f. DIS- 1 + smen, smin- SEED; see -ATE 3. So dissemination XVII. — L.

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dissension

XIII. — (O)F. — L. dissensi, -n-, f. pp. stem of dissentre, whence (partly through F. dissentir) dissent withhold assent or consent XV; disagree, differ XVI; whence dissent sb. XVI, dissenter spec. dissentient from prescribed or established religious creed or practice XVII. So dissentient adj. and sb. XVII. — see DIS- 1, SENTIENT, -SION.

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dissertation

†discussion; spoken or (usu.) written discourse containing a discussion at length. XVII. — L. dissertti, -n-, f. dissertre discuss, debate, frequent. of disserere treat, examine, discourse, f. DIS- 1 + serere join, connect, join words in composition.

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dissever

separate, disjoin XIII; divide into parts XIV. — AN. des(c)everer, OF. desevrer :- late L. dissparre; see DIS- 1, SEVER.

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dissident

at variance XVI; sb. XVIII. — F. dissident or L. dissidns, -ent-, prp. of dissidre disagree, f. DIS- 1 + sedre sit; see -ENT.

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dissimilar

XVII. f. DIS- 7 + SIMILAR, after L. dissimilis. So dissimilation XIX; after assimilation, dissimilitude XV. — L.

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dissimulate

dissemble XV; †pretend not to see XVI. f. pp. stem of L. dissimulre; see DIS- 2, SIMULATE. So dissimulation XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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dissipate

scatter, dispel XV; squander; distract XVII. f. pp. stem of L. dissipre, f. DIS- 1 + supre, sipre throw; see -ATE 3. So dissipation dissolution XV; †dispersion XVI; squandering XVII; distraction of mind XVIII, (hence) frivolous diversion, (passing into) dissolute living XVIII. — (O)F. or L.

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dissociate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. dissocire, f. DIS- 1 + socire join together, f. socius companion; see -ATE 3. So dissociation XVII.

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dissoluble

XVI. — OF. dissoluble or L. dissolbilis, f. dissolvere DISSOLVE; see SOLUBLE. So dissolute relaxed, remiss XIV; †enfeebled; †unrestrained XV; †disconnected; lax in morals XVI. — L. dissoltus loose, disunited, pp. of dissolvere. dissolution separation into parts XIV; †relaxation XV; breaking-up, dispersal XVI; death XVI.

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dissolve

loosen the parts of, spec. †melt, fuse, (now) diffuse in liquid; release from life, esp. pass.; undo (†a knot, bond, union) XIV; intr. XV.- L. dissolvere, f. DIS- 1 + solvere loosen, SOLVE.

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dissonant

XV. — (O)F. dissonant or L. dissonns, -ant-, prp. of dissonre disagree in sound, f. DIS- 1 + sonre sound. So dissonance XV.

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dissuade

advise against XV; seek to divert from XVI. — L. dissudre, f. DIS- 2 + sudre advise, urge. So dissuasion XV.

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distaff

stick to hold material to be spun. OE. distæf, a peculiarly Eng. word; f. the base of MLG. dise(ne) distaff, bunch of flax (LG. diesse); the second el. is STAFF.

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distal

(anat.) situated away from the centre of the body. XIX. irreg. f. next + -AL 1.

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distant

separate XIV; far apart; remote XV. — (O)F. distant or L. distns, -ant-, prp. of distre, f. DIS- 1 + stre STAND. So distance †discord, dissension XIII; extent of space between objects XV; remoteness XVI. — (O)F. — L. distantia.

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distaste

XVI. f. DIS- 6 + TASTE, after F. dégoût, It. disgusto DISGUST.

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distemper 1

†disturb or derange the condition of; put out of humour; derange the physical or bodily condition OF. XIV. — late L. distemperre (whence also OF. destremper, mod. dé-), f. L. DIS- 2 + temperre proportion or mingle duly, TEMPER. Hence, or f. DIS- 6 + TEMPER sb., distemper sb. 1 disturbance of the bodily ‘humours’ or ‘temper’, (hence) ill health, disease XVI (spec. of a catarrhal disease of dogs XVIII).

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distemper 2

†mix with liquid, soak XIV; fig. dilute XVI; (f. the sb.) paint in distemper XIX. — OF. destemprer or late L. distemperre soak, macerate, f. L. DIS- 1, 2 + temperre mingle, qualify, TEMPER. Hence (after OF. destrempe, mod. dé-) distemper sb. 2 method of painting on plaster XVII; whiting mixed with size and water used in this XIX.

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distend

†stretch out or apart XIV; swell out from within XVII. — L. distendere; see DIS- 1, TEND 2. So distension XV. — L.

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distich

pair of verse lines. XVI. — L. distichon — Gr. dístikhon, sb. use of n. of dístikhos of two rows or verses, f. DI- 2 + stíkhos STICH.

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distil(l)

(let) fall in minute drops; vaporize by heat and condense; also intr. XIV. — (partly through (O)F. distiller) L. distillre, for dstillre, f. DE- 1 + stillre, f. stilla drop. So distillation XIV. distillery †distillation XVII; place for distilling XVIII.

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distinct

XIV. — L. distinctus, pp. of distinguere DISTINGUISH. So distinction †division, class XIII; discrimination XIV; distinguishing excellence XVII. — (O)F. — L. distinctive XV. f. distinct-, pp. stem of L. distinguere.

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distinguish

divide into classes; make, or mark as, different; perceive plainly; make prominent, XVI. irreg. f. F. distinguer or L. distinguere + -ISH 2; cf. extinguish.

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distort

XVI. f. distort-, pp. stem of L. distorqure. f. DIS- 1 + torqure twist. So distortion XVI. — L. distract draw away or in different directions. XIV. f. distract-, pp. stem of L. distrahere, f. DIS- 1 + trahere draw, drag. So distraction XV. — L.

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distrain

(hist.) force to perform an obligation by the seizure of a chattel, etc. XIII; levy a distress XIV; in various casual senses ‘press’, ‘compress’, ‘oppress’, ‘strain out’ XIV. — OF. destreign-, pres. stem of destreindre :- L. distringere exert opposing strains on (see DIS- 1). Aphetic STRAIN.

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distrait

XVIII. — F., pp. of distraire DISTRACT. In ME. (XIV–XV) ‘greatly perplexed’ — OF. destrait.

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distraught

mentally distracted XIV; mentally deranged XV. alt. of (pp.) adj. distract by assim. to straught, obs. pp. of STRETCH.

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distress

(dial.) strain, stress; strain of adversity; (leg.) act of distraining. XIII. — OF. destre(s)ce, -esse (mod. détresse) :- Gallo-Rom. districtia, f. pp. stem of L. distringere DISTRAIN. So as vb. XIV. — AN. destresser, OF. -ecier, f. the sb. Aphetic STRESS.

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distribute

XV. f. distribt-, pp. stem of L. distribuere, f. DIS- 1 + tribuere grant, assign (cf. TRIBUTE). So distribution XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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district

†territory under the jurisdiction of a feudal lord; portion of territory marked off for a purpose (various spec. uses) XVII; region, quarter XVIII. — F. district — medL. districtus (power of) exercising justice, territory involved in this, f. district-, pp. stem of L. distringere DISTRAIN.

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distrust

†intr. be suspicious of XV; trans. not trust XVI. f. DIS- 3 + TRUST. So sb. XVI (DIS- 6).

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disturb

†deprive of; agitate (lit. and fig.). XIII. — OF. desto(u)rber — L. disturbre, f. DIS- 2 + turbre disorder, disturb, f. turba tumult, crowd. So disturbance XIII. — OF.

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disuse

†make (a person) unaccustomed; †misuse, abuse XIV; cease to use XV. — OF. desuser. Hence as sb. XV. See DIS- 2 and USE.

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disyllable, dissyllable

XVI. — F. dissyllabe — L. disyllabus — Gr. disúllabos, f. DI- 2 + sullab SYLLABLE. So di(s)syllabic XVII.

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ditch

long narrow excavation OE.; (dial.) embankment, dike XVI. OE. d., corr. to OS. dk (Du. dijk), MHG. tch (G. teich pond, pool), ON. díki ditch, DIKE; of unkn. orig. Hence ditch vb. surround with a ditch, dig ditches in XIV; (orig. U.S.) throw into a ditch XIX; not repr. OE. dcian dig, make an embankment.

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dither

quake, quiver. XVII. var. of (dial.) didder (XIV), orig. and still north., of symbolic orig.

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dithyramb

Greek choric hymn in honour of Dionysus (Bacchus) XVII; inflated discourse XIX. — L. dthyrambus — Gr. dthúrambos, of unkn. orig. So dithyrambic XVII.

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dittany

herb of genus Dictamnus. XIV. Late ME. ditane, diteyne — OF. dita(i)n :- medL. dictamus, for L. dictamnus, -um — Gr. díktamnon, perh. f. Dikt mountain in Crete, a well-known habitat of the plant. The trisyllabic form appears XV; it depends on medL. ditaneum, late L. dictamnium.

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ditto

XVII. — It., Tuscan var. of detto said — L. dictus, pp. of dcere say.

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dittography

(palaeogr.) unintentional writing of a letter, etc., twice. XIX. f. Gr. dittós double + -GRAPHY.

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ditty

song, lay XIII; †words of a song, theme XVI.

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ME.

dite(e) — OF. dité composition, treatise :- L. dicttum, sb. use of n. pp. of dictre express in language, compose (see DICTATE).

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ditty-bag

sailor's bag for small necessaries. XIX. So ditty-box, used by American fishermen. of unkn. orig.

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diuretic

XV. — (O)F. diurétique or L. dirticus — Gr. diourtikós, f. dioureîn urinate, f. di through + oûron urine.

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diurnal

occupying a day; occurring daily XV; of the day XVII. — late L. diurnlis, f. diurnus, f. dis day.

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diva

prima donna. XIX. — It., ‘goddess’ :- L. dva, sb. use of fem. of dvus DIVINE 1.

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divagation

XVI. f. L. dvagr, -t-, f. DI- 1 + vagr wander; see -ATION.

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divan

Oriental council of state; court of justice, council chamber XVI; long seat against the wall of a room XVIII; smoking-room with lounges XIX. — F. divan or It. divano — Turk. divan — Pers. dwn (orig.) brochure, (hence) account-book, office of accounts, court, council chamber, (cushioned) bench.

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divaricate

stretch or spread apart. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. dvaricre, f. DI- 1 + varicre stretch (the legs) asunder, f. varicus straddling; see -ATE 3. So divarication XVI.

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dive

vb. trans. OE.; intr. XIII. OE. dfan wk. trans. dip, submerge = ON. dfa :- djan, f. Gmc. d-; OE. dfan intr. did not survive, being replaced by the wk. form; belongs to the Gmc. series dau- deu- du-, parallel to daup- deup- dup- DEEP, DIP. Hence as sb. XVII; in the U.S. sense of ‘low resort for drinking, etc.’ from the sense of the vb. ‘dart out of sight’.

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diverge

XVII. — medL. dvergere, f. DI- 1 + vergere bend, incline, VERGE 2. So divergent, divergence XVII. divers †different, diverse; (arch.) sundry, several, many. XIII. ME. divers(e), — (O)F. — L. dversus contrary, separate, different, prop. pp. of dvertere DIVERT. So diverse different; †divers, sundry. XIII. Identical in orig. with prec., in later use differentiated from it in form and pronunc. So diversity XIV. diversify XV. — OF. diversifier — medL. dversificre.

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divert

turn aside XV; distract XVI; entertain, amuse XVII. — F. divertir — L. dvertere turn away, leave one's spouse (cf. DIVORCE), differ (cf. dvertere turn aside), f. DI- 1 + vertere turn. So diversion XVII. — late L. (med.); the mil. use may be immed. — F. diversion or It. diversione.

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divest

XVII. refash. on L. models in DI- 1 of earlier devest (XVI) — OF. devestir, des- (mod. dévêtir) — Rom. disvestre; see DIS- 2, VEST 2.

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divide

XIV. — L. dvidere cleave, apportion, separate, f. DI- 1 + videre, f. IE. widh- (see WIDOW). So dividend portion of anything divided. XVI. — AN. dividende — L. dvidendum, sb. use of n. gerundive of dvidere. divider XVI. pl. dividing compasses XVIII. division XIV. — OF. devisiun (mod. division) — L. divisor (math.) XV. — F. or L.; see -OR 1.

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divine 1

pert. to God or a god; god-like; heavenly XIV; of surpassing excellence XV. — OF. devin, fem. -ine, later, by assim. to L., divin(e) — L. dvnus, f. dvus god-like, god, rel. to deus god :- IE. deiwos; see -INE 1. So divinity XIV.

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divine 2

†soothsayer, seer; ecclesiastic, theologian. XIV. — OF. devin (:- L. dvnus sooth-sayer), later divin theologian, after medL. dvnus doctor of divinity, theologian; sb. use of prec.

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divine 3

make out as by supernatural insight; practice divination. XIV. ME. devine — (O)F. deviner, f. devin DIVINE 2, after L. dvnre foretell, predict. So divination XIV.

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divorce

sb. XIV. — (O)F. — L. dvortium separation, divorce, f. dvortere, var. of dvertere DIVERT. So as vb. XIV. — (O)F. — late L. Hence divorce XIX; also in F. form divorcé(e). divorcement XVI.

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divot

piece of turf. XVI. orig. Sc. deva(i)t, diffat, etc.; of unkn. orig.

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divulge

†publish abroad XV; reveal (something secret) XVII. — L. dvulgre make commonly or publicly known, f. DI- 1 + vulgre publish, propagate, f. vulgus common people (cf. VULGAR). So divulgate, divulgation. XVI.

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divvy

colloq. deriv. of DIVIDEND + -Y 6. XIX.

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dizzy

(dial.) foolish, stupid OE.; giddy XIV. OE. dysi = MDu. dosech, dösech, LG. dusig, dösig giddy, OHG. tusic foolish, weak, f. WGmc. dus-, found also in OE. dys(e)li. foolish, LG. dusen be giddy, and with l-suffix in LG. dsel giddiness, MDu. dselen (Du. duizelen) be giddy or stupid; see -Y 1.

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do 1

pt. did, pp. done trans. †
A
put, place (cf. DOFF, DON 1);
B
perform, execute;
C
cause;
D
as auxiliary of tense. OE. intr. A. act (in a specified way) OE.; B. fare, get on XIII; C. (in perf. tenses) make an end XIV; D. be (well or ill) XV;
E
serve the purpose, suffice XVI. OE. dn, pt. dyde, pp. edn, of which the pt. dyde is isolated amongst the Gmc. langs., the others having forms corr. to OE. pl. ddon, Angl. ddon (a type which survived only into ME.), e.g. OS. dan, deda, ddun, gidn (Du. doen, deed, deden, gedaan), OHG. tuon, teta, ttum, gitn (G. tun, tat, getan).

This common WGmc. vb., the history of which remains in some points obscure, is based on a widespread IE. dh, dh- dh-, repr. by Skr. dádhti put, lay, Gr. títhmi place. L. facere make, do, -d, -dere in addere ADD, etc. (overlapping with the root (IE. d-) of dare give), Lith. déti, OSl. dti put, lay. Cf. DEED, DOOM.

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do 2

see DOH.

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Dobbin

(typical name for) a draught- or farmhorse. XVI. var. of Robin (see ROBIN).

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docent

† adj. teaching XVII; sb. (U.S.) teacher in a college or university (after G.) XIX. — L. docns, -ent-, prp. of docre teach; see DOCTOR, -ENT.

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docile

teachable XV; tractable XVIII. — L. docilis. f. docre teach; see DOCTOR, -ILE.

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dock 1

coarse weed of genus Rumex. OE. docce, corr. to MDu. docke, of unkn. orig.

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dock 2

solid fleshy part of a horse's tail; crupper XIV; cut end. stump XVI. perh. identical with OE. -docca (or-e) in fingerdoccan finger-muscles, and corr. to Fris. dok bunch. ball (of twine, etc.), (M)LG. docke bundle of straw. OHG. tocka (south G. docke) doll; the meanings point to a basic sense ‘something round’. Hence as vb. cut short, curtail. XIV.

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dock 3

†bed or hollow in which a ship rests at low water; artificial basin for the reception of ships. XVI. — MLG., MDu. docke (mod. dok), of unkn. orig. Hence dock vb. XVI. docker dweller near docks XVIII; dock labourer XIX.

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dock 4

prisoner's enclosure in a criminal court. XVI. prob. rogues' cant and identical with the word repr. by Flemish dok cage, pen, hutch, of unkn. orig.

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docket

†summary, minute XV; abstract, memorandum, register XVI; endorsement, label XVIII. of unkn. orig., poss. f. DOCK 2 + ET. Hence vb. XVII.

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doctor

teacher; one highly proficient in a branch of learning or holding the highest university degree; spec. doctor of medicine, (hence) medical practitioner. XIV. — OF. doctour — L. doctor, -r-, teacher, f. doct-, pp. stem of docre teach, causative corr. to discere learn (:- di-dc-sc-).

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doctrine

XIV. — (O)F. — L. doctrna teaching, learning, f. doctor (see prec.). So doctrinal XV.- late L. doctrnlis; earlier sb. ‘text-book’ (XV) after OF. doctrinal, medL. doctrnle (sb. use of n. adj.). doctrinaire XIX (orig. one of a F. political party which aimed at an ideal of reconciliation of extremes).

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document

†instruction; †evidence XV; something written, etc. furnishing evidence XVIII. — (O)F. — L. documentum lesson, instance, specimen, in medL. written instrument, official paper, f. docre teach; see DOCTOR and -MENT. Hence as vb. †instruct XVII; furnish with documents (as evidence) XVIII. Whence documentation XVIII.

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dodder 1

parasitic genus of plants, Cuscuta. XIII. corr. to MLG. dod(d)er, MHG. toter (G. dotter), of unkn. orig.

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dodder 2

(dial.) tremble, shake XVII; totter, potter XIX. var. of or parallel form to †dadder (XV). Hence doddery xx.

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doddered

XVII. used, after Dryden, of old oaks that have lost the top or branches; alt. form, simulating a pp., of †doddard (Dryden), f. †dod poll, lop (XIII), of unkn. orig.; see -ARD.

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dodecagon

(geom.) 12-sided plane figure. XVIII. — Gr. ddekágnon, f. ddeka 12; see -GON. So dodecahedron XVI. — Gr. dodecasyllable XVIII.

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dodge

haggle, trifle XVI; avoid an encounter with; move to and fro XVII. of unkn. orig. So sb. XVI.

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dodo

XVII. — Pg. doudo simpleton. fool;,applied to the bird because of its clumsy appearance.

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doe

female of the fallow deer OE.; female of hare or rabbit XVII. OE. d, of unkn. orig.

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doff

XIV. ME. dof(fe), contr. of do of(fe), OE. dn of, of dn take off, remove; see DO 1, OFF.

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dog

sb. Late OE. docga (once in a gloss; also g. pl. in place-names. doggeneford, doggeneberwe), of unkn. orig.; the gen. term was hund HOUND, which dog finally displaced in this status. For the formation cf. the animal-names FROG 1, PIG, STAG, sucga in hæsucga hedge-sparrow, wicga beetle in EARWIG. Hence dog vb. follow like a dog. XVI. dogged †ill-conditioned XIV, †canine XV; pertinacious XVIII; see -ED 2.

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doge

chief magistrate of the republics of Venice and Genoa. XVI. — F. — It. (Venetian doze) :-L. dux, duc-; cf. DUKE. So dogate office of a doge. XVIII. — F. dogat — It. (Venetian) dogato, f. doge; see -ATE 1.

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dogger

two-masted fishing vessel XIV. — MDu. dogger trawler, fishing-boat (Du. dogger codfisher), of uncert. orig.

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doggerel

XIV. In earliest use adj. in rym dogerel (Ch.), presumably f. DOG (with contemptuous implication as in dog Latin, †dog rime XVII) + -EREL.

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doggo

(sl.) lie doggo lie quiet, remain hid. XIX. app. f. DOG + -o.

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doggone

(U.S.) confound! damn! XIX. app. development of earlier dog on it (etc.), of obscure orig., as a euph. substitute for God damn it. Cf. Sc. dagone! deuce take it!

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dogma

XVII. — L. dogma philosophical tenet — Gr. dógma, dogmat- opinion, tenet, f. dokeîn seem (good), think, suppose. So dogmatic, dogmatical XVII. — late L. dogmaticus — Gr. dogmatikós. dogmatism XVII, dogmatist XVI. — F. dogmatize XVII. — F. or late L.

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doh, do 2

(mus.) first note of the scale in solmization. XVIII. — It. do.

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doily

†woollen stuff for summer wear XVII; small ornamental napkin or mat XVIII. f. name of Doiley, Doyley, a draper.

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doldrums

XIX. prob. orig. dial. or sl. f. dol DULL.

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dole 1

†part, portion OE.; (arch.) share, lot XIII; portion doled out XIV. OE. dl :- dailaz; see DEAL 1. Hence dole vb. XV.

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dole 2

(arch.) grief, sorrow, lamentation. XIII. ME. dol, with vars. doel, de(o)l, du(i)l — OF. dol, doel, duel, etc. (mod. deuil mourning) :- pop. L. dolus, f. L. dolre suffer pain or grief. Hence doleful XIII.

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dolerite

mineral allied to basalt. XIX. — F. dolérite, f. Gr. dolerós deceptive; so named from the difficulty of discriminating its constituents; see -ITE.

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dolichocephalic

(ethnology) long-headed. XIX. f. Gr. dolikhós long + kephal head + -IC.

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doll

†mistress XVI; child's toy-baby XVII; pretty but silly woman XIX. Pet-form of the female name Dorothy. Hence dolly in same senses XVII; also applied to contrivances having a fancied resemblance to a doll XVIII; see -Y 6.

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dollar

German thaler; Spanish peso or piece of eight (i.e. eight reales) XVI; standard unit of coinage in U.S.A., Canada, etc. XVIII. — early Flem., LG. daler (Du. daalder) — G. taler (formerly thaler) short for Joachimst(h)aler, applied to a silver coin made from metal obtained in Joachimst(h)al (i.e. ‘Joachim's valley’) in the Erzgebirge, Czechoslovakia. The forms dolor, -er appeared XVI. dollor, -ar XVII.

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dollop

†tuft, clump XVI; shapeless lump XIX. perh. of Scand. orig. (cf. Norw. dial. dolp lump).

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Dolly Varden

name of a character in Dickens's ‘Barnaby Rudge’, applied (XIX) to
1
a large hat with one side bent downward and abundantly trimmed with flowers,
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2
a print frock with large flower pattern,
Top

3
a Californian trout or char.
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dolman

Turk's robe open in front XVI (dolyman); hussar's jacket worn with sleeves hanging loose, woman's mantle with cape-like appendages XIX. In the first sense — F. doliman, in the second — F. dolman — G. — Hung. dolmány; ult. — Turk. dolama(n).

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dolmen

cromlech. — F., perh. improperly f. Bret. taol table, maen stone (the Bret. form being taolvaen), or repr. the Corn. comp. cited as tolmn ‘hole of stone’ in 1754.

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dolomite

(min.) native carbonate of lime and magnesia. XVIII. — F. dolomite, also dolomie, f. name of D. de Dolomieu . French geologist (1750–1801); see -ITE.

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dolour, (U.S.) dolor

†pain; grief, sorrow. XIV.- OF. dolo(u)r, (mod, douleur):- L. dolor, -r-, rel. to dolre suffer pain or grief. So dolorous XIV.- OF. doleros (mod. douloureux) — late L. dolrsus.

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dolphin

XIII. Three types of form have been current:
i
delfyn, delphin — L. delphnus — Gr. delphís, -n-;
ii
dalphyn — OF. daulphin (see DAUPHIN);
iii
dolfyn, dolphin, app. Eng. alts. of (ii).

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dolt

XVI. prob. rel. to †dold (XV) numb, and dol(l), var. of DULL.

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dom

A
Pg. title of dignity;

B
title prefixed to the name of Benedictines and Carthusians XVIII. In A, — Pg. dom :- L. dominus master (spec. of a household), f. domus house. In B, shortening of L. dominus.
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-dom

suffix denoting condition or state, as in freedom, wisdom state of being free, wise, passing to the sense of domain, realm, territory, as in Christendom, kingdom, and to that of experience, as in martyrdom. OE. -dm = OS. -dm, OHG. -tuom (G. -tum), suffixal use of OE. dm DOOM.

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domain

estate, lands, dominions XVII; sphere of thought or action XVIII; lordship XIX. — F. domaine, alt-, by assoc. with L. dominium (see DOMINION), of OF. demaine, demeine DEMESNE.

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dome

(arch.) house, mansion XVI; †cathedral church; rounded vault, cupola XVII; vaulted roof, canopy, etc. XVIII. In the first sense — L. domus house; in the others — F. dôme — It. domo house, house of God, cathedral, cupola :- L. domus.

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Domesday

survey of the lands of England made in 1086 by order of William the Conqueror. XII (domesdei). ME. form of DOOMSDAY, popular appellation given to the book as being a final and inexorable authority.

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domestic

pert. to the household; pert. to one's country XVI; tame XVII; so. †inmate XVI; household servant XVIII. — (O)F. domestique — L. domesticus, f. domus house, rel. to Gr. dómos, Skr. dáma-, OSl. dom, Olr. doim in the house. So domesticate XVII. f. pp. stem of medL. domesticre; see -ATE 3. domesticity XVIII.

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domicile

XV. — (O)F. — L. domicilium, f. domus house (see prec.). Hence domiciliary XVIII.

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dominant

ruling, commanding XV; (mus.) (pert. to) the fifth note of the scale of any key XIX. — (O)F. — L. dominns, -ant-, prp. of dominr (f. dominus), on the pp. stem of which was formed dominate XVII; see DOM, -ANT, -ATE 3. So domination XIV. -(O)F. — L.

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domineer

XVI. — Du. †domineren — F. dominer — L. dominr; see prec.

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dominical

pert. to the Lord or the Lord's Day (Sunday). XV. — (O)F. dominical or late L. dominiclis, f. dominicus, f. dominus lord, master; see DOM, -ICAL.

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Dominican

pert. to the Order of Friars Preachers (Black Friars). XVII. — medL. Dominicnus, f. Dominicus, L. form of the name of Domingo de Guzman (St. Dominic), c. 1170–1221, founder of an order of preaching friars; see -AN.

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dominie

(now Sc.) schoolmaster, pedagogue. XVII. sp. of L. domine, orig. term of respectful address to clerics, voc. case of dominus master, lord (see DOM).

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dominion

lordship, sway XV; domains of a feudal lord or sovereign (hist., designation of some countries of the British Commonwealth) XVI. — OF. — medL. domini, -n-, f. dominium, f. dominus master, lord (see DOM).

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domino

A
cloak with a half-mask worn at masquerades, person wearing this XVIII; the mask itself XIX;

B
rectangular piece used in the game (dominoes) having the under side black and the upper blank or marked with pips XIX. — F. domino, presumably a deriv. of L. dominus (see DOM).
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don 1

put on. XIV. contr. of do on; DO 1 (in the sense ‘put’) ON adv.

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don 2, Don

Sp. title prefixed to a man's Christian name; Sp. gentleman, Spaniard; distinguished or important man; (in English universities) head, fellow, or tutor of a college. XVII. — Sp. :- L. dominus (see DOM).

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donate

XIX. Back-formation from donation (XV) — (O)F. — L. dnti, noun of action f. dnre, f. dnum gift. So donative XV. — L. n. of dntvus. donor XV. — AN. donour, OF. doneur :- L. dntor, -r-. Hence donee XVI.

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done

pp. of DO 1.

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donjon

arch. sp. of DUNGEON.

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donkey

XVIII. In early use pronounced so as to rhyme with monkey, whence the proposed derivs. from DUN 1 and from the proper name Duncan (cf. dicky, neddy).

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donor

see DONATE.

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doodle

simpleton XVII; larva of tiger-beetle (also doodle-bug , applied in 1944 to the ‘flying bomb’) XIX; aimless scrawl on paper XX. In the first sense — LG. dudel- in dudeltopf, -dopp simple fellow; the connection of the other senses is doubtful; the last is prob. rel. to dial. vb. doodle fritter time away.

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doom

ordinance, decision, trial, judgement OE.; (final) fate XIV. OE. dm = OFris., OS. dm, OHG. tuom, ON. dómr, Goth. dms :- Gmc. dmaz lit. that which is set or put, f. d- place, set, DO 1. Hence doom vb. XV.

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doomsday

Day of Judgement. OE. dmes dæ, g. of DOOM, and DAY.

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door

i
OE. duru (fem. u-stem) = OS. duru, corr. to other Gmc. (orig. pl.) forms with i-stem, ODu. dori pl. (Du. deur fem. sg.), OHG. turi (G. tür fem. sg.), ON, dyrr fem pl. and n., Goth. daurns fem. wk. pl.

ii
OE. dor n. = OS. dor, (O)HG. tor gate, Goth. daur n. The IE. base dhur- dhwr- is repr. also by Skr. dvr-, Gr. thúr, L. fors, OIr. dorus, OSl. dvr gate, dvor court, Lith. dùrys gate. The ME. descendants of OE. duru and dor coalesced.
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dope

(orig. U.S.) lubricating fluid; opium or other narcotic XIX. — Du. doop sauce, f. doopen dip, mix, adulterate (rel. to DIP), whence dope vb.

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dor

species of fly or beetle OE.; flying beetle XV. OE. dora; prob. imit. of humming noise.

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Dorian

pert. to Doris, a division of ancient Greece; (mus.) name of one of the ancient Gr. musical modes. XVII. f. L. Drius — Gr. Drios, f. Drís; see -IAN. So Doric Dorian XVI; one of the main dialects of ancient Greek; (hence) rustic; one of the Greek orders of architecture XVII. — L. Dricus — Gr. Drikós.

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dormant

(hist.) fixed, stationary XIV; sleeping; inactive, quiescent XVI. — (O)F. dormant, prp. of dormir :- L. dormre sleep, rel. to OSl. drmati (Russ. dremát' slumber), and further to Skr. drti, dryati sleeps, Gr. édrathon I slept. So dormer projecting vertical window in a sloping roof (orig. dormitory window). XVI. — OF. dormeor. dormitory XV. — L. dormtrium, sb. use of n. of dormtrius, f. dormt-, pp. stem of dormre sleep. dorter, dortour (hist.) dormitory (e.g. of a monastery). XIII. — OF. dortour (mod. dortoir) :- L. dormtrium.

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dormouse

XV. of unkn. orig.

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dormy

(golf) leading by as many holes as there are holes to play. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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dorsal

XV. — (O)F. dorsal or late L. dorslis, for L. dorsulis, f. dorsum back; see -AL 1.

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dory

yellow fish Zeus faber (also John Dory). XIV (darre). — F. dorée, sb. use of fem. pp. of dorer gild :- late L. daurre, f. DE- + aurre gild, f. aurum gold.

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dose

prescribed quantity of medicine. XV. — F. — late L. dosis — Gr. dósis giving. gift, portion of medicine, f. didónai give. Hence dose vb. XVII.

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doss

(sl.) sb. bed; vb. sleep. XVIII (dorse), f. L. dorsum (F. dos) back. For the loss of r cf. BASS 1, DACE.

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dossal

ornamental cloth on or at the back of a chair, an altar, etc. XVII (do(r)sel). — medL. dossle, n. of dossalis, for dorsalis (see DORSAL).

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dossier

set of documents relating to a matter. XIX. — F. dossier bundle of papers in a wrapper having a label on the back, f. dos back; see DOSS, -IER 2.

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dost

arch. 2nd pers. sg. pres. ind. of DO 1.

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dot 1

(dial.) small lump, clot XVI; minute mark XVII. OE. dott (once) head of a boil, perh. in continuous colloq. use, but not recorded again till XVI in the gen. sense of ‘small knob or lump’, when its appearance may be due to Du. dot knot, prob. rel. to OHG. tutto, tutta nipple; for the prob. base dutt- cf. OE. dyttan (:- duttjan), dial. dit stop up, plug. Hence dot vb. XVIII.

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dot 2

dowry. XIX. — (O)F. — L. ds, dt-, f. d- give.

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dote

A
be silly or weak-minded XIII;

B
bestow excessive fondness upon XV. perh. OE., corr. to MDu. doten be silly.
Top
Hence dotage, dotard XIV.

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doth

arch. 3rd pers. sg. pres. ind. of DO 1.

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dott(e)rel

species of plover; †dotard. XV. f. DOTE + -REL; the bird was presumably so named from its (alleged) stupidity.

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dotty

covered with dots; (sl.) of unsteady gait (cf. phr. dot and go one, said of one who has a wooden leg, XVIII); of feeble mind, daft XIX. f. DOT 1 + -Y 1.

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double

consisting of two, twofold XIII; twice as many XIV. — OF. doble, duble, later and mod. double :- L. duplus DUPLE. So double vb. XIII.

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double entendre

XVII. — F. phr. (rare) ‘double understanding’; see DOUBLE, INTEND.

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doublet

(hist.) close-fitting body garment for men XIV; one of two things exactly alike XVI. — (O)F. doublet, f. double; see prec. and -ET.

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doubloon

(hist.) Sp. gold coin, orig. double of the pistole. XVII. — F. doublon or its source Sp. doblón, augm. of doble ( = F. double) DOUBLE. See -OON.

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doubt

†fear; be in uncertainty XIII. — OF. doter, duter (mod. douter) :- L. dubitre waver, hesitate, rel. to dubius DUBIOUS. The latinized sp. with b appears XV. So doubt sb. †fear; uncertainty. XIII. — OF. dote, dute (mod. doute), f. douter. Hence doubtful, doubtless XIV.

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douche

stream of water applied to the body. XVIII. — F. — It. doccia conduit pipe, f. docciare pour by drops :- Rom. ductiare, f. ductus DUCT.

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dough

OE. dg = MLG. dch (Du. deg), OHG. teic (G. teig), ON. deig, Goth. daigs :- Gmc. daizaz, f. IE. base dhoigh- dheigh- dhigh- smear, knead (so Goth. digan), whence also Skr. degdhi smears, L. fingere (see FICTION), Gr. teîkhos, toîkhos wall, Lith. dýti thrash.

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doughty

†worthy; valiant, stout. Late OE. dohti, new formation prob. after dohte, pt. of dugan be of use or worthy, repl. dyhti, corr. to MLG., MDu. duchtich (Du. duchtig), MHG. tühtic (G. tüchtig brave, competent); f. Gmc. base dauz- duz- avail, be fit (see -Y 1).

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dour

(Sc. and north.) hard, stern XIV; stubborn, sullen XV. prob. — Gael. dúr dull, stupid, obstinate, which may be — L. drus hard.

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douse 1, dowse

†strike XVI; strike (sail) XVII; doff; extinguish XVIII. perh. rel. to MDu., LG. dossen, G. dial. dusen beat, strike.

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douse 2

†plunge in liquid; drench. XVI. prob. imit., but poss. identical with prec.

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dove

XII. ME. d(o)uve, dofe — ON. dúfa = OS. dba (Du. duif), OHG. tba (G. taube), Goth. db :- Gmc. dbn.

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dowager

woman whose husband is dead and enjoys a title or property derived from him. XVI. — OF. douag(i)ere, f. douage dower, f. douer ENDOW; see -ER 2.

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dowd

†ugly woman XIV; shabbily or drably dressed woman XVIII. of unkn. orig. Hence dowdy sb. XVI; adj. XVII; denoting ugliness until XVIII.

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dowel

headless peg, bolt, etc. XIV. perh. — MLG. dovel, corr. to OHG. tubili (MHG. tübel), f. Gmc. dub- :- IE. dhubh-, whence Gr. túphos wedge.

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dower

(arch.) dowry; portion of a deceased husband's estate allowed to a widow XIV. — (O)F. douaire — medL. dtrium, f. L. ds, dt- dowry, dtre endow; cf. -ARY. So dowry †dower; money that a wife brings her husband XIV. — AN. dowarie = (O)F. douaire.

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dowlas

†coarse linen, (now) strong calico. XV. f. name of D(a)oulas, a town in Brittany.

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down 1

†hill OE.; open expanse of high ground, spec. in pl. XIII. OE. dn = OS. dna (Du. duin; cf. DUNE), a word of the LG. area; of uncert. orig.

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down 2

first feathering of young birds. XIV. — ON. dnn, rel. to dýja shake.

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down 3

adv. to or in a low(er) position. OE. dne, aphetic of adne ADOWN. Hence down prep. in descending direction along. XIII. downcast XVII. downfall XIII. downhearted XVIII. downright vertically downwards XIII; thoroughly, outright XIV; adj. XVI. downward XII.

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dowse

use the divining rod. XVII (deusing rod). of unkn. orig.

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doxology

formal ascription of praise to God. XVII. — medL. doxologia — Gr. doxologí, f. doxológos giving glory, f. dóxa glory; see -LOGY.

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doyen

senior member of a body. XVII. — F.; see DEAN 2.

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doyl(e)y

see DOILY.

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doze

†stupefy, muddle, perplex; sleep drowsily. XVII. perh. of Scand. orig. cf. Da. døse drowse, etc. Hence doze sb. XVIII.

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dozen

XIII. ME. dozein(e) — OF. dozeine, -aine (mod. douzaine); Rom. deriv. with -na (as in L. decna, centna, etc. group of 10, 100, etc.), f. do(t)ze :- ddece :- L. duodecim 12, f. duo TWO + decem TEN.

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drab 1

slattern; harlot. XVI. prob. in orig. a cant or slang word; perh. from Du. or LG., cf. Du. drab dregs, LG. drabbe thick dirty liquid, mire.

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drab 2

†kind of cloth XVI; (adj.) dull yellowishbrown colour XVII. prob. alt. of †darp cloth (of which it was an alternative form XVII–XVIII) — (O)F. — late L. drappus (see DRAPE).

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drabble

become or make wet with muddy water. XIV. — LG. drabbelen walk or paddle in water or mire; see DRAB 1, -LE 2.

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drachm

†drachma; unit of weight, DRAM. XIV. Late ME. dragme — OF. dragme or late L. dragma, var. of L. drachma — Gr. drakhm Attic weight and coin, prob. orig. ‘handful of coins’, f. base drakh- of drássesthai seize, grasp. Also drachma XVI.

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draconic, Draconic

A
pert. to a dragon XVII;

B
pert. to Draco (archon at Athens 621 B.C.) or his severe code of laws XVIII. f. L. drac, -n- DRAGON or the proper name Drac, Gr. Drákn + -IC.
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So draconian, Draconian XIX.

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draff

dregs, refuse, XIII. perh. repr. OE. dræf = MLG., (M)Du. draf, OHG. (pl.) trebir (G. treber, träber husks, grains).

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draft

sb. var. of DRAUGHT, recorded XVI and established since XVIII for certain senses. Hence draft vb. XVIII.

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drag

XV. Obscurely developed from OE. dragan DRAW, or — cogn. ON. draga. Hence, or partly — MLG. dragge grapnel, drag sb. XIV.

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draggle

soil (a garment), etc., by dragging it through wet or mire. XVI. f. DRAG vb. + -LE 2.

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dragoman

interpreter. XVI. — F. †dragoman (now drogman) — It. dragomano — medGr. dragómanos — early Arab. targumn, now tarjumn, f. targama, tarjama interpret.

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dragon

XIII. — (O)F. — L. drac, -n- — Gr. drákn, rel. to dérkesthai, aorist drakein see clearly.

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dragonnade

persecution directed by Louis XIV against French protestants in which dragoons were quartered upon the victims. XVIII. — F., f. dragon DRAGOON; see -ADE.

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dragoon

†carbine, musket, so called from its ‘breathing fire’ like a dragon; cavalry soldier, orig. applied to mounted infantry armed with this weapon. XVII. — F. dragon DRAGON; see -OON. Hence vb. set dragoons upon, force rigorous measures upon. XVII.

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drain

†strain OE.; draw liquid away in small quantities. XVI. OE. drahnian, drhnian, prob. f. draz- :- Gmc. drauz- (see DRY). Hence as sb. XV. Hence drainage XVII.

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drake 1

†dragon OE; (f. LG.) kind of cannon; angler's name for species of fly XVII. OE. draca = MLG., MDu. drake (Du. draak), OHG. trahho :- WGmc. drakan- — L. drac DRAGON.

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drake 2

male of the duck. XIII. of obscure orig.; rel. to G. dial. (LG.) drake, drache and the second el. of OHG. antrahho, antrehho, the first el. of this comp. being OHG. anut = OE. ened, MLG. anet (Du. eend), ON. nd; widespread IE. word for ‘duck’, repr. by L. anas, anat-, Gr. nèssa, etc.

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dram

†drachm, drachma XV; 1/3 fluid ounce, (hence) small draught of spirit, etc. XVI. — OF. drame or medL. drama, var. of DRACHMA.

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drama

XVII. — late L. drma — Gr. drma, -at- deed, action, play (esp. tragedy), f. drân do, act. So dramatic XVI. dramaturge playwright. XIX. — F. — Gr. dramatourgós, f. dramat- + erg- WORK. Hence dramatist XVII, dramatize XVIII.

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drape

A
†make into cloth XV;

B
cover with drapery XIX. In A — OF. draper, f. drap cloth :- late L. drappus, poss. of Celt. orig.; in B back-formation from DRAPERY, suggested by F. draper.
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So draper XIV. — AN. draper, (O)F. drapier. drapery cloth, textile fabric XIV; business or shop of a draper XV; artistic arrangement of clothing; stuff with which an object is draped XVII. — (O)F. draperie.

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drastic

XVII. — Gr. drastikós active, effective, f. drastós, ppl. adj. of drân do; see -IC.

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drat

mild substitute for ‘damn!’. XIX. Aphetic for od rat (XVIII), i.e. od (for GOD) and RAT 2.

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draught

act of drawing XII; that which is drawn or pulled XIII; †move at chess, etc.; pl. game played on a board XIV; †picture, sketch XV; design, plan XVI; (perh. short for †withdraught) †cesspool, privy XVI; current of air XVIII. ME. draht, if not in OE., — ON. drahtr, dráttr, later reinforced from MDu. dragt; abstr. sb. f. Gmc. draz- in DRAW; see -T 1. Cf. DRAFT.

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draw

pt. drew, pp. drawn general vb. for the expression of various kinds of traction OE.; delineate on a surface XIII; frame, formulate XVI; intr. make one's way OE. A Common Gmc. str. vb.: OE. dragan, pt. drh, drgon, pp. dræen, dragen = ON. draga draw, pull, and (in the sense ‘bear, carry’, ‘wear’) OS. dragan, OHG. tragan (G. tragen), Goth. (ga)dragan.

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drawer

receptacle sliding in and out of a table frame, etc. XVI. f. DRAW + -ER 1.

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drawers

two-legged under-garment suspended from the waist. XVI. f. DRAW + -ER 1 with pl. -s.

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drawing-room

XVII. Shortening of withdrawing-room (XVI).

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drawl

†crawl or drag along; speak with indolent or affected slowness. XVI. prob. orig. vargrants' cant — EFris., LG., Du. dralen delay, linger.

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dray

†sled or cart without wheels XIV; low cart without sides for heavy loads XVI. ME. dreye, draye (AL. dreia), corr. formally (though evidence of continuity is wanting and the meanings are different) to OE. dræe drag-net, f. base of dragan DRAW (cf. MLG. drage bier, litter, OHG. traga, ON. draga trailing load of timber).

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dread

vb. XII. ME. drden, aphetic of OE. adrdan, late form of ondrdan = OS. antdrdan, OHG. intrtan, f. ond-, and-, (as in ANSWER) + a WGmc. base of obscure orig. Hence sb. XII. dreadnought thick coat worn in rough weather XIX; specially powerful type of battleship XX.

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dream

sb. XIII. ME. drm, identical in form with the ME. repr. of OE. dram joy, jubilation, music, minstrelsy ( = OS. drm mirth, noise), but corr. in sense to OFris. drm, OS. drm (Du. droom), OHG. troum (G. traum), ON. draumr, with which it may be identical. Hence vb. XIII.

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drear

shortening of DREARY. XVII.

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dreary

†dire, grievous, sad, doleful OE.; dismal, gloomy XVII. OE. drori bloody, gory, grievous, sorrowful, f. dror gore, flowing blood :- Gmc. dreuzaz, f. dreus- draus-, whence also OE. drosan drop, fall, OS. driosan, Goth. driusan, and OS. drr, OHG. trr, ON. dreyri gore, blood, MHG. trrec (G. traurig sorrowful); see -Y 1.

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dredge 1

instrument for dragging the bed of a river, etc. XVI. rel. in some way to early Sc. dreg (XV), which may be — MDu. dregghe; but the final cons. of the Eng. word suggests a native orig. Hence dredge vb. 1, dredger^1 XVI.

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dredge 2

†sweetmeat containing spice. XVI. alt. of ME. drag(g)e, dragie (XIV) — OF. dragie, (also mod.) dragée, with medL. drageia, dragtum, dragta obscurely rel. to L. tragmata, Gr. tragmata species, condiments. Hence dredge vb. 2 sprinkle with powder XVI; whence dredger^2 box with perforated lid for sprinkling XVII.

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dreg

(usu. pl.) sediment of liquor; refuse. XIV (also dragges, dredges XVI–XVII). prob. of Scand. orig.; cf. ON. pl. dreggjar. Hence dreggy XV.

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drench

draught, potion OE.; medicinal dose for an animal XVI. OE. dren. :- Gmc. drakiz, f. drak-, var. of drik- DRINK; corr., with variation of declension, to OS. dranc, OHG. tranc (G. trank), ON. drekka, Goth. dragk. So drench make to drink OE. (now spec. in veterinary lang.); †submerge, drown; soak, saturate XIII, wet through XVI. OE. dren.an = OS. drenkian, OHG. trenchen (G. tränken), ON. drekkja, Goth. dragkjan :- Gmc. drakjan.

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dress

†make or put straight or right; prepare, treat (later, in a specific way) XIV; array, equip, attire XIV; line up (troops) XVIII. — (O)F. dresser :- Rom. drectire, f. drectus DIRECT. Hence dress sb. †setting right XVI; personal attire XVII.

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dresser

sideboard. XV. — OF. dresseur, dreçor (mod. dressoir), f. dresser prepare; see -ER 2.

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dribble

A
let flow or fall in a trickling stream XVI;

B
(football) work the ball forward with repeated touches of the feet XIX. f. †drib (XVI). modified form of DRIP + -LE 2. With sense B (perh. a different word) cf. Du. dribbelen toddle, trip.
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driblet

small sum or quantity. XVII. f. †drib vb.; see prec. and -LET; assoc. later with dribble.

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drift

driving or driven snow XIII; driving or being driven XIV; (dial.) drove XV; course, direction; meaning, tenor XVI. orig. — ON. drift snowdrift, drifting snow; later — (M)Du. drift drove, course, current, impulse, impetuous action; f. base of DRIVE; see -T 1.

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drill 1

A
bore a hole in XVII;

B
train in military evolutions XVI. — MDu. drillen bore, turn in a circle, brandish = MLG. drillen roll, turn, whence (M)HG. drillen turn, bore, drill soldiers; ult. orig. unkn.
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Hence drill sb. A. boring instrument; B. military evolutions. XVII.

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drill 2

W. African baboon. XVII. prob. native name. Cf. MANDRILL.

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drill 3

small furrow; machine for sowing seed in this. XVIII. perh. a use of †drill small stream, rivulet, of unkn. orig.

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drill 4

coarse twilled fabric. XVIII. Shortening of drilling (XVII), alt. of G. drillich, earlier †drilich — L. trilix, trilc- woven in threefold, f. tri- THREE + lcium thread.

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drink

vb. OE. drincan = OS. drinkan, OHG. trinkan (G. trinken), ON. drekka, Goth. drigkan :- Gmc. str. vb. drekan, with no ulterior cognates. So sb. OE.

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drip

let fall in drops XV; intr. XVII. — MDa. drippe (Da. dryppe), f. Gmc. drupp- (see DROP). Hence drip sb., dripping XV.

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drive

force to move before one; move or advance rapidly; carry on vigorously. OE. drfan = OS. drban (Du. drijven), OHG. trban (G. treiben), ON. drifa, Goth. dreiban :- Gmc. str. vb. drban, with no certain cogns. outside Gmc. Hence drive sb. act of driving XVII; carriage road XIX.

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drivel

dribble, slaver; talk foolishly. XIV. ME. drevele, dryuele, repr. OE. dreflian (in prp. glossing medL. reumaticus rheumy); perh. rel. to DRAFF; see -LE 2.

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drizzle

vb. and sb. XVI. prob. f. ME. drse, OE. drosan fall (see DREARY); see -LE 3.

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drogue

contrivance attached to a harpoon line to check the progress of a whale XVIII; canvas bag towed at a boat's stern to prevent it from broaching to XIX; in aeronautics, canvas cone used as an anchor, etc. XX. of unkn. orig.

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droll

XVII. — F. drôle, earlier †drolle (uncertainly rel. to MDu. drolle little chap). So droll sb. waggish fellow; †farce, puppet-show; †jesting, burlesque. XVII. perh. — MDu. droll vb. make fun (of). XVII. — F. †drler, drollery †puppet show, comic picture XVI; waggery XVII. — F. drlerie.

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-drome

repr. Gr. drmos running, course, race, as in HIPPODROME; rel. to dramein run, Skr. drmati.

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dromedary

light fleet one-humped camel. XIV. — AN. dromedarie, OF. dromedaire (mod. dromadaire), or late L. dromedrius, for dromadrius, f. dromas, dromad- dromedary (- Gr. dromás, -ad- runner; cf. prec.); see -ARY.

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drone

male of the honey-bee. OE. drn, drn; corr. to OS. drn, dreno, MLG. drne, drne, (with e-grade) OHG. treno (MHG. tren(e), G. dial. träne), prob. f. dran- dren drun- boom (cf. MDu. drnen, Du. dreunen, LG. drönen, Icel. drynja roar), with which Gr. anthrn wild bee, tenthrn kind of wasp, have been connected. The Eng. form drone (XV; cf. ME., mod. dial. drane) is perh. — (M)LG. drne. Cf. drone hum, buzz (sb. and vb.). XVI.

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droop

XIII. ME. dr(o)upe — ON. drpa hover, hang the head for sorrow, rel. to next.

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drop

small quantity of liquid. OE. dropa = OS. dropo, ON. dropi :- Gmc. dropan-; beside OE. droppa (whence the present form) = OHG. tropfo (G. tropfen) :- Gmc. droppan-; f. drup-, weak grade of the base dreup- of OE. dropan fall in drops ( = OS. driopan, OHG. triofan, ON. drjúpa). So drop vb. fall in drops OE.; let fall XIV. OE. drop(p)ian.

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dropsy

disease marked by accumulation of watery fluid. XIII. Aphetic of idrop(e)sie — OF. idropesie — medL. (h)ydrpisia, for L. hydrpisis, f. Gr. húdrps dropsy, f. húdr, hudr- WATER.

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dross

scum thrown off from metals in smelting OE.; dreggy matter, refuse XIV. OE. drs = MDu. droes(e) dregs; cf. OE. drsna (gen. pl.), MLG. drsem, (M)Du. droesen(e) (Du. droesem), OHG. truosana (G. drusen) dregs, lees.

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drought

Late OE. drùað, f. drz-, base of dre DRY; cf. (M)LG. drogede, (M)Du. droogte, f. droog dry; see -T 2.

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drove

herd or flock of beasts, crowd. OE. drf, f. gradation-var. draib- of base of drfan DRIVE. Hence drover driver of cattle. XV (dravere); see -ER 1.

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drown

XIII. ME. (orig. north.) dr(o)un(e), pointing to an OE. drnian, rel. to ON. drukna be drowned, f. Gmc. druk-, gradation-var. of drek- DRINK.

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drowsy

XVI. prob. based on the stem of OE. drsian be languid or sluggish, f. drs-, var. of base drosan fall (cf. DREARY). See -Y 1. Hence, by back-formation, drowse be inactive, or heavy or dull with sleep. XVI.

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drub

beat as with a stick; in early use esp. to bastinado. XVII. — Arab. darb beating, bastinado — daraba beat.

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drudge

work slavishly. XVI. poss. a continuation with extended meaning of ME. drugge (XIII–XIV) drag or pull heavily. So drudge sb. servile worker. XV. drudgery XVI.

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drug

sb. XIV. ME. pl. drogges, drouges — (O)F. drogue(s), of unkn. orig. Hence drug vb. mix with a drug XVII; administer drugs to XVIII. So druggist XVII. — F. droguiste.

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drugget

kind of woollen stuff. XVI. — F. droguet, of unkn. orig.

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Druid

one of an order of priests in ancient Britain and Gaul. XVI. — F. druide or its source L. (pl.) druidæ, druides, Gr. drudai — Gaul. druides, of uncert. orig. Hence druidic, druidical XVII.

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drum

percussive musical instrument; drummer XVI (drom(me)); tympanum of the ear XVII; drum-shaped object XVIII. perh. shortening of †drom(b)slade, †drombyllsclad (XVI), alt. — LG. trommelslag drum-beat, f. trommel drum. Hence drummer XVI.

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drunk

inebriated XIV; as sb. XIX. Clipped form of DRUNKEN. So drunkard XV. prob. — MLG. drunkert, f. drunken; cf. MDu. dronker, Du. dronkaard. drunken intoxicated, drunk. OE. druncen, pp. of DRINK = OS. drunkan, OHG. trunkan, ON. trukkinn, Goth. drugkans, all of which have the same active meaning.

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drupe

(bot.) stone-fruit. XVIII. — L. drpa, druppa over-ripe olive — Gr. drúpp olive.

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druse

crystals lining a rock-cavity. XIX. — F. — G. druse weathered ore = MLG. drse, drse, Du. droes.

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dry

adj. OE. dre :- drziz, rel. to (M)LG. dröge, dreuge, MDu. drghe (Du. droog) :- drauziz, f. Gmc. drauz- dreuz- drz-; cf. DROUGHT. Hence dry vb. OE. dran.

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dryad

wood nymph. XIV. — (O)F. dryade — L. Dryades, pl. of Dryas — Gr. Druádes, sg. Druás, f. drs TREE; see -AD.

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dual

XVII. — L. dulis, f. duo TWO; see -AL 1. Hence dualism XVIII. So duality XIV. — late L.

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dub

invest with a dignity (spec. that of knighthood) XI; dress, trim XIII; spec. in tanning; smear with grease XVII. Late OE. dubbian, in phr. dubbade t rdere, ‘dubbed to knight’, knighted, modelled on AN. aduber a chevaler. — AN. duber, aphetic of aduber, OF, adober (mod. adouber) equip with armour, repair, mend; of Gmc. orig. Hence dubbin, dubbing preparation of grease for softening and waterproofing leather. XVIII; see -ING 1.

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dubious

XVI. — L. dubisus, f. dubium doubt, sb. use of n. of dubius doubtful, obscurely f. duo TWO, and meaning ‘hesitating between two alternatives’; cf. DOUBT. So dubiety XVIII. — late L. dubiets.

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ducal

pert. to a duke. XVI. — F., f. duc DUKE; see -AL 1.

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ducat

Italian coin. XIV. — It. ducato or its source medL. ductus DUCHY.

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duchess

XIV. — (O)F. duchesse — medL. ducissa, f. L. dux, duc-; see DUKE and -ESS 1.

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duchy

XIV. —
i
OF. duché, later form of duchée fem. :- Rom. ducits, -tt-, f. L. dux, duc- (see DUKE and -ITY); and
ii
(O)F. duché m. :- medL. ductus (see -ATE 1).

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duck 1

swimming bird of the family Anatidae. OE. dce, f. base of dcan dive, DUCK 2. The ME. vars. duk(ke), dke, douke, point to orig. variation in the quantity of the stem-vowel.

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duck 2

plunge into liquid, trans. and intr. XIV; stoop quickly XVI. ME. douke, dke, repr. OE. dcan = MLG., MDu. dken (Du. duiken), OHG. thhan (G. tauchen), corr. to forms with a short vowel in MHG. tücken stoop quickly, G. ducken (with LG. initial cons.). The short vowel is evidenced XVI.

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duck 3

strong untwilled fabric XVII; pl. trousers or a suit of this XIX. — (M)Du. doek linen = OS. dk, OHG. tuoh (G. tuch), of unkn. orig.

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duct

†course, direction; †stroke drawn; tube or canal in an animal or vegetable body XVII; conduit XVIII. — L. ductus leading, conduct, in medL. aqueduct, f. duct-, pp. stem of dcere lead (see TEAM).

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ductile

malleable; flexible, pliable. XIV. — (O)F. — L. ductilis, f. duct-; see prec. and -ILE.

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dud 1

†coarse cloak XIV; pl. (sl.) clothes; (dial.) rags, tatters XVI. of unkn. orig.

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dud 2

(dial.) delicate, soft, or contemptible person; worthless object XIX. perh. transf. use of prec.

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dude

fastidious or exquisite ‘swell’, XIX. orig. U.S. sl; prob. — G. dial dude fool.

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dudeen

short clay tobacco-pipe. XIX. — Ir. dúídin, dim. of dúd pipe.

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dudgeon

feeling of resentful anger. XVI. freq. in phr. in dudgeon; of unkn. orig.

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due

owing XIII; proper, suitable XIV; that is to be ascribed to XVII. — OF. deü (mod. d, fem. due) :- Rom. dbtus, for L. dbitus, pp. of dbre (F. devoir) owe. Also adv. †duly; directly, straight XVI. So due sb. XV. — OF. (see above), sb. use of pp. of devoir. Hence duly adv. XIV.

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duel

single combat. XV. — It. duello or L. duellum, arch. form of bellum war, used in medL. for the official single combat. Hence duellist XVI.

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duenna

chief lady-in-waiting; elderly woman acting as family governess XVII; chaperon XVIII. — Sp. duea, formerly duenna :- L. domina lady, mistress (cf. DAME).

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duet

XVIII. — G. duett or It. duetto, dim. of duo DUO; see -ET.

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duff

(dial.) dough; flour-pudding boiled in a bag. XIX. north. var. of DOUGH.

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duffer

(colloq.) incapable or inefficient person; (sl.) counterfeit article; (Austral. sl.) unproductive mine. XIX. poss. alt. of Sc. doofart, dowfart stupid or dull person, f. dowf (dolf XVI) dull, spiritless, perh. — ON. daufr DEAF.

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duffle, duffel

coarse woollen cloth with a thick nap XVII (duffield; earlier in n. Amer. use); (U.S.) articles of dress for camping, etc. XIX. f. Duffel, name of a town in Brabant.

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dug

pap, teat. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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dugong

large aquatic herbivorous animal. XVIII. ult. — Malay duyong (recorded 1751 as dugung).

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dug-out

(U.S.) canoe made by hollowing out a tree-trunk; dwelling made by an excavation in the ground XIX; roofed shelter in trench warfare XX. sb. use of pp. of DIG out.

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duke

sovereign prince, ruler of a duchy XII; †leader, captain, ruler XIII; hereditary title of nobility XIV. — (O)F. duc — L. dux, duc- leader, rel. to dcere lead (see TEAM).

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dulcet

sweet. XIV. Early form also †doucet — (O)F. doucet (dim. of doux, fem. douce), refash. after L. dulcis; see -ET.

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dulcimer

musical string instrument. XV. orig. doussemer, dowcemere — OF. doulcemer, -mele, supposed to repr. L. dulce melos sweet song.

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dull

not sharp of wit XIII; not brisk XIV; not clear or bright; tedious XV. — MLG., MDu. dul, corr. to OE. dol stupid (:- dulaz), OS. (Du.) dol. OHG. tol (G. toll). Hence dull vb. XIV. dullard XV. prob. — MDu. dull-, dollaert.

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dulse

edible seaweed. XVII. — Ir., Gael. duileasg.

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dumb

destitute of speech, mute. OE. dumb = OS. dumb (Du. dom) stupid OHG. tump stupid, deaf (G. dumm stupid), ON. dumbr, Goth. dumbs mute; of unkn. orig.

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dumb-bell

i
hist. apparatus like that for swinging a church bell, but without the bell, used for exercise or ringing practice;

ii
pl. pair of instruments held in the hands and swung for exercise. XVIII. f. prec.
Top

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dumbfound

XVII. prob. f. DUMB + -found of CONFOUND.

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dum-dum

soft-nosed bullet. XIX. f. Dum Dum, name of a military station and arsenal near Calcutta, India.

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dummy

dumb person XVI; imaginary player at whist, etc. XVIII; dolt XVIII; counterfeit or substituted article XIX. orig. Sc. dummie, with var. dumbie, f. DUMB + -Y 2.

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dump 1

fit of melancholy or depression, freq. and now only pl.; †mournful tune. XVI. prob. of LG. or Du. orig. and a fig. use of MDu. domp exhalation, haze, mist, rel. to DAMP.

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dump 2

A
†throw down or fall with sudden force XIV;

B
throw down in a mass (orig. U.S.) XIX. In north. ME. perh. of Scand. orig. (cf. Da. dumpe, Norw. dumpa fall suddenly or with a rush, and Sw. dimpa, pt. damp, pp. dumpit); but an independent imit. orig. is poss.
Top
Hence sb. matter dumped, place of dumping. XIX.

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dumpling

XVI. Much earlier than the simplex dump, which is applied to various short thick objects (late XVIII) and is app. f. dumpy adj. short and stout (mid-XVIII); see -LING 1.

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dun 1

dull or dingy brown. OE. dun(n) = OS. dun, prob. rel. to OS. dosan, OHG. tusin (cf. DUSK).

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dun 2

importunate creditor, agent employed to collect debts. XVII. poss. abbrev. of †dunkirk (XVII) privateer, orig. ship from Dunkirk, town on the French coast. Hence vb. XVII.

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dunce

†disciple of Duns Scotus; dull pedant; dullard, blockhead XVI. orig. Duns, name of John Duns Scotus (d. 1308), scholastic theologian, whose disciples formed a predominant scholastic sect at the universities until they were attacked by the humanists and reformers; occurring first in phr. Duns men, Dunces disciples.

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dunderhead

XVII. perh. rel. to dial. dunner resounding noise.

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dune

sandhill on the sea-coast. XVIII. — (O)F. — MDu. dne (Du. duin) = OE. dn DOWN 1.

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dung

OE. dung = MDu. dung(e), OHG. tunga manuring (G. dung, also dünger manure); cf. (with mutated vowel) Sw. dynga muck, dung, Da. dynge, Icel, dyngja; of unkn. orig. Hence vb. XIV.

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dungaree

coarse Indian calico XVII; (pl.) trousers of this XIX. — Hindi dungr.

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dungeon

castle keep; strong cell. XIV. — (O)F. donjon :- Gallo-Rom. domni, -n, ‘lord's tower’, or ‘mistress tower’, f. L. dominus master, lord.

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dunlin

red-backed sand-piper. XVI. prob. for dunling, f. DUN 1 + -LING 1.

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dunnage

light material, brushwood, etc. stowed among a cargo. XIV (in AL. form dennagium), XV (donage), XVII (dynnage). of unkn. orig.

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duo

(mus.) duet. XVI. (F. duo) — It. — L. duo TWO.

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duodecimal

pert. to 12th parts; based on the number 12. XVIII. f. L. duodecimus twelfth, duodecim twelve, f. duo TWO + decem TEN; cf. DECIMAL. So duodecimo size of a book in which a page is 1/12 of a sheet. XVII.

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duodenum

XIV. — medL. (short for intestinum duodenum digitorum ‘of twelve digits’; so named from its length), f. duodn, distributive of duodecim twelve (see prec.).

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duologue

dramatic piece for two actors. XIX. irreg. f. L. duo or Gr. dúo TWO, after monologue.

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dupe

victim of deception. XVII. — F. dupe, earlier †duppe, said in a text of XV to be a cant term; joc. application of (dial.) dupe hoopoe (of obscure orig.), from the bird's stupid appearance. Hence vb. XVIII; after F. duper.

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duple

XVI. — L. duplus, f. duo TWO + pl- -FOLD. So duplex XIX. — L., f. duo + plic- FOLD 2.

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duplicate

adj. XV; sb. XVI. — L. duplictus pp. of duplicre, f. duplus (see prec., -ATE 2). So vb. XV. duplication XV. — F. or L.

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duplicity

quality of being double-faced. XV. — (O)F. duplicité or late L. duplicits, f. duplic- DUPLEX; see -ITY.

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durable

XIV. — (O)F. — L. drbilis, f. drre last, ENDURE; see -ABLE.

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duralumin

aluminium alloy. XX. P. ; — G., perh. f. Düren (in the Rhineland) + alumin(i)um ALUMINIUM.

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dura mater

outermost envelope of brain and spinal cord. XV. — medL., lit. ‘hard mother’, tr. Arab. al-'umm al-jalda or al-jfiya ‘the hard mother’; so called because it was thought to be the source of every other membrane in the body; cf. PIA MATER. Hence dural XIX.

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durance

†duration, lastingness XV; forced confinement or restraint, now esp. in phr. durance vile; †stout cloth XVI. — OF., f. durer last :- L. drre; see next and -ANCE.

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duration

continuance. XIV. — OF. — medL. drti, -n-, f. drre harden, endure, f. drus hard; see -ATION.

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duress(e)

†hardness, harshness XIV; forcible restraint, imprisonment; constraint XV. — OF. duresse :- L. dritia, f. drus hard; see -ESS 2.

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during

XIV (in Sc. †durand, -ant). — (O)F. durant :- Rom. drante, abl. of L. drns, prp. of drre last, continue (cf. DURATION and see -ING 2).

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durmast

variety of oak. XVIII. perh. orig. an error for dunmast, i.e. DUN 1 (dark-coloured) + MAST 2.

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durn

see DARN 2.

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durst

see DARE.

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dusk

adj. dark-coloured (OE.); sb. darker stage of twilight XVII; vb. grow dark (OE.). The form dusk (XIV) is difficult to account for (cf., however, for the vowel OE. eðuxod, eðushod darkened); it was preceded by ME. dosk sb., doskin vb. XIII, which are characteristically western forms and repr. OE. dox dark, swarthy (:- duskaz :- IE. dhuskos, whence L. fuscus dark, dusky), and its deriv. doxian become dark in colour; rel. to OS. dosan, OHG. tusin darkish (of colour), dull (cf. DUN 1).

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dust

sb. OE. dst = MDu. donst, dst (LG. dust, Du. duist meal-dust, bran), ON. dust. The primary notion seems to be ‘that which rises in a cloud’; cf. OHG. tun(i)st wind, breeze, G. dunst vapour. Hence dust vb. †rise as dust XIII; †reduce to dust XV; soil with dust; free from dust XVI (whence duster XVI). dusty OE. dsti.

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dutch

(sl.) wife. XIX. Short for DUCHESS.

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Dutch

†German XIV; pert. to the people of Holland XVI. — MDu. dutsch Dutch, German (Du. duitsch German) = OE þodis. Gentile, also sb. a language, OS. thiudisc :- Gmc. þeudiskaz, f. þeud (OE. þod people); see -ISH 1. In Germany the adj. was orig. used to distinguish ‘the vulgar tongue’ from Latin, Hence to denote German vernaculars and consequently the speakers of any of these.

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duty

conduct due to a superior XIII; obligation, function; †due charge or fee XIV; payment enforced or levied XV. — AN. deweté, dueté, f. du(e) DUE; see -TY 2. Hence duteous, dutiful XVI, dutiable XVIII.

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dwarf

OE. dweorg, dweorh = MDu. dwerch (Du. dwerg), OHG. twerg (G. zwerg), ON. dvergr :- Gmc. dwerzaz. Hence vb. render dwarfish. XVII. dwarfish XVI.

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dwell

†lead astray OE.; †tarry, delay; continue in a place or state XII; have one's abode XIII; spend time on XVI. OE. dwellan, pt. dwealde lead astray, corr. to OS. bidwellian hinder, MDu. dwellen stun, perplex, OHG. twellen delay, harass, ON. dvelja trans. delay, intr. and refl. tarry, stay; f. Gmc. dwel- dwal- dwul-. The sense ‘abide, stay’ was adopted from ON.

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dwindle

XVI. f. (dial.) dwine, OE. dwnan waste away = (M)LG., MDu. dwnen, ON. dvina; see -LE 2.

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dyad

number two. XVII. — late L. dyas, dyad- — Gr. duás, duad-, f. dúo TWO; see -AD.

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dye

vb. OE. dagian, of unkn. orig. Not recorded again till XIV, though the agent-nouns dyer , dyester are recorded from XIII. So dye sb. OE. dag, dah, rare ME. dag; the present word is a new formation on the vb. (XVI). The words are peculiarly Eng.

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dyke

see DIKE.

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dynamic

pert. to force. XIX. — F. dynamique — Gr. dunamikós, f. dúnamis strength (rel. to dúnasthai be able); see -IC. So dynamical XIX, dynamics XVIII.

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dynamite

XIX. Named by Alfred Nobel ; f. Gr. dúnamis force (see prec.) + -ITE.

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dynamo

XIX. short for dynamo-(electric-) machine, f. Gr. dúnamis force (see DYNAMIC); for the comb. form see -O-.

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dynasty

XV. — F. dynastie or late L. dynasta — Gr. dunasteí power, domination, f. dunasts (L. dynasts, whence dynast XVII), f. dúnasthai be able or powerful.

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dyne

unit of force in the centimetre-gramme-second system. XIX. — F. dyne, f. Gr. dúnamis force.

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dys-

prefix in L. adoptions repr. Gr. dus- = Skr. dus-, Gmc. tus- (OE. t-, OHG. zur- (G. zer-), ON. tor-); denoting the reverse of easy, favourable, or fortunate, used in direct derivs. from Gr. and in new (chiefly scientific) formations.

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dysentery

inflammation of the large intestine. XIV. — OF. dissenterie or L. dysenteria — Gr. dusenterí, f. dusénteros, f. DYS- + éntera bowels; see -Y 2.

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dyslogistic

having an unfavourable meaning. XIX. f. DYS-, after EULOGISTIC.

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dyspepsia

XVIII. — L. — Gr. duspepsí, f. dspeptos difficult of digestion, f. DYS- + peptós cooked, digested; see -Y 2.

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E

e-

see EX-1.

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each

OE. l. = OFris., (M)LG. el(li)k, MDu. el(li)c, Du. elk. f. Gmc. zalkaz (see ALIKE). For the disappearance of l cf. WHICH, SUCH, EVERY.

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eager

†ardent, fierce XIII; keenly desirous or impatient; †pungent, acid (cf. VINEGAR) XIV. — AN. egre, (O)F. aigre :- Rom. acrum, for L. crem, nom. cer pungent, swift, strenuous, f. IE. k- be sharp or pointed (cf. ACID).

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eagle

XIV. — AN. egle, (O)F. aigle, replacing †aille, refash. after Pr. aigla, etc. :- L. aquila, perh. rel. to aquilus dark-brown. So eaglet young eagle. XVI. See -ET; after F. aiglette, †eglette.

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eagre

tidal bore. XVII. of uncert. orig.

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-ean

suffix formed by adding -AN to e or of L. -eus, -us (varying with -æus), corr. to Gr. -eos, -eios (-aîos); formerly often with parallel forms in -æan, -(e)ian; it has in some words an immed. F. original in -éen.

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ear1

organ of hearing. OE. are = OS., OHG. ra (Du. oor, G. ohr), ON. eyra, Goth. aus :- Gmc. auzan-, f. aus- :- IE. ous-, whence also L. auris, Gr. ôs, oûs (:- oúsos), Lith. ausìs, OSl. ucho. Hence earring. OE. arhring.

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ear2

spike of corn. OE. ar (Nhb. æhher) = OS. ahar (Du. aar), OHG. ahir, ehir (G. ähre), ON. ax, Goth. ahs :- Gmc. a?uz, a?iz, rel. to L. acus, acer- husk, chaff, f. IE. ak- be sharp or pointed (cf. EDGE).

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earing

(naut.) small rope fastening the upper corner of a sail to the yard. XVII. perh. f. EAR1 + -ING1 or RING1.

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earl

†warrior, nobleman, prince, OE.; equiv. of count XII. OE. eorl = OS., OHG. erl, ON. jarl (runic erilaR), of unkn. orig. Hence earldom XII.

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early

OE. (late Nhb.) rl.e, beside rl.e, f. r ERE + -l.e -LY2, after ON. árliga. As adj. XIII (after ON. árligr).

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earn

OE. earnian = MLG. arnen, OHG. arnn, -n reap :- WGmc. aznjan, -jan, rel. to OE. esne labourer, man, OHG. esni, Goth. asneis, and further to OHG. aran, Goth. asans harvest.

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earnest1

†ardour in battle; seriousness. OE. eornust, -ost = MLG. ernest, OHG. ernust (G. ernst); cf. ON. ern brisk, vigorous, Goth. arniba safely; of unkn. orig. So earnest adj. OE. eornost(e) = MLG. ernest. earnestly OE. eornostl.e.

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earnest2

money paid as an instalment. XIII. Earliest forms (e)ernes; prob. alt., with assim. to -NESS, of synon. and contemp. erles — OF. erles :- Rom. arrulas, dim. (pl.) of L. arra pledge; assim. to prec. appears XV.

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earth

OE eorðe = OS. ertha (Du. aarde), OHG. erda (G. erde), ON. jrð, Goth. airþa :- Gmc. erþ, f. base er-, appearing also in OHG. ero earth. ON. jrfi gravel, Gr. éraze on the ground, W. erw field. Hence earth vb. †bury XIV; cover up with earth XVII. earthen XIII (see -EN3), whence earthenware XVII. earthly. OE. eorðli.. earthquake XIV. earthy XVI; see -Y1.

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earwig

insect so called because it is supposed to penetrate the ear. OE. arwicga, f. are EAR1 + wicga earwig, prob. rel. to WIGGLE. For the form of wicga cf. DOG.

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ease

†opportunity, means; comfort, convenience. XIII. — AN. ese, OF. eise, (also mod.) aise †elbow-room; †favourable occasion, convenience :- Rom. adjaces for (sb. use of) adjacns ADJACENT. So ease vb. relieve, comfort. XIV.

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easel

standing frame to support a picture. XVII. — Du. ezel ASS.

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easement

redress XIV; convenience; accommodation in or about a house; privilege of using something not one's own XV. — OF. aisement, f. aisier EASE vb.; see -MENT.

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east

adv. OE.; sb. (OE. aste fem.); adj. (in OE. only compar. ast(er)ra, superl. ast(e)mest). OE. ast- in comps. (e.g. astende eastern region, astangle East-Anglians) = OFris. st, OS., OHG. st (Du. oost, G. ost), repr. Gmc. austa- (with suffix -n- in OE. astan, OS., OHG. stana, ON. austan from the east); as adv. prob. shortening of aster = OS., OHG. star, ON. austr toward the east :- Gmc. austra-, which is found in the proper names strangl (Bede) East-Anglians, OHG. starrhi (G. Österreich) Austria; f. IE. base aus-, as in L. aurra (:- auss), Gr. (Aeolic) aús, Lith. aurà, Skr. u- dawn. So †easter eastern. XIV–XIX. perh. continuing OE. compar. asterra. Hence prob. easterly XVI. eastern. OE. asterne = OS., OHG. stroni, ON. austrœnn :- Gmc. austrnja-, eastward adv. toward the east. OE. astewearde; hence as adj. XV.

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Easter

Christian festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. OE. astre, mainly in pl. = OFris. steron, MHG. steren, OHG. starn (G. Ostern pl.); derived by Bede from the name of a goddess whose feast was celebrated at the vernal equinox, ostre, Nhb. var. of astre :- Gmc. Austrn- (rel. to prec.). Several OE. comps. of the comb. form aster- survive: asterfen Easter Eve, asterdæg Easter Day, astersunnandæg Easter Sunday, astertd Eastertide, asterwuce Easter week.

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easy

at ease, free from constraint or discomfort XII; causing little or no discomfort or difficulty; not oppressive or painful XIV. — AN. aisé, OF. aisié (mod. aisé), pp. of aisier put at ease (see EASE vb.); see -Y1. Hence easy-chair XVIII. easy adv. XIV; comb. in easy-going XVII.

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eat

pt. ate, pp. eaten. OE. str. vb. etan = OS. etan (Du. eten), OHG. ezzan (G. essen). ON. eta, Goth. itan :- Gmc. etan; f. IE. base ed-, whence L. edere, Gr. édein, Ir., Gael. ith, Lith. édmi, OSl. jami, Skr. ádmi I eat.

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eau

— F. eau :- L. aqua water, as in eau-de-Cologne perfume orig. made at Cologne, Germany XIX; eau-de-vie ‘water of life’, brandy XVIII.

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eaves

OE. efes, corr. to OFris. se, MLG. vese, MDu. (ve)se, OHG. obasa, -isa, MHG. ob(e)se (G. dial. obsen) eaves, porch, ON. ups, Goth. ubizwa portico :- Gmc. obasw, obisw, prob. f. ob- of OVER. The final s is treated as a pl. ending and the word takes pl. concord. Hence eavesdropper one who listens under walls to hear gossip, secret listener, XV. prob. — ON. upsardropi, corr. to OE. yfæsdrypæ; see DRIP, DROP. Hence by back-formation eavesdrop vb. XVII.

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ebb

sb. OE. ebba = (M)LG., MDu. ebbe (Du. eb(be)) :- WGmc. abjan-, -n, f. ab (see OF), as if ‘a running off or away’. So ebb vb. OE. ebbian = (M)LG., (M)Du. ebben.

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ebonite

vulcanite. XIX. f. next + -ITE.

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ebony

XVI (hebeny). Preceded by †eban (XV) — OF. eban (also ebaine, mod. ébène) — medL. ebanus, var. of L. (h)ebenus — Gr. ébenos ebony tree, of Sem. orig.; later ebon (XVI), latinized (h)eben, which was superseded by forms with -y, perh. after ivory.

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ebullient

boiling, bubbling over. XVI. — L. bullins, -ent-, prp. of bullre, f. E- + bullre BOIL2. So ebullition XVI (once XIV). — late L.

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ec-

var. of EX-2 before consonants.

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eccentric

not concentric XVI (as sb. XV); not central or referable to a centre; irregular, odd XVII; sb. (person) XIX, after F. — late L. eccentricus, f. Gr. ékkentros, f. ek out, EX-2 + kéntron CENTRE; cf. (O)F. excentrique. Hence eccentricity XVI.

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ecclesiastic

adj. XV; sb. XVII. — F. ecclésiastique or ChrL. ecclsiasticus — Gr. ekklsiastikós, f. ekklsiasts member of the ecclesia or public assembly of citizens (in LXX rendering Heb. kheleth one who addresses a public assembly), f. ekklsiázein hold or summon to an assembly, (eccl.) summon to church, f. ekklsí assembly, (eccl.) church, f. ekkltós, pp. adj. of ekkaleîn, f. ek out, EX-2 + kaleîn call, summon. So ecclesiastical XV.

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echelon

military formation in parallel divisions but with no two on the same alignment. XVIII. — F. échelon, f. échelle ladder :- L. scla SCALE3; cf. -OON.

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echinus

(zool.) sea-urchin XIV; (archit.) ovolo moulding next below the abacus XVI. — L. — Gr. ekhînos hedgehog, sea-urchin.

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echo

sb. XIV. — (O)F. écho or L. ch — Gr. kh (cf. kh, êkhos noise), perh. rel. to OE. swg noise. Hence echo vb. XVI. echoic of the nature of echo, applied by J. A. H. Murray (1880) to words that are held to imitate sounds denoted by them.

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éclair

XIX. — F. (‘lightning’), f. éclairer :- Rom. exclrire, f. EX-1 + clrus CLEAR.

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eclectic

epithet of philosophers not attached to a school XVII: collecting or collected from different sources XIX. — Gr. eklektikós, f. eklektós selective, f. eklégin, f. ek out, EX-2 + légein choose; see LECTION, -IC.

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eclipse

interception of the light of a heavenly body. XIII — OF. e(s)clipse (mod. éclipse) — L. eclpsis — Gr. ékleipsis, f. ekleípein be eclipsed, etc., f. ek out, away, EX-2 + leípein LEAVE2. Hence vb. XIV; cf. (O)F. éclipser.

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ecliptic

pert. to an eclipse XIV; sb. great circle of the celestial sphere, the apparent orbit of the sun, so called because eclipses happen only when the moon is on or very near this line XIV. — L. eclpticus — Gr. ekleiptikós (also sb.), f. ekleípein; see prec. and -IC.

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eclogue

pastoral dialogue (esp. of Theocritus and Virgil). XV. — L. ecloga short poem — Gr. eklog selection, esp. of poems, f. eklégein (see ECLECTIC).

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ecology

(biol.) study of the relations of plants and animals with their habitat. XIX. — G. ökologie, f. Gr. oîkos house (used for ‘habitat’); see WICK2, -LOGY.

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economy

management (of a house) XVI; careful management, thrift; administration of a community or establishment XVII; political economy, tr. F. économie politique XVIII. — (O)F. économie or L. œconomia — Gr. oikonomí, f. oikonómos manager of a household, steward, f. oîkos house (cf. WICK2) + -nómos managing, némein manage; see -Y3. So economic, economical.

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écru

colour of unbleached linen. XIX. — (O)F., f. é- (intensive) + cru CRUDE.

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ecstasy

XIV (rare before XVI; earlier forms ex(s)tasie, -acy, the sp. ecst-, accommodated to Gr., appearing XVII). — OF. extasie — (with assim. to sbs. in -sie, L. -sia) late L. extasis — Gr. ékstasis, f. eksta-, stem of existánai put out of place (in phr. existánai phrenôn drive out of one's wits), f. ek out, EX-2 + histánai place (see STAND). So ecstatic XVII. — F. extatique — Gr. ekstatikós.

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ecto-

repr. Gr. ektós outside (f. ek EX-2 after entós = L. intus within), used as comb. form in scientific terms such as ectoderm, ectoplasm.

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ecumenical

pert, to the universal church XVI; world-wide XVII. f. late L. œcumenicus — Gr. oikoumenikós, f. h oikoumén (sc. gê earth) the inhabited world, pp. fem. of oikeîn inhabit, f. oîkos house; see WICK2, -ICAL.

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eczema

XVIII. — modL. — Gr. ékzema, f. ekzein boil over, (of disease) break out, f. ek out, EX-2 + zein boil.

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-ed1

formative of the pp. of weak verbs. in OE. -ed, -ad (-od, -ud), the vowels of which repr. the thematic vowels of the class to which the verbs belong, the suffix proper being -d :- Gmc. -az :- IE. -tós, repr. by Skr. -tás, Gr. -tós (in verbal adjs.), L. -tus. In some OE. verbs, the suffix being added immed. to the base appears as -d, after unvoiced cons. as -t; e.g. seald, pp. of sellan SELL, boht, pp. of by.an BUY. In ME. the several OE. variants were levelled under -ed; this -ed is usu. retained in writing, although the pronunc. is normally reduced to d or t, e.g. robed, hoped. The pronunc. -id occurs regularly in ordinary speech only in the endings -ded, -ted. A few pps., as beloved, blessed, cursed, have escaped the tendencey to contraction when used as adjs.; and learned as adj. is pronounced with -id, but as pp. with -d or -t.

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-ed2

repr. OE. -ede = OS. -di :- Gmc. -ja-, and appended to sbs. to form adjs. denoting the possession or the presence of the thing or attribute expressed by the sb., e.g. OE. hcede hooked (f. hc), hringede ringed (f. hring). This suffix corresponds in function to the -tus of L. formations like caudtus tailed (f. cauda tail), aurtus eared (f. auris ear); it is now added without restriction to a sb. to form an adj. with the sense ‘provided with, characterized by’ (something), as in booted, cultured, diseased, moneyed, wooded, and notably in parasynthetic adjs., as dark-eyed, three-pronged.
In mod. Eng. and to a large extent in ME. there is no formal distinction between exx. of this suffix and ppl. adjs. in -ED1 derived ult. from sbs. through unrecorded vbs.

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edacious

eating, devouring. XIX. f. L. edx, edc-, f. edere EAT; see -IOUS.

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edaphic

(bot.) pert. to the soil. XX. — G. edaphisch, f. Gr. édaphos ground, soil (orig. base, bottom, f. sed- SIT); see -IC.

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eddy

small whirlpool. XV (Sc. ydy). perh. of Scand. orig. (cf. ON. ia eddy, whirlpool); prob. f. base of OE. ed- again, back = OHG. et(a)-, ON. i-, Goth. iþ then, but, rel. to L. et and, Gr. éti yet; cf. MHG. itwæge flood, whirlpool (-wæge corr. to OE. w wave).

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edelweiss

XIX. — G., f. edel noble + weiss WHITE.

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Eden

abode of Adam and Eve (Gen. 2: 15) XIV; delightful abode, paradise XVI. — L. (Vulg.) den, Gr. (LXX) dn — Heb. 'dhen, orig. ‘delight’.

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edentate

of the order of Edentata, which lack incisor and canine teeth. XIX. — L. denttus, f. E- + dns, dent- TOOTH; see -ATE2.

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edge

sharp side of a blade OE.; boundary of a surface XIV. OE. e. = OS. eggia (Du. egge), OHG. ekka (G. ecke corner), ON. egg :- Gmc. azj, f. IE. ak- be sharp or pointed (see ACID). Hence edge vb. give an edge to XIII; incite XVI (cf. EGG2).

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edible

XVII. — late L. edibilis, f. edere EAT; see -IBLE.

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edict

XV. — L. dictum, sb. use of n. pp. of dcere proclaim, f. E- + dcere say, tell (cf. DICTION).

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edification

building up of the church, of the soul in holiness, etc.; mental or moral improvement XIV; †building XV. — L. ædificti, -n-, f. ædificre build; see -FICATION. So edifice building. XIV. — (O)F. édifice — L. ædificium, f. ædis dwelling, orig. hearth, + fic-, wk. stem of facere make. edify build up, lit. and fig. XIV. — (O)F. édifier — L. ædificre.

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edit

†publish (rare); prepare an edition of XVIII; be the editor of XIX. partly — F. éditer (based on édition); partly back-formation from EDITOR. So edition †publication; †production, creation; one of the forms in which a literary work is produced. XVI. — (O)F. édition — L. diti, -n-, f. dit-, pp. stem of dere put forth, f. E- + dare put. editor †publisher XVII (rare); one who prepares an edition XVIII; conductor of a periodical XIX. — L. ditor producer, exhibitor, f. dit-. Hence editorial XVIII.

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educate

XV. f. pp. stem of L. ducre, rel. to dcere EDUCE; see -ATE3. So education XVI. — (O)F. or L. Hence educationist XIX, which is earlier than educationalist, f. educational (XVII). educative XIX.

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educe

†lead or draw forth XV; bring out, develop from a latent condition XVII. — L. dcere, f. E- + dcere lead (cf. DUCT).

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edulcorate

soften. XVII. f. pp. stem of medL. dulcorre, f. E- + late L. dulcor sweetness, f. L. dulcis sweet; see -ATE3.

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-ee1

suffix repr. AN. -e(e), (O)F. -é :- L. -tus, -tum, endings (m. and n.) of pps. of vbs. in -are, as in dputtus deputy, mandtum command (cf. MAUNDY). It occurs earliest (XV) in legal terms of AN. orig. denoting the recipient of a grant or the like, e.g. feoffee, grantee, lessee, patentee, on the model of which many others were made denoting the indirect obj. of vbs. The common correspondence of agent-nouns in -or or -er with nouns in -ee, e.g. lessor and lessee, obligor and obligee, led to the general application of the suffix, as in addressee. By mid- XVII -ee had become the regular repr. of F. -é in adopted words, e.g. debauchee. Later exx. are examinee, employee, escapee, in XX internee, evacuee.

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-ee2

suffix used in a few names of garments, primarily with dim. force, as bootee, coatee (XVIII); also goatee (orig. U.S.), var. goaty; perh. a variation on -ie, -Y6.

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eel.

OE. l = OS., OHG. l (Du., G. aal), ON. áll :- Gmc. laz, of unkn. orig.

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e'en

see EVEN1, EVEN2.

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e'er

see EVER.

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-eer

suffix repr. mostly F. -ier :- L. -rius -ARY, and denoting ‘one who is concerned with, handles, or deals with’. In several words there were earlier vars. in -er and -ier (which was gen. replaced by -eer in XVII); charioteer and engineer go back to ME. antecedents adopted from OF. forms in -eor (mod. -eur).
Most of the sbs. have deriv. vbs., which are used particularly in the gerund and prp., e.g. electioneering, mountaineering.

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eerie

†fearful, timid XIII; uncanny, weird XVIII. Orig. north. Eng. and Sc. eri; of obscure orig. (cf. OE. earg cowardly).

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ef-

form of EX-1 used before f.

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efface

wipe out, obliterate. XV. — (O)F. effacer, f. EF- + face FACE.

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effect

result XIV; accomplishment XV; operative influence, impression XVII; pl. goods and chattels XVIII. — OF. effect (mod. effet) or L. effectus, f. effect-, pp. stem of efficere work out, f. EF- + fic-, facere make, DO1. Hence effect vb. XVI. Also effective XIV. — L. effectual XIV. — medL. effectuate XVI. f. medL. effecture, -t-.

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effeminate

XIV. — L. effemintus, pp. of effeminre make feminine, f. EF- + fmina woman; see FEMININE, -ATE2. Hence effeminacy XVII.

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efferent

conducting outwards. XIX. — L. efferns, -ent-, prp. of efferre, f. EF- + ferre BEAR2; see -ENT.

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effervesce

give off bubbles of gas. XVIII. — L. effervscere, f. EF- + fervscere, inceptive of fervre; see FERVENT, -ESCENT. So effervescent, effervescence XVII.

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effete

†that has ceased to bring forth; worn out. XVII. — L. efftus that has brought forth young, exhausted as by bearing young, f. EF- + ftus FOETUS.

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efficacious

XVI. f. L. efficx, -c, f. efficere; see EFFECT, -ACIOUS. So efficacity XV. — F. — L. efficient making a thing what it is XIV; adequately operative or skilled XVIII. —prp. of L. efficere. efficiency XVI.

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effigy

XVIII (effigies sg. XVI–XIX). — L. effigis, f. effig-, stem of effingere, f. EF- + fingere fashion.

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effloresce

burst forth as in flower; change to fine powder. XVIII. — L. efflrscere, f. EF- + flrscere (see FLORESCENCE). So efflorescence XVII, efflorescent XIX.

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effluent

flowing out XVIII (once XV); sb. XIX. — L. effluns, -ent-, prp. of effluere, f. EF- + fluere flow. So effluence XVII (once XIV). effluvium outflow of (electric, etc.) particles; (noxious) odour. XVII. efflux, effluxion XVII. — (O)F. or late L.

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effort

XV. — (O)F. effort, earlier esforz nom., f. esforcier (mod. efforcer) :- Rom. exfortire, f. L. EF- + fortis strong (see FORCE).

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effrontery

XVIII. — F. effronterie, f. effronté shameless, impudent, OF. esfronté :- Rom. exfronttus, f. exfrns, for late L. effrns barefaced, f. EF- + frns forehead; see FRONT, -ERY.

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effulgent

gleaming forth. XVIII. — L. effulgns, -ent-, prp. of effulgre; see EF-, FULGENT. So effulgence XVII. — late L.

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effusion

pouring out or forth, shedding (of blood). XV. — (O)F. — L. effsi, -n-, f. effundere, effs-; see EF-, FUSION. So effuse XVI, effusive XVII.

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eftsoons

(arch.) again; †(soon) afterwards. OE. eft sna ‘afterwards immediately’, ME. eftsne, to which advb. -s was added XIV; OE. eft (= OS. eft, MLG., MDu. echt, ON. ept; cf. AFTER) + sna SOON.

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egad

(arch.) euph. excl., veiling by God. XVII. See GAD2.

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egg1

‘ovum’. XIV. — ON.; superseding cognate ME. ey :- OE. = OS., (O)HG., Du. ei :- Gmc. ajjaz- n., rel. to L. vum, Gr. ión, Ir. og, W. wy, and poss. further to words for ‘bird’ in Skr. ví-, L. avis.

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egg2

incite. OE. (late Nhb.) eeggedon, pt. pl. of eeggia — (with e- Y- prefixed) ON. eggja, rel. to egg EDGE.

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eglantine

sweet-briar. XV. — OF. églantine, ult. f. aculeus prickle, sting.

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ego

(philos.) conscious thinking subject; (colloq.) self. XIX. — L., the pron. I. So egoism belief that nothing exists but one's own mind; theory which regards self-interest as the basis of morals XVIII; egotism XIX. — F. égoïsme — modL. egismus. egotism practice of talking about oneself; self-conceit, selfishness XVIII; the t is of uncert. orig. So egoist, egotist XVIII.

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egregious

eminent; gross, flagrant, XVI. f. L. gregius surpassing, illustrious, f. E- + grex, greg- flock; see -IOUS.

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egress

going out. XVI. — L. gressus. f. gress-, pp. stem of gred, f. E- + grad step.

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egret

white heron. XV. — AN. egrette, (O)F. aigrette — Pr. aigreta, f. stem of aigron, corr. to (O)F. héron HERON; see -ET.

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eider-down

down of the eider-duck XVIII; quilt XIX. ult. — Icel. ær eider-duck + DOWN2; cf. Icel. æardún.

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eidolon

unsubstantial image. XIX. — Gr. eidlon IDOL.

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eight

OE. ehta (eahta) = OS., OHG. ahto (Du., G. acht), ON. átta, Goth. ahtau, corr. to L. oct, Gr. okt, (O)Ir. ocht, W. wyth, Lith. atuonì, Skr. aáu, Av. ata. So eighteen OE. e(a)htatne = OS. ahtotian (Du. achttien), OHG. ahtozehan (G. achtzehn), ON. áttján; see -TEEN. eighteenth ME. eztetenthe, repl. OE. e(a)htotaa; see -TH2. eighth OE. e(a)htoa = OHG. ahtodo (G. achte); see -TH2. eightieth (-ETH1). eighty ME. ezteti, repl. OE. hunde(a)htati; see HUNDRED and -TY1.

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eisteddfod

congress of Welsh bards. XIX. — W., ‘session’, f. eistedd sit, for eitsedd, f. IE. sed- SIT.

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either

each of the two OE.; one or other of the two XIII; adv. introducing alternatives XIV. OE. er, contr. form of (e)hwer = MLG., MDu. ed(d)er (as adv.), OHG. eogihwedar :- Gmc. phr. aiwo zixwaparaz, i.e. ‘ever each of two’; see AY, WHETHER.

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ejaculate

eject (fluid) XVI; utter suddenly XVII. f. pp. stem of L. jaculr, f. E- + jaculr dart, f. jaculum dart, javelin, f. jacere throw; see -ATE3. So ejaculation XVII.

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eject

XV. f. ject-, pp. stem of L. (j)icere, f. E- + jacere throw. So ejection XV; — L.

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eke1

(arch.) also OE. (a)c = OS. k (Du. ook), OHG. ouh (G. auch), ON., Goth. auk; of uncert. orig.

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eke2

†augment XII; (with out) supplement, prolong XVI. OE acan (implied in acen, pp. increased, strong, pregnant; cf. acian intr. increase) = OS. kian, ON. auka, Goth. aukan, rel. to L. augre increase, Gr. aúkhein, f. base aug- (cf. WAX2). The OE. sb. aca increase (ME. eke) may have been partly the source of the ME. vb.

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-el1

repr. OE. -el, -ela, -ele :- Gmc. -ilaz, -ilan-, -iln, usu. retained as -LE1, but cf. kernel.

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-el2

repr. OF. -el (mod. -eau) :- L. -ellus, -ella.

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elaborate

†produced by labour XVI; highly or minutely finished XVII. — L. labrtus, pp. of labrre; f. E- + labor LABOUR. So elaborate produce by labour; give finish to. XVII. See -ATE2, -ATE3. So elaboration XV.

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élan

vivacity, impetuosity. XIX. — F., f. élancer cast or launch forth, f. é- EX-1 + lancer LAUNCH1; see also LANCE.

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eland

S. Afr. antelope. XVIII. — Afrikaans (Du.) eland elk — G. elend — Lith. élnis = OSl. jeleni stag, rel. to Gr. ellós fawn.

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elapse

XVII. f. laps-, pp. stem of L. lb slip away; see E-, LAPSE.

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elastic

adj. (orig. applied to the ‘impulsive force’ of the atmosphere) XVII. — modL. elasticus — Gr. elastikós propulsive, impulsive, f. elaF-, stem of elaúnein drive. Hence elasticity XVII.

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elate

†elevate XVI; (chiefly in pp.) †encourage; puff up XVII. f. lt-, pp. stem of L. efferre, f. EF- + ferre BEAR2; see -ATE3. So elation XIV. — OF. elacion and L. lti.

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elater

†elasticity XVII; skipjack beetle; (bot.) elastic spiral filament XIX. modL. — Gr. elatr driver. f. elaF-, elaúnein drive.

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elbow

OE. el(n)boga = MDu. elleboghe (Du. elleboog), OHG. elinbogo (G. ellenbogen). ON. lnbogi :- Gmc. alinobozan-, f. alin arm (cf. ELL) + bozn- BOW1.

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elder1

tree of genus Sambucus. OE. ellærn, ME. eller, eldre, corr. to MLG. ellern, elderne, elhorn, alhorn, prob. orig. an adj. formation.

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elder2, eldest

compar. and superl. of OLD. OE. eldra (WS. ieldra) = OS. aldira, OHG. altiro, eltiro (G. älter), ON. ellri, Goth. alþiza :- Gmc. alþizan-, f. alþaz OLD; see -ER3. OE. eldest (WS. ieldest) = OHG. altist (G. ältest), ON. ellztr, Goth. alþista :- Gmc. alþistaz; see -EST. Superseded, except in special uses, by older and oldest (alder, -este XIII). As sb. elder was used in OE. and later for ‘parent, ancestor’, from c. 1200 for ‘one's senior’ or ‘superior in age’, from XIV rendering L. senior and senatus, by Tindale used to tr. N.T. Gr. presbúteros PRESBYTER; in the Presbyterian and other bodies, title of an office believed to corr. to that of elder in the apostolic church.

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eldorado

El Dorado name of a fictitious place in S. America abounding in gold XVI; fig. source of boundless wealth XIX. — Sp., el the, dorado, pp. of dorar gild :- Rom. daurre, f. DE- (3) + aurum gold.

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eldritch

(Sc.) pert. to elves or fairies; weird, unnatural. XVI. poss. from attrib. use of OE. ælf-, elfrce ‘fairy realm’ (see ELF, RICH).

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elecampane

composite plant, Inula helenium. XIV. ult. — medL. enula campna, i.e. enula for L. inula — Gr. helénion, and campna prob. of the fields (cf. CHAMPAIGN).

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elect

chosen, select XV; (theol.) XVI; chosen for an office (but not yet installed) XVII. — L. lectus, pp. of ligere, f. E- + legere choose. So elect vb. choose, esp. by vote. XV. f. corr. pp. stem. election choice. XIII (with ref. to representative bodies XVII). — (O)F.; hence electioneer (first in vbl. sb.) XVIII. elective XVI (once XV). — (O)F. elector one who has the right to vote XV (prince of the Holy Roman Empire. Kurfürst, entitled to elect the Emperor XVI). — (O)F. or L.; hence electoral XVII (of a German Elector), electorate XVII.

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electric, electrical

XVII. — modL. lectricus, f. L. lectrum — Gr. lektron amber; see -IC, -ICAL. Hence electrician XVIII, electricity XVII, electrify, electrification XVIII.

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electro-

comb. form of Gr. lektron amber, used in the sense ‘electricity’, ‘electric’, as in electrometer (XVIII); electro-dynamic, electrolysis, electromagnet(ical), -plate (vb.), -type XIX.

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electrocution

execution by electricity. XIX. alt., after prec., of †electricution (XIX), f. electri(cal) (exe)cution; hence by back-formation †electricute, electrocute XIX.

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electrode

XIX. f. ELECTRIC + Gr. hodós way. Cf. ANODE, CATHODE.

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electron

(phys.) elementary particle with a negative charge of electricity. XIX (applied to the unit of electric charge). f. ELECTRIC + -on of ION. Hence electronic, electronics XX.

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electuary

medicinal conserve or paste. XIV. — late L. lecturium, prob. alt. deriv. of synon. Gr. ekleiktón, f. ekleíkhein LICK up (see EX-2).

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eleemosynary

pert. to alms. XVII. — medL. elemosynrius, f. ChrL. elemosyna ALMS; see -ARY.

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elegant

XVI. — (O)F. élégant or L. legns, -ant-, rel. to ligere select, ELECT. The etymol. sense is ‘choosing carefully’. So elegance XVI. — F. — L.

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elegy

song of lamentation; poem in elegiac metre. XVI. — F. élégie — L. elega — Gr. elegeí (sb. use of adj., sc. id ode), f. élegos (flute-) song, lament, of unkn. orig.; see -Y3. So elegiac pert. to elegy, written or writing in a metre consisting of alternate hexameters and pentameters. XVI. — late L. — Gr.

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element

one of the four constituents of the universe (earth, water, air, fire) XIII (whence ult. the use in mod. chem. XIX); constituent portion; pl. rudiments XIV. — (O)F. élément — L. elementum esp. pl. principles, rudiments, letters of the alphabet (used to tr. Gr. stoikheîon step, base, element, etc.), of unkn. orig. Hence elemental XV. So elementary XVII (earlier elementare XIV, -air XVI). — L. elementrius.

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elenchus

form of syllogism in refutation. XVII (earlier anglicized †elynch XV, †elench XVI). — L. — Gr. élekhos argument of refutation, of uncert. orig.

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elephant

XIII. ME. olif(a)unt, -ont, later (XIV) with assim. to L., elifant, etc. — OF. olifant, elefant (mod. éléphant) — Rom. olifantus (cf. OE. olfend, Goth. ulbandus camel), alt. of L. elephantus (whence OE. elpend) — Gr. eléphs, elephant- ivory, elephant, of unkn. orig. So elephantiasis skin disease resembling an elephant's hide. XVI. elephantine XVII. — L. — Gr.

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elevate

XV. f. pp. stem of L. levre, f. E- + levre lighten, raise, rel. to levis light; see -ATE3. So elevation XIV. — (O)F. or L. elevator muscle that raises XVII; machine for raising objects XIX.

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eleven

OE. endleofon, -lufon, ellefne, ME. endleven(e), elleven(e) = OS. elleban, OHG. einlif (Du., G. elf), ON. ellifu, Goth. ainlif :- Gmc. ainlif-, f. ainaz ONE + lif- (cf. TWELVE), app. repr. IE. liq- leave (see LOAN), i.e. ‘one left (over ten)’, and rel. to Lith. -lika in vienúolika eleven. Hence eleventh (XIV), superseding OE. endleofea, itself a new formation superseding previous endlyfta = OS. ellifto, OHG. einlifto (Du. elfde, G. elfte), ON. ellifti :- Gmc. ainliftan-; see -TH2.

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elf

dwarf supernatural being OE.; mischievous creature XVI. OE. elf, WS. ielf, ylf = MDu. elf, beside MHG. elbe fem. :- albiz, parallel to albaz, whence OE. ælf (ME. pl. alven) = OS., MLG. alf, MHG. alp (G. alp nightmare), ON. álfr. Hence elfin adj. XVI (poss. suggested by ME. elevene, g. pl. of elf), elfish XVI, elvish XIV.

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elicit

XVII. f. licit-, pp. stem of L. licere draw forth, f. E- + lacere entice, inveigle, rel. to lax deceit.

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elide

†annihilate; (leg.) annul XVI; omit in pronunciation XVIII. — L. ldere, f. E- + lædere injure, harm. So elision XVI. — late L., f. ls-, pp. stem of ldere.

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eligible

XV. — F. éligible — late L. ligibilis, f. ligere choose; see ELECT, -IBLE. Hence eligibility XVII.

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eliminate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. lminre thrust out of doors, expel, f. E- + lmen, lmin- threshold; see -ATE3. Hence elimination XVII.

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élite

the pick (of). XVIII. — F., sb. use of fem. of †e(s)lit, pp. of élire, †eslire :- Rom. exlegere, for L. éligere ELECT.

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elixir

alchemist's preparation for changing metals to gold or prolonging life. XIV. — medL. — Arab. al-'iksr, perh. f. AL-2 + Gr. xrion desiccative powder for wounds, f. xrós dry.

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elk

XV. prob. repr. OE. e(o)lh. OE. had also ola (:- eolha), cogn. with OHG. elaho (G. elch), repr. IE. elk-, beside olkis, whence Gmc. alziz (ON. elgr) and CSlav. ols (Russ. los', OPol. o elk); cf. L. alcs pl. and Gr. álk — Gmc.

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ell

measure of length (in England 45 inches). OE. eln = MDu. elne, elle (Du. el), OHG. elina (G. elle), ON. ln (aln-) cubit, ell, forearm, Goth. aleina cubit :- Gmc. aln, orig. ‘(fore)arm’; cogn. with L. ULNA, Gr. lén, ln ELBOW, OIr. u(i)len, W. elin, Skr. aratní-, etc.

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ellipse

XVIII. — F. — L. ell¯psis (see next). Hence ellipsoid XVIII.

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ellipsis

†ellipse XVI; (gram.) omission of words supposed to be essential to the complete form of a sentence XVII. — L. ell¯psis — Gr. élleipsis defect, ellipse (conic section), grammatical ellipsis, f. elleípein leave out, fall short, f. en IN + leípein leave. So elliptic XVIII. elliptical pert. to an ellipse XVII; (gram.) XVIII. — Gr. elleiptikós (chiefly gram.) defective.

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elm

OE. elm, corr. to OHG. elm(o) (MHG. elme, ilme, G. dial. ilm), and, with vowel variation, ON. álmr, L. ulmus, MIr. lem.

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elocution

†literary or oratorical style XV; oral utterance or delivery XVII. — L. locti, -n-, f. loct-, pp. stem of loqu; see ELOQUENCE, -TION.

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elongate

A
†remove XVI (as pp. XV); †depart XVII;

B
lengthen XVI. f. pp. stem of late L. longre remove, prolong, orig. f. E- + long far off, but later taken as if f. E- + longus LONG, i.e. ‘lengthen out’.
Top
So elongation XIV.

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elope

orig. of a wife running away with a paramour. XVII. — AN. aloper, perh. f. ME. alope(n), pp. of alepe run away, f. A-3 + LEAP; cf. MDu. ontlpen, G. entlaufen run away. Hence elopement XVII.

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eloquent

XIV. — (O)F. éloquent — L. loquns, -ent-, prp. of loqu speak out, f. E- + loqu speak; see -ENT. So eloquence XIV.

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else

(with pron.) other; otherwise, if not. OE. elles = MDu. els, OHG. elles, alles, g. sg. (corr. to Goth. aljis) of Gmc. aljaz, cogn. with Gr. állos, L. alius other. Hence elsewhere. OE. elles hwr = MDu. elswaer.

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elucidate

XVI. f. pp. stem of late L. lcidre, f. E- + lcidus LUCID; see -ATE3. So elucidation XVI.

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elude

†delude, baffle XVI; slip away from XVII. — L. ldere, f. E- + ldere play. So elusion †deception XVI; evasion XVII. f. ls-, pp. stem of L. ldere, elusive XVIII.

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elver

young eel. XVII. var. of eelvare (XVI), south. form of eelfare brood of young eels, f. EEL + FARE1, i.e. passage of (young) eels up a river.

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Elysium

state or abode of the blessed dead. XVI. — L. — Gr. Elýsion (sc. pedion plain), of uncert. orig. Hence Elysian XVI.

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elytron

pl. elytra (zool.) outer wing-case. XVIII. — Gr. élytron sheath, rel. to eilein envelop, L. volvere roll.

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em

(typogr.) square of the body of a type, orig. of the type m, used as a unit of measuring the amount of printed matter. XVIII. from the name of the letter M. Cf. EN.

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'em

orig. unstressed var. of hem (OE. heom), d. and acc. pl. of the 3rd pers. pron. HE1; later felt as a clipped form of THEM. XII.

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em-1

see EN-1.

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em-2

see EN-2.

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emaciate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. macire, f. E- + macis leanness; see -ATE3.

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emanate

XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. mnre, f. E- + mnre flow. So emanation XVI. — late L.

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emancipate

set free. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. mancipre, f. E- + mancipium; see MANCIPLE, -ATE3. So emancipation XVII.

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emasculate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. masculre castrate, f. E- + masculus MALE; see -ATE3.

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embalm

impregnate (a corpse) with spices. XIII. ME. embaume — (O)F. embaumer, f. EM-1 + baume BALM.

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embank

enclose with banks. XVII. f. EM-1 + earlier synon. bank vb., f. BANK1. Hence embankment bank for confining a watercourse XVIII; raised bank for carrying a road XIX.

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embargo

prohibitory order on the passage of ships; suspension of commerce, etc. XVI (inbargo). — Sp., f. embargar arrest, impede :- Rom. imbarricre, f. IM-1 EM1 + barra BAR1.

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embark

put or go on board ship. XVI. — F. embarquer, f. EM-1 + barque BARQUE.

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embarrass

hamper, perplex. XVII. — F. embarrasser — Sp. embarazar, prob. — Pg. embaraçar, f. baraça cord, halter.

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embassy

function or office of an ambassador; †message of an ambassador XVI; body of persons sent as ambassadors XVII. In early use also ambassy. — OF. ambas(s)ée, corr. to Pr. ambaissada, OSp. ambaxada, It. ambasciata, medL. ambasc(i)ata (f. Rom. ambactire; see AMBASSADOR).

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embattle1

set in battle array. XIV. — OF. embataillier, f. EM-1 + bataille BATTLE.

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embattle2

furnish with battlements. XIV. f. EM-1 + OF. bataillier (see BATTLEMENT).

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embay

enclose (as) in a bay. XVI. f. EM-1 + BAY2.

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embed, imbed

XVIII. f. EM-1, IM-1 + BED.

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embellish

XIV. f. lengthened stem of (O)F. embellir, f. EM-1 + bel beautiful; see -ISH2. Hence embellishment XVII. — (O)F.

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ember

OE. myre, mere = MLG. mere, OHG. eimuria pyre (MHG. eimere) ON. eimyrja embers :- Gmc aimuzjn, rel. to ON. eimi, eimr steam, vapour, im dust, ashes.

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Ember Day

(eccl.) any of the days of fasting and prayer (Wednesday, Friday, Saturday of the same week) occurring at the four seasons (ecclL. quatuor tempora) in the year at which ordinations take place. Late OE. ymbrendagas pl., beside ymbrenwice (-week), -fæsten (-fast); the first el. (OE. ymbren sg. and pl.) may be an alt. of ymbryne period, revolution of time, f. ymb about, around + ryne course (f. run- RUN); but the possibility that it is based partly on quatuor tempora is suggested by the form of G. quatember.

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ember-goose

northern diver or loon. XVIII. — Norw. emmergaas; cf. Icel. himbrimi, earlier himbrin, and Faroese imbrim.

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embezzle

†make away with XV; †impair; divert wrongfully to one's own use XVI. — AN. embesiler, f. EN-1 + besiler in same sense = OF. besillier, Pr. besillar maltreat, ravage, destroy, of unkn. orig.

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embitter

XVII. f. EM-1 + BITTER.

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emblem

†allegorical picture XV; symbolical representation, figured object with symbolic meaning XVII. — L. emblma inlaid work, raised ornament — Gr. émblma, -at-, insertion. f. embl, embállein throw in, insert, f. EM-2 + bállein throw. Hence emblematic(al) XVII.

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embody

put into a body XVI; incorporate XVII. f. EM-1 + BODY, after L. incorporre INCORPORATE.

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embolism

intercalation of a day or days in a calendar XIV; (path.) plugging of a blood-vessel XIX. — late L. embolismus — Gr. embolismós, f. embállein throw in (see EMBLEM).

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embonpoint

plumpness. XVIII. — F., f. phr. en bon point in good condition.

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emboss

mould in relief XIV; cover with protuberances XV. — OF. embocer, f. EM-1 + boce, bosse BOSS1.

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embouchure

mouth of a river or creek. XVIII. — F., f. emboucher refl. discharge itself by a mouth, f. EM-1 + bouche mouth; see -URE.

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embrace

clasp in the arms, receive gladly XIV; comprise XVII. — OF. embracer (mod. embrasser) :- Rom. imbracchire, f. IM-1 + L. bracchium arm (see BRACE1, BRACE2). Hence embrace sb. XVI.

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embrasure

opening widening from within. XVIII. — F., f. embraser, varying with ébraser bevel off, etc.; of unkn. orig.; see -URE.

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embrocation

†fomentation; liniment. XV. f. medL. embrocre, f late L. embroc(h)a — Gr. embrokh lotion, f. embrékhein steep, foment, f. EM-2 + brékhein wet; see -ATION.

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embroider

XV. Earlier also -bro(u)d-; extension of embroude — AN. enbrouder, f. EM-1 + brouder, broisder (mod. broder), of Gmc. orig.; the form broid- is partly due to blending with ME. broiden, pp. of BRAID. So embroidery XIV. — AN. enbrouderie.

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embroil

bring into confusion or discord. XVII. — F. embrouiller; see EM-1, BROIL1.

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embryo

XVI (also †embryon, -ion XVI–XVIII). — late L. embry, alt. of embryon — Gr. émbruon new-born animal, foetus, f. EM-2 + brúein swell, grow.

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emend

correct XV; remove errors from (a text) XVIII. — L. mendre, f. E- + menda fault. So emendation improvement XVI; correction of a text XVII.

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emerald

XIII. ME. emeraude — OF. e(s)meraude (mod. émeraude) = It. smeraldo, Sp. esmeralda :- Rom. smaralda, -o, alteration of L. smaragdus — Gr. smáragdos. The sp. with -ld is prob. due to It. or Sp. influence in XVI.

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emerge

come to light, arise XVI; rise out of a liquid XVII. — L. mergere, f. E- + mergere dip, MERGE. So emergence, emergency XVII. — medL. emergent XV, emersion XVII. — late L.

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emeritus

honourably discharged from service. XIX. — L., pp. of merr earn (one's discharge) by service, f. E- + merr deserve (see MERIT).

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emery

coarse corundum for polishing. XV. — F. émeri(l), var. of †esmeril — It. smeriglio :- Rom. smericulum, f. medGr. smrí, Gr. smúris polishing powder (see SMEAR).

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emetic

XVII. — Gr. emetikós, f. émetos vomiting, f. emeîn VOMIT; see -IC.

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emigrate

XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. migrre, f. E- + migrre MIGRATE. So emigration XVII. — late L.

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eminent

conspicuous, signal XV; lofty, prominent XVI; exalted, distinguished XVII. f. prp. stem of L. minre, poss. rel to mns MOUNT1; see -ENT. So eminence, eminency. XVII. — L.

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emir

Arab prince or governor; descendant of Muhammad. XVII. — F. émir — Arab. ‘amr, f. ’amara command.

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emissary

XVII. — L. missrius scout, spy, f. miss-, pp. stem of mittere EMIT; see -ARY.

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emit

XVII. — L. mittere, f. E- + mittere let go, send. So emission XVII.

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emollient

softening. XVII. f. prp. stem of L. mollre, f. E- + mollis soft; see MOLLIFY, -ENT.

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emolument

profit or salary arising from an office, etc. XV. — (O)F. émolument or L. molumentum, moli- gain, orig. prob. ‘payment to a miller for the grinding of corn’, f. molere grind up, f. E- + molere grind; see MEAL1, -MENT.

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emotion

†agitation, tumult XVI; †physical disturbance; disturbance of mind or feeling; affection of the mind, feeling XIX (rare before second half of XVII). — F. émotion, f. émouvoir excite, move the feelings of (:- Rom. exmovre; see EX-1, MOVE), after mouvoir, motion. Hence emotional XIX. So emotive †causing movement XVIII (rare); pert. to or expressing emotion XIX. f. pp. stem mt- of L. movre.

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empanel, impanel

enrol on a panel. XV. — AN. empaneller; see EM-1, PANEL.

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empathy

XX. Rendering, after Gr. empátheia, of G. einfühlung, f. ein IN1 + fühlung FEELING; see EM-2, -PATHY.

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emperor

XIII. ME. emperere, emperour — respectively OF. emperere, nom. and emperour, -ëor, obl. (mod. empereur), semi-pop. — L. impertor, impertrem, f. imperre command, f. IM-1 + parre PREPARE, contrive; see -OR1.

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emphasis

intensity of statement XVI; intensity of feeling, etc. XVII; prominence XIX. — L. emphasis use of language to imply more than is said — Gr. émphasis orig. (mere) appearance, f. EM-2 + base of phaínein show. So emphatic XVIII. — late L. — Gr. emphatical †allusive, suggestive; strongly expressed or expressive. XVI.

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empire

XIII. — (O)F. empire, earlier emperie — L. imperium, rel. to EMPEROR.

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empiric

sb. member of the sect of ancient physicians called Empirici; untrained practitioner, quack XVI; adj. XVII. — L. empricus — Gr. empeirikós, f. empeirí experience, f. émpeiros skilled, f. EM-2 + peîra trial, experiment. So empirical adj. XVI.

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emplacement

XIX. — F., f. EM-1 + place PLACE; see -MENT.

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employ

apply to a purpose XV; use the services of XVI. — (O)F. employer :- Rom. implicre, for L. implicr be involved (in) or attached (to), pass. of implicre enfold, involve (see IMPLICATE). Hence employ sb. XVII, employer, employment XVI, employee XIX (orig. U.S.).

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emporium

XVI. — L. — Gr. empórion, f. émporos merchant, f. EM-2 + IE. por- (see FARE2).

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empress

XII. ME. emperice, emperesse — OF. emperesse, f. emperere EMPEROR; see -ESS1.

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empty

adj. OE. mti, met(t)i, f. metta leisure. Hence empty vb. XVI.

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empyrean

(of) the highest heaven. XVII. In ancient cosmology, the sphere of the element of fire, in Christian use the abode of God and the angels. f. medL. empyreus, as n. sb. -eum — Gr. empúrios, as n. sb. -ion, f. EM-2 + pûr FIRE; see -EAN. So empyreal adj. XV.

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emu

†cassowary XVII; †American ostrich (?) XVIII; flightless Australian bird XIX. Earliest forms emia, eme, later emeu, emew, orig. — Pg. ema.

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emulate

strive to equal or rival. XVI. f. pp. of L. æmulr, f. æmulus rival, prop. adj. striving, rel. to imitr IMITATE, img IMAGE; see -ATE3. So emulation XVI. — L. emulous †imitative (of) XIV; †zealous XVI; emulating, rival XVII. f. L. æmulus.

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emulsion

milky fluid. XVII. — F. émulsion or modL. mulsi, -n-, f. muls-, pp. stem of mulgre milk out, f. E- + mulgre MILK.

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emunctory

cleaning by excretion; cleansing organ or canal. XVI. — medL. munctrius (sb. -ium), f. munct-, pp. stem of L. mungere wipe or blow the nose, f. E- + base rel. to MUCUS; see -ORY1, -ORY2.

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en

(typogr.) unit of measurement in composition equivalent to the average width of a letter. XVIII. from the name of the letter n. Cf. EM.

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en-1

pref. repr. (O)F. en-, the form assumed by the L. prefix IN-1; before b and p and occas. before m it takes the form EM-1, but this was not established in Eng. sp. before XVII, enb-, enp- being more frequent than emb-, emp- in ME., as in OF. From an early date IN-1, IM-1 have been substituted for en-, em-, and vice versa, the former being gen. preferred in XVII; in some words (e.g. em-, imbed, en-, inclose) both are still current; in others (e.g. impair, inquest) im-, in- have replaced em-, en-, where these are historically appropriate; in ensure and insure the variants have been allocated to different meanings. As a living formative (from XIV) en- has been used in senses mainly identical with those of L. IN-1: viz. put in, into, or on (something), as encase, enthrone; bring or come into a certain state, as enable, endear; with emphatic or neutral force, as enlighten, enliven.

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en-2

repr. Gr. en-, the prep. en IN used as prefix, as in endemic, energy; before b, m, p, ph it takes the form EM-2; before l it becomes el- (as in ellipse).

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-en1

suffix forming (chiefly) dims., as from names of animals; OE. -en = OHG. -n, Goth. -ein :- Gmc. -nam, formally the neuter of -naz -EN3, as in .cen CHICKEN, filmen FILM, mæden MAIDEN, ti..en, ME. ticchen kid.

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-en2

suffix chiefly forming fem. sbs. from mascs., and fem. abstr. and concr. sbs.; OE. -en = (O)HG. -in :- Gmc. -in, -inj-; e.g. OE. biren she-bear (f. bera BEAR1), gyden goddess (f. god GOD); VIXEN is the only surviving example of this type (but OE. fyxen is found only as adj.); hæften custody, byren BURDEN, rden arrangement, rule, condition (see -RED).

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-en3 adj.

suffix denoting ‘pert. to’, ‘of the nature of’, ‘made or consisting of’; OE. -en = OS. -in, OHG. -n (G. -en), ON. -in, Goth. -eins :- Gmc. -naz, corr. to Gr. -nos, L. -nus -INE1. OE. adjs. formed with this suffix have normally mutation of the stem-vowel, as stnen of stone, f. stn stone, gylden golden, f. gold; these have not survived, but from ME. onwards new adjs. have been extensively formed direct from the sbs., as earthen, golden.

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-en4

inflexion of the weak declension, ME. reduction of OE. -an, as in oxan oxen, which was extended to other declensions, esp. in the south and west; exx. of this in Standard Eng. are seen in children (pl. of CHILD), brethren (pl. of BROTHER).

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-en5

suffix forming verbs based on sbs. and adjs., OE. -nian = ON. -na, OHG. -inn, Goth. -nan, e.g. OE. fæstnian FASTEN, war(e)nian WARN, wilnian desire. The relation fast adj. / fasten gave a model for such vbs. as darken, deepen, madden, moisten, widen; the extension to sbs. began in late ME., e.g. heighten, lengthen, strengthen. Some verbs in -en are extensions of earlier forms, e.g. CHASTEN of †chaste, HASTEN of haste, HEARTEN of †heart.

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-en6

suffix forming the regular ending of pps. of strong verbs; OE. -en = OS., OHG. -an (Du., G. -en), ON. -inn, Goth. -ans, repr. Gmc. -anaz, -enaz, -iniz :- IE. -ónos, -énos, -énis (OE. and ON. generalized -en-forms, and OS., OHG., and Goth. -on-forms).

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enable

†invest with legal status XV; give (legal) power to, supply with means to do XVI. f. EN-1 + ABLE adj.

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enact

A
†enter among the acts or public records; make into an act, decree XV;

B
perform (a play, etc.), act (a part) XVI. f. EN-1 + ACT sb. and vb.
Top
Hence enactment XIX.

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enamel

glass-like composition laid on a surface. XV. f. enamel vb. XIV. — AN. enameler, enamailler, f. EN-1 + amail = OF. esmail (mod. émail), new formation on the nom. esmauz — Gmc. smalt- (OHG. smalz, G. schmalz melted fat), rel. to SMELT2.

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enamour

XIV. — (O)F. enamourer, f. EN-1 + amour love.

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enarthrosis

(anat.) ball-and-socket joint. XVII. — Gr. enárthrsis, f. énarthros jointed; see EN-1, ARTHRITIS, -OSIS.

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encaenia

†dedication (of a temple, etc.) XIV; annual commemoration of founders and benefactors at the university of Oxford XVII. — L. — Gr. (tà) egkaínia n. pl. ‘festival of renewal’, f. EN-2 + kainós new. See -IA2.

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encase, incase

XVII. f. EN-1, IN-1 + CASE2.

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encaustic

produced by burning in pigments. XVII. — L. encausticus — Gr. egkaustikós, f. egkaíein burn in; see EN-2, CAUSTIC.

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-ence

suffix — (O)F. — L. -entia, f. -ent- -ENT with abstr. suffix. In popL. -entia was superseded by -antia, repr. in OF. by -ance, e.g. aparance APPEARANCE, contenance COUNTENANCE. Later, L. sbs. in -ntia were adopted in F. with the L. vowels, e.g. absence, élégance, présence, and both classes were adopted in ME. with their F. forms and meanings; but in early mod. Eng. some sbs. in -ance have been altered back to -ence, and all sbs. adopted since have followed the L. forms. The result is that mod. spelling shows many variations, e.g. assistance, existence, resistance, subsistence.

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enchant

lay under a spell XIV; charm, delight XVI. — (O)F. enchanter :- L. incantre, f. EN-1 + cantre sing (see CHANT). So enchanter XIII, enchantment, enchantress XIV.

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enchase

adorn with figures in relief; set (a jewel) XV; enshrine as a relic XVII. — (O)F. enchâsser enshrine, set (gems), encase, f. EN-1 + châsse shrine, casket, CASE2.

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enchiridion

manual. XVI. — late L. — Gr. egkheirídion, f. EN-2 + kheír hand + -idion dim. suffix.

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enclave

portion of territory entirely surrounded by alien dominions. XIX (†enclaved pp. once XV). — F., f. (O))F. enclaver :- popL. inclvre, f. EN-1 + clvis key.

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enclitic

(gram.) ‘leaning’ its accent on the preceding word. XVII. — late L. encliticus — Gr. egklitikós, f. egklínein lean on, f. EN-2 + klínein LEAN2; see -IC.

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enclose, inclose

XIV. f. (O)F. enclos(e), pp. of enclôre :- popL. inclaudere, for L. incldere INCLUDE. So enclosure XV. — legal AN., OF.

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encomium

XVI. — L. encmium — Gr. egkmion, sb. use of n. of adj., f. EN-2 + kmos revel (in which a conqueror was led in procession). So encomiast XVII, encomiastic XVI. — Gr. egkmiasts, -astikós.

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encore

int. and sb. XVIII. — F. encore again, of uncert. orig. Hence as vb. XVIII. Not so used in F.

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encounter

sb. XIII. — (O)F. encontre, f. encontrer (whence encounter vb. XIII) :- Rom. incontrre, f. EN-1 + contr against.

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encourage

XV. — (O)F. encourager; see EN-1, COURAGE.

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encrinite

(geol.) fossil crinoid. XIX. f. modL. encrinus, f. EN-2 + Gr. krínon lily; see -ITE.

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encroach

†seize wrongfully XIV; intrude usurpingly upon XVI. — OF. encrochier seize, fasten upon, f. EN-1 + crochier crook, f. croc hook (of Gmc. orig.; cf. CROOK).

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encumber

obstruct, hamper. XIV. — (O)F. encombrer block up, f. the base seen in later combre barrage in a river; see EN-1. So encumbrance XIV.

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-ency

suffix — L. -entia (see -ENCE, -Y3), used in the formation of sbs. denoting qualities or states, from which concr. or semi-concr. senses have been developed in Eng. adoptions, as distinct from the derivs. in -ENCE, which have freq. the sense of action or process in addition to or to the exclusion of that of quality or state. Examples of the difference now gen. established between the suffixes are recurrence and currency, emergence and emergency, dependence and dependency; several forms in -ency have become established to the exclusion of parallel forms in -ence, as decency, efficiency, inconsistency.

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encyclical

intended for universal circulation. XVII (sb. XIX). f. late L. encyclicus, f. Gr. egkúklios circular, general, f. EN-2 + kúklos circle; see -ICAL.

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encyclop(a)edia

†general course of instruction XVI; repertory of information on all branches of knowledge XVII. — modL. — spurious Gr. egkuklopaideí, for egkúklios paideí ‘general education’; cf. prec.

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end

extremity, final limit OE.; †termination, completion XIII; death; event, issue; intended result, purpose XIV. OE. ende = OS. endi (Du. einde), OHG. enti (G. ende), ON. endi(r), Goth. andeis, f. Gmc. andja-; cf. Skr. ánta- end, boundary, death, and OHG. endi, ON. enni forehead, L. antiæ forelock, ante before, OIr. tan forehead, t end, point, Gr. antí(os) opposite. So end vb. OE. endian = OS. endion (Du. einden), OHG. entn (G. enden), ON. enda. Hence endways, endwise XVI.

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endear

†raise the value of XVI; make dear or beloved XVII. f. EN-1 + DEAR.

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endeavour

make an effort, strive. XIV. orig. refl.; f. phr. put oneself in dever (devoir), after F. se mettre en devoir do one's utmost (devoir :- L. dbre owe, used as sb.). Hence endeavour sb. XV.

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endemic

regularly found among a people or in a country. XVIII (as sb. pl. XVII). — F. endmique or modL. endmicus, f. Gr. éndmos, endmios pert. to a people, native, f. EN-2 + dêmos people; see -IC.

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endive

XV. — (O)F. — late L. endivia — medGr. éntubi(o)n, f. éntubon — L. intibum, intubus.

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endo-

comb. form of Gr. éndon within, f. en IN + dom- house (see DOMESTIC), used in many comps. of mod. formation, as endocarp, -derm, -gamy. endogen (bot.) plant that develops wood in the interior of the stem. XIX. — F. endogène.

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endorse

write, put one's signature, etc., on the back of XVI; (after endorsement ratification XVII) confirm, countenance XIX. — medL. indorsre, f. IN-1 + L. dorsum back.

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endow

enrich, as with property XIV; provide a dower for XVI. — legal AN. endouer, f. EN-1 + (O)F. douer :- L. dtre, f. ds, dt- dowry, rel. to dare give. Hence endowment XV.

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endue

The earliest appearance is of c. 1400 in the rare sense ‘induct’; established in XV in various senses, viz. †(of a hawk) pass food into the stomach, digest; †assume (a form), put on (clothes); invest with property, endow with power, etc. orig. — (O)F. enduire (i) :- L. indcere lead in (INDUCE); (ii) a new formation, f. EN-1 + duire :- L. dcere lead; by crossing with L. induere put on (a garment), clothe, the word became partly synon. with endow and invest.

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endure

†harden; continue; undergo, bear XIV; tolerate XV. — (O)F. endurer :- L. indrre harden, f. EN-1 + drus hard. So endurance XV.

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-ene

(chem.) terminal el. of the names of certain hydrocarbons (e.g. benzene, naphthalene, toluene), the vowel e being used to complete the sequence a, e, i, o. Cf. -ANE2, -INE5, -ONE.

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enema

XV. — late L. — Gr. énema, f. eniénai send or put in, inject, f. EN-2 + hiénai send.

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enemy

XIII. — OF. enemi (mod. ennemi) :- L. inimcus, f. IN-2 + amcus friend.

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energumen

possessed person, demoniac. XVIII. — late L. energmenus — Gr. energoúmenos, pass. ppl. of energeîn work in or upon, f. EN-2 + érgon WORK.

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energy

vigour of expression XVI; working, operation; power displayed XVII; vigour or intensity of action XIX. — F. énergie or late L. energa — Gr. enérgeia, f. energs active, effective, f. EN-2 + érgon WORK; see -Y3. So energetic(al) †powerfully operative; full of energy. XVII. — Gr. energtikós active. energize XVIII.

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enervate

weaken. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. nervre, f. E- + nervus sinew, NERVE. So enervation XV. — late L.

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enfeoff

invest with a fief. XIV. — AN. enfeoffer, OF. enfeffer, f. EN-1 + fief FIEF. Hence enfeoffment XV.

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enfilade

†suite of apartments, the doors of which are placed opposite to each other; fire sweeping a line of works or troops from one end to the other. XVIII. — F., f. enfiler thread on a string, f. EN-1 + fil FILE2; see -ADE.

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enforce

†strengthen physically or morally; †drive by force, use force upon; †refl. and intr. strive XIV; press home, emphasize XV; compel. — OF. enforcier, (also mod.) enforcir :- Rom. infortire, infortre, f. IN-1 + fortis strong.

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enfranchise

set free; make a person or town municipally ‘free’ XV; admit to political status XVII. f. enfranchiss-, lengthened stem of OF. enfranchir, f. EN-1 + franc, -che free, FRANK. Hence enfranchisement XVI.

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engage

pledge or secure by a pledge XV; persuade, win over XVII; employ, occupy; bring or come into conflict; hire for employment XVIII; attract, charm. — (O)F. engager; see EN-1, GAGE1. So engagement XVII.

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engender

XIV. — (O)F. engendrer :- L. ingenerre, f. IN-1 + generre GENERATE.

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engine

A
†contrivance, artifice XIII; †ingenuity, genius XIV;

B
machine of war XIII; mechanical contrivance XIV; complex machine (later spec. as source of power) XVII. — OF. engin :- L. ingenium natural quality or disposition, talents, genius, clever device.
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engineer

designer or constructor of engines or works, orig. of military engines. XIV. ME. engineor, -our — OF. engignëor, -our (mod. ingénieur) :- medL. ingenitor, -r-, f. ingenire, f. ingenium ENGINE. The ending was later assim. to -ier, -EER1. Hence engineer vb. intr. XVII; tr. XIX.

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England

OE. Engla land (orig.) country of the Angles (see ANGLE), (later) of the Germanic inhabitants of Great Britain; hence OFris. Angelond, OS. (Du.) Engeland, (O)HG., Icel., etc. England. So English OE. englis. pert. to the group of Germanic peoples known coll. as Angelcynn, lit. ‘race of Angles’; also adj. and sb., of their language. Hence Englishman OE. Englis.mon.

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engraft

graft or implant in. XVI. f. EN-1 + GRAFT vb.

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engrain, ingrain.

A
†dye with cochineal XIV;

B
work into the texture or structure of XVII. In sense A — OF. engrainer dye, f. phr. en graine (whence Eng. in GRAIN); in sense B f. EN-1 + GRAIN. Now mainly in pp. (chiefly ingrained) in senses (i) thoroughgoing, incorrigible, (ii) deep-rooted, inveterate.
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engrave

carve, †sculpture XVI; represent by lines incised on a metal plate or wood block XVII. f. EN-1 + GRAVE2, after F. †engraver; pp. engraven, in- was in use XVI–XIX (latterly poet. or arch.).

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engross

A
†buy up wholesale XIV; †get together XVI; gain or keep exclusive possession of, occupy exclusively XVII;

B
write in large letters, as in legal documents XV. — AN. engrosser and AL. ingrossre, in sense A f. phrs. en gros and in gross in the lump, by wholesale, in sense B f. en in + OF. grosse, medL. grossa large writing; see GROSS2.
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enhance

†raise, exalt XIV; heighten, intensify XV; raise in price. — AN. enhauncer, prob. alt. of OF. enhaucer :- Rom. inaltire, f. EN-1 + altus high.

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enharmonic

XVII. — late L. en(h)armonicus — Gr. enarmonikós, f. EN-2 + harmoní HARMONY; see -IC.

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enigma

riddle in verse XVI; puzzling problem XVII. — L. ænigma, -mat- — Gr. aínigma, f. base of ainíssesthai speak allusively or obscurely, f. aînos fable. So enigmatic XVII. — F. énigmatique or late L. ænigmaticus. enigmatical XVI.

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enjamb(e)ment

continuation of sentence beyond end of line, couplet, or stanza. XIX. — F., f. enjamber stride, f. EN-1 + jambe leg; see -MENT.

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enjoin

A
impose (a penalty, task, etc.) XIII; prohibit by an injunction XVI;

B
†join together XIV. f. enjoi(g)n-, stem of (O)F. enjoindre :- L. injungere join, attach, impose, f. EN-1 + jungere JOIN.
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enjoy

†be joyful XIV; possess or experience with joy XV; refl. XVII. — OF. enjoier give joy to, refl. enjoy, f. EN-1 + joie JOY, or — OF. enjoïr enjoy, rejoice, f. EN-1 + joïr :- L. gaudre. Hence enjoyment XVI.

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enkindle

cause to blaze up, set on fire. XVI. See EN-1.

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enlarge

make larger or more extensive XIV; †set at large XV; †refl. expand in words; intr. speak at large XVII. — OF. enlarger, -ir, f. EN-1 + large LARGE; some of the uses are due to (O)F. eslargir, mod. élargir set free.

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enlighten

XIV (rare before XVI). f. EN-1 + LIGHTEN1 or f. EN-1 + LIGHT1 + -EN5. Hence enlightenment XVII (in XIX used as tr. of G. Aufklärung).

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enlist

tr. enrol on the ‘list’ as a soldier XVII; intr. XVIII. f. EN-1 + LIST4 sb. or vb. Hence enlistment XVIII.

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enliven

†give life to; animate, inspirit; cheer. XVII. Extended form of †enlive (XVI), f. EN-1 + LIFE, after LIVE1.

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enmity

XIII. — OF. enemi(s)tié (mod. inimitié) :- Rom. inimcits, -tt-, f. L. inimcus; see ENEMY, -ITY.

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ennoble

XVI (pp. XV). — (O)F. ennoblir; see EN-1, NOBLE.

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ennui

XVIII. — F. (cf. ANNOY).

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enormous

†abnormal, monstrous; †irregular, outrageous; of excessive size. XVI. f. L. normis, f. E- + norma pattern; see NORM, -OUS. So enormity XV. — (O)F. — L.

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enough.

OE. eng, enh (used in acc. as adv.) = OS. ging (Du. genoeg), OHG. ginuog (G. genug), ON gnógr, Goth. ganhs :- Gmc. zanzaz, rel. to impers. preterite-present vb. OE. eneah, OHG. ginah, Goth. ganah it suffices, f. Gmc. za- Y- + na?-, which is repr. also in OE. beneah (he) enjoys, requires, Goth. binah it is right or needful, and is rel. to L. nancisc (pp. nactus) obtain, Skr. anóti reaches. The infl. forms of eng gave ENOW, in literary use at least till XVIII (later with Sc. writers and dial.).

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enounce

enunciate. XIX. — F. énoncer — L. nuntire ENUNCIATE, after announce, pronounce.

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enow

see ENOUGH.

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enrage

†be distracted; †pp. maddened; put in a rage or fury. XVI. — (O)F. enrager; see EN-1, RAGE. The tr. use arose in Eng. through the apprehension of pp. enraged as a passive.

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enrapture

XVIII. f. EN-1 + RAPTURE.

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enrich

XIV. — (O)F. enrichir, f. EN-1 + riche RICH.

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enrol(l)

inscribe on a roll or list. XIV. — OF. enroller (mod. enrôler), f. EN-1 + rolle ROLL1.

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ens

pl. entia being, entity. XVI. — late L., sb. use of n. of prp. f. esse be, on the supposed analogy of absns ABSENT.

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ensconce

†fortify, shelter behind a fortification; establish †secretly or securely. XVI. f. EN-1 + SCONCE3.

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ensemble

all the parts together. XV. — (O)F., sb. use of adv. ‘together’ :- Rom. insemul, for L. insimul, f. IN2 + simul at the same time.

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ensign

†battle-cry, watchword; sign, badge; banner XIV (naval flag XVIII); ensign-bearer (hence, various military and naval officers) XVI. — (O)F. enseigne :- L. insignia; see INSIGNIA.

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ensilage

preservation of green fodder in a pit. XIX (first in U.S.). — F., f. ensiler — Sp. ensilar, f. en EN-1 + silo; see SILO, -AGE. So ensile XIX.

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enslave

XVII. f. EN-1 + SLAVE.

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ensue

†follow, in various gen. senses, tr. and intr. XIV; follow in the course of events or as a result XV. — OF. ensiw-, ensu-, stem of ensivre (mod. ensuivre) :- Rom. insequere, f. IN-1 + L. sequ follow.

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ensure

†make (a person) sure or safe XIV; secure, make certain XVIII. — AN. enseurer, alt. (see EN-1) of OF. asseurer ASSURE. Cf. INSURE.

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-ent

suffix repr. F. -ent — L. -ns, -ent-, prp. ending belonging to the IE. series -ont-, -ent-, -nt-, repr. by Skr. -ant-, Gr. -ont-, Goth. -and-, OE. -end-. Examples are confident, latent, salient; many such ppl. adjs. had become sbs. in L. or in F.; whence e.g. agent, parent, president, student; some are names of inanimate objects or abstractions, as continent, deterrent, solvent, torrent.

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entablature

(archit.) part of an order above the column XVII. — (partly through F. entablement) It. intavolatura boarding, f. intavolare board up, f. in EN-1 + tavola TABLE.

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entail

(leg.) settle (an estate) on a number of persons in succession XIV; †attach as an inseparable appendage XVI; impose (trouble) upon XVII; involve as a consequence XIX. f. EN-1 + AN. taile or tailé TAIL2. Hence entail sb. XIV.

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entangle

XV. f. EN-1 + TANGLE.

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entelechy

(philos.) realization of a function. XVII. — late L. — Gr. entelékheia, f. EN-2 + télei d. of télos end, perfection + ékhein be in a (certain) state; see -Y3.

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entente

understanding. XIX. — F., f. entendre INTEND; earliest in entente cordiale.

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enter

go or come in XIII; go or come into, cause to go in, put in or into XIV. — (O)F. entrer :- L. intrre, f. intr within (see INTRA-).

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enteric

pert. to the intestines; typhoid. XIX. — Gr enterikós, f. énteron intestine, rel. to L. inter between, among (see INTERIOR). So enteritis XIX. entero-, comb. form of Gr. énteron.

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enterprise

work taken in hand, bold undertaking; daring spirit. XV. — (O)F. entreprise, sb. use of fem pp. of entreprendre undertake, later var. of emprendre :- Rom. imprendere, f. IM-1 + L. pre(he)ndere take.

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entertain

†keep in a certain state; keep up, maintain; treat; receive, e.g. as a guest XV; †retain in service; engage the attention of XVI; amuse XVII. — (O)F. entretenir :- Rom. intertenre, f. INTER- + tenre hold. Hence entertainment †maintenance, provision XVI; reception (of a guest); meal, amusement XVII; public performance XVIII.

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enthral(l)

enslave (fig. hold spellbound). XVI. f. EN-1 + THRALL.

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enthrone

XVII. repl. †enthronize (XIV) — OF. introniser — late L. inthronizre — Gr. enthronízein, f. EN-2 + thrónos THRONE.

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enthusiasm

†prophetic or poetic frenzy; vain confidence in divine inspiration, misguided religious emotion XVII; rapturous or passionate eagerness XVIII. — F. enthousiasme or late L. enthsiasmus — Gr. enthousiasmós, f. enthousiázein be inspired or possessed by the god, f. énthous, éntheos inspired, possessed, f. en IN + theós god. So enthusiast XVII. — F. or ecclL. enthusiastic XVII. — Gr. Hence enthuse vb. XIX.

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enthymeme

syllogism in which one premiss is suppressed. XVI. — L. enthmma — Gr. enthmma, f. enthmeîsthai consider, infer, f. EN-2 + thmós passion, mind.

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entice

†incite XIII; allure XIV. — OF. enticier, prob. :- Rom. inttire, f. L. in EN-1 + ttius, for L. tti firebrand, as if ‘set on fire’. So enticement XIV.

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entire

XIV. ME. ent(i)er — AN. enter, (O)F. entier :- Rom. integro, for L. integrum (nom. integer), f. IN-2 + tag-, base of tangere touch. So entirety, XVI.

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entitle

XIV. — AN. entitler, OF. entiteler (mod. intituler) — late L. intitulre, f. IN-1 + titulus TITLE.

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entity

XVI. — F. entité or medL. entits, f. L. ENS, ent-; see -ITY.

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ento-

before a vowel ent- , comb. form of Gr. entós within.

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entomology

science of insects. XVIII. — F. or modL., f. Gr. éntomon; see INSECT, -LOGY.

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entourage

environment; persons in attendance. XIX. — F., f. entourer surround.

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entr'acte

interval, or performance of music, etc., between acts of a play. XIX. — F., f. entre between + acte; see INTER-, ACT.

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entrails

XIII. — (O)F. entrailles — medL. intrlia, alt. of L. internea, sb. use of n. pl. of interneus internal. f. inter amid (cf. INTERIOR).

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entrain

draw as an accompaniment or consequence. XVI (now rare). — (O)F. entraîner, f. EN-1 + traîner drag (see TRAIN).

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entrance1

coming or going in; place of entry. XVI. — OF., f. entrer ENTER; see -ANCE. So entrant sb. and †adj. XVII. — prp. of F. entrer.

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entrance2

put into a trance, carry away as in a trance. XVI. f. EN-1 + TRANCE vb.

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entrap

XVI. — OF. entrap(p)er, f. EN-1 + trappe TRAP1.

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entreat

†treat XIV; beseech, implore XV. — OF. entraiter, f. EN-1 + traiter TREAT. The sense ‘implore’ was carried over from treat, which was used intr. and tr. in that sense. Hence entreaty †treatment; earnest request XVI; after TREATY.

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entrechat

leap in dancing with crossings of the legs. XVIII. — F., alt., (perh. after It. capriola intrecchiata intricate caper) of earlier †entrechas(se), f. entrechasser chase in and out, f. entre between, INTER- + chasser CHASE.

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entrée

entrance, leave of entry XVIII; dish served before the joint XIX. — F.; see ENTRY.

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entrench, intrench

place within a trench XVI; encroach (upon) XVII. f. EN-1, IN-1 + TRENCH. Hence entrenchment XVI.

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entrepôt

storehouse; mart. XVIII. — F., f. entreposer store, f. entre among + poser place; see INTER-, POSE.

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entrepreneur

XIX. — F., f. entreprendre undertake (see ENTERPRISE).

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entresol

storey between ground and first floor. XVIII. — F., f. entre between, INTER- + sol ground.

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entropy

XIX. — G. entropie, f. Gr. en EN-2 + trop transformation (see TROPE), after energy; see -Y3.

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entrust, intrust

XVII. f. EN-1 + TRUST.

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entry

entering, passage affording entrance XIII; entering in a book, item entered XV. — (O)F. entrée :- Rom. intrta, sb. use of fem. pp. of L. intrre ENTER; see -Y5.

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enumerate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. numerre, f. E- + numerus NUMBER; see -ATE3. So enumeration XVI. — F. or L.

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enunciate

give expression to XVII; pronounce XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. nuntire, E- + nuntire ANNOUNCE. So enunciation XVI. — F. or L.

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envelop

XIV. ME. envolupe — OF. envoluper, -oper (mod. envelopper), f. EN-1 + volup-, velup-, of unkn. orig.; cf. DEVELOP. So envelope XVIII.

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envious

XIII. — AN. envious, OF. envieus (mod. -eux), f. envie ENVY.

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environ

surround, encompass. XIV. — OF. environer (mod. -onner). f. environ surroundings, around, f. en in + viron circuit. f. virer turn, VEER. Hence environment XVII (rare before XIX). So environs neighbourhood. XVII.

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envisage

look straight at; view, contemplate. XIX. — F. envisager, f. EN-1 + visage face, VISAGE.

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envoy1

conclusion of a poem, etc. XIV. — (O)F. envoi, f. envoyer send, f. phr. en voie on the way. Cf. VIA1.

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envoy2

minister sent on a diplomatic mission. XVII. alt. of F. envoyé, sb. use of pp. of envoyer (see prec.). For the loss of F. -é cf. ASSIGN2.

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envy

†malice; feeling of ill will at another's well-being. XIII. — (O)F. envie, semi-pop. — L. invidia malice, ill will, f. invidre look maliciously upon, grudge, envy, f. in upon, against + vidre see; see EN-1, VISION. So envy vb. XIV.

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enzyme

XIX. — G. enzym, f. modGr. énzumos leavened, f. Gr. en IN + zm leaven.

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eocene

(geol.) second lowest division of the tertiary. XIX. f. Gr. s dawn + kainós new, recent. So miocene following the oligocene. f. Gr. meín less. oligocene following the eocene. f. Gr. olígos OLIGO-, palaeocene lowest division of the tertiary. See PALAEO-, pleistocene following the pliocene. f. Gr. pleîstos most. pliocene highest division of the tertiary, following the miocene. f. Gr. pleín more.

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eon

see AEON.

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-eous

suffix of adjs. the majority of which are formed on L. adjs. in -eus ( = Gr. -eos); these are based on sbs. denoting material things and usu. have the sense ‘composed of’, as well as that of ‘of the nature of, resembling’, while the Eng. derivs. have the latter meaning only; exx. are erroneous, igneous, ligneous, vitreous, and (from scholL.) heterogeneous, homogeneous. In adoptions of F. adjs. in -eux based on sbs. in -age the suffix took this form, as in advantageous, courageous, outrageous; in hideous and piteous, -eous has replaced -ous; aqueous is isolated; in bounteous, courteous, gorgeous, plenteous, righteous other endings have been assim. to -eous; in beauteous and duteous the ending has arisen from the addition of -OUS to -te, early form of -TY2. See also -ACEOUS.

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epact

number of days by which the solar exceeds the lunar year; number of days in the age of the moon at the new year. XVI. — (O)F. épacte — late L. epactæ pl. — Gr. epaktaí (sc. hmérai days), fem. pl. of epaktós, pp. adj. of epágein intercalate, f. EPI- + ágein lead, bring (cf. ACT).

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eparch

governor of a province; (eccl.) metropolitan. XVII. — Gr. éparkhos, f. EPI- + arkhós chief, ruler (cf. -ARCH). So eparchy XVIII. See -Y3.

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epaulet(te)

XVIII. — F. épaulette, f. épaule shoulder; see -ETTE.

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epenthesis

(philol.) insertion of a sound between two others. XVII. — late L. — Gr. epénthesis, f. epenthe-, stem of epentithénai insert, f. EPI- + en IN + tithénai place. So epenthetic XIX.

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epergne

ornamental centre dish for the dinner table to hold dessert, etc. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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ephemeral

existing only for a day or a very short time. XVI. f. Gr. ephmeros (whence fem. and n. in -a, -on as sbs.), f. EPI- + hmér day; see -AL1. So ephemeris table showing the places of heavenly bodies for every day of a period XVI; astronomical almanac XVII. — L. — Gr. ephmerís diary.

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ephod

Jewish priestly vestment. XIV (ephoth). — Heb. 'phdh, f. 'phadh put on.

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ephor

Spartan magistrate. XVI. — L. ephorus — Gr. éphoros, f. EPI- + For-, base of horân see.

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epi-

prefix repr. Gr. epi-, before an unaspirated vowel ep-, before an aspirated vowel eph-, a use of the adv.-prep. epí on, upon, over, close up in time or space, in addition (to) = Skr. ápi moreover, also, at, in (rel. to L. ob towards, against, in OL. around, near).

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epic

adj. XVI; sb. XVIII. — L. epicus — late Gr. epikós, f. épos word, song; see -IC.

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epicene

(gram.) of common gender. XV. — late L. epicœnus — Gr. epíkoinos, f. EPI- +koinós common.

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epicentre

XIX. f. EPI- + CENTRE.

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epiclesis

XIX. — Gr. epíklsis, f. epikaleîn call upon, f. EPI- + kaleîn call.

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epicure

†Epicurean; †glutton, sybarite; one who is choice in eating and drinking. XVI. — medL. epicrus one whose chief happiness is in carnal pleasure; appellative use of L. Epicrus, Gr. Epíkouros name of an Athenian philosopher, c. 300 B.C. So Epicurean XIV. — F. épicurien, f. L. epicrus — Gr. epikoúreios; see -EAN. Hence Epicureanism XVIII. So epicurism XVI; partly f. Epicrus, after F. épicurisme; partly f. EPICURE.

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epicycle

XIV. — (O)F. épicycle or late L. epicyclus — Gr. epíkuklos; see EPI-, CYCLE.

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epidemic

of diseases prevalent among a people at a particular time. XVII; sb. XVIII. — F. épidémique, f. épidémie — late L. epidmia — Gr. epidmí prevalence of a disease, f. epidmios adj., f. EPI- +dêmos people; see -IC.

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epidermis

XVII. — late L. — Gr. epidermís, f. EPI- +dérma skin.

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epigram

XV. — F. épigramme or L. epigramma — Gr. epígramma, f. EPI- +gráphein write. So epigraph inscription XVII; short quotation at the beginning of a work, etc. XIX. — Gr. epigraph. Hence epigraphy (science of) inscriptions. XIX.

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epilepsy

XVI. — F. épilepsie or late L. epilpsia — Gr. epilpsí, f. epilab-, stem of epilambánein seize upon, attack, f. EPI- +lambánein take hold of; see -Y3. So epileptic XVII.

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epilogue

XV. — (O)F. épilogue — L. epilogus — Gr. epílogos, f. EPI- +lógos speech.

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Epiphany

(feast of) the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. XIII. — (O)F. épiphanie, — ecclL. epiphania — ecclGr. epiphánia n. pl. of epiphánios, f. epiphaínein manifest, f. EPI- + phaínein show; see -Y3

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epiphany

manifestation of a supernatural being. XVII. — Gr. epipháneia manifestation, appearance of a divinity, f. epiphans manifest, epiphaínein (see prec.).

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epiphyte

(bot.) vegetable parasite. XIX. f. Gr. EPI- +phutón plant.

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episcopal

XV. — (O)F. épiscopal or ecclL. episcoplis, f. episcopus BISHOP; see -AL1. Hence episcopalian XVIII, episcopally XVI. So episcopacy, episcopate XVII.

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episode

dialogue between choric songs; incidental narrative XVII; incidental event XVIII. — Gr. epeisódion, sb. use of n. of epeisódios coming in besides, f. EPI- +eisodos entrance, f. eis into + hodós way, passage.

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epistemology

XIX, f. epistemo-, comb, form of Gr. epistm knowledge, f. epístasthai know (how to do), f. EPI- +stánai STAND; see -LOGY.

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epistle

apostolic letter of the N. T. XIII; (gen.) letter XIV. OE. epistol, beside pistol, ME. pistle — L. epistola; ME. epistle — OF. epistle (mod. épître) — L. epistola — Gr. epistol, f. epistéllein send, esp. as a message, f. EPI- +stéllein send. So epistolary XV. f. F. épistolaire or L. epistolris.

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epistyle

(archit.) architrave. XVII. — F. épistyle or L. epistlium — Gr. epistlion, f. EPI- + stûlos pillar.

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epitaph

XIV. — (O)F. épitaphe — L. epitaphium funeral oration — Gr. epitáphion, f. EPI- + táphos obsequies, tomb.

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epithalamium

nuptial song. XVII. — L. — Gr. epithalámion, f. EPI- + thálamos bridal chamber.

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epithet

XVI. — F. épithète or L. epitheton, sb. use of n. of Gr. epíthetos attributed, pp. adj. of epitithénai put on or to, f. EPI- + tithénai place.

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epitome

abridgement, summary, XVI. — L. epitom — Gr. epitom, f. epitémnein cut into, cut short, f. EPI- + témnein cut. Hence epitomize XVI.

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epoch

XVII. — modL. epocha — Gr. epokh stoppage, station, fixed point of time, f. epékhein stop, take up a position, f. EPI- + ékhein hold, intr. be in a certain state.

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epode

lyric poem in which a long line is followed by a shorter one XVI; part of a lyric ode following the strophe and the antistrophe XVII. — F. épode or L. epdos — Gr. epidós; see EPI-, ODE.

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eponymous

XIX. f. Gr. epnumos given as a name, f. EPI- + -num-, var. stem of ónoma NAME; see -OUS.

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epopee

epic poem or poetry. XVII. — F. épopée — Gr. epopoií, f. épos word, song + poieîn make. So epos XIX. — L. — Gr.

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Epsom salt(s)

XVIII. orig. the salt obtained from Epsom water, the water of a mineral spring at Epsom in Surrey.

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equable

XVII. — L. æqubilis, f. æqure make level or equal, f. æquus; see next and -ABLE. So equability XVI.

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equal

XIV. — L. æqulis, f. æquus level, even. So equality XIV. — OF. — L. Hence equalize XVI.

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equanimity

†fairness; evenness of temper. XVII. — L. æquanimits, f. æquanimis, f. æquus; see prec., ANIMATE, -ITY.

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equate

average XV; make or treat as equal XVII. f. pp. stem of L. æqure, f. æquus even; see EQUAL and -ATE3. So equation equal partition XIV; (math.) statement of equality, formula affirming the equivalence of two quantities XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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equator

great circle of the celestial sphere XIV; great circle of the earth XVII. — (O)F. équateur or medL. æqutor, in full circulus æquator diei et noctis circle equalizing day and night. f. æqure (see prec.).

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equerry

†royal or princely stables, officer in charge of these; (now) officer of the royal household, XVI (esquiry, equirrie, quirry). — (O)F. esquierie company of squires, prince's stables (mod. écurie stable), f. OF. esquier ESQUIRE. Perh. assoc. with L. equus horse.

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equestrian

XVII. f. L. equestris. f. eques horseman, knight, f. equus horse; see EQUINE, -IAN. Hence equestrienne horsewoman. XIX. pseudo-F.; fem. of a supposed équestrien.

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equi-

repr. æqui-, comb. form of L. æquus EQUAL, used in parasynthetic adjs. for ‘equal(ly)’, as in equidistant, equilateral XVI, equipollent of equal power XV, EQUIVALENT, EQUIVOCAL.

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equilibrium

XVII. — L. æquilbrium, f. æqui- EQUI- + lbra balance.

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equine

XVIII. — L. equnus, f. equus horse, rel. to OE. eoh, ON. jór, Goth. aihwa-, Olr. ech, Gr. híppos, Skr. áva-: see -INE1.

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equinox

XIV. — (partly through (O)F. équinoxe) L. æquinoctium, in medL. -noxium, f. æqui- EQUI- + nox, noct- NIGHT. So equinoctial XIV. — (O)F. équinoxial — L. æquinoctilis.

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equip

XVI. — F. équiper, prob. — ON. skipa man (a vessel), fit up, arrange, f. skip SHIP; prob. a different word from OF. eschiper, esquiper put to sea. So equipage †equipment, apparatus; †train of attendants XVI; carriage and horses, orig, with attendant servants XVIII. equipment XVIII.

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equitation

XVI. — F. équitation or L. equitti, -n-, f. equitre ride on horseback, f. eques, equit- horseman, f. equus horse; see EQUINE, -ATION.

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equity

fair dealing XIV; (leg.) natural justice XVI, — (O)F. équité — L. æquits, -tt-, f. æquus fair; see EQUI-, -ITY. So equitable fair, just XVII; valid in equity XVIII.

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equivalent

adj. XV; sb. XVI. — (O)F. équivalent — prp. of late L. æquivalre, f. æqui- EQUI- + valre be worth. So equivalence, equivalency XVI.

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equivocal

†nominal only; capable of twofold interpretation XVII; of doubtful genuineness, questionable XVIII. f. late L. æquivocus, f. æqui- EQUI- + vocre call, name; see -AL1. So equivocally XVI. after late L. æquivoc. equivocation XIV. — late L. æquivocti, -n-, f. æquivocre (whence equivocate XV).

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-er1

suffix denoting one who or a thing which has to do with something and so the regular formative for agent-nouns; OE. -ere, corr. to OS. -ari (Du. -er), OHG. -ri (MHG. -ære, G. -er), ON. -ari, Goth. -areis :- Gmc. -arjaz, prob. — L. -rius -ARY, of which an accentual var. with was perh. evolved.
In the early Gmc. stage, such a deriv. as Goth. laisareis teacher, from lais LORE, became assoc. with laisjan teach, and was apprehended as its agent-noun; thus the model was provided for the universal application of the suffix to vb.-stems, as OE. bæcere baker, f. bacan, leornere learner, f. leornian, etc. Some Gmc. sbs. seem to be directly based on or suggested by L. agent-nouns formed on sbs.: e.g. OE. bcere scribe = OHG. buochari, Goth. bokareis, f. bk- BOOK, after L. librrius copyist, scribe, f. liber book; direct formations on sbs. occur in OE., e.g. sangere singer, f. sang SONG, and continued to be made in ME. and later, e.g. docker, hatter, slater. OE. -ere, ME. -er(e) eventually became established as the universal suffix for new agent-nouns.
In ME. and later, -er was substituted for other suffixes or added superfluously to sbs. of which the endings did not obviously suggest their function; e.g. astrologer, astronomer superseded †astrologien, †astronomien; †cater, †fruiter, †sorcer were extended to caterer, fruiterer, sorcerer; prob, on the model of philosopher, derivs. of Gr. - L. words in -graphus, -logus assumed the forms -GRAPHER, -LOGER; an isolated instance is widower, in which -er provides a masculine counterpart to widow. A var. -ier is established in some occupational names, e.g. clothier, glazier, hosier; see -IER1.
The suffix occurs also in designations of natives or inhabitants, as Londoner, Britisher, New Zealander; so foreigner, islander, northerner, villager.
Some personal designations occur esp. as the fixed second el. of comps.; e.g. new-comer, on-looker, ironmonger, caretaker.
Many formations are applied almost exclusively to inanimate objects, as boiler, cracker, duster, poker, runner, stopper; (in pl. form mainly) clippers, dividers; articles of clothing are blazer, jumper, slipper; pl. drawers, trousers. There are many colloq. and sl. formations in which -er expresses ‘one’, as backhander, goner, header, sixfooter, ten-tonner. Akin to these are derogatory terms like blighter.

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-er2

repr., in adoptions from French, (i) OF, -er :- L. -ris -AR, or (ii) AN. -er, OF, -ier :- L. -rius, -rium -ARY. Some ME. exx. in -er have been refash. with -ar after Latin, as coler COLLAR, scoler SCHOLAR. See also -IER, -OR2.

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-er3

suffix of compar. adjs. and advs.
A
In adjs., ME. -er(e), -re, OE. -ra m., -re fem., n. repr. two Gmc. suffixes, (i) -izan- (OS., OHG. -iro, ON, -ri, Goth. -iza, accompanied by mutation) and (ii) -zan- (OHG. -ro, ON. -ari, Goth, -za), which were formed on the adv. suffixes -iz, -z (see below). A few OE. compars. show mutation, as strengra (f. strang strong); traces have remained in better :- batizan- and elder :- alðizan-; worse and less contain the suffix -izan- in a disguised form.
B
In advs., OE. -or = OS., OHG. -r, Goth. -z :- Gmc. -z, beside which there was -iz (corr. to L. -is, as in magis more, nimis too much), repr. by ON. -r (with mutation) and Goth. -is (e.g. hauhis higher), and by the mutation in OE. compars. like leng longer :- lagiz, bet better:- batiz, which were superseded in ME. by regular forms in -er. Cf. -EST.

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-er4

suffix forming iterative and frequent. vbs.; OE. -(e)rian = OS. -arn, MLG., MDu. -eren, OHG. -arn, -irn (G. -ern), ON. -ra :- Gmc. -rjan. There are a few exx. in OE., e.g. claterian CLATTER, flicerian FLICKER, floterian float, hwstrian whisper, stam(e)rian STAMMER; to some there are corr. adjs., as gliddrian slip, beside gliddor, slidrian SLITHER, beside sliddor. The number of such words was greatly increased in ME. and later, partly by analogous formations of an echoic or symbolic kind (sometimes from native bases), partly by direct adoption or assimilation of ON. or LG. verbs; e.g. blunder, clamber, glimmer, mutter, quiver^2, stagger.

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-er5

ending (-er :- L. -re) of a number of AN. infins. (= OF. -er, -ir, -eir, or -re), used orig. as sbs. in leg. language, mostly of XV or XVI: e.g. cesser, demurrer, retainer, waiver: attainder, remainder; tender; the same ending is in dinner and supper.

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-er6

suffix (prob. an extended application of -ER1) used in sl. formations by adding it to the (sometimes alt.) first syll. or early sylls. of a word; e.g. bedsitter bed-sitting room, footer football, fresher freshman, rugger / soccer Rugby / Association football.

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era

system of chronology reckoned from a point of time; date from which a period is reckoned XVII; period or epoch XVIII. — late L. æra, orig. pl. of æs æris copper, in the sense ‘counters (for calculation)’, used as fem. sg. for ‘number used as a basis of reckoning’, ‘epoch from which time is reckoned’.

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eradicate

pull up by the roots. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. rdicre, f. E- + rdix, rdic- ROOT; see -ATE2.

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erase

XVII. f. rs-, pp. stem of L. rdere, f. E- + rdere scrape. Hence eraser XIX, erasure XVIII.

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ere

(arch.) before (of time). OE. r = OS., OHG. r (Du. eer, G. eher), Goth. airis :- Gmc. airiz, compar. of air (ON. ár, Goth. air) early, rel. to Gr. êri- early (adv.), Av. ayar day; cf. ERST. Hence erelong before the lapse of much time. XVI. erewhile (arch.) some time ago. OE. ærhwlum.

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erect

upright. XIV (rare before XVI). — L. rectus, pp. of rigere set up, f. E- + regere direct. So erect set up or upright. XV. f. rect-, pp. stem of rigere. So erection XV. — F. or L. erector XVI.

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-erel

see -REL.

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eremite

(arch.) hermit. XIII. — OF. eremite, var. of (h)ermite HERMIT. So eremitic XV. eremitical XVI. — F. érémitique, medL. ermiticus.

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erg

unit of work. XIX. — Gr. érgon WORK.

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ergo

therefore. XIV. — L., as prep. in consequence of, absol. consequently.

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ergot

disease of rye. XVII. — F. ergot, OF. ar(i)-got, argor cock's spur, of unkn. orig.

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eristic

XVII. — Gr. eristikós, f. erízein wrangle, f. éris, erid- strife: see -IC.

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erl-king

XVIII. partial tr. of G. erlkönig ‘alderking’, misunderstanding of Da. elle(r)konge (for elve(r)konge) king of elves.

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ermine

stoat XII; fur of this, often having the black tails arrayed upon it XIII. — OF. (h)ermine (mod. hermine), :- medL. (ms) Armenius ‘Armenian mouse’, equiv. to L. ms Ponticus ‘mouse of Pontus’ (Armenia and Pontus were conterminous). But contact with similar Gmc. words is possible, viz. OHG. harmn adj., f. harmo stoat, weasel (G. harme) = OE. hearma (etc.).

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-ern

suffix in eastern, western, northern, southern; OE, -erne = OS., OHG. -rni, ON. -rœnn :- Gmc. -rnjaz, f. -ro- (as in austro-: see EAST) + -njaz = L. -neus -ANEOUS.

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erode

eat or wear away. XVII. — F. éroder or L. rdere, f. E- + rdere gnaw. So erosion XVI. — F. érosion — L. rsi, -n-, f. rs-, pp. stem of rdere.

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erotic

pert. to the passion of love. XVII. — F. érotique — Gr. ertikós, f. érs, ert - sexual love; see -IC. So erotism, eroticism, erotomania XIX.

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err

go astray; †roam. XIV. — (O)F. errer :- L. errre :- ersre, rel. to Goth. airzei error, airzjan lead astray, OS., OHG. irri (G. irre), OE. ierre astray, angry.

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errand

†message, mission OE.; business on which one is sent XIII; journey taken to convey a message, etc. XVII. OE. rende = OS. rundi, OHG. runti. Obscurely rel. to synon. ON. e(y)rindi, ørindi, and to OE. r, OS. ru, ON. árr, Goth. airus messenger.

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errant

A
travelling in quest of adventure, as in knight errant XIV;

B
†thorough (see ARRANT); C wandering, straying XV. — (O)F. errant, in which two distinct words have coalesced: (i) prp. of OF. errer, earlier †edrer travel as in quest of adventure :- Rom. iterre, for L. itinerre (see ITINERANT), f. iter journey; (ii) prp. of (O)F. errer wander, ERR. In C — L. errns, -ant-, prp. of errre.
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So error false belief XIII; mistake, wrongdoing XIV; wandering XVI. — OF. err(o)ur (mod. erreur):- L. error, errr- :- ersor (cf. ERR). erratic †wandering, vagrant XIV; eccentric or irregular in conduct XIX. — (O)F. erratique — L. errticus, f. errt-, pp. stem of errre ERR; see -IC. So erratum XVI. sb. use of n. pp. of errre. erroneous wrong, faulty. XIV. — OF. or L.; see -EOUS.

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ersatz

XX. — G. ‘compensation’, ‘replacement’, f. ersetzen replace, f. er- A-3 + setzen SET1.

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Erse

Irish, esp. applied to Irish and Scots Gaelic. XIV (ersche). early Sc. var. of IRISH.

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erst

†earliest, first, (arch.) formerly, before. OE. rest, superl. corr. to r ERE = OS. rist (Du. eerst), OHG. rist (G. erst):- WGmc. airista (see -EST). Hence erstwhile XVI.

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erubescent

XVIII. — L. rubscns, -ent-, prp. of rubscere, f. E- + rubscere, f. rubre be RED; see -ESCENT.

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eructate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. ructre, f. E- + ructre belch; see -ATE3. So eructation XV. — L.

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erudite

XV. — L. rudtus, pp. of rudre instruct, f. E- + rudis RUDE; see -ITE. So erudition XV. — (O)F. or L.

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eruption

XV. — (O)F. éruption or L. ruptio, -n-, f. rumpere, rupt- burst forth, f. E- + rumpere break; see -TION. So erupt, eruptive XVII.

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-ery

suffix first occurring (ME. -erie) in adoptions from F. and subsequently used on the analogy of these in formations on various kinds of base. Repr. (O)F. -erie, which arose from the addition of -ie -Y3 to personal designations in -(i)er, -eur, to denote quality, action, or occupation; e.g. archerie ARCHERY (f. archer), chevalerie CHIVALRY (f. chevalier). Such comps. came to be apprehended as directly rel. to the ult. base, as chevalerie to cheval horse; consequently, formations on various kinds of sb. were made; this was extended to adjs. and to vbs.; and the practice was followed in Eng. formations, as drudgery, gunnery, slavery.
The suffix came to be esp. assoc. with -ER1 and -ER2, so that all agent-nouns in -er have actually or potentially a deriv. in -ery, e.g. bookbindery, grocery, joinery, millinery; hence, by extension, in designations of premises, fittings, etc., as bakery, crockery, nursery, scenery, surgery; the pl. -eries is used also beside the sg. in names of wares, as groceries (XVII). Cf. -RY.

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eryngo

sea holly. XVI. irreg. — It. or Sp. eringio — L. ryngium — Gr. róggion, dim. of ruggos.

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erysipelas

disease with red inflammation. XVI (XIV–XV erisipila). — L. — Gr. erusípelas, perh. f. base of eruthrós RED + pel- skin, FELL1.

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erythema

inflammation of the skin. XVIII. — Gr. erúthma, f. eruthaínein be red, f. eruthrós RED.

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escalade

scaling the walls of a fortified place. XVI. — F. — It. scalata, f. medL. scalre SCALE vb.; see -ADE.

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escalator

XX. (orig. U.S.). f. stem of prec. + -ATOR.

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escallop

later form (XVII) of SCALLOP.

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escape

vb. XIV. The earliest recorded forms are ascape and (aphetic) scape (-AN., ONF. ascaper); the present form is —AN., ONF. escaper (mod. échapper) :- Rom. excappre, f. EX-1 + late L. cappa cloak. So sb. XIV. In earliest use — OF. eschap, later f. the vb. escapade escape, runaway flight XVII; flighty piece of conduct XIX. escapee XIX. escapement in a clock or watch. XVIII. — F. échappement; the ref. is to the ‘escape’ of the toothed wheel from its detention by the pallet.

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escarpment

(fortif.) ground cut to form a steep slope; (geol.) abrupt face of a ridge or hill range. XIX. — F. escarpement, f. escarper vb.; see -MENT.

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-escent

suffix repr. F. -escent and its source L. -scns, -scent-, prp. ending of vbs. in -scere, chiefly inceptives f. vbs. of state in -re, e.g. liquscere, f. liqure be LIQUID; primarily occurring in adjs. — L. prps. (orig. through F.), as deliquescent, effervescent, obsolescent, the gen. sense being ‘beginning to assume a certain state’; also used in several words describing the play of light and colour, as fluorescent, iridescent, opalescent, phosphorescent. The corr. sb. suffix is -escence, less freq. -escency .

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eschatology

XIX. f. Gr. éskhatos last + -LOGY.

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escheat

lapsing of an estate to the overlord, estate so lapsed. XIV. — OF. eschete :- Rom. excadecta, sb. use of pp. of excadre, for L. excidere fall away, pass away, escape the memory, f. EX-1 + cadere fall. Hence vb. XIV.

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eschew

XIV. — OF. eschiver :- Rom. skivre — Gmc. skeux(w)an (OHG. sciuhen, G. scheuen), f. skeux(w)az SHY1.

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escort

armed guard or convoy XVI; accompanying person or persons XVIII. — F. escorte — It. scorta, sb. use of fem. pp. of scorgere guide, conduct :- Rom. excorrigere, f. EX-1 + L. corrigere set in order, CORRECT1. So vb. XVIII.

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escritoire

XVIII. — OF. escritoire (mod. écritoire) orig. ‘study’ :- L. SCRIPTORIUM.

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escrow

(leg.) species of deed. XVI. — AN. escrowe, OF. escroe :- medL. scrda — WGmc. skraud- SHRED.

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esculent

XVII. — L. sculentus, f. sca food (:- dsk), f. ed- of edere EAT; see -ULENT.

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escutcheon

XV. — AN., ONF. escuchon (OF. escusson, mod. écusson) :- Rom. scti, -n-, f. L. sctum shield.

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-ese

suffix repr. OF. -eis (mod. -ois, -ais) — L. -nsis, -ns-, which meant ‘belonging to, originating in (a place)’, as hortnsis, f. hortus garden, prtnsis, f. prtum meadow, and in many adjs. of local names, as Athninsis Athenian, f. Athnæ Athens. As a living suffix it forms derivs. of names of countries, as Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese (F. chinois, japonais, portugais) and from some names of foreign towns, as Cantonese, Viennese. Such adjs. are used sb. as names of languages or as designations of peoples.

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Eskimo

XVI (formerly Esquimaux). — Da. Eskimo — F. Esquimaux pl. — N. Amer. Indian word meaning ‘eaters of raw flesh’.

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esoteric

XVII. — Gr. esterikós, f. estér inner, compar. of és within, f. es(eis) into; see -IC.

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espalier

XVII. — F. — It. spalliera applied to supports for the shoulders, hence to stakes of that height, f. spalla shoulder.

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esparto

Spanish grass, Stipa tenacissima. XVIII. — Sp.:- L. spartum — Gk. spárton.

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especial

XIV. — OF. — L. specilis, f. specis SPECIES. Hence especially XVI.

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Esperanto

XIX. Pen-name Dr. Esperanto (i.e. ‘hoping one’) of the inventor, L. L. Zamenhof .

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espionage

XVIII. — F. espionnage, f. espionner, f. espion SPY.

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esplanade

open level space. XVII. — F. — Sp. esplanada, f. esplanar :- L. explnre flatten out, level; see EXPLAIN, -ADE.

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espousal

XIV. — OF. esposaille, chiefly espousailles fem. pl. (mod. épousailles) :- L. spnslia, sb. use of n. pl. of spnslis, f. spnsus SPOUSE; see -AL2. So espouse marry XV; embrace opinions XVII.

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espy

†spy upon; descry. XIV. — OF. espier (mod. épier); see SPY.

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-esque

suffix forming adjs., repr. F. -esque — It. -esco :- Rom. -iscus — Gmc. -iskaz -ISH1; first in adoptions from It. through F. in the basic sense of ‘resembling the style of’, ‘partaking of the characteristics of’, as in arabesque, burlesque, Dantesque, grotesque, picturesque.

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esquire

young man attending on a knight; man ranking immediately below a knight XV; as a title XVI. Early forms escuyer, -ier — OF. esquier (mod. écuyer):- L. sctrius shield-bearer, f. sctum shield. Aphetic SQUIRE is earlier.

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-ess1

suffix forming sbs. denoting female persons and animals — (O)F. -esse :- Rom. -essa, for late L. -issa — Gr. -issa.
The suffix became generalized for the formation of fem. derivs. of masc. sbs., e.g. F. comtesse (f. comte), whence Eng. countess, and similarly duchess, hostess, lioness, mistress, princess. In OF. -esse was added to mascs. in -ere, -eor, e.g. enchanteresse enchantress; so in ME. -ess was added to agent-nouns in -er and -ster, as huntress, seamstress, songstress, contraction taking place where possible; the older †governeresse was reduced to governess; there are several cases of sbs. in -tor with fems. in -tress (e.g. actress, benefactress, traitress), with the result that this ending corr. to F. -trice, L. -trix. There was gen. extension to other kinds of sb., as authoress, goddess, mayoress, poetess, prioress, for some of which, however, there are F. models.

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-ess2

ME. -esse -(O)F. -esse, :- L. -itia, forming sbs. of quality or condition, as trstitia sadness, f. trstis sad; examples are DURESS, LARGESS, PROWESS, †richesse RICHES, all adopted from F.

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essay

†try, test XV; try to do XVI; attempt, try to accomplish XVII. alt. of ASSAY by assim. to F. essayer :- Rom. exagire weigh, f. late L. exagium weighing, balance, f. exag-, base of L. exigere weigh. So essay sb. trial, attempt, result of this; form of literary composition. XVI. — (O)F. essai. Hence essayist XVII.

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essence

(theol.) substance XIV; †existence, being XVI; that by which a thing is what it is; chemical (etc.) extract of a substance; perfume XVII. — (O)F. — L. essentia, f. essent-, assumed prp. stem of esse be, on the model of Gr. ousí, f. ont-, prp. stem of eînai be. So essential XIV — late L. essentilis.

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Essene

member of a Jewish ascetic sect. XVI. — L. pl. Essn — Gr. Essnoí, presumably of Heb. or Aram. orig.

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-est

suffix of superl. adjs. and advs., repr. two OE. suffixes, (i) -ost :- Gmc. -staz (OS., OHG., Goth. -st, ON. -ast) and (ii) -(e)st (accompanied by mutation) :- Gmc. -istaz (OS., OHG., Goth. -ist-); there are parallels in Gr. -isto-, Skr. -iha-, Cf. -ER3.

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establish

settle XIV; set up and settle XV; install XVI; prove valid XVIII. — establiss-, lengthened stem of OF. establir (mod. établir) — L. stabilre, f. stabilis STABLE2; see -ISH2. Hence establishment XV. Aphetic stablish is earlier.

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estate

(arch.) condition, status XIII; outward pomp XIV; class of the body politic; interest in property XV; property, possessions XVI; landed property XVIII. Early forms (a)estat, astat(e) — OF. estat (mod. état) — L. status, f. stat-, pp. stem of -stre STAND. Cf. STATE.

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esteem

A
†value, assess XV; hold in (such-and-such) estimation XVI;

B
†judge of XV; account, consider XVI. — (O)F. estimer — L. æstimre (orig.) fix the price of, estimate (cf. AIM).
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So esteem sb. XIV, estimable XVI. estimate †judge, esteem XVI; †value, assess; form an approximate notion of XVII. f. pp. stem of L. æstimre. Hence, or — L. æstimtus, estimate sb. XVI. So estimation XIV.

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estrange

XV. — AN. estraunger, OF. estranger (mod. étranger) :- L. extrnere, f. extrneus STRANGE.

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estuary

XVI. — L. æsturium tidal part of a shore, tidal channel, f. æstus swell, surge, tide; see -ARY.

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esurient

hungry. XVII. — L. esurins, -ent-, prp. of surre be hungry, desiderative vb. f. s-, pp. stem of edere EAT; see -ENT.

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-et

suffix forming dims. from sbs., repr. (O)F. -et m., -ette fem., :- Rom. -itto, -itta, -tto, -a of unkn. (perh. non-L.) orig.; it occurs in many adoptions from French, as budget, gibbet, hatchet, mallet, turret, in most of which there is no longer any consciousness of a dim. force. For its use in adjs. see dulcet, russet. The combination in OF. of -et with -el produced -elet, for which see -LET.

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et cetera

late OE. — L., et and, ctera the rest, n. pl. of cterus remaining over.

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etch

XVII. — Du. etsen — G. ätzen (OHG. azzen, ezzen) :- Gmc. atjan, causative of etan EAT.

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eternal

XIV. — OF. eternal, -el (mod. éternel) — late L. æternlis, f. æternus, for æviternus, f. ævum age; see -AL1. So eternity XIV.

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etesian

name of certain winds in the Mediterranean area blowing for a certain period annually. XVII. f. L. etsius — Gr. etsios annual, f. etes-, (f)étos year; see -IAN.

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eth-

first part of ETHER used in the formation of names of members of the bicarbon series of hydrocarbons, ethane, ethene, ethyl; see -ANE2, -ENE, -YL.

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-eth

in twentieth to ninetieth: see -TH2.

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ether

clear sky; (phys.) substance permeating space XVII; (chem.) liquid obtained by the action of acid on alcohol XVIII. — (O)F. éther or L. æthr — Gr. aithr upper air, f. base of athein kindle, burn, shine, athr fine weather, L. æsts summer, OIr. aed fire. So etherial of the ether; heavenly; airy XVI; impalpable XVII; pert. to ether XVIII. f. L. ætherius — Gr. aithérios. Hence etherialize XIX.

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ethic

adj. XV (now mostly repl. by ethical XVII). — F. éthique or L. thicus — Gr. thikós, f. êthos usage, character, personal disposition; sb. sg. moral science XIV, after (O)F. éthique, L. thic, Gr. (h) thik (sc. tkhn); ethics pl. XV; after OF. ethiques, medL. ethica n. pl. — Gr. tà thiká. See -IC, -ICAL, -ICS. So ethos XIX. — late L. — Gr. êthos.

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ethnic

†Gentile, pagan XIV; pert. to race XIX. — ecclL. ethnicus heathen — Gr. ethnikós, f. éthnos nation. Hence ethnography, ethnology XIX.

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ethyl

see ETH-.

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etiolate

blanch. XVIII. — F. étioler (see -ATE3) — Norman F. (s')étieuler grow into haulm, f. ét(i)eule, (OF. esteule) :- pop L. stupila, for L. stipula straw. So etiolation XVIII.

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etiology

var. (now U.S.) of AETIOLOGY.

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etiquette

prescribed or conventional code of behaviour XVIII. — F. étiquette, the primary sense of which is repr. by TICKET.

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etna

vessel for heating liquid. XIX. f. the name of the volcano Etna in Sicily.

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-ette

suffix repr. F. -ette (OF. -ete), and forming dim. sbs., being the fem. corr. to masc. (O)F. -et (see -ET). In ME. the F. -et and -ette were not clearly distinguished, and old adoptions in -et(t)e usu. survive with -et, e.g. egret, hatchet. The sp. -ette is preserved in adoptions dating from XVII onwards, as cigarette, coquette, etiquette, gazette, rosette. In XIX it began to be extended to Eng. sbs., as waggonnette, and esp. in names of materials intended as imitations, as flannelette, leatherette.

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étui

small case for small articles. XVII. — F. étui, OF. estui prison, f. estuier shut up, keep.

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etymology

origin, formation, and development (of a word), account of this XIV; †branch of grammar dealing with forms (formerly equiv. to accidence) XV. — OF. ethimologie (mod. étymologie) — L. etymologia — Gr. etumologí, f. etumológos student of etymology, f. étumon literal sense of a word, original form, primary or basic word, sb. use of n. of étumos true, whence in L. form etymon XVI; see -LOGY. So etymological XVI, etymologist XVII, etymologize XVI.

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eu-

prefix repr. Gr. eu-, comb. form of Gr. (Epic) eús good, brave, used in n. form e as adv. ‘well’. Gr. words with eu- are predominantly adjs. of the form eúphnos of good sound, well-sounding, EUPHONIOUS. For mod. formations see EUGENIC, etc.; eurhythmics harmony of bodily movement as an object of education.

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eucalyptus

XIX. modL., intended to denote ‘well-covered’ (f. EU- + Gr. kaluptós covered, f. kalúptein cover, conceal), the flower before it opens being protected by a cap.

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eucharis

S. Amer. plant with bell-shaped flowers used for bouquets, etc. XIX. modL. — Gr. eúkharis pleasing, f. EU- + kháris grace (cf. next).

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Eucharist

XIV. — OF. eucariste (mod., with latinized ending, eucharistie) — ecclL. eucharistia — ecclGr. eukharistí giving of thanks, f. eukháristos grateful, f. EU- + kharzesthai show favour, give freely, f. kháris, kharit- favour, grace. So eucharistic XVII, eucharistical XVI.

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euchre

card-game originating in U.S.A. XIX (early sp. (e)uker, yuker). of unkn. orig.

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eud(a)emonism

system of ethics having happiness for its end. XIX. — Gr. eudaimonismós, f. eudaimonízein call or account happy, f. EU- + damn guardian genius; see DEMON, -ISM. So eud(a)emonist XIX.

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eudiometer

(orig.) instrument for testing the amount of oxygen in the air. XVIII. f. Gr. eúdios (of weather) clear, f. EU + stem of Diós, gen. of Zeús god of the sky and the atmosphere; see -METER.

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eugenic

concerned with the production of fine offspring; (pl. -ics) science of this. XIX. f. EU- + Gr. gen- produce (see KIN).

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eulogy

XVI. (once †euloge XV). — medL. eulogium, app. blending of L. logium (of obscure orig.) inscription on a tomb, etc., and medL. eulogia — Gr. eulogí praise, f. phr. e légein speak well of; cf. EU-, -LOGY. Hence eulogist XVIII, eulogistic XIX.

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eunuch

XV. — L. eunchus — Gr. eunokhos, f. eun bed; lit. ‘bedchamber guard’.

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euonymus

(bot.) genus of shrubs. XVIII. mod. use of L. eunymus — Gr. eunumos lucky, f. EU- + ónuma, var. of ónoma NAME.

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eupeptic

pert. to good digestion. XVII. f. Gr. eúpeptos easy of digestion, having a good digestion, f. EU- + péptein digest; see -IC.

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euphemism

XVII. — Gr. euphmismós, f. euphmízein speak fair, f. eúphmos fair of speech, f. EU- + phm speaking; see FAME, -ISM. So euphemistic XIX.

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euphonium

XIX. f. Gr. eúphnos; see next.

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euphony

XVII (once XV). — F. euphonie — late L. euphnia — Gr. euphní, f. eúphnos well-sounding, f. EU- + phn sound, voice; see -Y3. Hence euphonious XVIII.

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euphorbia

the spurge genus. XVII. alt. (by assim. to -IA1) of L. euphorbea, f. Euphorbus, name of a physician of Juba II, king of Mauretania, who is said to have named the plant after him.

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euphrasy

the plant eye-bright. XV. — medL. euphrasia — Gr. euphrasí cheerfulness, f. euphrainein be cheerful, f. EU- + phrn mind; see - Y3.

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euphuism

precious style of diction characteristic of John Lyly's ‘Euphues, the anatomy of wyt’ (1579) and ‘Euphues and his England’ (1580). XVI. f. Gr. euphus well endowed by nature, f. EU- + phu- (BE); see -ISM. Hence euphuist, euphuistic XIX.

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Eurasian

pert. to the continental area comprising Europe and Asia; of mixed European and Asiatic parentage. XIX. f. Eur(ope) + Asia; see -AN.

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eureka

exclamation (Gr. heúrka I have found, perf. of heurskein find) uttered by Archimedes when he discovered the means of determining by specific gravity the proportion of base metal in Hiero's golden crown. XVII.

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European

XVII. — F. européen, f. L. eurpæus, f. Eurpa — Gr. Eurp (of unkn. orig.), first applied to central Greece; see -EAN.

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Eustachian

(anat.) epithet of organs or structures discovered by Bartolomeo Eustachi , Italian anatomist (c. 1500–74); see -IAN. XVIII.

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euthanasia

easy death XVII; means of bringing this about XVIII. — Gr. euthanasí, f. EU- + thánatos death.

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evacuate

XV. f. pp. stem of L. vacure, f. E- + vacuus empty; see -ATE3. So evacuation XIV. — late L. Hence evacuee XX.

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evade

XVI. — F. évader — L. vdere, f. E- + vdere go (cf. WADE). So evasion XV, evasive XVIII.

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evaluate

XIX. Back-formation, after (O)F. évaluer, from evaluation (XVIII; — (O)F.; see E-, VALUATION).

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evanescent

XVIII. — F. évanescent — prp. of L. vnscere, whence evanesce XIX; see E-, VANISH, -ENT.

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evangel

(arch.) gospel. XIV. ME. evangile (later assim. to L.) — (O)F. évangile — ecclL. vangelium — Gr. euaggélion (in eccl. use) good news, (in classical Gr.) reward for bringing good news, pl. sacrifice on receiving good news, f. euággelos bringing good news, f. EU- + aggéllein announce. So evangelic XV, now more usu. evangelical XVI. — ecclL. vangelicus — ecclGr. euaggelikós. evangelism XVII. evangelist writer of one of the four gospels XII; preacher of the gospel XIV. — (O)F. — ecclL. -ecclGr. evangelize †intr. XIV, trans. XVII. — ecclL. — ecclGr.

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evaporate

XVI (pa. pple. XIV). f. pp. stem of L. vaporre; see E-, VAPOUR, -ATE3. So evaporation XIV. — L.

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eve

(poet.) evening; day before a festival. XIII. var. of EVEN1, orig. southern. For loss of -n, cf. clew, game, maid.

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even1

(poet., dial.) close of the day OE.; eve of a holy day XIV. OE. fen, rel. to synon. OS. band,MLG., MDu. vont (Du. avond), OHG. band (G. abend), perh. rel. to Gr. epí (see EPI-). Synon. ON. aptann may be another formation on the same base, or (more prob.) a deriv. of the base of AFTER. In contr. form e'en arch. and dial. Cf. EVE, EVENING. Hence evensong, eventide, OE. fensang, -td.

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even2

flat, level (obs. in gen. use; naut. in an even keel); uniform, equal, equally balanced OE.; exactly adjusted, precise XIII; of number, opp. to odd XIV. OE. efen = OS. eban (Du. even, effen), OHG. eban (G. eben), ON. jafn, Goth. ibns :- Gmc. ebnaz, of unkn. orig. So even adv. (poet. e'en) †evenly, equally; (arch.) exactly, fully OE.; in the extreme case XVI. OE. efne = OS. efno (Du. even), OHG. ebano (G. eben) :- WGmc. ebn. even vb. OE. efnan and (e)efnian.

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evening

†closing of the day OE.; latter part of the day. XV. OE. fnung, f. fnian grow towards night, f. fen EVEN1; see -ING1.

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event

outcome, issue; anything that happens. XVI. — L. ventus, f. vent-, pp. stem of venre come out, result, happen, f. E- + venre COME. Hence, or direct from L. ventus, eventual †pert. to an event or events; that will take effect in certain contingencies XVII. eventuate XVIII. orig. U.S.

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ever

OE. fre, a purely Eng. formation, of unkn. orig. The first syll. is prob. the mutation of ever, AY. Hence evergreen XVII, everlasting XIV, evermore XIII.

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everglade

(US.) marshy tract under water, (esp. pl.) the vast swampy region of Florida. XIX. Presumably f. EVER + GLADE.

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every

Late OE. fri., ME. efri(ch), eauer euch, euere(l)ch, repr. OE. fre l., æfre yl.; see EVER, EACH. Comp. everybody XIV, every one XIII, everything XIV. In everywhere (XII) two formations have coalesced: (i) ever + where (OE. ehwr anywhere, everywhere), and (ii) every + where.

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evict

recover (property) XV; expel (a person) by judicial process; †conquer, overcome; †prove XVI. f. vict-, pp. stem of L. vincere conquer, obtain by conquering, recover, overcome and expel, eject judicially, prove; see EVINCE. So eviction XVI. — L.

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evident

XIV. — (O)F. évident or L. vidns, -ent-, f. E- + prp. of vidre see, used in a middle sense (‘making itself seen’). So evidence significant appearance, token XIII; ground for belief XIV; information (given in a legal inquiry) tending to establish fact XVI; clarity XVII. — (O)F. — L.; whence evidential XVII. evidently XIV.

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evil

adj. and sb. OE. yfel = OS. ubil, MDu. evel (Du. euvel), OHG. ubil (G. übel), Goth. ubils :- Gmc. ubilaz, prob. f. IE. base up- (see OVER), the primary sense being ‘exceeding due limits’. So evil adv., OE. yfle; survives in literary use in speak evil (of), evil-disposed, and the like.

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evince

†overcome; †convince; †prove; make evident. XVII. f. L. vincere, f. E- + vincere conquer. Cf. EVICT.

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eviscerate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. viscerre; see E-, VISCERA, -ATE3.

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evoke

call forth. XVII. — L. vocre, f. E- + vocre call. So evocation XVII (once XV). evocative XVII. — late L.

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evolution

XVII. — L. volti, -n- unrolling of a book, f. volt-, pp. stem of volvere (f. E- + volvere roll), whence evolve XVII.

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evulsion

forcible extraction. XVII. — L. vulsi, -n-, f. vuls-, pp. stem of vellere, f. E- + vellere pluck; see -SION.

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ewe

OE. owu, corr. to OS. ewwi (MDu. oie, Du. ooi), OHG. ou(wi) (G. aue), ON. ær :- Gmc. awi- (repr. in Goth. by awistr sheepfold, aweþi flock) :- IE. owi-, repr. also by L. ovis, Gr. ó(F)is, OIr. ´i, OSl. ovca, Lith. avis, Skr. ávi- sheep.

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ewer

XIV. — AN. ewere, ONF. eviere, (O)F. aiguière :- Rom. aquria, fem. of L. aqurius pert. to water, f. aqua water; see -ARY.

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ex

L. ex out of, prep. and prefix (see EX-1, E-) = Gr. ex (see EX-2), OIr. ess-. In Eng. in certain L. phrs., as ex cathedra from the CHAIR (i.e. of authority) XIX; ex libris ‘out of the books’ (of somebody), from the LIBRARY (of) XIX; ex officio by virtue of one's OFFICE XVI; ex(-)parte with respect to a PART, (leg.) on one side only XVII; ex voto (short for ex voto suscepto from a vow undertaken) offering made in pursuance of a vow XVIII.
b
Prefixed to titles of rank after late L. usage in excnsul, nom. evolved from ex cnsule ‘from (being) consul’, (hence) lately consul; whence gen. with the sense ‘former’, as in ex-professor, and by further extension prefixed to adjs. (after ex-consular XVII) or to sbs. used attrib., as ex-service.
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c
In commercial use, with ref. to goods, ‘out of’, ‘landed from’ (a ship); similarly ex-warehouse; ‘without’, ‘exclusive of’, as in ex-dividend.
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ex-1

prefix repr. L. ex-, the prep. (see prec.) used in combination. After ex-, s (as in exsequ, exserere, exstare) was later dropped; hence the spelling of EXECRATE, EXECUTE, EXERT, EXTANT, EXTIRPATE. Ex- was reduced to - before b, d, g, i (j), l, m, n, r, and u (cf. EBULLIENT, EDICT, EGRESS, EJECT, ELECT, EMIT, ENUNCIATE, ERECT, EVADE), and to ef- before f (cf. EFFECT).

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ex-2

prefix repr. Gr. ex-, the prep. (see EX) used in combination; before consonants ek-, EC-.

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exacerbate

increase the bitterness of. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. exacerbre, f. EX-1 + acerbus bitter; see -ATE2. So exacerbation XVI. — late L.

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exact

XVI. — L. exactus, pp. of exigere complete, bring to perfection, examine, ascertain, f. EX-1 + agere perform. So exact vb. demand esp. by force and with authority. XV. f. exact-, pp. stem of L. exigere drive out. enforce payment of, demand, etc. (as above). exaction XIV. exactitude XVIII. — F.

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exaggerate

†accumulate, pile up XVI; make (a thing) out greater than it is XVII. f. pp. stem of L. exaggerre, f. EX-1 + aggerre heap up, f. agger heap, prob. f. AG- +gerere carry; see -ATE3. So exaggeration XVI. — L.

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exalt

XV. — L. exaltre, f. EX-1 + altus high. So exaltation lifting up XIV; elation XV. — (O)F. or late L.

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exam

short for EXAMINATION. XIX.

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examine

XIV. — (O)F. examiner — L. exminre weigh accurately, f. exmen, -in- tongue of a balance, weighing, for exagmen, f. exag-, base of exigere examine, weigh (see EXACT). So examination XIV.

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example

object or action to copy or imitate; instance to warn or deter XIV; typical instance XV. — OF. example (mod. exemple), refash. after L. of essample — L. exemplum, f. exem-, eximere take out (see EXEMPT).

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exarch

governor of a province under the Byzantine emperors; metropolitan in the Eastern Church. XVI. — ecclL. exarchus — Gr. éxarkhos leader, chief, f. exárkhein take the lead, f. EX-2 + árkhein rule.

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exasperate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. exasperre, f. EX-1 + asper rough; see -ATE2. So exasperation XVI. — L.

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excavate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. excavre, f. EX-1 + cavre, f. cavus hollow; see -ATE3. So excavation XVII. — F. or L.

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exceed

†pass the limits of; be greater than XIV; be superior to XV. — (O)F. excéder — L. excdere depart, go beyond, surpass, f. EX-1 + cdere go.

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excel

XV. — L. excellere be eminent, (rarely in physical sense) rise, raise, f. EX-1 + -cellere, rel. to celsus high, columna COLUMN. So excellent †exalted, supreme XIV; extremely good XVII. — (O)F. — L. excellence, excellency XIV.

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except1

leave out of account. XV. f. except-, pp. stem of L. excipere, f. EX-1 + capere take. So exception action of excepting, case excepted XIV; defendant's plea in bar of plaintiff's action XV; objection, demur XVI. — (O)F. — L. Hence exceptionable XVIII, exceptional XIX. excepting prp. passing into prep., if one excepts, except. XV.

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except2

†pp. excepted; prep. if one leaves out of account XIV; †conj. unless XV; otherwise than XVI. — L. exceptus, pp. of excipere (see prec.) The prep. arose (i) partly from the use of the pp. in concord with a following sb. or pronoun, e.g. except women, i.e. women excepted, (ii) partly in imitation of (O)F. excepté excepted, and late L. abl. except, which was used as a prep. by extension of the classical L. usage with a clause, except quod … except that … (whence the conjunctional use of except).

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excerpt

sb. XVII. — L. excerptum, sb. use of n. pp. of excerpere, f. EX-1 + carpere pluck. So vb. XVI (pp. once XV). f. L. excerpt-, pp. stem.

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excess

†extravagant feeling or conduct; overstepping limits of moderation XIV; fact of exceeding in amount XVI. — (O)F. excès — L. excessus, f. excess-, pp. stem of excdere EXCEED. So excessive XIV.

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exchange

sb. XIV. ME. eschaunge, later (by assim. to L.) exchaunge — AN. eschaunge, OF. eschange (F. échange), f. eschanger (mod. é-), whence exchange vb. XV; f. es- :- EX-1, CHANGE.

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exchequer

†chess-board XIII; department of state concerned with the royal revenues, so called orig. with ref. to the table covered with a cloth divided into squares on which the accounts were kept by means of counters XIV; court of law theoretically concerned with revenue; office charged with the receipt and custody of public revenue XV; pecuniary possessions XVII. ME. escheker — AN. escheker, OF. eschequier — medL. scaccrium chess-board, f. scaccus CHECK1; see -ER2. The form with ex- (from XV) is due to assoc. of OF. es- with EX-1, as in exchange.

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excise1

†toll, tax XV; duty on commodities XVII. — MDu. excijs — OF. acceis :- Rom. accnsum, f. L. AC- + cnsus tax (see CENSUS).

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excise2

cut out. XVI. f. excs-, pp. stem of L. excdere, f. EX-1 + cædere cut. So excision XV. — (O)F. — L.

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excite

XIV. — (O)F. exciter or L. excitre, frequent. of excire (pp. excitus) call out or forth; see EX-1, CITE. So excitation XIV. — (O)F. — late L. excitement †instigation, incentive XVII; (path.) abnormal activity XVIII; mental stimulation XIX.

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exclaim

XVI. — F. exclamer or L. exclamre; see EX-1, CLAIM. So exclamation XIV. exclamatory XVI. — L.

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exclude

XIV. — L. excldere, f. EX-1 + claudere shut (see CLOSE). So exclusion, exclusive XV.

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excommunicate

XV. f. pp. stem of ecclL. excommnicre, f. EX-1 + commnis COMMON, after commnicre COMMUNICATE. So excommunication XV. — late L.

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excoriate

remove the skin from, flay. XV. f. pp. stem of L. excorire, f. EX- + corium hide; see -ATE3. So excoriation XV.

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excrement

†dregs; faeces. XVI. — F. excrément or L. excrmentum, f. excr-, pp. base of excernere, f. EX-1 + cernere sift; see -MENT. So excreta XIX. sb. use of n. pl. of excrtus, pp. of excernere. excretion XVII.

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excrescence

XV. — L. excrscentia, f. prp. of excrscere grow out; see EX-1, INCREASE, -ENCE. So excrescent XVII.

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excruciate

torture. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. excrucire, f. EX-1 + crucire torment, f. crux CROSS; see -ATE3.

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exculpate

XVII. f. pp. stem of medL. exculpre, f. EX-1 + culpa blame; see -ATE3.

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excursion

†escape; sally, sortie XVI; journey from home XVII. — L. excursi, -n-, f. excurs-, pp. stem of excurrere run out, issue forth, f. EX-1 + currere; see COURSE, -ION. Hence excursionist XIX. So excursus XIX.

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excuse

offer an apology for XIII; obtain exemption or release for; accept as an excuse for or from XIV; serve as an excuse for XVI. ME escuse, excuse — OF. escuser, (also mod.) excuser — L. excusre free from blame, plead in excuse, absolve, dispense with, f. EX-1 + causa accusation (see CAUSE). So sb. XIV. — (O)F., f. excuser. The pronunc. with s instead of z in the sb. is due to the analogy of pairs like use, abuse vbs. and sbs., advise and advice, where the F. sbs. are masculines ending in s.

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exeat

†stage direction repl. by exit XVI; permission to go out or leave XVIII. — L., ‘let him go out’, 3rd pers. sg. pres. subj. of exre go out.

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execrate

express or feel abhorrence of. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. ex(s)ecrr curse, f. EX-1 + sacrre devote religiously, f. sacer, sacr- religiously set apart; see SACRED, -ATE3. So execration XIV. — (O)F. or L. execrable †involving a curse XIV; abominable XV. — (O)F. exécrable — L. (in act. and pass. senses).

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execute

A
carry into effect, carry out XIV; fulfil, discharge XIV; make valid by signing, etc.; carry out the design of, perform XVIII;

B
inflict capital punishment on XV. — (O)F. exécuter — medL. executre, f. ex(s)ect-, pp. stem of L. ex(s)equ follow up, carry out, pursue judicially, punish, f. EX-1 + sequ follow.
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So execution carrying into effect XIV; infliction of capital punishment XV; enforcement of a judgement, effective action XVI; hence executioner XVI. executive XVII; sb. XVIII (first U.S.). executor XIII (of an estate). — AN. executo(u)r — L. exector.

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exegesis

XVII. — Gr. exgsis, f. exgeîsthai interpret, f. EX-2 + hgeîsthai guide. So exegete XVIII. — Gr. exgts. exegetic, exegetical XVII. — Gr. exgtikós.

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exemplar

pattern, example XIV; typical specimen XVII. — (O)F. exemplaire — late L. exemplrium, f. L. exemplum EXAMPLE. So exemplary XVI. — late L. exemplris. exemplify XV. — medL. exemplificre.

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exempt

†removed, excluded from XIV; exempt from not subject to XV. — (O)F. — L. exemptus, pp. of eximere take out, deliver, free, f. EX-1 + emere take. So exempt vb. XV, exemption XIV.

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exequatur

(leg.) official authorization. XVIII. — L., ‘let him perform’, 3rd pers. sg. pres. subj. of exequ EXECUTE.

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exequies

funeral rites. XIV. — OF. — L. acc. exsequis, nom. -iæ funeral procession or ceremonies, f. exsequ follow after, accompany (see EXECUTE).

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exercise

employment, practice XIV; task prescribed for training or testing; religious observance XVI. — (O)F. exercice — L. exercitium, f. exercre keep busy or at work, practise, train, vex, f. EX-1 + arcre shut up, keep off, restrain, prevent. Hence vb. XIV.

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exert

†discharge, emit; exercise, bring to bear. XVII. f. exert-, pp. stem of L. ex(s)erere put forth, f. EX-1 + serere bind, entwine, join. So exertion XVII.

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exeunt

stage direction for certain actors to leave the stage. XV. — L., ‘they go out’, 3rd pers. pl. pres. ind. of exre go out.

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exhale

give off as vapour XIV; breathe or blow out XVI. — (O)F. exhaler — L. exhalre, f. EX-1 + halre breathe. So exhalation XIV.

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exhaust

draw off or out, drain. XVI. f. exhaust-, pp. stem of L. exhaurre, f. EX-1 + haurre, draw (water), drain. Hence as sb. XIX. So exhaustion XVII.

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exhibit

†offer, furnish, administer XV; submit to view, display XVI. f. exhibit-, pp. stem of L. exhibre, f. EX-1 + habre hold. So exhibition visible display XIV; †maintenance, allowance XV (surviving in spec. sense of school or college bursary XVII); public display of objects, etc. XVIII. — (O)F. — late L. (delivery, maintenance).

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exhilarate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. exhilarre, f. EX-1 + hilaris cheerful, gay; see -ATE3.

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exhort

XIV. — (O)F. exhorter or L. exhortr, f. EX-1 + hortr encourage. So exhortation XIV.

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exhume

XVIII (once XV). — F. exhumer — medL. exhumre, f. EX-1 + humus ground. So exhumation XVIII (once XV).

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exigent

†sb. exigency, extremity XV; adj. urgent XVII; exacting XIX. As sb. — OF. exigent sb.; as adj. — L. exigns, -ent-, prp. of exigere EXACT; see -ENT. So exigence, exigency XVI. — (O)F. and late L.

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exiguous

XVII. f. L. exiguus scanty in measure or number, f. exigere weigh exactly; see EXACT. -UOUS.

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exile1

enforced removal or absence from one's country. XIII. — (O)F. exil, latinized refash. of earlier essil — L. exilium, f. exul exiled person, f. EX-1 + -ul-, as in ambulre walk (see AMBLE). So exile^2 exiled person. XIV. prob. — (O)F. exilé, pp. of exiler, with muting of the final syll. as in ASSIGN2, etc., infl. by L. exul. exile^3 vb. make an exile of. XIV. — (O)F. exil(i)er, refash. of essilier — late L. exilire, f. exilium.

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exist

XVII. ult. — L. ex(s)istere appear, come forward, come into being, f. EX-1 + sistere take up a position, redupl. formation on sta- STAND; prob. immed. back-formation on existence XIV — (O)F. or late L. existent XVI. — L.

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exit

A
(theatr.) direction to a player to leave the stage (repl. EXEAT), (hence) departure from the stage XVI.

B
departure from life, death; egress, outlet XVII. In A 3rd pers. sg. pres. ind. of L. exre go out, f. EX-1 + re go; in B mainly — L. exitus, f. pp. stem of exre.
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exo-

prefix repr. Gr. éx outside. f. EX-2; used in e.g. exogamy (Gr. gámos marriage) custom of a man's taking a wife from outside his clan. XIX. exogen (bot.) plant of which the stem grows by deposit on the outside (- F. exogène). XIX.

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exodus

departure, spec. of the Israelites out of Egypt (hence, title of the second book of the Pentateuch, which relates this). XVII. — ecclL. Exodus — Gr. éxodos, f. EX-2 + hodós way.

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exonerate

†unload, relieve of a burden; relieve or free from an obligation, reproach, etc. XVI (pp. once XV). f. pp. stem of L. exonerre, f. EX-1 + onus, oner burden; see -ATE3.

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exorbitant

deviating from the right or normal path XV; (grossly) exceeding proper bounds XVII. prp. of ChrL. exorbitre, f. EX-1 + orbita ORBIT; see -ANT.

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exorcism

expulsion of an evil spirit by adjuration, etc. XIV. — ecclL. exorcismus — ecclGr. exorkismós, f. exorkizein, f. EX-2 + hórkos oath; see -ISM. So exorcist XIV. exorcize XV. — F. or ecclL.

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exordium

beginning of a discourse. XVI. — L., f. exordr, f. EX-1 + ordr begin, rel. to ord ORDER.

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exoteric

XVII. — L. extericus — Gr. exterikós, f. extér, compar. of éx outside; see EXO-, -IC.

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exotic

foreign, not indigenous. XVI. — L. exticus — Gr. extikós, f. éx outside (see EXO-).

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expand

XV. — L. expandere, f. EX-1 + pandere spread. So expanse wide extent. XVII. — L. expansum (n. of expansus, pp. of expandere). expansion XVII.

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expatiate

(arch.) walk about at large XVI; discourse at length XVII. — L. ex(s)patir, -t-, f. EX-1 + spatir walk. f. spatium SPACE; see -ATE3.

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expatriate

withdraw from one's native country. XVIII. f. medL. expatrire, -t-, f. EX-1 + patria native land. Hence expatriate sb., expatriation XIX.

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expect

†wait, wait for; look for in anticipation. XVI. — L. ex(s)pectre, f. EX-1 + spectre look (see SPECTACLE). So expectant XIV. — L. expectns prp. expectancy, expectation XVI.

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expectorate

eject (phlegm) XVII; spit XIX. f. pp. stem of L. expectorre, f. EX-1 + pectus, pector- breast; see -ATE3.

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expedite

†clear of difficulties; help forward, dispatch. XVII. f. expedt-, pp. stem of L. expedre extricate (orig. free the feet), make ready, put in order, f. EX-1 + ps, ped- FOOT; see -ITE. So expedient XIV. f. prp. of the L. vb. expedition †prompt action, dispatch; warlike enterprise XV; journey made for a purpose; prompt movement XVI. — (O)F. — L. Hence expeditious XV.

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expel

XIV. — L. expellere, f. EX-1 + pellere drive, thrust. So expulsion, expulsive, XIV.

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expend

XV. — L. expendere, f. EX-1 + pendere weigh, pay, rel. to pendre hang. Hence expenditure XVIII; after †expenditor officer having charge of expenditure XV–XIX (- medL., f. expenditus, irreg. pp. of expendere). So expense XIV. — AN. expense, alt. of OF. espense — late L. expensa, fem. of pp. expensive XVII. f. expens-, pp. stem; assoc. early with expense.

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experience

†trial; observation of facts; condition or event by which one is affected XIV; knowledge resulting from observation; state of having been occupied in some way XV. — (O)F. expérience — L. experientia, f. experr try; see EX-1, PERIL, -ENCE. Hence vb. XVI. So experiment †test, trial; action undertaken to discover or test something. XIV. Hence vb. †experience, ascertain, test XV; make an experiment XVIII. experimental XV. — (O)F. or medL. expert trained by experience XIV. — (O)F. expert, refash. of †espert after L. expertus, pp. of experr. expert one who is expert, specialist. XIX. — F., sb. use of the adj. expertise XIX. — F.

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expiate

†bring to an end XVI; avert evil from; do away the guilt of, make amends for XVII. f. pp. stem of L. expire, f. EX-1 + pire seek to appease (by sacrifice), f. pius devout, PIOUS; see -ATE3. So expiation XV. — L.

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expire

breathe one's last; come to an end XV; breathe out XVI. — (O)F expirer — ex(s)prre, f. EX-1 + sprre breathe. So expiration coming to an end, †death XVI; breathing out XVII (once XV). — L. Hence expiry dying, death XVIII; termination XIX. expiratory XIX.

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explain

unfold (a matter), give details of XV; †open out, smoothe; assign a meaning to XVII; account for XVIII. — L. explnre, f. EX-1 + plnus PLAIN. So explanation XIV, explanatory XVII.

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expletive

serving to fill out; sb. expletive word. XVII (used of a profane oath, etc. XIX). — late L. expltvus, f. explre, f. EX-1 + plre fill; see FULL, -IVE.

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explicate

unfold, †lit, and fig. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. explicre, f. EX-1 + plicre fold; see PLY1, -ATE3. So explicable XVI. explication XVI. — F. or L. explicit^1 XVII. — F. explicite or L. explicitus, pp. of explicre.

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explicit2

late L. formula used by scribes to indicate the end of a book or piece, prob. orig. short (on the analogy of INCIPIT) for explicitus est liber the book is unfolded or exhibited (see prec.), but regarded as a verb in 3rd pers. Sing. (‘here ends’).

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explode

†reject XVI; bring into discredit XVII (now chiefly in pp.); ‘go off’ or cause to do so with a loud noise XVIII. — L. expldere drive out by clapping, hiss off the stage, f. EX-1 + plaudere clap the hands. So explosion XVII. — F. or L. explosive XVII; sb. XIX. f. expls-, pp. stem.

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exploit

†progress, success XIV; †attempt to control or capture XVI; deed, feat XVI. ME. es-, exploit, -pleit — OF. esploit m., esploite fem. (mod. exploit, with latinized prefix) :- Gallo-Rom. explictum, -ta, L. explicitum, -ta n. and fem. pps. of explicre EXPLICATE; orig. ‘something unfolded or put forth’. So vb. †achieve XIV; †prosper XV; (after mod. F.) turn to account, make capital out of, esp. in unfavourable sense XIX. — OF. expleiter accomplish, enjoy (mod. exploiter) :- Gallo-Rom. explicitare, f. explicre. exploitation XIX.

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explore

seek to ascertain, examine into XVI; search into (a country, etc.) XVII. — F. explorer — L. explrre search out. So exploration XVI. — F. or L.

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exponent

interpreting XVI; sb. (math.) index of a power XVIII; expounder, interpreter XIX. — L. expnns, -ent-, prp. of expnere EXPOUND. So exponential (math.) XVIII. — F. exponentiel.

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export

†carry away XV; send from one country to another XVII. — L. exportre, f. EX-1 + portre carry (cf. PORT3). Hence sb. XVII. So exportation XVII.

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expose

deprive of shelter; lay open; disclose XV; exhibit or offer publicly XVII. — (O)F. exposer, based on L. expnere; see EXPOUND, POSE1. So exposition explanation, interpretation XIV; setting forth in description; displaying to view XVII. — (O)F. or L. expositor XIV. — (O)F. or late L. expository XVII. — late L. expositrius. exposure XVII.

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ex post facto

erron. division of medL. ex postfacto from what is done afterwards, i.e. ex from, out of, with abl. of postfactum, i.e. post after + pp. of facere DO1. XVII (attrib. XVIII).

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expostulate

†demand, urge, complain of; make friendly objections. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. expostulre; see EX-1, POSTULATE. So expostulation XVI. — L.

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expound

XIII. ME. expoun(d)e — OF. espondre (pres. stem espon-) :- L. expnere put out, publish, explain, f. EX-1 + pnere put, place, Cf. EXPOSITION (which serves as noun of action to the vbs. expose and expound).

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express

portray, represent; press out XIV. — OF. expresser — Rom. expressre, f. EX-1 + pressre PRESS; repr. in use L. exprimere. So adj. explicitly stated; specially designed for a purpose XIV (express train orig. special train, XIX). — (O)F. exprès — L. expressus distinctly or manifestly presented, pp. of exprimere. expression representation, manifestation XV; pressing out XVI. expressive †tending to expel XIV; full of expression XVII; serving to express XVIII. — F. or medL.

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expropriate

XVII. f. pp. stem of medL. ex- proprire, f. EX-1 + proprium PROPERTY; see -ATE3. So expropriation XV (rare before XIX).

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expulsion

see EXPEL.

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expunge

XVII. — L. expungere mark for deletion by points set above or below, f. EX-1 + pungere prick; see POINT.

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expurgate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. expurgre; see EX-1, PURGE, -ATE3. So expurgation XV (rare before XVII). expurgatorial XIX, expurgatory XVII. — modL. expurgtrius.

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exquisite

†ingenious, abstruse, choice XV; †accurate, exact; carefully elaborated; highly cultivated; consummate XVI; intense, keenly sensitive XVII. — L. exqustus, pp. adj. of exqurere search out, f. EX-1 + quærere search, seek; see -ITE.

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exsert

(biol.) thrust out or forth. XIX. f. exsert-, pp. stem of L. exserere (see EXERT).

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exsiccate

make dry, dry up. XV. f. pp. stem of L. exsiccre, f. EX-1 + siccre, f. siccus dry; see -ATE3.

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extant

†standing out or forth; (still) existing. XVI. — L. ex(s)tns, -ant-, prp. of exstre be prominent or visible, exist, f. EX-1 + stre STAND; see -ANT.

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extempore

adv. XVI; adj. XVII. f. L. phr. ex tempore on the spur of the moment, i.e. ex out of, tempore, abl. of tempus time. So extemporaneous XVII. — L. extemporlis, late L. -neus. extemporary XVII. Hence extemporize XVIII.

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extend

stretch out XIV; enlarge the scope of; stretch forth, hold out XVI. — L. extendere, f. EX-1 + tendere stretch, TEND2. So extension stretching, distension XIV; enlargement XVI; state of being extended, range XVII. — late L. extensi, -n-. extensive distended XV; of large extent XVII. — F. or late L. extent (hist.) valuation of property XIV; (leg.) seizure of lands, etc.; breadth or width of application, etc. XVI; length and breadth XVII. — AN. extente — medL. extenta, sb. use of fem. pp. of extendere.

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extenuate

†make thin, diminish, †disparage the magnitude of; underrate, seek to lessen the importance of. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. extenure, f. EX-1 + tenuis THIN. So extenuation XVI. — L.

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exterior

XVI. — L., compar. formation on exterus that is outside (itself a compar.), f. EX; cf. EXTREME.

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exterminate

†expel, banish XVI; destroy utterly XVII. f. pp. stem of L. exterminre, f. EX-1 + terminus boundary; see -ATE3. So extermination XV. — late L.

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external

exterior. XV. f. L. externus, f. exterus that is outside (cf. EXTERIOR); see -AL1.

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extinct

that has burned out XV; that has died out XVI. — L. ex(s)tinctus, pp. of extinguere, f. EX-1 + stinguere quench. So extinction XVI. extinguish XVI. irreg. f. L. ex(s)tinguere; see -ISH2.

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extirpate

root out. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. ex(s)tirpre, f. EX-1 + stirps stem or stock of a tree; see -ATE3.

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extol

†lift up; praise highly, boast of. XV. — L. extollere, f. EX-1 + tollere raise.

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extort

XVI. f. extort-, pp. stem of L. extorqure, f. EX-1 + torqure twist. So extortion XIII. — late L. extortionate XVIII. extortioner XIV.

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extra

that is beyond the usual XVIII; adv., sb. XIX. prob. short for EXTRAORDINARY.

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extra-

L. adv.-prep. extr outside (contr. of exter, abl. fem. of exterus EXTERIOR) used to form adjs. on the model of L. extrordinrius EXTRAORDINARY, extrmrnus extramural (f. extr mrs outside the walls), in which an adj. termination is added to a phr. consisting of extr governing an acc.

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extract

†pp. derived, descended XV; draw out or forth XVI; take out of, copy out XVII. f. extract-, pp. stem of L. extrahere, f. EX-1 + trahere draw. So sb. substance extracted XVI; passage excerpted XV. — L. extractum, sb. use of n. pp. extraction lineage, origin XV; drawing out XVI. — (O)F. — late L.

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extradition

XIX. — F., f. L. EX-1 + trditi TRADITION. Hence by back-formation extradite XIX.

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extraneous

XVII. f. L. extrneus; see EXTRA-, -EOUS.

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extraordinary

that is out of the usual course XV; exceptional XVI. — L. extrordinrius, f. phr. extr ordinem out of course, in an unusual manner; see EXTRA-, ORDINARY.

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extrapolate

find by calculation based on known terms of a series other terms outside them. XIX. f. INTERPOLATE by substitution of EXTRA- for inter-. So extrapolation XIX.

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extravagant

epithet of certain papal decrees not contained in particular collections. XIV; exceeding due bounds XVI. — prp. of medL. extrvagr, f. EXTRA- + vagr wander; see -ANT. So extravagance †digression XVII; unrestrained excess XVII; excessive prodigality XVIII. — F. extravaganza (mus., etc.) extravagant composition. XVIII. — It. (e)stravaganza; refash. after EXTRA-.

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extreme

last, final; utmost, exceedingly great; outermost, farthest. XV. — OF. extreme (mod. -ême) — L. extrmus, superl. corr. to exterus EXTERIOR. So extremity XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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extricate

unravel, disentangle. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. extricre, f. EX-1 + trcæ perplexities; see -ATE3. So extrication XVII.

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extrinsic

†exterior, external XVI; pert. to external aspects or conditions XVII. — late L. extrinsecus adj. outer, f. L. extrinsecus adv. outwardly, f. EXTRA- + -im (as in interim) + secus alongside of. The ending was assim. to -IC.

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extro-

alt. of L. extr outside, on the analogy of intr-/intr- inside; e.g. extroversion, -vert vb. XVII.

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extrude

XVI. — L. extrdere, f. EX-1 + trdere thrust. Hence extrusion XVI.

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exuberant

growing luxuriantly, abundantly fertile; abounding in health and spirits. XV. — F. exubérant — L. exberns, -ant-, prp. of exberre, f. EX-1 + berre be fruitful, f. ber fertile, rel. to UDDER; see -ANT. So exuberance XVII.

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exude

XVI. — L. ex(s)dre, f. EX-1 + sudre SWEAT.

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exult

†leap up; rejoice exceedingly. XVI. — L. ex(s)ultre, frequent. of exsilre, f. EX-1 + salre leap. So exultant XVII, exultation XV.

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eye

OE. ae, Angl. e = OFris. ge, OS. ga (Du. oog), OHG. ouga (G. auge), ON. auga, Goth. aug :- Gmc. auzan-, rel. ult. to IE. oq- on which are based many synon. forms, e.g. Skr. (Vedic) áki, Lith. akìs. OSl. (Russ.) óko, Gr. ósse (:- ókje) the two eyes, ómma (:- opma). ophthalmós eye, óps face, L. oculus eye, -x in atrx, ATROCIOUS, ferx FEROCIOUS.
Comps. eye-ball XVI. eyebrow XVI. repl. (dial.) eyebree (OE. agbrw). eyelash XVIII. eyelid , eyesight , eyesore XII. eyetooth , eyewitness XVI.

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eyelet

XIV. ME. oilet, oylette — OF. oillet (mod. œillet), dim. of †oil, œil :- L. oculus EYE; see -ET. The present sp. (eylet XVI) and pronunc. are due to assoc. with EYE and -LET.

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eyrie, aerie

nest of a bird of prey. XVI. -medL. airea, eyria, etc., prob. f. (O)F. aire :- L. area (see AREA).

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F

fa

see FAH.

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fable

XIII. — (O)F. — L. fbula discourse, story, f. fr speak (cf. FAME). So vb. tell tales XIV; relate as fiction XVI.

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fabliau

medieval French humorous tale in verse. XIX. — F., evolved from OF. (Picard) fablia(u)x, pl. of fablel, dim. of fable; see prec. and -EL2.

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fabric

edifice XV; construction or structure of a building XVII; textile stuff XVIII. — (O)F. fabrique — L. fabrica, f. faber worker in metal, etc. So fabricate construct XV; invent, forge XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. fabricre, f. fabrica. fabrication XV. — L.

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fabulist

XVI. — F. fabuliste, f. L. fbula FABLE; see -IST.

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fabulous

pert. to, of the nature of fables. XV. — F. fabuleux or L. fbulsus, f. fbula FABLE; see -OUS.

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façade

XVII. — F., f. face, after It. facciata; see next and -ADE.

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face

XIII. — (O)F. :- Rom. facia, alt. of L. facis form, appearance, visage. Hence vb. XV. facial †(in f. sight, vision) face-to-face XVII; pert. to the face XIX. — medL. facilis.

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facet

XVII. — F. faceíte, dim. of face; see prec. and -ET.

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facetiae

pleasantries. XVII. — L., pl. of factia jest. So facetious XVI. — F. facétieux.

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facia

var. of FASCIA.

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-facient

terminal el. repr. L. -facins, -facient-, prp. of facere DO1.

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facile

easy XV; easily led XVI; moving freely XVII. — F. facile or L. facilis, f. facere DO1; see -ILE. So facility XV. facilitate XVII. — F. faciliter.

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facsimile

exact copy. XVII (orig. two words). f. L. fac, imper. of facere make, DO1 + simile, n. of similis like, SIMILAR.

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fact

deed (now only in leg. use after, before the fact, etc.); something that has occurred, what has happened; truth, reality XVI; (pl.) circumstances and incidents of a case XVIII. — L. factum, sb. use of n. pp. of facere DO1. Hence (after ACTUAL) factual XIX.

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faction

XVI. — (O)F. — L. facti, -n-, f. facere DO1; see -TION, and cf. FASHION, in some senses of which this word was formerly used. So factious XVI. — F. factieux or L. factisus.

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-faction

repr. L. -facti, -n-, terminal el. of sbs. rel. to vbs. in -facere -FY, e.g. satisfaction; extended to cases like petrifaction, where the corr. L. vb. would be in -ficre.

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factitious

†made by art; made up for the occasion, XVII. f. L. factcius, f. fact-; see FACT, -ITIOUS1.

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factitive

- modL. factitvus, irreg. f. fact-, pp. stem of facere DO1; see -IVE.

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factor

agent XV; (math.) any of the quantities which multiplied together produce a given quantity XVII. — F. facteur or L. factor, f. fact-; see FACT, -OR1.

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factory

A
factorship, agency (Sc.) XVI;

B
merchant company's trading station XVI;
Top

C
manufactory, works XVII. prob. of mixed orig.; in A repr. medL. factria (see FACTOR, -Y3); in B repr. Pg. feitoria ( = It. fattoria, Sp. factoria, F. †factorie); in C, ult. — late L. factrium (recorded in the sense ‘oil-press’).
Top

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factotum

XVI. — medL. facttum, f. L. fac, imper. of facere DO1 + ttum the whole (cf. TOTAL).

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faculty

ability, capacity; †branch of knowledge (from medL. facultas); department of learning XIV; power, licence XVI. — (O)F. faculté — L. facults, f. facilis FACILE; see -TY2.

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fad

XIX. prob. the second el. of earlier fidfad (XVIII), shortening of FIDDLE-FADDLE.

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fade

lose freshness or brightness. XIV. — OF. fader, f. fade vapid, dull, faded :- Rom. fatidus, prob. resulting from a blending of L. fatuus silly, insipid, FATUOUS with vapidus lifeless, spiritless, VAPID.

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f(a)eces

dregs XV; excrement XVII. — L., pl. of fæx dregs.

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faerie, faery

fairyland. var. of FAIRY, perh. based on OF. faerie, adopted by Spenser in ‘The Faerie Queene’ (1590–6).

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fag1

†something hanging loose; last remnant XV; extreme end XVI (more fully fag-end XVII). of unkn. orig.

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fag2

†flag, decline XVI; work hard, toil; tire, weary XVIII. of unkn. orig.; cf. FLAG4, Hence fag sb. drudgery, fatique; in Eng. public schools, junior who performs duties for a senior XVIII (whence as vb., act as a fag XIX).

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fag3

(sl.) cigarette XIX. abbrev. of fag-end.

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faggot

bundle of sticks, etc., tied together. XIII. — (O)F. fagot, of uncert. orig.

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fa(h)

(mus.) fourth note of the scale in solmization. XIV. See UT.

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Fahrenheit

mercurial thermometer named after its inventor, G. Fahrenheit (1686–1736), German physicist. XVIII.

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faience

porcelain. XVIII. — F. faïence short for poterie or vaisselle de Faïence, i.e. pottery or ware of the Italian town Faenza.

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fail1

(sb.) default (now only in without fail). XIII. — OF. fail(l)e, f. faillir (see next).

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fail2

be wanting or insufficient; lose power; fall or come short, be in default. XIII. — (O)F. faillir be wanting :- Rom. fallre, for L. fallere deceive, used in the sense ‘disappoint expectation, be wanting or defective’. So failure XVII. orig. failer — AN. (leg.) failer, for OF. faillir, inf. used as sb. (see -ER5); assim. to the suffix -URE.

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fain

(arch.) glad, happy; used advb. gladly, willingly. XII. OE. fæ(e)n, corr. to OS. fagan, -in, ON. feginn :- Gmc. fazin-, -an-, f. fa?-, repr. by OE. efon, OHG. gifehan rejoice, and OE. efa, OHG. gifeho, Goth. fahps joy; ult. orig. unkn.

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fainéant

idler. XVII. — F. do-nothing, etymologizing sp. (fait does, néant nothing) of OF. faignant sluggard, prp. of faindre skulk (see FEIGN).

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fain(s)

(sl.) used in formulae, e.g. fains I, fainit, deprecating further actions. XIX. var. of fen, clipped form of FEND, in the sense ‘forbid’ or ‘ward off’.

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faint

†feigned; †sluggish XIII; †weak; inclined to swoon XIV; feeble, indistinct XVI. — OF. faint, feint feigned, sluggish, cowardly, pp. of faindre, feindre FEIGN. Hence vb. XIV.

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fair1

beautiful, pleasing OE.; free from blemish XII; favourable XIII; light-coloured (opp. dark) XVI. OE. fæer = OS., OHG. fagar, ON. fagr, Goth. fagrs :- Gmc. fazraz.

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fair2

periodical gathering of buyers and sellers. XIII. — OF. feire (mod. foire) :- late L. fria, sg. of classL. friæ holiday, rel. to festum FEAST.

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fairy

†fairy-land; †fairy-folk; †magic; diminutive supernatural being. XIV. — OF. fa(i)erie (mod. ferie), f. fay FAY; see -ERY. Cf. FAERIE. The application to a single being is peculiar to Eng. Hence fairyland XVI, fairy-tale XVIII.

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faith

trust; belief; faithfulness; loyalty. XII. ME. fe(i)þ — AN. fed, OF. feid, feit (pronounced feiþ) :- L. fids, fide- f. fid- var. of fd- in fdus trust-worthy, fdere trust, rel. to Gr. peíthein persuade, pístis faith, f. IE. bhidh- bheidh- bhoidh-, Hence faithful XIII.

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fake

‘do’, do for; do up, make so as to deceive. XIX (orig. thieves' sl.). Later form of †feak, †feague beat, thrash — G. fegen polish, furbish, sweep, (sl.) thrash, scold, rate. Hence as sb.

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fakir

Muslim religious mendicant or ascetic. XVII. — Arab. far poor, poor man.

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Falangist

adherent of the Falange (spec. use of falange PHALANX), Sp. Fascist party founded 1933; see -IST.

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falbala

XVIII; see FURBELOW.

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falcate

(nat. hist.) sickle-shaped. XIX. — L. falctus, f. falx, falc- sickle; see -ATE2. So falcated XVIII.

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falchion

broad curved convex-edged sword. XIV. ME. fauchoun — OF. fauchon :- Rom. falci, -n-, f. L. falx, falc- sickle. Latinized sp. with l appears XVI.

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falcon

XIII. ME. faucon — (O)F., obl. case of fauc :- late L. falc, -n-, of uncert. orig.; sp. (l) XV after Latin. So falconer XIV.

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falderal

trifle, gewgaw. XIX (XVIII as a meaningless refrain). Obscurely rel. to FAL-LAL.

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faldstool

movable prayer-desk XVII; armless chair used by prelates, etc. XIX. — medL. faldistolium — WGmc. faldistl = late OE. fældestl, fyld(e)stl, f. Gmc. falþan FOLD2 + stlaz STOOL.

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fall1

descent XII; lapse into sin; falling from an erect posture XIII; autumn (orig. †fall of the leaf) XVI. ME. fal(l), superseding OE. (e)feall and fæll, f(i)ell, fyll (:- falliz); partly — ON. fall, partly a new formation on FALL2.

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fall2

pt. fell, pp. fallen descend, sink. OE. str. vb. f(e)allan = OS., OHG. fallan (Du. vallen, G. fallen) :- Gmc. redupl. str. vb. fallan, perh. rel. to Lith. púlti fall, Arm. p'ul downfall.

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fallacy

deception XV; logical flaw, delusive notion XVI; delusive nature XVIII. — L. fallcia, f. fallx, fallc-, f. fallere deceive. So fallacious XVI. — (O)F. fallacieux. See -ACY, -ACIOUS.

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fal-lal

piece of finery. XVIII. One of various redupl. formations expressing the notion of something trivial; cf. FALBALA.

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fallible

XV. — medL. fallibilis, f. fallere deceive; see -IBLE.

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Fallopian

(anat.) applied to parts described by Gabriello Fallopio (1523–62), It. anatomist. XVIII; see -IAN.

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fallow1

ploughed or arable land OE.; ground ploughed and harrowed but left uncropped XVI. OE. fealh, fealg- = MLG. valge (G. felge); used as adj. XIV. Hence fallow vb. break up (land) as for sowing. OE. fealgian = MHG. valgen, velgen.

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fallow2

reddish-yellow (now only in fallow deer). OE. f(e)alu, obl. fealwe, etc. = OS. falu (Du. vaal), OHG. falo (G. fahl, falb), ON. flr :- Gmc. falwaz, f. IE. pol- pel- pl-, as repr. by Skr. palitás grey, Gr; poliós, pelitnós grey, pellós dark-coloured, L. pallre be pale, pullus grey, blackish, (O)Ir., Gael. liath, W. llwyd grey, OSl. plav white.

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false

wrong; untrue, deceitful; spurious, OE. fals adj. in false ewihta wrong weights, falspening counterfeit penny (cf. ON. falspeningr) and sb. ( = ON. fals) ‘fraud, deceit, falsehood’ — L. falsus adj. and falsum n. sb., prop. pp. of fallere deceive. In ME. reinforced by or newly — OF. fals, faus, fem. false (mod. faux, fausse) :- L. falsus, -a. Hence falsehood XIV. falsify XV. — F. or late L. falsity XVI. — L. falsits; cf. ME. fals(e)te treachery, fraud — OF. falseté (mod. fausseté).

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falsetto

(mus.) voice of a register above the natural. XVIII. — It., dim. of falso FALSE.

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falter

stumble in step or speech XIV; give way, waver XVI. of obscure orig.

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fame

reputation; †rumour, XIII. — OF. fame (now fâme in comps. only) — L. fma = Gr. phm speaking, f. IE. bh- in L. fr, Gr. phánai speak. So famous XIV. — AN. famous, OF. fameus (mod. fameux) — L. fmsus.

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family

XV. — L. familia household, f. famulus servant; see -Y3. So familiar XIV. Early forms familier, famuler are — (O)F. familier, †famulier, but forms in -iar(e) are also early and reflect the orig. L. familiris. familiarize XVII. — F. familiarity XIII. — (O)F. — L.

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famine

XIV. — (O)F., f. faim hunger :- L. fams.

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famish

XIV. Extended form (after vbs. in -ISH2) of ME. fame (XIV), aphetic — OF. afamer (mod. affamer) :- Rom. affamre, f. L. AF- + fams hunger.

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fan1

instrument for winnowing grain OE.; instrument for agitating the air XIV. OE. fann — L. vannus. Hence fan vb. OE. fannian. fanlight fan-shaped window over a door. XIX.

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fan2

abbr. of FANATIC. An early isolated use (phan, fann) is recorded from late XVII; the present use dates from late XIX and is orig. U.S.

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fanatic

†frenzied, as through divine or demonic possession XVI; marked by excessive enthusiasm XVIII; sb. †(religious) maniac; unreasoning enthusiast XVII. — F. fanatique or L. fnticus pert. to a temple, inspired by a deity, frenzied. f. fnum temple, FANE; see -ATIC. Also fanatical XVI. Hence fanaticism XVII.

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fancy

arbitrary or capricious preference, individual taste XV; imagination XVI; invention XVII. Early forms fantsy, fansey; contr. of FANTASY. Hence vb. XVI.

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fandangle

trinket, tomfoolery. XIX. perh. alt. (after newfangle) of FANDANGO, which was occas. used earlier in this sense.

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fandango

lively Sp. dance. XVIII. — Sp., of unkn. orig.

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fane

(poet.) temple. XIV. — L. fnum, prob. :- fasnom and rel. to friæ (see FERIAL).

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fanfare

XVII.- F., of imit. orig.

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fang

A
†capture, catch XI;

B
canine tooth, tusk XVI. Late OE. — ON. fang capture, grasp = OS., OHG. fang (Du. vang, G. fang), f. Gmc. fag-, fa?-, repr. by OE. fn capture, OS., OHG. fhan, ON. fá, Goth. fhan, rel. to L. pangere fix; the development of sense B is obscure.
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fan-tan

Chinese gambling game depending on divisions by four. XIX. Chinese fan t'an repeated divisions.

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fantasia

musical composition in which form is subordinated to fancy. XVIII. — It.; see FANTASY.

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fantastic

†imaginary XIV; †imaginative XV; extravagantly fanciful XVI. — (O)F. fantastique — medL. fantasticus, lateL. phantasticus — Gr. phantastikós, f. phantázein make visible, phantázesthai have visions, imagine; cf. next and see -IC. So fantastical XV. The sp. with ph- was frequent XVII–XVIII.

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fantasy, phantasy

†mental apprehension; †phantom; †delusive imagination; baseless supposition XIV; changeful mood XV; imagination XVI. — OF. fantasie (mod. fantaisie; = It. fantasia) — L. phantasia — Gr. -sí appearance (later, phantom), mental process, sensuous perception, faculty of imagination, f. phantázein; see prec. and -Y2.

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faquir

var. of FAKIR.

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far

OE. feor(r) = OS., OHG. fer(ro) (Du. ver), ON. fjarri, Goth. fairra :- Gmc. ferr, compar. formation on fer- :- IE. per-, repr. by Skr. pára, Gr. pér further, OIr. ire beyond.

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farad

(electr.) unit of capacity. XIX. f. name of Michael Faraday , English electrician (1791–1867), with assim. to the suffix -AD.

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farce

short dramatic work the sole object of which is to excite laughter. XVI. — (O)F. farce, orig. ‘stuffing’, f. farcir stuff :- L. farcre (in medL. pad out, interlard). The latinized form farsa, farcia, was applied in XIII to phrases interpolated in liturgical texts, hence to impromptu amplifications of the text of religious plays, whence the transition to the present sense was easy. Hence farcical XVIII.

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farcy

disease of horses allied to glanders. XV. Earlier farcin — F. :- late L. farcminum, beside farcmen, f. farcre stuff; so named from the purulent eruptions with which the affected animal is ‘stuffed’.

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fardel

(arch.) bundle, parcel. XIII. — OF. fardel (mod. fardeau) burden, load :- dim. of Rom. fardum; see -EL2.

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fare1

†journey OE.; (supply of) food XIII; passage money XV; passenger XVI. orig. two words, (i) OE. fær str. n. = OHG. far transit, landing-place, harbour, ON. far :- Gmc. faram; (ii) OE. faru str. fem. = MLG. vare, MHG. var, ON. fr :- Gmc. far; f. base of next.

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fare2

†go on a journey; get on (well or ill) OE.; †behave, act; happen. XIII. Now only literary. OE. str. vb. faran = ON. fara, OS., OHG., Goth. faran (Du. varen, G. fahren) :- Gmc. faran, f. far- : -IE. por- (cf. Gr. poreúesthai proceed; also FORD). Hence farewell int. (‘proceed happily’; see WELL3), orig. imper. phr.; also as sb. XIV.

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farinaceous

XVII. f. late L. farnceus, f. farna flour, f. far corn; see -ACEOUS.

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farm

fixed annual payment as rent, etc. XIII (orig. in to farm, at or in farm); tract of land leased; farm-house XVI. ME. ferme — (O)F. :- medL. firma fixed payment, f. L. firmre fix, settle, in medL. contract for, f. firmus FIRM1. Hence vb. †rent XV; let or lease out XVI. So farmer collector of revenue; bailiff, steward XIV; cultivator of a farm XVI. ME. fermour — AN. fermer, (O)F. fermier, which combined the uses of medL. firmrius and firmtor; in the more mod. uses apprehended as f. farm vb. + -ER1.

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faro

gambling card-game. XVIII. sp. of †Pharaoh, var. of †Pharaon — F. pharaon, title of the kings of ancient Egypt, which is said to have been applied orig. to the king of hearts in the game.

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farouche

shy and repellent. XVIII. — F., alt. of OF. faroche, beside forache :- medL. forasticus, f. L. foras out-of-doors.

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farrago

medley. XVII. — L. farrgo orig. mixed fodder for cattle, f. far, farr- corn, spelt.

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farrier

shoeing-smith, veterinary surgeon. XVI. — OF. ferrier :- L. ferrrius, f. ferrum horse-shoe, prop. iron. Hence farriery veterinary surgery. XVIII.

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farrow

†young pig OE.; litter of pigs XVI. OE. færh (fearh) = OHG. farah :- WGmc. far?a :- IE. porkos, whence L. porcus, Gr. pórkos pig, Lith. paras gelded pig, OIr. orc. Hence vb. XIII.

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fart

break wind. OE. feortan (in feorting vbl. sb.), ME. uerten (XIII), corr. to MLG. verten, OHG. ferzan (G. farzen, furzen), ON, freta :- Gmc. fertan, fartan, furtan :- IE. base perd- pord- pd-, as repr. by Skr. pard-, pd-, Av. prdn (3rd pl.), Gr. pérdein, Russ. perdét'.

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farther

adv. XIII; adj. XIV. ME. ferþer, var. of FURTHER, which came to be used as a compar. of FAR instead of †farrer, earlier †ferrer, a new formation with -ER3 on the orig. compar. (OE. fierr :- ferriz). So farthest adj. XIV (ferþest), adv. XVI.

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farthing

OE. forðing, -ung, f. forða FOURTH; see -ING3.

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farthingale

hooped petticoat. XVI. (Early forms vard-, verd-, fard-) — OF. verdugale, vertugalle, alt. — Sp. verdugado, f. verdugo rod. stick, f. verde green.

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fascia

(archit.) long flat surface or band XVI; (anat.) sheath investing an organ. XVIII. — L. fascia band, fillet, casing of a door, etc., rel. to fascis bundle.

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fascicle

bundle, cluster XV; part or number of a written work XVII. — L. fasciculus, dim. of fascis bundle. Also fascicule XVII; after F.

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fascinate

cast a spell over, bewitch. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. fascinre, f. fascinum spell, witchcraft. So fascination XVII. — L.

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fascine

(fortif.) long faggot. — F. — L. fascna, f. fascis bundle.

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Fascist

orig. member of the Fascio nazionale di combattimento ‘national fighting force’, formed by Benito Mussolini in March 1919 to combat communism. — It. fascista, f. fascio association (of forces) :- L. fascis bundle; see -IST. So Fascism.

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fash

(chiefly Sc.) annoy, trouble. XVI. — F. fâcher :- Rom. fastidicre, f. L. fastus disdain (cf. FASTIDIOUS).

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fashion

make, shape XIII; mode, manner XIV; established custom, conventional usage XV. ME. faciun, fas(s)oun — AN. fasun, (O)F. façon :- L. facti, -n-, f. fact-, facere make, DO1; cf. FACTION. Hence as vb. XV. fashionable XVII.

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fast1

firm OE.; rapid (after the adv.) XVI; dissipated XVIII. OE. fæst = OS. fast (Du. vast), OHG. festi (G. fest), ON, fastr; prob. orig. :- Gmc. fastuz (but transf. to other declensions in some langs.). So adv. firmly OE.; closely; quickly; rapidly XIII; dissipatedly XVII. OE. fæste = OS. fasto (Du. vast), OHG. fasto (G. fast almost), ON. fast :- Gmc. fast.

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fast2

abstain from food. OE. fæstan = (M)Du. vasten, OHG. fastn (G. fasten), ON. fasta, Goth. fastan :- Gmc. fastjan, f. fastuz; see prec. The gen. sense was ‘hold fast’, hence ‘keep, observe’ (as in Gothic), of which ‘observe abstinence’ was a spec. application. So sb. act or season of fasting. XII. — ON. fasta = OS., OHG. fasta.

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fasten

†establish, settle OE.; make fast, secure XII; become fixed or attached XIII. OE. fæstnian = OS. fastnon, OHG. fastinn, fest- :- WGmc. fastinjan, f. Gmc. fastuz FAST1; see -EN5.

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fastidious

†disdainful, scornful XV; easily offended XVII. — L. fastdisus, f. fastdium loathing; see -IOUS.

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fastness

quality of being fast; stronghold. OE. fstnes; see FAST1, -NESS.

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fat

adj. and sb. OE. fæt(t) = MDu., MLG. vett (Du. vet), OHG. feizzit (G. feist) :- WGmc. faitiða, pp. formation on Gmc. faitjan fatten (OHG. veizzen, ON. feita), f. faitaz adj. fat, repr. by OS. feit, OHG. feiz, ON. feitr. So vb. surviving in arch. fatted calf; OE. fttian. fatling XVI. fatten. OE. (e)fættnian (see -EN5). fatty XIV.

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fatal

†fated; fateful XIV; of fate or destiny XV; deadly XVI; disastrous XVII. — (O)F. fatal or L. ftlis, f. ftum FATE; see -AL1. So fatality XV. fatalism, fatalist XVII. cf. F. fatalisme, -iste, perh. the immed. source, and It. fatalismo.

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fata morgana

mirage seen on the Calabrian coast, once attributed to fairy agency, XIX. — It. fata Morgana Morgan le FAY (i.e. M. the fairy or witch), sister of King Arthur.

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fate

predetermination of events; predestined lot XIV; destiny (spec. fatal end), goddess of destiny XV. Not common before XVI. Orig. — It. fato, later — its source L. ftum, sb. use of n. pp. of fr speak (cf. FAME). Hence fateful XVIII.

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father

OE. fæder = OS. fadar (Du. vader) OHG. fater (G. vater), ON. faðir, Goth. fadar (once) :- Gmc. faðr :- IE. ptr, repr. also by L. pater, Gr. patr, Skr. pitár-, OIr. athir. For the change of d to ð cf. mother, gather, hither, together, whether.

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fathom

†embrace; †cubit; length made by the outstretched arms, 6 feet. OE. fæðm, corr. to OS. faðmos pl. two arms outstretched (Du. vadem, vaam 6 feet), OHG. fadum cubit (G. faden 6 feet), ON. faðmr embrace, bosom :- Gmc. faþmaz, f. base faþ- :- IE. pot- pet- pt-, whence also L. patre be open, Gr. ptalos spreading, broad. So vb. †encircle, embrace OE.; take soundings (of), get to the bottom of XVII. OE. fæðmian.

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fatidic(al)

prophetic. XVII. — L. ftidicus, f. ftum FATE + -dicus, f. weak var. of base of dcere say; see DICTION, -AL1.

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fatigue

weariness; fatiguing duty or labour XVII (mil. sense XVIII). — F., f. (O)F, fatiguer vb. (whence fatigue vb. XVII) — L. fatgre exhaust, weary, f. fatis in ad fatim, affatim abundantly, enough, prop. ‘to bursting’ (cf. fatiscre, -r burst open, gape open).

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fatuous

XVII. f. L. fatuus + -OUS. So fatuity XVII. — F. or L.

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faucet

(now U.S.) tap for drawing off liquid. XIV. — (O)F. fausset — Pr. falset, f. falsar bore.

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fault

†lack, default XIII; defect in character, etc.; error; culpability XIV; (geol.) break XVIII. ME. faut(e) — (O)F. faut(e) :- Rom. fallita, -tum, sb. use of fem. and n. of fallitus, pp. of L. fallere FAIL2. Hence faulty XIV.

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faun

ancient rural deity. XIV. — (O)F. faune or L. Faunus god or demi-god worshipped by shepherds and farmers and identified with Pan; perh. rel. to favre be FAVOURABLE.

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fauna

animals of a region or epoch. XVIII. modL. application of the proper name Fauna of a rural goddess, sister of Faunus (see prec.).

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fauvism

style of painting with vivid use of colour. XX. — F. fauvisme, f. fauve wild (beast); see -ISM.

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faux pas

XVII. — F.; see FALSE, PACE1.

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favour

friendly regard; partiality; †attraction, charm XIV; (arch.) appearance, countenance XV (hence ill-, well-favoured); gift as a mark of regard XVI. — OF. favo(u)r (mod. faveur; = It. favore) — L. favor, -r-, f. favre regard with goodwill, rel. to fovre cherish (see FOMENT). So favour vb., favourable XIV.

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favourite

sb. XVI; adj. XVIII. — F. †favorit (mod. favori, -ite) — It. favorito, pp. of favorire. f. favore FAVOUR. Hence favouritism XVIII.

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fawn1

young fallow deer. XIV. — (O)F. faon :- Rom. ft, -n-, f. ftus offspring.

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fawn2

(of a dog) show delight XIII; be servile XIV. ME. faunen repr. OE. fagnian, var. of fænian rejoice ( = OS., OHG. fagann, ON. fagna, Goth. faginn), f. fæen FAIN.

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fay

(arch.) fairy. XIV. — OF. fa(i)e (mod. fée; = It. fata) :- L. fta the Fates (pl. of ftum FATE) taken as fem. sg. in Rom.

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fealty

obligation of fidelity. XIV. ME. fe(a)ute, fealtie — OF. feau(l)te, fealte (mod. féauté) :- L. fidlits, -t-, f. fidlis faithful, f. fids FAITH; see -TY2.

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fear

sb. XIII. ME. fre, repr. OE. fr sudden calamity, danger, corr. to OS. vr ambush, MDu. vre fear (cf. Du. gevaar danger), OHG. fra ambush, danger, deceit (G. gefahr danger), ON. fár misfortune :- Gmc. fraz, -am, -. Hence fearful XIV. So fear vb. †frighten OE.; intr. and †refl. feel fear; regard with fear. XIV. OE. fran (more freq. in comp. fran) = OS. fron lie in wait, OHG. frn plot against, lie in wait, ON. færa taunt, slight. Ult. connections unkn.

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feasible

XV. — (O)F. faisable, †faisible, f. fais-, pres. stem of faire (:- L. facere DO1); see -BLE.

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feast

religious festival; sumptuous meal or entertainment. XIII. — OF. feste (mod. fte) :- L. festa n. pl. (taken as fem. sg. in Rom.) of festus festal, joyous, rel. to friæ (see FERIAL). So vb. XIV.

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feat

(notable) deed. XIV. ME. fete, later fayte — OF. fet, (also mod.) fait :- L. factum, sb. use of n. sg. of factus, pp. of facere DO1.

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feather

OE. feðer = OS. fethara (Du. veer), OHG. fedara (G. feder), ON. fjðr :- Gmc. feþr :- IE. petr, f. pet- pt-, repr. also by Skr. pátram wing, pátati fly, Gr. pterón, ptérux wing, L. penna (:- pet(s)n) PEN2. Hence vb. furnish with feathers OE.; move like a feather; present a feather edge (of an oar) to the air. XVIII. OE. efiðrian; from XIII (in pp.) a new formation on the sb.

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feature

†form, shape; †pl. elements constituting bodily form; lineaments of the face XIV; characteristic part XVII. — OF. feture, faiture form :- L. factra formation, creature, f. fact- pp. stem of facere DO1; see -URE. Hence vb. resemble in features; portray the features OF. XVIII.

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febrifuge

XVII. — F. fébrifuge — modL. febrifugus, f. the same elements as late L. febrifuga FEVERFEW.

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febrile

XVII. — F. fébrile or medL. febrlis, f. febris FEVER; see -ILE.

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February

XIII. The earliest recorded forms are feouereles (repr. as late as XVI. by feverell) and feouerreres moneð; — OF. feverier (mod. février) :- late L. (Rom.) febrrius, for L. februrius, f. februa n. pl. Roman festival of purification held on 15 February. The ME. type feverer is repr. as late as XVIII by (partially latinized) februeer; the present fully latinized form (februari) is found XIV.

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feckless

ineffective, futile; weak, helpless. XVI. f. Sc. feck effect, purport, efficiency, aphetic form of effeck (as in the feck for th'effeck), Sc. var. of EFFECT; see -LESS.

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feculent

turbid, as with dregs. XV. — F. féculent or L. fculentus, f. fæc-; see FAECES and -ULENT.

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fecund

XIV. — F. fécond or L. fcundus, rel. to flix happy, FOETUS. So fecundity XV.

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federal

XVII. f. L. fœdus, fœder- covenant; see -AL1. Hence federalism, federalist XVIII, federalize XIX. So federation XVIII.

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fee

estate in land (orig. on feudal tenure); payment for services or privileges. XIV. — AN. fee = OF. feu, fi(e)u, (also mod.) fief, pl. fiez :- Rom. feudum, medL. feodum, feudum, perh. — Frankish fehud ‘cattle-property’, i.e. OHG. fehu (G. vieh) = OE. feoh, cogn. with L. pecu, pecus (cf. PECULIAR), and d, as in allodium . Cf. FIEF.

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feeble

XII. — AN., OF. feble, var. of fieble (mod. faible), later forms of fleible :- L. flbilis that is to be wept over, (hence in Rom.) weak, f. flre weep; see -BLE. Hence feebly XIII.

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feed

vb. OE. fdan = OS. fdian (Du. voeden), OHG. fuoten, ON. fœða, Goth. fdjan :- Gmc. fðjan, f. fðan- FOOD. Hence sb. XVI.

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feel

vb. OE. (e)flan (see Y-) = OS. giflian (Du. voelen), OHG. fuolen (G. fühlen) :- WGmc. fljan, f. fl- :- IE. pl, pal- pl-, repr. also by OE., OS. folm, OHG. folma hand, L. palma PALM2, Gr. palám. Hence sb. XIII. feeler XVII, feeling XII.

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feign

XIII. — (O)F. feign-, pres. stem of feindre :- L. fingere form, conceive, contrive.

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feint1

feigned attack. XVII. — (O)F. feinte, sb. use of fem. pp. of feindre FEIGN.

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feint2

commercial sp. of FAINT, in feint lines. XIX.

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fel(d)spar

any of a group of crystalline white or flesh-red minerals. XVIII. alt. of G. feldspat(h), f. feld field + spat(h) spar. Cf. SPAR3. Hence feldspathic adj. XIX.

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felicity

XIV. — (O)F. félicité — L. flicits, t-, f. flx, flc- happy, orig. fertile, rel. to fcundus FECUND, ftus FOETUS; see -ITY. Hence felicitous XVIII. So felicitate †make happy; congratulate. XVII. f. F. — L.; see -ATE3.

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feline

XVII. — L. flnus, f. fls cat; see -INE1.

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fell1

skin, hide. OE. fel(l) = OS., OHG. fel (Du. vel, G. fell), ON. berfjall bearskin, Goth. þrtsfill ‘swelling-skin’, leprosy (= OE. þrstfell) :- Gmc. fellam :- IE. pello-, the base being repr. also by L. pellis skin.

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fell2

hill; wild stretch of land. XIII. — ON. fjall and fell hill, mountain, presumably rel. to OS. felis, OHG. felis(a) (G. fels) rock, Skr. p·yá- stone, (O)Ir. all rock (IE. pels-).

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fell3

(arch.) fierce, cruel, dire. XIII. — OF. fel :- Rom. fell; cf. FELON.

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fell4

strike down. OE. (Anglian) fellan, (WS.) fyllan, fiellan = OS. fellian (Du. vellen), OHG. fellen (G. fällen), ON. fella :- Gmc. falljan, causative of fallan FALL2.

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fellah

pl. fellahin Arab (esp. Egyptian) peasant. XVIII. — Arab. fell (pl. felln), f. falaa till the soil.

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felloe, felly

outer rim of a wheel; pl. the sections forming this. OE. felg, pl. felga, corr. to MLG., MDu. velge (Du. velg), OHG. felga (G. felge), of unkn. orig.

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fellow

†partner, associate XI; mate, peer XIII; one of a company or corporation XIV; man XV. Late OE. folaga — ON. félagi, f. fé (= OE. feoh FEE) + laz-, base of LAY1; primarily, one who lays down money in a joint undertaking. Hence fellowship XII.

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felly

var. of FELLOE.

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felo de se

one who deliberately puts an end to his life. XVII. AL. felo FELON, d s of himself.

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felon

adj. (poet.) cruel, wicked; sb. †wicked person; one who has committed felony. XIII. — (O)F. felon (OF. nom. fel) :- medL. fell, -n-, of unkn. orig. So felony †villainy, perfidy, crime XIII; (leg.) crime of greater gravity than a misdemeanour XIV. — (O)F. felonie; see -Y3. Hence felonious XVI.

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felt

stuff of rolled and pressed wool, etc. OE. felt, corr. to OS. filt (Du. vilt), (O)HG. filz :- WGmc. felta, felti, app. f. IE. pel- strike, drive (cf. L. pulsus PULSE1).

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felucca

small Mediterranean vessel. XVII. — It. feluc(c)a — Sp. †faluca, var. of falúa; of uncert. (prob. Arab.) orig.

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female

(adj. and sb.). XIV (femele, female). — (O)F. femelle :- L. fmella, dim. of fmina woman (see FEMININE). The present form is due to assoc. with male.

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feminine

†female XIV; (gram.); relating to a woman, womanly XV; (pros.) of rhyme XVIII. — (O)F. féminin, -ine or L. fminnus, -ina. f. fmina woman, f. IE. dh(i)- dhi dh suck, suckle, as in L. flre, Gr. thêsai suckle, Skr. dháyati sucks, etc. Hence femininism, and directly from L. fmina feminism, both c. 1850. femininity XIV, feminity XV. †feminie womankind. XIV. — OF.

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femoral

(anat.) pert. to the femur. XVIII. f. L. femur, -or- thigh, whence femur XVIII; see -AL1.

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fen

OE. fen(n) = OS. fen(n)i (Du. veen), OHG. fenna, fenni (G. fenn), ON. fen, Goth. fani :- Gmc. fanjam -jaz -j :- IE. pano-, rel. to Skr. páka- mud, OPruss. pannean marsh.

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fence

†defence XIV; art of fencing XVI; enclosing hedge, wall, etc. XVI; receiver of stolen goods XVII. ME. fens, aphetic of defens, DEFENCE. Hence vb. enclose, screen, protect (lit. and fig.) XV; practise the ‘science’ of ‘defence’ with the sword XVI; (sl.) deal in stolen goods XVII.

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fend

(obs. or arch.) defend XIII; ward off; make an effort XVI (now in fend for oneself XVII). Aphetic of DEFEND. Hence fender †defender XV; protective device XVII; see -ER1.

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fennel

OE. finugl, finule fem., fenol, finul m. — pop. forms fnuclum, -oclum of L. fæniculum, dim. of fænum hay; coincided in ME. with the adoption of OF. fenoil (mod. fenouil), from the same L. source.

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fenugreek

OE. fenogrecum, superseded in ME. by the adoption of (O)F. fenugrec — L. fænugræcum, for fænum græcum ‘Greek hay’.

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feoff

†(leg.) put in possession of, ENFEOFF. XIII. — AN. feoffer, OF. fieuffer, fieffer, f. fief FIEF. Now repr. by derivs. feoffee XV, feoffment XIV.

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feral1

deadly; funereal XVII. — L. frlis, perh. rel. to friæ (see FERIAL).

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feral2

wild, savage. XVII. f. L. ferus, rel. to Gr. thr wild beast, Lith. vris, OSl. zvr; see -AL1.

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feretory

portable shrine XIV; chapel for shrines XV. ME. fertre — OF. fiertre :- L. feretrum — Gr. phéretron bier, f. phérein BEAR2.

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ferial

pert. to a weekday XIV; †pert. to a holy day XV. — (O)F. férial, or its source medL. frilis, f. friæ holiday (cf. FAIR2). In ecclL. fria (whence feria , in vernacular use from XIX) is used with an ordinal numeral, to designate a particular weekday (e.g. secunda fria Monday, etc.), and hence in liturgical use for a weekday as dist. from a Sunday or other feast day. The use appears to have arisen from the naming of the days of the octave of Easter feria prima, secunda (etc.), ‘first, second (etc.) holy or festival day’; the designation was transferred thence to the days of ordinary weeks.

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ferment

leaven; fermentation (lit. and fig.). XV. — (O)F. ferment or L. fermentum, f. fervre boil. So vb. XIV. fermentation XIV. — late L.

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fern

OE. fearn = MDu. væren (Du. varen), OHG. (G.) farn :- WGmc. farna :- IE. porno-, whence Skr. pará- wing, feather, leaf; rel. further to Lith. papártis, Russ. páporotnik, (O)Ir. raith (:- pratis). The prim. meaning is doubtless ‘feathery leaf’; cf. also Gr. pterón feather, pteris fern.

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ferocious

XVII. f. L. ferx, ferc-, rel. to ferus FERAL2; for the second el. See EYE. So ferocity XVII. — F. or L.

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-ferous

see -IFEROUS.

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ferreous

pert. to iron. XVII. f. L. ferreus, f. ferrum iron; see -EOUS. So ferric XVIII, ferrous XIX. ferri-, formerly ferrid-, comb. form of L. ferrum. ferro- used as comb. form (see -O-) of ferrum.

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ferret1

half-tamed variety of pole-cat. XIV. — OF. fuiret, (also mod.) furet, by suffix-substitution from OF. fuiron (:- Rom. frin-), beside furon :- late L. fr, frn- thief, hence vb. XV.

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ferret2

†floss-silk XVI; stout tape XVII. prob. — It. fioretti floss-silk, pl. of fioretto, dim. of fiore flower.

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ferruginous

of the nature or colour of iron rust. XVII. f. L. ferrg, -gin- iron rust, dark red, f. ferrum iron; see -OUS.

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ferrule

band or cap of metal, etc., strengthening the end of a stick or tube. XVII (ferrel, -il). alt. (prob. by assim. to L. ferrum iron, and -ULE) of verrel, -il (XVII), later form of vyrelle, -ille, -ol (XV) — OF. virelle, (also mod.) virole — L. viriola, f. viriæ bracelet.

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ferry

place where boats pass over to transport passengers, etc. XII (in personal names), XIV. — ON. ferja ferry-boat or ferju-, as in ferjukarl, -maðr ferryman, -skip ferryboat = MDu. vre (Du. veer), MHG. vr(e) (G. fähre) :- Gmc. farjn, f. far- go (see FARE2). So vb. — ON. ferja = OS., OE. ferian carry, transport, OHG. ferren (MHG. vern), Goth. farjan :- Gmc. farjan.

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fertile

XV. — F. — L. fertilis, based on pp. formation fertus = Gr. phertós borne, f. phérein BEAR2; see -ILE. So fertility XV. Hence fertilize XVII.

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ferule

†giant fennel (providing rods) XV; rod used for punishment XVI. — L. ferula.

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fervent

XIV. — (O)F. — L. fervns, -ent-, prp. of fervre boil, glow; see -ENT. So fervid XVI. — L. fervidus. fervour XIV. — OF. fervo(u)r (mod. -eur) — L. fervor; see -OUR2.

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fescue

†straw XIV; small stick for pointing XVI; genus of grasses XVIII. Late ME. festu(e) — (O)F. festu (mod. ftu) :- Rom. festcum, for L. festca. The dissimilative change from festue to fescue appears XVI.

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festal

XV. — OF. — late L. fstlis, f. fstum FEAST; see -AL1. So festival adj. XIV; sb. XVI. — OF. — medL. fstivlis, f. L. fstvus, whence festive XVII. festivity XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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fester

†fistula; ulcer, suppuration. XIII. — OF. festre :- L. fistula. So vb. XIV. f. the sb. or OF. festrir.

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festoon

curved chain of flowers, etc. XVII. — F. feston — It. festone prop. ‘festal ornament’. f. festa FEAST; see -OON. Hence as vb. XVIII.

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fetch

go in quest of and bring back. Late OE. fe..(e)an, alt. of fetian; prob. rel. to OE. fatian, OFris. fatia, OHG. fazzn (G. fassen) grasp. perh. orig. ‘put in a vessel’ (cf. VAT).

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fête

sb. XVIII. — F., mod. form of feste FEAST. Hence as vb. XIX.

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fetid, foetid

stinking XVI. — L. ftidus, fœt-, f. ftre, fœt- stink. Hence fetidness XVIII.

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fetish

inanimate object worshipped by savages. XVII (fateish; earlier in form direct — Pg., fetisso). — F. fétiche — Pg. feitiço charm, sorcery, sb. use of the adj. meaning ‘made by art’ :- L. factcius FACTITIOUS.

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fetlock

XIV. ME. fete-, feetlak, fitlok, corr. to MHG. vizzeloch, vizloch, -lach (G. fissloch), rel. to G. fessel fetlock, deriv. of Gmc. fet- (:- IE. ped-), var. of the base of FOOT.

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fetter

sb. OE. feter, corr. to OS. pl. feteros (Du. veter lace), OHG. fezzera (early mod. G. fesser), ON. fjturr :- Gmc. feter, feteraz, f. fet- (see prec.), as in synon. L. pedica, Gr. péd. Hence (or orig. — ON.) vb. XIII.

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fettle

make ready, put in order. XIV. f. †fettle sb., OE. fetel girdle = OHG. fezzil (G. fessel) chain, band, ON. fetill bandage, strap :- Gmc. fatilaz, f. fat- hold (cf. FETCH). Hence sb. condition, trim. XVIII.

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fetus

var. of FOETUS.

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feu

(Sc. law) tenure or lease for a fixed return. XV. — OF. feu; see FEE.

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feud1

†active hostility XIII; state of mutual hostility XV. of obscure history. Northern ME. fede, later mainly Sc. (XIII–XVIII) — OF. fe(i)de, f. Gmc.; cf. OE. fæhð(u) enmity, OFris. fithe, fithe :- Gmc. fai?iþ (whence OHG. fhida, G. fehde), f. fai?-; see FOE and -TH1.

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feud2

(hist.) fief. XVII. — medL. feudum, feodum (IX), usu. taken to be of Gmc. origin. So feudal XVII. feudatory XVI.

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fever

OE. ffor m., corr. to MLG. feber, OHG. fiebar m. (G. fieber) — L. febris fem., of obscure orig. Reinforced in ME. from AN. fevre, (O)F. fièvre :- L. febris. Hence feverish XIV.

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feverfew

OE. feferfuge — late L. febrifuga, -fugia, f. L. febris FEVER + fugre drive away; the mod. form is — AN. fevrefue, fewerfue.

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few

OE. fawe, fawa, contr. fa, corr. to OS. fa(o), OHG. fao, f, ON. fár, Goth. pl. fawai; repr. Gmc. faw- :- IE. pau-, as in L. paucus, Gr. paûros small.

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fez

crimson cap formerly worn in Turkey. XIX. — Turk. (perh. through F.); named after the town Fez in Morocco, once chief place of its manufacture.

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fiacre

French hackney coach. XVII. Named after the Hôtel de St. Fiacre, Paris, where these carriages were stationed.

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fiancé, fiancée

XIX. — F., pp. of fiancer betroth :- Rom. fidantire, f. fidantia, f. L. fdre trust.

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fiasco

failure, breakdown, orig. in a dramatic or musical performance. XIX. — It., in phr. far fiasco lit. ‘to make a bottle’ (see FLASK), with unexpl. allusion.

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fiat

authoritative sanction or command. XVII. — L. ‘let it be done’, 3rd sg. pres. subj. of fier (see BE), used as passive of facere to do.

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fib

XVII. prob. short for fible-fable (fybble-fable XVI), redupl. formation on FABLE. So as vb. XVII.

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fibre

†lobe of the liver XIV; thread-like body in animal or vegetable tissue XVII. — (O)F. — L. fibra. Hence fibrous XVII; see -OUS.

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fibula

clasp, brooch; long bone on the outer side of the leg. XVII. L. fbula.

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-fic

repr. L. -ficus making, doing, causing to be (what is denoted by the first element of the comp.), f. weak var. of the stem of facere DO1, forming adjs. (i) from sbs., as pcificus PACIFIC; (ii) from adjs., as betificus BEATIFIC; (iii) from vbs., as terrificus TERRIFIC; (iv) from advs., only in beneficus BENEFICENT, maleficus MALEFIC.

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-fication

repr., through F. -fication, L. -ficti, -n-, formative of nouns of action (see -ATION) from vbs. in -ficre -FY. Many L. words with this suffix were adopted in OF. with their corr. vbs. in -fier, and from XIV such sbs. have been freely adopted in Eng., e.g. edification, mortification, purification, sanctification; and -fication is established as the gen. ending for nouns of action related to verbs in -fy, except such as repr. L. vbs. in -facere (cf. -FACTION). Formations not based on L. types are exemplified by beautification (XVII), Frenchification, jollification (XVIII), transmogrification (XVII).

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fichu

triangular piece of stuff worn on the neck, etc. XIX. — F., of uncert. orig.

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fickle

†false, treacherous OE.; changeful, inconstant XIII. OE. ficol, rel. to efic deceit, befician deceive (Gmc. fik-), and further to fcne deceitful, fcen deceit, deceitful (Gmc. faik-), corr. to OS. fkan, OHG. feihhan, ON. feikn portent.

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fictile

XVII. — L. fictilis, f. fict-, pp. stem of fingere fashion; see -ILE.

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fiction

something feigned, invention XIV; composition dealing with imaginary events XVI. — (O)F. — L. ficti, -n-, f. fict-; see prec. and -TION. So fictitious XVII. f. L. fictcius.

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fid

(naut.) conical pin, square bar; plug of oakum or tobacco. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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-fid

repr. L. -fidus cleft, divided, f. base of findere cleave, as in bifid.

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fiddle

stringed musical instrument played with a bow. OE. fiðele = (M)Du. vedel (veel), OHG. fidula (G. fiedel), ON. fiðla :- Gmc. fiþula of obscure orig.; cf. VIOL, VIOLA2, VIOLIN, and medL. vidula, fidula, vitula, etc. Hence vb. XIV. fiddler OE. fiðlere.

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fiddle-faddle

trifling talk or action. XVI. redupl. formation on FIDDLE.

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fideism

doctrine that knowledge depends upon faith. XIX. f. L. fids FAITH + -ISM.

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fidelity

XV. — F. fidélité or L. fidlits; see FEALTY.

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fidget

physical uneasiness with spasmodic movements. XVII. prob. f. (dial.) fidge (XVI) to move restlessly; the relation with similar synon. forms is undetermined, viz. †fig (XVI), (north. dial.) fitch (XVII) and fike (XIII) — ON. fíkja. Hence vb. XVIII.

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fiducial

XVII. — late L. fdcilis, f. ‘L. fdcia trust, f. fdere to trust, rel. to fids FAITH; see -IAL. So fiduciary XVII. — L. fdcirius.

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fie

excl. of disgust or reproach. XIII. — (O)F. fi :- L. fi.

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fief

feudal estate. XVII. — (O)F. fief FEE.

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field

open land, piece of land used for pasture or tillage OE.; ground on which a battle is fought XIII. OE. feld, corr. to OS. feld (Du. veld), (OH)G. feld :- WGmc. felþu; ult. rel. to OE. folde earth. ground, OS. folda, ON. fold and further to Gr. platús, Skr. pthú- broad.

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fieldfare

XIV (cf. once OE. feldeware ‘scorellus’), perh. f. feld FIELD + stem of FARE2.

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fiend

†enemy; the Devil. OE. fond = OS. fond (Du. vijand), OHG. fant (G. feind), ON. fjándi, Goth. fijands :- Gmc. prp. of fijjan hate (OE. foan, ON. fia, Goth. fijan), rel. to Skr. pyati blames, reviles. Cf. FRIEND.

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fierce

†brave, valiant; †proud; violent and intractable. XIII. — AN. fers, OF. fiers, nom. of fer, fier (mod. fier proud) :- L. ferus wild, untamed; see FERAL2.

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fiery

XIII. f. FIRE + -Y1.

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fife

flute-like instrument. XVI. — G. pfeife PIPE1 or F. fifre — Swiss G. pfifre (G. pfeifer) piper.

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fifteen,

etc., see FIVE.

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fig

(fruit of) the fig-tree. XIII. — (O)F. figue — Pr. figa :- Rom. fica, for L. fcus.

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fight

pt., pp. fought do battle, contend. OE. str. vb. feohtan = OS., OHG. fehtan (Du. vechten, G. fechten) :- WGmc. f?tan, formally identical with L. pectere comb. So fight sb. OE. feohte wk. fem., (e)feoht str. n., corr. to OS., OHG. fehta, OHG. gifeht (Du. gevecht, G. gefecht).

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figment

XV (rare before late XVI). — L. figmentum, f. fig-, base of fingere fashion.

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figure

A
numerical symbol XIII;

B
(bodily) shape or form XIII. — (O)F. — L. figra, f. fig-; see prec., -URE.
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So vb. XIV. So figurative XIV. — late L. figrtvus, f. fgrt-, pp. stem of L. figrre; see -ATIVE.

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figurine

XIX. — F. — It. figurina, dim. of figura FIGURE; see -INE1.

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figwort

name of plants reputed to cure ‘the fig’, i.e. piles. XVI. See FIG, WORT.

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filament

XVI. — F. filament or modL. flamentum, f. late L. flre f. flum thread.

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filbert

(nut of) the cultivated hazel. XIV. — AN. philbert, short for noix de Philibert (cf. Norman dial. noix de filbert) St. Philibert's nut, so named from its ripening about his day, 20 Aug.

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filch

XVI. of unkn. orig.

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file1

metal instrument for abrading surfaces. OE. fl = OS. fla (Du. vijl), OHG. f(ha)la (G. feile) :- WGmc. f?ala, f. IE. peik- cut, repr. also by OSl. psati write, Gr. pikrós sharp, bitter. Hence file vb.1 smooth with a file. XIII.

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file2

A
string or wire on which papers are strung XVI; collection of papers so preserved or arranged in order XVII.

B
line of men, etc., one behind another XVI. — (O)F. fil :- L. flum thread.
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Hence file vb.2 place on or in a file XV; †place (men) in a file XVI; move in file XVII.

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filial

XV. — (O)F. filial or ChrL. flilis, f. L. flius son, flia daughter. So filiation (theol.) becoming or being a son XV; relationship or descent as of a son XVII. — (O)F. — ChrL.

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filibuster

piratical adventurer. XVI. (flibutor, fleebuter). The ult. source is Du. vrijbuiter FREEBOOTER; later (XVIII) — F. flibustier, succeeded (XIX) by the present form — Sp. filibustero. Hence as vb. XIX.

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filigree

jewel work made with threads and beads. XVII. alt. of filigreen, var. of filigrane (XVII–XIX) — F. — It. filigrana, f. L. flum thread + grnum seed, GRAIN.

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fill1

A
full supply of food OE.;

B
quantity that fills XVI. OE. fyllu = OHG. fülle (G. fülle), ON. fyllr, Goth. (ufar)fullei :- Gmc., fulln, f. fullaz FULL. In B. f. FILL2, with which this sb. has always been associated.
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fill2

make full. OE. fyllan = OS. fullian (Du. vullen), OHG. fullen (G. füllen), ON. fylla, Goth. (= Gmc.) fulljan; f. Gmc. fullaz FULL.

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fillet

narrow flat band XIV; slice of meat or fish XV. ME. filet — (O)F. — Rom. dim. of L. flum thread; see -ET.

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fillip

movement made with a finger suddenly released from contact with the thumb XV; (fig.) stimulus XVII. imit. Also as vb. (XVI).

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fillister

rabbeting-plane. XIX. perh. based on synon. F. feuilleret.

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filly

young mare. XV. prob. much older if — ON. fylja, parallel to OHG. fulihha, ful(n) (G. füllen), f. Gmc. ful-, Cf. FOAL.

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film

†membrane OE.; thin pellicle, fine thread XVI. OE. filmen membrane, caul, prepuce = OFris. filmene skin :- Gmc. filminjam, f. fellam FELL1. Hence filmy XVII.

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filoselle

floss silk. XVII. — F. filoselle, superseding OF. filloisel — It. dial. filosello, for folisello :- Rom. follicellus cocoon, for L. folliculus FOLLICLE.

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filter

†felt XIV; piece of felt, etc., for freeing liquids of impure matter XVI; any apparatus for this XVII. — OF. filtre, var. of feltre (mod. feutre felt) — medL. filtrum — WGmc. filtir FELT. Hence as vb. XVI. So filtrate vb. XVII (hence sb. XIX). f. pp. stem of modL. filtrre.

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filth

†putrid matter OE.; unclean matter XIII. OE. flð = OS. flitha (Du. vuilte), OHG. flida; f. Gmc. flaz FOUL; see -TH1. Hence filthy XIV.

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fimbria

(techn.) fringe. XVIII. — late L. (earlier pl. fimbriæ). So fimbriate (her. and nat. hist.) fringed. XIX. — L. fimbritus; see -ATE2. fimbriated XV.

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fin

OE. fin(n) = MLG. finne, MDu. vinne (Du. vin); prob. ult. rel. to L. pinna feather, wing.

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final

XIV. — (O)F. final or L. fnplis, f. finis end; see -AL1. So finality XVI (once; not current till early XIX) — F. — late L. finally XIV. finalize XX.

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finance

†end; †settlement, payment XIV; supply, stock; †tax, taxation XV; (pl.) pecuniary resources; management of (public) money XVIII. — (O)F. finance †end, †payment, money, f. finer make an end, settle, procure, f. -fin end, FINE1. Hence financial XVIII. So financier XVII. — F.

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finch

OE. fin. = MDu. vinke (Du. vink), OHG. finc(h)o (G. fink) :- WGmc. fik-.

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find

pt., pp. found, OE. str. vb. findan = OS., OHG. findan (Du. vinden, G. finden), ON. finna, Goth. (= Gmc.) finþan, f. IE. base pent- (whence OIr. tain I find). Hence sb. XIX.

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fine1

†end, conclusion XII; final agreement, settlement of a suit; composition paid XIII. — (O)F. fin :- L. fnis, fn- end, in medL. sum to be paid on concluding a lawsuit. So, or — OF. finer, fine vb.1 †pay a fine XIII; impose a fine on XVI.

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fine2

consummate in quality XIII; delicate, subtle; handsome, excellent, admirable XIV; elegant XVI; (of the weather) XVIII. — (O)F. fin :- Rom. fnus, f. fnre FINISH. Hence fine vb.2 refine XIV; make fine, small, etc., XVI.

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finesse

†fineness, purity; delicacy, refinement; artfulness, artifice. XV. Many of the earliest exx. of fynes(se), fines are spellings of fineness, and it is difficult to determine the date of the adoption of F. finesse. See FINE2, -ESS2.

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finger

OE. finger = OS., OHG. fingar (Du. vinger, G. finger), ON. fingr. Goth. figgrs :- Gmc. fizraz, perh. :- IE. peqrós, f. peqe FIVE. Cf. FIST.

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fingering

kind of knitting wool. XVII. Earliest forms fingram, -rum, -rine; poss. alt. of OF. fin grain ‘fine grain’.

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finial

†adj. final; sb. (archit.) terminal ornament of an apex or corner. XIV. — AN. finial or AL. finilis, f. fn, fnis end; see -IAL.

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finical

over nice or particular. XVI. prob. academic sl. in orig. f. FINE2 + -ICAL. Hence finicking XVII, finicky XIX.

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finish

bring or come to an end XIV; bring to completion XV. — (O)F. finiss-, lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of finir, alt. from fenir :- L. fnre, f. fnis boundary, limit, end. So finite XV. — L. fntus, pp. of fnre.

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finnan

haddock cured with the smoke of green wood, etc. XVIII. Earlier forms findon, findram, fintrum, findhorn; name of the river Findhorn, confused with Findon, a village in Kincardineshire.

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fiord,

fjord XVII. — Norw. fjord :- ON. fjrðr :- Gmc. ferþuz (see FORD).

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fir

XIV. prob. — ON. fyri- (in fyriskógr fir-wood, etc.) :- Gmc. fur?jn, f. fur?, whence OE. furh(wudu) fir-wood, OHG. forha (G. föhre), ON. fura; cf. L. quercus (:- perkus) oak.

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fire

principle of combustion; burning material OE.; conflagration XII; heat of fever, passion, etc. XIV; firing of guns XVI. OE. fr = OS. fiur (Du. vuur), OHG. fiur, fuir (G. feuer) (cf. ON. poet. fúrr, fýrr), corr. to Gr. pûr, Umbrian pir, Czech pý, Arm. hur, Toch. por, pwr. Hence fire vb. OE. frian supply with firing; set on fire, lit. and fig. XIII; discharge, explode XVI.

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firkin

†cask; quarter of a ‘barrel’ XV (ferdekyn, ferken). prob. — MDu. vierdekijn, dim. of vierde FOURTH; see -KIN.

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firm1

fixed, immovable XIV; stable, not yielding XV. ME. ferm(e) — (O)F. ferme :- L. firmus. Conformed XVI to L. sp.

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firm2

†signature XVI; (style of) a commerical house XVIII. In the earliest use — Sp. firma, later — It. firma, of the same orig., medL. firma (cf. FARM), f. L. firmre strengthen, in late L. confirm by one's signature, f. firmus FIRM1.

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firmament

XIII. — (O)F. — L. firmmentum, f. firmre strengthen, f. firmus FIRM1; see -MENT. The L. word, meaning orig. ‘support, foundation’, was adopted in the Vulg., in imitation of LXX Gr. steréma (f. stereoûn make firm), as the rendering of Heb. ra vault of the sky, prob. lit. expanse, f. ra spread out, beat or tread out, (in Syriac) make firm or solid.

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first

OE. fyr(e)st = OHG. furist (furisto prince, whence G. fürst), ON. fyrstr :- Gmc. furistaz, superl. formation on fur-, for- (see FOR, -EST, and cf. FOREMOST) :- IE. pr, whence the various formations with superl. suffixes meaning ‘first’, e.g. Gr. prôtos, prtistos, L. prmus, Skr. prathamá-. Hence firstling first product or offspring XVI. See -LING1.

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firth

XV. orig. Sc. — ON. fjrðr FIORD.

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fiscal

XVI. — F. fiscal or L. fisclis, f. fiscus treasury, orig. rush-basket, purse.

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fish1

vertebrate water animal with gills. OE. fis. = OS., OHG. fisc (Du. visch, G. fisch), ON. fiskr, Goth. fisks :- Gmc. fiskaz :- IE. piskos, rel. to L. piscis, Ir. iasc, Gael. iasg. So fish vb. OE. fis.ian, fisher OE. fis.ere.

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fish2

mend (a broken spar, etc.) with a piece of wood (fish or fish-plate). XVII. — (O)F. ficher :- Rom. fgicre, intensive of L. fgere FIX. Hence (after F. fiche) sb. (naut.) piece of wood used to strengthen another XVII; plate of iron, etc., to protect or strengthen a beam, rail, etc. XIX.

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fish3

flat piece of bone, etc., used as a counter in games. XVIII. — F. fiche, f. ficher (see prec.), assoc. with FISH1.

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fissile

XVII. — L. fissilis, f. fiss-, pp. stem of findere cleave; see -ILE. So fission XIX. fissure XIV. — (O)F. fissure or L. fissra.

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fist

clenched hand. OE. fst = MLG. fst (Du. vuist), OHG. fst (G. faust) :- WGmc. fsti, perh. :- f?stiz :- fun?stiz :- IE. pqstis (whence OSl. pst), f. peqe FIVE; cf. FINGER. Hence fistic XIX, fistical XVIII. fisticuffs XVII; prob. f. fisty adj. (XVII) + pl. of CUFF2.

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fit1

†dangerous position or experience XIV; paroxysm, sudden state of activity XVI. OE. fitt (once) prob. ‘conflict’. of unkn. orig. Hence fitful XVII.

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fit2

well suited, proper XIV; qualified, prepared XVI. perh. pp. of next.

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fit3

be or make proper or suitable; supply, equip. XVI. In these senses not recorded before late XVI, but a verb fitte marshal forces (XIV) may point to a ME. vb. with the gen. sense ‘arrange, adjust, match’; cf. (rare) ME. fitte person's match (XIII). Hence sb. XVII.

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fitchew

polecat and its fur. XIV. — OF. ficheau, dial. var. of fissel, later fissau, dim. of a word appearing in early Du. as fisse, visse, vitsche, whence ult. also synon. fitch XVI.

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five

repr. inflected form ffe (ffa, ffum) of OE. ff = OS. ff (Du. viif), OHG. fimf, finf (G. fünf), ON. fimm, Goth. fimf :- Gmc. fimfi :- IE. pempe, alt. by assim. from peqe, whence Skr. páñca, Gr. pénte, L. quínque, OIr. cóic, OW. pimp (mod. pump), Lith. penki. So fifteen. OE. fftne (-tene) = OS. fiftein (Du. viijftien), OHG. fimfzehan (G. fünfzehn), ON. fimtán, Goth. fimftaihun. Hence fifteenth. Late OE. fftnða (XI); see -TEEN. fifth. OE. ffta = OS. ffto (Du. viifde), OHG. fimfto (G. fünfte), ON. fimti; the standard form has -TH2 after fourth. fifty. OE. ffti = OS. fftich (Du. vijftig), OHG. fimfzug (G. fünfzig), ON. fimmtigr, Goth. fimftigjus; see -TY1. Hence fiftieth. OE. fiftieoða.

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fives

ball-game. XVII. pl. of FIVE; of uncert. orig., but perh. so called because orig. played by two teams of five persons.

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fix

make firm or stable XV; place in a definite position or state XVI. Partly f. pp. †fix (XIV) — OF. fix (mod. fixe) or its source L. fxus, pp. of fgere fix, fasten; partly — medL. fxre, f. L. fxus. Hence sb. (orig. U.S.) XIX. So fixation XIV. — medL. fixity XVII. fixture XVII. alt. of †fixure (XVII) — late L. fixra.

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fizz

make a hissing sound, as of effervescence. XVII. imit.; cf. next. Hence as sb. †disturbance XVIII; effervescing sound, (sl.) champagne XIX.

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fizzle

†break wind silently XVI; (orig. U.S.) come to a lame conclusion, fail XIX. app. f. FIZZ (but this is recorded later) + -LE3.

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flabbergast

XVIII. perh. fanciful formation on FLABBY and AGHAST.

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flabby

XVII. Expressive alt. of synon. flappy (XVI), f. FLAP + -Y1.

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flaccid

XVII. — F. flaccide or L. flaccidus, f. flaccus flabby; see -ID1.

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flag1

plant of the genus Iris; (formerly) reed, rush. XIV. of unkn. orig.; cf. Du. flag, Da. flæg yellow iris.

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flag2

turf, sod XV; flat slab of stone XVII. prob. of Scand. orig.; cf. Icel. flag spot where a turf has been cut out, ON. flaga slab of stone (cf. FLAW1).

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flag3

piece of stuff used as a standard or signal. XVI. perh. orig. an application of †flag adj. (see next).

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flag4

†hang down; become limp or feeble. XVI. rel. to †flag adj. hanging loose (XVI), of unkn. orig. Cf. FAG1, FAG2.

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flagellant

XVI. — L. flagellns, -ant-, prp. of flagellre whip (whence flagellate XVII, flagellation XV), f. flagellum, dim. of flagrum scourge; see -ANT.

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flageolet

XVII. — F., dim. of OF. flag(e)ol (whence ME. flagel XIV) — Pr. flaujol, of unkn. orig.; see -ET.

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flagitious

XIV. — L. flgitisus, f. flgitium noisy protest against a person's conduct, scandal, (hence) shameful act, crime, f. flgitre demand earnestly or vociferously; see -IOUS.

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flagon

XV. ME. flakon, flagan — AN. flagon, (O)F. flacon, earlier flascon :- late L. flasc, -n- FLASK.

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flagrant

(arch. or obs.) blazing, burning, ardent XV; glaring, notorious XVIII. — F. flagrant or L. flagrus, -ant-, prp. of flagrre burn, blaze, f. flag-, repr. a var. of IE. bhleg- (cf. FULGENT); see -ANT.

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flail

sb. OE. fleil (once late fliel), ME. flezzl, fleil, fleyl = OS. flegil, (M)Du. vlegel, (O)HG. flegel :- WGmc. flagil, prob. — L. flagellum scourge, (in Vulgate) flail (whence OF. flaiel, fleel). Examples of the Eng. word are rare before XV, and the late ME. currency was prob. due to adoption from OF. or MDu.

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flair

sagacious perceptiveness. XIX. — F., f. flairer smell :- Rom. flgrre, for L. frgrre.

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flak

anti-aircraft fire. XX. — G., f. initials of fliegerabwehrkanone ‘aircraft-defence-gun’.

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flake

one of the small pieces in which snow falls XIV; piece of ignited matter thrown off XIV; flat or scaly fragment XV. immed. source(s) unkn.; cf. Norw. flak, flk patch, flake, flake form into flakes, Sw. isflak ice-floe, ON. flakna flake off, split. Cf. FLAW1. Hence vb. XV.

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flambeau

torch. XVII. — (O)F., dim. of flambe, †flamble :- L. flammula, dim. of flamma FLAME.

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flamboyant

(orig. archit.) characterized by waved flame-like forms; flamingly coloured. XIX. — F., prp. of flamboyer, f. flambe; see prec.

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flame

sb. XIV. ME. flaume, flam(m)e — AN. flaume, OF. flame, (also mod.) flamme :- L. flamma, f. base repr. by FLAGRANT. So as vb. XIV. — OF. flam(m)er.

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flamen

†supposed grade of priest in heathen Britain XIV; priest of a particular deity in ancient Rome XVI. — L. flmen.

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flamingo

XVI. — Pg. flamengo — Pr. flamenc, f. flama FLAME + Gmc. suffix -ig- -ING3; so named because of its bright plumage.

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flan

disc of metal before stamping; open tart. XIX. — F. flan, OF. flaon :- late L. flad — Frankish flado (G. fladen), prob. rel. to Gr. platús broad.

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flange

widening part XVII; projecting flat rim XVIII. of uncert. orig.

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flank

side of the body of an animal XII; side of an army XVI. — (O)F. flanc — Frank. hlanca side; cf. FLINCH, LINK1.

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flannel

woollen stuff. XIV. Early forms flanell, beside fian(n)en, flan(n)ing; the latter are perh. the orig. forms and — W. gwlanen woollen article, f. gwlân WOOL.

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flap

†blow XIV; fly-flapper XV; loose pendent part XVI. flap vb. strike with something flexible and broad XIV; (of birds) beat the wings XVI. prob. imit.; cf. Du. flap blow, fly-flapper, lid of a can, flappen strike, clap. Hence flapper one who or that which flaps XVI; young partridge XIX (hence sl., young woman XX).

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flare

spread out, as hair, etc. XVI; burn with a spreading flame XVII. of unkn. orig. Hence sb. XIX.

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flash

sudden burst of flame or light XVI; sudden rush of water; superficial brilliance; brilliant or showy person; †(sl.) wig XVII; ornament sewn to the collar of a tunic XIX. f. flash vb., first with ref. to the rushing or dashing of water (XIV), its application to light or flame being doubtful before XVI. Hence flashy XVI, of which flash adj. (XVII) is a partial syn. App. of echoic orig.

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flask

†container for wine, clothing XIV; case for gunpowder XVI; (wine) bottle with long, narrow neck XVII. In the second sense — F. flasque, in the third prob. — It. fiasco; the F. form (OF. flasche, flaske) repr. medL. flasca, the It. form late L. flasc (see FLAGON); ult. orig. dubious. Cf. OE. flas.e, flaxe.

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flat1

level, prostrate XIV; not curved or undulating XV; unqualified, plain, dull, below true pitch XVI; of drink XVII; in many sb. uses from XIV. — ON. flatr = OHG. flaz :- Gmc. flataz, of uncert. orig. Hence flatten vb. XVII; see -EN5.

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flat2

storey of a house; suite of rooms on one floor. XIX. alt. by assoc. with prec. of Sc. flet inner part of a house (OE. flet floor, dwelling :- Gmc. flatjam, f. flataz FLAT1).

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flatter

XIII. of unkn. orig.; perh. back-formation from flattery (XIV) — (O)F. flatterie, f. flatter vb. flatter, prob. f. Gmc. flat- FLAT1, and orig. meaning ‘pat, smooth, caress’.

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flatulent

XVI. — F. — modL. fltulentus, f. L. fltus blowing, blast, f. flre BLOW1; see -ULENT. So flatulence XIX, flatulency XVII.

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flaunt

(intr.) wave gaily or proudly; display (oneself) ostentatiously. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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flautist

XIX. — It. flautista, f. flauto FLUTE; see -IST.

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flavine

(chem.) yellow dye-stuff. XIX. f. L. flvus yellow + -INE5. So flavo- comb. form.

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flavour

smell, aroma XIV; element in the taste of a substance depending on the sense of smell XVII. — OF. flaor, infl. by savour.

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flaw1

†flake XIV; fissure, rift; blemish XVII. perh. from ON. flaga slab of stone, prob. :- Gmc. fla?-, flaz-, parallel and synon. with flak- (cf. FLAKE).

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flaw2

sudden squall, etc. XVI. prob. — MLG. vlge, MDu. vlaghe (Du. vlaag), the primary sense of which may be ‘stroke’ (cf. FLAY).

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flax

blue-flowered plant producing textile fibre and linseed. OE. flæx (fleax) = (M)Du. vlas, OHG. flahs (G. flachs) :- WGmc. fla?sa, prob. to be referred to Gmc. fla?- fle?- :- IE. plok- plek- in Gr. plékein, L. plectere, G. flechten plait. Hence flaxen XVI. See -EN3.

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flay

strip off the skin of OE.; with skin as obj. XIII. OE. str. vb. flan = MDu. vlae(gh)en (Du. vlaen), ON. flá :- Gmc. fla?an, of unkn. orig.; str. forms lasted till XV in pt. flogh, till XVII in pp. flain, flean; but wk. forms were current in XVI.

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flea

OE. fla(h), corr. to MLG., MDu. vl (Du. vlo), OHG. flh (G. floh), ON. fló; perh. rel. to FLEE.

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fleam

lancet. XVI. — OF. flieme (mod. flamme) :- Rom. fleutomum, for late L. phlebotomus — Gr. phlebotómon, sb. use of n. of adj. (see PHLEBOTOMY).

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fleck

spot, speck. XVI. The earliest recorded words of the group are flecked ppl. adj. dappled XIV and fleck vb. XV; the proximate source may be synon. ON. flekkr sb., flekka vb., or MLG., MDu. vlecke (Du. vlek) = OHG. flec, fleccho (G. fleck, flecken), of unkn. orig.

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fledge

acquire or provide with feathers. XVI. f. †fledge adj. (XIV) having feathers (for flight), repr. var. fle.e of OE. fly.e recorded only in unfligge (?) glossing L. implumes; corr. to MDu. vlugghe (Du. vlug), OHG. flucchi :- WGmc. fluzzja, f. fluz-, weak base of Gmc. fleuzan FLY2. Hence fledgeling XIX; see -LING1.

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flee

pt. and pp. fled. OE. str. vb. flon = OS. fliohan (MDu. vlen, Du. vlieden), OHG. fliohan (G. fliehen), ON. flý(j)a, Goth. þliuhan. the str. forms continued till XV; but wk. forms occur as early as XIII. Flee and fly in OE. had identical pt. and pp., and in later usage became interchangeable in sense.

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fleece

sb. OE. flos = Du., (M)HG. vlies :- WGmc. fleusa, and OE. fls (WS. fles) = MLG. vlüs, MDu. vluus, MHG. vlius :- WGmc. fleusi, rel. to MLG., MHG. vls sheepskin (G. flaus woollen coat) :- flsa-; prob. ult. rel. to the base of L. plma PLUME. Hence vb. lit. and fig. XVI.

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fleer

†grin, grimace XIV; laugh mockingly, gibe XV. prob. of Scand. orig.; cf. Norw. and Sw. dial. flira, Da. dial. flire grin, laugh unbecomingly.

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fleet1

naval force. OE. flot (once) ship or ships coll., f. flotan float, swim, FLEET3.

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fleet2

(dial.) run of water OE.; (hist.) The Fleet that flowing into the Thames between Ludgate Hill and Fleet Street; (hence) the prison near it XIII. OE. flot (also flote or -a), corr. to OFris. flt, (M)Du. vliet, MHG. vliez, ON. fljót, f. Gmc. fleut -FLEET3.

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fleet3

†float OE.; (arch.) flow or glide away XII. OE. str. vb. flotan float, swim = OS. fliotan (Du. vlieten), OHG. fliozan (G. fliessen), ON. fljóta float, flow :- Gmc. fleutan; f. IE. pleud- plud-, extension of pleu- plou- plu- (repr. by Gr. pleîn :- pleFfein sail, OSl. pluti, Skr. plávate swim, float, L. pluere rain); cf. FLY2. Surviving mainly in fleeting ppl. adj. †floating, swimming OE.; †shifting, inconstant XIII; passing quickly away XVI.

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fleet4

swift. XVI. prob. much older if — ON. fljótr, f. Gmc. fleut- (see prec.).

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Flemish

pert. to Flanders or its inhabitants XIV; sb. the form of Dutch spoken in Flanders XVIII. — MDu. Vlmisch (Du. Vlaamsch). So Fleming native of Flanders. XV. — MDu. Vlming, f. Vlam-, whence Vlaanderen Flanders; see -ISH1, -ING2.

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flense

cut up the fat of a whale, skin a seal. XIX. — Da. flense. Also flench, flinch.

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flesh

sb. OE. flæs. = OS. flsk (Du. vlees), OHG. fleisc (G. fleisch), ON. flesk pork, bacon :- Gmc. flaiskaz, -iz; rel. to FLITCH, the orig. meaning being ‘slice, slit, split’ (cf. Lith. pléieti crack). Hence vb. reward (a hawk, etc.) with a portion of the quarry; inure to bloodshed, gen. initiate; inflame, incite; plunge into flesh. XVI. fleshly OE. flæs.li.. fleshpot XVI, fleshy XIV.

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fletcher

(hist.) arrow-maker. XIV. — OF. flech(i)er, f. fleche arrow, of unkn. orig. See -ER2.

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fleur-de-lis

iris flower; heraldic lily. XIX. ME. flour de lys — OF., i.e. flour FLOWER, de of, lis (L. llium LILY).

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fleury, flory

(her.) decorated with fleurs-de-lis. XV. — OF. flo(u)ré (mod. fleuré), f. fleur FLOWER; see -Y5.

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flew

see FLY2.

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flews

chaps of a hound. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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flex1

bend. XVI. f. flex-, pp. stem of L. flectere bend. So flexible XV. — (O)F. or L. flexion XVII, flexure XVI. — L.

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flex2

flexible insulated electric wire. XX. Shortening of FLEXIBLE.

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flibbertigibbet

(dial.) chattering person XV; flighty woman XVI; †name of a fiend XVII; character so nicknamed in Scott's ‘Kenilworth’ (1821); hence, impish urchin. The earliest forms, flibbergib, flebergebet, are perh. imit. of senseless chatter.

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flick

slight blow as with the end or tip of something. XV. imit. Hence vb. XIX.

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flicker

†flutter, hover OE.; †fondle, dally XIII; flutter, vibrate XV; burn fitfully, flash up and die away XVII. OE. flicorian, flicerian (cf. LG. flickern, Du. flikkeren), synon, in its earliest use with ME. flakere, prob. repr. an OE. flacorian, f. flacor (of arrows) flying, f. imit. base flak-, repr. also in MHG. vlackern flicker (G. flackern), ON. flkra flutter. Hence sb. XIX.

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flight1

act of flying OE.; collection of beings or things flying together XIII; volley (of missiles) XVI; set of steps XVIII. OE. flyht, corr. to OS. fluht, (M)Du. vlucht :- WGmc. flu?ti, f. weak grade of Gmc. fleuzan FLY2. Hence flighty †swift, rapid XVI; given to flights of fancy, etc.; inconstant XVIII.

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flight2

act of fleeing. OE. flyht = OS., OHG. fluht (Du. vlucht, G. flucht), ON. flótti, f. the base of FLEE.

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flimsy

XVII. orig. dial. or sl.; prob. based on flim-flam nonsense, humbug, adj. frivolous, vain (XVI), symbolic redupl. formation. See -SY.

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flinch

give way, draw back XVI; shrink or wince from pain XVII. — OF. flenchir, flainchir turn aside — WGmc. ?lakjan, whence (M)HG. lenken bend, turn; rel. to FLANK.

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flinders

(dial.) shivers, splinters. XV. prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. Norw. flindra thin chip or splinter).

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fling

pt. and pp. flung (intr.) move with violence XIII; (trans.) cast, hurl XIV. perh. of Scand. orig. (cf. ON. flengja flog).

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flint

OE. flint = MDu. vlint, rel. to OHG. (G. dial.) flins; perh. rel. to Gr. plinthos tile (see PLINTH).

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flip1

give a smart blow or jerk to; strike (something) in this way. XVI. prob. contr. of FILLIP; but cf. flip-flap (XVI), redupl. form. on FLAP. Hence as sb. XVII.

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flip2

mixture of beer and spirit sweetened and heated with a hot iron. XVII. perh. f. prec. vb. with the notion of ‘whipping up’ into froth.

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flippant

†nimble, pliant; †voluble, glib XVII; showing unbecoming levity XVIII. f. FLIP1 + -ANT. Hence flippancy XVIII.

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flirt

A
†smart stroke; sudden jerk XVI;

B
†flighty woman XVI; one who plays at courtship XVIII. This, with the corr. vb. of similar date and parallel meanings, seems to be an imit. formation.
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Hence flirtation XVIII; whence flirtatious XIX.

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flit

remove to another place, trans. and intr. XII. — ON. flytja, f. flut-, weak grade of the base of fljóta (see FLEET3).

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flitch

side of a hog. OE. fli..e, corr. to MLG. vli(c)ke, ON. flikki :- Gmc. flikkjam; rel. to FLESH.

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flitter

XV. f. FLIT + -ER4.

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float

vb. Late OE. flotian = OS. flotn (MDu. vlten), ON. flota :- Gmc. flotjan, f. flot-, weak grade of base of FLEET3. Reinforced in ME. by, if not entirely due to, OF. floter (mod. flotter) :- Rom. flottre, prob. — Gmc. flot-, floatation see FLOTATION, So float sb. OE. flot sea. = ON. flot and OE. flota ship, fleet = ON. floti; various mod. uses are f. the vb.

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flocculent

like tufts of wool. XIX. f. L. floccus FLOCK2 + -ULENT.

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flock1

band or company, esp. of (domestic) animals. OE. flocc = MLG. vlocke, ON. flokkr (in OE. and ON. used only of persons); of unkn. orig. Hence vb. †trans. and intr. XIII.

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flock2

tuft of wool, etc. XIII. — (O)F. floc :- L. floccus.

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floe

XIX. prob. — Norw. flo layer, level piece :- ON. fló layer, stratum.

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flog

XVII. prob. imit.; perh. suggested by L. flagellre FLAGELLATE.

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flood

sb. OE. fld, corr. to OS. fld (Du. vloed). OHG. fluot (G. flut). ON. flóð, Goth. fldus :- Gmc. flðuz, -am, f. fl- :- IE. pl- (as in Gr. plin swim).

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floor

sb. OE. flr, corr. to (M)Du. vloer, MHG. vluor (G. flur), ON. flór :- Gmc. flruz; rel. to OIr. lár, W. llawr :- Celt. plr-. Hence vb. cover with a floor XV; bring to the ground XVII.

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flop

vb. XVII. var. of FLAP.

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flora

(F-) goddess of flowering plants XVI; plant life of a region, period, etc. XVIII (as a book-title XVII). — L., f. fls, flr- FLOWER. So floral XVII. — L. flrlis or directly f. L. flr-.

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florescence

(state or period of) flowering. XVIII. — modL. flrescentia, f. prp. stem of L. flrscere, inceptive of flrre; see FLOURISH, -ESCENCE.

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floret

XVII. f. L. fls, flr- FLOWER + -ET.

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florid

†flourishing, blooming; (of style) flowery; ruddy. XVII. — F. †floride or L. flridus, f. fls, flr-; see FLOURISH, -ID1.

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florilegium

collection of literary ‘flowers’. XVII. modL. (L. fls FLOWER, legere gather), tr. Gr. anthológion ANTHOLOGY.

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florin

gold coin first issued at Florence in 1252 XIV; two-shilling piece XIX. — (O)Fr. — It. fiorino, f. fiore FLOWER; the coin orig. so named bore the figure of a lily on the obverse.

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florist

XVII. f. L. fls, flr- FLOWER + -IST.

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floruit

period of ‘flourishing’. XIX. — L., 3rd sg. pt. indic. of flrre FLOURISH.

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flory

see FLEURY.

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floss

rough silk. XVIII (also floss-silk). Early forms also flosh, flox — F. floche, as in soie floche floss-silk, OF. flosche down, pile of velvet; of unkn. orig.

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flotation, floatation

XIX. f. FLOAT vb. + -ATION.

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flotilla

XVIII. — Sp., dim. of flota fleet, rel. to FLOAT.

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flotsam

floating wreckage. XVI. Early forms also flotsen, -son; — AN. floteson, f. floter FLOAT.

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flounce1

dash or plunge with violent or jerky motion. XVI. of obscure orig.

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flounce2

ornamental appendage to a skirt. XVIII. alt., prob. by assim. to FLOUNCE1, of earlier †frounce wrinkle, fold, pleat — (O)F. fronce, f. froncir wrinkle — Gmc. ?rukjan (cf. ON. hrukka, MHG. runke wrinkle). So vb. XVIII; cf. †frounce vb. wrinkle (XIII), curl, pleat (XVI).

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flounder1

flat-fish. XIV. — AN. floundre, OF. flondre, prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. OSw. flundra, Da. flynder, ON. flyðra).

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flounder2

†stumble; plunge or tumble about clumsily, XVI. of uncert. (perh. imit.) orig.

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flour

‘flower’ or finer portion of meal, (now) wheat meal XIII; fine powder resulting from pulverizing XIV. Differentiated sp. of FLOWER; the sp. flower continued till early XIX.

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flourish

A
†blossom, flower XIII; thrive XIV; be in the prime XIV;

B
†adorn, embellish XIII;
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C
†display, parade; brandish XIV; brag, swagger XVI. — (O)F. floriss-, lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of florir (mod. fleurir) :- Rom. flrre, for L. flrre, f. flr- FLOWER.
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Hence sb. A. (dial.) mass of bloom; †vigour, prime XVI; B. embellishment XVII; C. brandishing of a weapon; fanfare XVI.

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flout

treat mockingly. XVI. perh. — Du. fluiten whistle, play the FLUTE, hiss.

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flow

vb. OE. str. vb. flwan, f. Gmc. fl-, whence also ON. flóa flood, Du. vloeien flow and FLOOD. The orig str. conj. began to be superseded by wk. forms in the pt. in early ME. Hence sb. XV.

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flower

reproductive organ in plants; blossom; choicest individual XIII. ME. fl(o)ur — AN. flur, OF. flo(u)r (mod. fleur) :- L. fls, flr-, f. IE. bhl- as in BLOOM1, etc. Hence flower vb. XIII, flowery XIV. Cf. FLOUR.

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flu

colloq. shortening of INFLUENZA XIX.

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fluctuate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. flucture, f. fluctus current, wave, f. fluct-, pp. stem of fluere flow; see -ATE3. So fluctuation XV. — (O)F. or L.

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flue

chimney, smoke duct in this, etc. XVI (flew). of unkn. orig.

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fluent

flowing freely or easily (lit. and fig.); ready in speech. XVI. — L. fluns, fluent-, prp. of fluere flow; see -ENT.

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fluff

light feathery stuff. XVIII. prob. alt. of flue †down (XVI).

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fluid

adj. XV; sb. XVII. — (O)F. fluide or L. fluidus, f. fluere flow; see -ID1. Hence fluidity XVII.

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fluke1

flat fish, esp. flounder OE.; parasitic worm resembling this XVII. OE. flc, corr. to ON. flóki, rel. to MLG., MDu. flac, OHG. flah (G. flach) flat; ult. IE. plaq-, further repr. by Gr. plakoûs, L. placenta flat cake.

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fluke2

traingular plate on either arm of an anchor XVI; triangular extremity of a whale's tail. perh. transf. use of FLUKE1, from its shape.

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fluke3

(orig. billiards) successful stroke made by chance. XIX. perh. of dial. orig. (cf. dial. fluke guess, miss in fishing).

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flummery

(dial.) kind of porridge XVII; transf. mere flattery, humbug XVIII. — W. llymru, of unkn. orig.

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flummox

(sl.) confound, bewilder, XIX. prob. of dial. orig.; cf. dial. flummock confuse, flummox maul, mangle, flummocky slovenly; imit. or symbolic formations.

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flump

(colloq.) fall or throw down heavily. XIX. imit.

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flunkey

man in livery XVIII; obsequious person XIX. orig. Sc.; poss. f. flanker one who stands at a person's FLANK + -Y6.

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fluor

†flux, fluid state; one of a class of minerals used as fluxes XVII; mineral of this kind containing fluorine (esp. fluorspar) XVIII. — L. fluor flow, flux, f. fluere flow. Hence fluorescence, fluorescent XIX. So fluorine XIX. — F.; see -INE5.

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flurry

sudden gust XVII; sudden agitation or commotion XVIII. f. †flurr scatter, ruffle, fly up with a whirr, prob. after hurry. Hence vb. XVIII.

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flush1

fly up suddenly. XIII. first in pt. forms fliste, fluste; of imit. orig.

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flush2

hand containing cards all of one suit. XVI. — F. †flus, flux — L. fluxus FLUX.

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flush3

A
(of liquids) rush out suddenly or copiously XVI;

B
emit light or glow suddenly; produce or show heightened colour XVII. orig. identical with FLUSH1.
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flush4

abundantly full, plentifully supplied XVII; even, level with XVIII. prob. f. prec.

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fluster

excite, esp. with drink XVII (XV in vbl. sb. flostrynge); intr. for pass. XVII; flurry XVIII. of unkn. orig.; cf. Icel. flaustr hurry, flaustra bustle.

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flute

cylindrical musical wind-instrument with holes along its length XIV; channel, furrow, groove XVII. The earliest forms are flowte, floite (XIV), in XVI–XVII often fluit — OF. flahute, fleüte, flaüte (mod. flûte), prob. — Pr. flaüt, perh. blending of flaujol (cf. FLAGEOLET) with laüt LUTE1. So vb. XIV; channel, groove XVI.

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flutter

†float to and fro; flap the wings rapidly OE.; quiver, tremble excitedly. XVI. OE. floterian, -orian, frequent. of Gmc. flut-; see FLEET3, -ER4.

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fluvial

XIV. — L. fluvilis, f. fluvius river, prop. adj. formation on base of fluere flow; see -AL1. So fluviatile XVI. — F. — L.; see -ATILE.

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flux

copious flowing of blood, etc. XIV; (gen.) flowing; continuous succession XVI; incoming tide, opp. of reflux XVII; substance facilitating fusion (earlier †fluss — G.) XVIII. In early use (XIV–XVII) also †flix — (O)F. flux or L. fluxus, f. fluere flow. So fluxion †flow, flowing XVI; (math.) rate of change of a continuously varying quantity XVIII.

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fly1

winged insect. OE. fle, fle = OS., OHG. flioga (Du. vlieg, G. fliege) :- WGmc. fleuz(j), f. fleuzan (see next); cf. ON. fluga.

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fly2

move with wings; (now in pres. stem only) flee. OE. str. vb. flogan = OS. fliogan (Du. vliegen), OHG. fliogan (G. fliegen), ON. fljúga :- Gmc. fleuzan :- IE. pleuk-, extension of pleu- (cf. pleud- FLEET3). The normal ME. pt. flegh was at first replaced by the type flough, flow, which was transferred from the pl. to the sing.; this was superseded by flew, an unexpl. form perh. due to assoc. with the pt. of FLOW, the pp. of which had become identical with that of fly.

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fly3

flight XV; speed-regulating device, compasscard, etc. XVI; †stage-coach XVIII; light carriage XIX. f. FLY2.

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fly4

(sl.) sharp, wide-awake. XIX. Has been doubtfully referred to FLY2.

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foal

OE. fola = OS. folo, MDu. volen, (also mod.) veulen, OHG. folo (G. fohlen n.), ON. foli, Goth. fula :- Gmc. folan-, rel. to synon. L. pullus, Gr. pôlos, Arm. ul. cf. FILLY.

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foam

sb. OE. fm = (O)HG. feim :- WGmc. faima :- IE. poimo-, rel. to L. pmex PUMICE, OSl. pna, Skr. phéna- foam. Hence vb. XIV.

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fob1

cheat, trick, put off deceitfully. XV. Parallel to †fop vb. and G. foppen quiz, banter. Hence sb. trick. XVII. ME. fobbe impostor (once, XIV) is isolated.

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fob2

small pocket. XVII. orig. cant term; prob. of G. orig. (cf. G. dial. fuppe pocket).

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fo'c'sle

see FORECASTLE.

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focus

point toward which lines, rays, etc. converge XVII; point at which an object must be situated so that a well-defined image of it may be produced by the lens; centre of activity XVIII. — L. focus fire-place, domestic hearth. So focal XVIII.

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fodder

(now sl.) food; spec. cattle food. OE. fdor = MLG. vder, (M)Du. voeder, OHG. fuotar (G. futter), ON. fóðr :- Gmc. fðram, f. fð — (see FOOD).

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foe

Early ME. f, f, pl. fn, fn, aphetic reduction of if(n), if(n), OE. ef(n), sb. use of efh at feud (with) = OHG. gafh, (MHG. gevch, gev) :- WGmc. zafi?a, f. za- Y-+ fai?- (OE. fh at feud, hostile), whence also OE. fhð (see FEUD1); ult. orig. unkn. Hence foeman OE.

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foetus

XIV. — L. ftus giving birth, young offspring, abstr. sb. parallel to adj. ftus pregnant, productive, prob. rel. to fcundus FECUND, fmina woman (see FEMININE).

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fog1

(dial.) aftermath grass, long or rank grass XIV; moss XV. prob. of Scand. orig.; cf. Norw. fogg long-strawed, weak, scattered grass in a moist meadow. Hence foggy^1 XVI. An earlier occurrence of fog is implied in AL. fogagium (c.1200) (privilege of) pasturing cattle on fog.

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fog2

thick mist. XVI. of unkn. orig. Hence foggy^3 XVI.

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fog(e)y

(colloq.) old-fashioned fellow. XVIII. rel. to sl. fogram (XVIII) antiquated, old-fashioned (person). of unkn. orig.

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foible

XVII. — F., obs. var. of faible FEEBLE.

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foil1

tread under foot XIII; overthrow, discomfit, frustrate XVI. irreg. repr. (O)F. fouler :- Rom. fullre, f. L. full FULLER.

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foil2

†leaf; thin sheet of metal XIV; thin leaf of metal placed under a precious stone to increase its brilliance, etc.; a thing that serves by contrast to set off another thing XVI.(i) — OF. foil :- L. folium leaf; (ii) — OF. foille (mod. feuille) :- L. folia, pl. of folium (n. pl. taken as fem. sg.).

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foil3

small sword with blunt edge and blunted point. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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foison

(dial.) power, capacity; (arch.) plenty, abundance. XIII. — (O)F. :- Rom. fusi, for L. fsi, -n- outpouring (see FUSION).

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foist

†palm (a die) so as to be able to introduce it when required; introduce surreptitiously or unwarrantably. XVI. prob. — Du. vuisten, f. vuist FIST.

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fold1

enclosure for domestic animals. OE. fald, contr. of falæd, -od, -ud, corr. to OS. faled, MLG. valt, Du. vaalt. Hence vb. shut up in a fold. OE. faldian.

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fold2

double or bend over upon itself; lay (the arms) together. OE. str. vb. f(e)aldan = MDu. vouden (Du. vouwen), OHG. faltan (G. falten), ON. falda, Goth. falþan :- Gmc. falþan, f. IE. pel- pl- (cf. Gr. dipaltos, diplásios twofold, haplóos simple); rel. to L. plicre fold. Hence sb. XIII.

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-fold

OE. -f(e)ald = OS. -fald (Du. -voud), (O)HG. -falt, ON. -faldr, Goth. -falþs, Gmc. terminal el. rel. to FOLD2 and equiv. to Gr. -paltos, -plasios, and more remotely with -plo- in Gr. haplóos single, diplóos double (L. duplus); appended to cardinal numerals and adjs. meaning ‘many’, orig. with the sense ‘folded in two, etc., folds’, ‘plaited in so many strands’. In OE. the adjs. were already used as sbs. and advs.

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foliage

XV. Early forms foillage, fuellage (assim. later to L. folium) — (O)F. feuillage, †foillage, f. feuille; see FOIL2, -AGE.

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foliation

A
being in leaf, arrangement in leaves XVII;

B
consecutive numbering of folios XIX. In A. f. L. folium; see FOIL2, -ATION. In B. f. FOLIO.
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folic

(chem.) name of an acid abundant in green leaf. XX. irreg. f. L. folium leaf, FOIL2 + -IC.

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folio

A
leaf of paper, parchment, etc.;

B
in folio in the form of a full-sized sheet folded once (hence simply folio adj. and sb.). XVI. In A. a generalization of the medL. use of the abl. of L. folium leaf, FOIL2, in references ‘at leaf so-and-so’, or a latinization of It. foglio; in B. — It. in foglio.
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folk

people, race; men, people. OE. folc = OS., OHG. folc (Du., G. volk), ON. folk people, army :- Gmc. folkam, the orig. meaning of which is perh. best preserved in ON. Hence folk-lore, folk-song XIX. From XIV the pl. folks has been used, and since XVII is the ordinary form, the sing. being arch. or dial.

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follicle

(anat., etc.) small sac. XVII. — L. folliculus little bag, dim. of follis bellows; see -CLE.

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follow

OE. folgian, corr. to OS. folgon (Du. volgen), OHG. folgn (G. folgen), f. Gmc. fulz-; of unkn. orig.

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folly

quality or state of being foolish XIII; costly structure considered to have shown folly in the builder XVI. — (O)F. folie, f. fol foolish, FOOL1; see -Y3. In the second sense derived from a similar use of OF. folie.

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foment

bathe with warm lotion; promote the growth of; foster, stimulate. XV. — (O)F. fomenter — late L. fmentre, f. fmentum lotion, poultice, lenitive :- fovementum, f. fovre heat, cherish, rel. to Skr. dáhati, Lith. degù burn, Gr. téphr ash, ember; cf.DAY.

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fond

(dial.) foolish, silly XIV; (dial.) foolishly affectionate, doting; †eager, desirous; having a strong liking (for) XVI. ME. fonned, -yd, having the form of a pp. of fon vb. (recorded later in XIV) be foolish, which is obscurely rel. to †fon sb. fool (XIII). The occurrence in ME. and in E. Angl. dial. (XVII–XIX) of the sense ‘insipid’, ‘of sickly flavour’, has suggested that the vb. fon orig. meant ‘lose savour’; but this sense is later than that of ‘foolish’, and is of obscure orig.; moreover, the chronology of the words as known suggests that ME. fonned was directly f. fon sb. + -ED2 (cf. the etym. of wicked, wretched).

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fondant

kind of sweetmeat that melts quickly in the mouth. XIX. — F., sb use of the prp. of fondre melt; see FOUND2, -ANT.

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fondle

†pamper XVII; treat with fondness, caress XVIII, app. frequent. of FOND; see -LE3.

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font1

receptacle for the water used in baptism. Late OE. font, var. of fant — OIr. fant, font — L. fns, font- spring, FOUNTAIN, in spec. eccl. use fons or fontes baptismi water(s) of baptism.

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font2

var. of FOUNT2.

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fontanelle

(anat.) †hollow between muscles XVI; outlet for a discharge XVII; membranous space in the skull of an infant XVIII. — F. — modL. fontanella, latinization of OF. fontenelle. dim. of fotaine FOUNTAIN; see -EL2.

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food

what is taken to support life. Late OE. fda :- fðan-, a unique formation, the synon. words in other Gmc. langs. being f. fðjan FEED. viz. ON. fœði, fœða, Goth. fdeins; f. Gmc. fð- fað- :- IE. pat-, as in Gr. patéesthai eat.

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fool1

A
one deficient in judgement or sense XIII; professional jester, clown XIV;

B
adj. foolish XIII; now only (exc. dial.) as attrib. use of the sb. ME. fl sb. and adj. — OF. fol (mod. fou mad) :- L. follis bellows, inflated ball, (later fig.) ‘windbag’, empty-headed person.
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Hence fool vb. play the fool, make a fool of XVI. foolery XVI. foolhardy XIII. — OF. folhardi ‘foolish-bold’. foolscap (fool's cap) cap of a professional fool; folio paper of a kind that orig. bore a watermark representing a fool's cap. XVII.

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fool2

†clotted cream XVI; dish composed of crushed fruit with cream, etc. XVIII. perh. transf. use of prec. suggested by trifle.

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foot

pl. feet part of the leg beyond the ankle joint; unit of measurement 12 in.; metrical unit OE.; lowest part XII; what is at the foot or bottom (pl. foots) XV. OE. ft, pl. ft = OS. ft, fuot (Du. voet), OHG. fuoz (G. fuss), ON. fótr, Goth. ftus; the Gmc. cons. -stem ft- :-IE. pd-, which with its vars. pod- ped- is repr. by Skr. pt, L. ps, ped-, Gr. poús, pod- Arm. otn foot. Hence foot vb. dance XIV; †add up XV; walk; strike, etc. with the foot XVI. footing (dial.) foothold XIV; (fig.) XVI; settled condition XVII. football XV, footfall XVII, foothold XVII. footman foot-soldier XIII; (dial.) pedestrian XIV; attendant on foot XV. footnote XIX. footpace walking-pace; raised floor (for an altar). XVI. footpad highwayman who robs on foot. XVII; pad, canting use of var. of PATH. footpath XVI. footstep XIV (once XIII as pl. fet steppes). footstool XVI.

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footle

(colloq.) fool about, trifle, potter. XIX (esp. in prp. footling trifling, paltry). perh. alt., by assoc. with -LE2, of (dial.) footer bungle, idle or potter about, presumably rel. to footer contemptible fellow, transf. use of foutre — (O)F. foutre have sexual relations with :- L. futuere.

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fop

†fooL XV; one who is vain of his appearance, etc. XVII. corr. in form to G. foppen hoax. Cf. FOB1. Hence foppery XVI, foppish XVII.

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for

prep. †before; representing, instead of; in defence of; with a view to; in the character of; by reason of, in spite of OE.; to obtain, in order to XIII; with the object of; in relation to XIV; during XV; conj. (for OE. for þon þe, for þm þe, for þ þe on account of the fact that) because, since XII. OE. for = OFris., OS. for, Goth. faur, prob. reduction of Gmc. fora before (of place and time), repr. by OE. fore = OFris., OS., OHG. fora, Goth. faura, beside OS., OHG. forms with -i, viz. furi (G. für) and ON. fyrir; see FORE-. Hence forasmuch (arch.) seeing that. XIII. tr. OF. por tant que for so much as.

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for-1

OE. for-, fær- = OS. for-, OHG. fir-, far- (Du., G. ver-), Goth. fair-, faur-, corr. to Gr. PERI-, PARA-1, L. PER-, Skr. pári, pur, OIr. ar-, air-; IE. prefix with variation of form and wide extent of meaning, but esp. implying (i) rejection, exclusion, prohibition, (ii) destruction, (iii) exhaustion.

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for-2

var. of FORE-. Cf. also FORECLOSE, FORFEIT.

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forage

food for cattle. XIV. — (O)F. fourrage, f. feurre — Gmc. fðram FODDER; see -AGE. So vb. XV.

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foramen

(anat.) opening for the passage of something. XVII. — L., f. forre BORE1.

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foray

hostile incursion. XIV (in early use Sc.). prob. f. foray vb. (XIV), back-formation from ME. forayer forager, raider, var. of forrier — OF. :- Rom. fodrrius, f. fodro FODDER (cf. FORAGE).

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forbear1

†bear, bear with; endure the loss of; abstain from OE. (intr. XIV). OE. forberan = OHG. firberan abstain, Goth. frabairan endure; f. FOR-1 + BEAR2. Hence forbearance XVI.

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forbear2,

forebear (usu. pl.) ancestor. XV (orig. Sc.). f. FORE- + †beer, agent-noun of BE.

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forbid

OE. forbodan = Du. verbieden, OHG. farbiotan (G. verbieten), Goth. faurbiudan; f. FOR-1 + BID.

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forby

prep. †close by XIII; adv. (dial.) aside, along, past XIV; (Sc.) besides XVI. f. FOR adv. + BY.

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force

strength, power XIII; body of armed men XIV. — (O)F. :- Rom. fortia, f. L. fortis strong. So vb. XIII. forcible done by force XV; †strong; producing a powerful effect XVI.

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force-meat

XVII. f. force (XIV), var. of farce stuff (XIV; — OF. farsir, mod. farcir :- L. farcre) + MEAT.

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forceps

XVII. — L.

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ford

sb. OE. ford = OFris. forda, OS. -ford in place-names (Du. voorde), (O)HG. furt :- WGmc. furdu (cf. ON. firðr FIORD:- ferþuz) :- IE. ptús, repr. also by OW. rit (W. rhyd) ford, L. portus harbour, PORT1, f. por- per- p- (see FARE2).

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fordo

pp. fordone (arch.) put an end to, destroy, spoil. OE. fordn = OS. fardn (Du. verdoen), OHG. fartuon (G. vertun); see FOR-1, DO1. In pp. (poet.) exhausted, wearied out XVI.

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fore1

adj.†earlier; that is in front XV; sb. in (orig.) Sc. and Anglo-Ir. phr. to the fore present, surviving; ready, available XVII; conspicuous XIX. Evolved from analysis of comps. of prefix FORE-, e.g. forehead, foreland, forepart.

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fore2

adv., now only in fore and aft from stem to stern, all over the ship. XVII. Not continuous with OE. and ME. fore; perh. of LG. orig.

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fore3

int. (in golf) warning cry to people in front of the intended stroke. XIX. prob. aphetic form of BEFORE or AFORE.

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fore-

prefix meaning ‘before’, identical with the adv. fore in front, before, OE. fore = OS., OHG. fora (Du. voor, G. vor), Goth. faura, perh. :- Gmc. forai, corr. to Gr. para, a dative formation, the base of which is repr. also in L. pr, pr, per (see PER-, PRE-, PRO-1), Gr. pró, pará, peri (see PARA-1, PERI-), Skr. pur before.

A few of the foll. comps. had orig. the prefix FOR-2.

forearm^1 arm beforehand. XVI. forearm^2 part of the arm below the elbow. XVIII. forecast †contrive beforehand XIV; estimate beforehand XVI. Hence as sb. XV. forecastle (whence the sp. fo'c'sle) †short raised deck in the bow, orig. a castle-like structure to command the enemy's decks XIV; fore part of a ship XV. forefather XIII. — ON. forfaðir, forefinger XV. forefoot XIV. forefront principal face, foremost part (now dial. exc. fig.). XV (orig. Sc.). foregoing XV. foregone that has gone before. XVI. foreground XVII. forehead OE. forhofod = MLG. vorhved, Du. voorhoofd, G. vor(der)haupt. forejudge XVI. foreknowledge XVI. Cf. foreknow XIV. foreland cape, promontory. XIV. forelock OE. foreloccas pl.; but a new formation in XVI. foreman †leader XV; principal juror; principal of workmen XVI; perh. after ON. formaðr captain, leader, or — Du. voorman, forename XVI. forenoon XV. forepart XIV. forerunner one who goes before to prepare the way (first of John the Baptist) XIII; one whom another follows XVI; tr. L. præcursor PRECURSOR. foresail XV. foresee OE. forson; but prob. a new formation in ME. foreshore XVIII. foreshorten XVII. foreshow XVI. foresight †(divine) providence XIII; provision for the future XIV; action of foreseeing or looking forward XV; prob. after ON. forsjá, and later felt as etym. rendering of (O)F. providence, L. prvidentia. foreskin XVI. forestall †obstruct XIV; buy up (goods) before they reach public markets XIV; hinder by anticipation, anticipate in action XVI. Implied earlier in AL. forstallatio obstruction, forstallator (XII), AN. forstallour forestaller of markets (XIII), f. OE. for(e)steall interception, ambush, foretaste sb. and vb. XV. foretell XIII. forethought †premeditation; previous thought. XIII. parallel to †forethink, OE. foreðn.an consider beforehand, and repl. OE. foreðanc consideration, forethought, providence. foretop †lock of hair at the front XIII; †forepart of the crown XIV; top of a foremast XV. forewarn warn beforehand. OE. forewarnian (trans. and intr.). foreword XIX.

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foreclose

exclude, preclude XV; deprive of the equity of redemption, bar (a right of redemption) XVIII. f. foreclos-, pp. stem of (O)F. forclore, f. for- (:- L. fors outside) + clore CLOSE; there has been assoc. with FOR-1, or with FOR-2, FORE-. Hence foreclosure XVIII.

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foreign

†out of doors (rare); pert. to another, alien; pert. to another region, not in one's own land XIV; not domestic or native XV. —OF. forain, forein, -e :- Rom. fornus, f. L. fors acc. pl., fors loc. pl. of fora, var. of fors DOOR. Hence foreigner XV.

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foremost

The present form, dating from XVI, is an alt., by assoc. with FORE-, of formost, itself an alt., by assoc. with -MOST, of formest (XII), f. forme, OE. forma first (= OFris. forma, OS. formo), with superl. -m- suffix as in L. prmus PRIME, +-EST, formest having repl. fürmest, firmest :- OE. fyrmest (= Goth. frumists), f. forma, the result being a double superl. Cf. FORMER.

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forensic

pert. to courts of law. XVII. f. L. fornsis, f. forum; see FORUM, -IC.

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forest

XIII. — OF. forest (mod. forêt) — late L. forestis (silva) ‘outside wood’, royal forest reserved for hunting, obscurely f. fors out of doors, outside (see FOREIGN); prob. meaning orig. woodland lying outside the park and unfenced; in AL. foresta, forestum (XI). So forester XIII.

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forfeit

†misdeed, misdemeanour XIII; fine, penalty XV; trivial fine for breach of rule XVII. ME. forfet — OF. forfet, (also mod.) -fait crime, f. for(s)faire commit crime (medL. forisfacere), f. for(s)- beyond, outside, sc. what is right (:- L. fors outside) + faire do. Hence vb. †sin, transgress XIV; lose the right to XV. forfeiture †crime, sin; loss or liability to deprivation. XIV.

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for(e)fend

†forbid; avert XIV; (now U.S.) protect by precautionary measures XVI. f. FOR-1(1) + FEND.

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for(e)gather

(chiefly Sc.) gather together XVI; meet with XVI. — Du. vergaderen, with accommodation to FOR-, GATHER.

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forge1

smithy XIV; furnace for melting metal XVII. — (O)F. :- Rom, faurga :- L. fabrica trade, manufactured object, workshop, forge (see FABRIC). So vb. shape, fashion (now only in a forge) XIII; fabricate, make a fraudulent imitation of XIV. Hence forger XIV, forgery XVI.

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forge2

(orig. naut.) make way ahead. XVII. perh. aberrant pronunc. of FORCE vb., similarly used from XVII.

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forget

pt. forgot, pp. forgotten, arch. and dial. forgot. OE. str. vb. foretan = OS. fargetan (Du. vergeten), OHG. firgezzan (G. vergessen), f. FOR-1-(1) + Gmc. zetan take hold of, GET. Hence forgetful XIV. alt. of forzetel, forgetel, OE. foretel by substitution of -FUL1 for the final syll. forget-me-not XVI. tr. OF. ne m'oubliez mie do-not-forget-me.

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forgive

pt. forgave, pp. forgiven †give, grant; remit, pardon. OE. str. vb. forefan; see FOR-1 (1) and GIVE; corr. to Du. vergeven, OHG. fargeban (G. vergeben), ON. fyrirgefa forgive, Goth. fragiban grant. So forgiveness OE. forief(e)nes, rarely -iefennes.

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forgo, forego

pt. forewent, pp. for(e)gone †intr. pass away, trans. pass over, neglect; abstain from. OE. forgn, pt. forode; see FOR-1, GO.

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fork

pronged instrument for digging OE., for eating XV; divergence into branches, bifurcation XIV. OE. forca, force, corr. to OS. furka, OHG. furcha (Du. vork, G. furke), ON, forkr; Gmc. — L. furca pitchfork, forked stake, whence (O)F. fourche, ONF. fourque (which reinforced the word in ME.).

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forlorn

†morally lost, abandoned XII; †ruined, doomed XIV; forsaken, desolate; pitiable, wretched XVI. pp. of ME. forlse, OE. forlosan = OS. far-, forliosan (Du. verliezen), OHG. firliosan (G. verlieren), Goth. fraliusan; Gmc., f. fer- fra FOR-1 (1) + leusan lose.

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forlorn hope

picked force detailed for an attack, (hence) desperate adventurers, players, etc. XVI; (by misapprehension) hopeless enterprise XVII. — Du. verloren hoop ‘lost troop’, i.e. verloren, pp. of verliezen (see prec.), hoop company (HEAP).

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form

A
visible aspect of a thing XIII; (scholastic philos.) that which makes matter a determinate kind of thing XIV.

B
character, nature, †degree XIII (class in school XVI); due observance or procedure XIV;
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C
lair of a hare XIII; long seat without a back XIV; (typogr.) see FORME XV. ME. forme, f(o)urme — (O)F. forme, †f(o)urme :- L. frma mould, shape, beauty, of uncert. orig.
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So vb. give a form to XIII; be the components of XIV; draw up or dispose in order XVIII. — OF. fourmer, (also mod.) former — L. frmre. formal XIV. — L. formalism XIX, formalist XVII, formality XVI. formation XV. — (O)F. or L. formative XV.

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-form

repr. F. -forme, L. -frmis, f. frma FORM, termination to form adjs. meaning (i) ‘having the form of’, (ii) ‘of (so many) forms’.

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format

XIX. — F. — L. frmtus, pp. of frmre FORM.

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forme, form

(typogr.) body of type locked up in a chase for printing. XV. spec. use of FORM.

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former

earlier in time XII; †first, primeval XIII; †more forward XIV; first of two XVI. f. ME. forme (OE. forma; see FOREMOST) + -ER3. Hence formerly †just now; †beforehand; in former days XVI.

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formic

(chem.) of an acid contained in a fluid emitted by ants. XVIII. f. L. formca ant; see -IC.

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formidable

XV. — F. formidable or L. formdbilis, f. formdre fear, f. formd dread; see -ABLE.

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formula

set form of words XVII; recipe; rule, etc., expressed by symbols XVIII. — L. frmula, dim. of frma FORM see -ULE. So formulary collection or system of formulas. XVI. formulate XIX.

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fornication

XIII. — (O)F. — late L. fornicti, -n-, f. fornicr whence fornicate XVI), f. fornix, fornic- arch, vault, vaulted room such as was tenanted by the lower orders and prostitutes; see -ATION. So fornicator XIV. — late L.

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forsake

pt. forsook, pp. forsaken †decline, refuse; give up, renounce. OE. str. vb. forsacan = OS. forsakan (Du. verzaken), OHG. firsahhan; WGmc. f. FOR-1 + sakan quarrel, accuse (see SAKE1).

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forsooth

OE. forsð, i.e. FOR, SOOTH.

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forswear

OE. forswerian; see FOR-1, SWEAR.

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forsythia

XIX. f. name of William Forsyth (1737–1804), Eng. botanist; see -IA1.

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fort

XV. — (O)F. fort or It. forte, sb. uses of fort, forte strong :- L. fortis.

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fortalice

fortress, (now) small outwork. XV. — medL. fortalitia, -itium, f. L. fortis strong.

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forte1

strong point or feature. XVII (fort). — F. fort, sb. use of adj. (see FORT); the F. fem. form was substituted in Eng. use.

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forte2

(mus.) loud. XVIII. — It. :- L. fortis strong. So fortissimo XVIII. — It., superl. of forte.

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forth

forwards (now only in back and forth); onwards (surviving in gen. use in and so forth); forward into view; away. OE. forð = OS. forth (Du. voort), MHG. vort (G. fort) :- Gmc. furþa (cf. Goth. faurþis further) :- IE. pto-, f. base repr. in FORE-. forthcoming about or ready to appear XVI; ready to make advances XIX. forthright OE. forðriht adj., -rihte adv. forthwith †at the same time; immediately XIV; partly short for earlier forthwithal (XI), partly repl. ME. forth mid along with, at the same time as, used absol.

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fortify

XV. — (O)F. fortifier — late L. fortificre, f. fortis strong; see -FY. So fortification XV.

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fortitude

XV. — OF. — L. fortitd, f. fortis strong; see -TUDE.

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fortnight

OE. fowertene niht, ME. fourten(n)iht fourteen nights.

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fortress

XIII. — (O)F. forteresse strong place :- Rom. fortaritia, f. L. fortis, strong.

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fortuitous

XVII. — L. fortutus, f. forte by chance, abl. of fors chance :- IE. bhtis ‘that which is brought’, f. base of L. ferre BEAR2.

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fortune

chance, luck XIII; (good or bad) luck; position depending on wealth, wealth XVI. — (O)F. — L. fortna chance as a divinity, luck, esp. good luck, (pl.) gifts of fortune, (also sg.) riches, orig. sb. use (sc. dea goddess) of adj. fortnus, f. fors (see prec.). So fortunate XIV. — L. fortntus.

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forty

OE. fowerti = OS. fiwartig (Du. veertig), OHG. viorzug (G. vierzig), ON. fjórir tigir, Goth. fidwr tigius; see FOUR. -TY1. So fortieth. OE. fowertigoða = ON. fertugandi; see -TH2.

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forum

(Rom. antiq.) market-place, spec. in ancient Rome a place of assembly for judicial and other business XV; court, tribunal XVII. — L. forum, rel. to fors (outside) DOOR; orig. enclosure surrounding a house.

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forward

towards the future OE.; towards or to the front, onward XIV. OE. forweard, var. of forðweard onwards, continually, f. FORTH + -WARD. Hence adj. in an advanced state or position; eagerly ready; pert XVI. Hence vb. help forward, advance XVI; send forward XVIII. So forwards XIV; cf. OE. forðweardes. See -WARDS.

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forweary

(arch.) tire out XIII; see FOR-1. So forworn (arch.) worn out XVI.

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fosse

ditch, trench. XIV. — (O)F. :- L. fossa, f. pp. stem foss- of fodere dig.

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fossick

(Austral. mining) search for gold by digging out crevices, etc.; (sl.) rummage. XIX. of unkn. orig.; cf. dial. fossick troublesome person, fossicking troublesome, fossick make a fuss, bustle about.

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fossil

(rock, etc.) dug out of the earth, esp. of remains of the prehistoric past. XVII. — F. fossile — L. fossilis, f. foss-, pp. stem of fodere dig; see -ILE.

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foster

†nourish, feed OE.; †bring up (a child); promote the growth of XIII; cherish, ‘nurse’ XIV. OE. fstrian, f. fster food, f. Gmc. fð- FOOD. The stem was used as comb. form in OE. fsterbearn, -.ild child as related to those who have reared it as their own, fsterbrðor/-sweostor male/female child reared with another of different parentage, fsterfæder/-mdor one who acts as father/mother to another's child; so fsterling (-LING1) foster-child.

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foul

grossly offensive to the senses; opp. of clean OE.; opp. of fair ME. OE. fl = OS., OHG. fl (Du. vuil dirty, G. faul rotten, unsound, lazy), ON. fúll, Goth. fls stinking :- Gmc flaz, f. f- :- IE. p-, as in L. ps PUS, putridus PUTRID, etc.

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foulard

(handkerchief of) silk material. XIX. — F., of unkn. orig.

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foumart

polecat. XIV. Early forms folmarde, fulmert, fullimart, f. fl FOUL (i.e. stinking) + mart (see MARTEN).

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found1

set up, establish. XIII. — (O)F. fonder :- L. fundre, f. fundus BOTTOM. So foundation XIV. Hence founder XIV, whence foundress XV; see -ESS1.

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found2

mix XIV; melt (esp. metal or glass for casting) XVI. — (O)F. fondre :- L. fundere pour, melt, f. IE. ghud- gheud- (repr. by OE. otan pour), extension of ghu- gheu-, whence Gr. khéein, kheúein pour, Skr. juhóti pour libations, sacrifice. Hence founder XV, foundry XVII.

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founder

†smash in XIII; †send to the bottom XIV; (of a horse) stumble and fall, go lame XIV; fill with water and sink XVI. Partly — OF. fondrer send to the bottom, submerge, but mainly aphetic of †afounder (XIV), †enfounder (XV) — OF. a-, es-, enfondrer, mod. effondrer :- Rom. ex-, influndorre, f. EX-1, IN-1 + fundor-, taken as stem of L. fundus BOTTOM.

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foundling

deserted infant whose parents are not known. XIII. ME. fundeling, foundling, f. funden. pp. of FIND + -LING1. ME. had also findling and funding.

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fount1

spring, fountain. XVI. prob. back-formation from FOUNTAIN, suggested by F. fonts (L. fns).

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fount2

(typogr.) set of type of a particular size. XVII. alt. of FONT2 †founding, casting (XVI) — F. fonte, f. fondre FOUND2.

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fountain

(arch.) spring of water XV; artificially formed jet of water XVI. — (O)F. fontaine :- late L. fontna, sb. use of fem. of fontnus, f. fns, font- spring, fountain.

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four

OE. fower = OS. fi(u)war, fiori, OHG. fior, fier (Du., G. vier), ON. fjórir, Goth. fidwr, ult. :- IE. qetwr-, whence (with vowel-variation) OW. petguar (W. pedwar), OIr. cethir, L. quattuor, Gr. téssares, OSl. etyre, Lith. keturi, Skr. catvra-; hence fourteen OE. fowertne = OS. fiertein (Du. veertien), OHG. fiorzehan (G. vierzehn), ON. fjórtán, Goth, fidwrtaihun; see -TEEN. fourteenth ME. fourtenþe, repl. OE. fowertoða; see -TH2. fourth. OE. fo(we)rða = OS. fiorðo (Du. vierde), OHG. fiordo (G. vierte). ON. fjórði; see -TH2. Cf. FORTY.

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fowl

(arch., exc. in wild-fowl) bird OE.; domestic cock or hen XVI. OE. fugol = OS. fugal, OHG. fogal (Du., G. vogel), ON. fugl, Goth. fugls :- Gmc. fozlaz, fuzlaz, perh. dissim. form of fluzlaz, f. fluz-, fleuz- FLY2. Hence fowler OE. fug(e)lere, f. fug(e)lian catch wild-fowl.

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fox

OE. fox = OS. vuhs (Du. vos), OHG. fuhs (G. fuchs) : WGmc. fu?s; rel. to Skr. púccha- tail, Russ. pukh fine woolly hair, down; the name may mean orig. ‘the tailed one’. Cf. VIXEN. Hence fox-glove OE. foxesglfa, f. g. sg. of fox (with unexpl. assoc.); the flower resembles a fingerstall in shape.

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foyer

XIX. — F. hearth, home :- Gallo-Rom. focrium, f. L. focus fire (see FOCUS).

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fracas

XVIII. — F., f. fracasser — It. fracassare make an uproar, of unkn. orig.

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fraction

numerical quantity that is not an integer XIV; breaking or its result XV. — (O)F. — ChrL. fracti, -n, breaking (as of bread), f. fract-, pp. stem of frangere BREAK1; see -TION. Hence fractional XVII. fractious refractory, (now) cross, peevish XVIII; f. FRACTION (in obs. sense ‘discord, dissention’). So fracture sb. XV. — (O)F. fracture or L. fractra, Hence fractured XVII, whence fracture vb. XIX.

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fragile

XVII. — (O)F. fragile or L. fragilis, f. frag-, base of frangere BREAK1. So fragility XIV, fragment XV. Hence. fragmentary XVII (rare before XIX).

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fragrant

XV.- F. fragrant or L. fragrns, -ant-, prp. of fragrre smell sweet; see -ANT. So fragrance XVII.

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frail1

rush basket for figs, raisins, etc. XIII. ME. fraiel — OF., of unkn. orig.

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frail2

morally or physically weak (XIII in frelnes); liable to break XIV. — OF. fraile, frele (mod. frêle) :- L. fragilis FRAGILE. So frailty XIV.

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framboesia

yaws, characterized by raspberry-like excrescences. XIX. modL., f. (O)F. framboise raspberry. See -IA1.

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frame

A
†be profitable; †progress OE.,

B
†prepare timber for building XIV; (gen.) shape construct, contrive XIV. OE. framian be of service, make progress, f. fram forward (see FROM) The rel. ON. fremja (= OE. fremman, fremian) further, advance, perform, prob. infl. the sense-development.
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Hence frame sb. framed work, structure XIV; order, plan XVI; whence framework XVII.

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franc

monetary unit of France, etc. XIV. — (O)F. franc, from the legend Francorum rex king of the Franks, on gold coins first struck in the reign of Jean le Bon (1350–64).

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franchise

†freedom XIII; legal immunity or privilege XIV; (hist.) district over which a privilege extends XV; right of voting at a public election XVIII. — (O)F., f. franc, fem. franche free, FRANK + -ise, repr. L. -itia -ESS2.

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Franciscan

friar of the order founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209. XVI. — F. franciscain — modL. Franciscanus, f. Franciscus Francis; see -AN.

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Franco

-comb. form of medL. Francus FRANK, meaning ‘Frankish’ or ‘French and … ’; see -O-. XVIII.

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francolin

bird of the partridge family. XVII. — F. — It. francolino, of unkn. orig.

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franc-tireur

one of a corps of light infantry. XIX. — F., i.e. franc free + tireur shooter, f. tirer shoot.

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frangible

XV. — OF. frangible or medL. frangibilis, f. L. frangere BREAK1; see -IBLE.

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frangipane

perfume obtained from red jasmine XVII; cream for pastry XIX. — F., f. Frangipani, name of an italian marquis who invented a perfume for scenting gloves.

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frank

†free XIII; bounteous, generous; †of superior quality XV; ingenuous, candid XVI. — (O)F. franc :- medL. francus free, indentical with the ethnic name (see FRANK), which acquired the sense ‘free’ because in Frankish Gaul full freedom was possessed only by those belonging to or adopted by the dominant people. Hence (from the sense †‘free of charge’ of the adj.) vb. superscribe (a letter, etc.) with one's signature to ensure free conveyance, (hence) stamp XVIII; facilitate the passage of XIX.

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Frank

A
of the Germanic nation (or nations) that conquered Gaul and from which the country received the name of France (Francia) OE.;

B
(in the Levant) individual of Western nationality XVI. OE. Franca = OHG. Franko; supposed to be named from their national weapon, OE. franca javelin.
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frankincense

XIV. — OF. franc encens; see FRANK (‘of superior quality’), INCENSE.

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franklin

landholder of free but not noble birth. XIII. — AL. franclnus, f. franclis, f. francus free, FRANK; see -AL1, -AN.

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frankpledge

system by which each member of a tithing was responsible for every other. XV. — law L. franciplegium, latinization of AN. frauncplege, f. franc, FRANK + plege PLEDGE, mistranslation of OE., friðborh peace-pledge (frið, f. fr- love, as in FRIEND), through the corrupt forms freo-, friborh, in which the first element was identified with free.

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frantic

†insane XIV; frenzied XVI. ME. frentik, frantik — (O)F. frénétique PHRENETIC.

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frap

(naut.) bind tightly XVI. — OF. fraper (mod. frapper), of unkn. orig.

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frass

excrement from larvae. XIX. — G., f. fressen devour (see FRET1).

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frater

(hist.) refectory in a religious house. XIII. ME. freitore, freit(o)ur — OF. fraitur, aphetic of refreitor — medL. refectrium REFECTORY.

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fraternal

XV. — medL. frternlis, f. L. frternus, f. frter BROTHER; see -AL1. So fraternity XIV. — (O)F. — L. fraternize XVII, fraternization XVIII. — F.

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fratricide1

one who kills his (or her) brother XV. — F. fratricide or L. frtricda, f. frter; see prec. and -CIDE1. So fratricide^2 killing of one's brother. XVI. — (O)F. fratricide or late L. frtricdium; see -CIDE2.

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fraud

XIV. — (O)F. fraude — L. fraus, fraud-. So fraudulent XV. — OF. or L.

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fraught

(arch.) laden XIV; stored, supplied XV; attended with XVI. pp. of †fraught load (a ship) XIV — MDu. vrachten, f. vracht = MLG. vracht beside vrecht FREIGHT, prob. corr. to OHG. frht earnings :- Gmc. fraai?tiz, f. fra- FOR- + ai?tiz acquisition, property (rel. to OWE).

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fraxinella

species of dittany. XVII. modL., dim. of L. fraxinus ash (cf. BIRCH).

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fray1

(arch.) frighten. XIII. Aphetic of AFFRAY. Hence sb. alarm; disturbance, conflict. XIV.

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fray2

†rub XIV (in vbl. sb. fraying noise of friction); †bruise; †clash, collide XV; spec. (of deer) rub their horns XVI; rub away XVIII. — F. frayer, earlier freiier :- L. fricre rub.

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freak

sudden change (as of fortune), capricious notion XVI; capricious prank XVII; product of sportive fancy XVIII; monstrous individual of its kind XIX. prob. of dial. orig. Hence as vb. variegate XVII (esp. pp. freaked); practise freaks XVII; gambol, frolic XIX.

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freckle

XIV. Early forms fracel, frakel; alt. of (dial.) freken, fraken — ON. freknur pl. Hence freckled XIV.

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free

not in bondage or subject to control from outside. OE. fro = OFris., OS., OHG. fr (Du. vrij, G. frei), ON. frr as in frjáls free :- frhals ‘free-necked’), Goth. freis :- Gmc. frijaz :- IE. prijos, the stem of which is repr. also by Skr. priyá- dear, W. rhydd free, OSl. prijatel friend, OE. froan love, set free, Goth. frijn love; cf. FRIEND. The primary sense is ‘dear’. freebooter piratical adventurer. XVI. — Du. vrijbuiter. freedom OE. frodm. freeholder XV. tr. AN. fraunc tenaunt ‘free tenant’, one who possesses a freehold estate, AN. fraunc tenement ‘free holding’. free-lance military adventurer. XIX; later esp. fig. freely OE. frol.e. freeman OE. froman. freemason †skilled worker in stone (perh. orig. one emancipated from the control of guilds) XIV; member of a fraternity which grew out of a practice of admitting to societies of stonemasons other persons not of that craft (first called accepted masons) XVII. freestone fine-grained sandstone or limestone. XIV. tr. OF. franche piere, AL. lapis liber, the adj. meaning ‘of superior quality’. free thinker one who refuses to submit his reason to the control of authority. XVII. free thought XVIII. freewill unrestrained choice, (theol.) power of directing one's actions without constraint by necessity. XIII.

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freesia

XIX. modL., f. the name of Friedrich H. T. Freese , German physician; see -IA1.

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freeze

pt. froze, pp. frozen (impers.) be so cold that ice forms OE.; be converted into ice XIII; convert into ice XV. OE. str. vb. frosan = MLG., MDu. vrsen (Du. vriezen), OHG. frosan (G. frieren), ON. frjósa :- Gmc. freusan, f. freus- fraus- frus- :- IE. preus- prous- prus-, repr. by L. pruna hoarfrost, Skr. pruv.

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freight

hire of a transport vessel XV; cargo, lading XVI. — MLG., MDu. vrecht, var. of vracht (see FRAUGHT).

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French

pert. to France. Late OE. fren.is. :- Gmc. fragif;kiskaz, f. Fragif;kan- FRANK; see -ISH1. Hence Frenchify XVI.

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frenzy

mental derangement, (passing into) wild agitation of mind. XIV. — (O)F. frénésie — medL. phrensia, for L. phrensis — Gr. phrnësis, f. phrn, phren- mind; see -Y3.

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frequent

†crowded; †commonly practised; addicted to XVI; recurring often, constant, habitual XVII. — (O)F. fréquent or L. frequns, -ent- crowded, frequent, of unkn. orig.; see -ENT. So frequence XVI. — (O)F. — L. frequentia, whence also frequency XVI. frequent visit, associate with, resort to; †practise. XV. — (O)F. fréquenter or L. frequentre. frequentative (gram.) XVI. — L.

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fresco

painting in water-colour on a wall, etc., before the plaster is dry. XVI. orig. in fresco, †al fresco, †a fresco, repr. It. affresco, i.e. al fresco ‘on the fresh (plaster)’; see FRESH.

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fresh

†eager, ardent XII; brisk, vigorous; not salty XIII; new, novel, recent; having the signs of newness, not tainted, sullied, or worn XIV; of wind XVI. — OF. freis, fem. fresche (mod. frais, fraîche) = It. fresco :- Rom. friscus — Gmc. friskaz, repr. by OE. fers. in senses ‘not salted, not salt’ = OFris., MDu. fersc (Du. vers), OHG. frisc (G. frisch), ON. ferskr. Hence freshen XVII; see -EN5.

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freshet

stream of fresh water XVI; flood XVII. prob. — OF. freschet, f. frais FRESH; see -ET.

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fret1

†devour OE.; gnaw; also fig. XII; chafe, irritate, vex XIII. OE. str. vb. fretan = MLG., MDu. vrten (Du. vreten), OHG. frezzan, (G. fressen), Goth. fraïtan; f. Gmc. fra- FOR-1 + etan EAT. Hence as sb. XV.

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fret2

(chiefly in pp. fretted) †adorned with interlaced work XIV; adorned with carved or embossed work XVII. prob. f. OF. freter, rel. to frete trellis, interlaced work (mod. frette), of unkn. orig. So sb. XIV. prob. — OF. frete. Comp. fretwork XVIII.

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fret3

(mus.) bar of wood, etc., to regulate the pitch in some stringed instruments. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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friable

easily reducible to powder. XVI. F. friable or L. fribilis, f. frire crumble, rel. to fricre rub; see -ABLE.

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friar

XIII. ME. frere — (O)F. frère brother, friar :- L. frter, frtr- BROTHER.

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fricandeau

fricassee of veal. XVIII. — F.; of unkn. orig.

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fricassee

ragout of sliced meat. XVI. — F. fricassée, sb. use of fem. pp. of fricasser mince and cook in gravy; of unkn. orig.

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fricative

XIX. — modL. fricatvus, f. L. fricre; see next and -ATIVE.

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friction

XVI. — F. — L. fricti, -n-, f. fricre rub; see -TION.

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Friday

OE. fredæ, corr. to MLG., MDu. vrdach (Du. vrijdag), OHG. fratag (G. freitag); i.e. DAY of Fr = ON. Frigg name of the wife of Odin, prop. sb. use of fem. of Gmc. frjaz noble, FREE; WGmc. tr. of late L. Veneris dies day of the planet Venus.

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friend

OE. frond, pl. frend = OS. friund (Du. vriend), OHG. friunt (G. freund), ON. (with change of decl. in the sg.) frændi, Goth. frijnds; Gmc. prp. formation on frijjan (whence OE. froan, Goth. frijn love), f. frijaz beloved, FREE.

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frieze1

coarse woollen cloth with a nap. XV. — F. frise — medL. (lna) frsia Frisian wool.

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frieze2

(archit.) member of entablature between architrave and cornice. XVI. — F. frise — medL. frisium, var. of frigium, for L. Phrygium (sc. opus) Phrygian work.

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frigate

(orig.) light swift vessel (later variously applied). XVI. — F. frégate — It. fregata, of unkn. orig.

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fright

sb. OE. fryhto, var. of fyrhto = Goth. faurhtei :- Gmc. fur?tn, f. fur?taz afraid, repr. by OE. forht, etc. No known cogns. outside Gmc. So vb. terrify. OE. fryhta, var. of fyrhtan = OS. forahtian, OHG. for(a)htan, furihten (G. fürchten), Goth. faurhtjan. Superseded by frighten XVII. See -EN6.

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frigid

XVII (once XV). — L. frgidus, f. frgre be cold, f. frgus cold; see -ID1. So frigidity XV. — F. — late L.

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frill

wavy ornamental edging. XVI. contemp. with the corr. vb.; of unkn. orig.

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fringe

ornamental border of stuff with dependent threads XIV; edging, border XVII. Late ME. frenge — OF. frenge, fringe (mod. frange) :- Rom. frimbria, alt. of late L. fimbria, earlier only pl. fibres, shreds, fringe. Hence as vb. XV.

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frippery

†old clothes XVI (freprie); finery in dress XVII; empty display XVIII. — F. friperie, OF. freperie, f. frepe, ferpe, etc. rag, old clothes, of unkn. orig.; see -ERY.

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frisk

move briskly and sportively. XVI. f. frisk adj. brisk, lively — OF. frisque vigorous, lively, of unkn. orig.

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frit

calcined mixture of sand, etc., to be melted to form glass. XVII. — It. fritta (perh. through F. fritte), sb. use of fem. pp. of friggere FRY2.

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fritillary

plant of the genus Fritillaria XVII; spotted butterfly XIX. — modL. fritillria, f. L. fritillus dice-box, presumably applied to the chessboard; so named in ref. to the markings of the corolla. Cf. -ARY.

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fritter1

portion of batter fried in oil, etc. XIV. — (O)F. friture :- Rom. frctra, f. frict-, pp. stem of L. frgere FRY2; see -URE.

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fritter2

†break into fragments; do away with piecemeal, waste in trifling. XVIII. f. fritters fragments (XVII), expressive alt. of (dial.) fitters (XVI), f. †fitter break into small fragments; see -ER4.

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frivolous

XV. f. L. (mainly late) frvolus silly, trifling + -OUS. Hence, by back-formation, colloq. frivol vb. XIX. frivolity XVIII. — F., f. (O)F. frivole adj. — L. frvolus.

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friz(z)

curl (the hair) in crisp curls. XVII. earliest forms freeze, frize — F. friser, of unkn. orig.

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frizzle

frizz (the hair). XVI. first in pp. frisled, and earlier than friz(z), of which it might be supposed to be a deriv.; of symbolic orig.

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fro

prep. (now dial.) from XII; adv. in to and fro XIII. — ON. frá FROM.

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frock

long eccl. open-sleeved habit; long coat or tunic; skirted outer garment, gown. XIV. — (O)F. froc — Frankish hroc ( = OHG. hroc).

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frog1

tailless amphibious animal. OE. frogga, similar in form to docga DOG, etc.; rel. to OE. fors., fros., frox = MLG., Du. vorsch, OHG. frosc (G. frosch), ON. froskr :- Gmc. froskaz, prob. :- frudskaz, f. frud- fraud- frd-, whence also ME. frde, froude (XII–XV) frog or toad, ON. frauðr.

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frog2

substance in the sole of a horse's hoof. prob. a transf. use of FROG1 partly induced by the formal similarity of synon. It. forchetta and Fr. fourchette, dim. of forca, fourche FORK.

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frog3

attachment to the waist-belt to carry a sword, etc.; ornamental fastening for a military coat. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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frolic

†joyous; sportive. XVI (frowlyke). — Du. vrolijk, f. (M)Du. vro glad, joyous (= OS., OHG. frao, fr, G. froh, ON. frár swift) + -lijk -LY1. Hence as vb. XVI, whence as sb. XVII.

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from

prep. OE. fram, from = OS., OHG., Goth. fram, ON. frá FRO; f. fra- = PRO-1 + -m suffix (cf. Gr. prómos foremost). The primary sense was ‘forward’; cf. ON. fram(m) = Goth. framis (compar.) forward (adv.), OE. fram, from, ON. framr forward, valiant; see also FRAME.

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frond

(bot.) leaf-like organ formed by the union of stem and foliage. XVIII. — L. frns, frond- leaf.

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front

(arch.) forehead, face XIII; foremost part XIV. — (O)F. front forehead :- L. frns, front-. Hence frontage (rare before XIX), frontal adj. XVII. So frontal †ornament for the forehead; covering for the front of an altar. XIV. — OF. frontel — L. frontle. frontier †front part XIV; boundary of a country XV. — (O)F. frontière.

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frontispiece

principal face of a building XVI; pediment; †front page of a book; illustration facing the title-page XVII. — F. frontispice or late L. frontispicium examination of the forehead, countenance, façade, f. L. frns, front- FRONT + -spicium (cf. AUSPICE); early assim. in sp. to piece.

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frore

(dial.) frozen XIII; (arch.) very cold, frosty XV. obs. pp. of FREEZE (OE. froren).

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frost

OE. frost, usu. forst = OS., (O)HG., ON. frost (Du. vorst) :- Gmc. frustaz, -am, f. wk. grade of freusan FREEZE + abstr. suffix -t-. The form frost was doubtless established by ON. influence. Hence frosty XIV.

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froth

sb. XIV. — ON. froða or frauð, f. Gmc. freuþ- frauþ- fruþ-. Hence vb. XIV.

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frou-frou

rustling, as of silk. XIX. — F., of imit. orig.

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froward

perverse, refractory. XIII. f. FRO + -WARD.

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frown

vb. XIV. — OF. fro(i)gnier (surviving in renfrogner), f. froigne surly look, of Celt. orig. (cf. W. ffroen nose).

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frowzy

fusty, musty XVII; dirty and unkempt XVIII. prob. rel. to earlier synon. (dial.) frowy (XVI), †frowish (XVII), and later frowsty (XIX). of unkn. orig.

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fructify

bear fruit XIV; make fruitful XVI. — (O)F. fructifier — L. frctificre, f. frctus FRUIT; see -FY. So fructuous XIV. — OF. or L.; see -OUS.

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frugal

sparing in the use of things XVI; sparingly supplied XVII. — L. frglis, back-formation from frglior, -issimus, compar. and superl. of frg indeclinable adj. (evolved from phr. frg bonæ ‘to good advantage’, serviceable, useful), d. of frux, chiefly pl. frgs produce of the soil (cf. FRUIT); see -AL1. So frugality XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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fruit

(esp. pl.) vegetable products gen. XII; edible products of a tree; (arch.) offspring; produce, product XIII. — (O)F. :- L. frctus (enjoyment of) the produce of the soil, fruit, revenue, f. frg-, base of fru enjoy, perh. orig. feed on, frs ‘fruits’ of the earth; cf. BROOK2. So fruit vb. bear fruit. XIV. fruiterer XV. Extension with -ER1 of fruiter (XV) — (O)F. fruitier (see -ER2). fruitful XIII. fruitless ineffectual XIV; unproductive XV; unavailing XIX.

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fruition

enjoyment, peaceable possession. XV. — (O)F. — late L. fruiti, -n-, f. fru enjoy; see FRUIT, -TION.

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frumenty, furmety

dish made of hulled wheat boiled in milk. XIV. — OF. fru-, fourmentee, f. fru-, fourment (mod. froment) wheat :- L. frmentum; see -Y5.

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frump

†sneer, jeer, hoax XVI; (pl., dial.) ill humour, sulks XVII; dowdy woman XIX. prob. shortening of (dial.) frumple wrinkle (XIV), as vb. — MDu. verrompelen, f. ver- FOR- + rompelen RUMPLE.

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frustrate

vb. XV. f. frustrate pp. (XV) — L. frustrtus, pp. of frustrre, f. frustr in vain, rel. to fraus FRAUD; see -ATE3. So frustration XVI. — L.

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frustum

XVII. — L., ‘piece cut off’.

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frutescent

(bot.) becoming shrubby. XVIII. irreg. f. L. frutex bush + -ESCENT. So fruticose shrub-like. XVII. — L. fruticsus. frutex (bot.) shrub. XVII.

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fry1

†offspring; young of fish XIV; young or insignificant creatures XV. Implied in AL. frium XIII–XIV. — ON. frío, frjó seed = Goth. fraiw; of unkn. orig.

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fry2

cook in boiling fat. XIII. — (O)F. frire = It. friggere :- L. frgere (cf. Gr. phrgein, Skr. bhjjáti grill).

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fuchsia

XVIII. modL., named after Leonhard Fuchs , G. botanist (d. 1566); see -IA1.

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fucus

†cosmetic XVI; genus of seaweeds XVIII. — L. fcus rock-lichen, red dye or cosmetic — Gr. phûkos.

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fuddle

tipple; intoxicate. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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fudge1

patch up, fake. XVII. perh. alt. of earlier fadge, occas. fodge fit, adjust and ult. identical with ME. fage, dial. fadge deceive, beguile, of unkn. orig. Hence sb. made-up story, deceit; int. stuff and nonsense! XVIII.

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fudge2

soft sweetmeat. XIX. perh. f. prec.

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fuel

sb. XIV. — AN. fuaille, fewaille, OF. fouaille :- Rom. foclia (in medL., obligation to furnish or right to demand fuel), f. focus fire (see FOCUS). Hence as vb. XVI.

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fug

stuffy atmosphere. XIX. of symbolic orig.

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fugacious

fleeting XVII; failing or fading early XVIII. f. L. fugx, fugc-, f. fugere flee; see -ACIOUS.

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fugitive

adj. and sb. XIV. — (O)F. fugitif, -ive — L. fugitvus, -va, f. fugit-, pp. stem of fugere flee; see -IVE.

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fugue

(mus.) XVI. — F. fugue or its source It. fuga — L. fuga flight, rel. to fugere flee. Hence fugal XIX.

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-ful1

suffix appended to sbs., forming adjs. orig. with meaning ‘full of’, which has in many instances weakened to ‘characterized by’, ‘having’, ‘possessing the qualities or attributes of’ what is denoted by the sb. OE. formations are repr. by careful, harmful, rightful, shameful, sorrowful, wilful; many comps. of OE. orig. did not survive, but new ones arose in abundance in ME. and later, as beautiful, delightful, gainful, hateful, lawful, tearful; many have both subjective and objective meanings. Based on vb.-stems are mournful, resentful. Special cases are BASHFUL, FORGETFUL, GRATEFUL, THANKFUL.

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-ful2

suffix repr. the adj. FULL and forming sbs. denoting a receptacle filled with a substance, and hence the quantity that fills or would fill it. There are a few exx. in OE., the chief of which is HANDFUL. The suffix soon became of universal application.

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fulcrum

prop, support, spec. in mechanics. XVII. L. fulcrum post or foot of a couch, f. base of fulcre support.

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fulfil

†fill up OE.; †furnish fully; satisfy, carry out XIII. Late OE. fullfyllan (once), f. FULL + FILL2.

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fulgent

(arch.) glittering. XV. — L. fulgns, -ent-, prp. of fulgre shine; see -ENT.

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fuliginous

sooty. XVI. — late L. flginsus, f. flg, flgin- soot, prob. rel. to fmus smoke, FUME; see -OUS and cf. F. fuligineux, perh. the immed. source.

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full

adj. OE. full = OS. ful (Du. vol), OHG. foll (G. voll), ON. fullr, Goth. fulls :- Gmc. fullaz :- fulnaz :- IE. pnós, whence also OIr. ln, Lith. pilnas, OSl. pln, Skr. prá-, f. IE. pol- pel- pl- with the vars. pl- pl-, repr. by OE. fela, OHG. filu (G. viel), Gr. polús, Skr. purú- many, abundant, L. plnus, Gr. plrs full.

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fuller

one who cleanses and thickens cloth by treading or beating. OE. fullere — L. full, with native suffix -ER1. So full vb. XIV. prob. back-formation infl. by (O)F. fouler or medL. fullre.

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fulmar

sea-bird. XVII. orig. a word of the Hebrides dial.; perh. f. ON. fúll FOUL (with ref. to the bird's offensive smell) + már gull, MEW1.

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fulminate

thunder forth; orig. a rendering of medL. fulminre, used spec. of formal censure by eccl. authority. XV. f. pp. stem of L. fulminre, f. fulmen, -min- lightning; see -ATE3. So fulmination XVI. — L.

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fulsome

†abundant, plentiful XIII; †well-grown; †satiating, cloying: offensive XIV. f. FULL + -SOME1; perh. infl. by ME. fl FOUL.

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fumble

speak haltingly; use the hands clumsily. XVI. — LG. fummeln, Du. fommelen.

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fume

sb. XIV. — (i) OF. fum :- L. fmus; (ii) OF. fume, f. fumer :- L. fumre smoke, whence fume vb. XIV. So fumigate XVI. f. pp. stem of L. fmigre; see -ATE3. fumigation XIV. — (O)F. or medL.

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fumitory

plant of the genus Fumaria. XIV (fumeterre). — (O)F. fumeterre — medL. fmus terræ ‘smoke of the earth’; so named because its growth was supposed to resemble the spread of smoke over the ground; assim. to words in -ARY, -ORY1.

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fun

†hoax, practical joke XVII; diversion, sport XVIII. f. †fun vb. hoax (XVII), prob. dial. var. of †fon make a fool of (see FOND). Hence funny comical XVIII; queer, odd XIX.

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funambulist

rope-walker. XVIII. f. F. funambule, It., Sp. funambulo, or their source L. fnambulus, f. fnis rope + ambulre walk; see -IST.

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function

action or activity proper to anything XVI; religious or other public ceremony XVII; (math.) variable quantity in relation to other variables XVIII. — (O)F. fonction — L. functi, -n-, f. fung, funct- perform; see -TION. Hence vb. XIX. functional XVII, functionary XVIII.

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fund

A
†bottom, foundation, basis;

B
source of supply; stock of money. XVII. refash. of †fond after L. fundus BOTTOM, piece of land, farm, estate, which is the ult. source of F. fond bottom, basis, and fonds stock; Eng. fond and fund were used XVII indifferently in both these senses.
Top
Hence vb. XVIII.

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fundament

foundation; buttocks, anus. XIII. ME. funde-, fondement, later fund-, fondment — (O)F. fondement :- L. fundmentum, f. fundre FOUND1 (see -MENT); latinized forms (fonda-) appear XIV. So fundamental XV. — F. or late L., whence fundamentalism, fundamentalist XX.

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funebrial

XVII. f. L. fnebris, f. fnus FUNERAL; see -IAL.

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funeral

adj. XIV; sb. XVI. The adj. is — OF. funeral — late L. fnerlis, f. fnus, fner- obsequies, death, corpse; the sb. is — (O)F. funéraille(s) — medL. fnerlia; see -AL1. So funereal XVIII. f. L. fnereus.

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fungible

(leg.) that can serve for another (thing). XVIII. — medL. fungibilis, f. fung perform; see -IBLE.

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fungus

mushroom or the like XVI; spongy excrescence XVII. — L. fungus, perh. connected with Gr. sp(h)óggos, SPONGE. So fungous XV. — L. fungsus.

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funicular

pert. to a hypothetical filament of rarefied matter XVII; depending on a rope or its tension XIX. f. L. fniculus, dim. of fnis rope + -AR.

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funk

cowering fear, panic. XVIII (first recorded as Oxford Univ. sl.). perh. identical with sl. funk tobacco smoke. So vb. show fear. XVIII.

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funnel

XV. ME. fonel (prob. orig. a term of the wine trade with the S. of France) — Pr. (en)fonilh :- L. infundibulum, (late) fundibulum, f. (in)fundere pour (in); see FOUND2.

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funny

see FUN.

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fur

sb. XIV. f. fur vb. line or trim with fur XIII; cover, become covered, with a coating (whence a new sb. XIX) XVII. — AN. furrer, OF. forrer (mod. fourrer) line, sheathe f. OF. forre, fuerre — Gmc. fðram sheath (OE. fddor, OHG. fuotar, G. futter, ON. fóðr, Goth. fdr), f. IE. p- protect. Hence furry XVII; see -Y1.

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furbelow

pleated border; pl. showy trimming. XVIII. alt. of synon. and contemp. falbala — F., of unkn. orig.

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furbish

remove rust from, brighten up. XIV. — OF. forbiss-, lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of forbir (mod. fourbir) — Gmc. furbjan (OHG. furben).

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furcate

forked. XIX. — late L. furctus, f. furca FORK; see -ATE2. So furcation XVII.

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furious

see FURY.

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furl

XVI. — (O)F. ferler, earlier fer(m)lier, f. fer(m) FIRM + lier bind.

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furlong

OE. furlang, f. furh FURROW + lang LONG1; orig. the length of the furrow in the common field.

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furlough

XVII (vorloffe, fore-loofe, furlogh). — Du. verlof, modelled on G. verlaub, f. ver- FOR-1 + laub- LEAVE1.

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furmety

see FRUMENTY.

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furnace

XIII. — OF. fornais m., fem. (mod. fournaise) :- L. fornx, -c-, and popL. forntia, f. L. fornus, furnus oven, rel. to formus WARM.

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furnish

†accomplish; supply, provide XV. — OF. furniss-, lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of furnir (mod. fournir) :- Rom. fornre, alt. of formre, fromre — Gmc. frumjan (OS. frummian, OHG. frummen) promote, accomplish, supply. So furniture †action of furnishing; provision, equipment (with various applications); the sense ‘movable articles in a room, etc.’ is peculiarly Eng. XVI. — F. fourniture (OF. forneture).

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furore

XIX. — It. :- L. furor, -r-, f. furere rage.

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furrier

XVI. alt., after clothier, etc., of ME. furour — OF. forreor (mod. fourreur), f. forrer trim with FUR. Hence furriery XVIII. See -Y3.

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furrow

OE. furh = OFris. furch, MLG., MDu. vore (Du. voor), OHG. furuh (G. furche), ON. for trench, drain. f. Gmc. base fur?-, rel. to L. porca ridge between furrows, W. rhych furrow.

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further

to or at a more advanced point OE.; in addition XII (amplified to furthermore XIII); at a greater distance XIV. OE. furðor, -ur, corr. to OFris. further, OS. furðor (early mod. Du. voorder), OHG. furdar, -ir, f. Gmc. furþ- FORTH + compar. suffix (see -ER3).

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furtive

XV (rare before XVII). — (O)F. furtif, -ive or L. furtvus, -va, f. furt- in furtum theft, rel. to fr thief; see -IVE.

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furuncle

boil, inflamed tumour. XVII. — L. frunculus petty thief, knob on a vine (‘stealing’ the sap), boil, dim. of fr (see prec.).

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fury

XIV. — (O)F. furie — L. furia. furisus mad, f. furere rage. So furious XIV.

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furze

OE. fyrs, of uncert. orig. (Gr. práson, L. porrum leek corr. formally, but have no connection of meaning).

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fuscous

dusky. XVII. f. L. fuscus (see DUSK) + -OUS.

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fuse1, fuze

cord, casing, etc., filled with combustible material for igniting explosive. XVII. — It. fuso :- L. fsus spindle.

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fuse2

melt with intense heat. XVII. f. fs-, pp. stem of L. fundere pour, melt, FOUND2. So fusible capable of fusion. XIV (readopted XVII). — medL. fusile XIV. — L.

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fuselage

XX. — F., f. fuseler shape like a spindle, f. fuseau spindle; see -AGE.

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fusil

†steel for a tinder-box XVI; light musket XVII. — (O)F. :- popL. focle, f. focus (in popL.) fire; see FOCUS. So fusilier orig. soldier armed with a fusil. XVII. See -IER2. fusillade XIX.

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fusion

melting XVI; union as if by melting XVIII. — F. fusion or L. fsi, -n-, f. fs-, pp. stem of fundere pour; see FOUND2, -SION.

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fuss

sb. and vb. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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fustanella

white kilt worn by men in Albania and Greece. XIX. — It., f. modGr. phoústani, Alb. fustan, prob. — It. fustagno FUSTIAN.

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fustian

†coarse cloth; thick twilled cotton cloth XII; as adj. fig. bombastic, pretentious XVI. — OF. fustaigne (mod. futaine), repr. medL. (tla) fustnea, (pannus) fustneus, i.e. cloth of Fostat, suburb of Cairo, from which such cloth was exported.

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fustigate

(joc.) cudgel. XVII. f. pp. stem of late L. fstigre, f. fstis cudgel; see -ATE3. So fustigation XVI. — L.

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fusty

stale-smelling XIV; also fig. XVII. — OF. fusté, f. fust trunk of a tree, barrel :- L. fstis club.

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futile

XVI. — L. ftilis, better futtilis, lit. ‘that pours out’, f. fud-, base of fundere pour; see FOUND2, -ILE. So futility XVII. — F. or L.

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futtock

(naut.) one of the middle timbers of the frame of a ship. XIII. ME. (pl.) votekes, futtokes, foteken; perh. repr. MDu. voetkijn, dim. of voet FOOT (see -KIN), with assim. to -OCK.

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future

adj. and sb. XIV. — (O)F. futur — L. futrus, fut. ppl. of esse, f. fu-; see BE. Hence futurism belief that biblical prophecies are still to be fulfilled XIX; in art use (XX) — F. — It. So futurity XVII.

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fuze

see FUSE1.

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fuzzy

spongy XVII; fluffy XVIII. cf. Du. voos spongy, LG. fussig spongy (cf. synon. Sc. fozy XIX); see -Y1. So or hence fuzz loose, volatile matter XVII, fuzz-ball fungus, puff-ball XVI.

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-fy

suffix forming vbs., the oldest of which were adoptions of F. vbs. in -fier, derived from L. vbs. in -ficre, -r (orig. f. adjs. in -ficus -FIC) or modelled on these. The L. words fall into three classes according to the force of the suffix, viz. (i) ‘make’, ‘convert into something’, as ædificre EDIFY, pcificre PACIFY; (ii) ‘bring into a certain state’, as modificre MODIFY, sanctificre SANCTIFY; (iii) with causative sense, as horrificre HORRIFY. In medL. -ficre was substituted for -facere, so that F. and Eng. words in -fier, -fy often corr. to L. words in -facere, e.g. satisfier SATISFY, stupéfier STUPEFY. The suffix normally takes the form -IFY, which has been consequently generalized for new formations (e.g. codify XVIII, indemnify XVII) and has been freely used (esp. for trivial and joc. coinages), with the senses: ‘make a specified thing’, as speechify; ‘assimilate to the character of something’, as countrify (chiefly in pp.); ‘invest with certain attributes’, as Frenchify. An early ex. is beautify; crucify is a special case.

Nouns of action corr. to vbs. in -ify end in -ification; those corr. to vbs. in -efy end in -faction.

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G

gab

(colloq.) talking, talk. XVIII. var. of dial. gob (XVII, gift of the gob), prob. a use of north. dial. and sl. gob mouth (XVI; var. gab XVIII), poss. — Gael., Ir. gob beak, mouth.

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gabardine

see GABERDINE.

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gabble

talk volubly XVI; (of geese) gaggle XVII. — MDu. gabbelen, of imit. orig. Cf. GAB.

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gabbro

(min.) rock composed of feldspar and diallage. XIX. — It. (Tuscan) :- L. glaber, glabr- smooth.

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gaberdine

loose upper garment. XVI. Earliest form gawbardine — OF. gauvardine, gallevardine, perh. f. MHG. wallevart pilgrimage; Sp. gabardina is closest to the present form. In the form gabardine adopted as the name of a dress material XX.

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gabion

(fortif.) wicker basket filled with earth. XVI. — F. — It. gabbione, augm. of gabbia cage.

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gable

XIV (gavel, gable). of twofold orig., — (i) ON. gafl and (ii) OF. gable, itself prob. — the ON. word; the corr. words in the other Gmc. langs. mean ‘fork’ (OE. eafol, OHG. gabala, G. gabel, etc.), the words for ‘gable’ showing another vowel-grade, e.g. MDu. ghevel, OHG. gibil (G. giebel), Goth. gibla.

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gaby

(colloq.) simpleton. XVIII. dial. and sl. in orig.; see -Y6.

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gad1

go idly from place to place. XV. prob. back-formation from †gadling companion, (low) fellow, (later) wanderer, vagabond, OE. gædeling (rel. to GATHER).

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gad2

euphem. pronunc. of GOD in oaths, esp. (by) gad!. XVII. Cf. BEGAD, EGAD, GADZOOKS.

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gadfly

cattle-biting fly. XVI. f. †gad spike (- ON. gaddr; rel. YARD2) + FLY1.

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gadget

XIX. orig. a seaman's term; of unkn. orig.

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gadoid

pert. to the Gadidae (cod-fishes). XIX. f. modL. gadus — Gr. gádos kind of fish +-OID.

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gadroon

one of a set of curved lines used in decoration. XVIII. — F. godron, prob. rel. to goder pucker, crease; see -OON.

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gadzooks

(arch.) mild expletive. XVII. perh. for God's hooks, i.e. God's nails, sc. of Christ crucified; see GAD2.

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Gael

Celtic native of the Scottish Highlands. XIX. — Sc. Gaelic Gaidheal, corr. to Ir. Goídel. Hence Gaelic XVIII.

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gaff1

hook XIII; fishing-spear XVII; steel spur XVIII. — Pr. gaf hook, of uncert. orig.

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gaff2

(sl.) secret, in phr. blow the gaff. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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gaffe

(sl.) indiscreet act, faux pas. XIX. — F. gaffe, f. gaffer — Pr. gafar seize, f. gaf GAFF1.

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gaffer

XVI. prob. contr. of GODFATHER; cf. GAMMER.

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gag

†suffocate, choke XV; stop the mouth of XVI. perh. imit. Hence sb. XVI.

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gaga

(sl.) daft. XX. — F., of imit. orig.

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gage1

pledge, security XIV. — (O)F., ult. — Gmc. waðjam (see WED). Cf. WAGE. So vb. †pledge, pawn; †stake, wager. XVI. — (O)F. gager or aphetic of ENGAGE.

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gage2

see GREENCAGE.

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gage3

var. of GAUGE.

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gaggle

(of geese) cackle. XIV. imit.; cf. MHG. ggen, ggern cry like a goose, Du. gaggelen gabble, ON. gagl gosling. Cf. -LE3. Hence as sb. flock (of geese). XV.

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gaiety, gaily

see GAY.

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gain

sb. XV. — (O)F. gain m., gaigne fem. (mod. gagne), f. gaigner (mod. gagner; hence gain vb. XVI) — OF. gaaigner, of Gmc. orig.; cf. OHG. weidenen graze, pasture, forage, etc., f. Gmc. waiþ (OHG. weida fodder, pasture, hunting, OE. wð, ON veiðr hunting). Hence gainful XVI.

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gainsay

pt. gainsaid XIII. f. gain-, formerly a common prefix meaning ‘against’, ‘in opposition’ (see AGAIN) + SAY1.

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gait

XVI. A particular use of GATE2, which is otherwise obs. in gen. use; the sp. was established XVIII.

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gaiter

XVIII. — F. guêtre, perh. repr. wistr-, var. of Gmc. wirst-, wrist- (G. rist instep, withers); see WRIST.

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gala

festive attire XVII; †festivity, gaiety XVIII; festive occasion XIX. — F. gala or its source It. gala — Sp. — OF. gale rejoicing, f. galer rejoice (of Gmc. orig.).

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galacto-

comb. form of Gr. gála, galakt- milk. XVII.

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galantine

†sauce for fish and fowl XIV; jellied meat XVIII. — F., alt. of galatine — medL. galatina.

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galanty show

pantomime of shadows thrown on a screen. XIX. perh. — It. galanti, pl. of galante GALLANT.

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galaxy

the Milky Way XIV; brilliant assemblage XVII. — (O)F. galaxie — medL. galaxia, late L. galaxias — Gr. galaxias, f. gála, galakt- milk; see -Y3.

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galbanum

gum resin from species of ferula. XIV. — L. — Gr. khalbán, of Sem. orig.

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gale1

bog myrtle. OE. gagel(le) = MDu. gaghel, Du., G. gagel.

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gale2

strong wind. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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galeated

helmet-shaped; helmeted. XVII. f. L. galetus, f. galea helmet + -ED1. Also galeate XVIII. See -ATE2.

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galena

lead ore. XVII. — L.

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galilee

porch or chapel at the entrance of a church. XV. — OF. galilée — medL. galilæa; the name of a province of Palestine. First recorded of Durham cathedral, and taken up thence by antiquarian writers of XIX.

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galimatias

meaningless language, XVII. — F., of unkn. orig.

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galingale

E. Indian aromatic root XIII; kind of sedge XVI. — OF. galingal — Arab. kalanjn — Pers.

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gall1

bile; bitterness. XII. — ON. gall, corr. to OE. ealla, OS., OHG. galla (Du. gal, G. galle) :- Gmc. zallam, zallan-, -n, f. IE. ghol- ghel- (repr. by Gr. kholé, L. fel bile); cf. YELLOW.

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gall2

swelling, pustule XIV; bare spot XVI. — MLG., MDu. galle (Du. gal), corr. to OE. ealla sore on a horse, (M)HG. galle, ON. galli fault, flaw, perh. identical with prec. Hence galled sore from chafing XIV (cf. OE. eallede); whence gall vb. chafe, fret XIV.

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gall3

excrescence growing on the oak, etc. XIV. — (O)F. galie :- L. galla.

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gallant

A
†adj. splendid XV; †fine, stately XVI; chivalrously brave XVI;

B
attentive to women; amatory XVII; sb. (fine) gentleman XIV; lady's man XV. — (O)F. galant, prp. of galer make merry, make a show (cf. GALA).
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Hence gallantry XVII.

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galleon

XVI (gailzeown). — MDu. galjoen, — (O)F. galion, augm. of galie GALLEY or — Sp. galeon.

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gallery

†covered walk, colonnade XV; long balcony; apartment for the exhibition of works of art XVI. — (O)F. galerie — It. galleria gallery, †church porch — medL. galeria, perh. alt. of galilæa GALILEE.

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galley

low flat-built sea-going vessel XIII; large open rowing-boat XV; ship's kitchen XVIII. — OF. galie (mod. galée) — medL. galea, medGr. galaîa.

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galliambic

kind of lyric metre. XIX. f. L. galliambus song of the Gallî or priests of Cybele, + -IC; see IAMBIC.

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galliard

†valiant; (arch.) lively, gay XIV. — (O)F. gaillard, perh. f. Rom. gallia strength, power, of Celt. orig.; see -ARD. As the name of a lively dance (XVI) — F. galliarde, sb. use of fem. adj.

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gallic

(chem.) name of a crystalline acid occurring in gall-nuts. XVIII. — F. gallique, f. galle GALL3; see -IC.

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Gallic

Gaulish, French. XVII. — L. Gallicus, f. Gallus, Gallia Gaul (see Gaulish). So Gallican XVI. — F. gallican or L. Gallicnus. Gallicism XVII. — F. See -IC, -AN.

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galligaskins

(arch.) wide hose or breeches XVI; (dial.) leggings XIX. Early forms gallogascaine, galeygascoyne, galigascon; preceded by or contemp. with gally slopes, breeches, hose, and gaskin, gascoigne hose; perh. ult. f. F. †garguesque, var. of †greguesque — It. grechesca, sb. use of fem. of grechesco Greek; there has been blending with Gascon, but the origin of galli- remains unkn.

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gallimaufry

hodge-podge, jumble. XVI. — F. galimafrée, of unkn. orig.

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gallinaceous

pert. to the Gallinae (domestic poultry, etc.). XVIII. f. L. gallnceus, f. gallna hen, f. gallus cock; see -ACEOUS.

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gal(l)iot

small galley. XIV. — (O)F. galiote — It. galeotta, dim. of medL. galea GALLEY.

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gallipot

small earthen pot. XV (gal(e)y pott). prob. f. GALLEY + POT, as orig. denoting pottery brought in galleys, i.e. from the Mediterranean.

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gallium

(chem.) metallic element. XIX. modL., said to be f. L. gallus cock, tr. the name of its discoverer, Lecoq de Boisbaudran; see -IUM.

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gallivant

XIX. of unkn. orig.

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Gallo-

used as comb. form (see -O-) of L. Gallus inhabitant of Gaul.

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gallon

XIII. — ONF. galon, var. of jalon :- Rom. gallone, f. base of medL. gallta, galltum; perh. of Celt. orig.

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galloon

ribbon or braid for trimming. XVII. — F. galon, f. galonner trim with braid, of unkn. orig.; see -OON.

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gallop

vb. XV.; sb. XVI. — (O)F. galoper, galop, for which see WALLOP.

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gallows

apparatus for hanging a person XIII (galu treo, galwe tree, galwes). — ON. gálgi = OE. ealga, galga, OS., OHG. galgo (Du. galg, G. galgen), Goth. galga :- Gmc. zalzan-.

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galoot

(sl.) raw soldier or marine; U.S. (uncouth) fellow. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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galop

lively dance. XIX. — F. (see GALLOP).

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galore

XVII. — Ir. go l(e)ór, i.e. go to, leór sufficiency.

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galosh, golosh

†wooden shoe, patten; (now) over-shoe. XIV. — (O)F. galoche, irreg. repr. late L. gallicula, dim. of L. gallica, sb. use of gallicus GALLIC, prob. ‘Gaulish sandal’.

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galumph

invented by ‘Lewis Carroll’ (C. L. Dodgson ) in ‘Through the Looking-glass’, 1871; a ‘portmanteau’ word combining gallop and triumphant. Cf. CHORTLE.

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galvanism

electricity developed by chemical action. XVIII. — F. galvanisme, f. the name of Luigi Galvani , who first described the phenomenon; see -ISM. So galvanic XVIII, galvanize XIX.

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gambado

sb. bound, spring. XIX. — Sp. gambada, f. gamba leg; see -ADO.

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gambier

astringent extract from the plant Uncaria gambier. XIX. — Malay gambir name of the plant.

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gambit

opening at chess. XVII (gambett). — It gambetto tripping up, f. gamba leg (cf. JAMB); the form in -it is via F.

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gamble

XVIII. prob. continuing †gamel (XVI) play games, sport, alt. (with assim. to -LE3) of †gamene, early form of GAME vb.

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gamboge

gum-resin from E. Asian trees, used as a pigment. XVIII. — modL. gambaugium, var. of cambugium, -bugia, -bogia, f. Cambodia, former name of the Khmer Republic.

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gambol

sb. XVI (gambad(e)). — F. gambade — It. gambata trip-up, f. gamba leg; the forms show the development gambade, gambaude, gambauld, gambold, gambol (XVII). Also as vb. XVI.

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gambrel

(dial.) stick for stretching XVI; horse's hock XVII; kind of roof XIX. — ONF. gamberel, f. gambier forked stick, f. gambe, var. of jambe leg; see -EREL.

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game1

amusement OE.; organized amusement XIII; †sport derived from the chase, (hence) wild animals pursued for sport XIII. OE. gamen, gomen = OS., OHG., ON. gaman; of unkn. orig. For loss of -n cf. clue, eve, maid. Hence vb.; a new formation of XIII, distinct from OE. gam(e)nian. Hence gamester XVI.

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game2

full of spirit. XVIII. adj. use of GAME1 sporting sense of ‘spirit for fighting, pluck’.

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game3

(colloq.) lame. XVIII. of unkn. orig.; cf. synon. GAMMY.

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gamete

XIX. — modL. gameta — Gr. gamet wife, gaméts husband, f. gámos marriage.

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gamin

(street) urchin. XIX. — F., of unkn. orig.

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gammadion

swastika (which involves the form of ). XIX. — late Gr. gammádion, f. gamma () third letter of the Gr. alphabet.

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gammer

XVI. prob. contr. of GODMOTHER; cf. GAFFER. Gandmer (XVI) shows assoc. with GRANDMOTHER.

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gammon1

†ham XV; joint of bacon XVI. — ONF. gambon (modF. jambon) ham, f. gambe leg.

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gammon2

lashing of the bowsprit. XVII. perh. identical with prec., the allusion being to the tying up of a gammon or ham.

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gammy

XIX. dial. var. of GAME3.

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gamp

(colloq.) umbrella. XIX. f. name of Mrs. Sarah Gamp, monthly nurse in Dickens's ‘Martin Chuzzlewit’, who carried a large cotton umbrella.

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gamut

(hist.) lowest note of the medieval musical scale XV; Guido d'Arezzo's ‘great scale’ comprising the seven hexachords and so all the notes used in medieval music XVI; (gen.) compass, range XVII. Earliest forms gammuthe, -othe, -outh(e), contr. of medL. gamma ut, i.e. gamma note one tone lower than A + UT.

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gander

male of the goose. Late OE. gan(d)ra, corr. to MLG. ganre (LG., Du. gander); f. the same base as GANNET.

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gang

A
†going, journey XII; (dial.) way, road XV;

B
(dial.) set of articles of one kind XIV; band of persons XVII. — ON. gangr m. and ganga fem., walking, motion, course = OE., OS., OHG. (Du., G.) gang, Goth. gaggs; Gmc. noun of action to zazan go (cf. GO).
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Hence gangster member of a criminal gang. XIX (orig. U.S.).

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ganglion

(path.) †tumour in a tendon; (physiol.) complex nerve centre XVIII. — Gr. gágglion.

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gangrene

XVI. — F. gangrène — L. gangræna — Gr. gággraina. Hence gangrenous XVII.

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gangue

matrix of an ore. XIX. — F. — G. gang vein or lode of metal, techn. use of gang course (see GANG).

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gangway

XVII. prob. of continental orig.; see GANG, WAY; not continuous with OE. gangwe.

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gannet

OE. ganot, corr. to MLG. gante, Du. gent, MHG. ganiz, genz, OHG. ganazzo, MHG. ganze gander :- Gmc. zanitaz, zanatan-, f. same base as GANDER; cf. GOOSE.

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ganoid

having a smooth shiny surface. XIX. — F. ganoïde, f. Gr. gános brightness; see -OID.

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gantry, gauntry

four-footed wooden stand for barrels XIV; platform for a travelling crane, etc. XIX. prob. f. gawn, dial. form of GALLON + TREE.

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gaol, jail

sb. XIII. ME. (i) gay(h)ole, gail(l)e — ONF. ga(i)ole; (ii) iai(o)le — OF. jaiole, jeole (mod. geêle) :- Rom. gaviola, for caveola, dim. of L. cavea CAGE. The form gaol repr. a pronunc. with hard g which was current till XVII; the pronunc. repr. by jail was equally early (XIII). Hence vb. XVII. Comp. gaol-bird prisoner in gaol, habitual criminal XVII. So gaoler, jailer, gaolor XIII. ME. gayholere, gailer and iailere,* geilere — OF. gaiolere and jaioleur, jeolier (mod. geôlier).

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gap

breach in a defence XIV; opening in a mountain range; unfilled space XVI. — ON. gap chasm, rel. to gapa GAPE.

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gape

XIII. — ON gapa = (M)Du. gapen. (M)HG. gaffen; in OE. repr. only by ofergapian neglect; further relations uncert. Hence sb. XVI.

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garage

XX. — F., f. garer take care. Cf. WARE3, -AGE.

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garb

†grace, elegance; †style, fashion XVI; (fashion of) dress XVII. — F. †garbe (now galbe) — It. garbo — Gmc. zarw (OHG. garaw adornment), f. zarwu- ready.

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garbage

offal of an animal XV; refuse, filth XVI. of unkn. (prob. AN.) orig.

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garble

†sift, take the pick of XV; make selection from (unfairly or with a bias) XVII. — It. garbellare sift, f. garbello sieve — Arab. irbl, perh. — late L. crbellum, dim. of crbrum.

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garboard

first range of planks or plates laid on the keel. XVII. — Du. †gaarboord, perh. f. garen, contr. form of gaderen GATHER + boord BOARD.

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garden

XIV. — ONF. gardin, var. of (O)F. jardin :- Rom. gardno, f. gardo- — Gmc. zardan-; see YARD1. Hence vb. XVI. So gardener XIII.

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gardenia

XVIII. modL., f. name of Alexander Garden , Sc. naturalist (d. 1791); see -IA1.

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gare-fowl, gairfowl

great auk. XVI (gare), XVII (gair-fowl). — Gael. gearbhul — ON. geirfugl; of uncert. orig.

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garfish

fish having a spear-like snout. XV. app. f. OE. gr spear (see GOAD) + FISH1.

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Gargantuan

XVI. f. Gargantua, name of the large-mouthed voracious giant in Rabelais's work of that name; see -AN.

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gargle

XVI. — F. gargouiller gurgle, †gargle, f. gargouille (see next).

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gargoyle

XV. — OF. gargouille throat, gargoyle; of imit. orig.

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garibaldi

(orig. red) blouse imitating the red shirt worn by the Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–82) and his followers. XIX.

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garish

XVI. Also gaurish, and perh. f. ME. †gaure stare; cf. -ISH1.

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garland

wreath of flowers, etc. XIV. ME. gerland, garland — OF. gerlande, garlande (mod. guirlande); of unkn. orig.

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garlic

OE. grlac, f. gr spear + la LEEK.

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garment

XIV. (gar(ne)ment). — (O)F. garnement equipment, f. garnir GARNISH; see -MENT.

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garner

(now lit.) granary. XII (gerner). — AN. gerner, OF. gernier (mod. grenier) :- L. grnrium GRANARY; see -ER2. Hence vb. XIV.

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garnet

vitreous mineral, a precious kind of which is used as a gem. XIII. ME. gernet, grenat, prob. — MDu. gernate, garnate — OF. grenat — medL. grntus, perh. transf. use of L. grntum POMEGRANATE, the stone being compared in colour to the pulp of the fruit.

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garnish

A
furnish, fit out, embellish XIV (now obs. or rhet., exc. for embellishing a dish of food XVIII);

B
(leg.) warn, as with a notice XVI. — (O)F. garniss-, lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of g(u)arnir :- Gmc. warnjan, prob. rel. to warnjan, -jan become aware, (hence) guard, defend, provide for (see WARN).
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Hence garnishee (leg.) XVII. So garniture furniture, outfit XVI; ornament XVII; (of a dish) XVIII.

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garret

†turret, watch-tower XIV; attic room XV. — OF. garite (mod. guérite), f. garir defend (see next).

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garrison

†treasure, gift XIII; †defence XIV; †fortress; defensive force in a fortress XV. — OF. garison defence, safety, provision, store, f. garir defend, furnish — Gmc. warjan defend (OE., OS., OHG. werian, ON. verja, Goth. warjan). Infl. by †garnison XIV — OF., f. garnir fit out, GARNISH. Hence vb. furnish with, station as, a garrison XVI; occupy as a garrison XVII.

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gar(r)otte

†packing-stick; Sp. method of capital punishment by strangulation XVII; highway robbery by throttling the victim XIX. — Sp. garrote orig. cudgel. So vb. XIX. — F. garrotter or Sp. garrotear.

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garrulous

XVII. f. L. garrulus, f. garrre chatter; see -ULOUS. So garrulity XVI. — F. †garrulité — L.

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garter

XIV. — OF. gartier, var. of jartier (also jartiere, mod. jarretière), f. garet, jaret bend of the knee, calf of the leg (whence Sp. jarrete, It. garretto), prob. of Celt. orig.

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gas1

(hist.) occult principle supposed to be present in all bodies XVII; any completely elastic fluid XVIII. — Du. gas (J. B. van Helmont , 1577–1644), based on Gr. kháos CHAOS. Hence gas vb. treat, poison, etc., with gas; (colloq.) talk aimlessly. XIX.

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gas2

(U.S.) colloq. abbrev. of GASOLINE.

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gash

sb. XVI. Later form of †garsh, var. of †garse (XIII–XVII). — OF. garse, f. garcer, jarcer scarify (mod. gercer chap, crack), perh. abnormally repr. late L. charaxre — Gr. kharássein (cf. CHARACTER). So vb. XVI. For loss of r cf. BASS1, DACE.

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gasket

(naut.) small rope securing a furled sail. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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gasoline, gasolene

XIX. f. GAS1 + -OL + -INE5, -ENE.

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gasometer

vessel for holding gas XVII; reservoir for storing gas XIX. — F. gazomètre, f. gaz GAS1 + -mètre -METER.

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gasp

vb. XIV. Early var. gayspe — ON. geispa, alt. of geipsa, f. base of geipa talk idly; cf., with weak grade of the base, OE. ipian yawn (only in prp. ipiende), ipung open mouth. Hence sb. XVI.

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gast(e)ropod

mollusc, so called from the ventral position of the locomotive organs. XIX. — F. gastéropode — modL. gasteropoda n. pl., f. Gr. gastr, gaster- belly + poús, pod- FOOT. So gastric XVII. gastronomy XIX. — F.

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gate1

opening in a wall capable of being closed by a barrier; barrier itself. OE. æt, eat, pl. gatu, corr. to OFris. gat hole, opening, OS. gat eye of a needle (LG., Du. gap, hole, breach), ON. gat opening, passage :- Gmc. zatam. Forms with initial y, repr. OE. forms eat, etc., remain in northerly dial.; the standard form has been gate since XVI.

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gate2

A
(north. dial.) way XIII; street (surviving in place-names) XV;

B
†going, journey XIII; manner of going (see GAIT). — ON. gata = OHG. gazza (G. gasse lane), Goth. gatw :- Gmc. zatwn, of unkn. orig.
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gather

bring or come together OE.; infer, conclude XVI. OE. gaderian = MLG. gadern, (M)Du. gaderen, MHG. gatern :- WGmc. zadurjan, f. zadur TOGETHER. For the change of OE. d to th cf. FATHER.

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gatling

machine-gun named after the inventor, R. J. Gatling (d. 1903); first used in the American civil war. XIX.

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gauche

XVIII — F. gauche left-handed.

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Gaucho

one of mixed European and Indian people in S. America. XIX. — Sp., of native orig.

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gaud

†trick, sport, jest XIV; (arch.) plaything XV; (pl.) showy things XVII. perh. — AN. deriv. of (O)F. gaudir rejoice — L. gaudre.

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gaudy1

rejoicing; annual college feast. XVI (gaudye dayes). — L. gaudium joy (f. gaudre rejoice) or L. gaud, imper. of gaudre.

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gaudy2

brilliantly gay, glaringly showy. XVI. prob. the first word of †gaudy green (XIV–XVI) yellowish green, prop. green dyed with weld, f. (O)F. gaude WELD1 + -Y1.

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gauge, U.S. gage

fixed measure XV; graduated instrument XVII. — ONF. gauge, var. of F. jauge. So vb. XV. — OF. gauger (mod. jauger).

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Gaulish

XVII. f. Gaul Gallia (France and Upper Italy) — F. Gaule, ult. — Gmc. wal?az foreign (cf. WELSH); see -ISH1.

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gault

(geol.) applied to beds of clay and marl. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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gaunt

†slim; tall and lean. XV. of unkn. orig.

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gauntlet1

metal-plated glove of medieval armour. XV. — (O)F. gantelet, dim. of gant glove :- Gmc. want-, extant only in ON. vttr (:- wantuz) glove; see -LET.

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gauntlet2

in phr. run the gauntlet. XVII. alt., by assim. to prec., of †gantlope (XVII–XIX) — Sw. gatlopp, f. gata lane, GATE2 + lopp course (see LEAP); a term introduced through the Thirty Years War.

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gauze

XVI. — F. gaze, prob. f. Gaza name of a town in Palestine.

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gavel

mallet. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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gavelkind

Kentish form of land-tenure XIII; in Kent and elsewhere, division of a deceased man's property equally among his sons. XVI. ME. gavel(i)kinde, -kende; repr. OE. gafolecynd, f. gafol tribute + ecynd KIND1; presumably orig. tenure by the payment of a fixed service.

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gavial

long-snouted Asian crocodile. XIX. — F. — Hind. ghaiyl (whence the var. gharial).

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gavotte

XVII. — F. — Pr. gavoto, f. Gavot name in Provence for inhabitants of the Alps.

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gawk

awkward lout, simpleton. XIX. rel. to gawk vb. stare vacantly XVIII, gawky adj. XVIII; perh. based on †gaw(e) XII (cf. ON. gá heed).

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gay

mirthful, merry XIII; bright-coloured, showy XIV; ‘fast’, dissipated XVII. — (O)F. gai, of unkn. orig. So gaiety XVII. Hence gaily XIV.

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gaze

vb. XIV. of unkn. orig.; poss. rel. to the base of ME. gawe stare (see GAWK).

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gazebo

turret, look-out. XVIII. perh. joc. f. GAZE, in imitation of L. futures in -b.

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gazelle

XVII. — (O)F. — Arab. azl.

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gazette

XVII(gazet(ta)). — F. gazette or its source It. gazzetta, so called because sold for a gazeta, Venetian coin of small value; see -ETTE. So gazetteer †journalist XVII; geographical dictionary XVIII. — F. gazzettier — It. gazzetiere.

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gear

equipment, apparatus, etc. XIII. — ON. gervi, grvi, corr. to OS. gerwi, garewi, OHG. garaw, gar(e)w :- Gmc. zarwn-, f. zarwu- ready.

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gecko

XVIII. — Malay chchak, chichak, etc.

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gee

int. word of command to a horse. XVII. Hence as sb. esp. redupl. gee-gee (XIX) child's name for a horse.

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geezer

(sl.) elderly person. XIX. dial. pronunc. of guiser masquerader, mummer, f. guise †attire fantastically, dial. go about in disguise, masquerade, f. GUISE in the sense ‘attire’; see -ER1.

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geisha

XIX. — Jap., ‘person of pleasing accomplishments’.

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gel

(chem.) semi-solid colloidal solution. XIX. abbr. of next.

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gelatin(e)

XIX. — F. gélatine — It. gelatina, f. gelata JELLY; see -INE5. So gelatinous XVIII. — F. gélatineux.

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geld

castrate. XIII. — ON. gelda, f. geldr barren. So gelding (see -ING3) †eunuch; castrated animal. XIV.

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gelid

extremely cold. XVII. — L. gelidus, f. gelu frost, intense cold (cf. COLD); see -ID1.

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gelignite

variety of gelatin dynamite. XIX. perh. f. GEL(ATIN) + L. ignis fire + -ITE.

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gem

XIII. — (O)F. gemme :- L. gemma bud, jewel; superseded the OE. adoption of the L. word, viz. im(m), ME zimme. So gemma (bot.) leaf-bud. XVIII. — L. gemmation (bot.) budding. XVIII. — F.

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gemination

XVI. — L. geminti, -n-, f. geminre vb. double (whence geminate XVII), f. geminus twin; see GEMINI, -ATE3, -ATION.

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Gemini

the twins Castor and Pollux. XIV. — L., pl. of geminus double, twin.

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-gen

repr. Gr. -gens (rel. to génos KIN), through F. -gène, which, by ref. to Gr. gennân beget, produce, was used first in oxygène OXYGEN, nitrogène NITROGEN, and later in endogène ENDOGEN, exogène EXOGEN, in the sense ‘producing’, whereas the orig. Gr. formative was used in the senses (i) ‘born, produced’, as in eggens native, and (ii) ‘of a (certain or specified) condition’, as in heterogens HETEROGENEOUS, homogens HOMOGENEOUS.

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gendarme

†mounted armed man XVI; soldier employed in police duties XVIII. — F., sg. formed on pl. gens d'armes ‘men of arms’. Hence gendarmery XVI; after F.

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gender

†kind, sort; (gram.) any of the three ‘kinds’, masculine, feminine, and neuter, of nouns, adjectives, and pronouns. XIV. — OF. gendre (mod. genre) — Rom. genero, f. L. gener- GENUS.

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genealogy

XIII. — (O)F. généalogie — late L. genelogia — Gr. genelogí, f. gene race, generation; see -LOGY. So genealogical XVI, genealogist XVII.

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general

applicable to all XIII; (mil.) of an officer having superior rank and extended command XVI; sb. †(esp. pl.) general idea, principle, etc.; head of a religious order; (mil.) orig. †general captain XVI. — (O)F. général — L. generlis pert. to the whole kind, f. gener-, GENUS; see -AL1. So generality XV (†generalty XIV). generalize XVIII. — F. generalissimo supreme commander. XVII. — It., superl. adj. Hence generally XIII.

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generate

produce (orig. offspring). XVI. f. pp. stem of L. generre, f. GENUS, gener-; see -ATE3. So generation offspring of the same parent(s), etc. XIII; act of generating XIV. — (O)F. — L. generative XIV. — late L. generator begetter XVII; apparatus for producing power, etc. XVIII. — L.

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generic

XVII. — F. générique, f. L. GENUS, gener-. See -IC.

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generous

†nobly born; magnanimous XVI; free in giving; ample; of rich quality XVII. — (O)F. généreux — L. genersus noble, magnanimous, f. GENUS, gener-; see -OUS. So generosity XV (rare before XVI). — F. or L.

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genesis

first book of the Old Testament OE.; (mode of) origin VII. — L. — Gr. génesis generation, creation, nativity, f. gen-, base of gígnesthai be born or produced (see KIN). Hence genetic XIX.

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genet

civet-cat of genus Genetta. XV. — OF. genete (mod. genette), of uncert. orig.; cf. Afr. Arab. jarnait.

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Geneva

spirit otherwise called hollands (flavoured with the juice of juniper berries). XVIII. — Du. genever (assim. to the name of Geneva in Switzerland) — OF. genevre (mod. genièvre) :- jeniperus, for L. jniperus JUNIPER. Cf. GIN2.

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genial

(arch.) nuptial, generative XVI; conducive to growth XVII; kindly XVIII. — L. genilis nuptial, productive, joyous, pleasant, f. genius GENIUS; see -AL1.

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genie

sprite of Arabian tales. XVIII. F. génie GENIUS, used by translators of ‘The Arabian Nights’ to render the Arab. word (see JINN) which it resembled in sound and sense.

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genista

(bot.) broom. XVII. — L.

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genital

adj. and sb. pl. XIV. — (O)F. génital or L. genitlis (n. sg. and pl. as sb.), f. genitus, pp. of gignere beget; see KIN, -AL1.

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genitive

XIV. — (O)F. génitif, -ive, or L. genitvus, -va (gene-), f. genit-, pp. stem of gignere beget, produce; see KIN, -IVE.

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genius

tutelary deity or spirit; demon; characteristic or prevalent disposition or spirit XVI; innate capacity, person as possessing this XVII; extraordinary native intellectual power XVIII. — L. genius attendant spirit, inclination, appetite, (rarely) intellectual capacity, prob. :- gjos, corr. to Gmc. kunjam KIN. (In XVII–XVIII forms repr. F. génie and It. genio were used in various senses of genius).

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genocide

XX. irreg. f. Gr. génos race (see KIN) + -CIDE2.

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-genous

terminal el. (i) f. L. -genus (f. IE. gen-; see KIN) + -OUS, as in indigenous; (ii) f. -GEN, as in (chem.) hydrogenous, nitrogenous; (iii) f. F. -gène (see -GEN), as in (bot.) endogenous, exogenous.

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genre

XIX. — F. (see GENDER).

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gent

shortening of GENTLEMAN, in designations (like esq. for esquire) XVI; hence taken up as an independent word.

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genteel

suited or appropriate to the gentry or persons of quality XVI; †polished, refined; elegant XVII. — F. gentil, fem. -ille, an earlier adoption of which is repr. by GENTLE. First recorded in the form gentile, which was distinguished from GENTILE by retention of the F. pronunc. with final stress, and prob. the nasal sound of the first syll.

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gentian

XIV. — L. gentina, so called, acc. to Pliny , after Gentius, a king of Illyria; see -IAN.

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gentile

non-Jewish, †pagan XIV; pert. to a tribe or nation XVI. — L. gentlis of the same family or nation, (in eccl. use) heathen, pagan, f. gns, gent-, race, people, f. IE. gen- (see KIN).

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gentility

gentle birth XIV; gentle or genteel state or manner XVI. — (O)F. gentilité, f. gentil; see next and -ITY.

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gentle

well-born; noble, generous XIII; †domesticated, tame XV; †pliant, soft; mild. XVI. — (O)F. gentil high-born, noble (in modF. pleasant, kind, agreeable) :- L. gentlis belonging to the same gens or stock, (Rom) belonging to a good family; see also GENTEEL, GENTILE. As sb. (arch.) one of gentle birth XIV; larva of the bluebottle, used for bait by anglers (spec. use of the sense ‘soft’) XVI. Hence gentleman XIII, whence gentlemanly XV. So gentlewoman XIII.

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gentry

gentle birth XIV; people of gentle birth XVI. prob. alt. of †gentrice (XIII) — OF. genterise, var. of gentelise, f. gentil GENTLE, by assoc. with †gentlery (XIII).

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genuflexion, genuflection

XV — late L. genuflexi, -n-, f. genuflectere (f. genu KNEE + flectere bend), whence (back-formation) genuflect XVII.

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genuine

. †natural, native XVI; not spurious or counterfeit XVII. — L. genunus, f. genu KNEE; the orig. ref. was to the recognition of a new-born child by the father placing it on his knees; later assoc. with genus race, KIN; see -INE1.

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genus

(techn.) kind, class. XVI. -L. genus birth, race, stock, KIN.

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-geny

terminal el. = F. -génie, modL. -genia, based on Gr. adjs. in -gens or on the first syll. of GENESIS, meaning ‘mode of production’, as in cosmogeny, ontogeny, physiogeny, with corr. sbs. in -genesis and adjs. in -genetic.

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geo-

repr. ge-, comb. form of Gr. gê earth, as in many scientific terms of XIX.

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geode

XVII. — L. geds — Gr. geds earthy. f. gê earth.

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geodesy

†land-surveying XVI; (math.) study which determines areas of the earth's surface XIX. — F. géodésie or modL. gedæsia — Gr. gedaisí (daiein divide). Hence geodetic XVII.

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geography

XVI. — (partly through F.) L. gegraphia — Gr. gegraphí; see GEO-, -GRAPHY, So geographer XVI, geographic XVII, geographical XVI.

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geology

XVIII. — modL. gelogia; see GEO-, -LOGY. So geological, geologist XVIII.

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geomancy

divination from signs derived from the earth. XIV. — medL. gemanta; see GEO-MANCY.

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geometry

XIV. — (O)F. géométrie — L. gemetria — Gr. gemetrí; see GEO-, -METRY. So geometric XVII, geometrical XVI.

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geranium

genus of plants with fruit shaped like a crane's bill XVI; genus Pelargonium XVIII. — L. — Gr. geránion, f. géranos CRANE.

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gerfalcon

XIV. — OF. gerfaucon (mod. gerfaut) — OFrankish grfalco (G. ger-, gierfalke) — ON. geirflki, the first el. of which is obscure; see FALCON.

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germ

rudimentary form. XVII. — (O)F. germe :- L. germen sprout. Preceded by germen XVII, which remains in botanical use.

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german

closely related; now only in brother-, sister-, cousin-german. XIV. — (O)F. germain :- L. germnus genuine, real (as sb. germnus brother, germna sister).

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German

pert. to Germania or Germany. XVI. — L. Germnus, perh. of Celt. orig. (cf. OIr. gair neighbour). So Germanic XVII.

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germander

XV. — medL. germandr(e)a, alt. of gama(n)drea, for chamedreos — late Gr. khamaídruon, -drs ‘ground-oak’, f. khamaí on the ground + drûs oak.

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germane

XIX. var. of GERMAN.

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germinate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. germinre, f. germen, germin- sprout; see -ATE3. So germination XVI. — L.

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-gerous

see -IGEROUS.

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gerrymander

(orig. U. S.) manipulate election districts unfairly so as to secure disproportionate representation. XIX. f. name of Elbridge Gerry , governor of Massachusetts, who is related to have constructed a district map of the U.S.A. in which the shape of one district suggested to an artist the addition of head, wings, and claws; he exclaimed ‘That will do for a salamander!’, to which another retorted ‘Gerrymander!’

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gerund

XVI — late L. gerundium, f. gerundum, var. of gerendum, gerund of gerere carry on. So gerundial XIX. gerundive adj. pert. to a gerund XVII; sb. gerund XV; passive verbal adjective expressing ‘to be —ed’ XVIII.

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gestalt

(psych.) XX. — G., ‘form, aspect’.

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gestation

†carrying, being carried XVI; process of carrying young XVII. — L. gestti, -n-, f. gestre, frequent. f. gest-, pp. stem of gerere carry.

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gesticulate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. gesticulr, f. gesticulus, dim. of gestus action,GESTURE; see -ATE3. So gesticulation XVII. — L.

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gesture

†bearing, carriage XV; †attitude, posture; movement of the body XVI. — medL. gestra, f. gest-, pp. stem of gerere carry.

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get

pt. got, pp. got, U.S. gotten obtain, procure; beget; succeed in coming or going to, etc. XIII; make oneself, become XVI. — ON. str. vb. geta obtain, beget, guess = OE. ietan (only in comps.) :- Gmc. zetan, f. IE. base ghed- seize, found in L. præda booty, PREY, and with inserted nasal in L. prehendere lay hold of (cf. APPREHEND, etc.), Gr. khandánein hold.

The orig. conjugation was repr. in literary use by get, gat, getten as late as XVI; but pp. gotten (which survives dial. and U.S.) is found before 1400; the clipped form got of the pp., and the pt. got (based on the pp.), date from XVI.

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gewgaw

paltry thing, plaything, trifle. XIII (gwgaw; later guygaw, guegay, etc.). of unkn. orig.

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gey

(Sc.) considerable, -ly. XVIII. var. of GAY.

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geyser

gushing hot spring XVIII; water-heating apparatus XIX. — Icel. Geysir proper name of a certain hot spring in Iceland, rel. to geysa gush.

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gharial

see GAVIAL.

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ghastly

†terrible, (now) suggesting the horror of death or carnage XIV; spectre-like, death-like XVI; as adv. XVI. ME. gastlich, f. gaste terrify (perh. repr. OE. gæstan torment; cf. AGHAST) + -lich -LY1; the sp. with gh- (after GHOST) became current through Spenser.

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gha(u)t

mountain pass XVII; descent to a riverside, landing-place XVIII. — Hindi gh; applied pl. (the Ghauts) by Europeans to two mountain-ranges of India.

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ghee

butter made from buffalo's milk. XVII. — Hindi gh :- Skr. ghtá-.

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gherkin

XVII(girkin). — early mod. Du. (a)gurkkijn (now gurkje, augurkje), dim. of (a(u))gurk; ult. — Slav. word repr. by Pol. ogórek, Russ. oguréts; deriv. with dim. suffix of late Gr. aggoúrion.

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ghetto

Jewish quarter of a town, etc. XVII. — It. Ghetto, name of Venetian island where Jews were confined in 1516.

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ghost

soul, spirit OE.; disembodied spirit XIV. OE. gst = OS. gst (Du. geest), (O)HG. geist :- WGmc. zaista, which has been connected with Skr. héa- anger. The sp. with gh- is first recorded in Caxton's works and is there prob. due to Flem. gheest; it became established late in XVI. Hence ghostly OE. gstli..

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ghoul

demon preying on corpses. XVIII. — Arab. l.

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ghyll

var. of GILL2.

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giant

XIII. ME. geant (later infl. by the L. form) — (O)F. géant, †jaiant :- Rom. gagante, for L. gigant-, nom. gigs — Gr. gígs, gigant-.

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gibber

XVII. imit.

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gibberish

XVI. Earlier than gibber, but presumably to be connected, the ending being based on language-names in -ISH1.

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gibbet

XIII — (O)F. gibet staff, cudgel, gallows, dim. of gibe staff, club; of uncert. orig.; see -ET.

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gibbon

long-armed S.E. Asian ape. XVIII. — F. — native name.

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gibbous

convex; hump-backed. XIV. — late L. gibbsus, f. gibbus hump. So gibbosity XIV.

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gibe, jibe

speak sneeringly. XVI. perh. — OF. giber handle roughly, mod. dial. kick (cf. JIB3), of unkn. orig. Hence sb. XVI.

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giblets

†appendage XIV; †entrails XV; pl. eatable portions of a bird removed before cooking XVI. — OF. gibelet game stew, perh. for giberet, f. gibier game.

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giddy

†mad, foolish OE.; dizzy XVI; easily distracted, flighty. Peculiar to Eng. OE. gidi, gydi :- Gmc. zuðizaz, f. zo- GOD, the primary sense being ‘possessed by a god’; see -Y1.

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gift

XIII. — ON. gipt, corr. to OE. ift payment for a wife, pl. wedding, OS. sundargift privilege, MDu. gift(e) (Du. gift fem. gift, n. usu. gif poison), OHG. gift fem. gift, poison (G. gift fem. gift, n. poison), Goth. fragifts espousal :- Gmc. zeftiz, f. zeb-, base of GIVE; see -T1.

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gig

A
†flighty girl XIII; †whipping-top XV; †rancy, whim XVI; (dial.) fun, glee; (dial.) odd person, fool XVIII;

B
(in full, gig-mill) machine for raising a nap on cloth XVI; light two-wheeled one-horse carriage; light ship's boat XVIII. All these uses may be referred to the gen. notion of light or quick movement, which is also that of the later JIG; but the history of both words is obscure.
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gigantic

XVII. f. L. gigs, gigant- GIANT + -IC.

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giggle

vb. XVI. imit. Hence as sb. XVII.

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giglet

†wanton woman; giggling girl. XIV. perh. f. GIG + -LET.

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gigot

(now Sc.) leg of mutton, etc. XVI. — F., dim. of dial. gigue leg.

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gild1

cover with gold. OE. -gyldan (in pp. egyld GILT1 and comps.) = ON. gylla :- Gmc. zulþjan, f. zulþam GOLD.

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gild2

see GUILD.

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gill1

organ of respiration in fishes. XIV. — ON. gil :- Gmc. zeliz rel. to Gr. kheln lip, jaw, kheîlos lip.

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gill2

rocky cleft, ravine XI (in place-names), XIV (in literature); narrow stream XVII. — ON. gil deep glen. The fanciful sp. ghyll was introduced by Wordsworth .

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gill3

1/4; pint. XIV. — OF. gille, gelle, in medL. gillo, gellus, late L. gello, gillo waterpot.

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gill4

lass, wench. XV. Short for Gillian.

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gillie

attendant on a Highland chief XVII; one who attends on a sportsman XIX. — Gael. gille lad, servant.

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gillyflower

†clove XIV; clove-scented pink, wallflower, etc. XV. ME. gilofre, gerofle — OF. gilofre, girofle — medL. caryophyllum — Gr. karuóphullon clove-tree, f. káruon nut + phúllon leaf. Alt. in Eng. (XV) by assim. to flower.

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gilt1

gilded. XIV. OE. egyld; see GILD1. Hence sb. †gilt plate XV; gilding XVI.

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gilt2

young sow XIV. — ON. gylte.

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gimbals

(pl.) †joints, links XVI; (naut.) self-adjusting bearings to keep articles horizontal XVIII. var. of gimmal (XVI) joints, etc., alt. of gemel (XIV) pl. twins, etc. — OF. gemel (mod. jumeau) :- L. gemellus, dim. of geminus twin.

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gimcrack

†fanciful notion, dodge; mechanical contrivance; knick-knack; †fop XVII; adj. trivial, trumpery XVIII. alt of ME. gibecrake (XIV) kind of ornament; of unkn. orig.

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gimlet

XIV. — OF. guimbelet, of Gmc. orig.

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gimp

silk, worsted, or cotton twist with a cord running through it. XVII. — Du., of unkn. orig.

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gin1

†ingenuity, craft, trick; (arch.) contrivance, esp. for snaring game. XIII. Aphetic — OF. engin ENGINE.

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gin2

ardent spirit distilled from grain and malt. XVIII. abbrev. of Geneva.

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ginger

hot spicy root. XIII. ME. gingivere, repr. a conflation of OE. inifer(e), iniber (directly — medL.) with OF. gingi(m)bre (mod. gingembre) — medL. gingiber, zingeber, L. zingíber(i) — Gr. ziggiberis — Prakrit sigabera — Skr. gavera-. Hence vb. flavour with ginger; treat (a horse) with ginger, (hence gen.) spirit up. XIX.

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gingerbread

A
†preserved ginger XIII;

B
cake flavoured with ginger XV; adj. tawdry, gimcrack XVIII. Earliest forms gingebras, -brat, -bred — OF. gingembras, -brat — medL. gingibrtum, -tum, f. gingiber GINGER + -tum -ATE1. The final syll. assumed a form resembling or suggesting bread, and for sense B the insertion of r in the second syll. completed the semblance of a comp.
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gingerly

†elegantly, daintily, mincingly XVI; very cautiously or reluctantly XVII; also adj. perh. f. OF. gensor, genzor, prop. compar. of gent noble, but used also as a positive, ‘pretty, delicate’. See -LY1, -LY2.

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gingham

XVII. — (prob. through Du. gingang) Malay genggang striped fabric.

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gingival

of the gums. XVII. — modL. gingvlis, f. L. gingva gum; see -AL1.

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ginglymus

(anat.) joint of which the motion is in only one plane. XVII. modL. — Gr. ggglumos hinge.

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gipsy, gypsy

member of a nomadic race, called by themselves Romany, of Hindu origin, in XVI supposed to have come from Egypt. XVI. Earlier forms †gipcyan, †gipsen, -son, aphetic of Egyptian (in the same use).

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giraffe

XVII. There are early forms depending on It. giraffa and OF. girafle, and occas. on Arab. zarfa (ult. source of the word in the Eur. langs.); the present form, hardly established before XVIII, is — F. girafe.

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girandole

revolving firework XVII; branched support for candles XVIII. — F. — It. girandola, f. girare — late L. gyrre GYRATE.

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girasol

variety of opal having a red glow. XVI. — F. girasol or its source It. girasole, f. girare (see prec.) + sole sun.

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gird1

pt., pp. girt encircle; invest, endue; fasten (on) as with a belt. OE. gyrdan = OS. gurdian (Du. gorden), OHG. gurten (G. gürten), ON. gyrða :- Gmc. zurðjan. Hence girder main beam supporting joists. XVII. See -ER1.

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gird2

†strike XIII; †thrust, impel XIII; intr. rush (dial.) XIV; gibe at XVI. of unkn. orig.

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girdle1

belt worn round the waist. OE. gyrdel (earlier gyrdels) = MDu. gurdel (Du. gordel), OHG. gurtil(a), (C. gürtel), ON. gyrðill, f. zurðjan GIRD1; see -LE1. Hence as vb. XVI.

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girdle2

(Sc.) iron plate for baking cakes. XV. Metathetic form of GRIDDLE.

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girl

†youth or maiden XIII; female child XVI. of uncert. orig.; the ME. vars. gurle, girle, gerle suggest an orig. ü.

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girt

surround, gird XVI; take the girth of XVII. f. girt sb. (XVI), var. of GIRTH surviving in techn. uses; infl. by pp. girt of GIRD1.

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girth

band fastened round the body of a beast of burden XIV; measurement round a circumference XVII. — ON. gjrð girdle, girth, hoop (:- zerðu) = Goth. gairda girdle :- Gmc. zerð.

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gist

(leg.) ground of an action, etc. XVIII; substance or essence of a matter XIX. — OF. gist (mod. gît), 3rd sg. pres. ind. of F. gésir lie (:- L. jacre).

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gittern

(arch.) XIV. — OF. guiterne (perh. through MDu. giterne), obscurely rel. to CITHERN and GUITAR.

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give

pt. gave, pp. given hand over OE.; intr. yield XVI. OE. str. vb. (i)efan = OS. geðan (Du. geven), OHG. geban (G. geben), ON. gefa, Goth. giban :- Gmc. zeðan, with no certain IE. cognates. OE. (i)efan was repr. by ME. yive; the present form with initial g appears XII and is due to Scand., the vowel reflecting OSw. giva, ODa. give.

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gizzard

XIV. ME. giser — OF. giser, gezier, juisier, also guisier (mod. gésier) :- Rom. gicerium, for L. gigeria pl. The final d appears XVI. The pronunc. with hard g seems to be due to OF. guisier.

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glabrous

smooth. XVII. f. L. glaber hairless, bald (see GLAD) + -OUS.

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glacé

smooth and highly polished; iced, sugared. XIX. — F., pp. of glacer ice, give a gloss to, f. glace ice.

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glacial

XVII. — F. glacial or L. glacilis icy, f. glacis ice; see -AL1.

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glacier

XVIII. — F. glacier, earlier glacière (an Alpine word), f. glace ice :- Rom. glacia, for L. glacis.

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glacis

sloping bank, (fortif.) sloping parapet. XVII. — F., f. OF. glacier slide, f. glace ice.

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glad

†shining, bright; †cheerful, merry; full of joy OE.; suggestive of joy XVII. OE. glæd = OS. glad (in comp. gladmd), ON. glaðr bright, joyous. The orig. sense survives in OHG. glat (G. glatt) smooth; Gmc. zlaðaz is rel. to OSl. gladk, L. glaber smooth, GLABROUS. Hence gladsome XIV.

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glade

XVI. of unkn. orig.; cf. synon. †glode (XIV).

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gladiator

XV. — L. gladitor, f. gladius sword; see -ATOR. So gladiatorial XVIII. f. L. gladitrius.

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gladiolus

XVI. — L., dim. of gladius sword.

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Gladstone

name of William Ewart Gladstone (1808–98), Eng. statesman, used attrib. or ellipt. to designate (i) French wine of which the importation was increased as a result of his reduction of customs duty, (ii) a kind of portmanteau. XIX.

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Glagolitic

early Slavonic alphabet XIX. — modL. glagoliticus, f. Serbo-Croatian glagolica, f. glagol word; see -IC.

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glair

white of egg. XIV. — (O)F. glaire :- medL. glarea, var. of clarea (sb. use of fem. of L. adj. clrus CLEAR). Hence glairy viscid, slimy. XVII.

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glaive

†lance, spear XIII; †halbert; (arch.) sword, broadsword XV. — (O)F. glaive, †glavie †lance, (now) sword, presumed to be — L. gladius sword.

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glamour

magic, spell XVIII; magic beauty XIX. orig. Sc.; alteration of GRAMMAR with the sense of GRAMARYE. For the form with gl- cf. medL. glomeria, prob. —AN. glomerie, for gramarie GRAMMAR.

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glance

glide off an object struck; †move rapidly XV; make a flash of light; flash a look XVI. The earliest forms glench, glence, glanch suggest an alt. of †glace (XIV) glance, glide (- OF. glacier; see GLACIS) by crossing with synon. †glent (XIII) and lanch, LAUNCH1. Hence glance sb. swift oblique movement; flash, gleam; hurried look. XVI.

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gland

XVII. — F. glande, later form of OF. glandre (see next).

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glander

†glandular swelling XV; (pl.) disease of horses XVI. — OF. glandre :- L. glandulæ pl. throat glands, swollen glands in the neck.

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glare

shine with dazzling light XIII; look fixedly and fiercely XVII. — MLG., MDu. glaren gleam, glare, prob. ult. rel. to GLASS.

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glass

OE. glæs = OS., (O)HG. glas :- WGmc. zla·-sam, of which a var. zlaza·m is repr. by ON. gler glass; prob. rel. to OE. glr, MLG. glr amber.

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Glauber's salt(s)

sulphate of sodium. XVIII. named after Johann Rudolf Glauber (1604–68), German chemist, by whom it was first artificially made.

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glaucoma

XVII. — L. — Gr. glaúkma, f. glaukós; see next and -OMA.

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glaucous

dull-green. XVII. f. L. glaucus — Gr. glaukós bluish-green or grey; see -OUS.

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glaze

fill with glass XIV; cover with a vitreous substance XV. ME. glase, f. GLASS. Hence glazier XIV.

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gleam

(orig.) brilliant light; (now) subdued or transient light. OE. glm (:- zlaimiz), corr. to LG. glm, OHG. glemo glow-worm, and rel. to OS. glmo brightness, OHG. glmo glow-worm, MHG. glmen shine, glow, and further to GLIMMER. Hence vb. XIII.

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glean

gather reaped corn. XIV. — OF. glener :- late L. (Gallo-Roman) glennare (VI), prob. of Celt. orig.

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glebe

soil, earth; field; portion of land attached to a benefice. XIV. — L. glba, glba clod, land, soil; cf. Pol. gleba, Russ. glba clod, and see GLOBE.

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glee

†play, sport; †ministrelsy, music OE. (unaccompanied part-song XVII); mirth, rejoicing XII. OE. glo, glo = ON. (rare) glý :- zliujam (not repr. in other Gmc. langs.).

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glen

XV. In early use Sc. glen; taken up by Spenser in the forms glenne, glinne; in gen. Eng. use the form glen dates from mid-XVIII. — Gael., Ir. gleann, earlier glenn = W. glyn.

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glengarry

XIX. f. name of a town in Inverness, Scotland.

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glenoid

(anat.) pert. to a shallow cavity on certain bones. XVIII. — F. glénoïde — Gr. glnoeids, f. gln ball or pupil of the eye, shallow jointsocket; see -OID.

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glib

(dial.) smooth and slippery XVI; ready and fluent XVII. rel. to synon. †glibbery, corr. formally to Du. glibberig, MLG. glibberich (LG. glibbrig), f. base zlb- (cf. OHG. gleif sloping).

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glide

pass easily or smoothly. OE. str. vb. gldan = OS. gldan (Du. glijden), OHG. gltan (G. gleiten) :- WGmc. zlðan, of which no cogns. are known.

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glim

light, candle, lantern. XVII. perh. abbr. of GLIMMER or GLIMPSE.

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glimmer

†shine brightly XIV; shine faintly XV. prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. Sw. glimra, Da. glimre, to which corr. (M)HG., Du. glimmern); f. Gmc. zlim- zlaim-; see GLEAM, -ER4. Hence glimmer sb. XVI.

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glimpse

†have faint vision XIV; (arch.) shine faintly or intermittently XV; (from the sb.) see momentarily or partially XVIII. deriv. of the base of GLIMMER, perh. repr. an OE. glimsian = MHG. glimsen :- WGmc. zlimisjan. Hence glimpse sb. XVI.

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glint

move quickly, esp. obliquely; shine with flashing light. XIV (not common till XVIII). alt. of earlier (dial.) glent (XIII), prob. of Scand. orig.

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glissade

sb. XIX. — F. glissade, f. glisser slip, slide; see -ADE.

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glisten

OE. glisnian, f. base of glisian ( = OFris. glisa, MLG. glisen), f. Gmc. zlis-, extension of zli-, repr. by ON. gljá shine.

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glister

(poet., dial) glitter. XIV. prob. — MLG. glistern, (M)Du. glisteren, f. Gmc. zlis-; see prec.

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glitter

vb. XIV. — ON. glitra = (MH)G. glitzern, sparkle, frequent. (see -ER4) f. Gmc. zlt-, in OS. gltan, OHG. glzan (G. gleissen) shine, ON. glit brightness, glita shine, Goth. glitmunjan (of clothes) shine bright.

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gloaming

evening twilight. XV. In the literary language an early-XIX adoption from Sc. writers. Cf. OE. glmung.

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gloat

†look askance or furtively XVI; †cast amorous glances XVII; gaze with intense satisfaction (over, upon) XVIII. of unkn. orig. Cf. ON. glotta grin, (M)HG. glotzen stare.

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globe

XVI. — (O)F. globe or L. globus, rel. to glba GLEBE and referred by some to a base gel- roll together, stick. Hence global XX. So globose XV. — L. globous XVII. — F. or L. globular XVII. f. L. globulus, dim. of globus. globule XVII. — F. or L.

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glomerate

(bot.) compactly clustered. XVIII. — L. glomertus; cf. CONGLOMERATE.

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gloom

look sullen; (of the sky, etc.) lower XIV; make dark XVI; look dark XVIII. ME. gloum(b)e; the earliest evidence is predominantly north.; of unkn. orig. Hence gloom sb. (Sc.) sullen look XVI; darkness, obscurity XVII (prob. back-formation from gloomy); melancholy state XVIII. gloomy dark, obscure XVI; sullen, depressed XVI; depressing, dismal XVIII.

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Gloria

short for the liturgical Gloria Patri (et Filio et Spiritui Sancto) Glory be to the Father (and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost), Gloria in excelsis Deo Glory to God in the highest, and Gloria tibi Domine Glory be to thee, O Lord. XIII.

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glory

†boastful spirit; resplendent beauty; splendour (in religious lang., of God, etc.) XIII; exalted praise or honour XIV; halo, nimbus XVII. — OF. (AN.) glorie (mod. gloire) — L. glria. So glory vb. exult, †boast. XIV. — L. glorir, f. glria. glorify XIV. — (O)F. — ecclL. glorious XIII. — AN. glori(o)us, OF. glorieux — L. glrisus.

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gloss1

superficial lustre. XVI. of unkn. orig. Hence as vb. (infl. by GLOSS2) give a specious appearance to, smoothe over. XVII. glossy XVI.

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gloss2

interlinear or marginal explanation; (sophistical) interpretation. XVI. refash. of GLOZE after L. glssa.

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glossary

XIV. — L. glossrium, f. glssa GLOSS2; see -ARY. Hence glossarist XVIII.

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glosso-

rarely glotto-, comb. form of Gr. glôssa, glôtta tongue, language, as in glossographer (Gr. glssográphos), -graphy XVII, glossology science of language XVIII, glottology XIX.

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glottis

XVI. — modL. — Gr. glttís, f. glôtta, var. of glôssa tongue. Hence glottal XIX.

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glove

OE. glf corr. to ON. glófi, by some taken to be :- Gmc. zalf, -an- f. za- Y- + base of ON. lófi, Goth. lfa hand.

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glow

emit (bright) light. OE. str. vb. glwan, corr. to the wk. vbs. OS. gljan (Du. gloeien), OHG. gluoen (G. glühen), ON. glóa; f. Gmc. zl- :- IE. ghl-, ghl-, whence W. glo coal, Lith. ljà twilight. Hence glow-worm XIV.

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glower

(Sc.) stare with wide-open eyes XVI; scowl XVIII. perh. Sc. var. of synon. (dial.) glore (XIV), the earlier sense of which seems to be ‘shine, gleam’, perh. — LG. glren or Scand. (cf. Icel. glóra gleam, stare), rel. to GLOW.

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gloxinia

XIX. modL., named after B. P. Gloxin , German botanist, who described the plant in 1785.

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gloze

flattery, deceit XIII; comment, gloss XIV. — (O)F. glose — medL. glsa, for L. glssa word needing explanation, the explanation itself — Gr. glôssa tongue, (foreign) language, foreign or obscure word. So as vb. talk speciously XIII; †gloss, explain XIV; explain away. — (O)F. gloser.

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glucose

XIX. — F., irreg. — Gr. gleûkos must, sweet wine, rel. to glukús sweet; see -OSE2.

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glue

sb. XIV. — (O)F. glu :- late L. gls, glt-, for L. glten, rel. to Gr. gloí, gloi, glí, gloiós glue, Lith. glitùs slippery; f. IE. gloi- glei- gli- stick. So glue vb. XIII. — (O)F. gluer. Hence gluey XIV; see -Y1.

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glum

XVI. rel. to (dial.) glum vb. frown, scowl (XV), var. of †glom(e), †gloumbe, GLOOM.

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glume

(bot.) husk. XVIII. — L. glma :- glbm, f. glb- (as in glbere shell).

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glut

feed to repletion. XIV. Earliest forms gloute, glotte, glotye, prob. — (O)F. gloutir swallow :- L. gluttre (see GLUTTON). Hence sb. XVI.

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gluteus

(anat.) any of the three muscles of the buttock. XVII. modL., f. Gr. gloutós rump.

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gluten

†albuminous element of animal tissues XVI; sticky or viscid substance XVII; (chem.) nitrogenous part of flour XIX. — F. — L. glten GLUE. So glutinous XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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glutton

A
gormandizer XIII;

B
voracious animal, wolverine XVII. — OF. gluton, gloton (mod. glouton) :- L. glutt, -n-, rel. to gluttre swallow, gluttus greedy, and further to gula throat.
Top
Hence gluttonous XIV.

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glycerin(e)

XIX. — F. glycerin, f. Gr. glukerós sweet, rel. to synon. glukús, of which the comb. form in gen. use is glyco- instead of glycy-.

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glyph

(archit.) vertical channel in a frieze XVIII; sculptured mark XIX. — F. glyphe — Gr. gluph carving, rel. to glúphein carve.

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glyptic

pert. to carving. XIX. — F. glyptique or Gr. gluptikós, f. glúpts carver, f. glúphein carve; see -IC.

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gnarled

XVII. Once in Sh. (‘Measure for Measure’ II ii 116), and taken up thence by early-XIX writers; var. of knarled, knurled, f. knarl, knurl, extensions of knar (XIII) rugged rock, knot in wood, knur, knor (XV) hard excrescence, corr. to MLG., MDu., MHG. knorre (Du. knor, G. knorren) knobby protuberance.

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gnash

XV. alt. of †gnacche (XIV) or †gnast (XIII), which had an early var. †gnaist — ON. base of echoic orig., repr. by gnast(r)an gnashing of teeth, gnesta crash, clatter.

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gnat

OE. gnætt, corr. to LG. gnatte, G. dial. gnatze, rel. to MLG. gnitte, G. gnitze.

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gnathic

pert. to the jaws. XIX. f. Gr. gnáthos jaw + -IC.

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gnaw

pt. gnawed, pp. gnawed (from XVIII). gnawn. OE. str. vb. gnagan = OS. gnagan, OHG. (g)nagan (G. nagen), ON. gnaga; ult. imit.

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gneiss

(geol.) kind of metamorphic rock. XVIII. — G. gneiss, perh. rel. to OHG. gneisto (= OE. gnst, etc.) spark, the rock being named from its sheen.

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gnomic

pert. to general maxims. XIX. — Gr. gnmikós (perh. through F. gnomique), f. gnm opinion, judgement, f. IE. gn-; see KNOW, -IC.

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gnomon

indicator, esp. of a sundial; †nose; part of a parallelogram remaining after a similar one is taken from one corner (from the resemblance to a carpenter's square ). XVI. — F. gnomon or L. gnmn — Gr. gnmn inspector, indicator, carpenter's square, f. IE. gn-; see KNOW.

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gnosis

knowledge of spiritual mysteries. XVIII. — Gr. gnôsis investigation, knowledge, f. IE. gn- KNOW. So gnostic adj. cognitive, intellectual XVII; sb. one of a sect of early Christians claiming gnosis XVI. — ecclL. gnsticus — Gr. gnstikós, f. gnstós; see -IC.

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gnu

XVIII. ult. — Bushman nqu, prob. through Du. gnoe.

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go

pt. went (see WEND), pp. gone †walk; move along, proceed. OE. gn = OS. -gn (Du. gaan), OHG. gn and gn (G. gehen), f. Gmc. zai-, zæ- :- IE. gh(i)-, prob. repr. in Gr. kíkhmi I reach, Skr. jáhti leaves, forsakes.

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goad

pointed rod for driving cattle. OE. gäd :- Gmc. zaið, f. IE. ghai- (as in Gr. khaîos, khaîon shepherd's staff); rel. to OE. gr spear.

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goal

terminal point of a race; (in football), posts through which the ball is driven. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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goat

OE. gt she-goat (the male being called bucca BUCK and gtbucca), pl. gt = OS. gt (Du. geit), OHG. geiz (G. geiss), ON. geit, Goth. gaits :- Gmc. zaitaz, rel. to L. hædus kid :- IE. ghaidos. Hence goatee (U.S.) beard resembling the tufted beard of a he-goat. XIX.

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gob

lump. XIV. — OF. go(u)be mouthful, lump (mod. gobbe food-ball, pill), f. gober swallow, gulp, perh, of Celt. orig. (cf. Gael. gob beak, bill, Ir. gob bill, mouth, whence prob. Sc. and north. Eng. gob mouth XVI).

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gobbet

portion, fragment; lump of food, etc. XIV. — OF. gobet, dim. of gobe GOB; see -ET.

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gobble1

swallow hurriedly. XVII. prob. f. GOB + -LE3.

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gobble2

make the characteristic noise of a turkey. XVII. imit., but perh. suggested by prec.

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goblet

XIV. — (O)F. gobelet, dim. of gobel, of unkn. orig.; see -ET.

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goblin

XIV. prob. — AN. gobelin (recorded in F. XV and surviving in Norman dial.), medL. gobelnus; prob. appellative use of a proper name, dim. of Gobel (now Gobeau), app. rel. to kobold (see COBALT).

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goby

XVIII. — L. gbius, var. of cbius — Gr. kbiós some small fish.

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god, God

OE. god (pl. godu n., godas m.) = OS. (Du.) god m., OHG. got (G. gott) m., ON. god n., heathen god, guð m. and n., God, Goth. guþ (pl. guda n.); Gmc. zuð-, of uncert. orig. Hence goddess XIV; godfather, godmother, goddaughter, godson late OE. godfæder, -mdor, -dohtor, -sunu; cf. GOSSIP; godchild XIII. godhead XIII. God's acre churchyard XVII. — G. Gottesacker ‘God's seed-field’, in which the bodies of the dead are ‘sown’ in hope of the Resurrection. godsend XIX. for †God's send (XVII) alteration of ME. goddes sand God's message, dispensation, or ordinance. Godspeed XV. f. phr. God speed ‘May God prosper (one)’. See also GOOD-BYE.

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godetia

genus of hardy annuals. XIX. f. name of C. H. Godet , Swiss botanist (d. 1879); see -IA1.

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godwit

marsh-bird resembling the curlew. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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goffer

make wavy, crimp. XVIII. — F. gaufrer impress with a pattern-tool, f. gaufre honeycomb, pastry made on a mould, impressed pattern, AN. walfre — MLG. wfel; see WAFFLE, WAFER.

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goggle

(dial.) squint, roll the eyes or the head. XIV. prob. frequent. of a base gog, expressive of oscillating movement; cf. jog, joggle, and see -LE3. So goggle-eyed XIV. Hence goggle sb. †squint, stare XVII; (pl.) the eyes; spectacles XVIII.

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Goidel

Celt of the branch represented by the Irish and the Highlanders of Scotland. XIX. — OIr. Goídel; see GAEL. Hence Goidelic XIX.

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goitre

XVII. — F., either (i) — Pr. goitron (also in OF.) :- Rom. gutturinem, f. L. guttur throat, or (ii) back-formation from F. goitreux :- L. gutturisus adj.

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gold

sb. OE. = OS., OHG. gold (Du. goud, G. gold), ON. gull, Goth. gulþ :- Gmc. zulþam :- IE. htom (cf. OSl. zlato), f. hel- YELLOW. Hence golden XIII; superseding †gilden, OE. gylden; see -EN2. goldfinch. OE. goldfin.. goldsmith. OE.

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golf

XV. of unkn. orig.

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golliwog

fanciful invented name for a black-faced doll. XIX.

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golly

(orig. U.S.) substitute for GOD in excls. XIX.

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golosh

see GALOSH.

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goluptious

luscious. XIX. perh. perversion of voluptuous.

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-gon,

repr. Gr. -gnos -angled (cf. KNEE), in heptagon, hexagon, pentagon.

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gondola

XVI. — (Venetian) It. So gondolier XVII. — F. — It.

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gonfalon

banner. XVI. — It. gonfalone = F. gonfalon, later form of gonfanon — Gmc. gundfano ( = OE. gðfana, ON. gunnfani), f. zund- :- Gmc. zunþi war + fano banner.

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gong

XVII. — Malay.

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goniometer

instrument for measuring angles. XVIII. — F. goniomètre, f. Gr. gní angle + métron measure; see -METER.

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gonorrhoea

XVI. — late L. — Gr. gonórrhoia, f. gónos semen (cf. KIN) + rhoía flux, rel. to rhein flow.

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good

OE. gd = OS. gd (Du. goed), OHG. guot (G. gut), ON. góðr, Goth. gþs :- Gmc. zðaz, f. var. of the base zað- bring together, unite, as in gaderian GATHER, the primary sense being ‘fitting, suitable’ (cf. OSl. goditi be pleasing). Compared BETTER, BEST; adv. WELL. See also GOODS. Hence goodly comely, fair OE.; notable in size XIII; excellent, proper XIV; kindly XIV. goodman (i) male head of a house XIV (house-holder, husband XVI); (ii) †prefixed to designations, names of yeomen, etc., (hence) yeoman, Scottish laird XVI. Similarly (dial.) goodwife XIV; cf. GOODY1. goodwill †virtuous disposition; favourable regard, benevolence OE.; cheerful acquiescence XIII; privilege granted by the seller of a business to the purchaser of trading as his successor XVI.

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good-bye

XVI. Early forms God be wy you, God buy'ye, God b'uy, Godbuy, contr. of phr. God be with you or ye, with later substitution of good for God, after good day (XIII), good night (XIV).

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goods

(pl.) property, possessions XIII; merchandise, wares XV. Superseded synon. use of sg. good (XII); partly after ON. góðs, g. sg. of góð (n. of góðr) used as an indecl. sb. in the sense ‘property’, partly after L. bona, sb. use of n. pl. of bonus good.

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goody1

lowly form of address to a (married) woman. XVI. Hypocoristic f. GOODWIFE.

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goody2

sweetmeat. XVIII. f. GOOD; see -Y6.

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goody3

weakly or sentimentally good. XIX. f. GOOD + -Y6. Also redupl. goody-goody XIX.

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googly

(orig. Austral.) in cricket, a ball that breaks from the off. XX. of unkn. orig.

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goosander

XVII. prob. f. GOOSE + second el. of bergander sheldrake (XVI), which prob. repr. ON. nd duck, pl. andir.

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goose. pl. geese

OE. gs, pl. gs = MLG. gs, (M)Du., (O)HG. gans, ON. gás :- Gmc. zans- :- IE. hans-, whence also L. anser (:- hanser), Gr. khn, Skr. hasá-, Lith. sis goose, OIr. géis swan.

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gooseberry

XVI. app. f. GOOSE + BERRY.

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gopher1

the wood of which Noah's Ark was built. XVII. — Heb. gpher.

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gopher2

(orig. U.S.) land tortoise XVIII (also †magofer); pouched rat; ground squirrel XIX. of uncert. orig.

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gore1

†dung, filth OE.; blood shed (and clotted) XVI. OE. gor = (M)Du. goor, OHG. gor mud, filth, ON. gor cud, slimy matter, rel. to OIr. gor, W. gôr matter, pus.

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gore2

triangular piece of land OE.; skirt front, petticoat XIII; triangular piece, spec. of cloth XIV. OE. gra = MDu. ghere (Du. geer), OHG. gro (G. gehre), ON. geiri, rel. to gr spear (a spearhead being triangular).

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gore3

†stab XIV; pierce with the horns XVI. of unkn. orig.

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gorge

throat XIV; crop of a hawk XV; contents of the stomach (phr. one's gorge rises) XVI; neck of a bastion XVII; ravine XVIII. — (O)F., ‘throat’ :- Rom. gurga, for L. gurges whirlpool. Hence vb. fill the gorge (of). XIV.

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gorgeous

XV. Early forms gorgayse, gorges, gorgyas — OF. gorgias fine, stylish, elegant, of unkn. orig.; assim. in ending to words in -EOUS.

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gorget

throat armour XV; wimple, necklace XVI. — OF. gorgete, f. gorge throat, GORGE; see -ET.

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gorgio

gipsies' name for one who is not a gipsy. XIX. — Romany.

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gorgon

terrible- or repulsive-looking person. XVI. Generalized use of the proper name Gorgon — L. Gorg, -n- — Gr. Gorg, f. gorgós terrible.

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gorgonzola

cheese named from a village near Milan, Italy. XIX.

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gorilla

XIX. Adopted by Thomas Savage in 1847 as the specific name; — Gr. gorilla (only in acc. pl.), an alleged African name of a wild or hairy man (prop. the female).

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gormandize

XVI. f. †gormandize sb. gluttonous feeding (XV) — (O)F. gourmandise, f. gourmand glutton.

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gorse

OE. gors(t), app. rel. to L. hordeum, Gr. krth, OHG. gersta (G. gerste) barley.

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gorsedd

meeting of Welsh bards and druids. XVIII. — W., ‘throne, tribunal’, lit. ‘high seat’.

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gosh

Deformation of God used in oaths. XVIII (earlier †gosse XVI).

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goshawk

OE. gshafoc, f. gs GOOSE + hafoc HAWK.

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gosling

XV. orig. gesling — ON. gslingr, f. gás GOOSE; assim. (XV) to Eng. goose; see -LING1.

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gospel

the ‘good tidings’ proclaimed by Jesus Christ; any of the four books written by the Evangelists; portion of any of these read at the Eucharist OE.; something ‘as true as the gospel’ XIII; something ‘to swear by’ as doctrine to be believed XVII. OE. gdspel, i.e. gd GOOD, spel news, tidings (SPELL1 ), rendering of ecclL. bona annuntiatio, bonus nuntius, used as literal renderings of ecclL. evangelium, Gr. euaggélion EVANGEL. Identification of the first syll. with God in Eng. is reflected in forms adopted in the Gmc. langs. of peoples evangelized from England, viz. OS. godspell, OHG. gotspell, ON. guð-, goðspjall. Hence gospeller (which illustrates various uses of -ER1), OE. gdspellere, f. gdspel or the corr. vb. gdspellian, †one of the four evangelists (OE.-XVII); †gospel-book XV; one who recites the Gospel at the Eucharist; one who professes the faith of the gospel, esp. fanatically (hot-gospeller) XVI.

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gossamer

fine film spun by spiders. XIV (gosesomer, gossomer). The earliest forms suggest deriv. from GOOSE + SUMMER1, but the allusion is obscure.

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gossip

†sponsor at baptism OE.; †familiar acquaintance XIV; idle talker, tattler XVI; (from the vb.) tittle-tattle, easy talk XIX. Late OE. godsibb, corr. to ON. guðsefi godfather, guðsifja godmother, comp. of GOD and SIB denoting the spiritual affinity of the baptized and their sponsors. Hence gossip vb. be or act as gossip XVI; talk idly XVII.

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got, gotten

see GET.

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Goth

name of a Germanic tribe prominent in Europe A.D. III-V. OE. Gota, usu. in pl. Gotan, was superseded in ME. (XIV) by the adoption of late and medL. Goth pl. = Gr. Gót(t)hoi pl. — Goth. Guts or Gutans pl. So Gothic pert. to the Goths; †Germanic, Teutonic; †medieval, romantic, of the Dark Ages; spec. of the style of architecture characterized particularly by the pointed arch; †barbarous, savage; black-letter (type). XVII. — F. gothique or late L. Gothicus.

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gouache

water-colour painting with opaque colours. XIX. — F. — It. guazzo.

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gouge

chisel with concave blade. XV. — (O)F. :- late L. gu(l)bia, perh. of Celt. orig. Hence vb. XVI.

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goulash

stew of steak and vegetables XIX; redeal in contract bridge XX. — Hung. gulyáshús, f. gulyás herdsman + hús meat.

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gourd

XIV. — AN. gurde, OF. gourde, repr. ult. L. cucurbita.

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gourmand

†glutton XV; judge of good feeding XVIII. — (O)F., of unkn. orig.

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gourmet

connoisseur in the delicacies of the table. XIX. — F. gourmet, orig. (wine-merchant's) assistant, wine-taster, infl. in sense by GOURMAND.

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gout

disease orig. so named from the notion of the dropping of morbid matter from the blood into the joints. XIII. — OF. goute (mod. goutte) drop, gout :- L. gutta drop. Hence gouty XV.

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govern

rule with authority XIII; direct, regulate, sway XIV; (of grammatical regimen) XVI. — OF. governer (mod. gouverner) :- L. gubernre steer, direct, rule — Gr. kubernân steer. So governance XIV. — OF. governess XV. Shortening of †governeress (XIV); see -ESS1. government XVI. — (O)F. governor XIII. — OF. governeor (mod. gouverneur) — L. guberntor.

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gowan

(Sc. and north.) applied to various yellow and white field flowers. XVI. prob. alteration of (dial.) gollan (XIV) ranunculus, caltha, chrysanthemum, which is prob. rel. to gold in MARIGOLD.

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gowk

(dial.) cuckoo XIV; fool, half-wit XVII. — ON. gaukr = OE. ac, OS. gk, OHG. gouh (in MHG. fool, G. gauch) :- Gmc. (exc. Gothic) zaukaz, of imit. orig.

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gown

XIV. — OF. goune, gon(n)e :- late L. gunna fur garment. Hence gownsman (earlier †gownman) †adult Roman XVI (tr. L. togtus ‘gowned man’); civilian, opp. soldier; lawyer, clergyman; university man XVII.

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grab

XVI. prob. — MLG., MDu. grabben, to which there is a frequent. formation, Du., LG. grabbeln scramble for a thing, whence prob. (dial.) grabble (XVI) grope, scramble, etc.

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grace

favour XII; prayer of blessing or thanksgiving XIII; pleasing quality XIV. — (O)F. grâce, semi-pop. — L. grtia, f. grtus pleasing (see GRATEFUL). So gracious XIII. Hence graceful in casual use from XV till late XVI, when the present senses begin. graceless XIV.

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grackle

bird of any genus orig. included in Gracula. XVIII. — modL. grcula, fem. formed to corr. to L. grculus jackdaw.

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gradation

†(rhet.) climax; †gradual progress; series of stages XVI; scale of degrees XVII; ablaut XIX. — L. gradti, -n-, f. gradus step; see -ATION. So grade †angular degree XVI; step, stage, DEGREE XVIII. — L. gradus or F. grade. Hence as vb. †in pp. admitted to a degree XVI; arrange in grades XVII. -grade adj. suffix repr. L. -gradus stepping, as in RETROGRADE, TARDIGRADE. gradient amount of inclination (of a road) to the horizontal. XIX. prob. f. grade with ending suggested by salient. gradine set of low steps or seats one above another; shelf at the back of an altar. XIX. — It. gradino, dim. of grado step. gradual †graded, in steps XV; proceeding by degrees XVII. — medL. gradulis, f. L. gradus. Also sb. (eccl.) portion of the Eucharistic office between the epistle and the gospel, orig. recited on the steps of the ambo. XVI. — medL. gradule, n. of gradulis used sb. graduate (i) adj. and sb. (ii) vb. XV. (i) -, (ii) f. medL. gradutus, pp. (used sb.) of gradur take a degree; see -ATE2, -ATE3, gradus short for Gradus ad Parnassum (steps to Parnassus), L. title of a dictionary of L. prosody used as an aid to versification. XVIII.

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Gr(a)ecism

Greek idiom or style. XVI. — F. grécisme or medL. Græcismus, f. Græcus Greek; see -ISM. So Gr(a)ecize XVII. — L. Græcizre.

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Gr(a)eco-

mod. comb. form of L. Græcus, XVII.

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graffito

pl. -i drawing or writing scratched on a wall. XIX. — It., irreg. f. graffiare scratch, f. graffio scratching, hook, of Gmc. orig.

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graft1

shoot inserted in another stock. XV. alt. of †graff (XIV) — OF. grafe, grefe, (also mod.) greffe — L. graphium — Gr. graphíon, grapheîon stylus, f. gráphein write; the transf. of meaning was suggested by the similarity of shape. Hence graft vb. XV. alt. of †graff (XIV).

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graft2

(orig. U.S.) means of making illicit profit; dishonest gains; (political) bribery. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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grail1

(eccl.) gradual. XIV. ME. grael — OF. :- ecclL. gradle, for gradule GRADUAL.

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grail2

cup used by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, in which Joseph of Arimathea is said to have received his blood at the Crucifixion. XIV. ME. greal, graal — OF. graal, grael, greel, greil :- medL. gradlis dish, of unkn. orig.

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grain

A
small hard particle XIII; granular texture; †berry, grape; seed, spec. of corn or cereal XIV; smallest Eng. unit of weight XVI.

B
kermes, which was thought to consist of seeds or berries (phr. in grain; cf. INGRAINED); (fast) dye XIV. In A — (O)F. grain :- L. grnum CORN1; in B — (O)F. graine :- Rom. grna fem., orig. pl. of grnum n.
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grallatorial

(ornithology) wading. XIX. f. modL. gralltrius, f. L. gralltor walker on stilts, f. grallæ stilts; see -ATOR, -IAL.

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gralloch

disembowel. XIX. — Gael. grealach entrails.

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gram1

chick- pea. XVIII. — Pg. †gram, gro :- L. grnum GRAIN.

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gram2

var. of GRAMME.

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-gram

repr. Gr. grámma something written, letter of the alphabet, rel. to gráphein write in (i) words directly derived from Gr., as anagram, diagram, program(me), or modelled on Gr. types, as chronogram, logogram, (ii) words compounded with a numeral with grámma (or gramm line), as monogram, pentagram. Also, in the denominations of weight in the metric system, repr. GRAMME.

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gramarye

†grammar, learning XIV; (arch.) occult learning, magic XV. — AN. gramarie = OF. gramaire GRAMMAR; cf. GLAMOUR.

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gramineous

grassy. XVII. f. L. grmineus, f. grmen, grmin- grass; see -EOUS.

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grammalogue

word represented by a single shorthand sign. XIX. irreg. f. Gr. grámma letter + lógos word.

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grammar

XIV. — AN. gramere, OF. gramaire (mod. grammaire) — L. grammatica — Gr. grammatik, sb. use of fem. of grammatikós pertaining to letters (whence, through L. and F., grammatical XVI), f. grámma, grammat- (see -GRAM). So grammarian XIV. — OF. gramarien (mod. grammairien), f. gramaire.

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gramme

XVIII. — F. — Gr. (late L.) grámma small weight.

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gramophone

XIX. Formed by inverting the first and last sylls. of PHONOGRAM. Preceded by graphophone (XIX), from phonograph.

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grampus

name for several delphinoid cetaceans. XVI. Earliest forms graundepose, grampoys, alt. (by assim. to GRAND) of †gra(s)peys (XIV) — OF. grapois, graspeis, also craspois :- medL. craspiscis, f. L. crassus fat, CRASS, piscis FISH.

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granadilla

passion-fruit. XVIII. — Sp. granadilla, dim. of granada POMEGRANATE.

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granary

XVI. — L. grnrium (usu. pl. -ia), f. grnum GRAIN; see -ARY.

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grand

great, pre-eminent, principal XV; imposing, sublime XVIII. — F. grand large, tall, sublime, or its source L. grandis full-grown, abundant, tall, powerful, sublime. The use of F. grand to denote the second degree removed in ascent of relationship was adopted, grandpère, grand' mère being repr. by grandfather , grandmother XVI, earlier †graunt- XV; it was extended (XVI) to the corr. degree of descent in grandchild , grandson , granddaughter , where F. has petit little.

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grandee

XVI. -Sp., Pg. grande, sb. use of grande adj. grand; the ending was illogically assim. to -EE1.

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grandeur

†height XV; †eminence; transcendent or sublime greatness, lofty dignity. XVII. — (O)F. grandeur, f. grand great, GRAND.

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grandiloquent

XVI.f. L. grandiloquus, f. grandis great, GRAND + -loquus speaking, f. loqu to speak; see -ENT.

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grandiose

XIX. — F. — It. grandioso, f. grande grand; see -OSE1.

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grange

(arch.) granary; farming establishment XIII; outlying farmhouse of an estate XIV. — (O)F. :- medL. grnica, sb. use of fem. of grnicus pert. to grain, f. grnum GRAIN.

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granite

XVII. — It. granito lit. grained, granular, pp. formation on grano grain. Hence granitic XVIII.

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granny

XVII(-ee). f. grannam, var. of grandam (- AN. graund dame; see GRAND, DAME) + -Y6.

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grant

agree to, allow, concede XIII; bestow formally XIV. — OF. gra(a)nter, greanter, alteration of creanter guarantee, assure :- Rom. crdentre, f. crdent-, prp. stem of L. crdere believe, trust (see CREDIT). Hence grant sb. XIII.

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granule

XVII. — late L. grnulum, dim. of grnum GRAIN; see -ULE. So granular XVIII, granulate, granulation XVII, granulose XIX, granulous XVI.

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grape

berry of the vine XIII; morbid growth on the pastern of a horse XVI; more fully grape-shot (XVIII) cannon shot consisting of cast-iron balls connected together XVII. Earlier in wingrape ‘wine-cluster’, cluster of grapes (XIII). — OF. grape (mod. grappe) bunch of grapes; later in XIII used first in coll. pl., subsequently in sg. OF. grape was prob. a verbal sb. f. graper gather (grapes), f. grap(p)e hook, of Gmc. orig. Hence grape-fruit (orig. U.S.) XIX.

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graph

XIX. orig. (chem.) short for GRAPHIC formula, in which lines are used to indicate the connections of elements; hence in math.

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-graph

repr. F. -graphe, L. -graphus — Gr. -graphos, which was used (i) in the sense ‘written’, as autógraphos autograph, kheirógraphos chirograph, (ii) in the sense ‘writing’, ‘describing’, as bibliográphos writer of books, gegráphos geographer. Several of the Gr. passive formations have been anglicized, and analogous formations have been made on Gr. models such as lithograph, photograph, which have been imitated in hybrid formations such as pictograph. Most of the current words in -graph are of the technical order and usu. denote a thing that records or expresses (as if in writing), e.g. heliograph, ideograph, phonograph, seismograph, telegraph. The Gr. active formations are usu. repr. by forms in -grapher , which furnish agent-nouns for formations in -graphy . Some words in -graphy denote processes or styles of writing or graphic representation, as calligraphy, orthography, photography, typography; but mostly they are names of sciences, as bibliography, geography, lexicography, topography. Hybrid formations like stratigraphy are few. The corr. adjs. end in -graphic(al) , with advs. in -graphically.

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graphic

†drawn with pencil or pen (rare); vividly descriptive XVII; pert. to drawing or painting XVIII; characterized by diagrams XIX. — L. graphicus — Gr. graphikós, f. graph drawing, writing. So graphical XVII, graphically XVI.

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graphite

XVIII. — G. graphit, f. Gr. gráphein write (the stuff being used for pencils); see -ITE.

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grapnel

XIV. — AN. grapenel, f. synon. OF. grapon (mod. grappin), of Gmc. orig.; see -EL2.

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grapple

grapnel. XVI. — OF. grapil — Pr., f. grapa hook, of Gmc. orig. Hence grapple vb. XVI.

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grasp

†clutch (intr.) XIV; seize with the hand XVI; fig. XVII. ME. graspe, grapse, perh. :- OE. grpsan :- Gmc. zraipisn, parallel to zraipjan GROPE; but perh. of LG. orig.

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grass

herbage for fodder OE.; grassy earth XIII; pasture XV; non-cereal gramineous plant XVI. OE. græs, gærs = OS. (Du.), (O)HG., ON., Goth. gras :- Gmc. zrasam, f. zra- zr- (see GROW). So grasshopper XV. Extended form of †grasshop, OE. gærshoppa (f. gærs + hoppa, agent-noun of hoppian HOP1). grass widow †unmarried woman who has cohabited XVI; married woman away from her husband XIX (first in India). The first el. may have alluded orig. to a bed of grass or hay. grassy XVI.

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grate1

†grating, grille XIV; †cage, prison XVI; barred frame for holding fuel XVII. — OF. :- Rom. crta, grta, for L. crtis hurdle.

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grate2

†scrape, scarify; rasp small XV; rub harshly upon XVI. — OF. grater (mod. gratter) :- Rom. grattre — Frankish krattn (G. kratzen scratch). So grater grating or rasping instrument. XIV. Partly — OF. grateor, -our, partly f. the above vb.; see -ER1, -ER2.

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grateful

pleasing; thankful. XVI. f. †grate (XVI) — L. grtus (in the same senses), pp. formation corr. to Skr. grtá- welcome, agreeable, rel. to words of the Indo-Iran. and Baltic groups denoting ‘praise’; the unusual formation with -FUL1 may have been suggested by It. gradevole pleasing.

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gratify

†reward, recompense; give pleasure to XVI. — F. gratifier, or its source L. grtificr do a favour to, make a present of, f. grtus; see GRATEFUL and -FY. So gratification XVI.

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gratin

(cookery) garnishing of grated or rasped material. XIX. — F., f. OF. grater GRATE2.

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gratis

for nothing, freely. XV. — L. grts, reduction of grtis, abl. pl. of grtia favour, GRACE.

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gratitude

†favour, free gift; gratefulness. XVI. — F. gratitude or medL. grtitd, f. grtus; see GRATEFUL, -TUDE.

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gratuity

†graciousness, favour; gift, present, XVI. — (O)F. gratuité or medL. grtuits gift, f. L. grtus; see GRATEFUL, -ITY. So gratuitous XVII. f. L. grtutus freely given, spontaneous.

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gravamen

grievance or its presentation XVII; part of an accusation that bears most heavily XIX. — late L. grvmen physical inconvenience, in medL. grievance, f. L. gravre weigh upon, oppress, f. gravis heavy, GRAVE3.

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grave1

place dug out for a burial. OE. græf = OS. graf, OHG. grap (G. grab) :- WGmc. zraba (cf. ON. grf, Goth. graba :- zrað); f. zrað- GRAVE2.

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grave2

(dial.) dig OE.; (dial., orig. from ON.) bury XIII; (arch.) engrave OE. OE. str. vb. grafan = OS. bigraban (Du. graven), OHG. graban (G. graben), ON. grafa, Goth. graban dig :- Gmc. zraðan; IE. cogns. are OSl. -greb I dig, Latv. grebju I scrape. The strong pt. died out in XV; pp. graven survives as a literary arch.; wk. forms appeared in XIV in pt. and pp.

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grave3

weighty, important; serious XVI; plain, sombre XVII; (gram.) opp. acute XVII. — (O)F. grave or L. gravis heavy, important, corr. to Skr. gurú-, Gr. barús, Goth. kaurus heavy.

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grave4

clean (a ship's bottom) by burning and tarring; esp. in graving dock. XV. prob. f. dial. F. grave, var. of grève shore.

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gravel

XIII. — (O)F. gravelle, dim. of grave gravel, coarse sand; see GRAVE4, -EL2. Hence gravel-blind, joc. intensive in Sh. ‘Merchant of Venice’ II ii 38 of SAND-BLIND.

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graven

see GRAVE2.

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gravid

pregnant. XVI. — L. gravidus laden, pregnant, f. gravis heavy; see GRAVE3, -ID1.

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gravitate

†exert weight or pressure; be affected by the force of gravity. XVII. f. pp. stem of modL. gravitre, f. L. gravits GRAVITY; see -ATE2. So gravitation XVII.

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gravity

†influence, authority; seriousness; weighty dignity XVI; physical weight, later only spec. XVII. — (O)F. gravité or L. gravits, f. gravis heavy; see GRAVE3, -ITY.

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gravure

abbrev. of PHOTOGRAVURE. XIX.

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gravy

†dressing for white meats, etc. consisting of broth spiced XIV; fat and juices exuding from flesh during and after cooking XVI. ME. graue(y), perh. originating in a misreading of grane — OF. grané (in printed texts often gravé), prob. f. grain spice; see GRAIN1, -Y5.

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gray

see GREY. Hence grayling fish of silvergrey colour. XV.

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graze1

feed on herbage OE.; put to pasture XVI. OE. grasian, f. græs GRASS.

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graze2

touch lightly so as to abrade. XVII. The earliest application is to a shot or shaft glancing off a surface; perh. a spec. use of prec., as if ‘take off the grass close to the ground’.

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grazier

one who grazes cattle for market. XVI. f. GRASS + -IER1.

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grease

melted fat XIII; fat of a beast of the chase XIV. — AN. grece, gresse, (O)F. graisse :- Rom. crassia, f. L. crassus fat. Hence grease vb. XV. greasy XVI.

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great

(dial.) thick, coarse, bulky; large, of considerable size OE.; pregnant XII; important, eminent XIII. OE. grat = OS. grt (Du. groot), OHG. grz (G. gross) :- WGmc. zrautaz, of unkn. orig. The use of the adj. to designate persons one degree further removed in ascending or descending relationship is after the use of F. grand. Hence greatly XII, greatness late OE.

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greave

(usu. pl.) armour for the leg below the knee. XIV. — OF. greve calf of the leg, shin, armour, of unkn. orig.

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greaves

fibrous refuse of tallow. XVII. — LG. greven pl., corr. to OHG. griubo, griobo (G. griebe refuse of lard or tallow), of unkn. orig.

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grebe

XVIII. — F. grèbe, of unkn. orig.

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Grecian

XVI. — OF. grecien or medL. græcinus, f. L. Græcia Greece; see -IAN.

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greedy

OE. grdi, grdi = OS. grdag, OHG. grtag, ON. gráðugr, Goth. grdags :- Gmc. grðaz, -ugaz, f. grðuz hunger, greed (in OE. grdum d. pl. eagerly, ON. gráör, Goth. grdus), of unkn. orig. Hence greed sb., by back-formation. XVII.

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Greek

native of Greece OE.; language of Greece XIV; cheat, sharper XVI; adj. XIV. OE. Grcas (pl.; and so for the most part till XVI), corr. to MLG. Grke, MDu. Grieke, G. Grieche, ON. Grikkir (pl.), of which the earlier forms are OE. Crcas, OHG. Chrch, Goth. Krks :- Gmc. Krkaz — L. Græcus (applied by the Romans to the people who called themselves Hellnes; see Hellene) — Gr. Graikós; cf. L. Graius, used (esp. pl.) as a poet. syn. of Græcus.

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green

of the colour of growing herbage, verdant OE.; fresh, young, unripe, immature XVII. OE. grne = OS. grni (Du. groen), OHG. gruoni (G. grün), ON. grœnn :- Gmc. zrnjaz, f. zr- (see GROW). Hence greenery XVIII. greengage XVIII. f. name of Sir William Gage. greenhorn perh. orig. ox with green (i.e. young) horns XV; inexperienced person XVII. greening †variety of pear; apple which is green when ripe. XVII. prob. — MDu. groeninc (Du. groening) kind of apple. greenness OE.

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greet1

address, salute, esp. with expressions of goodwill OE.; receive with welcome XVII. OE. grtan, grtan handle, touch, visit, attack, treat, salute = OS. grtian call upon (Du. groeten salute), OHG. gruozzen address, attack (G. grüssen salute) :- WGmc. zrtjan cry out, call upon, (hence) provoke to action, assail, address; perh. based on IE. ghrd- ghrd- resound, repr. by Skr. hrd-. Some take this vb. and the next to have a common basis.

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greet2

(Sc.) weep. (i) OE. (Anglian) grtan, grtan (prob. str., but once wk. pt. begrette) = OS. grtan str., MHG. grazen (wk.) cry out, range, storm. ON. gráta (str.), Goth. grtan (str.) :- Gmc. zrtan; cf. prec.; (ii) OE. grotan ( = OS. griotan), of uncert. orig.

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gregarious

f. L. gregrius, f. grex, greg- flock, herd (cf. Olr. graig herd of horses, Gr. agor (place of) assembly); see -ARIOUS.

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gremial

pert. to the bosom or lap XVII; (hist.) ‘internal’, resident (member) XVI; sb. (eccl.) apron for a bishop's lap XIX. — medL. gremilis, -le, f. L. gremium lap, bosom; see -IAL.

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grenade

†pomegranate; small explosive shell. XVI. — F., alt. of OF. (pume) grenate POMEGRANATE after Sp. granada. So grenadier †soldier armed with grenades, (now) soldier of a regiment of guards. XVII. See -IER2.

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grenadine

dress fabric. XIX. — F. grenadine, formerly grenade silk of a grained texture, f. grain GRAIN; see -INE4.

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grey, gray

OE. gr = MDu. gra(u) (Du. grauw), OHG. gro (G. grau), ON. grár :- Gmc. zrwaz.

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grid

grating. XIX. Back-formation from GRIDIRON.

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griddle

†gridiron XIII; circular plate for baking cakes on XIV. — OF. gredil, gridil gridiron (mod. gril) :- Rom. crticulum, dim. of crtis hurdle, etc. See GRILL.

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gridiron

frame of parallel metal bars used for broiling. XIII (gredire). app. alt. of gredile GRIDDLE by assoc. with ire(n) IRON.

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grief

†hardship, suffering; †displeasure, grievance XIII; †hurt, mischief, injury; mental distress XIV. — AN. gref, OF. grief (mod. grief grievance, injury, complaint), f. grever cause injury or grief, harass :- Rom. grevre, alt. of L. gravre, f. gravis GRAVE3. So grieve †harass, trouble, hurt; affect with deep sorrow; provoke to anger XIII; feel or show grief XIV. — OF. grever. grievance †injury, distress XIII; †hurt, disease XIV; ground of complaint XV. — OF. grevance.

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griffin, griffon1, gryphon

fabulous animal combining eagle and lion; vulture. XIV. — OF. grifoun (mod. griffon) :- Rom. grúph, -n-, augm. of late L. grphus, f. grps, grph- — Gr. grúps.

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griffon2

breed of dog. XIX. — F. griffon (applied to an Eng. dog) GRIFFIN.

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grig

†dwarf XIV; short legged hen XVI; young eel XVII. of unkn. orig. The phr. merry grig extravagantly lively person, synon. and contemp. with merry Greek (XVI), was perh. orig. an alteration of the latter.

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grill

gridiron. XVII. — (O)F. gril, earlier graïl, greïl, m. form based on fem. grille (see next). So grill vb. broil on a gridiron. XVII. F. griller. Hence a new sb. grill broiled meat, etc. XVIII.

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grille

grating, lattice-screen. XVII. (O)F. grille, earlier graïlle :- Rom. grtcula, for L. crtcula, dim. of crtis hurdle, etc.

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grilse

(Sc. and north.) young salmon for the year following its first return from the sea. XV. Of obscure orig.; the Sc. vars. †girsil (XV), †grissil (XVI) may be closer to the orig. form (cf. OF. grisel grey).

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grim

fierce, cruel OE.; stern or harsh of aspect or demeanour XIV; (of laughter, etc.) unrelenting XVII. OE. = OS. (Du.). OHG. grim (G. grimm), ON. grimmr :- Gmc. zrimmaz, f. zrem- zram- (whence OE. gram angry, gremian make angry) :- IE. ghrem- ghrom- (whence Gr. khremizein neigh, OSl. gromí thunder).

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grimace

sb. XVII. — F. grimace, earlier †grimache- Sp. grimazo caricature, f. grima fright (- Gmc. stem of GRIM) with pejorative suffix -azo :- L. -ceum (cf. -ACEOUS). Hence, or — F. grimacer, grimace vb. XVIII.

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grime

soil with soot, etc. XV. — MLG., MDu. grmen. Hence grime sb. XVI. grimy XVII.

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grin

draw back the lips and show the teeth, in pain or †anger OE., in a smile XV. OE. grennian, rel. to OHG. grennan mutter (MHG. grennen wail, grin) and OHG. grann grunt (MHG. grannen), ON, grenja howl; f. Gmc. zran-. Cf. GROAN. Hence grin sb. XVII.

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grind

reduce to small particles; make a scraping or grating noise OE. (spec. gnash; also trans. XIV); sharpen the edge of XIII; work laboriously (at) XVIII. OE. str. vb. grindan, of which there are no Gmc. cogns. An IE. base ghrendh- is repr. by L. frendere rub away, gnash, Lith. gréndiu I rub. Hence grind sb. hard task XIX. grindstone XIII.

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gringo

(among Spanish Americans) Anglo-American. XIX. transf. use of Sp. gringo gibberish.

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gripsb.

i
OE. gripe grasp, clutch, corr. to OHG. grif- in comb., MHG. grif (G. grif) grasp, handle, claw, ON. grip grasp, cluth, gripr possession, property;

ii
OE. gripa handful, sheaf; both f.wk. bse of grpan GRIPE.
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So grip vb. OE. (late Nhb.) grippa.

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gripe

†grasp OE.; seize firmly XIII; †afflict XVI; pinch with pain XVII. OE. str. vb. grpan = OS. grpan (Du. grijpen), OHG. grfan (G. greifen), ON. grípa, Goth. greipan; cogn. with Lith. griebiù. Cf. GROPE. Weak inflexions were established in XV. Hence gripe sb. XIV; in pl. griping pains, colic XVII.

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grippe

influenza. XVIII. — F., f. gripper seize — Gmc. zripjan GRIP.

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grisaille

painting in grey monochrome. XIX. — F., f. gris grey.

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grisette

French working-class woman. XVIII. — F., orig. inferior grey dress fabric, formerly the garb of women of the poorer classes, f. gris grey + -ETTE.

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griskin

lean part of pig's loin. XVII. Obscurely f. (dial.) gris pig, †occas. pork (- ON. gríss).

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grisly

causing horror (later in weaker sense). Late OE. grisli., f. wk. base of grsan (in grsan terrify) = MLG., MDu. grsen; perh. partly aphetic of OE. angrisli..

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grist

†grinding OE.; corn to be ground XV. OE. grist :- Gmc. zrinst-, f. zrindan GRIND.

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gristle

cartilage. OE. gristle = MLG. gristel, gerstel, MHG. gruschel; similar synon. forms are OE. grost, OHG. chrustila (MHG. krostel, krustel); ult. orig. unkn.

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grit

sand, gravel, (now) minute stony particles OE.; coarse sandstone XIII; texture of stone XVI; (orig. U.S.) pluck, stamina XIX. OE. grot = OS. griot, OHG. grioz (G. griess), ON. grjót :- Gmc. zreutam (cf. GROATS, GROUT1).

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grizzle1

grey. XV. (earlier as so. grey-haired old man XIV). — OF. grisel, f. gris grey — Gmc. zrsiaz (OS., MLG. grs), of unkn. orig. Hence grizzled, grizzly XVI. Grizzly bear XVIII.

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grizzle2

(dial.) grin XVIII; cry in a fretful or whining fashion XIX. of unkn. orig.

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groan

vb. OE. grnian :- zrainjan, f. Gmc. zrain- zrn-, whence also OHG. grnan grin with laughing or weeping (G. greinen), MHG, grinnen gnash the teeth. Cf. GRIN.

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groat

small coin. XIV. — MDu. groot, MLG. grte, sb. uses of the adj. ( = GREAT) in the sense ‘thick’.

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groats

hulled grain. Late OE. grotan pl., rel. to grot fragment, particle, grot GRIT, grytt bran, chaff, coarse oatmeal, and grt GROUT1.

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grocer

†dealer in gross; trader in spices, sugar, dried fruits, etc. XV. — AN. grosser, OF. grossier :- medL. grossrius, f. grossus GROSS2. The Grocers' Company consisted of wholesale dealers in foreign produce, whence the second sense. Hence grocery XV, greengrocer XVIII.

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grog

spirits (orig. rum) and water as served out to the Royal Navy. XVIII. Said to be from ‘Old Grog’', reputed nickname of the Admiral Vernon who gave the order in 1740 for the mixture to be used instead of neat spirit, derived from his wearing a grogram cloak. Hence groggy intoxicated XVIII; (of a horse) diseased or weak in the forelegs; shaky, tottering XIX.

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grogram

coarse mixed fabric. XVI (grow graine, grograyn, grogerane). — F. gros grain ‘coarse grain’ (see GROSS2, GRAIN).

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groin

depression between abdomen and thigh XV; (archit.) intersection of two vaults XVIII. ME. grynde, early modE. gryne, in late XVI groin; perh. transf. use of OE. grynde? orig. depression (recorded only in the sense ‘abyss’), f. Gmc. zrundu- GROUND.

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grommet

var. of GRUMMET.

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gromwell

- plant of the genus Lithospermum. XIII. ME. gromil — OF. gromil, grumil (mod. grémil), repr. L. milium MILLET and a first el. of uncert. orig.

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groom

A
†boy XIII; †man XIV;

B
†man-servant XIII (surviving in the spec. sense of horse attendant XVII); officer of the royal household XV;;
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C
BRIDEGROOM XVII. of unkn. orig.
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groove

(dial.) mining shaft, mine XV; channel, hollow XVII. — Du. †groeve furrow, ditch (mod. groef) = OHG. gruoba (G. grube pit, ditch), ON. gróf, Goth. grba; f. Gmc. zrb-, rel. to zrab- GRAVE1, GRAVE2.

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grope

OE. grpian = OHG. greifn :- WGmc. zraipjan, f. Gmc. zraip- zrp — (see GRIP1, GRIPE).

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grosbeak

hawfinch, etc. XVII. — F. grosbec, f. gros large, GROSS2 + bec BEAK.

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groschen

small German coin. XVII — G., alteration of late MHG. gros(se), in medL. denarius grossus ‘thick penny’; see GROSS2.

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gross1

twelve dozen. XV. — F. grosse, sb. use (sc. douzaine dozen) of fem. of gros great; see next.

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gross2

Late ME. groos (XIV) became common first in XV in senses ‘large, bulky’ (now obs. or dial.), †‘palpable, obvious’, †‘dense, thick’, ‘coarse’, ‘concerned with large masses’, — (O)F. gros, fem. grosse :- late L. grossus.

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grot

(poet.) grotto. XVI. — F. grotte — It. grotta = OF. cro(u)te :- Rom. crupta, grupta (L. crypta) — Gr. krúpt vault, CRYPT. So grotto (rocky) cavern, imitation of this. XVII (earlier grotta).

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grotesque

sb. decorative painting or sculpture with fantastic interweaving of forms XVI; adj. pert. to work of such a character, fantastically extravagant XVII; ludicrously incongruous XVIII. Earliest forms crotescque, -esco, grot(t)esco; — F. crotesque — (with assim. to OF. crote GROT) It. grottesca, fem. of grottesco, f. grotta; finally assim. to F. grotesque; see GROT, -ESQUE. The special sense is said to be due to the Rom. application of grotta to chambers of old buildings revealed by excavation and containing mural paintings of a certain type.

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grouch

(U.S.) grumble, complain. XX. var. of grutch (XIII) — OF. gruchier, grouch(i)er, of unkn. orig.

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ground

A
bottom, now only of the sea OE.; pl. dregs, lees XIV;

B
base, foundation, now mainly techn. or fig. (reason, motive XIII) OE.;
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C
surface of the earth OE.; specific portion of this XIV (pl. enclosed land attached to a building XV). OE grund = OS. grund (Du. grond), OHG. grunt (G. grund), Goth. grundus :- Gmc. zrunduz, rel. to ON. grund grassy plain, grunnr bottom.
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Hence ground vb. †lay the foundation of XIII; give a basis to XIV; put on the ground or ashore, strand XV.

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groundling

small fish such as gudgeon and loach XVII. cf. MDu. grundelinck (Du. grondeling), MHG. grundelinc (G. gründling) gudgeon; see GROUND, -LING1. The origin of the application to the frequenters of the pit of a theatre (Sh. ‘Hamlet’ III ii 12) is obscure.

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groundsel

plant of the genus Senecio. OE. grundeswylie, earlier gundæswel(i)æ, perh. f. gund pus + swulz- swelz- SWALLOW2, the etymol. meaning being ‘pus-absorber’, with ref. to its use in poultices to reduce abscesses; on this view, the later OE. form in grund- is due to assoc. with GROUND.

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group

assemblage of figures or objects in an artistic design XVII; assemblage of persons or things (gen.) forming a unity XVIII. — F. groupe — It. gruppo, of Gmc. orig. Hence, or — F., group vb. XVIII.

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grouper

marine food-fish XVII (gro(o)per). — Pg. garupa, prob. native S. Amer. name.

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grouse1

gallinaceous bird with feathered feet. XVI. The pronunc. points to an orig. , which is preserved (perh. locally) in such early forms as grewes, groose; of unkn. orig.

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grouse2

grumble. XIX. orig. a soldier's word; its resemblance in form to Norman dial. groucer, OF. groucier, var. of grouchier (see GRUDGE) is remarkable, but immediate connection with it seems impossible.

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grout1

(now obs. or dial.) coarse meal; infusion of malt OE.; coarse porridge XVI; sediment XVII. OE. grt, corr. to MDu. grte, gruut coarse meal, peeled grain, malt, yeast (Du. gruit dregs), MHG. grz (G. grauss) grain, small beer; f. zrt-, var. of zraut- zreut- zrut- (see GRIT, GROATS). The later meanings are prob. due to Scand. (cf. ON. grautr porridge) and Du.

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grout2

thin mortar. XVII. perh. a use of prec.; but cf. F. dial. grouter grout a wall.

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grove

small wood. OE. grf, rel. to grfa brushwood, thicket.

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grovel

XVI. Back-formation from grovelling adj. prone (XVI), attrib. use of the †adv. face downward, in a prone position (XIV), earlier †grovellings (XIII), f. gruf on the face, on the belly (for phr. on grufe, ogrufe — ON. á grúfu) + -LING2.

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grow

pt. grew pp. grown (orig.) show the development characteristic of living things. OE. str. vb. grwan = MDu. groeyen (Du. groeien), OHG. gruoan, ON. gróa; CGmc., f. zr-. Hence growth XVI.

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growl

make a guttural sound. XVIII. Cf. late ME. grolle, groule, and gurle rumble, AN. growler make the cry of the crane, OF. grouller grumble, scold; but the modern word is prob. an independent imit. formation.

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groyne

timberwork or masonry run out into the sea. XVI. transf. use of (dial.) groin (XIV) snout — (O)F. groin (also †cape, promontory) :- Rom. grunnium, f. L. grunnre grunt.

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grub1

†dwarfish fellow XIV; insect larva XV; (sl.) food (as grubs are for birds) XVII. Occurs as a surname (Grubbe) XIII, prob. orig. as a nickname, and presumably f. next, but the sense-development is not clear.

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grub2

dig (on the surface) XIII; labour ploddingly XVIII. perh. to be referred to an OE. grybban :- grubbjan, f. Gmc. zruð-, rel. to zrað- GRAVE1, GRAVE2 (cf. OHG. grubiln dig, search closely, MDu. grobben scrape together, Du. grobbelen root out). Hence grubber XIV; survives esp. in money-grubber.

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Grub Street

name of a street near Moorfields, London (now Milton Street), once inhabited by inferior and needy writers, transf. tribe of poor authors and literary hacks. XVII.

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grudge

†murmur, grumble; be unwilling to grant. XV. Alteration of †grutch (XIII) — OF. grouchier (of unkn. orig.).

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gruel

†fine meal; liquid food made from oatmeal. XIV. — OF. gruel (mod. gruau) :- Rom. grtellum, dim. f. Gmc. zrt- GROUT1.

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gruesome

inspiring awe or horror. XVI (growsome). orig. north. and Sc.; f. grue XIII, now Sc. and north., feel horror — Scand. word repr. by OSw. grua, ODa. grue ( = OHG. ingrn shudder, G. grauen be awed, shudder, Du. gruwen abhor); see -SOME1.

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gruff

(Sc. and techn.) coarse-grained XVI; rough and surly XVII. First in Sc. and prob. orig. in commercial use — Du. grof = MLG. grof coarse, (O)HG. grob :- WGmc. za?ruba, f. za- y- + ?rub- eub- (OE. hrof rough, scabby, etc.).

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grumble

XVI. frequent. f. †grumme (XV–XVI) + -LE3; cf. (M)Du. grommen, MLG. grommelen, G. grummeln; f. imit. Gmc. zrum- (cf. GRIM).

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grume

clot of blood. XVII. — L. grmus little heap, rel. to OE. crma CRUMB. So grumous XVII. — modL.

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grummet, grommet

(naut.) ring of rope, etc. XV. — F. †grom(m)ette, gourmette chain joining the ends of a bit, f. gourmer curb, bridle, of unkn. orig.

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grumpy

XVIII. prob. of dial. orig.; f. grump, as in †humps and grumps surly or ill-tempered remarks (of imit· orig.); see -Y1.

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Grundy

surname of an imaginary Mrs Grundy who is proverbially referred to as a personification of the tyranny of social opinion; derived from T. Morton's play ‘Speed the Plough’ (1798), in which Dame Ashfield, constantly fearing the sneers of her neighbour Mrs Grundy, freq. asks ‘What will (would) Mrs Grundy say?’

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grunt

make the characteristic sound of a pig. OE. grunnettan = OHG. grunnizn (G. grunzen), intensive formation on the imit. base zrun- (OE. grunian grunt, OHG. grun wailing, MHG. grunnen); cf. DISGRUNTLED.

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Gruyère

cheese orig. made in the district of Gruyère, in Switzerland, XIX.

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gryphon

see GRIFFIN.

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grysbok

S. Afr. antelope. XVIII. — Afrikaans, f. Du. grijs GREY + bok BUCK.

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guaiacum

tree, wood, and resin of the West Indies. XVI. modL., f. Sp. guayaco, guayacán, of Haitian orig. Also anglicized guaiac (XVI).

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guana

see IGUANA.

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guanaco

kind of llama. XVII. — Quechua huanaco, -acu.

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guano

natural manure found on islands about Peru XVII; artificial (fish-)manure XIX. — Sp. guano — Quechua huanu dung.

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guarantee

party giving security XVII; act of giving security, security given XVIII; something providing security XIX. The earliest forms, garanté, garante, are perh. — Sp. garante = F. garant WARRANT; in its later use the word was identified with F. garantie GUARANTY. Hence as vb. be a guarantee for XVIII; secure (a person or thing) in possession XIX.

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guaranty

security, warranty, undertaking by a guarantor XVI; something that guarantees XVII. — AN. guarantie, (O)F. garantie, var. of warantie WARRANTY.

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guard

†custody; protector, defender XV; body of persons as defenders; protection, defence XVI. — (O)F. garde, f. garder :- Rom. wardre — Frankish wardn (cf. WARD2). So guard vb. XVI. f. the sb. or — (O)F. garder, †guarder, guardian XV. ME. gardein — AN. gardein, OF. garden (mod. gardien from XIII, with assim. of suffix to -ien -IAN, which was followed in Eng.).

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guava

tropical Amer. tree. XVI (guayava, -avo). — Sp. guayaba, -abo, of S. Amer. orig.

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gubernatorial

(chiefly U.S.). XVIII. f. L. guberntor GOVERNOR + -IAL.

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gudgeon1

small freshwater fish XV; bait; gullible person XVI. Late ME. gogen, gojo(u)n — (O)F. goujon :- L. gbi, -n-, f. gbius GOBY.

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gudgeon2

pivot of metal, etc. XIV. — (O)F. goujon pin, dowel, tenon, dim, of gouge GOUGE.

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Guelder rose

XVI (Gelders Rose). — Du. geldersche roos, f. Gelder land or Gelders, province of Holland.

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guerdon

sb. (arch.) reward. XIV. — OF. guer(e)don :- Rom. (medL.) widerdnum — WGmc. widarln ( = OHG. widarln, OE. wiaerlén, f. wiaer again + lén payment) with assim. of the second el. to L. dnum gift. So as vb. XIV.

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guer(r)illa

irregular war carried on by small bodies; (transf.) one engaged in such warfare. XIX. — Sp. guerrilla, dim. of guerra WAR.

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guess1

†take aim XIII; form an approximate judgement or estimate of XIV. ME. gesse, with early var. agesse; perh. orig. naut. and — vars. with -e- of MLG., MDu. (Du., Fris.) gissen, or OSw. gissa, ODa. gitse; ult. f. base of GET. So guess sb. XIV.

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guess2

(with var. guest) in guess-rope XVII (guestrope), guess-warp XV (gyes warpe), rope for steadying a boat in tow, etc.; of uncert. orig.

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guest

XIII. — ON. gestr; superseding OE. (i)est = OS., OHG. (Du., G.) gast, Goth. gasts :- Gmc. ðastiz :- IE. ghostis, repr. also by L. hostis enemy, orig. stranger, OSl. gost guest, friend, and perh. by Gr. xénos stranger.

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guffaw

sb.and vb. XVIII. orig. Sc., of imit. orig.; cf. the earlier Sc. synon. gawf (XVI).

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guide

direct the course OF. XIV. — (O)F. guider, alteration of †guier :- Rom. wdre — Gmc. wtan, f. wt-, gradation-var. of wit- (see WIT2), repr. by OE., OS. wtan blame, Goth. fraweitan avenge, fairweitjan gaze upon (cf. the meanings of other derivs. of this base, OE. wse direction, WISE1, wissian direct, guide, G. weisen indicate, direct). So guide sb. XIV. — (O)F. guide — It. guida.

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guidon

pennant broad next the staff and pointed at the other end. XVI. — F. — It. guidone, f. guida GUIDE.

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guild, gild2

confraternity for mutual aid. XIV. The present form is prob. — MLG., MDu. gilde (Du. gild) :- zelðjn, rel. to OE. i(e)ld payment, offering, sacrifice, idol, (also) guild, OS. geld payment, sacrifice, reward, OHG. gelt payment, tribute (Du., G. geld money), ON. gjald payment. Goth. gild tribute :- Gmc. zelðam. The base zelð- is prob. to be taken in the sense ‘pay, offer’ (cf. YIELD), so that the sb. would primarily mean an association of persons contributing to a common object.

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guilder

coin of the Netherlands. XV (guldren; later gildren, gilder). alt. of Du. gulden (see GULDEN).

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guile

XIII. — OF. guile, prob. of Gmc. orig.

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guillemot

auk of the genus Uria or Cepphus. XVII. — F. guillemot, deriv. (perh. alt. of an orig. imit. word) of Guillaume William.

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guillotine

machine with knife blade for beheading. XVIII. — F., f. name of Joseph-Ignace Guillotin , French doctor who recommended its use.

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guilt

†offence, crime OE.; †responsibility for something XII; †desert XIII; fact of having committed an offence XIV; state of having wilfully offended XVI. OE. gylt, of unkn. orig. Hence guilty OE. gylti.

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guimp

var. of GIMP.

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guinea

name of a portion of the west coast of Africa, applied to things derived thence (or, with vague reference, from some other distant country) as Guinea fowl (XVIII), guinea hen (XVI), Guinea pig (XVII), Guinea worm (XVII). The gold coin named guinea was first struck in 1663 ‘in the name and for the use of the Company of Royal Adventurers trading with Africa’, being intended for the Guinea trade and made of gold from Guinea.

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guipure

kind of lace and of gimp. XIX. — (O)F. guipure, f. guiper cover with silk, wool, etc. — Gmc. wpan wind round.

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guise

style, fashion. XIII. — (O)F. :- Rom. wsa — Gmc. wsn WISE1. Cf. DISGUISE.

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guitar

XVII(guittara, guitarra, g(h)ittar). — (partly through F. guitare) Sp. guitarra — Gr. kithár; cf. CITHER, ZITHER.

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gulch

(U.S.) deep ravine. XIX. perh. f. dial. vb. gulch swallow, sink in.

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gulden

coin of Netherlands and Germany, orig. of gold, later of silver, XVI. — Du., G. gulden, sb. use of adj. GOLDEN = OE. gylden (Gmc. zulðínaz).

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gules

(her.) red. XIV. — OF. go(u)les (mod. gueules), pl. of gole, gueule throat (cf. GULLET), used, like medL. pl. gulæ, for pieces of fur used as a neck-ornament and dyed red.

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gulf

kind of bay; chasm, abyss. XIV. — (O)F. golfe — It. golfo :- Rom. colp(h)us — Gr. kólpos, (late) kólphos bosom, fold, gulf.

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gull1

(dial.) unfledged bird; gosling. XIV. prob. sb. use of †gull yellow (- ON. gulr). Hence, perh. partly the use of gull for ‘credulous person, dupe’ (late XVI), but cf. the somewhat earlier gull vb. dupe, cheat, surviving in gullible XIX, which itself may be a transf. use of †gull vb. swallow (XVI), rel. to †gull sb. throat, gullet (XV) — OF. go(u)le (see GULLET).

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gull2

long-winged web-footed sea-bird. XV. prob. — W. gwylan, Cornish guilan :- Celt. voilenno-.

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gullet

oesophagus XIV (golet); †water-channel XVI. — OF. golet, goulet, dim. of go(u)le (mod. gueule) :- L. gula throat, rel. to OIr. gelim I swallow, OE. .eole, OS., OHG. kela (G. kehle) throat; see -ET.

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gully

†gullet XVI; channel or ravine worn by water XVII; deep gutter XVIII. — F. goulet neck of a bottle, outlet, narrow passage of water; see prec.

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gulp

swallow hastily or greedily XV; gasp, choke XVI. prob. — MDu. gulpen swallow, guzzle, of imit. orig.

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gum1

†inside of mouth or throat OE.; firm flesh in which the teeth are fixed. XIV. OE. gma corr. to OHG. guomo (MHG. guome) gum. ON. gómr roof or floor of the mouth, finger-tip, rel. to OHG. goumo (G. gaumen).

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gum2

viscid secretion from trees. XIV. — (O)F. gomme :- Rom. gumma, for L. gummi, var. of cummi — Gr. kómmi, of Egyptian orig. Hence gummy XIV. gum vb. †treat with aromatic gums XV; fasten or stiffen with gum XVI.

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gum3

XIX. (sl.) alt. of GOD, in by or my gum.

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gumbo

(U.S.) okra plant or pods; soup thickened with the pods; (geol.) local clay or mud. XIX. Of Negro (Afr.) orig.

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gumption

common sense XVIII; in painting, a vehicle for colour XIX. orig. Sc.; also rum(ble)- gumption; of unkn. orig.

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gun

heavy piece of ordnance, cannon XIV; †large engine of war; portable fire-arm XV. ME. gunne, gonne; perh. repr. pet-form (Gunna) of the Scand. female name Gunnhildr (f. gunnr + hildr, both meaning ‘war’). Hence gunner XIV. Whence gunnery XVII, gunpowder, gunshot XV, gunsmith XVI, gunstock XV. So gun vb. XVII.

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gunwale, gunnel

upper edge of a ship's side, formerly serving to support the guns. XV (gonne walles). f. GUN + WALE.

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gunyah

Australian hut. XIX. — Austral. aboriginal name.

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gup

(sl., orig. Anglo-Indian) gossip; (hence) vapid talk, blather. XIX. — Hind.

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gurgitation

†swallowing XVI (rare); surging up and down, ebullient motion. XIX. — modL. gurgittit, -n-, f. late L. gurgitre engulf, f. gurges, gurgit- gulf, abyss.

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gurgle

†gargle (rare); make the sound of bubbling liquid. XVI. prob. imit., if not directly — similarly formed vbs., e.g. MLG., Du. gorgelen, G. gurgeln, and It. gorgogliare :- Rom. gurgulire, f. L. gurguli gullet.

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gurnard, gurnet

fish of the family Triglidae. XIV. — OF. gornart, for gronart, f. gronir, var. of grondir :- L. grundre, grunnïre GRUNT; see -ARD. The fish is so named because it makes a grunting sound when caught.

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guru

Hindu spiritual teacher. XVII. — Hind. guru, sb. use of Skr. gurú- weighty, grave, dignified.

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gush

flow or rush out violently. XIV. prob. imit.

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gusset

flexible piece between two pieces of mail XV; triangular piece into a garment XVI. — (O)F. gousset crescent-shaped piece of armour under the armpit, piece of cloth let in, formally dim. of gousse pod, shell (though this is much later), of unkn. orig.

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gust

XVI. — ON. gustr, f. zus-, weak grade of the base of ON. gjósa gush.

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gustation

tasting, taste. XVI. — L. gustti, -n-, f. gustre, f. gustus; see next and -ATION. So gustative, gustatory XVII.

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gusto

taste, liking; keen relish; style of a work of art XVII. — It. :- L. gustus taste, rel. to CHOOSE.

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gut

(pl.) bowels OE.; sg. intestine XIV; narrow passage or channel XVI. OE. pl. guttas, prob. f. base zut- of OE. otan pour (see FOUND2). Hence as vb. XIV.

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gutter

†watercourse XIII; shallow trough to carry away water XIV. — AN. gotere, OF. gotiere (mod. gouttiére) :- Rom. guttria (cf. -ARY), f. L. gutta drop. Hence gutter vb. channel XIV; stream XVI; (of a candle) melt rapidly by being channelled on one side XVIII. gutter-snipe common snipe, also called mire snipe; gatherer of refuse, street urchin. XIX. f. gutter in dial. sense of ‘mud, filth’.

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guttle

eat greedily XVII. f. GUT, after guzzle.

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guttural

pert. to the throat. XVI. — F. guttural or modL. gutturlis, f. guttur throat; see -AL1.

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guy1

(naut.) rope, chain, etc., used to steady a thing. First in guy-rope (girap XIV. gyerope XV), prob. of LG. orig.; cf. Du. gei brail.

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guy2

effigy of Guy Fawkes; grotesque person, ‘fright’; (U.S.) man. XIX. Hence guy vb. (U.S.) ridicule. XIX.

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guzzle

XVI.poss. — OF. gosiller, a deriv. of gosier throat, but found only in the senses ‘chatter’ and ‘vomit’.

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gwyniad

fish of the salmon kind with white flesh. XVII. — W., f. gwyn white.

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gybe, jibe

(naut.) swing from one side of the vessel to the other, as a sail; put (a boat) about. XVII. — Du. †gijben (mod. gijpen).

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gymkhana

in India, public resort for games; in Europe, athletic sports display, meeting for horse-riding competition. XIX. alt., by assim. to gymnastic, of Hind. gendkhna ‘ball-house’, racket court.

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gymnasium

XVI. — L. — Gr. gumnásion, f. gumnázein train, f. gumnós naked. So gymnast XVI. — F. gymnaste or Gr. gumnasts trainer of athletes. gymnastic adj. and sb. XVI (sb. pl. XVII).

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gymno-

comb. form of Gr. gumnós naked, in many nat. hist. terms, the earliest of which is gymnospermous naked seeded (XVIII).

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gymnosophist

ascetic Hindu philosopher who wore little or no clothing. XIV. (later — F. gymnosophiste) — L. (pl.) gymnosophistæ — Gr. (pl.) gumnosophistaí, f. gumnós GYMNO- + sophistés SOPHIST.

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gynaeceum

(antiq.) women's apartments XVIII; (bot.) female organs (usu. sp. gynoecium, by assim. to Gr. oikion house) XIX. — L. — Gr. gunaikeîon, f. gun, gunaik- woman (see QUEAN).

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gynaeco-, U.S. gyneco-

repr. Gr. gunaiko-, comb. form of gun woman, female (see QUEAN), as in gynaecocracy female rule (XVII). — F. gynécocratie or modL. gynæcocratia — Gr. gynaecology XIX.

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gyno-

before a vowel gyn-, shortened form of GYNAECO-; used in bot. terms to denote ‘pistil’, ‘ovary’. So -gynous repr. Gr. -gunos, used for ‘having such-and-such pistils or female organs’, e.g. androgynous, monogynous.

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gyp

(at Cambridge and Durham Univ.) college servant. XVIII. perh. short for †gippo scullion (XVII), transf. use of †gippo tunic — (O)F. jupeau.

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gypsum

hydrated calcium sulphate, from which plaster of Paris is made. XVII. — L. — Gr. gúpsos, of Sem. orig. So gypseous XVII. f. late L. gypseus.

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gypsy

see GIPSY.

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gyrate

move in a circle or spiral. XIX. f. pp. stem of late L. grre, f. grus — Gr. gûros ring, circle; see -ATE3. So gyration XVII. — late L. gyre revolution, whirl, circle. XVI. — L. grus. gyro- comb. form of Gr. gûros.

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gyrfalcon

var. of GERFALCON.

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gyve

(arch.) fetter. XIII. of unkn. orig. Hence vb. XIII.

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H

ha

excl. denoting surprise, joy, scorn, suspicion, etc. XIII; †eh? XVI; in hesitating speech XVII. So in many other langs., but not found in OE. in its simple form (cf. HA-HA1).

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habeas corpus

(leg.) writ requiring a person to be brought before the court. XV. First words of the writ beginning Habeas corpus ad subjiciendum (etc.) you shall produce the body (of the person concerned, in court) to undergo (what the court may award); L. habes, 2nd pers. sg. pres. subj. of habre have, corpus body.

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haberdasher

XIV perh. — AN. haberdasser, hapertasser (cf. haberdasshrie XV), presumably f. hapertas (XV), of unkn. orig. and uncert. meaning (Eng. †haberdash was used for ‘small wares’ XV–XVII); see -ER2, So haberdashery XVI.

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habergeon

sleeveless coat of armour. XIV. — (O)F. haubergeon, f. OF. hauberc HAUBERK; cf. -OON.

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habiliment

equipment; †pl. munitions of war; pl. apparel. XV. — OF. abillement (later and mod. habillement), f. habiller render fit, fit out, (hence, by assoc. with habit) clothe, dress, f. habile ABLE; see -MENT.

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habilitate

qualify. XVII. f. pp. stem of medL. habilitre, f. habilits ABILITY; see -ATE2.

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habit

A
apparel, dress XIII;

B
mental constitution XIV; settled disposition, custom XVI. ME. (h)abit — OF. abit (later and mod. habit) :- L. habitus, f. habit-, pp. stem of habre have, hold, refl. be constituted, be. The range of meaning (in modF. distributed between habit dress and habitude custom) was fully developed in L.
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So habit vb. A. †dwell (cf. INHABIT) XIV; B. dress XVI. — (O)F. habiter — L. habitre. habitation XIV. habitat XVIII. — L. ‘dwells’, 3rd pers. sg. pres. ind. of habitre dwell, inhabit; from its use in floras and faunas to introduce the place of occurrence of a species (e.g. ‘Common Primrose. Habitat in sylvis’). habitual. †pert. to the inward disposition XVI; pert. to habit, customary XVII. — medL. habitulis. So habituate XVI. f. pp. stem of late L. habiture. habitué habitual visitor. XIX. — F., pp. of habituer, habitude constitution, temperament XIV; disposition, habit XVII.

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hachure

(pl.) lines used in hill-shading in physical geography. XIX. — F. hachure, f. hacher HATCH3; see -URE.

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hacienda

XVIII. — Sp., ‘domestic work, landed property’ :- L. facienda, n. pl. of gerundive of facere DO1.

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hack1

cut with heavy blows XII; break up (ground), etc. XVII. OE. (t)haccian cut in pieces = MLG., MDu., (M)HG. hacken (Du. hakken); WGmc. deriv. of imit. base ?ak-: cf. synon. OE. hæ..an, OHG. hecken. So hack sb. tool for breaking or chopping up XIII; gash, cut, notch XVI. Partly — MLG. hakke mattock; partly f. the vb.

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hack2

board for a hawk's meat XVI; rack XVII. var. of HATCH1.

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hack3

from XVII in various senses of HACKNEY (esp. ‘riding-horse’ and ‘drudge’), of which it is a shortening. Hence vb. make a hack of, etc. XVIII.

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hackle

flax-comb; long feathers on the neck of a domestic cock, etc. XV. var. of hatchel (XVII), hechel (XIII) :- OE. hæ.el, corr. to (M)LG., (M)Du. hekel, (M)HG. hechel :- WGmc. ?akila, f. ?ak- HOOK.

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hackney

riding-horse, esp. for hire XIV; †common drudge, prostitute XVI; short for hackneycoach XVII. In AN. hakenei (XIV), AL. hakeneius (XIII); perh. f. ME. Hakenei Hackney in Middlesex.

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had

see HAVE.

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haddock

XIV. In AL. haddocus (XIII); prob. — AN. hadoc, var. of OF. (h)adot, pl. hadoz, haddos, of unkn. orig.

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Hades

XVI. — Gr. Háids, of unkn. orig.

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hadji

pilgrim to the tomb of Mohammed. XVII. — (partly through Turk. haci) Pers. hj, f. Arab. hjj.

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h(a)ematite

ferric oxide as ore. XVII. — L. hæmatîts — Gr. haimatts blood-like, f. haima, haimat- blood; see -ITE.

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h(a)emat(o)-, h(a)em(o)-,

comb. forms of Gr. (h)aîma blood, as in ha(e)moglobin, ha(e)maturia XIX. h(a)emorrhage XVII (earlier emorogie, hemoragie). — F. hémorr(h)agie, †emorogie — L. hæmorrhagia — Gr. haimorrhagí, f. haimo- + rhag-, base of rhgnnai break, burst. h(a)emorrhoid XIV. ME. emeroudis, whence emerods (XVI–XVII) — OF. emeroyde, later hæmorrhoïdes (XVI) — L. hæmorrhoida — Gr. haimorrhoís discharging blood, pl. (as sb.) -oides bleeding piles, f. haimo- + rhof- flow.

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hafnium

modL., f. Hafnia, L. name of Copenhagen (København), Denmark; see -IUM.

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haft

handle, OE. hæft(c), corr. to MLG. hechte (Du. hecht, heft), OHG. hefti (G. heft), ON. hepti :- Gmc. ?aftjam, f. ?af- HEAVE; see -T1.

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hag1

female evil spirit XIII; repulsive old woman XIV(?). ME. hegge, hagge; rare before XVI. perh. shortening of OE. hægtesse, hegtes fury, witch = MDu. haghetisse (Du. hecse), OHG. hagazissa (G. hexe), of unkn. orig.

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hag2

(Sc. and north.) †gap, chasm XIII; piece of soft bog XVII; spot of firmer ground in a peat bog XIX. — ON. haggw-, hgg gap, breach, orig. cutting blow (whence the Sc. and north. Eng. senses ‘cutting, hewing’, ‘cut wood’), f. haggwa, hggva HEW.

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haggard

(of a hawk) untamed, wild XVI; †gaunt, lean; wild-looking XVII. — (O)F. hagard, of uncert. orig.; see -ARD. Later infl. in sense by HAG1 (for which haggard occurs XVII–XVIII).

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haggis

XV (hagese, hagas). of unkn. orig.

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haggle

mangle with cuts XVI; wrangle in bargaining XVII. f. dial. hag cut (XIV — ON. haggw- hggva HEW) + -LE3.

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hagio-

repr. Gr. hágios holy, used for ‘saint’ in hagiography , hagiology (XIX) and derivs. hagiographa books of the O.T. not included in the Law and the Prophets. XVI — late L. — Gr., ‘sacred writings’. hagioscope opening in the wall of an aisle, etc., supposed to provide a view of the high altar (also called squint). XIX.

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ha-ha1

excl. OE. ha ha (see HA).

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ha-ha2

sunk fence. XVIII. — F. haha (XVII), perh. so named from the expression of surprise at meeting the obstacle; redupl. of HA.

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hail1

frozen vapour falling in pellets. OE. hæl, corr. to OS., OHG. hagal (Du., G. hagel), ON. hagl :- Gmc. haz(a)laz, -am, rel. to Gr. kákhlx pebble. Hence hail vb. XV.

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hail2

excl. of salutation. XII. ellipt. use of †hail adj. (cf. WASSAIL) — ON. heill WHOLE. Hence hail vb. XII.

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hair

OE. hr, hr = OS., OHG. hr (Du., G. haar), ON. hár :- Gmc. ?ram, of unkn. orig. The present sp. and pronunc. are abnormal (for here or hear) and are supposed to be due to assim. to †haire hair shirt — (O)F., of Gmc. orig. Hence hair(s)breadth XVI (earlier hairbrede XV). hairy XIII.

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hake

code-like fish. XV. perh. for hakefish, f. (dial.) hake hook (- ON. haki; see HOOK).

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halberd, halbert

combined spear and battleaxe. XV. — F. hallebarde, †alabarde — It. alabarda — MHG. helmbarde (G. hellebarde), f. helm handle, HELM2 + barde, barte hatchet (rel. to bart BEARD).

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halcyon

bird fabled to breed on the sea. XIV (alceon). — L. (h)alcyon — Gr. alkun kingfisher (halkun by assoc. with háls sea and kún conceiving), rel. to L. alcd. Halcyon days 14 days during which the kingfisher broods and the sea is calm. XVI.

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hale1

(dial.) sound, whole XIII; in robust health XVIII: ME. hl, north. var. of WHOLE.

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hale2

draw, pull. XIII. — (O)F. haler — OS. haln (= OFris, halia, OHG. haln, holn; Du. halen, G. holen fetch; cf. OE. eholian acquire), poss. rel. to L. calre, Gr. kaleîn call.

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half

adj. OE. h(e)alf = OS. (Du.) half, (O)HG. halb, ON. hálfr, Goth. halbs :- Gmc. ?albaz; ult. connections doubtful. Applied to relatives that are such on one side only, as half-brother (XIV), half-sister (XIII), prob. — ON. Comp. halfpenny (XIV), in OE. healfpeniwurð (see WORTH), whence †halpeny, ha'penny, †halp(w)orth, ha'p'orth. Also sb. †side; one of two equal parts. OE. h(e)alf = OS. halba, OHG. halba, ON. hálfa region, part, lineage, Goth. halba side, half. So half adv. OE. in comb., e.g. healfcwicu ‘half-alive’, half-dead, healfrad reddish, and in correl. use, e.g. healf man healf assa half man half ass (onocentaur). Hence halve divide into two. XIII.

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halibut

large flatfish. XV (also holibut, from XVII). f. hly, HOLY + BUTT2.

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halitosis

XIX. f. L. halitus breath, exhalation + -OSIS, used irreg.

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hall

†spacious roofed place OE.; large public room XI; building for residence of students, business of a guild, etc. XIV; large dining-room in a college, etc., XVI; vestibule, lobby XVII. OE. h(e)all = OS., OHG. halla (Du. hal, G. halle), ON. hll :- Gmc. ?all, f. ?al- ?el- cover, conceal.

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hallelujah

XVI. — Heb. hall alûyh praise Jah (i.e. Jehovah), f. imper. pl. of halll praise.

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halliard

see HALYARD.

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hallo(a)

excl. calling attention and used in greeting. XIX. Later form of HOLLO. Also (with other vowels in the unstressed syll.) hello(a) XIX, hillo(a) XVIII (illo XVII), hullo(a) XIX.

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halloo

shout ‘halloo’ to incite hounds to the chase. XVI. perh. var. of HALLOW3. Survives in view-halloo (XVIII). Also holloo (XVII–XVIII).

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hallow1

saint. OE. hlga, sb. use of definite form of hli HOLY; obs. exc. as in ALL HALLOWS, (Sc.) Hallowe'en (XVIII), (hist.) Hallowmas (XIV; see MASS1).

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hallow2

make or regard as holy, consecrate, bless. OE. hlgian = OS. hlagn, OHG. heilagn (G. heiligen), ON. helga; Gmc. vb. f. ?ilaz- HOLY.

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hallow3

shout so as to incite hounds. XIV. prob. — OF. halloer, imit. of shouting.

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hallucination

XVII. — L. hallcinti, -n-, late form of lcinti, f. lcinr wander in thought or speech — Gr. alússein be distraught or ill at ease, with ending as in vticinr VATICINATE.

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halma

board game with leaping moves. XIX. — Gr. hálma leap (sb.).

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halo

circle of light round the sun, etc., XVI; nimbus of a saint XVII; fig. XIX. — medL. hal, for L. hals, -n-, — Gr. hls threshing-floor, disk of the sun, moon, or a shield.

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halt1

(arch.) lame. OE. h(e)alt = OS. halt, OHG, halz, ON. haltr, Goth. halts :- Gmc. ?altaz, of unkn. orig. So halt vb. be lame OE.; waver XIV; proceed lamely XV. — OE. healtian, corr. to OS. halton, OHG. halzn, f. the adj.

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halt2

temporary stoppage on a march or journey. XVII (earlier †alto XVI, †alt XVII). orig. in phr. make halt — G. halt machen (whence also F. faire halte, It. far alto); in the G. phr. halt is prob. orig. based on the imper. (‘stop’, ‘stand still’) of halten HOLD1. Hence vb. XVII.

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halter

rope or strap with a noose OE.; rope for hanging XV. OE. hælfter, hælftre, corr. to OLF. heliftra, MLG. helchter, MDu. hal(f)ter :- WGmc. ?al(i)ftra, f. ?alb-; see HELVE.

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halyard, halliard

XIV. orig. halier, hallyer, f. HALE2 + -IER; altered XVII by assoc. with YARD2.

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ham

hollow or bend of the knee OE.; thigh of a hog used for food XVII. OE. ham, hom = MLG. hamme, OHG. hamma (G. dial. hamm), rel. to synon. MLG. hame, OHG. hama, ON. hm, f. Gmc. þam- be crooked. Hence hamstring one of the tendons at the back of the knee. XVI; hence as vb. disable (as if) by cutting these XVII.

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hamadryad

wood-nymph. XIV (ama-). — L. Hamdryas, -ad-, Gr. Hamdruas, -ad-, f. háma together + drûs TREE.

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hame

each of the curved pieces forming the collar of a draught-horse. XIV. — MDu. hame (Du. haam), of unkn. orig.

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Hamitic

pert. to a group of African languages comprising ancient Egyptian. Brber, Galla, etc. XIX. f. Hamite descendant of Ham (Hebrew Kham), second son of Noah (Gen. 6; 10), whose descendants were supposed to have peopled northern Africa; see -ITE. -IC.

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hamlet

XIV. — AN. hamelet(t)e, OF. hamelet, f. hamel (mod. hameau), dim. f. ham — MLG., MDu. See -LET.

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hammer

sb. OE. hamor, hamer, homer = OS. hamur (Du. hamer), OHG. hamar (G. hammer), ON. hamarr hammer, back of an axe, crag; poss. rel. to OSl. kamy, Russ. kmen' stone. Hence vb. XIV.

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hammer-cloth

cloth covering the seat in a coach. XV (first as the name of an unidentified material). of unkn. orig.

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hammock

XVI (hamaca, hammaker; hamack, -OCK XVII). — Sp. hamaca, of Carib orig.; the ending has been assim. to -OCK.

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hamper1

large wicker-work receptacle. XIV. Reduced form of AN. hanaper, OF. hanapier, f. (O) F. hanap drinking-vessel, cup (of Gmc. orig.); see -ER2.

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hamper2

obstruct the movement of. XIV. of unkn. orig.

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hamster

XVII. — G. :- OHG. hamustro = OS. hamustra, corn-weevil, rel. to OSl. khomstor.

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hand

extremity of the arm comprising palm and fingers; side OE.; handwriting XIV; source of information, etc. XVI; manual worker XVII (employed person, orig. with reference to skill XVIII). OE. hand, hond = OS. hand, OHG. hant (Du., G. hand), ON. hnd, Goth. handus; of uncert. orig. Hence hand vb. handle, furl; lead by the hand; deliver with the hand XVII. Comps.; handbook OE. handbc, tr. medL. manulis liber, late L. manule MANUAL. handcuff XVIII, handful OE., handkerchief XVI, hand XIV, handmaiden XIII, handwriting XVI.

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handicap

†lottery in which one person challenged an article belonging to another and offered something in exchange, an umpire decreeing the respective values XVII; †handicap match match between two horses, in which the umpire decided the extra weight to be carried by the superior horse; so handicap (race) XVIII; hence gen., and later applied to the extra weight itself, and so to any disability in a contest XIX. Presumably f. phr. hand i' (i.e. in) cap, the two parties and the umpire in the orig. game all depositing forfeit money in a cap or hat. Hence vb. †draw as in a lottery XVII; engage in a handicap; weight race-horses; penalize (a superior competitor) XIX.

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handicraft

manual skill XV; manual art XVI. alt. of earlier †handcraft (OE. handcræft) after next; see CRAFT.

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handiwork

OE. handeweorc, f. hand HAND + eweorc, coll. formation (see Y-) on weorc WORK; analysed in XVI as HANDY work.

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handkerchief

see KERCHIEF.

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handle

sb. OE. handle, -la = MLG. hantel, f. hand HAND; see -LE1. So handle vb. Late OE. handlian feel with the hands, treat of, corr. to OS. handlon, OHG. hantaln (G. handeln), ON. hndla seize, treat; see -LE3.

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han(d)sel

†omen XII; New Year's gift XIV; earnest money; first use, first-fruits XVI. corr. formally to late OE. handselen delivery into the hand, and ON. handsal giving of the hand. esp. in a promise or bargain; f. HAND + base of SELL. Hence as vb. XV.

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handsome

†easy to handle XV; †handy; †(exc. U.S. dial.) apt. happy; moderately large, considerable; of fine appearance; graciously generous XVI. f. HAND + -SOME1.

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handspike

wooden bar used as lever. XVII. — Du. †handspaeke (now -spaak), f. hand HAND + MDu. spke pole, rod; assim. to SPIKE1.

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handy

†manual XVI (handy laboure); ready to hand; dexterous XVI. In the first sense evolved from HANDIWORK; in the later (for which ME. had hend(e) :- OE. ehende at hand) a new formation on HAND + -Y1.

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hang

pt. and pp. hung, hanged intr. be attached above without support beneath OE.; trans. attach in this way XIII. The present stem derives from (i) intr. OE. hangian, pt. hangode (pp. hanged from XIV) = OS. hangon, OHG. hangn (Du., G. hangen) :- WGmc. wk. vb. ?azjan, -jan, (ii) trans. ON. hanga, pt. hekk, pp. hanginn = OE. hn (which continued till XIII), pt. heng (till XVI), pp. hangen (till XV), OS., OHG. hhan, MLG., MDu. hn, MHG. hhen, Goth. hhan (pt. haihh) :- Gmc. redupl. vb. ??an (prob. rel. to L. cunctr delay, Skr. ákate hesitate); pt. and pp. hung were established in literary Eng. in late XVI, with hanged largely restricted to the sense ‘kill by hanging’. Hence hangman XIV.

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hangar

shed, now spec. for aircraft. XIX. — F., of unkn. orig.

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hanger1

wood on a steep bank. OE. hangra, f. hangian HANG.

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hanger2

one who hangs; pendent or suspending object. XV. f. HANG + -ER1.

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hanger3

short sword. XV. prob. identical with prec.; cf. early modDu. hangher rapier, which may be the immed. source.

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hank

XIII. — ON. hanku (later hnk; cf. hanki hasp, clasp). So hank vb. XIII. — ON. hanka.

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hanker

(dial.) linger, loiter about; have a longing after, for. XVII. f. dial. hank (XVI) + -ER4; prob. f. hak-, parallel to hag- HANG.

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hanky

XIX. colloq. for HANDKERCHIEF; see -Y3.

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hanky-panky

XIX. Rhyming jingle based on hokey pokey, hocus pocus, with possible suggestion of ‘sleight of hand’.

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Hansard

official record of Parliamentary Debates, which began to be printed in 1805 by T. L. Hansard .

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Hanse

merchant guild; entrance fee of such a guild XII; commercial league of German towns XV. First in hanshus ‘hanse-house’, guildhall — MLG. hanshs, and in medL. form hansa — OHG. hansa, (M)HG. hanse = OE. hs troop, company, Goth. hansa company, crowd :- Gmc. ?ans; of unkn. orig. So Hanseatic XVII. — medL.

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hansel

see HAN(D)SEL.

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hansom

short for hansom cab. XIX. f. name of Joseph Aloysius Hansom (1803–82). architect. who registered a Patent Safety Cab in 1834.

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hap

sb. XIII. — ON. happ chance, good luck, rel. to OE. ehæp(li.) fitting, convenient, orderly (cf. OSl. kob fate). Hence hap vb. XIV; superseded by happen XIV. haply by chance XIV. happy prosperous XIV; having a feeling of content XVI. happy-go-lucky XVII.

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haplo-

comb. form of Gr. haploûs single, simple, as in haplography, haplology writing/speaking once instead of twice. XIX.

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hara-kiri

suicide by disembowelment. XIX. — Jap., f. hara belly + kiri cutting.

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harangue

XV (arang; first in Sc.; in Eng. after 1600). — F. harangue, earlier †arenge — medL. harenga, — Frankish ?ari?rig- assembly, f. Gmc. ?arja- host, crowd (see HARRY) + ?rig- RING1. So vb. XVII.

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harass

†tire out; trouble, worry. XVII. — F. harasser, pejorative deriv. of harer set a dog on, f. hare cry used for this purpose.

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harbinger

†one who provides lodging, host XII; purveyor of lodging, e.g. for an army XIV; forerunner XVI. ME. herbergere, -geour — OF. herbergere, obl. case -geour, f. herbergier provide lodging for, f. herberge lodging — Frankish (=OHG.) heriberga ‘shelter for an army’, lodging, f. Gmc. ?arja- host, army (see HARRY) + berz- protect (see BOROUGH). The intrusive n occurs XV.

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harbour

(arch.) shelter, lodging OE.; place of shelter XIII; spec. for ships, port XVI. Late OE. herebeorg (perh. — ON.), corr. to OS., OHG. heriberga (Du. herberg, G. herberge), ON. herbergi; see prec. So as vb. shelter, lodge, entertain OE.; fig. XIV. Late OE. herebeorgian. Hence harbourage XVI.

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hard

resisting pressure; difficult to endure, severe; intense, violent OE.; sb. beach or jetty for landing XIX. OE. h(e)ard = OS. (Du.) hard, (O)HG. hart, ON. harðr, Goth. hardus :- Gmc. ?rðuz :- IE. kratús, whence Gr. kratús strong, powerful. Hence harden make hard XIII; become hard XV. Hence hardly †forcibly; †boldly XIII; severely; not easily, (hence) barely, not quite XVI. hardship †severity; oppressive condition. XIII. hardware ironmongery. XVI.

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hardy

courageous, daring XIII; capable of physical endurance XVI. — (O)F. hardi, pp. of hardir become bold — Gmc. ?aðjan, f. ?aðuz HARD. Hence hardihood XVII.

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hare

OE. hara = MDu. haese (Du. haas), OHG. haso (G. hase), ON. heri :- Gmc. ?san-; rel. to W. ceinach, OPruss. sasins, Skr. aas; prob. sb. use of a colour-adj. (cf. OE. hasu, ON. hss grey, L. cascus old, beside OHG. hasan grey, L. cnus hoary). Hence harebell XIV, hare-brain, hare-lip XVI.

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harem

XVII. — Arab. aram and arm (that which is) prohibited, (hence) sacred place, sanctuary, women's apartments, wives, women, f. arama prohibit, make unlawful.

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haricot1

kidney bean, French bean. XVII. — F. haricot, of uncert. orig.

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haricot2

ragout (orig. of mutton). XVIII. — F. haricot, earlier hericoq (de mouton), hericot, perh. orig. rel. to OF. harigoter cut up, and later assim. to prec.

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hark

give ear to XII; listen XIII. ME. herkien :- OE. he(o)rcian, rel. to MLG., MDu. horken, OHG. hrechen, (G. horchen). Hark back is a hunting phr. arising from the use of ‘hark!’ as a call to retrace one's course.

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harlequin

character (associated with Columbine) in It. comedy and Eng. pantomime (clothed in variegated costume, whence the application of the word to animals with variegated coat, plumage, etc.). XVI. — F. †harlequin (mod. arlequin, after It. arlecchino), later var. of Herlequin leader of the Wild Host or troop of demon horsemen riding by night, which has been plausibly referred (as if for Herlechingi) to OE. Herla cyning king Herla, whose characteristics have been identified with those of Woden.

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harlot

†vagabond, rascal, low fellow XIII; †itinerant jester; †male servant; †‘fellow’ XIV; prostitute XV. — OF. (h)arlot, herlot young fellow, knave, vagabond. Hence harlotry XIV.

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harm

sb. OE. hearm = OS., (O)HG. harm, ON. harmr (chiefly) grief, sorrow :- Gmc. ?armaz, rel. to OSl. sramû shame, injury, Pers. arm. So harm vb. OE. hearmian.

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harmony

†melody, music XIV; (mus.) combination of notes to make chords; agreement, accord XVI. — (O)F. harmonie — L. harmonia — Gr. harmoní joint, agreement, concord, f. harmo- of harmós joint, harmózein fit together. So harmonic XVI. — L. — Gr. harmonikós. harmonica first applied (1762) by B. Franklin to a developed form of musical glasses; fem. sg. or n. pl. (used sb.) of L. harmonicus. harmonious XVI. — (O)F. harmonium XIX. — F. harmonize XV (rare before XVII).

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harness

†baggage, equipment XIII; trappings of a horse; (arch.) body armour; tackle, gear (now techn.) XIV. ME. harnais, herneis — OF. harneis military equipment (mod. harnais) — ON. hernest ‘provisions for an army’, with assim. of the termination to -isk- (cf. OF. harneschier equip), f. herr army (see HARRY) + nest = OE., OHG. nest provisions, Goth. ganists safety. So vb. XIV.

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harp

sb. OE. hearpe = OS. harpa (Du. harp), OHG. harfa (G. harfe), ON. harpa :- Gmc. ?arpn. So vb. OE. hearpian.

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harpoon

sb. XVII. — F. harpon, f. harpe dog's claw, cramp-iron, clamp — L. harp, harpa — Gr. hárp sickle. Hence vb. XVIII.

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harpsichord

XVII. — F. †harpechorde, f. late L. harpa HARP + chorda CHORD; the intrusive s is of obscure orig.

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harpy

fabulous monster half woman half bird; also transf. XVI. — (O)F. harpie or its source L. harpia, pl. -iæ — Gr. hárpiai ‘snatchers’, rel. to harpázein seize.

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(h)arquebus

early portable gun. XVI. — F. (h)arquebuse, ult. — MLG. hakebusse (mod. haakbus) or MHG. hake(n)bühse (mod. hakenbüchse); f. hake(n) hook + bus(se) fire-arm (a hook being orig. cast on the gun). So (h)arquebusier XVI.

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harridan

XVII. presumed to be alt. of F. haridelle old jade of a horse, of unkn. orig.

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harrier1

hound for hunting the hare XVI; member of a hare-and-hounds team XIX. Early forms hayrere, heirere, f. hayre HARE + -ER1; assim. to next.

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harrier2

one who harries; falcon of the genus Circus. XVI. (In the second sense, early forms har(r)oer, harrower.) f. HARROW1, HARRY + -ER1.

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harrow1

(arch.) rob, despoil (esp. harrow hell). XIII. ME. harwe, herwe, var. of herie HARRY.

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harrow2

toothed timber-frame dragged over ploughed land to clean it. XIII. — ON. harwjan-, prehistoric form of herfi, rel. obscurely to MLG., MDu. harke (Du. hark) rake. Hence harrow vb. XIII; fig. lacerate the feelings of XVII.

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harry

make raids OE.; overrun or despoil with an army; harass XIII. OE. her()ian, corr. to OS. herion, OHG. herin, ON. herja :- Gmc. ?arj(ja)n, f. ?arjaz host, army (OE. here, ON. herr etc.); rel. to MIr. cuire, Lith. krias army, Gr. koíranos ‘military commander’, lord, king. Conflation with synon. OF. harier, her(r)ier is probable.

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harsh

rough to the touch, taste, or hearing; repugnant to feeling or aesthetic taste. XVI. — MLG. harsch rough, lit. ‘hairy’, f. haer HAIR; see -ISH1.

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hart

OE. heor(o)t, = OS. hirot (Du. hert), OHG. hir(u)z (G. hirsch), ON. hjrtr :- Gmc. ?erutaz; prob. lit. ‘horned beast’, and based on IE. erw- (as in L. cervus stag, W. carw hart, OSl. srûna roe), rel. ult. to HORN.

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hartebeest

XVIII. — Afrikaans (now hartbees), f. Du. hert HART + beest BEAST.

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harum-scarum

adv. XVII; adj., sb. XVIII. rhyming jingle perh. f. HARE and SCARE; sometimes taken as hare 'em, scare 'em.

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harvest

autumn, spec. as the season for gathering the ripened grain OE.; the gathering itself, corn-crop XVI. OE. hærfest = (M)Du. herfst, OHG. herbist (G. herbst autumn), ON. haust :- Gmc. ?arbistaz, -ustaz, f. ?arb- :- IE. karp-, as in L. carpere pluck, Gr. karpós fruit. Hence vb. XIV. harvest-home XVI.

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has

see HAVE.

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hash

cut up (meat) small for cooking; fig. mangle. XVII. — (O)F. hacher, f. hache HATCHET. Hence hash sb.

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hashish

XVI. — Arab. a dry herb, hay, hashish.

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haslet

pig's fry, pluck of sheep, etc. XIV. — OF. hastelet (mod. hâtelet(te)), dim. of haste (hâte) spit, roast meat — Frankish (= OHG.) harst piece of roast meat; see -LET.

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hasp

hinged fastening. OE. hæpse (:- hæspe), corr. to MLG. haspe, hespe, OHG. haspa (G. haspe), ON. hespa.

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hassock

clump of matted vegetation OE.; cushion for kneeling or resting the feet on XVI. OE. hassuc, of unkn. orig.; see -OCK.

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hastate

spear-shaped. XVIII. — L. hasttus, f. hasta spear; see -ATE2.

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haste

swiftness of movement; hurry XIII; obligation or eagerness to act quickly XIV. — OF. haste (mod. hâte) — WGmc. ?aisti (OE. hst violence, fury, ON. heifst, heipt hate, revenge, Goth. haifsts strife; OE. hste violent, OHG. heisti powerful); of unkn. orig. So haste vb. XIII. — OF. haster (mod. hâter); superseded by hasten XVI. Hence hasty †speedy; †hurried XIV; precipitate, rash XV. — OF. hasti(f) (mod. htif).

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hat

OE. hætt, corr. to ON. httr hood, cowl :- Gmc. ?attuz; rel. to HOOD. Hence hatter XIV.

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hatch1

half-door, wicket OE.; †movable planking forming a deck, (now) framework covering openings in a deck XIII; flood-gate XVI. OE. hæ.., he.., corr. to MLG. heck, MDu. hecke (Du. hek); f. Gmc. ?ak-, of unkn. orig.

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hatch2

bring forth from the egg. XIII. ME. hacche, pt. hazte, pp. yhaht, iheyzt and hacchid, hetchid, points to an OE. hæ..an, rel. to MHG. hecken, Sw. häcka, Da. hække; of unkn. orig.

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hatch3

inlay XV; engrave lines on XVI. — (O)F. hacher, f. hache HATCHET.

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hatchet

XIV. — (O)F. hachette, dim. of hache axe — Gmc ?apja (OHG. happa, heppa sickle-shaped knife); see -ET.

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hatchment

escutcheon. XVI. Early forms (h)achement, achivment, shortening of ACHIEVEMENT stressed on the first syll.

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hate

vb. OE. hatian = OS. haton (Du. haten), OHG. hazzn, -n (G. hassen), ON. hata, Goth. hatan :- Gmc. ?atjan, -jan, f. base of ?atis- (see below). So hate sb. XIII; partly — ON. hatr, partly f. hate vb. under the infl. of hatred XIII (ME. haterede(n), f. the vb.-stem + -RED). Both sbs. superseded OE. synon. hete (to XIII) = OS. heti, OHG. haz (G. hass), ON. hatr, Goth. hatis :- Gmc. ?atis- :- IE. ades- (cf. Av. sdra-, Gr. kdos suffering, W. cawdd anger, insult, trouble).

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hauberk

defensive armour for neck and shoulders. XIII. — OF. hauberc :- Frankish halsberg (= OHG. halsberc, OE. healsbeorg), f. hals neck + berg- protect.

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haugh

(Sc. and north.) flat land by a river side. ME. hawch, hawgh, prob. :- OE. healh corner, nook, rel. to holh HOLLOW.

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haughty

lofty and disdainful; †eminent, exalted; †high. XVI. Extension with -Y1 of †haught, earlier haut (XV) — (O)F. haut high :- L. altus high.

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haul

pull, drag; trim (sails) XVI; (of the wind) veer XVIII. Earliest form hall; var. of HALE2. So haulier XV (hallier). — OF. hallier.

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ha(u)lm

stems or stalks.- OE. h(e)alm = OS. (Du.), (O)HG. halm, ON. hálmr :- Gmc. ?almaz :- IE. olmos; cf. L. culmus haulm, Gr. kálamos reed, OSl. slama straw.

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haunch

XIII. — (O)F. hanche, of Gmc. origin (cf. LG. hanke hind leg of a horse).

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haunt

†practise habitually; resort (to) habitually XIII; frequent the company of XV; visit frequently XVI (spec. of ghosts). — (O)F. hanter, of Gmc. orig.

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hautboy

wooden wind instrument. XVI. — F. hautbois, f. haut high + bois wood; so named from its high pitch. Superseded by OBOE.

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have

pt., pp. had. OE. habban, pt. hæfde, pp. (e)hæfd = OS. hebbian (Du. hebben), OHG. habn (G. haben), ON. hafa, Goth. haban, prob. rel: to ?abjan (IE. kap-) HEAVE (connection with L. habre ‘have’ is doubtful).

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haven

harbour (now rhet. or fig.). Late OE. hæfen, hæfne (XI) — ON. hafn-, hfn = MLG., MDu. havene, Du. haven, rel. to (O)Ir. cuan curve, bend, recess, bay.

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haversack

XVIII. — F. havresac — G. habersack orig. bag in which cavalry carried the oats for their horses, f. haber oats + sack SACK.

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havoc

in phr. cry havoc sound the signal for spoliation; hence make havoc (of) plunder, devastate. XV. — AN. havok, alt. of OF. havo(t), of unkn. orig.

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haw1

fruit of the hawthorn. OE. haga, identical in form with haga hedge, fence (see HEDGE), connection with which appears to be shown by the forms of hawthorn , OE. haga-, haguðorn = MDu. hagedorn (Du. haagdoorn), MHG. hagendorn (G. hagedorn), ON. hagþorn; cf. OE. hæðorn ‘hedge-thorn’.

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haw2

nictitating membrane in a horse's (dog's, etc.) eye; inflamed state of this. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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haw3

utterance marking hesitation; also as vb. XVII.

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hawk1

bird of prey. OE. h(e)afoc = OS. habuk (Du. havik), OHG. habuh (G. habicht), ON. haukr :- Gmc. ?abukaz, rel. to Pol. kobuz, Russ. kóbets species of hawk or kite. Hence hawk vb. XIV.

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hawk2

plasterer's hod. XIV. of unkn. orig.

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hawk3

clear the throat noisily. XVI. prob. imit.

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hawker

itinerant seller. XVI. prob. — LG. (cf. MLG. hoker, Du. heuker); see HUCKSTER. Hence, by back-formation, hawk 4 vb. XVI.

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hawse

(naut.) part of the bows of a ship XIV; space about the stem of a vessel, situation of cables there XVI. Early form halse, prob. — ON. háls neck, ship's bow, etc. (= OE. heals neck, prow).

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hawser

(naut.) large rope. XIV. — AN. hauce(ou)r. f. OF. haucier (mod. hausser) hoist :- Rom. altire, f. L. altus high; see -ER2.

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hawthorn

see HAW1.

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hay

grass cut and dried. OE. h, h(e) = OS. hi, OHG. hewi, houwi (Du. hooi, G. heu), ON. hey (whence the native word was reinforced), Goth. hawi :- Gmc. ?aujam, f. ?auwan cut down, HEW.

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hayward

officer having charge of fences and enclosures. XIII. f. ME. heie, haie, OE. hee hedge + WARD1.

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hazard

game at dice XIII; chance, venture XIV; risk, peril XVI. — (O)F. hasard, perh. — Sp. azar — Arab. az-zahr, az-zr gaming die. So hazard vb., hazardous XVI.

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haze1

†thick fog; thin mist. XVIII. prob., along with haze vb. drizzle (XVII), back-formation from earlier hazy adj. (orig. naut.) †foggy, (now) misty (XVII), of unkn. orig. (earliest forms hawsey, heysey, haizy, besides hasie, hazy).

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haze2

(dial.) scare, scold, beat XVII; (naut.) harass with excessive work; (U.S.) subject to brutal horseplay XIX. In the first sense preceded by (dial.) hazen (early XVII); of uncert. orig. (cf. OF. haser tease, anger, insult).

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hazel

small nut-tree, Corylus OE.; reddish-brown colour of the ripe hazel-nut XVI. OE. hæsel, corr. to MDu. hasel (Du. hazelaar hazel tree), OHG. hasal(a) (G. hasel), ON. hasl :- Gmc. ?asalaz :- IE. kosolos, koselos, whence also L. corylus, -ulus.

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he1

3rd sg. m. pers. pron. OE. h = OS. he, hi(e); f. Gmc. dem. stem ?i-, repr. also in OHG. (Franconian) her, h he; also OHG. hiutu (:- hiu tagu this day), G. heute today, ON. dem. hinn, Goth. himma daga today. See also HIM, HIS, HITHER, HENCE, IT. IE. (e)i, e are repr. also in L. cis on this side, dem. particle -ce, OIr. c this, Lith. ìs, OSl. s this, Gr. ekeî there.

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he2

excl. of laughter, usually repeated he he (he). OE. he he.

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head

anterior (in man, upper) part of the body, containing the mouth, sense organs, and brain; various transf. uses. OE. hafod = OS. hbid (Du. hoofd), OHG. houbit (G. haupt), Goth. haubiþ (cf. ON. hfuð) :- Gmc. ?auððam, -iðam, the relation of which with L. caput, head, Skr. kapla- skull, is not clear. Hence headland strip of land left at the head of furrows OE. (héfodland); promontory XVI. headman chief. OE. hafodmann. headquarters XVII. headsman †chief XIV; executioner XVII. headstrong XIV. headway motion ahead or forward XVIII; for aheadway (f. AHEAD). heady headlong (†lit. and fig.) XIV.

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-head

-hd(e), repr. OE. -hdu, mutated form corr. to -hd -HOOD, and used alongside it from XIII, but surviving in present Eng. only in godhead and (arch.) maidenhead; orig. attached to adjs., as boldhede, fairhede, but extended later to sbs.

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headlong

headforemost, precipitately. XV. alt., by assoc. with ALONG, of †headling (XIII), f. HEAD + -LING2.

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heal

OE. hlan = OS. hlian (Du. heelen), OHG. heilan (G. heilen), ON. heila, Goth. hailjan :- Gmc. ?ailjan, f. ?ailaz WHOLE.

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health

soundness of body, mind, or spirit OE.; toast drunk to a person's welfare XVI. OE. hlð = OHG. heilida :- WGmc. ?ailiþa, f. Gmc. ?ailaz WHOLE; see -TH1. Hence healthful salubrious XIV; having good health XVI (superseded in this sense by healthy XVI).

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heap

collection of things lying one upon another; †great company OE.; (colloq.) a great deal XVII (earlier pl. XVI). OE. hap = OS. hp (Du. hoop), OHG. houg :- WGmc. ?aupa, rel. to MLG. hpe, OHG. hfo (G. haufen) :- Gmc. ?pan-. Hence as vb. OE. hapian.

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hear

pt., pp. heard. OE (Angl.) hran, (WS.) heran = OS. hrian (Du. hooren), OHG. hren (G. hören), ON. heyra, Goth. hausjan :- Gmc. ?auzjan, perh. rel. to Gr. akoúein hear. Hence hearsay XVI. orig. in phr. by hear say.

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hearken

OE. he(o)rcnian, f. he(o)rcian; see HARK, -EN5.

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hearse

structure placed over a bier at a funeral XIV; †bier, coffin, grave XVII; funeral carriage XVII. — (O)F. herse harrow, triangular frame for candles :- medL. erpica, Rom. herpica, for L. (h)irpex, (h)irpic- kind of harrow.

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heart

bodily organ, regarded as the centre of vital functions, the seat of affections, etc. OE.; dear person; innermost part XIII; vital part; †stomach XVI. OE. heorte = OS. herta (Du. hart), OHG. herza (G. herz), ON. hjarta, Goth. hairt :- Gmc. ?artan-, -n. The IE. base rd- rd is repr. also by Gr. kr, kardí, L. cor, cord-, Lith. irdìs, OIr. cride, etc. Hence hearten XVI.

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hearth

OE. heorð = OS. herth (Du. haard), OHG. hert (G. herd) :- WGmc. ?arþa.

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heat

sb. OE. htu = MDu. hte, OHG. heizi :- WGmc. ?aitn. f. Gmc. ?aitaz HOT; also OE. hte (:- ?aitja). So heat vb. OE htan.

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heath1

open waste land. OE. hð, corr, to OS. htha, MLG., MDu. hde, MHG. heide (Du., G. heide), ON. heie, Goth. haiþi :- Gmc. ?aiþiz :- IE. kait-, repr. also by Gaul. cto- in place-names, OW. coit (W. coed) wood, forest.

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heath2

plant of the genus Erica. OE. hð = OS. hth(i)a, (M)LG., (M)Du. heide, OHG. heida (G. heide) :- WGmc. ?aiþj; f. prec.

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heathen

OE. hðen = OS. hthin (Du. heiden), OHG. heidan (G. heide), ON. heiðinn, in Goth. repr. by haiþn Gentile woman; gen. regarded as a spec. Christian use (perh. originating in Gothic) of Gmc. adj. ?aiþanaz, -inaz inhabiting open country, savage, f. ?aiþiz HEATH1; see -EN1. Hence heathendom OE. hðendm. heathenish OE. henis..

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heather

XIV (Sc. and north. hathir, etc.). The form hadder or hather prevailed in Eng. use from XVI to XVIII, when heather is first recorded; of unkn. orig., perh. repr. OE. hddre; app. assim. to HEATH1 or HEATH2.

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heave

(obs. dial. or techn.) lift, raise OE.; throw, cast, haul up XVI; rise XIV. OE. str. vb. hebban = OS. hebbian (Du. heffen), OHG. heffen (G. heben), ON. hefja, Goth. hafjan :- Gmc. ?abjan, rel. to L. capere take. Pt. hove survives in some uses, but for the most part weak forms (already found in late OE.) prevailed.

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heaven

sky, firmament; region beyond the sky; habitation of God and his angels OE.; state of bliss XIV. OE. heofon, corr. to OS. heban, ON. himinn (inflected stem hifn- :- hibn-), Goth. himins; parallel formations with l-suffix are OS., OHG. himil (Du. hemel, G. himmel); ult. orig. uncert.

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Heaviside

name of Oliver Heaviside (1850–1925), Engl. physicist, applied to a layer of the ionosphere able to reflect long radio waves.

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heavy

OE. hefi = OS. heig (Du. hevig), OHG. hebig, ON. hofugr :- Gmc. ?auza-, ?aiza-, f. ?aiz (OE. hefe) weight, f. ?ajan HEAVE; see -Y1.

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hebdomadal

†lasting seven days XVII; weekly XVIII. — late L. hebdomadlis, f. hebdomas, -ad- group of seven, etc. (whence hebdomad XVI) — Gr. hebdoms, f. heptá SEVEN.

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hebetate

make blunt. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. hebetre, f. hebes, hebet- blunt; see -ATE3.

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Hebrew

adj. and sb. XIII. ME. ebreu — OF. ebr(i)eu (mod. hébreu) — medL. Ebrus, for L. Hebræus — late Gr. Hebraîos — Aram. ‘ebry’, for Heb. ‘ibr’ lit. ‘one from the other side’ (sc. of the river). So Hebraic XIV. — ChrL. Hebraicus — late Gr. Hebraïkós. Hebraism XVI. — F. or modL. Hebraist XVIII.

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hecatomb

sacrifice of many victims. XVI. — L. hecatomb — Gr. hekatómb, f. hekatón HUNDRED + boûs OX.

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heckle

var. of HACKLE. XV. Hence vb. dress (flax or hemp) with a heckle XV; examine searchingly; harass (a speaker) with questions XIX (orig. Sc.).

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hectic

of a wasting fever XIV; consumptive, feverish XVII; feverishly active, exciting XX. ME. etik — OF. etique — late L. hecticus — Gr. hektikós habitual, hectic, consumptive, f. héxis habit, state of body or mind, f. ékhein intr. (with adv.) be (in such-and-such a state); superseded XVI by the mod. form — F. hectique or late L.

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hect(o)-

— F., contr. of Gr. hekatn HUNDRED, esp. in terms of the metric system. as hectare, hectolitre, hectometre (XIX).

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hector

play the bully, (tr.) bully. XVII. f. Hector name of ‘the prop or stay of Troy’, son of Priam and Hecuba, sb. use of Gr. adj. hktr holding fast, f. ékhein hold; f. the use of the sb. (common in late XVII) for ‘swaggering fellow’.

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hedge

OE. he.(e) = MDu. hegghe (Du. heg), OHG. hegga, hecka (G. hecke) :- WGmc. ?azj, rel. to HAW3, HAY. Hence hedgehog XV. hedgerow XVI.

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hedonism

XIX. f. Gr. hdon pleasure + -ISM. So hedonist XIX.

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-hedron

repr. n. sg. (used as sb.) of Gr. adjs. ending in -edros, f. hédr seat, base, in comps. with numerals, as hexahedron.

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heed

vb. OE. hdan = OS. hdian (Du. hoeden), OHG. huoten (G. hüten) :- WGmc. ?djan, f. ?da care, keeping (MLG. hde, OHG. huota, G. hut). Hence as sb. XIII.

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heel1

hinder part of the foot OE. hla, hla, ccrr. to MDu. hiele (Du. hiel), ON. hæll :- Gmc. ??il- :- ?a?il-, f. ?a?- (whence OE. hh heel), rel. to Lith. knka hough.

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heel2

incline to one side. XVI. prob. evolved from †heeld, †hield through apprehending final d as a pt.-pp. suffix. OE. hieldan = OS. ofheldian, MDu. helden (Du. hellen) :- WGmc. ?alþjan, f. Gmc. ?alþaz (OE. heald, OHG. hald, ON. hallr inclined).

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hefty

XIX. of U.S. and dial. origin; f. (dial.) heft weight, prob. f. heave; see -Y1.

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hegemony

XVI (aegemonie; rare before XIX). — Gr. hgemoní, f. hgemn leader, f. hgeîsthai lead, rel. to L. sgre track, and SEEK; see -MONY.

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hegira, hejira

Muslim era. XVI. — medL. hegira — Arab. hijra departure (spec. al-hijra the flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in A.D. 622, from which the Muslim era is reckoned), f. hajara separate, go away.

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heifer

OE. heahfore, heahfru, -fre, of unkn. orig.

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height

OE. hhðu (WS. hehðu) = MDu. hogede, hoochte (Du. hoogte), OHG. hhida, Goth. hauhiþa :- Gmc. ?au?iþ; see HIGH, -TH1. Dissimilation of -hþ (-zþ) to -ht (-zt), orig. northern, appears before 1300. Hence heighten XVI.

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heinous

hateful. XIV. — OF. haïneus, f. haïne hatred, f. haïr — Frankish hatjan, rel. to HATE; see -OUS.

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heir

XIII. ME. eir — OF. (h)eir :- late L. hrem, for earlier hrdem, nom. hrs. Hence heiress XVII, heirloom XV.

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hejira

see HEGIRA.

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hele

†hide, keep secret OE.; (local) cover (with earth or tiles) XIII OE. hellan, helian = OS. hellian, OHG. -hellen :- WGmc. haljan f. ?el- ?al- ?ul- :- IE. el-, repr. in L. celre, Gr. kalúptein hide.

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helianthus

sunflower genus. XVIII. modL., f. Gr. hlios SUN + ´nthos flower.

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helicopter

XIX. — F. hélicoptère, f. Gr. heliko- (see HELIX) + pterón wing.

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helio-

repr. comb. form of Gr. hlios SUN, as in heliocentric (XVII), -graph (XIX), -graphic, -graphy, -meter, -stat (XVIII), -tropic, -tropism (XIX).

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heliotrope

plant of which the flowers turn towards the sun, e.g. formerly, sunflower, marigold, now the genus Heliotropium. XVII. — L. hliotropium — Gr. hliotrópion, f. hlios SUN + -tropos turning.

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helium

XIX. f. Gr. hlios SUN (see -IUM); so named from the discovery of its existence in the solar spectrum.

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helix

XVI. — L. helix, helic- — Gr. hélix, -ik-, f. IE. wel- roll. Hence helical XVII. helicoid XVIII. — modL. — Gr.

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hell

OE. hel(l) = OS. hellia (Du. hel), OHG. hella (G. hölle), ON. hel, Goth. halja :- Gmc. ?alj, f. ?al- ?el- ?ul- cover, conceal (OE. helian, helan, OS., OHG. helan, etc.; OE. hyllan, Goth. huljan, etc.).

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hellebore

XIV (preceded by eleboryne XIII). ME. el(l)ebre, eleure — OF. ellebre, elebore or medL. eleborus, L. elleborus — Gr. (h)elléboros.

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Hellene

Greek. XVII. — Gr. Hélln. So Hellenic, Hellenism XVII, Hellenistic XVIII.

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hello

see HALLO(A).

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helm1

(arch.), helmet. OE. helm = OS., OHG. (Du., G.) helm, ON. hjálmr, Goth. hilms :- Gmc. ?elmaz, f. IE. base el- cover, conceal; cf. Skr. árman- covering, protection. So helmet XV. — OF., dim. of helme (mod. heaume), — Gmc.; see -ET.

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helm2

tiller. OE. helma, corr. to MLG. helm handle, OHG. helmo, halmo, ON. hjalmvlr ‘rudder-stick’; of uncert. orig.

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helminthology

XIX. f. Gr. hélmins, helminth- worm; see -LOGY.

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helot

serf in ancient Sparta. XVI. — L. (H)ltæ, Hltes pl. — Gr. Heíltes, Heíltai; of unkn. orig.

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help

sb. OE. help = OS. helpa, OHG. helfa, ON. hjálp :- Gmc. ?elp, f. base seen also in help vb. OE. str. vb. helpan = OS. helpan (Du. helpen), OHG. helfan (G. helfen), ON. hjálpa, Goth. hilpan; cf. Lith. epti help. The orig. pt. survived till XV in the form †halp, which was succeeded by †holp (XVI), modelled on the pp. †holpen; the weak form helped appears XIII, orig. northern. Hence helpmate XVIII. f. MATE1, doubtless by assoc. with helpmeet, which arose from the use of help-meet for man (XVII), based on an helpe meet for him ‘a help suitable for him’ Gen. 2: 18, 20.

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helter-skelter

in disorderly haste. XVI. rhyming jingle, perh. based ult. on ME. skelte hasten.

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helve

handle of a weapon or tool. OE. h(i)elfe, corr. to OS. helfi (MDu. helf, helve), OHG. halp; f. WGmc. ?al- (cf. HALTER) :- IE. kalp-, as in OPruss. kalpus waggon-rail, Lith. kálpa cross-piece of a sledge.

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hem1

edging of cloth or garment OE. (transf. and techn., from XIII); border on a cloth made by doubling in the edge XVII. OE. hem, corr. to OFris. hemme enclosed land, presumably rel. to OE. hamm meadow, etc. Hence hem vb. edge, border (cloth) XIII; shut in XVI.

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hem2,

h'm repr. the sound made in clearing the throat. XVI. So hem vb. XV (in vbl. sb. hemynge).

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hemi-

repr. Gr. hmi-, comb. el. = SEMI-.

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hemisphere

In the form †(h)emisperie, -sphery (XIV) — L. hmisphærium — Gr. hmisphaírion (see hmi- HEMI-, SPHERE); in the form hemisphere (XVI), †-spere (XV) — OF. emisp(h)ere (mod. hémisphère).

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hemistich

(pros.) half-line. XVI. — late L. hmistichium — Gr. hmistikhion, f. stkhos; see HEMI-.

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hemlock

OE. hymlic(e), hemlic, of unkn. orig.; forms in hum-, hom- continued till XVI; the alt. of the final syll. to -lock (XV) is paralleled in CHARLOCK.

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hemorrhoid

see H(A)EMORRHOID.

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hemp

herbaceous plant Cannabis sativa OE.; fibre of this XIII. OE. henep, hænep = OS. hanap (Du. hennep), OHG. hanaf (G. hanf), ON. hampr :- Gmc. ?anipiz, ?anapiz, rel. to Gr. knnabis, Lith. kanps, Russ. konoplyá.

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hen

female of the domestic fowl OE.; female of other birds XIV. OE. henn = MLG. henne, OHG. henna (G. henne) :- WGmc. ?annja, f. Gmc. ?anan- cock (OE. hana, OS., OHG. hano, Du. haan, G. hahn, ON. hani, Goth. han, rel. to L. canere sing.

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hence

XIII. ME. hen(ne)s, f. hen(ne) :- OE. hio-, heonan(e) = OS., OHG. hinan(a), (G. hinnen), also OE. hina, heona = MLG., MDu. hne (Du. heen), OHG. hina (G. hin); WGmc. formations on the pronominal base ?i- HE1. cf. THENCE, WHENCE.

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henchman

squire, page of honour XIV; personal attendant of a Highland chief XVIII; trusty follower, (esp. U.S.) stout political partisan XIX. ME. hengest-, henx(st)-, hensman, perh. orig. horse attendant, f. OE. heng(e)st (= MLG. hengest, OHG. hengist, Du., G. hengst, ON. hestr) stallion, gelding + MAN.

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hendeca-

comb. form of Gr. héndeka eleven, f. hén, n. of heîs one + déka TEN. hendecagon XVIII. hendecasyllable XVIII. f. L. — Gr.

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henna

(dye obtained from) Egyptian privet, Lawsonia inermis. XVI. — Arab. hinn'.

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henry

(electr.) unit of inductance. XIX. f. name of Joseph Henry (1797–1878), Amer. physicist.

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hepatic

pert. to the liver, liver-coloured. XV. L. hpaticus — Gr. hpatiks. f. hêpar, hpat- liver; see -IC.

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hepta-

before a vowel hept- , comb. form of Gr. heptá SEVEN, e.g. heptachord XVIII, heptagon XVI, heptarchy XVI, Heptateuch XVII.

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heptad

group of seven. XVII. — Gr. heptás, heptad-, f. heptá SEVEN; see -AD.

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her1

g. of the fem. 3rd pers. sg. pron. OE. hire = MDu. hare (Du. haar), f. pronominal base ?i- HE1; cf. parallel forms on the base i-, viz. OS., OHG. ira, iro (G. ihr), Goth. izs. Hence hers absol. pron. XIV; see -s.

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her2

orig. dat., later acc. of the fem. 3rd pers. sg. pron. OE. hire = MDu. hare (Du. haar), f. pronominal base ?i- HE1; cf. the parallel forms on the base i-, viz. OS. iru, OHG. iru, iro (G. ihr), Goth. izai. Hence herself XII, in OE. hire sylfre (dat.).

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herald

officer who delivers proclamations, etc.; envoy XIV; forerunner XVI; one skilled in heraldry XIX. ME. herau(l)d — OF. herau(l)t (mod. héraut) — Gmc. ?ariwald-, f. ?arjaz army + wald- rule, WIELD. So vb. XIV. Hence heraldic XVIII, heraldry XVI.

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herb

XIII. ME. (h)erbe — OF. erbe (mod. herbe) :- L. herba grass, green crops, herb. The pronunc. without initial aspirate was regular till early XIX. So herbaceous XVII. f. L. herbage XIV. — OF. herbal book treating of plants. XVI. — medL.; whence herbalist XVI. herbarium collection of dried plants. XVIII. — late L.; see -ARY.

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herd1

company of animals. OE. heord = MLG. herde, OHG. herta (G. herde), ON. hjrð, Goth. hairda :- Gmc. ?erð; cf. Skr. árdha-, W. cordd tribe, family, OSl. rda.

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herd2

keeper of a herd. OE. hi(e)rde = OS. hirdi, herdi, OHG. hirti (G. hirte), ON. hirðir, Goth. hairdeis :- Gmc. ?erðjaz, f. ?erð (see prec.). Hence herd vb. intr. XIV; trans. XVI. herdsman XVII. alt. of herdman (OE. hierdemann).

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here

OE. hr = OS. hr, OHG. hiar (Du., G. hier), ON, hér, Goth. hr; obscurely f. Gmc. pronominal base ?i- this (see HE1).

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hereditament

XV. — medL. hrditmentum, f. late L. hrditre, f. hrs, hrd- HEIR; see -MENT. So hereditable XV. — obs. F. or medL. hereditary XVI. — L. heredity inheritance (rare) XVI; heritable character XVIII; (biol.) XIX. — (O)F. or L.

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heresy

XIII. ME. (h)eresie — OF. (h)eresie (mod. hérésie) — L. hæresis — Gr. haíresis choice, (hence) school of thought, etc., f. haireîsthai choose. So heretic XIV. heretical XVI. — medL.

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heriot

(orig.) feudal service consisting of military equipment restored to the lord on the death of a tenant. OE. hereeatwa, -we, f. here army + eatwa trappings.

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heritage

XIII. — OF. (h)eritage (mod. hé-), f. (h)eriter, etc. — ecclL. hrditre, f. hrs, hrd- HEIR. So heritable XIV. heritor XV (-er). — AN. heriter = (O)F. héritier :- L. hrditrius; conformed to -OR1 in XVI.

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hermaphrodite

XV. — L. hermaphrodtus — Gr. hermaphródtos, orig. proper name of a son of Hermes and Aphrodite, who grew together with the nymph Salmacis while bathing in her fountain and so combined male and female characters.

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hermeneutics

science of interpretation. XVIII. — modL. hermneutica — Gr. hermneutik, sb. use of fem. sg. of adj. (see -IC, -ICS), f. hermneuts, agent-noun f. hermneúein interpret, f. hermneús interpreter.

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hermetic

pert. to (the supposed writings of) Hermes Trismegistus; (hence) pert. to occult science, esp. alchemy; h. seal airtight closure (as used by alchemists). XVIII. — modL. hermticus, f. Herms Trismegistus (Gr. Hermés trs mégistos) ‘thrice-greatest Hermes’, name given by Neoplatonists, mystics, and alchemists to the Egyptian god Thoth, who was identified with the Grecian Hermes (god of science, etc.) as the author of occult science and esp. alchemy; see -IC. So hermetically XVII.

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hermit

XIII. ME. armite, (h)er(e)mite — OF. (h)ermite (mod. ermite) or ChrL. ermta (medL. her-) — Gr. ermts, f. ermí desert, f. érmos solitary, deserted. So hermitage XIII.

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hernia

XIV. — L.

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hero

man of superhuman qualities, demigod XIV (rare before XVI); illustrious warrior XVI; man admired for his great deeds and noble qualities XVII; chief man in a poem, play, etc. In earliest use chiefly pl heroes, with sg. heroe (both of 3 sylls.) and heros — L. hrs, pl. hrs — Gr. hrs, pl. hres. The common heroe (XVI–XVIII) was superseded by hero (XVII), with pl. heroes (2 sylls.). So heroic XVI. — F. or L. — Gr. hroïkós. heroi-comic(al) XVIII. heroine XVII. — F. or L. — Gr. hrin. heroism XVIII. — F.

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heroin

XIX. — G., of uncert, orig.; see -IN.

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heron

poet. hern XIV. ME. he(i)roun, herne — OF. hairon (mod. héron) — Gmc. ?aizaran- (whence OHG. heigaro; cf. ON. hegri), dissimilated form of ?raizran- (cf. OE. hrgra, MLG. rger, MDu. reiger, OHG. reigaro, G. reiher), of imit. orig. Hence heronry XVII.

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herpes

XVII. — L. herps — Gr. hérps shingles, lit. ‘creeping’, f. hérpein creep.

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herring

OE. hring, hring = MLG. hrink, hrink (Du. haring), OHG. hring (G. häring, hering) :- WGmc. ?ria, beside which a var. with ?ar- is repr. by medL. haringus; perh. orig. ‘greyish-white fish’, f. HOAR; see -ING3.

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hertz

(electr.) frequency of one cycle per second. f. name of H. R. Hertz (1857–94), G. physicist.

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hesitate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. hæsitre stick fast, stammer, be undecided, f. hæs-, pp. stem of hærre stick, ADHERE; see -ATE3. So hesitation XVII. — L.

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Hesperian

western. XVI. f. L. hesperius, Gr. hespérios, f. Hesperia, Gr. Hespería (poet.) land of the west, f. Hesperus, Hésperos, adj. western, sb. evening star; see -IAN.

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Hessian

pert. to Hesse in Germany; H. boot top-boot with tassels first worn by Hessian troops XIX; H. fly. so named because it was erron. supposed to have been carried into America by Hessian troops during the War of Independence XVIII; see -IAN.

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hest

(arch.) bidding, BEHEST. XII. f. (on the model of abstr. sbs. in -te) ME. hes, OE. hs :- Gmc. ?aittiz, f. ?aitan call (see HIGHT).

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hetero-, heter-

comb. form of Gr. héteros other. heterodox XVII. — Gr. heteródoxos (dóx opinion); heterodyne XX: heterogeneous XVII. — medL. heterogeneus, f. Gr. heterogens (génos KIND1).

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hetman

military commander in Poland, etc. XVIII. — Pol., prob. — G. hauptmann ‘head man’. captain.

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heuristic

serving to find out. XIX. irreg. f. Gr. heuriskein find; see -ISTIC.

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hew

pp. hewn. OE. str. vb hwan — OS. hauwan (Du. houwen), OHG. houwan (G. hauen), ON. hggva :- Gmc. ?auwan, f. IE. kou- kow-, found also in OSl. kou forge, Lith. káuju strike, forge.

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hexa-

before a vowel hex- , comb. form of Gr. héx SIX, e.g. hexagon , hexagonal 1 XVI. hexahedron XVI. hexameter , XVI.

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hexad

group of six. XVII. — Gr. hexás, hexad-, f héx SIX; see -AD.

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heyday

(arch.) excl. denoting gaiety, surprise, wonder. XVI (heyda). The earliest form agrees with LG. heida, also heidi hurrah! Hence sb. state of exaltation or excitement XVI; prime, bloom XVIII.

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hiatus

gap, chasm XVI; interruption of continuity XVII; break between two vowels XVIII. — L. hitus gaping, opening, f. hire gape.

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hibernate

spend the winter. XIX. f. pp. stem of L. hbernre, f. hberna winter quarters, n. pl. of hbernus pert. to winter, f. hiems winter. So hibernation XVII (nat. hist. XIX).

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Hibernian

Irish. XVII. f. L. Hibernia Ireland, alt. of I(u)verna, Iuberna, — Gr. I(F)érn, of Celt. orig. (cf. Ir. Ériu); see -IAN.

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hibiscus

XVIII. — L., of unkn. orig.

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hiccough

sb. and vb. XVI. imit.; early forms hickop, hi(c)kup, which superseded earlier †hicket, †hickock. The form hiccough (XVII) is due to assim. to cough, but the pronunc. has not been affected.

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hickory

XVII. of N. Amer. Indian orig.

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hidalgo

Spanish gentleman. XVI. — Sp., formerly hijo dalgo, i.e. hijo de algo ‘son of something’.

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hide1

skin. OE. hd = OS. hd (Du. huid), OHG. ht (G. haut), ON. húð :- Gmc. ?ðiz :- IE. kûtis (cf. Gr. kûtos, L. cutis CUTICLE). Hence as vb. thrash, whence (colloq.) hiding thrashing. XIX.

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hide2

measure of land reckoned sufficient to support a free family with dependants. OE. hd, earlier hid, f. h-, hw- (in comb.) = OHG. h-, ON. hý-, Goth. heiwa-, rel. to L. cvis citizen and to OE. hwan (pl.) members of a household, OHG. h(w)un, ON. hjún man and wife.

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hide3

pt. hid pp. hidden put or keep out of sight. OE. hdan = MDu., MLG. hûden :- WGmc. ?djan, prob. based on IE. keudh-, repr. also by Gr. keúthein, W. cuddio hide.

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hideous

frightful, (hence) frightfully ugly. XIII. ME. hidous — AN. hidous, OF. hidos, -eus (mod. hideux), earlier hisdos, f. hi(s)de fear, of unkn. orig. The ending was assim. to -EOUS XVI.

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hie

†strive, exert oneself OE.; (arch.) hasten XII. OE. hian, of unkn. orig.

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hierarchy

division of angels, etc. XIV; priestly or ecclesiastical rule XVI; body of ecclesiastical rulers XVII. ME. ierarchie, gerarchie (superseded by latinized forms in XVI) — OF. ierarchie, gerarchie (mod. hiérorchie) — medL. (h)ierarchia — Gr. hierarkhí, f. hierárkhs steward of sacred rites, high priest, f. hierós sacred, holy + -arkhs, -arkhos ruling, ruler; see ARCH-, -Y3. So hierarch ecclesiastical ruler XVI; archangel XVII. — medL. — Gr. hierarchical XV.

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hieratic

pert. to a priestly class, (hence) of a style of ancient Egyptian writing. XVII. — L. hierticus — Gr. hiertikós priestly, sacerdotal, f. hierâsthai be a priest, f. hiereús priest, f. hierós sacred.

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hieroglyphic

pertaining to ancient Egyptian writing; sb. character in such picture-writing; symbolic or enigmatic figure. XVI. — F. hiéroglyphique or late L. hieroglyphicus — Gr. hierogluphikós, f. hierós sacred + gluph carving. Hence, as back-formation or after F. hiéroglyphe, hieroglyph XVII.

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hierophant

expounder of mysteries. XVII. — late L. hierophanta, -s — Gr. hierophánts, f. hierós sacred + -phan-, base of phaínein reveal.

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higgle

cavil as to terms. XVII. var. of HAGGLE.

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higgledy-piggledy

XVI. Rhyming jingle prob. based on PIG, with ref. to swine herding together.

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high

OE. hah = OS., OHG. hh (Du. hoog, G. hoch), ON. hr, Goth. hauhs :- Gmc. ?au?z :- IE. koukos (cf. Lith. kakas swelling, boil, kaûkarus height, hill. ON. haugr hill. Goth. hiuhma heap. Russ. kúcha heap). cf. HEIGHT. Combs. high-brow , back-formation from high-browed (orig. U.S.) XX; high-churchman (whence high church ) XVII; highland OE. hahlond; high street highway, main road; main street of a town. OE. hahstrt often used of the Roman roads; highway public road. OE. hiwe; Hence highwayman XVII.

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high-falutin'

(orig. U.S. sl.) sb. bombastic speech; adj. absurdly pompous. XIX. f. HIGH + an el. of unkn. orig.

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high-flown

†elevated, elated, intoxicated; hyperbolical, bombastic; †extreme in opinion. XVII. orig. f. high adv. + old strong pp. of FLOW, from the sense ‘in flood’, ‘swollen’; later assoc. with pp. of FLY2.

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hight

in lit. arch. use now only in pt. ‘is called’, ‘was called’, and pp. ‘called, named’. The only surviving form of a Gmc. str. vb. meaning ‘call by name, name, call to do something, bid, command, promise’, repr. by OE. htan (pt. heht, ht, pp. hten), OS. htan, OHG. heizzan (G. heissen call, bid, be called), ON. heita, Goth. haitan (pt. haihait, pp. haitans); f. a base which has been related to L. cire summon, CITE.

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hike

jerk, pull, drag XVIII; move away or off; (latterly) tramp, esp. for pleasure XIX. of unkn. orig. Hence sb. XIX.

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hilarity

cheerfulness XVI; boisterous joy XIX. — F. hilarité — L. hilarits, f. hilaris = Gr. hilarós cheerful, gay; see -ITY. Hence hilarious XIX.

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Hilary

name of a saint and doctor of the Church, bishop of Poitiers (d. 367), whose feast, falling on 13 January, gives his name to the first of the law and university terms of the calendar year. XVI. — medL. Hilarius.

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hill

OE. hyll = LG. hull, MDu. hil(le), hul :- WGmc. ?ulni, rel. to L. collis, Gr. kolnós, koln, Lith. kálnas hill. Hence hillock, hilly XIV.

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hillo(a)

var. of HALLO(A). XVII.

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hilt

OE. hilt m. and n. and hilte fem., corr. to OS. hilte, helta, MLG. hilte, MDu. helte, OHG. helza, ON. hjalt :- Gmc. ?eltaz, -iz, -jn, of unkn. orig.

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him

orig. dat. of HE1, it; later also as direct object. OE. him = MDu. hem(e), him (Du. hem), f. pronominal base ?i- HE1; cf. parallel forms on the base i-, viz. OS., OHG. imu, imo (G. ihm), Goth. imma.

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hind1

female of the deer. OE. hind, corr. to OS. hind-, (M)Du. hinde, OHG. hinta (G. hinde), ON. hind :- Gmc. ?inþj, f. IE. kem- hornless, repr. by Gr. kems young deer, Skr. áma-, Lith. mùlas hornless.

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hind2

farm servant; farm bailiff. XVI. Later form of late OE., ME. hine pl. household servants, (hence) sg. (esp. farm) servant, lad; presumably developed from OE. hna, g. pl. of han, hwan (cf. HIDE1).

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hind3

situated at the back, posterior. XIII. This and synon. hinder 1 (XIV) appear to be abstracted from OE. hinde(r)weard backward, back-, bihindan BEHIND. cf. OE. hindan from behind, hinder below, corr. to OHG. hintana (G. hinten) adv. behind, Goth. hindana prep. beyond, and OS. hindiro, MLG. hinder, OHG. hintar (G. hinter), ON. compar. hindri, Goth. hindar prep. beyond, the further relations of which are doubtful. Hence hindermore, hindermost, hindmost XIV.

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hinder2

†injure OE.; keep back, delay XIV. OE. hindrian = MLG., MDu. hinderen, OHG. hintarn (G. hindern), ON. hindra :- Gmc. ?indarjan, f. xindar; see prec. Hence hindrance XV.

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Hindi

XVIII. — Urdu hind, f. hind India. So Hindu, Hindoo XVII. — Urdu — Pers. hind, f. hind India = Skr. sindhu — river, the Indus, (hence) region of the Indus, Sindh. Hindustani XVIII.

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hinge

sb. XIII. of obscure orig.; ME. he(e)ng, hing, with deriv. (see -LE1) he(e)ngle, hingle, corr. to MLG., MHG. hengel (G. hängel), f. the base of HANG; cf. (M)LG. henge hinge, Du. hengel handle, hengsel hinge, handle. Hence vb. XVII.

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hinny

offspring of a she-ass and a stallion. XVII. f. L. hinnus — Gr. (g)ínnos.

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hint

†opportunity; slight indication or suggestion. XVII. of obscure orig.; presumably var. of rare †hent grasp, intention, f. hent vb., OE. hentan seize. Hence vb. XVII.

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hinterland

XIX. — G., f. hinter behind (see HIND2) + land LAND.

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hip1

projection of pelvis and top of thigh. OE. hype = MDu. höpe, hüpe (Du. heup), OHG. huf, pl. huffi, Goth. hups :- Gmc. ?upiz, rel. to HOP1.

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hip2

fruit of the (wild) rose. OE. hope, hope, corr. to OS. hiopo (Du. joop), OHG. hiufo thornbush, bramble :- WGmc. ?eup-.

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hip3

†excl. of calling XVIII; as a cheer, in hip hip hooray XIX.

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hippo

short for HIPPOPOTAMUS. XIX.

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hippo-

comb. form of Gr. hippos HORSE. hippocampus sea-horse. XVI — L. — Gr. (kámpos sea-monster); hippogriff fabulous griffin-like creature. XVII. — F. hippogriffe — It. ippogrifo (grifo :- L. grphus GRIFFIN).

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hippocras

wine flavoured with spices. XIV. ME. ypocras — OF. ipo-, yþocras, forms of the name Hippocrates (ancient Gr. physician V B.C.), the wine being so called because it was strained through ‘Hippocrates' bag’, a conical bag used as a filter.

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Hippocrene

name of a fountain on Helicon, sacred to the Muses, (hence) poetic inspiration. XVII. — L. Hippocrn — Gr. Hippokrne, f. hippos horse + krn fountain; so named becuase fabled to have been produced by a stroke of Pegasus' hoof.

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hippodrome

circus (prop.) for horse and chariot races. XVI. — (O)F. hippodrome or L. hippodromus — Gr. hippódromos. f. hppos horse + drómos race.

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hippopotamus

XVI. — L. — late Gr. hippopótamos, for earlier hippos ho potámios the horse of the river (potamós river).

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hircine

goatish. XVII. — L. hircnus, f. hircus he-goat; see -INE1.

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hire

payment for the temporary use of a thing; wages, reward. OE. hr = OS. hria, MLG., MDu. hre (Du. huur) :- WGmc. ?rja. Hence hire vb. OE. hrian, hireling OE. (rare) hrling; formed afresh in XVI.

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hirsute

XVII. — L. hirstus, rel. to synon. hirtus.

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his

possessive adj. and pron. OE. his, gen. of HE1 and IT; cf. parallel forms on the base i-, viz. OS., Goth. is, OHG. is, es.

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hispid

bristly, shaggy. XVII. — L. hispidus; see -ID1.

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hiss

vb. XIV. imit. Hence sb. XVI.

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hist

excl. enjoining silence. XVII (cf. †ist XVI).

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histo-

repr. comb. form of Gr. histós web, tissue, rel. to histánai set up (cf. STAND), as in histology science of organic tissues. XIX. — F. histologie.

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history

†story, tale; methodical narrative of events, branch of knowledge dealing with these XV; methodical account of natural phenomena XVI. — L. historia — Gr. historí learning or knowing by inquiry, narrative, history, f. hístr knowing, learned, wise man :- Fidtr, f. Fid- know (see WIT2). So historian XV. — (O)F. historic XVII; historical XVI. f. L. historicus — Gr. historikós.

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histrionic

XVII. — late L. histrinicus, f. L. histri, -n- actor in stage plays. See -IC.

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hit

pt., pp. hit light upon XI; strike XIII. Late OE. (e)hittan — ON. hitta light upon, meet with, of unkn. orig. Hence sb. XVI.

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hitch

A
move jerkily XV;

B
catch with a hoop, loop, etc. XVII. of uncert. orig.
Top
Hence as sb. XVII.

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hither

OE. hider, corr. to ON. heðra here, hither, Goth. hidr hither. f. demonstr. base ?i- (see HE1, HENCE, HERE) + suffix appearing in L. citr on this side.

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hive

OE. hf, f. ?f-, whence also ON. húfr ship's hull; cf. L. cpa barrel, Gr. kúep, Skr. kúpa- hole.

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ho

excl. of surprise, triumph, to attract attention, etc., and (repeated) of laughter. XIII. Partly — ON. hó or OF. ho halt!

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hoar

(arch.) grey-haired, greyish-white. OE. hr = OS., OHG. hr old, venerable (G. hehr august, stately), ON. hárr hoary, old :- Gmc. ?airaz :- IE. koira- (cf. OSl. sr grey). Survives in hoarfrost (XIII) and hoarhound , HOREHOUND. Hence hoary XVI.

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hoard

sb. OE. hord = OS. hord, horth treasure, secret place, OHG. hort, ON. hodd, Goth. huzd :- Gmc. ?uzdam (rel. to HIDE3). So vb. OE. hordian.

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hoarding

temporary fence made of boards. XIX. f. hoard, earlier ho(u)rd (XVIII), which seems to be based ult. on AN. h(o)urdis, f. OF. hourd, hort (-Frankish hurð = OHG. hurd HURDLE) + -is :- L. -itiu-s; see -ING1.

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hoarhound

see HOREHOUND.

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hoarse

XIV. — ON. hrs (:- hairsaR), háss; this superseded ME. ho(o)s, OE. hs = MLG. hs(ch) (Du. heesch), OHG. heis(i), (M)HG. heiser :- Gmc. ?ais(r)az, ?airsaz, of unkn. orig.

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hoax

deceive by a fiction; earlier, poke fun at. XVIII. perh. contr. of HOCUS. Hence sb. XIX.

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hob1

rustic, clown XIV; sprite, elf XV. By-form of Rob, short for Robin, Robert. Hence hobgoblin (cf. Robin Goodfellow) XVI.

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hob2

side of a grate, perh. orig. back of a grate formed of a mass of clay XVI (hubbe); peg or pin as a target XVI. of unkn. orig.; cf. HUB. Hence hobnail XVI.

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hobble1

†move unsteadily up and down; walk with unsteady rising and falling gait. XIV. prob. of LG. orig. (cf. early Du. hobbelen toss, rock from side to side, halt, stammer, frequent. of hobben).

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hobble2

fasten together the legs of a horse, etc. XIX. var. of earlier hopple (XVI), prob. of LG. orig. (cf. early Flem. hoppelen), infl. by prec.

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hobbledehoy, hobbadehoy

clumsy or awkward youth. XVI (hobledehoye, hobbard de hoy). of unkn. orig.

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hobby1

(arch.) small horse XIV; (h.-horse) in the morris dance, etc., figure of a horse manipulated by a performer; stick with a horse's head used as a toy XVI; favourite pastime XVII. Earliest forms hobyn, hoby, i.e. Hobin, Hobby by-forms of the name Robin.

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hobby2

small species of falcon. XV (hoby). — OF. hobé, hobet, dim. of hobe small bird of prey; of unkn. orig.

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hobgoblin

see HOB1. hobnail see HOB2.

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hob-nob

drink together XVIII; be on familiar terms XIX. orig. hob or nob, hob-a-nob, hob and nob, f. phr. (drink) hob or nob, etc., drink to one another alternately; continuing earlier hab (or) nab (XVI) get or lose, hit or miss, repr. some part of HAVE and its negative (OE. habban and nabban).

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hobo

(U.S.) migrant labourer; tramp. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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hock1

joint of the hind leg XVI; knuckle end of a gammon XVIII. Short for hockshin (hokschyne XIV), OE. hhsinu; see HOUGH.

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hock2

German white wine. XVII. Short for †hockamore — G. Hochheimer (wein) wine of Hochheim on the Main, Germany.

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hockey

XVI (?). of unkn. orig.

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hocus pocus

†conjurer, juggler; conjuring formula; jugglery, trickery. XVII (hocas pocas, hokos pokos). Based ult. on hax pax max Deus adimax (XVI), pseudo-L. magical formula coined by vagrant students. Hence as vb. juggle, hoax. XVII. Also, by shortening, hocus †sb. juggler; jugglery. XVII; vb. play a trick upon XVII; drug XIX. cf. HOAX.

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hod

open receptacle for carrying bricks, etc. XIV; receptacle for holding coal XIX. synon. with, and perh. alt. of, hot (XIII) — (O)F. hotte pannier, creel (prob. of Gmc. orig.).

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hodden

(Sc.) coarse woollen cloth. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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Hodge

typical name for an English yokel. XVI. pet-form of the Christian name Roger (ME. Hogge).

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hodge-podge

see HOTCH-POT.

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hodometer, odometer

by a wheeled vehicle, XVIII. — F. odomètre, f. Gr. hodós way + métron measure.

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hoe

sb. XIV. ME. howe — (O)F. houe — Frankish hauwa = OHG. houwa (G. haue), rel. to houwan HEW. Hence vb. XV.

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hog

(esp. castrated) swine OE.: young sheep XIV; coarse or filthy person XV. Late OE. hogg, hocg, of unkn. orig.

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hogmanay

(Sc. and north.) last day of the year. XVII. Corr. in meaning and use to OF. aguillanneuf last day of the year, new-year's gift, of which the Norman form hoguinané may be the immed. source of the Eng. word.

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hogshead

large cask for liquids XIV; 52½ imperial gallons XV. f. HOG's + HEAD, but the reason for the name is unkn.

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hoist

vb. XVI. alt. of hoise (XVI), earlier hys(s)e (XV), Sc. heis (XVI); prob. — Du. hijschen or LG. hissen, hiesen, but the Eng. forms are earlier than any cited from elsewhere. The word appears early as an int. used in hauling: Eng. hissa, heisau, etc.

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hoity-toity

sb. riotous behaviour, romping; adj. frolicsome, flighty; int. expressing surprise at flighty conduct. XVII. Rhyming jingle f. †hoit indulge in riotous mirth, romp (XVI).

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hokey-pokey

A
(dial.) hocus pocus;

B
cheap sort of ice-cream. XIX. In A alteration of HOCUS POCUS; in B of unkn. orig.
Top

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hold1

pt., pp. held †guard; keep from getting away, falling, etc.; keep in a certain condition. OE. str. vb. h(e)aldan = OS. haldan (Du. houden), OHG. haltan (G. halten), ON. halda. Goth. haldan. Hence, and partly — ON. hald hold, fastening, support, custody, hold 2 sb. XII.

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hold2

cavity in a ship for the stowage of cargo. XVI. alt., by assim. to prec., of hole, holl (XV), prob. — (M)Du. hol HOLE.

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hole

OE. hol etc. = ON. hol, orig. n. sg. of hol hollow = OS., (M)Du., OHG. hol (G. hohl), ON. holr :- Gmc. ?ulaz; ult. f. var. of IE. el-cover, conceal. So hole vb. make a hole (in). OE. holian = OHG. holn, Goth. -huln.

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holiday

religious festival; day of cessation from work. OE. hlidæ, late hlidæi; also as two words inflected, HOLY DAY.

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holla

int. XVI. — F. holà, i.e. ho (see HO). là there. cf. HALLO(A), HOLLO.

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holland

linen fabric orig. named holland cloth from Holland, a province of the Netherlands, its place of manufacture. XV.

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hollands

kind of gin. XVIII. Formerly Hollands genever and gin. — Du. hollandsch, hollandsche genever Dutch gin.

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hollo

cry out loud. XVI. var. of HOLLA; cf. U.S. holler.

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hollow

adj. XII. ME. holz, holu, inflected hol(e)we, attrib. use of OE. holh hole, cave, obscurely rel. to hol HOLE. Hence vb. XV, sb.

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holly

XII. Reduced form of OE. hole()n, ME. holin, later hollen, rel. to OS., OHG. hulis (MHG. huls, G. hulst).

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hollyhock

†marsh mallow XIII; Althaea rosea XVI. f. HOLY + hock, OE. hoc mallow, with ref. to some sacred assoc.

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holm(e)

islet, esp. in a river XI; low-lying land by a river XIII. — ON. holmr islet, meadow on the shore, corr. to OE. (poet.) holm billow, wave, sea, OS. holm hill.

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holm-oak

evergreen oak, Quercus ilex. XVI. f. holm holly (XIV), holm-oak (XVI), alt. of †holin HOLLY + OAK.

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holo-

, before a vowel hol- , comb. form of Gr. hólos whole, entire.

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holocaust

whole burnt offering XIII; complete sacrifice XV; complete destruction XVII. — (O)F. holocauste — late L. holocaustum — Gr. holókauston, f. hólos whole + kaustós, var. of kautòs burnt, f. kaíein burn.

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holograph

(letter, etc.) written wholly by the person in whose name it appears. XVII. — F. holographe or late L. holographus — Gr. hológraphos; see HOLO-, -GRAPH.

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holster

XVII. corr. to and contemp. with Du. holster, but the earlier history of neither word is apparent.

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holt

(dial.) wood, copse. OE. holt = OS., ON. holt, (M)Du. hout, (O)HG. holz :- Gmc. ?ultam :- IE. kl.do-; cf. Gr. kládos twig, OIr. caill, (mod.) coill, W. celli.

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holus-bolus

all in a lump, all at once. XIX. Presumably burlesque latinization of whole bolus or repr. assumed Gr. hólos blos ‘whole lump’ (see BOLUS).

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holy

OE. hli = OS. hlag, OHG. heilag (Du., G. heilig), ON. heilagr, Goth. hailag :- Gmc. ?ailazaz, f. ?ailaz WHOLE; the primary meaning may have been either ‘of good augury’ or ‘inviolate’. Hence holy day OE. hli dæ; revived in XIX; Holy Ghost OE. se hlga gst ‘the holy spirit’, hli gst, hligst (often as one word in ME), tr. ecclL. sanctus spiritus (Holy Spirit XIII); holystone piece of sandstone for scouring decks XIX; said to be so named because the work is done kneeling.

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homage

XIII. ME. (h)omage — OF. (h)omage (mod. hommage) :- medL. hominticum, f. hom, homin- man; see -AGE.

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home

house, abode OE.; native place XIV; one's own place or country XVI. OE. hm n. collection of dwellings, village, estate, house, corr. to OS. hm (Du. heem), (O)HG. heim n., ON. heimr m., Goth. haims fem. village; ult. relations disputed. Hence vb. go home XVIII; whence (of birds) homer, homing XIX. homely †domestic, familiar; plain, simple XIV; uncomely XVI.

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homicide1

killer of another human being. XIV. — (O)F. — L. homicda, f. shortened stem of hom, homin- man + -cda -CIDE1. So homicide 2 killing of another human being. XIV. — (O)F. — L. homicdium. Hence homicidal XVIII.

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homily

XIV. ME. omelie — OF. omelie (mod. homélie) — ecclL. homlia — Gr. homlí intercourse, discourse, (eccl.) sermon, f. hómlos crowd, f. homo together + il crowd, troop; see -Y3. Finally assim. to the L. form in XVI. So homiletic XVII. — late L. — Gr. homltikós, f. homltós, vbl. adj. of homleîn consort or hold converse with.

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hominy

maize boiled with water or milk. XVII. of N. Amer. Indian orig.

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homo-

, before a vowel hom- , comb. form of Gr. homós SAME. homogeneous XVII. f. scholL. homogeneus, f. Gr. homogens, -gene-, f. génos, gene- KIN. So homogeneity XVII, homologous XVII. homonym XVII. — L. homnymum — Gr. homnumon, n. of homnumos (see NAME). homophone XVII (only in dictionaries before XIX). — Gr. homóphnos (phn sound).

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homoeopathy

system of medical practice in which ‘likes are cured by likes’. XIX. — modL. homœopathia, G. homöopathie, f. Gr. hómoios like + -pátheia -PATHY. So homoeopath, homoeopathic XIX.

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hom(o)ousian

(theol.) consubstantial. XVI. — late L. homosinus, f. homosius — Gr. hom(o)- oúsios, f. homós SAME + ousí ESSENCE; see -IAN. homoiousian of like substance. XVIII. — late L., f. Gr. homoioúsios, f. hómoios like.

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homunculus

XVII. — L., dim. of hom man; see -CLE.

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hone

whetstone. XIV. spec. use of OE. hn stone (often one serving as a landmark) = ON. hein :- Gmc. ?ain. Hence vb. XIX.

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honest

marked by uprightness or probity; †comely, decent XIII; †honourable, respectable; †chaste XIV. ME. onest(e) — OF. (h)oneste (mod. honnête) — L. honestus, f. hons, hones- HONOUR. So honesty XIV. — OF. (h)onesté — L. honests, for honestits (-TY).

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honey

sweet fluid collected from flowers by bees OE.; sweetheart XIV; sweetness XVI. OE. huni = OS. honeg, -ig, OHG. hona(n)g (Du., G. honig), ON. hunang :- Gmc. ?una()gam. Hence honeycomb OE. hunicamb. honeymoon XVI; expl. by early writers with ref. to affection of married people changing with the moon. honeysuckle clover XIII; woodbine, Lonicera XVI. ME. hunisuccle, -soukel, extension of hunisuce, -souke, OE. hunisce, -sge (f. scan, sgan SUCK). honeyed, honied sweetened as with honey. XIV.

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honk

cry of the wild goose XIX; noise made by a motor-horn XX. imit.

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honorarium

XVII. — L., gift made on being admitted to a post of honour; sb. use of n. of honrrius, whence honorary XVII. So honorific conferring honour. XVII.

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honour, U.S. honor

renown, reputation XII; high rank or dignity XIII; high respect or esteem; chastity XIV; upright character XVI. ME. (h)on(o)ur, an(o)ur — AN. an(o)ur, OF. (h)onor, (h)onur (mod. honneur) :- L. honor (earlier hons), honr-. So honour vb. XIII. — OF. onorer, onurer (F. honorer) :- L. honrre. honourable XV. — (O)F. — L.

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hooch

(U.S) (esp. poor or illicit) liquor. XX. abbrev. of Hoochinoo, name of an Indian tribe of Alaska that made such liquor.

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hood

OE. hd = MDu. hoet (Du. hoed), OHG. huot (G. hut hat) :- WGmc. ?da, rel. to HAT. Hence hoodwink cover the eyes to prevent vision XVI; fig. XVII.

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-hood

OE. -hd = OS. -hd, (O)HG. -heit, orig, a Gmc. independent sb. meaning ‘person’, ‘sex’, ‘condition, rank’, ‘quality’, OE. hd, OS. hd, OHG. heit, ON. heiðr (honour, worth), Goth. haidus (kind, manner), rel. to ON. heið bright sky. Skr. ketú- brightness, keta- form, shape, sign. This suffix may be added freely to most sbs. denoting a person or a concrete thing to express its condition or state, as OE. .ildhd childhood, prosthd priesthood; it lends itself readily to nonce-formations, e.g. doghood, soulhood. It has been added to a few adjs., e.g. falsehood, hardihood, likelihood, which superseded formations with the parallel -HEAD. Where comps. in -head and -hood survive side by side, as in godhead and -hood, maidenhead and -hood, there is differentiation of meaning. A few comps. have developed particularized or semi-concrete meanings, as brotherhood, knighthood, neighbourhood.

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hoodlum

(U.S. sl.) XIX. of unkn. orig.

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hoodoo

(U.S.) XIX. unexpl. alt. of VOODOO.

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hoof

OE. hf = OS. hf (Du. hoef), OHG. huof (G. huf), ON. hfr :- Gmc. ?faz, rel. to synon. Skr. aphá-, Av. safa-.

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hook

sb. OE. hc = MLG., MDu. hk (Du. hoek) corner, angle, point of land, rel. to OE. haca bolt, OS. haco (MDu. hake, Du. haak), OHG. hko (G. haken) hook, ON. haki, and Russ. kógot' claw, iron hook. Hence hook vb. †bend, curve XIII; attach (as) with a hook XVI.

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hookah

Eastern tobacco-pipe. XVIII. — Urdu hua — Arab. ua casket.

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hooligan

XIX. of unkn. orig.

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hoop1

circle of metal, etc. XII. Late OE. hp = MDu. hoop (Du. hoep) :- WGmc. ?pa, rel. to ON. hp small land-locked bay.

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hoop2

utter a cry of ‘hoop’. XIV. ME. houpe, howpe — (O)F. houper, f. houp (imit.). Hence hooping (later whooping)-cough XVIII. cf. WHOOP.

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hooray

var. of HURRAH. XIX.

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hop1

spring on one foot. OE. hoppian, corr. to (M)HG. hopfen, ON. hoppa, f. a base repr. also in OE. hoppetan, G. hopsen. Hence hopper creature that hops XIII; part of a grinding-mill having orig. a hopping movement XIV.

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hop2

(pl. ripened cones of the female) hop-plant, Humulus lupulus. XV (hoppe). — MLG., MDu. hoppe (Du. hop), in OS. feldhoppo = late OHG. hopfo (G. hopfen).

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hope

sb. Late OE. (t)hopa, corr. to OLF. thopa, MLG., MDu. hope (Du. hoop). Also hope vb. Late OE. hopian = (M)Du. hopen. of unkn. orig.

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hoplite

XVIII. — F. — Gr. hoplíts, f. hóplon weapon; see -ITE.

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hopscotch

XIX. f. HOP1 + SCOTCH1 scored line or mark; earlier †scotch-hoppers (XVII), †hop-scot (XVIII).

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horary

relating to the hours. XVII. — medL. hrrius, f. hra HOUR; see -ARY.

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horde

band of Mongol nomads XVI (hord(a)); great troop XVII. Directly or indirecltly — Pol. horda — Mongol ordo — OTurk. ord royal encampment.

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horehound, hoarhound

the plant Marrubium vulgare, characterized by a white downy pubescence. OE. hre hne, f. hr HOAR- + hne ‘marrubium’, of unkn. orig.

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horizon

XIV. Late ME. orizon(te), — OF. orizon(te) (mod. horizon) — late L. horzn, -ont- — Gr. horízn, sb. use of prp. of horízein bound, limit, f. hros boundary, limit. In later OF. and Eng. conformed to the L. nom. So horizontal pert. to the horizon XVI; parallel to the plane of the horizon XVII. — F. or modL.

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horn

bony excrescence (often curved and pointed) on the head of cattle, etc.; instrument made from or in imitation of this OE.; pointed projection XIII; substance of it XV. OE. horn m., corr. to OS. horn m., OHG., ON. horn n. (Du. hoorn, G. horn), Goth. haurn n. :- Gmc. ?urnaz, -am, rel. to L. corn, Skr. ga-, and further to Gr. Kéras; cf. HART. Hence hornblende XVIII. — G. hornbook ABC tablet covered with horn. XVI.

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hornet

The present form appears XV, succeeding to earlier hernet, harnet, prob. all — MLG. hornte, MDu. horn(e)te, corr. to OE. hyrnet(u), earlier hurnitu, hirnitu, OS. hornut, OHG. hornuz (G. hornisse), which have the appearance of derivs. of HORN; see -ET.

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horologe

timepiece, clock. XIV. — OF. or(i)loge (mod. horloge) :- L. hrologium — Gr. hrólogion, f. hrológos, f. hðr time, HOUR + -logos telling (see -LOGUE).

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horoscope

plan showing the disposition of the heavens at a particular moment. XVI (earlier in L. form). — (O)F. — L. hroscopus — Gr. hroskópos sign in the ascendant at a birth, horoscope, f. hr time, HOUR + skops observer (cf. SCOPE).

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horrible

exciting horror. XIV. — OF. (h)orrible- L. horribilis, f. horrre (of hair) stand on end, tremble, shudder; see -IBLE. So horrid bristling, shaggy, rough XVI; horrible XVII. horrific XVII. — F. or L. horrify XVIII. — L. horrificre. horror XIV. — OF. (h)orrour (mod. -eur) — L. horror, -r-; see -OR2.

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horripilation

‘goose-flesh’. XVII. — late L. horripilti, -n-, f. horripiire, f. horrre (see prec.) + pilus hair; see -ATION.

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hors d'œuvre

dish served as a relish at a meal. XVIII. — F., something out of the ordinary course, prop. ‘outside of (the) work’.

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horse

the quadruped Equus caballus OE.; contrivance whose use suggests the service of a horse XIV. OE. hors n. = OS. hros, hers (MLG. ros, ors, MDu. ors, Du. ros), OHG. (h)ros (MHG. ros, ors, G. ross) n., ON. hross m. :- Gmc. ?ursam, -az, of unkn. orig. In attrib. use often denoting coarseness, roughness, or large size, as horse chestnut (XVI), laugh (XVIII), leech (XV), mackerel (XVII), play (XVI), radish (XVII). Hence horse vb. OE. horsian.

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hortatory

- late L. horttrius, f. hortt-, pp. stem of hortr EXHORT; see -ORY.

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horticulture

XVII. f. L. hortus garden.

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hosanna

Jewish liturgical formula, adopted in Christian worship. In OE. and ME. osanna, later hosanna — late L. (h)sanna — Gr. (h)sanná — Heb. hôa'-n, abbrev. of hôi'h-nn save, pray!

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hose

A
article of clothing for the leg OE.;

B
flexible pipe for conveying liquid XV. Late OE. hosa, -e = OS., OHG., ON. hosa (Du. hoos stocking, water-hose, G. hose) :- Gmc. ?usan-, -n. Sense B is prob. from Du.
Top
Hence hosier XV.

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hospice

XIX. — (O)F. — L. hospitium hospitality, lodging, f. hospes, hospit- HOST2.

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hospital

(hist.) hostel, hospice XIII; asylum for the destitute or infirm XV; institution for the care of the sick XVI. — OF. hospital (mod-.hôpital) — medL. hospitle, sb. use of n. of hospitlis, f. hospit-; see prec. and -AL1. So hospitality XIV. hospitable XVI. f. medL. hospitre receive as a guest. hospitaller member of certain charitable religious orders XIV; spiritual officer of a hospital XVI. — OF. hospitalier — medL. hospitlrius.

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host1

(arch.) army XVIII; great company, large number XVII. — OF. (h)o(o)st :- L. hostis stranger; enemy, (in medL.) army; see GUEST.

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host2

man who lodges and entertains XIII. — (O)F. (h)oste (mod. hôte) :- L. hospes, hospit-, of unkn. orig. So hostess XIII. — OF. ostesse (mod. hôtesse).

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host3

†victim, sacrifice; Eucharistic wafer. XIV. — OF. (h)oiste :- L. hostia victim, sacrifice.

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hostage

†handing over of a person as a pledge; person thus held in pledge. XIII. — (O)F. (h)ostage (mod. otage) :- Rom. obsidticum, f. late L. obsidtus hostageship, f. obses, obsid- hostage, f. OB + sed- SIT; see -AGE. The initial h is by assim. to HOST2.

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hostel

†place of sojourn, lodging XIII; public place of lodging XIV; students' house of residence XVI. — OF. (h)ostel (mod. hôtel HOTEL) :- medL. hospitle HOSPITAL. So hostelry XIV. — (O)F. (h)ostelerie (mod. hôtellerie), f. (h)ostelier; see OSTLER.

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hostile

pert. to an enemy, engaged in warfare XVI; unfriendly, inimical XVIII. — F. hostile or L. hostlis, f. hostis enemy; see HOST1, -ILE. So hostility XVI.

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hostler

see OSTLER.

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hot

OE. ht = OS. ht (Du. heet), OHG. heiz (G. heiss), ON. heitr :- Gmc. ?aitaz.

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hotch-pot

mixture, medley XIV (spec. in cookery XV); (leg.) collation of properties to secure equality of division XVI. — AN., (O)F. hochepot, f. hocher shake + pot POT. Altered by rhyming assim. to hotchpotch XV, hodge-podge XVII.

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hotel

large †private or public residence XVII; house for entertainment of strangers and travellers XVIII. — F. hôtel, later form of hostel HOSTEL.

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hough

quadruped's hock XIV; leg of beef, etc. XV. ME. ho(u)z, prob. f. first el. of OE. hhsinu hamstring, f. hh heel + sinu sinew. cf. HOCK1.

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hound

dog (also fig.) OE.; dog kept for the chase XIII. OE. hund = OS. hund (Du. hond), OHG. hunt (G. hund), ON. hundr, Goth. hunds :- Gmc. ?undaz, f. IE. un-, repr. by (O)Ir. cú, Gr. kún, Lith. u, Skr. vá, and (obscurely) rel. to L. canis.

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hour

XIII. ME. ure, our(e), later hour(e) — AN. ure, OF. ore, eure (mod. heure) :- L. hra — Gr. hór season, time of day, hour (cf. YEAR).

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houri

nymph of the Muslim paradise. XVIII. — F. — Pers. hr, f. Arab. r, pl. of aur' black-eyed.

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house

OE. hs = OS., OHG. hs (Du. huis, G. haus), ON. hs, Goth. hs (only in gudhs temple) :- Gmc. ?sam, of unkn. orig. Hence house vb. OE. hsian = MLG., MDu. hsen, OHG. hsn (Du. huizen, G. hausen), ON. húsa. household †contents, etc., of a house XIV; inmates of a house coll. XIV; †housekeeping XV. cf. MDu. huushoud. housewife XIII.

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housings

cloth covering, esp. for a horse. XIV. f. synon. ME. house XIV — OF. houce (mod. housse) — medL. hultia for hulftia — Frankish ?ulfti (MDu. hulfte pocket for bow and arrow, MHG. hulft covering); see -ING1.

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hovel

shed XV; rude dwelling-place XVII. perh. of LG. orig., but no corr. form is known.

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hover

XIV. frequent. f. synon. ME. hove hover, tarry, linger (from XIII), of unkn. orig.; see -ER4.

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how

OE. h = OS. (h)w, hwuo (MLG. woe, Du. hoe), OHG. wuo :- WGmc. ?w, adv. formation on ?wa- WHO, WHAT. Hence howbeit (arch.) however IT may BE, †conj. although, XIV; cf. ALBEIT. however XIV, howsoever XV.

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howdah

seat erected on an elephant's back. XVIII. — Urdu, Pers. haudah — Arab. haudaj litter carried by a camel or elephant.

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howitzer

XVI. Du. houwitser — G. haubitze, †hau(f)enitz — Czech houfnice stone-sling, catapult.

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howl

vb. XIV. corr. to MLG., MDu. hlen (Du. huilen), MHG. hiulen, hiuweln, rel. to OHG. hüwila (MHG. hiuwel) owl; perh. immed. f. ME. hle OWL. Hence howl sb. XVI.

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hoy1

cry to excite attention (naut. in hailing or calling aloft). XIV. cf. AHOY.

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hoy2

small sailing-vessel. XV. — MDu. hoei, var. of hoede, heude (mod. heu), of unkn. orig.

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hoya

genus of climbing plants. XIX. modL., f. name of Thomas Hoy , Eng. gardener (d. 1821).

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hoyden

†rude fellow, boor XVI; boisterous girl XVII. of uncert. orig.

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hub

nave of a wheel. XVII. of unkn. orig. cf. HOB2.

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hubble-bubble

kind of hookah XVII; bubbling sound XVIII. Rhyming jingle on BUBBLE.

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hubbub

confused noise XVI; noisy disturbance XVII. perh. of Ir. orig.; cf. Ir. abú used in battlecries, and Gael. ub! ubub! int. of aversion or contempt.

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hubby

colloq. abbr. of HUSBAND. XVII. See -Y6.

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hubris

wanton insolence. XIX. — Gr. So hubristic XIX.

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huckaback

stout linen fabric with a rough surface. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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huckleberry

XVII. prob. alt. of hurtleberry, WHORTLEBERRY.

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hucklebone

hip-bone, haunch-bone. XVI. f. huckle (XVI), dim. (see -LE1) of huck hip, haunch; perh. to be referred ult. to hk-, as repr. in MLG., MDu. hken, hukken sit bent, crouch.

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huckster

petty tradesman. XII. The earliest representative of a group based on huk-, prob. of LG. orig. (cf. MDu. hoek(st)er), other members being huckstery (XIV), huck vb. (XV), †hukker sb. (XIII), hucker vb. (XVI); see -STER.

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huddle

†conceal; pile or push together in disorderly fashion; crowd together confusedly. XVI (contemp. with †huddle adv. confusedly and huddling prp.), perh. of LG. orig. and ult. f. hd- HIDE2; see -LE2.

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hue

†form, aspect; colour. OE. h(o)w form, appearance, colour, beauty = ON. hý down on plants, Goth. hiwi form, appearance :- Gmc. ?iujam, of unkn. orig.

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hue and cry

outcry calling for the pursuit of a felon. XVI. — legal AN. hu e cri, i.e. hu outcry (f. huer shout, of imit. orig.), e and, cri CRY.

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huff

blow, puff XVI; †bully; (at draughts) remove (an opponent's man) as a penalty (the removal being marked by blowing on the piece) XVII. imit. Hence huff sb. †puff of wind; †gust of anger; fit of petulance. XVIII.

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hug

vb. XVI. of unkn. orig. Hence as sb. XVII.

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huge

XIII. ME. huge, ho(w)ge, aphetic — OF. ahuge, aho(e)ge, of unkn. orig.

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hugger-mugger

secrecy XVI; disorder, confusion XVII. Preceded by similar rhyming jingles, hucker mucker or moker (XVI), and hoder moder (XV); perh. based on ME. mokere hoard, and ME. hoder huddle, wrap up; ult. orig. unkn.

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Huguenot

French Protestant. XVI. — F., alt., by assim. to the name of a Geneva burgomaster, Besançon Hugues , of †eiguinot — Du. eedgenoot — Swiss G. eidgenoss confederate, f. eid OATH + genoss associate.

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hulk

A
ship, esp. large ship of burden OE.; body of a dismantled ship XVII;

B
big unwieldy person XVI. Late OE. hulc, prob. reinforced in ME. from MLG. hulk, holk(e), MDu. hulc, -ke (Du. hulk).
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hull1

(dial.) shell of peas and beans. Late OE. hulu, f. base of helan cover. Hence vb. XIV.

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hull2

body or frame of a ship. XV (ho(o)le, holle). perh. sb. use of hol HOLLOW.

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hullaballoo

XVIII(hollo-ballo). jingle with various forms of the first el., viz. hollo-, hallo(o)-, holli-, hulla-, corr. to HALLO(A), etc.

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hullo(a)

var. of HALLO(A). XIX.

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hum

vb. XIV. imit. Also sb. XV, int. XVI.

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human

pert. to man. XIV. In earliest use humain(e) — (O)F. humain, fem. -aine — L. hmnus, rel. to hom man; see -AN. The sp. humane persisted in gen. use till early XVIII, but the form human (based directly on L.) occurs in late XVII. The variant humane became restricted during XVIII for the senses (i) characterized by disposition or behaviour befitting a man (formerly spec. †gentle, courteous XV-XVI), and (ii) pert. to studies that tend to humanize or refine (XVII). So humanism †belief in the mere human nature of Christ; devotion to human interests or the humanities XIX; after humanist one devoted to the humanities. XVI. — F. humaniste — It. umanista. humanity humane disposition or conduct XIV; human quality or attributes XV; polite learning, spec. (and from XVIII pl.) the ancient Greek and Latin classics; mankind XVI. — (O)F. — L. Hence humanitarian one who affirms the humanity of Christ; one devoted to humane action. XIX. humanize XVII. — F.

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humble

having a low estimate of oneself XIII; of lowly condition XIV. ME. (h)umble — OF. umble, (also mod.) humble — L. humilis low, lowly, mean, f. humus ground, earth, rel. to hom man. Hence vb. XIV.

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humble-bee

large wild bee, bumble-bee. XV. cf. MLG. hummelb, homelb, and BUMBLE-BEE.

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humble-pie

†pie made of the umbles of an animal XVII (rare); phr. to eat humble-pie (by assoc. with HUMBLE) to submit to humiliation XIX. f. unexpl. var. of UMBLES + PIE2.

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humbug

†hoax, imposture, fraud XVIII; pretence, sham; impostor XIX. of unkn. orig.

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humdrum

XVI (not common before XVIII). of unkn. orig.

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humeral

pert. to the humerus or the shoulder(s). XVII. f. L. humerus shoulder (used in anat. for ‘upper arm’); see -AL1.

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humid

XVI. — F. humide or L. hmidus, var. of midus, f. mre be moist; see HUMOUR, -ID1. So humidity XIV.

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humiliate

†humble XVI; reduce the dignity of XVIII. f. pp. stem of late L. humilire, f. humilis HUMBLE; see -ATE2. So humiliation, humility XIV. — (O)F. — late L.

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hummock

protuberance of earth, etc. XVI (ham-, hom-). of unkn. orig.

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humour, U.S. humor

fluid, spec. any of the four chief fluids of the body (blood, phlegm, choler, melancholy) XIV; mental disposition, orig. as determined by the proportion of these XV; mood, temper, inclination XVI; quality of action or speech which excites amusement; faculty of perceiving this XVII. — AN. (h)umour, OF. (h)umor, -ur (mod. humeur) — L. (h)mor, -r-, f. (h)m-, as in HUMID. Hence humour comply with the humour of. XVI. So humo(u)rist †person subject to ‘humours’; humorous or facetious person. XVI. — F. humorous †moist, humid; pert. or subject to ‘humours’ XVI; showing humour XVIII.

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hump

protuberance on the back, etc. XVIII; (sl.) fit of ill humour XIX (perh. from ‘humping the back’ in sulkiness). Earlier in humpback(ed) (XVII), repl. earlier synon. crump-backed, and perh. a blending of this with synon. hunch-backed; cf. LG. humpe, Du. homp lump, hunk. Hence vb. XIX.

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humph

†excl. used as a signal XVII; excl. of doubt or dissatisfaction XIX.

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humus

XVIII. — L., ‘mould, ground, soil’.

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Hun

OE. (pl.) Hne, Hnas, corr. to MHG. Hnen, Hiunen (G. Hunnen), ON. Húnar, also Hýnar — late L. Hunn, Hn, Gr. Hoûnnoi — Sogdian ?wn. Hence Hunnish XIX.

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hunch

(dial.) thrust, shove XVI; compress into a hump XVII. So hunch sb. †push, thrust XVII; (dial.) lump, hunk XVIII. To be grouped with hunchbacked humpbacked XVI (whence hunchback XVIII), which are synon. with †bunch-backed, †hulch-backed (XVI); of unkn. orig.

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hundred

A
ten times ten.

B
division of a shire, reckoned as 100 hides of land. OE hundred = OS. hunderod (Du. honderd). (M)HG. hundert, ON. hundrað; Gmc., f. ?undam hundred, whence OE., OS. hund, OHG. hunt, Goth. (pl. only) hunda = L. centum, Gr. hekatn, Lith. itás, OIr. ct, Skr. atá- Av. satm :- IE. tóm; the ending is Gmc. raþ- number (rel. RATIO).
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Hungarian

XVI. f. Hungary, medL. Hungaria, f. (H)ungar, U(n)gr, medGr. Oúggroi, foreign name of the people called by themselves Magyar.

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hunger

OE. hungor, -ur = OS., OHG. hungar (Du. hnger, G. hunger), ON. hungr :- Gmc. ?uzruz (Goth. hhrus :- ?u?ruz); further relations are doubtful. So hunger vb. OE. hyngr(i)an ( = OS. gihungrian, Goth. huggrjan) was superseded in ME. by hungeren, through assim. to the sb. hungry OE. hungri = OHG. hung(a)rag (G. hungrig).

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hunk

large piece cut off. XIX. cf. WFlem. hunke chunk of bread or meat, of which there are no obvious cogns.

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hunks

(arch., dial.) surly old person, miser. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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hunt

go in pursuit of (wild animals). OE. huntian, f. wk. grade of base of hentan seize, rel. hö booty, OHG. herihundu spoils of war, Goth. frahinþan take prisoner, hunþs booty, Hence hunter XII, huntress XIV, huntsman XVI.

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hurdle

rectangular wattled framework. OE. hyrdel, f. Gmc. ?urðiz, repr. by OS. hurth, MLG. hurt, hort, (M)Du. horde, OHG. hurt (G. hürde) hurdle, ON. hur, Goth. haurds door; see -LE1.

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hurdy-gurdy

(orig.) rustic instrument having strings producing a drone, with keys to produce the notes of the melody, (later) barrel-organ. XVIII. of imit. orig.

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hurl

†be carried along with violence XIII; impel or throw with violence XIV. prob. imit.; cf. LG. hurreln toss, throw, push, dash.

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hurly-burly

XVI. Preceded by †hurling and burling, a jingling collocation based on †hurling (XIV), †hurl (XV) strife, commotion (f. prec.).

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hurrah, hurray, hooray

excl. of exultation. XVII. modification of HUZZA.

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hurricane

XVI. Earliest forms furacan(e), -ana, -ano, haurachana, hurricano, uracan — Sp. huracan and Pg. furaco, of Carib orig.

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hurry

(tr. and intr.) XVI. of uncert. orig. Hence sb. †commotion, agitation XVI; excessive haste XVII. In its earliest use synon. with hurly (XVI). hurry-scurry adv., adj., sb., vb. XVIII. Jingling extension.

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hurst

(sandy) eminence; grove, copse. OE. hyrst, f. base repr. by OS., OHG. hurst, (also mod.) horst.

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hurt

pt., pp. hurt †knock, strike; do harm to. XII (hirrtenn). — OF. hurter (mod. heurter) :- Gallo-Rom. hrtare, perh. of Gmc. orig. So sb. †knock, blow; (bodily or material) injury, damage. XIII.

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hurtle

(lit. or arch.) dash or knock (one thing against another) XIII; come into collision XIV; dash, rush XVI. f. HURT + -LE3.

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hurtleberry

XV. Earlier than synon. hurt (XVI) and whort, whortleberry; of unkn. orig.

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husband

†master of a household OE.; man joined to a woman in marriage; †tiller of the soil, husbandman XIII; housekeeper, steward XV (ship's husband XVIII); †one who manages affairs XVI. Late OE. hsbonda — ON. húsbóndi master of a house, husband, f. hús HOUSE + bóndi, contr. of bóandi, bandi, sb. use of prp. of bóa, búa dwell, have a household = OE., OS., OHG. ban, Goth. bauan (cf. BOWER1). Hence vb. XV, husbandman XIV, husbandry XIII.

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hush

repr. an excl. enjoining silence. First recorded as vb. ‘make or become silent’ (XVI), which is followed by adj., int., and sb. in XVII; preceded by †hust, int. and adj. XIV. Hence hushaby word used in lulling a child. XVIII. hush-money money paid for hushing something up. XVIII.

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husk

XIV. of uncert. orig.; cf. LG. hske little house, core of fruit, sheath = MDu. hskijn (Du. huisken), dim. of hs HOUSE. Hence husky full of husks, dry as a husk XVI; dry in the throat XVIII; (N. Amer.) tough, hefty XIX.

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husky

Eskimo; (h-) Eskimo dog. XIX. abbr. of a form of ESKIMO.

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hussar

one of a body of light horsemen raised in Hungary in XV; hence applied to other light cavalry regiments. XVI. — Hung. huszar †free-booter, (later) light horseman — OSerb. hu(r)sar, gusar — It. corsaro CORSAIR.

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hussy, huzzy

†housewife XVI; bold. shameless, or †light woman or girl XVII. Reduction of hsf, HOUSEWIFE.

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husting(s)

sg. (hist.) deliberative assembly XI; court held in Guidhall, London XII (sg.; from XV pl.); †platform in Guildhall on which the members sat XVII; platform from which nomination of candidates for election to parliament was made, (hence) the election itself XVIII. Late OE. hústing — ON. húsþing ‘house assembly’, one held by a king, etc., with his immediate followers, opp. to the ordinary þing (see THING) or general assembly.

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hustle

†shake to and fro XVII; push about roughly XVIII. — (M)Du. husselen, hutselen shake, frequent. of hutsen = MHG. hutzen (cf. hussen run, hutschen push). Hence sb. XVIII.

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hut

wooden structure for housing troops XVII; mean dwelling of rude construction XVII. — F. hutte (MH)G. hütte, OHG. hutt(e)a, perh. f. base of HIDE2.

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hutch

†chest, coffer XIV; box-like pen XVII. — (O)F. huche :- medL. htica, of unkn. orig.

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huzza

hurrah. XVI. Said by writers of XVII-XVIII to have been orig. a sailor's cheer or salute. cf. HURRAH.

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hyacinth

precious stone (cf. JACINTH); plant-name. XVI. — F. hyacinthe — L. hyacinthus — Gr. huákinthos purple or dark-red flower, precious stone. So hyacinthine XVII. — L. — Gr.

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Hyades

group of stars near the Pleiades. XVI. — Gr. húades fem. pl., prob. f. hs SOW1.

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hyaline

glass-like, vitreous. XVII. — late L. hyalinus — Gr. húalinos, f. húalos transparent stone, amber, etc., glass; see -INE2. So hyaloid XIX; — F.

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hybrid

sb. and adj. half-breed, mongrel; also fig. XVII (rare before XIX). — L. hybrida, (h)ibrida offspring of a tame sow and a wild boar, one born of a Roman father and a foreign mother or of a freeman and a slave.

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hydatid

(path.)watery cyst. XVII (in L. pl. form hydatides). — modL. hydatis, -id- — Gr. hudatis, -id-, f. hdr, hudat- WATER; see -ID2.

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hydra

fabulous many-headed snake whose heads grew again as fast as they were cut off XVI (earlier (h)ydre, idre); genus of freshwater polyps, so named from the fact that cutting it into pieces multiplies its numbers XVIII. — L. — Gr. húdr water-serpent (cf. OTTER).

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hydrangea

XVIII. — modL. hydranga, f. Gr. hudr, hudr- WATER + ággos vessel; so called with ref. to the cup-like form of the seed-capsule.

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hydrant

XIX (orig. U.S.). irreg. f. Gr. húdr, hudr- WATER + -ANT.

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hydrate

(chem.) compound of water with another compound or an element. XIX. — F., f. Gr. húdr, hudr- WATER; see -ATE2. So hydride †hydrate; compound of hydrogen with an element or radical. XIX.

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hydraulic

. XVII — L. hydraulicus — Gr. hudraulikós, f. húdr, hudr- WATER + aulós pipe; see -IC.

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hydro-, before a vowel hydr-

comb. form of Gr. húdr WATER in many terms, of which some came from L. adoptions of Gr. words either direct or through F. but many are of mod. orig.; (in gen. terms) hydrographer , hydrography , hydrophobia XVI, hydroponics (Gr. pónos labour) XX; (path.) denoting accumulation of fluid, as hydrocele XVI, hydrocephalus (Gr. hudroképhalon; kephalé head) XVII; (chem.) denoting combination with water, and (hence) with HYDROGEN (of which it functions as comb. form), as hydrobromic , hydrocarbon , hydrochloric , hydroxide XIX; (physics) concerned with liquids, as hydrodynamics XVIII, hydromechanics XIX, hydrostatics XVII.

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hydrogen

XVIII. — F. hydrogène, f. Gr. húdr, hudr- WATER; see -GEN.

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hy(a)ena

XVI (earlier hyene XIV). — L. hyæna — Gr. húaina, f. hûs swine, SOW1.

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hygiene

. XIX — F. hygiène — modL. hygieina — Gr. hugieiné, sb. use of fem. of hugieinós healthful, f. hugiés healthy, f. IE. su- well + gwi- living. Hence hygienic XIX.

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hygro-

comb. form of Gr. hugrós wet, moist, fluid, as in hygrometer , hygroscope (XVII).

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hylic

pert. to matter. XIX. — late L. hlicus — Gr. hliks material, f. hlé wood, matter; see -IC. So hylo- comb. form of Gr. hl.

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hymen

. XVII — late L. hymén — Gr. humn :- sjumen-, f. IE. sj- SEW.

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hymn

. XIII ME. imne, ymme — OF. ymne — L. hymnus — Gr. húmnos song in praise of a god or hero. The later form was refash. after L. Hence vb. XVII. So hymnal XV. — medL. hymnle (imnale). hymnody singing or composing of hymns XVIII; body of hymns XIX. — medL. — Gr. humnidí (cf. ODE). hymnographer, hymnology XVII. — Gr.

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hyoid

h. bone, horseshoe-shaped bone in the root of the tongue. XIX. — F. hyoïde — modL. hyoïds — Gr. huoeids, f. hû name of the letter v; see -OID.

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hyoscyamus

genus of plants, henbane. XVIII. modL. — Gr. huoskúamos, f. húos, g. of hûs swine, SOW1 + kúamos bean. Hence hyoscyamine (chem.) alkaloid obtained from this. XIX.

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hypaethral

open to the sky. XVIII. f. L. hypæthrus — Gr. húpaithros, f. hupó under, HYPO- + aithér air, ETHER; see -AL1.

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hypallage

(rhet.) figure of speech in which two elements are interchanged. XVI. — late L. hypallag — Gr. hupallag, f. hupó HYPO- + allag-, stem of allássein exchange, f. állos other.

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hyper-

repr. comb. form of Gr. hupér prep. and adv. ‘over’, ‘above’, ‘overmuch’, ‘above measure’. Among the older comps. are: hyperbaton (rhet.) inversion of logical or natural order. XVI. — L. — Gr. hupérbaton, n. of hupérbatos ‘overstepping’. hyperbola (geom.) conic section having two equal and similar infinite branches, so called because it has an eccentricity greater than unity. XVII. modL. — Gr. huperbolé, f. huperbállein exceed, f. bllein throw. hyperbole (rhet.) exaggerated statement. XVI. — L. — Gr. (see prec.). So hyperbolic XVI, hyperbolical XV. hyperborean pert. to the extreme north. XVI. — late L. hyperborenus, f. L. hyperboreus — Gr. huperbóreos, hypercritical XVII. hyperdulia (theol.) superior veneration as paid to the Virgin Mary. XVI. — medL. hypertrophy (path.) excessive enlargement. XIX. modL., f. Gr. -trophí, trophé nourishment.

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hypericum

. XVI — L. hypercum — Gr. hupéreikon, f. hupr HYPER- + ereík heath.

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hyphen

sb. XVII. — late L. — late Gr. huphén the sign µ sb. use of huphén together, f. huph-, hupó under, HYPO- + hén, n. of heîs one. Hence hyphen vb., hyphenate XIX.

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hypnotic

A
soporific XVII;

B
pert. to hypnotism XIX. — F. hypnotique — late L. hypnticus — Gr. hupntikós narcotic, f. hupnoûn put to sleep, f. húpnos sleep; see -IC.
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Hence hypnotism, hypnotist, hypnotize XIX.

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hypo-, before a vowel hyp-,

repr. Gr. hup(o)-, prefix-form of hupó under (adv. and prep.) = L. sub (see SUB-), in words derived immed. or ult. from Gr. (see below) with meanings ‘under’, ‘beneath’, ‘below’, ‘slight(ly)’, and in numerous mod. formations. hypocaust under-chamber for heating a house or bath. XVII. — L. hypocaustum — Gr. hupókauston (kaíein burn). hypochondria
A
(anat.) region of the abdomen under the ribs, formerly held to be the seat of melancholy XVI;
B
morbidity of mind, marked by depression and regarded as due to ‘vapours’ XVIII. — late L.; in A pl. of hypochondrium — Gr. hupokhóndrion (khóndros cartilage); in B taken as fem. in transf. sense. hypocoristic of the nature of a pet-name. XVIII. — Gr. hupokoristikós (kóros child). hypocrisy XIII. — OF. ypocrisie (mod. hypo-) — ecclL. hypocrisis — Gr. hupókrisis acting, feigning (krínein decide, judge). So hypocrite XIII. — (O)F. — ecclL. — Gr. hupokrités actor, pretender. hypocritical XVI. hypostasis †sediment; (theol.) person of Christ, of the Godhead XVI; substance, essence XVII. — ecclL. — Gr. hupóstasis (sta- STAND). hypotenuse side of a right-angled triangle subtending the right angle. XVI. — L. hypotnsa — Gr. hupoteínousa, pp. fem. of hupoteínein stretch under, hypothec legal security. XVI. — F. hypothèque — late L. hypothca — Gr. hupothk deposit, pledge (th- place, DO1). So hypothecate mortgage. XVII. f. pp. stem of medL. hypothcre, hypothesis †particular case of a general proposition XVI; proposition set as a basis for reasoning; supposition to account for known facts XVII. — late L. — Gr. hupóthesis foundation (th- place, DO1). So hypothetic XVII, hypothetical XVI. — L. — Gr. hupothetikós.

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hyrax

genus of rabbit-like quadrupeds. XIX. modL. — Gr. húrax shrew-mouse.

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hyssop

bushy aromatic shrub; bunch of this used in ceremonial purification. OE. (h)ysope, reinforced in ME. by OF. ysope, isope, later assim. to the source, L. hysspus, -um — Gr. hússpos, -on, of Sem. orig.

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hysteria

functional disturbance of the nervous system, which was thought to be due to disturbance of the uterine functions XIX. modL., f. L. hystericus — Gr. husterikós, f. hustér womb; see -IA1. So hysteric XVII, -ics XVIII, hysterical XVII.

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hysteron proteron

figure of speech reversing the proper order of words. XVI. — late L. — Gr. hústeron próteron ‘latter (put as) former’.

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I

I

1st sg. pers. pron. OE. i. = OS. (Du.) ik, OHG. ih (G. ich), ON. ek, Goth. ik (:- Gmc. eka), corr., but with variation of vowel, cons., and ending, to L. eg, Gr. eg(n), Skr. ahám, Av. azm, OSl. (j)az. The reduced form i of OE. i. appears XII; in stressed position this became , which was finally generalized for all positions. The inflexional system of the pronoun is made up of four distinct bases; see ME, MY (MINE), WE, US, OUR.

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-i

pl. inflexion of L. masc. sbs. in -us and -er, and of It. sbs. in -o and -e, retained in Eng. in learned and techn. use, e.g. foci, radii; banditti, dilettanti; illuminati, literati.

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-i-

L. stem- or connective vowel as in OMNI-, pacificus PACIFIC, uniformis UNIFORM.

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-ia1

repr. the terination of L. and Gr. fem. sbs. denoting conditions, qualities, and entities. Exx.: hydrophobia, mania; dahlia, lobelia; ammonia, morphia.

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-ia2

repr. the termination of L. and Gr. pls. of sbs. in -ium or -e, and -ion, Exx.: paraphernalia, regulia; Mammalia.

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-ial

repr. L. -ilis, n. -ile, comp. suffix f. -I- and -AL1.

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iambus

XVI. — L. — Gr. ambos. Anglicized iamb XIX. So iambic XVI. — F. — late L. — Gr.

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-ian

earlier also — yan, repr. ult. (sometimes through F. -ien), L. -inus (see -I-, -AN), as in CHRISTIAN, Vergilinus Virgilian, subsequently by modification of L. forms, as BARBARIAN, EQUESTRIAN, HISTORIAN, PATRICIAN; freely used in mod. formations on proper names, as in Devonian, Johnsonian, Pickwickian. See also -ARIAN, -ICIAN.

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ib., ibid.,

abbrevs. of ibidem in the same place, passage, book, etc. XVII. — L., f. ib there + -dem, as in IDEM, TANDEM.

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Iberian

XVII. f. L. Ibria, f. Ibres — Gr. I'bres Spaniards, also a people of the Caucasus; see -IAN.

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ibex

XVII. — L. ibex, prob. Alpine word like CHAMOIS.

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ibis

XIV. — L. — Gr. îbis, of Egyptian orig.

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-ible

suffix repr. F. -ible, L. -ibilis, -bilis, f. -i-, -- connective or stem-vowel of vbs. in -re, -ere, -re + -bilis -BLE.

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-ic

repr. (often through (O)F. -ique) L. -icus, as in cvicus, civique CIVIC, domesticus DOMESTIC, publicus PUBLIC, or in adoptions from Gr., as in cmicus, kmikó COMIC, poticus, poitikós POETIC. The L. suffix became more widely used in late L. and Rom. in the comp. suffix -ticus (see -ATIC, -AGE).

Derivative abstract sbs. end in -icity , as domesticity, publicity.

Gr. words in -ikós were used absol. as sbs. (i) in the m. sg., e.g. kritikós CRITIC; (ii) in the fem. sg., in names of arts, systems of thought, etc., e.g. h mousik MUSIC; (iii) in the n. pl., e.g. tà oikonomiká ECONOMICS. The distinction between fem. sg. and n. pl. tended to become obliterated, so that h physik and tà physiká were synonymous. Moreover, in pairs like physik, physiká, both forms gave L. physica, which might be repr. by physic or physics. Early adoptions in Eng. were in the sg. form, which has survived in arithmetic, logic, magic, music, rhetoric. Later, forms in -ics occur as names of treatises, e.g. etiques, i.e. Aristotle's tà thiká, the Ethics; this form was then applied to the subject-matter of such treatises, as mathematics, physics, tactics, and finally became the accepted form with names of sciences, as acoustics, linguistics, optics, or matters of practice, as athletics, gymnastics, politics. There are also many sbs. formed from adjs. in -ic taken absol., as cosmetic, epic, lyric, rustic.

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-ical

comp. suffix consisting of -IC and -AL1, repr. (O)F. -ical(e), late L. -iclis, as in clérical, clriclis, grammaticlis; the number of these was increased in medL. While F. adjs. in -ical are not numerous, Eng. formations are abundant, and are very freq. earlier than corr. words in -IC. A distinction of application is often made where there are parallel forms, e.g. economic in ‘economic theory’, economical in ‘economical housekeeper’, optic in ‘optic nerve’, optical in ‘optical illusion’. In many cases the main distinction is that one form is more usual than the other, as authentic, idiotic, linguistic, but farcical, syntactical, theatrical. Derivative sbs. end in -icality and advs. in -ically , which serves also for adjs. in -ic, e.g. drastic/drastically, specific/ specifically.

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ice

OE. s = OS., OHG. s (Du. ijs, G. eis), ON. íss :- Gmc. sam, saz, rel. to AV. isu- icy. Ice cream (XVIII) is for earlier iced cream (XVII). Hence icy XVI (not continuous with OE. si). So iceberg †Arctic glacier; detached portion of this in the sea. XVIII. prob. — (M)Du. ijsberg (see BARROW1).

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-ice

suffix repr. OF. -ice — L. -itia, or -itius, -itium, as in avarice, notice, novice, police, service. F. formations are cowardice, jaundice. -ice may be of other orig., as in bodice, caprice, poultice, practice.

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ichneumon

N. Afr. mongoose which destroys crocodiles' eggs XVI; insect of a family parasitic on the larvae of others XVII. — L. ichneumn — Gr. ikhneúmn lit. tracker, f. ikhneúein track, f. íkhnos track, footstep.

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ichnography

ground plan. XVI. — F. ichnographie or L. ichnographia — Gr. ikhnographí, f. íkhnos track, trace; see -GRAPHY.

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ichor

blood; (Gr. myth.) ethereal fluid flowing in the veins of the gods; (med.) watery discharge. XVII. — Gr. khr.

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ichthy(o)-

repr. comb. form of Gr. ikhthús fish, as in ichthyology XVII, ichthyosaurus XIX.

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-ician

as in logician, musician, physician, statistican, tactician, repr. F. -icien, L. -icinus, f. names of sciences in -ica -IC(S) + -ianus -IAN.

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icicle

XIV. ME. iisse ikkle, ysekele, iseyokel, f. ICE + i(c)kel, okyl, after MSw. isikil; repl. OE. si.el, for which ses i.el ‘icicle of ice’ is attested; OE. i.el(a), cogn. with ON. jkull icicle, glacier.

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-icity

see -IC.

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icon, ikon

†image, picture XVI; (Eastern Church) representation in the flat of a sacred personage XIX. — L. cn — Gr. eikn likeness, image, f. ik- be like. comb. form icono- in iconoclast XVII. — modL. conoclasts — Gr. eikonoklásts (klân break); so iconoclastic XVII. iconography †drawing, plan; illustration by means of drawings. XVII. — medL. — Gr. iconostasis screen bearing icons. XIX. — ecclL. — ecclGr. eikonóstasis (stásis position, station, f. sta- STAND).

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icosahedron

solid contained by 20 faces. XVI. — Gr. eikosáedron, n. of adj. used sb., f. eíkosi :- epikosi (rel. to L. vgint twenty) + hédr seat, base (see SIT).

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-ics

see -IC.

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icteric

pert. to jaundice. XVI. — L. ictericus — Gr. ikterikós, f. ikteros jaundice; see -IC.

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ictus

metrical stress. XVIII. — L. ‘blow, stroke’, f. ict-, pp. stem of cere strike.

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id.,

abbr. of idem the same name, title, author, etc. XVII. — L. dem m. (for isdem), idem n. (for iddem), f. is, id that one + -dem, as in IBIDEM.

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-id1

suffix repr. F. -ide — L. -idus, -ida, -idum, used to form adjs. chiefly from vbs. with -stems, as acidus ACID, f. acre, torridus TORRID, f. torrëre, less freq. from others, as fluidus FLUID, f. fluere, and from sbs., as morbidus MORBID, f. morbus.

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-id2

suffix of sbs., repr. F. -ide — L. -is, -id-, Gr. -is, -id-, as in chrysalid, pyramid; bot. denoting a member of a family, e.g. orchid.

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-id3

(zool.) in sbs. and adjs. from L. names of families in -idæ and of classes in -ida, m. and n. pl. respectively of L. — Gr. — ids.

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-id4

early var. of -IDE still retained in U.S.

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ide

fish allied to the carp. XIX. — modL. idus — SW. id.

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-ide

formerly also -ID4, repr. F. -ide, first used in OXIDE — F. oxyde, on the analogy of which it is regularly affixed to a shortened form of the name of the element which combines with another element or a radical to form the compound so designated.

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idea

archetype (as in Platonic philosophy), conception, design; †form, figure; mental image, notion, XVI. — L. idea (in Platonic sense) — Gr. idé look, form, nature, ideal form, f. Fid- see (see WIT2). So ideal adj. XVII, sb. XVIII. — F. idéal — late L. idelis. Comb. form ideo-, as in ideologue XIX. — F.

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idem

see ID.

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identity

quality of being the same. XVI. — late L. identits, f. L. idem same. So identic(al), identify XVII. — medL.

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ideology

science of ideas XVIII; ideal or visionary speculation XIX, system of ideas XX. — F. idéologie, f. Gr. idé IDEA + -logí -LOGY.

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Ides

in the ancient Roman Calendar, the 8th day after the Nones. XV. — (O)F. — L. ds (pl.), perh. of Etruscan orig.

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idio-

repr. Gr. idio-, comb. form of idios personal, peculiar, separate.

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idiom

proper language of a people or country, dialect; specific character of a language XVI; expression peculiar to a language XVII. — F. idiome or late L. idima — Gr. idima property, peculiar phraseology, f. idioûsthai make one's own, f. ídios own, private. So idiomatic XVIII.

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idiosyncrasy

XVII. — Gr. idiosugkrsiä, -krsis, f. IDIO- + súgkrsis commixture, tempering, f. sún SYN- + krsis mixture.

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idiot

XIII. — (O)F. — L. idita ignorant person — Gr. idiôts private person, plebeian, ignorant, lay(man), f. idios private, peculiar. Hence idiocy XVI, idiotic XVIII, idiotical XVII.

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idle

†empty; worthless, useless; doing nothing, inactive OE.; lazy, indolent XIII. OE. del = OS. dal empty, worthless (Du. ijdel), OHG. tal (G. eitel), ult. orig. unkn. Primary meaning prob. ‘empty’.

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idol

image of a deity XIII; object of devotion; phantom, fiction XVI. ME. ydel, ydol — OF. id(e)le, (also mod.) idole — L. dlum image, form, apparition, (eccl.) idol — Gr. eidlon (same meanings), f. eîdos form, shape (cf. IDEA). So idolater XVI. Earlier †idolatrer, †-trour (XIV), either f. (O)F. idolâtre + -ER1', -our, -OR1', or f. idolatry; the present form was either a phonetic reduction of idolatrer or — F. idolâtre, ult. — Gr. eidlolátrs (latreúein worship). idolatry XIII, idolize XVI, idolatrous XVI.

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idyll

short poem descriptive of a picturesque (rustic) scene or incident. XVII (earlier idyllium, -ion XVI). — L. dyllium — Gr. eidúllion, dim. of eîdos form, picture. Hence idyllic XIX.

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-ie

var. of -Y6, e.g. birdie, dearie, doggie, Jeanie, Willie.

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-ier1

var. -yer, in agent-nouns based on native words and functioning as -ER1. Among the earliest exx. (XIII) are tiliere, extension with -ere of OE. tilia tiller, cultivator, bowiare bowyer, maker of bows; these may have served as models for other formations of various and sometimes obscure orig., e.g. brazier, clothier; collier, drovier, glazier, grazier, haulier, hosier, lawyer, sawyer.

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-ier2

repr. F. -ier (:- L. -rius — ARY), appears first in XVI, as in bombardier, cashier, cavalier; later exx. are brigadier, fusilier, grenadier. Cf. -EER1.

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-ies

pl. ending of certain ellipt. words, as civvies, movies, undies.

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-iety

suffix repr. F. -iété — L. -iets expressing the quality or condition of what is denoted by adjs. in -ius -IOUS, as in anxiety, (im)propriety, notoriety, society, variety.

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if

OE. if, yf, corr. to OS. ef, of (Du. of), OHG. ibu, oba (G. ob whether, if), ON. ef if, Goth. ibai, iba whether, lest, jabai if, although; ult. orig. unkn.

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-iferous

f. L. -ifer, f. -I- + -fer bearing, furnishing, f. base of ferre BEAR2; see -OUS.

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-ify

see -FY.

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-igerous

f. L. -iger, f. -I- + base of gerere carry, see -OUS.

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igloo

XIX. of Eskimo orig.

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igneous

XVII. f. L. igneus, f. ignis fire (rel. to OSl. ogn, Lith, ugnis, Skr. agni-); see -EOUS. ignite make intensely hot, spec. to the point of combustion or chemical change XVII; trans. set on fire XVIII; intr. take fire XIX. f. ignt-, pp. stem of L. ignre set on fire. So ignition XVII.

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ignis fatuus

will-o'-the-wisp. XVI. modL, ‘foolish fire’, so named from its erratic flitting from place to place.

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ignoble

XVI. — F. ignoble or L. ignbilis, f. i- IN-2 + gnbilis NOBLE. So ignobility XV. — L.

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ignominy

XVI. — F. ignominie or L. ignminia, f. i- IN-2 + gnmen, nmen NAME, reputation; see -Y3. So ignominious XVI.

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ignoramus

†endorsement made formerly by a grand jury on a bill returned as not a true bill XVI; ignorant person XVII. — L. ‘we do not know’, in legal use ‘we take no notice (of it)’, 1st pers. pl. pres. ind. of ignorre IGNORE.

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ignorance

XIII. — (O)F. — L. ignrantia, f. prp. of ignrre not to know, misunderstand, disregard, rel. to ignrus unaware; see -ANCE. So ignorant XIV. ignore †not to know XVII; (of a grand jury) reject (a bill); refuse to take notice of XIX. — (O)F. ignorer or L. ignrre.

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iguana

large arboreal lizard. XVI. — Sp., of Carib orig. Hence iguanodon large fossil lizard. XIX.

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il-1

assim. form of L. in- IN-1 before l.

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il-2

assim. form of negative in- IN-2 before l.

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-il

former regular var. of -ILE surviving in e.g. civil, fossil, utensil.

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-ile

adj. suffix repr. F. -il, chiefly -ile, and its sources L. -ilis, -lis, which was added to vb.-stems with the senses of capacity or suitability, e.g. agilis agile, fragilis fragile, and with wider meaning to noun-stems, e.g. juvenlis juvenile, humilis humble.

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ilex

XIV. — L.

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ilk

†same OE.; surviving only in phr. of that ilk of the same place or name (e.g. Guthrie of that ilk for Guthrie of Guthrie). XVI (erron. that ilk that family or set XIX). OE. ilca m., icle fem. and n., f. - that, the same (as in Goth. is he, L. is that, dem, idem same) + lk- form (see LIKE2).

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ill

A
(dial.) morally evil XII; causing harm, pain, or disaster XIII; of bad quality; of evil intent XIV.

B
out of health, sick XV; sb. evil XII; adv. evilly, badly XII. — ON. illr adj.; illa adv., ilt n. of adj. as sb.; ult. orig. unkn.
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illative

(gram.) inferential. XVI. — L. illtvus, f. illtus, used as pp. of inferre INFER; see -IVE. So illation XVI.

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illegal

XVII. — (O)F. illégal or medL. illeglis; see IL-2, LEGAL.

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illegitimate

not born in lawful wedlock XVI; unauthorized XVII. f. late L. illegitimus, after LEGITIMATE; see IL-2.

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illicit

XVII. — L.; see IL-2, LICIT.

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illiterate

XVI. — L.; see IL-2, LITERATE.

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illuminate

light up, give light to XVI; decorate with colour XVIII. f. pp. stem of late L. illuminre, f. IL-1 + lmen, lmin- LIGHT1; see -ATE2. So illumination spiritual enlightenment XIV; lighting up XVI; embellishment with colour XVII. — (O)F. — late L. illumine enlighten (first in spiritual sense). XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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illuminati

applied to several sects claiming special enlightenment: (i) the Sp. heretics Alumbrados XVI; (ii) G. Illuminaten, secret society founded by Adam Weishaupt XVIII; (hence gen.) persons claiming special knowledge XIX. — L., pl. of illmintus, pp. of illminre (see prec.), or — It., pl. of illuminato.

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illusion

†deception XIV; deceptive appearance, etc. XIV; perception of an external object involving a false belief XVIII. — (O)F. — L. illsi, -n-, f. illdere mock, jest at (whence rare illude XV), f. IL-1 + ldere play, sport. So illusory XVI. — late L.

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illustrate

throw light or lustre on; elucidate XVI; exemplify; elucidate with pictures XVII. f. pp. stem of L. illustrre, f. IL-1 + lustrre illuminate, rel. to lmen LIGHT1. So illustration †illumination XIV; exemplification, example XVI; pictorial elucidation XIX. — (O)F. — L. illustrative XVII. illustrious distinguished by rank, etc. XVI. f. L. illustris.

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im-1

assim. form of IN-1 before p, b, m.

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im-2

assim. form of IN-2 before p, b, m.

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image

artificial representation of an object, likeness, statue; (optical) counterpart XIII; mental representation XIV. — (O)F. — L. img, imgin-, rel. to IMITATE. So imagery XIV. — OF. imagerie, f. imageur maker of images. imagine XIV. — (O)F. imaginer — L. imginre form an image of, represent, fashion, imginr picture to oneself, fancy. imagination XIV. — (O)F. — L. imaginable XIV. — late L. imaginary XIV. — L. imaginative XIV. — (O)F.

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imago

(entom.) final stage of an insect. XVIII. mod. use of L. img IMAGE.

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imam

XVII. — Arab. 'imm leader, f. 'amma lead.

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imbecile

weak XVI; mentally weak, idiotic (also sb.) XIX. Earliest form imbecille — F. †imbécille (now -ile) — L. imbcillus, -is, of uncert. orig. So imbecility XVI. — (O)F. — L.

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imbibe

A
†soak, saturate XIV;

B
drink in, absorb XVI. In A — F. imbiber soak (not recorded before XVI), in B — its source L. imbibere, f. IM-1 + bibere drink.
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imbricate

(nat. hist.) covered with scales overlapping like roof tiles. XVII. — pp. of L. imbricre, f. imbrex, imbric- roof tile, f. imber rain; see -ATE2.

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imbroglio

confused heap XVIII; confusion and entanglement XIX. — It., f. imbrogliare confuse, corr. to F. embrouiller EMBROIL.

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imbrue

†sully XV; stain with blood XVI. — OF. embr(o)uer bedaub, bedabble, f. EM-1 + OF. breu, bro (cf. mod. brouet broth) — Rom. brodum — Gmc. broþ- BROTH.

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imbue

saturate, impregnate. XVI. First in pp. f. F. imbu, †imbu(i)t, or its source L. imbtus, pp. of imbuere moisten, stain, imbue.

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imide

(chem.) XIX. arbitrary alteration of AMIDE.

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imitate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. imitr copy, rel. to img IMAGE and æmulr EMULATE; see -ATE3. So imitation XVI. — (O)F. or L. imitative XVI, — late L. imitator XVI. — L.

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immaculate

XV. — L. immcultus; see IM-2, MACULATE.

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immanent

XVI. — prp. of late L. immanre, f. IM-1 + manre remain, dwell; see -ENT. So immanence XIX;, -ency XVII.

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immaterial

incorporeal XIV (not freq. before XVI); unimportant XVII. — late L.; see IM-2, MATERIAL.

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immediate

XVI. — (O)F. immédiat or late L. immeditus, f. IM-2 + meditus MEDIATE. Hence immediacy XVII, immediately XV.

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immemorial

XVII. — medL. immemrilis; see IM-2, MEMORIAL.

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immense

extremely great XV; †boundless, infinite XVI. — (O)F. — L. immnsus immeasurable, f. IM-2 + mnsus, pp. of mtr MEASURE. So immensity XV.

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immerse

XVII. f. immers-, pp. stem of L. immergere, f. IM-1 + mergere dip, MERGE. So immersion XVII. — late L.

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immigrate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. immigrre; see IM-1, MIGRATE. So immigrant XVIII, immigration XVII.

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imminent

XVI. — L. imminns, -ent-, prp. of imminre project, be impending, f. IM-1 (cf. EMINENT, PROMINENT).

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immolate

sacrifice. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. immolre (orig.) sprinkle with sacrificial meal, f. IM-1 + mola MEAL1; see ATE3. So immolation XVI.

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immortal

XIV. — L. immortlis, f. IM-2 + mortlis MORTAL. So sb. XVII. immortality XIV. — (O)F. — L. immortelle everlasting flower. XIX. — F.

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immune

†free, exempt XV; secure from contagion, etc. XIX. — L. immnis exempt from a service or charge, f. IM-2 + mnis ready for service (cf. COMMON). So immunity exemption from service or liability XIV; non-susceptibility to contagion, etc. XIX.

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immure

†wall in; shut within walls XVI; build into a wall XVII. — medL. immrre, f. IM-1 + mrus wall.

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imp

†young shoot, sapling OE.; offspring, child XIV; ‘child’ of the Devil, evil spirit XVI; mischievous child XVII. OE. impa or impe. So imp vb. †graft, engraft OE.; engraft feathers in a bird's wing so as to improve or restore its flight XV; enlarge, eke out XVI. OE. impian, corr. to OHG. impfn (G. impfen), shortened analogues of OHG. impitn (MHG. impfeten) — Rom. impotare, f. medL. impotus graft — Gr. émphutos implanted, engrafted, vbl. adj. of emphúein implant, f. EM-2 + phúein (see BE C).

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impact

sb. XVIII. f. impact-, pp. stem of L. impingere IMPINGE.

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impair

XIV (em-). — OF. empeirier (mod. empirer) :- Rom. impjrre make worse, f. IM-1 + late L. pjrre (cf. PEJORATIVE); the pref. was latinized to im- XV.

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impale

surround with a palisade, fence in XVI; (her.) combine (coats of arms) palewise; fix upon a stake or point XVII. — F. empaler or medL. implre, f. IM-1 + plus PALE1.

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imparisyllabic

of Gr. and L. nouns that have different numbers of syllables in different cases. XVIII. f. L. impar unequal, f. IM-2 + par equal, PEER1; see SYLLABIC.

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impart

make partaker of XV; make known XVI. — OF. impartr — L. impartire, f. IM-1 + pars, part- share, PART.

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impasse

cul-de-sac; insoluble difficulty. XIX. — F., f. IM-2 + stem of passer PASS2.

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impassible

incapable of suffering XIV; incapable of suffering injury XV; incapable of feeling XVI. — (O)F. — ecclL. impassibilis; see IM-2. PASSIBLE. So impassive XVII.

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impassion

XVI. — It. impassionare, f. IM-1 + passione PASSION; chiefly in pp.

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impasto

laying on of colour thickly. XVIII. — It., f. impastare, f. IM-1 + pasta PASTE.

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impatience

XIII. — (O)F. — L.; see IM-2, PATIENCE. So impatient XIV.

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impeach

†impede; accuse, charge XIV; charge with a high misdemeanour; call in question, disparage XVI. ME. empe(s)che — OF. empe(s)cher (mod. empêcher prevent) :- late L. impedicre catch, entangle, f. IM-1 + pedica FETTER. So impeachment XIV.

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impeccable

not liable to sin XVI; faultless XVII. — L. impeccbilis, f. IM-2 + peccre sin; see -ABLE.

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impecunious

XVI. f. L. IM-2 + pecunia money (cf. PECUNIARY).

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impede

XVII. — L. impedre, f. IM-1 + ps, ped-. Hence impedance (electr.) XIX. So impediment hindrance XIV; †pl. baggage (of an army) XVI, — L. impedmentum, the pl. of which, impedimenta, is used in the second sense (XVI).

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impel

XV. — L. impellere, f. IM-1 + pellere drive.

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impend

hang threateningly XVI; be imminent XVII; hang over XVIII. — L. impendre, f. IM-1 + pendre hang.

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imperative

(gram.) expressing command; commanding, peremptory XVI; urgent XIX. — late L. impertvus, f. impert-, pp. stem of imperre command (cf. EMPEROR); see -IVE.

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imperfect

not perfect XIV; (gram.) of a tense XVI. ME. inperfit — (O)F. imparfait; see IM-2, PERFECT. So imperfection.

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imperial

XIV. — (O)F. impérial — L. imperilis, f. imperium rule, EMPIRE; see -IAL. Hence imperialism XIX;, imperialist XVII.

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imperil

XVI (em-). f. em-, IM-1 + PERIL.

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imperious

†imperial; †sovereign, majestic; overbearing. XVI. — L. imperisus, f. imperium command, EMPIRE; see -IOUS.

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impersonal

(gram.) XVI; not personal XVII. — late L. impersnlis; see IM-2, PERSONAL.

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impersonate

invest with a personality XVII; assume the person of XVIII. f. L. IM-1 + persna PERSON.

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impertinent

†unrelated XIV; irrelevant XIV; inappropriate, not consonant with reason XVI; presumptuously intrusive, insolent XVII. — (O)F. impertinent or late L. impertinens not pertinent; see IM-2, PERTINENT. Hence (or — F.) impertinence XVII.

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imperturbable

XV (rare before XVIII). — late L.; see IM-2, PERTURB, -ABLE.

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impervious

XVII. — L.; see IM-2, PERVIOUS.

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impetigo

XVI. — L., f. impetere assail, f. IM-1 + petere seek.

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impetrate

obtain by entreaty. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. impetrre, f. IM-1 + patrre bring to an end; see -ATE3 and cf. PERPETRATE. So impetration XV. — AN. impetrocioun and L. -ti.

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impetuous

XIV. — (O)F. impétueux — L. impetusus, f. impetus onset, violent impulse, f. impetere; see IMPETIGO, -UOUS. So impetus XVII. — L.

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impinge

†thrust upon XVI; strike, dash XVII. — L. impingere, f. IM-1 + pangere fix, drive in.

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impious

XVI. f. L. impius; see IM-2, PIOUS. So impiety XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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implacable

XVI. — F. or L.; see IM-2, PLACABLE.

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implant

vb. XVI. — F. implanter or late L.; see IM-1, PLANT.

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implement1

(pl.) equipment, outfit XV; (orig. pl.) apparatus, set of utensils, tools XVI. — medL. implmenta (pl.) noun of instrument corr. to medL. implre employ, spend, extended use (by assoc. with implicre EMPLOY) of L. implre fill up, fulfil, f. IM-1 + plre FILL.

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implement2

†essential constituent XVII; (Sc.) fulfilment XVIII. — late L. implmentum filling up, noun of action of L. implre (see prec.). Hence vb. (orig. Sc.) carry into effect. XIX.

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implicate

(arch.) intertwine, entangle; involve (as in guilt). XVI. f. pp. stem of L. implicre, f. IM-1 + plicre fold (see PLY1, -ATE3). So implication XV. — L.

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implicit

implied but not plainly expressed XVI; †entangled, entwined XVII. — F. implicite or L. implicitus, later form of implictus, pp. of implicre (see prec.).

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implore

beg or pray (for) XVI; beseech (one) XVII. — F. implorer or L. implrre invoke with tears, f. IM-1 + plrre weep.

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implosion

XIX. f. IM-1 + -plosion, of EXPLOSION. So implosive adj. and sb. XIX.

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imply

†enfold, involve XIV; involve the truth or existence of; express indirectly XVI. — OF. emplier :- L. implicre IMPLICATE. The OF. var. empleier, emploier is the source of EMPLOY, with which imply to some extent overlapped XVI-XVII.

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impolite

XVII. See IM-2, POLITE.

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import

A
carry as its purport, signify, imply XV; be of significance or importance (to) XVI;

B
bring in from outside XVI. — L. importre; in A in its med. sense of ‘imply, mean’; in B in the orig. sense ‘carry in’, f. IM-1 + portre bring, carry, rel. to portus PORT1.
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Hence sb. A. purport, significance XVI; B. commodity imported XVII. So importance XVI. — (O)F. — medL. importantia. important XVI. — F. — medL. importns, -ant-.

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importunate

persistent in asking. XV. f. L. importnus + -ATE2. So importunity XV. — (O)F. — L. importune vb. XVI. — F. importuner or medL. importnr.

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impose

†impute XV; lay on (in various uses) XVI; exert influence upon, as with fraudulent intent or effect XVII. — (O)F. imposer, †emposer, f. em-, im- IM-1 + poser, to repr. L. impnere place on or into, lay as a burden, deceive, trick; see POSE1. Hence imposing exacting XVII; impressive XVIII. So imposition laying-on of hands XIV; impost XV; exercise imposed as punishment XVIII. — (O)F. or L.

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impossible

XIII. — (O)F. — L.; see IM-2.

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impost1

tax, duty. XVI. — F. †impost (now impôt) — medL. impostus, -um, sb. use of impos(i)tus, pp. of L. impnere IMPOSE.

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impost2

(archit.) upper course of a pillar XVII; horizontal block supported by upright stones XVIII. — F. imposte or its source It. imposta, sb. use of fem. pp. of imporre :- L. impnere IMPOSE.

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impostor

one who imposes on others. XVI. — F. imposteur — late L. impostor, contr. of impositor, f. pp. stem of L. impnere IMPOSE; see -OR1. So imposture XVI.

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impost(h)ume

(arch.) purulent swelling, abscess. XIV. — OF. empostume, alt. of apostume, later form of aposteme — L. apostma — Gr. apóstma lit. separation (cf. ABSCESS), f. apostênai, f. apó APO- + stênai STAND; assim. in pref. and ending to L. IM-1 and post(h)umus.

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impotent

physically weak. XIV. — (O)F. — L.; see IM-2, POTENT. So impotence -ency XV.

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impound

enclose in a pound XVI; take (an object) into formal custody XVII. f. IM-1 + POUND2.

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impoverish

XV (emporisshe). f. empoveriss-, lengthened stem of OF. empov(e)rir (mod. empauvrir), f. EM-1 + povre POOR; see -ISH2.

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imprecation

invocation of evil. XVI. — L. imprecti, -n-, f. imprecr (whence imprecate XVII), f. IM-1 + precr PRAY; see -ATE2, -ATION. So imprecatory XVI. — medL.

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impregnable

XV (imprenable). — (O)F. imprenable, f. IM-2 + prenable takeable, f. pren-, stem of prendre take :- L. prehendere; see -ABLE. The later forms impre(i)gnable, which depend upon OF. vars., induced the pronunc. with g.

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impregnate

make pregnant; imbue, saturate. XVII. f. impregnate pp. (XVI) or its source late L. imprægntus, f. IM-1 + prægnre be PREGNANT; see -ATE3.

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impresario

XVIII. — It., undertaker, contractor, f. impresa undertaking.

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impress1

stamp, imprint (a mark, etc.), lit. and fig. XIV (also en-); mark with a stamp XVI; affect strongly XVIII. — OF. em-, impresser, f. EM-1, IM-1 + presser PRESS1 (cf. L. imprimere). Hence sb. stamp, mark. XVI. So impression effective action, effect XIV; mark produced by pressure XIV; printing XVI; notion impressed on the mind XVII. — (O)F. — L. impressi, -n- onset, attack, emphasis, mental impression, f. impress-, pp. stem of imprimere, f. IM-1 + premere PRESS1. impressionable XIX. — F. impressionist XIX. — F. impressionniste, used in an unfavourable sense with ref. to a picture by Claude Monet entitled Impression. impressive †susceptible XVI; making a deep impression XVIII.

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impress2

levy, enlist, esp. by force. XVI. f. IM-1 + PRESS2. Hence sb. XVII.

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imprimatur

licence to print given by the L. formula imprimtur let it be printed, 3rd sg. pres. subj. pass. of imprimere; see IMPRINT. XVII.

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imprint

impressed mark or stamp XV (em-); publisher's name, etc., on a title-page XVIII. — (O)F. empreinte, sb. use of pp. fem. of empreindre :- L. imprimere impress, f. IM-1 + premere PRESS1. So vb. mark by pressure, impress. XIV (em-). — OF.

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imprison

put in prison. XIII. — OF. emprisoner (mod. -onner); see IM-1, PRISON. So imprisonment XIV.

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impromptu

adv. and sb. XVII. — F. — L. phr. in prompt at hand, in readiness (prmere; see PROMPT).

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improper

XVI. — (O)F. or L.; see IM-2, PROPER.

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impropriate

annex to a person or corporation. XVI. f. pp. stem of medL. improprire, f. IM-1 + proprius PROPER; see -ATE3.

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improve

(†refl.) make one's profit; turn (an event, etc.) to good account, turn to profit or advantage; now (U.S.) make use of, occupy; enhance, augment XVI; raise to a better quality or condition XVII. Early forms em-, improwe — AN. emprower, emprouer, f. OF. EM-1 + prou profit (:- late L. prde, evolved from L. prdest is of advantage), later infl. by PROVE. So improvement XV (emprowement profitable use, profit).

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improvise

compose without preparation. XIX. — F. improviser or its source, It. improvvisare, f. improvviso extempore — L. imprvsus unforeseen, f. IM-2 + prvsus, pp. of prvdere PROVIDE. So improvisation XVIII.

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impudent

†immodest XIV; unblushingly presumptuous XVI. — L. impudns, -ent- f. IM-2 + pudns ashamed, modest, orig. prp. of pudre feel ashamed, shame. So impudence XIV.

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impugn

assail. XIV. — L. impugnre, f. IM-1 + pugnre fight.

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impulse

act of impelling; stimulation of the mind. XVII. — L. impulsus, f. pp. stem of impellere IMPEL; cf. PULSE1. So impulsive impelling to action XVI; actuated by impulse XIX. — (O)F. impulsif, -ive or late L. impulsvus.

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impunity

exemption from punishment XVI; security XVIII. — L. impnits, f. impnis unpunished, f. IM-2 + pœna penalty; see PAIN, -ITY.

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impure

XVI. — L.; see IM-2, PURE. So impurity XV.

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impute

lay the fault of (a thing) to XIV; (theol.) attribute by vicarious substitution XVI. — (O)F. imputer — L. imputre bring into the reckoning or charge, f. IM-1 + putre reckon.

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in1

prep. marking bounds or limits within which. OE. in = OS., OHG. (Du., G.), Goth. in, ON. i, rel. to L. in (older en), Gr. en(i), Olr. i n-, in, W. yn, Lith. , OSL. v(n-) :- IE. en, n. Distinct in origin from in adv., which repr. (i) OE. in(n), used with vbs. of motion = OS., Du. in, OHG. n (with secondary lengthening), G. ein, ON., Goth. inn, (ii) OE. inne, used with vbs. of position = OS. inna, OHG. inne, ON. inni, Goth. inna, orig. loc.

Arising orig. from syntactical juncture of adv. in with a vb. are stable comps. such as inbred, income, incoming, ingrowing, inlay, inroad, many of the sbs. depending on phrasal units, as inlet, f. let in. In attrib. or adj. use in is or has been variously used, as in in-land, inshore, inside, in-patient. Cf. INNER, INMOST.

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in2

L. in (see prec.) with the abl. ‘in’, with the acc. ‘into’, ‘against’, ‘towards, for the purpose of’, in many phrases frequent in Eng. contexts from XVI onwards, as in extenso, in extremis, in flagrante delicto, in medias res, in memoriam, in situ, in toto, in vacuo. For designations of sizes of books, e.g. in-folio, see the sbs. FOLIO. etc.

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in-1

repr. L. in- (cf. prec.), used in combination mainly with vbs. and their derivs. with the senses ‘in, into, within, on, towards, against’; in earlier L. the prefix retained its n, but later this was assim. to l, m, r (see IL-1, IM-1, IR-1). In OF. in-, im- became en, em- (see EN-1, EM-1) in inherited words, but in learned words in-, im- were regularly retained.

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in-2

repr. L. in-, cogn. and synon. with Gr. a(n)- A-4 and Gmc. un- UN-1, as in flix happy/inflix unhappy, nocns hurtful/innocns innocent; in earlier L. the pref. retained its n, but later this was assim. to l, m, r (see IL-2, IM-2, IR-2); before g it was reduced to i-, as in ignrre ignore. In a few OF. words this in- became en-, e.g. L. inimcus, OF. enemi enemy, L. invidia, OF. envie envy; but most F. words containing this pref. are of learned orig. and retain in- (il-, etc.).

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-in

(chem.) modification of -INE5.

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-ina1

L. fem. suffix as in rgna queen (f. rg-, rx king), in It. and Sp. and thence in Eng. forming female titles, as czarina, and in proper names, as Clementina; it is used for some names of musical instruments, as concertina, ocarina.

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-ina2

n. pl. of L. -nus -INE1 used in names of groups of animals.

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inadvertence

lack of attention. XVI. — medL. inadvertentia; see IN-2, ADVERT.

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inamorato

male lover. XVI. — It. †inamorato (now innam-), pp. of in(n)amorare = OF. enamourer ENAMOUR. So inamorata female lover. XVII.

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inane

†empty XVII; empty-headed XIX. — L. innis empty, vain. So inanity †emptiness; vanity, hollowness XVII; vacuity XVIII.

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inanimate

XVI. — late L. (see IN-2).

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inanition

†emptying of a body XIV; exhausted condition XVIII. — late L. innti, -n-, f. innre, f. innis; see INANE and -ITION.

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inasmuch

in so far as, (hence) seeing that, considering that. XIV. tr. OF. en tant (que), repr. L. in tantum (ut), IN2, tantum so much (n. of tantus so great).

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inaugural

XVII. — F., f. inaugurer inaugurate; see -AL1. So inaugurate admit formally to an office XVII; initiate formally XVIII; initiate the public use of XIX. f. pp. stem of L. inaugurre take omens, f. IN-1 + augurre AUGUR. inauguration XVI. — (O)F. or late L.

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inborn

†native OE. (newly formed XVII); implanted by nature XVI. OE. inboren after late L. inntus INNATE; see IN-1, BORN.

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incandescent

XVIII. — F. — prp. of L. iandscere glow, f. IN-1 + candscere become white, f. candidus; see CANDID, -ENT.

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incantation

XIV. — (O)F. — late L. incantti, -n-, f. incantre chant, charm, f. IN-1 + cantre sing, CHANT; see -ATION.

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incapable

XVI. — F. or late L.; see IN-2.

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incarcerate

XVI (preceded by pp. incarcerate XV). f. pp. stem of medL. incarcerre, f. IN-1 + carcer prison; see -ATE3. So incarceration XVI. — (O)F. or late L.

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incarnadine

flesh-coloured, blood-red. XVI. — F. incarnadin, -ine — It. incarnadino, north. var. of incarnatino carnation, flesh-colour, f. incarnato INCARNATE; see next and -INE1. Hence vb. XVII.

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incarnate

embodied in flesh XIV; flesh-coloured XVI. — ecclL. incarntus, pp. of incarnr be made flesh, f. IN-1 + car, carn- flesh; see CARNAL, -ATE2. So incarnation embodiment in flesh XIII (concr. XVIII); †flesh-colour XV. — (O)F. — ecclL.

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incendiary

adj. and sb. XVII. — L. incendirius, f. incendium burning, fire; see next and -ARY.

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incense1

aromatic gum burnt to produce a sweet smell XIII; smoke of this XIV. ME. ansens, encens — (O)F. encens — ecclL. incensum, sb. use of n. of incensus, pp. of incendere set fire to, f. IN-1 + candere cause to glow (candre glow). Hence vb. XIV.

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incense2

†set on fire; inflame with wrath. XV. — OF. incenser, f. L. incens-, pp. stem of incendere (see prec.).

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incentive

(something) that incites to action. XV. — L. incentvus that sets the tune, that provokes or incites (sb. -vum), f. incent-, var. of incant-; see INCANTATION, -IVE.

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inception

XV. — (O)F. inception or L. incepti, -n-, f. incept-, pp. stem of incipere; see INCIPIENT, -TION. So inceptive XVII.

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incessant

XVI. — F. incessant or late L. incessns, -ant-, f. IN-2 + cessns, prp. of cessre CEASE; see -ANT. So incessantly XV.

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incest

XIII. — L. incestus, or incestum, sb. use of n. of incestus impure, unchaste, f. IN-2 + castus CHASTE. So incestuous XVI. — late L.

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inch1

twelfth part of a foot. Late OE. yn.e, corr. to OHG. unza, Goth. unkja — L. uncia twelfth part (see OUNCE1).

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inch2

(Sc.) small island. XV. — Gael. innis = (O)Ir. inis, W. ynys.

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inchoate

XVI. — L. inchotus, pp. of inchore, incohre begin; see -ATE2. So inchoative XVI. — late L.

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incident

liable to befall or occur; attaching itself as a privilege, etc. XV. — F. incident or L. incidns, -ent-, prp. of incidere fall upon, happen to, f. IN-1 + cadere fall; see -ENT. So sb. XV. Hence incidental, incidentally XVII.

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incinerate

XVI. f. pp. stem of medL. incinerre, f. IN-1 + cinis, ciner- ashes; see -ATE2. So incineration XVI. — medL.

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incipient

XVII. — L. incipins, -ent-, prp. of incipere undertake, begin, f. IN-1 + capere take.

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incipit

beginning or first words of a literary work. XIX. — L., 3rd pers. sg. pres. ind. of incipere begin (see prec.).

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incise

XVI. — F. inciser, f. incs-, pp. stem of L. incdere, f. IN-1 + cædere cut. So incision XV. — (O)F. or late L. incisive XVI. — medL. incisor front (cutting) tooth. XVII. — medL.

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incite

XV. — (O)F. inciter — L. incitre, f. IN-1 + citre set in rapid motion, rouse; see CITE.

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inclement

†unmerciful; (of weather) not mild XVII. — F. or L.; see IN-2, CLEMENT.

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incline

bend towards a thing, forward or downward. XIII. ME. encline — OF. encliner; these Eng. and F. forms survived till XVII, but forms assim. to the L. source inclnre finally prevailed; see IN-1, LEAN2. Hence sb. XVII. So inclination XIV (not common till XVI). — (O)F. or L. inclinometer XIX.

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inclose, inclosure

see ENCLOSE.

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include

shut in; comprise. XV. — L. incldere, f. IN-1 + claudere shut, CLOSE. So inclusion, inclusive XVI.

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incognito

XVII. — It. — L. incognitus unknown; see IN-2, QUAINT. Abbreviated incog XVII.

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income

A
†entrance, arrival XIII; †fee paid on entering XVI;

B
receipts from work, etc., revenue XVII. In ME. use prob. — ON. innkoma arrival; later, a new formation on phr. come in.
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incommensurable

(math.) having no common measure. XVI. f. IN-2 + late L. commensurbilis COMMENSURABLE.

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incommode

XVI. — F. incommoder or L. incommodre, f. incommodus inconvenient; see IN-2, COMMODIOUS.

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incomprehensible

not to be circumscribed; not to be grasped by the understanding XIV; (hence) that cannot be understood XVII. — L.; see IN-2.

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incom(m)unicado

XIX. — Sp. incomunicado, f. in- IN-2 + pp. of comunicar COMMUNICATE.

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incongruous

XVII. — L. incongruus; see IN-2. So incongruity XVI.

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incontinence, incontinent

XIV. — (O)F. or L.; see IN-2, CONTINENCE.

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incorporate

put into the body of something XIV; combine or form into one body, adopt into a body XVI. f. pp. stem of late L. incorporre; see IN-1, CORPORATE. So incorporation XIV. — late L.

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incorrect

XV. — F. or L. So incorrigible XIV. See IN-2, CORRECT.

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increase

become or make greater. XIV. ME. encres — AN. encres(s)-, OF. encreis(s)-, stem of encreistre :- L. incrscere, f. IN-1 + crscere grow; the prefix was assim. to L. XV. Hence sb. XIV.

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increment

increase XV; amount of increase, profit XVII. — L. incrmentum, f. stem of incrscere; see prec., -MENT.

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incriminate

charge with a crime XVIII; involve in an accusation, inculpate XIX. f. pp. stem of late L. incrminre accuse, f. IN-1 + crmen charge; see CRIME, -ATE3. So incrimination XVII.

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incubate

XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. incubre, f. IN-1 + cubre lie; see CUBICLE, -ATE3. So incubation XVII. — L. incubator XIX.

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incubus

demon descending upon persons in their sleep XIV; nightmare XVI; oppressive person or thing XVII. — late L. incubus, earlier incubo, f. incubre, see prec.

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inculcate

impress (a thing) upon a person. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. inculcre stamp in with the heel, press in, f. IN-1 + calcre tread; see CAULK, -ATE3.

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inculpate

accuse, blame XVIII; incriminate XIX. f. pp. stem of late L. inculpre; see IN-1, CULPABLE.

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incumbent

falling as a duty or obligation XVI; leaning or resting with its weight XVII. — prp. of L. incumbere lie or lean upon, apply oneself to, f. IN-1 + cumbere, f. nasalized stem corr. to cubre (cf. CUBICLE); see -ENT. The sb. use of ‘holder of an ecclesiastical benefice’ (XV) is peculiarly Eng.

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incunabula

earliest stages or first beginnings; books produced in the ‘infancy’ of printing, i.e. before 1501 A.D. XIX — L. n. pl., swaddling-clothes, cradle, birthplace, infancy, origin, f. IN-1 + cnabula, f. cnæ cradle.

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incur

†intr. run, fall (into); tr. run or fall into, become liable to. XVI. — L. incurrere, f. IN-1 + currere run. So incursion hostile inroad XV; runnning in or against XVII.

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incus

(anat.) anvil bone of the ear. XVII. — L., ‘anvil’.

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indebted

under obligation. XIII. ME. an-, endetted, f. OF. endetté, pp. of endetter involve in debt; see -ED1; assim. to L. (medL. indebitre; see DEBT).

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indeed

in reality XIV; as a matter of fact; it is true, truly: (interrog.) Is it so? XVI; as int. of contempt or incredulity XIX. ME. adv. phr. in dede, i.e. IN1 prep., d. of DEED.

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indefatigable

XVI. — F. †indéfatigable or L. indfatigbilis; see IN-2, DE- 3, FATIGUE, -ABLE.

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indefinite

XVI (first in gram.). — L.; see IN-2.

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indelible

XVI (indeleble). — F. indélébile or L. indlbilis, f. IN-2 + dlbilis, f. dlre DELETE; the ending was assim. to -IBLE.

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indemnity

security against contingent injury XV; compensation for loss XVI; legal exemption from liabilities incurred XVII. — (O)F. indemnité — late L. indemnits, f. indemnis free from loss or hurt, f. IN-2 + damnum; see DAMAGE, -ITY. So indemnify XVII.

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indent

make tooth-like incision in, spec. for the purpose of an INDENTURE XIV; make a convenant XV; †contract for XVI; engage (a servant) by contract, orig. in U.S. and Anglo-Indian use XVIII; make a requisition for, draw upon XIX; (typogr.) set back from the margin XVII. — AN. endenter, AL. indentre, f. IN1 + dns, dent- TOOTH. So indenture deed with mutual convenants executed in two or more copies, all having their edges correspondingly indented XIV; indentation XVII. Earliest in MSc. en-, indenture — AN. endenture (OF. -eure), medL. indentra (also indenttra), f. indenttus, pp. of indentre. Hence as vb. XVII.

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independent

XVII. f. IN-1 + DEPENDENT. So independence XVII.

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index, pl. indexes

indices forefinger; pointer; guiding principle; †table of contents; alphabetical list of subjects appended to a book XVI; (math.) XVII. — L. index, pl. indics, forefinger, informer, sign, inscription, f. IN-1 + -dex, -dic-, f. IE. dei-, dik- point out.

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India

In OE. India, Indea, but the present use dates from XVI (prob. immed. after Sp. or Pg.). — L. — Gr. India, f. Indós the river Indus — Pers. hind (cf. HINDU). Hence Indian adj. and sb. XV; pert. to America and the West Indies XVII (Indian rubber XVIII, the earlier form for India rubber XIX). Indies orig. India with the adjacent islands. XVI. pl. of †Indie, Indy (XVI–XVII) — L. India.

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indicate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. indicre declare, mention, f. IN-1 + dicre proclaim; cf. INDEX and see -ATE3. So indication XVI. — F. — L. indicative (gram.) XVI; suggestive of XVII. — (O)F. — late L.

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indict

XIV. ME. endite, later with latinized pref. indite, indict (XVI). — legal AN. enditer, corr. in form but not in sense to OF. enditier declare, dictate, compose, INDITE :- Rom. indictre, f. indict-, pp. stem of L. indcere proclaim, impose, f. IN-1 + dcere pronounce, utter. So indictment XIV.

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indiction

declaration or proclamation, spec. of the Roman emperors fixing the valuation for property tax at the beginning of each fiscal period of 15 years; the period from 1 Sept. 312 instituted by the emperor Constantine by which dates were reckoned, (also) specified year in such a period. XIV. — L. indicti, -n-, f. indcere; see prec. and -TION.

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indifferent

A
(arch.) impartial, neutral XIV; without interest; neither good nor bad XVI (euphem. not very good XIX);

B
†not different; unimportant, immaterial XVI. — F. indifferent or L. indifferns making no difference, of no consequence; see IN-2, DIFFERENT
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Hence indifference XVI, indifferently XIV.

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indigenous

XVII. f. L. indigena native (adj. and sb.), f. indi-, strengthened form of IN-1 + -gena, f. gen-, base of gignere beget.

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indigent

needy XIV; †wanting, deficient XV. — (O)F. — L. indigns, -ent-, prp. of indigre lack, f. indi- (cf. prec.) + egre be in want, need; see -ENT. So indigence XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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indign

(arch.) unworthy. XV. — (O)F. indigne or L. indignus, f. IN-2 + dignus worthy. So indignity †unworthiness; unworthy treatment. XVI.

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indignant

XVI. — L. indignns, -ant-, prp. of indignr regard as unworthy, f. indignus; see prec., -ANT. So indignation †disdain; anger at what is considered unworthy XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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indigo

blue dye obtained from plants of the genus Indigofera. XVI. The usual form in XVI–XVII was indico — Sp. — L. indicum — Gr. indikón, sb. use of n. of Indikós Indian. The form indigo (XVI), occas. †endego, is — Pg.

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indirect

XV. — (O)F. or late L.; see IN-2, DIRECT. Hence indirection XVI.

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indiscreet

†without discernment XV; injudicious, unwary XVI. — L. indiscrtus. So indiscretion XIV. — (O)F. or late L.

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indispensable

(eccl.) that cannot be allowed or condoned XVI; that cannot be remitted; that cannot be done without XVII. — medL.; see IN-2, DISPENSE.

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indisposed

†not in order; unfitted; †ill-disposed XV; out of health XVI; not disposed or inclined XVII. Partly — F. indisposé or L. indispositus disordered, unprepared; partly directly f. IN-2 + pp. of DISPOSE. So indisposition †unfitness XV; disordered physical state XVI. — F. or f. IN-2 + DISPOSITION.

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indite

†dictate; put into words, compose. XIV. — OF. endit(i)er :- Rom. indictre, f. IN-1 + dictre declare, DICTATE. Cf. INDICT.

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individual

†indivisible XV (rare before XVII); existing as a separate entity; pert. to a single person or thing XVII; sb. XVII. — medL. indïvidulis, f. L. indivíduus indivisible, inseparable, f. IN-2 + dviduus divisible, f. dvidere DIVIDE; see -AL1. So individualism XIX, individuality XVII.

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indivisible

XIV (rare before XVI). — late L. indvissibilis; see IN-2, DIVIDE.

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indolent

(path.) painless XVII; averse to exertion XVIII. — late L. indolns, -ent-, f. IN-2 + prp. of dolre suffer pain, give pain; see -ENT. So indolence XVI. — F. or L.

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indomitable

†untameable XVII; not to be overcome XIX. — late L. indomitbilis, f. IN-2 + domitre; see DAUNT, -ABLE.

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indoor(s)

inside a house, etc.; adj. pert. to the interior. XVIII. See IN1, DOOR. For earlier within-door(s) XVI.

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indubitable

XVIII. — F. indubitable or L. indubitbilis; see IN-2, DOUBT.

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induce

lead to some action, etc. XIV; †introduce; give rise to, lead to XV; infer XVI. — L. indcere, f. IN-1 + dcere lead; from XIV to XVIII often with en- after F. enduire (cf. ENDUE). Hence inducement XVI. So induct (eccl.) introduce formally to a benefice XIV; conduct, introduce XVI. f. induct-, pp. stem of L. indcere. induction (eccl.) XIV; gen. †introduction, initiation XVI; (logic) opp. to deduction XV; (electr. and magn.) XIX. inductive inducing XVII; (logic) XVII; (electr.) XIX.

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indulge

treat with underserved favour, gratify by compliance XVII; give free course to XVII; take one's pleasure freely in XVIII. — L. indulgre, of uncert. orig. So indulgence XIV. — (O)F. — L. indulgent XVI. — F. or L. indult special licence or privilege. XVI (first in Sc.). — F. — late L. indultum, sb. use of n. pp. of indulgre.

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indurate

harden. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. indrre; see ENDURE, -ATE3; preceded by pp. †indurate XV. So induration XIV. — F. or late L.

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indusium

(anat.) amnion XVIII; (bot.) membranous shield of the sorus of a fern XIX. — L., ‘tunic’, f. induere put on.

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industry

†skill, dexterity XV; diligence, assiduity; systematic labour, form or kind of this XVI. — (O)F. industrie or L. industria; see -Y3. So industrious †skilful, ingenious; painstaking, hardworking. XVI. industrial XVI (isolated exx. before XIX); hence industrialism XIX.

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indwell

dwell in, inhabit. XIV. f. IN1 + DWELL.

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-ine1

suffix repr. F. -in, fem. -ine and its source L. -nus, -na (corr. to Gr. -nos, -n), affixed to nominal and some other stems with the sense ‘of or pert. to’, ‘of the nature of’, as cannus CANINE, dvnus DIVINE1, genunus GENUINE, sometimes in comb. with another suffix, as in clandestnus CLANDESTINE. In the terminology of nat. hist. -ine is used freely in adjs. formed on generic names, as accipitrine, passerine, after bovine, equine.

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-ine2

suffix forming adjs., repr. F. -in, fem. -ine, or its source L. -inus, -ina (corr. to Gr. -inos, -in), having in the Rom. langs. and in Eng. the same form and sense as -INE1.

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-ine3

suffix of fem. sbs., repr. F. -ine, L. na, Gr. -n, as in Gr. hrn, L. hrna, F. héroïne HEROINE (the only survival in Eng.).

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-ine4

suffix repr. F. -ine (-in) or L. -na (-nus), in orig. identical with -INE1, used in abstr. formations on vbs. and agent-nouns, as doctrna DOCTRINE, runa RUIN, and concr. sbs. on other stems, as fascna FASCINE. The adjs. in -nus, -na were used also sb., as in concubna CONCUBINE. consobrnus COUSIN. Some are anglicized with -in, as ruin.

In techn. and commercial use this suffix has a vague application and forms names of textile materials, natural and artificial substances, etc., as brilliantine, dentine, grenadine, nectarine.

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-ine5

suffix of chem. terms, in origin a variation of -INE4, in such names as gelatine (now superseded by gelatin exc. in pop. use), and those of the four elements bromine, chlorine, fluorine, iodine.

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inebriate

XV. f. inebriate ppl. adj. (XV) or pp. of L. inbrire, f. IN-1 + brire intoxicate, f. brius drunk; see -ATE3.

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ineffable

XV. — F. ineffable or L. ineffbilis, f. IN-2 + effbilis, f. effr speak out, f. EF- + fr; cf. FAME, -ABLE.

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ineluctable

inescapable. XVII. — L., f. IN-2 + luctr struggle out.

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inept

†(leg.) void XVI; (arch.) unsuited, inappropriate; foolish XVII. — L. ineptus, f. IN-2 + aptus APT.

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inequality

XV. — OF. or L.; see IN-2, EQUALITY.

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inequity

XVI. f. IN-2 + EQUITY.

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inert

inactive, innimate XVII; sluggish XVIII. — L. iners, inert- unskilled, inactive, f. IN-1 + ars skill, ART. So inertia XVIII. — L.; see -IA1.

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inestimable

too great to be estimated XIV; priceless XVI. — (O)F. — L.; see IN-2.

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inevitable

XV. — L., f. IN-2 + vitbilis, f. vtre, f. E- + vtre avoid; see -ABLE.

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inexorable

XVI. — F. inexorable or L. inexrbilis, f. IN-2 + exrbilis, f. exrre, f. EX-1 + rre pray; see -ABLE.

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infallible

XV. — F. infaillible or medL. infallibilis; see IN-2, FALLIBLE. So infallibility XVII.

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infamous

XIV. — medL. infamsus, for L. infmis; see IN-2, FAMOUS. So infamy XV. — (O)F.

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infant

XIV. ME. enfaunt (with early assim. to L.) — (O)F. enfant :- L. infns, -ant-, sb. use of infns unable to speak, f. IN-2 + prp. of fr speak; see FAME, -ANT. So infancy XV. — L. infantia. infantile XVII. — F. or L. infantry XVI. — F. infanterie — It. infanteria, f. infante youth, foot-soldier.

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infatuate

†turn (a thing) to folly; make foolish, possess with an extravagant passion. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. infature, f. IN-1 + fatuus FATUOUS; see -ATE3.

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infect

affect with disease; taint, deprave XIV; imbue, esp. injuriously XV; †dye, stain XV. f. infect-, pp. stem of L. inficere dip in, stain, taint, spoil, f. IN-1 + facere put, DO1. So infection XIV. — (O)F. or late L. Hence infectious XVI. infective XIV. — medL.

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infer

†bring about, induce; †bring in, introduce; draw as a conclusion; imply. XVI. — L. inferre bear or bring in, in medL. infer, f. IN-1 + ferre BEAR2. So inference XVI. — medL. inferentia.

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inferior

lower XV (in physical sense now chiefly techn.); of lower or low degree XVI; sb. XVI — L., compar. of inferus low; see UNDER, -IOR.

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infernal

pert. to hell XIV. — (O)F. — ChrL. infernlis, f. infernus, parallel to inferus; see -AL1.

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infest

†attack, assail XV; trouble with hostile attacks, swarm in XVII. — (O)F. infester or L. infestre, f. infestus hostile, unsafe.

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infidel

non-Christian XV; professed unbeliever XVI. — F. infidèle or L. infidlis unfaithful, (eccl.) unbelieving, f. IN-2 + fidlis faithful, f. fids FAITH. So infidelity XVI.

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infiltrate

XVIII. f. IN-1 + FILTRATE. So infiltration XVIII.

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infinite

(arch.) unlimited in number XIV; having no limit or end XV. — L. infintus; see IN-3, FINITE. So infinitesimal reciprocal of an infinite quantity; indefinitely small. XVIII. f. modL. infntsimus, f. L. infntus, after centsimus hundredth. infinitive (gram.). XVI. — L. infntvus, f. IN-2 + fntvus definite. infinitude XVII. f. L. infntus. infinity XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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infirm

†weak, unsound XIV; not firm, irresolute XVI; weak through age or illness XVII. — L. infirmus; see IN-3, FIRM1. So infirmary XVII. — medL. infirmria. infirmity XIV. — L.; cf. F. infirmité.

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infix

(philol.) element inserted in the body of a word. XIX. After prefix, suffix; see IN-1, FIX.

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inflame

(lit. and fig.) XIV. ME. inflaume, -flamme — (O)F. enflammer :- L. inflammre, f. IN-1 + flamma FLAME. So inflammation XVI. — L.

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inflate

XVI. f. pp. †inflate (XV) — L. infltus, pp. of inflre, f. IN-1 + flre BLOW1. So inflation XIV. — L.

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inflect

bend XV; (gram.) vary the termination of XVII; modulate the tone of XIX. — L. inflectere, f. IN-1 + flectere bend. inflection , inflexion bending, curvature XVI; modulation of voice XVI; (gram.) modification of form in declension, etc. XVII. — (O)F. or L. (see FLEXION).

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inflexible

XIV. — L.; see IN-2, FLEXIBLE.

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inflict

XVI. f. inflict-, pp. stem of L. inflgere, f. IN-1 + flgere strike. So infliction XVI. — late L.

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inflorescence

XVI. — modL. inflrscentia, f. late L. inflrscere come into flower; see IN-1, FLORESCENCE.

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influence

(astrol.) emanation of ethereal fluid from the heavens affecting mankind XIV; †infusion of power; †influx XV; insensible action of one on another XVI; power of ascendancy over. — (O)F. influence or medL. influentia (whence also It. influenza), f. prp. of L. influere flow in, f. IN-1 + fluere flow; see -ENCE. Hence vb. XVII. So influential XVI. f. medL. influentia.

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influenza

XVIII. — It. influenza INFLUENCE, used spec. for visitation or outbreak of an epidemic (e.g. influenza di catarro, influenza di febbre scarlattina), hence absol. epidemic.

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influx

XVII. — F. influx or late L. influxus, f. influere flow in; see IN-1.

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inform

†give form to; give a character to, imbue, inspire; furnish with knowledge XIV. ME. enfo(u)rme — OF. enfo(u)rmer (mod. informer) — L. informre shape, form an idea of, describe; see IN-1, FORM. So informant XVII, information XIV.

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infra-

pref. repr. L. infr adv. and prep. below, underneath, found occas. in comps. in late and medL., e.g. infrforenus situated beneath the forum, infrmrnus lying within the walls, on the model of which are made formations such as infra-axillary below the axilla, inframammary below the breasts; it is extended to denotation of a condition, as in infrabestial below (that of) the beasts; it is attrib. or adverbial in infraposition, etc.; infralapsarian (theol.) pert. to the view that God's election of some was consequent to his prescience of the Fall of Man. XVIII. f. L. lapsus fall, LAPSE. infra-red , applied to the rays that lie beyond the red end of the spectrum. XIX.

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infraction

XVII. — L. infracti, -n-, f. infract-, pp. stem of infringere INFRINGE.

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infra dig.

XIX. abbrev. of L. infr dignitiem beneath (one's) dignity.

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infringe

XVI. — L. infringere, f. IN-1 + frangere break.

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infuse

pour in XV; instil; steep XVI. f. infs-, pp. stem of L. infundere, f. IN-1 + fundere pour. So infusion XV; concr. XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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infusoria

(zool.) class of protozoa, so called because found in infusions of decaying matter. XVIII. sb. use of n. pl. of modL. infsrius, f. infs-; see prec. and -IA2, -ORIOUS.

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-ing1

suffix forming derivs. orig. of vbs., primarily nouns of action, but subsequently developed in application and meaning in various ways: OE. -ung and -ing (which superseded the more frequent -ung in early ME.) = OS. -unga, MLG., MDu. -inge, Du. -ing, OHG. -unga (G. -ung), ON. -ung, -ing. In OE. the earliest and commonest use of the suffix is in formations from weak vbs., e.g. csung asking (f. csian ask). fding (f. fdan feed), macung (f. macian do, make). Extension to str. vbs. began in OE., e.g. brecung breaking, eting eating, hlapung leaping; and before 1200 the suffix was used with verbs of any class, whether native or adopted. Formation on advs. is typified by inning, offing, outing.

In OE. itself was developed the notion of a completed action or process or the result of this, (whence) habit, art, e.g. bltsung, -ing blessing, benediction, gaderung collection, assembly, leornung learning, study; transference to concrete or material accompaniment or product of a process followed, as in bedding bed-clothes, eardung dwelling, offrung -sacrifice. The existence of a parallel sb. of the same form as the vb. (as in clothes/clothing) has led to the creation of -ing-forms without a corresponding verb, as coping, scaffolding, tubing. Individualized use, with consequent pluralization, began early and became prominent in later periods, e.g. a long sitting, three sittings; a bad beginning but a happy ending; an outing, frequent outings. In some plurals the concr. use appears almost exclusively, e.g. earnings, leavings, trappings. EVENING and MORNING are special formations.

B
The outstanding development of the verbal sb. in -ing is its use as a gerund, so that it may be qualified by adjs. and advs. and may take an object and a predicative noun or adj., e.g. the habit of rising early, engaged in building a house; (with an object and predicated pp.) after having written a letter. The germ of such constructions may be seen in such OE. comps. as ðswerung swearing of oaths, feaxfallung falling-out of hair, mynsterclnsung purification of a church, where the first el. is a sb. in subjective, objective, or adverbial relation, or an adverb, and in such constructions as oftdli.e rædinga hligra bca frequent readings of holy books (objective genitive). The attrib. use of the gerund, as in breeding place, dancing lesson, living room, thanksgiving day, winning post, has its antecedent models in the earliest periods; e.g. OE. cenningstw birthplace, huntingspere hunting-spear, ME. gretinng word salutation.
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-ing2

suffix of the prp., ME. alt. of OE. -ende, later -inde, in late Nhb. -ande (after ON.) = OS. -and (Du. -end), OHG. -anti, -enti, -onti (G. -end), ON. -andi, Goth. -ands, corr. to L. -ant- -ANT, -ent- -ENT, Gr. -ont-, Skr. -ant-. The forms -inde, -ende continued in the Kentish area till XIV, but from the end of XII there was a general tendency to assim. -inde to -ING1. Several words of ppl. orig. or nature are used only or mainly as adjs., e.g. strapping, unavailing, willing; others (mostly of F. orig.) are preps., viz. concerning, during, pending.
As a morphological feature the prp. enters into the formation of the tenses with the verb be, variously known as progressive, continuous, indefinite: e.g. I am coming, They were fighting; the use is found in the earliest OE.

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-ing3

suffix forming masc. sbs. based on sbs. or adjs. with the sense ‘one belonging to or of the kind of. .’, ‘possessing the qualities of..’, as a patronymic ‘one descended from..’; OE. -ing (corr. to OHG. -ing, ON. -ingr, -ungr) as in: cyning KING, flming fugitive, lytling little one; patronymics, as Æœlwulfing/Wodening son of Æthelwulf/Woden; names of coins, pending, penning PENNY, s.illing SHILLING; fractional parts, feorðing FARTHING, thriding RIDING (of ON. orig.). Other words, of various ages from OE. onwards, are chiefly names of animals and fruits, as bunting, gelding (of ON. orig.), herring (OE.), sweeting, whiting (OE.).

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ingeminate

utter twice, reiterate. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. ingeminre redouble, repeat, f. IN-1 + geminre GEMINATE.

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ingenious

† of high intellectual capacity XV; skilful in invention XVI; †used for INGENUOUS XVI. — F. ingénieux or L. ingenisus, f. ingenium natural quality, genius; see -IOUS.

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ingénue

artless (young) woman. XIX. — F., fem. of ingénu — L. ingenuus (see next).

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ingenuous

†noble-minded; honourably straightforward XVI; free-born XVII. f. L. ingenuus native, free-born, noble, frank, f. IN-1 + gen-, base of gignere beget; see KIN, -UOUS. So ingenuity A. †free-born condition; †nobility of character; ingenuousness (now rare); B. †intellectual capacity XVI; skill in contriving XVII. — L. ingenuits. The uses of branch B are peculiarly Eng. and depend on confusion with INGENIOUS in XVI–XVII.

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ingle

(Sc., etc.) fire, flame, hearth. XVI. of obscure orig.; perh. — Gael. aingeal fire, light.

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ingot

†mould in which metal is cast XIV; mass of cast metal XV. orig. obscure; form and meaning suggest deriv. from IN1 and OE. goten, pp. of otan pour, cast in metal (see FOUND2).

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ingrained

XVI. var. of engrained; see ENGRAIN.

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ingratiate

†bring into favour; refl., get oneself into favour. XVII. f. L. phr. in grtiam into favour (see GRACE) + -ATE3.

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ingredient

XV. — prp. of L. ingred enter, f. IN-1 + grad step, go; see GRADE, -ENT.

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ingress

XV. — L. ingressus, f. pp. stem of ingred; see prec.

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inguinal

pert. to the groin. XVII. — L. inguinlis, f. inguen, inguin- (swelling in the) groin; see -AL1.

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ingurgitate

swallow greedily. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. ingurgitre, f. IN-1 + gurges, gurgit- whirlpool, gulf. So ingurgitation XVI.

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inhabit

XIV. ME. en-, inhabite — OF. enhabiter or L. inhabitre, f. IN-1 + habitre (see HABIT).

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inhale

XVIII. — L. inhlre, f. IN-1 + hlre breathe. So inhalation XVII. — medL.

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inhere

exist as an attribute in XVI; †remain fixed in XVII. — L. inhærre, f. IN-1 + hærre stick. So inherent XVI.

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inherit

†make heir; take or receive as heir. XIV. ME. en(h)erite — OF. enheriter, f. EN-1 + hériter :- late L. hrdtre, f. hrs, hrd- HEIR. So inheritance XIV. — AN. inheritor XV, inheritrix XVI.

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inhibit

(eccl. law) forbid, interdict XV; restrain XVI. f. inhibit-, pp. stem of L. inhibre hold in, hinder, f. IN-1 + habre have, hold. So inhibition XIV. — OF. or L.

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inhuman, inhumane

XV. — F. or L.; see IN-2, HUMAN, HUMANE. So inhumanity XV.

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inhume

bury. XVII. — L. inhumre, f. IN-1 + humus ground. So inhumation XVII. — F.

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inimical

XVII — late L. inimclis, f. inimcus; see ENEMY, -AL1.

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iniquity

XIV. — OF. iniquité — L. inquits, f. inquus, f. IN-2 + æquus just, righteous (see EQUITY).

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initial

pert. to a or the beginning. XVI. — L. initilis, f. initium beginning, f. init-, pp. stem of inre enter upon, begin, f. IN-1 + re go, rel. to Skr. éti, Gr. emi; see -AL1. So initiate XVII. initiation XV. — L. initiative sb. XVIII. — F. initiatory XVII.

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inject

XVII. f. inject-, pp. stem of L. inicere throw in, f. IN-1 + jacere throw, rel. to Gr. hiénai. So injection XVI. — F. or L.

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Injun

colloq. and dial. U.S. form of INDIAN. XVII (Ingin, Engiane, later Indjon).

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injunction

XVI. — late L. injuncti, -n-, f. injunct-, pp. stem of injungere ENJOIN; see -TION. So injunctive XVII.

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injury

wrongful action XIV; loss, damage XV; †insult, affront XVI. — AN. injurie (mod. injure insult) — L. injria, sb. use of fem. of injrius unjust, wrongful, f. IN-2 + js, jr- right; see -Y3. Hence injure XVI. So injurious XV. — F. or L.

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ink

XIII. ME. enke, later inc(k), inke — OF. enque (mod. encre) :- late L. encau(s)tum — Gr. égkauston purple ink used by Gr. and Rom. emperors for their signatures, f. egkaiein burn in. Comp. inkhorn vessel (orig. a horn) for holding ink XIV; i. term, learned or literary word XVI. Hence ink vb., inky XVI.

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inkling

faint mention or report XIV; hint XVI. f. ME. inkle utter in an undertone (of unkn. orig.) + -ING1.

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in-law

XIX. sb. use of phr. denoting connection by marriage, e.g. brother-in-law (XIII), father-in-law (XIV); after AN. en ley, OF. en loi (de mariage) ‘in law (of marriage)’; also used of step-relationship.

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inlet

small arm of the sea, creek XVI, (arch.) admission XVII. f. phr. let in (LET1).

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inly

(arch.) inwardly; closely, fully. OE. in(n)l.e, f. inn IN1 (adv.) + -LY2.

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inmate

†lodger, subtenant; (fellow) occupier or occupant. XVI. prob. orig. f. INN dwelling (later assoc. with IN1) + MATE1.

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inmost

XIV. Earlier ME. inmest, in(ne)mast :- OE. innemest, f. in, inne IN1; see -MOST.

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inn

†dwelling-place OE.; hostelry, hotel; lodging-house for (university or law) students XIV. OE. inn, f. base of inne IN1; cf. ON. inni.

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innards

see INWARD.

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innate

XV. — L. inntus, pp. of innsc (see IN-1, NATIVE).

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inner

OE. inner(r)a, in(n)ra = OHG. innaro, -ero (G. innere), ON. innri, iðri; compar. f. IN1 (adv.); see -ER3. Hence innermost XV.

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innings

XVIII. f. IN1 adv. + pl. of -ING1; invariable for sg. and pl. in Eng. use; in U.S. a sg. inning is current.

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innocent

free from wrong, sin, or guilt XIV; not injurious XVII. Also sb. XIV. — (O)F. innocent or L. innocns, -ent-, f. IN-2 + nocns, prp. of nocre hurt, injure; see -ENT. So innocence XIV. — (O)F. — L. innocuous XVI. f. L. innocuus.

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innovate

†renew, †introduce as new; bring in something new. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. innovre renew, alter, f. IN-1 + novre make new, f. novus NEW; see -ATE3. So innovation XVI. — L.

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innuendo

†parenthetical explanation or specification; oblique hint or suggestion. XVII. — L., ‘by nodding, pointing to, intimating’, abl. gerund of innuere nod to, signify, f. IN-1 + nuere nod.

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inoculate

set in (a bud or scion), bud (a plant) XV; implant (a disease); impregnate with the virus of a disease XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. inoculre engraft, implant, f. IN-1 + oculus EYE, bud; see -ATE3.

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inordinate

irregular; immoderate. XIV. — L. inordintus, f. IN-2 + ordintus, pp. of ordinre ORDAIN; see -ATE2.

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inquest

legal inquiry XIII; jury, esp. coroner's jury XIV. ME. enqueste — OF. :- Rom. inquesta, sb. use of fem. of pp. of inqurere; see next.

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inquire, enquire

ask about XIII; seek information XIV. ME. enquere — OF. enquerre (mod. new formation enquérir) :- Rom. inqurere. for L. inqurere, f. IN-1 + quærere ask. Assim. to L. in XV. Hence inquiry investigation XV; interrogation XVI.

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inquisition

inquiry, investigation; judicial inquiry XIV; (R.C.Ch.) ecclesiastical tribunal (the Holy Office) XVI. — (O)F. — L. inqusti, -n- (legal) examination, f. inqust-, pp. stem of inqurere INQUIRE; see -ITION. So inquisitive XIV. — OF. — late L. inquisitor XVI.

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inroad

hostile incursion, raid. XVI. f. IN1 + ROAD in the etym. sense of ‘riding’.

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insane

XVI. — L. insnus, f. IN-2 + snus SANE.So insanity XVI.

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inscribe

write in or on; (geom.) delineate within a figure XVI; enrol; mark with characters XVII. — L. inscrbere, f. IN-1 + scrbere write. So inscription XIV.

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inscrutable

XV. — late L. inscrtbilis, f. IN-2 + scrtr; see SCRUTINY, -ABLE.

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insect

XVII. — L. insectum, sb. use of n. of pp. of insecre cut into or up, f. IN-1 + secre cut.

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insert

set or put in. XVI. f. insert-, pp. stem of L. inserere, f. IN-1 + serere plant, join, put into (see SOW2). So insertion XVI. — late L.

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inset

leaf or sheet inserted. XIX. f. pp. inset, i.e. set in; see IN1, SET1.

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inside

inner side or surface XVI; adj. XVII; adv. XIX; prep. XVIII. f. IN1 + SIDE.

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insidious

XVI. — L. insidisus, f. insidiæ ambush, trick, rel. to insidre sit in or upon, be settled, f. IN-1 + sedre SIT; see -IOUS.

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insight

†mental vision or perception XII; penetration by the understanding into XVI. prob. of Scand, and LG. orig.; comp. of IN1 and SIGHT.

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insignia

XVII. — L., pl. of insigne sign, badge of office, sb. use of n. of insignis distinguished (as by a mark), f. IN-1 + signum SIGN; see -IA2.

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insinuate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. insinure, f. IN-1 + sinure curve, f. sinus curve; see -ATE3. So insinuation XVI. — L.

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insipid

tasteless. XVII. — F. insipide or late L. insipidus. f. IN-2 + sapidus SAPID. Hence or — F. insipidity XVII.

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insist

†continue steadfastly in; dwell emphatically on. XVI. — L. insistere stand upon, persist, f. IN-1 + sistere stand.

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insolation

exposure to the sun. XVII. — L. inslti, -n-, f. inslre, f. IN-1 + si SUN; see -ATION.

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insolent

†haughty, arrogant XIV; contemptuous of dignity or authority XVII. — L. insolns, -ent- unusual, excessive, arrogant, f. IN-2 + prp. of solre be accustomed; see -ENT. So insolence XIV.

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insoluble

†indissoluble XIV; that cannot be solved XIV; that cannot be dissolved in liquid XVIII. — (O)F. or L.; see IN-2, SOLUBLE.

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insomnia

XVIII. — L., f. insomnis sleepless (f. IN-2 + somnus sleep) + -IA1.

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insomuch

XIV. tr. OF. en tant (que); at first alternative to INASMUCH, but later differentiated.

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insouciant

XIX. — F., f. IN-2 + souciant, prp. of soucier care :- L. sollicitre disturb, agitate.

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inspect

XVII. f. inspect-, pp. stem of L. inspicere, f. IN-1 + specere look; or — L. frequent. inspectre. So inspection XIV. — (O)F. — L. inspector XVII. — L.

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inspire

infuse into the mind; impart or suggest by divine agency; †breathe XIV; breathe in XVI. — (O)F. inspirer — L. insprre, f. IN-1 + sprre breathe. So inspiration XIV. — (O)F. — late L.

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inspissate

thicken. XVII. f. pp. stem of late L. inspissre, f. in IN-1 + spissus thick, dense; see -ATE3. So inspissation XVII.

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install

invest with or place in an office, orig. by placing in an official stall XVI; (after F.) to place in position XIX. — medL. installre, f. IN-1 + stallum STALL1; cf. (O)F. installer. So installation XVII. — medL. Hence instalment^1 U.S. installment installation. XVI.

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instalment2. U.S. installment

†arrangement for payment; agreed part of a sum to be paid XVIII; part supplied at a certain time XIX. alt. (prob. by assoc. with prec.) of earlier †(e)stallment — AN. estalement, f. estaler fix; see STALL2, -MENT.

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instance

urgency, urgent action (now in phr. at the instance of) XIV; †case adduced in objection; example in support of a general proposition XVI; process, suit (court of first i.); hence in the first i. as the first step XVII. — (O)F. instance eagerness, solicitation, judicial process, new argument — L. instantia presence, urgency, pleading or process, in schoIL. objection, example to the contrary, f. instns, -ant- INSTANT. Hence vb. †urge XV; cite as an instance XVII.

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instant

urgent XV; present (of time); of the current month; imminent, immediate XVI. — (O)F. instant assiduous, at hand — L. instns, -ant-, prp. of instre be present or at hand, urge, f. IN-1 + stre STAND. As sb. point of time, moment XV; after medL. Hence instantly †urgently; †just now XV; forthwith XVI. So instantaneous XVII. f. medL. instantneus.

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instate

establish in a position. XVII. f. IN1 + STATE sb.

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instead

in the place or room (of another), as deputy or successor XIII; in its stead, as a substitute XVII. phr. in (the) stead of (see STEAD), after OF. en (now au) lieu de.

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instep

XVI. app. f. IN1 and STEP.

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instigate

spur or urge on. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. instgre, f. IN-1 + stgre prick, incite; see -ATE3. So instigation XV. — F. or L.

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instil

put in by drops; infuse gradually. XVI. — L. instillre, f. IN-1 + stillre, f. stilla drop.

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instinct

†impulse XV; innate impulse or propensity, intuition XVI. — L. instinctus instigation, impulse, f. instinct-, pp. stem of instinguere incite, impel, f. IN-1 + stinguere prick. So instinct pp. †innate XVI; †impelled XVII; imbued with XVIII. — L. instinctus pp. instinctive, instinctively XVII.

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institute

†purpose; established usage; principle(s) or element(s) of instruction XVI; (after F.) society to promote an object; building used for this XIX. — L. instittum design, ordinance, precept, sb. use of n. of pp. of instituere establish, ordain, teach, f. IN-1 + statuere set up. So vb. set up. found XV; establish in an office, esp. eccl. XVI. f. pp. stem of instituere. institution establishment, esp. eccl. in a benefice XIV; established law, etc. XVI; establishment or organization for the promotion of an object XVIII. — (O)F. — L. institutional XVII.

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instruct

impart knowledges to XV; direct, command XVI; †put in order XVII. f. instruct-, pp. stem of L. instruere set up, fit out, teach, f. IN-1 + struere pile up, build. So instruction XV. — (O)F. — late L. instructive XVII. instructor XV. — F. -eur.

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instrument

tool, implement XIII (earliest of a musical instrument); something used by an agent; means XIV; legal document XV. — (O)F. — L. instrmentum, f. instruere; see prec. and -MENT. So instrumental serving as instrument or means XIV; of music composed for instruments XVI (whence instrumentalist XIX); (gram.) XIX. instrumentation composition of music for instruments XIX. instrumentality XVII.

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insular

pert. to an island XVII; characteristic of islanders, as being narrow or prejudiced XVIII. — late L. insulris, f. insula island; see -AR. So insulate convert into an island XVI; detach, ISOLATE (also electr.) XVIII. insulator XIX.

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insulin

hormone extracted from the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas of animals. XX. f. L. insula island; see -IN1.

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insult

†glory or triumph over XVI; treat with scornful abuse or disrespect XVII. — L. insultre, f. IN-1 + saltre, iterative-intensive f. salre leap, jump. So insult (arch.) attack; affront. XVII. — F. insulte or — ecclL. insultus.

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insuperable

†unconquerable XIV; unsurmountable XVII. — OF. or L.; see IN-2, SUPERABLE.

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insure

XV.var. of ENSURE, with substitution of IN-1 for EN-1, established in the sense of securing payment on death or damage (XVII). So insurance XVII.

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insurgent

one who rises in active revolt. XVIII. — F. †insurgent — L. insurgns, -ent-, prp. of insurgere rise up; see IN-1, SURGE, -ENT. So insurrection XV. — (O)F. — late L., f. insurrect-, pp. stem of insurgere.

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intact

untouched, unblemished. XV. — L. intactus, f. IN-2 + tctus, pp. of tangere touch.

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intaglio

figure incised or engraved; incised gem. XVII. — It., f. intagliare engrave, f. IN-1 + tagliare cut.

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intake

f. phr. take in; see TAKE, IN1.

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integer

XVI. — L. integer intact, ENTIRE. So integral making up a whole, made up of parts XVI; (math.) XVIII. — late L. integrlis. integrate XVII. f. pp. stem of L. integrre. integration XVII. — L. integrity XV. — F. or L.

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integument

covering, coating. XVII. — L. integumentum, f. integere cover; see IN-1, TEGUMENT.

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intellect

XIV. — (O)F. intellect or L. intellectus perception, discernment, sense, f. pp. stem of intellegere; see below. So intellection understanding. XVII. — L. intellectual XIV (whence intellectualism XIX, intellectualist XVII). — L. intellectuality XVII. — late L. intelligent XVI. — prp. of L. intellegere, -ligere lit. choose among, f. INTER- + legere gather, choose. (So intelligence XIV. — (O)F. — L.; hence intelligencer XVI). intelligentsia XX. — Russ. intelligéntsiya — Pol. inteligiencja — L. intellegentia. intelligible XIV.

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intemperate

XV. — L. intempertus; see IN-2, TEMPERATE. So intemperance XV. — (O)F. or L.

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intend

direct the mind or attention XIV; design for a purpose XVI. ME. entende, in- — (O)F. entendre, †intendre — L. intendere extend, direct, intend, f. IN-1 + tendere stretch, TEND2. So intended purposed, designed XVI; sb. intended spouse XVIII. intendment †understanding, meaning XIV; (leg.) XVI. — (O)F. entendement. intense XIV. — (O)F. intens(e) or L. intnsus stretched, tight, violent, pp. of intendere; hence intensify XIX. intension tension, intentness, intensity XVII; internal content of a concept XIX. intensive †intense XVI; relating of or pert. to intensity; intensifying XVII. intent^1 intention XIII; end proposed XIV (obs. exc. in phr. to all intents XVI). ME. entent — OF. entent :- L. intentus, and entente — (O)F. entente :- Rom. intenta, f. pp. of L. intendere. intent^2 earnestly attentive or bent upon. XVII. — L. intentus, pp. of intendere. intention †understanding; †meaning, import; purpose XIV; (logic) direction of the mind to an object, conception XVI; (theol.) XVII. ME. entencion — OF. entencion (mod. intention) — L. intentional XVI. — F. or medL.

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inter

bury. XIV. ME. enter(re) — (O)F. enterrer — Rom. interrre, f. IN-1 + terra earth. Hence interment XIV.

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inter-

L. prep. ‘between’, ‘among’, repr. in F. by entre- (see ENTER-), used as a prefix with the senses:
1. between, in between, in the midst, as in INTERCALARY, INTERPOSE, INTERVENE;
2. at intervals, as in INTERMIT;
3. with preventive or destructive effect, as in INTERCEPT. The earliest adoptions of such words in Eng. came through F. forms with entre-, but in XVI remodelling of these forms on the L. inter- began, and at the same time the use of the prefix was widely extended. Meanwhile the prefix had acquired a mutual or reciprocal sense, as in interdependence, intermarriage, interplay. The other large group of comps. in which inter- has become a living formative is that in which it governs prepositionally (with the senses ‘between’, ‘among’, and ‘forming a link between’) the sb. implied in the radical part of the comp., as in interalveolar, intercollegiate, interdenominational, international, intervocalic. The prefix enters freely into combination with sbs. to form attrib. phrases, as in inter-county match.

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intercalary

inserted at intervals (in the calendar) XVII; intervening XVIII. — L. intercalri(u)s, f. intercalre proclaim the insertion of a day, etc., in the calendar, from pp. stem of which is intercalate XVII; so intercalation XVI (— F. or L.).

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intercede

†come between XVI; intervene on behalf of another XVII. — (O)F., or L. intercdere, f. INTER- + cdere go. So intercession XVI. intercessor XV. — L.; hence intercessory XVI.

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intercept

XVI. f. intercept-, pp. stem of L. intercipere, f. INTER- + capere take, seize. So interception XVI. — F. or L.

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interchange

vb. XIV. ME. enterchaunge — OF. entrechangier; see INTER-, CHANGE. Hence as sb. XVI. So interchangeable (whence interchangeably) XIV. — OF.

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intercommunicate

XVI. — AL.; see INTER-, COMMUNICATE.

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intercourse

mutual dealings XV; social or spiritual communication XVI. Earlier entercourse — (O)F. entrecours — L. intercursus, f. intercurrere run between or among, intervene; see INTER-, COURSE.

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interdict

(eccl.) sentence debarring the faithful from church functions and privileges XIII; authoritative prohibition or decree XVII. ME. entredit — OF. — L. interdictum (to which the Eng. word was assim. XVI), sb. use of n. of pp. of interdcere interpose by speech, forbid by decree, f. INTER- + dcere say. Hence vb. XIII.

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interest

A
(legal) concern or right in XV; advantageous or detrimental relation XVI; matter in which persons are concerned XVII; feeling of one concerned XVIII;

B
†injury, damages; money paid for use of money lent XVI. Late ME. alt. of †interesse, †ent(e)resse, partly by addition of parasitic t, partly by assoc. with OF. interest damage, loss (mod. intérêt), app. sb. use of L. interest it makes a difference, concerns, 3rd pers. sg. pres. ind. of interesse differ, be of importance, f. INTER- + esse BE (the history is, however, obscure).
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So interest vb. invest with a title or share; cause to have or take an interest XVII; affect with a feeling of concern XVIII. Alt. of †interess vb. XVI. — F. intéresser †damage, concern. interesting †important; apt to excite interest. XVIII.

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interfere

(of horse) knock one leg against another XVI; collide, come into opposition, intermeddle with XVII; intervene XVIII. — OF. (refl.) s'entreferir strike each other, f. entre- INTER- + férir :- L. ferre strike. Hence interference XVIII, interferometer XIX.

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interim

(arch.) meanwhile; intervening time, interval of time. XVI. — L., ‘in the meantime’, f. INTER- + advb. suffix -im.

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interior

situated (more) within. XV. — L., compar. adj. f. inter within.

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interjection

ejaculation XV; (gram.) XVI. — (O)F. — L. interjecti, -n-, f. interject-, pp. stem of intericere interpose, f. INTER- + jacere throw. So interject XVI.

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interlace

XIV. — OF. entrelacier; see INTER-, LACE vb.

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interlard

†pass. have alternate layers of fat and lean; diversify by intermixture. XVI. Earlier enter- — (O)F. entrelarder, f. entre- INTER- + larder LARD vb.

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interleave

vb. XVII. f. INTER- + LEAF, pl. leaves. Hence interleaf sb. XVIII.

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interline

XV. — medL. interlnere; see INTER-, LINE2. So interlinear XV.

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interlocutor

XVI. — modL., f. L. interloqu, -locti; see INTER-, LOCUTION.

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interloper

†unauthorized trader XVI; one who thrusts himself into an affair XVII. f. INTER- + loper (as in LANDLOPER). Hence interlope vb. XVII.

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interlude

light or humorous dramatic representation, (later XVII–XVIII) comedy, farce XIV; interval in the performance of a play XVII; intervening time or space XVIII. — medL. interldium, f. INTER- + ldus play.

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intermeddle

XIV. ME. entremedle — AN. entremedler = OF. entremesler; see INTER-, MEDDLE.

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intermediate

XVII. — medL. intermeditus, f. L. intermedius, f. INTER- + medius MID; see -ATE2. So intermediary XVIII.

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intermezzo

(mus.) piece intervening between two main parts of a composition. XIX. — It. — L. intermedius (see prec.).

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interminable

XIV. — (O)F. or late L. (see IN-2).

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intermit

leave off, discontinue. XVI. — L. intermittere, f. INTER- + mittere let go. So intermission XVI, intermittent XVII (see -ENT). — F. or L.

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intern

confine within prescribed limits of residence. XIX. — F. interner. f. interne — L. internus inward, internal.

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internal

XVI. f. contemp. †intern or its source, L. internus; see prec., -AL1.

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international

XVIII. f. INTER- + NATION + -AL1.

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internecine

attended with great slaughter XVII; (misinterpreted by Johnson as) mutually destructive XVIII. — L. internecnus, f. interneci general slaughter, massacre, extermination, f. internecre slaughter, exterminate, f. INTER- + necre kill; see -INE1.

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internuncio

XVII. — It. internunzio; see INTER-, NUNCIO.

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interpellation

†pleading, intercession XVI; †interruption XVII; (after F.) interruption of the order of the day in the French Chamber XIX. — L. interpellti, -n-, f. interpellre interrupt by speaking, f. INTER- + -pellre thrust or direct oneself.

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interpolate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. interpolre, f. INTER- + -polre, rel. to polre POLISH. So interpolation XVII.

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interpose

XVI. — (O)F. interposer, based on L. interpnere; see INTER-, POSE1. So interposition XV. — (O)F. or L.

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interpret

XIV. — (O)F. interpréter or its source L. interpretr explain, translate, f. interpres, -pret- agent, broker, translator, interpreter, f. INTER- + unkn. el. Hence interpreter XIV. So interpretation XIV.

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interregnum

†temporary authority exercised during a vacancy; period intervening between a ruler and his successor. XVI. — L., f. INTER- + regnum REIGN.

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interrogate

XV. f. pp. stem of L. interrogre, f. INTER- + rogre ask; see ROGATION, -ATE3. So interrogation XIV. — (O)F. or L. interrogative, interrogatory XVI. — late L.

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interrupt

XV. f. interrupt-, pp. stem of L. interrumpere, f. INTER- + rumpere break (see RUPTURE). So interruption XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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intersect

XVII. See INTER-, BISECT. So intersection XVI.

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intersperse

XVI. f. interspers-, pp. stem of L. interspergere; see INTER- and DISPERSE.

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interstice

XVII. — late L. interstitium, f. INTER- + base of stre STAND.

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interval

period between two events XIII; space between two things XV. ult. — L. intervallum orig. space between ramparts, f. INTER- + vallum (see WALL), but the earliest forms, entrewal, entervale, intervalle, are — OF. entreval(e), later -valle (mod. intervalle).

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intervene

XVI. — L. intervenre, f. INTER- + venre COME. So intervention XV. — F. or L.

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interview

meeting of persons face to face. XVI. Earlier form entervew(e) — F. †entrev(e)ue, f. entrevoir have a glimpse of, s'entrevoir see each other (f. entre INTER- + voir see), after vue VIEW.

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intestate

XIV. — L. intesttus, f. IN-2 + testtus, pp. of testr bear witness, make a will, f. testis witness; see -ATE2. Hence intestacy XVIII.

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intestine

internal. XVI. — L. intestnus, f. intus within (corr. to Gr. entós); sb. (esp. pl.) lower part of the alimentary canal. XVI. — L. intestnum, sb. use of n. of adj.

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intimate

inward, essential, intrinsic; pert. to the inmost thoughts; closely associated (also sb.). XVII. — late L. intimtus, pp. of intimre, f. intimus inmost, f. int- of INTER- + superl. suffix; see -ATE2. Hence intimacy XVII. So intimate make known formally; indicate indirectly. XVI. f. pp. of late L. intimäre. intimation formal announcement XV; expression by sign XVI. — (O)F. or late L.

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intimidate

XVII. f. pp. stem of medL. intimidre, f. IN-1 + timidus TIMID; see -ATE3.

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intinction

†dipping, infusion XVI; (eccl.) dipping of the bread in the wine at the Eucharist XIX. — late L. intincti, -n-, f. intingere; see IN-1, TINCTURE.

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intitule

ENTITLE (now leg. in ref. to acts of parliament). XV. — (O)F. intituler — late L. intitulre.

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into

OE. in(n) t, i.e. IN1 adv., TO prep.

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intolerable

XV. — F. or L.; see IN-2.

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intone

XV (rare before XIX). — medL. intonre, f. IN-1 + tonus TONE; in XV — XVI entone — OF. entoner (mod. -onner). So intonation XVII. — medL. intonti, -n-.

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intoxicate

†poison; stupefy with a drug or strong drink. XVI. f. pp. stem of medL. intoxicre, f. IN-1 + L. toxicum poison; see TOXIC, -ATE3. So intoxication XV. — F. oxmedL.

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intra-

repr. L. prep. intr ‘on the inside’, ‘within’, used occas. in late L. as prefix, as in intrmrnus lying within the walls. Cf. EXTRA-,

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intractable

XVI. — F. or L.; see IN-2.

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intrados

(archit.) lower curve of an arch. XVIII. — F., f. L. intr INTRA- + F. dos back.

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intransigent

XIX. — F. intransigeant, based on Sp. los intransigentes party of the extreme left in the Spanish Cortes, extreme republicans; ult. f. IN-2 + prp. of L. transigere come to an understanding; see TRANSACT, -ENT.

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intransitive

XVII. — late L.; see IN-2.

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intrepid

XVII. — F. intrépide or L. intrepidus, f. IN-2 + trepidus agitated, alarmed.

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intricate

XV. — L. intrctus, pp. of intrcre entangle, perplex, f. IN-1 + trcæ trifles, tricks, perplexities; see -ATE2.

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intrigue

†intricacy, maze; underhand plotting. XVII. — F. — It. intrigo, f. intrigare, -icare :- L. intrcre; see prec. So vb. XVII.

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intrinsic

†inward, inner XV — XVII (later anat. XIX); of its own, proper XVII. — (O)F. intrinsèque — late L. intrinsecus, f. L. adv. intrinsecus inwardly, inwards; from the first the ending was assim. to -IC. So intrinsically XVI.

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intro-

L. adv. intr to the inside (parallel to INTRA-) used as a prefix in intrducere INTRODUCE, introitus INTROIT, intrmittere INTROMIT.

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introduce

XVI. — L. intrdcere, f. intr INTRO- + dcere lead, bring. So introduction XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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introit

†entrance; (eccl.) antiphon and psalm recited as the celebrant approaches the altar. XV. — (O)F. introït — L. introitus entrance, f. introre enter, f. intr INTRO- + Ire go.

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intromit

XV. — L. intrmittere introduce, f. intrö INTRO- + mittere send. So intromission XVI. — F. or L.

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introspection

XVII. Hence introspective XIX. Cf. INSPECTION and see INTRO-.

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introvert

turn (the mind) upon itself. XVII. f. modL. intrvertere, f. intr INTRO- + vertere turn. Hence sb. part turned within XIX; (psych.) XX.

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intrude

XVI. — L. intrdere, f. IN-1 + trdere thrust. So intrusion (leg.) thrusting oneself into an estate or benefice XIV; uninvited entrance or appearance XVI. — (O)F. or medL.

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intuition

†contemplation, view XV (rare before XVII); †regard, reference; (philos.) immediate knowledge or apprehension XVI; (gen.) immediate insight XVIII. — late L. intuiti, -n-; see IN-1, TUITION. So intuitive XVI. — medL.

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inundate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. inundre, f. IN-1 + undre flow, f. unda wave; see -ATE3. So inundation XV. — (O)F. or L.

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inure

accustom, habituate XV; †put into operation; (leg.) come into operation XVI. — AN. eneurer, f. phr. en eure in use or practice, i.e. en IN1, eure work (:- L. opera; see OPERA).

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invade

make a hostile attack (upon). XV. — L. invdere, f. IN-1 + vdere go (see WADE). So invasion XVI. — (O)F. or late L.

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invalid1

not valid. XVI. — L. invalidus; see IN-1, VALID. So invalidate XVI, invalidity XVI.

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invalid2

infirm or disabled from sickness or injury XVII; sb. XVIII. spec. use of prec. with modified pronunc. after F. invalide.

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invaluable

XVI. See IN-2.

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invar

alloy of nickel and steel with a negligible coefficient of expansion. XX. P . abbrev. of invariable (XVII); see IN-2.

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inveigh

†bring in, introduce XV; give vent to denunciation XVI. — L. invehere carry in, inveh be borne into, attack, assail with words, f. IN-1 + vehere carry (cf. VEHICLE). So invective adj. (arch.) marked by denunciatory or vituperative language XV; sb. speech of this kind XVI. — (O)F. invectif, -ive adj., invective sb. — late L. invectvus, invectva as sb., f. invect-, pp. stem of invehere.

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inveigle

†beguile, deceive XV; gain over by enticement XVI. Earlier enve(u)gle — AN. envegler, alt. of (O)F. aveugler blind, f. aveugle adj. blind, prob. :- Rom. ab oculs ‘without eyes’.

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invent

†come upon, find XV; devise, esp. by way of original contrivance XVI. f. invent-, pp. stem of L. invenre, f. IN-1 + venre COME. So invention finding (surviving in Invention of the Cross church festival of 3rd May) XV; contrivance XVI. — L. inventive XV. — OF. inventory detailed list of articles. XVI. — medL. inventrium, for late L. inventrium.

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inverse

adj. and sb. XVII. — L. inversus, pp. of invertere, f. IN-1 + vertere turn. So inversion XVI. invert vb. XVI. — L. invertere ‘turn in, turn outside in’, reverse.

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invertebrata

(sb. pl.) animals having no back-bone. XIX. modL., after F. invertébrés, f. in- IN-2 + vertèbre, L. VERTEBRA. Anglicized invertebrate XIX.

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invest

A
clothe, spec. with the insignia of office; establish in possession, endow with power;

B
enclose with a hostile force XVI;
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C
put out (money) at interest XVII. — (O)F. investir or L. (rare) investre clothe, surround (extended in meaning in medL.), f. IN-1 + vestis clothing; in C after It. investire, the notion being that of giving the capital another ‘form’.
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So investiture XIV (rare before XVI). — medL. investtra. Hence investment †clothing XVI; investiture, investing of capital XVII.

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investigate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. investgre, f. IN-1 + vestgre track, trace out; see VESTIGE, -ATE3. So investigation XV. — (O)F. or L.

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inveterate

established by age or long standing; obstinately embittered. XVI. — L. invetertus, ppl. adj. of inveterre make old, f. IN-1 + vetus, veter- old; see -ATE2. Hence inveteracy XVII.

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invidious

tending to or entailing odium. XVII. — L. invidisus, f. invidia ill will, ENVY; see -IOUS.

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invigilate

keep watch. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. invigilre, f. IN-1 + vigilre watch, f. vigil watchful; see -ATE3.

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invigorate

XVII. f. L. IN-1 + vigor VIGOUR; see -ATE2.

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invincible

XV. — (O)F. -L. invincibilis, f. IN-2 + vincibilis, f. vincere conquer; see -IBLE.

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inviolate

XV. — L. invioltus, f. IN-2 + pp. of violre VIOLATE.

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invisible

XIV. — OF. or L.; see IN-2.

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invite

XVI. — F. inviter or L. invitre. So invitation XVI. — F. or L.

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invoice

XVI. app. orig. pl. of †invoy (recorded only later) — F. †envoy, envoi; see ENVOY1.

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invoke

XV. — (O)F. invoquer — L. invocre, f. IN-1 + vocre call. So invocation XIV.

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involucre

envelope XVI; (bot.) whorl of bracts XVIII. — F. involucre or L. involcrum, f. involvere INVOLVE.

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involuntary

XVI. — late L.; see IN-2.

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involve

wrap round, lit. and fig.; implicate in trouble, etc. XIV; implicate in a charge; include XVII. — L. involvere, f. IN-1 + volvere roll (see VOLUME). So involute rolled or curled up XVII; sb. (math.) XVIII. f. involut-, pp. stem of L. involvere. involution involved condition XVII; (math.) XVIII. — late L.

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inward

adj. that is within; adv. towards the inside. OE. innanweard, in(ne)weard, f. innan, inne, in(n) IN1 + -weard -WARD; cf. MDu. in(ne)-wert, OHG. inwart adj., -wert adv., ON. innan : verr adj. Also inwards XIII; sb. sg. †entrails OE.; inward part XIV, XIX; pl. internal parts, entrails XIII: vulgarly innards. See -WARDS.

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iodine

(chem.) non-metallic element which volatilizes into a violet-coloured vapour. XIX. f. F. iode — Gr. ids violet-coloured. f. íon violet + -eids -like; see -INE5. Hence iodoform XIX. After CHLOROFORM.

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ion

XIX. — Gr. ión, prp. n. of iénai go. Hence ionize XIX.

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-ion

suffix repr. (O)F. -ion — L. -i, -in-, which forms nouns of condition and action from (i) adjs. or sbs., as in COMMUNION, DOMINION; (ii) verb-stems, as in LEGION; but chiefly from (iii) pp. or supine stems in t, s, x (see -TION, -SION).

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ionosphere

XX. f. ION + -O- + SPHERE.

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-ior

formerly also -iour — F. -ieur, †-iour — L. irem, nom. -ior, suffix of compar. of adj., as in anterior, exterior, inferior, interior, junior, posterior, senior, ulterior. In warrior the ending has another orig.

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iota

the Gr. letter ; least particle. XVII. — Gr. iôta. See JOT.

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I O U

(XVII) XVIII. repr. of I owe you.

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-ious

comp. suffix meaning ‘characterized by’, ‘full of’, (i) repr. F. -ieux, L. -isus, f. -I- + sus -OUS, or (ii) directly f. a L. suffix consisting of i and another suffix (viz. -ia, -ius, -i, -is, -ium) + -OUS. See also -ACIOUS, -ITIOUS.

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ipecacuanha

root of a S. Amer. plant, used medicinally. XVII. — Pg. ipecacuanha — Tupi-Guarani ipe-kaa-guéne. abbr. colloq. ipecac XVIII.

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ipomoea

genus of convolvulaceous plants. XVIII. modL., f. Gr. îps, ip- worm + hómoios like.

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ir-1

assim. form of IN-1 before r.

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ir-2

assim. form of IN-2 before r.

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irascible

XVI. — (O)F. — late L. rscibilis, f. rsc grow angry, f. ra IRE; see -IBLE. So irate XIX. — L. rtus; see -ATE2.

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ire

(poet.) anger. XIII. — (O)F. :- L. ra. Hence ireful XIII.

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iridescent

displaying colours like those of the rainbow. XVIII. f. L. ris, rid- IRIS + -ESCENT. So iridium (chem.) white metal of the platinum group. XIX. See -IUM; named ‘from the striking variety of colours which it gives, while dissolving in marine acid’ (Tennant).

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iris

species of crystal XIV; rainbow XV; flat circular coloured membrane in the aqueous humour of the eye; genus of tuberous or bulbous plants XVI. — L. ris — Gr. ris rainbow, coloured circle, etc., iris (plant), (I-) female messenger of the gods, whose sign was a rainbow.

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Irish

pert. to Ireland. XIII. OE. ras inhabitants of rland Ireland (obscurely based on OIr. Ériu; cf. HIBERNIAN) + -ISH1.

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irk

†grow weary, be loath XIII (forhirked wearied); weary, annoy XV. contemp. with †irk adj. weary, loath; of obscure orig. Hence irksome †tired, disgusted XV: wearisome, burdensome XVI.

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iron

sb. OE. ren, perh. for rern, alt. of sern (by assoc. with the var. sen) = OS., OHG. sarn (Du. ijzer, G. eisen), ON. sarn, Goth. eisarn :- Gmc. sarnam, prob. — Celt. sarno- (W. haearn, Ir. iarann). Hence ironclad cased with iron or steel plates, spec. of ships, XIX. ironmonger XIV.

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irony

figure of speech in which the intended meaning is the opposite of that expressed XVI; condition of affairs opposite to that expected XVII. — L. rnia — Gr. eirne, f. eérn dissembler; see -Y3. So ironic XVII. — F. ironique or late L. rnicus — Gr. eirnikós; preceded by ironical, ironically XVI.

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irrational

XV (math. XVI). — L.; see IR-2.

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irredentist

advocate of the return to Italy of all Italian-speaking regions. XIX. — It. irredentista, f. (Italia) irredenta unredeemed or unrecovered (Italy); see IR-2, REDEEM, -IST.

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irrefragable

incontrovertible, undeniable. XVI. — late L. irrefrgbilis, f. IR-2 + L. refrgr oppose, contest; see -ABLE.

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irrelevant

XVI. See IR-2. Hence irrelevancy XVI.

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irrigate

XVII. f. pp. of L. irrigre, f. IR-1 + rig¯re wet, water; see -ATE3. So irrigation XVII. — L.

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irritate

†incite; excite to anger, fret XVI; excite to morbid action XVII. f. pp. stem of L. irrtre; see -ATE3. So irritable XVII, irritation XVI. — L.

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irruption

bursting in. XVI. — L. irrupti, -n-, f. irrupt-, pp. stem of irrumpere, f. IN-1 + rumpere break; see RUPTURE, -TION.

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is

see BE.

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isabella

greyish yellow, light buff. XVI. In early use always I. colour; f. the female name (immediate ref. unkn.). Also isabel XIX.

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isagogic

introductory. XIX. — L. saggicus — Gr. eisagógiks, f. eisagg introduction, f. eiságein introduce, f. eis into + ágein lead; see -IC.

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isatin

(chem.) crystalline substance obtained from indigo. XIX. f. L. isatis woad + -IN.

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ischiatic

sciatic. XVII. — medL. ischiaticus, for L. ischiadicus f. iskhiás, -ad- pain in the hip, f. Gr. iskhon hip-joint (L. ischium XVII); see -IC.

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-ise

see -IZE.

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-ish1

suffix forming adjs.: OE. -is. = OS., OHG. -isc (Du., G. -isch), ON. -iskr, Goth. -isks :- Gmc. -iskaz = Gr. dim. suffix -iskos; in some words reduced to -sh, with a var. -ch; in Sc. usu, -is, with reduced vars. -s, -ce. Words of old formation are ENGLISH, SCOTS (see SCOTTISH, SCOTCH), WELSH, FRENCH. Formations in OE. on common nouns are .eorlis. churlish, .ildis. childish, hðenis. heathenish, tlendis. foreign; their number was greatly increased in ME., at first with the uncoloured meaning of ‘pert., to or of the nature of’, but later chiefly on dyslogistic words, as boorish, foolish, shrewish, or with the derogatory force ‘having the bad or unpleasant qualities of’, as babyish, selfish, womanish.
From XIV onwards -ish was added to adjs. with the sense ‘approaching the quality of, somewhat, rather’, first to adjs. of colour, as blueish, greenish, reddish, but later to any (esp. monosyllabic) adjs., as softish. This use has been extended in XX to the qualification of hours of the day or numbers of years, as four-ish, 1940-ish. Endings of other origin have been assim. to -ish in, e.g., lavish, squeamish.

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-ish2

repr. F. -iss-, extension of the stem of vbs. in -ir, e.g. abolir ABOLISH, périr PERISH, prp. abolissant, périssant, 3rd pers. pl. pres. ind. abolissent, périssent; originating in the -isc- of L. inceptive vbs., the use of which in F., Pr., and It. was extended to form a class corr. to L. vbs. in -re and -re, together with some others that were assim. to these. The earliest forms in Eng. were -is(e), -iss(e), which were superseded by -ische, -ish(e); in Sc. is(se) remained to a later date and appeared in XVI as -eis(e). (In a few words F. -iss- is repr. by -ise or -ize, viz. advertise, aggrandize, amortize; réjouir, réjouiss- has given rejoice). Other endings have been assim. to this suffix in, e.g., admonish, astonish, distinguish, publish, relish.

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isinglass

gelatin obtained from air-bladder of sturgeon, etc., fish-glue. XVI (isomglas, ison-). With assim. to glass — early Du. †huysenblas, f. †huys(en) sturgeon + †blas (mod. blaas) bladder.

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Islam

XIX. — Arab. ‘islm, f. ‘aslama resign oneself (to God).

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island.

OE. (Angl.) land, (WS.) (e)land, later land = MDu., MLG. eilant (Du. eiland), ON. eyland; f. OE. (e) island, in comp. water, sea, OHG. ouwa stream, watery meadow, island (G. au(e) brook, meadow, pasture), ON. ey island :- Gmc. auj for awj, adj. formation on azw-stream, water (whence OE. a, OS., OHG. aha, ON. á, Goth. ahwa), rel. to L. aqua water (cf. AQUATIC). The present sp. (from XVI) is due to assim. to next.

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isle

(arch. exc. as in place names) island. XIII. ME. ile, later isle — OF. ile (mod. île), (latinized) †isle :- L. insula, of uncert. orig. So islet XVI. — OF. islette (mod. lette).

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-ism

repr. F. -isme, L. -ismus — Gr. -ismós, forming nouns of action for vbs. in -zein -IZE, e.g. baptismós dipping, BAPTISM. A freq. use of -ismós was to express the sense of acting like or adopting the habits of a body of people, as Attikismós siding with Athenians, Attic fashion or idiom; so Ioudaïsmós Judaism, Khristianismós Christianity; on this model was formed medL. pgnismus PAGANISM. In Eng. Judaism is recorded in XV, and from XVI formations with the suffix become numerous. The chief uses are: (1) to form a noun of action naming the process, the completed action, or its result, e.g. baptism, criticism, nepotism; (2) with emphasis on conduct or character, e.g. barbarism, heroism, patriotism; (3) forming the name of a system of theory or practice, e.g. Arianism, Catholicism, positivism, and (by extension) to designations of doctrines or principles, e.g. agnosticism, altruism, egotism, romanticism, universalism; (4) forming a term denoting a trait or peculiarity, as of language, e.g. Americanism, Gallicism, colloquialism; for (3) and (4) there is an extensive record of nonce-words. Adjectives of sbs. in -ism end in -ISTIC. Hence ism form of theory, etc., such as may be designated by a word in -ism. XVII.

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iso-, before a vowel sometimes is-

comb. form of Gr. isos equal, in many techn. terms, as isobar XIX (Gr. báros weight; cf. BAROMETER); isochronal XVII, isochronous XVIII (Gr. khrónos time); isomeric XIX (-G. isomerisch, f. Gr. méros part).

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isolated

XVIII. f. F. isolé — It. isolato :- late L. insultus made into an island, f. insula ISLE; see -ATE2, -ED1. Hence isolate vb. (of which isolated is now regarded as the pp.), isolation XIX.

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isosceles

XVI. — late L. isoscels — Gr. isoskels, f. ISO- + skélos leg.

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isotope

XX. f. ISO- + Gr. tópos place (i.e. in the periodic table of elements).

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Israel

in OE. in g. pl. Israela folc, ME. israel folk; — ecclL. (Gr.) Isrl — Heb. yisr’l ‘he that striveth with God’, name conferred on the patriarch Jacob (Gen. 32: 28). So Israelite XIV. — late L. Isrlta — Gr. Isrlts — Heb. yisr'l.

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issue

exit, outflow XIII; offspring, progeny; proceeds; outcome XIV; (leg.) point in question XVI (earlier in join i. submit jointly for decision XV); (from the vb.) public giving-out XIX. — (O)F. :- Rom. exta. sb. use of fem. of pp. extus, for L. exitus, pp. of exre go out or forth (see EXIT). Hence as vb. XIV. prob. f. (O)F. pp. issu, of issir :- L. exre.

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-ist

repr. F. -iste, L. -ista, -ts — Gr. -ists, forming agent-nouns from vbs. in -izein -IZE, consisting of the agential suffix -ts added to the vb.-stem, as in baptistés BAPTIST. Several Gr. words were adopted into classical L. (e.g. citharista player on the cithara, grammatista grammarian), and many more by Christian writers (e.g. baptista, psalmista); later the suffix came into regular use for the designations of observers of particular tenets or rites or the followers of religious leaders (e.g. Catharista, Platonista, nminlista). In Eng. and the mod. langs. the suffix forms not only agent-nouns having corr. verbs in -ize, but analogues of sbs. in -ism (e.g. altruism, -ist), and names of followers of a leader or a school, of adherents of a party, and of devotees of a profession or art, e.g. Bonapartist, Chartist, cyclist, nonconformist, philologist, royalist. Cf. -ISM.

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isthmus

narrow neck of land. XVI. — L. — Gr. isthmós narrow passage, isthmus, of uncert. orig.

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-istic

repr. F. -istique, L. -isticus — Gr. -istikós, comp. suffix f. -ists -IST + -ikós -IC, as in sophistikós SOPHISTIC(AL); but used also where there is a corr. vb. in -izein -IZE, and sb. in -ismós -ISM but not a sb. in -ists -IST, as in kharaktristikós CHARACTERISTIC. The use of this suffix was much extended in medL. and mod. langs. An alternative secondary form is -istical , whence the gen. adv. -istically ; there is also a parallel -isticate for related vbs.; e.g. sophistic, -ical, -ically, -icate(d).

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it

3rd sg. n. pers. pron. OE. hit = (M)Du. het it, Goth. hita this, f. Gmc. dem. stem ?i- (cf. HE1). The parallel stem i- is the base of OS. it, OHG. iz (G. es). Loss of initial h took place at first in unstressed positions, but as early as 1200 it is found in stressed positions. Reduction to t in enclitic position (e.g. is't for is it) is equally early; in proclitic position (e.g. 'tis) it is common from XVI. The orig. g. and d. were HIS, HIM; the present g. is ITS. Hence itself OE. hit self; in XVII–XVIII sometimes written its self.

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Italian

XV. — It. italiano, f. Italia Italy; see -IAN. So Italianate XVI. — It. italianato. Italic pert. to a school of philosophy founded in Magna Graecia XVI; pert. to ancient Italy or its tribes; (i-) of printing type introduced by Aldo Manuzio of Venice XVII. — L. Italicus — Gr. Italikós: hence italicize print in italics XVIII. Italiot(e) pert. to Gr. colonies or colonists in ancient Italy. XVII. — Gr. Italits. Italo-, used as comb. form of Italian. XVIII.

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itch

feel irritation of the skin OE.; have a restless desire XIII. OE ..an, y..an, corr. to OS. jukkian, (M)Du. jeuken, OHG. jucchen (G. jucken), f. Gmc. juk- (whence also OHG. jucchido, MLG. jeucte, OE. gycða itch). So sb. OE. y..e.

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-ite

suffix corr. to F. -ite and Sp., It. -ito, G. -it — L. ta, -ts — Gr. ts, forming adjs. and sbs. with the sense ‘pert. to or connected with’, ‘member of’, as in hoplts HOPLITE, polts citizen (see POLITIC). There were many formations in Gr. on proper names; in LXX and N.T. and later Christian use this type was widely extended for the names of sects, heresies, etc., and in late L. and the mod. langs. the suffix has been used without limit for ‘follower, devotee, or admirer’, as in Jacobite, Shelleyite, Wycliffite.

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b.

In scientific terminology, -ite is used after the type of Gr.-L. words in -ts or -tis in names of fossils and minerals. In chem., it is used in the names of certain organic compounds, and in inorganic chem. is the termination of salts of acids denominated by adjs. in -ous, e.g. nitrite/nitrous. It forms also certain names of explosives, e.g. cordite, dynamite, and of commercial products such as ebonite, vulcanite, xylonite.

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item

adv. likewise, moreover XIV; sb. †maxim, hint; article in an enumeration XVI; detail of news XIX. — L. adv., ‘just so’, ‘in like manner’, ‘moreover’, f. ita so, based on the pronominal stem i- (see IT). Hence item vb. XVII, itemize (esp. U.S.) XIX.

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iterate

do or say again. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. iterre repeat, f. iterum again, compar. formation on the pronominal base i-; see prec. and -ATE2. So iteration XV. — L. iterative XV. — F. or late L.

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-itic

terminal el. of adjs. based on forms in (i) -ITE, (ii) -ITIS.

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itinerant

XVI. — prp. of late L. itinerr, medL. -re, f. L. iter, itiner- journey, f. IE. i- go (L. re, Gr. iénai); see -ANT.So itinerary XV. — late L. itinerrium.

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-ition

suffix repr. F. -ition, L. -ti, -n-, forming nouns of action (see -ION) on verbs with pps. in -it- and -t, as positi POSITION, audti AUDITION.

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-itious1

comp. suffix f. L. -icius, -cius + -OUS; these L. endings were commonly written with t in medL. manuscripts and this form was perpetuated in ADVENTITIOUS, FACTITIOUS, FICTITIOUS, SUPPOSITITIOUS, etc.

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-itious2

repr. L. -tisus, f. - ti -ITION + -sus -OUS, as in AMBITIOUS, SUPERSTITIOUS; similarly NUTRITIOUS, SEDITIOUS.

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-itis

suffix repr. Gr. -itis, prop. forming fems. of adjs. in -ts, used to qualify nósos disease, as arthrîtis (disease) of the joints (árthron), pleurîtis pleurisy (pleur side, rib). On the analogy of these -itis came into use in mod. medical L. esp. for names of inflammatory diseases, as APPENDICITIS, BRONCHITIS, MENINGITIS, TONSILLITIS. The deriv. adjs. end in -itic .

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-itous

comp. suffix f. -it- of -ITY + -OUS; corr to F. -iteux, L. -itsus, as L. calamitsus, F. calamiteux CALAMITOUS.

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its

poss. adj. of it. XVI. f. IT + g. -s; superseded it (XIV–XVII in literature, later dial.), which was adopted as an unambiguous substitute for HIS (OE. to XVII).

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-ity

in ME. -it(i)e, repr. (O)F. -ité, L. -its, -itt-, the form in which -ts, -tt- -TY usu. appears (cf. -I-), as in suvits suavity, f. suvis, prits purity, f. prus, auctrits authority, f. auctor; after i the suffix became -ets, as in piets, variets, f. pius, varius; it was added to many adj. suffixes, whence the Eng. forms -acity, -ality, -anity, -arity, -bility, -idity, -ility, -ivity, -ocity, -osity, -uity.

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-ium

terminal el. of the names of many metallic elements, used first by Davy (1807). CADMIUM was based on †cadmia; hence sodium on soda, etc.

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-ive

in ME. -if(e), -yf(e) — (O)F. -if, fem. -ive :- L. -vus, -vum, fem. -va, suffix added mainly to pp. stems, e.g. actvus, -va ACTIVE, ntvus inborn, NATIVE, but also to pres. stems, e.g. cadvus falling, f. cadere, and to sbs., e.g. tempestvus seasonable, f. tempests TEMPEST. Eng. formations on vb.-stems often assume the appearance of being of the pp. type, as adoptive, selective; see also -ATIVE. Some L. adjs. were used sb., as captvus, fugitvus; of this usage there is a wide extension in mod. langs. and Eng. (adjective, explosive, missive, sedative).

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ivory

XIII. ME. ivor, yvor(e), yvory — OF. yvoire, AN. ivorie (mod. ivoire) — Rom. eboreum, f. L. ebur, ebor- ivory.

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ivy

OE. fi, obscurely rel. to OHG. ebah and the first el. of MLG. iflf, iwlf, LG., Du. eilof (enlarged with the word LEAF), and OHG. ebahewi, MHG. ebehöu, ephöu, G. efeu (enlarged with the word HAY); of unkn. orig.

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ixia

(bot.) genus of iridaceous plants. XVIII. mod. use of L. ixia — Gr. ixíà kind of thistle.

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-ize, -ise

suffix of verbs, repr. F. -iser — late L. -zre — Gr. -ízein, which was used to form both intr. and trans. vbs., as barbarizein play the barbarian, side with barbarians (f. bárbaros BARBARIAN), thesaurízein treasure up (f. thsaurós TREASURE). Many verbs have come into Eng. through F., in which they are spelt with s, with the result that -ise has been generalized, and is retained, as against -ize, in the practice of some printing houses; e Xx. are civiliser CIVILIZE, humaniser HUMANIZE. The corr. nouns of action end in -ization , and agent-nouns in -izer .

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J

jab

vb. XIX. var., orig. Sc., of JOB1.

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jabber

vb. XV. imit. Hence as sb. XVIII.

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jabot

frill on the bosom of a shirt, etc. XIX. — F., ‘bird's crop’, ‘shirt-frill’.

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jacinth

XIII. ME. iacin(c)t — OF. iacinte (mod. jacinthe), or medL. iacintus, L. hyacinthus HYACINTH.

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jack1

in numerous transf. applications of the name JACK to implements and machines, or their parts, the male of animals (cf. JACKASS), fishes (esp. pike, orig. young or small pike), etc., from XVI. Hence vb. (with up) hoist with a jack (lifting machine); (sl.) ruin; give up, abandon. XIX.

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jack2

A
†jacket; (arch.) leather or iron-plated tunic XIV;

B
(leathern) vessel for liquor XVI. — (O)F. jaque, of unkn. orig.
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jack3

ship's flag smaller than the ensign. XVII. prob. spec. application of JACK1 to an object of small size. XVII.

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Jack

pet-form of the name John XIII; figure of a man on a clock XV; †fellow, chap XVI (cf. every man jack XIX); sailor XVII (cf. JackTAR XVIII); knave of a card suit XVII; (also j-) male worker XVII(jack-of-all-trades; cheap-jack, steeple-jack XIX). ME. Iacke, Iakke, used from the first as familiar by-form of John, perh. through dim. Jankin; the resemblance to F. Jacques James (:- Rom. Jacobus, for L. Jacbus) is a difficulty.

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jackal

XVII. — Turk. çakal — Pers. al, rel. to Skr. rglá-.

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jackanapes

†ape; pert fellow, coxcomb. XVI. First recorded (XV) as a nickname (Jac(k) Napes); of unkn. orig.

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jackass

he-ass XVIII (fig. dolt, blockhead XIX); laughing j., giant kingfisher of Australia (from its loud discordant cry) XVIII. f. JACK1 + ASS.

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jackboot

XVII. f. JACK1 + BOOT2.

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jackdaw

XVI. f. JACK1 + DAW.

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jacket

XV. — OF. ja(c)quet, dim. of jaque JACK2; see -ET.

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jack-knife

XVIII. orig. Amer.; presumably f. JACK1.

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Jacobin1

A
Dominican (friar), orig. from the convent near the church of Saint-Jacques (L. Jacbus) in Paris XIV;

B
member of a political club established at Paris 1789 near the old Jacobin convent XVIII. — (O)F. Jacobin — medL. Jacbnus.
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Jacobin2

breed of domestic pigeon with reversed feathers on the back of the neck suggesting a monk's cowl. XVII. — F. jacobine, fem. of Jacobin (see prec.).

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Jacobite

member of a monophysite sect taking its name from Jacobus Baradaeus, of Edessa (VI) XIV adherent of James II of England after his abdication, or of his family XVII. f. L. Jacbus James; see -ITE.

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jaconet

cotton fabric. XVIII. alt. of Urdu jagannth, f. Jagannth ‘Juggernaut-town’ (now Puri), in India, the place of origin.

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jactation

boasting XVI; (path.) tossing of the body to and fro XVII. L. jactto, —n-, f. jactre toss about, discuss, boast, frequent. of jacere, jact- throw; see -ATION. So jactitation tossing of the body, twitching. XVII. — medL. jactitati, -n-, f. jactitre, frequent. of jactre.

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jade1

poor or worn-out horse XIV; reprehensible woman or girl XVI. of unkn. orig.

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jade2

hard mineral. XVIII. — F.; le jade was for earlier l'ejade — Sp. ijada (in piedra de ijada ‘colic stone’) :- Rom. iliata, f. L. ilia flanks.

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jag

(dial.) stab. prick; slash, pink XIV; make ragged XVI. prob. symbolic formation. Hence jag sb. xv. jagged XV.

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jaguar

XVII. — Tupi-Guarani jaguara.

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jail

see GAOL.

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jalap

purgative drug from Exogonium purga; the plant itself XVII. — F. — Sp. jalapa, f. Jalapa (†Xalapa) city in Mexico.

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jalousie

XIX. — F. jalousie JEALOUSY, applied to a blind or shutter which allows of seeing without being seen — It. gelosia in this sense.

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jam1

press or squeeze tightly. XVIII. of symbolic orig. Hence sb. XIX.

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jam2

conserve of fruit. XVIII. perh. identical with prec. sb.

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jamb

XIV. — (O)F. jambe leg, vertical supporting piece :- late L. gamba hoof, veterinary breeder's term — Gr. (cf. kamp flexure, joint).

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jamboree

XIX. of unkn. orig.

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jangle

†chatter, babble XIII; talk angrily or harshly; also trans. XIV; cause (a bell) to give out a discordant sound XVII. — OF. jangler, gengler, perh. of Gmc. orig.

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janissary

one of the Sultan of Turkey's bodyguard; Turkish soldier; henchman. XVI. Early forms repr. various Rom. forms., all ult. — Turk. yeniçeri, f. yeni new + çeri militia.

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janitor

XVII. — L. jnitor, f. jnua door, f. jnus arched passage (cf. JANUARY); see -TOR.

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January

XIV. — L. Jnurius, sb. use of adj. of Jnus, name of an ancient Italian deity figured with faces looking forwards and backwards; see -ARY. The earliest Eng. forms are Ien-, Ianeuer (XIII) — AN., OF. Jeneuer, Genever (mod. janvier).

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japan

exceptionally hard varnish, orig. from Japan. XVII. f. the name. Hence vb. XVII. Hence Japanese XVII.

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jape

† A
vb trick;

B †
have carnal knowledge (of);
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C
jest. XIV. Appears to combine the form of OF. japer (mod. japper) yelp, yap, with the sense of OF. gaber mock, deride.
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Hence sb. XIV.

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japonica

XIX. fem. of modL. Japonicus JAPANESE.

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jar1

harsh sound; discord, strife XVI; (from the vb.) act of jarring XIX. So jar vb. sound harshly, make a discord; cause to vibrate; be at discord or strife. XVI. Early vars. are gerre, ier, charre; prob. imit.

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jar2

(orig. large) cylindrical vessel. XVI. — F. jarre = Pr. jarro, Sp., Pg. jarra, It. giarra — Arab. jarra.

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jar3

in phr. †at jar, (up)on the jar; see AJAR.

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jardinière

XIX. — F., fem. of jardinier GARDENER.

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jargon

†twittering or chattering of birds XIV; meaningless talk XIV; debased or hybrid language; speech peculiar to a trade or profession XVII. — OF. jargoun, gergon, gargon; ult. orig. unkn.

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jargonelle

early variety of pear (orig. an inferior gritty kind). XVII. — F. jargonelle, dim. of jargon JARGOON (cf. -EL2.)

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jargoon

variety of zircon. XVIII. — F. jargon — It. giargone; prob. to be identified ult. with ZIRCON.

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jarrah

mahogany gum-tree of W. Australia. XIX. — Austral. aboriginal djarryl, jerryhl.

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jasmine, jessamine

XVI. The two forms repr. F. jasmin and †jessemin — Arab. ysamn — Pers. ysmin, ysaman.

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jasper

XIV. — OF. jaspre, var. of jaspe — L. iaspis, -id- — Gr. iaspis, —id—, of Oriental orig.

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jaundice

XIV. — OF. jaunice (mod. -isse) ‘yellowness’, f. jaune yellow (:- L. galbinus, f. galbus).

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jaunt

†ride (a horse) up and down; †trudge about XVI; make a short trip XVII. Also contemp. sb; of unkn. orig.

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jaunty

†well-bred; †elegant; sprightly. XVII. In early use jentee, juntee, ja(u)ntee — F. gentil (see GENTLE; assim. later to adjs. in -Y1).

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javelin

XVI. — (O)F. javeline, alt. of javelot, prob. of Celt. orig. (OIr. gabul, W. gafl, gaflach).

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jaw

one of the bones forming the framework of the mouth XIV; (sl.) offensive or tedious talk XVIII. ME. jow(e) — OF. joe cheek, jaw; of uncert. orig.

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jay

XIII. — OF. jay (mod. geai) :- late L. gaius, beside gaia; perh. f. the L. proper name Gaius (cf. the use of other personal names, as jackdaw, robin).

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jazz

XX. orig. U.S.; of unkn. orig.

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jealous

suspicious of rivalry XIII; zealous (for) XIV; (dial.) suspicious XVI; suspiciously vigilant XVII. ME. gelus, ielus — OF. gelos (mod. jaloux) :- medL. zlsus, f. ChrL. zlus — Gr. zelos ZEAL see -OUS. So jealousy XIII.

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jean

twilled cotton cloth XVI; (pl.) garments of this XIX. orig. ie(a)ne, ge(a)ne fustian; attrib. use of Jene, Gene — OF. Janne (mod. Gênes) :- medL. Janua Genoa.

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jeep

small utility motor truck. XX (orig. U.S.). f. initials G.P. ‘general purposes’, prob. infl. by Eugene the Jeep, name of animal in U.S. comic strip by E. C. Segar .

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jeer

XVI. Earliest forms are gy(e)re, geere; of unkn. orig.

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Jehovah

the Lord God. XVI. alt. of Heb. JHVH, the ineffable name of the Almighty, produced by the insertion of the vowel-points repr. the vowels of Adonai as a direction to substitute this. It is held that the orig. name was Jahve(h), Jahwe(h).

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jejune

unsatisfying, meagre. XVII. — L. jjnus fasting, barren, meagre; cf. DINE.

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jelly

article of food consisting chiefly of gelatin. XIV. ME. geli, -y(e) — (O)F. gelée frost, jelly = It. gelata frost :- Rom. gelta, sb. use of fem. pp. of gelre freeze, f. gelu frost (cf. CONGEAL). Hence jellied XVI; (back-formation) jell vb. orig. U.S. XIX.

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jemmy

burglar's crowbar. XIX. dim. of name James; see -Y6.

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jennet

small Spanish horse. XV. — F. genet — Sp. jinete short-stirruped light horseman — Arab. Zanta Berber tribe famed for horsemanship.

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jenny

pet-form (see -Y6) of Janet (or Jane), used as a prefix to denote a female animal, as j. ass, j. wren (XVII), and in the names of machines, as spinning-j. (XVIII).

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jeopardy

†chess problem; †(even) chance; risk of injury or death. XIV. — OF. iu (ieu, giu) parti ‘divided play’, even game, (hence) uncertain chance, uncertainty ( = medL. jocus parttus, i.e. jocus game, JOKE, parttus, pp. of partr divide, PART). Hence jeopardize XVII.

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jerboa

small rodent remarkable for its jumping powers. XVII. — Arab. yarb’.

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jeremiad

XVIII. — F. jérémiade, f. Jérémie — ecclL. Jeremias Jeremiah, in allusion to the Lamentations of Jeremiah in O.T.; see -AD.

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jerk1

†stroke with a whip; sharp sudden pull or thrust. XVI. gen. synon. with †jert and †yerk (XVI); all three forms may be phonetically symbolical in origin.

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jerk2

cure (beef) by cutting it into strips and drying it. XVIII. An earlier form is found in †jerkin beef (XVII); repr. Amer. Sp. charquear, f. charqui — Quechua echarqui dried flesh in long strips.

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jerkin

close-fitting jacket. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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jeroboam

large bowl or wine-bottle. XIX. So called in allusion to Jeroboam, ‘a mighty man of valour’ (1 Kings 11: 28), ‘who made Israel to sin’ (ibid. 14: 16).

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jerry1

(sl.) chamber-pot. XIX. Supposed to be short for prec.; cf. -Y6.

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jerry2

(colloq.) unsubstantial(ly), as in jerry-built, -builder, -building. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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jerrymander

var. of GERRYMANDER.

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jersey

(Jersey) worsted XVI; knitted close-fitting tunic XIX. Name of the largest of the Channel Islands, in which the knitting of worsted articles was a staple industry.

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jess

(chiefly pl.) straps for a hawk's legs. XIV (ges). — OF. ges nom. sg. and acc. pl. (mod. jet cast) :- Rom. jectus, for L. jactus throw, f. jacere (cf. EJECT).

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jessamine

see JASMINE.

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jest

†deed, exploit XIII; †idle tale XV; mocking speech; witticism, joke XVI. ME. geste — OF. :- L. gesta doings, exploits, n. pl. of pp. of gerere do, perform.

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Jesuit

XVI. — F. Jésuite or modL. Jsuta, f. Jss + -ta -ITE. Hence Jesuitical XVI.

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Jesus , Jesu

the Founder of Christianity. Not used in OE., in which it was rendered by Hlend Saviour; in ME. (XII) not usu. written in full, but almost always in the abbreviated Gr. forms ihu(s), ihs, etc.; repr. ChrL. Iss, obl. cases Is — Gr. Isoûs, Isoû — late Heb. or Aramaic ya', for earlier y'hua' Joshua, which is explained as ‘Jah (or Jahveh) is salvation’.

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jet1

hard black form of lignite. XIV. ME. geet, jeet, later jeat, jeit — AN. geet, jeet, OF. jaiet, jayet (mod. jais) :- L. gagts — Gr. gagts, f. Gágas town in Lycia, Asia Minor.

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jet2

†project, protrude XVI; spout forth XVII. — (O)F. jeter throw :- Rom. jectre, for L. jactre (see JACTATION). Hence (partly — F. jet) jet sb. †projection; †swagger; stream of water, etc., shot out. XVII.

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jetsam

goods thrown overboard to lighten a vessel and afterwards washed ashore. XVI. Early forms jetson, -sen, later -sam (cf. FLOTSAM), contr. form of JETTISON.

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jettison

action of throwing goods overboard. XV. — AN. getteson, OF. getaison :- L. jactti, -n-, f. jact-, jactre; see JET2, -ATION. Hence vb. (often fig.) XIX.

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jetty

pier running out into the sea, etc.; †overhanging upper storey. XV. — OF. jetee, getee projecting part of a building, structure to protect a harbour, sb. use of fem. pp. of jeter throw; see JET2.

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Jew

XII(Giw, Gyu, Iu(w), Ieu). — OF. giu, earlier juiu (mod. juif) :- L. jdæus — Gr. ioudaos, f. Aram. y'hûdhi, Heb. y'hûdh, f. y'hûdhh Judah, name of a Jewish patriarch and the tribe descended from him. OE. had pl. Iudeas. Jew's EAR fungus growing on trees, esp. the elder (on which Judas Iscariot, acc. to legend, hanged himself) XVI; mistr. of medL. auricula Judæ Judas's ear. Jews' HARP, earlier Jews' TRUMP (XVI), rudimentary musical instrument, the ascription of which to Jews is unexpl. Hence Jewish XVI; OE. had Iudeis.. Jewry Jews' quarter. ghetto XIII; Jews; †Judea, Palestine XIV. — AN. juerie, OF. juierie (mod. juiverie).

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jewel

†costly ornament of gold, silver, or precious stone XIII (fig. ‘treasure’, ‘gem’ XIV); precious stone, esp. as an ornament XVI. ME. iuel, iowel, gewel — AN. j(e)uel, OF. joel (nom. sg. joiaus; mod. joyau); of doubtful formation, but ult. based on L. jocus jest, in Rom. game, sport. So jeweller XIV. — AN. jueler, OF. juelier (mod. joaillier). jewellery, jewelry in ME. (XIV) — OF. juelerie (mod. joaillerie); in mod. use (XVIII) a new formation.

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Jezebel

shameless woman. XVI. Name of the infamous wife of Ahab, king of Israel (1 Kings 16: 31; 19: 1, 2; 21; and 2 Kings 9: 30–7).

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jib1

(naut.) triangular stay-sail XVII (gibb). of unkn. orig. Also jib vb. (naut.) pull a sail round XVII; synon. with Da. gibbe, Du. gijpen, G. geipen, but the initial cons. is against any immed. connection; cf. GYBE.

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jib2

projecting arm of a crane. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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jib3

(of a horse, etc.) stop and refuse to go on. XIX (gib, jibb). of unkn. orig.; remarkably like OF. giber kick, regiber (mod. regimber), whence ME. (once) regibben, but no historical connection may be supposed.

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jibe

see GIBE, GYBE.

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jiffy

(colloq.) moment, minute, XVIII. of unkn. orig. Also jiff XVIII.

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jig

lively springy dance, music for this; †lively ballad, light dramatic performance; (dial., sl.) joke, sport. XVI. of unkn. orig. The mod. (XIX) applications to various mechanical devices are from jig vb. in the sense ‘move rapidly or jerkiy up and down or to and fro’ (XVII), which most prob. derives from the sb.

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jigger1

†dancer of a jig XVII; (naut.) small tackle; and in various names of mechanical contrivances similar to those called jig XVIII. f. prec. + -ER1.

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jigger2

XVIII. Later var. of CHIGOE.

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jiggered

in (colloq.) l'm jiggered, euphem. substitute for a profane or indecent word. XIX.

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jiggery-pokery

(colloq.) underhand or tricky dealing. XIX. synon. with and perh. alt. of Sc. and north. dial. jookery pawkery, earlier juwkry-pawkry, jingling formation on (dial.) jouk dart, dodge, duck (XVI), of unkn. orig.; see -ERY.

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jiggle

move restlessly with slight jerks. XIX. partly f. JIG vb. + -LE3; partly modification of JOGGLE, to express smaller movements.

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jig-saw

machine fretsaw XIX (orig. U.S.); (jig-saw puzzle) XX. f. JIG + SAW1.

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jill

var. of GILL4. XVII.

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jilt

†loose woman; woman who casts off a lover. XVII. ‘A new canting word’ in Blount's ‘Glossographia’ of 1674, of unkn. orig.; hence as vb., the earliest recorded ex. of which (1660) shows a wider sense of ‘deceive, cheat’.

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jim-jam

†A
fanciful or trivial article XVI;

B
pl. (orig. U.S.) delirium tremens XIX. fanciful redupl. formation.
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jimmy

var. of JEMMY.

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jingle

vb XIV(gynglen); sb. XVI. imit.; cf. JANGLE; sp. with g-continued till XIX.

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jingo

Recorded first (XVII) in conjuror's patter. usu. hey or high jingo, then (Motteux's Rabelais, 1694, tr. F. par Dieu) in by jingo!, a vigorous asseveration; of unkn. orig. The use of this excl. in the refrain of a music-hall song (1878) by G. W. Hunt gave rise to the use of jingo as a nickname for supporters of Disraeli's resistance to the Russian advance on Turkey, whence it became a gen. term for advocates of a bellicose policy in dealing with foreign powers. Hence jingoism XIX.

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jink

quick turn so as to elude XVIII; high jinks †frolic at a drinking-party XVII, lively or boisterous sport XIX. So as vb. move with sudden quick motion, make a quick elusive turn. XVIII. orig. Sc., of unkn. orig.

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jinn

(one of) an order of spirits in Muslim demonology. XVII (dgen). — Arab. jinn, coll. of jinn GENIE(also jinnee XIX).

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jinricksha

light two-wheeled man-drawn vehicle. XIX. — Jap. jin-riki-sha, f. jin man + riki strength. power + sha vehicle. Cf. RICKSHAW.

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jinx

(U.S.) person or thing that brings bad luck. XX. of unkn. orig.

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jitter

(U.S.) act in a nervous way. XX. So jitters sb. pl., jittery XX. of unkn. orig.

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jiu-jitsu

var. of JU-JITSU.

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job1

pierce to a slight depth as with a pointed object. XV. of symbolic orig.; cf BOB2. STAB(†stob), JAB, DAB1.

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job2

piece of work XVI; transaction, operation XVII; position of employment XIX (orig. U.S. colloq.). poss. transf. use of †job piece, lump (XIV), cart-load (XVI), of unkn. orig.

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Job

patriarch of the O.T. taken as a type of destitution and of patience. XVI.

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jobation

f. †jobe rebuke, reprimand (XVII), f. JOB, in allusion to the lengthy reproofs addressed to him by his friends; see -ATION.

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Jock

Sc. var. of JACK; rustic (cf. HODGE). XVI.

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jockey

pet-form of JOCK; man of the people; lad XVI; †horse-dealer; professional rider in horse-races XVII. f. JOCK + -ey, -Y4. Hence as vb. play the ‘jockey’ with, outwit, trick XVIII; ride as a jockey XIX.

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jocose

XVII. — L. jocsus, f. jocus; see JOKE, -OSE. So jocular XVII.

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jocund

XIV. — OF. jocond, jocund — L. jcundus, late form of jcundus pleasant, agreeable (:- juvicundus), f. juvre help, delight.

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jodhpurs

riding breeches tight from knee to ankle. XIX. f. Jodhpur, name of a town in Rajasthan (Rajputana), India.

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joey

young kangaroo. XIX. — Austral. aboriginal joè.

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jog

†stab, prod; give a slight push to, nudge; intr. move as with a jolting pace. XIV. of symbolic orig.; not common in literature before XVI. Hence joggle shake to and fro. XVI.

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Johannine

pert. to the apostle and evangelist John. XIX. f. ecclL. Jhanns JOHN + -INE1.

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johannisberger

white wine produced at Johannisberg in the Rheingau, Germany. XIX.

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John

one of the commonest Jewish and Christian names (the name of two saints of the N. T., John Baptist and John Apostle and Evangelist). ME. Io(ha)n, later Ihon, Iohn, John (sp. being based partly on abbrevs. of the L. form, Ihes, Ihs, Is, etc.) — late L. Ianns (medL. Ihanns) — N.T. Gr. Iánns — Heb. yôhnn, for hhnn, expl. as ‘God (Jah) is gracious’. Cf. JACK. John Bull typical or individual Englishman; from the name of a character repr. the Eng. nation in Arbuthnot's satire ‘Law is a Bottomless Pit’, 1712. John DORYXVIII. Hence johnny, johnnie (J-) pet-form of John; transf. fellow, chap. XVII.

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join

put or bring together; come or be put together. XIII. — joign-, pres. stem of (O)F. joindre :- L. jungere, f. IE. jug- (see YOKE). So joinder joining. XVII. —legal AN. joinder, sb. use of OF. joindre. joint articulation, as of bones XIII; part so joined XIV; (U.S.) place of resort (orig. of meeting), esp. for illicit purposes XIX. —OF. joint and jointe, sb. uses of m. and fem. pp. of joindre. joint adj. joined, combined (now only attrib.) XIV; holding or held in conjunction XV. —(O)F. joint, pp. of joindre. jointure †junction, joint XIV; holding of property jointly, sole estate limited to the wife XV. (O)F. :- L. junctra JUNCTURE.

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joist

XIV. ME. giste, early mod. iust—OF. giste beam supporting a bridge (mod. gite) :- sb. use of L. jacitum, n. pp. of jacre lie down.

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joke sb.

XVII (joque). orig. sl.; poss.— L. jocus word-play, jest. So joke vb. XVII. Hence joker jester, merry fellow XVIII; something used in playing a trick; odd card in a pack (orig. U.S.) XIX.

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jolly

(arch.) of gay disposition, festive, jovial; †gallant, brave; †confident; †amorous XIV; splendid, fine; delightful XVI. ME. jolif—OF. jolif, (later and mod.) joli †gay, †pleasant, pretty, perh. f. ON. jól midwinter festival, feast, YULE.

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jolly-boat

ship's boat. XVIII. of unkn. orig.; cf. app. synon. †jolywat, gellywatte (XV–XVII), and YAWL.

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jolt

move with jerks from one's seat XVI; †butt, nudge XVII. synon. with somewhat earlier †jot, but the origin of both words is unkn., as also of the formally corr. first el. of jolthead large clumsy head, blockhead (XVI).

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jongleur

itinerant minstrel in medieval France. XVIII. — F., alt. of jougleur (OF. jogleor) (see JUGGLER).

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jonquil

species of narcissus. XVII. In early use junquilia— It. giunchiglia; the present form is — modL. jonquilla or F. jonquille—Sp. junquillo, dim. of junco :- L. juncus rush, reed.

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jorum

large drinking-bowl. XVIII. perh. f. name of Joram, who ‘brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass' (2 Sam. 8: 10).

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joss

Chinese idol. XVIII. perh. ult.—Pg. †deos, deus :- L. deus god.

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jostle

†meet with in an encounter XIV; (trans. and intr.) knock or push (against) XVI. f. just, JOUST + -LE1.

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jot

least part or point. XVI. Formerly also io(a)te — L. ita — Gr. iôta IOTA. Hence (presumably) jot vb. set down in the briefest form. XVIII.

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joule

electrical unit, named 1882 after James Prescott Joule , English physicist.

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jounce

jolt, bump. XV. of unkn. orig.; cf. bounce, flounce, pounce, trounce, all applied to kinds of abrupt or forcible movement.

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journal

A
†diurnal (service-book) XIV; †itinerary; daily record of transactions; record of events XVI; daily newspaper XVIII.

B
part of a shaft or axle that rests on the bearings XIX. — OF. jurnal, jornal (mod. journal), sb. use of journal adj., for earlier jornel :- late L. diurnlis DIURNAL. The development of sense B is unexpl.
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Hence journalist XVII (whence journalistic XIX); journalism XIX. journalize enter in a journal XVIII; practise journalism XIX.

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journey

†day's travel; spell of travel XIII; (dial.) day's work (hence in journeyman, orig. one qualified to work for day wages) XIV; amount produced in a day's work (e.g. at the British Mint) XVI. —OF. jornee (mod. journée day, day's work or travel) :- Rom. diurnta, f. L. diurnum daily portion, in Rom. langs. day, sb. use of n. of diurnus DIURNAL. So vb. travel. XIV. —AN. journeyer.

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joust sb.

XIII. —OF. j(o)uste, f. juster (mod. jouter) bring together, engage on horseback (whence joust vb. XIII) :- Rom. juxtre come together, encounter, f. L. juxt near together, rel. to jugum YOKE, jungere JOIN.

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Jove

Jupiter. XIV. By Jove XVI. See next.

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jovial

†under the influence of the planet Jupiter, regarded astrol. as the source of happiness; characterized by mirth. XVI. — F.— It. gioviale, f. Giove Jove, Jupiter :- L. Jov-, stem of OL. Jovis (for which classical L. had the comp. with pater father, Juppiter, JUPITER, corr. to Skr. dyaú, pit ‘heaven father’; cf. DEITY, DIVINE); see -IAL.

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jowl1

jaw, jawbone; as in phr. cheek by jowl, which repl. cheek by cheek. XVI. Later form of chawle, reduction of ME. chauel, OE. .eafl, corr. to OS. kaal (in d. pl. kaflun), rel. to MHG. kivel, Du. kevel.

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jowl2

dewlap, crop, wattle. XVI. Later form of ME. cholle (XIV), OE. .eole, -u=OS., OHG. kela (G. kehle), throat, gullet.

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jowl3

head. XIV (jolrap head-rope). Later form of cholle (XIV), of unkn. orig.

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joy

XIII —(O)F. joie :- Rom. gaudia, fem. for L. gaudia, pl. of gaudium joy, f. gaudre.So joy vb. †rejoice XIII; †ENJOY XIV. —OF. joïr (mod. jouir) :- Rom. gaudre, for L. gaudre rejoice. So joyance XVI. joyous XIV. —AN. joyous, OF. joios (mod. joyeux).

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jubilation

XIV. — L. jbilti, -n-, f. jbilre (rustic word) call, halloo, (in Chr. writers) shout for joy; see -ATION. So jubilant XVII. Not orig. rel. to next.

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jubilee

year of emancipation and restoration of the Jews, kept every 50 years (see Lev. 25); fiftieth anniversary. XIV. —(O)F. jubilé—ChrL. jbilæus adj.—(with assim. to jbilre; see prec.) ChrGr. iblaîlos, f. ióblos— Heb. ybhl jubilee, orig. ram, (hence) ram's horn, with which the jubilee year was proclaimed.

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Judaic

XVII earlier Judaical XV. — L.Jdaicus —Gr. Ioudaïkós, f. Ioudaîos JEW. So Judaism XVI. —ChrL. Jdaismus—Gr. Ioudaïsmós. So Judaize XVI. —ChrL. jdaizre—Gr. ioudazein.

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judas

opening through which one can look without being seen. XIX. — F. judas, transf. use of the name of the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ (Matt. 26: 48).

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judge

officer appointed to administer the law; arbiter, umpire. XIV. —OF. juge :- L. jdex, jdic-, f. js right, law + -dicus speaking (see DICTION).So vb. XIII. —(O)F. juger :- L.jdicre. judg(e)ment XIII. —(O)F. jugement, f. juger. Hence judgmatic(al) judicious. XIX.

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judicature

action or office of a judge; body of judges. XVI. —medL. jdictra, f. pp. stem of jdicre JUDGE; see -URE.

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judicial

pert. to judgement or a judge XIV; giving judgement XVI. — L. jdicilis, f. jdicium judgement, f. jdex, jdic- JUDGE; see -IAL.So judicious XVI. — F. judicieux.

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Judy

wife of Punch. XIX. pet-form of the female name Judith.

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jug1

deep vessel with a handle for holding liquid XVI; (sl.) prison XIX. prob. a use of the proper name Jug, pet-form of Joan, Joanna, and Jenny.

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jug2

imit. of the notes of the nightingale. XVI.

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juggernaut

(J-) title of Krishna, avatar of Vishnu; idol of this carried in an enormous car, under which (it was once said) devotees threw themselves. XVII; also fig.—Hindi Jagannath—Skr. Jaganntha-, f. jgat- world + nthá- lord, protector.

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juggins

(sl.) simpleton. XIX. perh. a use of the surname Juggins, f. Jug (see JUG1).

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juggler

†jester, buffoon; †magician, wizard; conjurer. XII. ME. iugelere, -lour, iogeler—OF. jog-, j(o)uglere, acc. jogleor, etc. :- L. jocultor, -r-, f. joculr jest; also OF. jogler :- medL. joculris buffoon, sb. use of the adj. So jugglery XIII. Hence (or — OF. jugler) juggle XIV.

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jugular

pert. to the neck or throat. XVI. — late L. jugulris, f. L. jugulum collar-bone, dim. of jugum YOKE; see -AR.

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juice

XIII (iuys). — (O)F. jus — L. js broth, sauce, vegetable juice (cf. Skr. y-, OSl. jucha soup, broth, Gr. zm leaven), f. IE. jeu- mix.

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ju-jitsu, ju-jutsu

XIX. —Jap. jjutsu, f. j gentle + jutsu science.

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jujube

edible fruit of plant of genus Zizyphus XIV; lozenge of the shape of or flavoured with this XIX. —(O)F. jujube or medL. jujuba, ult.— L. zizyphum—Gr. zizuphon.

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julep

sweet or syrupy liquor XIV; (U.S.) iced and flavoured spirit and water (esp. mint julep) XIX. — (O)F. julep (ult.) — Arab. julb rose-water — Pers. gulb, f. gul rose + b water.

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julienne

vegetable soup. XIX. — F., for potage à la julienne, f. proper name Jules or Julien (the reason is unkn.).

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July

XIII. —AN. julie— L. Jlius, so named after Caius Julius Caesar , who was born in this month, the orig. name Quin(c)tilis being changed to Julius after his death and apotheosis.

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jumble

†intr. move about in disorder; †make a confused or discordant noise; mingle in confusion. XVI. partly synon. with late ME. †jumpere, †jombre, both app. being formed on a symbolic base with iterative or frequent. suffix. So sb. medley, disorder. XVII.

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jumbo

big clumsy person, animal, etc. XIX. prob. the second element of MUMBO-JUMBO.

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jump

move or be moved up and down as with a leap or spring XVI; leap over XVII; (U.S. and Colonial) take summary possession of (a claim) XIX. prob. imit.; cf. bump, thump. Hence jump sb. XVI.

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jumper

loose garment for the torso. XIX. of uncert. orig.

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junction

XVIII. — L. juncti, -n-, f. junct-, pp. stem of jungere JOIN; see YOKE, -TION. So juncture place of joining XIV; convergence of events XVII. — L. junctra joint.

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June

XII. —(O)F. juin :- L. Jnius, var. of Jnnius sacred to the goddess Juno.

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jungle

(orig.) waste land; (hence) land overgrown with underwood. XVIII. —Hindi jagal :- Skr. jagala- arid region.

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junior

younger XVII; of lower standing XVIII; sb. XVI. — L. jnior (:- juvenior), compar. of juvenis YOUNG.

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juniper

XIV. — L. jniperus.

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junk1

old rope XV (hence, worthless stuff, rubbish XX); salt meat used on long voyages (compared to pieces of rope) XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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junk2

native saling vessel, esp. of the China seas. XVII. — F. †juncque (mod. jonque), Pg. junco, or Du. jonk—Javanese djong, Malay jong.

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junker

young German noble; spec. reactionary member of Prussian aristocracy. XVI (not common till XIX).—G., for earlier junkher(r), f. MHG. junc YOUNG + herre (mod. herr) lord.

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junket

(rush) basket for fish XIV; dish prepared with cream, orig. laid in or on rushes XV; †dainty dish or confection; feast, banquet XVI. —(O)F. jonquette, f. jonc rush :- L. juncus.

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junta

(in Spain and Italy) deliberative or administrative council XVII; body of men combined for a common (political) purpose XVIII. —Sp., Pg. junta :- Rom. sb. use of fem. pp. juncta of L. jungere JOIN. In the latter sense often also junto (XVII), with ending assim. to Sp. sbs. in -o.

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Jupiter

supreme deity of the ancient Romans XIII, (in earliest use Iubiter); largest of the planets XIII; (alch.) †tin XIV; †(her., in blazoning by the names of heavenly bodies) azure XVI. — L.; see JOVIAL.

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jurassic

(geol.) pert. to oolitic formations of which the Jura mountains chiefly consist. XIX. — F. jurassique, f. Jura.

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jurat1

municipal official or magistrate in the Cinque Ports, the Channel Islands, and some French towns, etc. XV. — L. jrtus (cf. foll.).

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jurat2

(leg.) memorandum of the swearing of an affidavit. XVIII. — L. jrtum, n. pp. of jrre; see JURY.

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juridical

XVI. f. L. jridicus, f. js, jr- law (with Indo-Iranian cogns.) + -dicus saying, f. dïcere say.So jurisconsult one learned in the law. XVII. — L. jrisconsultus, f. jris, g. of js + consultus. jurisdiction XIII. Earliest forms iure-, iuridiccioun —OF. jure-, (also mod.) juridiction, later conformed to the orig. L. jrisdicti, -n-; f. jris + dicti declaration (see DICTION). jurisprudence †skll in law; system of law XVII; science of law XVIII. — late L. jurist †lawyer XV; legal writer XVII. — F. juriste or medL. jrista. juror XIV. —AN. jurour :- L. jrtor, -r- jury company of men sworn to give a verdict. XIV. ME. iuree—AN. juree — OF. jurée oath, juridical inquiry, inquest — (AL. jrta) sb. use of fem. pp. of L. jrre swear; see -Y5.

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jury-mast

(naut.) temporary mast. XVI. of uncert. orig.

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jussive

(gram.) expressing command. XIX. f. juss-, pp. stem of L. jubre command; see -IVE.

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just

righteous, fair; well-founded; proper, correct, †exact. XIV. — (O)F. juste — L. jstus, f. js (cf. JURY). Hence just adv. exactly, precisely XIV; precisely (now or then); not more than, barely XVII; not less than, quite XVIII.

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just

var. of JOUST.

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justice

exercise of judicial authority; judicial officer, judge XII; quality of being just XIV; rightfulness XVI. —(O)F.— L. jstitia righteousness, equity, f. jstus JUST; see -ICE. So justiciar (hist.) xv, justiciary XVI. —medL. justitirius; see -AR, -ARY.

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justify

†judge, condemn, punish; show to be just; make good, verify XIV; maintain the justice of; make exact, adjust (esp. printing type) XVI. —(O)F. justifier—ChrL. jstificre do justice to, vindicate, f. justus JUST: see -FY. So justification XIV (theol. XVI).—(O)F. or ChrL. justifiable XVI. — F.

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jut

project, stick out. XVI. var. of JET2, by assim. to †jutty (XV) project, also †jetty (XVI), and †jutty (XV) pier, JETTY.

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jute

fibre from the bark of Indian trees (genus Corchorus) used for sacking, etc. XVIII. —Bengali jho, jhuo.

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juvenile adj.

XVII; sb. XVIII. — L. juvenlis, f. juvenis YOUNG; see -ILE. So juvenilia works produced in one's youth. XVII. — L. n. pl.

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juxtaposition

placing close together. XVII. — F., f. L. juxt (cf. JOUST). So juxtapose XIX. See POSE, POSITION.

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K

Kabyle

Berber of Algeria or Tunis. XIX. — Arab. Kab'il, pl. of Kabla tribe.

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kaddish

portion of the daily ritual of the synagogue. XVII. — Aram. Kadd holy.

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Kaffir

†infidel; member of a S. Afr. people of the Bantu family. XIX. — Arab. kfir, prp. active of kafara be unbelieving.

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kailyard

see KALE.

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kainite

(min.) hydrous chlorosulphate of magnesium and potassium. XIX. — G. kainit, f. Gr. kainós new + -ITE; named by C. F. Zincken in 1865 with ref. to its recent formation.

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kaiser

emperor. XVI. — G. kaiser and Du. keizer, †ke(i)ser, a Gmc. adoption of L. Cæsar through Gr. kaîsar, repr. by OE. csere, OS. ksur, OHG. keisar, ON. keisari, Goth. kaisar.

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kale, kail

cabbage XIII (cale); cabbage broth XV. north. var. of COLE. Hence kailyard cabbage-garden (YARD1), familiar since 1895 as an epithet of fiction and its authors (literature of the k., k. school) describing, with much use of the vernacular, common life in Scotland.

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kaleidoscope

XIX. f. Gr. kalós beautiful + eîdos shape + -SCOPE.

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kalends

see CALENDS.

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kali

prickly saltwort, Salsola kali XVI; †soda ash XVIII; (lemon k.) mixture of tartaric acid and bicarbonate of soda XIX. — Arab. kily; see ALKALI.

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kalmia

genus of Amer. evergreen shrubs. XVIII. modL., f. name of Peter Kalm , a pupil of Linnaeus; see -IA1.

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kampong

Malay village. XIX. See COMPOUND2.

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kangaroo

XVIII. Said by Capt. James Cook (1770) and Joseph Banks (1770) to have been a native Australian name (kangooroo), which is supported by some later writers, but denied by others.

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Kantian

pert. to Immanuel Kant (1724–1804), G. philosopher; see -IAN. XIX (Kantianism).

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kaolin

fine white porcelain clay. XVIII. — F. — Chinese kao-ling name of a mountain (kao high, ling hill) in N. China, whence the stuff was orig. obtained.

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kapok

fine cotton wool from the seeds of a tree. XVIII (capoc). ult. — Malay kapok.

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kaput

finished, done for. — G. kaputt broken, done for — F. capot (faire c. ‘capsize’ or ‘beat at cards by taking all the tricks’), of uncert. orig.

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Karaite

member of a Jewish sect which bases its tenets on literal interpretation of the scriptures. XVIII. f. Heb. ker'îm scripturalists, f. Krâ read; see -ITE.

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karma

fate, destiny (as determined by one's actions in a former state of existence). XIX. Skr. karma - action, effect, fate, f. IE. qer - make.

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kar(r)oo

barren tract of land in S. Africa. XVIII. of Hottentot orig.

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karyo-

comb. form of Gr. káruon nut, kernel, in biol. terms referring to the nucleus of a cell. XIX.

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katabolism

(biol.) destructive metabolism. XIX. f. Gr. katabol, f. katabállein throw down; see CATA-, -ISM.

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katydid

(U.S.) insect of the locust family, producing a noise which the name is taken to echo. XVIII.

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kava

intoxicating beverage. XIX. of S.W. Polynesian orig.

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kayak

XVIII. — Eskimo.

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kebab

XVII (cabob). — Urdu (Pers.) — Arab. kabb; also through Turk.

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kedgeree

Indian dish of rice with condiments; dish made from cold fish, etc., served hot. XVII (kits-, ketch-, kichery). — Hindi khicr, f. Skr. khicc- dish of rice and peas.

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keel1

lowest longitudinal timber (or iron plating) of a ship XIV; (nat. hist.) central ridge XVI. ME. kele — ON. kjlr :- Gmc keluz. So keelhaul, keelhale XVII. — Du. kielhalen. See HALE2.

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keel2

flat-bottomed vessel, lighter. XIV. ME. kele — MLG. kl, MDu. kiel ship, boat = OE. .ol, OS., OHG. kiol (Du., G. kiel), ON. kjóll :- Gmc. keulaz.

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keelson

see KELSON.

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keen1

†wise; †brave, fierce OE.; having a sharp edge or point; pungent, biting XIII; ardent, intense XIV; penetrating, acute XVIII. OE. cne = OS. kni, MLG. kne (Du. koen), OHG. kuoni (G. kühn) bold, brave, ON. kœnn skilful, expert :— Gmc. knjaz,which has no certain cogns.

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keen2

lament. XIX. — Ir. caoinim I wail.

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keep

pt., pp. kept
A
†seize, hold, watch (for); pay regard to, observe OE.;
B
take care of, guard XII; preserve, maintain; withhold, restrain XIV;
C
reside, dwell (in) XIV. Late OE. cpan, pt. cpte, of which no cogns. are known. Its sense-development has been infl. by its being used to render L. servare, with its comps. con-, ob-, præ-, reservare. Hence sb. A. †care, heed; B. donjon of a castle XIII; C. act of keeping, being kept XVIII; sustenance XIX. (The origin of B is not certain.) keepsake thing kept for the SAKE of the giver XVIII; literary annual containing collections of tales, poems, etc., intended as a gift, common in early XIX.

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keg

XVII. dial. var. of north. cag (XV) — Icel. kaggi.

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kelp

large seaweed XIV; calcined ashes of seaweed XVII. ME. culp(e), of unkn. orig.

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kelpie

water-sprite of the Scottish Lowlands. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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kelson, keelson

line of timber inside a ship parallel to the keel. XVII. ME. kelswayn, -sweyn, -syng, mod. kelsine, perh. points to an original kelswin, the nearest parallel to which, and the prob. source, is LG. kielswn (whence also G. kielschwein, Da. kølsvin, Sw. kölsvin), f. kiel KEEL1 + (prob.) swn SWINE, used, like cat, dog, horse, for a timber. The form keelson is due to assim. to KEEL1.

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kempt

see UNKEMPT.

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ken

†make known OE.; (arch., dial.) know XIII. OE. cennan = OS. kennian (Du. kennen), (O)HG. kennen, ON. kenna, Goth. kannjan, f. Gmc. kann-know, CAN2. Prop. causative, ‘make known’, which was the only use in OE. and Gothic, but in Gmc. langs. gen. it acquired the sense ‘know’ at an early period; in Eng. this use may be immed. due to Norse; in Sc. it has displaced knaw, KNOW. Hence ken sb. †measure of distance at sea; range of vision or perception. XVI.

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kennel1

house for the shelter of a house-dog or hounds. XIV. — AN. kenil = OF. chenil, It. canile :- medL. canle, f. canis dog (cf. HOUND). Hence vb. be in, put into, a kennel. XVI.

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kennel2

street gutter, XVI. Later form of can(n)el watercourse (XIII), gutter (XIV) — ONF. canel = OF. chanel CHANNEL1.

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kenosis

(theol.) renunciation by Jesus Christ of attributes of the divine nature in the Incarnation. XIX. — Gr. kénsis emptying, f. kenoûn (f. kénos) empty, with ref. to heautòn ekénse ‘he emptied himself’ (Phil. 2: 7). So kenotic XIX.

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Kentish

OE. Centis., f. Cent — L. Cantium, Gr. Kántion (ákron), f. OCelt. kanto- (i) rim, border, or (ii) white; see -ISH1.

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kepi

French military cap. XIX. F. képi — Swiss G. käppi, dim. of kappe cap.

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kerb

edging of stone for a raised path, etc. XVIII (kerb-stone). var. of CURB with quasi-phonetic sp.

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kerchief

(arch.) cloth head-covering. XIII. ME. c(o)urchef, kerchif — AN. courchef = (O)F. couvre-, cuevre-chef, f. couvrir COVER + chief head (see CHIEF). The form kerchief is from the var. cuevrechef (cf. ME. kever cover, from cuevr-, stressed stem of couvrir). Hence handkerchief XVI, neckerchief XIV (necke couerchef, neckerchef).

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kerf

cut, spec. of a saw. OE. cyrf (ME. kirf, kerf) :- Gmc. kurbiz, f. kurb- kerb- CARVE; cf. ON. kurfr chip and ME., mod. dial. carf (continuing ME. kerf).

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kermes

female of the insect Kermes ilicis, formerly supposed to be a berry; red dye-stuff obtained therefrom; (k. oak) evergreen oak on which it lives XVI; (k. mineral) red sulphide of antimony XVIII. — F. kermès — Arab. (Pers.) irmiz (cf. CRIMSON).

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kermis

fair, carnival. XVI. — Du. kermis, †-misse, f. kerk CHURCH + misse MASS1; orig. feast of dedication of a church accompanied by a fair.

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kern1

light-armed Irish foot-soldier; peasant. XIV. — Ir. ceithern :- OIr. ceitern band of foot-soldiers.

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kern2

part of a metal type extending beyond the body or shank. XVII. perh. for carn— F. carne corner, salient angle, Norman-Picard var. of OF. charne — L. card, cardin- hinge.

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kernel

†seed, pip; inner edible part of a nut; (dial.) enlarged gland OE.; nucleus, core XVI. OE. cyrnel, dim. of corn seed, CORN1; see -EL1. Present sp. appears XIV as a var. of north. and midl. kirnel.

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kerosene

XIX. irreg. f. Gr. krós wax + -ENE.

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kersey

kind of coarse cloth. XIV. prob. f. name of Kersey in Suffolk (cf. AL. panni cersegi XIII, carsea XV, AN. drap de kersy XIV).

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kerseymere

twilled woollen cloth. XVIII. alt. of cassimere, early var. of CASHMERE, by assoc. with prec.

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kestrel

XV. Earliest form castrell, perh. for casserell — dial. var. casserelle of F. crécerelle, †cresserelle, f. synon. crécelle rattle, kestrel, perh. ult. of imit. orig.

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ketch

XVII. Earlier cache (XV), perh. f. CATCH.

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ketchup

XVIII (earlier catchup XVII, catsup XVIII).— Chinese (Amoy) ke-chiap, k-tsiap brine of fish; cf. Malay kechap.

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kettle

XIII. — ON. ketill = OE. .etel, WS. .ietel (ME., dial. chetel), OS. (Du.) ketel, OHG. kezzil (G. kessel), Goth. katils :- Gmc. katilaz — L. catillus, dim. of catnus deep vessel for serving or cooking food. Hence kettledrum XVI.

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key

instrument to lock and unlock. OE. c(e) = OFris. kei, kay; of unkn. orig.

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Keys

pl. of KEY in spec. application to the 24 members forming the elective branch of the legislature of the Isle of Man, more fully House of Keys. XV.

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khaki

dull-brownish yellow; fabric of this colour. XIX. — Urdu kk dusty, f. kk (— Pers.) dust.

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khan

title of rulers (later of officials, etc.) in countries of the East. XIV. Early forms caan, c(h)an(e) — OF. chan or medL. ca(a)nus, canis — E. Turkish (hence Arab., Pers.) khn lord, prince, alt. of khn.

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khedive

title of viceroy of Egypt. XIX. — F. khédive, ult. — Pers. edv prince.

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kibble

large bucket used in mining. XVII. — G. kübel (cf. OHG. miluh-chubil milk-pail) = OE. cyfel — medL. cupellus, -a corn-measure, drinking-vessel. f. cuppa CUP.

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kibe

chilblain. XIV. of uncert. orig.; cf. W. cibi, cibwst.

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kibosh

in phr. put the k. on dispose of finally; sb. (app. assoc. with bosh) nonsense. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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kick

strike with the foot. XIV. ME. kike, of unkn. orig. Hence sb. XVI.

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kickshaw(s)

fancy dish in cookery; trifle, gewgaw. XVI. — F. quelque chose something.

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kid1

young of a goat XII; skin of a kid; (young) child XVI. — ON. ki :- kijam, rel. to OHG. chizz, kizzn (G. kitze), f. Gmc. ki-, of which no cogns. are known. Hence kiddy young goat XVI; (sl., colloq.) little child XIX.

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kid2

small tub. XVIII. perh. var. of KIT1.

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kid3

(sl.) hoax, humbug. XIX. perh. ‘make a kid of’, f. KID1; kiddy has been similarly used. Hence kid sb. humbug.

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kidnapper, U.S. kidnaper

one who steals children (and others), orig. to provide servants and labourers for the American plantations. XVII. f. KID1 + napper, cant word (XVII) for ‘thief’ (f. nap, var. of NAB + -ER1). Hence vb. XVII.

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kidney

organ that secretes urine XIV; transf. temperament, nature XVI. of obscure orig. ME. sg. kidnei and pl. kidneiren suggest that the word was a comp. of ei, pl. eiren (OE. , pl. ru) EGG1, the pl. kidneires being partly analogical, partly due to assoc. with ME. and dial. nere(s) kidney(s) :- OE. nore, corr. to OHG. nioro m. (G. niere fem.), ON. nýra, rel. to Gr. nephrós kidney, scrotum, L. nefrnes loins. On the other hand, if the first el. is (dial.) kid pod (:- OE. cydda :- kuddja; see COD1), the word may have been OE. cyd(e)nora, the ME. repr. of which was assoc. with ei, eiren, the shape of the kidney assisting the comparison.

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kier

vat. XVI (earlier in combs. boiling-, brewing-, gyle-, gyling-). — ON. ker vessel, tub = OHG. char, Goth. kas; of unkn. orig.

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kilderkin

cask for liquids, fish, etc.; measure of capacity. XIV. ME. kilderkyn, alt. of kyn(d)erkyn — MDu. kindekijn, kinne- (Du. kinnetje), f. medL. quintle (see QUINTAL).

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kill

†strike, beat XIII; put to death XIV. ME. kulle, kille, kelle; these vars. point to an OE. cyllan :- Gmc. kuljan, rel. by gradation to kwaljan kill, QUELL.

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kiln

OE. cylene — L. culna kitchen, cooking-stove.

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kilo-

— F. (1795), arbitrarily f. Gr. khílioi thousand, in weights and measures, as kilogramme (abbrev. kilo), kilometre; hence in kilowatt.

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kilt

skirt of Highland dress. XVIII. f. north. dial. kilt vb. gird or tuck up, of Scand. orig. (cf. Sw. dial. kilta swathe, Da. kilte (op) tuck up, Olcel. kilting, kjalta skirt, lap).

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kimono

long Jap. robe with sleeves; in Eur. use, form of dressing-gown. XIX. — Jap., f. ki- wear + mono thing.

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kin

family, race; class, kind. OE. cyn(n) = OFris, kin, ken, kon, OS. kunni (Du. kunne), OHG. kunni, ON. kyn, Goth. kuni :- Gmc. kunjam. weak grade of kin- kan- kun,- IE. en- on-n- produce (whence Gr. génos, L. genus race, kind, sex, GENUS, Gr. gígnesthai become, L. gignere beget). Hence kinsfolk XV,, kinship XIX, kinsman XII, kinswoman XIV.

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-kin

suffix forming dims. — MDu. -kijn, -ken, MLG. -kn = OHG., OS. -kïn (G. -chen); of WGmc. extent, but not in OE.; first found (XIII)in personal names; formations on common nouns appeared in XIV, but they are not frequent till XVI (boykin, ladykin, lambkin); some are — Du. (catkin, manikin); others are of obscure orig. (jerkin). See also -KINS.

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kind1

†birth, descent; nature; manner; race, kin; class, genus, species. OE. cynd(e), earlier ecynd(e) :- Gmc.zakundiz, -jam, f. za- Y- + kunjam KIN + -diz :- IE. -tis (abstr. suffix). Hence kindly adj. †natural; †lawful OE.; goodnatured XIV; adv. †naturally OE.; goodnaturedly XIII. OE. ecyndeli., -l.e.

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kind2

†natural, native OE.; †well-born, well-bred; naturally well-disposed XIII; showing benevolence XIV. OE. ecynde :- Gmc.zakundjaz, f. zakundiz KIND1; the pref. was dropped in early ME.

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kindergarten

XIX. — G., ‘children's garden’, f. g. pl. of kind child + garten GARDEN.

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kindle

set fire to. XII. f. ON. kynda + -LE3.

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kindred

relationship by blood; body of persons so related, kin. XII. ME. cun-, kinrede(n), f. KIN + -rd(e), -RED condition. ME. has also kindreden (perh. f. KIND1), but the present form appears to have arisen from intercalation of d between n and r, as in thunder.

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kine

(arch., dial.) cattle. XIII. ME. cun, kyne, ke(e)n, based on OE. cna, g. pl. of c COW1.

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kinetic

pert. to motion. XIX. — Gr. kntikós, f. kneîn move; see -IC.

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king

OE. cyning, later cyng, cing = OFris. kin-, kon-, kening, OS., OHG. kuning (Du. koning, G. könig), :- Gmc. kuningaz (ON. konungr has a var. form of the suffix), prob. f. kunjam KIN + -igaz -ING2, as if ‘scion of the (noble) race’. Hence kingdom †kingship OE.; realm XIII. OE. cyningdm. kingfisher XVI (†king's- XV). In comb. applied to large or principal features, as king-bolt (XIX), -post (XVIII). king's evil scrofula, for which the sovereign ‘touched’. XIV.

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kink

twist or curl in rope, etc., XVII; mental twist (orig. U.S.) XIX. orig. naut. — (M)LG. kinke (Du. kink).

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-kins

dim. suffix, var. of -KIN (from XVI) in certain oath-words, as bodikins, lakins, maskins, pittikins, and in words like babykins, boykins, lambkins.

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kiosk

open pavilion or summer-house XVII; light structure for sale of newspapers, etc., XIX. — F. kiosque — Turk. kök pavilion — Pers. k[]k palace.

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kipper

A
(?) male salmon in the spawning season OE.;

B
salmon, herring, etc., cured by rubbing with salt and drying XVIII. Of obscure history; identical in form with OE. cypera (-e?) (once, in collocation with leax salmon), ME. kypre, kiper (XIV), kepper (XVI), used app. in sense B.
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Hence vb. cure (fish) in the above manner. XVIII.

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kirk

(north. and Sc.) church. XII. — ON. kirkja — OE. .ir(i).e CHURCH.

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kirsch(wasser)

liqueur made from wild cherries crushed. XIX. — G. kirsch(en)wasser, f. kirsche cherry + wasser WATER.

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kirtle

(obs. or dial.) man's tunic or coat; (arch. or dial.) woman's gown or skirt. OE. cyrtel :— Gmc. kurtilaz, f. kurt-, usu. taken to be — L. curtus short; see CURT, -LE1.

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kismet

fate. XIX. — Turk. — Arab. (Pers.) ismat portion, fate, f. asama divide, apportion.

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kiss

vb. OE. cyssan (pt. cyste, pp. cyssed) = OS. kussian (Du. kussen), OHG. kussen (G. küssen), ON. kyssa :- Gmc. kussjan, f. kussaz a kiss, whence OE. coss (to XVI), OS. kos, kus (Du. kus), (O)HG. kuss, ON. koss. Hence sb., XIV, superseding coss.

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kit1

circular wooden hooped vessel XIV; soldier's necessaries packed in a knapsack; outfit; set, lot XVIII. — MDu. kitte (Du. kit tankard), of unkn. orig.

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kit2

(arch.) small fiddle. XVI. perh. deduced from the first syll. of L. cithara, Gr. kithár CITHER.

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kitchen

OE. cy.ene = OS. kukina (MLG. kökene, MDu. cokene, Du. keuken), OHG. chuhhina (MHG. küchen, G. küche) — cocna pop. var. of late L. coquna, f. coquere COOK.

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kite

bird of prey OE.; toy to be flown XVII. OE. cta, prob. of imit. orig.

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kith

†knowledge; †native place; †one's friends, fellow-countrymen, neighbours OE.; kith and kin country and kinsfolk, (in mod. use) relatives generally XIV. OE. cð(ð), earlier cððu = OHG. chundida :- Gmc. kunþiþ, f. kunþ — known; see UNCOUTH.

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kitten

XIV ME. kitoun, ketoun — AN. kitoun, ketoun, var. of OF. chitoun, chetoun (mod. chaton), dim. of chat CAT; the ending was assim. to —EN1. Hence kt^2 XVI.

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kittiwake

XVII. imit.

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kittle

(orig. Sc. and north. dial.) ticklish, risky, delicate. XVI. f. kittle vb. tickle, prob. of ON. origin, corr. to late OE. kitelung ‘titillatio’, noun of action from a vb. repr. by OS. kitiln (Du. kittelen), MLG. ketelen, OHG. kizziln, kuzziln (G. kitzeln), ON. kitla.

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kiwi

XIX — Maori.

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klepht

one of the Greeks who refused to submit to the Turks after the conquest of Greece in XV; brigand. XIX. — modGr. kléphts = Gr. klépts thief; cf. next.

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kleptomania

XIX. f. klepto-, comb. form of Gr. klépts thief, rel. to kléptein = L. clepere, Goth. hlifan steal; see MANIA.

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klipspringer

S. Afr. antelope. XVIII. — Afrikaans, f. Du. klip rock + springer, agent-noun (see -ER1) of springen SPRING2.

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kloof

(in S. Africa) ravine. XVIII. — Du. kloof, MDu. clove = OHG. klobo (G. kloben), etc. :- Gmc. kluban- (cf. CLEAVE1).

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knack

trick, dodge XIV; dexterous faculty; †toy, knick-knack XVI. prob. identical with knack sharp blow or sound (XIV); ult. of imit. orig., but perh. immed. — Du., LG. knak.

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knacker

A
(dial.) saddler XVI;

B
dealer in old horses, horse-slaughterer, etc.;
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C
(dial. and sl.) old worn-out horse XIX. In A perh. orig. maker of small articles belonging to harness (f. KNACK + -ER1); the relation of the senses is obscure.
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knapsack

XVII. — MLG. knapsack, Du. knapzak; the first el. is held to be identical with G. knappen bite, eat, and the second is SACK1.

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knapweed

XV (knopweed). f. KNOP + WEED1; alt. to knap- XVI.

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knave

†boy; †male servant OE.; base fellow XIII; lowest court card of a suit XVI. OE. cnafa = OHG. knabo (G. knabe boy) :- WGmc. knaban-, rel. obscurely to synon. OE. cnapa = OS. cnapo, and OHG. knappo (G. knappe page, squire). Hence knavery XVI, knavish XIV.

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knead

OE. str. vb. cnedan = OS. knedan (Du. kneden), OHG. knetan (G. kneten); WGmc., f. kned- knad-, of which another grade appears in ON. knoða. Weak inflexions appear XIV.

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knee

OE. cno(w) = OS. knio (Du. knie), OHG. kniu, kneo (G. knie), ON. kné, Goth. kniu :- Gmc. knewam :- IE. newom, f. base neu- enu- onu- (cf. L. genu, Gr. gónu knee). So kneel (pt., pp. kneeled, knelt). OE. cnowlian, corr. to (M)LG. knlen, Du. knielen. The form knelt is of recent orig.

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knell

sound of a bell struck or rung. OE. cnyll, rel. to cnyllan knell vb. †bang, knock, ring a bell; the present form appears to date from c. 1500 and may be due to assoc. with bell. Cf. MHG. erknellen resound, G. knall, knallen, Du. knal, knallen, applied to banging or cracking noises.

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knickerbockers

loose-fitting breeches. XIX. f. name of Diedrich Knickerbocker , the pretended author of Washington Irving's ‘History of New York’ (1809). The name is said to have been given to the garment from its resemblance to the knee-breeches of the Dutchman in Cruikshank's illustrations to the History. abbrev. knickers XIX.

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knick-knack

†pretty trick or artifice; light dainty article, trinket. XVII. redupl. of KNACK, with alternation of vowel as in dilly-dally, riff-raff, etc.

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knife

sb. XI. Late OE. cnf — ON. knfr = OFris., MLG. knf, MDu. cnijf (Du. knijf) :- Gmc. knaz, of uncert. orig. Hence vb. XIX.

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knight

†boy, youth OE.; military follower; name of a rank, orig. in military service XI; knight of the shire XIV. OE. cniht boy, youth, man of arms, hero = OS. knecht, OHG. kneht (Du., G. knecht) :- WGmc. kneta, of unkn. orig. Hence knight-errant XIV. knighthood XIII (OE. cnihthd boyhood). knightly XIV (OE. cnihtli. boyish).

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knit

†tie in or with a knot OE.; draw close together XIV; form a close texture of yarn or thread XVI. OE. cnyttan = MLG., MDu. knutten (G. dial. knütten) :- WGmc. knuttjan, f. knuttan- KNOT1.

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knob

small rounded lump or mass XIV; knoll; small lump of coal, etc. XVII; the head (see NOB1) XVIII. — MLG. knobbe knot, knob, bud; cf. Flem. knobbe(n) lump of bread, etc., Du. knobbel bump, knob, knot.

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knobkerry

stick with a knobbed head in S. Africa. XIX. f. KNOB + kerrie (— Hottentot kirri, keeri stick), after Afrikaans knopkierie.

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knock

strike with a sounding blow. OE. cnocian = MHG. knochen, ON. knoka; f. imit. base (cf. the similar and synon. OE. cnucian, MLG. knaken, Sw. knaka).

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knoll1

†summit of a hill; hillock, mound. OE. cnoll, corr. to MDu., MHG. knolle clod (Du. knol turnip, tuber, G. knolle(n) clod, lump, tumour), ON. knollr mountain summit, perh.:- Gmc.knuvl, f. base of KNOT1.

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knoll2

toll, ring a knell. XV. f. late ME. knoll church bell, tolling, perh. imit. alt. of KNELL.

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knop

small round protuberance; bud of a flower. XIV. prob. — MLG., MDu. knoppe (Du. knop) = (O)HG. knopf knob, knot, button; of unkn. orig.

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knot1

intertwining of parts of rope, etc. (fig. something intricate) OE.; hard lump XIII; thickened tissue of a plant; cluster or small group XIV. OE. cnotta = Du. knot, MLG. knotte, MHG. knotze knob, knot :- WGmc. knuttan-; cf. OHG. knodo, knoto (G. knoten), ON. knútr knot, knttr ball. Hence knot vb. XVI. knotted XII.

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knot2

red-breasted sandpiper. XVI. of unkn. orig.; later vars. were knat, gnat.

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knout

whip, scourge. XVIII. — F. — Russ. knut — Icel. knútr (see KNOT1).

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know

pt. knew, pp. known perceive, recognize, distinguish XI; be acquainted or familiar with; be aware of or conversant with, apprehend as fact or truth XII. Late OE. (rare) str. vb. cnwan, earlier ecnwan, corr. to OHG. -cnen, ON. pres. ind. sg. kná. In the earliest OE. and in OHG. this vb. appears only in comps.; it is absent from LG. and Du. areas and from Gothic; in ON. it had lost the pres. inf. and meant ‘can’, (as an aux.) ‘do’, and in OHG. it had lost the orig. str. pt. and pp. An orig. redupl. vb. based on IE. n- n- n-, repr. also by CAN2, KEN, and L. nscere, cognscere, Gr. gignskein, OSl. znati, Skr. jnáti know.

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knowledge

†confession; fact of knowing, acquaintance. XIII. In earliest use north. (knaulage), later in gen. use knowleche, — lache; prob. f. knowledge vb. acknowledge, recognize (XIII), early ME. cnaw-, cnouleche :- OE. cnwl.an (cnwel.ing is recorded), f. (e)cnwan know + -l.an, f. lc (see -LOCK). Hence knowledg(e)able †(f. the vb.) recognizable XVII; (f. the sb.; orig. dial.) well informed XIX.

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knub

small lump or swelling. XVI. — MLG. knubbe, var. of knobbe KNOB.

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knuckle

†end of a bone at a joint XIV; spec. bone at a finger-joint XV. ME. knokel — MLG. knökel, corr. to MDu. knokel, knökel (Du. kneukel), MHG. knuchel, knüchel (G. knöchel), dim. of the base of MLG. knoke (Du. knok), MHG. knoche (G. knochen) bone.

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koala

XIX. — Austral. aboriginal klla, kl. The current form koala arose perh. as a misreading of koola, which was formerly current.

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kobold

(in G. folk-lore) familiar spirit, goblin. XIX. — G. kobold, MHG. kobolt = MDu. cobout (Du. kabouter), perh. for kobwalt, f. kobe house, COVE1 + stem of walten rule (see WIELD); cf. OE. cofgodas, -godu ‘house-gods’, lares and penates.

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kodak

camera. XIX. P.; arbitrary word invented by George Eastman as a trade-mark, patented 1888.

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kohl

powder used to darken the eyelids. XVIII. — Arab. kul; cf. ALCOHOL.

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kohlrabi

cabbage with turnip-like stem. XIX. — G. — (with assim. to kohl COLE) It. cauli or cavoli rape, pl. of cavolo rapa, repr. medL. caulorapa; see COLE, RAPE2.

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kopje, koppie

small hill in S. Africa. XIX. — Du. kopje, Afrikaans koppie, dim. of kop head = OE. copp, (O)HG. kopf.

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koran

sacred book of Islam. XVIII (currawn). — Arab. ur'n recitation, f. ara'a read.

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kosher

adj. and sb. of meat prepared according to Jewish law. XIX. — Heb. kshr right.

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kotow, kowtow

Chinese gesture of respect by touching the ground with the forehead. XIX. — Chinese k'o-t'ou, f. k'o knock + t'ou head. Hence vb. act obsequiously. XIX.

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koumiss

fermented liquor made from mare's milk. XVII (chumis; earlier in corrupt forms cosmos, cosmus). — F. koumis, G. kumyss, Pol. kumys, Russ. kums, of Turkic orig.

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kraal

Central or S. Afr. village; cattle enclosure XVIII. — Afrikaans — Pg. curral CORRAL.

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Kremlin

citadel in a Russian town. XVII. — F., ult. f. Russ. kreml’; of uncert. orig.

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kriegspiel

game simulating movements in warfare. XIX. — G., ‘war-game’.

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kris, creese

Malay dagger. XVI. ult. — Malay kris (through such forms as Du. kris, Sp., Pg. cris, F. criss).

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krummhorn

obs. wind-instrument. XVII. — G., ‘crooked horn’.

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krypton

(chem.) rare gas. — Gr. kruptón, n. of kruptós hidden.

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kudos

XVIII: — Gr. kûdos.

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Ku-Klux-Klan

XIX. Fanciful invention said to be based on Gr. kúklos circle, CYCLE, and CLAN.

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kukri

curved knife used by Gurkhas. XIX. — Hindi kukí.

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kummel prop. kümmel.

German liqueur flavoured with cummin. XIX. — G. kümmel :- OHG. kumil CUMMIN, var. of kumïn — L. (Rom.) cumïnum.

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kursaal

public building for the use of visitors at a health resort. XIX. — G., f. kur — L. cra CURE + saal hall, room.

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kvass

fermented beverage of Russia. XVI. (quass). Russ. kvas, rel. L. cseus CHEESE.

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kyanize

treat (wood) so as to prevent decay. XIX. f. name of the inventor J. H. Kyan + -IZE.

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kyloe

One of a small long-horned breed of Highland cattle. XIX. Also locally kyley, etc., repr. old vars. of the Northumberland place-name Kyloe (OE. c-lah cow pasture).

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kyrie

XVI; short for kyrie eleison XIV. — medL., repr. of Gr. Krie eléson Lord, have mercy.

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L

la

see LAH.

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laager

encampment. XIX. — Afrikaans lager (now laer=G. lager, Du. leger; see LAIR, LEAGUER.

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labarum

Roman standard of the late Empire. XVII. — late L., of unkn. orig.

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labdanum

XVI. med. form of L. ldanum (see LADANUM).

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labefaction

overthrow, downfall. XVII. f. labefact-, pp. stem of L. labefacere weaken, f. lb fall + facere make, DO1; see -TION.

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label

†narrow band or strip XIV; narrow strip carrying the seal of a document XVI; slip containing name or description of an object XVII; dripstone XIX. — OF. label ribbon, fillet (now lambeau rag), perh. — Gmc. form rel. to LAP1, with dim. suffix. Hence vb. XVI.

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labial

XVI. —medL. labilis, f. labia lips; see LIP, -AL1. So labiate XVIII. — modL.

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labile

XV. — late L. lbilis, f. lb fall; see -ILE.

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laboratory

XVII. —medL. labrtrium, f. labrre, -t-; see next and -ORY1. Abbrev. lab XIX.

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labour, U.S. labor

toil, work XIII; travail of childbirth XVI. —OF. labo(u)r (mod. labeur ploughing)— L. labor, -r- exertion, trouble, suffering, perh. orig. burden under which one staggers, rel. to labre slip. So labour vb. XIV. —(O)F. labourer (now chiefly, plough). labourer XIV. —(O)F. laboureur; see -ER1, -ER2. laborious XIV. —(O)F. laborieux.

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laburnum

XVI — L., prob. of foreign orig.

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labyrinth

XVI — F. labyrinthe or L. labyrinthus—Gr. labúrinthos, of non-Hellenic orig.

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lac

dark-red resin, red dye. XVI (lack(e), lacca).—(through Du. lak, F. laque, or Sp., Pg. laca, It. lacca) Hind. lkh :- Prakrit lakkh- :- Skr. lk·c. Cf. LAKE2. SHELLAC.

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lace

†noose, snare; string or cord for tying XIII; ornamental braid; openwork of cotton, silk, etc. XVI. ME. la(a)s, (later) lace—OF. laz, las (mod. lacs noose) :- Rom. lacium, for L. laqueus noose, rel. to lax deception, lacere, -licere entice. So lace vb. XIII. —OF. lacier (mod. lacer).

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lacerate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. lacerre, f. lacer mangled, torn; see -ATE3.

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lacertian

pert. to the lizards. XIX. f. L. lacerta LIZARD + -IAN. So lacertine.

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laches

remissness, neglect XIV; (leg.) negligence in the performance of a legal duty XVI. —AN. laches(se)=OF. laschesse (mod. lâchesse cowardice). f. lasche (mod. lâche) :- Rom. lascus, for L. laxus LAX; see -ESS2.

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lachrymal

pert. to tears. XVI. —medL. lachrymlis, lacrimlis. f. lacrima, earlier lacruma tear, rel. to Gr. dákru; see -AL1. So lachrymatory tear-vase. XVII. lachrymose tearful. XVII. — L.

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laciniate

(nat. hist.) jagged, slashed. XVIII. f. L. lacnia tuft, fringe, skirt of a garment + -ATE2.

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lack

vb. †be wanting XII; †blame, disparage XIII; be without XIV; sb. †defect, fault XII; want, need XIV. perh. f. a Gmc. base lak- orig. expressing ‘deficiency’, ‘defect’, which may have been repr. in OE.; cf. MLG., MDu. lak deficiency, fault (Du. lak calumny), laken be wanting, blame, ON. lakr defective; but some uses may be of Scand. or LG. orig.

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lackadaisical

marked by vapid sentiment. XVIII. f. lackadaisy (XVIII), extended form of lack-a-day (XVII), aphetic of alack-a-day, earlier ALACK the day + -ICAL.

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lackey, lacquey

XVI. Formerly also alakay (XVI, Sc.)— F. laquais, †alaquais, of uncert orig. Hence vb. XVI.

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laconic

(L-) Lacedaemonian, Spartan; brief of speech. XVI. — L. Lacnicus—Gr. Laknikós, f. Lákn member of the Spartan race, renowned for brevity of speech; see -IC.

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lacquer, U.S. lacker

†lac (the dye) XVI; varnish made from a solution of shellac in alcohol XVII. — F. †lacre kind of sealing-wax, Sp., Pg. lacre; app. unexpl. var. or extension of Sp., Pg. laca LAC.

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lacrim-, lacrym-

see LACHRYMAL, etc.

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lacrosse

XVII. f. F. (le jeu de) la crosse ‘(the game of) the hooked stick’ ((O)F. crosse prob. of Gmc. orig.; cf. CRUTCH).

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lact-

stem of L. lac, lact- milk (cf. Gr. gála, galakt-; see GALAXY) in derivs.: lactation XVII(f. L. lactre), lacteal XVII (f. L. lacteus), lacteous XVII, lactescent XVII (f. L. lactscere), lactic (chem.) XVIII (whence lactate XVIII), lactiferous XVII, irreg. comb. form lacto- XIX, lactose XIX.

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lacuna

XVII. — L. lacna pool, cavity, f. lacus LAKE1.

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lacustrine

pert. to a lake. XIX. f. L. lacus LAKE1; see -INE1.

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lad

†serving-man, varlet XIII; youth, young fellow XVI. ME. ladde, of unkn. orig. Hence laddie XVI.

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ladanum

XVI. — L. ldanum—Gr. ldanon, ldanon, f. lêdon mastic.

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ladder

OE. hlæd(d)er=MDu. ldere (Du. leer), OHG. leitara (G. leiter) :- WGmc. ?laidr-, f. ?lai- ?li- (see LEAN2).

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lade

A
load (a ship, etc.);

B
draw (water, etc.), bale. OE. str. vb. hladan, corr. to OS., OHG. hladan (Du., G. laden), ON. hlaóa, Goth. -hlapan; rel. to OSl. klasti lay, place.
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Hence lading XV.

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ladle

sb. OE. hlædel, f. hladan LADE; see -LE1.

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lady

†mistress of a household; (arch.) female ruler; (Our L.) the Virgin Mary OE.; woman of superior position (hence as a title); wife XIII; woman of refinement XIX. OE. hlfdige, f. hlf LOAF + -di- knead (cf. OE. de kneader of bread, female (farm) servant, dairy-woman; also DOUGH); like LORD, peculiar to Eng. The OE. g. hlfdian (ME. ladie) is repr. in Lady Day (ME. ure lefdi day XIII, i.e. ‘Our Lady's day’); so Lady chapel XV; also in plant-names, as lady smock XVI, and ladybird.

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lag1

fail to keep pace, fall behind. XVI. contemp. with lag sb.1 last or hindmost person, and adj. hindmost, falling behind, which may be a perversion of LAST3 in fog, seg, lag, used dial. in children's games for ‘first, second, last’.

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lag2

†carry off, steal XVI; (sl.) transport, apprehend XIX. of unkn. orig. Hence lag sb.2 (sl.) convict; term of penal servitude. XIX.

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lag3

stave of a barrel XVII; lath or strip of material in a covering or casing (whence vb.) XIX. prob. of Scand. orig., cf. ON. lgg rim of a barrel, f. Gmc. laz-LAY1.

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lagan

goods or wreckage on the sea bottom. XVI. —OF., perh. f. ON. lagn-, as in lgn, g. lagnar drag-net, f. Gmc. laz-LAY1.

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lager

(beer) XIX. —G. lagerbier ‘beer for keeping’, f. lager store (cf. LAIR) + bier BEER.

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lagoon

area of salt water separated from the sea. XVII. — It., Sp. laguna (partly through F. lagune) :- L. lacna pool (see LACUNA).

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la(h)

sixth note of the scale in solmization. XIV. See UT.

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laic

XVI. — late L. licus LAY2. So laical XVI, laicize XIX.

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lair

†lying down; grave, tomb; bed, couch OE.; animal's place of rest XV. OE. leer=OS. legar bed (Du. leger bed, camp), OHG. leger bed, camp (G. lager, infl. by lage situation), Goth. ligrs; f. Gmc. lez- (see LIE1).

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laird

(Sc.) landed proprietor. XV. Sc. form of LORD.

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laity

XVI. f. LAY3 + -ITY.

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lake1

body of water surrounded by land; †pond, pool XIII; †pit, grave XIV. ME. lac—(O)F.— L. lacus basin, tank, lake, pool, rel. to Gr. lákkos hole, ditch, Gael., Ir. loch LOCH, OE. lagu, ON. lgr sea, water, OSl, loky pool, reservoir.

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lake2

reddish pigment. XVII. unexpl. var. of LAC.

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Lallan(s)

Scottish dialect. XVIII. Sc. var. of LOWLAND(S).

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lallation

†childish utterance; pronunciation of r as l. XVII. f. L. lalláre make lulling sounds, such as lalla.

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lam

beat soundly. XVI. perh. of Scand. orig. (cf. ON. lemja beat so as to cripple, LAME). Hence synon. lambaste XVII.

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lama

Buddhist priest of Mongolia and Tibet. XVII. — Tibetan blama (with silent b). So lamasery monastery of lamas. XIX. — F. lamaserie, irreg. f. lama.

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lamb

OE. lamb, pl. lambru = OS., OHG., ON., Goth. lamb (Du. lam, G. lamm; in Goth. ‘sheep’) :- Gmc. lambaz (n. of a class corr. to Gr. n. nouns in -os, L. in -us, as génos, genus); no certain cogns. are known outside Gmc. Hence lamb vb. XVII, lambkin XVI.

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lambent

(of flame) playing lightly upon a surface, shining with soft clear heat. XVII. — L. lambns, -ent-, prp. of lambere lick, rel. to LAP2.

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lame

adj. OE. lama=OS. lamo (Du. lam), OHG. lam (G. lahm), ON. lami, f. Gmc. lam-, rel. to OHG. luomi dull, slack, gentle, OSl. lomiti break. Hence vb. XIII; first in pp. after ON. lamiðr.

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lamella

thin plate. XVII. — L., dim. of LAMINA.

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lament

sb. XVI. — L. lmentum; or f. lament vb. (XVI) — F. lamenter or L. lmentr. So lamentable XV, lamentation XIV.

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lamina

thin plate or scale. XVII. — L. lmina, lammina. Hence laminate, laminated XVII; see -ATE2, -ED1.

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Lammas

1st August, the feast of St. Peter in Chains, observed in A.-S. England by the consecration of bread made from the first ripe corn. OE. hlfmæsse, f. hlf LOAF + mæsse festival, MASS1.

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lammergeyer

bearded vulture. XIX. —G. lämmergeier, f. lämmer, g. pl. of lamm LAMB + geier vulture.

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lamp

XII. —(O)F. lampe :- late L. lampada—Gr. lampás, lampad- torch, rel. to lámpein shine. comp. lampblack XVI.

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lampoon

virulent or scurrilous satire. XVII. — F. lampon, said to be f. lampons let us drink (used as a refrain), 1st pl. imper. of lamper gulp down, booze, nasalized form of laper LAP2; see -OON. Hence vb. XVII.

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lamprey

XIII. —OF. lampreie (mod. lamproie) :- medL. lamprda (whence also OE. lamprede); poss. alt. of lampetra, expl. as f. lambere lick- + petra stone (with allusion to the lamprey attaching itself to stones). Cf. LIMPET.

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lance

sb. XIII. —(O)F. :- L. lancea, of alien orig. Lance corporal (XVIII) was based on synon. †lancepesade— F. †lancespessade— It. lancia spezzata lit. ‘broken lance’; lance sergeant (XIX) was analogical. So lance vb. fling, hurl; (dial.) spring, bound; pierce, make incision in XIV. —(O)F. lancer, †-ier. lancer soldier armed with a lance. XVI. — F. lancier.

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lanceolate

shaped like a spearhead. XVIII. — late L. lanceoltus, f. lanceola, dim. of L. lancea LANCE; see -ATE2.

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lancet

surgical instrument for making incisions XV; (archit.) applied attrib. to pointed windows XVIII. —(O)F. lancette, dim. of lance; see LANCE, -ET.

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lancinate

pierce. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. lancinre tear, rel. to lacer; see LACERATE and -ATE3.

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land

solid portion of the earth's surface; ground, soil; country, territory; †country (opposed to town); ridge in a ploughed field OE.; strip division of a field XIV; (Sc.) building divided into tenements XV. OE. land = OS., ON., Goth. land, OHG. lant (Du., G. land) :- Gmc. landam, rel. to OCeltic land (Ir. land, lann enclosure, W. llan enclosure, church, Cornish lan open space. plain, Breton lann heath). The IE. base londh- is not evidenced in other langs., but the var. lendh- is repr. by OSl. ldina health, desert, (O)Sw, linda fallow land. comps. landlady XVI, after landlord , OE. landhlford; landmark , OE. landmearc; landslide U.S. (XIX) equiv. of landslip , XVII. Hence land vb. bring to land XIII; come to land XIV. Whence landing disembarkation XV; platform in a flight of stairs XVIII.

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landau

four-wheeled carriage. XVIII. Name of a town in Germany where the vehicle was first made. (The G. name is landauer, short for landauer wagen). Hence landaulet XVIII.

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landloper

(hist.) vagabond. XVI. —MDu. landlooper, f. land LAND + loopen run, LEAP.

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landrail

corn-crake. XVIII. f. LAND + RAIL3.

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landscape

picture representing natural inland scenery XVI(landskip); view of such scenery XVII (lantskip).—MDu. lantscap, (mod.) landschap landscape, province (cf. OE. lands.ipe region, tract, OS. landskipi, OHG. lantscaf, ON. landskapr); see LAND, -SHIP.

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lane

OE. lane = MDu. lne (Du. lan), of unkn. orig.

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lang syne

(Sc.) long ago. XVI. Sc. lang LONG + syne, contr. form of sithen SINCE. Familiar in auld lang syne (from Burns).

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language

XIII. ME. langage, later language—(O)F. langage (AN. also language, after langue tongue, speech) :- Gallo-Rom. linguticum, f. lingua TONGUE, language; see -AGE.

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languish

XIII. —(O)F. languiss-, lengthened stem of languir :- Rom. langure, for L. langure languish, rel. to laxus slack, LAX2; see -ISH2. So languid XVI. — F. or L. languor †disease, woeful plight, mental distress XIII; faintness, weariness XVIII. —OF. languor (mod. langueur)— L. languor, -r-; reinforced later from L.

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laniary

(of teeth) adapted for tearing. XIX. — L. lanirius, f. lanire tear with the nails, etc.; see -ARY.

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laniferous

wool-bearing. XVII. f. L. lnifer, f. lna WOOL; see -IFEROUS. So lanigerous wool-bearing. XVII. f. L.

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lank

loose, flabby, hollow OE.; straight and flat XVII. OE. hlanc, f. Gmc. zlak-, which appears in (M)HG. lenken bend, turn aside, OHG. lancha loin, side; cf. LINK1. Hence lanky XVII.

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lanner

species of falcon. XIV. —(O)F. lanier, perh. sb. use of lanier cowardly, a derogatory application of lanier weaver :- L. lnrius woolmerchant, f. lna WOOL; see -ER2.

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lanolin

fatty matter from sheep's wool. XIX. —G., f. L. lna WOOL + oleum OIL + -IN.

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lansquenet

(hist.) mercenary soldier in Germany; German card-game. XVII. — F.—G. landsknecht, f. g. of land LAND + knecht soldier, KNIGHT.

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lantern

case of glass, etc., containing and protecting a light XIII; glazed turret-like erection XV. —(O)F. lanterna :- L. lantern, f. Gr. lamptér torch, lamp (f. lámpein shine; cf. LAMP). The frequent form lanthorn is due to assoc. with horn, lanterns having been formerly made with horn windows.

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lanthanum

(chem.) rare metallic element. XIX. modL., f. Gr. lanthánein escape the notice of (from its having remained undetected in cerium oxide).

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lanyard

†whip-lash XV; (naut.) short piece of rope XVII. —(O)F. lanière, earlier lasniere, f. lasne, perh. due to crossing of laz LACE and nasle—Frankish nastila- (G. nestel string, lace); the final syll. was assoc. with YARD2.

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Laodicean

‘lukewarm, neither cold nor hot’, like the church of Laodicea (Rev. 3: 15, 16). XVII. f. L. Läodica, Gr. Läodíkeia, name of a city in Asia Minor (now Latakia); see -EAN.

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lap1

†skirt of a garment; †lobe OE.; †fold of a robe; front part of a skirt and of the body from waist to knees XIII. OE. læppa, corr. to OS. lappo, OHG. lappa; cf. ON. leppr rag, lock of hair, Gr. lobós LOBE has been compared. comp. lapdog XVII.

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lap2

take up with the tongue. OE. lapian, corr. to MLG., MDu. lapen, OHG. laffan, f. Gmc. lap-, repr. also by OHG. gilepphen swallow, MHG. leffen, Icel. lepja lick, OS. lepil, MLG. lepel, OHG. leffil (G. löffel) spoon, and rel. to L. lambere, Gr. láptein lick, lap. OE. lapian is repr. directly by ME., dial. lape, Sc. laip, the present lap being prob. due to (O)F. laper (of Gmc. orig., if not independently imit.).

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lap3

wrap, enfold XIII; lay over, so as to cover; project beyond XVII. Earlier in †bilappe, f. bi- BE- + lappe LAP1. Hence sb. amount by which something overlaps XVIII; act of encircling, turn round a track XIX.

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laparo-

comb. form of Gr. lapár flank, f. laparós soft; in medical terms, as laparotomy (XIX).

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lapel

XVIII. f. LAP1 + -EL1. Hence lapelled XVIII.

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lapidary

sb. one who cuts stones XIV; adj. suitable for monumental inscriptions XVIII. — L. lapidrius, f. lapis, lapid- stone; see -ARY.

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lapilli

fragments of stone from a volcano. XVIII. —pl. of It. lapillo— L. lapillus, dim. of lapis stone.

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lapis lazuli

silicate producing ultramarine pigment. XIV. f. L. lapis stone + lazul, g. of medL. lazulum, varying with lazur, lazurius, f. Pers. lzhward AZURE.

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Lapp

XIX. —Sw. Lapp, perh. orig. a term of contempt (cf. MHG. lappe simpleton).

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lappet

fold, flap XVI; lobe of ear, etc., XVII. f. LAP1 + -ET.

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lapse

slip of the memory, etc.; fall from rectitude, grace, etc.; termination of a right XVI; gliding, flow XVII; passing (of time) XVIII. — L. lapsus, f. laps-, pp. stem of lb glide, slip, fall; cf. labre slip, labor LABOUR. So lapse vb. fall, pass away XVII; fall in, become void; glide, sink XVIII. Partly— L. lapsre (f. laps-), partly f. the sb.

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Laputan

pert. to Laputa, visionary, chimerical. XIX (Swift's form is Laputian). f. Laputa, the flying island in ‘Gulliver's Travels’ IIIii (1726); see -AN.

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lapwing

OE. hlapewince, the first el. of which is formally identical with LEAP, and appears in Fris. names of the bird, the second el. contains the base (meaning ‘move sideways or from side to side’) of OE. wincian WINK; the present form is due to assoc. with LAP3 and WING.

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lar

pl. lares household god(s); hearth, home XVI. — L. lr, pl. lrs; prob. orig. ‘infernal divinities’ and hence rel. to lrva spectre, ghost (LARVA).

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larboard

side of a ship to the left of a person looking from stern to bows. XIV. orig. lad(d)- borde, lathebord, the second el. of which is BOARD (OE. bord, ON. borði ship's side), the first is of uncert. orig., but may be from LADE, the orig. sense being ‘the side on which cargo was taken in’.

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larceny

XV. —AN. larcenie = (O)F. larcin :- L. latrcinium, f. latr, -n- brigand, robber, (earlier) mercenary soldier, rel. to Gr. látron pay.

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larch

XVI. —early mod. G. larche, lerche (G. lärche) :- OHG. larihha, lerihha— L. larix, laric-, prob. of alien orig.

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lard

†(fat) bacon or pork; internal fat of swine's abdomen. XV. —(O)F. lard bacon :- L. lr(i)dum; cf. Gr. lrnós fat. So lard vb. XIV. larder XIV. —AN. larder, OF. -ier, medL. lardrium.

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lares

see LAR.

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large

†liberal, generous XII; †ample; wide in range or capacity XIII; †broad XIV; great, big XV. —(O)F. large (now ‘broad, wide’) :- L. larga, fem. of largus abundant, bountiful. So largess †liberality XIII; liberal bestowal of gifts XIV. largo (mus.) slow and dignified; movement so marked. XVII. — It., ‘broad’.

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lariat

XIX. —Sp. la reata the rope used to tie mules together, f. reatar tie up again, f. re- RE- + atar tie :- L. aptre fit, f. aptus APT.

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lark1

bird known for its morning song. OE. lwerce, lwerce, corr. to MLG., MDu. lwer(i)ke (Du. leeuwerik), OHG. lrahha (G. lerche), ON. lævirki (perh. from Eng.); of unkn. orig. The Sc. var. laverock descends from ME. laverok. comp. larkspur XVI (larkes spur); so called from the spur-shaped calyx.

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lark2

(colloq.) play tricks, frolic. XIX. poss. repr. dial. lake play, sport—ON. leika = OE. lcan. Hence sb. XIX.

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larrup

(colloq.) thrash. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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larum

(arch.) XVI. Aphetic of alarum; see ALARM.

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larva

A
†spectre, ghost XVII;

B
insect in the grub state XVIII. — L., disembodied spirit, ghost, mask; sense B is an application of the sense ‘mask’ (the perfect insect not being recognizable in the larva).
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larynx

XVI. — modL.—Gr. lárugx; comb. form laryngo-, Hence laryngeal XVIII. f. modL. laryngeus.

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lascivious

XV. — late L. lascvisus, f. L. lascvia licentiousness, f. lascvus sportive, lustful, wanton.

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lash1

A
make a sudden movement; dash XIV;

B
†lavish XVI;
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C
(from the sb.) flog XIV. prob. echoic or symbolic.
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Hence sb. blow, esp. with a whip; flexible part of a whip. XIV.

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lash2

†lace XV; (naut.) make fast with a cord XVII. perh. of LG. orig.; cf. MDu. lasche rag, patch, Du. laschen patch, sew together.

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lashings

pl. (Anglo-Ir.) ‘floods’, abundance. XIX. f. LASH1 in sense ‘lavish’; see -ING1.

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lass

XIII. ME. lasce, las(se), perh. north. development (cf. ass for ask ashes and ask vb., buss for busk vb.) of lask :- ON. laskw- unmarried, repr. by OSw. løsk kona unmarried woman (spec. use of the sense ‘unoccupied’ or ‘having no fixed abode’; cf. Olcel. lskr ‘weak, good for nothing’).

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lassitude

XVI. — F. lassitude or L. lassitd, f. lassus weary; see -TUDE.

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lasso

rope with a noose to catch cattle. XIX. —Sp. lazo = OF. laz, etc., LACE.

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last1

†footprint; shoemaker's wooden or iron model of a foot. OE. lst footprint, lst boot, lste shoemaker's last = MLG. lst(e), Du. leest, OHG. leist (G. leisten) last, ON. leistr foot, sock, Goth. laists footprint, track; f. Gmc. lais- follow a track; cf. Goth. lais I know, L. lra furrow, and LEARN.

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last2

measure of weight, capacity, or quantity. XIV. OE. hlæst load, burden = (M)LG., (M)Du. last, OHG. hlast (G. last) :- WGmc. hlatsta-, -sti-; rel. to LADE.

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last3

following all the others, coming at the end. OE. latost, Nhb. lætest, corr. to OS. la(t)st, letist (Du. laatst, lest), OHG. lazzst, lezzist (G. letzt), ON. latastr :- Gmc. latast-, latist-, superl. of læt adj., late adv. LATE; see -EST.

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last4

†follow; †carry out, perform; go on, continue. OE. lstan, corr. to OS. lstian execute, (O)HG. leisten afford, yield, Goth. laistjan follow :- Gmc. laistjan, f. laist- LAST1.

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latakia

kind of Turkish tobacco produced near Latakia, the ancient Laodicea, seaport of Syria. XIX.

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latch

A
(dial.) loop, noose;

B
fastening for door or gate. XIV. In sense A prob. var. of LACE (OF. var. lache of laz); in sense B prob. f. (dial.) latch vb. OE. læ..an seize, grasp, perh. rel. to Gr. lázesthai.
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latchet

(arch., after Mark 1: 7) thong, esp. to fasten a shoe. XIV. —OF. lachet, var. of lacet, f. laz LACE; see -ET.

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late

slow, tardy; delayed in time OE.; belonging to an advanced stage XIV; recently dead XV. OE. læt = OS. lat, OHG. laz (G. lass), ON. latr, Goth. lats :- Gmc. lataz slow, sluggish, f. lat- : -IE. lad- (repr. by L. lassus weary :- ladtos); see LET1. Also late adv. OE. late slowly, at an advanced period = OHG. laz, lazzo slowly, lazily. The mod. form late repr. infl. forms of OE. læt, and OE. adv. late. The regular compar. from OE. lætra is latter (now restricted, except for phr. like latter days, latter end, to uses in contrast with former); hence latterly XVIII; later, latest (XVI) are new formations, cf. LAST3.

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lateen

triangular sail. XVIII. — F. latine, in voile latine ‘Latin sail’, so called from its use in the Mediterranean; fem. of latin LATIN.

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latent

XVII. — L. latns, -ent-, prp. of latre lie hid; see -ENT.

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lateral

pert. to or at the side. XVI. — L. laterlis, f. latus, later- side; see -AL1.

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laterite

(min.) red porous ferruginous rock. XIX. f. L. later brick + -ITE1.

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lath

OE. lætt (corr. to MDu. latte, Du. lat, G. dial latz) survives in mod. dial. lat, but began to be replaced XIV in general use by lat(h)the, which appears to repr. an OE. lœðð-, corr. to OHG. latta (G. latte); ult. relations obscure.

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lathe1

administrative district of Keht. XII. irreg. repr. OE. lð, corr. to ON. láð landed possession, land, rel. to lð- in Goth. unlds ‘unlanded’. poor, OE. unld(e) wretched.

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lathe2

supporting structure, stand XV; machine for turning wood, etc. XVII. Varies XVII with †lare; the two forms may repr. parallel adoptions of ODa. lad stand, supporting framework, perh. a special use of lad pile, heap :- ON. hlað, rel. to hlaða LADE.

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lather

sb. XVI. OE. laðor washing soda = ON. lauðr :- Gmc. lauþram :- IE. loutrom, whence Gr. loetrón, loutrón, bath, OIr., loathar ‘pelvis’. ‘canalis’, Gaul. lautra ‘balneo’, f. IE. lou- wash, LAVE. In its mod. sense f. lather vb. cover with lather OE.; become covered with foam XIII.

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Latin

pert. to Latium or the ancient Romans; sb. the Latin language. XIII. —(O)F. latin or L. Latnus, f. Latium designation of the portion of Italy which included Rome. In OE. the learned form latin occurs occas.; the pop. repr. was lden Latin, language, ME. leden speech, utterance. So Latinist XVI. —medL. Latinista. Latinity XVII. — L.

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latitude

†breadth; angular distance on a meridian, etc. XIV; (arch.) extent, scope XVI; freedom from restriction XVII. — L. ltitd, f. ltus broad; see -TUDE. The geographical applications of L. latitudo and longitudo orig. referred to the ‘breadth’ and ‘length’ of the oblong map of the known world. Hence latitudinal, latitudinarian XVII.

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latria

worship that may be paid only to God. XVI. — late L.—Gr. latreí service, worship, rel. to latreúein serve (as with prayer).

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latrine

XVII. — F.— L. latrna bath, privy, contr. of lavtrna, f. lavre wash, LAVE.

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-latry

repr. Gr. -latreí worship, as in eidlolatreí IDOLATRY. On this model have been formed, e.g., bibliolatry, Mariolatry; cf. -O-. The corr. personal designations end in -later (Gr. -latrs), the adjs. in -latrous .

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latten

XIV. ME. lato(u)n—OF. laton, leiton (mod. laiton); of unkn. orig.

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latter

see LATE.

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lattice

XIV —OF. lattis, f. latte LATH (- Gmc.).

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laud

praise; pl. first of the day hours of the Western Church, the psalms of which end with psalms 148–50 (called collectively laudes). XIV. —OF. laude, pl. laudes— L. lauds, pl. of laus praise. So laud vb. XIV. — L. laudre, laudable, laudation XV. — L. laudatory XVI. — late L.

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laudanum

XVI — modL. laudanum, Paracelsus's name for a medicament for which he gives a pretended prescription of costly ingredients but which was early suspected to contain opium, whence the gen. application to opiate preparations; perh. alt. of LADANUM.

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laugh

vb. OE. str. vb. (Angl.) hlæhhan (WS. hliehhan) = OS. hlahhian, OHG. hlahhan (beside wk. hlahhn; Du., G. lachen), ON. hlja, Goth. hlahjan; f. Gmc. ?lax. ?l?- ?laz- :- IE. imit. base klak- klk- (cf. Gr. klssein cluck :- klkj-). So laughter OE. hleahtor = OHG. hlahtar, ON. hlátr :- Gmc. ?la?traz.

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launce

sand-eel. XVII. perh. an application of LANCE.

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launch1

†pierce, lance; hurl, shoot; be set in motion; cause (a vessel) to move from land XIV; put out from land XVI. —AN. launcher, ONF. lancher, var. of lancier LANCE.

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launch2

largest boat of a man-of-war XVII; large boat propelled by steam, etc. XIX. —Sp. lancha pinnace, perh. of Malay origin; cf. Malay lanchar quick, nimble.

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laundress

XVI. f. †launder (XIV) or the extended form (see -ER2) launderer (XV) person whose occupation is washing clothes; see -ESS1. So launder wash and get up (linen). XVI. f. †launder sb. laundry †washing of clothes; establishment for this. XVI. Launder sb. and laundry are contr. forms of (i) †lavender (XIII) —OF. lavandier—Rom. lavandrius, f. lavanda things to be washed, n. pl. of gerundive of L. lavre wash, LAVE; (ii) †lavendry (XIV) —OF. lavanderie (cf. L. lavandria things to be washed); see -RY.

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laureate

worthy of the laurel crown, as an eminent poet XIV; (in sense of L. laureus) of laurel XV; crowned with laurel XVII. — L. lauretus, f. laurea laurel tree, laurel crown, sb. use of fem. of adj. laureus, f. laurus; see next and -ATE2.

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laurel

ME. lorer (XIII), lorel (XIV) —OF. lorier (mod. laurier)— Pr. laurier, f. laur :- L. laurus, prob. of Mediterranean orig. The later form shows disim. of r . . r to r . . l.

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laurustinus

evergreen shrub. XVII. — modL. laurus tnus, i.e. laurus LAUREL, tnus wild laurel.

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lava

†stream of molten rock; substance resulting from the cooling of this; fluid matter from a volcano. XVIII. — It. lava (Neapolitan dial.) †stream suddenly caused by rain, the lava stream from Vesuvius, f. lavare LAVE.

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lavabo

(eccl.) ritual washing of the celebrant's hands. XIX. — L., 1st pers. sg. fut. ind. of lavre wash, LAVE; first word of Ps. 26: 6 ‘Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas’ (I will wash my hands among the innocents), the recital of which accompanies the ceremony.

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lavatory

vessel for washing XIV; lavabo XVI; apartment for washing the hands and face XVII. — late L. lavtorium, f. lavt-, pp. stem of lavre; see LAVE, -ORY.

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lave

(arch.) wash, bathe; pour out. XIII. —(O)F. laver :- L. lavre, corr. obscurely to Gr. loúein wash, Arm. loganam I bathe. Coalesced in ME. with OE. lafian wash by affusion, pour (water), if this vb. survived ( = (M)Du. laven, OHG. labn, G. laben refresh— L. lavre).

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lavender

fragrant labiate plant. XV. —AN. lavendre, for lavendle—medL. lavendula, also livendula, lavindula, etc.; of uncert. orig.

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laver1

(arch. or rhet.) vessel for washing; baptismal font. XIV. ME. lavo(u)r—OF. laveo(i)r (mod. lavoir)— L. lavtrium LAVATORY.

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laver2

(edible) seaweed. XVI. — L. laver a water-plant; of unkn. orig.

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laverock

see LARK1.

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lavish

adj. XV. adj. use of †lavish sb., earlier †lavas profusion, prodigality—OF. lavasse deluge of rain (cf. OF. lavis ‘torrent’ of words), f. laver wash, pour, LAVE; cf. -ISH1. Hence vb. XVI.

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law

body or code of rules; an individual rule. Late OE. lagu. pl. laga (ME. la_3e, lawe)—ON. lagu (OIcel. lg), pl. of lag layer, share or partnership, price, tune, f. Gmc. la_3- place (see LIE1). Hence lawful XIII, lawless XII; after ON. lgfullr, lglauss. lawyer XIV(lawier, beside lawer); see -IER1.

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lawk(s)

int. Lord! XVIII. var. of lack! (XVII). alt. of LORD, perh. suggested by ALACK.

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lawn1

kind of fine linen. XV. prob. f. Laon, name of a town in France, an important place of linen manufacture.

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lawn2

(arch.) open space between woods XVI; portion of level grass-covered ground kept mown XVIII. Later form of laund glade—OF. launde (mod. lande), of Celt. orig. (see LAND).

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lawyer

see LAW.

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lax1

salmon. OE. læx (WS. leax) = LG. las, OHG. lahs (G. lachs), ON. lax :- Gmc la?s-, rel. to Lith. la·ià, Russ. losós; cf. Toch. laks fish. The OE. word appears to have died out, and the Scand. word, adopted in XIII, continued in local use till XVII.

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lax2

(of the bowels) loose XIV; slack, not strict XV. — L. laxus loose; see SLACK1. So laxative relaxing. XIV. —(O)F. or late (medical) L. laxity XVI. — F. or L.

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lay1

,
pt., pp. laid cause to lie. OE. le.an, pt. lede, pp. eled = OS. leggian (Du. leggen), (OH)G. legen, ON. legja, Goth. lagjan, f. Gmc. la-, var. of le_3- LIE1. The normal repr. of OE le.an is seen in ME. legge and mod. dial. ledge lay (eggs); the form lay derives from 2nd and 3rd pers. sg. (OE.) leest, leeð.

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lay2

short poem of a kind intended to be sung. XIII. —(O)F. lai, corr. to Pr. lais, of unkn. orig.

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lay3

not in clerical orders. XIV. —OF. lai (now repl. by laïque) :- ecclL. licus—Gr. likós, f. lós the people. Hence layfolk, layman XV.

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lay4

†wager, stake; †layer, stratum; (dial.) impost, tax XVI; line of business, plan of work XVIII. f. LAY1.

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layer

A
one who lays XIV;

B
thickness of matter spread over a surface;
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C
shoot or twig pegged down to take root XVII. Several words appeared to have coalesced under one form, all ostensibly f. LAY1 + -ER1; in sense B the earliest form is lear, which may be a var. of LAIR; sense C may be after synon. Du. (af)legger.
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layette

clothes, etc. for a new-born child. XIX. — F., dim. of OF. laie drawer, box—MDu. laege; see -ETTE.

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lay figure

jointed wooden model of the human figure used by artists. XVIII. f. lay as in synon. †layman (XVII) — Du. leeman for ledenman, f. led (now lid) limb, joint (cf. LIMB1).

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laystall

†burial-place; place where refuse and dung are laid. XVI. f. LAY1 + STALL1.

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lazar

(arch.) poor or diseased person, esp. leper. XIV(lazre, laser).—(partly through OF. lasdre, mod. ladre) medL. lazarus, use of Lazarus name of the beggar in the parable (Luke 16: 20), ‘full of sores’ — Heb. Elezr ‘God (my) help’. So lazaret (XVII) and lazaretto house to receive ‘lazars’ XVI(slightly earlier lazar house); building set apart for quarantine XVII. — F. lazaret, It. lazaretto.

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lazy

XVI. Early forms la(y)sie, laesy; perh. of LG. or Du. orig. (cf. LG. lasich languid. idle). Hence, by back-formation, laze vb. XVI.

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-le1

suffix of sbs., repr. OE. -el (cf. BRIDLE, LADLE), -la, -le (cf. HANDLE), -ol (cf. CRADLE, SADDLE), and -l (cf. NEEDLE, SETTLE), and corr. to OS., OHG., -il. -al, -la (LG., Du., G. -el), ON. -al, -ill, -ull, Goth. -ils, and rel. further to IE. -(i)lo-, -(u)lo-, -(e)l, as in L. cingulus, -ula, -ulum girdle, sella (:- sedl) saddle, Gr. hellac seat, denoting appliances or instruments; there are also a few names of animals and plants, as beetle, bramble, cuttlefish, thistle; cf. cripple. This suffix was not gen. productive, but some adoptions of words containing it were made from ON. and LG., as axle, kettle, pickle, scuttle. In fowl, snail, stile, the suffix has ceased to be syllabic. Cf.-EL1. In angle, battle, candle, muzzle, syllable, uncle, etc., the ending is of other orig.

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-le2

suffix of adjs., repr. OE. -el, -ol, -ul, corr. to OS., OHG. -al, -il, Goth. -ils, -uls, and rel. further to IE. -ulo-, -ilo-, as in L. (esp. with pejorative force) bibulus, crdulus, pendulus, querulus (cf. Goth. sakuls quarrelsome, OHG. ezzal greedy, OE, slpol sleepy, wacol vigilant), L. agilis, facilis, similis, humilis, Gr. homalós smooth. Surviving words of OE. date are fickle, idle, little (cf. evil).

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-le3

suffix of verbs with frequent. or dim. force, repr. OE. -lian, corr. to OS., OHG. -ln (Du., G. -len), ON. -la :- Gmc. -ljan; surviving words of OE. date are handle, nestle, startle, twinkle. There were many new formations in ME. and modEng., chiefly expressive of repeated action or movement, some being adopted from foreign sources, some being of native echoic or symbolic creation, e.g. bubble, chuckle, dabble, drizzle, giggle, hobble, mumble, niggle, paddle, scribble, topple, wriggle. Darkle, sidle, suckle are back-formations; cf. grovel.

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lea

tract of open ground, (hence) grassland. OE. la(h), corr. to OHG. lh (MHG. low brush-wood, scrub-land) :- Gmc. lau?- :- IE. louq-, repr. also by L. lcus grove, Lith. lakas field. Skr. loká- open space; the basic meaning was prob. ‘clearing’, and developed from that of LIGHT1.

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lead1

the heaviest of the base metals. OE. lad = MLG. ld (Du. lood) lead, MHG. lt (G. lot) plummet, solder :- WGmc. lauda: rel. to Ir. luaidhe, Gael. luaidh. Hence leaden (-EN3) adj. OE.

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lead2

take with one, conduct; carry on (now mainly with life as obj.) OE.; precede, be foremost (in) XIV(first in lead the dance). OE. ldan = OS. ldian (Du. leiden), (O)HG. leiten, ON. leiða :- Gmc. laiðjan, f. laið LOAD. Hence lead sb. XIII. leader late OE. ldere.

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leaf

part of a plant; fold of paper. OE. laf, corr. to OS. lf (Du. loof), OHG. loup (G. laub). ON. lauf, Goth. laufs :- Gmc. lauaz, -am, of which there are no certain cognates.

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league1

distance of three miles. XIV. The earliest forms show two types, leuge and leghe, the first — late L. leuca, leuga, late Gr. leúg (of Gaul. orig.), the second— Pr. lega, whence (O)F. lieue; the second type has survived.

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league2

covenant for mutual assistance. XV. Early forms (ligg, ligue, leag(u)e, lege) show deriv. (i) partly from F. ligue—It liga, latinized form of lega, f. legare bind :- L. ligre; (ii) partly immed. from It. lega. Hence vb. XVII. leaguer^1 member of a league, XVI; see -ER1.

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leaguer3

(arch.) military camp; siege. XVI. — Du. leger camp, corr. to OE. leer LAIR.

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leak

hole in a vessel containing or immersed in fluid. XV. So vb. pass away by a leak XV; allow the passage of fluid through a leak XVI. †adj. leaky. XVI. prob. all of LG. or Du. orig.; cf. MDu. lek, lk- sb. and adj., lken vb. let water through. corr. to OE. (h)lec adj., OHG. lechen wk. vb., ON. leki sb.; f. Gmc. lek-, var. of lak- LACK.

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leal

(now Sc.) loyal, faithful, true. XIII. —AN. leal, OF. leel, of which the var. leial became loial LOYAL.

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lean1

wanting in flesh. OE. hlne, of uncert. orig.

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lean2

recline; incline. OE. hleonian, hlinian, corr. to OS. hlinon (Du. leunen), OHG. (h)linn (G. lehnen), f. Gmc. ?l- :- IE. l- (cf. Gr. klîmax ladder, CLIMAX, L. clvus declivity, Skr. ri- lean), with -n- formative as in Gr. klnein bend, L. inclnre INCLINE.

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leap

†run, rush; jump. OE. str. vb. hlapan = OS. -hlpan (Du. lopen), OHG. loufan (G. laufen run), ON. hlaupa, Goth. -hlaupan :- Gmc. ?laupan, without cogns. elsewhere. So leap sb. OE. hlep, hlp :- ?laupiz; Du. loop, OHG. hlouf (G. lauf), ON. hlaup, comp. leapfrog XVI. leap-year year having one day (29 February) more than the common year. XIV (but prob. much earlier than it is recorded). The term prob. refers to the fact that in the bissextile year any fixed festival falls on the next weekday but one to that on which it fell in the preceding year.

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learn

pt., pp. learnt
A
acquire knowledge OE.;
B
impart knowledge to, teach (now dial. or vulgar) XIII. OE. leornian = OS. lnon (:- liznn), OHG. lernn, lirnn (G. lernen) :- WGmc. liznjan, liznjan, f. lis- weak grade of lais-(see LAST1). Hence learned deeply read, erudite. XVI; in absol. use, after L. doctus (pp. of docre teach); succeeding to the sense ‘(well) instructed’, const. in, †of; preceded by ME., late OE. lred, pp. of lran teach.

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lease

conveyance of property by contract, etc. XV. — AN. les = OF. lais, leis, f. spec. use of lesser, laissier (mod. laisser) let, leave (:- L. laxre), whence lease vb. XVI.

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leash

XIII. — OF. lesse, (also mod.) laisse, f. spec. use of laisser let (a dog) run on a slack lead; see prec.

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least

OE. lst, contr. of lsest :- Gmc. laisistaz, laisiz. LESS; see -EST. Hence leastways, leastwise.

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leat

open watercourse. OE., in wæterelæt water channel; f. base of ltan LET1.

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leather

OE. leðer (only in comps.) = OS. leðar (Du. leer), OHG. ledar (G. leder), ON. leðr :- Gmc. leþram :- IE. letrom, whence also OIr. lethar, W. lledr, Breton ler. Hence leathern OE. leðeren (see -EN3).

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leave1

permission. OE. laf = OHG. louba. (MHG loube, G. †laue) :- WGmc. lau, whence laubjan permit (OE. lefan, etc.). The form leave repr. OE. obl. forms. The etymol. meaning is prob. ‘pleasure, approval’, and the base that of LOVE.

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leave2

A
have as remainder, cause or allow to remain;

B
depart (from). OE. lfan = OS. -lbian, OHG. leiban (cf. OHG. bilban, G. bleiben remain), ON. leifa, Goth. -laibjan :- Gmc. laijan remain, continue, f. lai remainder (OE. lf remainder, ON. leif heritage, etc., of which the vars. lb- appear in LIFE, LIVE1. Referred to an IE. base loip- leip- lip- stick, adhere, repr. by Gr. lïpars perserving, importunate, lipos grease, Lith. lìpti, OSl. lpti adhere, Skr. lip-, rip— smear, adhere to.
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leaven

substance added to dough to produce fermentation. XIV. ME. levain — (O)F. :- Gallo—Rom. use of L. levmen lit. ‘means of raising’, only in sense ‘alleviation, relief’, f. levre lighten, relieve, raise (cf. LEVITY). Hence vb. XV.

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lecher

XII. — OF. lichiere (nom.), lecheor, —ur (acc.), f. lechier live in debauchery or gluttony (mod. lécher lick) — Frankish likkn :- Gmc. likkjan LICK. So lecherous XIV, lechery XIII.

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lectern

XIV. ME. lettorne, let(t)ron — OF. lettrun, leitrun — medL. lectrnum, lectrum, f. L. legere read (see next). The present form shows assim. to medL.

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lection

reading; liturgical lesson. XVI. — L. lecti, -n—, f. lect—, pp. stem of legere read, orig. gather, choose, rel. to Gr. légein collect, say; see -TION. So lecture †reading XIV; discourse XVI. — (O)F. lecture or medL. lectra. Hence lecturer XVI, lectureship XVII.

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ledge

transverse bar or strip XIV; narrow projecting shelf XVI. poss. f. ME. legge LAY1 cf. MHG. legge layer, edge.

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ledger

A
sb. †book lying permanently in one place XV; principal one of a set of commercial books; horizontal timber, flat slab XVI.

B
resident ambassador XVI; adj. †resident, stationary; (mus.) ledger line separate short line above or below the stave XVII. Early forms legger, lidger, ligger, corr. in sense to Du. legger, ligger (f. leggen LAY1, liggen LIE1) on which the Eng. forms were prob. modelled; see —-ER1.
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lee1

protection, shelter OE.; sheltered side XIV. OE. hlo, hlow— = OS. hleo m., hlea fem., ON. hlé :- Gmc. ?lw-, not known outside Gmc. The naut. sense was mainly from ON. Hence leeward (on) the side turned away from the wind. XVI.

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lee2

usu. coll. pl. lees sediment, dregs. XIV. — OF. lie = medL. pl. liæ — Gaul. liga or ligja (cf. OIr. lige).

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leech1

(arch.) physician. OE. l.e = OS. lki, OHG. lhhi, Goth. lkeis :- Gmc. lkjaz.

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leech2

blood — sucking worm, OE. le (Kentish l.e), MDu. lake, l(i)eke; orig. a distinct word from prec. but assim. to it.

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leech3

(naut.) vertical or sloping side of a sail. XIV lich(e)). Obscurely connected with ON. (naut.) lík (cf. Sw. lik, Da. lig bolt rope).

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leek

OE. lac, corr. to MDu. looc (Du. look), OHG. louh (G. lauch), ON. laukr :- Gmc. laukaz -am, of which no cogns. are known outside Gmc.

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leer

look askance (now only with a sly or malign expression). XVI. Early leare, le(e)re, poss. f. leer sb. cheek (OE. hlor), as if ‘to look over the cheek’. Hence sb. XVI.

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leet1

court of record held by lords of certain manors. XV. — AN. lete, AL. leta, of unkn. orig.

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leet2

(mainly Sc.) list of persons eligible or selected for an office. XV (lite, lytte, lythe). of obscure orig., but prob. — AN., OF. lit(t)e, var. of liste LIST4.

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left

side opposite to the right. XIII. ME. luft, lift, left :- OE. lyft (as in lyftdl ‘left—disease’, paralysis), Kentish left ‘inanis’; the primary sense of ‘weak, worthless’ is found in EFris, luf, Du. dial. loof, and the derived sense in MDu., LG. luchter, lucht, luft, NFris. leeft, leefter; the ult. orig. is unkn.

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leg

XIII. — ON. leggr (also in comps. limb, viz. armleggr, handleggr arm, lærleggr, fótleggr leg) :- lazjaz (cf. Lombardic lagi thigh), of which there are no certain cogns. elsewhere.

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legacy

†legateship XIV; bequest XV. — OF. legacie — medL. lgtia legateship, f. lgtus LEGATE. In the second and current sense repr. AL. lgantia, f. lgre (see LEGATE).

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legal

XVI. — (O)F. légal or L. lglis, f. lx, lg- law; see -AL1. So legality XV.

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legate

ecclesiastic deputed to represent the Pope XII; ambassador, delegate XIV. — (O)F. légat — L. lgtus, sb. use of pp. of lgre depute, delegate; see -ATE1. So legation XV. — (O)F. or L.

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legatee

person to whom a legacy is bequeathed. XVII. f. legate bequeath (XVI), f. pp. of L. lgre; see prec., -ATE3, -EE1.

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legato

(mus.) smooth and connected. XIX. — It., pp. of legare :- L. ligre bind.

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legend

A
story of a saint's life or collection of these XIV; book of liturgical lessons XV; nonhistorical story;

B
inscription, motto XVII. — (O)F. légende — medL. legenda, prop. ‘things to be read’, n. pl. of gerundive of legere read (see LECTION), taken as fem. sg.
Top
So legendary XVI. — medL. legendrius (sb. —ium).

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legerdemain

sleight of hand XV; trickery XVI. — F. léger de main, i.e. léger light, de of, main hand.

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leghorn

kind of straw plaiting; breed of fowls. XIX. f. place — name Leghorn (Italy) — It. †Legorno, now Livorno, repr. L. Liburnus.

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legible

XIV. — late L. legibilis, f. legere read; see LECTION, -IBLE. Hence legibility XVII.

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legion

body of infantry in the ancient Roman army; vast host. XIII. — OF. legiun, -ion (mod. légion) — L. legi, -n, f. legere choose, levy (see LECTION).

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legislator

XVII. — L. lgis ltor, i.e. lgis g. of lx law, ltor proposer, mover, agent-noun f. ltus, pp. of tollere raise. So legislation XVII. Hence legislative, legislature XVII.

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legitimate

lawfully begotten XV; lawful, regular XVII. — medL. lgitimts, pp. of lgitimre declare to be lawful, legitimize, f. L. lgitimus, f. lx, lg— law. So legitimate vb. XVI, legitimation XV. See -ATE2, -ATE3, legitimist XIX. — F. (political party). legitimize XIX. f. L.

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leguminous

pert. to pulse; of the pea and bean family. XVII. — modL. legminsus, f. L. legmen, -min- pulse, bean (whence, through F., legume beans, peas, etc. XVII; pod of leguminous plant (XVIII;) see -OUS.

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leisure

†freedom or opportunity; freedom from occupation, free time. XIV. ME. leisour, -er — AN. leisour, OF leisir (mod. loisir) :- Rom. sb. use of L. licre be permitted.

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leman

(arch.) lover, sweetheart; illicit lover, paramour. XIII. ME. le(o)fman, lemman, f. LIEF + MAN.

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lemma pl. lemmata lemmas

(math.) subsidiary proposition XVI; heading, title, theme XVII. — L. — Gr. lêmma, pl. lmmata something taken for granted or assumed, theme, argument, title, f. lab-, base of lambánein take.

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lemming

XVII. — Norw.

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lemon1

pale-yellow acid fruit. XIV. ME. lymon — (O)F. limon (now restricted to the lime), corr. to Sp. limón, Pg. limo, It. limone, medL. lim, -n- — Arab. laimn — Pers. lm(n). So lemonade XVII. — F. limonade.

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lemon2

in lemon sole species of plaice. XIX. — F. limande (XIII; beside lime; cf. It. lima, limanda), of unkn. orig.

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lemur

XVIII. — modL. lemur, f. L. pl. lemurs shades of the departed; so named because of its spectre-like face.

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lend

XV. Late ME. lende, superseding lne(n) :- OE. lænan, corr. (with difference of conjugation) to Du. leenen, OHG. lhann (G. lehnen enfeoff); f. ln LOAN. From the pt. lende and pp. lent of lne, by assoc. with the conjugation of bend, send, wend, arose an inf. lende.

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length

OE. lengðu (rare; usu. lengu, lenge) = Du. lengte, ON. lengd :- Gmc. lagiþ, f. lagaz LONG1; see -TH1. Hence lengthen XVI see -EN5. lengthy XVII.

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lenient

softening, relaxing XVII; indisposed to severity XVIII. — L. lnins, -ent- prp. of lnre soothe, f. lnis soft, mild; see -ENT. Hence leniency XVIII. So lenity XVI. — OF. — L.

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lens

XVII. — L. lens LENTIL; so called on account of its shape.

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Lent

†spring; period from Ash Wednesday to Easter Eve. XIII. Shortened form of ME. lenten, OE. lencten = MDu. lentin, OHG. len(gi)zin :- WGmc. lagitna, either f. lagita-, -tan- whence MDu. lenta, Du. lente, OHG. langiz, -uz, lenzo, G. lenz) with suffix -na-, or f. Gmc. lagaz long1 + tna- of Goth. sinteins daily, rel. to Skr. dina-, OSl. dn, Lith. dienà day; the ult. deriv. from LONG1 is undoubted and may have ref. to the lengthening of the day in spring; the eccl. sense is peculiar to Eng. Lenten survives in attrib. use, apprehended as an adj. in -EN3.

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lenticular

lens- or lentil-shaped. XVII. — L. lenticulris, f. lenticula; see next and -AR.

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lentil

XIII. — (O)F. lentille :- Rom. lentcula, for L. lenticula, dim. of lns, lent- lentil.

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lentisk

mastic tree. XV. — L. lentiscus, prob. of alien orig.

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leonid

(astron.) one of a group of meteors which appear to radiate from Leo. XIX. f. L. le, —n— LION + -ID2.

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leonine1

lion-like, pert. to a lion. XIV. — (O)F. léonin, -ine or L. lennus, -na, f. le, -n- LION; see -INE1. Identical in form and ult. in orig. is leonine^2 in leonine verse, Latin verse with internal rhyme, from the name Leo or Leonius (w. uncert. ref.).

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leopard

XIII. ME. leo-, leupard, lub-, lebard — OF. leop—, leupard, lebard (mod. léopard) — late L. leopardus — late Gr. leópardos, also leontópardos, f. lén, leont- LION + párdos PARD.

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leper

XIV. prob. arising from attrib. use of †leper (XIII) leprosy — (O)F. lèpre — L. lepra — Gr. lépr, sb. use of fem. of leprós scaly, f. lépos, lepis scale. So leprous XIII. — OF. — late L. Hence leprosy XVI.

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lepidoptera

order of insects with scale-covered wings. XVIII. modL., f. Gr. lepis, lepído- scale + pterón wing (cf.FEATHER).

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leporine

hare-like. XVII. — L. lepornus, f. lepus, lepor- hare; see INE1.

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leprechaun

in Ir. folk—lore, a pygmy sprite. XVII ( lubrican). — Ir. lupracán, leipracán, lioprachán, in MIr. luchrupán, OIr. luchorpán, f. lu small + corp body (— L. corpus).

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lepto-

comb. form of Gr. leptós fine, small, delicate (prop. ppl. adj. of lépein scale, peel, rel. to lepis shell, scale), in many bot. and zool. terms.

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Lesbian

pert. to homosexuality in women; also sb. XIX. f. L. Lesbius, f. Lesbos birthplace of the poetess Sappho (c.600 B.C.; poss. homosexual) + -IAN.

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lese-majesty

treason. XV. — F. lèse—majesté — L. læsa mjests hurt or violated majesty, i.e. of the sovereign people; læsa, pp. of lædere injure, mjests MAJESTY.

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lesion

XV. — (O)F. lésion — L. læsi, -n-, f. lædere, læs- injure, hurt; see -SION.

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less

OE. lssa = OFris. lssa :- Gmc. laisiz, f. laisiz (whence OE. ls adv.), compar. formation on laisa- :- IE. loiso (cf. Gr. loîsthos last, and LEAST. Hence lessen vb. XIV (-EN5). lesser XIII (-ER5); double compar.

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—less

orig. an adj. rel. to LOOSE, LOSE, LOSS, OE. las devoid (of), free (from), governing the g., e.g. firena las free from crimes, but more freq. the second el. of adj. compounds, the first el. being a sb., e.g. wflas without a wife. The sb. may be a noun of action with the same form as the related vb., and some adjs. so formed have the sense ‘not to be — ed’, ‘un — able’, e.g. countless, numberless. On the supposed analogy of these —less has been added (from late XVI) to many verbs, e.g. dauntless, fadeless, tireless.

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lessee

tenant under a lease. XV. — AN. lessee, OF. lessé, pp. of lesser (mod. laisser leave, let); see LEASE. So lessor XV. — AN. lesso(u)r.

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lesson

portion of sacred scripture read in divine service; portion of a book to be studied; portion or period of teaching XIII; †lecture XIV. — (O)F. leçon :- L. lecti, -n- LECTION.

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lest

OE. þ ls þe ‘whereby less that’ (þ instr. case of the dem. and rel. pron., ls LESS, þe rel. particle; see THE2), late OE. þe lste, whence ME. lest(e), by aphesis of the first word of the phr.

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let1

†leave behind or undone, omit; put out to hire or rent; allow, cause. OE. str. vb. ltan = OS. ltan (Du. laten), OHG. lzan (G. lassen), ON. láta, Goth. ltan; Gmc. (orig. redupl.) vb., f. lt (:- ld-), rel. to lat- LATE:- lad-, repr. by L. lassus weary(:- ladtós). The primary sense was prob. ‘let go through weariness’.

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let2

(arch.) hinder, prevent. OE. lettan = OS. lettian (Du. letten), OHG. lezzen, ON. letja. Goth. (Gmc.) latjan, f. lata- slow, LATE. Hence sb. hindrance. XII.

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-let

suffix used since XVI, but not freq. till XVIII, to form diminutives; presumably deduced from bracelet, crosslet, etc., which appear to be f. brace, cross, but which are actually — F. words formed by the addition of -ette (-ET) to sbs. ending in -el, or from tartlet, which is — F. tartelette, dim. of tarte TART, through the by-form tartre, whence tarterette, and by dissim. tartelette.

Armlet, necklet, wristlet, denoting ornaments for parts of the body, were perh. first suggested by a false analysis of frontlet, and furthered by the common bracelet.

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lethal

XVII. — L. lethlis, f. lthum, var. of ltum death, by assoc. with Gr. lth oblivion, used as a proper name in L. (whence Lethe XVI)for a river in Hades, the water of which, when drunk, produced oblivion of the past; see -AL1.

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lethargy

morbid drowsiness; torpor, apathy. XIV. Earliest form litargie — OF. litargie (mod. lth-) — late L. lthargia (medL. litargia) — Gr. lthargí, f. lthargos forgetful, f. lth- (cf. prec.), var. of lath- in lanthánein escape notice, lanthánesthai forget, prob. rel. to L. latre be hid. So lethargic (XIV rare before XVI.)— L. — Gr.

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letter

alphabetic character; epistle; pl. literature, learning. XIII. — (O)F. lettre :- L. littera letter of the alphabet, pl. epistle, written document, literature, culture. So lettered learned, educated. XIV.

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lettuce

XIII. ME. letus(e), obscurely rel. to (O)F. laitue :- L. lactca, f. lac, lact- milk; so called with ref. to the milky juice of the plant.

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leuco- before a vowel leuc-,

comb. form of Gr. leukós white (see LIGHT1). XVII.

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levant

abscond, bolt; esp. of a debtor. XVIII. perh. f. levant in sl. phr. come the l., run or throw a l., make a bet with the intention of absconding if it is lost, ult. based on Levant, as in the F. phr. faire voile en Levant ‘to be stolne, filched, or purloyned away’ (Cotgr.). But cf. Sp. levantarse con algo seize something.

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Levant

†the East; eastern part of the Mediterranean. XV. — F. levant, sb. use (‘point where the sun rises’) of prp. of lever rise (see LEVY). So Levantine XVII.

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levator

(anat.) muscle that raises. XVII. — late L., agent-noun of L. levre raise (see LEVY, -ATOR).

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levee

reception of visitors on rising from bed XVII; assembly held by a sovereign, etc., esp. in the early afternoon XVIII. — F. levé, sb. use of pp. of lever raise, (refl.) rise; see LEVY, -EE1.

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level

instrument to indicate a line parallel to the horizon XIV; †level condition XV; position marked by a horizontal line XVI; social, etc., plane; level surface XVII. ME. level, livel — OF. livel, later nivel (mod. niveau) :- Rom. libellum, for L. lbella, dim. of lbra balance, scales. Hence adj. XVI, vb. XV.

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lever

bar used to prize up a heavy object. XIII. — AN. lever, (O)F. levier, alt. of OF. leveor, f. lever raise (see LEVY).

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leveret

XV. — AN., dim. of levre, (O)F. lièvre :- L. lepus, lepor- hare (of alien orig.); see -ET.

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leviathan

large aquatic animal in the Bible; †Satan XIV; used by Hobbes for the commonwealth 1651. — L. — Heb. liwythn.

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levigate

make smooth. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. lvigre, f. lvis smooth (cf. Gr. leîos) + -ig-, var. of base of agere do, make; see ACT and -ATE3. So levigation XV. — L.

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levin

lightning. XIII. MF leuen(e), prob. of ON. orig.

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levirate

custom by which a brother of a deceased man marries his widow. XVIII. f. L. luir brother-in-law + -ATE1.

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levitate

XVII. f. L. levis light (see LEVITY). So levitation XVII.

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levity

XVI. — L. levits, f. levis light, rel. to Gr. elakhús short, OSl. lgk light; see -ITY.

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levy

action of raising money, an army, etc. XV. — (O)F. levée, sb. use of fem. pp. of lever :- L. levre raise, f. levis light (see prec. and -Y5). Hence vb. raise (money, taxes, etc.) XIV; raise (an army); make, start (war) XV.

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lewd

†lay, not clerical OE.; unlearned XIII; †low, vulgar; lascivious, unchaste XIV. OE. lwede, of unkn. orig.

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lewis

iron contrivance for raising blocks of stone. XVIII. perh. f. the name Lewis.

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lewisite

vesicant oily fluid. XX. f. name of the inventor, W. J. Lewis + -ITE.

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lexical

XIX. f. Gr. lexikós and lexikón; see next and -AL1.

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lexicon

XVII. — modL. — Gr. lexikón, n. sg. of lexikós pert. to words, f. léxis phrase, word, f. légein speak; see LECTION. So lexicographer, lexicography XVII.

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liable

obliged by law XV; exposed or subject to XVI. poss. — AN liable f.(O)F. lier :- L. ligre bind; but the late appearance of the word and its absence from AN. and AL. records would be inexplicable. Hence liability XVIII. See -BLE.

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liaison

†thickening for sauces XVII; illicit intimacy XIX; (mil.) co-operation of forces XX. — F., f. lier bind (cf. prec.).

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liane

tropical climbing and twining plant. XVIII. — F. liane, †liene, of uncert. orig. Also liana XIX.

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liar

OE. loere ( = OHG. liugari, ON. ljúgari), f. logan LIE2 see AR.

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lias

blue limestone rock XVII lyas (geol.) strata forming the lowest division of the Jurassic XIX. — F. liais, of unkn. orig.

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libation

XIV. — L. lbati, —n-, f. lbáre taste, pour as an offering, rel. to Gr. leíbein pour drop by drop; see ATION.

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libel

†formal statement or writing XIII; plaintiff's declaration or plea XIV; †published bill or pamphlet XVI; damaging or defamatory statement XVII. — OF. libel, (mod.) libelle — L. libellus, dim. of liber book. Hence libel vb. XVI, libellous XVII.

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liberal

pert. to the arts considered ‘worthy of a free man’; free in bestowing XIV; †unrestrained XV; free from prejudice XVIII; (of political opinion) XIX. — (O)F. libéral — L. lberlis, f. lber free, rel. to Gr. eleutheros; see -AL1. So liberality XIV. liberate XVII. — f. L. lbert—, —re. liberation XV. — (O)F. or L.

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libertine

†freedman XIV; antinomian, free—thinker; licentious man XVI. — L. lbertnus, f. lbertus made free, f. lber free (see prec.); partly through F. libertin.

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liberty

XIV. — (O)F. libert — L. lberts, —tt—, f. lber free, see LIBERAL, -TY2. Hence libertarian XVIII.

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libidinous

XV. — L. libdinsus, f. libd, —din— lust (cf. libet it is pleasing); see OUS. So libido (psych.) XX.

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library

XIV. — (O)F. librairie (now only ‘bookshop’) — Rom. librra, alt. of L. librria bookseller's shop, sb. use of librrius pert. to books, f. liber, libr— book; see -ARY, Y2. So librarian †scribe XVII; keeper of a library XVIII. f. L. librrius + AN.

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libration

oscillation, balancing. XVII. — L. lbrti, -n—, f. lbrre balance, f. lbra pound weight, scales; see -ATION.

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libretto

XVIII. — It., dim. of libro book.

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licence, U.S. license

leave, permission; liberty of action XIV; formal permission from authority; excessive liberty XV; deviation from normal form XVI; licentiousness XVIII. — (O)F. licence — L. licentia, f. licent—, prp. stem of licre be lawful; see -ENCE. Hence license vb. XV. So licentious XVI. — L.

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lichen

XVIII. — L. lchn — Gr. leikhn.

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lich-, lych-gate

roofed gateway to a churchyard under which the bier is set down at a funeral. XV (lycheyate). f. †lich body (OE. l. :- Gmc. lkam) + GATE1.

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lichi

see LITCHI.

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licit

XV. — L. licitus, pp. of licre be lawful.

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lick

vb. OE. liccian = OS. likkn, lekkn (Du. likken), OHG. leckn (G. lecken) :- WGmc. likkjan; based ult. on IE. lih — leih — leih—, found in Skr. rehi, lehi, Gr. leíkhein, L. lingere, OIr. ligim, OSl. lizati. Hence sb. XVII.

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lickerish

(arch.) dainty; greedy; lecherous. XVI. Alt. by substitution of -ISH1, of †lickerous (XIII)— AN. likerous, of lecheros LECHEROUS. Also liquorish (XVIII) to suggest fondness for liquor.

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lictor

officer in ancient Rome. XVI (earlier †littour XIV). — L., of unkn. orig.

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lid

cover of a vessel OE.; eyelid XIII. OE. hlid = MLG. lit (-d-), Du. lid, OHG. (h)lit (now in G. (augen)lid eyelid), ON. hlið gate(way), gap :- Gmc. ?liðam, f. ?lð cover, as in OE. behldan cover.

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lido

name of a bathing—place near Venice; transf. public open—air swimming—pool. XX. — Venetian It. lido :- L. ltus shore.

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lie1

pt. lay, pp. lain be in a prostrate or recumbent position. OE. str. vb. li.an = OS. liggian (Du. liggen), OHG. liggen, ON. liggja :- Gmc. lizjan f.base lez laz læz :- IE. legh logh lgh-, repr. also by Gr. léktron, lékhos bed, L. lectus bed, OSl. leati lie. The form lie is from the stem of the 2nd and 3rd pers. sg. pres. ind. OE. li(e)st, lst, li(e)ð, lð; cf. LAY1. Hence lie sb. XVII.

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lie2

pt., pp. lied tell an untruth. OE. str. vb. logan = OS. liogan (Du. liegen), OHG. liogan (G. lügen), ON. ljúga, Goth. liugan; Gmc. vb. f. leuz louz luz (whence OE. lye sb.); cf. OSl. la lie. Hence lie sb. untruth. XIII.

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lief

†adj. beloved, dear. OE. lof = OS. liob (Du. lief), OHG. liub (G. lieb), ON. ljúfr, Goth. liufs (liub-) :- Gmc. leubaz :- IE. leubhos (whence OSl. ljub); see also LOVE. As adv. (compared liever, lievest) dearly, gladly. XIII.

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liege

entitled to feudal service (as liege lord, OF. lige segnur) XIII; bound to render this (as liege man, OF. home lige). — OF. li(e)ge — medL. lticus, læticus, prob. of Gmc. orig.

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lien

(leg.) right to retain possession of property. XVI. — F. lien, OF. loien :- L. ligmen bond, f. ligre bind.

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lieu

place, stead. XIII. — (O)F. :- L. locus place.

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lieutenant

(arch.) vicegerent XIV; military and naval rank (orig. of one ‘holding the place’ of a captain) XVI. — (O)F., f. lieu place + tenant holder (see LIEU, TENANT). Forms with f, to which the traditional Eng. pronunc. corresponds, appear in XIV; infl. of LEAVE1 is possible. Hence lieutenancy XV. Also lieutenant-general †vicegerent XV; rank next below a general XVI. — F. lieutenant général, in which the second word is orig. adj. in lord-lieutenant lieutenant is adj.

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life

OE. lf. corr. to OS. lf life, person (Du. lijf body), OHG. lb life (G. leib body), ON. lf life, body :- Gmc. lam(-az), f. l, the weak grade of which appears in LIVE1. Hence lifeguard bodyguard of soldiers. XVII. prob. after Du. †lijfgarde, G. leibgarde (in which the first el. means ‘body’), later assoc. with life.

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lift

vb. XIII. — ON. lypta = (M)HG. lüften :- Gmc. luftjan, f. luftuz air, sky. Hence sb. XVI.

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ligament

short band of animal tissue XIV; ligature XVI. — L. ligmentum, f. ligre bind, tie; see -MENT. So ligature XIV.

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light1

emanation from the sun, etc.; illumination; lighted body. OE. loht (Angl. lht) = OS., OHG. lioht (Du., G. licht) :- WGmc. leu?ta :- IE. leuktom f. leuk louk lk-, repr. in Gr. leukós white, L. lx, lmen (:- leuksmen light, lna (:- leuksn) moon, OIr. luach shining, ON. logi flame, OSl. lua beam, Skr. ruc shine. So light adj. OE. loht, lht = OS. (Du.), (O)HG. licht. light vb. OE. lhtan = OS. liuhtian, etc., Goth. liuhtjan, largely superseded by lighten^1 XIII. comp. lighthouse XVII.

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light2

of little weight. OE. loht, lht = OS. -lht (Du. licht), OHG. lht(i) (G. leicht easy), ON. léttr, Goth. leihts :- Gmc. li?t(j)az, f. ligw :- IE. leng h, as in Lith. legvas light. Hence lighten^2 XV.

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lightning

XIV. Special use of lightening, vbl. sb. of LIGHTEN1, with differentiated sp.

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lights

lungs (now of slaughtered beasts). XII. ME. lihte, pl. of LIGHT2 used sb.; cf. LUNG.

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lign-aloes

aloes, aloes wood XIV; aromatic wood of a Mexican tree XIX. — late L. lignum alos ‘wood of the ALOE’.

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ligneous

woody in texture. XVII. — L. ligneus, f. lignum wood (:- legnom, f. legere COLLECT, fallen branches being collected for burning); see -EOUS.

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like1

having the same character or quality. XII. — ON. likr, aphetic of glikr = OE. el. ALIKE. Hence liken compare. XIV. See -EN5. likewise XV.

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like2

please, be pleasing OE.; find agreeable, be pleased with XII. OE. lcian = OS. likon (Du. lijken), OHG. lhhn, ON. líka, Goth. leikan :- Gmc. lkjan, -jan, f. lkam appearance. form. Hence lik(e)able XVIII. So liking OE. lcung.

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likely

probable XIII; suitable, fit XIV; capable-looking; handsome XV. — ON. líkligr, f. líkr LIKE1 + ligr -LY1. Also adv. probably. XIV. So likeness OE. (e)lïcnes.

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lilac

shrub Syringa vulgaris. XVII. — F. †lilac (now lilas) — Sp. lilac — Arab. llak — Pers. lïlak, var. of nlak bluish, f. nl blue, indigo. So named from the bluish tinge of the flowers of some varieties.

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liliaceous

XVIII. — late L. lliceus, f. llium LILY; see -ACEOUS.

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Lilliputian

diminutive. XVIII. f. Lilliput name of an imaginary country in Swift's ‘Gulliver's Travels’ (1726), peopled by pygmies six inches high; see -IAN.

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lilt

sound (a note), lift up (the voice), sing XIV; sing with a swing XVIII. ME. lilte, lulte, of obscure orig. Hence lilt sb. (Sc.) song, tune XVIII; swing of a tune or verse XIX.

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lily

OE. lilie (weak fem.) — L. llium; of alien orig. (cf. Gr. leírion).

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limb1

part of the body, spec. a member such as the arm, leg, wing; branch (l. of Satan, etc., imp, mischievous person; in OE. dofles limu ‘devil's limbs’; whence simply limb XVII) OE. lim n., pl. limu, corr. to ON. limr m.; prob. rel. to OE. lið limb ( = Du. lid; see LAY-FIGURE). Parasitic b prob. arose in obl. forms, and has now disappeared in pronunc.

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limb2

A
†limbo of Hell XV;

B
edge or boundary of a surface or instrument XVI. — F. limbe or its source L. limbus (see LIMBO).
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limber1

shaft; forepart of a gun-carriage. XV (lymo(u)r). of obscure orig. Hence limber vb.1 XIX.

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limber2

pl. holes in timbers for the passage of water. XVII. perh. — (O)F. lumière light, hole (used in the same techn. sense) :- Rom. lminria, fem. sg. use of pl. of L. lminre light, lamp, f. lmen, lmin- (see LIGHT1).

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limber3

flexible, pliant. XVI. perh. from LIMBER1 in allusion to the motion of shafts. Hence limber (up) vb.2 XVIII.

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limbo

region on the border of Hell XIV; prison, confinement XVI; neglect, oblivion XVII. orig. in phr. in, out of limbo, repr. medL. in, limb; abl. of L. limbus hem, selvage, fringe.

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lime1

birdlime; mortar, cement; calcium oxide. OE. lm, corr. to MDu., OHG. lm (Du. lijm, G. leim), ON. lím; f. Gmc. lm-, var. of laim- LOAM, ult. rel. to L. lmus. Hence vb. XIII.

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lime2

kind of citrus fruit. XVII. — F. — modPr. limo, Sp. lima — Arab. lma, coll. lm fruits of the citron kind.

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lime3

linden. XVII. unexpl. alt. of line, var. of lind (see LINDEN).

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limen

(psych.) limit below which a stimulus ceases to be perceptible. XIX. — L. lmen, lmin- threshold. So liminal XIX. Cf. SUBLIMINAL.

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limerick

XIX. Said to be derived from a custom of singing ‘Will you come up to Limerick?’ at parties at which verses were extemporized.

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limit

sb. XIV. L. lmes, lmit— frontier. So limit vb. XIV. — (O)F. limiter or L. lmitre. limitation XIV.

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limitrophe

adj. on the frontier XIX; †sb. borderland XVI. — F. — late L. limitrophus, f. lmit- LIMIT + Gr. -trophos supporting (tréphein nourish).

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limn

illuminate XV; paint, portray XVI. contr. of †lumine (XIV) — OF. luminer — L. lminre, f. lmen, lmin- LIGHT1. So limner illuminator XIV; painter XVI. contr. of †luminer (XIV).

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limnology

XIX. f. Gr. límn lake, marsh + -OLOGY.

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limousine

motor-car with closed body. XX. — F., f. Limousin name of a province of France; orig. caped cloak worn by natives of the province.

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limp1

walk lame. XVI. cogn. w. †limphalt lame, OE. lemphealt, læmpihalt (second el. healt HALT1); cf. MHG. limpfen limp.

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limp2

not stiff. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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limpet

ME. lempet :- OE. lempedu — medL. lamprda limpet, LAMPREY.

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limpid

pellucid, clear. XVII. — F. limpide or L. limpidus.

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linchpin

pin in an axle to keep the wheel in place. XIV (lynspin). f. ME. lins :- OE. lynis = OS. lunisa (Du. luns, lens), MHG. luns, lunse (G. lünse).

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Lincoln green

bright green stuff made at Lincoln, county town of Lincolnshire, England, a seat of cloth manufacture. XVI.

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linden

lime-tree. XVI. In linden tree — Du. linde-, †lindenboom, G. lindenbaum, f. linde (with wk. inflexion) + boom, baum tree (BEAM.) The first el. corr. to OE. lind(e) lime-tree, shield, ON. lind.

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line1

flax; flax thread or cloth. OE. ln = OS., OHG. ln (Du. lijn-, G. lein-), ON. lín, Goth. lein :- Gmc. lnam = or — L. lnum flax, rel. to Gr. lnon, Ir. lín, Lith. lina pl. Now dial. exc. as surviving in LINSEED. Hence line vb.1 apply a layer of material to the inside of (a garment). XIV. w. ref. to linen being used for the purpose.

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line2

cord, string; string, row, series OE.; thread-like mark, stroke XIII; serial succession XIV; track, course XV. Two words of ult. identical etym. have coalesced:
1.
OE. lne rope, line, series, rule = MDu. lne (Du. lijn), OHG. lna (G. leine cord), ON. lína, prob. Gmc. — L. lnea;
2.
ME. li(g)ne — (O)F. ligne :- Rom. linja L. lnea, orig. sb. use of fem. of lneus pert. to flax, f. lnum; see prec. Hence line vb.2 tie with a line, etc. XIV; trace with a line XVI; bring into line XVII.

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line3

cover (the bitch). XIV. — (O)F. ligner, also aligner; identical with LINE vb.2, but the sense-development is obscure.

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lineage

XIV. — (O)F. lignage, †linage :- Rom. lneticum, f. L. lnea LINE2; see AGE. The sp. lineage (XVII) is due to assoc. with line; the pronunc. has followed it.

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lineal

pert. to a line or lines XIV; in the direct line of descent XV. — (O)F. linéal — late L. lnelis; see LINE2, -AL1. So linear XVII. — L. lneris.

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lineament

distinctive feature XV;†line, outline XVI. — L. lnementum, f. lnere make straight, f. lnea LINE2; see -MENT. So lineation XIV.

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linen

adj. made of flax OE.; now, as attrib. use of the sb., made of linen; sb. cloth woven from flax; garments, etc., of this. XIV. OE. lnen, linnen = OS., OHG. lnin (Du. linnen, G. leinen):- WGmc. lnn, f. lnam, LINE1; see -EN3.

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liner

ship or aircraft belonging to a line (LINE2), i.e. a regular succession of vessels plying between certain places. XIX. See -ER1.

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ling1

long slender cod-like fish. XIII. ME. leng(e), prob. of Du. or LG. orig.; cf. Du. leng, earlier lenghe, linghe; rel. to LONG1.

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ling2

plant of the heather family. XIV. — ON. lyng, of unkn. orig.

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-ling1

suffix. of Gmc. orig., forming sbs. OE., OS., OHG. -ling, ON. -lingr, Goth, -liggs, comp. of -ila-; -EL1, -LE1, and iga-; -ING3, but treated as a simple suffix. In OE., added to sbs. to denote a person concerned with …, e.g. hrling HIRELING; added to adjs. (occas. an adv.) to denote a person having the quality implied, e.g. dorling DARLING. In ON. the suffix was dim. in force, esp. in names of the young of animals, e.g. gæslingr GOSLING. ME. and later formations on the same lines are grayling, nestling, sapling; with unfavourable sense (since c.1600), e.g. groundling, worldling. Formations on verb-stems are changeling, starveling, suckling. Many new dim. formations appear from XVI, e.g. lordling, princeling.

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-ling2

also †-lings. adv. suffix, repr. a var. of Gmc. lig -lag -lug, all of which appear in OE., as bæcling on or towards the back, nihtlanges for a night, grundlunga, -linga to the ground; so MLG., MDu. —ling(e), Fris. —lings, etc. The orig. use to form advs. of direction is continued in ME. grufelyng (see GROVELLING), sideling(s); more numerous formations denote condition or situation, as darkling(s), flatling(s).

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linger

†dwell XIII; stay behind, tarry, be tardy XVI. north, ME. lenger, frequent. (see -ER4) of †leng linger — ON. lengja = OE. lenan :- Gmc. lagjan prop. make or be long, f. lag- LONG1.

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lingerie

XIX. — F., f. linge linen :- L. lneus of linen (f. lnum LINE1), used sb.; see -ERY.

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lingo

foreign, strange or unintelligible language. XVII. prob. — Pg. lingoa :- L. lingua TONGUE.

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lingua franca

orig. mixed jargon based on Italian, used in the Levant. XVII. — It., ‘Frankish tongue’; see FRANK.

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linguist

XVI. f. L. lingua LANGUAGE + -IST. Hence linguistic XIX (earlier -ical).

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liniment

†grease XV; embrocation XVI. — late L. linimentum, f. L. linere smear, anoint; see -MENT.

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link1

loop of a chain, etc. XIV (implied in AL. linkum). — ON. hlenkr (Olcel. hlekkr) :- Gmc. ?lakjaz, rel. to OE. hlen.an pl. armour, MHG. gelenke (coll.) flexible parts of the body, gelenk joint, link; cf. LANK. Hence vb. XIV.

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link2

torch. XVI. of obscure orig.

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links

(pl.) undulating sandy ground on the seashore XV; golf-course XVIII. repr. OE. hlincas, pl. of hlinc ridge, bank, perh. f. the base of OE. hlinian LEAN2.

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linn

(Sc.) cascade, pool XVI; precipice XVIII; — Gael. linne, Ir. linn.

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Linn(a)ean

XVIII. f. Linnæus, latinized form of the surname of Carl von Linné , Sw. naturalist (1707–78); see -AN.

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linnet

XVI. — OF. linette, earlier linot (mod. linot(te)), f. lin flax (see LINEN); the bird feeds on the seed of flax and hemp.

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linoleum

floor-cloth in which a coating of linseed oil is used. XIX. f. L. lnum flax, LINE1 + -oleum OIL. Abbr. lino XX.

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linotype

(typogr.) machine for producing lines or bars of words. XIX. P.; for line o' (i.e. of) type.

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linseed

seed of flax. OE. lnsæd, i.e. LINE1 + SEED.

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linsey

fabric,(now) of coarse wool on a cotton warp. XV. prob. f. name of Lindsey in Suffolk, where the manufacture is said to have originated. Hence linsey-woolsey XV; + WOOL, with jingling ending.

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linstock

staff to hold a lighted match. XVI. Early lintstocke — Du. lontstok, f. lont match + stock stick; assim. to LINT from use of refuse of flax as tinder.

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lint

flax; dressing for wounds prepared by scraping linen. XIV. ME. lyn(n)et, perh. — (O)F. linette (known only in the sense ‘linseed’), f. lin flax, LINE1 + -ETTE.

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lintel

XIV. — OF. lintel (mod. linteau), alt. of linter, lintier :- Rom. lmitris, alt. of lminris pert. to the threshold (used sb.), by crossing of lmes, lmit -LIMIT with lmen, lmin- threshold.

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lion

ME. li(o)un, leoun — AN. liun (F. lion) — L. le, len- — Gr. ln. So lioness XIII. — OF.

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lip

OE. lippa = MLG., MDu. lippe, OSw. lippe, lippa :- Gmc. lipjan-, rel. to synon. OS. lepor, OHG. leffur, lefs :- Gmc. lepaz-, leps; rel. to L. labia, labra n. pl. lips.

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liquefy

reduce to or become a liquid. XVI. — F. liquéfier — L. liquefacere, pass. liquefier, f. liqure; see LIQUOR, -FY. So liquefaction XV. — F. or late L. liquescent XVIII.

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liquid

adj. neither solid nor gaseous XIV; (of air, sound, light) pure, clear XVI. — L. liquidus, f. liqure (cf. LIQUOR). Hence sb. (in phon.) XVI; liquid substance XVIII. So liquidate †make clear, set out clearly XVI; clear off (a debt) XVIII; set out the liabilities of XIX; (after Russ. likvidírovat) wipe out XX. f. pp. stem of medL. liquidre. liquidation XVI. liquor liquid substance. XIII. ME. lic(o)ur — OF. lic(o)ur (mod. liqueur) — L. liquor, -r-, rel. to liqure liquefy, liqure be fluid. liqueur in its specific sense was adopted from F. in XVIII.

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liquorice, licorice

rhizome of Glycyrrhiza glabra, preparation from this. XIII. — AN. lycorys. OF. licoresse — (with assim. to licor LIQUOR) late L. liquiritia — Gr. glukúrrhiza, f. glukús sweet + rhíza root.

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lira

unit of It. currency. XVII. — It. — Pr. liura = F. livre, It. libbra :- L. lbra pound.

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Lisle

name of a French town, now Lille, used attrib. as in L. thread, lace. XIX.

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lisp

speak with defective (sibilant) utterance. OE. wilispian (only in wlyspian), f. wlisp, wlips adj. lisping; cf. MLG. wlispen, wilspen (Du. lispen), OHG. lisp stammering, lispen lisp (G. lispeln); imit.

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lissom

XVIII. for lithsom, f. LITHE + -SOME1.

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list1

A
border, edging, strip OE.;

B
†boundary; pl. barrier enclosing space for tilting XIV. OE. lste = MDu. lijste (Du. lijst), OHG. lsta (G. leiste) :- Gmc. lstn (whence F. liste). In its application to tilting used to repr. OF. lisse (mod. lice).
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list2

†be pleasing OE.; (arch.) desire. XIV. OE. lystan = OS. lustian (Du. lusten), OHG. lusten (G. lüsten), ON. lysta :- Gmc. lustjan, f. lust- pleasure, LUST. Hence sb. †pleasure, desire XIII; whence listless without zest or spirit XV.

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list3

(arch.) listen. OE. hlystan, f. hlyst hearing = OS., ON. hlust :- Gmc. ?lustiz :- IE. lustis (cf. Skr. ru·i- obedience), f. klus-, extension of klu- hear (see LOUD). So listen OE. hlysnan, corr. to MHG. lüsenen :- WGmc. ?lusinjan.

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list4

catalogue of names, etc. XVII. — F. liste, presumably identical with LIST1, the special application being developed from ‘strip’ (of paper). Hence vb. XVII.

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list5

inclination of a ship to one side. XVII. of unkn. orig. So vb. XVII.

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litany

liturgical form of supplication. XIII. ME. letanie (later assim. to L.) — OF. letanie (mod. litanie) — ecclL. litana — Gr. litaneí prayer, entreaty, f. litanós suppliant, f. lité supplication, litésthai entreat.

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litchi, lichi, lychee

Chinese fruit. XVI (lechia, lichea). — Chinese, li-tchi.

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-lite

final el. in many names of minerals, repr. F. -lite (in G. -lit(h)), Gr. líthos stone.

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literal

pert. to a letter or letters. XIV. — (O)F. litéral or late L. lit(t)erlis, f. lit(t)era LETTER; see -AL1. So literary XVII. — L. literate educated, learned XV; literary. XVII. — L. literature polite learning XIV; literary work XVIII. — (partly through F. littérature) L. lit(t)ertra (coll.) alphabetic letters, grammar, learning. literatim letter by letter. XVII. — medL.

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litharge

monoxide of lead. XIV. ME. litarge — OF. litarge (mod. litharge) — L. lithargyrus — Gr. lithárguros, f. líthos stone + árguros silver.

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lithe

†gentle, mild OE.; pliant, supple XV. OE. lðe = OS. lhi, OHG. lindi (G. lind) soft, gentle :- WGmc. linþja-, rel. to ON. linr soft, yielding, OE. linnan, OHG., Goth. -linnan, ON. linna cease (cf. L. lentus pliant, slow).

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lithia

lithium oxide. XIX. mod, alt. of lithion (as if — Gr. lítheion, n. of lítheiststomy tony, f. líthos stone). Hence lithium metallic element. XIX. See -IUM.

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litho-

comb. form of Gr. líthos stone. lithography making designs on stone to be printed from. XIX. lithotomy XVIII. — late L. — Gr.

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litigation

†disputation XVI; legal proceedings XVII. — late L. ltigti, -n-, f. ltigre, -t- (whence litigant , litigate ), f. ls, lt- strife, lawsuit + agere do. So litigious XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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litmus

blue colouring matter from lichens. XVI. — ONorw. litmosi, f. ON. litr dye + mosi MOSS.

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litotes

(rhet.) affirmative expressed by the negative of the contrary, as ‘a citizen of no mean city’. XVII. — late L. — Gr. ltóts, f. ltós single, simple, meagre.

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litre

XIX. — F., suggested by †litron old measure of capacity, f. medL. ltra — Gr. litr Sicilian monetary unit (of same alien orig. as L. lbra pound).

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litter

†bed XIII; portable couch XIV; straw, etc., for bedding; number of young brought forth at a birth XV; disorderly accumulation of things XVIII. — AN. litere, (O)F. litière :- medL. lectria, f. lectus bed; see LIE1. Hence vb. furnish (horse, etc.) with litter XIV. bring forth (young) XV; strew with or as litter XVIII.

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little

OE. ltel, corr. to OS. luttil (Du. luttel), OHG. luzzil (MHG., G. dial. lützel); WGmc. lttila, f. lt-, repr. also by OE. lt adv. little. Compared LESS, LEAST.

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littoral

adj. pert. to the shore XVII. sb. region along the shore XIX. — L. littorlis, var. of ltorlis, f. ltus, ltor- shore; see -AL1.

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liturgy

service of the Eucharist; form of (Christian) public worship. XVI. — F. liturgie or late L. lturgia — Gr. leitourgí public service, worship of the gods, f. leitourgós public servant, minister. So liturgic(al) XVII. — medL. — Gr.

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live1

have life; subsist. OE.
i
libban, pt. lifde,
ii
lifian, pt. lifode, corr. to OS. libbian, leon, OHG. lebn (G. leben), ON. lifa live, remain, Goth. liban; f. Gmc. base lib- remain, continue; see LIFE, LEAVE2.

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live2

living. XVI. Aphetic of ALIVE.

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livelihood

XVI. Alt., by assim. to LIVELY and -HOOD, of livelode course of life, sustenance, OE. lfld, f. lf LIFE + ld course, way (see LOAD).

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livelong

emotional intensive of the adj. long. XIV. ME. lefe longe, leve longe, i.e. LIEF, LONG1. In XVI apprehended as f. LIVE1 or LIVE2, and so alt. in form.

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lively

†living; †vital OE.; vigorous, active XIII; life-like, animated XIV; gay XVI. OE. lfli., f. lf LIFE + -li. -LY1; cf. OHG. lblch, ON. lífligr. So lively adv. OE. lfl.e (-LY2); but newly formed in XIV.

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liver

bile-secreting organ. OE. lifer = MDu. lever (Du. lever), OHG. libara (G. leber), ON. lifr :- Gmc. lbr, having no certain cogns.

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Liverpudlian

belonging to (a native of) Liverpool, of which the final syll. was joc. altered to puddle; see -IAN. XIX.

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livery

dispensing of provision to retainers XIII; allowance of provender for horses; suit of clothes for retainers XIV; legal delivery of property XV. — AN. liveré, (O)F. livrée, sb. use of fem. pp. of livrer DELIVER, dispense :- L. lberre; see -Y5.

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livid

of bluish leaden colour. XVII. — F. livide or L. lvidus, f. lvre be bluish; see -ID1.

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lixivium

lye. XVII. — late L., sb. use of n. of lixvius, f. lix ashes, lye. So lixiviate lixiviation, XVII. — modL.

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lizard

XIV. ME. lesard(e) — OF. lesard, -arde (mod. léz-), repr. L. lacertus, lacerta, which appears to be identical with lacertus muscle.

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llama

S. Amer. ruminant allied to the camel. XVI. — Sp. — Quechua.

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llano

treeless plain or steppe in S. Amer. XVII. — Sp. :- L. plnum PLAIN.

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lo

int. repr. (i) ME. l :- OE. l, excl.; (ii) ME. l, prob. short for lke :- OE. lca, imper. of lcian LOOK.

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loach

small freshwater fish. XIV. — (O)F. loche, of unkn. orig.

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load

†carriage OE.; burden XIII; transf. and fig. XVI. OE. ld way, journey, conveyance = OHG. leita course, leading, procession (G. leite), ON. leið way, course :- Gmc. laið, whence laiðjan LEAD2. The development of meaning has been infl. by assoc. with LADE. Hence vb. XV.

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loadstone, lodestone

magnetic oxide of iron; this used as a magnet. XVI. f. load, LODE + STONE; lit. ‘way-stone’, so named from the use of the magnet in guiding mariners.

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loaf1

pl. loaves †bread; portion of bread baked in one mass OE.; moulded conical mass of sugar XIV. OE. hlf = OHG. leip (G. laib), ON. hleifr loaf, Goth. hlaifs bread :- Gmc. ?laiaz.

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loaf2

(orig. U.S.) spend time idly. XIX. prob. back-formation from contemp. loafer, of obscure orig.

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loam

†clay, earth OE.; clay moistened to form a paste XV; fertile soil mixture XVII. OE. lm = (M)Du. leem, MLG. lm, rel. to OHG. leimo (G. dial. leimen) :- WGmc. laimaz, laiman-, f. lai-, l- be sticky (see LIME1).

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loan

†gift, grant OE.; thing lent, act of lending XIII. — ON. lán, corr. to OE. ln (see LEND), MDu. lne (Du. leen), OHG. lhan (G. lehen) :- Gmc. lai?wniz, -az- :- IE. loiqnes-, -os- (cf. Skr. rékna- inheritance, wealth), f. loiq- leiq- lq-, repr. also by Gr. leipein leave, L. linquere, Goth. leihwan, OHG. lhan (G. leihen), OE. lon lend. Hence vb. XVI (latterly esp. U.S.), comp. loanword XIX. after G. lehnwort.

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loath, loth

†hostile; †hateful, loathsome OE.; (f. the vb.) disinclined, unwilling XIV. OE. lð = OS. lð (Du. leed), OHG. leid (cf. G. leid sorrow, pain), ON. leiðr :- Gmc. laiþaz. So loathe be hateful OE.; be averse to, (later) dislike intensely XII. OE. lðlan = OS. lthon, ON. leiða :- Gmc. laiðjan. Hence loathly OE. lðli.. loathsome XIII.

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lob

†pollack XIV; (dial.) bumpkin XVI; pendulous object XVII; lump XIX. prob. of LG. or Du. orig.; cf. EFris. lob(be) hanging lump of flesh, MLG., †Du. lobbe, lubbe hanging lip, Du. lobbes bumpkin, gawk. Hence lob vb. droop XVI; move or throw heavily XIX.

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lobby

†(perh.) monastic cloister XVI; passage or corridor attached to a building XVI (spec. in the House of Commons XVII). — medL. lobium, lobia (see LODGE).

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lobe

roundish projecting part of an organ. XVI. — late L. lobus — Gr. lobós lobe of ear or liver, pod. So lobate XVIII, lobule XVII. — modL.

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lobelia

XVIII. modL., f. name of Matthias de Lobel (1538–1616), botanist to James I; see -IA1.

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lobscouse

dish of meat stewed with vegetables and ship's biscuit. XVIII. of unkn. orig.; cf. Da. lapskaus, Du., G. lapskous.

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lobster

OE. loppestre, lopystre, lopustre — L. locusta crustacean, LOCUST, with unexpl. p for c, and -stre after agent-nouns in -stre -STER.

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local

XV. — (O)F. — late L. loclis, f. locus place; see -AL1. So locale XIX, later form of local sb. XVIII. — F. local, sb. use of the adj. locality XVII. — F. or late L. locate appoint the place OF. XVIII. f. L. locre, loct-, location hiring; placing. XVI. — L. locative (gram.). XIX.

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loch

(Sc.) lake. XIV. — Gael.

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lochia

XVII. — medL. — Gr. lókhia, sb. use of n. pl. of lókhios pert. to childbirth, f. lókhos lying-in.

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lock1

division of a head of hair. OE. loc, corr. to OS. lok, OHG. loc (MDu., G. locke, Du. lok), ON, lokkr :- Gmc. lokkaz, lukkaz, f. IE. lug-, whence Gr. lugoûn, lugízein bend.

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lock2

A
contrivance for fastening a door, etc. OE.; mechanism of discharge in fire-arms XVI;

B
barrier on a river XIII;
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C
(? f. the vb.) interlocking grip XVI. OE. loc = OS. lok, OHG. loh (G. loch) hole, ON. lok lid, end, conclusion (Goth. has usluk opening) :- Gmc. lokam. lukam, f. luk- lk- close, enclose, whence str. vb. lkan, OE. lcan, which was repl. (XIII) by lock vb., a new deriv. of the native sb. or an adoption of ON. loka.
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Hence locker XV.

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lock3

as in lock hospital (for venereal diseases). XVII (The Lock). The ‘Lock lazar-house’ in Southwark (mentioned 1452) became such a hospital, whence the name was generalized; perh. orig. So called because specially isolated (LOCK2).

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-lock,

suffix surviving only in WEDLOCK, repr. OE. -lc, which may be rendered ‘actions or proceedings, practice’, as beado-, feoht-, heaðolc fighting, warfare, brdlc nuptials, raflc robbery, wedlc pledge-giving, nuptials; = ON. -leikr, identical with OE. lc play, sport, ON. leikr, Goth. laiks dance.

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locket

†iron cross-bar of a window XIV; metal plate on a scabbard XVI; †group of jewels in a pattern; †catch or spring to fasten an ornament; small case hung as an ornament from the neck XVII. — OF. locquet (mod. loquet latch), dim. of (chiefly AN.) loc latch, lock — the Gmc. source of LOCK2.

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locomotive

pert. to locomotion; moving by its own powers XVII; of mechanism (e.g. locomotive engine, whence locomotive sb.) XIX. — modL. locmtvus, f. L. loc, abl. of locus place + mtvus MOTIVE, after scholL. in loc movr = movr locliter move by change of position in space. So locomotion XVII. locomotor sb. and adj. XIX.

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locum tenens

XVII. — medL., ‘one holding the place (of another)’; L. locum, acc. of locus place, and tenns, prp. of tenre hold.

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locus

XVIII. — L., ‘place’.

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locust

A
destructive insect migrating in swarms XIII;

B
fruit of the carob (supposed to have been the food of John the Baptist); carobtree, etc. XVII. — (O)F. locuste — L. locusta locust, lobster, of unkn. orig.
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locution

†utterance; form of expression XV. — (O)F. locution or L. locti, -n-, f. loct-, pp. stem of loqu talk, speak; see -TION.

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lode

†way, journey OE.; watercourse; loadstone XVI; vein of ore XVII. OE. ld LOAD, of which lode is a sp.-var. lodestar pole star, guiding star. XIV. lodestone see LOADSTONE.

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lodge

small house, tent, arbour XIII; small lodging, cottage, etc. XV. ME. log(g)e — (O)F. loge arbour, summer-house, hut = It. loggia, etc. :- medL. lobia LOBBY, of Gmc. orig. So vb. XIII.

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loess

(geol.) deposit of loam. XIX. — G. löss, f. Swiss G. lösch ‘loose’.

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loft

†air, sky OE.; upper chamber, attic XIII; gallery, etc. XVI. Late OE. loft — ON. lopt air, upper room, balcony, rel. to LIFT. Hence lofty XVI.

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log1

bulky mass of wood XIV; (naut.) apparatus for calculating a ship's speed consisting of a thin wooden float attached to a line XVI. prob. earlier; cf. AL. loggiare cut into logs XIII; of unkn. orig.

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log2

abbr. of LOGARITHM. XVII.

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loganberry

XIX. Named after J. H. Logan , of U.S.A., by whom it was first grown in 1881.

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logaoedic

(pros.) composed of dactyls combined with trochees or of anapaests with iambs. XIX. — late L. logaœdicus — Gr. logaoidikós, f. lógos speech + aoid song.

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logarithm

XVII. — modL. logarithmus, f. Gr. lógos ratio + arithmós number (cf. LOGOS, ARITHMETIC).

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logger-head

†blockhead XVI; large head XVI (applied to large-headed animals XVII); instrument with a long handle and bulbous head; at loggerheads quarrelling XVII. prob. f. logger hobble for horses (f. LOG) + HEAD.

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loggia

open gallery or arcade. XVII. — It.; see LODGE.

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logic

science that treats of forms of thinking XIV; logical argumentation XVII. — (O)F. logique — late L. logica — Gr. logik, for h logik tékhn the art of reasoning; logiké, fem. of logikós, f. lógos reasoning, discourse (see LOGOS). So logical XVI. — medL. logician XIV. — (O)F.

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logistics

art of moving and quartering troops, etc. XIX. — F. logistique, f. loger quarter, LODGE; see -ISTIC, -ICS.

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logo-

comb. form of Gr. lógos mainly in the sense of ‘word’ (see next). The earliest recorded Eng. words are: logogriph kind of engima involving words (XVI), — F. logogriphe, f. Gr. lógos + grîphos fishing-basket, riddle; logomachy contention about words (XVI), — Gr. logomakhí. A mod. formation is logotype type of several letters cast in one piece (XIX).

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logos

‘the Word’ of John 1: 1. XVI. — Gr. lógos account, ratio, reason, argument, discourse, saying, (rarely) word, rel. to légein gather, choose, recount, say.

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-logue, U.S. -log,

repr. Gr. -logos, -logon speaking or treating of, chiefly through F., as analogue, catalogue, dialogue. Now rare or obsolescent in designations of persons (except ideologue, Sinologue), derivs. in -loger, logist, -logian being gen. preferred; cf. †astrologue, †philologue, †theologue and astrologer, philologist, theologian. The living formative is -logist (f. -LOGY + -IST, sometimes after F., e.g. etymologist); -loger survives in ASTROLOGER, -logian in THEOLOGIAN, which are the earliest formations of their kind.

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-logy

repr. F. -logie, medL. -logia, Gr. -logí, which is partly f. lógos discourse, speech, partly f. log-, var. of leg-, légein speak; hence derivs. in -logia mean either
1.
saying or speaking in such-and-such a way, as eulogy, tautology, or
2.
the science or study with which a person (designated by -logos -LOGIST, -LOGER, etc.) is concerned, or that deals with a certain subject. Of the latter class, the first el. is a sb. and in combination ends in o, so that the regular form of such words is in -ology; an exception is MINERALOGY. Mod. formations in logy imply correl. formations in -logical , formerly also, now rarely, -logic (F. -logique, L. -logicus, Gr. -logikós), and -logist (see prec.).

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loin

part of the body between short ribs and hip-bone. XIV. — OF. loigne, eastern var. of longe (in modF. loin of veal) :- Rom. lumbia, fem. of lumbeus, f. lumbus loin; rel. to OE. lendenu pl. loins, OS. lendin, OHG. pl. lentn (G. lende), ON. lend.

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loiter

idle, (later) linger indolently. XV. perh. introduced by vagrants from the Low Countries and — MDu. loteren wag about, Du. leuteren shake, totter, dawdle.

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loll

droop, dangle (intr. and trans.); lean idly XIV; hang out (the tongue) XVII. perh. f. a base ult. identical with that of †lill (XVI) hang out the tongue; the orig. meaning may have been ‘allow to hang loose’.

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Lollard

contemptuous name for certain heretics. XIV. — MDu. lollaerd lit. mumbler, mutterer, f. lollen mumble; see -ARD.

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lollipop

XVIII. perh. f. dial. lolly tongue (cf. LOLL) + POP.

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lollop

lounge, walk with lounging gait XVIII; bob up and down awkwardly XIX. of unkn. orig.; cf. LOLL.

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Lombard

one of the Langobardi who conquered Italy in VI and from whom Lombardy took its name; native of Lombardy; moneychanger or banker of this nationality XIV (whence Lombard Street in London); †bank, pawnshop XVII. — MDu., MLG. lombaerd or F. lombard — It. lombardo, repr. medL. Lango-, Longobardus — Gmc. Lagobarðaz, -an- (OE. pl. Langbeardas, -an), f. laga- LONG1 + ethnic name Bardi.

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lone

XIV. Aphetic of ALONE. Hence lonely XVI, lonesome XVII.

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long1

great from end to end. OE. lang, long = OS. (Du.), (O)HG. lang, ON. langr, Goth. laggs :- Gmc. lagaz. The nature of the relation with L. longus, Ir. long long, and Gaulish longo- (in a proper name) is disputed.

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long2

†A
grow long OE.;

B
(impers.) arouse desire in OE.; have a yearning desire XIII. OE. langian = OS. langon (MDu. langen seem long, desire, extend, offer, Du. langen offer, present), OHG. langn impers. (G. langen reach, extend, suffice), ON. langa impers. and pers. desire, long :- Gmc. lagjan, -jan, f. lagaz LONG1.
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-long

suffix forming advs.; first appears in endlong (XIII), in which it is orig. the adj. LONG, but in analogical formations like headlong, sidelong, it has, by assoc. with -LING2, assumed its meaning.

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longanimity

long-suffering. XV. — late L. longanimits, f. longanimis (f. longus long, animus mind); see -ITY.

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longevity

XVII. — late L. longævits, f. longævus, f. longus long + ævum age; see -ITY.

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longitude

length (spec. east or west in geog. and astron.; see LATITUDE). XIV. — L. longitd, f. longus LONG1; see -TUDE.

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long-shore

frequenting the shore. XIX. Aphetic of alongshore (XVIII), i.e. ALONG, SHORE1. Hence longshoreman XIX.

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loo

round card game. XVII. Shortening of lanterloo (XVII) — F. lantur(e)lu, orig. refrain of a song popular in XVII. Hence vb. subject to a forfeit at loo. XVII.

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looby

lazy fellow, lout, XIV. of unkn. orig.

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loofah

fibrous substance of a plant used as sponge. XIX. — Arab. lfa.

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look

direct one's sight OE.; have a certain ppearance XIII. OE. lcian = OS. lkon, MDu. loeken :- WGmc. lkjan, parallel to lzæjan, whence OHG. luogn (G. dial. lugen) see, look, spy; no further cogns. are known. Hence sb. XII.

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loom1

tool; bucket, tub XIII; weaving machine XV (for earlier weblome ‘weaving implement’ XIV). ME. lme, aphetic of OE. elma utensil, implement.

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loom2

(orig. naut.) move slowly up and down; appear indistinctly. XVI. perh. of LG. orig.; cf. EFris. lmen move slowly, rel. to MHG. lüemen be weary, f. lüeme slack, soft.

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loon1

(chiefly north. and Sc.) rogue, scamp XV; man of low birth or condition; fellow, lad XVI. of unkn. orig.

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loon2

name of various aquatic birds. XVII. prob. alt. of loom guillemot, etc. (XVII) — ON. lómr.

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loony

(sl.) lunatic. XIX. f. LUNATIC, assoc. with LOON1; see -Y1.

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loop

A
opening in a wall to look or shoot through XIV (hence loop-hole XVI);

B
doubling upon itself of a string, etc. XIV; curved piece or part XVII. In sense A identical with AL. loupa (XIV) loop-hole, of unkn. orig. The identity of later senses is not certain.
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loose

unbound, unattached XIII; not close XIV; not careful, inexact XVII. — ON. lauss = OE. las lying, untrue, OS., OHG. ls, Goth. laus :- Gmc. lausaz, f. laus- leus- lus-; see LOSS. Hence loose vb. XIII. loosen (-EN5) XIV.

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loosestrife

XVI. tr. L. lysimachia (- Gr. lusimákheion), erron. taken to be directly f. Gr. lusi-, comb. form of lein LOOSE + mákh strife, whereas it is f. Lusimakhos, the name of its discoverer, an application of the adj. lusímakhos loosing (i.e. ending) strife.

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loot

war booty. XIX. — Hindi l. Hence vb. XIX.

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lop1

cut off branches, etc. OF. OE. loppian, implied in pp. lopped; cf. Lith. lùpti strip, peel. Hence lop sb. smaller branches or twigs. XV.

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lop2

hang loosely. XVI. rel. to LOB. Hence lopear(ed) XVII, lop-sided XIX (earlier lap- XVIII).

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lope

(dial.) leap XV; run with long bounding strides XVI. var. of dial. loup (XIV) — ON. hlaupa LEAP.

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loquacious

XVII. f. L. loqux, loquc-, f. loqu talk, speak; see -IOUS. So loquacity XVII. — F. — L.

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loquat

fruit of Eriobotrya japonica. XIX. — Chinese luh kwat ‘rush orange’.

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lord

master, ruler, †husband OE.; designation of rank XIV; peer of the realm XV. OE. hlford, once hlfweard, f. Gmc. ?laib- LOAF + ward- keeper, WARD1. The etymol. sense expresses the relation of the head of a household to his dependants who ‘eat his bread’. The word is, like LADY, a peculiarly Eng. formation. It was reduced to one syll. (XIV) by the fall of v in lverd and contr. of the vowels. Hence vb. XIII. lordly OE. hlfordli.. lordship OE. hlfords.ipe.

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lore1

teaching; doctrine; learning. OE. lr = OS., OHG. lra (Du. leer. G. lehre) :- WGmc. laiz, f. lais- LEARN.

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lore2

(nat. hist.) strap-like part. XIX. — L. lrum strap.

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lorgnette

XIX. — F., f. lorgner squint, f. lorgne squinting. So lorgnon XIX.

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loricate

having armour of plates or scales. XIX. — L. lrctus, f. lrca breastplate, f. lrum strap; see -ATE2.

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lorimer, loriner

(hist.) maker of horses' bits, spurrier, etc. XIII. — OF. loremier, lorenier, f. lorain strap of harness :- Rom. lrnum. f. L. lrum strap, thong; see -ER2.

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lorn

†lost; (arch.) FORLORN. XIII. contr. form of loren, pp. of OE. losan LOSE.

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lorry, lurry

long waggon without sides. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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lose

pt., pp. lost orig. intr. †perish, pass. be lost be brought to destruction; in late Nhb. OE. appears in trans. senses †
i
destroy,
ii
become unable to find, in the latter meaning finally repl. †leese (OE. losan). OE. losian, f. los LOSS; corr. to OS. lsian, -on (MLG. lösen) become free, ON. losa loosen, refl. get loose.

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losel

(arch.) profligate, scoundrel. XIV. prob. f. los-, stem of LOSE; see -EL1.

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loss

XIV. prob. back-formation from lost, pp. of LOSE; cf. the synon. contemp. †lost. Not continuing OE. los (only in phr. t lose to destruction), corr. to OHG. (far)lor, ON. los, f. Gmc. lus- laus- (see LOOSE), leus- (OE. losan, whence ME. leese lose, and LORN), extension of IE. lou- leu- lu- (Gr. lúein set free, L. luere, solvere pay, SOLVE).

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lot

object used in deciding a matter by appeal to chance; what falls to a person thus OE.; prize in a lottery XVI; plot of land XVII; set of articles XVIII; party or set XVI; large number XIX. OE. hlot portion, choice, decision, corr. to MLG. lot, (M)Du. lot, ON. hlutr, hluti; f. Gmc. ?lut- (also in OE. hlt lot), rel. to ?leut-, in OE. hlotan, OS. hliotan, OHG. liozan, ON. hljóta cast lots, obtain by lot, and to ?laut-, in OE. hlíet (:- ?lautiz). OS. hlt, OHG. (h)lz (G. loos, los), Goth. hlauts lot. The Gmc. word appears in F. lot, It. lotto.

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lotion

liquid preparation for external use XIV; †washing XVI. — (O)F. lotion or L. lti, -n- washing, f. lt-, laut-, pp. stem of lavre LAVE; see -TION.

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lottery

XVI. prob. — Du. loterij; see LOT, -ERY.

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lotto

XVIII. — It. lotto or its deriv. F. loto; see LOT.

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lotus

plant yielding a soporific fruit; water-lily of Asia, etc. XVI. — L. ltus — Gr. ltós, of unkn. orig.

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loud

OE. hld = OS. hld (Du. luid), OHG. hlt (G. laut) :- WGmc. ?luðaz :- IE. ltós, pp. of leu- lu- hear, whence also Gr. klúein hear, klutós famous, L. clure be famed, W. clywed hear, OIr. rochluiniur I hear, OSl. slava glory, slovo word, Skr. ru hear, ráva- glory.

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lough

in Ireland = Sc. LOCH. XIV. ME. lowe, loze, lou(g)h, repr. OE. (Nhb.) luh pool, strait, gulf — Ir. loch.

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louis

French gold coin. XVII. In full louis d'or (of gold); application of the name of many French kings :- Ludovcus, latinization of G. Ludwig.

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lounge

move lazily XVI; recline lazily XVII. of unkn. orig. Hence sb. XVIII.

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lour, lower2

look sullen XIII; be dark and threatening XV. of unkn. orig.

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louse,

pl. lice OE. ls, pl. ls = MLG., MDu., OHG. ls (Du. luis, G. laus), ON. lús; cf. W. lleuen, pl. llau. Hence lousy XIV.

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lout

awkward ill-mannered fellow. XVI. perh. f. †lout vb. bend or bow low (OE. ltan = ON. lúta).

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louver

dome on a roof XIV; series of sloping boards to admit air and exclude rain XVI. — OF. lover, -ier skylight, of unkn. orig.

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lovage

XIV. ME. lov(e)ache, alt., as if love-ache ‘love parsley’ (ME. — (O)F. ache parsley), of OF. levesche, luv- (mod. livèche) :- late L. levisticum, for earlier ligusticum, n. of ligusticus Ligurian.

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love

sb. OE. lufu = OHG. luba (cf. Goth. brþp rulub brotherly love), f. wk. grade of WGmc. leu- lau- lu-, repr. also by OS. lubig loving, OHG. gilob precious, and OE., OS., ON. lof, OHG. lob praise; cf. LIEF, LEAVE1, BELIEVE. Outside Gmc. the base appears in L. lubet it is pleasing, lubd (see LIBIDINOUS), OSl. ljub dear, ljubiti love, Skr. lúbhyati desires. So love vb. OE. lufian. The sense of ‘no score’ in games (XVIII) derives from the phr. for love without stakes, for nothing (XVII). comps.: lovelock XVI. lovely †loving, amorous; †lovable OE.; attractive on account of beauty XIII. OE. lufli.. lovesome (arch.) lovable, lovely. OE. lufsum.

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low1

not high or tall. XII. ME. lh, inflected lze — ON. lágr = MDu. lage (Du. laag), MHG. læge (G. dial. läg) flat :- Gmc. lzjaz, f. lz-, see LIE1. Hence adv. XIII. ME. lahe, laze. lowland less hilly region of a country (spec. Scotland). XVI. lowly adj. XIV. See -LY1.

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low2

utter characteristic sound of cattle. OE. hlwan = OLF. luogin, luon (Du. loeien), OHG. (h)luoen, ON. hlóa roar, f. Gmc. ?l- :- IE. kl-, as in L. clmare shout.

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lower1

more low, inferior. XII. ME. lahre, compar. of LOW1 (see -ER3). Hence vb. XVII. So superl. lowest XII.

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lower2

see LOUR.

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loxodromic

pert. to oblique sailing or sailing by the rhumb. XVII. — F. loxodromique, f. Gr. loxós oblique + drómos course; see -IC.

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loyal

XVI. — F. loyal, OF. loial, leial — L. lglis LEGAL. So loyalty XIV. — OF. loialté (mod. loyauté); see -TY2.

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lozenge

rhomb, diamond XIV; medicated tablet, orig. diamond-shaped XVI. — OF. losenge (mod. losange); of uncert. orig.

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£. s. d.

XIX. abbr. of L. libræ pounds, solid shillings, denari pence.

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lubber

clumsy fellow, lout XIV; clumsy seaman (cf. land-lubber) XVI. ME. lobre, lobur, poss. — OF. lobeor swindler, parasite, f. lober deceive, sponge upon, mock.

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lubricate

make slippery or smooth XVII; treat with oil XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. lbricre, f. lbricus slippery; see -ATE3. So lubricity wantonness XIV; slipperiness XVII. — F. — late L.

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luce

pike. XIV. — OF. lu(i)s :- late L. lcius.

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lucerne

plant resembling clover. XVII. — F. luzerne — modPr. luzerno, transf. use of luzerno glow-worm, with ref. to the shiny seeds.

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lucid

shining XVI; unclouded, clear XVII. — F. lucide or It. lucido — L. lcidus, f. lcre shine; see LIGHT1, -ID1.

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Lucifer

morning star; Satan. OE. — L. lcifer, f. lx, lc- LIGHT1 + -fer bearing. As the name of a friction match Lucifer succeeded to Promethean (both XIX).

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luck

XV. prob. orig. as a gambling term — LG. luk, aphetic of geluk, in MDu. ghelucke (Du. geluk) = MHG. gelücke (G. glück good fortune, happiness), f. ge- Y- + a base of unkn. orig. Hence lucky XV.

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lucre

gain, profit (now rare except in filthy lucre). XIV. — F. lucre or L. lucrum gain, rel. to Gr. apolaúein enjoy, Goth. laun, OS., OHG. ln (Du. loon, G. lohn), OE. lan wages, reward.

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lucubration

(nocturnal) study or its product. XVI. — L. lcubrti, -n-, f. lcubrre work by lamplight, f. lx, lc- LIGHT1; see -ATION.

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ludicrous

†sportive, jocular; †frivolous, witty XVII; ridiculous XVIII. f. L. ldicrus, f. ldicrum stage play, f. ldere play; see -OUS.

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lues

plague. XVII. — L.

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luff

†contrivance for altering a ship's course XIII (often in phr. wend or turn the luff); †weather side of a ship XIV; side of a sail next to the mast XVI; broadest part of a ship's bow XVII. — OF. lof, prob. of LG. or Du. orig. Hence luff vb. bring nearer to the wind. XIV (love). perh. immed. — Du. loeven.

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lug1

pull, drag along. XIV. prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. Sw. lugga pull a person's hair, lugg forelock, nap of cloth); perh. rel. to Sc. and north. lug (i) flap, lappet XV, (i) ear XVI, prob. orig. ‘something that can be pulled or laid hold of’.

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lug2

large marine worm. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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luggage

XVI. f. LUG1 + -AGE, after baggage.

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lugger

vessel with four-cornered sails fore and aft. XVIII. f. lugsail (XVII) four-cornered sail hanging obliquely, prob. f. lug flap, lappet; see LUG1.

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lugubrious

doleful, mournful. XVII. f. L. lgubris, f. lgre mourn; see -IOUS.

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lukewarm

XIV. f. ME. luke (XIII), app. rel. to lew (cf. lew-warm XV), OE. hlow (in ehlow warm, unhlow cold, hlowe warmly) = ON. hlr warm, mild, rel. obscurely to OHG. lo (G. lau). See WARM.

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lull

soothe to sleep or quiescence. XIV. imit. of the repetition of lu lu or similar sounds (cf. lully, lulla, lullay XV) to sing a child to sleep. Hence lullaby XVI; cf. BYE-BYE1, HUSHABY.

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lumbago

XVII. — L. lumbgo, f. lumbus LOIN, whence also lumbar (- modL. lumbäris) XVII.

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lumber1

move clumsily or heavily. XIV (lomere). perh. of symbolic orig.

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lumber2

useless odds and ends XVI; roughly prepared timber XVII. poss. f. LUMBER1, but later assoc. with lumber(house), Lumber Street var. of lombard (XVII) pawnshop (considered as a storehouse of odds and ends); see LOMBARD.

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luminary

light-giving (celestial) body; source of intellectual, etc., light. XV. — OF. luminarie (mod. -aire) or late L. lminrium, f. lmen, lümin- LIGHT1; see -ARY. So luminous XV.

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lump1

compact shapeless mass. XIII. of unkn. orig.; cf. Da. lump(e) lump, Norw., Sw. dial. lump block stump, log, Du. lomp, †lompe rag, LG. lump coarse, rude.

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lump2

ugly spiny-finned fish. XVI. — MLG. lumpen, MDu. lumpe, perh. identical with LUMP1.

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lump3

look sulky XVI; (coupled with like) be displeased at XIX. of symbolic orig.

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lunar

XVII. — L. lnris, f. lna moon; see LIGHT1, -AR. In lunar caustic the meaning is ‘of silver’, luna being used by alchemists for silver. So lunation. time from one full moon to the next. XIV. -medL.

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lunatic

orig. affected with the kind of insanity that was supposed to depend on changes of the moon XIII; sb. XIV. — (O)F. lunatique — L. lnticus, f. lna moon; see prec. -ATIC. Hence lunacy XVI.

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lunch and luncheon

appear first towards the end of XVI in the sense ‘thick piece, hunch, hunk’; of uncert. orig. (perh. — Sp. lonja slice). The sense ‘slight repast between morning meals’ appears XVII, for luncheon, and first in the forms lunchin(g); the present use of lunch (XIX) is a shortening of this, whence lunch vb.

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lunette

XVI. — F. lunette, dim. of lune moon; see -ETTE.

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lung

OE. lungen = MLG. lunge, MDu. longe (Du. long), OHG. lungun (G. lunge), corr. to ON. lunga; f. Gmc. lug- :- IE. lgwh-; see LIGHT2. The lungs were so named because of their lightness; cf. LIGHTS.

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lunge1

sword-thrust. XVIII. Aphetic of allonge, elonge (XVII), f. vbs. of the same form — F. allonger lengthen (in phr. allonger un coup d'épée give a sword-thrust), f. à AD- + long LONG1. So vb. XVIII.

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lunge2

†thong XVII; long rope used in training horses XVIII. — F. longe, shortening of allonge (as in allonge d'un courroie piece to lengthen a leather), f. allonger (see prec.).

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lupin

XIV. — L. lupnus, -um, prob. rel. to lupus WOLF.

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lupus

(path.) ulcerous disease of the skin. XVI. — L., ‘WOLF’.

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lurch1 vb.

beat at a game in a particular manner XIV; sb. †game resembling backgammon, †final score in a game, †discomfiture, †cheat, and in phr. †have in the lurch have at a disadvantage, leave in the lurch leave in unexpected difficulty (perh. partly alt. of leave in the lash, of obscure orig.) XVI. The immed. Source appears to be F. †lourche game resembling backgammon, also in phr. demeurer lourche be discomfited (orig. in the game), prob. — MHG. lurz wrong, in modG. lurz werden fail in a game.

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lurch2

sudden leaning over to one side. XIX. app. orig. in lee-lurch, perh. alt. of lee-larch (XVIII), for lee-latch drifting to leeward, f. LEE + †latch (XVII) ?leeway, ?lurch. Hence vb. XIX.

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lure

falconer's apparatus to recall a hawk; tempting thing XIV; angler's device for alluring fish XVII. — OF. luere (mod. leurre) — Gmc. lþr- (cf. MHG. luoder, G. luder bait), prob. rel. to laþn invite (OE. laðian, etc.). Hence vb. XIV.

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lurid

wan and sallow, sickly pale XVII; shining with a red glare; yellow-brown XVIII; ominous. ‘ghastly’ XIX. — L. lridus, f. lror wan or yellowish colour; see -ID1.

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lurk

lie hid or in ambush. XIII. perh. f. lr- LOUR + frequent. suffix -k as in talk.

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luscious

sweet and highly pleasant. XVI. of uncert. orig.

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lush1

flaccid, soft XV; succulent and luxuriant. XVII. poss. var. (assoc. with prec.) of lash (XV) soft and watery (of plants).

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lush2

liquor, drink. XVIII. perh. joc. application of LUSH1.

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lust

pleasure, desire; sexual desire OE.; passionate desire XVII. OE. lust, corr. to (O)HG. lust, ON. losti, Goth. lustus, f. Gmc. lust- (cf. LIST2). Hence lust vb. XIII. lustful OE. lusty †joyful; †pleasing XIII; †lustful; powerful, strong XIV.

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lustre1

period of five years. XIV. — L. lstrum, prop. quinquennial purification, of uncert. orig. So more usual lustrum XVI. lustration expiatory sacrifice, etc., purification. XVII.

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lustre2

sheen, gloss; luminosity, brilliance. XVI. — F. — It. lustro, f. lustrare :- L. lstrre light up :- lcstrre, f. lx, lc- LIGHT1. Hence lustrous XVII.

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lute1

stringed musical instrument. XIV. — F. †lut (mod. luth), prob. — Pr. laüt — Arab. al-'d (see AL-2).

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lute2

clay or cement to stop holes, etc. XIV. — (O)F. lut or medL. lutum, spec. use of L. lutum mud, potter's clay.

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luteous

of deep-yellow colour. XVII. f. L. lteus, f. ltum yellow weed; see -EOUS.

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luxation

dislocation. XVI. — F. — late L. luxti, -n-, f. luxre, f. luxus dislocated; see -ATION.

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luxury

†lasciviousness XIV; use of and indulgence in choice or costly things XVII; means of such indulgence XVIII. — OF. luxurie, var. of luxure — L. luxuria, f. luxus abundance, sumptuous enjoyment, perh. the noun corr. to luxus (see prec.) and meaning orig. ‘excess’. So luxuriant prolific XVI; profusely growing, etc. XVII. — prp. of L. luxurire grow rank (whence luxuriate XVII). luxurious †lascivious, †excessive XIV; self indulgent XVII.

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-ly1

suffix appended to sbs. and adjs. to form adjs. OE. -li., ME. -lich, -lik, -li, corr. to OS., OHG. -lk (Du. -lijk, G. -lich), ON. -ligr, -legr, Goth. -leiks. The Eng. forms in -li, -ly are due to ON. The orig. Gmc. adjs. were comps. of lkam appearance, form, body (cf. SUCH, WHICH), e.g. frijndlika- friendly, having the appearance of a friend, zðalka- goodly, having the appearance or form of what is good, of good appearance. The most general senses in all Gmc. langs. are ‘having the qualities appropriate to’, ‘characteristic of’, ‘befitting’; -ly was added to sbs. of alien orig., as courtly, princely, scholarly; formations on designations of things are infrequent, as earthly, heavenly, leisurely; exx. of -ly appended to adjs. are kindly, lowly, poorly, sickly. Deadly, likely, lively, lovely, only are exceptional in form. A further use is to denote periodic occurrence, e.g. daily, yearly.

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-ly2

suffix forming advs. of manner. OE. -l.e, ME. -liche, -lke, -lize, -li(e) = OS., OHG. -lko (Du. -lijk, G. -lich), ON. -liga, Goth. -leik: f. -LY1 with Gmc. adv. suffix -. The Eng. forms in -li(e), -ly are due to ON. In Gmc. an adv, with this suffix no doubt orig. implied the existence of a corr. adj. in -LY1; in OE. some advs. are formed on simple adjs., as bealdl.e BOLDLY, swtl.e SWEETLY, and this type increased greatly in ME. The general sense is ‘in a manner characteristic of one who or a thing that is so-and-so’, hence, ‘in a so-and-so fashion’, ‘to a so-and-so degree’. Advs. referring to moments or periods of time, such as formerly, instantly, lately, quarterly, yearly, were prob. based at first on early; firstly, secondly, etc., were modelled on F. premièrement, L. primo, etc.; formations on sbs. such as namely, partly are prob. based on L. nominatim, partim; formations on pps., such as admittedly, allegedly have become frequent.

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lycanthropy

XVI. — modL. lycanthrpia — Gr. lukanthrpí, f. lukánthrpos, f. lúkos WOLF + ánthrpos man; see -Y3.

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lyceum

the garden in Athens where Aristotle taught XVI; place of study or instruction XVIII. — L. Lycum — Gr. Lkeion, n. of Lúkeios epithet of Apollo, to whose temple the Lyceum was adjacent.

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lychee

see LITCHI.

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lych-gate

see LICH-GATE.

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lychnis

XVII. — L. — Gr. lukhnís some red flower, f. lúkhnos lamp.

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lycopodium

XVIII. modL. — Gr. lúkos WOLF + poús, pod- FOOT; so named from the claw-like shape of the root.

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lyddite

kind of high explosive. XIX. f. Lydd, name of the town in Kent where it was first tested; see -ITE.

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lye

alkalized water or alkaline solution used for washing. OE. lag = MDu. lghe (Du. loog), OHG. louga (G. lauge) lye, ON. laug hot bath :- Gmc. lauz, f. lau- :- IE. lou- wash, LAVE.

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lymph

(rhet.) water; †sap XVII; colourless alkaline fluid in the body XVIII. — F. lymphe or L. lympha, of uncert. orig. So lymphatic A. †frenzied; B. pert. to lymph. XVII. — L. lymphticus mad.

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lynch law

earlier †Lynch's law (XVIII) infliction of punishment by a self-constituted court. XIX. prob. named after Captain William Lynch of Virginia, who first set up this self-created judicial tribunal. Hence lynch vb. XIX.

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lynx

feline animal credited with very keen sight. XIV. — L. — Gr. lúgx, rel. to OE. lox, OHG. luhs (G. luchs), Lith. lúis, Mlr. lug; prob. f. IE. leuk-, as in Gr. leússein see (see LIGHT1).

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lyre

XIII. — OF. lire (mod. lyre) — L. lyra — Gr. lúr. So lyric XVI. — F. lyrique or L. lyricus — Gr. lurikós. lyrical XVI.

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M

ma

see MAMMA1.

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ma'am

XVII. contr. of MADAM. Also repr. by marm in the joc. (orig. U.S.) school-marm schoolmistress XIX.

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macabre

in Dance Macabre, the Dance of Death XV (daunce of machabree); (from modF.) gruesome XIX. The form now usual repr. F. macabre (XIX), error for OF. macabré, perh. alt. of OF. Macabé Maccabee; the orig. ref. may have been to a miracle play containing the slaughter of the Maccabees.

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macadam

applied to a kind of roadway (or the material used for it) invented by John Loudon McAdam (1756–1836). Hence macadamize, etc. XIX.

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macaroni

pasta in tubes XVI; exquisite, fop XVIII. It. maccaroni, later maccheroni, pl. of macca-, maccherone. The sl. application to dandies perh. orig. indicated a preference for foreign food.

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macaronic

applied to burlesque verse in which vernacular words are mingled with Latin in a latinized form. XVII. — modL. macarnicus — It. †macaronico (maccheronico), joc. f. macaroni (see prec.). The form was popularized by Teofilo Folengo (XVI), who described his verses as a literary analogue of macaroni (‘a gross, rude, and rustic mixture of flour, cheese, and butter’).

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macaroon

XVII. — F. macaron — It. maccarone MACARONI.

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macassar

name of an unguent for the hair made in early XIX by Rowland & Son and represented to contain ingredients from Macassar, district in Celebes. XIX.

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macaw

bird of the parrot kind. XVII. — Pg. macao, of unkn. orig.

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mace1

heavy club XIII; sceptre, staff of office XV; old form of billiard cue XVIII. — (O)F. masse :- Rom. mattea club. So macer mace bearer; (Sc.) official in a court of law. XIV. — OF. massier.

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mace2

outer covering of the nutmeg. XIV (macis). — AL. or (O)F. macis — L. macir red spicy bark from India; the form macis being apprehended as a pl., a new sg. mace was formed from it.

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macedoine

medley of fruits in syrup or jelly. XIX. — F. macédoine, presumably a sb. use of OF. adj. — L. macedonicus Macedonian.

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macerate

soften by steeping; cause to waste away. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. mcerre steep, soften, weaken; see -ATE3. So maceration XV. — F. or L.

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machete

see MATCHET.

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machicolation

(archit.) opening between corbels supporting a parapet, through which missiles were dropped on assailants. XVIII. f. machicolate (XVIII), f. OF. machicoler, AL. machicollre, of uncert. orig.; see -ATION.

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machination

plotting, plot. XV. — (O)F. machination or L. mchinti, -n-, f. mchinr contrive, f. mchina MACHINE; see -ATION.

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machine

† structure, fabric XVI; military engine; wheeled vehicle; apparatus for applying mechanical power, etc. XVII. — (O)F. — L. mchina device, contrivance, engine — Gr. mkhan (Doric), mkhané, f. mêkhos contrivance, rel. to Gmc. mazan have power; see MAY1. Hence machinery XVII.

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-machy

always with connective -O-. repr. Gr. -makhí fighting, in sbs. derived from adjs. in -makhos that fights, rel. to mákh battle; e.g. logomachy (see LOGO-).

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mackerel

XIII. — AN. makerel, OF. maquerel (mod. maquereau), medL. macarellus; of unkn. orig. See -REL.

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mac(k)intosh

applied to a kind of waterproof material invented by Charles Macintosh (1766–1843). XIX.

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macle

twin crystal; dark spot in a mineral. XIX. — F. — L. macula spot, mesh (cf. MAIL1). A var. macule of the F. word is repr. by mackle blur in printing, blurred sheet XVIII, with a corr. vb. XVI. — F. maculer.

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macro-

comb. form of Gr. makrós long, large, rel. to L. macer thin, MEAGRE. The chief and oldest comp is macrocosm the universe (XVI) — medL. macrocosmus, repr. Gr. makròs kósmos ‘great world’ (see COSMIC).

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macron

horizontal mark ¯ placed over a vowel sign to denote length. XIX. — Gr. makrón, n. of makrós MACRO-.

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maculate

spotted. XV. — L. macultus, pp. of maculre, f. macula spot (cf. MAIL1); see -ATE2. Now only in contrast with IMMACULATE.

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mad

out of one's mind, foolish, (now) insanely foolish; wildly excited, furious. XIII (mad, med). Aphetic of ME. † amad, repr. OE. emd(d), emded, pp. of emdan render insane, f. emd insane = OS. gimd foolish, OHG. gameit, kimeit foolish, vain, boastful. Goth. gamaips crippled:- Gmc. zamaiaz, f. za- y- + maiða- :- IE. moitó-, pp. formation on moi- mei- change (cf. L. mtre); cf. Goth. maidjan adulterate, inmaideins exchange. Hence madden XVIII (-EN5); superseded mad vb. (XIV) in gen. use.

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madam

polite title of address to a woman XIII; †lady of rank, fine lady XVI; kept mistress XVIII; hussy XIX. — OF. ma dame (mod. madame), i.e. ma my, dame lady; see DAME. The form madame (XVII) is now mainly confined to use with the surname of a French married woman. See also MA'AM.

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madder

herbaceous climbing plant cultivated for a dye-stuff; formerly in wider use. OE. mædere, corr. to OHG. matara, ON. maðra, rel. to MLG., MDu. mde; of uncert. orig.

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madeira

white wine of Madeira, island off N. W. Africa. XVI.

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mademoiselle

title applied to an unmarried Frenchwoman, miss. XVII. — F.; ma my, demoiselle young woman (see DAMSEL).

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madonna

†my lady, madam XVI; the Virgin Mary, picture or statue of her XVII. — It. madonna, i.e. ma, old unstr. form of mia my (:- L. mea), donna lady (:- L. domina).

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madrepore

perforate coral. XVIII. — F. madrépore or modL. madrepora, — It. madrepora, app. taken by Ferrante Imperato (XVI) to be f. madre MOTHER + poro, L. porus PORE, but the second el. may be L. prus — Gr. pôros calareous stone, stalactite.

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madrigal

amatory lyrical poem, esp. to be set to music; kind of part song, XVI. — It. madrigale (whence F., Sp. madrigal), of uncert. orig.

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maelstrom

whirlpool in the Arctic Ocean off Norway; also gen. XVII. — early modDu. maelstrom (now maalstroom), f. maalen grind, whirl round + stroom STREAM.

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Maenad

Bacchante. XVI. — L. Mænas, -ad- — Gr. Mainás, -ad-, f. maínesthai rave.

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maffick

back-formation from mafficking, orig. applied to the uproarious rejoicings in London, etc., on the relief of the siege of Mafeking (1900) in the Boer War, the place-name being treated as a gerund or prp. in -ING.

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mafia

violent hostility to law and order; body of people manifesting this. XIX. — Sicilian It.

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magazine

storehouse, spec. for arms; stores, munitions XVI; † storehouse of information XVII; periodical publication XVIII. — F. magasin — It. magazzino — Arab. makzin, pl. of makzan store-house, f. kazana store up.

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magdalen

reformed prostitute XVII; home for the reformation of prostitutes XVIII. From the Magdalen (XIV), after (O)F. la Madeleine — ecclL. (Maria) Magdalna, -ln — Gr. (Maria) Magdalén (Mary) of Magdala in Palestine, identified with the ‘sinner’ of Luke 7: 37.

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mage

see MAGUS.

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magenta

brilliant crimson aniline dye discovered soon after the battle (1859) at Magenta in N. Italy. XIX.

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maggot

worm, grub XIV; whimsy, crotchet XVII. perh. AN. alt. of ME. maddo(c)k, earlier maek — ON. maskr, f. the base of OE. maa, -u = OS. matho, OHG. mado (Du., G. made), Goth. maþa :- Gmc. maþan-, -, of unkn. orig.

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magic

sb. XIV. — OF. magique (superseded by magie) — late L. magica — Gr. magik, f. magikós adj., f. mágos MAGUS. So magic adj. XIV, magical XVI, magician XIV.

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magilp

see MEGILP.

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magisterial

pert. to a master or magistrate. XVII. — medL. magisterilis, f. late L. magisterius, f. L. magister MASTER; see -IAL.

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magistral

†authoritative; devised by a physician for a particular case, †sovereign XVI; (fortif.) principal XIX. — F. magistral or L. magistrlis; see MASTER, -AL.

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magistrate

officer concerned with the administration of laws XIV; justice of the peace XVII. — L. magistrtus magistracy, magistrate, f. magistr- MASTER; see -ATE1. Hence magistracy XVI. So magistrature office of a magistrate. XVII. — F.

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magma

†dregs of a semi-liquid substance XV; thin pasty mixture of substances XVII; (geol.) stratum of fluid matter XIX. — L. — Gr. mágma thick unguent, f. base mag- of mássein knead.

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magnanimous

XVI. f. L. magnanimus, f. magnus great + animus mind. See MAGNITUDE, ANIMAL, -OUS. So magnanimity XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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magnate

XV (magnates, prob. the L. pl., and so until XVIII or XIX). — late L. pl. magnts (sg. magns, -t), f. magnus great; see MAGNITUDE.

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magnesia

A
†(alch.) mineral ingredient of the philosopher's stone XIV;

B
†(spec. black m.) manganese XVII;
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C
(spec. †white m.) hydrated magnesium carbonate, used medicinally; (chem.) magnesium oxide XVIII. — medL. magnsia — Gr. (h) Magnsía (líthos) ‘the Magnesian stone’, (1) loadstone, (2) stone with silvery sheen; the development of senses B and C is obscure.
Top
Hence magnesium XIX.

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magnet

†magnetic oxide of iron XV; †piece of loadstone; piece of iron or steel having the same attractive properties XVII. — L. magnta (whence OF. magnete, perh. in part the source), acc. of magns — Gr. mágns, for ho Mágns lithos the Magnesian stone. So magnetic XVII, magnetical XVI. — late L. magnticus. magnetism XVII. — modL. Hence magnetize XVIII, magneto- (see -O-) XIX.

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magni-

comb. form of L. magnus great (see MAGNITUDE), as in magniloquent grandiloquent XVII, f. L. magniloquus (loqu speak); see -ENT.

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magnific

† renowned; † sumptuous XV; (arch.) grand XVI; also magnifical XVI. — F. magnifique or L. magnificus; see prec., -FIC. So magnificent great in achievement; † royally munificent; grand, splendid. XVI. — F. magnificent or L. magnificent-, alt. stem of magnificus. magnificence XIV. — F. or L. magnifico Venetian magnate XVI. — It., sb. use of adj. — L. magnificus. magnify A. (arch.) act for the honour of; B. (arch.) augment XIV; C. increase the apparent size of XVII. — (O)F. or L.

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magnificat

the canticle beginning ‘Magnificat anima mea Dominum’ My soul doth magnify the Lord (Luke 1: 46); 3rd pers. sg. pres. ind. of L. magnificre MAGNIFY.

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magnitude

greatness XIV; (relative) size XVI. — L. magnitd, f. magnus great, large, rel. to Gr. mégas (cf. MEGA-), Skr. mahnt- great, Gmc. mikil- MUCH; see -TUDE.

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magnolia

XVIII. modL., f. name of Pierre Magnol (1638–1715) professor of botany at Montpellier; see -IA1.

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magnum

bottle containing two quarts. XVIII. — n. sg. of L. magnus large (see MAGNITUDE).

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magpie

XVII. f. Mag, pet-form of Margaret + PIE1.

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magus

(in pl. magi) the ‘wise men’ who came ‘from the East’ to worship the child Jesus (Matt. 2: 1) XIV; member of an ancient Persian preistly caste XVI. — L. — Gr. mágos — OPers. magu. Also anglicized mage wise man, magician. XIV. Hence magian XVI.

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maharajah

title of some Indian princes. XVII (mau raja). — Hind. mahrj, f. mah great + rj RAJAH. So maharanee XIX. — Hind. mahrn (rn queen).

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mahatma

in Buddhism, one possessing preternatural powers. XIX. — Skr. mahtman-, f. mah- great + tmán- soul.

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mahdi

spiritual and temporal leader expected by Muslims. XVIII. — Arab. mahdy ‘he who is guided right’, pp. of had lead in the right way.

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mah-jong

XX. — Chinese, ‘house sparrow’.

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mahlstick

see MAULSTICK.

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mahogany

XVII (mohogoney). of unkn. orig.

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Mahomet

XIV. ME. Mac(h)amete, Mako- — (O)F. Mahomet, † Mach-, medL. Ma(c)hometus — Arab. Muhammad (‘highly praised’, f. hamida praise), now repr. by Mohammed , Muhammad founder of the religion of Islam. So Mahometan XVI. — medL. Mahometnus, etc. Mahound, later form (XVI) of † Mah(o)un (XIII). — OF. Mahun, -um, shortening of Mahomet.

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mahout

elephant-driver. XVII. — Hindi mahut, mahwat :- Skr. mahmtra high official, lit. ‘great in measure’.

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maid

XII. Shortening of MAIDEN; in sense ‘female servant’ XIV. For loss of -n cf. clue, eve, game.

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maiden

girl, young woman; virgin; female servant. OE. mæden = OHG. magatn :- Gmc mazadïnam, dim. (see -EN1), f. magaþiz maid, virgin, which is repr. by OE. mæ(e)ð, OS. magath, OHG. magad (G. magd), Goth. magaþs, and is rel. to Gmc. mazuz (OE., OS. magu, ON. mgr, Goth. magus son, young man), f. IE. magh-, whence OIr. mug slave, Av. magu young man.

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maieutic

pert. to the Socratic method of bringing out latent conceptions. XVII. — Gr. maieutikós obstetric (used fig. of Socratic methods), f. maieúesthai act as midwife, f. maía midwife; see -IC.

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maigre

involving abstinence from flesh meat. XVII. — F.; see MEAGRE.

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mail1

ring or plate of armour; armour composed of rings XIV; breast feathers of a hawk XV. — (O)F. maille mesh:- L. macula spot, mesh.

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mail2

(now Sc.) payment, tax, tribute. north. repr. of late OE. ml — ON. mál speech, agreement = OE. mæl speech; in sense the Eng. word corr. rather to ON. mli stipulation, stipulated pay.

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mail3

(now Sc. and U.S.) pack, bag XIII; bag of letters for conveyance by post; person or vehicle conveying this XVII. ME. male — OF. male (mod. malle bag, trunk), of Gmc. orig. Hence vb. (orig. U.S.). send by post. XIX.

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maim

XIII. — OF. mahaignier, mayner :- Rom. mahagnre, of unkn. orig.

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main1

physical strength (surviving only in with might and m.). OE. mæen = OS. megin, OHG. magan, megin, ON. magn, meg(i)n, f. Gmc. base ma- have power; see MAY1.

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main2

(dial.) of great size XIII; strong, mighty (surviving only in sense ‘sheer’ in phr. by m. force); (dial.) great in number or degree XIV; chief in size, extent, or order XV. Partly repr. OE. mæen MAIN1 in comps., as mæenfolc great company of people, mæenstrengo great strength; partly — rel. ON. megenn, megn strong, powerful, or megin (in combination). There are many special collocations: e.g. m. chance XVI, mainland XIV, † m. sea XVI, m. drain XVIII; from these, by ellipsis. arose sb. uses of main; e.g. (1) prob. from the m. chance, a throw in the game of hazard, the most important part, etc. (now chiefly in phr. in the m.) XVI; (2) from the m. sea, the high sea XVI; (3) from m. drain, chief sewer XVIII. Hence mainly † vigorously XIII; † greatly XIV; for the most part XVII.

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maintain

support the person or cause of XIII; † practise habitually; carry on, continue; support, provide for XIV. ME. mainte(i)ne, repr. tonic stem of (O)F. maintenir (AN. maintener):- Rom. mantenre, f. L. man, abl. of manus hand + tenre hold. So maintenance † demeanour; support of a party or cause; provision of livelihood. XIV. — OF.

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maiolica

var. of MAJOLICA.

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maison(n)ette

small house XIX; part of a house let separately XX. — F., dim. of maison; see MANSION, -ETTE.

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maize

XVI (mais, mahiz, mayis, etc.). — F. mais, † mahiz, or its source Sp. maiz, † mahiz, -is, † mayz, of Carib orig.

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majesty

sovereign power (first of the glory of God) XIII; kingly dignity XVI. — (O)F. majesté L. mjests, -tt-, rel. to mjor; see MAJOR, -TY. Hence majestic XVII, -ical XVI

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majolica

fine kind of Italian pottery. XVI. — It., f. name of the island Majorca, formerly † Majolica, where the best ware of this kind was said to be made.

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major1

officer below the rank of lieutenant-colonel. XVII. — F. (short for sergent-major sergeant-major, orig. a much higher rank than now) — L. mjor; see next. Also in m.-general (XVII), earlier sergeant-m.-general (XVII). — F. major-général, where major is sb. and général adj. So major-domo chief official of a household. XVI. Earliest forms maior-, mayordome — (partly through F. majordome) Sp. mayordomo, It. maggiordomo — medL. mjor doms (doms, g. of domus house) highest official of the royal household under the Merovingians.

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major2

greater. XVI. — L. mjor (:- mgjs) compar. of magnus great (see MAGNITUDE). So majority † superiority, state of being of full age XVI; greater number or part XVII. — F. majorité — medL. mjrits.

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majuscule

† capital (letter); (palaeogr.) large (also sb.). XIX. — F. — L. mjusculus somewhat larger, dim. of mjor MAJOR2.

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make

pt., pp. made bring into existence, subject to an operation, cause to be, cause (something to happen). OE. macian (not freq.) = OS. makon (Du. maken), OHG. mahhn (G. machen):- WGmc. makjan, f. mak- MATCH1; plausibly referred to IE. ma- repr. by Gr. mássein knead, OSl. mazati anoint, grease. The sense-history is uncert. Hence sb. manner, style, form. XIV. maker manufacturer, creator XIII; (arch.) poet (ult. tr. Gr. pots) XIV.

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mal-

formerly often † male- (one syll.), repr. F. mal-, L. male badly, ill (cf. MALE-), first in words adopted from F., later generalized, as in mal-content XVI, malodorous XIX, malpractice XVII.

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malachite

XVI (melo-). — OF. melochite (now malachite) — L. molochts — Gr. molokhîtis, f. molókh, var. of malákh MALLOW; see -ITE.

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malaco-

comb. form of Gr. malakós soft, as in malacology (— F. malocologie) science of molluscs.

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malady

XIII. — (O)F. maladie, f. malade sick. ill:- Rom. male habitus ‘in bad condition’, i.e. L. male badly + habitus, pp. of habre have, hold; see HABIT, -Y3.

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Malaga

white wine exported from Malaga, a seaport in the south of Spain. XVII (Mallego, Maligo).

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Malagasy

pert. to (a native of) Madagascar; sb. its language. XIX. f. Malegass, -gash, varr. of Madegass, -cass, after or parallel with F. malgache, madécasse, adj. f. the name of the island.

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malaise

bodily discomfort. XVIII. — (O)F. malaise. f. OF. mal bad (L. malus) + aise EASE.

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malanders

var. of MALLENDERS.

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malapert

(arch.) impudent. XV. — OF., f. mal- (indicating the opposite) + apert, var. of espert EXPERT, but apprehended as if f. MAL- improperly + apert bold, PERT.

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malapropism

XIX. f. name of Mrs. Malaprop, character in Sheridan's ‘The Rivals’ (1775), remarkable for her misuse of words, f. malapropos inopportune(ly) (XVII) — F. mal à propos not to the purpose; see MAL-, APROPOS, -ISM. Malaprop was formerly so used, and as adj.

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malaria

fever formerly supposed to be caused by exhalations from marshy places. XVIII. — It. mal'aria for mala aria ‘bad AIR’; cf. MAL-.

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male

XIV. — OF. male, earlier masle (mod. mâle):- L. masculus (cf. MASCULINE).

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male-,

repr. L. male-, comb. form of adv. male (see MAL-) in malediction XV. — L. maledicti, -n-; see DICTION. malefactor XV. — (partly through OF. malfaicteur) L. malefactor (facere DO1). malefic productive of evil XVII. — L. maleficus. maleficent XVII. malevolent XVI. — OF. malivolent or L. malevolns, -ent- (volns, prp. of velle WILL). malevolence XV. — OF. or L.

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malfeasance

(leg.) official misconduct. XVII. — AN. malfaisance, f. MAL- + OF. faisance act, action (f. faire do); cf. MISFEASANCE.

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malice

XIII. — (O)F. — L. malitia, f. malus bad; see MAL-. So malicious XIII. — OF. malicius (mod. -ieux). — L. malitisus.

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malign

evil in nature and effects XIV; (arch.) malevolent XV. — OF. maligne, fem. of malin, or its source L. malignus, f. malus evil; cf. BENIGN. So vb. † speak evil, plot XV; † dislike, envy XVI; speak ill of XVII. — OF. malignier or late L. malignre contrive maliciously. malignity XIV. — OF. or L. malignant † disposed to rebel; of evil effect or disposition. XVI. — prp. of L. malignre.

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malinger

feign illness XIX. Back-formation from malingerer (XVIII), app. f. (O)F. malingre, perh. f. MAL- + haingre weak, thin, prob. of Gmc. orig. (cf. MHG. hager thin, lean).

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malison

(arch.) curse. XIII. — OF. mal(e)ison — L. maledicti, -n- MALEDICTION.

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mall

see PALL-MALL.

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mallard

wild drake or duck. XIV. — OF. mallart, (now) malart, prob. for maslart, f. masle MALE; see -ARD.

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malleable

that may be hammered without breaking. XIV. — OF. — medL. mallebilis, f. L. mallere hammer, f. malleus; see MAUL, -ABLE.

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mallenders

pl. scabby eruption in horses. XV († sg.; pl. from XVII). — (O)F. malandre :- L. malandria (pl.) pustules on the neck.

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mallet

XV (mail(z)et). — (O)F. maillet, f. mailler vb. hammer, f. mail sb. hammer, MAUL.

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mallow

plant of genus Malva. OE. mealuwe, -(e)we — L. malva, rel. to Gr. malákh, molókh, and prob. of Mediterranean orig.

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malm

soft friable rock, light loamy soil. OE. mealm (in mealmstn friable stone, and mealmiht sandy) = ON. malmr ore, metal, Goth. malma sand, f. Gmc. mal- mel- grind (see MEAL1); cf. OS., MHG. melm dust.

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malmaison

variety of carnation. XIX. Short for souvenirs de Malmaison ‘memories of Malmaison’ (the château at which the empress Josephine held her court), orig. the name of a blush rose.

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malmsey

XV (malmesey). — MDu., MLG. malmesie, -eye (in medL. malmasia), f. Gr. place-name Monemvasia in the Morea, of which the var. Malvasia gave MALVOISIE.

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malt

barley, etc., for brewing. OE. m(e)alt = OS. malt (Du. mout), (O)HG. malz, ON. malt :- Gmc. maltaz, rel. to OHG. malt (G. malz) soft, weak, ON. maltr rotten; f. base of MELT. Hence maltster XIV; see -STER.

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maltha

kind of cement XV; bitumen, mineral pitch or tar. XVII. — L. — Gr. máltha, málth mixture of wax and pitch.

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Malthusian

pert. to Thomas Robert Malthus (1766–1834), who advocated checks on the growth of population; see -IAN.

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malvaceous

pert. to the mallows. XVII. f. L. malvceus, f. malva MALLOW; see -ACEOUS.

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malversation

corrupt administration. XVI. — F., f. malverser — L. male versr (male ill, MAL- + versr behave, conduct oneself, f. vers-, pp. stem of vertere turn).

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malvoisie

(arch.) malmsey. XIV. ME. malvesin, malvesie — OF. malvesie, from the F. form of the place-name Monemvasia; see MALMSEY. The present form is that of modF.

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mam

(dial.) mother. XVI. prob. imit.; cf. MAMMA1. Hence mammy (-Y6) XVI.

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mama

see MAMMA1.

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Mameluke

one of the military body, orig. Caucasian slaves, that ruled Egypt 1254–1811. XVI. — F. mameluk (OF. mamelus), It. mammalucco, Sp., Pg. mameluco, medL. mameluc, -uchus — Arab. mamlk slave, sb. use of pp. of malaka possess.

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mamilla

nipple. XVII. — L., dim. of mamma breast, teat; see next. Hence mamillary XVII.

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mamma1, mama

mother. XVI. repr. redupl. of a syllable instinctively uttered by young children; cf. Gr. mámm, L. mamma (mother, teat, breast; see next), OSl., Russ., Lith. mama, Ir., W. mam. Shortened to ma (dial. and U.S.) XIX.

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mamma2

(anat.) breast in mammals. XVII. — L. (see prec.). Hence mammary XVII.

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mammal

XIX; animal of the class mammalia (XVIII), who suckle their young. modL., n. pl. of L. mammlis, f. mamma; see prec., -AL1.

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Mammon

(personification of) riches. XVI. Earlier Mammona as a proper name for ‘the devil of covetousness’ — late L. mam(m)na, mam(m)on — N.T. Gr. mam(m)nás (Matt. 6: 24, Luke 16: 9–13) — Aram. mmón, mmôn riches, gain.

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mammoth

large extinct elephant. XVIII. — Russ. mámo(n)t, of uncert orig.

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man

pl. men human being; adult male OE.; vassal, manservant XII; (dial.) husband XIII. OE. man(n), mon(n), pl. menn (:- manniz), also manna, monna, corr. to OS., OHG. man (Du. man; G. mann), ON. maðr (g. manns, pl. menn), Goth. manna (g. mans, pl. mans, mannans); the various forms belong to two Gmc. stems mann-, mannan-, rel. to Skr. mánu- man, mankind, OSl. m.The prominent sense in OE. was ‘human being’, the words distinctive of sex being wer and wf, wp(n)man and wfman WOMAN. The sense ‘ship’ (as in Frenchman) appears in XV. Among spec. phr. is man-at-arms (XVI; formerly † man of arms), tr. OF. homme d'armes and à armes. The sense of ‘piece’ used in chess appears c.1400. Hence man vb. Late OE. (e)mannian. manhood, †manhead XIII. mannish † human; masculine XIV; pert. to a grown man XVI; characteristic of a male XVIII. repl. OE. mennis., manslaughter XVII. Superseded † manslaught, OE. (Angl.) mannslæht, the second el. being:- Gmc. sla?itz. f. sal?- SLAY1.

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manacle

fetter for the hand. XIV. ME. manicle- (O)F. manicle handcuff, also (as in modF.) gauntlet — L. manicula little hand, handle, in medL. gauntlet, dim. of manus hand (see MANUAL); assim. later to words in -acle. Hence vb. XIV.

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manage

(arch.) training of a horse; action and paces of a horse XVI; riding-school XVII. — It. maneggio (whence F. manège), f. maneggiare :- Rom. manidiare, f. manus hand (see MANUAL), whence manage vb. train (a horse); handle, wield; conduct (an affair), control (a person) XVI; do successfully XVIII. First in the form manege ; the ending was early assim. to -AGE, but in the techn. uses the F. form finally prevailed. In XVII–XVIII the vb. was often identified with F. ménager use sparingly (cf. MÉNAGE). Hence management XVI.

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manatee

large aquatic cetacean. XVI. — Sp. manati, of Carib orig.

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manciple

official who purchases provisions. XIII. — AN., OF. manciple, var. of mancipe :- L. mancipium purchase, slave (orig. one obtained by legal purchase), f. manus hand + capere, cip- take; see MANUAL, CAPTURE.

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-mancy

repr. (O)F. -mancie — late L. -manta — Gr. manteí divination, f. manteúesthai prophesy, f. mántis prophet, diviner. Some of the comps. with this ending repr Gr. words, as chiromancy, necromancy, others late L. or medL. words, as geomancy, hydromancy; and others have been formed on Gr. models, as crystallomancy, lithomancy.

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mandamus

(leg.) writ directing the performance of a certain act. XVI. — L. ‘we command’, 1st pers. pl. pres. ind. of mandre (see MANDATE).

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mandarin1

Chinese official. XVI. — Pg. mandarin (after mandar command) — Malay mantri — Hindi mantr :- Skr. mantrín- counsellor, f. mántra- counsel (rel. to MIND).

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mandarin2

small kind of orange. XIX. — F. mandarine, fem. of mandarin (see prec.); prob. so named from the yellow of mandarins' costume.

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mandate

command, spec. legal or judicial XVI; commission or contract by which one acts for another XVII. — L. mandtum, sb. use of n. pp. of mandre enjoin, commit, f. manus hand + dare give; see MANUAL, -ATE1. So mandatary XVII, mandatory XVI. — late L.

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mandible

XVI. — OF. mandible, later mandibule, or its source late L. mandibula, -ulum, f. mandere chew.

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mandolin(e)

XVIII. — F. mandoline — It. mandolino, dim. of mandola, var. of mandora.

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mandragora

plant of S. Europe and the East having emetric and narcotic properties. In OE. in L. form; in ME. anglicized or — (O)F. mandragore — medL. mandragora, L. -as — Gr. mandragóras.

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mandrake

mandragora. XIV. ME also -ag(g)e, prob. — MDu. mandrage, mandragre — medL. MANDRAGORA; alt. to mandrake was prob. in allusion to the man-like form of the root of the plant, and assoc. with DRAKE1 dragon because of the plant's supposed magical properties.

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mandrel

A
miner's pick XVI;

B
arbor of a lathe XVII;
Top

C
core of cast or moulded metal XVIII. of unkn. orig.
Top

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mandrill

large baboon. XVIII. app. f. MAN + DRILL2.

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manducation

eating XVI; chewing XVII. — late L. mandcti, -n-, f. L. mandcre, f. mandc guzzler, f. mandere chew.

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mane

OE. manu = (M)Du. mane, OHG. mana (G. mähne), ON. mn :- Gmc. man.

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manege

see MANAGE.

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manes

souls of the departed, esp. as beneficent spirits (XIV) XVII. — L. mns pl., perh. f. mnis, mnus good.

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manganese

black mineral XVII; element of which this is the oxide XVIII. — F. manganèse — It. manganese, unexpl. alt. of medL. magnsia MAGNESIA.

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mange

XIV. ME. maniewe, later mangie, shortened to mange (XVI) — OF. manjue, mangeue itch, f. manju-, pres. ind. sg. stem of mangier (mod. manger) eat:- L. mandcre (see MANDUCATION). Hence mangy XVI.

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mangel, mangold-wurzel

XVIII. — G. mangoldwurzel, f. mangold beet + wurzel root (cf. WORT1).

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manger

XIV (manyour). — (O)F. mangeoire :- Rom. mandctria, f. mandct-; see MANDUCATION.

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mangle1

hack or cut about. XIV. — AN. mangler, mahangler (cf. medL. mangulare), prob. frequent. of mahaignier MAIM; see -LE3.

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mangle2

machine for rolling and pressing laundered clothing, etc. XVIII. — Du. mangel, short for synon. mangelstok, f. mangelen mangle + stok staff, roller, STOCK.

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mango

XVI (manga, -as). first — Pg. manga (whence modL. mangas), later — Du. mango — Malay mangga — Tamil mky.

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mangonel

military engine for casting stones. XIII. — OF. mangonel, -elle (mod. mangonneau) — medL. manganellus, -gon-, dim. f. late L. manganum — Gr. mágganon engine of war, axis of a pulley.

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mangosteen

fruit of the E. Indian tree Garcinia mangostana. XVI. — Malay manggustan (now manggis).

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mangrove

tree of the genus Rhizophora. XVII. Early forms mangrowe, mangrave, later assim. to GROVE; obscurely connected with Pg. mangue, Sp. mangle.

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manhandle

† wield (a tool) XV; move by force of men alone XIX; handle roughly. f. MAN + HANDLE.

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mania

highly excited form of madness XIV; great enthusiasm, craze XVII. — late L. mania — Gr. maní, rel. to maínesthai be mad, f. IE. mn- men- see MIND -IA1. As a terminal el. it was used in later Gr., e.g. in gunaikomaní mad passion for women, hippomaní passionate love of horses, on the model of which a number of comps. were formed in mod. medical L., e.g. nymphomania; later imitations of these are kleptomania, megalomania. The sbs. in -mania have corr. adj. forms in -maniac (one) affected with the particular mania. So maniac, maniacal XVII. — late L. maniacus — late Gr. maniakós.

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Manichee

heretic holding dualistic belief in God and Satan. XIV. — late L. Manichæus , f. name of the founder of the sect, Manes or Manichæus. Also Manichaean XVI.

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manicure

one who treats (or treatment of) the hands and finger-nails. — F., f. L. manus hand + cra care; see MANUAL, CURE.

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manifest

adj. XIV. — (O)F. manifeste or L. manifestus, earlier manufestus, f. manus hand (see MANUAL) + festus struck, f. base of dfendere DEFEND. So vb. XIV. manifestation XV. — late L. manifesto † proof; public declaration. XVII. — It., whence also manifest sb. † manifestation XVI; † manifesto XVII; list of ship's cargo XVIII.

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manifold

adj.
OE. manif(e)ald = OHG. manacfalt (G. mannig falt), Goth. managfalþs, etc.; see MANY, -FOLD. As sb. pl. XIII; see MANYPLIES.

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manikin

little man, dwarf XVII; artist's lay figure XVIII. — Du. manneken, dim. of man MAN; see -KIN. cf. MANNEQUIN.

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manilla

short for Manilla hemp. XIX; the correct form is Manila, name of the capital of the Philippine Islands.

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manille

second best trump or honour at quadrille and ombre. XVII (mallilio). The current form is — F. manille — Sp. malilla, dim. of mala, fem. of malo bad.

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manioc

cassava. XVI (manihot, — F.). — Tupi mandioca.

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maniple

(eccl.) vestment worn suspended from the left arm; subdivision of the Roman legion XVI; † handful XVII. — OF. maniple (mod. manipule) or L. manipulus handful, troop of soldiers, f. manus hand (see MANUAL) + an unkn. el.

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manipulation

method of handling chemical apparatus XVIII; manual management or examination XIX. — F. — modL. manipulti, -n-, f. manipulre, f. L. manipulus handful; see prec. and -ATION. So manipulate XIX.

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mankind

XIII. repl. † mankin, OE. mancynn (MAN, KIN), by substitution of KIND1.

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manna

miraculous food of Exodus 16 OE.; juice from the bark of Fraxinus ornus (manna ash) XVI. — late L. — Hellenistic Gr. mánna — Aram. mann — Heb. mn.

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mannequin

later (F.) form of MANIKIN, in sense ‘lay figure’, ‘dressmaker's model’. XVIII.

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manner

kind, sort XII; way or mode of action; customary practice; (pl.) moral character; outward bearing XIII; (pl., † sg.) external behaviour XIV; method or style XVII. ME. manere — AN. manere, (O)F. manière :- Rom. manuria sb. use of fem. of L. manurius pert. to the hand, f. manus hand (see MANUAL, -ARY). Hence mannered, mannerism XIX, mannerist XVII. mannerly (see -LY1, -LY2) XIV.

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manœuvre, U.S. maneuver

evolution of naval or military forces. XVIII. — F. manœuvre (OF. manuevre), f. manœuvrer (whence manœuvre vb. XVIII):- medL. manuoperre, for L. man operr (-re) work with the hand; see MANUAL, OPERATE.

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manometer

XVIII. — F. manomètre, f. Gr. manós thin, rare; see -METER.

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manor

† mansion, country residence XIII; † mansion of a lord with the land appertaining XIV; territorial unit, orig. a feudal lordship XVI. ME. maner(e) — AN. maner, OF. maneir, (now) manoir dwelling, habitation, sb. use of maneir dwell:- L. manre remain. Hence manorial XVIII.

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mansard

broken roof. XVIII. — F. mansarde, f. name of the F. architect François Mansard (1598–1666).

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manse

† mansion house XV; (hist.) measure of land sufficient to support a family; ecclesiastical residence XVI. — medL. mansus, -a, -um dwelling, house, measure of land, f. mns- (see next).

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mansion

† dwelling, abiding; † abiding-place XIV; † manor-house XVI; stately residence XIX. — (O)F. — L. mnsi, -n- stay, dwelling-place (whence (O)F. maison house), f. mns-, pp. stem of manre remain, stay.

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mansuetude

(arch.) gentleness. XIV. — (O)F., or L. mnsutd, f. mnsutus gentle, f. manus hand + sutus accustomed; see MANUAL, DESUETUDE.

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mantel

† movable shelter for besiegers; piece of timber supporting the masonry above a fireplace (hence mantelpiece, -shelf). XV. var. of MANTLE, with senses derived from F. manteau, † mantel.

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mantis

insect which holds its forelegs in a position suggesting hands folded in prayer. XVII. — modL. — Gr. mántis prophet, diviner, rel. to MANIA.

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mantissa

†unimportant addition XVII; (math.) decimal part of a logarithm XIX. — L. mantissa, -sa makeweight.

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mantle

loose sleeveless cloak XIII; applied to various coverings from XIV. ME. mantel — OF. mantel (mod. manteau):- L. mantellum, rel. to late L. mantus, medL. mantum, manta short cloak, whence Sp., It. manto (F. mante) cloak, Sp. manta blanket, tapestry; perh. ult. of Celt. orig. So mant(e)let cape, cloak XIV; movable shelter for men-at-arms XVI; screen for men working a gun XIX. — OF., dim. of mantel. mantilla woman's veil. XVIII. — Sp., dim. of manta. mantua loose gown for women. XVII. alt. of manteau by assoc. with the It. place-name Mantua. Hence mantle vb. XIV.

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manu-

repr. abl. sg. of L. manus hand (see next) as in MANUFACTURE, MANUSCRIPT; e.g. manuduction guidance XVI, manumission XV, after L.

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manual

pert. to the hands. XV. Earliest form manuel (later assim. to L.) — (O)F. manuel — L. manulis, f. manus hand, rel. to OE., ON. mund, OHG. munt; see -AL1. As sb. small book for handy use (XV) based ult. on late L. manule, sb. use of n. of adj.; as a term for the keyboard of an organ (XIX) distinguished from pedal.

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manufacture

†product of manual labour XVI; †manual work; making things by physical labour or mechanical power, thing so made XVII. — F. — It. manifattura (XIV), with refash, after L. man factum made by hand (see MANUAL, FACT, -URE). So manufactory XVII; after FACTORY.

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manure

†occupy, administer; †till, cultivate XIV; (from the sb.) apply manure to XVI. Earliest forms maynoyre, -oure, manour — AN. mainoverer, OF. mano(u)vrer MANŒUVRE; assim. in ending to -URE. Hence sb. dung or compost used for fertilizing XVI.

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manuscript

adj.
written by hand; sb. writing; codex. XVI. — medL. manscrptus, i.e. man with the hand and scrptus, pp. of scrbere write; see MANU-, SCRIBE.

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Manx

XVI. Earlier Manks — (with metathesis) ON. Manskr, f. Man- (nom. Mn :- Manu — OIr. Manu) + -skr -ISH1.

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many

a great number of (with a, an XIII). OE. mani, moni, later mæni, corr. to OS. manag, MDu. menech, Du. menig, OHG. manag, menig (G. manch), OSw. mangher, Goth. manags :- Gmc. manazaz, manizaz :- IE. monogho- menogho-, whence also OSl. mnog much, OIr. menice abundant, W. mynych often. As sb. in a (great) many (of), etc. XVI; orig. modelled on a few, but also assoc. with MEINIE. cf. MANIFOLD.

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manyplies

(dial.) omasum. XVIII (monyple, manyplus). f. MANY + pl. of PLY1; modelled on synon. manifolds (XIII).

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Maori

(member of) aboriginal race of New Zealand. XIX. — native name.

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map

sb. XVI. — medL. mappa, short for mappa mund ‘sheet of the world’, i.e. mappa (in classL. table-cloth, NAPKIN), mund g. of mundus world. Hence vb. XVI.

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maple

In OE. mapeltrow, mapulder maple- TREE. The simplex is first recorded XIV.

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maquis

underground patriotic movement in France in the war of 1939–45. — F., ‘scrub’ — It. macchia spot, thicket:- L. macula spot.

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mar

† hinder; † spoil, impair OE.; harm, injure, ruin (now in lighter sense) XIII. OE. merran (WS. mierran) = OS. merrian hinder (Du. marren fasten, loiter), OHG. marren, merren hinder, ON. merja bruise, crush, Goth. (Gmc.) marzjan cause to stumble.

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maraschino

liqueur made from the marasca cherry. XVIII. — It., f. marasca, aphetic of amarasca, f. amaro bitter — L amrus.

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marasmus

(path.) wasting disease. XVII. modL. — Gr. marasmós, f. maraínein wither, waste.

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Marathon

name of the place at which the Athenians defeated the Persians in 490 B.C., applied to a long-distance foot-race introduced at the revived Olympic Games at Athens (1896) in allusion to the feat of the Gr. runner who brought the news of the battle to Athens.

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marauder

XVII (maroder). — F. maraudeur, f. marauder (whence, or as back-formation, maraud XVIII), f. maraud rogue, vagabond, of unkn. orig.

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marble

XII (marbelston). ME. marbel, marbre — OF. marble, by dissim. from (O)F. marbre :- L. marmor — Gr. mármaros shining stone, orig. stone, block of rock, but later assoc. with marmaírein shine.

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marc

refuse after grapes are pressed. XVII. — F. marc, f. marcher tread, MARCH3.

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marcasite

XV. — medL. marcasta — Arab. marat — Pers. mara; assoc. with -ITE.

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March1

XII. — OF. march(e), north-eastern var. of marz, (also mod.) mars :- L. Martius lit. ‘(month) of Mars’.

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march2

boundary. XIII. — (O)F. marche — Rom. (medL.) marca — Frankish marka :- Gmc. mark MARK1. So vb. border upon. XIV. — OF. marchir.

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march3

walk in a military manner. XVI. — (O)F. marcher walk, orig. tread, trample:- Gallo-Rom. marcre, f. late L. marcus hammer. Hence (or — F. marche) march sb. XVI.

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marchioness

wife or widow of a marquess. XVI. — medL. marchionissa, f. marchi, -n-, prop. captain of the marches, f. marca MARCH2; see -ESS1.

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marchpane

marzipan. XVI. The various forms, march-, marts-, maza-, -pain(e), -pan(e), repr. diverse Continental forms, as F. †marcepain (mod. massepain), It. marzapane, Sp. mazapan, G. marzipan MARZIPAN (the present current form).

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mare

Early ME. mre (XII), with stem-vowel from obl. cases of OE. mearh horse, finally superseding mre, müre, OE. mre, mere. mre :- Gmc. mar?jn (MLG., MDu. mer(r)ie, OHG. mar(i)ha, Du. merrie, G. mähre, ON. (merr), f. mar?az horse (OHG. marah, ON. marr), corr. to Gaulish (acc. sg.) márkan, (O)Ir., Gaelic marc, W. march.

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maremma

low marshy land by the sea-shore. XIX. — It.:- L. maritima (fem.) MARITIME.

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margarine

XIX (repl. oleomargarine XIX). — F. (orig. supposed glyceride of ‘margaric acid’). f. margarique, f. Gr. márgaron, margaríts pearl, with ref. to the pearly lustre of the crystals or scales of the acid.

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margin

XIV. — L. marg, margin-, rel. to MARK1. So marginal XVI. — medL. marginalia XIX. — n. pl. of medL. marginlis.

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margrave

German title orig. of the governor of a border province. XVI. — MDu. markgrave = OHG. marcgrvo (G. markgraf); see MARK1; the second el. is of obscure orig.

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marguerite

XIX. — F. form of the female name Margaret, ult. — L. margarta — Gr. margarts, f. márgaron pearl.

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marigold

XIV. In early use often pl. marygoulden, marygoldes; f. proper name Mary (presumably with ref. to the Virgin Mary) + (dial.) gold, OE. golde marigold, prob. rel. to GOLD.

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marijuana, marihuana

XIX. — Amer. Sp.

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marinade

pickle, pickled meat or fish. XVII. — F. — Sp. marinada, f. marinar pickle in brine, f. marino MARINE; see -ADE. Hence vb. XVII.

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marine

pert. to the sea. XV. — (O)F. marin, fem. marine :- L. marnus, f. mare sea, rel. to Goth. marei, Ir. muir, W. môr, OSl. more; see -INE1. So mariner XIII. — AN. mariner, (O)F. marinier :- medL. marnrius.

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Mariolatry

see -LATRY.

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marionette

XVII. — F. marionnette, f. Marion, dim. of Marie MARY; see -ETTE.

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marish

see MARSH.

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marital

XVII. — L. martlis, f. martus husband; see MARRY1, -AL1.

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maritime

XVI. — (partly through F. maritime) L. maritimus, f. mare sea (see MARINE) + -timus, as in fínitimus neighbouring, lgitimus LEGITIMATE.

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marjoram

XIV. ME. majorane, mageram — OF. majorane (mod. marjolaine) — medL. majorana.

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mark1

A
(hist.) boundary (landmark); trace, orig. as a sign OE.
;
B
target XIII
Top
;
C
(f. MARK3) remark, note XVI. OE. (Angl.) merc, (WS.) mearc = OS. marka (Du. mark), OHG. marcha (G. mark), ON. mrk (recorded only in sense ‘forest’), Goth. marka :- Gmc. mark; rel. to L. marg MARGIN, OIr. mruig (Ir. bruig) boundary, territory, W. bro district, Av. marzu boundary, Pers. marz landmark.
Top
Hence marksman XVII (earlier † markman XVI); see B above.

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mark2

weight of gold or silver; money of account. OE. marc, corr. to MDu. marc (Du. mark), MHG. marke, ON. mrk; the Gmc. forms, which vary in gender, are prob. all — medL. marcus, marca; perh. ult. identical with MARK1.

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mark3

A
put a mark upon OE.;

B
notice, observe, REMARK XIV. OE. mearcian = OS. (gi)-markn appoint, observe (Du. marken), OHG. marchn plan, ON. marka mark, observe:- Gmc. markjan, f. mark MARK1.
Top

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market

gathering of people for buying and selling XII; public place for this XIII; (opportunity for, rate of) purchase and sale XVI; seat of trade XVII. Early ME. market, recorded earlier in the late OE. comp. armarkett (XI; see YEAR); both simplex and comp. appear to be — OS. irmarket = OHG. irmarcht (of which the second el. — L. merctus, f. mercr buy, f. merx, merc- merchandise. Hence vb. XVII (marketing XVI).

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marl

kind of clayey soil. XIV. — OF. marle :- medL. margila, f. L. marga. Hence vb. XIV.

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marline

(naut.) small line. XV (also marling XVII). — Du. marlijn, f. marren bind + lijn LINE1, and Du. marling, f. marlen, frequent. of marren + -ing -ING1. Hence marlin(g)spike XVII.

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marm

see MA'AM.

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marmalade

XVI. — F. marmelade — Pg. marmelada, f. marmelo quince:- L. melimlum — Gr. melímlon kind of apple grafted on a quince, f. mêli honey + mêlon apple; see -ADE.

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marmoset

small monkey XIV; †grotesque figure XV; †term of playful reproach XVI. — (O)F. marmouset (latinized marmosetus) grotesque image, little man or boy, (dial.) ape. of unkn. orig.

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marmot

XVII. — F. marmotte, of uncert. orig.

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maroon1

† sweet chestnut of S. Europe XVI; brownish crimson (as of the nutshell); firework XVIII. — F. marron — It. marrone — medGr. máraon.

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maroon2

negro of Surinam and W. Indies XVII; (in full maroon party), pleasure party, picnic XVIII. — F. marron, † maron — Sp. cimarron wild, untamed, runaway slave, f. cimarra furred coat; see -OON. Hence vb. † pass. and intr. be lost in the wilds XVII, put ashore on a desolate coast XVIII.

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marque

† reprisals; letters of marque, orig. royal licence authorizing reprisals on a hostile state. XV. — F. — Pr. marca, f. marcar seize as a pledge.

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marquee

large tent. XVII (also † markee). Spurious sg. form deduced from MARQUISE (formerly so used in Eng.) apprehended as pl. and assim. in ending to -EE2.

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marquess

see MARQUIS.

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marquetry, marqueterie

XVI. — F. marqueterie, f. marqueter variegate, f. marque mark; see -RY.

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marquis, marquess

ruler (orig.) of a ‘march’ or frontier district; peer between the ranks of duke and earl XIV; † marchioness XVI–XVII. ME. marchis, markis — OF. marchis, alt. later to marquis after the corr. Pr. marques, Sp. marqués; f. Rom. marca MARCH2 + -ese :- L. -nsem -ESE; prop. adj. The sp. with -ess (XVI) is now used for the British title. Hence marquisate XVI. So marquise kind of pear; † marquee. XVIII. — F., fem. of marquis.

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marram

bent-grass. XVII. — ON. marálmr, f. marr sea, MERE1 + hálmr HAULM.

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marrow

soft substance in the cavity of bones OE.; central or vital part XV; (vegetable) m., fruit of Cucurbita pepo XIX. OE. mærh, mærg (WS. mearh, mearg), corr. to OS. marg (Du. merg), OHG. mar(a)g (G. mark), ON. mergr :- Gmc. mazgam, -az.

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marry1

join in or enter into wedlock. XIII. — (O)F. marier :- L. martre, f. martus married, husband, of uncert. orig. So marriage XIII. — (O)F. mariage.

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marry2

int. XIV (Marie). The name of the Virgin MARY used as an oath, etc.; in XVI the oath by Mary Gipcy (the Egyptian) appears to have suggested the add. of gip, gup to Mary, and, as these were used in driving horses, come up was later substituted for them, Marry come up.

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Marsala

XIX. f. name of a town on the west coast of Sicily.

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Marseillaise

XIX. — F., fem. of Marseillais of Marseilles; so named from having been first sung in Paris by Marseilles patriots.

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marsh

OE. mer(i)s. = MLG. mersch, marsch, MDu. mersch(e) (whence G. marsch, Du. marsk):- WGmc. marisk-, whence medL. mariscus, the source of (O)F. marais, † mareis, adopted in ME. as mar(r)eis, mar(r)ais (XIV), alt. later to marish (XVI). Hence marshy (see -Y1) XIV.

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marshal

high officer of state, of the army, † of a court, in charge of ceremonies XIII; † farrier XIV. — OF. mareschal (mod. maréchal):- Frankish L. mariscalcus — Gmc. mar?askalkaz (OHG. marahscalh), f. mar?az horse (see MARE1) + skalkaz (OE. s.ealc) servant. For the sense-development cf. constable. Hence vb. XV.

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marsupial

of or resembling a pouch XVII; epithet of mammals having a pouch for their young XIX. — modL. marsüpilis, f. L. marspium pouch — Gr. marsúpion, marsípion, dim. of mársipos purse, bag; see -AL1.

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mart

† market, fair XV; market-place XVI; centre of commerce, emporium XVII. — Du. † mart, var. of markt MARKET.

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Martello

designation of a small circular fort. XVIII (Mortella). alt., perh. by assoc. with It. martello hammer, of the name of Cape Mortella in Corsica, where there was a tower of this kind which the Eng. fleet captured in 1794.

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marten

fur-bearing animal, † orig. the fur itself. XV. Early forms martren, martro(u)n — MDu. martren — OF. martrine marten fur, sb. use of martrin, f. martre — WGmc. marþr- (OHG. mardar, G. marder), ext. form of Gmc. marþuz (OE. mear, ON. mrðr).

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martial

pert. to war or battle XIV; pert. to the army, military (court martial, martial law); warlike XV; of the planet Mars XVII. — (O)F. martial or L. mrtilis, f. Mrs (for Mvors), Mrti-, Roman god of war, planet fourth in order of distance from the sun; see -IAL. So Martian pert. to the planet Mars XIV; to the month of March XVII. — OF. martien or L. Mrtinus.

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martin

bird of the swallow family. XV (Sc. martoune). prob. a use of the name Martin, after St. Martin of Tours.

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martinet

† system of drill devised by General Martinet XVII; officer who is a stickler for discipline; also gen. XVIII. f. name of a F. general, drill-master of the reign of Louis XIV.

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martingale

A
strap for restraining the movements of a horse's head XVI;

B
(naut.) rope for guying down the jib-boom XVIII;
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C
doubling the stake when losing at cards XIX. — F. martingale in chausse à la m. kind of hose fastening at the back, which has been derived from modPr. martegalo, fem. of martegal inhabitant of Martigue in Provence.
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martini

gin-and-vermouth cocktail. XIX. f. name Martini and Rossi, It. wine-makers.

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Martinmas

feast of the translation of St. Martin of Tours. 11 Nov. XIII. f. Martin + MASS1.

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martlet

swift; (her.) imaginary bird without feet. XVI. — F. martelet, alt. of martinet, dim. of Martin MARTIN.

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martyr

(prop.) one who voluntarily undergoes death for the Christian faith. OE. martir, corr. to OS., OHG. martir — ecclL. martyr — Gr. mártur, var. of mártus, martur- witness, (in Christian use) martyr; reinforced in ME. by OF. martir, martre (mod. martyr); the sp. was finally assim. to the L. form. Hence martyr vb. OE. (e)martyrian, -martrian. martyrdom OE. So martyrology XVI. — medL. — ecclGr.; see -LOGY.

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marvel

†miracle XIII; wonderful thing XIV. — (O)F. merveille :- Rom. use as fem. sg. of mirabilia, n. pl. of L. mirbilis wonderful, f. mirr wonder; see MIRACLE, -ABLE. So marvel vb., marvellous XIII.

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Mary

OE. Maria, Marie, reinforced in ME. by (O)F. Marie — ecclL. Maríà — Gr. Mariá and Marim — Heb. Mirym Miriam; in asseverations from XIV (cf. MARRY2).

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marzipan

XIX. — G. marzipan, earlier marcipan, etymol. alt. (as if Marci panis ‘Mark's bread’) of marczapan — It. marzapane, of uncert. orig.; cf. MARCHPANE.

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mascot

thing supposed to bring good luck. XIX. — F. mascotte — modPr. mascotto, fem. of mascot, dim. of masco witch.

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masculine

† male XIV; (gram.); (pros.) of rhyme XVI; pert. to or characteristic of the male sex XVII. — (O)F. masculin, fem. -ine — L. masculnus, -na, f. masculus MALE; see -INE1.

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mash

malt mixed with hot water to form wort OE.; warm food of meal for cattle, etc., pulpy mass XVI. OE. ms. = MLG. msch, msch, MHG. meisch crushed grapes (G. maisch):- WGmc. maisk-, of unkn. orig., but perh. rel. to MIX. Hence vb. infuse (malt) XIV; beat into a pulp XVII.

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mashie

iron golf club with a short head. XIX. of unkn orig.

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mask

covering to conceal the face. XVI. — F. masque — It. maschera, perh. — Arab. maskara buffoon. Hence vb. XVI.

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masochism

XIX. f. name of Leopold von Sacher -Masoch , Austrian novelist (d. 1895), who described the condition; see -ISM. Hence masochistic XX.

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mason

builder and worker in stone XIII; FREEMASON XV. Earliest forms mach(o)un, — ONF. machun; later mascun, masoun — OF. masson (mod. maçon):- Rom. matin- or macin-, prob. of Gmc. orig. So masonry XIV. Hence masonic XVIII.

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Mas(s)orah

body of tradition relating to the text of the Hebrew Bible. XVII (earlier masoreth). repr. Heb. msreth, in Exod. 20: 37 interpreted ‘bond (of the covenant)’, f. 'sar bind, in post-biblical Heb. in the sense ‘tradition’, as if f. msar hand down. So Mas(s)orete one who contributed to this. XVI. — F. Massoret and modL Massrta; orig. misapplication of masoreth, with subseq. assim. of the ending to L. -ta, Gr. -ts.

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masque

masked ball; histrionic entertainment consisting of dancing and dumb show XVI; dramatic composition for an entertainment of this kind XVII. var. of MASK, the F. sp. being now restricted to these senses.

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masquerade

masked ball. XVI. First in quasi- Sp. forms mascarado, masquerada (see -ADO), later superseded by mascarade, and (with assim. to MASQUE) masquerade; — F. mascarade — It. mascherata or Sp. mascarada, f. maschera, máscara MASK; see -ADE.

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mass1

Eucharistic service. OE. mæsse, messe, corr. to OS. missa (Du. mis), OHG. messa, missa (G. messe), ON. messa — ecclL. missa (Rom. messa). L. missa (IV) is a verbal sb. from pp. stem miss- of mittere send, send away (cf. MISSION); its application to a service perh. results from a transference of meaning in phr. such as Ite, missa est Depart, it is the dismissal (i.e. the service is at an end), Et missæ fiant And let the dismissals be made (at the end of an office).

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mass2

coherent body of raw material XIV; relatively large body of matter XV; dense aggregation, large amount XVI; solid bulk XVII; (in physics) XVIII. — (O)F. masse — L. massa — Gr. mâza barley-cake, perh. rel. to mássein knead. So vb. XIV.

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massacre

indiscriminate killing. XVI. — (O)F., of unkn. orig. So vb. XVI.

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massage

sb. XIX. — F., f. masser apply massage to, perh. — Pg. amassar knead, f. massa dough (MASS2); see -AGE. Hence vb. XIX. So masseur, masseuse XIX.

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massicot

yellow oxide of lead. XV. Earlier masticot — F. massicot, † masticot, obscurely rel. to It. marzacotto unguent, cosmetic, Sp. mazacote kali, mortar.

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massif

†block, mass XVI; large mountain mass XIX. — F., sb. use of massif MASSIVE.

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massive

XV. — F. massif, fem. -ive, alt. of OF. massiz :- pop. L. massceus, f. massa MASS2; see -IVE. Finally repl. (arch.) massy XIV, perh. orig. — OF. massiz, with later assim. to -Y1.

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mast1

long pole set up on the keel of a ship to support the sails. OE. mæst = (M)LG., (M)Du., (O)HG. mast :- WGmc. masta :- IE. mazdos, whence poss. L. mlus mast, OIr. matan club.

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mast2

fruit of forest-trees, esp. as food for swine. OE. mæst = MDu., MLG., OHG. mast :- WGmc. masta.

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master

A
man having control or authority;

B
teacher OE. (one who has received an academic degree orig. conveying authority to teach XIV);
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C
title of rank or compliment XIII; title of presiding officer, etc. XIV. OE. mæister, maister (corr. to OS. mster, (O)HG. meister, ON. meistari), a Gmc. adoption from L.; reinforced by OF. maistre (mod. maître) — L. magistrum, nom. magister, usu. referred to magis adv. more. cf. MISTER1.
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Hence masterful XIV. masterpiece XVII; after Du. meesterstuk or G. meisterstück piece of work qualifying a craftsman. mastery XIII. ME. meistrie — OF. maistrie.

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mastic

gum or resin from Pistacia lentiscus XIV; the tree XV. — (O)F. mastic — late L. mastichum, -a, vars. of L. mastich — Gr. mastíkh, presumed to be f. mastikhân (see next).

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masticate

chew. XVII. f. pp. stem of late L. masticre — Gr. mastikhân grind the teeth, rel. to masâsthai chew, and perh. to synon. L. mandere; see -ATE3. So mastication XVI. — (O)F. or late L. Hence masticatory XVII.

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mastiff

XIV. repr. obscurely OF. mastin (mod. mâtin :- Rom. mnsutnus, f. L. mnsutus tamed, tame, earlier mnsus, f. manus hand (see MANUAL) + base of suscere (pp. sutus) accustom.

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mastodon

extinct elephantine mammal having nipple-shaped tubercles on the molars. XIX. f. Gr. mastós breast + odðn, odont- TOOTH.

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mastoid

(anat., of bones, etc.) nipple-shaped. XVIII. — F. mastoïde or modL. mastods — Gr. mastoeids, f. mastós breast; see -OID.

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masturbate

XIX (earlier †mastuprate XVII). f. pp. stem of L. masturbr, perh. alt. of man()stuprre ‘defile with the hand’.

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mat1

piece of coarse fabric of plaited fibre OE.; piece of material laid on a surface for protection XV (naut.). OE. m(e)atte, corr. to MDu. matte, OHG. matta (Du. mat, G. matte); WGmc. — late L. matta.

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mat2, matt

lustreless, dull. XVII. — F. mat, identical with mat MATE2. So vb. XVII.

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matador

in Sp. bull-fights, man appointed to kill the bull; principal card. XVII. — Sp. matador, f. matar kill.

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match1

A
†mate, fellow OE.; person equal or corresponding XIII;

B
†matching of adversaries XIV; contest; matrimonial alliance XVI. OE. emæ..a :- Gmc. zamakjan-, rel. to zamakan- (OE. gemaca, dial, make match, mate; corr. to OS. gimaco, OHG. gimahho fellow, equal), sb. use of zamakaz (OE. emæ., OHG. gimah wellmatched, G. gemach easy, comfortable), f. za Y- + mak- fitting; see MAKE.
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Hence match vb. join as a pair or one of a pair in marriage, combat, etc. XIV.

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match2

† wick XIV; piece of inflammable cord, wood, etc., to be ignited XVI. — OF. meiche, mesche (mod. mèche), corr. to Sp., Pg. mecha, It. miccia, etc., which have been referred to L. myxa (- Gr. múx) nozzle of lamp (in medL. lamp-wick), with crossing of Rom. muccare blow the nose, snuff a wick.

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matchet

XVI (-eto). — Sp. machete, prob. f. macho hammer. Also MACHETE XIX.

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mate1

habitual companion (also in comps.) XIV; (naut.) officer assistant to another XV; one of a wedded pair XVI. — MLG. (ge)mate = OHG. gimazzo :- WGmc. zamatan-, f. za- Y- + mat-, base of MEAT, the lit. sense being ‘messmate’.

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mate2

at chess, state of the king when he is in check and cannot move out of it; (fig.) total defeat. XIV. ME. mat — (O)F. mat, in eschec mat CHECKMATE. So vb. XIII.

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maté

calabash in which leaves of a S. Amer. shrub are infused, (also) the infusion and the shrub. XVIII. — Sp. mate — Quechua mati.

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material

consisting of matter XIV; pert. to matter; of substantial import XVI; sb. pl. XVI. ME. materiel (rare), -ial — (O)F. matériel, † -ial — late L. mterilis, f. mteria matter; see -AL1. Hence materialism XVIII, materialist XVII, materialize XVIII.

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materia medica

remedies used in medicine. XVII. modL., tr. Gr. húl iatrik healing material; see MATTER, MEDICAL.

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matériel

material equipment or resources. XIX. — F., sb. use of adj. matériel MATERIAL.

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maternal

XV. — (O)F. maternel or f. L. mternus, f. mter MOTHER1; see -AL1. So maternity XVII. — F. — medL.

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mathematic, mathematical

XVI. — or f. (O)F. mathématique or its source L. mathmaticus — Gr. mathmatikós, f. máthma, -mat- something learnt, science, f. math- (rel. to MIND), manthánein learn; see -IC, -ICAL. As sb. (XIV) ME. matematik, math-, -ique, — (O)F. mathématique — L. mathmatica — Gr. mathmatik, fem. of mathmatikós; now mathematics XVI; colloq. abbrev. maths XX.

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matico

(leaves of) tropical Amer. wild pepper. XIX. — Sp. yerba Matico, i.e. yerba HERB, Matico dim. of Mateo Matthew; said to have been named after a soldier who discovered its styptic properties.

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matins, mattins

XIII. ME. matines — (O)F.:- ecclL. mttns, nom. -næ; see MATUTINAL.

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matrass

glass distilling vessel. — F. matras, of uncert. orig.

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matriarch

XVII. f. L. mter, mtri- MOTHER1, after PATRIARCH, apprehended as being f. L. pater FATHER.

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matriculate

insert (a name) in a register, admit into a university, etc. XVI. f. pp. stem of medL. mtrculre, f. late L. mtrcula, dim. of mtrc- MATRIX; see -ATE3. So matriculation XVI.

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matrimony

XIV. — AN. matrimonie = OF. matremoi(g)ne — L. mtrimnium, f. mter, mtri- MOTHER1; see -MONY. So matrimonial XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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matrix

uterus; place or medium of production XVI; enclosing mass; mould XVII. — L. mtrix, -c- pregnant animal, female used for breeding, parent stem, (later) womb, register, f. mter, mtr- MOTHER1.

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matron

married woman XIV; married woman having expert knowledge of pregnancy, etc. XV; woman in charge of domestic arrangements XVII. — (O)F. matrone — L. mtrna, f. mter, mtr- MOTHER1.

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matt

see MAT2.

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matter

thing, affair, concern; material of thought, speech, or action XIII; substance serving as material XIV; physical or corporeal substance XVII; things written or printed XVII. ME. materie, mat(i)ere — AN. mater(i)e, (O)F. matière — L. mteria (also -is) hard part of a tree, timber, stuff of which a thing is made, cause, occasion, subject of discourse, matter, orig. substance of which consists the mter (MOTHER1). Hence matter vb. XVI.

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mattock

OE mattuc, of unkn. orig.

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mattress

XIII. ME. materas — OF. — It. materasso — Arab. mara place where something is thrown, mat, cushion, f. araa throw.

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mature

fully developed or ripened (lit. and fig.). XV. — L. mtrus timely, early, f. mtu- (as in next), rel. to mne early, in the morning. So maturate ripen, spec. bring to a head. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. mtrre, whence mature vb. XVI. maturation XVI, maturative, maturity XIV. — F. or L.

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matutinal

of the (early) morning. XVII. — late L. mttnlis, f. L. mttnus, f. Mtta goddess of the dawn, rel. to mturus early, MATURE; see -AL1.

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maudlin

† weeping, tearful; weakly sentimental XVII; but the earliest recorded use is as adv. in maudlin († maudlayne, † mawdlen) drunk XVI. attrib. use of Maudlin, ME. Maudele(y)n (XIV) — (O)F. Madelaine — ecclL. Magdalna MAGDALEN. The reference to tears comes from pictures in which the Magdalen is shown weeping.

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maugre

sb.
† ill-will; (arch.) prep. in spite of (orig. to the displeasure of). XIII. — (O)F. maugré (mod. malgré prep.), i.e. mal bad, evil:- L. malum (see MAL-), gré pleasure:- L. grtum, sb. use of n. of grtus pleasing (cf. GRATEFUL).

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maul

† club XIII; hammer, beetle XIV. ME. meall, mal(e) — (O)F. mail :- L. malleus hammer. cf. MALLET, PALL-MALL. Hence maul vb. † beat down, hammer, batter XIII; damage XVI; handle roughly XVII.

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maulstick

light stick used by painters to support the right hand. XVII (mol-). — Du. maalstok, f. maalen paint + stok stick; see MOLE1, STOCK.

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maunder

† grumble XVII; act or talk in a dreamy or inconsequent manner XVIII. of uncert. orig.

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maundy

ceremonial washing of the feet of poor persons on the Thursday next before Easter. XIII (Maundy Thursday XVI). — OF. mandé :- med. use of L. mandtum command (see MANDATE), first word of the first antiphon sung at the ceremony, viz. ‘Mandatum novum do vobis’ (A new commandment give I unto you). taken from the discourse which follows the washing by Christ of the Apostles' feet, John 13. See -Y5.

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mausoleum

XVI. — L. mauslum — Gr. mausleion the magnificent tomb of Mauslus, king of Caria, erected 353 B.C. at Halicarnassus by his queen Artemisia and accounted one of the seven wonders of the world.

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mauve

bright but delicate purple dye. XIX. — F. mauve mallow, mallow-colour:- L. malva MALLOW.

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maverick

(U.S.) unbranded calf, etc. XIX. f. name of Samuel A. Maverick , a Texas cattle-owner who left the calves of his herd unbranded.

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mavis

song-thrush. XIV. — (O)F. mauvis, of uncert. orig.

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mavourneen

(Anglo-Ir.) my darling. XVIII. — Ir. mo mhuirnín (mo my, muirnín, dim. of muirn affection, love).

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maw

stomach. OE. maga, corr. to MDu. maghe (Du. maag), OHG. mago (G. magen), ON. magi :- Gmc. mazan-, -n.

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mawkish

† nauseated, without appetite, nauseating XVII; feebly sentimental XVIII. f. mawk maggot + -ISH1.

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maxilla

jaw, jawbone. XVII. — L. maxilla, corr. to mla cheek, as axilla shoulder-blade to la wing. Hence maxillary XVII.

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maxim

† axiom XV; aphoristic proposition; rule of conduct XVI. — F. maxime or its source modL. maxima, sb. use of fem. of maximus, superl. of magnus great (see MAGNITUDE).

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Maxim

M.(-gun), machine-gun invented by Hiram S. Maxim (1840–1916). XIX.

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maximum

XVIII. — (through F.) modL. mximum, sb. use of n. of mximus (see MAXIM).

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may1

pt. might † be strong; † be able; be allowed; as an aux. of the subjunctive. Gmc. preterite-present vb. (cf. CAN2). OE. mæ, corr. to OS. (Du.), (O)HG. mag, ON. má, Goth. mag. The primary sense was ‘have power’ (cf. the cogn. sbs. MAIN1, MIGHT); the IE. base mogh- mgh-, is repr. also by Gr. mkhan MACHINE, OSl. mog I can. Hence may be XV.

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may2

blossoms of the hawthorn. XVI. — (O)F. mai flowers and branches collected to celebrate 1 May, from the name of the month (see next), dial. hawthorn. So vb. celebrate May-day, chiefly in gerund (a)maying. XIV.

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May

- (O)F. mai :- L. Maius prop. pert. to Mia, Italic goddess, daughter of Faunus and wife of Vulcan (later identified with Gr. Maîa). Hence May-day XV.

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mayhem

(leg.) crime of violently inflicting bodily injury. XV. — AN. ma(i)hem, mahaym MAIM.

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mayonnaise

XIX. — F. mayonnaise, also magnonaise, mahonnaise, the latter being app. fem. of mahonnais pert. to Port Mahon, capital of Minorca.

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mayor

chief officer of a municipal corporation. XIII. ME. mer, mair — (O)F. maire :- L. mjor greater, compar. of magnus great (see MAGNITUDE). So mayoralty XIV. — OF.

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mayweed

stinking camomile. XVI. alt. of † maid-, mayde(n)wede (XV), for maithe(n)wede, f. synon. † maithe(n), OE. maoðe, mæða (obl. cases -an) + WEED.

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maz(z)ard

† mazer; (sl.) head XVII; face XVIII. alt. of MAZER by assoc. with -ARD.

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mazarine

deep rich blue. XVII. perh. f. name of Cardinal Jules Mazarin (1602–61) or the Duchesse de Mazarin (died 1699).

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maze

(dial., arch.) stupefy, daze XIII; bewilder XV. First in pps. mased, amased, and bimased, in OE. masod (see AMAZE). Hence maze sb. † delusion, deception XIII; complex network of paths XIV.

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mazer

(hist.) hard (? maple) wood XII; bowl or goblet, orig. of mazer wood XIV. — OF. masere (of Gmc. orig.; in modF. madré veined, variegated, like maple-wood), perh. reinforced from MDu. maeser maple = OHG. masar (G. maser) excrescence on a tree, † maple, ON. msurr maple.

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mazurka

lively Polish dance. XIX. — F. mazurka, G. masurka — Pol. mazurek ‘Masurian dance’.

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me1

obj. form of I. OE. m (i) acc., corr. to OS. m, m (Du. mij) and further to L. m, Gr. me, emé, OIr. m, W. mi, Skr. m; OE. had also mec, corr. to OS. mik, OHG. mih (G. mich), ON., Goth. mik :- IE. mege (Gr. emége), in which a limiting particle ge (Gr. ge at least) is added; (ii) dative, corr. to OS. m (Du. mij), (O)HG. mir, ON. mér, Goth. mis. See MINE1, MY.

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me2

see MI.

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mead1

drink made by fermenting a mixture of honey and water. OE. me(o)du = MLG. (Du.) mede, OHG. metu, mitu (G. met), ON. mjðr :- Gmc. meduz :- IE. medhu-, whence Gr. méthu wine (cf. METHYLATE). OIr. mid, W. medd, OSl. med honey, wine, Lith. midùs mead, Skr. mádhu honey, sweet drink.

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mead2

(arch.) MEADOW. OE. md.

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meadow

XIII. repr. OE. mdwe, etc., obl. cases of md MEAD2:- Gmc. mdw, rel. to MOW1.

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meagre

lean, thin XIV; poor, scanty XVI. ME. megre — AN. megre, (O)F. maigre :- L. macrum, nom. macer, rel. to Gr. makrós long.

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meal1

powder of ground grain or pulse. OE. melu (melw-) = OS. melo (Du. meel), OHG. melo (G. mehl), ON. mjl :- Gmc. melwam, f. mel- mal- mul- :- IE. mel- mol- ml-, whence OHG., Goth. malan, ON. mala, L. molere, OSl. mlti, Lith. málti, OIr. melim grind, W. malu, L. mola millstone, sacrificial meal, molna MILL, Gr. múl, múlos mill(stone).

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meal2

† measure; habitual or customary occasion of taking food OE.; repast XII. OE. mæl mark, sign, measure, fixed time, etc., corr. to OS. -ml sign, measure (Du. maal n. meal, m. time), OHG. ml time (G. mal time, mahl meal), ON. mál mark, measure, point or portion of time, mealtime, Goth. ml time:- Gmc. mælaz, -am, f. IE. base m- MEASURE. The OE. dat. pl. mlum, in the sense ‘measure’, ‘quantity taken at a time’, was used in comb. with sbs., e.g. dropmlum drop by drop; the only surviving comp. in gen. use is PIECEMEAL.

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mealie

S.Afr. maize. XIX. — Afrikaans mielie — Pg. milho MILLET.

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mealy-mouthed

XVI. var. of contemp. † meal-mouthed, f. † mealmouth sb. and adj., f. MEAL1 + MOUTH + -ED2.

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mean1

have in mind, intend; import. OE. mnan = OS. mnian intend, make known (Du. menen), (O)HG. meinen (now chiefly, have an opinion):- WGmc. mainjan, rel. to OSl. mniti; f. IE. men- (see MIND). Hence meaning intention, signification. XIV.

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mean2

(dial.) common to two or more XII; inferior XIII; undignified, low XIV; ignoble XVII. OE. mne (rare), ME. mene, for OE. emne (ME. -mene) = OS. gimni (Du. gemeen), OHG. gimeini (G. gemein), Goth. gamains :- Gmc. zamainiz, f. za- Y- + mainiz :- IE. moinis (repr. in commoinis, antecedent form of L. commnis COMMON), f. moi- mei- change, exchange; see MUTATION, MUTUAL, MUNICIPAL. The development of meaning from ‘possessed by all’ to ‘ordinary’, ‘inferior’, was assisted by the coincidence of the native Eng. form with MEAN3.

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mean3

† middle; † intermediary; intermediate in time (now only in mean time, mean while); intermediate in kind or degree; mediocre, middling. XIV. — AN. me(e)n, OF. meien, moien (mod. moyen):- L. medinus MEDIAN. Hence meantime adv. XVI; meanwhile adv. XV; reduction of adv. phr. in the m. time and m. while (XIV).

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meander

(pl.) windings (of a river, a maze), † intricacies (of affairs) XVI; circuitous course XVII. — (partly through F. méandre) L. mæander — Gr. maiandros, appellative use of the name of a river in Phrygia famous for its notoriously winding course. Hence vb. XVII.

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measles

infectious disease marked by an eruption. XIV. ME. maseles (pl.), prob. — MLG. masele, MDu. masel pustule, spot on the skin (Du. mazelen measles) = OHG. masala blood-blister, f. Gmc. mas- spot, excrescence (cf. MAZER). The change of form from masel to mesel (whence the present form) appears to be due to assim. to ME. mesel leper (- OF. mesel :- L. misellus, f. miser wretched, MISERABLE).

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measure

prescribed or limited extent; action, result, or means of measuring XIII; ‘measured’ or rhythmic sound or movement XIV. — (O)F. mesure :- L. mnsra, f. mns-, pp. stem of mtr measure, f. IE. mt- (cf. Skr. mtrá measure, Gr. mêtis prudence, OE. mæð measure, proportion, power, rank, respect), extension of m- measure (cf. MEAL2, METRE). So measure vb. XIII. measurable †moderate XIII; that can be measured XVI. — (O)F. mesurable — late L. mnsrbilis MENSURABLE. measurement XVIII.

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meat

food (arch. and dial. exc. as in meat and drink, flesh meat) OE.; flesh food XIV. OE. mete = OS. meti, ON. matr, Goth. mats :- Gmc. matiz, f. mat- met- measure, METE.

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meatus

passage, spec. in anat. XVII. — L., ‘passage, course’, f. mere go, pass.

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Mecca

name of Muhammad's birthplace, a place of Muslim pilgrimage; (hence) sacred spot of resort. XIX. — Arab. Makka.

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mechanic

pert. to manual work XIV; pert. to machines XVII; sb. handicraftsman, artisan XVI; skilled workman, esp. having to do with machinery XVII. — (partly through (O)F. mécanique) L. mchanicus — Gr. mkhanikós, f. mkhan MACHINE; see -IC. So mechanical XV, mechanics, mechanism, mechanize XVII.

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Mechlin

name of lace made at Mechlin in Belgium. XVII.

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meconic

(chem.) epithet of an acid obtained from opium. XIX. f. Gr. mkn poppy + -IC. So meconium † opium XVII; first faeces of a newborn infant (from its dark colour likened to opium juice) XVIII. — L. — Gr. mkneion, f. mkn.

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medal

† metal disk used as a charm, etc. XVI; coin-shaped piece of metal with an inscription, effigy, etc. XVII. — F. médaille — It. medaglia :- Rom. medallia :- popL. metallea (n. pl.), f. L. metallum METAL. So medallion XVII. — F. médaillon — It. medaglione, augm. of medaglia.

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meddle

† mix, mingle; intr. mix or mingle in company or conflict XIV; busy oneself with XV. — OF. me(s)dler, var. of mesler (mod. mêler):- Rom. misculre, f. L. miscre MIX.

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mediaeval

see MEDIEVAL.

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medial

† (math.) mean XVI; that is in the middle; ordinary. XVIII. — late L. medilis, f. medius MID; see -AL1. So median (first in anat.) m. vein XVI; (gen.) middle XVII. — F. médian or L. medinus; cf. MEAN3.

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mediastinum

(anat.) membranous septum between cavities. XVI. modL., sb. n. of medL. mediastnus medial, f. medius MID.

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mediate

† halve; effect by intercession XVI; be an intermediary XVII. f. pp. stem of L. medire, f. medius MID; in part prob. back-formation from mediation XIV (- late L. mediti, -n-) or mediator XIII (- (O)F. médiateur, † -our — ChrL. meditor). So mediatrix XV. — late L.

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medical

XVII. — F. médi.al or medL. mediclis, f. L. medicus physician, f. base of medr heal; see -ICAL. So medicament XIV. — F. médicament or L. medicmentum, f. medicr administer remedies to, whence medicate, medication XVII. So medicine medicament XIII; art of preserving and restoring health XIV. — OF. medecine, medicine (mod. médecine) — L. medicna physician's art or laboratory, medicament. medicinal XIV. — (O)F. — L. medico medical practitioner or student. XVII. — It. — L. medicus. Also medic XVII.

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medick

plant of the genus Medicago. XV. — L. mdica — Gr. mdik Median.

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medieval

XIX. f. L. medius MID + ævum AGE; see -AL1. So medievalist XVIII.

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mediocre

XVI. — (partly through F. médiocre) L. mediocris lit. ‘of middle height’, f. medius MID + ocris rugged mountain. So mediocrity XVI. — (O)F. — L.

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meditate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. meditr, frequent. f. IE. med- md- mod- measure (see METE). So meditation meditative discourse XIII; action of meditating XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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mediterranean

(of water) land-locked XVI; (of land) midland, inland XVII. f. L. mediterrneus inland, in late L. applied to the Mediterranean Sea, Mare Mediterraneum, in which the orig. notion may have been ‘in the middle of the earth’ rather than ‘enclosed by land’; f. medius MID + terra land, earth.

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medium

middle degree or condition; † middle term, mean; intervening substance XVI (whence, pervading or enveloping substance XIX); intermediate agency, means XVII; (in painting) liquid vehicle XIX. — L. medium middle, midst, medL. means, sb. use of n. of medius MID.

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medlar

(fruit of) the tree so named, Mespilus germanica. XIV. — OF. medler, f. medle, for mesdle, mesle :- L. mespila, -us, -um — Gr. mespíl, méspilon.

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medley

† combat, conflict XIV; † combination, mixture XV; (in disparaging sense) XVII. — OF. medlee, var. of meslee (mod. mêlée):- Rom. misculta, sb. use of fem. pp. of misculre MEDDLE.

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medoc

wine produced in Médoc, a district of S. W. France. XIX.

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medulla

marrow, pith. XVII. — L. medulla, perh. f. medius MID. Hence medullary XVII.

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medusa

(M-) one of the three Gorgons, having snakes for the hair of the head XVI (XIV Meduse); (m-) jellyfish, sea-nettle XVIII. — L. Medsa — Gr. Médousa.

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meed

† wages, hire OE.; reward, guerdon XIV. OE. md = OS. mda, mieda, OHG. mta, mieta (G. miete):- WGmc. mda, rel. to OE. meord, Goth. mizd reward; the IE. base mizdh- is repr. also by Gr. misthós, OSl. mzda, Skr. mhá- reward.

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meek

† gentle, kind; free from pride and self-will XII; submissive XIV. Early ME. me(o)c — ON. miúkr, mj´ukr soft, pliant, gentle, rel. to Goth. mks in mkamdei meekness.

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meerschaum

hydrated magnesium silicate found in soft white masses; tobacco-pipe having a bowl made of this. XVIII. — G. meerschaum, f. meer MERE1 + schaum foam (see SCUM).

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meet1

† made to fit XIII; (rhet.) suitable, fit XIV. Aphetic of earlier ME. imete :- OE. (Angl.) emte, (WS.) emte = OHG. gamzi (G. gemäss), f. za- Y- + mt measure, f. mt- met- measure, METE; the etymol. sense is ‘commensurate’.

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meet2

pt., pp. met come or light upon OE.; come face to face or into contact with XIII. OE. mtan, also emtan (see Y-) = OS. mtian (Du. moeten), ON. mta, Goth. gamtjan :- Gmc. (za)mtjan, f. mtam meeting, MOOT. Hence meeting XIII.

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mega-, before a vowel meg-,

comb. form of Gr. mégas great (see MAGNITUDE), as in megalithic , megaphone , megatherium XIX; similarly megal(o-) , the Gr. stem, as in megalomania XIX.

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megilp

vehicle for oil colours. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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megrim

severe headache. XIV. Early forms mygrame, -ane — (O)F. migraine, semi-pop. — late L. hmicrnia — Gr. hmikrní, f. hmi- half, HEMI- + krnion skull, CRANIUM.

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meinie

(arch.) household, retinue XIII; multitude XIV. — (O)F. meiné, mesné :- Rom. mansinta, f. L. mansi, -n- MANSION; see -Y5.

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meiosis

(rhet.) † diminishing figure of speech XVI; litotes XVII. — Gr. meísis, f. meioûn lessen, f. meíôn less (see MINOR).

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melancholy

†morbid condition of having too much ‘black bile’; † ill-temper; sadness and depression. XIV. — (O)F. mélancolie — late L. melancholia — Gr. melagkholí, f. méls, melan- black + khol bile; see GALL1, -Y3. So melancholic, melancholious XIV. Both adjs. were gen. superseded by an adj. use of the sb. (XVI), the termination of which suggests an adj. formation.

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meld

(U.S.) declare at pinocle. XIX. — G. melden announce.

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mêlée

irregular or confused fighting. XVII. — F. mêlée, earlier mellée MEDLEY.

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melic

pert. to poetry intended to be sung. XVII. — L. melicus — Gr. melikós, f. mélos song; see MELODY, -IC.

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meliorate

XVI. f. pp. stem of late L. meliorre, f. L. melior better. cf. AMELIORATE.

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mellifluous

sweet as if flowing with honey. XV. f. OF. melliflue or its source late L. mellifluus, f. L. mel honey + flu-; see FLUENT, -OUS.

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mellow

soft with ripeness XV; ripe, mature XVI; (of sound, etc.) rich and soft; genial with liquor XVII. perh. from attrib. use of OE. melu (melw-), ME. melow MEAL1.

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melodeon

wind instrument with keyboard; kind of accordion. XIX. alt. of melodium (f. MELODY, after harmonium), or f. MELODY after accordion.

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melodrama

(orig.) stage play with appropriate music; (later) sensational play with a happy ending. XIX. alt. (after drama) of earlier melodrame — F. mélodrame, f. Gr. mélos song; see next and DRAMA. Hence melodramatic XIX.

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melody

sweet music XIII; tune, air XVII; element of musical form XVIII. — (O)F. mélodie — late L. meldia — Gr. melidí singing, f. melidós singing songs, musical, f. mélos song, rhythmical chant, orig. limb, member; see ODE, -Y3. So melodic XIX, melodious XIV.

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melon

XIV. — (O)F.:- late L. ml, -n-, shortening of mlopep — Gr. mlopépn, f. mêlon apple + pépn, sb. use of pépn ripe.

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melt

liquefy or be liquefied by heat. OE. (1) str. vb. me(a)ltan :- Gmc. meltan, (2) wk. vb. (Angl.) meltan, (WS.) mieltan = ON. melta digest, malt (grain):- Gmc. maltjan (cf. ON. maltr rotten, OHG. malz melting, Goth. gamalteins dissolution). The base melt- malt- mult- repr. IE. meld- mold- ml.d-, whence Gr. méldein melt, L. mollis, Skr. mr.dú soft. The str. pp. molten survives as adj.

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melton

epithet of a hunting jacket formerly worn and of a stout cloth. XIX. f. name of Melton Mowbray, town in Leicestershire, a famous hunting centre.

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member

organ, limb XIII; constituent portion or individual XIV; one elected to a parliament, etc. XV; division of a sentence XVI. — (O)F. membre :- L. membrum, app. rel. to OIr. mr piece of meat, Skr. mmsá-, OSl. mso, Goth. mimz meat, Gr. mrós thigh.

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membrane

XVI (first in sense ‘parchment’). — L. membrna (partly through F.) ‘skin covering a part of the body’ (prop. sb. use of fem. of adj. in -nus -AN), f. membrum MEMBER. So membranaceous XVII. f. late L. membranous XVI. — F.

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memento

either of two prayers beginning with memento (‘remember’) in the canon of the Mass XV; reminder, warning XVI; object serving as a memorial XVIII. — L. mement, imper. of meminisse remember, rel. to MIND.

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memoir

† note, memorandum XVI; (pl.) record of events, esp. from a personal or particular source; dissertation on a learned subject XVII. — F. mémoire (m.) specialized use of mémoire (fem.) MEMORY, arising from the appositional use as in écrit mémoire. So memorable worth remembering. XV. — F. or L. memorandum XVI. Derived from the heading of a note, ‘(It is) to be remembered that … ’; n. sg. of L. memorandus, gerundive of memorre bring to mind, f. memor (below). memorial preserving a memory XIV; sb. commemorative act, record, etc. XV. — (O)F. or L. memoria technica system of mnemonics. XVIII. modL., ‘artificial memory’ (see TECHNICAL). memorize cause to be remembered XVI; commit to memory XIX; f. next. memory faculty by which one remembers; recollection, remembrance. XIV. ME. memorie, memoire — OF. memorie, (also mod.) mémoire — L. memoria, f. memor mindful, remembering; see -Y3.

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mem-sahib

(in India) European married lady. XIX. f. mem, repr. native pronunc. of MA'AM + SAHIB.

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menace

threat. XIII. ME. manas, manace — OF. manace (later and mod. menace):- L. mincia (only pl. in classL.), f. minx, minc- threatening, f. base of minri threaten, minæ over-hanging or projecting parts, threats, rel. to mns MOUNT. So vb. XIV. — AN. manasser, OF. manacier (mod. menacer):- Rom. mincire.

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ménage

housekeeping, domestic establishment. XVII. — F. ménage, earlier menaige, manaige :- Rom. mansinticum, f. L. mansi, -n- MANSION.

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menagerie

collection of wild animals, esp. for exhibition; † aviary. XVIII. — F. ménagerie orig. domestic management of cattle, etc., f. ménage; see prec. and -ERY.

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mend

(arch.) free from fault or defect XII; † make amends for XIII; restore to wholeness, repair XIV. — AN. mender, aphetic of amender AMEND.

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mendacious

XVII. f. L. mendx, mendc-, prob. orig. speaking incorrectly or falsely, f. mendum defect, fault. So mendacity XVII.

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Mendelian

XX. pert. to the doctrine of heredity of Gregor Johann Mendel (1822–84); see -IAN.

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mendicant

adj.
begging XVI; sb. beggar XV. — pp. of L. mendcre beg, f. mendcus beggar, f. mendum fault, blemish; see -ANT.

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menhaden

fish of the herring family. XVII. of N. Amer. Indian orig.

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menhir

tall monumental stone. XIX. — Breton men hir (maen stone, hir long) = W. maen hir, Corn. medn hir.

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menial

domestic XIV; proper to a domestic servant, servile XVII; sb. XIV. — AN. menial, meignial, f. meinie; see MEINIE, -IAL.

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meningitis

inflammation of the meninges (enveloping brain and spinal cord). XIX. — modL., f. mninx, mning-, Gr. mênigx, pl. mnigges; see -ITIS.

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meno-

comb. form of Gr. mn MONTH, used in path. terms for ‘menses’, as in menopause (Gr. paûsis); menorrhagia (Gr. rhag-, rhgnúnai break, burst forth); menorrhoea (Gr. -rhoí flow, flux).

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menology

calendar, esp. of the Orthodox Church. XVII. — modL. mnologium — late Gr. mnológion, f. mn, mno- MONTH + lógos account; see -LOGY.

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Menshevik

XX. — Russ. Men'shevik, f. mén'she, compar. of ml little. cf. BOLSHEVIK.

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menses

monthly discharge from the womb. XVI. — L. mnss, pl. of mnsis MONTH.

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menstruum

uterine secretion XVI; solvent XVII. — L. mnstruum, in classL. only pl. menstrual blood, sb. use of n. of mnstruus, f. mnsis MONTH; cf. prec. The sense ‘solvent’ in medL. arose from the alchemists' view of the transmutation of base metal into gold by a solvent liquid, which they compared to the action on sperm in the womb of the menstrual blood. So menstrual XIV. menstruous XVI. — F. or late L.

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mensuration

measuring. XVI. — late L. mnsrti, -n-, f. mnsrre MEASURE; see -ATION. So mensurable measurable, (hence) having assigned limits XVII; (mus.) having fixed rhythm and length of notes XVIII. — F. mensurable or late L. mnsrbilis.

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-ment

suffix forming sbs., repr. (O)F. -ment :- L. -mentum, which was added to vb.-stems to form sbs. expressing the result or product of an action or the means or instrument of it, e.g. fragmentum broken piece (f. frag-, frangere), rnmentum that with which a thing is arranged (f. rnre). pavimentum floor of stones beaten down (f. pavre). In popL. it was extended to the formation of nouns of action (repl. -ti -TION); this was continued in Rom. and is thus widely exemplified in Eng. adoptions from French, e.g. abridgement, government, management. This set the fashion for the treatment of -ment as if it were native, as in amazement, fulfilment, wonderment. Formations on adjs. are uncommon, as merriment, oddments. The corr. adjs. end in -mental .

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mental1

pert. to the mind. XV. — (O)F. mental or late L. mentlis, f. mns, ment- MIND; see -AL1. Hence mentality XVII.

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mental2

pert. to the chin. XVIII. — F. mental, f. L. mentum chin; see -AL1.

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menthol

XIX. — G. menthol, f. mentha MINT2; see -OL.

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mention

act of commemorating by speech or writing. XIV. — (O)F. — L. menti, -n-, f. base men- of meminisse remember; cf. COMMENT. So vb. XVI. — F. mentionner, medL. mentinre.

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mentor

experienced and trusted counsellor. XVIII. — F. mentor, appellative use of L. Mentor — Gr. Méntr, name of the Ithacan noble whose disguise Athene assumed to act as guide to the young Telemachus in the ‘Odyssey’; the name was prob. chosen for its etymol. significance (f. men- mon- remember, think, counsel).

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menu

XIX. — F., sb. use of menu small, MINUTE2, for menu de repas ‘list of items of a meal’.

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Mephistophelian

XIX. of the character of Mephistopheles, an evil spirit to whom Faust, the hero of dramas by Marlowe and Goethe , sells his soul.

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mephitic

offensive to the smell, pestilential. XVII. — late L. mephticus, f. L. mephtis noxious vapour; see -IC.

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mercantile

XVII. — F. — It. mercantile, f. mercante MERCHANT; see -ILE.

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mercenary

adj.
XVI; sb. XIV. — L. mercnrius, earlier mercennrius, f. mercs, mercd- reward, wages; see -ARY.

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mercer

dealer in silks and other textiles. XIII. — AN. mercer, (O)F. mercier :- Rom. mercirius, f. L. merx, merc- MERCHANDISE; see -ER2. So mercery XIII. — (O)F. mercerie.

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mercerize

prepare (goods) with chemicals for dyeing. XIX. f. name of John Mercer , dyer of Accrington; see -IZE.

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merchandise

† exchange of commodities; commodities of commerce. XIII. ME. marchaundise, mercandise — (O)F. marchandise, dial. † marcandise, f. marchand + -ise, repr. L. -tia. So merchant XIII. ME. marchand, -aunt — (O)F. marchand, † march(e)ant :- Rom. merctante, sb. use of prp. of merctre, f. mercr, merct-, f. merx, merc- merchandise, whence also Mercurius (see MERCURY).

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Mercian

pert. to, native of, the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia XVI; the dialect of Old English spoken there XIX. f. medL. Mercia, f. OE. M(i)er.e (pl.) lit. people of ‘the march’, ‘borderers’ see MARCH2, -IAN.

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mercury

(M-) Roman divinity identified with the Gr. Hermes, god of eloquence, messenger of the gods, patron of traders and roads, guide of departed souls (hence messenger, guide XVI); planet nearest the sun; quicksilver; (after L. herba mercurialis) plant-name. XIV. — L. Mercurius, orig. god of commerce, f. merx, merc- MERCHANDISE; the application to the planet appears in classL., and like other names of planets, Mercurius became in medL. the name of a metal. So mercurial XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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mercy

XII. — (O)F. merci, now chiefly in sense ‘thanks’ and in phr. á la merci de in the absolute power of:- L. mercs, mercd- pay, reward, wages, revenue, in ChrL. used for misericordia pity and gratiæ thanks. Hence merciful XIII, merciless XIV.

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mere1

† sea; lake. OE. mere, corr. to OS. meri sea (Du. meer sea, pool), OHG. mari, meri (G. meer), ON. marr sea, Goth. mari-, marei :- Gmc. mari :- IE. mori-; see MARINE.

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mere2

done without another's help XV; † unmixed, pure; † absolute, entire; that is only what it is said to be XVI. — AN. meer, OF. mier or its source L. merus not mixed, pure. Hence merely XVI.

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meretricious

characteristic of a harlot, showily attractive. XVII. f. L. meretrcius, f. meretrx, -trc- harlot, f. merre earn money, serve for hire; see -TRIX, -ICIOUS.

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merganser

XVIII. — modL. merganser, f. mergus diver (water-fowl), f. L. mergere dive (see next) + anser goose.

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merge

† plunge, immerse XVII; (leg.) extinguish or be extinguished by absorption XVIII. — L. mergere dip, plunge; f. IE. mezg-, whence also Lith. masgóti wash, Skr. majj- dive, sink; in leg. use through AN. merger. Hence merger extinguishment of a right, etc. XVIII; combination of one trading company with another XIX. — sb. use of the AN. vb.

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meridian

A
† midday XIV; point of sun's or star's highest altitude XV;

B
great circle of the earth or a celestial sphere XIV; individual locality XVI; adj. XIV. — (O)F. méridien or L. merdinus, f. mrdis, nom. f. loc. merdi, by dissim. from mediei di at midday.
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So meridional XIV. — F. — late L.

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meringue

XVIII. — F., of unkn. orig.

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merino

variety of sheep prized for its fine wool XVIII; stuff made from the wool XIX. — Sp. merino, of disputed orig.

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merit

fact or condition of deserving XIII; † what is deserved; something that entitles one to recompense XIV. — (O)F. mérite — L. meritum price, value, service rendered, sb. use of n. pp. of merre, -r earn, deserve, rel. to Gr. meíresthai obtain as a share, moîa share, fate, méros part. So merit vb. † reward XV; deserve XVI. — F. mériter. meritorious XV. f. L. meritrius.

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merle

(poet.) blackbird. XV. — (O)F. merle :- L. merula, (late) merulus.

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mermaid

XIV. f. MERE1 + MAID. Hence merman XVII.

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mero-, before a vowel mer-,

comb. form of Gr. méros part; in many techn. terms. XIX.

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-merous

ending of bot. terms denoting (see MERO-, -OUS) ‘having (a specified number of) parts’, as pentamerous.

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Merovingian

pert. to the line of Frankish kings founded by Clovis (c.500). XVII. — F. mérovingien, f. medL. Meroving pl., f. L. form (Meroveus) of the name of their reputed founder; see -ING3, -IAN.

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merry

† pleasing, agreeable OE.; full of lively enjoyment XIV (hilarious from drink XVI); (arch., of a saying) amusing XV; (arch.) pleasantly amused XVII. OE. myri()e :- Gmc. murzjaz (cf. MIRTH). Outside Eng. the only cognate corr. in sense is MDu. merch, whence merchte mirth, merchtocht rejoicing, mergelijc joyful, mergen be merry. Hence merriment XVI. merry-make XVI, merry-making XVIII; f. phr. make m. merry-thought wish-bone. XVII.

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mésalliance

marriage with one of inferior social status. XVIII. — F.; see MIS-2, ALLIANCE. The anglicized form misalliance (used in a gen. sense) is somewhat earlier.

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meseems

(arch.) it seems to me. XIV. f. ME1 (dative) + 3rd pers. sg. pres. ind. of SEEM.

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mesembryanthemum

(bot.) genus of plants of which several species open their flowers only about midday. XIX. modL., for mesembri-, f. Gr. mesmbrí noon (f. mésos MID, hmér day) + ánthemon, f. ánthos flower.

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mesentery

(anat.) fold of peritoneum. XVI. — medL. mesenterium — Gr. mesentérion, f. mésos MID + énteron intestine.

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mesh

open space or interstice of a network. XVI. Early forms also meish, meash, mash; prob. — MDu. maesche (Du. maas), and masche, repr. Gmc. msk- (whence OHG. msca) and mask- (whence OE. max, mæs. net, mæscre mesh, OHG. masca, G. masche).

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mesmerism

(production of) a hypnotic state in a person by exercise of another's will-power. XIX. f. name of Friedrich Anton Mesmer (1733–1815), Austrian physician + -ISM. Hence mesmerize XIX.

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mesne

(leg.) intermediate, mean. XV. — law F. mesne, var. of AN. meen MEAN3.

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meso-, before a vowel mes-,

comb. form of Gr. mésos middle, MID, used in scientific terms of modern formation (XIX), many of which have correls. in PRO-, PROTO- META-; those of mesozoic (geol.) secondary are CAINOZOIC tertiary, PALAEOZOIC primary (all XIX).

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mess

A
portion or serving of food, dish of food XIII; made dish XV; mixed food for an animal XVIII; medley, confused or shapeless mass XIX;

B
company of persons eating together XV. — OF. mes (in sense A), mod. mets (infl. by metre place):- late L. missus course of food, f. miss-, pp. stem of mittere send (out), put forth, (in Rom.) put, place.
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Hence mess vb. (dial.) serve up (food) XIV; take one's meals XVIII; make a mess (of) XIX. messmate (sense B) XVIII. messy XIX.

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message

XIII — (O)F.:- Rom. missticum, f. miss-; see prec. and -AGE. So messenger XIII. ME. messager (later messanger) — (O)F. messager, f. message.

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Messiah

XVI. Earlier forms Messie XIV (- (O)F. Messie), Messias XIII — late L. Messs — Gr. Messís — Aram. mei, Heb. mîh anointed, f. mah anoint. So Messianic XIX. — modL. Messinicus.

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messieurs

XVII. — F., pl. of MONSIEUR.

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messuage

orig. portion of land for a dwelling-house, (now) dwelling-house with appurtenances and land assigned thereto. XIV. — AN. mes(s)uage house, household, AL. mes(s)ugium, supposed to be misreadings of mesnage, mesnagium MÉNAGE.

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mestizo

Sp. or Pg. half-caste; offspring of a Spaniard and an American Indian. XVI. — Sp.:- Rom. mixtcius, f. L. mixtus, pp. of miscre MIX.

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meta-,

before a vowel usu. met- , before h meth- , repr. Gr. meta-, met-, meth-, comb. form of Gr. metá with, after denoting chiefly sharing, joint action, pursuit, quest, (and esp.) change, corr. to L. TRANS-; used freely (and not always in accordance with Gr. analogy) in scientific terms since c.1850.

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metabolism

process of chemical change in an organism. XIX. f. Gr. metabol change, f. metabállein, f. metá META- + bállein throw; see -ISM.

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metal

XIII. — (O)F. métal, † metail or its source L. metallum mine, quarry, metal — synon. Gr. métallon. So metallic XVI. metalline XV. — F. Hence metallize XVI. See METTLE.

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metamorphosis

— L. (in pl. as the title of a work by Ovid) — Gr. metamórphsis; see META-, -MORPH, -OSIS. So metamorphose XVI. — F. métamorphoser.

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metaphor

XVI. — (O)F. mtaphore or L. metaphora — Gr. metaphor, f. metaphérein transfer; see META-, BEAR2. So metaphorical, metaphorically XVI.

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metaphysic

sb.
XIV. — (O)F. metaphysique — medL. metaphysica fem. sg., for earlier n. pl. (repr. by metaphysics XVI) — medGr. (tà) metaphusikà, for tà metà tà phusiká ‘the things (works) after the Physics’; see META-, PHYSIC(S)). So metaphysic adj. XVI, metaphysical XV, metaphysician XVI. Aristotle 's Metaphysics followed in the received arrangement the treatises on natural science known as tà phusiká ‘the physics’.

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metatarsus

XVII. — modL.; see META-, TARSUS.

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metathesis

XVII. — late L. — Gr. metáthesis, f. metatithénai transpose; see META-, THESIS. So metathetic XIX.

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mete

(arch.) measure out. OE. metan = OS. metan, OHG. mezzan (Du. meten, G. messen), ON. meta, Goth. mitan :- Gmc. metan; the IE. base med- is repr. also by L. meditr MEDITATE, Gr. médesthai care for, OIr. midiur I judge, beside mod-, of L. modus MODE.

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metempsychosis

transmigration of the soul. XVI. — late L. — Gr. metempskhsis, f. metá META- + en IN1 + pskh soul (see PSYCHIC).

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meteor

† atmospheric phenomenon XV; fireball, shooting star XVI. — modL. meterum or Gr. metron, sb. use of n. of metéros raised up, lofty, f. met META- + er-, var. of base of aeírein raise. Hence, or partly — medL. metericus, meteoric † elevated, lofty XVII; † pert. to the atmosphere XVIII; pert. to meteors XIX. meteorite XIX. meteorology XVII. — F. or modL. — Gr. meterologí. meteorological XVI.

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meter1

measurer. XIV. f. METE + -ER1.

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meter2

apparatus for measuring quantities. XIX. First in gas m.; perh. a use of METER1 suggested by gasometer (see next).

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-meter

terminal el. in names of instruments for scientific measuring, the earliest of which (XVII) were adopted, partly through F., from modL. terms in -metrum (intended to repr. Gr. métron METRE1), e.g. barometer, thermometer, which are not, however, formed according to Gr. analogies. In XVIII and XIX hybrid formations came in, such as calorimeter, galvanometer, gasometer, taximeter. The corr. nouns of action end in -metry .

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methane

XIX. f. METH(YL) + -ANE.

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metheglin

spiced or medicated mead. XVI. — W. meddyglyn, f. meddyg medicinal (- L. medicus MEDICAL) + llyn liquor.

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methinks

(arch.) it seems to me. OE. m þyncð, ME., early mod. Eng. me thinketh, repl. by methinks (XVI); see ME and THINK; pt. methought (XIII), repl. OE. m phte.

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method

† systematic treatment of a disease; special form of procedure; orderly arrangement. XVI. — F. méthode or L. methodus — Gr. méthodos pursuit of knowledge, mode of investigation, f. metá META- + hodós way. So methodical (hist.) belonging to a school of physicians (between ‘dogmatists’ and ‘empirics’); pert. to method XVI. f. late L. methodicus — Gr. methodist physician of the methodical school; one who follows a certain method XVI; member of the Holy Club established at Oxford in 1729; member of religious bodies originating in this. — modL. methodista; hence methodism XVIII.

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methyl

XIX. — F. méthyle, G. methyl, back-formations from F. méthylène, G. methylen (whence methylene XIX), f. Gr. méthu wine, MEAD1 + húl wood. Hence methylated pp. (see -ATE3).

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meticulous

† timid XVI; over-careful about details XIX. f. L. metculsus, f. metus fear, after perculsus PERILOUS.

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métier

one's trade, business, or line. XVIII. — F.:- Rom. misterium MYSTERY2.

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metonymy

(rhet.) substitution for the name of a thing the name of an attribute of it, etc. XVI. First in late L. form metnymia — Gr. metnumí, f. metá META- + ónoma, ónuma NAME; see -Y3.

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metope

(archit.) square space between triglyphs of the Doric frieze. XVI (methopa). — L. metopa — Gr. metóp, f. metá between, META- + opaí holes in a frieze to receive the beam ends.

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metre1, U.S. meter

form of poetic rhythm, metrical form, verse. XIV. — (O)F. mètre — L. metrum — Gr. métron, f. IE. m- MEASURE + instr. suffix. Also in comps. hexameter, pentameter, etc. So metrical pert. to metre XV; relating to measurement XVII. — L. metricus — Gr. metrist XVI. — medL. metrista.

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metre2, U. S. meter

unit of length of the metric system. XVIII. — F. mètre — Gr. métron (see prec.). So metric XIX.

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metro

short for Metropolitan Railway. XX.

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metro-

comb. form of Gr. métron measure (see METRE1), as in metronome (XIX).

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metropolis

(hist.) see of the bishop of a province; chief city. XVI. — late L. mtropolis — Gr. mtrópolis, f. mtr MOTHER + pólis city (cf. POLITIC). So metropolitan XVI. — late L. metropoltnus, f. Gr. mtropolíts citizen of a metropolis, metropolitan bishop.

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mettle

quality of temperament XVI; (of a horse) vigour, spirit; (of persons) XVI. In earliest use (late XVI) mettal(l), -ell, vars. of METAL, which began to be established as mettle in early XVII to distinguish the fig. uses.

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mew1

sea-gull. OE. mw, corr. to OS. mu (MLG., MDu. mwe, Du. meeuw):- Gmc. mai(z)hwiz.

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mew2

cage for hawks while moulting; coop, breeding-cage. XIV. — (O)F. mue, f. muer moult, in OF. also change:- L. mtre (see MUTATION). So mew vb. cast (feathers), esp. of a hawk. XIV. — (O)F. muer. A second vb. mew put a hawk ‘in mew’, cage, (transf.) shut up, confine XV, is f. the sb.

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mew3

utter the characteristic cry of the cat. XIV. echoic; cf. MIAOW.

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mewl

whimper, whine, mew. XVII. Echoic; cf. miaul, MIAOW.

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mews

royal stables at Charing Cross, London XIV; stabling built round an open space XVII. pl. of MEW2.

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mezzanine

low storey between two higher ones. XVIII. — F. — It. mezzanino, dim. of mezzano middle.

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mezzotint

† half-tint; method of engraving a metal plate for printing. XVIII. Earlier in It. form mezzotinto (XVII); f. mezzo half + tinto TINT.

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mho

(electr.) unit of conductivity. XIX. reversal of OHM.

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mi, me2

(mus.) third note of the scale in solmization. XVI. See UT.

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miaow

XVII. echoic; cf. F. miaou, and Eng. miaul (XVII) — F miauler; also MEW3.

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miasma

noxious exhalation. XVII. — Gr. míasma defilement, pollution, rel. to miaínein pollute.

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mica

† small plate of talc, etc.; mineral consisting essentially of silicate of aluminium occurring in glittering scales or in crystals. XVIII. — L. mca grain, crumb; the use in min. was prob. orig. contextual (‘a particle’ of … ); perh. assoc. with L. micre shine. Hence micaceous XVIII.

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Michaelmas

feast of St. Michael the archangel, 29 September (a quarter-day). OE. sancte Micheles mæsse Saint Michael's mass (see MASS1), ME. Mi(zh)elmasse (XIII), Mykylmes (XV).

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mickle, muckle

(dial.) great, much. north. and eastern ME. mikel (XIII), later north. mekil — ON. mikell = OE. mi.el MUCH. The var. ME. mukel (XIV) arose from assoc. with muchel, MUCH. Also adv. XIII, sb. XIV.

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micro-,

before a vowel micr- , comb. form of Gr. mkrós, var. of smkrós small, poss. rel to SMALL; used in many scientific terms. microcosm man viewed as an epitome of the universe. XV. — F. microcosme or medL. mcro(s) cosmus — Gr. mkròs kósmos little world. micrometer XVII. — F. micromètre. microphone XVII. microscope XVII.

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microbe

minute living being, esp. bacterium. XIX. — F., f. Gr. mikrós MICRO- + bios life (see BIO-).

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micturition

desire to make water, making water. XVIII. — L. micturti, -n-, f. pp. stem of micturre, desiderative formation on mict-, minct-, pp. stem of mingere make water.

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mid

the middle or midst OF. OE. midd, only in obl. forms midde, middes, midne, midre, middum (cf. AMID), corr. to OS. middi, OHG. mitti, ON. miðr, Goth. midjis :- Gmc. miðja-, meðja- :- IE. medhjo-, whence also L. medius, Gr. méssos, mésos, OIr. mide, OSl. medu between, Skr. mádhya-, midday , midnight , midsummer , midwinter occur in OE. both as two words (with mid inflected) and as comps. midland (XVI), contr. of ME. middel land (XIII). midmost (XVII), alt. (by assoc. with -MOST) of OE., ME. midmest; for formation and development cf. FOREMOST. midway adv. in the middle of the distance XIII. ME. midwei, for o midweie, OE. on midwee.

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midden

dunghill, manure heap. XIV. ME. mydding, of Scand. orig.; cf. Da. mødding, earlier møgdyng(e), f. møg MUCK + dynge heap (cf. DUNG).

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middle

OE. middel adj. and (by ellipsis) m. sb. = OS. middil-, in comps. (Du. middel adj. and sb.), OHG. mittil (G. mittel adj. and sb.):- WGmc. middila, f. middi :- Gmc. miðja- MID + -il -LE2.

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middling

† intermediate XV; of medium size or quality. XVI (first in Sc. use). prob. f. MID + -LING1. Cf. OE. mydlinga moderately.

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midge

OE. my.(e), corr. to OS. muggia (Du. mug), OHG. mucca (G. mücke), ON. mý :- Gmc. muzjaz, muzjn, rel. to L. musca fly, Gr. muîa. Hence midget sand-fly (in Canada); extremely small person. XIX.

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midrash

Jewish commentary on the Hebrew scriptures. XVII. — Heb. midhr, f. dra investigate, search.

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midriff

diaphragm. OE. midhrif, f. midd MID + hrif belly ( = OHG. href; of unkn. orig.).

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midshipman

XVII. Earlier † midshipsman, f. †midships (see AMIDSHIPS) + MAN.

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midst

middle point or position. XIV. ME. middest, alt. of † middes (XIV), which was evolved from advb. phr. in middes, on middes; see MID.

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midwife

XIV. prob. f. mid (prep. and adv.) with, together + WIFE in the sense ‘woman’, the notion being ‘a woman who is with the mother at the birth’. Hence midwifery XV.

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mien

person's bearing or look. XVI. Earlier men(e), meane, mine; prob. aphetic of † demean sb. (XV; f. the vb.), later assim. to F. mine look, aspect.

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might1

quality of being able, power, strength. OE. mi(e)ht, non-WS. mæht = OS., OHG. maht (Du., G. macht), Goth. mahts :- Gmc. maxt-, f. maz- be able; see MAY1, -T1. Hence mighty OE. mihti.

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might2

see MAY1.

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mignonette

XVIII. — F. mignonnette, fem. dim. of mignon delicately small, of unkn. orig.; see -ETTE.

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migraine

XVIII. — F. (see MEGRIM).

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migration

XVII. — F. migration or L. migrti, -n-, f. migrre, prob. based on mei- change (cf. MUTABLE); see -ATION. So or hence migrate (-ATE3) XVII.

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mikado

XVIII. — Jap., orig. the gate (of the imperial palace), f. mi (honorific prefix) + kado gate.

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milch

giving milk, in milk. XIII. ME. mielch, melche, milche, repr. OE. miel.e :- Gmc. melukjaz, f. meluk- MILK.

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mild

† gracious, kind; gentle, not rough OE.; † tame XIII; operating gently XIV; not rough, strong, or severe XV. OE. milde = OS. mildi, OHG. milti (Du., G. mild), ON. mildr, Goth. -mildeis, -milds :- Gmc. milðjaz, milðiz, f. IE. meldh- moldh- mdh-, whence Gr. malthakos soft, Skr. márdh neglect, despise, OIr. meldach pleasing, OSl. mlad young, tender, L. mollis soft.

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mildew

† honey-dew OE.; morbid growth on plants, etc. XIV. OE. mildaw, meledaw = OS. milidou (Du. meeldauw), OHG. militou (G., with assim. to mehl MEAL1, mehltau), Sw. mjöldagg; f. Gmc. meliþ honey + dawwaz DEW.

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mile

Roman measure of 1, 000 paces (mille passus or passuum) estimated at 1, 618 yards; unit of measure derived from this, viz. 1, 760 yards in English-speaking countries. OE. ml fem. = MDu. mle (Du. mijl). OHG. ml(l)a (G. meile):- WGmc. mlja — L. ml(l)ia, pl. of ml(l)e thousand.

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milfoil

yarrow. XIII. — OF. milfoil (now millefeuille, after feuille leaf):- L. ml(l)efolium. f. ml(l)e thousand + folium leaf (see FOIL2), after Gr. murióphullon (múrios myriad, phúllon leaf); the ref. is to the finely-divided leaves.

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miliary

resembling millet seed. XVII. — L. milirius, f. milium MILLET; see -ARY.

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milieu

XIX. — F., f. mi (:- L. medius) MID + lieu (:- L. locus) place.

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militant

engaged in warfare XV; combative XVII. — F. militant or L. mlitns, -ant-, prp. of mlitre serve as a soldier, f. mles, milit- soldier; see -ANT. So militarism XIX. — F. militarisme, f. militaire, militarist † soldier XVII; (now) one dominated by military ideas. military XVI. f. F. militaire or L. mlitris. militate (-ATE3) † serve as a soldier; † conflict with, be evidence against XVII. militia † military discipline or service; military force, esp. citizen army. XVI. — L.; see -IA1.

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milk

sb.
OE. (Angl.) milc, (WS.) meol(o)c = OS. miluk (Du. melk), OHG. miluh (G. milch), ON. mjólk, Goth. miluks :- Gmc. meluks, f. melk- (repr. by the vbs. OE. melcan, OHG. melchan):- IE. mel- m-, whence OIr. melg sb. and the vbs. L. mulgre, Gr. amélgein, OIr. bligim. Hence vb. OE. milcian. milksop orig. SOP dipped in milk, (hence) one who is fed on such food, † young infant, (transf.) effeminate fellow XIV. milky XIV (M. Way (XIV) tr. L. via lactea; cf. GALAXY).

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mill

building fitted with apparatus for grinding corn OE.; the apparatus itself XVI; building in which an industry or manufacture is carried on XVI. OE. mylen m. and fem.:- mulino, -ina, for late L. molnus, -na, -inum, f. and repl. L. mola grindstone, mill (see MEAL1). Hence millstone late OE. mill vb. XVI.

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millboard

stout pasteboard. XVIII. alt. of milled board, i.e. board flattened by rolling or beating.

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millennium

period of 1000 years, spec. that during which Christ will reign on earth (Rev. 20: 1–5). XVII. — modL., f. L. mille thousand, after biennium (see BIENNIAL). So millenarian pert. to (sb. one who believes in) the millennium. XVII. f. late L. millenarius, f. milln, distributive of mille; see -ARIAN; whence also millenary XVI.

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millepede

XVII. — L. millepeda woodlouse, f. mille thousand + ps, ped- FOOT.

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miller

XIV. ME. mulnere, mylnere, millere, prob. (with assim. to MILL) — MLG., MDu. molner, mulner (Du. molenaar, mulder), in OS. mulineri, corr. to OHG. mulinri (G. müller), ON. mylnari — late L. molnrius, f. molna MILL; see -ER1.

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millesimal

thousandth (part). XVIII. f. L. millsimus, f. mille thousand; see -AL1.

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millet

XIV. — (O)F. millet, dim. of (dial.) mil :- L. milium, rel. to Gr. meln, Lith. málnos pl.

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milli-

comb. form of L. mille thousand, used esp. in the metric system to denote the thousandth part of a unit, e.g. milligramme, millimetre (XIX).

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milliner

† vendor of fancy ware such as was orig. made at Milan; maker-up of articles of female apparel (now esp. hats). XVI. f. Milan in Italy, famous for textile fabrics + -ER1. Hence millinery XVII.

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million

a thousand thousands XIV; the multitude XVII. — (O)F. million, prob. — It. † millione, now milione, f. mille thousand + augm. suffix -one. So millionaire XIX. — F. millionnaire.

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milt

A
spleen in mammals OE.
;
B
(perh. from Du.) soft roe. XV. OE. milt(e), corr. to MDu. milte (Du. milt) spleen, milt of fish, OHG. milzi n. (G. milz fem.), ON. milti :- Gmc. miltjaz, miltjn, perh. rel. to meltan MELT.
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mime

jester, buffoon; farcical drama of the Greeks and Romans. XVII. — L. mmus — Gr. mîmos imitator, actor. Hence vb. XVII. So mimeograph stencil device. XIX. irreg. f. Gr. mméomai I imitate. mimetic pert. to imitation or mimicry. XVII. — Gr. mmtikós. mimic pert. to a mime or buffoon; imitative; sb. burlesque performer; imitator XVI. — L. mmicus — Gr. mmikós. Hence mimic vb., mimicry XVII.

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mimosa

sensitive plant, Mimosa pudica, and its allies. XVIII. — modL. mmsa, app. f. L. mmus MIME + -sa, fem. of -sus -OSE1, and so named from its imitation of animal sensitiveness.

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mina, myna(h)

Indian starling. XVIII. — Hindi main.

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minaret

XVII. — F. minaret or Sp. minarete, It. minaretto — Turk. minare — Arab. manra minaret, lighthouse, f. base of nr light.

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minatory

XVI. — late L. mintrius, f. mint-, pp. stem of minr MENACE; see -ORY2.

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mince

cut up small XIV; † minimize, disparage; extenuate, moderate; talk, walk, etc., affectedly XVI. — OF. mincier :- Rom. mintire, f. L. mintia see MINUTIA. Hence sb. minced meat. XIX. Mincemeat, mince-pie (both XVII) are for minced meat, minced pie.

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mind

memory (surviving in phr. in m., to m., time out of m.); thought, purpose, intention; mental faculty. XII. ME. mind(e), münd(e), mend(e); aphetic of imünd, etc.:- OE. gemynd, corr. to OHG. gimunt, Goth. gamunds memory:- Gmc. zamunðiz, f. za- Y- + mun-, weak grade of the series men- man- mun- :- IE. men- mon- mn- revolve in the mind, think (repr. also by e.g. L. mns, ment- mind). Hence mind vb. REMIND; remember, give heed to XIV; (dial.) perceive, notice XV; contemplate XVI; be careful about XVIII.

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mine1

poss. pron. OE. mn = OS., OHG. mn (Du. mijn, G. mein), ON. minn, Goth. meins :- Gmc. mnaz, f. IE. locative mei of me ME1 + adj. suffix -no-. In XIII the final n of the adj. was already dropped before a cons. in southern and midland Eng.; but it was retained in the north, and survived till XV in Sc. See MY.

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mine2

dig in the earth for ore, coal, etc. XIII. — (O)F. miner, perh. orig. Gallo-Rom. deriv. of a Celt. word repr. by Ir., Gael. mein ore, mine, W. mwyn ore, † mine. So (or hence) mine sb. excavation for mining; † mineral, ore XIV. miner (-ER2) maker of underground mines XIII; excavator for mineral XIV.

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mineral

XV. — OF. mineral or medL. minerle, sb. use of n. sg. of minerlis, f. minera ore, Rom. minria, f. mina, minre MINE2; see -AL1. So adj. XVI. — f. or medL. Hence mineralogy, mineralogist XVII.

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mingle

XV. ME. menglen, f. mengen, mingen mix — ON. menga = OE. mengan, (O)HG. mengen :- Gmc. magjan + -LE3, perh. suggested by (M)Du. mengelen.

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miniature

reduced image, small representation XVI; †illumination in manuscripts XVII; portrait on a small scale XVIII; adj. XVIII. — It. miniatura — medL. minitra, f. minire rubricate, illuminate, f. L. minium native cinnabar, red lead. So miniaturize, miniaturization XX.

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minify

diminish in estimated size, etc. XVII. irreg. f. L. minor less, minimus least, after MAGNIFY.

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minikin

(dial.) playful term for a female XVI; diminutive thing XVIII; adj. dainty, mincing, diminutive XVI. — Du. minneken, f. minne love (rel. to MIND) + -ken, -kijn.

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minim

A
(mus.) note half the value of a semibreve XV;

B
friar of the Ordo Minimorum Eremitarum;
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C
thing of the least size or importance XVI; single down stroke of the pen XVII. — medL. ellipt. or absol. uses of L. minimus, -a, -um least; see MINOR.
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So minimize XIX. minimum † atom; least amount attainable, etc. XVII; lowest or least value, etc. XVIII. — L., n. of minimus used sb. minimal (-AL1) XVII.

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minion

† lover, lady-love XVI; favourite; printing type. XVII. — F. mignon, of unkn. orig.

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minister

† servant, subordinate officer XIII; one engaged in the celebration of worship or charged with spiritual functions XIV; officer of state XVII. — (O)F. ministre — L. minister servant, f. minis-, var. of minus less, adv. of minor MINOR, in formation parallel to the correl. magister MASTER. So vb. (arch.) serve, supply, ADMINISTER. XIV. ministerial XVI. — F. ministériel or late L. ministerilis. ministration XIV. — OF. or L. ministry rendering of service; function of a minister of religion XIV; body of ministers XVI (in politics XVIII). — L. ministerium.

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miniver

fur used for lining and trimming. XIII. ME. meniver, menuver (the forms with min- date from XV) — AN. menuver, (O)F. menu vair, i.e. menu little (:- L. mintus MINUTE2), vair variegated fur (:- L. varius VARIOUS).

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mink

skin or fur of stoat-like animal XV; the animal itself XVII. of uncert. orig.; cf. Sw. menk, mänk mink, LG. mink otter.

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minnow

XV. Early form menow, later minew, perh. orig. repr. OE. mynwe (beside recorded OE. myne) = OHG. muniwa, but infl. by ME. menuse, menise — OF. menuise :- Rom. mintia n. pl. small objects (cf. MINUTIAE).

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minor

less, smaller; applied first to Franciscan friars (friars minor, † minors). XIII. — OF. menour (:- L. minrem) in freres menours (medL. fratres minores); in other uses — L. minor, which functions as compar. of parvus small, and is rel. to minuere lessen, Gr. minúthein, and méin less. So minoress nun of the second order of St. Francis. XIV. minority XVI. — F. or medL.

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Minorca

black variety of domestic fowl named after Minorca, one of the Balearic islands. XIX.

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Minotaur

fabulous monster confined in the Cretan labyrinth. XIV. — OF. Minotaur (now -taure) — L. Minotaurus — Gr. Minðtauros, f. Mins Minos, king of Crete, whose wife Pasiphae was the mother of the Minotaur + taûros bull.

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minster

† monastery; church originating in a monastic establishment; large church. OE. mynster = OHG. munistri (G. münster), MDu. monster, ON. mustari — popL. monisterium for ecclL. monastrium MONASTERY.

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minstrel

XIII. ME. men(e)stral, min(i)stral, -el, — OF. menestral, -(e)rel, mini-, entertainer, handicraftsman, servant — Pr. menest(ai)ral officer, employed person, musician — late L. ministerilis official, officer, f. ministerium MINISTRY; see -AL1. So ministrelsy art of a minstrel; body of minstrels XIV; minstrel poetry XIX (Scott). — OF. menestralsie.

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mint1

† coin OE.; place where money is coined XV. OE. mynet, corr. (with variation of gender) to OS. munita (Du. munt), OHG. muniz(za) (G. münze) — WGmc. munita — L. monta; see MONEY. Hence mint vb. coin XVI; not continuous with OE. mynetian. mintage XVI.

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mint2

aromatic plant. OE. minte = OHG. minza (G. minze):- WGmc. minta — L. ment(h)a — Gr. mínth (also mínthos).

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minuet

XVII. — F., sb. use of adj. menuet small, fine, delicate, dim. of menu MINUTE2, but infl. in form and pronunc. by It. minuetto (- F.); see -ET.

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minus

with the deduction of XV; verbal rendering of the sign — XVI; (electr.) negative(ly) XVIII. — L. ‘less’, n. of minor (see MINOR) used as adv.

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minuscule

(of a letter) small, not capital XVIII; (gen.) extremely small XIX. — F. minuscule — L. minuscula, fem. of minusculus rather less, dim. of MINOR.

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minute1

A
60th part of an hour or a degree XIV;

B
rough draft, memorandum XVI. — (O)F. — late L. sb. use of L. minta, fem. of mintus MINUTE2. Sense A rests ult. on medL. pars minuta prima ‘first minute part’, the 1/60 of a unit in the (Babylonian) system of sexagesimal fractions (cf. SECOND1 sb.). Sense B depends (perh. through F.) on the medieval use of L. minta, which may be for minuta scriptura draft in small writing as dist. from the engrossed copy.
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Hence minute vb. XVII.

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minute2

† chopped small XV; † lesser XVI; very small; very precise XVII. — L. mintus (whence F. menu), pp. of minuere lessen, diminish (see MINOR).

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minutia,

usu. pl. minutiae very small matters. XVIII. — late L. mintia, pl. -iæ. f. mintus MINUTE2; see -Y3.

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minx

† pet dog; pert young woman. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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miocene

see EOCENE.

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miracle

marvellous event to be ascribed to supernatural intervention XII; wonderful thing; medieval play based on the life of Christ or the saints XIV. — (O)F. — L. mrculum object of wonder, f. mrr, -re wonder, look at, f. mrus wonderful. So miraculous XVI. — (O)F. or medL.

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mirage

XIX. — F. mirage, f. mirer refl. look at oneself in a mirror — L. mrre; see prec., -AGE.

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mire

† swamp, bog; mud. XIV. ME. müre, myre — ON. mýrr, rel. to MOSS.

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mirk

see MURK.

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mirror

XIII. ME. mirour — OF. mirour (mod. miroir):- Rom. mrtrium, f. mrre, mrt- look at, (in pre-classical L.) wonder (see MIRACLE); from XVI the sp. was modelled on words in -OR2.

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mirth

joy, happiness OE.; rejoicing, gaiety XIII; gaiety of mind; diversion, sport XIV. OE. myr(i)gð (cf. MDu. merchte):- Gmc. murziþ, f. murzjaz MERRY; see -TH1.

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mis-1

OE. mis- (ME. mis(se)-, mes-), = OS. mis-, OHG. missi- (Du. mis-, G. miss-), ON. mis-, Goth. missa- :- Gmc. missa- (whence missjan MISS1 vb.), meaning predominantly ‘amiss’, ‘wrong(ly)’, ‘improper(ly)’, which is the only sense recognized in new formations, but in OE. there are also exx. of a negative and of a pejorative intensive use. Cf. next.

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mis-2

in a few comps. adopted from French, repr. OF. mes- (mod. mé(s)-, mes-):- Rom. minus-, a use of L. minus (see MINUS) in the senses ‘bad(ly)’, ‘wrong(ly)’, ‘amiss’, ‘ill-’, and with negative force; at first mes-, later assim. to MIS-1.

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misadventure

ill-luck XIII; (leg.) homicide committed accidentally in the course of a lawful act XVI. ME. misaventure — OF. mesaventure, f. mesavenir turn out badly (f. mes- MIS-2 + avenir :- L. advenre; cf. ADVENT), after aventure ADVENTURE.

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misalliance

see MÉSALLIANCE.

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misanthrope

XVII. — F. misanthrope or Gr. msánthrpos, f. ms(o)-, comb. form of base of msein hate + ánthrpos man. So misanthropy XVII. — F. or Gr.

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miscall

misname XIV; (dial.) revile XV. MIS-1.

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miscarry

† go astray; † come to harm XIV; be prematurely delivered XVI; go wrong, fail XVII. — OF. mescarier; see MIS-2, CARRY. Hence miscarriage † misconduct; mismanagement; untimely delivery; failure to arrive. XVII.

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miscegenation

mixture of races. XIX (orig. U.S.). irreg. f. L. miscre MIX + GENUS race + -ATION.

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miscellaneous

XVII. f. L. miscellneus, f. miscellus mixed, f. miscre MIX; see -ANEOUS. So miscellany XVI. — (with assim. to -Y3) F. miscellanées fem. pl., or L. miscellnea n. pl.

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mischance

XIII. — OF. mesch(e)ance, f. mescheoir; see MIS-2, CHANCE.

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mischief

† misfortune, distress XIII; harm, injury XIV; cause of harm XVI; conduct causing petty trouble, playful maliciousness XVIII. — OF. mesch(i)ef, (mod. méchef), f. meschever meet with misfortune, f. mes- MIS-2 + chever ‘come to a head’, happen:- Rom. capre, f. capum, L. caput head. So mischievous † unfortunate XIV; harmful XV; disposed to acts of playful malice XVII. — AN. meschevous, f. OE. meschever. See -OUS.

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miscreant

† heretic(al), infidel XIV; villain(ous) XVI. — OF. mescreant (mod. mécréant) misbelieving, unbelieving, prp. of mescroire (mod. mécroire) disbelieve, f. mes- MIS-2 + croire :- L. crdere believe.

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misdeed

OE. misdd = OHG. missitt, Goth. missadþs: see MIS-1, DEED.

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misdemeanour

XV. MIS-2. Hence misdemeanant XIX.

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misdoubt

(dial., arch.) have doubts about, be suspicious OF. XVI. MIS-1.

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miser

A
†wretch;

B
avaricious person. XVI. — L. miser wretched. unfortunate.
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So miserable A. wretched XVI; B. †miserly XV. — OF. misérable — L. miserbilis pitiable, f. miserri be pitiful. Hence miserly XVI. miserere fifty-first (fiftieth) psalm, beginning Miserere mei Deus ‘Have mercy upon me, O God’ XIII; prayer for mercy XVII; misericord (seat) XVIII. imper. sg. of L. miserr have pity, f. miser; the last sense is a misuse. misericord †pity, mercy XIV; dagger for giving the coup de grce XV; choir seat giving support to one standing XVI. — OF. miséricorde — L. misericordia, f. misericors pitiful f. miseri-, stem of miserr + cors, cord- HEART. misery wretchedness of external conditions XIV; extreme unhappiness XVI; † miserliness XVI. — AN. miserie, for (O)F. misre or — L. miseria, f. miser; see -Y3.

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misfeasance

(leg.) transgression, trespass. XVI. — OF. mesfaisance, f. prp. of mesfaire (mod. méfaire), f. mes- MIS-2 + faire :- L. facere DO1; see -ANCE. Cf. MALFEASANCE.

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misfortune

XV. MIS-2.

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misgive

A
(of the heart, mind) suggest doubt or foreboding;

B
(dial.) fail, miscarry. XVI. f. MIS-1 + GIVE (in A with the ME. sense of ‘suggest’, in B with meaning as in give out, give over).
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mishap

† ill luck; unlucky accident. XIV. f. MIS-1 + HAP, prob. after OF. mescheance MISCHANCE.

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mish-mash

medley, hodge-podge. XV. redupl. of MASH, with variation of vowel.

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mishna(h)

collection of precepts forming the basis of the Talmud. XVII. — post-biblical Heb. minh repetition, instruction, f. nah repeat, teach or learn (oral tradition).

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mislike

(chiefly lit. or dial.) not to like. OE. MIS-1.

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misnomer

(leg.) mistake in naming XV; use of a wrong name XVII. — AN., sb. use of OF. mesnom(m)er, f. mes- MIS-2 + nommer :- L. nminre; see NOMINATE, -ER5.

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misogynist

woman-hater. XVII. f. Gr. msogúns, f. mso-, comb. form of msein hate + gún woman; see -IST.

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misprision1

(leg.) wrongful action or omission XV (m. of treason or felony XVI; often taken to mean ‘failure to denounce’); (arch.) misunderstanding, mistake XVI. — AN. mesprisioun = OF. mesprison error, wrong action or speech, f. mesprendre (mod. méprendre), f. mes- MIS-2 + prendre take.

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misprize

(arch.) despise. XV. — OF. mesprisier (mod. mépriser), f. mes- MIS-2 + priser PRIZE2. Hence misprision^2 contempt. XVI.

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misrule

† disorderly conduct; bad government. XIV (Lord of M. XV). f. MIS-1 + RULE.

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miss1

A
fail to hit or reach OE.; fail to attain XIII;

B
discover the absence of XII;
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C
omit XVI. OE. missan = (M)LG., (M)Du. missen, (O)HG. missen, ON. missa :- Gmc. missjan, f. missa- (cf. MIS-1), ppl. formation with -to- on an IE. base mith-, repr. by Skr. mithá-, OSl. mit alternating, cogn. with Skr. méthati alternates, L. mtre (see MUTATION), Goth. maidjan falsify.
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So miss sb. OE. miss loss, corr. to MLG., MHG. misse (Du. mis), ON. missa, -ir.

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miss2

(dial.) kept mistress; title prefixed to the name of an unmarried woman. XVII. Clipped form of MISTRESS. Hence missy (-Y6) XVII.

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missal

XIV (messel). — (partly through OF. messel, mod. missel) medL. missle, use of n. sg. of misslis pert. to the Mass, f. missa MASS1; see -AL1.

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missel-thrush

thrush (Turdus viscivorus) that feeds on mistletoe berries. XVIII. Earlier missel-bird (XVII); f. † missel (OE. mistel) MISTLETOE.

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missile

adapted for throwing; sb. missile weapon. XVII. — L. missilis (n. sg. missile as sb.), f. miss-; see next and -ILE.

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mission

† sending, esp. abroad XVI; sending forth on a service (spec. Mission of the Holy Ghost) or with authority; body of persons sent; commission, errand XVII; establishment of missionaries XVIII; personal duty or vocation XIX; operational sortie XX. — F. mission or L. missi, -n-, f. miss-, pp. stem of mittere let go, send; see -ION. So missionary XVII.

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missis, missus

(colloq.) the m., one's wife; servant's mistress. XIX. Slurred pronunc. of MISTRESS; now the oral equiv. of MRS.

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missive

letter m., (orig. techn.) letter sent by a superior authority XV; † missile XVI; sb. letter (esp. and orig. official), in early use mainly Sc. XVI. — medL. missvus, f. miss- (see MISSION) + -vus -IVE.

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mist

vapour of water; dimness, obscurity. OE. mist = (M)LG., (M)Du. mist, OIcel. -mistr :- Gmc. mixstaz, f. mz- (cf. Du. miggelen drizzle):- IE. migh- meigh-, as in Gr. omikhl, OSl. mígla mist, Skr. meghá- cloud. Hence misty (-Y1) OE.

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mistake

† err, transgress XIII; † take wrongly XIV; misunderstand XV; make a mistake XVI. In earliest use north. — ON. mistaka take in error, refl. miscarry, f. mis- MIS-1 + taka TAKE. Cf. OF. mesprendre (mod. se méprendre), which has prob. infl. the meaning. Hence sb. XVII. mistaken † wrongly supposed XVI; of wrong opinion XVII.

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mister1

(obs. exc. arch. and dial.) handicraft, employment; (this, what) kind of; office, duty; need, necessity. XIII. — AN. mester, OF. mestier (mod. MÉTIER):- Rom. misterium, for L. ministerium; see MYSTERY2.

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mister2

title of courtesy for a man, MR. XVI. Weakened form of MASTER originating from reduced stress in proclitic use.

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mistletoe

OE. misteltn ( = ON. mistilteinn), f. mistel mistletoe ( = OHG. mistil (G. mistel), Du. mistel, ON. mistil) + tn twig ( = Du. teen withe, OHG. zein rod, ON. teinn twig, spit, Goth. tains twig).

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mistral

cold north-west wind of the Mediterranean. XVII. — F. — Pr.:- L. magistrlis MAGISTRAL.

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mistress

female correlative of ‘master’ XIV; feminine title of courtesy; female paramour XV. ME. maistresse — OF. maistresse (mod. maîtresse), f. maistre MASTER + -esse -ESS1. Forms in mis- (due to light stress) are recorded from XV; cf. MISTER2. See also MISS2, MISSIS.

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misunderstand

XII. MIS-1. So misunderstanding XV.

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mite1

minute insect; now spec. an acarid, and chiefly the cheese-mite. OE. mte = MLG., MDu. mte (Du. mijt), OHG. mza gnat:- Gmc. mtn, perh. to be referred to mait- (OHG. meizan, ON. meita, Goth. maitan) cut.

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mite2

Flemish coin of very small value; (hence) any small monetary unit; jot, whit XIV; very small object XVI. — MLG., MDu. mte (Du. mijt):- Gmc. mtn, prob. identical with prec.

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mithridatism

immunity against the effects of poison, produced by the administration of gradually increasing doses of the poison itself. XIX. f. Mithridates, king of Pontus (d. 63 B.C.), who was said to have made himself immune against poisons by constant use of antidotes. So mithridatize XIX.

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mitigate

appease; alleviate, lessen the violence or burden OF. XV. f. pp. stem of L. mtigre, f. mtis mild, gentle; see -ATE3. So mitigation XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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mitrailleuse

machine-gun. XIX. — F., fem. of mitrailleur, agent-noun f. mitrailler, f. mitraille small shot or projectile (in OF. small money, pieces of metal), alt. of mitaille, coll. dim. of mite MITE2.

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mitral

pert. to a mitre XVII; of the left auriculo-ventricular valve of the heart, so called from its shape XVIII. — F. mitral, f. mitre MITRE; see -AL1.

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mitre

ceremonial episcopal head-dress XIV; joint between boards meeting at right angles XVII. — (O)F. — L. mitra — Gr. mitr girdle, headband, turban.

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mitten

XIV. ME. mytayne — (O)F. mitaine :- Rom. medietna, f. L. mediets half, MOIETY. Shortened to mitt XVIII.

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mittimus

(leg.) warrant to the keeper of a prison to hold the person sent. XV. — L., ‘we send’, the first word of the writ; 1st pers. pl. pres. ind. of mittere (see MISSION).

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mix

put together in union or combination XVI; intr. be mixed, associate with XVII. As infin. not earlier than the second quarter of XVI; back-formation from pp. mixed, var. of † mixt (XV in legal use) — (O)F. mixte — L. mixtus, pp. of miscre mingle, mix, rel. to Gr. misgein, Ir. meascaim mix, Lith. mìras, Skr. mirá- mixed.

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mixen

(dial., arch.) dunghill. OE. mixen, f. Gmc. mz — make water (OE. micge, migga urine, OE. man, LG. mgen, ON. míga urinate).

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mixture

XV. — F. mixture or L. mixtra, f. mixt-, pp. stem of miscre; see MIX and -TURE.

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miz(z)en

(naut.) fore-and-aft sail set on the mizen mast (the aftermost mast of a three-masted ship). XV (mesan, -eyn, -on). — F. misaine (now, foresail, foremast) — It. mezzana, sb. use of fem. of mezzano middle; forms with mi- appear in XVI.

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mizzle1

drizzle. XV. prob. — LG. miseln = Du. dial. miezelen, frequent. formation (see -LE3) on the base found in Du. dial. miesregen drizzle, miezig, LG. misig drizzling.

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mizzle2

(sl.) decamp, be off. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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mnemonic

adj. and sb.
XVIII. — medL. mnmonicus — Gr. mnmonikós, f. mnmn, mnmon- mindful; rel. to MIND. So mnemonical XVII.

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moan

complaint XIII; (with imit. suggestion) long murmur expressing pain XVII ME. mone, repr. unrecorded OE. mn :- Gmc. main-, whence vb. mainjan, OE. mænan, ME. mne, which was repl. by moan vb. XVI, from the sb.

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moat

ditch surrounding a town, castle, etc. XIV; (dial.) pond, lake XV. ME. mot(e), identical with † mote mound, embankment, — OF. mot(t)e clod, mound, castle hill, castle (mod. motte clod, mound).

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mob1

†strumpet; †négligé attire XVII; in full mob-cap women's indoor headgear XVIII. var. of mab slattern, loose woman (XVI), short for the female name Mabel.

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mob2

disorderly or promiscuous crowd; the common mass of people XVII; gang of thieves XIX. Shortening of earlier synon. † mobile (XVII), itself for L. mobile vulgus the excitable or fickle crowd; see next. Hence vb. throng, gather in a mob. XVIII.

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mobile

movable XV; easily moved XIX. — (O)F. — L. mbilis, f. movre, m- MOVE; see -ILE. So mobility XV. — (O)F. — L. mobilize render movable; prepare for active service. XIX. — F. mobilization XIX. — F.

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mocassin

XVII. of Algonquian orig.

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mocha, Mocha1

variety of chalcedony. XVII (mocus, moc(h)o). poss. the same word as next.

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Mocha2

applied to fine coffee, orig. that produced in Yemen, in which Mocha (the port of shipment, at the entrance of the Red Sea) is situated. XVIII.

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mock

hold up to ridicule; act or speak in derision XV. — OF. mocquer deride, jeer (mod. se moquer de laugh at); cf. Sp. mueca grimace, Pg. moca derision. Hence sb. XV. adj. XVI, mock-up XX. So mockery XV. — F.

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mode

A
† tune, melody XIV; † mood in grammar and logic XVI; (mus.) form of scale; manner (spec. in philos.) XVII;

B
fashion XVII. In A — L. modus measure, size, manner, method, tune, f. IE. mod- med-; see METE. In B — F. mode fem. (with change of gender) — L. modus.
Top
Hence modish (-ISH1) XVII. So modiste dressmaker. XIX. — F.

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model

† architect's plans; design, make XVI; representation or figure in three dimensions; exemplar, pattern XVII. — F. † modelle, now modèle — It. modello: Rom. modellus, for L. modulus, dim. of modus (see prec.). Hence vb. XVII.

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moderate

avoiding extremes, of medium quantity or quality. XIV. — L. modertus, pp. of moderr, -re reduce, abate, control, f. moder- :- modes-, parallel with modos, modus MODE; cf. MODEST. So vb. render less violent or intense XV; control, preside over XVI. f. pp. stem of L. moderre, -r. See -ATE2. So moderation XV. — F. — L. moderator † ruler XIV; title of various presiding officials XVI. — L.

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modern

† now existing; pert. to or characteristic of present or recent times; † ordinary XVI. — (O)F. moderne or late L. modernus, f. L. modo just now. Hence modernist † person of modern times XVI; supporter of modern ways XVIII; (theol.) XX. modernism XVIII. So modernity XVII. — medL. modernize XVIII. — F.

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modest

† well-conducted; having a moderate estimate of oneself; chastely decorous XVI; not excessive XVII; unpretentious XVIII. — (O)F. modeste — L. modestus keeping due measure, f. modes- (see MODERATE) + -tos, ppl. suffix. So modesty (-Y3) XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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modicum

moderate amount. XV. — L. modicum little way, short time, n. sg. of modicus moderate, f. modus (due or proper) measure, MODE.

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modify

† limit, repress; moderate XIV; (Sc. law) assess award XV; † determine, differentiate XVII; change partially XVIII. — (O)F. modifier — L. modificre, -r, f. modus MODE; see -FY. So modification XVI.

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modillion

(archit.) projecting bracket in certain orders. XVI. — F. modillon, † modiglion — It. modiglione :- Rom. mutellione, f. mutellus, for L. mutulus MUTULE.

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modulate

† make melody XVI; regulate, adjust; attune XVII; pass from one key to another XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. modulr measure, adjust to rhythm, make melody, f. modulus (dim. of modus MODE); see -ATE2. So modulation XIV. — L. module XVI. — F. or L.

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Mogul

Mongolian; The (Great or Grand) M., the Emperor of Delhi. XVI. — Arab., Pers. mual, -ul, pronunc. of Mongol.

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mohair

fine camlet made from Angora goats' hair, (later) fabric imitating this. XVI (mocayare, moochary, mockaire). ult. — Arab. mukayyar cloth of goat's hair (lit. ‘select, choice’, pp. of kayyara choose), but coming into Eng. through various channels and later assim. to HAIR.

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Mohammed(an)

see Mahomet.

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moidore

Portuguese gold coin. XVIII (moyodore). — Pg. moeda d'ouro ‘coin of gold’ (moeda :- L. monta MONEY, ouro :- L. aurum gold).

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moiety

half. XV (moit(i)e). — OF. moité, (also mod.) moitié :- L. mediets, -tt-, f. medius middle, MID.

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moil

(dial., arch.) moisten, soil, bedaub XIV; toil, drudge (as in wet and mire) XVI. — OF. moillier wet, moisten, paddle in mud (mod. mouiller):- Rom. mollire, f. L. mollis soft.

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moire

watered mohair, (later) watered silk. XVII. — F. moire — Eng. MOHAIR. Also moiré watered. XIX. — F. moiré, pp. of moirer give a watered appearance to.

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moist

† new, fresh; † liquid, watery; slightly wet. XIV. — OF. moiste (mod. moite), perh.:- Rom. muscidus mouldy, (hence) wet, alt. of L. mcidus (cf. MUCUS) by assoc. with musteus new, fresh, f. mustum MUST1. Hence moisten (-EN5); preceded by (dial.) moist XIV. moisty † new (of ale); damp. XIV. So moisture XIV. alt. of OF. moi(s)tour (mod. moiteur).

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moither

worry, perplex XVII; be incoherent or wandering XIX. of unkn. orig.

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moke

(sl.) donkey. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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molar

grinding (tooth). XVI. — L. molris of a mill, sb. millstone, grinder tooth, f. mola millstone; see MILL, -AR.

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molasses

syrup obtained from sugar. XVI (melasus, molassos, malassos). — Pg. melaço :- late L. mellceum must, n. sg. of mellceus (cf. -ACEOUS), f. mel, mell- honey.

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mole1

† discoloured spot OE.; spot or blemish on the human skin XIV. OE. ml, corr. to MLG. ml, OHG. meil, meila, Goth. mail (in g. pl. maile):- Gmc. mailam, -n, whence also OE. mælan, OHG. meilen stain.

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mole2

small burrowing mammal. XIV. ME. mol(l)e, mulle, prob. — MDu. mol, moll(e), (M)LG. mol, mul.

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mole3

A
(stone) pier or breakwater, (hence) harbour
;
B
† large mass XVI. — F. môle — It. molo — medGr. môlos, mólos — L. mls shapeless mass, huge bulk (whence sense B), dam, pier.
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molecule

XVIII. — F. molécule, dim. f. L. mls MOLE3. Hence molecular XIX.

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molest

† vex, annoy XIV; meddle with injuriously XV. — OF. molester or L. molestre trouble, annoy, f. molestus troublesome. So molestation XIV. — (O)F. — medL.

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moll

(sl.) prostitute, female paramour. XVII. appellative use of Moll, var. of † Mall, pet-form of MARY.

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mollify

XV. — F. mollifier or L. mollificre, f. mollis soft, rel. to molere grind; see MILL, -FY. So mollification XIV. — (O)F. — medL.

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mollusc

XVIII. — F. mollusque, f. modL. mollusca, n. pl. of L. molluscus soft, f. mollis soft (see prec.).

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molly

(dial.) lass, wench; (sl.) milksop. XVIII. f. MOLL + -Y6. Hence molly-coddle sb. and vb. XIX.

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molten

see MELT.

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moly

fabulous herb XVI; a wild garlic XVII. — L. mly — Gr. môlu.

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molybdenum

(min.) metallic element. XIX. f. † molybdena (XVII), former name of salts of molybdenum, use of L. — Gr. molúbdaina angler's plummet, f. mólubdos lead.

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moment

very brief portion of time XIV; † small particle XIV; importance, weight XVI; † motive of action XVII. — (O)F. — L. mmentum (i) movement, moving power, (ii) importance, consequence, (iii) moment of time, particle:- movimentum. f. movre MOVE; see -MENT. So momentary XVI, momentum XVII. — L. Hence momentous of moment XVII.

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Momus

captious critic. XVI. — L. — Gr. Mômos god of ridicule (mômos).

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monachal

monastic, monkish. XVI. — (O)F. monacal or ecclL. monachlis, f. monachus MONK; see -AL1. So monachism XVI.

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monad

the number one XVII; ultimate unit of being XVIII; simple organism, element, etc. XIX. — F. monade or its source late L. monas, -ad- — Gr. monás unit, f. mónos alone; see -AD1.

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monarch

XV. — (O)F. monarque or late L. monarcha — Gr. monárkhs, more freq. mónarkhos, f. mónos alone; see -ARCH. So or hence monarchal XVI, monarchic XVII, monarchical XVI, monarchist XVII. monarchy (-ARCHY) XIV. — (O)F. — late L. — Gr.

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monastery

XV. — ecclL. monastrium — ecclGr. monastrion, f. monázein live alone, f. mónos alone. So monastic XVI. — (O)F. monastique or late L. monasticus — Gr. monastikós.

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Monday

OE. mnandæ, corr. to MLG., MDu. mn(en)dach (Du. maandag), OHG. mnatag (G. Montag), ON. mánadagr; f. MOON + DAY, tr. late L. lnæ dis ‘day of the moon’ (after Gr. hmér Seléns).

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monde

the fashionable world. XVIII. — F., ‘world’:- L. mundus.

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monetary

XIX. — F. monétaire or late L. montrius, f. L. monta MINT1; see -ARY.

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money

coin, cash, esp. in ref. to its purchasing power XIII; particular coin or coinage XV. ME. monei(e), mone — OF. moneie (mod. monnaie change):- L. monta mint (in Rome), money, orig. epithet of Juno, in whose temple the mint was housed. So moneyer † money-changer XIII; coiner, minter XV; † banker, capitalist XVIII. — OF. mon(n)ier, -oier (mod. monnayeur):- late L. montrius minter.

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mong

in ME. XII mang, mong, aphetic of amang, AMONG or † imong; from XVI poet. clipping of AMONG, and so written 'mong. So mongst XVI.

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monger

dealer, trader; now used only in conscious analysis of words like cheesemonger, fishmonger, ironmonger, which, with costermonger, scandal-monger, whore-monger, are the commonest exx. OE. mangere ( = OHG., ON. mangari), agent-noun of mangian ( = OS. mangon, ON. manga):- Gmc. magjan, f. L. mang dealer, trader; see -ER1.

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mongoose

XVII. — Marathi mgs.

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mongrel

dog of mixed breed XV; in various transf. uses XVI. Early forms meng-, mang-, m(o)(u)ngrel(l), the variety of which suggests derivation, with pejorative -REL, from vars. of Gmc. mag- mix, MINGLE.

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monial

(archit.) mullion. XIV (moinel). — OF. moinel (mod. meneau), sb. use of moi(e)nel adj. middle, f. moien MEAN2 + -el -AL1.

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moniliform

necklace-shaped. XIX. — F. moníliforme, f. L. monile necklace.

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monism

doctrine of one (supreme) being; theory which denies the duality of matter and mind. XIX. f. Gr. mónos single; see -ISM.

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monition

XIV. — (O)F. — L. moniti, -n-, f. monit-, pp. stem of monre advise, warn (rel. to MIND); see -ITION. So monitor (-TOR) one who warns or advises; senior pupil in a school, etc. XVI; † backboard XVIII; species of lizard supposed to give warning of crocodiles XIX. — L. monitor (poet.) to guide XIX; (var. techn. uses) control, regulate XX. f. the sb. monitory (-ORY2) warning, admonishing. XV. — L. monitrius.

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monk

OE. munuc = OS. munik (Du. monnik), OHG. munih (G. mönch), ON. múnkr; Gmc. — popL. monicus, for late L. monachus — late Gr. mónakhos, sb. use of adj. ‘single, solitary’ (early transf. to coenobites), f. mónos alone. Hence monkery, monkish XVI, monkshood Aconitum napellus, etc., having hood-shaped flowers. XVI.

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monkey

XVI. of unkn. orig.

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mono-

comb. form of Gr. mónos alone, only, single, occurring in numerous words adopted from Gr. (many through late L. or medL.), but in recent times combined with words or stems of any origin, as monocycle, monodrama, monoplane, monotint, monoxide. The following early: monochord one-stringed musical instrument, etc. XV. — (O)F. monocorde — late L. monochordon — Gr. monókhordon, sb. use of n. of monókhordos having a single string. monochrome painting in different tints of one colour XVII; representation in one colour XIX; the earlier use — medL. monochrma, evolved from Gr. (L.) monokhrmatos of one colour; later — F. monochrome — Gr. monkhrmos. monogamy XVII. — F. — ecclL. — Gr. (gámos marriage). monogram
A
† sketch without shading or colour;
B
character composed of two or more letters interwoven XVII; in sense A — L. monogrammus; in sense B — F. monogramme — late L. monogramma, f. Gr. monógrammos. monograph (nat. hist.) separate treatise on a species, genus, etc.; (more widely) one on a single object or topic. XIX. repl. earlier monography (XVIII) — modL. monographia. monolith single block, mass, pillar of stone. XIX. — F. monolithe — Gr. monólithos (lithos stone). monologue XVII. — F. monophyste XVII. — ecclL. monophysita — ecclGr. monophusls (Gr. phsis nature). monothelite XVI. — modL. monothelta — (with assim. to -ta, -ITE) late Gr. monothelts, f. thélein will. monotheism , monotheist XVII. monotone having but one tone or note XVIII; sb. utterance on one tone XVII. — modL. monotonus — Gr. monótonos. monotonous XVIII. monotony XVIII. — F. — Gr. monotoní. monotype XIX.

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monocle

XIX. — F., sb. use of adj. ‘one-eyed’ — late L. monoculus, f. Gr. mónos MONO- + oculus EYE.

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monody

ode sung by a single voice in Greek tragedy; mournful song, dirge. XVII. — late L. mondia — Gr. monidí, f. mónos MONO- + id- sing; see ODE, -Y3.

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monopoly

exclusive possession of the trade in some article XVI (also fig.); commodity subject to this XIX. — L. monopólion — Gr. monoplium, -plí, f. mónos MONO- + plein sell. Hence monopolist, monopolize XVII.

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monsieur

F. equiv. of MR. XV. — F., f. mon my, sieur lord:- Rom. seire, for L. senirem, SENIOR. So monseigneur XVI, monsignor XVII.

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monsoon

seasonal wind esp. in the Indian Ocean XVI; rainy season (time of the south-west monsoon) XVIII. — early modDu. † monssoen (mod. moesson) — Pg. monço, † mouço — Arab. mausim season, f. wasama vb. mark.

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monster

misshapen creature XIII; † prodigy; horribly cruel or savage person; huge object XVI. — (O)F. monstre — L. mnstrum something marvellous or prodigious, orig. divine portent, f. monre warn. So monstrous XV. — OF. or L. monstrosity XVI. — late L.

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monstrance

(eccl.) vessel in which the Host is exposed. XVI. — medL. mnstrantia, f. prp. stem of L. mnstrre show, f. mnstrum; see prec. and -ANCE.

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montbretia

iridaceous plant of genus Crocosmia. XIX. modL., f. name of A. F. E. Coquebert de Montbret , French botanist (1780–1801); see -IA1.

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monte

Spanish card game. XIX. — Sp. monte mountain (MOUNT1), applied to the stock of cards left after each player has received his share.

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month

OE. mnað = OS. mnoth (Du. maand), OHG. mnd (G. monat), ON. mánuðr, Goth. mnþs :- Gmc. mænþ(z); cf. MOON. Hence monthly adj. and adv. XVI; see -LY1, -LY2.

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monument

† place of burial XIII; † written document, piece of evidence XV; commemorative object or structure XVI. Early forms also † mony-, † moniment — (O)F. monument, † moniment — L. monumentum, monimentum, f. monre remind; see MONITION, -MENT. Hence monumental XVII.

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-mony

repr. (1) L. -mnia, as in acrimony, ceremony, (2) -mnium, as in matrimony, testimony, and both in alimony, ceremony; rel. by gradation to -men (as in formen opening), of which -mentum -MENT is an extended form.

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moo

XVI. imit. of the characteristic voice of the cow.

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mooch, mouch

(dial.) play truant XVII; loaf, skulk; steal XIX. of uncert. orig.; cf. late ME. mowche (of doubtful meaning).

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mood1

† mind, thought, feeling OE.; † pride OE.; † anger XII; frame of mind, disposition. OE. md, corr. (with variety of gender) to OS. md (Du. moed), OHG. muot (G. mut), ON. mór anger, grief, Goth. mþs, md- anger, emotion:- Gmc. maz, mam, of unkn. orig. Hence moody † brave, † proud OE.; † angry XII; subject to fits of ill humour, etc. XVI.

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mood2

(logic) class of syllogism; (gram.) form in the conjugation of a verb indicating function; † (mus.) mode. XVI. alt. of MODE by assoc. with MOOD1.

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moon

the satellite of the earth OE.; (lunar) month XIV. OE. mna = OS. mno (Du. maan fem.), OHG. mno (G. mond), ON. mni, Goth. mna :- Gmc. mænan-, prob. rel. to mænþ- MONTH: cogn. words for ‘moon’ and ‘month’ based on mn(e)s- are L. mnsis month, Gr. meís, mn month. mn moon. Skr. ms- moon, month, Ir. mi month, OSl. msc moon, month; referred ult. to the IE. base m-, as in L. mtr MEASURE, the moon being the star by which time is measured.

The foll. comps. are of special interest: mooncalf † false conception XVI; born fool XVII; perh. after G. mondkalb; cf. G. mondkind, MLG. maanenkind ‘moon-child’. moonlight XIV; hence moonlighting operation (esp. illicit) by night. XIX. moonlit XIX. moonshine moonlight; appearance without substance, empty talk, etc. XV. moonstone XVII; after L. selnits SELENITE. moonstruck deranged, as if by the influence of the moon (cf. lunatic). XVII.

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moor1

tract of unenclosed waste ground. OE. mr waste land, marsh, mountain, corr. to OS. mr marsh, (M)Du. moer, (M)LG. mr, OHG. muor :- Gmc. mraz, mram, rel. to MERE1. comp. moorland OE mrland.

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moor2

secure a floating boat, etc., to a fixed place. XV. prob. — (M)LG. mren; cf. OE. mrels, mrels mooring-rope, MDu. vbs. mren, mren (Du. meren), moeren.

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Moor

(in ancient times) native of Mauretania, (later) of north-west Africa XIV. ME. More — (O)F. More, (mod.) Maure — L. Maurus, medL. Mrus — Gr. Maûros. Hence Moorish XV (morys).

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moose

XVII. of Algonquian orig.

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moot

assembly of people, esp. for a judicial purpose XII; † argument, discussion XIII; discussion of a hypothetical case in the Inns of Court XVI. ME. (i)mt :- OE. mt (in comps. only: later re-inforced from ON.), and emt :- Gmc. (z)mtam; cf. MDu. moet, (also mod.) gemoet, MHG. muoze meeting, attack, ON. mót, and MEET2; of unkn. orig. Hence moot adj. debatable, arguable XVI; developed from attrib. uses of the sb. (m. case, m. point).

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mop1

bundle of yarn, etc., fixed to a stick for use in cleaning. XV. First in naut. use and in the form † mapp(e), which survived till XVIII, the form mop appearing XVII (but † moppe is recorded for ‘doll’ XV); obscurely rel. to somewhat earlier † mappel, † mapolt, -old (XV); of unkn. orig.

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mop2

(arch.) grimace. (sb. and vb.) XVI. Chiefly in phr. mop(s) and mow(s); perh. imit. of the pouting of the lips; cf. Du. moppen be surly, pout.

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mope

(dial.) wander; be listless and dejected. XVI. prob. rel. to † mope (XVI), earlier † mopp(e) fool (XIV), and † mop(p)ish bewildered (XIV); of uncert. orig.

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moquette

material used for carpeting. XVIII. — F. moquette; of unkn. orig.

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mora

(leg.) delay XVI; (pros.) unit of metrical time XIX. — L. mora.

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moraine

mountain debris carried down by a glacier. XVIII. — F.

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moral

pert. to character or conduct. XIV. — L. mrlis, f. ms, mr- custom, pl. mres manners, character (whence mores XX). As sb. pl. rendering the L. title Moralia of certain works XIV; sg. moral lesson XV; pl. moral habits XVII. So morale (— F., fem. of moral used sb.) † morals XVIII; disposition and spirit as of troops XIX. morality XIV. — (O)F. or late L. moralize, moralization XV. — (O)F. or medL.

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morass

wet swampy tract. XVII. — Du. moeras, † -asch, alt. (by assim. to moer MOOR1) of MDu. maras(ch) — (O)F. marais MARSH.

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moratorium

legal authorization to postpone payment. XIX. modL., sb. use of n. sg. of late L. (legal) mortrius, f. pp. stem of morr delay; see -ORY.

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morbid

pert. to disease XVII; unwholesome, sickly XIX. — L. morbidus, f. morbus disease; see -ID1. So morbific XVII. — F.

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mordant

biting. XV. — (O)F., prp. of mordre bite:- Rom. mordere, for L. mordre.

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mordent

(mus.) kind of grace. XIX. — G. — It. mordente, sb. use of prp. of mordere bite (L. mordre).

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more

A
greater (surviving in (the) m.'s the pity, the m. fool you, etc.) OE.

B
existing in greater quantity or degree XIV.
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C
a greater number of, more numerous XVI.
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D
additional XIII. OE. mra, fem., n. mre = OS. mro, OHG. mro (G. mehr-), ON. meiri, Goth. maiza :- Gmc. maizan- f. maiz :- IE. mis, with compar. suffix -is (cf. -ER3).
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Hence as sb. late OE., as adv. XII. Hence moreover in phr. and yet more over ‘and still more beyond’, whence, introducing an additional statement, ‘besides’. XIV.

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-more

use of prec. in advs. denoting place in the compar. degree, many of which have given rise to adjs. of the same form; added chiefly to advs. ending in -ER3; the majority of such words have parallel forms in -MOST. The earliest, further-more (XII), farthermore, and innermore (XIII), are based on Scand. forms (ON. -meir).

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moreen

stout stuff for curtains, etc. XVII (-ine). perh. fancifully f. MOIRE.

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morello

dark-coloured bitter cherry. XVII. app. a use of It. morello blackish:- medL. mo-, maurellus, f. Maurus MOOR.

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mores

see MORAL.

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moresque

Moorish. XVII. — F. -It. moresco; see MOOR, -ESQUE.

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morganatic

applied to a marriage of a man with a woman of inferior station in which wife and children do not share in his rights. XVIII. — F. morganatique, G. morganatisch, or their source medL. morganaticus, prob. based on Gmc. murzanzea (OE. morgenifu, G. morgengabe; f. murzan- MORN + zeb- GIVE) gift made by husband to wife on the morning after consummation of the marriage and relieving him of further liability.

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morgue1

haughty demeanour. XVI. — F., of unkn. orig.

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morgue2

building in Paris where people found dead are exposed for identification; (gen.) mortuary. XIX. Presumed to be identical with prec.

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moribund

about to die. XVIII. — L. moribundus, f. morí die (see MORTAL).

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morion

soldier's helmet without beaver or visor. XVI. — F. — Sp. morrion, f. morra top of the head.

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Mormon

member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. XIX. Name of the alleged author of ‘The Book of Mormon’, which Joseph Smith (Manchester, New York, 1830) professed to have translated from the original miraculously discovered by him.

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morn

OE. morgen, inflected mor(g)n- = OS., OHG. morgan (Du., G. morgen):- WGmc. murzanaz; cf., with variation of suffix, ON. morgunn, also OE. myrgen-, ON. myrginn, Goth. maurgins (:- Gmc. murzinaz), and with different vowel grade of the base, OE. meren, MDu. margen, mergen, ON. merginn :- Gmc. marzanaz, marzinaz. The typical ME. developments of OE. morgen were: morzen, morwen; morun, moren, morn; morwe, moru, MORROW. Hence (after EVENING) morning XIII.

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Morocco

applied to things originating in the country of north-west Africa so named, esp. to leather of goatskin. XVII. — It. Marocco, f. the name of the chief city Marrakesh.

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moron

XX. — n. of Gr. mrós stupid.

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morose

XVI. — L. mrsus peevish, wayward, fastidious, f. ms, mr- manner (in the special sense of ‘humour’, ‘fancy’); see MORAL, -OSE1.

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-morph

terminal element repr. Gr. -morphos, f. morph shape. The corr. adjs. and abst. nouns end in -morphic(al), -morphous, -morphism, -morphy.

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morpheme

XX. — F. morphème, f. Gr. morph form, after PHONEME.

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morphia

narcotic principle of opium. XIX. — modL. morphia, alt. of morphium, f. Morpheus (f. Gr. morph shape), Ovid's name for the god of dreams, son of the god of sleep. Also morphine (-INE5) XIX

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morpho-

comb. form of Gr. morph shape, form, as in morphology (XIX).

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morris

dance by persons in fancy costume representing characters esp. from the Robin Hood story. XV. orig. in mor(e)ys DANCE; var. of MOORISH.

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morrow

XIII. ME. morwe, -ewe, -owe, moru; see MORN.

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morse1

fastening of a cope. XV. — OF. mors — L. morsus bite, catch, f. mors-, pp. stem of mordre bite.

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morse2

walrus. XV. ult. — Lappish mora, whence Finnish morsu, Russ. morzh.

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morse3

signalling code invented by S. F. B. Morse (1791–1872). XIX.

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morsel

bite, mouthful, small piece. XIII. — OF. morsel (mod. morceau), dim. of mors :- L. morsus; see MORSE1, -EL2.

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mort1

(antiq.) note sounded at the death of the deer. XVI. — (O)F.:- L. mors, mort- death (cf. MORTAL).

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mort2

(dial.) great quantity or number. XVII. of uncert. orig.

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mortal

subject to death, human; deadly, fatal XIV; (of sin) XV; of or pert. to death XVI. — OF. mortal, latinized var. of OF. (also mod.) mortel, whence ME. mortel; or directly — L. mortlis, f. mors, mort- death, f. IE. mor- me- mr- die, as in L. mor die, mortuus dead, Gr. brotoí mortals, émorten died, OSl. mr. Lith. mìrtu I die, Skr. mriyáte dies; see -AL1. So mortality XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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mortar1

A
cup-shaped vessel in which drugs, etc., are pounded with a pestle XIII;

B
short piece of ordnance (so named from its squat shape) XVII (orig. mortar-piece XVI). partly — AN. morter, (O)F. mortier :- L. mortrium (to which the Eng. sp. was finally assim.); partly — MLG. mortr (Du. mortier) — L.
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mortar2

mixture of lime and sand with water, used for building. XIII. — AN. morter (see prec.), with transference of meaning from the vessel to the substance produced in it.

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mortgage

conveyance of property by a debtor to a creditor as security for a debt. XIV (morgage; the sp. mortgage was established by leg. usage XVI). — OF. mortgage ‘dead pledge’, f. mort dead:- popL. var. mortus of L. mortuus (see MORTAL) + gage GAGE1. Hence mortgage vb. XVI; mortgagee, mortgagor (-EE1, -OR1) XVI.

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mortify

† kill XIV; bring (the body, etc.) into subjection; (Sc. law) dispose of in mortmain XV; (cookery) make tender by hanging XVI; become gangrenous; humiliate or vex deeply XVII. — (O)F. mortifier — ecclL. mortificre kill, subdue (the flesh), f. mors, mort- death; see MORTAL, -FY. So mortification subjection of the flesh XIV; (Sc. law) disposal in mortmain XV; gangrene, necrosis XVI; humiliation, vexation XVII.

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mortise, mortice

hole made in a piece of wood to receive the end of another piece. XIV. ME. mortais, -eis — OF. mortoise (mod. mortaise), of uncert. orig.

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mortmain

condition of lands inalienably held by a corporation. XV. — AN., OF. mortemain — medL. mortua manus ‘dead hand’, i.e. mortua, fem. of mortuus dead, manus hand (cf. MORTAL, MANUAL); perh. a metaphor for ‘impersonal ownership’.

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mortuary

sb.
gift claimed by the parson from the estate of a deceased parishioner XIV; † obsequies XV; dead-house XIX; adj. pert. to burial or death XVI. As sb. orig. — AN. mortuarie — ecclL. morturium, n. sg. of morturius (whence the Eng. adj.), f. mortuus dead; see MORTAL, -ARY.

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mosaic

XVI. — F. mosaïque — It. † mosaico, musaico — medL. msaicus, msaicus, obscurely f. late Gr. mouseîon, mousíon mosaic work (cf. MUSEUM).

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Mosaic

pert. to Moses. XVII. — F. mosaïque or modL. Msicus, f. Mss; see -IC.

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moselle

dry white wine, XVII. — F. name (— G. Mosel, in L. Mosella) of a river which joins the Rhine at Koblenz and in the neighbourhood of which the wine is produced.

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Moslem

see MUSLIM.

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mosque

XIV (moseak, musketh), XVI (muskay, mosquee). The earliest forms are of obscure orig.; the present form is a shortening (XVII) of mosquee — F. mosquée — It. moschea — Arab. masgid, Egyptian var. of masjid, † sajada worship.

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mosquito

XVI. — Sp., Pg. mosquito, dim. of mosca :- L. musca fly (see MIDGE).

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moss

A
(dial.) bog, swamp OE.
;
B
small plant of the class Musci. XIV. OE. mos = MLG., (M)Du., OHG. mos (G. moos) bog, moss:- Gmc. musam, rel. to ON. mosi wk. m. bog, moss, and further to OE. mos, OHG. mios (G. mies) moss (:- Gmc. meus-), ON. mýrr MIRE, and outside Gmc. to L. muscus, OSl. mch moss:- IE. mus-). The application in Eng. to the plant may be due to ON. mosi.
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mossbunker

(U.S.) menhaden. XVII (marsbancker), XVIII (mos-). — Du. marsbanker, of unkn. orig.

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most

greatest OE.; greatest amount of XIV; adv. in the greatest degree OE. The present form repr. partly OE. mst, which is recorded only from late Nhb., partly a modification of ME. mst, OE. mst, by assim. to MORE; OE. mst = OS. mst (Du. meest), (O)HG. meist, ON. mestr, Goth. maists :- Gmc. maistaz, f. base of maiz (see MORE) + -ista- -EST. Hence mostly XVI.

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-most

suffix forming superl. adjs. and advs.; alt. form of OE. -mest = Goth. -umists, which is a combination of two Gmc. (and IE.) superl. suffixes, viz. -mo-, as in OE. forma first, L. prmus first (PRIME), and -isto- -EST. Cf. -MORE.

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mot

saying. — F. ‘word’:- Gallo-Rom. mottum, alt. of L. muttum (not) a word or syllable, rel. to muttre MUTTER, murmur.

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mote

particle of dust. OE. mot, corr. to Du. mot sawdust, dust of turf (in MDu. steenmot, turfmot), of unkn. orig. The present form (ME. moot XIV) descends from OE. obl. case-forms (mott, repr. the uninflected form, survived till XVIII).

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motet

part-song; later spec. harmonized vocal composition, esp. for church use. XIV. — (O)F. motet, dim. of mot word, saying (see MOT); see -ET.

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moth

insect of the genus Tinea or (earlier) its larva OE.; nocturnal lepidopterous insect XVIII. OE. moe, mohe; obscurely rel. to synon. MLG., MDu., (M)HG. motte (Du. mot), ON. motti.

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mother1

A
female parent OE.; term of address to an elderly woman; applied to the B. V. M. XIV; head of community of nuns XVII.

B
† womb XIV; † hysteria XV. OE. mdor = OS. mdar (Du. moeder), OHG. muotar (G. mutter), ON. móðir (wanting in Gothic):- Gmc. mar- :- IE. mter-, whence also L. mter, Gr. mtr, mtr, OSl. mati, OIr. mthir, Skr. mt. Important collocations are: m. country (XVI), after F. terre mère; m. earth (XVI), cf. L. Terra Mater, taken as a goddess; m. land (XVIII); m. tongue (XIV), in which mother is orig. uninflected g.
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Hence vb. be a mother to. XVI. Mothering Sunday, Midlent Sunday, so called from the custom of going a-mothering (XVII), i.e. visiting parents, on that day. motherly OE. mdorli..

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mother2

† dregs, scum XVI; (in full m. of vinegar) mucilaginous substance produced in vinegar by fermentation XVII. corr. in form and sense to MDu. moeder (mod. moer), G. mutter; perh. identical with prec.; the orig. notion may have been that the substance was a portion of the ‘mother’ or original crude substance. So also in mother-of-pearl iridescent inner layer of shells. XVI.

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motif

XIX. — F., ‘MOTIVE’.

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motion

action or process of moving XV; formal proposition XVI. — (O)F. — L. mti, -n-, f. m- of movre (mtum) MOVE; see -TION. Hence motion vb. † propose, move XVI; make a gesture XVIII. motive † motion, proposition XIV; that which moves a person to act XV; motif XIX. ME. motyf, -yve — (O)F. motif, sb. use of adj. — late L. mtvus, whence motive adj. XVI. So motivate XIX.

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motley

diversified in colour XIV; sb. † varicoloured fabric XIV; particoloured dress of a jester XVI. Late ME. mottelay, -ley, perh. — AN. motelé, f. MOTE (but the formation remains obscure).

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motor

agent or force producing motion XVI; machine supplying motive power XIX. — L. mtor (rare) mover, later in philos. use, f. mt-, movre MOVE; see -OR1. Hence vb. (XIX) drive an automobile, whence motorist XIX, motorway XX.

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mottle

surface variegated with spots; so vb. and ppl. adj. mottled. XVII. prob. back-formation from MOTLEY.

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motto

XVI. — It. — F. MOT.

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motu proprio

papal rescript the terms of which are decided by the pope himself. XIX. — L., ‘by one's own motion’, abl. of mtus motion, proprius PROPER.

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moufflon

wild sheep Ovis musimon. XVIII. — F. mouflon.

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mouillé

(phonetics) palatalized. XIX. — F., pp. of mouiller moisten, make ‘liquid’.

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moujik, muzhik

Russian peasant. XVI (mousick, musick). — Russ. muzhik.

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mould1, U.S. mold

(dial.) friable earth, surface soil: (poet.) earth of the grave; the earth's surface OE.; garden soil XIV. OE. molde = (M)Du. moude, OHG. molta, ON. mold, Goth. mulda :- Gmc. muld, f. mul- (mel-, mal-) pulverize, grind (cf. OE. myl, MDu. mul, mol dust, and MEAL1).

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mould2, U.S. mold

A
native character XIII; (bodily) form XVI;

B
pattern or matrix by which a thing is shaped XIV. Presumably metathetic alt. of OF. modle (mod. moule) — L. modulus (see MODULATE).
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Hence mould vb. XV.

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mould3, U.S. mold

woolly or furry growth consisting of minute fungi. XV. prob. developed from † moul(e)d, pp. of † moule, earlier † muwle grow mouldy — ON. mugla, rel. to synon. ON. mygla. Hence mouldy (-Y1) XIV.

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moulder, U.S. molder

crumble to dust. XVI. poss. f. MOULD1 + -ER4; but adoption from Scand. is more likely (cf. Norw. dial. muldra crumble).

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moult, U.S. molt

(of feathers) be shed in the change of plumage XIV; shed (feathers) XV. ME. moute, mowte, later molt (XVI), moult (XVII); repr. OE. mtian (as in mtung, bmtian exchange) = MLG., MDu. mten change, moult, OHG. mzzn (G. mause(r)n); WGmc. — L. mtre change (see MUTATION). Cf. MEW2.

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mound1

† world XIII; orb intended to represent the globe XVI. — (O)F. monde :- L. mundus world (see MUNDANE).

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mound2

(dial.) hedge, fence; embankment XVI; artificial elevation of earth or stones, tumulus XVIII perh. f. the somewhat earlier mound vb. enclose with a fence, of unkn. orig.

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mount1

mountain, hill OE.; † earthwork; † mound. XVI. OE. munt — (reinforced in ME. from (O)F. mont :-) L. mns, mont-.

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mount2

go upwards, ascend, rise XIV; cause to ascend, etc., set in position XVI. — OF. munter, (also mod.) monter :- Rom. montre, f. mont- MOUNT1. Hence mount sb. † amount XIV; mounting XV; fitting, setting; ridden animal XIX.

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mountain

XIII. — OF. montaigne (mod. -agne):- Rom. montnia or -ea, fem. sg. or n. pl. of adj. montnius, -eus, f. L. mns, mont- MOUNT1; see -AN. Hence mountaineer XVII, mountainous XV (rare before XVII).

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mountebank

itinerant quack, juggler, etc., appearing on a platform; charlatan. XVI. — It. montambanco, montimbanco, for monta in banco ‘mount (imper.) on bench’.

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mourn

feel sorrow (for) OE.; lament (a death, someone dead) XIII. OE. str. vb. murnan (also wk. pt. murnde), corr. to wk. vbs. OS. mornon, mornian, OHG. mornn be anxious, ON. morna pine away, Goth. maurnan be anxious; prob. to be referred to IE. (s)mer-, repr. by Skr. smárati remember, Gr. mrimna care, sorrow, L. memor mindful. Hence mournful XVI.

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mouse

pl. mice OE. ms, pl. ms = OS., OHG. ms (Du. muis, G. maus), ON. mús; Gmc. and IE. ms- is repr. also by L. ms, Gr. mûs, OSl. myî, Skr. m·-; f. a base identical with one meaning ‘steal, rob’. Hence vb. XIII. mouser OE. msere mouse-hawk.

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mousse

XIX. — F., ‘moss’.

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moustache

XVI. — F. — It. mostaccio MUSTACHIO.

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mouth

sb.
OE. mð = OS. mth, mund (Du. mond), (O)HG. mund, ON. munnr, muðr, Goth. munþs :- Gmc. munþaz :- IE. mtos, corr. to L. mentum chin. Hence vb. XIII.

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move

vb. XIII. — AN. mover = OF. moveir (mod. mouvoir):- L. movre, pt. mv, pp. mtus, f. IE. base mou- meu- mu-. Hence sb. XVII. So mov(e)able XIV. — OF. movable. movement XIV. — (O)F. mouvement — medL. movimentum.

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mow1

stack of hay, corn, etc. OE. mga, mha, mwa, corr. to ON. múgi swath, crowd; of unkn. orig.

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mow2

cut down (grass, etc.) with scythe or machine. OE. str. vb. mwan; WGmc. vb., in other langs. wk., repr. by MDu. maeien (Du. maaien), OHG. men (G. mähen); cf. MEADOW.

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mow3

(arch., dial.) grimace. XIV (sb.). prob. — OF. moe, (also mod.) moue † mouth, † lip, pouting; otherwise — MDu. mouwe, which may be the source of the OF. word. Hence vb. XV.

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Mozarabic

epithet of the ancient ritual of the church in Spain, prob. so called from being used by the Mozarabs after being disused by others. XVIII. f. Sp. Mozarabe — Arab. musta'rib one who adopts Arab customs, f. base of 'arab ARAB; see -IC.

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Mr

as a title orig. abbrev. of Master XV; † in 16th and 17th cent. used gen. for MASTER, as in Mr of Arts, Mr Gunner; its present oral equiv. is MISTER2.

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Mrs

aabrev. of MISTRESS. XVII. Cf. MISSIS.

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much

† great (surviving in place-names, as M. Wenlock); great amount of XIII; adv. greatly; sb. great deal XIV. ME. muche, moche, shortening of muchel, mochel, repr. late OE. my.el, var. of micel = OS. mikil, OHG. michil, ON. mikill, Goth. mikils; Gmc. deriv. of IE. meg-, repr. by L. magnus, Gr. mégas, Skr. mah- great. Hence muchly XVII (in XIX a new joc. formation). muchness XIV (m. of a muchness XVIII).

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mucilage

viscous fluid XIV; gummy secretion XVII; (U.S.) adhesive gum XIX. — (O)F. — late L. mcilg, -gin- musty juice, f. mcus MUCUS. Hence mucilaginous XVII.

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muck

dung XIII; dirt, filth XIV. prob. of Scand. orig. and — forms rel. to ON. myki, mykr dung, Da. møg, Norw. myk, f. Gmc. muk- meuk- soft (rel. to MEEK).

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mucus

viscid or slimy substance. XVII. — L. mcus, also muccus mucus of the nose, rel. to synon. Gr. múxa, mússesthai blow the nose, muktr nose, nostril. So mucous XVII. — L. mcsus.

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mud

XIV. prob. — MLG. mudde, MHG. mot (G. dial. mott) bog, bog-earth, peat. Hence muddy XVI. mudlark grubber or worker in dirty places. XVIII. joc. formation after skylark.

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muddle

† wallow in mud; make muddy, (hence) confuse. XVII. perh. — MDu. moddelen, frequent. of modden: see MUD, -LE3.

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muezzin

Muslim crier who proclaims the hours of prayer. XVI. — Pers. and Turk. pronunc. of Arab. mu'ain, active ppl. of aana, frequent. of 'aana proclaim. f. 'un ear.

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muff1

cylindrical covering for the hands. XVI. — Du. mof, shortening of MDu. moffel, muffel (corr. to F. moufle) — medL. muff(u)la, of unkn. orig.

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muff2

awkward person at sport, (gen.) duffer. XIX. of unkn. orig. Hence vb. make a muddle OF. XIX.

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muffin

(dial.) wheat- or oat-cake; flat spongy cake eaten toasted and buttered. XVIII. of unkn. orig. Hence muffineer (-EER1) XIX.

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muffle1

wrap up, as in a cloth XV; † blindfold, stifle XVI; deaden the sound of XVIII. perh. aphetic of OF. amoufler, enmoufler, f. EN-1 + moufle thick glove (cf. MUFF1). Hence muffler scarf. XVI.

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muffle2

thick part of upper lip and nose (of beasts). XVII. — F. mufle, of unkn. orig.

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mufti

Muslim priest or expounder of the law. XVI. — Arab. muft, active pple. of 'aft give a fatw or decision on law. The sense ‘plain clothes’ (XIX) may be a joc. allusion to the costume of a mufti on the stage.

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mug1

(dial.) pot, jug XVI; cylindrical drinking-vessel XVII. prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. Norw. mugge, Sw. mugg pitcher with handle).

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mug2

(sl.) face XVIII. prob. transf. use of prec., drinking-mugs being freq. made to represent a grotesque face.

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mug3

(sl.) simpleton, duffer. XIX. perh. transf. use of MUG1 with ref. to stupid looks. Hence synon. muggins, prob. by assoc. with the surname Muggins.

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muggy

(dial.) moist, damp; (of weather) damp and close. XVIII. f. dial. mug sb. mist, drizzle, dull weather (XVIII) or mug vb. drizzle (XIV) + -Y1; ult. of Scand. orig. (cf. ON. mugga mist, drizzle, Norw., Sw. dial. mugg mould, mildew).

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mugwort

plant Artemisia vulgaris. OE. mucgwyrt, f. base of MIDGE + WORT1.

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mugwump

(U.S.) great man, boss; one who holds aloof from party politics. XIX. of Algonquian orig.

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Muhammad(an)

see MAHOMET.

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mulatto

offspring of a European and a Negro. XVI (mulatow). — Sp., Pg. mulato young mule, (hence) one of mixed race, obscurely f. mulo = F. mule MULE.

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mulberry

XIV. OE. mrberie, mrberie (cf. mrbam mulberry tree), ME. murberie (XIII), corr. to Du. moerbezie, OHG. mr-, mrberi (MHG. mlber, G. maulbeere); f. mr — L. mrum mulberry, mrus mulberry-tree + BERRY.

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mulch

half-rotten straw. XVII. sb. use of mulsh adj. (XV) soft, (dial.) of ‘soft’ weather, rel. to (dial.) melsh mellow, soft, mild (XIV):- OE. mel(i)s., mil(i)s., myls., f. mel- mul- (whence also MHG. molwic, G. mollig, etc. soft, OHG. molawn be soft, cogn. with L. mollis tender); see -ISH1.

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mulct

inflict a fine on. XV (multe). — F. † multer, mulcter — L. mul(c)tre, f. mul(c)ta sb. fine (whence mulct sb. XVI).

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mule

offspring of he-ass and mare XIII; transf. of various hybrids, e.g. a kind of spinning machine XVIII. — OF. mul m., (also mod.) mule fem.:- L. mlus m., mla fem. So muleteer mule-driver. XVI. — F. muletier, f. mulet, dim. f. OF. mul; see -ET, -EER1.

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mull1

promontory. XIV. cf. Gael. maol, Icel. múli (perh. identical with múli snout).

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mull2

make (wine, beer, etc.) into a hot drink with sugar, spices, etc. XVII (mulled sack). of unkn. orig.

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mull3

(sl.) muddle, mess. XIX. perh. f. (dial.) mull pulverize, crumble (XV), f. mull dust, ashes (XIV) — (M)Du. mul, mol (see MULLOCK).

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mullah

Muslim theologian. XVII. — Pers., Turk., Urdu mull — Arab. maul.

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mullein

plant of the genus Verbascum. XV. — OF. moleine (mod. molène), of uncert. orig.

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mullet

XV (molet). — OF. mulet, dim. f. L. mullus red mullet — Gr. múllos, rel. to méls black.

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mulligatawny

Indian highly-seasoned soup. XVIII. — Tamil milagu-tar ‘pepper-water’.

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mulligrubs

state or fit of depression; (later) colic. XVI (mulliegrums). fanciful formation.

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mullion

(archit.) vertical bar dividing the lights of a window. XVI. metathetic alt. of ME. munial, MONIAL, as the contemp. munnion is an assim. form (n … l to n … n).

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mullock

(dial.) rubbish, refuse XIV; (Austral.) rock not containing gold XIX. f. dial. mull (XIV) dust, ashes, rubbish;, rel. to OE. myl dust, cogn. with (M)Du. mul, mol, ON. moli crumb, mylja crush, f. Gmc. mul-; see MEAL1, -OCK.

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multi-

comb. form of L. multus much, many; the earliest comps. in Eng. are multiformity , multiloquy (XVI) talkativeness, multifarious (XVII) many and various (L. -friam adv.), and the el. becomes prolific later, esp. in techn. use, e.g. multilateral , multinomial (after BINOMIAL) XVII; an ex. of the gen. use is multi-millionaire (XIX).

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multiple

consisting of many elements XVII. — F. — late L. multiplus, f. multus (see prec.); cf. duplus DUPLE. So multiplex XVI. — L. (cf. -FOLD). multiplicity XVI. — late L. multiply XIII. — (O)F. multiplier — L. multiplicre. multiplication XIV. — (O)F. or L. multitude XIV. — (O)F. — L.; hence multitudinous XVII.

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multure

toll of grain carried or flour made XIII. — OF. mo(u)lture (mod. mouture):- medL. molitra, f. molit-, pp. stem of molere grind; see MILL, -URE.

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mum1

† inarticulate sound made with closed lips; command to be silent or secret. XIV. imit.; cf. MLG. mummen, Du. mommen.

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mum2

(hist.) beer orig. brewed in Brunswick, Germany. XVII. — G. mumme; of uncert. orig.

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mum3

see MUMMY2.

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mumble

eat as with toothless gums; speak indistinctly. XIV. ME. momele, frequent. formation on MUM1; see -LE3; cf. LG. mummelen, Du. mommelen, mummelen, G. mummeln, Sw. mumla, Da. mumle, and ME. mamele mutter, chatter (corr. formally to OHG. mammaln stammer).

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mumbo-jumbo

grotesque idol said to have been worshipped by African negroes; (transf.) object of unintelligent veneration. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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mumchance

† dicing game; † masquerade XVI; (dial.) one who acts in dumb show, dummy XVII; adj. silent XVII. — MLG. mummensc(h)anze game of dice, masked serenade ( = MDu. mommecanse). f. mummen (see MUMMER) + schanz — (O)F. chance CHANCE.

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mummer

† mutterer XV; actor († in dumb show) in a Christmas play XVI. — OF. momeur, f. momer act in dumb show, rel. to momon mask, Sp. momo grimace; perh. of Gmc. orig. (cf. MDu. momme, Du. mom mask, MLG. mummen mask, disguise); see -ER2. So mummery mummer's performance; play-acting. XVI. — OF. mommerie (mod. momerie). Hence mumming XV.

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mummy1

† medicinal preparation of the substance of mummies, unctuous liquid XIV; † sovereign remedy, etc. XVI; body embalmed for burial XVII. — (O)F. momie, † mumie — medL. mumia — Arab. mmiya embalmed body, f. mm wax (used in embalming). Hence mummify XVII.

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mummy2

nursery var. of MAMMY (S. V. MAM). XIX. Also mum.

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mump

† grimace (sb.); (pl.) swelling of the parotid and salivary glands in the neck (with ref. to the appearance produced). XVI. So mump vb. mumble, grimace, munch, sulk. XVI. symbolic repr. of the movement of the lips in mumbling or chewing. Cf. Du. momp(el)en mumble in speech, G. mumpf(el)en mumble in eating.

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munch

XIV. imit.; cf. crunch, scrunch.

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mundane

worldly, earthly XV; cosmic XVII. orig. mondaine — (O)F. mondain — late L. mundnus, f. mundus world, (earlier) universe of celestial bodies, spec. use of mundus personal adornment, after Gr. kósmos (see COSMOS). Later assim. to L. (see -ANE1).

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municipal

† pert. to the internal affairs of a state; pert. to local self-government, esp. of a town. XVI. — L. mniciplis, f. mnicipium Roman city of which the inhabitants had Roman citizenship, f. mniceps, -cip-, f. mnia civic offices + capere take. So municipality XVIII. — F.

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munificent

XVI f. L. mnificent-, used as stem of mnificus, f. mnus office, duty (cf. prec.), gift. So munificence XVI.

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muniment

document preserved as evidence of rights or privileges. XV. — (O)F. — L. mnmentum (in medL.) title-deed, f. munre fortify, secure, earlier mœnre, f. mœnia walls, ramparts, rel. to mrus wall; see -MENT.

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munition

† fortification; ammunition. XVI. — (O)F. — L. mnti, -n-, f. mnre, mnt-; see prec. and -ITION.

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munnion

see MULLION.

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mural

adj. XVI. — (O)F. — L. mrlis, f. mrus wall; see -AL1. So sb. † wall XV; wall-painting XX.

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murder

sb. OE. morðor = Goth. maurþr :- Gmc. murþram, f. IE. mt- (see MORTAL), repr. also by Gmc. mortam (whence OE., OS., ON. mor, (O)HG. mord, Du. moord); reinforced in ME. by OF. murdre (mod. meurtre) — Gmc., whence the establishment of the forms with u and d. So murder vb. XIII. prob. f. the sb. murderer XIII. partly f. the vb., partly — AN murdreour.

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murex

shell-fish yielding a purple dye. XVI. — L. mrex.

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muriatic

† pert. to brine; ‘marine’ (acid), hydrochloric. XVII. — L. muriticus, f. muria brine (the acid being obtained by heating salt with sulphuric acid); see -ATIC.

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murk, mirk

sb.
darkness; adj. dark. XIII. The ME. evidence points to Scand. orig. (ON. myrkr sb. and adj. = OS. mirki adj.) rather than to OE. mirce. Hence murky XIV.

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murmur

subdued continuous sound; inarticulate complaining XIV; softly spoken word(s) XVII. — (O)F. murmure or L. murmur rumbling noise, murmur, rel. to vb. murmurre (whence (O)F. murmurer, Eng. vb. XIV), corr. to Gr. mormrein and with variation OHG. murmurn, -uln (G. murmeln). Du. murmelen burble; redupl. f. imit. base.

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murrain

† plague XIV; infectious disease of cattle XV. — AN. moryn, (O)F. morine, † moraine, f. stem of mourir, † morir :- Rom. morre, for L. mor die (see MORTAL).

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murrey

(arch.) purple-red. — OF. moré adj. and sb., morée sb. — medL. mortum, -ta, f. L. mrum MULBERRY; see -Y3.

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murrhine

(Rom. antiq.) pert. to murra fine earth of which precious vases, etc., were made. XVI. — L. murr(h)inus, f. murra; see -INE1.

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muscat

strong sweet wine (XVI) from the grape so called (XVII). — (O)F. — Pr. muscat, f. musc MUSK; see -ATE1. So muscatel, -del in the same senses (XIV and XVI; — OF.); and muscadine (XVI and XVII; of doubtful orig.).

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muscle

contractile fibrous bundle producing movement in an animal body. XVI. — (O)F. — L. msculus, dim. of ms MOUSE, the form and movements of some muscles suggesting those of a mouse. Hence muscular XVII. musculo-, comb. form of L. msculus.

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muscology

study of mosses. XIX. — modL. muscologia, f. L. muscus MOSS; see -LOGY.

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muscovado

unrefined sugar. XVII. — Sp. mascabado.

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Muscovy

(arch.) Russia. XVI. — F. Muscovie, † Moscovie — modL. Moscovia (see -IA1), f. Russ. Moskv Moscow. So Muscovite Russian. XVI.

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muse1

be absorbed in thought. XIV. — (O)F. muser † meditate, waste time, trifle:- Rom. musre, presumably rel. to medL. msum (see MUZZLE), but the sense-development is not obvious.

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Muse, muse2

goddess inspiring learning and the arts; a poet's inspiring goddess. XIV. — (O)F. muse or L. msa — Gr. moûsa.

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museum

† building devoted to learning and the arts (regarded as ‘a home of the Muses’); building for exhibition of objects of art or science (first applied to ‘Mr. Ashmole's Museum at Oxford’). XVII. — L. msum library, study — Gr. mouseîon seat of the Muses, sb. use of n. of mouseîos, f. moûsa MUSE2.

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mush

(N. Amer.) porridge made with meal XVII; (f. the vb.) pulpy mess or substance XIX. prob. symbolic alt. of MASH. So vb. XVIII. Hence mushy XIX.

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mushroom

XV. Late ME. musseroun, musheron, by assim. musherom (XVI) — (O)F. mousseron — late L. mussiri, -n-. Hence vb. XVIII (once, trans.), XIX (intr.).

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music

art of combining sounds in a certain order for aesthetic effect XIII; sounds in melodic or harmonic combination XIV; company of musicians, band XVI; musical score XVII. — (O)F. musique — L. msica — Gr. mousik, sb. use of fem. of mousikós pert. to a Muse or the Muses, concerning the arts, f. moûsa MUSE2. So musical XV. — (O)F. — medL. musician XIV (-ien). — (O)F., f. musique.

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musk

odoriferous substance secreted by the musk-deer. XIV. — late L. muscus — Pers. muk, perh. — Skr. mu·ká — scrotum (the shape of the musk-deer's musk-bag being similar).

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musket

XVI. — F. mousquet, † -ette — It. moschetto, -etta (formerly) bolt from a crossbow, f. mosca fly:- L. musca, rel. to Gr. muîa (cf. MIDGE). Hence musketeer XVI; after F. mousquetaire. So musketry XVII. — F. mousqueterie.

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Muslim, Moslem

Muhammadan. XVII. — Arab. muslim, act. ppl. of 'aslama (see ISLAM).

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muslin

XVII. — F. mousseline — It. mussolina, -ino, f. Mussolo Mosul (Arab. (al-)Mau·il), where muslin was formerly made; cf. -INE1.

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musquash

large aquatic rodent, musk-rat. XVII (mussascus, musquassus). of Algonquian orig.

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mussel

bivalve mollusc. OE. mus(c)le, muxle (— L.), and — MLG. mussel, MDu. mosscele (Du. mossel) — Rom. muscula, alt. f. L. musculus, dim. (see -CLE) of L. ms MOUSE.

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Mussulman

Muslim. XVI. — Pers. musalmn, f. muslim MUSLIM.

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must1

unfermented juice of the grape. OE. must = (O)HG. most — L. mustum, sb. use of n. of mustus new, new-born.

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must2

is obliged or required to. XIII. OE. mste, pt. of mt am permitted or obliged, may, must = OS. mt, muot (Du. moet), OHG. muoz find room or opportunity, may, must (G. muss), Goth. gamt (it) has room, rel. to MLG. mte, OHG. muoza (G. musse) leisure:- Gmc. mtn, of unkn. orig.

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must3

mustiness, mould. XVII. back-formation from MUSTY.

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mustachio

XVI (mustaccio, -achio, mastacho). — Sp. mostacho and its source It. mostaccio, based ult. on Gr. mústax, mustak- upper lip, moustache.

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mustang

wild horse of the American plains XIX. app. blending of Sp. mestengo (now mesteo) and mostrenco, both applied to wild or masterless cattle, the former being f. mesta (:-L. mixta, sb. use of fem. pp. of miscre MIX) association of graziers, who appropriated wild cattle.

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mustard

seeds of black and white mustard (plant of the genus Brassica) powdered and used as a condiment, etc. XIII. — OF. mo(u)starde (mod. moutarde), f. Rom. mosto, L. mustum MUST1; prop. applied to the condiment as orig. prepared by making the ground seeds into a paste with must.

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muster

A
† exhibition, display; † pattern, example, sample;

B
assembling of soldiers, etc.; assembly, collection. XIV. ME. mo(u)stre — OF. moustre (later in latinized form monstre, mod. montre), repr. Rom. sb. f. mostrare :- L. mnstrre show (cf. MONSTER).
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So muster vb. † show, display XIII; collect, assemble XV. — OF. moustrer (mod. montrer).

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musty

XVI. perh. alt. of MOISTY by assoc. with MUST1.

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mutable

XIV. — L. mtbilis; see -ABLE. So mutation XIV. — L. mtti, -n-, f. mtre, mtt- change, f. IE. moit-, extension of the base moi- mei-, repr. also in MEAN2, etc. Hence, by back-formation, mutate (-ATE3) XIX.

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mutch

(dial., esp. Sc.) cap, coif. XV. — MDu. mutse (Du. muts), corr. to (M)HG. mütze, shortened by-forms of MDu. a(l)mutse, MHG. armuz, almuz) — medL. almucia; of uncert. orig.

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mute

silent, dumb. XIV. Early forms also mewet, muwet; — (O)F. muet, dim. formation on OF. mu :- L. mtus, f. symbolic syll. mu as in Gr. múndos, mukós, Skr. mka- dumb, Arm. munj, and MUTTER. The form became permanently assim. to L. XVI. Hence vb. XIX.

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mutilate

deprive of a limb or principal part. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. mutilre cut or lop off, f. mutilus maimed; see -ATE3. So mutilation XVII. — late L.

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mutiny

open revolt against authority. XVI. f. (after words in -Y3) † mutine — (O)F. mutin rebellious, mutinous, sb. rebel, mutineer, in XVI rebellion, mutiny, f. muete (mod. meute):- Rom. movita movement, f. movit-, for L. mt- (see MOTION). So mutineer XVII. Hence mutiny vb. XVI, mutinous XVI.

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mutter

speak almost inaudibly with nearly closed lips. XIV. frequent. formation (see -ER4) on a base mu-, repr. also in MUTE; cf. G. dial. muttern, ON. muskra murmur, L. muss(it)re, muttre, Gr. múzein.

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mutton

XIII. ME. moto(u)n — OF. moton (mod. mouton):- medL. mult, -n-, prob. of Gaul. orig. (cf. (O)Ir. molt ram, Gael. mult wether, W. mollt sheep).

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mutual

felt or done by each to the other XV; respective; pert. to both, common XVI. — (O)F. mutuel, f. L. mtuus borrowed, mutual:- moitwos, f. IE. moi- change, as in mtre; see MUTABLE, -AL1.

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mutule

(archit.) projection of stone or wood, modillion. XVI. — F. mutule — L. mutulus, prob. of Etruscan orig.

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muzhik

see MOUJIK.

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muzzle

A
beast's nose and mouth XV; open end of a gun XVI;

B
contrivance confining an animal's mouth XIV. ME. mosel — OF. musel (mod. museau):- Gallo-Rom. msellum, dim. of medL. msum, of unkn. orig.
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Hence vb. XV.

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muzzy

† (of places, etc.) dull, gloomy; stupid, fuddled. XVIII. In early use also mussy; words similar in form and meaning are † mossy (XVI–XVII); dial. mosey, mosy (XV); muzz, muzzle vbs. (XVIII); but their relations and orig. are obscure.

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my

poss. pron. XII. ME. m, reduced form of mn MINE1, orig. before a cons., as my son but mine eyes; cf. THY.

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mylodon

extinct gigantic sloth. XIX. f. Gr. múl, múlos molar, prop. MILL. millstone + odn TOOTH.

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myna(h)

see MINA.

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mynheer

Du. equiv. of ‘sir’, ‘Mr’; Dutchman. XVII. — Du. mijnheer, f. mijn MINE1 + heer lord, master, repr. compar. of Gmc. ?airaz HOAR (lit.) grey-haired, (hence) honourable, august.

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myo-

comb. form of Gr. mûs MUSCLE, as in myology science of muscles (XVII).

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myopia

short-sightedness. XVIII. — modL. — late Gr. mpí, f. ps, f. ein shut + ps EYE. Hence myopic XVIII.

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myosotis

plant of the genus so named. XIX. — L. — Gr. muostís, f. muós, g. of mûs MOUSE + oûs, t- EAR1; so called from the soft hairy leaves.

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myriad

ten thousand; countless number. XVI. — late L. mrias, mriad- — Gr. mriás, mriad-, f. mríos countless, innumerable, pl. mríoi ten thousand; see -AD.

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myrmidon

one of a warlike race of Thessaly XIV; † soldier of a bodyguard, faithful follower; unscrupulously faithful attendant XVII. — L. pl. Myrmidones — Gr. Murmidónes, acc. to legend created orig. from ants (múrmkes).

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myrobalan

plum-like fruit used now in tanning, etc. XVI. — F. myrobolan or its source L. myrobalanum — Gr. murobálanos, f. múron balsam, unguent + bálanos acorn, date, ben-nut.

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myrrh

gum resin from trees of genus Commiphora. OE. myrra, myrre, corr. to OS. myrra (Du. mirre), OHG. myrra (G. myrrhe), ON. mirra; Gmc. — L. myrrha — Gr. múrr, of Sem. orig. (cf. Arab. murr, Aram. mr); reinforced in ME. from OF. mirre (mod. myrrhe).

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myrtle

† myrtle-berry XIV; plant of the genus Myrtus XVI. — medL. myrtilla, -us, dim. of L. myrta, -us — Gr. múrtos.

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myself

OE. m self (accus. selfne); see ME1 and SELF; altered to mi self (XIII) partly by loss of stress, partly on the analogy of HERSELF, in which her was apprehended as genitive.

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mystagogue

one who introduces to religious mysteries. XVI. — F. mystagogue or L. mystagogus — Gr. mustaggós, f. músts initiated person + ággos leading, gein lead (see ACT).

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mystery1

† phr. in (a) m., mystically XIV; religious truth or doctrine; hidden or secret thing XIV; religious rite XVI; (after F. mystère) miracle play XVIII. — AN. misterie (OF. mistere, mod. mystère) or its source L. mystrium — Gr. must rion secret thing or ceremony, f. mus- as in mustikós MYSTIC. So mysterious XVII. — F.

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mystery2

occupation, handicraft, art XIV; trade guild or company XV. — medL. misterium, contr. of L. ministerium MINISTRY, by assoc. with mystrium (see prec.).

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mystic

spiritually symbolical XIV; occult, enigmatical; pert. to direct communion with God XVII; sb. exponent of mystic theology; one who practises mystical communion XVII. — (O)F. mystique or L. mysticus — Gr. mustikós, f. músts initiated one, f. mein close (of eyes, lips), mueîn initiate. Hence mystical secret, occult, symbolical XV; pert. to mystics or mysticism XVII. mysticism XVIII. So mystique XX. — F., sb. use of adj.

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mystify

XIX. — F. mystifier, irreg. f. mystère MYSTERY1 or mystique MYSTIC; see -FY. So mystification XIX.

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myth

XIX. Formerly also mythe (cf. F. mythe); — modL. mthus, used in Eng. context (XIX), beside mythos (from XVIII) — late L. mythos, f. Gr. mûthos. So mythic(al) XVII. — late L. mthicus — Gr. mthikós. mythology † exposition of myths or fables XV; † symbolical story, mythical meaning XVII; body of myths XVIII. — F. mythologie or late L. mthologia — Gr. mthologí.

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N

nab

(colloq.) catch, seize. XVII. of unkn. orig.; parallel to synon. and contemp. nap, which survives in KIDNAPPER.

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nabob

Muslim official acting as deputy governor in the Mogul empire XVII; rich person, spec. one who has returned from India XVIII. — Pg. nababo — Urdu nawb (whence nawab XVIII), prob. — Arab. nawwb, intensive form of n'ib deputy (confused with nuwwb, Arab. pl.).

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nabs

(colloq.) his nabs himself, † my nabs myself. XVIII. of unkn. orig.; cf. synon. NIBS.

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nacre

shell-fish yielding mother-of-pearl XVI; mother-of-pearl XVIII. — (O)F.; see NAKER. Hence nacr(e)ous XIX.

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nadir

(astron.) †point in the heavens diametrically opposite to another XIV; point opposite to the zenith XV; lowest point XVIII. — (O)F. — Arab. nar opposite. In the second sense for nar as-samt opposite to the ZENITH.

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naevus

mole on the skin. XIX. — L.; of uncert. orig.

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naffy

canteen in charge of N.A.A.F.I. (Navy Army and Air Force Institutes). XX. f. the initials.

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nag1

small riding-horse. XIV. of unkn. orig.

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nag2

(dial.) gnaw; be persistently worrying or annoying. XIX. Also gnag, knag; repr. by naggy XVII (knaggie) adj.; perh. of Scand. or LG. orig. (cf. Norw., Sw. nagga gnaw, nibble, irritate, LG. (g)naggen (XV) irritate, provoke).

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naiad

water-nymph. XVII. — L. — Gr. Nïás, Nïad-, rel. to náein flow. The pl. Naiades (XIV) repr. F. Naiades or L. Nïads.

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naïf

see NAÏVE.

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nail

hard terminal covering of finger and toe; small spike of metal OE.; the applications (XV) to measures of weight and length are of uncert. orig. OE. næ(e)l = OS., OHG. nagal (Du., G. nagel), ON. nagl :- Gmc. nazlaz, f. an IE. base nogh- repr. also by Lith. ngas nail, claw, OSl. nogt nail, noga foot. Gr. ónux, Skr. nakhá-, rel. further to L. unguis, Olr. ingen. Hence nail vb. OE. nælan.

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nainsook

cotton fabric of Indian orig. XIX. — Urdu (Hindi) nainsukh, f. nain eye + sukh pleasure.

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naïve, naive

XVII. — (O)F. naïve, fem. of naïf (adopted earlier in Eng. XVI):- L. ntvus NATIVE. So naïveté XVII, anglicized naivety XVIII.

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naked

OE. nacod = MLG., MDu. naket (Du. naakt), OHG. nackut (G. nackt), ON. nkkviðr, Goth. naqaþs :- Gmc. nakwaðaz, -iðaz :- IE. nogwodhos, -edhos, ppl. deriv. of nogw-, repr. also in L. ndus NUDE, OIr. nocht, Skr. nagná-, OSl. nag (Russ. nagó), Lith. núogas.

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naker

(arch.) kettledrum. XIV (not in use later till revived by Scott ). — OF. nacre, nacaire — It. nacchera — Arab. nara drum.

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namby-pamby

weakly sentimental, childishly simple. XVIII. joc. redupl. formation on the name of Ambrose Philips (d. 1749), author of pastorals, which were ridiculed by H. Carey and Pope .

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name

particular designation OE.; reputation XIII. OE. nama, noma = OS., OHG. namo (Du. naam, G. name), ON. nafn, namn, Goth. namo :- Gmc. naman-, f. an IE. base onmen-, enmen- repr. by L. nmen, Gr. ónoma, dial. ónuma, num-, OSl. im (Russ. ímya), OIr. aim, OW. anu, W. enw, Skr. nman-. So name vb. OE. (e)namian; repl. ME. nemne, OE. nemnan :- namnjan. namely †especially XII, that is to say XV. ME. name-, nomeliche, corr. to MDu. namelke (Du. namelijk), MHG. nam(e)-, nam(e)lhe (G. nämlich especially), ON. nafnliga by name. namesake XVII. prob. orig. said of persons or things coupled together ‘for the name('s) sake’.

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nankeen

cotton cloth orig. made at Nanking(g) in China. XVIII.

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nanny

children's nurse. XVIII. appellative use of pet-form of the female name Ann(e); see -Y6.

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nap1

take a short sleep. OE. hnappian, rel. to OHG. (h)naffezan slumber (MHG. nafzen), of unkn. orig. Hence sb. XIII.

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nap2

surface of cloth raised and cut smooth. XV (noppe). — MLG., MDu. noppe, rel. to noppen trim by shearing the nap.

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nap3

†napoleon (20-franc piece); card-game in which the player who calls five is said to go nap, formerly go the Napoleon. XIX. Short for Napoleon, Christian name of certain French emperors, esp. Napoleon I (1769–1821), after whom the coin was named.

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napalm

jellied petrol. XX. f. initial sylls. of NAPHTHA and PALMITIC.

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nape

(hollow at) the back of the neck. XIII. ME. naupe, of unkn. orig.

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napery

household linen. XIV. — OF. naperie, f. nape (mod. nappe) linen; see NAPKIN, -ERY.

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naphtha

inflammable oil from coal. XVI. — L — Gr. náphtha, also náphthas, of Oriental orig.

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Napier's bones

slips of bone, etc. used to facilitate multiplication and division according to a method devised by John Napier of Merchiston (1550–1617). XVII. So Napierian applied to the logarithms invented by him. XIX.

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napkin

XV. f. (O)F. nappe linen cloth:- L. mappa MAP + -KIN.

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Napoleon

see NAP3.

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narcissism

morbid self-love. XX. f. Narcissus, in Gr. myth. name of a beautiful youth who fell in love with his own reflection and pined away; see -ISM.

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narcissus

XVI. — L. — Gr. nárkissos, the termination of which suggests a Mediterranean orig.

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narcotic

substance inducing stupor XIV; adj. XVII. — (O)F. narcotique or medL. narcticus, sb. -icum — Gr. narktikós, sb. -ikón, f. narkoûn benumb, stupefy, f. nárk numbness, stupor; see -OTIC.

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nard

aromatic unguent XIV, derived from the plant so named (cf. SPIKENARD) XVI. — L. nardus — Gr. nárdos, of Sem. orig.

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narghile

hookah. XIX. — (partly through F. narghileh, narguilé) Pers. (Turk.) nrgleh, f. Pers. nrgíl coconut, of which the receptacle for the tobacco was made.

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nark

(sl.) police spy or informer. XIX. — Romany nk nose.

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narrate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. narräre (f. gnrus knowing), or back-formation from narration (XV. — (O)F. or L.) So narrative sb. XVI; adj XVII. — F. narratif, -ive adj. and †sb. — late L. narrtvus.

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narrow

having little breadth OE.; (dial.) parsimonious, ‘close’ strict, close XIII; lacking in breadth of view or sympathy XVII. OE. nearu (stem nearw-) = OS. naru (MDu. nare, naer, Du. naar):- Gmc. narwaz (repr. in MHG. narwe, G. narbe, MLG. nar(w)e scar, sb. use of the adj.), of which no certain cogns, are known. So narrow vb. OE. nearwian confine, †oppress, become narrow; but in ME. (XIII) a new formation on the adj.

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narthex

(archit.) vestibule extending across the west end of a church. XVII. — L. narthx — Gr. nárthx giant fennel, stick, casket, narthex.

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narwhal

XVII. — Du. narwal — Da. narhval; the second el. is WHALE. The relation to synon. ON. náhvalr is obscure; the latter appears to be f. nár corpse, and the allusion is supposed to be to the colour of the animal's skin.

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nary

see NEVER.

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nasal

adj. XVII. — F. nasal or medL. nslis, f. nsus NOSE; see -AL1. Also sb. nose-piece of a helmet XIV (nasel). — OF. nasal, -el — medL. nsle, sb. use of n. of adj.

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nascent

being born or produced. XVII. — L. nscns, -ent-, prp. of nscn sc be born; see NATAL, -ENT.

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naso-

used as comb. form of L. nsus NOSE (for the regular nasi-). XIX.

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nasturtium

genus of cruciferous plants (watercress, etc.) having a pungent taste XVII; trailing plant of the genus Tropaeolum XVIII. — L.; of uncert. orig.

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nasty

filthy, dirty XIV; nauseous XVI; (of weather) foul, dirty XVII; offensive XVIII; illnatured XIX. Early vars. †naxty, †naxte, which with †naskie (XVII) suggest ult. derivation from an obscure base nask- (nax-), which appears also in Sw. dial. naskug, nasket dirty, nasty; see -Y1.

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natal

pert. to birth or nativity. XIV. — L. ntlis, f. nt-, pp. stem of nsc be born, f. gn- produce; see KIN, -AL1.

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natation

XVI. — L. natti, -n-, f. natre swim, frequent. of nre, f. IE. sna-, repr. also by Gr. nékhein swim, Skr. snáti bathe, Ir. snám swimming, W. nawf; see -ATION. So natatorial XIX. natatory XVIII. — late L. nattrius.

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nation

XIII. — (O)F. nation, †nacioun — L. nti, -n- breed, stock, race, f. nt-, pp. stem of nsc be born; see NATAL, -TION. So national XVI, nationality XVII. nationalize, nationalist XVIII. native (hist.) born thrall XV; (astrol.) subject of a horoscope; one born in a particular place XVI; original or usual inhabitant XVII. — medL. ntivus, sb. use of L. ntivus adj. (whence adj. XIV, of one's birth XV), f. nt-, pp. stem of nsc; see -IVE. nativity (festival of) the birth of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, or St. John Baptist XII; birth XIV. — (O)F. — late L.

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natron

native hydrated sodium carbonate. XVII. — F. — Sp. — Arab. narn — Gr. nítron NITRE.

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natter

vb. XIX. of imit. orig. Also sb. XX.

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natterjack

toad Bufo calamita. XVIII. perh. f. prec. (from its loud croak) + JACK1 (applied dial. to newts and flies).

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natty

neatly smart XVIII; (dial.) deft. clever XIX. orig. dial. or sl.; rel. obscurely to NEAT2; see -Y1.

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nature

essential qualities or innate character of; vital powers of XIII; inherent power dominating one's action; creative and regulative power in the world XIV; material world XVII. — (O)F. — L. ntra, f. pp. stem of nsc (see NATAL). So natural XIV. Earlier naturel — (O)F. naturel, †natural. — L. ntrlis. naturalize XVI. — F. naturaliser. naturalism system of morality having natural basis XVII; extreme form of realism XIX. — F.

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naught

nothing. OE. nwiht, nwuht, nauht, f. n NO3 + wiht WIGHT. Cf. NOUGHT. Used predicatively, passing into adj. OE.; superseded by deriv. naughty †poor, needy XIV; †bad, of inferior quality XIV; morally bad XVI; (of children) wayward, inclined to disobedience XVII.

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nausea

feeling of sickness XVI; strong disgust XVII. — L. nausea, nausia — Gr. naus, nautí, seasickness, nausea, f. naûs ship (see NAVAL). So nauseate reject with nausea; affect with nausea. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. nausere. nauseous XVII.

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nautch

E. Indian exhibition of professional dancing. XIX. — Urdu (Hindi) nc — Prakrit nacca- — Skr. ntya- dancing, f. nt dance.

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nautical

XVI. f. L. nauticus — Gr. nautikós, f. naúts sailor, f. naûs ship; see NAVAL, -ICAL.

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nautilus

cephalopod which has webbed dorsal arms formerly believed to be used as sails. XVII. — L. — Gr. nautilos sailor, nautilus, f. naúts (see prec.).

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naval

XVI. — L. nvlis, f. nvis ship, rel. to Skr. naú-, Gr. naûs, Ir. nau, ON. nór; see -AL1.

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nave1

central block of a wheel. OE. nafu and nafa, corr. to MDu. nave (Du. naaf), OHG. naba (G. nabe), ON. nf :- Gmc. na, rel. to Latv. naba navel, Skr. náhi- nave, navel; cf. NAVEL.

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nave2

main body of a church. XVII. — medL. spec. use of L. nvis ship (see NAVAL).

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navel

OE. nafela = (M)LG., (M)Du. navel, OHG. nabalo (G. nabel), ON. nafli :- Gmc. naalan-, rel. to L. umb boss of shield, umbilcus navel, Gr. omphalós navel, boss of shield, Skr. náhi-, OIr. imbliu navel; cf. NAVE1.

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navicular

(anat.) of bones in the hand and the foot. XVI. — F. naviculaire or late L. nviculris, f. nvicula, dim. of nvis ship; see NAVAL, -AR.

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navigable

XVI. — F. navigable or L. nvigbilis. f. nvigre (whence navigate XVI), f. nvis ship (see NAVAL) + -ig-, comb. stem of agere drive (see ACT). So navigation XVI. — (O)F. or L. navigator XVI. — L.

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navvy

XIX. colloq. abbrev. of NAVIGATOR used in this sense (XVIII), prop. one who constructs a ‘navigation’ or artificial waterway.

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navy

†ships, shipping; (arch.) fleet XIV; state's ships of war XVI. — OF. navie ship, fleet — popL. nvia ship, boat, coll. formation on L. nvis ship; see NAVAL, -Y3.

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nawab

see NABOB.

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nay

adv. no XII; sb. denial, refusal XIV. — ON. nei, f. né neg. particle (see NO3) + ei AY.

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Nazi

(member) of German National Socialist party. XX. repr. pronunc. of Nati- in G. Nationalsozialist

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neap

applied to tides at which high-water level is at its lowest. OE. np in npfld, then not recorded till XV; of unkn. orig.

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near

adv. (dial.) almost, nearly XII; to, within, or at a little distance XIII. First in northerly and easterly texts in the form ner — ON. nr, compar. of ná- NIGH, corr. to OE. nar (superseded in gen. use by the new formation nearer (XVI)), OS. nhor (Du. naar to, for, after), OHG. nhor, Goth. nhwis :- Gmc. nxwiz, nxwz. Hence prep. close to XIII; adj. closely placed or related XIV, niggardly XVII. nearly (-LY2) closely XVI; almost XVII; superseded near adv. in all exc. the purely physical uses.

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neat1

(arch., dial.) animal of the ox kind; cattle. OE. nat = OS. nt (Du. noot), OHG. nz, ON. naut :- Gmc. nautam, f. naut- neut- nut- make use of, enjoy, whence also OE. notan, OHG. niozan (G. geniessen), ON. njóta, neyta, Goth. niutan use, enjoy.

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neat2

†clean, †clear; free from reductions; smart, dainty, tidy. XVI. — (O)F. net :- L. nitidus shining, clean, f. nitre shine.

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neb

(dial.) beak, bill; nose; †face OE.; nib; peak, tip. XVI. OE. nebb = ON. nef, rel. to MLG., MDu. nebbe (Du. nebbe, neb):- Gmc. nabja-. Cf. NIB.

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nebula

film over the eye XVII; cloud-like cluster of stars XVIII. — L. nebula, rel. to OE. nifol dark, OS. neal (Du. nevel), OHG. nebul (G. nebel) cloud, OIr. nl, Gr. nephél cloud, the simple IE. base being repr. by OSl. nebo, Gr. nphos cloud, Skr. nábha- cloud, mist. So nebuly (-Y5) (her.) wavy like the edges of clouds. XVI. — F. nébulé, medL. nebultus. nebulous XVI. — F. nébuleux or L. nebulsus.

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necessary

inevitably determined; not to be done without; also sb. XIV. — AN. necessarie (OF. nécessaire) or L. necessrius, f. necesse (esse, habre) (be, consider) necessary; see -ARY. So necessity XIV. — (O)F. — L. necessitous needy. XVII. — F.

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neck

OE. (in various transf. uses from XIV). OE. hnecca, corr. to MDu. nac, necke (Du. nek), OHG. (h)nac (G. nacken nape), ON. hnakki nape :- Gmc. xnak(j)-; rel. to OIr. cnocc, OBret. cnoch hill, elevation (cf. OHG. hnack summit). Hence neckerchief XIV (see KERCHIEF). necklace XVI.

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necro-

comb. form of Gr. nekrós corpse, rel. to L. nex slaughter.

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necromancy

XIII. Earliest forms in nigro-, nigra-, negro- — OF. nigromancie — Rom. (medL.) nigromantia, alt., by assoc. with niger, nigr- black, of late L. necromanta — Gr. nekro-manteí, f. nekrós + manteí; see prec., -MANCY; refash. XVI as in F. after L. and Gr. So necromancer (-ER2) XIV.

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necropolis

cemetery. XIX. — Gr. nekrópolis, f. nekrós NECRO- + pólis city, -POLIS.

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necrosis

(path.) mortification of tissue. XVII. — Gr. nékrsis state of death, f. nekroûn kill, mortify, f. nekrós; see NECRO-, -OSIS.

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nectar

drink of the gods; delicious drink, sweet fluid. XVI. — L. — Gr. néktar, of uncert. orig. So nectarean XVII, -eous XVIII, -ian XVII; after L. nectareus, Gr. nektáreos, F. nectaréen, nectarine (-INE1) variety of peach. XVII. prob. sb. use of nectarine adj. nectary (bot.) part of a flower that secretes nectar. XVIII. — modL. nectrium.

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neddy

donkey. XVIII. f. Ned, pet form of the Christian name Edward + -Y6.

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née

XVII. — F., ‘born’, fem. pp. of naitre :- Rom. nascere, for L. nsc (see NATAL).

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need

†force, constraint; necessity; lack, want; matter requiring action. OE. (non-WS.) nd, (WS.) ned = OS. nd (Du. nood), OHG. nt (G. not), ON. nauð, Goth. nauþs :- Gmc. nauðiz, nauþiz, rel. to OPruss. nautin need. So need vb. be necessary OE.; have need, be in need. OE. nodian (rare). Hence needful †needy XII; requisite, necessary XIV. needy indigent XII.

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needle

pointed implement for sewing OE.; magnetized steel of a compass; pillar, obelisk; sharp-pointed mass of rock XIV. OE. ndl = OS. ndla, nthla, MLG. nlde, OHG. ndala (Du. naald, G. nadel), ON. nál, Goth. nþla :- Gmc. nþl, f. IE. n- sew, repr. also by MDu. naeyen (Du. naaie), OHG. nian (G. nähen), L. nre spin, Gr. nma thread. See -LE1.

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needs

of necessity, necessarily. OE. ndes; finally superseding earlier †need. OE. nde (nde, nde), instrumental case of nd NEED; see -S.

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nefarious

XVI. f. L. nefrius, f. nefs wrong, wickedness, f. ne- (see NO3) + fs divine permission or law (as opposed to js human law).

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negation

negative statement, denial. XVI. — (O)F. négation or L. negti, -n-, f. negre say no, deny, f. neg-; see NO3, -ATION. Also negative adj. and sb. XIV. — (O)F. or late L.; hence vb. XVIII.

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neglect

vb. XVI. f. neglct-, pp. stem of L. neglegere disregard, slight, f. neg- + legere choose; see NO3, LECTION. Hence sb. XVI. So negligence, -ent XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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negotiate

hold conference (with) XVI; manage; convert into money XVII; (orig. in hunting) succeed in getting over, etc., clear XIX. f. pp. stem of L. negtiri carry on business, f. negtium business, f. neg- + tium leisure; see NO3, OTIOSE, -ATE3. So negotiation XVI. — L.

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Negro

black man, blackamoor. XVI — Sp., Pg. negro :- L. niger, nigr- black. So Negress (-ESS1) XVIII — F. négresse. negrillo, negrito XIX. — Sp.

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Negus

ruler of Ethiopia. XVI (neguz). — Amharic n’gus king.

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negus

hot spiced drink. XVIII. f. name of the inventor, Colonel Francis Negus (d. 1732).

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neigh

(of a horse) utter its characteristic cry. OE. hnan = MDu. neyen, MHG. ngen, of imit. orig. Hence sb. XVI.

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neighbour

OE. nahebr, nahhebr, f. nah NIGH + ebr peasant, freeholder (f. Gmc. b- dwell; cf. BOOR); corr. to MDu. nagebuer, OHG. nhgibr; cf. OS. nbr, MLG., MDu. nabur, MHG. nchbr (G. nachbar), ON. nábúi. Hence neighbourhood XV.

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neither

A
adv. not either XIII; nor, nor yet XV;

B
adj. and sb. not the one or the other XIII. ME. naiðer, neiðer, alt., after EITHER, of na(u)ther, no(u)ther, OE. nawðer, nðer, noðer, contr. of nhwaeðer, f. n NO2 + hwæðer WHETHER.
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nemato-

comb. form of Gr. nêma, nˆmat- thread (see NEEDLE), used in terms of nat. hist. XIX.

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nemertean, -ine

(one) of a class of flat-worms. XIX. f. modL. Nemerts — Gr. Nmertés name of a sea-nymph; see -EAN, -INE1.

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nemesis

goddess of retribution; retributive justice. XVI. — Gr. némesis righteous indignation (also personified), f. némein to deal out what is due, rel. to nómos custom, law.

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nenuphar

water-lily. XVI. — medL. — Arab. and Pers. nnfar, nlfar — Skr. nltpala blue lotus, f. nt la- blue + utpala- lotus.

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neo-

comb. form of Gr. néos NEW. neologism , neology XVIII. — F.

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neophyte

XVI. — ecclL. neophytus — N.T. Gr. neóphtos ‘newly planted’, f. néos NEO- + phutón plant (n. of pp. formation on phúein cause to be (see BE)).

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neoteric

recent, modern. XVI. — late L. neotericus — Gr. neterikós, f. neôteros, compar. of néos NEW; see -IC.

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nepenthe

drug supposed to banish grief or trouble from the mind XVI; plant yielding the drug XVII. alt., after It. nepente, of nepenthes (XVI) — L. npenthes — Gr. npenthés, n. of npenths banishing pain, f. n- (see NO2) + pénthos grief (see PATHOS).

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nephelo-

comb. form of Gr. nephél cloud (see NEBULA). XIX.

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nephew

XIII. ME. neveu — (O)F. neveu, also ONF. nevu, nevo = It. nepote :- L. neps, nept- grandson, nephew, descendant; rel. to Skr. nápt, Gr. anepsiós nephew, OLith. nep(u)otis, Ir. nia sister's son, and in Gmc. OE. nefa, OS. nevo (Du. neef), OHG. nevo (G. neffe), ON. nefi. cf. NIECE.

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nephritic

affecting the kidneys. XVI. — late L. nephrticus — Gr. nephrtikós, f. nephrtis (whence, through late L., nephritis XVI), f. nephrós KIDNEY; -IC. So nephro- comb. form of the Gr. sb. XVII.

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ne plus ultra

command to go no further; utmost limit. XVII. — L. phr., ‘not more beyond’, said to have been inscribed on the Pillars of Hercules (Strait of Gibraltar).

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nepotism

XVII. — F. népotisme — It. nepotismo, f. nepote NEPHEW; see -ISM.

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Neptunian

(geol.) pert. to the action of water. XVIII. f. L. Neptnius, f. Neptnus god of the sea; see -IAN.

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nereid

sea-nymph. XVII. — L. Nreis, Nreid- — Gr. Nris, Nrid- f. Nreús ancient sea-god, f. base of L. nre swim; see NATATION, -ID.

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neroli

XVII. — F. néroli — It. neroli, said to be from the name of its discoverer, an Italian princess.

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nerve

sinew, tendon XVI; fibrous connection conveying sensation, etc. between the brain and other parts XVII. — L. nervus sinew, bowstring. rel. to Gr. neûron sinew, nerve, and further to L. nre spin (see NEEDLE). So nervous XIV. — L. nervsus. nervy (-Y1) XVII.

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nescience

lack of knowledge. XVII — late L. nescientia, f. nescins, -ent- (whence nescient XVII), prp. of nescre be ignorant, f. ne- (see NO3) + scre know.

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ness

OE. næs(s), nes(s), næsse, corr. to LG. nesse, ON. nes, rel. to OE. næs-, nasu NOSE. The generalization of the form ness, as opposed to nass, is due partly to the prevalence of place-names in -ness, partly to ON. nes.

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-ness

suffix expressing state or condition appended to adjs. and pps., in more recent use to prons., advs., and phrs. OE. -nes(s), -nis(s) = OS. -nessi, -nissi (Du. -nis), OHG. -nessi, -nissi, -nassi (G. -nis), Goth. -nassus; f. -n- (of str. pps.) + -assus, f. -atjan verbal suffix (the vowel-variation a e i is unexpl.). A concr. sense is developed in FASTNESS, LIKENESS, WILDERNESS, WITNESS.

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nest

bird's laying- and hatching-place OE.; set of similar objects XVI. OE. nest = (M)Du., (O)HG. nest :- IE. nizdo-, whence also L. ndus, OIr. net (mod. nead), W. nyth nest, Skr. ná- resting-place; f. ni down (cf. NETHER) + sed- SIT. Hence vb. XIII; repl. OE. nistan = MDu., (O)HG. nisten.

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nestle

have a nest OE.; refl. and intr. settle one-self comfortably XVI. OE. nestlian = MLG., (M)Du. nestelen (cf. OE. nistl(i)an, MHG. nistelen); see prec. and -LE3. So nestling young bird in the nest XIV; f. NEST or NESTLE, perh. after MDu. nesteline (mod. -ling).

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Nestor

name of a Homeric hero famous for his age and wisdom, used allus. for a wise old man. XVI.

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net1 sb.

OE. net(t) = OS. net(ti), (M)Du. net, MLG., MDu. nette, OHG. nezzi (G. netz), ON. net, Goth. nati; perh. rel. to L. nassa narrow-necked basket for catching fish. Hence vb. XVI.

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net2

†trim, smart, clean bright XIV; free from deduction XVI. — F. net, fem. nette NEAT2.

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nether

lower (now rare exc. in nether garments, n. regions). OE. neoðera, niðera = OS. nithiri (Du. neder). MLG. ned(d)er, OHG. nidari, -eri -iri (G. nieder). ON. neðri; f. Gmc. niþar (repr. by OE. niðer, etc.) down, downwards = Skr. nitarm, f. ni- down, with compar. suffix.

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nettle

OE. net(e)le, netel = OS. netila, MLG. net(t)ele, MDu, netele (Du. netel). OHG. nezzila (G. nessel), OSw., Icel, netla :- Gmc. natiln; see -LE1. Hence nettle vb. beat or sting with nettles XV; irritate, vex XVI.

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neume

(mus., in plainsong) group of notes sung to one syllable XV; sign used in plainsong notation XIX. — (O)F. neume — medL. neu(p)ma — Gr. pneûma breath.

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neural

pert. to the nerves. XIX. f. Gr. neûron NERVE + -AL1.

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neuralgia

affection of a nerve causing pain. XIX. f. Gr. neûron NERVE + álgos pain.

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neuro-, before a vowel neur-,

comb. form of Gr. neûron nerve, as in neurasthenia , neuritis XIX. neurology XVII. — modL. neurologia — mod Gr. neurologia. neurotomy XVIII.

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neuter

neither masculine nor feminine XIV; intransitive; neutral XVI; asexual, sterile XVIII. — (O)F. neutre or its source L. neuter, f. ne- (see NO3) + uter either of two. So neutral not taking sides; occupying a middle position XVI; (chem.) XVII. — F. †neutral or L. neutrlis. neutrality XV. — (O)F. or medL.

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névé

granular snow on a glacier; field of frozen snow. XIX. — Swiss F. névé glacier:- Rom. nivtum, f. L. nix, niv- SNOW.

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never

OE. nfre, f. ne + fre; see NO3, EVER. The contr. form ner(e), with indef. art. nere a, ne’er a, became (dial.) narrow a, narra, (esp. U.S.) nary. Hence nevertheless XIII; repl. earlier notheless, natheless OE. n p ls, f. n, n NO1 + instr. case of THE + LESS.

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new

OE. n(o)we, nowe = OS. niuwi, nigi, MLG. ni(g)e, MDu. nieuwe, nuwe, nie (Du. nieuw), OHG. niuwi (G. neu), ON. nýr, Goth. niujis :- Gmc. neujaz :- IE. newjos, repr. by Gr. (Ionic) neos, OIr. núe, OSl. nov, Lith. najas, modification of newos, repr. by L. nouvus, Gr. néos, Skr. náva-.

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newel

pillar forming the centre of a winding stair XIV; post supporting the handrail of a staircase XIX. ME. nowel — OF. no(u)el knob:- medL. ndellus, dim. of ndus knot.

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newfangled

fond of novelty XV; new-fashioned XVI. alt. (by addition of -ED1) of newefangel XIV, f. nwe adv. f. NEW + fangel, repr. an OE. fangol ‘inclined to seize’, f. Gmc. fang-; see FANG, -LE2.

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news

†novelties XIV; tidings XV. pl. of NEW; after OF. noveles, pl. of novele (mod. nouvelle) NOVEL; or after medL. nova, pl. of novum new thing, sb. use of n. of novus NEW. Hence newspaper XVII.

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newt

XV. f. -n of AN + ewt, var. of ewet, OE. efeta; of unkn. orig.

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next

lying nearest; nearest in kinship; immediately preceding or succeeding OE.; immediately following in time XII. OE. (non-WS.) nhsta, = OS. netistah)isto (Du. naaste), (WS) OHG. nhisto (G. nächste), ON. næstr, næsti; superl. of NIGH (see -EST).

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nexus

bond, link XVII; connected group XIX. — L., f. nex-, pp. stem of nectere bind.

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nib

(dial.) beak, bill XVI; pen-point; (pl.) short handles on the shaft of a scythe XVII; peak, tip XVIII; (pl.) small pieces into which cocoa-beans are crushed XIX. prob. — MDu. nib or MLG. nibbe, var. of nebbe beak, NEB.

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nibble

take little bites (of); fig. carp. XV. cf. LG. nibbeln, also gnibbeln, knibbeln gnaw = Du. knibbelen gnaw, murmur, squabble.

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niblick

golf club having a small round heavy head. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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nibs

XIX. See NABS.

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nice

†foolish, stupid XIII; †wanton XIV; †coy, shy XV; fastidious, dainty; difficult to manage or decide; minute and subtle; precise, critical; minutely accurate XVI; dainty, appetizing; agreeable, delightful XVIII. — OF. nice silly, simple:- L. nescius ignorant, f. ne- (see NO3) + scre, sci- know. So nicety XIV. — OF. niceté.

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Nicene

pert. to (councils of the Church held at) Nicaea (Gr. Nkaia) in Bithynia, esp. of the creed adopted at the first of these (A. D. 325). XV. — late L. Ncnus, Nicænus.

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niche

XVII. — (O)F. niche, f. nicher make a nest, nestle:- Rom. ndicare, f. L. ndus NEST.

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nick

sb. notch XV; precise moment XVI; vb. make a notch in; hit off; win at the game of hazard; trick, cheat XVI. of unkn. orig.

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Nick

Old N., the devil. XVII. usu. taken to be abbrev. of the name Nicholas, but no reason for such an application is known.

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nickel

hard silvery-white lustrous mineral. XVIII. shortening of G. kupfernickel ‘copper nickel’ (mining name of the copper-coloured ore from which the metal was first obtained); -nickel app. = nickel dwarf, mischievous demon, the name being given to the ore because it yielded no copper in spite of its appearance.

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nickname

XV. ME. nekename, f. -n of AN + †ekename (XIV), f. eke addition (see EKE2) + NAME, after ON. aukanafn.

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nicotine

XIX. — F., f. modL. nicotina tobacco-plant, f. name of Jacques Nicot , French ambassador at Lisbon, by whom tobacco was first introduced into France in 1560; see -INE5.

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nictitate

blink, wink. XVIII. f. pp. stem of medL. nictitre, frequent. of L. nictre blink; see -ATE3. So nictitation XVIII.

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nidification

nest-building. XVII. — medL. ndificti, -n-, f. L. ndificre (whence nidificate XIX, nidify XVII), f. ndus NEST.

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niece

XIII. — (O)F. nièce :- popL. neptia, for L. neptis, corr. to Skr. napft-, Gmc. niptiz, whence OE., OHG. nift, MDu. nichte (Du. nicht), ON. nipt. Cf. NEPHEW.

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niello

black composition for filling in engraved designs, etc. XIX. — It.:- L. nigellus, dim. of niger black.

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niggard

sb. stingy person; adj. stingy, miserly. XIV. alt., with substitution of suffix -ARD, of earlier †nigon (XIV–XVI), f †nig (XIII–XVII); prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. Sw. njugg, ON. hnggr, Norw. nögg), and ult. rel. to OE. hnaw niggardly, corr. to MDu. nauwe (Du. nauw narrow, tight), MHG. nouwe careful, exact, (ge)nouwe scarcely (G. genau exactly). Hence niggardly XVI; see -LY1, -LY2.

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nigger

Negro. XVIII. Later form of (dial.) ne(e)-ger XVI (- F. nègre — Sp. negro), †niger XVI–XVIII (- L. niger black).

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niggle

do anything in a trifling or ineffective way. XVI. app. of Scand. orig. (cf. Norw. nigla).

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nigh

(arch., dial.) near. OE. n(a)h, corr. to OS., OHG. nh (Du. na, G. nah), ON. ná-, Goth. nhw; of unkn. orig. Fully declined as adj. only in OHG.; in OE. chiefly in advb. use or with obj. dative. Cf. NEAR, NEXT.

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night

OE. ni(e)ht, with vowel generalized from case-forms in which mutation was regular, the normal (Angl.) nom. being næht, neaht = OS., OHG. naht ((M)Du., G. nacht), ON. nátt, nótt, Goth. nahts. The IE. base noqt- is repr. also by L. nox, noct-, Gr. núx, nukt- OSl. not, Lith. naktìs, OIr. nocht, W. nos, Skr. nákt-.

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nightingale

ME. nihtingale (XIII). alt. of nihtegale, OE. nihtegala (nehte-, næhte-, etc.) = OS., OHG. nahta-, nahtigala (Du. nachtegaal, G. nachtigall). ON. nætrgali; f. Gmc. naxt(i)- NIGHT + zalan sing (see YELL).

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nightmare

female incubus XIII; bad dream with a feeling of suffocation XVI. f. NIGHT + ME. mare, OE. mære incubus, corr. to MLG. mar, MDu. mare, maer, OHG., ON. mara (G. mahr):- Gmc. maran-, marn.

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nightshade

plant of genera Solanum and Atropa. OE. nihtscada, corr. to MLG., MDu. nachtschade, OHG. nahtscato (G. nachtschatten); app. f. NIGHT + SHADE, prob. with allusion to the poisonous or narcotic properties of the berries.

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nigrescent

blackish. XVIII. — prp. stem of L. nigrscere grow black, f. niger black; see -ESCE, -ENT.

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nihilism

negative doctrines in religion or morals; extreme revolutionary principles involving destruction of existing institutions. XIX. Also nihilist XIX. f. L. nihil (short for nihilum, for nhlum, f. n, var. of n (see NO3) + hlum small thing, trifle) + -ISM, -IST.

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nil

nothing. XIX. — L., contr. of nihil (see prec.).

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Nilometer

gauge for measuring the height of the river Nile. XVIII. — Gr. neilométrion, with assim. to words in -METER.

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nimble

ME. nemel (XIII), later nemble, neam(b)le, app. repr. OE. næmel quick at seizing, f. the base of niman str. vb. take; superseded by nymel (XV), later nymble, which may repr. either a phonetic development or an OE. nimol (cf. numol grasping, biting); see -LE2.

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nimbus

cloud-like splendour investing a god XVII; halo XVIII; rain-cloud XIX. — L. nimbus rain, cloud, aureole.

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Nimrod

†tyrant XVII; great hunter XVIII. — Heb. Nimrdh valiant, strong; name of ‘a mighty one in the earth’ and a ‘mighty hunter before the Lord’ (Gen. 10: 8, 9).

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nincompoop

XVII (nicom-, nickum-). of unkn. orig.

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nine

OE. nigon = OS. nigun, -on (Du. negen) :- nizun, var. of Gmc. niwun (repr. by OHG. niun, G. neun, ON. níu, Goth. niun) :- IE. (e)newn, repr. by L. novem, Gr. ennéa, OIr. nói(n), OSl. devt, Lith. devyni, Skr. náva-. So nineteen OE. nigontne = OS. nigentein (Du. negentien), OHG. niunzehan (G. neunzehn), ON. nitján. nineteenth OE. nigontoða. ninth ME. nizonþe (XII), a new formation superseding OE. nigoða = OS. niguðo, MLG. negede. ninety OE. nigonti. ninepins XVI.

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ninny

XVI. Appellative use of Ninny, pet-form of Innocent, with prefixed n- and -Y6.

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nip1

pinch XIV; snatch, seize smartly XVI; move nimbly XIX. prob. of LG. or Du. orig.; cf. †Sc. gnip (XIV), †knip (XVI). Hence sb. XVI. nipper †thief XVI; costermonger's boy, (hence) youngster XIX.

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nip2

†half-pint of ale XVIII; small quantity of spirits XIX. prob. short for †nipperkin (XVII) measure of half a pint or less, small quantity of drink, rel. to LG., Du. nippen.

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nipple

XVI. Early forms also neble, nible, perh. dim. of NEB, NIB point; see -LE1.

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nirvana

(in Buddhism) extinction of individual existence. XIX. — Skr. nirva-, sb. use of n. pp. of nirv be extinguished, f. nis out + v- blow.

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nisi

(leg.) attached to decree, order, rule, to indicate that these are not absolute or final, but are to be taken as valid unless some cause is shown, etc. XIX. — L. nisi unless. So nisi prius writ named from the first two words of the proviso ‘nisi prius justiciarii ad assisas capiendas venerint’ unless the judges come to take the assize before.

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nit

egg of a louse, etc. OE. hnitu = MLG., MDu. nte (Du. neet), OHG. (h)niz (G. nisse) :- WGmc. xnit.

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nitid

shining, glossy. XVII. — L. nitidus, f. nitre shine; see -ID1.

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nitre

†sodium carbonate, (now) saltpetre XIV; †supposed nitrous element in air or plants XVII. — (O)F. — L. nitrum — Gr. nitron, of Sem. or Egyptian orig. (cf. Heb. netr natron, Egyptian ntr); cf. NATRON. The comb. form is nitro- . So nitric (-IC) applied to an acid produced by the treatment of nitrates with sulphuric acid. XVIII. — F. nitrique. nitrate (-ATE2) XVIII. — F. nitrous (-OUS) XVII. — L. nitrsus; later — F. nitreux.

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nitrogen

XVIII. — F. nitrogène; see NITRO-, -GEN. So named from being a constituent of nitric acid.

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nix1

(sl.) nothing. XVIII. — colloq. G. nix, for nichts, g. of niht nothing (cf. NOUGHT).

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nix2

water-sprite. XIX. — G. nix, MHG. nickes, OHG. nihhus. So nixie water-nymph. XIX. — G. nixe :- OHG. nicchessa, with assim. of ending to -IE.

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no1

not (in lit. use surviving only in or no (XV)). OE. n, f. ne + , var. of ever. The midl. and south. ME. repr. of OE. n (see NO3) coalesced with this and influenced the pronunc.

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no2

not any. XIII (na, no). Clipped form of NONE1, orig. used (like A1) before words beginning with a cons. Comps. nobody XIV, nohow XVIII, NOTHING OE., noway(s) XIII, NOWHERE, NOWHITHER OE.

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no3

expressing a negative answer. XIII. midl. and south. ME. form of OE. n, f. ne neg. particle (= OS., OHG. ne, ni, ON né, Goth. ni; corr. to L. ne- (vars. nec-, neg-), OSl. ne, Skr. na, etc., with long vowel L. n lest. Gr. n-, Goth. n, Skr. n; cf. UN-1 + ever (cf. AY).

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no.

(read as number). XVI. abbr. of L. numer in number, abl. of numerus NUMBER; later, perh. after F. numéro.

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nob1

(sl.) head. XVII. perh. var. of KNOB.

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nob2

(sl.) person of wealth or distinction. XIX. In XVIII Sc. nab, knabb, of unkn. orig. Hence nobby smart, elegant XIX; in XVIII Sc. knabby.

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nobble

(sl.) tamper with (a racing horse); steal, seize. XIX. of obscure orig.

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noble

illustrious by position, character, or birth; distinguished by splendour or magnificence XIII; of great or lofty character XVI. — (O)F. — L. nbilis, for earlier gnbilis, f. IE. n- KNOW; see -BLE. So nobility XIV. — (O)F. or L. noblesse XIII. — (O)F.; see -ESS2.

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nock

tip of horn on a bow or arrow XIV; (naut.) end of a yard-arm or sail XVI. — MDu. nocke (Du. nock).

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nocti-, before a vowel noct-,

comb. form of L. nox, noct- NIGHT.

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noctule

largest species of British bat. XVIII. — F. — It. nottola, -o, f. notte night.

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nocturn

division of the office of matins. XIII. — (O)F. nocturne or ecclL. nocturnus, -um, sb. use of L. nocturnus pert. to the night, f. nox, noct- NIGHT. So nocturnal^1 XV. — late L.

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nod

vb. XIV. of uncert orig. Hence sb. XVI.

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noddy

simpleton, noodle; tropical sea-bird. XVI. perh. sb. use of †noddy adj. foolish, silly, perh. f. NOD + -Y1.

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node

complication, entanglement XVI; hard tumour; point of intersection XVII. — L. ndus knot, etc., perh. rel. to nectere bind. So nodule XVI. — L. ndulus. nodose knotty. XVIII. — L. nodosity XVIII. — late L.

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noel

Christmas carol. XIX. — F. noël NOWEL.

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noetic

pert. to the intellect. XVII. — Gr. notikós, f. notós intellectual, f. noein think, perceive, f. noûs, nóos mind.

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noggin

mug, cup; small quantity of liquor. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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noil

short pieces and knots of wool combed out of the long staple. XVII. prob. in earlier use and — OF. noel :- medL. nodellus, dim. of L. ndus knot (see NODE).

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noise

loud outcry; †rumour; loud or harsh sound XIII; †agreeable sound XIV; †band of musicians XVI. — (O)F. noise outcry, disturbance, noisy dispute :- L. nausea sea-sickness, NAUSEA. Hence (or — OF.) vb. XIV. noisy XVII.

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noisome

harmful, injurious XIV; offensive XV. f. †noy to trouble, vex, harm, aphetic of ANNOY + -SOME.

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nomad

XVI. — F. nomade — L. Nomas, pl. Nomades pastoral people wandering about with their flocks — Gr. nomás, nomad- roaming about, esp. for pasture, pl. Nomádes pastoral people, rel. to némein pasture; see -AD. So nomadic XIX. — Gr. nomadikós.

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nomenclature

†name; set of names. XVII. — F. — L. nmencltra, f. nmencltor one who names, f. nmen NAME + calre call; see -URE.

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nominal

pert. to a noun XV; pert. to a name; existing only in name XVII. — F. nominal or L. nminlis, f. nmen NAME; see -AL1. Hence nominalism XIX, -ist XVII. nominally (-LY2) by name XVII; in name XVIII.

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nominate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. nminre, f. nmen, nmin- NAME; see -ATE3. So nomination XV. — (O)F. or L. nominative (gram.) XIV. — (O)F. nominatif, fem. -ive or L. nmintvus, tr. Gr. onomastiké. Hence nominee (-EE1) XVII.

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-nomy

terminal el. of sbs., repr. Gr. -nomí arrangement, management, rel. to nómos law, némein distribute, as in ASTRONOMY, ECONOMY, GASTRONOMY. The corr. adjs. end in -nomic, -nomical; see -Y3.

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non-

prefix expressing negation, used with sbs., adjs., vbs. (ppl. adjs., gerunds), and advs.; first in the AN. form noun = OF. non-, nom-, nun-, num- :- L. nn ‘not’ used as a prefix. The earliest exx. are non-power, non-residence, nonsuit (XIV); similar comps. of a technical kind prevail until XVII, when the application was widened. The prefix is normally unstressed, but cf. nonage, nonchalance, nondescript, nonsense, nonsuit.

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nonage

period of legal infancy. XIV. — AN. nounage, OF. nonage; see NON-, AGE.

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nonagenarian

90 years old. XIX. f. L. nngnrius, f. nngni, distributive of nnginta ninety, f. novem NINE; see -ARIAN.

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nonce

phr. for the nonce †for the particular purpose, expressly XII; for the occasion, for the time being XVI. ME. for þe nanes, alt. (by misdivision) of for þen anes, f. (with advb. -s) for þen ane ‘for the one (purpose)’; cf. ONCE.

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nonchalance

XVII. — (O)F., f. nonchalant (adopted in Eng. XVIII), f. non- NON- + prp. of chaloir be concerned:- L. calre be hot.

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nonconformist

one who does not conform to the Church of England (or other established church). XVII. See NON-, CONFORMIST. So †nonconformitan, nonconformity XVII.

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nondescript

†(nat. hist.) not hitherto described XVII; not easily described, neither one thing nor another XIX. f. NON- +descript — L. dscriptus, pp. of dscrbere DESCRIBE.

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none1

no one, nobody; not any. OE. nn = OS. nn, (M)Du. neen, (O)HG. nein no (adv.), ON neinn; comp. of ne (see NO3) and ONE; cf. L. nn not :- n oinom ‘not one (thing)’. As adv. XII; now chiefly in none the …, none too …

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nonentity

non-existent thing XVI; non-existence; person or thing of no importance XVII. See NON-, ENTITY.

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nones

A
ninth day before the Ides XV;

B
the fourth of the day offices of the Church. XVIII. In A — (O)F. — L. nnœ, acc. nns, fem. pl. of nnus ninth, f. novem NINE; in B f. NONE2 after mattins, lauds, vespers.
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Also none^2 third quarter of the day XVII; nones (sense B) XIX. — (O)F. — L. nna. cf. NOON.

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nonesuch

XVI. now usu. nonsuch XVII unmatched, unrivalled thing; plant-name. Extracted from such phr. as ‘There is none such’, but no doubt suggested partly by NONPAREIL.

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nonpareil

having no equal XV; unique person or thing XVI; size of printing type XVII. — F., f. NON- + pareil like :- Rom. pariculus, dim. of par equal.

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nonplus

state in which no more can be said or done, esp. in phr. be at, put to, a nonplus. XVI. f. L. phr. nn pls not more, no further. Hence vb. XVI.

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nonsense

XVII. f. NON- + SENSE. Hence nonsensical XVII.

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nonsuit

(leg.) cessation or stoppage of a suit. XIV. — AN. no(u)nsuit; see NON-, SUIT.

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noodle1

simpleton. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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noodle2

strip of dough as an ingredient of soup. XVIII. — G. nudel; of unkn. orig.

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nook

XIII (first in feower-noked four-cornered). of unkn. orig.

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noon

†ninth hour of the day reckoned from sunrise, 3 p.m.; †office of nones OE.; †midday meal XII; midday XIII. OE. nn, corr. to OS. nn(e), (M)Du. noen, OHG. nona (G. none), ON. nn — L. nna, fem. sg. of nnus ninth (see NINE); cf. NONES. The common phr. (be)fore noon, after noon have given rise to the sbs. FORENOON, AFTERNOON. Hence noonday XV. noontide OE. nntd.

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noose

XV (rare before XVII). ME. nse, perh. — OF. no(u)s, nom. sg. and acc. pl. of no(u), later noud, mod. nœud (:- L. ndus NODE).

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nopal

Amer. cactus. XVIII. — F. nopal or its source Sp. nopal — Mex. nopalli cactus.

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nor

XIV. contr. of †nother (see NEITHER).

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norm

XIX. — L. norma carpenter's square, pattern, rule. So normal (-AL1) rectangular, perpendicular XVII; conforming to a standard XIX (n. school, after F. école normale). — F. normal or (of schools) L. normlis. Hence normalcy, normality, normalize XIX.

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Norman

pl. -mans native of Normandy XIII; adj. XVI. orig. in pl. — (O)F. Normans, -anz, pl. of Normant (mod. -mand) — ON. Norðmaðr, pl. -menn, which was adopted as OE. Norðmann, pl. -menn; see NORTH, MAN.

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Norn

female fate in Scand. myth. XVIII. — ON. norn, of unkn. orig.

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Norroy

third King of Arms, whose jurisdiction lies north of the Trent. XV (-ey). — AN. norroi, f. (O)F. nord NORTH + roi king.

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Norse

(hist.) Norwegian XVI; sb. and adj. the Norwegian tongue XVII (Old N., the language of Norway and its colonies to XIV). — Du. noorsch, var. of noordsch, f. noord NORTH + -sch -ISH1.

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north

OE. norð = OS. norð (Du. noord), (O)HG. nord, ON. norðr; Gmc., of unkn. orig. So northerly XVI, northern OE. (hence northerner XIX), northing (-ING1) XVII, northward XII, northwards OE.

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Northumbrian

pert. to Northumbria, that part of England lying north of the Humber. XVII. f. †Northumber pl. inhabitants of this, repr. OE. Norðhymbre, f. norð north + Humbre Humber; see -IAN.

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Norwegian

XVII. f. medL. Norvegia — ON. Norvegr (whence late OE. Norwe, mod. Norway), f. norðr NORTH + vegr WAY, region.

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nose

sb. OE. nosu = MDu. nse, nuese (Du. neus). Of IE. extent, but the relation of the several forms is obscure; cf. OE. nasu, OHG. nasa (G. nase), ON. nasar pl., L. nrs pl. nostrils, ns(s)us nose, OSl. nos, Lith. nósis, Skr. nas-; also early ME. nese = MLG., MDu. nese. Hence vb. perceive by smell XVI; poke about, pry XVII. nosegay XV; gay sb. in the sense ‘ornament’, ‘toy’ (XIV to mod. dial.). nos(e)y sb. one having a large nose XVIII; adj. evil-smelling; (colloq.) inquisitive XIX.

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nosology

classification of diseases, XVIII. f. Gr. nósos disease; see -LOGY.

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nostalgia

home-sickness. XVIII. f. Gr. nóstos return home + álgos pain; see -IA1.

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nostoc

genus of algae. XVII. invented by Paracelsus.

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Nostradamus

seer. XVII. Latinization of the name of Michel de Nostredame (‘Our Lady’), F. physician (1503–66), who published a book of prophecies in rhyme.

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nostril

OE. nosðyrl, nosterl, f. nosu NOSE + pr(e)l hole (rel. to þurh THROUGH).

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nostrum

medicine the composition of which is not made public; ‘patent’ remedy. XVII. — L., n. of noster our; from the label nostrum ‘of our own make’ formerly attached to such medicines.

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not

XIV. Reduced form of noht, nozt, NOUGHT.

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notable

worthy of note XIV; †conspicuous, noticeable XVI; †energetic XVII. — (O)F. — L. notbilis, f. notare NOTE vb.; see -ABLE. As sb. XV. So notability XIV. — (O)F.

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notary

†clerk, secretary; one authorized to draw up deeds. XIV. — L. notrius shorthand-writer, clerk, f. nota NOTE; see -ARY

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notch

sb. XVI. — AN. noche (XIV), of uncert. orig. Also vb. XVI.

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note

sign denoting a musical sound; musical sound of a certain pitch; †melody, tune; call of a bird XIII; mark, sign, character XIV; abstract, brief record or statement XV; annotation, comment; short letter; distinction; notice, regard XVI; written promise to pay XVII. — (O)F. — L. nota mark, etc. So note vb. observe, indicate XIII; mark XV. — (O)F. noter — L. notre. notation †explanation of a term; †annotation XVI; representation by signs XVIII. — L. or (O)F.

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nothing

OE. nn þing, ME. n þing, later n ping; see NO2, THING. Hence nothingness XVII.

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notice

(formal) intimation XV; heed, cognizance XVI; †notion, idea XVII; sign giving information XIX. — (O)F. — L. ntitia being known, acquaintance, knowledge, notion, f. ntus known, pp. of nscere KNOW. Hence notice vb. †notify XV; mention, refer to XVII; observe, remark XVIII.

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notify

†observe; give notice of. XIV. — (O)F. notifier — L. ntificre, f. ntus known; see prec. and -FY. So notification XIV.

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notion

XVI. — L. nti, -n- becoming acquainted, examination, idea, f. nt-, pp. stem of nscere KNOW; see -TION. So notional XVI. — F. or medL.

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notorious

well or generally known, noted for some bad quality. XVI. — medL. ntrius, f. ntus known; see NOTICE, -ORIOUS.

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notwithstanding

in this n., n. this, etc. in spite of this XIV; adv. nevertheless XV; conj. although XV. f. NOT + prp. of WITHSTAND; orig. in absol. phr., hence with a clause as regimen (passing into conj.) or without regimen (passing into adv.).

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nougat

XIX. — F. — Pr. nogat, f. noga nut (:- Rom. nuca, for L. nux, nuc- NUT) + -at :- L. -tum -ATE1.

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nought

nothing OE.; adv. (dial.) in no degree; not OE.; †adj. bad, good for nothing XIV. OE. nwiht, f. ne (see NO3) + wiht, var. of wiht AUGHT. Cf. NAUGHT. Parallel formations in Gmc. are OS. neo-, niowiht, MDu. niewet (Du. niet), OHG. niwiht (G. nicht).

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noumenon

(metaph.) object of purely intellectual intuition. XVIII. — G. — Gr. nooúmenon, n. of prp. pass. of noeîn apprehend, conceive.

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noun

XIV. — AN. noun = OF. nun, num (mod. nom):- L. nmen NAME.

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nourish

†bring up, nurture; foster (fig.); †suckle, nurse XIII; sustain with proper nutriment XIV. — OF. noriss-, lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of norir (mod. nourrir) :- L. ntrre feed, foster, cherish; see NUTRIMENT. Hence nourishment XV.

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nous

(Gr. philos.) mind, intellect XVII; (colloq.) intelligence, gumption XVIII. — Gr. noûs, contr. form of nóos mind.

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novel

A
†novelty; †pl. news XV;

B
short story of Boccaccio's ‘Decameron’, etc. XVI; fictitious prose narrative XVII. In A — OF. novelle (mod. nouvelle):- L. novella, n. pl. (construed as sing.) of novellus young, new, f. novus NEW; in B — It. novella, orig. fem. (sc. storia story) of novello new = OF. novel (mod. nouveau), whence novel adj. XV.
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Hence novelist †innovator XVI; †newsmonger; writer of novels XVIII. novelty XIV. — OF. novelte (mod. nouveauté).

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November

eleventh (formerly ninth) month of the year. XIII. — (O)F. novembre — L. November, f. novem NINE.

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novena

nine days' devotion. XIX. — medL. novna, f. L. novem NINE.

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novercal

stepmotherly. XVII. — L. noverclis, f. noverca stepmother, f. novus NEW; see -AL1.

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novice

probationer in a religious community XIV; inexperienced person XV. — (O)F. — L. novcius, f. novus NEW; see -ITIOUS1. So noviciate (-ATE1) XVI. — F. or medL.

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now

adv. at the present time; conj. since, seeing that. OE. n = OS., OHG., ON., Goth. n (Du. nu; G. nun, with advb. n); corr. to L. num, nunc, Gr. nu(n), nûn, OSl. nyn, Lith. nù, Skr. nù. Hence nowaday(s) XIV. f. ME. aday(s), from the blending of OE. on dæe and g. dæes; see -S.

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nowel

cry used in celebrating Christmas, retained in carols. XIV. — OF. no(u)el (mod. noël), obscure var. of nael, neel :- L. ntlis NATAL.

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nowhere

OE. nhwær, later nhwær, f. n NO2 + hwær WHERE. So nowhither OE. n-, nhwider.

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noxious

XVII. f. L. noxius, f. noxa hurt, damage, rel. to nex slaughter, nocre injure; see -IOUS.

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noyade

execution by drowning. XIX. — F., f. noyer drown:- L. necre kill; see -ADE.

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noyau

liqueur made from brandy flavoured with kernels. XVIII. — F., earlier noiel kernel :- Rom. nucle, sb. use of n. of late L. nuclis, f. nux, nuc- NUT.

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nozzle

candle-socket; small spout or mouth-piece. XVII. Early forms nosle, nos(s)el ; if f. NOSE + -LE1, a much earlier existence must be presumed.

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nuance

shade of feeling, meaning, etc. XVIII; shade of colour XIX. — F. f. nuer show variations of shades of colour like clouds, f. nue cloud :- popL. nba, L. nbs; see -ANCE.

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nub

†husk of silk XVI; knob, lump XVIII; gist XIX. var. of KNUB.

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nubile

(of women) marriageable. XVII. — L. nbilis, f. nbere take a husband; see -ILE.

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nucleus

condensed portion of the head of a comet; central part, kernel. XVIII. — L. nucleus nut, kernel, inner part, var. of nuculeus, f. nucula small nut, dim. (see -ULE) of nux, nuc- NUT. Hence nuclear XIX.

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nude

(leg.) not formally attested; †bare, mere XVI; naked, unclothed XVII (rare before XIX, except as sb. XVIII, after F. nu). — L. ndus :- now(e)dos, nogwedos NAKED. So nudity XVII. — (O)F. or late L. nudist XX.

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nudge

vb. XVII. of unkn. orig.; perh. in much earlier use and rel. ult. to Norw. dial. nugga, nyggja push, rub. Hence sb. XIX.

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nugatory

worthless, useless. XVII. — L. ngtrius, f. pp. stem of ngr trifle, f. ngæ jests, trifles; see -ORY2.

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nugget

lump, orig. of native gold. XIX. perh. dim. of s.w. dial. nug lump, block, unshapen mass, of unkn. orig.; see -ET.

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nuisance

injury, harm XV; injurious or obnoxious thing XV; source of annoyance XIX. — OF. (now arch.) nuisance hurt, f. nuis-, stem of nuire injure :- L. nocre; see -ANCE.

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null

not valid (n. and void) XVI; insignificant; non-existent XVIII. — (O)F. nul, fem. nulle, or L. nllus, -a no, none, f. ne (see NO3) + llus any, f. nus ONE. So nullify make null XVI. — late L. nullificre despise. nullification XVIII. nullity XVI. — F. or medL.

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nullah

(in India) river, river-bed, ravine. XVIII. — Hindi nl brook, rivulet, ravine.

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numb

deprived of feeling or the power of movement. XIV. ME. nome(n), pp. of nimen, OE. niman take, seize. Hence vb. XVII.

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number

sum of individuals or units; full tale or count XIII; multitude, aggregate; aspect or property of things as units; symbol of arithmetical value XIV; (pl.) groups of musical notes, melody; metrical periods, verses XVI. ME. no(u)mbre, numbre — AN. numbre, (O)F. nombre :- L. numerus. So number vb. XIII. — (O)F. nombrer :- L. numerre.

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numbles

entrails of an animal as used for food. XIV. — OF. numbles, nombles pl. :- L. lumbulus, dim. of lumbus LOIN; cf. HUMBLE-PIE.

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numen

XVII. — L. nmen divine will, divinity, rel. to -nuere nod, Gr. neúein nod, incline the head. So numinous XVII. f. L. nmen, nmin-.

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numeral

adj. pert. to number; sb. figure denoting a number. XVI. — late L. numerlis, f. numerus NUMBER; see -AL1. So numeration XV. — L. numerator XVI. — F. or late L. numerical XVII. f. modL. numericus. numerous plentiful, copious, many; measured, rhythmical. XVI. — L. numersus.

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numismatic

XVIII. — F. numismatique, f. L. numisma, -mat-, var. (infl. by nummus coin) of nomisma — Gr. nómisma current coin, f. nomizein have in use, f. nómos use, custom; see -ISM, -ATIC.

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nummary

pert. to money or coinage. XVII. — L. nummrius, f. nummus coin; see -ARY.

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nummulite

(geol.) coin-shaped fossil of a foraminiferous cephalopod. XIX. f. L. nummulus, dim. of nummus coin; see -ITE.

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numskull

blockhead, dolt; pate, noddle. XVIII. f. NUMB + SKULL.

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nun

OE. nunne = OHG., ON. nunna, beside ME. nonne (partly — OF. nonne) = MDu., G. nonne (Du. non) — ecclL. nonna, fem. of nonnus monk, orig. titles given to elderly persons. So nunnery XIII. — AN nonnerie.

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Nunc dimittis

title of canticle beginning in the Vulg. ‘Nunc dimittis servum tuum …’, Now lettest thou thy servant depart … (Song of Simeon, Luke 2: 29--32) XVI; transf. permission to depart, departure XVII.

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nuncio

XVI. — It. †nuncio, †nuntio (mod. nunzio) — L. nuntius messenger.

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nuncupative

(leg.) oral, not written (as a will). XVI. — late L. nncuptvus, f. pp. of L. nncupre name, declare, f. nmiceps or -capos ‘name-taking’, f. nmen NAME + capere take; see -ATIVE.

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nuptial

adj. XV; sb., usu. pl. XVI. — F. nuptial or L. nuptialis, f. nuptiæ wedding, f. nupt-, pp. stem of nûbere marry; see -IAL.

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nurse

sb. XVI. reduced form of †norice, †n(o)urice (XIII–XVIII) — OF. nourice (mod. -rr-):- late L. nutrcia, sb. use of fem. of L. ntrcius, f. ntrre NOURISH. So nurse vb. XVI; alt. of †nurish, †norsh NOURISH, by assim. to the sb. nursery †upbringing of children; apartment for nurse and children XIV; ground, etc. for young plants XVI. prob. — AN. noricerie.

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nurture

†upbringing; †nourishment XIV; fostering care XVII. — OF. nourture, contr. of noureture (mod. nourriture), f. nourrir NOURISH; see -URE. Hence vb. XV.

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nut

OE. hnutu = MLG. note, MDu. note, neute (Du. noot, neut), OHG. (h)nuz (G. nuss), ON. hnot :- Gmc. xnut-; cf. OIr. cn, W. cneuen (pl. cnau); further L. nux, nuc-, in which kn- is reduced to n, but which has an extension in -k-, whereas the Gmc. langs. have -t-.

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nutation

nodding XVII; oscillation of the earth's axis XVIII. — L. ntti, -n-, f. ntre, ntt- nod, f. base of -nuere nod; see -ATION.

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nuthatch

XIV. ME. notehache, with later vars. in -hak, -hagge, which suggest deriv. from NUT and HACK1, †hag, HATCH2, with allusion to the bird's habit of cracking nuts.

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nutmeg

XIV. ME. nute-, notemug(g)e, later notmyg (XV), note-, nutmeg (XVI), partial tr. of AN. nois mugue, for OF. nois mug(u)ede (also musguete; now noix muscade) :- Rom nuce muscta ‘musk-smelling nut’ (L. nux NUT, muscus MUSK).

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nutriment

— L. ntrimentum, f. ntrire nourish, rel. to Skr. snauti drips, trickles (said, e.g., of a mother's milk): see -MENT. So nutrition XVI. nutritious XVII. — L. ntrtius, -cius, f. ntrx, ntrc- NURSE. nutritive XV. — F. — medL.

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nux vomica

seed of an E. Indian tree from which strychnine is obtained. XVI. — medL., i.e. nux NUT and fem. of vomicus, f. L. vomere VOMIT.

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nuzzle

†grovel XV; burrow or push with the nose XVI; nestle XVII. perh. orig. back-formation on †noseling with the NOSE to the ground (see -LING2), but perh. infl. later by Du. neuzelen poke with the nose. f. neus; see -LE3.

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nyctalopia

night-blindness. XVII. — late L., f. Gr. nuktálps, f. núx, nukt- NIGHT + alaós blind + óps EYE.

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nylon

invented name of a strong plastic material used for yarn, bristles, etc. XX.

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nymph

(myth.) semi-divine female being XIV; young beautiful woman; pupa XVI. — OF. nimphe (mod. nymphe) — L. nympha — Gr. nmphé bride, nymph, rel. to L. nbere marry. comb. form nympho- , as in nympholepsy, nymphomania XVIII.

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O

o, o'

(mostly arch. or dial.) reduced form of (i) ON, in ME. varying with a (cf. A-1) XII; (ii) OF (cf. A-2) surviving sparsely in gen. use, e.g. o'clock, cat-o'-nine-tails, man-o'-war, will-o'-the-wisp, John o' Groats.

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O

int. standing before a vocative or introducing a wish or an asseveration. XII. — (O)F. — L. ; cf. Gr. ô, ó, Goth., OHG. .

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-o

an add. to a word, or first part of a word, forming a colloq. or sl. expression or a familiar or joc. equiv., as like billy-o, lie doggo, ammo (for ammunition), beano (for bean-feast); sometimes, the last syll. of an abbrev. form. as compo|sition, hippo|potamus, photo|graph; in cheer(i)o, right(y)o, -ho, perh. the int. O, or after hallo.

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-o-

connective vowel originating in the -o- of Gr. comb. forms (often having adv. force), e.g. (from Gr.) aero-, cyclo-, geo-, hydro-, philo-, pseudo-, and (on L. bases) oleo-, radio- a special class is that of comp. proper names as Anglo-Saxon, Finno-Ugrian, Sino-Japanese. It appears regularly before -CRACY, -GRAPHY, -LOGY, -METER, and so forms stable suffixes with them, e.g. mobocracy, sexology, sociology, foolometer.

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oaf

XVII (oph, oaf). Varying at first with ouph and au(l)fe, orig. ‘elf’, ‘goblin’ — ON. álfr; see ELF.

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oak

OE. c (pl. .) = MLG. k (Du. eik), OHG. eih (G. eiche), ON. eik :- Gmc. aiks; ulterior connections unkn.

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oakum

†tow OE.; fibre obtained by picking old rope XV. OE. cumbe, cum(b)a, var. of cumbe, cuma, corr. to OHG. chambi (MHG. kambe, kamp), f. -, - away, off + camb-, stem of camb and cemban COMB; the etym. meaning is ‘offcombing’.

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oar

OE. r = ON. ár :- Gmc. air. Hence oarlock OE. rloc; see ROWLOCK.

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oasis

XVII. — late L. — Gr. óasis, presumably of Egyptian orig.; cf. Coptic ouahe dwelling-place, oasis, f. ouih dwell.

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oast

kiln for drying malt, hops, lime. OE. st = MLG. eist (Du. eest) :- Gmc. aistaz, f. IE. base aidh- idh- burn, repr. also by OE. d, OHG. eit blazing pile, funeral pyre, L. æds hearth, house, Gr. aîthos heat, OIr. aedh heat.

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oat

(pl.) grains of the cereal Avena sativa. OE. te, pl. tan, peculiar to Eng. and of unkn. orig. Hence oaten (-EN3) XV.

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oath

solemn appeal to God as a witness OE.; trivial use of sacred names XII. OE. ð = OS. th (Du. eed), (O)HG. eid, ON. eiðr, Goth. aiþs :- Gmc. aiþaz; cf. OIr. eth.

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ob-

comb. form of L. ob towards, against, in the way (of), with vars. OC-, OF-, OP-, occas. o- (as in OMIT); mostly in words already existing in L.; in mod. scientific L. (hence in Eng. adoptions) in the sense ‘inversely’, ‘in the opposite direction’, virtually repr. modL. obvers obversely, e.g. obovate ovate with the wider end presented.

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obbligato

(mus.) a part essential to the effect of a composition. XVIII. — It., sb. use of pp. of obbligare OBLIGE.

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obdurate

XV. — L. obdrtus, pp. of obdrre, f. OB- + drre harden; see -ATE2.

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obedient

XIII. — OF. obédient — L. obœdins, -ent-, prp. of obœdre OBEY; see -ENT. So obedience XIII. obedientiary †one subject to obedience XVI; member of a religious body having an office under the superior XVIII. — medL.

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obeisance

†obedience; respectful salutation XIV. — (O)F. obéissance, f. obéissant, prp. with lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of obéir OBEY. So obeisant XIII.

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obelisk

tapering column of stone; any of the signs -, ÷, †. XVI. — L. obeliscus small spit, obelisk — Gr. obelískos, dim. of obelós spit, pointed pillar. So obelus (in second sense) XIV. — late L. — Gr.

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obese

XVII. — L. obsus that has eaten himself fat, stout, plump, f. OB- + sus, pp. of edere EAT. So obesity XVII. — F. or L.

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obey

XIII. ME. obeie — (O)F. obéir — L. obœdre, f. OB- + audre hear.

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obfuscate

XVI. f. pp. stem of late L. obfuscre, f. OB- + fuscre darken, fuscus dark; see DUSK, -ATE2. So obfuscation XVII (once XV). — late L.

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obit

†death, decease; †obsequies; commemoration of the dead XIV. — (O)F. — L. obitus going down, death, f. obit-, pp. stem of obre go down, die, f. OB- + re go.

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obiter

by the way. XVI. — L., f. phr. ob iter, i.e. ob (see OB-), iter journey, road.

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obituary

XVIII. — medL. obiturius, f. obitus OBIT; see -ARY.

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object

(from classL.) †objection, obstacle XIV; (from medL.) something presented to the sight or observed XIV; (gram.) XVIII. — L. objectum, sb. use of the pp. of obicere throw towards, place in front of, f. OB- + jacere throw. So object vb. bring forward in opposition or as a charge XV; †exhibit, expose XVI. f. object-, pp. stem of L. obicere or — L. objectre. objection XIV. — OF. or late L.; hence objectionable XVIII. objective †material; pert. to an object of consciousness XVII; (gram.) XVIII; dealing with what is external to the mind XIX. — medL. objectvus.

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objurgate

rebuke severely. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. objurgre, f. OB- + jurgre quarrel, scold, f. jurgium quarrel, strife; see -ATE3. So objurgation, objurgatory (-ORY2) XVI. — L.

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oblate1

person devoted to a religious work. XIX. — F. oblat — medL. obltus, sb. use of pp. of offerre OFFER; see OBLATION, -ATE1.

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oblate2

(geom.) flattened at the poles. XVIII. — modL. obltus, f. OB- + ltus, as in L. prltus PROLATE.

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oblation

XV. — (O)F. oblation or late and ecclL. oblti, -n-, f. oblt-, used as pp. stem of offerre OFFER; see -ATION.

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oblige

bind by oath XIII; make indebted, confer a favour on; pass. be bound to XVI; constrain XVII. — (O)F. obliger = It. obbligare — L. obligre bind around or up, bind by oath or other tie, restrain, f. OB- + ligre bind. Hence obligee (-EE1), obligor (-OR1) XVI. So obligation XIII. — (O)F. — L. obligatory XV. — late L.

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oblique

having a slanting or sloping direction XV; (gram.) XVI. — (O)F. — L. oblquus, f. OB- + obscure el. So obliquity divergence from moral rectitude XV; oblique direction XVI.

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obliterate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. oblit(t)erre strike out, erase, f. OB- + lit(t)era LETTER; see -ATE2.

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oblivion

forgetfulness XIV; state of being forgotten XV. — (O)F. — L. oblvi, -n-, f. stem oblv- of oblvisc forget, f. OB- + lv-, of obscure orig. So oblivious XV.

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oblong

XV. — L. oblongus somewhat long, oblong, elliptical, f. OB- + longus LONG.

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obloquy

XV. — late L. obloquium contradiction, f. OB- + loqu speak; see LOCUTION, -Y3.

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obnoxious

A
†exposed to harm; †subject to authority XVI;

B
(by assoc. with NOXIOUS) †hurtful, injurious; offensive, highly objectionable XVII. — L. obnoxisus or f. obnoxius exposed to harm, subject, liable, f. OB- + noxa hurt, injury; see -IOUS.
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oboe

XVIII. — It. — F. hautbois HAUTBOY.

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obol

coin of ancient Greece. XVII. — L. obolus — Gr. obolós, var. of obelós OBELISK.

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obscene

offensive to the senses, etc.; offensive to decency XVI. — F. obscène or L. obscnus, obscænus ill-omened, disgusting, indecent. So obscenity XVII.

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obscure

devoid of light XIV; remote from observation; not manifest to the mind, hard to understand XV. — (O)F. obscur, latinized form of earlier oscur, escur :— L. obscrus. So obscurity XV. — (O)F. — L.

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obsecration

earnest entreaty. XIV. — L. obsecrti, -n-, f. obsecrre entreat, beseech (orig. by the name of the gods), f. OB- + sacrre hold SACRED; see -ATION.

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obsequies

XIV. Formerly also sg. — AN. obsequie(s) = OF. ob-, osseque(s) (mod. obsèques) — medL. obsequiæ, prob. alt. of L. exsequiæ EXEQUIES, by assoc. with obsequium, dutiful service; see next and -Y3.

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obsequious

readily compliant XV; servilely compliant XVII. — L. obsequisus, f. obsequium, f. obsequ comply with, f. OB- + sequ follow; see SEQUENCE, -IOUS.

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observe

A
attend to in practice, keep to XIV; celebrate, solemnize XVI;

B
give heed to, watch XIV (rare before XVI);
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C
say by way of remark XVII. — (O)F. observer — L. observre watch, attend to, guard, f. OB- + servre watch, keep.
Top
So observance XIII (in sense ‘prescribed act or practice’). observant applied to Franciscans of the Strict Observance XV; attentive to rule or law; taking notice XVII. observation †observance XIV; action of observing XVI. — L. observatory (-ORY1) building for making observations. XVII. — F. observatoire.

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obsess

beset, as a besieging force. XVI (rare in XVIII, revived XIX). f. obsess-, pp. stem of L. obsidre sit down before, f. OB- + sedre SIT. So obsession †siege XVI; being assailed by an evil spirit or a fixed idea XVII. — L.

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obsidian

volcanic glass. XVII (o. stone). — erron. L. obsidinus, in earliest printed editions of Pliny's ‘Natural History’, for obsinus, so named from its resemblance to a stone found in Ethiopia by one Obsius; see -IAN.

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obsolete

fallen into disuse XVI; worn out, effete, effaced; (biol.) indistinct, imperfectly developed XVIII. — L. obsoltus grown old, worn out, pp. of obsolre (repr. by inchoative obsolscere grow old, fall into disuse), f. OB- + solre be accustomed or used. So obsolescent XVIII, -escence XIX.

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obstacle

XIV. — (O)F. obstacle (earlier ostacle) — L. obstculum, f. obstre stand in the way, f. OB- + stre STAND; see -CLE.

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obstetric

XVIII. f. L. obstetrx, -trc- midwife, lit. ‘a woman who is present’, f. obstre; see prec., -TRIX.

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obstinate

XIV. — L. obstintus, pp. of obstinre persist, f. OB- + -stan- (rel. to STAND); see -ATE2. So obstinacy XIV.

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obstreperous

clamorous, noisy XVI; unruly, turbulent XVII. f. L. obstreperus, f. obstrepere shout at, oppose noisily, f. OB- + strepere make a noise.

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obstruct

XVII. f. obstruct-, pp. stem of L. obstruere build against, block up, f. OB- + struere pile, build. So obstruction XVI. — F. or L.

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obtain

come into possession of XV; be prevalent XVII. ME. obte(i)ne repr. tonic stem of (O)F. obtenir — L. obtinre, f. OB- + tenre hold.

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obtrude

XVI. — L. obtrdere (pp. obtrsus), f. OB- + trdere thrust. So obtrusion XVI, obtrusive XVII.

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obtund

XIV. — L. obtundere beat against, blunt, dull, f. OB- + tundere beat. So obtuse A. not sensitive or perceptive; B. greater than a right angle; (bot.) of a leaf, etc., rounded at the extremity. XVI. — L. obtsus, pp. of obtundere.

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obturate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. obturre, f. OB- + turre close up; see -ATE3. So obturator (anat.) membrane closing the thyroid foramen. XVIII. — medL.

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obverse

adj.
opposite, (of a figure) narrower at the base or point of attachment than at the apex or top XIX; sb. face of a coin, etc. XVII (not common till XIX); counterpart XIX. — L. obversus, pp. of obvertere turn towards, f. OB- + vertere turn.

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obviate

XVI. f. pp. stem of late L. obvire meet in the way, prevent, f. OB- + via way; see -ATE3. So obvious †lying in the way; plainly perceptible. XVII. f. L. obvius.

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oc-

assim. form of OB- before c.

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ocarina

XIX. — It., dim. of oca goose (with ref. to its shape).

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occasion

favourable juncture of circumstances; reason, cause XIV; juncture calling for action, particular case or time of happening XVI. — (O)F. occasion or L. occasi, -n- juncture, opportunity, motive, reason, (later) cause, f. occs-, pp. stem of occidere go down, set, f. OB- + cadere fall; see -ION. Hence occasional †casual XVI; happening on or limited to a particular occasion XVII.

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Occident

XIV. — (O)F. — L. occidns, -ent- setting, sunset, west, sb. use of prp. of occidere go down, set; see prec., -ENT. So occidental (-AL1) western. XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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occiput

back of the head. XVI (once XIV). — L. occiput, -pit-, f. OC- + caput HEAD. Comb. form occipito- . So occipital XVI. — F. — medL.

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occlude

XVI. — L. occldere, f. OC- + claudere CLOSE. So occlusion XVII, occlusive XIX.

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occult

hidden, secret, recondite XVI; pert. to early sciences held to involve secret and mysterious knowledge XVII. — L. occultus, pp. of occulere, f. OC- + base of clre CONCEAL. So occultation XV. — F. or L.

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occupy

†take possession of; have in one's possession; take up, use up; employ, engage XIV; †lay out, invest XVI. — AN. occupier for (O)F. occuper — L. occupre seize, f. OC- + cap- of capere take, seize. So occupant XVI, occupier, occupation XIV.

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occur

†meet with; present itself to the mind, in the course of events, etc. XVI. — L. occurrere run to meet, present itself, befall, f. OC- + currere run. So occurrence XVII. — F. or L.

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ocean

†proper name of the great outer sea surrounding the mass of land of the Eastern Hemisphere XIII; any of the main regions into which the water of the globe is geographically divided XIV. ME. occean(e) — OF. occean(e) (mod. océan) — L. ceanus — Gr. keanós orig. the great river encompassing the disc of the earth and personified as a god, son of Uranus (heaven) and Gaia (earth). So oceanic XVII. — medL. ceanicus.

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ocelot

XVIII. — F., shortening of Nahuatl tlalocelotl, f. tlalli field + ocelotl tiger, jaguar, the abbr. form being transf. from the jaguar to another feline beast.

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och

excl. of surprise, etc., ah! oh! XVI. — Ir., Gael. och.

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ochlocracy

mob-rule. XVI. — F. ochlocratie — Gr. okhlokratí, f. ókhlos crowd; see -CRACY.

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ochre

XV. — (O)F. ocre — L. chra — Gr. khr, f. khrós pale yellow. So ochreous XVIII, och(e)ry (-Y1) XVI.

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-ock

suffix forming dims.; in OE. -oc, -uc, as in BULLOCK, HASSOCK, MATTOCK. The number was extended in ME. and later, as in HILLOCK, PADDOCK.

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-ocracy, -ocrat

see -o- and -CRACY.

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o'clock

see o, o'.

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octa-

comb. form of Gr. okt EIGHT, as in octagon (XVII), octahedron (XVI).

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octad

group of eight. XIX. — late L. octas, octad- — Gr. oktás, f. októ EIGHT; see -AD.

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octant

eighth part of a circle; (spec. astron.) point 45° (i.e. 1/8 of 360°) distant from another. XVII. — L. octns, -ant- half quadrant, f. oct EIGHT.

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octave

(eccl.) formerly pl., eighth day after a festival, period of eight days beginning with the festival XIV; (pros.) group of eight lines of verse XVI; (mus.) note eight diatonic degrees above a given note XVII; interval, or series of notes. between a note and its octave; (fencing) XVIII; group of eight XIX. — (O)F. octave, superseding semi-pop. oitieve, utave — L. octva, fem. of octvus eighth, f. oct EIGHT. So octavo size of the page of a book for which the sheets are so folded that each leaf is one-eighth of a full sheet XVII, earlier in o. XVI ‘in an eighth’; abl. of L. octvus. octet(te) (mus.) composition for eight instruments or voices; (pros.) group of eight lines. XIX. — It. ottetto, or its deriv. G. oktett; f. otto eight.

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octo-

before a vowel oct- , comb. form of L. oct EIGHT, as in octogenarian (L. octgnrius) XIX, octosyllable (late L. -bus) XVIII.

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October

tenth (formerly eighth) month of the year. Late OE. — L. octber, -bris, f. oct EIGHT; ME. octobre — (O)F. was superseded by the L. form.

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octopus

XVIII. — Gr. oktpous, (usu.) oktápous, f. oct EIGHT + poús FOOT.

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octoroon

person having ½ negro blood. XIX. f. L. oct EIGHT, after QUADROON.

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octroi

†concession, grant XVII; duty levied on articles on their admission to a town XVIII. — F., f. octroyer grant :- Gallo-Rom. auctricre, medL. auctrizre AUTHORIZE.

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octuple

XVII. — F. octuple or L. octuplus, f. oct EIGHT + -plus, as in duplus DOUBLE.

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ocular

XVI. — F. oculaire — late L. oculris, f. L. oculus EYE; see -AR. So oculist XVII.

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od

(phys.) hypothetical force held by Baron von Reichenbach (1788–1869) to pervade all nature. XIX. of arbitrary formation. Hence odic XIX.

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Od, 'od

XVI. Clipped form of GOD used to avoid the overt profanation of the sacred name, as in Ods-me, Ods my life, Odso, Odsbodikins (XVI–XVIII). Cf. DRAT.

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odal

land held in absolute ownership, as in Scand. countries. XIX. — ON. óðal (Norw., Sw. odal), corr. to OE. ðel, ðel, OS. ðil, OHG. uodal, f. Gmc. þ- aþ-, whence also OE. æðele, OHG. edili (G. edel) noble, OE. æðelu, OS. aðali, OHG. adal (G. adel) noble descent. ON. aðal native quality, nature. Cf. UDAL.

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odalisque

female slave, concubine. XVII. — F. — Turk. odalik, f. oda room (sc. in a harem) + -lik affix expressing function.

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odd

that remains after a division into pairs; that remains over and above a definite sum or round number XIV; (dial.) single, singular; †unique, distinguished; extraneous, additional XV; not ordinary or normal XVI. ME. odde — ON. odda-, comb. form of oddi point, angle, third or odd number, rel. to OE., OS. ord, OHG. ort point, etc. (G. ort place). Hence oddity, oddment XVIII.

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odds

first in phr. make o. even (XVI); perh. unequal things, (hence) difference, esp. in favour, dissension (esp. at o.), advantage conceded in wagering; presumably sb. pl. of the adj. Also in phr. odds and ends (XVIII), for earlier †odd ends (XVI–XVII), in which end means ‘fragment’.

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ode

XVI. — F. — late L. da, d — Gr. id, Attic var. of aoid song, lay, f. aeídein sing.

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-ode

repr. Gr. -eds, -des of the nature of, like, for -oeids -OID.

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odeum

theatre or hall for the performance of music. XVII. — F. odéum or L. dum — Gr. ideon, f. oid singing (see ODE).

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odious

XIV. — OF. odious, odieus (mod. odieux) — L. odisus, f. odium (whence odium XVII), rel. to di I hate.

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odometer

see HODOMETER.

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odonto-

comb. form of Gr. odoús, odont- TOOTH. XIX.

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odour

XIII. — AN. odour, OF. odor, odur (mod. odeur) — L. odor, odr-, rel. to Gr. odmé, osmé smell. So odoriferous XV. f. L. odrifer. odorous XVI. f. L. odrus.

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odyssey

long adventurous journey. XIX. transf. use of the name of the Homeric poem describing the ten years' wandering of Odysseus. — L. Odyssa — Gr. Odússeia, f. Odusseús.

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oecology, oecumenical

vars. of ECOLOGY, ECUMENICAL.

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oedema

(path.) swelling produced by serous fluid. XVI. — late L. — Gr. oídma, -mat-, f. oideîn swell. Hence oedematous XVII.

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œillade

amorous glance. XVI. — F., f. œil (:— L. oculus EYE); see -ADE.

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oeno-

comb. form of Gr. oînos WINE.

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oesophagus

XIV. — medL. — Gr. oisophágos, of which the first el. is unkn. and the second appears to be -phagos eating.

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oestrus

gadfly XVII; frenzy XIX. — L. — Gr. oîstros.

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of

prep. OE. of, orig. stressless var. of æf (surviving only as prefix), corr. to OS., MLG., (M)Du., ON., Goth. af, OHG. aba :- Gmc. adv. and prep a(a) : — IE ap(o), repr. also by L. ab, Gr. apó, Lith. apa-, Skr. ápa away from, down

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of-

assim. form of OB- before f.

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off

adv. away, so as to be separated, discontinued, etc.; prep. away from, in detachment from. Var. of OF from XV, but not finally differentiated from it until after 1600 in the above uses. off-hand without preparation or premeditation XVII; adj. †impromptu; free and easy, unceremonious XVIII.

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offal

(techn., dial.) shavings, chips, scraps XIV; entrails XV; refuse, garbage XVI. — (M)Du. afval, f. af OFF + vallen FALL, with assim. to the corr. Eng. elements.

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offence, U.S. offense

(arch.) stumbling, stumbling-block; attack; †harm, damage; act of offending; displeasure; breach of law or decorum. XIV. ME. offens(e) — (O)F. offens — L. offensus annoyance, and (O)F. offense — L. offensa striking against, hurt, wrong, displeasure; both L. forms f. offens-, pp. stem of offendere, whence (or from the deriv. OF. ofendre) offend †stumble; †wrong; †attack; wound the feelings of. XIV. See OF-, and cf. DEFEND. So offensive pert. to attack; †injurious; repulsive. XVI. — F. offensif, -ive or medL.

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offer

present as an act of worship OE.; tender for acceptance or refusal XIV; propose to do XV; propound XVI. OE. offrian sacrifice, bring an offering = OS. offron (Du. offeren), ON. offra; an early Gmc. adoption of L. offerre present, offer, bestow, f. OF. + ferre bring, BEAR2. Reinforced in ME. from (O)F. offrir, which brought in the primary senses. Hence offering (-ING1) OE. offrung. offer sb. XV. So offertory passage recited at the offering of bread and wine at the Eucharist XIV; the offering itself XVI. — ecclL. offertrium place of offering, oblation; see -ORY1.

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office

duty, (obligatory) service; position to which duties are attached; †introit XIII; form of divine service; place for transacting business XIV. — (O)F. — L. officium, orig. performance of a task :- opificium, f. opus work + -fic-, facere DO1. So officer (-ER2) one who holds office XIV; (in army, navy, etc.) XVI. — AN. officer, (O)F. officier — medL. officirius. official (-AL1) sb. XIV. Partly — (O)F. official, partly sb. use of adj. (XVI). — L. officilis. officiate XVII. f. pp. stem of medL. officire perform divine service.

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officinal

(of a herb) used in medicine and the arts; (of remedies) sold ‘in the shops’, made up according to the pharmacopoeia. XVIII. — medL officnlis, f. L. officna workshop, manufactory, laboratory, for opificna, f. opifex, -fic- workman, f. opus work + -fic-, facere DO1; see -AL1.

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officious

†eager to please or serve; †dutiful XVI; importunate in offering service; †official XVII; (in diplomatic use) friendly and informal XIX. — L. officisus (or F. officieux), f. officium OFFICE; see -IOUS.

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offing

part of the sea visible to an observer on shore or ship; position at a distance off shore. XVII. perh. f. OFF + -ING1.

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offspring

OE. ofspring, f. OF. † ‘from’ + springan SPRING2.

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oft

(arch.) many times. OE. oft = OS. oft(o), OHG. ofto (G. oft), ON. opt, oft, Goth. ufta; Gmc. adv., of uncert. orig. In ME. extended to oftë (XII), whence, by further extension (prob. after selden SELDOM), often XIV. The comps. oft-times (XIV) and often-times (XV), repl. †oft(e)sithe(s) XIII, repr. OE. oftsðum d. pl., on oftsðas on frequent occasions (partly also the corr. ON. optsinnis, -sinnum).

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ogdoad

the number 8, group of eight. XVII. — late L. ogdoas, -ad- — Gr. ogdoás, -ad-, f. ógdoos eighth, okt EIGHT; see -AD.

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ogee

†ogive XV; S-shaped double curve XVII. prob. reduced form of ogive, perh. through the pl. form ogi(v)es.

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og(h)am

alphabet of the ancient British and Irish. XVII. — OIr. ogam, ogum (modIr. ogham, Gael. oghum), traditionally assoc. with the name Ogma of the supposed inventor.

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ogive

(archit.) diagonal rib of a vault. XVII. — F. ogive, earlier augive, orgive, of unkn. orig. So ogival XIX.

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ogle

XVII. prob. of LG. or Du. orig.; cf. LG. oegeln, frequent. of oegen look at, also early modDu. oogheler, oegeler flatterer, oogen cast sheep's eyes at. See -LE3.

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ogre

XVIII (hogre). — F.; of unkn. orig. Hence ogress XVIII.

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oh

XVI. var. of O, formerly used in positions where O is now more usual, now chiefly as an excl. of pain, terror, surprise, or disapproval. — F. oh, L. h.

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ohm

unit of electrical resistance. XIX. f. name of Georg Simon Ohm , German physicist (1787–1854).

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oho

excl. combining O with HO. XIV.

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ohone

excl. of lament. XV. — Gael., Ir. ochòin.

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-oid

suffix equiv. to -form, -like, repr. F. -oïde, L. -ods, from Gr. -oeids, f. -ò- + eidos form, shape. So -oidal (-AL1).

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oil

in early use, liquid expressed from the olive; later, any similar viscid smooth liquid. XII. ME. oli(e), oile — AN., ONF. olie, OF. oile (mod. huile) — L. oleum (olive) oil, for oleiuom, olaiwom — Gr. élai(F)on; cf. OLIVE. The adoption from F. ousted OE., ME. ele = OS., OHG. oli (Du. olie, G. öl) — popL. olium, L. oleum. Hence oily (-Y1) XVI.

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ointment

XIV. alt., after †oint vb. (XIV), of earlier †oi(g)nement (XIII) — OF. oignement :- popL. unguimentum, f. L. unguentum UNGUENT; see -MENT.

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O.K.

XIX (orig. U.S.) app. f. the initial letters of oll korrect, joc. alt. or dial. pronunc. of all correct; also, initials of Old Kinderhook (near Albany), name of the birthplace of a Democratic candidate, Martin Van Buren , used as a slogan.

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-ol

(chem.) terminal syll. of alcohol, used to form names of substances which are alcohols in the wider sense, or compounds analogous to alcohol, e.g. methol, naphthol, phenol. From phenol the ending has been transferred to the phenol group.

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old

OE. (as a familiar epithet XIV). OE. (Angl.) ald (WS. eald) = OS. ald (Du. oud), (O)HG. alt :- WGmc. alða (cf. ON. compar. ellri ELDER2, superl. ellztr ELDEST, Goth. alþeis old); pp. formation on the base of OE. alan, ON. ala nourish, Goth. alan grow up, rel. to L. alere nourish, with the parallel formation altus high, deep. Hence olden (-EN2) ancient. XV.

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oleaginous

XVI. — F. oléagineux, f. L. oleginus, f. oleum OIL; see -OUS.

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oleander

XVI. — medL. oleander, oliandrum; of obscure orig.

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oleo-

used as comb. form of (i) L. oleum OIL (XVIII), as in oleograph picture printed in oil-colours, (ii) oleic, olein, as in oleomargarine (XIX).

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olfactory

pert. to the sense of smell. XVII. — L. olfactrius, f. olfactre, frequent. of olfacere smell (trans.), f. olre; see -ORY2.

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olibanum

aromatic gum-resin. XIV. — medL., ult. repr. Gr. líbanos frankincense tree, incense (of Sem. orig.).

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oligarchy

XVII. — (O)F. oligarchie or medL. oligarchia — Gr. oligarkhí, f. oligárkhs (whence oligarch XVII), f. oligos few; see -ARCH.

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oligocene

see EOCENE.

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olio

dish consisting of a medley of meats, vegetables, etc.; hotchpotch, miscellany. XVII. alt. of Sp. olla (Pg. olha) :- Rom. olla, for L. lla pot, jar.

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olive

(fruit of) the evergreen tree Olea europaea. XIII. — (O)F. — L. olva — Gr. elaí(F), rel. to élai(F)on OIL. Hence olivaceous XVII.

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olla podrida

olio. XVI. — Sp., ‘rotten pot’; olla (see OLIO), podrida putrid.

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-ology

(see -o-, -LOGY); as sb. any of the sciences or departments thereof. XIX.

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Olympiad

period of four years between celebrations of the Olympic games (ancient Gr. festival). XVI. — F. Olympiade or L. Olympias, -ad- — Gr. Olumpiás, f. Olúmpios, adj. of O'lumpos lofty mountain in Thessaly, Greece, home of the gods in Gr. myth.; see -AD. So Olympian, Olympic XVI.

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-oma

suffix repr. modL. -ma — Gr. -ma, as in rhízma, sárkma, tríkhma, f. vbs. in -osthai, as rhizosthai take root, f. rhíza ROOT. (i) Used to denote a formation or member of the nature of that denoted by the radical part; now superseded by -ome , as in RHIZOME; (ii) used in names of tumours or other morbid growths, as SARCOMA.

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ombre

card-game played by three persons with 40 cards. XVII (earlier also l'hombre, l'ombre). — Sp. hombre (:- L. hominem, nom. hom man); cf. F. (h)ombre chief player at ombre, and the game itself.

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omega

last letter of the Gr. alphabet (, ); last of a series, end. XVI. — Gr. ô méga (cf. MEGA-) ‘great o’.

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omelet(te)

XVII (also aumelet, am(m)ulet, amlet). — F. omelette, also †a(u)melette, metath. alt. of †alumette, by-form of †alumelle, †alemel(l)e, which arose from lemele blade of a sword or knife, by wrong analysis of la lemel(l)e (— L. lamella, dim. of lamina thin plate of metal); the omelette is presumed to have been named from its thin flat shape.

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omen

XVI. — L. men, min-, of uncert. orig. So ominous XVI. — L. minsus.

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omentum

(anat.) caul. XVI. — L.

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-ometer

the el. -METER preceded by -o-, as in gasometer.

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omit

XV. — L. omittere, f. OB- + mittere send, let go. So omission XIV. — (O)F. or late L.

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omni-

comb. form of L. omnis all, as in omnipotent XIV (— (O)F. — L.), omnipresent XVII (— medL.), omniscience , omniscient XVII (— medL.), omnivorous XVII (f. L. omnivorus).

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omnibus

XIX. — F. omnibus, also voiture omnibus carriage for all (L. omnibus, d. pl. of omnis all).

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omnium gatherum

gathering of all sorts, miscellaneous assemblage. XVI. f. L. omnium g. pl. of omnis all + mock-L. formation on GATHER, for ‘a gathering’.

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omoplate

(anat.) shoulder-blade. XVI. — Gr. moplát, f. ômos shoulder + plát broad surface, blade.

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omphal(o)-

comb. form of Gr. omphalós NAVEL. XVII.

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on

prep. and adv. expressing the relation of contact with or proximity to a surface (hence with implication of support by it) and motion to or toward a position (later often expressed by on to, onto XVI); in early use covering also some of the uses now expressed by in and at. OE. on, orig. unstressed var. of an = OS., OHG. ana, an (Du. aan, G. an), ON. á, Goth. ana, rel. to Gr. aná, ána on, upon, Skr. up, Av. ana, OSl. na. Hence onward(s) XVI.

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onager

wild ass. XIV (afterwards not before XVIII). — L. — Gr. ónagros for ónos ágrios (ónos ass, ágrios wild).

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onanism

XVIII. — F. or modL. onanismus, f. Onan (Gen. 38: 9); see -ISM.

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once

one time only XII; at any one time, on any occasion XIV. ME. nes, nes, g. of n, n ONE (see -S), finally superseding nes, OE. nes, which repl. adv. instr. ne (ME. ene) of n ONE; cf. MDu. eenes, MLG. nes, MHG. ein(e)s, G. einst. Hence at once XIII.

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one

OE. n = OS. n (Du. een), (O)HG. ein, ON. einn, Goth. ains :- Gmc. ainaz :- IE. oinos, whence also OL. oinos, L. nus, OSl. in other, Lith víenas, OIr. óen, óin; in other langs. with other suffixes, as Skr. éka- one, Gr. oî(f)os alone.

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-one

(chem.) used in the names of various compounds. — Gr. -n fem. patronymic suffix.

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oneiro-

comb. form of Gr. óneiros dream, as in oneiromancy (XVII).

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onerous

XIV. — (O)F. onéreux — L. onersus, f. oner-, ONUS; see -OUS.

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onion

XIV. ME. unyon, oyn(y)on — AN. union, (O)F. oignon, L. uninem, nom. uni.

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only

(dial.) solitary; of which there are no others OE.; single XV. OE. nlic, late var. of nli. corr. to MLG. einlk. MDu. een(e)lijc. Hence adv. ME. onliche (XIII); partly alt. of OE. nl.e, after the adj., partly developed from predic. uses of the adj. See ONE, -LY1, -LY2.

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onomatopoeia

word-formation based on imitation. XVI. — late L. — Gr. onomatopoií making of words, f. onomatopoiós, f. ónoma, -mat- NAME + -poios -making. Hence onomatopoeic, onomatopoetic XIX.

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onslaught

XVII. Early forms also anslaight, onslat- early MDu. aenslag (mod. aan-), f. aan ON + slag blow, stroke, rel. to slagen strike, SLAY1; with assim. (XVII) to †slaught, OE. slæht SLAUGHTER.

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ontology

study of being. XVIII. — modL. ontologia, f. Gr. onto-, comb. form of ón, g. óntos being, n. of n, prp. of eînai be; see -LOGY.

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onus

burden of responsibility. XVII. — L. ‘burden’.

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onymous

bearing a name (as of the author). XVIII. Extracted from ANONYMOUS.

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onyx

XIII (oniche). — OF. oniche, onix — L. acc. onycha, nom. onyx — Gr. ónukha, ónux NAIL, claw, onyx stone.

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oo-

comb. form of Gr. ión EGG, ovum, in scientific terms, as oolite (min. and geol.) XVIII (— F. oölithe, modL. oolits), oology XIX (— F. oölogie, modL. oologia), oospore XIX.

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oof

(sl.) money. XIX. Shortening of ooftish, Yiddish for G. auf tisch, i.e. auf dem tisch on the table, said of money laid on the table in gambling.

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-oon

repr. F. -on in words with stress on the final syll. adopted XVI–XVIII, e.g. dragoon, as distinguished from the -on of adoptions from AN. (OF.), e.g. baron, felon, and of more modern adoptions, e.g. chignon; hence repr. gen. F. dim -on, and the corr. It. augm. -one, Sp. augm. -on — L. -nem, nom. -, forming sbs. of the nickname or pejorative type, e.g. balatr jester, ns big-nosed man; exx. of various types of deriv. are balloon, buffoon, cartoon, harpoon, lampoon, macaroon, platoon, quadroon; rarely used as an Eng. formative, as in spittoon.

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ooze1

†juice, sap OE.; liquor of a tan vat, decoction of bark XVI; (from the vb.) exudation XVIII. OE. ws, corr. to MLG. ws(e) scum, ON. vás. Cf. next. Hence ooze vb. exude, cause to exude XIV; percolate as through pores XVIII. ME. wse. Now assoc. with OOZE2.

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ooze2

mud, slime. OE. wse = OFris. wse, ON. veisa stagnant pool, puddle.

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op-

assim. form of OB- before p.

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opal

XVI. — F. opale or L. opalus, prob. ult. (like late Gr. opállios) — Skr. úpala- stone. Hence opalescent XIX.

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opaque

(arch.) dark, dull XV; not transparent XVII. — L. opcus, partly through F. opaque. So opacity XVII. — F. — L.

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ope

(arch.) open (adj.). XIII. Clipped form of OPEN, with loss of n as in pps. awake, bespoke. Hence vb. XV.

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open

not shut, confined, or covered (with many fig. uses). OE. open = OS. opan (Du. open), OHG. offan (G. offen), ON. opinn :- Gmc. upanaz, having the form of a strong pp. (see -EN6) f. UP, as if meaning ‘put or set up’. Hence open vb. OE. openian = OS. opanon (Du. openen), OHG. offann (G. öffnen).

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opera

XVII. — It. :- L. opera labour, work produced, fem. coll. corr. to opus, oper- work (see OPUS). Hence operatic XVIII. irreg., after dramatic. So (dim.) operetta XVIII. — It.

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operate

†produce an effect; effect, produce, bring about XVII; (orig. U.S.) cause or direct the working of XIX. f. opert-, pp. stem of L. operr work, bestow labour upon, f. oper-, OPUS; see -ATE3. So operation working, performance XIV; surgical act XVI; (mil., math.) XVIII. — (O)F. — L. operative XVI; sb. worker XIX. — late L. operator XVI. — late L.

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operculum

(zool., etc.) cover. lid. XVIII. — L., f. operre cover, close, parallel formation to aperre open; see -CULE.

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operose

laborious (subjectively and objectively). XVII. — L. opersus, f. oper-, OPUS; see -OSE1.

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ophicleide

musical wind-instrument developed from the ancient ‘serpent’. XIX. — F. ophicléïde, f. Gr. óphis serpent (see next) + kleís, kleid- key, rel. to L. clvis (see CLEF).

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ophidian

serpent-like. XIX. f. modL. Ophidia order of reptiles, f. Gr. óphis, ophid- serpent; see -IAN. The comb. form of óphis (used in scientific terms) is ophi(o)- . So ophite XVII. — L. ophts — Gr. ophts serpentine.

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ophthalmia

inflammation of the eye. XVI (earlier not naturalized). — late L. — Gr. ophthalmí. f. ophthalmós EYE; see -IA1. So ophthalmic XVII. — L. — Gr.

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opiate

containing opium, narcotic XVI; sb. XVII. — medL. opitus; see OPIUM, -ATE2.

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opinion

what one thinks, belief XIII; estimate, estimation XIV. — (O)F. — L. opni, -n-, f. stem of opnr think, believe (whence opine XVI). Hence opinionated XVII. f. †opinionate (XVI). opinionative XVI.

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opistho-

comb. form of Gr. ópisthen behind, as in opisthograph manuscript written on the back as well as the front (XVII; — Gr. opisthógraphos).

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opium

XIV (anglicized †opie). — L. — Gr. ópion, dim. of opós vegetable juice.

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opodeldoc

in the work of Paracelsus (oppodeltoch) applied to various medical plasters and believed to have been invented by him. XVII.

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opopanax

fetid gum-resin from the root of Opopanax chironium. XIV. — L. — Gr. opopánax, f. opós juice + pánax, n. of panakés all-healing; see PANACEA.

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opossum

XVII. of Algonquian orig.

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oppidan

townsman; spec. of a member of Eton College who boards in the town. XVI. — L. oppidnus, f. oppidum (fortified) town; see -AN.

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oppilation

obstruction. XIV. — late L. opplti, -n-, f. L. opplre stop up, f. OP- + plre ram down, stop up; see -ATION.

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opponent

one who maintains a contrary argument XVI; antagonist XVII. — L. oppnns, -ent-, prp. of oppnere set against, f. OP- + pnere place.

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opportune

XV. — (O)F. opportun, fem. -une — L. opportnus (orig. of wind) driving towards the harbour, (hence) seasonable, f. OP- + portus harbour, PORT1. So opportunity XIV. opportunism, opportunist XIX. — It. opportunismo, F. opportunisme, etc.

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oppose

†confront with objections, pose, appose XIV; set against in opposition XVI. — (O)F. opposer, based on L. oppnere; see OPPONENT, POSE1. So opposite placed over against XIV; contrary XVI. — (O)F. — L. oppositus, pp. of oppnere. opposition (astron. and astrol.) XIV; contrary or hostile action XVI; (of a party) XVIII.

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oppress

†press hard upon, put down, quell; lie heavy on; keep under wrongfully or tyrannously. XIV. — (O)F. oppresser — medL. oppressre, f. oppress-, pp. stem of opprimere, f. OP- + premere PRESS1. So oppression XIV. — (O)F. — L. oppressive XVII. — F. — medL.

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opprobrious

XIV. — late L. opprobrisus, f. opprobrium (in Eng. use from XVII) infamy, reproach, f. OP- + probrum shameful deed, disgrace; see -IOUS.

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oppugn

†assault, besiege XV; assail in speech or action XVI. — L. oppugnre fight against, f. OP- + pugnre (see PUGNACIOUS).

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opsimathy

learning acquired late in life. XVII. — Gr. opsimathí, f. opsimaths (whence opsimath XIX), f. opsi-, opsé late + math- (see MATHEMATIC); see -Y3.

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opt

XIX. — F. opter — L. optre choose, desire. So optative (gram.) expressing wish. XVI. — F. optatif, -ive — late L. opttvus. option choice. XVII. — F. or L.; whence optional XVIII.

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optic

pert. to sight or the organ of sight. XVI. — (O)F. optique or medL. opticus — Gr. optikós, f. optós seen, visible, f. op-; see EYE, -IC. So optical, optics XVI.

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optimism

doctrine of Leibniz that the present world is the best of all possible worlds XVIII; view that presumes the predominance of good; disposition to hope for or expect the best XIX. — F. optimisme, f. L. optimum, sb. use of n. of optimus best; see -ISM. So optimist XVIII, optimum XIX.

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opulent

abundantly wealthy. XVII. — L. opulns, -ent- or opulentus, f. ops, pl. opes resources, wealth; see -ULENT. So opulence XVI.

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opus

work, esp. musical composition. XVIII (first in magnum o., o. magnum great work). — L., rel. to Skr. ápa-. So opuscule XVII. — (O)F. — L. opusculum XVII.

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or1

(adv., prep., conj.) before; sooner, ere; rather than. XIII (from XV often in or ever, or e'er, or ere). late Nhb. OE. r early, ME. (in Scandinavianized areas) r, later r — ON. ár = OE. r ERE.

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or2

particle introducing an alternative. XII. reduced form of †other (XII–XV), app. alt. of OE. oööe by assim. of the ending to words expressing an alternative, as either, whether (cf. the alt. of OHG. odo, MHG. ode, to odar, oder by assim. to weder neither).

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or3

(her.) the tincture gold or yellow. XVI. — (O)F.:— L. aurum.

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-or1

suffix of agent-nouns repr. ult. (i) L. -or chiefly as appended to pp. stems, as in the comp. forms -TOR, -ATOR, -itor, and -(s)sor (e.g. censor, oppressor, sponsor); (ii L. -trem, -itrem (nom. -tor, -itor), whence OF. -ëo(u)r, later and mod. -eur (see -OUR1). It has been generalized in legal use for the terms corr. to those in -EE1. In, e.g., bachelor, chancellor, sailor, -or has superseded other endings.

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-or2

suffix forming (orig.) abstr. sbs., as in error, horror, liquor, pallor, squalor, terror, repr. ult. L. -or, earlier -es (e.g. cols COLOUR, hons HONOUR), corr. to Skr. -as, Gr. -as, and rel. for the most part to intr. vbs. in -re. The earliest forms of the above words were in -our, which is the current British spelling in others of the same type (see -OUR2).

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orach(e)

plant of the genus Atriplex. XV (orage, arage). — AN. arasche, OF. arache, arrace (mod. arroche) :- L. atriplex, -plic- — Gr. atráphaxus.

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oracle

mouthpiece of a deity; divine revelation or message XIV; holy of holies in the Jewish temple XV; authoritative or infallible guide XVI. — (O)F. — L. rculum, f. rre speak, pray, ORATE; see -CLE. So oracular XVII.

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oral

pert. to the mouth or to speech. XVII. — late L. rlis, f. L. s, r- mouth; see -AL1.

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orange

(fruit of) an evergreen tree, Citrus aurantium XIV (orenge). — OF. orenge in pomme d'orenge, later and mod. orange; ult. — Arab. nranj — Pers. nrang. So orangeade XVIII.

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Orange

name of a town (Arausio in the ancient province of Gallia Narbonensis) on the Rhône in France, which in 1530 passed to the house of Nassau and so to the ancestors of William III of England (‘William of O.’, i.e. O.-Nassau), after whom were named (late XVIII) the O. lodges, Orangemen, and O. boys of an ultra-Protestant party in Ireland formally constituted into a secret society in 1795. The coincidence of this name with that of the fruit made the wearing of orange-coloured badges a symbol of attachment to William III and of membership of the O. Society.

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orang-utan, orang-outang

XVII. — Malay orang utan jungle dweller, prob. through Du. orang oetang; prop. the Malay name for wild races of men misapplied by Europeans.

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orator

†advocate XIV; †petitioner; (eloquent) public speaker XV; as a university official XVII. — AN. oratour = (O)F. orateur — L. rtor, -r- speaker, pleader, f. pp. stem of rre, whence (or in part back-formation) orate †plead XVI; deliver a speech XVIII; see -ATE3, -ATOR. So oration †petition XIV; formal speech XVI. — L. rti, -n- formal language, discourse, advocate's speech, (eccl.) prayer.

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oratorio

XVIII. — It. — ecclL. rtrium ORATORY1; so named from the musical performances held in the church of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Rome from the latter part of XVI.

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oratory1

place of prayer, esp. a small chapel XIV; title of certain religious congregations in R. C. Ch. (orig. of the O. of St. Philip Neri established in 1564) XVII. — AN. oratorie = (O)F. oratoire, It. oratorio — ecclL. rtrium, sb. use of n. of rtrius, f. rt-; see ORATOR, -ORY1.

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oratory2

art of the orator, eloquent speaking. XVI. — L. rtria, sb. use of fem. of rtrius, f. rtor; see ORATOR, -ORY2. Hence, or directly f. L. rtorius, oratorical XVII.

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orb

†(old astron.) hollow sphere surrounding the earth; †circle, ring; heavenly body XVI; eyeball, eye XVII; cross-surmounted globe of the regalia XVIII. — L. orbis ring, round surface, disc. Hence orbed (-ED2) XVI. So orbicular circular, spherical. XVI. — late L. orbiculris, f. L. orbiculus, dim. of orbis; see -CULE, -AR.

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orbit

eye-socket XVI; path of a heavenly body XVII. — L. orbita wheel-track, course, path (of the moon), in medL. eye-cavity, sb. use of fem. of orbitus circular, f. orbis, orb- ORB.

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orc

†ferocious (sea-)monster; cetacean of the genus Orca. XVI. — F. orque or L. orca kind of whale — Gr. óruga, acc. of órux ORYX.

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orchard

OE. orteard, or.e(a)rd garden, orchard = Goth. aurtigards garden; the first element is prob. — L. hortus garden; the second is YARD1.

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orchestra

in the ancient Gr. theatre, semicircular area for the chorus XVII; part of a theatre, etc., assigned to musicians; band of musicians itself XVIII. — L. orchstra — Gr. orkhstr, f. orkheîsthai dance. Hence orchestral XIX.

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orchid

XIX. f. modL. Orchideæ or Orchidaceæ, f. orchid-, wrongly assumed stem of L. orchis — Gr. órkhis testicle, applied to the plants from the shape of the tubers in most species.

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orchil

dye prepared from lichens XV; lichen Roccella XVIII. — OF. orcheil, orcele, orseil (mod. orseille), of uncert. orig.

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ordain

confer (holy) orders upon; appoint, decree; †arrange, dispose. XIII. ME. ordeine — AN. ordeiner = OF. ordener, later -oner (mod. -onner) — L. rdinre, f. rd, rdin- ORDER.

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ordeal

ancient mode of trial by subjection to a dangerous physical test OE.; trying experience XVII. OE. ordl, ordl (whence AL. ordlium, etc.) = OS. urdli (Du. oordeel), OHG. urteili (G. urteil) judgement :- Gmc. uzdailjam, corr. to OE. dlan, OS. dlian, OHG, ar-, irteilan (G. urteilen) adjudge as one's share, give judgement:- Gmc. uzdailjan share out, f. uz- out- + dailjan (Goth. -dailjan) DEAL1. In ME. recorded only in the form ordal, prob. from medL. ordlium; thereafter in forms also dependent on medL. (ordale, ordele) until XVII, when the present form ordeal became current through etymol. assoc. with DEAL1.

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order

A
rank of angels; grade in the Christian ministry; (gen.) rank, grade; monastic society or fraternity XII (o. of chivalry, etc. XIV); (archit.) system of parts in established proportions XVI; (math.) degree of complexity of form; higher group of animals, etc. XVIII;

B
sequence, disposition; method of procedure or action XIV (in o. to, take o. XVI); condition of observance of law and usage XV;
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C
regulation, direction, mandate XVI. ME. ordre — (O)F. ordre, earlier ordene — L. rdinem, nom. rd row, etc., rel. to rdr begin, rnre ADORN.
Top
Hence orderly arranged in or observant of order XVI; charged with the conveyance or execution of orders XVIII (o. man, officer, †sergeant, hence as sb., by ellipsis). So ordinal †(rare) regular, orderly XIV; (of numbers) XVI; (nat. hist.) pert. to an order XIX. — late L. rdinlis. ordinal sb. book of the order of divine service XIV; form of ordination XVII. — medL. rdinle, n. sg. of rdinlis. ordinance A. (arch.) regular arrangement; authoritative direction; prescribed usage XIV; B. †provision, supply; spec. military supplies (now ordnance) XIV. — OF. ordenance (now ordonnance) — medL. rdinantia, f. rdinre ORDAIN. ordinand one about to be ordained. XIX. ordinary A. (eccl. and leg.) one having immediate jurisdiction or authority in juridical matters; B. book of divine service; C. sb. uses of the adj. from XVI. — AN., OF. ordinarie (later and mod. ordinaire) — medL. rdinrius, and in n. sg. rdinrium. So adj. belonging to the regular order or course; having regular jurisdiction XV; of the usual kind XVI. — L. rdinrius orderly, usual; see -ARY. ordination XV. — (O)F. or L., f. ordinre ORDAIN. ordnance XVII (see ORDINANCE). ordonnance systematic arrangement. XVII. — F., alt. of OF. ordenance, after F. ordonner.

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ordure

XIV. — (O)F. ordure, f. ord filthy :— L. horridus HORRID; see -URE.

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ore

OE. ra unwrought metal (corr. to Du. oer, LG. r, of unkn. orig.), repr. by oor(e), (o)ure from XIV to XVII; superseded by the descendant of OE. r = OS., OHG. r, ON. eir, Goth. aiz :- Gmc. aiz, corr. to L. æs crude metal, bronze, money.

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oread

mountain nymph. XVI. — L. Oras, -ad- — Gr. Oreiás, -ad-, f. óros mountain; see -AD.

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oreography, oreology

see OROGRAPHY.

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orfray

see ORPHREY.

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organ

in versions of the Bible and allusions thereto, applied to various instruments of music XIII; musical instrument consisting of pipes supplied with wind and sounded by keys XIV; instrument or means of function XV. — OF. organe, orgene (mod. orgue) — L. organum instrument, engine, musical instrument — Gr. órganon, f. IE. wor- wer- WORK. So organic †serving as an organ XVI; pert to organs or an organized body XVIII (chem. XIX). — F. — L. organism †organic structure XVII; organized system or body XVIII. — F. organist XVI. — F. — medL. organize XV. — (O)F. — medL.

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organdie

XIX. — F., of unkn. orig.

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orgasm

paroxysm of excitement. XVII. — F. orgasme or modL. orgasmus — Gr. orgasmós, f. orgân swell as with moisture, be excited.

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orgy

(in pl.) secret rites of the worship of Greek and Roman deities, etc. XVI; (sg.) licentious revel XVIII. orig. pl. — F. orgies — L. orgia — Gr. órgia n. pl., f. IE. wor- wer- WORK; see -Y3. So orgiastic XVII. — Gr. orgiastikós.

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-orial

suffix combining L. -rius -ORY2 and -lis -AL1, and usu. identical in sense with -ory, e.g. inquisitorial, territorial, visitatorial; it is preferred where there is a sb. in -ory, e.g. purgatory/purgatorial.

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oriel

†porch; gallery, balcony, upper storey XIV; windowed recess projecting from a building XV; o. window XVIII. ME. oriole — OF. oriol, eurieul passage, gallery, of unkn. orig.

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orient1

adj.
eastern, (hence, of stones) precious, excellent; sb. the East, eastern lands. XIV. — (O)F. — L. orins, -ent- rising, rising sun, east, prp. of orr rise; see -ENT. So oriental XIV — (O)F. or L.

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orient2

place so as to face the east XVIII; determine the bearings of; (refl.) ascertain one's bearings XIX. — F. orienter, f. orient; see prec. So, by extension with -ATE2, orientate XIX; prob. after orientation situation so as to face east (of a church, east and west), bearing or lie of a thing, determination of bearings XIX, which appears to be directly f. orient vb.

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orifice

XVI. — (O)F. — late L. rificium, f. s, ri- mouth (see ORAL) + fic-, var. of facere make, DO1.

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oriflamme

sacred banner of St. Denis , of red or orange-coloured silk. XV (also -flambe). — (O)F. oriflambe, -flamme, in medL. auriflamma, f. aurum gold + flamma FLAME.

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origanum

wild marjoram, etc. XVI. — L. — Gr. organon, of unkn. orig.

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origin

descent, ancestry XIV; point or place of beginning. XVI. — F. origine or L. org, orgin-, f. orr rise. So original pert. to origin (first of o. sin XIV); sb. †origin; pattern, exemplar XIV; singular or eccentric person XVII. — (O)F. original or L. orginlis. origination XVII. — F. — L. orginti, derivation of words, f. pp. stem of orginre, whence originate (-ATE3) XVII.

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oriole

name of various yellow-plumaged birds. XVIII. — med. and modL. oriolus — OF. oriol :- L. aureolus, f. aureus golden, f. aurum gold.

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-orious

comp. suffix forming adjs. by the addition of -OUS to L. -ri- of -rius -ORY2, with which and -ORIAL it is mainly synonymous, but not of like currency.

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orison

(arch.) prayer. ME. ureisun, oreison, oriso(u)n — AN. ur-, OF. oreison, orison (now oraison) :- L. rti, -n- speech, ORATION.

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-orium

suffix repr. n. sg. of L. -rius, used in sbs. denoting ‘place of …’, ‘thing used or requisite for …’, as in auditorium, crematorium, sanatorium, and in such techn. terms as sensorium seat of sensation. Cf. -ORY1.

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orle

(her.) band round the shield. XVI. — (O)F. orle (cf. mod. ourlet hem), f. ourler hem : — Rom. rulre, f. rula, dim. of L. ra edge, border.

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orlop

(orig.) floor or deck with which a ship's hold was covered in; (later) lowest deck. XV (overloppe). — (M)Du. overloop, f. overloopen run over; see OVER-, LEAP.

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ormer

sea-ear (edible mollusc). XVII. — Channel Islands F. ormer = F. ormier :- L. auris maris ‘ear of the sea’ (so called from its resemblance to the ear).

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ormolu

gold leaf, gilded bronze, gold-coloured alloy. XVIII. — F. or moulu ‘ground gold’, i.e. or gold (:— L. aurum), moulu, pp. of moudre :- L. molere grind.

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ornament

†adjunct; accessory equipment (now only of the furnishings of a church); decoration, embellishment. XIII. ME. (o)urnement — AN. urnement, OF. o(u)rnement — L. rnmentum, f. rnre ADORN. Later refash. after L. Hence ornament vb. XVIII, whence ornamentation XIX. ornamental XVII. So ornate (-ATE2) XV. — pp. of L. rnre.

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ornithology

XVII. — modL. ornithologia, f. Gr. ornthológos treating of birds, f. órnis, orntho- bird; see -LOGY. So ornithologist XVII.

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orography, oreography

description of mountains. XIX. f. oro-, ore(i)o-, comb. forms of Gr. óros mountain; see -GRAPHY. So or(e)ology XVIII; see -LOGY.

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orotund

marked by fullness and clarity of tone. XVIII. f. L. phr. re rotund lit. ‘with round mouth’.

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orphan

(one) deprived of parents. XV. — late L. orphanus — Gr. orphanós, rel. to L. orbus bereft, Arm. orb orphan. Hence vb. XIX.

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Orphic

pert. to Orpheus or mysteries associated with him. XVII. — L. Orphicus — Gr. Orphikós, f. Orpheús; see -IC.

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orphrey, orfray

†rich embroidery XIII; ornamental band on a vestment XIV. Falsely inferred sg. from ME. orphreis taken as pl. — OF. orfreis (mod. orfroi) — medL. aurifrisium, alt. of auriphrygium gold embroidery, i.e. aurum Phrygium ‘Phrygian gold’.

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orpiment

yellow arsenic. XIV. — (O)F. — L. auripigmentum, f. aurum gold + pigmentum PIGMENT.

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orpin(e)

succulent herbaceous plant. XIV. — OF. orpine yellow arsenic, presumably shortening of orpiment.

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Orpington

breed of poultry. XIX. f. name of Orpington, a town in Kent.

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orrery

mechanism for representing the motions of the planets. XVIII. Named after Charles Boyle , Earl of Orrery, for whom a copy of the machine invented by George Graham c.1700 was made.

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orris1

(root of) iris. XVI (oreys, oris, arras). unexpl. alt. of IRIS.

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orris2

gold and silver lace pattern. XVIII (or(r)ice, -ace). poss. alt. of orfris ORPHREY.

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ortho- before a vowel orth-,

comb. form of Gr. orthós straight, right, correct. orthoepy correct pronunciation. XVII. — Gr. orthoépeia (épos word). orthography correct spelling. XV. — (O)F. — L. — Gr.

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orthodox

according with accepted opinion XVI; spec. epithet of the Eastern Church XVIII. — ecclL. orthodoxus — Gr. orthódoxos, f. orthós straight, right + dóxa opinion, f. base of dokeîn seem, rel. to L. decet (see DECENT). So orthodoxy XVII. — late L. — late Gr.

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ortolan

species of bunting, Emberiza hortulana. XVII. — F. — Pr. ortolan gardener — L. hortulnus, f. hortulus, dim. of hortus garden.

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-ory1

earlier -orie — AN. -orie = (O)F. -oire, repr. L. -ria, -rium, fem. and n. of -rius -ORY2, used sb. to denote a room or an instrument, as directory, dormitory, lavatory, refectory, repository, but sometimes with other applications, as in promontory, territory; in priory, rectory it is formed on a sb. in -OR1 with -Y3.

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-ory2

adj.
suffix repr. L. -rius, fem. -ria, n. -rium (partly through F. -orie), primarily f. agent-nouns in -r- -OR1 + -ius -IOUS, as in amatory, dilatory, initiatory, satisfactory, supplicatory; later extended, as in compulsory, illusory, perfunctory. Cf. -ORIAL, -ORIOUS.

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oryx

species of antelope. XIV. — L. — Gr. órux stonemason's pickaxe, applied to an antelope or gazelle having pointed horns.

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oscillate

XVIII. f. pp. stem. (see -ATE3) of L. scillre, f. scillum little mask of Bacchus hung from the trees, especially in vineyards, so as to be easily moved by the wind, dim. of s face; (or back-formation from) oscillation XVII. — L.

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oscitant

gaping from drowsiness. XVII. — prp. of L. oscitre gape, perh. f. s mouth + citre put in motion; see -ANT. So oscitation XVI. — L.

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osculate

kiss; (techn.) bring or come into close contact. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. sculr kiss, f. sculum little or pretty mouth (cf. -CULE). kiss, hypocoristic dim. of s mouth; see -ATE3. So osculation XVII. — L.

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-ose1

suffix repr. L. -sus, forming adjs. from sbs. with the meaning ‘full of’, ‘abounding in’, e.g. annsus full of years (f. annus year), jocsus JOCOSE, mrsus MOROSE, verbsus VERBOSE. The corr. sbs. end in -osity , repr. F. -osité, L. -sits. Cf. -OUS.

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-ose2

(chem.) suffix originating in the final syll. of GLUCOSE and used to form names of related carbohydrates, as cellulose, dextrose.

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osier

XIV. — (O)F. osier, m. form corr. to fem. (dial.) osière :— medL. ausria, of uncert. orig.

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-osis

terminal el. of many ancient and modL. terms derived from or modelled on Gr. terms in -sis, which were primarily based on vbs. in -óein (-oûn) but were later formed directly on sbs. and adjs., e.g. cyanosis, metamorphosis, sclerosis, thrombosis; corr. adjs. end in -OTIC.

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-osity

see -OSE1, -OUS, and -ITY.

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Osmanli

see OTTOMAN.

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osmium

(chem.) metal of the platinum group, distinguished by a pungent smell. XIX. f. Gr. osm ODOUR + -IUM.

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osmund

flowering fern. XV. — AN. osmunde, (O)F. osmonde, of unkn. orig.

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osprey

sea-eagle, fish-hawk XV; egret plume XIX. — OF. ospres (mod. orfraie), repr. obscurely L. ossifraga OSSIFRAGE.

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osseous

pert. to bone. XVIII. f. L. osseus, f. os, oss- bone, rel. to Skr. ásthi, Gr. ostéon OSTEO-; see -EOUS.

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ossifrage

lammergeyer; osprey. XVII. — sb. uses of L. ossifragus, -fraga bone-breaking, f. os, oss- bone (see prec.) + frag- break (see FRAGMENT).

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ossify

XVIII. — F. ossifier, f. L. os, oss- bone; see OSSEOUS, -IFY. So ossification XVII.

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ossuary

charnel-house, bone-urn. XVII. — late L. ossurium, f. ossua, var. of ossa, pl. of os bone; see OSSEOUS, -ARY.

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ostensible

†that may be shown; †conspicuous; exhibited as actual and genuine. XVIII. — F. — medL. ostensibilis, f. ostens-, pp. stem of ostendere, f. OB- + tendere stretch; see -IBLE. So ostensory (-ORY1) monstrance. XIX (earlier in foreign forms ostensorio, -orium, -oir). — medL. ostensrium. ostentation XV. — (O)F. — L., f. ostentre, frequent. of ostendere.

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osteo-

comb. form of Gr. ostéon bone (see OSSEOUS), as in osteology science of bones (XVII; — modL. osteologia), osteopath , osteopathy XIX (orig. U.S., after homoeopath, allopath).

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ostler

stable-man, groom. XIV. var. sp. of hostler (XIII) innkeeper, etc. — AN. hostiler = OF. hostelier, f. hostel HOSTEL (see -ER2).

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ostracism

method of banishment in ancient Greece by voting with potsherds or tiles on which the name of the person proposed to be banished was written. XVI. — F. ostracisme or modL. ostracismus — Gr. ostrakismós, f. ostrakizein (whence ostracize XVII), f. óstrakon shell, tile, potsherd, rel. to ostakós crustacean, ostéon bone; see OSTEO-, -ISM.

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ostrich

XIII. ME. ostric(h)e, -ige — OF. ostric(h)e, -usce (mod. autruche) :- Rom. avistrthius, f. L. avis bird + late L. strthi — Gr. strouthín ostrich, f. strouthósparrow, ostrich.

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-ot, -ote

repr. F. -ote, L. -ta, Gr. -ts, expressing nativity in ancient Gr. names, as Epirot, Gr. Epeiróets, native of Epirus, in mod. names of inhabitants of certain places in or near Greece, as Cypriot(e). The form -ot occurs in the common nouns HELOT, IDIOT, PATRIOT, ZEALOT.

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other

†one of two; the remaining (orig. one of two); existing besides OE.; different (as in ANOTHER) XIII. OE. öer = OS. öar, andar, OHG. andar (Du., G. ander), ON. annarr, Goth. anpar :- Gmc. anþeraz :- IE. anteros (compar. formation with -teros); parallel to Skr. ántara- different, Lith. atras, based on IE. an- as in Skr. anyá- other. Hence otherwise (OE. on öre wsan).

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-otic

repr. ult., through F. -otique, L. -ticus, Gr. -tikós, f. sbs. in -tes -OT, -OTE, adjs. in -tos, f. vbs. in -óein, -oûn, and so rel. to sbs. in -OSIS, e.g. hypnotic and hypnosis, sclerotic and sclerosis. Of different formation in Gr. are demotic, erotic, exotic; a mod. analogical formation is chaotic on chaos.

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otiose

of no practical effect XVIII; (arch.) unemployed XIX. — L. tisus, f. tium leisure; see -OSE.

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oto-

comb. form of Gr. oûs, t- EAR1.

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ottava rima

(pros.) It. stanza of eight 11-syllable lines rhyming abababcc. XIX. — It., ‘eighth rhyme’.

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otter

OE. otr, ot(t)or = MLG., Du. otter, OHG. ottar (G. otter), ON. otr :- Gmc. otraz :- IE. udros. repr. by Skr. udrá-, Gr. húdros water-snake; rel. to WATER.

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otto

unexpl. alt. of ottar, otter, vars. of ATTAR. XVII.

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ottoman

cushioned seat of the sofa type. XIX. — F. ottomane (XVIII), fem. of ottoman, adj. of next.

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Ottoman

pert. to the Turkish dynasty founded c. 1300 by Othman (Osman); Turkish, Turk. XVII. — F. Ottoman, It. Ottomano, medL. Ottomnus, f. Arab. ‘utmn Othman; Osman, the Turk. pronunc. of Othman + Turk. adj. suffix -li gives Osmanli (XIX).

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oubliette

secret dungeon. XIX. — F., f. oublier forget :- Rom. obltre, f. oblt-, ppl. stem of L. oblvisc: see OBLIVION, -ETTE.

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ought1

am bound, was bound, should be bound or obliged. OE. hte, pt. ind. and subj. of gan OWE; (literally) owed as a duty; (through the subj. use) should owe as a duty, passing into ind. use expressing (present or past) obligation, duty, or propriety.

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ought2

alt. of NOUGHT in the sense ‘cipher’, ‘zero’, arising from misdividing a nought as an ought. XIX.

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ouija

(in spiritualism) o. board, one lettered with an alphabet for obtaining messages. XX. P.; f. F. oui yes + G. ja yes.

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ounce1

unit of weight. XIV. ME. unce — OF. unce (mod. once) = It. oncia, †onza :- L. uncia twelfth part of a pound or foot (cf. INCH1), f. nus ONE, prob. intended orig. to express a unit.

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ounce2

†lynx XIII; mountain panther XVIII. — AN. unce, OF. once, beside lonce (the l of which was taken for the def. art.), repr. Rom. luncia, f. lynx, lync- LYNX.

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our

A
poss. pron. g. pl. (‘of US’) of the 1st pers. pron. OE. re (s(s)er) = OS. ser, OHG. unsr, ON. vár, Goth. unsara.

B
as pron. adj. OE. re = OS. unsa (Du. onze, ons), OHG. unsr (G. unser), ON. várr, Goth. unsar.
Top
Hence ours ME. res (XIII); repl. †our (OE. re to XVII); ourn (XIV to mod. dial.). ourself XIV, repl. usself; with pl. inflexion ourselven, ourselves XIV.

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-our1

the older form in many agent-nouns in -OR1, surviving in SAVIOUR.

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-our2

surviving spelling in British use (as against U.S. -or) in several sbs. in -OR2, e.g. ardour, colour, favour, honour, labour, odour, rigour, savour, tumour, valour.

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-ous

adj.
suffix denoting ‘characterized by’, ‘having the quality of’, ‘full of’, ‘abounding in’, repr. ult. L. -sus, -sa, -sum (cf. -OSE1); first appearing as -os, -us — AN., OF. -os, -us, mod. -eux (e.g. coveitos, coveitus COVETOUS).
The addition of -ous to L. stems of many types became the commonest mode of anglicizing L. adjs. ending in -eus, -ius, -uus, -ci-, -ci-, -endus, -ulus, -rus, etc., e.g. aqueous, atrocious, nefarious, stupendous, garrulous, and of forming adjs. directly from sbs. of all origins; see also -EOUS, -IOUS, -UOUS; rel. sbs. have -OSITY.
In chem. -ous indicates a larger proportion of the element denoted by the stem than the termination -ic, as cuprous, ferrous.

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oust

dispossess XVI; turn out, eject XVII. — AN. ouster = OF. oster (mod. ôter) take away, remove :- L. obstre oppose, hinder (see OBSTACLE). So ouster (-ER5) (leg.) ejection from a possession. XVI. — law F. ouster, sb. use of the vb.

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out

adv.
of motion or position beyond certain limits; with many transf. and fig. applications. OE. t = OS. t (Du. uit), OHG. z (G. aus), ON. t, Goth. t; Gmc. adv. rel. to Skr. prefix ud- out (cf. Gr. hústeros later :- udteros). The comp. prep. out of descends from OE. t of (see OF). OE. tan(e) is continued in BUT and WITHOUT. As adj., of restricted use (cf. outhouse, OUTSIDE, outsize, and OUT-). As sb. chiefly in techn. uses XVIII. As vb. OE. tian = OHG. uzn; newly formed XIV and later. out-and-out completely XIV; adj. XIX. Hence out-and-outer (-ER1) perfect or extreme one of its kind. XIX. The compar. formed with -ER3 (XIII) superseded UTTER in certain uses (cf. OUTMOST); hence outermost XVI.

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out-

repr. OE. t-, found in some thirty comps. meaning chiefly ‘outward(s)’, ‘outlying’, ‘foreign’, ‘exterior, external’; much increased in number and extended in application, in ME. and later; e.g. on the model of OE. thealf outward side are outside, outskirts, outline; = ‘outside the premises or area’, as in outhouse, outland (OE. tland); = ‘external’, as out-patient; on intr. verbal phrases such as break out, cry out, fit out, lay out, look out were formed outbreak, outcry, outfit, outlay, outlook; on trans. verbal phrases in the sense ‘exceed or go beyond a person or thing in something’, as outbid, outdo, outgrow, outlast, outline, outrun; out-Herod exceed Herod in violence; outstrip (XVI) is based on an obs. vb. meaning ‘move swiftly’; similarly with sbs., as outwit, out-general; with prepositional sense, as outdoor XVIII.

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outing

†expedition XIV; †expulsion; (orig. dial.) airing, excursion XIX. partly f. OUT vb., partly f. the adv.

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outlaw

one put outside the protection of the law. Late OE. tlaga — ON. útlagi, f. útlagr outlawed, banished, f. út OUT + lagu, lg LAW. So outlaw vb. Late OE. tlagian. outlawry XIV; in AN. utlagerie, -larie, AL. utlagaria, -eria.

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outmost

XIV. alt. of utmest (see UTMOST).

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outrage

†intemperance, excess, violent action; violent injury. XIII. — (O)F. :- Rom. ultrticum, f. L. ultr beyond; see ULTRA-, -AGE. So outrage vb. XIV. outrageous XIV. — OF. outrageus (mod. -eux).

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outré

out of the way, eccentric, extravagant. XVIII. — F., pp. of outrer †go beyond due limits, f. outre :- L. ultr (cf. ULTRA-).

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outrigger

(naut.) in various senses preceded by, and perh. an alt., by assoc. with RIG, of †outligger (XV) ‘outlier’.

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outright

†straight onward, straightway XIII; to the full, completely XIV. f. OUT adv., -RIGHT.

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outside

sb. XVI; adj. XVII; adv. and prep., for o. of XVIII. See OUT, SIDE. Hence outsider (-ER1) XVIII.

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outskirts

the outer border. XVII (outskirt XVI). See OUT-, SKIRT.

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outspoken

XIX (orig. Sc.). See SPOKEN.

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oval

egg-shaped. XVI. — medL. vlis, f. L. vum EGG1; see -AL1. So ovate (-ATE2) XVIII. — L.

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ovary

XVII. — modL. vrium, f. L. vum EGG1; see -ARY.

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ovation

(in ancient Rome) lesser triumph XVI; †exultation XVII; enthusiastic applause XIX. — L. ovti, -n-, f. ovre celebrate a (lesser) triumph, perh. f. Gr. euoi, exultant cry at the Bacchanalia; see -ATION.

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oven

†furnace; receptacle for food to be cooked by radiating heat. OE. ofen = (M)LG., (M)Du. oven, OHG. ovan (G. ofen), ON. ofn, ogn, Goth. auhns; obscurely rel. to Skr. ukhá- cooking-pot, Gr. ipnós oven, furnace.

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over

adv.
(also prep. in corr. senses) above; to or on the other side; above a certain quantity OE.; excessively, too XIII; through the whole extent XIV; gone by, done with XVII. OE. ofer = OS. obar (Du. over), OHG. ubar prep., ubiri adv. (G. über), ON. yfir, Goth. ufar :- Gmc. uberi :- IE. uperi, compar. formation (cf. Skr. upári, Gr. hupér, L. super) on upó from under towards. over adj. ME. ouere (XIII) began as a graphic var. of uuere (with o for u before u) :- OE. ufer(r)a, yfer(r)a; superseded in gen. use by the adv. form.

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over-

repr. OE. ofer-, comb. form of prec., of which there are some 300 comps.; the number was increased in ME. and later, with modifications and developments of the primary meanings. The chief senses are ‘situated above’, ‘upper’, ‘in excess’, ‘extra’, ‘lying, extending, or moving across’, ‘passing over a limit or an obstacle’, ‘beyond in degree or quality’, ‘covering a surface’, ‘with dominating or damaging influence or effect’; ‘with disturbance of situation’, as overbalance (XVI), overcast (XIII), overset (XVI), overturn (XIV), OVERWHELM; special uses are those in overhear hear without intention (XVI), overlook look over and beyond and so not see or notice (XVI), OVERTAKE; overcoat and overshoe (XIX) are orig. U.S. and are prob. renderings of the corr. G. or Du. words.

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overall

outer covering or garment. XVIII. f. OVER prep. + ALL.

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overplus

XIV. partial tr. of (O)F. surplus SURPLUS.

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overt

†open, uncovered; open to view or knowledge. XIV. — OF. overt (mod. ouvert), pp. of ovrir (ouvrir) open:- popL. operre for L. aperre.

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overtake

come up with, catch up XIII; come upon suddenly XIV. f. OVER- + TAKE.

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overtone

(acoustics, mus.) harmonic. XIX. — G. oberton, for oberpartialton ‘upper partial tone’.

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overture

†opening, aperture XIV; opening of negotiations XV; (Sc.) formal motion in an assembly XVI; (mus.) orchestral piece forming the introduction to a work XVII. — OF. overture (now ouverture) :- popL. opertra for L. apertra APERTURE.

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overweening

presumption, arrogance. XIV. f. OVER-, WEEN, -ING1.

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overwhelm

(dial.) upset XIV; overcome, overpower XVI. f. OVER- + WHELM.

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ovi-1

comb. form of L. vum EGG1, as in oviduct (XVIII).

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ovi-2

comb. form of L. ovis sheep (see EWE), as in (joc.) ovicide sheep-slaughter (XIX).

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ovine

pert. to sheep. XIX. — late L. ovnus, f. ovis: see EWE, INE1.

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ovo-

used irreg. for OVI-1. XIX.

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ovoid

egg-shaped. XIX. — F. ovoïde — modL. voïds, f. vum EGG1; see -OID. So ovoidal XVIII.

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ovolo

(archit.) convex moulding the section of which is a quarter-circle or ellipse. XVII. — It. ovolo, dim. of †ovo, uovo :— L. vum EGG1.

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ovule

(bot.) rudimentary seed; (zool.) unfertilized ovum. XIX. — F. ovule — modL. vulum, dim. of L. vum EGG1; see -ULE.

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ovum

egg (female reproductive cell). XVIII. — L., see EGG1.

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owe

A
†have, own OE.;

B
have to pay XII;
Top

C
have as a duty or obligation XII;
Top

D
cherish, entertain XIV; have to ascribe or attribute XVI. OE. gan = OS. gan, OHG. eigan, ON. eiga, Goth. aigan; Gmc. preterite-present vb., rel. to Skr. te owns. The orig. conjugation has been repl. by a new one (owed XIV) based directly on the inf., and the orig. pt has become a distinct word (OUGHT1). A special use of the prp. owing is in the sense ‘attributable to’ (XVII), whence the adv. owing to because of (XIX).
Top

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owl

OE. le = MLG., MDu. le, Du. uil, ON. ugla :- Gmc. uwwaln, parallel with uwwiln, repr. by OHG. úwila (MHG. iule, G. eule). For the imit. orig. cf. L. ulula, perh. f. vb. ululre howl. Hence owlet (-ET) XVI.

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own

pert. to oneself or itself. OE. gen = OS. gan, OHG. eigan (Du., G. eigen), ON. eiginn :- Gmc. aizanaz, adj. use of the pp. of OWE, prop. ‘possessed’, ‘owed’. Hence vb. OE. gnian †take possession of; hold as one's own OE. (disused XIV–XVI exc. as repr. in owner (XIV), whence revived XVII by back-formation); acknowledge as one's own, as true or valid, etc. XVII.

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ox

pl.
oxen bovine animal, esp. castrated male of the domestic species. OE. oxa = OS., OHG. ohso (Du. os, G. ochse), ON. uxi, oxi, Goth. auhsa :- Gmc. oxsan-, rel. to W. ych, pl. ychen, OIr. oss stag, Skr. ukán- bull, cattle.

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oxalic

epithet of a poisonous sour acid found in wood-sorrel, etc. XVIII. — F. oxalique, f. L. oxalis — Gr. oxalis wood-sorrel, f. oxús sour, acid; see -IC.

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oxide

XVIII. — F. oxide (now oxyde), f. oxygène OXYGEN + -ide, after acide ACID.

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oxlip

flowering herb, hybrid between cowslip and primrose. OE. oxanslyppe, f. oxan, g. sg. of oxa OX + slyppe slimy or viscous dropping (see COWSLIP).

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Oxonian

pert. to Oxford, esp. to its university. XVI. f. Oxonia, latinization of OE. Ox(e)naford, ME. Oxen(e)ford, f. oxan, g. pl. of OX + FORD; see -IAN.

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oxy-

repr. oxu-, comb. form of Gr. oxús sharp, acid, used in many scientific terms, in chem. repr. oxygen.

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oxygen

XVIII. — F. oxygène, intended to mean ‘acidifying principle’ (acid-producer), f. Gr. oxús sharp, acid + -gène -GEN.

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oxymoron

(rhet.) figure in which contradictory terms are conjoined. XVII. — Gr. oxúmron, n. sg. of oxúmoros pointedly foolish, f. oxús sharp + mrós foolish.

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oyer

(leg.) in full o. and terminer ‘hear and determine’, commission to hear and judge indictments. XV. — AN. oyer = OF. oïr (mod. ouïr) :- L. audre hear. See -ER5.

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oyez, oyes

call to command attention, as by a public crier or a court officer. XV. — AN., OF. oiez, oyez hear ye!, imper. pl. of oïr (see prec.).

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oyster

XIV. ME. oistre — OF. oistre, uistre (mod. huitre) — L. ostrea (whence also OE. ostre), also ostreum — Gr. óstreon, rel. to ostéon bone.

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oz

symbol for OUNCE1. XVI. — It. , abbrev. of onza, pl. onze.

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ozokerite, ozocerite

aromatic waxlike fossil resin. XIX. — G. ozokerit, f. Gr. ózein smell + krós beeswax; see -ITE.

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ozone

XIX. — G. ozon m Gr. ózon, n. prp. of ózein smell, rel. to odmé ODOUR; so named from its peculiar smell.

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P

pa

see PAPA.

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pabulum

food, nutriment. XVII. — L. pbulum, f. base p- of pscere feed.

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pace1

step; rate of progression; †step of a stair, floor raised by a step; †mountain pass. XIII. ME. pa(a)s — (O)F. pas — L. passus step, pace, lit. ‘stretch (of the leg)’, f. pass-, pp. stem of pandere stretch, extend. Hence pace vb. walk with measured pace (along) XVI; set the pace for XIX.

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pace2

by leave OF. XIX. — L., abl. of px PEACE, as in pce tu by your leave.

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pacha

see PASHA.

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pachisi

four-handed game played in India, of which ludo is a simplified form. XVIII. — Hindi pacs, adj. f. pacs twenty-five (the highest throw), f. pc five.

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pachy-

comb. form of Gr. pakhús thick, as in pakhúdermos thick-skinned (dérma skin), on which is based modL. pachydermata, whence pachyderm, pachydermatous XIX.

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pacific

making or tending to peace XVI; peaceful XVII (P. Ocean, modL. Mare Pacificum, so called by Magellan because he found it comparatively free from violent storms). — (O)F. pacifique or L. pcificus, f. px, pc- PEACE; see -FIC. Hence pacificism, pacificist, usu. in shortened form pacifism, pacifist XX. So pacify XV. — (O)F. pacifier or L. pcificre. pacification XV. — F. — L.

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pack1

bundle, bale XIII; company, set of people XIV; set of playing-cards XVI; company of animals kept or herding together XVII. — (M)Du., (M)LG. pak; of unkn. orig. So pack vb. XIV. — (M)Du., (M)LG. pakken. Hence package XVII.

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pack2

†make a plot; †bring into a plot; make up (a jury, etc.) for a wrong purpose; shuffle (cards) fraudulently. XVI. perh. f. †pact vb. (f. PACT sb.) by apprehending the final -t as an inflexion.

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packet

small pack or package XVI; short for p.-boat XVIII. f. PACK1 + -ET; perh. of AN. formation. Hence packet-boat vessel plying between two ports, mail-boat. XVII; orig. boat maintained for the conveyance of ‘the packet’ of state papers.

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pact

XV. — (O)F. pacte, †pact — L. pactum, -us, sb. uses of pp. of pacsc make a covenant, f. base of px PEACE.

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pad1

(orig. sl., now dial.) path, road XVI; road-horse, nag; highwayman, FOOTPAD XVII. — LG., Du. pad PATH. Hence, or — LG. padden, pad vb.1 tread, tramp. XVI.

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pad2

†bundle of straw to lie on; soft stuffed saddle XVI; small cushion XVII; hairy foot or paw XVII; sheets of paper forming a block XIX. of obscure orig.; cf. Flem. †pad, patte, LG. pad sole of the foot. Hence pad vb.2 stuff, fill out. XIX.

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pad3

dull sound of steps on the ground. XVI. mainly imit., but cf. PAD vb.1

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paddle1

spud for cleaning a ploughshare XV; short oar for propelling a canoe, etc.; one of a series of spokes, boards, or floats for propelling a vessel in the water XVII. of unkn. orig.; the suffix is -LE1. Hence vb. XVII.

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paddle2

walk or move the feet about in mud or shallow water XVI; toddle XVIII. of obscure orig.; cf. LG. paddeln tramp about, frequent. of padden PAD vb.1; see -LE3.

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paddock

small enclosure of grass land. XVII. alt. of (dial.) parrock, OE. pearroc, -uc PARK.

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paddy1

rice in the straw or in the husk. XVII (batte XVI, batty XVII). — Malay padi, corr. to Javanese pr; cf. Kannada b(h)atta.

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paddy2

Irishman XVIII; fit of temper XIX. pet-form of Ir. Padraig Patrick; see -Y6.

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paddymelon, pademelon

small brush kangaroo. XIX. alt. of Austral. aboriginal name.

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pad(i)shah

title applied to the Shah of Persia, Sultan of Turkey. Great Mogul, etc. XVII. — Pers. pdh, in poetry pdiah :- Pahlavi ptax(h), f. OPers. pati ( = Skr. pati) master, lord, ruler + ·h king, SHAH.

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padlock

XV. first el. of unkn. orig.; see LOCK1.

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padre

(title of a) minister of religion. XVI. — It., Sp., Pg. padre :— L. pater, patr- FATHER.

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paduasoy

silk fabric. XVII. Earliest form poudesoy — F. pou-de-soie, earlier pout de soie (XIV), of unkn. orig.; altered to the present form by assoc. with earlier †Padua say (XVII), kind of serge from Padua in Italy.

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paean

song of triumph or exultation. XVI. — L. pæän — Gr. pain hymn to Apollo invoked by the name Pain, Doric var. of Ionic Pain, Attic Pain, orig. the Homeric name of the physician of the gods, afterwards Apollo.

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p(a)ediatrician

XX. f. Gr. paîs, paid- child + itrós physician + -ICIAN. So p(a)ediatrist XIX.

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p(a)edo-

comb. form of Gr. paîs, paid- boy, child, as in paedobaptism infant baptism (XVII).

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paeon

(pros.) metrical foot of four syllables, one long and three short, named, acc. to the position of the long syllable, first, second, third, and fourth paeon. XVII. — L. pæn — Gr. pain; see PAEAN.

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pagan

XIV. — L. pgnus rustic, peasant, citizen, civilian, (in ChrL.) non-Christian, non-Jewish, f. pgus (rural) district, the country, orig. land-mark fixed in the earth, f. IE. pa- as in L. pangere fix; see -AN. The sense ‘heathen’ of L. pgnus is of uncert. orig. Hence paganism XV.

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page1

†boy, lad XIII; †youth in training for knighthood; †male person of low condition; boy (or man) employed as servant or attendant XIV, as in a great household, or (XVIII) a foot-boy or errand-boy at a house, hotel, etc. — (O)F. page, perh. — It. paggio; of uncert. orig.

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page2

one side of a leaf of a book, etc. XV. — (O)F. page (reduction of pagene) — L. pgina vine-trellis, column of writing, page or leaf, f. IE. pa- fix (cf. PAGAN). Hence vb. XVII. So paginate XIX; back-formation from pagination XIX. — F.

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pageant

†scene acted on a stage XIV; †stage on which scenes were acted, esp. in the open-air performances of the miracle plays XV; †tableau or series of tableaux XVI; brilliant spectacle XIX; scenic exhibition of local history XX. Late ME. pagyn (in contemp. AL. pagina), of unkn. orig. With parasitic d, t, from XIV (cf. ancient, peasant, tyrant). Hence pageantry XVII.

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pagoda

idol temple; idol; coin of S. India (from the figure thereon). XVII (pagod(e) XVI). — Pg. pagode, prob. ult. — Pers. butkada idol temple, f. but idol + kada habitation.

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pail

OE. pæel (glossing medL. gillo GILL3), corr. to (M)Du. pegel gauge, scale, mark, LG pegel half a pint, of unkn. orig.

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paillasse

see PALLIASSE.

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pain

(arch.) punishment, penalty (now only in phr.); suffering; †trouble, difficulty XIII; (pl.) trouble taken in doing something XVI (earlier sg. do one's p., etc.). ME. peine, paine — (O)F. peine :— L. pœna penalty, punishment, (later) pain, grief — Gr. (Dorian) poin, (Attic) poin expiation, ransom, punishment, rel. to OSl. cna price. Av. kan- punishment, Skr. cáyate avenge, punish. Hence painful hurtful; †laborious. XIV.

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paint

make (a picture) on a surface in colours XII; depict in words XV. prob. first in pp. (i)peint — (O)F. peint(e), pp. of peindre :— L. pingere embroider, paint, embellish, f. nasalized form of IE. pig- peig-, repr. also by Skr. pinkte paints, and parallel with peik- poi-, repr. by OE. fh, OHG. fh, Goth. -faihs coloured. Hence paint ob. pigment, colour. XVII. So painter^1 XIV. — OF. peintour, nom. peintre :- Rom. pinctrem, for L. pictrem, nom. pictor, f. pict-, pp. stem of pingere; see -OR1, -ER5.

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painter2

rope to secure an anchor, etc. XV. contemp. with †paint vb. make fast with a rope, which is prob. a back-formation; of unkn. orig., but cf. OF. pentoir, penteur strong rope.

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pair

set of two; set of parts forming a whole. XIII (e.g. string of beads XIV, flight of stairs XVI). — (O)F. paire :— L. paria equal or like things, n. pl. of pr, par- equal. Hence vb. XVII.

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Pakistan

XX. Earlier Pakstan, f. initials of Punjab, Afghan Province, Kashmir, Sind, and Baluchistan.

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pal

XVII. — Eng. Gypsy pal brother, mate = Turk. Gypsy pral, plal :- Skr. bhrtar- BROTHER.

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palace

official residence of a king, pope, bishop XIII; stately mansion XIV; building, often spacious and attractive, for entertainment XIX. ME. paleis — OF. paleis, (also mod.) palais — L. paltium orig. name of one of the seven hills of Rome, (later) the house of Augustus there situated, the palace of the Caesars which finally covered the hill.

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paladin

one of the Twelve Peers of Charlemagne's court, of whom the Count Palatine was the foremost; (hence) knightly champion or hero. XVI. — F. — It. paladino — L. paltnus pert. to the palace, PALATINE.

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palaeo-, U.S. paleo-

comb. form of Gr. palaiós ancient, in many scientific terms often having correlatives in NEO-; among the earliest are palaeography (XVIII; — F. paléographie), palaeontology (XIX); archaeol., geol. opp. to MESO-, NEO-, as palaeolithic , palaeozoic (for palaeocene see EOCENE).

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palaestra

wrestling-school. XVI. — L. palæstra — Gr. palaístr, f. palaíein wrestle.

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palafitte

prehistoric lake dwelling in Switzerland or N. Italy. XIX. — F. — It. palafitta fence of piles, f. palo PALE1 + fitto fixed.

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palanquin, palankeen

covered litter used in India and elsewhere. XVI. — Pg. palanquim — An E. Indian word repr. by Pali pallaka-, Hindi plk :- Skr. palyaka-, paryaka- bed, couch, f. pári round, about, PERI-.

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palate

XIX (palet). — L. paltum; of unkn. orig. Hence vb. taste, relish. XVII. palatble XVII. palatal XIX. — F. palatal. The comb. form of palate is palato- XVIII.

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palatine

(of a count or county) possessing royal privileges XV; sb. lord having sovereign power over a province or dependency of an empire or realm XVI. — F. palatin(e) — L. paltnus belonging to the paltium PALACE, sb. officer of the Roman imperial palace, chamberlain; hence applied in the Middle Ages to great feudatories exercising royal privileges. Hence palatinate (-ATE1) territory of a count palatine, county palatine. XVI.

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palaver

parley, conference; profuse or idle talk. XVIII (hence as vb.). — Pg. palavra :— L. parabola PARABLE.

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pale1

pointed stake used in forming a fence; fence of these; limit, boundary XIV; (her.) ordinary consisting of a vertical band XV; territory within determined bounds XVI. — (O)F. pal, var. of pel (mod. pieu) = It. palo :— L. plus stake, f. IE. pa-, base of pangere fix. So vb. enclose with pales. XIV. — (O)F. paler; surviving in paling XV. palisade XVI. — F. palissade.

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pale2

of whitish colour XIII; faint, dim XIV. — OF. pal(l)e (mod. pâle) — L. pallidus PALLID. So vb. XIV. — OF. palir (mod. pâlir).

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paletot

loose outer garment. XIX. — F. paletot, formerly †pal(e)toc, in ME. †paltok (XIV); of unkn. orig.

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palette

XVII. — F.; see PALLET2.

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palfrey

saddle-horse. XII. — OF. palefrei (mod. palefroi) :— medL. palefrdus, for paraverdus, f. Gr. para beside, extra (see PARA-1) + late L. verdus light horse, courier's horse (of Gaulish orig.).

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palimpsest

†material prepared for writing on and wiping out XVII; parchment, etc., in which the original writing has been erased to make place for a second XIX. — L. palimpsestus — Gr. palímpsestos (as sb. -on), f. pálin again + psestós, pp. formation on psên rub smooth.

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palindrome

XVII. — Gr. palíndromos running back again, f. pálin again + drom-, drameîn run.

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palinode

song in which a poet retracts something said before, recantation. XVI. — F. †palinode or late L. palindia — Gr. palinidí, f. pálin again + id song, ODE.

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pall1

A
(arch.) cloth, esp. (a) rich cloth OE.; cloth spread on a coffin or hearse XV;

B
(arch.) robe, mantle OE.; papal pallium XV;
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C
‘mantle’ of cloud, mist. smoke XV. OE. pæll — L. pallium Greek mantle, philosopher's cloak, later in various eccl. uses; see PALLIUM.
Top

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pall2

†become dim or faint XIV; become vapid or stale XV; (fig.) become insipid XVIII. Aphetic of †appall, APPAL.

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Palladian

pert. to the school of the It. architect Antonio Palladio (1518–80), who imitated ancient Roman architecture. XVIII. See -IAN.

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palladium1

image of Pallas in the citadel of Troy, on which the safety of the city depended XIV; safeguard, protection XVI. — L. — Gr. palládion, f. Pallás, -ad- epithet of the goddess Athene.

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palladium2

metal of the platinum group. XIX. — modL.; so named from the newly discovered asteroid Pallas; see prec. and -IUM.

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pallet1

(straw) mattress. XIV. ME. pail(l)et — AN. paillete straw, f. OF. paille straw:— L. palea chaff, straw.

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pallet2

flat-bladed wooden instrument XVI; flat board; projection which engages with the tooth of a wheel XVIII. — (O)F. palette, dim. of pale spade, blade:— L. pla spade, shovel, rel. to plus stake, PALE1.

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palliasse, paillasse

straw mattress. XVIII. — F. paillasse — It. pagliaccio :- Rom. paleceum, f. L. palea chaff, straw.

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palliate

†cloak, conceal; alleviate (disease, etc.) XVI; disguise the enormity or offensiveness of; †mitigate XVII. f. pp. stem of late L. pallire (pallitus cloaked, fig. protected, is earlier), f. PALLIUM; see -ATE3. So palliation XVI. — (O)F. — medL. palliative XVI. — (O)F.

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pallid

XVII. — L. pallidus, rel. to pallre be pale; see FALLOW2 and -ID1. So pallor (-OR2) XVII. — L.

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pallium

large cloak XVI; vestment worn by the pope and conferred by him on archbishops XVII; (zool.) mantle of a mollusc, etc. XIX. — L. pallium, rel. to palla long wide outer garment of Roman ladies; of unkn. orig.

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pall-mall

†mallet used in the game (also so called) in which a ball was driven through an iron ring XVI; †alley in which this was played, (hence) name of an alley in London XVII, now Pall Mall. — F. †pal(le) mail(le) — It. pallamaglio, f. palla ball + maglio mallet.

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palm1

tree of the (chiefly tropical) family Palmae: leaf or ‘branch’ of a palm tree OE.; branch or sprig of a tree substituted for the palm in Palm Sunday processions XIV. OE. palm(a), palme = OS., OHG. palma (Du. palm, G. palme), ON. pálmr; Gmc. — L. palma PALM2 (the palmleaf was likened to the hand with the fingers extended). In ME. the word coincided with the repr. of AN. (modF.) palme, OF. paume. Palm Sunday Sunday next before Easter, on which processions are held in which palms are carried. OE. palm-sunnandæ, tr. ecclL. Dominica Palmarum. Hence palmy abounding in palms; flourishing. XVII.

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palm2

part of the hand between the fingers and the wrist; flat part of a deer's horn XIV; measure of length XV. ME. paume — (O)F. paume = Sp., It. palma :— L. palma palm of the hand, part of the trunk of a tree from which branches spring, palm-leaf, palm-tree (see prec.), rel. obscurely to Gr. palám palm of the hand, Ir. lám hand, OE. folm. ME. paume, through paulme (also OF.), was finally assim. to the L. Hence palm vb. XVII.

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palmary

XVII. — L. palmrius that carries off the palm of victory, f. palma PALM1; see -ARY.

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palmate

shaped like an open hand. XVIII. — L. palmtus, f. palma PALM2; see -ATE2.

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palmer

pilgrim from the Holy Land, carrying a palm-branch as a sign XIII; destructive hairy caterpillar XVI. — AN. palmer, -our, OF. palmier :— medL. palmrius, f. palma PALM1; see -ER2.

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palmette

ornament with divisions resembling a palm-leaf. XIX. — F., dim. of palme PALM1; see -ETTE.

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palmetto

small species of palm. XVI (palmito). — Sp. palmito dwarf fan-palm, dim. of palma PALM1; later assim. to It. dims. in -etto.

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palmiped

having palmate feet. XVII. — L. palmips, -ped-, f. palma PALM2 + ps FOOT.

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palmistry

XV (pawmestry). f. PALM2 + -estry, of obscure formation; alt. to -istry XVI, perh. after sophistry. Hence by back-formation palmist XIX.

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palmitic

(chem.) acid contained in palm-oil. XIX. — F., arbitrarily f. palme PALM1; see -IC. Hence palmitate (-ATE2) XIX.

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palmyra

palm, Borassus flabellifer. XVII. Formerly palmero, palmeiro — Pg. palmeira, Sp. palmera, It. palmero, f. palma PALM1; the present sp. suggests assim. to Palmyra, name of a city in Syria.

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palpable

tangible, sensible XIV; plainly observable XV; evident, manifest XVII. — late L. palpbilis, f. palpre touch soothingly; see -ABLE. So palpation handling. XV. — F. or L.

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palpebral

pert. to the eyelids. XIX. — late L. palpebrlis, f. palpebra eyelid, rel. to palpre; see prec. and -AL1.

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palpitate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. palpitre, frequent. of palpre stroke; see PALPABLE, -ATE3. So palpitation XVII. — L.

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palsgrave

count palatine. XVI. — early Du. paltsgrave (mod. paltsgraaf), f. palts palatinate + †grave, graaf count.

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palstave

form of celt fitting into a split handle. XIX. — Da. paalstav :- ON. pálstafr, f. páll hoe, spade (— L. plus PALE1) + stafr STAVE.

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palsy

XIII. ME. pa(r)lesi — (O)F. paralisie (AN. parlesie) — Rom. paralisia, for L. paralysis PARALYSIS. Hence palsied XVI.

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palter

†mumble, babble; †jumble XVI; shuffle in statement or dealing XVII. Of the form of a frequent. or iterative in -ER4, but the base is unkn.; perh. ult. rel. to next.

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paltry

XVI. adj. use of (dial.) paltry sb. (XVI) rubbish, trash; cf. MLG. palterlappen rags, LG. paltrig ragged, torn.

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paludal

pert. to marshes. XIX. f. L. pals, pald- marsh. See -AL1.

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paly

(her.) divided by vertical lines (palewise). XV. — (O)F. palé, f. pal PALE1; see -Y5.

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pampa

usu. pl. pampas vast treeless plain in S. America. XVIII. — Sp. — Quechua pampa plain.

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pamper

†cram with food, feed luxuriously XIV; over-indulge XVI. frequent. (see -ER4) of synon. †pamp (XIV), dial. pomp; prob. of LG. or Du. orig.

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pamphlet

small treatise of smaller compass than a ‘book’ XIV; short treatise or booklet on a matter of current or temporary interest XVI. ME. pamflet, paunflet, in AL. panfletus; generalized use of Pamphilet, Panflet (in OF. and MDu. respectively), vernacular name of the L. amatory poem ‘Pamphilus seu de Amore’. Hence pamphleteer (-EER1) XVII (†pamphleter XVI).

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pan

A
broad shallow vessel OE.; †skull (brain pan) XIV;

B
depression in the ground XVI;
Top

C
hard substratum of the soil XVIII. OE. panne = OS. panna, (M)LG., MDu. panne (Du. pan), OHG. pfanna, (G. pfanne):- WGmc. panna; perh. — popL. panna :— L. patina (see PATEN).
Top
Hence pan vb. wash (gravel, etc.) in a pan, separate the gold; (usu. with out) yield gold when so washed; also fig. XIX. pancake XV, prob. after MLG. pannekke (Du. pannekoek).

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pan-

comb. form of Gr. pâs, n. pân all, used freely in Gr. with adjs. in the sense ‘wholly, completely, of all, by all’, and less freq. with sbs. meaning ‘all’, ‘complete’ (cf. PANACEA, PANCREAS, PANDECT, PANOPLY, etc.); extensively used in later XIX to express the notion of universality in political or religious activities, as Pan-African, Pan-Anglican, Panslavism.

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panacea

universal remedy. XVI. — L. panaca — Gr. panákeia, f. panaks all-healing, f. PAN- + base of ákos remedy.

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panache

plume of feathers XVI; swagger XX. — F. — It. pennachio :- late L. pinnculum, dim. of pinna feather.

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panada

dish of pulped bread with flavouring. XVI. — Sp.:- Rom. pant, f. pnis bread.

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panama

name of a town and state in Central America and of the isthmus joining N. and S. America, misapplied to a hat which originated in Ecuador. XIX.

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pancratium

athletic contest combining wrestling and boxing. XVII. — L. — Gr. pankrátion, f. PAN- + krátos strength, mastery.

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pancreas

gland discharging a digestive secretion, sweetbread. XVI. — Gr. págkreas, f. PAN- + kréas fiesh. Hence pancreatic XVII.

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panda

XIX. — Nepali name.

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Pandean, Pandaean

pert. to Pan or the pipes reputedly invented by him. XIX. irreg. f. Pan, Gr. rural deity + -EAN.

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pandect

compendium of Roman law made by order of the emperor Justinian; complete treatise or digest. XVI. — F. pandecte or L. pandecta, -tes — Gr. pandékts (pl. pandéktai as a title), f. PAN- + dékhesthai receive.

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pandemic

(of a disease) prevalent over the whole of an area. XVII. f. Gr. pándmos, f. PAN- + dêmos people: see -IC.

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pandemonium

abode of all devils XVII; haunt of great wickedness, (later) place or gathering of lawless violence XVIII. modL., f. Gr. PAN- + daímn DEMON.

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pander

go-between in clandestine amours XVI; one who ministers to base passions or designs XVII. Earliest form pandar; appellative use of Pandare — It. Pandaro (— L. Pandarus, Gr. Pándaros), name used by Boccaccio and thereafter by Chaucer for the man who procured for Troilus the love of Criseyde (Griseida). The sp. pander is due to assoc. with -ER1. Hence vb. XVII.

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pandora, pandore

stringed musical instrument of the cither type. XVI. — It. †pandora, -iera, pandura — late L. pandra — Gr. pandoûra, -doúr three-stringed lute.

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pane

A
†piece of cloth XIII (survives in COUNTERPANE);

B
section or side (now only in some techn. uses) XIV;
Top

C
division of a window XV; panel XVI. ME. pan, later pane — (O)F. pan :— L. pannus cloth, piece of cloth.
Top

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panegyric

XVII. — F. panégyrique — L. pangyricus public eulogy, sb. use of adj. — Gr. pangurikós pert. to public assembly, f. panguris general assembly, f. PAN- + -guris = agor assembly. So panegyrical XVI, panegyrist XVII. panegyrize XVII. — Gr. pangurízein.

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panel

piece of cloth placed under the saddle XIII; saddle consisting of a rough pad XVI; piece of parchment (attached to a writ) on which names of jurors were written, (hence) list of jurymen, jury XIV; section of a fence XV; compartment of a door, etc. XVI; thin board used for a painting XVIII; large size of photograph XIX. — OF. panel piece of cloth, saddle cushion, piece (mod. panneau):- Rom. pannellus, dim. of L. pannus PANE; see -EL2.

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pang

XVI. In earliest use pange(s) of deth, panges of child bed; unexpl. var. of earlier †pronge, †prange (XV). The forms in pr- corr. to MLG. prange pinching, Du., LG. prangen pinch, Goth. anapraggan oppress, Sc. p(r)ang pack tight, cram.

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pangolin

scaly ant-eater. XVIII. — Malay pngguling, f. png- (denominative element) + guling roll, with ref. to its habit of rolling itself up.

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panic1

millet. XV. — L. pncum, rel. to pnus stalk of a panicle; of uncert. orig.

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panic2 adj.

in p. fear, etc., such as was attributed to the influence of Pan XVII; sb. †contagious emotion so ascribed XVII; sudden and extreme alarm XVIII. — F. panique — modL. pnicus (in p. terror) — Gr. pnikós (also n. -ón as sb.), f. Pn Pan, name of a deity part man part goat, whose appearance or unseen presence caused terror and to whom woodland noises were attributed; see -IC. Hence panicky (-Y1) XIX.

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panicle

compound inflorescence. XVI. — L. pnicula, dim of pnus; see PANIC1, -CLE.

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panjandrum

nonsense word, simulating comps. of PAN-, occurring in the farrago of nonsense composed by Samuel Foote in 1755 to test the memory of the retired actor Macklin ; hence used as a mock title (orig. ‘the Grand Panjandrum’) for a pretended great personage.

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pannage

mast on which swine feed XIV (pownage); (right of) feeding swine in a forest XV. — OF. pannage (mod. panage) :— medL. pstinticum, f. L. psti, -n- feeding, pasturing, f. pst-, pp. stem of pscere feed; see -AGE.

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pannier

basket, esp. a large one (as carried by a beast of burden, etc.). XIII. — (O)F. panier, †pannier :— L. pnrium bread-basket, f. pnis bread.

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pannikin

small metal drinking-mug. XIX. f. PAN; see -KIN.

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panoply

complete suit of armour. XVII. — F. panoplie or modL. panoplia — Gr. panoplí, f. PAN- + hópla arms.

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panopticon

Bentham's name for a circular prison in which warders could at all times observe their prisoners XVIII; show-room XIX. f. Gr. PAN- + optikón, n. of optikós OPTIC.

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panorama

picture of a scene unfolded so as to show the parts in succession XVIII; (fig.) continuous passing scene XIX. Invented c.1789 by Robert Barker (who in his patent of 1787 called it ‘La nature à coup d'œil’, i.e. ‘nature at a glance’), f. Gr. PAN- + hórma view, f. horân see.

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pansy

XV (pensee, later pensy, paunsie). — (O)F. pensée thought, fancifully applied to the plant, f. penser think — L. pnsre weigh, ponder, consider, in Rom. think.

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pant

XV. — AN. panter, based on OF. pantaisier be agitated, gasp, pant:- Rom. pantasire, for phantasire be oppressed as with nightmare, gasp with oppression — Gr. phantasioûn cause to imagine, make game of, f. phantasí FANTASY. Hence sb. XVI.

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pantalet(te)s

(pl.) XIX. f. next + -ETTE.

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pantaloon

Venetian character in It. comedy represented as a lean and foolish old man XVI; †(pl.) breeches in fashion after the Restoration XVII; tight-fitting trousers which superseded knee-breeches XVIII; trousers in general (esp. U.S.) XIX. — F. pantalon — It. pantalone Venetian character in It. comedy, alleged to be appellative use of the name of San Pantal(e)one, formerly a favourite saint in Venice.

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pantechnicon

name of a bazaar of miscellaneous artistic work, intended to be held in a building in Motcomb Street, Belgrave Square, London, which became a large warehouse for furniture; (hence, short for p. van) a furniture-removing van. XIX. f. Gr. PAN- + tekhnikón, n. of tekhnikós TECHNICAL.

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pantheist

adherent of the doctrine that God and the universe are identical. XVIII. f. Gr. PAN- + theós god; cf. THEIST. Hence pantheism XVIII.

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pantheon

sacred building in ancient Rome dedicated to all the gods XIV; habitation of all the gods, deities collectively XVI; applied to modern buildings resembling the Pantheon in Rome XVIII. ME. panteon — medL. panteon; adopted afresh XVI — L. pantheon — Gr. pántheion, f. PAN- + theios divine, f. theós god.

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panther

leopard (but in early use with vague reference) XIII; puma, cougar, jaguar XVIII. ME. panter(e) — OF. pantere (mod. panthère) — L. panthéra — Gr. pánthr, of Oriental orig.

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pantile

(prop.) roofing tile curved to an ogee shape. XVII. f. PAN + TILE.

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panto-, before a vowel pant-,

repr. Gr. pant(o)-, comb. form of pâs, pant- all (see PAN-).

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pantograph

instrument for the mechanical copying of a design. XVIII. — F. pantographe, f. Gr. PANTO- + -graphos -GRAPH.

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pantomime

ancient Roman actor who performed in dumb show XVII; dramatic entertainment by gestures to a musical accompaniment; performance of a dramatized tale followed by a transformation scene and clowning XVIII. — F. pantomime or L. pantommus — Gr. pantómmos adj. and sb.; see PANTO-, MIME. Abbrev. panto XIX. So pantomimic XVII. — L.

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pantry

XIV. — AN. panetrie, OF. paneterie, f. panetier — Rom. pntrius (in medL. pne-, pnitrius), for pnrius (in late L.) breadseller, f. pnis bread; see -RY.

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pants

XIX. Shortening of pl. of PANTALOON.

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pap1

teat, nipple. XII. ME. pappe, prob. immed. from Scand. (cf. Sw. and Norw. dial. pappe), ult. f. an imit. base pap- expressing the noise of sucking; cf. L. papilla, late L. papula nipple, Lith. ppas teat. Cf. next.

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pap2

soft or semi-liquid food for infants. XV. prob. — (M)LG., MDu. pappe (Du. pap), prob. — medL. pappa, f. L. pappre eat, ult. derived from baby language (cf. L. pap(p)a, used by infants in calling for food).

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papa

father. XVII. — F. — late L. ppa — Gr. páp(p)as child's word for father. Shortened to pa (dial.) XIX. The var. pappa (XVIII) survives in U.S. poppa , abbrev. pop XIX.

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papacy

office of pope XIV; papal system XVI. — medL. pptia, f. ppa POPE1; see -ACY. So papal XIV. — (O)F. — medL.

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papaveraceous

of the poppy family. XIX. f. L. papver POPPY; see -ACEOUS.

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papaw, pawpaw

XVI (papaio). — Sp. papaya, Pg. papayo — Carib; the change to papaw (XVII), pawpaw (XVIII) is unexplained.

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paper

substance made of interlaced and compressed fibre for writing, drawing, or printing on, etc.; sheet of this containing a document, etc. XIV; short for newspaper; essay, article XVII; set of examination questions XIX. ME. papir — AN. papir, (O)F. papier — L. paprus — Gr. pápros PAPYRUS. Hence paper vb. XVI, paper-hanging, paper-money XVII.

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papier mâché

XVIII. Not of F. orig., though composed of F. words, viz. papier PAPER and mâché, pp. of mâcher chew.

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papilionaceous

like a butterfly. XVII. f. L. papli, -n- butterfly + -ACEOUS.

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papilla

nipple-like protuberance. XVIII. — L. (see PAP1). So papillary XVII.

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papist

adherent of the Pope or the papal system, Roman Catholic. XVI. — F. papiste or medL. ppista, f. ecclL. ppa POPE1; see -IST. Hence papistic(al), papistry XVI.

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papoose

XVII. of Algonquian orig.

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pappus

(bot.) downy appendage on fruits. XVIII. — Gr. páppos (i) grandfather, (ii) down on plants. So pappose (-OSE1) XVII.

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papyrus

kind of sedge from which ancient writing material was made XIV; writing material so prepared XVIII. — L. paprus — Gr. pápros paper-rush, of unkn. orig. The comb. form is papyro- , as in papyrology , papyrologist (XIX).

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par

equality of value, equal footing; recognized value of currency, etc. XVII; average amount XVIII. — L. pr equal.

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para-1,

before a vowel or h usu. par- , repr. comb. form of Gr. pará prep. by the side of, alongside, past, beyond. Also in numerous techn. comps. in which it had cogn. advb. and adj. uses, as ‘to one side’, ‘amiss’, ‘irregular(ly)’, ‘wrong(ly)’.

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para-2

repr. F. para- — It. para-, imper. of parare ward off:— L. parre PREPARE.

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parabasis

in ancient Gr. comedy, choric song addressed to the audience. XIX. — Gr. parábasis, f. parabaínein go aside, step forward; see PARA-1.

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parable

(arch.) similitude, dark saying, proverb; fictitious narrative or allegory for teaching spiritual truth. XIV. ME. parab(i)le — (O)F. parabole — L. parabola comparison, in ChrL. allegory, proverb, speech — Gr. parabol comparison, analogy, proverb, f. parabállein put alongside, compare, f. PARA-1 + bállein throw.

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parabola

(geom.) plane curve formed by the intersection of a cone by a plane parallel to a side of the cone. XVI. — modL. — Gr. parabol juxtaposition, application; see prec. So parabolic pert. to parable, metaphorical XVII. — late L. — late Gr.; pert. to a parabola XVIII. parabolical (in both senses) XVI.

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parachute

sb. XVIII. — F., f. PARA-2 + chute fall. Hence vb. XIX.

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Paraclete

title of the Holy Ghost. XV. — (O)F. paraclet — ChrL. paracltus — Gr. parákltos advocate, intercessor f. parakalein call to one's aid, f. PARA-1 + kalein call. Parákltos was assoc. by the Gr. Fathers with the Hellenistic sense ‘console, comfort’ (cf. parakltr comforter).

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parade

show, display; mustering of troops for inspection, etc.; place of such assembly; public square or promenade; †parry. XVII. — F. — Sp. parada :- Rom. parta, sb. use of fem. pp. of L. parre PREPARE, with various specific applications in Rom.; see -ADE. Hence vb. XVII.

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paradigm

pattern; example XV; (gram.) example of the inflexions of a class of words XVI. — late L. paradgma — Gr. parádeigma example, f. paradeiknúnai show side by side, f. PARA-1 + deiknúnai show.

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paradise

garden of Eden; Heaven XII; paradisaical place or state XIII; park, pleasure-ground; (after Luke 23: 43, etc.) the Intermediate State XVII. ME. paradis, also parais (XII–XV) — (O)F. paradis, also in semi-pop. form parais — ChrL. paradsus — Gr. paradeisos, first used of the parks of Persian kings and nobles, (hence) garden, orchard, in LXX and N.T. Eden, abode of the blessed — Av. pairidaza enclosure, f. pairi around, PERI- + diz mould, form. Hence paradisaic XVIII, paradisaical XVII. So paradisiac, paradisiacal XVII. — ChrL. paradsiacus — Gr. paradeisiakós. Vars. of greater or less currency are paradisean XVII, paradisial XVIII, paradisian XVII, paradisic XVIII, paradisical XVII.

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parados

(fortif.) elevation of earth behind a fortified place. XIX. — F., f. PARA-2 + dos back:— L. dorsum.

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paradox

statement or tenet contrary to received opinion; proposition on the face of it (in pop. use, actually) self-contradictory XVI; phenomenon conflicting with preconceived notions XVII. — late L. paradoxum, -doxon, sb. use of n. of paradoxus — Gr. parádoxos, f. PARA-1 + dóxa opinion. Hence paradoxical XVI.

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paraffin

orig. colourless or white substance being a mixture of hydrocarbons; spec. a hydrocarbon of the methane series (p. oil, kerosene). XIX. — G., f. L. parum too little, barely + affinis related; so named with ref. to its neutral quality and the small affinity it possesses for other bodies.

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paragoge

addition of a letter or syllable to a word. XVIII. — late L. paragg — Gr. paragg derivation, addition to the end of a syllable, f. PARA-1 past, beyond + agg leading. Hence paragogic XVIII.

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paragon

pattern of excellence; †match, mate; †comparison; perfect diamond XVI; †double camlet; †black marble XVII; size of printing type XVIII. — F. †paragon (now parangon) in the above senses — It. paragone touchstone, comparison — medGr. parakón whetstone, f. Gr. parakonân sharpen against, f. PARA-1 + akón whetstone.

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paragraph

character ¶ marking a section of a discourse, etc.; passage or section of a book, etc. XVI; short passage or notice in a journal XVII. — (O)F. paragraphe or medL. paragraphus, -um — Gr. parágraphos short horizontal stroke written below the beginning of a line in which a break of sense occurs, passage so marked, f. PARA-1 by the side + -graphos -GRAPH.

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parakeet

XVI. Three types are repr.: (i) parroket, -quet, perroquet XVI, (ii) paraquito, -quetto XVI, (iii) par(r)akeet XVII, the last being anglicized forms of the former, which are — (O)F. paroquet (mod. perroquet parrot); perh. ult. based on dims. of the name ‘Peter’ (F. Pierrot, Sp. Perico).

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parallax

XVII. — F. parallaxe — Gr. parállaxis change, alternation, mutual inclination of two lines meeting in an angle, f. parallássein, -allakt- alter, alternate, f. PARA-1 + allássein exchange, f. állos other. So parallactic XVII. — Gr.

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parallel

lying alongside (one) another and always the same distance apart XVI; precisely similar or corresponding XVII. — F. parallèle — L. paralllus — Gr. parálllos, f. PARA-1 alongside + allln (g. pl.) etc. one another, redupl. of állos other. So parallelepiped XVII (in Gr. form XVI). — Gr. paralllepípedon, f. parálllos + epipedon plane surface, sb. use of n. of epípedos plane, f. EPI- + pédon ground. parallelogram XVI. — F. parallélogramme — late L. paralllogrammum — Gr. parallelógrammon, sb. use of n. of adj. f. parálllos + gramm line (cf. -GRAM).

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paralogism

false reasoning, fallacy. XVI. — F. paralogisme or late L. paralogismus — Gr. paralogismós, f. paralogízesthai reason falsely f. parálogos beyond reason; see PARA-1, LOGOS, -ISM.

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paralysis

XVI. — L. — Gr. parálusis, f. paralúesthai be ‘loosened’ or disabled at the side, pass. of paralúein, f. PARA-1 + lúein loosen. So paralyse, U.S. paralyze XIX. — F. paralyser. paralytic XIV. — (O)F. — L. — Gr.

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parameter

(math.) third proportional to any given diameter and its conjugate XVII; quantity constant in a given case, but varying in different cases XIX. — modL. parameter, -metrum, f. Gr. PARA-1 beside, subsidiary to + métron measure.

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paramount

(of a feudal lord) superior, supreme. XVI (also + †pera-). — AN. (Law F.) paramont, peramont, adj. use of adv. paramont above, f. (O)F. par by + amont above; see AMOUNT.

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paramour

adv. phr. paramour(s) by way of (sexual) love, for love's sake, as a lover. XIII. — OF. par amour(s) by or through love. Hence sb. †(sexual) love; †lover, sweetheart XIII; illicit lover or mistress XIV. The sb. use may have arisen partly from a mistaken analysis of the ME. phr. to love paramour(s).

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paranoia

XIX. — Gr. paránoia, f. paránoos distracted, f. PARA-1 + nóos, noûs mind. Hence paranoi(a)c adj. and sb. XIX.

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parapet

XVI. — F. parapet or its source It. parapetto wall breast-high, f. PARA-2 + petto :— L. pectus breast.

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paraph

†paragraph XIV; (distinctive) flourish after a signature XVI. — F. paraphe, -afe — medL. paraphus, syncopated form of paragraphus PARAGRAPH.

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paraphernalia

articles of personal property which the law allows a married woman to regard as her own XVII; trappings, accessories, appurtenances XVIII. — medL. paraphernlia; sb. use of n. pl. of paraphernlis, f. late L. parapherna — Gr. parápherna n. pl. articles of property held by a wife besides her dowry, f. PARA-1 + phern dowry, rel. to phérein BEAR2; see -AL1, -IA2.

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paraphrase

sb. XVI. — F. paraphrase or L. paraphrasis — Gr. paráphrasis, f. paraphrázein tell in other words; see PARA-1, PHRASE. Hence vb. XVII.

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paraplegia

partial paralysis. XVII. — Gr. paraplgí, f. paraplssein, f. PARA-1 + plssein strike; see -IA1.

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paraselene

see PARHELION.

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parasite

one who obtains hospitality, etc. by obsequiousness XVI; animal or plant supported by another XVIII. — L. parastus — Gr. parástos one who eats at the table of another, toady, f. PARA-1 + sîtos food. So parasitic XVII. Hence parasitical XVI.

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parasol

XVII. — F. — It. parasole, f. PARA-2 + sole sun.

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parasynthetic

(gram.) based on a syntactical combination or compound, as hardhearted from hard heart, get-at-able from phr. get at. XIX. f. late Gr. parasúnthetos, f. PARA-1 + súnthetos, ppl. formation on suntithénai combine; see SYNTHESIS.

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parataxis

(gram.) placing of propositions or clauses side by side without connecting words. XIX. — Gr. partaxis, f. paratássein place side by side; see PARA-1. So paratactic XIX.

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parboil

A
† boil thoroughly;

B
boil partially. XV. — OF. parboillir — late L. perbullre; see PER-, BOIL2. Sense B is due to assoc. with PART.
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parbuckle

(naut.) sling or looped rope used for raising and lowering. XVII. Early forms -bunkle, -bunkel, alt. XVIII by assoc. with BUCKLE; of unkn. orig.

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parcel

part, portion, particle, surviving in part and parcel; separate part, unit, or item XIV; portion of land XV; small party or company XVI; quantity of a thing or things put together in a package XVII; quantity of a commodity dealt with XVIII. ME. parcelle — (O)F.:- Rom. partiœlla, f. L. particula PARTICLE. In advb. use ‘partly, partially’ from XV, e.g. in parcel-gilt, becoming obs. XVII, and revived by Scott XIX. Hence parcel vb. divide into portions XV; (naut.) cover with canvas strips XVII; the latter sense may have a separate orig.

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parcener

†partner XIII; (leg.) co-heir XVI. — AN. parcener = OF. parçonier :- Rom. partinrius for parttinrius, f. L. partti PARTITION; see -ER2.

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parch

dry by exposure to great heat XIV; scorch, shrivel XVI. Also perch XIV–XVI, pearch XVII; of unkn. orig.

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parchment

XIII. ME. parchemin — (O)F.:- Rom. particamnum, which resulted from a blending of L. pergamna ‘writing-material prepared from skins invented at Pergamum in Asia Minor’ with Parthica pellis ‘Parthian skin’. Assimilation of the ending of the Eng. word to the suffix -MENT appears XV.

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parclose

†close, conclusion; partition, screen. XIV. ME. parclos(e) — OF. parclos m., parclose fem., sb. uses of pp. of parclore, f. par-, L. per- thoroughly, PER-4 + clore :— L. claudere CLOSE.

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pard

(arch.) panther, leopard. XIII. OE. pard; in ME. — OF. pard — L. pardus; ult. of oriental orig.

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pardon

remission of punishment for an offence (spec. papal indulgence) XIII; excusing of a fault XVI. — OF. pardun, perdun (mod. pardon), f. OF. pardoner, perduner (mod. pardonner) (whence pardon vb. XV):— medL. perdnre, f. L. PER- + dnre give. So pardoner (arch.) ecclesiastic licensed to sell pardons. XIV. — AN.

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pare

trim by cutting. XIII. — (O)F. parer adorn, arrange, peel (fruit) :— L. parre PREPARE, which in Rom. acquired specialized uses.

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paregoric

assuaging pain XVII; sb. for p. elixir camphorated tincture of opium XIX. — late L. pargoricus — Gr. pargorikós encouraging, soothing, f. pargorein console, soothe, f. PARA-1 beside + gor-, var. of agor- in agoreúein speak in the assembly; see -IC.

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parenchyma

(anat. and zool.) substance of the liver, etc.; (bot.) cellular tissue. XVII. — Gr. parégkhuma, -mat- ‘something poured in besides’, f. PARA-1 + égkhuma infusion, f. egkheîn, f. EN-2 + kheín pour. Hence parenchymatous XVII.

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parent

father or mother; †relative. XV. — (O)F. parent (in both senses) :— L. parns, parent- father or mother, pl. parents parents, progenitors, kinsfolk, (prop.) procreators, orig. prp. of parere bring forth; see -ENT. So parentage XV. — (O)F. parental XVII. — L.

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parenthesis

qualifying matter introduced into a passage XVI; device used to mark this, e.g. () XVIII. — late L. — Gr. parénthesis, f. parentithénai place in besides; see PARA-1, EN-2, THESIS. So parenthetic(al) XVII. — medL.

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parergon

(in painting) something subordinate to the main theme; subordinate piece of work. XVII. — L., extra ornament in art — Gr. párergon subordinate or secondary business; see PARA-1, WORK.

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paresis

(path.) partial paralysis. XVII. — Gr. páresis, f. pariénai relax, f. PARA-1 + hénai let go.

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parget

daub with plaster. XIV. — OF. pargeter, parjeter, f. par through, all over + jeter cast:— medL. jectare, for L. jactre throw.

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parhelion

(astron.) mock sun. XVII. In early use par(h)elion, par(h)elius — L. parlion — Gr parlion, also -ios, f. PARA-1 + hlios SUN. So paraselene mock moon (Gr. seln moon). XVII.

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pariah

member of a low Hindu caste XVII; social outcast XIX. Earlier parea, parrier, par(r)iar — Tamil paraiyan, pl. paraiyar name of the largest of the lower castes in S. India, lit. ‘drummer’, f. parai large drum beaten at certain festivals.

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parietal

(anat.) pert. to the wall of the body or a bodily organ XVI; (U.S.) pert. to residence within walls of a college XIX. — F. pariétal or late L. parietlis, f. paris, pariet- wall, partition wall; see -AL1.

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parish

district for administrative purposes, orig. township having its own church and priest. XIII. ME. paro(s)che, -osse, -isshe — AN., OF. paroche and (O)F. paroisse — ecclL. parochia, alt. (after parochus — Gr. párokhos public purveyor) of parœcia — Gr. paroikí sojourning, f. pároikos dwelling near, sojourner, stranger, f. PARA-1 + oîkos dwelling, house; it is doubtful whether the notion ‘neighbour’ or ‘sojourner’ was prevalent in determining the application of parœcia, parochia. So parishioner inhabitant of a parish XV; superseded earlier parishion, -shen (XIV), alt., after PARISH, of †paroschian, -ien (XIII) — OF. parochien, -ossien (mod. paroissien); -ER1 was added to suggest more clearly a personal designation.

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parisyllabic

XVII. f. L. pari-, pr equal, PAR + syllaba SYLLABLE + -IC.

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park

enclosed land held by royal grant or prescription for the chase XIII; (north.) field, paddock XVI; enclosed ground for public recreation; space in a camp occupied by artillery, etc. XVII. — (O)F. parc :— medL. parricus — Gmc. base repr. by OHG. pfarrih, pferrih (G. pferch) pen, fold, corr. to OE. pearruc (see PADDOCK), MLG., MDu. perc (Du. perk). Hence park vb. XVI f. the sb.

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parkin

kind of gingerbread. XIX. perh. f. proper name Parkin, Perkin, dim. of Per Peter.

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parky

(colloq.) chilly. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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parlance

(arch.) speech XVI; mode of speech, idiom XVIII. — OF., f. parler speak:- Rom. paraulare, f. paraula word; see PAROLE, -ANCE.

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parley

speech, talk; (conference for) discussion of terms. XVI. perh. — OF. parlee, sb. use of fem. pp. of parler speak (see prec.). Hence parley vb. XVI. So parleyvoo (joc.) sb. French talk XVIII; Frenchman XIX; vb. talk French XVIII. — F. parlez-vous (français)? do you speak (French)?

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parliament

†talk, conference; deliberative assembly XIII; Great Council of the realm XIV. ME. parlement — (O)F., f. parler speak; see PARLANCE, -MENT. The present form (XV) follows AL. parliamentum, which is prob. based on ME. parliment, etc. Hence parliamentarian sb., parliamentary XVII.

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parlour, U.S. parlor

apartment set aside for conversation in a religious house XIII; smaller room in a mansion, dwelling-house, etc. for private talk, (hence) family sitting-room XIV. — AN. parlur, OF. parleor, parleur (mod. parloir), f. Rom. paraulare speak (see PARLANCE); the ending is assim. to -OUR2.

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parlous

exposed to danger XIV; dangerously cunning XV. ME. perlous, parlous, syncopated forms of perelous, parelous PERILOUS.

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Parmesan

epithet of a cheese made in the province of Parma and elsewhere in N. Italy. — F. — It. parmigiano, f. Parma.

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Parnassian

of or belonging to Parnassus, poetic XVII; epithet of school of French poetry (les Parnassiens) XIX. f. L. Parnassus — Gr. Parnassós Parnassus, mountain anciently sacred to the Muses. See -IAN.

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parochial

pert. to a parish. XIV. — AN. parochiel, OF. parochial — ecclL. parochilis, f. parochia PARISH; see -AL1.

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parody

sb. XVI. — medL. pardia or Gr. paridí burlesque poem or song, f. PARA-1 + id song, poem; see ODE, -Y3. Hence parody vb., parodist XVIII.

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parol

oral statement XV; (leg.) pleadings filed in an action XVII; adj. oral XVI. — (O)F. parole, in law F. parol; see next.

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parole

word of honour XVII; password used by an officer or inspector of the guard XVIII. — (O)F. parole word, in the sense ‘formal promise, engagement’:- Rom. paraula :— L. parabola PARABLE.

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paronomasia

XVI. — L. — Gr. paronomasí, f. PARA-1 + onomasí naming, after paronomázein alter slightly in naming, f. PARA-1 + ónoma NAME; see -IA1.

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paronymous

XVII. f. Gr. parnumos, f. PARA-1 + ónuma, ónoma NAME; see -OUS.

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parotid

(anat.) situated beside or near the ear. XVII. — F. parotide — L. partis, -id- — Gr. partís, -id-, f. PARA-1 + oûs, t- EAR1; see -ID2.

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-parous

repr. L. -parus bearing, producing, rel. to parere bring forth; see -OUS.

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paroxysm

increase of the acuteness of a disease; violent access, fit. XVII. — F. paroxysme — medL. paroxysmus irritation, exasperation — Gr. paroxusmós, f. paroxúnein, f. PARA-1 + oxúnein sharpen, f. oxús sharp.

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parpen

binding stone passing through a wall from side to side. XV (perpend, -poynt, etc.). — OF. parpain, etc. (mod. parpaing), whence also adj. in pierre parpaigne; of uncert. orig.

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parquet

flooring consisting of pieces of wood set in a pattern; (U.S.) part of the floor near the orchestra in a theatre. XIX. — (O)F. parquet small marked-off space, etc., dim. of parc PARK; see -ET.

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parr

young salmon. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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parricide1

murderer of a father, near relative, or revered person, traitor. XVI. — (O)F. parricide or L. pr(r)icda, of uncert. orig.; for the second el. See -CIDE1. So parricide^2 murder of a father, etc. XVI. — F. parricide or L. pr(r)icdium; see -CIDE2.

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parrot

XVI. perh. appellative use of F. †Perrot (cf. PIERROT), dim. of Pierre Peter; cf. F. pierrot sparrow, and PARAKEET.

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parry

ward off or turn aside a weapon. XVII. prob. repr. F. parez (used as a word of command in fencing), imper. of parer — It. parare ward off, specialized use of the sense ‘prepare’ (cf. PARADE).

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parse

XVI. (pars(e), peirse, pearse, in XVII p(e)arce). of uncert. orig.

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Parsee, Parsi

descendant of Persians who fled to India to escape Mohammedan persecution. XVII. — Pers. Prs Persian, f. Prs Persia.

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parsimony

(arch.) care in the use of money XV; stinginess XVI. — L. parsimnia, f. pars-, pp. stem of parcere refra n, spare; see -MONY. Hence parsimonious XVI.

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parsley

The earliest antecedents of the present form, percely, pers(e)le, -ly (XIV), appear to repr. a blend of (i) OE. petersilie, corr. to MDu. petersilie (mod. -selie), OHG. petersilia (G. -silie) — Rom. petrosilium, for L. petroselnum — Gr. petrosélnon, f. pétr rock, pétros stone + sélnon parsley, with (ii) ME. percil, per(e)sil — OF. peresil (mod. persil), of the same L. — Gr. orig.

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parsnip

XIV. The immed. antecedents of the present form, pars(e)nep (XVI), are alts. of earlier pas(se)nep — (with assim. to ME. nep, OE. np turnip — L. npus) OF. pasnaie (mod. panais) :— L. pastinca.

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parson

parish priest XIII; clergyman, minister XVI. ME. person, later parso(u)n — OF. persone, (law F.) parsone :— L. persna PERSON, used in the eccl. sense at the Council of Clermont 1096 (‘mortuis … vel mutatis Clericis quos Personas vocant’). The genesis of the application is much disputed, but in England the parson has been long held to be the legal persona who could sue and be sued in respect of the parish. So parsonage †benefice XIV; for p. house XV. — OF. personage.

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part

A
portion of a whole; portion allotted, share XIII; portion of the body XIV; melody assigned to a voice or instrument XVI;

B
region; side XIV. — (O)F. part = It. parte :— L. pars, part- share, part of a whole, side, direction.
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Also adv. and adj. in part, partly, partial XVI. Hence partly (-LY2) XVI. So part vb. A. divide into parts; B. put or go asunder; C. depart XIII. — (O)F. partir :— L. (Rom.) partre, partr divide, distribute, part.

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partaker

one who takes a part, participator. XIV. f. PART sb. + taker, agent-noun of TAKE, after L. particeps; so partaking XIV, after late L. participti PARTICIPATION; see -ER5, -ING1. Hence by back-formation partake vb. XVI.

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parterre

level space in a garden with ornamental flower-beds. XVII. — F., sb. use of phr. par terre on or along the ground.

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parthenogenesis

reproduction without sexual union. XIX. f. Gr. parthénos virgin + génesis birth, GENESIS.

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partial

A
inclined to favour one party or individual XV;

B
pert. to a part XVII. — OF. parcial (mod. partial in sense A, partiel in sense B) — late L. partilis, f. L. pars, part- PART; see -AL1.
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So partiality XV. — (O)F. partialité — medL. partially XV. after late L. partiliter (i) partly, (ii) with partiality, or in sense ‘partly’ — (O)F. partiellement.

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partible

divisible. XVI. — late L. partbilis, f. L. partr divide, PART; see -IBLE.

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participate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. participre, f. particeps, -cip- taking part, f. pars, part- PART + cip-, weakened form of cap- of capere take; see -ATE3. So participant XVI. participation XIV. — (O)F. — late L.

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participle

(gram.) word that partakes of the nature of a verb and an adjective XIV; †person or thing partaking of two natures XV. — OF., byform of participe — L. participium, f. particeps (see prec.)

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particle

small or minute part XIV; (gram.) XVI. — L. particula, dim. of pars, part- PART; see -CLE.

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particoloured

partly of one colour and partly of another. XVI. In early use also partie or party coloured; f. PARTY2 + coloured.

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particular

†partial; pert. to a single individual XIV; †private, personal XV; distinguished as an individual XVI; †bestowing marked attention XVII; attentive to details XIX; sb. †part, section; minute part; particular instance; item, detail XVI. ME. particuler — OF. particuler (mod. particulier) — L. particulris, f. particula PARTICLE; see -AR; conformed to L. XVI. Hence particularism XIX, particularist XVIII, particularly XIV. So particularity XVI. — (O)F. particularité or late L. particulrits. particularize XVI. — F. particulariser.

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partisan

zealous supporter XVI; guerrilla soldier or chief XVII. — F. — It. dial. partisano = It. partigiano, f. parte PART.

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partition

action of dividing, orig. of property; (her.) division of a shield XV; division in general XVI. — (O)F. — L. partti, -n- f. partr divide, share, PART; see -ITION. So partitive (gram.) XVI. — F. partitif or medL. parttvus.

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partner

partaker, associate XIV; (comm.) XVI; in games XVII; alt. of PARCENER by assoc. with PART.

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partners

(naut.) framework fitted around a hole or scuttle. XIII (pauteneres). — pl. of OF. pautonier servant.

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partridge

XIII. ME. partrich, north. and Sc. partrick, also per- — OF. perdriz, -triz (mod. perdrix), alt. of perdiz — L. perdx, -c-.

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parturient

about to bring forth. XVI. — L. parturins, -ent-, prp. of parturre be in labour, inceptive, f. part-, pp. stem of parere bring forth; see -ENT. So parturition XVII. — late L.

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party1

A
†part, portion; side in a contest, etc.; company of persons; person considered spec. as litigant, etc. XIII; (now vulgar) individual, person XV; body of adherents XVI; detachment of troops XVII; gathering, assembly XVIII. ME. parti(e) — (O)F. partie :- Rom. partta, sb. use of fem. pp. of L. partr PART. Some of the Eng. meanings (‘military party’, ‘political party’) are due to later (O)F. parti :- Rom. parttum, n. pp.

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party2

†particoloured, variegated XIV; (her.) of a shield divided into parts of different tinctures XV. — (O)F. parti :— L. parttus, pp. of partr divide, PART.

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parvenu

XIX. — F., sb. use of pp. of parvenir arrive, reach a position:— L. pervenre, f. PER- + venre COME.

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parvis

court in front of a church, church portico. XIV. — (O)F. parvis, †parevis (beside pareis):- Rom. paravsus, for late L. paradsus PARADISE (applied in the Middle Ages to the atrium in front of St. Peter's, Rome).

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paschal

XV. — (O)F. pascal — ecclL. paschlis, f. pascha Passover, Easter — Gr. páskh — Aram. pas, rel. to Heb. pesa PASSOVER.

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pasha, pacha

Ottoman title of officers of high rank. XVII. — Turk. paa, perh. identical with baa, f. ba head, chief.

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pasque-flower

species of anemone. XVI. orig. passeflower — F. passe-fleur, f. passer PASS2 + fleur FLOWER; alt. to pasque-flower (XVI) after pasque Easter (— OF. pasques (mod. Pâques):- Rom. pascua, alt. of ecclL. pascha; see PASCHAL), because flowering about Easter.

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pass1

ME. pa(a)s (XIII), var. of PACE1 which became restricted to the sense ‘passage’ (as between mountains, across a river); the sp. was infl. by next.

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pass2

intr. (the most general vb. expressing onward motion); also trans. go by, through, or beyond. XIII. — (O)F. passer :- Rom. passre, f. L. passus step, PACE1. Hence passable that may be passed; that passes muster. XV. — (O)F.

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pass3

event, issue XV; act of passing; permission to go; lunge, thrust XVI. Partly — F. passe, f. passer PASS2; partly f. PASS2.

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passage

action of passing; way by which one passes XIII; event, act (surviving in p. of arms); part of a discourse or musical composition XVI. — (O)F. passage — Gallo-Rom. passticum, f. passre PASS2; see -AGE.

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passant

†passing, surpassing XIV; (her.) walking XV. — (O)F. passant, prp. of passer PASS2; see -ANT.

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passé

XVIII. — F., pp. of passer PASS2.

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passenger

†traveller, wayfarer XIV; one who travels in a vessel or vehicle XVI. ME. passager — (O)F., sb. use of adj. ‘passing’, f. passage PASSAGE; see -ER2.

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passe-partout

master-key XVII; plate of cardboard, etc. cut out to receive a picture XIX. — F., f. passer PASS2 + partout everywhere.

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passerine

XVIII. f. L. passer sparrow + -INE1.

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passible

capable of suffering. XIV. — (O)F. passible or ChrL. passibilis, f. pass-, pp. stem of pat suffer; see PATIENT, -IBLE.

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passim

XIX. — L., here and there, everywhere, f. passus spread abroad, scattered, f. base of pandere spread out.

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passion

suffering of pain (earliest, of the sufferings of Jesus Christ) XII; †being acted upon; powerful affection of the mind XIV; outburst of anger; amorous feeling XVI; sexual impulse; strong predilection XVII. — (O)F. — ChrL. passi, -n-, f. pass-, pp. stem of pat suffer; see -ION. So passionate prone to anger XV; marked by strong emotion XVI. — medL. passiontus. passion-flower genus Passiflora. XVII. tr. modL. fls passinis; so named from the comparison of the corona to the Crown of Thorns.

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passive

(gram.) XIV; suffering action from without XV; (Sc. law) under a liability XVI. — (O)F. passif, -ive or L. passvus, -va, f. pass-; see PASSION, -IVE. Hence passivity XVII.

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Passover

Jewish feast, the lamb sacrificed at this, the Paschal Lamb (see Exodus 12: 11, 13; 1 Cor. 5: 7). XVI. f. phr. pass over, rendering Heb. pesah, f. psah pass over.

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passport

XV. — F. passeport, f. passer PASS2 + port PORT1.

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past

that is gone or has passed away, ago XIV; (gram.) XVI; sb. the p. XVI; one's p. XIX. ME. passed, past; arising out of the perfect tense of the vb. PASS2 formed with the vb. ‘to be’, e.g. the daies ben (i)passed/(i)past. Hence as prep. beyond in time or place XIII; arising from such construction as ‘The day is short and it is passed pryme’; whence ellipt. as adv. XIX (e.g. to go past).

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paste

flour moistened and kneaded XIV; mixture of flour and water used as a glue XVI; applied to various other mixtures XVII. — OF. paste (mod. pâte) = Sp., It. pasta :- late L. pasta small square piece of a medicinal preparation — Gr. pást, pl. pastá, pastaí barley porridge, sb. uses of pastós sprinkled, f. pássein sprinkle. Hence paste vb. XVI. pasteboard material made by pasting sheets of paper together XVI. pasty^1 (-Y1) like paste. XVII.

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pastel

dry paste used for crayon XVII; drawing in this XIX. — F. pastel, or its source It. pastello, dim. of pasta PASTE.

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pastern

†tether or hobble for a horse XIV; part of a horse's foot between fetlock and hoof XVI. ME. pastron — OF. pasturon (mod. pâturon), f. pasture hobble, alt. by change of suffix of pastoire (corr. to It. pastoia shackle for sheep when being sheared) — medL. pstria, -rium, sb. uses of fem. and n. of L. pstrius pert. to a shepherd, f. pstor PASTOR.

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pasteurize

sterilize by the method devised by the F. scientist Louis Pasteur (1822–95); see -IZE. XIX.

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pasticcio

hotchpotch, pot-pourri; work of art made up of fragments of an original. XVIII. — It. pasticcio pie, pasty, etc.:- Rom. pastcius, f. late L. pasta PASTE. So pastiche XIX. — F. — It. pasticcio.

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pastille

roll of aromatic paste; lozenge. XVII. — F., either — L. pastillus, dim. of pnis loaf, or — Sp. pastilla, dim. of pasta PASTE.

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pastime

XV. f. PASS2 + TIME, rendering F. passe-temps.

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past-master

A
one who has filled the office of master in a guild, etc. XVIII;

B
one who is proficient in a subject XIX. In sense A, f. PAST; in B var. of passed master (XVI). f. phr. pass master graduate as a master in a faculty.
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pastor

†shepherd; shepherd of souls XIV. — AN. OF. pastour (mod. pasteur), acc. of pastre (mod. pâtre) :— L. pstor, -r-, f. ps-, extended form of p- in pscere feed, graze; see -TOR. So pastoral pert. to shepherds XV; pert. to a spiritual pastor XVI; sb. pastoral play or poem XVI. — L. pstrlis.

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pastry

(coll.) articles of food made of flour. XVI. f. PASTE, after OF. pastaierie, f. pastaier pastry-cook; see -RY.

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pasture

growing grass for cattle XIII; †feeding, food XIV. — OF. pasture (mod pâture):- late L. pstra, f. pp. stem of pscere feed, pasture. So vb. XIV. — OF. pasturer (mod. pâturer). pasturage XVI.

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pasty1

see PASTE.

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pasty2

meat pie. XIII. ME. paste(e) — OF. pasté(e) (mod. páté(e)) :— medL. pastta, -ttum, f. late L. pasta PASTE; see -Y5.

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pat

A
(dial.) stroke. blow XIV; gentle stroke or tap XIX;

B
sound made by patting XVII;
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C
small mass shaped by patting XVIII. imit., like (dial.) bat, of similar date; not evidenced XV–XVI and app. re-formed XVII from pat vb. strike XVI, tap or beat lightly XVII.
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Hence pat adv. ‘with a fitting stroke’, aptly, opportunely; first in phr. hit pat.

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patagium

(anat.) fold of skin. XIX. — medL. use of L. patagium gold edging of a tunic — Gr. patageîon.

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patch

piece of cloth, etc., used to mend a hole, etc. XIV; various transf. uses XVI. ME. pacche, patche, perh. var. of peche — AN. peche, OF. pieche, dial. var. of piece PIECE. Hence vb. XV.

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pate

head. XIV. of unkn. orig.

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pâté

XVIII. — F.; see PASTY2.

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patella

(anat.) knee-cap. XVII. — L. patella, dim. of patina shallow dish; see next.

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paten

round shallow dish for the Bread at the Eucharist. XIII. ME. pateyne, patyn — AN. pateine, (O)F. patène or L. patina shallow dish or cooking-pan — Gr. patán plate, dish.

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patent

A
in letters p., formerly also letters p—s, open letter from an authority recording, enjoining, or conferring something XIV; conferred by these XVI; protected by letters patent, as an invention XVIII;

B
(gen.) open, manifest XVI. In A — (O)F. patent, -ente (in lettres patentes) — L. patns, -ent-, prp. of patre lie open; in B, directly — L.
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Hence as sb., by ellipsis of letters XIV.

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paterfamilias

male head of a family or household. XV. — L., f. pater FATHER + arch. g. of familia FAMILY.

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paternal

fatherly; derived from one's father. XVII. — late L. paternlis, f. L. paternus, f. pater FATHER; see -AL1. So paternity XV. — (O)F. or late L.

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paternoster

the Lord's Prayer OE.; rosary, or a bead of this XIII; form of words used as a charm XIV. — L. pater noster our Father, the first words of the Lord's Prayer in Latin.

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path

OE. pæð LG., Du. pad, OHG. phad (G. pfad):- WGmc. paþa. Hence pathway XVI. Cf. PAD1.

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pathetic

pert. to (esp. arousing) the emotions. XVI (earlier -ical). — F. pathétique — late L. pathticus — Gr. pathtikós sensitive, f. pathtós liable to suffer, f. pathe- of páthos PATHOS; see -IC.

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patho-

repr. comb. form of Gr. páthos PATHOS, in formations on Gr. types, as pathology study of disease XVII (so pathological, pathologist XVII).

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pathos

quality in speech, etc., exciting pity or sadness. XVII. — Gr. páthos, rel. to páskhein suffer, pénthos grief.

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-pathy

repr. Gr. — pátheia ‘suffering, feeling’, as in HOMOEOPATHY; extended in the sense ‘method of cure’, e.g. in hydropathy.

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patience

XIII. — (O)F. — L. patientia, f. patins, -ent-, prp. of pat suffer. So patient suffering or enduring without complaint XIV; capable of XVII. — (O)F. — L.; as sb. †sufferer; one under medical treatment XIV.

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patina

film produced by alteration of the surface of bronze, marble, etc. XVIII. — It. — L. patina dish; see PATEN.

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patois

local dialect, spec. of France or French Switzerland; hence gen. XVII. — (O)F. patois ‘rough speech’, perh. f. OF. patoier handle roughly, trample, f. patte paw.

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patriarch

chief of a family or tribe XII; bishop of certain pre-eminent sees XIII; father of an institution XVI; venerable old man XIX. — (O)F. patriarche — ecclL. patriarcha — Gr. patriárkhs head of a family, f. patriá family, clan (f. patr FATHER) + -arkhs ruler (see -ARCH). So patriarchal XVI. — late L. patriarchate XVII. — medL. patriarchy †patriarchate XVI; patriarchal government XVII. — medL.

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patrician

noble in ancient Rome or the later Roman Empire XV; nobleman, aristocrat XVII. — (O)F. patricien, f. L. patricius, sb. use of adj. ‘of a noble father’, f. pater, patr- FATHER, see -IAN.

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patrimony

XIV (patrimoyne). — (O)F. patrimoine — L. patrimnium, f. pater, patr- FATHER + -mnium -MONY; later conformed to L.

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patriot

†compatriot XVI; (orig., as in F., with commendatory adj.) one whose ruling passion is the love of his country XVII. — F. patriote — late L. patrita — Gr. patrits, f. pátrios of one's fathers, patris fatherland, sb. use of adj. ‘ancestral’, f. patr, patr- FATHER; see -OT. So patriotic XVII. — late L. — Gr. patritikós. patriotism XVIII.

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patristic

pert. to the Fathers of the Church. XIX. — G. patristisch, f. L. pater, patr- FATHER; see -ISTIC.

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patrol

going the rounds of a camp, etc.; person or body that does this. XVII. — G. patro(ui)lle — F. patrouille, f. patrouiller (whence ult. patrol vb. XVII), alt. of patouiller paddle about in mud, f. patte paw, foot.

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patron

holder of an advowson; tutelary saint; protector, upholder XIV; (in various uses repr. Rom. ones) †captain or master of a galley, etc. XV. — (O)F. — L. patrnus protector of clients, advocate, defender; (colloq.) affectionate term of address, f. pater, patr- FATHER. So patronage XV. — (O)F. patronal XVII. — F. or L. patroness XV. patronize XVI. — †F. or medL.

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patronymic

XVII. — late L. patrnymicus — Gr. patrnumikós, f. patrnumos named from the father, f. patr, patr- FATHER + ónuma, ónoma NAME; see -IC.

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pattee, patée

(her.) of a cross the arms of which widen out from the centre . XV. — F. patté(e), f. patte paw, of unkn. orig.; see -Y5.

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patten

wooden shoe, thick-soled shoe. XIV. — (O)F. patin, f. patte paw, foot; see prec., -INE1.

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patter1

repeat the paternoster or other prayers, etc., rapidly or glibly XIV; talk rapidly or fluently XV. f. pater, short for PATERNOSTER. Hence sb. XVIII.

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patter2

make a rapid succession of taps or light strokes XVII; run with rapid short steps XIX. frequent. f. PAT vb. + -ER4.

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pattern

object serving as a model or specimen XIV; decorative design XVI. ME. patron — (O)F. patron PATRON, model, pattern. The change of form is evidenced in XVI.

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patty

little pie or pasty. XVIII. var. of PÂTÉ.

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paucity

XV. — F. paucité or L. paucits, f. paucus; see FEW, -ITY.

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paunch1

belly, stomach. XIV. — AN. pa(u)nche, ONF. panche, var. of OF. pance (mod. panse):- Rom. pantice, L. pantex, -tic- (esp. pl.) bowels, intestines.

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paunch2

(naut.) thick mat or wooden shield to prevent chafing. XVII. prob. identical with prec. through the use of OF. pance (whence Eng. †paunce) for belly armour.

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pauper

XVI. — L. pauper POOR.

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pause

sb. XV. — (O)F. pause or L. pausa — Gr. paûsis, f. paúein stop, cease. So pause vb. XVI. — F. pauser or L. pausre.

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pavan

stately dance in elaborate costume. XVI. — F. pavane — Sp. pavana — It. pavana of Padua.

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pave

XIV. — (O)F. paver, prob. back-formation from †pavement (whence pavement XIII) — L. pavmentum beaten or rammed floor, f. pavre beat down, ram. So paviour XV. Earlier pavier, alt. of paver — (O)F. paveur; see -OUR1, -IER1.

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pavilion

(large peaked) tent XIII; projecting subdivision of a building or façade; building of light construction for pleasure or amusement XVII. — (O)F. pavillon tent, canopy:— L. ppili, -n- butterfly, tent (as being likened to a butterfly's wings).

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pavis

large convex shield. XIV. ME. paveis — OF. paveis, pavais (now pavois) — It. pavese — medL. pavense, f. Pavia name of a town in Italy where such shields were orig. made.

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pavonine

pert. to a peacock. XVII. — L. pvonnus, f. pav, -n- PEACOCK; see -INE1.

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paw

foot of a beast having claws or nails. XIII. ME. powe, pawe — OF. po(u)e :- Rom. pauta — Gmc. pauta, repr. by MDu. pte, Du. poot. Hence vb. XVII.

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pawky

(Sc.) sly, humorously tricky. XVII. f. pawk (XVI) trick, cunning device, of unkn. orig.: see -Y1.

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pawl

(naut.) bar to prevent a capstan, etc. from recoiling. XVII. poss. — LG., Du. pal rel. to adj. pal immobile, fixed, of unkn. orig.

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pawn1

piece of the smallest value in chess. XIV. ME. poun — AN. poun, OF. peon :— medL. ped, -n- foot-soldier, f. L. ps, ped- FOOT. The use goes back to Pers. piyda, f. pai foot.

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pawn2

pledge, surety XV; state of being pledged XVI. — OF. pan, also pand, pant pledge, security, plunder:- WGmc. panda, repr. by OS., MDu. pant (Du. pand), OHG. pfant (G. pfand). Hence vb. XVI.

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pawpaw

see PAPAW.

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pay1

A
†pacify, please XII; give what is due in discharge of an obligation XIII; render (something due or exacted) XIV.

B
(naut.) let out (rope); cause to fall, fall, to leeward XVII. — (O)F. payer :— L. pcre appease, pacify (in medL. pay), f. px, pc- PEACE.
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So pay sb. XIII. — (O)F. paie. payment XIV. — (O)F. paiement.

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pay2

(naut.) smear with pitch, etc. XVII. — OF. peier :— L. picre, f. pix, pic- PITCH.

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paynim

†pagan countries, heathendom XIII; (arch.) pagan, heathen XIV. ME. painim(e) — OF. pai(e)nime :- ecclL. pgnismus heathenism, f. pgnus PAGAN; see -ISM.

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pea

(round seed of) the plant Pisum sativum. XVII. Evolved as if a sg. from PEASE apprehended as a pl.

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peace

freedom from war, disturbance, or dissension XII; quiet, stillness, concord XIII. ME. pais, pes — AN. pes, OF. pais (mod. paix) :— L. px, pc-. Hence peacemaker XV.

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peaceable

disposed to peace; †peaceful. XIV. ME. pe(i)sible — OF. peisible (mod. paisible), with var. †plaisible :- late L. placibilis pleasing, f. placre PLEASE; see -IBLE. In F. assoc. with and conformed to L. px PEACE, and in Eng. to adjs. in -ABLE.

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peach1

(fruit of) the tree Prunus persica. XIV. ME. peche — OF. pe(s)che (mod. pêche) :— medL. persica, for L. persicum lit. ‘Persian’.

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peach2

†impeach XV; †inform against; turn informer XVI. Aphetic of appeach, ME. appeche — AN. apecher, for OF. empecher IMPEACH.

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peacock

XIV. ME. pecok, f. OE. pa (— L. pv) + COCK1. So peahen XIV.

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pea-jacket

short stout overcoat. XVIII (first in Amer. sources). prob. (with assim. to JACKET) — Du. pijjakker, f. pij, MDu. pe coat of coarse stuff + jekker jacket.

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peak1

pointed extremity; projecting part of the brim of a cap XVI; pointed top of a mountain XVII. prob. back-formation from peaked, var. of (dial.) picked pointed, f. PICK1 + -ED2. In the earliest exx. of the last sense, rendering or repr. Sp., Pg. pico.

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peak2

†fall, tumble; †shrink, slink, sneak XVI; look sickly or emaciated (p. and pine) XVII. of unkn. orig.

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peal1

†appeal, summons XIV; ringing of a bell or bells, esp. as a summons; loud volley of sound XVI; set or ring of bells XVIII. ME. pele, aphetic of apele, APPEAL sb. Hence vb. XVII.

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peal2

young or small salmon. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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pear

OE. pere, peru, corr. to MLG., MDu. pere (Du. peer) — popL. pira, fem. sg. repl. L. pirum, of unkn. orig.

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pearl

XIV. ME. perle — (O)F., prob. — It. perla, repr. L. perna leg, ham, leg-of-mutton shaped bivalve. Hence pearled (-ED2) XIV, pearly (-Y1) XV.

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pearmain

variety of †pear XV, of apple XVI. ME. par-, permayn — OF. par-, permain kind of pear, prob. — Rom. Parmnus (repl. L. Parmnsis) of Parma, It. town and province.

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peasant

one who lives in the country and works on the land. XV. — AN. paisant, OF. païsant, païsent (mod. paysan), refash. of earlier païsenc, f. païs (mod. pays) country (:- Rom. pgnsis, f. pgus country district) + Gmc. -ig-, denoting origin. Hence peasantry (-RY) XVI.

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pease

(arch. or dial.) pea plant or its seed. OE. pise, pl. pisan — late L. pisa, pl. pisæ, for earlier pisum, pl. pisa — Gr. píson, pl. písa. See PEA.

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peat

XIV. — AL. peta (XII), also in petamora ‘peatmoor’, petaria, -er(i)a peat-bog, perh. f. the Celt. base pett-, which is prob. the ult. source of PIECE.

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peavey

lumberer's hook. XIX. f. surname of the inventor.

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pebble

Late OE.
i
papel, popel (found only in comb. with stn STONE);
ii
pyppel in pyppelrpig pebble-stream; a var, of the latter with b, pybbel, is repr. by s.w. †puble (XIII–XIV), midl. †pibbil (XIV), later †pible, pibble, of which pebble may be a var.

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peccable

liable to sin. XVII. — F. — medL. peccbilis, f. peccre sin; see -ABLE. So peccadillo XVI. — Sp. pecadillo, dim. of pecado — L. pecctum, sb. use of n. pp. of peccre. So peccant sinning; (med., after (O)F.) morbid. XVII. — L. peccns, -ant-, prp. of peccre. peccavi XVI. — L., ‘I have sinned’, 1st sg. pt. of peccre.

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peccary

Central and S. Amer. quadruped allied to the swine. XVII (pakeera, pec(c)ary). — Carib pakira.

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peck1

1/4 bushel. XIII. — AN. pek, of unkn. orig.

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peck2

strike or take food with the beak XIV; strike with pointed tool XVI. of uncert. orig.; cf. PICK2, and MLG. pekken peck with the beak.

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pecten

comb-like structure. XVIII. — L. pecten, -in- comb, rel. to pectere, Gr. pékein comb (vb.), OE. feax, OHG. fahs hair. So pectinate (-ATE2) formed like a comb. XVIII. — L.

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pectic

(chem.) p. acid, gelatinous substance forming a constituent of fruit jellies. XIX. — Gr. pktikós, f. pktós congealed; see -IC. Also pectin, pectose (IN, -OSE2).

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pectoral

pert. to the breast or chest XVI; sb. object worn on the breast XV; medicine for affections of the chest XVII. — (O)F. — L. pectorlis, f. pectus, -tor- breast, chest.

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peculation

wrongful appropriation of property. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. peclr, rel. to peclium property; see next and -ATION.

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peculiar

that is one's own XV; individual, particular XVI; uncommon, odd XVII; sb. parish or church independent of the jurisdiction of the ordinary XVI. — L. pecliris not held in common with others, f. peclium property, f. pecu herd, rel. to Vedic páu-, OE feoh live stock, property, OS., OHG. fehu (G. vieh), ON. fé, Goth. faihu; f. IE. base peku. See -AR. Hence peculiarity XVII.

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pecuniary

XVI. — L. pecnirius, f. pecnia money, orig. ‘riches in cattle’, f. pecu herd; see prec. and -ARY. So pecunious moneyed (XIV; rare), now repr. by IMPECUNIOUS. — L. pecnisus.

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pedagogue

XIV. — L. pædaggus — Gr. paidaggós slave who took a boy to and from school, f. paîs, paid- boy (cf. PAEDO-) + aggós leading, agein lead (see ACT). So pedagogic XVII. — L. pedagogy XVI. — F.

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pedal

sb. XVII. — F. pédale — It. pedale foot-stalk, tree-trunk (pedale d'organo organ pedal) :— L. pedlis, f. ps, ped- FOOT; see -AL1.

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pedant

†schoolmaster; person who overrates book learning. XVI. — F. pédant — It. pedante, of obscure orig.; the first el. is presumably that of PEDAGOGUE, to which has been added the prp. ending -ante, ANT. Hence pedantic XVII, pedantical XVI, pedantry XVII.

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peddle

A
follow the occupation of a pedlar XVI;

B
busy oneself with trifles XVI. First recorded in peddling; in A back-formation from peddler, PEDLAR; in B prob. var. of PIDDLE by assoc. in form and sense with A.
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pedestal

base supporting a column, etc. XVI. — F. piédestal — It. piedestallo, i.e. pi foot, di of, stallo stall; the first syll. was conformed to L. ps, ped- FOOT.

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pedestrian

going on foot; prosaic, uninspired; also sb. XVIII. f. F. pédestre or its source L. pedester, -tr- going on foot, f. ps, ped- FOOT; see -IAN.

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pediatrician

see P(A)EDIATRICIAN.

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pedicel

(bot.) small stalk of a plant. XVII. — modL. pedicellus, f. L. pedculus (whence pedicle XV), dim. of ps, ped- FOOT.

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pedicure

one whose business is the surgical treatment of the feet (also pedicurist ); the treatment. XIX. — F. pédicure, f. L. ps, ped- FOOT + curre CURE.

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pedigree

genealogy in tabular form; one's line of ancestors; family descent. XV (pedegru, -gre, petegreu, -gree). — AN. pe de gru = OF. pie de grue crane's foot, i.e. pie (mod. pied :— L. ps, ped- FOOT), de of, gru crane; so called from the mark / | \ used to denote succession in a genealogical tree; later forms show assim. to degree.

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pediment

A
triangular gable-like part crowning a façade XVII;

B
base, foundation XVIII. Earlier pedament, pedement, refash. of periment (XVI), prob. deformation of PYRAMID. Sense B is due to direct assoc. with L. ps, ped- -FOOT and -MENT, and the present form simulates derivation from these elements.
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pedlar

travelling vendor of small wares. XIV (pedlere). alt. of †pedder (XIII), f. (dial.) ped wicker pannier (XIV), of unkn. orig. + -ER1; for the ending -ler cf. (dial.) tinkler (XII), beside tinker. See -AR. Hence PEDDLE XVI.

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pedo-

see P(A)EDO-.

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pedometer

instrument for recording the number of steps taken. XVIII. — F. pédomètre, f. pedo-, irreg. comb. form of L. ps FOOT; see -OMETER.

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peduncle

(bot.) stalk of flower or fruit. XVIII. — modL. pedunculus, f. L. ps, ped- FOOT; see -UNCLE.

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pee

(dial., colloq.) make water. XVIII. euphem. or nursery substitute for PISS; cf. F. faire pipi.

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peek

peer, peep. XVI. Early mod. pe(e)ke, preceded by rare ME. pike; parallel to kike, keek (XIV, now Sc. and dial.), which has LG. cogns. Also peek-bo! (XVI), superseded by peep-bo!

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peel1

†stake, fence of stakes XIV; (prob. short for †p. house XVI) small fortified dwelling or tower on the Scottish Border XVIII. — AN., OF. pel (mod. pieu) stake:— L. plus PALE1.

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peel2

A
†plunder, pillage XIII;

B
strip outer layer of XV. ME. peolien, pilien, later pele, pile, pill, repr. OE. peolian, pilian, recorded only late in pyleð peels (intr.) — L. pilre.
Top
Hence peel sb. rind, skin. XVI.

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peel3

(U.S., dial., and techn.) shovel. XIV (pele). — OF. pele (mod. pelle) :— L. pla.

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peeler

(hist.) policeman. XIX. orig. nickname for a member of the Irish constabulary founded under the secretaryship (1812–18) of Robert Peel ; see -ER5.

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peep1

utter a weak shrill sound. XV. of imit. orig. Hence sb. XV.

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peep2

look through a narrow opening XV; emerge a little into view XVI. For the expressive combination of initial p with ee cf. PEEK, PEER2. Hence sb. XVI.

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peer1

(one's) equal XIII; member of the nobility XIV. — AN., OF. pe(e)r (mod. pair) :— L. pr, par- equal. Hence peerage XV, peeress XVII.

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peer2

look narrowly; peep out, show itself XVI. of uncert. orig.; cf. pire (XIV), corr. to LG. pren; perh. partly aphetic of APPEAR.

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peevish

†silly, foolish XIV; †spiteful, malignant XV; †perverse, obstinate; querulous, fretful XVI. Rare before XVI; of unkn. orig. Hence peeved (orig. U.S.) annoyed, vexed. XX. ppl. formation on a supposed verb-stem.

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peewit

XVI (puwyt, puet, -it). of limit. orig.

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peg

pin or bolt of wood, etc. (cf. pegtop) XV; (dial.) tooth; (in stringed instruments) pin with which the tension of the strings is adjusted; step, degree XVI; (orig. Anglo-Ind.) measure of drink XIX. prob. of Du. or LG. origin (cf. MDu. pegge, Du. dial. peg plug, peg, LG. pigge peg; also MLG., MDu. pegel peg, pin, bolt). Hence peg vb. fix with a peg XVI; mark with pegs; p. out, die (sl.) XIX.

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pejorative

depreciatory in meaning. XIX. — F. pjoratif, -ive, f. pp. stem of late L. pjrre make worse, f. pjor worse; see -ATIVE.

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pekoe

superior black tea. XVIII (peco, pack-ho). — Chinese (Amoy) pek-ho, i.e. pek, pak white, ho down, hair; so called because the leaves are picked young while the down is on them.

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pelage

fur, wool, etc. of a quadruped. XIX. — F. pelage, f. poil, OF. peil, pel hair (:— L. pilus); see -AGE.

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pelagic

pert. to the open sea, oceanic. XVII. — L. pelagicus, f. pelagus sea — Gr. pélagos; see -IC.

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pelerine

mantle, cape. XVIII. — F. pèlerine deep collar on a mantle, fem. of pèlerin PILGRIM.

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pelf

†spoil, booty, XIV; †property XV; money, ‘filthy lucre’; †trash, (now dial.) refuse XVI. — ONF. pelfe, recorded as peuffe (mod. Norman F. peufe), var. of OF. pelfre, peufre spoil, rel. to pelf(r)er pillage, rob; of unkn. orig.; cf. PILFER.

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pelican

large gregarious fish-eating water-fowl OE.; †form of alembic; instrument for extracting teeth XVI. OE. pellican, reinforced in ME. by (O)F. pélican — late L. pelicnus — Gr. pelekán, prob. f. pélekus axe, with reference to the bird's bill.

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pelisse

fur or furred garment; long mantle worn by women. XVIII. — (O)F. pelisse — medL. pellicia; see PILCH.

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pellagra

deficiency disease marked by cracked skin. XIX. — It., f. pelle skin (:— L. pellis FELL1) + -agra, after PODAGRA.

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pellet

small ball; ball of stone used as a missile, cannon-shot, (now) small shot. XIV. ME. pelote, pelet — (O)F. pelote :- Rom. pilotta, dim. of L. pila ball.

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pellicle

thin skin, cuticle, film. XVI. — F. pellicule — L. pellicula, dim. of pellis skin, FELL1; see -CLE.

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pellitory

A
plant with pungent-flavoured root, ‘p. of Spain’;

B
low bushy plant, ‘p. of the wall’. XVI. In sense A alt. of ME. peletre (XIV) — OF. peletre, alt. of peretre — L. PYRETHRUM. In sense B alt. of †peritorie, †paretorie — AN. paritarie, OF. paritaire (mod. pariétaire) — late L. parietria, sb. use of fem. of parietrius, f. paris, -iet- wall.
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pell-mell

in mingled confusion, †indiscriminately, in hurried disorder; also adj. and sb. XVI (earlier †pelly melly XV). — F. pêle-mêle. OF. pesle mesle, jingling redupl. on mesle, stem of mesler (mod. mêler) mix, MEDDLE.

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pellucid

transmitting light. XVII. — L. pellcidus, f. pellcre, perlcre shine through; see PER-, LUCID.

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pelmet

valance, as to conceal curtain rods. XIX. prob. alt. — F. palmette palm-leaf design on a cornice; see PALMETTE.

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pelota

Basque game played in a court with a ball. XIX. — Sp. pelota ball — OF. pelote; see PELLET.

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pelt1

skin with short wool on it XV; raw skin of an animal XVI. Either
1
var. of †pellet — OF. pel(l)ete, dim. (see -ET) of pel (mod. peau) :— L. pellis skin, FELL1; or
2.
back-formation from PELTRY.

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pelt2

attack with many and repeated blows (now with something thrown) XV; speed along XIX. of uncert. orig. Hence sb. act of pelting; (dial.) outburst of temper XVI; full p. at full speed XIX.

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peltate

shield-shaped. XVIII. f. L. pelta (bot.) applied to shield-like structures: see -ATE2.

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peltry

undressed skins, fur-skins coll. XV. — AN. pelterie, OF. peleterie (mod. pelleterie), f. peletier furrier, f. pel (mod. peau) :— L. pellis FELL1; see -RY. Not exemplified between XVI and XVIII; in mod. use re-adopted through Canadian F.

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pelvis

XVII. — L. pelvis basin; the anat. applications are modern.

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pemmican

(among N. Amer. Indians) meat prepared by drying, pounding, mixing with fat, etc. XVIII. of Algonquian orig.

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pen1

enclosure for domestic animals. XIV. presumably repr. OE. penn, evidenced only in designations of local features of uncertain meaning; implied in OE. onpennad ‘unpenned’, opened. So pen vb.1 enclose, confine. XII.

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pen2

instrument, orig. quill, for writing XIII; (dial.) feather XIV. ME. penne — (O)F. — L. penna feather, pl. pinions, wings, in late L. pen; see FEATHER. Hence pen vb.2 XV. penknife XV. orig. one used for mending quill pens.

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penal

XV. — (O)F. pénal or L. pœnlis, f. pœna PAIN; see -AL1. Hence penalize XIX. So penalty (-TY2) punishment imposed. XVI. — leg. AN. penalte, for F. pénalité — medL. pœnlits.

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penance

†repentance, penitence; penitential discipline or observance XIII; ordinance for administering this (one of the sacraments) XIV. — OF.:— L. pænitentia PENITENCE; see -ANCE.

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penates

household gods of the Romans. XVI. — L. Pents pl., f. penus provision of food.

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penchant

XVII. — F., sb. use of prp. of pencher incline:- Gallo-Rom. pendicre, f. L. pendre hang.

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pencil

artist's paint brush XIV; writing implement of black lead, chalk, etc.; set of convergent rays XVII; set of straight lines meeting in a point XIX. ME. pensel, -cel — OF. pincel (mod. pinceau):- Gallo-Rom. pnicellum, for L. pnicillum paint brush, dim. of pniculus brush, dim. of pnis tail, PENIS; see -CULE. Hence pencil vb. XVI.

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pendant

hanging part XIV; (archit., etc.) truss, spandrel; (naut.) hanging rope, PENNANT; tapering flag, pennon XV; that by which a thing is suspended XVI; parallel, match XVIII. — (O)F., sb. use of prp. of pendre hang; see next.

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pendent

hanging, overhanging XV; (gram.) XIX. ME. penda(u)nt (later latinized) — (O)F. pendant, prp. of pendre :- Gallo-Rom. pendere, for L. pendre hang, rel. to pendere weigh, pondus weight; see -ENT.

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pendentive

(archit.) each of the spherical triangles formed by the intersection of a hemispherical dome by two pairs of opposite arches. XVIII. — F. pendentif, f. L. pendns, -ent-, prp. of pendre hang; see -IVE.

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pending

A
awaiting decision XVIII;

B
prep. throughout the continuance of XVII. Anglicization of (O)F. pendant (see PENDENT) in suspense, not concluded or settled.
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pendulous

hanging down XVII; suspended so as to swing XVIII. f. L. pendulus, f. pendre hang; see PENDENT, -ULOUS.

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pendulum

XVII. — modL., sb. use of n. of L. pendulus PENDULOUS.

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penetralia

innermost parts. XVII. — L., pl. of penetrle, f. stem of penetrre; see next.

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penetrate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. penetrre place within, enter within, f. penitus inner, inmost, into the inmost recesses, rel. to penes within, in the power of. So penetrable XV. penetration XVII. — F. — L.

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penguin

†great auk (of Newfoundland); bird of the southern hemisphere having scaly paddles. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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penicillate

tufted, pencilled. XIX. f. L. pnicillum PENCIL + -ATE2.

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penicillin

XX. f. modL. Penicillium generic name of moulds, so named from their brush-like sporangia, f. L. pnicillum PENCIL; see -IN.

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peninsula

XVI. — L. pæninsula, f. pæne almost + insuia island. Hence peninsular XVII.

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penis

XVII. — L. pnis tail, usu. male copulatory organ, rel. to Gr. pos, Skr. pása-.

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penitence

†penance XII; contrition leading to amendment XVI. — (O)F. pénitence — L. pænitentia, f. pænitns, -ent-, prp. of pænitet cause want or discontent to, make sorry, perh. rel. to pæne scarcely; see -ENCE and cf. PENANCE. So penitent adj. XIV; sb. XV. — (O)F. — L. penitential XVI. — late L. pænitentilis. penitentiary adj. pert. to penitence XVI; pert. to reformatory treatment of criminals XVIII; sb. official dealing with penitents XV. — medL. pænitentirius.

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pennant

†pendant; pennon. XVII. blending of PENDANT and PENNON.

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pennon

long narrow flag or streamer XIV; (poet.) wing, pinion XVII. — (O)F.:- Rom. deriv. of L. penna PEN2.

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penny

OE. penig, pænig, earlier pen(n)ing, pending = OS. (Du.) penning, OHG. pfenning (G. pfennig):- WGmc. panniga, pandiga, of uncert. orig. OE. pl. penegas gave ME. penezes, whence penies, pen(n)is, contr. pens XIV, later sp. pence (XVI); pennies repr. a new formation.

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pennyroyal

species of mint. XVI (pen(n)eryall, peny-). alt. of puliol(e) reall (ryall) XV — AN. puliol real, i.e. OF. puliol (mod. pouliot :- Rom. plegelum, f. L. ple(g)ium thyme) and real ROYAL.

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penology

scientific study of punishment. XIX. f. L. pœna penalty; see PAIN, -OLOGY.

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pensile

hanging, vaulted. XVII. — L. pnsilis. f. pns-, pp. stem of pendre hang; see PENDENT, -ILE.

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pension

fixed or regular payment, spec. out of the revenues of a benefice XIV; payment made by members of a society (as an inn of court) for general expenses XV; annuity for past services XVI; †payment for board and lodging or education; boarding-house XVII. — (O)F. — L. pnsi, -n- payment, rent, f. pns-, pp. stem of pendere weigh, pay; see PENDENT, -ION. So pensioner (-ER2) one in receipt of a pension; one who makes a stated periodical payment, spec. commoner at Cambridge Univ. XV. — AN. pensionner, OF. pensionnier — medL. pensinrius (whence pensionary XVI).

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pensive

XIV. ME. pensif, -ive — (O)F., f. penser think — L. pnsre weigh, balance, consider; see POISE, -IVE.

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pent

closely confined, XVI. pp. of †pend (XV), extended form of PEN vb.1, due partly to pt. and pp. penned.

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penta-

repr. Gr. penta-, comb. form of pénte FIVE, used since late XVII in techn. terms from Gr. elements or on Gr. analogies.

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pentacle

XVI. f. Gr. penta- + -culum; see PENTA-, -CLE.

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pentad

number five, group of five XVII; (chem.) XIX. — Gr. pentás, -ad-, f. pénte FIVE; see -AD.

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pentagon

XVI. — F. pentagone or late L. pentagnum — Gr. pentágnon, sb. use of n. of pentágnos; see PENTA-, -GON. So pentagonal XVI. — F. or medL.

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pentagram

XIX. — Gr. pentágrammon, sb. use of n. of pentágrammos of five lines; see PENTA-, -GRAM.

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pentameter

XVI. — L. — Gr. pentámetros, -on, sb. uses of m. and n. of adj., f. PENTA- + métron METRE1.

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pentangle

XIV. perh. — medL. pentangulum, alt. of pentaculum PENTACLE after L. angulus ANGLE2.

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Pentateuch

the first five books of the O.T. XVI (in earliest use pl.). — ecclL. pentatcuchus — ecclGr. pentáteukhos, sb. use of adj., f. PENTA- + teûkhos implement, vessel, (later) book.

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Pentecost

the Jewish Feast of Weeks; Christian feast observed on the seventh Sunday (‘the fiftieth day’) after Easter, Whitsunday (cf. Acts 2: 1 for the transf. application). OE. pentecosten — acc. of ecclL. Pentcost — Gr. Pentkost, sb. use of fem. ordinal adj. of pentkonta fifty; readopted in ME. from OF. Pentecoste (mod. -côte). So Pentecostal XVI. — ecclL.

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penthouse

subsidiary structure attached to the wall of a main building, esp. one with a sloping roof. XIV. ME. pentis, rarely pendis — AN. pentis, aphetic of OF. apentis, apendis — med. use of late L. appendicium appendage, f. L. appendere hang on, attach in a dependent state, f. AP- + pendere hang; refash. (late XIV) by assoc. with HOUSE, as if ‘sloping house’.

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penultimate

XVII. f. L. pænultimus (f. pæne almost + ultimus last), after ULTIMATE.

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penumbra

(astron.) partly shaded region on the edge of a total shadow. XVII. — modL., f. L. pæne almost + umbra shadow.

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penury

indigence, want; dearth. XV. — L. pnria, pænria, perh. rel. to pæne almost; see -Y3.

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peon

(in India) foot-soldier, orderly XVII; (in Sp. America) day-labourer XIX. — Pg. peo and Sp. peon :— medL. ped, -n- one who goes on foot (in classL. broad-footed man), f. ps, ped- FOOT.

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peony

OE. peonie — L. penia, pænia — Gr. painí, f. Pain physician of the gods (the root, flowers, and seeds were formerly used in medicine).

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people

nation, race, persons coll., e.g. in relation to a place, person in authority, etc. XIII; the commonalty XIV. ME. p(o)eple, people — AN. poeple, people, OF. pople, (also mod.) peuple :— L. populus. So vb. XV. — (O)F. peupler.

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pep

(orig. U.S.) great vigour. XX. abbrev. of next.

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pepper

OE. piper, -or = OS. pipari, pepar (Du. peper), OHG. pfeffar (G. pfeffer); WGmc. — L. piper — Gr. péperi, of oriental orig.; cf. Skr. pippalt berry, peppercorn. Hence vb. XVI; cf. OE. (e)pip(o)rian.

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pepsin

enzyme contained in the gastric juice. XIX. — G., f. Gr. pépsis digestion, f. pep- cook, digest; see -IN. So peptic digestive. XVII. — Gr. peptikós, f. peptós cooked, digestive. peptone XIX. — G. pepton — Gr. peptón, n. of peptós.

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per

1
L. prep. ‘through’, ‘by’, ‘by means of’, rel. to PRE-; in L. expressions from XV; e.g. per se by or in himself or itself;

2
OF. per, as in phrases repr. by the comp. advs. peradventure, perforce, perhaps; (her.) denoting partition in the direction of an ordinary, e.g. party per pale;
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3
as an Eng. prep.: by, by means of, e.g. per bearer; as indicated or shown by, e.g. per invoice, joc. (as) per usual; (in distributive sense) for each or every, e.g. so much per head.
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per-

L. prep. per (see prec.) used in comp. with vbs., adjs., and their derivs., partly through F., partly directly from L., with the senses:
1
through in space or time, throughout, all over, as in PERAMBULATE, PERVADE;
2.
thoroughly, completely, as in PERFECT, PERPETRATE;
3.
away, entirely, to destruction, as in PERDITION, PEREMPTORY;
4.
perfectly, extremely, very, as in PERFERVID. b. (chem.) denoting the (supposed) maximum of some element in a combination, as in peroxide.

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peradventure

by chance. XIII. phr. per or par auenture — OF. (see PER, ADVENTURE). Hence sb. uncertainty, doubt, hazard XVI.

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perai

voracious S. Amer. freshwater fish. XVIII (peri). — Tupi piraya (in Brazil piranya, whence piranha XIX), lit. ‘scissors’.

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perambulation

travelling through a place, tour; spec. for the purpose of recording boundaries XV; bounds XVII. — AN. perambulation or medL. perambulti, -n-, f. L. perambulre, whence perambulate XVI, earlier †peramble; see PER-, AMBLE, -ATE3, -ATION. So perambulator †traveller, pedestrian; †hodometer XVII; hand carriage for young children XIX.

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perceive

A
apprehend with the mind XIII; apprehend through the senses XIV;

B
†receive, collect XIV. — AN. perceiver, OF. perceivre, par-, var. of perçoivre (now repl. by percevoir) :— L. percipere
i
seize, obtain, collect,
ii
understand, apprehend, f. PER- + capere take.
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So perception A. collection of rents, etc.; †partaking of Holy Communion XV; B. taking cognizance or being aware of objects XVII. In. A. — (O)F. perception, in B. — L. percepti, -n- (i) collecting, (ii) perceiving. perceptible †perceptive XVI; cognizable XVII. — OF. or late L. perceptive XVII. percipient XVII. — prp. of L. percipere.

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per cent

by the hundred, in every hundred. XVI. In earliest exx. per cento, per centum; prob. orig. as a financial term — It. per cento, with partial assim. to F. pour cent; often written per cent., as if an abbrev. of L. per centum; see PER, CENT. Hence percentage XVIII.

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perch1

freshwater fish. XIII. — (O)F. perche :— L. perca — Gr. pérk, rel. to perknós blackish, bluish.

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perch2

†pole, stake XIII; fixed bar, esp. for birds to rest upon; linear measure equal to 5 ½ yards XIV; superficial measure XV. — (O)F. perche :— L. pertica. So vb. XV. — (O)F. percher.

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perchance

XIV. orig. phr. — AN. par chance, i.e. (O)F. par by, chance CHANCE; with later assim. to PER-.

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percolate

pass or cause to pass through a porous substance. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. perclre, f. PER-1 + clre strain, f. clum sieve, strainer; see -ATE3.

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percussion

striking of one body by another. XVI. — (O)F. percussion or L. percussi, -n-, f. pp. stem of percutere strike or thrust through, f. PER-1 + quatere shake, strike, dash.

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perdition

†utter destruction; final spiritual damnation. XIV. — OF. perdiciun (mod. -tion) or late L. perditi, -n-, f. pp. stem of perdere destroy, (hence) lose.

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perdu

†sentinel perdue, p. sentinel post of sentinel, or sentinel himself, in a hazardous position XVI; be p. be placed in such a position, (hence) lie in wait XVII, and gen. be concealed XVIII. — (O)F. perdu lost, perished, past hope of recovery:- Rom. perdutus, for L. perditus, pp. of perdere destroy, lose.

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peregrinate

travel (abroad). XVI. f. pp. stem of L. peregrnr sojourn or travel abroad f. peregrnus foreign; see next and -ATE3. So peregrination XVI. — L.

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peregrine

species of falcon esteemed for hawking XIV; foreign, outlandish XVI. In the first use repr. (O)F. faucon pèlerin, medL. falc peregrnus, so named because the young were caught in their passage from the breeding-place; in other uses directly — L. peregrnus foreign, f. pereger that is abroad or on a journey, f. PER-1 + ager territory, country; see -INE1.

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peremptory

(leg.) that precludes all debate, question, or delay; decisive, final. XVI. — AN. peremptorie = (O)F. péremptoire — L. peremptrius deadly, mortal, decisive, f. perempt-, pp. stem of perimere take away entirely, destroy, f. emere take; see PER-3, -ORY.

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perennial

XVII. f. L. perennis, f. PER-1 + annus year; see -IAL.

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perfect

thoroughly versed or trained; in a complete state XIII; in a faultless state, accurate XIV; (arith.) XV; unqualified, unalloyed XVI; (gram.) of a tense. ME. parft, -fite, later parfet, (by assim. to L.) perfect XV — OF. parfit, -fite (mod. -fait) — L. perfectus, pp. of perficere accomplish, complete, f. PER-2 + facere make, DO1. Hence perfect vb. XIV. So perfectible XVII. — medL. perfection †complete state XIII; bringing to completion; condition of being perfect XIV. — (O)F. — L. perfective conducing to perfection XVI; (gram.) XIX. — medL.

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perfervid

XIX. — PER-4 + FERVID.

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perfidy

XVI. — L. perfidia, f. perfidus treacherous, f. PER-3 + fids FAITH; see -Y3. So perfidious XVI. — L.

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perforate

make a hole through. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. perforre, f. PER-1 + forre BORE1, pierce; see -ATE3. So perforation XV. — (O)F. — medL.

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perforce

†forcibly XIV; of necessity XVI. — OF. phr. par force, i.e. par by, force FORCE; with assim. as in PERCHANCE.

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perform

†complete, finish; †bring about, effect; carry out (an order, etc.) XIV; †construct XV; go through formally XVIII. — AN. par-, perfourmer, alt. of OF. parfournir (in medL. perfurnre), f. par- PER-2, 4 + fournir FURNISH. Hence performance XVI (at first leg.). prob. — AN. performance.

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perfume

odorous vapour, (fragrance of) liquid scent. XVI. In early use also par-, but regularly assim. to PER-, — F. parfum, f. par-, †perfumer (whence perfume vb. XVI) — It. †par-, †perfumare (now pro-), lit. smoke through; see PER-1, FUME. Hence perfumery XVIII.

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perfunctory

done or acting merely by way of duty. XVI. — late L. perfunctrius careless, negligent, f. perfunct-, pp. stem of perfung perform, discharge, get rid of, f. PER- + fung perform; see -ORY2.

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pergola

arbour formed with plants trained over a trellis. XVII. — It.:— L. pergula projecting roof, vine arbour, f. pergere come or go forward, f. PER-1 + reg- move in a straight line.

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perhaps

XVI. f. PER2 + pl. of HAP, repl. ME. phr. by hap(s).

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peri-

repr. comb. form of Gr. péri, perí adv. and prep. about, around, roundabout, rel. to L. PER.

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perianth

(bot.) †calyx, involucre XVIII; outer part of a flower XIX. — F. périanthe — modL. perianthium, f. Gr. PERI- + ánthos flower.

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periapt

amulet (worn about the person). XVI. — F. périapte — Gr. períapton, f. PERI- + háptos fastened, háptein fasten.

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pericardium

XVI. — modL. — Gr. perikárdion, f. PERI- + kardí HEART. Hence pericardiac XIX, pericardial XVII, pericarditis XVIII.

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pericarp

XVIII. — F. péricarpe — Gr. perikárpion pod, husk, shell, f. PERI- + karpós fruit.

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pericope

paragraph. XVII. — late L. pericop — Gr. perikop section, f. PERI- + kop- cut; see COMMA.

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pericranium

XVI. — modL. pericranium — Gr. perikránion, sb. use of n. of perikránios round the skull; see PERI-, CRANIUM.

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peridot

†chrysolite XIV; the variety called olivine XVII. ME. peritot — OF. peritot (mod. -dot), of which there are several vars.; of unkn. orig.

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perigee

(astron.) point in the orbit of a planet that is nearest to the earth. XVI. In early use varying with forms directly repr. L. and Gr.; — F. périgée — modL. perigum, -æum — late Gr. perigeion, sb. use of n. of perígeios ‘close round the earth’, f. PERI- + gé, gaîa, gê earth.

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perihelion

XVII. Graecized form of modL. perihlium, f. Gr. PERI- + hélios SUN.

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peril

XIII. — (O)F. péril :— L. perc(u)lum experiment, risk, f. per- in experr try + -culum -CLE. So perilous XIII. — OF. perillous, -eus (mod. périlleux) :— L. perculsus.

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perimeter

XVI. — F. périmètre — L. perimetros — Gr. perímetros, f. PERI- + métron METRE1.

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period

extent of time; end of a course; complete sentence, esp. one containing several clauses; full pause at end of this, full stop. XVI (parodie XIV). — (O)F. période — L. periodus cycle, sentence — Gr. períodos circuit, recurrence, course, rounded sentence, f. PERI- + hodós way, course. So periodic(al) XVII. — F. or L. — Gr. periodikós. periodicity XIX. — F.

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peripatetic

(member) of the school of philosophy founded by Aristotle , who taught in a peripatos or walking place in the Lyceum at Athens. XVI. — (O)F. péripatétique or L. peripatticus — Gr. peripattikós, f. peripateîn walk up and down, f. PERI- + pateîn tread; see -IC.

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periphery

†layer of air XIV (once); boundary of a rounded surface XVI. — late L. periphera — Gr. periph´reia, f. periphers revolving round, f. PERI- + phérein BEAR2; see -Y3. Hence peripheral XIX.

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periphrasis

XVI. — L. — Gr. períphrasis, f. periphrázein, f. PERI- + phrázein declare; see PHRASE. So periphrastic XIX. — Gr. periphrastikós.

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periscope

XIX. f. PERI- + SCOPE.

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perish

come to a violent or untimely end, cease to exist; pass. be destroyed, lost, injured by exposure, etc. XIII. f. + périss-, extended stem of (O)F. périr :— L. perre pass away, come to nothing, lose one's life, f. PER-3 + re go. See -ISH2. Hence perishable XVII.

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peristaltic

pert. to the automatic muscular movement in the alimentary canal. XVII. — Gr. peristaltikós clasping and compressing, f. peristéllein wrap up or round, f. PERI- + stéllein place; see -IC.

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peristyle

(archit.) colonnade surrounding a building. XVII. — F. péristyle — L. peristlum — Gr. perístlon, sb. use of n. of perístlos having pillars all around, f. PERI- + stûlos column.

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peritoneum

XVI. — late L. peritonæum, -um — Gr. peritónaion, -eion, sb. use of n. of peritónaios, f. peritonos stretched around, f. PERI- + -tonos stretched.

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periwig

XVI. alt., through the stages perewike, -wig, of perwike, -wick, vars. of PERUKE.

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periwinkle1

plant of the genus Vinca. XIV. ME. pervenke, -vinke — AN. pervenke, var. of (O)F. pervenche :- late L. pervinca, earlier vi(n)ca pervi(n)ca. The mod. form appears XVI as per(i)wyncle, prob. by assim. to next.

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periwinkle2

winkle. XVI (purwinkle, pere-, periwinkle). of unkn. orig.; OE. winewinclan pl., also read as pinewinclan, may perh. be repr. by dial. forms in penny-; in any case the second el. is the same.

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perjure

pass. be p—d be forsworn or guilty of false swearing XV (now rare), repr. AN., OF. estre parjuré(z); refl. p. oneself XVIII, repr. F. se parjurer forswear oneself, for which the intr. perjure was formerly used XVII–XVIII (so in AN.). — (O)F. parjurer, †per- — L. perjrre, refash. of pe(r)ierre break one's oath. f. PER-3 + jrre swear. So perjury (-Y3) XIV. — AN. perjurie (modF. parjure) — L. perjrium.

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perk

(intr., pass.) carry oneself jauntily, be spruce or smart XIV; (trans.) project or raise in a brisk manner XVI. The earliest instances refer to the action of birds and suggest deriv. from perk sb., var. of PERCH2, or a transf. use of perk vb. perch (both now obs. or dial.) — dial. F. perque, perquer, vars. of perche, percher. Hence perky (-Y1) XIX.

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perk(s)

sl. abbr. of PERQUISITE(S)). XIX.

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perlustrate

travel through and survey. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. perlstrre, f. PER-1 + lstrre purify, pass in review, f. lstrum LUSTRE1; see -ATE3.

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permafrost

permanently frozen subsoil. XX. f. next, FROST.

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permanent

XV. — (O)F. permanent or L. permanns, -ent-, prp. of permanre remain to the end, f. PER- + manre remain. So permanence XV. — (O)F. or medL.

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permeable

XV. — late L. permebilis, f. permere (the pp. stem of which gave permeate XVII), f. PER-1, mere pass, go; see -ABLE.

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Permian

(geol.) pert. to the upper division of palaeozoic strata, characteristic of Perm, former province of E. Russia. XIX. See -IAN.

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permission

XV. — (O)F. permission or L. permissi, -n-, f. pp. stem of permittere surrender, allow, f. PER- + mittere let go. So permit vb. XV (whence sb. XVIII). — L. permittere. permissible XV, permissive XVII.

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permute

†exchange XIV; †change, transmute XV; transpose XIX. — L. permtre, f. PER- + mtre change. So permutation †exchange, barter XIV; †alteration, transmutation; transposition (spec. math.) XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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pernicious

XVI. — L. pernicisus, f. pernicis destruction, f. PER- + nex, nec- death, destruction; see -IOUS.

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pernickety

XIX. orig. Sc.; of uncert. orig.

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pernoctate

pass the night, spec. in prayer. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. pernoctre, f. PER + nox, noct- NIGHT; see -ATE3. So pernoctation XVII. — late L.

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peroration

XV — F. péroration or L. perrti, -n-, f. perrre (whence perorate XVII), f. PER- + rre speak.

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perpend

(arch.) ponder. XVI. — L. perpendere weigh exactly, consider; see PER- 2, PENDENT.

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perpendicular

situated or having a direction at right angles XIV (not gen. current till XVI); applied to the third style of English pointed architecture XIX; sb. XVI. — L. perpendiculris, f. perpendiculum plummet, plumb-line, f. PER- 2 + pendre hang; see PENDENT, -CULE, -AR.

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perpetrate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. perpetrre perform, f. PER- + patrre bring about, lit. perform or execute as father, f. pater, patr- FATHER; see -ATE3. So perpetration XV. — F. or late L.

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perpetual

XIV (-el). — (O)F. perpetuel — L. perpetulis, f. perpetuus, f. perpes, perpet- continuous, uninterrupted, f. PER- + petere be directed towards; assim. to L. form XVI; see -AL1. So perpetuate (-ATE3) XVI. f. pp. stem of L. perpeture. perpetuation XIV. — medL. perpetuity XV. — (O)F. — L.

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perplex

trouble with doubt or uncertainty XVI; make uncertain or involved through intricacy XVII. back-formation from perplexed (XV), extension of †perplex adj. (XIV–XVII) — (O)F. perplexe or L. perplexus involved, intricate, f. PER- + plexus, pp. of plectere plait, interweave, involve. So perplexity XIV. — (O)F. or late L.

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perquisite

†property acquired otherwise than by inheritance XV; casual profits or emoluments XVI; gratuity XVIII. — medL. perqustum acquisition, sb. use of n. of pp. of L. perqurere search diligently for, f. PER- + quærere seek.

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perry

beverage made from pears. XIV. ME. pereye, perre(e), perrye — OF. peré :- Rom. pirtum, f. L. pirum PEAR; see -Y5.

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persecute

†pursue, chase; pursue with malignity; †prosecute at law. XV. — (O)F. persécuter, f. L. persect-, pp. stem of persequ, f. PER- + sequ follow. So persecution XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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persevere

XIV. — (O)F. persévérer — L. persevrre abide by strictly, persist, f. persevrus very strict; see PER-, SEVERE. So perseverance XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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Persian

XIV. ME. persien — OF. — medL. Persinus (repl. L. Persicus), f. Persia, f. Gr. Persis — OPers. Prsa (mod. Prs, Arab. Frs); assim. to -IAN XVI.

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persiflage

light banter, raillery. XVIII. — F., f. persifler banter, f. per- for par- + siffler whistle; see -AGE.

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persimmon

XVII. of Algonquian orig.

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persist

continue firmly in a state, etc. XVI; remain in existence XVIII. — L. persistere, f. PER- + sistere stand.

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person

†character, part played; human being XIII; living body of a human being; individual personality XIV; (theol.) distinction of being in the Godhead XIII; (gram.) XVI. — OF. persone (mod. personne) :— L. persna mask used by a player, one who plays a part, character acted, etc.; perh. of Etruscan orig. The normally developed var. parson (XIV–XVII) has been differentiated with a special meaning; person is a reversion to L. form. So personable having a well-formed person. XV. — F. †personnable. personage †image, effigy; body of a person XV; person of note; person in a drama XVI. — OF. personage (mod. personnage). personal XIV. — OF. personal, -el (mod. personnel) — L. persnlis. personality XIV. — (O)F. — late L. personalty personal estate. XVI. — law F. personalté. personate act the part of, IMPERSONATE XVI; represent, typify XVII. f. pp. stem of late L. persnre. personify XVIII. — F. personnifier; hence personification XVIII. personnel XIX. — F., sb. use of personnel PERSONAL.

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perspective

†optics; †optical instrument XIV; (after It. perspectiva) art of drawing so as to give the effect of solidity and relative size XVI; drawing in perspective XVII. — medL. perspectva, sb. use of fem. of late L. perspectvus, f. perspect-, pp. stem of L. perspicere look at closely, f. PER- + specere look; see -IVE. So perspective adj. †optical XV; pert. to perspective XVII. — late L. perspicacous XVII. f. L. perspicax, -c- sharp-sighted; see -IOUS. perspicacity XVI. — F. or late L. perspicuous †transparent XV; lucid, evident XVI. f. L. perspicuus. perspicuity XV. — L.

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perspiration

†breathing through; †evaporation, exhalation; excretion of moisture through the pores. XVII. — F., f. perspirer — L. perspirre (whence perspire vb. XVII); see PER-, SPIRIT, -ATION.

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persuade

induce to believe or act in a certain way; †induce belief in or practice of, commend XVI. — L. persudre, f. PER- + sudre advise, recommend. So persuasion action of persuading XIV; religious belief or denomination XVII. — L. persusi, -n-; see SUASION.

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pert

(dial.) expert, intelligent XIII; open, manifest XIV; forward in behaviour XIV; (dial.) brisk, lively XVI. Aphetic of †apert (in these senses) XIII; — OF. apert — L. apertus open, pp. of aperre; partly blended with OF. aspert, espert :- L. expertus expert.

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pertain

XIV. ME. parte(i)ne, repr. tonic stem of (O)F. partenir — L. pertinre extend, tend or belong (to), f. PER- + tenre hold. So pertinent relevant, apposite XIV; †appurtenant, suitable XV. — (O)F. pertinent or L. pertinns, prp. of pertinre.

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pertinacious

XVII. f. L. pertinx, -c-; see PER-, TENACIOUS. So pertinacity XVI. — F.

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perturb

XIV. — OF. pertourber — L. perturbre; see PER-, DISTURB. So perturbation XIV.

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peruke

†natural head of hair; wig. XVI. — F. perruque (XV, †head of hair) — It. perrucca, parrucca, of unkn. orig.

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peruse

†use up; go through so as to examine, revise, etc. XV; read through XVI. prob. based on AL. persre, persitre use up, f. L. PER- + medL. sre, L. sitr use often, frequent. f. s- USE. Hence perusal XVI.

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pervade

(arch.) pass through; diffuse itself throughout. XVII. — L. pervdere, f. PER- + vdere go; see WADE. So pervasive XVIII. f. pp. stem of pervdere.

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perverse

turned from the right way, perverted XIV; froward, wayward XV. — (O)F. pervers, -e — L. perversus, -a, pp. of pervertere (see below). So perversion XIV. — L. perversi, -n-, pervert †overthrow, subvert; turn aside from a right course or opinion XIV. — (O)F. pervertir or its source L. pervertere turn round, overturn, ruin, corrupt, f. PER- + vertere turn. pervert perverted or apostate person. XVII. sb. use of †pervert adj. (XV–XVI), short for perverted, or an analogical formation after convert sb.

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pervious

XVII. f. L. pervius, f. PER- + via way.

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peseta

Spanish silver coin and monetary unit. XIX. — Sp., dim. of pesa weight:- L. pnsa, pl. of pnsum (see POISE).

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pessary

†suppository XIV; instrument to remedy uterine displacement XVIII. — late L. pessrium, f. late L. pessum, -us — Gr. pessós, -ón draught-board, oval stone used in a game, medicated plug; see -ARY.

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pessimism

†the worst condition possible XVIII; tendency to look at the worst aspect of things XIX. f. L. pessimus worst + -ISM, on the model of OPTIMISM.

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pest

†pestilence, plague XVI; noxious person or thing XVII. — F. peste or L. pestis plague, contagious disease. So pestiferous plague-bringing, pernicious. XVI. — L. pestifer, -ferus. pestilence XIV. — (O)F. — L. pestilentia, f. pestilns, -ent-, -entus (whence pestilent XV). pestilential XIV. — medL. Hence pesticide XX.

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pestle

XIV. — OF. pestel = It. pestello — L. pistillum, dim. of pistrum, f. pist-, pp. stem of pinsre pound; cf. -EL2.

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pet1

animal domesticated and treated as a favourite; indulged child XVI; darling, favourite XVIII. orig. Sc. and north. dial.; of Celt. orig. (cf. Ir., Gael. peata).

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pet2

offence at being slighted. XVI. of unkn. orig. Hence pettish (-ISH1) XVI.

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petal

XVIII. — modL. petalum, in medL. metal plate — Gr. pétalon lamina, leaf, sb. use of n. of adj. pétalos outspread, f. base pet-, as in petánnusthai unfold.

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petard

small bomb for making a breach XVI; firework XVII. — F. pétard, f. péter break wind, f. pet fart:- L. pditum, f. pdere break wind; see -ARD.

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peter

(orig. U.S.) become exhausted, give out. XIX (first in trans. use). of unkn. orig.

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petiole

leaf-stalk. XVIII. — F. pétiole — L. petiolus little foot, fruit-stalk, specialized by Linnaeus .

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petite

XVIII. — F., fem. of petit small, PETTY.

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petition

action of begging or supplicating, orig. in prayer XIV; formally drawn-up request from an inferior to a superior or body in authority XV. — (O)F. pétition — L. petti, -n-, f. pp. stem of petere aim at, ask, seek; see -TION. Hence vb. XVII.

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petrel

XVII (early vars. pitteral, pittrel). of uncert. orig.

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petrify

convert into stone XVI; deprive of movement or feeling XVII. — F. pétrifier, f. L. petra rock — Gr. pétr; see -FY. Hence petrifaction XVII.

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petro-

comb. form of Gr. pétr rock or pétros stone, as in petrography XVII, petrology XIX.

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petrol

†petroleum XVI; refined petroleum used in internal combustion engines XIX. — F. pétrole — medL. petroleum; see next.

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petroleum

mineral oil, occurring in rocks, etc. XVI. — medL., f. L. petra rock (see PETRIFY) + oleum OIL.

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petronel

large pistol or carbine. XVI. — F. petrinal, var. of poitrinal, sb. use of adj. ‘pert. to breast or chest’, f. poitrine :- Rom. pectorna, f. L. pectus, pector- breast; so called because in firing it the butt end rested against the chest.

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petticoat

†small coat worm under the doublet XV; †tunic or chemise XV; skirt dependent from the waist XVI. orig. two words, PETTY and COAT.

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pettifogger

legal practitioner of inferior status XVI; (gen.) petty practioner XVII. f. PETTY + fogger lawyer of low class, of unkn. orig. Hence pettifogging (-ING1, -ING2) XVI.

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pettitoes

(orig.) giblets; (later) pig's trotters XVI. In form and sense corr. to F. petite oie ‘little goose’, giblets of a goose; assim. to PETTY and pl. of TOE took place early.

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petty

†small XIV; minor, secondary, subordinate XVI. ME. pety, var. of petit — (O)F.:- Rom. pittittus, f. pit-, repr. in late L. pitinnus, pitulus very small.

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petulant

†wanton, lascivious XVI; †pert, saucy XVII; pettishly impatient XVIII. — (O)F. pétulant — L. petulns, -ant-, prp. of petulre, f. petere direct oneself to, attack; see -ANT. So petulance XVII.

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petunia

XIX. — modL., f. F. petun tobacco (also in Eng. use XVI—XVII) — Guarani pet; see -IA1.

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pew

raised enclosure or desk in a church, †in a court, etc. XIV; pl. fixed benches with backs XVII. ME. pywe, puwe — OF. puye, puie — L. podia, pl. of podium elevated place, parapet — Gr. pódion base, pedestal, dim. of poús, pod- FOOT.

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pewit

see PEEWIT.

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pewter

XIV. — OF. peutre, peaultre :- Rom. peltrum, of unkn. orig. So pewterer XIV. — AN. peautrer, OF. peautrier.

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pfennig

1/100 of the German mark. XVI (phen(n)ing) — G.; see PENNY.

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phaeton

four-wheeled open carriage. XVIII. — F. phaéton — L. Phaethn — Gr. Phaéthn (myth.) son of Helios (sun) and Clymene, famous for his unlucky driving of the sun-chariot, sb. use of prp. phaéthn shining, rel. to phaínein show (cf. PHENOMENON).

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phago-

repr. Gr. phago- eating, phageîn eat, as in phagocyte. So -phagous -eating, f. L. -phagus, Gr. -phagos, -phagy, f. Gr. -phagí, as in ichthyophagous, -phagy.

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phalanx

line of battle XVI; (anat.) joint of a digit XVII; (bot.) bundle of stamens XVIII. — L. — Gr. phálagx. So phalange XVI. — F. — L.

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phallus

XVII. — late L. — G. phallós. So phallic XVIII.

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phantasm

illusion XIII; apparition, ghost; imagination, fancy XV; mental image XVI. — (O)F. fantasme, †-esme — L. phantasma; see next. So phantasmagoria exhibition of optical illusions; shifting succession of imaginary figures XIX. prob. — F. fantasmagorie, f. fantasme with fanciful termination.

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phantasy

see FANTASY.

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phantom

†illusion, deception XIII; apparition XIV; mental image XVI; appearance without substance XVII. ME. fanto(s)me, -um — OF. fanto(s)me (mod. fantôme):- Gr. dial. phantagma (Gr. phántasma), f. phantázein make visible, f. phaínein, phant- show (see PHENOMENON).

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Pharisee

OE. fariseus, early ME. farisew — late L. pharsæus, -us — Gr. pharsaîos — Aram. peaiy, emphatic pl. of per = Heb. prû separated, separatist. The present form is from ME. f-, pharise(e) — OF. pharise — L.

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pharmacy

administration of medicines XIV; art of preparing drugs XVII; dispensary XIX. — OF. farmacie (mod. pharmacie) — medL. pharmacia — Gr. pharmakeí practice of a pharmakeús druggist, f. phármakon drug, medicine; see -Y3. So pharmaceutical XVII. f. late L. pharmaceuticus — Gr. -keutikós. pharmacopoeia XVII. modL. — Gr. pharmakopoií (-poios -making, -maker).

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pharos

lighthouse. XVI. Appellative use of L. Pharos — Gr. Pháros name of an island off Alexandria on which stood a famous lighthouse.

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pharynx

XVII. — modL. — Gr. phárugx (cf. pháragx cleft, chasm). Hence pharyng(e)al XIX.

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phase

aspect (orig. astron. of a planet). XIX. Partly — F., partly new sg. evolved from phases, pl. of phasis (XVII) — modL. — Gr. phásis appearance, phase, f. pha-, as repr. by phôs, pháos light.

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pheasant

XIII. — AN. fesaunt, for (O)F. faisan — Pr.:- L. phsinus — Gr. phsinós of Phasis, a river in Colchis, whence the bird is said to have spread westwards. For parasitic -t cf. ancient, pageant, tyrant.

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phen(o)-

repr. Gr. phaino-, rel. to phaínein shine; orig. applied to coal-tar products arising from the manufacture of ‘illuminating’ gas, later as in phenacetin, pheno-barbitone.

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phenol

(chem.) hydroxyl derivative of benzene, carbolic acid. XIX. — F. phénole, f. phène benzene; see -OL.

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phenomenon, pl. -mena

thing or fact perceived or observed XVII; notable or exceptional fact or occurrence XVIII. Also, in early use, phaino-, phaeno-; — late L. phænomenon — Gr. phainómenon, sb. use of prp. pass. of phaínein show, pass. be seen, appear.

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phial

XIV. ME fyole — (O)F. fiole — L. phiola, phiala saucer, censer — Gr. phiál broad flat vessel.

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-phil(e)

repr., through med. and modL. -philus, F. -phile, Gr. terminal el. -philos ‘dear to’, ‘beloved by’, as in Theophilus dear to God; with sense ‘loving, devoted or favourable to’ in medL. and later, e.g. modL. botanophilus amateur botanist, Eng. bibliophile (- F.), and many formations like Anglophil(e). The corr. adj. suffix is -philous , frequent in bot. and zool., with the sense ‘having affinity to or preference for’, as hygrophilous; with corr. nouns of state or quality in -phily , -philism .

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philander

†(passionate) lover. XVII. — Gr. philandros, f. phil- PHILO- + anr, andr- man, husband; used as a character-name in poetry and drama. Hence vb. make love, esp. flirtatiously. XVIII.

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philanthropy

XVII. — late L. philanthrpia — Gr. philanthrpí, f. philánthrpos, f. phil- PHILO- + ánthrpos man; see -Y3. So philanthropic, philanthropist XVIII.

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philately

postage-stamp-collecting. XIX. — F. philatélie, f. Gr. phil- PHILO- + ateleí exemption from payment, f. A-4 + télos charge, tax; see -Y3. Hence philatelic, philatelist XIX.

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philharmonic

devoted to music. XVIII. — F. philharmonique — It. filarmonico; see PHILO-, HARMONIC.

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philippic

(pl.) name of the orations of Demosthenes against Philip II, king of Macedon (IV B.C.); hence applied to Cicero's orations against Mark-Antony , and gen. to any invective or denunciatory speech. XVI. — L. philippicus — Gr. Philippikós, f. Phílippos; see -IC.

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Philistine

one of a people in ancient Palestine who harassed the Israelites; an enemy into whose hands one may fall XVI; †in Germany, one who is not a student at the university; person deficient in liberal culture XIX. — F. Philistin or late L. Philistnus, also Palæstnus, usu. pl. — late Gr. Philistînoi, Palaistînoi — Heb. pelitm, rel. to peleeth Philistia, Palestine. Hence Philistinism XIX.

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philo-

before a vowel or h phil- , repr., often through F. or L., Gr. phil(o)-, comb. form of phílos meaning ‘lover’, ‘loving’, as in philósophos PHILOSOPHER; in many comps. (often nonce-words) from XVII, among which in later use are numerous specimens of the type of Gr. philélln loving or favourable to the Greeks, philhellene (XIX).

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philology

†study of literature XVII; science of language XVIII. — F. philologie — L. philologia — Gr. philologí devotion to dialectic, love of learning and literature, love of language, f. philólogcs fond of talking, etc.; see PHILO-, LOGOS. Hence philological, philologist XVII.

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philosopher

XIV. — AN. philo-, filosofre, var. of (O)F. philosophe — L. philosophus — Gr. philósophos ‘lover of wisdom’, f. PHILO- + base of sophós wise. So philosophic XVII, philosophical XIV. — late L. philosophicus. philosophize XVI. corr. in use to F. philosopher, L. philosophr, Gr. philosopheîn. philosophy (-Y3) XIII.

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philtre, U.S. philter

love-potion. XVI. — F. philtre — L. philtrum — Gr. phíltron, f. phil- as in phileîn love + -tron, suffix of instrument or means.

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phiz

face. XVII (phyz, phys). colloq. shortening of physnomy, early var. of PHYSIOGNOMY.

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phleb(o)-

comb. form of Gr. phléps, phleb- vein. phlebotomy blood-letting. XIV (fl-). — OF. flebothomie (mod. phlébotomie) — late L. phlebotomia — Gr. phlebotomí; see -TOMY. So phlebotomize XVI.

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phlegm

mucus, considered as one of the four humours (cold and moist) XIV; as a secretion of membranes XV; coldness or sluggishness supposed to proceed from the predominance of the humour XVI. The present form appears XVI, as the result of assim. to the Gr.-L. original or earlier fle(u)me, fleam(e) — OF. fleume (mod. flegme) — late L. phlegma clammy moisture of the body — Gr. phlégma inflammation, morbid humour as the result of heat, f. phlégein burn, blaze. So phlegmatic XIV (fleu-).

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phlogiston

(old chem.) principle of inflammability. XVIII. — Gr. phlogistón, n. of phlogistós burnt up, inflammable, f. phlogízein set on tire, f. phlog- burn; see next.

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phlox

herbaceous plant. XVIII. — L. — Gr. phlóx lit. flame, f. phlog- phleg- :- IE. bhleg- (cf. FLAGRANT).

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-phobe

terminal el. — F. — L. -phobus, Gr. -phobos fearing, f. phóbos fear, as in hydrophobe, and many comps. with national names, as Anglophobe; so -phobia (— L. — Gr. -phobí) in the sense ‘dread’, ‘horror’, as in hydrophobia, and Anglophobia, etc., some of which are modelled on F. words in -phobie.

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phoenix

mythical bird of gorgeous plumage living for centuries in the Arabian desert, then burning itself to ashes, from which it emerged with renewed youth. OE., ME. fenix — L. phœnix and OF. fenix (mod. phénix), the L. being — Gr. phoînix, of unkn. orig.

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phone1

abbrev. of TELEPHONE. XX.

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phone2

(philol.) element of spoken language. XIX. — Gr. phn sound (see PHONETIC).

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-phone

terminal el., repr. Gr. phn voice, sound, used in the names of instruments for transmitting, reproducing, or amplifying sound, as gramophone, megaphone, microphone, radiophone, telephone.

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phoneme

XIX. — F. phonème — Gr. phnma, f. phneîn speak.

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phonetic

pert. to or representing vocal sounds; (sb. pl.) science of speech-sounds. XIX. — modL. phnticus — Gr. phntikós, f. phntós, ppl. formation on phneîn speak, f. phn voice, rel. to L. fma FAME; see -IC. Hence phonetician XIX.

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phoney

(sl.) deceptive, fraudulent. XX. of unkn. orig.

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phonogram

character representing a spoken sound; †sound-record made by a phonograph. XIX (see GRAMOPHONE). phonograph †symbol representing a sound; instrument for recording and reproducing sounds. XIX. f. Gr. phn sound + -graphos written, -gráphos -writing; see prec. and -GRAPH. So phonography †phonetic spelling XVIII; phonetic shorthand invented by Isaac Pitman XIX. phonology science of vocal sounds esp. as applied to particular languages. XVIII.

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-phore

terminal el. repr. F. -phore, modL. -phorus — Gr. phóros bearing, bearer, f. phor- pher- BEAR2, as in semaphore. So -phoric, -phorous.

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phosphate

(chem.) salt of phosphoric acid. XVIII. — F. phosphat, f. phosphore PHOSPHORUS + -at -ATE2.

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phosphorus

†morning star; phosphorescent substance; highly inflammable non-metallic element luminous in the dark. XVII. — L. phsphorus — Gr. phsphóros light-bringing, sb. morning star, f. phôs light + -phóros -PHORE. So phosphoric (- F.), phosphorous XVIII. Hence phosphoresce, phosphorescence, phosphorescent XVIII.

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photo-

repr. phto-, comb. form of Gr. phôs, pht- light, as in photometer XVIII; later esp. in connection with photography, as photogravure (F. gravure engraving) XIX.

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photograph

picture produced by the action of light on a sensitized film. First used, together with photographic and photography , by Sir John Herschel (1792–1871) in a paper read before the Royal Society on 14 March 1839; preceded by G. photographie. f. Gr. phôs, phto- light + -graphos written; see PHOTO-, GRAPH. Photographic superseded photogenic (XIX), which is now used for ‘offering a good subject for photography’.

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phrase

style of expression, diction; small group of words in a sentence; pithy expression. XVI. In earliest use also phrasis, -ys, from the pl. of which (phrases) a sg. phrase appears to have been evolved. — L. phrasis — Gr. phrásis speech, manner of speaking, f. phrázein indicate, declare, tell. So phraseology XVII. — modL. phraseologia, spurious Gr. phraseologí.

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phrenetic

frenzied, FRANTIC. XIV. — (O)F. frénétique — L. phrenticus — late Gr. phrentikós, for phrentikós, f. phrenîtis delirium, f. phrn, phren- heart, mind; see -ITIS, -IC.

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phrenology

XIX. f. Gr. phrn, phren- mind + -LOGY.

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phthisic

(having) pulmonary consumption. XIV. ME. tisik, later ptisike, phthisick — OF. tisike, -ique, later ptisique, thisique (repl. by mod. phtisie):- Rom. (ph)thisica, sb. use of fem. of L. phthisicus — Gr. phthisikós consumptive, f. phthísis, f. phthi-, phthínein waste away; see -IC. So phthisis XVI. — L. — Gr.

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phut

(sl.) go ph., be a failure. XIX. f. Hindi phan burst.

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phylactery

small box containing four texts of Scripture worn by Jews as a reminder of the obligation to keep the law. XIV; in various uses from XVII. Early forms fil-, philaterie — OF. filaterie, -atiere — late L. fyl-, phylactrium — Gr. phulaktrion safeguard, amulet, f. phulaktr guard.

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phyllo-

repr. comb. form of Gr. phúllon leaf.

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phylo-

repr. comb. form of Gr. phl, phûlon race (whence modL. phylum XIX), as in phylogeny (Gr. génos GENUS) racial or tribal history.

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physic

healing art, medicine XIII; †natural science XIV; medicinal preparation, medicine XVI. ME. fisike — OF. fisique medicine (mod. physique natural science, now physics) — L. physica, - — Gr. phusik, sb. use of fem. of phusikós, f. phúsis nature; see -IC. So physic adj. †medical, medicinal XV; physical, natural XVI. physical medical, medicinal XV; natural, material XVI; pert. to physics; bodily, corporeal XVIII. — medL. physiclis, physicist XIX. physics natural science XVI; science that treats of matter and energy XVIII; rendering L. n. pl. physica — Gr. tà phusiká title of Aristotle's physical treatises.

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physician

XIII. ME. fisicien — OF. (mod. physicien physicist), f. fisique PHYSIC; see -IAN.

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physio-

repr. phusio-, comb. form of Gr. phúsis nature. physiognomy judging character from bodily lineaments; face, countenance. XIV. ME. fisnamye, fis-, phisonomie, later phisnomy (XV–XVII), phisognomie (XVI–XVII), physiognomy (XVI) — OF. phisonomie, -anomie (mod. physionomie) — medL. phiso-, physionomia — late Gr. phusiognmí for Gr. phusiognmoní, f. phúsis nature + gnmn, gnmon- interpreter, f. gn- (see KNOW). physiography description of natural phenomena; physical geography. XIX. — F. physiographie; so physiographical XVIII. physiology †natural science, natural philosophy XVI; science of the phenomena of living things XVII. — F. physiologie or L. physiologia — Gr. phusiologí; hence physiological XVII. physiologist †natural philosopher XVII; student of animal or vegetable physiology XVIII.

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physique

XIX. — F., sb. use of physique PHYSICAL.

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-phyte

terminal el. repr. Gr. phutón plant, f. phúein bring forth (see BE), and denoting a vegetable organism, as in saprophyte, zoophyte.

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phyto-

repr. comb. form of Gr. phutón (see prec.), used in many bot. terms.

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pi

(math.) ratio of the circumference of a circle to the diameter. XIX. name of the Gr. letter (P p), initial letter of periphéreia periphery and perímetros perimeter.

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piacular

pert. to expiation. XVII. — L. piculris, f. piculum expiation, f. pire appease, f. pius PIOUS; see -AR.

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pia mater

delicate innermost of the three meninges of the brain and spinal cord. XVI. — medL., tr. Arab. al-umm ar-raa the thin or tender mother; cf. DURA MATER.

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pianoforte

XVIII. — It., evolved from the descriptive name gravecembalo col piano e forte ‘harpsichord with soft and loud’ used by the inventor Bartolomeo Cristofori of Padua (c.1710). Now usu. abbr. piano XIX.

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piastre

Sp. piece of eight or dollar; small Turk. coin. XVII. — F. — It. piastra metal plate, coin, repr. L. emplastra, var. of emplastrum PLASTER.

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piazza

public square XVI; (erron.) colonnade, covered ambulatory XVII; (U.S.) veranda XVIII. — It. piazza = F. place PLACE.

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pibroch

series of variations for the bagpipe. XVIII. — Gael. piobaireachd, f. piobair piper (f. piob pipe) + -achd suffix of function, etc.

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pica

(typogr.) size of printing type. XVI. transf. use of medL. pica almanac for the recitation of divine service (perh. ult. identical with L. pca PIE1).

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picador

in bullfighting, mounted man who provokes the bull with a lance. XVIII. — Sp., ‘pricker’, f. picar prick.

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picaresque

pert. to rogues, orig. of Sp. literary fiction. XIX. — F. — Sp. picaresco, f. picaro roguish, sb. rogue; see -ESQUE.

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picaroon

pirate, pirate ship; rogue. XVII. — Sp. picaron, augm. of picaro rogue; see prec. and -OON.

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picayune

(in Louisiana, etc.) Spanish half-real, (U.S.) 5-cent piece; insignificant object; adj. mean, paltry. XIX. — F. picaillon old copper coin of Piedmont, cash — modPr. picaioun, of unkn. orig.

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piccalilli

XVIII. prob. fancifully f. PICKLE.

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piccaninny

little one, child, esp. Black child. XVII. W. Indian Negro formation on Sp. pequeño or Pg. pequeno little, small (of unkn. orig.); perh. directly based on Pg. dim. pequenino.

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piccolo

XIX. — It. piccolo small.

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pick1

pointed tool for breaking up a surface. XIV. ME. pic, pykk, app. collateral form of pike pick, pointed object (surviving dial.), OE. pc, rel. to pcung pricking, vbl. sb. of pcian or pcan (see next).

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pick2

probe with a pointed instrument, etc.; pluck, gather; choose out; rob, plunder. XV. Succeeded to pike XIV (surviving dial.), prob. through the infl. of F. piquer or MLG., MDu. picken (Du. pikken), in the senses ‘pick’, ‘peck’, ‘pierce’, ‘puncture’.

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pick-a-back, piggyback

on the shoulders or back like a pack. XVI. Earlier (†a) pick-back, †on or a pick-pack (still dial.); it is doubtful whether the orig. form referred to the pitching of a pack on the shoulders or the back on which it is pitched.

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pickaxe

XV. alt., by assim. of the final syll. to AXE, of ME. pikois, -eis (XIV) — OF. picois (rel. to PICK1).

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pickerel

young pike. XIV. f. PIKE1 + -EREL.

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picket

A
pointed stake, etc. XVII;

B
small detachment of troops (orig. with horses tied to stakes) XVIII. — F. piquet, f. piquer prick, pierce; see PICK2, -ET.
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pickle

salt liquor in which food is preserved XIV; article of food so preserved XVII. ME. pekille, pykyl — MLG., MDu. pekel, of unkn. orig. Hence vb. XVI.

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picnic

(orig.) social entertainment in which each person contributed a share of the food; (now) outdoor pleasure party with a repast. XVIII. — F. piquenique, app. f. piquer PICK2 + nique (cf. faire la nique à mock, show scorn of).

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picotee

variety of carnation. XVIII. — F. picoté, pp. of picoter mark with pricks or points, f. picot, dim. of pic point, prick.

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picquet

card-game. XVII. — F. piquet, †picquet, prob. f. pic in faire pic make sixty, of obscure orig.

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picric

(chem.) p. acid. f. Gr. pikrós bitter + -IC.

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Pict

one of an ancient people of N. Britain. XIV. — late L. Pict, identical in form with pict painted or tattooed people (pp. of L. pingere PAINT), adopted in OE. as Pihtas, var. Peohtas.

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picture

†pictorial representation XV; individual painting or drawing XV; visual impression, mental image; graphic description XVI. — L. pictra painting, f. pict-, pp. stem of pingere PAINT, embroider. Hence vb. XV. So picturesque XVIII. — (with assim. to prec., to express ‘in the style of a picture’) F. pittoresque — It. pittoresco ‘in the style of a painter’, f. pittore :- L. pictor, -tr- painter, f. pict-.

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piddle

A
(dial.) trifle XVI;

B
(colloq.) urinate XVIII. In A perh. alt. of PEDDLE; in B presumably based on PISS or PEE.
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pidgin, pigeon2

in P. English, commercial jargon used esp. in the Far East. XIX. Chinese corruption of BUSINESS.

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pie1

magpie. XIII. — (O)F.:- L. pca magpie.

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pie2

dish composed of meat, etc., enclosed in paste and baked. XIV. prob. identical with PIE1 (pca being the medL. equiv.); it has been conjectured that the reason for the application is that the magpie collects miscellaneous objects.

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pie3

(typogr.) confused mass of type (spec. printer's p.). XVII. perh. tr. F. pté pasty, as in caractères tombés en pâté.

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piebald

of two colours mingled, esp. white and black. XVI. f. PIE1 + BALD (in the sense ‘streaked with white’).

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piece

A
separate or detached portion XIII; (dial.) protion of time or space; quantity (of matter of substance) XIV;

B
section or armour, etc. XIV; fire-arm; coin XVI; ‘man’ in a game XVI;
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C
person XIII. — ME. pece, later piece — AN. pece, OF. piece (mod. pièce):- Rom. pettia (cf. medL. petia, pecia, pet(t)ium), prob. of Gaulish orig. (cf. W. peth quantity, part. Breton pezh piece:- Brythonic petti-).
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Hence piece vb. XIV. piecemeal piece by piece XIII.

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pied

particoloured, orig. of black and white like a magpie. XIV. f. PIE1 + -ED2.

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pier

one of the supports of the spans of a bridge XII; solid structure extending into the sea, etc. XIV; pillar XVII. ME. per — AL. pera or pra, of unkn. orig.

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pierce

XIII. ME. perce — (O)F. percer :- Rom. pertsire, f. L. pertsus, pp. of pertundere bore through, f. PER- + tundere thrust.

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pierrot

French pantomime character; clown with whitened face in fancy costume. XVIII. — F., appellative use of pet-form of Pierre Peter.

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pietà

representation of the Virgin Mary mourning over the body of the dead Christ. XVII. — It.:- L. piets, -tt- PIETY.

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pietism

movement for the revival of piety in the Lutheran communion; hence gen. XVII. — G. pietismus. f. L. piets PIETY; see -ISM. So pietist XVII.

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piety

†pity XIII; faithfulness to filial (or similar) duties XVI; devotion to religious duties XVII. — OF. piete (mod. piété) — L. piets, -tt- dutifulness; f. pius PIOUS; see PITY, from which piety was not fully differentiated till late XVI.

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piezometer

instrument for measuring pressure. XIX. f. Gr. piézein press + -OMETER.

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piffle

trifle (away), talk ineffectively. XIX. of symbolic orig. (cf. -LE3). Hence sb. XIX.

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pig

young of swine XIII; swine of any age; oblong piece of metal, ingot XVI. ME. pigge :- OE. picga, pigga, of unkn. orig.; for the formation cf. DOG. Hence pigtail twist of tobacco XVII; plait of hair XVIII.

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pigeon1

†young dove; bird of the family Columbidae XIV; †young woman, girl; dupe, gull XVI. ME. peion, pyion, pegeon — OF. pijon young bird, esp. young dove (mod. pigeon):- Rom. pbi, -n-, for late L. ppi, -n-, f. imit. base pp-.

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pigeon2

see PIDGIN.

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piggyback

var. of PICK-A-BACK.

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pigment

XIV. — L. pigmentum, f. pig-, base of pingere PAINT; see -MENT.

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pike1

large voracious freshwater fish. XIV. perh. of OE. date (being perh. repr. XI in place-names), and identical with OE. pc point, pick, the fish being so named from its pointed jaw.

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pike2

weapon consisting of a long wooden shaft with pointed head. XVI. — (O)F. pique.

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pike3

short for TURNPIKE. XIX.

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pikestaff

A
staff with metal point XIV;

B
wooden shaft of a pike XVI. In sense A prob. — ON. píkstafr, f. pík (corr. to PICK1); see STAFF; in sense B f. PIKE2. In as plain as a p. (XVI) an alt. of packstaff, i.e. a staff on which a pedlar supports his pack, with poss. ref. to its smoothness.
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pilaff, pilau, pilaw

XVII. — Turk. pilav — Pers. pilw.

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pilaster

XVI. — F. pilastre — It. pilastro, medL. plastrum, f. L. pla pillar, PILE2; see -ASTER.

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pilch

outer garment of skin dressed with the hair or of woollen stuff OE.; saddle pad XVI; baby's wrapper XVII. OE. pile.e, (late) pyl(e).e = OHG. pelliz (G. pelz fur, furred coat) — medL. pellicia cloak, for L. pellicea, f. pellis skin.

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pilchard

XVI. of unkn. orig.

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pile1

†dart, shaft, spike OE.; pointed stake or post, esp. for driving into soft ground for support of a structure XI; (her.) charge of the form XV. OE. pl = MLG., MDu. pl (Du. pijl), OHG. pfil (G. pfeil) — L. plum javelin.

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pile2

†pillar, pier; heap of things laid one upon the other XV; heap of combustibles XVI; lofty mass of buildings XVII; series of metal plates in a battery XIX. — (O)F. pile heap, pyramid, mass of masonry:- L. pla pillar, pier. Hence pile vb. heap up. XV.

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pile3

fine soft hair XV; nap of cloth XVI. prob. — AN. pyle, var. of peil kind of cloth, (O)F. poil :- L. pilus hair.

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pile4

haemorrhoid. XV. prob. — L. pila ball.

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pilfer

sb.
(obs.) plunder. XIV. ME. pylfre, pelfyr — AN., OF. pelfre, f. pelfrer, whence pilfer vb. plunder, (later) steal in small quantities XVI; see PELF. The form was early affected by assoc. with †pill (see PILLAGE).

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pilgrim

†wayfarer XII; one who journeys to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion XIII; P. Fathers XVIII. ME. pilegrim — Pr. pelegrin = (O)F. pèlerin — L. peregrnus foreign; see PEREGRINE. So pilgrimage XIII (pelrim-, pilegrim-). — Pr. pilgrinatge = (O)F. pèlerinage.

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pill

small ball of medicinal substance to be swallowed XV; transf. pellet, ball XVI. — MLG., MDu. pille, Du. pil, presumably — reduced form of L. pilula PILULE.

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pillage

spoliation, plunder. XIV. — (O)F., f. piller plunder (whence pill †plunder, pillage, dial. peel XIII, superseding †pile, OE. pilian, pylian XII), in OF. only in espiller, f. OF. peille rag:- L. pilleum felt cap; see -AGE. Hence vb. XVI.

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pillar

XIII. ME. piler(e) — AN. piler, (O)F. pilier :- Rom. plre, f. L. pla pillar, PILE2; assim. in sp. to words in -AR from XIV.

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pillion

saddle, esp. a woman's light saddle; also, cushion or pad behind a saddle. XVI. — Gael. pillean, pillin, Ir. pillín, dim. of pell couch, cushion — L. pellis skin, FELL1.

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pillory

sb. XIII. ME. pillori — AL. pillorium (XII) — (O)F. pilori, †pillori, †pellori (XII), prob. — Pr. espilori, of obscure orig. Hence vb. XVI.

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pillow

ME. pilwe (XIV):- OE. pylw-, obl. stem of pyle, later pylu (whence ME. pile, pule, pele, dial. pill, peel), corr. to MLG. pöle, MDu. po(e)luwe (Du. peluw), OHG. pfuluw, pfuluwo (G. pfühl), repr. WGmc. pulwí(n) — L. pulvnus cushion, bolster.

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pilose

hairy. XVIII. — L. pilsus, f. pilus hair, PILE3; see -OSE1. So pilous XVII.

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pilot

steersman, esp. for harbour service. XVI. — F. pilote — It. piloto, -a, varying with pedot(t)o, pedotta — medGr. pdts, f. Gr. pdón oar, pl. rudder, f. pd-, ped- FOOT; cf. -OT. So vb. XVII.

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pilule

pill. XVI. — F. — L. pilula, dim. of pila ball; see -ULE.

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pimento

Jamaica pepper or allspice, tree yielding this. XVII. — Sp. pimiento — L. pigmentum PIGMENT, in medL. spiced drink, (hence) spice, pepper.

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pimp

pander, procurer. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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pimpernel

†great burnet, salad burnet; plant Anagallis arvensis. XV. — OF. pimpernelle (mod. pimprenelle), earlier piprenelle — Rom. pipernella f. pipernus pepper-like, f. L. piper PEPPER, the fruit of burnet resembling peppercorn.

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pimple

XIV. Nasalized form corr. to late OE. piplian (in prp.) break out into pustules; parallel to obs. and dial. var. pumple (XVI); of unkn. orig.

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pin

peg OE.; pointed length of stiff wire used as a fastener XIV; (pl.) legs; skittles XVI. Late OE. pinn, corr. to MLG. pin, (M)LG., (M)Du. pinne (Du. pin), OHG. pfinn (MHG. pfinne), Icel. pinni — L. pinna applied to various objects likened to a wing or feather, of uncert. orig.; cf. penna feather, PEN2. Hence pin vb. XIV. pincushion XVII. pin-feather immature feather. XVII. pin-money allowance made to a woman for dress, etc., typified by the pins used for fastening or adorning garments. XVII. pin-prick XIX.

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pinafore

XVIII. f. PIN vb. + AFORE, because orig. pinned over the dress in front. Hence pinny (-Y6) XIX.

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pinaster

pine tree of south-western Europe. XVI. — L. pnaster, f. pnus PINE1; see -ASTER.

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pince-nez

XIX. — F., f. pincer PINCH + nez NOSE.

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pincers

XIV. ME. pl. pinsers, -ours — AN. pincers, ours, f. OF. pincier; see PINCH, -ER2.

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pinch

compress between the tips of finger and thumb, the teeth, etc. XIV; nip as with cold; stint, restrict XVI. — AN., ONF. pinchier, var. of OF. pincier (mod. pincer):- Rom. pnctire, alt. of punctire (see PUNCHEON1) by assoc. with pk- PICK2.

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pinchbeck

alloy of copper and zinc XVIII; fig. counterfeit, spurious XIX. Named after the inventor, Christopher Pinchbeck (d. 1732), watch- and toy-maker of Fleet Street, London.

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pine1

tree of the coniferous genus Pinus. OE. pn — L. pnus, coalescing in ME. with adoption of (O)F. pin. Hence pineapple A. †pine-cone XIV; B. plant Ananas comosus, the collective fruit of which develops from a conical spike XVII.

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pine2

†afflict, torment OE.; †cause to languish or waste away XIII; become wasted XV; be consumed with longing XVI. OE. pnian, corr. to MDu., MLG. pnen (Du. pijnen), OHG. pnn, ON. pína, re., to OE. pne (ME. pine) PAIN, = OS., OHG. pna (Du. pijne, pijn, G. pein), ON. pína, Gmc. — medL. pna, L. pœna.

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pinfold

pound (later, fold) for cattle, etc. XIV. Late OE. pundfald, f. pund POUND2 + fald FOLD1; hence in ME. and mod. dial. forms pun(d)-, po(u)nd-, but from c.1400 assoc. with pind, OE. pyndan shut up, dam, and PIN vb. enclose, bar up.

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ping

XIX. imit. Hence ping-pong table-tennis. XIX.

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pinguin

(fruit of) W. Indian plant allied to the pineapple. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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pinion1

terminal segment of a bird's wing, (gen.) wing. XV. — OF. pignon pl. wing-feathers, wings, (now only ‘gable’):- Rom. pinni, -n-, augm. of L. pinna PIN. Hence pinion vb. cut the pinions of; bind the arms OF. XVI.

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pinion2

small cog-wheel the teeth of which engage with those of a larger one. XVII. — (O)F. pignon, alt. of †pignol :- Rom. pneolus, f. L. pnea pine-cone, f. pnus PINE1.

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pink1

(small flatbottomed) sailing vessel. XV. — MDu. pin(c)ke, small seagoing vessel, fishingboat; of unkn. orig.

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pink2

species of Dianthus; fig. finest ‘flower’, embodied excellence of XVI; adj. of a pale red colour XVIII; hence sb. pink colour XIX. perh. short for †pink eye (see PINK-EYED).

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pink3

intr. and tr. prick, pierce XIV; ornament (cloth, etc.) by cutting holes in it. (later) ornament with scalloped edges, etc. XVI. perh. of LG. or Du. orig. (cf. LG. pinken strike, peck).

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pink-eyed

(dial.) having narrow or half-closed eyes. XVI. f. pink eyes — early Du. pinck oogen, i.e. pinck small (cf. Du. pink the little finger, etc.), ooghen, pl. of ooghe EYE; see -ED2.

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pinnace

XVI. — F. pinace, †pinasse — It. pinaccia or Sp. pinaza, which have been referred to Rom. pncea, f. L. pnus PINE1, poet. ship.

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pinnacle

pointed turret; mountain-peak XIV; highest pitch or point XV. — OF. pin(n)acle (mod. pinacle) — late L. pinnculum, dim. of L. pinna feather, wing, pinnacle; see PIN, -CLE.

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pinnate

XVIII. — L. pinntus feathered, winged, f. pinna; see PIN, -ATE3. Also pinnated XVIII.

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pinoc(h)le

(U.S.) game of cards resembling bezique. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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pint

XIV. — (O)F. pinte, of unkn. orig.

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pintado

†chintz; species of petrel; guinea-fowl. XVII. — Pg. pintado guinea-fowl, sb. use of pp. (‘spotted’) of pintar :- Rom. pinctre, f. pinctus, pp. of L. pingere PAINT.

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pintle

(dial.) penis OE.; pin, bolt XV. OE. pintel, dim. f. a base repr. by OFris., LG., Du., G. pint; see -LE1.

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pioneer

soldier going in advance of an army to prepare the way XVI; first or original investigator, etc. XVII. orig. pion(n)er — F. pionnier, OF. paonier, peon(n)ier, f. paon, peon (see PAWN1); the suffix later assim. to -EER1.

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pious

faithful to the duties owed to God, parents, etc.; practised for the sake of religion or a good object XVII. f. L. pius; see -OUS. Cf. F. pieux, perh. the immed. source.

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pip1

disease of birds marked by secretion of thick mucus. XV. — MLG. pip, MDu. pippe, reduced form corr. to OHG. pfiffiz :- WGmc. pipit — medL. pip(p)ta, presumably alt. of ptuta mucus; pip.

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pip2

each of the spots on playing-cards, dice, etc. XVI; single blossom of an inflorescence XVIII. Earlier peepe, of unkn. orig.

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pip3

†pippin (apple) XVI; seed of fleshy fruits XVIII. Shortening of PIPPIN.

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pipe1

musical wind instrument: hollow cylinder or tube OE.; tubular passage or canal XIV; narrow tube used for smoking tobacco XVI. OE. ppe = OFris., MLG., MDu. ppe (Du. pijp), OHG. pfifa (G. pfeife), ON. píipa :- Gmc. ppa — Rom. ppa, f. L. ppre peep, chirp, of imit. orig.; reinforced in ME. by (O)F. pipe. So pipe vb.1 OE. ppian play on a pipe. Hence piper (-ER1). OE. ppere. Also vb.2 draw through a pipe XVI.

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pipe2

large cask for wine, esp. as a measure of capacity. XIV. — AN. pipe, AL. pipa; spec. use of PIPE1 in the tense ‘tubular or cylindrical vessel’.

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pipe3

account of a sheriff, etc. as sent in and enrolled at the Exchequer; department of the Exchequer concerned with these. XV. — AN. pipe, AL. pipa; perh. spec. use of PIPE1, from the cylindrical shape of a roll (cf. pipe-roll XVII) or of a container.

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pipette

XIX. — F., dim. of pipe PIPE1; see -ETTE.

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pipistrelle

small species of bat. XVIII. — F. — It. pipistrello, alt. of vipistrello, repr. L. vespertli bat, f. vesper evening.

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pipit

lark-like bird. XVIII. prob. imit. of the bird's short feeble note.

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pippin

(dial.) seed of certain fruits, pip XIII; variety of apple XV. ME. pepin, pipin — OF. pepin (mod. pépin), rel. to synon. Sp. pepita. It. pippolo, pipporo; of obscure orig.

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piquant

†piercing, trenchant XVI; appetizing; exciting keen interest XVII. — F., prp. of piquer prick, sting; see next. Hence piquancy XVII.

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pique

†quarrel or animosity between persons; offence taken. XVI. — F., f. piquer prick, sting:- Rom. piccre PICK2. Hence vb. XVII.

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piqué

cotton fabric with a raised pattern. XIX. — F. piqué, sb. use (‘quilted work, quilting’) of pp. of piquer prick, pierce, back-stitch; see prec.

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piranha

see PERAI.

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pirate

sea-robber XV; marauder XVI; fig. of literary or other plundering XVIII. — L. prta — Gr. peirts, f. peirân attempt, attack, peîra attempt, trial, f. per-, as in PERIL. So piracy XVI. — AL. pirtia — Gr. peirteí. piratical XVI. f. L. prticus — Gr. peirtikós.

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pirouette

spinning round on one foot or on the point of the toe. XVIII. — F., orig. kind of dice; of unkn. orig.

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pis-aller

last resource. XVII. — F., f. pis (:— L. pjus) worse + aller go; based on phr. au pis aller ‘at the worst procedure’.

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piscary

right of fishing XV; fishing-ground XVII. — medL. piscria fishing rights, n. pl. used sb. of L. piscarius, f. piscis FISH; see -ARY. So piscatorial XIX, piscatory (-ORY2) XVII. f. or — L. pisctrius, f. pisctor angler, f. piscr fish. Pisces twelfth zodiacal constellation and sign of the zodiac. XIV. pl. of L. piscis. piscina A. fishpond XVI; B. (eccl.) perforated stone basin for carrying away the ablutions at Mass XVIII.

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pisé

clay or earth kneaded and used for building. XVIII. — F., sb. use of pp. of piser :— L. pnsre beat, pound, stamp.

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pismire

ant. XIV. ME. pissemyre, f. PISS + mire ant (prob. of Scand. orig.; cf. Da. myre); so called from the urinous smell of an ant-hill.

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piss

urinate. XIII. — (O)F. pisser :- Rom. pire, of echoic orig. Hence sb. XIV.

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pistachio

XVI. Earlier pistachie, pistace — OF. pistace, (also mod.) -ache; superseded by Sp. pistacho; ult. — L. pistcium — Gr. pistákion, -ák; cf. Pers. pista.

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pistil

(bot.) female organ of a flower. XVIII. — F. pistile or L. pistillum PESTLE.

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pistol

XVI. — F. pistole — G. — Czech pít'ala pipe, pistol.

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pistole

applied to various foreign gold coins. XVI. — F. pistole, shortening of pistolet (also Eng. XVI).

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piston

XVIII. — F. — It. pistone, var. of pestone pestle, rammer, augm. f. pest- in pestello PESTLE.

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pit

hole in the ground OE.; hell; hollow in a surface XIII. OE. pytt = OFris. pett, OS. putti (MDu. putte, Du. put), OHG. pfuzzi (G. pfütze pool, puddle):- WGmc. putti, puttja — L. puteus well, pit, shaft. Hence pit vb. put in a pit; make pits in XV; set (opponents) together in a (cock)pit; match, oppose XVIII. pitfall XIV.

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pit-a-pat

with palpitations, with light quick steps. XVI. Earlier pit pat, also a-pit-(a-)pat; imit. of rapidly alternating sounds; cf. PITTER-PATTER.

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pitch1

black or dark brown resinous substance. OE. pi., corr. to OS. pik (Du. pek), OHG. peh (G. pech), ON. bik, Gmc. — L. pix, pic-. Hence vb. OE. (e)pi.ian.

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pitch2

†thrust or fix in; fix and erect XIII; set in order or in a fixed place; cast, throw XIV. The ME. conjugation pic(c)he, pihte, (i)piht suggests the existence of an OE. pi..(e)an, rel. to picung ‘stigmata’, of unkn. orig. Hence pitch sb. act of pitching; inclination, slope XV; highest point; position taken up XVI.

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pitchblende

(min.) native oxide of uranium. XVIII. -G. pechblende, f. pech PITCH1; see BLENDE.

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pitcher

large usu. earthenware vessel. XIII. — AN. picher, OF. pichier (mod. pichet), var of bichier :- lateL. becarius.

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piteous

†pious; exciting pity XIII; full of pity XIV. ME. pito(u)s, pituo(u)s, later pite(o)us — AN. pitous, OF. pitos, piteus :- Rom. pietsus, f. L. piets PIETY; see -EOUS.

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pith

medulla of plants; central or vital part OE.; might, mettle XIII; core, marrow XV; gravity XVII. OE. piða, corr. to MLG., MDu. pit(te); of unkn. orig.

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pithecanthrope

ape-man. XIX. — modL. pithcanthrpus, f. Gr. píthkos ape + ánthrpos man.

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pittance

(hist.) pious donation XIII; small allowance, orig. of food XIV; sparing allowance XVI. ME. pita(u)nce — OF. pi(e)tance food — popL. pietantia, f. L. piets PIETY; see -ANCE.

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pitter-patter

†pattering repetition XV; PIT-A-PAT XVII. of imit. orig.

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pituitary

mucous. XVII. — L. ptutrius, f. ptuta mucus, gum; see -ARY.

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pity

†clemency, mercy; compassion XIII; †piety XIV. ME. pite — OF. pité (mod. pitié) :— L. piets, -tt- PIETY. In later L. piets acquired the sense of compassion, kindness; OF. pite and piete had both senses, but were subsequently differentiated, and this was reflected in the corr. Eng. forms as now used. Hence pity vb. XVI, pitiable XV, pitiful XIV, pitiless XV.

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pivot

sb. XVII. — (O)F. pivot, of uncert. orig. Hence vb. XIX.

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pixie, pixy

supernatural being akin to a fairy. XVII. of unkn. orig.; the ending is assoc. with -IE, -Y6.

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pizzicato

XIX. — It., pp. of pizzicare pinch, twitch, f. pizzare, f. (O)It. pizza point, edge.

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pizzle

penis of a bull, etc. XVI (peezel, pysell). — LG. psel. Flem. pzel, dim. of MLG. pse, MDu. pze (Du. pees sinew, string, penis); cf. -EL1, -LE1.

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placable

†agreeable XV; capable of being appeased, mild XVI. — OF. placable or L. plcbilis, f. plcre, pp. stem plct-, whence placate XVII; see PLEASE, -ABLE, -ATE3.

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placard

†licence, ordinance, etc., orig. with a thin seal attached to its surface XV; †plate of armour, placket, etc.; sheet containing a notice on one side of it, to be posted up XVI. — F. †placquart, -ard (mod. placard), f. OF. plaquier (mod. plaquer) lay flat, plaster — MDu. placken.

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place

†space, room; portion of space XIII; space where people dwell; residence; particular spot, passage in a book, etc.; position; situation XIV; office, situation XVI. — (O)F.:- Rom. plattja (after plattus flat), for L. platea broad way, open space — Gr. plateîa broad way, fem. of platús broad. Hence place vb. XVI.

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placebo

(liturg.) vespers for the dead. XIII. First word of the antiphon to the first psalm in the office: ‘Placebo Domino in regione vivorum’ (Psalm 114: 9) I shall please the Lord in the land of the living.

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placenta

(anat.) afterbirth; (bot.) part of carpel to which scales are attached. XVII. — L. — Gr. plakóenta (-oûnta), accus. of plakóeis (-oûs) flat cake, sb. use of adj. f. plak-, in pláx flat surface.

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placer

(U.S.) deposit of sand, etc. XIX. — Amer. Sp. placer deposit, shoal, rel. to placel sandbank, f. plaza = F. place PLACE.

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placet

vote of assent. XVI. — L. placet it pleases, 3rd sg. pres. ind. of placre PLEASE.

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placid

XVII. — F., or L. placidus pleasing, favourable, gentle, f. placre PLEASE; see -ID1.

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placket

slit at the top of a skirt. XVII. alt. (by assoc. with -ET) of plackerd, PLACARD.

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plafond

(archit.) ceiling. XVII (platfond). — F. †platfond, now plafond, f. plat flat + fond bottom.

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plagal

(mus.) pert. to an ecclesiastical mode having its sounds comprised between the dominant and its octave. XVI. — medL. plaglis, f. plaga plagal mode, f. L. plagius — medGr. plágios, in ancient Gr. oblique, f. plágos side; see -AL1.

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plagiary

†adj. plagiarizing XVI; sb. †kidnapper; plagiarist; plagiarism XVII. — L. plagirius kidnapper, literary thief, f. plagium man-stealing. kidnapping — Gr. plágion. Hence plagiarism, plagiarist XVII, plagiarize XVIII.

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plagio-, before a vowel or h plagi-,

comb. form repr. Gr. plágios oblique, f. plágos side. XIX.

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plague

†blow, wound; affliction; malignant epidemic, pestilence, XIV. — L. plga stroke, wound (Vulg.) pestilence, infection, prob. — Gr. (Doric) plg, (Attic) plg, f. plg- strike, rel to L. plangere. Hence vb. XV.

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plaice

XIII. — OF. plaïz, plaïs, later plaise, pleisse — late L. platessa- unrecorded deriv. of Gr. platús broad.

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plaid

outer garment of Highland costume XVI; stuff of which this is made XVII. — Gael. plaide = Ir. ploid blanket, of unkn. orig.

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plain

clear, manifest XIII; †flat, level, even; unembellished; free from duplicity or ambiguity XIV; ordinary, simple XVI. — OF. plain, fem. -e :— L. plnus, -a, f. base pl- flat, of obscure orig. Hence plainly XIV. So plain sb. flat tract of country. XIII. OF. plain (superseded by plaine :— L. coll. n. pl.) :— L. plnum, sb. use of n. of adj.. See also PLANE3, PLANE4.

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plain-sailing

simple or easy course of action. XIX. pop. use (assoc. with the adj. PLAIN) of plane (†plain) sailing (XVII), i.e. navigation by a plane chart (XVII), on which the meridians and parallels are represented by equidistant straight lines (a method approximately correct for short distances).

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plainsong

music composed in the medieval modes and in free rhythm; simple musical theme. XVI. tr. medL. cantus plnus; see PLAIN, SONG. So plainchant XVIII. — F.

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plaint

(arch.) lamentation; complaint XIII; statement of grievance made to a court of law XIV. ME. pleint(e) — (O)F. plainte, sb. use of pp. fem. of plaindre and OF. plaint, pleint (on which plainte was modelled) :— L. planctus, f. plangere lament.

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plaintiff

XIV. — law F. plaintif, sb. use of (O)F. plaintif, fem. -ive (f. plainte PLAINT), whence plaintive †complaining XIV, expressive of sorrow XVI.

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plaister

see PLASTER.

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plait

fold of cloth or similar fabric (now PLEAT) XV; braided band of hair, straw, etc. XVI. — OF. pleit fold, manner of folding:- Rom. plic(i)tum, sb. use of n. of plicitus, pp. of plicre fold (see PLY1). Hence vb. XIV.

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plan

XVIII (earlier plane XVII). — F. plan ground-plan, alt. (after plan adj. PLANE4) of †plant, f. planter (vb.) PLANT, after It. pianta plan of an edifice.

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plane1

tree of the genus Platanus. XIV. — (O)F.:— L. platanus — Gr. plátanos, f. stem of platús broad.

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plane2

tool for smoothing surfaces. XIV. — (O)F., var. (under the infl. of vb. planer) of †plaine :- late L. plna planing instrument, f. plnre PLANE5.

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plane3

plane surface. XVII. — L. plnum flat surface, sb. use of n. of plnus PLAIN.

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plane4

level, flat. XVII. refash. of PLAIN adj. after F. plan, fem. plane.

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plane5

†make level or even; smooth with a plane XIV (also pleyne, plaine, plain until XVIII). — (O)F. planer :— L. plnre, f. plnus PLAIN.

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planet

†(old astron.) heavenly body having an apparent motion among the fixed stars XII; (mod. astron.) heavenly body revolving round the sun XVII. — (O)F. planète — late L. planta, plants (only in pl. plantæ, for older L. stellæ errantes) — Gr. plants wanderer (pl. astéres planâtai wandering stars), f. planán lead astray, wander. So planetary XVII. — late L.

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plangent

loud-sounding, orig. of waves breaking on the shore. XIX. — L. plangns, -ent-, prp. of plangere beat, strike noisily; see -ENT.

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plani-

comb. form of L. plnus PLAIN, PLANE4, as in planimetry (XIV; — F. planimétrie), planisphere (XIV; — medL. plnisphærium).

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planish

†level XVI; flatten on an anvil, etc. XVII. f. planiss-, lengthened stem of OF. planir, f. plain PLAIN, PLANE4; see -ISH2.

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plank

sb. XIII. — ONF. planke (mod. dial. planque) = (O)F. planche :- late L. planca plank, slab, sb. use of fem. of plancus flat, flat-footed, prob. rel. to Gr. pláx flat surface. Hence plank vb. cover with planks XV; (orig. U.S.) set down, deposit XIX.

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plankton

XIX. — G. — Gr. plagktón, n. of plagktós wandering, drifting, f. base of plázein strike, cause to wander.

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plant

young tree or herb newly planted or intended for planting (OE.), XIV; member of the vegetable kingdom XVI. OE. plante, if it survived, coalesced in ME. with — (O)F. plante :- Rom. use of L. planta shoot for planting (whence the OE. word), prob. f. plantre, perh. orig. thrust in with the sole of the foot (planta), whence plant vb. OE. plantian, reinforced in ME. from (O)F. planter. So plantation XV. — F. or L.

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plantain1

plant of the genus Plantago. XIV. — (O)F.:— L. plantg, -gin-, f. planta sole of the foot, so called from its broad prostrate leaves.

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plantain2

tropical plant allied to the banana; fruit of this. XVI. In early use also platan — Sp. plátano, plántano, identical with the forms meaning ‘plane-tree’.

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plantigrade

walking on the soles of the feet. XIX. — F., f. L. planta sole; see -GRADE.

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plaque

ornamental plate or tablet. XIX. — F. — Du. plak tablet.

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plash

PLEACH. XV. — OF. plassier, plaissier :- Rom. plectire, f. L. plectere weave, plait.

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plasma

†form; green variety of quartz XVIII; colourless coagulable liquid of blood XIX; ionized gas XX. — late L. plasma mould, image, f. Gr. plássein fashion, form.

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plaster

A
curative application cohesive to the skin OE.;

B
plastic composition to be spread on a surface XIV. OE. plaster, corr. to OS. plstar, OHG. phlastar (G. pflaster), ON. plástr — medL. plastrum, for L. emplastrum (prob. through the infl. of plasticus PLASTIC) — Gr. émplastron, f. emplastós daubed, plastered, f. emplássein, f. EM-2 + plássein (see prec.); in ME. reinforced in sense B from OF. plastre (mod. plâtre). The once common (now dial.) form plaister (XIV–XIX) is based on occas. OF. plaistre, of obscure orig. P. of Paris (medL. plastrum parisiense) was orig. prepared from the gypsums of Montmartre, Paris.
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plastic

characterized by moulding or modelling, causing growth or development XVII; capable of being moulded XVIII; of synthetic material XX. As sb., art of modelling figures XVI; plastic substance XX. — F. plastique or L. plasticus — Gr. plastikós, f. plastós, ppl. adj. f. plássein; see PLASMA, -IC.

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plastron

breast-shield XVI; ornamental front to a bodice; (nat. hist.) ventral part XIX. — F. — It. piastrone, augm. of piastra breastplate (spec. application of the sense ‘metal plate’, ‘lamina’) — L. emplastrum PLASTER.

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plat

see PLOT.

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plate

flat sheet of (precious) metal, etc. XIII; utensils of metal for the table or house, orig. of silver or gold XIV; shallow vessel for food XV. — OF. plate thin sheet of metal — medL. platta, sb. use of fem. of plattus flat (F. plat, etc.), of unkn. orig. In the last sense a separate word — (O)F. plat dish. Hence vb. cover with metal plates. XIV.

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plateau

XVIII. — F. plateau, OF. platel, f. plat; see prec., -EL2.

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platen

†paten XV; flat plate of metal, spec. in a printing-press XVI. — (O)F. platine, f. plat flat (see PLATE) + -ine -INE4.

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platform

†plane figure or surface; †plan of action, design; †site of a building, etc.; level place for mounting guns XVI; raised level floor of planks, etc. XVIII (spec. raised flooring in a hall from which speeches are delivered, whence, orig. U.S., basis of political or other policy XIX). — F. plateforme plan, f. plate, fem. of plat flat (see PLATE) + forme FORM.

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platinum

XIX. alt., in conformity with metalnames in -um, of †platina (XVIII) — Sp., dim. of plata silver.

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platitude

XIX. — F., f. plat flat (see PLATE), after certitude, exactitude, etc.; see -TUDE.

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Platonic

pert. to Plato , Greek philosopher (c.429–347 B.C.)XVI; P. love, tr. medL. amor platonicus, used synon. with amor socraticus by Marsilio Ficino (XV) to denote the kind of interest in young men with which Socrates was credited XVII. — L. Platnicus — Gr. Platnikós, f. Plátn; see -IC. So Platonism, Platonist XVI.

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platoon

XVII. — F. peloton little ball, group of people, dim. of pelote PELLET; see -OON.

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platter

XIV. — AN. plater, f. plat dish, sb. use of (O)F. plat flat (see PLATE).

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platy-

comb. form of Gr. platús broad, as in platypus (XVIII) — Gr. platúpous flat-footed (see FOOT).

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plaudit

XVII. Shortening of trisyllabic †plaudite (XVI), orig. appeal for applause at the close of a play — L. plaudit applaud!, 2nd pers. pl. imper. of plaudere clap the hands in approval.

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plausible

†laudable; †acceptable, agreeable; having an appearance of truth or value. XVI. — L. piausibilis, f. plaus-, pp. stem of plaudere; see prec., -IBLE.

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play

exercise oneself, spec. by way of diversion, engage in (a game); perform on (a musical instrument) OE.; move swiftly, briskly, freely; act the character of XIV. OE. pleg(i)an, plægian = MDu. pleien dance, leap for joy, rejoice; doubtfully rel. to OFris. plega be wont, OS. plegan (Du. plegen), OHG. pflegan (G. pflegen) have charge of, attend to, be in the habit of. So play sb. OE. plega, plæga rapid movement, exercise, sport OE. (cessation of work, being idle XVII); dramatic performance, drama XIV; action, dealing, as in fair p., foul p. XVI; p. of, on, or upon words, after F. jeu de mots XVIII. playhouse XVI (not continuous with OE. pleghs ‘theatrum’).

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plea

(arch., dial.) action at law, suit XIII; pleading before a court XIV; that which is pleaded XV. ME. ple, also plai(t), plaid — AN. ple, plai, OF. plait, earlier plaid agreement, lawsuit, discussion — L. placitum decision, decree, sb. use of pp. n. of placre PLEASE.

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pleach

intertwine (branches) to make a fence. XIV. ME. pleche — OF. plechier (mod. dial. plêcher), var. of ple(i)ssier, pla(i)ssier PLASH.

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plead

†go to law, argue with XIII; address the court as advocate XIV; maintain (a plea), allege formally XV. ME. plaide, plede — AN. pleder, OF. plaidier (mod. plaider), f. plaid PLEA.

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pleasance

(arch.) pleasure pleasantness XIV, pleasure ground XVI. — (O)F. plaisance, f. plaisant (whence pleasant XIV), prp. of †plaisir PLEASE.

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please

A
be agreeable (to), surviving in if you p., where you is orig. dat.;

B
be pleased be gratified, (hence) have the desire, choose, be good enough to XIV; intr. in the same sense XVI;
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C
as imper., for †p. you ‘may it p. you’, equiv. to ‘be pleased’ XVII. ME. plaise, plese — OF. plaisir (repr. by plaire) :— L. placre be pleasing, f. base of placre PLACATE.
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So pleasure XIV. ME. plesir — OF. plesir, (also mod.) plaisir :- Rom. sb. use of the inf.; the final syll. was assim. (XV) to -URE. Hence pleasurable XVI.

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pleat

vb. fold (cloth), gather (drapery) into pleats XIV; sb. fold of cloth or drapery XVI. Early form plete, var. of PLAIT.

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plebeian

pert. to, a member of, the Roman plebs XVI; of low birth or rank XVII. f. L. plbius, f. plbs, plb- commonalty of ancient Rome, perh. rel. to plnus FULL, Gr. plêthos, plthús multitude; see -AN. So plebiscite law enacted by the plebs XVI; direct vote of the whole electorate XIX. — (O)F. plébiscite — L. plbisctum, f. plbs, plb- + sctum ordinance, sb. use of n. pp. of sciscere approve, vote for, rel. to scre know.

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plectrum

XVII. — L. plctrum — Gr. plêktron, f. plssein strike.

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pledge

bail. surety XIV; something handed over as security XV; token of favour or goodwill XVI; solemn promise XIX. ME. plege — OF. plege (mod. pleige) :— Frankish L. plebium (VI), corr. to plebre warrant, assure, engage, of unkn. orig. Hence pledge vb. XV.

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pledget

compress of soft material, esp. for application to wounds. XVI. Early forms plaget, pleggat, pleget; of obscure orig.

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plenary

XVI. — late L. plnrius, f. plnus FULL; see -ARY. plenipotentiary XVII. — medL. plnipotentirius, f. L. potentia power; see POTENTIAL, -ARY. plenitude fullness. XV. — OF. — late L. plenteous XIII. ME. plentivous, -ifous, later plentevous, plentuous, plentious, -eous — OF. plentivous, -evous, f. plentif, -ive, f. plente + -if, -ive -IVE. plenty XIII. ME. plenteth, later plente, -ee, -ie — OF. plentet, mod. dial. plenté :— L. plnits, -tt-. Also adj. XIII. Hence plentiful XV. plenum A. space filled with matter XVII; B. full assembly XVIII. — L. plnum, n. of plnus.

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pleistocene

see EOCENE.

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pleonasm

(rhet.) redundancy of expression. XVII (in L. form XVI). — late L. pleonasmus — Gr. pleonasmós, f. pleonázein be superfluous, f. pléon more, compar. of polú much. So pleonastic XVII.

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plesiosaurus

one of a genus of extinct marine reptiles. XIX. f. Gr. plsíos near + saúros lizard.

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plethora

(path.) condition marked by overfullness of blood, etc. XVI; excessive quantity XVII. — late L. plthra — Gr. plthr fullness, repletion, f. plthein be full. So plethoric XVII. — F. — late L. — Gr.

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pleura

(anat.) membrane lining the thorax and enveloping the lungs. XVII. — medL. — Gr. pleur side, rib. So pleurisy inflammation of the pleura. XIV. — OF. pleurise (mod pleurésie) — late L. pleuriris, for earlier pleurtis — Gr. pleurîtis pleuritic XVI. — (O)F pleurétique — L. pleurticus — Gr. pleurtikós, pleuro- comb. form of Gr. pleur.

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plexus

(anat.) network of fibres or vessels. XVII. — modL. plexus, f. plex-, pp. stem of plectere interweave, PLAIT.

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pliable

XV. — F., f. plier bend; see PLY1, -ABLE. So pliant XIV.

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pliers

XVI. pl. of plier, agent-noun f. ply (vb.) bend; see PLY1, -ER1.

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plight1

†danger, risk OE.; (arch.) undertaking, engagement XIII. OE. pliht = OFris., (M)Du. plicht, OHG. phliht (G. pflicht duty), f. Gmc. plex-, whence OE. pleoh peril, risk. In the second sense in mod. use prob. deduced from trothplight, which was orig. troth plight ‘plighted troth’. Hence plight vb. pledge, engage. XIII.

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plight2

A
†fold, plait XIV;

B
condition, state XIV. — AN. plit, var. of OF. ploit, pleit fold, PLAIT. In sense B. perh. infl. by prec.
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plimsoll

P.('s) line, mark load-line on the hull of a ship XIX; rubber-soled sports shoe XX. Name of Samuel Plimsoll , English politician, to whose agitation the Merchant Shipping Act of 1876 was largely due.

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plinth

XVII. — F. plinthe or L. plinthus — Gr. plinthos tile, brick, stone squared for building.

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pliocene

see EOCENE.

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plod

walk heavily; toil laboriously. XVI. of unkn. orig., but prob. symbolic.

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plop

imit. of the sound made by a smooth object dropping into water. XIX.

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plosive

(phon.) stop consonant. XX. — F.

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plot

A
small piece of ground XI;

B
†groundplan, scheme, outline XVI; plan of a literary work XVII;
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C
secret plan, conspiracy XVI. Properly three words; in A late OE. plot, of unkn. orig.; in B alt. of plat (early XVI, now U.S.), which was orig. a var. of plot in sense A, or (as in grass plat, etc.), partly assoc. with late ME. plat flat place or space (— (O)F. plat PLATE); in C superseding earlier complot XVI (— (O)F. complot †dense crowd, secret project, of unkn. orig.) by assoc. with sense B.
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Hence plot vb. to make a plan of, contrive. XVI.

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plough, U.S. plow

implement for cutting furrows in soil. Late OE. plh — ON. plógr = OS. plg (Du. ploeg), OHG. phluog (G. pflug):- Gmc. plzaz. Hence vb. XV. ploughland XIII unit of land assessment based on the area tillable by a team of eight oxen in a year. ploughshare XIV.

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plover

XIV. — AN. plover, OF. plo(u)vier (mod. pluvier, alt. after pluie rain):- Rom. plovirius, pluvirius, f. L. pluvia rain.

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pluck

A
pull off, draw forcibly XIV;

B
reject (a candidate) in an examination XVIII. Late OE. ploccian, pluccian, corr. to MLG. plucken, MDu. plocken, ON. plokka, plukka :- Gmc. plukkn, -jan, a parallel form with mutation plukkjan being repr. by OE. ply..an (ME. plicchen), (M)Du. plukken, (M)HG. pflücken; prob. all to be referred to Rom. piluccre, whence OF. peluchier, etc., obscurely f. L. plus hair, PILE3. The origin of sense B is obscure.
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Hence pluck sb. act of plucking XV; heart, liver, and lungs of a beast, as being ‘plucked’ out of the carcass XVII; (orig. pugilistic slang) ‘heart’, courage, ‘guts’; cf pluck up heart, etc. XVIII.

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plug

piece of wood, etc. to stop a hole, etc. XVII; cock of water-pipe; tobacco pressed into a cake XVIII. — MLG., MDu. plugge (Du. plug); of unkn. orig. Hence plug vb. XVII.

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plug-ugly

(U.S.) city ruffian. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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plum

(fruit of) tree of the genus Prunus OE.; dried grape or raisin (as in p. pudding) XVII. OE. plme, corr. to MLG. plme, MHG. pflme (G. pflaume; in OHG. pflmo plum-tree), ON. plóma (perh. — OE.), with by-forms (M)LG., MDu. prme (Du. pruim), OHG. pfrma — medL. prna (see PRUNE), orig. pl. of L. prnum plum (cf. prnus plum-tree), parallel to Gr. proûmnon plum. The shortening of the vowel appears XIV in the sp. plumbe.

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plumage

XV. — (O)F., f. plume PLUME; see -AGE.

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plumb

ball of lead attached to a line. XIII (now familiar chiefly in phr. out of p. out of the vertical, and p.-line XVI). ME. plumbe, prob. — OF. plombe, repr. by plomme sounding-lead:- Rom. plumba; later assim. to (O)F. plomb lead:— L. plumbum, of obscure orig. Hence plumb adj. vertical, adv. vertically XIV; plumb vb. sound with a plummet XVI.

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plumbago

†yellow and red oxides of lead XVII; black lead, graphite XVIII: genus of plants, leadwort XVIII. — L. plumbg (i) lead ore, (ii) leadwort, flea-wort, f. plumbum lead (see prec.). Hence plumbaginous XVIII.

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plumber

worker in lead. XIV. — OF. plommier (mod. plombier) :— L. plumbrius, f. plumbum lead; see PLUMB, -ER2.

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plume

feather (now spec.). XIV. — (O)F.:— L. plma. Hence vb. furnish with plumes XV; refl. of a bird, to dress its feathers XVIII.

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plummer-block

metal case for supporting a revolving shaft. XIX (also plumber-, plomer-). perh. f. a proper name.

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plummet

lead weight attached to a line. XIV. ME. plomet — OF. plommet, plombet, dim. of plomb lead; see PLUMB, -ET.

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plump1

fall or come down with heavy and abrupt impact XIV; trans. XV; blurt out XVI; vote for one candidate only XIX. — (M)LG. plumpen = (M)Du. plompen fall into water; of imit. orig. In the last sense f. plump adv. (XVI), e.g. refuse plump, †vote plump.

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plump2

†dull, blockish XV; of full and rounded form XVI. ME. plompe — (M)Du. plomp, MLG. plomp, plump blunt, obtuse, unshapen, blockish, perh. ult. identical with prec.

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plumule

(bot.) rudimentary shoot, etc. XVII; (ornith.) down-feather XIX. — F. plumule or L. plmula, dim. of plma PLUME; see -ULE.

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plunder

rob forcibly; appropriate wrongfully, loot. XVII. — (M)HG. plündern — (M)LG. plünderen pillage, sack, lit. to rob of household effects, f. MHG. plunder bedclothes, clothing, household stuff (modG. lumber, trash). Hence sb. XVII.

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plunge

thrust or cast (oneself) into liquid; also fig. XIV. — OF. plungier, plongier (mod. plonger):- Rom. plumbicre f. L. plumbum lead; see PLUMB.

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pluperfect

XVI. f. L. pls quam perfectum ‘more than perfect’.

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plural

(gram.) denoting more than one (or two); also sb. XIV. ME. plurel — OF. plurel (mod. pluriel) — L. plrlis, f. pls, plr- more; see PLUS, -AL1. Hence plurally (-LY2) XIV. So plurality holding of two or more benefices concurrently by the same person XIV; state of being plural; majority XVI; U.S. excess of votes polled by the leading candidate above those polled by the next XIX. — (O)F. pluralité — late L. plrlits. pluri- comb. form of L. pls, plr- more, plrs several, used in various techn. terms. XIX.

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plus

verbal rendering of the sign + XVI; with the addition of XVII; (electr.) positive(ly) XVIII. — L. pls more, earlier plous.

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plus-fours

long wide knickerbockers so called because four inches are added to the usual length to produce the overhang. XX. See prec., FOUR.

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plush

kind of cloth having a longer nap than velvet. XVI. — F. †pluche, contr. of peluche, f. OF. peluchier PLUCK.

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plutocracy

XVII (thereafter not till XIX). — Gr. ploutokratí, f. ploûtos wealth, prob. rel. ult. to FULL; see -CRACY. Hence plutocrat XIX.

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plutonic

(geol.) pert. to the action of internal heat. XVIII. f. Gr. Ploútn (Pluto) god of the infernal regions + -IC.

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pluvial

(eccl.) cope. XVII. — medL. pluvile ‘rain-cloak’, sb. use of n. of L. pluvilis, f. pluvia, pluere rain, see -AL1.

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ply1

(Sc.) plight, condition XV; fold, layer XVI (in earliest use Sc.); bend, turn, twist XVI (fig. from XVII). — (O)F. pli, f. plier, †pleier ( whence ply vb. bend, lit. and fig. XIV) :— L. plicre; cf. FOLD2.

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ply2

apply, employ XIV; work away at; solicit earnestly XVI; (naut.) XVI. Aphetic of APPLY.

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pneumatic

XVII. — F. pneumatique or L. pneumaticus — Gr. pneumatikós, f. pneûma, pneumat- wind, breath, spirit; see -IC.

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pneumonia

XVII. — Gr. pneumoní, f. pneumn, -on- lung, alt., by assoc. with pneîn, pneûsai breathe, of pleúmn, rel. to L. pulm lung (cf. PULMONARY).

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poach1

cook (an egg) by dropping it without the shell into boiling water. XV. — OF. pochier (mod. pocher) orig. enclose in a bag, f. poche bag, pocket, POKE1.

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poach2

encroach or trespass on land, etc., spec. steal game. XVII. perh. — (O)F. pocher in spec. use of ‘pocket’; see prec.

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pock

pustule OE.; pl. XIV (cf. POX). Late OE. poc, pocc- = MLG., MDu. pocke (Du. pok LG pocke).

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pocket

bag, sack, as a measure of hops, wool, etc.; small pouch attached to a garment. XV. — AN. poket(e). dim. of poke POKE1, var. of OF. pochet(te). See -ET. Hence pocket vb. XVI. pocket handkerchief XVIII.

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pod

XVII. prob. back-formation from dial. podware, podder (XVI), of unkn. orig., which succeeded to †codware (XIV; see COD1, WARE1).

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podagra

gout. XV. — L. — Gr. podágr, f. poús, pod- FOOT + ágr seizure, trap. Earlier †podagre (XIII) — OF.

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podestà

magistrate in Italian cities. XVI. — It.:— L. potests, -tt- power, authority, magistrate.

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podium

projecting base XVIII; (zool.) fore or hind foot XIX. — L., elevated place, balcony — Gr. pódion, dim. of poús, pod- FOOT.

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poem

XVI. — (O)F. poème or L. poma — Gr. póma, early var. of poíma work, fiction, poetical work, f. poeîn, poieîn make, create, rel. to Skr. cinti, cáyati assemble, heap up, construct, OSl. in arrangement, series. So poesy (arch.) poetry, poem XIV; †POSY XV. — (O)F. poésie — Rom. posia, for L. posis — Gr. pósis, poísis creation, poetry, poem; see -Y3. poet XIII. — (O)F. poète — L. pota — Gr. pots, poits maker, author, poet. poetaster XVI — modL. potster; see -ASTER. poetic XVI. — (O)F. poétique — L. poticus — Gr. po(i)tikós. poetical XIV (rare before XVI). poetics treatise on poetry, as that of Aristotle. XVIII. poetry XIV. — medL. potria.

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pogrom

XX. — Russ. pogróm devastation, destruction, f. gromít' destroy.

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poignant

XIV. — (O)F.:— L. pungns, -ent-, prp. of pungere prick; see -ANT.

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poinsettia

XIX. f. name of J. R. Poinsett (d. 1851), Amer. minister to Mexico, discoverer of the plant; see -IA1.

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point

A
minute part or particle XIII; small mark, dot; precise position, time, fact, or quality XIV;

B
sharp end XIV. In A — (O)F. point, in B — (O)F. pointe, repr. respectively L. punctum, sb. use of n. pp. of pungere prick, pierce, and Rom. (medL.) puncta, corr. use of the fem pp.
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So point vb. XIV. Partly — (O)F. pointer, partly f. the sb.; hence pointer in techn. uses from c. 1500; rod to point with XVII; dog that indicates position of game XVIII. Comp. point-blank direct (horizontal) aim or range; also adj. and adv. XVI. of unkn. orig., but presumed to involve the sb. blank ‘white spot in a target’.

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pointillism

method of impressionist painters consisting in the use of small dots of colour. XIX. — F., f. pointiller mark with small points or dots, f. pointille — It. puntiglio, f. punto = F. point POINT; see -ISM.

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poise

†weight XV; balance, equilibrium XVI. — OF. pois (mod. poids), earlier peis :- Rom. psum, for L. pnsum weight, sb. use of n. of pp. of pendere weigh (cf. PENDENT). So poise vb. †weigh XIV; place or hold in equilibrium XVI. f. OF. poise, var. of peise, stem-str. form of peser :- Rom. psre, for L. pnsre, frequent. of pendere.

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poison

†(deadly) potion XIII; substance introduced into an organism that destroys life or injures health XIV. ME. puison, poison — OF. puison, (also mod.) poison (in OF. magic potion) :- L. poti, -n- POTION. So poison vb. XIII. — OF. poisonner.

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poke1

bag, small sack (now dial. except in ‘to buy a pig in a poke’). XIII. — ONF. poque, poke, var. of (O)F. poche (cf. POUCH).

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poke2

thrust with the finger or a pointed instrument. XIV. — (M)LG., (M)Du. poken, of unkn. orig. Hence (prob.) poke sb. projecting brim of a bonnet. XVIII(so poke-bonnet XIX). poker^1 (-ER1) instrument for poking a fire. XVI.

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poker2

card-game, a variety of brag. XIX. orig. U.S., of doubtful orig., but cf. G. poch(spiel) ‘bragging game’, f. pochen brag, perh. cogn. with POKE2.

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polacre, polacca

three-masted merchant ship of the Mediterranean. XVII. — F. polacre, polaque. It. polacra, polacca; identical with the words meaning ‘Polish, Pole’, but the reason for the name is unkn.

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polder

low-lying land reclaimed from the sea. XVII. prob. — MDu. polre, (mod.) polder.

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pole1

(orig.) stake; (later) long slender piece of wood used as a support OE.; linear measure of 5½ yards XVI; square measure of 301/4 yards XVII. Late OE. pl, corr. to (M)LG. pl MDu. pael (Du. paal). OHG. phl (G. pfahl), ON. páll; Gmc. — L. plus stake, prop.

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pole2

each of the two points in the celestial sphere XIV; each extremity (north and south) of the earth's axis; each of two opposite points on surface of magnet at which magnetic forces are manifested XVI. — L. polus end of an axis — Gr. pólos pivot, axis (see WHEEL). Cf. F. ple, in part the source. So polar XVI. — F. polaire, It. polare, or medL. polris; whence polarity XVII. polarize XIX. — F. polariser.

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Pole

†Poland, country of E. Europe XVI; native of this XVII. — G. Pole, sg. of Polen, in MHG. Poln, pl. -ne — (O)Pol. Polanie ‘plain-dwellers’, f. pole plain. So Polack (obs. in England; U.S immigrant from Poland). XVII (earlier †Polaker). — F. Polaque, G. Polack — Pol. Polak. Hence Polish XVIII.

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poleaxe

battle-axe XIV; halbert XVI. ME. pol(l)ax, -ex — MDu. pol(l)aex, MLG. pol(l)exe, f. pol(le) POLL1 + aex AXE; later assoc. with POLE1.

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polecat

XIV (polcat). The first el. is of unkn. orig. the second is CAT.

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polemic

disputatious, controversial. XVII. — medL. polémicus — Gr. polemikós f. pólemos war; see -IC. Also polemical XVII.

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polenta

porridge made from barley, chestnut meal, etc. XVI. — It.:- L. polenta pearl barley, rel. to POLLEN.

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police

†policy; †civil organization XVI; civil administration regulating public order; civil force appointed to maintain public order XVIII. — F. — medL. poltia for L. polta POLITY. Hence policeman, policewoman XIX.

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policy1

†government, administration XIV; prudence in procedure; course of action deemed expedient XV. — OF. policie (in first sense) — L. polta POLITY.

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policy2

in full p. of assurance or insurance document containing an undertaking to pay certain sums for loss of property. XVI (earliest form police). — F. police — It. polizza prob.:— medL. apódissa, -ixa, alt. of L. apodxis — Gr. apódeixis demonstration, proof.

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poliomyelitis

(path.) inflammation of the grey matter of the spinal cord. XIX. f. Gr. poliós grey + muelós marrow; see -ITIS. abbr. polio XX.

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poliorcetic

pert. to siegecraft. XIX. — Gr. poliorktikós. f. poliorkeîn besiege a city, f. pólis city + orkeîn besiege. So poliorcetics XVI.

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-polis

repr. Gr. pólis city, as in METROPOLIS, NECROPOLIS.

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polish

make smooth (and glossy) by friction XIII; refine XIV. ME. polis(s) -poliss-, lengthened stem of (O)F. polir — L. polre; see -ISH2. Hence sb. XVI.

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Polish

see POLE.

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polite

†polished XV; refined XVI; of refined courteous manners XVII. — L. poltus, pp. of polre POLISH.

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politic

†political; characterized by policy, shrewd, judicious XV; sb. pl. science and art of government XVI; political affairs or life XVII. — (O)F. politique — L. polticus — Gr. poltikós civic, civil, political, f. polts citizen, f. pólis city, state; see -IC. So political XVI. Comb. form politico- XVIII. politician †schemer, intriguer; one versed in politics. XVI. polity civil organization, form of government. XVI. — L. polta — Gr. polteí.

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polka

XIX. — G., F. polka — Czech, identical with the word meaning ‘Polish woman’. Cf. MAZURKA.

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poll1

A
human head XIII;

B
counting by heads, (hence) of votes XVII. perh. of Du. or LG. orig. (cf. obs. Du., LG. polle).
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Hence poll vb. cut short, cut off the hair of XIII (pp. pollid); cut off the head or top of XVI; count heads, record votes XVII.

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poll2

in poll deed, deed poll, legal writing polled or cut even at the edge (not indented). XVI. orig. for pold, polled, pp. of poll vb. (see prec.).

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Poll

var. of and contemp. with POLLY XVII (Pall), as proper name of a parrot; alt. of Moll (XVI); see MOLL.

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pollack

sea-fish allied to the cod. XVII. Earlier Sc. podlok (XVI), later podley; of unkn. orig.

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pollard

horned animal that has lost its horns XVI; tree that has been polled or cut back XVII. f. POLL1 + -ARD. Hence vb. XVII.

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pollen

†fine flour XVI; (bot.) powdery substance produced by the anther XVIII. — L. pollen flour, fine powder, rel. pulvis POWDER.

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pollicitation

promising, promise (spec. leg.). XVI. — F. or L. pollicitti, f. pollicitr bid at auction, f. pollicr promise; see -ATION.

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polliwog, pollywog

(dial. and U.S.) tadpole. XV. ME. polwygle, later porwigle (XVII), polwigge (XVI), polliwig, polliwog (XIX); f. POLL1 + WIGGLE and synon. dial. wig.

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pollute

render impure. XIV. f. pollt-, pp. stem of L. polluere, f. por- PRO-1 + base of lutum mud. So pollution XIV. — (O)F. pollution or late L. pollti, -n-.

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Polly, polly

female name used for a parrot. XVII (Poolye). dim. of POLL; see -Y6.

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polo

XIX. — Balti polo ball.

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polonaise

female dress orig. suggested by that of Polish women; slow dance of Polish origin. XVIII. — F., sb. use of fem. of polonais Polish.

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polonium

(chem.) radioactive metallic element. XIX. — F., f. medL. Polnia Poland (see -IUM); so called from the Polish nationality of Mme Curie , who, with her husband, discovered it in pitchblende.

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polony

sausage of partly cooked pork. XVIII (pullony sausage). prob. for Bolognian sausage (XVI), Bologna, a town in Italy, being noted for a kind of sausage.

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poltergeist

XIX. — G., f. poltern make a noise, create a disturbance + geist GHOST.

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poltroon

XVI. — F. poltron, †poultron — It. poltrone sluggard, coward, perh. f. †poltro bed (as if ‘lie-abed’).

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poly-

repr Gr. polu-, comb. form of polús, polú much, pl. polloi many (cf. FULL); in many techn. terms. polyanthus XVIII. modL. (Gr. ánthos flower). polychrome XIX. — F. — Gr. polúkhrmos (khrôma colour). polygamous XVII practising polygamy XVI. — F. polygamie — ecclGr. polugamí (gámos marriage). polyglot XVII. — F. polyglotte — Gr. polúglttos (glôtta tongue). polygon XVI. — late L. polygnum — Gr. polúgnon (-GON). So polygonal XVIII. polyhedron XVI. — Gr. polúedron (-HEDRON). polymath XVII. — Gr. polumaths (manthánein learn). polynomial XVII. after BINOMIAL. polysyllable XVI. f. medL. polysyllaba. polytechnic dealing with various arts. XIX. — F. polytechnique, f. Gr. polútekhnos. polytheism XVII. — F. polythéisme, f. Gr. polútheos.

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polyp

(path.) polypus XIV; †octopus, cuttle-fish, or the like XVI; applied gen. to animals of low organization XVIII. — F. polype — L. polypus (see next).

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polypus

(path.) tumour usu. having tentacle-like ramifications XIV; †hydra, octopus, etc. XVI. — L. — Gr. (Doric, Aeolic) plupos, var. of Attic polúpous cuttle-fish, f. polús POLY- + poús FOOT.

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pomace

mash of crushed apples in cider-making. XVI (pomes, pomois). — medL. pmcium cider (f. L. pmum apple), with transference of sense.

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pomade

scented ointment for the skin and hair (in which apples are said to have been orig. an ingredient). XVI. — F. pommade — It. pomata :— medL. pmta, fem. corr. to n. pomatum (f. L. pmum, as prec.), also used in Eng. from XVI; see -ADE.

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pomander

ball of aromatic substances carried as a preservative against infection. XV. The orig. form is repr. by pom(e)amber (XVI) — AN. pome ambre, for OF. pome d'ambre — medL. pmum ambræ, pmum de ambra ‘apple of AMBER’.

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pomegranate

XIV (the earliest forms have poum- and metathetic -garnet, -garnade). — OF. pome grenate, p. garnate, etc., i.e. pome (:- Rom. pma for L. pmum) apple, grenate (mod. grenade) pomegranate:- Rom. grnta for L. grntum, ‘having many seeds’ (see GRAIN).

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pommel

†round body or prominence; knob terminating the hilt of a sword XIV; saddlebow XV. — OF. pomel (mod. pommeau):- Rom. pmellum, dim. of L. pmum fruit, apple. Hence vb. beat as with a pommel. XVI.

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pomology

science of fruit-growing. XIX. — modL. pmologia, f. L. pmum fruit, apple; see -OLOGY.

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pomp

splendour, magnificence; ostentatious display. XIV. — (O)F. pompe — L. pompa — Gr. pomp sending, solemn procession, parade, display, rel. to pémpein send. So pompous XIV. — (O)F pompeux — late L. pompsus.

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pompadour

designating dress, hair-style, furniture, colour, etc. named after the Marquise de Pompadour (d. 1764), mistress of Louis XV of France. XVIII.

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pom-pom

automatic quick-firing gun. XIX. imit. of the sound of the discharge.

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pompon

ornament on a long pin XVIII; globular chrysanthemum XIX. — F., of unkn. orig.

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poncho

S. Amer. cloak. XVIII. — S. Amer. Sp. — Araucanian.

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pond

XIII. ME. po(o)nde, pounde, identical with POUND2, which survives dial. in this sense.

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ponder

†estimate the value of; weigh mentally, meditate upon XIV; intr. XVII. — (O)F. pondérer consider (mod. balance, moderate) — L. ponderre weigh, reflect upon, f. pondus, ponder- weight, rel. to pendere weight; see PENDENT.

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ponderous

physically weighty XIV; laboured in manner XVIII. — L. pondersus, f. pondus, ponder- weight; see prec., -OUS.

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pone

bread of N. Amer. Indians made of maize flour. XVII. of Algonquian orig.

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pongo

large anthropoid ape. XVII. — Congolese mpongo.

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poniard

dagger. XVI. — F. poignard, repl. OF. poignal — medL. pugnlis, n. -le, f. L. pugnus fist; cf. -ARD.

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pontiff

member of the principal college of priests in ancient Rome; bishop, spec. pope. XVII. — F. pontife — L. pontifex, -fic-, f. pns, pont- (see next) + facere, -fic- make, DO1. So pontifical adj. XV; sb. pl. bishop's vestments XIV; book of episcopal rites XVI. — L. pontificate officiate as bishop. XIX. f. pp. of medL. pontificre.

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pontoon1

boat (or other vessel), of which a number are used to support a temporary bridge. XVII (ponton). — (O)F. ponton :— L. pont, -n- punt, bridge of boats, f. pns, pont- bridge, rel. to Indo-Iran. and Balto-Slav. words, with Gr. pátos, meaning ‘road’, ‘path’, but the relevance of the sense in PONTIFF (if this is ‘path-maker’) is not clear; see -OON.

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pontoon2

app. alt. of F. vingt-(et-)un ‘twenty-one’ (card game). XX.

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pony

XVII. orig. Sc. pown(e)y, of uncert. orig.; perh. for poulney — F. poulenet, dim. of poulain foal:- late L. pullmen, orig. coll. f. L. pullus young animal (cf. FOAL).

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poodle

XIX. — G. pudel, taken to be short for pudelhund, f. pudeln splash in water, the poodle being a water-dog.

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pooh

int. XVII. of imit. orig.

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Pooh-Bah

name of a character in W. S. Gilbert's ‘The Mikado’ (1885) who holds many offices at the same time; joc. made up from the disdainful excls. POOH and BAH.

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pool1

small body of still water. OE. pl = (M)LG., MDu. pl (Du. poel), OHG. pfuol (G. pfuhl), f. WGmc. pl-, rel. to OE. pyll creek; further relations uncert.

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pool2

collective amount of stakes in a cardgame, †game at cards XVII; transf. of other games, (hence) common fund, combine XIX. F. poule stake, prop. hen (see PULLET); assoc. with POOL1. Hence vb. XIX.

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poop

stern of a ship. XV. — OF. pupe, pope (mod. poupe):- Rom. puppa, for L. puppis stern.

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poor

having few or no possessions. XIII. ME. povere, pou(e)re, pore — OF. povre, (also dial.) poure (mod. pauvre) :— L. pauper (Rom. pauperus); rel. to FEW.

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pop1

sb., vb., int., and adv., of imit. orig. The earliest uses (XIV), surviving dial., of sb. and vb. have reference to rapping or knocking; not recorded for abrupt explosive sound before XVI; vb. put, move suddenly XVI; (sl.) pawn XVIII; pop the question XVIII; sb. effervescing beverage XIX. comps. pop-corn for popped corn XIX (U.S.); pop-eyed , pop-eyes (having) prominent eyes XIX; pop-gun XVII; popping-crease (cricket) XVIII.

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pop2

see PAPA.

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pope1

the Head of the R. C. Ch. OE. ppa — ecclL. ppa bishop — ecclGr. pápas, papâs bishop, patriarch, later form of páppas father (see PAPA). Hence popery, popish XVI.

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pope2

parish priest of the Orthodox Church in Russia, etc. XVII. — Russ. (OSl.) pop — WGmc. papo (cf. OHG. pfaffo) — later Gr. pápas; see PAPA, POPE1.

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popinjay

(arch.) parrot XIII; vain or conceited person XVI. ME. pape(n)iai, pope(n)iay, -gay — AN. papeiaye, OF. papegay, papingay (mod. papegai) — Sp. papagayo — Arab. baba; the final syll. is assim. to JAY.

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poplar

XIV. ME. popler(e) — AN. popler, OF. poplier (mod. peuplier), f. pople :— L. ppulus. With the form poplar (XVI) cf. contemp. briar, cedar, medlar.

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poplin

XVIII. — F. †papeline, dubiously held to be from It. papalina, sb. use of fem. of papalino PAPAL, and to be so named because orig. manufactured at Avignon, which was a papal town from 1309 to 1791; see -INE1.

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poppa

see PAPA.

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poppet

small person or human figure, (hence) pet XIV †puppet XVI; (naut.) short piece of wood XIX. of obscure orig.; based ult. on L. ppa, puppa girl, doll; cf. PUPPET, and see -ET.

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popple

tumble as water, boil or bubble up. XIV. perh. — (M)Du. popelen murmur, babble, quiver, throb, of imit. orig. Hence sb. and popply XIX.

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poppy

OE. popæ, papæ, later popi :- papg, popg, for ppau — medL. papuum, alt. of L. papver.

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popsy-wopsy

endearing appellation for a girl. XIX. redupl. formation on dial. pop (f. POPPET) + -SY.

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populace

XVI. — F. — It. popolaccio, -azzo, f. popolo = F. peuple PEOPLE, with pejorative suffix (:— L. -ceus -ACEOUS). So popular pert. to the people XV; finding favour with the people XVII. — AN. populer, OF. populeir (later and mod. populaire) or L. populris. Hence (or — F.) popularity XVII, popularize XVIII, populate (-ATE3) XVI f. pp. stem of medL. populre. population †inhabited place XVI; number of people XVII. — late L. populti, -n-. populous XV. — late L. populsus.

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porcelain

XVI. The earliest forms in -ana, -an are It. or immed. — It.; superseded by forms — F. porcelaine, earlier pourcelaine — It. porcellana cowrie, polished substance of this, (hence) china ware (from its resemblance to this substance), deriv. in fem. adj. form of porcella, dim. of porca sow:— L. porca, fem. of porcus swine; the shells are said to have been so named from their resemblance to the vulva of a sow.

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porch

covered approach to a building XIII; the P., allusively with ref. to the Stoic school XVII. — (O)F. porche :— L. porticus colonnade, gallery, porch (cf. STOIC), f. porta ‘passage’, PORT2.

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porcine

swine-like. XVII. — F. porcin, -ine or L. porcnus, f. porcus swine; see -INE1.

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porcupine

XIV. ME. porc despyne, later porke-, porcupine — OF. porc espin (also porc d'espine), mod. porc-épic — Pr. porc espi(n) :- Rom. porcospnus, f. L. porcus pig + spnus SPINE.

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pore1

minute orifice in a body. XIV. — (O)F. — L. porus — Gr. póros passage, pore, f. por- per- pr; see FORD. So porous XIV. — (O)F. poreux — medL. porsus. porosity XIV. — medL.

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pore2

look intently. XIII. ME. p(o)ure, powre, perh.:- OE. prian, f. pr-, a mutated form of which (OE. pran) may be the source of synon. ME. pire (XIV.). See PEER2.

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porism

geometrical proposition in ancient Gr. mathematics. XIV (thereafter not before XVII). — late L. porisma — Gr. pórisma deduction, corollary, problem, f. porízein carry, deduce, f. póros way, passage; see PORE1, -ISM.

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pork

flesh of the pig used as food XIII; †swine, pig XIV. — (O)F. porc — L. porcus swine, hog (see FARROW). Hence porker (-ER1) pig raised for food. XVII.

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pornographer

XIX. f. F. pornographe — Gr. pornográphos, f. pórn prostitute; see -GRAPHER. So pornographic, pornography XIX.

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porphyry

XIV. Three types are found:
i
porfurie, -firie,
ii
purfire, porphire,
iii
porphyry; all ult. — medL. porphyreum, for L. porphyrts — Gr. porphurtes, f. pórphuros PURPLE.

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porpoise

XIV. ME. porpa(y)s, -poys — OF. po(u)rpois, -peis, -pais :- Rom. porcopiscis, f. L. porcus swine, piscis FISH.

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porrect

(techn.) stretch out XV; put forward XVIII. f. porrect-, pp. stem of L. porrigere, f. por- = PRO-1 + regere stretch, direct; cf. DIRECT.

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porridge

†pottage or soup XVI; soft food made with oatmeal XVII. alt. of POTTAGE, intermediate forms being repr. by podech (XVI), podditch, -idge.

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porringer

bowl for liquid food. XVI. alt., through the var. †poddinger (XV), of (dial.) pottinger, †potinger (XV), †poteger — (O)F. potager, f. potage; see POTAGE, -ER2.

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port1

harbour, haven; town having a harbour. OE. — L. portus (see FORD), rel. to porta (cf. next). In ME. prob. a new word — (O)F.

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port2

gate, gateway, spec. of a city or walled town XIII; opening in the side of a ship XIV. — (O)F. porte :— L. porta (cf. prec.). Hence porthole XVI.

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port3

(arch.) carriage, bearing XIV; †style of living, state XVI. — (O)F. port, f. porter carry, bear:— L. portre (if orig. transport, bring into port), f. portus PORT1. Hence portly †of dignified bearing, imposing; large and corpulent. XVI.

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port4

left side of a vessel looking forward. XVII (but no doubt earlier, cf. the vb.). prob. orig. the side turned towards the port (PORT1) or place of lading (cf. LARBOARD). Hence vb. put (the helm) to port. XVI.

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port5

red (also white) wine of Portugal. XVII. Short for †Oporto wine, later †Oporto, †Porto, prop. wine from Oporto (Pg. O Porto ‘the port’; see PORT1), the chief port of shipment for Portuguese wines.

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portable

XIV. — (O)F. portable or late L. portbilis, f. portre carry; see PORT3, -ABLE. So portage transportation, carriage; mariner's venture in cargo. XV. — F.

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portal1

stately doorway or gateway. XIV. — OF. — medL. portle, sb. use of n. of portlis, f. porta PORT2; see -AL1.

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portal2

(anat.) pert. to the porta or tranverse fissure of the liver. XIX. — modL. portlis (see prec.).

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portcullis

XIV. ME. port colice, -coles, -(e)cules, porcules — OF. porte coleïce, i.e. porte door (PORT2), col(e)ïce, coulice, fem. of couleïs gliding. sliding:- Rom. cltcius, f. L. clre, -t- filter.

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portend

XV. — L. portendere, f. por- = PRO-1 + tendere stretch. So portent ominous sign XVI; prodigious thing XVIII. — L. portentum strange sign, monster. portentous XVI. — L. portentsus.

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porter1

door-keeper. XIII. — AN. porter, (O)F. portier — late L. portrius, f. porta PORT2; see -ER2.

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porter2

bearer. XIV. — OF. port(e)our (mod. porteur) :— medL. porttor, -r-, f. portre carry; see PORT3, -ER1, -OR1.

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porter3

kind of dark-brown beer. XVIII. Earlier porter or porter's ale, presumably so named because drunk chiefly by porters and the like. Comp. porterhouse (U.S.) house where porter and other malt liquors are sold; transf. of steaks, etc. supplied there. XIX.

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portfolio

case for keeping papers XVIII; such a case for state documents, (hence) office of a minister of state XIX. Earlier porto folio, portefolio — It. portafogli, f. porta, imper. of portare = F. porter carry (see PORT3) + fogli, pl. of foglio = OF. foil leaf, FOIL2; alt. by assim. to F. portefeuille.

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portico

rocfed walk supported on columns. XVII. — It. portico :— L. porticus PORCH.

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portière

curtain hung over a doorway. XIX. — F., f. porte door, PORT2 + -ière (:— L. -ria -ARY).

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portion

part allotted, share XIII; part of a whole XIV. — OF. porcion, (also mod.) portion — L. porti, -n-, attested first in phr. pr portine portionally, in PROPORTION. So portion vb. APPORTION XIV; dower XVIII. — OF. portionner (medL. portinre).

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portmanteau

case for carrying clothing, etc. XVI. — F. portemanteau official who carries a prince's mantle, valise, clothes-rack, f. porter carry (see PORT2) + manteau MANTLE.

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portrait

XVI. — F., sb. use of pp. of OF. portraire picture, depict (whence portray XIV), f. por- (:— L. PRO-1) + traire draw (:- Rom. tragere, for L. trahere). So portraiture XIV. — OF.

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pose1

A
†suppose or assume XIV; lay down (a claim, etc.) XVI;

B
place in or assume an attitude XIX. — (O)F. poser :- late L. pausre cease, PAUSE; in Rom. this vb. took over the senses of L. pnere, pt. posu, pp. positum place (see POSITION) and became its regular repr.
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So pose sb. attitude. XIX. — F.

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pose2

†interrogate XVI; perplex, nonplus XVI. Aphetic of †appose (XIV) — OF. aposer, var. of opposer OPPOSE. Hence poser examiner XVI; puzzling problem XVIII.

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posh

(sl.) tiptop, ‘swell’. XX. of unkn. orig.

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posit

(chiefly in pp.) situate, place; assume, lay down as a basis. XVII. f. posit-, pp. stem of L. pnere place. So position †laying down, affirmation, proposition stated XV; place occupied XVI; posture, attitude XVIII. — (O)F. or L., f. posit-, rendering Gr. thésis THESIS, théma THEME. positive formally or explicitly stated XIII; unqualified XV; dealing with fact XVI; affirmative, additive XVII. — (O)F. or L. positivism (philos.) XIX. — F. positivisme, for earlier philosophie positive. positron XX. f. POSI(TIVE), (ELEC)TRON.

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posse

A
potentiality (often in phr. in p. potential(ly) XVI;

B
body of men that a sheriff may call to arms, (hence) armed force, strong band XVII. — medL. sb. use of L. posse be able (see POTENT1); in A from scholastic terminology, in B for posse comittus ‘force (power) of the county’.
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possess

†occupy, inhabit; hold as property; put in possession. XV. — OF. possesser, f. L. possess-, pp. stem of possdre, f. potis (see POTENT) + sdere, rel. to sedre SIT. So possession XIV. — (O)F. or L. possessive (gram.) XVI. — L. possessvus.

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posset

(hist.) drink of hot milk curdled with ale, etc. XV. of unkn. orig.

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possible

XIV. — (O)F. possible or L. possibilis, f. posse be; see POTENT, -IBLE. So possibility XIV. — (O)F. or late L.

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possum

Aphetic of OPOSSUM; now esp. in colloq. phr. (orig. U.S.) play p. pretend to be disabled, with ref. to the opossum's feigning death when attacked. XVII.

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post1

stout piece of timber set upright. OE. — L. postis, perh. f. por- PRO-1 + base of stre STAND; prob. reinforced in ME. from OF. and MLG., MDu. Hence post vb.1 affix to a post. XVII; whence poster bill or placard posted or displayed. XIX.

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post2

†men with horses stationed along a route to carry the king's ‘packet’ or other letters from stage to stage; †courier, postman; †mail-coach, packet-boat XVI; single dispatch of letters, the mail; short for post-office, public department having the conveyance of letters XVII; short for post-paper, size of writing-paper, orig. bearing as water-mark a postman's horn XVIII. — F. poste — It. posta — Rom. posta, contr. of L. posita, fem. pp. of pnere place (see POSIT). Used adv., with post-horses, with haste XVI; e.g. ride p., orig. in phr. ride in p. Hence or — F. poster, post vb.2 XVI. postage carriage of letters XVI; charge for this XVII. postal (-AL1) XIX. — F. Comps. postcard XIX. post-haste †speed in travelling; adv. with all haste. XVI. postmaster^1 XVI, post office XVII.

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post3

soldier's station XVI; position taken up by a body of soldiers; position of employment XVII; (naut.) position as full-grade captain XVIII. — F. poste — It. posto — Rom. postum, contr. of popL. positum, pp. of pnere place (cf. prec.).

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post4

pile of hand-made paper fresh from the mould. XVIII. — G. posten parcel, batch, lot — It. posto POST3.

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post5

(esp in first, last p.) bugle-call warning of the hour for retiring for the night. XIX. prob. short for call to post or the like (POST3, first sense).

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post6

L. prep. & adv., earlier poste, posti, ‘after’; current in phrases such as p. bellum after the war. p. meridiem after midday, post partum after childbirth.

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post-

comb. form of POST6 as in post-communion (liturg.) part of the Eucharistic service following the communion XV (— medL.); post-date affix a later date to XVII; post-obit taking effect after a person's death XVIII; postpone put off, defer XVI; place after XVII (orig. Sc. — L. postpnere; so postposition †(Sc.) postponement; placing after XVII); postprandial occurring after dinner XIX (L. prandium); postscript something added after the signature to a letter XVI (— L. postscriptum, sb. use of n. pp. of postscrbere).

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poste restante

XVIII. — F., ‘post remaining’ (see REST).

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posterior

latter XVI; hinder XVII; sb. †(usu. pl.) descendants XVI; hinder parts, buttocks XVII. — L. posterior, compar. of posterus following, future, f. post after; see POST6, -IOR. So posterity XIV. — F. — L.

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postern

back or side door. XIII. — OF. posterne (mod. posterne), alt. of posterle :- late L. posterula, dim. f. posterus that is behind (see prec.).

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posthumous

born after the father's death; appearing or occurring after death. XVII. f. L. postumus last of all, spec. applied as in first sense, used as superl. of post after (see POST6), later assoc. with humus ground, humre bury, whence the sp. with h.

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postil

marginal note or comment, series of these. XV. — OF. postille :— medL. postilla, of uncert. orig.

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postil(l)ion

†forerunner XVI; post-boy, swift messenger; one who rides the near horse of a pair XVII. — F. postillon — It. postiglione post's boy, f. posta POST2.

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postmaster2

scholar of Merton College, Oxford. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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postulant

XVIII. — F. postulant or L. postulns, -ant-, prp. of postulre demand; see next.

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postulate

† demand XVI; proposition claimed to be granted, (geom.) problem of self-evident nature XVII. — L. postultum (also used), sb. use of n. pp. of postulre, prob. f. base of poscere (see PRAY). So vb. XVI.

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posture

† position; disposition of parts, attitude. XVII. — F. — It. postura :— L. positra position, situation, f. posit-, pp. stem of pnere place; see POSITION, -URE.

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posy

A
(arch.) motto, orig. line of verse;

B
nosegay. XVI. contr. form of POESY.
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pot

round or cylindrical vessel used as a container. Late OE. pott, corr. to OFris., (M)LG., (M)Du. pot — popL. pottus (whence (O)F. pot), of unkn. orig.; prob. reinforced in ME. from OF. The north. word meaning deep hole, pit (XIV) may be identical or may be of Scand. orig.; so prob. pot-hole XIX. comb. pothook hook to hang over a fireplace XV; hooked character in writing XVII. pot-hunter † perh. sycophant, parasite XVI; sportsman who shoots anything he comes across XVIII; (sl.) one who competes in a contest merely for the prize XIX. pot-luck one's chance of what may be in the pot ready for a meal. XVI. potsherd (arch.) fragment of earthenware. XIV. pot shot shot taken at game merely to provide something for the pot, shot aimed directly at something within reach. XIX. potwaller householder qualified to vote as having a separate fire-place. XVIII. lit. ‘pot-boiler’; alt. to pot-walloper (XVIII) by assim. to WALLOP.

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potable

XVI. — F. potable or late L. potbilis, f. ptre; see POTION, -ABLE. So potation XV. — OF. — L.

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potage

soup. XVI. — (O)F. (see POTTAGE).

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potash

(pl.) lixiviated ashes of vegetables evaporated in pots XVII; potassium carbonate (which these contain in crude form); hydroxide or monoxide of potassium XVIII. — Du. potasschen (mod. potasch); see POT, ASH2. So F. potasse, whence potass XVIII. potassa XIX. modL. form, appropriated to potassium monoxide by Davy, who (1807) coined the name potassium to designate the metallic element which is the basis of potash.

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potato

A
(tuber of) Ipomoea batatas, now dist. as sweet or Spanish potato;

B
(tuber of) Solanum tuberosum, widely cultivated for food. XVI. — Sp. patata, alt. of Taino batata (sense A); the transference to sense B was due to the likeness of the two plants in producing esculent tubers.
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potent1

powerful. XV. — L. potns, -ent-, prp. of potre, posse be powerful or able, for potis esse; the base pot- is repr. also by Skr. páti- lord, possessor, husband, Gr. pósis spouse, etc.; see -ENT. So potentate (-ATE1) XIV. — (O)F. potentat or L. potenttus. potential possible, latent XIV (rare before XVI); (gram.) of a mood XVI. — OF. potencial (now -tiel) or late L. potentilis, f. potentia, whence potency XVI, earlier potence XV (partly — OF. potence).

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potent2

(her., of a cross) having the limbs terminating in crutch-heads. XVII. attrib. use of †potent crutch (XIV), alt. of (O)F. potence supporting piece, crutch — L. potentia power (in medL. crutch), f. potns, -ent-; see prec.

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pot(h)een

whisky distilled privately in Ireland. XIX. — Ir. poitín, dim. of pota pot.

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pother

choking smoke or dusty atmosphere; commotion. XVI. of uncert. orig.

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potion

XIII. — (O)F. — L. pti, -n- drink, poisonous draught, f. pt-, stem cf ptre drink, f. IE. p(i)- p-, repr. also by Skr. pti drinks, Gr. pépka I have drunk, etc.; see -TION.

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pot-pourri

mixture of dried petals kept for perfume XVIII; musical or literary medley XIX. — F., ‘rotten pot’, i.e. pot POT, pp. of pourrir rot; tr. Sp. OLLA PODRIDA.

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pott

var. sp. of POT applied to a size of printing-paper, orig. bearing the watermark of a pot.

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pottage

dish of vegetables and/or meat boiled to softness XIII; † oatmeal porridge XVII. — (O)F. potage, f. pot POT; see -AGE.

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potter1

maker of pots. Late OE. pottere; see -ER1. Hence or — (O)F. poterie pottery potter's factory XV; potter's art, product of this XVIII.

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potter2

(dial.) poke again and again XVI; meddle XVII; (dial.) perplex, bother; trifle, dabble XVIII; move about idly or aimlessly XIX. frequent. of (dial.) pote, OE. potian thrust, push, PUT1; see -ER4.

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pouch

small bag XIV; bag-like cavity in an animal body XV. — ONF. pouche, var. of (O)F. poche bag, pouch, (now) pocket; cf. POKE1.

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poult

young of domestic fowl and game-birds. XV. ME. pult, contr. of poulet PULLET. So (arch.) poulter XIV (— OF. pouletier), extended to poulterer dealer in poultry XVII, prob. after poultery, earlier pulletrie, vars. of poultry XIV (— OF. pouletrie); see -ER1, -RY.

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poultice

soft mass of bread, etc. applied as an emollient, etc. XVI. orig. pl. pultes, later taken as sg. — L. pultes, pl. of puls, pult- pottage, pap; see PULSE2.

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pounce1

claw of a bird of prey XV; † stamp or punch, hole pinked in a garment XVI. perh. shortening of PUNCHEON. So pounce vb.1 pink. XIV. Hence pounce vb.2 † seize, as a bird of prey XVII; seize upon suddenly XVIII; whence as sb. act of pouncing XIX.

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pounce2

finely powdered sandarac, etc. used to prevent ink from spreading; stamping-powder. XVIII. — (O)F. ponce :- popL. pmicem PUMICE. So pounce vb.3 smooth with pumice or pounce; transfer (a design) with pounce; † powder (esp. the face). XVI.

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pound1

measure of weight; English money of account (orig. pound weight of silver). OE. pund = OS. pund, MDu. pont (Du. pond), OHG. phunt (G. pfund), ON., Goth. pund :- Gmc. punda — L. pond (indeclinable) pound weight, orig. abl. of pondos (libra pond pound by weight), rel. to pondus weight.

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pound2

enclosure, esp. for cattle; place of confinement. XIV. Earlier in the comps. ME. pundbreche XII breaking open (see BREACH) of a pound, OE. pundfeald PINFOLD; of unkn. orig. Hence vb. shut up, confine (cf. IMPOUND). XV.

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pound3

break down and crush as with a pestle OE.; strike heavily XVII; move with heavy steps, proceed heavily XIX. Late OE. pnian, ME. poune, f. pn- (whence also Du. puin, LG. pün rubbish), of unkn. orig. The final d appears XVI.

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pour

XIII. of unkn. orig.

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pout

protrude the lips, in displeasure, XIV. of unkn. orig.; perh. repr. OE. ptian, f. pt- be inflated, which appears to be the base of Sw. dial. puta be inflated, Sw., Norw. puta pad, Da. pude cushion, pillow. Hence pouter breed of pigeon capable of inflating the crop. XVIII.

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poverty

XII. ME. poverte — (i) OF. poverte :— L. pauperts; this type survived till XVI as povert; (ii) OF. poverté (mod. pauvreté):— L. pauperts, -tt-, f. pauper POOR; see -TY.

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powder

solid matter in minute particles XIII; gunpowder XIV. — (O)F. poudre, earlier pol(d)re :— L. pulvis, pulver- dust. So vb. (in earliest use, season, salt) XIII. — (O)F. poudrer, or f. the sb.

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power

A
dominion, rule, authority XIII; ability XIV;

B
body of armed men XIII; one possessed of authority XIV; deity, divinity XVI;
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C
(math., etc.) XVI. ME. po(u)er — AN. poer, po(u)air, OF. poeir, later po(v)oir, sb. use of inf.:- Rom. potre, superseding L. posse be able, f. pot- (see POTENT).
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Hence powerful XIV.

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powwow

priest or medicine man of N. Amer. Indians; magical rites held by them XVII; conference of Indians, hence gen. congress, palaver XIX. of Algonquian orig. Hence vb. XVII.

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pox

disease marked by pocks, spec. syphilis. XVI. alt. sp. of pocks, pl. of POCK; so chicken-pox, cow-pox, SMALLPOX.

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pozzolana

volcanic ash. XVIII. — It. pozz(u)olana, sb. use of fem. adj. ‘pert. to Pozzuoli’, town near Naples (Italy) in the neighbourhood of Mount Vesuvius.

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practicable

XVII. — F. praticable, f. pratiquer put into practice, use, f. pratique; see below and -ABLE. So practical XVII, which superseded practic (XIV) — F. † practique, var. of pratique, or late L. practicus — Gr. praktikós concerned with action; see -ICAL.

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practice

scheming, machination; (habitual or continuous) performance; exercise of a profession; (arith.) compendious method of multiplication by aliquot parts. XVI. f. practise, after advice/advise, device/devise; superseded † practic (XIV) — OF. practique (mod. pratique) — medL. practica — Gr. praktik, sb. use of fem. of praktikós. practise perform (now habitually) XV; implied earlier in practiser XIV. — OF. pra(c)tiser or medL. practizre, alt. of practicre. So practitioner XVI. Extension with -ER1 of practician (XV; — F. † practicien).

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prae-

see PRE-.

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praecipe

(leg.) writ requiring something to be done. XV. First of the opening L. words of the writ. præcipe quod reddat enjoin that he render …; imper. of præcipere (see PRECEPT).

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praemunire

(leg.) in full p. facias name of a writ (Stat. 16 Richard II) derived from a formula in the text of it. XV. — L. præmunre fortify or protect in front, in medL. (by assoc. with præmonre; see PREMONITION) forewarn, admonish.

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praenomen

name preceding the nomen, personal name. XVIII. — L., f. præ PRE- + nmen NAME.

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praetor, U.S. pretor

magistrate of ancient Rome. XV. — F. préteur or L. prætor (-r-), perh.:- præitor ‘one who goes before’, f. præ PRE- + pp. stem of re go + -OR1. So pr(a)etorian XV. — L.

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pragmatic

relating to affairs of a state, etc.; † busy, active, officious. XVII (sb. XVI). — late L. prgmaticus — Gr. prgmatikós, f. prâgma, prgmat- act, deed, affair. Also (earlier) pragmatical XVI. So pragmatism (philos.) XIX; hence pragmatist XX (earlier XVII in sense^1 ‘pragmatical person’).

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prairie

XVIII. — F. prairie, OF. pra(i)erie :- Rom prtria, f. L. prtum meadow; see -RY.

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praise

vb. XIII. — OF. preisier price, value, praise:- late L. pretire, f. L. pretium price. Hence sb. XV; whence praiseworthy XVI.

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praline

confection made by browning nuts in boiling sugar. XVIII. — F., f. name of César de Choiseul, comte de Plessis-Praslin (1598–1675), by whose cook it was invented.

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pram1, praam

flat-bottomed boat. XVI. — MDu. prame, praem (Du. praam), MLG. prm(e) — OSl. pram.

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pram2

short for PERAMBULATOR. XIX.

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prance

XIV. of unkn. orig.

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prang

(Air Force sl.) bomb heavily; crash. XX. of unkn. orig. Also sb.

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prank

† mischievous trick XVI; mad frolic; also with contemp. † vb. Of unkn. orig.

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prate

talk idly or aimlessly. XV. — (M)LG., (M)Du. praten; prob. of imit. orig.

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pratincole

bird of the genus Glareola, allied to the plover. XVIII. — modL. pratincola, f. L. prtum meadow + incola inhabitant.

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pratique

licence to a ship to hold intercourse with a port after quarantine, etc. XVII. — (O)F. pratique practice, intercourse, corr. to or — It. pratica — medL. practica, sb. use of practicus PRACTICAL.

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prattle

vb. XVI. — MLG. pratelen, f. praten PRATE; see -LE3. Hence sb. XVI.

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prawn

XV (prayne, prane). of unkn. orig.

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praxis

practice, exercise. XVI. — medL. — Gr. prâxis doing, action, f. prk-, base of prssein do.

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pray

ask earnestly, make earnest request or petition. XIII. ME. preie — OF. preier (mod. prier):- late L. (Rom.) precre, for L. precr entreat (rel. to poscere demand). So prayer XIII. ME. preiere — OF. preiere (mod. prière):- Gallo- Rom. precria, sb. use of fem. of L. precrius obtained by entreaty (see PRECARIOUS).

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pre-

(e.g. in predicate, preface, premiss, preposition, presage, presence), pref. repr. F. pré- or its source L. præ-, later pr-, i.e. the adv.-prep. præ (of place, rank, time) before, in front, in advance, OL. prai = Oscan prai, prae-, Umbrian pre, cogn. with (O)Ir. ar before, at, in OSl. pri near, and rel. to the groups of PER, pr- (repr. by PRIME, PRIOR), and prð (see PRO-1, PRO-2).

Many L. comps. of various dates are repr. variously in Eng. (see below), chiefly based on vbs. and corr. sbs., with the meanings ‘before’, ‘previously’, ‘in advance’ (in time or order of succession, action, thought, performance, or execution) in adv. relation to the combined el., as in precede, predestine, prefix, preserve, pretend, previous, and as in comprehend, predatory, prehensile; with implication of ‘beyond or over all others’ as in predominate, pre-eminent, prevail; hence as a living prefix, e.g. in prejudge (XII), prepossess (XVII); of anterior position, as in (anat.) precerebellar, -dentate, -hallux. b. In prepositional relation, as in pre-Cambrian, pre-historic, pre-Shakespearian.

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preach

XIII. ME. preche — OF. prechier (mod. prêcher), earlier preechier :— L. prædicre proclaim, eccl. preach; see PREDICATE. Hence preachment XIV. — OF.; in mod. use a new formation, often with derogatory force.

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preamble

XIV. — (O)F. préambule — medL. præambulum, sb. use of n. sg. of præambulus going before, in medL. preliminary, f. præ- PRE- + stem of ambulre walk; see AMBLE.

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prebend

portion of cathedral revenue granted as stipend to a member of the chapter; land or tithe as source of this XV; † prebendary XVI. — (O)F. prébende — late L. præbenda pension, pittance, church living, lit. ‘things to be supplied’, n. pl. of gerundive of L. præbre, f. præ- PRE- + habre hold, have. So prebendary holder of a prebend. XV. — medL.

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precarious

(leg.) held by another's favour; dependent on chance XVII; perilous XVIII. f. L. precrius, f. prex, prec- entreaty, prayer; see PRAY, -ARIOUS.

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precatory

of the nature of entreaty. XVII. — late L. prectrius, f. pp. stem of precr PRAY; see -ATE3, -ORY2.

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precaution

XVII. — F. précaution — late L. præcauti, -n-, f. L. præcaut-, pp. stem of præcavre be on one's guard; see PRE-, CAUTION.

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precede

† surpass, exceed XIV; go before in place or rank XV; go before in time XVI. — (O)F. précéder — L. præcdere; see PRE-, CEDE. So precedent † thing or person that goes before; previous instance or case XV; † adj. preceding XIV. Hence precedence XV.

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precentor

XVII. — F. précenteur or L. præcentor, f. præcent-, pp. stem of L. præcinere, f. præ + canere sing; see PRE-, CHANT.

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precept

general command, esp. of divine origin XIV; writ, warrant XV. — L. præceptum maxim, order, sb. use of n. pp. of præcipere take beforehand, warn, instruct, enjoin, f. præ PRE- + capere take. So preceptor (-OR1) XV.

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precession

(astron.) of the equinoxes. XVI. — late L. præcessi, -n-, f. præcdere PRECEDE.

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precinct

space enclosed by boundaries; district or province of government. XV. — medL. præcinctum, also pl. præcincta, sb. uses of n. pp. of L. præcingere gird about, encircle, f. præ PRE- + cingere gird.

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precious

of great worth or price XIII; aiming at choiceness or refinement XIV (in mod. use from XVIII); egregious, arrant, ‘fine’ XV. — OF. precios (mod. précieux) — L. pretisus, f. pretium PRICE. So preciosity XIV.

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precipice

† headlong fall XVI; vertical steep face of rock, etc. XVII. — F. précipice or L. præcipitium, f. præceps, præcip- headlong, steep, or præcipitre, f. præ- PRE- + caput, capit- head. Hence precipitate sb. (chem.) XVI; adj. headlong, headforemost XVII; vb. throw headlong XVI; deposit in solid form from a solution XVII; precipitation XVII (— F. or L.). So precipitous precipitate XVII; of the nature of a precipice. — F. † précipiteux.

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précis

concise account or version. XVIII. — F. précis, sb. use of pp. (see next).

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precise

strictly expressed; strict in observance; exact. XVI. — F. précis, -ise — L. præcsus, -sa, pp. of præcdere cut short, abridge, f. præ- PRE- + cædere cut. So precisely XV. precision † cutting short XVII; preciseness XVIII. — F. précision or L. præcsi, -n-; orig. vbl. sb. of action, later abstract sb. corr. to precise. Hence precisian one who is precise, esp. in religious observance, Puritan. XVI.

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preclude

XVII. — L. præcldere, f. præ- PRE- + claudere shut.

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precocious

flowering or fruiting early; prematurely developed. XXII. f. L. præcox, -coc-, f. præcoquere boil beforehand, ripen fully, f. præ- PRE- + coquere cook; see -IOUS. So precosity XVII. — F. or modL.

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preconize

proclaim publicly. XV. — medL. præcnzre, f. L. præc, -n- public crier, herald.

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precursor

XVI. — L. præcursor, f. præcurrere, f. præ- PRE- + currere run; see COURSE, -OR1.

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predatory

XVI. — L. prædtrius, f. prædtor plunderer, f. prædr plunder, f. præda booty, plunder; see PREY, -ORY2.

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predecessor

XIV. — (O)F. prédécesseur — late L. prædcessor, f. præ- PRE- + dcessor, f. dcdere depart; see DECEASE.

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predestination

XIV. — ecclL. prædestinti, -n-, f. prædestinre appoint beforehand, f. præ- PRE- + destinre DESTINE. The L. vb. is also the ult. source of predestine vb. XIV and predestinate pp. (XIV) and pt. (XV), the latter form being used as present tense from XVI; see -ATE2.

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predial

pert. to land or farms. XVI. — medL. prædilis, f. L. prædium farm, estate, f. præs, præd- surety, bondsman; see -AL1.

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predicament

category of predication XIV; class, category; situation XVI. — late L. prædicmentum, f. L. prædicre; see next and -MENT.

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predicant

adj. preaching XVII; sb. preacher XVI (now only in Du. form predikant minister of the Du. Reformed Church, esp. in S. Africa XIX). — L. prædicns, -ant-, prp. of prædicre PREACH.

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predicate

(logic and gram.) that which is asserted of the subject. XVI. — late L. prædictum, n. pp. of prædicre proclaim, declare, in medL. predicate, f. præ- PRE- + dicre make known, rel. to dcere say; see DICTION, -ATE1. So predicate (-ATE3) assert, affirm. XVI. predication † preaching XIV; assertion, affirmation XVI. — (O)F. or L. predicative (gram.) forming the whole or part of the predicate. XIX.

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predict

XVII. f. prædict-, pp. stem of L. prædcere, f. præ- PRE- + dcere say (see DICTION). (Predicted — L. pp. prædictus before-mentioned, aforesaid, occurs XVI.) So prediction XVI. — L.

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predilection

XVIII. — F. prédilection — prædlcti, -n-, f. medL. prædligere prefer, f. præ- PRE- + dligere; see DILIGENT, -TION.

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pre-emption

purchase before an opportunity is offered to others. XVI. — medL. præempti, -n-, f. L. præemere, -empt-, f. præ- PRE- + emere buy. Hence, by back-formation after L. agent-noun præemptor, pre-empt vb. XIX.

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preen

trim (the feathers) with the beak; also transf. XIV. ME. preyne, prayne, varying with proyne (see PRUNE2), of which it may be an alt. by assim. to (dial.) preen pin, OE. pron, corr. to MLG. prme, (M)Du. priem(e) bodkin, dagger, MHG. pfrieme (G. pfriem) awl. ON. prjónn pin, peg, with ref. to the action of the bird's beak.

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prefab

abbrev. of prefabricated (XX); see PRE-, FABRICATE.

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preface

introduction to a literary work XIV; introduction to the canon of the Mass XV. (O)F. préface — medL. præftia, for L. præfti, f. præfr, -ft-, f. præ- PRE- + fr speak (see FABLE). Hence vb. XVII. So prefatory (-ORY2) XVII.

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prefect

governor, chief administrator. XIV. — OF. prefect (mod. préfet) — L. præfectus, sb. use of pp. of præficere set over, f. præ- PRE- + facere make, constitute. So prefecture XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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prefer

† advance, promote XVI; set before others in esteem XIV; put forward XVI. — (O)F. préférer — L. præferre, f. præ- PRE- + ferre BEAR2. So preferable XVII. — F. préférable. preference XVII. — (O)F. — medL.; whence preferential XIX. Hence preferment XV.

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prefix

verbal element placed before and in combination with another XVII; title prefixed XIX. — modL. præfixum, sb. use of n. of præfxus, pp. of L. præfgere fix in front; see PRE-, FIX. So vb. XV. — (O)F. préfixer.

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pregnant1

(arch.) compelling, cogent. XIV. (thereafter not till XVI). — F. preignant, prp. of preindre :— L. premere PRESS1; see -ANT.

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pregnant2

with child, with young. XVI. — F. prégnante (fem.) or L. prægnns, -ant-, alt., by assim. to -ns -ANT, of prægns, prob. f. præ- PRE- + base of (g)nsc be born (see NASCENT).

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prehensile

XVIII. — F. préhensile, f. prehens-, pp. stem of L. prehendere seize; see -ILE.

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prehistoric

XIX. — F. préhistorique; see PRE-, HISTORIC. Hence prehistory XIX.

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prejudge

pass judgement on before trial or inquiry; prejudice. XVI. f. PRE- + JUDGE vb. So prejudice sb. injury, detriment XIII; † previous or premature judgement XIV; preconceived opinion XVII. — (O)F. préjudice — L. præjdicium, f. præ- PRE- + jdicium judgement. prejudice vb. affect injuriously XV; † prejudge XVI; fill with prejudice XVII. — (O)F. préjudicier. prejudicial injurious XV; † prejudiced XVI. — (O)F. or late L.

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prelate

XIII. — (O)F. prélat — L. præltus, (eccl.) sb. use of pp. corr. to præferre PREFER; see -ATE1. So prelacy † office of a prelate; government by prelates. XIV. — AN. prelacie — medL. præltia. Hence prelatic(al) XVII.

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prelection

public lecture in a college or university. XVI. — L. prælecti, -n-; see PRE-, LECTION. So pr(a)elector (-OR1) XVI.

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preliminary

introductory to the main business. XVII. — F. préliminaire or modL. prælminris, f. L. præ- PRE- + lmen, lmin- threshold.

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prelude

introductory action, condition, etc. XVI; (mus.) XVII. — F. prélude or medL. prældium, f. prældere play beforehand, preface, f. præ- PRE- + ldere play. So vb. XVII. — L.

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premature

occurring before the time. XVI. — L. præmtrus very or too early, f. præ- PRE- + mtrus MATURE.

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premeditate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. præmeditr; see PRE-, MEDITATE. So premeditation XV. — (O)F. or L.

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premier

first in position or rank XV; first in time XVII; sb. prime minister (for p. minister XVII — F. premier ministre ‘first minister’) XVIII. — (O)F.:— L. prmrius PRIMARY.

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premiss, premise

A
(logic) proposition from which another follows; pl. the two propositions of a syllogism (now distinguished as major and minor premiss) XIV.

B
(leg., etc.) pl. matters stated previously; subject of a covenyance or bequest; lands and tenements as before mentioned XV; building with its appurtenances XVIII. — (O)F. prémisse — medL. præmissa, sb. use of fem. sg. and n. pl. pp. of L. præmittere send or set before, f. præ- PRE- + mittere put, send.
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premium

reward, prize; sum to be paid in an insurance policy, etc. XVII; fee for instruction in a trade, etc. XVIII. — L. præmium booty, reward, f. præ- PRE- + emere buy, orig. take.

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premonition

XVI. — F. premonicion or late L. præmoniti, -n-, f. L. præmonre; see -ITION. So premonitory XVII.

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prentice

aphetic of APPRENTICE. XIII.

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preoccupy

occupy or engage in advance. XVI. f. PRE- + OCCUPY; after L. præoccupre seize beforehand, F. préoccuper. So preoccupation XVI. — F. or L.

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prep

(colloq.) short for preparation, preparatory. XIX.

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prepare

XV. — F. préparer or L. præparre, f. præ- PRE- + parre make ready. So preparation XIV. — (O)F. — L. preparatory XV. — late L.

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preponderate

weigh more or heavier. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. præponderre, f. præ- PRE- + pondus, ponder- weight; see -ATE3. So preponderance XVII.

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preposition

XIV. — L. præpositi, -n- putting before, preposition, f. præpnere; see PRE- POSITION.

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prepossess

† possess beforehand; cause to be preoccupied; cause to have an opinion before-hand, esp. impress favourably. XVII. f. PRE- + POSSESS. Hence prepossession XVII.

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preposterous

inverted in position; contrary to nature or reason. XVI. f. L. præposterus ‘before-behind’, reversed, out of order or season, f. præ + posterus; see PRE-, POSTERIOR, -OUS.

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prepuce

foreskin. XIV. — L. præptium, f. præ- PRE- + an el. of unkn. orig.

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prerogative

prior or peculiar privilege. XIV. — (O)F. prérogative or L. prærogtva tribe or century to which it fell by lot to vote first in the comitia, previous choice, prognostic, privilege, sb. use of fem. of prærogtvus, f. prærogre ask first, f. præ- PRE- + rogre ask; see ROGATION, -ATIVE.

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presage

prognostic, omen XIV (not current till XVI); presentiment, foreboding XVI. chiefly — F. présage, but in XIV immed. — its source, L. præsgium, f. præsgre forebode, f. præ- PRE- + sgre perceive keenly. So vb. XVI. — F. or L.

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presbyopia

(path.) failure of eyesight characteristic of old age. XVIII. — modL., f. Gr. présbus old man + ps EYE + -IA1.

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presbyter

elder in the early Christian church; Christian minister of the second order XVI; † presbyterian XVII. — ecclL. presbyter — Gr. presbúteros in N.T. ‘elder’ of the Jewish sanhedrin, ‘elder’ of the apostolic church, sb. use of compar. of présbus old. So presbyterate (-ATE1) office of presbyter, body of presbyters. XVII. — ecclL. presbytertus. presbyterian pert. to government by presbyters or elders; also sb. XVII. f. ecclL. presbyterium. presbytery part of a church reserved for the clergy, sanctuary XV; body of presbyters or elders; presbyterianism XVI; priest's house XIX. — OF. presbiterie — ecclL. presbyterium — Gr. presbutérion; see -Y4.

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prescience

XIV. — (O)F. — ecclL. præscientia, f. præscins, -ent- (whence prescient XVII), prp. of præscre, f. præ- PRE- + scre know.

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prescribe

† hold by prescription XV; lay down as an injunction; order the use of (a medicine, etc.) XVI. — L. præscrbere, f. præ- PRE- + scrbere write. So prescription (title acquired by) uninterrupted use from time immemorial XIV; limitation of time XV; physician's prescribing of medicine XVI. — (O)F. — L. prescriptive XVIII. — late L.

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presence

fact of being present; † assembly, company XIV; carriage or aspect XVI. — (O)F. présence — L. præsentia, f. præsns, -ent- (whence, through (O)F., present adj. XIII), f. præ- PRE- + -sns, prp. of sum I am. So present sb. † presence; thing presented. XIII. — OF. présent; orig. † in present in or into the presence (of), hence, as a gift. present vb. make present XIII; make an offering of XIV. — (O)F. — L. præsentre, f. præsent-: see -ENCE, -ENT. presentation XIV. — (O)F. — late L. presently † so as to be present XIV; (dial.) at present, now XV; soon XVI.

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presentiment

XVIII. — F. † presentiment (mod. press-), f. pré- PRE- + sentiment feeling, SENTIMENT.

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preserve

keep safe XIV; keep alive; keep from physical change XVI; keep (game) for private use XVII. — (O)F. préserver — late L. præservre, f. præ- PRE- + servre keep, protect. Hence preserve sb. † preservative; confectionery preparation XVI; wood or water preserved XIX. So preservation XV, preservative XIV. — (O)F. or medL.

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preside

XVII. — F. présider — L. præsidre, f. præ- PRE- + sedre SIT. So president XIV. — (O)F. président — L. præsidns, -ent-, sb. use of prp. of præsidre. presidency XVI. — Sp., Pg. presidencia, It. presidenza — medL. præsidentia.

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presidium

presiding body; standing committee in communistic bodies. XX. Russ. prezidium — L. præsidium, f. præsidre (see prec.).

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press1

A
crowd, throng XIII;

B
instrument used to compress XIV; machine for imposing the impression of type on paper, etc.; place for printing XVI; matter printed (letter-p.) XVIII.
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C
large cupboard XIV. — (O)F. presse, f. presser — L. pressre, f. press-, pp. stem of premere press.
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So press vb. bear down upon or against with force; crowd, push forward XIV; urge XVI. — (O)F. — L. pressure weight of pain, grief, etc. XIV; action of moral or mental force; action of pressing XVII. — L. pressra.

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press2

force (a man) into the navy or army, impress. XVI. alt., under the infl. of PRESS1, of † prest (XVI), f. † prest sb. loan, impost payment in advance, earnest-money paid to a recruit on enlistment XV, enlistment XVI. — OF. prest (mod. prêt) loan, advance pay for soldiers, f. prester (mod. prêter) afford, lend:— L. præstre furnish, medL. lend, rel. to præst at hand, within reach. Hence press sb. (hist.) impressing of men for service XVI; whence p.-gang XVII.

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prestige

† illusion, conjuring trick XVII; brilliance or glamour derived from past success, etc. XIX. — F. — L. præstigium illusion, more usu. præstigiæ fem. pl. juggler's tricks, for præstrigiæ, f. præstringere bind fast, blind, dazzle (the eyes), f. præ- PRE- + stringere bind, press.

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presto

(conjurer's word) quickly, at once. XVI. — It., adv. use of adj.:- Rom., late L. præstus ready, quick, for earlier præst at hand. As a musical direction presto is an independent adoption (XVII).

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presume

take upon oneself; take for granted. XIV. — (O)F. présumer — L. præsmere anticipate, (later) assume, venture, f. præ- PRE- + smere take. So presumption XIII, presumptive XVI, presumptuous XIV.

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pretend

† (refl.) put oneself forward XIV; profess falsely, feign XV. — F. prétendre or — L. prætendere stretch forth, put forward, allege, claim, f. præ- PRE- + tendere stretch, TEND2. So pretence, U.S. pretense claim XV; purpose, esp. false or alleged XVI. — AN. pretense. pretension assertion of claim. XVII. — medL. Hence pretender (-ER1) XVI.

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preter-

pref. repr. L. adv.-prep. præter past, beyond, more than, besides, compar. formation on præ PRE-: e.g. pretermit leave out, neglect XVI; leave off XIX. — L. preternatural beyond the range of nature. XVI. — medL.

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preterite, U.S. preterit

past; spec. (gram.) after L. præteritum tempus past tense. XIV (thereafter not before XVI). — (O)F. prétérit or L. præteritus gone by, pp. of præterre, f. præter PRETER- + re go.

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pretext

XVI. — L. prætextus outward display, f. prætext-, pp. stem of prætexere weave in front, border, disguise, f. præ- PRE- + texere weave.

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pretor, pretorian

see PRAETOR.

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pretty

† crafty, wily OE. (only); † clever; ingenious; fine, ‘brave’ XIV; beautiful in a slight or dainty manner; considerable in quantity XV. OE. prætti, corr. to MLG. prattich capricious, overbearing, MDu. (ghe)pertich brisk, clever, roguish, Du. † prettig sportive, humorous; f. WGmc. pratt- trick (whence OE. præt), of unkn. orig; see -Y1.

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prevail

† become strong XIV; be superior, gain the ascendant XV; predominate XVII. ME. prevayle — L. prævalre have greater power (see PRE-), with assim. to AVAIL. So prevalent † having great power XVI; † predominant; in most extended use XVII. — L. prævalns, -ent-, prp. of prævalre.

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prevaricate

† swerve from the right course XVI; act or speak evasively XVII. f. pp. stem of L. prævricr go crookedly, deviate from the right path, (of an advocate) practise collusion, (Vulg.) transgress, f. præ- PRE- + vricre spread the legs apart, straddle, f. vrus knock-kneed; see -ATE3. So prevarication † deviation from rectitude XIV; † corrupt action XVI; evasive dealing XVII. — L.

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prevenient

preceding, spec. theol. of grace. XVII. — L. prævenins, -ent-, prp. of prævenre; see next and -ENT.

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prevent

† act in anticipation of XV; anticipate with guidance; forestall by previous measures, hinder XVI. f. prævent-, pp. stem of L. prævenre precede, anticipate, hinder, f. præ- PRE- + venre COME. So prevention XVI. — (O)F. or late L. Hence preventive † anticipatory; acting as an obstacle XVII; also preventative XVII.

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previous

coming or going before XVII; coming too soon (orig. U.S.) XIX. f. L. prævius, f. præ- PRE- + via way.

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prey

that which is taken by violence; animal hunted or killed XIII; fig. victim XIV. ME. praie, preie — OF. preie (mod. proie):— L. præda booty, prob.:- praiheda, f. prai, præ PRE- + hed-, base of præhendere seize. So prey vb. XIII. — OF. pre(i)er :- late L. prædre, for earlier prædri.

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priapism

persistent erection of the penis XVII; licentiousness XVIII. — F. priapisme — late L. pripismus — Gr. pripismós, f. pripízein act Priapus, be lewd, f. Prípos (Priapus) Greek and Roman god of procreation.

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price

money, etc. paid for something; † value, worth; † honour, praise; † pre-eminence, superiority; † reward, prize. XIII. ME. pris — OF. pris (mod. prix):— L. pretium price, value, wages, reward. See PRAISE, PRIZE3, which superseded this word in some of its meanings; but prize vb. ‘assign a price to’ was repl. by price XV.

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prick

puncture, point, dot OE.; pointed object XIII; act of pricking XIV. OE. prica, also pricca, price = MLG. pricke (LG., Du. prik). of unkn. orig. So prick vb. pierce OE.; urge on XIII; mark with dots XIV; raise, erect XVI. OE. prician = M(LG)., (M)Du. prikken.

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pricket

A
spike on which to stick a candle, candle itself XIV;

B
buck in its second year, having straight unbranched horns XV. — AL. prikettus, -um, dim. f. PRICK; see -ET.
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prickle

† goad OE.; sharp pointed excrescence of the epidermis of a plant. XV. OE. pricel, later form of pricels, f. base of PRICK (see -LE1); corr. to MLG., MDu. prickel, prkel (Du. prikkel). Hence prickly XVI.

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pride

high opinion of oneself OE.; consciousness of what is fitting to oneself; (arch.) magnificence, pomp XIII; the prime or flower XV. Late OE. prde, secondary form (prob. after prd PROUD or ON. prýði) of prte, prtu, abstr. sb. f. prd. Hence pride vb. † be proud; show oneself proud. XIII.

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priedieu

prayer-desk. XVIII. — F., f. prier PRAY + Dieu God.

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priest

clergyman in the second of the holy orders; (sacrificing) minister of religion. OE. prost (with unexpl. o), corr. to OHG. priast, prst; shortening of the form repr. by OFris. prstere, OS., OHG. prster (MDu., Du., MHG., G. priester) — ecclL. presbyter PRESBYTER, through pop. prster. Hence priestess XVII. — (O)F. priesthood OE.

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prig

† tinker XVI; (sl.) thief; † dandy, coxcomb; † as vague pejorative; † precisian, puritan, non-conformist minister XVII; one who affects an offensive propriety XVIII. rel. to prig vb. steal, haggle XVI; (Sc.) beg XVIII; of unkn. orig.

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prim

affectedly precise or formal. XVIII. rel. to prim sb. and vb., of similar meaning (XVII) and prob. to † prim sb. pretty young woman (XVI); perh. ult. — OF. prin, fem. prime excellent, fine, delicate:— L. prmus PRIME2.

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prima donna

XVIII. — It., ‘first lady’.

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prima facie

XV. — L. prm faci, i.e. abl. of fem. of prmus first, PRIME2, and of facis FACE.

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primal

primitive XVII; principal XIX. — medL. prmlis, f. prmus PRIME2; see -AL1.

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primary

earliest, original XV; of the first rank XVI; of the first order or stage XVII. — L. prmrius chief, principal, f. prmus PRIME2; see -ARY.

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primate1

chief bishop of a province. XIII. ME. primat — (O)F. — late L. prms, -at-, sb. use of L. prms of the first rank, chief, f. prmus first, PRIME2. So primatial XVII. — F., f. medL. prmtia (for earlier prmtus), whence, partly through (O)F. primatie, primacy XIV.

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primates

(zool.) highest order of mammalia. XVIII. — modL. use of pl. of prms; see prec. Hence primate^2 member of this order. XIX.

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prime1

earliest of the day hours of the Western Church OE.; (arch.) first hour of the day XIII; golden number XIV; beginning, earliest time XIV; choicest or finest part, time, etc. XVI. OE. prm — L. prma (fem.; see next), reinforced from (O)F. prime, from which or independently from L. the non-eccl. senses were derived.

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prime2

† first in order of time XIV; (arith.) having no integral factors but itself and one XVI; of first rank, importance, or quality XVII; p. minister PREMIER XVII. (O)F. — L. prmus first, f. pr-, rel. to præ PRE-, pr PRO-1, PRO-2. Hence prime sb. prime number XVI.

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prime3

fill, charge, load. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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prime4

cover with a first coat of paint. XVII. of unkn. orig. (perh. identical with prec.).

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primer

prayer-book for the laity XIV; first reading-book, orig. containing elements of religious instruction; size of type XVI; elementary text-book XIX. — AN. primer — medL. primrius, -um, sb. uses of m. and n. of L. prmrius PRIMARY.

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primeval, primaeval

XVII. f. L. prmævus, f. prmus first, PRIME2 + ævum age; see -AL1.

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primitive

XIV. — (O)F. primitif, -ive, or L. prmitvus first or earliest of its kind, f. prmitus in the first place, f. prmus first, PRIME2; see -IVE.

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primogeniture

XVII. — medL. prmgenitra, f. L. prm adv. of prmus first + genitra birth; see PRIME2, GENITIVE.

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primordial

XIV. — late L. prmrdilis, f. prmrdium, sb. use of n. of prmrdius original, f. prmus first, PRIME2 + base of rdr begin; see -IAL.

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primrose

XV. ME. primerose, corr. to OF. primerose (now, hollyhock), medL. prima rosa ‘first’ or ‘earliest rose’; the reason for the name is unkn.

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primula

XVIII. — medL. prmula, fem. of dim. (see -ULE) of prmus first, PRIME2; orig. in prmula vris ‘little firstling of spring’, applied to the cowslip and the field daisy.

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primum mobile

supposed outermost sphere added to the Ptolemaic system, carrying with it other spheres in its revolution. XV. — medL., ‘first moving thing’, n. of L. prmus first, PRIME2 and mbilis MOBILE.

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primus

presiding bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church. XIX. — L. prmus first, PRIME2.

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prince

sovereign ruler; chief; ruler of a small state XIII; male member of a royal family XIV. — (O)F. — L. princeps, princip- chief, leader, sovereign, f. prmus first, PRIME2 + -cip-, comb. form of stem of capere take.

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principal

chief XIII; constituting the primary or original sum XIV; (gram.) XVI; sb. chief, head, superior; original sum XIV; chief actor XVI. — (O)F. — L. principlis first, chief, original, f. princeps, princip- first; see PRINCE, -AL1. So principality principalship; territory of a prince. XIV. — OF. principalite; varying in ME. with principalte — OF. principalte (mod. principauté) — late L. principlits. principate (-ATE1) XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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principle

† origin, source; fundamental source, quality, truth, etc. XIV; general law or rule XVI (of nature XIX); (elementary) constituent XVII. — AN. principle, var. of (O)F. principe — L. principium beginning, source, (pl.) foundations, elements, f. princeps, princip-, first; see PRINCE.

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print

impression, impress XIII; (typographical uses) XV. ME. priente(e), preint(e), pre(e)nt(e), later print(e) — OF. priente, preinte, sb. use of fem. pp. of preindre :— L. premere PRESS1. Hence print vb. impress, stamp XIV; (in typographical uses) XVI. printer XVI.

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prior1

officer of an abbey next below the abbot; head of offshoot of an abbey. XI. Late OE. prior, reinforced in ME. by OF. pri(o)ur (mod. prieur) — L. prior (-r-), sb. use of prior former, elder, superior, compar. f. OL. pri (præ PRE-) before. So prioress (-ESS1) XXIII. — OF. prioresse. priory (-Y3) XIII. — AN. priorie, medL. priria.

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prior2

earlier, anterior; also adv. XVIII. — L.; see prec. So priority XIV. — (O)F. — medL.

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prism

(geom.) solid figure of which the two ends are similar, equal, and parallel rectilinear figures and the sides parallelograms XVI; (optics) transparent body of this form XVII. — medL. prisma — Gr. prîsma, -mat- lit. thing sawn, f. przein (vb.) saw. So prismatic XVIII. — F.

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prison

XII. — OF. prisun, (mod.) prison :— L. prnsi, -n-, for præhensi, -n-, n. of action f. præhendere seize. So prisoner (-ER2) XIII.

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pristine

pert. to the earliest period. XV. — L. pristinus, f. base of priscus early, prmus first, PRIME2; see -INE1.

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prithee

XVI. Earlier pray the, preythe, clipped form of I pray thee.

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private

† applied by Wyclif to the friars XIV; not open to the public; not holding a public position XV. — L. prvtus withdrawn from public life, peculiar to oneself, sb. man in private life, prop. pp. of prvre bereave, deprive, f. prvus single, individual, private; see -ATE2. So privation depriving, being deprived XIV. — L. privative XVI. — F. or L. Hence privacy XV (rare before XVI). privateer vessel owned and officered by private persons holding letters of marque, commander of this. XVII.

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privet

evergreen shrub Ligustrum vulgare. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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privilege

XII. ME. privileg(i)e — AN. privilegie (O)F. privilège — L. prvilgium legal provision affecting an individual, prerogative, f. prvus PRIVATE + lx, lg- law. So vb. XIV. — (O)F. privilégier — medL. prvilgire. So privy † private; hidden, secret XIII; participating in knowledge (of) XIV; sb. † intimate XIII; lavatory XIV; (leg.) partaker XV. ME. prive, priv(e)y — (O)F. privé (as sb. in OF. familiar friend, private place):— L. prvtus PRIVATE. See -Y5. privity † secret thing; † privacy XIII; (chiefly pl.) private parts XIV; private knowledge XVI. — OF. priveté, -ité.

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prize1

† booty XIV; ship, etc. captured at sea XVI. — (O)F. prise capture (of a ship), booty, captured vessel or cargo:- Rom. pr(n)sa, sb. use of fem. pp. of prndere :— L. præhendere seize; became identified finally with PRIZE3.

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prize2

† estimate the value of; esteem highly. XIV. — OF. pris-, tonic stem of preisier PRAISE.

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prize3

reward for superiority in a contest. XVI. Differentiated sp. of pris(e), PRICE.

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prize4

lever up. XVII. f. (dial.) prize (XIV) levering instrument — OF. prise grasp, seizure, PRIZE1.

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pro1

argument or person in favour of a proposal XIV; now only in pro and con (reasons) for and against XVI. — L. pr for, on behalf of, to be grouped with PER, præ PRE-, pr- as in prior, prmus PRIME2; see PRO-1, PRO-2.

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pro2

short for PROFESSIONAL. XIX.

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pro-1

repr. comb. form of L. adv.-prep. pr (see PRO1) having a var. prd- as in prodigal; as a living prefix chiefly in the senses (1) ‘for’, ‘instead of’, ‘in place of’, as pro-cathedral; ‘acting as a deputy’, in imitation of, as proconsul; (2) ‘on the side of’, ‘favouring’, as in pro-German, pro-war.

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pro-2

repr. comb. form of Gr. pró before (of time, position, priority), as in problem, programme, prologue, prophet, prostate; in recent scientific terms denoting (1) ‘earlier’, ‘primitive’; prochronism , referring something to a too early date XVII; propaedeutic pert. to preliminary instruction (Gr. propaideúein teach beforehand) XIX; (2) ‘anterior’ (of position), ‘front’, as procephalic pert. to the fore-part of the head, prognathous having projecting jaws (Gr. gnáthos jaw) XIX.

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probable

† such as to commend itself XIV; † demonstrable XV; having an appearance of truth XVII. — (O)F. — L. probbilis provable, credible, f. probre approve, test, PROVE; see -ABLE. So probabiliorism, probabiliorist XVIII; probabilism, probabilist XVII; designating tenets based on a greater or less degree of probability.

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probang

(surg.) strip of whalebone with sponge, button, etc. for introducing into the throat. XVII. orig. provang, so named by the inventor, W. Rumsey ; of unkn. orig., alt. prob. after PROBE.

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probate

official proving of a will. XV. — L. probtum thing proved, sb. use of n. pp. of probre PROVE; see -ATE1. So probation testing; proving. XV. — L.; hence probationer (-ER2) XVII.

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probe

blunt instrument for exploring wounds, etc. XVI. — late L. proba proof, medL. examination, f. probre test, PROVE; hence probe vb. XVII.

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probity

XVI. — F. probité or L. probits, f. probus good, honest; see -ITY.

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problem

† difficult question, enigma XIV; question proposed for discussion; matter of inquiry; (geom.) proposition in which something is required to be done XVI. — (O)F. problème or L. problma — Gr. próblma, f. probállein put forth, f. PRO-2 + bállein throw. So problematic XVII, problematical XVI. — F. or late L. — Gr.

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proboscis

elephant's trunk; elongated (tubular) part of insect's mouth. XVII. — L. — Gr. proboskís lit. ‘means of providing food’, f. PRO-2 + bóskein cause to feed.

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proceed

XIV. — (O)F. procéder — L. prcdere, f. PRO-1 + cdere go. So procedure XVII. — (O)F.

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process

fact of going on or being carried on XIV; proceedings at law; outgrowth XVI; continuous operation XVII. — (O)F. procès — L. prcessus, f. pp. stem of prcdere PROCEED. Hence process vb.1 A. (orig. Sc.) institute a process against XVI; B. treat by a special process XIX. In A — OF. processer; in B f. the sb. So procession formal or ceremonial act of going in orderly succession XII; emanation (chiefly theol.) XIV. — (O)F. — L. prcessi, -n- advance, (later) religious procession; hence process vb.2 go in procession XIX.

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proclaim

XIV. ME. proclame — L. prclmre cry out, f. PRO-1 + clmre shout; see CLAIM, to the sp. of which this word was assim. So proclamation XV. — (O)F. — L.

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proclitic

(gram.) of a monosyllable closely linked with the following word and having no accent of its own. XIX. — modL. procliticus, f. Gr. proklnein lean forward, after late L. encliticus ENCLITIC.

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proclivity

XVI. — L. prclvits, f. prclvis inclined, f. PRO-1 + clvus slope; see -ITY.

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proconsul

governor of an ancient Roman province XIV; governor of a modern colony, etc. XIX. — L. prconsul, for pr consule (one acting) for the consul; see PRO-1, CONSUL. So proconsular XVII. — L. prconsulris. Similarly propraetor XVI. — L., for pr prætre.

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procrastinate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. prcrstinre, f. PRO-1 + crstinus belonging to tomorrow, f. crs tomorrow; see -ATE2.

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procreate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. prcrere, f. PRO-1 + crere CREATE; see -ATE3. So procreation XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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Procrustean

XIX. f. Gr. Prokroústs name of a fabulous robber of Attica who stretched or amputated his victims to conform them to the length of his bed, f. prokroúein beat or hammer out, stretch out, f. PRO-2 + kroúein knock; see -EAN.

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procto-

comb. form of Gr. prktós anus, in (mainly) anat. and surg. terms. XIX.

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proctor

† agent, deputy, proxy XIV; advocate, attorney XV; university officer representative of the Masters of Arts; representative of clergy in Convocation XVI. ME. proctour, syncopated form of procketour, procutour, reduction of procuratour PROCURATOR.

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procurator

orig. form of PROCTOR, surviving in Sc. p. fiscal, public prosecutor of a district. XIII. — OF. procurateur or L. prcrtor manager, agent, deputy, collector in a province, f. prcrre PROCURE; see -ATOR

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procure

† contrive; bring about by effort; obtain, win. XIII. — (O)F. procurer — L. prcrre take care of, attend to, manage, f. PRO-1 + crre look after. So procurer XIV (in earliest use, advocate, defender, manager). — AN. procurour, OF. procureur — L. prcrtor, -r- PROCURATOR.

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prod

stab or poke with a pointed instrument, etc. XVI. perh. of purely symbolic orig.

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prodigal

XVI. — medL. prdiglis, f. prdigus lavish, rel. to prdigere drive forward, cast before one, squander, f. prd-, var. of PRO-1 + agere drive; see -AL1. So prodigality XIV. — (O)F. — late L.

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prodigy

† omen, portent XVI; marvel; one of precocious genius XVII. — L. prdigium, f. prd-, var. of PRO-1 + an el. of uncert. orig.; see -Y4. So prodigious † ominous, portentous; of the nature of a prodigy. XVI. — L. prdigisus.

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produce

bring forward XV; bring into existence; extend in length XVI. — L. prdcere, f. PRO-1 + dcere lead. Hence sb. XVII. So product quantity produced by multiplying XV; thing produced by an operation XVII. — L. prductum (math.), sb. use of n. pp. of prdcere. production XV. — (O)F. — L. productive XVII. — F. or late L.

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proem

XIV. ME. proheme (also prohemie) — OF. pro(h)eme (mod. proème) or L. proœmium (medL. prohmium) — Gr. prooímion prelude, f. PRO-2 + oím song, lay.

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profane

secular XV; ritually impure; characterized by disregard of sacred things XVI. — OF. prophane (mod. profane) or L. profnus not sacred, uninitiated, impious, lit. ‘before, i.e. outside, the temple’, f. PRO-1 + fnum temple, FANE. So profane vb. desecrate, violate. XIV — L. profnre. profanation XVI. — F. or late L. profanity XVII. — Late L.

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profess

be professed have taken solemn religious vows XIV; trans. declare openly, affirm allegiance to, lay claim to knowledge of, teach as a professor XVI. In earliest use in pp. repl. † profess (— (O)F. profès — L. prfessus); later f. prfess-, pp. stem of L. prfitr declare aloud or publicly, f. PRO-1 + fatr declare, CONFESS, rel. to fbula FABLE. So profession taking of vows in a religious order XIII; avowal of belief in or obedience to religion; occupation professed XVI. — (O)F. — L.; hence professional (-AL1) XVIII. professor (-OR1) public teacher of the highest rank in a faculty of learning XIV; one who makes a profession (gen.) XV. — (O)F. professeur or L. professor. Hence professorate XIX. So professorial XVIII. f. L. prfessrius. professoriate XIX.

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proffer

XIII. — AN., OF. proffrir, earlier poroffrir, puroffrir, f. por (:— L. PRO-1) + offrir OFFER. So sb. XIV. — AN. profre.

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proficient

† making progress; that has made progress in learning. XVI. — L. prficins, -ent-, prp. of prficere advance, f. PRO-1 + facere DO1, make; see -ENT. Hence proficiency XVI.

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profile

XVII. — It. † profilo, now proffilo, f. † profilare draw in outline.

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profit

advantage, benefit; revenue, proceeds XIV; gain in a transaction XVII. — (O)F.:— L. prfectus progress, profit, f. pp. stem of prficere advance (see PROFICIENT). So profit vb. XIV. — (O)F. profiter; hence profiteer (-EER) XX.

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profligate

†overthrown XVI; abandoned to vice XVI (sb. XVIII). — L. prflgtus ruined, dissolute, pp. of prflgre cast down, ruin, f. PRO-1 + base flg- beat; see -ATE2. Hence profligacy XVIII.

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profound

showing depth of thought or knowledge XIV; abstruse, recondite; physically deep XV. — AN., OF. profund, (also mod.) profond :— L. profundus, f. PRO-1 + fundus bottom. So profundity XV. — OF. or late L.

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profuse

liberal to excess XV; very abundant XVII. — L. prfsus, adj. use of pp. of prfundere pour forth, f. PRO-1 + fundere pour. So profusion XVI. — F. or L.

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progeny

XIII. — OF. progenie — L. prgenis descent, family, f. PRO-1 + gen- (see KIN).

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prognosis

forecast of the course of a case of disease. XVII. — Late L. prognsis — Gr. prógnsis, f. progignskein know beforehand; see PRO-2. So prognostic previous indication or token XV; symptom XVI. Earlier form pron- — OF. pronostique (mod. -ic) — L. prognsticum, -con — Gr. prognstikón, sb. use of n. of adj. f. progignskein; see -IC. prognosticate (-ATE3) XVI. f. pp. stem of medL. pro(g)nsticre.

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programme, U.S. program

A
† Sc. public notice XVII;

B
descriptive notice or plan of intended proceedings XIX. In sense A — Late L. programma — Gr. prógramma public written notice, f. prográphein write publicly, f. PRO-2 + gráphein write; in sense B — F. programme.
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progress

onward march; visit of state XV; forward movement XVI. — L. prgressus, f. pp. stem of prgred go forward, f. PRO-1 + grad step, walk, go, f. gradus step. Hence progress vb. XVI; became obs. in England in XVII, but retained or formed afresh in America, whence it was readopted in England c.1800. So progression XIV. — F. or L. progressive XVII. — F.

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prohibit

XV. f. prohibit-, pp. stem of L. prhibre hold back, prevent, forbid, f. pr in front, PRO-1 + habre hold. So prohibition XIV. — (O)F. or L. prohibitive XVII. — F.

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project

† design, scheme XIV; † conception, notion XVI; proposal for execution XVII. — L. prjectum, n. of pp. of pricere throw forth, expel. f. PRO-1 + jacere throw. So project vb. plan XV; throw forward XVI. f. prject-, pp. stem of L. pricere, projectile XVII. — modL. projectilis. projection action of projecting; earliest in techn. sense of representation of a spherical surface on the flat. XVI. — L.

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prolate

(geom.) lengthened in the direction of the polar axis XVII. — L. prltus, used as pp. of prferre bring forward, produce.

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prolegomena

XVII. pl. of L. prolegomenon — Gr. prolegómenon, n. of prp. pass. of prolégein say beforehand, f. PRO-2 + légein say.

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prolepsis

anticipation, esp. as techn. device in rhet. and gram. XVI. — late L. prolpsis — Gr. prólpsis, f. prolambánein anticipate, f. PRO-2 + lambánein take. So proleptic XVII. — Gr.

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proletarian

pert. to the lowest class of the people XVII; wage-earning XIX. f. L. prltrius Roman citizen of the lowest class under the constitution of Servius Tullius , one who served the state not with his property but only with his offspring, (hence) common, low, f. prltus provided with offspring, f. prls offspring; see -ARIAN. So proletariat(e) XIX. — F. prolétariat.

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prolific

producing (much) offspring. XVII. — medL. prlificus, f. L. prls offspring; see prec. and -FIC.

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prolix

lengthy XV; lengthy in discourse XVI. — (O)F. prolixe or L. prlixus spreading abroad, extended, lit. ‘poured forth’, f. PRO-1 + pp. formation on base of liqure be LIQUID. So prolixity XIV. — (O)F. — Late L.

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prolocutor

spokesman of an assembly. XV. — L. prloctor pleader, advocate, agent-noun of prloqi speak out; see PRO-1, LOCUTION.

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prologue

preface to a discourse or drama XIII; speaker of this XVI. — (O)F. — L. prologus — Gr. prólogos, f. PRO-2 + lógos speech.

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prolong

extend in duration XV; lengthen in space XVI. — Late L. prlongre, f. PRO-1 + longus LONG1. So prolongation XV. — (O)F. or late L.

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prolusion

preliminary attempt, essay, or dissertation. XVII. — L. prlsi, -n-, f. pp. stem of prldere carry out preliminary exercises, f. PRO-1 + ldere play; see -SION.

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promenade

walk taken for exercise or amusement XVI (purmenade, -ado); place for this XVII. — F. promenade, f. se promener walk, refl. of promener cause to walk, alt. of pourmener, f. pour (:— L. pr PRO-1) + mener lead; see -ADE. Hence vb. XVI.

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prominent

projecting XVI; conspicuous XVIII. — L. prminns, -ent-, prp. of prminre jut out, f. PRO-1 + base repr. also by mns MOUNT1; see -ENT. So prominence XVI.

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promiscuous

of mixed or disorderly character. XVII. f. L. prmiscuus, f. PRO-1 + miscre MIX; see -UOUS. Hence promiscuity XIX.

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promise

sb. XIV. — L. prmissum, sb. use of n. pp. of prmittere send or put forth, promise, f. PRO-1 + mittere send. Hence vb. XV. So promissory XVII. — medL. prmissrius.

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promontory

XVI. — medL. prmontrium, alt. (after mns, mont- MOUNT1) of L. prmunturium, gen. considered to be f. pr PRO-1 and a deriv. of mns; cf. -ORY1.

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promote

advance in position XIV; further in growth XVI. f. prmt-, pp. stem of L. prmovre move forward; see PRO1-, MOVE. So promotion XV. — (O)F. — L.

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prompt

ready or quick to act. XV. — (O)F. prompt or L. promptus brought forth, manifest, ready, disposed, pp. of prmere bring forth, f. PRO-1 + emere take. So prompt vb. incite to action XIV; assist (a speaker) by suggesting what is to be said XV; suggest, inspire XVII. perh. — medL. promptre. Hence prompter XV (theatr. XVII).

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promulgate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. prmulgre expose to public view, f. PRO-1 + base of mulgre (vb.) milk, (hence) cause to issue forth, bring to light; see -ATE2.

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prone

naturally inclined, disposed XIV; bending forward and downward XVI; lying flat XVII. — L. prnus, f. pr forward (see PRO-1). So pronation (physiol.) putting a fore limb into a prone position. XVII. — F. or medL. (f. late L. prnre). pronator muscle effecting this. XVIII.

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prong

forked instrument XV; tine of a fork XVII. In early use also prang and varying with (dial.) sprong (XV); the form suggests connexion with MLG. prange pinching, pinching instrument, etc. (see PANG).

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pronoun

(gram.). XVI. f. PRO-1 instead of + NOUN, after F. pronom, L. prnmen, tr. Gr. antnumí f. ANTI- + ónuma, ónoma NAME. So pronominal XVII. — Late L. prnminlis.

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pronounce

utter formally; speak in a set way. XIV. — OF. pronuncier (mod. prononcer), for earlier purnuncier — L. prnuntire proclaim, narrate, f. PRO-1 + nuntire ANNOUNCE. So pronunciation XV. — (O)F. or L.

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proof

that which makes good a statement XIII; action of proving or testing XIV; something produced as a test XVI. Later ME. prf (pl. prves), superseding earlier prf, prve — OF. pr(o)eve, prueve (mod. preuve):- Late L. proba, f. probre test, PROVE. The substitution of prf for prf was due to assim. to the vb. Hence proof adj. of tested strength XVI; prob. from ellipsis of of in † armour of proof.

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prop

rod, stake, or beam to support a weight. XV. perh. — MDu. proppe vine-prop, support, corr. in form to MLG. proppe plug, stopper, bung, OHG. pfropfo sucker, shoot, graft, but the diversity of sense makes difficulties. Hence, or — (M)LG., (M)Du. proppen, prop vb. XV.

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propaganda

committee of cardinals charged with the foreign missions of the Church XVIII; systematic scheme for the dissemination of a doctrine or practice XIX. — It. (Sp., Pg.) propaganda, extracted from the modL. title congregatio de propaganda fide congregation for propagating the faith; fem. gerundive of L. prpgre PROPAGATE.

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propagate

multiply specimens of (a plant, etc.); cause to increase or spread. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. prpgre (prop.) multiply by means of layers or slips, rel. to prpg, prpgs set, layer, offspring, f. PRO-1 + pg — Fix (cf. PAGE2); see -ATE2. So propagation XV. — (O)F. or L.

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propel

† expel XV; drive forward XVII. — L. prpellere, f. PRO-1 + pellere drive. So propulsion XVII. — medL. prpulsi, -n-.

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propensity

XVI. f. propense disposed (XVI) — L. prpensus inclining, inclined, pp. of prpendre, f. PRO-1 + pendre hang; see -ITY.

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proper

pert. to oneself or itself or to a person or thing particularly XIII; strictly pertaining; thorough, complete; excellent, fine XIV; specially adapted XV (cf. the adv.). ME. propre — (O)F. — L. prprius one's own, special, peculiar, prob. f. pr pru as a PRIVATE or peculiar thing. Hence properly XIII (appropriately, fittingly). So property ownership (esp. private) XIII; thing or things owned XIV; attribute, quality; † propriety portable article for a dramatic performance XV. ME. proprete — AN. proprete, (O)F. propriété — L. prpriets PROPRIETY.

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prophecy

action or function of a prophet, utterance of a prophet, prediction of events. XIII. — OF. profecie (mod. prophétie) — Late L. prophta — Gr. prophtí, f. prophts prophet; see -CY. So prophesy speak as a prophet. XIV. — OF. prophecier, f. prophecie. prophet inspired revealer of God's will XII; one who predicts XIII. — (O)F. prophète — L. prophta, -ts — Gr. prphts interpreter, spokesman, esp. of the will of a deity, as in LXX and N.T., f. PRO-2 + -phts speaker, f. phé-, phánai speak. prophetess (-ESS1) XIII. — OF. prophetesse — late L. prophtissa. prophetic XVI, prophetical XV. — F. or late L.

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prophylactic

preventive of disease. XVI. — F. prophylactique — Gr. prophulaktikós, f. prophulássein keep guard before; see PRO-2, PHYLACTERY, -IC.

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propinquity

nearness, proximity. XIV. — OF. propinquité or L. propinquits, f. propinquus neighbouring, f. prope near; see -ITY.

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propitiate

render propitious. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. propitire, f. propitius favourable, gracious; see -ATE3. So propitiation XIV. propitiatory (-ORY2) XIII. — ecclL. propitious XV. — OF. propicieus or f. L. propitius.

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propolis

bee-glue, resinous substance with which bees line their hives. XVII. — L. — Gr. própolis (i) suburb, (ii) bee-glue, f. PRO-2 + pólis city.

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proportion

comparative part, share; comparative relation, relative size. XIV (not fully current before XVI). — (O)F. proportion or L. prporti, -n-, derived from phr. pr portine proportionally, i.e. pr PRO-1 + abl. of porti PORTION. So vb. make proportionate. XIV. — (O)F. or medL. prportinre. proportionable XIV. — Late L. proportional XIV (sb.). — L. proportionate XIV. — Late L.

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propose

XIV. — (O)F. proposer, repr. L. prpnere (see PRO-1, POSE). Hence proposal (-AL2) XVII. So proposition act of propounding or plan propounded XIV; (math.) XVI. — (O)F. or L., f. pp. stem of prpnere, whence propound XVI. alt. of † propoune (for earlier propone XIV).

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propraetor

see PROCONSUL.

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proprietary

grantee of one of certain Amer. colonies; proprietorship XVII; adj. XV. — Late L. proprietrius (in medL. as sb. holder of property), f. propriets PROPERTY; see -ARY. So proprietor XVII. alt. of prec. by irreg. substitution of suffix -TOR.

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propriety

† property XV; fitness, appropriateness XVII; conformity with good usage XVIII. — (O)F. propriété — L. prpriets peculiarity, ownership, f. prprius PROPER; see -ITY.

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propulsion

see PROPEL.

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propylaeum

entrance to a temple, etc.; introduction. XVIII. — L. — Gr. propúlaion, sb. use of n. adj. ‘before the gate’, f. PRO-2 + púl gate.

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prorogue

† extend in time; discontinue the meeting of (a legislative body, etc.). XV. — (O)F. proroger, † -guer — L. prrogre, f. PRO-1 + rogre ask. So prorogation XV. — (O)F. or L.

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proscenium

in the ancient theatre, space between background and orchestra XVII; in the mod. theatre, space between curtain and orchestra XIX. — L. proscnium — Gr. prosknion, f. PRO-2 + skn SCENE.

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proscribe

post up the name of (a person) as condemned XVI; denounce, interdict XVII. — L. prscrbere publish in writing, f. PRO-1 + scrbere write. So proscription XIV.

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prose

form of language not restricted in measure or rhythm XIV; (eccl.) sequence XV; matter-of-fact expression XVI; prosy discourse XVII. — (O)F. — L. prsa, sb. use of fem. of prsus, for earlier prorsus straightforward, direct, contr. of prversus, pp. of prvertere turn forwards, f. PRO-1 + vertere turn. So prosaic XVI. — F. or late L. prsaicus. Hence prosy XIX.

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prosecute

follow up, go on with XV; carry on; institute legal proceedings against XVI. f. prsect-, pp. stem of L. prsequ pursue, accompany, f. PRO-1 + seq follow. So prosecution XVI. — OF. or late L.

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proselyte

XIV. — ChrL. proslytus — Gr. prosluthos stranger, sojourner (LXX), convert to Judaism (N.T.), f. 2nd aorist stem (prosluth-) of prosérkhesthai come to, approach. Hence proselytize XVII.

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prosody

XV. — L. prosdia accent of a syllable — Gr. prosidí song sung to music, tone of a syllable, f. prós to + id song, ODE; see -Y3.

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prosopopoeia

(rhet.) figure by which an imaginary or absent person is represented as acting, (hence) personification. XVI. — L. — Gr. prospopoií representation in human form, f. próspon face, person (f. pròs to + ps face) + poieîn make.

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prospect

view afforded by a position XV; spectacle, scene; mental vista XVII. — L. prspectus look-out, view, f. prspicere, f. PRO-1 + specere look. So or hence prospect vb. † look forward XVI; explore a region for mineral XIX (from the use of the sb. for ‘spot giving promise of mineral deposit’). prospective XVI. — obs. F. or late L. prospectus XVIII. — L.

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prosper

be fortunate or successful XV; trans. XVI. — (O)F. prospérer or L. prosperre, f. prosper, prosperus doing well or successfully. So prosperity XIII. — (O)F. — L. prosperous XV. — F. † prospereus.

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prostate

(anat.) gland at junction of neck of the bladder and the urethra. XVII. — F. — Gr. prostáts one that stands before, guardian, f. PRO-2 + statós placed, standing.

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prosthesis

(philol.) addition of a letter or syllable at the beginning of a word. XVI. — Late L. — Gr. prósthesis, f. prostithénai add, f. prós to; see THESIS.

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prostitute

† adj. offered or exposed to lust XVI; sb. XVII. — L. prstittus (fem. prstitta as sb.), pp. of prstituere expose publicly, offer for sale, prostitute, f. PRO-1 + statuere set up, place. So prostitute vb. XVI. f. pp. stem of the L. vb. prostitution XVI. — (O)F. or late L.

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prostrate

XIV. — L. prstrtus, pp. of prsternere throw in front, cast down, f. PRO-1 + sternere lay low; see -ATE2. So vb. XV. f. the pp. stem. prostration XVI. — (O)F. or late L.

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protagonist

chief personage in a drama XVII; leading person in a contest or cause XIX. — Gr. prtagnists, f. prôtos first + agnists combatant, actor, f. agnízesthai contest; see -IST.

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protasis

† first part of a play; (gram.) introductory clause of a sentence. XVII. — L. — Gr. prtasis proposition, problem, etc., f. proteínein put forward, tender, f. PRO-2 + teinein stretch.

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protect

XVI. f. prtect-, pp. stem of L. prtegere cover in front, f. PRO-1 + tegere cover. So protection XIV. — (O)F. or late L. protector XIV. — (O)F. — late L.; hence protectorate (-ATE1) XVII.

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protégé, fem. protégée

XVIII. — F., pp. of protéger — L. prtegere PROTECT.

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protein

(chem.) one of a class of organic compounds forming essential constituents of living organisms. XIX. — F. protéine, G. proteïn, f. Gr. prteîos primary, f. prôtos first; see -IN.

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protest

protestation XIV; formal written declaration XVII; declaration of dissent XVIII. — F. † protest (mod. protêt), f. protester (whence protest vb. XV). — L. prtestr declare formally, f. PRO-1 + testr be a witness, assert. So Protestant applied to those who joined in the protest at the Diet of Spires in 1529; (hence) non-Roman-Catholic XVI; (p-) one who protests (gen.) XVII. — L. prtestns, prp. of prtestr. protestation XIV. — (O)F. — Late L.

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proteus

(Gr. and Rom. myth.) sea-god fabled to change his shape, transf. and fig. XVI; amoeba; genus of bacteria; genus of amphibians XIX. — L. — Gr. Proteús. Hence protean changing, varying. XVI.

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proto-

comb. form of Gr. prôtos first, obscurely rel. to pró PRO-2; in many techn. terms. protomartyr first martyr, e.g. St. Stephen. XV. — medL. protonotary principal notary, chief clerk. XV. — medL. protoplasm substance constituting the physical basis of life. XIX. — G. protoplasma (see PLASMA). prototype XVII. — F. or late L. protozoa (zool.) division of animals of the most primitive type. XIX. — modL., f. Gr. zôia animals; see ZOOLOGY.

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protocol

original note or minute of a transaction XVI; original draft or record of a diplomatic document XVII; etiquette of precedence, etc. XIX. orig. prothocoll (in earliest use Sc.) — OF. prothocole (mod. protocole) — medL. prtocollum — Gr. prtókollon first leaf of a volume, fly-leaf glued to the case and containing an account of the contents, f. PROTO- + kólla glue.

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proton

(phys.) unit of matter associated with a charge of positive electricity. XX. — n. sg. of Gr. prôtos first.

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protract

A
lengthen out;

B
draw to scale. XVI. f. prtract-, pp. stem of L. prtrahere prolong, defer, in medL. also in sense B, f. PRO-1 + trahere draw.
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So protraction XVI. — F. or late L. Hence protractor (-OR1) one who prolongs time, etc.; instrument used in setting off and measuring angles. XVII.

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protrude

XVII. — L. prtrdere, f. PRO-1 + trdere press, thrust. So protrusion XVII. — F.

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protuberant

XVII. — prp. of late L. prtberre, f. PRO-1 + tber bump, swelling; see -ANT. Hence protuberance XVII.

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proud

having a high opinion of oneself OE.; feeling honoured; stately, grand XIII; † valiant XIV; overgrown, tumid XVI. Late OE. prd (also prt) — OF. prud, prod, nom. pruz, pro(u)z (mod. preux) valiant, gallant — Rom. prdis, f. L. prdesse be of value, be good, f. prd, var. of pr PRO-1 + esse be.

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prove

try, test XII; make good, establish XIII. OE. prfian, succeeded by — OF. prover (mod. prouver):— L. probre test, approve, demonstrate, f. probus good.

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provenance

XIX. — F., f. prp. of provenir come forth — L. prvenre, f. PRO-1 + venire COME. So provenience XIX. derived immed. from the prp. of the L. vb. See -ANCE, -ENCE.

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Provençal

pert. to Provence, former province in south-east France XVI; the Romance language spoken there XVII. — F. — L. prvincilis PROVINCIAL; the southern part of ancient Gaul, under Roman rule long before the rest, was familiarly styled (nostra) provincia the or our province.

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provender

† prebend; food, provisions. XIV. — OF. provendre, var. of provende :- Rom. prbenda, alt. of L. præbenda PREBEND.

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proverb

XIV. — (O)F. proverbe or L. prverbium, f. PRO-1 + verbum WORD, as if ‘a set of words put forth’. So proverbial XV. — L.

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provide

† (intr.) exercise foresight; furnish for use; fit out. XV. — L. prvidre foresee, attend to, f. PRO-1 + vidre see. So providence foresight, timely care XIV; applied to God XVII. — (O)F. or L. provident XV. — L.; hence providential XVII.

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provision

appointment to a see or benefice not yet vacant XIV; † foresight, providing in advance; clause providing for a matter; supply of necessaries, etc. XV; supply of food XVII. — (O)F. — L. prvsi, -n-, f. pp. stem of prvidre PROVIDE; see -ION. So proviso XV. — L. prvs, abl. sg. n. of pp. of prvidre, as used in medL. phr. prvs quod (or ut) … it being provided that … provisor holder of a certain grant (now hist. in Statute of Provisors); (arch.) one who provides, or purveys XIV. — AN. provisour (F. proviseur) — L. prvsor: see -OR1. Hence provisional (-AL1) XVII.

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province

district, region XIV; territory outside Italy under Roman rule, hence gen.; department of activity XVII. — (O)F. — L. prvincia charge, official duty, administration or region of conquered territory; of unkn. orig. So provincial XIV. Hence provincialism XVIII.

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provoke

XV. — (O)F. provoquer or L. prvocre, f. PRO-1 + vocre call. So provocation, provocative XV. — (O)F. or (late) L.

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provost

official set over others (in various spec. uses). Late OE. profost (also prafost), corr. to MLG., MDu. provest, MDu. proofst (Du. proost), OHG. probost (G. probst, propst), ONorw. prófastr; in ME. reinforced from AN. provost (also prevost, modF. prévôt) — medL. prpositus, used alongside præpositus, sb. use of pp. of L. præpnere place in front, set in authority, f. præ PRE-, PRO-1 + pnere place.

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prow

XVI. — (O)F. proue — Pr. proa or It. dial. prua :— L. prra — Gr. prôira, f. base repr. by L. pr before, in front of (PRO-1).

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prowess

valour, manly courage. XIII. — OF. proesce (mod. prouesse), f. prou, early prod, etc. valiant; see PROUD, -ESS2.

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prowl

XIV. ME. prolle, of unkn orig.

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proximate

immediately adjacent XVI; coming next XVII. — L. proximtus, pp. of proximre approach, f. proximus nearest, superl. of proqe, var. of prope near; see -ATE2. So proximity XV. — (O)F. or L.

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proxy

action of a substitute or deputy XV; document authorizing a person to act for another XVI. Earlier forms procusie, prokecye, proccy, contr. of † proc(u)racy, — medL. prcrtia, repl. L. prcrati procuration; see -ACY.

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prude

sb. and † adj. XVIII. — F. prude adj. and sb., back-formation from prudefemme, misunderstood as adj. + sb. but prop. fem. (f. preu de femme) corr. to prud'homme good man and true, earlier prodome (f. pro de ome ‘fine thing of a man’); cf. PROUD. Hence prudish (-ISH1) XVIII. So prudery XVIII. — F.

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prudent

XIV. — (O)F. prudent or L. prdns foreseeing, sagacious:- prwidns, f. PRO-1 + prp. of vidre see. So prudence XIV. — (O)F. — L. prudential XVII. — medL. or f. L. prdentia.

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prune1

dried fruit of the plum-tree. XIV. — (O)F.:- Rom. prna, fem. sg. for L. n. prna, pl. of prnum PLUM.

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prune2

trim (feathers) with the beak. XIV. ME. pru(y)ne, also proyne — pres. stem poroign — OF. poroindre, f. por- (mod. pour-; :— L. PRO-1) + oindre (:— L. ungere anoint).

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prune3

lop superfluous growth from. XV. Early forms prouyne, proine, pruine — OF. proignier, earlier prooignier :- Rom. prrotundire, f. PRO-1 + rotundire cut round, f. rotundus ROUND.

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prunella

strong (worsted) stuff used for academic gowns. XVII. of uncert. orig.

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prurient

itching, having an itching desire XVII; given to lewd thoughts XVIII. — L. prrins, -ent-, prp. of prrre itch, long, be wanton; see -ENT. So prurigo, pruritus XVII.

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prussic

pert. to or derived from Prussian blue, which was so called from having been discovered (1704) by Diesbach , a Berlin colourmaker; p. acid hydrocyanic acid. XVIII. — F. prussique, f. Prusse Prussia; see -IC.

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pry1

look closely or inquisitively. XIV. of unkn. orig.

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pry2

(dial. and U.S.) prize up. XIX. Evolved from PRIZE4 through apprehending the final cons. as the ending of the 3rd sg. pres. ind.

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psalm

OE. (p)s(e)alm (reinforced in ME. from OF.), corr. to OHG. (p)salmo (G. psalm), ON. (p)salmr — late L. psalmus — Gr. psalmós plucking with the fingers, sounding of the harp, (in LXX and N.T.) song sung to the harp, f. psállein pluck, sing to the harp. So psalmist XV. — Late L. psalmody (-Y3) XIV. — Late L. psalmdia — Gr. psalmidí (see ODE). So psalter OE. (p)saltere, corr. to OHG. (p)salteri, ON. (p)saltari — Late L. psaltrium — Gr. psaltrion stringed instrument, (in ChrL. and ChrGr. writers) the book of Psalms of the O.T.; and ME. sauter — AN. sauter, OF. sautier (mod. psautier). psaltery ancient stringed instrument. XIII. ME. sautr(i)e — OF. sauter(i)e — L. psaltrium; all finally superseded by latinized forms in ps-, which have been exclusively used since 1600.

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psephology

study of public elections. XX. f. Gr. psêphos pebble, vote + -LOGY.

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pseudo-, before a vowel pseud-,

repr. comb. form of Gr. pseuds false, pseûdos falsehood, in comps. adopted (often through L.) from Gr. or modelled on them.

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pseudonym

XIX. — F. pseudonyme — Gr. pseudnumon, n. of pseudnumos (ónuma, ónoma NAME), whence pseudonymous XVIII.

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psittacosis

contagious disease of birds, esp. parrots. XIX. f. L. psittacus — Gr. psittakós parrot; see -OSIS.

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psoriasis

(path.) disease of the skin. XIX. — Gr. psrísis, f. psriân itch.

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psyche

soul, spirit, mind. XVII. — L. psch — Gr. pskh breath, soul, life, rel. to pskhein breathe, blow. So psychic XIX, psychical XVII (rare before XIX); first in senses pert. to soul or mind, later pert. to conditions supposed to be outside the physical domain. — Gr. pskhikós. psycho-, before a vowel psych-, repr. comb. form of Gr. pskh used in techn. terms since XVII, but prolifically only since mid-XIX. psychiatry healing of mental disease (Gr. itrós healer). psychology science of the human soul or mind. XVII (rare before XIX). — modL. pschologia. So psychological XVIII.

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ptarmigan

XVI. Early forms (in Sc. use) termigan(t), termagant, tormichan — Gael. tarmachan, of unkn. orig.; fancifully sp. ptarmigan (XVII) after Gr. words with pt-, e.g. pterón wing.

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pterido-

repr. comb. form of Gr. pterís, -id — fern.

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pterodactyl

extinct winged reptile. XIX. f. Gr. pterón wing + dáktulos finger.

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ptisan

medicinal decoction, orig. barley-water. XIV. Earlier tizanne, tysan, later ptisane (XVI) — (O)F. tisane, later † ptisane — medL. tisana, L. ptisana — Gr. ptisán peeled barley, barley-water.

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puberty

XIV (not frequent till XVI). — L. pberts (or the deriv. F. puberté), f. pbs, -er- adult; see -TY. So pubes XVI, whence pubic XIX. pubescent of the age of puberty XVII; downy XVIII. — F. pubescent or L. pbscns, -ent-, prp. of pbscere reach the age of puberty. pubescence XVII.

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public

pert. to the people or to a community as a whole XV; sb. in p. XV; the state or commonwealth; the community as a whole XVII; short for p. house (XVII), i.e. of entertainment XVIII. — (O)F. public, -ique or L. pblicus, based on pbs ‘adult’ with crossing from poplicus, f. populus PEOPLE; see -IC. So publican tax-gatherer XII; keeper of a public house XVIII. — (O)F. publicain — L. pblicnus orig. farmer general of the revenues, f. pblicum public revenue, sb. use of n. of pblicus. publicist one learned in international law XVIII; political journalist XIX; publicity agent XX. — F., f. L. (js) pblicum public law. publicity being open to public observation XVIII; making things public XX. — F. publicize XX.

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publish

make publicly known XIV; issue copies of (a book, etc.) to the public XVI. ME. puplise, -ische, publishe, f. stem of OF. puplier, (also mod.) publier — L. pblicre make public, f. pblicus PUBLIC; see -ISH2. So publication XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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puce

purplish-brown. XVIII. — (O)F. puce flea (couleur puce ‘flea colour’ XVII):— L. plex, plic-.

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puck

† evil spirit or demon, spec. the Devil OE.; mischievous sprite XVI. Late OE. pca = ON. púki mischievous demon; ult. orig. unkn.

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pucka

see PUKKA.

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pucker

contract into wrinkles. XVI. prob. frequent. f. base pok — of POKE1, POCKET, as if ‘make pockets’, ‘form into bag-like gatherings’; see -ER4. Hence sb. XVIII.

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pudding

animal's stomach or intestine stuffed with meat, etc. XIII; (dial.) pl. entrails XV; preparation of food with basis of flour boiled, orig. in a bag XVI. ME. poding, puddyng, corr. in meaning to (O)F. boudin.

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puddle

XIV. ME. podel, later puddel, dim. of OE. pudd ditch, furrow; see -LE1. So vb. dabble in mud, etc. XV; make muddy XVI; stir (molten iron) XVIII.

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pudendum pl. -enda

private parts XVII (once XIV). — late L. pudenda, sb. use of n. sg. and pl. of pudendus, gerundive of L. pudet it is shameful.

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puerile

XVII. — F. puéril or L. puerlis, f. puer boy, child; see -ILE. So puerility XVI.

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puerperal

pert. to parturition. XVIII. f. L. puerperus parturient, f. puer child + -parus bringing forth; see prec.,PARENT, -AL1.

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puff

short emission of air or vapour XIII; swollen or inflated object (light pastry) XV; (exaggerated) commendation XVII. So vb. expel breath with the lips XIII; inflate XVI. perh. repr. OE. puf or pyf(f) sb., puffan or pyffan vb., corr. to (M)Du. puffen, Du. pof, poffen, LG. pof, puf; imit. of the sound of the breath.

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puffin

XIV. ME. poffo(u)n, pophyn; prob. f. PUFF.

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pug

† term of endearment; † courtesan, harlot; bargeman XVI; † imp; monkey XVII; dwarf breed of dog XVIII; genus of moths XIX. of unkn. orig.; it is not certain that all the senses belong to the same word.

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pugilist

XVIII. f. L. pugil, f. base of pugnus fist, pugnre fight; see -IST. So pugnacious XVII. f. L. pugnx, -c-, f. pugnre. pugnacity XVII. — L.

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puisne

younger, junior (now only of judges). XVI. leg. sp. of PUNY.

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puissant

(arch.) powerful. XV. — (O)F.:- Gallo-Rom. possiantem, for L. potns, potent- POTENT1. So puissance XV. See -ANCE, -ANT.

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puke

vomit XVI. prob. of imit. orig.

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pukka, pucka

of full weight; genuine; reliable, permanent. XVII. — Hindi pakk cooked, ripe, mature, real.

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pule

whine, cry plaintively. XVI. prob. of imit. orig.

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pull

Late OE. pullian, having ostensible similarity in form and sense to LG. plen shell, strip, pluck, MDu. polen strip, and (M)LG. ple, Du. peul husk, shell, the meaning ‘pluck, snatch’ being prob. the original. Hence sb. XIV.

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pullet

XIV. — (O)F. poulet, fem. -ette, dim. of poule hen:- Rom. pulla, fem. of L. pullus young animal, chicken.

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pulley

XIV. ME. poley — OF. polie (mod. poulie):- Rom. polidia (n. pl. used as fem. sg.), pl. of polidium, prob. — medGr. polidion, dim. of pólos POLE2, also windlass, capstan.

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Pullman

railway carriage constructed as a saloon. XIX. f. name of the Amer. designer, George M. Pullman (1831–97).

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pullulate

sprout XVII; swarm XIX. f. pp. stem of L. pullulre spring forth, grow, f. pullulus, dim. of pullus young of an animal, chick; see -ATE3.

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pulmonary

XVIII. — L. pulmnrius, f. pulm, -n — lung; see -ARY.

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pulp

fleshy part of fruit, etc. XVI; soft formless mass XVII. — L. pulpa.

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pulpit

XIV. — L. pulpitum scaffold, platform, stage, medL. pulpit; of unkn. orig.

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pulse1

rhythmical dilatation of the arteries. XIV. ME. pous, pouce, later puls — OF. pous, later (latinized) pouls :— L. pulsus beating:- pelssos f. base of pellere drive, beat. So pulse vb. † drive; pulsate. XVI. — L. pulsre, frequent. of pellere. pulsate XVIII, pulsation XVI. — L.

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pulse2

edible seeds of leguminous plants. XIII. ME. pols — OF. pols (mod. dial. poul(s), pou):— L. puls (pult-) thick pottage of meal or pulse (cf. Gr. póltos porridge), rel. to POLLEN. Latinized in form from XV.

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pulverize

reduce to powder. XVI. — Late L. pulverizre, f. pulvis, pulver- dust, POWDER; see -IZE. So pulverulent powdery, crumbling. XVII. — L.

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puma

XVIII. — Sp. — Quechua.

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pumice

XV. ME. pomys — OF. pomis — L. dial. pmic-, var. of pmex, pmic-.

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pummel

XVI. Earlier pomell, poumile, pumble, f. POMMEL, the orig. sense being ‘strike with the pommel of a sword (instead of the edge or point)’.

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pump1

mechanical device for raising water, etc. XV. In earliest use naut.; corr. to late MDu. pompe wood or metal pipe, stone conduit, Du. pomp ship's pump, LG. pump(e); the evidence is inadequate to decide whether the word was prior in Eng. or LG. Hence pump vb. XVI.

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pump2

light close-fitting shoe. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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pumpernickel

German rye bread. XVIII. — G., of unkn. orig.

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pumpkin

XVII. alt. (by assim. of the ending to -KIN) of pumpion, earlier pompon — F. † pompon, nasalized form of † popon, var. of pepon — L. pep, -n- — Gr. pépn large melon, sb. use of pépn ripe.

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pun

sb. XVII. perh. short for † pundigrion, of uncert. orig. Hence vb. XVII. punster XVII.

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punch1

† dagger XV (rare); instrument for pricking or piercing XVI, for impressing a design XVII. Shortening of PUNCHEON1, which it has mostly superseded, if not f. PUNCH4.

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punch2

(Punch) hump-backed short grotesque male figure; principal character in the puppet-show of Punch and Judy XVIII; short fat man (also adj.) XVII; one of a breed of thick-set horses (e.g. Suffolk p.) XIX. Shortening of PUNCHINELLO.

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punch3

beverage from wine, spirits, mixed with hot water or milk, etc. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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punch4

(dial.) poke, prod, † stab XIV; pierce with holes; deliver a sharp blow at esp. with the fist XVI. var. of † pounce emboss, pink the edge of (XV), prob. of Rom. orig. (cf. next).

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puncheon1

pointed tool or † weapon. XIV. ME. pons(y)on, ponchon — OF. poinson, po(i)nchon (mod. poinçon):- Rom. punctine(m), f. Rom. punctire prick, punch.

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puncheon2

(mostly Sc.) large cask (esp. one of specific capacity). XV. Identical in form with prec., but if it is the same word the sense development is obscure.

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Punchinello

principal character in an Italian puppet show. XVII. Current from the outset in two main forms Policinello and Punchinello (with vars. in Pon-, -elle). — Naepolitan dial. Polecenella, in literary It. Pulcinella, perh. based on dim. of pollecena young of the turkey-cock (whose hooked beak the nose of Punch resembles).

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punctilio

† fine or minute point; minute detail of conduct. XVI (puntilio). — It. puntiglio, Sp. puntillo, dim. of punto POINT; later assim. to L. So punctilious XVII. — F. pointilleux. punctual pert. to a point or dot XIV; † bearing on the point, precise; † minutely observant of rule, etc.; exactly observant of appointed time XVII. — medL. punctulis (see -AL1); hence punctuality XVII. punctuate point out (rare) XVII; put the stops in (a sentence) XIX. f. pp. stem of medL. puncture prick, point, etc.; see -ATE3. So punctuation † pointing of the psalms XVI; insertion of vowel points in Hebrew, etc., of stops in a sentence XVII. — medL. punctuti. puncture prick, perforation. XIV (rare before XVI). — L. punctra (see -URE); hence vb. XVII.

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pundit

learned Hindu. XVII. — Hindi pait :- Skr. paitá — Learned, skilled, sb. learned man, scholar.

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pungent

XVI. — L. pungns, -ent-, prp. of pungere prick; see -ENT.

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punish

XIV. ME. punisse, -ische — (O)F. puniss-, extended stem (see -ISH2) of punir :— L. pnre, earlier pœnre, f. pœna PAIN. Hence punishment XV. — OF. punissement. So punitive XVII. — F. punitif, -ive or medL. pntvus, f. pnt-, pp. stem of pnre.

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punk1

(obs. or arch.) prostitute. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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punk2

rotten wood, touchwood XVIII; something worthless XIX; person of no account XX. of unkn. orig.

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punkah

portable fan XVII; fan of cloth stretched on a frame XIX. — Hindi pankh fan:- Skr. paklaka — fan, f. paka- wing.

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punnet

XIX. perh. dim. of pun, dial. var. of POUND1; see -ET.

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punt1

flat-bottomed shallow boat. XV. In earliest use (E. Anglian) pontebot, punte boot (BOAT) — MLG. punte, punto ferry-boat, mud-boat, corr. to late OE. punt (which did not survive), MDu. ponte (Du. pont) ferry-boat, pontoon — L. pont Gaulish transport vessel, PONTOON. Hence vb. XIX.

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punt2

at cards, lay a stake against the bank. XVIII. — F. ponter, rel. to ponte punt in ombre, player against the bank — Sp. punto = (O)F. pointe POINT3 (the Sp. word is used in ombre, quadrille, etc. for the ace of certain suits).

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punt3

in Rugby football, kick (the ball) after dropping it from the hands before it reaches the ground. XIX. prob. spec. use of dial. punt push with force.

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puny

† junior, PUISNE; † inexperienced; of inferior size or strength. XVI. — OF. puisne (mod. puîné), f. puis (:— L. postea or Rom. postius) afterwards + né (:— L. ntus) born; the ending has been assim. to -Y1.

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pup

XVIII. back-formation f. PUPPY, as if this were a dim. in -Y6.

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pupa

chrysalis. XIX. — modL. use of L. ppa girl, doll.

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pupil1

orphan who is a minor and hence a ward XIV; one under instruction XVI. — (O)F. pupille m. and fem. or its source, L. ppillus, -illa orphan, ward, dim. of ppus boy, ppa girl.

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pupil2

circular opening in the iris of the eye. XVI. — (O)F. pupille or L. ppilla, dim. of ppa girl, doll, pupil of the eye (see prec.). The application of the L. words to the pupil of the eye is based on, or parallel to, that of Gr. kór- maiden, girl, doll, pupil (the allusion being to the tiny images of persons and things that may be seen therein).

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puppet

† doll; (human) figure jointed and moving on strings or wires XVI; lathe-head XVII. Earlier in deriv. puppetry ; var. of POPPET.

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puppy

† lap dog, toy dog XV; young dog XVI; contemptuously of a person XVI. ME. popi(e), corr. in form to OF. popée, (also mod.) poupée doll:- Rom. puppta, f. puppa girl, doll; see POPPET, -Y5.

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Purana

sacred works of Hindu mythology. XVII. — Skr. purá- pert. to olden times, sb. tale of the past, f. pur formerly.

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purblind

† quite blind XIII; † blind in one eye XIV; partially blind, short- or dim-sighted XVI. orig. pur(e) blind, i.e. pur(e), ME. adv. use of PURE, and BLIND adj.

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purchase

† contrive, devise XIII; † procure, acquire; buy XIV; (naut.) haul in or up XVI. — AN. purchacer, OF. pourchacier seek to obtain, procure, f. intensive pur-, por-, pour- (:— L. PRO-1) + chacier (mod. chasser) CHASE1. So sb. XIII.

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purdah

curtain, esp. to screen women from sight XVIII; system of seclusion of Indian women XIX. — Urdu — Pers. pardah.

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pure

not mixed XIII; guiltless, innocent XIV; chaste XV. — (O)F. pur, fem. pure :— L. prus, rel. to Skr. ptá- purified, Ir. úr green, fresh. So purify, purification XIV. — (O)F. or (late) L. purist XVIII. — F. puriste. purity XIII (purete). — (O)F. pureté; later assim. to late L.

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purée

soup made from vegetables, etc. pulped and passed through a sieve. XIX. — (O)F., f. purer purify, squeeze (fruits, etc.) to obtain the pulp.

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purfle

adorn with a border. XIV. — OF. purfiler — Rom. prfilre, f. PRO-1 + flum thread.

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purge

A
make pure, cleanse, free from guilt XIV;

B
empty (the bowels) XV. — (O)F. purger :— L. purgre purify, for prigre, f. prus PURE.
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So purgation XIV. — (O)F. or L. purgative XV. — (O)F. or late L. purgatory condition or place of spiritual purging. XIII. — AN. purgatorie, (O)F. purgatoire — medL. purgtrium, sb. use of n. of late L. purgtrius cleansing; hence purgatorial XV.

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Puritan

Protestant who aimed at further purification of Reformed doctrine and practice. XVI. f. late L. prits purity (cf. PURE) + AN. Hence puritanic, puritanical XVII.

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purl1

cord made of twisted gold or silver wire; † pleat, frill XVI; loop on the edge of lace, etc. XVII; inversion of stitches in knitting producing a ribbed appearance XIX. So vb. XVI. orig. pyrle, pirle, of unkn. orig. The last sense of the sb. may be a different word.

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purl2

(of water) whirl with a murmuring sound. XVI. So sb. † small rill XVI; purling motion or sound XVII. prob. imit.; cf. Norw. purla bubble up, gush out, Sw. dial. porla ripple, gurgle.

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purl3

revolve, whirl round XVIII; turn head over heels XIX. perh. identical with PURL1. Hence purler headlong fall, swingeing blow. XIX.

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purlieu

tract of land on the border of a forest XV; (one's) haunt or bounds; outlying district, esp. of a mean sort XVII. orig. purlew, presumably alt. (by assim. to LIEU) of AN. purale(e), -ley perambulation, tract of land between the wider bounds of a forest and those fixed by a perambulation, OF. pourallee, f. po(u)raler traverse, f. por-, pour- (:— L. pr forth, PRO-1) + aller go.

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purlin

(archit.) horizontal beam running along the length of a roof. XV. of uncert. orig.

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purloin

† remove, do away with XV; take dishonestly XVI. — AN. purloigner, OF. porloigner, f. por-, pour- (:— L. pr forth, PRO-1) + loign (mod. loin) far (:— L. long, adv. of longus LONG1).

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purple

(orig.) of crimson or other red colour; (later) of a colour obtained by mixing red and blue OE.; sb. XV. Late OE. purple, reduced and dissimilated form of purpuran, obl. case of purpure ‘purple’ clothing or garment — L. purpura — Gr. porphúr shellfish that yielded the Tyrian purple dye, dye itself, cloth dyed therewith.

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purport

tenor or substance of a document, etc. XV. — AN., OF. pur-, porport produce, contents, f. purporter :— medL. prportre, f. L. pr PRO-1 + portre carry, bear. So purport vb. state, mean. XVI. — OF. purporter.

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purpose

object in view XIII; intention, aim; matter in hand, now only in phr. to the p. XIV; on p. by design XVI. — OF. porpos, purpos (mod. propos, after L. prpositum), f. por-, purposer design, intend (whence purpose vb. XIV), f. L. prpnere PROPOSE, after poser (see POSE1).

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purr

sb. and vb. XVII. imit. of the vibratory sound made by a cat.

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purse

money-bag of leather, etc. OE. purs — late L. bursa (whence also (O)F. bourse), var. of byrsa — Gr. búrsa leather, bag (cf. BURSAR). Hence purse vb. pocket XIV; wrinkle XVII. purser † maker of purses; purse-bearer, treasurer, esp. ship's officer who keeps the accounts and provisions. XV.

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purslane

herb Portulaca oleracea. XIV. ME. purcelan(e) — OF. porcelaine, identical in form with the F. word for PORCELAIN, and prob. assim. to that from L. porcil(l)ca, more usu. portulca.

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pursue

XIII. ME. pursiwe, -sewe — AN. pursiwer, -suer = OF. porsivre (mod. poursuivre):- Rom. per-, prsequere, for L. prsequ PROSECUTE. So pursuant consequent and conformable. XVII. pursuance XVI. pursuit † persecution XIV; † suit, petition; act of pursuing XV; following of an occupation XVI. — (O)F. poursuite (see SUIT). pursuivant junior officer attendant on heralds. XIV. — OF. pursivant, sb. use of prp. of pursivre.

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pursy

† short-winded XV; (arch.) corpulent XVI. Later form of † pursive, -if — AN. porsif, alt. of OF. polsif (mod. poussif), f. polser breathe with difficulty, pant:— L. pulsre drive or agitate violently.

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purulent

of the nature of pus. XVI. — L. purulentus, f. ps, pr- PUS; see -ULENT.

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purvey

† see to, foresee; provide, supply. XIII. ME. porvaie, -veie — AN. por-, purveier, OF. porveeir (mod. pourvoir):— L. prvidre PROVIDE. So purveyor (-OR1) XIII. — AN. purveur, OF. porveour, -eur.

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purview

body of a statute, following the preamble XV; scope of a document, etc. XVIII. — AN. purveu, OF. porveu (mod. pourvu), pp. of porveeir PURVEY; orig. clause introduced by purveu est it is provided, or purveu que provided that.

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pus

XVI. — L. ps, pr-.

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push

vb. XIII. — AN. pusser, (O)F. pousser, † pou(l)ser :— L. pulsre, frequent. f. puls-, pp. stem of pellere drive, thrust. Hence sb. XVI.

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pusillanimous

XVI. f. late L. psillanimis, f. psillus very small, weak (f. psus boy, rel. to puer boy) + animus mind; see -OUS.

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puss

cat. esp. as a call name XVI (also puss-cat ); hare; applied to a girl or woman XVII. prob. — MLG. ps (also pskatte), Du. poes; cf. Ir., Gael. pus; of unkn. orig. Hence pussy (-Y6) XVIII.

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pustule

XIV. — (O)F. pustule or L. pustula blister, f. imit. base pu- phu- blow, inflate; see -ULE.

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put1

(obs. or dial.) push, thrust, knock, butt (cf. PUTT); transf. in various applications ranging from forcing or urging to placing or setting in a place or position. Fully evidenced from XII onwards; repr. OE. putian (u of uncertain quantity), repr. only in noun of action putung instigation; parallel forms are OE. potian, ME. pot(t)e, OE. ptan, ME. pitte; ult. orig. unkn.

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put2

see PUTT.

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putative

XV. — (O)F. putatif or late L. puttvus, f. pp. stem of L. putre reckon, think; see -IVE.

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putlog, putlock

short horizontal timber in scaffolding. XVII. of uncert. orig.

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putrefaction

rotting, decomposition. XIV. — (O)F. putréfaction or late L. putrefacti, -n-, f. L. putrefacere, f. puter, putr- rotten + facere make, DO1. So putrefy XV. — L. putrefacere. putrid (-ID1) XVI. — L. putridus. putrescence XVII, putrescent XVIII.

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putt, put2

(Sc.) † push, shove XVI; throw, hurl (stone or weight) XVIII; (spec. in golf). Formally identical with PUT1, with differentiated pronunc.

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puttee

strip of cloth wound spirally round the leg. XIX. — Hindi pa band, bandage.

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putty

jeweller's polishing powder; plasterer's fine cement XVII; glazier's cement for fixing panes XVIII. — F. potée potter's glaze, jeweller's putty, loam for moulds, orig. potful, f. pot POT; see -Y5.

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puzzle

vb. XVI. of unkn. orig. Hence sb. XVII.

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puzzolana

var. of POZZOLANA.

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py(a)emia

(path.) blood-poisoning marked by the formation of pus foci. XIX. f. Gr. púon PUS + haîma blood; see IA1.

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pygmy, pigmy

XIV. In earliest use pl. pygmeis — L. pygmæ, pl. of pygmæus — Gr. pugmaîos dward(ish), f. pugm measure of length from elbow to knuckles, fist.

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pyjamas, U.S. pajamas

(prop.) loose trousers tied round the waist, (by extension) sleeping suit of these with jacket. XVIII. — Urdu (Pers.) py jma ‘leg-clothing’.

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pylon

(archit.) gateway XIX; tower, mast, etc. marking a course, supporting a span of wire. etc. XX. — Gr. puln, f. púl gate.

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pylorus

(anat.) opening from the stomach into the duodenum. XVII. — Late L. pylrus- — Gr. pulrós, pulourós gate-keeper, f. púl gate + oûros watcher, warder.

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pyo-, before a vowel py-,

comb. form of Gr. púon pus, as in pyorrhoea (Gr. rhoí flow) (path.) discharge of pus. XVIII.

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pyramid

monumental (esp. Egyptian) structure with polygonal base and sloping sides meeting in an apex; pile of this shape. XVI. — (orig. used in L. nom. form) L. pyramis, -id- — Gr. puramís, -id-. So pyramidal XVI. — medL.

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pyre

XVII. — L. pyra — Gr. pur, f. pûr, pur- FIRE.

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pyrethrum

pellitory of Spain XVI; feverfew XIX. — L. — Gr. púrethron feverfew.

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pyretic

pert. to fever. XIX. f. Gr. puretós fever. f. pûr FIRE; see -IC.

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pyrexia

(path.) febrile disease. XVIII. modL., f. Gr. púrexis, f. puréssein be feverish, f. pûr FIRE; see -IA1.

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pyrites

† fire-stone; sulphide of iron. XVI. — L. pyrts — Gr. purts sb. use of adj. pert. to fire, f. pûr, pur- FIRE; see -ITE.

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pyro-

comb. form of Gr. pûr FIRE, in many techn. terms; in Eng. use first in pyrotechny † manufacture of gunpowder, firearms, etc.; † technical use of fire XVI; making and use of fireworks XVII. — F. pyrotechnie. So pyrotechnic XVIII, pyrotechnical XVII.

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pyrrhic

(pros.) foot consisting of two short syllables. XVII. — L. pyrrichius — Gr. purrhíkhios, f. purrhíkh war dance; see foll.; -IC.

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Pyrrhic1

war-dance of ancient Greeks. XVI. — L. pyrricha or Gr. purrhikh, said to be named from the inventor, Púrrhikhos.

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Pyrrhic2

P. victory, one gained at too great cost. like that by Pyrrhus , king of Epirus, over the Romans at Asculum. XIX. f. Pyrrhus + -IC.

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python

(Gr. myth.) huge serpent slain by Apollo near Delphi XVI; (zool.) genus of large snakes XIX. — L. Pthn — Gr. Pthn.

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pythoness

female soothsayer, witch. XIV. ME. phitones(se) — OF. phitonise (mod. pythonisse) — medL. phtnissa, for late L. pthnissa (Vulg., 1 Chron. 10: 13), fem. of pth (Deut. 18: 11) — late Gr. pthn (Acts 16: 16), identical with pthn PYTHON; assim. to the L. form; see -ESS1.

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pyx

vessel for the reservation of the Host XIV; box at the Royal Mint in which gold and silver coins are deposited to be tested XVI. — L. pyxis — late Gr. puxís BOX2.

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Q

qua

in the capacity or status of. XVII. — L. qu, abl. sg. fem. of qu who.

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quack1

(of a duck) utter its characteristic cry. XVII. of imit. orig.; cf. Du. kwakken, G. quacken croak. Early vars. are †quake XVI, †queke XIV, quackle XVI.

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quack2

ignorant pretender to (medical or surgical) knowledge or skill. XVII. Short for quacksalver XVI (now rare) — early modDu. quacksalver (now kwakzalver), of which the second el. is f. salf, zalf SALVE, and the first is prob. the stem of †quacken, kwakken prattle.

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quad

abbrev. of QUADRANGLE (XIX), (typogr.) QUADRAT (XIX), QUADRUPLET (esp. pl. quads) (XIX).

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quadragenarian

(one) forty years old. XIX. f. late L. quadrgnrius, f. quadrgn, distrib. of quadrgint forty (see next).

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quadrangesimal

(of a fast) lasting forty days; of Lent, Lenten. XVII. — late L. quadrgsimlis, f. Quadrgsima (Eng. Quadragesima XIV; then not before XVII), name of the first Sunday in Lent and reckoned the fortieth day before Easter, and hence of the whole season, sb. use of fem. of L. quadrgsimus fortieth, ordinal of quadrgint forty, f. quadr-, repr. old n. of quattuor FOUR + -gint, corr. to Gr. -konta; see -AL1.

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quadrangle

figure having four angles (and four sides) XV; square or rectangular space or court XVI. — (O)F. quadrangle or late L. quadrangulum, sb. use of n. of quadrangulus; see QUADRI-, ANGLE2. So quadrangular XVI. — medL. quadrangulris.

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quadrant

†fourth part, quarter, now only of a quarter-circle; instrument (of the form of a graduated quarter-circle) used for making angular measurements. XIV. — L. quadrns, -ant- quarter, orig. of the as; see QUADRI-.

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quadrat

†square XIV; (typogr.) small block of metal used for spacing XVII. — L. quadrtum (or the deriv. F. quadrat), sb. use of n. of quadrtus, pp. of quadrre square (cf. quadrum sb., square); see QUADRI-. So quadrate adj. XIV, vb. XVI.

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quadratic

square; (math.) involving the second and no higher power of an unknown or variable. XVII. — F. quadratique or modL. quadrticus. quadrature squaring. XVI. — F. or L.

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quadrennial

occurring every four years; lasting for four years. XVII. f. L. quadr(i)ennium + -AL1.

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quadri-

comb. form of L. quattuor FOUR, as in quadrilateral XVII, quadriliteral XVIII, quadripartite XV (L. parttus, pp. of partr divide).

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quadrille1

card-game played by four persons with forty cards. XVIII. — F., perh. — Sp. cuartillo (f. cuarto fourth), with assim. to next.

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quadrille2

any of four groups of horsemen taking part in a tournament, etc.; square dance performed by four couples. XVIII. — F. — Sp. cuadrilla. It. quadriglia troop, company, f. quadra square (cf. CADRE).

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quadrillion

fourth power of a million; (U.S.) fifth power of a thousand. XVII. — F. quadrillon, f. QUADRI- + (m)illion.

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quadrivium

see TRIVIUM.

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quadroon

one who has a quarter of Negro blood. XVIII. Earliest forms quartero(o)n (through F. quarteron) — Sp. cuarteron, f. cuarto fourth, quarter; later assim. to words in quadri-.

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quadru-

occas. var. of L. QUADRI- before p; also in quadrumanous XVIII (modL.).

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quadruped

XVII. — F. quadrupède or L. quadrups, -ped-, f. quadru- + ps; see prec. and FOOT. So quadrupedal XVII. — medL.

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quadruple

fourfold. XVI. — (O)F — L. quadruplus; see QUADRU-, DUPLE. So vb. XIV. — F. or late L. quadruplicate adj. and vb. XVII. — L. quadruplication XVI. — late L. quadruplet one of four at a birth. XVIII; after triplet.

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quaere

one may ask, it is a question; question, query. XVI. — L., imper. of quaerere ask, inquire.

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quaestor

(Rom. antiq.) official having charge of public finances. XIV. — L. quaestor, f. quaes-, old form of stem of quaerere seek, inquire (see prec.) + -TOR.

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quaff

drink copiously or deeply. XVI. prob. imit.; in earliest use †quaft, †quaught.

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quagga

extinct S. Afr. animal allied to the ass and the zebra. XVIII. Said to be orig. Hottentot, but now Xhosa in the form iqwara.

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quagmire

piece of wet boggy ground. XVI. f. (dial.) quag (XVI; of uncert. orig.) + MIRE.

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quail1

migratory bird allied to the partridge. XIV. — OF. quaille (mod. caille):- medL. coacula, prob. of imit. orig.

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quail2

fail, give way XV; lose heart, be cowed XVI; also trans. of unkn. orig.

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quaint

†skilled, clever; †skilfully made, fine, elegant; †proud, fastidious XIII; †strange, unfamiliar XIV; uncommon but attractive XVIII. ME. cointe, queinte — OF.:- L. cognitus known, pp. of cognscere ascertain, f. co- + gnscere KNOW.

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quake

shake, tremble. OE. cwacian, rel. to cwe..an (:- kwakjan) shake (trans.), in mod. dial. quetch, quatch; cf. OS. quekilk waving to and fro. For the symbolic cw-, qu — cf. QUAVER, QUIVER2.

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Quaker

member of the Society of Friends. XVII. f. QUAKE + -ER1. ‘Shaking and quaking’ was attributed to them.

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qualify

invest with a quality or condition; modify, moderate. XVI. — F. qualifier — medL. qulificre, f. qulis of what kind, f. base of qu, quis WHO + -lis -AL1; see -FY. So qualification XVI. — F. or medL. quality †character, disposition; †title, description XIII; attribute, property; nature, kind; rank, position XIV; †profession XVI. ME. qualite — (O)F. qualité — L. qulits. qualitative XVII. — late L.

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qualm

feeling of faintness or sickness XVI; strong scruple of conscience XVII. of uncert. orig.

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quandary

XVI. of unkn. orig.

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quantic

(math.) rational, integral homogeneous function of two or more variables. XIX. f. L. quantus how great (see next) + -IC.

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quantity

XIV. — (O)F. quantité — L. quantits, f. quantus how great, how much, f. base of qu, quis WHO; see -ITY. So quantitative XVI. — medL. quantum amount required or allotted. XVII. — n. of L. quantus.

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quaquaversal

turning in every direction. XVIII. f. L. ququ versus, i.e. ququ where-, whithersoever, versus turned, towards.

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quarantine

A
(leg.) period of forty days during which a widow had the right to remain in her husband's chief mansion house
;
B
period of isolation of persons and animals suspected of contagious disease. XVII. In sense A — medL. qua(d)rantna, f. quadranta, for L. quadrgint forty; in sense B — It. quarantina, f. quaranta forty; see -INE1.
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quarenden

variety of apple common in Somerset and Devon. XV (quaryndon). of unkn. orig.

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quarrel1

short square-headed arrow XIII; square or diamond-shaped pane of glass XV. — OF. quar(r)el (mod. carreau):- Rom. quadrellus, dim. of late L. quadrus square.

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quarrel2

†complaint, accusation; ground of complaint XIV; violent contention XVI. ME. querele — OF. querele (mod. querelle):- L. querella, var. of querla complaint, f. quer complain. So vb. XIV (then not before XVI). In ME. — OF. quereler; afterwards f. the sb. Hence quarrelsome (-SOME1) XVI.

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quarry1

parts of a deer placed on the hide and given to the hounds; collection of deer killed XIV; animal hunted or hawked at XV. ME. quirre, querre — AN. quire, quere, OF. cuiree (mod. curée), alt., by crossing with cuir leather and curer cleanse, spec. disembowel (:- L. curre CURE), of couree :- Rom. corta entrails, f. cor HEART; see -Y5.

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quarry2

open-air excavation from which stone is obtained. XV. — medL. quarreia, shortened var. of quareria = OF. quarriere (mod. carrière). f. quarre :- L. quadrum square. Hence vb. XVIII.

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quarry3

square tile, etc. XVI; †square-headed arrow: pane of glass XVII. alt. of QUARREL1, prob. after †quarry square (XIII–XVII) — OF. quarré (mod. carré):- L. quadrtus QUADRAT.

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quart1

one-fourth of a gallon. XIV. — (O)F. quarte :- L. quarta, sb. use of fem. of quartus fourth, ordinal of quattuor FOUR.

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quart2

position in fencing XVII; sequence of four cards XVIII. — F. quarte :- L. quartus fourth (see prec.).

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quartan

of a fever in which the paroxysms occur every third (acc. to old reckoning, fourth) day. XIII. ME. quartain — (O)F. quartaine :- L. quartna, fem. of quartnus, f. quartus fourth; see QUART1 and -AN.

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quarter

one of four parts; measure of 8 bushels XIII; fourth part of a year; region, district XIV, place of residence, pl. soldier's lodgings; assigned position (spec. in close q-s); relations with another, terms of treatment XVI; exemption from being immediately put to death XVII. — AN. quarter, (O)F. quartier :- L. quartrius fourth part of a measure, quartern, gill, f. quartus fourth; see QUART1. Hence vb. divide into quarters XIV; lodge in quarters XVI. quarterage quarterly payment XIV. quarter-deck orig. smaller deck above the half-deck XVII. quarterly adv. XV, adj. XVI. quartermaster officer in navy and army (q. in the senses of assigned position and lodging) XV. quarterstaff stout pole used as a weapon. XVI.

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quartern

quarter, esp. of certain weights and measures XIII. — AN. quartrun, OF. quart(e)ron, f. quart fourth, QUART1, or quartier QUARTER.

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quartet(te)

composition for four voices or instruments XVIII; set of four XIX. — F. quartette — It. quartetto (which was used somewhat earlier in Eng.), f. quarto fourth (cf. QUART1); see -ET, -ETTE.

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quartile

(astr.) pert. to an aspect of two heavenly bodies which are 90° (i.e. 1/4 of a circle) distant. XVI. — medL. quartlis, f. quartus fourth; see QUART1 and -ILE.

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quarto

size of paper produced by folding a whole sheet twice so as to form four leaves (8 pages) XVI; book made up of such paper XVII. orig. in L. phr. in quarto ‘in a fourth’ (see QUART1).

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quartz

XVIII. — (M)HG. quar(t)z; of uncert. orig.

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quash

annul, invalidate XIV; bring to nought XVII. — OF. quasser (mod. casser break):- L. quassre shake violently, break to pieces, shatter, freq. of quatere (pp. stem quass-) shake. Senses connected with those of shake and break were current XIV–XVII.

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quasi

as it were XV; (a) kind of XVII; seemingly, almost XIX. — L., reduced form of quansei, f. qum, acc. sg. fem. (denoting extent) of the base of WHO, WHAT + sei, s if.

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quassia

(wood, etc. of) a S. Amer. tree, Quassia amara. XVIII. f. the name of a Surinam Negro named Graman (i.e. ‘grand man’) Quassi, the discoverer of the root's medicinal properties in 1730.

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quaternary

sb.
set of four things XV; adj. consisting of four things XVII; (geol.) fourth in order (to match tertiary) XIX. — L. quaternrius, f. quatern four together, f. quater four times, f. base of quattuor FOUR; see -ARY.

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quaternion

group of four XIV; quire of four sheets XVII; (math.) XIX. — late L. quaterni, -n-, f. quatern four together (see prec.).

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quatorzain

poem of 14 lines. XVI. — F. quatorzaine set of fourteen, f. quatorze fourteen (:- Rom. quattordecem, for L. quattuordecim) + -aine (see -AN).

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quatrain

stanza of four lines. XVI (quadrain). — F. quatrain, †quadrain, f. quatre FOUR + -ain (see -AN).

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quatrefoil

compound leaf or flower of four leaflets. XV. — AN. quatrefoil, f. (O)F. quatre FOUR + foil leaf, FOIL2.

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quaver

vibrate, tremble XV; trill or shake in singing; also trans. XVI. frequent. (see -ER4) of ME. quave, cwauien (XIII), perh. repr. OE. cwafian, parallel symbolic formation to cwacian QUAKE. Hence quaver sb. (mus.) note equal to half a crotchet XVI; shake or trill XVII; tremulous cry, etc. XVIII.

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quay

XIV. ME key(e), later kay, and finally quay (XVII) by assim, to modF. quai; — OF. kai, cay — Gaulish caio :- OCelt. kagio- (cf. OIr. cae enclosed place, house, W. cae hedge), perh. rel. to Gmc. ?z- HEDGE.

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quean

orig. woman; (arch.; from early ME. times) bold impudent woman, jade, hussy; Sc. girl, lass XV. OE. cwene = OS. cwena (Du. kween barren cow), OHG. quena, quina, ON. kona, Goth. qin woman:- Gmc. kwenn wk. fem., f. IE. base gwen-, gwn-, repr. by Gr. guné, Skr. gná, OSi. ena, OIr. ben woman; cf. QUEEN.

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queasy

†unsettled; unsettling the stomach XV; easily upset, inclined to nausea; fastidious, scrupulous XVI. Early forms coisy, que(y)sy, quasy suggest AN., OF. coisi, queisi or -ié, rel. to coisier hurt, wound, but there is no evidence.

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queen

OE. cwn = OS. qun, ON. kvaen (also kván), Goth. qns :- Gmc. kwniz, f. IE. gwn-, gwen- (see QUEAN). Hence queenly XVI.

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queer

odd, strange XVI (first in Sc.); out of sorts, drunk XVIII. of uncert. orig. Identical in form with sl. queer bad (XVI). Hence queer vb. quiz, puzzle, ridicule XVIII; spoil XIX.

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quell

†kill OE.; suppress, extinguish XIV; crush, subdue XVI. OE. cwellan = OS. quellian (Du. kwellen), OHG. quellen (G. quälen), ON. kvelja :- Gmc. kwaljan, f. kwal- kwel-, repr. also by OE. cwalu death = ON. kvl torment, OE. cwealm death, torture, plague, OS., OHG. qualm, OE. cwelan die = OS. quelan, OHG. quelan; the IE. base gwel is repr. by Lith. gélà, OSl. al sorrow, OIr. atbalim I die, Arm. kelem I torment.

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quench

XII. ME. quenchen :- OE. cwen.an (in cwen.an):-kwankjan, causatie of OE. cwincan (in cwincan) be extinguished = OFris. quinka :- kwekan. Hence quenchless XVI.

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quern

hand-mill. OE. cweorn(e) = OS. quern (Du. kweern), OHG. quirn(a), ON. kvern, Goth. -qairnus, f. Gmc. kwern- :- IE. gwern-, repr. also by Lith. gìrna, OSl. rny, OIr. bró, Skr. grvan-.

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querulous

XVI. f. L. querulus or — late L. querulsus, f. quer complain; partly superseding late ME. querelous — OF. querelous (mod. querelleux), f. querele QUARREL2; see -OUS.

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query

anglicization of QUAERE, with ending assim. to inquiry, XVII.

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quest

(obs. or dial.) inquiry, inquest; search, pursuit XIV; collection of alms XVI. — OF. queste (mod. quête):- Rom. quaesita (for L. quaesta). sb. use of fem. pp. of L. quaerere seek, inquire. So quest vb. go in pursuit of game XIV; search, seek XVII; search for, seek out XVIII. — OF. quester (mod. quêter).

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question

XIII. — AN. questiun, (O)F. question — L. quaesti, -n-, f. quaest-, pp. stem of quaerere seek, inquire. So vb. XV. — (O)F. questionner. Hence questionable XVI. questionnaire XIX. — F., f. questionner + -aire -ARY.

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queue

(her.) tail of a beast XVI; long plait of hair XVIII; line of persons, etc. XIX. — F.:- L. cauda tail.

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quibble

play on words; equivocating or evasive speech. XVII. f. synon. †quib (XVI), app. f. L. quibus (d. and abl. pl. of qu, quae, quod WHO, etc.) as a word of frequent occurrence in legal documents and so assoc. with verbal niceties or subtle distinctions; see -LE1. Hence quibble vb. †pun; evade the point by a quibble. XVII.

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quick

(arch.) living, alive OE.; lively, mobile, active; rapid, swift XIII; functionally active XIV. OE. cwic(u) = OS. quik (Du. kwik), OHG. quek (G. keck bold), ON. kvikr :- Gmc. kwikwaz, rel. to Goth. qius (in pl. qiwai):- kwiwaz, f. IE. base gwi- repr. also in L. vvus, Lith. gývas, OSl. iv, OIr. biu, beo, Skr. jvá- living, Gr. bíos. Hence quick sb. the q., sensitive flesh in the body. XVI. quicken give life to; receive life XIII; make quick or quicker XVII. In earliest use — ON. kvikna (intr.). Comps. quicklime lime that has been burned but not slaked. XIV. quicksand bed of loose wet sand. XV. quickset live slips set in the ground as for a hedge XV; also adj. XVI. quicksilver mercury. OE. cwicseolfor = Du. kwiksilver, OHG. quecsilbar (G. quecksilber). ON. kviksilfr; tr. L. argentum vvum ‘living silver’.

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quid1

(sl.) sovereign, †guinea. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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quid2

piece of tobacco, etc. to be chewed. XVIII. dial. var. of CUD.

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quiddity

A
essence of a thing XV;

B
subtlety, quibble XVI. — medL. quiddits, f. quid what; see -ITY.
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quid pro quo

(in apothecaries' language) one thing in place of another; one thing in return for another, tit for tat. XVI. — L. quid something, pr for, instead of, qu (abl. of quid) something.

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quiescent

XVII. — L. quiscns, -ent-, prp. of quiscere be still, f. quis quiet; see -ENT.

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quiet

freedom from disturbance or noise. XIV. — AN. quiete, OF. quieté, f. quiet (— L. quitus, pp. of quiscere be QUIESCENT), whence quiet adj. XIV. Hence quiet vb. XV, quieten (-EN2) XIX. So quietism mysticism characterized by passive contemplation. XVII. — It. quietismo. quietude XVI. — F. quiétude or medL. quitd.

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quietus

discharge or acquittance XVI; death XVII. Short for quitus est, medL. formula ‘he is QUIT1’.

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quiff

(oiled) lock of hair worn on the forehead. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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quill

†hollow stem or reed XV; pipe, tube XV; tube or barrel of a feather, esp. as used for writing XVI; spine of the porcupine XVII. of uncert. orig.; cf. synon. (M)LG. quiele, MHG. kil (G. kiel).

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quilt

(orig.) article of bed furniture to lie on, consisting of two pieces of material with padding between; (later) coverlet similarly made, counterpane. XIII. — OF. coilte, cuilte (mod. couette), with var. coute :- L. culcita mattress, cushion. Hence vb. XVI.

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quin

abbrev. of QUINTUPLET, chiefly pl. quins. XX.

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quinary

of the number five. XVII. — L. qunrius, f. qun, distributive of quinque FIVE; see -ARY.

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quince

XIV. orig. coll. pl. of coyn, quoyn — OF. cooin (mod. coing):- L. cotneum, varying with cydneum (apple) of Cydonia (now Canea) in Crete.

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quincentenary

XIX. irreg. f. L. quinque FIVE + CENTENARY. Also quingentenary XIX. f. L. quingent 500 after centenary.

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quincunx

arrangement of five objects so placed that four occupy the corners and the fifth the centre. XVII. — L. quincunx five-twelfths (6/12 of an as was denoted by five dashes arranged as above), f. quinque FIVE + uncia twelfth (see OUNCE1).

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quinine

XIX. f. quina bark of cinchona, etc. — Sp. — Quechua kina bark; see -INE3.

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Quinquagesima

†period beginning on the Sunday immediately preceding Lent and ending on Easter Eve XIV; (Q. Sunday) the Sunday itself. XVII. — medL., sb. use of fem. of L. quinqugsimus fiftieth, f. quinqugint fifty; cf. QUADRAGESIMA.

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quinque-

comb. form of L. quinque FIVE, as in quinquereme having five banks of oars (XVI; L. rmus oar).

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quinquennial

lasting five years XV; occurring every fifth year XVII. f. L. quinquennis, f. QUINQUE- + annus year; see -AL1.

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quinsy

XIV. ME. quinaci, quinesye — OF. quinencie — medL. quinancia, f. Gr. kunágkh, f. kún, kun- dog + ágkhein throttle.

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quintain

post set up to be tilted at; exercise of tilting at this. XIV. — OF. quintaine, -eine = medL. quintana, -ena, usu. taken to be identical with L. quintna market of a camp, f. quintus fifth (sc. manipulus maniple).

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quintal

112 lbs. XV. — OF. quintal, medL. -le — Arab. kintr.

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quintessence

substance latent in all things, the extraction of which was one of the objects of alchemy XV; most essential part XVI. — F. quintessence, †quinte essence — medL. quinta essentia ‘fifth essence’, the fifth primary body besides the elements of earth, fire, air, and water. Hence quintessential XVII.

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quintet(te)

composition for five voices or instruments. XIX. — F. quintette — It. quintetto (formerly used in Eng. XVIII), f. quinto :- L. quintus fifth; see -ET, -ETTE.

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quintillion

fifth power of a million; (U.S.) sixth power of a thousand. XVII. f. L. quintus fifth + (m)illion; cf. BILLION.

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quintuple

fivefold. XVI. — F., f. L. quintus fifth, after triple, etc. Hence vb. XVII. quintuplet set of five; one of five at a birth. XIX. cf. QUADRUPLET.

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quip

sharp or sarcastic remark. XVI. prob. abbrev. of †quippy (XVI), perh. — L. quippe indeed, forsooth (with sarcastic force).

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quire

†small book, short poem, etc.; set of four sheets of parchment or paper doubled so as to make eight leaves: hence, any gathering of sheets. XV. ME. quaer, later quayer, quair, quere, quire — OF. qua(i)er (mod. cahier quire, copy-book):- Rom. quaternum, f. L. quatern set of four, f. quater four times, f. quattuor FOUR.

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quirk

verbal trick or subtlety XVI; sudden turn or twist XVII. of unkn. orig.

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quirt

riding-whip used in Southern U.S. and Sp. America. XIX. — Sp. cuerda = (O)F. corde CORD.

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quisling

XX. Surname of Major Vidkun Quisling , a Norwegian who collaborated with the Germans when they invaded Norway in World War II.

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quit1

adj.
free, clear of. XIII. (i) ME. qut, qute (surviving in QUITE) — OF. quite — L. quitus QUIET. Superseded by (ii) later ME. or early mod. quit(te) — (O)F. quitte — medL. quittus, special development of L. quitus.

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quit2

A vb.
† set free, clear, clear off;

B
†repay, requite;
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C
renounce; leave. XIV. ME. quitte, repl. earlier quite (XIII), — (O)F. quitter, earlier quiter; cf. medL. quittre, quitre, f. L. quitus QUIT1.
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quitch

couch grass. OE. cwi.e = MLG. kwke; supposed to be rel. to cwic QUICK, with ref. to the vitality of the grass.

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quitclaim

XIV. — AN. quiteclamer declare free, f. quite QUIT1 + clamer proclaim (see CLAIM). So sb. †release XV; renunciation XVII.

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quite

completely, entirely XIV; in the fullest sense, absolutely XVI. adv. use of quite, earlier form of QUIT1 free, clear.

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quits

†clear, discharged XV; even (with) by repayment or retaliation XVII. prob. — colloq. use of medL. quittus QUIT1.

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quittance

release XIII; release from debt, receipt XIV; requital, reprisal XVI. — OF. quitance (later quittance), f. quiter QUIT2; see -ANCE.

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quiver1

case for holding arrows. XIII. — AN. quiver, quiveir, OF. quivre, coivre — WGmc. word repr. by OE. cocor, OS. kokar(i) (Du. koker), OHG. kohhar(i) (G. köcher).

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quiver2

shake with small rapid movements. XV. f. ME. cwiver nimble, quick, OE. cwifer (in adv. cwiferlce).

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qui vive

phr. on the qui vive on the alert. XVIII. — F. Qui vive? sentry's challenge, lit. ‘Long live who?’, orig. expecting an answer in the form Vive le roi, Vive la France, etc.

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Quixote

enthusiastic visionary. XVII. f. name of Don Quixote, now in Sp. Quijote, hero of Miguel de Cervantes' romance. Hence quixotic XVIII.

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quiz1

†eccentric person; one who quizzes XVIII; practical joke, hoax XIX. So quiz vb. make fun of, turn to ridicule. XVIII. of unkn. orig. Hence quizzical XVIII.

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quiz2

question, examine; also sb. examination (spec. oral). XIX. of unkn. orig.

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quod

(sl.) prison. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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quodlibet

question proposed in scholastic disputation; scholastic debate or exercise. XIV. — medL. quodlibetum, f. L. quodlibet, f. quod WHAT, libet it pleases.

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quoin

external angle of a wall or building, corner-stone; wedge, wedge-shaped block. XVI. var. of COIN.

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quoit

flat disc, etc., thrown as an exercise of strength or skill; pl. sport of throwing quoits at a pin. XV (coyte). of unkn. orig.

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quondam

former. XVI. adj. use of L. quondam formerly (orig. ‘at any given moment’), f. quom (later cum) when + generalizing particle -dam.

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quorum

justice of the peace whose presence was necessary on the bench, later gen. XV; fixed number of persons whose presence is necessary in the transaction of business XVII. g. pl. of L. qu WHO; taken from the wording of commissions designating such persons, quorum vos … duos (etc.) esse volumus of whom we will that you be … two (etc.).

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quota

part or share of a total. XVII. — medL. quota, sb. use of fem. of L. quotus of what number, f. quot how many.

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quote

†mark with numbers or (marginal) references XIV; cite or refer to; †note XVI; repeat (a passage) from a book, etc. XVII. — medL. quotre number, f. quot how many, or quota QUOTA. So quotation †numbering XV; †marginal reference XVI; (typogr.) large quadrat used for filling up blanks (orig. between marginal references); quoting, passage quoted XVII; price of stocks, etc. XIX. — medL. quotti, -n-.

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quoth

(arch.) said. OE. cwæð, pt. of cweðan say = OS. queðan, OHG. quedan, ON. kveða, Goth. qiþan :- Gmc. kweþan; early ME. cwað became quoth by rounding of a in contiguity with w in unstressed positions; a common var. XIV – XVI was quod. Hence quotha XVI; for quoth (h)a said he.

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quotidian

daily, spec. of a fever recurring every day. XIV. ME. cotidien, -ian, quot-, orig. — OF. cotidien (mod. quotidien); early assim. to L. quotdinus, earlier cott-, ctdanus, f. cott-, ctdi (quot-) every day, f. base of quotus (see QUOTA) + dis day; see -IAN.

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quotient

result obtained by dividing one quantity by another. XV. — L. quotins how many times (f. quot how many), taken as a prp. in -ns; cf. -ENT.

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R

rabbet

channel or groove made in wood, stone, etc.; rectangular recess. XV. — OF. rab(b)at act of beating down, recess in a wall, f. rabattre beat back or down, REBATE; the ending has been assim. to -ET.

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rabbi

(title of respect given to) a Jewish doctor of the law. XIV (raby). — OF. rab(b)i (mod. rabbin), ecclL. rabbi — Heb. rabb my master, f. rabh master, with pronominal suffix. So rabbin XVI. — F. rabbin or medL. rabbnus. Hence rabbinic(al) XVII.

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rabbit

XIV (orig. applied to the young). ME. rabet(te), perh. — an OF. form repr. by dial. F. rabotte, rabouillet young rabbit, poss. of LG. or Du. orig. (cf. Flem. robbe, Du. †robett).

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rabble

A
†pack, swarm of animals XIV; disorderly crowd XVI;

B
†long string of words XVI; (dial.) rigmarole. of obscure orig.; sense B suggests immed. connection with dial. rabble vb. utter in a rapid confused manner (XIV; cf. MDu. rabbelen, LG. rabbeln).
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rabid

furious, raging XVII; affected with rabies XIX. — L. rabidus, f. rabere rave, be mad; see -ID1. So rabies canine madness. XVII. — L. rabis.

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rac(c)oon

XVII. of Algonquian orig.

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race1

†onward movement, rush XIII; (dial.) running, run XIV; strong current of water (channel for water, e.g. mill-race XVI); contest of speed XVI. north. ME., MSc. rs, raas — ON. rás running, race, rush of water, channel; of uncert. origin. Taken into gen. Eng. use from the north in XVI.

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race2

class of persons, animals, plants; group of persons, etc. having a common ancestry or character; class of wine XVI; characteristic style of speech or writing XVII. — F. — It. razza; of unkn. orig. Hence racial XIX. racy (in senses derived from the last two of the sb. above) XVII.

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race3

root of ginger. XVI. — OF. rais, raiz :- L. rdx, rdc- root.

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raceme

XVIII. — L. racmus cluster of grapes. So racemose (-OSE1) XVII.

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rachitis

(med.) rickets. XVIII. — modL. — Gr. rhakhîtis, f. rhákhis spine, ridge; see -ITIS.

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rack1

A
†shock, collision XIII;

B
mass of driven cloud XIV. prob. of Scand. orig.; cf. Norw. and Sw. dial. rak (Sw. uvak, Da. vrag) wreck, wreckage, refuse, f. reka drive; the identity of A and B is not certain.
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rack2

†bar, or framework of bars, esp. used for support or suspension. XIV. ME. rakke, occas. rekke — (M)Du., MLG. rak, rek, prob. f. recken stretch (see next).

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rack3

instrument of torture in the form of a frame with a roller at each end. XV. prob. spec. use of RACK2. So vb. stretch the joints of XV; in various transf. and fig. uses XVI. — MLG., MDu. racken, also recken = OE. re..an, OS. rekkian, OHG. recchan (G. recken), ON. rekja, Goth. -rakjan stretch; rel. to L. regere DIRECT.

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rack4

horse's gait in which the two feet on each side are lifted simultaneously. XVI. contemp. with rel. vb.; of unkn. orig.

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rack5

phr. to rack (and ruin) to destruction. XVI. var. of WRACK1.

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rack6

Aphetic of ARRACK. XVII.

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racket1

bat of network used in ball games; pl. game played with ball and rackets XVI; (N. Amer.) snow-shoe XVII. — F. raquette †palm of the hand, racket, snow-shoe — It. racchetta, f. Arab. rhet palm of the hand.

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racket2

disturbance, uproar XVI; social excitement XVIII; trying experience XIX; illicit scheme XX (U.S.). perh. imit. of clattering noise. Hence racket vb., rackety XVIII.

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raddle

red ochre. XVI. var. of RUDDLE.

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radial

XVI. — medL. radilis, f. RADIUS (cf. RAY1); see -AL1.

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radiant

shining brightly XV; pert. to radiation XVIII. — L. radins, -ant-, prp. of radire radiate, f. radius RAY1. Hence radiance XVII, radi-ancy XVII. So radiate (-ATE3) emit rays XVII; spread in all directions from a centre XIX. f. radit-, pp. stem of L. radire. radiation XVII. — L. radiator one or that which radiates XIX (in sense ‘apparatus for circulating hot water to warm an apartment’ orig. U.S.).

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radical

pert. to the moisture inherent in animals and plants XIV; (math., philol., etc.) pert. to a root or radix; inherent, fundamental XVI; going to the root or origin, thorough XVII (r. reform XVIII); sb. radical element XVII; advocate of ‘radical reform’ XIX. — late L. rdclis, f. L. rdx, rdc- root; see -AL1. Hence radicalism XIX.

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radicle

(bot.) part of the embryo which develops into the primary root. XVIII. — L. rdcula, dim. of rdx, rdc- root; see -CLE.

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radio

XX. abbrev. of radiotelegraphy, -telephony; see next.

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radio-

used as comb. form of RADIUS (cf. RAY1) (i)anat., as radio-carpal pert. to radius and carpus, (ii)pert. to X-rays and other forms of radiation, as radioactive, radiotelegraphy, radiology XIX.

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radish

OE. rædi. (ME. redich, radich) — L. rdx, rdc- root; late ME. radish (XV), alt. of this perh. by blending with F. radis — It. radice :- L.

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radium

XIX. f. L. radius RAY1; see -IUM.

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radius

†staff of a cross XVI; thicker and shorter bone of the forearm; straight line drawn from the centre of a circle to the circumference XVII; (techn.) rod, bar, ray XVIII. — L. radius staff, spoke, ray, radius of a circle, of the arm, etc.

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radix

(chiefly techn.) root, basis. XVI. — L. rdx root of a plant.

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raffia

XIX. var. of raphia, var. rofia kind of palm (rofeer XVIII); of Malagasy orig.

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raffle

†game of chance played with three dice XIV; (f. the vb.) form of lottery XVIII. — OF. raffle, (also mod.) rafle throw at dice of all three alike, clean sweep; of unkn. orig. Hence or — F. rafler raffle vb. XVII.

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raft

†beam, spar; structure of planks, etc., forming a means of transport over water. XV — ON. raptr rafter, rel. to OHG. rvo beam, ON. ráfr, ræfr roof; cf. next.

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rafter

OE. ræfter = OS. rehter, MLG. rafter, rachter, rel. to RAFT.

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rag1

small fragment of textile material XIV; remnant, scrap XV; thing (contemptuously) regarded as such XVI. ME. ragge, perh. back-formation on ragged (-ED2) shaggy, rough XIII; of irregular or straggling shape XIV; in rags XIV — ON. rggvaor tufted; or on raggy (-Y1) late OE. raggig shaggy, f. ragg — ON. rgg tuft or strip of fur; of unkn. orig.

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rag2

(†piece or mass of) coarse or rough stone XIII (ragghe); ragstone XIV. of unkn. orig., but assoc. later with prec.

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rag3

(sl.) scold, rate XVIII; annoy, esp. in a rough or noisy fashion XIX. of unkn. orig. Cf. BULLYRAG.

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ragamuffin

XVI (ragomoffyn occurs XIV as the name of a demon); perh. based on RAG1.

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rage

†madness; violent anger, furious passion XIII; violent feeling or desire XIV; fervour, enthusiasm, excitement XVI. — (O)F.:- Rom. rabia, for L. rabis ferocity, madness, RABIES. So vb. XIII.

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raglan

overcoat without shoulder seams. XIX. f. name of Fitzroy James Henry Somerset . 1st Baron Raglan (d. 1855), British commander in the Crimean war.

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ragout

meat stewed with vegetables. XVII. — F. ragoût, f. ragoûter revive the taste of, f. ra- (i.e. RE- + a-) + goût taste.

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rag-tag

rabble, riff-raff. XIX. For older tag-rag (XVII), which replaced tag and rag (XVI); see TAG1.

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raguly

(her.) having short oblique projections. XVII. f. RAG1 or RAGGY after NEBULY. See -Y5.

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ragweed

XVII, ragwort XV. f. RAG1 + WEED1, WORT1; with ref. to the ragged form of the leaves.

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raid

military expedition, orig. on horseback, foray. XV. Sc. form of ROAD, with extension of meaning. Hence vb. XIX.

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rail1

†garment, mantle OE.; †neckerchief XV; night-rail dressing-gown XVI. OE. hræ(e)l + OFris. (h)reil, OHG. (h)regil, of unkn. orig.

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rail2

bar of wood, etc. fixed in a horizontal position XIII; hand-rail of a staircase XV; bar or continuous line of bars laid for wheels to run on (so railroad, railway) XVIII. ME. reyle, raile — OF. reille iron rod:- L. rgula staff, rod, RULE.

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rail3

bird of the family Rallidae. XV. — (O)F. râle (Norman-Picard dial. raille; AN. radle); of uncert. orig.

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rail4

utter abusive language. XV. — F. railler, †ragler — Pr. ralhar jest. Cf. RALLY2.

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raillery

XVII. — F. raillerie, f. railler RALLY2; see -ERY.

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raiment

XV. Aphetic of arrayment (XIV) — AN. araiement, OF. areement; see ARRAY, -MENT.

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rain

sb.
OE. ren + OS., OHG. regan (Du., G. regen), ON. regn, Goth. rign; CGmc., but isolated in IE. So rain vb. OE. renian. The comps. rain-bow, -drop, -shower, -water, and rainy are all of OE. age.

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raise

set up or upright; build up, construct; remove to a higher position XII; levy; end (a siege) XIV; to make higher or greater XV. — ON. reisa + OE. rran REAR1.

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raisin

XIII. — (O)F. raisin grape:- Rom. racmus, for L. racmus cluster of grapes.

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raj

(Indian hist.) sovereignty. XVIII. — Hindi rj reign.

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raja(h)

XVI. prob. through Pg. raja — Hindi rj :- Skr. rájan-, cogn. with L. rx, rg-, OIr. r king.

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rake1

implement consisting of a comb-like cross-bar fitted to a long handle. OE. raca m., racu fem. = MLG., MDu. rke (Du. raak), rel. to Goth. ufrakjan stretch out, f. Gmc. base rak- :- IE. ro- re- move in a straight line, stretch, repr. also by RIGHT. So vb. XIII. — ON. raka scrape, shave, rake; also f. the sb.

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rake2

(naut.) projection of hull at stem and stern beyond the keel line. XVII. f. rake vb. (XVII) have a rake, incline from the perpendicular; of unkn. orig. Hence rakish^1 (-ISH1) having a smart appearance like a fast-sailing ship. XIX (partly assoc. with next).

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rake3

man of dissipated or loose habits. XVII. Clipped form of rakel (XVII), var. of arch. rakehell (XVI), f. RAKE1 + HELL. Hence rakish^2 (-ISH1) XVIII.

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rallentando

(mus.) direction for reducing the tempo. XIX. — It., prp. of rallentare slow down, f. lento slow.

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rally1

reassemble, revive XVI; also intr. XVII. — F. rallier, f. RE- + allier ALLY2. Hence sb. XVII.

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rally2

treat with good-humoured ridicule. XVII (in early use also railly). — F. railler RAIL4. Cf. RAILLERY.

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ram

male sheep; battering-ram OE.; weight of a pile-driving machine XV. OE. ram(m), corr. to (M)LG., (M)Du., OHG ram ram (G. ramme rammer), perh. rel. to ON. ram(m)r strong. Hence vb. XIV, whence rammer XV.

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ramadan

ninth month (30 days' fast) of the Muslim year (supposed orig. to have been a hot month). XVI. — Arab. raman, f. ramaa be hot.

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ramble

vb. XVII. prob. — MDu. rammelen (of cats, rabbits, etc.) be excited by sexual desire and wander about, frequent. f. rammen copulate with, cover, corr. to OHG. rammaln (G. rammeln); ult. f. ram RAM; see -LE3. Hence sb. XVII.

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ramekin

cheese with breadcrumbs, etc. baked. XVIII. — F. ramequin, of Gmc. orig.

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ramify

form branches, branch out. XVI. — (O)F. ramifier — medL. rmificre, f. L. rmus branch; see -FY. So ramification XVII. — F.

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ramose

branching. XVII. — L. rmsus, f. rmus branch; see -OSE.

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ramp1

rear or stand on the hind legs (threateningly) XIII; rage violently XIV; (dial.) climb, scramble XVI. — (O)F. ramper creep, crawl (a sense rarely repr. in Eng.), climb = It. rampare. So rampant standing with fore-paws in the air XIV (spec. in her. XV); violent and unrestrained XVII. — (O)F., prp. of ramper; see -ANT.

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ramp2

inclined plane. XVIII. — F. rampe, f. ramper RAMP1.

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rampage

behave violently XVIII; push about excitedly XIX. orig. Sc., of unkn. orig.

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rampart

XVI. — F. rempart, †rampart, alt. of †remper, †ramper, f. remparer fortify, f. RE- + emparer take possession of.

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rampion

species of bell flower. XVI. f. some var. of the Rom. forms derived from medL. rapuncium, rapontium (It. raperonzo, F. raiponce, Sp. reponcha).

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ramshackle

XIX. Later form of ramshackled XVII, orig. pp. of †rans(h)ackle ransack, f. RANSACK + -LE3.

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ranch

hut or house in the country; cattle-breeding establishment. XIX. — Sp. rancho mess on board ship, soldiers' quarters, (in S. America) hut for herdsmen, etc.

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rancid

XVII. — L. rancidus, f. rancre (in prp. rancns) be putrid; see -ID1.

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rancour, U.S. rancor

XIV. — OF. rancour (mod. rancœur):- late L. rancor, rancr- rankness, (Vulg.) bitter grudge, f. rancre be putrid; see prec., -OUR2.

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rand

(dial.) border, margin OE.; (dial.) strip, long slice XIV; strip of leather used in the sole of a boot or shoe XVI. OE. rand brink, bank, shield, corr. to OS. rand (Du. rand edge, ridge), OHG. rant (G. rand), ON. rnd edge, rim of a shield.

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randan

style of rowing (or boat) in which the middle of three rowers pulls a pair of sculls, the others an oar each. XIX. of uncert. orig.

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random

†impetuosity, great speed or violence XIV; at (the) r., orig. in hawking and the tournament XV; at r., at great speed, (hence) at haphazard, without purpose XVI; †full range of a piece of ordnance, elevation of a gun; adj. XVII. ME. rand(o)un — OF. randon, rel. to randir run impetuously, gallop, of Gmc. orig.

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ranee

Hindu queen. XVII. — Hindi rn :- Skr. rj-, fem. of rjan- RAJAH.

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range

A
†rank, file XIII; row, line, series XVI;

B
moving about over an area; area itself XV; extent over which a missile ranges XVI; scope XVII.
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C
form of fire-grate or cooking apparatus XV. — OF. range row, rank, file, f. ranger (f. rang RANK1). whence range vb. place in a line, arrange, dispose XIV, take up a position, extend XVI, move over a certain area XVI.
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Hence ranger (arch.) gamekeeper XV; wanderer XVI; (esp. U.S.) pl. body of mounted troops XVIII.

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rank1

row, line; grade of station or dignity. XVI. — OF. ranc, var. of renc (now rang) — Gmc. ?regaz RING1.

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rank2

A
†proud, rebellious OE.; †stout and strong XII; †swift, violent XIII;

B
†full-grown OE.; vigorous or luxuriant of growth; coarsely luxuriant XIII; grossly rich or fertile; gross, coarse in manner XIV; of offensively strong smell; absolute, downright XVI. OE. ranc proud, stout, valiant, showy in dress = (M)LG. rank long and thin, ON. rakkr erect, f. Gmc. rakaz.
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rankle

fester (now only fig.) XIV; fret, chafe (as, or as with, a sore) XVI. — OF. ra(o)ncler (var. of draoncler), f. ra(o)ncle (var. of draoncle) ulcer, festering sore — medL. dranculus, for L. dracunculus, dim. of drac serpent.

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ransack

†search (a person); search (a place), examine thoroughly XIII; search (a place) with intent to rob, plunder XIV. — ON. rannsaka search for stolen goods, f. rann house (= OE. ærn) + -saka, rel. by gradation to sœkja SEEK.

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ransom

procuring the release of a prisoner by a payment, sum so paid. XIII. ME. rans(o)un — OF. ransoun, raençon (mod. rançon):- L. redempti, -n- REDEMPTION. So ransom vb. XIII. — OF. ransouner (mod. rançonner).

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rant

†be uproariously merry; declaim in an extravagant manner. XVI. — Du. †ranten talk foolishly, rave. Hence sb. XVII.

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ranunculus

crowfoot, buttercup. XVI. — L. rnunculus little frog, tadpole, medicinal plant (perh. crowfoot), dim. of rna frog.

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rap1

strike or knock smartly. XIV. prob. imit.; cf. Sw. rappa beat, drub, and clap, flap, slap, tap. So sb. XIV.

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rap2

counterfeit coin current in Ireland XVIII; type of the smallest coin, (hence) least bit XIX. abbrev. of Ir. ropaire.

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rapacious

XVII. f. L. rapx, rapc-, f. rapere snatch; see -IOUS. So rapacity XVI. — F. or L.

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rape1

any of the six administrative districts of the county of Sussex. XI (rap, Domesday Book; taken up by legal and antiquarian writers from XVI). Identical with OE. rp ROPE (the var. rope is found occas. XIV), the reference being to the fencing-off of land with a rope.

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rape2

turnip; plant producing oil-seed. XIV. — L. rpum, rpa turnip, obscurely rel. to Gr. rhápus, rháphus turnip, OSl. rpa, OHG. ruoba turnip.

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rape3

take by force XIV; ravish (a woman) XVI. — AN. raper — L. rapere seize, snatch, take by force. So rape sb. †violent seizure, robbery; carrying away of a person by force XIV; violation of a woman XV. — AN. ra(a)p, rape rape of a woman, f. the vb.

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rapid

moving with great speed XVII; acting or happening quickly XVIII. — L. rapidus lit. carrying along or away, f. rapere seize, carry off quickly or violently; see -ID1. So rapidity XVII. — F. or L.

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rapier

XVI. prob. — Du. rapier or LG. rappir (cf. Sc. †rapper) — F. rapière, orig. espee rapiere ‘rapier sword’, of unkn. orig.

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rapine

XV. — (O)F. rapine or L. rapna, f. rapere seize; see -INE4.

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rapparee

Irish pikeman or irregular soldier. XVII. — Ir. rapaire, pl. rapairidhe short pike.

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rappee

coarse snuff, orig. produced by rasping a piece of tobacco. XVIII. — F. (tabac) râpé, pp. of râper RASP.

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rapport

†report XVI (rare); relationship, connection XVII. — F., f. rapporter, f. RE- + apporter bring — L. apportre, f. AP- + portre carry.

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rapprochement

XIX. — F., f. rapprocher, f. RE- + approcher APPROACH; see -MENT.

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rapscallion

XVII. Later form of rascallion (XVII), f. RASCAL.

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rapt

taken and carried up to heaven, etc. XIV; carried away by force; carried away in spirit XV; transported with emotion, plunged in thought XVI. — L. raptus, pp. of rapere seize, rel. to Lith. aprpiu take by force. So rapture †carrying off, violent seizure, rape; transport of mind, ecstatic state; rhapsody XVII. — medL. raptra seizure, ecstasy.

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rare1

†not thick or closely set; few and widely separated; of unusual merit XV; uncommon XVI. — L. rrus. So rarefy XIV. — (O)F. raréfier or medL. rrificre. rarity XVI. — F. rareté, †rarité, or L. rrits.

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rare2

underdone. XVII. later form of rear, OE. hrr, of unkn. orig.

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rarebit

in Welsh rarebit (BIT1), alt. of W. rabbit. XVIII.

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raree-show

peep-show. XVII. prob. Savoyard's pronunc. of rare show.

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rascal

†rabble; †young or inferior deer of a herd XIV, †one of the rabble, man of low station XV; low or unprincipled fellow XVI. — OF. rascaille (mod. racaille), prob. f. ONF. rasque :- Rom. rsica, f. rsicre scratch, f. rs-, pp. stem of L. rdere scrape, scratch, shave. As adj. XV. Hence rascally (-LY1) XVI.

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rase

†scratch, slit, slash; scrape XIV; level with the ground, RAZE XVI. — (O)F. raser shave close:- Rom. rsre, f. rs-; see prec.

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rash1

(dial.) active, brisk XIV; hasty or impetuous in action or behaviour XVI. OE. ræsc = (M)Du. rasch, OHG. rasc (G. rasch), ON. rskr doughty, brave:- Gmc. raskuz.

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rash2

superficial eruption of the skin. XVIII. corr. in form to OF. ra(s)che skin eruption = It. raschia itch, but the late emergence of the word is against direct connection.

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rasher

slice of bacon or ham (to be) cooked by boiling or frying. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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rasp

coarse file. XVI. — OF. raspe (mod. râpe), f. rasper scratch, scrape:- Rom. raspre — WGmc. (= OHG.) raspn scrape together. So rasp vb. scrape as with a rasp XIV; make a grating noise XIX. In ME. — OF. rasper, later f. the sb.

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raspberry

XVII (ras-, resberry). f. synon. rasp (XVI), shortened form of †raspis (XVI), †raspes, †respis, which was used as coll. pl. or as sg.; of unkn. orig., but identical in form with †raspis (XV–XVI) a kind of wine. See BERRY.

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rat1

rodent of the genus Rattus. OE. ræt, reinforced in late ME. from (O)F. rat :- Rom. rattus; ult. orig. unkn. In ME. raton (mod. dial. ratton, ratten) was the more frequent word. (- OF. raton, f. rat with augm. suffix).

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rat2

(mild imprecation) XVII. repr. affected pronunc. of ROT vb.

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ratafia

cordial flavoured with fruits or their kernels. XVII. — F., prob. of Creole origin and rel. to tafia rum.

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rataplan

drumming sound. XIX. — F., of imit. orig.

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rat-a-tat

XVII. imit. So rat-tat XVIII.

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ratchet

XVII (rochet) — F. rochet (in OF.) blunt lance-head, (later) bobbin, spool, ratchet (wheel), corr. to or partly — It. rocchetto spool, ratchet, dim. f. Rom. rokk-. Later assim. to ratch distaff (XVIII), which may depend upon G. ratsche.

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rate1

A
†estimated quantity or worth XV; †price XVI;

B
quantity in relation to another, value of one thing in respect of that of another XV; fixed relative charge XVI; degree of speed XVII; relative amount of variation XIX;
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C
†standard, measure XV; class (as of ships) XVII. — OF. — medL. rata (evolved from phr. pro rat, short for pro rat parte or portine according to an estimated or fixed part, proportionally), fem. of ratus fixed (see RATIFY).
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Hence rate vb. †fix the amount of, allot XV; estimate, reckon, assess XVI.

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rate2

chide angrily. XIV. Also †arate, of which rate may be an aphetic form; perh. to be referred to OF. (a)reter accuse, blame:- L. reputre REPUTE.

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rathe

(arch. and dial.) quick, eager OE.; early XIII (in compar.), XV. OE. hræð, var. of hræd (ME. and dial. rad) = OHG. (h)rad, ON. hraðr, Goth. raþs :- Gmc. ?raþaz, cogn. with Lith. kreiù, MIr. crothaim I shake. So rathe adv. †quickly, soon OE.; early XIV (now arch. and dial.; comp. rathe-ripe XVI). OE. hraðe, hræðe = MLG. rade, OHG. (h)rado.

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rather

†more quickly, (dial.) earlier, sooner; the more readily, the more OE. more properly; somewhat XVI. OE. hraðor ( = Goth. raþiz), compar. of hræðe RATHE adv.; see -ER3.

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ratify

XIV. — (O)F. ratifier — medL. ratificre, f. L. ratus fixed, established, pp. of rr reckon, think; see -FY. So ratification XV. — (O)F. — medL.

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ratio

relation of one quantity to another XVII; †ration XVIII. — L. rati; see REASON.

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ratiocination

XVI. — L. raticinti, -n-, f. raticinr calculate, deliberate, f. rati REASON; see -ATION. So ratiocinate, ratiocinative XVII.

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ration

allowance of victuals or provisions. XVII. In naval and military use — F. — It. razione or Sp. ración — L. rati, -n- reckoning, computation, sum or number (for other senses see REASON).

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rational

endowed with reason XIV; based on or pert. to reason XVI; (math.); agreeable to reason, reasonable XVII. — L. ratinlis, f. rati REASON; see -AL1. So rationale reasoned exposition; rational basis. XVII. — modL. ratinle, sb. use of n. of ratinlis. Hence rationalism XIX, rationalist XVII, rationalize XIX.

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ratlin(e), ratling

(naut.) thin line or rope XV; pl. small lines fastened horizontally on the shrouds XVII. Early forms ratlin, raddelyne, radelyng; of unkn. orig.

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rattan

palm of the genus Calamus, stem of this switch or stick made therefrom. XVII. var. of earlier rot(t)ang — Malay rotan.

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rat-tat(-tat)

see RAT-A-TAT.

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rattle

give out a rapid succession of short sharp sounds XIV; various transf. uses from XVI. prob. — (M)LG., MDu. ratelen = MHG. razzeln (G. rasseln), of imit. orig. Hence sb. rattling sound; instrument for making a rattling noise; plant having a seed-pod that rattles XVI.

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ratty

pert. to, infested with, rats; miserable, wretched; irritated. XIX. f. RAT1 + -Y1.

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raucous

XVIII. f. L.:- ravicus, f. ravus hoarse; see -OUS. So raucity XVII. — F. or L. raucits.

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ravage

devastation. XVII. — (O)F., alt., by substitution of -AGE, of ravine RAVINE, both being used in the sense ‘rush of water’. So vb. XVII. — F. ravager.

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rave

†be mad; (hence) talk wildly. XIV. prob. — ONF. raver, of uncert. orig.

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ravel

(dial.) entangle, become entangled XVI; unravel XVII. poss. — Du. ravelen tangle, fray out, unweave.

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ravelin

(fortif.) outwork of two faces forming a salient angle. XVI. — F. — It. †ravellino, (now) rivellino, of unkn. orig.

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raven1

large black bird with raucous voice. OE. hræfn = OS. -hraban, MLG., MDu. rven (Du. raf), OHG. (h)raban, ON. hrafn :- Gmc. ?rabnaz; of imit. orig.

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raven2

†take by force, divide as spoil XV; devour voraciously (also intr.). XVI. — (O)F. raviner rush, ravage, (now) hollow out, furrow:- Rom. rapnre, f. L. rapna RAPINE. So ravenous XV. — OF. ravineux.

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ravin

(arch.) rapine; voracity; spoil, prey. XIV. — (O)F. ravine :- L. rapna RAPINE.

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ravine

†violence, violent rush (rare) XV; deep narrow gorge, mountain cleft XIX. — (O)F. ravine in mod. sense XVII, (formerly) violent rush, impetuosity, fall (of earth), torrent (of water):- L. rapna RAPINE, in Rom. (by assoc. with rapidus RAPID) impetuous or violent action.

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ravish

seize and carry off (a person), remove from sight XIII; transport with strong feeling XIV. — raviss-, lengthened stem of (O)F. ravir :- Rom. rapre, for L. rapere seize; see -ISH2.

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raw

uncooked OE.; in a natural or unwrought state; crude XIV; inexperienced XVI. OE. hraw = OS. hro (MDu. ra(e)u, Du. rauw), OHG. (h)ro, r (G. roh), ON. hrár :- Gmc. ?rawaz :- IE. krowos, f. a base repr. also by OIr. crú, Lith. krajas, OSl. krv blood, Gr. kréas, Skr. kraví- raw flesh, L. crdus raw.

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ray1

line of light XIV (various techn. senses from XVII). — (O)F. rai :- L. radius; see RADIUS.

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ray2

edible sea-fish allied to the shark. XIV. — (O)F. raie :- L. raia.

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raze

†scratch, graze; †scrape out, erase; sweep away, efface. XVI. var. sp. of RASE.

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razor

XIII. ME. raso(u)r — OF. raso(u)r (superseded by rasoir :- Rom. rsrium), f. raser RASE; see -OR1.

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razzia

hostile incursion, raid. XIX. — F. — Algerian Arab. gzya, var. of Arab. azwa, azt military expedition, f. azw war.

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razzle-dazzle

riotous jollity. XIX. jingling formation on DAZZLE.

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re1

(mus.) second note of the scale in solmization. XIV. See UT.

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re2

in the matter of, concerning. XVIII. abl. of L. rs thing, affair.

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re-

repr. L. re-, (before a vowel in the classical period) red- (e.g. redimere REDEEM, redundre REDOUND); pref. restricted to the Italic group, having the general sense of ‘back’ or ‘again’, occurring in many Eng. words of L. or Rom. origin (cf. F. re-, ré-, Sp., Pg. re-, It. ri-), or of Eng. formations freely modelled on these. From the L. was derived an adj. recos, repr. in reciprocus RECIPROCAL, and an adv. retr backwards, RETRO-. In combination with a- the prefix is disguised in rally, rampart, and ransom, and in the non-naturalized rallentando, rapport, rapprochement. The meanings of the L. prefix, which are all repr. in Eng., are:
1.
backwards from a point reached or to the starting-point, e.g. recdere RECEDE, revocre REVOKE; passing sometimes into ‘away’, e.g. removre REMOVE;
2.
back to an earlier state or over to another condition, e.g. renovre RENOVATE, resmere RESUME;
3.
back in a place, from going forward, e.g. residre RESIDE, retinre RETAIN;
4.
again, in return, (the most frequent use in new formations);
5.
in a contrary direction, so that what has been done is annulled or destroyed ( = UN-2), e.g. renuntire RENOUNCE, revlre unveil, REVEAL1;
6.
in opposition or conflict, e.g. rebellis REBEL, recrminr RECRIMINATE;
7.
in response to a stimulus, with intensive force, e.g. requrere REQUIRE, resolvere RESOLVE.

Words containing the prefix occur as early as c.1200 and become more frequent in XIV; it became an Eng. pref. in XVI, formations on native words being modelled to some extent on foreign comps., as recall on L. revocre, recast after F. refondre. There are double forms with different meanings (with or without hyphen) arising from the coining of new formations from els. identical with those of already existing ones, e.g. re-cover (cover again) beside RECOVER.

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reach1

stretch out, extend (in various lit. and fig. uses). OE. ræ.an (pt. rhte, rhte) = MLG., (M)Du. reiken, (O)HG. reichen :- WGmc. raikjan, with which Lith. ráiytis stretch has been connected. The typical ME. forms of pt. and pp. were rau(g)ht(e); the new reched appeared c.1400. Hence reach sb. continuous stretch, as of a waterway XIII (in place-names); act or extent of reaching XVI.

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reach2

†spit, hawk OE.; make efforts to vomit XVI. OE. hræ.an = ON. hrækja spit, f. Gmc. ?raik-, repr. also by OF. hrca, ON. hrki spittle; of imit. orig.

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react

act in turn or in response to a stimulus XVII; move or tend in a reverse direction XIX. f. RE- + ACT vb. So reaction XVII, whence reactionary XIX. reagent (chem.) substance employed to detect the presence of another by the reaction produced. XVIII.

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read

†think, suppose, guess; discern the meaning of (chiefly in read a riddle, a dream); inspect and interpret aloud or silently (signs representing speech); also intr. OE. rdan = OS. rdan (Du. raden advise, guess), OHG. rtan (G. raten guess, read (a riddle), advise), ON. ráða advise, plan, rule, explain, read, Goth. -rdan :- Gmc. rðan, prob. rel. to OIr. imrádim I deliberate, consider, OSl. raditi take thought, attend to, Skr. rdh- accomplish.

The orig. senses of the Gmc. vb. are those of taking or giving counsel, taking charge, controlling; the sense of considering or explaining something secret or mysterious is common to several langs., but that of interpreting written symbols is peculiar to OE., and ON. (perh. through OE. infl.). Hence reader (-ER1) one who reads OE.; reading-book XVIII. reading (-ING1) OE.

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ready

in a state of preparation for something, prompt, quick. XII. ME. rædi(z), re(a)di, also zeredi, ireadi, extended forms (with -Y1) of OE. rde, usu. erde (ME. irede) = MLG. (ge)rde (Du. gereed), OHG. reiti, MHG. gereite, parallel to OE. erd straight, wise, prudent, -conditioned, MLG. gerd, MHG. gereit ready, ON. (g)reiðr ready, Goth. garaiþs arranged; f. Gmc. raið- prepare, arrange.

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real1

(orig. leg.) pert. to things (as dist. from persons) XV; actually existing or present; that is truly what its name implies XVI. orig. — AN. real = (O)F. réel; later — its source, late L. relis, f. rs thing; see -AL1. So reality XVI. — (O)F. or medL. realize, realization XVII. — F. Hence realism XIX, realist XVII, really (-LY2) XV.

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real2

small Spanish silver coin. XVII — Sp., sb. use of real = F. royal ROYAL.

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realgar

native disulphide of arsenic. XIV. — medL. — Arab. rahj al-r ‘powder of the cave or mine’ (rahj powder, al AL-2, r cave).

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realm

(now rhet. and techn.) kingdom. XIII. ME. reaume, later reume, rea(l)me (XIV) — OF. reaume, realme (mod. royaume) — L. regimen REGIMEN; blending with OF. reiel ROYAL, etc. produced forms with -l-, which finally prevailed in Eng., realm being established c.1600.

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ream

20 quires of paper. XIV. — OF. raime, reyme, remme (mod. rame), also riesme — Arab. rizma bundle, f. razama collect into a bundle.

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reap

cut (grain) for harvest. The present form descends from ME. re(o)pen, repr. OE. (i)reopan, riopan, var. of ripan (pt. ripde, ripte), and (ii)repan (pt. pl. rpon); no certain cogns. are known. (OE. pt. pl. ripon implies an inf. rpan, pres. rpe, rpð, repr. by ME. and dial. ripe, pt. rope.)

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rear1

set up, lift up, raise (lit. and fig.) OE.; bring up, breed XV; intr. rise on the hind feet XIV. OE. rran = ON. reisa (cf. Goth. urraisjan awaken):- Gmc. raizjan, causative of reisan RISE. Superseded in many senses by the Scand. RAISE.

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rear2

hindmost part. XVI. In earliest use military and naval; prob. extracted from phr. in the rearward (XV) or simply a shortening of rearward or rearguard. See next.

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rearguard

†rear portion of an armed force XV; portion detached from the main force to protect the rear XVII. — OF. rereguarde, f. rer, riere :- L. retr back + guarde GUARD. The AN. var. rerewarde is repr. by rearward XIV; see WARD1.

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reason

fact or circumstance serving as ground or motive for action; intellectual power, thinking faculty. XIII. ME. res(o)un, reson, reisun — OF. reisun, res(o)un (mod. raison):- L. rati, -n- reckoning, judgement, understanding, reasoning, method, motive, f. rat-, pp. stem of rr think, reckon; see -TION. So reason vb. †question, call to account XIV; †hold discourse XV; think connectedly or logically XVI. — OF. raisoner (mod. -onner). reasonable agreeable to reason XIII; †endowed with reason; having sound judgement; not exceeding limits assigned by reason XIV. — (O)F. raison(n)able.

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Réaumur

Name of a thermometer invented by René Antoine de Réaumur (1683–1757), French physicist. XVIII.

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reave

pt., pp. reft (arch.) commit robbery; despoil; take forcible possession on. OE. rafian = OS. rbon (Du. rooven), OHG. roubn (G. rauben), Goth. -raubn :- Gmc. raubjan, f. raub- (whence also OE. raf plunder, equipment, clothing = OS. rf, OHG. roub), reub- (whence OE. rofan break, tear, ON. rjúfa break, violate); the orig. sense is ‘break’, as in cogn. L. rumpere, rup-. Hence reaver, Sc. reiver robber, plunderer. OE. rafere = MDu. rvere (Du. roover), OHG. roubari (G. räuber).

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rebate

†deduct, subtract; reduce, diminish XV; †dull, blunt XVI. ME. rabat — (O)F. rabattre, f. RE- + abattre ABATE; later alt. by substitution of re- for the first syll. Hence sb. deduction. XVII.

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rebeck

(hist.) three-stringed fiddle. XVI. — F. rebec, †rabec, unexpl. alt. of OF. ribebe, rubebe (whence ME. ribibe, ru-, ribible) — Arab. rabb (dial. rabb) one- or two-stringed fiddle.

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rebel

adj.
that refuses obedience or allegiance XIII; sb. one who does this XIV. — (O)F. rebelle adj. and sb. — L. rebellis adj. and sb., f. RE- + bellum war. So rebel vb. XIV. — (O)F. rebeller — L. rebellre. rebellion XIV. — (O)F. rébellion — L. rebelli, -n-. Hence rebellious XVI (preceded by †rebellous XV). — F. †rebelleux.

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rebound

vb. XIV. — OF. rebonder, (also mod.) rebondir, f. RE- + bondir BOUND4. Hence (or — F. rebond) rebound sb. XVI.

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rebuff

vb. XVI. — F. †rebuffer — It. ribuffare, rabbuffare, f. ribuffo, rabbuffo, f. ri- RE- + buffo gust, puff, of imit. orig. So sb. XVII. — F. †rebuffe — It. ribuffo.

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rebuke

†break down, force back; chide severely. XIV. — AN., ONF. rebuker = OF. rebuchier, f. RE- + bu(s)chier, bukier beat, strike, prop. cut down wood, f. busche (mod. bûche) log, prob. of Gmc. orig. Hence sb. XV.

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rebus

enigmatic representation of a name, word, etc. by pictures suggesting its syllables. XVII. — F. rébus — L. rbus, abl. pl. of rs thing.

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rebut

†revile, reproach XIII; †repel, repulse XIV; check XV; (leg.) repel by counter-proof XIX (intr. XVII). — AN. rebuter, OF. rebo(u)ter, f. RE- + boter BUTT1. So rebutter (leg.) defendant's answer to plaintiff's surrejoinder. XVI. Hence rebuttal (-AL2) XIX.

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recalcitrant

XIX. — F. récalcitrant — L. recalcitrns, -ant-, prp. of recalcitrre kick out, (later) be refractory, f. RE- + calcitrum kick, f. calx, calc- heel; see -ANT.

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recall

call back; revoke. XVI. f. RE- + CALL. Hence sb. XVII.

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recant

XVI. — L. recantre recall, revoke, f. RE- + cantre sing, CHANT. Hence recantation XVI.

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recapitulate

XVI. f. pp. stem of late L. recapitulre, f. RE- + capitulum section of a writing, CHAPTER; see -ATE2. So recapitulation XIV. — (O)F. or late L.

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recast

cast (metal) again; refashion. XVIII. f. RE- + CAST.

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recede

retire from a place. XV. — L. recdere, f. RE- + cdere go, CEDE. So recess †retirement, withdrawal XVI; (period of) retirement from occupation; retired, receding, or inner part XVII. — L. recessus. recession retirement. XVII (whence recessional (hymn) sung during the retirement of clergy, etc., after a service (XIX)). — L.

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receipt

A
recipe.

B
reception (of money, etc.); money received XIV (written acknowledgement of this XVII); office for the reception of moneys XV (r. of the Exchequer). ME. receit(e) — AN. (ONF.) receite = OF. reçoite, var. of recete (mod. recette) — medL. recepta, sb. use of fem. pp. of recipere RECEIVE. The sp. with p appears in OF. recepte, a latinized form of recete.
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receive

take to oneself XIII; accept, take in, admit; be the object of XIV. — OF. receivre, var. of reçoivre or later (refash.) recevoir, ult.:- L. recipere; see RECIPIENT. So receiver (-ER2) XIV. — AN. receivere, -our = OF. recevere.

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recension

†enumeration, survey XVII; critical revision of a text, text so revised XIX. — L. recnsi, -n-, f. recnsre reckon, survey, review, revise, f. RE- + cnsre assess, appraise; see -ION.

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recent

XVI. — F. récent or L. recns, -ent-.

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receptacle

XV. — (O)F. réceptacle or L. receptculum, f. receptre receive, f. recept-, pp. stem of recipere RECEIVE.

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reception

action of receiving XIV (in astron. sense), in gen. sense XV (not freq. till mid-XVII). — (O)F. réception or L. recepti, -n-, f. recipere RECEIVE; see -TION. So receptive XVI. — medL.

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réchauffé

warmed-up dish. XIX. — F., pp. of réchauffer warm up again, f. RE- + échauffer; see CHAFE, -Y5.

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recherché

very choice or rare. XVIII. — F., pp. of rechercher search for carefully.

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recidivist

XIX. — F. récidiviste, f. récidiver — medL. recidvre, f. L. recidvus, f. recidere fall back, f. RE- + cadere fall; see -IVE, -IST.

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recipe

†(imper.) take XIV; sb. formula for a medical prescription XVI, for a dish in cookery XVIII. — L. recipe, imper. sg. of recipere RECEIVE.

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recipient

one who or a thing which receives. XVI. — F. récipient — It. recipiente or L. recipins, -ent-, prp. of recipere RECEIVE, f. RE- + capere take; see -ENT.

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reciprocal

done in return; inversely related XVI; corresponding to each other; (gram.) reflexive XVII. f. L. reciprocus moving backwards and forwards, alternating:- recoprocos, f. recos + procos, f. (respectively) RE- and PRO-1; see -AL1. So reciprocate (-ATE3) XVII. f. pp. stem of L. reciprocre. reciprocation XVI. — F. or L. reciprocity XVIII. — F.

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recite

XV. — (O)F. réciter or L. recitre read out, f. RE- + citre CITE. Hence recital (-AL3) XVI. So recitation XV. — (O)F. récitation or L. recitti, -n-, recitative adj. and sb. XVII. f. It. recitativo; see -ATIVE.

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reck

take care, heed, concern oneself. OE. shows two types: (i)r.an, pt. rhte (whence ME. reche, rouhte, later rought till XVII) = OS. rkjan, OHG. ruohhen, ON. rœkja :- Gmc. rkjan; (ii)re..an, the orig. of which is obscure, paralleled in re..elas RECKLESS. The present form, which appears XII, is due partly to generalization of the k of ME. 3rd sg. pres. ind. rekp (OE. recð, which may belong to either r.an or re..an), partly to the infl. of ON. rœkja. New pt. and pp. in -ed appear XV.

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reckless

OE. re.(.)elas, corr. to MLG. rkels, (M)Du. roekeloos, OHG. ruahhals (G. ruchlos); f. base of RECK + -LESS; forms with -(c)k- are extant from XII, by assoc. with the vb.

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reckon

A
†recount, relate OE. (once); enumerate, name serially XII; count, compute XIII; estimate, consider XIV.

B
make a calculation, settle accounts with; calculate or design to XVI; depend on XVII. OE. erecenian = (M)LG., (M)Du. rekenen, OHG. rehhann (G. rechnen):- WGmc. (za)rekenjan, perh. f. rekenaz (OE. recen) ready, rapid, straightforward.
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reclaim

†call (a hawk) back XIII; recall, bring back; reduce to obedience XIV; claim restoration of XVI; bring (land) under cultivation XVIII. — (O)F. réclamer — L. reclmre cry out, exclaim; see RE-, CLAIM. So reclamation XVI. — F. or L.

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recline

†lay down XV; (of a dial) incline from the vertical XVI; rest in a recumbent position XVII. — OF. recliner lean, of a dial (as above), and reinforced from its source L. reclnre bend back, lay aside, recline, f. RE- + -clnre (cf. LEAN2).

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recluse

sb.
person shut up from the world for the purpose of religious contemplation XIII; person of retired life XVIII; adj. XIV. — (O)F. reclus, fem. recluse, pp. of reclure :- L. recldere (pp. reclsus) shut up, (earlier) open, f. RE- + claudere CLOSE.

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recognition

†(Sc. leg.) resumption of lands by a feudal superior XV; acknowledgement as true or valid XVI; identification of a person or thing XVIII. — L. recognitio, -n-, f. recognit-, pp. stem of recognoscere examine, recognize; see RE-, COGNITION. So recognize †(Sc. leg.) resume possession of XV; †revise, amend; †acknowledge, admit; treat as valid, approve; know again XVI. Early forms raccunnis (Sc.), recognis(h), soon assim. to vbs. in -ise, -IZE. — OF. recon(n)iss-, pres. stem of reconnaistre (mod. reconnaître):- L. recognoscere. recognizance legal bond or obligation XIV; †recognition; †badge XV. — OF. recon(u)issance (mod. reconnaissance); cf. COGNIZANCE.

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recoil

†beat or drive back XIII; retreat, retire XIV; †go or draw back XV; spring back XVI. — (O)F. reculer — Rom. reclre, f. L. RE- + clus posteriors. Hence sb. XVI (once XIV).

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recollect

call back to one's mind XVI. var., with distinctive pronunc., of re-collect †collect; collect again XVI; summon up (one's spirits, courage, etc.) XVII; f. recollect-, pp. stem of L. recolligere collect again, f. RE- + colligere COLLECT1. So recollection A. gathering together again XVI; B. concentration of thought; recalling to the memory XVII. — F. or medL.

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recommend

commend or commit to God; †praise, commend XIV; mention or introduce with approval; make acceptable XVII. — medL. recommendre, f. RE- + commendre COMMEND. So recommendation XV.

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recompense

reward, requite. XV. — (O)F. récompenser — late L. recompensre, f. RE- + compensre COMPENSATE. So sb. XV. — F. récompense.

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reconcile

bring again into friendly relations or agreement XIV; make compatible XVI. — (O)F. réconcilier or L. reconcilire, f. RE- + concilire CONCILIATE. So reconciliation XIV.

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recondite

†hidden away; removed from ordinary understanding or knowledge. XVII. — L. reconditus, pp. of recondere put away, hide, f. RE- + condere hide.

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reconnaissance

ascertainment of the position and strength of an enemy. XVIII. — F., f. stem of reconnatre, later form of reconnotre (:- L. recognoscere RECOGNIZE), whence reconnoitre make a reconnaissance (of). (XVIII).

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record

(leg.) fact of being committed to writing as evidence XIII; fact of being preserved as knowledge XIV; (leg.) authentic report of proceedings XV; account of a fact in writing, etc. XVI. — (O)F. record remembrance, f. recorder bring to remembrance:- L. recordre, usu. -r think over, be mindful of, f. RE- + cor, cord- HEART; whence vb.
A
†commit to memory XIV; practise (a song, tune) XV;
B
†recall, remember; relate, set down in writing XIV. So recorder (1) magistrate holding a court of quarter-sessions, orig. lawyer appointed by the mayor and aldermen (of London) to keep in mind proceedings of the court, etc. XV. — AN. recordour, OF. recordeur; see -ER2. recorder (2) wind instrument of the flute kind. XV. f. record vb. in the sense ‘practise a tune’ + -ER1.

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recount

relate, tell in detail. XV. — AN., ONF. reconter, f. RE- + conter COUNT.

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recoup

†interrupt XV (rare); (leg.) deduct; recompense for loss or outlay XVII. — OF. recouper cut back, retrench, interrupt, re-sell, f. RE- + couper cut.

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recourse

†return; †course, movement; resort to a person or thing XIV; means resorted to XV. — (O)F. recours — L. recursus, f. recurs-, pp. stem of recurrere run or turn back, resort (see RECUR).

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recover

tr. get or bring back, regain; intr. regain a status. XIV. — AN. recoverer, OF. recovrer (mod. recouvrer), — L. recuperre regain; see RECUPERATE. So recovery XIV. — AN. recoverie, OF. reco(u)vree.

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recreant

confessing oneself vanquished, (hence) cowardly, craven XIV (also sb.); false, apostate XVII (sb. XVI). — OF. recreant adj. and sb. use of prp. of recroire yield, surrender:- medL. (s) recrdere surrender (oneself), f. RE- + crdere entrust, believe; see -ANT.

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recreate

restore to a good or wholesome condition, refresh. XV. f. pp. stem of L. recrere, f. RE- + crere CREATE. So recreation †refreshment, nourishment; refreshment by pleasant occupation. XIV. — (O)F. — L. recreative XVI.

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recriminate

retort an accusation, accuse in return. XVII. f. pp. stem of medL. recrminre, f. L. RE- + crminr accuse, f. crmen, crmin- accusation; see -ATE3. So recrimination XVII. — F. or medL.

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recrudescence

XVIII. f. L. recrdscere, f. RE- + crdscere become raw, see -ESCENCE. So recrudescent XVIII.

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recruit

†reinforcement (abstr. and concr.) of troops; †pl. reinforcements, (hence) one of the men composing these, newly enlisted soldier. XVII. — F. dial. †recrute = F. recrue, sb. use of fem. pp. of recrotre increase again:- L. recrscere, f. RE- + crscere grow. So recruit vb. reinforce; replenish; enlist new soldiers; recover health or vigour XVII; enlist (men) XIX. — F. recruter.

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rectangle

XVI. — F. rectangle or medL. rctangulum, for earlier rctiangulum, sb. use of n. sg. of rctiangulus, f. L. rctus straight, RIGHT + angulus ANGLE2. Hence rectangular XVII.

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rectify

put right, remedy XIV; refine by chemical process XV; adjust XVI. — (O)F. rectifier — medL. rctificre, f. L. rctus RIGHT; see -FY. So rectification XV — (O)F. or late L.

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rectilinear

XVII. f. late L. rctilneus, f. rctus RIGHT + lnea LINE1; see -AR.

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rectitude

†straightness XV; moral uprightness XVI. — (O)F. rectitude or late L. rctitd, f. rctus RIGHT; see -TUDE.

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recto

right-hand page of a book when open, front of a leaf. XIX. — L. rct on the right side, abl. of rctus RIGHT.

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rector

†ruler, governor XIV; incumbent of a parish whose tithes are not impropriate; head of a university, etc. XV. — OF. rectour (mod. recteur) or L. rctor, -r-, f. pp. stem of regere rule. So rectory (-ORY1) benefice held by a rector XVI; rector's residence XIX. — AN., OF. rectorie or medL. rctria; see -Y2.

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rectum

XVI. — L. rctum, n. of rctus straight.

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recumbent

XVII. — L. recumbns, -ent-, prp. of recumbere recline, f. RE- + -cumbere (cf. INCUMBENT).

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recuperate

†recover, regain XVI; restore (esp. in health) XVII; (intr.) recover health, etc. XIX. f. pp. stem of L. recuperre, f. RE- + cup- (as in occupre OCCUPY). So recuperation †recovery XV (rare before XVII); restoration of health XIX. — L.

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recur

go or come back, return (now in abstr. senses) XV; occur again XVII. — L. recurrere, f. RE- + currere run. So recurrence XVII, recurrent XVI.

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recusant

Roman Catholic (etc.) who refused to attend services of the Church of England. XVI. — L. recsns, -ant-, prp. of recsre refuse, f. RE- + causa CAUSE; see -ANT.

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red

OE. rad = OS. rd (Du. rood), OHG. rt (G. rot), ON. rauðr, Goth. rauþs :- Gmc. rauðaz :- IE. roudhos. f. base repr. also by Skr. rudhirá-, Gr. eruthrós, L. rfus, ruber, OIr. ruadh, W. rhudd, OSl. rud, Lith. radas comp. redbreast , red deer , red herring , red lead . XV, redstart song-bird having a red tail. XVI (OE. steort tail). Hence redden vb. XVII (-EN3), reddish XIV (-ISH1).

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red-

var. of RE-.

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-red

repr. OE. rden condition, which was freely used as a suffix, as in brðorrden brotherhood, frondrden friendship, sibrden relationship. Only a few were retained in ME., but there were some new formations, as felawrede fellowship, haterede(n) HATRED, kinrede(n) KINDRED.

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redaction

preparation for publication. XIX. — F. rédaction — late L. redacti, -n-, f. redact-, pp. stem of redigere drive back, collect, reduce, f. RED- + agere drive, etc.

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redan

(fortif.) field-work having two faces forming a salient angle. XVII. — F., var. of redent notching as of a saw, f. RE- + dent tooth.

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reddle

red ochre. XVIII. var. of RUDDLE.

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rede

†rule, govern OE.; †guide, guard, appoint XIII; advise, counsel OE.; interpret XVIII ME. form of READ, retained for arch. senses. So rede sb. (arch.) counsel; †plan of action; †succour, remedy OE.; tale, story XIV. OE. ræd, corr. to OS. rd (Du. raad), OHG. rt (G. rat), ON. ráð :- Gmc. ræðaz, -am, f. base of ræðan READ.

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redeem

buy back; free (mortgaged property) by payment; free by paying ransom; deliver, spec. from sin XV; make up for, compensate XVI. — F. rédimer or L. redimere f. RED- + emere buy, orig. take. Hence redeemer (-ER1) XV. So redemption action of freeing or delivering; ransom. XIV. — (O)F. rédemption — L. redempti, -n-, f. redempt-, pp. stem of redimere. Redemptorist member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. XIX. — F.

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red-gum

papular eruption. XVI. alt., by assim. to GUM1, of †redgown(d), †-gowm (XV), later form, infl. by RED, of radegound (XIV), f. obscure first el. + (dial.) gound pus, esp. from the eyes. OE. gund = OHG. gunt pus, Goth. gund carcinoma.

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redintegrate

restore to completeness or unity. XV. f. pp. stem of L. redintegrre, f. RED- + integrre INTEGRATE. So redintegration XV.

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redolent

†sweet-smelling XIV; smelling of or with XVII. — OF. redolent or L. redolns, -ent-, prp. of redolre, f. RED- + olre emit a smell; see -ENT. So redolence XV. — OF.

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redouble

double in quantity XV; repeat XVI. — F. redoubler; see RE-, DOUBLE vb.

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redoubt

†small work within a fortification; square or polygonal outwork or field-work. XVII. — F. redoute, †ridotte — It. †ridotta, now ridotto — medL. reductus refuge, retreat, f. pp. stem of redcere draw off, withdraw (see REDUCE). The b is due to assoc. with next.

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redoubtable

XIV. — (O)F. redoutable, f. redouter fear, dread, f. RE- + douter DOUBT; see -ABLE.

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redound

†overflow; †abound; †flow or go back; †resound XIV; turn or contribute to some advantage or disadvantage XV; attach or accrue to XVI. — (O)F redonder :- L. redundre (see REDUNDANT).

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redress

†set upright again; restore, amend, remedy XIV. — (O)F. redresser; see RE-, DRESS. So sb. XIV. — AN. redresse.

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reduce

†bring or lead back XIV; bring or restore to a condition; bring into subjection, bring down XV; diminish XVI. — L. redcere bring back, restore, replace, f. RE- + dcere lead, bring. So reduction XV. — (O)F. or L.

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redundant

characterized by superfluity or excess. XVII. — L. redundns, -ant-, pp. of redundre overflow, etc., f. RED- + undre (of the sea) be agitated, surge, f. unda wave; see -ANT. So redundance, redundancy XVII. — L.

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reduplicate

make double or twofold XVI; (gram.) XIX. f. pp. stem of late L. reduplicre, f. RE- + duplicre DUPLICATE. So reduplication doubling XVI; (gram.) repetition of an element of the radical or base of a word XVIII. — late L. reduplicti, -n-.

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reed

(tall straight stem of) any plant of the genera Phragmites and Arundo. OE. hrod = OS. hriod. OHG. (h)riot (Du., G. riet):- WGmc. ?reuda.

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reef1

(naut.) horizontal strip of a sail that can be taken in. XIV (rff). — (M)Du. reef, rif — ON. rif (RIB) in same sense; cf. next. Hence reef vb. reduce (a sail) by taking in a reef. XVII. Hence reefer (-ER1) reefing-jacket (close-fitting jacket). XIX.

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reef2

ridge of rock at or near the surface of the water XVI; (in gold-mining, orig. Austral.) lode of auriferous quartz XIX. Earlier riff(e), in nautical use — MLG. ref, rif, pl. rves, MDu. rif, ref — ON. rif (RIB) in same sense; cf. prec.

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reek

smoke OE.; vapour, steam XIV; exhalation, disagreeable smell XVII. OE. r., re. = OS. rk (Du. rook), OHG. rouh (G. rauch), ON. reykr :- Gmc. raukiz. From the grade reuk- is reek vb. smoke (trans. and intr.); emit hot vapour OE.; emit unwholesome vapour, stink XVIII. OE. rocan = (M)Du. rieken, OHG. riohhan (G. riechen), ON. rjúka. The normal repr. of the OE. sb. is ME. and dial. reech; the k-form is due partly to Scand. infl., partly to assoc. with the native verb.

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reel

winding instrument, orig. for thread or silk OE.; (orig. Sc., f. the vb.) whirling movement, staggering roll; lively dance of Sc. origin XVI. OE. hrol, of which no cogns. are known. Hence reel vb. wind on a reel; whirl; stagger, sway XIV; dance a reel XVIII.

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reeve1

(chiefly hist.) in Anglo-Saxon times, high official having local jurisdiction; later, variously applied to local officers. OE. rfa, aphetic var. of OE. erfa, earlier irfa, f. e- Y- + rf in se.rf host of men, stæfrf alphabet = OHG. ruova, ruoba, ON. stafróf.

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reeve2

pt. and pp. reeved, later rove (naut.) pass (a rope) through a hole. XVII. perh. — Du. rven reef, with shift of meaning.

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refection

refreshment, recreation XIV; partaking of food, meal XV. — (O)F. réfection — L. refecti, -n-, f. pp. stem of reficere remake, renew, f. RE- + facere make; see -TION. So refectory (-ORY1) XV. — late L. refectrium.

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refer

attribute to a source or related thing; have relation or allusion to XIV; commit to an authority, etc. XV. — (O)F. référer — L. referre carry back, f. RE- + ferre BEAR2. Hence referable XVII, referee (-EE1) (leg.); reference XVI. So referendum XIX. gerund or n. gerundive of L. referre. referent (gram.) XIX. — prp. of L. referre (see -ENT).

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refine

XVI. f. RE- + FINE vb.2. Hence refinement XVII, refinery XVIII.

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reflect

divert, deflect XV; throw back (beams, etc.), turn one's thoughts upon XVII; cast reproach. — OF. réflecter or L. reflectere, f. RE- + flectere bend. So reflection, reflexion throwing back of light or heat XIV; animadversion, imputation; fixing of the thoughts XVII. — (O)F. or late L.

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reform

A
form again XIV;

B
†restore; convert into another and a better form XIV; change for the better XV. — OF. reformer (mod. réformer) or L. reformre; see RE-, FORM vb. In sense A, a new formation since XVI, and now usu. sp. re-form .
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Hence (or — F. réforme) sb. XVIII. So reformation improvement, radical change for the better XV; (hist.) spec., with R. XVI. — (O)F. or L. Hence reformatory adj. XVI; sb. institute for the reformation of juvenile offenders XIX.

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refract

deflect the course of (light, etc.) XVII. f. refract-, pp. stem of L. refringere, f. RE- + frangere BREAK1. So refraction †breaking open or up XVI (rare); deflection of rays, etc. XVII. — F. or L. refractory (-ORY2) stubborn, unmanageable XVII; resisting the action of heat XVIII. alt. of †refractary (XVI) — L. refractrius.

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refrain1

burden of a poem or song (recurring at intervals and so breaking the sequence). XIV. — (O)F. refrain, †refrein, succeeding to earlier refrait, -eit, sb. use of pp. of †refraindre break, etc.:- Rom. refrangere, for L. refringere, f. RE- + frangere BREAK1.

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refrain2

†restrain; abstain. XIV. — (O)F. refréner — L. refrnre bridle, f. RE- + frnum bridle.

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refresh

impart freshness to, restore to a fresh condition. XIV. — OF. refreshi(e)r, f. RE- + fres, fem. fresche FRESH. Hence refreshment XIV.

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refrigerate

cause to become cold. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. refrgerre, f. RE- + frgus, frgor — cold; see -ATE2. So refrigeration XV. — L. refrigerator cooler XVII; apparatus for maintaining a cold temperature XIX; earlier refrigeratory (-ORY1) XVII.

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reft

see REAVE.

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refuge

shelter from danger or trouble. XIV. — (O)F. — L. refugium, f. RE- + fugere flee. So refugee (-EE1) XVII (refugie and -gee). — F. refugié, pp. of (se) refugier take refuge; the ending was early assim.

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refulgent

XVI. — prp. of L. refulgre, f. RE- + fulgre shine; see -ENT.

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refund

†pour back XIV; pay back, repay XVI. — OF. refonder or L. refundere, f. RE- + fundere pour; in later use based on FUND.

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refuse

†avoid; decline to accept or to do a thing; †renounce XIV; decline to grant XVI. — (O)F. refuser — Rom. refsre, prob. alt. of L. recsre refuse, after reftre REFUTE. Hence refusal (-AL2) XV. So refuse sb. rejected matter. XV. perh. — OF. refusé, pp. of refuser.

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refute

†refuse XVI (rare); prove in error, disprove XVI. — L. reftre repel, rebut, f. RE- + ft- (of uncert. orig.; cf. CONFUTE). So refutation XVI. — L.

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regal

royal, kingly, XIV. — OF. regal or L. rglis, f. rx, rg- king, f. a base repr. by Gaul. rx (as in Dumnorx, Vercingetorx), (O)Ir. ri king, Skr. rjan- RAJA(H); see -AL1. So regality XV. — OF. or medL.

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regale

entertain or feast in a choice manner. XVII. — F. régaler, f. ré- RE- + OF. gale pleasure, joy.

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regalia

royal powers or privileges XVI; insignia of royalty XVII. — medL. rglia royal residence, royal rights, n. pl. of rglis REGAL; see -IA2.

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regard

A
†aspect, look XIV; (arch.) look, glance XV; (hist.) official inspection of a forest XVI;

B
†repute, esteem XIV; observation, attention XV; thing to be considered; kindly feeling or wish XVI. — (O)F., f. regarder look at, etc. (see RE-, GUARD vb.), whence regard vb. look at, take notice of XV; heed, take into account, consider XVI; concern, have respect or relation to XVII (prp. regarding, passing into prep. XVIII).
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So regardant (leg.) attached to a manor XV; (her.) looking backwards. — AN., (O)F. regardant, prp. of the vb.

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regatta

boat-race held on the Grand Canal, Venice XVII; hence gen. XVIII. — It. (orig. Venetian) †regatta, †rigatta, regata, f. rigattare wrangle, contend.

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regelate

freeze again. XIX. f. RE- + pp. stem of L. gelre freeze.

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regenerate

cause to be born again or reproduced. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. regenerre (see RE-, GENERATE); based on earlier regenerate adj. (-ATE2) reborn, formed anew XV; spiritually reborn XVI. So regeneration re-creation XIV; spiritual rebirth XV. — (O)F. or L.

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regent

adj.
presiding over disputations in a university XIV; acting as regent of a country XVI; sb. one who rules, has royal authority, etc. XV. — (O)F. régent or L. regns, -ent- ruling, ruler, governor, prp. of regere rule; see -ENT. So regency office of a ruler or regent XV; body of persons acting for a sovereign; period during which a regent or regency governs XVIII. — medL. regentia.

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regicide1

one who kills a king. XVI. f. L. rx, rg- king + -CIDE1. So regicide^2 (-CIDE2) killing of a king. XVII.

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régime

†regimen of health; system of government. XVIII. — F. — L. regimen, f. regere rule. So regimen regulation of matters pert. to health XIV; rule, government XV; (gram.) government XVI. — L. regiment †rule, government; †control, management; †place under a certain rule XIV; †regimen of health; body of troops forming a unit XVI. — (O)F. régiment — late L. regimentum rule; see -MENT. Hence regiment vb. XVII, regimental adj. and sb. pl. (-AL1) XVIII.

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region

†kingdom, realm; tract of country. division of the world XIV; part or division of the air, a city, the body XVI. — (O)F. région — L. regi, -n- direction, line, boundary, quarter, district, province, f. regere direct, guide, rule; see -ION. So regional (-AL1) XVII. — late L.

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register1

A
volume in which particulars are systematically entered XIV;

B
slider in an organ XVI; plate for regulating the passage of air, heat, or smoke; adjustment of printing type XVII. ME. registre, -estre — (O)F. registre, †regestre or medL. registrum, -estrum, alt. of regestum, sg. of late L. regesta list, register, sb. use of n. pl. of pp. of L. regerere transcribe, record, f. RE- + gerere carry, carry out, execute; the senses under B are due to assoc. with F. régir guide, manage — L. regere guide, rule.
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So register vb. XIV. — (O)F. régistrer or medL. registrre. registration XVI. — obs. F. or medL. registry registration XVI; place of registration; register XVII. Reduced form of registery (XV) — medL. registerium. registrar one who keeps a register. XVII: superseding in general Eng. use older registrary XVI (- medL. registrrius), register^2 XVI (app. alt. of †registrer (XIV) — AN. registrere = OF. registreur, medL. registrtor; see -ER2).

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Regius

designation of professors appointed by the Crown, instituted by Henry VIII. — L., f. rx, rg- king.

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reglet

†column of a page XVI; (archit.) narrow band separating mouldings, etc.; (typogr.) narrow strip for making white spaces XVII. — (O)F. réglet, also réglette, dim. of règle rule; see -ET; in archit. sense — It. regoletto.

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regnal

XVII. — medL. regnlis, f. rgnum REIGN; see -AL1.

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regnant

reigning, ruling. XVII. — L. rgnns, -ant-, prp. of rgnre REIGN; see -ANT.

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regrate

(hist.) buy up (commodities) to sell again at a profit. XV. — OF. regrater, supposed to be f. RE- + grater (mod. gratter) scratch (of Gmc. orig.). Hence regrater (-ER1) XIV.

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regress

return, re-entry. XIV. — L. regressus, f. pp. stem of regred go back, f. RE- + grad step, go, rel. to gradus step. So regression XVI. — L. Hence regressive XVII.

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regret

remember with pain or longing XIV; grieve at XVI. — (O)F. regreter bewail (the dead) (mod. regretter), with var. †regrater; perh. f. RE- + Gmc. zrtan weep, GREET2. So regret sb. †complaint, lament; sorrow, esp. for something lost. XVI. — (O)F.

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regular

†subject to a religious rule XIV; conforming to a rule, principle, or standard XVI. ME. reguler (later with ending assim. to L.) — OF. reguler (mod. régulier) — L. rgulris, f. rgula RULE; see -AR. So regularize XVII (once; thereafter not before XIX). regulate (-ATE3) control, adjust. XVII. f. pp. stem of late L. rgulre. Hence regulation, regulator XVII.

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regulus

(astron.) bright star in Leo; †metallic antimony, app. so called from its ready combination with gold; metallic part of a mineral XVI; petty king XVII; golden-crested wren XIX. — L., dim. of rx, rg- king.

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regurgitate

gush back again XVII; cast out again XVIII. f. pp. stem of medL. regurgitre, f. RE- + late L. gurgitre engulf, f. gurges, -git- whirlpool. So regurgitation XVII. — medL.

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rehabilitate

restore to former status. XVI. f. pp. stem of medL. rehabilitre; see HABILITATE. So rehabilitation XVI. — medL.

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rehearse

recite, relate XIII; practise the performance of XVI. — AN. rehearser, OF. reherc(i)er, perh. f. RE- + hercer harrow. Hence rehearsal (-AL2) recital XIV; practice of a play, etc. XVI.

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reify

convert mentally into a thing. XIX. f. L. rs thing + -IFY. So reification XIX.

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reign

(arch.) royal rule, sovereignty, (poet.) sway; †kingdom, realm XIII; period of rule XIV. — OF. reigne, (also mod.) règne kingdom — L. rgnum, rel. to rgula RULE. So vb. XIII. — OF. reignier (mod. régner) — L. rgnre.

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reimburse

XVII. f. RE- + imburse (XVI) put into a purse, pay — medL. imbursre, f. IM-1 + bursa PURSE.

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rein

long narrow strap for guiding a horse. XIII. ME. rene — OF. re(ig)ne, raigne, rainne, etc., earlier resne (mod. rêne):- Rom. retina, f. L. retinre RETAIN. Hence vb. XIV.

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reindeer

XIV. — ON. hreindýri, f. hreinn ( = OE. hrn) reindeer + dýr DEER.

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reinforce

strengthen with additional men XVI; also gen. XVII. alt., by analysis into RE- and inforce, ENFORCE, of †renforce (XVI) — (O)F. renforcer, in mil. use prob. — It. rinforzare.

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reins

(arch.) kidneys, loins. XIV. — (O)F. reins :- L. rns pl. kidneys.

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reinstate

re-establish in a position XVI; restore to a former state XVIII. See RE-, INSTATE.

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reintegrate, -ation,

vars. of REDINTEGRATE, -ATION, after F. or late L. XVI.

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reiterate

XVI. f. L. reitert-; see RE-, ITERATE. So reiteration XVI. — F. or L.

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reiver

see REAVER.

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reject

refuse to have, recognize, etc. XV. f. reject-, pp. stem of L. reicere throw back, discard, f. RE- + jacere throw. Hence sb. †castaway XVI; thing rejected XIX. So rejection XVI. — F. or L.

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rejoice

†enjoy possession of; gladden; †refl. and intr. be joyful. XIV. ME. reioshe, reioische, reioyse, f. rejoïss-, lengthened stem of OF. re(s)- joïr, later réjouir, f. RE- + esjoïr (éjouir), f. es- EX-1 + joïr JOY vb.

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rejoin1

reply to a charge or plea XV; say in answer XVII. f. rejoin-, stem of (O)F. rejoindre; see RE-, JOIN. So rejoinder defendant's answer XV; answer to a reply, reply XVI. — AN. rejoinder, for (O)F. rejoindre, inf. used as sb. (see -ER5).

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rejoin2

join again. XVI. — (O)F. (as prec.) or f. RE- + JOIN.

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rejuvenate

restore to youth. XIX. irreg. f. RE- + L. juvenis YOUNG + -ATE3. So rejuvenescence renewal of youth. XVII. f. late L. rejuvenscere. rejuvenescent XVIII.

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-rel, -erel

ME. suffix of dim. and depreciatory force, repr. OF. -erel (mod. -ereau), found first in animal names, the earliest of which is maquerel (XIII) MACKEREL, followed by DOGGEREL in XIV and in XV by COCKEREL, DOTTEREL, MONGREL, PICKEREL, and later KESTREL, WHIMBREL. Formations of a more general kind are SCOUNDREL, WASTREL.

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relapse

vb. XVI. f. relaps-, pp. stem of L. relab, f. RE- + lab slip. Hence (or — F. relaps, medL. relapsus) sb. XVI.

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relate

give an account of XVI; (leg.) refer back XVI; bring into connection or comparison XVII. f. stem of L. reltus, functioning as pp. of referre REFER, but formally f. the base of tollere raise; see -ATE3. So relation narration XIV; connection; relative XVI. — (O)F. or L. relative adj. having relation to XVI; sb. (gram.) XIV; (gen.) XV; kinsman XVII. — (O)F. relatif, -ive or late L. reltvus.

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relax

loosen, †lit. and fig. XV; (Sc.) free from legal restraint XVI; make less strict XVII. — L. relaxre, f. RE- + laxus LAX. So relaxation remission of penalty, etc.; release from ordinary occupations XVI; diminution of firmness or strictness XVII. — L.

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relay

set of fresh hounds, etc. posted to take up the chase from others XV; set of fresh horses at a stage XVII; relief gang XIX; (stage of) a relay race XX. — OF. relai (mod. relais), f. relayer (f. RE- + laier, ult. repr. L. laxre; see LEASE), whence or from the sb. relay vb. †let go (fresh hounds) XV; provide with relays XVIII.

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release

A
†revoke, cancel XIII; †relieve; remit (now leg.); give up, surrender XIV;

B
set free XIV. ME. reles(s)e — OF. relesser, relaiss(i)er :- L. relaxre RELAX.
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So sb. freeing, deliverance XIV; (leg.) conveyance of an estate XV. — OF. reles.

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relegate

send into exile XVI; consign to obscurity XVIII; refer for decision XIX. f. pp. stem of L. relgre send away, refer, f. RE- + lgre send; see -ATE2.

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relent

†melt, dissolve XIV; grow gentle or forgiving XVI. — medL. relentre, f. RE- + L. lentre bend, medL. soften, f. lentus flexible.

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relevant

pertinent to. XVI. In earliest use Sc. and prob. of leg. orig.; not in gen. Eng. use before 1800. — medL. relevns, -ant-, prp. of L. relevre raise up, RELIEVE.

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reliable

XVI (raliabill, Sc.). f. RELY + -ABLE. Frequent in gen. use only since c.1850. Hence reliability XIX.

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reliance

XVII. f. RELY + -ANCE. So reliant XIX.

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relic

object remaining as a memorial of a departed saint XIII; (pl.) remains XIV; surviving trace or memory XVI. ME. relike — (O)F. relique, orig. pl. — L. reliquiæ remains, fem. pl. of reliquus remaining, f. RE- + base of linquere leave behind.

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relict

†(chiefly Sc.) relic; widow; pl. remains XVI. — L. relictus, n. sg. -um, n. pl. -a, pp. of relinquere leave behind, RELINQUISH. In the sense ‘widow’ (in earliest use Sc.) — OF. relicte, late L. relicta.

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relief1

A
payment made to an overlord on taking possession XIV;

B
alleviation of distress etc. XIV; release from occupation or duty XVI. — AN. relef, (O)F. relief, f. relever (tonic stein reliev-) RELIEVE.
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relief2

elevation of (parts of) a design from a plane surface. XVII. — F. — It. rilievo, f. rilevare raise; cf. next.

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relieve

assist in trouble or difficulty XIV; ease, mitigate XV; (Sc.) release XVI; (after RELIEF1) release from guard or watch XVII; (after RELIEF2) bring into relief XVIII. ME. releve — (O)F. relever :- L. relevre raise again. succour, alleviate, f. RE- + levre raise, f. levis LIGHT2.

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religion

state of life (as of monks) bound by vows and a rule XII; religious order or rule; system of faith in and worship of a divine power XIII; recognition of a divine being to whom worship is due XVI. — (O)F. religion — L. religi, -n- obligation (as of an oath), bond between man and the gods, scrupulousness, scruple(s), reverence for the gods; (in late L. from V) religious (monastic) life: of uncert. orig. So religious bound by monastic vows; imbued with religion XIII; pert. to religion XVI; sb. as pl. monks, etc. XIII, as sg. XIV. — OF. religious (mod. -ieux) — L. religisus. religiosity XIV. — L.

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relinquish

†abandon; desist from XV; resign, surrender XVI. f. relinquiss-, lengthened stem of OF. relinquir — L. relinquere, f. RE- + linquere leave; see -ISH2.

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reliquary

vessel to contain relics. XVII. — (O)F. reliquaire, f. relique RELIC; see -ARY.

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relish

taste, flavour XVI; appetizing taste; liking, zest XVII. Later form of ME. reles taste (XIV), corr. formally to OF. reles, var. of relais remainder, f. relaisser leave behind, RELEASE, but the senses of the Eng. word are not recorded in OF. Hence relish vb. give a relish to; have a taste for XVI; have a certain taste XVII.

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reluctant

†struggling, resisting XVII; unwilling XVIII. — L. reluctns, -ant-, prp. of reluctr struggle against, f. RE- + luctr struggle; see -ANT. Hence reluctance, reluctancy XVII.

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rely

†gather together, assemble, rally (trans. and intr.) XIV; †rally to, trust, adhere, or be devoted to XIV; depend trustfully on XVI. — OF. relier :- L. religre bind closely, f. RE- + ligre bind.

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remain

be left over; continue to exist XIV; stay in a place XV; continue to be XVI. f. remain-, remein-, tonic stem of OF. remanoir :- L. remanre, f. RE- + manre remain; or — OF. remaindre :- Rom. remanere, for L. remanre. So sb. remainder, relic, remaining member or part (now chiefly pl.). XV. Earliest instances Sc.; partly — OF. remain, f. remaindre; partly immed. f. the vb. remainder (leg.) residual interest of an estate XV; what is left over XVI; (math.) XVI. — AN. remainder = OF. remaindre; sb. use of inf. (see -ER3).

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remand

send back XV, spec. (a prisoner) into custody XVI. — medL. remandre (in late L. send back word, repeat a command), f. RE- + mandre command, send word. Hence sb. XVIII.

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remanet

remainder XVI; (leg.) cause of which the hearing is postponed XVIII. — L., ‘there or it remains’, 3rd sg. pres. ind. of remanre REMAIN.

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remark

†distinguish, point out; take notice of; utter as an observation. XVII. — F. remarquer, superseding OF. remerquier, -merchier, prob. after It. rimarcare; see RE-, MARK vb. So sb. XVII. — F. remarque. remarkable XVII. — F. remarquable.

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remedy

cure for disease; redress, relief XIII; legal redress; small margin within which coins as minted are allowed to vary from the standard XV. — AN. remedie = (O)F. remède — L. remedium medicine, means of relief, in medL. concession, f. RE- + med-, stem of medr heal. So remedial XVII. — late L. remedilis remedy vb. XV. — (O)F. remédier or late L. remedire.

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remember

retain in or recall to the memory, bear in mind; (arch., dial.) remind XIV. — OF. remembrer :- late L. rememorr call to mind, f. RE- + memor mindful. So remembrance calling to mind, recollection. XIII. — OF. remembrancer (-ER1) official responsible for collection of dues, etc. XV. — AN. remembrauncer.

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remind

†remember, recollect; put in mind of. XVII. f. RE- + MIND vb. Hence reminder (-ER1) XVII (rare before XIX).

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reminiscence

XVI. — late L. reminiscentia, f. reminisc remember, f. RE- + men; see MIND, -ENCE. So reminiscent XVIII. Hence by back-formation reminisce vb. XIX.

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remise

coach-house; hired carriage XVII; (fencing) second thrust made when the first has missed; (cards) XIX. — F., f. remis, pp. of remettre put back.

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remiss

†diluted, weak, mild; slack, lax, loose. XV. — L. remissus, adj. use of pp. of remittere slacken, relax, REMIT.

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remit

A
forgive (sin); abstain from exacting (a penalty) XIV.

B
give up, desist from XIV.
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C
refer for consideration, etc. XIV; put back, XVI; put off XVII; transmit;
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D
intr. abate XVII. — L. remittere send back, slacken, relax, postpone. f. RE- + mittere put, send.
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Hence remittance XVIII. So remission forgiveness XIII; remitting (of debt, etc.) XIV; diminution of force XVII. — (O)F. — L.

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remnant

(small) part remaining over. XIV. contr. of earlier remenant (XIII) — OF. remenant, sb. use of prp. of remenoir, -manoir REMAIN; see -ANT.

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remonstrate

†demonstrate XVI; †point out (a fault, etc.) to; †raise an objection to; urge strong reasons against XVII. f. pp. stem of medL. remnstrre demonstrate, f. RE- + mnstrre show; see -ATE2. So remonstrance †appeal XV; †demonstration XVI; formal statement of grievances XVII. — F. †remonstrance (mod. remontrance) or medL. remonstration XV. — obs. F. or medL.

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remora

sucking-fish. XVI. — L. remora delay, hindrance, f. RE- + mora delay.

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remorse

XIV. — OF. remors (mod. remords) — medL. remorsus, f. remors-, pp. stem of L. remordre vex, torment, f. RE- + mordere bite.

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remote

XV (rare before late XVI). — L. remtus, pp. of removre REMOVE.

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remount

†set up again; replace on horseback XIV; get on horseback again XVI; supply with fresh horses XVII. In early use — (O)F. remonter; later in part a new formation on RE- and MOUNT2.

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remove

move from the place occupied. XIV. ME. remeve, remove — OF. remeuv- and remov-, str. and unstr. stems respectively of removeir (mod. remouvoir):- L. removre; see RE-, MOVE. Hence removal (-AL2) XVI. remove sb. removing, removal XVI; promotion at school from one division or class to another, (hence) title of a class or form XVIII.

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remunerate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. remnerr (later -re), f. RE- + mnerre, -r, f. mnus, mner- gift, reward; see -ATE2. So remuneration XV. — F. or L.

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renaissance

‘revival of learning’ in Europe beginning in Italy in the 14th century. XIX. — F., f. RE- + naissance birth (:- L. nscentia, f. nsc be born; or f. naiss-, pres. stem of naître :- Rom. nascere); see -ANCE. So renascence rebirth, renewal XVIII; as substitution for renaissance XIX. f. renascent XVIII (- L. renscns, -ent-, prp. of rensc).

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renal

XVII. — F. rénal — late L. rnlis, f. L. rns kidneys; see -AL1.

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rend

pt., pp. rent tear apart. OE. rendan = OFris. renda.

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render

A
†repeat, recite XIV; give in return XV; give back; represent, reproduce XVI;

B
hand over, give up, surrender XIV; submit (an account, etc.) XV; give, pay XVI;
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C
bring into a specified state XV;
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D
melt XIV; give a first coating of plaster XVIII. — (O)F. rendre :- Rom. rendere, alt. of L. reddere give back, give up, recite, represent, imitate, make to be or appear, f. RED- + dare give.
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rendezvous

place for the assembling of troops; place of meeting. XVI. — F. rendez-vous, sb. use of rendez-vous present or betake yourselves, imper. pl. of se rendre, refl. of rendre RENDER. Hence as vb. XVII.

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rendition

surrender XVII; translation, rendering XVII; performance XIX. — F. †rendition, f. rendre RENDER; see -ITION.

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renegade

apostate XVI; deserter of a cause, etc. XVII. Anglicization of renegado (much used XVI–XVIII) — Sp. — medL. renegtus, sb. use of pp. of renegre; see next and -ADE, -ADO.

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renegue

deny, renounce; refuse XVI; revoke at cards XVII. — medL. renegre, f. RE- + L. negre DENY.

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renew

XIV. f. RE- + NEW. Hence renewal (-AL2) XVII.

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rennet

curdled milk in a calf's stomach, preparation used in curdling milk for cheese. XV. prob. south-eastern repr. of an OE. rynet (f. run- RUN) and corr. to (dial.) runnet (XV).

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renounce

XIV. — (O)F. renoncer — L. renuntire announce, proclaim, protest against, f. RE- + nuntire bring news, report. So renunciation XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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renovate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. renovre, f. RE- + novre make new, f. novus NEW. So renovation XV. — F. or L.

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renown

XIV. — AN. reno(u)n, OF. renon, renom, f. renomer make famous, f. RE- + nomer name (:- L. nminre NOMINATE). Hence renowned XIV (see -ED1).

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rent1

†source of income XII; †revenue; †tax; payment made by tenant to landlord XIII. — (O)F. rente :- Rom. rendita, f. rendere RENDER. So vb. †endow XIV; pay rent for XVI. — (O)F. renter. rental (-AL1) †rent-roll XIV; amount of rent XVII. — AN. rental or AL. rentle.

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rent2

tear in a piece of stuff. XVI. f. (dial.) rent tear, rend (XIV), var. of REND based on pt., pp. rent.

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rentier

one who derives his income from property or investments. XIX. — F., f. rente revenue, RENT1 + -ier -ER2.

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rep1

textile fabric with corded surface. XIX. — F. reps, of unkn. orig.

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rep2

(1)
abbrev. of representative XIX;

(2)
abbrev. of repertory (theatre, etc.) XX.
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repair1

betake oneself, resort. XIV. — OF. repair(i)er (mod. repairer, repérer):- late L. repatrire return to one's country; see REPATRIATE. So repair sb.1 (place of) resort. XIV. — OF. repaire, repeire (mod. repaire, repère).

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repair2

†adorn; restore to sound condition. XIV. — (O)F. réparer — L. reparre, f. RE- + parre make ready, put in order. Hence repair sb.2 act of restoring to sound condition, etc. XVI. So reparable XVI. — F. reparation action of repairing XIV; amends XV. — (O)F. — late L.

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repand

(nat. hist.) undulating, wavy. XVIII. — L. repandus bent backwards, f. RE- + pandus bent.

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repartee

XVII. — (O)F. repartie, sb. use of fem. pp. of repartir set out again, reply readily, f. RE- + partir PART.

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repast

XIV. — OF. repast (mod. repas), f. repaistre (mod. repaître) feed:- late L. repascere, after OF. past (:- L. pastus fodder, food); see RE-, PASTURE.

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repatriate

XVII. f. pp. stem of late L. repatrire go back home, in medL. causative, f. RE- + patria native land, sb. use of patrius, f. pater FATHER; see -ATE2. So repatriation XVI. — medL.

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repay

XVI. — OF. repaier; see RE-, PAY1. So repayment XIV.

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repeal

vb. XIV. — AN. repeler, for OF. rapeler (mod. rappeler), f. RE- + appeler APPEAL. So sb. XV. — AN. repel.

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repeat

A
say again XIV; say over, recite; say after another XVI;

B
return to, undergo again XV; do or perform again XVI. ME. repete — (O)F. répéter — L. repetere, f. RE- + petere aim at, seek.
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Hence sb. †repeated word(s), refrain XV; repetition XVI. So repetition XVI. — (O)F. or L. repetitious XVII, repetitive XIX.

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repel

XV. — L. repellere, f. RE- + pellere drive. So repellent XVII.

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repent

refl. and intr. feel contrition XIII; tr. be sorry for XIV. — (O)F. repentir, f. RE- + OF. pentir :- Rom. pænitre, for L. pænitre; cf. PENITENT. So repentant XIII, -ance XIV. — (O)F.

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repercussion

†repulsion, repulse, recoil; reverberation. XVI. — (O)F. or L.; see RE-, PERCUSSION. So repercussive (med.) repellent XIV; reverberating XVI.

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repertory

†index, list; storehouse, repository XVI; (after F. répertoire) stock of dramatic pieces XIX. — late L. repertrium, f. repert-, pp. stem of L. reperre find; see -ORY1.

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repine

feel or show discontent. XVI. f. RE- + PINE2.

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replace

restore to a former place XVI; fill the place of XVIII. f. RE- + PLACE vb.

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replenish

A
(obs. or arch.) fill or stock abundantly XIV;

B
fill up again XVII. f. repleniss-, lengthened stem of OF. replenir, f. RE- + plenir, f. plein :- L. plnus FULL; see -ISH2.
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replete

XIV. — (O)F. replet, fem. -ète, or L. repltus, pp. of replre fill. So repletion XIV. — (O)F. or late L.

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replevin

(writ for) recovery by a person of goods or chattels taken from him. XV. — AN., f. OF. replevir recover (whence replevy XVI), f. RE- + plevir pledge.

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replica

XIX. — It., f. replicare reply.

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replication

reply, rejoinder. XIV. — OF. replicacion — L. replicti, -n- folding back, repetition, legal reply, f. pp. stem of replicre unfold, reflect on, reply, f. RE- + plicre fold. So reply answer, respond. XIV (whence reply sb. XVI). — OF. replier turn back, reply (in this sense repl. by repliquer):- L. replicre.

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report

rumour XIV; account of a matter XV; †musical response, note; resounding noise XVI. — OF., f. reporter :- L. reportre carry back, bear away (spec. an account), f. RE- + portre carry. So vb. XIV. — OF. reporter reporter (-ER2) XIV. — OF. reporteur.

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repose1

†replace XV; place (trust, etc.) in XVI. f. RE- + POSE1, after L. repnere.

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repose2

rest, tr. XV, intr. XVI. — (O)F. reposer, earlier repauser :- late L. repausre, f. RE- + pausre PAUSE. So repose sb. rest. XVI. f. the vb. or — (O)F. repos.

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repository

vessel or chamber for storage of things XV; storehouse (fig.) XVII; warehouse, mart XVIII. — F. †repositoire or L. repositorium, f. reposit-, pp. stem of repnere replace, store away; see REPOSE1, -ORY1.

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repoussé

beaten into relief. XIX. — F., pp. of repousser, f. RE- + pousser PUSH.

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reprehend

XIV. — L. reprehendere, f. RE- + prehendere seize. So reprehensible XIV. — late L. reprehension XIV. — L.

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represent

†bring into one's presence; bring before the mind; display to the eye; symbolize; XIV; stand in place of XV; speak for, as in parliament XVII. — (O)F. représenter or L. repræsentre, f. RE- + præsentre PRESENT. So representation †presence, †appearance, likeness XV; presentation to the eye, mind, etc. XVI. — (O)F. or L. representative adj. XIV; sb. XVII. — (O)F. or medL.

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repress

XIV. f. repress-, pp. stem of L. reprimere; see RE-, PRESS. So repression XIV. — late L.

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reprieve

†send back to prison; †postpone; delay the punishment of. XVI. First in pp. reprived, unexpl. alt. of earlier repryed (to prison) — AN., OF. repris, pp. of reprendre, f. RE- + prendre take. Hence sb. XVI.

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reprimand

XVII. — F. réprimande, †-ende — Sp. reprimenda — L. reprimenda, n. pl. of gerundive of reprimere REPRESS. So vb. XVII. — F. réprimander.

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reprisal

seizing of property in retaliation or by way of indemnity XV; (esp. pl.) act of retaliation in warfare XVIII. — AN. reprisaille — medL. repræsliæ, lia, contr. of repræ(h)nsliæ, -ia, f. repræhns-, pp. stem of L. repræhendere, f. RE- + præhendere take; see -AL2.

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reproach

cast up (a thing) against a person XV; upbraid XVI. — OF. reprochier (mod. reprocher):- Rom. repropire ‘bring back near’, f. RE- + prope near. So sb. XV. — (O)F. reproche.

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reprobate

rejected by God; of abandoned character; also sb. XVI. — late L. reprobtus, pp. of reprobre disapprove, f. RE- + probre approve, PROVE. So vb. disapprove of XV; reject, cast off XVI. f. pp. stem of L. reprobre; see -ATE3. reprobation XV. — (O)F. or late L.

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reproduce

create anew XVII; repeat in a copy, etc. XIX. f. RE- + PRODUCE vb. So reproduction XVII.

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reproof

†shame; †insult; censure. XIV. ME. reprove, reprof(e) — OF. reprove, f. reprover — late L reprobre disapprove; cf. PROOF, REPROBATE. So reprove †reject; censure; reprehend. XIV. — OF. reprover (mod. réprouver).

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reptile

creeping animal XIV (rare before XVII); mean person XVIII. — (O)F. reptile or late L. (Vulg.) reptile n. of late L. reptilis, f. rept-, pp. stem of repere creep, crawl; see -ILE. Also adj. XVII. So reptilian, f. reptilia (zool.) XVII (-IA2).

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republic

†state, common weal; state in which the supreme power resides in the people. XVII. — F. république — L. rspublica, f. rs affair, thing + fem. of publicus PUBLIC. Hence republican †pert. to the commonwealth; pert. to (sb. advocate of) a republic XVII; whence republicanism XVII.

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repudiate

put away (a wife); reject XVI; (orig. U.S.) refuse to acknowledge (a debt, etc.) XIX. f. pp. stem of L. repudire, f. repudium divorce; see -ATE2. So repudiation XVI. — L.

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repugnant

contrary or contradictory to XIV; distasteful to XVIII. — F. rpugnant or L. repugnns, -ant-, prp. of repugnre (whence repugn be contrary, oppose XIV), f. RE- + pugnre fight; see -ANT.

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repulse

driving back; refusal, rejection. XVI. — L. repulsus, repulsa, f. pp. stem of repellere REPEL. So vb. XVI. repulsion †repudiation XV; act of repelling XVI; feeling of being repelled XVIII. — late L. repulsive XVI. — (O)F. répulsif, -ive, or f. repulse vb.

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reputation

†opinion, estimation; †general estimate; high esteem or credit. XIV. — L. reputti, -n- computation, consideration, f. reputre, f. RE- + putre reckon; see -ATION. So repute consider, esteem. XV. — (O)F. réputer or L. reputre. Hence repute †estimate; reputation (in neutral sense) XVI; (in favourable sense) XVII.

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request

sb. XIV. — OF. requeste :- Rom. requæsita, sb. use of fem. pp. of L. requærere REQUIRE. So vb. XVI. f. the sb. or — OF. requester.

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requiem

Mass for the departed XIV. — L. requiem, acc. of requis rest, first word of the introit of the Mass, ‘Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine’ Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord; see RE-, QUIET.

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require

XIV. ME. requere, require — OF. requer-, requier-, stem of requere (now refash. requérir):- Rom. requærere, for L. requrere, f. RE- + quærere seek, ask. Assim. to the L. form. So requisite adj. XV; sb. XVII. — L. requistus, pp. of requrere. requisition sb. XVI. — (O)F. or L.; hence vb. XIX. requite XVI. f. RE- + quite, var. of QUIT2; hence requital (-AL2) XVI.

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reredos

ornamental screen at the back of an altar; (hist.) back of a fireplace. XIV. — AN. reredos, aphetic of OF. areredos, f. arere behind + dos back.

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rescind

†take away, remove; abrogate, cancel. XVII. — L. rescindere, f. RE- + scindere cut or tear asunder.

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rescript

decretal epistle from the Pope in reply to a question; edict, decree. XVI. — L. rescriptum imperial decision, sb. use of n. of pp. rescriptus of rescrbere reply in writing to a petition, etc., f. RE- + scrbere write.

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rescue

vb. XIV. ME. rescowe, reskewe — rescou-, reskeu-, stem of OF. rescoure, reskeure (mod. recourre):- Rom. reexcutere, f. RE- + excutere shake out, discard, f. EX-1 + quatere shake. Hence sb. XIV.

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research

intensive searching XVI; investigation directed towards discovery XVII. — OF. recerche (now recherche). So vb. XVI. — OF. recercher. See RE-, SEARCH.

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reseda

genus of plants including mignonette. XVIII. — L. resda, of uncert. orig. (acc. to Pliny , f. imper. of resdre assuage, allay, with ref. to the plant's supposed curative powers).

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resemble

be like; †compare XIV. — OF. resembler (mod. ressembler), f. RE- + sembler seem:- L. similre, f. similis like. So resemblance XIV. — AN.

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resent

orig. †refl. feel pain; show strong feeling; trans. †feel deeply or painfully; feel oneself injured by, show displeasure at. XVII. — F. †resentir, now ressentir, f. RE- + sentir feel. So resentment XVII. — F. †resentiment, now ress-.

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reserve

keep for future use; keep or set apart. XIV. — (O)F. réserver — L. reservre, f. RE- + servre keep, save. Hence sb. A. something reserved; (mil., pl. and sg.) force(s) kept in reserve (whence reservist XIX) XVII; B. self-restraint XVII. So reservation XIV. — (O)F. or late L.

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reservoir

capacious receptacle for storage, also fig. XVII; reserve supply XVIII. — F. réservoir, f. réserver RESERVE + -oir = -ORY1.

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reside

†take up one's abode XV; dwell permanently XVI; be vested or inherent in XVII. perh. orig. back-formation from resident, but later infl. immed. by F. résider and L. residre. So residence act or fact of residing XIV; place of residence XVI. — (O)F. or medL. resident residing XIV; sb. XV. — (O)F. résident or L. residns, -ent-, prp. of residre remain behind, rest, f. RE- + sedre settle, SIT. residentiary one bound to official residence XVI; adj. XVII. — medL.

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residue

XIV. — (O)F. résidu — L. residuum, sb. use of n. of residuus remaining, f. residre remain, RESIDE; see -UOUS. Hence residual (-AL1) XVI. So residuum XVII. — L.

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resign

give up, surrender, abandon XIV; intr. XV. — (O)F. résigner — L. resignre unseal, cancel, give up, f. RE- + signre SIGN. So resignation XIV. — (O)F. — medL.

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resile

draw back, shrink, recoil. XVI. — F. †resilir or L. resilre leap back, recoil, f. RE- + salre leap. So resilient (whence resilience XVII) XVII. — L. resilins, -ent- prp.

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resin, rosin

adhesive substance secreted by plants. XIV. ME. recyn, resyn, rosyn, rosine — L. resna and medL. rosna, of unkn. orig. So resinous XVII. — F. — L.

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resist

XIV. — (O)F. résister or L. resistere, f. RE- + sistere stop, redupl. formation on stre STAND. So resistance XV. — F. résistance.

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resolute

†determinate, absolute; of fixed resolve. XV. — L. resoltus, pp. of resolvere. So resolution †dissolution; resolving into components XIV; decision, determination XVI. — L., f. resolvere (f. RE- + solvere SOLVE), whence resolve †dissolve (trans. and intr.) XIV; †soften, slacken XV; separate into; answer; solve; determine; †assure XVI; hence sb. XVI.

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resonance

XV. — F. †reson(n)ance (mod. résonnance) — L. resonantia echo, f. prp. stem of resonre RESOUND. So resonant XVI. — (O)F. résonnant.

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resort

†return, revert XIV; betake oneself, repair or proceed to XV. — (O)F. resortir (mod. ressortir), f. RE- + sortir go out, of unkn. orig. So sb. XIV. — (O)F. ressort.

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resound

XIV. ME. resoune, f. RE- + soune SOUND2 vb.

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resource

XVII. — F. ressource, †-ourse, sb. use of fem. pp. of OF. (dial.) resourdre rise again, recover:- L. resurgere.

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respect

relation, reference XIV; relationship XV; discriminating or deferential regard XVI. — (O)F. respect or L. respectus, f. pp. stem of respicere look (back) at, regard, consider, f. RE- + specere look. So respect vb. regard; refer or relate to. XVI. f. respect-, pp. stem of L. respicere, or its frequent. deriv. respectre. In prp. respecting passing into prep. XVIII. Hence respectable XVI. So respective XVI. — F. or medL.

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respire

†(rare) come up to breathe XIV; breathe again, recover XV; breathe (trans. and intr.) XVI. — (O)F. respirer or L. resprre, f. RE- + sprre breathe; see SPIRIT. So respiration XV. — F. or L. Hence respirator XVIII.

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respite

delay or extension of time XIII; temporary cessation of labour, etc. XIV. — OF. respit (mod. répit):- L. respectus RESPECT. So vb. grant respite to or delay OF. XIV. — OF. respitier :- L. respectre.

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resplendent

XV. — L. resplendns, -ent-, prp. of resplendre, f. RE- + splendre shine; see -ENT.

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respond

(liturg.) responsory XIV; response to a versicle XVI. — OF., f. respondre (mod. répondre):- Rom. respondere, for L. respondre answer to an engagement. f. RE- + spondre make a solemn engagement. So respond vb. answer. XVI. — L. respondre. respondent one who defends a thesis; (leg.) defendant. XVI. response answer, reply XIV; (liturg.) verse corresponding to a versicle XVII (earlier, responsory XV). — OF. respons (mod. répons) or response (mod. réponse) or L. responsum (pl. -a), f. pp. of respondre. responsible †corresponding to XVI; answerable to another for something; reliable XVII. — F. †responsible. responsive responding, corresponding. XVI. — F. responsif, -ive, or late L. responsory (-ORY1) (liturg.) anthem to be recited antiphonally after a lesson. XV. — late L. responsrium.

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rest1

A
relief from activity by sleep, intermission of labour, repose of body or mind OE.; repose of death XIV; (mus.) XVI.

B
(from the vb.) support for a fire-arm XVI; gen. support XVII. OE. ræst, rest repose, bed, corr. to OS. rasta place of rest, OHG. rasta rest, league (G. rast), ON. rst. Goth. rasta mile (as a distance after which one rests).
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So rest vb.1 take or be at rest; remain OE.; give rest to XIII. OE. ræstan, restan = OHG. resten, rastn (G. rasten). Hence restful XIV, restless OE. restlas.

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rest2

†remainder, remnant; †sum remaining over (XV; reserve fund of a bank XIX); remaining part, number, members XVI. — (O)F. reste, f. rester (whence rest vb.2 remain so-and-so) — L. restre, f. RE- + stre STAND.

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rest3

in medieval armour, contrivance fixed to the cuirass to receive the butt-end of a lance. XIV. Aphetic of ARREST sb.

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restaurant

XIX. — F., sb. use of prp. of restaurer RESTORE; see -ANT. So restaurateur XVIII.

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restitution

action of giving back XIII; restoration to a former state XIV; tendency to resume a previous position XVII. — (O)F. restitution or L. restittio, -n-, f. restituere restore. f. RE- + statuere set up, establish; see -TION.

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restive

†inactive, inert XVI; †obstinate in opinion or action; refusing to move or follow a course, resisting control XVII. Later form (by assim. to -IVE) of †restif (XV) — OF. restif (mod. rétif):- Rom. restvus ‘inclined to remain stationary’, f. restre REST vb.2

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restore

give back; build up again; reinstate; renew, re-establish XIII; bring back to an earlier condition XIV. — OF. restorer (mod. restaurer):- L. restaurre; see RE-, STORE vb. So restoration action of restoring; (R-) re-establishment of the monarchy in England in 1660. XVII. Later form (assim. to the vb.) of restauration (XIV) — (O)F. or late L. restorative adj. and sb. XIV. var. of †restaurative (XIV) — OF. restauratif, -ive.

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restrain

XIV. — OF. restrei(g)n-, -ai(g)n-, pres. stem of restreindre, restraindre :- L. restringere bind fast, confine, f. RE- + stringere draw tight. So restraint XV. — (O)F. restreinte, f. pp. of restreindre.

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restrict

XVI. f. restrict-, pp. stem of L. restringere confine; see prec. So restriction XV, restrictive XIV. — (O)F. or late L.

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result

arise as a consequence or effect. XV. — medL. fig. use of L. resultre spring back, reverberate, re-echo, f. RE- + saltre leap. Hence sb. (now U.S.) decision, resolution; effect, consequence of action, etc. XVII. So resultant †shining by reflection; resulting XVII; sb. †mathematical result XV; composite effect of forces XIX. — prp. of the L. vb.

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resume

XV. — (O)F. résumer or L. resmere, f. RE- + smere take. So resumption XV. — (O)F. or late L. résumé XIX. — F., sb. use of pp. of résumer.

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resurge

rise again. XVI. — L. resurgere; see RE-, SURGE vb. So resurgent (see -ENT) XVIII.

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resurrection

rising again of Jesus Christ from the dead or of all men at the Last Day. XIII. — (O)F. résurrection — late L. resurrcti, -n-, f. pp. stem of L. resurgere; see prec. and -TION. Hence, by back-formation, resurrect vb. XVIII.

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resuscitate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. resuscitre, f. RE- + suscitre raise, revive, f. sus- SUB- + citre put in motion, excite; see -ATE3. So resuscitation XVI. — late L.

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ret

soak (flax, etc.) in water. XV. The E. Angl. forms ret(t)en corr. to MDu. reeten, (also mod.) reten; but the north. forms ra(y)te point to an ON. reyta; rel. to ROT.

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retable

reredos; shelf or ledge at the back of an altar. XIX. — F. rétable, retable — Sp. retablo — medL. retabulum, for retrotabulum (XIII) ‘structure at the back of an altar-table’, f. L. RETRO- + tabula TABLE.

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retail

the sale of (commodities) in small quantities XIV; attrib. XVII. — AN. retaille, spec. use of OF. retaille piece cut off shred, f. retaillier, f. RE- + taillier cut. This use, which is not in F., is prob. of It. orig. So retail vb. sell by retail XIV; recount XVI. Hence retailer (-ER1) XV.

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retain

†restrain XIV; keep hold or possession of, keep in one's service; keep in mind XV; keep attached to one XVI. — AN. retei(g)n-, repr. tonic stem of OF. retenir :- Rom. retenre, for L. retinre, f. RE- + tenre hold. Hence retainer^1 (-ER5) (authorization of) retaining for oneself XV; fee for retaining a barrister's services XIX. retainer^2 (-ER1) maintainer, preserver; dependant on a person of rank. XVI. So retention XIV. — (O)F. or L. retentive XIV. — (O)F. or medL.

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retaliate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. retalire, f. RE- + tlis of such a kind; see -ATE2. Hence retaliation XVI, retaliatory (-ORY2) XIX.

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retard

XV. — (O)F. retarder :- L. retardre, f. RE- + tardus slow. So retardation XV. — (O)F. or L.

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retch

hawk in the throat XVI; make efforts to vomit XIX. var. of REACH2.

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reticence

maintenance of silence. XVII (rare before XIX). — L. reticentia, f. reticre keep silence, f. RE- + tacre be silent. So reticent XIX. — L. reticns, -ent-.

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reticular

resembling or constructed like a net. XVI. f. L. rticulum RETICULE; see -AR. So reticulate adj. (-ATE2) XVII. — L. Hence reticulate vb. (-ATE3), reticulated XVIII.

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reticule

reticulate structure used in a microscope XVIII; small bag used as a pocket or workbag XIX. — F. réticule — L. rticulum network bag, omentum, dim. of rte net; see -CULE.

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retina

XIV. — medL., perh. f. L. rte net.

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retinue

†retention in service; company of persons retained in one's service. XIV. — OF. retenue, sb. use of fem. pp. of retenir RETAIN.

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retire

draw back, withdraw. XVI. — (O)F. retirer, f. RE- + tirer draw. Hence retiral (-AL2) XVII, retirement XVI.

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retort1

repay, requite; cast back (a charge, etc.) XVI; reply in kind to XVII. f. retort-, pp. stem of L. retorqure, f. RE- + torqure twist. Hence sb. XVI.

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retort2

vessel with a long neck used for distillation. XVII. — F. retorte — medL. retorta, sb. use of fem. pp. of L. retorqure (see prec.).

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retract1

draw back XV; †restrain, withdraw XVI. f. retract-, pp. stem of L. retrahere, f. RE- + trahere draw.

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retract2

recall, revoke XVI; intr. XVII. — (O)F. rétracter or L. retractre, f. RE- + tractre, frequent. of trahere draw. So retractation (pl.) title of a work of St. Augustine containing further treatment and correction of former works XV; recantation XVI; withdrawal from an engagement XVII. — L. retractti, -n-, retraction XIV (rare before XVI). — L. retracti, -n-.

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retreat

(mil.) signal to retire XIV; act of retiring in the face of danger, etc.; withdrawal into privacy; place of seclusion XV. Late ME. retret —OF. retret, etc., vars. of retraite, sb. uses of m. and fem. pps. of retraire :- L. retrahere RETRACT1. So vb. retire XV; †retract, revoke XVI. — OF. retraitier — L. retractre RETRACT2.

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retrench

†cut short, repress; cut down, reduce; also intr. XVII. — F. †retrencher, early form of retrancher; see RE-, TRENCH vb. So retrenchment XVII. — F. Both words are earlier used in fortif. (XVI) for inner line of defence.

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retribution

recompense, requital XIV; recompense for evil XVI. — ChrL. retribti, -n-, f. L. retribuere, f. RE- + tribuere assign; see -TION. Hence retributive XVII (rare before XIX).

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retrieve

†(of dogs) find again (game that has been lost) XV; recover, regain XVI; bring in (killed or wounded game) XIX. ME retreve — OF. retroev-, -euv-, tonic stem of retrover (mod. retrouver), f. RE- + trover find. Hence retriever (-ER1) †dog used to set up game again XV; breed of dog adapted for recovering game XIX.

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retro-

pref. repr. L. retr- adv. (‘behind’) used in combination as in retrospicere (cf. RETROSPECT), retrogradus (see next), f. RE- + compar. suffix as in intr- INTRO-; in anat. and path. denoting ‘situated behind’ the part of the body indicated by the second el., as retro-ocular, -uterine.

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retrograde

(astron., of planets) moving apparently in a direction contrary to the order of the signs XIV; tending or inclined to go backwards XVI. — L. retrgradus, f. RETRO- + gradus step. So vb. XVI. — L. retrgrad, later retrgradre. retrogradation XVI. — late L. Hence retrogression XVII.

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retrospect

regard or reference to some fact, etc.; survey of the past. XVII. f. retrspect-, pp. stem of L. retrspicere look back. So retrospection, retrospective XVII.

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retroussé

(of the nose) turned up at the end. XIX. — F., pp. of retrousser, f. RE- + trousser turn up, TRUSS.

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return

come or go back, lit. and fig. XIV; turn, bring, or send back XV; give back, render XVI. — OF. retorner, returner (mod. retourner) — Rom. retornre; see RE-, TURN. So sb. XIV. — AN. retorn, return.

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reunion

coming together again. XVII. — F. réunion, f. réunir reunite. So reunite XVI. See RE-, UNION, UNITE.

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reveal1

disclose in a supernatural manner XIV; divulge by discourse, etc. XV; make visible XVI. — (O)F. révéler or L. revlre, f. RE- + vlum VEIL. So revelation XIV. — (O)F. or ChrL.

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reveal2

side of an opening or recess at right angles to the face of a work. XVII (revale). f. †revale lower, bring down — OF. revaler, f. RE- + avaler lower.

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reveille

morning signal given to soldiers. XVII (revelley, revalley). — F. réveillez, imper. pl. of réveiller awaken, f. RE- + veiller :- L. vigilre keep watch.

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revel

vb. XIV. — OF. reveler (refl.) rebel, rejoice noisily:- L. rebellre REBEL. So sb. XIV.

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revenge

refl. (XIV), pass. (XV) take vengeance; exact retribution for XV. In earliest use Sc. — OF. revenger, var. of revencher (mod. revancher):- Late L. revindicre, f. RE- + L. vindicre VENGE. Hence sb. XVI.

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revenue

†yield or profit of property; income from possessions XV; (annual) income gen.; department of the civil service dealing with national funds XVII. — (O)F. revenu, †revenue, m. and fem. pp. of revenir :- L. revenre return, f. RE- + venre COME.

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reverberate

†beat or drive back; re-echo; also intr. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. — reverberre, f. RE- + verberre strike, beat, f. verbera rods, scourge. So reverberation XIV (rare before XVI). — (O)F. or late L. Hence reverberatory (furnace) so constructed that the flame is forced back upon the substance exposed to it. XVII.

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revere

XVII. — F. révérer or L. reverr, f. RE- + verr feel awe of, fear. So reverence deep respect XIII; gesture indicative of this; condition of being revered; as a title XIV. — (O)F. révérence — L. reverentia. So reverence vb. XIV. — AN. reverencer; cf. modF. révérencier. reverend worthy of reverence (spec. as an epithet of respect) XV. — (O)F. révérend or L. reverendus, gerundive of reverr. reverent †reverend XIV; deeply respectful XV. In first sense — OF. reverent or after medL. reverentissimus most reverend (of bishops); in second sense — L. reverns, -ent-, reverential XVI. — F. †reverencial, révérentiel or medL. reverentilis.

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reverie

†wild delight, violent or riotous action XIV; †fanciful idea; abstracted musing XVII. In ME. — OF. reverie rejoicing, revelry, wildness, f. rever revel, act or speak wildly (mod. réver †talk in delirium, dream), of unkn. orig. In XVII–XVIII (often resverie) — later F. resverie, now rêverie; see -ERY.

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reverse

opposite, contrary XIV (thereafter not till XVIII); mil. commanding the rear XVIII. — OF. revers(e) — L. reversus, -a, pp. of revertere turn back, etc., f. RE- + vertere turn. So sb. A. contrary XIV (thereafter not till XVIII); back of a coin, etc. XVII. B. †back-handed stroke XV; adverse change of fortune XVI. — (O)F. revers or †reverse — sb. uses of the L. pp. reverse vb. (whence reversal (-AL2) XV) †bring, send, etc. back; †overthrow; invert, turn the other way. XIV. — OF. reverser (now ren-) — late L. reversre. reversion (leg.) return of an estate; right of succession. XV. — (O)F. or L. revert †recover consciousness XIII; return, go back XIV. — OF. revertir or L. revertere.

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revetment

(fortif.) retaining wall supporting the face of a rampart. XVIII. — F. revétement, f. revêtir (whence revet XIX) — late L. revestre, f. RE- + vestre clothe; see -MENT.

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review

revision; formal inspection XVI; general survey or account XVII. — F. reveue, now revue, f. revoir, f. RE- + voir see:— L. vidre. So or hence vb. †inspect again; revise, survey XVI; etc.; after F. revoir.

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revile

XIV. — OF. reviler, f. RE- + vil VILE.

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revise

†look at or behold again; read over again. XVI. — (O)F. réviser, †reviser or L. revsere, f. RE- + vsere VISIT, examine. Hence sb. review, revision XVI; revised form of proof-sheet XVII. revisal (-AL2) XVII. So revision XVII. — (O)F. or late L.

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revive

XV. — (O)F. revivre or late L. revvere, f. RE- + vvere live; the causative meaning, which has developed in Eng., corr. to the uses of F. raviver. Hence revival (-AL2) XVII; whence revivalism, -ist XIX.

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revoke

†bring back, recall; annul, cancel XIV; (at cards) fail improperly to follow suit XVI. — (O)F. révoquer or L. revocre, f. RE- + vocre call. So revocation XV.

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revolt

cast off allegiance XVI; affect with disgust XVIII (prp. adj. revolting XIX). — F. (se) révolter — It. rivoltare (refl. -arsi) — Rom. revolvitre, intensive of L. revolvere REVOLVE. So revolt sb. XVI. — F. révolte — It. rivolta.

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revolution

moving of a celestial body in an orbit XIV; complete change of affairs or reversal of conditions XV; overthrow of established government XVI. — (O)F. révolution or late L. revolti, -n-, f. pp. stem of revolvere REVOLVE; see -TION. Hence revolutionary, revolutionize XVIII.

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revolve

†turn or roll back or round XIV; turn over in the mind, consider XV; cause to travel in an orbit XVII; intr. XVIII. — L. revolvere, f. RE- + volvere roll, turn. Hence revolver (-ER1) XIX.

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revulsion

(path.) diminishing a morbid condition in one part by acting on another XVI; drawing away XVII; strong reaction XIX. — F. révulsion or L. revulsi, -n-, f. revuls-, pp. stem of revellere, f. RE- + vellere pluck, pull.

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reward

†regard; †assign as a recompense; recompense, requite XIV. — AN., ONF. rewarder = OF. reguarder REGARD. So reward sb. †regard; return, recompense. XIV. — AN., ONF. reward = OF. reguard.

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Rhadamanthine

inflexibly severe. XIX. f. L. Rhadamanthus, Gr. Rhadámanthos one of the judges in the lower world; see -INE1.

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rhapsody

epic poem or part of one suitable for recitation at one time; †miscellany, medley XVI; extravagant effusion XVII. — L. rhapsdia — Gr. rhapsidí, f. rhapsidós rhapsodist, f. rháptein stitch + id song, ODE; see -Y3. Hence rhapsodic XVIII, -ical, -ist, -ize XVII.

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rhatany

S. Amer. shrub of genus Krameria. XIX. — modL. rhatania — Pg. ratanha, Sp. ratania — Quechua rataña.

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rhea

three-toed ostrich of S. America. XIX. arbitrary use of the myth. female name L. Rhea, Gr. Rhé.

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Rhenish

pert. to the Rhine, chief river of Germany XIV; sb. Rhine wine XVI. ME. rynis(ch), renys (assim. XVI to L.) — AN. reneis, OF. rinois, rainois — medL. Rhnnsis, for L. Rhennus, f. Rhnus Rhine; see -ISH1.

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rheo-

comb. form of Gr. rhéos stream, current, used in scientific terms with the meaning ‘electric current’, as rheometer , rheostat XIX.

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rhesus

one of the macaques. XIX. arbitrary use of L. Rhsus, Gr. Rhêsos, name of a myth. king of Thrace.

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rhetor

professor of rhetoric XIV; (professional) orator XVI. ME. rethor (later rhetor) — Late L. rethor, var. of L. rhtor — Gr. rhtr, f. r, f. IE. wer- (cf. WORD). So rhetoric art of using language for persuasion. XIV. ME. ret(h)orique — OF. rethorique (mod. rhétorique) — L. rhtorica (medL. reth-) — Gr. rhtorik, sb. use of adj. rhetorical XV. f. L. rhtricus. rhetorician XV. — OF.

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rheum

watery matter secreted by mucous glands or membranes; mucous discharge, catarrh XIV; (poet.) tears XVI. ME. reume — OF. reume (mod. rhume) — late L. rheuma — Gr. rheûma flow, stream, bodily humour. So rheumatic consisting of watery discharge XIV; suffering from, characterized by this XVI. — OF. reumatique (mod. rhu-) — L. — Gr. rheumatism; rheumatic disease XVII. — F. or L. — Gr. rheumatoid XIX.

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rhino1

(sl.) money. XVII. Presumably f. RHINOCEROS in some allusive sense now lost.

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rhino2

abbrev. of RHINOCEROS. XIX.

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rhino-

comb. form of Gr. rhs, rhnó- nose, pl. nostrils, in scientific terms (XIX).

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rhinoceros

XIII. — L. rhnocers — Gr. rhnókers, f. rhs, rhnó- nose + kéras HORN. So rhinocerotic XVIII. — late L.

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rhizo-

comb. form of Gr. rhiza root, in many scientific terms. XIX.

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rhizome

(bot.) root-like stem. XIX. — Gr. rhizma, f. rhizoûsthai take root, f. rhíza root.

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rhodium1

rosewood (Convolvulus). XVII. modL., n. of rhodius rose-like, f. Gr. rhódon rose.

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rhodium2

(chem.) white metal of the platinum group. XIX. f. Gr. rhódon rose + -IUM; so called from the rose colour of a solution of salts containing it.

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rhododendron

XVII. — L. rhododendron oleander — Gr. rhodódendron, f. rhódon rose + déndron tree.

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rhomb

plane figure having the four sides and opposite angles equal. XVI. — F. rhombe or L. rhombus (whence rhombus XVI) — Gr. rhómbos. Hence rhombic XVII. So rhomboid adj. XVII, sb. XVI. — F. or late L. — Gr. rhomboidal XVII. — modL.

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rhubarb

XIV. ME. rubarbe — OF. r(e)ubarbe (mod. rhubarbe) — Rom. r(h)eubarbum, shortening of medL. r(h)eubarbarum, alt. (by assoc. with Gr. rhêon rhubarb) of rhabarbarum, foreign ‘rha’ (late L. rh — Gr. rhâ).

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rhumb

(naut.) †line on a chart indicating the course of a ship moving continuously in one direction; point of the compass XVI; angular distance between two successive points XVII. – F. rumb, †rum; of uncert. orig.

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rhyme

XVII. var. sp. of RIME2. So vb. XVII; hence rhymer (-ER1) XVII, rhymester (-STER) XVIII.

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rhythm

A
†(piece of) rhymed verse XVI;

B
metrical movement or flow as determined by the recurrence of features of the same kind XVI; also transf. and gen. XVII. In A graphic var. of RIME2; in B — L. rhythmus or F. rhythme — Gr. rhuthmós, rel. to rhein flow.
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So rhythmic XVII, -ical XVI. — F. or L. — Gr.

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riant

smiling, gay XVI. — F., prp. of rire laugh; see -ANT.

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rib

any of the curved bones articulated to the spine OE.; wife, woman (in allusion to Gen. 2: 21) XVI; various transf. and techn. uses from XIV. OE. rib(b), corr. (with variations in gender and decl.) to OS. ribbi (Du. rib(be)), OHG. rippi, rippa (G. rippe), ON. rif :- Gmc. rebja-, -j, rel. to OSl. (Russ.) rebró rib, side, and prob. further to Gr. oroph roof, eréphein roof over.

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ribald

†retainer of low class XIII; †rascal, licentious person; offensive or scurrilous person XIV; adj. XVI. ME. ribaud — OF. ribau(l)t, -auld, (also mod.) ribaud, f. OF. riber pursue licentious pleasures, f. Gmc. base repr. by OHG. hrba (MHG rbe) whore, MHG. rben be on heat, copulate. So ribaldry XIV. — OF. ribauderie.

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riband

see next.

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ribbon

narrow woven band of fine material. XIV. ME. reban, riban, ryban, later (with parasitic d) ryband XV, riband XVI (freq. till XIX) — OF. riban (still dial.), reuban, (also mod.) ruban, prob. — Gmc. comp. of band BAND2.

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rice

XIII. ME. rys — OF. ris (mod. riz) — It. riso :- Rom. orzum, for L. orza — Gr. órza.

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rich

†powerful, great; having abundant means OE.; costly, splendid, sumptuous XII; various transf. and fig. uses from XIII. OE. rce = OS. rki, OHG. rchi (Du. rijk, G. reich), ON. ríkr, Goth. reiks; CGmc. — Celt. rx (Ir. rí) = L. rx king; reinforced in ME. by (O)F. riche orig. powerful, of Gmc. orig. From the same Gmc. stem are OE. r.e = OS. rki, MLG., MDu. rke (Du. rijk), OHG. rhhi (G. reich), ON. rki, Goth. reiki kingdom, royal power, surviving in bishopric. So riches abundance of means XIII. var. (simulating Eng. pls. in -es) of †richesse, †richeise (XII) — OF. richeise, -esce (mod. -esse); f. riche + -eise, -esse -ESS2.

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rick1

stack of hay, etc. OE. hrac = MDu. rooc, roke (Du. rook), ON. hraukr, of unkn. orig.

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rick2

sprain, wrench XVIII; var. of WRICK.

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rickets

disease marked by softening of the bones. XVII. of unkn. orig.; assoc. by medical writers with Gr. rhakhîtis RACHITIS, which was adopted as the technical designation. Hence rickety (-Y1) affected with rickets XVII; shaky, tottering XVIII.

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ricksha(w)

XIX. Abbr. of JINRICKSHA.

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ricochet

(method of firing characterized by) the skipping of a shot along a surface. XVIII. — F., orig. in phr. fable du ricochet endless exchange of question and answer, unending argument; of unkn. orig. Hence vb. XIX.

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rictus

(techn.) throat, orifice, gape. XVIII. — L. ‘open mouth’, f. ppl. stem of ring gape.

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rid

clear (a space); set free from, of XIII; disencumber of XVI. — ON. ryðja (pt. ruddi, pp. ruddr). Hence riddance XVI.

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riddle1

puzzling or dark utterance, enigma. OE. rdels, rdelse opinion, riddle, corr. to OS. rdisli, rdislo (Du. raadsel), OHG. rdisle (G. rätsel); f. rædan READ; see -LE1. Hence riddle vb.1 speak in riddles; solve a riddle. XVI; whence riddlemeree XVIII, fanciful var. of riddle my rede or riddle.

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riddle2

coarse-meshed sieve. Late OE. hriddel, rel. to synon. hrder and hrdrian sift, of WGmc. extent and based on IE. kr- with widespread cogns., as in Gr. krnein separate, decide, L. crbrum sieve, in Gmc. ?rain- clean, pure (e.g. G. rein), etc. Hence riddle vb.2 †sift XIII; pierce with holes XIX.

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ride

pt. rode, pp. ridden sit upon and be carried by a horse, etc.; lie at anchor OE.; trans. (of ON. orig.) XIII. OE. str. vb. rdan = OS. -rdan (Du. rijden), OHG. rtan (G. reiten), ON. ríða, rel. to OIr. riadaim I travel, Gaul. rda chariot. Hence sb. XVIII. rider (-ER1) †knight XI; one who rides a horse, etc. XIII; (pl.) additional timbers to strengthen the frame of a ship; additional or supplementary clause XVII; corollary XIX. Late OE. rdere.

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ridge

†back, spine; top, crest; coping of a roof; long stretch of high ground; raised strip of arable land OE.; narrow raised part across a surface XVI. OE. hry. = OS. hruggi- (MDu. ruc, Du. rug), OHG. hrucci (G. rücken), ON. hryggr :— Gmc. ?ruzjaz.

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ridicule

†ridiculous thing, nature, character; making fun of. XVII. — F. ridicule — L. rdiculus, f. ridre laugh. So ridiculous XVI. f. L. rdiculus or — L. rdiculsus.

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riding

any of the three districts of Yorkshire (East, West, and North). XI. In Est Treding, Estreding, Nort Treding (Domesday Book), Nort riding, etc. (XII), alt., by change of tþ to t(t), of late OE. þriding, þriðing — ON. þriðjungr third part, f. þriði THIRD; see -ING3.

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rife

prevalent, widespread; abundant XII; generally current XIV. Once in late OE. rfe, for rfe; subsequently rif, rijf, riue, in northern, eastern, and west midl. texts; prob. — ON. rífr good, acceptable = MLG. rve, MDu. rve, rijf abundant.

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riff-raff

persons of the most disreputable class XV; worthless stuff XVI. f. phr. †rif and raf (XIV) one and all, every bit — OF. rif et raf.

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rifle1

despoil; carry off as booty. XIV. — OF. rif(f)ler graze, scratch, plunder, of unkn. orig.

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rifle2

spiral groove inside a gun-barrel; (perh. for rifle or rifled gun) fire-arm having a rifled bore. XVIII. f. rifle vb. (XVII) form spiral grooves in — F. rifler scratch, scrape, plane, of unkn. orig.

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rift

†rending, splitting XIII; cleft, fissure XIV. of Scand. orig. (cf. Norw., Da. rift cleft, chink); rel. to RIVE.

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rig1

fit out, esp. with clothes; make ready for sea, supply with tackle XV; provide, fit up XVI; fix, adjust XVII. perh. of Scand. orig. (cf. Norw. rigga bind or wrap up). Hence sb. arrangement of masts, sails, etc.; outfit (rig-out) XIX. rigging XV; concr. XVI.

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rig2

(dial.) banter, ridicule; trick, prank (phr. run a rig). XVIII. f. rig vb. (XVI) wanton, romp, of unkn. orig.

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rigadoon

(hist.) lively dance for two persons. XVII. — F. rigodon, rigaudon; of uncert. orig.

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right

†standard or rule of action; that which is equitably or morally just; just treatment; justifiable claim. OE. riht = OS., OHG. reht (Du., G. recht), ON. réttr; the sb. corr. to right adj. †straight; †upright, righteous; just, correct, proper; real, true; epithet of the hand that is normally the stronger OE.; mentally normal XII; (of an angle) of 90° XIV; correct in opinion, etc. XVI. OE. riht = OS., etc., as in the sb., Goth. raihts :— Gmc. re?taz, pp. formation with IE. -to-; equiv. formations are L. rctus, OIr. recht law, W. rhaith, Gr. orektós upright; f. IE. base re- denoting movement in a straight line, extension. So right vb. †guide, direct; †set up; set in order, set right, etc. OE. rihtan; Gmc. wk. vb. right adv. OE. rihte. righten (-EN5) set right XIV (rare before XVI). rightly (-LY2) OE. rihtlce. rightful (-FUL1) OE. rihtful.

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-right

repr. the adj. and the adv. right, as in OE. forðriht(e) FORTHRIGHT, upriht(e) UPRIGHT, after which were formed ME. DOWNRIGHT, OUTRIGHT.

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righteous

upright, virtuous OE. rihtws, f. riht sb. or adj. + ws manner, state, condition; see RIGHT, -WISE. The form in -eous (XVI) is by assim. to beauteous, bounteous, plenteous. So righteously (-LY2) OE. rihtwsl.e. righteousness OE. rihtwsnisse.

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rigid

not pliant or yielding; strict XVI; precise in method XVII. — F. rigide or L. rigidus. f. rigre be stiff; see -ID1. So rigour (-OUR2), U.S. rigor severity, strictness XIV; severity, as of climate; severe exactitude; sudden chill XVI (now usu. rigor). — (O)F. rigour (mod. rigueur) — L. rigor, -r-, f. rigre. rigorous XIV. — OF. rigorous — Late L. rigrsus.

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rigmarole

rambling or meaningless talk. XVIII. alt. of †ragman roll list, catalogue (XVI), earlier †roll of ragman. Ragman('s) roll was used in most of the senses of rag man, which was applied orig. (XIII) to (i) a statute of Edward I and articles of inquisition made under this statute, (ii) a game of chance played with a written roll having strings attached to the items of it, which the players drew.

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rigveda

principal sacred books of the Hindus. XVIII. — Skr. gveda, f. arc- praise + VEDA knowledge.

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rile

(colloq.) make turbid; disturb in temper, vex. XIX. orig. var. of (dial.) roil (XVI), of uncert. orig.

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rill

small stream. XV. of uncert. orig.; cf. LG. ril(le), Du ril.

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rim

(raised) edge, margin, verge OE.; outer ring of a wheel XIV. OE. rima (in dærima break of day, sæ(s)rima, sea-shore, etc.) = ON. rimi ridge of land, of which no other cogns. are known.

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rime1

hoar frost. OE. hrm = (M)Du. rijm, ON. hrím.

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rime2

†metre XII; consonance of terminal elements in words; (rhyming) verse XIII; word that rhymes XVI. — (O)F. — medL. rithmus, rythmus (used spec. of accentual verse which was usu. rhymed), for L. rhythmus RHYTHM. So rime vb. XIII. — (O)F. rimer. The sp. rime prevailed till XVI, when the tendency to respell on classical models led to the use of rithme, r(h)ythme; these were succeeded after 1600 by rhime, RHYME.

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rind

bark of a tree; crust OE.; peel or skin XIV. OE. rind(e), corr. to OS. rinda, MDu. rinde, rende, runde (Du. run), OHG. rinta (G. rinde); of unkn. orig.

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ring1

circle or circlet of metal, etc.; circular group OE.; various transf. and fig. uses esp. from XIV. OE. hring = OS., OHG. hring (Du., G. ring), ON. hringr :— Gmc. ?regaz. Hence vb. put a ring or circle around; from XV, with corr. formations in the cogn. langs.; cf. OE. be-, ymbhringan surround. Comps. ringdove wood-pigeon. XVI. prob. after LG. or Du. ringfinger third finger. OE. hringfinger. ringleader XVI. f. phr. lead the r. ringlet XVI. ringworm skin disease marked by circular patches. XV.

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ring2

pt. rang (rung) pp. rung give out a resonant sound OE.; cause (a bell) to do this XII. OE. hringan, corr. to ON. hringja; orig. wk. (OE. pt. hringde, early ME. ringde), but strong forms appear in early XIII.

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rink

†area allotted to a contest XIV; stretch of ice for the game of curling XVIII, for skating XIX. Only in Sc. use till XIX; poss, later form of renk — OF. renc (mod. rang) RANK1.

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rinse

XIV. — (O)F. rincer, earlier raincier, reincier, of unkn. orig.

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riot

†debauched living, dissipation XIII; †noisy feast, wanton revel; violence, violent disturbance of the peace XIV; (hunting) hounds following the scent of a quarry other than that intended XV (phr. hunt or run riot; hence fig. use of the latter XVI). — OF. riote, riot (mod. riotte) debate, quarrel, of unkn. orig. So vb. XIV. — OF. riot(t)er. riotous (arch.) dissolute, extravagant XIV; turbulent XV. — OF. riotous, -eus.

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rip1

tear or pull away vigorously. XV. of unkn. orig.

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rip2

worthless thing, old knacker; dissolute person. XVIII. poss. alt. of rep, short for reprobate.

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riparian

pert. to the banks of a river. XIX. f. L. rprius, f. rpa bank; see -ARIAN.

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ripe

ready for reaping or gathering OE.; in various transf. and fig. uses ‘matured, mature’ from c.1200, OE. re = OS. rpi (Du. rijp), OHG. rfi (G. reif). So ripe vb. (arch.) become ripe OE.; make ripe XIV. OE. rpian = OS. rpon (Du. rijpen), OHG. rfn (G. reifen); superseded gen. by ripen (-EN5) XVI.

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riposte

return thrust in fencing XVIII (risposte); effective reply XIX. — F. riposte, earlier †risposte — It. risposta, sb. use of fem. pp. of rispondere respond.

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ripple

(of water) present a surface of small waves. XVII. Hence sb. U.S. piece of shallow water in a river where rocks cause obstruction; light ruffling of the surface of water XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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rise

pt. rose, pp. risen get up, go up, ascend; rebel; increase XII; come into existence XIII; (dial., techn.) raise XV. OE. str. vb. rsan = OS., OHG. rsan (Du. rijzen, G. reisen of the sun), ON. rísa, Goth. -reisan :- Gmc. str. vb., of which no cogns. are known. Hence sb. XV (rare before late XVI).

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risible

inclined to laughter XVI; pert. to laughter; laughable XVIII. — late L. rsibilis, f. rs-, pp. stem of rdre laugh; see -IBLE. So risibility XVII. — late L.

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risk

sb. XVII. — F. risque — It. †risco (mod. rischio), f. rischiare, risicare run into danger; of unkn. orig. Hence vb. XVII. — F. risquer, risky XIX (later, partly after F. pp. risqué).

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rissole

XVIII. — F. rissole, later form of OF. ruissole, dial. var. of roissole, roussole :— Rom. russeola, sb. use of fem. of late L. russeolus reddish, f. russus red.

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rite

formal (esp. religious) procedure or act XIV; general use or practice, esp. in religion XV. — (O)F. rit, later rite or L. rtus (religious) usage. So ritual (-AL1) pert. to rites XVI; sb. (book containing) prescribed order of the performance of rites XVII. — L. rtulis; in sb. use after medL. ritule, sb. use of n. sg. ritualist one versed in ritual or who advocates its observance. XVII; hence ritualism XIX.

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rival

sb. XVI. — L. rvlis one who uses the same stream with another, f. rvus stream; see -AL1. Hence vb. XVII, rivalry XVI.

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rive

(arch., dial.) tear, rend. XIII. ME. rive (pt. rf, pp. riven) — ON. rfa; of unkn. orig.

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river

XIII. — AN. river(e), (O)F. rivière †river bank, river = It. riviera bank (spec. of the Genoese coast as far as Nice, adopted in Eng. use as Riviera ):— Rom. rpria, fem. used sb. of rprius RIPARIAN. Hence riverine (-INE1) situated on or pert. to a river (contemp. with riverain — F. riverain). XIX.

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rivet

small nail or bolt. XIV. — OF., f. river fix, clinch, of unkn. orig. Hence vb. XIV.

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rivière

necklace of gems. XIX. — F.; see RIVER.

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rivulet

XVI. alt. of earlier synon. †riveret — F. dim. of rivière RIVER, perh. after It. rivoletto, dim. of rivolo, dim. of rivo :- L. rvus stream; see -LET.

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roach

small freshwater fish. XIV. — OF. roche, with vars. roce, roque, of unkn. orig.

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road

A
†riding; †RAID OE.;

B
sheltered water where ships may ride XIV;
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C
line of communication between places (also roadway) XVI; (gen.) way, course. OE. rd = MDu. rd, ON. rei, rel. to rdan RIDE. Sense C may be generalized from such comps. as OE. hwolrd wheel-track, stramrd course of a stream.
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roam

wander, rove. XIII. of unkn. orig.

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roan1

(of horses, etc.) having a coat in which the prevailing colour is intermingled with another. XVI. — OF. roan (mod. rouan), of unkn. orig.

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roan2

soft flexible leather used in bookbinding. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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roar

utter full deep or hoarse prolonged cry OE.; make a loud noise or din XIV. OE. rrian, corr. to MLG. rren, rren, MDu. reeren, OHG. rrn (G. röhren); WGmc., of imit. orig. Hence sb. XIV.

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roast

XIII. — OF. rostir (mod. rôtir) — WGmc. raustjan (Du. roosten, OHG. rsten, G. rösten).

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rob

deprive (one) of by force; plunder, pillage. XIII. — OF. rob(b)er f. Gmc. base raub-, repr. also by REAVE. So robber (-ER2), robbery XII. — AN. rob(b)ere, -erie.

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robe

XIII. — (O)F.:— Rom. rauba, of Gmc. orig. (see prec.), the orig. sense being ‘booty’, (hence) clothes, regarded as spoil. Hence vb. XIV.

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robin

small red-breasted bird. XVI. Short for r. redbreast (XV), both being Sc. in their earliest use. — OF. Robin, familiar var. of the masculine name Robert (used XV for ‘robin’). In round r. (XVIII) the adj. describes the circular unpunctuated list of names on the document; the reference of the sb. is unkn.

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robot

mechanism doing the work of a man, automaton. XX. — Czech, f. robota compulsory service.

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robust

XVI. — (O)F. robuste or L. rbustus oaken, firm and hard, solid, f. rbus, older form of rbur oak, strength. Hence robustious XVI.

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roc

gigantic bird of Eastern legend. XVI. In early use in roche, roque, ruc(h) — Sp. †rocho, Pg. roco, It. †roche, Sp., Pg., It. ruc — Arab. rukk.

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rochet

linen vestment of the surplice kind worn by bishops, etc.; (dial.) smock frock. XIV. — (O)F. rochet, var. of roquet, dim. f. Gmc. base found in OE. rocc, OS., (M)Du. rok, OHG. roch (G. rock) coat; see -ET.

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rock1

move from side to side on a pivot. Late OE. roccian, prob. f. Gmc. rukk- move, remove, repr. also by MLG., MDu. rukken, rocken (Du. rukken tug, jerk, snatch), OHG. rucchan (G. rücken move, push), ON. rykkja pull, tug.

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rock2

solid part of the earth's crust, mass of this. XIV. — OF. ro(c)que, var. of (O)F. roche; of unkn. orig. Hence rocky (-Y1) XV.

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rock3

(arch., dial.) distaff. XIV. — MLG. rocken, MDu. rocke (Du. rok, rokken) or ON. rokkr = OHG. rocco (G. rocken); of unkn. orig.

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rocket1

cruciferous annual, Eruca sativa. XVI. — F. roquette — It. rochetta, var. of ruchetta, dim. of ruca :- L. rca caterpillar, plant with downy stems.

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rocket2

cylindrical paper or metal case designed to be projected on ignition of explosive contents. XVII. — (O)F. roquette — It. rocchetto, dim. of rocca ROCK3; so called from the cylindrical form. Hence vb. XIX.

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rococo

†old-fashioned; characterized by conventional shell-and-scroll-work, as of the time of Louis XIV and XV of France. XIX. — F. rococo, fanciful alt. of rocaille pebble- or shell-work, f. roc ROCK2.

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rod

straight slender wand XII; stick for measuring with; measure of length and of area XV. Late OE. rodd, synon. with Continental forms cited S.V. ROOD, but formally distinct; prob. rel. to ON. rudda club.

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rodent

gnawing, belonging to the Rodentia. XIX. — L. rdns, -ent-, prp. of rdere gnaw; see -ENT.

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rodeo

round-up of cattle XIX; exhibition of lassooing, etc. XX. — Sp., f. rodear go round, based on L. rotre ROTATE.

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rodomontade

vainglorious or extravagant boast. XVII. — F. rodomontade, It. †rodomontada, -ata, f. F. rodomont, It. -monte bragger, boaster, appellative use of Rodomonte name (lit. ‘roll-mountain’) of a boastful Saracen leader in Boiardo's ‘Orlando Innamorato’ and Ariosto's ‘Orlando Furioso’.

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roe1

small species of deer. OE. r, earlier rha = OS., OHG. rho (Du. ree, G. reh), ON. rá :— Gmc. rai?-.

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roe2

milt or spawn of a fish. XV. ME. row(e), rough, roof :— roze — MLG., MDu. roge = OHG. rogo (MHG. roge); ult. orig. unkn.

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rogation

A
(pl.) litanies used on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day (R. Days) XIV;

B
(Rom. hist.) submission by consuls, etc. of a proposed law to the people XV. — L. rogti, -n-, in medL. pl. (in sense A) Rogtins, f. rogre ask; see -ATION.
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rogue

one of a class of vagrants XVI; unprincipled man; mischievous person XVI; (rendering Sinhalese hor, sor :- Skr. corá- thief) savage elephant living apart from the herd XIX. orig. one of the numerous canting words that are recorded from mid-XVI; perh. based on †roger begging vagabond pretending to be a poor scholar from Oxford or Cambridge (XVI), prob. f. L. rogre ask, beg + -ER1. Hence roguery, roguish XVI.

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roil

see RILE.

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roister

revel noisily, be uproarious. f. †roister swaggerer, reveller XVI. — (O)F. rustre ruffian, alt. of ruste :- L. rusticus RUSTIC.

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rôle, role

XVII (rowle, roll). — F. †roule, †rolle, rôle ROLL1, orig. the ‘roll’ containing an actor's part.

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roll1

piece of parchment, etc. made into cylindrical form XIII; such a piece inscribed with formal records, register XIV; quantity of material, mechanical object in cylindrical form, etc. XVI. — OF. ro(u)lle (mod. rôle):- L. rotulus, var. of rotula, dim. of rota wheel. Hence roll-call XIX.

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roll2

turn or cause to turn over and over as on an axis or in a socket XIV; coil or cause to coil into a mass; make a reverberating noise XVI. — OF. rol(l)er, (also mod.) rouler :- Rom. rotulre, f. L. rotulus ROLL1. Hence sb. act of rolling. XVII. roller^1 (-ER1) cylindrical object, as of wood, metal, etc. XV.

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roller2

bird with brilliant plumage. XVII. — G. roller, f. rollen — (O)F. rouler ROLL2; perh. so called from its cry.

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rollick

romp; esp. in prp. rollicking boisterously sportive. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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roly-poly

†worthless fellow XVII (rowle powle, rowly powly); name of various games involving the rolling of a ball XVIII; pudding in which a sheet of paste covered with jam, etc. is rolled on itself XIX. Fanciful formation on ROLL2; the second el. may contain POLL1 (head); the orig. of the first sense is obscure.

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rom

male gipsy. XIX. — Romany rom man, husband — Skr. oma, domba minstrel-dancer of low caste. So Romany gipsy, gipsy language. XIX. — Romany Romani, pl. and fem. of Romano adj., f. Rom.

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Romaic

pert. to the vernacular language of modern Greece. XIX. — Gr. Rhmaikós, f. Rhm Rome, used spec. of the Eastern Empire.

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Roman

pert. to (native or inhabitant of) ancient Rome XIII; pert. to (adherent of) the Roman Catholic Church XVI; (typogr.) based on the characteristic form of the ancient Roman inscriptions. ME. Romein, -ain — (O)F. Romain — L. Rmnus, f. Rma Rome; later assim. in sp. to L.; preceded by OE. Romane, -an sb. pl.; see -AN. So R. Catholic XVII. Based on the official L. title of the Roman Church, Ecclesia Romana Catholica t Apostolica, ‘Roman Catholic and Apostolic Church’.

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romance

tale in verse embodying adventure, esp. of medieval legend XIII; fictitious narrative in prose; (after Sp. and F. romance) Spanish historical ballad XVII. ME. roma(u)nz, -a(u)ns — OF. romanz, -ans, fem. romance the vernacular tongue (as dist. from literary L.), work composed in this:- popL. rmnice ‘in the Romanic tongue’, adv. of L. Rmnicus, f. Rmnus ROMAN; see -IC. So vb. (XIV), XVII. — OF. romancier, romancer (-ER2) (XIV),XVII. — OF. romancëor, -cier.

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Romance

vernacular language of France, later applied to the related tongues. XIV. — OF. romanz, fem. adj. -ance expressed in the vernacular (see prec.).

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Romanesque

†(of a language) Romance XVIII; (archit.) pert. to building of Romanized style XIX. — F. romanesque, f. roman ROMANCE; see -ESQUE.

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Romanic

Romance, Romance-speaking. XVIII. — L. Rmnicus, f. Rmnus ROMAN; see -IC.

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Romanist

Roman Catholic. XVI. — G. Romanist or modL. Romanista. So Romanize render Roman or Roman Catholic. XVII. Romano- comb. form (see -O-) of L. Rmnus ROMAN XVII.

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Romany

see ROM.

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romaunt

(arch.) romance. XVI. — OF. roma(u)nt, (later roman), deduced (as if an obl. case) from roma(u)nz ROMANCE. Hence or — F. romantique romantic of the nature of or suggestive of romances or their imaginative or extravagant qualities. XVII.

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Romish

Roman Catholic (chiefly in hostile use). XVI. f. Rome (seat of the papal see) + -ISH1.

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romp

frolic boisterously. XVIII. perh. alt. of RAMP1 with modification of sense. So sb. XVIII.

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rondeau

poem with two rhymes throughout and the opening words used twice as a refrain. XVI (rare before late XVII). — (O)F. rondeau, later form of rondel (f. rond ROUND1) whence rondel (-EL2) XIV.

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rondo

(mus.) piece in which a return is continually made to the principal subject. XVIII. — It. — F. rondeau (see prec.).

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Röntgen

name of the German scientist W. C. Röntgen (1845–1923), applied to certain rays. XIX.

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rood

A
cross, spec. that on which Jesus Christ suffered (Holy Rood); crucifix (as on a rood loft or screen);

B
(now local) rod, pole, or perch OE.; superficial measure, 40 square poles. XV. In sense A, OE. rd = OS. rda; in the sense of ROD (only in OE. seglrd sailyard), the Continental forms are OS. rda, MDu. ro(o)de (also mod. roede), OHG. ruota (G. rute).
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roof

upper covering of a building; palate of the mouth. OE. hrf = (M)LG. rf, MDu. roof (Du. roef cabin, coffin lid), ON. hróf boat shed, of which no certain cogns. are known.

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rook1

harsh-voiced crow. OE. hrc = (M)LG. rk, MDu. roec (Du. roek), OHG. hruoch, ON. hrókr :- Gmc. chirkaz, prob. of imit. orig. In the sense ‘cheat, swindler, sharper’, with corr. vb., a gaming sl. use of late XVI. Hence rookery XVIII.

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rook2

piece at chess also called castle. XIV. ME. rok(e) — OF. roc(k), rok, corr. to Sp., Pg. roque, It. rocco, and various Gmc. forms of the same ult. origin. Arab.-Pers. rukk.

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room

space OE.; †place XIV; chamber in a building XV. OE. rm = OS., OHG., ON., Goth. rm (Du. ruim, G. raum), sb. use of Gmc. adj. rmaz spacious (OE. rm, etc.). Hence roomy (-Y1) XVII.

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roost

perch for fowls. OE. hrst = (M)Du. roest and perh. OS. hrst spars of a roof; of unkn. orig. Hence vb. XVI.

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root1

part of a plant below the earth's surface OE.; source, basis XIV; (math., philol.) XVI. Late OE. rt — ON. rót; rel. to L. rdx. Hence root vb. A. in pp. firmly fixed XIII; B. furnish with roots XIV; C. uproot, eradicate XIV.

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root2

turn over (soil) with the snout. XIV. Later var. of wroot, OE. wrtan = (M)LG. wrten, (M)Du. wroeten, OHG. ruozzen, ON. róta (partly the immed. source), rel. to OE. wrt, LG. wrte, G. rüssel snout.

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rope

OE. rp = (M)LG. rp, (M)Du. reep, (O)HG. reif, ON. reip, Goth. -raip :- Gmc. raipaz.

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Roquefort

cheese made at Roquefort, village in S. W. France. XIX.

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roquelaure

(hist.) man's cloak reaching to the knee. XVIII. — F., f. name of Antoine-Gaston, duc de Roquelaure (1656–1738), marshal of France.

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roquet

in croquet, hitting another player's ball with one's own. XIX. presumably arbitrary alt. of CROQUET.

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rorqual

species of whale. XIX. — F. — Norw. røyrkval :— ON. reyðarhvalr, f. reyðr (specific name) + hvalr WHALE.

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rosaceous

resembling the roses. XVIII. — L. rosceus, f. rosa ROSE; see -ACEOUS.

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rosary

base coin current in England in the 13th century XIV; rose-garden XV; set of devotions, spec. that of the B.V.M. (‘Our Lady's psalter’), set of beads for its recitation. — L. rosrium rose-garden, AL. rosrius (coin), sb. uses of n. and m. of adj. f. rosa ROSE; see -ARY.

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rose

plant and flower of the genus Rosa OE.; rose-shaped figure XIV. OE. rse, corr. to MDu. rse (Du. roos), OHG. rsa (G. rose), ON. rósa; Gmc. — L. rosa, rel. obscurely to synon. Gr. rhódon; reinforced in ME. from (O)F. rose. Hence rosy (-Y1) XIV (rare before XVI). So rosette XVIII. — (O)F.

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rosemary

evergreen shrub. XV. alt., by assoc. with ROSE and MARY, of †rosmarine (XIV), either inmed. — L. rs marnus ‘sea-dew’, late L. rsmarnum, or through (i) OF. rosmarin (mod. romarin) or (ii) MDu. rosemarine (Du. ros(e)-marijn).

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Rosicrucian

member of a society reputed to have been founded in 1484 by Christian Rosenkranz , the modL. tr. of which, viz. rosa crucis or crux i.e. ‘rose (of the) cross’, is the basis of the name. XVII. See -IAN.

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rosin

see RESIN.

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roster

list or plan exhibiting an order of rotation. XVIII. — Du. rooster (i) grating, gridiron, (ii) table, list (from the appearance of a paper ruled with parallel lines), f. roosten ROAST; see -ER1.

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rostrum

platform for public speakers in ancient Rome, adorned with beaks of captured ships XVI; beak of a galley XVII; platform, stage, pulpit XVIII. — L. rstrum beak, snout, etc., f. rdere gnaw.

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rot

undergo decay OE.; trans. XIV; in imprecations XVI. OE. rotian = OS. roton, MDu. roten, (also mod.) rotten, OHG. rzzn, rel. to MLG. röten, MHG. rœzen; cf. ROTTEN. Hence (or — Scand.) sb. XIII.

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rota

political club founded in 1659 by J. Harrington , which advocated rotation in the offices of government; rotation, routine; (R.C.Ch.) supreme court for all causes XVII; roster XIX. — L. rota wheel. So rotary (of motion) circular; operating by rotation. XVIII. — medL. rotrius. rotate XIX. f. rott-, pp. stem of L. rotre turn round, revolve. rotation XVI. — L.

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rote

†custom, habit; regular procedure, routine, esp. in by rote. XIV. of unkn. orig.

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rotten

decomposed, putrid XIII; fig. corrupt XIV. — ON. rotinn, which has the form of a pp. of the base raut- reut- rut-, repr. by ROT; see -EN6.

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rotund

round, rounded XVIII; sonorous XIX. — L. rotundus, f. rotre ROTATE. So rotunda round-shaped building. XVII. alt. (after L. rotundus) of rotonda (XVII) — It., sb. use of fem. of rotondo round. rotundity XVI. — F. or L.

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rouble

XVI. Earliest forms rubbel, robel, ruble, later rouble (after F.). — Russ. rubl.

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roué

debauchee, rake. XVIII. — F., pp. of rouer break on the wheel, f. roue wheel:- L. rota.

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rouge

A
R. Croix and R. Dragon , two pursuivants of the English College of Arms, so called from their badges XV;

B
red powder used as a cosmetic XVIII. — (O)F.:- L. rubeus red.
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Hence vb. XVIII.

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rough

not even or smooth OE.; turbulent, violent XVIII; harsh, sharp XIV. OE. rh = MLG., MDu. r(ch) (Du. ruig, ruw), OHG. rh (G. rauh):- WGmc. r?(w)az, rel. to Lith. rùkti be wrinkled, Skr. rká- rough. Hence roughen (-EN5) XVI. roughcast XVI. f. cast †cover by casting mortar on.

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roulette

XVIII. — F., f. rouelle, dim. of roue wheel:- L. rota; see -ETTE.

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round1

A
of the form of a ball XIII;

B
full, complete XIV;
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C
vigorous, severe XIV; plain, straightforward XVI. ME. ro(u)nd — OF. ro(u)nd-, inflexional stem of ro(o)nt, earlier rëont (mod. rond):- Rom. retundus, for L. rotundus ROTUND.
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Hence sb. XIV, vb. XIV, adv. XIII; prep., perh. aphetic of AROUND XVII.

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round2

(arch.) whisper. OE. rnian, ME. ro(u)ne = OS. rnon, MLG., MDu. rnen, OHG. rnn; f. OE. rn, ME. ro(u)n dark saying, counsel, RUNE; with parasitic d.

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roundel

circle, circular object XIII; rondeau XIV. — OF. rondel or -elle, f. rond ROUND1; see -EL2.

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roundelay

short song with a refrain. XVI. — (O)F. rondelet, dim. of rondel RONDEAU, with ending assim. to VIRELAY or LAY2; see -ET.

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roup

disease of poultry. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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rouse1

refl. and intr. (of a hawk) shake the feathers XV; start (game); cause to rise from slumber, etc. XVI. orig. techn. term of hawking and hunting, of unkn. orig.

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rouse2

(arch.) bumper of liquor, carousal. XVII. perh. aphetic of CAROUSE.

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rout1

company, troop; disorderly company XIII; †the r., the common herd XIV; riot, uproar XV; fashionable gathering XVIII. ME. ro(u)te — AN. rute, OF. route :- Rom. rupta, sb. use of fem. of pp. of L. rumpere break. Cf. next.

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rout2

disorderly retreat. XVI. — F. †route (in the sense of déroute), prob. — It. rotta breakage, discomfiture of an army:- Rom. rupta (see prec.). Hence vb. XVI.

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route

way, course XIII (obs. in ME. in XV; readopted XVI); (mil.) order to march, marching orders XVIII. — OF. rute (also mod.) route :- Rom. rupta (see ROUT1).

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routine

XVII (rotine). — F. routine, †rotine, f. route (see prec.).

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rove

A
†shoot with arrows at a selected mark for finding the range XV;

B
wander at random XVI. poss. form of (dial.) rave stray (XIV), prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. Icel. ráfa); sense B. perh. due to infl. by ROVER.
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rover

sea-robber, pirate. XIV. — MLG., MDu. rver, f. rven rob, REAVE.

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row1

number of persons or things set in a line. ME. raw, row (XIII) points to OE. rw, var. of ræw (ME. rew), perh. rel. to MDu. re (Du. rij), MHG. rhe (G. reihe).

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row2

use oars OE.; trans. XIV. OE. str. vb. rwan (weak inflexions appear XIII) = MLG. rjen (Du. roeijen), MHG. rüejen steer, ON. róa, f. Gmc. r- steer, belonging to the IE. base er- repr. in Gr. eréts rower, L. rmus, OIr. ráme oar, Lith. irti row, Skr. arit rower.

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row3

violent commotion, noisy dispute. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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rowan

mountain ash. XVI (rountree). of Scand. orig.; cf. Norw. rogn, raun, Icel. reynir.

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rowdy

backwoodsman of a rough type; violent disorderly person. XIX (orig. U.S.). of unkn. orig.

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rowel

spur-wheel. XIV. — OF. roel(e) (mod. rouelle):- late L. rotella, dim. of rota wheel; see -EL2.

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rowlock

XVIII. alt., by substitution of ROW2 for the first syll., of oarlock, OE. rloc, f. r OAR + loc fastening, LOCK2.

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royal

XIV. — OF. roial (mod. royal):- L. rglis REGAL. Hence royalist XVII. So royalty XIV. — OF. roialte (mod. royauté).

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rub

subject a surface to friction with pressure, tr. and intr. XIV. perh. — LG. rubben; ult. orig. unkn. Hence rub sb. obstacle, produced as if by rubbing a surface (techn., at bowls) XVI; often fig. as in there's the r. rubber^1 (-ER1) rubbing implement XVI; piece of a substance used for this (short for India(n) rubber) XVIII.

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rub-a-dub

XVIII. imit. of drumming sound.

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rubber2

set of (usu.) three games, as of bowls, whist, etc. XVI (the earliest exx. have (play) a rubbers). of unkn. orig.

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rubbish

waste or refuse material. XIV. ME. robous, robys, -ishe, rubbes — AN. rubbous, of uncert. orig.; cf. RUBBLE.

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rubble

waste fragments of stone, esp. from demolished buildings XIV; pieces of undressed stone XVI. ME. robyl, rubel, of uncert. orig.; cf. -EL1, -LE1, and prec.

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rubicund

†inclined to redness XVI; of ruddy complexion XVII. — F. rubicond or L. rubicundus, f. rubre be red.

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rubidium

element of the alkali-metal group. XIX. f. L. rubidus, f. rub- of ruber RED; in allusion to the two red lines in its spectrum; see -IUM.

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rubric

A
†red earth, ruddle XV;

B
direction (in red) for the conduct of divine service XIV; heading of a division of a book, etc. XV. Rare before XVII, rubriche, -ishe being the usual form XIV–XVI. — OF. rubric(h)e, beside rubrique, or its source L. rubrca red earth, title of a law, law itself (written with red ochre), sb. use of adj. f. ruber RED.
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ruby

XIV. — OF. rubi (mod. rubis) — medL. rubnus, sb. use of adj. f. base of L. rubeus, ruber RED.

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ruche

frill of light material. XIX. — F. ruche beehive, and (with allusion to the plaits of a straw hive) frill.

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ruck1

heap, stack, pile XIII; multitude, throng XVI; undistinguished crowd XIX. app. of Scand. orig. (cf. Norw. ruka).

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ruck2

crease, fold. XVIII (presumably of much earlier occurrence). — ON. (Norw.) hrukka.

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rucksack

XIX. — G. rucksack, f. dial. rucken ( = rücken back, RIDGE) + sack SACK1.

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ruction

(colloq.) disturbance, disorderly action (esp. pl.). XVIII (rare before XIX). of unkn. orig.

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rudder

†steering oar OE.; steering-gear mounted in a boat or ship XIV. OE. roðer = MLG., MDu. rder (Du. roer), OHG. ruodar, (G. ruder):- WGmc. rþra-, rel. to ROW2.

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ruddle

red ochre. XVI. f. base of RUDDY; see -LE1, and cf. contemp. raddle.

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ruddock

(dial.) redbreast, robin. OE. rudduc, rel. to RUDDY; see -OCK.

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ruddy

red, reddish, orig. of the face. Late OE. rudi, f. base of rudu red colour, redness, rel. to RED; see -Y1.

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rude

in various transf. and fig. senses of ‘rough’. XIV. — (O)F. — L rudis unwrought, crude, uncultivated, orig. techn. term of handicraft, rel. to rdus rubble.

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rudiment

(pl.) first principles or elements. XVI. — F. rudiment — or L. rudmentum, f. rudis RUDE. Hence rudimentary XIX.

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rue1

(arch. exc. as surviving in rueful XIII) sorrow, regret OE.; compassion XIII. OE. hrow = MLG., MDu. rouwe (Du. rouw), OHG. (h)riuwa (G. reue), rel. to next.

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rue2

affect with contrition or sorrow OE.; affect with pity XII; repent of. OE. str. vb. hrowan = OS. hreuwan (Du. rouwen), OHG. (h)riuwan (G. reuen); no certain cogns. are known.

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rue3

shrub of the genus Ruta. XIV. — (O)F.:- L. rta — Gr. rht.

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ruff1

small freshwater fish of the perch family, with prickly scales. XV. prob. sb. use of ROUGH.

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ruff2

†ruffle on a garment; article of neckwear consisting of linen, etc. starched in folds. XVI. poss. sb. use of ruff, ROUGH.

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ruff3

†former card-game XVI; kind of trump at cards XVII; (from the vb.) act of trumping XIX. — OF. ro(u)ffle, earlier ronfle, romfle (corr. to It. ronfa), poss. alt. of triomphe (It. trionfo) TRUMP2. Hence vb. XVI.

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ruff4

male of the sandpiper, distinguished in the breeding-season by a ruff. XVII. transf. use of RUFF2.

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ruffian

XVI; †pander, bawd XVII. — (O)F. ruf(f)ian — It. ruffiano, f. dial. rofia scab, scurf, of Gmc. orig. (cf. OHG. ruf scurf).

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ruffle1

spoil the orderly arrangement of XIII; (gen.) disorder, disarrange XVI; disturb the mind or temper of XVII. of unkn. orig. Hence sb. disorderly state XVI; ornamental edging to a garment XVIII.

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ruffle2

(arch.) contend with; swagger, hector. XV. of unkn. orig. Hence ruffler (-ER1) †one of a class of vagabonds; swaggering fellow. XVI.

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rufous

reddish. XVIII. f. L. rfus, rel. to ruber RED; see -OUS.

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rug

†rough woollen stuff; piece of thick woollen stuff used as a coverlet XVI; floor mat XIX. perh. of Scand. orig. (cf. Norw. dial. rugga coverlet, Sw. rugg ruffled or coarse hair) and rel. to RAG1. So rugged (-ED1) †shaggy, hirsute XIV; rough, uneven (also fig.) XVI. prob. pp. formation of Scand. orig. on the same base; cf. RAGGED.

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Rugby

name of a public school at Rugby in Warwickshire, after which one of the two chief games of football is named. XIX. Hence (sl.) rugger (-ER6) XIX.

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rugose

wrinkled. XVIII. — L. rgsus, f. rga wrinkle; see -OSE1.

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ruin

(state consequent upon) giving way and falling down XIV (concr. XV); downfall, utter loss XIV. — (O)F. ruine — L. runa, f. ruere fall. So vb. XVI. — (O)F. ruiner or medL. runre. †ruinate, ruination XVI. ruinous XIV. — (O)F. or L. runsus.

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rule

principle of procedure, conduct, etc.; code of religious life XIII; standard of estimation, etc.; graduated strip of wood or metal XIV; rule of thumb XVII. ME. riule, reule — OF. riule, reule, ruile :- Rom. regula, for L. rgula straight stick, bar, pattern, rel. to regere rule, rx, rg- king. So rule vb. govern XIII; mark with lines XV. — OF. reuler — late L. rgulre REGULATE. Hence ruler (-ER1) XIV.

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rum1

spirit distilled from sugar-cane products. XVII. perh. shortening of slightly earlier rumbullion, rumbustion, of unkn. orig.

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rum2

(sl.) queer, odd. XVIII. of uncert. orig. Also rummy^1 (-Y1) XIX.

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rumble

make a low heavy continuous sound. XIV. prob. — MDu. rommelen, rummelen (Du. rommelen); of imit. orig. Hence sb. XIV.

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ruminate

meditate (upon); chew the cud. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. rminr, -re, f. rmen, rmin- throat, gullet, (in mod. scientific use) first stomach of a ruminant; see -ATE3. So ruminant (animal) that chews the cud. XVII. rumination XVI.

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rummage

†stowage, orig. in a ship's hold; (dial.) commotion XVI; (from the vb.) overhauling search XVIII. — AN. rumage (cf. AL. rumgium), aphetic of OF. arrumage (mod. arrimage), f. †arrumer, var. of OF. arimer, aruner, ariner, f. a- AD- + run ship's hold — (M)Du. ruim; see -AGE. R. sale is first recorded (XIX) for the sale of unclaimed goods at docks or odds and ends left in a warehouse. Hence vb. †stow in the hold, †set (a ship) in order; search (orig. the hold), also intr. XVI.

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rummer

(arch.) large drinking-glass. XVII. of Du. or LG. orig.; cf. Du. roemer, LG. römer, f. roemen, etc. extol, boast.

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rummy1

see RUM2.

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rummy2

card game. XX (orig. U.S.). of unkn. orig.

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rumour

†favourable report; general report or hearsay XIV. ME. rumur, rumo(u)r — OF. rumur, -or (mod. -eur) — L. rmor, -r-.

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rump

hindquarters, buttocks XV; small or contemptible remainder XVII. prob. of Scand. orig.; cf. (M)Da. rumpe, (M)Sw. rumpa, Icel. rumpr; corr. forms in (M)Du., (M)LG., and (O)HG. mean the trunk of the body; the orig. sense may be tree-stump.

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rumple

XVII. f. rumple sb. wrinkle, fold (XVI) — (M)Du. rompel, f. MDu. rompe, MLG. rumpe wrinkle, or — MDu., MLG. rumpelen, rompelen, rel. to OE. rimpan, in pp. erumpen contracted, wrinkled, (M)LG., (M)Du. rimpel wrinkle, OHG. rimpfan (G. rümpfen).

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rumpus

XVIII. of fanciful formation (?).

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run

pt. ran, pp. run go along at quicker than walking pace; (gen.) move forward with speed. OE. str. vb. rinnan = OS., OHG. rinnan, (MLG., MDu., G. rinnen). ON. rinna, Goth. rinnan; of unkn. orig. The common ME. pres. tense forms rinne, renne, were prob. due to ON. rinna, renna. The -u- of the mod. pres., current from XVI (ronne is earlier), is the result of levelling from older pt. pl. runnen, pp. runne(n), ronnen. Hence run sb. XV (act or spell of running; later in many techn. uses).

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runagate

†apostate; (arch.) deserter, runaway; vagabond. XVI. alt. of ren(n)egate (see RENEGADE), by assoc. with renne RUN and agate on the way, away (f. A-1 + gate, GAIT).

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runcible

r. spoon kind of fork for pickles curved like a spoon and having three broad prongs (one with a sharp edge). XIX. First used by Edward Lear as a nonsense word in r. cat, r. hat, r. spoon.

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runcinate

irregularly saw-toothed. XVIII. — modL. runcintus, f. L. runcina joiner's plane (formerly taken also to mean a kind of saw); see -ATE2.

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rundale

form of joint occupation of land. XVI (Sc. ryndale, rindaill, later rendal, rennal, anglicized rundale). f. rin, Sc. var. of RUN + dale, north. form of DOLE1.

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rune

character of the earliest Germanic alphabet. XVII. Adopted from Danish writers on Northern antiquities, and repr. ON. rún, pl. rúnar, rúnir secret or hidden lore, runes, magical signs (Sw. runa, Da. rune) = OE. rn mystery, runic letter, secret consultation, OS., OHG., Goth. rna (cf. ROUND2). So runic XVII. — modL. rnicus.

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rung

stick of rounded form used as a rail, etc. OE.; stave of a ladder XIII. OE. hrung = MLG. runge (Du. rong), OHG. runga, Goth. hrugga.

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runnel

small stream. XVI. Later form (by assim. to RUN) of rinel, OE. rynel(e), rinnele, f. run-, rin-, base of RUN; see -EL1.

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runt

(dial.) old tree-stump XVI; small breed of cattle; uncouth, ill-conditioned, or dwarfish person XVII; stout variety of domestic pigeon; small pig XIX. of unkn. orig.

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rupee

monetary unit of India. XVII. — Urdu rpiyah :- Skr. rpya- wrought silver.

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rupture

breach XV; abdominal hernia XVI; break XVII. — F. rupture or L. ruptra, f. pp. stem of rumpere break; see REAVE, -URE.

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rural

XV. — (O)F. rural or late L. rrlis, f. rs, rr- the country; see -AL1.

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Ruritania

imaginary kingdom of Central Europe in Anthony Hope's novels The Prisoner of Zenda (1894) and Rupert of Hentzau (1898); transf. petty state, esp. as a scene of court romance and intrigue XIX. f. L. rs, rr- country + -tania, of Lusitania, etc. Hence Ruritanian XIX.

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ruse

†detour, doubling in the track XV; trick, dodge XVII. — (O)F., f. ruser drive back; of uncert. orig.

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rush1

marsh or waterside plant. OE. rys.(e). corr. to MLG., MHG. (Du., G.) rusch. OE. rys.(e), with the vars. res.(e), ris.(e), rex(e), rix(e), surviving dial. in resh, rish, rex, rix, and corr. to MLG., MDu. risch, etc., point to a Gmc. series rask- resk- rusk-, with poss. further connections in L. restis, Skr. rájju- rope.

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rush2

†force out of place, move with force or speed; also intr. XIV. — AN. russher, var. of OF. rus(s)er (see RUSE).

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rusk

(piece of) bread re-fired so as to be hard and crisp. XVI. — Sp., Pg. rosca twist, coil, twisted roll of bread, of unkn. orig.

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russet

coarse woollen cloth of reddish-brown or other subfusc colour XIII; adj. reddish-brown XIV (hence sb. russet colour XVI; russet apple XVIII). — AN., var. of OF. ro(u)sset, dim. f. rous (mod. roux):- L. russus (rel. to RED); see -ET.

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rust

brownish coating formed on iron and steel by oxidation. OE. rst = OS., (O)HG. rost, (M)Du. roest, rel. to RED. Hence vb. XIII. rusty (-Y1) OE. rsti.

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rustic

pert. to the country XV; sb. countryman, peasant XVI. — L. rsticus, f. rs country. So rusticate (-ATE3) retire to the country XVII; trans. XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. rsticr live in the country. rustication XVII. — L. rusticity XVI. — F. or L.

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rustle

give forth a succession of light crisp sounds XIV; (U.S. colloq.) move about vigorously XIX. of imit. orig.

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rut1

sexual excitement of male deer, etc. XV. — (O)F. rut, †ruit rutting (time), †bellowing (of stags):- Rom. rgitus, for L. rugtus, f. rugre roar, f. ru-, of imit. orig.

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rut2

track made in soft ground. XVI (early forms also ro(o)te, rupt). prob. — OF. rote, early form of ROUTE.

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ruth

(arch.) pity. XII. f. RUE2. Survives in gen. use in ruthless XIV.

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ruthenium

(chem.) metal of the platinum group, discovered 1828, being first observed in platinum ores in the Ural mountains XIX. f. medL. Ruthenia Russia; see -IUM.

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-ry

suffix, reduced form of -ERY used chiefly after an unstressed syll. ending in d, t, l, n, or sh, and rarely after vocalic els.; exx. of the types are: heraldry; dentistry; devilry; yeomanry; Englishry; Jewry; in a few words -ry and -ery are alternative, e.g. jewel(le)ry.

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rye

OE. rye = ON. rugr :- Gmc. ruziz (cf. rozzan-, ruzzn- in OS. roggo (Du. rogge, rog), OHG. rokko); cf. Lith. rugs, OSl. r (Russ. rozh‘). Hence rye-grass A. for earlier ray-grass (XVII), grass of the genus Lolium (†ray darnel XIV, of unkn. orig.); B. wild rye. XVIII.

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ryot

Indian peasant. XVII (riat). — Urdu raiyat — Arab. ra'ya(t) flock, herd. subjects, f. ra' graze.

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S

-s

repr. OE. g. sg. -es of many m. and n. sbs., written 's, as boy's, horse's, lady's, with extension to certain pls., as men's; special cases are its use (1) as a euphem. repr. of God's in oaths, as 'sblood (XVI), 'sdeath (XVII), 'swounds (XVI; see ZOUNDS); (2) in the terminal el. -sman, the extensive use of which, as in craftsman, kinsman, spokesman, sportsman, tradesman, is a generalization of the combination found in OE. storesmann STEERSMAN, tnesmann TOWNSMAN.
Identical with the inflexion of the g. sg. is the -s surviving in certain adv. forms, as always, needs, nowadays, -wards, -ways; the use is exemplified by such OE. advs. as dæes by day, sðes in truth, truly, þances voluntarily. There were also OE. advs. compounded with t TO and a genitive, as tenes against, tmiddes amidst, by the side of which were synon. onen AGAIN, onmiddan AMID; hence there arose in ME. mixed forms such as azeines, amiddes; and -(e)s became generalized, as in -WARDS, -WAYS. In once, twice, thrice, hence, thence, whence, since, the suffix has been otherwise spelt in order to avoid the suggestion of pronunc. with Z which is associated with -ns, viz. nz. In AGAINST, AMIDST, AMONGST there is a parasitic t.
In the disjunctive prons. hers, ours, theirs, yours (ME. hires, etc.) the -s is presumably analogical after his.

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Sabaoth

in phr. Lord (God) of S. in Eng. N.T. (Rom. 9: 29, Jas. 5: 4) and Te Deum. XIV. — L. Sabath (Vulg.) — Gr. Sabath (LXX and N.T.) — Heb. ebth, pl. of b army, host.

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Sabbatarian

pert. to the observance of the Sabbath (Saturday); sb. observer of the Lord's Day as a Sabbath (7th day of the week). XVII. f. late L. sabbatrius Jew, f. sabbatum; see next, -ARIAN.

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Sabbath

seventh day of the week observed by Jews as a day of rest OE.; the Lord's Day, Sunday XVI; midnight meeting of demons and witches XVII. OE. sabat — L. sabbatum and (O)F. sabbat, †sabat — Gr. sábbaton — Heb. abbth, f. bath rest. The sp. with th and the consequent pronunc. are due to learned assoc. with the Heb. form.

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sabbatical

pert. to the Sabbath; pert. to the seventh year prescribed by Mosaic law to be observed as a Sabbath XVI; hence of an academical year of absence from duty XIX. f. late L. sabbaticus — Gr. sabbatikós, f. sábbaton; see prec., -ICAL.

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sable1

(fur of) a small carnivore. XV — OF. sable sable fur — medL. sabelum; ult. of Balto-Sl. orig. (cf. Lith. sbalas, Russ. sóbol').

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sable2

black colour (spec. in her.); black clothing XIV; adj. XV. — OF.; gen. presumed to be identical with prec., but sable fur is brown.

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sabot

wooden shoe made of a single piece of wood. XVII. — F., of unkn. orig. So sabotage sb. XX. — F., f. saboter clatter with shoes, execute badly, destroy (tools, etc.).

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sabre, U.S. saber

cavalry sword with curved blade. XVII. — F. sabre, unexpl. alt. of sable — G. sabel, local var. of säbel, earlier †schabel — Pol. szabla or Hung. száblya.

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sac

bag-like cavity. XVIII. — F. sac or L. saccus SACK1. See also SACK4.

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saccharine

sugary. XVII. f. medL. saccharum SUGAR + -INE1. So saccharin (also -ine) sweet substance obtained from coal tar XIX. — G. Hence saccharimeter polariscope for testing sugars. XIX. — F. saccharimètre. saccharometer hydrometer for testing the amount of sugar. XVIII. f. saccharo- comb. form of Gr. sákkharon SUGAR.

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sacerdotal

XIV. — (O)F. sacerdotal or L. sacerdtlis, f. sacerds, -dt- priest :- sakrodhts ‘offering sacrifices’, f. sakro- SACRED (cf. L. sacra sacrifices) + dh- make, DO1; see -AL1.

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sachet

small perfumed bag; dry perfume in packet form. XIX. — (O)F., dim. of sac SACK1; see -ET.

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sack1

large oblong bag open at one end. OE. sacc — L. saccus bag, sack, sackcloth (whence (O)F. sac, It. sacco), corr. to Gr. sákkos packing-material, of Sem. orig. Comp. sackcloth coarse textile fabric, esp. as a material for penitential garb. XIV. Hence sack vb.1 A. put into a sack XIV; B. dismiss, discharge XIX. In A, partly after medL. saccre or MDu. sacken, etc.; in B, f. phr. give (a person) the sack (XIX), which has analogues in F. donner son sac à quelqu'un, (M)Du. iemand den zak geven, and in F. vb. sacquer.

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sack2

gen. name for a class of white wines from Spain and the Canaries. XVI. orig. (wyne) seck — F. vin sec dry wine (see SEC); perh. orig. applied to dry wines of the sherry class, but later extended to others. The alt. of seck to sack is unexpl.

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sack3

plundering. XVI. — F. sac — It. sacco. Hence sack vb.2 plunder XVI.

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sack4,

also sac , (pseudo-F.) sacque loose gown for women XVI; loose-fitting coat XIX. prob. orig. a use of SACK1, later assoc. with F. sac.

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sackbut

bass trumpet with a slide. XVI. — F. saquebute, earlier -boute, -bot(t)e (XV), recorded earlier in the sense of a hooked lance for pulling a man off his horse, f. saquer, var. of OF. sachier pull; the second el. is obscure.

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sacrament

any of certain sacred rites of the Christian Church XII; spec. the S., the Eucharist, Holy Communion XIII; (arch.) sacred or solemn pledge XIV. ME. sacrement (also sacra-, by assim. to L.) — (O)F. sacrement — L. sacrmentum solemn engagement, caution-money deposited in a suit, military oath, (in ChrL.) used to render Gr. mustérion MYSTERY1, f. sacrre hallow, consecrate, f. sacer SACRED; see -MENT. So sacramental adj. XIV; sb. rite analogous to a sacrament XVI. — OF. or late L. sacramentarian XVI. f. modL. sacrmentrius, applied to those denying the Real Presence. sacrarium sanctuary of a church. XVIII. — eccl. use of L. sacrrium place in which sacred objects were kept. sacred consecrated, dedicated to XIV; dedicated to a religious purpose XV; reverenced as holy, secured against violation XVI. orig. pp. (see -ED1) of †sacre consecrate — (O)F. sacrer — L. sacrre consecrate, dedicate to a divinity, f. sacer, sacr- consecrated, holy, rel. to sanctus sacred (see SAINT). sacrifice offering of a slaughtered animal, etc. to a deity; that which is so offered XIII; Jesus Christ's offering of himself XIV; applied to the Eucharist; gen. (so self-s.) XVI. — (O)F. — L. sacrificium; see -FIC; hence vb. XIII. sacrificial XVII. sacrilege violation of a sacred person or thing, prop. theft of a sacred object XIII; profanation XIV. — (O)F. sacrilège — L. sacrilegium, f. sacrilegus one who steals sacred things, f. sacer, sacri- + legere take possession of; hence sacrilegious XVI. sacring (hist.) consecration of the Eucharist. XIII. f. †sacre consecrate + -ING1; hence sacring-bell XIV. sacrist one having charge of sacred vessels, etc. XVI. — (O)F. sacriste, or medL. sacrista. sacristan XIV. — medL. sacristnus. sacristy repository in a church for sacred objects. XVII. — F. sacristie, It. sacrestia or medL. sacristia. sacro- used as comb. form (see -O-) of SACRUM in anat. terms. XIX. sacrosanct secured by religious sanction. XVII. — L. sacrsanctus, f. sacr, abl. of sacrum sacred rite, sb. use of n. of sacer + sanctus sacred (see SAINT). sacrum (anat.) lowest bone of the spine. XVIII. Short for late L. os sacrum, tr. Gr. hieròn ostéon ‘sacred bone’.

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sad

A
†sated, weary OE.; †steadfast, firm; †grave, serious; sorrowful XIV; deplorably disappointing or bad XVII.
B
†solid, dense XIII (cf. sad-iron, solid flat-iron); dark-coloured XVI; (of bread, etc.) that has not ‘risen’ XVII. OE. sæd = OS. sad (Du. zat), OHG. sat (G. satt), ON. saðr, Goth. saþs :- Gmc. saöaz :- IE. stós, pp. formation (see -ED1) on a base repr. also by Gr. áatos (:-nstós) insatiate, L. sat, satis enough, satur sated, OIr. sathech satiated, Lith. sotùs satisfying. Hence sadden (-EN5) (dial.) make solid XVI; make sorrowful XVII.

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saddle

sb.
OE. sadol, -ul = MDu. sadel (Du. zadel, zaal), OHG. satal, -ul (G. sattel), ON. sðull :- Gmc. saðoulaz, perh. ult. to be referred to IE. sed- SIT, which is repr. in the parallel formations Goth. sitls seat (see SETTLE1), L. sella (:-sedl), Gr. hell seat, OSl. sedlo saddle. Hence vb. OE. sadolian.

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Sadducee

member of one of the three Jewish sects (the others being Pharisees and Essenes) of the time of Christ. OE. sad(d)ucas, ME. saduceis, saduce(e)s, later Sadduces, pl.; — late L. Saddcæus — late Gr. Saddoukaîos. f. late Heb. addk, prob. f. personal name addk, dhô Zadok (2 Sam. 8: 17 etc.), the high priest of David's time from whom the priesthood of the Captivity and later periods claimed to be descended.

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sadism

XIX. — F. sadisme, f. name of the Count (usu. called Marquis) de Sade (1740–1814), infamous for his crimes and the character of his writings; see -ISM. Hence sadist, sadistic XIX.

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safe1

free from hurt or damage XIII; free from danger, secure XIV. ME. sauf, sf — (O)F. sauf (AN. saf) :- L. salvus uninjured, entire, healthy, rel. to Gr. hólos, Skr. sárva-, W. holl whole. Comp. safeguard XV (sauf garde; also saue warde XIV). — AN. salve garde, (O)F. sauve garde.

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safe2

receptacle for safe keeping. XV. orig. save, f. SAVE1; later assim, to prec.

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safety

XIII (‘salvation’). ME. sauvete — (O)F. sauveté :- medL. salvits, -tt, f. salvus unharmed. See SAFE1, -TY2.

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safflower

(dried petals of) the plant Carthamus tinctorius. XVI (samfloure). — Du. saffloer or G. safflor — OF. saffleur — It. †saffiore, of unkn. orig.; infl. by assoc. with saffron and flower.

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saffron

(orange-red product of) the plant Crocus sativus XIII; autumn crocus XV. ME. saffran, safron — (O)F. safran — Arab. za'farn.

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sag

subside XV; hang loose XVI; (naut.) drift XVII. Corr. in form to Norw. dial. sagga walk slowly and heavily, in sense to MLG. sacken, Du. zakken, Norw. dial. sakka subside, Da. sakke lag behind, drop astern; perh. ult. of W. Scand. orig. and adopted in Du., LG. and Eng. first in nautical use. Hence sb. movement to leeward XVI; subsidence XIX.

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saga

medieval Norse narrative in prose. XVIII. — ON. (Icel.) saga SAW2.

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sagacious

†of acute perception, esp. of smell; gifted with mental discernment. XVII. f. L. sagx, sagc-, f. sg-, repr. also by L. sgre discern acutely; see SEEK, -IOUS. So sagacity XVI. — F. or L.

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sage1

plant of the genus Salvia. XIV. ME. sauge — (O)F. :- L. salvia ‘the healing plant’, f. salvus uninjured (SAFE1).

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sage2

wise XIII; sb. man of profound wisdom XIV. — (O)F. :- Gallo-Rom. sapius, f. sapere be wise (cf. SAPIENT).

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saggar

in ceramics, protecting case of fire-proof clay. XVIII. perh. a reduction of SAFEGUARD.

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Sagittarius

zodiacal constellation. XIV. — L. sagittrius archer, f. sagitta arrow; see -ARY.

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sago

XVI (sagu; later sagow, sagoe; in XVIII, after Du., sago). — (orig. through Pg.) Malay sagu.

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sahib

title used by natives of India in addressing an Englishman or European. XVII. Urdu use of Arab. ib companion, friend, lord, master.

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sail

piece of canvas, etc. fastened to a mast, etc. to catch the wind OE.; similar arrangement attached to the arms of a windmill XV. OE. se(e)l = OS. segel (Du. zeil), OHG. segal, -il (G. segel), ON. segl :- Gmc. sezlam, of unkn. orig. So sail vb. OE. sel(i)an. sailor XVI. In earliest use sayler (see -ER1); later alt., by assim. to agent-nouns in -OR1 (e.g. tailor), to distinguish the designation of a regular calling from the unspecialized form.

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sainfoin

herb Onobrychis viciaefolia; also lucerne, Medicago sativa. XVII. Early forms saintfoin, St. Foine — F. †saintfoin (mod. sainfoin) orig. lucerne — modL. sanctum fœnum ‘holy hay’, alt. of snum fœnum ‘wholesome hay’, which was based on L. herba medica ‘healing plant’, itself erron. alt. of herba Mdica, Gr. Mdikè póa ‘Median grass’.

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saint

holy (prefixed to a name, now regarded as the sb. used attrib.); sb. canonized person; one of the elect of God XIV; person of great holiness XVI. OE. sanct, superseded (XII) by seint(e), sa(i)nt (before a name with initial cons., sein, sayn) — OF. seint, (also mod.) saint, fem. seinte, sainte, prefixed occas. †sain :- L. sanctus sacred, holy, prop. pp. of sancre (see SANCTION), used sb. in the Vulg., e.g. Ps. 29: 5. Hence saintly (-LY1) XVII.

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sake1

†strife, contention (in OE. also, legal suit); †guilt OE.; †charge, ground of accusation XII; surviving in phr. for the sake of XIII (prob. modelled on ON.). OE. sacu = OS. saka (Du. zaak), OHG. sahha (G. sache), ON. sk :- Gmc. sak, f. sak-, repr. also by OE. sacan quarrel, claim at law, accuse, OS. sakan accuse, OHG. sahhan strive, quarrel, rebuke, OE. sæ., Goth. sakj strife; rel. to SEEK.

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sake2

fermented liquor made from rice. XVII (saque). — Jap.

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saker

large falcon, Falco sacer XIV (sacre, sagre); old form of cannon XVI. — (O)F. sacre — Arab. ar; identified with L. sacer SACRED.

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saki

S. Amer. monkey. XVIII. — F., of Tupi orig.

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salaam

Oriental salutation, ceremonious obeisance accompanying this. XVII. — Arab. salm (in full (as)salm 'alaikum peace be unto you) = Heb. lôm peace. Hence vb. XVII.

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salacious

XVII. f. L. salx, salc-, f. base of salre leap; see -IOUS.

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salad

XV. — (O)F. salade — Pr. salada :- Rom. salta, sb. use of pp. fem. of salre salt, f. L. sl SALT.

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salamander

lizard-like animal supposed to live in fire XIV; tailed amphibian; poker used red-hot XVII. — (O)F. salamandre — L. salamandra — Gr. salamándr.

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sal-ammoniac

ammonium chloride. XIV (salarmoniak). — L. sal ammniacus, medL. sal armniacum; see SALT, AMMONIAC.

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salary

XIV. — AN. salarie = (O)F. salaire — L. salrium orig. money allowed to Roman soldiers for the purchase of salt, (hence) pay, stipend, sb. use of salrius, f. sl SALT; see -ARY.

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sale

act of selling. Late OE. sala — ON., f. base of Gmc. saljan SELL. Hence sal(e)able, salesman (-S) XVI.

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saleratus

(U.S.) impure sodium bicarbonate used in baking-powders. XIX. — modL. sl rtus ‘AERATED SALT’.

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salicional

(mus.) reedy organ stop. XIX. — G., f. L. salix, salic- willow, SALLOW1. Also salicet XIX. — G.

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salicyl

(chem.) diatomic radical of salicylic acid. XIX. — F. salicyle, f. L. salix, salic- SALLOW1; see -YL.

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salient

leaping (first in her.) XVI; jetting forward, pointing outward XVII; prominent XVIII; sb. salient part or angle XIX. — L. salins, -ent-, prp. of salre leap; see -ENT. S. point †the heart as it first appears in an embryo, (hence) first beginning, starting-point (XVII), tr. modL. punctum saliens, the source of which is Aristotle's ‘Historia Animalium’ VI iii.

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saline

pert. to salt XV; sb. salt lake, etc.; saline purge XIX. — medL. salnum, f. L. sl SALT; see -INE1.

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saliva

XVII. — L. salva. So salivary XVIII. — L. salivrius. salivate (-ATE3) XVII. f. pp. stem of L. salvre. salivation XVI. — F. or late L.

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sallender

(now only pl.) dry scab on a horse's hock. XVI (selander). of unkn. orig., but with a remarkable formal parallel in MALANDERS.

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sallet, salade

globular headpiece in medieval armour. XV. — F. salade — Pr. salada, It. celata, or Sp. celada — Rom. cælta, sb. use of fem. pp. of L. cælre engrave, f. cælum chisel.

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sallow1

willow. OE. (Angl.) salh (repr. directly by dial. saugh, †salfe XIV) :- Gmc. salaz, rel. to OHG. salaha and ON. selja, and outside Gmc. to L. salix, Gr. helík, OIr. sail. The form sallow (ME. salwe) descends from OE. inflexional salg-.

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sallow2

of a sickly or brownish yellow. OE. salu dusky, dark = MDu. salu, discoloured, dirty, OHG. salo dark-coloured, ON. slr yellow :- Gmc. salwa-.

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sally

sortie from a besieged place XVI; sudden start or outburst XVII; sprightly remark XVIII. — (O)F. saillie, sb. use of fem. pp. of saillir issue forth, refash. of OF. salir leap :- L. salre. Hence vb. XVI.

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Sally Lunn

kind of tea-cake. XVIII. Said to be so named after a woman who made and cried them in Bath.

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salmagundi

dish of chopped meat with condiments. XVII. — F. salmigondis, † -gondin, of unkn. orig.

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salmi

ragout of game. XVIII. shortening of F. salmigondis; see prec.

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salmon

large fish of the genus Salmo. XIII (sa(l)moun). — AN. sa(u)moun, (O)F. saumon :- L. salm, salmn-, rel. to salar trout or young salmon.

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salon

large reception room. XVIII. — F.; see next.

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saloon

large apartment for assemblies, etc. XVIII; large cabin or railway carriage; (U.S.) drinking bar XIX. — F. salon — It. salone, augm. of sala — Rom. sala hall — Gmc. salaz, saliz, repr. by OE. sæl, OHG. sal (G. saal) and OE. sele, OS. seli, OHG. sali, seli, ON. salr; see -OON.

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Salopian

pert. to Shropshire. XVIII. f. Salop, alternative name of Shropshire, evolved from Salopesberia (XI) and Salopescire (XI), AN. alt. of ME. forms of OE. S.robbesbyri Shrewsbury and S.robbesbyriscr Shropshire; see -IAN.

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salpiglossis

herbaceous garden-plant. XIX. modL., irreg. f. Gr. sálpigx trumpet + glôssa tongue; so named from its trumpet-shaped corolla.

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salsify

purple goatsbeard, Tragopogon porrifolius. XVIII. — F. salsifis — It. †salsefica (mod. sassefrica); of unkn. orig.

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salt

substance (sodium chloride) prepared as a condiment OE.; (old chem.) solid non-inflammable substance having a taste XIV; (mod. chem.) compound formed by an acid with a basic radical XVIII. OE. s(e)alt = OS. salt (Du. zout), (O)HG. salz, ON., Goth. salt :- Gmc. saltam, sb. use of adj. saltaz (see below), extension of IE. sal-, repr. by L. sl, sal-, Gr. háls, OSl. sal, Latv. sls, OIr. salann. So salt adj. OE. s(e)alt. salt vb. OE. s(e)altan. Hence salty (-Y1) XV.

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saltation

leaping, dancing. XVII. — L. saltti, -n-, f. saltre dance, frequent. of salre leap; see -ATION. So saltatory XVII. — L. salttrius; hence saltatorial XVIII.

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saltcellar

XV. f. SALT + saler, sel(l)er — AN. saler(e), OF. sal(l)iere (mod. salière), also salier saltcellar; Rom, f. L. sl SALT. The sp. was assim. to cellar.

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saltern

(hist.) salt-works. OE. sealtærn, t. sealt SALT + ærn dwelling, building, house.

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saltigrade

(zool.) spider having legs developed for leaping. XIX. — modL. Saltigradæ pl., f. L. saltus leap + grad step.

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saltimbanco

mountebank. XVII. — It., f. saltare leap + in on + banco bench.

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saltire

(her.) ordinary in the form of a St. Andrew's cross (X). XIV. Early forms sawturoure, sawtire, later saltier, -ire — OF. saut(e)our, -ouer, sau(l)toir stirrup cord (perh. forming a deltoid figure when in use), stile with cross-pieces, saltire :- medL. salttrium, sb. use of n. of salttrius SALTATORY.

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saltpetre

potassium nitrate, nitre. XVI. alt., by assim. to SALT, of †salpetre (XIV) — (O)F. salpètre — medL. salpetra, prob. for sl petræ ‘salt of rock’ (the substance being so named because it occurs as an incrustation on stones).

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salubrious

XVI. f. L. salbris, f. sals health; see next and -IOUS. So salubrity XV. — L.

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salutary

conducive to wellbeing XV; conducive to health XVII. -(O)F. salutaire or L. saltris, f. sals, salt- health, welfare, greeting, salutation, rel. to salvus SAFE1; see -ARY. So salutation greeting in words. XIV. — (O)F. salutation or L. saltti, -n-, f. saltre, whence salute greet XIV, (mil. and naval) XVI. salute sb. XIV. partly — (O)F. salut, partly f. the Eng. vb.

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salvage

payment to persons who have saved a ship or its cargo; action of saving a ship, etc.; property salved XVII. — (O)F. — medL. salvgium, f. L. salvre SAVE1; see -AGE. Hence, by back-formation, salve vb.2 save from loss at sea or by fire. XVIII. salvor (-OR1), †salver XVII.

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salvation

saving of the soul XIII; preservation, means of this XIV. ME. sa(u)vacioun, salv- — OF. sauvacion, salv- (mod. salvation) — late L. salvti, -n-, f. salvre SAVE1; see -ATION.

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salve

healing ointment. OE. salf, sealf(e) = OS. salba (Du. zalf), OHG. salba (G. salbe) :- Gmc. salb; cf. Skr. sarpi- clarified butter, Gr. élpos oil. So salve vb.1 †anoint OE.; heal, remedy XIII; soothe (irritation, an uneasy conscience) XIX (partly by assoc. with †salve clear up, explain — L. salvre). OE. s(e)alfian = OS. salbon (Du. zalven). OHG. salbn (G. salben). Goth. salbn.

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salver

XVII. f. F. salve tray for presenting objects to the king, or its source Sp. salva †foretasting or assaying of food or drink, tray on which assayed food was placed, f. salvar SAVE1, render safe, assay; the ending -er is due to assoc. with platter.

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salvia

genus of plants, including sage. XIX. modL. use of L. salvia, SAGE1.

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salvo1

saving clause; dishonest mental reservation XVII; expedient for saving one's reputation or soothing one's conscience, etc. XVIII. — L. salv, abl. of n. of salvus uninjured, intact, SAFE1, occurring as the first word of medL. law phr. such as salvo jure (abl. of L. js right) without prejudice to the right of; cf. SAVE2.

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salvo2

simultaneous discharge of firearms, esp. as a salute. XVII. repl. earlier (XVI) †salve and occas. †salva, by substitution of -o for -a; ult. — It. salva.

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sal volatile

aromatic solution of ammonium carbonate. XVII. — modL. sl voltile; see SALT, VOLATILE.

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sambo

half-breed, mostly between Negro and Indian. XVIII. — Sp. zambo (also in Eng. use XIX), identified with zambo bandy-legged; perh. not the same word as sambo nickname for a negro (XIX).

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Sam Browne

officer's belt introduced by General Samuel J. Browne (1824–1901). XX.

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same

not different, identical. XII. — ON. sami m.. sama fem., n. = OHG., Goth. sama :- Gmc. adj. saman-, f. IE. som-, whence also Skr. samá- level, equal, same, Gr. homós, OIr. som same; the vars. sem- sm- sam- of the base are seen in L. similis SIMILAR, SEEM, and SOME.

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samite

(hist.) rich silk fabric. XIII. — OF. samit, ult. — medL. examitum — medGr. hexámiton, f. Gr. HEXA- + mitos thread; the ref. to sixth thread is variously explained.

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samlet

young salmon. XVII. alt. of earlier samonet (XVI; f. SALMON + -ET) by assoc. with -LET.

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samovar

Russian tea urn. XIX. — Russ. samovár, f. samo- self- + stem of varít boil.

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Samoyed

one of a Siberian Mongol people XVII; (also -ede) breed of dog XIX. — Russ. samoéd, prob. f. Lapp. Norw.

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sampan

small Chinese boat. XVII. Chinese sanpan, f. san three, pan board.

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samphire

cliff plant. XVI (samp(i)ere). — F. (herbe de) Saint Pierre ‘St. Peter’s herb'.

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sample

†illustrative or confirmatory fact, etc.; †example, warning XIII; specimen of material or goods XV. Aphetic — AN. assample, var. of OF. essample EXAMPLE. Hence vb. XVI.

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sampler

†example, pattern XIII; beginner's exercise in embroidery done on canvas XVI. Aphetic — OF. essamplaire, var. of essemplaire EXEMPLAR.

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Samson's post

(POST1) †kind of mousetrap having a triangular pillar XVI; (naut.) strong pillar or stanchion XVIII. prob. with allusion to Judges 16:29 (‘And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars … ’).

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sanatorium

establishment for the treatment of invalids; room for the sick. XIX. — modL. sntrium, f. pp. stem of L. snre heal, f. snus healthy, SANE; see -ATE2, -ORIUM.

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sanbenito

(under the Sp. Inquisition) penitent heretic's garment. XVI. — Sp. sambenito, f. San Benito St. Benedict; so called ironically from its resemblance in shape to the Benedictine scapular.

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sanctify

†consecrate, hallow XIV; make holy XV. In earliest use seintifie — OF. saintifier, later influenced by sanctifier — ChrL. sanctificre, f. L. sanctus holy (see SAINT). So sanctification XVI. — ChrL. sanctificti, -n-. sanctimonious †holy, sacred; affecting sanctity. XVII. f. L. sanctimnia sanctity (whence sanctimony †sanctity XVI; affected holiness XVII. ). sanction †law. decree XVI; (leg.) penalty exacted to compel obedience; clause of a law prescribing this; motive, etc. involved therein; binding force XVII; influential encouragement XVIII. — F. sanction authoritative approval of a law, penalty prescribed in an enactment; (gen.) approval — L. sancti, -n- act of establishing as inviolable under a penalty, clause decreeing a penalty, f. sanct-, pp. stem of sancre render inviolable, decree, forbid under penalty, f. var. (with nasal infix) of base of sacer SACRED; hence vb. XVIII. sanctity holiness XIV; sacredness XVII. partly (in forms sauntite, saintite) — OF. sain(c)tité (mod. sainteté); partly immed. — L. sanctits. sanctuary building for religious worship; part of a church immediately surrounding the altar; sacred place giving immunity from arrest; also fig. XIV. — AN. sanctuarie, (O)F. sanctuaire — L. sancturium. sanctum holy place of the Jewish tabernacle XVI; short for sanctum sanctorum in the second sense XIX. — L., n. sg. of sanctus. sanctum sanctorum Holy of Holies of the Jewish temple XIV; person's private retreat XVIII. — L., n. sg. and n. g. pl. of sanctus, tr. ( = LXX tòn hágion tôn hagin) of Heb. de haodm holy of holies. sanctus the ‘angelic hymn’ (see Isa. 6: 3), beginning Sanctus sanctus sanctus Holy, holy, holy, which concludes the preface to the Eucharistic canon. XIV. — L.

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sand

OE. sand = OS. sand, OHG. sant (Du. zand, G. sand), ON. sandr :- Gmc. sandam, -az, rel. to Gr. hámathos, L. sabulum sand. Hence sandy (-Y1) OE. sandi.

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sandal1

covering for the sole of the foot XIV; half-shoe for ceremonial wear XV. — L. sandalium — Gr. sandálion, dim. of sándalon wooden shoe, prob. of Asiatic orig.

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sandal2

scented wood of species of Santalum. XIV. — medL. sandalum; ult. — Skr. candana-.

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sandarac

A
realgar XVI;

B
resin of a N. W. Afr. tree; †
Top

C
bee-bread XVII. — L. sandaraca — Gr. sandarák(h), of Asiatic orig.; the connection between the senses is not clear.
Top

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sand-blind

(arch. and dial.) half-blind, purblind. XV. repr. ult. OE. samblind, f. sam- half- (shortening of WGmc. smi :- IE. smi- SEMI-) + BLIND; assim. to SAND.

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sanders

sandalwood. XIV. — OF. †sandre, var. of sandal, (also mod.) santal — medL. sandalum SANDAL2.

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sandiver

scum rising through glass in a state of fusion. XIV (saundyuer). — F. suint de verre (XVII), i.e. suint exudation from wool, de of, verre glass; presumably assim. to SAND.

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sandwich

article of food consisting of two slices of bread with meat, etc. between them. XVIII. f. name of John Montagu , 4th Earl of Sandwich (1718–1792), for whom it was said to have been invented so that he might not leave the gaming-table.

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sane

sound in mind XVII; †healthy in body XVIII. — L. snus. So sanity †bodily health XV; mental soundness XVII. — L. snits.

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sang-froid

XVIII. — F., ‘cold blood’.

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sangrail, sangreal

holy grail. XV. — OF. saint graal; see SAINT, GRAIL2. The sp. has been infl. by assoc. with OF. sang real royal blood.

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sanguinary

bloody; bloodthirsty. XVII. — L. sanguinrius, f. sanguis, sanguin- blood; see -ARY. So sanguine blood-red XIV; pert. to the physiological complexion in which blood predominates over the other humours; disposed to hopefulness XVI. — (O)F. sanguin, fem. -ine — L. sanguineus (whence sanguineous XVI).

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sanhedrin, -im

highest court and supreme council of the Jews at Jerusalem. XVI. — late Heb. sanhedrn — Gr. sunédrion council, f. sún together (SYN-) + hédra seat (see SIT). The common incorrect form in -im seems to be due to the notion that the orig. -n was the Aram. pl. suffix equiv. to Heb. -m.

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sanicle

umbelliferous plant of the genus Sanicula. XV. — OF. — medL. sanicula, -ulum, perh. f. L. snus healthy (SANE), with ref. to the plant's reputed healing powers.

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sanies

XVI. — L. sanis.

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sanitary

pert. to health or to sanitation. XIX. — F. sanitaire, f. L. snits health, f. snus healthy (SANE); see -ARY. Hence (irreg.) sanitation XIX.

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sanity

see SANE.

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sans

(arch., chiefly after Sh. ‘As You Like It’ II vii 166) without. XIII. ME. san(s), saun(z) — OF. san(z), (also mod.) sans, earlier sen(s) :- Rom. sene, for L. sine.

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sansculotte

in the French Revolution, a republican of the poorer classes in Paris. XVIII. — F., f. sans without + culotte knee-breeches; usu. taken to mean lit. ‘one who wears trousers (pantalon), not knee-breeches’.

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sanserif

printing type without serifs. XIX. prob. f. SANS + SERIF.

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Santa Claus

imaginary person who brings presents for children on Christmas Eve. XVIII (St. A Claus), XIX (Santiclaus). orig. U.S. — Du. dial. Sante Klaas (Du. Sint Klaas), i.e. sant, sint SAINT, Klaas, abbrev. of Nicolaas Nicholas (patron of children).

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sap1

vital juice of plants OE.; sapwood, alburnum XV. OE. sæp, corr. to (M)LG., (M)Du. sap, OHG. saf (G. saft), prob. repr. Gmc. sap(p)am, and rel. to ON. safi; cf. L. sapa must boiled until it is thick. Hence sapling young tree XV; young person XVI.

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sap2

†undermining a defence; construction of covered trenches to approach a besieged place XVI; trench so constructed XVII. Early forms zappe, sappe — It. zappa and the derived F. †sappe, †zappe (now sape) spade, spadework. Hence sap vb. dig a sap XVI; undermine XVII; weaken insidiously (assoc. with SAP1, as if ‘drain the sap from’) XVIII. — F. saper, †sapper — It. zappare.

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sap3

(colloq.) simpleton XIX. Short for sapskull (XVIII) ‘skull of sapwood’.

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sapajou

S. Amer. monkey. XVII. — F., said to be a Cayenne word.

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sapan, sappan

dye-wood obtained from the genus Cæsalpinia. XVI. — Du. sapan — Malay spang.

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sapid

savoury, palatable; having a taste. XVII. — L. sapidus, f. sapere have a taste; see next and -ID1.

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sapient

(now usu. iron.) wise. XV. — OF. sapient or L. sapins, -ent-, prp. of sapere Have a taste, be sensible or wise, rel. to OS. afsebbian perceive, notice, OHG. intseffen notice, taste, OE. sefa mind, understanding, OS. sebo, ON. sefi; see -ENT So sapience XIV. — OF. — L. sapientia. sapiential †pert. to wisdom XV; pert. to the ‘wisdom’ books of the Bible XVI. — F. sapiential or ChrL. sapientilis.

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sapodilla

(fruit of) an evergreen tropical Amer. tree. XVII. — Sp. zapotillo dim. of zapote — Nahuatl tzápotl.

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saponaceous

soapy. XVIII. f. modL. spnceus, f. L. sp, -n- SOAP; see -ACEOUS.

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sapor

taste. XV. — L. sapor, f. sapere have a taste; see SAPIENT.

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Sapphic

pert. to Sappho or metres used by her; also sb. pl. verses in Sapphic metre. XVI. — F. saphique, †sapphique — L. Sapphicus — Gr. Sapphikós. f. Sapphó. name of the poetess (c. 600 B.C.) of Lesbos, Greece; see -IC.

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sapphire

XIII. ME. saphir, safir — OF. safir (mod. saphir) — L. sapphrus, also sapp(h)ir — Gr. sáppheiros (prob.) lapis lazuli, prob. of Sem. orig.

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sapro-

comb. form of Gr. saprós putrid, rel. to sépein rot (see SEPTIC) used in some techn. terms, the earliest of which is saprophagous living on decomposing matter XIX.

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saraband

(music for) a slow and stately Spanish dance. XVII. — F. sarabande — Sp., It. zarabanda, of unkn. orig.

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Saracen

name of nomadic peoples of the Syro-Arabian desert, (hence) Arab, Moslem; †pagan, infidel. XIII. — OF. Sar(r)azin, -cin (mod. Sarrasin) — late L. Saracnus — late Gr. Saraknós, perh. f. Arab. arî eastern, f. ar sunrise, east.

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sarcasm

cutting expression or remark, sarcastic language. XVI (in L. form), XVII. — F. sarcasme or late L. sarcasmos — late Gr. sarkasmós, f. sarkázein tear flesh, gnash the teeth, speak bitterly, f. sárx, sark- flesh. So sarcastic XVII. — F. sarcastique.

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sarcenet

see SARSENET.

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sarco-

comb. form of Gr. sárx, sark- flesh. sarcoma †fleshy excrescence XVII; kind of tumour XIX. — modL. sarcma — Gr. sárkma, f. sarkoûn become fleshy; see -OMA.

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sarcophagus

stone reputed by the ancient Greeks to consume corpses and hence used for coffins XVII; stone coffin XVIII. — L. — Gr. sarkophágos, sb. use of adj. f. sárx, sark- flesh + -phágos -eating, -PHAGOUS.

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sard

variety of cornelian. XIV. — F. sarde or L. sarda SARDIUS.

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sardelle

fish resembling the sardine. XVI. — It. sardella, dim. of sarda : — L. Gr. sárd.

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sardine1

precious stone of Rev. 4:3. XIV. — late L. sardinus — Gr. sárdinos, var. reading for sárdios SARDIUS.

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sardine2

small fish of the herring family. XV (-eyne). — (O)F. sardine, corr. to It. sardina — L. sardna; cf. late Gr. sardn, -tn, sardînos, and L. sarda, Gr. sd; prob. connected with the name of the island Sardinia.

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sardius

precious stone, sard . XIV. — late L. — Gr. s´rdios, prob. f. Sard Sardinia.

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sardonic

(of laughter) marked by bitterness or scorn. XVII. — F. sardonique, alt. of †sardonien, f. L. sardonius — late Gr. Sardónios Sardinian, which was substituted for sardánios as an epithet for scornful laughter, from the notion that the word orig. referred to the effects of eating a Sardinian plant said to produce facial convulsions resembling horrible laughter; see -IC.

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sardonyx

variety of onyx. XIV. — L. — Gr. sardnux, presumably f. srdios SARDIUS + ónux ONYX.

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sargasso

seaweed found floating in the Gulf Stream and esp. in the S. Sea (bounded by the Azores, the Canaries, and the Cape Verde islands). XVI. — Pg. sargaço, of unkn. orig.

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sari, saree

XVIII (saurry). — Hindi srh, srh.

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sark

(dial.) shirt, chemise. XIII. ME. (north.) serk — ON. serkr :- Gmc. sarkiz, f. base repr. also by OE. sere, syr.(e). Hence sark vb. clothe with a sark; (in building) cover (a roof) with planks. XV.

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sarmentose

(bot.) producing slender prostrate branches or runners. XVIII. — L. sarmentsus, f. sarmentum (chiefly pl.) twigs lopped off, brushwood, f. sarpere prune, lop; see -MENT, -OSE1. So sarmentous XVIII.

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sarong

Malay garment wrapped round the waist. XIX. — Malay, (prop.) sheath, quiver.

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sarsaparilla

(dried roots of) tropical Amer. smilax. XVI. — Sp. zarzaparrilia. f zarza bramble.

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sarsen

large boulder. XVII. Earlier in Saracen's and Sarsdon stones, Sarsdens, and supposed to be identical with SARACEN.

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sarsenet, sarcenet

soft fine silk material. XV. — AN. sarzinett, perh. dim. of sarzin SARACEN; see -ET.

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sartorial

XIX. f. L. sartor tailor. f. pp. stem of sarcre patch, botch; see -IAL.

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sash1

†turban XVI; scarf worn round the body XVII. orig. shash — Arab. muslin, turban.

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sash2

window-frame fitted with glass. XVII. First in pl. shashes, var. of chasses, used as pl. of chassis — OF. chassis (mod. châssis) frame, framework (CHASSIS).

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sasine

(Sc. law) giving possession of feudal property. XVII. var. of SEISIN, after law-L. sasina.

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sassaby

large S. Afr. antelope. XIX. — Tswana tsessébe, -abi.

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sassafras

small tree native to N. America. XVI. — Sp. sasafrás or Pg. sassafraz, of unkn. orig.

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Sassenach

XVIII. — Gael. Sasunnoch = Ir. Sasanach, f. Sasan. — L. Saxons Saxons.

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Satan

the Devil. OE. — late L. Satn (Vulg.) — Gr. Satán — Heb. tn adversary, plotter, f. satan oppose, plot against. Hence satanic XVII, satanical, Satanism, Satanist XVI.

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satchel

small bag. XIV. — OF. sachel :- L. saccellus, dim. of saccus SACK1; see -EL2.

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sate

satisfy to the full. XVII. prob. alt. of dial. sade (OE. sadian, rel. to sæd satiated, SAD), by assoc. with SATIATE.

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sateen

cotton or woollen stuff with satiny surface. XIX. alt. of SATIN.

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satellite

A
attendant on an important person XVI (rare before XVIII);.

B
heavenly body revolving round a planet XVII. — (O)F. satellite or L. satelles, satellit-.
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satiate

†satisfy XVI; surfeit, glut XVII. f. pp. stem of L. satire, f. satis enough (see SAD), after †satiate pp. (XV) — L. satitus; see -ATE2, -ATE3. So satiety XVI (sacietie). — (O)F. sacieté (mod. satiété) — L. satiets, -tt-.

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satin

XIV. — (O)F. — Arab. zaitn, pert. to the city Tseutung (Tsinkiang) in China.

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satire

poetical (or prose) work in which vices or follies are ridiculed. XVI. — (O)F. satire or L. satira, later form of satura (in earliest use) verse composition treating of a veriety of subjects, spec. application of the sense ‘medley’. So satiric(al) XVI. — F. or late L. satirize XVII. — F. satiriser. Hence satirist XVI.

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satisfaction

performance by a penitent of acts enjoined by his confessor XIII; payment in full of a debt, etc.; atonement made by Jesus Christ for sin; action of gratifying to the full XIV; release from uncertainty XVI. — (O)F. — L. satisfacti, -n-, f. pp. stem of satisfacere (whence, through OF. satisfier, satisfy XV), f. satis enough (cf. SAD); see -FACTION, -FY.

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satrap

governor of a province in ancient Persia. XIV. — (O)F. satrape or L. satrapa, satraps — Gr. satráps, also exatráps, of Iranian orig.; cf. OPers. ?açapvan- satrap, f. ?aça- (:- ?ara-) Kingdom + p- protect. So satrapy (-Y3) XVII.

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saturate

†satisfy, satiate XVI; cause to combine with the utmost quantity of another substance XVII; soak thoroughly XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. saturre, f. satur full, satiated; see SAD, -ATE3. So saturation XVI. — late L.

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Saturday

seventh day of the week. OE. Sætern(es)dæ, Sæterdæ, corr. to MLG. sater(s)dach, MDu. saterdach (Du. zaterdag), tr. of L. Sturn dis day of (the planet) Saturn.

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Saturn

Italic god of agriculture OE.; (astron.) one of the primary planets XIV (in OE. Sæternes steorra); †(alch.) lead. — L. Sturnus poss. of Etruscan orig. So Saturnalia festival of Saturn marked by unrestrained revelry XVI (transf. XVIII). — L., sb. use of n. pl. of Sturnlis; see -AL1. Saturnian ancient Roman metre. XVI. saturnine (-INE1) born under Saturn, (hence) of cold and gloomy temperament. XV, — F. saturnin — medL. sturnnus.

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satyr

woodland god or demon, half man half beast, of lustful propensities. XIV. — (O)F. satyre or L. satyrus — Gr. sáturos. So satyric epithet of the Gr. drama in which the chorus were habited as satyrs. XVII. — L. — Gr.

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sauce

liquid preparation taken as a relish with articles of food XIV; piquant addition XVI; (prob. from saucy) †impudent person XVI; impudence XIX. — (O)F. sauce :- Rom. salsa, sb. use of fem. of L. salsus salted. Hence sauce vb. season XV; †belabour, rebuke XVI; address impertinently XIX. saucy (-Y1) †savoury; insolent towards superiors XVI; (of a ship or boat) †rashly venturous XVI, smart XIX.

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saucer

†receptacle for condiments at a meal XIV; shallow circular dish XVII; esp. one to support a cup XVIII. — OF. saussier(e) (mod. sauciére) sauce-boat, f. sauce SAUCE.

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sauerkraut

XVII (sower crawt). — G., f. sauer SOUR + kraut vegetable, cabbage.

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saunter

†muse XV; †wander aimlessly XVII; walk leisurely, stroll XVIII. of uncert. orig.

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saurian

pert. to reptiles of the order Sauria (crocodiles and large extinct lizard-like animals). XV. f. modL. Sauria, f. Gr. saúr, saûros lizard; see -IAN.

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sausage

XV. ME. sausige — ONF. saussiche (var. of OF. salsice, mod. saucisse) :- medL. salscia, n. pl. of salscius, f. salsus salted (see SALT).

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sauté

fried in a pan, being tossed from time to time. XIX. — F., pp. of sauter leap :- L. saltre, used trans. in causative sense.

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sauterne(s)

wine of the district of Sauternes, near Bordeaux, France. XVIII.

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savage

that is in a state of nature XIII; of wild or unrestrained behavior XV; uncivilized XVI; furiously angry XIX; sb. XVI. ME. sa(u)vage — (O)F. sauvage (AN. also savage):- Rom. salvticus, for L. silvticus woodland-, wild, f. silva wood, forest; see -AGE. Hence savagery XVI.

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savanna(h)

treeless plain, esp. of tropical America. XVI (zavanna; hardly naturalized before late XVII). — Sp. †çavána (mod. sabana), of Taino orig.

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savant

man of learning. XVIII. — F., sb. use of orig. prp. of savoir know :- Rom. sapre, for L. sapere.

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save1

make or keep safe XIII; preserve from damnation; reserve, lay aside XIV; avoid or enable to avoid XVII. ME. sauve, sa(l)ve :- AN. sa(u)ver, OF. salver, (also mod.) sauver :- late L. salvre save, f. L. salvus SAFE1.

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save2

(arch.) with the exception of XIII. ME. sauf and sauve — OF. sauf (m.) and sauve (fem.), orig. varying with the gender of the accompanying sb. (now invariable, sauf) :- L. salv and salv, abl. sg. of m. or n. and fem. of salvus SAFE1, as used in absolute constructions such as salvo jure, salva innocentia without violation of right, of innocence, (hence) without injury or prejudice to, with reserve OF. The later exclusive use of the form save is prob. due to the identification of the word with the imper. of SAVE1.

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saveloy

XIX. alt. of F. †cervelat, (also mod.) -as — It. cervellata, f. cervello brains; cf. -ATE2.

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savin(e)

kind of juniper. XIV. — OF. savine (repl. by latinized sabine):- L. (herba) Sabna ‘Sabine (plant)’.

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saving

(arch.) except, save. XIV. prob. f. SAVE2.

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saviour, U.S. savior

one who saves, spec. the Redeemer. XIII. ME. sauve(o)ur — OF. sauvëour (mod. sauveur):- ChrL. salvtor, -tr-, f. salvre SAVE1.

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savory

herb of the genus Satureia. XIV. ME. saverey, perh. repr. OE. sæerie — L. satureia fem. sg. and n. pl..

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savour, U.S. savor

taste; †smell, aroma, XIII. — OF. savour (mod. saveur):- L. sapor, sapr- taste, occas. smell, f. sapere taste; see SAPIENT, -OUR2. So savour vb. have a taste XIII; relish, like XIV. — (O)F. savourer :- late L. saprre.

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savoury

pleasant to the taste XIII; appetizing XIV; fragrant (now chiefly in unsavoury) XVI; stimulating to the palate (also sb.) XVII. ME. savure, later savori — OF. savouré sapid, fragrant, f. savour (see prec.) + -é ATE2; the ending was assim. to -Y1.

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savoy

S. cole, cabbage XVI; S. biscuit XVIII. — F. Savoie, name of a region of S.E. France.

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savvy

know. XVIII. Negro and Pidgin Eng., repr. the first word of Sp. sabe usted you know (saber :- Rom. sapre, for L. sapere know; see SAPIENT). Hence sb. practical sense, nouns XVIII.

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saw1

cutting tool with teeth. OE. sagu (in obl. cases sage), also saga = MLG., MDu. sage (Du. zaag), OHG. saga, ON. sqg :- Gmc. saz, sazan-; cf. OHG. sega (G. säge), MDu. seghe; rel. to OE. seax knife, OS., OHG. sahs :- saxsam, f. IE. sok- sek- cut. Hence saw vb. XIII (pp. isahet); orig. with wk. conj., but str. forms appear XV (occas. pt. suwe, sew, pp. sawen, mod. sawn).

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saw2

†saying OE.; maximum, proverb XIII. OE. sagu = MLG., MDu. sage, OHG. saga (G. sage), ON. saga :- Gmc. saz, sazn, f. base of sazjan SAY1.

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sawder

(colloq.) soft s. blarney, flattery. XIX. fig. use of var. of SOLDER.

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sawney

(colloq.) nickname for a Scotchman; simpleton. XVII. Sc. var. of Sandy (XV), pet-form of the proper name Alexander; see -Y6. The connection of the two senses is doubtful.

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sawyer

one who saws timber. XIV. ME. sawier, alt. of †sawer (f. SAW1 vb. + ER1, with assim. of the ending to F. -ier -ER2.

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Saxe

derived from Saxony, as S. china. XIX. — F. Saxe — G. Sachsen Saxony.

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saxhorn

brass musical instrument. XIX. f. name of Charles Joseph Sax (1791–1865) + HORN. So saxophone, invented about 1840 by his son Antoine Joseph, known as Adolphe; see -O-.

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saxifrage

plant of the genus Saxifraga. XV. — (O)F. saxifrage or late L. saxifraga, f. saxum rock + frag-, base of frangere break. The name was prob. given because many species are found growing among stones and in the clefts of rocks.

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Saxon

one of a Germanic people, of which one portion took part in the Anglo-Saxon invasions of Britain, while the other, the Old Saxons, remained in Germany. XIII. — (O)F. Saxon — L. Sax, -n- — WGmc. Saxan- (OE. pl. Seaxan, Seaxe, OHG. pl. Sahso, G. Sachse), perh. f. sa?sam knife (see SAW1), as the name of the characteristic weapon of the people.

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saxophone

see SAXHORN.

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say1

pt. and pp. said. OE. se.an = OS. seggian (Du. zeggen). OHG. sagn (G. sagen), ON. segja :- Gmc. sazjan and sazæjan; the IE. base soq- seq- is repr. also by OSl. soiti, Lith. sakýti, OL. (imper.) insece, inquam (:- insquam) I say, Gr. (imper.) énnepe, OW. hepp says, OIr. aithesc answer. OE. inf. se.an, 1 pres. ind. se.e, pl. se.ao, etc., are repr. normally by ME. segge(n), etc. These began to be repl. in XII and were finally ousted by forms derived from OE. sæ-, se-, of 2(and 3) pres. ind., viz. sæ(e)st, se(e)st (sæ(e)ö, se(e)ö), pt. sæde said, pp. sæd. Hence sb. XVI.

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say2

(hist.) serge-like cloth. XIII. — (O)F. saie :- L. saga, coll. pl. (used as sg.) of sagum coarse woollen blanket, military cloak, cloth covering.

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scab

A
†skin disease XIII; cutaneous disease in beasts; crust formed over a wound XIV;

B
low scurvy fellow XVI; non-unionist XIX. — ON. skabbr (OSw. skabber, Sw. skabb, (O)Da. skab) = OE. s.éabb (see SHABBY). The application to persons may have been due partly to MDu. schabbe slut, scold.
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Hence scabby (-Y1) XVI.

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scabbard

sheath of sword, etc. XIII. ME. sca(u)berc, later scaberge, scaubert, scaubard, aphetic — AN. escauberc, pl. escaubers, -erz, -erge, prob. — comp. of OHG. scala shell (see SCALE1) or scr, scra scissors, occas. sword + berz- protect.

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scabious

plant of the genus Scabiosa (formerly of repute for the cure of skin diseases). XIV. — medL. scabisa, fem. of scabisus, f. L. scabis roughness, itch, f. scabere scratch, scrape; see SHAVE, -IOUS.

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scabrous

rough with minute points XVII; fig. harsh XVI. — f. L. scaber, scabr-, f. scab; see prec., -OUS.

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scaffold

raised platform or stage XIV; (for the execution of criminals) XVI. ME. scaffot, scaffald — AN. scaffaut, OF. (e)schaffaut, mod. échafaud, earlier escadafaut :- Rom. excatafalcum, f. EX1 + catafalcum; see CATAFALQUE. Hence scaffolding XIV.

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scald1

burn with hot liquor; (dial.) burn. XIII. ME. sc(h)alde, aphetic — AN., ONF. escalder, OF. eschalder (mod. échauder):- L. excaldre wash in hot water, f. EX1 + L. cal(i)dus hot, rel. to calre be warm. Hence sb. XVII.

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scald2

see SKALD.

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scale1

†drinking-bowl XIII; pan of a balance XIV; sg. and pl. weighing instrument XV. — ON. skáal bowl, pl. weighing-scales = OHG. scla (G. schale):- Gmc. skæBl, rel. to skal, whence OE. sealu shell, husk, drinking-cup, weighing scale, OS. skala cup (Du. schaal), OHG. scala shell, husk (G. schale). Hence vb. weigh XVII.

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scale2

thin horny plate on the skin of animals XIV; lamina of skin, etc. XV; (after F. écaille) metal plate worn as an epaulette XIX. Aphetic — OF. escale (mod. écale husk, chip of stone) — Gmc. skal (see SCALE1), rel. to skalj, whence Rom. (medL.) scalia (OF. escaille, mod. écaille fish-scale, oyster-shell). Hence scale vb. remove scales from. XV. scaly (-Y1) XVI.

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scale3

A
†ladder XV;

B
(mus.) series of graduated sounds XVI;
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C
set of graduations for measuring distances XIV (rare before XVI); graduated instrument;
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D
relative dimension, standard of measurement XVII. — L. scla usu. pl. steps, staircase, (sg., late) ladder, f. base of scandere climb.
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scale4

climb, mount. XIV. — OF. escaler or medL. sclre, f. L. scla SCALE3.

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scalene

(of a triangle) having three unequal sides. XVIII. — late L. scalnus — Gr. skalnós uneven, unequal, scalene, rel. to skoliós oblique, crooked, skélos leg, L. scelus wickedness, crime, OE. s.eolh wry, oblique.

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scallion

shallot, onion. XIV. — AN. scal(o)un = OF. escalo(i)gne :- Rom. escalnia, for L. Ascalnia shallot, f. Ascal (Gr. Askáln) Ascalon, a port in S. Palestine.

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scallop, scollop

kind of shellfish; shell of this, esp. as a pilgrim's badge XIV; formation resembling the edge of a scallop-shell XVII. Aphetic — OF. escalope, app. of Gmc. orig.

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scallywag

(sl.) disreputable fellow. XIX (orig. U.S.). of unkn. orig.

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scalp

(dial.) top of the head, skull XIII; integument of this XVII. north. ME. scalp, prob. of Scand. orig., but the Eng. senses are not found in any Scand. or other Gmc. lang.: cf. ON. skálpr sheath (Da. dial. skalp shell, husk), MLG. schulpe, MDu. schelpe (Du. schelp) shell. Hence vb. remove the scalp OF. XVII.

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scalpel

small light knife for surgical operations. XVIII. — F. scalpel or L. scalpellum, -us, dim. of scalper, scalprum, cutting tool, chisel, knife, f. base of scalpere scratch, carve; see -EL2.

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scammony

gum-resin obtained from Convolvulus scammonia. XV. — OF. escamonie, scamonee (mod. scammonée) or L. scammnea, -ia (also -eum, -ium) — Gr. skammní, -nion.

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scamp1

idle about mischievously XVI; commit highway robbery XVIII. prob. — MDu. schampen slip away, decamp — OF. esc(h)amper :- Rom. excampre, f. EX-1 + campus field see CAMP). Hence scamp sb. †highway robber or robbery XVIII; ne'er-do-well, waster XIX.

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scamp2

do negligently or hurriedly. XIX. perh. identical with prec., but allied in sense to SKIMP.

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scamper

†decamp; run nimbly. XVII. prob. frequent. f. SCAMP1 + -ER4.

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scan

analyse the metre of XIV; †criticize, test; examine or consider closely; †interpret; †discern XVI; look at searchingly XVIII. — L. scandere (pp. scansus) climb, (late) ‘measure’ (verses), with allusion to raising and lowering the foot to mark rhythm; cf. next. The var. †scand was presumably the earlier, though not so shown by the evidence, and was apprehended as pp., from which an inf. scan was deduced. So scansion XVII.

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scandal

discredit to religion caused by a religious person; occasion of unbelief, stumbling-block; damage to reputation; grossly discreditable thing; defamatory speech. XVI. — F. scandale — ChrL. scandalum (Vulg.) cause of offence — Hellenistic Gr. skándalon snare for an enemy, cause of moral stumbling, orig. trap, rel. to Skr. skándati jumps, L. scandere climb. So scandalize^1 †make public scandal of XV; †be an occasion of stumbling to; slander; disgrace XVI; horrify by impropriety XVII. — (O)F. scandaliser or ChrL. scandalizre — ecclGr. skandalizein. scandalous. XVI. — F. or medL.

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scandalize2

(naut.) reduce the area of (a sail). XIX. alt. of †scantelize shorten (XVII). f. †scantle (f. SCANT) + -IZE.

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scansorial

pert. to climbing, that climbs. XIX. f. L. scansrius, f. scans-, pp. stem of scandere climb; see -ORIAL.

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scant

stinted in measure; †parsimonious XIV; limited in extent or amount XVI. — ON. skamt, n. of skammr short, brief. Superseded largely by scanty (-Y1) XVI.

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scantling

measured size; small or scanty amount; †pattern XVI; small piece of wood, etc. XVII. alt., by assoc. with LING1, of †scantlon gauge (XIII), dimension (XIV), sample (XV), aphetic — OF. escantillon (mod. échantillon sample), alt. of eschandillon, f. medL. scandalium, -ilium, f. L. scandere climb.

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scape1, 'scape

vb.
and sb. (obs. or arch.) Aphetic of ESCAPE. XIII. Hence (from the vb.) scapegoat (XVI), intended to render the supposed literal meaning of Heb. azzel (Lev. 16: 8, 10, 26) ‘the goote on which the lotte fell to scape’ (so Vulg. caper emissarius); the correct interpretation is prob. ‘goat for Azazel’ (a demon of the desert). scapegrace incorrigible scamp (‘one who escapes the grace of God’) XIX.

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scape2

(bot.) long flower-stalk rising from the root. XVII. — L. scpus, Gr. skâpos, rel. to Gr. skˆptron SCEPTRE.

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scaphoid

boat-shaped. XVIII. — modL. scaphods — Gr. skaphoeids. f. skáphos boat; see -OID.

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scapular

monastic garment covering the shoulders. XV. — late L. scapulre, f. late L. scapula shoulder (anat. in Eng. use XVI), earlier pl. -æ; see -AR. So scapulary XIII (scapelori). — AN. scapelorie, var. of OF. eschapeloyre (XII) — medL. scapelrium, scapularium; assim. to -ARY.

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scar1

†rock, crag XIV; precipice XIV; precipice XVII; sunken rock XVIII. ME. skerre, scarre, — ON. sker low reef, SKERRY.

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scar2

trace of a healed wound. XIV. Aphetic — OF. esc(h)arre, eschare — late L. eschara scab — Gr. eskhár hearth, brazier, scab. Hence vb. XVI.

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scarab

beetle XVI; gem cut in the form of a beetle XIX. — L. scarabæus; cf. Gr. kárabos stag beetle.

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scaramouch

stock character of Italian farce, cowardly or foolish boaster constantly cudgelled by Harlequin ; rascal, scamp. XVII. Early forms Scaramuzza, -moucha, -muchio — It. Scaramuccia, joc. use of scaramuccia SKIRMISH; hence F. Scaramouche, source of the present form.

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scarce

†scanty XIII; †niggardly; deficient in quantity or number XIV. — AN., ONF. scars, aphetic of escars, OF. eschars (mod. échars) (of coin) below standard value, (of wind) slight :- Rom. excarpsus plucked out, pp. of excarpere, for L. excerpere select out, EXCERPT. Hence scarcely (-LY2) †scantily, sparingly; only just, not quite. XIII. scarcity XIII. — ONF. escarceté, OF. eschar- (mod. écharseté).

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scare

terrify. XII. ME. skerre, later skere, ska(y)re (XV), scar(r)e (XVI) — ON. skirra frighten, (also) avoid, prevent, refl. shrink from (cf. Norw. skjerra, Sw. dial. skjarra scare), f. skjarr shy, timid. Hence scarecrow XVI.

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scarf1

joint for connecting two timbers into a continuous piece. XIV. orig. naut.; prob. — OF. escarf (mod. écart), f. escàrver (mod. écarver), perh. f. an ON. base repr. by Sw. skarf, Norw. skarv piece to lengthen a board or a garment, joint or seam effecting this; the ult. orig. remains obscure. Hence vb. XVII.

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scarf2

broad band of stuff as an article of clothing XVI; (her.) XVII. prob. alt. (by assoc. with prec.) of scarp, which is recorded from XVI in the heraldic sense of a diminutive bend sinister. — ONF. escarpe = OF. escherpe (mod. écharpe); prob. identical with OF. escreppe SCRIP1. comp. scarfskin outer layer of the skin. XVII.

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scarify

make incisions or scratches in. XV. — (O)F. scarifier — late L. scarficre, alt. of L. scarfre — Gr. skarphsthai scratch an outline, sketch lightly, f. skárphos pencil, stilus; see -IFY. So scarification XIV (rare before XVI). — (O)F. or late L.

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scarious

dry and shrivelled. XIX. — F. scarieux or modL. scarisus.

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scarlatina

scarlet fever. XIX. — modL. — It. scarlattina, fem. of scarlattino, dim. of scarlatto SCARLET.

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scarlet

sb.
†rich cloth, of various colours, freq. bright-red XIII; bright vivid red colour XV; adj. XIV. Aphetic — OF. escarlate fem. (mod. écarlate); of unkn. orig.

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scarp

(fortif.) steep bank or wall XVI; steep slope XIX. — It. scarpa. Hence vb. XIX.

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scarus

parrot-fish. XVII. — L. — Gr. skáros.

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scathe

(arch., dial.) injury, damage. XIII. — ON. skaði = OE. s.eaða malefactor, (rarely) injury, OS. skaðo malefactor, OHG. skado (G. schade) injury, harm :- Gmc. skaþan-, f. skaþ-, whence also Goth. skaþis harm, skaþjan injure. So vb. injure XII; wither, sear XIX. — ON. skaða = OE. s.eaðian, OS. scaðon, OHG. skadn (Du., G. schaden) :- Gmc. skaþjan. The sb. survives in gen. literary use in the comp. scatheless (XII; — ON. skaðlauss), the vb. in scathing (-ING2) (poet.) blasting, searing XVIII; fig. as of invective XIX; unscathed (-ED1) uninjured XIV (orig. Sc.).

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scatology

XIX. f. Gr. skôr, skato- dung + -(O)LOGY.

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scatter

†squander, dissipate; disperse in many directions. XIII (skatere). prob. var. of SHATTER under Scand. influence.

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scaup-duck

duck of the genus Aythya. XVII. f. scaup bank providing a bed for shellfish, Sc. var. of scalp (XVI) bare piece of rock above water, perh. transf. use of SCALP.

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scaur

(Sc.) precipitous bank, cliff. XIX. var. of SCAR1.

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scavage

(hist.) toll formerly levied in London on merchant strangers. XV. — AN. scawage = ONF. escauwage, f. escauwer inspect — Flem. scauwen = OE. s.awian see (SHOW).

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scavenger

†officer who took ‘scavage’ and (later) kept the streets clean; person employed to clean streets XVI. alt. of scavager — AN. scawager, f. scawage; see prec. and -ER1. Hence by back-formation scavenge vb. XVII.

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scazon

(pros.) choliamb. XVII. — L. scazn — Gr. skázn, sb. use of m. prp. of skázein limp, halt.

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scenario

outline of the plot of a play. XIX. — It., f. scena SCENE; anglicized as †scenary XVII.

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scend

see SEND2.

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scene

apparatus for setting forth the action of a play; division of an act of a play; place of an action; †stage performance XVI; †stage of a theatre; view of an action, place, etc.; episode, situation in real life XVII; stormy encounter XVIII. — L. scna, scæna stage, scene — Gr. skné tent, stage, scene, rel. to sk shadow. So scenery †dramatic action; decoration of a theatre stage; aggregate of features in a landscape. XVIII. alt. of †scenary (see SCENARIO) by assim. of the ending to -ERY. scenic XVII. L. scnicus — Gr. sknikós. scenical XV.

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scent

track (animals) by the smell; †exhale an odour XIV; (from the sb.) perfume XVII. ME. sent(e) — (O)F. sentir feel, perceive, smell :- L. sentre feel, perceive. Hence scent sb. odour of beast or man as a means of pursuit XIV; sense of smell; distinctive odour XV. The unexpl. sp. scent appears XVII.

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sceptic, U.S. skeptic

one who doubts. XVI. — F. sceptique or L. scepticus, in sb. pl. sceptic followers of the Greek philosopher Pyrrho of Elis — Gr. skeptiks, sb. pl. skeptikoí, f. sképtesthai look about, consider, observe. The pronunc. has been infl. by Gr. Hence sceptical, scepticism XVII.

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sceptre, U.S. scepter

rod or wand as a symbol of regal or imperial authority. XIII. ME. ceptre, septre (with later assim. to L. and Gr.) — OF. ceptre, (also mod.) sceptre — L. scptrum — Gr. skêptron, f. skptein prop.

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schedule

†ticket, label XIV; †explanatory slip accompanying a document XV; appendix to an act of parliament; classified statement or list XVI. ME. cedule, sedule — (O)F. cédule — late L. scedula small slip of paper, dim. of sceda, also scheda leaf of papyrus; see -ULE.

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scheme

†figure of rhetoric XVI; †diagram; analytical or tabular statement; plan, design XVII. — L. schma — Gr. schêma form, figure. Hence vb. XVIII. So schematic XVIII. — modL. schmaticus, f. schma-, schmat-, schematism XVII.

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scherzando

(mus.) playfully. XIX. — It., gerund of scherzare play, sport, f. scherzo sport, jest, (mus.) lively movement — (M)HG. scherz.

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schism

breach of the unity of the visible Church XIV; offence of promoting this XV; sect so formed XVI. ME. s(c)isme — OF. s(c)isme (mod. schisme) — ecclL. schisma — Gr. skhisma rent, cleft, in N.T. division in the Church, f. base of skhizein split, cleave. The sp. was assim. XVI to the L. form. So schismatic XIV (sb.) — (O)F. — ecclL. — ecclGr. schismatical XVI.

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schist

(geol.) fissile crystalline rock. XVIII. — F. schiste — L. schistos — Gr. skhists, pp. adj. f. base of skhízein split. Hence schistose XVIII.

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schizo-

comb. form irreg. repr. Gr. skhízein split. schizophrenia (path.) ‘split mind’, condition characterized by cleavage of mental functions. XX (Gr. phrn mind; see -LA1); Hence schizophrenic adj. and sb. XX.

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schnap(p)s

spirit resembling Hollands gin. XIX. G. schnap(p)s dram of drink, liquor (esp. gin) — LG., Du. snaps gulp, mouthful, f. snappen seize, snatch (see SNAP).

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schnauzer

German breed of house dog. XIX. — G., f. schnauze snout.

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schnorkel

see SNORKEL.

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scholar

pupil in a school; one devoted to learning, learned person XIV; student receiving emolument from a school, etc. XVI. ME. scoler, aphetic — OF. escol(i)er (mod. écolier) — late L. scholris, f. L. schola SCHOOL; see -AR. Hence scholarly (-LY1) XVII, scholarship XVI.

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scholastic

pert. to the schoolmen XVI; pert. to education in schools XVII; characteristic of ‘the schools’, pedantic XVIII; sb. schoolman XVII. — L. scholasticus — Gr. skholastiks studious, learned, sb. scholar, f. skholázein be at leisure, devote one's leisure to learning, f. skhol leisure; see SCHOOL1, -IC. So scholastical XVI (in all senses earlier). Hence scholasticism XVIII.

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scholium, pl. -ia

explanatory note, comment. XVI. — modL. — Gr. skhlion, f. skhol learned discussion (see SCHOOL1). So scholiast commentator. XVI. — late Gr. skholiasts.

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school1

place or establishment for instruction; body of teachers of a subject in a university. OE. scl, scolu, corr. to MLG., MDu. schle (Du. school), OHG. scuola (G. schule); Gmc. — medL. scla, for L. schola — Gr. skhol leisure, employment of leisure in disputation, lecture, (later) school; reinforced in ME. by aphetic — OF. escole (mod. école) — Rom. scola. Hence vb. XVI. schoolman (cf. OE. sclmann learner) in medieval universities, one who treated of logic, metaphysics, and theology, XVI.

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school2

shoal of fish, etc. XIV. — MLG., MDu. schle (Du. school) troop, multitude, spec. ‘school’ of whales = OS. scola, OE. scolu troop.

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schooner

small sea-going fore-and-aft-rigged vessel. XVIII (skooner, scooner). of uncert. orig.

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schorl

(min.) (black) tourmaline. XVIII. — G. schörl, of unkn. orig.

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schottische

dance resembling the polka. XIX. — G. (der) schottische (tanz) the SCOTTISH dance.

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sciagraphy

projection of shadows, delineation of light and shade. XVI (sciographie). — F. scia-, sciographie — L. scia-, sciographia — Gr. ski-, skiographí, f. ski shadow; see -GRAPHY.

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sciatic

pert. to or affecting the hip. XVI. — (O)F. sciatique — late L. sciaticus, alt. of ischiaticus, for L. ischiadicus (after -aticus -ATIC) — Gr. iskhiadiks, f. iskhíon hip-joint, pl. iskhía haunches, hams. So sciatica XV (cyetica, sytyca). — late L.

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science

knowledge, esp. of a technical kind. XIV. — OF. — L. scientia, f. scient-, prp. stem of scre know; see -ENCE. So scientific concerned with science or the sciences XVI; (of proof, etc.) demonstrative XVII; pert. to science XVIII. — (O)F. scientifique or late L. scientificus. Hence scientist XIX.

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scilicet,

abbrev. scil. , sc. that is to say, to wit. XIV. — L., contr. of scre licet ‘it is permitted to know’.

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scilla

liliaceous plant of the genus Scilla. XIX. — L. — Gr. skilla.

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scimitar

short curved one-edged sword. XVI. Introduced in various forms (cimiterie, cemitere, cymitare, scimitar) repr. F. cimeterre, cimiterre, It. scimitarra, †cimitara, Sp., Pg. cimitarra, Pers. imr.

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scintilla

minute particle. XVII. — L., spark. So scintillate sparkle. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. scintillre; see -ATE2. scintillation XVII. — L.

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sciolist

smatterer. XVII. f. late L. sciolus, dim. f. scius knowing, f. base of L. scre know; see SCIENCE, -IST.

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scion

shoot, slip, graft XIV; heir, descendant XIX. ME. sioun — OF. ciun, cion, sion (mod. scion), perh. alt. of chion (of Gmc. orig.).

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scirrhous

pert. to a scirrhus. XVI. — F. scirrheux (now squirreux) — modL. scirrhsus, f. scrrhus (used in Eng. since XVII) hard tumour — Gr. skírros, skîros hard (substance); see -OUS.

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scission

cutting, division. XV (rare before XVIII). — (O)F. scission or late L. scissi, -n-, f. pp. stem of scindere cut, cleave; see -ION.

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scissors

XIV. ME. sisoures — (O)F. cisoires (now only ‘large shears’, the sense ‘scissors’ being appropriated to ciseaux, pl. of †cisel CHISEL), repr. medL. csria, pl. of late L. csrium, f. -cs-, -cdere, var. in comps. of L. cæs-, cædere cut. The sp. with sc- (XVI) is due to assoc. with L. scindere cut (see prec.).

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sciurine

pert. to squirrels. XIX. f. L. scirus — Gr. skíouros, f. ski shadow + our tail; see -INE1.

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sclero-

comb. form of Gr. sklrs hard. XIX. So sclerosis morbid hardening. XIV. — medL. sclrsis — Gr. sklrsis, f. sklroûn harden; see -OSIS. sclerotic XVI.

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scoff1

contemptuous ridicule; also vb. XIV. perh. of Scand. orig.; cf. early modDa. skof, skuf jest, mockery, skuffe jest, mock.

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scoff2

(sl. and dial.) eat voraciously; seize, plunder. XIX. orig. var. of synon. (dial.) scaff (XVIII), rel. to contemp. scaff food; later assoc. with S. Afr. scoff food, meal — Afrikaans (Du.) schoft (prop.) quarter of a day, (hence) any of the four meals of the day.

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scold

ribald or abusive person (esp. a woman). XIII. prob. — ON. skáld poet, SKALD, in comps. also with dyslogistic implication (e.g. skáld-skapr, prop. poetry, which has in the Icel. law-books the spec. sense of libel in verse), hence (perh. by a spec. Eng. development), libellous, scurrilous, or ribald person. Hence scold vb. †quarrel noisily, (later) be vehement or persistent in reproof or faultfinding (to). XIV.

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scollop

see SCALLOP.

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sconce1

lantern or screened candlestick carried by a handle XIV; bracket-candlestick XV. Aphetic — OF. esconse (i) hiding-place, (ii) lantern; or — medL. sconsa, aphetic of absconsa, sb. use of fem. pp. of L. abscondere hide.

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sconce2

(arch. sl.) head. XVI. perh. joc. use of prec.

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sconce3

(fortif.) small fort or earthwork. XVI. — Du. schans, †schantze brushwood, screen of brushwood for soldiers, earthwork of gabions — (M)HG. schanze, of unkn. orig.

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sconce4

(Univ. sl.) fine in a tankard of ale, etc., e.g. for breach of discipline or convention. XVII. perh. a joc. ref. to SCONCE2. Hence sb. XVII.

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scone

round cake of wheat or barley meal baked on a griddle, quadrant-shaped section of this. XVI (scon). orig. Sc., perh. shortening of MLG. schonbrot, MDu. schoonbrot ‘fine bread’.

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scoop

utensil for baling or ladling XIV; kind of shovel XV. — MLG., MDu. schpe (Du. schoep) vessel for baling, bucket of a water-wheel = MHG. schuofe (G. †schufe) :- WGmc. skp(n), f. skp- var. of skap-, whence skappjan draw water (repr. by OS. skeppian, Du. scheppen, OHG. scephan, G. schöpfen); cf. SHAPE. Hence scoop vb. †ladle or bale out XIV; remove (as) with a scoop XVII. Also in mod. use, orig. U.S., to take up in large quantities; cut out (a rival newspaper editor, etc.) XIX (whence sb. exclusive piece of news).

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scoot

go suddenly and swiftly. XVIII (naut.). The orig. form is scout, which became obs. in early XIX; the present form seems to have been imported later from the U.S.; of unkn. orig.

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scope

object aimed at; room for exercise, free course; range of activity XVI; length of cable at which a ship rides XVII. — It. scopo aim, purpose — Gr. skopós mark for shooting at, f. skop- as in skopein observe, aim at.

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-scope

terminal el. repr. L. -scopium — Gr. -skópion (as in hroscopium — hroskpion casting of nativities), f. skopein observe (see prec.); extended in medL. use in microscopium MICROSCOPE and tlescopium TELESCOPE, on the model of which have been formed terms denoting scientific instruments for enabling the eye or the ear to make observations, e.g. laryngoscope, stethoscope. The corr. adjs. end in -scopic , with advs. in -scopically (-LY2) and nouns of action in -scopy (-Y3).

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scorbutic

pert. to scurvy. XVII. — medL. scorbticus, f. scorbtus scurvy, perh. for scorbcus — MLG. schorbk, Du. scheurbuik, f. MLG., MDu. schoren (Du. scheuren) break, lacerate + bk (buik) belly.

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scorch

heat so as to dry up. XV. of uncert. orig.

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score

A
set of twenty (prob. orig. as marked on a tally) XI;
B
notch, mark, stroke; account of times kept on a tally or board XIV; amount of a bill or reckoning XVI; account, reason XVII; record of points in a game XVIII;
C
written or printed piece of concerted music XVIII. Late OE. scoru, pl. scora, -e — ON. skor notch, tally, twenty :- Gmc skur, f. skur- sker- cut. SHEAR. So score vb. XIV. partly — ON. skora; partly f. the sb.

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scoria

slag, clinkers. XVII. — L. scria dross — Gr. skrí, f. skr dung.

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scorn

†behave contemptuously XII; †deride, (now) hold in disdain XIII. Aphetic — OF. escharnir, eschernir :- Rom. escarnre, eskernre — Gmc. skarnjan, skernjan, f. base of OS. skern, etc., jest, mockery. So sb. XII. — OF. escarn. In sb. and vb. forms with -a- and -o- are equally early; the orig. of the latter is obscure.

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scorpion

arachnid whose sting causes intense pain XIII; (after 1 Kings 12. 11) knotted or armed cord XIV. — (O)F. :- L. scorpi, -n-, extension of scorpius — Gr. skorpios.

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scorzonera

plant of the genus so named. XVII. — It., f. scorzone poisonous snake (:- Rom. scurtine, alt. of medL. curti, -n-), for whose venom the plant may have been an antidote.

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scot

payment, contribution; scot and lot, taxes levied by a municipal corporation in proportionate shares upon its members. XIII. In ME. partly — ON. skot (- OE. scot SHOT), partly aphetic — OF. escot (mod. écot), of Gmc. orig.; in late use to some extent an antiquarian revival of the OE. form. Hence scot-free exempt from the payment of scot, fine, etc.; exempt from injury or punishment. XVI.

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Scot

(hist.) one of a Gaelic-speaking people first known in Ireland, and later settled in north Britain (Scotland) OE.; native of Scotland XIV. OE. Scot, only in pl. Scottas — late L. Scottus; ult. orig. unkn. So Scotch XVI, Scots XIV (Scottis), reduced vars of Scottish (-ISH1) XIII (repl. OE. Scyttis.). Scotchman XVI, Scotsman XIV (Scottis man).

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scotch1

make an incision in XV; (from Theobald's emendation of scorch in Sh. ‘Macbeth’ III iv 13) injure or obstruct so as to render harmless for a time XVIII. of unkn. orig. Hence sb. incision XV; so in HOPSCOTCH.

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scotch2

block, etc. placed under a circular object to prevent slipping. XVII. occas. skatch, which may indicate identity with scatch (XVI) stilt — OF. escache.

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scoundrel

XVI. of unkn. orig. See -REL.

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scour1

rid, clear (an area) XIII; purge XIV; cleanse by hard rubbing; clear out, get rid of XV; rake with gunshot XVI. prob. — MLG., MDu. schren — OF. escurer (mod. écurer clean, scour) :- late L. excrre (medL. (e)scrre), f. L. EX-1 + crre take care of, medL. clean, f. cra CURE.

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scour2

move about rapidly; pass rapidly over XIV. of unkn. orig.

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scourge

whip XIII; instrument of divine chastisement XIV; cause of calamity XVI. Aphetic — OF. escurge, escorge, f. escorgier vb. whip :- Rom. excorrigire, f. EX-1 + corrigia thong, whip. So vb. XIII. — OF. escorgier.

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scout1

spy, reconnoitre. XIV. Aphetic — OF. escouter (mod. écouter) listen, alt. of ascolter :- Rom. ascultre, for L. auscultre. So scout sb. one sent ahead to reconnoitre. XVI. — OF. escoute; earlier in †scout-watch sentinel, spy (XIV), unless this is a comp. of the vb.

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scout2

flat-bottomed boat. XV. — MDu. schte (Du. schuit), adopted earlier as schoute (XIV); rel. to ON. skúta light fast vessel.

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scout3

†mock, deride XVII; reject with scorn XVIII. prob. of Scand. orig (cf. ON. skúta, skúti a taunt): if so, the word must have been in colloq. use long before it is recorded.

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scout4

(at Oxford) college servant. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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scow

large flat-bottomed square-ended lighter. XVIII. — Du. schouw, earlier schouwe, schoude — LG. schalde, rel. to OS. skaldan push (a boat) from the shore.

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scowl

vb
XIV. prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. Da. skule cast down one's eyes, give a sidelong look); perh. ult. rel. to late OE. s.lede squint-eyed (varying with s.lede). Hence sb. XVI.

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scrabble

make marks at random, scrawl; scratch about XVI; scramble XVII. — MDu. schrabbelen, frequent. of schrabben scratch, scrape.

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scrag1

lean person or animal XVI; lean end of a neck of mutton XVII; neck XIX. perh. alt. of †crag(ge) XV–VIII. Hence vb. hang by the neck, throttle. XVIII. scraggy (-Y1) lean. XVII.

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scrag2

(dial.) stump of a tree, rough projection. XVI. Parallel to dial. scrog stunted bush, pl. brushwood (XIV), shrag rag (XIV), twig (XVI), shrog bush, pl. underwood (XV). Implied in ME. scraggy (-Y1) rough, rugged, ragged. XIII.

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scramble

make one's way by clambering, etc.; struggle with others for something. XVI. of symbolic form.

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scrannel

(dial.) lean, thin. XVII (Milton ‘Lycidas’ 124 s. pipes, from which subsequent users of the word have inferred the meaning ‘harsh, unmelodious’). Obscurely rel. to synon. dial. scrank, Sc. scranky, scranny; all prob. ult. of Scand. orig. (cf. Norw. skran shrivelled, skrank lean large-boned figure).

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scrap1

pl. remains of food XIV; fragmentary portion XVI. — ON. skrap scraps, trifles, f. base of skrapa SCRAPE. Hence scrappy (-Y1) XIX.

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scrap2

†villainous plot XVII; struggle, tussle XIX. perh. f. SCRAPE.

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scrape

remove an outer layer from XIV; rake together with effort; draw harshly or noisily over a surface XVI. — ON. skrapa or (M)Du. schrapen = OE. s.rapian scratch, rel. to Du., LG. schrapfen, MHG. schrapfen, schrepfen; for other prob. cogns. cf. SHARP.

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scratch

wound the surface of the skin with the nails, etc. XV; rub lightly with the nails or claws XVI; make linear abrasions on XVII. prob. blending of synon. (dial.) scrat (XIII) and †cratch (XIII); the orig. of these forms is obscure, but cf. MLG., MDu. kratsen, OHG. krazzn (G. kratzen), OSw. kratta scratch. Hence scratch sb. result of scratching XVI; mark indicating starting-point XVIII; adj. hastily done, collected, etc. XIX.

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Scratch

(dial.) usu. Old S., the Devil. XVIII. alt. of (dial.) scrat (XV) hermaphrodite — ON. skrat(t)i wizard, goblin, monster, rel. to OHG. scrato (G. schrat) satyr, sprite.

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scrawl

write in a sprawling untidy manner. XVII. perh. transf. use of (dial.) scrawl sprawl, crawl (XIV), prob. blending of CRAWL and SPRAWL. Hence sb. XVII.

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scream

vb.
XIII. Either aberrant repr. of late OE. s.æman, ME. shreame (XIII) or — the rel. MDu. schreemen. Hence sb. XVI.

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scree

mass of detritus on a mountainside. XVIII. prob. back-formation from screes, for screethes pl. — ON. skriða landslip, rel. to skríða slide, glide ( = OE. scran).

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screech

XVI. alt. (veith expressive lengthening of vowel) of †scritch (scriche XIII), f. imit. base repr. in OE. s.rí..ettan; cf. (dial.) screak (XV), scrike (XIV), of Scand. origin (cf. ON. skrkja). So screech-owl (XVI) earlier †scritch-owl.

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screed

(dial.) fragment severed, torn strip XIV; long roll or list, lengthy discourse XVIII; levelled strip of plaster XIX. prob. var. repr. of OE. s.rade SHRED.

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screen

contrivance to ward off heat, wind, light, etc.; partition in a building XV; (fig.) XVI; sifting apparatus XVI. Aphetic — ONF. escren, var. of escran (mod. écran), of Gmc. orig. (cf. OHG. skrank bar, barrier, fence). Hence vb. shelter, shield XV; sift XVII.

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screw

A
mechanical contrivance of which the operative part is a spiral groove or ridge XV; worm or boring part of a gimlet XVI; (fig.) XVII.
B
(from the vb.) act of screwing XVIII; object screwed or twisted up XIX.
C
(sl. senses of obscure development) unsound horse; wages, salary XIX. In A — OF. escroue fem. (mod. écrou m.) either (i) — WGmc. scrva (MHG. schrbe (G. schraube), corr. to MDu. schrve), or (ii) :- (the source of the Gmc. forms) L. scrfa sow, medL. female screw. Hence screw vb. XVII. screwed (sl.) intoxicated. XIX; also (earlier) screwy.

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scribble

write carelessly or hastily. XV. — medL. scrbillre (cf. rare L. conscrbillre), dim. formed on L. scrbere write (see next); see -LE2.

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scribe

doctor of the Jewish law XIV; secretary, clerk; copyist, transcriber XVI. — L. scrba official or public writer, f. scrbere trace characters, write, f. IE. base skreibh- scratch, incise, repr. also in Gr. skarphâsthai scratch. So vb. (in carpentry) mark or score (wood, etc.), shape the edge of. XVII; of obscure development; varying with scrive; perh. orig. for describe, †descrive.

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scrimmage, scrummage

†skirmish XV; noisy contention, confused struggle XVIII (spec. in rugby football XIX; cf. SCRUM). alt. of †scrimish, var. of SKIRMISH, with assim. of the ending to -AGE.

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scrimp

scanty. XVIII. In early use Sc.; of unkn. orig.; for possible cogns, see SHRIMP, and cf. SKIMP. So scrimp vb. scant, skimp. XVIII.

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scrimshaw

(sl.) handicrafts practised by sailors on long voyages. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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scrip1

wallet, satchel. XIII. Aphetic — OF. escrep(p)e purse, bag for alms, var. of éscherpe (mod. écharpe) or — ON. skreppa, which may itself be — of.; ult. Gmc. skerp (latinized as scerpa equipment).

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scrip2

(orig.) receipt for the portion of a loan subscribed, (now) share certificate. XVIII. abbrev. of subscription (receipt).

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script

piece of writing XIV (examinee's written papers XIX); (kind of) handwriting XIX. Aphetic — OF. escript, for escrit (now écrit) :- L. scrptum, sb. use of n. pp. of scrbere write (see SCRIBE). So scriptorium writing-room. XVIII. — medL. scripture Holy Writ, the Bible XIII; (arch.) inscription XIV. — L. scrptra; see -URE. scriptural (-AL1) XVII. — late L.

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scrivener

professional scribe XIV; notary XV. f. ME. scrivein (XIII), aphetic — OF. escrivein (mod., écrivain) :- Rom. scribano, f. L. scrba SCRIBE; see -AN, -ER1.

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scrofula

disease characterized by degeneration of the lymphatic glands. XIV. In early use pl. after late L. scrfulæ, dim. f. L. scrfa breeding-sow (supposed to be subject to the disease); in sg. form XVIII. Hence scrofulous XVII.

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scroll

roll of paper or parchment; writing, list, roll; inscribed paper XV; scroll-like ornament XVII. ME. scrowle, alt., after rowle, ROLL1, of scrow (XIII), aphetic — AN. escrowe, OF. escroe strip, esp. of parchment — Gmc. skraua SHRED.

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scrotum

XVI. — L. scrtum; cf. scrautum skin sheath for arrows.

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scrounge

(sl.) acquire illicitly. XX. var. of dial. scrunge steal.

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scrub1

rub hard. XIV. ME. scrobbe, beside shrubbe, prob. — MLG., MDu. schrobben, schrubben.

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scrub2

low stunted tree XVI (doubtfully XIV); dwarf cattle; mean little fellow XVI. var. of SHRUB.

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scruff

nape of the neck. XVIII. orig. alt. of scuff, scuft (XVIII), of which there is a synon. var. cuff (XVIII); perh. based ult. on ON. skoft ( = OHG scuft, Goth. skuft) hair of the head.

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scrum

XIX. Shortening of scrummage, SCRIMMAGE.

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scrumptious

(orig. U.S. colloq.) first rate, ‘grand’: (also formerly) fastidious, ‘particular’. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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scrunch

(colloq.) XIX. Expressive alt of CRUNCH.

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scruple

A
small unit of weight or measurement;
B
thought or doubt troubling the conscience. XVI. — F. scrupule or L. scrpulus, -ulum in above senss, dim. of scrpus rough or sharp pebble, anxiety. Hence or so scruple vb. XVII. f. the sb. or — F. So scrupulous XV, scrupulosity XVI. — F. or L.

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scrutator

one who examines closely. XVI. — L. scrttor, scrtr search, examine, f. scrta trash, rubbish, the orig. application being to the rummaging of rag-pickers or the searching of persons; see -ATOR. So scrutiny (-Y4) formal taking of votes XV; close investigation XVII; official examination of votes XVIII. — L. scrtinium. Hence scrutineer, scrutinize XVII.

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scry

(dial.) descry; act as a crystal-gazer. XVI (revived XIX). Aphetic of DESCRY.

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scud

move briskly, now esp. of objects driven by the wind. XVI. poss. alt. of SCUT, as if to race like a hare.

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scuffle

struggle confusedly together. XVI. prob. f. Scand. base (cf. Sw. skuff, skuffa push) to be referred to Gmc. skuf- SHOVE.

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sculduddery, skul-

(Sc.) fornication XVIII; obscenity XIX. of unkn. orig.

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sculduggery, skul-

(U.S.) tricky doings. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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scull

kind of oar. XIV. of unkn. orig. Hence vb. XVII.

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scullery

(hist.) department of a household concerned with kitchen utensils XV; room attached to a kitchen XVIII. — AN. squillerie, for OF. escuelerie, f. escuelier maker or seller of dishes, f. escuele :- Rom. sctella (by assoc. with L. sctum shield), for L. scutella salver, dim. of scutra wooden dish; see -ERY.

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scullion

(arch.) servant who performed menial offices in the kitchen. XV. of unkn. orig.

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sculpin

any of several spiny fishes. XVII. perh. alt. of scorpene — L. scorpæna — Gr. skórpaina, presumably f. skorpios SCORPION.

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sculpture

art of carving in hard material, products of this. XIV (rare before XVII). — L. sculptra, f. pp. stem of sculpere, var. of scalpere scratch, carve; see -URE. So sculptor XVII. — L.: see -OR1. Hence sculpt, sculptural (-AL1) XIX, sculpture vb. XVII.

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scum

†foam, froth XIII; film of floating matter on liquid XV; fig. XVI. — MLG., MDu. schm (Du. schuim) = OHG. scm (G. schaum) :- Gmc. skma-, f. IE. sk- cover. Hence vb. †skim XIV; †scour the surface of XV; throw up as scum XVII.

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scumble

spread colour over a picture to soften hard lines, etc. XVIII. poss. f. SCUM vb. + -LE2.

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scuncheon

(archit.) bevelled inner edge. XV. Aphetic — OF. escoinson (mod. écoinçon), f. es- EX-1 + coin corner.

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scupper1

opening in a ship's side on a level with the deck. XV. perh. — AN. aphetic deriv. of OF. escopir (mod. écopir) :- Rom. skuppre spit, of imit. orig.

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scupper2

(mil. sl.) surprise and massacre: (pass.) be done for. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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scuppernong

variety of muscadine. XIX. name of a river and lake in N. Carolina, U.S.A.

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scurf

Late OE., prob. alt. of s.eorf by the influence of ON. skurfr, implicit in skurfóttr scurfy, f. base allied to that of OE. s.eorfan gnaw, s.eorfian cut into shreds. Hence scurfy (-Y1) XVII (isolated ex. XV).

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scurrilous

coarsely opprobrious or jocular. XVI. f. synon. †scurrile (XVI) — F. scurrile or L. scurrlis, f. scurra buffoon; see -OUS, -ILE. So scurrility XVI.

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scurry

go rapidly or hurriedly. XIX. Second el. of HURRY-SCURRY used independently.

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scurvy

characterized by scurf. XVI. f. SCURF; see -Y1. Hence scurvy sb., partly ellipt. for †s. disease XVI, the spec. application being determined by assoc. with the like-sounding F. scorbut, LG. schorbk (see SCORBUTIC).

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scut

†hare XV; short erect tail of rabbit, etc. XVI. rel. to †scut adj. short. sb. short garment, vb. cut short, dock; of unkn. orig.

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scutage

(hist.) tax levied on knights' fees, esp. in lieu of military service. XV. — medL. sctgium, f. L. sctum shield; see -AGE.

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scutch

dress (fibre) by beating. XVIII. — OF. escoucher, dial. var. of escousser :- Rom. excussre, f. pp. stem excuss- of L. excutere, f. EX-1 + quatere shake.

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scutcheon

XVI. Aphetic var. of AN. escuchon ESCUTCHEON.

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scuttle1

†dish, trencher (OE.), XV; (dial.) cornbasket, grain-shovel XIV: wide-mouthed basket XV; bowl-like vessel for coal XIX. Late OE. s.utel does not seem to have survived; ME. scutel is — ON. skutill, corr. to OS. skutala = MLG. schötele, MDu. schotele (Du. schotel), OHG. scuzzila (G. schüssel): all — L. scutula or scutella, rel. to scutra dish, platter.

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scuttle2

opening in a ship's deck XV; trap-door XVIII. perh. — F. †escoutille (mod. écoutille) hatchway — Sp. escotilla, dim. of escota cutting out of cloth, f. escotar cutout, f. L. EX-1 + Gmc. skaut- SHEET. Hence scuttle vb. cut a hole in sides, bottom, or deck of (a ship). XVII.

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scuttle3

run with quick hurried steps. XV. Parallel with synon. (dial.) scuddle XVII. frequent. of SCUD; see -LE3.

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scutum

(nat. hist.) shield-shaped part or segment. XIX. techn. use of L. sctum oblong shield.

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scythe

long-handled long-bladed instrument for mowing. OE. sðe, earlier siði (written sigdi) = MLG. segede, sigde (LG. seged, seid, sichte), ON. siðr :- Gmc. seziþ, f. sez- :- IE. sek- cut (see SECTION).

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'sdeath

see -S.

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se-

prefix occurring in derivs. from Latin. repr. s (also sd) prep. and adv. without, apart, as in SECEDE, SECLUDE, SECRET, SECRETE, SEDUCE, SEPARATE.

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sea

OE. s = OS. so, su (Du. zee), OHG. s(o), (G. see), ON. sr, Goth. saiws :- Gmc. saiwiz, of unkn. orig. Comp sea-coal (XIII) mineral coal (as dist. from charcoal) is in orig. prob. coal derived from the sea.

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seal1

aquatic mammal. OE. sol-, inflexional form of seolh = MLG. sl, MDu. seel, zle, OHG. selah, ON. selr :- Gmc. sel?az, of unkn. orig.

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seal2

(piece of wax for impressing) a device used in attesting a document. XIII. — AN. seal, OF. seel (mod. sceau) :- L. sigillum small picture, statuette, seal, dim. of signum SIGN. So seal vb. XIII. — OF. seeler (mod. sceller).

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seam

junction made by sewing; line made by two abutting edges. OE. sam = MDu. sm (Du. zoom), OHG. soum (G. saum), ON. saumr — Gmc. saumaz, f. su- SEW. Hence seam vb. XVI, seamstress, sempstress XVII.

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seaman

OE. smann, with Gmc. parallels.

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séance

session of a body of persons, spec. spiritualists' meeting. XIX. — F., f. OF. seoir :- L. sedre SIT; see -ANCE.

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sear1

become withered OE.; cause to wither XV; burn, char XVI. OE. sarian = OHG. srn :- Gmc. saurjan, f. sauraz SERE.

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sear2

portion of a gun-lock that engages with the notches of the tumbler. XVI. prob. — OF. serre grasp. lock, bolt, (now) foot of a bird of prey. f. serrer grasp, hold fast :- Rom. serrre, for late L. serre bar, bolt, f. sera bar for a door.

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search

examine thoroughly; look for; also intr. XIV. — AN. sercher, OF. cerchier (mod. chercher) :- late L. circre go round, f. L. circus CIRCLE. So search sb. XIV. — AN. serche, OF. cerche (†cherche), if not f. the vb.

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season

(appropriate) time or period XIII; period of the year (spring, summer, autumn, winter); time of breeding, etc. XIV. ME. seson, -(o)un — OF. seson (mod. saison) :- L. sati, -n- sowing, in Rom. time of sowing, seed-time, f. IE. s-, as in L. satus sown (cf. SOW2) So season vb. render more palatable by the addition of a spice, salt, etc. XIV; bring to maturity XVI. — OF. saisonner (repl. by mod. assaisonner). Hence seasonable, seasonably XIV, seasonal XIX. seasoning †impregnation; savoury addition to a dish. XVI. The sense-development in the vb., as shown in Rom. dialects, is presumed to have been: ‘sow’, ‘cultivate at a favourable time’, ‘ripen, mature’, ‘cook well’, ‘add flavouring to’.

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seat

†sitting XII; place or thing to sit on XIII; place of residence. — ON. sti = OE. esete, MDu. gesaete (Du. gezeet), OHG. gaszi (G. gesäss) :- Gmc. zastjam, f. st- set- SIT. Hence vb. XVI.

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sebaceous

greasy, oily. XVIII. f. L. sbceus, f. sbum tallow, rel. to SOAP; see -ACEOUS.

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sebesten

plum-like fruit of the genus Cordia. XIV. — medL. sebestn — Arab. sibistn — Pers. sapistn.

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sec

(of wines) dry. XIX. — F. :- L. siccus.

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secant

in full s. line. XVI. — F. sécant adj., sécante sb. — modL. use of L. secns, -ant-, prp. of secre cut; see SECTION, -ANT.

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secateurs

XIX. — pl. of F. sécateur, irreg. f. L. secre cut (see SECTION) + -ateur -ATOR.

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secede

withdraw from an association. XVIII. — L. scdere, f. SE- + cdere go, CEDE. So secession XVII. — F. or L.

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seclude

shut off or away. XV. — L. scldere, f. SE- + claudere shut; see CLOSE. So seclusion XVII. — medL.

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second1

coming next after the first XIII; next in rank or succession (e.g. s. lieutenant) XIV; from XVI in various techn. (mainly ellipt.) uses as sb. — (O)F. second, fem. -onde — L. secundus following, favourable, second, f. base of sequ follow. So second sb. 1/60 of a minute. XIV. — (O)F. seconde — medL. secunda, sb. use of fem. of secundus, secunda minuta ‘second minute’ being the result of the second operation of sexagesimal division. secondary belonging to the second class or order XIV; also sb. XV. — L. secundrius; hence secondarily XV.

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second2

support, back up. XVI. — F. seconder — L. secundre favour, further, f. secundus (see prec.).

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second3

(mil., etc.) transfer (an officer) temporarily to other duties. XIX. f. F. phr. en second in the second rank (said of officers). Hence secondment XIX.

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seconde

(fencing) the second of the eight parries. XVIII. — F., sb. use of fem. of second SECOND1.

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secrecy

XVI. repl. †secretie (XV), f. secre or SECRET + -TY2 or -Y3.

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secret

adj.
and sb. XIV (also secre(e) — OF. secré). — (O)F. — L. scrtus (n. scrtum used sb.), pp. of scernere, f. SE- + cernere separate, distinguish, secrete, (pp. sifted).

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secretary

†confidant XIV; one employed to conduct correspondence, keep records, etc. XV; minister at the head of a department of state XVI. — late L. scrtrius confidential officer, sb. use of adj. f. scrtus SECRET; see -ARY. So secretariat office of secretary. XIX. — F. secrétariat; see -ATE1. secretaire writing-bureau. XIX. — F. secrétaire secretary, with transf. meaning prob. suggested by ESCRITOIRE, secretoire (XVII–XIX).

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secrete1

produce by secretion. XVIII. f. scrt-, pp. stem of L. scernere separate (see SECRET), partly as a back-formation on secretion (XVII) — F. sécrétion or med. use of L. scrti, -n-. So secretory (-ORY2) XVII.

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secrete2

hide out of sight. XVIII. alt., after L. scrtus SECRET, of secret vb. (XVI), f. the adj.

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secretive

XIX. Back-formation from secretiveness (also XIX), name in phrenology of a propensity, modelled on F. secrétivité, f. secret SECRET; see -IVE.

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sect

†class (of persons); †religious order; †sex; religious following; philosophical school XIV; religious denomination XVI; school of opinion XVII. — (O)F. secte or L. secta following (used as cogn. obj. in sectam sequi follow a certain course of conduct), party faction, school of philosophy, f. older pp. stem sect- of sequ follow. So sectary member of a sect. XVI. — medL. sectrius. Hence sectarian adj. and sb. XVII; whence sectarianism XIX.

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section

cutting; subdivision of a written or printed work or document; part cut off XVI; drawing of an object as if cut through XVII. — F. section or L. secti, -n-, f. sect-, pp. stem of secre cut, f. IE. sek-.

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sector

plane figure contained by two radii and the arc of a curve intercepted by them; instrument invented by Thomas Hood for the mechanical solution of mathematical problems (orig. containing a graduated arc) XVI. — late L. techn. use of L. sector (agent-noun of secre cut); see prec. and -OR1.

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secular

A
pert. to the world, worldly XIII; not sacred, profane XV; non-religious XVI;
B
occurring once in an age XVI; living or lasting for an age or for ages XVII; sb. secular cleric XIII. In A — OF. seculer (mod. séculier) — L. sæculris, f. sæculum generation, age, in ChrL. the World (esp. opp. to the Church); in B immed. — L. sæculris; see -AR. So secularity XVII. — (O)F. or medL.

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secure

(arch.) feeling no care; safe, certain. XVI. — L. scrus, f. SE- + cra care (see CURE); cf. SURE. Hence secure vb. make secure XVI; make sure of, get hold of XVIII. So security XV. — (O)F. sécurité or L. scrits.

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sedan

closed vehicle for one person carried by means of two poles. XVII. poss. based on a dial. var. of a Rom. deriv. of L. sella SADDLE.

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sedate

adj.
XVII. — L. sdtus, pp. of sdre settle, assuage, calm, f. sd- sed-, as in sedre SIT; see -ATE2. So sedation XVI. — F. or L. sedative adj. XV; sb. XVIII. — (O)F. or medL.

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sedentary

remaining in one place XVI; pert. to or involving a sitting posture XVII. — F. sédentaire or L. sedentrius, f. sedent-, prp. stem of sedre SIT; see -ENT, -ARY.

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sederunt

(Sc.) sitting of an assembly. XVII. sb. use of L. sdrunt ‘(there) sat’ (viz. the following persons, i.e. at a meeting), 3rd pl. pt. indic. of sedre SIT.

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sedge

coarse grassy plant. OE. se. :- Gmc. sazja-, saz- sez- :- IE. sek- cut, repr. by L. secre.

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sedilia

(n. pl.) series of (three) seats in the sanctuary of a church; rarely sg. sedile XVIII. — L. sedlia, pl. of sedle, f. sedre SIT; see -ILE, -IA2.

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sediment

XVI. — F. sdiment or L. sedimentum settling, f. sedre SIT, settle; see -MENT.

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sedition

†violent party strife XIV; †revolt, mutiny XVI; behaviour inciting to rebellion XIX. — (O)F. sédition or L. sditi, -n-, f. sd- SE- + iti going, f. it-, pp. stem of re go. So seditious XV. — (O)F. or L.

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seduce

divert from allegiance or service XV; induce (a woman) to surrender her chastity; lead astray XVI. In earliest use sedu(i)se — (O)F. seduis-, inflexional stem of séduire; later assim. to L. sdcere, f. SE- + dcere lead. So seduction XVI. — F. or L.

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sedulous

diligent or persistent in application. XVI. f. L. sdulus eager, zealous, f. sdul zealously, carefully, for s dol ‘without guile’, (hence) with zeal; see SE-, -OUS.

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sedum

(bot.) genus the British species of which are known as stonecrop. XV (cedum). — L.

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see1

pt. saw, pp. seen perceive with the eyes. OE. str. vb. son = OS., OHG. sehan (Du. zien, G. sehen), ON. sjá, Goth. saihwan :- Gmc. se?wan — IE. seq-, by some identified with the base of L. sequ follow, the etym. sense being ‘follow with the eyes’.

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see2

seat, spec. bishop's seat or throne XIII; episcopal office or authority XIV. — AN. se(d), OF. sie(d) :- Rom. sedem, alt. (after L. sedre) of sdem (nom. -es) seat, f. sd- sed- SIT.

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seed

that which is or is to be sown; †offspring OE.; †semen XIII. OE. sd, Ang. sd, corr. to OS. sd (Du. zaad), OHG. si (G. saat), ON. sáð, Goth. -sps :- Gmc. sðiz, sðam, f. sæ- SOW2. Hence seed vb. XIV (intr.). seedling XVII. seedy full of seed XVI; (sl.) shabby (from the appearance of a plant that has run to seed) XVIII; unwell XIX. Hence seedlip basket for seed. OE. sdlap; f. lap basket.

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seek

pt., pp. sought (arch.) try to find or obtain; also intr. OE. s.an, earlier s.an = OS. skian (Du. zoeken), OHG. suohhan (G. suchen), ON. sœkja, Goth. skjan :- Gmc. skjan, f. base sk- :- IE. sg- sg-, repr. also by L. sgre perceive by scent, Gr. hgeîsthai lead, OIr. saigin I seek, approach.

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seel

stitch up the eyes of (a hawk, etc.), also transf. XV. Later form of †sile (XIV) — OF. ciller, siller or medL. cilire, f. L. cilium eyelid.

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seem

†befit, BESEEM XII; appear to be XIII. — ON. sœma honour (MSw. befit), f. sœmr fitting, seemly, f. sm-, whence also OE. sm reconciliation, sman settle, reconcile, rel. to sam- SAME. So seemly XIII. ME. semeliche — ON. sœmiligr.

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seep

ooze; percolate. XVIII. perh. dial. development of OE. sipian, rel. to MLG. spen, MHG. sfen, presumably = OE. spian, surviving in dial. sipe, of unkn. orig.

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seer

one who sees visions of divine things XIV; one who sees XV; magician, crystal-gazer XVII. f. SEE1 + -ER1.

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seersucker

XVIII. — Pers. r o akkar ‘milk and sugar’, striped linen garment.

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see-saw

redupl. formation based on SAW1 (as if orig. sung by sawyers), and used in rhythmical jingles, see saw sacke a downe (sacaradown), see saw sack a day, see saw Margery Daw XVII; game at which children sitting on each end of a pivoted plank move each other up and down XVIII; plank so used XIX. Hence as vb. XVIII.

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seethe

†boil OE.; soak, steep XVI; be inwardly agitated XVII. OE. str. vb. soðan = OS. sioðan, OHG. siodan (Du. zieden, G. sieden), ON. sjóða, f. Gmc. seuþ- sauþ- suð-, repr. also by ON. sauþr sheep (‘boiled flesh’), Goth. sauðs sacrifice, and OE. sað pit, cistern, pond.

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segment

sb.
XVI. — L. segmentum, f. sec-, stem of secre cut; see -MENT. Hence vb. XIX.

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segregate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. sgregre, f. SE- + grex, greg- flock; based on segregate pp. (XV); see -ATE3. So segregation XVI. — late L.

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seguidilla

Spanish dance of 3/4 or 3/8 time. XVIII. — Sp., f. seguida following, sequence, f. seguir :- Rom. sequere, for L. sequ follow.

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seidlitz

s. powder (XIX), named after †S. salt and water (XVIII), because of its aperient prcperties; name of a village in Bohemia where there is a spring impregnated with magnesium sulphate and carbonic acid.

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seigneur

French feudal lord XVI; in Canada, one of the landed gentry XVIII. — (O)F. :- L. senior, -r- SENIOR. So seigniory (-Y3) †lordship XIII; feudal lordship XV. Hence seigniorial XIX (earlier seigneurial XVII).

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seine

large fishing-net. OE. sene = OS., OHG. segina :- WGmc. sagina — L. sagna (whence OF. saïne, mod. seine) — Gr. sagn; reinforced in ME. from of.

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seisin

(chiefly leg.) possession. ME. se(i)sin(e) — AN. sesine, OF. seisine, (also mod.) saisine, f. seisir SEIZE; see -INE4.

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seismic

XIX. f. Gr. seismós earthquake, f. seíein shake; see -IC. So seismo-, comb. form.

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seize

A
put in (feudal) possession (of);

B
take possession or hold of XIII;
Top

C
arrive at XVI;
Top

D
(naut.) lash together with cord, etc. XVII; (of surfaces) unite XIX. — OF. seisir, (also mod.) saisir :- Gallo-Rom., Frankish L. sacre, of Gmc. orig.
Top
Hence seizure XV.

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selachian

(pert. to) a shark or allied fishes. XIX. f. modL. Selach (- Gr. selákh, pl. of sélakhos shark) or Selachi; see -IAN.

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selah

Heb.
selh, occurring often at the end of a verse in the Psalter and in Habbakuk 3, supposed to be a musical or liturgical direction, perh. indicating a pause.

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seldom

OE. seldan (with late var. seldum), corr. to MLG., MDu. selden (Du. zelden), OHG. seltan (G. selten), ON. sjaldan, f. Gmc. selda-, repr. also in OE. seldli., selli., strange, wonderful, Goth. sildaleiks wonderful.

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select

specially chosen, picked. XVI. — L. slectus, pp. of sligere choose out, f. SE- + legere collect, choose. So vb. pick out. XVI. f. pp. stem of the L. vb. selection XVII. — L. Hence selective XVII.

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selenite

sulphate of lime or gypsum (identity of the mineral so I amed by ancient writers is dubious). XVI. — L. selnts (also -tis) — Gr. selnts, f. seln moon, so called because supposed to wax and wane with the moon. So selenium (chem.) rare non-metallic element. XIX. — modL., f. Gr. seln; so named because of its similarity in properties to tellurium (f. L. tellus earth), with ref. to the moon's relation to the earth as a satellite.

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self

A
(arch.) in apposition with a sb. or pron., e.g. he self, superseded by emphatic prons., as himself, ourselves OE.;
B
adj. †the same, the very OE.; (of a colour) the same throughout XVII
C
sb. (pl. selves) individual or particular person XIII; (chiefly philos.) the ego XVII. OE. self str., selfa wk. = OS. self, selbo, OHG. selb, selbo (Du. zelv, -zelve, -zelfde, G. selb-, selbe), ON. (only str.) sjálfr, Goth. (only wk.) silba :- Gmc. selba-, selban-, of unkn. orig. Hence selfhood, selfish XVII; selfsame the very same XV.

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Seljuk

epithet of certain Turkish dynasties. XIX. Turk. Selçuk name of the reputed ancestor of these. So Seljukian XVII.

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sell

pt., pp. sold †give up; dispose of for money. OE. sellan = OS. sellian, OHG. sellen, ON. selja give up, sell, Goth. salijan offer sacrifice.

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sellender

var. of SALLENDER.

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seltzer

effervescent mineral water obtained near Nieder Selters in Germany; also a similar artificial one. XVIII. alt. of G. Selterser (with g. pl. ending), f. Selters.

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selvage, selvedge

edge of a piece of woven material finished so as to prevent unravelling. XV. f. SELF + EDGE, after early mod. Du. selfegghe (now zelfegge), LG. sülfegge.

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semantic

†relating to signs of the weather XVII (rare); pert. to meaning XIX; sb. pl. science of the meanings of words XX. — F. sémantique — Gr. smantikós significant, f. smaínein show, signify, f. sêma sign; see -IC. So semasiology XIX. — G. semasiologie, f. Gr. smasí signification. Hence sematology doctrine of signs in relation to knowledge XIX; semasiology XIX.

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semaphore

signalling apparatus. XIX. — F. sémaphore, irreg. f. Gr. séma sign, signal + -phoros -PHORE. So semaphoric XIX.

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semblance

†act of appearing XIII; appearance, likeness XIV; outward seeming of XVI. — (O)F., f. sembler :- L. similre, simulre, see SIMULATE, -ANCE.

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semée

(her.) covered with many small spots or figures. XVI. -F., pp. fem. of semer :- L. sminre SOW.

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semeio-

comb. form of Gr. smeîon sign, f. sêma signal. semeiology sign language XVII; branch of medicine concerned with symptoms XIX. semeiotic XVII, -cal XVI relating to symptoms. — Gr. smeitikós.

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semen

seed of male animals. (XIV) XVIII. — L. smen, f. base of serere SOW2.

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semester

academic half-year. XIX. — G. — L. smestris, f. s-, comb. form of sex SIX + mnsis MONTH.

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semi-

comb. form repr. L. smi- (partly through F., It., etc. semi-) ‘half’, (less strictly) ‘partly’, ‘partially’, equiv. in meaning to DEMI- and HEMI-, but in much more extensive use. L. smi- corr. to Gr. hmi-, Skr. smi, and OS. sm-, OHG. smi-, OE. sm- (as in sambærned half-burnt, samcwic ‘half-alive’, half-dead). Exx. are semibreve XVI, semicircle XVI (L. smicirculus), semicircular XV (late L. -circulris). semicolon XVII, semiquaver XVI, semitone XVII (cf. late L. smitonium), semivowel XVI (L. smivoclis).

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seminar

group of students meeting for systematic instruction XIX. — G. — L. sminrium (see next).

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seminary

†seed-plot XV; place of production, cultivation, or education XVI. — L. sminrium, sb. use of n. of sminrius, f. smen, smin- seed; see -ARY. Hence seminarist one trained in a seminary. XVI.

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semio-,

etc. See SEMEIO-.

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Semite

Hebrew, Arab, Assyrian, or Aramaean, regarded as a descendant of Shem (Gen. 10). XIX. — modL. Smta, f. (Vulg.) Sm — Gr. Sm Shem; see -ITE. So Semitic XIX.

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semolina

hard grains left after bolting of flour. XVIII. alt. of It. semolino, dim. of semola bran, based on L. simila flour.

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sempiternal

everlasting. XV. — (O)F. sempiternel — lateL. sempiternlis, f. L. sempiternus, f. semper always, for ever + æviternus ETERNAL.

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sempstress

see SEAM.

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senarius

(pros.) iambic trimeter. XVI. — L. snrius, sb. use of adj., f. sn six each, f. sex SIX.

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senate

XIII. — (O)F. sénat — L. sentus, f. senex, sen- old (man); see SENIOR, -ATE1. So senator (OR1) XIII. — (O)F. sénateur — L. sentor, -rem.

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send1

pt., pp. sent cause or direct to go. OE. sendan = OS. sendian (Du. zenden), OHG. sendan (G. senden), ON. senda, Goth. sandjan :- Gmc. sandjan, f. sand- (whence OE. sand message, messenger) :- sanþ-, causative of senþ-, repr. by OE., OS. s, OHG. sind, sint, ON. sinn, Goth. sinþs journey. Comp. send-off XIX (orig. U.S.).

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send2

(naut., of a ship) fall with head or stern deep in the trough of the sea. XVII. often written (')scend, as if aphetic of DESCEND. which may in fact be the source.

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sendal

thin rich silk material. XIII. — OF. cendal, sendal, obscurely derived from Gr. sindon.

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seneschal

official in a great household administering justice, etc. XIV; governor XV. — OF. seneschal (mod. sénéchal) :- medL. seni-, siniscalcus — Gmc. siniskalkaz, f. seni- old cf. SENIOR) + skalkaz servant (OE. s.ealc, etc., Goth. skalks).

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senhor

XVIII. Pg. analogue of SEÑOR; fem. senhora (dim. senhorita ).

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senile

pert. to old age. XVII. — F. sénile or L. senlis, f. sen- of senex old; see next and -ILE.

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senior

person superior by reason of age or station XIV: adj. older, elder XV; that ranks higher XVI. — L. senior, compar. of senex old, rel. to Gr. hénos (in hén last day of the moon), Goth. sineigs old, sinista elder. So seniority XV. — medL.

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senna

(leaflets of) the cassia plant. XVI. — modL. sen(n)a — Arab. san.

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sennet

set of notes on a trumpet, etc., to announce ceremonial entrances and exits. XVI. perh. var. of SIGNET.

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sennight

(arch.) week. OE. seofon nihte seven nights, ME. seoueniht(e), later sennyzt (XV); see SEVEN, NIGHT, and cf. FORTNIGHT.

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sennit

var. of SINNET.

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señor

Sp. title of respect for a man. XVII. — Sp. :- L. senior, -r- SENIOR; fem. seora (XVI) (dim. seorita ).

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sensation

operation of any of the senses, physical feeling XVII; condition of excited feeling XVIII. — medL. sensati, -n-, f. L. snsus SENSE; see -ATION. Hence sensational XIX.

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sense

meaning, signification XIV; faculty of perception or sensation; actual perception or feeling XVI. — L. snsus faculty of feeling, sensibility, mode of feeling, thought, meaning, f. sns-, pp. stem of sentre feel. Hence sense vb. perceive (in several techn. uses). XVI. sensuous XVII (-uous). So sensible perceptible by the senses XIV; cognizant, conscious XV; having good sense XVI. — (O)F. or L. sensitive having sensation. XIV. — (O)F. or medL. sensorium seat of sensation in the brain. XVII. — late L. sensual (-AL1) XV. — late L.

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sentence

†meaning, sense XIII; †way of thinking; opinion, judgement, or decision pronounced; †apophthegm, maxim XIV; †passage of a writing; grammatically complete expression of a thought XV. — (O)F. — L. sententia mental feeling, opinion, judgement, f. sentre feel; see -ENCE. So vb. XIV. — (O)F. sentencier. sententious †full of meaning XV; aphoristic XVI. — L. sententisus. sentient capable of feeling. XVII.

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sentiment

†feeling, sensation; mental attitude, opinion; mental feeling, emotion XVII; refined and tender feeling XVIII. — (O)F., refash. of OF. sentement — medL. sentmentum. f. L. sentre feel; see -MENT. Hence sentimental (-AL1) XVIII.

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sentinel

sentry; †duty of a sentry; †military watch-tower XVI; †(in full private s.) private soldier XVIII. — F. sentinelle — It. sentinella, of unkn. orig. Hence vb. XVI.

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sentry

†sentinel; armed member of the fighting forces set to keep guard. XVII. perh. shortening of †centrinell, -onel (XVI), vars. of SENTINEL, with assim. to -RY. comp. sentry-go , †orig. phr. consisting of sentry sb. (used vocatively) and imper. of Go; (hence) patrol or duties of a s. XIX.

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sepal

(bot.) division of the calyx. XIX. — modL. sepalum; formed (1790) by N. J. de Necker , perh. f. SEPARATE + PETAL.

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separate

vb.
XV. f. pp. stem of L. sparre, f. SE- + parre make ready, PREPARE; partly after †separate pp. (XV); see -ATE3. So separation XV. — (O)F. — L. separatist one who advocates (ecclesiastical) separation. XVII. f. separate adj., which was used contemp. as sb. in the same sense.

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sepia

A
cuttlefish XVI;

B
rich brown pigment prepared from its inky secretion XIX. — L. spia — Gr. spí. In B prob. immed. — It. seppia.
Top

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sepoy

†(rare) horseman XVII; Indian native soldier under European discipline XVIII. — (prob. through Pg. sipae) Urdu — Pers. siph horseman, soldier, f. siph army.

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seps

very venomous serpent XVI; skink of the genus Chalcides XIX. — L. sps — Gr. sps, base of spein rot.

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sepsis

putrefaction. XIX. — modL. — Gr. spsis, f. spein rot, putrefy. So septic XVII. — L. — Gr. sptiks.

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sept

(Irish) clan. XVI. poss. alt. of sect (also so used XVI); cf. AL. septus (XVI), and medL. septa, repr. OF. sette sect, It. setta.

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September

ninth month of the year, formerly seventh month of the year beginning in March. XI. — L. September or (in ME.) F. septembre, earlier †setembre, f. septem SEVEN.

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septenarius

(pros.) line of 7 feet or stresses. XIX. — L., f. septn, distributive of septem SEVEN. So septenary sb. XVI, adj. XVII. septennial XVII; see BIENNIAL. septentrional northern. XIV. — L. septentrionlis, f. septentrins ‘seven plough-oxen’ (tri plough-OX), i.e. the seven stars of the Great Bear; see -AL1. septet(te) (mus.) composition for seven voices or instruments. XIX. — G. septet; see -ET, -ETTE.

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septi-

comb. form of L. septem SEVEN. septillion XVII. — F.; see BILLION. septuagenarian 70 years old XVIII; also sb. — L. septuagnrius, f. distrib. septuagn, f. septugint seventy; see -ARIAN. So septuagenary XVII. Septuagesima third Sunday before Lent; †the seventy days beginning with this. XIV. — L. fem. of septugsimus, ordinal of septugint. Septuagint †the ‘seventy translators’ of the Old Testament into Greek XVI; the translation traditionally attributed to them XVII. — L. septugint.

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septum

(anat., bot., zool.) dividing wall or partition. XVIII. — L. sptum, sæptum, f. spre, sæpre enclose, f. spes, sæpes hedge.

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sepulchre

XII. ME. sepulcre — (O)F. sépulcre — L. sepulcrum, erron. -chrum, f. stem of sepultus, pp. of sepelre bury. So sepulchral XVII. — F. or L.; see -AL1. sepulture (arch.) burial. XIII. — (O)F. sépulture — L. sepultra.

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sequacious

given to following another (slavishly). XVII. f. L. sequx, sequci-, f. sequ follow, f. IE. base repr. also by Gr. hépomai, Ir. sechur I follow; see -IOUS. So sequel †train of followers, following XV; what follows as a result XV; ensuing course of affairs, narrative, etc. XVI. — (O)F. séquelle or L. sequla (-ella), f. sequ. sequela, pl. sequelae morbid affection resulting from a disease. XVIII. — L. sequence (liturg.) piece of rhythmical prose or accentual metre following the epistle at Mass XIV; order of succession, run of cards XVI. — late L. sequentia, f. sequns, -ent- (whence sequent following XVI), prp. of sequ.

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sequester

set aside, remove XIV; confiscate XVI. — (O)F. séquestrer or late L. sequestrre, f. sequester depositary of a thing in dispute, lit. ‘one standing apart’, f. sequos, secus apart, otherwise. So sequestrate XVI. f. pp. stem of L. sequestrre. sequestration XIV. — (O)F. or late L.

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sequin

Italian gold coin XVII; small spangle for the ornamentation of dresses XIX. — F. — It. zecchino, f. zecca the mint — Arab. sikka die for coining.

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sequoia

(tree of a) genus of large American conifers. XIX. — modL., f. Sequoiah, name of a Cherokee Indian who invented a syllabary for his native language.

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serac

tower of ice on a glacier. XIX. — Swiss F., orig. name of a compact white cheese, prob. deriv. of L. serum whey.

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seraglio

harem; Turkish palace. XVI. — It. serraglio — Turk. — Pers. sari palace.

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serai

CARAVANSERAI; Turkish palace. XVII. — Turk. — Pers. sari lodging, residence, palace.

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seraph

one of the seraphim. XVII. Back-formation from SERAPHIM, -in. So seraphic pert. to the seraphim; ecstatic in worship or devotion. XVII. — medL. seraphicus. seraphical XVI.

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seraphim

the living creatures with six wings of Isaiah 6, in early Christian interpretation taken to be a class of angels. OE., ME. seraphin, later seraphim (XVI) — biblical L. seraphim, -in ( = Gr. seraphím, -pheím) — Heb. serphm, pl. of srph.

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sere

(arch.) dry, withered. OE. sar = MLG. sr (LG. soor, Du. zoor) :- Gmc. sauraz :- IE. souss, repr. also by Gr. aûos, (Attic) haûos, and rel. to L. sdus dry.

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serenade

music performed at night in the open air, esp. by a lover. XVII. — F. sérénade — It. serenata, f. sereno SERENE, in sense infl. by sera evening; see -ADE. Hence vb. XVII.

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serendipity

faculty of making happy discoveries by accident. XVIII. Coined by Horace Walpole from the title of the fairy-tale ‘The Three Princes of Serendip’, the heroes of which were always making such discoveries; see -ITY.

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serene

(of weather, etc.) clear and calm; honorific epithet of a prince XVI; (of persons) calm, untroubled XVII. In both the early senses first in Sc. — L. sernus clear, fair, calm (whence It. sereno). So serenity XV (first in Sc. as a title of honour). — (O)F. or L.

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serf

†slave XV; person in servitude ‘attached to the soil’ XVII. — (O)F. :- L. servus slave.

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serge

woollen fabric. XIV. ME. sarge, later serge (XVI) — OF. sarge, later serge :- Rom. srica, for L. srica, fem. of sricus — Gr. srikós of SILK.

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sergeant, serjeant

†servant XII; †common soldier; †tenant by military service below a knight; officer charged with the arrest of offenders, etc. (now in s. at arms); (after law L. serviens ad lgem serjeant-at-law) XIII; officer of the Corporation of London XV; military non-commissioned officer XVI. — OF. sergent, serjant (mod. sergent) :- L. servientem (see -ANT), prp. of servre SERVE (cf. SERVANT). The form with j has become appropriated to leg. use.

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sericulture

cultivation of silk. XIX. Shortened — F. sériciculture, f. late L. sricum silk, n. of sricus; see SERGE, CULTURE.

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series

XVII. — L. seris row, chain, series, f. serere join, connect. So serial XIX (first of the publication of a literary work). — modL. serilis; see -AL1. seriatim XVII. — medL.

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serif

(typogr.) fine cross-stroke at top or bottom of a letter. XIX. perh. — Du. schreef dash, line.

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seringa

XVIII. — F. — L. SYRINGA.

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serious

of grave or solemn disposition XV; requiring earnest thought XVI. — (O)F. sérieux or late L. srisus, f. srius (used only of things in classical times), perh. rel. to the Gmc. base repr. by OE. swr, swr, OHG. swr (G. schwer) heavy; see -IOUS. serio- used as comb. form (see -O-), as in serio-comic (XVIII).

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sermon

XII. ME. serm(o)un — AN. sermun, (O)F. sermon :- L. serm, -n- talk, discourse.

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sero-

used as comb. form (see -O-) of SERUM. XIX.

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serous

pert. to serum. XVI. — F. séreux or medL. sersus, f. SERUM.

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serpent

scaly limbless reptile, snake XIV; wind instrument of wood shaped with three U-shaped turns XVIII. — (O)F. serpent :- L. serpns, -ent-, sb. use of prp. of serpere creep, cogn. with Gr. hérpein, Skr. sárpati; see -ENT. So serpentine XIV. — (O)F. — late L.; see -INE1.

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serpigo

creeping skin disease. XIV. — medL., f. serpere crawl. So serpiginous XVII. — modL.

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serpula

marine annelid which inhabits a tortuous calcareous tube. XVIII. — modL. use of late L. serpula, dim. f. L. serpere (see SERPENT).

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serrate

notched like a saw. XVII. — L. serrtus, f. serra saw; see -ATE2. So serrated (-ED1) XVIII.

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serried

in close order. XVII. Either (i) f. (arch.) serry press close together in the ranks (XVI), prob. f. (O)F. serré, pp. of serrer :- Rom. serrre press close, alt. of L. (in comps.) serre, f. sera lock, bolt; or (ii) sp. of †serred (disyll.), pp. of †serr (XVI) — (O)F. serrer; see -ED1.

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serum

watery animal fluid. XVII. — L. serum whey, watery fluid.

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serval

†lynx; bush cat. XVIII. — modL., F. serval — Pg. (lobo) cerval ‘deer-like (wolf)’, f. cervo :- L. cervus deer; see -AL1.

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servant

personal or domestic attendant XIII; one under obligation to work for (and obey) another XIV. — OF. servant m. and fem. (now only fem. -ante), sb. use of prp. of servir SERVE; see -ANT and cf. SERGEANT.

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serve

be a servant (to). XIII; many deriv. uses from the same date. — (O)F. servir or L. servre, f. L. servus slave. So service^1 condition or work of a servant. XII (serfise, seruise). — OF. servise, (also mod.) service, or — L. servtium slavery. serviceable XIV. — OF. serviette table napkin. XV. In earliest use only Sc. (seruiot, -iat, later seruit), since c.1800 re-adopted in gen. Eng. use with F. sp. — (O)F. serviette towel, napkin, f. servir; see -ETTE. servile pert. to a slave or to laborious or mechanical work XIV; of slavish character XVII. — L. servlis. servitor †(man)servant XIV; †one who serves in war XVI; former class of exhibitioner at Oxford university XVII. — OF. servitor (mod. serviteur) — late L. servtor. servitude slavery XV; (Sc. leg.) subjection or subservience of property XVI. — (O)F. — L. servitd. servo- XIX, in servo-motor — F. servo-moteur auxiliary motor (see -O-).

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service2

tree of the genus Sorbus XVI (sarves, servyse). orig. pl. of †serve, OE. syrfe :- Gmc. surbjn — popL. sorbea, f. L. sorbus service tree.

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sesame

E. Indian plant, Sesamum indicum. XV (in early use hardly naturalized and appearing in various forms). — L. ssamum, ssamum, ssama, -ima — Gr. sésamon, ssám. Since late XVIII the currency of sesame is due to translations of ‘The Arabian Nights’ from F. (sésame) and the trisyll. pronunc. to Gr. ssám.

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sesqui-

prefix denoting one and a half. — L. :- smisque a half in addition (see SEMI-): in musical terms, e.g. sesquialtera (denoting the proportion 1 ½:1) XVI; in other terms, e.g. sesquipedalian a foot and a half long XVII; in chem. terms, denoting a proportion of 3 to 2 between constituents of compounds XIX.

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sess

var. of CESS (in Ir. use). XVI.

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sessile

(path.) adhering close to the surface; (nat. hist.) immediately attached to the base XVIII; sedentary XIX. — L. sessilis, f. sess-, pp. stem of sedre SIT; see -ILE.

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session

sitting together for conference, spec. judicial sitting XIV; continuous series of meetings XVI; act of sitting, occupation of a seat XVII. — (O)F. session or L. sessi, -n-, f. sess-, pp. stem of sedre SIT; see -ION.

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sesterce

ancient Roman coin, orig. equiv. to 2½ asses. XVI. — L. sestertius that is two and a half, f. smis half + tertius third; see SEMI-. So sestertium 1000 sesterces. XVI. — L.

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sestet

(mus.) composition for six voices or instruments; last six lines of a sonnet. XIX. — It. sestetto, f. sesto sixth; see -ET.

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sestina

poem of six six-line stanzas. XIX. — It. sestina, f. sesto sixth; prec.

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set1

pt., pp. set cause to sit; (hence) place, put, with many spec. applications lit. and fig. OE.; †subside OE. (late); (of a luminary) go down, sink below the horizon XIII (prob. after ON. refl. setjask). OE. settan = OS. settian (Du. zetten), OHG. sezzan (G. setzen), ON. setja, Goth. satjan :- Gmc. satjan, causative of setjan SIT.

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set2

A
setting of a luminary XIV;

B
in various applications of the senses ‘act of setting’, ‘manner or position in which a thing is set’, ‘something that is set’ from XV. Mainly f. SET1; but sense A may be in part due to ON. -setr, -seta (as in slarsetr, -seta sunset).
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set3

number or group of persons XIV; number or collection of things XVI. orig., in sense ‘sect’ — OF. sette :- L. secta SECT, but in later developments infl. by SET1 and apprehended as ‘number set together’ (cf. SET2); the application to things may be partly due to MLG. gesette set or suite of things.

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seton

thread, etc. drawn through a fold of the skin to maintain an issue XIV; the issue itself XVI. — medL. st, -n-, app. f. L. st bristle, in medL. also silk.

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settee1

(hist.) vessel with lateen sails used in the Mediterranean. XVI (settea, later sattee, satia, settee). — It. saettia, held to be f. saetta arrow :- L. sagitta.

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settee2

seat to hold two or more persons. XVIII. of uncert. orig.

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setter

dog of a breed trained to mark the position of hunted game. XVI. f. SET1 + -ER1.

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setterwort

species of hellebore. XVI. prob. — MLG. siterwort, the first el. of which is of unkn. origin; see WORT1.

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settle1

†seat OE.; long wooden bench with a high back XVI. OE. setl, corr. to MLG., MDu. setel, OHG sezzal (G. sessel), Goth. sitls :- Gmc. setlaz. setlam, rel. to L. sella saddle :- sedl, f. sed- SIT; see -LE1.

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settle2

place in a certain position OE.; come to rest after movement or agitation XIII; sink down XIV; render stable, establish XIV; fix, determine, make an agreement XVI. OE. setl(i)an place (rare; implied also in setlung sitting-down, setting of the sun). f. setl SETTLE1.

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setwall

(root of) the plant Valeriana officianalis. XIII. ME. zedewal, zeduale, cetewale — AN. zedewale, OF. citoual — medL. zedole, var. of zedorium ZEDOARY.

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seven

OE. seofon = OS. sibun (Du. zeven), OHG. sibun (G. sieben), ON. sjau, Goth. sibun :- Gmc. sebun :- IE. sept, repr. by Skr. saptá, Gr. heptá, L. septem, OSl. sedm, Lith. septyní, OIr. secht. So seventeen OE. seofontene. seventh XIV. New formation, directly f. SEVEN + -TH2, repl. (i) OE. (Angl.) seofunda, ME. sevende = OS. sivondo, OHG. sibunto (G. siebente), ON. sjaundi :- Gmc. sebundan-, (ii) OE. seofoða, ME. seveþe, repl. in ME. by sevene = OS. sivoðo :- Gmc. sebunþo-. seventy OE. (hund)seofonti = OS. sivuntig, OHG. sibunzug, ON. sjautigr; see -TY1.

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sever

XIV. — AN. severer, OF. sevrer (now, wean) :- Rom. sperre, for L. sparre SEPARATE. So several existing apart; pert. to an individual; also sb. XV. — AN. several (whence medL. severlis) — medL. sparlis, f. L. spr separate; see -AL1. severance XV. — AN. severance, OF. sevrance.

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severe

extremely strict XVI; extremely grievous, exacting, or painful XVII. — (O)F. sévère or L. sevrus. So severity XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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severy

(archit.) compartment of a roof or scaffolding. XIV (revived XIX). — AN. civorie, OF. civoire ciborium.

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Sèvres

Name of a town in France, near Paris, designating a costly porcelain. XVIII (Sev(r)e).

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sew

pt. sewed, pp. sewn, sewed join together with thread, etc. OE. si(o)wan = OHG. siuwen, ON. sýja, Goth. siujan :- Gmc. siwjan, f. IE. siw- sju-, repr. also by L. suere, Gr. -súein.

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sewer1

artificial channel for draining. XV. — AN. sever(e), ONF. se(u)wiere channel to carry off overflow from a fishpond :- Rom. exaquria, f. exaqure (f. L. EX-1 + aqua water), whence OF. essever drain off.

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sewer2

(hist.) attendant who arranged a meal and tasted the dishes. XIV. Aphetic — AN. asseour, f. (O)F. asseoir place a seat for :- L. assidre, f. AS + sedre SIT.

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sewin

kind of salmon trout. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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sex

males or females collectively XIV (rare before XVI); condition in respect of being male or female XVI. — (O)F. sexe or L. sexus m., rel. to synon. secus n. So sexual XVII. — late L.; see -AL1.

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sex-

comb. form of L. sex SIX, as in techn. terms, e.g. (zool.) sexdigital, (chem.) sexvalent. sexagenarian XVIII. sexagenary pert. to 60 XVI; aged 60 XVII. Sexagesima XVI (earlier †-ime XIV) second Sunday before Lent (cf. SEPTUAGESIMA). sexagesimal (-AL1) (math.) pert. to or based on 60 XVII. sexcentenary of 600 XVIII; of a period of 600 years XIX. sexennial see BIENNIAL. sext (eccl.) the third of the day hours of the Church, so called because orig. allocated to the sixth hour of the day (midday). XV. — L. sexta, sb. use of fem. of sextus SIXTH.

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sextant

(astron.) instrument resembling a quadrant having a graduated are equal to 1/6 of a circle. XVII. — modL. use of L. sextns, -ant- sixth part (of an as, etc.), f. sextus SIXTH. sextet(te) XIX. alt. of SESTET after L. sex SIX. sextile (astrol.) pert. to the aspect of two heavenly bodies which are 60 or 1/6 of the zodiac distant. XVI. — L. sextlis, f. sextus SIXTH. sextillion see BILLION. †sextodecimo size of a book in which the leaf is 1/16 of the sheet, †decimosexto; sixteenmo. XVII. sextuple sixfold. XVII.

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sexton

sacristan, (later) guardian of a church fabric and churchyard, bell-ringer and grave-digger. XIV. ME. segerstane, secristeyn, sekesteyn, sexteyn, (from XVI) sexton — AN., OF. segerstein, secrestein — medL. sacristnus SACRISTAN.

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sforzando

(mus.) direction for emphasis. XIX. — It., gerund of sforzare use force.

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sh

excl. to enjoin silence, also written 'sh as if an abbrev. of HUSH, of which it is the common int. equiv. XIX.

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shabby

dingy and faded; contemptibly ungenerous. XVII. Parallel to †shabbed (OE. s.eabbede), as scabby to scabbed; f. shab scab (OE.), low fellow (XVII), OE. s.ceabb = ON. skabbr SCAB; see -Y1.

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shabrack

saddle-cloth. XIX. — G. schabracke, F. schabraque; ult. — Turk. çaprak.

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shack

(N. Amer.) XIX. of uncert. orig.

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shackle

sb. fetter OE.; transf. uses from XIV. OE. s.(e)acul, corr. to LG. schäkel link of a chain, hobble, Du. schakel, ON. skkull wagon-pole, f. Gmc. skak-; see -LE1. Hence vb. XV.

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shad

fish of the genus Alosa. Late OE. s.eadd, of unkn. orig.

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shaddock

fruit of Citrus grandis. XVII. f. name of Captain Shaddock , who introduced it into Barbados.

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shade

shadow; protection from glare or heat OE.; concr., as in lampshade, sunshade XVII; disembodied spirit (pl. the shades Hades); degree of colour; slight degree XVIII. OE. s.(e)adu fem. (obl. cases repr. by SHADOW), and obl. cases s.eade, s.eadu, etc. of s.ead n.

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shadow

comparative darkness; image cast by a body intercepting light; shelter from light and heat. XII. ME. sceadewe, shadewe, repr. obl. forms, s.ead(u)we, of OE. s.eadu SHADE, corr. to OS. skado (Du. schaduw), OHG. scato(G. schatte, later schatten), Goth. skadus :- Gmc. skaðwaz, skaðw; cf. Gr. skótos darkness, OIr. scth shadow. So vb. OE. s.eadwian = OS. skadowan, skadoian (Du. schaduwen), OHG. scatewen, Goth. -skadwjan. Hence shadowy (-Y1) XIV.

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shaft1

rod of spear, etc. OE.; long straight part of an object XIV; long bar or rod in a vehicle or machine XVII. OE. s.æaft, s.eaft = OS. skaft, OHG. scaft (Du., G. schaft), ON. skaft :- Gmc. skaft- perh. to be referred to IE. skp-, skbh- support, as in L. scpus shaft, stem, shank, Gr. (Doric) skpton staff.

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shaft2

long well-like excavation giving access to a mine XV. — MLG. schacht, prob. spec. application of SHAFT1.

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shag1

rough hair or wool OE.; cloth having a velvet nap XVI; fine-shredded tobacco (in full s. tobacco, i.e. a use of the adj.) XVIII. Late OE. s.eacga, rel. to ON. skegg beard (:- skazjam), OE. s.eaga coppice, SHAW. Hence XVI. †shagged. Late OE. s.eacgede (-ED2); superseded by shaggy (-Y1) XVI. Not evidenced between OE. and late XVI.

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shag2

cormorant. XVI. perh. a use of SHAG1 (sb. or adj.), with ref. to the bird's shaggy crest.

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shagreen

untanned leather. XVII. var. sp. of chagrin — F. — Turk. sari rump, skin of this.

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shah

king of Persia. XVI (shaw, shaugh). — Pers. h, shortening of OPers. yaiya-.

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shake

pt. shook, pp. shaken †go, move; vibrate, cause to vibrate. OE. str. vb. s.(e)acan = OS. skakan, ON. skaka :- Gmc. skakan. Hence shaky (-Y1) XVIII.

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shako

military cap. XIX. — F. schako — Hung. csákó peak, peaked cap — G. zacken point, spike.

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shale

XVIII prob. — G. schale (not used in this sense, but cf. schalstein laminated limestone, schalgebirge mountain system of thin strata) = OE. s.(e)alu SCALE1.. So shaly (-Y1) XVII.

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shall

pt. should. Gmc. preterite-pres. vb., with a new wk. pt. (cf. CAN2, etc.) orig. meaning †I owe, (hence) †I ought, must, am to, passing thence into a tense-sign of the future and a mark of contingency. OE. s.eal = OS. skal (Du. zal). OHG. scal (G. soll), ON., Goth. skal; Gmc. (skel-) skal- skul-, repr. also by OE. es.ola, OS., OHG. skolo, Goth. skula debtor, OE. s.yld, OS. skuld, OHG. sculd, sculda (G. schuld) debt, guilt.

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shalloon

woollen fabric. XVII. — (O)F. chalon, f. name of Châlons-sur-Marne, France.

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shallop

sloop; dinghy. XVI. — F. chaloupe — Du. sloep SLOOP.

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shallot

small Onion, Allium ascalonicum. XVII. Aphetic of †eschalot — F. eschalotte (now échalotte), alt. of OF. esc(h)aloigne SCALLION.

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shallow

not deep. XV. Obscurely rel. to synon. OE. s.eald, ME. schald; see SHOAL1.

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sham

sb. †trick, fraud XVII; spurious imitation XVIII; adj. false, counterfeit XVII; vb. †defraud. hoax; †attempt to pass off; counterfeit, assume appearance of XVII. of uncert. orig.; poss. north. dial. var. of SHAME.

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shaman

priest among N. Asiatic tribes. XVII. — G. schamane, Russ. shamán.

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shamble

walk with an ungainly gait. XVII (late). f. shamble adj. ungainly, shambling (early XVII), perh. orig. in s. legs, which may have orig. meant ‘legs straddling like those of the trestles of a meat table’ (see next); see -LE3.

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shambles

(dial.). meat-market (orig. flesh s.) XV; slaughter-house XVI. orig. pl. of shamble table or stall for the sale of meat (XIV), spec. use of OE. s.(e)amul stool, table = OS. -skamel, OHG. -scamil footstool; WGmc. — L. scamellum, dim. of scamnum bench.

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shame

feeling of disgrace; state of disgrace, circumstance causing this OE.; modest feeling XIV. OE. s.(e)amu = OS., OHG. skama (Du. schaam- in comps., G. scham), ON. skmm :- Gmc. skam; on the same base are formed OE. s.and, OHG. scanda (G. schande), Goth. skanda disgrace. So shame vb. OE. s.(e)amian intr. and impers. shamefaced modest, bashful. XVI. alt., by assim. to FACE, -faced, of (arch.) shamefast, OE. s.(e)amfæst (FAST1; -fæst is a common suffix of OE. adjs. equiv. to -ful, -ous). shameful, -less OE. s.(e)amful, -las.

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shammy

XVIII. repr. pronunc. of CHAMOIS.

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shampoo

massage (as now in a Turkish bath) XVIII; wash and rub (the scalp) XIX. — Hind. cpo, imper. of cpn.

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shamrock

XVI. — Ir. seamrg, dim. of seamar clover.

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shandy(gaff)

mixture of beer and ginger-beer or lemonade. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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shanghai

(naut. sl., orig. U.S.) render insensible and ship on board a vessel wanting hands (perh. orig. one destined for Shanghai). XIX. f. Shanghai, name of a Chinese seaport.

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shank

shin-bone, tibia OE.; stem, shaft XVI. OE. s.eanca = LG. schanke, Flem. schank :- WGmc. skankan, rel. to MLG. schenke, Du. schenk leg bone (:- skankiz), LG., (M)HG. schenkel (:- skankilaz); the base corr. formally to that of ON. skakkr (:- skankaz) wry, distorted, lame, and Gr. skázein limp. Phrs. Shanks's mare, pony for ‘the legs as a means of transport’ are orig. Sc. (XVIII), the pl. of the common noun being joc. turned into a surname.

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shanty1

roughly built cabin or hut. XIX (first in N. Amer. use). perh. — Canadian F. chantier.

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shanty2

sailor's song. XIX. app. corruption of F. chantez, imper. of chanter sing.

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shape

external or visible form; †sexual organs OE.; guise XVI; form or kind of structure XVII. orig. OE. es.eap creation, creature, form, pudendum, decree, destiny, corr. to OS. giskapu pl. creatures, decrees, ON. skap condition, pl. fate; f. Gmc. skap- base of the vb. So shape vb. †create; fashion, form. Early ME. new formation on the pp., repl. orig. OE. s.(i)eppan, corr. to OS. giskeppian, Goth. gaskapjan; f. Gmc. skap- create, fashion; first established as a wk. vb. XVI; the OE. pp. survives chiefly in misshapen. shapeless XIII. shapely †fit, suitable; well-shaped. XIV (see -LY1).

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shard, sherd

(dial.) gap; fragment of broken earthenware. OE. s.eard, corr. to MLG. skart crack, chink. MDu. scarde, schart flaw, fragment (Du. schaard), (M)HG. scharte, ON. skarð notch, gap, sb. uses of the adj. repr. by OE. s.eard, OS. skard, OHG. -scart, ON. skarðr :- Gmc. skarðaz cut, notched, diminished, pp. formation on skar- sker- SHEAR.

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share1

cutting blade of a plough. OE. s.ær, s.ear, corr. to MLG. schar(e), OHG. scar(o), scare (G. schar); WGmc. deriv. of Gmc. skar- sker- SHEAR.

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share2

allotted portion XIV; portion of a property owned by a number in common XVI. The earliest exx. are in AN. and AL. documents; repr. spec. development of OE. s.earu lit. ‘cutting, division’, recorded only in senses ‘tonsure’, ‘fork of the body’, and in comps.; corr. to OS. skara feudal service, troop, MLG. schare troop, share, OHG. scara troop, share of forced labour (Du. schaar, G. schar troop, multitude), ON. skari :- Gmc. deriv. of skar- sker- cut, divide, SHEAR. Hence share vb. XVI.

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shark

large voracious seafish XVI; rapacious or extortionate person XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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sharp

having a keen edge or point; keen, acute; severe, harsh; pungent OE.; shrill XIV; (mus.) XVI; sb. uses date from XIV. OE. s.(e)arp = OS. skarp (Du. scherp), OHG. skarf, scarpf(G. scharf), ON. skarpr :- Gmc. skarpaz; cf. OE. s.earpe scarification, s.earpian scarify, OHG. scurfen (G. schürfen scratch), and SCRAPE. Hence sharpen XV. superseding (dial.) sharp, OE. s.ierpan, s.erpan; see -EN5. sharper cheat, swindler. XVII. See -ER1; cf. sharp vb. swindle (XVII). sharply (-LY2), sharpness OE.

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shatter

(dial.) scatter, disperse XII; break in pieces XV. orig. and relation to SCATTER uncert., there being no evidence for either word before XII.

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shave

scrape, pare away OE.; remove with a razor XIII. OE. str. vb. s.(e)afan = OS. skaban, OHG. scaban (Du. schaven, G. schaben), ON. skafa, Goth. skaban :- Gmc. skaban. The vb. became wk. XIV, with the literary survival str. pp. shaven. Hence shaveling (-LING1) tonsured ecclesiastic. XVI. shaver (-ER1) ONe who shaves XV; †plunderer, swindler; (hence colloq.) fellow, chap, wag XVI.

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shaw

(dial.) thicket, copse. OE. s.eaga, corr. to NFris. skage farthest edge of cultivated land, ON. skagi promontory, rel. to OE. s.eacga (see SHAG1).

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shawl

Oriental oblong article of dress made in Kashmir from the hair of a goat of Tibet XVII; in the West, outer covering for the shoulders (and head) XVIII. Earliest forms (s)chal, scial, shaul; ult. — Urdu, etc. — Pers. l, prob. f. Shlit, a town in India.

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shawm

(hist.) medieval wind instrument. XIV. ME. schallemele, pl. chalm(e)yes, schalmes, later (sg.) schalmus, shawme (XVI). — (i) OF. chalemel (mod. chalumeau) :- Rom. calamellus, dim. of L. calamus reed — Gr. kálamos; (ii) OF. (unexpl.) chalemie; (iii) OF. chalemeaus, pl. of chalemel.

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shay

chaise. XVIII (also chay). Back-formation from CHAISE, misapprehended as pl.

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she

3rd sg. fem. nom. pers. pron. This form repr. east midl. ME. scæ (XII), sze, sse, sche (XIII), parallel with which there were ME. scho, sho and zho, zhe. All types appear to be developments of the OE. fem. pers. pron. ho, acc. he.

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sheaf

OE. s.af = OS. skf (Du. schoof), OHG. scoub sheaf, bundle or wisp of straw (G. schaub), ON. skauf fox's brush :- Gmc. skaubaz (-am), f. skaub- skeub- skub- (see SHOVE).

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shear

pt. sheared, †shore, pp. sheared, shorn. OE. str. vb. s.(i)eran = OS. -skeran (Du. scheren), OHG. sceran, (G. scheren), ON. skera :- Gmc. skeran. Hence shearling (-LING1) sheep that has been shorn Once. XIV. shearwater bird of the genus Puffinus. XVII. shears pl. (rarely sg.) scissors, now only of a large kind. OE. (i) s.rero pl., (ii) s.ara, pl. of s.ar fem., corr. to MLG. schre, MDu. scre, scre (Du. schaer), OHG. skr, pl. skri (G. schere), ON. skri n. pl.

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sheat-fish

freshwater fish Silurus glanis. XVI. Earlier sheath-fish, prob. f. SHEATH + FISH.

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sheath

OE. s.æð, s.eað = OS. skðia (Du. scheede, schee), OHG. sceida (G. scheide), ON. skeiðir pl. scabbard :- Gmc. skaiþiz, skaiþj, prob. f. skaiþ- divide (see SHED1).

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sheave

pulley. XIV. repr. OE. s.ife, rel. to OS. skba, (M)LG, MDu. schve (Du. schijf), OHG. scba (G. scheibe), f. base meaning variously disc, wheel, pulley, pane of glass, slice of bread.

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shebeen

illicit public house XVIII. — Anglo-Ir. síbín, séibín, f. séibe liquid measure, mug.

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shed1

pt., pp. shed †separate, divide OE.; (dial.) spill, let fall, pour, send forth as an emanation XII; give forth, diffuse XIV; cast off XVI. OE. str. vb. s.(e)dan, corr. to OS. skdan, OHG. sceidan (Du., G. scheiden), Goth. skaidan :- Gmc. skaiðan, skaiþan. Beside orig. OE. s.(e)dan, repr. by early ME. shode, a var. with falling diphthong s.adan arose, from which the present shed descends. The OE. vb. retained its str. conjugation in WS., but is found only wk. in Nhb.; str. forms persisted to some extent in ME., but wk. forms finally prevailed.

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shed2

†separation OE. (dial.) parting of the hair XIV; ridge of ground dividing valleys (cf. WATERSHED) XVI; spacing between the threads of the warp XVIII. OE. (e)s.ad, alt. of (e)s.ad f. base of SHED1.

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shed3

slight structure for shelter. XV (shadde). prob. specialized use of shad(de), shed(de), by-forms of SHADE.

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sheen

(poet.) beautiful, bright, resplendent. OE. (Angl.) s.ne, (WS.) s.ene = OS., OHG. skni (Du. schoon, G. schön), Goth. skauns :- Gmc. skauniz, skaunjaz, f. skau- behold (see SHOW). Hence sb. brightness. XVII. Apprehended as abstr. noun of SHINE; whence sheeny (-Y1) XVII.

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Sheeny

(sl.) Jew. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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sheep

OE. (Angl.) s.p, (WS.) s.p, s.ap = OS. skp (Du. schaap), OHG. scf (G. schaf) :- WGmc. skpa, of which no cogns. are known. Hence sheepish (-ISH1) XII.

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sheer1

†bright, shining; (of fabrics) thin, fine; unmixed, unqualified XVI; rising perpendicularly without a break XVIII. prob. alt. of (dial.) shire clear, pure, mere, thin, weak, OE. s.r = OS. skr(i), ON. skírr, Goth. skeirs :- Gmc. skraz, skrjaz, f. skí- SHINE.

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sheer2

(of a ship) turn aside. XVII. perh. — (M)LG., (M)HG. scheren; identical with SHEAR.

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sheer3

(naut.) curve of a ship. XVII. prob. f. SHEAR.

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sheer hulk

hulk of a disused ship fitted with hoisting shears. XVIII. f. sheers (identical with SHEARS) device for raising masts, etc., the form of which suggests a pair of shears + HULK.

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sheet1

broad piece of linen (etc.) covering OE. (as an article of bedding XIII); piece of paper or parchment for writing or printing on; broad expanse XVI. OE. (Angl.) s.te, (WS.) s.ïete, f. Gmc. skaut- skeut- skut- (see SHOOT), One meaning of which is ‘project’. The unmutated stem is repr. by OE. s.at corner, region, lap, bosom, skirt, cloth = MLG. scht, (M)Du. schoot lap, sail-rope, OHG. scz (G. schoss) skirt, lappet, lap, ON. skaut corner, quarter, skirt, bosom, sail-rope, Goth. skauts hem of garment, and the forms S. V. SHEET2.

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sheet2

rope attached to lower (leeward) corner of a sail. XIV. repr. OE. s.ata lower corner of a sail, but used for scatline (see LINE2) = MLG. schtlne (cf. ON. skautreip), prob. after ON. skaut or MLG., MDu. schte, both in this sense. OE. s.eata corr. to (M)LG. schte, OHG. scoza skirt, ON. skauti kerchief; cf. SHEET1.

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sheet-anchor

largest of ship's anchors. XV (shute anker), XVII (sheet a.). The earliest forms point to deriv. from †shoot sheet of a sail (XV to XVII) — (M)LG. schte, (M)Du. schoot (see SHEET1, 2); the connection in sense is not obvious.

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sheikh

XVI. ult. — Arab. aik (prop.) old man, f. ka grow old.

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shekel

Semitic unit of weight, chief silver coin of the Hebrews. XVI. — Heb. eel, f. kal weigh.

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shekinah

manifestation of the Divine Majesty ‘between the cherubims’ (Exod. 25: 22, etc.). XVII. — late Heb. ckhînh, f. khan rest, dwell.

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sheldrake

bird of the genus Tadorna. XIV. prob. f. (dial.) sheld particoloured, pied, rel. to MDu. schillede variegated, f. schillen diversify (modDu. verschillen differ) + DRAKE2.

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shelf1

horizontal slab of wood, etc. to hold objects XIV; ledge or terrace of land XIX (shelfy adj. XVIII). — (M)LG. schelf shelf, set of shelves; rel. to OE. s.ylfe partition, compartment, s.ylf partition, compartment, s.ylf rugged rock, crag, pinnacle. Hence shelves vb. †project like a shelf; provide with shelves. XVI.

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shelf2

sandbank in the sea or a river. XVI. prob. alt., by assoc. with prec., of synon. †shelp (XV), repr. OE. s.ylp, of unkn. orig.

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shell

hard outer covering of an animal, fruit, etc.; scale or scale-like object OE.; hollow or concave object XVI; exterior cover or case (spec. one containing powder and shot) XVII. OE. (Angl.) s.ell, (WS.) s.iell = (M)LG., MDu. schelle, schille, Du. schel, schil pod, rind, scale, shell, ON. skel sea-shell, Goth. skalja tile :- Gmc. skalj, f. skal- (cf. SCALE1, 2). Hence vb. XVI.

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shellac

lac melted into thin plate for use as varnish. XVIII. f. SHELL sb. + LAC.

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Shelta

cryptic language of Irish tinkers, gipsies, etc., known also among them as sheldr, shelter. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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shelter

sb. XVI. of uncert. orig. Hence vb. XVI.

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shelve

†tilt XVI; slope gradually XVII. perh. back-formation from shelvy having sandbanks (XVI), f. SHELF2 + -Y2.

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shemozzle

(sl.) muddle, quarrel, mêlée. XIX. Also shlemozzle; of Yiddish orig., and based on late Heb. ellmazzl, i.e., el of, l' not, mazzl planet, planetary influence, luck.

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shepherd

sb. Late OE. s.aphierde; see SHEEP, HERD2. Hence vb. XVIII, shepherdess XIV.

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Sheraton

name of Thomas Sheraton (1751–1806), furniture-maker and designer, applied to his products. XIX.

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sherbet

Oriental drink XVII; preparation in powder form for making an effervescing drink XIX. — Turk. erbet, Pers. arbat — Arab. arb, f. ariba vb. drink.

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sherd

see SHARD.

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sherif, shereef

descendant of Muhammad through his daughter Fatima; sovereign ruler of certain states. XVI. — Arab. arf noble, glorious, f. arufa be exalted.

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sheriff

representative of the royal authority in a shire or county. OE. s.rerfa, f. s.r SHIRE + erfa REEVE. Hence sheriffalty XVI; see SHRIEVALTY.

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sherry

still white wine of a type orig. made near Xerez (now Jerez), a town in Andalusia, Spain. XVI. alt. of sherris (XVI), apprehended as a pl. or derived from sherris sack (see SACK2), i.e. Sherries, repr. old pronunc. of Xerez.

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shew

see SHOW.

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shewbread

twelve loaves placed every Sabbath ‘before the Lord’ in the Jewish temple. XVI. f. shew, var. of SHOW vb. + BREAD, after G. schaubrot, repr. Heb. lehem pnim ‘bread of presence’.

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shibboleth

Heb. word used by Jephthah as a test word to distinguish the fleeing Ephraimites, who could not pronounce sh, from his own men, the Gileadites (Judges 2: 4–6) XIV; (gen.) word used as a test for detecting foreigners; catch-word adopted by a party XVII. — Heb. ibbleth stream.

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shiel

(Sc. and north. dial.) shed, shanty, hut. XIII. ME. shle, shle, of unkn. orig. Hence shieling piece of pasture for cattle; rough hut. XVI. See -ING1.

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shield

article of defensive armour; (fig.) protection, OE. s.(i)eld = OS., OHG. scild (Du., G. schild), ON. skjldr, Goth. skildus — Gmc. skelduz, prob. orig. ‘board’ and so f. base skel-divide, separate (cf. SCALE1). Hence vb. OE. s.eldan, s.ildan.

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shift

A
†arrange OE.;

B
change XIII;
Top

C
alter the position of XIV. OE. s.iftan = MLG. schiften, schichten, MHG. schihten (G. schichten), ON. skipta divide, separate, change, f. base skip- as in ON. skipa arrange, assign.
Top
Hence shift sb. A. expedient, contrivance, evasion; B. †change; (spec.) of clothing; (esp.) woman's chemise XVI; C. change of position, removal XVIII. Hence shifty (-Y1) XVI.

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Shite

member of the Shiah sect of Muslims. XVIII. f. Shiah (XVII) — Arab. ' a sect, f. ' a follow; see -ITE.

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shikar

hunting, sport. XVII. — Urdu — Pers. ikr.

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shillelagh

Irish cudgel. XVIII. f. name of a barony and village in County Wicklow, Ireland, known for its oaks.

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shilling

OE. s.illing = OS., OHG. skilling ((M)Du. schelling, G. schilling), ON. skillingr, Goth. skilliggs :- Gmc. skillingaz, of unkn. orig.

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shilly-shally

phr. stand or go shill I, shall I vacillate, be irresolute XVII; adj. vacillating; sb. vacillation XVIII. f. shall I, with variation of vowel.

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shimmer

Late OE. s.ymrian, s.imerian = (M)LG., (M)Du. schmeren be shaded or shadowy, glimmer, glitter, G. schimmern, iterative (see -ER4) f. Gmc. skim-, extension of sk- SHINE1. Obs. in XVII; revived by Scott XIX. Hence sb. XIX.

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shin

OE. s.inu = (M)LG., MDu. schne (Du. scheen), OHG. scina, shin, needle (G. schiene thin plate); the basic meaning is prob. ‘thin or narrow piece’.

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shindy

shinty; spree; commotion. XIX. unexpl. alt. of shinty (i) game resembling hockey (XVIII), (ii) row, commotion (XIX), later var. of shinny (XVII), an earlier name of the game. Shinny and shinty appear to be derived from cries used in the game, shin ye, shin you, and shin tpye; of unkn. orig.

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shine1

pt., pp. shone. OE. str. vb. s.nan = OS. sknan, OHG. scnan (Du. schijnen, G. scheinen), ON. skína, Goth. skeinan :- Gmc. sknan, f. sk-; cf. SHEER1, SHIMMER. Hence shine sb. XVI; whence (unless f. the vb.) shiny (-Y1) XVI.

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shine2

(dial.) convivial party; (colloq.) row, disturbance. XIX. perh. uses of prec. sb., but the senses are like those of SHINDY.

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shingle1

piece of wood used as a house tile. XII. ME. scincle, scingle, singel, repr., with unexpl. modification, L. scindula, later form of scandula after Gr. skhídax, skhindalms. Hence vb. roof with shingles XVI; (orig. U.S.) cut (the hair) so as to produce the effect of overlapping tiles XIX.

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shingle2

(beach covered with) small roundish stones. XVI. of obscure orig. and history.

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shingles

eruptive disease often extending round the middle of the body. XIV. Late ME. schingles, cingules, sengles — medL. use of L. cingulus, var. of cingulum girdle.

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Shinto

native religion of Japan. XVIII. — Jap. shint — Chinese shin tao way of the gods.

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shinty

see SHINDY.

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ship

sb. OE. s.ip = OS. skip (Du. schip), skif (G. schiff), ON., Goth skip skipam, OHG. of unkn. orig. So ship vb. late OE. s.ipian. Hence shipman (arch.) seaman, sailor. OE. s.ipman. shipment XIX. shipmoney (hist.) impost for providing ships for the navy. XVII. shipper (-ER1) †seaman OE.; one who ships goods XVIII. ship-shape trim, orderly. XVIII. alt. of †ship shapen (XVII) ‘arranged in ship fashion’, i.e. SHIP sb., and pp. of SHAPE. shipwreck what is cast up from a wreck XI; destruction or loss of a ship XV.

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-ship

suffix denoting state or condition:
1. added to adjs. and pps.; of the numerous OE. exx., only HARDSHIP and WORSHIP survive;
2. added to sbs. to denote the state or condition of being what is expressed by the sb., the qualities or character associated with, the power implied by, and spec. the position or dignity designated by the sb., as in OE. fronds.ipe FRIENDSHIP, hlfords.ipe LORDSHIP, similarly in authorship, craftsmanship, fellowship, horsemanship, kingship, stewardship. In early mod. Eng. it is added to a sb. to denote a state of life relating to what is denoted by the sb.; courtship (XVI) is the chief instance. TOWNSHIP is the one survival of a group of OE. sbs. with coll. sense.

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shire

†official charge; †district under a governor, bishop's see, etc.; administrative district later called county OE. (hence terminal element in names of counties XII). OE. s.r = OHG. s.ra care, official charge; of uncert. orig.

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shirk

†practise fraud or trickery; (dial.) slink, sneak away XVII; evade (duty, etc.) XVIII. rel. to †shirk sponger, perh. — G. schurke scoundrel.

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shirt

OE. s.yrte, corr. formally to (M)LG. schrt(e), schorte, MDu. schorte (Du. schort), G. schürze apron, ON. skyrta shirt; based on Gmc. skurt- SHORT. Hence shirty (sl.) out of temper XIX; f. phr. get (a person's) shirt (out), cause him to lose his temper; see -Y1.

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shit

vb. XVII. Superseding (dial.) shite, OE. s.tan = MLG. schten (Du. schijten), OHG. skzan (G. scheissen), ON. skíta; f. Gmc. skt- skit-. Short i was generalized from the pp. shitten (-EN6). Hence sb. XVI.

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shiver1

fragment, chip. XIII. Early ME. scifre, scivre, corr. to OHG. scivaro splinter (G. schiefer slate, for schieferstein), f. Gmc. skîff- split. So vb. XII (in †to-shiver). cf. MDu. scheveren, MHG. schiveren. (G. schiefern).

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shiver2

tremble as with cold or fear. XIII. Early ME. chivere, superseded by shiver XV, prob. by assoc. with shake (cf. chivere and schake XIV); perh. orig. referring to chattering of the teeth (cf. chevere with the chin XV) and so an alt. by substitution of -ER4 of ME. chavele, chefle wag the jaws, chatter, and chevele, chivele shiver (XIV), f. OE. .eafl jaw, JOWL.

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shoal1

shallow. XVI. alt. of late ME. scho(o)ld, Sc. schald (XIV), repr. OE. s.(e)ald (only in local names) :- skaldaz, rel. to SHALLOW. Hence shoal sb. shallow place, sandbank XVI; succeeding to late ME. schald, sholde, earlier shelde.

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shoal2

large number of fish, etc., swimming together. late XVI. prob. — MLG., MDu. schle (adopted earlier as SCHOOL2).

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shock1

pile of sheaves of grain. XIV, but implied earlier in AL. socca (XII), scoka (XIII), either repr. OE. s.(e)oc or — (M)LG., (M)Du. schok shock of corn, group of 60 units, in OS. skok = MHG. schoc(h) heap, also (as in G. schock) sixty; of unkn. orig. Hence vb. XIV.

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shock2

encounter of armed forces XVI; violent concussion XVII; sudden and disturbing impression on body or mind XVIII. In early use also †cho(c)k, †choque — F. choc. f. (O)F. choquer (whence shock vb. XVI), of unkn. orig. Hence shocking (-ING2) XVIII.

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shock3

thick mass (of hair). XIX. prob. for shock head, in which shock is adj. (XVII) rough and thick, based on †shock, †shock-dog poodle (XVII), presumably var. of †shough (XVI), of unkn. orig.

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shoddy

woollen yarn obtained by tearing up refuse rags; cloth made of this, which does not show its origin. XIX. of unkn. orig. Hence as adj. counterfeit and trashy. XIX.

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shoe

outer covering for the foot OE.; horseshoe XIV; various transf. senses from XV. OE. s.(h) = OS. skh (Du. schoen), OHG. scuoh (G. schuh) ON. skr, Goth. skhs :- Gmc. sk?az or sk?waz, with no known cogns. Hence shoe vb. pt., pp. shod. OE. s.g(e)an.

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shogun

hereditary commander-in-chief of the Japanese army. XVII. — Jap. shgun, for sei-i-tai shgun ‘barbarian-subduing great general’ (shgun repr. Chinese chiang chiin ‘lead army’).

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shoo

repr. excl. used to drive away birds, etc. XV (schowe, ssou). Hence vb. XVII.

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shoot

pt., pp. shot go swiftly and suddenly; send forth (spec. missiles); wound or kill with a shot. OE. str. vb. s.tan = OS. skietan (Du. schieten), OHG. sciozzan (G. schiessen), ON. skjta :- Gmc. skeutan, f. skeut- skaut- skut-. Hence sb. act of shooting XVI; sloping channel or conduit (cf. SHUTE) XIX.

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shop

building where goods are sold XIII (in AL. schopa XI); building set apart for work XV. Aphetic — AN., OF. eschoppe (mod. échoppe) lean-to booth, cobbler's stall — MLG. schoppe, corr. to OE. s.(e)oppa, OHG. scopf porch (G. schopf).

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shore1

land bordering on a piece of water. XIV. — MLG., MDu. schre, perh. f. the base of SHEAR.

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shore2

oblique support for the side of a building. XV. — MLG., MDu. schre (Du. schoor) prop, stay. So vb. prop up. XIV. — (M)LG., (M)Du. schren.

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short

opp. long OE.; not reaching a certain standard XIV; friable, brittle XV. OE. s.eort = OHG. scurz :- Gmc. skurtaz. Hence shortage (orig. U.S.) XIX. Shortcoming XVII. f. phr. come s.

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shorten

(-EN5) XVI. shorthand XVII.

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shot

act of shooting; that which is shot; payment, share (cf. SCOT). OE. s.(e)ot, es.(e)ot = OS. -skot, MLG. (ge)scot, OHG. giscoz (g. (ge)schoss), ON. skot :- Gmc. skutaz, zaskut, f. skut- skeut- SHOOT.

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shotten

pp. of SHOOT, used of a fish that has spawned XV (s. herring fig. XVI). See -EN6.

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shoulder

sb. OE. s.uldor, corr. to MLG. schuldere, (M)Du. schouder, OHG. sculter(r)a (G. schulter) :- WGmc. skuldr-, of unkn. orig. Hence vb. push with the shoulder(s) XIII; support with the shoulder(s) XVI.

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shout

loud cry; vb. utter this. XIV. ME. schoute, poss. repr. a deriv. of skt- skut- skeut- send forth forcibly, SHOOT.

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shove

pt., pp. shoved thrust, push. OE. str. vb. s.fan = MLG., MDu. schven (Du. schuiven), OHG. sciuban (G. schieben), Goth. -skiuban :- Gmc. skeuban, skaub-, skub-; cf. ON. skúfa wk. The str. pt. and pp. began to be repl. by wk. forms in XIV.

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shovel

sb. OE. s.ofl, corr. to (M)LG. schuffel, MDu. schof(f)el (Du. schoffel) shovel, hoe; with rel. forms showing a long vowel, as in OHG. scvala (G. schaufel); f. Gmc. skf- skb- SHOVE; see -EL1. Hence vb. XV.

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show, shew

pt. showed, pp. shown †look at, examine OE.; cause to be seen, point out, exhibit; make known, explain XII; be seen, appear XIII. OE. s.awian = OS. skawon (Du schouwen), OHG. scouwn (G. schauen) :- W Gmc. wk. vb. skauwjan, f. skau-see, look:- IE. skou-, repr. in Gr. thuosk()os priest lit., ‘one who attends to sacrifices’, a form without initial s- being repr. by Skr. kaví. sage, poet, Gr. keein observe, L. cavre beware. The reversal of meaning from ‘see’ to ‘cause to be seen’ is unexpl. The str. pp. shown is attested XII; the wk. showed, shewed continued till XIX. The sp. shew, shewn, repr. orig. a falling diphtong (s.aw-), as against show, which repr. a rising diphthong (s.ew-), is now of limited currency. Hence show sb. XIII; whence showy (-Y1) XVIII.

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shower

fall of rain OE.; copious fall (of missiles OE.; of tears, etc. XIV); †conflict, attack, pang XIII. OE. s.r = OS. skr, MDu. schuur (Du. schoer), OHG. scr (G. schauer) :- WGmc. skra m., beside skr fem. (ON. skúr shower of rain, of missiles, Goth. skra storm). Hence vb. XVI.

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shrapnel

shell that bursts scattering bullets. XIX (S. shell). f. name of General Henry Shrapnel (1761–1842), who invented this shell during the Peninsular War.

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shred

fragment cut or broken off OE.; fragment of textile material, also fig. XIV OE. s.rad (pl. s.rada), s.rade, corr. to OS. skrd, MLG. schrt, schrt, cut off piece, OHG. scrt (G. schrot); f. WGmc. skraud- skreud- skrüd- cut. So shred vb. †pare, trim OE.; cut into small strips or slices XIV. OE. s.radian.

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shrew1

mammal of the genus Sorex, formerly held to be venomous. OE. s.rawa, s.ræwa, rel. to OHG. scrawaz dwarf, MHG. schrawaz devil, Icel. skrggr old man, Norw. skrugg dwarf. Comp. shrewmouse XVI.

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shrew2

†malignant man XIII; person (now, woman) given to railing XIV. perh. transf. use of prec., but poss. spec. application of a word meaning ‘ill-disposed being’. Hence shrewish †wicked XIV; ill-natured, given to scolding XVI.

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shrewd

(dial.) wicked XIV; †hurtful, dangerous, grievous, serious; (arch.) severe, hard XV; †cunning, artful, (eulogistically) astute, sagacious XVI. ME. schrewed(e), f. SHREW2 + -ED2; but some of the senses suggest that the formation is a pp. (-ED1) of shrew 3 vb. curse.

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shriek

vb. XVI. Also †shreak, †shreik; parallel to (dial.) screak (XV) — ON. skrækja; other shr- forms are (dial.) shrike (XII) and shritch (XIII), repr. the base of OE. s.r..ettan. Hence sb. XVI.

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shrievalty

office of a sheriff. XVI. f. shrieve (XV–XIX), SHERIFF + -alty, repr. OF. -alté (mod. -auté), as in mayoralty.

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shrift

(†penance imposed after) auricular confession. OE. s.rift, corr. to (M)Du. schrift, OHG. scrift (G. schrift), ON. skript, skrift, f. SHRIVE; see -T1. The meanings ‘penance’, ‘confession’ are confined to Eng. and Scand. and appear to have arisen from a sense of ‘prescribed penalty’; the other langs. have only the senses immed. connected with writing.

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shrike

XVI. of obscure orig.; corr. formations are OE. s.r. thrush, MLG. schrk corncrake, rel. to vbs. cited under SHRIEK.

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shrill

XIV. Contemp. with ME. shrille vb.: superseding (dial.) shille adj. and vb., OE. s.iell, s.yl, and s.iellan, s.yllan; cf. LG. schrell, G. schrill, rel. to OE. s.ralletan, Du. schrallen.

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shrimp

small crustacean; puny person. XIV. Obscurely rel. to MLG. schrempen contract, wrinkle, schrimpen wrinkle the nose, schrumpen wrinkle, fold, MHG. schrimpfen contract, ON. skreppa slip away, and SCRIMP.

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shrine

†box, chest; repository for a saint's relics OE.; casket for a dead body, tomb XIV; temple, church XVII. OE. s.rn = MLG. schrn, MDu. schrne (Du. schrijn), OHG. scrni (G. schrein). ON. skrín; Gmc. — L. scrnium case or chest for books or papers.

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shrink

pt. shrank, pp. shrunk, shrunken †wither, cower, huddle OE.; become reduced in size or extent XIII; retreat, recoil XIV; trans. XIV. OE. str. vb. s.incan, corr. to Sw. skrynka wrinkle, Norw. skrekka, skrøkka. Shrunk, reduced form of shrunken pp., is now differentiated from the latter by being applied to the condition of being contracted by immersion or lowering of temperature.

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shrive

pt. †shrove, pp. shriven hear the confession of OE.; pass. (OE.), refl. and intr. (XIII) make one's confession. OE. str. vb. s.rfan assign, devise, impose as a sentence or penance, regard, care for = OS. skrban, OHG. scrban write, paint, describe, prescribe (Du. schrijven, G. schreiben write, spell); WGmc. (cf. ON. skrifa wk.) — L. scrbere write.

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shrivel

XVI. poss. of ON. orig. (cf. Sw. dial. skryvla wrinkle).

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shroud

A
†garment OE.; winding-sheet; veil, screen XVI;

B
†place of shelter XIV; (pl.) crypt, vault XVI;
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C
(pl.) ship's ropes leading from a mast-head XV. OE. s.rd, corr. to ON. skrùð and skrùði fittings, gear, ornaments, apparel, furniture, textile fabric, f. Gmc. skrð- skreuð- cut.
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Hence shroud vb. †clothe; cover, screen XIII.

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Shrovetide

the three days preceding Ash Wednesday. XV. Abnormally f. pt. stem shrv- of SHRIVE + TIDE sb. So Shrove Tuesday (XV). The reference is to the practice of going to confession before Lent.

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shrub1

woody plant smaller than a tree. OE. s.rybb (evidenced Once), s.rybb prob. ‘shrubbery, underwood’; cf. NFris. skrobb broom, brushwood, WFlem. schrobbe climbing wild pea or vetch, Norw. skrubba dwarf cornel, Da. dial. skrub brushwood. Cf. SCRUB2. Hence shrubbery XVIII.

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shrub2

drink prepared from acid fruit, etc. XVIII. — Arab. arb sb. drink, f. ariba vb. drink.

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shrug

shiver, shudder XIV; raise (the shoulders) in disdain, etc. XV. of unkn. orig.

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shuck

(dial., U.S.) husk XVII; valueless thing (pl. used as int.) XIX. of unkn. orig.

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shudder

vb. XIII. ME. shod(d)er — MLG. schderen, MDu. schderen, frequent. (see -ER4) f. Gmc. skûd- shake, repr. in OS. skuddian, (M)LG. schudden, OHG. scutten, scutisn. Hence sb. XVII.

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shuffle

Evidenced in the latter half of XVI in a series of senses expressive of pushing along, putting together, into, or off in a disorderly or evasive manner, and the like. — or cogn. w. LG. schuffeln, based on Gmc. skuf-; see SHOVE, -LE3.

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shun

†abhor OE.; avoid, eschew XII. OE. scunian (chiefly in -, onscunian). of unkn. orig.

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shunt

†swerve, shy, shrink away XIII; (dial.) shove XVIII; move (a railway train) from one line to another XIX. ME. schunte, perh. a deriv. of SHUN.

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shut

pt., pp. shut †fasten (a bolt), (a door, etc.) with a bolt; move (a door, etc.) so as to close an aperture XIII. OE. s.yttan (more freq. in the comp. fors.yttan) = (M)LG, (M)Du. schutten shut up, obstruct :- WGmc. skuttjan, f. Gmc. skut- skeut- SHOOT. Hence shutter XVII. Short for †window-shutter (XVII); see -ER1.

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shute

channel for conveying water to a lower level XVIII; steep channel down which stuff is shot XIX. Partly var. of SHOOT sb., partly var. sp. of CHUTE.

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shuttle

weaver's instrument for shooting the thread of the weft backwards and forwards. XIV. repr. OE. s.ytel dart, arrow, corr. to ON. skutill harpoon, bolt :- Gmc. scutilaz, f. skut- SHOOT; see -LE1.

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shy1

†easily frightened OE.; timidly averse to meeting anything XVI; unwilling to commit oneself XVII. OE. s.oh = OHG. scoh, MHG. schiech :- Gmc. skeu(w)az, whence also OHG. sciuhen (G. scheuen shun, scheuchen scare). Hence vb. XVII.

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shy2

throw (a missile). XVIII. of uncert. orig.

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shyster

(U.S. sl.) tricky lawyer, unscrupulous business man, etc. XIX. of uncert. orig.; see -STER.

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si

(mus.) seventh note of the scale in solmization. XVIII. — F. — It. si; see UT.

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sialagogue

medicine that produces saliva. XVIII. — F. — modL. sialaggus, f. Gr. síalon saliva+ aggs leading, drawing forth, f. ágein lead.

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siamang

large ape with long black hair. XIX. — Malay.

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sib

related by blood. OE. sib(b) = MDu. sib(b)e, OHG. sippi, ON. pl. fem. sifjar, Goth. -sibjis, of unkn. orig.

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sibilant

XVII. — L. sbilns, -ant-, prp. of sbilre hiss, whistle, f. sbilus whistling sound, of imit. orig.; see -ANT. So sibilation XVII. — late L.

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Sibyl

woman possessing powers of divination. XIII. — OF. Sibile (mod. Sibylle) or medL. Sibilla, L. Sibylla, Sibulla — Gr. Sibulla. So Sibylline XVI. — L.; see -INE1.

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sic

- L. sc so, thus.

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sick

ill, ailing OE.; out of condition XIV; weary of XVI; inclined to vomit, vomiting XVII. OE. soc = OS. siok (Du. ziek), OHG. sioh (G. siech), ON. sjúkr, Goth. siuks :- Gmc. seukaz, of unkn. orig. Hence sicken (-EN5) XII. sickly adj. (-LY1) XIV; whence sick vb. XVII.

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sickle

OE. sicol, sicel = MLG., MDu. sekele, sikele (Du. zikkel), OHG. sichila (G. sichel) — var. sicila of L. secula, f. secre cut.

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side

long surface, opp. to top, bottom, or end; place or aspect with reference to a centre; lateral slope, shore, etc. OE.; situation with respect to an opinion XIII. OE. sde = OS. sde (Du. zij(de)), OHG. sta (G. seite), ON. síða :- Gmc. s, prob. f. saz adj. long, deep (OE. sd, MDu. sde, zde, ON. sír), and rel. further to OE. sð late, etc. (see SINCE). Hence side vb. XV. sidelong sideways, obliquely; also adj. XVI. alt. of sideling (XIV); see -LING2, -LONG sidesman XVII. alt. of †sideman (XVI–XVII), ‘a man who stands at the side of a churchwarden’. sideways from one side, laterally, obliquely. XVI. siding taking sides XVII; concr. piece of something at the side XVIII; see -ING1. sidle move obliquely, edge along XVII; back-formation from sideling, sidelong, after vbs. in -LE3.

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sideral

pert. to the stars. XVI. — L. sderlis, f. sdus, sder- constellation, star. So sidereal XVII. f. L. sdereus; see -AL1.

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siderite

†loadstone XVI; various min. uses from XVIII. In early use — F. sidérite or L. sidrts, -tis — Gr. sidíts, — îtis, f. sídros iron; in later use f. Gr. sídros; see -ITE.

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siege

XIII. ME. sege — OF. sege (mod. siège), f. assegier (mod. assièger) BESIEGE.

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sienna

(ferruginous earth used as) a reddish-brown pigment. XVIII. Earlier terra-sienna, for It. terra de Sienna ‘earth of Sien(n)a’, a town in Tuscany.

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sierra

mountain range in Spain, etc. XVII. Sp. :- L. serra saw.

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siesta

XVII. — Sp.:- L. sexta (sc. hra) SIXTH hour of the day.

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sieve

sb. OE. sife = MLG., MDu. seve (Du. zeef), OHG. sib, sip (G. sieb) :- WGmc. sibi.

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sift

OE. siftan = MLG., MDu. siften, sichten (Du. ziften); f. WGmc. sib- (see prec.).

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sigh

vb. First in ME. pt. szide, syhid, sighed, gerund syzing, sighing (XIII), based on the stem of sihte, szte, wk. pt. of †siche :- OE. san (orig. str.); of unkn. orig. Hence sb. XIV.

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sight

thing seen, spectacle OE.; eyesight, vision; show, display, (hence) lot XIV; device to guide the eye XVI. OE. sih, more usu. esih, esiht (see Y-), corr. to OS. gisiht, MLG. sichte, MDu. sicht (Du. zicht), OHG., MHG. (ge)sicht (G. gesicht) sight, vision, face, appearance; WGmc. deriv. of se(w)- SEE1; see -T1. Hence sightly †visible; pleasing to the sight. XVI. See -LY1; now more freq. in UNSIGHTLY.

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sigla

chracters used as abbreviations. XVIII. — late L. sigla, perh. for singula, n. pl. of singulus SINGLE.

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sign

gesture to convey a meaning; mark having a meaning, token XIII; division of the zodiac XIV; device for a shop or inn XV. — (O)F. signe — L. signum mark, token. So vb. mark with a sign XIV; affix one's mark or name (to) XV. — (O)F. signer — L. signre. signal 1 sign or token (of); sign agreed upon XVI. — (O)F., alt. of earlier seignal :- Rom. (medL.) signle, sb. use of n. of late L. signlis; see -AL1. Hence signal vb. XIX. signalize XVII. signal 2 striking, remarkable. XVII. — F. signalé, earlier †segnalé — It. segnalato, pp. of segnalare make illustrious, f. segnale = OF. seignal (see above). signatory †used in sealing XVII; (forming) one of those whose signatures are attached XIX. — L. signtrius; see -ORY2. signature XVI. — F. signature (- It. segnatura) or medL. signtura, f. pp. stem of L. signre. signet small seal. XIV. -(O)F. signet or medL. signtum, dim. of signe, signum SIGN. significance meaning XV; importance XVIII. — OF. significance or L. significantia, f. prp. of significre; see -ANCE. So significant XVI. significns, -ant-. L. signification XIII. — (O)F. L. signif'y XIII. — (O)F. signifier — L. significre.

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signor

sir, Mr.; man of distinction or authority XVI. — It., clipped form of signore :- L. senior, senir- SENIOR. So signora title of respect corr. to madam, Mrs. XVII.

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Sikh

XVIII. — Hindi, rel. to Skr. í·ate learns.

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silage

ensilage. XIX. Alt. of ENSILAGE, after SILO.

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silence

abstinence from speech XIII; absence of sound XIV. — (O)F. — L. silentium, f. silns, -ent-, prp. of silre be silent; see -ENCE) So silent XVI. — L. prp.

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silhouette

portrait or picture in solid black. XIX. From F. phr. à la silhouette, f. name of Étienne de Silhouette (1709–67), controller-general in 1759; divergent reasons are given for the application.

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silica

silicon dioxide. XIX. f. L. silex, silic- flint. So siliceous pert. to flint or silica. XVII. f. L. siliceus. silicium XIX, repl. by silicon XIX. Hence silicate (-ATE2) XIX.

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siliqua

(bot.) pod of seeds of the mustard family. XVIII. — L. siliqua pod. So siliquose, siliquous XVII.

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silk

OE. sioloc, seol(e)c, for siluc, corr. to ON. silki and OSl. elk (Russ. shelk), Lith. ilka — L. sericum, for sricum, n. of sricus, f. sres — Gr. Sêres, oriental people from whom silk was first obtained and passed through Slavonic countries into the Baltic trade. Hence silken (-EN2) OE. seol(o)cen. silkworm OE. seolcwyrm. silky (-Y1) XVII.

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sill

beam forming the foundation of a wall OE.; lower horizontal part of a window opening XV; threshold XVI. OE. syll(e) = MLG. sul(le), MDu. sulle, rel. to MLG., MDu. sille, ON. svill, syll, and MHG. swelle, OHG. swelli, swella (G. schwelle threshold), Goth. gasuljan found, establish, sulja sole.

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sillabub, syllabub

dish of milk curdled with wine, etc. XVI. The earliest exx. show sol-, sul-, sel-, sil-; also dial. sillibouk; of unkn. orig.

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silly

(dial.) deserving of pity XV; †weakly; †simple, ignorant; feeble-minded, foolish XVI. Later form of seely (orig.) happy, blessed :- OE. sæli (as in unsli unhappy, slil.e, adv.) and esli, corr. to OS., OHG. slig (Du. zalig, G. selig) :- WGmc. slza, f. sliluck, happiness (OE. sel), sb. f. Gmc. base repr. also by ON. sll happy, Goth. sls good, and abstr. sb. OE. sl.

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silo

pit or underground chamber for storing grain, etc. XIX. — Sp. :- L. sirus — Gr. sirs pit to keep corn in.

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silt

XV. of uncert. orig.; perh. — a Scand. word repr. by Norw., Da. sylt, Norw. and Sw. dial. sylta salt marsh, sea beach, corr. to OLF. sulta (LG. sulte, sülte; Du. zult), OHG. sulza (G. sülze) salt marsh, salt pan, brine, f. Gmc. sult- salt- SALT.

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silvan

see SYLVAN.

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silver

OE. siolfor, seolfor = OS. silubar, silobar, (Du. zilver), OHG. sil(a)bar, silbir (G. silber), ON. silfr. Goth. silubr; Gmc. silubr-, rel. indeter- minately to various Balto-Sl. forms, perh. all ult. of Oriental orig.

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simian

ape-like. XVII. f. L. smia ape, perh, f. smus — Gr. sms snub-nosed, flat-nosed; see -IAN.

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similar

†homogeneous; like, alike. XVII (†similary XVI). — F. similaire or medL. similris, f. L. similis, based on IE. sem- som- (cf. SAME); see -AR, -ARY. Hence or — F. similarity XVII. So similitude XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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simmer

XVII. Later form of (dial.) †simper (XV), perh. of imit. orig.; see -ER4.

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simnel

bread made of fine flour. XIII. — OF. simenel, ult. f. L. simila, similg, or Gr. semídlis fine flour.

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simony

XIII. — (O)F. simonie — late L. simnia, f. name of Simon Magus in allusion to his offer of money to the Apostles Peter and John for the gift of conferring the Holy Ghost (Acts 8: 18, 19); see -Y2. So simoniac XIV (sb.; adj. XVII). — (O)F. simoniaque or medL. simoniacus. simoniacal (-AL1) XVI.

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simoom

hot suffocating sand-wind. XVIII. — Arab. samm, f. samma vb. poison.

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simper

XVI. Similar forms with rel. meanings in Scand. langs., MDu., and G. may be the immed. source or point to a Gmc. imit. orig. with the suffix -ER4.

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simple

A
free from duplicity; free from pride XIII;

B
of humble condition; ordinary, homely XIII; deficient in knowledge XIV; silly XVII;
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C
with nothing added XIV; not complex XV;
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D
sb. pl. persons of humble status; unlettered people XIV; sg. (gram.) simplex; (arch.) uncompounded substance, herb for use as such XVI. — (O)F. — L. simplus, corr. to Gr. haplos, f. IE. sm- sem- som- (cf. SAME) + pl-, as in duplus DOUBLE, triplus TRIPLE, etc.
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Hence simply XIII. So simplex consisting of a single part XVI; sb. (gram.) uncompounded word XIX. — L., with second el. as in duplex, multiplex, -plic- (see PLY1). simplicity XIV. — (O)F. or L., f. simplex, -plic- simplify XVII. — F. medL. simplification XVII.

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simpleton

XVII. f. SIMPLE + -TON.

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simulate

XVII. — pp. stem of L. simulre, f. similis SIMILAR; see -ATE3. So simulation XIV. — OF. or L.

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simultaneous

XVII. f. L. simul at the same time, prob. after instantaneous or momentaneous; see SAME, -EOUS.

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sin

transgression of the divine law. OE. syn(n) wrongdoing, offence, (also) enmity; :- sunj, rel. to OS. sundea, OHG. sunt(e)a, sund(e)a (G. sünde), ON. synd. So sin vb. OE. syngian (:- sunnizjan), ME. sun(i)gen, singen, repl. by sinne, based on the sb.

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sinapism

mustard plaster. XVII. — F. sinapisme or late L. sinpismus — Gr. sinpisms use of a mustard plaster (sinpisma), f. sínpi mustard; see -ISM.

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since

adv. †thereupon; from then till now; ago, before now XV; prp. from (a certain time) till now XVI; conj. from the time that; seeing that XV. ME. syn(ne)s, either (i) reduced form of †sithenes (XIV), f. †sithen, OE. siððan. f. sð after, or (ii) directly f. (dial.) sin (XIV), syncopated form of †sithen + -S.

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sincere

XVI. — L. sincrus. So sincerity XVI.

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sinciput

(anat.) front part of the skull. XVI. — L. sinciput, for senciput, f. smi- half, SEMI- + caput HEAD.

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sine

(math.) one of the three trigonometrical functions. XVI. — med. use of L. sinus bend, fold of toga, bosom, used to translate Arab. jaib bosom in this sense.

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sinecure

benefice without cure of souls; position with emolument but without duties XVII. — L. (beneficium) sine cra (sine without, cra care).

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sinew

tendon OE.; mainstay, chief support (sinews of war money, after L. nervi belli pecunia, Cicero) XVI. OE. sin(e)we, sionwe, etc., obl. forms of sinu, seonu = (M)LG., MDu., MHG. sene (Du. zeen, G. sehne), ON. sin :- Gmc. senaw.

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sing

pt. sang (also sung XVI–XIX), pp. sung utter with musical inflexions of the voice. OE. str. vb. singan = OS., OHG. singan (Du. zingen, G. singen), ON. syngva, Goth. siggwan :- Gmc. sezwan, rel. to Gr. omph voice. comp. sing-song jingling verse XVII; informal concert XVIII; formed on the model of DING-DONG (XVI).

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singe

OE. sen.an, sæn.an (usu. besen.an) = OS. bisengian (Du. zengen), (M)HG. sengen :- WGmc. sagjan, f. sag- seg- sug-, repr. also by Du. sengel spark, MHG. senge dryness, etc.

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single

unaccompanied; unmarried; individual; not double XIV; separate XV; one (one or a) only XVI. ME. sengle — OF. sengle, single :- L. singulus f. sim- as in SIMPLE. Hence single vb. separate, pick out. XVI. singlet (-ET) unlined undergarment for the trunk. XVIII. singleton (-TON) a single card of a suit in the hand. XIX. singly (-LY2) XIII.

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singular

†alone, solitary; one only; (gram.); †separate, single, personal; †special, particular; not customary, peculiar XVII. ME. singuler — OF. singuler (mod. singulier) — L. singulris, f. singulus SINGLE; see -ER2. The form in -er was not finally displaced by the latinized -ar till XVII. So singularity XIV. — (O)F. — late L.

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sinister

A
marked by †ill-will, †suspicion, dishonesty XV; unlucky, unfavourable XVI;

B
situated ON, or directed to, the left side (spec. her.) XV. — (O)F. sinistre or L. sinister left.
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sink

pt. sank, pp. sunk, sunken be submerged; drop to a lower level OE.; trans. (repl. ME. senchen, OE. senan) XIII. OE. str. vb. sincan = OS., OHG. sinkan (Du. zinken, G. sinken), ON. skkva, Goth. sigqan; of unkn. orig. Hence sink sb. †pit for the receipt of water, conduit XV; basin, etc. of stone, etc. having an escape pipe for water XVI (also fig.).

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Sinn Fein

Irish movement formed in 1905 by Arthur Griffith . — Ir., ‘we ourselves’.

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sinnet, sennit

(naut.) cordage made by pleating several strands of yarn, etc. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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Sino-

comb. form of Gr. Sínai, L. Sinæ the Chinese; in Sinologue one versed in Chinese civilization, etc. (XIX) modelled on F. or G. comps.

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sinter

incrustation formed by precipitation from mineral waters. XVIII. — G. sinter CINDER.

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sinuous

marked by turns or bends. XVI. — L. sinusus or F. sinueux; see next and -OUS.

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sinus

(path.) abscess, etc. XVI; (bot., anat.) cavity, depression XVII. — L. sinus semicircular fold, bosom, bay.

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-sion

repr. F. -sion, L. -si, -n-, f. s of pps. and supines + -ION.

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sip

imbibe liquid in small quantities XIV; tr. XVII. prob. symbolic modification of SUP1, to express less vigorous action; but cf. LG. sippen, which, if early enough, might be the immed. source. Hence sb. XVII.

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siphon, syphon

bent tube for drawing off liquid by atmospheric pressure. XVII. — F. siphon or L. sph, -n- — Gr. sphn pipe, tube.

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sippet

small piece of bread to be dipped in liquid. XVI. Intended as a dim. of SOP; see -ET.

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sir

title prefixed to the name of a knight or male superior, or used vocatively XIII; as a gen. term of respect XIV. ME. sir, ser, sur, unstr. vars. of SIRE.

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sirdar

military chief, as in India and Egypt. XVII. — Urdu, f. Pers. sar head + dr possessor.

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sire

†as a prefixed title or a vocative; †master, sovereign; (arch.) father XIII; male parent of a quadruped XVI. — (O)F. :- sieire :- Rom. seior, for L. senior SENIOR.

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siren

(classical myth.) fabulous female monster having an enchanting voice XIV; dangerously attractive person XVI; instrument for producing musical tones XIX. In some early texts (i) sereyn, -ayn, (ii) sirene — OF. (i) sereine, -aine, (ii) sirène — late L. Srna, fem. form of L. Srn (to which the Eng. word was finally assim.) — Gr. Seirn, pl. Seirênes.

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sirkar

†court, palace of native prince XVII; native agent, etc.; province, state XVIII. — Urdu — Pers. sarkr. f. sar head + kr agent, doer.

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sirloin

upper part of a loin of beef. XVI (surloyn, serlyn). — OF. surloigne var. of med. and modF. surlonge, f. sur over, above (see SUR-) + longe LOIN. The final prevalence of the sp. with sir- (from XVII) may have been due to the fiction that the joint was knighted by an English king.

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sirocco

oppressively hot and blighting wind blowing from the north coast of Africa. XVII. — F. sirocco, earlier †siroc(h) — It. scirocco — Arab ark, var. of ark east (wind), f. araa (the sun) rose.

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sirrah

condescending or contemptuous term of address to men and boys. XVI. Early forms syrra, sirah, also serray, sirry, surry, later (XIX) siree , prob. alt. of late ME. disyll. pronunc. of SIRE.

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sirvente

(pros.) form of poem used by the troubadours. XIX. — F. — Pr. sirventes, the final s of which was misapprehended as the pl. ending; of unkn. orig.

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sisal

(fibre of) species of Agave, etc. XIX. f. name of a port in Yucatan, Mexico.

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siskin

songbird allied to the goldfinch. XVI. — MDu. sseken, early Flem. sijsken (Du. sijsje), dim. based on MLG. ssek, MHG. zse(c) (G. zeisig), of Sl. orig.; see -KIN.

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sister

daughter of the same parent(s) as another person. XIII. — ON. systir; superseding native forms (suster, soster) repr. cogn. OE. sweoster, swuster = OS. swestar, MLG., MDu. suster (Du. zuster), OHG. swester (G. schwester), Goth. swistar :- Gmc. swestr; - swest-, swesr, repr. in L. soror sister, Gr. éor daughter, niece, etc. Hence sisterhood XIV, sisterly XVI; see -HOOD, -LY1.

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sistrum

jingling instrument or rattle used by ancient Egyptians. XIV. — L. — Gr. seistron, f. seíein shake.

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Sisyphean

useless and ineffective like the toil of the legendary Sisyphus in Hades. XVII. f. L. Ssypheius — Gr. Ssúpheios, f. Ssuphos; see -EAN.

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sit

pt., pp. sat be seated, seat oneself, †be situated OE.; †fit, suit XIII. OE. str. vb. sittan = OS. sittian (Du. zitten), OHG. sizzan (G. sitzen), ON. sitja :- Gmc. sitjan (cf. Goth. sitan), f. set- :- IE. sed- sod- sd-. repr. also by Skr. sdati, Gr. hézomai, Lat. sedre, etc.

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site

†place occupied XIV; ground on which a building, etc. is set up XV; situation of a place or building XVI. — AN. site or L. situs local position, perh. f. sit-, pp. stem of sinere leave, allow to remain. Hence vb. XVI.

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sith

(arch., dial.) since. OE. siðða, ME. siþþe, siþ(e), clipped form of siððan (see SINCE).

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situate

situated. XVI. — late L. situtus, f. L. situs SITE; see -ATE2. Hence situate vb. (-ATE2), situated XVI. So situation xv. — (O)F. or medL.

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six

OE. siex, syx, se(o)x = OS., OHG. sehs (Du. zes, G. sechs), ON. sex, Goth. saihs :- Gmc. seks, varying in IE. with sweks, and repr. by L. sex, Gr. héx, OIr. s, W. chwech, etc. So sixth (-TH2) new formation repl. sixt(e), OE. siexta = OS., OHG. sehsto, ON. setti, Goth. saihsta. sixteen OE. siextene. sixteenth (-TH2). repl. OE. syxtoða. sixty (-TY1), sixtieth (-ETH). OE. siexti, siextioða.

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size1

A
(dial.) assize(s); †ordinance for payment of tax, etc. XIII; †fixed standard of food, etc. XIV;

B
magnitude XIV. — OF. sise, size, aphetic of assise ASSIZE, or aphetic var. of Eng. word.
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So size vb.1 XIV; hence siz(e)able fairly large. XVII. Hence sizar at the Univ. of Cambridge, an undergraduate receiving a fixed allowance of food, etc XVI.

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size2

glutinous substance used to produce a ground for gilding, etc., or to mix with colours. XV. perh. identical with SIZE1, but the history is obscure. Hence size vb.2 XVII.

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sizzle

burn with a hissing sound XVII. imit.; see -LE2.

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sjambok

whip made of hide. XIX. — Afrikaans — Malay sambok — Urdu chbuk.

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skald

poet of ancient Scandinavia. XVIII. — ON. skald, of unkn. orig. Hence skaldic XVIII.

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skat

three-handed card game XIX. — G. — It. scarto cards laid aside, f. scartare discard.

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skate1

fish of the genus Raja. XIV. — ON. skata.

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skate2

device fixed on the sole of a boot for gliding over ice. XVII. orig. in pl. scates, occas. scatses — Du. schaats (pl. schaatsen), in MDu. schaetse — (with unexpl. development of sense) ONF. escace, OF. eschasse (mod. échasse) stilt. The -s of the Du. word was apprehended as a pl. ending. Hence vb. XVII.

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skedaddle

retreat hastily; (gen.) run away, clear out. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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skein

XV. Aphetic — OF. escaigne (mod. écagne), of unkn. orig.

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skeleton.

XVI. — Gr. skeletón, sb. use of n. of skeletós dried up, f. skéllein dry up.

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skene

knife or dagger of the Irish kerns and Scottish highlanders. XVI. — Ir. and Sc. Gael. sgian (g. sceine, scine).

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skep

specific quantity of grain, etc. XI; basket, hamper XIII; beehive XV. Late OE. sceppe — ON. skeppa basket, bushel, rel. to synon. OS. skepil, MLG., (M)Du. schepel, OHG. sceffil (G. scheffel).

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skerry

rugged insulated sea rock. XVII. Orkney dial., f. ON. sker.

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sketch

rough drawing; brief account or description. XVII. — Du. schets or G. skizze — It. schizzo, f. schizzare make a sketch :- Rom. schedire, f. L. schedius — Gr. skhédios done extempore. Hence vb. XVII.

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skew

†escape XIV; move sideways or obliquely XV; look sideways XVI. Aphetic — ONF. eskiu(w)er, eskuer, var. of OF. eschuer ESCHEW. So adj. oblique, slanting. XVII. f. the vb. or ASKEW. Also skew-whiff adj. and adv. XVIII.

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skewbald

irregularly marked with white and brown or red. XVII. f. synon. †skued (XV), of uncert. orig., perh. f. OF. escu (mod. écu) shield :- L. sctum; modelled on PIEBALD.

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skewer

long wooden or metal pin. XVII. var. of dial. skiver (XVII), of unkn. orig.

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ski

sb. XIX. — Norw. :- ON skiò billet of cleft wood, snow-shoe = OE. s.d. Hence vb. XIX.

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skiagram

radiograph. XIX. f. Gr. ski shadow + -GRAM. So skiagraphy XIX; cf. SCIAGRAPHY.

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skid

supporting timber XVII; wooden fender; wheel-locking device XVIII. of unkn. orig., but in form and sense resembling ON. skíð (see SKI). Hence skid vb. lock (a wheel) with a skid XVII; (of a wheel) be dragged along by having a skid applied; slip sideways XIX.

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skiff

small sea-going ship XVI; sculling- or racing-boat XVIII. — F. esquif — It. schifo — Lombardic skif = OHG. schif SHIP.

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skill

†reason; †what is reasonable XII; †cause; practical knowledge with ability XIII. — ON. skil distinction, discernment, knowledge, pleading, rel. to skila give reason for, expound, decide, skilja divide, distinguish, decide, etc., and MLG. schle, (M)Du. geschil, verschil difference, MLG., MDu. schillen, schlen differ, make a difference. Hence skilled (-ED2) XVI.

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skillet

saucepan, stew-pan. XV (skelet). of unkn. orig.; see -ET.

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skilly

thin gruel, soup, etc. XIX. Shortening of skilligalee (XIX), of unkn. orig.

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skim

clear (a liquid) of surface matter XV; move or act lightly over XVI. Back-formation f. skimmer vessel for skimming liquids (XIV), †skemour, †skymour (later with assim. of ending to -ER1) — OF. escumeure (mod. écumoire), f. escumer, f. escume SCUM.

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skimp

(adj.) scanty XVII; (vb.) scrimp XIX. of unkn. orig.

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skin

hide of an animal stripped off XI; derma, epidermis; outer coat or covering XIV. Late OE. scin(n) — ON. skinn :- skinp-, rel. to MLG. schinden (Du. schinden) flay, peel, OHG. scindan (G. schinden). Hence vb. cover with or strip of skin. XV. skinner (-ER1) one who deals with skins. XIV.

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skink

small lizard. XVI. — F. †scinc (now scinque) or L. scincus — Gr. skígkos.

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skip1

leap lightly off the ground XIII; pass from one thing to another omitting what intervenes XIV. prob. of Scand. orig., but the synon. MSw. skuppa, skoppa does not formally agree.

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skip2

footman, manservant; spec. college servant at Trinity College, Dublin. XVII. Short for †skip-kennel (XVII) lit. gutter-jumper.

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skip3

Shortening of SKIPPER (captain of a team). XIX.

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skipper

master of a small ship. XIV. — MLG., MDu. schipper, f. schip SHIP; see -ER1.

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skippet

(hist.) cylindrical wooden box to contain a seal. XIV. of unkn. orig.

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skirl

cry out shrilly XIV; (of the bagpipes) XVII. prob. of Scand. orig.; early forms scrille, skrille, corr. to Norw. dial. skrylla; ult. imit. Hence sb. XVI.

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skirmish

irregular engagement between small bodies of fighters. XIV. Late ME. (i) skarmuch, aphetic — OF. escar(a)muche — It. scaramuccia, of unkn. orig.; superseded by (ii) skarmich, skyrmish, which were based on OF. eskermiss-, eskirmiss- (whence skirmish vb. XIV) lengthened stem of eskermir, eskirmir — Frankish skirmjan = OHG. skirmen (G. schirmen) defend. See -ISH2.

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skirr

(poet., arch.) move rapidly XVI; pass rapidly over XVII. of unkn. orig.

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skirret

water-parsnip. XIV. ME. skirwhit(e), perh. f. †skire clear, bright (- ON. skírr SHEER1) + WHITE.

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skirt

part of a dress or robe from the waist down XIII; flap of a saddle, etc. XIV; border, edge XV. — ON. skyrta shirt = OE. s.yrte SHIRT. Hence vb. be on the border OF. XVII.

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skit

vain or wanton woman XVI; satirical remark, parody XVIII. vb. move lightly and rapidly XVII; make satirical hits XVIII. skittish excessively lively XV; disposed to shy, frolicsome XVI; fickle, coy XVII. perh. all ult. based on ON. skyt-, mutation of skut- skeut- SHOOT.

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skittle

(pl.) game of ninepins. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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skiver

thin kind of leather split from a sheep-skin. XIX. f. skive split — ON. skífa.

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skivvy

XIX. of unkn. orig.

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skua

predatory gull. XVII. — modL. skua — Faroese skúgvur = ON. skufr, of unkn. orig.

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skulk

XIII. of Scand. orig. (cf. Norw. skulka lurk, lie watching, Sw. skolka, Da. skulke shirk, play truant).

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skull

XIII. ME. scolle, schulle, of unkn. orig. comp. skull-cap XVII.

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skunk

N.Amer. animal of the weasel kind, noted for emitting an offensive smell XVII; contemptible person XIX. of Algonquian orig.

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sky

†cloud; the vault of heaven, the firmament. XIII. — ON. ský cloud (:- skiuja) rel. to OE. s.o, OS. skio (:- skeuw-) and OE. s.uwa, OHG. scuwo, ON. skuggi shade, shadow, Goth. skuggwa mirror (:- skuwwan-). Comp. skylark XVII.

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Skye

name of the largest island of the Inner Hebrides used attrib. as in S. terrier, a small breed of dog. XIX.

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slab1

flat, broad, and thick piece. XIII. of unkn. orig.

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slab2

(dial.) marshy place, slush. XVII. So adj. viscid XVII. prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. ODa. slab mud, Icel., Norw., Sw. slabb wet filth).

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slack1

indolent, careless, remiss OE.; loose XIII; dull, inactive XIV. OE. slæc = OS., (M)Du. slak, OHG. slach, ON. slakr :- Gmc. slakaz, rel. to L. laxus LAX. Hence slack vb. (cf. OE. slacian relax efforts), slacken (-EN5) XVI.

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slack2

small or refuse coal. XV. ME. sleck, prob. of LG. or Du. orig. (cf. LG. slakk, Du. slak).

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slade

valley, dell; forest glade. OE. slæd = OS. slada, LG. slade, Icel. slLr, Da., Norw. slad(e). The present form descends from OE. obl. cases.

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slag

refuse matter from smelting. XVI. — MLG. slagge, perh. f. slagen strike, SLAY1, with ref. to fragments resulting from hammering.

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slake

A
†relax one's efforts OE.; abate, moderate XIII;

B
†loosen, slacken XII; mitigate, appease, allay XIII; disintegrate (lime) with water XVII. OE. slacian, f. slæc SLACK1; corr. to (M)Du. slaken relax, diminish.
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slam1

(at cards) †ruff and honours; winning all the tricks in a game. XVII. perh. shortening of †slampant, -am, -aine, in phr. give (one) the slampant trick, hoodwink.

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slam2

(dial.) beat XVII; shut with a noise XVIII. prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. ON. slam(b)ra).

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slander

†be a stumbling-block to XIII; †disgrace; defame XIV. ME. sclaundre, aphetic — AN. esclaundre, OF. esclandre, alt. of escandle SCANDAL. So vb. XIII. — OF. esclandrer. slanderous †disgraceful, scandalous; characterized by slander or calumny. XV. — OF. esclandreux.

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slang

(orig., but now differentiated from) †cant, jargon XVIII; colloquial language of an undignified kind XIX. In its earliest appearance a cant term variously applied, with gen. implication of irregular or lawless activity variously specialized; of uncert. orig. Hence slang vb. †exhibit at a fair XVIII; rail, or rail at, abusively (as in slanging match) XIX.

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slant

slope, as of ground XVII; inclination, obliquity XIX. f. earlier adv. (XV, slonte), aphetic of ASLANT, and vb. (XVI, sklaunt), obscurely rel. to dial. slent sb. and vb., which are presumably of Scand. orig.

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slap

smart blow as with the open hand. XVII. — LG. slapp, of imit. orig. So vb. and adv. XVII. In comb. with vbs. slap-bang XVIII, slap-dash XVII.

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slash

cut with a sweeping blow XIV (rare before XVI); cut slits in (a garment); assail severely XVII. perh. aphetic — OF. esclaschier, var. of esclachier break.

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slat

(dial.) slate XIV; long narrow slip of wood or metal XVIII. Aphetic — OF. esclat (mod. éclat) splinter, piece broken off, f. esclater split, splinter, shatter.

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slate1

(tablet of) variety of stone that splits readily into plates. XIV (sclate, sklatestane). — OF. esclate, fem. corr. to m. esclat SLAT.

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slate2

(sl.) ‘knock the hat over someone's eyes’; thrash; assail with abuse. XIX. app. f. prec.

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slattern

XVII. prob. alt. of corr. adj. (dial.) slattering, prp. of slatter spill or splash awkwardly, slop, frequent. (see -ER4) of slat dash, perh. of Scand. orig. (cf. ON. sletta slap).

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slaughter

killing of cattle, etc. for food, killing of a person XIII; carnage, massacre XIV. — ON. slahtr, slátr, f. sla- SLAY1; repl. ME. slazt, repr. OE. slæht, sleaht. Hence vb., esp. of massacring people and killing cattle XVI.

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Slav

XIV (Sclave). In earliest use — medL. Sclavus, corr. to medGr. Sklábos; later, after medL. Slavus, F., G. Slave. So Slavonian XVI, Slavonic XVII. f. medL. S(c)lavnia.

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slave

XIII. ME. sclave, aphetic — (O)F. esclave, prop. fem. of esclaf — medL. sclavus, -va, identical with the ethnic name Sclavus SLAV, the Slavonic races having been reduced to a servile state by conquest. Hence slavery XVI. slavey †male servant or attendant; female domestic servant. XIX; see -Y4. slavish XVI.

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slaver

allow saliva to fall. XIV (also sb.). prob. of symbolic orig. (cf. SLOBBER); see -ER4.

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slay1

pt. slew, pp. slain (rhet.) †strike; kill. OE. str. vb. slan = OS., OHG. slahan (Du. slagen, G. schlagen), ON. slá, Goth. slahan; the Gmc. base sla?- slaz- slz-strike has no recognizable congs. The present form of the inf. and pres. stem appeared XIV and is derived from the pp., finally superseding slea, slee (ME. sln).

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slay2, sley

instrument for beating up the weft. OE. slee = OS. slegi; f. base of prec.

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sled

sledge, sleigh. XIV. — MLG. sledde, corr. to MHG. slitte (G. schlitten), and rel. to MLG., MDu. slde, (Du. slede, slee), OHG. slito, ON. slei, f. slid- sld- SLIDE.

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sledge1

large heavy hammer. OE. sle. = (M)Du. slegge, ON. sleggja :- Gmc. slazj-, f. sla-strike (see SLAY1).

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sledge2

carriage mounted on runners. XVII. — MDu. sleedse (Du. dial. sleeds), rel. to slde SLED.

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sleek

having a perfectly smooth surface. XVI. var. of SLICK (XIV), ME. slike, prob. repr. OE. slice, rel. to slician (as in nisliced ‘newly polished’, glossy) and Icel. slikja be or make smooth.

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sleep

unconscious state in which the physical powers are suspended. OE. (Angl.) slp, (WS.) slp = OS. slp (Du. slaap), OHG. slf (G. schlaf), Goth. slps :- Gmc. slpaz, rel. to corr. vb. slpan, whence OE. slpan (mod. sleep ), OS. slpan, etc., and by gradation, to slap-, whence LG., Du. slap inert, sluggish, G. schlaff slack, lax. Hence sleeper one who sleeps XIII; stout horizontal timber XVII; apartment for sleeping (orig. U.S.) XIX.

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sleet

falling snow partially thawed. XIII. repr. OE. slte :- slautjan-, rel. to MLG. slten pl. hail, MHG. slze, slz (G. schlosse) hail(stone).

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sleeve

OE. (Angl.) slfe, (WS.) slefe, and slef. slf, corr. to EFris. slwe, NFris. slv, slv sleeve, and ult. rel. to MDu. sloove, sloof covering.

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sleigh

XVIII. orig. N. Amer. — Du. slee (see SLED).

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sleight

†craft, cunning XIII; dexterity, adroitness. XIV (surviving gen. in phr. s. of hand). ME. slezþ — ON. slg, f. slægr SLY.

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slender

not stout or fleshy XIV; slight XV. of unkn. orig.

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sleuth

†track, trail XII; (short for sleuth-hound XIV) bloodhound, (hence) detective XIX. — ON. slóð track, trail.

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slew

turn or swing round XVIII (slue). orig. naut.; of unkn. orig. Hence slewed (sl.) intoxicated. XIX.

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slice

†shiver, splinter; applied to various flat utensils XIV; thin, flat piece XV. ME. s(c)lice, aphetic — OF. esclice (mod. éclisse) small piece of wood, etc. f. esclicier splinter, shatter (whence slice vb. XV), of Gmc. orig. (rel. to SLIT).

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slick

sleek XIV; smooth-spoken., plausible XVI; adroit, smart XIX; hence adv. (orig. U.S.) XIX. See SLEEK.

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slide

pt. and pp. slid. OE. str. vb. sldan = LG. slden, MHG. slten, rel. to OE. slidor slippery, slid(e)rian SLITHER. Hence sb. XVI.

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slight

(dial.) smooth, sleek XIII; slender, slim; of light texture XIV; small in amount XVI. ME. (orig. north.) sleght, slyzt — ON. slehtr, sléttr level, smooth, soft = OS. sliht, MLG., MDu. slecht, slicht simple, defective (Du. slecht bad), OHG. sleht level, MHG. sleht (G. schlecht bad, schlicht (after the vb.) smooth, plain, simple), Goth. slaihts level :- Gmc. sletaz (repr. in OE. only by eorðslihtes adv. even with the ground). So slight vb. †smooth, level. XIII. — ON. slehta, slétta, f. sléttr; in (obs.) sense ‘level to the ground, raze’ XVII — Du. slechten, LG. slichten; in sense ‘treat with disdain’ XVI f. the adj. in the sense ‘of little account’. Hence sb. XVII.

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slim

slender, gracefully thin; slight; poor; (orig. dial.; since XIX from Afrikaans) cunning, wily. XVII. — LG., Du. slim, repr. MLG. slim(m), MDu. slim(p) slanting, cross, bad = MHG. slimp (-b) slanting, G. schlimm grievous, awkward, bad :- Gmc. slimbaz.

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slime

soft sticky mud OE.; viscous fluid XIII. OE. slm = MLC., MDu., MHG. slm (Du. slijm, G. schleim phlegm, slime, mucus), ON. slím :- Gmc. slm-, rel. to Balto-Sl. words meaning ‘saliva’, ‘mucus’, and L. lmus mud, slime, Gr. límn marsh. Hence slimy (-Y1) XIV.

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sling1

strap for hurling missiles. XIII. prob. of LG. or Du. orig. (cf. MLG. slinge, corr. to OHG. slinga). See foll.

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sling2

device for securing or grasping bulky objects XIV; strap, band, loop for suspension XVIII. The immed. source is doubtful; poss. identical with prec. (the senses of LG. slinge, G. schlinge noose, snare, arm-sling, to some extent correspond). Hence vb. XVI.

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sling3

pt., pp. slung throw, cast with or as with a sling. XIII. prob. — ON. str. vb. slyngva; cf. OHG. slingan (G. schlingen wind, twist).

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sling4

Amer. drink with a basis of spirit; juice of the sugar-cane. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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slink

pt., pp. slunk move stealthily XIV; drop (young) prematurely or abortively XVII. repr. OE. slincan creep, crawl, corr. to (M)LG. slinken subside.

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slip1

semi-liquid mass OE.; curdled milk (now U.S.) XV; semi-liquid cementing material XVII. OE. slipa, slyppe slime (so slipi slimy); cf. Norw. slip(a) slime on fish, and SLOP2.

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slip2

pass lightly, quickly, or quietly XIII; slide, lose foothold or grasp, err XIV; cause to slide, get loose from; let go XVI. prob. — MLG., Du. slippen = MHG. slipfen (cf. SLIPPERY). Hence slip sb. artificial slope XV; leash for a dog; act of slipping or sliding (cf. landslip XVII); error XVI; garment readily slipped on XVII.

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slip3

small shoot of a plant XV; young person; long and narrow strip XVI. prob. — MLG., MDu. slippe (Du. slip) cut, slit, strip.

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slipper

XV. cf. (dial.) slip-shoe (XVI); presumably f. SLIP2.

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slippery

XVI. First recorded from Coverdale's tr. of the Bible (Ps. 35: 6); prob. modelled on Luther's schlipfferig, MHG. slipferig, f. slipfern, extension of slipfen, f. Gmc. slip- as repr. in OE. slipor (dial. slipper) slippery, morally unstable; see -Y1.

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slipshod

wearing slippers or very loose shoes XVI; untidy, slovenly XVII. f. SLIP2 + shod, pp. of SHOE vb., after slip-shoe (XVI) slipper.

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slipslop

sloppy mess of food XVII; blundering use of words XVIII. redupl. f. SLOP2.

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slit

pt., pp. slit cut into, cut open. XIII. ME. slitte, in pp. islit, repr. OE. slittan rel. to sltan = OS. sltan (Du. slijten), OHG. slzan (G. schleissen), ON. slíta, f. Gmc. base having no known cogns. Hence slit sb. XIII; cf. OE. eslit rending, biting, slite tear, rent.

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slither

XIII. alt. of ME. slidere (dial. slidder), OE. sliderian = MLG., MDu. slid(d)eren, G. dial. schlittern, frequent. (see -ER4) f. weak grade of SLIDE.

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sliver

XIV. Obscure formation on the base of (dial.) slive (XIV), OE. slfan (in pt. tslf split up). Hence vb. XVII.

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slobber

behave (e.g. feed) in a slovenly fashion. XV. Earlier in ME. byslober, beslobber (cf. slobber mud, slime XIV), and corr. to Du. slobberen, with parallel formations in (dial.) slabber, slubber (XVI), Du. slabberen, MLG., MDu. slubberen; of imit. or symbolic orig.

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sloe

(fruit of) the blackthorn. OE. sl(h) = MLG., MDu. sl, sleuuwe (LG. sl, sl, Du. slee), OHG. slha, slwa (G. schlehe) :- Gmc. slai?wn.

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slog

A
hit hard;

B
plod. XIX. In sense A parallel to synon. dial. slug; of unkn. orig.
Top

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slogan

war-cry, battle-cry XVI (first in Sc. use: slog(g)orne, etc.); party cry or watchword XVIII. — Gael. sluaghghairm, f. sluagh host + gairm shout, cry.

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sloid

see SLOYD.

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sloop

XVII (slup). — Du. sloep, †sloepe; of unkn. orig.

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slop1

†bag; (dial.) loose tunic or gown XIV; (pl.) wide breeches XV; ready-made garments XVII. OE. -slop, in oferslop surplice, corr. to MDu. (over)slop, ON. (yfir) sloppr, f. Gmc. slup-; rel. to slp- in OE. slpan, MLG. slpan, OHG. sliofan(G. schliefen), Goth. sliupan glide.

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slop2

(dial.) muddy place, slush XIV; liquid food (esp. pl.) XVII; refuse liquid XIX. prob. repr. OE. sloppe as in csloppe, var. of cslyppe COWSLIP; cf. SLIP1. Hence sloppy (-Y1) XVIII.

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slop3

(sl.) policeman. XIX. alt. of ecilop, backslang for POLICE.

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slope1

†adv. in an oblique direction or position XV. Aphetic of aslope (of uncert. orig.). Hence as vb. intr. take an oblique direction XVI, tr. (spec. mil.) bring into a slanting position XVII; and as sb. XVII.

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slope2

(sl.) make off, decamp. XIX. orig. U.S.; perh. spec. use of prec. vb.

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slosh

XIX. var. of SLUSH.

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slot1

(dial.) hollow of the breast bone XIV; elongated narrow depression in wood, etc. XVI. — OF. esclot (in first sense), of unkn. orig.

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slot2

animal's track XVI; deer's foot XIX. — OF. esclot horse's hoof-print, prob. — ON. slóð track.

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sloth

inactivity, sluggishness XII; S. Amer. arboreal mammal of sluggish habits XVII. ME. slauþe, slouþe, f. slw, slw, SLOW + -TH1; repl. OE. slwð, ME. sleuþ(e).

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slouch

ungainly fellow XVI; (for slouch(ed) hat) hat with flopping brim XVIII; (from the vb.) stooping ungainly carriage XVIII. Hence slouching prp. adj. XVII (see -ING2), whence slouch vb. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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slough1

soft muddy piece of ground. OE. slh, sl(g), of unkn. orig.

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slough2

outer skin shed by a reptile. XIII. ME. sloh, sloz, poss. rel. to LG. sluwe, slu husk, peel, shell. Hence vb. be shed as skin XVIII; cast off XIX.

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sloven

†knave, rascal XV; †idle fellow XVI; careless or negligent person. perh. based on Flem. sloef dirty, squalid, Du. slof negligent.

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slow

OE. slw = OS. slu, (M)Du. slee(uw), OHG. slo, ON. slr :- Gmc. slwaz :- IE. slwos, of unkn. orig. Hence slow vb. XVI.

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slow-worm

small lizard, Anguis fragilis. OE. slwyrm; the first el., which has been assim. to SLOW, is of uncert. orig.

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sloyd, sloid

system of manual instruction adopted from Sweden. XIX. — Sw. slöjd :- ON. slgð SLEIGHT.

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sludge

mire, ooze XVII; matter mixed with water or slime XVIII. See SLUSH.

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slug1

sluggard XV; †slow-sailing vessel XVI; slow-moving shell-less land-snail XVIII. Based on a stem slug-, repr. also by slug vb. be slow or inert (XV) and earlier by, e.g., †sluggy sluggish (XIII); prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. Sw. dial. slogga be sluggish, Norw. dial. slugg large heavy body). So sluggish (-ISH1), sluggard (-ARD) XIV, slugabed XVI.

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slug2

irregularly shaped bullet XVII; (typogr.) metal bar, line of type XIX. perh. identical with prec.

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sluice

structure for regulating flow of water in a river, etc. XIV (scluse). — OF. escluse (mod. écluse) :- Gallo-Rom. exclsa, sb. use of fem. pp. of L. excldere EXCLUDE. Hence vb. XVI.

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slum

A
†room;

B
(orig. back s.) dirty or squalid back street, etc.;
Top

C
†gammon, blarney, gipsy jargon; all early XIX. of unkn. (cant) orig.
Top
Hence vb. visit slums; slummy (-Y1). XIX.

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slumber

vb. XIII. ME. slmere, f. slme, OE. slma or vb. slmen (XIII), corr. to MDu., MLG. slmen, MLG. slummen, G. †schlummen, with parallel formations in MLG., MDu. slmeren (Du. sluimeren), MHG. slummeren, G. schlummern. Hence sb. XIV.

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slump

fall or sink into a bog, etc. XVII; transf. and fig. XIX. of symbolic orig. Hence sb. XIX.

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slur

A
(dial.) fluid mud XV (sloor, slore); gliding movement XVI; sliding mechanism XVIII;

B
deliberate slight XVII; (mus.) mark indicating a smooth connected passage XIX.
Top
Hence slur vb. A. (dial.) stain, sully; disparage XVII; B. slide XVI; (mus.) XVIII. of uncert. orig.; partly corr. forms are (M)Du. sloor sluttish woman, LG. slurren shuffle, (M)LG. slren, MDu. sloren, Du. sleuren drag, trail.

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slush

melting snow or ice XVII; liquid mud XVIII. contemp. with synon. SLUDGE, slutch, with which it forms a series of expressive words parallel to ME. sloche, sliche (XIV), sleech (XVI), and SLOSH, to which the closest foreign parallels are Da. †slus sleet, mud, Norw. slusk sloppy ground or weather.

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slut

dirty slovenly woman XIV (implied in sluttish); loose woman, hussy XV. of unkn. orig.

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sly

(dial.) skilled, clever XII; dyslogistic connotations appear very early. ME. sleh, sley, sli(z) — ON. slœgr clever, cunning, etym. ‘able to strike’, f. slóg-, pt. stem of slá strike (see SLAY1).

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slype

covered way from one part of a cathedral, etc. to another. XIX. perh. a use of slipe long narrow piece (as of ground XVI–XVII), varying with SLIP; of unkn. orig.

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smack1

taste, flavour OE.; (fig.) trace, tinge, ‘touch’ XVI. OE. smæc = MLG., MDu. smak (Du. smaak), OHG. gismac (G. geschmack). Hence vb. taste XIV, savour of XVI.

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smack2

separate the lips with a sharp noise XVI; crack (a whip) XVII; strike sharply with a flat surface XIX. — MLG., MDu. smacken (LG., Du. smakken); cf. OE. esmacian pat, caress, G. schmatzen eat or kiss noisily; of imit. orig. So sb. XVI.

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smack3

light single-masted sailing-vessel. XVII. — LG., Du. smacke (mod. smak); of unkn. orig.

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small

(dial.) slender, thin: †narrow; of limited size or extent; of fine texture OE.; of low strength or power XII. OE. smæl = OS. (Du.), OHG. smal (G. schmal), ON. smalr. Goth. smals :- Gmc. smalaz (:- IE. smol-). Comp. smallpox XVI (small pokkes).

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smallage

variety of celery or parsley. XIII. ME. smal ache, i.e. SMALL, †ache celery, parsley, etc. — (O)F. :- L. apium.

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smalt

glass coloured deep-blue by oxide of cobalt XVI; deep-blue colour XIX. — F. — It. smalto — Gmc. smalt (OHG. smalz, G. schmalz). rel. to SMELT2.

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smarm

(dial.) smear, bedaub XIX; plaster down; behave fulsomely XX. Also smalm; of unkn. orig. Hence smarmy (-Y1) XX.

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smart

be acutely painful OE.; feel sharp pain, suffer severely for XII. OE. smeortan (in fyrsmeortende fiery, painful, smeortung itching) = MDu. smerten, (also mod.) smarten, OHG. smerzan (G. schmerzen), based on WGmc. smert- smart- smurt-. So smart adj. †biting, stinging XI; causing acute pain XII; brisk, vigorous XII. Late OE. smeart. smart sb. XII.

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smash

vb. XVIII. prob. imit. Hence sb. XVIII.

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smatter

†smirch, defile XIV; †prate, chatter XV; have a superficial knowledge of XVI. of unkn. orig.

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smear

†anoint; cover thickly (as) with some greasy matter. OE. smierwan, corr. to MLG. smeren, OHG. smirwen (G. schmieren), ON. smyrva, smyrja :- Gmc. smerwjan. So sb. †fat, grease, ointment OE.; in later senses f. the vb. OE. smeoru.

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smegma

(physiol.) sebaceous secretion. XIX. — L. — Gr. smêgma, f. base of smkhein rub, cleanse.

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smell

pt., pp. smelled, smelt
A
perceive by the sense of which the nose is the organ;
B
have an odour. XII. ME. smelle, also smülle, smille, pointing to OE. smiellan, smyllan, of which no cogns. are known. Hence sb. XII; superseding stink and stench in the neutral application of sense B.

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smelt1

small fish of the genus Osmerus. OE. smelt, smylt, obscurely rel. to similar Continental names for species of fish; cf. SMOLT.

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smelt2

fuse (ore) to obtain the metal. XV (implied in smelter). — MLG., MDu. smelten = OHG. smelzan (G. schmelzen), f. smelt-, var. of the base of MELT.

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smew

saw-billed duck, Mergus albellus. XVII. Obscurely rel. to synon. (dial.) smee (XVII), and smeath (XVII), Du. smient, LG. smnt widgeon, G. schmi-, schmü-, schmeiente wild duck (ente duck).

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smilax

climbing shrub. XVII. — L. smlax — Gr. smîlax bindweed.

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smile

vb. XIII. perh. of Scand. orig. (cf. Sw. dial. smila, Da. smile; a parallel form is OHG. smlan); f. the base repr. by forms cited S. V. SMIRK . Hence sb. XVI.

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smirch

defile, sully. XV. of unkn. orig.

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smirk

smile, (later) esp. in a silly manner. OE. sme(a)rcian, f. smar- smer- (smr-), repr. by OE. smerian laugh at, bismer, bismerian scorn, OHG. smiern (G. †schmieren) smile; rel. to Skr. smera- smiling, smáyate smiles, OSl. smijati s, Gr. meidân laugh.

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smite

pt. smote, pp. smitten, (arch. or joc.) smit administer a blow to XII; in various applications lit. and fig., now chiefly arch. or joc. OE. str. vb. smtan smear. pollute = OS. bismtan, MLG., MDu. smten (Du. smijten). OHG. smzan smear, (G. schmeissen throw, fling), Goth. -smeitan :- Gmc. smtan.

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smith

one who works in iron, etc. OE. smið = MDu. smit, (also mod.) smid, OHG. smid (G. schmied), ON. smiðr :- Gmc. smþaz; orig. prob. craftsman, f. IE. smei-, repr. by Gr. sml chisel, sminú mattock. So smith vb. OE. smiðian = OS., OHG. smithn, ON. smia, Goth. gasmþn. smithy XIII. — ON. smiðja, corr. to OE. smiððe.

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smithereens

(colloq., dial.) small fragments. XIX. f. (dial.) smithers (XIX). of unkn. orig. cf. Ir. smidirin.

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smock

(dial.) shift, chemise OE.; loose coarselinen overall garment XIX. OE. smoc = OHG. smoccho, ON. smokkr (perh. from Eng.); rel. to MHG. gesmuc (G. schmuck ornament); parallel to forms based on smz-, e.g. OE. smgan creep, MHG. smiegen, ON. smjúga creep into, put on a garment.

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smoke

sb. OE. smoca, f. wk. grade of the base repr. by MLG. smk, MDu. smoock (Du. smook), MHG. smouch (G. schmauch) and OE. smoc, sm(e)., sm., and vbs. smocan, MDu. smieken, (M)LG., (M)Du. smken. So vb. OE. smocian.

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smolt

young salmon between a parr and a grilse. XIV (in earliest use Sc.). of unkn. orig.; cf. SMELT1.

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smooth

having a surface free from irregularities OE.; pleasant, affable XIV; bland, plausible XV. Late OE. smð (rare, the usual form being smðe, ME. smethe, dial. smeeth); of unkn. orig. Hence smooth vb. XV; superseding ME. smethe (dial. smeeth), OE. smð(i)an.

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smother

(often with smoke) dense or stifling smoke. XII. Early ME. smorðer, later smoþer; f. base of OE. smorian (dial. smore) suffocate, corr. to (M)Du., (M)LG. smoren (whence G. schmoren), of unkn. orig. Hence vb. (early ME. smorðren).

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smoulder

†smother, suffocate XIV; burn and smoke without flame XVI. rel. obscurely to LG. smln, MDu, smlen (Du. smeulen smoulder).

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smudge

XV. of unkn. orig., but parallel to synon. smutch sb. (XVI), vb. (XVII), smooch vb. (XVII). Hence sb. XVIII.

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smug

neat, smooth, sleek XVI; self-complacent XIX. of unkn. orig.; cf. †smudge adj. smart, vb. deck out (XVI), LG. smuck pretty, G. schmuck ornament.

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smuggle

XVII (also smuckle). — LG. smuggeln, smukkeln, Du. smokkelen; of unkn. orig.

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smut

blacken, smudge XVI; affect (grain) with smut XVII. Parallel formations with sm..t are OE. smitt smear, smittian pollute, smtan SMITE, ME. ismotted, besmotered stained (XIV), and also LG. smutt, MHG. smuz, smutzen (G. schmutz, schmutzen). So sb., fungous disease of plants marked by blackness; black or sooty mark; indecent language XVII. Hence smutty (of grain) XVI; dirty, blackened, obscene XVII.

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snack

(dial.) bite (esp. of a dog) XV; share, portion; drop of liquor XVII; morsel of food, light repast, ‘bite’ XVIII. — MDu. snac(k) in the first sense, rel. to snacken, var. of snappen SNAP; perh. orig. imit.

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snaffle

form of bridle-bit. XVI. prob. of LG. or Du. orig.; cf. (M)LG., (M)Du. snavel beak, mouth, corr. to OHG. snabul (G. schnabel); see -LE1.

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snag

short stump projecting from a tree; sharp projection XVI; (orig. U.S.) trunk or branch in a river, etc. interfering with navigation; hence gen. obstacle XIX. prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. ON. snaghyrndr) sharp-pointed (axe), Norw. dial. snag(e) sharp point, spike).

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snail

OE. snæ(e)l sne(e)l = OS. snegil, MLG. sneil, OHG. snegil (LG. snagel), ON. snigill, f. Gmc. snaz-; snez-; cf. -LE1.

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snake

OE. snaca = MLG. snake, ON. snákr, snókr; rel. to OHG. snahhan crawl, and further to Ir. snaighim I crawl.

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snap

sb. quick or sudden bite XV; catch, effort, sound XVII; vb. bite quickly or suddenly, seize with sudden action XVI; break clean; make a cracking sound XVII. prob. — (M)LG., (M)Du. snappen seize; but partly imit. Comp. snapdragon
A
antirrhinum XVI;
B
Christmas game of snatching raisins from burning brandy XVIII.

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snare

trap consisting of a string with a running noose. Late OE. sneara — ON. snara = OS. snari (Du. snaar) string. OHG. snarahha snare. As applied to the strings of gut or hide stretched across the lower head of a side-drum prob. — MDu. or MLG. snare. Hence snare vb. XIV. So synon. snarl 1 XIV; see -LE1.

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snark

imaginary animal invented by ‘Lewis Carroll’ (C. L. Dodgson ) in ‘The Hunting of the Snark’, 1876.

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snarl2

make an angry sound with showing of the teeth. XVI. f. synon. †snar (XVI) — (M)LG. snarren = MHG. snarren (G. schnarren); see -LE2.

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snatch

make a sudden snap at or seizure OF. XIII. Obscurely rel. to SNACK. Hence snatch sb. †catch, hasp; †trap, snare XIV; hasty catch, sudden grab; short period; snack; small amount XVI.

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sneak

go stealthily, creep furtively. XVI. Obscurely rel. to early ME. snike, OE. sncan creep, crawl, ON. sníkja.

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sneer

†snort XVI; smile contemptuously XVII. of unkn. orig. Hence sb. XVIII.

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sneeze

sb. and vb. Appears first (XV) in the form snese as a substitute in printed texts for an originaì fnese (from OE. fnsan), which had become obs. XV.

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snick

cut, snip XVIII; (in cricket) XIX. Deduced from †snick-a-snee, †snick or snee, (alt. of) †stick or snee fight with knives (XVII) — Du. steken thrust, STICK, and snee, dial. var. of snij(d)en cut.

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sniff

vb. XIV. of imit. orig. Hence sb. XVIII.

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snigger

vb. XVIII. var. of snicker (XVII), of imit. orig.; see -ER4. Hence sb. XIX.

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snip

†snap, snatch; cut (up or off). XVI. — LG., Du. snippen, of imit. orig. Hence (or — LG. or Du. forms) snip sb. XVI.

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snipe

bird of the genus Gallinago. XVI. prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. Icel. mýrisnípa, Norw. myr-, strandsnipa).

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snivel

run at the nose XIV; be in a tearful state XVII. repr. OE. snyflan, implied in snyflung mucus of the nose, f. synon. snofl; cf. -LE2. Hence sb. XV.

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snob

(dial.) shoemaker, cobbler; †(Cambridge Univ.) townsman XVIII; †one with no claim to gentility XIX; one who vulgarly admires those of superior rank. of unkn. orig. Hence snobbery, snobbish XIX.

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snoek

(S. Afr.) large edible sea-fish. XIX. — Du. (cf. SNOOK).

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snood

hair-band. OE. snd; of unkn. orig.

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snook1

sergeant-fish. XVII. — Du. snoek = (M)LG. snk, prob. rel. to SNACK.

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snook2

derisive gesture with thumb to nose (phr. cock a s.). XIX (snooks). of unkn. orig.

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snooker

XIX. of unkn. orig.

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snoop

XIX. — Du. snoepen to eat (on the sly).

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snooze

vb. XVIII. Cant word of unkn. orig.

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snore

(dial.) snort; make harsh noises in sleep through mouth and nose. XIV. f. imit. base snor-; cf. (M)LG., (M)Du. snorken, and SNORT.

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snorkel, schnorkel

underwater breathing device, esp. on a submarine. XX. — G. schnorchel.

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snort

†snore; make an explosive noise by driving the breath through the nostrils. XIV. ult. of imit. orig.; cf. SNORE.

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snot

(dial.) snuff of a candle XIV; mucus of the nose XV. prob. — (M)LG., MDu. snotte, Du. snot, corr. to OE. esnot, MHG. snuz, f. Gmc. snt- (cf. next). Hence snotty (-Y1) XVI.

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snout

†elephant's trunk; nose, muzzle. XIII. ME. snte — MLG., MDu. snt(e) (Du. snuit); ult. f. Gmc. snt-. whence also late OE. sntan clear the nose = (M)LG. snüten, OHG. snzen (G. schneuzen snuff a candle, blow the nose), ON. snýta.

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snow1

frozen vapour of the air falling in flakes. OE. snw = OS., OHG. sno (Du. sneeuw, G. schnee), ON. snr, Goth. snaiws :- Gmc. snaiwaz, cogn. with Balto-Sl. forms, Ir. snigid it snows, AV. snaaiti; cf. L. nix, niv-, etc. Hence snow vb. XIII; repl. ME. snewe, OE. snïwan (G. schneien) :- WGmc. snizwan. Comps. and derivs. snowball XIV, snowdrop XVII, snow-flake XVIII, snow-shoe XVII, snow-white OE. snwhwt, snowy OE. snwig.

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snow2

small sailing-vessel. XVII. — Du. sna(a)uw or LG. snau; of unkn. orig.

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snub

rebuke or reprove sharply XIV; check, stop (obs. exc. naut.) XVI; (dial.) shorten XVIII. — ON. snubba (cf. Norw. and Sw. dial. snubba, Da. snubbe cut short, make stumpy); of unkn. orig. Hence adj. short and turned up, in snub-nose and snub-nosed adj. XVIII.

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snuff1

portion of candle-wick partly consumed. XIV. of unkn. orig. Hence snuff vb. remove the snuff from XV; extinguish XVII (sl. intr. with out, die XIX).

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snuff2

powdered tobacco for inhaling through the nostrils. XVII. — Du. snuf, prob. short for snuftabak, f. MDu. snuffen snuffle, whence Eng. snuff (XVI) inhale through the nostrils.

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snuffle

†sniff at in contempt; smell at; speak or draw air through the nose. XVI. prob. — LG., Du. snuffelen, f. imit. base snuf-, repr. also by SNUFF2; see -LE3 and cf. SNIVEL.

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snug

(of a ship) trim, secure against bad weather XVI; in ease or comfort XVII. First in naut. use and prob. of LG. or Du. orig. (cf. LG. snögger slim, smart, Du. †snuggher, †snoggher (mod. snugger) clever, smart). Hence (see -LE2) snuggle lie snug or close. XVII.

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so

in such a manner; in that way; to that extent. OE. swa, lengthened sw, corr. to OS. s (Du. zo), OHG. s, suo (G. so), ON. svá. Goth. swa (also sw), rel. to OL. suad so, OScan svai, svae if, sw and, Gr. hs (:- sFs) as.

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-so

adv. attached to wh- prons. and advs., and how, e.g. ME. hwa so whoso, hwer so whereso (reduced forms of OE. sw hw sw, sw hwr sw, etc.), repl. gen. by -ever (whoever, wherever) and -SOEVER.

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soak

steep (trans. and intr.) OE.; permeate thoroughly XIV; percolate XV. OE. socian, corr. to WFlem. soken, zoken, rel. to OE. soc sucking at the breast, f. suk-, wk. grade of OE. scan SUCK.

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soap

sb. OE. spe = (M)LG. spe, MDu. seepe (Du. zeep), OHG. seipha (G. seife) :- WGmc. saip. Hence vb. XVI.

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soar

XIV. Aphetic — (O)F. essorer (used refl.) :- Rom. exaurre, f. L. EX-1 + aura air in motion.

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sob

vb. XII. perh. of LG. or Du. orig. (cf. WFris. sobje, Du. dial. sabben suck).

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sober

temperate in food or drink; not drunk or drunken; grave, serious, sedate; subdued in tone XVI; restrained in thought, etc. XVII. — (O)F. sobre — L. sbrius. So sobriety XV. — (O)F. or L.

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sobriquet, soubriquet

XVII. — F. sobriquet, earlier soubriquet (XV); identical with soubriquet (XIV) tap under the chin.

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socage

(hist.) tenure by service other than knight-service. XIV. — AN. socage, f. soc SOKE; see -AGE.

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soccer

see -ER4.

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sociable

XVI. — F. sociable or L. socibilis, f. socire unite, ASSOCIATE; see -ABLE. So sociability XV. social (-AL1) †allied, occurring between allies; marked by mutual intercourse XVI; pert. to human society XVIII. — (O)F. social or L. socilis allied, companionable, sociable. So socialism XIX. — F. socialisme. socialist XIX. society A. (living in) association XVI; aggregate of persons living together XVII; B. collection of persons forming a community XVI. — (O)F. société — L. societs, -tt-; see -TY2. sociology XIX. — F. sociologie.

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Socinian

(pert. to) a member of a heretical sect denying the divinity of Jesus Christ. XVII. — modL. Socininus, f. Socinus, latinization of Soz(z)ini, surname of two It. theologians of XVI.

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sock1

†light shoe OE.; half-hose XIV; shoe worn by comic actors on the Greek and Roman stage XVI. OE. socc, corr. to MLG., MDu. socke (Du. sok), OHG. soch (G. socke), ON. sokkr; Gmc. — L. soccus — Gr. súkkhos, sukkhás.

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sock2

(sl.) blow, beating; also vb. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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socket

†lance- or spear-head of the form of a ploughshare XIII; cavity to receive an object fitting into it XV. — AN. soket, dim. of (O)F. soc ploughshare; see -ET.

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socle

plain block or plinth serving as a pedestal. XVIII. — F. — It. zoccolo prop. wooden shoe, repr. L. socculus, dim. of soccus SOCK1.

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sod1

piece of grass-grown earth. XV. — (M)LG., MDu. sode (Du. zode); of unkn. orig.

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sod2

gross term of abuse for a male person; also in milder use. XIX. sl. shortening of SODOMITE.

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soda

sodium carbonate. XVI. — medL., perh. back-formation f. sodnum glasswort, based on Arab. ud headache (for which the plant, containing soda, was used as a remedy), f. ada'a split. Hence sodium (chem.) metal forming the base of soda. XIX.

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sodality

religious guild for mutual help, etc. XVI. — F. or L., f sodlis member of a brotherhood or corporation; see -ITY.

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sodden

†boiled XIII; †dull, stupid, expressionless XVI; saturated with moisture XIX. pp. of SEETHE.

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sodomy

XIII. — medL. sodomia, f. Sodoma the city of Sodom in Palestine the wickedness and destruction of which are recorded in Gen. 18–19. So sodomite one who commits sodomy XIV; inhabitant of Sodom XV. — (O)F. — late L. Sodomta; see -ITE.

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soever

poet. soe'er SO + EVER used with generalizing or emphatic force. XVI. hence as a var. of -ever, as in whosoever, wheresoever.

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sofa

in the East, dais furnished with cushions and carpets XVII; long stuffed couch XVIII. ult. — Arab. uffa, through F. sofa, etc.

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soffit

(arch.) under surface or ceiling of an architrave, etc. XVII. Earliest forms soffita, -ito, later sof(f)ite, soffit — F. soffite or It. soffito, -ita :- suffctus, -cta, for L. suffxus (see SUFFIX).

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soft

A
agreeable OE.;

B
gentle, mild XII;
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C
impressionable, compliant XIII (silly, simple XVII); presenting a yielding surface. Late OE. sfte, repl. earlier mutated sfte = OS. sfti, OHG. semfti :- WGmc. samfti; the un-mutated form, due to influence from the adv. (OE. sfte, etc.), is paralleled in MLG. sachte, safte, LG. sacht, MDu. sachte, safte (Du. zacht), (M)HG. sanft.
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Hence soften (-EN2) XIV.

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soggy

(dial., U.S.) swampy. XVIII. f. dial. sog marsh + -Y1.

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soh

var. of SOL2.

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soi-disant

self-styled XVIII; pretended XIX. — F., soi oneself, disant, prp. of dire say.

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soil1

(piece of) ground or earth, land, country; ground as cultivated. XIV. — AN. soil land, perh. repr. L. solium seat, solum (F. sol) ground.

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soil2

†muddy place; stretch of water as refuge for a hunted animal XV; stain, pollution XVI; filth, ordure XVII. — OF. soille, souille (mod. souille muddy place), f. souiller SOIL2

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soil3

A
defile, pollute XIII; sully, tarnish XVI;

B
take to water or marshy ground XV. — OF. soill(i)er, suill(i)er (mod. souiller) :- Rom. suculre, f. L. suculus, -ula, dim. of ss SOW1.
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soil4

(dial.) feed (cattle) with green fodder, orig. for purgation. XVII. perh. a use of SOIL3.

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soiréeXIX

- F., f. soir evening :- L. srum late hour, n. of srus late.

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sojourn

reside, stay. XIII. — OF. so(r)jorner (mod. séjourner) :- Rom. subdiurnre ‘spend the day’, f. L. SUB- + late L. diurnum day. So sojourn sb. XIII. — AN. su(r)jurn, OF. sojor, etc. (mod. séjour).

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soke

right of local jurisdiction; area of this. XIV. — medL. sca — OE. scn attack, resort, right of prosecution or jurisdiction, administrative district = ON. sókn, Goth. skns search, inquiry :- Gmc. skniz, f. sk- (see SEEK)

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sol1

sun; (alch.) gold XIV; (her.) or XVII. — L. sl SUN

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sol2

(mus.) fifth note of the scale in solmization. XIV. See UT. Hence solfa set of syllables (do, re, mi, etc.) sung to the notes of the major scale XVI; as vb., repl. †solf(e) (XIV) — (O)F. solfier. So solfeggio exercise in which the solfa is employed. XVIII. — It. solmization XVIII. — F., f. solmiser, f. sol SOL2 + mi MI. See -IZE, -ATION.

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solace

consolation or means of it; †delight, amusement. XIII. — OF. solas, -atz (mod. dial. soulas) :- L. sltium, f. slr relieve, console. So solace vb. XIII. — OF. solacier.

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solan

gannet. XV. In earliest use Sc.; obscurely f. ON. súla gannet

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solander

box made in the form of a book to contain botanical specimens, etc. XVIII. f. name of D. C. Solander , Sw. botanist (1736–82)

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solar.

XV — L. slris, f. sl SUN; see -AR. So solarium sundial; apartment or area exposed to the sun. XIX; see -IUM.

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solder

sb. XIV (soudur). — (O)F. soudure, f. souder, †solder :- L. solidre fasten together, f. solidus SOLID. Hence vb. XV

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soldierXIII

(sauder, souder, souldeour, etc.). — OF. soud(i)er, saudier, so(l)dier, f. sou(l)de pay :- L. solidus gold coin of imperial times, sb. use of solidus SOLID; see -IER2

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sole1

under-surface of the foot XIV; bottom of a boot or shoe; †foundation; sill XV; lower part, bottom XVII. — OF. :- popL. sola (whence OE. solu or sola, once in pl. solen), for L. solea sandal, sill, f. solum bottom, pavement, sole of the foot

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sole2

flatfish of genus Solea. XIV. — (O)F. — Pr. sola :- Rom. sola for L. solea, identical with prec.; so named because of its shape

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sole3

single, unmarried XIV; alone, solitary XV; one and only; exclusive XVI. ME. soul(e) — OF. soul(e) (mod. seul(e)) :- L. slus, fem. sla alone, sole

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solecism

violation of good grammar or good manners; impropriety. XVI. — F. solécisme or L. solœcismus — Gr. soloikismós, f. sóloikos using incorrect syntax, etc., said by ancient writers to refer to the corruption of the Attic dialect by Athenian colonists at Soloi in Cilicia; see -ISM

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solemn

accompanied with ceremony; grave, serious. XIV. ME. solem(p)ne — OF. solem(p)ne (superseded by solennel) — L. sollem(p)nis, -ennis, celebrated ceremonially and at a fixed date, festive, customary, f. sollus whole, entire. So solemnity XIII. — OF. solem(p)nité (mod. solennité) — L. sollem(p)nits. solemnize XIV. — OF. solemniser — medL. solemnization XV.

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solen

razor-fish. XVII. — L. sln — Gr. sln channel, pipe, shellfish

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solfa, solfeggio

see SOL2

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solfatara

volcanic vent exhaling sulphurous vapour. XVIII. f. name of a volcano near Naples, Italy, f. solfo SULPHUR

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solicit

A
†disturb, trouble XV; †entreat, petition, incite XVI;

B
†manage, attend to (affairs) XV; †urge, plead; sue for; also intr. XVI. — (O)F. solliciter — L. sollicitre agitate, harass, entice, (medL.) look after, f. sollicitus agitated, f. sollus whole, entire + citus put in motion, pp. of cire.
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So solicitation †management, transaction XV; entreaty XVI. — (O)F. — L. solicitor †instigator, †manager, agent, deputy XV; agent in a court of law XVI. — (O)F. solliciteur. solicitous anxious, careful. XVI. f. L. sollicitus. solicitude XV. — (O)F. — L.

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solid

free from empty spaces XIV; of three dimensions XV; of dense consistency; firm and substantial XVI. — (O)F. solide or L. solidus, rel. to salvus SAFE, sollus whole. Also sb. XV. So solidarity XIX. — F. solidarité. solidity XVI.

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solifidian

(theol.) one who holds that faith alone is sufficient for justification. XVI. f. L. sli-, comb. form of slus SOLE2 + fides FAITH; see -IAN

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soliloquy

XVII. — late L. sliloquium, f. slus SOLE2 + loqu speak. Hence soliloquize XVIII

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soliped

animal with uncloven hoof. XVII. — F. solipède or modL. soliped, -ps, for L. solidips, f. solidus SOLID + ps FOOT

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solipsism

(philos.) theory that the self is the only object of knowledge. XIX. f. L. slus SOLE2 + ipse self- + -ISM

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solitary

XIV. — L. slitrius, f. slits, solitariness, f. slus SOLE2; see -ITY, -ARY. So solitaire recluse; precious stone set by itself; game to be played by one person; loose necktie. XVIII. — (O)F. solitude XIV (not frequent before XVII). — (O)F. or L

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solmization

see SOL2

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solo

(mus.) part to be sung or played by one performer alone. XVII. — It. solo :- L. slus SOLE2. Hence soloist XIX

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solstice

XIII. — (O)F. — L. slstitium, f. sl SOL1 + stit-, var. of stat- (as in STATION)

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soluble

†free from constipation XIV; capable of being melted or dissolved XV; solvable XVIII. — (O)F. — late L. solbilis, f. solvere loosen, SOLVE; see -BLE. So solution solving, explanation, dissolving XIV; breach XVI

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solve

†loosen, unbind XV; explain, clear up; clear off (a debt) XVI. — L. solvere unfasten, free, pay. for seluere, f. se SE- + luere pay. So solvent able to pay; dissolving (also sb.) XVII. — prp. of L. solvere

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somatic

pert. to the body. XVIII. — Gr. smatikós, f. sôma, smat- body; see -IC. So somato-, comb. form of Gr. sôma

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sombre

marked by gloom XVIII; dark in colour XIX. — (O)F., adj. use of OF. sb., based on Rom. subombrre, f. L. SUB- + umbra shade, shadow

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sombrero

†Oriental umbrella XVI; broad-brimmed hat XVIII. — Sp., f. sombra shade = OF. sombre (see prec.)

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some

†a certain; one or other; a certain amount or number of; also as sb. or pron. OE. sum = OS., OHG. sum, ON. sumr, Goth. sums :- Gmc. sumaz :- IE. sos, the base of which is repr. also by Gr. hamôs somehow, Skr. samá-, Av. hama- some, every. Cf. SAME. Comps. somebody , someone XIV, somehow XVIII, something OE., sometime XIII, sometimes XVI, somewhat , somewhere XII

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-some1

suffix repr. OE. -sum, rel. by gradation to OS., OHG. -sam (Du. -zaam, G. -sam), ON. -samr, Goth. -sams, added to sbs., adjs., and vbs., to form adjs. denoting a quality, condition, temperament, etc. of the OE. formations winsome remains in literary use, longsome, lovesome are arch. or dial.; many others are of ME. age, as cumbersome, fulsome, handsome, wholesome; later are quarrelsome, tiresome. In buxom and lissom the suffix is disguised

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-some2

repr. OE. sum SOME, used after g. pl. of a numeral, as fiftna sum (being) one of (a company of) fifteen, surviving in descriptions of games or contests in which persons of the number designated take part, as twosome, threesome, foursome

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somersault

sb. XVI. — OF. sombresau(l)t, alt. of sobresault (mod. soubresaut) — Pr. sobresaut, f. sobre (:- L. supr) above + saut (:- L. saltus) leap. Hence vb. XIX

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somnambulism

XVIII. f. L. somnus sleep + ambulre walk + -ISM. So somnambulist, somnambulation XVIII

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somni-

comb. form of L. somnus sleep, as in somniferous XVII

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somnolent

inclining to sleep XV; inclined to sleep XVI. — F. somnolent or L. somnolentus, f. somnus sleep. So somnolence XIV

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son

OE. sunu = OS., OHG. sunu (Du. zoon, G. sohn), ON, sunr, sonr, Goth. sunus :- Gmc. sunuz, rel. more immed. to Balto-Sl. and Indo-Iran. forms (OSl. syn, Skr. snú-), and remotely to OIr. suth (:- sutu) offspring, Gr. huiús, huiós (:- sujus) son

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sonant

(phon.) voiced. XIX. — L. sonns, -ant-, prp. of sonre sound

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sonata

(mus.) †piece of instrumental music; now, one for one or two instruments, normally consisting of three or four movements. XVII. — It. sonata, fem. pp. of sonare sound

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song

OE. sang (song) = OS. sang (Du. zang). OHG. sanc (G. sang), ON. sngr, Goth. saggws :- Gmc. sazwaz, f. sazw- SING. Hence songster singer. OE. sangestre; whence songstress (XVIII; see -ESS1)

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sonorous

XVII. f. L. sonrus, f. sonor, sonr- sound; see -OUS

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sonnet

(pros.) †short poem; poem of fourteen 10-syllable lines with a particular rhyme-pattern. XVI (sonet). — F. sonnet or its source It. sonetto, dim. of suono sound; see -ET. Hence sonneteer XVII. Partly — It. sonettiere

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sonsy

lucky, fortunate XVI; buxom, comely and pleasant XVIII. orig. Sc., Ir. and north. dial.; f. (dial.) sonse (XIV) abundance, prosperity — Ir., Gael. sonas good fortune, f. sona fortunate, happy; see -Y1

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soon

OE. sna = OS. sno, sn(a), OHG. sn(o) :- WGmc. sWaEn.

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soot

OE. st = MLG. st (G. dial. sott), MDu. soet, zoet, ON. sót :- Gmc. stam ‘that which settles’, f. IE. sd- sd- SIT. Hence sooty (-Y1) XIII

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sooth

(arch. as in in (good) s.) truth. OE. sð = OS. sð, f. corr. adj. OE. sð = OS. sð, ON. sannr, saðr :- Gmc. sanþaz :- IE. sontos, rel. to Goth. sunjis true (in fem. sunja) :- IE. styós; cf. Skr. satyá-. Hence soothfast truthful, faithful. OE. sðfæst. soothsayer †one who speaks the truth; one who claims to foretell the future XIV

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soothe

†prove to be true OE.; †declare to be true XVI; †confirm, encourage; †please or flatter by assent; †gloss over; calm, mollify XVII; allay, assuage XVIII. OE. (e)sðian, f. sð SOOTH

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sop

piece of bread, etc. dipped in liquid OE.; milksop XVII. Late OE. sopp, corr. to MLG. soppe, OHG. sopfa bread and milk, prob. f. wk. grade of the base of OE. span SUP1. So sop vb. dip in liquid OE. soppian (thereafter not till XVI, f. the sb.); drench, soak XVII; become wet XIX. sopping XIX. soppy †full of sops XVII; (colloq.) foolishly sentimental XIX

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sophism

specious but fallacious argument. XIV. ME. sophime, -eme — OF. sophime (also mod. sophisme after L. and Gr., to which the Eng. form was later assim.) — L. sophisma — Gr. sóphisma clever device, trick, argument, f. sophízesthai devise, f. sophós wise, clever; see -ISM. So sophist XVI. — L. sophists — Gr. sophister sophist. XIV. sophistic XVI, -ical XV. sophisticate (-ATE3) †adulterate XIV; corrupt, falsify, as by debasing admixture XVII. sophistication XIV. — OF. or medL. sophistry XIV. — OF. sophistrie (mod. -erie) or medL. sophistria

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sophomore

(at universities, now U.S.) student in his second year. XVII. Earlier sophumer (-ER1), beside prp. sophuming, f. sophum, obs. var. of SOPHISM

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soporiferous

producing sleep. XVI. f. L. soprifer, f. sopor, -r- sleep; see -IFEROUS. So soporific (-FIC). XVII

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soprano

XVIII. — It., f. sopra above

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sorb

(fruit of) the service tree XVI; rowan XVIII. — F. sorbe or L. sorbus service tree, sorbum service berry

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sorbet

XVI. — F. — It. sorbetto — Turk. erbet SHERBET

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sorcerer

XVI. Extension, with -ER1, of late ME. sorser — (O)F. sorcier :- Rom. sortirius, f. sors, sort- lot (see SORT); see -ER2. So sorceress (-ESS1) XIV. — AN. sorceresse. sorcery XIII. — OF. sorcerie

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sordid

foul, dirty (lit. and fig.) XVI; characterized by mean or ignoble motives XVII. — F. sordide or L. sordidus, f. sordre be dirty; see -ID1

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sore

†bodily suffering, disease; place where the skin is broken or inflamed; †grief, trouble. OE. sr = OS., OHG. sr (Du. zeer, G. †sehr), ON. sár, Goth. sair :- Gmc. sairam. So adj. (arch.) painful, grievous; painful, aching, (now) with skin inflamed, etc. OE.; pained, distressed XIII. OE. sr = OS., OHG. sr (Du. zeer, G. sehr), ON. sárr :- Gmc. sairaz. adv. (arch., dial.) painfully, grievously. OE. sre = OS., OHG. sro (Du. zeer, G. sehr greatly, very). sorely (-LY2). OE. srl.e.

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sorghum

Indian millet XVI; Chinese sugar cane; genus of grasses XIX. modL. — It. sorgo, perh. :- Rom. syricum (cf. medL. sur(i)cum) Syrian

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sorites

(logic) chain syllogism, in which the conclusion is formed of the first subject and the last predicate. XVI. — L. srts — Gr. srts, f. srs heap

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sorner

(Sc.) sponger. XV. f. sorn vb., f. sorren (XIII, sorthyn) service of vassals in Scotland and Ireland consisting of giving hospitality to the superior or his men — Ir. †sorthan free quarters

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sororicide1

one who kills his or her sister. XVII. f. soror SISTER + -CIDE1. So sororicide^2 (-CIDE2) the killing of one's sister XVIII

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sorrel1

(leaves of) plant of the genus Rumex, having a sour taste. XIV. — OF. sorele, surele (mod. dial. surelle), f. sur sour — Gmc. sraz; see SOUR, -EL2

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sorrel2

(horse) of bright chestnut colour. XV. — OF. sorel adj., f. sor yellowish, of Gmc. orig.; see -EL2

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sorrow

mental pain or distress. OE. sorh, sorg = OS. sor(a)ga (Du. zorg), OHG. s(w)orga (G. sorge), ON. sorg, Goth. saurga; Gmc. sb. of unkn. orig., with corr. vb. OE. sorgian, etc. Hence sorrowful. OE. sorhful.

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sorry

pained at heart OE.; worthless, poor XIII. OE. sri = OS., OHG. srag :- WGmc. sairaz-, -iz-, f. Gmc. sairam SORE sb.; see -Y1

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sort

kind, species XIV; (arch.) manner, way XVI. — (O)F. sorte :- Rom. sorta, alt. of L. sors, sort-voting tablet, lot, fortune, condition (AL. sort, kind). So sort vb. †allot; arrange, assort XIV; (arch.) agree or associate with XVI. — OF. sortir or L. sortr; later f. the sb. or aphetic of ASSORT

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sortie

†knot of ribbon XVII; sally by a besieged garrison XVIII. — F. sortie a going out

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sortilege

casting of lots. XIV. — (O)F. sortilège — medL. sortilegium, f. sortilegus diviner, f. sors, sort- lot + legere choose

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sostenuto

(mus.) in a sustained manner. XVIII. — It., pp. of sostenere SUSTAIN

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sot

†fool OE.; habitual drunkard XVI. Late OE. sott — medL. sottus, of unkn. orig.; reinforced from (O)F. sot

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sotto voce

in a subdued voice. XVIII. — It., i.e. sotto under, voce voice

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sou

French coin. XIX. — F., sg. form deduced from sous, †soux, pl. of OF. sout :- (sb. use of) L. solidus SOLID

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soubrette

lady's maid, maidservant (in a play or opera). XVIII. — F. — modPr. soubreto, fem. of soubret coy

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soubriquet

see SOBRIQUET

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souchong

fine variety of black tea. XVIII. — Chinese hsiao chung small sort

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soufflé

light dish made by mixing materials with white of egg. XIX. — F. soufflé, pp. of souffler :- L. sufflre, f. SUB- + flre BLOW1

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sough

rushing or murmuring sound. XIV. ME. swo(u)gh, swow, f. swoghe, OE. swgan make such a sound, rel. to OE. swgan sound, Goth. -swgjan

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soul

†life; spiritual or emotional part of man; disembodied spirit of a man OE.; vital principle XIV; essential part of XVI. OE. swol, sw(e)l = Goth. saiwala, corr. to OS. sola (Du. ziel), OHG. s(u)la (G. seele); Gmc. saiwal, corr. formally to Gr. aiólos quick-moving, easily moved

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sound1

†swimming; †sea, water OE.; swimming-bladder of fish XIV; (from Scand.) narrow channel of water XV. OE. sund = ON. sund swimming, strait :- Gmc. sundam, f. sum- swem- SWIM

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sound2

unhurt, uninjured XII; healthy XIII; based on fact or good grounds XV; solid, ample XVI. ME. sund, aphetic of isund, OE. esund = OS. gisund (Du. gezond), OHG. gisunt (G. gesund) :- WGmc. zasundaz. Hence adv. fast asleep XIV

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sound3

that which is or may be heard. XIII. ME. sun, so(u)n — AN. s(o)un, (O)F. son :- L. sonus. So sound vb. cause to make a sound XIII; emit a sound XIV. ME. sune, so(u)ne — AN. suner, OF. soner (mod. sonner) :- L. sonre. The form with -d appears XV, and is established XVI

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sound4

†penetrate XIV; intr. and trans. ascertain the depth of water XV; measure or examine as by sounding XVI. — (O)F. sonder use the sounding-lead :- Rom. subundre, f. L. SUB- + unda wave. So sound sb. †act of sounding XVI; (surg.) instrument for probing XVIII

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soup

XVII. — (O)F. soupe (i) sop, (ii) broth poured on slices of bread :- late L. suppa, f. suppre soak, of Gmc. orig. Cf. SOP

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soupçon

slight trace (of). XVIII. — F., repr. OF. sou(s)peçon :- late L. suspecti, -n-, for L. suspici SUSPICION

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sour

of tart or acid taste OE.; bitter, extremely distasteful XII; morose, peevish XIII. OE. sr = OS., OHG. sr (Du. zuur, G. sauer), ON. súrr :- Gmc. sraz. Hence sour vb. XIV. sourness OE. srnes.

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source

A
†rising on the wing;

B
fountain-head of a stream; place of origin. XIV. ME. sours(e) — OF. so(u)rs m., sourse, (also mod.) source fem., sb. uses of m. and fem. pp. of sourdre rise, spring: L. surgere rise, SURGE2
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souse

steep (meat, etc.) in pickle XIV; plunge in water XV; drench, soak XVI. f. (dial.) souse (XIV) pickled meat — OF. sous, souz — OS sultia, OHG. sülza (G. s¨lze) brine. Gmc. sult- salt- SALT

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soutache

narrow flat braid. XIX. — F. — Hung. sujtás

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soutane

XIX. — F. — It. sottana, f. sotto under

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souter

(Sc. and north.) shoemaker, cobbler. OE. stere, corr. to OHG. stri, ON. sútari — L. stor shoemaker, f. suere SEW, stitch; see TOR, -ER1

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south

adv., adj. OE.; sb XIII. OE. sð = OS. sth (LG. sud), OHG. sunt, ON. (with r-suffix) suð (:- sunþr). So southerly (-LY1) XVI. southern. OE. sðerne. Also comp. southeast, southwest, southward(s) OE.

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souvenir

XVIII. — F. ‘memory’, ‘keepsake’, sb. use of souvenir :- L. subvenre come to the mind, f. SUB- + venre COME

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sovereign

(supreme) ruler XIII; English gold coin of 20 shillings value XVI. ME. soverein — OF. so(u)verain, -ein (mod. souverain) :- Rom. supernus, f. super above. Also adj. supreme, paramount. XIV. So sovereignty (-TY2) XIV. — OF. so(u)vereinete (mod. souveraineté)

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soviet

XX. — Russ. sovét council

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sow1

female swine OE.; structure to cover a besieging force XIII; (prob. after Du.) oblong mass of metal XVI. OE. sugu = OS. suga, MLG., MDu. soge (Du. zeug), rel. to OE., OHG. s (G. sau), ON. sýr; f. IE. base s-, repr. also by L. ss pig, Gr. hûs, etc.; cf. SWINE

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sow2

pt. sowed, pp. sown scatter or plant seed so that it may grow. OE. str. vb. swan, corr. to OS. sian (Du. zaaien), OHG. swen, s(h)en (G. säen), ON. sá, Goth. saian; Gmc. sjan. repr. IE. base s(j)-, as in L. pt. sv (of serere), and in SEED

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soy

sauce prepared from the soya bean. XVII. (prob. through Du. soya) — Jap. shyu (dial. sðyu). So soya XVII. — Du

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spa

medicinal spring or well XVII; locality possessing this XVIII. f. name Spa of a watering-place in Belgium noted for its curative mineral springs

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space

extent of time or distance. XIII. Aphetic — (O)F. espace — L. spatium (in medL. also spacium). So space vb. place in respect of distance or extent. XVI. — (O)F. espacer, or f. the sb. spacious XIV. — L. spatisus or OF. spacios (mod. -ieux)

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spade1

tool for digging, etc. OE. spadu, spada = OS. spado (Du. spade, spa). a word of the LG. area; rel. to Gr. spáth blade, paddle, etc

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spade2

(pl.) suit of playing cards with black spade-shaped marks. XVI. — It. spade, pl. of spada — L. spatha — Gr. spáth (see prec.)

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spadille

ace of spades in ombre and quadrille. XVIII. — F. — Sp. espadilla, dim. of espada sword

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spadix

(bot.) inflorescence consisting of a thick fleshy spike. XVIII. — L. spdx — Gr. spdx palm-branch

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spae

(north. and Sc.) prophesy. XIII. — ON. spá, of unkn. orig

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spaghetti

XIX It. pl of dim of spago string. of unkn orig

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spall

chip. splinter. XV. var. of contemp. spale, of unkn. orig

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spalpeen

labourer, farm hand XVIII; scamp, rascal XIX. Ir spailpín, of unkn. orig

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spam

name of a variety of tinned meat XX P., f. initial and final letters of spiced ham

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span1

distance from tip of thumb to extended tip of little finger OE., small piece or space XIV; short space of time XVI; space between supports of an arch, etc. XVIII. OE. span(n) = MLG. spen(ne), (M)Du. spanne, OHG. spanna (G. spanne). ON. spnn; in ME. prob. also — OF. espan(n)e, espan (mod. empan), of Gmc. orig. Hence vb. †seize XIV; measure with outstretched hand XVI; form an arch over XVII. perh. partly — MLG. spannen; not continuous with rel. OE. spannan. So spanner †tool for winding up the wheel lock of a firearm XVII; instrument for turning a nut, etc. XVIII. — G. spanner; see -ER1

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span2

harness, yoke (e.g. to a vehicle) XVI; (naut.) fix, attach XVIII. — (M)Du. or (M)LG. spannen = OE. spannan, OHG. spannan (G. spannen).

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spandrel

(archit.) space between either shoulder of an arch and the surrounding rectangular framework. XV. perh. f. AN. spaund(e)re, poss. f. espaundre EXPAND; see -EL2

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spangle

thin piece of glittering metal for ornament XV; small sparkling particle XVI. dim. (see -LE1) f. synon. †spange (XV) — MDu. spange (Du. spang) or rel. ON. spng, spang- clasp, brooch :- Gmc. spang

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Spaniard

XIV. ME. Spaynard, aphetic — OF. Espaignart, Espaniard, f. Espaigne (mod. Espagne), whence Eng. Spain (XIII); corr. to Sp. Espaa :- late L. Spnia for earlier Hispnia, Ispnia; see -ARD. Prob. infl. by MDu. Spaensch (Du. Spaansch) So Spanish pert. to Spain XIII (Spainisce); the language of Spain XV

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spaniel

XIV (spaynel). Aphetic — OF. espaigneul (mod. épagneul) :- Rom. spnils, for Hispnilus Spanish, f. Hispnia Spain, see prec

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spank1

slap with the open hand. XVIII. perh. imit. of the sound

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spank2

(dial.) travel with vigour and speed. XIX. Presumably back-formation from spanker (-ER1) †gold coin XVIII; fine large thing; fast horse XIX; or spanking (-ING2) very large or fine XVII; fast-moving XVIII; of unkn. orig

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spar1

(dial.) rafter of a roof XIII; (orig. and esp. naut.) pole or length of timber XIV. — ON. sperra or aphetic — OF. esparre (mod. épare, épar) or :- its Gmc. source, repr. by MLG., MDu. sparre (Du. spar), OHG. sparro (G. sparren), ON. sparri

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spar2

†strike out with the feet or a weapon OE.; engage in or practise boxing XVIII. OE. sperran, spyrran, spierran, corr. to ON. sperrask kick out; of unkn. orig.

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spar3

gen. term for certain crystalline minerals. XVI. — MLG. spar, rel. to OE. spæren of plaster or mortar, spærstn gypsum.

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sparable

small headless wedge-shaped iron nail. XVII. alt. of sparrow-bill (XVII), so named from the shape; see SPARROW, BILL2

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spare

leave unharmed, abstain from destroying, injuring, using OE.; part with, do without, keep in reserve XIII; avoid incurring XIV. OE. sparian = OS. sparon, OHG. sparn (Du., G. sparen), ON. spara :- Gmc. sparjan. So adj. XIV. Cf. OE. spær sparing, frugal.

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spark

A
small particle of fire OE.; vital principle XIV;

B
woman of beauty or wit XVI; elegant young man XVII; beau, lover XVIII. OE. spærca, spearca = (M)LG., MDu. sparke, of unkn. orig. The identity of group B of the senses is doubtful.
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Hence vb. XIII. sparkle vb. XII (see -LE2), sb. XIV

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sparling

(north.) smelt, Osmerus eperlanus. XIV. Aphetic — OF. esperlinge (mod. éperlan), of Gmc. orig. (cf. MLG., MDu. spirlinc, G. spierling)

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sparrow

OE. spearwa = OHG. sparo, MHG. sparwe, ON. sprr, Goth. sparwa :- Gmc. sparwan-, sparwaz.

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sparrowhawk

XV. repl. arch. or dial. sparhawk, f. OE. spearhafoc ( = ON. sparr-haukr), f. stem of spearwa SPARROW + hafoc HAWK1.

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sparse

widely spaced or distributed. XVIII. — L. sparsus, pp. of spargere scatter

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Spartan

native of Sparta XV; adj. XVI. — L. Spartnus, f. Sparta (Gr. Spart, -): see -AN

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spasm

sudden or violent muscular contraction. XIV. — (O)F. spasme or L. spasmus, spasma — Gr. spasms, spásma, f. spân draw, pull. So spasmodic marked by spasms or twitches XVII; intermittent XIX. — modL. spasmdicus, f. Gr. spasmds. spastic marked by spasmodic symptoms. XVIII. — L. spasticus — Gr. spastiks

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spat1

spawn of shellfish. XVII. — AN. spat, of unkn. orig

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spat2

short gaiter worn over the instep. XIX. Shortening of spatterdash (XVII) long gaiter or legging for protection from splashing, f. SPATTER + DASH

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spatchcock

(orig. in lr. use) fowl prepared by being summarily split open and grilled. XVIII. of unkn. orig.; cf. spitchcock (XVI) eel cut into short pieces, dressed, and cooked

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spate

flood or rising in a river. XV (orig. north. and Sc.). of unkn. orig

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spathe

(bot.) large sheathing leaf enveloping inflorescence. XVIII. — L. spatha — Gr. spáth (see SPADE1)

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spatial

XIX. f. L. spatium SPACE + -AL1

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spatter

XVI. frequent. f. imit. base repr. also in LG., Du. spatten burst, spout, WFlem. spatteren; see -ER4

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spatula

flat elongated implement, XVI. — L., var. of spathula, dim. of spatha SPATHE

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spavin

hard bony tumour in a horse's leg. XV. ME. spaveyne, aphetic — OF. espavin, var. of esparvain (mod. éparvin), of uncert. orig

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spawn

cast spawn XIV–XV; engender XVI. Aphetic — AN. espaundre shed roe, var. of OF. espandre (mod. épandre) shed, spill, pour out :- L. expandere EXPAND. Hence spawn sb. eggs of fishes, etc. XV

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spay

remove the ovaries from (a female). XV. Aphetic — AN, espeier, OF. espeer, f. espee (mod. épée) sword :- L. spatha (see SPADE1)

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speak

pt. spoke, pp. spoken utter words. Late OE. str. vb. specan (corr. to MDu. speken, OHG. spehhen); superseding parallel OE. sprecan, which did not survive beyond XII = OS. sprekan (Du. spreken), OHG. sprehhan (G. sprechen). Hence speaker (of the House of Commons) XIV; see -ER1.

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spear

sb. OE. spere = OS., OHG. sper (Du., G. speer), ON. (pl.) spjr. Hence vb. XVIII

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spec

colloq. abbrev. of SPECULATION. XVII (orig. U.S.)

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special

exceeding what is usual or common XIII; having a particular purpose XIV. Aphetic — OF. especial ESPECIAL or — L. specilis, f. specis SPECIES; see -AL1. Hence specially XIII, specialist XIX. So speciality XV. — OF. especialité. specialize XVII. — F. spécialiser. specialty XIV. — OF. (e)specialté

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species

outward form (surviving spec. theol. of the elements in the Eucharist); kind (gen. and spec.). XVI. — L. (sg. and pl.) specis, f. spec- of specere look, behold. So specie phr. in s., in kind; in the real form XVI; in actual coin XVII; hence sb. coined money XVII; abl. sg. of specis. specific XVII. — late L. specificus. specification XVII. — medL. specify XIII. — OF. or medL. specificre. specimen †experiment; †pattern; typical example. XVII. — L. specimen. specious †fair to look upon XIV; attractive or plausible but lacking in genuineness XVII. — L. specisus

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speck

small spot. OE. specca, repr. otherwise only in speckle sb. XV. — MDu. spekkel (Du. spikkel); see -LE1. Also vb. XVI. Hence speckled (-ED2) XIV

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specs

colloq. abbrev. of spectacles (see next). XIX

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spectacle

prepared display, object exhibited; (now usu. pl.) device for assisting defective eyesight. XIV. — (O)F. — L. spectculum public show, spectators in a theatre, f. spectre, frequent. f. specere look at. So spectator onlooker. XVI. — F. or L. spectre, U.S. specter XVII. — F. spectre or L. spectrum (whence also spectrum spectre; coloured band into which a beam of light is decomposed. XVII; comb. form spectro-, as in spectroscope). speculate (-ATE2) †observe, consider XVI; engage in thought XVIII; engage in buying and selling for gain XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. speculr spy out, watch, f. specula lookout, watch-tower. speculation, speculative XIV. — (O)F. or late L. speculum surgical instrument for examining XVI; mirror, reflector XVII. — L

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speech

act of speaking. OE. (Angl.) spc, (WS.) sp., rel. to specan SPEAK; repl. earlier spr. = OS. sprka (Du. spraak), OHG. sprhha (G. sprache), WGmc. sb. f. sprk- sprek- SPEAK. Hence speechify make a speech or speeches (usu. with derogatory force) XVIII

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speed

†success (surviving in phr. wish good s.): quickness. OE. spd, earlier spœd = OS. spd, OHG. spuot; f. Gmc. span (OE. spwan, OHG. spuo(e)n prosper, succeed). Hence speed vb. OE. spdan, usu. gespdan = OS. spdian (Du. spoeden), OHG. spuoten.

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spell1

†discourse OE.; formula of incantation. first in night-s. XIV. OE. spel(l) = OS., OHG. spel ON. spjall, Goth. spill recital, tale :- Gmc. spellam; of unkn. orig. Comp. spellbound enchanted XVIII; hence spellbind vb., whence (U.S.) spellbinder XX

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spell2

pt., pp. spelled, (usu.) spelt read out as if letter by letter XIII; name or set down the letters of XV; make out, decipher XVI. Aphetic — OF. espel(l)er (mod. épeler), espelir, for older espeldre, espeaudre, of Gmc. orig. (cf. prec.)

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spell3

relieve (another) at work XVI. Later form of †spele take the place of, OE. spelian, rel. to spala substitute, of unkn. orig. Hence spell sb. †relief gang XVI; turn of work taken in relief of another XVII; continuous course of time XVIII

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spelt

species of grain, Triticum spelta. Rare before XVI; in late OE., ME., and modEng. due to independent adoptions from the Continent of OS. spelta, MLG., MDu. spelte (Du. spelt) = OHG. spelza, spelta (G. spelz)

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spelter

zinc XVII; zinc alloy XIX. corr. to OF. espeautre, MDu. speauter (Du. spiauter), LG. spialter; rel. to PEWTER

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spence

(arch.) buttery, pantry XIV; (Sc.) parlour XVIII. Aphetic — OF. despense (mod. dépense) :- sb. use of fem. pp. of L. dispendere DISPENSE. So †spencer steward, butler (surviving as a surname) — AN. espenser, for OF. despenser

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spencer

†kind of wig XVIII; short double-breasted overcoat XVIII; form of life-belt XIX. f. family name Spencer; in the several senses respectively after Charles Spencer , third Earl of Sunderland (1674–1722), George John Spencer , second Earl Spencer (1758–1834), Knight Spencer (fl. 1803)

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spend

pt., pp. spent give or pay out OE.; use, use up XIII. Partly (i) OE. spendan, corr. to MLG., MDu. spenden, OHG. spentn (G. spenden), ON. spenna — L. expendere EXPEND; partly (ii) aphetic of dispend — OF. despendre :- L. dispendere distribute, DISPENSE. Comp. spendthrift XVII; thrift being taken in the sense ‘substance’, ‘wealth’

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sperm

XIV. — late L. sperma — Gr. spérma, -at-, f. base of speírein sow. Comb. form spermato- XIX. So spermatic XVI. — late L. — Gr

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spermaceti

fatty substance obtained from the sperm whale. XV. — medL. spermact (so named from an erron. notion of the nature of the substance), f. sperma SPERM + ct, g. of ctus — Gr. kêtos whale; attrib. in s. whale (XVII), shortened to sperm whale (XIX)

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spew

vomit. (i) OE. str. vb. spwan = OS., OHG. spwan (G. speien), ON. spýja, Goth. speiwan; (ii) OE. wk. vb. spowan, spowan, corr. to L. spuere, Gr. ptûein; of imit. orig.

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sphagnum

(bot.) genus of mosses. XVIII. f. Gr. sphágnos

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sphenoid

(anat.) irregularly-shaped bone at the base of the skull wedged in between other bones. XVIII. — Gr. sphnoeids, f. sphn wedge; see -OID

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sphere

globular body or figure; globe conceived as appropriate to a particular planet, hence (one's or its) province or domain XVII. ME. sper(e) — OF. espere, later (with assim. to L.) sphère — late L. sphra, earlier sphæra — Gr. sphaîra ball, globe. So spheric, spherical XVI. — late L. sph-, sphæricus — Gr. sphaîrikós. spheroid XVII

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sphincter

(anat.) muscular ring normally closing an orifice. XVI. — late L. — Gr. sphigktr band, contractile muscle, f. sphíggein bind tight

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sphinx

(Gr. myth.) hybrid monster which propounded a riddle; figure of creature having a human head and breast with a lion's body; inscrutable being. XVI. — L.- Gr. Sphígx, presumably f. sphíggein (see prec.)

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sphragistic

(as pl.; see -ICS) scientific study of seals or signet rings: adj. pert. to these XIX.- F. sphragistique — Gr. sphrgistiks, f. sphrgs seal

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spicate

(bot.) having a spike-like inflorescence. XVII. — L. spctus, pp. of spcre furnish with spikes. f. spica SPIKE2; see -ATE2

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spice

aromatic vegetable substance used for its pungency or fragrance. XIII. Aphetic — OF. espice (mod. épice) :- L. specis appearance, specific kind, SPECIES, (late) pl. wares, merchandise. So spice vb. XIV. spicery XIII. Hence spicy (-Y1) XVI

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spick and span

brand new XVII (speck and span); trim, spruce XIX. Shortening of (dial.) spick and span new (XVI), extension of (dial.) span-new (XIII) — ON. spánnýr ‘new like a freshly shaved chip’, f. spánn chip + nýr NEW; the el. spick is prob. due to synon. Du. spikspelldernieuw, -splinternieuw ‘spike-splinter-new’

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spider

OE. spðra :- spinþran-, f. spinnan SPIN.

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spiel

(U.S.) talk, speech. XIX. — G. spiel play

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spiffing

(dial., sl.) first-rate, smart. XIX. of unkn. orig

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spignel

(aromatic root of) Meum athamanticum. XVI. perh. contr. of obscure ME. †spigurnel (XIV–XV) — medL. spigurnella

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spigot

XIV. of uncert. orig

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spike1

sharp-pointed piece of metal, large nail. XIII. ME. spyk (also spiknail). of uncert. orig. (perh. — (M)LG., MDu. spker (Du. spijker)); rel. to SPOKE. Hence spike vb. XVII

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spike2

A
ear of corn XIV (rare before XVII); inflorescence of sessile flowers on a long axis XVI;

B
lavender XVI. — L. spca, -us, -um
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spikenard

XIV. — medL. spca nard (see SPIKE2, NARD), or more immed. — OF. spicanard(e) or MLG. spkenard, MDu. spkenaerde (Du. spijknardus)

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spill1

pt., pp. spilt, spilled †put to death, destroy, waste OE.; shed (blood) XII; allow or cause (liquid) to fall or pour XIV (hence intr. XVII). OE. spillan = (M)LG., (M)Du. spillen, rel. to OE. spildan destroy = OS: spildian, OHG. spilden, ON. spilla (:- spilpjan), of unkn. orig. Hence spilth (-TH1) XVII

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spill2

splinter or slip of wood, etc. XIII; thin, slip of wood, etc. for lighting XIX. of uncert. orig

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spin

pt. span, spun, pp. spun draw and form into thread OE.; form (a thread) XIII: shoot, gush XIV; revolve XVII. OE. str. vb. spinnan = (M)Du. spinnen, OHG., Goth. spinnan (G. spinnen), ON. spinna.

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spinach

XVI (spinache, -age). prob. — MDu. spinaetse, spinag(i)e (Du. spinazie) — OF. espinache, -age (mod. épinard) — Sp. espinaca — medL. spinac(h)ia, -ium, of uncert. orig

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spinal

pert. to the SPINE. XVI — late L. spnlis; see -AL1

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spindle

slender rod serving to twist and wind thread in spinning OE.; rod serving as an axis XIV. OE. spinel, corr. to OS. spinnila, (M)Du. spindel, OHG. spin(n)ila, -ala (G. spindel), f. spin- SPIN; see -LE1.

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spindrift

continuous driving of spray. XVI. orig. Sc. var. of spoondrift (actually recorded later, XVIII), f. †spoon run before the wind or sea + DRIFT

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spine

backbone XIV (rare before XVII); thorn or thorn-like process XV. Aphetic — OF. epine (mod. épine), or — its source L. spna thorn, prickle, backbone

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spinel

gem resembling the ruby. XVI. — F. spinelle — It. spinella, dim. of spina spine

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spinet

XVII. Aphetic — F. †espinette (mod. épinette) — It. spinetta

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spinifex

coarse grass of the Australian deserts, having spiny leaves XIX. — modL. spnifex, f. spna SPINE + -fex maker, f. base of facere make

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spinnaker

(naut.) three-cornered sail carried by racing yachts. XIX. Said to be a fanciful formation on spinks, mispronunciation of Sphinx, name of the first yacht that commonly carried the sail

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spinney

XVI. Aphetic — OF. espinei (mod. épinaie) :- Rom. spnta, coll. form of L. spntum, f. spna thorn, SPINE

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spinster

woman (rarely, man) engaged in spinning XIV; appended to names of women to denote occupation, later (from XVII) legal designation of one still unmarried. f. SPIN vb. + -STER

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spiraea

genus of rosaceous plants. XVII. — L. spræa — Gr. speiraía, f. speîra SPIRE2

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spiral

coiled as round a cylinder or cone. XVI. — F. spiral or medL. sprlis, spra SPIRE2; see -AL1

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spirant

(philol.) XIX. — L. sprns, -ant-, prp. of sprre breathe; see -ANT

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spire1

†stalk, stem OE.; (dial.) reeds XIII; shoot, sprout XIV; tapering portion of a steeple XVI (earlier sphere XV). OE. spr = MLG., MDu. spier, spr, MHG. spr (G. spier tip of blade of grass).

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spire2

coil, spiral. XVI. — F. -L. spra — Gr. speîra coil, winding

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spirit

A
breath of life;

B
vital principle;
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C
incorporeal being XIII; immaterial element of a human being;
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D
vital power XIV;
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E
†any of four substances so named of the alchemists XIV; liquid of the nature of an essence XVII. — AN., aphetic of espirit, OF. esperit, (also mod.) esprit — L. spritus breathing, breath, air, life, soul, pride, courage, (in Chr. use) incorporeal being, f. sprre breathe.
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Hence spirit vb. (arch.) enliven, inspirit XVI; carry away mysteriously XVII. spirited (-ED2) XVI. spiritism XIX. So spiritual pert. to the spirit XIV; ecclesiastical XIV. ME. spirituel (later latinized) — (O)F. spirituel — L. spritulis; see -AL1. spirituality XV. — (O)F. or late L. spiritualism XIX. spirituous †spirited XVI; ardent, alcoholic XVII. — F. spiritueux or f. L. spritus

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spirometer

instrument for measuring breathing-power. XIX. f. L. sprre breathe; see -OMETER

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spirt

†short space XVI; slight spell of wind XVIII; brief spell of activity XIX. of unkn. orig.; cf. SPURT1

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spit1

pointed rod on which meat is stuck for roasting OE.; sword; small tongue of land XVII. OE. spitu = MLG., MDu. spit, spet (Du. spit), OHG. spiz (G. spiess) :- Gmc. spituz.

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spit2

pt., pp. spat eject saliva. late Nhb. OE. (e)spittan = G. dial. spützen, f. imit. base spit-, of which there are other expressive vars. repr. by OE. sptlian, spt(l)an, sptl, sptl, spld saliva, MHG. spiutzen, ON. spýta; see SPITTLE.

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spit3

spade's depth of earth. XVI. — (M)LG., (M)Du. spit, rel. to OE. spittan (dial. spit) dig with a spade, and hence prob. ult. to SPIT1.

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spitchcock

method of preparing an eel by cutting it up and frying it. XVI. of unkn. orig.; cf. SPATCHCOCK

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spite

†outrage, insult XIII; strong ill-will XIV; in s. of notwithstanding. Aphetic — OF. despit DESPITE. So spite vb. †regard with contempt XIV; treat maliciously XVI. Aphetic — OF. despiter -L. dspectre

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spittle

XV. alt., by assoc. with SPIT2, of (dial.) spattle, OE. sptl, spdl, spld (ME. spold), corr. to MLG. spdel, f. Gmc. spt-, repr. also by OE. sptl, sptan spit. Hence spittoon XIX (orig. U.S.)

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spitz

Pomeranian dog, having a very pointed muzzle. XIX. — G. spitz, also spitzhund, spec. use of spitz pointed.

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splanchnic

pert. to the viscera. XVII. — modL. splanchnicus — Gr. splagkhnikós, f. splágkhnon, usu. pl. -a inward parts; see -IC

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splash

dash water, etc. upon, also with water, etc., as obj., and intr. XVIII. Expressive alt. of plash, prob. of imit. orig

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splay

†unfold (a banner) XIV; spread out XV. Aphetic of DISPLAY. Hence sb. (archit.) work deviating from a right angle; adj., as in splayfoot(ed). XVI

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spleen

gland in the abdomen anciently held to be the seat of (i) melancholy, (ii) mirth XIII; used of various emotions and states of mind XVI. Aphetic — OF. esplen — L. spln — Gr. spln. Comp. spleenwort XVI; after L. splnium, asplnon — Gr. So splenetic XVI. — late L. splnticus. splenic XVII. — L.- Gr

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splendid

XVII. — F. splendide or L. splendidus, f. splendre be bright or shining. So splendent XV. — L. prp. splendiferous XV (now joc.). — medL. splendiferus, for late L. splendrifer. splendour, U.S. splendor great brightness XV; magnificent display, brilliant distinction XVII. — (O)F. splendeur or L. splendor; see -OUR

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splice

join (ropes) by interweaving the strands XVI; join (two pieces of timber) by overlapping the ends XVII; (sl.) join in marriage XVIII. prob. — MDu. splissen

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splint

plate of overlapping metal in medieval armour XIII; slender or thin slip of wood, etc.; (dial.) splinter XIV; (in farriery) tumour developing into a bony excrescence XVI; laminated coal XVIII. — MLG. splente, splinte, MDu. splinte (Du. splint); rel. to next

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splinter

sb. XIV. — (M)Du. splinter, rel. to prec. Hence vb. XVI

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split

break up (a ship) on a rock, etc.; cleave, rend longitudinally. XVI. In earliest use naut. (M)Du. splitten, obscurely rel. to spletten and to MDu., MLG. splten, MHG. splzen (G. spleissen), of unkn. orig

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splodge

XIX. expressive alt. of next

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splotch

XVII. prob. of symbolic orig

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splurge

(U.S.) ostentatious display. XIX. of symbolic orig

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splutter

(dial.) noise, fuss; violent and confused utterance XVII; loud sputter or splashing XIX. alt. of SPUTTER

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spode

china ware manufactured by Josiah Spode (1754–1827). XIX

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spoil

goods captured from an enemy XIII; (esp. pl.) arms or armour so captured, (also gen.) XVI; refuse material XIX. Aphetic — OF. espoille, f. espoillier :- L. spolire, f. spolium, pl. -ia skin stripped from an animal, booty. So spoil vb. A. strip, despoil XIII; B. damage, ruin XVI; C. deteriorate XVII; be spoiling for (orig. U.S.) desire eagerly XIX. — OF. espoillier, or aphetic of DESPOIL.

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spoke

one of the staves of a wheel OE. spca = OS. spca (Du. speek), OHG. speihha (G. speiche) :- WGmc. spaikan-, f. spaik- speik- SPIKE1.

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spokesman

†interpreter; one who speaks on behalf of another XVI; †speaker of an assembly; public speaker XVII. irreg. f. spoke, pt. of SPEAK + -sman (see -s)

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spoliation

XIV. — L. spoliti, n-, f. spolire SPOIL; see -ATION

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spondee

(pros.) metrical foot of two long syllables. XIV — (O)F. spondée or L. spondus — Gr. spondeîos sb. use of adj. f. spondé libation, the spondee being a foot characteristic of melodies accompanying libations. So spondiac XVIII. — F. spondaïque or late L. spondaicus, alt. of spondacus — Gr. spondeiakós

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spondulicks

(sl.) money. XIX (orig. U.S.). of unkn. orig

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sponge

sb. OE. sponge, corr. to OS. spunsia (Du. spons) — L. spongia — Gr. spogg, f. spóggos, sphóggos; reinforced in ME, from OF. Hence vb. XIV

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sponsion

solemn or formal engagement. XVII. — L. sponsi, n-, f. pp. stem of spondre promise solemnly, rel. to Gr. spéndein pour a libation, promise; see -SION. So sponsor godfather, godmother; one who gives surety. XVII. — L

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sponson

(naut.) extension beyond the ordinary line or bulk of a vessel. XIX. Formerly also sponsing, sponcing; of unkn. orig

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spontaneous

XVII. f. late L. spontneus, f. L. (su) sponte of (one's) own accord

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spontoon

(hist.) kind of halberd. XVIII. — F. †sponton (mod. esponton) — It. spuntone, f. spuntare blunt

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spoof

(card) game of a hoaxing character; (gen.) hoax, humbug. XIX. Invented by Arthur Roberts (1852–1933), Eng. comedian

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spook

(colloq.) spectre, ghost. XIX. — Du. spook = (M)LG. spk; of unkn. orig

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spool

XIV. Aphetic — OF. espole (mod. époule), or — its source MLG. sple = MDu. spoele (Du. spoel), OHG. spuolo, -a (G. spule); WGmc., of unkn. orig

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spoon

A
†chip, splinter OE.;

B
shallow oval bowl with a long handle XIV. OE spn = MLG. spn, MDu. spaen, OHG. spn (G. span shaving), ON. spónn, spánn. The Scand. sense (B) prevailed in this word. Comp. spoonbill bird of the family Plataleidae.
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Hence spoony foolish person, silly XVIII; spoon was similarly applied contemp. to person making love sentimentally, whence a Corr. use of spoon vb. (XIX)

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spoonerism

accidental transposition of initial sounds or syllables of words associated in a context. XIX. f. name of the Rev. W. A. Spooner (1844–1930), who was said to have been addicted to this; see -ISM

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spoor

track, trail. XIX. — Afrikaans spoor, repr. MDu. spo(o)r = OE. OHG., ON. spor (G. spur); rel. to SPUR

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sporadic

XVII. — medL. sporadicus — Gr. sporadikós, f. sporás, -ad- scattered, dispersed, f. base of sporá sowing, seed, whence modL. spora, used spec. bot., minute reproductive body in flowerless plants, anglicized spore XIX. See -IC

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sporran

XIX. — Gael. sporan = Ir. sparán purse, MIr. sboran, W. ysbur — L. bursa PURSE

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sport

pleasant pastime, diversion XV; object of diversion XVII; pl. series of athletic contests XVI. So sport vb. †(refl.) amuse oneself XIV; (intr.) XV; display XVIII. Aphetic of DISPORT sb. and vb. Hence sportive XVI, sportsman (see -s) XVIII

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spot

moral stain XII; small roundish mark XIII; small piece or particle; small plot or area XIV. perh. — MDu. spotte, LG. spot, corr. to ON. spotti small piece, bit, obscurely rel. to OE. splott spot, plot of land (cf. esplottod spotted, and rare ME. splotti adj.). Hence spot vb. XV. spotted (-ED2) XIII, spotty (-Y1) XIV)

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spouse

XII. Early ME. sps(e) — OF. sp(o)us m., sp(o)use fem., aphetic var. of espous(e) (mod. époux, épouse) :- L. spnsus bridegroom, spnsa bride, sb. uses of m. and fem. pp. of spondre betroth

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spout

pipe for discharge of water, etc. XIV; discharge of water, waterspout XVI. corr. to Flem. spuyte, Du. spuit, but prob. immed. f. spout vb. (XIV) — MDu. spouten (Du. spuiten), f. imit. base spt-, repr. also in ON. spýta spit

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sprain

vb. and sb. XVII. of uncert. orig

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spraints

excrement of the otter. XV. — OF. espraintes (mod. épreintes), sb. use of fem. pp. of espraindre squeeze out

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sprat

XVI. Later var. of †sprot, OE. sprot = MLG., (M)Du. sprot, of unkn. orig.

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sprawl

(dial.) kick convulsively; spread one's limbs awkwardly. OE. spreawlian; of symbolic orig.

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spray1

†small twigs, fine brushwood XIII (earlier in place-names): slender shoot or twig XIV. of unkn. orig

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spray2

water in the form of a fine shower XVII; jet of vapour XIX. orig. spry, immed. source unkn.; formally corr. to MDu. vb. spra(e)yen = MHG. spræjen, spræwen. Hence vb. XIX

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spread

pt., pp. spread stretch so as to display, send out in various directions XII; overlap with; be extended, become diffused XIII. OE. sprdan (in comps. -. e-. ofer-, tsprdan, and sprdung diffusion) = OS. tspreidan, MLG., MDu. sprden (Du. sprei(d)en), OHG, spreitan (G. spreiten) :- WGmc. spraidjan, causative of sprdan, repr. by OHG. sprtan be extended.

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spree

(colloq.) boisterous frolic. XIX. of unkn. orig

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sprig1

small slender nail. XIV. of unkn. orig

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sprig2

shoot, twig. XV. of unkn. orig

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sprightly

XVI. f. spright (XVI), var. of SPRITE + -LY1

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spring1

A
place of rising, as of a stream OE.;

B
action or time of rising or beginning XIII;
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†
C
young growth XIII;
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D
first season of the year XVI (earlier †springing time XIV, spring time XV, etc.);
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E
rising of the sea to its extreme height XIV (s. tide XVI);
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F
elastic contrivance XV. OE. sprig, spryng, f. Gmc sprenz-, sprunz- (see next); in sense E perh. of LG. or Du. orig.
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spring2

pt. sprang, pp. sprung bound, leap (up, etc.); issue forth; grow OE.; originate XII; cause (a bird) to rise XVI. OE. springan = OS., OHG. springan (Du., G. springen), ON. springa :- Gmc. sprenzan, f. base rel. to sprunz-, repr. in prec. and (O)HG. sprung, (M)Du. sprong.

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springbok

XVIII. — Afrikaans, f. Du. springen SPRING2 + bok goat, antelope (see BUCK)

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springe

snare to catch small game, esp. birds. XIII. repr. OE. spren. :- sprangjan, f. base of SPRING2.

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sprinkle

scatter in drops XIV; bedew, bespatter XV; cover with specks of colour XVIII. perh. — (M)Du. sprenkelen; see -LE3

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sprint

†dart, spring XVI; run, etc. fast for a short distance XIX. — ON. sprinta (Sw. spritta); ult. orig. unkn

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sprit

pole OE., (naut.) boom or pole crossing a sail diagonally XIV. OE. sprot = (M)Du., (M)LG. spr(i)et, f. Gmc. spreut- sprût-; cf. SPROUT.

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sprite

spirit, elf, fairy. XIII. ME. spryte, also spreit, sprete, alt. with lengthened vowel of sprit, contr. of SPIRIT

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sprocket

triangular piece of timber XVI; projection on the rim of a wheel engaging with the links of a chain XVIII. of unkn. orig

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sprout

shoot forth, spring up. XII. ME. sprten, OE. sprtan (in pp. sproten), OS. sprton = MLG. sprten, (M)Du. spruiten, MHG. spriezen (G. spriessen) :- WGmc. sprtan, f. sprût-, as also in OE. sprtan, spryttan, OHG. spriozan. Hence, or — MLG., MDu. sprte (Du. spruit), sprout sb. XIII

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spruce

†brisk, lively; trim, neat. XVI. poss. from a particular collocation of Spruce = Pruce Prussia, e.g. Spruce leather (jerkin). Hence vb. XVI

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spruit

small watercourse in S. Africa. XIX. — Du. (see SPROUT)

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spry

active, brisk. XVIII. of unkn. orig

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spud

†short or poor knife or dagger XV; spadelike implement for digging or weeding XVII; stumpy person or thing XVII; potato XIX. of unkn. orig

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spume

foam, froth. XIV. — OF. (e)spume or. L. spma, gen. connected with pmex PUMICE, OE. fm FOAM.

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spunk

spark; touchwood XVI; fungus growing on trees XVII; (Sc.) match XVIII; spirit, mettle. of unkn. orig

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spur

device attached to a rider's heel for pricking on his mount. OE. spora, spura = OS. sporo (Du. spoor), OHG. sporo (G. sporn), ON. spori :- Gmc. spuran-, based on IE. sper- strike with the foot; cf. SPURN, SPOOR. Hence vb. XIII

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spurge

plant of the genus Euphorbia, species of which have been used as purgatives. Aphetic — OF. espurge (mod. épurge), f. espurgier purge :- L. expurgre; see EX-1, PURGE

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spurious

illegitimate XVI; not genuine XVII. f. L. spurius illegitimate, false

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spurn

strike with the foot (†intr. and trans.); reject with contempt. OE. str. vb. spurnan, corr. to OS. spurnan, OHG. spornn, spurnan, ON. spurna; cogn. with L. spernere scorn.

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spurr(e)y

plant of the genus Spergula. XVI. — Du. spurrie, earlier sporie, speurie, obscurely based on med. L. spergula

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spurt1

short period, brief unsustained effort. XVI. var. of contemp. SPIRT

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spurt2

issue in a sudden forcible jet. XVI. var. of contemp. spirt, of unkn. orig. Hence sb. XVIII

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sputter

spit out in small particles XVI; utter hastily or confusedly XVII. — Du. sputteren, of imit. orig.; cf. SPLUTTER

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sputum

XVII. — L. sptum, sb. use of n. p. of spuere spit

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spy

one who watches secretly. XIII. Aphetic — OF. espie, f. espier ESPY (whence spy vb. act as a spy; catch sight of XIII) — Gmc. spex-, as in MLG. spen, MDu. spien (Du. spieden), OHG. spehn (G. spähen), ON. spæja, repr. IE. spek- (L. specere look)

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squab

young bird; squat person; couch, soft cushion. XVII of uncert. orig. Also adj. squat. XVII

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squabble

vb. and sb. XVII. prob. of imit. orig

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squad

XVII. Aphetic (after next) — F. escouade, †esquade (XVI), var. of escadre — Sp. escuadra, It. squadra, corr. to F. équerre SQUARE

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squadron

†body of soldiers in square formation; military and naval unit. XVI. — It. squadrone, f. squadra SQUARE; cf. -OON

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squails

ninepins. XIX. of unkn. orig

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squalid

repulsively foul. XVI. — L. squlidus, f. squlre be dry, rough, dirty; see -ID1. So squalor (-OR2) XVII

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squall

cry out violently. XVII. prob. alt. of SQUEAL by assoc. with BAWL. Hence perh. sb. sudden and violent gust of wind (and rain). XVIII

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squaloid

shark-like. XIX. f. L. squalus sea-fish, used in zool. for the shark; see -OID

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squamose

scaly. XVII. — L. squmsus, f. squma scale; see -OSE1. So squamous XVI. — F. or L

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squander

(dial.) scatter, disperse; spend prodigally. XVI. of unkn. orig

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square

A
implement for determining a right angle XIII;

B
rectangular figure with four equal sides XIV; rectangular area XVII. Earliest form squire (XIII–XVII) chiefly in sense A, later square (XV), aphetic — OF. esquere, esquare, (mod. équerre) :- Rom. exquadra, f. exquadrre, f. L. EX-1 + quadra square (see QUADRANT).
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So square adj. XIV. — OF. esquarré, pp. of esquarrer (whence square vb. XIV)

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squarrose

having scales. etc. standing out at right angles. XVIII. — L. squarrsus scurfy, scabby; see -OSE1

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squarson

(joc.) parish priest who is also squire. XIX. f. SQU(IRE) and (P)ARSON

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squash1

crush to a flat mess or pulp. XVI Aphetic — OF. esquasser :- Rom. exquassre; see EX-1, QUASH

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squash2

kind of gourd. XVII. of Algonquian orig

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squat

A
(dial.) crush, flatten XIII;

B
refl. and intr. sit in a crouching attitude XV. — OF. esquatir, -ter, f. es- EX-1 + quatir press down, crouch, hide :- Rom. coactre, f. L. coctus, pp. of cgere drive or force together, f. co- + agere drive
Top

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squaw

N. Amer. Indian woman or wife. XVII. of Algonquian orig

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squawk

vb. and sb. XIX. of imit. orig

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squeak

vb. XIV. of imit. orig. Hence sb. XVII

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squeal

vb. XIII. of imit. orig. Hence sb. XVIII

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squeamish

affected with nausea XV; distant, prudish, fastidious XVI. alt., by substitution of -ISH1 -OUS, of ME. squaymes, squeymous, earlier scoymus, squoymous, aphetic — AN. escoymos, of unkn. orig.

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squeegee

implement fitted with rubber for removing moisture from a surface. XIX. Arbitrarily f. squeege (XVIII), expressive alt. of SQUEEZE; see -EE2

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squeeze

vb. XVI. var. of earlier †squise, †squize (XVI); ult. orig. unkn. Hence sb. XVII

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squelch

crush down (something soft). XVII. of imit. orig

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squib

kind of firework; smart hit, lampoon. XVI. prob. imit

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squid

XVII. of unkn. orig

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squiffy

(sl.) slightly drunk. XIX. of unkn. orig

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squiggle

make wavy or writhing movements. XIX. of symbolic orig

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squill

(root of) the sea-onion. XIV. — L. squilla, var. of scilla — Gr. skílla

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squinch

(archit.) †stone cut for a scuncheon XV; support constructed across an angle XIX. Shortening of SCUNCHEON

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squint

adv. †(looking) obliquely with the eyes differently directed XIV (in squyntloker); adj. (as in s. eye, -eyed), vb. XVI. Hence squint sb. strabismus XVII; hagioscope XIX. Aphetic of ASQUINT

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squire

young man in attendance on a knight XIII; one who attends on a lady XVI; country gentleman XVII. Aphetic — OF. esquier ESQUIRE. Hence squirearchy class of squires. XVIII; after hierarchy. squireen petty squire XIX

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squirm

XVII. of symbolic orig

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squirrel

XIV. Aphetic — AN. esquirel, OF. esquireul, escureul (mod. écureuil) :- Rom. scrilus, dim. of scúrius, for L. scirus — Gr. skíouros

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squirt

vb. XIV. Earlier swirt; of imit. orig. Hence sb. XV

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squish

(dial.) squeeze. squash. XVII. of imit. orig. Hence sb. XIX

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squit

(dial., sl.) insignificant or contemptible person. XIX. prob. rel. to (dial.) squit squirt

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squitch

alt. of QUITCH. XVIII

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stab

vb. XIV. of unkn. orig.; cf. synon. (dial.) stob (XVI). Hence sb. XV

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stable1

building for the housing of horses and †cattle. XIII. Aphetic — OF. estable stable, pigsty, etc. (mod. étable cowhouse) :- L. stabulum, Rom. stabula (pl. used as fem. sg.) stall, enclosure for animals, lit, ‘standing-place’. f. base of L. stre STAND. Hence, or — OF. establer — L. stabulre, stable vb. XIV

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stable2

able to remain erect, not liable to fail or vary, steadfast. XIII. — AN. stable, OF. estable (mod. stable) :- L. stabilis, -em firm as a foundation or support, standing firm, secure, steadfast, f. base of stre STAND; see -BLE. So stability XV. ME. stablete — OF. (e)stableté — L. stabilits. stabilize XIX. — F. stabiliser. stablish (-ISH2) XIII. Earlier var. of ESTABLISH.

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staccato

(mus.) with abrupt breaks between successive notes. XVIII. — It. staccato, pp. of staccare, aphetic of distaccare DETACH

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stack

pile, heap XIII; cluster of chimneys XVII. — ON. stakkr haystack :- Gmc. stakkaz. Hence stack vb. pile up XIV; (U.S.) pack (cards) fraudulently XIX

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stacte

fragrant spice of the ancients. XIV. — L. — Gr. stakté, sb. use of fem. of staktós distilling in drops. f. stag-, base of stázein flow, drip

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staddle

†foundation OE.; young tree left standing XVI; lower part of a rick, etc.; platform on which a rick stands XVIII. OE. staðol base, support, tree trunk, fixed position = OS. staöal standing. OHG. stadal barn (G. dial. stadel), ON. stöull milking-place :- Gmc. staþlaz, f. sta- STAND.

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stad(t)holder

†governor of a fortress XVI; in the Netherlands, viceroy of province, etc. XVII. — Du. stadhouder, f. stad place (STEAD) + houder, agent-noun of houden HOLD1

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stadium

ancient Greek and Roman measure of length XVI; course for foot-racing; stage of a process XVII. — L. — Gr. stádion, earlier spádion racecourse, f. spân draw

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staff pl. staves

(now chiefly literary exc. in senses in which STAVE is now the usual sg.), staffs (the only form in C).
A
stick, pole, rod OE. (later in many spec. uses);
B
†letter OE.; †line of verse XV; †stanza XVI; (mus.) set of horizontal lines for the placing of notes XVII;
C
body of officers or persons employed XVIII. OE. stæf = OS. (Du.) staf, OHG. stap (G. stab), ON. stafr :- Gmc. stabaz. C is of Continental orig.; cf. Du. staf, G. stab, the use being prob. developed from the sense wand of office, ‘baton’. Hence staff vb. provide with a staff of officers, etc. XIX

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staffage

accessories of a picture. XIX. — G. staffage, pseudo-F. formation on G. staffieren fit out, garnish; see -AGE

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stag

male of the (red) deer XII; (north.) young horse XIV; (dial.) full-grown castrated animal XVII; male of birds; (sl.) informer XVIII. OE. stacga, stagga, of unkn. orig.; perh. orig.; ‘male animal in its prime’ (cf. ON. staggr, staggi male bird).

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stage

A
storey, floor XIII;

B
†station, position XIII;
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†
C
raised floor, platform XIV (in a theatre XVI);
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D
division of a journey or process; short for s. coach XVII. Aphetic — OF. estage dwelling, stay, situation (mod. étage storey) :- Rom. staticum standing-place, position, f. L. stre STAND; cf. -AGE. Sense D perh. arose from a supposed connection with STADIUM.
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So or hence stager old s., one qualified by long experience. XVI. perh. — OF. estagier inhabitant, resident

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stagger

move involuntarily from side to side; cause to reel or totter. XVI; alt. of (dial.) stacker (XIII) — ON. stakra, frequent. of staka push, stagger. Hence sb. spec. pl. as name of a disease XVI

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stagnant

(of liquid) †that is at rest in a vessel; not moving. XVII. — L. stagnns, -ant-, prp. of stagnre (hence stagnate XVII), f. stagnum pool; see -ANT, -ATE2. Hence stagnation XVII

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staid

†fixed, permanent; settled in character; of sober or steady demeanour. XVI (stayed). adj. use of pp. of STAY vb.

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stain

A
change the colour of, †deprive of colour; sully, blemish; spot or blotch with dirt, etc. XIV;

B
impart its colour to, tinge; †ornament with colour XV; colour (fabric, etc.) with pigment XVII, (glass) XVIII. Aphetic of distain — OF. desteign-, pres. stem of desteindre. The development of sense B is obscure.
Top
Hence stain sb. XVI; dye, pigment XVIII

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stair

flight of steps OE.; coll. pl. XIV; any one of these XVI. OE. stæer = (M)LG., (M)Du. steiger scaffolding, quay, f. Gmc. staiz- stiz- climb (cf. STY1). For staircase (XVII) see CASE2

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staithe

(dial., esp. north.) landing-stage, wharf. XIV (stath). — ON. staþw, stð, rel. to OE. stæð = OS. stað, OHG. stad, Goth. staþa (d. sg.) bank, shore :- Gmc. staþaz, -am, f. sta- STAND.

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stake1

stout stick or post. OE. staca, corr. to (M)LG., MDu. stake (Du. staak); f. stak- stek- (see STICK1). Hence stake vb. XIV; cf. OE. stacung impaling.

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stake2

sb. that which is placed at hazard; vb. wager, hazard. XVI. of unkn. orig

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stalactite

icicle-like deposit of carbonate of lime pendent from a cave-roof. XVI. — modL. stalactts, f. Gr. stalaktós dropping, dripping, f. stalak-, base of stalássein drip, let drip; see -ITE. So stalagmite similar deposit rising from the floor of a cave. XVIII. — modL. stalagmts, f. Gr. stálagma, stalagmós

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stale1

†(of liquor) that has stood long enough to clear, (hence) old and strong XIII; that has lost its freshness XVI. prob. — AN., OF. estale (mod. étale, naut. of stationary water), f. estaler come to a stand, STALL1

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stale2

urinate, esp. of horses. XV. perh. — OF. estaler take up a position (see next), in spec. sense

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stalemate

(in chess) position in which the player has no allowable move open to him, but is not in check. XVIII f. synon. †stale (XV–XVII), prob. — AN. estale position, f. estaler be placed, STALL2; see MATE2

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stalk1

slender stem of plant or flower. XIV. prob dim. of ME. stale, OE. stalu side of a ladder, stave, rel. to OE. stela stalk, support; cf. WFlem. stalke(n), Norw. dial. stalk

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stalk2

†walk stealthily OE.; pursue game by method of stealthy approach XIV (trans. XIX); walk with stiff measured steps XVI. Late OE. stealcian (repr. in bistealcian and vbl. sb. stealcung) :- stalkjan, frequent. f. stal-, stel- STEAL. Hence stalking-horse XVI

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stall1

†place, position; division in stable or shed OE.; each of a row of seats in a choir; board in front of a shop for the sale of goods, booth, stand XIV; sheath for the finger, etc. XV (finger-stall). OE. steall = (M)Du., OHG. stal (G. stall), ON. stallr pedestal, stall for a horse :- Gmc. stallaz, prob. :- staðlaz, f. sta- STAND. In ME. partly — OF. estal (mod. étal) place, stall in church, etc., of Gmc. orig

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stall2

A
†have one's abode;

B
†install;
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C
put (an animal) in a stall XIV; †assign, fix;
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D
come or bring to a stand XV. of mixed orig.; partly (i) — OF. estaler stop, sit in choir, f. estal (see STALL1), (ii) f. STALL1, and (iii) aphetic of INSTALL
Top

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stallion

XIV. ME. staloun — AN. var. of OF. estalon (mod. étalon) — Rom. deriv. (cf. -OON) of Gmc. stall- STALL1 (stallions for breeding being kept in the stable); the orig. of the form -ion (stalyone XV) is unkn.

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stalwart

XIV. Sc. var. of stalward, stalworth; OE. stlwiere (ME. stalworþe, -worde, -warde), f. stæl place; see -WORTHY.

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stamen

†warp, thread; (bot.) male or fertilizing organ of a plant. XVII. — L. stmen warp, thread of warp, stamen, corr. to Gr. stmn warp, stêma part of a plant

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stamina

†native elements or rudiments of a thing XVII; †congenital vital capacities XVIII; vigour of bodily constitution; intellectual or moral robustness XIX. — L. stmina, pl. of stmen; see prec. The senses arise partly from the orig. L. sense ‘warp of cloth’, partly from the application of L. stmina to the threads spun by the Fates

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stammer

speak with halting articulation OE; (dial.) stagger XIV. Late OE. stamerian = OS. stamaron, (M)LG., (M)Du. stameren :- WGmc. stamrjan, f. stamra- (repr. by OE. stamor stammering), f. stam-, repr. by OE. stam(m), OHG. stammr, ON. stamr, Goth. stamms stammering, etc.; cf. -ER4

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stamp

A
†bray, pound XII;

B
bring down the foot heavily XIV;
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C
strike an impression on something XVI. prob. OE. stampian = (M)LG., (M)Du. stampen, OHG. stampfn pound (G. stampfen stamp with the foot, pound, crush), ON. stappa :- Gmc. stampjan, f. stampaz, -n pestle, mortar, prob. f. nasalized var. of stap- tread, STEP; reinforced or infl. in sense in ME. by (O)F. estamper stamp, of Gmc. orig.
Top
Hence, or — F. estampe, stamp sb. stamping instrument XV; stamped or impressed mark XVI; kind, character; act of stamping as with the foot.

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stampede

(orig. U.S.) sudden rush and flight, orig. of panic-stricken cattle. XIX. spec. Mex. use of Sp. estampida crash. uproar :- sb. use of fem. pp. of Rom. stampire — Gmc. stamp- STAMP

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stance

XVI. — F. stance †stay, stanza — It. stanza station, stopping-place (see STANZA)

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stanch1, staunch1

stop the flow of; arrest the progress of, allay; †quench, extinguish. XIV. — OF. estancher (mod. étanchier) :- Rom. stanc¯re, f. stancus dried up, weary, of unkn. orig. For the rel. adj. see STAUNCH2

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stanchion

upright bar or stay. XV. — AN. stanchon — OF. estanchon, estanson, f. estance prop, support :- Rom. stantia (cf. STANZA).

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stand

pt., pp. stood
A
assume or maintain an erect position on the feet; be upright on a base; be set or placed OE.;
B
confront, face XIV; cause to stand, set upright XIX. OE. str. vb. standan = OS. standan (Du. pt. stond). OHG. stantan (G. pt. stand), ON. standa, Goth. standan :- Gmc. standan, formed, with suffix -nd- (:- IE. -nt-) in the pres. stem and -þ-, -ð- (:- IE. -t-) in the perfect stem, on the base sta- st- :- IE. st(h)- st(h)- stand, cause to stand, repr. in L. stre, Gr. histánai, OSl. stati, Skr. sth-. In some Gmc. langs. the pres. stem has a shorter form (by infl. of gn, gn GO), e.g. OS. stn (Du. staan), OHG. stn, stn (G. stehen). Hence sb. † delay OE. (late Nhb.); place of standing, position XIII; act of standing, stop, halt XVI; appliance to stand on XVII. Comps. standpoint (physical or mental) point of view. XIX. f. STAND vb. + POINT sb., after G. standpunkt (XVIII. standstill XVIII. f. phr. stand still (STILL1).

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standard

A
military or naval ensign XII;

B
(gen.) erect or upright object; stump of tree left standing XIII (first in place-names);
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C
exemplar of measure or weight; level or degree of quality or achievement XV. Aphetic of AN. estaundart, OF. estendart (mod. étendard, f. estendre EXTEND; see -ARD. The group of meanings under B is mainly by assoc. with STAND.
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Hence standardize XIX.

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standish

(arch.) stand for writing materials. XV. of unkn. orig.; presumably based on STAND.

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stanhope

applied to (i) a light open two-seated vehicle first made for the Hon. and Rev. Fitzroy Stanhope (1787–1864), and (ii) a lens and a printing press invented by Charles , third Earl Stanhope (1753–1816). XIX.

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staniel

kestrel. OE. stn(e)ella ‘stone-yeller’, f. stn STONE + ella, f. ellan YELL.

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stannary

the Stannaries, the districts comprising the tin mines and smelting works of Cornwall and Devon. XV. -medL. stannria n. pl., f. late L. stannum tin, properly stagnum alloy of silver and tin; see -ARY.

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stannic

containing tin. XVIII. f. late L. stannum; see prec., -IC.

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stanza

XVI (stanze, -o, -a). — It stanza standing, stopping-place, dwelling, room, strophe :- Rom. stantia, f. L. stns, stant-, prp. of stre STAND. Hence stanzaic XIX.

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staple1

†post, pillar OE.; short U-shaped metal rod or bar XIII. OE. stapol, corr. to MLG., (M) Du. stapel pillar, steeple, emporium, OHG. staffal foundation, ON. stpull pillar, steeple :- Gmc. stapulaz; see -LE1.

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staple2

place in which merchants have trading privileges; principal market or commercial centre XV; principal article of commerce or industry XVII; chief object of employment, etc. XIX. — OF. estaple emporium, mart (mod. étape halting-place) — (M)LG., (M)Du. stapel (see prec.). Hence staple adj. having the chief place in production or use. XVII.

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staple3

fibre of wool, etc. as determining the quality. XV. perh. f. †staple vb. inspect and sort at a staple (see prec.).

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star

luminous celestial body OE., image or figure of one of them XIV. OE. steorra = OS. sterro (Du. ster, star), OHG. sterro :- WGmc. sterran- (cf. OHG. sterno (G. stern), ON. stjarna, Goth stairn), f. IE. ster- str-, repr by L. stlla (:- sterl), Gr. astr (aster-), ástron. Hence starry (-Y1 XIV. star-gazer XVI; see GAZE.

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starboard

OE. storbord, f. stor guidance, steering paddle, rudder (see STEER2) + bord BOARD. The ref. is to the steering by means of a paddle worked over the right side of the vessel.

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starch

†stiffen, compose (the features); stiffen (linen, etc.) with starch XV. repr. OE. ster.an make rigid (cf. ster.edferh of fixed or resolute mind) = OS. sterkian (Du. sterken), OHG. sterken (G. stärken) strengthen :- WGmc. starkjan, f. Gmc. starkaz STARK. Hence starch sb. XV.

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stare

gaze fixedly OE.; (of hair) stand on end XVI. OE. starian = MLG. staren, OHG. starn, ON. stara, f. Gmc. star- ster- be rigid, repr. also by MDu. star rigidity of the eyes, Du. staren, G. starren be rigid, OE. stær(e)blind quite blind.

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stark

†hard, unyielding; †violent, severe OE.; (arch.) strong, stout XIII; (dial.) rigid, stiff; sheer, absolute XIV; naked XVIII. OE. stearc = OS., (O)HG. stark, (M)Du. sterk, ON. sterkr :- Gmc. starkaz, the weak grade of the base being repr. by OHG. gistorchann grow rigid, Goth. gastaurknan dry up, ON. styrkr strong, strength. In s. blind (XV) and s. dead (XIV) used adv. for ‘quite’, from the sense ‘rigid’; similarly s. naked (XVI), for earlier (dial.) start naked (XIII) steort naket, f. †start (OE. steort) tail, as if orig. ‘naked even to the tail’.

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starling

Late OE. stærlinc, f. stær starling, corr. to MLG. star, OHG. star m., stara fem. (G. sta(h)r), ON. stari :- Gmc. staraz, -n, -an-, rel. to L. sturnus; see -LING1.

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start

A
†leap, jump (OE); move with a sudden or violent impulse; issue swiftly XIII; make a sudden involuntary movement; break away XVI; set out for a race XVII; set out on a journey;

B
cause to move in such ways XIV. ME. sterte, starte, stürte, repr. OE. stiertan or steortian, styrtan (perh. seen in late Nhb. prp. sturtende), f. Gmc. stert- start- sturt-, repr. also by (M)LG. störten, (M)Du. storten, OHG. sturzen (G. stürzen) overthrow, pour out, rush, fall headlong.
Top

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startle

†kick, struggle OE. (only); (dial.) rush XIII; †start with surprise, etc.; cause to start XVI. OE. steartlian, f. start-; see prec. and -LE2.

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starve

†die OE.; die of hunger; cause to die of hunger, cold, etc. XVI. OE. str. vb. steorfan = OS. steran (Du. sterven), OHG. sterban (G. sterben) :- WGmc. sterban, perh orig. ‘be rigid’ and thus rel. to ON. stjarft tetanus, stirfinn obstinate, starf effort; outside Gmc., cf. Olr. ussarb (:- udsterbh) death; extension of the base ster- be rigid (cf. STARE). The orig. str. forms of the pt. became obs. XV. of the pp. XVI. Hence starvation XVIII.

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stasis

(path.) stoppage of the fluids of the body. XVIII. — Gr. stásis, f. sta- STAND.

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-stat

repr. Gr. -státs, -statós, f. sta- STAND; first in HELIOSTAT (XVIII), intended to mean an instrument for causing the sun to appear stationary.

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state

A
condition XIII;

B
†status, (high) rank XIII; solemn pomp;
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C
estate of the realm XIV;
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D
commonwealth; body politic, territory belonging thereto XVI;
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E
(partly from the vb.) statement XVII (spec. mil., report of forces XIX). Partly aphetic of ESTATE. partly direct — L. status manner of standing, condition, f. base of stre STAND.
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Hence state vb. †place XVI; set out in due form, declare in words XVI. stately (-LY1) befitting or indicating high estate. XIV. statement XVIII. statesman (see -S) man concerned with affairs of state. XVI.

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stater

ancient weight and coin. XIV. — late L. statr — Gr. statr, f. sta-, base of histánai STAND used in the sense ‘weigh’.

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static

†pert. to weighing or weight XVII; pert. to forces in equilibrium or bodies at rest XVII; pert. to a fixed condition XIX. — Gr. statikós pert. to weighing, f. sta- (see prec.). Hence statical XVI. So †static sb. XVI, later altered to statics XVII. — Gr. statiké science of weighing, fem. of statikós.

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station

in spec. or occas. use (e.g., to render the L. word), place assigned or prescribed for some (religious) observance XIV; †act of a play XVI; act of standing (now techn.); standing-place, position; stopping-place (of a conveyance). — (O)F. — L. stati, -n-, f. st- STAND. Hence, or — F. stationner, station vb. XVIII. stationary XV. — L. statinrius. stationer (-ER2) †(hist.) bookseller, †publisher XVI; tradesman who sells writing materials (at one time part of the stock-in-trade of a bookseller) XVII. — medL. statinrius tradesman having a regular ‘station’ or shop (i.e., not itinerant), whence stationery articles sold by a stationer, writing materials. XVIII.

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statist

†politician, statesman XVI; statistician XIX. perh. — F. statiste or It. statista, f. stato — L. status (see STATE). Similarly statistic XVIII, statistical †political XVII; pert. to statistics (see -IC, -ICAL), first applied to the political science concerned with the facts of a state or community XVIII; all derived immed. from G. statistisch adj., statistik sb.; whence statistician XIX.

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statue

XIV. — (O)F. — L. statua, f. pp. stat- of stre STAND. So statuary maker of statues; art of making them. XVI. — sb. uses of L. staturius, -ria. statuette XIX. — F. Hence statuesque XIX.

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stature

XIII. — (O)F. — L. statra, f. pp. stat- of stre STAND. So status †height, acme XVII; legal standing XVIII. — L. status quo XIX. Based on L. phr. in statu quo ante, prius, or nunc … in the STATE in which (things were) before, (or are) now.

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statute

XIII. — (O)F. statut — late L. stattum decree, decision, law, sb. use of n. pp. of statuere set up, establish, decree, f. status (see STATE). Hence statutable prescribed or allowed by statute, of statutory quality, etc. XVII. statutory (-ORY2) †enacting; pert. to statutes. XVIII.

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staunch2, stanch2

watertight; strong, firm XV; (of a sporting dog) reliable XVI; standing firm XVII. — OF. estanche, fem. of estanc, used as m. XIV (mod. étanche); see STANCH1.

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stave

stick or lath of wood XIV; verse, stanza XVII; set of lines to carry musical notation XVIII. Back-formation from staves, pl. of STAFF. Hence stave vb. break up (a cask) into staves XVI; break a hole in (a boat, etc.), make a hole in; drive off with a staff or stave; keep or ward off XVII.

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stavesacre

plant Delphinium staphisagria. XIV (stafisage, staphisagre). — L. staphisagria — Gr. staphìs agrí ‘wild raisin’, i.e. staphís raisin, agr, fem. of ágrios wild.

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stay1

(naut.) large mast-rope. OE. stæ, corr. to MLG. stazh, Du., ON. stag :- Gmc. staza-.

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stay2

support, prop, lit. and fig. XVI; pl. stiffened underbodice XVII. Partly — OF. estaye (mod. étai), partly f. stay vb. support, sustain (XVI) — OF. estayer (mod. étayer), of Gmc. origin (cf. prec.).

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stay3

cease moving, remain; cause to cease, stop, check XV. prob. — pres. stem (AN.) estai-, estei- of OF. ester :- L. stre STAND.

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stead

place, in various applications lit. and fig. (surviving in in one's s., and INSTEAD) OE.; site for a building (surviving in farmstead, homestead) XIII; †framework of a bed (surviving in bedstead) XV; advantage, profit (surviving in phr. stand in good s.) XIII. OE. stede, corr. to OS. stad, stedi (MLG. stad, stede place, town), MDu. stat, stede (Du. stad town, ste(d)e place), OHG. stat (MHG. stat, stete, G. statt place, adv. prep. instead (of), stadt town), ON. staðr, Goth. staþcs place :- Gmc. staðiz :- IE. st(h)ts, f. st(h)- st(h)- STAND. The sense ‘advantage’ may be due to assoc. with MLG. stade opportunity, help. Hence steadfast OE. stedefæst (FAST1). steady (-Y1) †fixed, immovable; firm in position or movement; regular in operation or force XVI; not easily perturbed or disturbed XVII; whence steady vb. XVI.

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steak

XV. — ON. steik, rel. to steikja roast on a spit, stikna be roasted.

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steal

pt. stole, pp. stolen take dishonestly OE. (in various uses with immaterial object from XIII); come or go secretly XII (prob. after ON. stelask refl.). OE. str. vb. stelan = OS., OHG. stelan (Du. stelen, G. stehlen), ON. stela, Goth. stilan, f. Gmc. stel- stæl- stul-, of unkn. orig. Hence stealth (-TH1) †theft; furtive or underhand action (surviving in by s.) XIII. OE. stlð, repr. in ME. by stalþ and -stelþ. Whence stealthy (-Y1) XVII.

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steam

vapour, fume OE.; vapour into which water is converted by heat XV. OE. stam = Du. stoom :- Gmc. staumaz. So steam vb. OE. stman, stman.

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stearin

(chem.) glyceride formed by combination of stearic acid and glycerine. XIX. — F. stéarine, f. Gr. stéar tallow, suet; see -IN. So stearic (-IC) derived from or containing stearin. XIX. steatite massive variety of talc, soapstone. XVIII. — L. steatîtis, -ts — Gr. steatitis, -tts resembling tallow; see -ITE.

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steato-

used as comb. form of Gr. stéar, steat-tallow, as in steatopyga protuberance of the buttocks (Gr. pg rump). XIX.

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steed

in OE. stallion; in ME. and early mod. Eng. high-mettled horse, from XVI poet. and rhet. for ‘horse’. OE. stda, f. base of Gmc. stð STUD2.

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steel

sb. OE. (Angl.) stle, (WS). stele, stle = OS. stehli :- WGmc. sta?lja-, f. Gmc. sta?la-, repr. by MLG. stl, MDu. stael (Du. staal), OHG. stahal (G. stahal), prob. rel. to STAY1. Hence steel vb. edge, etc., with steel OE. (first in pp. steeled); (fig.) XVI. steely (-Y1) XVI. Comp. steelyard (YARD2) balance consisting of a lever with unequal arms, moving on a fulcrum. XVII.

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steenbok

S. Afr. antelope. XVIII. — Du., f. steen STONE + bok BUCK. Cf. STEINBOCK.

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steenkirk, steinkirk

neckcloth with long lace ends. XVII. — F. (cravate à la) Steinkerke, named from the French victory at Steenkerke, Belgium, in 1692.

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steep1

†high, towering; †(of eyes) prominent, glaring OE.; precipitous XII. OE. stap = OFris. stp :- WGmc. staupa, f. staup- stûp- (see STOOP1).

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steep2

soak in liquid XIV; in various transf. and fig. uses from late XVI. repr. formally OE. stpan, stepan = Sw. stöpa, Da. støbe, Norw. støypa steep (seeds, barley for malting) :- Gmc. staupjan, f. staup- (see STOUP).

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steeple

tall tower OE.; spire XV. OE. stpel, WS. stiepel, stpel, f. staup- STEEP1; see -LE1. Hence steeplechase XVIII; orig. race having a church steeple in view as goal.

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steer1

young (esp. castrated) OX. OE. stor = MLG. str, OHG. stior (Du., G. stier), ON. stjórr, Goth. stiur :- Gmc. steuraz.

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steer2

guide the course OF. OE. steran = MLG. stüren, (M)Du. stren, stieren, OHG. stiuren (G. steuern), ON. stýra, Goth. stiurjan settle :- Gmc. steurjan, f. steur, whence OE. stor steering, etc. So steersman OE. storesman, f. g. of stor (see -S), beside storman.

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steeve1

compress and stow in a ship's hold. XV. — F. estiver :- L. stpre press, pack. Cf. STEVEDORE.

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steeve2

(naut.) incline upwards. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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steinbock

Alpine ibex. XVII. — G., f. stein STONE + bock BUCK. Cf. STEENBOK.

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steinkirk

see STEENKIRK.

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stele

sculptured upright slab. XIX. — Gr. stl. So stela XVIII — L. — Gr.

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stellar

XVI. — late L. stellris, f. L. stella STAR; see -AR. So stellate (-ATE2) †studded with stars XVI; star-shaped XVII. — L. stelltus. stellify place (a person) ‘among the stars’, deify. XIV. — OF. — medL.

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stem1

main body of the portion of a tree or other plant above ground OE.; stock of a family XVI; upright stroke, etc. XVII; cylindrical or tubular support XIX. OE. stemn, stefn, corr. to LG., Du. steven :- Gmc. stamniz, of which a parallel and synon. formation stamnaz is repr. by (M)LG., (M)Du., OHG. stam (G. stamm), also by OS., ON. stamn, recorded only in the naut. sense (see next); f. sta- STAND. Hence stem vb. †rise erect XVI; remove the stalk from XVIII; (orig. U.S.) derive from XX.

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stem2

†timber at either end of a vessel OE.; upright at the bow of a vessel XVI. OE. stemn, stefn, spec. use of STEM1.

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stem3

†intr. stop, delay XIII; trans. stop, check, dam up XV. — ON. stemma = (O)HG. stemmen :- Gmc. stamjan, f. stam- check (cf. STAMMER).

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stem4

head in a certain direction XIV; †ram (a vessel) with the stem XV; make headway against XVI. f. STEM2.

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stench

†odour, smell; spec. foul smell. OE. sten., corr. to OS. stanc, OHG. stanch (Du., G. stank); f. stankw- stenkw- STINK.

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stencil

†ornament with bright colours XIV; (from the sb.) produce with a stencil plate XVIII. ME. stansel, stencel — OF. estanceler, estenceler, f. estencele (mod. étincelle) :- Rom. stincilla, for L. scintilla spark. Hence stencil sb. perforated plate for producing a pattern. XVIII.

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Sten gun

XX. f. initials of the inventors' surnames, Shepherd and Turpin + -en, as in Bren gun.

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stenography

writing in shorthand. XVII. f. Gr. stenós narrow + -GRAPHY.

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stentorian

loud like the voice of Stentor, a Greek warrior in the Trojan war (‘Iliad’ v 785). XVII. f. Stentor + -IAN, after late L. stentoreus, Gr. stentóreios.

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step

pt., pp. stepped lift the foot and set it down; proceed on foot OE.; fix (a mast, etc.) in its step XVIII. OE. str. vb. steppan, stæppan = OS. steppian, (M)LG., (M)Du. steppen, OHG. stapfn, stepfen (G. stapfen); wk. forms are found from the end of XIII, and became universal by XVI. So step sb. OE. stepe, stæpe :- stapiz. No certain cogns. are known.

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step-

el. prefixed to terms of relationship to designate a degree of affinity resulting from the remarriage of a widowed parent. OE. stop- (as in stopcld step-child, -fæder -father, -mder -mother, -sunu -son), corr. to OS. stiof-, (M)Du. stief-, MLG. stf-, OHG. stiof- (G. stief), On. stjúp-; the prim. sense is indicated by its relation to OE. steped bereaved, OHG. stiufen bereave, and the meaning ‘orphan’ of OE. stopbearn, -cild. Later formations are stepbrother, -sister (XV), stepdame (XIV).

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stephantis

(bot.) genus of tropical plants. XIX. — Gr. stephants (fem.) fit for a crown or wreath, f. stéphanos crown.

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steppe

vast plain in S.E. Europe and Siberia. XVII. — Russ. step'.

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-ster

suffix repr. OE. -istre, -estre, corr. to MLG. -(e)ster, (M)Du. ster :- WGmc. -strjn, added to vbs. and sbs.; primarily applied to females, but in OE. also to males. Survivals from OE. are seamster (sempster), songster, tapster; in ME. appear brewster, huckster, maltster, spinster. From XVI -ster has been used for comps. having derogatory force, as in daubster, rhymester, trickster; gansgster is a modern (U.S.) coinage (XIX). A few formations on adjs. date from XVI; as youngster (on which was modelled oldster). Feminine formations made with the addition of -ESS1 are huckstress, sempstress, songstress.

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stercoraceous

pert. to dung. XVIII. f. L. stercus, stercor- dung + -ACEOUS.

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stere

cubic metere. XVIII. — F. stère — Gr. stereós solid.

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stereo-

comb. form of Gr. stereós solid, as in stereography XVII, -phonic XX, -scope , -scopic XIX, -type XVIII.

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sterile

unproductive, barren. XVI. — (O)F. stérile or L. sterilis, f. lE. ster-, repr. also by Skr. start-, Gr. steîra barren cow, Goth. stair fem. barren; see -ILE. Hence or — (O)F. stériliser sterilize XVII. So sterility XV. — (O)F. or L.

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sterlet

small sturgeon. XVI (sterledey). — Russ. stérlyad'.

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sterling

English silver penny of Norman and later dynasties XIII; (genuine) English money XVI; adj. in pound s. etc. (for earlier pound of s—s of English money) applied to lawful or standard money XV; of standard or excellent quality XVII. Recorded earlier in OF. esterlin (XI or XII), medL. sterlingus, libræ sterilensium ‘pounds of sterlings’ (XII); plausibly referred to late OE. steorling, f. steorra STAR + -LING1, some of the early Norman pennies bearing a small star.

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stern1

severe, rigorous OE.; expressing displeasure or austerity XIV. OE. stierne (implied in stiernlce adv.), late WS. styrne :- sternjaz, prob. f. ster- star- be rigid (cf. STARE).

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stern2

hinder part of a ship XIII; †steering gear of a ship XIV; tail, buttocks XVI. prob. — ON. stjórn steering, f. base of stýra STEER; but the existence of OFris. stirne, stirne stern, rudder, may indicate that there was a corr. form in OE.

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sternum

(anat.) breast-bone. XVII (earlier †sternon). — Gr. stérnon chest, breast.

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sternutation

(act of) sneezing. XVI. — L. sterntti, -n-, f. sterntre, frequent. of sternuere sneeze, rel. to Gr. ptárnusthai; of imit. orig.

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stertorous

pert. to snoring. XIX. f. L. stertere snore.

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stet

direction to the printer to restore deleted matter. XIX. 3rd pers. sg. pres. subj. of L. stre STAND; ‘let (it) stand’.

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stéthoscope

XIX. — F. stêthoscope, f. Gr. stêthos chest; see -SCOPE.

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stetson

man's slouch hat with wide brim. XX. f. the name of J. B. Stetson , Amer. hat-maker (d. 1906).

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stevedore

XVIII (orig. U.S.). — Sp. estivador, f. estivar stow a cargo :- L. stpre press, pack. Cf. STEEVE1.

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stew1

A
†stove, heated room; †(arch.) brothel XIV;

B
(from STEW3) preparation of meat stewed XVIII; (sl.) state of anxiety XIX. ME. stuwe, st(e)we — OF. estuve (mod. étuve), rel. to estuver STEW3.
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stew2

pond or tank for fish. XIV. — OF. estui place of confinement, fish-pond (mod. étui), f. estoier shut up, reserve :- Rom. studire care for, f. L. studium STUDY.

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stew3

bathe in a hot bath XIV; boil slowly in a closed vessel XV (intr. for pass. XVI); confine or be confined closely XVI. — OF. estuver (mod. étuver) :- Rom. extpre, extfre, prob. f. EX-1 + tfus — Gr. tûphos smoke, steam.

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steward

officer of a (royal) household OE.; high administrative officer XIV; ship's officer who keeps stores, etc.; (Sc. hist.) magistrate administering crown lands XV. OE. stiweard, stweard, f. sti (prob.) house, hall (cf. stiwita householder, and STY2) + weard WARD1.

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stich

line, verse. — Gr. stíkhos row, line (of objects), line of writing, verse, rel. to steíkhein advance, proceed, f. IE. stigh- (see STY1). So stichic XIX. — Gr. stikhikós. comb. form sticho- as in stichometry measurement of a manuscript by lines of a certain length. XVIII. — late Gr. stikhometrí. stichomythia dialogue in alternate lines of verse. XIX. — Gr. stikhomthí, f. mûthos speech, talk, MYTH.

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stick1

rod, staff, or slender piece of wood OE., object in long slender form XV. OE. sticca stick, peg, spoon = MDu. stecke (Du. stek slip, cutting), OHG. stecko (G. stecken stick, staff) :- WGmc. stikkan-, syn. vars. of which w. single -k- are repr. by OHG. stehho, ON. stika stick, yardstick; f. Gmc. stik- stek- pierce, prick (see next).

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stick2

pt., pp. stuck pierce, thrust; remain fixed OE.; cause to adhere XIII. OE. stician = OHG. stehhan prick, stab, with parallel forms in (M)LG., (M)Du. stikken, OHG. sticchen, sticken (G. sticken embroider); f. Gmc. stik- stek-pierce, be sharp :- IE. stig-, steig-, repr. by Gr. stízein prick, L. instgre spur on. Hence sticky (-Y1) XVIII.

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stickle

†act as umpire; †settle (a dispute, etc.); †strive persistently XVI; contend for XVII; make difficulties XIX. alt. of †stightle, †stiztil arrange, control (XIII), bestir oneself, strive (XIV), frequent. (see -LE3) of †stight, OE. stiht(i)an arrange, corr. to ON. stétta (:- stihtan) support, help. Hence stickler (-ER1) (dial.) moderator, umpire, †active partisan XVI; one who is insistent for XVII.

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stickleback

small spiny-finned fish. XV. f. OE. sticels sting, goad, thorn = OHG. stihhil goad, ON. stikill point of a horn, rel. to sticol steep, rough, f. Gmc. stik- stek- STICK1 + BACK1.

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stiff

not flexible, rigid, OE.; (dial.) stalwart; (of wind) strong, steady XIII; steep so as to be difficult XVIII. OE. stf, corr. to MLG., MDu. stf (Du. stijf), ON. stífr :- Gmc. stfaz; rel. to L. stpre press, pack, stpes stake, Lith. stiprùs strong. Hence stiffen (-EN5) XVI.

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stifle1

joint at the junction of the hind leg and the body in a horse, etc. XIV. of unkn. orig.

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stifle2

cause to choke, suffocate, esp. kill by suffocation. XIV (stuf(f)le). of uncert. orig.; see -LE3.

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stigma

(arch.) mark branded XVI; mark of disgrace, (pl. stigmata) mark(s) corresponding to those on the body of the crucified Christ XVIII. — L. — Gr. stígma, -mat- mark made by a pointed instrument, brand, f. stig-, as in stízein prick; see STICK2. So stigmatize †brand XVI; set a brand upon XVII. — F. stigmatiser or medL. — Gr. stigmatízein.

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stile1

barrier of steps or rails allowing passage through a fence. OE. stiel, corr. to OHG. stigilla (MHG. stiegel, stigele), f. Gmc. stz- climb (see STY1).

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stile2

vertical bar of a wooden framework. XVII. prob. — Du. stijl pillar, prop, doorpost.

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stiletto

short dagger. XVII. — It., dim. of stilo dagger; see -ET.

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still1

not moving; (dial.) silent; free from commotion. OE. stille = OS., OHG. stilli (Du. stil, G. still) :- WGmc. stillja. still life XVII; after Du. stilleven; presumably applied orig. to representation of living things in a state of rest. So still vb. quiet, calm. OE. stillan = OS. (gi)stillian trans., stillon intr., OHG. stillen trans., stilln intr., ON. stilla. still adv. without change of position OE.; †quietly; †without change or cessation, always XIII; until then or now XVI; in or to a further degree; (as sentence adv.) even then, notwithstanding XVII. OE. stille = OS., OHG. stillo (Du. stil, G. stille) :- WGmc. still. stilly (-Y1) †secret XIII; (poet.) quiet XVIII. prob. f. the adv. OE. still.e (see -LY2).

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still2

apparatus for distillation. XVI. f. †still vb. (XIII), aphetic of DISTIL.

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stilt

(dial.) crutch XIV; †handle of a plough XIV; each of a pair of poles with brackets raising a walker's feet above the ground XV; post or pile on which a building is raised XVII. ME. stilte, corr. immed. to LG., Flem. stilte, Norw. stilta :- Gmc. stiltjn; rel. to MLG., MDu. stelte (Du. stelt), OHG. stelza (G. stelze):- steltn, and Sw. stylta, Da. stylte :- stultjn. Hence stilt vb. elevate artificially XVII (pp. stilted in the sense ‘artificially or affectedly elevated’ XIX).

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Stilton

rich cheese made in Leicestershire, so called from having been orig. sold to travellers at a coaching inn in Stilton, Cambridgeshire. XVIII.

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stimulant

adj. and sb. XVIII. XIX. — prp. of L. stimulre, f. stimulus goad, spur, incentive. So stimulate (-ATE2). XVI. f. the pp. stem of L. stimulre.

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stimy

var. of STYMIE.

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sting

pt., pp. stung †pierce with a sharp instrument; wound with a sharp-pointed organ. OE. str. vb. stingan = ON. stinga, f. Gmc. stez- staz-(whence ON. stanga pierce). So sb. act of stinging OE.; stinging organ XIV. OE. sting, styng.

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stingo

strong ale or beer. XVII. f. STING (with ref. to the sharp taste) + -O.

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stingy

niggardly XVII; (dial.) ill-tempered XVIII. perh. based on a (dial.) var. stinge of STING; see -Y1.

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stink

pt. stank, pp. stunk emit a smell; smell offensively. OE. stincan = (M)LG., (M)Du. stinken, OHG. stinchan (G. stinken) :- WGmc. stikwan. Cf. STENCH.

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stint

A
(arch. or dial.) cease XII; cause to cease XIII;

B
limit XVI. OE. styntan (once), more fully repr. in comps. styntan, ætstyntan, forstyntan blunt, dull; corr. to ON. stynta (OSw. stynta, OIcel. stytta) shorten, the source of some Eng. uses :- Gmc. stuntjan, f. stunt- (see STUNT1).
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Hence stint sb. †cessation, limitation XIII; amount allotted or fixed XV.

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stipe

(bot.) footstalk. XVIII. — F. — L. stpes log, post, tree trunk. So stipes XVIII. — L.

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stipend

†soldier's pay; salary XV (stipendy, stipende). — OF. stipende, stipendie — L. stpendium, for stipipendium, f. stips, stip- money payment, wages, alms + pendere weigh, pay. So stipendiary adj. and sb. XVI. — L. stpendirius.

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stipple

paint or engrave in dots. XVIII. — Du. stippelen, frequent. of stippen prick, speckle, f. stip point; see -LE3. So or Hence stipple sb. †(pl.) dots used in shading, etc. XVII; method of using such dots XIX.

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stipulate

make a contract; specify or require as a condition XVII; make a demand for XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. stipulri, of uncert. orig.; see -ATE3. So stipulation XVI. — L.

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stir

set in motion, agitate, excite; also intr. OE. styrian, corr. to OS. farsturian subvert (MLG. vorsturen), MHG. stürn stir, poke, MSw. styr(i)a, Norw. styrja make a disturbance :- Gmc. sturjan.

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stirk

young bullock or heifer. OE. stirc, styr(i)c, Kentish stiorc (with doubtful vowel-quantity), perh. f. stor STEER1 + -oc, -uc -OCK.

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stirrup

OE. stirp = OS. stigerp, MDu. steegereep, OHG. stegareif, ON. stigreip; f. Gmc. stiz- climb (see STY1) + raipaz ROPE.

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stitch

†prick, puncture OE. (only); sharp sudden local pain; (from the vb.) movement of a needle and thread XIII; portion of thread left as a result of this XIV. OE. sti.e = OS. stiki prick, stab, OHG. stih (G. stich) prick, sting, stitch, Goth. stiks point :- Gmc. stikiz, f. stik- STICK2. Hence stitch vb. †stab with pain; fasten with stitches XIII. Hence stitchwort plant reputed to cure the stitch in the side. XIII.

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stithy

anvil XIII; forge, smithy XVII. ME. steþi, stiþi — ON. steði :- staðjan-, f. Gmc. sta- STAND. The form is due to assoc. with SMITHY.

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stiver

small coin of the Low Countries XVI; (colloq.) typical coin of low value XVII. — Du. stuiver, in MLG. stüver.

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stoat

European ermine in its brown summer coat. XV. of unkn. orig.

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stock

A
trunk, stem OE.;

B
supporting structure; frame of timber for punishment XIV;
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C
hollow receptacle XIV;
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D
massive portion of an instrument XIV; (of a gun XVI);
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E
line of descent XIV; F. part of hose (upper and nether; cf. STOCKING) XV; G. fund, store (as of money) XV; quantity XVII; H. object of contemptuous treatment XVI; I. stiff neckcloth XVII. OE. stoc(c) = OS., (M)Du. stok (G. stock stick), ON. stokkr trunk, block, log :- Gmc. stukkaz, rel. to stukkjam piece, repr. by OE. sty..e, OS., OHG. stucki (Du. stuk, G. stück), ON. stykki; of unkn. orig. Used adj. ‘kept in stock’ XVII.
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Hence stock vb. in various senses, †‘put in the stocks’ being the earliest (XIV). ‘supply with a stock of’ the latest (XVII) in appearance. Comp. stock-dove wild pigeon. XIV; perh. so called from its breeding in hollow tree-trunks. stockfish cod, etc. split open and dried. XIII. — (M)Du., (M)LG. stokvisch, variously expl. stockgillyflower plant of the genus Matthiola. XVI; so called from its woody stem; abbrev. stock XVII. stockstill motionless. XV.

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stockade

XVII. — F. †estocade, alt. of †estacade — Sp. estacada, f. estaca — Rom. — Gmc. stak- STAKE; see -ADE.

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stockinet(te)

XIX. prob. alt., simulating a dim. in -ET, -ETTE, of earlier stocking-net.

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stocking

XVI. of obscure formation with -ING1, repl. †nether-stock (see STOCK).

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stodge

fill quite full. XVII. of symbolic orig. Hence sb. and stodgy (-Y1) XIX.

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stoep

(S. Afr.) raised verandah. XIX. — Du. stoep, rel. to Gmc. stap- STEP. Cf. STOOP2.

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Stoic

pert. to the school of philosophers founded by Zeno (c.300 B.C.); also sb. XVI. — L. sticus — Gr. stikós, f. sto the Porch in which Zeno taught at Athens. Also Stoical (-AL1) XV.

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stoker

XVII. — Du. stoker, f. stoken feed (a furnace), MDu., MLG. stoken push, poke, f. stok-, rel. to stek- thrust, prick, STICK2; see -ER1. Hence by back-formation stoke vb. XVII (stoking-hole).

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stole

(arch.) long robe; (eccl.) vestment consisting of a narrow strip of stuff worn over and hanging from the shoulders. OE. stole fem., stol n. — L. stola — Gr. stol equipment, clothing, garment, f. stol- stel- place, array, lead, send.

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stolid

XVI (rare before XIX). — F. †stolide or L. stolidus, poss. rel. to stultus foolish; see -ID1. So stolidity XVI.

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stolon

(bot.) prostrate branch that takes root at the tip. XVIII. — L. stol, -n- shoot, sucker.

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stoma

(anat., bot.) small opening. XVII. — Gr. stóma mouth.

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stomach

internal pouch or cavity of the body in which food is digested; abdomen, †chest; appetite for XIV; †seat of emotion; †temper, disposition XVI; †courage, pride, anger. ME. stomak — OF. stomaque, (also mod.) estomac — L. stomachus — Gr. stómakhos throat, gullet, mouth of an organ, as of the stomach, (later) stomach, f. stóma mouth. So stomach vb. †take offence; †offend, incite XVI; put up with, brook XVII. orig. — F. s'estomaquer (refl.) be offended, L. stomachr be resentful, be angry with. stomachic XVII. — F. or late L. — Gr.

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stomacher

†man's waistcoat XV; part of woman's dress covering the chest XVI. prob. aphetic — OF. estomachier, f. estomac STOMACH; see -ER2.

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stone

piece of rock or hard mineral substance OE.; measure of weight (14 lb.) XIV. OE. stn = OS. stn (Du. steen), (O)HG. stein, ON. steinn, Goth. stains :- Gmc. stainaz, rel. to OSl. stna wall, Gr. stí, stîon pebble. Comps. stonechat XVIII; the clash of pebbles is supposed imit. of the bird's alarm cry. stonecrop OE. stncrop (the second el. is not identified). stonewall vb. (f. stone wall wall of stone as presenting an obstacle) offer resistance or obstruction XIX. Hence stone vb. XII. stony (-Y1) OE. stni.

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stooge

(sl.) one who cooperates or deputizes in a subservient fashion. XX (orig. U.S.). of unkn. orig.

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stook

shock of corn. XV. ME. stouk, corr. to or — MLG. stke, formally = MLG. stke, OHG. sthha sleeve.

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stool

A
wooden seat for one person OE.;

B
base, support, stand XIV;
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C
seat enclosing a chamber utensil XV; evacuation of the bowels XVI;
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D
(figure of) a bird secured to a stool or perch, serving as a decoy XIX. OE. stl = OS. stl (Du. stoel), OHG. stuol (G. stuhl), ON. stóll, Goth. stls throne :- Gmc. stlaz, f. st- st- STAND + -LE1, the basic sense being ‘stand’, ‘station’; cf. OSl. stol throne, seat, Gr. stl pillar.
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stoop1

bow or bend down, incline from the vertical; condescend. XVI. OE. stpian = MDu. stpen. ON. stupa. f. Gmc. stp-, rel. to steup- STEEP1.

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stoop2

(U.S., Canada) uncovered platform before the entrance of a house. XVIII. — Du. STOEP.

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stop

A
fill up, close, plug;

B
bring to a stand or halt XIV;
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C
come to a stand XVI. OE. stoppian in forstoppian plug (the ear), corr. to G. verstopfen, MLG. stoppen, OHG. stopfn (G. stopfen); see STUFF.
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Hence stoppage XV. stopper XV; in the sense ‘plug, cork’ (XVI) repl. stopple (XIV).

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storax

fragrant gum resin. XIV. — L. — Gr. stórax, var. of stúrax STYRAX.

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store

necessaries for future use (now pl.); †live stock XIII; storage, reserve XIV; sufficient supply, stock laid up XV; animal kept for fattening; warehouse XVII; large shop XVIII. ME. stor, aphetic of †astor — OF. estor, f. estorer (whence store vb. XIII) :- L. instaurre renew, repair, RESTORE. Hence storage action and place of storing, XVII.

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storey, story2

any of the parts one above another of which a building consists XIV; tier of columns XV. Aphetic — AL. (h)istoria, spec. use of L. historia HISTORY, STORY1; perh. orig. tier of painted windows. Hence storeyed, storied^2 having storeys. XVII.

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storied1

decorated with scenes from history or legend XV; recorded in history XVIII. f. STORY1 + -ED1.

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storied2

see STOREYED.

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stork

tall white wading bird. OE. storc = OS. (Du.) stork, OHG. stor(a)h (G. storch), ON. storkr :- Gmc. sturkaz, prob. f. sturk- sterk- (see STARK), the name being supposed to refer to the bird's rigid habit.

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storm

violent disturbance of the atmosphere, fig. of affairs OE.; paroxysm, violent access XVI; (from the vb.) assault of troops on a place XVII. OE. = OS. (Du.) storm, (O)HG. sturm, ON. stormr :- Gmc. sturmaz, prob. f. stur-, repr. also by STIR. Hence storm vb. be tempestuous XV; (of persons) rage XVI; make an assault (on) XVII. stormy (-Y1) late OE.

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story1

†historical relation or anecdote, historical writing XIII; recital of events XIV; narrative designed for entertainment, tale XIV; account XVII. Aphetic — AN. estorie (OF. estoire, mod. histoire) — L. historia HISTORY.

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story2

see STOREY.

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stoup

(Sc.) pail, bucket XIV; drinking-vessel XV; holy-water vessel against or in a church wall XVIII. — ON. staup = OE. stap, MLG. stp, (M)Du. stoop, OHG. stouf :- Gmc. staupaz, -am, rel. to OE. stoppa, OS. stoppo pail :- WGmc. stoppan-, f. stup-, Cf. STEEP3.

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stout1

†proud, fierce, brave; strong in body or build XIV; corpulent XIX. — AN., OF. (N.E. dial.) stout, for estout :- WGmc. stult- (MLG. stolt, MDu., Du. stout, (O)HG stolz proud), perh. rel. to stelt- (see STILT).

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stout2

strong beer XVII. prob. ellipt. for s. ale or s. beer (STOUT1), the adj. being current XVII–XIX as applied to drink having a good body.

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stove

†heated chamber or building XV; closed box containing burning fuel XVII; fire grate XVIII. — MLG., MDu. stove (Du. stoof footwarmer) = OHG. stuba (G. stube living-room), rel. to OE. stofa bathroom.

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stow

†place XIV; put away to be stored XV; place (cargo) in a ship XVI. Aphetic of BESTOW; naut. sense perh. infl. by Du. stouwen. Hence stowage XIV. Comp. stowaway person who hides in a ship. XIX; f. phr. s. (oneself) away.

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strabismus

(med.) squinting. XVII. modL. — Gr. strabismós, f. strabízein squint, f. strabós twisted, squinting.

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straddle

spread the legs wide apart XVI; bestride XIX. frequent. f. strd strd STRIDE; cf. contemp. and synon. striddle, back-formation from striddling(s) astride (XV), f. strid-, wk. var. of STRIDE; see -LE2.

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Stradivarius (colloq. abbrev. Strad)

latinization of the name of Antonio Stradivari of Cremona (1649–1737) applied to violins made by him and his relatives.

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strafe

punish, damage, attack fiercely. XX. f. G. phr. Gott strafe England God chastise England, current in Germany c.1914. Hence sb. fierce assault.

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straggle

vb. XIV. perh. alt. of strackle, f. (dial.) strake move, go, f. strak- base of STRETCH; see -LE3.

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straight

not curved or bent XIV; not oblique; honest XVI (obs. in XVII, revived in XIX); in proper order XIX; adv. XIV (s. away, s. off XVII). ME. strezt, strazt (as pp. adj. extended at full length), pp. of strecche STRETCH. Hence straight vb. †(Sc.) stretch XIV; make straight XVI; superseded by straighten (-EN5) XVII. straightforward acting in a direct manner. XIX. f. phr. s. forward in a direct path onwards. straightway †by a direct course XV; immediately XVI.

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strain1

†gain, treasure OE.; †generation, offspring XII; †pedigree, ancestry, XIII; race, stock XIV; breed, inherited character XVII. OE. stron (Nhb. stron), aphetic of estron = OS., OHG. gistriuni, rel. to OE. (e)stronan, (e) strenan gain, get, beget = OHG. (gi)striunen, f. Gmc. streu- pile up, rel. to L. strus pile, heap, struere build.

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strain2

A
draw tight, stretch XIII; force the sense or application of: force to extreme effort XV;

B
bind or compress tightly (obs. or arch. except in s. to one's bosom, etc.);
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C
press through a filtering medium XIV;
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D
refl. and intr. exert oneself XIV (in s. at make a difficulty of ‘swallowing’ or accepting XVI, misunderstanding of s. at a gnat in Matt. 23: 24, which means ‘strain the liquor if they find a gnat in it’). ME. strayne, streyne, aphetic — OF. estrei(g)n-, stem of estreindre (mod. étreindre) :- L. stringere draw tight, bind tightly.
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Hence or — AF. estreignour strainer (-ER1) filter, sieve. XIV.

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strain3

section of a piece of music; melody, tune; passage of song or poetry XVI; †stream of impassioned language; tone, tenor, drift XVII. f. STRAIN2 used in the senses ‘lift up (the voice) in song’, ‘utter in song, sing’, which are of doubtful orig.

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strait

(arch., dial.) tight, narrow; strict, rigorous; limited in extent XIII; sb. narrow place, (now only) narrow waterway XIV; (now only pl.) straitened circumstances, difficulty, fix XVI; adv. tightly, etc. XII, surviving in gen. use only in strait-laced †narrow in scope, mind, etc., excessively rigid (XVI), orig. tightly-laced (XV). ME. streit, aphetic — OF. estreit tight, close, narrow, sb. narrow place, strait of the sea, distress :- L. strictus STRICT. The forms show confusion with strezt STRAIGHT at an early date. Hence straiten (-EN5) XVI, surviving mainly in pp. (straitened circumstances, etc. XVIII).

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strake

strip of iron; stripe of colour; ray of light XIV; line of planking in the side of a vessel, breadth of a plank XV. prob. f. strak-, base of OE. stre..an STRETCH; largely coincident in form and meaning with streak from XVI.

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stramonium

(bot.) plant of the genus Datura. XVII. — modL. stram(m)onium, poss. alt. of Tatar turman medicine for horses.

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strand1

(arch., dial.) land bordering the sea or other water. OE. strand = MLG. strant, -nd-, ON. strnd; of unkn. orig. Hence strand vb. force on to a shore. XVII.

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strand2

one of the strings twisted together forming a rope or cord. XV (strond). of unkn. orig.

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strange

†foreign, alien; belonging to another place; unfamiliar, unknown. XIII. Aphetic — OF. estrange (mod. étrange) :- L. extrneus EXTRANEOUS, f. ext(e)r- (see EXTRA-). So stranger (arch.) foreigner; guest, visitor; unknown person XIV; newcomer XV. Aphetic — OF. estrangier (mod. étranger) :- Rom. extrnerius, f. L. extrneus; see -ER2.

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strangle

XIII. Aphetic — OF. estrangler (mod. étrangler) — L. strangulre — Gr. straggaln, rel. to straggál halter. So strangulation XVI. -L.

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strangury

(path.) slow and painful urination. XIV. — L. strangria — Gr. straggourí, f. strágx, stragg-drop squeezed out + oûron URINE.

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strap

leather band XVI; strop in naut. use XVII; razor strop XVIII. var. of STROP. Hence strap vb. XVIII. strapping (-ING2) †vigorous, lusty; sturdily built. XVII. strapper (-ER1) strapping person. XVII.

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strappado

torture in which the victim was hoisted by a rope and dropped with a jerk. XVI. — F. (e)strapade — It. strappata, f. strappare drag, snatch — OF. estraper, var. of estreper, esterper :- L. extirpre EXTIRPATE; see -ADO.

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strass

paste for artificial gems. XIX. — G. strass, F. stras; f. the name of the inventor, Joseph Strasser .

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stratagem

artifice to surprise an enemy XV; device, trick XVI. — F. stratagéme — L. stratgma — Gr. stratgma, f. stratgeîn be a general, f. stratgós commander-in-chief, f. stratós army + -g- lead (see ACT). So strategic XIX. — F. stratégique — Gr. stratgikós. strategy XVII. — F. stratégie — Gr. stratgí.

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strath

(Sc.) wide valley or tract of low-lying land. XVI. — Gael. srath = Ir. srath(a), W. ystrad dale.

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stratify

XVII. — F. stratifier — modL. strtificre, f. L. strtum. So stratification XVII. — medL. stratigraphic pert. to stratigraphy geological study concerned with the strata of the earth's crust. XIX. stratosphere stratum of the atmosphere above the troposphere. XX. f. -sphere of ATMOSPHERE. stratum pl. strata XVI. — modL. use of L. strtum ‘something laid down’, sb. use of n. pp. of sternere lay or throw down. stratus (meteor.) form of cloud having the appearance of a broad sheet of uniform thickness, XIX. Comb. form strato-, as in strato-cirrus, -cumulus.

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straw1

(coll. sg.) stems or stalks of cereals OE.; single stem XII. OE. straw = OS., OHG. str (Du. stroo, G. stroh), ON. strá :- Gmc. strwam, rel. to STREW. Comp. strawberry OE. stra(w)- berie, strow-; the reason for the name is unkn.

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straw2

(arch.) scatter XII; cover with something scattered XIII. Differentiated repr. of OE. streawian, var. of stre(o)wian STREW.

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stray

domestic animal that is found wandering. XIII. — AN. strey, aphetic of astrey used as sb. So stray vb. escape from confinement, wander, roam. XIV. Aphetic — AN., OF. estraier (see ASTRAY). Hence (from the sb.) stray adj. that has escaped from control and goes free. XVII.

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streak

†mark, stroke OE.; thin line of different colour or substance from the rest XVI; stratum of coal or ore XVII; strip of land or water XVIII. OE. strica stroke of the pen, mark, line of motion, orbit, corr. to MLG., MDu. strke (Du. streek), (O)HG. strich, Goth. striks, f. strik- (see STRIKE). Hence streak vb. †strike out XV; mark with streaks XVI.

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stream

course of water, etc.; fig. continuous flow. OE. stream = OS strm (Du. stroom), OHG. stroum (G. strom), ON. straumr :- Gmc. straumaz :- IE. sroumos, f. srou- sreu- srû- flow, repr. also by Gr. rheîn flow, rheûma stream, Olr. sruaim, Skr. srávati flows. Hence stream vb. XIII; whence streamer (-ER1) flag floating in the air XIII.

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street

paved road, highway; road in a town or village. OE. strt = OS. strta (Du. straat), OHG. strz(z)a (G. strasse); WGmc. -late L. strta, sb. use of fem. pp. of sternere throw or lay down.

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strength

OE. strengðu = OHG. strengida :- Gmc. straziþ; see STRONG, -TH1. Hence strengthen (-EN5) XIII.

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strenuous

vigorous; (now esp.) ardently energetic. XVI. f. L. strnuus brisk, active, valiant.

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strepto-

comb. form of Gr. streptós twisted, pp. adj. of stréphein turn, twist, in scientific terms. XIX. streptococcus bacteria in which the cocci are arranged in chains. XIX.

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stress

†hardship, affliction; †force, pressure XIV; physical strain; legal distraint XV; overpowering adverse force XVI; emphasis, spec. of utterance XVIII. Aphetic of DISTRESS or, in part, of OF. estrece, -esse narrowness, straitness, oppression :- Rom. strictia, f. L. strictus STRAIT, STRICT. So stress vb. †constrain, restrain XIV; †distress; overstrain XVI; lay stress on XIX. In earliest use aphetic — OF. estrecier :- Rom. strictire. Later senses are f. the sb.

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stretch

lay at full length; extend OE.; tighten, lengthen, widen by force XIV. OE. stre..an = MLG., MDu. strecken (Du. strekken), OHG. strecchan (G. strecken) :- WGmc. strakkjan, of uncert. orig. Hence stretch sb. extension XVI; extent of time or space XVII.

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stretto

(mus.) in quicker time. XVII. — It. :- L. strictus STRICT.

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strew

pt. strewed, pp. strewed, strewn scatter, sprinkle. OE. stre(o)wian, corr. to OS. strian (Du. strooien), OHG. strewen (G. streuen), ON. strá, Goth. straujan (in pt. strawida). Differentiated vars. are STRAW2 and strow (XIV–XVII).

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stria

(archit.) fillet between flutes of columns, etc. XVI; small groove, narrow stripe XVII. — L. stria furrow, grooving. Hence striate (-ATE2), -ated (-ED1) XVII.

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stricken

arch. pp. of STRIKE: s. in years, †age, advanced in age XIV (sense ‘go’ of strike); (arch). wounded in the chase; struck with a blow XVI; s. field, pitched battle XVII (sense ‘fight (a battle)’ of strike); afflicted with disease, overwhelmed with grief XVII.

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strickle

rod for levelling contents of a heaped measure OE.; tool for sharpening a scythe XVII. OE. stricel, f. strik- STRIKE; cf. -LE1.

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strict

†tight, close; restricted in space, narrow; (techn.) straight and stiff; in various non-physical senses close, intricate; rigorous, exact. XVI. — L. strictus, pp. of stringere draw tight.

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stricture

A
(path.) morbid narrowing XIV (rare before XVII); †binding, tight closure;

B
†touch, slight trace; incidental comment; (now) adverse criticism XVII. — L. strictra, f. strict-, pp. stem of stringere, repr. two orig. different words, (A) touch, stroke, fig. blame, rel. to STRIKE, (B) draw tight, rel. to STRANGLE, STRING.
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stride

pt. strode, strided, pp. stridden †straddle OE.; walk with long steps XII. OE. str. vb. strdan = (M)LG. strden set the legs wide apart; formally corr. to a set of str. and wk. vbs. meaning ‘strive, quarrel’, viz. (M)LG., (M)Du. strden, OHG. strtan (G. streiten), and OS. strdian, ON. stríða, with rel. sbs. Hence sb. XIII.

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strident

making a harsh noise. XVII (not current before XIX). — L. strdns, -ent-, prp. of strdre creak; see -ENT.

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strife

XIII. Aphetic — OF. estrif, rel. to estriver STRIVE, of unkn. orig.

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strigil

instrument for scraping the skin. XVI. — L. strigilis, f. strig-, base of stringere touch lightly.

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strigose

(nat. hist.) covered with stiff hairs. XVIII. — modL. strigsus, f. L. striga furrow, in modL. row of stiff hairs; see -OSE1.

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strike

pt., pp. struck (see also STRICKEN)
A
move, go (now with restriction);
B
(obs. or dial.) stroke, smooth OE.;
C
lower (a sail, etc.);
D
deal a blow XIII; impinge (upon) XIV;
E
settle, arrange XVI (partly from phr. s. hands XV, partly from L. fœdus ferire strike a treaty); F. refuse to work (perh. f. s. tools) XVIII. OE. str. vb. strcan = MLG. strken, (M)Du. strijken, OHG. strhhan (G. streichen); WGmc. deriv. of strk- straik- :- IE. strig- streig- stroig-. Hence strike sb. from XIII in various techn. applications.

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string1

line, cord OE.; number of things strung together XV. OE. streng = MLG. strenge, MDu. strenc, stranc, OHG. stranc, ON. strengr :- Gmc. straziz (see STRONG). Hence string^2 pt., pp. strung fit (a bow) with its string XVI (isolated ex. of pp. ystrenged XIV); make tense XVI; bind (as) with string XVII. f. prec. stringed (-ED 2) having a string or strings. First in OE. tnstrenged ten-stringed (Psalm 91: 4). stringy (-Y1) XVII.

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stringent

†astringent, styptic; †compelling assent XVII; rigorously binding XIX. — L. stringent-, prp. stem of stringere bind; see -ENT. Hence stringency XIX.

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stringhalt

disease contracting a horse's hind legs. XVI. Obscurely f. STRING1 + HALT1.

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strip1

narrow piece (as of textile material). XV. — or cogn. W (M)LG. strippe strap, thong, prob. rel. to STRIPE2.

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strip2

unclothe, denude; doff, tear or peel off. XIII. ME. stripe, strepe, strupe, pointing to an OE. strpan, strepan (as in bestrepan plunder, strip), corr. to (M)Du. stroopen, OHG., MHG. stroufen (G. streifen) :- Gmc. straupjan.

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stripe1

(arch.) stroke with a staff, scourge, etc. XV. of unkn. orig.

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stripe2

narrow portion of a surface, esp. of different colour or texture XVII; narrow strip of cloth, etc., e.g. chevron of soldier's uniform XIX. perh. back-formation on pp. striped (XV or XVI) marked with narrow bands, poss. of LG. or Du. orig.; cf. MLG., MDu. strpe = MHG. strfe (G. streifen).

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stripling

XIII. f. STRIP1 + -LING1, ‘one who is slender as a strip’.

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strive

pt. strove, pp. striven †be at variance, quarrel; contend or struggle against. XIII. ME. strven, aphetic — OF. estriver, rel. to estrif STRIFE.

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strobilus

fir-cone XVIII; formation resembling this XIX. — late L. — Gr. stróblos anything twisted.

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stroke1

rub softly with the hand or an implement. OE. strcian = MLG., MDu. strken (Du. streeken), OHG. streihhn (G. streichen), f. Gmc. straik- strk- STRIKE.

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stroke2

act of striking XIII; striking of a clock XV; linear mark XVI; (earlier s. of God's hands XVI) seizure by disease XVII. ME. strk :-OE. strc :- Gmc. straikaz, f. straik- strk- STRIKE.

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stroll

applied in early XVII, as a cant word (with stroller), first to itinerant vagrant persons, later used of aimless or leisurely walking; prob. — G. strolchen, (dial.) strollen wander as a vagrant (strolch vagabond), of unkn. orig.

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stroma

(anat., etc.) framework of an organ or cell (as of connective tissue). XIX. — modL. use of late L. strma mattress — Gr. strôma.

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strong

OE. strong, strang = OS., Fris. strang, MDu. stranc, ON. strangr :- Gmc. strazaz, f. a base of which the mutated form is repr. in OE. (rare) strenge severe, MLG., MDu. strenge (Du. streng), OS. strang, OHG. strengi (G. streng), and for which see further STRING1. Comp. stronghold fortified place. XV. Hence strongly (-LY2) OE. strongl.e.

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strontia

monoxide of strontium. XIX. f. strontian (XVIII) a former name for strontia and strontium, prop. for native strontium carbonate; f. name of a parish in Argyllshire, where are the lead mines in which the mineral was discovered. Hence strontium (XIX). See -IA1, -IUM.

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strop

(naut.) band of rope, etc. XIV; strip of leather, etc., for sharpening a razor XVIII. — (M)LG., (M)Du. strop = OE. strop, OHG. strupf (cf. MHG., G. strüpfe fem.); WGmc. — L. struppus, stroppus.

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strophe

(pros.) series of lines forming a system. XVII. — Gr. stroph verse unit, lit. ‘turning’, f. stroph- (as also in stróphos cord, string), streph- (as in stréphein turn). Hence strophic XIX.

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strow

see STREW.

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structure

†erection, construction XV; manner of this; edifice, fabric XVII. — (O)F. structure or L. structra, f. struct-, pp. stem of struere build; see -URE. Hence structural (-AL1) XIX.

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struggle

contend in close grapple XIV; get with difficulty out of, etc. XVII. frequent. (see -LE3) f. base of obscure orig. (prob. symbolic).

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strum

XVIII. of imit. orig.

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struma

(path.) scrofula XVI; scrofulous swelling, goitre XVII; (bot.) swelling at base of petiole XIX. — L. strma scrofulous tumour.

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strumous

XVI. — L. strmsus, f. prec. + -OUS.

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strumpet

harlot, prostitute. XIV. of unkn. orig.

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strung

pp. of STRING2: †fitted with strings; threaded on a string XVII; in a state of tension XIX.

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strut1

bar to resist pressure in a framework. XVI. prob. f. next.

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strut2

†bulge, swell; †protrude stiffly, stand out XIV; †flaunt, swagger; walk upright with stiff step XVI. unexpl. alt. of ME. stroute, repr. formally OE. strtian ?be rigid, but a short vowel is seen in (M)HG. strotzen and in the Scand. langs.

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struthious

pert. to an ostrich. XVIII. f. L. strthi — Gr. strouthon, f. stroûthos sparrow, ostrich; see -OUS.

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strychnine

poisonous vegetable alkaloid. XIX. — F., f. modL. use of L. strychnos — Gr. strûkhnos, -on kind of nightshade; see -INE5.

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stub

stump. OE. stub(b) = MLG., MDu. stubbe, ON. stubbr, stubbi :- Gmc. stubbaz, stubban-; OE. had also styb (:- stubbjaz), which coalesced with the other form; rel. to MLG. stve, ON. stúfr, Gr. stúpos stump, stock.

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stubble

stump(s) of grain-stalks left in the ground. XIII. — AN. stuble, OF. estuble (mod. dial. éteu(b)le) :- L. stup(u)la, for earlier stipula straw.

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stubborn

pertinacious in refusing compliance XIV; difficult to treat or manage XVI. ME. stibourne, later stoburne(e), stuborn; of unkn. orig.

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stucco

plaster for covering walls, etc. XVI — It. — Gmc. word repr. by OHG. stukki fragment, piece, (also) crust.

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stud1

A
†post, prop (later as in a building) OE.,

B
knob, boss, or nail head XV; adjustable button XVI. OE. studu = MHG. stud, ON. stoð, rel. to G. stützen prop, support.
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stud2

establishment for breeding of horses OE.; horses bred by or belonging to one person XVII. OE. std, corr. to MLG stlt, OHG stuot (G. stute mare), ON. stð :- Gmc. stðam, stð. f. st STAND.

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studding-sail, stunsail

sail set on an extension of the yard-arm XVI (stoytene sale). perh. f. MLG., MDu. sttinge, noun of action of stten thrust (Du. stooten).

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student

XV — L. studns, -ent-, pro. of studre be eager or diligent, study.

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studio

sculptor's or painter's workrooth (XIX). — It. — I. studium STUDY.

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studious

XIV. — L. studisus, f. studium STUDY.

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study

†perplexity; serious application of mind, mental effort in learning XIII; room for study, †seat of learning XIV; state of reverie (obs. exc. in brown s.). Aphetic — OF. estudie (mod. tude) — L. studium zeal, affection, painstaking application. So vb. †deliberate, consider XIII; apply oneself to study XIV. Aphetic — OF. estudier (mod. étudier) — medL. studire (f. L. studium), for L. studre be zealous, apply oneself, study.

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stuff

†equipment, stock; material. XIV. ME. stof(fe), stuff(e) — OF. estoffe (mod. étoffe), perh. f. estoffer (étoffer) vb. — Gmc. stopfn (G. stopfen) — late L. stuppre plug. STOP up (implied in stuppator caulker), f. stuppa tow, oakum. So stuff vb. †furnish XIV; line, fill (out) XV. — OF. estoffer. Hence stuffy (-Y1) †full of substance XVI; (of air) close XIX.

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stultify

(leg.) prove of unsound mind XVIII; reduce to absurdity XIX. — late L. stultificre, f. L. stultus foolish; see -IFY.

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stum

unfermented must. XVII. — Du., sb. use of stom dumb.

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stumble

XIV. — ON stumla (Norw., Sw. dial. stumla, Da. dial. stumle), parallel to synon. stumra, f. Gmc. stum-stam- (see STAMMER).

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stump1

part remaining of maimed limb, broken-off end XIV; portion of tree left in the ground after felling; part of a broken tooth left in the gum XV; stub, fag end XVI; short pillar XVII; (in cricket) XVIII. — MLG. stump(e), (M)Du. stomp = OHG., G. stumpf, sb. uses of corr. adjs.; of uncert. orig.

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stump2

blunt instrument used for rubbing down hard lines. XVIII. prob. — F. estompe — Du. stomp, with support from prec.

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stun

XIII. Aphetic of †astune, †astone (XIII) — AN. astoner, astuner, estuner, OF. estoner (mod. étonner):- Gallo-Rom. extonare, for L. attonre stun, stupefy, f. AT- + tonre THUNDER. Hence stunning (-ING2) (colloq.) first-rate, ‘topping’. XIX.

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stunt1

†irritate, provoke XVI; †nonplus; check the growth of (esp. in pp.) XVII. f. stunt adj. †foolish (OE.), †short (XV), stubborn (XVI) = MHG. stunz, ON. stuttr (:- stuntr) short :- Gmc. stuntaz.

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stunt2

athletic event or feat, (gen.) enterprise, performance. XIX (orig. U.S.). of unkn. orig.

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stupe1

piece of steeped tow, etc. for fomenting a wound. XIV. — L. stuppa tow — Gr. stúpp.

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stupe2

(colloq., dial.) shortening of STUPID (sb.). XVIII.

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stupefy

†stun with amazement XVI; make stupid or torpid XVII. — F. stupéfier — L. stupefacere, f. stupre be amazed or stunned; see STUPID, -FY. So stupefaction XVI. — F. — medL. stupendous XVII. f. L. stupendus, gerundive of stupre.

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stupid

wanting in mental perception XVI; †stunned with surprise, grief, etc. XVII. — F. stupide or L. stupidus, f. stupre be stunned or benumbed, f. base stup- strike, thrust; see -ID1. So stupidity, stupor (-OR2) XVII.

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sturdy

†fierce, violent; rough, harsh XIII; stalwart, strong XIV; sb. stuperfying brain disease in cattle XVI. Aphetic — OF. est(o)urdi stunned, reckless, violent (mod. étourdi thoughtless). pp. of estourdir stun, daze.

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sturgeon

XIII. — AN. sturgeon, (O)F. estourgeon :- Rom. sturine — Gmc. sturjan- whence OE. styra, etc.

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stutter

vb. XVI. f. late ME. stutten (dial. stut) + -ER4; cf. (M)LG. stötern, Du. stotteren, G. stottern. The stem (Gmc. stut-, staut-) is repr. also in ME. stotaye falter, totter, MLG. stten, OHG, stzan (G. stossen) strike against.

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sty1, stye

inflamed swelling on the edge of an eyelid. XVII. Deduced from dial. styany (XV), prop. eye affected with a sty (apprehended as sty-on-eye), f. synon. styan (:- OE. stend, lit. ‘riser’, prp. used sb. of stan rise, ascend, climb) + EYE. OE. str. vb. stan corr. to OS., OHG. stgan (Du. stijgen, G. steigen), ON. stíga, Goth. steigan :- Gmc. stzan, f. stz- staiz- :- IE. steigh-, stoigh-, stgh- advance, go, rise, repr. by Gr. steíkhein.

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sty2

enclosed place for swine. XIII. repr. OE. st (as in stfearh ‘sty-pig’), perh. identical with sti hall, corr. to ON. stí (in svínstí swine-sty); :- Gmc. stijam, of which a parallel formation stijn is repr. by MLG. stege, MDu. swijnstije, ON. stía pen, fold.

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Stygian

pert. to the river Styx (river of Hell); infernal. XVI. f. L. Stygius — Gr. Stúgios, f. Stúx, Stug-, rel. to stugeîn hate; see -IAN.

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style

stylus; †written work XIII; proper name or title; manner of expression or discourse XIV; manner, fashion XV (of art or architecture XVIII); mode of expressing dates XVI. — (O)F. — L. stilus. The sp. with y is due to erron. assoc. with Gr. stûlos column. Hence stylish (-ISH1) XVIII, stylist, -istic XIX.

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stylet

pointed instrument (e.g. surgical probe) or natural process. XVII. — F. — It. stiletto (see STILETTO).

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stylite

ascetic living on a pillar. XVII. — eccl. Gr. stlts, f. stûlos pillar; see -ITE.

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stylobate

(archit.) basement supporting a row of columns. XVII. Earlier stylobata — L. — Gr. stulobáts, f. stûlos pillar + -bats, f. base of baínein walk.

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stylus

writing instrument XVIII; gnomon of a sundial XVIII. — erron. sp. of L. stilus; see STYLE.

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stymie, stimy

(in golf) opponent's ball lying in the way of the player's. XIX. of unkn. orig. Hence vb. XIX (esp. fig.).

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styptic

having contracting properties. XIV. — L. stypticus — Gr. stuptikós, f. stúphein contract; see -IC.

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stúrax

STORAX. XIV. — L. — Gr. stúrax.

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suasion

XIV. — OF. suasion or L. susi, -n-, f. sus-, pp. stem of sudre urge, PERSUADE; see -ION.

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suave

pleasing, agreeable XVI; blandly polite XIX. — F. suave or L. suvis SWEET, agreeable. So suavity †sweetness XV; pleasurableness XVI; bland urbanity XIX. — (O)F. or L.

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sub1

L. prep. under, underneath, beneath, at the bottom of (cf. next), corr. to Gr. hupó; the first word of various L. phrs. current from XVII, as sub judice ‘under a judge’, being the subject of judicial inquiry, sub rosa ‘under the rose’, secretly (of unkn. orig.), sub voce under the word (so-and-so in a list), abbrev. s.v.

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sub2

short for, e.g., SUBORDINATE XVII; SUBALTERN XVIII; SUBSTITUTE, SUBSCRIPTION, SUBSIST (money) XIX.

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sub-

pref. repr. L. sub-, the prep. SUB1 under, close to, up to, towards, used in comps. The full form is retained before vowels and b, d, l, n, s, t; the b is assimilated to c, f, g, p, and often to m and r. A by-form subs- was normally reduced to sus- in comps, with initial c, p, t. As a living prefix it is used with words of any orig.
It is used with the foll. senses:
1 under, underneath, below, at the bottom (of), as subaqueous, subterranean;
2 subordinate, subsidiary, secondary, esp. in titles, as subdeacon;
3 (math.) expressing a ratio the inverse of that of the radical element, as in submultiple, subtriple;
4 next below or after, near or close (to), as in subsequent, suburb;
5 incomplete(ly), imperfect(ly), partial(ly), as in subcylindrical, subtriangular;
6 secretly, covertly, as in suborn;
7 from below, up, (hence) away, as in succour, suspicion;
8 in place of another, as in substitute;
9 in addition, as in subjoin.

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subaltern

of inferior status XVI; sb., esp. subaltern officer in the army XVII. — late L. subalternus. Earlier subalternate XV; see SUB-, ALTERNATE.

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subaudition

mentally supplying or ‘understanding’. XVIII. — late L. subaudti, -n-, f. L. subaudre supply mentally, f. SUB- + audre, hear; see AUDITION.

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subconscious

XIX. See SUB- 5.

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subdeacon

XIV. — ecclL. subdiaconus, also subdiacon — ecclGr. hupodiákonos; see SUB-, DEACON.

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subdivide

XV. — late L. subdvdere. So subdivision XVI. — late L. See SUB-, DIVIDE.

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subdue

conquer XIV; bring into subjection XVI. ME. sodewe, sudewe, later subdewe — AN. soduer, su(b)duer = OF. so(u)duire, suduire deceive, seduce — L. subdcere withdraw, evacuate (f. SUB- + dcere lead, bring), with sense derived from †subdit subject — L. subditus, pp. of subdere bring under, subdue, f. SUB- + dere put (cf. ADD).

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suberose

(bot.) cork-like. XIX f. L. sber cork; see -OSE1.

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subfusc

of dusky or sombre hue. XVIII. — L. sub-fuscus, var. of suffuscus, f. SUB- + fuscus dark.

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subjacent

underlying. XVII. — L. subjacns, -ent-, prp. of subjacre; see SUB-, ADJACENT.

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subject

A
one who is under the dominion of a sovereign, etc. XIV;

B
(philos.) †substance XIV; matter operated upon XVI; (gram.) XVII; thinking agent XVIII. ME. soget, sug(i)et, later subiect (XVI) — OF. suget, soget, subg(i)et (mod. sujet) — L. subjectus m., subjectum n. pp. of subicere, f. SUB- + jacere throw, cast.
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So subject adj. that is under the rule of a power XIV; exposed or liable to XIV. — OF. — L. subject vb. make subject, XIV. — (O)F. subjecter or L. subjectre, frequent. f. sub(j)icere, subject-, subjection XIV. — (O)F. or L. subjective †pert. to one who is subject XV; pert. to the subject in which attributes inhere XVII; pert. to the thinking subject XVIII. — L.

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subjoin

XVI. — F. † subjoindre — L. subjungere, f. SUB- + jungere JOIN.

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subjugate

XV. f. pp. stem of late L. subjugre, f. SUB- + L. jugum YOKE; see -ATE2. So subjugation XVII. — late L.

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subjunctive

(gram.) XVI. — F. subjonctif or L. subjunctvus, f. pp. stem of subjungere SUBJOIN; see -IVE.

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sublapsarian

(theol.) XVII. See SUB-, LAPSE, -ARIAN.

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sublimate

†raise to a high state XVI; act upon so as to produce a refined product XVII. Preceded by pp. sublimate (XV), f. pp. stem of L. sublmre, f. sublmis; see below, -ATE2, 3. So sublimate (-ATE1) sb. XVII. sublime adj. lofty, exalted, in earliest use (XVI) of language or style, later in physical senses. — L. sublmis, -us, f. SUB + an el. variously identified with lmen threshold and lmus oblique. sublime vb. †sublimate XIV; raise to a higher state XVI. — (O)F. sublimer or L. sublmre. sublimation XIV. — (O)F. or L. subliminal (psych.) applied to states supposed to exist but not strong enough to be recognized. XIX. f. SUB- + L. lmen, lmin- threshold + -AL1.

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sublunary

existing or situated beneath the moon. XVI. f. late L. sublnris, f, SUB- + lna moon (cf. LUNAR); see -ARY.

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submarine

adj. XVII. See SUB-, MARINE.

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submerge

XVII. — L. submergere; see SUB-, MERGE. So submersion XVI. — late L.

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submit

(refl. and intr.) place oneself under control; so trans. XIV. — L. submittere. So submission XV. — OF. or L. submissive XVI. f. submiss-, pp. stem of L. submittere.

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subordinate

adj. XV. — medL. subordintus, pp. of subordinre (whence subordinate vb. XVI, subordination XVII); see SUB-, ORDAIN, ORDINATION, -ATE2, -ATE3.

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suborn

procure by underhand or unlawful means. XVI. — L. subornre, f. SUB- + ornre equip. So subornation XVI. — medL.

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subpoena

(leg.) writ issued by a court commanding the appearance of a person. XV. — L. sub pœn under a penalty, being the first words of the writ; see SUB, PAIN.

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subreption

(eccl. leg.) misrepresentation of the truth. XVII. — L. subrepti, -n-, f. subripere, f. SUB- + repere creep; see -TION.

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subscribe

write (one's name) on XV; intr. w. to XVI; promise over one's signature to pay XVII. — L. subscrbere, f, SUB- + scrbere write. So subscript sb. †signature XVIII; adj. written underneath XIX. — L. subscriptus, pp. of subscrbere. subscription signature at end of a document XV; declaration of assent XVI; contribution to a fund of money XVII. — L.

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subsequent

XV. — (O)F. subséquent or L. subsequns, -ent-, prp. of subsequ, f SUB- + sequ follow.

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subservient

serving as an instrument or means. XVII. — L. subservins, -ent-, prp. of subservre (whence subserve XVII); see SUB-, SERVE.

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subside

XVII. — L. subsdere, f. SUB- + sdere settle, sink. So subsidence †sediment; sinking or settling to the bottom XVII. — L. subsdentia.

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subsidy

†help, aid; pecuniary aid granted by parliament, etc. XIV. — AN. subsidie = (O)F, subside — L. subsidium reserve of troops, support, assistance, rel. formally to (rare) subsidre, f. SUB- + sedre sit. So subsidiary auxiliary XVI. — L. subsidirius. Hence subsidize XVIII.

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subsist

exist as substance or entity XVI; provide for XVII; support oneself on. — L. subsistere stand still or firm, f. SUB- + sistere STAND. So subsistence substantial existence XV; provision of support for animal life XVII; s. money, money paid on account of wages, etc. XVII; shortened to subsist money XIX. — late L.

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subsoil

XVIII. f. SUB- + SOIL1.

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substance

essence XIII; a being XIV; (philos.) that which underlies phenomena; material, matter; means, wealth. — (O)F. — L. substantia being, essence, material property, f. substre, f. SUB- + stre STAND. So substantial XIV. — (O)F. substantiel or ChrL. substantilis; see -AL1. substantially (-LY2) XIV. substantiate give substance to XVII. f. pp. stem of medL. substantire; see -ATE3. substantive self-existent XV; (gram.) denoting a substance XVI; having substance XIX; sb. for noun s. (late L. nomen substantivum) XIV. — (O)F. substantif, -ive or late L. substantvus.

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substitute

†appoint as deputy or delegate; put one in place of another. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. substituere, f. SUB- + statuere (see STATUTE). So sb. XIV. — L. substittus, pp. of substituere, substitution XIV. — late L.

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substratum

XVII. — pp. of L. substernere; see SUB-, STRATUM.

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subsume

†bring under, subjoin; state a minor premiss XVI; bring (one idea) under another XIX. — medL. subsmere, f. SUB- + smere take.

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subtend

(geom.) extend under, be opposite to. XVI. — L. subtendere; see SUB-, TEND2.

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subter-

prefix repr. L. subter adv. and prep. below, underneath, in the sense ‘secretly’ in subterfuge XVI. — F. or — late L. subterfugium, f. L. subterfugere escape secretly.

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subterranean

XVII. f. L. subterrneus, f. SUB- + terra earth; see -AN, -EAN.

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subtle

of thin or fine consistency; marked by acumen or fine discrimination. XIV. ME. sutil, sotil — OF. sutil, so(u)til — L. subtlis, prob. for subtexlis, subtlis, f. sub texl, sub tl (passing) under the warp (weaver's term). So subtlety (-TY2) XIV. — OF. s(o)utilté :- L. subtilittem. Hence subtly XIV. The var. subtil(e) (- OF. subtil, latinized form of sutil) arose in late ME. and remained till modern times along with subtil(i)ty in arch. or affected use.

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subtract

†withdraw; deduct. XVI. f. subtract-, pp. stem of L. subtrahere, f. SUB- + trahere draw. So subtraction †withdrawal XIV; taking of one quantity from another XV. — late L. subtracti, -n-.

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subulate

(nat. hist.) awl-shaped; slender and tapering. XVIII. f. L. sbula awl; see -ATE1.

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suburb

XIV. — (O)F. suburbe or L. suburbium, f. SUB- + urbs city. So suburban XVII. — L. suburbnus. Hence suburbia XIX.

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subvention

†subsidy levied by the state XV; †provision of support XVI; grant of money in aid XIX. — (O)F. — late L. subventi, -n-, f. subvenre come to the help of, f. SUB- + venre COME; see -TION.

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subvert

overturn, overthrow. XIV. — OF. subvertir or L. subvertere, f. SUB- + vertere turn. So subversion XIV. — (O)F. or late L.

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subway

underground passage or tunnel. XIX. f. SUB- + WAY.

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succedaneum

substitute. XVII. — n. of L. succdneus, f. succdere come close after; see next.

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succeed

come next after another XIV; follow in the course of events XV (trans. XVI); have a certain issue (now always fortunate) XV; attain a desired end XVI. ME. succede — (O)F. succéder or L. succédere go under or up, come close after, go near, go on well, f. SUB- + cdere go. So success †issue, result; †fortune (good or bad); prosperous achievement XVI. — L. successus, f. pp. stem of succdere. Hence successful XVI. So succession XIV. — (O)F. succession or L. successi, -n-, successive XV. — medL. successor XIII. — OF. successour (mod. -eur) — L. successor, -r-.

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succentor

†one who takes up the chant after the precentor; precentor's deputy. XVII. — late L. succentor, f. L. succinere sing the accompaniment to, f. SUB- + canere sing; see -OR1.

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succinct

†pp. girded, girt XV; adj. brief and concise XVI. — L. succinctus, pp. of succingere, f. SUB- + cingere gird.

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succory

chicory plant. XVI. alt. of cicoree, sichorie, early forms of CHICORY, after MLG. suckerie, MDu. skerie (Du. suikerei).

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succotash

N. Amer. Indian dish of green maize and beans. XVIII. of Algonquian orig.

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succour

help, aid. XIII. ME. sucurs, soc(o)urs — OF. sucurs, socours (mod. secours) :- medL. succursus, f. succurs-, pp. stem of L. succurrere, f. SUB- + currere run. The final s was early (XIII) apprehended as the pl. suffix and a new sg. (socour) came into existence. So succour vb. XIII. — OF socorre (:- L. succurrere) and suc(c)urir (mod. secourir).

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succubus

demon in female form having intercourse with men XVI; strumpet XVII. — medL. succubus, m. form with fem. meaning; corr. to late L. succuba, f. SUB- + cub- lie down (see INCUBUS).

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succulent

juicy. XVII. — L. succulentus (scu-), f. succus (scus) juice; see -ULENT.

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succumb

†bring down, overwhelm XV; †(Sc.) fail in a cause XVI; sink under pressure XVII. — (O)F. succomber or L. succumbere, f. SUB- + -cumbere lie (see INCUMBENT).

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such

of the kind described or implied. OE. swil., swel., swyl., ME, swich, swech, swuch, mod. dial. sich, sech; cogn. Gmc. forms are OS. sulk, OHG. sulh, solh (Du. zulk, G. solch), ON, slíkr, Goth. swaleiks; f. Gmc. swa, swe SO + lk- body, form (see LIKE2). Hence suchlike (LIKE1) XV.

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suck

draw liquid with the mouth OE.; in various fig. uses from XIV. OE. str. vb. scan (becoming weak from XIV), corr. to L. sgere, (O)Ir. súgim, f. IE. sug-, of which a parallel imit. base suk- is repr. by OE. sgan, OS., MLG., MDu. sgen (Du. zuigen), OHG. sgan (G. saugen), ON. súga. Hence suck sb. XII. sucker young mammal before it is weaned XIV; shoot of a plant XVI; sucking organ, part, etc. XVII.

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suckle

XV. perh. back-formation f. suckling infant at the breast XV, young animal that is suckled XVI, f. SUCK + -LING1.

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suction

XVII. — late L. scti, -n-, f. sct-, pp. stem of sgere SUCK; see -TION.

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sudarium

napkin for wiping the face. XVII. — L. sdrium, f. sdor SWEAT.

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sudd

floating vegetation obstructing the White Nile. XIX. — Arab. sudd obstruction.

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sudden

XIII. ME. sode(i)n, -ain — AN. soein, sudein, (O)F. soudain :- late L. subitnus, for L. subitneus, f. subitus sudden, pp. of subre go stealthily, f. SUB- + re go.

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sudorific

promoting sweat. XVII. — modL. sdrificus, f. sdor SWEAT; see -FIC.

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suds

†dregs, filth; †flood-water, fen-water; (frothy mass of) soapy water (†barber's lather). XVI. of uncert. orig.; cf. MLG., MDu. sudde, MDu. sudse marsh, bog. The base is prob. GMc. suð-, wk. grade of SEETHE.

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sue

†follow XIII; prosecute (an action), follow up, make a legal claim to (now sue for); apply for the grant of (a writ); institute legal proceedings (against) XIV. — AN. suer, siwer, sure, suir(e), f. pres. stem si(e)u-, seu- of OF. sivre (mod. suivre) :- Rom. sequere, for L. sequ follow.

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suède

XIX. First in suède gloves, tr. F. gants de Suède, i.e. gloves of Sweden.

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suet

XIV. — AN. suet, sewet, f. su(e), seu, OF. seu, si(e)u, sif (mod. suif) :- L. sbum tallow, suet, grease.

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suffer

undergo, endure; tolerate, allow. XIII. ME. suffre, so(e)ffre — AN. suffrir, soeffrir, -er, OF. sof(f)rir (mod. souffrir) :- Rom. sufferre, for L. sufferre, f. suf- SUB- + ferre BEAR2. So sufferance (arch.) suffering, long-suffering; sanction, permission, toleration (now only in phr. on s, and in legal use). XIII. — AN., OF. suffraunce, soffrance (mod. souffrance suffering) :- L. sufferentia.

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suffice

XIV. f. OF. suffis-, pres. stem of suffire :- L. sufficere, f. suf- SUB- + facere DO1. So sufficient XIV. — OF. sufficient or L. sufficins, -ent, prp. of sufficere. sufficiency XV. — late L.

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suffix

element attached to the end of a word XVIII; (math.) inferior index XIX. — suffixum, n. pp. of L. suffigere, f. suf- SUB- + figere FIX. So suffix vb. subjoin XVII; add as a suffix XVIII. Partly f. L. suffixus, partly f. the sb.

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suffocate

XVI. f. pp. stem of L. suffocre, f. suf- SUB- + faucs throat; see -ATE3.

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suffragan

bishop considered in relation to his metropolitan, by whom he may be summoned to give his suffrage; subsidiary bishop in the Church of England. — AN., OF, suffragan, medL. suffragneus, f. L. suffragium SUFFRAGE; see -AN.

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suffrage

pl. (intercessory) prayers XIV; vote XVI. — L. suffrgium, partly through F. suffrage; of uncert. orig.

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suffuse

overspread as with fluid, colour, etc. XVI. f. suffs-, pp. stem of L. suffundere, f. suf- SUB- + fundere pour. So suffusion XIV. — L.

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Sufi

one of a Muslim sect. XVII. — Arab. f, f. f wool (with ref. to their garments).

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sugar

sweet crystalline substance obtained from fruit juices XIII (suker); (old chem.) compound resembling sugar in form or taste XVII; (mod. chem.) soluble more or less sweet carbohydrate XIX. ME. suker, sucre, sugre, suger (sugar from XVI) — OF. ukre, sukere (mod. sucre) — It. zucchero, prob. — medL. succarum — Arab. sukkar. So sugar-candy sugar clarified and crystallized. XIV, — OF. sucre candi — Arab. sukkar kand. sugar-cane XVI, -loaf XV. Hence vb. XV, sugary (-Y1) XVI.

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suggest

XVI. f. suggest-, pp. stem of L. suggerere, f. sug- SUB- + gerere bear. carry, bring. So suggestion XIV. — (O)F. — L. Hence suggestive XVII.

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suicide1

one who takes his own life. XVIII. — modL. sucda, f. L. su of oneself; see -CIDE1. So suicide^2 taking one's own life XVII; see -CIDE2. Hence suicidal (-AL1) XVIII.

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suint

grease in the wool of sheep. XVIII. — F. suint, earlier †suing, f. suer sweat.

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suit

A
(hist.) attendance at court XIII;

B
†pursuit XIV; legal process XV;
Top

C
†train, suite XIII;
Top

D
†livery, garb XIII;
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E
set, series XV. ME. siute, siwte, s(e)ute — AN. siute, OF. si(e)ute (mod. suite) :- Gallo-Rom. sequita, sb. use of fem. pp. of sequere follow, SUE.
Top
Hence suit vb. †sue, pursue XV; provide with apparel; be agreeable or convenient to XVI. Whence suitable †matching, to match; †agreeing, accordant XVI; fitting, appropriate XVII.

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suite

A
train of attendants XVII;
B
succession, series XVIII;
C
set of rooms XVIII, of furniture XIX. — F. suite; see SUIT. Sense C is of English development.

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suitor

†frequenter XIII; †adherent XIV; (arch.) petitioner XVI; wooer. — AN. seutor, suitour, sut(i)er, -or — L. sector, -r- follower, f. sequ, sect- follow, after suiteSUIT.

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sulcate

grooved, XVIII. — L. sulctus, pp. of sulcre plough, f. sulcus groove, furrow (which has been used in Eng. in spec. senses since XVII).

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sulk

indulge in ill-humour. XVIII. perh. back-formation from somewhat earlier sulky adj., used also as sb. for a carriage seated for one person. Sulky was perh. an extension with -Y1 of an adj. †sulke (XVII) hard to dispose of, slow in going off.

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sullen

marked by gloomy ill-humour; of gloomy condition or aspect. XVI. Later form of †solein, †-eyne sole, solitary morose (XIV) — AN. solein, solain, f. sol SOLE3, after OF. soltain, soutain :- late L. slitneus, f. L. slus.

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sully

pollute; †intr. for pass. XVI. perh. — F. souiller; see SOIL3.

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sulphur, U.S. sulfur

greenish-yellow nonmetallic element; brimstone. XIV. ME. soufre, solfre, sulph(e)re — AN. sulf(e)re, (O)F. soufre :- L. sulfur, -phur. Comb. form sulpho- , before a vowel sulph- . So sulphate/sulphite salt of sulphuric/sulphurous acid. XVIII. — F. sulphat/sulphite. sulphureous pert. to sulphur XVI; †hellish, satanic XVII. f. L. sulphureus. sulphuretted combined chemically with sulphur. XIX. f. sulphuret- modL. sulphuretum; see -URET. sulphuric s. acid XVIII. — F. sulfurique. Hence sulphide compound of sulphur with another element. XIX. sulphurous, sulphury (-Y1) XVI. See -Y1.

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sultan

Muslim sovereign XVI; despot, tyrant XVII; sweet-scented annual, Centaurea moschata and C. suaveolens. — F. sultan or medL. sultnus — Arab. suln power, dominion, ruler, king. So sultana sultan's wife XVI; mistress, concubine XVIII; purple gallinule XIX; (s. raisin) small seedless raisin. — It., fem. of sultano sultan. Hence sultanate (-ATE1) XIX.

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sultry

oppressively hot and moist. XVI. f. †sulter be sweltering hot (XVI), prob. for swulter, rel. to SWELTER; see -Y1.

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sum

quantity of money, total amount XIII; summary, epitome XIV, quantity resulting from the addition of quantities XV. ME. summe, somme — OF. summe, (also mod.) somme :- L. summa, sb. use of fem. of summus :- supmus, superl. f. stem of super, superus (see SUPERIOR). So sum vb. XIII. — (O)F. sommer or late L. summre. summation XVIII. f. late L. summre.

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sumac(h)

preparation of dried leaves of plants of the genus Rhus XIV; plant of this genus XVI. — (O)F. sumac or medL. sumac(h) — Arab. summ.

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summary

comprising the chief points or substance XV; done without delay. (leg.) carried out without certain formalities XVIII (the adv. summarily (-LY2) is XVI). — medL. summrius (in classL. only in n. sb.). f. summa SUM; see -ARY. As sb. XVI. — L. summrium. Hence summarize XIX.

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summer1

second and warmest season of the year. OE. sumor, corr. to OS., OHG. sumar (Du. zomer, G. sommer), MLG. sommer, ON. sumar; rel. to Skr. sám half-year, year, OIr. sam, samrad, W. ham, haf summer.

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summer2

†packhorse; (archit.) horizontal bearing-beam. XIV. — AN. sumer, somer, OF. somier (mod. sommier) — Rom. saumrius, for late L. sagmrius, f. sagma pack-saddle — Gr. ságma.

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summit

XV. — OF. som(m)ete, also somet, sumet (mod. sommet), f. som, sum :- L. summum, n. sg. of summus (see SUM); the sp. with -it (from XVII) is due to assim. to †summity summit (XIV–XVIII) — (O)F. sommité — late L. summits (see -ITY).

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summons

sb. XIII. ME. somouns — OF. somonce, sumunse (mod. semonce) :- Gallo-Rom. summonsa, for L. summonita, fem. pp. (used sb.) of summonre.

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summum bonum

XVI. — L., i.e. summum n. sg. of summus highest, bonum n. sg. of bonus good used sb.

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sump

†marsh XV; (dial.) dirty pool; pit for collecting water XVII. — (M)LG., MDu. sump, or in mining use — G. sumpf, rel. to SWAMP.

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sumpter

†driver of a pack-horse XIV; pack-horse XVI. — OF. som(m)etier :- Rom. saumatrius, f. late L. sagma, sagmat- pack-saddle (see SUMMER2).

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sumptuary

pert. to expenditure. XVI. — L. sumpturius, f. sumptus expenditure, expense, f. smere, sumpt- consume, spend; see -ARY. So sumptuous made at great cost XV; †spending largely XVI. — (O)F. somptueux — L. sumptusus.

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sun

OE. sunne (fem.) = OS., OHG., ON. (poet.) sunna (Du. zon, G. sonne), Goth. sunn, beside OE. sunna (m.), OHG., OS. sunno :- Gmc. sunnn, -an-; f. IE. su- with n-formative, beside su- with l-formative in Homeric Gr. élios :- swelijos (Attic hlios), L. sl, ON. sól, Goth. sauil, W. haul. Hence vb. XVI; sunny (-Y1) XIII. Comps. sunbeam OE. sunn(e)bam. sunburn sb. XVII; f. the vb. (XVI), back-formation from sunburning (XVI), sunburnt (sunne ybrent XIV). sundew plant of the genus Drosera. XVI. tr. Du. son-, sundauw = G sonnentau, tr. L. rs slis. sundial XVI. sundown setting of the sun XVII. perh. shortening of †sunne gate downe (XV), †sun go downe (XVI). sunflower †heliotrope; plant of the genus Helianthus, with showy golden-rayed flowers. XVI. tr. modL fls slis XVI. sunrise XV. perh. evolved, through syntactical ambiguity, from a clause such as before the sun rise (pres. subjunctive of the vb.); cf. ME. sonne rist (XIII). sunset OE. (late Nhb.) sunset; perh. partly from a clause like ere the sun set. sunshade parasol. XIX. sunstroke XIX. For earlier stroke of the sun, tr. F. coup de soleil. sun-up (U.S.) sunrise XIX. After sun-down.

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sundae

portion of ice cream served with syrup, etc. XX (orig. U.S.). perh. alt. of next.

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Sunday

OE. sunnandæ (Nhb. sunnadæ) = OS. sunnondag, OHG. sunnuntag (Du. zondag, G. sonntag), ON. sunnudagr; Gmc. tr. of L. dis slis.

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sunder

phr. in s., asunder, apart XIII. alt. of ASUNDER (OE. onsundran, -um) by substitution of IN1 for ON, partly after ON. sundr. So sunder vb. separate, part. Late OE. sundrian (beside syndrian), for earlier sundrian, and e-, on-, tsundrian, corr. to OHG. sunt(a)rn, sund(e)rn (G. sondern), ON. sundra, f. Gmc. adv. (‘separately’) repr. by OE. sundor, OS. sundar (MLG. sunder; Du. zonder prep.), OHG. suntar (MHG. sunder; G. sonder, with var. sondern but), ON. sundr, Goth. sundr; f. IE. su-, repr. also by Skr. sanitúr besides, Gr. háteros (Attic héteros) one of two, and (without t-suffix) L. sine without. So sundry OE. syndri separate, special, private, corr. to MLG. sunder(i)ch, OHG. sunt(a)rc; see -Y1. sundries XIX.

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sunn

E. Indian shrub, cultivated for its fibre. XVIII. — Hind. san — Skr. aá- hemp.

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Sunni

orthodox Muslim, who accepts the Sunna (body of tradition) as of equal authority with the Koran. XVII — Arab. sunn lawful, f. sunna form, way, course, rule.

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sup1

take liquid into the mouth in small quantities. OE. str. vb. span = MLG. spen, OHG. sfan (Du. zuipen, G. saufen drink, booze), ON. súpa. Hence sb. XVI.

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sup2

take supper. XIII. — OF. super, soper (mod. souper), f. Gmc. sup- (see SOP, SUP1 and cf. SOUP).

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sup-

see SUB-.

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super

short for SUPERFICIAL, SUPERFINE, SUPER- INTENDENT, SUPERNUMERARY. XIX.

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super-

prefix repr. L. super-, being the adv. and prep. super above, on the top of, beyond, besides, rel. to SUB-.

The chief meanings are: (1) over, above, at the top (of), in adv., prep., or adj. force, as superaltar (XIV), -celestial (XVI), superstructure (XVII); (2) higher in rank, quality, or degree, as superessential (XVI), supermundane (XVII), supersensual (XVII); (3) in or to the highest or a very high degree, (hence) in excess, as superabound, -abundant, -fine (XV); (4) expressing addition, as superadd (XV), super-tax (XX). Cf. SUPRA-, SUR-2.

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superable

XVII. — L. superbilis, f. superre overcome, f. SUPER-; see -ABLE.

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superannuated

disqualified or impaired by age. XVII. f. medL. superannutus, alt. of superanntus, f. SUPER- + annus year, with assim. to annuus ANNUAL; see -ATE2, -ED1. So superannuation XVII.

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superb

XVI. — (O)F. superbe or L. superbus proud, superior, distinguished, f. super above (SUPER-).

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supercargo

(naut.) officer who superintends the cargo. XVII. alt., by substitution of SUPER-, of supracargo (XVII–XIX) — Sp. sobrecargo.

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supercilious

XVI. — L. supercilisus, f. L. supercilium eyebrow, f. SUPER- + cilium (lower) eyelid.

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supererogation

performance of good works beyond what is required. XVI. — late L. supererogti, -n-, f. L. supererogre, f. SUPER- + ergre pay out, f. E- + rogre ask. So supererogatory (-ORY2) XVI. — scholL. supererogtrius.

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superficies

surface. XVI. — L., f. SUPER- + facis FACE. So superficial †(math.) compounded of two prime factors XIV; pert. to the surface XV; concerned only with the surface XVI. — late L. superficilis.

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superfine

†extremely subtle XV; over-refined XVI; extremely fine XVII. — medL. superfinus (implied in superfnits), f. L. SUPER + medL. fnus FINE2.

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superfluous

XV. f. L. superfluus, f. SUPER- + fluere FLOW; see -OUS. So superfluity XIV. — (O)F. — late L.

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superhuman

XVII. — late L. superhmnus; see SUPER-, HUMAN.

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superintend

XVII. — ecclL. superintendere; see SUPER-, INTEND. So superintendent official having chief charge or oversight; in earliest use applied to Christian ministers in some church polities, as repr. Gr. epískopos ‘overseer’ (see BISHOP). XVI. — ecclL. superintendns, -ent-.

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superior

situated higher XIV; of higher degree or status XV; s. to (†s. than) XVI; sb. XV. — OF. superiour (mod. supérieur) — L. superior, -r-, compar. of superus that is above, f. super; see SUPER-, -IOR. So superiority XVI. — (O)F. or medL.

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superlative

(gram.) XIV; surpassing all others XV. — (O)F. superlatif, -ive — late L. superltvus, f. superltus (used as pp. of superferre), f. SUPER- + lt-, pp. stem of tollere take away; see -IVE.

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superman

ideal superior type of man. XX (G. B. Shaw ). tr. of G. übermensch, as used in ‘Zarathustra’, by F. W. Nietzsche , G. philosopher (1844–1900), f. über OVER + mensch human being.

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supernaculum

(drink) to the last drop. XVI (super nag-). modL., tr. G. auf den nagel (trinken) on to the nail.

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supernal

existing in the heavens. XV. — OF. supernal or medL. supernlis, f. L. supernus, f. super above.

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supernatural

XVI. — medL. superntrlis, f. L. SUPER + ntra NATURE. So supernaturally XV.

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supernumerary

XVII. — late L. supernumerrius, f. super numerum; see SUPER-, NUMBER, -ARY.

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superpose

place above or upon. XIX. — F. superposer, after L. superpnere (see SUPER-, POSE1). So superposition (geom.) XVII; (gen.) XIX. — F. or late L.

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superscribe

inscribe on the top or surface OF. — L. superscrbere, f. SUPER- + scrbere write. So superscription XIV. — late L.

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supersede

†postpone XV; †desist or refrain from; †render superfluous or void XVI; take the place of something set aside XVII. In early use often -cede. — OF. supercéder, later -séder — L. supersedre (in medL. often -cdere) set above, be superior to, refrain from, omit. f. SUPER- + sedre SIT. supersession setting aside of a rule, etc. XVIII; substitution of a person in the place of one removed XIX. — F. or medL.

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superstition

XV. — (O)F. superstition or L. superstiti, -n-, f. superstre stand on or over, f. SUPER- + stre STAND; see -TION. So superstitious XIV. — (O)F. superstitieux or L. superstitisus.

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supersubstantial

spiritual (in s. bread, i.e. of the Eucharist); transcending all substance. XVI. ecclL. (Vulg.) supersubstantilis, tr. Gr. epioúsíos Matt. 6: 11 in the Lord's Prayer, which is usu. taken to mean ‘(bread) pert. to the coming day’; see SUPER-, SUBSTANTIAL.

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supervene

XVII. — L. supervenre, f. SUPER- + venre COME.

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supervise

†survey XVI; have the oversight of XVII. f. supervs-, pp. stem of medL. supervidre, f. L. SUPER- + vidre see. So supervision XVII. — medL.

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supination

action of turning the hand or fore limb so that the back of it is downward or backward. XVII. — L. supnti, -n-, f. supnre, f. supnus SUPINE; see -ATION.

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supine

adj. lying on one's back XV; mentally or morally inert XVII. — L. supnus, f. sup-, repr. in L. super above, superus higher, SUPERIOR; see -INE1. So supine sb. form of verbal noun ending in -tum, -t, -sum, -s. XVI. — n. sg. of supnus used sb.; this usage is unexpl.

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supper

XIII. ME. super(e), soper(e), later so(u)pper, sopper, supper — OF. soper, super (mod. souper), sb. use of soper SUP2; see -ER5.

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supplant

dispossess another, esp. treacherously XIII (implied in supplanter); †trip up XIV; bring down, bring low; †uproot XVI. — (O)F. supplanter or L. supplantre overthrow, f. SUB- + planta sole of the foot, PLANT.

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supple

†soft, yielding XIII; pliant, flexible XIV; compliant XIV. ME. souple — (O)F. :- Rom. supples, f. L. supplex, -plic- submissive, suppliant, lit. bending under, f. SUB- + plic- bend (see PLY1).

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supplement

XIV. — L. supplmentum, f. supplre SUPPLY; see -MENT.

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suppliant

XV. — F., prp. of supplier — L. supplicre SUPPLICATE; see -ANT. Also as adj. XVI.

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supplicate

beg humbly XV; at Oxford University, present a formal petition for a degree XVII. f. pp. stem of L. supplicre, f. SUB- + †plic- bend (see PLY1); see -ATE3. So supplicant sb. and adj. XVI. — L. prp. of supplicre. supplication XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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supply

†help, succour, complete, supplement; make up for, compensate; fill (another's place) XIV; †fulfil, discharge (office or function) XV; furnish, provide XVI; take the place of (now only as a minister's substitute) XVII. ME. (in earliest use mainly Sc.) sup(p)le, sowple, later supplie — OF. so(u)pleer, later supplier (mod. suppléer) — L. supplre fill up, make good, complete, f. SUB- + -plre fill. Hence supply sb. XV (in early use mainly Sc.).

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support

endure, tolerate XIV; strengthen the position of; furnish sustenance for XV; keep from failing XVI. — (O)F. supporter — L. supportre, f. SUB- + portre carry. Hence, or partly — F., support sb. XIV.

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suppose

†believe, think, guess; assume as a hypothesis XIV; infer hypothetically, incline to think XVII. — (O)F. sup(p)oser, f. SUB- + poser POSE1, as a vb. corr. to supposition †something held to be true as the basis of argument XV; assumption of this hypothetical inference or belief XVI. — (O)F. supposition or medL. suppositi, -n- (in older L. recorded only in senses ‘placing under’ and ‘substitution’); cf. POSITION. So supposititious deceitfully substituted. XVII. f. L. supposittius, -icius, f. pp. stem of suppnere. suppository XIV. — medL. suppositrium.

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suppress

put down by force or authority XIV; subdue (feelings, etc.) XVI; keep secret. f. suppress-, pp. stem of L. supprimere, f. SUB- + premere PRESS. So suppression XVI — L. suppressive XVIII.

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suppurate

†cause to form pus XVI; secrete pus XVII. f. pp. stem of L. supprre, f. SUB- + ps PUS; see -ATE2. So suppuration XVI. — L.

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supra-

prefix repr. L. supr adv. and prep., above, beyond, in addition (to), before the time of, in comps. parallel to those of super-, but with a different distribution; used in many techn. terms, esp. anat. and zool. (opp. INFRA-, SUB-). supralapsarian pert. to the view that God's election of some was antecedent to the Fall of Man XVII.

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supreme

A
(poet.) loftiest, topmost;
B
highest in authority or rank; of the highest quality or degree. XVI. — L. suprmus, f. supr; see prec. and cf. EXTREME. Hence supremacy XVI.

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sur-1

var. of SUB-.

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sur-2

- (O)F. sur-, earlier sor-, sour(e)- :- L. super, used in various senses of SUPER-.

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sura

section of the Koran. XVII. — Arab. sra.

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surah

soft twilled silk fabric. XIX. repr. F. pronunc. of SURAT.

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sural

pert. to the calf of the leg. XVII. f. L. sra calf; see -AL1.

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surat

designating cotton goods orig. made in Surat, a town and district in India. XVII.

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surcease

(arch.) cessation, suspension. XVI. f. surcease vb. (arch.) leave off, cease, desist (XV), f. OF. sursis, fem. -sise (cf. AN. sursise omission), pp. of surseoir refrain, delay, suspend :- L. supersedre SUPERSEDE; early assim. in sp. to CEASE.

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surcharge

excessive or exorbitant charge. XVII. f. the vb. (XV) — OF. surcharger. See SUR-2, CHARGE.

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surcingle

girth for a horse, etc. XIV. — OF. so(u)rcengle, f. sor- SUR-2 + cengle (mod. sangle) :- L. cingula, f. cingere gird.

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surcoat

XIV. — OF. s(o)urcot; see SUR-2, COAT.

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surd

(math.) irrational XVI; (phon.) voiceless XVIII. — L. surdus deaf, mute, silent, (of sound) dull, indistinct. The sense in math. arises from the use of L. surdus to render Gr. álogos (Euclid, book X, definition 10) speechless, irrational, absurd.

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sure

†safe, secure XIV–XVII; trustworthy, steadfast XIV; subjectively certain XIV; objectively certain XV. — OF. sur(e) (mod. sûr) :- L. scrus SECURE. So surety †safety, security, certainty; bond entered into for the performance of an undertaking XIV; person undertaking this, bail XV. — OF. surte (mod. sûreté) :- L. scurits, -tät- SECURITY; see -TY2. Whence suretyship XVI.

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surf

swell of the sea breaking on the shore XVII; mass of foamy water on a shore XVIII. In early use sometimes in phr. surf of the sea; continuing in sense and chronology †suff (of the sea) XVI–XVII, and perh. an alt. of the latter.

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surface

XVII. — F., f. SUR-2 + face FACE.

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surfeit

excess, superfluity XIII; excessive indulgence esp. in eating or drinking XIV; morbid condition arising from this XVI; nausea, satiety XVII. — OF. sur-, sorfe(i)t :- Rom. superfactum, sb. use of pp. of superficere, f. L. SUPER- + facere do, act. Hence surfeit vb. XIV.

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surge1

†fountain, source XV; rolling swell of the sea XVI; (naut.) slipping back of a rope wound round a capstan XVIII. In the earliest exx. of the first sense tr. OF. sourgeon (mod. surgeon) and prob. — its base sourge-, pres. stem of sourdre (see next).

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surge2

†toss or ride on the waves; †rise, spring; swell or heave, as a large wave XVI; (naut.) slip back, as a rope, etc. XVII. f. OF. sourge-, pres. stem of sourdre :- L. surgere rise, beside surrigere, f. SUB- + regere RULE; or — OF. sorgir (mod. surgir) — L. surgere.

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surgeon

one who heals by manual operation XIV; medical officer in the forces XVI. ME. surg(i)en — AN. surgien, contr. of OF. serurgien, cir- (mod. chirurgien) — Rom. chirurginus, f. L. chrurgia surgery — Gr. kheirourgí, f. kheír hand + erg- WORK. So surgery surgeon's art XIV; medical practitioner's consulting room XIX. — OF. surgerie, contr. of sirurgerie. Hence surgical XVIII.

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surly

†lordly, majestic; †masterful, imperious, haughty XVI; churlishly ill-humoured XVII. alt. of †sirly (XIV–XVII), f. SIR + -LY1.

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surmise

†charge upon, allege against XV; †devise, suppose XVI; infer conjecturally XVII. f. AN., OF. surmis(e), pp. of surmettre — late L. supermittere (in medL. accuse), f. SUPER- + mittere put. So surmise sb. †allegation XV; conjecture XVI.

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surmount

XIV. — (O)F. surmonter; see SUR-2, MOUNT2.

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surmullet

red mullet. XVII. — F. surmulet, OF. sor (mod. saur) red (of unkn. orig.) + mulet MULLET.

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surname

†name or epithet added to a person's name(s), derived from his birthplace or from some quality or achievement; person's family name XIV. Partial tr. of †surnoun (XIV) — AN. surnoun, (O)F. surnom, f. SUR-2 + noun NAME (cf. NOUN). Hence vb. XVI.

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surpass.

XVI. — F. surpasser, f. SUR-2 + passer PASS.

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surplice

XIII. — AN. surplis, OF. sourpelis (mod. surplis) — medL. superpellicium, -eum, sb. use of n. of adj. f. SUPER- + pellicia fur garment; so called because orig. put on over furred garments worn in church.

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surplus

XIV. — AN. surplus, OF. so(u)rplus (mod. surplus) — medL. superpls, f. SUPER- + pls more. So surplusage XV. — medL. surplsgium.

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surprise

(mil.) sudden attack or capture XV (phr. take by s.); something unexpectedly sudden XVI; feeling caused by this XVII. — (O)F., sb. use of fem. pp. of surprendre. So surprise vb. †overcome with desire, etc. XV; assail suddenly, take unawares XVI; affect with surprise XVII. prob. first in pp. f. (O)F. surpris(e), pp. of surprendre :- medL. superprehendere, f. L. SUPER- + præhendere seize.

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surrealism

XX. — F. surréalisme; see SUR-2, REALISM. So surrealist, surrealistic XX.

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surrebutter

(leg.) plaintiff's reply to a defendant's rebutter. XVII. f. SUR-2 + REBUTTER, after surrejoinder (XVI), plaintiff's reply to defendant's rejoinder.

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surrender

(leg.) giving up of an estate or tenancy; giving up of oneself. XV. — AN. surrender, OF. inf. surrendre used as sb. (see -ER5), whence surrender vb. XV; see SUR-2, RENDER.

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surreptitious

obtained by fraudulent misrepresentation XV; obtained by stealth XVII. f. L. surrepttius, -cius, f. surrept-, pp. stem of surripere seize secretly, (Vulg.) make false suggestions, f. SUB- + rapere seize; see -ITIOUS.

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surrogate

deputy, spec. of a judge, bishop. XVII. — L. surrogtus, var. of subrogtus, pp. of subrogre put in another's place, f. SUB- + rogre ask, ask for or propose the appointment of.

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surround

†A
overflow XV;
B
encompass, go round XVII. — AN. sur(o)under, OF. s(o)uronder overflow, abound, dominate :- late L. superundre overflow (fig.), f. SUPER- + undre rise in waves, f. unda wave.

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surtax

XIX. — F. surtaxe; see SUR-, TAX.

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surtout

greatcoat. XVII. — F., f. sur above (cf. SUR-) + tout everything.

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surveillance

XIX. — F., f. surveiller, f. SUR-2 + veiller watch (:- L. vigilre); see -ANCE.

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survey

oversee, supervise XV; determine the conditions of (a tract of ground); †inspect XVI; take a wide view OF. — AN. survei(e)r, OF. so(u)rveeir (pres. stem survey-) :- medL. supervidre, f. L. SUPER- + vidre see. Hence sb. XVI. So surveyor (-OR1) XV. — AN., OF. sur-, sorve(i)our.

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survive

remain alive, live on XV; outlive XVI. — AN. survivre, OF. sourvivre (mod. sur-) — L. supervvere, f. SUPER- + vvere live. Hence survival (-AL2), survivor (-OR1) XVI.

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susceptible

capable of undergoing or being affected (by) XVII; subject to impression XVIII. — late L. susceptibilis, f. suscept-, pp. stem of suscipere, f. SUB- + capere take.

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suslik

species of ground squirrel. XVIII. — Russ. súslik.

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suspect

under suspicion; †having suspicion XIV; sb. suspected person XVI; disused in the adj. after c.1700, and in the sb. after c.1600 until revived in XIX after the F. use of the word for ‘one suspected of hostility or indifference to the Revolution’. — (O)F. suspect or L. suspectus, pp. of suspicere look up (to), admire, suspect, f. SUB- + specere look; on the pp. stem of this L. vb. was formed suspect vb. XV.

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suspend

A
hold up, put off XIII;

B
hang (up) XV. — (O)F. suspendre or L. suspendere, f. SUB- + pendre hang.
Top
Hence suspender (-ER1) †one who suspends XVI; (orig. U.S.) that by which something is suspended XIX. So suspense XV. — AN., OF. suspens(e) abeyance, delay, repr. medL. sb. uses of n. and fem. of pp. of L. suspendere. suspension XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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suspicion

action of suspecting. XIV. — AN. suspeciun, var. of OF. sospeçon (mod. soupçon) :- medL. suspecti, -n-; see SUSPECT.

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suspire

(arch.) sigh (for). XV. — L. susprre, f. SUB- + sprre breathe.

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sustain

†support, uphold the course of, keep in being XIII; endure without failing; bear the weight of XIV. ME. sos-, susteine — AN. sustein-, OF. so(u)stein-, tonic stem of so(u)stenir (mod. soutenir) — L. sustinre, f. SUB- + tenre hold, keep. So sustenance means of subsistence XIII; act of sustaining XIV. — AN. sustenaunce, OF. so(u)stenance (mod. soutenance). sustentation XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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susurration

whispering. XIV. — late L. susurrti, -n-, f. L. susurrre, f. susurrus whisper (of imit. orig.); see -ATION.

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sutler

army follower selling provisions to soldiers. XVI. — Du. †soeteler (mod. zoetelaar), MLG. suteler, sudeler, f. †soetelen befoul, perform mean duties, follow a low trade.

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suttee

Hindu widow who immolated herself with her husband's body XVIII; such immolation XIX. — Hind. :- Skr. sat faithful wife, f. sat good, wise, lit. being, prp. of ásti is (see BE).

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suture

sewing, stitching; (anat., bot.) junction. XVI. — F. suture or L. stra, f. st-, pp. stem of suere SEW; see -URE.

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suzerain

feudal overlord. XIX. — F., prob. f. sus above, up (:- L. ssum), after souverain SOVEREIGN.

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svelte

XIX. — F. svelte — It. svelto :- popL. exvellitus, pp. of exvellere, f. L. EX-1 + vellere pluck.

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swab

mop XVI; absorbent mass of fabric for cleansing XVIII. f. Gmc. base meaning ‘sway about’, ‘splash in water’, as in (M)LG. swabben splash, sway, Norw. svabba splash, wade, LG. swabber (G. schwabber) mop, swab, Du. zwabberen mop. So swab vb. (dial.) sway about XV; mop up XVIII. swabber (-ER1) member of a crew that swabs decks. XVI.

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swaddle

bind (an infant) in lengths of bandage. XV. f. SWATHE2 + -LE3. The earliest record of the formation is in swaðelbond -clothes XIII. Hence swaddling-band(s) XIV, swaddling-clothes XVI.

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swag

(dial.) swaying movement XVII; ornamental wreath or festoon XVIII; thief's booty XIX. of obscure orig.; cf. Norw. swagga sway. So swag vb. (dial.) move or cause to move unsteadily XVI; sink down XVII.

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swage

tool for bending cold metal. XIX. — F. suage, earlier souage, of unkn. orig.

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swagger

behave overbearingly as if among inferiors. XVI. Presumably f. SWAG + -ER4.

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swain

†young man attending on a knight; man of low degree XII; †male servant XIII; †man, youth; farm hand, shepherd, rustic XVI; (country) lover. — ON. sveinn boy, servant, attendant = OE. swn swineherd, MLG. swn, OHG. swein :- Gmc. swainaz.

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swallow1

bird of the genus Hirundo. OE. swealwe = OS. swala (Du. zwaluw), OHG. swal(a)wa (G. schwalbe), ON. svala :- Gmc. swalwn.

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swallow2

take into the stomach through the mouth and gullet; also transf. and fig. OE. str. vb. swelgan = OS. farswelgan (Du. swelgen), OHG. swel(a)han (G. schwelgen), ON. svelga :- Gmc. swelzan, f. swelz- swalz- swulz-, repr. also by OE. eswelg gulf, abyss, OHG. swelgo glutton, ON. svelgr whirlpool, devourer. Weak forms of pt. and pp. appeared XIV.

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swami

Hindu idol XVIII; Hindu religious teacher XX. — Hindi svm master, lord, prince (used as a respectful address) : — Skr. svmin-.

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swamp

low-lying wet ground XVII; (local) depression in land XVIII. Identical in form with (dial.) swamp sunk (XIV), the notion of ‘depression, subsidence’ being perh. the connecting link. Hence vb. (orig. pass.) XVII.

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swan

OE. swan = OS. suan, OHG. swan (G. schwan), ON. svanr :- Gmc. swanaz; perh. based on IE. swon- swen-, repr. by Skr. svaná noise, L. sonere, sonre SOUND2. Comp. swan-upping taking up swans to mark them for ownership. XVI. upping f. up vb. drive up and catch swans; see -ING1.

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swank

(sl.) behave ostentatiously. XIX. of uncert. orig.

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swap, swop

†strike, hit; †move quickly; †strike hands on a bargain XIV; †strike (a bargain) XVI; exchange for. prob. imit. of a smart resounding blow. Hence swap, swop sb. XIV.

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sward

†skin of the body; (dial.) rind of pork OE.; upper layer of the earth (esp. greensward; cf. MLG. grönswarde) XV. OE. sweard, corr. to MLG., MDu. swarde hairy skin, MHG. swarte (G. schwarte bacon rind, crust), ON. svrðr skin (of the head), walrus hide, greensward; of unkn. orig. The OE. word, if it survived, was reinforced in ME. by the Scand. and LG. forms.

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swarm1

body of bees in a compact mass. OE. swearm = OS., MLG. swarm, OHG. swarm(a)m (G. schwarm), ON. svarmr :- Gmc. swarmaz. Hence swarm vb. gather in a swarm or dense crowd. XIV. Cf., with mutation, OE. swirman, swierman = MLG., MDu. swermen, MHG. swärmen (G. schwärmen).

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swarm2

climb up a pole, etc. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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swart

(arch., dial.) of dark colour. OE. sweart = OS. swart (Du. zwart), OHG. swarz (G. schwarz), ON. svartr, Goth. swarts :- Gmc. swartaz.

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swarthy

of dark hue, blackish. XVI. unexpl. alt. of †swarty, extension of swart with -Y1.

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swash1

dash violently, make a noise as of clashing swords XVI. of imit. orig. Comp. swashbuckler swaggerer XVI; lit. one who makes a blustering noise by striking his own or his opponent's shield with his sword.

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swash2

(in turning, etc.) inclined obliquely to the axis of the work; (typogr.) having flourished strokes to fill gaps. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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swastika

the symbol . XIX. — Skr. svastika-, f. svastí- well-being, fortune, luck.

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swat

(dial.) squat XVII; hit smartly XVIII. dial. var. of SQUAT.

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swath, swathe1

†track, trace OE.; width of grass, etc. cut, measure of grass land; now of grass, etc. reaped XIV. OE. swæð and swaðu, corr. to MLG. swat, swde (Du. zwad, zwade), MHG. swade (G. schwade).

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swathe2

wrapping of linen, etc. Late OE. swæð, only in d. pl. swaðum; rel. to swathe vb. late OE. swaðian.

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sway

†bias; rule, dominion XVI. So vb. move or swing to one side and the other XVI. corr. formally to Du. zwaaien swing, wave, walk totteringly, LG. swjen move to and fro as with the wind; but preceded by late ME. sweigh, sweye, applied to sweeping or swinging motion, the vocalism of which corr. to that of ON. sveigja bend, (intr.) give way; the history is obscure.

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swear

pt. swore, pp. sworn
A
take a solemn oath, intr. and trans. OE.
B
bind by an oath OE.
C
use profane language XV. OE. str. (rarely wk.) vb. swerian = OS. swerian (Du. zweren), OHG. swer(i)an (G. schwören), ON. sverja :- Gmc. swarjan (cf. Goth. swaran), f. swar-, repr. also by ON. svar, svara answer (sb. and vb.), OE. andswaru ANSWER. Comp. swear-word XIX (orig. U.S.).

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sweat

emit sweat, intr. and trans.; work hard. OE. swætan = MLG., MDu. swten (Du. zweeten), OHG. sweizzan roast (G. schweissen fuse, weld) :- Gmc. swaitjan, f. swaitaz sb., whence OE. swt, OS. swt (Du. zweet), OHG. sweiz (G. schweiss); IE. base swoid-, swid-, whence also L. sdor, Skr. svéda-, Gr. hidrós, W. chws. sweat sb. †life-blood (so OE. swt); hard work XIII; moisture excreted through the pores XIV; colloq. (orig. Sc. and U.S.) state of impatience or anxiety XVIII. Superseded ME. swote (OE. swt). sweater (-ER1) one who sweats XVI; vest of wool to protect from cold XIX.

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Swede

native of Sweden XVII; (for earlier Swedish turnip) large variety of turnip (introduced into Scotland from Sweden XVIII) XIX. — MLG., MDu. Swde (Du. Zweed), prob. — ON. Svípjóð ‘people of the Swedes’, Sweden, f. Svíar Swedes + pjó people.

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sweep

pt., pp. swept
A
remove with or as with a broom or brush; clear (a surface) in this way XIII;
B
intr. move with a strong or swift even motion XIV. ME. swpe, repl. ME. swpe (OE. swpan), either by extension of the vowel of the pt. (OE. swop), or by development to in OE. swipian (pt. swipode) scourge, or ON. intr. svipa. Hence sweep sb. in many uses covered by the definitions ‘act of sweeping’ (from XVI) and ‘apparatus for sweeping’ (from XV); in the sense ‘chimney-sweeper’ (XIX) preceded by chimney-sweep and †sweep-chimney (both XVII). Comp. sweepstake †one who takes the whole of the stakes in a game XV; †total removal XVI; (prize won in) a contest in which the stakes are contributed by the competitors XVIII.

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sweet

pleasing to the senses or the mind; dearly loved or prized; kindly, gracious. OE. swte = OS. swti (Du. zoot), OHG. s(w)uozi (G. süss), ON. sœtr :- Gmc. swtja-, swti- (cf. Goth. suts), f. swt- :- IE. swd-, repr. by Skr. svdú-, Gr. hdús, L. suvis (:- swadwis). Comps. sweet-bread pancreas. XVI; perh. OE. bræd flesh = OS. brdo ham, calf of leg, etc.; but the reason for the name is unkn. sweetheart XIII. sweetmeat †sweet cake, etc.; sugarplum, lollipop XV; cf. OE. swt-, swtmettas dainties. sweet william species of pink. XVI. Hence sweet sb. XIII. sweeten (-EN5) XVI. sweetie (-IE) sweetmeat XVIII; sweet one XIX. sweeting (-ING3) sweetheart XIII; sweet variety of apple XVI. sweetly (-LY2), sweetness OE.

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swell

pt. swelled, pp. swollen, swelled. OE. str. vb. swellan = OS. swellan (Du. zwellen), OHG. swellan (G. schwellen), ON. svella :- Gmc. swellan; no cogns. outside Gmc. are known. So or Hence swell sb. †morbid swelling XIII; condition of being swollen, protuberance XVII; heaving of the sea.

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swelter

be oppressed with heat XV; be oppressive with heat XVI. f. base of (dial.) swelt be overcome as with heat (XIV), OE. sweltan die, perish; see -ER4.

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swerve

turn aside, deviate in movement. XIV. repr. formally OE. str. vb. sweorfan file, scour.

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swift

moving far in a short time, taking place at high speed. OE., f. base of swfan move in a course, sweep = ON. svfa. Hence swift sb. (dial.) applied to various swiftly-moving reptiles XVI; bird of the family Apodidae XVII.

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swig

(dial.) drink, liquor (applied dial. to special drinks) XVI; deep draught XVII. Hence vb. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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swill

wash or rinse out OE.; drink greedily or to excess XVI; flow freely XVII. OE. swillan, swilian, of which no certain cogns. are known. Hence swill sb. liquid food XVI; copious drinking, liquor XVII.

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swim

pt. swam, pp. swum. OE. str. vb. swimman = OS., OHG. swimman (Du. zwemmen, G. schwimmen), ON. svim(m)a :- Gmc. swimman, f. swimm- swamm- swumm-. Hence sb. XVI.

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swindle

vb. XVIII. back-formation f. swindler — G. schwindler giddy-minded person, extravagant projector, cheat, f. (M)HG. schwindeln, OHG. suintiln, frequent. (cf. -LE3) of swintan (= OE., OS. swindan) waste away, languish, lose consciousness; see -ER1. Hence sb. XIX.

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swine

OE. swn = OS., OHG. swn (Du. swijn, G. schwein), ON. svin, Goth. swein :- Gmc. swnam, sb. use of n. of adj. (cf. L. sunus, OSl. svin pert. to swine, and see -INE1), f. IE. s-, suw-, repr. by L. ss, etc. (see SOW1). Comp. swineherd (HERD2) late OE. swnhyrde.

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swing

pt., pp. swung †
A
scourge, flog OE.; †
B
move impetuously OE.;
C
flourish, brandish (a weapon, etc.) XIV;
D
move backwards and forwards XVI. OE. str. vb. swingan = (M)LG. swingen, OHG. swingan (G. schwingen brandish. shake, etc.).

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swinge

beat, flog. XVI. Later form of ME. swene smite, dash, OE. swenan shake, shatter. Hence swingeing (-ING2) very forcible or large, immense. XVI.

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swingle

wooden instrument for beating hemp, etc. XIV. — MDu. swinghel, corr. formally to OE. swingel, swingle stroke with a rod; see SWING, -LE1.

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swipe

drink hastily and copiously; strike at. XIX. perh. local var. of SWEEP. Hence sb. heavy blow. XIX.

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swipes

beer, esp. weak beer. XVIII. perh. f. prec.

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swirl

whirlpool XV; twist, whirling motion XVIII. orig. Sc., perh. of LG. or Du. orig. (cf. Du. zwirrelen whirl) and frequent. formation (cf. -LE3) on the imit. base seen in MLG. swirren, G. schwirren, Da. svirre whirl.

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swish

make a sound as of an object moving forcibly through air or water. XVIII. of imit. orig. So int. and sb. XIX.

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switch

slender tapering riding-whip XVI; thin flexible shoot XVII; mechanical device for altering direction XVIII; long bunch or coil of hair XIX. In early use also swits, switz; prob. — LG. word repr. by swutsche, var. of swukse long thin stick. Comp. switchback form of railway used on steep slopes, in which the train or car can be ‘switched back’ (BACK adv.) or reversed. XIX.

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swither

hesitate, vacillate. XVI (orig. Sc.). of unkn. orig.

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swivel

fastening device on which the object fastened turns freely. XIV. f. wk. grade of OE. swfan (see SWIFT) + -EL1.

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swizzle

intoxicating drink. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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swoon

fall into a fainting-fit. XIII. perh. back-formation from ME. gerund swozning, swo(u)ning, f iswozen, iswowen, OE. eswgen overcome, dead, pp of swgan, as in -, oferswgan suffocate, choke (with weeds), of unkn. orig. So swoon sb., orig. in phr. i(n) swowne, etc. (XIII).

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swoop

†sweep along as with trailing garments XVI; †pounce upon XVII; come down suddenly upon XVIII. perh. dial. development of ME. swpe, OE. swpan SWEEP.

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swoosh

imit. of the sound made by rushing air or water. XIX.

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swop

var. of SWAP.

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sword

OE. sw(e)ord, swyrd = OS. swerd, OHG. swert (G. schwert), ON. sverð :- Gmc. swerðam, of uncert. orig.

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swot

(sl.) vb. and sb. study at school or college. XIX. dial. var. of SWEAT.

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sy-

assim. form of SYN- before S + consonant. z.

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-sy

terminal el. of uncert. orig.; in hypocoristic and trivial use, e.g. tricksy (XVI), flimsy (XVIII). tipsy (XVI), tootsy (XIX).

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sybarite

XVI. — L. Sybarta — Gr. Subarts, f. Súbaris, ancient Greek city of S. Italy, noted for its effeminacy and luxury; see -ITE.

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sycamine

black mulberry. XVI. — L. scamnus — Gr. skámnon, f. Heb. Imh sycamore, with assim. to Cr. sûkon fig.

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sycamore, sycomore

species of fig-tree XIV; species of maple XVI. — OF. sic(h)amor (mod. sycomore) — L. scomorus — Gr. skómoros, f. sûkon fig + móron mulberry.

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sycophant

one of a class of informers in ancient Greece; mean flatterer, toady. XVI. — F. sycophante or L. scophanta — Gr. sûkophánts, f. súkon fig + phan-, base of phaínein show; the reason for the name is uncert.

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sycosis

ulcer or eruption resembling a fig. XVI. — modL. scsis — Gr. sksis, f. súkon fig; see -OSIS.

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syenite

(min.) crystalline rock allied to granite. XVIII. — F. syénite, G. syenit — L. synts, f. Syn, Gr. Sun town of Upper Egypt (now Aswan); see -ITE.

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syl-

assim. form of SYN- before l.

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syllable

XIV. — AN. sillable, alt. of OF. sillabe (mod. syllabe) — L. syllaba — Gr. sullab, f. sullambánein take, put, or bring together, f. SYL- + lambánein take. So syllabary set or table of syllables. XVI. — n. sg. of late L. syllabrius. syllabic XVII. — medL. syllabicus — Gr. sullabikós. syllabication XVII. — medL. syllabification XIX. — medL. syllabize divide into syllables. XVII. — medL. — Gr.

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syllabub

see SILLABUB.

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syllabus pl. -bi, -buses

concise statement or table of heads of a discourse, etc. XVII. — modL. syllabus, originating in a misprint in early editions of syllabos for sittýbas, in Cicero's Letters to Atticus (IV iv), acc. pl. of sittyba — Gr. sittúb title-slip or label.

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syllepsis

(gram.) figure by which one word or form is made to refer to two or more in the same sentence while strictly applying to only one. XVI. — late L. syllpsis — Gr. súllpsis, f. SYL- + lpsis taking, f. lb- lb- lab-, base of lambánein take.

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syllogism

argument expressed in the form of two propositions called the premisses and a third called the conclusion. XIV. ME. silogisme, occas. silogime — OF. sil(l)ogisme, earlier silogime (mod. syllogisme) or L. syllogismus — Gr. sullogísmós, f. sullogizesthai, intensive of logízesthai reckon, compute, conclude, f. lógos discourse, consideration, account; see SYL-, -ISM. So syllogistic XVII. — L. syllogisticus — Gr. sullogístikós. syllogize XV. — OF. sil(l)ogiser — late L. syllogizre — Gr. sullogizesthai.

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sylph

one of a race of beings supposed to inhabit the air. XVII. — modL. pl. sylphes and sylphi, G. pl. sylphen, of uncert. orig.

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sylvan, silvan

sb. inhabitant of the woods; adj. pert. to a wood or woods, wooded. XVI. — F. sylvain, †silvain, or L. silvnus, syl- (only as the name of a god), f. silva wood; see -AN.

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sym-

assim. form of SYN- before m, b, p.

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symbol

summary of Christian belief, creed XV; something that represents something else XVI; written character XVII. — ChrL. symbolum — Gr. súmbolon mark, token, watchword, f. SYM- + bol-, as in bol, bólos a throw, rel. to bállein throw. So symbolic(al) XVII. — F. symbolique or late L. symbolicus — Gr. sumbolikós. symbolize †agree, harmonize; have similar qualities (techn. term of early physics) XVI; be a symbol of XVII.

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symmetry

†mutual relation of parts, proportion; due or just proportion. XVI. — F. †symmetrie (mod. symétrie) or L. symmetria — Gr. summetrí, f. súmmetros commensurable, proportionable, symmetrical, f. SYM- + métron measure; see -Y3. Hence symmetrical XVIII.

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sympathy

affinity; agreement; conformity of feelings or temperament. XVI. — L. sympathía — Gr. sumpátheia, f. sumpaths having a fellow-feeling. f. SYM- + path- base of páthos feeling, PATHOS; see -Y3. So sympathetic XVII. — Gr. sumpathtikós. sympathize be affected like another XVI; have a fellow-feeling XVII. — F. sympathiser.

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symphony

†used vaguely for musical instruments XIII; †harmony XV; (mus.) passage for instruments XVII (spec. XVIII). — (O)F. †sim-, symphonie — L. symphnia instrumental harmony, voices in concert, (Vulg.) musical instrument — Gr. sumphní, f. súmphnos harmonious, f. SYM- + phn sound; see -Y3.

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symphysis

(anat.) union of two bones. XVI. — Gr. súmphusis, esp. of bones, f. SYM- + phúsis growth.

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symposium

drinking party, convivial meeting for conversation, etc.; meeting for discussion. XVIII. — L. symposium — Gr. sumpósion, f. sumpóts fellow-drinker, f. SYM- + pot- (cf. POTION). Earlier (XVI) the latinized title of one of Plato's dialogues. So symposiac convivial; †sb. symposium. XVII. — L. — Gr.

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symptom

XVI. Earlier in late L. form symptma — Gr. súmptma chance, accident, mischance, f. sumpíptein fall upon, happen to, f. SYM- + piptein fall. So symptomatic XVII. — F. or late L.

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syn-

latinized form of Gr. sun-, comb. form of sún prep. together, similarly, alike; assim. before l to syl-, before b, p, m to sym-, before simple s to sys-, before s + consonant and z to sy-.

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synaeresis

contraction of two vowels. XVI. — late L. synæresis- Gr. sunaíresis, f. SYN- + haireîn take.

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synagogue

congregation of Jews for worship XII; building for Jewish worship XIII. ME. sinagoge — OF. sinagoge (mod. synagogue) — late L. synagga — Gr. sunagg meeting, assembly, in LXX. synagogue, f. sunágein bring together, assemble, f. SYN- + ágein lead, bring (cf. ACT).

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synchronic

XIX. f. late L. synchronus — Gr. súgkhronos, f. SYN- + khrónos time. So synchronism XVI. — Gr.; whence synchronize XVII. synchronous XVII. f. late L. synchronus.

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syncopation

(gram.) contraction of a word by elision of one or more syllables XVI; (mus.) beginning a note on a normally unaccented part of the bar and continuing it into the normally accented part XVI. — medL. syncopti, -n-, f. late L. syncopre, f. syncop; see next, -ATION.

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syncope

(path.) failure of the heart's action; grammatical syncopation. XVI (XV †syncopis). — late L. syncop — Gr. sugkop, f. SYN- + kop- strike, cut off.

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syncretism

union of opposite tenets, etc. XVII; (philol.) merging of cases XX. — Gr. sugkrtismós, f. sugkrtízein.

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syndic

civil magistrate in some countries of Europe; one deputed to represent a corporation. XVII. — (O)F. syndic, †-ique delegate, chief magistrate of Geneva — late L. syndicus delegate of a corporation — Gr. súndikos defendant's advocate, f. SYN- + dik, base of dik judgement, deíknusthai show; see -IC. So syndicalism industrial unionism. XX. — F. syndicalisme, f. syndical, as in chambre syndicale trade union. syndicate †office of a syndic; body of syndics XVII; combination of financiers or other promoters of enterprise XIX. — F. syndicat — medL. syndictus; see -ATE1.

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syndrome

(path.) concurrence of symptoms XVI; †concurrence, concourse XVII. — Gr. sundrom, f. SYN- + drom-, drameîn run.

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syne

(Sc. and north.) immediately afterwards, thereupon; later; since then XIV; before now, ago XV (esp. in lang syne long ago, made familiar by Burns's ‘Auld Lang Syne’). Contracted form of ME. sithen SINCE.

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synecdoche

- L. synecdoch — Gr. sunekdokh, f. sunekdékhesthai, f. SYN- + ekdékhesthai take up.

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synizesis

(gram., pros.) coalescence of two adjacent vowels without forming a recognized diphthong. XIX. — late L. synizsis — Gr. sunízsis, f. sunizánein sink down, f. SYN- + hizánein sit.

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synod

XIV. — late L. synodus — Gr. súnodos meeting, f. SYN- + hodós way, travel. So synodal XV. — late L.; see -AL1.

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synonym

XVI. In early use first in pl. in L. form (-a) or anglicized (-es, -aes), later in sg. -ymum-ymon, -ime, -yme. XV. — L. synnymum — Gr. sunnumon, sb. use of n. sg. of sunnumos, f. SYN- + ónuma NAME. So synonymous XVII. synonymy (-Y3) XVII. — late L. — Gr.

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synopsis

XVII. — late L. — Gr. súnopsis, f. SYN- + ópsis view. So synoptic XVIII, synoptical XVII; see OPTIC.

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synovia

fluid of the joints in the body. XVII. — modL. synovia, sinovia, an invention, perh. arbitrary, of Paracelsus (d. 1541). Hence synovial (-AL1) XVIII, sinovitis XIX.

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syntax

†orderly arrangement of parts; (gram.) arrangement of words in their appropriate forms and order. XVII. — F. syntaxe or late L. syntaxis (adopted in Eng. XVI) — Gr. súntaxis, f. suntássein, f. SYN- + tássein arrange. So syntactic XIX, syntactical XVI.

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synthesis

proceeding from cause to effect XVII; formation of a compound by combining its elements XVIII. — L. — Gr. súnthesis, f. suntithénai, f. SYN- + tithénai place, put. Hence synthesize XIX (beside synthetize XIX, — Gr. sunthetízesthai). So synthetic, synthetical XVII. — F. or Gr.

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syphilis

XVIII. — modL. Syphilis title of a poem, in full ‘Syphilis sive Morbus Gallicus’ (syphilis or the French disease), 1530, by Girolamo Fracastoro , physician, astronomer, and poet, of Verona; the poem is the story of a shepherd Syphilus, represented as the first sufferer. Hence syphilitic XVIII.

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syphon, syren

see SIPHON, SIREN.

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syringa

shrub of the genus Philadelphus. XVII. — modL. syringa, f. Gr. sûrigx, surigg- pipe; first applied to the mock orange from its stems being used for pipe stems, later to the lilac.

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syringe

sb. XV. — late L. syringa, f. L. syrinx (see next).

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syrinx

Pan-pipe; narrow rock-cut channels or tunnels XVII; organ of voice in birds XIX. — L. — Gr. sûrigx pipe, tube, channel.

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syrup, U.S. sirup

thick sweet liquid. — (O)F. sirop or medL. siropus, sirupus, ult. from Arab. arb beverage, drink. Hence syrupy (-Y1) XVIII.

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systaltic

pert. to contraction. XVII. — late L. systalticus — Gr. sustaltiks, f. SY- + staltós, f. stéllein, stal- place.

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system

XVII. — F. système or its source late L. systma — Gr. sústma organized whole, f. SY- + sta- STAND. So systematic XVII. — F. — late L. systematize XVIII. — F. systématiser. systemic (physiol., path.) XIX. irreg. formation used for differentiation of meaning from systematic.

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systole

(physiol.) regular contraction of the heart and arteries. XVI. — late L. systol — Gr. sustol, f. SY- + stol- stel- place, after sustéllein contract.

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syzygy

(astron.) †conjunction, (now) conjunction and opposition of two celestial bodies XVII; applied to various unions or combinations XIX. — late L. szygia — Gr. suzugí yoke, pair, conjunction, f. súzugos yoked, paired, f. SY- + zug- YOKE.

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T

T

in phr. to a T exactly, to a nicety. XVII. perh. for earlier to a TITTLE.

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-t1

suffix of abstr. sbs. derived from vbs., repr. IE. -t- in -tis, -tus, which is preserved as Gmc. -t after guttural, labial, and sibilant cons., e.g. draught, drift, thirst.

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-t2

repl. (by dissim.) -TH1 after spirant cons., e.g. drought, height, theft.

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-t3

var. of -ED1, as in blest, burnt, dreamt.

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ta

infantile and joc. colloq. substitute for THANKS. XVIII.

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tab

short broad strip, etc. XVII; depending or projecting piece on a dress XIX; label; (U.S) reckoning, check. of unkn. orig.

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tabard

loose upper garment with short sleeves or none. XIII. — OF. tabart; of unkn. orig.

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tabaret

fabric of alternate stripes of material. XIX. f. TABBY. So tabinet XVIII.

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tabasco

pungent sauce made from capsicum. XVII (tauasco). Name of a river and state of Mexico.

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tabby

silk taffeta, orig. striped XVII; short for t. cat (XVII), cat having a striped coat XVIII; (colloq.) elderly maiden lady. — (O)F. tabis, †atabis — Arab. 'attbi name of a quarter of Baghdad in which the stuff was manufactured.

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tabernacle

tent containing the Ark of the Covenant; canopied structure XIII; tent (gen.), dwelling-place (esp. temporary) XIV; place of worship (not a church) XVII. — (O)F. tabernacle or L. tabernculum tent, booth, dim. of taberna TAVERN.

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tabes

slow emaciation. XVII. — L. tbs.

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tablature

(mus.) notation, spec. for the lute, flute, etc. XVI. — F. — medL. tabultra, f. late L. tabulre, f. L. tabula TABLE; see -URE.

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table

A
slab, tablet (now mainly techn.) XII; †(pl.) backgammon XIII; †board on which chess, etc. are played XV; (pl.) leaves of a backgammon board (phr. turn the tables reverse the situation XVII);

B
raised board at which one sits XIII;
Top

C
arrangement of numbers, words, etc. XIV. — (O)F. — L. tabula plank, tablet, list.
Top
Hence table vb. XV.

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tableau

picture, graphic description XVII; dramatic grouping of persons, etc. XIX. — F. tableau, OF. tablel, dim. of table (see prec.).

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table d'hôte

XVII. — F., ‘host's table’; see TABLE, HOST2.

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tablet

slab for an inscription or carving XIV; slab or panel for a painting XVI; sheet or leaf or (pl.) a set of them for writing on XVII; flat cake, lozenge XVI. — OF. tablete (mod. tablette); Rom. dim. of L. tabula TABLE; see -ET.

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tabloid

trade-mark term for medicinal tablets XIX; used attrib., transf., applied to written or printed matter in condensed form. alt. of TABLET (see -OID).

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taboo, tabu

consecrated or restricted to a special use; prohibited, inviolable. XVIII. Tongan tabu.

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tabo(u)r

(hist.) (small)drum. XIII. — OF. tabour (mod. tambour); ult. of Pers. orig.

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tabouret

low stool, so called from its shape. XVII. — F. tabouret, dim. of tabour; see prec., -ET.

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tabular

of the form of a tablet or slab XVII; pert to a schematic table XVIII. — L. tabulris, f. tabula TABLE; see -AR. So tabulate XVII. f. pp. stem of late L. tabulre; see -ATE3.

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tacamahac

aromatic resin of Mexico and S. America. XVI. — Sp. †tacamahaca (now tacamaca), of Nahuatl orig.

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tachometer

instrument for measuring speed. XIX. f. Gr. tákhos speed + METER.

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tachy

-comb. form of Gr. takhús swift, as in tachygraphy XVII, tachygraphic XVIII, tachymeter XIX.

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tacit

XVII. — L. tacitus, prop. pp. of tacre be silent. So taciturn XVIII. — F. taciturne or L. taciturnus. taciturnity XV. — (O)F. or L.

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tack1

A
fastening, as a clasp, sharp-pointed nail, etc. XIV.

B
(naut.) rope, wire, etc. to secure sails XV. Parallel to later tach(e), the two forms presumably repr. OF. vars. taque, (dial.) tache.
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So tack vb. A. †attach XIV; fasten loosely or temporarily XV; B. (naut.; from sense B of the sb.) shift the tacks in going about XVI.

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tack2

food-stuff, as in hard t. ship's biscuit, XIX. of unkn. orig.

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tackle

apparatus, gear, rigging. XIII. prob. — (M)LG. takel, f. taken = MDu. tacken lay hold of; see -LE1. Hence tackle vb. furnish with tackle XIV; harness XVIII; grip, grapple with XIX.

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tacky

slightly sticky. XVIII. f. TACK1 (presumably in the gen. sense of holding or fastening together) + -Y1.

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tact

A
†sense of touch XVII;

B
faculty of mental perception XVIII;
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C
sense of propriety, faculty of doing the right thing at the right time XVIII. — (O)F. tact or L. tactus touch, f. tag-, base of tangere touch. In sense C immed. after F. tact.
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tactics

XVII. repr. modL. tactica — Gr. tà taktiká, n. pl. of taktikós, f. taktós ordered, arranged, f. base of tássein set in order. So tactical XVI. f. Gr. taktikós. Hence tactician XVIII.

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tactile

XVII. — L. tactilis, f. tact-, pp. stem of tangere touch; see -ILE.

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tadpole

XV (taddepol). f. tadde TOAD + pol POLL, as if ‘a toad that is all head’.

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taenia,

tenia band, fillet XVI; tapeworm XVIII. — L. — Gr. tainí.

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taffeta

XIV. — OF. taffetas or medL. taffata, ult. — Pers. tfta, sb. use of pp. of tftan shine.

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taffrail

aftermost part of the poop-rail of a ship. XIX. alt. of taff(e)rel †(carved) panel XVII; upper part of the flat portion of a ship's stern XVIII. — Du. taffereel panel, picture, for tafeleel, dim. of tafel TABLE; the final syll. is assim. to RAIL2.

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tafia

rum-like liquor obtained from molasses. XVIII. of uncert. orig.

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tag1

small pendent piece, orig. on a garment XIV (implied in tagged); ornamental pendant XVI; point of metal, etc. at the end of a lace; something appended to a piece of writing, etc., brief quotation XVIII. of unkn. orig. Hence tag vb. XVI mark with a tag.

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tag2

children's game, otherwise called tig . XVIII of unkn. orig.

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tail1

posterior extremity of an animal OE.; in various transf. senses from XIII. OE. tæ(e)l = MLG. tagel twisted whip, rope's end, OHG, zagal, ON. tagl tail, Goth. tagl hair of the head, of the camel :- Gmc. tazlaz. Hence tail vb. in many (esp.) specialized senses from XVI.

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tail2

(leg.) limitation of a freehold estate or fee to a person. XIV. — (O)F. taille division, partition or assessment of a subsidy, tax, f. taillier cut, fix the precise form of limit. So tail adj. XV. — AN. tailé, OF. taillié, pp. of taillier.

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tailor

XIII. ME. taillour, taylo(u)r — AN. taillour, (O)F. tailleur cutter :- Rom. tlitor, -r-, f. tlire cut :- tal(l)ire, f. L. tlea rod, twig, cutting; see -OR1.

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taint

A
†attaint XIV;

B
tint, dye XVI; stain, blemish XVII. Partly aphetic of ATTAINT; partly — OF. teint, taint :- L. tinctus and teinte :- medL. tincta, sb. uses of pp. of tingere TINGE.
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So taint vb. †convict XIV; †hit, strike XVI; †tinge, dye XV; affect perniciously XVI.

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take

pt. took, pp. taken seize (also in earliest use, touch), capture. XII. Late OE. str. vb. tacan — ON. taka = MDu. tken, rel. by gradation to Goth. tekan touch; of uncert. orig. OE. oftacan may point to the native currency of tacan.

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talbot

kind of hound formerly used for hunting, (her.) figure of this as borne in the arms of the ancient Talbot family. XV (as the proper name of a dog XIV). prob. generalized from the family name.

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talc

species of translucent or shining minerals, e.g. mica. XVI. — F. talc or medL. talcum (whence talcum XVI) — Arab. al — Pers. talk.

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tale

A
†talk, discourse OE.; what is told, story, narrative XI;

B
reckoning, number XII. OE. talu = OS. tala (Du. taal speech), OHG. zala (G. zahlnumber), ON. tala talk, tale, number :- Gmc. tal, f. tal-, as in taljan TELL. Sense B was prob. from ON.
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talent

A
†inclination, disposition XIII;

B
ancient weight and money of account XIV;
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C
mental endowment or aptitude XV. — OF. talent will, desire :- L. talentum in Rom. sense of ‘inclination of mind’ — Gr. tálanton balance, weight, sum of money. Sense C is from the use of the word in the parable of the talents. Matt. 25: 14–30.
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tales

writ for summoning jurors; list of persons so summoned. XVI. — L. tls pl. of tlis such in phr. tales de circumstantibus such persons from those standing about.

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talion

retaliation. XV. — (O)F. — L. tli, -n-, f. tlis such; see -ION. So lex talionis principle of exacting compensation, ‘eye for eye, tooth for tooth’ XVI. — L., lex law + g. sg. of tli.

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talisman

XVII. — F., Sp. talisman, It. talismano; ult. (prob. via Arab. or Pers.) — late Gr. télesma (whence Arab. ilsam) completion, performance, religious rite, consecrated object, f. teleîn, complete, perform (a rite), consecrate, f. télos end, result.

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talk

vb. XIII. ME. talk(i)en, f. the base tal- of TALE, TELL. Hence talk sb., talkative XV.

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tall

†seemly, decent, comely; †doughty, valiant XIV (phr. †t. of his hands dexterous, formidable in arms XVI); high of stature, lofty XVI. repr. OE. etæl swift, prompt = OS. gital, OHG. gizal quick. Comp. tallboy tall-stemmed glass XVII; tall chest or bookcase mounted on a high stand XVIII.

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tallage

tax, levy. orig. one levied by Norman kings. XIII. — OF. taillage, f. taillier cut, determine the form of, limit :- Rom tallire.

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tallith

garment worn by Jews at prayer. XVII. — Rabbinic Heb. allîth, f. lal cover.

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tallow

harder kinds of fat used for candles, soap, etc. XIV. ME. tal, talow — MLG. talg, talch, of unkn. orig.

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tally

rod of wood marked with notches recording payments XV; reckoning, score XVI; counterpart XVII. — AN. tallie = AL. tal(l)ia, for L. tlea cutting, rod, stick.So tally vb. †score, mark down XV; agree, accord XVIII.

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tally-ho

huntman's view-halloo. XVIII. Cf. F. taïaut (XVII), †taho, †theau (XVI).

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Talmud

body of Jewish law (Mishnah) and commentary on this (Gemara): XVI. — late Heb. talmûdh instruction, f. lmadh instruct.

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talon

XIV. — (O)F. talon heel :- Rom. tl, -n-, f. tlus ankle-bone.

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talus1

(fortif.) sloping side of an earthwork XVII; (geol.) sloping mass of detritus XIX. — (O)F., of unkn. orig.

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talus2

(anat.) ankle, astragalus. XVIII. — L.

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tamarind

fruit of the tree Tamarindus indica. XVI. — medL. tamarindus — Arab. tamr hind date of India.

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tamarisk

plant of the genus Tamarix. XV. — late L. tamariscus, var. of earlier tamarix.

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tambour

drum XV (adopted afresh XVIII); circular frame on which material is stretched XVIII; (archit., etc.). — F., var. of tabour TABOR. So tambourine †(in uncert. sense) XVI; musical instrument made of a hoop with parchment stretched over one side and cymbals at the edge XVIII. — F. tambourin, dim. of tambour.

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tame

adj. OE. tam = (M)LG. (M)Du. tam, OHG. zam (G. zahm), ON. tamr :- Gmc. tamaz, f. IE. dom-, repr. also by L. domre, Gr. damân tame, subdue. Hence tame vb. XIV; superseding ME. teme, OE. temian.

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tammy

next.

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Tam o' Shanter

round Scotch cap. XIX. f. name of the hero of Burns's poem so entitled (1790). Abbrev. tammy XIX.

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tamp

to stop with clay, etc.; to ram down hard. XIX. Back-formation from TAMPION.

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tamper

†work in or temper clay XVI; †scheme, plot; deal improperly, meddle with XVII. In all senses the earlier form is TEMPER.

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tampion

†bung XV; †wad for a gun; stopper for the muzzle of a gun XVII; plug for the top of an organ-pipe XIX. — F. tampon (whence tampon XIX), var. of tapon, of Gmc. orig.

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tan

convert (skin) into leather by steeping in an infusion of astringent bark OE.; make brown by the sun XVI; colloq. (orig. tan a person's hide) thrash XVII. late OE. tannian, in pp. etanned and agent-noun tannere (see -ER1), prob. — medL. tannre; reinforced in ME. from OF. vb. tan(n)-er. Hence sb. crushed bark of oak, etc. for tanning XVII; brown or tawny colour XIX. tanner OE. tannere (or later — OF. tanere). tannery XV.

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tanager

bird of the family Thraupidae. XIX. alt. of Tupi tangara (current in Eng. use XVII-XIX).

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tandem

two-wheeled vehicle drawn by two horses harnessed one in front of the other; the horses themselves; bicycle, etc., with seats one behind another. XIX. orig. sl. punning use of L. tandem at length (of time).

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tang1

A
(dial.) serpent's tongue, insect's sting XIV; point or spike, spec. of a metal tool XV;

B
penetrating taste XV; slight smack XVI. of Scand. orig. (cf. ON. tangi. Da. tange point, spit).
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tang2

sharp ringing note. XVII. perh. imit.

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tang3

large coarse seaweed. XVIII. of Scand. orig. (Norw., Da. tang, Icel. bang).

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tangent

(geom.) adj. touching at a point XVI; sb. XVI. — L. tangns, -ent-, prp. of tangere touch. See -ENT. Hence tangential XVII.

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tangerine

applied to a small variety of orange obtained from Tangier (Tanger), seaport of Morocco. XIX. orig. adj. in T. orange; see -INE1.

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tangible

touchable XVI; discernible by touch XVII; realizable, palpable XVII. — F. tangible or late L. tangibilis, f. tangere touch; see -IBLE.

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tangle1

†involve (a person) in embarrassment XIV; ENTANGLE XVI. ME. tangil, -el, var. of tagil; of uncert. orig. Hence sb. XVII.

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tangle2

gen. term for the larger seaweeds. XVI (earliest Sc.). prob. — Norw. tongul, Faroese tangul, repr. ON. bngull.

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tango

XX. — Amer. Sp. (locally, dance and music for this, and instrument of the tambourine kind).

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tangram

Chinese geometrical puzzle. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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tank1

in India, reservoir or water for irrigation, etc.; artificial receptacle for liquids in large quantities. XVII. — Indian vernacular word such as Gujarati k, Marathi k.Hence tanker vessel for conveying oil. XX.

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tank2

armoured military vehicle. XX. So named for reasons of secrecy.

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tankard

†large tub XIV; drinking-vessel (esp. one-handled) XV. of unkn. orig.

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tannin

astringent having the property of converting hide into leather. XIX. — F. tanin, f. tan TAN + -in -IN. So tannic XIX. — F. tannique.

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tanrec, tenrec

insectivorous mammal allied to the hedgehog. XVIII. — F. tanrec — Malagasy t(r)ndraka.

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tansy

herbaceous plant. XV. — OF. tanesie (mod. tanaisie), of unkn. orig.

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tantalize

XVI. f. L. Tantalus (Gr. Tántalos), name of a mythical king of Phrygia condemned to stand in Tartarus up to his chin in water which receded as he stooped to drink.

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tantalum

(min.) a rare metal. XIX. f. Tantalus (see rec.), partly with allusion to its non-absorbent quality.

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tantalus

genus of storks; spirit stand containing decanters locked up but visible. XIX. — L. Tantalus (see TANTALIZE).

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tantamount

XVII. f. †tantamount sb. equivalent, vb. amount to as much — It. tanto montare, i.e. tanto as much (:- L. tantum), montare amount.

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tantivy

†adv. at full gallop; sb. rapid gallop XVII; post-Restoration high churchman or Tory (from a caricature of such clergymen mounted on the Church of England and ‘riding tantivy’ to Rome). perh. intended to repr. the sound of horses galloping.

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tantrum

XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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tap1

device for drawing liquid from a vessel. OE. tæppa = MLG., MDu. tappe (Du. tap), OHG. zapho, MHG. zapfe (G. zapfen), ON. tappi :- Gmc. tappan-. Hence tap vb. fit with a tap OE.; draw (liquor) with a tap XV. Late OE. tappian.

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tap2

strike lightly. XIII (teppe). Either — (O)F. taper or independent imit. formation.

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tape

OE. tæppa or tæppe, repr. obscurely by ME. tpe; of unkn. orig.

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taper

wax candle OE.; long wick coated with wax for use as a spill XIX. OE. tapor, -er, -ur — (with dissim. of p..p to t..p) L. papyrus. Hence taper adj. becoming continuously narrower in one direction XV; whence taper vb. XVI.

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tapestry

XV. alt. of †tapisery, †tapecery (XV) — (O)F. tapisserie, f. tapissier tapestry-worker, or tapisser cover with carpet, f. tapis carpet, cloth :- Rom. tapptium, for late L. taptium — Gr. taption, dim. of táps, -t- tapestry.

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tapioca

prepared flour of the cassava. XVIII (tipioca). — Tupi-Guarani tipioca, f. tipi residue, dregs + ok, og squeeze out.

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tapir

swine-like animal of tropical America. XVIII. — Tupi tapira.

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tapis

phr. on the t. (XVII), partial tr. F. sur le t. ‘on the table-cloth’, under discussion; see TAPESTRY.

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tapster

†woman who draws liquor OE.; man who does this XVI (?XV). OE. tæppestre, orig. fem. of tæppere, agent-noun of tappian TAP1; see -STER.

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tar1

dark thick liquid distilled from wood or coal. OE. te(o)ru, corr. to MLG. ter(e) (LG. teer), MDu. tar, ter(re), ON. tjara :- Gmc. terw-, gen. held to be f. trew- TREE, the primary application having been to the black oily liquid produced by trees such as pines. Hence tarry (-Y1) XVI.

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tar2

(colloq.) sailor. XVII (also Jack Tar XVIII). Short for TARPAULIN.

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tarantass

4-wheeled Russian travelling carriage. XIX. — Russ. tarantás.

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tarantella

rapid whirling S. Italian dance. XVIII. — It., dim. formation on Taranto name of a town in Apulia, Italy (the ancient Tarentum). The dance was popularly supposed to be a remedy for tarantism hysterical malady characterized by an impulse to dance (XVII), f. Taranto; the malady itself was pop. attributed to the bite of the tarantula.

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tarantula

large wolf-spider of S. Europe XVI; applied to other spiders XVIII. — medL. — It. tarantola, f. Taranto (see prec.), where it is commonly found.

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taraxacum

(drug prepared from) dandelion. XVIII. — medL. — Arab. ar(a)ka — Pers. talkchakk ‘bitter herb’.

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tarboosh

Muslim cap. XVIII. — Egyptian Arab. arb.

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tardigrade

slow-paced XVII; (zool.) belonging to the family comprising the sloths XVIII. — F. tardigrade or L. tardigradus, f. tardus slow + -gradus stepping, walking; see next, -GRADE.

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tardy

slow XV; late, behindhand XVII. ME. tardif, -ive — (O)F tardif, -ive :- Rom. tardvus, f. tardus slow; see -IVE, -Y1.

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tare1

(seed of) vetch; in versions of the Bible (Matt. 13: 25) rendering L. zzania, Gr. zzánia injurious weed among corn, darnel, cockle. XIV. of unkn. orig.

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tare2

weight of the wrapping, receptacle, or conveyance containing goods. XV. — F. tare waste in goods, deficiency, tare — medL. tara — Arab. ara what is thrown away, f. araa reject.

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targe

(arch.) shield. XIII. — (O)F. targe, of Gmc. orig. (cf. OE. targa, targe, ON. targa shield, OHG. zarga, (M)HG. zarge edging, border).

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target

(hist.) light round shield XIV; object marked with concentric circles to be used as a butt XVIII. dim. of TARGE (see -ET).

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targum

Aramaic translation or paraphrase of portions of the O.T. XVI. — Aram. targm interpretation, f. targm interpret.

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tariff

†arithmetical table; schedule or system of the rates of customs, item of this XVI; gen. classified list of charges XVIII. — F. tarif — It. tariffa — Turk. tarife — Arab. ta'rf, f. 'arrafa notify, make known.

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tarlatan

kind of thin muslin. XVIII (tarn-). — F. tarlatane, alt. of tarnatane.

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tarmac

(XX) registered trademark of a kind of tar MACADAM (XIX).

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tarn

small mountain lake. XIV. ME. terne, tarne — ON. tarnu (tjrn, Sw. dial. t(j)ärn, Norw. tjörn).

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tarnation

damnable, -bly. XVIII. var. of darnation, euph. var. of DAMNATION.

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tarnish

XVI. — F. terniss-, extended stem (see -ISH2) of ternir, of unkn. orig.

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taro

tropical food plant. XVIII. native Polynesian name.

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tarot

one of a set of playing-cards. XVI. — F. — It. tarocco (pl. -chi), of unkn. orig.

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tarpaulin

(sheet of) tarred canvas XVII (-ing); nickname for a sailor XVII († also tarpaulian; cf. TAR2). Presumed to be f. TAR1 + PALL1 + -ING1.

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tarpon

large game-fish. XVII. — Du. tarpoen, of unkn. orig.

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tarragon

XVI. Given first as repr. medL. tragonia and tarchon, the latter of which goes back to medGr. tarkhn, which may be an Arab. deformation of Gr. drákn.

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tarry

†defer, retard; delay, linger XIV. In earliest use identical in form with ME. tary vex, harass, repr. OE. tæran, teran, and OF. tarier provoke, excite, of unkn. orig.; but the sense is against identity.

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tarsia

mosaic inlaid wood. XVII. — It. tarsia, of unkn. orig.

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tarsus

(anat.) posterior parts of the foot. XVII. — Gr. tarsós flat of the foot.

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tart1

piece of pastry (now open) with fruit or jam filling. XIV. — OF. tarte, of unkn. orig.

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tart2

†painful OE.; sharp to the taste XIV; sharp or biting in tone XVII. OE. teart, of unkn. orig.

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tartan

(orig. Sc.) woollen cloth woven in stripes crossing at right angles. XVI. perh. — OF. tertaine, var. of tiretaine cloth half wool, half linen or cotton, of unkn. orig.

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tartar

deposit of acid potassium tartrate adhering to the sides of wine casks. XIV. — medL. tartarum — medGr. tártaron, or unkn. orig. Hence (or — F.) tartaric XVIII.

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tartrate

(chem.) salt of tartaric acid. XVIII. — F., f. tartre TARTAR; see -ATE2.

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task

XIII. — ONF. tasque, var. of OF. tasche (mod. tâche) — medL. tasca, alt. of taxa, f. L. taxre TAX.

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tass

cup, small goblet. XV. — (O)F. tasse — Arab. ass(a) basin — Pers. tast.

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tassel

†clasp, fibula XIII; pendent ornament consisting of a knob with fringe attached XIV. — OF. tas(s)el, of unkn. orig.

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taste

†examine by touch, try, test; experience or try the flavour of XIII; have a particular flavour XVI. — OF. taster (mod. tâter) touch, feel, try, taste :- Rom. tastre, supposed to be blend of L. tangere touch and gustre taste. So taste sb. — OF. tast, f. the vb. Hence tasty (-Y1) pleasant to taste. XVI (in untasty).

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tat

(in phr. tit for tat) see TIT3.

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tatter

(chiefly pl.) irregularly torn piece. First recorded in tatarwagges (c.1400), but implied in earlier tattered orig. †clothed in slashed garments, tatering slashing of garments (XIV). — ON. taturr (Icel. töturr, Norw. dial. totra), pl. ttrar rags, rel. to OE. tættec rag, and prob. further to OHG. zæter rag.

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tatterdemalion

ragged fellow. XVII. f. TATTER or tattered (see prec.) + an obscure el.

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tatting

kind of knotted lace work. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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tattle

†falter, stammer XV; talk idly or without reticence XVI. — MFlem. tatelen (parallel to MFlem., MDu., MLG. tatelen), of imit. orig.; see -LE3.

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tattoo1

signal by beat of drum, etc., for soldiers to return to quarters XVII; military entertainment based on an elaboration of this XVIII. orig. tap-too, -tow — Du. taptoe, f., tap TAP1 + toe, for doe toe ‘do to’, shut; the primary application seems to have been to a signal for the turning off of the taps of barrels of drink.

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tattoo2

designs on the skin made by puncturing it and inserting pigments. XVIII (tattow). of Polynesian orig.Hence vb. XVIII.

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taunt

†in phr. taunt pour (or for) taunt tit for tat in reply; †smart rejoinder, witty jibe; scornful reproach or challenge XVI. orig. — F. phr. tant pour tant ‘so much for so much’, like for like (L. tantum, n. of tantus so great). Hence taunt vb. †answer back; reproach scornfully. XVI.

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tauromachy

bullfighting, bullfight. XIX. — Gr. tauromakhí, f. taûros bull + mákh fighting; see -Y3.

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taut

†tense, distended XIV; tightly drawn XVII. For earlier taught, alt. of tought, ME. touht, tozt, prob. identical with the common var. tought of TOUGH, with the sense influenced by assoc. with toz-, pp. stem of tee, OE. ton draw, pull.

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tautology

XVI. — late L. tautologia — Gr. tautologí, f. tautológos repeating what has been said (whence tautologous XVIII), f. tautó the same + -logos saying; see -LOGY.

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tavern

XIII. — (O)F. taverne :- L. taberna.

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taw1

prepare or dress (raw material), spec. in the conversion of skins into leather. OE. tawian, rel. to MLG., MDu. touwen, OHG. zouwen, Goth. taujan :- Gmc. tawjan, tawjan do, make, prepare.

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taw2

large choice or fancy marble. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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tawdry

†short for t. lace; cheap and pretentious finery; hence adj. of the nature of this. XVII. orig. in Seynt Audries lace, tawdrie lace (XVI) ‘lace’ or necktie such as was sold at St. Audrey's fair in remembrance of St. Audrey, i.e. Etheldrida, or Æðelðryð (daughter of Anna, king of East Anglia, and patron saint of Ely), who died of a tumour in the throat which she regarded as a just retribution for her youthful fondness for splendid necklaces.

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tawny

XIV. — AN. tauné, OF. tané dark like tan, f. tan TAN. Cf. -Y5.

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taws(e)

(chiefly Sc.) whip for a spinning top; leather thong used for chastisement. XVI. pl. of taw tawed leather, thong, f. TAW1.

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tax

determine the amount of (a fine, etc.) XIII; impose a tax on XIV; censure, take to task XVI. — (O)F. taxer — L. taxre. Hence sb. compulsory contribution. XIV. So taxation XIV. — (O)F. — L.

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taxi

short (XX) for taxi-cab, which is for taxi-meter cab cab fitted with a taximeter (XIX) automatic contrivance to indicate distance traversed and fare due; — F. taximètre, f. taxe tariff + -mètre -METER. Hence taxi vb. travel by taxi; (of aircraft). XX.

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taxidermy

XIX. f. Gr. táxis arrangement + dérma skin; see -Y3. Hence taxidermist XIX.

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taxonomy

scientific classification. XIX. — F. taxonomie, irreg. f. Gr. táxis arrangement; see -NOMY.

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tazza

shallow ornamental bowl. XIX. — It. tazza = (O)F. tasse TASS.

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T.B.

XX. abbrev. of tubercle bacillus, colloq. of tuberculosis.

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te, ti

seventh note of the scale in solmization. XIX. alt. of SI.

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tea

XVII (early forms also tay, tey). prob. immed. — Du. thee — Chinese (Amoy) t'e, in Mandarin dial. ch'a, whence earlier cha(a), chia (XVI).

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teach

pt., pp. taught †show; show by way of information or instruction. OE. t.an :- taikjan, rel. to tcen TOKEN.

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teak

(wood of) large E. Indian tree. XVII. — Pg. teca — Malayalam tkka.

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teal

small freshwater duck. XIV. rel. to MLG. tlink, MDu. tling, teiling (D. teling); ult. imit. of its call.

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team

A
†child-bearing. †offspring. (dial.) family, brood OE.;

B
set of draught animals OE.; number of persons in concerted action XVI;
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C
† (leg.) vouching to warranty OE.;
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D
(dial., after ON. taumr) chain for yoking draught animals XIV. OE. tam = OS. tm, OHG. zoum (G. zaum), ON. taumr bridle, rein :- Gmc. taumaz, prob. for tauzmaz, f. taux- draw, rel. to L. dcere.
Top
Hence teamster XVIII (orig. U.S.).

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teapoy

three-legged stand. XIX. — Hindi tn, in comb. tir three + Pers. py foot.

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tear1

drop of fluid shed by the eye. OE. tar = OHG. zah(h)ar (G. zähre, orig. pl.), ON. tár, Goth. tagr :- IE. daru-, repr. also by Gr. dákru, dákrma (whence OL. dacruma, L. lacruma, -ima), W. deigr, Ir. dér.

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tear2

pt. tore, pp. torn pull asunder by force. OE. str. vb. teran = OS. terian, MLG., (M)Du. teren, OHG. zeran (G. zehren) destroy, consume, Goth. distairan; the IE. base der- is repr. by Gr. dérein flay, Skr. dti bursts, tears.

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tease

A
separate the fibres of (wool, etc.) OE.; irritate by persistent action XVII. OE. tsan = (M)LG., MDu. tzen (Du. teezen), OHG. zeisan (G. dial. zeisen) :- WGmc. taisjan (taisan).

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teasel, teazle

plant of the genus Dipsacus; the prickly flower heads of which are used for teasing cloth. OE. ts(e)l = OHG. zeisala (MHG. zeisel), f. base of taisan TEASE; see -EL1, -LE1.

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teat

nipple of breast or udder. XIII. ME. tete — OF. tete (later and mod. tette), prob. of Gmc. origin (see TIT1, which it repl. in the standard lang.).

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tec

(sl.) short for DETECTIVE. XIX.

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technic, technical

pert. to art or an art. XVII. — L. technicus — Gr. tekhnikós, f. tékhn art, craft; see -IC, -ICAL. So technique XIX. — F., sb. use of adj. technology scientific study of the arts; technical terminology. XVII. — Gr. tekhnologí; whence technological XVII.

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tectonic

pert. to building or construction. XVII. — lateL. tectonicus — Gr. tektonikós, f. téktn, -ton- carpenter.

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ted

(dial.) spread out for drying, scatter. XV. — ON. teðja, rel. to tad dung, toddi small piece, OHG. (G. dial) zetten spread.

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teddy

pet-form (see -Y6) of Edward, Edmund, Theodore; teddy bear stuffed figure of a bear, with ref. to Theodore Roosevelt , president of U.S.A. 1901–9. teddy boy , with ref. to Edward VII of England (1901–10), the style of costume of whose reign is imitated by the boys so named.

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Te Deum

opening words of the canticle beginning Te Deum laudamus ‘Thee God we praise’, recited at matins in the Western Church. XIV.

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tedious

XV. — OF. teieus or late L. tædisus, f. L. tædium (whence tedium XVII) weariness, disgust; see -IOUS.

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tee1

letter T or T-shaped object. XV.

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tee2

starting-place at golf. XVII. Clipped form of earlier †teaz (XVII), of unkn. orig.

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tee3

mark on the ice at curling. XVIII. of unkn. orig. (perh. identical with TEE1).

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tee-hee

see TEHEE.

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teem

†bring forth OE.; be prolific, abound with XVI. OE. (Angl.) tman, (WS.) teman :- taumjan, f. Gmc. taumaz TEAM.

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-teen

OE. -tene, -tne, -tne = OS. -tein, OHG. -zehan, Goth. -taihun (Du. -tien, G. -zehn), inflected form of TEN added to cardinals from three to nine. Based on these are the ordinals in -teenth (-TH2) ME. -tenþe, alt. (by assim. to TEN) of -teþe, OE. -teo(go)ða, corr. to OHG. -zehanto (Du. -tiende, G. -zehnte), ON. -tándi. Hence teenage, teenager XX.

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teeny

expressive alt. of TINY. XIX.

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teethe

cut teeth. XV. f. teeth, pl. of TOOTH.

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teetotal

pert. to total abstinence. XIX. Said to have been first used by one Richard Turner, of Preston, Lancashire, about September 1833, in a speech advocating total abstinence from intoxicating liquors, in preference to abstinence from ardent spirits only. Perh. based on tee-totally wholly, entirely (XIX; U.S.), a strengthened form of totally (quasi T-totally).

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teetotum

top with four sides lettered to decide the spinner's luck. XVII. orig. T totum, formed by prefixing to L. ttum all, the whole, its initial T, which stood on one of the four sides, the other letters A. D. N, standing for L. aufer, depone, nihil.

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teg

sheep (formerly ewe) in its second year. XVI. ME. tegge, tagge in place-names repr. OE tegga, tagga, parallel to OSw. takka, Sw. tacka ewe.

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tegument

covering, envelope. XV. — L. tegumentum, f. tegere cover; see -MENT.

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tehee

repr. light (derisive) laughter. XIV.

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telaesthesia

perception at a distance. XIX. f. Gr. têle TELE- + aísthsis perception; see -IA1.

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tele-,

before a vowel prop. tel-, but more often in the full form; pref. repr. Gr. tle-, comb. form of têle afar, far off (rel. to télos end). Comp.: telegraph †semaphore, signalling apparatus XVIII; apparatus for conveying a message to a distance by electricity XIX. — F. télégraphe. Hence telegram XIX, telegraphy, telegraphic XVIII. telepathy communication from mind to mind without aid of the senses. XIX (Gr. -patheí feeling, perception). telephone XIX (see -PHONE); hence telephonic, telephonist XIX. teleprinter XX. telescope XVII. — It. telescopio or modL. telescopium (see -SCOPE); hence vb. (orig. U.S. XIX) cause to move into another object or collapse like the sliding parts of a telescope; telescopic XVIII. television XX. Telex XX. f. teleprinter + exchange.

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teleo-,

before a vowel tele- , repr. teleo-, comb. form of Gr. téle(i)os perfect, complete, f. télos end, as in teleology doctrine of final causes. XVIII. modL. teleologia.

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tell

pt., pp. told
A
mention in order, narrate OE.;
B
make known, declare; inform; relate OE.; (arch., exc. in all told, untold wealth, tell one's beads), mention numerically, count OE.; be of account (e.g. in telling ppl. adj.) XVII. OE. tellan = OS. tellian, (M)LG., (M)Du. tellen, OHG. zellen (G. zählen reckon, count), ON. telja :- Gmc. taljan, f. tal TALE. Hence teller one who relates XIII; one who keeps tally XV; one selected to count votes XVII.

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tellurium

(min.) one of the rarer elements. XVIII. f. L. tells, tellr- earth + -IUM.

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telpher

travelling unit in a system of telpherage , transport effected automatically by electricity. XIX. contr. form of telephore, f. TELE- + Gr. -phoros bearing.

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telson

(zool.) last segment of some crustaceans, etc. XIX. — Gr. tlson limit.

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temerarious

unreasonably bold or venturous. XVI. f. L. temerrius fortuitous, rash, f. temere blindly, rashly, orig. instr. abl. of temus, temer- darkness; see -ARIOUS. So temerity XV. — L.

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temper

†due mixture of elements XIV; chiefly in various senses of temperament and temperature from XV; mental balance XVII; frame of mind; (outburst of) ill humour XIX. f. temper vb. †mingle, blend; restrain, †regulate OE.; impart due hardness, etc. to (steel) XIV. OE. temprian (= OS. temperon) — L. temperre mingle, restrain oneself, perh. orig. combine in due proportion, and rel. to tempus, temper- time, due season. So tempera painting in distemper. XIX. — It. in phr. pingere a tempera, f. temperare — L. temperament †due mixture of elements XV; combination of the four cardinal humours XVII; natural disposition XIX. — L. tempermentum. temperance self-restraint XIV; spec. in food and drink XVI. — AN. temperaunce — L. temperantia. temperate moderate XIV; of the zones between the torrid and frigid XVI. — L. tempertus, pp. of temperre; see -ATE2. temperature †mixture; †temperament XVI; state with regard to heat and cold XVII. — F. or L.

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tempest

XIII. — OF. tempeste (mod. tempête) and tempest :- Rom. tempesta and tempestum, for L. tempests season, weather, storm, f. tempus time, season. So tempestuous XVI. — late L. tempestusus.

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templar

A
member of an order of knights orig. occupying a building on or near the site of the Temple of Solomon at Jerusalem XIII;

B
barrister of the Inner or the Middle Temple, London XVI. — AN. templer, (O)F. templier — medL. templrius or templris, f. templum TEMPLE1; see -AR.
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template

see TEMPLET.

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temple1

sacred edifice. OE. temp(e)l (reinforced in ME. by (O)F. temple). — L. templum space marked out by an augur for taking observations, broad open space, consecrated space, sanctuary; of uncert. orig.

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temple2

flat part of the head between forehead and either ear. XIV. — OF. temple (mod. tempe) :- Rom. tempula, alt. of L. tempora, pl. of tempus.

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temple3

weaver's stretcher. XV. — F., ult. identical with TEMPLE2.

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templet

plate of timber XVII; pattern XIX. prob. f. TEMPLE2 + -ET; now usu. template (by assoc. with PLATE).

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tempo

(mus.) relative speed or rate of movement. XVIII. — It. :- L. tempus time.

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temporal1

†temporary; pert. to human life, wordly; secular XIV; (gram., pros.) relating to time or tense XVII. — (O)F. temporel or L. temporlis, f. tempus, tempor- time; see -AL1. So temporality †temporal things XIV; material possessions XV. — late L. temporlits. temporary XVI. — L. temporrius. temporize XVI. — F. temporiser pass one's time, wait one's time- medL. temporizre. Hence temporalty (-TY2) temporal things; laity. XIV.

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temporal2

pert. to the temples. XVI. — late L. temporlis, f. tempora; see TEMPLE2, -AL1.

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tempt

test, try (surviving in tempt God, fate, fortune, the sea, etc.); try to attract, entice. XIII. — OF. tempter, learned form beside tenter :- L. temptre feel, try the strength of, test. So temptation XIII. — OF. — L.

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ten

OE. (Angl.) tn(e), (WS.) ten(e) = OS. tehan (Du. tien), OHG. zehan (G. zehn), ON. tíu, Goth. taihun :- Gmc texan, beside texun :- IE. dem whence also L. decem, Gr. déka, OSl. dest, Skr. dáa. So tenth ME. tende (XII), alt., by assim. to TEN, of tethe, OE. teogoða (see -TH2).

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tenable

XVI. — (O)F., f. tenir hold; see -ABLE.

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tenace

at whist, combination of next above and next below the opponents' highest card. XVII. — F. — Sp. tenaza lit. pincers, tongs :- L. tencia, f. tenx (see next).

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tenacious

XVI. f. L. tenx, tenc-, f. tenre hold; see next and -IOUS. So tenacity XVI. — (O)F. or L. tencits.

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tenant

XIV. — (O)F., sb. use of prp. of tenir hold — (with change of conj.) L. tenre, rel. to tendere stretch, TEND2; see -ANT. Hence tenantry XIV.

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tench

freshwater fish. XIV. — OF. tenche (mod. tanche) :- late L. tinca.

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tend1

orig. in various senses of attend and intend XIV; now only in gen. use, take care of, be in charge of, look after XV. Aphetic of ATTEND and †entend, INTEND. Hence tender^2 †attendant, ministrant XV; boat attending a larger one XVII; car attached to a locomotive XIX; one who has charge of a bar, etc. XIX. Partly f. attender (XV), partly immed. f. TEND1 + -ER1.

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tend2

have a disposition to or towards. XIV. — (O)F. tendre :- L. tendere stretch, extend, aim (at).

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tendency

XVII. — medL. tendentia, f. L. tendns, -ent-, prp. of tendere stretch, etc. (see prec.); see -ENCY. Hence tendential (XIX), tendentious (XX) having a (purposed) tendency.

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tender1

easily broken or injured XIII; having delicacy of feeling; susceptible to moral or spiritual influences XVI. — (O)F. tendre :- L. tener tender, delicate.

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tender2

offer for acceptance. XVI. — (O)F. tendre :- L. tendere stretch, hold forth (cf. TEND2). Hence sb. XVI.

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tendon

XVI. — F. tendon or medL. tend, -n-, f. L. tendere stretch, tr. Gr. ténn sinew, sb. use of aorist ppl. of teínein stretch.

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tendril

slender thread-like appendage of a plant. XVI. prob. alt., after F. dim. †tendrillon, of †tendron young shoot, (pl.) cartilages of the ribs (XIV) — (O)F. tendron tender part or shoot, cartilage :- Rom. tenermen shoots, f. L. tener TENDER1.

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tenebrae

Holy Week devotion (matins and lauds) at which candles lighted at the beginning are successively put out. XVII. — L. (pl.) darkness.

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tenement

†tenure; holding XIV; dwelling-place XV. — OF. tenement (mod. tènement) — medL. tenementum, f. L. tenre hold; see -MENT.

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tenet

XVII. — L. tenet (he) holds, 3rd pres. sg. of tenre hold.

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tenné

(her.) tawny. XVI. — obs. F. tenné, var. of tanné TAWNY.

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tennis

ball game played with rackets in a walled court XIV; short for lawn t., XIX. ME. tenetz, tene(y)s, tenyse, usu. taken to be — (O)F. tenez, imper. of tenir hold, take, presumably the server's call to his opponent.

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tenon

XV. — F., f. tenir hold.

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tenor

A
general sense of a discourse, etc. XIII; continuous progress XIV; †quality, condition XVI;

B
(mus.) voice or part between alto and bass XIV. ME. ten(o)ur — AN. tenur, OF. tenour (mod. teneur course, import) — L. tenor, -r- continuous course, substance, import of a law, etc., f. tenre hold; see -OR2. Sense B. was in OF. tenor (mod. ténor) — It. tenore and medL. tenor; the sense (‘holding or the continuous part’) is due to the allotting of the melody to that part.
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tenrec

see TANREC.

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tense1

†time; (gram.) form of a verb indicating time. XIV. — OF. tens (mod. temps) :- L. tempus time.

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tense2

drawn tight XVII; highly strung XIX. — L. tensus, pp. of tendere stretch, TEND2. So tensile ductile XVII; pert. to tension XIX. — medL. tension XVI. — F. or L. Hence tensor (-OR1) (anat.) muscle that tightens some part XVIII; (math.) in quaternions XIX.

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tent1

portable shelter of canvas, etc. XIII. — (O)F. tente :- Rom. tenta n. pl. used as fem. of tentum, for L. tentrium tent, f. tent-, pp. stem of tendere stretch, TEND2, based on the use of phr. pelles tendere stretch out skins, in the sense ‘pitch tents’. Hence tent vb., tented (see -ED1, -ED2) XVII.

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tent2

†probe; roll of material for searching a wound XXV. — (O)F. tente, f. tenter :- L. temptre feel, try, TEMPT.

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tent3

deep-red Spanish wine. XVI (tynt). — Sp. tinto dark-coloured :- L. tinctus, pp. of tingere, dye, TINGE.

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tentacle

XVIII. f. L. tentre, var. of temptre feel, try, TEMPT; see -CLE

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tentative

XVII (tentatively XVI). — medL. tenttvus, f. pp. stem of L. tentre; see prec. and -ATIVE.

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tenter

wooden frame on which cloth is stretched. XIV. — AN. tentur — medL. tentrium, f. pp. stem tent- of L. tendere stretch, TEND2. Comb. tenterhook (XV) hook fixed on a tenter, in gen. use now only in fig. phr. on tenterhooks (XVI).

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tenth

see TEN.

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tenuis

(phon.) voiceless stop. XVII. — L. tenuis thin.

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tenuity

thinness, meagreness. XVI. — L. tenuits, f. tenuis thin; see -ITY. So tenuous XVI; see -OUS

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tenure

holding of a tenement, condition under which it is held. XV. — OF. tenure, f. tenir hold; see TENANT -URE.

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teocalli

place of worship of the ancient Mexicans. XVII. — Nahuatl, f. teotl god + culli house.

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tepee

wigwam. XIX. of Siouan orig.

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tepid

XIV. — L. tepidus, f. tepre be warm; see -ID1.

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ter-

- L. ter thrice, used occas. in comp. XVII; spec. in chem. (XIX), now superseded by TRI-.

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teratology

account of marvels XVII; (biol.) study of abnormalities XIX. f. Gr. téras, terato- marvel, prodigy + -LOGY.

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terce

var. of TIERCE, usual in the name of the canonical hour. XIV (terse).

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tercel, tiercel

male hawk. XIV. — OF. tercel — Rom. tertilus, f. tertius THIRD; perh. so named because it was believed that the third egg of a clutch produced a male bird.

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tercet

(pros.) set of three lines rhyming together. XVI. — F. — It. terzetto, f. terzo (:- L. tertius THIRD) + -etto -ET.

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terebinth

tree Pistacia terebinthus, the source of turpentine. XIV. — OF. t(h)erebinte (mod. térébinthe) or its source L. terebinthus — Gr. terébinthos.

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teredo

boring mollusc, esp. ship-worm. XVII. — L. terd — Gr. terdn, f. base ter- of teírein rub hard, wear away, bore.

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terete

smooth and round (spec. in nat. hist.) XVII. — L. teres, teret-.

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tergiversation

desertion of a cause, etc.; contradictory behaviour. XVI. — L. tergiversati, -n-, f. tergiversr (whence tergiversate XVII), f. tergum back + vers-, pp. stem of vertere turn.

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term

limit in time, period XIII; (pl.) limiting conditions XIV; form in which a matter or subject is expressed, expression. — (O)F. terme :- L. terminus limit, boundary. So terminal pert. to a boundary XV; situated at or forming the end XIX; sb. terminal element XIX. — L.; see -AL1. terminate †determine XVI; bring to an end XVI. f. pp. stem of L. terminre; see -ATE3. termination †determination; end XV; (gram.) ending XVI. — (O)F. or L. terminology system of terms. XIX. — G. terminologie. terminus pl. -i finishing point XVII; end of a line of railway XIX. — L.

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termagant

(T-) deity attributed to Muslims, etc., represented in mystery plays as an over-bearing character XIII; violent domineering person (esp. woman) XVI. Earlier form tervagaunt, later term- (XIV) — OF. Tervagan(t) — It. Trivigante, -vag-, expl. as f. L. TRI- + vagns, -ant-, prp. of vagr wander and so designating the moon wandering under the names of Selene (Luna), Artemis (Diana), and Persephone (Proserpina), in heaven, earth, and hell respectively.

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termite

XVIII. — late L. termes, termit- woodworm, alt. of tarmes woodworm (perh. by assim. to terere rub).

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termor

one who holds property for a term of years. XIV. — AN. termer, f. terme TERM; see -ER2.

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tern

sea-bird of the genus Sterna. XVIII. of uncert. orig.

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ternary

threefold, triple. XIV. — L. ternrius, f. tern three at a time, three by three, f. ter thrice; see -ARY. So ternate (-ATE2) XVIII.

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terpene

(chem.) hydrocarbon found in essential oils. XIX. f. terp- in terpentine, obs. form of TURPENTINE + -ENE.

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Terpsichorean

pert. to dancing. XIX. f. Gr. Terpsikhór muse of dancing and of the dramatic chorus, f. térpein delight + khorós dance, CHORUS; see -EAN.

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terra

- L., It. ‘earth’, as in terracotta unglazed pottery. XVII;. — It. ‘baked earth’ (cotta :- L. cocta, fem. pp. of coquere COOK); t. firma †mainland; dry land. XVII. — L., ‘firm land’ (fem. of firmus FIRM); t. incognita unexplored territory. XVII. — L., ‘unknown land’. terrae filius person of obscure parentage XVI; (Univ. of Oxford) formerly orator privileged to make humorous comments at a public act XVII. — L., ‘son of the earth’.

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terrace

†gallery, balcony; raised level walk. XVI. — OF. terrace, (also mod.) -asse †rubble, platform :- Rom. terrceus, -cea, f. L. terra earth; see -ACEOUS.

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terrain

XVIII. — F. — pop. L. terrnum, var. of L. terrénum TERRENE.

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terramare

ammoniacal earth found in the valley of the Po, Italy. XIX. — F. — It. dial. terramara, for terra marna, i.e. terra earth + marna MARL.

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terrapin

XVII. of Algonquian orig.

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terraqueous

composed of, living in, land and water, chiefly in t. globe. XVII. f. medL. terraqueus, f. terra earth + aqua water.

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terrene

earthly. XIV. — AN. — L. terrnus, f. terra earth.

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terreplein

(fortif.) sloping bank behind a wall or rampart XVI; level base for a battery XVII. — F. terre-plein — It. terrapieno, f. terrapienare ‘fill with earth’, f. terra (:- L. terra earth) + pieno (:- L. plnus) FULL.

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terrestrial

earthly, mundane XV; pert. to the earth XVI. f. L. terrestris, f. terra earth; see -IAL.

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terret

circular ring as part of horse-harness, etc. XV. ME. tyret, var. of toret — OF. to(u)ret, dim. of tour circuit, circumference, TOUR; see -ET.

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terrible

exciting terror XV; very violent, severe, or bad, excessive. XVI. — (O)F. — L. terribilis, f. terrre frighten; see -BLE.

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terrier1

register of landed property. XV. — OF. terrier, sb. use of adj. :- medL. terrrius, f. L. terra land.

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terrier2

small breed of dog. So called from its pursuing the quarry into its earth. XV. — early modF. terrier — medL. terrrius; cf. prec.

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terrific

causing terror. XVII. — L. terrificus, f. terrre, frighten; see -FIC. So terrify XVI. — L. terrificre.

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terrine

see TUREEN.

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territory

XV. — L. territrium, f. terra land. So territorial XVIII. — late L.

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terror

XIV. — OF. terrour (mod. terreur) :- L. terror, -r-. So terrorism, terrorist XVIII. — F. terrorisme, -iste.

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terry

loop raised in pile-weaving left uncut. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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tersanctus

(liturg.) SANCTUS. XIX. See TER-.

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terse

†smoothed, polished, neat; polite, refined XVII; neatly concise XVIII. — L. tersus, pp. of tergre wipe.

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tertian

(of a fever) of which the paroxysms occur every third (i.e. alternate) day; also sb. XIV. — L. tertinus f. tertius THIRD; see -IAN. So tertiary pert. to (a member of) the third series, order, etc. XVI. — L. tertirius. tertium quid (old chem.) third substance distinct from its two components. XVIII. — late L., n. of tertius + quid, n. of quis somebody.

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terza rima

It. form of verse rhyming aba, bcb, cdc, of the ‘Divina Commedia’ of Dante. XIX. — It., fem. of terzo third, rima rhyme.

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tessellated

formed with a mosaic pattern. XVII. f. L. tesselltus (or the derived It. tessellato), f. tessella, dim. of tessera; see next, -ATE2, -ED1.

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tessera

small quadrilateral tablet, esp. as used in mosaic; (hist.) square tablet on which watchword, etc., was written; hence (gen.) symbol, token. XVII. — L. — Gr. téssera, n. of tésseres, Ionic var- of téssares FOUR.

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test

A
cupel used in treating gold and silver alloys or ore XIV (rare before XVI);

B
trial, examination XVI. -OF. test pot (mod. têt cupel) :- L. test, testum, by-form of testa tile, in B mainly f. the vb.
Top
Hence test vb. XVII (first in pp.).

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testaceous

(zool.) having a shell; shell-like. XVII. f. L. testceus, f. testa tile, earthen pot, shell; see -ACEOUS.

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testament

†covenant between God and man; each of the two divisions of the Holy Scripture or Bible XIII; will disposing of property and appointing an executor XIV. — L. testmentum, f. testr bear witness, make a will, f. testis witness; see -MENT. So testamentary XV. — L. testator XV. — An. testatour — L. testtor.

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tester

canopy over a bed. XIV. — medL. testerium, testrum, testura f. Rom. testa head (L. testa tile).

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testicle

XV. — L. testiculus, dim. of testis witness (the organ being evidence of virility). So testicular XVII.

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testify

XIV. — L. testificre, -r, f. testis witness; see -FY.

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testimony

XIV. — L. testimonium, f. testis witness; see -MONY. So testimonial adj. & sb. XV. — (O)F. or late L.; see -AL1.

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testis

(anat.) TESTICLE. XVII. — L.

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testudo

screen for the protection of armed forces. XVII. L. testdo lit. ‘tortoise’, f. testa tile, pot, shell.

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testy

†headstrong, impetuous XIV; prone to be easily irritated XVI. ME. testif — AN., f. OF. teste (mod. tête) head :- L. testa tile, pot, shell, (Rom.) head; see -IVE.

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tetanus

spasm and rigidity of the muscles. XVI (in late ME. anglicized tetane). — L. — Gr. tétanos, f. base of teínein stretch.

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tetchy

XVI. prob. f. tecche, var. of tache spot, blemish, fault — OF. teche, (also mod.) tache; see -Y1.

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tête-à-tête

XVII. — F., ‘head to head’.

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tether

sb. XIV. — ON. tjóðr, corr. to MLG., MDu. tder, tudder (Du. tuier), repr. Gmc. teuðr-, f. teu- fasten. Hence vb. XV.

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tetra-,

before a vowel tetr-, repr. Gr. tetra-, comb. form of téttares, téttara four, as in tetrachord XVII. tetragon four-angle figure. XVII. — Gr.; whence tetragonal (-AL1) XVI. tetragrammaton Heb. word written JHVH JEHOVAH. XIV. — Gr. f. grámma, -at- letter. tetrahedron four-sided figure. XVI. — late Gr. tetralogy series of four related dramas. XVII. — Gr. tetralogí. tetrameter (pros.) element of four measures. XVII. — late L. tetrametrus — Gr. tetrámetros. tetrastich strophe of four lines. XVI. — L. tetrastichon — Gr. tetrástikhon. tetrasyllable XVI. — Gr. tetrasúllabos.

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tetrad

group of four. XVII. — Gr. tetrás, tetrad-, f. téttares four; see -AD.

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tetrarch

ruler of one of four divisions of a country, subordinate ruler. XIV. — late L. tetrarcha, classL. -s — Gr. tetrárkhs, f. TETRA- + -arkhs ruling. So tetrarchy XV.

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tetter

pustular eruption of the skin. OE. teter, cogn. with Skr. dadrú- skin disease, f. dti bursts; cf. OHG. zittaroh.

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Teuton

member of a people of unknown race reckoned among the peoples of Germania. XVIII. — L. Teuton, Teutones (pl.), f. IE. base meaning ‘people’, ‘country’, ‘land’. So Teutonic pert. to this people, later identified with Germanic. XVII. — F. teutonique — L. Teutonicus. Comb. form Teut(o)- XIX.

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text

wording of a passage; short passage used as a motto, subject of discourse, etc. XIV; theme XVII. ME. text(e), tixt(e) — ONF. tixte, (also modF.) texte — L. textus tissue, style of literary work, in medL. the Gospel, written character, f. pp. stem of texere weave.

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textile

adj. and sb. woven (fabric). XVII. — F. textile or L. textilis, f. pp. stem of texere weave.

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textual

†well-read in texts; pert. to the or a text, esp. of the Scriptures. XIV. — (O)F. textuel, f. texte TEXT.

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texture

†weaving XV; character of a textile fabric, also fig. XVII. -L. textra, f. text-, pp. stem of texere weave.

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-th1

suffix denoting action or process, formed on vb.-stems (1) in words such as bath, birth, death, of Gmc. age, (2) in others of later emergence, as growth, spilth; (3) in OE. words of quality or condition, in -ðu, -ðo (:- Gmc. -iþ), based on adjs., as breadth, filth, health, mirth, truth.

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-th2

suffix or ordinal numbers from fourth upwards, repr. OE. -(o)ða, -(o)ðe; with the tens (twenty, etc.) the ending is -eth (OE. -oða, -oðe).

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thalamus

(anat.) part of the brain at which a nerve originates; receptacle of a flower. XVIII. — L. — Gr. thálamos inner chamber.

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thalassic

pert. to the sea or inland seas. XIX. — F. thalassique, f. Gr. thálassa sea; see -IC.

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thaler

German silver coin. XVIII. — G. t(h)aler DOLLAR.

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thallium

(chem.) metallic element. XIX. f. L. thallus green shoot — Gr. thallós; see -IUM. So named from the green line distingiushing its spectrum.

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than

conjunctive particle used after comparatives, other, and else, OE. þanne, þonne, þænne, orig. identical with the adv. THEN, from which it was not finally differentiated in form until c.1700.

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thane

†(military) servant or attendant; (hist.) in A.-S. times, one who held lands by military service OE.; (Sc. hist.) man holding lands of the King XV. OE. þe(e)n = OS. thegan man, OHG. degan boy, servant, warrior, hero (G. degen warrior), ON. þegn freeman, liegeman :- Gmc. þeznaz :- IE. teknós (cf. Gr. téknon child), f. a base tek- repr. also by Gr. tíktein (:- titk-) bring forth. The sp. thane is derived from Sc. usage of XV-XVI.

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thank

†throught; †kindly thought, favour, gratitude; expression of gratitude (now only pl. thanks). OE. þanc = OS. thank, MDu., OHG. danc (Du., G. dank), Goth. þagks :- Gmc. þakaz, f. þank-, þek- (see THINK). So thank vb. OE. þancian. Comps. thankoffering, thanksgiving XVI. Hence thankful showing gratitude; †deserving gratitude. OE. þancfull. thankless ungrateful; that brings no thanks. XVI. phr. thank you XV for I thank you.

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that1

dem. pron. (orig. n. of THE). OE. þæt, corr. to OS. that, (M)Du. dat, OHG. daz (G. das), ON. þat, Goth, þata (with suffix) :- IE. tod, repr. also by Skr. tát, Gr. tó, L. -tud in istud, OSl. to. As adj. XII, with pl. THOSE; as adv. XV.

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that2

rel. pron. equiv. to who and which, in OE. a generalized use of the n. of THE (cf. prec.), repl. OE. and ME. indeclinable þe.

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that3

conj.; in uses developed from those of THAT1 and THAT2; the development is Gmc., with differentiation of sp. (dass) in modG., and affix in Goth. þatei.

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thatch

roof (a building), esp. with straw. XIV. repr. OE. þe..an = OS. thekkian (Du. dekken), OHG. decchan (G. decken), ON. þekja :- Gmc. þakjan, f. þakam (OE. þæ. = MDu. dac, Du. dak, (O)HG. dach roof. ON. þak roof, thatch), f. þak- :- IE. tog- teg- cover, repr. also by L. tegere. Hence thatch sb. XIV.

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thaumaturge

wonder-worker. XVIII (-urg). — medL. thaumaturgus — Gr. thaumatourgós, f. thaûma, thaumat- wonder + -ergos working; later assim. to F. thaumaturge.

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thaw

reduce to a liquid state OE.; intr. XIV. OE. þawian = MLG dien, Du. dooien, OHG. douwen :- WGmc. þawjan (cf. ON. þeyja :- þaujan), of unkn. orig. Hence sb. XV.

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the1

dem. adj. (definite article). Late OE. þ, ME þe, at first nom. m., but ult. superseding all cases of OE. m. s, fem. so, so, n. þæt, corr. to OS se, th, thie, thiu, that (Du. de. dat). OHG. der, diu, daz (G. der, die, das). ON sá, sú, þat. Goth sa, so, þata (with suffix). The orig. Gmc. sa s þat = Gr ho, h (dial. há), tó (:- tod), Skr. sá, s, tát.

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the2

(preceding an adj. or adv. in the compar. or superl. degree, e.g. the more fools they, the more the merrier, the less said the sooner mended) by that amount; by how much … by so much. repr. OE. þ, varying with þ, þon, instr. of THE1, THAT1 (e.g. þ mra the greater, þ m the more).

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the-,

var. of THEO- before a vowel, as in theandric , theanthropic pert. to God and man, divine and human, thearchy rule of God. All XVII.

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theatre,

U.S. theater in antiquity, open-air structure for plays and spectacles XIV; playhouse XVI. — OF. t(h)eatre (mod. théâtre) or L. thetrum — Gr. thétron ‘place for viewing’, f. theâsthai behold. So theatrical XVI; sb. pl. XVII. f. late L. thetricus — Gr. thetrikós.

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theca

receptacle, cell, case. XVII. — L. thca — Gr. thk case, cover.

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thee

acc. and d. of THOU. OE. (i) acc; þec, later þ = OS. thic, th, OHG. dih (G. dich), ON þik. Goth. þuk :- Gmc. þeke, f. IE. te (repr. by L. t Gr. sé); (ii) d. þ = OS. th, (O)HG. dir, ON. þér, Goth. þus :- Gmc. þez. Hence vb. XVII

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theft

OE. (WS.) þefð, þfð, þft, non-WS. þofð, þoft = ON þýfð, þýft :- Gmc. þiiþ, f. þeuaz THIEF; see -T2.

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thegn

var. of THANE.

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their

of them. XII. — ON. þeir(r)a ( = OE. þra). g. pl. of sá, sú, þat THE1. THAT1. used also as g. pl. of the 3rd pers. pron. Cf. THEM. THEY. Hence theirs XIII; see -s.

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theism

belief in one God, esp. as creator and supreme ruler. XVII. f. Gr. theós god. So theist XVII, theistic XVIII, theistical XVII.

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them

d. and acc. of THEY. XII. — ON. þeim (= OE. þm). d. pl. of sá, sú, þat THE1. THAT1. used also as d. pl. of the 3rd pers. pron. Cf. THEIR, THEY.

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theme

subject of a discourse XIII; exercise. essay XVI; inflexional base or stem. ME. teme — OF. teme (tesme) — L. thma (to which it was soon conformed in sp.) — Gr. théma proposition. f. the- base of tithénai place (see DO1). So thematic XVIII. — Gr. thematikós.

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then

at that time, in that case, that being the case. ME. þenne, þann(e), OE. þænne, þanne, þonne = OS. than(na), OHG. danne, denne (G. dann). f. dem. base Gmc. þa- (see THAT1, THE1).

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thence

XIII. ME þannes, þen(ne)s, f. þanne, þenne thence, OE. þanon(e) = OS., OHG. danana, dann (Du. dan, G. dannen) :- WGmc. þanana.

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theo-

comb. form of Gr. theós god. See THE-.

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theodicy

vindication of the divine attributes. XVIII. — F. théodicée, title of a work by Leibniz (1710), f. Gr. theós God + dík justice; the ending is assim. to -Y3.

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theodolite

portable surveying instrument for measuring (orig. horizontal) angles. XVII. Earlier (XVI) in modL. form theodelitus; of unkn. orig.

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theogony

generation or genealogy of the gods. XVII. Gr. theogoní f. theós god, gon gen-; see GENESIS, -Y3.

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theology

XIV. — (O)F. théologie — L. theologia- Gr. theologí f theólogos one who treats of the gods. f. theós god; see -LOGY So theologian XV. — (O)F. théologien. theological XVI medL.

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theorbo

kind of lute. XVII. — It. tiorba, of unkn. orig.

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theorem

general proposition demonstrable by argument. XVI. — F. théorème or late L. therma — Gr. therma speculation, theory, proposition to be proved, f. thereîn look at, f. therós spectator (see THEORY). So theoretic(al) †speculative, contemplative; pert to theory. XVII. — late L. therticus — Gr. thertikós. Hence theoretician XIX.

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theory

mental conception, scheme of thought. XVI. — late L. theria — Gr. therí contemplation, speculation, sight. f. therós spectator, f. thea- base of theâsthai look upon, contemplate. So theorize XVII. — medL. therizre. Hence theorist XVI.

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theosophy

system of philosophical speculation basing the knowledge of nature on that of the divine nature. XVII. — medL. theosophia — late Gr. theosophí, f. theós god + sophós wise; see -Y3. Hence theosophist, earlier theosopher, theosophic(al) XVII.

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therapeutic

(pl., formerly sg.) art of healing XVI. — F. thérapeutique or late L. therapeutica — Gr. therapeutik, sb. f. therapeuts attendant. f. therapeúein administer to, treat medically, f. théraps, therap- attendant; see -IC. So therapeutic adj. XVII — Gr. therapeutikós. therapy medical treatment. XIX. — Gr. therapeí; see -Y3.

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there

A
in, at, or to that place.

B
used to indicate existence or occurrence. OE. þær, þr = OS. thr (Du. daar), OHG. dr (G. da); cogn. with ON., Goth. þar; f. dem. base Gmc. þa- (see THE1, THAT1) + adv. suffix -r, as in here, where. The comps. thereabout, -after, -at, -in, -of, -on, -out, -to, -with are of OE. date.
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theriac

(arch.) antidote. XVI. — L. thriaca, -c — Gr. thriak; see TREACLE.

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therio-,

before a vowel theri- , repr. Gr. thríon, dim. of thr wild beast.

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thermal

pert. to hot springs XVIII; pert. to heat XIX. -F. thermal, f. Gr. thérm heat; see -AL1.

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thermite

mixture of finely powdered aluminium and oxide of iron, etc. producing on combustion very great heat. XIX. — G. thermit, f. Gr. thérm heat; see -ITE.

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thermo-

repr. comb. form of Gr. thérm heat, thermós hot, in many scientific terms.

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thermometer

XVII. — F. thermomètre or f. Gr. thérm heat; see -METER.

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thesaurus

treasury, spec. of knowledge. XIX. — L. thsaurus TREASURE — Gr. thsaurós.

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these

pl. of THIS. ME. þse (XIII), developed from þse, f. þis THIS + pl. suffix -e; superseded þs, þs, THOSE, which became the pl. of THAT1.

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thesis pl. theses

A
proposition, theme XVI; (theme of) a dissertation XVII.
B
(pros.) unaccented or unstressed element XIV; accented or stressed element XIX; -late L. thesis — Gr. thésis placing, setting, f. the- base of tithénai place (see DO1).

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Thespian

pert. to Thespis, traditional father of Gr. tragedy; tragic, dramatic. XVII; sb. tragedian XIX. See -IAN.

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theurgy

magic of the Egyptian Platonists XVI; divine agency in human affairs XIX. — late L. thergia — Gr. theourgí, f. theós god + -ergos working; see -Y3.

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thew

†custom, habit OE.; †(good) quality, virtue XIII; (pl.) bodily powers, physical endowments XVI. OE. þaw usage, conduct = OS. thau, OHG. thau, dau discipline, of unkn. orig.

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they

pl. of HE1, SHE, IT. XII. — ON. þeir (= OE. þ), pl. of sá, sú, þat THE1, THAT1, used also as pl. of the 3rd pers. pron. Cf. THEIR, THEM.

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thick

OE. þi..e = OS. thikki, (Du. dik), OHG. dicchi (G. dick), ON. þykkr :- Gmc. þeku-, þekwia-, of unkn. orig. Hence thicken (-EN5) XV, thickness OE.

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thicket

OE. þi..et. f. þi..e THICK.

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thief

OE. þof, þof = OS. thiof (Du. dief), OHG. diob (G. dieb). ON. þjófr, Goth. þiufs; Gmc. word of which no further cogns. are known.

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thigh

OE. (Angl.) þh, (WS.) þoh, þoh = OLF. thio (Du. dij), OHG. dioh, ON. þjó :- Gmc. þeu?am, f. IE. teuk- tauk- tuk-, whence Lith. táukas, OSl. tuk fat, OIr. tón posteriors (:- tukná).

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thill

shaft of a cart, etc. XIV. of uncert. orig.; cf. OE. þille board, planking.

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thimble

†finger-stall OE. (only); finger-cap used in sewing XV. OE. þmel, f. þma THUMB; see -LE1.

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thin

OE. þynne = OS. thunni (Du. dun), OHG. dunni (G. dünn), ON. þunnr :- Gmc. þunnuz (:- þunw-), based on IE. t, zero-grade of ten- ton- draw out, stretch (repr. also in Lat. tenuis thin, etc.).

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thine

of or pert. to THEE. OE. þn = OS. thn (Du. dijn), OHG. dn (G. dein), ON. þínn, Goth. þeins :- Gmc. þnaz :- IE. t(w)einos, f. t THOU.

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thing

A
†(deliberative or judicial) assembly; †legal process or charge OE. (only); affair, business; deed, act OE.; that which is said XIII;

B
that which exists, being OE. (inanimate object XVII). OE. þing = OS. thing, OHG. ding, dinc, assembly for deliberation and/or business, ON. þing :- Gmc. þinzam.
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Hence, with meaningless additions, †thingum (XVII), thingumbob, thingummy (XVIII), thingamajig, thingumabob (XIX).

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think

pt., pp. thought. OE. þen.an = OS. thenkian, OHG. denken (G. denken), ON. þekkja, Goth. þagkjan; factitive formation on OE. þyn.an seem, perh. orig. meaning ‘cause to appear to oneself’.

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thio-,

before a vowel thi-, repr. comb. form of Gr. theîon sulphur. XIX.

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third

ordinal of the numeral three OE.; sb. third part XIV; musical interval XVI. OE. (late Nhb.) þird(d)a, -e, var. of þridda = OS. thriddio (Du. derde), OHG. dritto (G. dritte), ON. þriði, Goth. þridja :- Gmc. þriðjaz :- IE. tritjós (cf. Skr. ttya-, Gr. trítos, L. tertius, OSl. tretij, W. trydydd), f. stem of THREE. Hence thirdly (-LY2) XVI. third-rate XVII. thirteen OE. þrotene = OS. thriutein (Du. dertien), OHG. drzehan (G. dreizehn), ON. þrettán. thirteenth OE. þro-, þretoða, ME. þritteþe, þreottenþe (XII), þrittenþe (XIV). þirttenth (XV), thirteenth (XVI); see -TH2. thirty OE. þrti = OS. thrtig (Du. dertig), OHG. drízzug (G. dreissig), ON. þrírtegr, Goth. (acc.) þrins tiguns; see -TY2. thirtieth OE. þrtigoða, þritteogoða.

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thirst

sb. OE. þurst = OS thurst (Du. dorst), (O)HG. durst :- WGmc. þurstu (cf. ON. þorsti, Goth. þaurstei); f. þurs- :- IE. ts- tors-, repr. also by L. torrre dry, parch, Skr. tyati thirsts, OIr. tart. So thirst vb. OE. þyrstan (till late ME. also impers.).

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this

pl. THESE. dem. pron. and adj. The form this in generalized use dates from c. 1200; it is identical with the OE. n. nom. and acc. and the stem of most of the inflected forms. OE. þes m., þos fem., þis n., corr. to OS. these, thius, thit, OHG. dese(r), desiu, diz, ON. þessi, þetta; WGmc. and ON. formation on þa- (see THE1, THAT1). As adv. equiv. to thus in various uses (XIV; now esp. in this much, this far, and the like), perh. from OE. instr. þs, þs, or acc. sg. n. þis.

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thistle

OE. þstel = OS. thstil, OHG. distil(a) (Du., G. distel), LG. diestel, dîstel, ON. þstill :- Gmc. þstilaz, -il, of unkn. orig.

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thither

OE. þider, alt. by assim. to hider HITHER of earlier þder, corr. to ON. þaðra there, thither, f. dem. base þa- of THAT1, THE1 + suffix denoting ‘towards’ as in L. intr within, extr outside, Skr. tátra there, then.

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thole1

peg, pin, spec. in the gunwale of a boat. OE. þcl(l) = MLG., MDu. dolle (Du. dol), ON. þollr (fir-)tree, peg, referred to Gmc. þul-, IE. tul- (cf. Gr. túlos peg). The want of evidence between OE. and XV prob. indicates loss of the OE. word and its supersession by the ON.

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thole2

(arch., dial.) suffer. OE. þolian = OS. tholon, tholian, OHG. doln, doln, ON. þola, Goth. þulan; f. Gmc. þul-, repr. weak grade of IE. tol- tel- t- raise, remove, as in Gr. tlênai endure, bear, L. tollere raise, tul (pt.) bore.

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Thomist

follower of Thomas Aquinas (c.1225–74), scholastic philosopher and theologian. XVI. — medL. Thmista, f. L. Thms; see -IST. Hence Thomism XVIII.

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thong

OE. þwang, þwong (þong XIII) = MLG. dwank constraint, OHG. dwang rein (MHG. dwanc, twanc, G. zwang), f. Gmc. þwang-.

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thorax

(anat.) part of the body between the neck and the abdomen. XVI. — L. thrx — Gr. thrx, -k- breastplate, breast, chest. So thoracic XVII. — medL. — Gr.

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thorium

(chem.) dark-grey metallic element. XIX. f. Thor Norse god + -IUM.

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thorn

sharp-pointed process on a plant; thornbearing plant. OE. þorn = OS. thorn (Du. doorn), (O)HG. dorn, ON. þorn, Goth. þaurnus :- Gmc. þurnuz :- IE. tnus, f. tn- tern-, repr. also by OIr. tráinín small stalk of grass, OSl. trn thorn, Skr. ta- grass-stalk, Gr. térnax cactus prickle. Hence thorny (-Y1) OE. þorni.

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thorough

obs. or arch. as adv. and prep. in senses of through; in gen. use as adj. (application of the adv.) fully executed, affecting every part XIII. Disyllabic development, þuruh, of OE. þurh THROUGH, paralleled in OS. thuru(h), OHG. duruh. Comps. thoroughbass . (mus.) bass part extending through a composition. XVII. thoroughbred XVIII; thoroughfare XV; thoroughgoing XIX.

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thorp

(arch., hist.) hamlet, village. OE. þrop, occas. (prob. from ON.) þorp = OS. thorp (Du. dorp), (O)HG. dorf village, ON. þorp hamlet, farmstead, Goth. þaurp field, land, estate :- Gmc. þurpam, of uncert. orig.

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those

pl. of THAT1. OE. þs, ME. (south.) þs, pl. of THIS; from XIV, first in north. and later in midl. and south. speech, pl. of dem. pron. and adj. that.

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thou

2nd sg. pers pron. OE. þ = OS. th (LG. du), OHG. d (G. du), ON. þú, Goth. þu :- Gmc. repr. of IE. t, whence also L., Av. t, OIr., Gr. (Doric) tú, OSl. ty, Lith. tù, W. ti, Skr. tvám.

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though

adv. for all that; conj. notwithstanding that. XII. ME. þoh — ON. þh, þó, earlier þauh = OE. þah (whence ME. þe(i)h, þeigh, and þa(u)h, þauz), OS. thoh, OHG. doh (Du., G. doch), Goth. þauh or, yet; Gmc. advb. formation on base þa- of THE1. THAT1 + the particle repr. by L. -que, Gr. té, Skr. ca and.

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thought

action or act of thinking; †anxiety, solicitude XIII; very small amount XVI. repr. OE. þht and the more freq. eþht = OS. githht (Du. gedachte), OHG. gidht :- Gmc. zaþa?t-, f. þakjan THINK.

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thousand

OE. þsend = OS. thsundig (Du. duizend), OHG. th-, dusunt (G. tausend), ON. þúsund, Goth. þsundi :- Gmc. þusundi; cogn. with Lith. túkstantis, OSl. tysta.

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thrall

villein, serf, slave, OE þrl — ON. þrll, perh. :- þra?ilaz, f. Gmc. þra?- þre?- run. Hence thrall vb. (arch.) bring into bondage, ENTHRALL. XIII. thraldom XII.

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thrash

A
thresh (corn, etc.) XVI;

B
chastise by beating XVII;
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C
(naut.) beat (one's way) XIX;
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D
lash out, plunge XIX. metathetic alt. of an early form repr. by OE. þærs.an, parallel with þers.an THRESH, which is now the prevalent form in sense A.
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thrasonical

given to boasting. XVI. f. L. thras, -n- — Gr. Thrásn name of the braggart soldier in Terence's ‘Eunuchus’, f. thrasús bold, resolute.

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thread

cord composed of spun fibres of flax, etc. OE.; length of yarn forming a constituent of a woven fabric XII; transf. and fig. XIV. OE. þrd = OS. þrd (Du. draad), OHG. drt (G. draht), ON. þráðr :- Gmc. þrðuz, f. þr- twist. Hence thread vb. XIV. threadbare leaving bare the thread of warp and woof. XIV; fig. XV.

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threat

†throng, troop; †oppression, affliction OE.; denunciation of evil to come (?OE.) XI. OE. þrat m., cogn. with ON. þraut fem. struggle, labour, f. Gmc. þraut- þreut- þrut-, base of OE. þratian (see below), þrotan trouble, Du. verdrieten, weary, OHG. irdriozan vex (G. verdriessen) Goth. usþriutan trouble. So vb. (arch. or dial.) OE. þratian, superseded by threaten (-EN5) †press, urge OE.; utter threats against XIII; be ominous (of) XVII. OE. þratnian.

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three

OE. þr(e) m., þro, þro f., n. = OS. thria, threa, thriu (Du. drie), OHG. dr dro, driu (G. drei), ON. þrír, þriár, þriú, Goth. þreis, þrija :- Gmc. þrijiz :- IE. trejes, whence also L. trs, Gr. treîs, Skr. tráya-, etc.

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threnody

lament for the dead, dirge. XVII. — Gr. thrnidí, f. thrênos funeral lament + id ODE; see -Y3.

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thresh

separate the grain from (corn) by beating, etc. ME. threshen (XII), continuing metathetic alt. of OE. str. vb. þers.an = MLG., MDu. derschen (LG., Du. dorschen), OHG. dreskan (G. dreschen), ON. þreskja, Goth. þriskan, f. Gmc. þersk- :- IE. tersk-, repr. in Balto-Sl. by words denoting ‘crackle’, ‘crash’, ‘rattle’. Hence thresher (-ER1) person or machine that threshes XIV; shark so named from the upper division of its tail with which it lashes an enemy XVII.

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threshold

sill of a doorway, entrance to a building. OE. þers.old, þres.old = ON. þresk(j)ldr (cf. OHG. driscfli); the first el. is OE. þers.an THRESH, in the sense ‘tread, trample’, the second el. is unexpl.

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thrice

XII. ME. þrizes, þries, f. synon. þrie :- OE. þra, var. of þrwa = OS. thr(uu)o, f. þri- THREE + advb.-a; see -S.

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thrift

†thriving condition XIII; †prosperity, success; †gains, savings XIV; industry; economical management; plant of the genus Armeria XVI.-ON. þrift, f. þrífask THRIVE; see -T1. Hence thrifty (-Y1) thriving; †worshipful, respectable XIV; careful of expenditure XVI.

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thrill

A
†pierce (lit. and fig.) XIII;

B
affect, be affected, with a wave of emotion XVI;
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C
†hurl (a piercing weapon) XVII;
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D
quiver XVIII. Metathetic var. of (dial.) thirl, OE. þrlian, f. þr(e)l perforation, hole, aperture :- þyrhil, þurhil, f. þurh THROUGH + -EL1. The rise of senses C and D is not clearly accounted for.
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Hence sb. XVII.

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thrips

minute insect infecting plants. XVIII. — L. — Gr. thríps, pl. thrîpes wood-worm.

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thrive

pt. throve, pp. thriven; also pt., pp. thrived †grow, increase XII; prosper XIII. — ON. þrífask, refl. of þrífa lay hold of suddenly, grasp.

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throat

OE. þrote, þrotu = OHG. drozza (MHG. drozze), f. Gmc. þrut- þrt- (repr. also by ON. þroti swelling. OE. þrtian, ON. þrútna swell). Hence throaty (-Y1) XVII.

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throb

(of the heart) beat strongly XIV; (gen.) pulsate XIX. Presumably of imit. orig. Hence sb. XVI.

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throe

†spasm, paroxysm XII; agony of death XIII; violent convulsion or struggle XVII. ME. þrowe, north. þrawe (Sc. thraw), also ‘time’, ‘occasion’ — OE. þrg, of unkn. orig.

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thrombosis

(path.) coagulation of the blood. XVIII. — Gr. thrómbsis curdling, f. thromboûsthai become curdled or clotted, f. thrómbos, lump, clot. whence thrombus XVII; see- -OSIS.

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throne

seat of state, of a deity XIII; third (from Col. 1: 16) order of angels XIV. ME. trone, (assim. early to the L. form) throne — OF. trone (mod. trône) — L. thronus — Gr. thrónos elevated seat. Hence throne vb. (arch.) ENTHRONE XIV; be enthroned XVII.

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throng

A
crowd XIII;

B
crowding, crowded condition XIV. In sense A — ON. þrng, corr. to OE. eþrang, MLG., MHG. gedrang (G. drang crowd, pressure); in sense B. f. throng vb. †press, crush; push one's way XIV; form a crowd, crowd round, press upon XVI; fill with a crowd XVII. The vb. is prob. orig. f. (dial.) throng adj. pressed close together (XIV) — ON. þrngr narrow, close, crowded, rel. to OE. þringan press, crowd, throng.
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throstle

thrush. OE. þrostle = OS. throsla, OHG. drscala (G. drossel), f. Gmc. þrau(d)st-, -sk-, rel. to L. turdus, etc. Cf. THRUSH1.

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throttle

compress the throat of, so as to suffocate. XIV. ME. throtel, -il, perh. f. THROAT + -LE3. So later sb. throat (XVI), which has the form of dim. of THROAT, like synon. G. drossel.

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through

prep. from end to end or from side to side of; by the agency or means of; adv. from end to end. OE. þurh = OS. thurh. thuru, (M)Du. door, OHG. duruh, -ih (G. durch) :- WGmc. þurx, of which a var. þerh is repr. by OE. (late Nhb.) þerh, þærch, Goth. þairh through, OHG. derh perforated; cf. further OE. þrel hole; the IE. base tr- is seen in OIr. tre, tri, L. trans across. The metathetic forms (þruh, etc.) appear c. 1300. Comp. throughout adv. right through OE.; prep. XI. OE. þurht.

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throw

pt. threw, pp. thrown twist (now only dial. or in techn. sense of preparing and twisting raw silk into thread XV); from XIII in various uses of cast. OE. str. vb. þrwan = OS. thrian (Du. draaien), OHG. dr(j)en, drwen (G. drehen); WGmc., based on IE. ter-, repr. by L. terere rub, Gr. teírein wear out. Hence sb. XVI.

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thrum1

end of a warp-thread left unwoven, short piece of waste thread. XIV. repr. OE. þrum in (under)tungeþrum ligament of the tongue = MDu. drom, drum (Du. dreum thrum), OHG., MHG. drum end-piece, remnant (G. trumm), f. Gmc. þrum- þram-; the IE. base trm- is repr. also by L. terminus, Gr. térma end.

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thrum2

play on a stringed instrument XVI; strum upon XVII; recite in singsong fashion; drum (on) XVIII. of imit. orig.

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thrush1

bird of the family Turdidae. OE. þrys.e (:- þruskjn), rel. to synon. OE. þrs.e, þras.e = OHG. drsca (:- þrauskn). Cf. THROSTLE.

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thrush2

A
disease (esp. of infants) marked by white specks in the mouth XVII;

B
in the horse, inflammation of the frog of the hoof XVIII. of unkn. orig.
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thrust

vb. XII. — ON. þrýsta. Hence sb. XVI.

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thud

†(Sc.) come with a blast of gust XVI. produce a dull heavy sound XVIII. prob. identical with OE. þyddan, ME. thüdde thrust, push (:- þudjan), rel. to OE. þoddettan push, beat (:- þudatjan) and þoden, ME. þode, early mod. thode violent wind. Hence thud sb blast, gust XVI; heavy blow XVIII; dull heavy sound XIX.

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thug

(Thug) professional robber and murderer in India, (hence) cut-throat, ruffian. XIX. — Hindi, Marathi hag cheat, swindler. So thuggee system practised by the thugs. XIX. -Hindi hag.

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thuja

now the more usual form of THUYA. XVIII.

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thumb

sb. OE. þma = OS. thma, MLG., MDu. dme (Du. duim), OHG. dmo (G. daumen) :- WGmc. þman-; repr. IE. tum-, one of several extensions of tu- swell. Hence vb. XVI.

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thump

strike or beat heavily. XVI. So as sb. XVI. of imit. orig.

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thunder

sb. OE. þunor = OS. thunar (Du. donder), OHG. donar (G. donner), ON. þórr :- Gmc. þunra, f. IE. t- ton-, as in L. tonre thunder. So vb. OE. þunrian. In thunderbolt (XV), thunderstroke (XVI) the reference is to the supposed destructive power of thunder as the accompaniment of lightning.

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thurible

censer. XV (turrible, thoryble). — (O)F. thurible or L. t(h)ribulum, f. t(h)s, t(h)r- incense — Gr. thúos sacrifice, offering, incense. So thurifer one who carries a thurible. XIX. — ecclL. (cf. -IFEROUS).

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Thursday

OE. þur(e)sdæ, for þunresdæ, f. g. of þunor THUNDER; partly assoc. with ON. þórsdagr; rendering late L. Jovis dies Jupiter's day.

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thus

OE. þus = OS. thus, (M)Du. dus, of unkn. orig. Hence thusness (joc.) XIX.

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thuya

one of a genus of conifers. XVIII. irreg. repr. of Gr. thia, var. of thú. See THUJA.

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thwack

beat or strike as with a stick. XVI. of imit. orig. Hence sb. XVI.

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thwart1

(arch.) adv. and prep. athwart XII (first in þwert ut thoroughly); adj. obstinate, perverse XIII. ME. þwert — ON. þvert, orig. n. of þverr transverse, cross = OE. þwe(o)rh crooked, cross, perverse, OHG. dwerh, G. zwerch, Goth. þwairhs cross, angry :- Gmc. þwer?waz, f. IE. twerk- twork-, as in L. torqure twist. Hence thwart vb. †oppose XIII; †extend from side to side of XV; †place crosswise XVI; foil, frustrate.

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thwart2

rower's bench. XVIII. var. (presumably after THWART1) of thought, which is evidenced from XIV as a var. of earlier dial. thoft, OE. þofte = MDu. dofte, dochte (Du. doft), OHG. dofta, ON. þopta :- Gmc. tuft; the history is obscure.

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thy

clipped form of THINE (ME. þi XII).

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thylacine

Tasmanian wolf (a carnivorous marsupial). XIX. — F., f. Gr. thlakos pouch; see -INE1.

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thyme

XIV. — (O)F. thym — L. thymum — Gr. thúmon, f. thein burn sacrifice.

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thyro

- used as comb. form of next. XIX.

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thyroid

(anat.) t. cartilage Adam's apple; t. gland, t. body one of the ‘ductless glands’. XVIII. — F. †thyroide or modL. thyroids — Gr. thuroids, erron. for thureoeids, f. thureós stone put against a door, oblong, shield (as door-shaped), f. thúr DOOR; see -OID.

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thyrsus pl. thyrsi

(Gr. and Rom. antiq.) staff or spear tipped with a pine-cone ornament; (bot.) form of inflorescence. XVIII. — L. — Gr. thúrsos stalk of a plant.

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thyself

emph. and refl. vars. of THOU and THEE. ME. þi sülf, þi self (XIII), repl. þ self (OE. to XIV), i.e. THEE and SELF; cf. MYSELF.

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ti

see TE.

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tiara

conical cap of ancient Persians XVI; pope's triple crown XVII; lady's ornamental headband XVIII. — L. tira — Gr. tira, tirs, partly through It. tiara.

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tibia

larger of the two bones of the lower leg. XVIII. — L. tbia shin-bone, flute. So tibial (-AL1) XVI. — L.

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tice

(dial.) Aphetic of †attice, -ise, ENTICE, but earlier than these forms and prob. immed. — OF. atisier. Hence sb. yorker (in cricket).

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tick1

kind of mite. OE. ticca or tca (recorded once as ticia. VIII), ME. tyke, teke, later ticke (XVI), corr., with variation of vowel and cons., to MLG., MDu. tke (Du. teek), OHG. zcho (G. zecke), f. WGmc. tk- tikk-; the ME. forms may be partly due to MLG. or MDu.

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tick2

(dial.) touch or tap lightly, esp. toy, dally XIII; make short quick beats XVIII; mark with a dash, etc. XIX. prob. imit. So sb. slight touch XV; quick dry sound XVII; small dot or dash XIX. The parallel LG. tikk touch, instant, Du. tik pat, touch, tikken pat, tick, OHG. zekn pluck, etc., may point to a WGmc. base, or the various forms may be independent expressive formations.

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tick3

case or cover of a mattress or pillow, (hence) material of this. XV (tikke, tke, tke). corr. to and prob. immed. — MLG., MDu. tke and MDu. tke (Du. tijk), rel. to OHG. ziahha, ziecha (G. zieche bed-tick, pillow-case); WGmc.- L. thca — Gr. thk case, f. IE. dh- place (see DO1).

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tick4

in phr. (go, run, play) on tick on credit, on trust XVII. Short for TICKET.

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ticket

(short) written notice, label; †voucher, warrant, promise to pay XVI; slip bearing evidence of the holder's title to something XVII; (U.S.) list of candidates for election XVIII; the t., the correct thing XIX. Aphetic — F. †étiquet, OF. estiquet(te), f. estiquier, estequier fix, stick, var. of estichier, estechier — MDu. steken; see -ET. Hence vb. XVII.

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tickle

†be thrilled XIV; excite agreeably; touch, stroke, or poke so as to excite XV. prob. frequent. of TICK2; see -LE3.

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ticktack

expressive of duplicated or alternating ticking sound. XVI. So tick-tick XVIII, tick-tock (of the ticking of a clock) XIX.

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tidal

XIX. f. TIDE1 B + -AL1.

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tiddlywink

A
(sl.) beershop;

B
(pl.) game played with (1) dominoes, (2) counters. XIX. of unkn. orig.
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tide1

A
†portion of time, season, age; †hour; (arch.) point of time, due time; definite time of day or of the year (surviving in eventide, noontide, springtide); church anniversary or festival (arch. except as in Eastertide, Shrovetide, Whitsuntide) OE.;

B
swelling of the sea or its alternate rising and falling XIV. OE. td = OS. td (Du. tijd), OHG. zt (G. zeit), ON. tí :- Gmc. tdiz, f. t- :- IE. d- d(i)- divide, cut up, repr. by Gr. daiesthai divide, distribute, Skr. dâti, dyâti cuts, harvests, shares. In B prob. after MLG. (ge)tde, te, MDu. ghetde (Du. (ge)tij), a special development of the sense ‘fixed time’.
Top
So tide vb. (arch.) happen, befall. OE. tdan, earlier etdan, f. the sb.

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tide2

flow or carry along like the tide XVI; get over, surmount XVII. f. TIDE1 B.

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tidings

(pl.; formerly also sg.) piece of news. Late OE. tdung, prob., with assim. to -ING1, anglicization of ON. tíóendi, -indi events, news, f. tíór adj. happening, occurring.

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tidy

in good condition, of good appearance XIII; timely, seasonable (presumably the orig. sense); excellent, worthy XIV; of neat habits or appearance XVIII; pretty good, pretty big XIX; sb. object for keeping persons or things neat XIX. ME. tdi, f. td time, TIDE1 + -Y1. Hence vb. XIX.

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tie

that with which anything is fastened OE.; fig. bond, connection XVI; equality between competitors XVII. OE. t(a)g = ON. taug rope :- Gmc. tauz, f. taux;- draw. So tie vb. make fast. OE. tan, late form of WS. tegan, Angl. tan (ME. tzen) :- Gmc. tauzjan. (cf. ON. teygja draw).

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tier

row, rank of seats, shelves, etc. XVI. — (O)F. tire sequence, rank, order, f. tirer draw. draw out :- Rom. trre, of unkn. orig.

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tierce

†third part XV; third hour of the day (9 a.m.); canonical office said at this hour (TERCE) XIV; wine measure or cask XVI; third of the parries in fencing; sequence of three playing cards XVII; (mus.) note two octaves and a major third above a fundamental note XVII; (her.) division of a shield into three equal parts XIX. — (O)F. t(i)erce :- L. tertia, sb. use of fem. of tertius THIRD.

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tiff

†slight fit of temper; slight quarrel. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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tiffany

kind of thin transparent silk. XVII. perh. punning use (quasi transparency) of tiffany — OF. tifanie :- ecclL. theophania — Gr. theopháneia, -phánia Epiphany, f. theós god + phan- appear.

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tiffin

in India, etc., a light midday meal. XVIII. For tiffing, gerund of (sl. or dial.) tiff drink, sip (XVIII).

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tiger

XIII. ME.tygre — (O)F. tigre — L. tigris — Gr.tigris. Hence tigress (-ESS1) XVII.

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tight

†dense XIV; of close construction so as to exclude air, etc.; firmly fixed; taut; (dial.) capable, vigorous XVI; (dial.) neat, trim XVII; close-fitting XVIII; (sl.) close-fisted; drunk XIX. prob. alt. of thight — ON. pehtr, péttr watertight, of close texture = OE. -piht firm, solid, MLG., MDu. dicht :- pinxtaz, f. pinx- grow, repr. by OE. (e)pon, OHG. gidhan (G. gedeihen grow, thrive), Goth. (ga)peihan. As sb. pl. for tight breeches, trousers XIX. Hence tighten (-EN5) XVIII.

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tilde

sign ˜ placed over n in Spanish to indicate the palatalized sound. XIX. — Sp. — L. titulus TITLE.

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tile

thin slab of burnt clay for roofing, paving, etc. OE. tiele (tiule), corr. to OS. tiegla (Du. tegel), OHG. ziagal(a) (G. ziegel), ON. tigl — L. tgula, f. IE. teg- cover.

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till1

labour upon, cultivate. OE. tilian strive after, attempt, obtain, treat, (late) cultivate = OS. tilian, tilon obtain (Du. telen produce, raise, cultivate), OHG. ziln, ziln (G. zielen aim, strive), Goth. gatiln :- Gmc. tiljan, tiljan, f. tilam aim, goal (see next). Hence tillage XV.

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till2

prep. (Sc. and north.) to OE.; up to the time of XIV; conj. to the time that XII. OE. (Nhb.) til prep. = ON. til; prob. from adv. use of Gmc. sb. tilam, repr. by OE. till fixed point, station, MLG. til, tel aim, point of time, OHG. zil (G. ziel end, goal), ON. aldrtili ‘end of life’, death, Goth. til opportunity. In ME. (and later) use due to adoption of the ON. word.

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till3

†small box, etc. contained within a larger one XV; box or drawer for holding cash in a shop XVII. of unkn. orig.

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tiller

beam or stock of a crossbow XV; bar or beam attached to the rudder-head XVII. ME. tiler, telor — AN. telier weaver's beam :- medL. tlrium, f. L. tla web.

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tilt1

†throw down or over; †fall over XIV; move unsteadily up and down; cause to lean or slant XVI. ME. tilte, tylte may repr. OE. tyltan, tieltan :- taltjan, f. taltaz (OE. tealt unsteady). Hence tilt sb. inclination. XVI.

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tilt2

covering of coarse cloth, esp. awning over a cart or boat XV; in Labrador, etc. fisherman's or woodcutter's hut XIX. var. of tild, teld (= (O)HG. zelt), perh. influenced by TENT1.

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tilt3

barrier separating combatants in an exercise in which the participants ride against each other with lances; the combat itself. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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tilth

tillage, husbandary; †harvest OE.; tilled land XIV. Late OE. til(e), f. tilian -TILL1; see -TH1.

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timbal

(arch.) kettledrum. XVII. — F. timbale, alt. of †tamballe — (with assim. to tambour drum) Sp. atabal — Arab. a-abl drum (a- is AL-2).

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timbale

membrane resembling a drumhead in certain insects; dish of meat, etc. cooked in a crust, so called from its shape. XIX. — F. (see prec.).

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timber

†building, edifice; †building material, (later) wood for building; growing trees OE.; wooden object, spec. beam XIV. OE. timber = OS. timbar, OHG. zimbar (G. zimmer room), ON. timbr :- Gmc. timram :- IE. demrom, f. dm- dm- dm- build.

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timbre

XIX. (O)F. timbre (orig.) timbrel, bell, (whence) sound as of a bell :- Rom. timbano — medGr. tímbanon, Gr. túmpanon TYMPANUM.

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timbrel

tambourine-like instrument of percussion. XVI (timberal). perh. dim. of synon. †timbre (XIII) — OF. timbre; see prec. and -EL2.

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time

limited stretch of continued existence; period or point in the course of this OE.; indefinite continuous duration XIV. OE. tma = ON. tími time, good time, prosperity :- Gmc. tman-, f. t- stretch, extend. Cf. TIDE1. Hence time vb. †befall XIII; fix, note, etc. the time of XIV. timely well-timed, †early. XII. Modelled on timely adv., OE. tmlce; see -LY1, -LY2. timeous (chiefly Sc.) timely. XV. timepiece XVIII.

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timid

XVI. — F. timide or L. timidus, f. timre fear; see -ID1.

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timocracy

polity with a property qualification for its ruling class XVI; polity in which love of honour is the dominant motive with the rulers XVII. — (O)F. timocratie — medL. tmocratia — Gr. tmokratí, f. tmeý honour, value + kratí -CRACY.

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timorous

XV. — (O)F. temoros, -eus (mod. timoreux) — medL. timorsus, f. L. timor fear; see -OUS.

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tin

white highly malleable metal. OE. tin = (M)LG., (M)Du. tin, OHG. zin (G. zinn), ON. tin :- Gmc. tinam, of unkn. orig.

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tinamou

S. Amer. bird. XVIII. — F. — Galibi tinamu.

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tincture

†dye, pigment XIV; hue, colour (spec. in her.) XV; †imparted quality, tinge; †(alch.) supposed spiritual principle XVI; †essential principle of a substance; solution of a medicinal principle XVII. — L. tinctra dyeing, f. tinct-, pp. stem of tingere dye, TINGE; see -URE.

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tindal

native petty officer of Lascars; foreman of a gang. XVII. — Hind. tael — Malayalam taal, Telugu taelu.

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tinder

dry material that readily takes fire from a spark. OE. tynder, tyndre, corr. (with variation in suffix and gender) to (M)LG. tunder, (Du. tonder), OHG. zuntara (G. zunder), ON. tundr, f. Gmc. tund- tend- tand-, whence OE. causative -tendan, dial. tind kindle, ignite, Goth. tandjan.

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tine

sharp projecting point, spec. of an antler. OE. tind = MLG. tind, OHG. zint, ON. tindr, rel. to synon. MLG. tinne, OHG. zinna.

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tinea

ringworm. XVII. — L. tinea gnawing worm, moth, worm in the body.

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ting

sound (a small bell, etc.) XV; emit a high singing note XVI. of imit. orig.

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tinge

impart a slight change of colour to. XV. — L. tingere dip in liquid, moisten.

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tingle

be affected with a ringing or thrilling sensation. XIV. app. modification of TINKLE.

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tinker

mender of pots, kettles, etc. XIII; (dial.) gipsy, itinerant trader, etc. XVI. of uncert. orig.

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tinkle

(of the ears) ring, tingle XIV; give forth short sharp ringing sounds XIV. app. f. †tink chink (vb.) (XIV), of imit. orig.; see -LE3.

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tinnitus

(path.) ringing in the ears. XIX. — L. tinntus, f. tinnre ring, tinkle, of imit. orig.

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tinsel

†attrib. embellished with gold or silver thread; sb. fabric so embellished; thin plates, strips, etc. of shining metal used for ornament XVI; fig. showy but valueless stuff XVII. First in tinsell(e) saten, prob. repr. AN. satin estincelé (hence, by ellipsis, used sb.); (O)F. estincelé, f. estincele (mod. étincelle spark), repr. popL. stincilla, f. L. SCINTILLA.

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tint

(slight or delicate) hue. XVIII. alt. (perh. by assim. to It. tinto) of †tinct (XVII) — L. tinctus dyeing, f. pp. stem of tingere dye, TINGE. Hence vb. XVIII.

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tintinnabulum

small tinkling bell. XVI. — L., f. tintinnre, redupl. f. tinnre ring, tinkle. Hence tintinnabulation XIX.

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tiny

XVI. In the earliest exx. always preceded by little; extension with -Y1 of synon. †tine (XIV), of unkn. orig.

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-tion

ME. -cio(u)n, repr. (O)F. -tion, earlier -cion, -ciun, repr. L. -ti, -n-, comp. suffix f. -t- of a pp. stem + -i, -n- -ION; orig. expressing the state of being what the pp. imports, e.g. complti COMPLETION, thence transferred to the action or process involved, and so acquiring a concr. or quasi-concr. notion, as in dicti DICTION, nti birth, NATION, orti mode of speaking, ORATION. So -tious repr. L. -tisus, forming adjs. rel. to sbs. in -tion, as ambition/ambitious, nutrition/nutritious.

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tip1

fine or slender extremity XV; vb. (first in pp.) furnish with a tip XIV. — ON. typpi sb., typpa vb., f. Gmc. tupp- TOP1; prob. reinforced by (M)LG., (M)Du. tip.

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tip2

tap or touch lightly. XIII (in fig. use; thereafter not till XVI); give, hand, pass XVII; give a gratuity to XVIII. perh. orig. identical with TIP1. as if ‘touch the point of’, or ‘touch as with a point’. Hence tip sb. gratuity XVIII; friendly hint XIX; whence tipster XIX.

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tip3

(dial.) overturn, be overturned XIV; incline, tilt; empty out by tilting XVII. of uncert. orig.

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tipcat

game in which a ‘cat’ (short piece of wood tapered at both ends XVII) is struck with a stick. XIX. f. TIP2 + CAT.

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tippet

(hist.) long narrow piece of cloth as part of a dress XIV; garment covering the shoulders XV; (eccl.) clergyman's scarf XVI. perh. — AN. deriv. of TIP1 (see -ET).

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tippler

†retailer of drink, tapster XIV; (from the vb.) habitual drinker XVI. of unkn. orig. Hence tipple vb. †retail drink XV; drink habitually XVI.

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tipstaff

†staff with a tip carried by some officials; such an official, bailiff, etc. XVI. Alt. of tipt (tipped) staff; see TIP1.

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tipsy

slightly drunk. XVI. f. TIP3 + -SY.

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tiptoe

(pl.) the tips of the toes. XIV; adv. XVI. f. TIP1 + TOE.

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tiptop

sb. highest point; adj. very highest. XVIII. redupl. of TOP1, prob. with assoc. of TIP1.

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tirade

volley of words; section of verse on a single theme. XIX — F. — It. tirata volley, f. tirare :- Rom. trre draw, of unkn. orig.; see -ADE.

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tire1

†fail, give out; become exhausted; exhaust, weary, OE. torian, freq. in comps. torian, etorian, of unkn. orig. Hence tiresome XVI.

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tire2

†get ready, equip; †attire XIV; dress (the hair or head) XVI. Aphetic of ATTIRE. Hence (arch.) tiring house XVI, -room XVII, dressingroom of a theatre.

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tire3

see TYRE.

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tiro, tyro

beginner, novice. XVII. In earliest use pl. tyrones (with occas. sg. †tyron) — L. tr, pl. trnes, in medL. also tr, -ns, young soldier, recruit, beginner.

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tissue

(arch.) rich cloth, esp. interwoven with gold or silver; †band of rich stuff XIV; woven fabric XVI; (fig.) fabric, network XVIII; animal or vegetable substance XIX. — OF. tissu, sb. use of pp. of tistre weave :- L. texere weave.

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tit1

(dial. and vulgar) TEAT. OE. tit, corr. to (M)LG. titte, Du. tit, (M)HG. zitze. Hence titty (-Y6) XVIII.

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tit2

(dial.) small horse, (later) nag; (dial.) girl, young woman XVI; short for titmouse XVIII. Occurs much earlier in comps. TITMOUSE (XIV) and titling †small kind of stockfish (XIV), (dial.) hedge-sparrow, etc. (XVI), prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. Icel. titlingr sparrow, Norw. dial. titling small size of dried stockfish).

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tit3

in phr. tit for tat (cf. synon. †tip for tap) XVI. of symbolic orig.

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Titan

the sun-god XV; (pl.) family of giants, born of Uranus and Gaea, (sg.) ancestor of these XVII; (gen.) giant XIX. — L. Ttan, -án-, elder brother of Kronos — Gr. Ttán, pl. Ttânes. Hence titanic XVII.

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titanium

(chem.) metallic element. XVIII. f. Gr. Titán TITAN. after uranium; see -IUM.

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titbit

delicate or toothsome morsel XVII; interesting item XVIII. Earliest form tyd bit, i.e. tid, dial. word equiv. to nice, + BIT2.

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tithe

adj. (arch.) tenth OE.; sb. tenth part of annual produce paid to the Church XII; tenth part XVI. OE. toða, contr. of teogoða, ME. tiz(e)þe, tþe; see TENTH. Hence tithe vb. OE. toðian, teogoðian grant a tithe of. So tithing (-ING1) church tithe; company orig. of ten householders in the system of frankpledge. OE. (Angl.) teðing; (WS.) toðung.

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titillate

tickle. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. ttillre; see -ATE3. So titillation (pleasurable) excitation XV; tickling XVII. — (O)F. or L.

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titivate

XIX. Earlier tid(d)ivate, perh. f. TIDY after cultivate.

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title

†inscription or legend; ground of right or claim XIII; name of a book, etc., descriptive appellation XIV; (eccl.) certificate of presentation to a benefice, etc.; legal right to possession XV. — OF. title (mod. titre) — L. titulus placard, inscription, title.

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titmouse

small bird of the genus Parus. XIV. ME. titmse. f. TIT2 + mse, OE. mse = MLG., MDu. mse (Du. mess), OHG. meisa (G. meise) :- WGmc. maisn (cf. ON. meisingr). Alt. XVI by assoc. with MOUSE.

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titrate

(chem.) ascertain the amount of a constituent in, by volumetric analysis. XIX. f. F. titrer, f. titre TITLE, qualification, fineness of gold or silver, (chem.) proportioning of the fixed quantity of a reagent used in analysis; see -ATE3.

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titter

laugh in a suppressed manner. XVII. of imit. orig.

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tittle

point or dot over or under a letter XIV; smallest part or amount XV; to a t. with minute exactness XVII. ME. titel, -il — L. titulus TITLE, in medieval sense of ‘little stroke’, ‘accent’.

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tittle-tattle

idle talk or chatter. XVI. redupl. formation on TATTLE or combination of this with (dial.) title (XIV).

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titty

see TIT1.

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titubate

stagger, totter. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. titubre; see -ATE3. So titubation XVII.- L.

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titular

pert. to, serving as, or existing only in title. XVIII. — F. titulaire or f. L. titulus TITLE; see -AR.

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tmesis

(gram.) separation of the elements of a word by interposing another. XVI. — Gr. tmêsis cutting.

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T.N.T.

initials of the els. of trinitrotoluene. XX.

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to

prep. expressing motion or direction towards an object, addition, or the notion of the dative; with inf. meaning ‘for the purpose or with the object of’ (doing something), hence serving without meaning as a sign of the inf.; adv. (with full stress) surviving as in to and fro, shut to, and the like, and in TOO. OE. t adv. and prep. (mainly with dat.) = OS. t (Du. toe adv.), OHG. z, zuo (G. zu) :- WGmc. t, alongside OE. (ME.) te = OS. te, ti (Du. te), OHG. ze, zi, za :- WGmc. ta. The IE. base do, do is repr. also by L. endo. indu (poet.) in, dnec until, Gr. oîkonde homewards, OSl. do to, till.

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toad

OE. tde, tda, (in place-names), shortening of tdi()e, early ME. also tadde (XII); of unkn. orig. Comp. toadstool XV (tode stole; earlier tad(e) stole XIV).

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toady

servile parasite. XIX. Based on toad-eater charlatan's attendant who ate toads (held to be poisonous) XVII, fawning flatterer, humble friend or dependant XVIII; see -Y6. Hence vb. XIX.

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toast1

parch XVI; brown (bread, etc.) by exposure to heat XIV. — OF. toster roast, grill :- Rom. tostre, f, tost-, pp. stem of L. torrre parch. Hence sb. toasted bread. XV.

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toast2

orig. favourite lady whose health is drunk to. XVII. Said to have been so named as being supposed to flavour the bumper like a spiced toast (TOAST1) in drink.

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tobacco

XVI (tabac(c)o). — Sp., Pg. tabaco, of uncert. orig. Hence tobacconist †tobacco-smoker XVI; seller of tobacco XVII.

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toboggan

sb. XIX. — Canadian F. tabaganne, of Algonquian orig. Hence vb. XIX.

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Toby

familiar form of the name Tobias used as the name of
1 a jug or mug in the form of a stout old man with a three-cornered hat,
2 a trained dog in the Punch-and-Judy show. XIX.

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toccata

(mus.) piece for keyboard instruments intended to exhibit touch and technique. XVIII. — It., sb. use of fem. pp. of toccare TOUCH.

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tocher

(Sc. and north. dial.) dowry. XV (toquhyr). — Ir., OGael. tochar (modGael. tochradh) assigned portion. f. (OIr.) tochuirim I put to, assign, f. cuirim I put.

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tocsin

alarm signal given by a bell. XVI (tocksaine). — F. tocsin, OF. touquesain, toquassen — Pr. tocasenh, f. tocar strike +senh bell.

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tod1

(dial.) fox. XII. of unkn. orig.

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tod2

weight used for wool XV; bushy mass (esp. of ivy) XVI. prob. of LG. or Du. orig. (cf. LG. todde bundle, pack).

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today

on this very day OE.; in these days XIII; sb. this day XVI; this present time XIX. OE. tdæ, f. t TO + dæ DAY.

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toddle

†toy with; walk with short unsteady steps. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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toddy

sap obtained from species of palm XVII; beverage made with whisky and hot water and sugar XVIII. Earlier also tarrie, terry. — Hind. tr, f. tr palm tree :- Skr. tla- palmyra.

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to-do

activity, bustle, fuss. XVII. Evolved from such phr. as with much or more to do, in which much and more were orig. sbs. but were later apprehended as adjs. with to-do as a sb.

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toe

sb. OE. t = MLG. t, (M)Du. tee, OHG. zha (G. zeh(e)), ON. tá :- Gmc. taix(w)n, of unkn. orig. Hence toe vb. furnish with a toe XVII; touch, etc., with the toe XIX.

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toff

(sl.) stylish or smart person. XIX. The occas. var. toft may point to an alt. of TUFT as applied to noblemen and gentlemen-commoners at the university of Oxford.

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toffee

XIX. alt. of earlier north. taffy; of unkn. orig.

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toft

site of a house. Late OE. toft — ON. topt.

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tog

(sl.) †outer coat XVIII; (pl.) clothes XIX. prob. shortening of cant tog(e)mans cloak, loose coat (XVI–XVII), f. F. toge or L. toga (see next) + -man(s), as in darkman(s) night, etc.

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toga

XVI. — L., rel. to tegere cover. Hence togaed (-ED2) XIX; earlier †toged (XVII). Based on L. togtus.

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together

into one company OE., in one company or body XIII. ME. togedere, repl. togadere, OE. tgædere = MDu. tegadere (Du. -er); f. t TO + gad-, as in OE. gæd fellowship, egada associate; cf. GATHER.

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toggle

(orig., naut.) device, e.g. a pin, to hold a thing in place. XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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toil1

†verbal dispute, strife, turmoil XIII; (from the vb.) severe labour XVI. — AN. toil = OF. tooil, touil, tueil bloody mêlée, trouble, confusion, f. tooillier (see below). So toil vb. †contend in a lawsuit, dispute; labour arduously. XIV. — AN. toiler dispute, wrangle = OF. tooillier (mod. touiller mix, stir up) :-. L. tudiculre stir about, f. tudicula machine for bruising olives, f. tud-, base of tundere beat, crush.

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toil2

(sg. and pl.) net(s) set to enclose game. XVI. — OF. toile, teile (mod. toile cloth, linen, web) :- — L. tla :- texl, f. tex- weave.

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toilet

†cloth wrapper XVI; cloth cover for a dressing table, furniture of this, the table itself; dressing XVII; (lady's) dress XIX. — F. toilette, dim. of toile cloth, etc.; prec.. -ET.

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tokay

rich sweet wine made near Tokaj in Hungary. XVIII. — F. vin de Tokay, G. Tokayerwein, tr. Hung. tokaji bor (bor wine).

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token

sign, symbol, signal OE.; stamped piece of metal XVI; quantity of press work XVII. OE. tc(e)n = OS. tcan (Du. teeken), OHG. zeihhan (G. zeichen), ON. teikn :- Gmc. taiknam (cf. Goth. taikns :- taikniz), rel. to taikjan show, TEACH. So token vb. OE. tcnian = MLG. tkenen. OHG. zeihhanen, -n (G. zeichnen), Goth. taiknjan.

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tolbooth

†custom-house XIV; town hall, guild-hall; town prison (orig. cells under the town hall) XV. f. TOLL1 + BOOTH.

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Toledo

(arch.) T. (blade, sword), one made at Toledo in Spain, long famous for finely tempered swordblades. XVI:

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tolerable

bearable, endurable XV; †allowable; passable, moderate XVI. — (O)F. tolérable — L. tolerbilis. f. tolerre bear, endure; see -ABLE. So tolerance †endurance XV; disposition to be indulgent. XVIII. — (O)F. tolérance — L. tolerantia.

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tolerant

tolerate

XVIII. — F. tolérant, prp. of tolérer.

†endure; allow to exist XVI. — pp. stem of L. tolerre; see -ATE2. toleration †endurance; †permission; forbearance XVI; allowance of the exercise of religion XVII. — F. — L.

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toll1

payment for a privilege OE.; charge for a right of passage XV. OE. toll = OHG. zol (G. zoll), ON. tollr m., with by-forms OE. toln (†tolne XI–XV), OS. tolna fem. — medL. tolneum, alt. of late L. telneum — Gr. telónion toll-house, f. telóns collector of taxes, f. télos toll, tax.

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toll2

(of a bell or the ringer) give forth a sound from a bell repeated at regular intervals XV. perh. spec. use of toll pull, usu. fig. entice, OE. tollian, rel. to fortyllan seduce.

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tolu

balsam obtained from the tolu tree (Myroxylon balsamum). XVII. Name of a town in Columbia, S. America. Hence toluol (chem.) earlier term for toluene, obtained from tolu balsam. XIX.

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Tom

familiar abbrev. of the pers. name Thomas, used (i) as the name of certain large bells (XVII), and long guns (XIX, Long Tom); (ii) in designations originating in quasi-proper names as tom-fool †half-witted man (XVI), buffoon (XVII), stupid person (XVIII); hence tomfoolery (XIX); tom-noddy puffin (XVIII), foolish person (XIX); (iii) as the colloq. designation of a male cat, originating in ‘The Life and Adventures of a Cat’ (1760) in which the hero, a male cat, is called Tom the Cat. Hence dim. Tommy (-Y6) spec. short for Tommy Atkins familiar form of Thomas Atkins, name of a typical private soldier in the British army arising out of its use in specimen forms of description in official regulations from 1815. Also tomboy †bold boy or woman; wild romping girl XVI; tomtit TITMOUSE (XVIII).

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tomahawk

XVII. of Algonquian orig.

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tomato

XVII (tomate). — F. or Sp., Pg. tomate — Nahuatl tomatl; tomato, tomata, and tomatum were pseudo-Sp. and L. modifications (XVIII).

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tomb

XIII. ME. t(o)umbe — AN. tumbe, (O)F. tombe :- late L. tumba — Gr. túmbos mound, tomb.

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tombac

alloy of copper and zinc. XVII. — F. Malay tmbaga copper.

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tombola

XIX. — F. for It., f. tombolare turn a somersault, tumble.

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tomboy

see TOM.

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tome

†volume of a literary work; (large or heavy) book XVI. — F. — L. tomus — Gr. tómus slice, piece, roll of papyrus, volume.

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-tome1

terminal el. repr. Gr. -tómon, n. of -tómos -cutting, forming names of surgical instruments used in separations expressed by the corr. words in -TOMY.

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-tome2

terminal el. repr. Gr. tomé cutting, section, segment.

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tomentose

closely covered with down. XVII. f. L. tmentum stuffing for cushions; see -OSE1.

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Tommy

see TOM.

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tomorrow

adv. XIII; sb. XIV. ME. to mor(e)we, earlier to morwen (mod. dial. to morn), OE. t morenne, i.e. t TO + d. of moren MORN, MORROW.

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tom-tom

XVII. — Hind. tam tam.

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-tomy

terminal el. repr. Gr. -tomí, often through L. -tomia, F. -tomie, forming abstract sbs. from adjs. in -tómos cutting.

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ton1

unit used in measuring the carrying capacity of a ship, orig. space occupied by a tun of wine XIV; measure of capacity for solid commodities XV; 20 cwt. Identical in origin with TUN, of which it is a differentiated var. established in these senses since late XVII.

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ton2

the vogue, the mode. XVIII. — F. :- L. tonus TONE.

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-ton

terminal el. of many town names, repr. unstressed development of OE. tn TOWN, and consequently in many surnames, e.g. Longton, Somerton, whence extended to form designations of persons and things, as simpleton, singleton.

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tondo

circular painting. XIX. — It. tondo round, circle, aphetic of rotondo round.

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tone

musical sound or note XIV; larger interval between notes in the diatonic scale XVII; pitch, modulation of voice, etc.; degree of tension; style of thought, etc. prevailing state of conduct, etc.; any of the nine plainsong tunes XVIII; word or syllable accent; quality of colour XIX. repr. various adoptions of (O)F. ton or its source L. tonus tension, sound, tone — Gr. tónos. So tonal XVIII. — medL. tonlis; see -AL1 — tonality XIX.

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tonga

two-wheeled vehicle used in India. XIX. — Hindi tng.

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tongs

OE. tang(e), corr. to OS. tanga (Du. tang), OHG. zanga (G. zange), ON. tng :- Gmc. tang- :- IE. dan - bite, repr. also by Gr. dáknein bite, Skr. dáati bites.

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tongue

muscular organ in the mouth; speech, language OE.; tongue-like object XVI. OE. tunge = OS. tunga (Du. tong), OHG. zunga (G. zunge), ON. tunga, Goth. tugg :- Gmc. tunzn, rel. to L. lingua — dingua.

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tonic

pert. to tension XVII; increasing or restoring the tone of the body XVIII; (mus.) pert. to the keynote; pert to tone in speech XIX; sb. tonic medicine XVIII; keynote XIX. — F. tonique or Gr. tonikós, f. tónos TONE.

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to-night

on the night following this day OE.; on this present night XIII; †(dial.) last night XIII; sb. this night, the night following this day XIII. OE. tniht. f. t TO + niht NIGHT.

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tonka

t. bean, seed of S. Amer. tree of the genus Dipteryx. XVIII. — local name in Guyana.

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tonnage

duty levied on wine imported in tuns XV, †charge for the hire of a ship at so much per ton of her burden XVI; charge per ton of freight XVII; shipping in relation to carrying capacity; carrying capacity of a ship expressed in tons of 100 cubic feet XVIII. — OF tonnage, f. tonne TUN; later assoc. directly with TON1; see -AGE.

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tonneau

rear body of a motor car. XX. — F., spec. application of tonneau cask (OF. tonnel), dim. of tonne TUN.

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tonsil

(usu. pl) gland at either side of the back of the mouth. XVII. — F. tonsilles or L. tonsillæ pl.

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tonsorial

pert. to a barber. XIX. f. L. tonsrius, f. tonsor barber, f. tons-; see next and -IAL.

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tonsure

shaving of the head. XIV. — (O)F. tonsure or L. tonsra, f. tons-, pp. stem of tondre shear, clip; see -URE.

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tontine

a financial system. XVIII. — F., f. name of Lorenzo Tonti , Neapolitan banker who initiated the scheme in France c. 1653.

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too

in addition, besides, moreover; †exceedingly; in excess, excessively. Str. form of TO adv., so sp. since XVI.

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tool

OE. tl = ON. tól (n. pl.):- Gmc. twlam, f. tw- taw-, whence OE. tawian prepare; see -EL1, TAW1.

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toot

sound a horn. XVI. prob. — (M)LG. tten, unless a parallel imit. formation. Hence tootle (-LE3) XIX.

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tooth pl. teeth.

OE. t = OS. (Du.) tand, OHG. zan (G. zahn), ON. tonn :- Gmc. tanþ-, beside Goth. tunpus; IE. dont- dent- dnt- is repr. by Skr. dán, dánt-, Gr. odón, odónt-, L. dns, dent-, OIr. dét, W. dant, Lith. dantìs; prp. formation on ed- EAT, the literal meaning being ‘the eater or chewer’.

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tootsy

XIX. Playful alt. of FOOT + -SY.

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top1

(dial.) tuft (of hair; etc.), crest; highest point or part OE.; upper part or covering (platform at head of mast XV (†top-castle XIV-XVI), uppermost part of a high boot XVII); first or foremost part XV. Late OE. topp = (M)Du. top crest, summit, tip, (O)HG. zopf plait, tress, ON. toppr top, tuft :- Gmc. toppaz. Hence top vb. deprive of the top XIV; put a top on; overtop XVI. topper (-ER1) exceptionally good person or thing XVIII; top-hat, tall hat XIX. comp. topgallant top at head of topmast (XV), so called as having a superior position and making a brave show.

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top2

circular toy having a point on which it is made to spin. Late OE. top (once); further evidence is not freq. until after 1400; the orig. is unkn.

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topaz

precious stone. XIII. ME. topace — OF, topace, (also mod.) topaze — L. topaz(i)us, -ion — Gr. tópazos, -ázion.

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tope1

small species of shark. XVII. of unkn. orig.

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tope2

clump or plantation of trees. XVII. — Telugu tópu, Tamil tppu.

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tope3

dome or tumulus to contain relics, etc. XIX. — Hind. tp :- Skr. stúpa-.

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tope4

drink (heavily). XVII. perh. alt. of synon. †top XVI (of unkn. orig.) by assoc. with †tope (XVII) int. used as a pledging formula in drinking — F. tôpe.

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topee, topi

Indian name for the European hat, esp. sun helmet. XIX. — Hindi top hat.

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tophus

soft porous stone, esp. deposited by calcareous springs XVI; (path.) gouty deposit XVII. — L. tphus.

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topiary

pert. to the trimming of shrubs into ornamental or fantastic shapes. XVI. — F. topiaire — L. topirius, f. topia fancy or landscape gardening — Gr. tópia, pl. of tópion, dim. of tópos place; see -ARY. Hence sb. XX.

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topic

† adj. pert. to or of the nature of a COMMONPLACE; sb. (pl.) name of Aristotle's treatise Tà topiká (lit. matters concerning commonplaces) XVI; †consideration, argument, head XVII; subject of a discourse, theme XVIII. — Gr. topikós f. tópos place; see -IC. So topical local; †pert. to general maxims XVI; pert. to subjects or current affairs XIX

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topo-

comb. form of Gr. tópos place, locality. topography description of the features of a locality. XV. — late L. topographia — Gr. topographí. So topographer, topographic XVII, topographical XVI. toponymy place-names of a region. XIX. f. Gr. ónoma, ónuma NAME; see -Y3.

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topple

(dial.) tumble about; fall through being top-heavy. XVI. f. TOP1 vb. + -LE3.

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topsy-turvy

XVI. Earliest records have topsy tervy or tyrvy, but the somewhat later forms topset, topside, may point to the origin in pp. set or sb. side; for the second el. connection with †tirve (turn) has been suggested; for the suffix see -Y1.

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toque

small cap or bonnet. XVI. — F., of unkn. orig.

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tor

high rock, pile of rocks (esp. in local names). OE. torr, of Celt. orig. (cf. OW. twrr bulge, belly, Gael. tòrr bulging hill).

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-tor

repr. L. terminal el. f. -t- of pps. +-OR1, as in actor, inventor.

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Torah

Mosaic law, Pentateuch. XVI. — Heb. tôrh direction, instruction, doctrine, law.

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torch

XIII. — (O)F. torche :- Rom. torca, for L. torqua, f. torqure twist; the primary meaning is taken to have been ‘something twisted, as tow’.

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toreador

XVII. — Sp. toreador, f. torear flight (bulls) in the ring, f. toro bull :- L. taurus bull. So torero XVIII.

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toreutic

pert. to working in metal or ivory. XIX. — Gr. toreutikòs, f. toreúein work in relief; see -IC.

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torii

decorative gateway of a Shinto temple. XIX. — Jap.

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torment

†torture with the rack, etc.; state of severe suffering; †violent storm XIII. OF. torment, (also mod.) tourment :- L. tormentum (:- torquementum) engine for throwing missiles, cord, instrument of torture, f. torqure twist. So torment vb. XIII. — (O)F. tourmenter. tormentor XIII. — OF. tormentëor; see -OR1.

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tormentil

yellow-flowered herb. XV. — (O)F. tormentille — medL. tormentilla, of unkn. orig.

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tornado

†violent thunderstorm of the tropical Atlantic XVI; rotatory storm of Africa, etc. XVII (ternado). perh. orig. alt. — Sp. tronada thunderstorm (f. tronar thunder), later assim. to tornar TURN; see -ADO.

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torpedo

(zool.) electric ray XVI; case charged with gunpowder to explode under water, self-propelled submarine missile XIX. — L. torpd, f. torpre be stiff or numb.

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torpid

benumbed, lacking animation or vigour. XVII. — L. torpidus, f. torpre be sluggish; see -ID1. So torpor XVII. — L.; see -OR2.

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torque

necklace, twisted band. XIX. — F. — L. torqus, f. torqure twist.

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torrefy

roast. XVII. — F. torréfier — L. torrefacere, f. torrre scorch; see -FY.

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torrent

XVII. — F. — It. torrente — L. torrns, -ent-, sb. use of prp. (scorching, (of streams) boiling, roaring, rushing) of torrre scorch; see -ENT. Hence torrential XIX.

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torrid

scorched, scorching hot. XVI. — F. torride or L. torridus, f. torrre scorch; see -ID1.

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torsion

†griping XV; twisting, twist XVI. — (O)F. — late L. torsi, -n-, by-form of torti, f. tort-, pp. stem of torqere twist.

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torso

XVIII. — It. torso stalk, stump, trunk of a statue :- L. thyrsus stalk; see THYRSUS.

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tort

†injury, wrong XIV (rare before XVI); (leg.) breach of a duty XVI. — OF. :- medL. tortum, sb. use of n. of L. tortus, pp. of torqure twist, wring.

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torticollis

(path.) wry-neck. XIX. f. L. tortus (see prec.) + collum neck.

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tortilla

in Mexico, thin round cake of maize flour. XVII. — Sp., dim. of torta round cake :- late L. (Vulg.) trta.

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tortoise

XV. The earliest exx. show a variety of forms reflecting medL. tortca, (O)F. tortue, and (occas.) Sp. tortuga; the present form (of obscure orig.) appears in XVI.

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tortuous

XV. — OF. tortuous (mod. tortueux) — L. tortusus, f. tortus twisting, f. tort-, pp. stem of torqure twist; see -UOUS.

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torture

sb. XVI. — (O)F. torture or late L. tortra twisting, writhing, torment, f. tort-; see prec., -URE. Hence vb. XVI.

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torus

pl. tori (archit.) large convex moulding XVI. — L. torus swelling, round moulding.

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Tory

(hist.) from c.1645 one of the dispossessed Irish who became outlaws, rapparee; in 1679–80 applied to anti-exclusioners; from 1689, member of one of the two great political parties of Great Britain. Presumably — Ir. tóraighe pursuer, implied in tóraigheachd pursuit, f. tóir pursue.

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tosh

(sl.) rubbish, nonsense. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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toss

throw or pitch about (in earliest use freq. of the sea). XVI. of unkn. orig.

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tot1

(colloq.) very small child XVIII; small drinking vessel, dram of drink XIX. of unkn. orig.

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tot2

(colloq.) sum up. XVIII. f. tot, abbrev. of TOTAL.

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total

pert. to or comprising the whole. XIV. — (O)F. — scholL. ttlis, f. ttum the whole, sb. use of n. of ttus entire, whole. So totality XVI. — scholL. ttlits. Hence totally (-LY2) XVI. totalize XIX, whence totalizator apparatus for registering the total of operations, spec. the number of tickets sold to betters on a horse race (XIX).

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totem

among Amer. Indians, hereditary badge of a tribe or group. XVIII. of Algonquian orig.

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tother

(dial.) the t. the other. XIII. ME. þe toþer, for þet oþer, orig. n. of OE. se ðer the other, the second; see THE1, THAT1, OTHER.

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totter

†swing XII; rock to and fro on its base XIV; move with unsteady steps XVII. ME. toter swing — MDu. tourteren swing, corr. to OE. tealtrian totter, stagger.

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toucan

XVI. — Tupi tucana, Guarani tuc, tuc.

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touch

vb. XIII. ME. toche, t(o)uche — OF. tochier, tuchier (mod. toucher) :- Rom. toccre make a sound like toc, of imit. orig. Much used in comps., spec. with ref. to ready ignition (prob. from OF. toucher set fire), as in touch-hole , touchwood XVI; also touchstone stone to test gold and silver alloys (XVI), based on OF. touchepierre. Hence touchy easily moved to take offence; †easily ignited; risky. XVII. perh. partly an alt. of TETCHY; see -Y1.

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touching

prep. concerning, relating to XIV. — (O)F. touchant, prp. of touch(i)er touch.

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tough

of strongly cohesive substance OE.; severe, violent XIII; capable of great endurance XIV; difficult to solve XVII. OE. töh = OHG. zh, MLG. t :- Gmc. tanxuz.

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toupee

(artificial) lock of hair. XVIII. — F. toupet tuft of hair esp. over the forehead, f. OF. to(u)p, of Gmc. orig.; see TOP1, -ET. Superseded by toupet XVIII.

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tour

one's turn, spell of duty XIV; † circular movement XV; travelling round, circuitous journey XVII. — (O)F. tour, earlier tor :- L. tornus lathe (see TURN). Hence tour vb. make a tour (of). XVIII. tourist XVIII, tourism XIX.

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tourmaline

brittle pyro-electric mineral orig. from Ceylon. XVIII. — F., ult. f. Sinhalese toramalli cornelian.

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tournament

medieval tilting match. XIII. ME. turne-, tornement — AN. vars. of OF. tur-, tor- neiement, f. torneier; see next, -MENT.

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tourney

tournament. XIII. — OF. tornei (mod. tournoi), f. torneier (whence vb. XIII) :- Rom. tornidire, f. L. tornus TURN.

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tourniquet

XVII. — F., taken to be alt. of OF. tournicle, var. of t(o)unicle coat of mail, by assoc. with tourner TURN.

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tousle

pull about roughly, dishevel. XV. frequent. f. (dial.) touse, ME. t(o)use in totuse (XIII), betouse (XIV), repr. OE. tsian = LG. tsen pull or shake about, OHG. zirzsn, erzsen tear to pieces, clear of undergrowth (G. zausen), rel. to L. dmus, earlier dusmus bushes, brambles, Ir. doss bush; see -LE2.

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tout

† peep, peer XIV; (sl.) watch, spy on XVII; solicit custom or votes importunately XVIII. ME. tte :- OE. ttian, f. tt- project, stick out, repr. by OE. ttan (once) peep out, become visible, MLG. tte horn, funnel (LG. tt(e) spout), MDu. tte nipple (Du. tuit spout, nozzle), ON. túta, teat-like prominence. Hence tout sb. †thieves' scout XVIII; touter for custom, etc. XIX.

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tow1

fibre of flax, etc. XIV. — MLG. touw :- OS. tou = ON. tó wool, tow, rel, to OE. tow- in towcræft spinning, etc.

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tow2

† drag OE.; draw (a vessel) on the water by a rope XIV. OE. togian = MLG. togen, OHG. zogn, ON. toga :- Gmc. tozjan, f. toz- tuz- (cf. TEAM). So towage charge for towing a vessel XVI; action of towing XVII. orig. — AN. towage, AL. towagium, f. ME. towe, toze tow.

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toward

adj. †coming, future, impending OE.; †promising, disposed to learn, docile XIII; favourable, propitious XIX. OE. tweard = OS. tward, -werd, OHG. zuowart, -wert ‘directed forwards’, f. Gmc. t TO + warð- -WARD. Hence perp. in the direction. OE. tweard, n. of the adj. towards in same sense. OE. tweardes; see -WARDS.

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towel

XIII. ME. towaile, towelle, touel -OF. toail(l)e (mod. touaille):- Gmc. þwa?lj (OHG. dwahila, G. dial. zwehle napkin), f. þwa?an wash (OE. þwan, etc.); see -EL1.

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tower

sb. XII. ME. tr, later tour, towr — AN., OF. tur, tor (mod. tour) :- L. turris, turr- -Gr. túrris, túrsis, túrsos. Hence tower vb. rise to a great height; soar like a hawk. XVI.

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town

†enclosure, garden, yard; (now Sc.) building(s) on a piece of enclosed land, farm-stead; (dial.) cluster of buildings or houses OE.; inhabited place having an independent; administration XII; inhabitants of a town XIV; (U.S.) division for local or state government XIX. OE. tn = OS. tn (Du. tuin garden), OHG. zn (G. zaun) fence, hedge, ON. tún :- Gmc. tnaz, tnam, rel. to Celt. dn- in place names (e.g. Augustodunum Autun), Olr. dn, W. din fort, castle, camp, fortified place. Comps. and derivs. town-clerk XIV. townee, U.S. towny one of the townspeople XIX. township OE. tns.ipe. townsman †villager, villein OE.; man of a town XV. OE. tnesman.

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toxic

poisonous XVII; due to poisoning XIX. — medL. toxicus, f. L. toxicum poison — Gr. toxikón (phármakon) (poison) by smearing arrows, n. of toxikós, f. tóxa pl. (bow and) arrows, f. tóxon bow; see -IC. Hence toxin poison produced by a microbe. XIX.

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toxophilite

devotee of archery. XVIII. f. Toxophilus, title of a book (1545) by Roger Ascham , intended to mean ‘lover of the bow’, f. Gr. tóxon bow + -philos -PHIL; see -ITE. Hence toxophily (-Y3) XIX.

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toy

A
†amorous play XIV; †sportive or fantastic action, antic, trick XV;

B
trifling object; thing to play with XVI. of unkn. orig.
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trace1

†path, course XIII; †series of footprints, track XIV; vestige, mark XVII. — (O)F., f. corr. vb. OF. tracier (mod. tracer) :- Rom. tractire, f. L. tractus TRACT3. So trace vb. A. proceed in a line or track; B. make marks on a plan, etc. XIV. — OF. Hence tracery †place for tracing XV; intersecting rib-work in a Gothic window XVII.

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trace2

pair of ropes, etc. attached to the collar of a draught animal XIV; each of these XV. ME. trais, first as coll. pl., later as sg. — OF. trais, pl. of trait draught, harness-strap :- L. tractus draught, f. pp. stem of trahere draw.

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trachea

(anat.) tube extending from the larynx to the bronchi. XVI (earlier in trache arteria or arterie XV). — medL. trcha, for late L. trcha — Gr. trkheîa, fem. of trkhús rough.

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trachyte

gritty volcanic rock. XIX. — F., f. Gr. trkhús rough or trkhúts roughness.

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track

mark left by the passage of something XV; line of travel or motion XVI; path laid down XIX. — (O)F. trac, perh. — MDu., LG. tre(c)k drawing, draught, pull. Hence, or — F. traquer, track vb. XVI.

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tract1

tractate, (later) short pamphlet. XV. poss. shortening of L. tracttus TRACTATE. Hence tractarian writer of tracts (spec. of contributors to the ‘Tracts for the Times’ 1833–41 published at Oxford). XIX.

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tract2

(liturg.) item replacing the Alleluia in the Mass from Septuagesima to Easter Eve. XIV. — medL. tractus, spec use of L. tractus (see next).

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tract3

act of drawing or something drawn in various uses identical with those of TRACE1 and TRACK (rare before XVI), now chiefly ‘stretch or extent of territory’ (so in L.). — L. tractus, f. pp. stem of trahere draw.

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tractable

XVI. — L. tractbilis, f. tractre TREAT; see -ABLE.

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tractate

XV. — L. tracttus, f. tractre TREAT; see -ATE1.

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traction

drawing, draught XVII; drawing of vehicles or loads along a road (hence t. engine) XIX. — F. traction or medL. tracti, -n-, f. pp. stem of trahere draw; see -ION. So tractor (-OR1) (med.) device to be drawn or rubbed over the skin XVII; instrument for pulling XIX; traction engine XX.

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trade

†course, way, track XIV; regular practice of a business or profession XVI; buying and selling in this. — MLG. trade, track (OS. trada = OHG. trata), rel. to TREAD. trade wind orig. any wind that blows in a constant direction. XVII. f. phr. †blow trade blow in a regular or habitual course.

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tradition

that which is handed down as belief or practice XIV; delivery, transmission XVI. — (O)F. tradicion, (also mod.) -tion, or L. trditi, -n-, f. trdere hand over, deliver, f. TRANS- + dre give; see -ITION. Hence traditional (-AL1) XVII.

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traduce

†transport; †translate; †transmit; propagate; speak evil of (falsely). XVI. — L. trdcere, f. trns TRANS- + dcere lead.

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traffic

transportation of goods for purposes of trade XVI; passing to and fro of people, etc. XIX. — F. traf(f)ique (mod. trafic); ult. orig. unkn.

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tragacanth

medicinal gum from plants of the genus Astragalus. XVI. — F. tragacante or L. tragacantha — Gr. tragákantha goat's-thorn, f. trágos he-goat + ákantha thorn.

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tragedy

dramatic piece (†earlier, tale) having a disastrous ending XVI; calamitous event XVI. — (O)F. tragédie — L. tragœdia — Gr. tragidí, usu. taken to be f. trágos goat + idé ODE. So tragedian tragic poet XIV; tragic actor XVI. — OF. tragediane, F. tragédien. tragic XVI. — F. tragique — L. tragicus — Gr. tragikós, f. trágos, but assoc. with tragidí. tragical XV. f. L. tragicus; see -AL1. tragicomedy XVI. — F. tragicomédie or It. tragicommedia — late L. tragicmœdia, for tragicocmœdia.

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tragopan

pheasant of the genus Tragopan, having fleshy horns. XIX. — L. — Gr. tragópn, f. trágos goat + Pán Pan.

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trail

intr. hang down and drag along; trans. drag or draw along. XIV. prob. of mixed orig. — OF. traillier or MLG., MFlem. treilen haul (a boat), which point to Rom. or popL. tragulre (to which OE. trægelian ‘carpere’ conforms), f. L. trgula drag-net, etc.

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train

train

tarrying, delay XIV; thing that drags or trails (first of the trailing part of a garment) XV; sequence or series; number of carriages, etc. coupled together XIX. — (O)F. train m., traine fem., f. OF. (orig.) trahiner, traïner, (mod. traîner) :- Rom. traginre, f. tragere for L. trahere draw; the OF. vb. is the orig. source of

vb. †draw, allure, etc. XV; instruct and discipline XVI.

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train-oil

oil obtained by boiling from whale blubber, etc. XVI. repl. earlier train, trane (XV) — (M)LG. trn, MDu. traen (Du. traan) = G. tran, rel. to träne tear, drop.

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traipse

see TRAPES.

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trait

†stroke XVI; feature, characteristic XVIII. — F. :- L. tractus drawing, draught (see TRACT2).

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traitor

XIII. — OF. trait(o)ur :- L. trditor, -r-. agent-noun f. trdere deliver, betray, f. TRANS- + dre, give; see -TOR.

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trajectory

XVII. — medL. trjectrius, f. trject-, pp. stem of tricere, f. TRANS- + jacere throw; see -ORY1.

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tram1

A
†contrivance, lit. and fig. XIV;

B
loosely twisted silk thread used for weft XVII. In A. — (O)F. trame woof, cunning device, machination :- L. trma woof; in B. a new adoption from modF.
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tram2

(Sc.) shaft of a barrow or cart XVI; (coalmining, north.) frame or skeleton truck for carrying coal-baskets XVI; line or track or wood, stone, or iron, road laid with such lines, (short for tram-car) passenger car running on tramlines XIX. (in AL. trama XIV) — MLG., MDu. trame balk, beam, rung of a ladder, of unkn. orig.; the sense-development in Eng. is obscure.

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trammel

fishing-net having three layers of netting XIV; hobble for a horse XVI; thing that hinders free action XVII. — (O)F. tramail (mod. trémail) — medL. tramaculum, var. of tre-, trimaculum, perh. f. L. TRI- + macula mesh. Hence trammel vb. in several techn. uses XVI; (fig.) hinder the action of XVIII.

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tramontane

lying beyond the mountain (spec. the Alps) from Italy. XVI. f. It. tramontana north wind, pole star, tramontani dwellers beyond the mountains — L. trnsmontnus, f. TRANS- + mns, mont — MOUNT1.

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tramp

stamp, tread heavily XIV; walk steadily XVI. prob. of LG. or Du. orig.; cf. MLG. trampen.
trample †tramp, stamp XIV; tread upon XVI. f. TRAMP + -LE3.

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trance

†extreme dread or doubt; suspension of consciousness, hypnotic state XIV. — OF. transe (mod. trance), f. transir depart, be benumbed — L. transre pass over (see TRANSIENT).

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tranquil

XVII. — F. tranquille or L. tranquillus.

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trans-

comb. form of L. prep. trns across, beyond, over, corr. to Umbrian tra(ha)f, tra(ha) with cogns. in Skr., Celt., and Gmc. (see THROUGH). In several L. vbs. and their derivs. the prefix was reduced to tr before a cons., e.g. trdere (see TRADITION), tricere (see TRAJECTORY); ss resulting from composition with an initial s is simplified, as in transcribe.

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transact

†do business, treat XVI; carry through, manage XVII. f. transact-, pp. stem of L. transigere drive through, accomplish, f. TRANS- +agere drive, do. So transaction †adjustment of a dispute XV; action of transacting, matter transacted XVII. — late L.

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transcend

pass (a limit) or the limits of XIV; rise above, surpass XV; †go beyond, climb over XVI. — OF. transcendre or L. tran(s)scendere climb over, surmount, f. TRANS- + scandere climb. So transcendence, transcendency XVII. — late L. transcendentia. transcendent XVI, transcendental XVIII.

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transcribe

make a copy of XVI; transliterate XVII. — L. transcrbere, f. TRANS- + scrbere write. So transcript XIII. ME. transcrit — (O)F., later (XV) assim. to L. transcriptum, sb. use of n. pp. of transcrbere. transcription XVI. — F. or late L.

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transect

cut across. XVII. f. TRANS- + sect-, pp. stem of L. secre cut.

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transept

transverse part of a cruciform church, either arm of this. XVI. — modL. transeptum ‘cross division’; see TRANS-, SEPTUM.

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transfer

convey from place to place XIV; make over by legal process XVI; convey (a design) from one surface to another XIX. — L. transferre (or F. transférer), f. TRANS- + ferre BEAR2. Hence transfer sb., transference XVII.

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transfigure

XIII. — (O)F. transfigurer or L. transfigrre, f. TRANS- + figra FIGURE. So transfiguration XIV (first in ref. to the change in the appearance of Jesus Christ as narrated in Matt. 17:2, Mark 9:2–3).

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transfix

impale upon a sharp point XVI; fig. XVII. f. transfix-, pp. stem of transfigere, see TRANS-, FIX.

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transform

XIV. — (O)F. transformer or L. transformre; see TRANS-, FORM. So transformation XV. — (O)F. or late L.

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transfuse

pour from one place to another. XV. — transfs-, pp. stem of L. transfundere; see TRANS-, FUSE2.

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transgress

go beyond the bounds prescribed by law, etc. XVI. — transgress-, pp. stem of L. transgred; see TRANS-, DIGRESS. So transgression XV. — (O)F. — L.

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tranship.

XVIII. f. TRANS- + SHIP vb.

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transient

XVII. — L. transins, transeunt-, prp. of transre pass over, f. TRANS- + re go. So transit XV. — L. transitus. transition XVI. — (O)F. or L. transitive (gram.) taking a direct object; passing into another condition. XVI. — late L. transitvus. transitory XIV. — AN. transitorie, (O)F. transitoire — ChrL. transitrius; see -ORY2.

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transire

warrant permitting the passage of merchandise. XVI. — L. transre pass over., f. TRANS- + re go.

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translate

A
remove from one place to another;

B
turn from one language into another. XIII. prob. first in pp. translate — L. transltus, functioning as pp. of transferre TRANSFER; but perh. reinforced by OF. translater, medL. transltre.
Top
So translation, translator XIV. — OF. or L.

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transliterate

replace (letters of one language) by those of another for the same sounds. XIX. f. TRANS- + L. littera LETTER + -ATE2. So transliteration XIX.

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translucent

†shining through XVI; transparent XVII. — L. translcns, -ent-, prp. of translcre; see TRANS-, LUCID.

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transmarine

that is beyond the sea. XVI. — L. transmarnus; see TRANS-, MARINE.

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transmigration

†removal of the Jews into captivity at Babylon XIII; passage from one place to another XIV; passage of the soul at death into another body, metempsychosis XVI. — late L. transmigrti, -n- change of country, f. transmigrre, whence transmigrate XVII (pp. XV); see TRANS-, MIGRATE, -ATION.

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transmit

send across a space XIV; pass on by communication XVII; cause to pass through a medium. — L. transmittere. So transmission XVI. — L. transmissi, -n-; see TRANS-, MISSION.

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transmogrify

(colloq.) transform, esp. into a strange shape. XVII. of unkn. orig.; see -IFY.

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transmutation

†change of condition XIV; conversion into something else; (alch.) XV; (biol.) XVII. — (O)F. transmutation or late L. transmtti, -n-, f. L. transmtre (whence transmute vb. XV); see TRANS-, MUTATION.

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transom

cross-beam, esp. spanning an opening. XIV. ME. traversayn, transyn, -ing — (O)F. traversin in same sense, f. traverse TRAVERSE.

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transparent

that can be seen through XV; (fig.) XVI. — (O)F. transparent — medL. transprns, -ent-, f. L. TRANS- + prre APPEAR. So transparency XVI.

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transpire

emit as vapour XVI; pass out as vapour XVII; come to be known, leak out XVIII; (hence, by misapprehension, first U.S.) happen XIX. — F. transpirer or medL. transpirre, f. L. TRANS- + spirre breathe.

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transplant

XV. — late L. transplantre; see TRANS-, PLANT.

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transpontine

that is across the bridge, spec. any of the London bridges, i.e. south of the Thames, and so pert. to the drama of Surrey-side theatres in XIX. XIX. f. TRANS- + L. pns, pont- bridge + -INE1.

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transport

convey from place to place XIV; carry away with emotion XVI. — OF. transporter or L. transportre, f. TRANS- + portre carry. Hence or — (O)F. transport conveyance from one place to another or means of this XV; state of being ‘carried out of oneself’ XVII. Hence transportation conveyance XVI; penal removal XVII. transpose †change into something else XIV; change the position or order of XVI. — (O)F. transposer, f. trans- TRANS- + poser POSE. So transposition XVI. — F. or late L.

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trans-ship

see TRANSHIP.

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transubstantiation

change of substance XIV; spec. of the Eucharistic bread and wine XVI. — medL. tran(s)substantiti, -n-, f. tran(s)substantire, whence transubstantiate XVI (as pp. XV); see -ATE2, -ATE3, -ATION. Hence consubstantiation controversialist's term to designate the Lutheran doctrine of the Eucharistic presence in, with, and under the substantially unaltered bread and wine. XVI. See CON-.

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transverse

XVII. — L. transversus, pp. of transvertere turn across; see TRANS-, VERSE. So transversal (-AL1) XV. — medL.

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trap1

contrivance for catching animals OE.; movable covering as of an opening in a floor XIV; means of confining and releasing objects XVI; (perh. for rattle trap) small carriage on springs XIX. OE. træppe (in coltetræppe Christ's thorn), treppe, corr. in form and sense to MDu. trappe, medL. trappa, OF. trape (mod. trappe), but the mutual relations are obscure. So trap vb. OE. betreppan. trapper (-ER1) XVIII.

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trap2

(min.) igneous rock. XVIII. — Sw. trapp, f. trappa stair; so named from the stair-like appearance.

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trapes, traipse

(colloq., dial.) walk in slovenly or aimless fashion. XVI. of unkn. orig. Hence sb. sloven XVII; tiresome walk XIX.

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trapeze

gymnastic apparatus consisting of a crossbar supported by two ropes. XIX. — F. trapèze — late L. trapezium (see next).

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trapezium

(geom.) irregular quadrilateral XVI; quadrilateral having only one pair of opposite sides parallel XVII. — late L. — Gr. trapézion, f. trápeza table, for tetra-peza, f. TETRA- + IE. ped- FOOT. So trapezoid quadrilateral no two sides of which are parallel. XVIII. — modL. trapezoids — late Gr. trapezoeidés.

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trapping

(chiefly pl.) covering spread over harness XIV; (in wider use) external ornaments XVI. f. base of synon. †trappo(u)r (XIII) — AN. trapour, var. of OF. drapure, f. drap cloth; with substitution of -ING1.

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Trappist

monk of a Cistercian community established in 1664 by De Rancé , abbot of La Trappe, Normandy. XIX. — F. Trappiste, f. La Trappe; see -IST.

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traps

(colloq.) personal effects, belongings. XIX. of uncert. orig.; perh. contr. of TRAPPINGS.

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trash

broken twigs, etc.; worthless stuff. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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traumatic

caused by a wound. XVII. — late L. traumaticus — Gr. traumatikós, f. traûma, traumat- wound (whence trauma XVIII); see -IC.

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travail

(arch.) labour, toil; labour of childbirth. XIII. — (O)F. travail painful effort, trouble, work f. (O)F. travailler (whence obs. or arch. travail vb. XIII) :- Rom. treplire, f. medL. treplium instrument of torture, presumably f. L. trs, tria THREE + plus stake. The etymol. meaning of the vb. was ‘put to torture’, whence, through the refl. use (‘put onself to pain’) the sense ‘toil, labour’, which survives in F., whereas the Eng. vb. ult. became restricted to the sense ‘journey’, with the sp. travel (XIV). Hence traveller (-ER1) XIV; traveller's joy kind of clematis which adorns the wayside XVI. travelogue talk or lecture about travel. XX. irreg., with -logue of monologue, dialogue.

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traverse

run, move, or pass across or through; act against or in opposition to. XIV. — (O)F. traverser :- late L. trversre, transversre, f. transversus TRANSVERSE. So traverse sb. something that crosses (lit. and fig.). XIV. — OF. travers and traverse, partly f. the vb., partly repr. sb. uses of n. and f. pp.

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travertin(o)

concretionary limestone deposited from water. XVIII. — It. travertino, for earlier †tivertino :- L. tburtinus, adj. of Tbur (now Tivoli) in ancient Latium; see -INE1.

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travesty

XVII. freq. in XVII in Virgil travesti(e), adoption of the title of Scarron's ‘Le Virgile travesty en vers burlesques’ (1648); — F. travesti, pp. of travestir — It. travestire, f. tra- (:- L. TRANS-) + vestire clothe.

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trawl

fish with a drag-net XVII; use a seine-net to catch fish XIX. prob. — MDu. traghelen drag. rel. to traghel drag-net, perh. — L. trgula dragnet, obscurely f. trahere draw. Hence trawl sb. XVIII. short for trawl-net (XVII). trawler (-ER1) one who fishes with a trawl-net XVI; vessel using trawl-nets XIX.

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tray

shallow open vessel, now a flat board with raised rim. OE. tr, tre, recorded only late as tr = OSw. trø corn-measure :- Gmc. traujam, f. trau-, treu- wood (see TREE).

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treachery

XIII. — (O)F. trecherie, (also mod.) tricherie, f. tricher cheat; see TRICK, -ERY. So treacherous XIV. — OF. trecherous.

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treacle

†salve regarded as an antidote to venomous bites, etc. XIV; †in names of plants of reputed medicinal value XV; †sovereign remedy XVI; uncrystallized syrup produced in refining sugar XVII. ME. triacle — OF. :- L. thriaca — Gr. thriaké, sb. use of fem. of adj. f. thrion wild beast, venomous animal, dim. of thér wild beast.

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tread

pt. trod, pp. trodden step or walk upon; intr. with on, upon OE.; thresh by trampling XIV. OE. str. vb. tredan = OS. tredan (Du. treden), OHG. tretan (G. treten) :- WGmc. tredan; cf. wk. grade Gmc. truð repr. by ON. troða, Goth. trudan. Hence tread sb. XIII. Comps. treadmill XIX, treadwheel XVI.

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treadle

†step, stair OE.; lever worked with the foot XV. OE. tredul, f. tredan; see prec. and -LE1.

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treason

betrayal of trust XIII; violation by a subject of his allegiance XIV. ME. treison, tresoun — AN. treisoun, tres(o)un, OF. traison (mod. trahison) :- L. trditi, -n-, f. trdere deliver up, BETRAY, f. TRANS- + dre give. Hence treasonable perfidious XIV (chiefly Sc. till XVII).

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treasure

wealth, riches; valued thing. XII. ME. tresor — (O)F. trésor :- Rom. tresaurus, unexpl. alt. of L. thsaurus (see THESAURUS). Hence treasure vb. XIV (rare before XVII). So treasurer (-ER2) XIII. — AN. tresorer, (O)F. (mod.) trésorier. treasure trove treasure found hidden of unknown ownership. XVI (also trouey). — AN. tresor trové, i.e. tresor TREASURE, trové, pp. of trover (F. trouver) find. treasury XIII. — OF. tresorie, for tresorerie; see -Y2.

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treat

deal with XIII; trans. XIV. ME. trete — AN. treter, OF. tretier, traitier (mod. traiter) :- L. tractre drag, handle, manage, investigate, discuss, negotiate, f. pp. stem of trahere draw. So treat sb. †agreement, treaty XIV; entertainment XVII. treatise book or writing in which a subject is treated. XIV. — AN. tretis, OF. traitiz. Hence treatment XVI.

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treaty

†literary treatment, discussion XIV; discussion of terms; covenant, contract XV. ME. trete(e) — AN. treté, (O)F. traité :- L. tracttus TRACTATE; see -Y5.

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treble

threefold, triple XIV; sb. quantity 3 times as great as another XV; (mus.) highest or upper part in a harmonized composition, soprano XIV. — OF. — L. triplus TRIPLE. The development of the mus. use is obscure.

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tree

perennial plant having a woody stem and of considerable height and size; piece of wood (as in axle t., cross t., swingle t., saddle t., boot t., and treenail) OE.; pedigree XIII. OE. tro(w) = OS. trio, treo (MDu. -tere), ON. tré, Goth. triu :- Gmc. trewam, f. zero-grade of IE. deru- doru- dru-, repr. by Skr. dru, dru- tree. Gr. dóru, pl. doûra wood, spear, Lith. dervà pinewood. OIr. daur, W. derwen oak. Hence tre(e)nail cylindrical pin of hard wood used in fastening timbers together. XIII.

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trefa, trifa

meat not slaughtered according to Jewish law. XIX. — Heb. erphh flesh of an animal torn, as by a wild beast, f. traph tear, rend.

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trefoil

plant of the genus Trifolium, having triple leaves. XIV. ME. treyfoyle, trifoile — AN. trifoil- L. trifolium, f. TRI- + folium leaf, FOIL2.

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trek

(S. Afr.) make a journey by ox wagon, (hence) travel. Also sb. XIX. — Afrikaans — (M)Du. trekken draw, pull, travel.

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trellis

grating used as a support or screen. XIV. ME. trelis — OF. trelis, -ice :- Rom. trilcius, -ia, f. L. trilx, -lc-, f. TRI- + lcium thread of a warp.

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tremble

XIV. — (O)F. trembler :- Rom. tremulre, rel. to L. tremulus TREMULOUS.

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tremendous

terrific, dreadful XVII; immense XIX. f. L. tremendus, gerundive of tremere tremble, tremble at, rel. to TREMOR; see -OUS.

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tremolando

(mus.) with tremulous effect. XIX. — It., prp. of tremolare tremble. So tremolo XIX.

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tremor

†terror XIV; involuntary shaking of the body; tremulous movement, as of the earth XVII. — OF. tremour and (later) L. tremor, rel. to tremere, Gr. trémein tremble. So tremulous XVII. f. L. tremulus.

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trenail

see TREE.

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trench

†track cut through a forest XIV; long narrow excavation XV. — OF. trenche cutting, cut, ditch, slice, f. trenchier (mod. trancher) cut (whence trench vb. XV) :- Rom. trincre — L. truncre.

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trenchant

cutting (lit. and fig.). XIV. — OF. trenchant (mod. tranchant), prp. of trancher; see prec. -ANT.,

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trencher

†cutting instrument; board on which food was served XIV (hence t. -man feeder, eater XVI); (also t. -cap) academic cap thought to resemble a square platter XVIII. — AN. trenchour, OF. trencheoir, f. trenchier cut; see TRENCH, -ER2, -OR1

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trend

†revolve, roll OE.; take a specified direction XVI. OE. trendan, f. Gmc. trend- trand- trund-, repr. also by OE. trinda round lump. ball, trendlian roll away; cf. TRUNDLE. Hence trend sb. the way something turns away, general direction. XVIII.

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trental

set of thirty requiem masses. XIV. — OF. trentel and medL. trentlis, f. popL. trenta, for L. trginta thirty.

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trepan

(surg.) saw for cutting out pieces of bone. XIV. — medL. trepanum — Gr. trúpanon borer, f. trupân pierce, bore. So vb. and trepanation XIV. — (O)F. trépaner, trépanation.

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trepidation

tremulous agitation, flurry; vibration, tremor. XVII. — L. trepidti, -n-, f. trepidre, f. trepidus alarmed, agitated; see -ATION.

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trespass

transgression XIII; actionable wrong or offence XIV. — OF. trespas (mod. trépas), f. vb. trespasser (whence trespass vb. XIV) — medL. transpassre see TRANS-, PASS2.

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tress

plait or long lock of hair. XIII. — (O)F. tresse, †tresce, of unkn. orig.

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-tress

comp. suffix formed by the addition of -ESS1 to sbs. in -ter, -tor, as actor/actress, hunter/huntress.

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tressure

†headdress XIV; (her.) diminutive orle XV; (numismatics) circular enclosure XVIII. ME. tressour — OF. :- L. tricitrium; later tressure — OF. tress(e)ure. See TRESS, -URE.

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trestle

XIV. — OF. trestel (mod. tréteau) :- Rom. transtellum, dim. of L. transtrum beam; see -EL2.

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tret

allowance of 4 lb. in 104 lb., after deduction of tare. XV. poss. — AN., OF. tret, var. of trait draught, but the sense-development is obscure.

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trews

close-fitting trousers. XVI(Sc.). — Ir. trius, Gael. triubhas (sg.).

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trey

three at cards, etc. XIV. — OF. trei(s) (mod. trois) :- L. trs THREE.

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tri-

repr. (partly through F.) L. and Gr. tri-, comb. form of L. trs, Gr. treis THREE.

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triad

set of three. XVI. — F. triade or late L. trias, -ad- — Gr. triás, -ad-, f TRI-; see -AD.

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trial

act of trying, fact of being tried. XVI. — AF. trial, also triel, f. trier TRY; see -AL2.

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triangle

three-sided figure. XIV. — (O)F. triangle or L. triangulum, sb. use of n. of triangulus three-cornered, f. TRI- + angulus ANGLE2. So triangular XVI. — late L.; see -AR.

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trias

three, triad XVII; (geol., after G. trias) series of strata between the Jurassic and Permian, so called because divisible into three groups XIX. — late L. — Gr. triás TRIAD. Hence triassic XIX.

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tribe

community claiming a common ancestor, spec. each of the 12 divisions of Israel XIII; political division of the ancient Roman people XVI; race of people; class or set of persons; group in the classification of animals, etc. XVII. First in pl. †tribuz, †tribus — (O)F. tribus, pl. of tribu, or L. tribs, pl. of tribus, whence immed. tribe (XIV). Hence tribal (-AL1) XVIII. tribesman (-S) XVIII.

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triblet

cylindrical rod for forging nuts, etc. XVII. — F. triboulet, of unkn. orig.

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tribrach

(pros.) foot of 3 short syllables. XVI. — L. tribrachys — Gr. tríbrakhus, f. TRI- + brakhús short.

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tribulation

XIII. — (O)F. — ecclL. trbultiõ, -n-, f. L. trbulre press, oppress, afflict, f. trbulum threshing-sledge, f. tr-, var. of ter(e)- rub.

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tribune1

officer in the administration of ancient Rome. XIV. — L. tribnus, prob. orig. sb. use of adj. f. tribus TRIBE. So tribunal dais, raised throne, judgement seat; court of justice XVI; place of judgement, judicial authority XVII. — (O)F. tribunal or L. tribnal(e).

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tribune2

saloon in the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence, Italy XVII; apse of a basilica XVIII; dais, rostrum, bishop's throne. — F. — It. tribuna — medL. tribna, for L. tribnal.

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tribute

tax paid to a superior XIV; transf. and fig. XVI. — L. tribtum, sb. use of n. of tribtus, pp. of tribuere assign, allot, grant, prop. to divide among the tribes, f. tribus TRIBE. So tributary adj. paying tribute XIV; paid in tribute XVI; subsidiary, auxiliary XVII; sb. one who pays tribute XIV; tributary stream XIX. — L. tribtrius.

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trice

phr. †at a t., in a t. in an instant, instantly. XV. f. trice vb. pull, haul — MDu. trsen (Du. trijsen hoist) = MLG. trssen, rel. to MDu. trse, etc. windlass, pulley, of unkn. orig.

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-trice

suffix of fem. agent-nouns, F. repr. of -TRIX.

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triceps

having three heads or (of a muscle) points of origin. XVI. — L. triceps, f. TRI- + -ceps, adj. comb. form corr. to caput HEAD.

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trichinosis

disease due to trichinae (parasitic worms) in the alimentary canal. XIX. f. modL. trichina, f. Gr. tríkhinos of hair, f. thrix, trikh- hair; see -INE2, -OSIS.

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tricho-,

before a vowel trich- , repr. comb. form trikho- of Gr. thrix hair.

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trichotomy

threefold division. XVII. f. Gr. tríkha in three, triply, after DICHOTOMY.

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trick

A
crafty or mean device XV; dexterous artifice XVI;

B
(bad or unpleasant) habit XVI;
Top

C
(her.) sketch of a coat of arms XVI;
Top

D
cards played and won in a round XVI. — OF. trique, dial. var. of triche, f. trichier (mod. tricher) deceive, cheat.
Top
Hence (presumably) trick vb. A. cheat; B. attire, deck; C. sketch, draw in outline. XVI. trickery XVIII. tricksy (-SY) smart, spruce XVI; playful, whimsical; ticklish XIX. tricky (-Y1) deceitful XVIII; difficult to handle XIX.

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trickle

flow in successive drops. Forms with variation of vowel and cons. have been current since XIV, viz. trygle, tri(n)kle, trekel, tri(n)gle. of imit. orig.; see -LE3.Hence sb. XVI.

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triclinium

couch on three sides of a dining table. XVII. — L. triclnium — Gr. triklnion, dim. of tríklnos dining room with three couches, f. TRI- + kln couch.

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tricolour, tricolor

three-coloured, esp. of the red, white, and blue French national flag. XVIII. — F. tricolore — late L. tricolor, -r-, f. TRI- + color COLOUR.

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tricorne

three-horned (creature, hat). XVIII. — F. tricorne or L. tricornis, f. TRI- + corn HORN.

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tricycle

XIX. f. TRI- + CYCLE.

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trident

three-pronged instrument. XVI. — L. tridns, -dent-, f. TRI- + dns TOOTH.

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Tridentine

pert. to the city of Trent (Trento) in N. Italy and the Council of the Roman Catholic Church held there (1545–63). XVI. — medL. Tridentnus, f. Tridentum Trent; see -INE1.

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triennial

lasting three years; recurring every three years. XVII. f. late L. triennis of three years, triennium period of three years, f. TRI- + annus year; see ANNUAL, -AL1.

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trifid

divided into three. XVIII. — L. trifidus, f. TRI- + fid-, base of findere split.

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trifle

†false or idle tale XIII; matter of little value; trinket, knick-knack XIV; slight piece, small sum XVI; light confection. ME. truf(f)le — OF., by-form of truf(f)e deceit, gibe, of unkn. orig. Hence trifle vb. XIV (earlier †bitrufle cheat, delude XIII).

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triforium

(archit.) gallery in the wall over the arches at the sides of nave and choir. — AL. (XII; taken up by antiquaries XVIII); of unkn. orig.

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trigger

movable catch or lever. XVII (tricker). — Du. trekker, f. trekken pull; see -ER1.

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triglyph

(archit.) in the Doric order, block with three vertical grooves. XVI. — L. triglyphus — Gr. trígluphos, f. TRI- + gluphé carving.

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trigonometry

branch of mathematics dealing with the measurements of triangles. XVII. — modL. trignometria, f. Gr. trígnon triangle; see TRI-, -GON, -METRY.

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trilby

man's soft felt hat; (pl.) bare feet. XIX. Name of the heroine of the novel ‘Trilby’ (1893), by George du Maurier , as applied to a kind of hat used in the dramatized version, and to the heroine's use of bare feet.

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trill

tremulous utterance of a note XVII; vibration of tongue, etc. in pronouncing a consonant XIX. — It. trillo, †triglio. So trill vb. XVII. — It. trillare.

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trillion

third power of a million (in France and U.S.A., a thousand billions). XVII. — F. trillion or It. trilione, formed like BILLION on million with substitution of TRI-.

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trilobite

member of a group of extinct arthropodous animals having a three-lobed body. XIX. — modL. trilobtes; see TRI-, LOBE, -ITE.

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trilogy

XIX. — Gr. trilogí; see TRI-, -LOGY.

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trim

well equipped, esp. neatly made. XVI. Earliest in the adv. trimly; rel. to trim vb., which became widely applied in the first half of XVI, but is of obscure orig., since, though formally it could repr. OE. trymian, trymman strengthen, confirm (f. trum firm, strong), there is no certain connecting evidence between OE. and 1500. Hence trim sb. trim condition (often of a ship), proper array or equipment. XVI. trimmer (-ER1) one who trims. XVI (spec. in state-craft, between opposing parties XVII).

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trimeter

(pros.) verse of three measures. XVI. — L. trimetrus — Gr. trímetros, f. TRI- + métron measure.

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trine

triple XIV; (astrol.) pert. to the aspect of two heavenly bodies that are a third part of the zodiac distant from each other XV; fig. benign. — OF. trin, fem. trine :- L. trnus, -a threefold, f. trs, tria THREE.

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trinity

(T-) being of God in three Persons XIII; (t-) set of three. — (O)F. trinité :- L. trnits, -tt-, triad, trio, f. trnus TRINE; see -ITY. So trinitarian XVI. The earliest uses are † (1) holding unorthodox opinious about the Trinity, (2) belonging to the order of the Holy Trinity XVII; since XVIII the sense ‘relating to the Trinity, holding the doctrine of the Trinity’ has been established. f. modL. trnitrius.

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trinket

†small article belonging to an outfit; small ornament or decoration. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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trinomial

(math., etc.) consisting of three terms. XVIII. f. TRI- + -nomial of BINOMIAL.

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trio

composition for three voices or instruments. XVIII. — It. (partly through F.), f. L. trs, tria THREE.

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triolet

(pros.) stanza of 8 lines in which the 1st line is repeated as the 4th and 7th and the 2nd as the 8th. XVII. — F., f. trio; see prec., -LET.

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trip

A
tread or step lightly XIV;

B
cause to stumble by striking the foot (feet) from under the body; make a false step xV;
Top

C
(naut.) †tack XVII; raise (an anchor) clear from the bottom XVIII. — OF. treper, trip(p)er — MDu. trippen skip, hop, rel. to OE. treppan tread, trample.
Top
Hence sb. A. act of tripping XV; B. light movement with the feet XVI; short journey XVII. tripper (-ER1) one who trips XIV; excursionist XIX.

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tripartite

XIV. — L. triparttus, f. TRI- + pp. of partr divide, PART.

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tripe

stomach of an ox, etc. used for food. XIII. — (O)F. tripe, It. trippa, of unkn. orig.

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triphthong

combination of three vowels in one syllable. XVI. — F. triphtongue, f. TRI-, after DIPHTHONG.

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triple

adj. XVI; sb. XV. — (O)F. triple or L. triplus — Gr. triploûs, f. TRI- + pl- (see FOLD2), for L. triplex (whence triplex XVII). So triplicate adj. XV; sb. XVIII. — L. triplictus, pp. of triplicre, f. triplex, -ic-, triplicity threefold condition; division into three groups of the signs of the Zodiac. XIV. — late L. triplicits. Hence triplet set of three, as of lines of verse (XVII), notes of music (XIX); one of three at a birth (XVIII).

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tripod

three-legged vessel or support (spec. stool). XVII. — L. trips, -pod- — Gr. trípous, -pod-, f. TRI- + poús FOOT.

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tripos

†tripod XVI; at Cambridge Univ., formerly, bachelor of arts appointed to dispute humorously at Commencement (so called from the tripod on which he sat), (hence) set of verses written for this, (later) list of candidates qualified for honours in mathematics printed on the back of the paper containing the verses, (subsequently) final honours examination for the bachelor's degree, first in mathematics, later in other subjects XVII. Unexpl. alt. of L. trips TRIPOD.

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triptych

tablet or card folded in three XVIII; picture or carving hinged in three divisions XIX. f. TRI-, after DIPTYCH.

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triquetrous

three-cornered. XVII. f. L. triquetrus; see -OUS.

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trireme

ancient galley with three banks of oars. XVII. — (O)F. trirème or L. trirmis, f. TRI- + rmus oar.

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Trisagion

(liturg.) Eucharistic hymn beginning with a threefold invocation of God (‘Holy, Holy, Holy’) XVII. — Gr. triságion, n. of triságios, f. trís thrice + hágios holy.

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trisect

XVII. f. TRI- + sect-, pp. stem of L. secre cut.

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triste

dismal, gloomy. XVIII. — F. — L. tristis. Anglicized trist (now obs.) from XV.

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tritagonist

third actor in a Gr. tragedy. XIX. — Gr. tritagnistés, f. tritos THIRD + agnistés actor.

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trite

worn out by use. XVI. — L. trtus, pp. of terere rub.

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Triton

(Gr. and Rom. myth.) sea-god, son of Poseidon and Amphitrite XVI; (t-) genus of marine gasteropods XVIII. — L. Trtn — Gr. Trtn.

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triturate

pulverize. XVII. f. pp. stem. of late L. trtrre thresh corn, f. L. trtra rubbing, threshing, f. trt-, pp. stem of terere rub; see -URE, -ATE3.

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triumph

(Rom. hist.) solemn entry of a victorious general into Rome; victorious achievement XIV. — OF. triumphe (mod. triomphe) — L. triumphus, earlier triumpus, prob. — Gr. thríambos hymn to Bacchus. So vb. XVI. triumphal (-AL1), triumphant (-ANT) XV. — (O)F. or L.

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triumvir

(Rom. hist.) one of a board of three magistrates. XVI. — L., sg. deduced from pl. triumvir, back-formation from trium virrum, g. pl. of trs vir three men. So triumvirate (-ATE1) XVI. — L. trium virtus.

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triune

(of the Godhead) three in one. XVII. f. TRI- + L. nus ONE. So triunity XVII.

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trivet

stand or support for a pot, etc., orig. three-footed. XV. ME. trevet, repr. OE. trefet (once) — L. trips, -ped-, f. TRI- +ps FOOT.

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trivial

pert. to the trivium of medieval learning XV; †such as may be met with anywhere XVI; of small account; (nat. hist.) specific XVIII, popular XIX. -L. trivilis, f. next; see -AL1.

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trivium

in the Middle Ages, the lower division of the seven liberal arts (grammar, rhetoric, logic), the upper four (quadrivium ; see QUADRI-) being arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music. XIX. — medL. use of L. trivium place where three roads meet, f. TRI- + via way.

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-trix

suffix of L. fem. agent-nouns corr. to m. -TOR, as adjtrix, impertrx, ventrx, fems. of adjtor helper, impertor commander, ventor hunter; such sbs. were adopted from XV from L. of various periods, as administratrix, executrix, testatrix; (geom.) applied to certain straight lines or curves, as directrix.

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troche

flat round tablet or lozenge. XVI. Early in pl. trochies, trotches, alt. of trocis(ce), -iske (XIV–XVIII I) — F. trochisque — late L. trochiscus — Gr. trokhískos small wheel or globe, pill, lozenge, dim. of trokhós wheel.

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trochee

(pros.) foot consisting of a long followed by a short syllable (— ?). XVI. — L. trochæus — Gr. trokhaîos running, tripping, f. trókhos running, course, rel. to trékhein run. So trochaic XVI. — L. trochaicus — Gr. trokhaikós.

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trochilus

small Egyptian bird said to have picked crocodile's teeth. XVI. -L., — Gr. trokhílos, f. var. stem of trékhein run.

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troglodyte

cave-dweller (chiefly prehistoric). XVI. — L. trglodyta — G. trglodúts, corrupt form of trgodúts, after trgl hole.

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troika

Russ. vehicle drawn by three horses abreast. XIX. — Russ. tróka, f. tróe THREE.

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Trojan

pert. to, native of, ancient Troy; roisterer, good fellow; brave fellow. XVII. repl. earlier Troian (XIV), Troyan (XV) — L. Trinus, f. Tria Troy; see -AN. OE. had Troinis..

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troll1

A
† move about or to and fro XIV;
B
roll, bowl XV;
C
sing in full round voice XVI;
D
angle with a running line XVII. of unkn. orig.; cf. F. trôler (†troller) wander casually, (M)HG. trollen stroll, toddle.

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troll2

(Scand. myth.) one of a supernatural race of giants, dwarfs, or imps. XIX. (preceded by a Sc. ex. of XVII). — ON., Sw. troll; of unkn. orig.

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trolley

XIX. Presumably f. TROLL1; dial. troll (XVII).

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trollop

XVII. of unkn. orig.; cf. TRULL.

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trombone

XVIII. — F. trombone (earlier †trombon) or its source It. trombone, augm. of tromba TRUMP1; cf. -OON.

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tronometer

instrument for measuring earth-tremors. XIX. f. Gr. trómos trembling + -METER.

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troop

body of soldiers, (pl.) armed forces; number of persons collected together XVI; signal on a drum for assembling troops XVII. — F. troupe, poss. back-formation from troupeau flock, herd, dim. f. medL. troppus herd of mares, prob. of Gmc. orig. Hence troop vb. gather in a troop XVI; t. the colour beat the drum for the reception of the colour at the mounting of the guard XVII. trooper (-ER1) cavalry soldier. XVII.

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tropaeolum

S. Amer. genus of herbs. XVIII. — modL., f. L. tropæum TROPHY; so called from the resemblance of the leaf to a shield and of the flower to a helmet.

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trope

(rhet.) use of a word or phrase in a sense not proper to it, figure of speech XVI; (liturg.) phrase introduced into the text for musical embellishment XIX. — L. tropus figure of speech — Gr. trópos turn, rel. to trépein vb. turn. So troper book of tropes. OE. tropere — medL. troperium, var. of troprium.

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trophic

pert. to nutrition. XIX. — Gr. trophikós, f. troph nourishment.

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tropho-

comb. form of Gr. troph nourishment.

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trophy

erection serving as a memorial of victory in war; prize, booty; monument, memorial. XVI. — F. trophée — L. trophæum, earlier tropæum — Gr trópaion, sb. use of n. of tropaîos, f. trop turning, putting to flight, defeat, rel. to trépein turn.

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tropic

†each of the two solstitial points XIV; each of the two circles of the celestial sphere touching the ecliptic at the solstitial points XVI; either boundary of the torrid zone; pl. region between these XIX; adj. tropical XVI. — late L. tropicus — Gr. tropikós
1 pert. to the ‘turning’ of the sun at the solstice,
2 fig., f. trop turning; see prec., -IC. So tropical pert. to a tropic XVI (of the torrid zone XVII); metaphorical XVI.

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trot

gait of a quadruped between walking and running. XIII. — (O)F., f. troter (mod. trotter), whence trot vb. XIV; Rom. trottre, of Gmc. orig.; cf. OHG. trottn (G. trotten), intensive f. base of tretan step, walk, TREAD. Hence trotter (-ER1) trotting horse XIV; (pl.) feet of a quadruped, esp. used for food (?XIV) XVI.

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troth

(arch.) plighted word XV; good faith, loyalty XVI; †truth. Later form of ME. trouth(e), trowth(e), var. with stress-shifting and assim. to TROW of treowp TRUTH.

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troubadour

Provençal lyric poet. XVIII. — F. — Pr. trobador = OF. trovere, obl. troveor TROUVÈRE, f. Pr. trobar, OF. trover (mod. trouver) compose, (later) invent, find.

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trouble

mental distress XIII; public disturbance XIV; pains, exertion; in or into tr. liable to punishment, etc. XVII. — OF. truble, t(o)urble (mod. trouble), f. tourbler, etc. (mod. troubler), whence trouble vb. XIII. :- Rom. turbulre, f. turbulus, for L. turbidus TURBID. So troublous XV. — OF. troubleus. Hence troublesome †full of trouble; giving trouble. XVI.

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trough

oblong open vessel, esp. to contain liquid OE.; channel, pipe XIV; hollow, valley XVI; t. of the sea hollow on the surface between waves XVII. OE. trog = OS. trog, OHG. troc (Du., G. trog), ON. trog :- Gmc. truzaz :- IE. drukós, f. dru- wood, TREE.

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trounce

†afflict, harass; thrash, belabour XVI; censure severely XVIII. of unkn. orig.

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troupe

company of players, dancers, etc. XIX. — F.; see TROOP.

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trousers

†trews; loose-fitting garment for the loins and legs XVII. Extension, after DRAWERS, of (arch.) trouse (XVI) — Ir., Gael. triubhas TREWS.

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trousseau

bride's outfit of clothes, etc. XIX. — F., dim. of trousse TRUSS.

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trout

Late OE. truht — late L. tructa.

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trouvère

one of a school of epic poets of N. France. XVIII (trouveur). — F., and OF. trovere, obl. troveor = Pr. trobador TROUBADOUR.

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trove

short for TREASURE TROVE.

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trover

(leg.) act of finding and keeping possession of a property. XVI. — AN. sb. use of OF. trover (mod. trouver find); see -ER5.

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trow

(arch., esp. in I trow) believe, suppose. of mixed orig.;
1 OE. trow(i)an, f. trow faith, etc.;
2 OE. truwian, f. truwa faith, etc.

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trowel

XIV. ME. truel, trowel — OF. truele (mod. truelle) — medL. truella, alt. of L. trulla ladle, scoop, f. trua skimmer, spoon.

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troy

system of weights used or precious stones and metals. XIV. orig. in phrs. marc. de troye, pound of troye; said to be taken from a weight used at the fair of Troyes, in France.

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truant

†sturdy beggar, idle rogue XIII; pupil absent from school without leave XV; adj. XVI. — OF. truant (mod. truand) :- Gallo-Rom. trgant-, prob. of Celt. orig. (cf. W. truan, Gael. truaghan wretched).

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truce

XIII. ME. trew(e)s, trues (repl. OE. pl. trowa, used as sg.), pl. of tru(w)e, OE. trow, corr. to OS. treuwa (Du. trouw), OHG. triuwa (G. treue), Goth. triggva covenant; rel. to Gr. droós firm, OIr. derb, W. drd strong; cf. TRUE, TRUST.

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trucial

pert. to a truce (1835) regulating the relations of Arab sheikhs to each other and to the British Government. XIX. f. TRUCE + -IAL.

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truck1

give in exchange XIII; barter away XVII; pay otherwise than in money XIX. ME. trukie, later trukke — AN. truquer, OF. troquer (reflected in medL. trocre), of unkn. orig. Hence sb. (cf. AN. truke XIV) barter XVI; dealings, traffic XVII; payment in kind, goods supplied instead of wages XVIII.

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truck2

small solid wooden wheel or block XVII; wheeled vehicle for heavy weights XVIII. poss. shortening of next.

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truckle

pulley, sheave; small roller or wheel under a bed, etc. XV; (short for t.-bed XV) low bed running on castors, usu. pushed under a high bed when not in use XVII. ME. trocle, trokel, trookyll — AN. trocle — L. trochlea — Gr. trokhil(e)í sheaf of a pulley. Hence vb. †occupy a truckle-bed XV; yield obsequiously to XVII.

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truculent

XVI. — L. truculentus, f. trux, truc- fierce, savage; see -ULENT.

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trudge

†be off, depart; walk laboriously XVI. Early forms also †tredge, (dial.) tridge; of unkn. orig.

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trudgen

swimming stroke familiarized by one John Trudgen about 1865. XIX.

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true

steadfast; trustworthy OE.; consistent with fact XIII; real, genuine XIV. OE. etrewe, trowe, later trwe (ME. trewe, tru(we)) = OS. triuwi (Du. getrouw), OHG. gitriuwi (G. treu), ON. tryggr, Goth. triggws, f. the Gmc. sb. repr. by TRUCE. The sp. true dates from XV.

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truffle

XVI. prob. — Du. truffel, †truffele — F. truffle (now truffe), perh. to be referred ult. to popL. tfera, for L. tbera, pl. of tber TUBER.

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truism

XVIII. f. TRUE + -ISM.

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trull

(arch.) drab, trollop; †girl, wench. XVI. of unkn. orig.; cf. TROLLOP.

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truly

adv. of TRUE, OE. trowl.e; see -LY2.

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trump1

(arch.) trumpet. XIII. ME. trompe — (O)F., of Gmc. orig. (cf. OHG. trumpa, trumba, ON. trumba, prob. of imit. orig.). So trump vb. XIII — (O)F. tromper.

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trump2

card of a suit that ranks above all others XVI; first-rate fellow XIX. alt. of TRIUMPH, also used in this sense and for an obs. card-game. Hence trump vb. put a trump on (a trick); †get in the way XVI; †bring up or forward XVII; get up unscrupulously.

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trumpery

†fraud, trickery XV; trash, rubbish XVI; adj. paltry, trashy XVI. — (O)F. tromperie, f. tromper deceive, of unkn. orig.; see -ERY.

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trumpet

sb. XIII. — (O)F. trompette, dim. of trompe TRUMP1; see -ET. Hence, or — (O)F. trompeter, -eur, trumpet vb. XVI, trumpeter XV.

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truncated

XV. — f. L. trunctus, f. truncus TRUNK; see -ATE2, -ED1. So truncation XVI. — late L.

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truncheon

†piece broken off; †fragment or shaft of a spear XIII; short thick staff; staff as symbol of authority XVI. — OF. tronchon (mod. tronçon), repr. Rom. trunci, -n-, f. L. truncus TRUNK.

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trundle

small wheel, roller, or revolving disc. XVI. So vb. roll, bowl. XVI. Earlier in trundle-tail curly-tailed dog (XV) and trundle-bed truckle-bed (XVI). The late appearance of this form as compared with trendle (OE. trendel circular or spherical object) and trindle (early ME. trindel wheel) involves difficulty in connecting it with OE. words containing u or its mutation y, as in trundulnis circuit, sintrundel, -tryndel round, healftryndel hemisphere; for the basic forms cf. TREND; see -LE1.

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trunk

A
main stem of a tree XV;

B
human or animal body XV;
Top

C
chest, box XV;
Top

D
(assoc. partly with TRUMP1) †pipe, tube; elephant's proboscis XVI;
Top

E
†pl. trunk-hose XVI; short breeches XIX. ME. tron(c)k — (O)F. tronc :- L. truncus. comp. trunk-hose (hist.) full bag-like, breeches. XVII.
Top

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trunnion

each of a pair of gudgeons on a cannon XVII; each of a pair of similar supports XVIII. — (O)F. trognon, of unkn. orig.

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truss

bundle, pack XIII; (naut.) tackle or fitting for a yard; (surg.) supporting appliance XVI. — OF. trusse, torse (mod. trousse), perh. f. OF. trusser (mod. trousser), whence truss vb. XIII; of unkn. orig.

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trust

confidence XIII; reliability, fidelity XV; thing or person committed to one XVII; (short for t. company) body of traders controlling a business XIX. So vb. have confidence (in). XIII. of obscure history; early ME. forms of sb., adj., and vb. are trust(e) (beside trüst(e), trist(e), trest(e)), corr. to a possible OE. tryst, trystan, and trost(e) (presumably — ON. traust help, support, confidence, traustr firm, strong, confident; parallel forms are MLG., MDu. trost (Du. troost), (O)HG. trst consolation, Goth. trausti covenant), the formation being ult. that of an abstr. noun on the base tru- of TRUE, TROW. Hence trusty (-Y1) XIII, trustee (-EE1) XVII.

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truth

quality of being true, faith, loyalty OE.; something that is true XIV. OE.trwð, trowð corr. to OHG. triuwida, ON. (pl.) trygðir plighted faith, f. -trewe, trowe TRUE; see -TH1. Hence truthful (of statements, etc.) XVI; (of persons) XVIII; (of ideas, artistic or literary presentation. etc.) XIX.

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try

A
examine and determine, esp. judicially XIII;

B
separate XIV;
Top

C
test; attempt XIV;
Top

D
(naut.) lie to XVI
Top
(hence trysail XVIII). — OF. trier sift, pick out. of unkn. orig.

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trypanosome

genus of protozoa, species of which are parasitic in the blood. XIX. f. Gr. trúpanon borer + sôma body.

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trypsin

chief digestive enzyme of the pancreatic juice. XIX. perh. for tripsin, f. Gr. trîpsis rubbing, f. tríbein rub; so named because first obtained by rubbing down the pancreas with glycerin; see -IN.

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tryst

mutual appointment to meet. XIV (chiefly Sc. before XIX). spec. use of trist, at first prob. extension of the sense ‘appointed station in hunting’, var. of tristre — OF. trist(r)e.

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tsar

see CZAR.

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tsetse

Afr. fly of genus Glossina. XIX. — Tswana.

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tuatara

large lizard having a dorsal row of spines. XIX. — Maori, f. tua on the back + tara spine.

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tub

open wooden vessel of staves and hoops XIV; (orig. bathing tub) XVI; heavily-built boat XVII; (joc.) pulpit (hence tubman, †tubpreacher, tubthumper). prob. of LG. or Du. orig. (cf. MLG., MDu. tubbe).

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tuba

XIX. — It. — L. tuba war trumpet.

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tube

XVII. — F. tube or L. tubus, rel. to tuba (see prec.).

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tuber

thickened portion of the underground stem of a plant. XVII. — L. tber hump, swelling. So tubercle small rounded projection XVI; (path.) swelling or nodule XVII. — L. tberculum, dim. of tber, tubercular, tuberculous XVIII. tuberculosis disease characterized by the formation of tubercles (tubercle-bacilli). XIX.

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tuberose1

plant Polianthes tuberosa having a tuberous root. XVII. — L. fem. of tbersus (see next).

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tuberose2

tuberous. XVIII — F. tubéreux or L. tbersus; see -OSE1. So tuberosity XVI. tuberous of the form or nature of a tuber. XVII; see -OUS.

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tubi-

comb. form of L. tubus TUBE.

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tubule

small tubular structure. XVII. — L. tubulus, dim. of tubus TUBE. So tubular XVII.

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tuck

fold or pleat of drapery XIV; gathering of ends XVII; hearty meal XIX (hence tuck-shop pastry-cook's shop). f. tuck vb. pull or gather up; put up or away XIV; consume (food) XVIII (also intr. tuck in XIX) — MLG., MDu. tucken ( = OHG. zucchen, G. zucken twitch, snatch), f. Gmc. base teux- (see TUG).

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tucker

piece of lace, etc. worn at the neck. XVII. f. TUCK, -ER1.

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tucket

flourish on a trumpet. XVI. f. tuck beat the drum, sound on a trumpet. XIV. — ONF. toquer = OF. tochier TOUCH; see -ET.

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-tude

suffix repr. F. -tude, L. -td, -tdin-, forming abstr. nouns on adjs., as altitude, fortitude, gratitude, latitude, multitude, derived from L. either directly or through F.

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Tudor

Welsh surname Tewdwr as that of the line of English sovereigns from Henry VII to Elizabeth I, descended from Owen Tudor , who married the widow of Henry V. XVIII.

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Tuesday

OE. Tiwesdæ = OHG. zestag, ON. tý(r)sdagr; f. g. of Tw ( = OHG. Zo, ON. Týr), name of a Gmc. god identified with Mars:- Gmc. Twaz, cogn. with L. deus.

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tufa

(geol.) porous stone. XVIII. — †It. tufa, local var. of tufo — late L. tfus, tphus. So tuff XVI. — F. tuf(f)e, tuf — It. tufo.

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tuffet

tuft or tussock. XVI. prob. alt. of next by substitution of -ET.

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tuft

bunch as of hairs XIV (also toft); clump XVI; tassel on a cap, e.g. as worn by a titled undergraduate XVII. presumably — OF. tof(f)e (mod. touffe), of unkn. orig., with parasitic t.

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tug

vb. XIII (togge). f. weak grade of Gmc. teux- (repr. by OE. ton, OHG. ziohan, G. ziehen) draw, pull:- IE. deuk- (repr. by L. dcere lead). Hence tug sb. (chiefly pl.) chains, traces, studs, to maintain attachment, connection, etc. XIII; act of pulling, or struggling XVI; (dial.) timber waggon XVIII; small powerful vessel for towing XIX.

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tuition

†guardianship, tutelage XV; instruction of a pupil. XVI. — (O)F. — L. tuiti, -n- protection, f. tur look after; see -ITION.

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tulip

XVII (earlier in forms tulip(p)a, -ipan(t) XVI) — modL. tulipa, F. tulipan, tulipe — Turk. tul(i)band (now tülbend) TURBAN (the expanded flower was thought to resemble a turban).

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tulle

fine silk bobbin-net. XIX. — F., named from Tulle, in France, where it was first made.

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tumble

†dance with posturing; fall helplessly XIII; cause to fall XIV. — MLG. tummelen = OHG. tumaln (G. tummeln), frequent. (see -LE3) f. base of OHG. tmn (MHG. tmen), tmaln (G. taumeln); cf. OE. tumbian dance, MHG. tumben, ON. tumba tumble. Hence tumbler †acrobat XIV; lurcher XVI; variety of domestic pigeon XVII; footless goblet (made so as not to stand upright) XVII.

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tumbrel, tumbril

instrument of punishment XIV; tip-cart, dung-cart XV. — OF. tomb-, tumberel (mod. tombereau). f. tomber fall; see -EL2.

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tumid

swollen. XVI. — L. tumidus, f. tumre swell; see -ID1. So tumour, U.S. tumor †act of swelling, swollen condition; swollen part. XVI.-L. tumor, -r-; see -OUR2, -OR6.

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tummy

XIX. alt. (partly euph.) of STOMACH; see -Y2.

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tumult

commotion of a multitude XV; (gen.) disturbance XVI. — (O)F. tumulte or L. tumultus. So tumultuary XVI. — L. tumulturius (of troops) raised hastily. tumultuous XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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tumulus pl. -li

sepulchral mound. XVII. — L., rel. to tumre swell.

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tun

large cask OE.; † tub, vat, etc. XIII; measure of wine, etc. equiv. to 4 hogsheads XV. OE. tunne corr. to MLG., MDu. tunne, tonne (Du. ton), OHG. tunna (G. tonne), late ON. tunna — medL. tunna, prob. of Gaul. orig.

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tundra

vast level treeless region of Russia. XIX. — Russ. túndra, of Lappish orig.

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tune

†sound, tone; air, melody XIV; proper intonation or pitch XV. ME. tune, tewne, unexpl. var. of TONE.

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tungsten

(min.) † calcium tungstate; heavy steel-grey metal. XVIII. — Sw., f. tung heavy + sten stone.

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tunic

body garment or coat of various kinds; (nat. hist.) sheath, integument. XVII.-F. tunique or L. tunica. So † tunicle † small tunic XIV; dalmatic XV. — OF. tunicle (alt. of tunique) of L. tunicula, dim. of tunica; see -CLE.

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tunnel

† tubular net for catching birds XV; † shaft, flue XVI; subterranean passage XVIII. — OF. tonel (mod. tonneau tun, cask), f. tonne TUN; see -EL2.

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tunny

large edible sea-fish. XVI. — (O)F. thon — Pr. ton :- L. thunnus — Gr. thúnnos; the ending -y is unexpl.

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tup

male sheep, ram. XIV. Chiefly north. and Sc. (in earliest use to(u)pe); of unkn. orig.

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tupelo

N. Amer. tree of the genus Nyssa. XVIII. of Creek orig.

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turban

Eastern headdress of Muslim origin. XVI. Three main types are repr. by tolibant, tulipan, turban(t) — F. †tolliban, †tulban, †turbant (mod. turban), It. †tolipano, -ante, Sp., Pg., It. turbante — Turk. tülbend — Pers. dulband.

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turbary

turf-land XIV; right to cut turf XVI. — AN. turberie, OF. tourberie, f. tourbe turf; see -ARY.

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turbid

thick with suspended matter; also fig. XVII. — L. turbidus, f. turba disturbance, crowd, beside turb whirlwind, reel, whirl, spinning-top, perh. — Gr. túrb confusion, disorder; see -ID1. So turbinal (XVI), turbinate (XVII) topshaped. f. L. turben, -bin-, var. of turb; see -AL1, -ATE2.

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turbine

XIX. — F., — L. turb, -bin- (see prec.). Comb. form turbo- XIX.

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turbit

small variety of domestic pigeon. XVII. prob. f. L. turb top, from its shape.

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turbot

large flat-fish. XIII. — OF. — OSw. törnbut, f. törn thorn + but BUTT2.

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turbulent

disorderly, unruly. XVI. — L. turbulentus, f. turbre disturb, agitate, f. turba disturbance; see TURBID, -ULENT.

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turd

(piece of) excrement. OE. tord = MDu. tort, torde :- Gmc. turdam :- IE. dtom, pp. formation on d- der- TEAR2.

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tureen

deep table vessel with a lid. XVIII (terrene, terrine). — F. terrine large circular flat-bottomed earthenware dish, sb. use of fem. of OF. terrin earthen :- Rom. terrinus, f. L. terra earth; see -INE1.

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turf

sod of grass; greensward OE; slab of peat XIII. OE turf, corr., with variation of gender and declension, to OS. (Du.) turf, OHG. zurba, zurf, ON, torf(a); Gmc. f. turb- :- IE. dbh-. the base of Skr. darbhá- tuft of grass.

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turgid

swollen, distended XVII; of inflated style XVIII, — L. turgidus, f. turgre swell; see -ID1. So turgescence XVII,-escent XVIII.

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turkey

† guinea-fowl; large gallinaceous bird of Amer. orig. (genus Meleagris) XVI. The name of the country, first applied to the Afr. bird prob. because it was orig. brought from New Guinea by the Portuguese through Turkish dominions.

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turmeric

(powder made from) the root-stock of the East Indian plant, used in curry powder, etc. XVI. Early forms also tarmaret, tormarith, which appear to be — F. terre mérite, modL. terra merita, of unkn. orig.; the ending shows assim. to -IC.

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turmoil

† agitate, distress; †live or move in agitation; (dial.) toil, drudge. XVI. of unkn. orig. Hence turmoil sb. XVI.

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turn

vb. of extensive sense-development the basic notions of which are rotation and deviation from a course. OE. tyrnan, turnian — L. tornre, f. tornus lathe — Gr. tórnos lathe, circular movement, taken to be cogn. with L. terere rub; prob. reinforced in ME. from OF. turner, torner (mod. tourner) :- L. tornre. Comp. turncoat XVI. turnkey one who has charge of keys. XVII. turn-out action or manner of turning out. XVII. turn-over person or thing that is turned over or transferred XVII; tart of which one half is turned over the other XVIII; amount of business done, etc. XIX. turnpike spiked barrier XV; barrier for collection of toll XVII. turnscrew screwdriver. XIX. turnspit dog or person kept to turn a roasting spit. XVI. turnstile XVII. turn-table XIX. turn-up part of a garment that is turned up XVII; card turned up XIX. Hence turn sb. XIII (Or — AN. t(o)urn). turner one who fashions objects of wood, etc. on a lathe. XIV — OF. tornere, -eor — late L. torntor, -r-, turning-point point marked by change of procedure. XIX.

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turnip

XVI (turnep(e)). The first el. is unexpl.; the second is neep, OE. np — L. npus turnip.

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turnsole

violet blue or purple colouring matter XIV; plant yielding this, the flowers of which face the sun XVI. — (O)F. tournesole — Pr. tournasol, f. L. tornre TURN + sl sun.

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turpentine

orig. resin of the terebinth tree, (now) any oleo-resin from a conifer. XIV. — OF. ter(e)bentine — L. ter(e)benthina, f. terebinthus TEREBINTH; see -INE1.

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turpeth

cathartic drug. XIX. earlier turbit(h) — medL. turbit(h)um, turpetum — Pers., Arab. turbid, -bed.

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turpitude

XV. — F. turpitude or L. turpitd, f. turpis base, disgraceful; see -TUDE.

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turps

(colloq.) XIX. f. first syll. of TURPENTINE, with coll. use of the pl. ending -s.

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turquoise

precious stone, of sky-blue to applegreen colour. XIV. ME. turkeis, later turkes, turques (XV), turkoise, turquoise (XVI) — OF. turqueise, later -oise, for pierre turqueise ‘Turkish stone’; so called from being first known in Turkestan or conveyed through Turkish dominions.

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turret

XIV (t(o)uret). — OF. to(u)rete, dim. of t(o)ur, tor TOWER; see -ET.

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turtle1

dove of the genus Streptopelia. OE. turtla m., turtle fem. = OHG. turtulo m., -ula fem., also turtulatba (G. turteltaube) = MLG. torteldve (so turtledove XIII); in OE. and ME. also turtur, in ME. turture partly — OF. turtre (mod. tourtre) or ON. turturi; all — L. turtur, of imit. orig.

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turtle2

marine tortoise. XVII. perh. alt. of F. tortue TORTOISE. Phr. turn t. (orig. †the t.) capsize (XIX), with allusion to turning turtles over so as to incapacitate and capture them.

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tusk

long pointed tooth. XIII. Metathetic alt. of OE. tux (var. of tus.) = OFris. tusk, tosk.

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tussive

pert. to a cough. XIX. f. L. tussis cough + -IVE.

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tussle

†pull or push roughly XV; struggle vigorously XVII. perh. f. (dial.) touse (whence TOUSLE); see -LE3.

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tussock

tuft of hair XVI; tuft or matted growth of grass, etc. XVII. contemp, with synon. (dial.) tusk (of unkn. orig.), of which it is prob. an alt. form with assim. to -OCK.

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tussore

coarse brown silk. XVII (tessar, -ur). — Urdu — Hindi tasar shuttle :- Skr. tásara-.

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tutelage

guardianship as of a ward. XVII. f. L. ttla keeping, f. pp. stem of tur watch, look after; see -AGE. So tutelary XVII. — L. ttlrius.

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tutenag

alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel. XVII (also too-, -aga, -agal), — Marathi tutting, said to be f. Skr. tuttha- copper sulphate + nga tin, lead.

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tutor

†guardian XIV; one employed as an instructor, esp. of youth; supervisor of an undergraduate XVII. — ME. tutour — AN., OF. tutour (mod. tuteur) or L. ttor, agent-noun (see -TOR) f. tur look at or after, protect.

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tutsan

name of various plants to which healing properties are attributed. XV. — AN. †tutsaine, F. toute-saine, f. toute fem. of tout all, saine fem. of sain wholesome.

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tutti

(mus.) direction that all performers are to take part. XVIII. — It., pl. of tutto :- L. ttus (see TOTAL).

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tutty

crude oxide of zinc. XIV (tutie). — OF. tutie- medL. tutia — Arab. ttiy.

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tu whit tu whoo

imit. of the call of an owl. XVI.

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tuxedo

(U.S.) dinner-jacket. XIX. f. name of a fashionable country club at Tuxedo Park, near New York.

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tuyere

nozzle conveying blast. XVIII. — F. tuyère, f. tuyau pipe.

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twaddle

sb. XVIII (also twiddle-twaddle). alt. of twattle (XVII) and †twittle-twattle (XVI); the corr. vb. (dial. twattle) is earlier (XVI) and varied formerly with †twittle, itself alt. of tittle (see TITTLE-TATTLE); w of the alt. forms is unexpl.

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twain

(arch.) two. OE. tween, corr. to OS. twne, OHG. zwne (G. arch. zween), nom. and acc. m. of the numeral of which fem. and n. are repr. by TWO.

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twang

sound produced by plucking string of bow, harp, etc. XVI; vocal sound modified by passage through the nose XVII; individual or local pronunciation. of imit. orig.

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twayblade

orchid of the genus Listera, etc., having two broad leaves. XVI. tr. medL. bifolium; f. tway, clipped form of TWAIN + BLADE.

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tweak

vb. XVII. prob. alt. of (dial.) twick, OE. twiccian = OHG. zwicchan, rel. to TWITCH. Hence sb. XVII.

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tweed

XIX. Trade name originating in a misreading of tweel or tweeled, Sc. forms of TWILL, TWILLED, assisted by assoc. with the river Tweed.

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tweedle

make a succession of sounds on a fiddle, etc. XVII. imit. of the sounds, combined playfully in tweedledum and tweedledee to indicate two rival musicians (XVIII).

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tween

aphetic of †atween or BETWEEN XIV. Hence tweeny (-Y6) between-maid (one assisting two others) XIX.

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tweet

sb. and vb. XIX. of imit. orig.

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tweezers

XVII. alt., by assoc. with pincers, etc., of †tweezes, pl. of †tweeze case of small instruments, aphetic of †etweeze, repr. pl. of ÉTUI.

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twelve

OE. twelf, inflected twelfe = OS. twelif, twilif (MDu. twalef, Du. twaalf), OHG. zwelif (G. zwölf), ON. tólf, Goth. twalif (-lib); Gmc., prob. f. twa- TWO + lif- as in ELEVEN. So twelfth OE. twelfta = MDu. twalefde (Du. twaalfde), OHG. zwelifto (G. zwölfte), ON. tólfti, f. twelf, etc. (see -TH2); the new formation with -the substituted for -te appeared XIV and became general from XVI.

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twenty

OE. twenti = OS. twntig, OHG, zweinzug (G. zwanzig); the first el. is obscure; cf. ON. tuttugu, Goth. twai tigjus; see -TY1. Hence twentieth (-TH2) OE. twentigoða.

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twi-

prefix meaning ‘two’, ‘twice’, OE. twi-, twy- ( = OHG. zwi-, ON. tví-; rel. to TWO). Of the 45 or so OE. comps. none survived exc. (arch.) twifold, (dial.) twibill two-edged axe, mattock, twi- being gen. repl. by two-, as twofold (ME. twafald XII, OE. twifeald), two-headed (OE. twihafdode).

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twice

on two occasions XII; two times as much (as) XIV. ME. twies, f. twie earlier twi(e)a = OS. tuuo. (f. twi-; cf. prec.) + -es, -s.

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twiddle

†trifle XVI; turn about esp. with the fingers XVII. prob. of symbolic orig.; cf. twirl, fiddle.

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twig1

minor shoot of a tree or shrub. OE. (late Nhb.) twigge, obscurely rel. to twi, tw, corr. to ODa. tvige fork and (with long vowel) MLG. tw.h, Du. twijg, OHG. zwg (G. zweig); all based on Gmc. twi- (cf. TWI-).

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twig2

(sl.) look at, perceive XVIII; understand XIX. of unkn. orig.

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twilight

XV (cf. †twilighting XIV). f. TWI- (in uncert. sense) + LIGHT1.

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twill

woven fabric having parallel ridges. XIV. orig. north. and Sc. reduction of †twilly, ME. †twyle, OE. twili = OHG. zwilh (G. zwillich); semi-tr. of L. bilx, -lc, two-threaded, f. BI- + base of lcum thrum, thread.

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twin

twofold, double OE.; in t. brother, etc. XVI; forming a pair; sb. pl. two born at a birth OE. Late OE. twinn, earlier etwinn adj. and sb., corr. to ON. tvinnr, tvennr twofold, double :- Gmc. twisnaz :- IE. dwisno- :- cf. TWI-.

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twine

thread of two or more strands. OE. twn, twiin linen = Du. twijn twine, twist, f. Gmc. twi- TWI-, Hence vb. XIII.

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twinge

(dial.) pinch, squeeze OE.; (arch.) cause sharp pain to XVII. OE. twenan = MLG. twengen, OHG. zwengen, f. Gmc. twag-, repr. by MHG. zwange tongs, zwangen pinch, OHG. zwangn. Hence twinge sb. †pinch XVI; sharp wringing pain XVII.

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twink

†wink, blink XIV; (arch.) twinkle XVII. corr. to MHG. zwinken (cf. G. zwinkern blink, wink, twinkle).

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twinkle

emit tremulous radiance OE.; wink XIII (obs. exc. in twinkling of an eye XIV). OE. twinclian, f. base repr. by TWINK; see -LE3.

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twirl

spin rapidly XVI; twiddle (the thumbs) XVIII. prob. alt., by assoc. with whirl, of †tirl (XVI), metathetic var. of TRILL.

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twist

†A
divided object or part (band of a hinge, twig, junction of two parts in the body) XIV;

B
cord or threads intertwined XVI (of tobacco XVIII);
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C
act of twisting, turning on an axis, or spinning XVI. of complicated history; partly dependent on OE. twist, in comps. denoting a hinged or branched object, viz. candeltwist snuffers, mæst twist mast rope, stay, yltwist bird-trap, and in place-names prob. denoting ‘fork’; presumably f. the base twis-, identical with that of TWIN.
Top
So twist vb. †divide into branches; wring, wrench XIV; combine, unite (threads) XV. of mixed orig. (partly f. the sb.).

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twit

find fault with, taunt, XVI. In earliest use twite, twight, aphetic of †atwite, OE. ætwtan reproach with, f. æt- from, away (denoting opposition) + wtan blame, corr. to OS. wtan, OHG. wzan, ON. víta punish, Goth. -weitan, rel. to OE. wte punishment.

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twitch

pull or jerk sharply. First in totwicche (XII–XIV) pull apart, corr. to LG. twikken, OHG. gizwickan (G. zwicken), f. Gmc. twik-, repr. also by OE. twiccian (dial. twick) pluck.

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twite

species of linnet. XVI. imit. of the bird's call.

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twitter

utter light tremulous notes, as a bird. XIV. of imit. orig.; see -ER4.

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twizzle

(dial., colloq.) twirl, twiddle. XIX. alt. of TWIDDLE or dial. twistle (XVIII), f. TWIST; see -LE3.

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two

OE. tw fem., tw, t n. (cf. TWAIN) = OS. tw, tw (Du. twee), OHG. zw, zwei (G. zwei), ON. tvær, tvau, Goth. tws, twa; cogn. with Skr. dvá, Gr. dúo, L. duo, Lith. dù, OSl. dva, OIr. dau, d, W. dau; IE. d(u)w(u) with various modifications. Comp. twofold consisting of two combined. XII. ME. twafald, repl twifald, OE. twyfeald (see TWI-).

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-ty1

final syll. of the tens. OE. -ti = OS. (Du.) -tig, OHG. -zug (G.-Zig) (ON. tigr and Goth. tigus are separate words, not suffixes, e.g. tveir tigir, twai tigjus twenty); rel. to TEN.

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-ty2

suffix denoting state or condition; early ME. -teð, -te(e), later -tie — (O)F. -té (AN. -tet, -ted, -teth) :- L. -ts, -tt-.

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tycoon

foreigners' title for the shogun of Japan XIX; (fig., sl.) business magnate XX. — Jap. taikun.

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tyke

dog, esp. cur, mongrel; ill-conditioned fellow XIV; in full Yorkshire t. Yorkshireman XVII. — ON. tík bitch.

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tympan

†tympanum OE.; (typogr.) in a printing press, frame for equalizing pressure XVI. OE. timpana and ME. timpan (in renderings of biblical passages) — L. tympanum TYMPANUM. reinforced by (O)F. tympan.

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tympanites

(path.) distension of the abdomen by gas. XIV. — late L. — Gr. tumpaníts, f. túmpanon TYMPANUM.

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tympanum

drum, tambourine, etc.; ear-drum. XVII. — L. — Gr. túmpanon drum, f. nasalized var. of base of túptein strike.

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Tynwald

annual convention in the Isle of Man. XV. — ON. pingwall-, stem of pingvllr, f. ping assembly + vllr field, level ground.

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type

emblem XV; mark, stamp XVI; characteristic or representative form XVII; block carrying a letter or figure used in printing XVIII. — F. type or L. typus — Gr. túpos blow, impression, image, figure, f. base of túptein strike, beat. Comp. typewriter (-ER1) XIX (whence type vb., typist XIX). So typic typical. XVII. — F. typique — late L. typicus — Gr. tupikós. typical XVII. — medL. typiclis. typography XVII. — F. typographie or modL. typographia. typographical XVI. — modL. typographer XVII. — F. typographe or modL. typographus. Hence typify XVII.

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-type

repr. F. -type, L. -typus, Gr. -túpos, f. túptein (see prec.).

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typhlitis

(path.) inflammation of the caecum (blind gut). XIX. f. Gr. tuphlón caecum, n. of tuphlós blind; see -ITIS.

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typhoon

cyclonic storm in the China seas. XVI. — Chinese tai fung, dial. vars. of ta big, fêng wind. Earlier †tuffoon (XVII), identified in form with †touffon (XVI), †tuffon (XVII) violent storm in India — Pg. tufo — Hind. (— Arab.) fn hurricane, tornado, beside which there was a contemp. †typhon (XVI) — L. tphn — Gr. tphôn, rel. to túphein (see next).

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typhus

infectious fever. XVIII. — modL. tphus — Gr. tûphos smoke, vapour, stupor, f. túphein smoke. Hence typhoid resembling typhus; applied spec. to a fever marked by intestinal inflammation and formerly supposed to be a variety of typhus. XVIII. f. TYPHUS + -OID.

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tyranno-

comb. form of Gr. túrannos TYRANT, as in tyrannosaurus (XX).

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tyrant

absolute ruler; despotic ruler. XIII. — OF. tyrant, tiran (mod. tyran) — L. tyrannus — Gr. túrannos. (OF. tyrant is analogical after forms in -ANT.) So or hence tyrannic XV. — (O)F. tyrannical XVI. tyrannous XV. tyranny XIV. — (O)F. tyrannie — late L. tyrannia — Gr. turanní. tyrannize XV. — (O)F. tyranniser.

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tyre, (now U.S.) tire3

†curved plating for the rim of a wheel XV; rim of metal forming a continuous hoop XVIII; cushion of rubber for the same purpose XIX. perh. a use of TIRE2.

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Tyrian

pert. to Tyre, ancient Phoenician city on the Mediterranean, spec. of a purple or crimson dye obtained from molluscs. XVI. f. L. Tyrius, f. Tyrus Tyre; see -IAN.

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tyro

see TIRO.

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tzar

see CZAR.

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tzigane

Hungarian gipsy. XIX. — F. tzigane (with tz of G. origin) — Hung. cigány.

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U

ubication

location. XVII. — medL. ubicti, -n- (cf. Sp. ubicación, Pg. ubicaço), f. ubicre (cf. Sp. ubicarse be in a determinate place), f. L. ub where = Umbrian pufe, Oscan puf :- quub (cf. L. alicub elsewhere, necub nowhere), f. base of qu WHO, with loc. ending; see-ATION.

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ubiety

condition in respect of place. XVII. — medL. ubiets, f. L. ub where. So ubiquity quality of being everywhere at the same time. XVI. f. L. ubque everywhere, f. ub + generalizing -que (whence ubiquitous XIX).

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U-boat

XX. — G. U-boot, for unterseeboot ‘under-sea boat’.

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udal

of lands held by an old pre-feudal form of freehold tenure. XVI (outhell, uthall, udall). Orkney and Shetland form of ON. óðal ODAL.

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udder

OE. der = OS. der, MLG., MDu. der (Du. ui(j)er), OHG. ter (G. euter):- WGmc. dr-; cf. OS. ieder, MLG. jeder, jüdder, ON. (with unexpl. cons. -change) jú (g)r :- euðer; IE. dhr- is repr. by L. ber, Gr. oûthar, Skr. dhar-.

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udometer

rain-gauge. XIX. — F. udomètre, irreg. f. L. dus damp; see -METER.

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ugly

†frightful, horrible, terrible; morally offensive XIII; physically offensive, repulsive to the eye XIV; causing offence or disquiet XVII; hazardous, dangerous; cross, ill-tempered. — ON. uggligr to be feared, f. ugga fear; see -LY1.

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uhlan

cavalryman, lancer in Continental armies. XVIII. — F. uhlan, G. u(h)lan — Pol. (h)ulan — Turk. olan youth, servant.

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Uitlander

in S. Africa, foreigner, alien. XIX. — Afrikaans, f. Du. uit OUT + land LAND; see -ER1.

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ukase

decree, orig. of Russian emperor. XVIII. — Russ. ukáz, f. ukazát' show, order, decree.

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ukulele

XIX. of Hawaiian orig.

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-ular

repr. L. -ulris (sometimes through F. -ulaire), f. -ulus, -ula, -ulum -ULE + -ris -AR, as in L. populris POPULAR, rgulris REGULAR, sæculris SECULAR. Some adjs. function as if connected directly to the bases of derivs. in -ule, as granular, apprehended as f. grain.

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ulcer

XIV. — (O)F. ulcère or — L. ulcus, ulcer-, rel. to Gr. hélkos wound, sore. So ulcerate (-ATE3) XV, ulceration XIV, ulcerous XVI. — L.

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-ule

suffix repr. F. -ule — L. -ulus, -ula, -ulum, as in capsula CAPSULE, globulus GLOBULE, grnulum GRANULE. Some words in -ule that were temporarily current, e.g. †scrupule, gave way finally to earlier forms in -LE1; others, e.g. †formule, to the orig. L. form. The corr. adjs. end in -ULAR, -ULOSE, -ULOUS.

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ulema

body of Muslim doctors in the law XVII; one of these XIX. — Arab. ‘ulam’ pl. of 'lim learned, f. 'alima know.

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-ulent

repr. L. -ulentus, used to form adjs. usu. with the sense of ‘abounding in, full of’, as corpulentus CORPULENT, opulentus OPULENT, truculentus TRUCULENT.

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ullage

amount by which a cask or bottle falls short of being full. XV (oylage, ulage). — AN. ulliage = OF. ouillage, œillage, f. (O)F. ouiller, eullier, œiller fill up (a barrel):- Gallo-Rom. oculre, f. L. oculus EYE, used in the sense of bung-hole; see -AGE.

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ulna

(anat.) larger inner bone of the forearm. XVI. — L. ulna forearm, ELL. Hence ulnar XVIII.

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-ulose

adj.
suffix repr. L. -ulsus, compounded of -ulus -ULE and -sus -OSE1 and f. sbs. in -ulus, -ula, -ulum.

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-ulous

adj.
suffix repr. L. -ulsus -ULOSE and -ulus; to the former belong, e.g., fabulous, meticulous, populous, to the latter, e.g., credulous, garrulous, sedulous. In a few instances L. adjs. of both types exist, as querulus, querulsus QUERULOUS, rdiculus, rdiculsus RIDICULOUS.

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ulster

(U-) king-of-arms for Ireland XVI; long loose overcoat of rough cloth introduced by J. G. McGee & Co. of Belfast, capital of Ulster XIX. Name of the most northerly province of Ireland, the earlier form of which was Ulvester — ON. Ulfastir, also Ulaztir, Ulaðstir, f. Ir. Ulaidh men of Ulster; the el. -ster is perh. to be referred to (O)Ir. tír land = L. terra.

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ulterior

beyond what is immediate or present XVII; locally more remote XVIII. — L. ulterior further, more distant, compar. of ulter. So ultimate (of an end, stage, etc.) last, final. XVII. — medL. ultimtus, pp. of late L. ultimre come to an end, f. L. ultimus, superl. of ulter; see -ATE2. ultimatum final terms final point, extreme limit. XVIII. sb. use of n. of late L. ultimtus. ultimo †on the last day XVI; of the last month XVII. abl. of L. ultimus.

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ultra-

prefix repr. L. ultr beyond, rel. to ULTERIOR, etc.; in mod. use (from early XIX) a living prefix
1
prepositionally, surpassing the limits of (the specified concept), as ultra-human;
2 adverbially, marked by an extreme degree of the quality denoted by the adj. qualified;
3 spec. in ultra-violet applied to the rays beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum;
4 denoting instruments recording very minute measurements, as ultramicroscope.

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ultramarine

A
applied to a blue pigment obtained orig. from lapis lazuli XVI;

B
situated beyond the sea XVII. In A. — medL. ultramarnus (see ULTRA-, MARINE); in B. — It. †oltramarino (mod. oltre-) in azzurro oltramorino ‘azure from overseas’, the substance being of foreign origin; later assim. to medL.
Top

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ultramontane

(one) representing the R.C.Ch. beyond (i.e. north of) the Alps and so not favouring extreme views of papal authority XVI; (orig. from the French point of view) pert. to the R.C.Ch. beyond (i.e. south of) the Alps, (and hence) the Italian party favouring such views XVIII. — medL. ultrmontnus; see ULTRA-, MOUNT1, -ANE1.

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ululate

howl. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. ululre, of imit. orig.; see -ATE2. So ululation XVI. — obs. F. or late L.

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umbel

(bot.) inflorescence in which the flowers are borne upon nearly equal pedicels springing from a common centre. XVI. — F. †umbelle (mod. ombelle) or L. umbella sunshade, dim. of umbra shadow; see UMBRA. So umbellifer XVIII, umbelliferous XVII.

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umber

kind of brown earth used as a pigment. XVI. — F. ombre or It. ombra, either identical with the words derived from L. umbra shadow, darkness; or from L. Umbra, fem. of Umber belonging to the ancient province of Umbria, Italy.

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umbilical

pert. to the navel. XVI. — medL. umbilclis, f. L. umbilcus, f. base of UMBO; see -AL1.

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umbles

XV. var. of NUMBLES; in attrib. use umble-pie (XVII); cf. HUMBLE-PIE.

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umbo

boss of a shield; round or conical projection. XVIII. — L. umb (see NAVEL).

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umbra

phantom, ghost XVI; uninvited guest accompanying an invited one; (astron.) shadow XVII. — L. umbra shadow, shade, phantom, etc.

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umbrage

†shade, shadow XV; shade of trees, (hence) foliage XVI; †shadowy appearance, semblance XVII; †suspicion, inkling, pretext; displeasure, resentment. — OF. umbrage, (also mod.) ombrage :- Rom. umbrticum, sb. use of n. of L. umbrticus pert. to retirement or seclusion, f. umbra shadow, shade, retirement. Hence umbrageous shady XVI; suspicious, jealous XVII. — (O)F. ombrageux.

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umbrella

XVII (also -ello). — It. ombrella, -o, dim. of ombra :- L. umbra (shadow, shade), after umbella (see UMBEL).

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umlaut

(philol.) change in the sound of a vowel due to partial assimilation to an adjacent sound. XIX. — G., f. um- about + laut sound.

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umpire

one who decides between disputants or arbitrators. XV. ME. owmpere, umpere, arising from misdivision of a noumpere, as an oumpere; †noumpere (XIV–XV) — OF. no(u)mper, f. no(u)n- NON- + per PEER, i.e. a third man called in to decide between two. Hence as vb. XVI.

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umpty

signaller's sl. for ‘dash’ used in reading morse code messages; by assoc. with numerals in -TY1 used for an indefinite fairly large number; whence umpteen , after numerals in -TEEN. XX.

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un-1

OE. un- = OS. (LG.), (O)HG., Goth. un-, (M)Du. on-, ON. ú-, ó-, corr. to OIr. in-, an-, L. in- IN-2, Gr. an-, a- A-4, AN-2, Skr. an-, a- :- IE. n-, gradation-var. of ne not. This prefix, expressing negation or contradiction, has been most frequently used with ppls. and adjs., but there has been restriction with short simple adjs. (e.g. unbold, unglad, unstrong), there being usu. available simple forms with opposite positive meanings; unclean, uneven, unmild, untrue, unwise, etc. are of OE. date, while unable, undue, uneasy, unjust, unsafe are notable exx. of comps. with adjs. of alien origin. On the other hand derivs. from adjs. in -able, -al, -ant, -ar, -ary, -ent, -ful, -ible, -ic(al), -ish, -ive, -ous, -y are very numerous. Formations with ppls. appear freely from OE. times onwards. There are several comps. in common use of which the simplex is now obs. or rare, as unfailing, unfeeling, ungainly, unruly, unspeakable, unwieldy. Participles with pendent particles are freely used, e.g. uncalled-for, unreferred-to, unthought-of.
There are many parallel formations with IN2, esp. in the earlier periods, e.g. inconstant, immeasurable, insatiable, beside unconstant, unmeasurable, unsatiable.

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un-2

prefix expressing reversal or deprivation. OE. un-, on-, an- = OS. ant- (Du. ont-), OHG. ant-, int- (G. ent-), orig. identical with and- in OE. andswaru ANSWER, andlong ALONG. Most of the OE. formations have a simple vb. as their base, as unbindan unbind, undn UNDO, uneocian unyoke, and denote reversal of the action; the few denoting removal or deposition were increased later, as unfasten, unfix, unlace, unsettle, unstitch, as also those denoting freedom or release, as unbosom, uncage, unearth, unhouse, unsheathe; from late XVI comps. denoting deprivation of a quality or status appear, as unchurch, unking, unman.

The redundant use of the prefix is rare, the chief ex. being unloose.

Both un-1 and un-2 may be repr. in such a pp. form as unsaddled, which may mean ‘not saddled or having a saddle’ or ‘removed from or deprived of a saddle’.

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unable

not able XIV; weak, feeble XVI (in later use Sc.), f. UN-1 + ABLE.

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unaneled

not having received extreme unction. XVII. f. UN-1 + pp. of †anele (XIV), f. an- + †ele anoint (f. OE. ele OIL); see -ED1.

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unanimous

XVII. f. L. nanimus, f. nus ONE + animus mind; see -OUS. So unanimity XV. — (O)F. or L.

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unanswerable

†discrepant; not admitting of an answer; not responsible for. XVII (UN-1). So unanswerably XVI. unarm XIV, unarmed XIII (UN-1,2). unawares without being aware; without warning. XVI. alt. of unwares (XII), var. of unware (XII), adv. f. OE. unwær = ON. úvarr; see UN-1, AWARE, -S. So unaware adv. XVI; adj. XVIII.

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unbeknown

in adv. phr. u. to without the knowledge OF. XVII (UN-1). Hence, with -st (f. -s with parasitic t), unbeknownst XIX.

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unbend

relax XIII; straighten XVII; free oneself from restraint XVIII (UN-2). unbending un-yielding, inflexible XVII; remaining erect XVIII (UN-1). unbosom disclose. XVI (UN-2). unbound OE. unbunden; see UN-1. unbounded XVI (UN-1). unbridled XIV (UN-1). unbroken XIII (UN-1). unburden XVI (UN-2).

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uncanny

A
† malicious XVI;

B
(dial.) careless. unreliable XVII;
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C
not safe to deal with XVIII;
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D
of a mysterious or weird nature XIX. f. UN-1 + CANNY; sense D. is of Eng. development.
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unchancy

(chiefly Sc.) ill-fated XVI; dangerous unsafe XVIII. See UN-1. unchurch exclude from membership of a church. XVII (UN-2).

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uncial

A
pert. to an inch or an ounce XVII;

B
(palaeogr.) after late L. unciales litteræ, having the large rounded forms characteristic of early Gr. and L. manuscripts XVIII. — L. uncilis, f. uncia INCH1, OUNCE1; see -AL1. In sense B the orig. application is obscure.
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unciform

hook-shaped. XVIII. f. L. uncus hook; see -FORM. So uncinate hooked. XVIII. — L. uncntus, f. uncnus, f. uncus; see -INE1, -ATE2.

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uncle

XIII. — AN. uncle, (O)F. oncle :- late L. aunculus uncle, for earlier avunculus maternal uncle, dim. (see next) of awon-, var. of the base of L. avus grandfather (:- awos).

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-uncle

suffix repr. OF. -uncle, and its source, L. -unculus, -uncula, a comp. form with -ulus, -ula, -ULE, on -unc- (as in homunci little man).

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unco

(Sc.) adj. strange, unusual XV; remarkable, great XVIII; adv. extremely XVIII. Clipped form of UNCOUTH.

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unconscionable

not conscientious; not reasonable, unreasonably great, etc. XVI (UN-1). unconscious XVIII (UN-1). uncouple release (dogs) from the leash XIV; disconnect XVI. See UN-2.

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uncouth

†unknown †unfamiliar; (dial.) unusual OE.; †unfrequented XVI; uncomely, awkward. OE. uncð = MDu. oncont (Du. onkond), OHG. unkund, ON. úkunnr, Goth. unkunþs; Gmc., f. UN-1 + pp. of kunnan know (see CAN2).

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uncover

XIII (UN-2).

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unction

A
anointing as a rite or symbol XIV;

B
(after 1 John 2: 20) spiritual influence XIV; spiritual feeling XVII;
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C
lubrication, ointment XVI. — L. uncti, -n-, f. unct-, pp. stem of ung(u)- ere; see UNGUENT, -TION.
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So unctuous greasy, oily XIV; fat, rich XV. — medL. unctusus.

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undaunted

†untamed XV; †(Sc.) unrestrained XVI; not discouraged XVI. See UN-1.

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under

adv. and prep. OE. under = OS. undar (Du. onder), OHG. untar (G. unter), ON. undir, Goth. undar :- Gmc. unðer :- IE. dher- and ter-, compar. formations.

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under-1

repr. OE. under-, comb. form of UNDER adv. and prep. = OS. undar-, etc. (see prec.) denoting (1) lower or inferior position or locality, status or rank; (2) defect, or insufficiency.

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under-2

pref. originating in the coalescence of UNDER prep. with a following sb., the resulting comp. forming an adj. or adv., e.g. underfoot (XII); UNDERGROUND, UNDERHAND; undersea (XVII).

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undergo

pt. -went, pp. -gone †undermine OE.; †pass under XIII; endure, submit to; experience XVI. Late OE. undergn (with Gmc. cogns.); see UNDER-1, GO.

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undergraduate

XVII (shortened to undergrad XIX). See UNDER-2. Hence irreg. undergraduette XX.

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underground

adv. XVI; adj. XVII. See UNDER-2.

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underhand

adv. and adj.
secret(ly), covert(ly). XVI. See UNDER-2.

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underhung

having the lower jaw projecting beyond the upper. XVII. f. UNDER + hung, pp. of HANG.

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underlay

place beneath, support. OE. underle.an = (M)Du. onder leggen, etc.; see UNDER-1, LAY1.

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underlie

†be subject to; submit to OE.; subtend XVI; form a basis to XIX. OE. underli.an = (M)Du. onder liggen, etc. See UNDER-1, LIE1.

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underling

XII. f. UNDER (in the sense ‘in a state of subjection’) + -LING1.

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undermine

mine beneath XIV; overthrow by underhand means XV. f. UNDER + MINE2.

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underneath

prep. beneath, below; adv. down below. OE. underneoðan, f. UNDER + neoðan (see BENEATH).

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understand

grasp or know the meaning (or the fact) of OE.; recognize as present or implied XVI. OE. understandan, see UNDER1; cf. MLG. understn understand, step under, MDu. onderstaen (Du. -staan), MHG. understn, -stn (G. unterstehen), and with another prefix, OE. forstandan, OS. farstandan, OHG. firstantan, MHG. verstn, -stn (G. verstehen), MDu. verstaen (Du. -staan). Hence understanding XI.

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understrapper

underling, subordinate. XVIII. f. UNDER-1 + (prob.) strapper in dial. sense of ‘labourer’ or ‘one who grooms a horse’ (cf. STRAP).

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undertake

†entrap XII; †accept, receive XIII; take in hand, take in charge; †commit oneself XIV; become surety for XVI. f. UNDER-1 + TAKE. Hence undertaker †helper; one who undertakes a task XIV; contractor, now only for funeral-undertaker XVII. undertaking †energy, enterprise; pledge, promise XIV; action, etc., undertaken XV.

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undertone

low or subdued tone; undercurrent of feeling, etc. XIX. f. UNDER-1 + TONE.

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underwrite

write underneath XIV (in pp.); †subscribe (a document) XVI; spec. (a policy of insurance) XVII (hence underwriter XVII). f. UNDER-1; tr. L. subscrbere SUBSCRIBE.

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undies

(colloq.) pl. women's undergarments. XX. f. under- in underclothes, underwear, etc.; see -IES (and cf. -Y6).

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undine

water-nymph. XIX. — modL. undina, undena, f. unda wave; see -INE1.

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undo

A
unfasten;

B
annul, make of no effect; bring to nought, destroy, ruin OE.;
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C
† expound XIII. OE. undn = (M)Du. ontdoen, OHG. intuon; see UN-2, DO1.
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Hence undone ruined, destroyed XIV.

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undoubted

XV (UN-1). Hence undoubtedly XV.

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undress1

partial or informal dress. XVII. UN-1 + DRESS sb. So undressed not dressed, trimmed, clothed XV.

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undress2

divest of clothes. XVI (UN-2).

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undue

not owing; improper, unseasonable XIV; excessive XVII. f. UN-1 + DUE. So unduly XIV.

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undulate

move in or as in waves. XVII. f. L. unda wave (cf. L. undultus waved, f. late L. undula, dim. of unda); see -ULE, -ATE3. So undulation XVII, undulatory XVIII.

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undying

XIII (vndeiand). See UN-1.

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unearth

exhume XV; expel (an animal) from its earth XVII; (fig.) bring to light XIX. f. UN-2 + EARTH sb. uneasy XIII (UN-1). uneath (arch.) with difficulty; hardly, scarcely. OE. unaðe, f. UN-1 + aðe easily. unemployment XIX (UN-1). unending XVII (UN-1). unequal XVI (UN-1). uneven OF. unefen; see UN-1, EVEN2. unfailing XIV (UN-1). unfasten XIII (UN-2). unfeeling OE. unflende; f. UN-1 + prp. of FEEL vb. unfit XVI (UN-1). unfitting XVI (UN-1). unfix XVI (UN-2). unfold open the folds of; disclose. OE. unfealdan; see UN-2, FOLD2. unfrequented XVI (UN-1). unfrock XVII (UN-2). ungainly XVII. f. UN-1 + (dial.) gainly, after ungain (dial.) not straight; inconvenient (XV) — ON. úgegn, f. ú- UN-1 + gegn straight; see -LY1.

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ungodly

XVI (UN-1).

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unguent

ointment, salve. XV. — L. unguentum, f. unguere anoint, rel. to Skr. anákti anoints, OIr. imb. W. ymenyn, OHG. ancho butter.

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ungulate

hoof-shaped, hoofed. XIX. — lateL. ungultus, f. ungula claw, hoof, f. unguis NAIL; see -ULE, -ATE2.

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unhand

take the hand(s) off. XVII. f. UN-2 + HAND sb.

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unhappy

†causing misfortune XIII; unfortunate, ill-fated, (later) wretched in mind, marked by misfortune XIV. f. †unhap misfortune, mishap (XIII) — ON. úhapp, f. ú- UN-1 + happ HAP sb.; see -Y1.

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unhinge

XVII (UN-2). unhorse XIV (UN-2). unhouse XIV (UN-2).

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uni-

repr. L. ni-, comb. form of nus ONE, a single (repr. by only a few words during the classical period); freely used in XIX in techn. terms.

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Uniat, Uniate

(pert. to) a member of an Orthodox Eastern church in communion with the R.C.Ch. XIX. — Russ. uniát, f. úniya — L. ni UNION.

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unicameral

consisting of one CHAMBER. XIX. UNI- + CAMERA + -AL1.

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unicorn

fabulous one-horned equine beast XIII; carriage drawn by three horses arranged one and two XVIII. — (O)F. unicorne — L. unicornis one-horned, (Vulg.) unicorn, f. UNI- + corn HORN.

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uniform

of one or the same form XVI; sb. distinctive uniform dress XVIII. — (O)F. uniforme or L. niformis, f. UNI- + forma FORM. So uniformity XV. — (O)F. or late L.

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unify

XVI. — (O)F. unifier or late L. nificre; see UNI-, -FY. So unification XIX.

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unilateral

XIX. f. UNI- + LATERAL.

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union

act or fact of uniting or being united XV; body of units joined together XVII; textile fabric composed of two or more materials XIX. — (O)F. union or ecclL. ni, -n- the number one, unity, f. nus ONE; see -ION. U. flag, national flag introduced to symbolize the union of the crowns of England and Scotland XVII; u. jack, orig. small union flag flown as a jack (see JACK3) XVII.

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unique

XVII. — F. unique, †unic m. — L. nicus one and only, alone of its kind, f. nus ONE; see -IC.

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unison

(mus.) identity of pitch XVI; exact agreement XVII. — (O)F. unison (mod. unisson) or late L. nisonus of the same sound, f. UNI- + sonus SOUND3.

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unit

(math.) indivisible whole regarded as the base of number XVI; single individual XVII; quantity serving as a standard of measurement XVIII. f. L. nus ONE, prob. after digit.

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unitarian

one who affirms the unipersonality of the Godhead. XVII. f. modL. nitrius, f. L. nits UNITY; see -ARIAN.

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unite

trans. make one XV; intr. form one (with) XVII. f. nt-, pp. stem of L. nre join together, f. nus ONE. So unity fact or condition of being one XIII; †unit XV; the number one XVI. — (O)F. unité — L. nits.

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universal

comprehending the whole XIV; pert. to the universe; of the Church Catholic, forming a whole XV; widely learned or accomplished XVI; (logic) pert. to the whole of a class or genus; also sb. XVI. — OF. universal (mod. -el) or L. niverslis, f. niversus; see next and -AL1. So universality XIV (once, thereafter not till XVI). — (O)F. or late L. Hence universally XIV. universalism XIX, universalist XVII.

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universe

A
†in u. (L. in universum) universally XIV;

B
the whole of created things XVI; the world XVII. — (O)F. univers or L. niversum the whole world, sb. use of n. of niversus all taken together, lit. ‘turned into one’, f. UNI- + versus, pp. of vertere turn.
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university

body of teachers and scholars engaged in the higher branches of learning in a certain place. XIV. — (O)F. université — L. niversits the whole, the whole number (of), the universe, (in later juridical lang.) society, corporation, f. niversus; see UNIVERSE, -ITY.

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unkempt

XV. var. of unkem(be)d, f. UN-1 + pp. of kemb, OE. cemban comb.

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unless

(not) on a less condition than XIV; except it be that, if … not XV; prep. except, but XVI. ME. phr. o(n) lesse, also in lesse (followed by than), modelled on (O)F. à moins que; with assim. of the first syll. to UN-1.

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unlettered

XIV (UN-1). unlicked not licked into shape. XVI (UN-1).

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unlike

not like, different XII. The early distribution of the word in north. and eastern areas suggests orig. accommodation of ON. úlíkr, úglíkr = OE. unel. (ME. uniliche), MLG. unlk (Du. onlijk), OHG. ungilh (G. ungleich); Gmc., see UN-1, LIKE1. So unlikely XIV.

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unloose

relax; release XIV; unfasten XVI. f. UN-2, LOOSE; cf. OE. onlesan, ME. unlese. unlucky XVI (UN-1). unmake XV (UN-2). unman deprive of manly qualities. XVI (UN-2). unmask XVI (UN-2).

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unmentionable

not to be mentioned XIX; sb. pl. trousers XIX (orig. U.S.). See UN-1.

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unmitigated

XVI (UN-1). unmixed XVI (UN-1). unmuzzle (UN-2), unmuzzled (UN-1) XVI. unnail XV (UN-2). unnatural XV (UN-1). unnerved XVII (UN-2). unpaid XIV (UN-1). unparalleled XVI (UN-1).

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unready

not ready or prepared XIII; not prompt XVI. f. UN-1 + READY. From XVI used as a form of †unredy (XIV), f. unrede (see -Y1), OE. unrd lack of counsel or wisdom (OE. ræd counsel), traditional epithet from XIII of king Ethelred II, originating in the jingling collocation Æthelred Unred ‘Noble Counsel, Evil Counsel’.

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unreal

XVII (UN-1). unreality XVIII (UN-1). unreason †injustice XIV; inability to act reasonably XIX. See UN-1. unreasonable XIV (UN-1).

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unreliable

XIX (UN-1).

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unruly

undisciplined, disorderly. XIV. f. UN-1 + †ruly orderly (XIV), f. RULE + -Y1.

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unsaid

OE. unsd, with Gmc. cogns.; see UN-1. unsay (OE., once), XV (UN-2). unseat XVI (UN-2). unseemly XIII (UN-1). unseen XII (UN-1). unsettle XVI (UN-2). unsex XVII (UN-2). unship XV (UN-2). unsightly XV (UN-1).

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unspeakable

A
that cannot be expressed in words XIV;

B
indescribably bad XIX. See UN-1.
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unsteady

XVI (UN-1).

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unstrung

having the string(s) relaxed XVI; unnerved XVII (UN-2).

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unsung

not sung XV; not celebrated in song XVII (UN-1).

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unsymmetrical

XVIII (UN-1). unsystematic XVIII (UN-1).

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untidy

†untimely, unseemly XIII; not in good order XIV. See UN-1.

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untie

OE. untan; see UN-2.

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until

adv.
and conj. XIII. f. ON. und (retained in un(d)z, for und es ‘till that’, and corr. to OE., OFris., OS. und) + TILL2.

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untiring

not growing weary. XIX. f. UN-1 + prp. of TIRE1 (intr.).

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unto

to (in all uses exc. as marking an inf.); (arch.) until. XIII. f. (Scand.) un- of UNTIL + (native) TO.

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untold

†not reckoned OE.; immense, vast XIV; not recounted. OE. unteald; see UN-1.

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untouchable

that cannot or may not be touched XVI; sb. non-caste Hindu XX. See UN-1.

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untoward

†disinclined; intractable; †awkward, ungainly; unlucky XVI; unpropitious XVII. f. UN-1 + TOWARD adj. Earlier in untowardly adj., untowardness XV.

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untrodden

not trodden on, untraversed. (XIII), XVI. See UN-1.

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untrue

unfaithful OE.; false XIV; wrong. OE. untrowe (with Gmc. cogns.); see UN-1.

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untruth

†unfaithfulness OE.; falsehood XV. See UN-1. Hence untruthful XIV.

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untutored

XVI (UN-1). unused XIII (UN-1). unusual XVI (UN-1).

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unutterable

above or beyond description. XVI (UN-1).

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unwashed

XIV (UN-1). Earlier †unwashen (OE. unwæscen).

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unwell

XV (before late XVIII mostly north., Sc., Anglo-Ir.). See UN-1.

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unwept

XVI (UN-1).

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unwieldy

†impotent, feeble XIV; awkward in movement XVI; difficult to handle. f. UN-1 + †wieldy, extended form with -Y1 of †wield, OE. (e)wielde vigorous, active:- Gmc. (za-)walðja-, f. walð-, base of WIELD.

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unwilling

OE. unwillende; newly formed in XVI. See UN-1.

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unwise

OE. unws (with Gmc. cogns.); see UN-1.

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unwitting

not knowing or aware, OE. unwitende (rare after 1600 till XIX); see UN-1, -ING2. Hence unwittingly XIV.

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unworthy

worthless; not worthy, undeserving XIII; unmerited XIV; not befitting (one). See UN-1.

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-uous

suffix repr. L. -usus or deriv. OF. -uous (mod. -ueux), f. u-stems + -sus -OSE1, -OUS, as in †monstruous, sinuous, sumptuous; or f. L. u-stems + -OUS, as in arduous, conspicuous, incongruous, promiscuous, strenuous. So -uity, -uosity.

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up

to or at an elevated position. repr. two OE. words (i) up(p) (said primarily of motion) = OS. up (Du. op), ON. upp, (ii) uppe (said primarily of position) = OS. uppa, ON. uppi; rel. to OHG. f (G. auf). The use of up adv. to express complete consumption was prob. adopted from Scand. (e.g. ON. drekka upp drink up). By ellipsis of preps., such as against, along, etc., a new prep. was developed to form collocations like upstairs (XVI).

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up-

pref. repr. OE. up(p)-, corr. to (M)Du. op-, OS., (M)LG. up-, OHG. f- (G. auf-), ON. upp-.

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upas

Javanese tree yielding a poisonous sap. XIX. — Malay pas poison, in phun or phun pas poison-tree. Earlier (XVIII) of a tree fabled to have existed in Java, having poisonous properties such that it destroyed life for many miles around.

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upbraid

†adduce as a fault OE.; find fault with, carp at XIII; censure, reprove soundly. Late OE. upbrdan, perh. after ON. uppbregða, f. upp UP + bregða BRAID.

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upbringing

XVI. Gerund of †upbring (XIII), with Gmc. cogns.

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upheaval

(geol.) raising by volcanic action; hence freq. fig. XIX. f. upheave (XIII; spec. in geol. XIX), f. UP- + HEAVE; see -AL2.

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uphill

ascent XVI; adj. †high, elevated XVII; going upwards, arduous; adv. XVII. f. UP prep. + HILL.

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uphold

XIII. f. UP- + HOLD1; with Gmc. cogns.

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upholsterer

XVII. Extended form with -ER1 of †upholster (XV) dealer in or repairer of small or secondhand articles, f. prec. + -STER. Hence upholster vb. XIX, upholstery XVII.

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upkeep

maintenance in good condition. XIX. f. phr. keep up maintain (XVI).

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upland

(arch.) land lying away from the sea; high ground XVI; also adj., repl. earlier uplandish (XIV; cf. OE. uplendis. rustic). f. UP, used adj., raised, elevated + LAND sb.

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upmost

uppermost, highest. XVI. f. UP + -MOST.

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upon

XII. f. UP + ON, after ON. upp á.

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upper

higher, top. XIV (not common before XV). f. UP + -ER3. Hence sb. XIX, uppermost XV.

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uppish

from XVII in various sl. uses implying elevation or elation. f. UP + -ISH1.

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upright

erect, perpendicular OE.; †lying on the back OE. (late); of unbending rectitude XVI; sb. †vertical face; architectural elevation XVII; upright part or member. OE. upriht, corr. to (M)Du. oprecht, OHG. freht (G. aufrecht), ON. upréttr; see UP-, RIGHT.

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uproar

A
†insurrection, tumult;

B
outcry, noise of tumult. XVI. — Du. oproer (MDu. uproer), MLG. uprr, f. op UP- + roer, rr = OS. hrra, OHG. ruora (G. ruhr) motion; in B influenced by ROAR.
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Hence uproarious XIX.

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ups-a-daisy, upsidaisy

encouraging excl. on lifting a child from the ground. XIX. vars. of up-a-daisy (XVIII; -dazy); see UP, and for the ending cf. LACKADAISICAL. XIX.

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upset

A
†set up, raise, erect XIV (in pp.); (Sc.) make good XVI.

B
overthrow, overturn; throw into disorder XIX. f. UP + SET1.
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upshot

†final shot in an archery match, fig. parting shot; †mark aimed at; †end, conclusion; in the u. at last, (hence) result, issue. XVI. f. UP- + SHOT.

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upside down

XVI. Alt. of (dial.) upsidown (XV), var. of †upsedown, †up sadown, for earlier †up so down (XIV), orig. meaning ‘so as to be upset or overturned’. The form of this phr. is difficult to account for.

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upsides

even or quits with, XVIII (orig. Sc.). f. UP, SIDE sb., -s.

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upstairs

see UP.

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upstart

(one) newly or suddenly risen in position. XVI. equiv. to contemp. †start-up, f. start, pp. of START2 + adv. UP; cf. upstart vb. (now rare) start up (XIV).

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uptake

capacity for understanding. XIX. f. uptake vb. XVIII (Sc.) understand, f. UP + TAKE.

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upward

OE. upweard, corr. to MLG. upwart, MDu. opwaert (Du. opwaart), MHG. fwert; see UP, -WARD. So upwards OE. upweardes.

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ur-

primitive, original, earliest. repr. G. pref. as in ursprache primitive language.

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uraemia

(path.) presence in the blood of urinary constituents. XIX. f. Gr. oûron urine + haîma blood.

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uraeus

representation of the sacred asp or serpent on the headdress of ancient Egyptian deities and kings. XIX. — Gr. ouraîos, of Egyptian orig.

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uranism

homosexuality. XIX. — G. uranismus, f. Gr. ouránios heavenly, taken to mean ‘spiritual’, f. ouranós heaven; see -ISM.

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uranium

(chem.) metallic element. XVIII. f. URANUS + -IUM.

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urano-

comb. form of Gr. ouranós sky, heaven(s), roof of the mouth; e.g. uranography (XVII), uranometry (XVIII).

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Uranus

planet situated between Saturn and Neptune. XIX. — L. ranus — Gr. Ouranós husband of Gaea (Earth) and father of Cronos (Saturn).

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urban

XVII (rare before XIX). — L. urbnus, f. urbs, urb- city; see -AN.

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urbane

†urban XVI; having the manners or culture characteristic of town life XVII; civil, polite. — (O)F. urbain, -aine or L. urbnus, -na; see prec. So urbanity refined civility; †polished wit; city or town life. XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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urceolate

pitcher-shaped. XVIII. f. L. urceolus, dim. of urceus pitcher; see -ATE2.

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urchin

hedgehog XIII; (dial.) deformed person XVI; mischievous youngster; little fellow, brat. ME. urchon, beside yrichon (XIII), hirchon, irchoun — ONF. herichon, ir(e)chon, urchon, vars. of OF. heriçon (mod. hérisson):- Rom. hrici, -n-, f. L. hrcius, late form of rcius hedgehog.

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-ure

suffix repr. (O)F. -ure — L. -ra, denoting primarily action or process or the result of this, (hence) office or rank, collective body or organization; usu. affixed to pps., but in L. figra FIGURE being exceptionally attached to a pres. vb. -stem. Various other F. endings have been assim. to this in Eng. adoptions, as in leisure, manure, pleasure, tenure, treasure.

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urea

constituent of urine. XIX. f. F. urée, f. Gr. oûron urine or oureîn urinate.

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-uret

(chem.) suffix now gen. repl. by -IDE. — modL. -urtum (also -ortum), proposed XVIII by F. chemists.

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ureter

(anat.) urinary duct. XVI. — F. uretère or Gr. ourtr, f. oureîn make water, f. oûron urine. So urethra tube which discharges urine from the bladder. XVII. — late L. rthra — Gr. ourthr.

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urge

demand or entreat insistently; press or drive forward. XVI. — L. urgre press, drive, compel. So urgent XV. — (O)F. — prp. of L. urgre. Hence urgency XVI.

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-uria

final el. in L. form repr. Gr. -ourí, f. oûron urine (see -IA1) in terms of path, denoting morbid conditions of the urine, e.g. albuminuria, haematuria.

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uric

pert. to urine. XVIII. — F. urique, f. Gr. oûron urine; see -IC.

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-urient

suffix repr. L. -rins, -ent-, prp. ending of L. desiderative vbs. in -rre.

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urinal

†glass vessel to hold urine for inspection XIII; †vessel for chemical solution XIV; chamberpot XV; place provided for passing urine XIX. — (O)F. — late L. rnal, sb. use of n. of late rnlis urinary, f. rna URINE; see -AL1.

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urine

XIV. — (O)F. — L. rna. So urinary XVI. — medL. rnrius. urinate make water. XVI. f. pp. stem of medL. rnre (in classL. dive); see -ATE3.

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urn

vessel in which to preserve the ashes of the dead XIV; vessel for holding voting-tablets or the like XVI; oviform pot or pitcher XVII (tea urn XVIII). — L. urna :- urcn, rel. to urceus pitcher.

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urning

male homosexual. XIX. — G., f. (Venus) Urania, taken to mean ‘heavenly love’ and applied to homosexuality as being ‘spiritual’; cf. URANISM.

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uro-1

comb. form of Gr. oûron urine, as in urology (XVIII).

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uro-2

comb. form of Gr. our tail.

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ursine

pert. to or like a bear. XVI. — L. ursnus, f. ursus bear; see -INE1.

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urticate

sting like a nettle. XIX. f. pp. stem of medL. urtcre, f. L. urtca nettle (whence urticaria XVIII); see -ATE3. So urtication XVII. — medL.

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urus

AUROCHS. XVII. — L. rus — Gmc. rus (OE. r, etc.).

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us

d. and acc. of WE. OE. s = OS. s, (M)Du. ons, (O)HG. uns, ON. oss, Goth. uns :- Gmc. uns :- IE. ns, reduced grade of nes (Skr. nas).

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usage

habitual use, custom, or conduct. XIII. — (O)F., f. L. sus USE; see -AGE. So usance †usage XIV; period allowed for the payment of a bill of exchange XVII. — OF.:- Rom. santia, f. sre (see next). user (leg.) continual use or enjoyment. XIX. Evolved from †abuser, non-user (XVII); see -ER5.

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use

act or manner of using, fact of being used. XIII. ME. us — (O)F. us :- L. sus use, usage, f. s-, pp. stem of t vb. use. Hence useful, useless XVI. So use observe (a custom, rite, etc.), follow as a custom XIII; engage in, employ, deal with XIV; habituate, accustom (be used to XV); intr. be accustomed (now only in pt.). — (O)F. user †employ (now user de), consume, wear out:- Rom. sre, f. L. pp. stem s-.

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usher

officer having charge of the door of a hall, etc. XIV; officer whose ceremonial duty it is to precede a person of rank XVI; (fig.) precursor; assistant master in a school. — AN. usser = OF. u(i)ssier, (mod. huissier):- medL. stirius, for L. stirius door-keeper, f. stium door, f. s mouth; see -ER2. Hence vb. XVI.

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usquebaugh

WHISKY1. XVI. — Ir. and Sc. Gael. uisge beatha ‘water of life’, i.e. uisge WATER, beatha life.

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usual

XIV. — OF. usual, (also mod.) usuel, or late L. sulis, f. sus USE; see -AL1. Hence usually (-LY2) XV.

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usucapion

(leg.) acquisition of ownership by long use. XVII. — F. usucapion or L. scapi, -n-, f. scapere, f. s, abl. of sus USE + capere tak, seize. So usucaption XVII. — OF. or medL.

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usufruct

right of temporary possession or use. XVII. — medL. sfrctus, for L. susfrctus, more fully sus et frctus use and enjoyment; see USE, FRUIT.

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usurp

XIV. — (O)F. usurper — L. srpre, seize for use, prob. for sripre, f. s, abl. of sus USE + rapere seize. So usurpation XIV. — (O)F. or L.

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usury

lending money at interest XIV; (arch.) interest on money lent XV. — AN. usurie = (O)F. usure or medL. sria, f. L. sra, f. sus USE; see -Y3. Hence usurious XVII. So usurer XIII. — AN. usurer, OF. usureor, (also mod.) usurier; see -ER2.

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ut

(mus.) first note of Guido Aretino's hexachords, and of the octave in modern solmization (cf. DOH). — (O)F. ut; the lowest of the series ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si, said to be taken from the office hymn for St. John Baptist's day: Ut queant laxis resonare fibris / Mira gestorum famuli tuorum / Solve polluti labii reatum, / Sancte Iohannes. See GAMUT.

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utensil

†(coll. sg.) domestic vessels or implements XIV; domestic implement, etc. XV; sacred vessel XVII. — OF. utensile (mod. ustensile) — medL. tnsile, sb. use of n. of L. tnsilis fit for use, useful (n. pl. tnsilia implements, materials), f. t USE.

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uterus

(anat.) womb. XVII. — L. uterus belly, womb, obscurely rel. to Skr. udára-, Gr. hóderos. So uterine having the same mother XV; pert. to the uterus XVII. — late L. uternus.

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utility

usefulness XIV; useful thing or feature XV. — (O)F. utilité — L. tilits, f. tilis useful, f. t USE; see -ILE, -ITY. Hence utilitarian XVIII. So utilize make useful, convert to use. XIX. — F. utiliser — It. utilizzare. utilization XIX. — F.

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utmost

outermost OE.; of the highest degree XIV; †latest, last XV; also sb. †furthest part OE.; extreme degree or limit XV. OE. t(e)mest, f. t(e) + -mest; see OUT adv., -MOST.

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utopia

name of Sir Thomas More's imaginary republic XVI; place or condition of ideally perfect government XVII. — modL. topia ‘no-place’, f. Gr. ou not + tópos place; see -IA1. So Utopian XVI.

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utricle

small sac or bladder. XVIII. — F. utricle or L. triculus, dim. of ter leather bottle; see -CLE.

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utter1

outward, outer OE.; extreme, total XV. OE. ter(r)a, ttra, compar. formation (see -ER3) on t OUT, corr. to MDu. tere (Du. uiter-), OHG. zaro (G. äusser). Hence utterly (-LY2) †plainly, straight out XIII; absolutely, completely XIV. uttermost outermost; utmost. XIV.

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utter2

give out audibly, speak, pronounce; †reveal; †put on the market, sell; give currency to (coin, etc.). XIV. — MDu. teren (Du. uiteren) drive away, speak, show, make known, MLG. tern turn out, sell, speak, demonstrate, with assim. to UTTER1. Hence utterance^1 †disposal by sale; speaking, speech. XV.

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utterance2

extremity of force, esp. in phr. (now arch.) to the u. to the utmost limit. XIII. — (with assim. to UTTER1) (O)F. outrance, †oultrance, f. ou(l)trer go beyond bounds:- Rom. ultrre, f. L. ultr beyond; see -ANCE.

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uvula

fleshy part of the soft palate. XIV. — late L. vula, dim. of L. va grape; see -ULE.

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uxorious

excessively devoted to one's wife. XVI. f. L. uxrius, f. uxor wife; see -IOUS.

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V

vacant

not held or occupied XIII; devoid of contents XIV; free from occupation XVI; expressionless, inane XVIII. In early use — (O)F.; not freq. before late XVI, the word appears to have been taken in afresh from L. vacns, -ant-, prp. of vacre be empty or unoccupied, with arch. var. vocre; see VOID, -ANT. So vacancy XVI.

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vacate

make void or vacant XVII; withdraw from XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. vacre; see prec., -ATE3. vacation release from occupation XIV; period of formal suspension of activity XV. — (O)F. or L.; abbrev. vac XVIII.

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vaccine

in v. disease cowpox, v. matter or virus v., v. inoculation vaccination. XVIII. — L. vaccnus, as used in modL. variolæ vaccinæ cowpox, virus vaccinus virus of cowpox used in vaccination, f. vacca cow; see -INE1. Also vaccine sb. vaccine matter. XIX. — F. Hence vaccinate (-ATE3) XIX, vaccination XVIII.

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vacillate

swing or sway unsteadily XVI; waver XVII. f. pp. stem of L. vacillre sway, totter; see -ATE3. So vacillation XV. — L.

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vacuity

emptiness; empty space; vacancy of mind. XVI. — (O)F. vacuité or L. vacuits, f. vacuus empty (whence vacuous XVII), f. vacre be VACANT. So vacuum emptiness, empty space XVI. sb. use of n. sg. of vacuus.

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vade-mecum

handy book of reference. XVII. — F. — modL. vade-mecum, sb. use of L. vde mcum go with me, i.e. imper. of vdere go and mcum (m me, cum with).

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vagabond

wandering without settled habitation XV; sb. itinerant beggar XV; idle good-for-nothing XVII. — (O)F. vagabond or L. vagbundus, f. vagr wander, f. vagus wandering.

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vagary

†roaming, ramble; †wandering in speech; †frolic, prank XVI; capricious or eccentric act XVII; fantastic notion XVIII. — L. vagr wander (see prec.).

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vagina

canal connecting vulva with uterus XVII; sheath, theca XVIII. — L. vgna sheath, scabbard.

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vagrant

(person) wandering from place to place and maintaining himself by begging, etc. XV. ME. vagaraunt — AN. vagarant, -aunt(e), app. f. L. vagr wander + -ANT.

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vague

XVI. — F. — L. vagus wandering, inconstant, uncertain.

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vail1

†benefit, profit XV; (arch.) casual profit or emolument XV; pl. gratuities, perquisites XVI. f. †vail vb. avail, profit (XIII) — OF. vail-, tonic stem of valoir be of value — L. valre be strong, powerful, of value.

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vail2

(arch.) lower XIV; doff XV. Aphetic of †avail, †avale descend, lower — (O)F. avaler lower, swallow.

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vain

worthless, futile XIII; †senseless, silly XIV; having an inordinate opinion of oneself XVII. — (O)F. vain, fem. vaine :- L. vnus, -a empty, without substance, rel. to vacuus VACANT. The phr. in vain reflects (O)F. en vain. Comps. vainglory XIII (after (O)F. vaine gloire, L. vna glria), vainglorious XV (after OF. vaneglorieus, medL. vnaglrisus).

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vair

fur from a squirrel with grey back and white belly XIII; (her.) fur having spaces tinctured alternately XVI. — (O)F.:- L. varius particoloured.

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valance

drapery attached lengthwise and hanging down. XV. perh. — AN. valance, f. valer lower, aphetic of (O)F. avaler (see -ANCE); or from the pl. of the prp. used sb.

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vale1

valley. XIII. ME. vaal, va(i)le — (O)F. val :- L. valls, vallis.

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vale2

farewell. XVI. — L. val, imper. of valre be strong or well.

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valediction

XVII. f. L. valedcere, i.e. val dicere say farewell; see prec. and DICTION. So valedictory XVI.

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Valenciennes

kind of lace named from Valenciennes, a town of northern France celebrated for lace-manufacture. XVIII.

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valency

(chem.) capacity of an atom to combine with other atoms. XIX. — late L. valentia power, competence, f. valre be powerful; see -ENCY.

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valentine

person chosen or drawn by lot on St. Valentine's day (14 February) as one's sweetheart for the coming year XV; folded paper with the name of a person to be drawn as a valentine XVI; card, etc., sent to a person of the opposite sex on St. Valentine's day XIX. f. (O)F. Valentin — L. Valentnus name of two Italian saints whose festival falls on 14 February.

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valerian

herb of the genus Valeriana. XIV. — (O)F. valériane — medL. valeriana.

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valet

gentleman's manservant. XVI. — (O)F. valet, also †vaslet, †varlet :- Rom. vassellittus. dim. of vassus (see VASSAL).

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valetudinary

not in rodust health, constantly concerned with one's ailments XVI, sb. XVIII. — L. valtdinrius, in ill health, f. valtd, -din- state of health, f. valre be strong or well; see -TUDE, -ARY. Hence valetudinarian adj. and sb. XVIII.

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valiant

†stalwart; courageous, bold. XIV. ME. vailaunt, valiaunt — AN. valiaunt, OF. vail(l)ant (mod. vaillant):- Rom. valiente, for valns, -ent-, prp. of L. valre be strong; see -ANT.

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valid

adequate in law XVI; well founded and applicable XVII. — F. valide or L. validus strong, powerful, effective, f. valre be strong, etc.; see -ID1. So validity XVI. — F. or late L.

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valise

XVII. — F. — It. valigia, of unkn. orig.

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valley

XIII. — AN. valey. OF. valée (mod. vallée):- Rom. vallta, f. L. vallis, -s; see -Y5.

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vallum

rampart of earth, etc. XVII. — L., coll. f. vallus stake, palisade.

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valonia

acorns of certain species of oak. XVIII. — It. vallonia — modGr. balánia, belánia, pl. of baláni, beláni (Gr. bálanos) acorn.

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valour

A
†value, worth XIV;

B
(after valorous) courage in conflict, prowess XVI. — OF. valour (mod. valeur value):- late L. valor, -r-, f. valre be strong; see -OUR2.
Top
So valorous valiant, courageous. XV. — OF. valerous (mod. valeureux) or medL. valrsus.

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valse

waltz. XVIII. — F. — G. walzer WALTZ.

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value

adequate equivalent; material or monetary worth; †worth, worthiness; relative status or estimate XIV; amount represented by a symbol XVI. — OF., fem. pp. formation from valoir be worth:- L. valre be strong, be worth. Hence value vb. estimate the value of XV; consider of value XVI; whence valuable, valuation XVI.

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valve

either of the leaves of a folding door XIV; one of the halves of a hinged shell XVII; (anat.) membranous fold; device resembling a flap, lid, etc. — L. valva leaf of a door. So valvular XVIII. f. valvula, dim. of L. valva.

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vambrace

defensive armour for the arm. XIV. ME. vaun(t)bras — AN. vauntbras, aphetic of OF. avantbras, f. avant before + bras arm.

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vamo(o)se

to make off, decamp. XIX (orig. U.S.). — Sp. vamos let us go:- L. vdmus 1st pers. pl. pres. subj. of vdere go.

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vamp1

part of hose covering the foot and ankle XIII; part of a boot or shoe covering the front of the foot XVII. — AN. vaumpé, aphetic of OF. avantpié (mod. avantpied), f. avant before + pie(d) foot. Hence vamp vb. provide with a vamp, patch XVI; produce as by patching XVII; extemporize (an accompaniment, etc.) XVIII.

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vamp2

(sl.) woman who employs her sexual attraction unscrupulously. XX. Shortening of next.

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vampire

preternatural malignant being, supposed to suck blood; person who preys upon others; kind of bat supposed to suck blood. XVIII. — F. vampire or G. vampir — identical form in Sl. langs., in which there are vars. such as Russ. upr', Pol. upiór.

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vamplate

plate on a lance serving as a guard for the hand. XIV. — AN. vauntplate, f. vaunt-, aphetic of (O)F. avant- before + plate PLATE.

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van1

winnowing basket or shovel XV; shovel used in testing ore, etc. XVII; (poet.) wing; sail of a windmill XIX. south, and western var. of FAN1, prob. reinforced by (O)F. van or L. vannus.

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van2

short for VANGUARD. XVII.

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van3

covered vehicle for conveying goods. XIX. Shortening of CARAVAN.

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vanadium

metallic element. XIX. — modL. vanadium, f. ON. Vanadis name of the Scand. goddess Freyja; see -IUM.

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Vandal

member of a Gmc. tribe which invaded Western Europe in the fourth and fifth centuries A.D., and in 455 sacked Rome XVI; (v-) destroyer of beautiful or venerable things XVII. — L. Vandalus — Gmc. Wandal-, il-, -ul- (repr. by OE. Wendlas pl., etc.). Hence vandalism, vandalize XVIII.

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Vandyke

portrait by Vandyke ; lace or linen collar in the style of those depicted in his portraits XVIII; deep-cut point on a garment, etc. XIX. Name of Sir Anthony Vandyke (anglicized form of Van Dyck), Flemish painter 1599–1641. Hence as vb. provide with deep-cut points or zigzag ornament. XVIII.

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vane

plate of metal rotating on a spindle to show the direction of the wind XV; sail of a windmill XVI; sight of a surveying instrument; web of a feather XVIII. south. and western var. of †fane (1) flag, banner, (2) weather-cock, OE. fana = OS., OHG. fano (G. fahne), Goth. fana cloth:- Gmc. fanan-, rel. to L. pannus piece of cloth.

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vang

(naut.) rope for steadying the gaffs of a sail. XVIII. — Du. vang in vanglijn painter.

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vanguard

foremost division of an army. XV. Earlier vandgard, var. of †vantgard, aphetic of †avantgard (XV) — (O)F. avant-garde, †avan-garde, f. avant before + garde GUARD.

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vanilla

(pod of) climbing orchid of the genus Vanilla XVII; aromatic substance obtained therefrom XVIII. — Sp. vainilla, dim. of vaina sheath:- L. vgna VAGINA.

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vanish

XIV. Aphetic — e(s)vaniss-, lengthened stem (see -ISH2) of OF. e(s)vanir :- Rom. exvnre, for L. vnscere, f. - EX-1 + vnus empty.

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vanity

vain or worthless thing XIII; quality of being vain XIV. — (O)F. vanité :- L. vnits, -tt-, f. vnus VAIN; see -ITY.

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vanquish

XIV. Early forms vencus (Sc. vincus), venquis(she), the ven- forms being superseded by van- in XVI, by assoc. with late OF. vain-, and the ending assim. to -ISH2 in XV; f. pp. vencus and pt. venquis of OF. veintre, vaintre (mod. vaincre):- L. vincere conquer.

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vantage

†advantage, profit XIII; position of superiority XV; †additional amount XVI; (in lawn tennis) XIX. — AN. vantage, aphetic of OF. avantage ADVANTAGE.

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vapid

flat, insipid (of beverages) XVII; (of talk, etc.) XVIII. — L. vapidus, rel. to vappa flat or sour wine, and perh. further to vapor VAPOUR; see -ID1.

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vapour

steam, steamy exhalation XIV; (pl.) exhalations arising in the human body XV; (arch.) morbid condition resulting from these XVII. — (O)F. vapeur, †-our or L. vapor, -r- steam, heat; see -OUR2. So vaporous XVI. f. late L. vaprus or — late L. vaprsus.

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varec(h)

seaweed XVII; carbonate of soda obtained from it XIX. — F. varec(h), OF. warec, vrec — ON. wrek WRECK.

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variable

liable to vary. XIV. — (O)F. — L. varibilis, f. varire VARY; see -ABLE. Hence variability XVIII. So variance variation, difference XIV; discrepancy; dissension XV (at v. XVI). — OF. — L. variantia. variant †inconstant, not uniform; diverse, differing (from) XIV; sb. XIX. — (O)F. variation †difference, divergence XIV; fact or instance of varying XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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varicose

(of a vein) affected with a varix. XVIII. — L. varicsus, f. varix, -ic- dilated vein (whence varix XIV); see -OSE1.

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veriegate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. varigre, f. L. varius VARIOUS; see -ATE3. So variegation XVII.

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variola

(med.) smallpox. XVIII. — late L. variola pustule, pock, f. L. varius speckled, variegated, VARIOUS.

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variorum

edition of a work containing the observations of various commentators. XVIII. g. pl. m. of L. varius VARIOUS in phr. editio cum notis variorum ‘edition with the notes of various (editors)’.

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various

†variable, changeable XVI; varied, variegated XVII; (with pl.) differing from one another. f. L. varius; see -IOUS. So variety XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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varlet

attendant, e.g. on a knight XV; knave, rascal XVI. — OF. varlet, var. of vaslet, vadlet VALET.

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varmint

(dial.) vermin XVI; troublesome or mischievous creature XVIII. var. of varmin VERMIN, with parasitic t.

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varnish

solution of resinous matter used for providing a hard shiny coat XIV; fig. XVI. ME. vernisch — (O)F. vernis :- medL. veronix, -nic- fragrant resin, sandarac, or — medGr. berenk, prob. appellative use of the town-name Berenice (in Cyrenaica). So varnish vb. XIV. — OF. verniss(i)er, -ic(i)er.

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varsity

XIX (earlier †versity XVII). colloq. clipped form of UNIVERSITY.

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varsovienne

dance resembling Polish national dances. XIX. — F., fem. of varsovien, f. Varsovie Warsaw.

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vary

intr. and tr. XIV. — (O)F. varier or L. varire, f. varius VARIOUS. Hence varied diverse XVI; variegated XVIII; see -ED1.

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vascular

pert. to tubular vessels. XVII. f. L. vsculum, dim. of vs vessel; see next and -AR.

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vase

ornamental vessel of circular section. XVII. — F. — L. vs, vsum vessel, utensil. A comb. form vaso- is used in physiol. and path. terms relating to vascular parts XIX.

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vaseline

a petroleum jelly used in ointments, etc. XIX. P.; irreg. f. G. wasser WATER + Gr. élaion OIL + -INE5.

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vassal

tenant in fee XIV; transf. and fig. XV. — (O)F.:- medL. vassallus man-servant, retainer, of Celt. orig.; the simplex vassus corr. to OGaul. -vassus in personal names, e.g. Dagovassus, W. gwas, Ir. foss servant. So vassalage XIV. — OF. vassalage (mod. vasselage).

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vast

XVI. — L. vastus waste, uncultivated, immense, pp. formation on a base ws-, repr. also by L. vnus VAIN, Ir. fás empty, and WGmc. wst- (OE. wste uninhabited, desolate; etc.).

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vat

cask or tun for liquid. XIII. south. and western var. of fat, OE. fæt = OS. fat (Du. vat), OHG. faz (G. fass), ON. fat :- Gmc. fatam vessel, cask, rel. to MLG. vaten, OHG. fazzn (G. fassen) hold, contain, seize.

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Vatican

palace of the Pope on the Vatican Hill in Rome. XVI. — F. Vatican or L. Vticnus (sc. collis hill, mns mountain); see -AN.

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vaticinate

predict. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. vticinri, f. vts seer, prophet, poet, rel. to Ir. fáith poet, W. gwawd song of praise, and Gmc. wð- (whence OE. wd mad, wð song, etc.); see -ATE2. So vaticination XVII. — L.

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vaudeville

light popular song XVIII; light stage performance with songs XIX. — F. vaudeville †typical song or play, theatrical piece with rhymes, alt. of vaudevire, f. Vau de Vire ‘valley of Vire’, name of a region of Calvados, Normandy, the songs of which had a vogue in XV.

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vault1

arched roof or ceiling XIV; burial chamber XVI. ME. voute, vaute — OF. voute, vaute (mod. voûte):- Rom. vol(vi)ta, pp. fem. (for volta) of L. volvere turn. So vault vb. XIV. — OF. vouter (mod. voûter). The sp. with l appeared XV (after later OF. usage).

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vault2

†leap on to (a horse) XVI; leap with the support of the hand XVII. — OF. vo(u)lter turn (a horse), gambol, leap:- Rom. voltre, voltre or volvitre, frequent. f. L. volvere roll; assim. to prec.

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vaunt

boast. XIV. — AN. vaunter, (O)F. vanter :- late L. vnitre, later vantre, f. vnus VAIN; partly aphetic of earlier †avaunt (-OF. avanter).

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vaunt-courier

one of an advance guard; forerunner. XVI. Aphetic of avant-courier — F. avant-courrier, f. avant before, courrier COURIER.

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vavasour

feudal tenant immediately below a baron. XIII. — OF. vavas(s)our (mod. vavasseur) — medL. vavassor, of uncert. orig.

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veal

XIV. — AN. ve(e)l = OF. nom. veiaus, obl. veel (mod. veau):- L. vitellus, dim. of vitulus calf.

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vector

†(astron.) for radius v. variable line drawn to a curve from a fixed point XVIII; (math.) quantity having direction as well as magnitude XIX. — L. vector carrier, traveller, rider, f. vect-, pp. stem of vehere carry; see -TOR.

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Veda

any of the four ancient sacred books of the Hindus. XVIII. — Skr. veda knowledge, sacred knowledge, sacred book, f. wid- know (see WIT2). Hence Vedic pert. to the Vedas; sb. the language of these, an early form of Sanskrit. XIX. — F. védique or G. vedisch.

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vedette

mounted sentry in advance of outposts. XVII. — F. vedette scout, sentinel — It. vedetta, alt. (after vedere see) of south. It. veletta, f. Sp. vela sb. watch, f. velar vb. watch:- L. vigilre; see -ETTE.

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veer1

†run out (a line) XV; allow to drift further off XVI; pay out (a cable) XVII. — (M)Du. vieren let out, slacken.

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veer2

change course or direction (spec. clock-wise) of wind. XVI. — (O)F. virer :- Rom. vrre, perh. alt. of L. grre GYRATE, by assoc. with a verb beginning with v, e.g. vertere turn or vibrre shake.

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vegetable

adj.
†having the life characteristic of a plant XIV; pert. to plants XVI; sb. plant XVI; plant cultivated for food XVIII. — (O)F. végétable or late L. vegetbilis animating, vivifying, f. L. vegetre animate, enliven, f. vegetus active, f. vegre enliven; see -ABLE. So vegetal XV. — medL. vegetlis (whence F. végétal, etc.); see -AL1. vegetarian XIX. irreg. f. vegetable. vegetate grow or develop after the manner of a vegetable XVII; live the life of a vegetable, i.e. a dull monotonous existence XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. vegetre; see -ATE3. vegetation growth as of plants XVI; concr. XVII. — L. vegetative pert. to growth. XIV. — (O)F. végétatif, -ive or medL. vegettvus.

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vehement

intense, severe; very forcible. XV. — (O)F. véhément or L. vehemns, -ent- impetuous, violent, perh. for vmns ‘deprived of mind’, alt. by assoc. with vehere carry. So vehemence XVI. — F. — L.

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vehicle

medium of application or transmission (first in medical use); means of conveyance or transport. XVII. — F. véhicule or L. vehiculum, f. vehere carry; see WAY, -CLE. So vehicular XVII. — late L.

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vehmgericht

(hist.) secret tribunal active in Westphalia from XII to XVI. XIX. — G. vehmgericht (now fe(h)mgericht), f. vehm (of unkn. orig.) + gericht court, tribunal.

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veil

article of attire covering head or face; piece of cloth used as a hanging XIII; fig. XIV. — AN. veile and veil = OF. voile and voil (mod. voile m. veil, fem. sail):- L. vla pl. sails and vlum sg. sail, curtain, veil.

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vein

A
tubular vessel in which blood is conveyed through the animal body XIII (of a leaf XVI);

B
†small channel through which water flows XIII; line of deposit of mineral or earthy matter XIV;
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C
strain of some quality; characteristic style; personal disposition; mood XVI. — (O)F. veine :- L. vna.
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Hence veiny (-Y1) XVI.

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velar

A (archit.) resembling a sail XVIII;

B
pert. to the velum XIX. — L. vlris, f. vlum curtain; see VELUM, -AR.
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veld, veldt

(S. Afr.) unenclosed country. XIX. — Afrikaans veld, earlier veldt :- Du. veld FIELD.

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velitation

skirmish. XVII. — L. vlitti, -n-, f. vlitre, f. vlits, pl. of vles light-armed soldier; see -ATION.

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velleity

low degree of volition. XVII. — medL. velleits, f. L. velle to wish; see -ITY.

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vellum

fine parchment prepared from calf-skin. XV (velim). — (O)F. vlin, f. veel VEAL + -in -INE1.

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velocipede

(hist.) light vehicle propelled by pushing it along with the toes; early form of pedal bicycle XIX. — F. vélocipède, f. L. vlox (see next) + ps, ped- FOOT.

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velocity

swiftness of motion XVI; rapidity of operation XVII. — (O)F. vélocité or L. vlcits, f. vlox swift, rapid; see -ITY.

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velour

hatter's plush pad XVIII; fabric with velvety pile XIX. — F. velours, alt. of OF. velous :- L. villsus hairy, f. villus growth of hair.

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velum

(anat.) soft palate XVIII; (zool., bot.) membranous structure XIX. — modL. use (in full v. palati, v. pendulum veil of the palate, pendulous veil) of L. vlum (see VEIL).

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velvet

fabric of silk having a dense smooth pile XIV; soft downy skin of a deer's horn XV. — OF. veluotte, f. velu velvety — medL. villtus, f. L. villus growth of hair. Hence velveteen XVIII.

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venal

exposed for sale; capable of being bought over XVII; mercenary XVIII. — L. vnlis, f. vnum (also vn, vnu), obl. cases of vnus that is for sale; rel. to Gr. ônos purchase price, Skr. vasná- price; see -AL1.

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venatic

pert. to hunting. XVII. — L. vnticus, f. pp. stem of vnr hunt; see -ATIC.

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vend

sell; give utterance to. XVII. — (O)F. vendre or L. vndere, f. vnum (see VENAL) + dare give. So vender, vendor XVI. — AN. vendo(u)r (modF. vendeur); see -ER1, -OR1. vendible saleable. XIV. — L. Hence vendee XVI.

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vendace

small freshwater fish. XVIII. — OF. vendese, -oise (mod. vandoise) — Gaul. vindsia, f. vindos white (cf. OIr. find, W. gwynn white).

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vendetta

blood-feud. XIX. — It.:- L. vindicta vengeance.

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vendue

(U.S. and W. Indies) public sale, auction. XVII. — Du. vendu, †vendue — (O)F. (now dial.) vendue sale, f. vendre VEND.

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veneer

cover with a thin coating of finer wood. XVII. Recorded first in the gerund faneering, later fineering, veneering — G. furni(e)rung, fourni(e)rung, vbl. sb. of furniren — (O)F. fournir FURNISH. So veneer sb. XVIII.

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venerable

XV. — (O)F. vénérable or L. venerbilis, f. venerr; see -ABLE. So venerate XVII. f. pp. stem of L. venerr, f. venus, vener- love; see -ATE3. veneration XV — (O)F. or L.

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venereal

pert. to sexual desire or intercourse XV; (of disease) communicated by sexual intercourse XVII. f. L. venereus, f. venus, vener- love.

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venery1

sport of hunting; †animals hunted. XIV. — (O)F. vénerie, f. vener :- Rom. vnre, for L. vnr hunt; see -ERY.

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venery2

indulgence of sexual desire. XV. — medL. veneria, f. L. venus, vener- love; see -ERY.

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venesection

phlebotomy. XVII. — medL. vnæ secti ‘cutting of a vein’; see VEIN, SECTION.

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vengeance

act of avenging oneself or another. XIII. — (O)F., f. venger (whence arch. venge XIII):- L. vindicre VINDICATE; see -ANCE. Hence vengeful XVI. f. venge.

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venial

(theol., of sin) not mortal XIII; that may be excused XVI. — OF. venial (mod. véniel) — late L. venilis, f. venia forgiveness, indulgence, f. base of venus love; see -IAL.

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venire

XVII. Short for venire facias (XV) writ requiring a sheriff to summon a jury; L. venre COME, facis you are to cause, 2nd pers. sg. pres. subj. of facere DO1, make.

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venison

flesh of an animal killed in the chase XIII; (arch.) beast of the chase XIV. ME. veneso(u)n, venisoun — OF. veneso(u)n, -ison (mod. venaison):- L. vnti, -n- hunting, game, f. vnr hunt; see -ATION.

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Venite

invitatory psalm at matins. XIII. — L. vente, imper. pl. of venre COME; first word of Ps. 95, beginning ‘Venite, exultemus Domino’; O come, let us sing unto the Lord.

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venom

poison, lit. and fig. XIII. ME. venim — OF. venim, (also mod.) vénin :- Rom. venmen, alt. of L. vennum potion, drug, poison. So venomous †pernicious XIII; poisonous XIV. — (O)F. venimeux.

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venose

veined. XVII. — L. vnsus, f. vna VEIN; see -OSE1. So venous (-OUS) pert. to a vein or veins XVII; contained in the veins XVIII.

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vent1

†provide with an outlet for gas, etc. XIV; †discharge (fluid) XVI; give free course to, utter; intr. †(of animals) scent, (of otters, etc.) rise to the surface to breathe. prob. aphetic of †avent (XIV) — OF. aventer, var. of esventer (mod. éventer) create wind, expose to the air, divulge, scent:- Rom. exventre, f. L. EX-1 + ventum WIND1. Hence (partly after F. †esvent, évent) vent sb. A. †discharge, utterance; issue, outlet XVI; means of outlet, opportunity of escape XVII; B. anus; aperture, outlet XVI; way out XVII.

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vent2

opening or slit in a garment. XV. var. of (dial.) fent (XV) — (O)F. fente slit:- Rom. findita (repl. L. fissa), sb. use of fem. pp. of L. findere cleave, split.

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ventiduct

passage serving to introduce cool or fresh air. XVII. f. L. ventus WIND1 + ductus DUCT.

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ventil

valve controlling wind supply in an organ. XIX. — G. — It. ventile — medL. ventile sluice.

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ventilate

†blow away XV (once); investigate freely, sift by discussion XVI; give free utterance to XVII; †winnow; †increase (flame), set (air) in motion; blow upon; supply with fresh air XVIII. f. pp. stem of L. ventilre brandish, fan, winnow, agitate, in late L. discuss, air a subject, f. ventus WIND1; see -ATE3. So ventilation †motion in the air XV; †fanning, blowing XVI; free course of the air XVII; aeration; admission of fresh air; free discussion. — (O)F. or L. Hence ventilator XVIII.

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ventricle

(anat.) any of the cavities of the heart, brain, etc. XIV. — L. ventriculus, dim. of venter belly; see -CLE.

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ventriloquy

XVI. f. L. venter, ventr- belly + loqu speak; see -Y4. So ventriloquism XVIII, ventriloquist XVII.

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venture

chance XV (chiefly, after 1500, in phr. at a v. at random, by chance); chancy or speculative enterprise XVI. Aphetic of aventure ADVENTURE, partly through apprehending a- as the indef. art. So vb. XV. Aphetic of aventure ADVENTUREvb. Hence venturer (-ER1), venturous (-OUS) XVI, venturesome (-SOME1) XVII.

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venue

A †assault, attack XIV; thrust, esp. in fencing XVI; fencing bout;

B
†arrival XIV (rare); (leg.) place where an action is laid or to which a jury is summoned XVI; place of meeting, locality XIX. — (O)F., sb. use of pp. fem. of venir :- L. venre COME.
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Venus

A
ancient Roman goddess of beauty and love OE.; beautiful woman XVI; †venery;

B
(astron.) second planet in distance from the sun XIII; †(alch.) copper XIV; (her.) green XVI; (member of) genus of bivalve molluscs XVIII. — L. Venus goddess of the ancient Romans = venus, vener- love.
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veracious

observant of the truth XVII; conforming to the truth XVIII. f. L. vrx, vrc-, f. vrus true; see VERY, -IOUS. So veracity XVIII. — F. or medL.

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veranda(h)

XVIII. — Hindi varand — Pg. varanda, †Sp. baranda railing, balustrade, balcony, of unkn. orig.

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veratrine

poisonous alkaloid obtained from sabadilla, etc. XIX. — F. vératrine, f. L. vrtrum hellebore; see -INE5.

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verb

XIV. — (O)F. verbe or L. verbum word. So verbal dealing with words XV; consisting of words, oral XVI; pert. to a verb; concerned with words only XVII. — (O)F. verbal or late L. verblis; see -AL1. verbatim word by word. XV. — medL. verbiage excessive accumulation of words XVIII; wording XIX. — F., f. †verbeier chatter. verbose XVII. — L. verbsus. verbosity XVI. — L.

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verbena

(Rom. antiq., usu. pl. verbenae) certain leaves or twigs used in sacred rites; vervain. XVI. — L.

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verb(um) sap.

XIX. Shortening of L. verbum sapienti (sat est) (used in Eng. from XVII) a word (is enough) for a wise person.

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verdant

XVI. of obscure orig.; perh. — OF. verdeant, prp. of verdoier (mod. -oyer):- L. viridire, f. viridis green.

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verd-antique

variety of green serpentine marble. XVIII. — F. †verd antique (now vert a.) antique green.

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verderer

royal forester. XVI. — AN. verderer, extended form of verder = (O)F. verdier :- Rom. viridrius, f. L. viridis green; see -ER2.

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verdict

decision of a jury. XIII. ME. verdit — AN. verdit = OF. veir-, voirdit, f. veir, voir :- L. vrum true + dit :- L. dictum saying, speech, sb. use of n. pp. of dcere say. The sp. with ct became current XVI.

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verdigris

green rust of copper. XIV. ME. verdegres, vertegres — OF. vertegrez, earlier vert de Grece (mod. vert-de-gris) ‘green of Greece’. The reason for the name is unkn.

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verditer

pigment made by adding chalk to a solution of nitrate of copper. XVI. — OF. verd (mod. vert) de terre ‘green of earth’.

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verdure

fresh green colour; green herbage XIV; †rich tapestry ornamented with vegetation XVI; †freshness; †taste, savour, odour. — (O)F., f. †verd green; see -URE.

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verge1

†penis XIV; rod or wand of office XV; within the v. within the area subject to the Lord High Steward (with ref. to his rod of office); extreme edge, margin, bank, border; space within a boundary, scope XVII. — (O)F.:- L. virga rod. Hence verge vb. †border, edge XVII; border (up)on, esp. fig. XVIII.

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verge2

†descend towards the horizon; move in a certain direction, incline, tend. XVII. — L. vergere bend, incline.

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verger

official bearing a rod before a church or university dignitary. XV. — AN. verger (cf. late L. virgrius), f. verge VERGE1; see -ER2.

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verify

prove to be true XIV; ascertain the correctness of XVI. — (O)F. vérifier — medL. vrificre, f. vrus true; see VERY, -FY. So verification XIV. — (O)F. or medL.

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verily

in truth XIII; in versions of the Bible, rendering late L. (Vulg.) amn, Gr. amén AMEN XIV. ME. verr(a)ily, verreli, f. VERY + -LY2.

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verisimilar

XVII. f. L. vrsimilis, vr similis ‘like the truth’;, i.e. g. sg. of vrus true, similis like. So verisimilitude XVII. — L. See VERY, SIMILAR.

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verity

truth XIV; true statement or opinion XVI. ME. verite — (O)F. verité, repl. OF. verté :- L. vrits, -tt-, f. vrus true; see VERY, -ITY. So veritable †true; genuine, real XV; (after modF.) that is really so XIX. — (O)F. véritable; out of use by c.1650, re-adopted c.1830.

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verjuice

acid juice of unripe fruit. XIV. — OF. vertjus, (also mod.) verjus, i.e. vert jus ‘green juice’.

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vermeil

(arch.) vermilion; adj. XV; sb. XVI; (from modF.) silver gilt, gilt bronze XIX. — (O)F.:- L. vermiculus little worm, grub (used in Vulg. Ex. 35: 25 for coccum scarlet), dim. of vermis WORM.

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vermi-,

comb. form of L. vermis WORM, as in vermicide (-CIDE1) XIX, vermifuge adj. XVII, sb. XVIII, vermivorous XVIII.

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vermicelli

pasta prepared in long slender hard threads. XVII. — It., pl. of vermicello, dim. of verme :- L. vermis WORM.

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vermicular

†peristaltic XVII; pert. to a worm or worms, vermiform XVIII. — medL. vermiculris, f. L. vermiculus, dim. of vermis WORM; see -CULE, -AR. So vermiculation being infested with worms; tortuous boring, as of a worm. XVII. — L., f. vermiculr be worm-eaten.

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vermilion

cinnabar or red mercuric sulphide XIII; colour of this, bright red XIV. ME. vermelyon — OF. vermeillon, f. vermeil VERMEIL.

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vermin

animals of a noxious or offensive kind. XIII. — OF. vermin, (also mod.) vermine :- Rom. vermnum, -na, f. L. vermis, -min- WORM; see -INE1. So verminous XVII. — F. or L.

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vermouth

white wine flavoured with wormwood, etc. XIX. — F. vermout — G. wermut (see WORMWOOD), with assim. to the early G. sp. wermuth.

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vernacular

pert. to the native language. XVII. f. L. vernculus domestic, native, indigenous, f. verna home-born slave; see -AR. Also sb. XVIII.

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vernal

pert. to the spring. XVI. — L. vernlis, f. vernus of the spring, f. vr spring; see -AL1. So vernation (bot.) arrangement of leaves or fronds in the bud. XVIII. — modL., f. L. vernre bloom.

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vernicle

cloth with which, according to legend, a woman wiped the face of Jesus Christ on the way to Calvary and on which his features were impressed; representation of this. XIV. — OF., alt. of vernique, (also mod.) véronique — medL. veronica, which has been supposed to be a perversion of vra cn ‘true image’ and was subsequently taken as the name of the woman herself. Also veronica 2 XVII.

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vernier

movable scale for taking minute measurements. XVIII. — F., f. name of Paul Vernier (1580–1637), F. mathematician, who described it in ‘Quadrant nouveau de mathématiques’ (1631).

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veronal

sedative drug. XX. — G., f. Verona, name of an It. town; see -AL1.

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veronica1

plant of the genus Veronica. XVI. Obscure use of the name Veronica.

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veronica2

see VERNICLE.

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verrucose

full of warty excrescences. XVII. — L. verrcsus, f. verrca (whence verruca XVI). ult. rel. to WART; see -OSE1.

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versatile

changeable, inconstant; marked by many-sideness of talent. XVII. — F. versatile or L. verstilis, f. verst-, pp. stem of versre, frequent. of vertere turn; see -ILE.

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verse

metrical line; versicle OE.; section of a psalm or canticle XII (now: one of the small sections into which a chapter of the Bible is divided XVI); metrical composition XIII; stanza XIV. OE. fers, corr. to MLG., OHG. (Du., G.), ON. vers — L. versus turn of the plough. furrow, row, line of writing, verse, f. vers-, pp. stem of vertere turn; reinforced or repl. in ME. by adoption of (O)F. vers.

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versed1

(math.) in v. sine (XVI). tr. modL. sinus versus, i.e. L. sinus sine, versus turned, pp. of vertere turn; see -ED1.

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versed2

experienced or skilled in. XVII. — F. versé or its source L. verstus, pp. of versr stay, be situated, be occupied or engaged, pass. of versre, frequent. of vertere turn; see -ED1.

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versicle

(liturg.) short sentence or phrase recited antiphonally with a response XIV; little verse XV. — (O)F. versicule or L. versiculus, dim. of versus VERSE; see -CLE.

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versicoloured

of changing colour. XVIII. f. L. versicolor, f. versus, pp. of vertere turn + color COLOUR; see -ED2.

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versify

write in verse. XIV. — (O)F. versifier — L. versificre; see VERSE, -IFY. So versification XVII. — L. versifier XIV. — AN. versifiur, OF. -fiour, -fieur.

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version

rendering from one language into another XVI; particular form of a statement, document, etc. XVIII. — (O)F. — medL. versi, -n-, f. vers-, pp. stem of vertere turn; see -SION.

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verso

back of the leaf of a book, being the side presented to the eye when the leaf has been turned over. XIX. — L. vers ‘being turned’, abl. sing. of pp. of vertere turn.

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verst

Russ. measure of length (2/3 of an Eng. mile). XVI. — Russ. verstá, partly through G. werst and F. verste.

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versus

(leg.) against. XV. — medL. (XIII) use of L. versus towards, in the sense of adversus against.

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vert

green vegetation in a wood XV; (her.) green XVI. — (O)F. vert :- L. viridis, virid- green, rel. to virre be green; see -ID1.

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vertebra, pl. -ae

joint of the spinal column. XVII. — L. vertebra, f. vertere turn; prop. pivot of bone. So vertebrate (-ATE2) XIX. — L.

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vertex

(geom.) point opposite the base XVI; zenith XVII; top, summit. — L. vertex, vertic- whirl, vortex, crown of the head, highest point, f vertere turn. So vertical pert. to the zenith XVI; perpendicular, at right angles to the axis, etc. XVIII. — F. or late L.; see -AL1.

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vertigo

XVI. — L. vertg, -gin-, So vertiginous XVII. — L. vertginsus.

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vertu

see VIRTU.

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vervain

herbaceous plant of the genus Verbena. XIV. — (O)F. verveine — L. verbna VERBENA.

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verve

†special vein or bent in writing XVII; spirit, dash, go XIX. — (O)F. verve †form of expression, †empty chatter, †whim, vigour — L. verba, pl. of verbum WORD.

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very

adj.
true XIII; exact, precise, actual XIV; sheer; mere XVI; adv. †truly, really XIV; highly, extremely XV. ME. verray — OF. ver(r)ai (mod. vrai):- Rom. vrius, obscurely f. L. vrus true:- IE. wros, whence also OS., OHG. wr (Du. waar, G. wahr), OIr. fir, W. gwr. The termination was assim. to -Y1.

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Very (Very light)

XX. f. name of the inventor, E. W. Very .

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vesica

bladder; †copper vessel used in distilling XVII; v. piscis ‘fish bladder’, painted oval figure used as an aureole XIX. — L. vsca, vessca, vensca bladder, blister. So vesical pert. to the urinary bladder. XVIII. — late L. vesicate blister. XVII. f. pp. stem of late L. vscre; see -ATE3. vesication XVI. vesicle small sac or cyst XVI; small elevation of the cuticle containing fluid XVIII. — F. vésicule or L. vscula.

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vesper

A
evening star, Hesperus XIV; evening XVII;

B
pl. †public disputations held on the eve of the commencement of a bachelor of arts XVI; pl. sixth of the canonical hours, evensong XVII.
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A
— L. vesper evening star, evening = Gr. hésperos;
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B
— OF. vespres (mod. vêpres) — ecclL. vespers, acc. pl. of L. vespera evening, eventide = Gr. hespér.
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vessel

†(coll. sg.) domestic utensils; article designed to serve as a receptacle; in and after biblical use, human body or person; boat or ship. XIII. — (i) AN. vessel = OF. vaissel (mod. vaisseau vessel, vase, ship):- late L. vascellum small vase, dim. of vs vessel; (ii) AN. vessele = (O)F. vaisselle pots and pans, plate:- Rom. vascella, pl. of L. vascellum used as coll. sg. fem.

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vest1

(hist.) loose outer garment; †vestment; sleeveless garment worn by men beneath the coat XVII; undergarment for the upper part of the body worn next to the skin XIX. — F. veste — It. veste garment:- L. vestis clothing, attire, garment, f. IE. wes- (see WEAR1). So vestiary pert. to dress. XVII. — L. vestirius. vestment garment, article of clothing XIII; spec. in eccl. use XIV. ME. vesti-, vestement — OF. vesti-, vestement (mod. vêtement) — L. vestmentum. vestry room in a church in which clerics robe, and vestments, etc., are kept XIV; assembly of parishioners XVI. — AN. vest(e)rie, alt. of (O)F. vestiaire, †vestiarie, by assoc. with -erie -ERY. vesture (article of) apparel XIV; (leg.) what grows upon the land, except trees XV. — OF. vesture (mod. vêture) — medL. vestra, for late L. vesttra.

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vest2

A
settle (a person) in the possession of something or (a thing) in the possession of some one, invest XV
;
B
clothe XVI. In both uses first in pp. vested (-ED1) — OF. vestu, pp. of vestir (mod. vêtir) clothe, †invest:- L. vestre clothe, in medL. put in possession, as by investing a person with the insignia of an office, f. vestis attire (see prec.).
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Vesta

(Rom. myth.) goddess of the household XIV; one of the minor planets XIX; kind of wax or wood match. — L., corr. to Gr. Hestí, personification of hestí hearth, house, household. So Vestal, v. virgin one of the priestesses having charge of the sacred fire in the temple of Vesta in ancient Rome XV; pert. to, chaste as, a priestess of Vesta XVI; sb. vestal virgin, chaste woman. — L. vestlis; see -AL1.

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vestibule

entrance hall or court XVII; (anat., zool.) XVIII. — F. vestibule or L. vestibulum.

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vestige

trace of something lost or gone XVII; slight trace XVIII. — F. — L. vestgium sole of the foot, footprint, trace.

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vet

colloq. shortening of VETERINARY surgeon or of its equiv. veterinarian sb. XIX. Hence as vb. subject to (professional) examination. XIX.

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vetch

(fruit of a) plant of the genus Vicia. XIV. ME. fecche, ficche and vecche — AN., ONF. veche = OF. vece (mod. vesce):- L. vicia. Hence vetchling plant of the genus Lathyrus. XVI; see -LING1.

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veteran

experienced soldier XVI; adj. XVII. — F. vétéran or L. veternus, f. vetus, veter- old; see -AN.

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veterinary

pert. to the treatment of cattle and domestic animals. XVIII. — L. veternrius, f. veternus pert. to cattle (veternæ fem. pl., veterna n. pl. cattle), perh. f. vetus, veter- old (see prec.), as if the orig. ref. was to animals past work; see -INE1, -ARY. So veterinarian XVII.

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veto

prohibition designed to prevent a proposed act XVII; act of a competent person or body of preventing legislation XVIII. — L. vet I forbid (1st pers. sg. pres. ind. of vetere). Hence vb. XVIII.

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vex

trouble, afflict, annoy. XV. — (O)F. vexer — L. vexre shake, agitate, disturb. So vexation XV. — (O)F. — L.; whence vexatious XVI.

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vexillum

banner; (bot.) large external petal of a papilionaceous flower. XVIII. — L. vexillum banner, f. base of vehere carry.

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via1

(astron.) Via Lactea the Milky Way XVII; via media intermediate course XIX. — L. via way, road; see WAY.

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via2

by way OF. XVIII. — L. vi, abl. of via VIA1.

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viable

capable of living or existing. XIX. — F., f. vie life (:- L. vta); see -ABLE. So viability XIX.

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viaduct

XIX. f. L. via VIA1, after aqueduct.

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vial

XIV. ME. viole, alt. of fiole PHIAL.

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viand

article or kind of food, orig. and esp. pl. XIV. — (O)F. viande †food, (now) meat:- Rom. v(v)anda fem. sb., alt. of L. vvenda gerundive of vvere live.

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viaticum

Holy Communion as administered to the dying; necessaries for a journey. XVI. — L. viticum travelling money, provisions for a journey, sb. use of n. of viticus, f. via VIA1; see -ATIC.

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vibrant

†agitated, energetic XVI; vibrating XVII. — prp. of L. vibrre, move rapidly to and fro, shake, be agitated; see -ANT. So vibrate swing to and fro. XVII. f. pp. stem of L. vibrre; see -ATE3. vibration XVII. — L. vibratory (-ORY2) XVIII.

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vibrio

(zool.) bacterioid organism having a vibratory motion. XIX. f. L. vibrre VIBRATE.

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viburnum

shrub of the genus Viburnum, e.g. guelder rose. XVIII. — L., ‘wayfaring-tree’.

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vicar

representative of God on earth XIII; the Pope as Vicar of Christ XIV; person acting in a parish for the parson or rector, (later) incumbent of a parish of which the tithe is impropriated or appropriated; bishop's deputy. — AN. vikere, vicare, (O)F. vicaire (now) assistant curate, deputy — L. vicrius substitute, deputy, f. vicis (g.). etc., change, alteration, time, turn; see VICE4, -AR. So vicariate (-ATE1) XVII. — medL. vicarious taking the place of another. XVII. f. L. vicrius. Hence vicarage XV.

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vice1

corruption of morals, wicked practice XIII; fault, defect XIV. — (O)F. — L. vitium physical or other defect, fault, vice.

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vice2

†winding staircase XIV; †screw XV; tool with two jaws opening and closing by means of a screw XVI. — (O)F. vis :- L. vtis vine, vine stem, prop. tendril, plant with tendrils, rel. to vire twine.

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vice3

orig. sb. use of the prefix VICE- in the sense ‘deputy’; in more recent use, the second el. is usu. implied or expressed in the context.

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vice4

in place OF. XVIII. — L., abl. of vix, extant only in obl. forms vicis, vicem, vice, vics, vicibus.

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vice-

repr. L. vice in place of (see prec.), which, prop. construed with a genitive, was prefixed immed. to a nominative in late L., e.g. vice-quæstor, and so used widely in medL. The oldest Eng. exx., of which vice-chancellor (XV) is the earliest, show the prefix in the OF. forms vi(s)-, which were later repl. by the L. form, except in viscount.

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vicennial

(Sc. law) extending to 20 years. XVIII. f. late L. vcennium, f. vcies 20 times.

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viceroy

XVI. — F. viceroy, †visroy (mod. viceroi), f. vice- VICE- + roi king. So viceroyalty XVIII. — F. viceroyauté.

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vicesimal

XVII. — L. vcsimus twentieth, f. vcn twenty each + -AL1.

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vice versa

XVII. — L. ‘the position being reversed’; vice, abl. of vix (see VICE4), and abl. sg. fem. of versus, pp. of vertere turn.

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vicinage

neighbourhood. XIV. — OF. visenage (mod. voisinage) — Rom. vcnticum, f. L. vcnus neighbouring, neighbour, prop. of the same quarter or village, f. vcus cluster of dwellings, street, quarter of a town, village, corr. to Goth. weiks and rel. to Gr. (Foîkos, Skr. veá- house; see -AGE. So vicinity XVI. — L. vcnits.

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vicious

A
pert to vice XIV; addicted to vice XIV; (of horses, etc.) inclined to be savage XVIII
;
B
(leg.) made void XIV; impaired by fault or defect XVI. — OF. vicious (mod. vicieux) — L. vitisus, f. vitium VICE1; see -IOUS.
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vicissitude

mutation, mutability XVI; change in human affairs XVII. — (O)F. vicissitude or L. vicissitd, f. vicissim by turns, f. vic- turn; see VICE4, -TUDE.

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victim

living creature offered in sacrifice XV; one who suffers death or severe treatment XVII. — L. victima, perh. rel. to Goth. weihan, etc. consecrate. Hence victimize XIX.

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victor

XIV. — AN. victo(u)r or L. victor, f. vict-, pp. stem of vincere conquer; see -OR1.

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Victoria

XIX. Name of the Queen of Great Britain (1837–1901) given to various objects: a gigantic water-lily, a luscious red plum, a light four-wheeled carriage. Hence Victorian XIX. victorine lady's fur tippet. XIX.

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victory

state or fact of having conquered XIV; Rom. goddess of victory XVI. — AN. victorie = (O)F. victoire — L. victria, f. victor VICTOR; see -Y3. So victorious XIV — AN. victorious = (O)F. victorieux — L.

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victual

(coll. sg. and pl.) provisions for food, articles of food. XIV. ME. vitaile(s) — OF. vitaille, later (and mod.) victuaille :- late L. vctlia n. pl. of vctlis, f. L. vctus livelihood, f. base of vvere live; see -AL1. The sp. has been assim. to L. So vb. XIV. — OF. vitaillier, vi(c)tuaillier. victualler XIV. — OF. vitaill(i)er, -our; see -ER2.

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vicuna

S. Amer. animal allied to the llama XVII; vicuna cloth XIX. — Sp. vicua (Pg. vicunha) — Quechua.

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vide

see, refer to. XVI. — L. vid, imper. sg. of vidre see (see WIT2).

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videlicet

that is to say, namely. XV. — L. vidlicet, f. vid-, stem of vidre see + licet it is permissible; see WIT2, LICENCE.

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vidimus

(leg.) copy of a document bearing an attestation that it is authentic. XV. — L. vdimus we have seen, 1st pers. pl. perf. of vidre see (see WIT2).

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vie

make a challenge XV; enter into rivalry with XVII. prob. aphetic of late ME. avie, envie — OF. envier outbid:- L. invtre INVITE, in Rom. challenge, make a bid.

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vielle

hurdy-gurdy. XVIII. — F. vielle, OF. viele; see VIOL.

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view

A
†formal inspection XV; exercise of the faculty of sight; sight, look, vision XVI
;
B
mental vision XV; conception, opinion XVI; survey XVII; aim, intention. — AN. vewe, vieue, OF. veue (mod. vue), ppl. sb. from veoir (mod. voir) to see, f. L. vidre; see WIT2.
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Hence (or aphetic of †aview — F. avuer, †aveuer, f. à AD- + vue) vb. XVI.

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vigesimal

pert. to 20. XVII. f. L. vgsimus, var. of vcsimus VICESIMAL.

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vigil

eve of a church festival XIII; watch XVII. — (O)F. vigile — L. vigilia watch, watchfulness, f. vigil awake, alert, rel. to vigre be vigorous or lively. So vigilant XV. — L. vigilns, -ant-, prp. of vigilre keep awake.

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vigneron

wine-grower. XV. — (O)F., f. vigne VINE.

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vignette

ornamental design on a blank space in a book XVIII; photograph of head (and shoulders) XIX. — (O)F., dim. of vigne VINE; see -ETTE.

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vigour, U.S. vigor

active strength or force XIV; legal force XV; energetic action XVII. — OF. vigour (mod. vigueur) — L. vigor, -r- liveliness, activity, f. vigre be lively, flourish; see -OUR2. So vigorous XIV (not in gen. use before XVII). — OF. vigorous (mod. vigoureux) — medL. vigrsus.

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viking

XIX (first in Icel. form vikingr or vars. of this, vikinger, -ir). — ON. (Icel.) víkingr, commonly held to be f. vík creek, inlet + -ingr -ING3, as if ‘frequenter of inlets of the sea’; but the existence of the word in OE. as early as VIII (in wcings.eaða) and in OFris. (w(t)sing) suggests that it may have originated in that linguistic area (f. OE. wc, OFris. wk, in the sense ‘camp’).

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vile

of low or base quality or character. XIII. — (O)F. vil m., fem. vile :- L. vlis of low value or price, common, base. So vilify †debase in value XV (freq. in XVII); depreciate in language XVI. — late L. vlificre. vilipend treat contemptuously XV; represent as contemptible XVI. — (O)F. vilipender or L. vlipendere, f. vlis + pendere consider.

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villa

country residence, orig. one with farm buildings, etc. XVII; residence in the suburbs of a town or in a residential district XVIII. Partly — L. vlla country house, farm; partly — It. villa :- L. vlla. So village — (O)F.:- coll. deriv. of L. vlla.

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villain

base fellow, (later) depraved scoundrel, (hist.; often sp. VILLEIN by mod. historians) feudal serf, peasant cultivator in subjection to a lord XIV. ME. vilein, vilain — OF. vilein, vilain (mod. vilain):- Rom. vllnus, f. L. vlla; see prec., -AN. So villainy XIII. — (O)F. vilenie. Hence villainous XIV.

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villanelle

†rustic song or tune XVI; pastoral or lyric poem in stanza form with two rhymes throughout XIX. — F. — It. villanella, fem. of villanello rural, rustic, f. villano peasant = (O)F. vilain VILLAIN.

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villeggiatura

residence in the country. XVIII. — It., f. villeggiare to stay in the country, f. villa VILLA.

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villein

(hist.) see VILLAIN. So villeinage XIV. — AN., OF. vilenage, medL. villenagium.

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villous

covered with numerous thick-set stout hairlike projections. XIV. — L. villsus (whence also villose XVIII), f. villus growth of hair; see -OUS, OSE-1.

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vim

(orig. U.S.) force, energy, ‘go’. XIX. usu. supposed to be — L. vim, acc. of vs strength, energy; but poss. a symbolic formation.

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vimineous

made of or producing flexible twigs. XVII. f. L. vmineus, f. vmen, -min- osier; see -EOUS.

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vinaceous

wine-coloured. XVII. f. L. vnceus, f. vnum WINE; see -ACEOUS.

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vinaigrette

A
small two-wheeled carriage formerly used in France (said to be so called from resembling vinegar-sellers' carts) XVII
;
B
smelling-bottle XIX. — F., f. vinaigre VINEGAR; see -ETTE.
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vincible

that may be overcome (spec. in theol. v. ignorance). XVI. — L. vincibilis, f. vincere overcome; see -IBLE.

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vinculum

bond, tie XVII; (math.) straight line drawn over two or more terms XVIII. — L., f. vincre bind; cf. -ULE.

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vindicate

†set free XVI; †avenge XVII; clear from censure, justify; defend the claims OF. f. pp. stem of L. vindicre (also vendicre) claim, set free, punish, avenge, f. vindex, -dic- claimant, protector, deliverer, avenger; see -ATE3. So vindication †avenging XV; defence against censure, etc. XVII. — OF. or L. vindictive revengeful. XVII. f. L. vindicta vengeance.

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vine

XIII. — OF. vine, (also mod.) vigne :- L. vnea vineyard, vine, sb. use of fem. of vneus pert. to wine, f. vnum WINE.

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vinegar

liquid formed by the acetous fermentation of wine. XIII. ME. vinegre, later vineger (XV–XVII), vinegar (from XVI) — OF. vyn egre (mod. vinaigre), repr. Rom. vnum acrum (for L. acre) ‘sour wine’; see WINE, EAGER.

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vineyard

XIV. f. VINE + YARD1; superseding ME. winyard, OE. wneard.

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vingt(-et)-un

game of cards in which the object is to make the number 21. XVIII. — F., ‘twenty (and) one’.

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vinous

pert. to wine. XVII. — L. vnsus, f. vnum WINE; see -OUS. So vinosity XVII. — late L.

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vintage

crop of a vineyard XV (since XVIII spec. with ref. to the age or year of a wine); grape harvest XVI. alt., by assoc. with †vinter, VINTNER, of late ME. vyndage, vendage — (O)F. vendage :- L. vindmia, f. vnum WINE + dmere take away, f. DE- + emere buy.

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vintner

wine merchant. XV. — AL. vintenrius, var. of vini-, vin(e)trius — AN. viniter, vineter, OF. vinetier — medL. vntrius, -trius, f. L. vntum vineyard, f. vnum WINE; see -ER2.

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viol

XV (vyell). — OF. viel(l)e (mod. vielle viol, hurdy-gurdy), alt. of viole — Pr. viola, viula, prob. rel. to FIDDLE; the present form (- F. viole) dates from XVI. So viol da gamba XVIII (earlier gambo XVI–XVII). — It. viola da gamba ‘leg-viol’, i.e. the instrument when played being placed between the legs.

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viola1

†violet XV; single-coloured pansy XIX. — L. viola violet. So violaceous XVII. f. L. violceus violet-coloured.

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viola2

alto or tenor violin. XVIII. — Sp., It., prob. — Pr. viola; see VIOL.

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violate

infringe, transgress; ravish, rape; desecrate, profane XV; disturb violently XVII. f. pp. stem of L. violre, f. vs, vi- force, corr. to Gr. Fís; see -ATE3. So violation XV. — (O)F. or L. violence exercise of force. XIII. — (O)F. — L. violentia, f. violns, -ent-, beside violentus, whence (O)F. violent, the source of Eng. violent (XIV).

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violet

A
plant of the genus Viola
;
B
dress of purplish-blue, the colour itself XIV. — (O)F. violette, †-ete in both senses and (O)F. violet in the second sense, dims. of viole — L. viola VIOLA1.
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violin

XVI. — It. violino, f. viola VIOLA2. Hence violinist XVII.

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violoncello

XVIII. — It., dim. of violene double-bass viol; abbrev. CELLO.

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viper

XVI. — (O)F. vipère or L. vpera serpent:- vvipera, f. vvus alive + parere bring forth. So viperine XVI. — L. vpernus. Hence viperous XVI.

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virago

†name given by Adam to Eve, after the use in Vulg. Gen. 2: 23 (‘Hæc vocabitur virago, quoniam de viro sumpta est’) OE.; man-like or heroic woman, female warrior (as in L.) XIV; bold or violent woman. — L. virg, obscurely f. vir man.

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virelay

short-lined poem on two rhymes. XIV. — (O)F. virelai, alt. of †vireli (perh. orig. a refrain) after lai LAY2.

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virement

application of resources intended for one end to the purposes of another. XX. — F., f. virer turn (cf. VEER2) + -MENT.

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vireo

small Amer. bird. XIX. — L.

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virescent

greenish. XIX. f. L. virescns, -ent-, prp. of virescere become green, f. virre be green; see -ENT, -ESCENT.

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virgate

early land-measure. XVII. — medL. virgta, f. L. virga rod, VERGE1; see -ATE1.

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virgin

unmarried or chaste woman or girl XIII; adj. XVI. — AN., OF. virgine, -ene (mod. vierge) — L. virg, -gin-, So virginal XV. — (O)F. or L. (see -AL1); as sb. (sg. and pl.) applied to a musical instrument (XVI), perh. so called because it was intended for young ladies. virginity XIII. — (O)F. virginité — L. virginits.

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Virgo

constellation lying between Leo and Libra; sixth sign of the zodiac. XIV. — L., ‘virgin’.

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virgule

sloping or vertical line used in medieval MSS. as a mark of punctuation. XIX. — F. virgule comma — L. virgula, dim. of virga rod.

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virid

green. XVI. — L. viridis, f. virre be green; see -ID1. So viridity XV.

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virile

pert. to or characteristic of a man. XV. — (O)F. viril or L. virlis f. vir man = OE., OS., OHG. wer, OIr. fer, W. gr :- IE wiros, beside wros, whence Skr. vra-: see -ILE. So virility XVI. — (O)F.

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virtu, vertu

taste for works of art. XVIII. — It. virtù (see next) used in this sense.

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virtue

†power, influence; efficacy, conformity to moral principles; excellence XIII; (arch.) high merit or accomplishment XIV; †valour. — (O)F. vertu = It. virtù :- L. virts, -tt- valour, worth, merit, moral perfection, f. vir man (see VIRILE). So virtual †effective XIV; that is so in essence or effect XVII (whence virtually XV). — medL. virtulis; see -AL1. virtuoso XVII. — It. — late L. virtusus (whence, through (O)F. vertueux, virtuous †valiant XIII; righteous XIV).

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virus

venom XVI; (path.) poison of a disease XVIII. — L. vrus, rel. to OIr. fí poison, Gr. ós venom, rust, Skr. viá-. So virulent XIV. — L. vrulentus poisonous.

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visa

certificate of examination on a passport. XIX. — F. — mod. use of L. vsa ‘things seen’, n. pl. of pp. of vidre see (see WIT2).

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visage

XIII. — (O)F., f. OF. vis :- L. vsus sight, appearance, in Rom. face, f. pp. base of vidre see; see WIT2, -AGE.

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vis-à-vis

either of two persons facing each other; carriage for two sitting face-to-face. XVIII. — (O)F., ‘face to face’; OF. vis face (see prec.), à to (:- L. ad).

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viscacha

S. Amer. rodent. XVII. — Sp. — Quechua (h)uiscacha.

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viscera

XVII. — L., pl. of vscus VISCUS.

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viscid

glutinous, sticky. XVII. — late L. viscidus, f. L. viscum mistletoe, birdlime; see -ID1. So viscous XIV. — AN. viscous or late L. viscsus. viscosity XV. — (O)F. or medL.

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viscount

(hist.) deputy of a count or earl, (high) sheriff XIV; member of the fourth order of the British peerage XV. AN. viscounte (OF. vi(s)conte, viconte, mod. vicomte) — medL. vicecomes, -comit- (see VICE-, COUNT2).

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viscus

soft internal organ of the body. XVIII. — L.

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visible

XIV. — (O)F. visible or L. vsibilis, f. vs-, pp. stem of vidre see; see WIT2, -IBLE. So visibility XVI. — F. or late L.

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vision

something that appears to be seen otherwise than by ordinary sight XIII; seeing something not present to the eye XIV; bodily sight XV. — (O)F. — L. vsi, -n- sight, thing seen, f. vs-, pp. stem of vidre see; see WIT2, -ION. Hence visionary adj. XVII; sb. XVIII.

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visit

(of God) come to, in order to comfort or benefit; go to persons in sickness, etc. to comfort them; †make trial of XIII; deal severely with, assail, afflict XIV; punish, requite; go to see in a friendly way (attend as a physician XVI); go to in order to inspect, for worship, etc. — (O)F. visiter — L. vsitre go to see, frequent. of vsre view, see to, visit, f. vs-, pp. stem of vidre see (see prec.). The earlier uses are based on those of L. visitare in Vulg. So visit sb. XVII. — F. visite, or immed. f. the vb. visitant XVI. — F. or L. visitation XIV. — (O)F. late L. visitatorial XVII. f. vsitt-, ppl. stem of L. vsitre. visitor XIV. — AN. visitour, (O)F. visiteur.

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visor, vizor

part of a helmet covering the face; mask. XIV. ME. viser — AN. viser = (O)F. visière, f. OF. vis face; see VISAGE, -OR2.

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vista

view, prospect; opening in a wood, etc. affording a view; fig. XVII. — It.

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visual

proceeding from the eye XV; pert. to sight or vision XVII; pert. to the object of sight XVIII. — late L. vsulis, f. vsus sight, f. vs-; see VISION, -AL1. Hence visualize XIX.

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vital

pert. to life XIV; sustaining or essential to life XV; endowed with life XVI; life-giving; essential or indispensable to the existence of something XVII. — (O)F. — L. vtlis, f. vta life:- vvita, f. vvus living; see -AL1. So sb. pl. vitals XVII. — L. vtlia n. pl. used sb. vitality vital force, principle of life XVI; active force, vigour XIX. — L. Hence vitalize XVII.

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vitamin

XX (vitamine). — G. vitamine, f. L. vta life (cf. prec.) + amine AMINE. So named because it was first believed that an amino-acid was present, the sp. being later modified in order to avoid the suggestion.

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vitellus

(biol.) yolk of egg. XVIII. — L.

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vitiate

render faulty or corrupt XVI; render of no effect XVII. f. pp. stem of L. vitire (after †vitiate pp. XV), f. vitium VICE1; see -ATE2,3. So vitiation XVII. — L.

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vitreous

of or resembling glass. XVII. f. L. vitreus of glass, glassy, clear, transparent, f. vitrum glass; see -EOUS. So vitrify XVI. — F. vitrifier or medL. vitrificre.

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vitriol

sulphate of iron, copper, etc. XIV; oil of v. concentrated sulphuric acid XVI; caustic speech, feeling, etc. XVIII. — (O)F. vitriol or medL. vitriolum, f. L. vitrum glass; so named on account of the glassy appearance of vitriol salts. So vitriolic XVII.

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vitta

- L. ‘band’, ‘fillet’, ‘chaplet’; used in various deriv. techn. senses from XVII.

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vituperate

blame in strong language. XVI. f. pp. stem of L. vituperre, f. vitu-, for viti-, stem of vitium VICE1; see -ATE2. So vituperation XV. — OF. or L.

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viva1

cry of ‘long live … !’, cheer, hurrah. XVII. — It., 3rd sg. pres. subj. of vivere :- L. vvere live. So vivat XVII. — F. or L. (3rd sg. pres. subj. of vvere).

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viva2

XIX. (colloq.) short for viva voce (XIX) oral examination, ‘with living voice’, abl. of fem. of L. vvus living + vx VOICE.

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vivacious

full of liveliness or animation. XVII. f. L. vvx, -c- conscious or tenacious of life, lively, vigorous, f. vvus alive; see VIVID, -ACIOUS. So vivacity XV. — (O)F. — L.

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vivarium

enclosed place for keeping live animals, esp. fish. XVI. — L. ‘warren, fishpond’, sb. use of vvrius, f. vvus alive; see -ARY.

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vivid

XVII. — L. vvidus, f. vvere be living, vvus alive, lively, corr. to Skr. jívati, jvá-, rel. to Gr. bíos life, and QUICK; see -ID1.

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viviparous

bringing forth young in a live state. XVII. f. L. vviparus, f. vvus alive + -parus bring forth; see -OUS.

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vivisection

XVIII. f. vvi-, comb. form of L. vvus alive + SECTION, after dissection.

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vixen

XV. ME. fixene fox ‘vixen of the fox’; not recorded in OE., which had fyxe and adj. fyxen, but there is a parallel sb. in late OHG. fuhsin (G. füchsin); see FOX, -EN2.

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viz.

= VIDELICET. XVI. repr. medL. viz, in which z is the normal symbol for the termination -et.

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vizard

mask. XVI. alt. of visar (XV–XVI), vizar (XVI–XVII), vars. of VISOR; see -ARD.

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vizier

in Muslim countries, high official, viceroy, etc. XVI. Early forms vezir, vizir — F. visir, vizir or Sp. visir — Turk. vezir — Arab. wazr. Hence vizierate dignity of a vizier. XVII.

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vizor

see VISOR.

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vocable

word. XVI. — F. vocable or L. vocbulum, f. vocre call; see -BLE. So vocabulary list of words with their meanings attached XVI; range of words in a written language, etc. XVIII. — medL. vocbulrius, -rium; see -ARY.

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vocal

pert. to or uttered or formed by the voice. XIV (rare before XVI). — L. vclis uttering voice, f. vx, vc- VOICE; see -AL1. Hence vocalism exercise of the voice; (philol.) system of vowels. XIX. vocalist †speaker XVII (rare); vocal musician XIX.

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vocation

XV. — (O)F. vocation or L. vocti, -n-, f. vocre call. So vocative (gram.) XV. — (O)F. vocatif or L. voctvus.

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vociferate

XVII. f. pp. stem of L. vciferri, f. vx, vc- VOICE + fer-, stem of ferre BEAR2; see -ATE2. So vociferation XIV. — (O)F. or L. vociferous XVII; see -IFEROUS.

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vodka

XIX. — Russ. vódka, dim. of vodá WATER.

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voe

(Orkney and Shetland dial.) bay, inlet. XVII. Norw. vaag, ON., Icel. vágr = OE. wg wave.

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vogue

†the v. foremost place in estimation, greatest currency XVI; popular esteem XVII; course of success; prevailing fashion. — F. — It. voga rowing, fashion, f. vogare row, be going well, presumably of Gmc. orig. and f. the base repr. by (M)HG. wogen wave, float, be borne by the waves.

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voice

sound(s) produced by the organs of utterance XIII; expressed will or choice, vote XIV; vocal capacity, as for singing XVII. — AN. voiz, voice, OF. vois, voiz (also mod. voix):- L. vx, vc-. Hence voice vb. speak of, state XV; give utterance to XVII; endow with voice XVIII.

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void

not occupied, empty XIII; ineffective, useless XIV; having no legal force XV; sb. empty space XVII. — OF. voide, dial. var. of vuide (mod. vide) fem., superseding vuit m.:- Rom. vocitus pp. formation on voc-, repr. also in L. vocvus, with parallel vac- of vacre (see VACANT).

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volatile

evaporating rapidly; lively. XVII. — (O)F. volatil or L. voltilis, f. pp. stem of volre fly; see -ILE.

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volcano

XVII. — It. — L. Volcnus, Vulcnus Rom. god of fire. So volcanic XVIII. — F. volcanique.

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vole1

winning of all the tricks in certain card games. XVII. — F., f. voler :- L. volre fly.

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vole2

mouse-like animal (short-tailed field mouse, water-rat, etc.). XIX. orig. vole-mouse — Norw. vollmus (cf. Icel. vollarmús), f. voll field (ON. vllr) + mus MOUSE.

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volitant

flitting. XIX. — prp. of L. volitre, frequent. of volre fly; see -ANT.

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volition

willing, resolving. XVII. — F. volition or medL. voliti, -n-, f. vol I wish, WILL2; see -ITION.

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volley

simultaneous discharge of firearms or flight of missiles; utterance of many words, etc.; phr. at the v. of a ball in its flight, etc., (fig.) without consideration, at random XVI; return stroke at a ball before it has touched the ground XIX. — (O)F. volée :- Rom. volta flight, sb. use of pp. fem. of L. volre fly; see -Y3. Hence vb. XVI.

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volplane

aeronautical glide, XX. — F. vol plané, i.e. vol flight (f. voler fly), plané, pp. of planer hover.

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volt

unit of electromotive force. XIX. Named after Alessandro Volta (1745–1827), It. physician and chemist, whence also voltaic XIX.

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volt(e)

†volta, lavolta, a kind of dance XVI; sudden movement to avoid a thrust in fencing XVII. — F. volte — It. volta, sb. use of fem. pp. of volgere to turn:- L. volvere.

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volte-face

XIX. — F. — It. voltafaccia ‘turn-face’, f. voltare turn:- Rom. volvitre, frequent. of volvere roll + faccia face.

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voluble

†variable; †rotatory; rapid and fluent (of speech). XVI. — F. voluble or L. volbilis, f. vol-; see next, -BLE. So volubility XVI. — F. or L.

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volume

(hist.) roll of parchment, etc. forming a book; tome XIV; size, bulk (†of a book) XVI, (of other things) XVII; (poet.) coil, convolution XVII. ME. volym, volum(e) — OF. volum, (also mod.) volume — L. volmen roll of writing, book, coil, f. vol-, var. of base wolw- of volvere roll = Gr. eilúein, f. IE. wel- wol- turn. So voluminous XVII. — late L. volminsus.

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voluntary

adj.
XIV; sb. piece of music selected by an organist to be played e.g. while a congregation departs XVIII. — (partly after (O)F. volontaire, †voluntaire) L. voluntrius, f. volunts will, for voluntits, f. prp. form of the same type as eunt- going (f. vol I WILL2) + ts -TY2; see -ARY. So volunteer one who voluntarily offers his services, orig. mil. XVII. — F. volontaire — L. voluntrius; the suffix was assim. to -IER2 and (later) -EER. Hence volunteering XVII; whence by back-formation volunteer vb. XVIII.

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voluptuous

pert. to sensual pleasure. XIV. — (O)F. voluptueux or L. voluptusus, f. volupts pleasure, f. volup agreeably, f. wol- wel- WILL2; see -UOUS. So voluptuary XVII. — L. volupturius.

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volute

spiral conformation. XVII. — F. volute or L. volta, pp. of volvere roll.

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volva

(bot.) membrane covering fungi. XVIII. — L., f. volvere roll, wrap.

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vomer

(anat., etc.) applied to various bones. XVIII. — L., ‘ploughshare’.

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vomit

sb.
XIV. — OF. vomite or L. vomitus, f. vomere vomit, rel. to Skr. vámiti, Gr. emeîn. So vomit vb. spew. XIV. f. vomit-, pp. stem of L. vomere or — L. frequent. vomitre.

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voodoo

use of or belief in sorcery, etc. current among W. Indies and U.S. Negroes and creoles. XIX. — Dahomey vodu.

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voracious

greedy for food. XVII. f. L. vorx, -c-, f. vorre DEVOUR; see -IOUS. So voracity XVI. — (O)F. or L.

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-vorous

terminal el. forming adjs., f. L. -vorus devouring, eating (see DEVOUR, -OUS), as in carnivorous, herbivorous, omnivorous.

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vortex

supposed rotation of the cosmic matter XVII; violent eddy XVIII; (fig.). — L. vortex eddy, whirlpool, whirlwind, var. of vertex VERTEX.

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vorticism

principles of a school of painting originating in 1913 among some members of ‘the London Group’. XX. f. L. vortex, -ic- VORTEX, taken in the sense of the artist's conception of relations in the universe; see -ISM.

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votary

one bound by vow to a religious life or devoted to a pursuit, etc. XVI. f. vt-, pp. stem of L. vovre VOW + -ARY. Hence votaress (-ESS1) XVI. votarist XVII.

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vote

sb.
XVI (in earliest use Sc.) — L. vtum vow, wish, sb. use of n. pp. of vovre vow, desire. So vb. give a vote (for); †vow, †devote. XVI (in earliest use Sc.). f. vt-, pp. stem of L. vovre. So votive XVI. — L. vtvus.

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vouch

cite as witness XIV; guarantee the truth of XVI; be surety or witness for XVII. — OF. vo(u)cher summon, invoke, claim, obscurely repr. L. vocre call. So voucher summoning of a person into court to prove a title XVI; piece of evidence, esp. written XVII. — AN. sb. use of OF. inf. voucher; see -ER5. vouchsafe confer, bestow, esp. in condescension; show a gracious willingness XIV. orig. as two words, f. VOUCH warrant + SAFE, adj. in predic. use.

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voussoir

(archit.) one of the stones forming part of an arch or a vault. XVIII. — F.:- popL. volsrium, f. vols-, pp. stem of volvere roll.

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vow1

solemn promise, esp. of a religious nature. XIII. — AN. vou, vu(u), OF. vo(u) (mod. vœu):- L. vtum VOTE. So vow vb. make a vow. XIII. — (O)F. vouer.

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vow2

affirm, asseverate. XIV. Aphetic of AVOW.

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vowel

XIV. — OF. vouel, var. of voiel (superseded by later OF. voielle, mod. voyelle):- L. vclem (sonum) or vcle (signum) ‘VOCAL sound or sign’ (the L. sb. vclis is fem.).

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vox

in v. angelica, v. humana (‘angelic, human voice’), organ stops imitative of vocal sounds. XVIII. — L. vx, vc- VOICE, f. base widely repr. in IE.

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voyage

journey (spec. by water). XIII. ME. ve(i)age, v(a)iage — AN. voiage, OF. ve(i)age, vayage (mod. voyage):- L. viticum money or provisions for a journey, in late L. journey. So voyage vb., voyager XV. — (O)F.

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vraic

seaweed found in the Channel Islands. XVII. — F. dial. vraic, var. of vrec, vrac — MLG., Du. wrak WRACK2; cf. VAREC.

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vulcanite

†pyroxene; preparation of india-rubber and sulphur hardened by heat. XIX. f. Vulcan (L. Vulcnus), name of the ancient Rom. god of fire + -ITE. So vulcanize (-IZE) treat (india-rubber) with sulphur to render it more durable. XIX.

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vulgar

adj.
that is in common or ordinary use XIV (rare before XVI); ordinary, common, commonplace XVI; lacking in refinement XVII; sb. †the vernacular XV; †(chiefly pl.) common or vulgar person XVI. — L. vulgris, f. vulgus, volgus the common people; see -AR. So vulgarity †common people XVI; †common use, quality, etc. XVII; vulgar character XVIII. — late L. vulgarize †be vulgar XVII; make vulgar XVIII. Vulgate in common use as a version of the Bible (spec. the Latin of St. Jerome completed in about 405 A.D.) XVII; sb. the Vulgate Bible XVIII; received text of the Bible; (v-) ordinary reading in a text XIX. — late L. vulgtus, pp. of L. vulgre make public or common, f. vulgus; see -ATE2. Hence vulgarism †ordinary expression XVII (rare); vulgar expression, quality, etc. XVIII. vulgarize †be vulgar XVII; make vulgar XVIII.

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vulnerable

that may be wounded XVII; open to attack XVII (of a place XVIII). — late L. vulnerbilis wounding, f. vulnerre wound, f. vulnus, vulner- wound. So vulnerary used for healing wounds XVI; also sb. XVII. — L. vulnerrius.

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vulpine

fox-like. XVII. — L. vulpnus, f. vulps, volps fox; see -INE1.

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vulture

XIV. — AN. vultur, OF. voltour (mod. vautour):- L. vulturius, f. vultur, voltur. So vulturine XVII. — L.

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vulva

(anat.) external genitals of the female. XVI. — L. vulva, volva womb, matrix.

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W

wabble

see WOBBLE.

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wacke

(geol.) sandstone-like rock. XIX. — G. wacke (OHG. wacko pebble).

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wad

†wadding; (dial.) bundle of hay, etc. XVI; tightly-rolled bundle XVIII. In form and early meaning corr. to Al. wadda wadding; obscurely rel. to Du. watten, F. ouate, It. ovatta padding, cotton-wool. Hence wad vb. put a wad in (a gun, etc.) XVI; lay up in bundles XVII. wadding (-ING1) material for wads. XVII.

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waddle

vb.
XVII. perh. frequent. of WADE; see -LE2. Hence sb. XVII.

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wade

†go OE.; walk through water or any liquid XIII. OE. str. vb. wadan = MDu., MLG. waden (Du. waden), OHG. watan (G. waten), ON. vaða :- Gmc. waðan go, go through; f. IE. wdh-, repr. by L. vdere go.

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wadi

ravine or gully turned into a watercourse in the rainy season. XIX. — Arab. wd.

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wafer

very light thin crisp cake XIV; thin disc of unleavened bread used at the Eucharist XVI; disc used for sealing, etc. XVII. — AN. wafre, var. of ONF. waufre, (O)F. gaufre (see GOFFER).

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waffle

(U.S.) batter-cake. XIX. — Du. wafel, early waefel = MLG. wfel.

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waft

†convoy; convey safely by water XVI; †pass or propel through the air XVII; carry through the air or through space XVIII. Back-formation from †wafter armed vessel used as a convoy (XV wa(u)ghter) — LG., Du. wachter guard, f. wachten guard.

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wag1

tr. †stir, move XIII; sway from side to side XIV; intr. †brandish, wave XIII; move to and fro XIV. ME. waggen, iterative formation on OE. wagian totter, sway), ME. waze, waw(e) = MLG., MDu. wagen, OHG. wagn, ON. vaga. So waggle XV; see -LE3 and cf. (M)LG., Du. waggelen stagger, totter, which may be the immed. source.

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wag2

mischievous boy, youth, chap; habitual joker. XVI. prob. shortening of †waghalter (vars. †wagstring, †wagwith) one who is likely to swing in the hangman's noose, gallows-bird XVI; see prec., HALTER. Hence waggery, waggish XVI.

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wage

†a pledge or security; †a challenge or engagement to fight; payment for service rendered; fig., reward, recompense XIV; †payment for use or possession of property XV. — AF., ONF. wage = OF. guage, (also mod.) gage — Gmc. wajam; see GAGE1. So wage vb. A. †deposit or give as a pledge or security, esp. for the fulfilment of (something promised) XIV; †agree to forfeit in some contingency XV; †(exc. hist.) pledge oneself to judicial combat XVI; B. †engage or employ for wages, hire; †pay wages to XIV; C. carry on (war, a contest) XV. — AF., ONF. wagier, wa(i)gier = OF. guagier (mod. gager).

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waggon, wagon

strong four-wheeled vehicle for transport; †carriage, car, chariot XVI; covered vehicle for conveyance by road XVII; truck, van running on a mining roadway or (later) railway line. Early forms wagan, wag(h)en — Du. wagen, †waghen WAIN. So wag(g)oner XVI. — Du. wagenaar, †waghenaer. Hence wag(g)onette four-wheeled (open) carriage. XIX.

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wagtail

small bird of the genus Motacilla. XVI. f. WAG1 + TAIL1, with ref. to the continual characteristic wagging of its tail.

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waif

piece of property found ownerless XIV; person without home or friends, unowned child XVIII. — AN. waif, weif, var. of ONF. gaif, fem. gaive, prob. of Scand. orig. (cf. ON. veif something wavering or flapping, rel. to veifa wave).

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wail

vb.
XIV. — ON. weila, f. vei int. = OE. w WOE; the recorded ON. vb. is vla, f. v int. Hence sb. XIV.

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wain

large open vehicle for heavy loads; (astron.) used of the Great Bear. OE. wæ(e)n, wn waggon = OLF. -wagan, (M)LG., Du. wagen, OHG. wagan (G. wagen), ON. vagn cart, barrow:- Gmc. waznaz or weznaz :- IE. wohnos or wehnos (whence OIr. fén waggon), f. woh- weh- carry (cf. WAY), whence Gr. ókhos (:- wohos) chariot, OSl. voz, Skr. vhana- chariot, ship.

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wainscot

superior oak boarding imported from the Continent XIV; panelling of wood XVI. — MLG. wagenschot, presumably f. wagen WAGGON + schot (?) boarding planking.

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waist

middle section of the body XIV; middle part of a ship XV; narrowest or slenderest part XVII. ME. wa(a)st, later waste, waist; perh. repr. OE. wæst, for weahst, corr. to ON. wahstur (Icel. vöxtr), Goth. wahstus growth, size, f. Gmc. wa?s- grow, WAX2. Comp. waist-coat XVI.

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wait

A
†watch as an enemy or spy XII; †await XIV; remain, stay; defer action XVII;

B
serve at table XVI. — ONF. waitier, var. of OF. guaitier (mod. guetter watch for) — Gmc. wa?tan (OHG. wahtn, MHG. wahten, f. wak- WAKE3).
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So wait sb. †watch; †watchman; as in phr. lie in wait, etc. XV; pl. town musicians XIII (street singers at Christmastide XVIII). Partly — ONF. wait, wet; partly f. the Eng. vb.

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waiter

†watcher, watchman XIV; †attendant, servitor XV; man who waits on guests XVII; (for waiting salver, in which waiting is gerund) small tray XVIII. f. WAIT + -ER1. Hence waitress (-ESS1) †handmaid XVI (rare); woman or girl who waits at table XIX.

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waive

†outlaw XIII; relinquish, abandon XIV, (esp. a right) XV; refrain from enforcing (a rule), or from persisting in or entering upon (an action) XVII. — AN. weyver, var. of OF. gaiver, guesver make a ‘waif’ of, abandon, f. gaif WAIF. So waiver (leg.) dispensing with a requirement. XVII. — AN. (law F.) weyver, sb. use of inf.; see -ER5.

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wake1

watching, watch, vigil OE. (spec. beside a dead body; hence, observances incidental to this XV); vigil of a church festival, esp. as an occasion of merrymaking XIII. OE. wacu (only in nihtwacu night-watch), corr. to MLG., MDu. wake (Du. waak), OHG. wahha (G. wache) watch, wakefulness, ON. vaka watch, vigil, eve; rel. to WAKE3. In the last sense prob. — ON. vaka.

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wake2

track left on the water's surface by a moving vessel. XVI. prob. — MLG. — ON. vaku (vk), vaka hole or opening in ice, perh. orig. one made for itself by a vessel.

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wake3

A
remain awake OE.; become awake;

B
rouse from sleep XIII. (i) OE. str. vb. wacan (repr. by onwacan, wacan AWAKE), only in pt. wc, corr. to ON. vaka (repr. by pp. vakinn awake); (ii) OE. wk. vb. wacian = OS. wakon, OHG. wahhn, -n (G. wachen), ON. vaka, Goth. wakan :- Gmc. wakjan, wakjan, f. wak- (see also WATCH):- IE. wo- we- be lively or active. Sense B, which is expressed in OE. by we..an (:- wakjan), depends partly on ON. vaka (intr. and tr.).
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Hence wakeful XVI.

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waken

become awake; rouse from sleep. XII. — ON. vakna wake up = OE. wæcnan, also wæcnian (recorded only in the sense ‘rise, spring, be derived’), Goth. gawaknan (prp. only), f. Gmc. wak-; see prec., -EN5.

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wake-robin

lords-and-ladies, cuckoo-pint. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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Waldensian

pert. to the Waldenses adherents of a religious sect which originated through the preaching of Peter Waldo of Lyons, France, c.1170. XVII. See -IAN.

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wale

weal on the flesh OE.; horizontal timber round the top of the sides of a boat XIV; raised line in a fabric XVI; ridge of a horse's collar XVIII. Late OE. walu ridge of land, etc., weal = LG. wle weal, ON. vala knuckle.

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wale-knot

see WALL-KNOT.

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Waler

horse imported from Australia, esp. New South Wales. XIX. f. Wales + -ER1.

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walk1

intr. †roll, toss; †move about, journey, go OE.; travel on foot, (tr.) traverse on foot XIII; lead at a walk XV. OE. str. vb. wealcan, corr. to (M)LG., (M)Du. walken full, work (felt), cudgel, OHG. walchen, in pps. ge-, forwalchen felted, matted (MHG. walken knead, full, cudgel), ON. valka drag about, torment, refl. wallow; f. Gmc. walk-, of unkn. orig. Hence walk sb. XIV. Cf. next.

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walk2

full (cloth). XV. — (M)LG., (M)Du. walken (see prec.); perh. partly from the agent-noun walker (-ER1) OE. wealcere, (M)LG., (M)Du. walker, OHG. walkri (G. walker); ult. identical with WALK1.

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wall

rampart; defensive structure enclosing a town, etc.; lateral or vertical division of a building. OE. (Angl.) wall, (WS.) weall, corr. to OS., (M)LG., (M)Du. wal — L. vallum rampart, orig. palisading, f. vallus stake. Comp. wallflower plant of the genus Cheiranthus, which grows wild on old walls, etc. XVI. Hence wall vb. XIII (OE. had eweallod walled).

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wallaby

XIX. — Austral. aboriginal word.

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wallah

in words of native Indian languages adopted by European residents, e.g. howdah-w. elephant accustomed to carrying a howdah, punkah-w., hence, by extension, in competition-w. XVIII. — Hindi -wl, terminal el. expressing relation forming adjs. and sbs., apprehended by Europeans as a sb. meaning ‘man’, ‘fellow’.

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wallet

bag for provisions for a journey, pilgrim's scrip, pedlar's pack XIV; (orig. U.S.) pocket-book to hold papers XIX. prob. — AN. walet, perh. f. wall- roll (see WELL1,2); see -ET.

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wall-eyed

having eyes of an excessively light colour or showing divergence of some kind. XIV (wawilezed, waugleeghed). — ON. vagleygr, f. vagl (Icel. vagl film over the eye, Sw. vagel sty in the eye) + -eygr -eyed, f. auga EYE; see -ED2. Hence by back-formation wall eye XVI.

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wall-knot, wale-knot

knot made on the end of a rope by unlaying and intertwining the strands. XVIII. rel. obscurely to Norw., Sw. valknut, Da. valknude double knot, secure knot, G. waldknoten (assim. to wald wood, forest), in hunting parlance, double knot.

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Walloon

one of a people of Gaulish origin speaking a dialect of French and inhabiting southeastern Belgium XVI; their language XVII. — F. wallon — medL. Wall, -n-, f. Gmc. wal?az foreign. Cf. WELSH, -OON.

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wallop

†gallop XIV; †bubbling motion XVI; violent noisy movement; beat of the heart, resounding blow XVIII. So vb. †gallop XIV; boil, bubble XVI; make violent noisy movements XVIII; beat soundly XIX. — ONF. walop, var. of (O)F. galop, and its source waloper, galoper GALLOP.

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wallow

roll about or from side to side OE.; be plunged in degraded living XIII. OE. (Angl.) walwian, (WS.) wealwian :- WGmc. walwjan, rel. to wielwan tr. roll = Goth. -walwjan; f. Gmc. walw- welw- :- IE. wolw- welw-, whence Gr. elustheís rolled, wrapped, L. volvere roll.

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walnut

Late OE. walh-hnutu (once), corr. to MLG. wallnut, MDu. walnote (Du. walnoot), ON. walhnot; Gmc. formation on wal?az foreign and ?nut- NUT.

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walrus

XVII. prob. — Du. walrus, -ros, f. the els. of such forms as OE. hors(c)hwæl, ON. hrosshvalr (‘horse-whale’), but the mutual relations are obscure.

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waltz

sb. and vb. XVIII. — G. walzer the dance, f. walzen roll, revolve, dance the waltz, f. Gmc. walt-, extension of wal- roll.

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wampum

beads threaded on strings used by N. Amer. Indians as currency, etc. XVII. Shortening of somewhat earlier wampumpeag (which was falsely analysed as wampum + peag), of Algonquian orig.

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wan

†dusky, dark; livid, leaden-hued OE.; pallid, unusually pale XIII. OE. wan(n), of unkn. orig.

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wand

(dial.) straight, slender stick XII; slender stem, sapling XIII; rod or staff of office XV; magic rod. — ON. wander (vndr) = Goth. wandus, prob. f. Gmc. wand- wind- turn, WEND, the basic notion being that of flexibility.

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wander

move aimlessly about OE.; deviate without purpose from XV. OE. wandrian = MLG., MDu. wanderen :- WGmc. wandrjan, f. wand- wend- WEND; see -ER4.

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wane

grow less, decrease, spec. of the periodical decrease of the visible illuminated portion of the moon. OE. wanian lessen (intr. and tr.) = OS. wanon, OHG. wann, wann, ON. vana, Goth. wanan :- Gmc. wanjan, wanjan, f. wana- lacking. So wane sb. †want, lack OE.; amount by which a plank falls short of the squared shape XVII. OE. wana. Hence waney (of timber) XVII; see -Y1.

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wangle

accomplish or obtain by irregular or insidious means. XIX. First recorded as printers' sl., ‘arrange or fake to one's own satisfaction’; of unkn. orig. Hence sb. XX.

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wanion

(arch.) phr. with (in) a w. with a vengeance. XVI (revived XIX). alt. of †waniand (XIV) in phr. †in the w., prob. with ellipsis of mone moon, repr. OE. on waniendum mnan at the time of the waning moon, i.e. in an unlucky hour; see WANE.

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want

condition or fact of being deficient XIII; lack of the necessaries of life XIV; requirement XVI. Earlier (XII) used as predicative adj. ‘lacking’, ‘wanting’ — ON. want, vant, n. of vanr lacking, missing. So want vb. is lacking; be without XII. — ON. wanta, vanta impers. vb.

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wanton

†undisciplined XIII; lascivious, lewd XIV; †sportive, capricious; †insolent XVI; (poet.) luxurious; reckless of justice or pity. ME. wantowen, wantoun, f. wan-, prefix equiv. to UN-1, MIS-1, OE. wan- = OS., OHG. wan(a)- (Du. wan-, G. wahn-), ON. van-, orig. identical with adj. †wane (see WANE) + towen, tozen, OE. togen, pp. of ton discipline, train.

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wapentake

subdivision of some shires (in which the Danish element of the population was large), corr. to a hundred. Late OE. wpen(e)- tæc — ON. vápnatak, f. vápna, g. pl. of vápn WEAPON + tak act of taking, f. taka TAKE. The evolution of the Eng. sense from that of the ON. word, ‘vote or consent expressed by waving or brandishing weapons’, can only be conjectured.

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wapiti

N. Amer. elk. XIX. of Algonquian orig.

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war

sb. XII (werre, wyrre). — AN., ONF. werre, var. of (O)F. guerre, of Gmc. orig., f. base repr. by OHG. werra confusion, discord, strife, OS., OHG. werran bring into confusion (G. wirren confuse, perplex). Hence war vb., partly after AN. werreier (in F. guerroyer) XII. Comp. warfare (FARE1) XV.

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warble

†tune, melody XIV, later (infl. by the vb.) act of warbling. Late ME. werble — ONF., var. of OF. guerble — Frankish hwirbiln whirl, trill; cf. OHG. wirbil whirlwind, and see WHIRL. So warble vb. XIV. — ONF. werbler, OF. guerbl(oi)er.

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ward1

A
watching, guarding, custody OE.; charge of a prisoner XIII;

B
administrative division of a city, etc. XIV (in AL. warda XIII);
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C
separate room or division of a prison, hospital, etc. XVI;
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D
pl. notches or projections in a key or lock to prevent opening XV. OE. weard = MLG. warde, OHG. warta watch (G. warte watchtower):- WGmc. ward (whence ONF. warde, with the repr. of which the native word coalesced = (O)F. garde GUARD), f. ward-, extension of war- be on guard, watch (see WARE2).
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ward2

guard, defend OE.; parry, fend off XVI. OE. weardian = OS. wardon, OHG. wartn (G. warten nurse, look after), ON. varða :- Gmc. warðjan, warðjan, f. warðo WARD1; reinforced in ME. by ONF. warder, var. of (O)F. garder GUARD vb.

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-ward

suffix denoting direction, orig. (and so only in OE.) appended to local advs. (e.g. hmweard homeward; a second stage is repr. by to heavenward, etc., followed by forms lacking the prep. (e.g. earthward, Godward). OE. -weard = OS. -ward, OHG. -wart, f. Gmc. -warð, var. of werb- :- IE. wert- turn (cf. L. vertere).

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warden

†guardian; in various designations of office involving control or governorship. XIII. — AN., ONF. wardein, var. of OF. g(u)arden GUARDIAN.

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warder1

soldier set to guard an entrance XIV; gaoler XIX. — AN. wardere, wardour, f. OF. warder; see WARD2, -ER2.

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warder2

(arch.) staff, truncheon XV. Reduced form of †warderer (XIV), perh. orig. joc. use of †warderere look out behind — AN. ware derere, i.e. ware var. of (O)F. gare (- Gmc. war- WARE2) + derere (modF. derrière) behind.

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wardrobe

†room in which wearing apparel was kept XIV (movable closed cupboard for this XVIII); department of a great household charged with the keeping of this XV; person's stock of this. — ONF. warderobe, var. of (O)F. garderobe, f. garder keep, GUARD, WARD2 + robe garment, ROBE.

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-wards

OE. -weardes, corr. to OS., MLG. -wardes (Du. -waarts), OHG. -wartes, f. Gmc. warða-; g. sg. n. formation gen. identical in sense with -WARD.

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ware1

articles of merchandise or manufacture (in comps. earthenware, hardware). OE. waru = MLG., MDu. ware (Du. warr), ON. vara :- Gmc. war, perh. orig. ‘object of care’ and f. war- (see next). Comp. warehouse XIV; Hence vb. XVIII.

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ware2

(arch.) †aware; careful in avoiding (surviving in BEWARE). OE. wær, also ewær = OS. war, (also OHG.) giwor, Goth. wars :- Gmc. (ga)waraz, f. war- wer- observe, take care.

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ware3

†intr. take care; trans. beware of. OE. warian = OS. waron, OHG. biwarn beware, ON. vara; in ME. coalescing with ONF. warer (mod. garer), of Gmc. orig.

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warlock

†traitor, scoundrel; †the Devil; savage or monstrous creature OE.; sorcerer, wizard XIV. OE. wrloga (= OS. wrlogo), f. OE. wr covenant = OHG. wra truth, ON. várar pl., solemn promise, vow + loz-, wk. grade of the base of loan LIE2. ME. warlow(e) (repr. OE. wrloga) was superseded by the Sc. var. warlo(c)k (XVI).

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warm

moderately hot OE.; †comfortable, securely established XIV; ardent, eager; cordial, tender XV; lively, heated, excited XVI; comfortably off. OE. wearm = OS. (Du.) warm, OHG. war(a)m (G. warm), ON. varmr :- Gmc. warmaz. So warm vb. (i). OE. wierman, werman, wirman tr. = OS. wermian (Du. warmen), OHG. wermen (G. wärmen), ON. verma, Goth. warmjan :- Gmc. warmjan; (ii) OE. wearmian intr. = OHG. war(a)mn (early modG. warmen):- Gmc. warmjan. warmth XII. OE. wiermðu, wærmðu = MLG. wermede (Du. warmte), MHG. wermede (G. †wärmte):- WGmc. warmiþ; see -TH1.

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warn

put on one's guard, give a caution to OE.; inform, notify XIII. OE. war(e)nian, wearnian = MLG. warnen, OHG. warnn, warnn (G. warnen):- WGmc. waranjan, -jan, f. war- be cautious (see WARE2).

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warp

A
†cast, throw OE.; (after ON. orðum verpa) †utter XIII;

B
(after ON. orpinn pp. warped) tr. and intr. bend, twist aside XIV (fig. distort XVI);
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C
weave, twine XIII;
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D
tow XVI. OE. str. vb. weorpan = OS. werpan (Du. werpen), OHG. werfan (G. werfen), ON. verpa, Goth. wairpan; no certain cogns. outside Gmc.
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So warp sb. threads extended lengthwise in the loom OE.; rope, hawser XIII. OE. wearp; some later senses are from the vb.

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warrant

A
†protector, defence; authoritative witness; authorization XIII;

B
document conveying authority or security XV; justifying reason XVI. — ONF. warant, var. of OF. guarant, -and (mod. garant) — Frankish wernd ( = OHG. wernt, f. giwern (G. gewähren) be surety for, guarantee).
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So warrant vb. †keep safe XIII; guarantee the security of XVI. — ONF. warantir, warandir, vars. of OF. g(u)arantir, -andir. warranty (-Y2) legal covenant. XIV. — AN. warantie, var. of garantie GUARANTEE.

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warren

piece of land preserved for breeding game, esp. for the breeding of rabbits XIV; fig. XVII. — AN., ONF. warenne, var. of (O)F. garenne game-park, now esp. rabbit warren — Gaul. varrenna area marked off by palisading, f. varros post (cf. Ir. farr pillar, post). So warrener (-ER2) officer having charge of a warren. XIV. — AN. warener, ONF. warrennier, (O)F. garennier.

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warrigal

dingo; wild Austral. aboriginal. XIX. Austral. aboriginal word.

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warrior

XIII. ME. werre(y)our — ONF. werreieor, werrieur, var. of OF. guerreieor (mod. guerroyeur), f. werreier, guerreier vb., Rom. deriv. of werra WAR; see -OR1.

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wart

round dry tough excrescence on the skin. OE. wearte = OS. warta (Du. wrat), OHG. warza (G. warze), ON. varta :- Gmc. wartn.

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wary

XVI. Extension of WARE2 by the addition of -Y1.

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was

see BE.

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wash

cleanse with or as with water OE. (also refl. and intr. XII); of the sea, etc., flow over or past XIII; remove with or as with water XV. OE. str. vb. wæs.an, was.an, waxan = OS. wascan (Du. wassen), OHG. wascan (G. waschen), ON. (wk.) vaska :- Gmc. waskan :- watskan, f. wat- WATER. Traces of wk. conjugation appear XIV, but str. forms prevailed till XVI. Hence wash sb. (not continuous with OE. was., ewæs.) in various senses from XIV. Comp. wash-leather XVII; earlier †washen leather (wesshyn leddyr XV), †washed leather (XVII) suggest that the orig. ref. was to the washing which was a part of the manufacture.

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washer1

one who washes. XV. see prec., -ER1. Comp. washerwoman XVII, earlier (now U.S.) washwoman XVI.

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washer2

perforated disc to prevent friction or looseness of parts. XIV (whasher). of unkn. orig.

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wasp

OE. wæsp, wæps, wæfs, corr. to OS. wepsia, wespa, wasp, OHG. wafsa, wefsa (G. wespe), MLG. wepse, wespe, wispe :- WGmc. wais-, waps- :- IE. wobhes-, wops-, whence OSl. (Russ.) osa, Lith. vapsvà, OBret. guohi, Corn. guhien, L. vespa (:- wops), usu. taken to be f. webh- wobh- WEAVE1, with ref. to the weblike construction of the insect's nest. Hence waspish XVI.

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wassail

salutation used when presenting drink to a guest or drinking his health XIII (wæs hæil, wassayl, -ail; after XIV only hist. and dial.); liquor for drinking healths; carousal XVII. — ON. ves heill ‘be in good health’ (see HALE1).

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waste

A
desert land XII;

B
action of wasting XIII;
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C
waste matter XV. — ONF. wast(e), var. of OF. guast(e), gast(e), partly repr. L. vstum, n. of vstus waste, desert, partly f. waster vb.
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So waste adj. uncultivated, barren XIII; superfluous, refuse XV. — ONF. wast, var. of g(u)ast :- Rom. wasto, repr. (with infl. from Frankish wsti) L. vstus. waste vb. devastate, consume by loss, decay, etc. XIII; consume or expend uselessly XIV. — ONF. waster, var. of g(u)aster :- Rom. wastre, for L. vstare. Hence wasteful causing devastation XIV; extravagant XV. waster (-ER1) XIV.

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wastrel

(in Cornwall) tract of waste land XVI; article rejected as unserviceable XVIII; unhealthy animal XIX; good-for-nothing person, waster. f. WASTE vb. + -REL.

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watch

†be awake OE.; be on the alert or look-out XIII; keep in view XIV. OE. wæ..an (in Nhb. wæ..a, WS. prp. wæ..ende), doublet of wacian WAKE2. So watch sb. A. †vigil; action of watching XIV; (naut.) period of watching XVI; one set to watch; B. †alarm-clock XV; small spring-driven time-piece for the pocket XVI. OE. wæ..e, f. stem of wæ..an; in some later uses directly f. the vb. Hence watchful XVI. Comps. watchman, watchword XIV.

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water

transparent liquid forming the material of seas, lakes, and rivers OE.; (prob. after Arab. m' water, lustre, splendour) transparency and lustre of a gem (whence in popular phr. of the first w.) XVII. OE. wæter = OS. watar (Du. water), OHG. wazzar (G. wasser):- WGmc. watar (ON. vatn, Goth. wat, g. watins, show a var. with n-formative), f. Gmc. wat- :- IE. wod-, repr. by OSl. (Russ.) voda; the var. wd- is repr. by WET, the var. ud- (sometimes with nasal infix) by L. unda (cf. UNDULATE), Gr. húdr, g. húdatos (:- udtos), hudro- HYDRO-, Skr. udán. So water vb. tr. OE.; intr. XIV. OE. (e)wæterian, corr. to MLG. wateren, weteren (Du. wateren), MHG. wezzern (G. wässern). watery OE. wæteri = MLG. waterich, etc.; see -Y1. Comps. waterfall XIV (cf. OE. wæterefeall). watershed line separating waters flowing into different river basins XIX. See SHED2.

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waterlog

render unmanageable by flooding with water. XVIII. perh. orig. with sense ‘make like a LOG1’.

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water-souchy

fish boiled and served in its liquor. XVIII. — Du. waterzootje, f. water WATER + zootje, zoodje boiling (of fish).

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watt

(physics) unit of activity or power. XIX. f. name of James Watt (1736–1819), inventor of the modern steam engine and a pioneer in the science of energy.

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wattle1

(pl. and coll. sg.) stakes intertwined with twigs or branches used as fencing, etc. OE. watul, of uncert. orig. Hence vb. XIV.

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wattle2

fleshy lobe pendent from the head or neck of poultry, etc. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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wave1

move to and fro, shake or sway as with the wind. The word in the above senses as at present used is not clearly evident before XVI; not certainly continuous with OE. wafian (recorded twice) make a movement to and fro with the hands, corr. to MHG. waben wave, undulate, f. Gmc. wa-, repr. also by ON. vafi doubt, uncertainty, and WAVER.

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wave2

movement in an extent of water by which a portion of it rises above the general level. XVI. alt., by assoc. with WAVE1, of ME. †wawe, earlier waze, rel. to OE. wagian, ME. wawe, sway to and fro, wave (cf. WAG1). Hence wavy (-Y1) XVI.

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waver

†wander, rove; fluctuate, vacillate; †sway. XIV. — ON. vafra move unsteadily, flicker = MHG. waberen (G. wabern) move about, frequent. f. Gmc. wab-; cf. WAVE1, -ER4.

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wavey

snow-goose. XVIII. var. of wawa , of Algonquian orig.

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wax1

substance produced by bees to make the honeycomb; beeswax melted down, etc. (as used for sealing, superseded by a compound of lac, etc.). OE. wæx, weax = OS., OHG. wahs (Du. was, G. wachs), ON. vax :- Gmc. wa?sam, cogn. with OSl. vosk; ult. f. IE. weg- weave. Hence wax vb., waxen (-EN2) XIV; repl. OE. wexen, wiexen. waxwork modelling in wax. XVII.

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wax2

grow OE.; become XII. OE. str. vb. weaxan = OS., OHG. wahsan (Du. wassen, G. wachsen), ON. vaxa, Goth. wahsjan (with -ja- in pres. stem):- Gmc. str. vb. f. wa?s- :- IE. woks-, aweks-, auks-, uks- repr. by Gr. aéxein, aúxein, auxánein increase, Skr. úkati grows, L. augre increase.

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wax3

(sl.) fit of anger. XIX. perh. evolved from a usage such as wax wroth (WAX2).

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way

road, path; course of travel, life, or action, distance travelled. OE. we = OS., OHG. (Du., G.) weg, ON. vegr, Goth. wigs :- Gmc. wezaz, f. wez- move, journey, carry:- IE. weh-, repr. also by L. vehere carry. So phr. under way (naut.) having begun to move through the water. XVIII. — Du. onderweg; whence perh. sense ‘rate of progress, velocity’ XVIII.

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-way

terminal el. orig. joined in a phr. with an adj. surviving in a few comps., as anyway, halfway, midway, noway, someway, straightway, the earliest being alway (OE. acc. ealne we); most of these have parallel and synon. forms in -WAYS.

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wayfare

(arch.) travelling. XIV. f. WAY + FARE, after wayfaring, OE. wefarende. Hence wayfarer (-ER1) traveller by road. XV. wayfaringtree Viburnum lantana, growing wild in hedges. XVI.

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waylay

lie in wait for. XVI. f. WAY + LAY1, after MLG., MDu. wegelgen.

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wayleave

permission to convey supplies, apparatus, etc. over land, etc. XV. f. WAY + LEAVE1.

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-ways

repr. wees, g. sg. of OE. we WAY, as in ðres wees (XII), dial. otherways by another route, alles weis always, nanes weis (XIII) noways.

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wayside

side of a road or path. XIV. See WAY, SIDE.

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wayward

disposed to be self-willed XIV; capriciously wilful XVI. Aphetic of awayward (XIV), f. AWAY + WARD; the sense development was prob. infl. by the notion of the word being f. WAY, as if ‘bent on going one's own way’.

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wayzgoose

entertainment given to printers orig. at Bartholomew-tide (24 August), when working by candle-light began; later, annual feast held in summer. Earlier waygoose (XVII), of uncert. orig.

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we

1st pl. pers. pron. OE. w, corr. to OS. w, w (Du. wij), (O)HG. wir, ON. vér, vr, Goth. weis. These forms repr. more than one Gmc. type; Goth. weis repr. Gmc. wz :- weis, extension (with pl. -s) of wei, repr. also by Skr. vayám; other forms may repr. wz. For the obl. cases see OUR, US.

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weak

not strong, feeble XIII; †pliant, flexible XIV. — ON. weikr, veikr = OE. wc weak, slothful, pliant, insignificant, mean (ME. wke), OS. wk (Du. week), OHG. weih (G. weich soft):- Gmc. waikwaz, f. waikw- wikw- yield, give way. Hence weaken (-EN3) XIV, weakling (-LING1) XVI, weakly (-LY1) XVI, (-LY2) XIV, weakness (-NESS) XIII.

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weal1

†wealth, riches; welfare OE.; the public good XV. OE. wela = OS. welo :- WGmc. welan-, f. wel-; see WELL3.

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weal2

var of WALE infl. by WHEAL.

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weald

the tract of country, formerly wooded, lying between the North and the South Downs. OE. (WS.) weald, (Angl.) wald WOLD. Hence wealden (pert. to) a formation of cretaceous deposits extensively developed in the weald. XIX; the use of the suffix -EN3 is arbitrary.

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wealth

A
†well-being XIII; welfare of a community XIV;

B
worldly goods, riches XIII. ME. welþe, f. WELL3 or WEAL1, after health; see -TH1.
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Hence wealthy (-Y1) XIV.

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wean

accustom to the loss of its mother's milk. OE. wenian accustom, (rare) wean (usu. -, sometimes ewenian) = OS. wennian (Du. wennen), OHG. giwennen (G. -wöhnen), ON. venja :- Gmc. wanjan, f. wanaz accustomed (ON. vanr), f. wan- wun- (see WONT1).

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weapon

OE. wpn = OS. wpan (Du. wapen), OHG. wf(f)an (G. waffe), ON. vápn, Goth. wpn :- Gmc. wpnam, of unkn. orig.

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wear1

pt. wore, pp. worn
A
be dressed in OE.;
B
waste, decay XIII;
C
last out in use XVI. OE. wk. vb. werian = OS. werian, OHG. werien, ON. verja, Goth. wasjan clothe:- Gmc. wazjan, f. was- wes- :- IE. wos- wes-, repr. also by L. vestis clothing, Gr. hennúnai (:- wesnu-) clothe, Skr. váste wears. The change of conjugation from wk. to str., due to assoc. with bear, swear, tear, is shown in XIV but is hardly established before XVI; anticipated in late OE. forworen worn away, wasted. Hence wear sb. action of wearing XV; what is worn XVI (now current esp. in comps., footwear, knitwear).

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wear2

pt., pp. wore (naut.) come round on the other tack by turning stern to windward. XVII. Early forms weare, wayer, warre, werr; of unkn. orig.

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weary

adj.
OE. wri, wri, corr. to OS. sðwrig weary (with journey), OHG. wuarag drunk:- WGmc. wriza, -aza, f. wr-, repr. also by OE. wrian wander, go astray, ON. órar pl. fits of madness, œrr mad, insane (:- wrja); cf. Gr. hrkiân faint. Hence weary vb. OE. wr(i)-ian, ewrian.

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weasand

(dial.) gullet OE.; windpipe XIV; throat XV. OE. wsend, corr. to OS. wsend(i), OHG. weisant, -ont, -unt (early modG. waise(n)); a WGmc. word having the appearance of a prp. formation.

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weasel

OE. we(o)sule, wesle = MLG. wesel, wezel, OHG. wisula (G. wiesel):- WGmc. wisuln, of unkn. orig.

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weather

condition of the atmosphere with respect to heat or cold, calm or storm, etc. OE.; (with adverse implication) XII; direction of wind (perh. — ON.) XIV. OE. weder = OS. wedar (Du. weer), OHG. wetar (G. wetter), ON. veðr :- Gmc. weðram :- either IE. wedhrom (OSl. vedro good weather) or IE. wetróm (Lith. vétra storm, OSl. vtr wind); prob. f. w- WIND1. Comp. weathercock vane in the form of a cock. XIII. Hence weather vb. tr. and intr. in various uses concerning exposure to wind and weather XV; earlier in weathering XII.

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weave1

pt. wove, pp. woven fabricate by interlacing yarns. OE. str. vb. wefan = (M)LG., (M)Du. weven, OHG. weban (G. weben), ON. vefa :- Gmc. wean, f. we- wa- :- IE. webh- wobh- ubh-, repr. also by Gr. huph, húphos web, Skr. ravbhi- spider, lit. ‘wool-weaver’.

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weave2

move repeatedly from side to side, pursue a devious course XVI; (pugilism) creep close into one's opponent XIX. prob. continuation of ME. †weve (XIII) move from place to place, wave, brandish, var. of †waive — ON. veifa, corr. to (M)Du. weiven, OHG. -weiben :- Gmc. waiðjan, rel. ult. to L. vibrre VIBRATE.

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web

woven fabric OE.; cobweb; tissue, membrane XIII. OE. web(b), corr. to OS. webbi (MDu. webbe, Du. web). OHG. wappi, weppi, ON. vefr :- Gmc. wajam, -az, f. wab- WEAVE1.

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weber

unit of magnetic flux. XIX. f. name of Wilhelm Weber (1804–91), G. physicist.

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wed

marry, tr. OE., pass. XII, intr. XIII. OE. weddian covenant, marry, bind in wedlock = MLG. wedden, OHG. wettn (G. wetten) pledge, wager, ON. veðja pledge, Goth. gawadjn espouse:- Gmc. waðjjan, f. waðjam pledge (OE. wedd, OS. weddi, Du. wedde, OHG. wetti, G. wette, ON. veð, Goth. wadi), rel. to L. vas, vad- surety. Hence wedding (-ING1) late OE. weddung.

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wedge

piece of wood, etc. thick at one end and tapering to a thin edge at the other; †ingot OE.; other special senses from XVI. OE. we. = OS. weggi (Du. wegge wedge-shaped cake), OHG. weggi, wecki, ON. veggr :- Gmc. wazjaz.

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Wedgwood

designating a kind of pottery; name of inventor, Josiah Wedgwood (1730–95), and his successors at Etruria, Staffordshire. XVIII.

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wedlock

†marriage vow OE.; union of man and woman as husband and wife. XIII. late OE. wedlc, f. wed pledge, WED + -lc -LOCK.

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Wednesday

XIII. corr. to OFris. wnsdei, app. repr. a form with mutation (wðinaz) repl. OE. wdnesdæ = OFris. wnsdei, MLG. wdensdach (Du. woensdag), ON. óðinsdagr ‘day of Odin’, tr. late L. Mercurii dis ‘day of the planet Mercury’. OE. Wden = OS. Wden, OHG. Wuotan, ON. Óaðin is referred to the Gmc. base wð- be excited or inspired.

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wee

sb. orig. chiefly in a little wee, †a small thing or quantity; a short time XIII; adj. extremely small, tiny XV. north. ME. we(i), repr. OE. (Angl.) w(e), (WS.) w(e) weight, rel. to wean WEIGH; the use appears to have originated in such a phr. as a little wee thing ‘a small amount of a thing’, similar to a bit thing ‘a bit of a thing’. The adj. use has been current in southern Eng. since c.1600.

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weed1

small plant, esp. one that cumbers the ground. OE. wod = OS. wiod, rel. to OHG. wiota fern; of unkn. orig. Hence weed vb. clear of weeds. OE. wodian. weedy (-Y1) XV.

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weed2

garment OE.; now chiefly pl. deep mourning apparel, spec. of widows XVI. ME. wde, repr. two OE. formations:
i
wd = OS. wd, OHG. wt, ON. váð, vóð :- Gmc. wðiz;
ii
OE. (e)wde = OS. (gi)wdi (Du. gewaad), OHG. giwti :- Gmc. gawðjam.

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week

OE. wice, wicu = OS. -wika (Du. week), OHG. wehha, wohha (G. woche), ON. vika, Goth. wik order:- Gmc. wikn, prob. orig. ‘succession, series’, usu. referred to wk- bend, turn, change, repr. also by OE. w.e, OS., OHG. wehsal (G. wechsel), ON. -víxl change.

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ween

(arch.) think, suppose, expect. OE. wnan = OS. wnian (Du. wanen fancy, imagine), OHG. wan(n)n (G. wähnen suppose wrongly), ON. vna, Goth. wnjan hope:- Gmc. wnjan, f. wniz opinion, expectation, hope (OE. wn, etc.).

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weeny

(colloq., dial.) very small. XVIII. f. WEE; cf. TINY, TEENY.

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weep

pt., pp. wept shed tears. OE. str. vb. wpan, corr. to OS. wpian bewail, OHG. wuofan (also wuoffen wk.), ON. œpa (wk.) scream, shout, Goth. wpjan (wk.); f. Gmc. wp- (repr. also by OE. wp weeping, etc.); without cogns., prob. of imit. orig. Weak inflexions appeared XIII and became prevalent XIV. Hence weeper (-ER1) mourner XIV; badge of mourning XVIII.

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weever

fish of the genus Trachinus, having venomous spines. XVII. perh. orig. wiver — transf. use of OF. wivre serpent, dragon, var. of guivre :- L. vpera VIPER.

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weevil

beetle the larva of which is destructive to grain, etc. XV. ME. wevyl, prob. — MLG. wevel = OE. wifel beetle, OS. goldwivil glowworm, OHG. wibil, wipil beetle, chafer, ON. vifill (in tordýfill dung-beetle):- Gmc. weilaz. Continuity with OE. wifel is not shown, and the word may be due to commercial relations with the Low Countries.

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weft

threads that extend from side to side of a web. OE. weft(a), corr. to ON. veptr, vipta weft, MHG. wift fine thread:- Gmc. weftan-, -az, -iz, f. web- WEAVE1.

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weigh

A
bear, carry, lift (spec. raise an anchor XIV);

B
balance in the scales;
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C
have heaviness or weight. OE. str. vb. wean = OS. wegan (Du. wegen) weigh, OHG. wegan move, shake, weigh (in G. bewegen move), ON. vega lift, weigh, Goth. wigan in pp. gawigans shaken:- Gmc. wezan, f. wez- waz- wz- :- IE. weh- woh- wh- (see WAY).
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So weight measurement or amount determined by weighing. The OE. form was wiht, more usu. ewiht, corr. to MDu. wicht, ghewichte (Du. (ge)wicht), MHG. gewichte (G. gewicht), ON. vétt, vtt :- Gmc. -wextiz and gawextjam, f. wez-; see -T1. This form was directly repr. by ME. wi(g)ht, wizt, which was superseded by weght, wei(g)ht, wezt — ON. weht, vétt; the prevalence of this form was assisted by WEIGH. Hence weighty (-Y1) XV.

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weir

river-dam; enclosure for taking fish. OE. wer, corr. to OS. werr, MLG., MHG. wer(e) (LG. wr(e), G. wehr), f. OE. werian defend = OS. werian, OHG. werian (G. wehren), ON. verja, Goth. warjan.

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weird

(arch.) fate, lot, destiny, as in phr. dree one's w., suffer one's fate. OE. wyrd = OS. wurd, OHG. wurt, ON. urðr, f. wk. grade of Gmc. werþ- warþ- wurþ- become (see WORTH3). So adj. controlling the destinies of men XIV; unaccountably mysterious, uncanny, odd XIX. First in w. sister, one of (i) the Fates, (ii) the witches in Shakespeare's ‘Macbeth’, the later currency and adj. use being derived from its occurrence in the story of Macbeth.

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Welch

var. of WELSH.

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welcome

used as voc. to express pleasure at a person's coming; hence in predicative and later (XVI) attrib. use. ME. welcume (XII), f. WELL3 and come pp. as a rendering of (O)F. bienvenu (f. bien well, venu come) or ON. velkominn (i.e. ‘wellcome’); in part repl. OE. wilcuma, f. WILL1 + cuma comer, agent-noun of cuman COME. So vb. greet with ‘welcome’. Late OE. wellcumian, early ME. welcume(n), repl. OE. wilcumian.

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weld1

plant yielding yellow dye; the dye itself. XIV. ME. welde, also wolde, repr. OE. wealde, walde = (M)LG. †walde, †wolde, waude, MDu. woude (Du. wouw), poss. rel. to WOLD.

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weld2

intr. be joined by heating and hammering XVI; trans. join in this way XVII. var. of WELL2, from XV in this sense; the -d appears to have come from the pt. and pp.

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welfare

good fortune, well-being. XIV. f. phr. ME. wel fare (see WELL3, FARE1), prob. after ON. velferð.

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welkin

†cloud OE.; (arch.) sky, firmament XII. OE. weolcen, wolc(e)n, corr. to OS. wolkan (Du. wolk), OHG. wolkan (G. wolke).

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well1

spring of water, pit dug to obtain a supply of spring water OE.; various transf. senses from XVII. OE. (Angl.) wella, wælla, well(e), (WS.) wiella, late will(a), wyll(a), wylle, corr. to OHG. wella (G. welle) wave, ON. vella boiling heat, ebullition, f. Gmc. wall-; see WELL2.

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well2

†boil, melt OE.; rise up to the eyes XIV; (dial.) weld XV. OE. str. vb. weallan = OS. wallan, OHG. wallan (G. wallen boil, swarm):- WGmc. wallan; cf. prec.

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well3

in a good manner, to a good extent, fully. OE. wel(l) = OS. (Du.) wel, ON. vel; also with adv. suffix (and vowel-variation) OS. wela, wala, wola, OHG. wela, wola (G. wohl), Goth. waila; prob. f. IE. wel- wol- WILL2. As adj. †happy, fortunate XIII; prosperous (now only in well to do, well off) XIV; in sound health XVI; orig. developed from the adv. in impers. uses, e.g. wel is pe. Comp. well-wisher XVI.

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welladay

excl. of lamentation. XVI. alt., by substitution of day or aday as used in wo worth the day and lackaday, of wellaway , ME. weleaway, earlier welawei, wailawai, OE. we l we, var. of w l w, f. w WOE, l LO, infl. by ON. vei WOE and WELL3.

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wellington

short for w. boot, coat, etc., named after Arthur, first duke of Wellington (1769–1852). XIX. So wellingtonia sequoia. XIX.

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well off

favourably or fortunately situated. XVIII. f. phr. come (etc.) well off be prosperously circumstanced in the event; see WELL3, OFF.

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welsh

swindle out of money laid as a bet. XIX. Hence welsher (-ER1) XIX. of unkn. orig.

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Welsh

pert. to the native British population as opp. to the Anglo-Saxons, (hence) pert. to Wales. OE. (Angl.) Wlis., Wlis., (WS.) Wlis., Wlis., Welis., corr. to OHG. wal(a)hisc, walesc (G. wälsch, welsch) Roman, Italian, French, Du. waalsch Walloon, ON. valskr Gaulish, French; f. OE. W(e)alh, corr. to OHG. Wal(a)h, ON. Valr, pl. Valir :- Gmc. wal?az foreign (Celtic or Roman) — L. Volcæ (pl.) name of a Celtic people, of unkn. orig.

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Welsh rabbit

dish of toasted cheese. XVIII. See prec., RABBIT. Alt. without justification to Welsh rarebit XVIII.

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welt

in shoemaking, strip of leather placed between the edge of the sole and the upper XV; border, hem XVI; ridge, raised stripe, of unkn. orig.

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welter

roll about (in various ways). XIII. — MLG., MDu. welteren = MHG. welzern, frequent. f. welt- walt- roll, be unsteady, repr. also by OE. wealt (in unwealt steady), -wæltan, wieltan, wyltan, OHG. walzan, welzen (G. wälzen, WALTZ), ON. welta intr. (str.) and tr. (wk.), Goth. waltjan. Hence welter sb. turmoil XVI, rolling of the sea; heavy-weight horseman or pugilist XIX (whence w, weight).

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wen

morbid lump on the body; (in mod. use) sebaceous tumour under the skin. OE. wen(n), wæn(n) = Du. wen, prob. rel. to MLG. wene, LG. wehne, wähne tumour, wart; of unkn. orig.

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wench

young woman, girl XIII; (arch.) wanton woman XIV; maidservant. ME. wenche, clipped form of wenchel, OE. wen.el :- wakil-, perh. rel. to OE. wancol unsteady, inconstant, f. wak- waver, falter, repr. by OHG. wankn.

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wend

turn (tr. and intr. in many senses), go. OE. wendan = OS. wendian, OHG. wentan (Du., G. wenden), ON. venda, Goth. (Gmc.) wandjan, causative of windan WIND2. From c. 1500 the new formation wended has prevailed for pt. and pp. in the tr. senses, and went, regularly evolved from OE. wende, ewend, has repl. the older pts. belonging to GO.

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Wensleydale

name of a district of the North Riding of Yorkshire designating a long-woolled breed of sheep and a variety of blue-mould cheese. XIX.

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went

see WEND.

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wept

pt. of WEEP.

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were

see BE.

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werewolf, werwolf

person transformed or capable of transforming himself into a wolf. Late OE. werewulf (once) = LG. werwulf, (M)Du. weerwolf, MHG. werwolf (G. we(h)rwolf). The first el. is doubtful, but it has been identified with OE. wer ( = L. vir) man.

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wergeld, wergild

(hist.) price set upon a man according to rank. OE. wergeld, WS. -ild, f. wer man (= L. vir) + ield YIELD. The OE. forms were taken up by antiquaries in XVII.

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werwolf

see WEREWOLF.

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Wesleyan.

XVIII. pert. to John Wesley (1703–1791), originator of Methodism; see -AN.

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west

in or to the quarter of the horizon where the sun sets. OE. west = OS., OHG. (Du., G.) west, ON. vestr :- Gmc. westaz, f. IE. wes-, repr. also in Gr. hésperos, L. vesper. Hence west sb. XII, adj. XIV (anticipated by OE. comps. such as westdl west part, westwind). westerly adj. XVI; adv. XVII; see -LY1, -LY2. western late OE. westerne. westward XIII, -wards XVI. OE. westweard, -weardes; see -WARD, -WARDS.

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wet

adj. From XIV. repr. pp. of the vb. wet, repl. wt (mod. dial. weet) in standard Eng., from OE. (WS.) wt, (Angl.) wt = On. vátr, based on the lengthened stem of WATER. So sb. and vb., with shortening of vowel of OE. wt, wtan, ME. weet(e).

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wether

male sheep, ram. OE. weðer = OS. withar (Du. weer), OHG. widar (G. widder), ON. veðr ram, Goth. wiþrus lamb:- Gmc. weþruz, of uncert. orig.

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wey

standard of dry-goods weight. OE. w(e) balance, weight = OS., OHG. wga (Du. waag, G. wage), ON. vág :- Gmc. wz, -n, f. wz- wez- WEIGH.

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whack

vigorous resounding blow. XVIII. First recorded in Sc.; of imit. orig. (perh. alt. of THWACK). So vb. XVIII.

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whale

OE. hwl = OHG. wal (in modG. walfisch), ON. hvalr, rel. to OHG. walira, (M)HG. wels (:- ?walis) sheath-fish. The present form reflects obl. cases of OE. hwæl. Comp. whalebone elastic bony substance of the upper jaw of whales XVII.

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whangee

cane made from bamboo-like plants. XIX. f. Chinese huang bamboo sprouts too old for eating.

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wharf

structure built along the water's edge. Late OE. hwearf, w(e)arf (earlier in poet. comp. merehwearf seashore), corr. to MLG. warf, werf mole, dam, wharf; f. Gmc. ?werb-, ?warb- repr. also by a series of vbs. having the meanings turn, change, wander, go.

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wharfinger

owner or keeper of a wharf. XVI. app. alt. of wharfager (-ER1), f. wharfage provision of, charge for use of, a wharf (XV).

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what

n. of interrog. pron. OE.; interrog. adj. XII (from OE. use of hwæt with partitive g.); as relative XII; as indefinite (somewhat) XIII. OE. hwæt = OS. huat (Du. wat), OHG. (h)waz (G. was), ON. hvat, Goth. hwa :- Gmc. ?wat :- IE. qod (cf. L. quod), n. of qos WHO. In phrasal comps. what d'ye call it XVI. what not anything whatever XVI; article of furniture for holding odds and ends XIX. what's-his-name XVII. Hence whatever XIV, whatso (arch.) XII, whatsoever XIII.

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wheal

XIX. var. of WALE due to assoc. with †wheal suppurate, OE. hwelian, rel. to hwele, ME. whele pustule, and OE. hwylca, arch. or dial. whelk.

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wheat

OE. hwte = OS. hwti (Du. weit), OHG. weiz(z)i (G. weizen), ON. hveiti, Goth. hwaiteis :- Gmc. ?waitjaz, f. var. of ?wt- WHITE. Hence wheaten (-EN2) OE. hwten.

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wheatear

small bird. XVI. of uncert. orig., but the dial. syns. whiteass, white rump, white-tail suggest that †wheatears (XVII) is for whiteeres ‘white ARSE’; the present form being inferred as a sg. of wheatears, in which the first syll. had been assim. to WHEAT.

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wheedle

entice or persuade by cajolery XVII. perh. — G. wedeln fawn (upon), cringe or crouch (to), f. wedel tail, fan (OHG. wedil).

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wheel

sb. OE. hwol, hweogol, hweowol = (M)LG. wl, (M)Du. wiel, ON. hjól, hvél :- Gmc. ?we(z)ula, ?we?ula :- IE. qeqlo-, repr. by Skr. cakrá- wheel, Gr. kúklos CYCLE (rel. to Gr. pólos axis). Hence wheel vb. intr. XIII, tr. XIV. wheeler (-ER1) wheelwright XV. wheel-wright XIII.

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wheeze

breathe hard with a whistling sound. XV. prob. — ON. hvsa hiss; or imit.

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whelk

mollusc of the genus Buccinum. OE. weoloc, wioloc, of unkn. orig.

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whelm

†capsize XIII; (dial.) turn upside down XIV; (arch.) engulf, OVERWHELM XV. repr. OE. hwielman, hwelman, parallel to OE. hwylfan, hwielfan = OS. bihwelbian cover over, OHG. welben (G. wölben) vault, ON. hvelfa, f. Gmc. ?walb-, whence also OE. hwealf sb. arch, adj. vaulted.

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whelp

young of the dog and other animals. OE. hwelp = OS. hwelp (Du. welp), OHG. hwelf, (also mod.) welf, ON. hvelpr; a Gmc. word of which no cogns. are known. Hence whelp vb. bring forth young. XII.

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when

at what time?. OE. hwenne, hwænne, beside hwanne, hwonne when (interrog. and rel.), corr. to OS. hwan(na) when, at some time, when, MDu. wen, wan, OHG. wenne, wanne (G. wenn if, wann when), Goth. hwan when, how:- Gmc., adv. deriv. of the interrog. base ?wa- WHO, WHAT; as THEN, THAN of the dem. þa- THE1, THAT1. So whence from what place. XIII. ME. whannes, whennes, f. whanne, whenne, OE. hwanon(e), = OS. hwanan(a), OHG. (h)wanana, (h)wann; cf. HENCE, THENCE. Hence whensoever XIV.

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where

in what place?. OE. hwr, beside hwr and hwra, corr. to OS. hwr (Du. waar), OHG. (h)wr, w (G. wo), ON. hvar, Goth. hwar; Gmc. derivs. of ?wa- WHO, WHAT (cf. HERE, THERE). The earliest comps. with preps. are whereat , whereby , wherein (XIII), whereof (XII), wherethrough , whereupon (XIII), wherewith (XII); later are whereunto (XV), wherewithal (XVI). So wherefor for what purpose or cause XII; for which XIII; (now -fore) on what account; sb. cause, reason XVI.

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wherry

light rowing-boat for transport XV; barge XVI. of unkn. orig.

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whet

sharpen (also fig.). OE. hwettan = (M)LG., (M)Du. wetten, OHG. wezzan (G. wetzen), ON. hvetja :- Gmc. ?watjan, f. ?wattaz sharp (OE. hwæt quick, active, brave, OS. hwat keen, bold, OHG. (h)waz sharp, rough, severe, ON. hvatr bold, vigorous). Comp. whetstone OE. hwetstn.

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whether

pron. and adj. which of the two; conj. introducing a question expressing choice between alternatives. OE. hweðer, beside hwæðer, corr. to OS. hweðar, OHG. (h)wedar (G. weder neither), ON. hvaorr, Goth. hwaþar :- Gmc. ?wa-, ?weþaraz, f. ?wa-, ?we-, WHO + compar. suffix as in OTHER.

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whew

excl. of astonishment, dismay, etc. XVI. prob. intended to repr. a whistling sound.

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whey

watery part of milk remaining after the curd is separated. OE. hwæ, hwe = MDu. wey (Du. wei):- ?waja-, rel. by gradation to MLG. huy, hoie, Du. hui :- ?wuja-.

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which

†of what kind?; †what?; what one? OE.; as rel. adj. and pron. XII. OE. hwil. = OS. (h)wilik, MLG., MDu. wilk, ON. hvílíkr, corr. with a different grade to OE. hwel. = MDu. wel(i)c, walc, OHG. hwelh, Goth. hvileiks; Gmc. formation on ?wa- ?we- (see WHO) and lka- body, form; cf. EACH, SUCH. Hence whichever XIV, whichsoever XV.

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whidah, whydah

name of a town (now Ouidah) in Dahomey, W. Africa, applied spec. to animals found in this locality; w. bird (XVIII), alt. of widow-bird, which is based on L. generic name Vidua ‘widow’ (so called from the mainly black plumage and long train of tail feathers of the male).

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whiff

A
slight puff or gust; inhalation of tobacco-smoke XVI; wave or waft of odour XVII; puffing or whistling sound XVIII;

B
flag hoisted as a signal XVII;
Top

C
light outrigger XIX. of imit. orig.
Top
Hence vb. XVI.

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Whig

(w-) †yokel; adherent of the Presbyterian cause in Scotland (esp. one of the rebellious covenanters who marched on Edinburgh in 1648); exclusioner (opposing succession of James, duke of York) XVII; from 1689, one of the two great political parties in England. prob. shortening of Sc. whiggamaire, -mer, wiggomer (used in the second sense, the expedition being called ‘the whiggamore raid’), f. whig drive + mere MARE.

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while

time (now chiefly in phr. a good, great (etc.) while, a while for a certain or some time, between whiles at intervals of time); as conj. (XII), shortening of ME. þe while pat, in OE. þ hwle þe during the time that. OE. hwl = OS. hwl(a) time (Du. wijl), OHG. (h)wla point or period of time (G. weile), ON. (h)vla bed, Goth. hweila time:- Gmc. ?wlõ. So whilom †at times OE.; (arch.) at some time past XII. OE. hwlum (d. pl. of hwl). whilst alt., with parasitic t (as in amidst, amongst), of †whiles, formed with adv. -s on the sb. and used finally (XIII) as conj. like while.

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whim

A
†pun, play on words; †fanciful creation; odd fancy XVII; machine for raising ore, etc. from a mine XVIII. of unkn. orig. Synonyms are (1) whims(e)y XVII, whence whimsical XVII, and (2) whim-wham XVI, redupl. formation with vowel-variation.

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whimbrel

curlew. XVI (whympernell). f. (dial.) whimp (XVI) or WHIMPER, on account of the bird's cry.

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whimper

utter a feeble broken cry. XVI. Extension of (dial.) whimp (XVI), of imit. orig.; see -ER4. Hence sb. XVII.

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whin

furze, gorse. XI. prob. of Scand. orig.; cf. Sw. hven, ODa. hvine, hvinegræs, -str, Norw. hvine, applied to certain grasses. First recorded in place-names of Scandinavianized areas. Hence whinchat bird allied to the stonechat. XVII.

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whine

utter a low somewhat shrill protracted sound OE.; complain querulously XVI. OE. hwnan (once, of an arrow). An immed. cogn. is ON. hvína whiz, whistle in the air; a wk. grade of the imit. base is repr. by ON. hvinr whizzing, late OE. hwinsian (whence dial. whinge whine) = OHG. win(i)sn (whence G. winseln).

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whinny

neigh. XVI. of imit. orig.

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whip

move briskly XIII; strike with a whip XIV; overlay with cord, thread, etc. XV. ME. (h)wippen, prob. — (M)LG., (M)Du. wippen swing, vacillate, leap (= MHG. wipfen dance), f. Gmc. wip- move quickly. So whip sb. instrument of flagellation XIV; †brisk movement XVI.

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whipper-snapper

sprightly but insignificant young person. XVII. orig. a canting term for a ‘rough’; perh. f. whip-snapper, cf. whipster (XVI) ‘cracker of whips’, lively, violent, or mischievous person, insignificant fellow.

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whippet

†lively young woman XVI; small breed of dog XVII. prob. f. †whippet vb. move briskly (XVI), i.e. whip it.

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whip-poor-will

Amer. nightjar. XVIII. imit. of the bird's note.

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whirl

move in a circle XIII; revolve or cause to revolve XIV; move or cause to move swiftly; hurl XV. — ON. hvirfla turn about, rel. to hvirfill circle, ring, summit = (M)LG., (M)Du. wervel †whirlpool, †spindle, vertebra, OHG. wirbil whirlwind (G. wirbel):- Gmc. ?werbilaz.

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whirlpool

XV. f. WHIRL + POOL.

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whirlwind

XIV. prob. — ON. hvirfilvindr (see WHIRL, WIND1).

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whir(r)

†fling, hurl; move swiftly with a vibratory sound. XIV. prob. first of Scand. orig. (cf. Da. hvirre, Norw. kvirra, Sw. dial. hvirra); reinforced later by being imit.

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whish

int., vb. XVI. imit. of the sound made by something rushing through air or over water. Hence sb. XIX.

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whisk

sb. (XIV) and vb. (XV) denoting light rapid sweeping motion. orig. wisk, wysk (quhisk XV) and first in Sc. texts; — Scand. stem repr. by ON. visk wisp, Sw. viska besom, wisp, viska whisk (off), sponge, Norw. visk wisp, corr. to (M)Du. wisch wisp, LG. wisk quick movement, OHG. wisc (G. wisch) wisp of hay, wisken (wischen) wipe, †move briskly, f. symbolic Gmc. base wisk-. Hence whisker (-ER1) †fan, †switch, (dial.) feather brush XV; hair on the face, †moustache XVI.

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whisky1

spirit distilled from malted barley, etc. XVIII. Shortening of whiskybae, var. of USQUEBAUGH.

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whisky2

light carriage. XVIII. f. WHISK + -Y1, so named from its swift motion.

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whisper

vb. OE. hwisprian = early Flem. wisperen, f. Gmc. imit. base ?wis-, whence also synon. MLG., MDu. wispelen, OHG. (h)wispaln (G. wispeln), ON. hvískra, hvísla. Hence sb. XVI.

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whist1

excl. to call for silence. XIV. of imit. orig. Hence as adj. silent, hushed XV; as vb. become or †make silent XVI.

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whist2

card-game. XVII. alt. (perh. by assoc. with prec.) of earlier whisk (XVII), perh. f. WHISK vb. from the action of whisking away the tricks.

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whistle

sb. tubular wind instrument OE.; throat XIV; act of whistling XV. OE. (h)wistle, of imit. orig. So vb. OE. (h)wistlian; cf. WHISPER.

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whit

(arch.) very small or the least portion or amount. XV. Early mod. w(h)yt, whit(t), prob. alt. of WIGHT, as in any wight, no wight.

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white

adj. OE. hwt = OS. hwt, OHG. (h)wz (G. weiss), ON. hvítr, Goth. hweits :- Gmc. ?wtaz (cf. with short vowel (M)Du., (M)LG. wit); f. IE. wit-, wid-, found also in Skr. and Balto-Sl. words denoting brightness or light. Comps. whitebait small fry of fish XVIII; white friar Carmelite XV; white-livered cowardly (having, acc. to popular belief, a liver lacking bile or choler) XVI; whitesmith worker in metal XIV; whitethorn hawthorn XIII; whitethroat warbler XVII; whitewash plaster with a white composition XVI; hence sb. XVII. Hence white vb. †become or make white OE.; whitewash XII. whiten (-EN6) XIII.

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whither

to what or which place. OE. hwider, f. Gmc. ?wi- (see WHICH); for the suffix cf. HITHER, THITHER. Hence †whitherso OE., whithersoever XIII.

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whiting1

fish of the genus Merlangus. XV. — (M)Du. wijting; see WHITE, -ING3, and cf. ON. hvítingr white whale, late OE. hwtling (perh.) whiting.

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whiting2

†whitewashing; finely powdered chalk as used for this XV. f. WHITE vb. + -ING1.

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whitleather

leather dressed with alum instead of being tanned. XIV. f. WHITE, LEATHER.

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whitlow

inflammatory sore on finger or thumb. XV. perh. orig. whitflaw (XIV), -flow (XV), i.e. WHITE + FLAW1 breach, fissure (but cf. Du. fijt, LG. ft); the alt. to whitlow is unexpl.

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Whit Sunday, Whitsunday

seventh Sunday after Easter Day, Pentecost. Late OE. Hwta Sunnandæ ‘White Sunday’, so named prob. from the ancient custom of wearing white robes by the newly baptized at the Feast of Pentecost. The shortening of the vowel of the first syll. obscured the composition of the word, so that it has been differently divided (whence Whitsun eve and week (XIII) beside Whit Monday (XVI), etc.). Hence Whitsuntide Whitsunday and the days immediately following. XIII.

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whittle

cut thin slices from XVI; fig. XVIII. f. (dial.) whittle large knife (XV), var. of thwittle, f. thwite (OE. þwtan shave off).

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whiz(z)

make, or move with, a sound as of a body rushing through the air. XVI. of imit. orig.

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who

what or which person?; used as relative pron. from XIII. ME. hwo (XII–XIII), who (from XIII), hoo (XIII–XV), repr. OE. hw, corr. to OS. hw, hwie (Du. wie), OHG. (h)wer (G. wer), OSw. ho, ODa. hwa (Da. hvo), Goth. hwas :- Gmc. ?waz ?wez :- IE. qos qes (cf. Skr. ká-), parallel to qi (cf. L. quis); cf. L. qu who. Hence whoso XII, whosoever XIII, whosomever XV.

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whoa

call to a horse to stop. XIX. var. of who (XV), var. of HO; preceded by †whoa ho call from a distance XVII.

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whole

in good or sound condition; not divided into parts OE.; sb. the complete amount XIV; a combination of parts XVII. OE. (e)hl = OS. hl (Du. (ge)heel), (O)HG. heil, ON. heill, Goth. (ga)hails :- Gmc. (ga)?ailaz :- IE. kailos (repr. also in Balto-Sl.). wholesale first in phr. by w., †by the w. XV. wholesome conducive to well-being XII. prob. OE. hlsum, with Gmc. parallels. wholly to the full or complete extent, in full. OE. hll.e; see -LY2.

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whom

acc. and d. of WHO. OE. hwm, late var. of hwm, d. of hw WHO, hwæt WHAT; in its later uses whom combined the functions of OE. hwone, hwane, acc. sg. of hw, and those of hwm. Hence whomever XIV, whomso XII, whomsoever XV.

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whoop

shout, hollo XIV. of imit. orig. So sb. XVI. Hence whoopee excl. accompanying riotous enjoyment. XIX (orig. U.S.). whooper whistling swan XVII. whooping-cough, cough accompanied by a sound like ‘whoop’. XVIII.

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whoosh

imit. of a sibilant sound as of something rushing through the air. XIX.

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whop

cast or pull violently XIV; strike heavily XVI. var. of wap (XIV), of imit. orig. Hence whopper (-ER1) uncommonly large one XVIII. whopping (-ING2) that is a whopper. XVII.

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whore

Late OE. hre, corr. to (M)LG. hore, MDu. hoere (Du. hoer), OHG. huora (G. hure), ON. hóra :- Gmc. ?rn, f. base repr. also by ON. hórr, Goth. hrs adulterer; the IE. base kr- appears in L. crus, OIr. cara friend. So whoredom XII. prob. — ON. hórdómr. Hence whore vb. XVI. Comps. whoremaster, whoremonger XVI. whoreson bastard, term of abuse XIII.

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whorl

small fly-wheel or pulley in a spinning machine XV; ring of leaves, etc. round a stem XVI. Earliest forms wharwyl, whorwhil; prob. vars. of wherwille, WHIRL.

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whortleberry

bilberry. XVI. s.w. dial. var. of hurtleberry, of unkn. orig.

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whose

g. of who and what. Early ME. hws, hws (XII–XIII), alt., by assim. to hw, hw WHO, of hwas, hwes, OE. hwæs g. of m. hw and n. hwæt WHAT (in interrog. use only). Hence whosesoever XVII.

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why

for what reason or purpose? OE.; int. as a note of surprise or calling attention XVI. OE. hw, hw, instr. case of hwæt WHAT, corr. to OS. hw, ON. hví.

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wick1

bundle of fibre by which a flame is kept supplied with fat. OE. woc (in candelwoc), woce, corr. to MDu. wiecke (Du. wiek), MLG. wke, OHG. wíohha (G. wieche), of unkn. orig.

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wick2

†dwelling; (dial.) town, hamlet OE.; farm XI. OE. wc = OS. wc (Du. wijk quarter, district, ward), OHG, wh (G. in weichbild municipal area), Goth. weihs; prob. Gmc. — L. vcus row of houses, quarter of a town, street, village, cogn. with Gr. oîkos house.

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wicked

XIII. f. (dial.) wick, adj. use of OE. wi..a wizard, the fem. of which is wi..e WITCH. For the unusual formation cf. WRETCHED.

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wicker

pliant twig or rod. XIV. of Scand. orig. (cf. Sw. viker, Da. viger willow), f. base of Sw. vika bend (cf. OE. wcan give way, collapse, and WEAK).

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wicket

small door or gate XIII; (in cricket) XVIII. — AN., ONF. wiket = (O)F. guichet, of uncert. orig.

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widdershins

var. of WITHERSHINS.

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wide

of great extent (esp. horizontally), (in limited use) from side to side. OE. wd = OS. wd (Du. wijd), OHG. wt (G. weit), ON. víðr :- Gmc. wdaz, of uncert. orig. So wide adv. OE. wde. Hence widen (-EN5) XVII. Comps. wideawake fully awake with eyes open; said to be applied joc. to a kind of soft felt hat because of its having no ‘nap’. XIX. widespread XVIII.

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widgeon, wigeon

wild duck. XVI. perh. f. imit. base wi-, after PIGEON1.

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widow

sb. OE. widewe, wuduwe = OS. widowa (Du. weduwe, weeuw), OHG. wituwa (G. witwe), Goth. widuw, adj. formation of IE. range, widhewo-, repr. by Skr. vidháv widow, Gr. (F)íthe(F)os unmarried man, L. viduus bereft, void, widowed (fem. vidua widow), OSl. vdova, OIr. fedb, W. gweddw widow; poss. f. widh- as in L. dvidere DIVIDE. So widower (-ER1) XIV; substituted as an unequivocal form for †widow (OE. masc. widewa). Hence widow vb. XV, widowed (-ED1) XVI, widowhood OE. widewanhd.

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width

XVII. f. first syll. of wdness (the normal form from OE. wdnes wideness, f. wd WIDE + -nes -NESS) + -TH1.

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wield

†rule, direct, command; handle with skill or effect. ME. wlde(n), repr. (1) OE. str. vb. wealdan = OS. waldan, OHG. waltan (G. walten), ON. valda, Goth. waldan, and (2) OE. wk. vb. wieldan, f. mutated form of Gmc. walð-, cogn. with Balto-Sl. forms denoting rule and power, and prob. ult. with wal- of L. valre be strong. Hence wieldy (-Y1) †capable of easy movement XIV; (now chiefly as back-formation from UNWIELDY) manageable, handy XVI.

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wife

woman (surviving in fishwife, old wives' tale); woman joined to a man by marriage OE.; mistress of a household (surviving in goodwife, housewife) XIV. OE. wf = OS. wf (Du. wijf), OHG. wp (G. weib woman), ON. víf; of unkn. orig.

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wig

XVII. Shortening of PERIWIG.

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wigeon

see WIDGEON.

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wiggle

move to and fro irregularly. XIII. — (M)Du., (M)LG. wiggelen, frequent. (see -LE3) of wig-, repr. by LG. wiggen.

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wight

†living creature OE.; (arch.) being XII. OE. wiht, corr. (with variation of gender and meaning) to OS. wiht thing, (pl.) demons (MLG. wicht thing, creature, demon, (M)Du. wicht little child), OHG. wiht creature, thing (G. wicht being, infant), ON. vttr, véttr, vítr creature, thing, Goth. waiht n. (in ni … waiht nothing); further connections uncert.

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wigwam

N. Amer. Indian cabin, tent, or hut. XVII. of Algonquian orig.

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wild

living in a state of nature; uninhabited, waste; uncontrolled. OE. wilde = OS., OHG. wildi (Du., G. wild), ON. villr, Goth. wilþeis :- Gmc. wilþijaz, prob. rel. to W. gwylit, Ir. geilt wild.

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wildebeest

gnu. XIX. — Afrikaans (now wildebees, pl. wildebeeste), f. Du. wild WILD + beest BEAST.

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wilderness

uncultivated tract of land. XIII. perh. OE. wild(d)ornes, f. wild(d)or wild beast (cf. (M)Du., G. wildernis); see WILD, DEER, -NESS.

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wile

crafty or deceitful trick. XII. poss. — ON. wihl- (vél) craft, artifice, rel. to véla defraud. Hence wily (-Y1) XIII.

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will1

desire, act or power of willing OE.; testamentary document XIV. OE. willa = OS. willio (Du. wil), OHG. will(i)o (G. wille), ON. vili, vilja-, Goth. wilja :- Gmc. wiljan-, f. wel- be pleasing (cf. next). Hence wilful self-willed XII; †willing, wishful XIV; earlier in adv. (late OE. wilfull.e).

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will2

pt. would expressing desire, wish, intention, or determination; in combination with SHALL forming a future tense. OE. willan, wyllan (pt. wolde) = OS. willian (Du. willen), ON. vilja, Goth. wiljan :- Gmc. wel(l)jan, parallel with Gmc. wal(l)jan, repr. by OHG. wellen (G. wollen), ON. velja, Goth. waljan; based on IE. wol- wel- (cf. L. velle, vol, volu, and see WILL1, WELL3).

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will3

pt., pp. willed wish or desire (to); determine by the will. OE. willian = OHG. willn (G. willen), f. WILL1.

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willet

N. Amer. bird of the snipe family whose cry is expressed by pill-will-willet. XIX.

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willies

the w. spell of nervousness. XIX (orig. U.S.). of unkn. orig.

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willing

vbl. sb. desire, inclination OE.; voluntary choice XIV. OE. willung; see -ING1. So willing (-ING2) ppl. adj. XIII.

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will o' the wisp

phosphorescent light on marshy ground. XVII. The earliest form is Will with the or a wisp, i.e. Will (pet form of William) and WISP in the sense ‘bundle of hay, etc., for use as a torch’.

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willow

plant of the genus Salix. OE. weli = OS. wilgia (Du. wilg), (M)LG. wilge.

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willy-nilly

whether one likes it or not. XVII. Later sp. of wil I nil I (XVI) ‘I am willing, I am unwilling’; based on WILL2 and its neg. (OE. nyllan, f. ne (see NO3) + willan).

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wilt1

become limp. XVII. of uncert. orig.

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wilt2

2nd pers. sg. pres. ind. of WILL2.

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Wilton

kind of carpet made at Wilton in Wiltshire. XVIII.

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wimple

woman's garment enveloping head, chin, sides of the face and neck (now worn by nuns). XIII. Late OE. wimpel = (M)LG., (M)Du. wimpel, OHG. wimpal veil, bonnet (G. wimpel streamer, pennon). ON. vimpill.

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win

pt., pp. won †work; †vanquish OE.; gain XII; be victorious (also tr.) XIII. OE. str. vb. (e)winnan = OS. winnan suffer, win, MLG., MDu. winnen till, obtain, OHG. winnan rage, contend, gewinnan gain by labour (G. gewinnen earn, gain), ON. vinna labour, gain, Goth. (ga)winnan suffer; Gmc. vb. of uncertain relations. So win sb. †A. conflict, strife OE.; †gain, wealth XII; B. victory XIX; gains. In A. OE. (e)win(n), ME. (i)win; in B f. the vb.

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wince

(dial.) kick restlessly XIII; make an involuntary shrinking movement XVIII. — AN. wecir, var. of OF. guenchir turn aside, avoid — Gmc. wekjan (OHG. wenken, OS. wenkian).

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wincey

durable cloth having a linen warp and a woollen weft. XIX. orig. Sc., app. alt. of woolsey in LINSEY-WOOLSEY.

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winch

reel, roller OE.; hoisting or hauling apparatus XVI. Late OE. win.e :- Gmc. wikjo-, f. IE. weg- WINK.

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Winchester

A
name of a city in Hampshire, used as a designation of certain measures XVI;

B
name of Oliver F. Winchester (1810–80), an American manufacturer, designating a type of breech-loading rifle XIX.
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wind1

air in motion. OE. wind = OS. wind, OHG. wint (Du., G. wind), ON. vindr, Goth. winds :- Gmc. windaz, based on IE. prp. went- (whence L. ventus wind, W. gwynt), with parallel forms on w- in OSl. vjati blow, OIr. feth air, Gr. ási (:- asi) blows, Skr. vti blows. Comp. windfall something blown down by the wind XV; unexpected acquisition XVI.

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wind2

pt., pp. wound †move in a certain direction OE.; move in a circular path XIII; pass (a thing) round something else XIV; set (a mechanism) in order XVII. OE. str. vb. windan = OS. windan, OHG. wintan (Du., G. winden), ON. vinda, Goth. windan :- Gmc. windan, rel. to wand- in WEND.

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wind3

A
get the wind of XV; deprive of breath XIX;

B
sound a horn, etc. by blowing into it XVI. f. WIND1.
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windlass

XIV. Presumably obscure alt. of †windas — AN. windas = OF. guindas — ON. vindáss, f. vinda WIND2 + áss pole.

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windlestraw

(dial.) withered stalk. OE. windelstraw, f. windel basket, f. windan WIND2 (see -LE1) + straw STRAW1.

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window

XIII. ME. windoze — ON. vindauga, f. vindr WIND1 + auga EYE.

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Windsor

town in Berkshire, place of residence of British Royal Family (W. Castle), designation of the family (House of W.); used attrib. in W. chair (XVIII), soap, uniform (XIX) (worn by the Royal Family).

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wine

OE. wn = OS., OHG. wn (Du. wijn, G. wein), ON. vín, Goth. wein :- Gmc. wnam — L. vnum, rel. to Gr. ()oînos wine. Comps. winebibber , winepress , winevat XVI.

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wing

organ of flight XII; lateral part or appendage XIII; protection, care; division (right or left) of a force XIV; side scene in a theatre XVIII. First in pl. wenge(n), -es — ON. vngir, pl. of vngr wing of a bird, aisle. Hence wing vb. use the wings XVII; wound in the wing XIX. winged (-ED2) XIV.

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wink

†close the eyes; †give a significant glance OE.; blink XIII; ‘shut the eyes’ to (const. at) XV; close one eye momentarily in a flippant manner XIX. OE. wincian = OS. wincan (MLG., MDu. wiken), rel. to OHG. winchan (G. wiken) move sideways, stagger, nod, f. Gmc. wik- wank- move sideways or from side to side.

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winkle

XVI. Shortening of PERIWINKLE2.

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winnow

free (grain) from chaff, separate (chaff) from grain. OE. windwian, f. wind WIND1; rel. to OHG. wintn, ON. vinza winnow, Goth. diswinþjan scatter like chaff.

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winsome

†pleasant OE. to XIII; of attractive appearance or disposition XVII. OE. wynsum ( = OS. wunsam, OHG. wunnisam), f. wyn(n) joy, pleasure = OS. wunnia, OHG. wunnia, wunna (G. wonne), f. Gmc. wun-, repr. also in WISH, WONT1; see -SOME1.

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winter

OE. winter = OS., OHG. wintar (Du., G. winter), ON. vetr, Goth. wintrus :- Gmc. wintrus, prob. f. nasalized var. of IE. base wed- wod- be wet (see WATER, WET). Hence winter vb. spend the winter. XIV. winterly (-LY1), wintry (-Y1). OE. winterli., wintri, with cogns. in OHG., etc.; present currency is due to new formations in XVI.

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wipe

rub gently with a cloth, etc. OE.; fig. uses from XIII. OE. wpian, corr. formally to OHG. wfan wind round, Goth. weipan crown, and rel. further to OHG. waif bandage, ON. veipr headcovering, Goth. waips wreath. Hence wipe sb. slashing blow or remark XVI; act of wiping XVII; (sl.) handkerchief XVIII.

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wire

(piece or length of) metal in the form of a slender rod OE.; network of this XVI. OE. wr, corr. to MLG. wre (LG. wr), ON. vírr in víra virki filigree work, rel. to OHG. wiara (ornament of) finest gold; prob. f. base wi- of L. vire plait, weave (cf. WITHE). Hence wireless XIX. wire-puller one who exerts underhand influence. XIX (orig. U.S.). wireworm larva of click-beetles. XVIII. wiry (-Y1) XVI.

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wisdom

quality of being wise; †knowledge, learning. OE. wsdm = OS. wsdm, OHG. wstuom (G. weistum legal sentence, precedent), ON. vísdómr; see WISE2, DOM.

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wise1

(arch.) manner, fashion. OE. wse (rarely ws) mode, condition, thing, cause, corr. to OS. wsa (Du. wijze), OHG. ws(a) manner, custom (G. weise), ON. vs in ðruvís otherwise:- Gmc. wsn, ws, f. wit- WIT2.

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wise2

having sound judgement; †learned OE.; informed XII. OE. ws = OS., OHG. ws(i) (Du. wijs, G. weise), ON. viss, Goth. -weis :- Gmc. wsaz :- wttos, f. IE. weid- WIT2 + ppl. suffix -tos.

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-wise

suffix descending from OE. wse WISE1 as used in various adv. expressions meaning ‘in such-and-such a manner, way, or respect’ and containing an adj. or an attrib. sb. with or without a governing prep., e.g. OE. (on) ðre wsan in another fashion, OTHERWISE, on s.ipwsan after the manner of a ship.

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wiseacre

pretender to wisdom. XVI. — (with unexpl. assim. to acre) MDu. wijsseggher sooth-sayer, prob. — (with assim. to segghen say) OHG. wssago, alt., by assoc. with ws WISE2 and sagen SAY1, of wzago = OE. wtega prophet, f. wit- WIT2.

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wish

have a desire (for). OE. ws.an = MLG. wünschen, MDu. wonscen, wunscen, OHG. wunsken (G. wünschen), ON. œskja :- Gmc. wunskjan, f. wunska-, - (OE. ws., MDu. wunsc, wonsc, OHG. wunsc (G. wunsch), ON. ósk wish), f. wun- wen- wan-; cf. Skr. vchati wishes. Hence wish sb. XIV. wishful †desirable, †longing XVI; desirous XVIII; coloured by what one desires for the future XX.

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wishy-washy

weak and insipid. XVIII. redupl. formation on washy (XVII), with vowel alternation; so wish-wash washy drink or talk XVIII.

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wisp

handful, bunch, twisted band (of hay, etc.). XIV. corr. forms are only in WFris., but cf. synon. vars. s. v. WHISK.

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wistaria, wisteria

climbing plant. XIX. f. name of Casper Wistar or Wister (1761–1818), Amer. anatomist; see -IA1.

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wistful

†closely attentive; yearningly eager, mournfully expectant. XVII. perh. f. †wistly intently (XV), var. of †whishtly silently (cf. WHIST1) + -FUL1, and assoc. with WISHFUL.

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wit1

A
†mind, understanding, sense OE.;

B
right mind, good judgement, (pl.) senses XII;
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C
(power of) giving pleasure by combining or contrasting ideas XVI.
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D
†wise man XVI; witty man XVII. OE. (e)wit(t), corr. to OS. wit (Du. weet), OHG. wizzi (G. witz), ON. vit, Goth. unwiti ignorance, f. wit- (see next).
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wit2

know; surviving in phr. to wit that is to say, namely, viz., short for that is to wit. OE. preterite-present vb. witan = OS. witan (Du. weten), OHG. wizzan (G. wissen), ON. vita, Goth. witan, f. Gmc. wait- wt :- IE. woid- weid- wid-, whence Skr. véda knows, Gr. oîda, L. vidre see, OSl. vidti see, vdti know.

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witch

OE. wi..e, fem. corr. to wi..a male magician, sorcerer, wizard, rel. to wi..ian practise magic arts, corr. to (M)LG. wikken, wicken; of unkn. orig. Hence witchcraft OE. wi..ecræft.

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witch elm, witch hazel

see WYCH-ELM, WYCH HAZEL.

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with

†A
denoting opposition OE.

B
denoting accompaniment or addition (esp. repl. OE., ME. mid).
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C
denoting instrumentality, causation, agency XII. OE. wið = OS. wið, prob. shortening of Gmc. prep. repr. by OE. wiðer = OS. withar (Du. we(d)er), OHG. widar (G. wieder adv. again, wider prep. against), ON. viðr, Goth. wiþra; f. IE. wi- denoting separation or division + compar. suffix -tero- (cf. Skr. vitarám further).
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with-

repr. OE. wi-, prep. WITH used as a prefix to vbs. (and derived sbs.) in the senses
(1)
away, back,
(2)
against, as in WITHDRAW, WITHHOLD, WITHSTAND.

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withal

adv. (arch.) along with the rest, as well XII; with it or them XIII; prep. with. f. WITH + ALL sb.

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withdraw

take back or away. XIII. See WITH-. Hence withdrawing-room room to withdraw into XVI; see -ING1 and DRAWING-ROOM. withdrawal (-AL2) XIX.

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withe

(dial.) band or tie made of a flexible twig OE.; †halter XIII; metal band or hoop XVII. OE. wie = MDu. wisse (Du. wis), OHG. wit(hi), wid(i), Goth. kunawida bonds, ON. vi, vija :- Gmc. wiþón, wiþi; f. IE. base weit- wit-, of IE. range (rel. to L. wi- as in L. vire plait, WIRE).

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wither

become dried up and shrivelled XIV; tr. XVI. The earliest forms are wydder, widder, the present sp. dating from XVI. gen. assumed to be a use of WEATHER vb., ult. differentiated for certain senses.

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withers

(sb. pl.) highest part of a horse's back. XVI. Shortening of †widersomes, -sones, f. wider-, wither- (see WITH) + (perh.) var. of SINEW; the force of the first el. is obscure.

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withershins

A
(Sc.) the wrong way;

B
in a direction contrary to the apparent course of the sun. XVI. — MLG. weddersin(ne)s — MHG. widersinnes, f. wider- against = OE. wiðer (see WITH) + g. of sin(d), sint = OE. sð journey, course (cf. SEND1); in sense B. with vars. -sones, -sonnis, by assoc. with SUN.
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withhold

hold or keep back. XII. f. WITH- + HOLD1.

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within

adv. on the inner side OE.; prep. in the interior of, in the limits of XII. Late OE. wiðinnan, f. wið WITH + innan, ME. inne IN1.

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without

adv. outside; prep. on the outside of OE.; not accompanied by, not having XII. Late OE. wiðtan, f. wið WITH + tan, ME. ute(n) OUT.

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withstand

pt., pp. withstood stand or maintain one's position against. OE. wiðstandan = OFris. withstonda, ON. viðstanda; see WITH-, STAND.

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withy

willow. OE. wðig (cf. OHG. wda (G. weide), ON. víðir willow), for the connections of which see WITHE.

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witness

†knowledge, wisdom; attestation of a fact, etc., testimony. OE. (e)witnes (ME. iwitnesse), f. WIT1 + -NESS; cf. OHG. giwiznessi, MDu. wetenisse, ON. vitni, vitnis-. Hence witness vb. bear witness to XIII; be a witness of XVI.

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witticism

XVII. f. WITTY, irreg. after CRITICISM.

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wittingly

XIV (witandly). f. witting, prp. of WIT2 + -LY2.

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wittol

(arch.) acquiescent cuckold. XV. ME. wetewold, perh. formed on cokewold CUCKOLD by substituting wete WIT3 for the first syll.

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witty

†wise OE.; †clever, ingenious XIV; cleverly amusing XVI. OE. (e)witti = OS. wittig, OHG. wizzg, ON. vitugr; cf. WIT1 + -Y1.

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wive

take a wife OE.; take as a wife. OE. (e)wfian = MLG., MDu. wven; f. WIFE.

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wivern

see WYVERN.

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wizard

†philosopher, sage XV; man skilled in occult arts XVI. Earliest forms wis(e)ard, wissard; f. ME. ws WISE2 + -ARD. Hence wizardry XVI.

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wizened

shrivelled, shrunken. XVI (rare before XVIII). In early use Sc.; pp. of wizen, repr. OE. wisnian dry up, wither, corr. to OHG. wesann, ON. visna, f. Gmc. wis- with widespread IE. cogns., as L. viscere, W. gwyw, OIr. feugud.

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woad

blue dye-stuff obtained from the plant Isatis tinctoria. OE. wd = MLG., MDu. wt, (also mod.) weede, OHG. weit (G. waid):- WGmc. waida-.

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wobble, wabble

move erratically from side to side. XVII. prob. f. base of WAVER; see -LE3. Hence wobbly (-LY1) XIX.

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wodge

(sl.) lumpy protuberant object. XX. Expressive alt. of WEDGE.

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woe

A
int. and adv. as excl. of distress or grief (with dative) OE.;

B
sb. (arch.) misery, misfortune XII;
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C
adj. grieved, wretched XII. OE. w (also w), corr. to OS., MLG. w, (M)Du. wee, OHG. w (G. weh), ON. vei, v, Goth. wai; cf. Gr. oâ, L. væ, W. gwae.
Top
Hence woeful XIII.

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woe-begone

†oppressed with misfortune or grief XIV; (of looks, etc.) revealing a state of distress or sorrow XIX. Evolved from constructions such as ME. me is wo begon woe has beset me (†bego beset as an affecting influence), which gives place to I am wo begon.

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wold

†forest, wooded upland OE.; hill, down XIII; piece of open country, (later) upland, moorland. OE. (Angl.) wald, (WS.) weald = OS., OHG. wald (Du. woud, G. wald) forest, ON. vllr untilled field, plain:- Gmc. walþus, perh. cogn. with WILD.

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wolf pl. wolves

OE. wulf = OS. wulf, OHG. wolf (Du., G. wolf), ON. ulfr, Goth. wulfs :- Gmc. wulfaz:- IE. wqo, repr. also by L. lupus, Gr. lúkos, OSl. vlk, Lith. vikas, Skr. vka-. Hence wolfish (-ISH1) XVI (†wolvish XV).

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wolfram

(min.) tungstate of iron and manganese. XVIII. — G., perh. f. wolf WOLF + rahm cream or MHG. rm soot.

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wolverine, -ene

XVI (-ing). Obscurely f. wolv-, inflexional stem of WOLF.

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woman pl. women

OE. wfman(n) m., later fem., f. wf woman + man(n) MAN; a formation peculiar to Eng. (not in the oldest OE. records). Assim. of -fm- to -mm- is evident in late OE. sp., and rounding of wim- to wum-, wom- in XIII. Hence womanish (-ISH1) XIV, womankind XIV, womanly (-LY1) XIII. womanize emasculate XVI; consort XIX.

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womb

†belly; uterus. OE. wamb, womb = MLG., MDu. wamme (Du. wam), OHG. wamba, wampa (G. wamme), ON. vmb, Goth. wamba; Gmc., of unkn. orig.

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wombat

burrowing marsupial. XVIII. Austral. aboriginal word.

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wonder

astonishing or marvellous thing OE.; perplexed astonishment XIII. OE. wundor = OS. wundar (Du. wonder), OHG. wuntar (G. wunder), ON. undr; of unkn. orig. So wonder vb. OE. wundrian = OS. wundron, etc.

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wont1

accustomed, used. OE. ewunod, pp. of (e)wunian dwell, continue, be accustomed or used = OS. wunon, wonon (Du. wonen), OHG. wonn (G. wohnen) be accustomed, remain, dwell, ON. una be content in a place, enjoy, Goth. wunan :- Gmc. wunjan, wunæjan, f. wun- wen- wan- (see WISH).

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wont2

custom, habit. XIV (rare before XVI). of doubtful orig.; perh. due to a conflation of it is my wone (OE. ewuna custom) and I am wont (see prec.).

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won't

(colloq.) will not. XVII. contr. of wonnot, assim. of wol not WILL2 not.

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wonted

accustomed, customary. XV. of doubtful orig.; f. either WONT1 or WONT2 + -ED1 or -ED2.

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woo

sue in love (intr.) XI; (tr., also fig.) XIII. Late OE. wgian, whence wgere wooer (-ER1); of unkn. orig.

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wood

†A
tree.

B
collection of trees growing together; substance of which trees consist. OE. wudu, later form of wi(o)du = OHG. witu, ON. viðr :- Gmc. widuz, rel. to OIr. fid tree, wood, Gael. fiodh, W. gwdd trees. Comps. woodbine , -bind any of various climbing plants, e.g. honeysuckle, ivy, convolvulus. OE. wundubinde, f. base of bindan BIND. woodchuck N. Amer. marmot. XVII. alt., by assoc. with wood, of the Algonquian name. woodcock OE. wuducocc. woodpecker XVI. woodruff plant of the genus Asperula. OE. wudurofe (the second el. is of unkn. orig.).
Top
Hence wooden (-EN3) XVI. woodsy (U.S.) sylvan. XIX. f. pl. woods of WOOD; see -Y1. woody †wooded XIV; ligneous XVI; see -Y1.

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woof1

threads crossing the web at right angles to the warp OE.; woven fabric XVII. OE. wef, alt. of webb (see WEB) after wefan WEAVE; ME. oof became woof partly by assoc. in the phr. warp and (w)oof.

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woof2

imit. of a dog's low gruff bark. XIX.

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wool

OE. wull = MLG., MDu., wulle, wolle (Du. wol), OHG. wolla (G. wolle), ON. ull, Goth. wulla :- Gmc. wull :- IE. wn, whence Skr. rn, OSl. vlna, L. lna, beside vellus (:- welnos) fleece.

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woozy

(sl.) fuddled; muzzy XIX. of uncert. orig.

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Wop

mid- or south-European (esp. It.) immigrant in the U.S.A. XX. of unkn. orig.

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word

(coll. pl. and sg.) things or something said; report, tidings; divine communication; vocable. OE. word = OS. word (Du. woord), (O)HG. wort, ON. or, Goth. waurd :- Gmc. wordam :- IE. wrdho- werdh-, which is held to be based on wer-, repr. by Gr. (F)eré I shall say, L. verbum word, Skr. vratá- command, law, vow, Lith. vadas name. Hence wordy OE. wordi; see -Y1.

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work

something done, what one does; manufactured article (esp. with qualification, as fire-, frame-, wax-). OE. we(o)rc, worc, wurc = OS. werk, OHG. werah, werc (Du., G. werk), ON. verk :- Gmc. werkam :- IE. werom, whence also Gr. (F)érgon. So work vb. OE. wyr.an (pt. worhte, pp. eworht; see WROUGHT):- wurkj-; repr. directly by ME. wirch(e), wyrch(e), but infl. at an early date by the sb. and the various ON. vbs. (virkja, verk(j)a, yrkja), -k- prevailing in XV. For parallel forms cf. OS. wirkian, OHG. wirchen (G. wirken), ON. verkja, virkja feel pain (cf. Goth. waurkjan). Comps. workaday XII. (werkedai), of uncert. formation workday XV. workhouse †workshop OE.; poor-law institution XVII. workman OE. weorcman(n).

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world

human existence or a period of it; the earth, the universe; the human race, human society. OE. weorold, wor(o)ld = OS. werold (Du. wereld), OHG. weralt (G. welt), ON. verld; Gmc., f. weraz man (OE., OS., OHG. wer, cogn. with L. vir) + alð- age (cf. OLD), the etym. meaning being, therefore, ‘age’ or ‘life of man’. Hence worldling (-LING1) XVI. worldly OE. woruldli.; see -LY1.

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worm

(arch.) serpent, dragon; †reptile; creeping limbless invertebrate; endoparasitic helminth; larva of insect, maggot OE.; spiral tool, etc. XVI. OE. wyrm, later wurm, corr. to OS., (O)HG. wurm (Du. worm), ON. ormr serpent, Goth. waurms :- Gmc. wurmiz and wurmaz, rel. to L. vermis worm. Gr. rhómos, rhómox woodworm, Lith. vamas insect, midge. Hence vb. hunt worms; get rid of, make one's way, etc. by subtle means XVI. Comps. worm-eaten XIV, worm-hole XVI.

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wormwood

plant of the genus Artemisia, proverbial for its bitter taste. XV. alt., by assim. of the second syll. to WOOD, of late ME. wormod, OE. wormd, corr. to MLG. wormde, OHG. wormuota, alt. by assim. to WORM (because used as a remedy for worms in the body) of OE. wermd = OS. wer(i)moda, OHG. wer(i)muota (G. wermut); of unkn. orig.

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worrit

worry. XIX. dial. var. of next.

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worry

†strangle OE.; †choke XIII; seize by the throat with the teeth XIV; harass, assail XVI; afflict mentally XIX; intr. for refl. OE. wyrgan = MLG., MDu. worgen (Du. wurgen), OHG. wurgan (G. wrgen):- WGmc. wurzjan.

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worse

OE. adj. wiersa, wyrsa = OS. wirsa, OHG. wirsiro, ON. verri (:- wersi), Goth. wairsiza :- Gmc. wersizan-, f. wers-, found also in OS., OHG. werran (G. verwirren entangle, confound; cf. WAR); see -ER3. So worse adv. OE. wiers = OS., OHG. wirs, ON. verr, Goth. wairs. Hence worsen (-EN5) make worse XIII; become worse XVIII.

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worship

(arch.) good name, credit, dignity, importance; respect shown OE.; veneration of a power held divine XIII. OE. weorðs.ipe, wurð-, wyrð-, f. weorð WORTH2 + -s.ipe -SHIP. Hence worship vb. XII. ME. worpshipie. worshipful XIII; as an honorific title XIV.

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worst

adj. and adv. OE. wierresta, wyrresta = OS. wirsista, OHG. -isto, ON. verstr; see -EST. Hence worst vb. †impair, damage; overcome, defeat. XVII.

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worsted

(woollen fabric made of) closely twisted yarn. XIII (wrstede). f. Worstead, name of a parish in Norfolk.

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wort1

herb, vegetable OE.; cabbage XIV. OE. wyrt root, plant = OS. wurt, (O)HG. wurz, ON. urt, Goth. waurts; cf. ROOT1.

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wort2

infusion of grain for the making of beer. OE. wyrt = OS. wurtja spicery, (M)HG. würze.

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worth1

money value (e.g. pennyworth) OE.; relative value in character XIV; (high) personal merit XVI. OE. w(e)orð, wurð = OS. werð, OHG. werd (G. wert), ON. verð, Goth. wairþ; sb. use of next. Hence worthless XVI.

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worth2

of the value of a specified amount OE.; having a value of (so much) XII; possessed of XV. OE. w(e)orð, wurð = OS. werð, MDu. w(a)ert (Du. waard), OHG. werd (G. wert), ON. verðr, Goth. wairþs; Gmc., of uncert. orig.

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worth3

(arch.) come to be, become. OE. str. vb. weorðan, wurðan = OS. werðan (Du. worden), OHG. werdan (G. werden), ON. verða, Goth. wairþan :- Gmc. werþan, f. IE. wert, whence L. vertere, OSl. vrtti turn, Skr. vártate turns, passes on, takes place.

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worthy

(arch.) having worth or value; of sufficient worth XIII; sb. XIV. ME. wurþi, worþi, f. WORTH1 + -Y1; superseding OE. wurðe, weorðe, wierðe and weorð WORTH2.

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-worthy

the adj. WORTHY used from XIII (e.g. in deathworthy) as a second el. of comps., repl. -wurthe, repr. OE. -wyrðe, -wierðe, f. weorð WORTH2.

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wot

(arch.) know. XIII. repr. 1st and 3rd sg. (OE. wt) of WIT2, carried over into other parts.

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would

see WILL2.

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wound

bodily hurt, external injury; also fig. OE. wund = OS. wunda (Du. wond), OHG. wunta (G. wunde), On. und; Gmc., of uncert. orig. So wound vb. OE. wundian. Comp. woundwort pop. name of various plants reputed to heal wounds. XVI.

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wove

var. of woven, pp. of WEAVE XVIII; from early XIX in techn. use of paper.

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wow

excl. of aversion, surprise, or admiration. XVI (orig. Sc.). Hence sb. (U.S. sl.) something sensational. XX.

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wrack1

(arch.) retributive punishment, vengeance OE.; damage XV. OE. wræc, f. var. of base of wrecan WREAK.

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wrack2

(dial.) wreck, wreckage XIV; marine vegetation XVI. — MDu. wrak, corr. to OE. wræc WRACK1.

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wraith

XVI (orig. Sc.). of unkn. orig.

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wrangle

dispute angrily or noisily. XIV (not common before XVI). prob. of LG. or Du. orig.; cf. LG., G. dial. wrangeln. See -LE3. Hence wrangler (-ER1) disputant XVI; spec. one placed in the first class in the mathematical tripos at Cambridge university XVIII.

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wrap

cover or enfold in clothing or the like XIV; in various transf. and fig. uses from late XIV. of unkn. orig.

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wrasse

fish of the family Labridae. XVII. — Corn. wrach, var. of gwrach = W. gwrach wrasse, old woman.

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wrath

OE. wrððu (whence ME. wraþþe, wreþþe; wrath from XIV), f. wrð WROTH; see -TH1.

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wreak

†drive away, expel, give vent to (anger, etc.); avenge, revenge OE.; take (vengeance) on XV. OE. str. vb. wrecan = OS. wrekan (Du. wreken), OHG. rehhan (G. rächen), ON. reka, Goth. wrikan persecute:- Gmc. wrekan, f. wrek- (cf. wrak- s.v. WRETCH):- IE. wreg-, prob. cogn. with L. urgre subject to pressure. drive, URGE, Gr. eírgein shut up.

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wreath

A
twisted band or coil OE.; bank or drift of snow XVIII;

B
chaplet or garland of flowers, leaves, etc. XVI. OE. wriða, f. reduced var. of the base of WRITHE.
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So wreathe twist, coil. XVI. perh. back-formation f. wreathen (XIV) arranged in coils or curves, ME. wrthen, OE. wriðen, pp. of wrðan WRITHE.

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wreck

what is cast ashore by the sea; ruined or disabled ship XIII; disabling of a vessel XV. — AN. wrec — ON. wrek, f. wrekan drive (see WREAK). Hence wreck vb. make a wreck OF. XV (cf. AL. wrecre XII). wreckage wrecking; remains of a wrecked vessel. XIX.

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wren

OE. wrenna, wrænna, obscurely rel. to OHG. wrend(il)o, Icel. rindill.

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wrench

turn, twist (intr. OE.; tr. XIII). Late OE. wren.an = OHG. renchen (G. renken), of unkn. orig.

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wrest

turn. twist OE.; pull or pluck away XIII; strain the meaning of, deflect the course of XVI. OE. wrstan = ON. wreista (ONorw., Icel. reista):- Gmc. wraistjan; cf. WRIST.

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wrestle

OE. wrstlian (implied in late OE. wræstlung), corr. to MLG. worstelen, wrostelen. (M)Du. worstelen; cf. OE. wraxlian.

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wretch

†exile; miserable being; despicable person OE.; †niggard, miser XIV. OE. wre..a = OS. wrekkio (applied to the Magi), OHG. (w)recch(e)o exile, adventurer, knight errant (G. recke warrior, hero):- WGmc. wrakjan-, f. wrak- (see WREAK).

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wretched

marked by distress or misery XII; contemptible XIII. f. WRETCH + -ED2; for the unusual formation cf. WICKED.

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wrick

sprain, strain. XIX (earlier rick 2 XVIII). of uncert. orig.

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wriggle

vb.
XV. — (M)LG. (= Du.) wriggelen, frequent. of wriggen; see -LE3, and cf. WIGGLE. Hence sb. XVII.

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wright

artificer, handicraftsman (esp. one who works in wood), surviving mainly in cartwright, playwright, shipwright, wainwright, wheelwright. OE. wryhta, metathetic var. of wyrhta = OS. wurhtio, OHG. wurhto :- WGmc. wurhtjan-, f. wurk- WORK.

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wring

pt., pp. wrung squeeze, twist, wrench, wrest (lit. and fig.). OE. str. vb. wringan = OS. -wringan (MLG., Du. wringen); WGmc., f. base wrez-, rel. to wraz- WRONG.

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wrinkle

†winding; fold XV. OE. ewrinclod winding (of a ditch), ppl. formation with no recorded infin.; the earliest subsequent members of the group are wrinkling, wrinklingly (XIV). of unkn. orig. So wrinkle vb. undergo contraction into small folds. XVI.

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wrist

OE., corr. to (M)LG. wrist, (M)HG. rist wrist, instep, withers, ON. rist instep:- Gmc. wristiz, prob. f. wrið-, f. wk. grade of the stem of WRITHE. Comp. wristband part of a sleeve that covers the wrist. XVI. Hence wristlet XIX.

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writ

writing spec. legal document. OE. writ = OHG. riz stroke, written character, ON. rit writing, writ, letter, Goth. writs pen-stroke, f. writ- wrt- WRITE.

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write

pt. wrote, pp. written. OE. str. vb. wrtan engrave, draw, depict, write = OS. wrtan cut, write, OHG. rzan tear, draw (G. reissen †sketch, tear, drag), ON. ríta score, write:- Gmc. wrtan, of unkn. orig.

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writhe

twist, e.g. the body (tr. and intr.). OE. str. vb. wrðan = OHG. rdan, ON. rða.

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wrong

(perh.) †crooked, twisted OE.; deviating from equity or the right XIII; incorrect, erroneous XIV. Late OE. wrang, wrong — ON. wrangr, rangr awry, unjust = MLG. wrangh sour, tart, MDu. wrangh bitter, hostile (Du. wrang acid), rel. to WRING. Hence wrong adv. XIII; sb. that which is wrong, unjust, or immoral XI; vb. XIV. wrongful, wrongly (-LY2) XIV.

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wroth

(arch.) angered, wrathful. OE. wrð = OS. wrð (Du. wreed cruel), OHG. reid, ON. reiðr, f. Gmc. wraiþ- wrþ- WRITHE. Rare XVI–XIX exc. in or after biblical use, its revival being begun by early-XIX poets.

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wrought

fashioned or formed, esp. by labour or art XIV; manufactured; decorated, elaborated XV; (of metals) shaped by hammering, etc. XVI. ME. wrozt, metathetic var. of worzt, worht, pp. of WORK.

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wry

twisted, distorted (lit. and fig.) XVI. f. (dial.) wry vb., OE. wrian strive, go forward, tend, in ME. deviate, swerve, contort. Comp. wryneck bird of the genus Jynx, distinguished by a habit of writhing head and neck XVI.

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wyandotte

breed of domestic fowl. XIX. f. name of a tribe of N. Amer. Indians.

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wych-elm, witch-elm

witch hazel. XVII (weech elm). Earlier witchen elm (XVI); f. wych, witch, OE. wi.(e) (prob. f. Gmc. wik- bend; see WEAK) + ELM.

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wych hazel, witch hazel

applied to various trees with pliant branches XVI. See prec., HAZEL.

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Wykehamist

past or present member of Winchester College. XVIII. f. name of William of Wykeham bishop of Winchester and founder of the college (1382); see -IST.

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wyvern, †wivern

(her.) winged two-footed dragon. XVII. alt. of †wyver (XIII) — OF. wivre, (also mod.) guivre :- L. vpera VIPER.

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X

xantho(o)-

comb. form of Gr. xanthós yellow, used in many techn. terms. XIX.

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xebec

small three-masted Mediterranean vessel. XVIII. alt., after Sp. †xabeque (now jabeque), of chebec — F. — It. sciabecco — Arab. abbk.

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xeno-

repr. comb. form of Gr. xénos guest, stranger, foreign, strange, used in techn. terms. XIX. xenophobia morbid dislike or dread of foreigners. XX.

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xenon

(chem.) heavy inert gaseous element. XIX. — Gr., n. of xénos (see prec.).

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xero-

comb. form of Gr. xrós dry, used in techn. terms. XIX.

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xiphoid

sword-shaped. XVIII. — Gr. xiphoeids, f. xíphos sword; see -OID.

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X-rays

form of radiation discovered by W. C. Röntgen (1895). XIX. tr. G. x-strahlen.

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xylo-

comb. form of Gr. xúlon wood, used in techn. terms XIX. xylonite celluloid. XIX; earlier form xyloinite, irreg. f. xyloidin, afterwards assim. to Gr. xúlon. xylophone musical instrument consisting of flat wooden bars. XIX.

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xystus pl. -i

portico, colonnade. XVII. — L. — Gr. xustós, xustón.

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Y

y-

prefix repr. OE e- = OS. gi-, ge-, i-, MLG., MDu. g(h)e- (LG., Du. ge-), OHG. ga-, ka-, gi-, ki- (G. ge-) Goth. ga- :- Gmc. za-. The parallelism of form and meaning of such words as L. commnis and Goth. gamains, OE. emne COMMON has suggested the identity of Gmc. za- and L. COM-. This prefix is disguised in form or its force is obliterated in AFFORD, AWARE, EACH, EITHER, ENOUGH, EVERYWHERE, HANDICRAFT, HANDIWORK, NEITHER. From mid-XVI archaizing poets created new formations, e.g. ychain'd, yshrilled. The orig. physical meaning ‘with’, ‘together’, yielded the notion of associations, and hence of appropriateness and collectivity, the final stage being the notion of completeness, a special application being the use of the prefix in pps., regular in OE. and continuing in south. ME. till XV. The OE. form e- was succeeded in ME. by ze-, i(e)-, y-, the last of which is regular in Spenser and his imitators, as in YCLAD, YCLEPT.

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-y1

suffix of adjs. denoting ‘having the character of …’, ‘inclined to …’, ‘full or consisting of …’. OE. -i, earlier -e, -, in early ME. -i, later -ie, -ye, finally -y. Some adjs. of OE. date have ceased to show their etym. relations, as empty, dizzy, merry. For the addition of -y to produce a more adjectival appearance see, e.g., chilly, murky, wary. In the foll. the orig. is different, but the suffix is assoc. with this: faulty, hardy, jolly, risky, sturdy, tardy. Recent derivs. (since c.1800) have been very numerous, and have tended to be joc., undignified, or trivial, as balmy, batty, bossy, cushy, doggy, dotty, hors(e)y, oniony, sexy, shirty. The suffix is added less frequently to vbs., as in drowsy, slippy, sticky.

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-y2

suffix orig. of wk. vbs. of the second class, of OE. inf. -ian = OS. -on, OHG. -n (Du., G. -en), Goth. -n :- Gmc. -jan. By XIII it was restricted to south. and western areas.

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-y3

suffix repr. ultimately, partly through (O)F. -ie, Rom. -ía, L. -a -IA1.

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-y4

repr., partly through AN. -ie, L. -ium as appended to verbal bases, as in colloquy, perjury, obloquy, remedy, subsidy.

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-y5

suffix repr. AN., OF. -e, -ee (modF. -é, -ée):- L. -tu-, -ta (see -ATE1, -ATE2); in sbs. = -ATE1 as in (1) county, pasty, treaty, (2) army, entry, livery; in adjs. = -ATE2, as in easy, puny, tawny.

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-y6

also -ie, (in some special cases) -ey, as Charley (beside Charlie), jockey, slavey; originating in hypocoristic Sc. formations, and forming pet names and familiar dims., as well as transf. uses such as applications to implements; miscellaneous exx. are daddy, dandy, jemmy, johnny, kiddy, namby-pamby, nanny, teddy, Tommy. Addition to a curtailed form of a disyllable or polysyllable is exemplified by baccy, cabby, hubby, nighty, tummy. For applications of the pl. see -IES.

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yacht

XVI. — early modDu. jaght(e), now jacht, short for jaghtschip (ship for chasing), f. jaght hunting, chase, f. jagen hunt, chase; see -T2. Hence yachting (-ING1), yachtsman XIX.

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yahoo

name invented by Swift (‘Gulliver's Travels’, 1726) for a brute in human form.

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yak

bovine animal of Tibet. XIX. — Tibetan yag.

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Yale lock

form of lock invented by Linus Yale (1821–68), a locksmith of New England; P . XIX.

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yam

(tuberous root of) species of Dioscorea. XVII (earlier in Eng. writings in various alien forms, e.g. inany, nname, igname). — Pg. inhame or Sp. †igñame (mod. ñame); ult. orig. unkn.

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yank

(colloq.) pull suddenly and vigorously; also sb. XIX. of unkn. orig.

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Yank

short for YANKEE. XVIII.

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Yankee

native of New England (hence of the U.S.A.). XVIII. None of the proposed etyms. is convincing; most plausibly on formal grounds, spec. application of Yankee, Yank(e)y (XVII–XVIII) as a surname or nickname, perh. based on Du. Jan John and intended as a dim. form (= Jantje).

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yaourt

semi-solid curd-like food prepared from milk. XIX. — Turk. yourt.

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yap

bark sharply. XVII. of imit. orig.

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yapock

S. Amer. water-opossum. XIX. f. name of a N. Brazilian river (Oyapok, Oiapoque).

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yapp

book-binding with projecting limp leather cover. XIX. Name of a London bookseller to whose order the binding was first made.

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yarborough

hand containing no card above a nine. XIX. Said to be named after an Earl of Yarborough who bet 1000 to 1 against its occurrence.

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yard1

enclosed space attached to a building OE.; enclosure in which animals are kept or some work is done XIII. OE. eard fence, enclosure, courtyard, dwelling, region, corr., with variation of declension, to OS. gardo (Du. gaard), OHG. gart(o) (G. garten garden), ON. garðr. Goth. gards house, garda enclosure, stall:- Gmc. zarðaz zarðan- rel. to OSl. grad city, garden (Russ. górod town).

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yard2

†rod, staff; (naut.) spar to which a square sail is bent; †measuring-rod; †rood (of land) OE.; measure of 3 feet XIV. OE. erd, (WS.) ierd, ird, yrd = OS. gerdia switch (Du. gard twig, rod), OHG. gart(e)a, gerta (G. gerte):- WGmc. zazdj, f. Gmc. zazdaz (see GADFLY).

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yare

ready OE.; (of a ship) easily manageable XIV. OE. earu = OS., OHG. garo (Du. gaar done, dressed, clever, G. gar ready, prepared, adv. quite), ON. grr, grv- ready-made, prompt, skilled:- Gmc. zarwu-.

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yarn

spun fibre of cotton, silk, etc. OE. earn = MDu. gaern (Du. garen), (O)HG., ON. garn, prob. f. base repr. also by zarn in ON. grn, pl. garnar guts, and zarnjo- in OE. mi.ern, OS. midgarni, OHG. mittigarni entrail fat, suet, and rel. outside Gmc. to Lith. árna intestine, L. haruspex one who divines from inspection of entrails, Gr. khord intestine, guts. The sense ‘story, tale’ (XIX) is from naut. sl. phr. spin a yarn.

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yarrow

plant of the genus Achillea. OE. earwe, corr. to MDu. garwe, gherwe (Du. gerwe), OHG. gar(a)wa; WGmc., of unkn. orig.

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yashmak

Muslim woman's veil. XIX. — Turk. yamak, Arab. yamak.

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yataghan

sword of Muslim countries. XIX. — Turk. yataan.

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yaw

(orig. naut.) deviate in the course. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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yawl

ship's boat; small sailing-boat or fishing-boat. XVII (ya(u)le, yall). — (M)LG. jolle or Du. jol; ult. orig. unkn.

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yawn

open the mouth wide (now only from fatigue, etc.); lie wide open. XVI. spec. symbolic alt. of ME. zone, which with zene repr. OE. eonian, var. of inian = OHG. ginn, -n, MDu. ghnen, rel. to synon. OE. gnian, OHG. geinn and OE. nan, OS. gnan, ON. gína; all n-formations on Gmc. zai- z- :-IE. hoi- hei- hi- repr. by L. hire, hscere gape, yawn, OSl. zijati, Lith. ióti.

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yaws

contagious skin-disease of tropical countries. XVI. of unkn. orig.

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yclad

(arch.) clothed. See Y-, CLAD.

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yclept

(arch.) called (so-and-so). OE. ecleopod, pp. of cleopian, clipian call; see Y-, -T3.

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ye1

(arch. and joc., dial.) nom. pl. of 2nd pers. pron. OE. = OS. gi, ge (Du. gij), OHG. ir (G. ihr), ON. ér (:- jr).

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ye2

late writing of þe THE1.

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yea

affirmative adv. (now dial. and arch.) OE. , (WS.) ga, corr. to OS., OHG. j (Du., G. ja), ON. já, Goth. ja, jai; ult. Gmc. ja, je.

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yean

(arch., dial.) of a ewe, bring forth. XIV. repr. OE. eanian, f. e- Y- + anian = WFris. eandje, Du. dial. oonen :- Gmc. aunjan, f. aun- :- IE. agwn-, whence also L. agnus, Gr. amnós lamb.

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year

period of the earth's revolution round the sun; 12 months; pl. age OE.; pl. period, times XIII. OE. (Angl.) r, (WS.) ar = OS. jr, gr (Du. jaar), OHG. jr (G. jahr), ON. ár, Goth. jr :- Gmc. jram, f. IE. base jr- jr-, repr. also by Gr. hôros year.

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yearn

OE. iernan = OS. ernean, irnean, ON. girna, Goth. gairnjan :- Gmc. zernjan, f. zernaz (OE. eorn eager, OS., OHG. gern (G. gern willingly), ON. gjarn, Goth. seinagairns selfish), f. zer-, repr. also by OHG. gern (G. begehren) desire, ON. gerr greedy.

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yeast

frothy substance produced by fermentation of malt, etc. OE. (Angl.) est, WS. giest (late ist), corr. to MLG. gest dregs, dirt, MDu. ghist, ghest (Du. gist, gest yeast), MHG. jist, jest, gist, gest (G. gischt) yeast, froth, ON. jstr; IE. jes- is repr. also by Skr. yásyati, Gr. zeîn boil, W. is seething.

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yell

utter a loud strident cry. OE. str. vb. (Angl.) ellan, (WS.) iellan = MLG., MDu. ghellen (Du. gillen), OHG. gellan (G. gellen), ON. gjalla, f. Gmc. zel- zal-, whence also OE., OHG. galan, ON. gala sing, cry out. Wk. inflexions begin XIV.

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yellow

of the colour of gold, etc. OE.; †jealous XVII; in phr. y. press sensational XIX. OE. eolu = OS. gelo, (M)LG. geel, MDu. gel(e)u, geel (Du. gel), OHG. gelo (G. gelb) :- WGmc. gelwa :- IE. ghelwo-, rel. to L. helvus, Gr. khlóos, Lith. elvas. Hence sb. XIV.

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yellowhammer

species of bunting having bright yellow plumage. XVI. The second el. is of uncert. orig.

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yelp

A
†boast OE.; †cry aloud XV;

B
utter a cry characteristic of dogs, etc. XVI (the corr. sense of the sb. is earlier in Sc.). OE. str. vb. (i)elpan, ilpan = MHG. gel(p)fen, f. imit. base otherwise repr. in OS. galpon (LG. galpen), ME. zolpe.
Top

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yen

Jap. monetary unit. XIX. — Jap. — Chin. yüan round, round thing, dollar.

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yeoman pl. yeomen

attendant below the rank of ‘sergeant’ XIV; freeholder below the rank of a gentleman, (hence) man of good standing XV. ME. zoman, zuman, zeman, ziman, prob. reduced forms of zong-, zung-, zeng-, zingman, i.e. youngman, which was similarly used in ME.

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yes

OE. se, se, se, prob. for gese, f. a se ‘yea, may it be (so)’.

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yester-

of or pert. to the day before today. OE. eostran, iestran = OHG. gestaron, gestern, MHG. gester(n) (G. gestern), MLG. ghist(e)ren (Du. gisteren); in comps. yesterday OE. eostran, ystran dæ (cf. Goth. (once) gistradagis tomorrow). yestereve XVII, -even XV, -morn XVIII, -morning XVII. yesternight (arch.) OE. ystran niht. yesteryear last year. XIX.

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yet

(arch.) in addition, further, moreover, still; till now. OE. et(a) = OFris. ita, ta, ta, of unkn. orig.

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yeti

XX. Native Sherpa (Tibetan) name of the Abominable Snowman, a subhuman animal supposed to leave tracks in the snow of the Himalayas.

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yew

OE. w, ow, corr. with cons.-alternation and variation in gender to OE. (o)h, oh, OS. h, MLG., MDu. (e)we, uwe, OHG. wu, wi, wa, hu, ga (G. eibe). ON. ýr :- Gmc. ?waz, zwaz, ?w, zw, with parallel forms in Celt. and Balto-Sl.

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Yiddish

language of Jews in Europe and America, orig. a G. dial. XIX. — G. jüdisch Jewish, f. Jude Jew + -isch -ISH1.

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yield

pay, repay (mainly obs.) OE.; give forth, produce XI; give way, surrender XIII. OE. str. vb. (Angl.) eldan, (WS.) -ieldan = OS. geldan (Du. geldan), OHG. geltan (G. gelten), ON. gjalda, Goth. -gildan :- Gmc. zelðan pay, requite, further cogns. of which are doubtful.

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-yl

terminal el. of chem. terms — F. — Gr. húl wood, matter, substance.

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ylang-ylang

tree (Cananga odorata) of Malaysia, etc. XIX. of Tagalog orig.

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yodel

sing with mixture of falsetto like Swiss and Tyrolese mountain-dwellers. XIX. — G. jodeln (prop.) utter the syll. jo.

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yoga

union with the universal spirit. XIX. — Hind. :- Skr. yóga- union. So yogi Indian ascetic who practises this. XVII. — Hind.:- Skr. yogi-.

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yog(h)urt.

var. of YAOURT XIX.

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yoicks

fox-hunting cry. XVIII. contemp. with yoaks and hoicks (also hoick, hoik XVII), which appears to be a var. of earlier hike (XVI).

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yoke

contrivance for coupling draught animals by the neck; pair of animals so coupled; fig. subjection, suppression. OE. eoc = OS. juc (Du. juk), OHG. joh (G. joch), ON. ok, Goth. juk :- Gmc. jukam :- IE. jugom (L. jugum, Gr. zugón, W. iau, OSl. igo, Skr yugá-, f. jug- jeug- joug-, repr. also by L. jungere JOIN, Gr. zeugnúnai, etc.). So yoke vb. OE. eocian.

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yokel

illiterate rustic, country bumpkin. XIX. Identical in form with dial. yokel green woodpecker, yellowhammer, of which it may be a fig. application.

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yolk1

yellow of an egg. OE. eol(o)ca, f. eolu YELLOW.

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yolk2

greasy substance of sheep's skin glands. XVII. repr. OE. eowoca, in the adj. eowoci; see -Y1.

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yon

(arch., dial.) yonder. adj. (OE., once), pron. (XIII). OE. eon, corr., with variation of vowels, to MLG. gene, MDu. ghens, OHG. jenr (G. jener that one), Goth. jains that; there is a parallel series of forms without cons. initial, viz. OHG. enr, ON. enn, inn (definite article), cogn. with Gr. énioi some, OSl. on that, Skr. ana- this one. So yond (dial.) yonder (adv. used adj.). OE. eond, corr. to MLG. gent(en), jint, LG. gunt(en), Du. ginds, Goth. jaind thither. yonder (now lit., arch., or dial.) over there XIII; adj. XIV. ME. zonder (beside zender), corr. to OS. gendra (adj.), MDu. ghinder, gunder (Du. ginder), Goth. jaindre.

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yore

(arch.) †a long time ago, †formerly OE.; †for a long time past XIII; of y., formerly, of old XIV. OE. era, ere, ero, adv. formations of obscure orig.

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yorker

(in cricket) ball that pitches inside the crease. XIX. prob. f. York, capital of Yorkshire, as being introduced by Yorkshire players; see -ER1.

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you

orig. acc. and d. pl. of the 2nd pers. pron.; began to be used XV for nom. YE1 and somewhat earlier (XIV) as a substitute for thee and thou in respectful address to a superior; also from late XVI as an indef. pron., ‘one’, ‘anyone’. OE. ow, ow = OS. iu (Du. u), OHG. d. iu, eu, acc. uwih, iuch (G. euch) :- WGmc. iwwiz, paralleled by izwiz in ON. yðr, Goth. izwis. The stem jû is repr. by Skr. yyám, Gr. úmme, Lith. js you.

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young

OE. (e)ong, ung, later iung = OS. jung (Du. jong), OHG. junc (G. jung), ON. ungr, Goth. juggs :- Gmc. juzaz, contr. of juwuzaz :- IE. juwós, repr. by Skr. yuvaá- youthful, L. juvencus young bull, W. ieuanc, OIr. ac, c young, extension of juwen-, jn-, repr. directly by Skr. yúvan-, L. juvenis young. Hence youngling young person. OE. eongling = OS. jungling, OHG. jungaling, ON. ynglingr; see -LING1. youngster young person. XVI; see -STER.

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your

of or belonging to you. (i) OE. ower, usu. in partitive sense, g. of YE, corr. to OS. iuwar, OHG. iuwr (G. euer); cf. ON. yðr, Goth. izwara; (ii) OE. ower m. and n., owru fem., poss. adj. corr. to OHG. iuwar (G. euer); cf. ON. yð(v)arr, Goth. izwar. Hence yours poss. pron. (repl. †your). XIII; see -s. yourself XIV, -selves XVI.

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youth

fact or state of being young; young people OE.; young person XIII. OE. eoguð = OS. juguð (Du. jeugd), OHG. jugund (G. jugend) :- WGmc. juzunþ-, alt. of juwunþ- (cf. L. juventa, -tus, Goth. junda), f. juwu- YOUNG; see -TH1. Hence youthful XVI.

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yowl

(dial.) cry loudly with pain; caterwaul, howl. XIII. of imit. orig.

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yo-yo

XX. of unkn. orig.

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yttrium

(chem.) metallic element. XIX. f. yttria kind of earth, f. name of Ytterby, Sweden, whence also ytterbium (min.) element occurring in gadolinite.

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yucca

(in Central and S. America) cassava XVI; N. Amer. plant of the genus Yucca XVII. of Carib orig.

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Yule

Christmas. OE. ol, earlier eo(h)ol, eh(h)ol, also ola Christmas Day, (pl.) Christmastide, corr. to ON. jól pl. heathen feast lasting twelve days, (later) Christmas; rel. to OE. (Angl.) iuli December and January = ON. ýlir month beginning on the second day of the week falling within November 10–17, Goth. jiuleis in fruma jiuleis November; ult. orig. unkn.

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Z

zaffre

impure cobalt oxide. XVII. — It. zaffera or its source (O)F. safre.

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zag

second el. of ZIGZAG used to denote a change of direction in a zigzag course. XVIII (zig here, zag there).

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zany

comic performer attending on a clown, etc. and imitating him XVI; †attendant, hanger-on XVII; †mimic, buffoon; simpleton, idiot XVIII. — F. zani or its source It. zani, zanni servant acting as clown in the commedia dell'arte, orig. Venetian and Lombardic form of Gianni = Giovanni John.

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Zarathustrian

see ZOROASTRIAN.

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zariba

fenced camp in the Sudan, etc. XIX. — Arab. zarba enclosure for cattle, f. zarb sheepfold.

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zeal

(in biblical language) fervour XIV; †ardent love, fervent longing XV; intense ardour in a pursuit XVI. ME. zele — late L. zlus — Gr. zêlos. So zealot member of an ancient Jewish sect XVI; zealous person XVII. — late L. zlts — Gr. zlts. zealous XVI. — medL. zlsus.

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zebra

XVI. — It. or Pg., of Congolese orig.

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zebu

humped species of ox. XVIII. — F. zébu; of unkn. orig.

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zedoary

(root of) species of Curcuma. XV. — medL. zedorium — Arab. zadwr.

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Zeitgeist

XIX. — G., f. zeit time + geist spirit; see TIDE1, GHOST.

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zemindar

(Indian hist.) collector of revenue from land held by a number of cultivators. XVII (gem-, jem-). — Hind. — Pers. zamndr, f. zamn earth + dr holder.

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zenana

E. Indian harem. XVIII. — Hind. (- Pers.) zenna, f. zan woman.

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zenith

point of the sky directly overhead, †point of the horizon at which a heavenly body rises XIV; highest point or state XVII. ME. cenyth, senith, cinit — OF. cenit (mod. zénith) or medL. cenit, obscurely — Arab. samt in samt ar-ra's ‘path over the head’ (samt way, al the, AL-2, ra's head).

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zeolite

(min.) generic name of a group of minerals consisting of hydrous silicates, characterized by swelling up and fusing under the blowpipe. XVIII. — Sw., G., etc. zeolit, f. Gr. zeîn boil + lithos -LITE.

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zephyr

west wind XVI (earlier in L. form); mild gentle wind XVII; light article of clothing XVIII. — F. zéphyr or L. zephyrus — Gr. zéphuros.

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Zeppelin

rigid dirigible airship as built by the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin . XIX.

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zero

cipher, 0 XVII; point marked 0 on a scale, temperature denoted by this XVIII; nought, nothing XIX. — F. zéro or its source It. zero — OSp. zero (mod. cero) — Arab. ifr CIPHER.

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zest

†orange or lemon peel used for flavouring XVII; something that imparts a relish XVIII; keen relish, gusto. — F. zeste, †zest, zec orange or lemon peel, of unkn. orig.

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zetetic

pert. to, adherent of, the ancient Greek sceptic school of philosophy; investigator, investigation. XVII. — Gr. zttikós, f. zteîn seek; see -IC.

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zeugma

(rhet.) figure by which a single word or phrase is made improperly to apply to two or more words or phrases XIX (earlier in wider use XVI.) — L. — Gr. zeûgma yoking, f. zeugnúnai vb. rel. to zugón YOKE.

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zibet

var. of CIVET. XVI. — medL. zibethum.

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zig

see ZAG.

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zigzag

sb. and adj. XVIII (ziczac). — F. zigzag. †ziczac — G. zickzack, of symbolic formation. Hence zigzag vb., zigzagged XVIII.

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zinc

hard bluish-white metal. XVII. — G., of unkn. orig. Comb. form zinco- as in zincography .

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Zingaro

gipsy. XVI. — It., alt. of †zingano = Gr. Athígganoi, an oriental people.

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zinnia

plant of the genus Zinnia. XVIII. — modL., f. name of J. G. Zinn , German botanist; see -IA1.

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Zion, Sion

one of the hills of Jerusalem on which the city of David was built; (hence) house of God, the Christian Church, place of worship. OE. Sion — ecclL. Sin, Gr. Sen, Sein — Heb. yôn.

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zip

slight sharp sound accompanying a movement, etc. XIX. of imit. orig. Comp. zip fastener XX.

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zircon

(min.) native silicate of the metallic element zirconium. XVIII. — G. zirkon.

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zither

XIX. — G. zither (OHG. cithara, zitera) CITHER. Also zithern XIX; after CITHERN.

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zodiac

belt of the celestial sphere within which the apparent motions of celestial bodies take place, divided into 12 ‘signs’ named after the 12 constellations. XIV. — (O)F. zodiaque — L. zdiacus — Gr. zidiakós, f. zidion sculptured figure (of an animal), sign of the zodiac, dim. of zôion animal, f. zós living; see -AC. So zodiacal XVI. — F.

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zoetrope

optical toy converting a series of pictures into the semblance of continuous motion. XIX. irreg. f. Gr. z life + -tropos turning.

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zoic

showing traces of life, containing organic remains. XIX. — Gr. zïkós, f. zôion animal; see -IC. Taken as if f. Gr. z life.

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zollverein

union of states of the German Empire for the maintenance of uniform custom dues. XIX. — G., f. zoll tax, TOLL1 + verein union.

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zone

each of the 5 belts into which the earth's surface is divided XV; climatic region XVI; girdle, ring; stripe of colour, etc. XVIII. — (O)F. zone or L. zna girdle — Gr. zn.

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zoo

XIX. Shortening of Zoological Gardens.

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zoo-

repr. Gr. zio-, comb. form of zôion animal.

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zooid

animal-like creature. XIX. f. Gr. zôion.

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zoology

science which treats of animals (first applied to that part of medical science which treats of remedies obtainable from animals). XVII. — modL. zologia, modGr. ziología, f. Gr. zôion animal; see ZODIAC, -LOGY. Hence zoological XIX, zoologist XVII.

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zoom

make a continuous low-pitched hum XIX; (of aircraft) rise abruptly from level flight XX. of imit. orig.

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zoophyte

†plant (such as the sensitive plant) having some qualities of animals; gen. term for organisms regarded as intermediate between animals and plants. XVII. — F. or modL. zophyton — Gr. zióphuton, f. zôion animal + phúesthai grow (cf. BE).

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zoril

Afr. animal allied to the skunks. XVIII (zorille). — F. zorille — Sp. zorrilla, -illo, dim. of zorro fox.

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Zoroastrian

(XVIII), Zarathustrian (XIX) pert. to (adherent of) the religious system of Zoroaster, Zarathustra (Av. Zarathustra, Gr. Zrástrs), Persian founder of the religion in the 6th cent. B.C.; see -IAN.

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zouave

one of a body of light infantry in the French army. XIX. — F. zouave — Zwwa name of an Algerian tribe, from which the force was first recruited.

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zounds

(arch.) euph. abbr. of (by) God's wounds. XVI (zownes, zoones).

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zucchetto

ecclesiastic's skull-cap. XIX. Incorrect but usual form for It. zucchetta small gourd, cap, dim. of zucca gourd, head.

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zwieback

rusk. XIX. — G., tr. It. biscotto ‘twice-baked’ (see BISCUIT).

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Zwinglian

pert. to (a follower of) Ulrich Zwingli (1484–1531). Swiss religious reformer. XVI. See -IAN.

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zygo-

repr. comb. form of Gr. zugón YOKE.

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zygoma

(anat.) bony arch on each side of the skull. XVII. — Gr. zúgma, f. zugón YOKE.

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zymo-, before a vowel zym-,

comb. form of Gr. zm leaven, in techn. terms (gen.) fermentation XIX. So zymosis XIX. — Gr. zmsis. zymotic XIX. — Gr. zmtikós causing fermentation.

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zymurgy

practice of fermentation. XIX. f. Gr. zm leaven + -urgy (rel. to WORK) as in metallurgy.

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OXFORD

UNIVERSITY PRESS
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology

T. F. Hoad
Over 17,000 entries
Based on The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, the principal authority on the origin and development of English words, The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Etymology contains a wealth of information about the English language and its history. Find out where the words 'bungalow' and 'assassin' came from, what 'nice' meant in the Middle Ages and much more.
T. F. Hoad is Fellow and Tutor in English language and Medieval Literature at St Peter's College, Oxford.

ISBN 0198608357

© Oxford University Press 1996, 2003

First published 1986. First issued as an Oxford University Press paperback 1993. Reissued in new covers 1996

E-book copyright © 2003.