# dictionary

word: Figure₂
definition:
Figure

Fig"ure
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Figured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Figuring.]
[F. figurer, L. figurare, fr. figura. See Figure, n.]
1.
To represent by a figure, as to form or mold; to make an image of, either palpable or ideal; also, to fashion into a determinate form; to shape.

If love, alas! be pain I bear,

No thought can figure, and no tongue declare.Prior.

2.
To embellish with design; to adorn with figures.

The vaulty top of heaven
Figured quite o'er with burning meteors.
Shak.

3.
To indicate by numerals; also, to compute.

As through a crystal glass the figured hours are seen.
Dryden.

4.
To represent by a metaphor; to signify or symbolize.

Whose white vestments figure innocence.
Shak.

5.
To prefigure; to foreshow.

In this the heaven figures some event.
Shak.

6.
(Mus.)
(a)
To write over or under the bass, as figures or other characters, in order to indicate the accompanying chords.
(b)
To embellish.

To figure out, to solve; to compute or find the result of. -- To figure up, to add; to reckon; to compute the amount of.


word: Figure₃
definition:
Figure

Fig"ure
v. i.
1.
To make a figure; to be distinguished or conspicious; as, the envoy figured at court.

Sociable, hospitable, eloquent, admired, figuring away brilliantly.
M. Arnold.

2.
To calculate; to contrive; to scheme; as, he is figuring to secure the nomination.
[Colloq.]

go figure a phrase used by itself as an interjection to mean “How can one explain that?”, or to express puzzlement over some seeming contradiction. [Colloq.]


word: Figured
definition:
Figured

Fig"ured
(?)
a.
1.
Adorned with figures; marked with figures; as, figured muslin.

2.
Not literal; figurative.
[Obs.]
Locke.

3.
(Mus.)
(a)
Free and florid; as, a figured descant. See Figurate, 3.
(b)
Indicated or noted by figures.

Figured bass. See Continued bass, under Continued.


word: Figurehead
definition:
Figurehead

Fig"ure*head`
(?)
n.
1.
(Naut.)
The figure, statue, or bust, on the prow of a ship.

2.
A person who allows his name to be used to give standing to enterprises in which he has no responsible interest or duties; a nominal, but not real, head or chief.


word: Figurine
definition:
Figurine

Fi`gu`rine"
(? or ?)
n.
[F., dim. of figure.]
A very small figure, whether human or of an animal; especially, one in terra cotta or the like; -- distinguished from statuette, which is applied to small figures in bronze, marble, etc.


word: Figwort
definition:
Figwort

Fig"wort`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A genus of herbaceous plants (Scrophularia), mostly found in the north temperate zones. See Brownwort.


word: Fijian
definition:
Fijian

Fi"ji*an
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to the Fiji islands or their inhabitants.
n. A native of the Fiji islands.
[Written also Feejeean, Feejee.]


word: Filacer
definition:
Filacer

Fil"a*cer
(?)
n.
[OE. filace a file, or thread, on which the records of the courts of justice were strung, F. filasse tow of flax or hemp, fr. L. filum thread.]
(Eng. Law)
A former officer in the English Court of Common Pleas; -- so called because he filed the writs on which he made out process.
[Obs.]
Burrill.


word: Filament
definition:
Filament

Fil"a*ment
(?)
n.
[F. filament, fr. L. filum thread. See File a row.]
A thread or threadlike object or appendage; a fiber;
esp.
(Bot.)
the threadlike part of the stamen supporting the anther.


word: Filamentous
definition:
Filamentous

Fil`a*men"tous
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. filamenteux.]
Like a thread; consisting of threads or filaments.
Gray.


word: Filander
definition:
Filander

Fil"an*der
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A species of kangaroo (Macropus Brunii), inhabiting New Guinea.


word: Filanders
definition:
Filanders

Fil"an*ders
(?)
n. pl.
[F. filandres, fr. L. filum thread.]
(Falconry)
A disease in hawks, characterized by the presence of small threadlike worms, also of filaments of coagulated blood, from the rupture of a vein; -- called also backworm.
Sir T. Browne.


word: Filar
definition:
Filar

Fi"lar
(?)
a.
[L. filum a thread.]
Of or pertaining to a thread or line; characterized by threads stretched across the field of view; as, a filar microscope; a filar micrometer.


word: Filaria
definition:
Filaria

Fi*la"ri*a
(?)
n.
pl. filariae.
[NL., fr. L. filum a thread.]
(Zool.)
a small, slender nematode worm of the family Onchocercidae (Filariidae) of many species, parasitic when adult in various animals, including man.  They may live within the blood, or in other bodily fluids, or within tissues or cavities of the body.  Infection with such organisms may be transmitted by blood-sucking arthropods.


word: Filaria₂
definition:
Filaria

Fi*la"ri*a
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. L. filum a thread.]
(Zool.)
a former genus comprised of certain nematodes, now classed as belonging to several genera within the family Onchocercidae.   See Onchocerca and Guinea worm.


word: Filarial
definition:
Filarial

Fi*la"ri*al
(?)
a.
1.
(Zool. & Med.)
Of, pertaining to, or caused by, filariæ and allied parasitic worms.

2.
Straight, as if in a line; as, the filarial flight of birds.


word: Filariasis
definition:
Filariasis

Fil`a*ri"a*sis
(?)
n.
[NL.]
1.
(Zool., Med.)
the presence of filariae within the body of an organism; infection with filariae. It is mostly found in tropical and subtropical regions.

2.
(Med.)
a disease caused by nematodes in the blood or tissues of the body causing blockage of lymphatic vessels.  Death of the adult worms may lead to inflammation and permanent fibrosis; the condition may lead to serious symptoms, such as elephantiasis or blindness.  See river blindness


word: Filariidae
definition:
Filariidae

Filariidae
n.
a natural family consisting of threadlike roundworms, called filariae.

Syn. -- family Filariidae.


word: Filasse
definition:
Filasse

Fi*lasse"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. fil thread, L. filum.]
Vegetable fiber, as jute or ramie, prepared for manufacture.


word: Filatory
definition:
Filatory

Fil"a*to*ry
(?)
n.
[LL. filatorium place for spinning, fr. filare to spin, fr. L. filum a thread.]
A machine for forming threads.
[Obs.]
W. Tooke.


word: Filature
definition:
Filature

Fil"a*ture
(?; 135)
n.
[LL. filatura, fr. filare to spin: cf. F. filature. See Filatory.]
1.
A drawing out into threads; hence, the reeling of silk from cocoons.
Ure.

2.
A reel for drawing off silk from cocoons; also, an establishment for reeling silk.


word: filbert
definition:
filbert

fil"bert
(?)
n.
[Perh. fr. fill + bread, as filling the bread or husk; cf. G. bartnuss (lit., bread nut) filbert; or perh. named from a St.Philibert, whose day, Aug. 22, fell in the nutting season.]
1.
(Bot.)
The fruit of the Corylus Avellana or Corylus maxima, also called the hazel; the hazelnut.  It is an oval nut, containing a kernel that has a mild, farinaceous, oily taste, agreeable to the palate.

&hand_; In England filberts are usually large hazelnuts, especially the nuts from selected and cultivated trees.  The American hazelnuts are of two other species, Corylus Americana and Corylus cornuta, and are also sometimes called filberts.

2.
(Bot.)
The tree bearing the filbert; the hazelnut tree.

Filbert gall (Zool.), a gall resembling a filbert in form, growing in clusters on grapevines.  It is produced by the larva of a gallfly (Cecidomyia).


word: Filch
definition:
Filch

Filch
(fĭlch)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Filched (fĭlcht); p. pr. & vb. n. Filching.]
[Cf. AS. feolan to stick to, OHG. felhan, felahan, to hide, Icel. fela, Goth. filhan to hide, bury, Prov. E. feal to hide slyly, OE. felen.]
To steal or take privily (commonly, that which is of little value); to pilfer.

Fain would they filch that little food away.
Dryden.

But he that filches from me my good name,
Robs me of that which not enriches him,
And makes me poor indeed.
Shak.


word: File
definition:
File

File
(fīl)
n.
[F. file row (cf. Pr., Sp., Pg., & It. fila), LL. fila, fr. L. filum a thread.  Cf. Enfilade, Filament, Fillet.]
1.
An orderly succession; a line; a row
(a)
(Mil.)
A row of soldiers ranged one behind another; -- in contradistinction to rank, which designates a row of soldiers standing abreast; a number consisting the depth of a body of troops, which, in the ordinary modern formation, consists of two men, the battalion standing two deep, or in two ranks.

&hand_; The number of files in a company describes its width, as the number of ranks does its depth; thus, 100 men in “fours deep” would be spoken of as 25 files in 4 ranks.  Farrow.

It is upon a file with the duke's other letters.
Shak.
2.
Course of thought; thread of narration.
[Obs.]

Let me resume the file of my narration.
Sir H. Wotton.

3.
(computers)
a collection of data on a digital recording medium treated as a unit for the purpose of recording, reading, storage, or indexing; -- such a file is typically accessible by computer programs by the use of a file name.  The data may be of any type codable digitally, such as simple ASCII-coded text, complex binary-coded  data, or an executable program, or may be itself a collection of other files.

File firing, the act of firing by file, or each file independently of others. -- File leader, the soldier at the front of any file, who covers and leads those in rear of him. -- File marching, the marching of a line two deep, when faced to the right or left, so that the front and rear rank march side by side. Brande & C.  --Indian file, or Single file, a line of people marching one behind another; a single row.  Also used adverbially; as, to march Indian file. -- On file, preserved in an orderly collection; recorded in some database. -- Rank and file. (a) The body of soldiers constituting the mass of an army, including corporals and privates. Wilhelm. (b) Those who constitute the bulk or working members of a party, society, etc., in distinction from the leaders.


word: File₂
definition:
File

File
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Filed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Filing.]
1.
To set in order; to arrange, or lay away, esp. as papers in a methodical manner for preservation and reverence; to place on file; to insert in its proper place in an arranged body of papers.

I would have my several courses and my dishes well filed.
Beau. & Fl.

2.
To bring before a court or legislative body by presenting proper papers in a regular way; as, to file a petition or bill.
Burrill.

3.
(Law)
To put upon the files or among the records of a court; to note on (a paper) the fact date of its reception in court.

To file a paper, on the part of a party, is to place it in the official custody of the clerk. To file, on the part of the clerk, is to indorse upon the paper the date of its reception, and retain it in his office, subject to inspection by whomsoever it may concern.
Burrill.


word: File₃
definition:
File

File
v. i.
[Cf. F. filer.]
(Mil.)
To march in a file or line, as soldiers, not abreast, but one after another; -- generally with off.

To file with, to follow closely, as one soldier after another in file; to keep pace.

My endeavors
Have ever come too short of my desires,
Yet filed with my abilities.
Shak.


word: File₄
definition:
File

File
(fīl)
n.
[AS. feól; akin to D. viji, OHG. fīla, fīhala, G. feile, Sw. fil, Dan. fiil, cf. Icel. þēl, Russ. pila, and Skr. piç to cut out, adorn; perh. akin to E. paint.]
1.
A steel instrument, having cutting ridges or teeth, made by indentation with a chisel, used for abrading or smoothing other substances, as metals, wood, etc.

&hand_; A file differs from a rasp in having the furrows made by straight cuts of a chisel, either single or crossed, while the rasp has coarse, single teeth, raised by the pyramidal end of a triangular punch.

2.
Anything employed to smooth, polish, or rasp, literally or figuratively.

Mock the nice touches of the critic's file.
Akenside.

3.
A shrewd or artful person.
[Slang]
Fielding.

Will is an old file in spite of his smooth face.
Thackeray.

Bastard file, Cross file, etc. See under Bastard, Cross, etc. -- Cross-cut file, a file having two sets of teeth crossing obliquely. -- File blank, a steel blank shaped and ground ready for cutting to form a file. -- File cutter, a maker of files. -- Second-cut file, a file having teeth of a grade next finer than bastard. -- Single-cut file, a file having only one set of parallel teeth; a float. -- Smooth file, a file having teeth so fine as to make an almost smooth surface.


word: File₅
definition:
File

File
v. t.
1.
To rub, smooth, or cut away, with a file; to sharpen with a file; as, to file a saw or a tooth.

2.
To smooth or polish as with a file.
Shak.

File your tongue to a little more courtesy.
Sir W. Scott.


word: File₆
definition:
File

File
v. t.
[OE. fulen, filen, foulen, AS. f_;lan, fr. f_;l foul. See Foul, and cf. Defile, v. t.]
To make foul; to defile.
[Obs.]

All his hairy breast with blood was filed.
Spenser.

For Banquo's issue have I filed my mind.
Shak.


word: File closer
definition:
File closer

File" clos`er
(Mil.)
A commissioned or noncommissioned officer posted in the rear of a line, or on the flank of a column, of soldiers, to rectify mistakes and insure steadiness and promptness in the ranks.


word: Filefish
definition:
Filefish

File"fish`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
Any plectognath fish of the genera Monacanthus, Alutera, balistes, and allied genera; -- so called on account of the roughly granulated skin, which is sometimes used in place of sandpaper.


word: Filial
definition:
Filial

Fil"ial
(?)
a.
[L. filialis, fr. filius son, filia daughter; akin to e. female, feminine.  Cf. Fitz.]
1.
Of or pertaining to a son or daughter; becoming to a child in relation to his parents; as, filial obedience.

2.
Bearing the relation of a child.

And thus the filial Godhead answering spoke.
Milton.


word: Filiate
definition:
Filiate

Fil"i*ate
(?)
v. t.
To adopt as son or daughter; to establish filiation between.
[R.]
Southey.


word: Filiation
definition:
Filiation

Fil`i*a"tion
(?)
n.
[LL. filiatio, fr. L. filius son: cf. F. filiation. See Filial.]
1.
The relationship of a son or child to a parent, esp. to a father.

The relation of paternity and filiation.
Sir M. Hale.

2.
(Law)
The assignment of a bastard child to some one as its father; affiliation.
Smart.

3.
Descent from, or as if from, a parent; relationship like that of a son; as, to determine the filiation of a language.

4.
One that is derived from a parent or source; an offshoot; as, the filiations are from a common stock.


word: Filibeg
definition:
Filibeg

Fil"i*beg
(?)
n.
[Gael. feileadhbeag, i. e., little kilt; feileadh kilt + beag little, small; cf. filleadh a plait, fold.]
Same as Kilt.
[Written also philibeg.]


word: Filibuster
definition:
Filibuster

Fil"i*bus`ter
(?)
n.
[Sp. flibuster, flibustero, corrupted fr. E. freebooter. See Freebooter.]
A lawless military adventurer, especially one in quest of plunder; a freebooter; -- originally applied to buccaneers infesting the Spanish American coasts, but introduced into common English to designate the followers of Lopez in his expedition to Cuba in 1851, and those of Walker in his expedition to Nicaragua, in 1855.


word: Filibuster₂
definition:
Filibuster

Fil"i*bus*ter
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Fillibustered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Filibustering.]
1.
To act as a filibuster, or military freebooter.
Bartlett.

2.
To delay legislation, by dilatory motions or other artifices.
[political cant or slang, U.S.]
Bartlett.


word: Filibusterism
definition:
Filibusterism

Fil"i*bus`ter*ism
(?)
n.
The characteristics or practices of a filibuster.
Bartlett.


word: Filicic
definition:
Filicic

Fi*lic"ic
(?)
a.
[L. filix, -icis, a fern.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, ferns; as, filicic acid.


word: Filicide
definition:
Filicide

Fil"i*cide
(?)
n.
[L. filius son, filia daughter + caedere to kill.]
The act of murdering a son or a daughter; also, parent who commits such a murder.


word: Filiciform
definition:
Filiciform

Fi*lic"i*form
(?)
a.
[L. filix, -icis, fern + -form: cf. F. filiciforme]
Shaped like a fern or like the parts of a fern leaf.
Smart.


word: Filicoid
definition:
Filicoid

Fil"i*coid
(?)
a.
[L. filix, -icis, fern + -oid: cf. F. filicoiïde.]
(Bot.)
Fernlike, either in form or in the nature of the method of reproduction.


word: Filiety
definition:
Filiety

Fi*li"e*ty
(?)
n.
[L. filietas.]
The relation of a son to a father; sonship; -- the correlative of paternity.
J. S. Mill.


word: filiform
definition:
filiform

fil"i*form
(?)
a.
[L. filum thread + -form: cf. F. filiforme.]
Having the shape of a thread or filament; as, the filiform papillæ of the tongue; a filiform style or peduncle.  See Illust. of Antennæ.


word: Filigrane
definition:
Filigrane

Filigrain

{ Fil"i*grain, Fil"i*grane  }
(?)
n.
[Sp. filigrana (cf. It. filigrana, E. filigrane), fr. L. filuma thread + granum grain. See File a row, and Grain, and cf. Filigree.]
Filigree.
[Archaic]

With her head . . . touches the crown of filigrane.
Longfellow.


word: Filigree
definition:
Filigree

Fil"i*gree
(?)
n.
[Corrupted fr. filigrane.]
Ornamental work, formerly with grains or breads, but now composed of fine wire and used chiefly in decorating gold and silver to which the wire is soldered, being arranged in designs frequently of a delicate and intricate arabesque pattern.


word: Filigree₂
definition:
Filigree

Fil"i*gree
a.
Relating to, composed of, or resembling, work in filigree; as, a filigree basket. Hence: Fanciful; unsubstantial; merely decorative.

You ask for reality, not fiction and filigree work.
J. C. Shairp.


word: Filioque
definition:
Filioque

Fil`i*o"que
(?)
n.
(Eccl. Hist.)
The Latin for, “and from the Son,” equivalent to et filio, inserted by the third council of Toledo (a. d. 589) in the clause qui ex Patre procedit (who proceedeth from the Father) of the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed (a. d. 381), which makes a creed state that the Holy Ghost proceeds from the Son as well as from the Father. Hence, the doctrine itself (not admitted by the Eastern Church).


word: Filipendulous
definition:
Filipendulous

Fil`i*pen"du*lous
(?; 135)
a.
[L. filum a thread + pendulus hanging, fr. pendēre to hang.]
(Bot.)
Suspended by, or strung upon, a thread; -- said of tuberous swellings in the middle or at the extremities of slender, threadlike rootlets.


word: Filipino
definition:
Filipino

Filipino
adj.
1.
of or relating to the Philippines or its people or customs.

Syn. -- Philippine.

2.
of or relating to the language of the Philippines.

Syn. -- Tagalog.


word: Filipino₂
definition:
Filipino

Fil`i*pi"no
(?)
n.
pl. Filipinos (#)
[Sp.]
A native or inhabitant of the Philippine Islands, specif. one of Spanish descent or of mixed blood.
[wns=1]
Then there are Filipinos, -- “children of the country,” they are called, -- who are supposed to be pure-blooded descendants of Spanish settlers. But there are few of them without some touch of Chinese or native blood.
The Century.

2.
the official language of the Philippines, based on Tagalog.  It draws its lexicon from other Philippine languages.
[wns=2]

Syn. -- Philippine.


word: Fill
definition:
Fill

Fill
(?)
n.
[See Thill.]
One of the thills or shafts of a carriage.
Mortimer.

Fill horse, a thill horse. Shak.


word: Fill₂
definition:
Fill

Fill
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Filled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Filling.]
[OE. fillen, fullen, AS. fyllan, fr. full full; akin to D. vullen, G. füllen, Icel. fylla, Sw. fylla, Dan. fylde, Goth. fulljan. See Full, a.]
1.
To make full; to supply with as much as can be held or contained; to put or pour into, till no more can be received; to occupy the whole capacity of.

The rain also filleth the pools.
Ps. lxxxiv. 6.

Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. Anf they filled them up to the brim.
John ii. 7.

2.
To furnish an abudant supply to; to furnish with as mush as is desired or desirable; to occupy the whole of; to swarm in or overrun.

And God blessed them, saying. Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas.
Gen. i. 22.

The Syrians filled the country.
1 Kings xx. 27.

3.
To fill or supply fully with food; to feed; to satisfy.

Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fillso great a multitude?
Matt. xv. 33.

Things that are sweet and fat are more filling.
Bacon.

4.
To possess and perform the duties of; to officiate in, as an incumbent; to occupy; to hold; as, a king fills a throne; the president fills the office of chief magistrate; the speaker of the House fills the chair.

5.
To supply with an incumbent; as, to fill an office or a vacancy.
A. Hamilton.

6.
(Naut.)
(a)
To press and dilate, as a sail; as, the wind filled the sails.
(b)
To trim (a yard) so that the wind shall blow on the after side of the sails.

7.
(Civil Engineering)
To make an embankment in, or raise the level of (a low place), with earth or gravel.

To fill in, to insert; as, he filled in the figures. -- To fill out, to extend or enlarge to the desired limit; to make complete; as, to fill out a bill. -- To fill up, to make quite full; to fill to the brim or entirely; to occupy completely; to complete. “The bliss that fills up all the mind.” Pope.  “And fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ.”  Col. i. 24.


word: Fill₃
definition:
Fill

Fill
(?)
v. i.
1.
To become full; to have the whole capacity occupied; to have an abundant supply; to be satiated; as, corn fills well in a warm season; the sail fills with the wind.

2.
To fill a cup or glass for drinking.

Give me some wine; fill full.
Shak.

To back and fill. See under Back, v. i. -- To fill up, to grow or become quite full; as, the channel of the river fills up with sand.


word: Fill₄
definition:
Fill

Fill
n.
[AS. fyllo. See Fill, v. t.]
1.
A full supply, as much as supplies want; as much as gives complete satisfaction.
fill
Lev. xxv. 19.

I'll bear thee hence, where I may weep my fill.
Shak.

2.
That which fills; filling; filler; specif., an embankment, as in railroad construction, to fill a hollow or ravine; also, the place which is to be filled.


word: Filled cheese
definition:
Filled cheese

Filled cheese
An inferior kind of cheese made from skim milk with a fatty “filling,” such as oleomargarine or lard, to replace the fat removed in the cream.


word: fille
definition:
fille

fille
n.
a young unmarried woman.

Syn. -- girl, filly, miss, missy, gal, young lady, young woman.


word: filled
definition:
filled

filled
adj.
1.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal; as, filled to overflowing.  Opposite of empty.
abounding in(predicate), abounding with(predicate), bristling with(predicate), full of(predicate), overflowing, overflowing with(predicate), rich in(predicate), rife with(predicate), thick with(predicate)
brimful, brimful of(predicate), brimfull, brimfull of(predicate), brimming, brimming with(predicate)
chockablock(predicate), chock-full(predicate), chockfull(predicate), chockful(predicate), choke-full(predicate), chuck-full(predicate), cram full
congested, engorged
crawling with(predicate), overrun with, swarming, swarming with(predicate), teeming, teeming with(predicate)
flooded, inundated, swamped 
glutted, overfull
heavy with(predicate) 
laden, loaded 
overladen, overloaded 
stuffed 
stuffed
well-lined 

Syn. -- full.

2.
entirely of one substance with no holes inside.  Opposite of hollow.

Syn. -- solid.

3.
having appointments throughout the course of a period; -- of an appointment schedule; as, My calendar is filled for the week.  Opposite of unoccupied and free

Syn. -- occupied.


word: Filler
definition:
Filler

Fill"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, fills; something used for filling.

'T is mere filler, to stop a vacancy in the hexameter.
Dryden.

They have six diggers to four fillers, so as to keep the fillers always at work.
Mortimer.

2.
(Paint.)
A composition, as of powdered silica and oil, used to fill the pores and grain of wood before applying paint, varnish, etc.

3.
(Forestry)
Any standing tree or standard higher than the surrounding coppice in the form of forest known as coppice under standards.  Chiefly used in the pl.


word: Fillet
definition:
Fillet

Fil"let
(?)
n.
[OE. filet, felet, fr. OF. filet thread, fillet of meat, dim. of fil a thread, fr. L. filum. See Fille a row.]
1.
A little band, especially one intended to encircle the hair of the head.

A belt her waist, a fillet binds her hair.
Pope.

2.
(Cooking)
A piece of lean meat without bone; sometimes, a long strip rolled together and tied.

&hand_; A fillet of beef is the under side of the sirlom; also called tenderloin. A fillet of veal or mutton is the fleshy part of the thigh. A fillet of fish is a slice of flat fish without bone. “Fillet of a fenny snake.”
Shak.

3.
A thin strip or ribbon; esp.: (a) A strip of metal from which coins are punched. (b) A strip of card clothing. (c) A thin projecting band or strip.

4.
(Mach.)
A concave filling in of a reëntrant angle where two surfaces meet, forming a rounded corner.

5.
(Arch.)
A narrow flat member; especially, a flat molding separating other moldings; a reglet; also, the space between two flutings in a shaft. See Illust. of Base, and Column.

6.
(Her.)
An ordinary equaling in breadth one fourth of the chief, to the lowest portion of which it corresponds in position.

7.
(Mech.)
The thread of a screw.

8.
A border of broad or narrow lines of color or gilt.

9.
The raised molding about the muzzle of a gun.

10.
Any scantling smaller than a batten.

11.
(Anat.)
A fascia; a band of fibers; applied esp. to certain bands of white matter in the brain.

12.
(Man.)
The loins of a horse, beginning at the place where the hinder part of the saddle rests.

Arris fillet. See under Arris.


word: Fillet₂
definition:
Fillet

Fil"let
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Filleted; p. pr. & vb. n. Filleting.]
To bind, furnish, or adorn with a fillet.


word: Filleting
definition:
Filleting

Fil"let*ing
n.
1.
(Arch.)
The protecting of a joint, as between roof and parapet wall, with mortar, or cement, where flashing is employed in better work.

2.
The material of which fillets are made; also, fillets, collectively.


word: Filling
definition:
Filling

Fill"ing
(?)
n.
1.
That which is used to fill a cavity or any empty space, or to supply a deficiency; as, filling for a cavity in a tooth, a depression in a roadbed, the space between exterior and interior walls of masonry, the pores of open-grained wood, the space between the outer and inner planks of a vessel, etc.

2.
The woof in woven fabrics.

3.
(Brewing)
Prepared wort added to ale to cleanse it.

Back filling. (Arch.) See under Back, a.


word: Fillip
definition:
Fillip

Fil"lip
(fĭl"lĭp)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Filliped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Filliping.]
[For filp, flip.  Cf. Flippant.]
1.
To strike with the nail of the finger, first placed against the ball of the thumb, and forced from that position with a sudden spring; to snap with the finger.
fillip
Shak.

2.
To snap; to project quickly.

The use of the elastic switch to fillip small missiles with.
Tylor.


word: Fillip₂
definition:
Fillip

Fil"lip
n.
1.
A jerk of the finger forced suddenly from the thumb; a smart blow.

2.
Something serving to rouse or excite.

I take a glass of grog for a filip.
Dickens.


word: Fillister
definition:
Fillister

Fil"lis*ter
(?)
n.
1.
The rabbet on the outer edge of a sash bar to hold the glass and the putty.
Knight.

2.
A plane for making a rabbet.

Fillister screw had, a short cylindrical screw head, having a convex top.


word: Filly
definition:
Filly

Fil"ly
(?)
n.
pl. Fillies (#).
[Cf. Icel. fylia, fr. foli foal. See Foal.]
1.
(Zool.)
A female foal or colt; a young mare.  Cf. Colt, Foal.

Neighing in likeness of a filly foal.
Shak.

2.
A lively, spirited young girl.
[Colloq.]
Addison.


word: Film
definition:
Film

Film
(?)
n.
[AS. film skin, fr. fell skin; akin to fylmen membrane, OFries. filmene skin. See Fell skin.]
1.
A thin skin; a pellicle; a membranous covering, causing opacity.

He from thick films shall purge the visual ray.
Pope.

2.
hence, any thin layer covering a surface.

3.
A slender thread, as that of a cobweb.

Her whip of cricket's bone, the lash of film.
Shak.

4.
(Photog.)
The layer, usually of gelatin or collodion, containing the sensitive salts of photographic plates.

5.
(Photog.)
a flexible sheet of celluloid or other plastic material to which a light-sensitive layer has been applied, used for recording images by the processes of photography.  It is commonly used in rolls mounted within light-proof canisters suitable for simple insertion into cameras designed for such canisters. On such rolls, varying numbers of photographs may be taken before the canister needs to be replaced.

6.
a motion picture.

7.
the art of making motion pictures; -- used mostly in the phrase the film.

8.
a thin transparent sheet of plastic, used for wrapping objects; as, polyethylene film.

Celluloid film (Photog.), a thin flexible sheet of celluloid, coated with a sensitized emulsion of gelatin, and used as a substitute for photographic plates. -- Cut film (Photog.), a celluloid film cut into pieces suitable for use in a camera.


word: Film₂
definition:
Film

Film
v. t.
1.
To cover with a thin skin or pellicle.

It will but skin and film the ulcerous place.
Shak.

2.
to make a motion picture of (any event or literary work); to record with a movie camera; as, to film the inauguration ceremony; to film Dostoevsky's War and Peace.


word: filmable
definition:
filmable

filmable
adj.
readily adaptable to motion picture form; -- of books, plays, and other works of literature.


word: Filmy
definition:
Filmy

Film"y
(?)
a.
Composed of film or films.

Whose filmy cord should bind the struggling fly.
Dryden.


word: Filoplume
definition:
Filoplume

Fil"o*plume
(?)
n.
[L. filum a thread _; pluma a soft feather.]
(Zool.)
A hairlike feather; a father with a slender scape and without a web in most or all of its length.


word: Filoselle
definition:
Filoselle

Fil`o*selle"
(?)
n.
[F., floss silk.]
A kind of silk thread less glossy than floss, and spun from coarser material. It is much used in embroidery instead of floss.


word: Fils
definition:
Fils

Fils
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. filius. See Filial.]
Son; -- sometimes used after a French proper name to distinguish a son from his father, as, Alexandre Dumas, fils.


word: Filter
definition:
Filter

Fil"ter
(?)
n.
[F. filtre, the same word as feutre felt, LL. filtrum, feltrum, felt, fulled wool, this being used for straining liquors. See Feuter.]
Any porous substance, as cloth, paper, sand, or charcoal, through which water or other liquid may passed to cleanse it from the solid or impure matter held in suspension; a chamber or device containing such substance; a strainer; also, a similar device for purifying air.

Filter bed, a pond, the bottom of which is a filter composed of sand gravel. -- Filter gallery, an underground gallery or tunnel, alongside of a stream, to collect the water that filters through the intervening sand and gravel; -- called also infiltration gallery.


word: Filter₂
definition:
Filter

Fil"ter
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Filtered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Filtering]
[Cf. F. filter. See Filter, n., and cf. Filtrate.]
To purify or defecate, as water or other liquid, by causing it to pass through a filter.

Filtering paper, or Filter paper, a porous unsized paper, for filtering.


word: filter-tipped
definition:
filter-tipped

filter-tipped
adj.
having a tip designed to filter the smoke; -- of a cigarette or cigar; as, filter-tipped cigarettes.


word: Filth
definition:
Filth

Filth
(fĭlth)
n.
[OE. filthe, fulðe, AS. f&ymacr_;lð, fr. fūl foul; akin to OHG. fūlida. See Foul, and cf. File.]
1.
Foul matter; anything that soils or defiles; dirt; nastiness.

2.
Anything that sullies or defiles the moral character; corruption; pollution.

To purify the soul from the dross and filth of sensual delights.
Tillotson.

Filth disease (Med.), a disease supposed to be due to pollution of the soil or water.


word: Filthiness
definition:
Filthiness

Filth"i*ness
n.
1.
The state of being filthy.

Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.
2 Cor. vii. 1.

2.
That which is filthy, or makes filthy; foulness; nastiness; corruption; pollution; impurity.

Carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.
2 Chron. xxix. 5.


word: Filthy
definition:
Filthy

Filth"y
(?)
a.
[Compar. Filthier (?); superl. Filthiest.]
Defiled with filth, whether material or moral; nasty; dirty; polluted; foul; impure; obscene.
filthy
Shak.

He which is filthy let him be filthy still.
Rev. xxii. 11.


word: Filtrate
definition:
Filtrate

Fil"trate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Filtrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Filtrating. (_;)]
[Cf. LL. filtrare. See Filter.]
To filter; to defecate; as liquid, by straining or percolation.
Arbuthnot.


word: Filtrate₂
definition:
Filtrate

Fil"trate
(?)
n.
That which has been filtered; the liquid which has passed through the filter in the process of filtration.  Contrasted with retentate, the material remaining on the filter.


word: Filtration
definition:
Filtration

Fil*tra"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. filtration.]
The act or process of filtering; the mechanical separation of a liquid from the undissolved particles floating in it.


word: Fimble hemp
definition:
Fimble hemp

Fimble

{ Fim"ble, n., or Fim"ble hemp` (fĭm"b'l hĕmp`). }
[Corrupted from female hemp.]
Light summer hemp, that bears no seed.


word: Fimbria
definition:
Fimbria

Fim"bri*a
(?)
n.
pl. Fimbriæ (#).
[L., fringe. See Fringle.]
(Anat.)
(a)
pl.
A fringe, or fringed border.
(b)
A band of white matter bordering the hippocampus in the brain.
Fim"bri*al (#), a.


word: Fimbriate
definition:
Fimbriate

Fim*bri*ate
(?)
a.
[L. fimbriatus fibrous, fringed, fr. fimbria fiber, fringe. See Fringe.]
Having the edge or extremity bordered by filiform processes thicker than hairs; fringed; as, the fimbriate petals of the pink; the fimbriate end of the Fallopian tube.


word: Fimbriate₂
definition:
Fimbriate

Fim"bri*ate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fimbriated; p. pr. & vb. n. Fimbriating.]
To hem; to fringe.
Fuller.


word: Fimbriated
definition:
Fimbriated

Fim"bri*a`ted
(?)
a.
1.
Having a fringed border; fimbriate.

2.
(Her.)
Having a very narrow border of another tincture; -- said esp. of an ordinary or subordinary.


word: Fimbricate
definition:
Fimbricate

Fim"bri*cate
(?)
a.
1.
Fringed; jagged; fimbriate.

2.
(Zool.)
fringed, on one side only, by long, straight hairs, as the antennæ of certain insects.


word: Fin
definition:
Fin

Fin
(fĭn)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Finned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Finning.]
[Cf. Fin of a fish.]
To carve or cut up, as a chub.


word: Fin₃
definition:
Fin

Fin
n.
[OE. finne, fin, AS. finn; akin to D. vin, G. & Dan. finne, Sw. fena, L. pinna, penna, a wing, feather.  Cf. pen a feather.]
1.
(Zool.)
An organ of a fish, consisting of a membrane supported by rays, or little bony or cartilaginous ossicles, and serving to balance and propel it in the water.

&hand_; Fishes move through the water chiefly by means of the caudal fin or tail, the principal office of the other fins being to balance or direct the body, though they are also, to a certain extent, employed in producing motion.

2.
(Zool.)
A membranous, finlike, swimming organ, as in pteropod and heteropod mollusks.

3.
A finlike organ or attachment; a part of an object or product which protrudes like a fin
(a)
The hand.
[Slang]
(b)
(Com.)
A blade of whalebone.
[Eng.]
McElrath.
(c)
(Mech.)
A mark or ridge left on a casting at the junction of the parts of a mold.
(d)
(Mech.)
The thin sheet of metal squeezed out between the collars of the rolls in the process of rolling.
Raymond.
4.
A finlike appendage, as to submarine boats.

5.
(Aëronautics)
A fixed stabilizing surface, usually vertical, similar in purpose to a bilge keel on a ship.

Apidose fin. (Zool.) See under Adipose, a. -- Fin ray (Anat.), one of the hornlike, cartilaginous, or bony, dermal rods which form the skeleton of the fins of fishes. -- Fin whale (Zool.), a finback. -- Paired fins (Zool.), the pectoral and ventral fins, corresponding to the fore and hind legs of the higher animals. -- Unpaired fins, or Median fins (Zool.), the dorsal, caudal, and anal fins.


word: Finable
definition:
Finable

Fin"a*ble
(?)
a.
[From Fine.]
Liable or subject to a fine; as, a finable person or offense.
Bacon.


word: finagle
definition:
finagle

finagle
v. i. & t.
to achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods.

Syn. -- wangle, manage.


word: Final
definition:
Final

Fi"nal
(fī"nal)
a.
[F., fr. L. finalis, fr. finis boundary, limit, end. See Finish.]
1.
Pertaining to the end or conclusion; last; terminating; ultimate; as, the final day of a school term.

Yet despair not of his final pardon.
Milton.

2.
Conclusive; decisive; as, a final judgment; the battle of Waterloo brought the contest to a final issue.

3.
Respecting an end or object to be gained; respecting the purpose or ultimate end in view.

Final cause. See under Cause.


word: Finale
definition:
Finale

Fi*na"le
(fe̝*nä"la̝)
n.
[It. See Final.]
Close; termination
(a)
(Mus.)
The last movement of a symphony, sonata, concerto, or any instrumental composition.
(b)
The last composition performed in any act of an opera.
(c)
The closing part, piece, or scene in any public performance or exhibition.


word: Finalist
definition:
Finalist

Fi"nal*ist
(?)
n.
(Sports)
Any of the players who meet in the final round of a tournament in which the losers in any round do not play again.


word: Finality
definition:
Finality

Fi*nal"i*ty
(?)
n.
pl. Finalities (#).
[L. finalitas the being last.]
1.
The state of being final, finished, or complete; a final or conclusive arrangement; a settlement.
Baxter.

2.
The relation of end or purpose to its means.
Janet.


word: finalize
definition:
finalize

finalize
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. finalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. finalizing.]
to put the last touches on; put into final form.

Syn. -- make final, settle, nail down.


word: Finally
definition:
Finally

Fi"nal*ly
(?)
adv.
1.
At the end or conclusion; ultimately; lastly; as, the contest was long, but the Romans finally conquered.

Whom patience finally must crown.
Milton.

2.
Completely; beyond recovery.

Not any house of noble English in Ireland was utterly destroyed or finally rooted out.
Sir J. Davies.


word: Finance
definition:
Finance

Fi*nance"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. LL. financia payment of money, money, fr. finare to pay a fine or subsidy (cf. OF. finer to finish, pay), fr. L. finis end. See Fine, n., Finish.]
1.
The income of a ruler or of a state; revenue; public money; sometimes, the income of an individual; often used in the plural for funds; available money; resources.

All the finances or revenues of the imperial crown.
Bacon.

2.
The science of raising and expending the public revenue.
finance
Macaulay.


word: Finance₂
definition:
Finance

Fi*nance"
(?)
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Financed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Financing.]
To conduct the finances of; to provide for, and manage, the capital for; to financier.
Securing foreign capital to finance multitudinous undertakings.
B. H. Chamberlain.


word: finances
definition:
finances

finances
n.
assets in the form of money.

Syn. -- funds, monetary resource, cash in hand, pecuniary resource.


word: Financier
definition:
Financier

Fin`an*cier"
(?; 277)
n.
[Cf. F. financier.]
1.
One charged with the administration of finance; an officer who administers the public revenue; a treasurer.
Burke.

2.
One skilled in financial operations; one acquainted with money matters.


word: Financier₂
definition:
Financier

Fin`an*cier"
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Financiered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Financiering.]
To conduct financial operations.


word: Finback
definition:
Finback

Fin"back`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
Any whale of the genera Sibbaldius, Balænoptera, and allied genera, of the family Balænopteridæ, characterized by a prominent fin on the back. The common finbacks of the New England coast are Sibbaldius tectirostris and S. tuberosus.


word: Finch
definition:
Finch

Finch
(fĭnch)
n.
pl. Finches (fĭnch"ĕz).
[AS. finc; akin to D. vink, OHG. fincho, G. fink; cf. W. pinc a finch; also E. spink.]
(Zool.)
A small singing bird of many genera and species, belonging to the family Fringillidæ.

&hand_; The word is often used in composition, as in chaffinch, goldfinch, grassfinch, pinefinch, etc.

Bramble finch. See Brambling. -- Canary finch, the canary bird. -- Copper finch. See Chaffinch. -- Diamond finch. See under Diamond. -- Finch falcon (Zool.), one of several very small East Indian falcons of the genus Hierax. -- To pull a finch, to swindle an ignorant or unsuspecting person. [Obs.] “Privily a finch eke could he pull.”  Chaucer.


word: Find
definition:
Find

Find
(fīnd)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Found (found); p. pr. & vb. n. Finding.]
[AS. findan; akin to D. vinden, OS. & OHG. findan, G. finden, Dan. finde, icel. & Sw. finna, Goth. finþan; and perh. to L. petere to seek, Gr. pi`ptein to fall, Skr. pat to fall, fly, E. petition.]
1.
To meet with, or light upon, accidentally; to gain the first sight or knowledge of, as of something new, or unknown; hence, to fall in with, as a person.

Searching the window for a flint, I found
This paper, thus sealed up.
Shak.

In woods and forests thou art found.
Cowley.

2.
To learn by experience or trial; to perceive; to experience; to discover by the intellect or the feelings; to detect; to feel.
find
Shak.

The torrid zone is now found habitable.
Cowley.

3.
To come upon by seeking; as, to find something lost.
(a)
To discover by sounding; as, to find bottom.
(b)
To discover by study or experiment direct to an object or end; as, water is found to be a compound substance.
(c)
To gain, as the object of desire or effort; as, to find leisure; to find means.
(d)
To attain to; to arrive at; to acquire.

Seek, and ye shall find.
Matt. vii. 7.

Every mountain now hath found a tongue.
Byron.

4.
To provide for; to supply; to furnish; as, to find food for workemen; he finds his nephew in money.

Wages £14 and all found.
London Times.

Nothing a day and find yourself.
Dickens.

5.
To arrive at, as a conclusion; to determine as true; to establish; as, to find a verdict; to find a true bill (of indictment) against an accused person.

To find his title with some shows of truth.
Shak.

To find out, to detect (a thief); to discover (a secret) -- to solve or unriddle (a parable or enigma); to understand.  “Canst thou by searching find out God?”  Job. xi. 7.  “We do hope to find out all your tricks.”  Milton. -- To find fault with, to blame; to censure. -- To find one's self, to be; to fare; -- often used in speaking of health; as, how do you find yourself this morning?


word: Find₂
definition:
Find

Find
(?)
v. i.
(Law)
To determine an issue of fact, and to declare such a determination to a court; as, the jury find for the plaintiff.
Burrill.


word: Find₃
definition:
Find

Find
n.
Anything found; a discovery of anything valuable; especially, a deposit, discovered by archæologists, of objects of prehistoric or unknown origin.


word: Finder
definition:
Finder

Find"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, finds;
specifically
(Astron.)
a small telescope of low power and large field of view, attached to a larger telescope, for the purpose of finding an object more readily, called also a finder telescope or finder scope.

2.
(Micros.)
A slide ruled in squares, so as to assist in locating particular points in the field of vision.


word: Fin de siecle
definition:
Fin de siecle

Fin` de siè"cle
(?)
[F.]
Lit., end of the century; -- mostly used adjectively in English to signify: belonging to, or characteristic of, the close of the 19th century.  At that time the phrase was also intended to imply “modern” or “up-to-date;” as, fin-de-siècle ideas.
As the twentieth century comes to a close, the meaning may change.


word: Finding
definition:
Finding

Find"ing
n.
1.
That which is found, come upon, or provided; esp. (pl.), that which a journeyman artisan finds or provides for himself; as tools, trimmings, etc.

When a man hath been laboring . . . in the deep mines of knowledge, hath furnished out his findings in all their equipage.
Milton.

2.
Support; maintenance; that which is provided for one; expence; provision.

3.
(Law)
The result of a judicial examination or inquiry, especially into some matter of fact; a verdict; as, the finding of a jury.
Burrill.

After his friends finding and his rent.
Chaucer.


word: findy
definition:
findy

fin"dy
(fĭn"d&ybreve_;)
a.
[AS. finding heavy; cf. Dan. fyndig strong, energetical, fynd strength, energy, emphasis.]
Full; heavy; firm; solid; substantial.
[Obs.]

A cold May and a windy
Makes the barn fat and findy.
Old Proverb.


word: fine
definition:
fine

fine
(fīn)
a.
[Compar. finer (fīn"ẽr); superl. finest.]
[F. fin, LL. finus fine, pure, fr. L. finire to finish; cf. finitus, p. p., finished, completed (hence the sense accomplished, perfect.) See Finish, and cf. Finite.]
1.
Finished; brought to perfection; refined; hence, free from impurity; excellent; superior; elegant; worthy of admiration; accomplished; beautiful.

The gain thereof [is better] than fine gold.
Prov. iii. 14.

A cup of wine that's brisk and fine.
Shak.

Not only the finest gentleman of his time, but one of the finest scholars.
Felton.

To soothe the sick bed of so fine a being [Keats].
Leigh Hunt.

2.
Aiming at show or effect; loaded with ornament; overdressed or overdecorated; showy.

He gratified them with occasional . . . fine writing.
M. Arnold.

3.
Nice; delicate; subtle; exquisite; artful; skillful; dexterous.

The spider's touch, how exquisitely fine!
Pope.

The nicest and most delicate touches of satire consist in fine raillery.
Dryden.

He has as fine a hand at picking a pocket as a woman.
T. Gray.

4.
Not coarse, gross, or heavy
(a)
Not gross; subtile; thin; tenous.

The eye standeth in the finer medium and the object in the grosser.
Bacon.
5.
Having (such) a proportion of pure metal in its composition; as, coins nine tenths fine.

6.
(Used ironically.)

Ye have made a fine hand, fellows.
Shak.

&hand_; Fine is often compounded with participles and adjectives, modifying them adverbially; a, fine-drawn, fine-featured, fine-grained, fine-spoken, fine-spun, etc.

Fine arch (Glass Making), the smaller fritting furnace of a glasshouse. Knight. -- Fine arts. See the Note under Art. -- Fine cut, fine cut tobacco; a kind of chewing tobacco cut up into shreds. -- Fine goods, woven fabrics of fine texture and quality. McElrath. -- Fine stuff, lime, or a mixture of lime, plaster, etc., used as material for the finishing coat in plastering. -- To sail fine (Naut.), to sail as close to the wind as possible.


word: Fine
definition:
Fine

Fine
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fined (fīnd); p. pr. & vb. n. Fining.]
[From Fine, a.]
1.
To make fine; to refine; to purify, to clarify; as, to fine gold.

It hath been fined and refined by . . . learned men.
Hobbes.

2.
To make finer, or less coarse, as in bulk, texture, etc.; as. to fine the soil.
L. H. Bailey.

3.
To change by fine gradations; as (Naut.), to fine down a ship's lines, to diminish her lines gradually.

I often sate at home
On evenings, watching how they fined themselves
With gradual conscience to a perfect night.
Browning.


word: Fine₂
definition:
Fine

Fine
(fīn)
n.
[OE. fin, L. finis end, also in LL., a final agreement or concord between the lord and his vassal; a sum of money paid at the end, so as to make an end of a transaction, suit, or prosecution; mulct; penalty; cf. OF. fin end, settlement, F. fin end. See Finish, and cf. Finance.]
1.
End; conclusion; termination; extinction.
[Obs.]
fine
Spenser.

Is this the fine of his fines?
Shak.

2.
A sum of money paid as the settlement of a claim, or by way of terminating a matter in dispute; especially, a payment of money imposed upon a party as a punishment for an offense; a mulct.

3.
(Law)
(a)
(Feudal Law)
A final agreement concerning lands or rents between persons, as the lord and his vassal.
Spelman.
Fine for alienation (Feudal Law), a sum of money paid to the lord by a tenant whenever he had occasion to make over his land to another. Burrill. -- Fine of lands, a species of conveyance in the form of a fictitious suit compromised or terminated by the acknowledgment of the previous owner that such land was the right of the other party. Burrill. See Concord, n., 4. -- In fine, in conclusion; by way of termination or summing up.


word: Fine₃
definition:
Fine

Fine
v. t.
[From Fine, n.]
To impose a pecuniary penalty upon for an offense or breach of law; to set a fine on by judgment of a court; to punish by fine; to mulct; as, the trespassers were fined ten dollars.


word: Fine₄
definition:
Fine

Fine
v. i.
To pay a fine. See Fine, n., 3 (b).
[R.]

Men fined for the king's good will; or that he would remit his anger; women fined for leave to marry.
Hallam.


word: Fine₅
definition:
Fine

Fine
v. t. & i.
[OF. finer, F. finir. See Finish, v. t.]
To finish; to cease; or to cause to cease.
[Obs.]


word: Fine₆
definition:
Fine

Fine
(fīn)
adv.
1.
Finely; well; elegantly; fully; delicately; mincingly.
[Obs., Dial., or Colloq.]

2.
(Billiards & Pool)
In a manner so that the driven ball strikes the object ball so far to one side as to be deflected but little, the object ball being driven to one side.


word: Fine₇
definition:
Fine

Fine
(fīn)
v. i.
To become fine (in any one of various senses); as, the ale will fine; the weather fined.
To fine away, down, off, gradually to become fine; to diminish; to dwindle.
I watched her [the ship] . . . gradually fining down in the westward until I lost of her hull. W. C. Russel.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]


word: Finedraw
definition:
Finedraw

Fine"draw`
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Finedrawn (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Finedrawing.]
To sew up, so nicely that the seam is not perceived; to renter.
Marryat.


word: Finedrawn
definition:
Finedrawn

Fine"drawn`
(?)
a.
Drawn out with too much subtilty; overnice; as, finedrawn speculations.


word: Fineer
definition:
Fineer

Fi*neer"
(?)
v. i.
To run in debt by getting goods made up in a way unsuitable for the use of others, and then threatening not to take them except on credit.
[R.]
Goldsmith.


word: fine-grained
definition:
fine-grained

fine-grained
adj.
1.
consisting of fine particles.

Syn. -- powdered, powdery, pulverized, small-grained.

2.
dense or compact in structure or texture, as a wood composed of small-diameter cells.

Syn. -- close-grained.

3.
involving careful consideration of details and fine distinctions; -- of conceptual schemas; as, fine-grained distinctions.

Syn. -- detailed.


word: fine-looking
definition:
fine-looking

fine-looking
adj.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion; as, a fine-looking woman.
beautiful (vs. ugly) 

Syn. -- good-looking, better-looking, handsome, well-favored, well-favoured.


word: Fineness
definition:
Fineness

Fine"ness
n.
[From Fine, a.]
1.
The quality or condition of being fine.

2.
Freedom from foreign matter or alloy; clearness; purity; as, the fineness of liquor.

The fineness of the gold, and chargeful fashion.
Shak.

3.
The proportion of pure silver or gold in jewelry, bullion, or coins.

&hand_; The fineness of United States coin is nine tenths, that of English gold coin is eleven twelfths, and that of English silver coin is 925/1000.

4.
Keenness or sharpness; as, the fineness of a needle's point, or of the edge of a blade.


word: Finery
definition:
Finery

Fin"er*y
(?)
n.
1.
Fineness; beauty.
[Obs.]

Don't choose your place of study by the finery of the prospects.
I. Watts.

2.
Ornament; decoration; especially, excecially decoration; showy clothes; jewels.

Her mistress' cast-off finery.
F. W. Robertson.

3.
[Cf. Refinery.]
(Iron Works)
A charcoal hearth or furnace for the conversion of cast iron into wrought iron, or into iron suitable for puddling.


word: Finespun
definition:
Finespun

Fine"spun`
(?)
a.
Spun so as to be fine; drawn to a fine thread; attenuated; hence, unsubstantial; visionary; as, finespun theories.


word: Finesse
definition:
Finesse

Fi`nesse"
(? or ?)
n.
[F., fr. fin fine. See Fine, a.]
1.
Subtilty of contrivance to gain a point; artifice; stratagem.

This is the artificialest piece of finesse to persuade men into slavery.
Milton.

2.
(Whist Playing)
The act of finessing. See Finesse, v. i., 2.


word: Finesse₂
definition:
Finesse

Fi*nesse"
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Finessed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Finessing.]
1.
To use artifice or stratagem.
Goldsmith.

2.
(Whist Playing)
To attempt, when second or third player, to make a lower card answer the purpose of a higher, when an intermediate card is out, risking the chance of its being held by the opponent yet to play.


word: Finestill
definition:
Finestill

Fine"still`
(?)
v. t.
To distill, as spirit from molasses or some saccharine preparation.


word: fine-toothed
definition:
fine-toothed

fine-tooth

fine-tooth fine-toothed
adj.
having fine teeth set close together; as, a fine-tooth comb.


word: fine-tune
definition:
fine-tune

fine-tune
v. t.
to adjust carefully and precisely so as to achieve optimum performance or efficiency; as, The mechanic fine-tuned the engine.


word: Finfish
definition:
Finfish

Fin"fish`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
(a)
A finback whale.
(b)
pl.
True fish, as distinguished from shellfish.


word: Finfoot
definition:
Finfoot

Fin"foot`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A South American bird (Heliornis fulica) allied to the grebes. The name is also applied to several related species of the genus Podica.


word: Fin-footed
definition:
Fin-footed

Fin"-foot`ed
a.
(Zool.)
(a)
Having palmate feet.
(b)
Having lobate toes, as the coot and grebe.


word: Finger
definition:
Finger

Fin"ger
(fĭ&nsmacr_;"gẽr)
n.
[AS. finger; akin to D. vinger, OS. & OHG. fingar, G. finger, Icel. fingr, Sw. & Dan. finger, Goth. figgrs; of unknown origin; perh. akin to E. fang.]
1.
One of the five terminating members of the hand; a digit; esp., one of the four extremities of the hand, other than the thumb.

2.
Anything that does the work of a finger; as, the pointer of a clock, watch, or other registering machine;
especially
(Mech.)
a small projecting rod, wire, or piece, which is brought into contact with an object to effect, direct, or restrain a motion.

3.
The breadth of a finger, or the fourth part of the hand; a measure of nearly an inch; also, the length of finger, a measure in domestic use in the United States, of about four and a half inches or one eighth of a yard.

A piece of steel three fingers thick.
Bp. Wilkins.

4.
Skill in the use of the fingers, as in playing upon a musical instrument.
[R.]

She has a good finger.
Busby.

Ear finger, the little finger. -- Finger alphabet. See Dactylology. -- Finger bar, the horizontal bar, carrying slotted spikes, or fingers, through which the vibratory knives of mowing and reaping machines play. -- Finger board (Mus.), the part of a stringed instrument against which the fingers press the strings to vary the tone; the keyboard of a piano, organ, etc.; manual. -- Finger bowl Finger glass, a bowl or glass to hold water for rinsing the fingers at table. -- Finger flower (Bot.), the foxglove. -- Finger grass (Bot.), a kind of grass (Panicum sanguinale) with slender radiating spikes; common crab grass. See Crab grass, under Crab. -- Finger nut, a fly nut or thumb nut. -- Finger plate, a strip of metal, glass, etc., to protect a painted or polished door from finger marks. -- Finger post, a guide post bearing an index finger. -- Finger reading, reading printed in relief so as to be sensible to the touch; -- so made for the blind. -- Finger shell (Zool.), a marine shell (Pholas dactylus) resembling a finger in form. -- Finger sponge (Zool.), a sponge having finger-shaped lobes, or branches. -- Finger stall, a cover or shield for a finger. -- Finger steel, a steel instrument for whetting a currier's knife.

To burn one's fingers. See under Burn. -- To have a finger in, to be concerned in. [Colloq.] -- To have at one's fingers' ends, to be thoroughly familiar with. [Colloq.]


word: Finger₂
definition:
Finger

Fin"ger
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fingered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fingering.]
1.
To touch with the fingers; to handle; to meddle with.

Let the papers lie;
You would be fingering them to anger me.
Shak.

2.
To touch lightly; to toy with.

3.
(Mus.)
(a)
To perform on an instrument of music.
(b)
To mark the notes of (a piece of music) so as to guide the fingers in playing.

4.
To take thievishly; to pilfer; to purloin.
Shak.

5.
To execute, as any delicate work.


word: fingerboard
definition:
fingerboard

fingerboard
n.
1.
a guidepost resembling a hand with a pointing index finger.

Syn. -- fingerpost.

2.
a bank of keys on a musical instrument.

Syn. -- piano keyboard, clavier.

3.
a narrow strip of wood on the neck of some stringed instruments (violin or cello or guitar etc) where the strings are held against the wood with the fingers.


word: fingerbreadth
definition:
fingerbreadth

fingerbreadth
n.
the length or breadth of a finger used as a linear measure.

Syn. -- finger, finger's breadth, digit.


word: finger cot
definition:
finger cot

finger cot
n.
a close-fitting sheath worn at the end of a finger, for protection of the finger or to avoid soiling the object touched.

Syn. -- fingerstall, cot{3}.


word: Fingered
definition:
Fingered

Fin"gered
(?)
a.
1.
Having fingers.

2.
(Bot.)
Having leaflets like fingers; digitate.

3.
(Mus.)
Marked with figures designating which finger should be used for each note.


word: Fingering
definition:
Fingering

Fin"ger*ing
n.
1.
The act or process of handling or touching with the fingers.

The mere sight and fingering of money.
Grew.

2.
The manner of using the fingers in playing or striking the keys of an instrument of music; movement or management of the fingers in playing on a musical instrument, in typewriting, etc.

3.
The marking of the notes of a piece of music to guide or regulate the action or use of the fingers.

4.
Delicate work made with the fingers.
Spenser.


word: finger paint
definition:
finger paint

fingerpaint

fingerpaint, finger paint
n.
A type of paint having the consistency of a thin paste or jelly, which is applied to a surface by dipping fingers into the paint and smearing the paint on the surface, usually in artistic patterns.  It is used primarily by children.


word: fingerpaint
definition:
fingerpaint

finger-paint

finger-paint, fingerpaint
v. i. & t.
To paint{1} with fingerpaint.

Syn. -- use fingerpaint.


word: fingerpost
definition:
fingerpost

fingerpost
n.
a guidepost resembling a hand with a pointing index finger.

Syn. -- fingerboard.


word: Fingerprint
definition:
Fingerprint

Fin"ger*print
(?)
n.
[Finger + print.]
1.
an impression of the pattern of ridges on the skin of the last joint of a person's finger, left on a surface after a person has touched the surface.
Fingerprints left by persons who have committed crimes are considered as reliable physical evidence linking an individual with a crime, because each person's fingerprints are distinctively different from those of others, allowing identification of a person with high confidence.

2.
a fingerprint{1} made intentionally in ink on a paper form for the purpose of identification of the individual.

3.
any distinctive pattern of characteristics or properties of an object which can serve to identify that object; as, the distinctive fingerprint of eugenol in the mass spectrum allowed easy recognition of its presence in the sample.

4.
a smudge made by a (dirty) finger.
[wns=3]

Syn. -- fingermark.


word: fingerprint
definition:
fingerprint

fin"ger*print
v. t.
to take an impression of the fingerprints of (a person); as, to fingerprint applicants for a gun permit.


word: fingerprinting
definition:
fingerprinting

fingerprinting
n.
The procedure of taking inked impressions of a person's fingerprints.


word: finger-roll
definition:
finger-roll

finger-roll
n.
(Basketball)
A shot that rolls off the tips of the fingers into the basket.


word: fingerroot
definition:
fingerroot

fingerroot
n.
tall leafy European biennial or perennial (Digitalis purpurea) having spectacular clusters of large tubular pink-purple flowers; -- its leaves yield the drug digitalis and are poisonous to livestock.

Syn. -- common foxglove, fairy bell, fingerflower, Digitalis purpurea.


word: Fingrigo
definition:
Fingrigo

Fin"gri*go
(?)
n.
pl. Fingrigos (#).
[So called in Jamaica.]
(Bot.)
A prickly, climbing shrub of the genus Pisonia. The fruit is a kind of berry.


word: Finial
definition:
Finial

Fin"i*al
(?)
n.
[L. finire to finish, end. See Finish.]
(Arch.)
The knot or bunch of foliage, or foliated ornament, that forms the upper extremity of a pinnacle in Gothic architecture; sometimes, the pinnacle itself.


word: Finical
definition:
Finical

Fin"i*cal
(?)
a.
[From Fine, a.]
Affectedly fine; overnice; unduly particular; fastidious.
Finical
Wordsworth.

The gross style consists in giving no detail, the finical in giving nothing else.
Hazlitt.


word: Finicky
definition:
Finicky

Finicking

{ Fin"ick*ing (?), Fin"ick*y, a. }
Finical; unduly particular; excessively demanding over minor details.
[Colloq.]


word: Finific
definition:
Finific

Fi*nif"ic
(? or ?)
n.
[L. finis end + facere to make.]
A limiting element or quality.
[R.]

The essential finific in the form of the finite.
Coleridge.


word: Finify
definition:
Finify

Fin"i*fy
(? or ?)
v. t.
[Fine, a. + -fy.]
To make fine; to dress finically.
[Obs.]

Hath so pared and finified them [his feet.]
B. Jonson.


word: Fining
definition:
Fining

Fin"ing
(?)
n.
1.
The act of imposing a fin_;.

2.
The process of fining or refining; clarification; also (Metal.), the conversion of cast iron into suitable for puddling, in a hearth or charcoal fire.

3.
That which is used to refine; especially, a preparation of isinglass, gelatin, etc., for clarifying beer.

Fining pot, a vessel in which metals are refined. Prov. xvii. 3.


word: Finish
definition:
Finish

Fin"ish
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Finished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Finishing.]
[F. finir (with a stem finiss- in several forms, whence E. -ish: see -ish.),fr. L. finire to limit, finish, end, fr. finis boundary, limit, end; perh. for fidnis, and akin findere to cleave, E. fissure.]
1.
To arrive at the end of; to bring to an end; to put an end to; to make an end of; to terminate.

And heroically hath finished
A life heroic.
Milton.

2.
To bestow the last required labor upon; to complete; to bestow the utmost possible labor upon; to perfect; to accomplish; to polish.


word: Finish₂
definition:
Finish

Fin"ish
v. i.
1.
To come to an end; to terminate.

His days may finish ere that hapless time.
Shak.

2.
To end; to die.
[R.]
Shak.


word: Finish₃
definition:
Finish

Fin"ish
n.
1.
That which finishes, puts an end to_; or perfects.

2.
(Arch.)
The joiner work and other finer work required for the completion of a building, especially of the interior. See Inside finish, and Outside finish.

3.
(Fine Arts)
(a)
The labor required to give final completion to any work; hence, minute detail, careful elaboration, or the like.
(b)
See Finishing coat, under Finishing.

4.
The result of completed labor, as on the surface of an object; manner or style of finishing; as, a rough, dead, or glossy finish given to cloth, stone, metal, etc.

5.
Completion; -- opposed to start, or beginning.


word: Finished
definition:
Finished

Fin"ished
(?)
a.
Polished to the highest degree of excellence; complete; perfect; as, a finished poem; a finished education.

Finished work (Mach.), work that is made smooth or polished, though not necessarily completed.


word: Finisher
definition:
Finisher

Fin"ish*er
(?)
n.
1.
One who finishes, puts an end to, completes, or perfects; esp. used in the trades, as in hatting, weaving, etc., for the workman who gives a finishing touch to the work, or any part of it, and brings it to perfection.

O prophet of glad tidings, finisher
Of utmost hope!
Milton.

2.
Something that gives the finishing touch to, or settles, anything.
[Colloq.]


word: Finishing
definition:
Finishing

Fin"ish*ing
n.
The act or process of completing or perfecting; the final work upon or ornamentation of a thing.


word: Finishing₂
definition:
Finishing

Fin"ish*ing
a.
Tending to complete or to render fit for the market or for use.

Finishing coat. (a) (Plastering) the final coat of plastering applied to walls and ceilings, usually white and rubbed smooth. (b) (Painting) The final coat of paint, usually differently mixed applied from the others. -- Finishing press, a machine for pressing fabrics. -- Finishing rolls (Iron Working), the rolls of a train which receive the bar from roughing rolls, and reduce it to its finished shape. Raymond.


word: Finite
definition:
Finite

Fi"nite
(?)
a.
[L. finitus, p. p. of finire. See Finish, and cf. Fine, a.]
Having a limit; limited in quantity, degree, or capacity; bounded; -- opposed to infinite; as, finite number; finite existence; a finite being; a finite mind; finite duration.


word: Finjan
definition:
Finjan

Fin*jan"
(?)
n.
[Also fingan, findjan, fingian, etc.]
[Ar. finjān.]
In the Levant, a small coffee cup without a handle, such as is held in a cup or stand called a zarf.


word: Fin keel
definition:
Fin keel

Fin keel
(Naut.)
A projection downward from the keel of a yacht, resembling in shape the fin of a fish, though often with a cigar-shaped bulb of lead at the bottom, and generally made of metal. Its use is to ballast the boat and also to enable her to sail close to the wind and to make the least possible leeway by offering great resistance to lateral motion through the water.


word: Finnan haddie
definition:
Finnan haddie

Fin"nan had"die
(fĭn"nan hăd"dĭ)
[See Haddock.]
Haddock cured in peat smoke, originally at Findon (pron. fĭn"an), Scotland.  The name is also applied to other kinds of smoked haddock.
[Written also finnan haddock.]


word: Finnikin
definition:
Finnikin

Fin"ni*kin
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A variety of pigeon, with a crest somewhat resembling the mane of a horse.
[Written also finikin.]


word: Finnish
definition:
Finnish

Finn"ish
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to Finland, to the Finns, or to their language.
n. A Northern Turanian group of languages; the language of the Finns.


word: Finns
definition:
Finns

Finns
(?)
n. pl.
sing. Finn
(Ethnol.)
(a)
Natives of Finland; Finlanders.
(b)
A branch of the Mongolian race, inhabiting Northern and Eastern Europe, including the Magyars, Bulgarians, Permians, Lapps, and Finlanders.
[Written also Fins.]


word: Finny
definition:
Finny

Fin"ny
(?)
a.
1.
(Zool.)
Having, or abounding in, fins, as fishes; pertaining to fishes.

2.
Abounding in fishes.

With patient angle trolls the finny deep.
Goldsmoth.


word: Finochio
definition:
Finochio

Fi*no"chi*o
(?; 277)
n.
[It. finocchio fennel, LL. fenuclum. See Fennel.]
(Bot.)
An umbelliferous plant (Fœniculum dulce) having a somewhat tuberous stem; sweet fennel. The blanched stems are used in France and Italy as a culinary vegetable.


word: Finsen light
definition:
Finsen light

Fin"sen light
(?)
[After Prof. Niels R. Finsen (b. 1860), Danish physician.]
(Med.)
Highly actinic light, derived from sunlight or from some form of electric lamp, used in the treatment of lupus and other cutaneous affections.


word: Fin-toed
definition:
Fin-toed

Fin"-toed`
(?)
a.
(Zool.)
Having toes connected by a membrane; palmiped; palmated; also, lobate.


word: Fiord
definition:
Fiord

Fiord
(fy_;rd; i or y consonant, § 272)
n.
[Dan. & Norw. fiord. See Frith.]
A narrow inlet of the sea, penetrating between high banks or rocks, as on the coasts of Norway and Alaska.
[Written also fjord.]


word: Fiorin
definition:
Fiorin

Fi"o*rin
(?)
n.
[Cf. Ir. fiothran a sort of grass.]
(Bot.)
A species of creeping bent grass (Agrostis alba); -- called also fiorin grass.


word: Fiorite
definition:
Fiorite

Fi"o*rite
(?)
n.
(Min.)
A variety of opal occuring in the cavities of volcanic tufa, in smooth and shining globular and botryoidal masses, having a pearly luster; -- so called from Fiora, in Ischia.


word: Fioriture
definition:
Fioriture

Fio`ri*tu"re
(?)
n. pl.
[It., pl. of fioritura a flowering.]
(Mus.)
Little flowers of ornament introduced into a melody by a singer or player.


word: Fippenny bit
definition:
Fippenny bit

Fip"pen*ny bit`
(? or ?)
[Corruption of five penny bit.]
The Spanish half real, or one sixteenth of a dollar, -- so called in Pennsylvania and the adjacent States.
[Obs.]

&hand_; Before the act of Congress, Feb. 21, 1857, caused the adoption of decimal coins and the withdrawal of foreign coinage from circulation, this coin passed currently for 61/4 cents, and was called in New England a fourpence ha'penny or fourpence; in New York a sixpence; in Pennsylvania, Virginia, etc., a fip; and in Louisiana, a picayune.


word: Fipple
definition:
Fipple

Fip"ple
(fẽr)
n.
[perh. fr. L. fibula a clasp, a pin; cf. Prov. E. fible a stick used to stir pottage.]
A stopper, as in a wind instrument of music.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Fir
definition:
Fir

Fir
(fẽr)
n.
[Dan. fyr, fyrr; akin to Sw. furu, Icel. fura, AS. furh in furhwudu fir wood, G. föhre, OHG. forha pine, vereheih a sort of oak, L. quercus oak.]
(Bot.)
A genus (Abies) of coniferous trees, often of large size and elegant shape, some of them valued for their timber and others for their resin. The species are distinguished as the balsam fir, the silver fir, the red fir, etc.  The Scotch fir is a Pinus.

&hand_; Fir in the Bible means any one of several coniferous trees, including, cedar, cypress, and probably three species of pine.
J. D. Hooker.


word: Fire
definition:
Fire

Fire
(fīr)
n.
[OE. fir, fyr, fur AS. f&ymacr_;r; akin to D. vuur, OS. & OHG. fiur, G. feuer, Icel. f&ymacr_;ri, fūrr, Gr. py^r, and perh. to L. purus pure, E. pure Cf. Empyrean, Pyre.]
1.
The evolution of light and heat in the combustion of bodies; combustion; state of ignition.

&hand_; The form of fire exhibited in the combustion of gases in an ascending stream or current is called flame. Anciently, fire, air, earth, and water were regarded as the four elements of which all things are composed.

2.
Fuel in a state of combustion, as on a hearth, or in a stove or a furnace.

3.
The burning of a house or town; a conflagration.

4.
Anything which destroys or affects like fire.

5.
Ardor of passion, whether love or hate; excessive warmth; consuming violence of temper.

he had fire in his temper.
Atterbury.

6.
Liveliness of imagination or fancy; intellectual and moral enthusiasm; capacity for ardor and zeal.

And bless their critic with a poet's fire.
Pope.

7.
Splendor; brilliancy; luster; hence, a star.

Stars, hide your fires.
Shak.

As in a zodiac
representing the heavenly fires.
Milton.

8.
Torture by burning; severe trial or affliction.

9.
The discharge of firearms; firing; as, the troops were exposed to a heavy fire.

Blue fire, Red fire, Green fire (Pyrotech.), compositions of various combustible substances, as sulphur, niter, lampblack, etc., the flames of which are colored by various metallic salts, as those of antimony, strontium, barium, etc. -- Fire alarm (a) A signal given on the breaking out of a fire. (b) An apparatus for giving such an alarm. -- Fire annihilator, a machine, device, or preparation to be kept at hand for extinguishing fire by smothering it with some incombustible vapor or gas, as carbonic acid. -- Fire balloon. (a) A balloon raised in the air by the buoyancy of air heated by a fire placed in the lower part. (b) A balloon sent up at night with fireworks which ignite at a regulated height. Simmonds. -- Fire bar, a grate bar. -- Fire basket, a portable grate; a cresset. Knight. -- Fire beetle. (Zool.) See in the Vocabulary. -- Fire blast, a disease of plants which causes them to appear as if burnt by fire. -- Fire box, the chamber of a furnace, steam boiler, etc., for the fire. -- Fire brick, a refractory brick, capable of sustaining intense heat without fusion, usually made of fire clay or of siliceous material, with some cementing substance, and used for lining fire boxes, etc. -- Fire brigade, an organized body of men for extinguished fires. -- Fire bucket. See under Bucket. -- Fire bug, an incendiary; one who, from malice or through mania, persistently sets fire to property; a pyromaniac. [U.S.] -- Fire clay. See under Clay. -- Fire company, a company of men managing an engine in extinguishing fires. -- Fire cross. See Fiery cross. [Obs.] Milton. -- Fire damp. See under Damp. -- Fire dog. See Firedog, in the Vocabulary. -- Fire drill. (a) A series of evolutions performed by fireman for practice. (b) An apparatus for producing fire by friction, by rapidly twirling a wooden pin in a wooden socket; -- used by the Hindoos during all historic time, and by many savage peoples. -- Fire eater. (a) A juggler who pretends to eat fire. (b) A quarrelsome person who seeks affrays; a hotspur. [Colloq.] -- Fire engine, a portable forcing pump, usually on wheels, for throwing water to extinguish fire. -- Fire escape, a contrivance for facilitating escape from burning buildings. -- Fire gilding (Fine Arts), a mode of gilding with an amalgam of gold and quicksilver, the latter metal being driven off afterward by heat. -- Fire gilt (Fine Arts), gold laid on by the process of fire gilding. -- Fire insurance, the act or system of insuring against fire; also, a contract by which an insurance company undertakes, in consideration of the payment of a premium or small percentage -- usually made periodically -- to indemnify an owner of property from loss by fire during a specified period. -- Fire irons, utensils for a fireplace or grate, as tongs, poker, and shovel. -- Fire main, a pipe for water, to be used in putting out fire. -- Fire master (Mil), an artillery officer who formerly supervised the composition of fireworks. -- Fire office, an office at which to effect insurance against fire. -- Fire opal, a variety of opal giving firelike reflections. -- Fire ordeal, an ancient mode of trial, in which the test was the ability of the accused to handle or tread upon red-hot irons. Abbot. -- Fire pan, a pan for holding or conveying fire, especially the receptacle for the priming of a gun. -- Fire plug, a plug or hydrant for drawing water from the main pipes in a street, building, etc., for extinguishing fires. -- Fire policy, the writing or instrument expressing the contract of insurance against loss by fire. -- Fire pot. (a) (Mil.) A small earthen pot filled with combustibles, formerly used as a missile in war. (b) The cast iron vessel which holds the fuel or fire in a furnace. (c) A crucible. (d) A solderer's furnace. -- Fire raft, a raft laden with combustibles, used for setting fire to an enemy's ships. -- Fire roll, a peculiar beat of the drum to summon men to their quarters in case of fire. -- Fire setting (Mining), the process of softening or cracking the working face of a lode, to facilitate excavation, by exposing it to the action of fire; -- now generally superseded by the use of explosives. Raymond. -- Fire ship, a vessel filled with combustibles, for setting fire to an enemy's ships. -- Fire shovel, a shovel for taking up coals of fire. -- Fire stink, the stench from decomposing iron pyrites, caused by the formation of hydrogen sulfide. Raymond. -- Fire surface, the surfaces of a steam boiler which are exposed to the direct heat of the fuel and the products of combustion; heating surface. -- Fire swab, a swab saturated with water, for cooling a gun in action and clearing away particles of powder, etc. Farrow. -- Fire teaser, in England, the fireman of a steam emgine. -- Fire water, a strong alcoholic beverage; -- so called by the American Indians. -- Fire worship, the worship of fire, which prevails chiefly in Persia, among the followers of Zoroaster, called Chebers, or Guebers, and among the Parsees of India. -- Greek fire. See under Greek. -- On fire, burning; hence, ardent; passionate; eager; zealous. -- Running fire, the rapid discharge of firearms in succession by a line of troops. -- St. Anthony's fire, erysipelas; -- an eruptive fever which St. Anthony was supposed to cure miraculously. Hoblyn.  -- St. Elmo's fire. See under Saint Elmo. -- To set on fire, to inflame; to kindle. -- To take fire, to begin to burn; to fly into a passion.


word: Fire₂
definition:
Fire

Fire
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fired (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fring.]
1.
To set on fire; to kindle; as, to fire a house or chimney; to fire a pile.

2.
To subject to intense heat; to bake; to burn in a kiln; as, to fire pottery.

3.
To inflame; to irritate, as the passions; as, to fire the soul with anger, pride, or revenge.

Love had fired my mind.
Dryden.

4.
To animate; to give life or spirit to; as, to fire the genius of a young man.

5.
To feed or serve the fire of; as, to fire a boiler.

6.
To light up as if by fire; to illuminate.

[The sun] fires the proud tops of the eastern pines.
Shak.

7.
To cause to explode; as, to fire a torpedo; to disharge; as, to fire a rifle, pistol, or cannon; to fire cannon balls, rockets, etc.

8.
To drive by fire.
[Obs.]

Till my bad angel fire my good one out.
Shak.

9.
(Far.)
To cauterize.

10.
to dismiss from employment, a post, or other job; to cause (a person) to cease being an employee; -- of a person.  The act of firing is usually performed by that person's supervisor or employer.
fire

To fire up, 1. to light up the fires of, as of an engine; also, figuratively, to start up any machine. -- 2. to render enthusiastic; -- of people.


word: Fire₃
definition:
Fire

Fire
v. i.
1.
To take fire; to be kindled; to kindle.

2.
To be irritated or inflamed with passion.

3.
To discharge artillery or firearms; as, they fired on the town.

To fire up, to grow irritated or angry. “He . . . fired up, and stood vigorously on his defense.”  Macaulay.


word: fire-on-the-mountain
definition:
fire-on-the-mountain

fire-on-the-mountain
n.
1.
poinsettia (Euphoria cyathophora) of the U. S. and eastern Mexico; often confused with Euphoria heterophylla.

Syn. -- painted leaf, Mexican fire plant, Euphoria cyathophora.


word: Firearm
definition:
Firearm

Fire"arm`
(fīr"ärm`)
n.
A gun, pistol, or any weapon from which a shot is discharged by the force of an explosive substance, as gunpowder.


word: Fireback
definition:
Fireback

Fire"back`
(fīr"băk`)
n.
(Zool.)
One of several species of pheasants of the genus Euplocamus, having the lower back a bright, fiery red. They inhabit Southern Asia and the East Indies.


word: Fireball
definition:
Fireball

Fire"ball`
(?)
n.
1.
(Mil.)
A ball filled with powder or other combustibles, intended to be thrown among enemies, and to injure by explosion; also, to set fire to their works and light them up, so that movements may be seen.

2.
A rare phenomenon often associated with or caused by lightning, resembling a luminous ball of fire passing rapidly through the air or along solid objects, then disappearing, and sometimes exploding.  It seldom lasts more than a few seconds.  Also called ball lightning, globe lightning, globular lightning, or kugelblitz.

3.
A large mass of fire caused by a large explosion, as of inflammable liquids or a nuclear device.  The larger fireballs, as of nuclear explosions, rise seemingly intact into the air and may reach high altitudes while still glowing.


word: Fire beetle
definition:
Fire beetle

Fire" bee`tle
(?)
(Zool.)
A very brilliantly luminous beetle (Pyrophorus noctilucus), one of the elaters, found in Central and South America; -- called also cucujo.  The name is also applied to other species. See Firefly.


word: Firebrand
definition:
Firebrand

Fire"brand`
(?)
n.
1.
A piece of burning wood.
L'Estrange.

2.
One who inflames factions, or causes contention and mischief; an incendiary.
Bacon.


word: firebrat
definition:
firebrat

firebrat
n.
(Zool.)
an insect (Thermobia domestica) which is a type of bristletail that lives in warm moist areas e.g. around furnaces.

Syn. -- Thermobia domestica.


word: firebreak
definition:
firebreak

firebreak
n.
a narrow field that has been cleared to check the spread of a prairie fire or forest fire.


word: firebug
definition:
firebug

firebug
n.
a criminal who illegaly sets fire to property; an arsonist.

Syn. -- arsonist, incendiary.

2.
a brightly colored type of true bug that can exude a stain.


word: firebush
definition:
firebush

firebush
n.
1.
An evergreen South American shrub *Streptosolen jamesonii) having showy trumpet-shaped orange flowers; grown as an ornamental or houseplant.

Syn. -- marmalade bush, Streptosolen jamesonii.

2.
A densely branched Eurasian plant (Bassia scoparia) whose foliage turns purple-red in autumn; also called burning bush.

Syn. -- summer cypress, burning bush, belvedere, Bassia scoparia, Kochia scoparia.


word: firecracker
definition:
firecracker

fire"crack`er
(?)
n.
A small explosive device consisting of a paper or cardboard cylinder having only sufficient explosive mixture to make a loud bang, ignited by a short fuse, and used mostly as an entertainment or in celebrations. Same as  Cracker., n., 3.


word: Firecrest
definition:
Firecrest

Fire"crest`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A small European kinglet (Regulus ignicapillus), having a bright red crest; -- called also fire-crested wren.


word: firedamp
definition:
firedamp

firedamp
n.
a mixture of gases (mostly methane) that forms in coal mines and becomes explosive when mixed with air.  It is a source of serious hazard in coal mining operations.


word: Firedrake
definition:
Firedrake

Fire"drake`
(fīr"drāk`)
n.
[AS. f&ymacr_;rdraca; f&ymacr_;r fire + draca a dragon. See Fire, and Drake a dragon.]
[Obs.]
1.
A fiery dragon.
Beau. & Fl.

2.
A fiery meteor; an ignis fatuus; a rocket.

3.
A worker at a furnace or fire.
B. Jonson.


word: Fire-fanged
definition:
Fire-fanged

Fire"-fanged`
(?)
a.
[Fire + fanged seized.]
Injured as by fire; burned; -- said of manure which has lost its goodness and acquired an ashy hue in consequence of heat generated by decomposition.


word: fire fighter
definition:
fire fighter

firefighter

fire"fight`er, fire" fight`er
(fīr"fī`tẽr)
n.
A person whose occupation it is to go to the scene of an unwanted fire and extinguish it; a member of a fire company; a fireman{1} or a woman who fights fires.
Some towns have few or no professional firefighters, and fire suppression is conducted mostly by groups of volunteers, called volunteer firefighters.  The term fireman{1} was at one time synonymous with firefighter, until women began to engage in the same occupation.


word: Firefish
definition:
Firefish

Fire"fish`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A singular marine fish of the genus Pterois, family Scorpænidæ, of several species, inhabiting the Indo-Pacific region. They are usually red, and have very large spinose pectoral and dorsal fins.


word: Fireflaire
definition:
Fireflaire

Fire"flaire`
(?)
n.
[Fire + Prov. E. flaire a ray.]
(Zool.)
A European sting ray of the genus Trygon (T. pastinaca); -- called also fireflare and fiery flaw.


word: Firefly
definition:
Firefly

Fire"fly`
(?)
n.
pl. Fireflies (_;).
(Zool.)
Any luminous winged insect, esp. luminous beetles of the family Lampyridæ.

&hand_; The common American species belong to the genera Photinus (especially Photinus pyralis) and Photuris, in which both sexes are winged. The name is also applied to luminous species of Elateridæ. See Fire beetle.


word: Firefly luciferin
definition:
Firefly luciferin

Fire"fly` lu*cif"er*in
(?)
n.
(Biochem.)
a type of luciferin produced by the firefly Photinus pyralis.
Its structure has been elucidated, and chemically it is recognized as 4,5-Dihydro-2-(6-hydroxy-2-benzothiazol-2-yl)-4-thiazolecarboxylic acid, C11H8N3O2S2.  It has found use in a very sensitive assay for ATP, in which concentrations of ATP as low as 10-11 molar can be detected.  [MI11]


word: firehouse
definition:
firehouse

firehouse
n.
a building housing firemen and the apparatus they use to extinguish fires.

Syn. -- fire station.


word: fire hydrant
definition:
fire hydrant

fire hydrant
n.
an upright hydrant that can supply large volumes of water to use in fighting a fire.  They are commonly placed at intervals at the street edge of a sidewalk, spaced for convenience in suppressing fires in towns.

Syn. -- fireplug, plug.


word: firelight
definition:
firelight

firelight
n.
the light of a fire (especially in a fireplace); as, lovers sitting together in the firelight.


word: firelighter
definition:
firelighter

firelighter
n.
(a piece of) a substance that burns easily and can be used to start a coal or coke fire.


word: Firelock
definition:
Firelock

Fire"lock`
n.
An old form of gunlock, as the flintlock, which ignites the priming by a spark; perhaps originally, a matchlock. Hence, a gun having such a lock.


word: Fireman
definition:
Fireman

Fire"man
(?)
n.
pl. Firemen (-men).
1.
A man whose business is to extinguish fires in towns; a member of a fire company.

2.
A man who tends the fires, as of a steam engine; a stocker.


word: Fire-new
definition:
Fire-new

Fire"-new`
(?)
a.
Fresh from the forge; bright; quite new; brand-new.
Charles reade.

Your fire-new stamp of honor is scarce current.
Shak.


word: Fireplace
definition:
Fireplace

Fire"place`
(?)
n.
The part a chimney appropriated to the fire; a hearth; -- usually an open recess in a wall, in which a fire may be built.


word: fireplug
definition:
fireplug

fireplug
n.
an upright hydrant that can supply large volumes of water to use in fighting a fire.  They are commonly placed at intervals at the street edge of a sidewalk for convenience in suppressing fires in towns.

Syn. -- fire hydrant, plug.


word: firepower
definition:
firepower

firepower
n.
1.
(military)
The relative capacity for delivering weapons fire on a target; as, the battleship has more firepower than a cruiser.

2.
[figurative]
A measure of the resources available to a group which allows them to achieve their objectives; capacity for action.


word: Fireproofing
definition:
Fireproofing

Fire"proof`ing
(?)
n.
The act or process of rendering anything incombustible; also, the materials used in the process.


word: fire-raising
definition:
fire-raising

fire-raising
n.
malicious burning to destroy property; arson.
[Mostly British usage]

Syn. -- arson, incendiarism.


word: fire-resistive
definition:
fire-resistive

fire-resisting

fire-resistant

fire-resistant fire-resisting fire-resistive
adj.
Not able to burn or able to burn only with difficulty.
noncombustible (vs. combustible), incombustible

Syn. -- fireproof.


word: fire-retardant
definition:
fire-retardant

fire-retardant
adj.
able to reduce combustibility or slow the spread of fire; -- of substances that are added to combustible materials to make them less combustible.


word: fire retardant
definition:
fire retardant

fire retardant
n.
a substance applied or added to materials or objects, so as to reduce combustibility or slow the spread of fire.


word: fire sale
definition:
fire sale

fire sale
n.
1.
a sale of objects damaged by fire, usually at much reduced prices.

2.
A sale of objects or assets at much reduced prices, often performed to raise money rapidly.


word: fire-sale price
definition:
fire-sale price

fire-sale price
n.
a price much lower than normal market price; as, the Reagan administration sold off valuable mineral and timber resources at fire-sale prices.


word: Firestone
definition:
Firestone

Fire"stone`
(?; 110)
n.
[AS. f&ymacr_;rstān flint; f&ymacr_;r fire + stān stone.]
1.
Iron pyrites, formerly used for striking fire; also, a flint.

2.
A stone which will bear the heat of a furnace without injury; -- especially applied to the sandstone at the top of the upper greensand in the south of England, used for lining kilns and furnaces.
Ure.


word: fire-tree
definition:
fire-tree

fire-tree
n.
a terrestrial evergreen shrub or small tree (Nuytsia floribunda) of West Australia having brilliant yellow-orange flowers; parasitic on roots of grasses.

Syn. -- flame tree, flame-tree, Christmas tree, Nuytsia floribunda.


word: Firewarden
definition:
Firewarden

Fire"ward`en
(?)
n.
An officer who has authority to direct in the extinguishing of fires, or to order what precautions shall be taken against fires; -- called also fireward.


word: Fireweed
definition:
Fireweed

Fire"weed`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
(a)
An American plant (Erechthites hiercifolia), very troublesome in spots where brushwood has been burned.
(b)
The great willow-herb (Epilobium spicatum).


word: firewheel
definition:
firewheel

firewheel
n.
An annual of the central U. S. (Gaillardia pulchella) having showy long-stalked yellow flower heads marked with scarlet or purple in the center.

Syn. -- blanket flower, Indian blanket, Gaillardia pulchella.


word: firework
definition:
firework

fire"work`
(fīr"wûrk`)
n.
1.
A device for producing a striking display of light, or a figure or figures in plain or colored fire, by the combustion of materials that burn in some peculiar manner, as gunpowder, sulphur, metallic filings, and various salts; also called a pyrotechnic device.  The most common feature of fireworks is a paper or pasteboard tube filled with the combustible material.  A number of these tubes or cases are often combined so as to make, when kindled, a great variety of figures in fire, often variously colored. The skyrocket is a common form of firework. The art of designing fireworks for purposes of entertainment is called pyrotechnics.  The name firework is also given to various combustible preparations used in war.
2.
pl.
A pyrotechnic exhibition; an entertainment consisting of the discharge of fireworks{1}.
[Obs. in the sing.]

Night before last, the Duke of Richmond gave a firework.
Walpole.


word: Fireworm
definition:
Fireworm

Fire"worm`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
The larva of a small tortricid moth which eats the leaves of the cranberry, so that the vines look as if burned; -- called also cranberry worm.


word: Firing
definition:
Firing

Fir"ing
n.
1.
The act of discharging firearms.

2.
The mode of introducing fuel into the furnace and working it.
Knight.

3.
The application of fire, or of a cautery.
Dunglison.

4.
The process of partly vitrifying pottery by exposing it to intense heat in a kiln.

5.
Fuel; firewood or coal.
[Obs.]
Mortimer.

Firing iron, an instrument used in cauterizing.


word: Firing pin
definition:
Firing pin

Fir"ing pin`
In the breech mechanism of a firearm, the pin which strikes the head of the cartridge and explodes it.


word: Firk
definition:
Firk

Firk
(?)
v. t.
[Cf. OE. ferken to proceed, hasten, AS. fercian to bring, assist; perh. akin to faran to go, E. fare.]
To beat; to strike; to chastise.
[Obs.]

I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him.
Shak.


word: Firk₂
definition:
Firk

Firk
v. i.
To fly out; to turn out; to go off.
[Obs.]

A wench is a rare bait, with which a man

No sooner's taken but he straight firks mad.B.Jonson.


word: Firkin
definition:
Firkin

Fir"kin
(?)
n.
[From AS. feówer four (or an allied word, perh. Dutch or Danish) + -kin. See Four.]
1.
A varying measure of capacity, usually being the fourth part of a barrel; specifically, a measure equal to nine imperial gallons.
[Eng.]

2.
A small wooden vessel or cask of indeterminate size, -- used for butter, lard, etc.
[U.S.]


word: Firlot
definition:
Firlot

Fir"lot
(?)
n.
[Scot., the fourth part of a boll of grain, from a word equiv. to E. four + lot part, portion. See Firkin.]
A dry measure formerly used in Scotland; the fourth part of a boll of grain or meal. The Linlithgow wheat firlot was to the imperial bushel as 998 to 1000; the barley firlot as 1456 to 1000.
Brande & C.


word: Firm
definition:
Firm

Firm
(?)
a.
[Compar. Firmer (?); superl. Firmest.]
[OE. ferme, F. ferme, fr.L. firmus; cf. Skr. dharman support, law, order, dh_; to hold fast, carry.  Cf. Farm, Throne.]
1.
Fixed; hence, closely compressed; compact; substantial; hard; solid; -- applied to the matter of bodies; as, firm flesh; firm muscles, firm wood.

2.
Not easily excited or disturbed; unchanging in purpose; fixed; steady; constant; stable; unshaken; not easily changed in feelings or will; strong; as, a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent.

Under spread ensigns, moving nigh, in slow
But firm battalion.
Milton.

By one man's firm obediency fully tried.
Milton.

3.
Solid; -- opposed to fluid; as, firm land.

4.
Indicating firmness; as, a firm tread; a firm countenance.


word: Firm₂
definition:
Firm

Firm
n.
[It. firma the (firm, sure, or confirming) signature or subscription, or Pg. firma signature, firm, cf. Sp. firma signature; all fr. L. firmus, adj., firm. See Firm, a.]
The name, title, or style, under which a company transacts business; a partnership of two or more persons; a commercial house; as, the firm of Hope & Co.


word: Firm₃
definition:
Firm

Firm
v. t.
[OE. fermen to make firm, F. fermer, fr. L. firmare to make firm. See Firm, a.]
1.
To fix; to settle; to confirm; to establish.
[Obs.]

And Jove has firmed it with an awful nod.
Dryden.

2.
To fix or direct with firmness.
[Obs.]

He on his card and compass firms his eye.
Spenser.


word: Firmament
definition:
Firmament

Fir"ma*ment
(?)
n.
[L. firmamentum, fr. firmare to make firm: cf. F. firmament. See Firm, v. & a.]
1.
Fixed foundation; established basis.
[Obs.]

Custom is the . . . firmament of the law.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
The region of the air; the sky or heavens.

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
Gen. i. 6.

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament.
Gen. i. 14.

&hand_; In Scripture, the word denotes an expanse, a wide extent; the great arch or expanse over out heads, in which are placed the atmosphere and the clouds, and in which the stars appear to be placed, and are really seen.

3.
(Old Astron.)
The orb of the fixed stars; the most remote of the celestial spheres.


word: Firmamental
definition:
Firmamental

Fir`ma*men"tal
(?)
a.
Pertaining to the firmament; celestial; being of the upper regions.
Dryden.


word: Firman
definition:
Firman

Fir"man
(? or ?)
n.
pl. Firmans (#) or (#).
[Pers. fermān.]
In Turkey and some other Oriental countries, a decree or mandate issued by the sovereign; a royal order or grant; -- generally given for special objects, as to a traveler to insure him protection and assistance.
[Written also firmaun.]


word: Firmer-chisel
definition:
Firmer-chisel

Firm"er-chis"el
(?)
n.
A chisel, thin in proportion to its width. It has a tang to enter the handle instead of a socket for receiving it.
Knight.


word: Firmless
definition:
Firmless

Firm"less
a.
1.
Detached from substance.
[Obs.]

Does passion still the firmless mind control?
Pope.

2.
Infirm; unstable.
Firmless
Sylvester.


word: Firms
definition:
Firms

Firms
(?)
n. pl.
[From Firm, a.]
(Arch.)
The principal rafters of a roof, especially a pair of rafters taken together.
[Obs.]


word: First
definition:
First

First
(fẽrst)
a.
[OE. first, furst, AS. fyrst; akin to Icel. fyrstr, Sw. & Dan. förste, OHG. furist, G. fürst prince; a superlatiye form of E. for, fore. See For, Fore, and cf. Formeer, Foremost.]
1.
Preceding all others of a series or kind; the ordinal of one; earliest; as, the first day of a month; the first year of a reign.

2.
Foremost; in front of, or in advance of, all others.

3.
Most eminent or exalted; most excellent; chief; highest; as, Demosthenes was the first orator of Greece.

At first blush. See under Blush. -- At first hand, from the first or original source; without the intervention of any agent.
[1913 Webster]
It is the intention of the person to reveal it at first hand, by way of mouth, to yourself. Dickens.
-- First coat (Plastering), the solid foundation of coarse stuff, on which the rest is placed; it is thick, and crossed with lines, so as to give a bond for the next coat. -- First day, Sunday; -- so called by the Friends. -- First floor. (a) The ground floor. [U.S.] (b) The floor next above the ground floor. [Eng.] -- First fruit or First fruits. (a) The fruits of the season earliest gathered. (b) (Feudal Law) One year's profits of lands belonging to the king on the death of a tenant who held directly from him. (c) (Eng. Eccl. Law) The first year's whole profits of a benefice or spiritual living. (d) The earliest effects or results.
[1913 Webster]
See, Father, what first fruits on earth are sprung
From thy implanted grace in man! Milton.
-- First mate, an officer in a merchant vessel next in rank to the captain. -- First name, same as Christian name. See under Name, n. -- First officer (Naut.), in the merchant service, same as First mate (above). -- First sergeant (Mil.), the ranking non-commissioned officer in a company; the orderly sergeant. Farrow. -- First watch (Naut.), the watch from eight to twelve at midnight; also, the men on duty during that time. -- First water, the highest quality or purest luster; -- said of gems, especially of diamond and pearls.


word: First₂
definition:
First

First
(fẽrst)
adv.
Before any other person or thing in time, space, rank, etc.; -- much used in composition with adjectives and participles.

Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1 Tim. ii. 13.

 At first, At the first, at the beginning or origin. -- First or last, at one time or another; at the beginning or end.

And all are fools and lovers first or last.
Dryden.


word: First₃
definition:
First

First
n.
(Mus.)
The upper part of a duet, trio, etc., either vocal or instrumental; -- so called because it generally expresses the air, and has a preëminence in the combined effect.


word: first aid
definition:
first aid

first` aid"
(fẽrst` ād")
n.
Medical care provided immediately after an injury or sudden illness for the purpose of minimizing injurious effects, before more complete medical care becomes available.


word: firstborn
definition:
firstborn

first"born`
(fẽrst"bôrn`)
n.
The first child born to a parent; as, his firstborn was showered with gifts from relatives.

Syn. -- eldest.


word: Firstborn
definition:
Firstborn

First"born`
(fẽrst"bôrn`)
a.
First brought forth; first in the order of birth; eldest; hence, most excellent; most distinguished or exalted; as, the firstborn child.

Syn. -- eldest.


word: first-class
definition:
first-class

first"-class`
(fẽrst"klăs`)
a.
Of the best class; of the highest rank; in the first division; of the best quality; first-rate; as, a first-class telescope.

First-class car or First-class railway carriage, any passenger car of the highest regular class, and intended for passengers who pay the highest regular rate; -- distinguished from a second-class car.


word: first-come-first-served
definition:
first-come-first-served

first-come-first-served
adj.
distributed in order to those who request it in person; not subject to reservation for later delivery.  Contrasted with reservable.
[predicate]

Syn. -- rush.


word: First-hand
definition:
First-hand

First"-hand`
(?)
a.
Obtained directly from the first or original source; hence, without the intervention of an agent; -- of information; as, a firsthand report; firsthand information; firsthand knowledge.

Syn. -- direct, original.

One sphere there is . . . where the apprehension of him is first-hand and direct; and that is the sphere of our own mind.
J. Martineau.


word: Firstling
definition:
Firstling

First"ling
(fẽrst"lĭng)
n.
[First + -ling.]
1.
The first produce or offspring; -- said of animals, especially domestic animals; as, the firstlings of his flock.
Milton.

2.
The thing first thought or done.

The very firstlings of my heart shall be
The firstlings of my hand.
Shak.


word: Firstly
definition:
Firstly

First"ly
adv.
In the first place; before anything else; -- sometimes improperly used for first.


word: First-order
definition:
First-order

First`-or"der
a.
decaying at an exponential rate; -- a mathematical concept applied to various types of decay, such as radioactivity and chemical reactions.
In first order decay, the amount of material decaying in a given period of time is directly proportional to the amount of material remaining.  This may be expressed by the differential equation:
                 dA/dt = -kt

where dA/dt is the rate per unit time at which the quantity (or concentration) of material (expressed as A) is increasing, t is the time, and k is a constant.  The minus sign in front of the "kt" assures that the amount of material remaining will be decreasing as time progresses.  A solution of the differential equation to give the quantity A shows that:
                 A = e-kt

where e is the base for natural logarithms.  Thus this type of decay is called exponential decay.  In certain chemical reactions that are in fact second-order, involving two reactants, the conditions may be chosen in some cases so that one reactant is vastly in excess of the other, and its concentration changes very little in the course of the reaction, so that the reaction rate will be approximately first order in the more dilute reactant; such reactions are called pseudo first order.


word: First-rate
definition:
First-rate

First"-rate`
(fẽrst"rāt`)
a.
Of the highest excellence; preëminent in quality, size, or estimation.

Our only first-rate body of contemporary poetry is the German.
M. Arnold.

Hermocrates . . . a man of first-rate ability.
Jowett (Thucyd).


word: first-rate
definition:
first-rate

first-rate
adj.
1.
of the highest quality; as, a first-rate reporter.

Syn. -- ace, A-one, first-class, super, tip-top, topnotch, tops(predicate).


word: first-string
definition:
first-string

first-string
adj.
First to play in a game; not reserved as a substitute; -- of members of a team.  Also used in non-sports contexts to mean first-rate.


word: first-year
definition:
first-year

first-year
adj.
Being in the first year of an experience especially in a U. S. high school or college; -- of a person.

Syn. -- freshman.


word: Fisc
definition:
Fisc

Fisc
(fĭsk)
n.
[F. fisc, fr. L. fiscus basket, money basket, treasury; prob. akin to fascis bundle. See Fasces.]
A public or state treasury.
Burke.


word: Fiscal
definition:
Fiscal

Fis"cal
(fĭs"kal)
a.
[F. fiscal, L. fiscalis, fr. fiscus. See Fisc.]
Pertaining to the public treasury or revenue.

The fiscal arrangements of government.
A. Hamilton.


word: Fiscal₂
definition:
Fiscal

Fis"cal
n.
1.
The income of a prince or a state; revenue; exchequer.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

2.
A treasurer.
H. Swinburne.

3.
A public officer in Scotland who prosecutes in petty criminal cases; -- called also procurator fiscal.

4.
The solicitor in Spain and Portugal; the attorney-general.


word: Fisetin
definition:
Fisetin

Fis"e*tin
(?)
n.
[G. fisettholz a species of fustic.]
(Chem.)
A yellow crystalline substance extracted from fustet, and regarded as its essential coloring principle; -- called also fisetic acid.


word: Fish₂
definition:
Fish

Fish
n.
pl. Fishes (fĭsh"ĕz), or collectively, Fish.
[OE. fisch, fisc, fis, AS. fisc; akin to D. visch, OS. & OHG. fisk, G. fisch, Icel. fiskr, Sw. & Dan. fisk, Goth. fisks, L. piscis, Ir. iasg.  Cf. Piscatorial. In some cases, such as fish joint, fish plate, this word has prob. been confused with fish, fr. F. fichea peg.]
1.
A name loosely applied in popular usage to many animals of diverse characteristics, living in the water.

2.
(Zool.)
An oviparous, vertebrate animal usually having fins and a covering scales or plates. It breathes by means of gills, and lives almost entirely in the water. See Pisces.

&hand_; The true fishes include the Teleostei (bony fishes), Ganoidei, Dipnoi, and Elasmobranchii or Selachians (sharks and skates). Formerly the leptocardia and Marsipobranciata were also included, but these are now generally regarded as two distinct classes, below the fishes.

3.
pl.
The twelfth sign of the zodiac; Pisces.

4.
The flesh of fish, used as food.

5.
(Naut.)
(a)
A purchase used to fish the anchor.
(b)
A piece of timber, somewhat in the form of a fish, used to strengthen a mast or yard.

&hand_; Fish is used adjectively or as part of a compound word; as, fish line, fish pole, fish spear, fish-bellied.

Age of Fishes. See under Age, n., 8. -- Fish ball, fish (usually salted codfish) shared fine, mixed with mashed potato, and made into the form of a small, round cake. [U.S.] -- Fish bar. Same as Fish plate (below). -- Fish beam (Mech.), a beam one of whose sides (commonly the under one) swells out like the belly of a fish. Francis. -- Fish crow (Zool.), a species of crow (Corvus ossifragus), found on the Atlantic coast of the United States. It feeds largely on fish. -- Fish culture, the artifical breeding and rearing of fish; pisciculture. -- Fish davit. See Davit. -- Fish day, a day on which fish is eaten; a fast day. -- Fish duck (Zool.), any species of merganser. -- Fish fall, the tackle depending from the fish davit, used in hauling up the anchor to the gunwale of a ship. -- Fish garth, a dam or weir in a river for keeping fish or taking them easily. -- Fish glue. See Isinglass. -- Fish joint, a joint formed by a plate or pair of plates fastened upon two meeting beams, plates, etc., at their junction; -- used largely in connecting the rails of railroads. -- Fish kettle, a long kettle for boiling fish whole. -- Fish ladder, a dam with a series of steps which fish can leap in order to ascend falls in a river. -- Fish line, or Fishing line, a line made of twisted hair, silk, etc., used in angling. -- Fish louse (Zool.), any crustacean parasitic on fishes, esp. the parasitic Copepoda, belonging to Caligus, Argulus, and other related genera. See Branchiura. -- Fish maw (Zool.), the stomach of a fish; also, the air bladder, or sound. -- Fish meal, fish desiccated and ground fine, for use in soups, etc. -- Fish oil, oil obtained from the bodies of fish and marine animals, as whales, seals, sharks, from cods' livers, etc. -- Fish owl (Zool.), a fish-eating owl of the Old World genera Scotopelia and Ketupa, esp. a large East Indian species (K. Ceylonensis). -- Fish plate, one of the plates of a fish joint. -- Fish pot, a wicker basket, sunk, with a float attached, for catching crabs, lobsters, etc. -- Fish pound, a net attached to stakes, for entrapping and catching fish; a weir. [Local, U.S.] Bartlett. -- Fish slice, a broad knife for dividing fish at table; a fish trowel. -- Fish slide, an inclined box set in a stream at a small fall, or ripple, to catch fish descending the current. Knight. -- Fish sound, the air bladder of certain fishes, esp. those that are dried and used as food, or in the arts, as for the preparation of isinglass. -- Fish story, a story which taxes credulity; an extravagant or incredible narration. [Colloq. U.S.] Bartlett.  -- Fish strainer. (a) A metal colander, with handles, for taking fish from a boiler. (b) A perforated earthenware slab at the bottom of a dish, to drain the water from a boiled fish. -- Fish trowel, a fish slice. -- Fish weir or Fish wear, a weir set in a stream, for catching fish. -- Neither fish nor flesh, Neither fish nor fowl (Fig.), neither one thing nor the other.


word: Fish₃
definition:
Fish

Fish
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Fished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fishing.]
1.
To attempt to catch fish; to be employed in taking fish, by any means, as by angling or drawing a net.

2.
To seek to obtain by artifice, or indirectly to seek to draw forth; as, to fish for compliments.

Any other fishing question.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Fish₄
definition:
Fish

Fish
v. t.
[OE. fischen, fisken, fissen, AS. fiscian; akin to G. fischen, OHG. fisc_;n, Goth. fisk_;n. See Fish the animal.]
1.
To catch; to draw out or up; as, to fish up an anchor.

2.
To search by raking or sweeping.
Swift.

3.
To try with a fishing rod; to catch fish in; as, to fish a stream.
Thackeray.

4.
To strengthen (a beam, mast, etc.), or unite end to end (two timbers, railroad rails, etc.) by bolting a plank, timber, or plate to the beam, mast, or timbers, lengthwise on one or both sides. See Fish joint, under Fish, n.

To fish the anchor. (Naut.) See under Anchor.


word: Fish-bellied
definition:
Fish-bellied

Fish"-bel`lied
(?)
a.
Bellying or swelling out on the under side; as, a fish-bellied rail.
Knight.


word: Fisher
definition:
Fisher

Fish"er
(?)
n.
[AS. fiscere.]
1.
One who fishes.

2.
(Zool.)
A carnivorous animal of the Weasel family (Mustela Canadensis); the pekan; the “black cat.”


word: Fisherman
definition:
Fisherman

Fish"er*man
(?)
n.
pl. Fishermen (_;).
1.
One whose occupation is to catch fish.

2.
(Naut.)
A ship or vessel employed in the business of taking fish, as in the cod fishery.


word: Fishery
definition:
Fishery

Fish"er*y
(?)
n.
pl. Fisheries (_;).
1.
The business or practice of catching fish; fishing.
Addison.

2.
A place for catching fish.

3.
(Law)
The right to take fish at a certain place, or in particular waters.
Abbott.


word: Fishhawk
definition:
Fishhawk

Fish"hawk`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
The osprey (Pandion haliaëtus), found both in Europe and America; -- so called because it plunges into the water and seizes fishes in its talons. Called also fishing eagle, and bald buzzard.


word: Fishhook
definition:
Fishhook

Fish"hook`
(?)
n.
1.
A hook for catching fish.

2.
(Naut.)
A hook with a pendant, to the end of which the fish-tackle is hooked.
Dana.


word: Fishing₂
definition:
Fishing

Fish"ing
a.
[From Fishing, n.]
Pertaining to fishing; used in fishery; engaged in fishing; as, fishing boat; fishing tackle; fishing village.

Fishing fly, an artificial fly for fishing. -- Fishing line, a line used in catching fish. -- Fishing net, a net of various kinds for catching fish; including the bag net, casting net, drag net, landing net, seine, shrimping net, trawl, etc. -- Fishing rod, a long slender rod, to which is attached the line for angling. -- Fishing smack, a sloop or other small vessel used in sea fishing. -- Fishing tackle, apparatus used in fishing, as hook, line, rod, etc. -- Fishing tube (Micros.), a glass tube for selecting a microscopic object in a fluid.


word: fishing expedition
definition:
fishing expedition

fishing expedition
n.
An investigation searching for evidence of wrongdoing, with no credible evidence of such wrongdoing available at the outset of the investigation, and often without specifying in advance the wrongdoing to be proven.
[metaphorical]


word: Fishlike
definition:
Fishlike

Fish"like
(?)
a.
Like fish; suggestive of fish; having some of the qualities of fish.

A very ancient and fishlike smell.
Shak.


word: Fishskin
definition:
Fishskin

Fish"skin`
(?)
n.
1.
The skin of a fish (dog fish, shark, etc.)

2.
(Med.)
See Ichthyosis.


word: Fish-tackle
definition:
Fish-tackle

Fish"-tac`kle
(?)
n.
A tackle or purchase used to raise the flukes of the anchor up to the gunwale. The block used is called the fish-block.


word: Fish-tail
definition:
Fish-tail

Fish"-tail`
(?)
a.
Like the of a fish; acting, or producing something, like the tail of a fish.


word: fishtail₂
definition:
fishtail

fishtail
v. i.
to have the rear end skid from side to side, out of control: -- said of automobiles or other vehicles.

Fish-tail burner, a gas burner that gives a spreading flame shaped somewhat like the tail of a fish. -- Fish-tail propeller (Steamship), a propeller with a single blade that oscillates like the tail of a fish when swimming.


word: Fishwife
definition:
Fishwife

Fish"wife`
(?)
n.
1.
A fishwoman.

2.
A woman who abusively scolds other people, often using coarse or vulgar language.


word: Fishy
definition:
Fishy

Fish"y
(?)
a.
1.
Consisting of fish; fishlike; having the qualities or taste of fish; abounding in fish.
Pope.

2.
Extravagant, like some stories about catching fish; improbable; also, rank or foul.
[Colloq.]


word: Fisk
definition:
Fisk

Fisk
(?)
v. i.
[Cf. Sw. fjeska to bustle about.]
To run about; to frisk; to whisk.
[Obs.]

He fisks abroad, and stirreth up erroneous opinions.
Latimer.


word: Fissigemmation
definition:
Fissigemmation

Fis`si*gem*ma"tion
(?)
n.
[L. fissus (p. p. of findere to split) + E. gemmation.]
(Biol.)
A process of reproduction intermediate between fission and gemmation.


word: Fissile
definition:
Fissile

Fis"sile
(?)
a.
[L. fissilis, fr. fissus, p. p. of findere to split. See Fissure.]
1.
Capable of being split, cleft, or divided in the direction of the grain, like wood, or along natural planes of cleavage, like crystals.

This crystal is a pellucid, fissile stone.
Sir I. Newton.

2.
Fissionable.


word: Fissilingual
definition:
Fissilingual

Fis`si*lin"gual
(?)
a.
[L. fissus (p. p. of findere to split) + E. lingual.]
(Zool.)
Having the tongue forked.


word: Fissilinguia
definition:
Fissilinguia

Fis`si*lin"gui*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. L. fissus (p. p. o f findere to split) + lingua tongue.]
(Zool.)
A group of Lacertilia having the tongue forked, including the common lizards.
[Written also Fissilingues.]


word: Fission
definition:
Fission

Fis"sion
(?)
n.
[L. fissio. See Fissure.]
1.
A cleaving, splitting, or breaking up into parts.

2.
(Biol.)
A method of asexual reproduction among the lowest (unicellular) organisms by means of a process of self-division, consisting of gradual division or cleavage of the into two parts, each of which then becomes a separate and independent organisms; as when a cell in an animal or plant, or its germ, undergoes a spontaneous division, and the parts again subdivide. See Segmentation, and Cell division, under Division.

3.
(Zool.)
A process by which certain coral polyps, echinoderms, annelids, etc., spontaneously subdivide, each individual thus forming two or more new ones. See Strobilation.

4.
(Physics)
The act or process of disintegration of an atomic nucleus into two or more smaller pieces; called also nuclear fission.  The process may be spontaneous or induced by capture of neutrons or other smaller nuclei, and usually proceeds with evolution of energy.


word: fissionable
definition:
fissionable

fis"sion*able
(?)
a.
Capable of undergoing nuclear fission; -- a property of certain isotopes of elements with heavy nuclei.

Syn. -- fissile.


word: Fissipalmate
definition:
Fissipalmate

Fis`si*pal"mate
(?)
a.
[L. fissus (p. p. of findere to split) + palma palm.]
(Zool.)
Semipalmate and loboped, as a grebe's foot. See Illust. under Aves.


word: Fissipara
definition:
Fissipara

Fis*sip"a*ra
(?)
n. pl.
[NL. See Fissiparous.]
(Zool.)
Animals which reproduce by fission.


word: Fissiparous
definition:
Fissiparous

Fis*sip"a*rous
(?)
a.
[L. fissus (p. p. of findere to split) + parere to bring forth: cf. F. fissipare.]
(Biol.)
Reproducing by spontaneous fission. See Fission.
Fis*sip"a*rous*ly, adv.


word: Fissipedal
definition:
Fissipedal

Fissiped

{ Fis"si*ped (?), Fis*sip"e*dal (?) }
a.
[Cf. F. fissipède.]
(Zool.)
Having the toes separated to the base. [See Aves.]


word: Fissipedia
definition:
Fissipedia

Fis`si*pe"di*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. L. fissus (p. p. of findere to cleave) + pes, pedis, a foot.]
(Zool.)
A division of the Carnivora, including the dogs, cats, and bears, in which the feet are not webbed; -- opposed to Pinnipedia.


word: Fissirostral
definition:
Fissirostral

Fis`si*ros"tral
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. fissirostre.]
(Zool.)
Having the bill cleft beyond the horny part, as in the case of swallows and goatsuckers.


word: Fissirostres
definition:
Fissirostres

Fis`si*ros"tres
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. L. fissus (p. p. of findere to cleave) + rostrum beak.]
(Zool.)
A group of birds having the bill deeply cleft.


word: Fissural
definition:
Fissural

Fis"sur*al
(?)
a.
Pertaining to a fissure or fissures; as, the fissural pattern of a brain.


word: Fissuration
definition:
Fissuration

Fis`su*ra"tion
(?)
n.
(Anat.)
The act of dividing or opening; the state of being fissured.


word: Fissure
definition:
Fissure

Fis"sure
(?)
n.
[L. fissura, fr. findere, fissum, to cleave, split; akin to E. bite: cf. F. fissure.]
A narrow opening, made by the parting of any substance; a cleft; as, the fissure of a rock.

Cerebral fissures (Anat.), the furrows or clefts by which the surface of the cerebrum is divided; esp., the furrows first formed by the infolding of the whole wall of the cerebrum. -- Fissure needle (Surg.), a spiral needle for catching together the gaping lips of wounds. Knight. -- Fissure of rolando (Anat.), the furrow separating the frontal from the parietal lobe in the cerebrum. -- Fissure of Sylvius (Anat.), a deep cerebral fissure separating the frontal from the temporal lobe. See Illust. under Brain. -- Fissure vein (Mining), a crack in the earth's surface filled with mineral matter. Raymond.


word: Fissurella
definition:
Fissurella

Fis`su*rel"la
(?)
n.
[NL., dim. of L. fissura a fissure.]
(Zool.)
A genus of marine gastropod mollusks, having a conical or limpetlike shell, with an opening at the apex; -- called also keyhole limpet.


word: Fist
definition:
Fist

Fist
(fĭst)
n.
[OE. fist, fust, AS. f&ymacr_;st; akin to D. vuist, OHG. fūst, G. faust, and prob. to L. pugnus, Gr. pygmh` fist, py`x with the fist.  Cf. Pugnacious, Pigmy.]
1.
The hand with the fingers doubled into the palm; the closed hand, especially as clinched tightly for the purpose of striking a blow.

Who grasp the earth and heaven with my fist.
Herbert.

2.
The talons of a bird of prey.
[Obs.]

More light than culver in the falcon's fist.
Spenser.

3.
(print.)
the index mark [&hand_;], used to direct special attention to the passage which follows.

Hand over fist (Naut.), rapidly; hand over hand.


word: Fist₂
definition:
Fist

Fist
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Fisting.]
1.
To strike with the fist.
Dryden.

2.
To gripe with the fist.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Fistic
definition:
Fistic

Fist"ic
(?)
a.
[From Fist.]
Pertaining to boxing, or to encounters with the fists; puglistic; as, fistic exploits; fistic heroes.
[Colloq.]


word: Fisticuff
definition:
Fisticuff

Fist"i*cuff
(?)
n.
A cuff or blow with the fist or hand
(pl.) a fight with the fists; boxing.
Swift.


word: Fistinut
definition:
Fistinut

Fis"ti*nut
(?)
n.
[Cf. Fr. fistinq, fistuq. See Pistachio.]
A pistachio nut.
[Obs.]
Johnson.


word: Fistula
definition:
Fistula

Fis"tu*la
(?; 135)
n.
pl. Fistulæ (#).
[L.]
1.
A reed; a pipe.

2.
A pipe for convejing water.
[Obs.]
Knight.

3.
(Med.)
A permanent abnormal opening into the soft parts with a constant discharge; a deep, narrow, chronic abscess; an abnormal opening between an internal cavity and another cavity or the surface; as, a salivary fistula; an anal fistula; a recto-vaginal fistula.

Incomplete fistula (Med.), a fistula open at one end only.


word: Fistular
definition:
Fistular

Fis"tu*lar
(?)
a.
[L. fistularis: cf. F. fistulaire.]
Hollow and cylindrical, like a pipe or reed.
Johnson.


word: Fistularia
definition:
Fistularia

Fis`tu*la"ri*a
(?)
n.
[NL., fr. L. fistula pipe.]
(Zool.)
A genus of fishes, having the head prolonged into a tube, with the mouth at the extremity.


word: Fistularioid
definition:
Fistularioid

Fis`tu*la"ri*oid
(?)
a.
[Fistularia + -oid.]
(Zool.)
Like or pertaining to the genus Fistularia.


word: Fistulate
definition:
Fistulate

Fis"tu*late
(?; 135)
v. t. & i.
[Cf. L. fistulatus furnished with pipes.]
To make hollow or become hollow like a fistula, or pipe.
[Obs.]
fistulated
Fuller.


word: Fistuliform
definition:
Fistuliform

Fis"tu*li*form
(? or ?)
a.
[Fistula + -form.]
Of a fistular form; tubular; pipe-shaped.

Stalactite often occurs fistuliform.
W. Philips.


word: Fistulose
definition:
Fistulose

Fis"tu*lose`
(?; 135)
a.
[L. fistulosus.]
Formed like a fistula; hollow; reedlike.
Craig.


word: Fistulous
definition:
Fistulous

Fis"tu*lous
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. fistuleux.]
1.
Having the form or nature of a fistula; as, a fistulous ulcer.

2.
Hollow, like a pipe or reed; fistulose.
Lindley.


word: Fit₂
definition:
Fit

Fit
n.
[AS. fitt a song.]
In Old English, a song; a strain; a canto or portion of a ballad; a passus.
[Written also fitte, fytte, etc.]

To play some pleasant fit.
Spenser.


word: Fit₃
definition:
Fit

Fit
a.
[Compar. Fitter (fĭt"tẽr); superl. Fittest (fĭt"tĕst).]
[OE. fit, fyt; cf. E. feat neat, elegant, well made, or icel. fitja to web, knit, OD. vitten to suit, square, Goth. fētjan to adorn. √77.]
1.
Adapted to an end, object, or design; suitable by nature or by art; suited by character, qualities, circumstances, education, etc.; qualified; competent; worthy.

That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in.
Shak.

Fit audience find, though few.
Milton.

2.
Prepared; ready.
[Obs.]

So fit to shoot, she singled forth among
her foes who first her quarry's strength should feel.
Fairfax.

3.
Conformed to a standart of duty, properiety, or taste; convenient; meet; becoming; proper.

Is it fit to say a king, Thou art wicked?
Job xxxiv. 18.


word: Fit₄
definition:
Fit

Fit
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fitted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fitting (?).]
1.
To make fit or suitable; to adapt to the purpose intended; to qualify; to put into a condition of readiness or preparation.

The time is fitted for the duty.
Burke.

The very situation for which he was peculiarly fitted by nature.
Macaulay.

2.
To bring to a required form and size; to shape aright; to adapt to a model; to adjust; -- said especially of the work of a carpenter, machinist, tailor, etc.

The carpenter . . . marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes.
Is. xliv. 13.

3.
To supply with something that is suitable or fit, or that is shaped and adjusted to the use required.

No milliner can so fit his customers with gloves.
Shak.

4.
To be suitable to; to answer the requirements of; to be correctly shaped and adjusted to; as, if the coat fits you, put it on.

That's a bountiful answer that fits all questions.
Shak.

That time best fits the work.
Shak.

To fit out, to supply with necessaries or means; to furnish; to equip; as, to fit out a privateer. -- To fit up, to furnish with things suitable; to make proper for the reception or use of any person; to prepare; as, to fit up a room for a guest.


word: Fit₅
definition:
Fit

Fit
(?)
v. i.
1.
To be proper or becoming.

Nor fits it to prolong the feast.
Pope.

2.
To be adjusted to a particular shape or size; to suit; to be adapted; as, his coat fits very well.


word: Fit₆
definition:
Fit

Fit
n.
1.
The quality of being fit; adjustment; adaptedness; as of dress to the person of the wearer.

2.
(Mach.)
(a)
The coincidence of parts that come in contact.
(b)
The part of an object upon which anything fits tightly.

Fit rod (Shipbuilding), a gauge rod used to try the depth of a bolt hole in order to determine the length of the bolt required. Knight.


word: Fit₇
definition:
Fit

Fit
n.
[AS. fit strife, fight; of uncertain origin. √ 77.]
1.
A stroke or blow.
[Obs. or R.]

Curse on that cross, quoth then the Sarazin,
That keeps thy body from the bitter fit.
Spenser.

2.
A sudden and violent attack of a disorder; a stroke of disease, as of epilepsy or apoplexy, which produces convulsions or unconsciousness; a convulsion; a paroxysm; hence, a period of exacerbation of a disease; in general, an attack of disease; as, a fit of sickness.

And when the fit was on him, I did mark
How he did shake.
Shak.

3.
A mood of any kind which masters or possesses one for a time; a temporary, absorbing affection; a paroxysm; as, a fit of melancholy, of passion, or of laughter.

All fits of pleasure we balanced by an equal degree of pain.
Swift.

The English, however, were on this subject prone to fits of jealously.
Macaulay.

4.
A passing humor; a caprice; a sudden and unusual effort, activity, or motion, followed by relaxation or inaction; an impulsive and irregular action.

The fits of the season.
Shak.

5.
A darting point; a sudden emission.
[R.]

A tongue of light, a fit of flame.
Coleridge.

By fits, By fits and starts, by intervals of action and repose; impulsively and irregularly; intermittently.


word: Fitch
definition:
Fitch

Fitch
(?; 224)
n.
pl. Fitches (#).
[See Vetch.]
1.
(Bot.)
A vetch.
[Obs.]

2.
pl.
(Bot.)
A word found in the Authorized Version of the Bible, representing different Hebrew originals. In Isaiah xxviii. 25, 27, it means the black aromatic seeds of Nigella sativa, still used as a flavoring in the East. In Ezekiel iv. 9, the Revised Version now reads spelt.


word: fitche
definition:
fitche

Fitch"é
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. fiché, lit. p. p. of ficher to fasten, OF. fichier to pierce.  Cf. 1st Fish.]
(Her.)
Sharpened to a point; pointed.

Cross fitché, a cross having the lower arm pointed.


word: Fitchew
definition:
Fitchew

Fitchet

{ Fitch"et (?), Fitch"ew (?) }
n.
[Cf. OF. fisseau, fissel, OD. fisse, visse, vitsche, D. vies nasty, loathsome, E. fizz.]
(Zool.)
The European polecat (Putorius fœtidus). See Polecat.


word: Fitful
definition:
Fitful

Fit"ful
(?)
a.
[From 7th Fit.]
Full of fits; irregularly variable; impulsive and unstable.

After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well.
Shak.
The victorious trumpet peal
Dies fitfully away.
Macaulay.


word: Fitly
definition:
Fitly

Fit"ly
(?)
adv.
In a fit manner; suitably; properly; conveniently; as, a maxim fitly applied.


word: Fitment
definition:
Fitment

Fit"ment
(?)
n.
The act of fitting; that which is proper or becoming; equipment.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Fitness
definition:
Fitness

Fit"ness
n.
The state or quality of being fit; as, the fitness of measures or laws; a person's fitness for office.


word: Fittedness
definition:
Fittedness

Fit"ted*ness
(?)
n.
The state or quality of being fitted; adaptation.
[Obs.]
Dr. H. More.


word: Fitter
definition:
Fitter

Fit"ter
(?)
n.
1.
One who fits or makes to fit;
(a)
One who tries on, and adjusts, articles of dress.
(b)
One who fits or adjusts the different parts of machinery to each other.

2.
A coal broker who conducts the sales between the owner of a coal pit and the shipper.
[Eng.]
Simmonds.


word: Fitter₂
definition:
Fitter

Fit"ter
n.
A little piece; a flitter; a flinder.
[Obs.]

Where's the Frenchman? Alas, he's all fitters.
Beau. & Fl.


word: Fitting
definition:
Fitting

Fit"ting
(?)
n.
Anything used in fitting up
(pl.), necessary fixtures or apparatus; as, the fittings of a church or study; gas fittings.


word: Fitting₂
definition:
Fitting

Fit"ting
a.
Fit; appropriate; suitable; proper.
Fit"ting*ly, adv. -- Fit"ting*ness, n.
Jer. Taylor.


word: Fitz
definition:
Fitz

Fitz
(?)
n.
[OF. fils, filz, fiz, son, F. fils, L. filius. See Filial.]
A son; -- used in compound names, to indicate paternity, esp. of the illegitimate sons of kings and princes of the blood; as, Fitzroy, the son of the king; Fitzclarence, the son of the duke of Clarence.


word: Five
definition:
Five

Five
(fīv)
a.
[OE. fif, five, AS. fīf, fīfe; akin to D. vijf, OS. fīf, OHG. finf, funf, G. fünf, Icel. fimm, Sw. & Sw. Dan. fem, Goth. fimf, Lith. penki, W. pump, OIr. cóic, L. quinque, Gr. pe`nte, Æol. pe`mpe, Skr. pañcan. √303.  Cf. Fifth, Cinque, Pentagon, Punch the drink, Quinary.]
Four and one added; one more than four.

Five nations (Ethnol.), a confederacy of the Huron-Iroquois Indians, consisting of five tribes: Mohawks, Onondagas, Cayugas, Oneidas, and Senecas. They inhabited the region which is now the State of new York.


word: Five₂
definition:
Five

Five
(fīv)
n.
1.
The number next greater than four, and less than six; five units or objects.

Five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Matt. xxv. 2.

2.
A symbol representing this number, as 5, or V.


word: Five-finger
definition:
Five-finger

Five"-fin`ger
(fīv"-fĭ&nsmacr_;`gẽr)
n.
1.
(Bot.)
See Cinquefoil.

2.
(Zool.)
A starfish with five rays, esp. Asterias rubens.


word: Fivefold
definition:
Fivefold

Five"fold`
(fīv"-f&omacrld`)
a. & adv.
In fives; consisting of five in one; five repeated; quintuple.


word: five-hitter
definition:
five-hitter

five`-hit"ter
(fīv`-hĭt"tẽr)
n.
(Baseball)
A game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team 5 hits.

Syn. -- 5-hitter.


word: Five-leaved
definition:
Five-leaved

Five-leafed

{ Five"-leafed` (?), Five"-leaved` (?) }
a.
(Bot.)
Having five leaflets, as the Virginia creeper.


word: Fives
definition:
Fives

Fives
(fīvz)
n. pl.
A kind of play with a ball against a wall, resembling tennis; -- so named because three fives, or fifteen, are counted to the game.
Smart.

Fives court, a place for playing fives.


word: five-spot
definition:
five-spot

five-spot
n.
1.
(Bot.)
A California annual (Nemophila maculata) having white flowers with a deep purple blotch on each petal.

Syn. -- five spot, Nemophila maculata.

2.
a playing card or a domino or a die whose upward face shows five pips.

3.
A five-dollar bill.
[U. S. slang]


word: Five-twenties
definition:
Five-twenties

Five`-twen"ties
(?)
n. pl.
Five-twenty bonds of the United States (bearing six per cent interest), issued in 1862, '64, and '65, redeemable after five and payable in twenty years.


word: Fix
definition:
Fix

Fix
(fĭks)
a.
[OE., fr. L. fixus, p. p. of figere to fix; cf. F. fixe.]
Fixed; solidified.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Fix₂
definition:
Fix

Fix
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fixed (fĭkst); p. pr. & vb. n. Fixing.]
[Cf. F. fixer.]
1.
To make firm, stable, or fast; to set or place permanently; to fasten immovably; to establish; to implant; to secure; to make definite.

An ass's nole I fixed on his head.
Shak.

O, fix thy chair of grace, that all my powers
May also fix their reverence.
Herbert.

His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
Ps. cxii. 7.

And fix far deeper in his head their stings.
Milton.

2.
To hold steadily; to direct unwaveringly; to fasten, as the eye on an object, the attention on a speaker.

Sat fixed in thought the mighty Stagirite.
Pope.

One eye on death, and one full fix'd on heaven.
Young.

3.
To transfix; to pierce.
[Obs.]
Sandys.

4.
(Photog.)
To render (an impression) permanent by treating with a developer to make it insensible to the action of light.
Abney.

5.
To put in order; to arrange; to dispose of; to adjust; to set to rights; to set or place in the manner desired or most suitable; hence, to repair; as, to fix the clothes; to fix the furniture of a room.
[Colloq. U.S.]

6.
(Iron Manuf.)
To line the hearth of (a puddling furnace) with fettling.


word: Fix₃
definition:
Fix

Fix
v. i.
1.
To become fixed; to settle or remain permanently; to cease from wandering; to rest.

Your kindness banishes your fear,
Resolved to fix forever here.
Waller.

2.
To become firm, so as to resist volatilization; to cease to flow or be fluid; to congeal; to become hard and malleable, as a metallic substance.
Bacon.

To fix on, to settle the opinion or resolution about; to determine regarding; as, the contracting parties have fixed on certain leading points.


word: Fix₄
definition:
Fix

Fix
n.
1.
A position of difficulty or embarassment; predicament; dilemma.
[Colloq.]

Is he not living, then? No. is he dead, then? No, nor dead either. Poor Aroar can not live, and can not die, -- so that he is in an almighty fix.
De Quincey.

2.
(Iron Manuf.)
fettling.
[U.S.]


word: Fixation
definition:
Fixation

Fix*a"tion
(fĭks*ā"shŭn)
n.
[Cf. F. fixation.]
1.
The act of fixing, or the state of being fixed.

An unalterable fixation of resolution.
Killingbeck.

To light, created in the first day, God gave no proper place or fixation.
Sir W. Raleigh.

Marked stiffness or absolute fixation of a joint.
Quain.

A fixation and confinement of thought to a few objects.
Watts.

2.
The act of uniting chemically with a solid substance or in a solid form; reduction to a non-volatile condition; -- said of gaseous elements.

3.
The act or process of ceasing to be fluid and becoming firm.
Glanvill.

4.
A state of resistance to evaporation or volatilization by heat; -- said of metals.
Bacon.


word: Fixed
definition:
Fixed

Fixed
(fĭkst)
a.
1.
Securely placed or fastened; settled; established; firm; imovable; unalterable.

2.
(Chem.)
Stable; non-volatile.

Fixed air (Old Chem.), carbonic acid or carbon dioxide; -- so called by Dr. Black because it can be absorbed or fixed by strong bases. See Carbonic acid, under Carbonic. -- Fixed alkali (Old Chem.), a non-volatile base, as soda, or potash, in distinction from the volatile alkali ammonia. -- Fixed ammunition (Mil.), a projectile and powder inclosed together in a case ready for loading. -- Fixed battery (Mil.), a battery which contains heavy guns and mortars intended to remain stationary; -- distinguished from movable battery. -- Fixed bodies, those which can not be volatilized or separated by a common menstruum, without great difficulty, as gold, platinum, lime, etc. -- Fixed capital. See the Note under Capital, n., 4. -- Fixed fact, a well established fact. [Colloq.] -- Fixed light, one which emits constant beams; -- distinguished from a flashing, revolving, or intermittent light. -- Fixed oils (Chem.), non-volatile, oily substances, as stearine and olein, which leave a permanent greasy stain, and which can not be distilled unchanged; -- distinguished from volatile or essential oils. -- Fixed pivot (Mil.), the fixed point about which any line of troops wheels. -- Fixed stars (Astron.), such stars as always retain nearly the same apparent position and distance with respect to each other, thus distinguished from planets and comets.


word: Fixedness
definition:
Fixedness

Fix"ed*ness
n.
1.
The state or quality of being fixed; stability; steadfastness.

2.
The quality of a body which resists evaporation or volatilization by heat; solidity; cohesion of parts; as, the fixedness of gold.


word: Fixing
definition:
Fixing

Fix"ing
(fĭks"ĭng)
n.
1.
The act or process of making fixed.

2.
That which is fixed; a fixture.

3.
pl.
Arrangements; embellishments; trimmings; accompaniments.
[Colloq. U.S.]


word: Fixity
definition:
Fixity

Fix"i*ty
(-ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
[Cf. F. fixité.]
1.
Fixedness; as, fixity of tenure; also, that which is fixed.

2.
Coherence of parts.
Sir I. Newton.


word: Fixture
definition:
Fixture

Fix"ture
(fĭks"t&uuptack_;r; 135)
n.
[Cf. Fixure.]
1.
That which is fixed or attached to something as a permanent appendage; as, the fixtures of a pump; the fixtures of a farm or of a dwelling, that is, the articles which a tenant may not take away.

2.
State of being fixed; fixedness.

The firm fixture of thy foot.
Shak.

3.
(Law)
Anything of an accessory character annexed to houses and lands, so as to constitute a part of them. This term is, however, quite frequently used in the peculiar sense of personal chattels annexed to lands and tenements, but removable by the person annexing them, or his personal representatives. In this latter sense, the same things may be fixtures under some circumstances, and not fixtures under others.
Wharton (Law Dict.). Bouvier.

&hand_; This word is frequently substituted for fixure (formerly the word in common use) in new editions of old works.


word: Fixure
definition:
Fixure

Fix"ure
(-&uuptack_;r)
n.
[L. fixura a fastening, fr. figere to fix. See Fix, and cf. Fixture.]
Fixed position; stable condition; firmness.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: fizgig₂
definition:
fizgig

fiz"gig`
n.
[Fizz + gig whirling thing.]
A firework, made of damp powder, which makes a fizzing or hissing noise when it explodes.


word: fizz
definition:
fizz

fizz
(fĭz)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. fizzed (fĭzd); p. pr. & vb. n. fizzing.]
[Cf. Icel. fīsa to break wind, Dan. fise to foist, fizzle, OSw. fisa, G. fisten, feisten.  Cf. Foist.]
To make a hissing sound, such as that of a burning fuse or a bubbling carbonated beverage.


word: fizzle
definition:
fizzle

fiz"zle
(fĭz"z'l)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. fizzled (fĭz"z'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. fizzling (fĭz"zlĭng).]
[See Fizz.]
1.
To make a hissing sound.

It is the easiest thing, sir, to be done,
As plain as fizzling.
B. Jonson.

2.
To make a ridiculous failure in an undertaking, especially after a good start; to achieve nothing.
[Colloq. or Low]

A four-day rally in stocks fizzled yesterday amid renewed fears that strong economic growth may prompt the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.
Sharon R.  King (N. Y. Times, May 6, 1998).

To fizzle out, to burn with a hissing noise and then go out, like wet gunpowder; hence: to fail completely and ridiculously; to prove a failure. [Colloq.]


word: Flabbergast
definition:
Flabbergast

Flab"ber*gast
(flăb"bẽr*găst)
v. t.
[Cf. Flap, and Aghast.]
To astonish; to strike with wonder, esp. by extraordinary statements.
[Jocular]
Beaconsfield.


word: Flabbergastation
definition:
Flabbergastation

Flab`ber*gas*ta"tion
(flăb`bẽr*găs*tā"shŭn)
n.
The state of being flabbergasted.
[Jocular]
London Punch.


word: flabby
definition:
flabby

flab"by
(flăb"b&ybreve_;)
a.
[See Flap.]
Yielding to the touch, and easily moved or shaken; hanging loose by its own weight; wanting firmness; flaccid; as, flabby flesh.


word: Flabel
definition:
Flabel

Fla"bel
(?)
n.
[L. flabellum a fan, dim. of flabrum a breeze, fr. flare to blow.]
A fan.
[Obs.]
Huloet.


word: Flabellate
definition:
Flabellate

Fla*bel"late
(?)
a.
[L. flabellatus, p. p. of flabellare to fan, fr. flabellum. See Flabbel.]
(Bot.)
Flabelliform.


word: Flabellation
definition:
Flabellation

Flab`el*la"tion
(?)
n.
The act of keeping fractured limbs cool by the use of a fan or some other contrivance.
Dunglison.


word: Flabelliform
definition:
Flabelliform

Fla*bel"li*form
(?)
a.
[L. flabellum a fan + -form: cf. F. flabeliforme.]
Having the form of a fan; fan-shaped; flabellate.


word: Flabellinerved
definition:
Flabellinerved

Fla*bel"li*nerved`
(?)
a.
[L. flabellum a fan + E. nerve.]
(Bot.)
Having many nerves diverging radiately from the base; -- said of a leaf.


word: Flabellum
definition:
Flabellum

Fla*bel"lum
(?)
n.
[L. See Flabel.]
(Eccl.)
A fan; especially, the fan carried before the pope on state occasions, made in ostrich and peacock feathers.
Shipley.


word: flaccid
definition:
flaccid

flac"cid
(flăk"sĭd or flăs"sĭd)
a.
[L. flaccidus, fr. flaccus flabby: cf. OF. flaccide.]
Yielding to pressure for want of firmness and stiffness; soft and weak; limber; lax; drooping; flabby; as, a flaccid muscle; flaccid flesh.

Religious profession . . . has become flacced.
I. Taylor.


word: Flaccidity
definition:
Flaccidity

Flac*cid"i*ty
(flăk*sĭd"ĭ*t&ybreve_; or  flăs*sĭd"ĭ*t&ybreve_;)
n.
[Cf. F. flaccidité.]
The state of being flaccid.


word: Flacherie
definition:
Flacherie

Flache`rie"
(flȧsh`rē")
n.
[F.]
A bacterial disease of silkworms, supposed to be due to eating contaminated mulberry leaves.


word: Flacker
definition:
Flacker

Flack"er
(?)
v. i.
[OE. flakeren, fr. flacken to move quickly to and fro; cf. icel. flakka to rove about, AS. flacor fluttering, flying, G. flackern to flare, flicker.]
To flutter, as a bird.
[Prov. Eng.]
Grose.


word: Flacket
definition:
Flacket

Flack"et
(?)
n.
[OF. flasquet little flask, dim. of flasque a flask.]
A barrel-shaped bottle; a flagon.


word: Flacon
definition:
Flacon

Fla"con
(flȧ"kôn)
n.
[F. See Flagon.]
A small glass bottle with a stopper; as, a flacon for perfume.
flacons
Longfellow.


word: Flacourtiaceae
definition:
Flacourtiaceae

Flacourtiaceae
prop. n.
A natural family of chiefly tropical trees and shrubs.

Syn. -- family Flacourtiaceae, flacourtia family.


word: Flag
definition:
Flag

Flag
(flăg)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flagged (flăgd); p. pr. & vb. n. Flagging (flăg"gĭng).]
[Cf. Icel. flaka to droop, hang loosely.  Cf. Flacker, Flag an ensign.]
1.
To hang loose without stiffness; to bend down, as flexible bodies; to be loose, yielding, limp.

As loose it [the sail] flagged around the mast.
T. Moore.

2.
To droop; to grow spiritless; to lose vigor; to languish; as, the spirits flag; the strength flags.

The pleasures of the town begin to flag.
Swift.


word: Flag₂
definition:
Flag

Flag
(flăg)
v. t.
1.
To let droop; to suffer to fall, or let fall, into feebleness; as, to flag the wings.
prior.

2.
To enervate; to exhaust the vigor or elasticity of.

Nothing so flags the spirits.
Echard.


word: Flag₃
definition:
Flag

Flag
n.
[Cf. LG. & G. flagge, Sw. flagg, Dan. flag, D. vlag. See Flag to hang loose.]
1.
That which flags or hangs down loosely.

2.
A cloth usually bearing a device or devices and used to indicate nationality, party, etc., or to give or ask information; -- commonly attached to a staff to be waved by the wind; a standard; a banner; an ensign; the colors; as, the national flag; a military or a naval flag.

3.
(Zool.)
(a)
A group of feathers on the lower part of the legs of certain hawks, owls, etc.
(b)
A group of elongated wing feathers in certain hawks.
(c)
The bushy tail of a dog, as of a setter.

4.
(Zool.)
One of the wing feathers next the body of a bird; -- called also flag feather.

Black flag. See under Black. -- Flag captain, Flag leutenant, etc., special officers attached to the flagship, as aids to the flag officer. -- Flag officer, the commander of a fleet or squadron; an admiral, or commodore. -- Flag of truse, a white flag carried or displayed to an enemy, as an invitation to conference, or for the purpose of making some communication not hostile. -- Flag share, the flag officer's share of prize money. -- Flag station (Railroad), a station at which trains do not stop unless signaled to do so, by a flag hung out or waved. -- National flag, a flag of a particular country, on which some national emblem or device, is emblazoned. -- Red flag, a flag of a red color, displayed as a signal of danger or token of defiance; the emblem of anarchists. -- To dip, the flag, to mlower it and quickly restore it to its place; -- done as a mark of respect. -- To hang out the white flag, to ask truce or quarter, or, in some cases, to manifest a friendly design by exhibiting a white flag. -- To hang the flag half-mast high or To hang the flag half-staff or To hang the flag at half-staff, to raise it only half way to the mast or staff, as a token or sign of mourning. -- To strike the flag or To lower the flag, to haul it down, in token of respect, submission, or, in an engagement, of surrender. -- Yellow flag, the quarantine flag of all nations; also carried at a vessel's fore, to denote that an infectious disease is on board.


word: Flag₄
definition:
Flag

Flag
v. t.
[From Flag an ensign.]
1.
To signal to with a flag or by waving the hand; as, to flag a train; also used with down; as, to flag down a cab.

2.
To convey, as a message, by means of flag signals; as, to flag an order to troops or vessels at a distance.

3.
To decoy (game) by waving a flag, handkerchief, or the like to arouse the animal's curiosity.
The antelope are getting continually shyer and more difficult to flag.
T. Roosevelt.


word: Flag₅
definition:
Flag

Flag
n.
[From Flag to hang loose, to bend down.]
(Bot.)
An aquatic plant, with long, ensiform leaves, belonging to either of the genera Iris and Acorus.

Cooper's flag, the cat-tail (Typha latifolia), the long leaves of which are placed between the staves of barrels to make the latter water-tight. -- Corn flag. See under 2d Corn. -- Flag broom, a coarse of broom, originally made of flags or rushes. -- Flag root, the root of the sweet flag. -- Sweet flag. See Calamus, n., 2.


word: Flag₇
definition:
Flag

Flag
n.
[Icel. flaga, cf. Icel. flag spot where a turf has been cut out, and E. flake layer, scale.  Cf. Floe.]
1.
A flat stone used for paving.
Woodward.

2.
(Geol.)
Any hard, evenly stratified sandstone, which splits into layers suitable for flagstones.


word: Flag₈
definition:
Flag

Flag
v. t.
To lay with flags of flat stones.

The sides and floor are all flagged with . . . marble.
Sandys.


word: Flagellant
definition:
Flagellant

Flag"el*lant
(?)
n.
[L. flagellans, p. p. of flagellare: cf.F. flagellant. See Flagellate.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
One of a fanatical sect which flourished in Europe in the 13th and 14th centuries, and maintained that flagellation was of equal virtue with baptism and the sacrament; -- called also disciplinant.


word: Flagellata
definition:
Flagellata

Flag`el*la"ta
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr.L. flagellatus, p. p. See Flagellate, v. t.]
(Zool.)
An order of Infusoria, having one or two long, whiplike cilia, at the anterior end. It includes monads. See Infusoria, and Monad.


word: Flagellate
definition:
Flagellate

Flag"el*late
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flagellated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flagellating (?).]
[L. flagellatus, p. p. of flagellare to scoure, fr. flagellum whip, dim. of flagrum whip, scoure; cf. fligere to strike.  Cf. Flall.]
To whip; to scourge; to flog.


word: Flagellate₂
definition:
Flagellate

Fla*gel"late
(?)
a.
1.
Flagelliform.

2.
(Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the Flagellata.

3.
Having a flagellum or flagella.


word: flagellated
definition:
flagellated

flagellated
adj.
1.
resembling a flagellum or flagella.

Syn. -- flagellate{1}.

2.
having a flagellum or flagella.

Syn. -- flagellate{3}.


word: Flagellation
definition:
Flagellation

Flag`el*la"tion
(?)
n.
[L. flagellatio: cf. F. flagellation.]
A beating or flogging; a whipping; a scourging.
Garth.


word: Flagelliform
definition:
Flagelliform

Fla*gel"li*form
(?)
a.
[L. flagellum a whip + -form.]
Shaped like a whiplash; long, slender, round, flexible, and (comming) tapering.


word: Flagellum
definition:
Flagellum

Fla*gel"lum
(?)
n.
pl. E. Flagellums (#), L. Flagella (#).
[L., a whip. See Flagellate, v. t.]
1.
(Bot.)
A young, flexible shoot of a plant; esp., the long trailing branch of a vine, or a slender branch in certain mosses.

2.
(Zool.)
(a)
A long, whiplike cilium. See Flagellata.
(b)
An appendage of the reproductive apparatus of the snail.
(c)
A lashlike appendage of a crustacean, esp. the terminal ortion of the antennæ and the epipodite of the maxilipeds. See Maxilliped.


word: Flageolet
definition:
Flageolet

Flag"eo*let`
(?)
n.
[F. flageolet, dim. of OF. flaj_;l (as if fr. a LL. flautio;us), of flaüte, flahute, F. fl_;te. See Flute.]
(Mus.)
A small wooden pipe, having six or more holes, and a mouthpiece inserted at one end. It produces a shrill sound, softer than of the piccolo flute, and is said to have superseded the old recorder.

Flageolet tones (Mus.), the naturel harmonics or overtones of stringed instruments.


word: Flagging₂
definition:
Flagging

Flag"ging
a.
Growing languid, weak, or spiritless; weakening; delaying.
Flag"ging*ly, adv.


word: Flaggy
definition:
Flaggy

Flag"gy
(?)
a.
1.
Weak; flexible; limber.
Flaggy
Spenser.

2.
Tasteless; insipid; as, a flaggy apple.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Flagitate
definition:
Flagitate

Flag"i*tate
(?)
v. t.
[L. flagitatus, p. p. of flagitare to demand. See Flagitious.]
To importune; to demand fiercely or with passion.
[Archaic]
Carcyle.


word: Flagitious
definition:
Flagitious

Fla*gi"tious
(?)
a.
[L. flagitiosus, fr. flagitium a shameful or disgraceful act, orig., a burning desire, heat of passion, from flagitare to demand hotly, fiercely; cf. flagrare to burn, E. flagrant.]
1.
Disgracefully or shamefully criminal; grossly wicked; scandalous; shameful; -- said of acts, crimes, etc.

Debauched principles and flagitious practices.
I. Taylor.

2.
Guilty of enormous crimes; corrupt; profligate; -- said of persons.
Pope.

3.
Characterized by scandalous crimes or vices; as, flagitious times.
Pope.
A sentence so flagitiously unjust.
Macaulay.


word: Flagon
definition:
Flagon

Flag"on
(?)
n.
[F. flacon, for flascon, fr. OF. flasche, from LL. flasco. See Flask.]
A vessel with a narrow mouth, used for holding and conveying liquors. It is generally larger than a bottle, and of leather or stoneware rather than of glass.

A trencher of mutton chops, and a flagon of ale.
Macaulay.


word: Flagpole sitter
definition:
Flagpole sitter

Flag"pole` sit"ter
(flăg"p&omacrl` sĭt"tẽr)
n.
A person who sits for an extended period of time on top of a flagpole or other high column; -- a publicity stunt performed for various reasons.

He [Shipwreck Kelly] was the great flagpole sitter of the thirties, the founding father of the whole discipline, who provided inspiration for many and even the pseudonym for one -- Van Nolan, who also called himself Shipwreck.  Any serious polesitter believes himself an avatar of Shipwreck Kelly, and I was then and am now no exception.
From: John A. Gould, Aerie (Berkshire Review, Volume XI, Number 1, Spring, 1975).
The two other holy men in Gregory's narrative had more exotic origins than the pair that has just been seen.  Gregory encountered one of them when on a journey to the north-eastern parts of the Frankish kingdom.  This was a Lombard, named Vulfolaic, who had spent some years in the arduous exercise of being a stylite, the Christian equivalent of a flagpole sitter; in other words, Vulfolaic was a monk whose main austerity consisted in living on top of a pillar.  By carrying out this feat in the rain, snow, and frost of the Moselle valley, Vulfolaic had convinced the local population to overthrow and abandon the idol of Diana to which they were addicted.
Walter Goffart, FOREIGNERS IN THE HISTORIES OF GREGORY OF TOURS (http://www.arts.uwo.ca/florilegium/goffart.html).


word: Flagrancy
definition:
Flagrancy

Fla"gran*cy
(?)
n.
pl. Flagrancies (#).
[L. flagrantia a burning. See Flagrant.]
1.
A burning; great heat; inflammation.
[Obs.]

Lust causeth a flagrancy in the eyes.
Bacon.

2.
The condition or quality of being flagrant; atrocity; heiniousness; enormity; excess.
Steele.


word: Flagrant
definition:
Flagrant

Fla"grant
(?)
a.
[L. flagrans, -antis, p. pr. of flagrate to burn, akin to Gr. _;: cf. F. flagrant.  Cf. Flame, Phlox.]
1.
Flaming; inflamed; glowing; burning; ardent.

The beadle's lash still flagrant on their back.
Prior.

A young man yet flagrant from the lash of the executioner or the beadle.
De Quincey.

Flagrant desires and affections.
Hooker.

2.
Actually in preparation, execution, or performance; carried on hotly; raging.

A war the most powerful of the native tribes was flagrant.
Palfrey.

3.
Flaming into notice; notorious; enormous; heinous; glaringly wicked.


word: Flagrate
definition:
Flagrate

Fla"grate
(?)
v. t.
[L. flagrare, flagratum, v.i. & t., to burn.]
To burn.
[Obs.]
Greenhill.


word: Flagship
definition:
Flagship

Flag"ship`
(?)
n.
(Naut.)
The vessel which carries the commanding officer of a fleet or squadron and flies his distinctive flag or pennant.


word: Flagstaff
definition:
Flagstaff

Flag"staff`
(?)
n.
pl. -staves (_;) or -staffs (_;).
A staff{4} on which a flag is hoisted.


word: Flagstone
definition:
Flagstone

Flag"stone`
(?)
n.
A flat stone used in paving, or any rock which will split into such stones. See Flag, a stone.


word: flag-waver
definition:
flag-waver

flag-waver
n.
an extreme bellicose nationalist.

Syn. -- chauvinist, jingoist, jingo, hundred-percenter.


word: flag-waving
definition:
flag-waving

flag-waving
adj.
fanatically patriotic; same as chauvinistic.
[prenominal]

Syn. -- chauvinistic, jingoistic, nationalistic, superpatriotic.


word: Flail
definition:
Flail

Flail
(?)
n.
[L. flagellum whip, scourge, in LL., a threshing flail: cf. OF. flael, flaiel, F. fléau. See Flagellum.]
1.
An instrument for threshing or beating grain from the ear by hand, consisting of a wooden staff or handle, at the end of which a stouter and shorter pole or club, called a swipe, is so hung as to swing freely.

His shadowy flail hath threshed the corn.
Milton.

2.
An ancient military weapon, like the common flail, often having the striking part armed with rows of spikes, or loaded.
Fairholt.

No citizen thought himself safe unless he carried under his coat a small flail, loaded with lead, to brain the Popish assassins.
Macaulay.


word: Flair
definition:
Flair

Flair
(flâr)
n.
[OE. flaireodor, fr. OF. & F. flair, fr. OF. flairier, F. flairer, to smell, LL. flagrare for L. fragrare. See Flagrant.]
1.
Smell; odor.
[Obs.]

2.
Sense of smell; scent; fig., discriminating sense.

3.
A talent or ability, expecially an intuitive one that makes performance of a task appear easy; an intuitive appreciation; a knack; as, she has a flair for acting.

4.
An attractive way of performing a task; style.


word: Flake
definition:
Flake

Flake
(flāk)
n.
[Cf. Icel. flaki, fleki, Dan. flage, D. vlaak.]
1.
A paling; a hurdle.
[prov. Eng.]

2.
A platform of hurdles, or small sticks made fast or interwoven, supported by stanchions, for drying codfish and other things.

You shall also, after they be ripe, neither suffer them to have straw nor fern under them, but lay them either upon some smooth table, boards, or flakes of wands, and they will last the longer.
English Husbandman.

3.
(Naut.)
A small stage hung over a vessel's side, for workmen to stand on in calking, etc.


word: Flake₂
definition:
Flake

Flake
(flāk)
n.
[Cf. Icel. flakna to flake off, split, flagna to flake off, Sw. flaga flaw, flake, flake plate, Dan. flage snowflake.  Cf. Flag a flat stone.]
1.
A loose filmy mass or a thin chiplike layer of anything; a film; flock; lamina; layer; scale; as, a flake of snow, tallow, or fish.
flakes
Addison.

Great flakes of ice encompassing our boat.
Evelyn.

2.
A little particle of lighted or incandescent matter, darted from a fire; a flash.

With flakes of ruddy fire.
Somerville.

3.
(Bot.)
A sort of carnation with only two colors in the flower, the petals having large stripes.

4.
a person who behaves strangely; a flaky{2} person.
[Colloq.]

Flake knife (Archæol.), a cutting instrument used by savage tribes, made of a flake or chip of hard stone. Tylor. -- Flake stand, the cooling tub or vessel of a still worm. Knight. -- Flake white. (Paint.) (a) The purest white lead, in the form of flakes or scales. (b) The trisnitrate of bismuth. Ure.


word: Flake₃
definition:
Flake

Flake
(?)
n.
[Etym. uncertain; cf. 1st Fake.]
A flat layer, or fake, of a coiled cable.
Flake after flake ran out of the tubs, until we were compelled to hand the end of our line to the second mate.
F. T. Bullen.


word: Flaky
definition:
Flaky

Flak"y
(?)
a.
1.
Consisting of flakes or of small, loose masses; lying, or cleaving off, in flakes or layers; flakelike.

What showers of mortal hail, what flaky fires!
Watts.

A flaky weight of winter's purest snows.
Wordsworth.

2.
prone to strange or erratic behavior; -- of persons.

3.
odd, unpredictable or unconventional; offbeat; whacky; -- of behavior.

4.
unpredictable, erratic, or unreliable; -- of machinery, especially electronic devices.
flaky


word: Flam
definition:
Flam

Flam
(flăm)
n.
[Cf. AS. fleám, fl&aemacr_;m, flight. √84 .  Cf. Flimflam.]
A freak or whim; also, a falsehood; a lie; an illusory pretext; deception; delusion.
[Obs.]

A perpetual abuse and flam upon posterity.
South.


word: Flam₂
definition:
Flam

Flam
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flammed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Flamming.]
To deceive with a falsehood.
[Obs.]

God is not to be flammed off with lies.
South.


word: Flambe
definition:
Flambe

Flam`bé"
(?)
a.
[F., p.p. of flamber to singe, pass (a thing) through flame. Cf. Flambeau.]
1.
(Ceramics)
Decorated by glaze splashed or irregularly spread upon the surface, or apparently applied at the top and allowed to run down the sides; -- said of pieces of Chinese porcelain.

2.
a.
[F., p.p. of flamber to singe, pass (a thing) through flame.]
(Cooking)
Dipped in or covered with a flammable liqueur and set afire when served; -- usually used postpositively; as, cherries flambe.


word: Flambeau
definition:
Flambeau

Flam"beau
(?)
n.
pl. Flambeaux (#) or Flambeaus (#).
[F., fr. OF. flambe flame, for flamble, from L. flammula a little flame, dim. of flamma flame. See Flame.]
A flaming torch, esp. one made by combining together a number of thick wicks invested with a quick-burning substance (anciently, perhaps, wax; in modern times, pitch or the like); hence, any torch.


word: Flamboyant
definition:
Flamboyant

Flam*boy"ant
(?)
a.
[F.]
(Arch.)
Characterized by waving or flamelike curves, as in the tracery of windows, etc.; -- said of the later (15th century) French Gothic style.


word: Flamboyer
definition:
Flamboyer

Flam*boy"er
(?)
n.
[F. flamboyer to be bright.]
(Bot.)
A name given in the East and West Indies to certain trees with brilliant blossoms, probably species of Cæsalpinia.


word: Flame
definition:
Flame

Flame
(flām)
n.
[OE. flame, flaume, flaumbe, OF. flame, flambe, F. flamme, fr. L. flamma, fr. flamma, fr. flagrare to burn. See Flagrant, and cf. Flamneau, Flamingo.]
1.
A stream of burning vapor or gas, emitting light and heat; darting or streaming fire; a blaze; a fire.

2.
Burning zeal or passion; elevated and noble enthusiasm; glowing imagination; passionate excitement or anger.
flame
Milton.

Where flames refin'd in breasts seraphic glow.
Pope.

Smit with the love of sister arts we came,
And met congenial, mingling flame with flame.
Pope.

3.
Ardor of affection; the passion of love.
Coleridge.

4.
A person beloved; a sweetheart.
Thackeray.
Flame bridge, a bridge wall. See Bridge, n., 5. -- Flame color, brilliant orange or yellow. B. Jonson. -- Flame engine, an early name for the gas engine. -- Flame manometer, an instrument, invented by Koenig, to obtain graphic representation of the action of the human vocal organs. See Manometer. -- Flame reaction (Chem.), a method of testing for the presence of certain elements by the characteristic color imparted to a flame; as, sodium colors a flame yellow, potassium violet, lithium crimson, boracic acid green, etc.  Cf. Spectrum analysis, under Spectrum. -- Flame tree (Bot.), a tree with showy scarlet flowers, as the Rhododendron arboreum in India, and the Brachychiton acerifolium of Australia.


word: Flame₂
definition:
Flame

Flame
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flamed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flaming.]
[OE. flamen, flaumben, F. flamber, OF. also, flamer. See Flame, n.]
1.
To burn with a flame or blaze; to burn as gas emitted from bodies in combustion; to blaze.

The main blaze of it is past, but a small thing would make it flame again.
Shak.

2.
To burst forth like flame; to break out in violence of passion; to be kindled with zeal or ardor.

He flamed with indignation.
Macaulay.


word: Flame₃
definition:
Flame

Flame
v. t.
To kindle; to inflame; to excite.

And flamed with zeal of vengeance inwardly.
Spenser.


word: Flame-colored
definition:
Flame-colored

Flame"-col`ored
(?)
a.
Of the color of flame; of a bright orange yellow color.
Shak.


word: flamefish
definition:
flamefish

flamefish
n.
a bright red perchlike fish (Apogon maculatus) found in tropical Atlantic coastal waters.

Syn. -- Apogon maculatus.


word: flame flower
definition:
flame flower

flameflower

flameflower, flame flower
n.
1.
a plant of the genus Kniphofia having long grasslike leaves and tall scapes of red or yellow drooping flowers.

Syn. -- kniphofia, tritoma.

2.
plant of the Southwestern U. S. with fleshy roots and erect stems with narrow succulent leaves and one reddish-orange flower in each upper leaf axil.  Its fleshy roots were once cooked by Indians.


word: Flamelet
definition:
Flamelet

Flame"let
(?)
n.
[Flame + -let.]
A small flame.

The flamelets gleamed and flickered.
Longfellow.


word: Flamen
definition:
Flamen

Fla"men
(?)
n.
pl. E. Flammens (#), L. Flamines (#).
[L.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
A priest devoted to the service of a particular god, from whom he received a distinguishing epithet. The most honored were those of Jupiter, Mars, and Quirinus, called respectively Flamen Dialis, Flamen Martialis, and Flamen Quirinalis.

Affrights the flamens at their service quaint.
Milton.


word: flamenco
definition:
flamenco

flamenco
n.
1.
a strongly rhythmic and vigorous style of dancing characteristic of the Andalusian gypsies, characterized by clapping and stamping of feet.

Syn. -- gypsy dancing.

2.
(Mus.)
a strongly rhythmic style of music originating in southern Spain, often improvisatorial, performed by itself, often on a guitar, or as an accompaniment to flamenco dancing.


word: flameproof
definition:
flameproof

flameproof
adj.
not susceptible to burning; noncombustible; fireproof; -- of artifacts.  Opposite of combustible.

Syn. -- flame-retardant.


word: flamethrower
definition:
flamethrower

flamethrower
n.
(Mil.)
a weapon that squirts ignited liquid or gelatinous fuel for several yards.


word: Flaming
definition:
Flaming

Flam"ing
(?)
a.
1.
Emitting flames; afire; blazing; consuming; illuminating.

2.
Of the color of flame; high-colored; brilliant; dazzling.
flaming
Prior.

3.
Ardent; passionate; burning with zeal; irrepressibly earnest; as, a flaming proclomation or harangue.


word: Flamingo
definition:
Flamingo

Fla*min"go
(?)
n.
pl. Flamingoes (#).
[Sp. flamenco, cf. Pg. flamingo, Prov. flammant, F. flamant; prop. a p. pr. meaning flaming. So called in allusion to its color. See Flame.]
(Zool.)
Any bird of the genus Phœnicopterus. The flamingoes have webbed feet, very long legs, and a beak bent down as if broken. Their color is usually red or pink. The American flamingo is P. ruber; the European is P. antiquorum.


word: Flammability
definition:
Flammability

Flam`ma*bil"ity
(?)
n.
The quality of being flammable; inflammability.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Flammeous
definition:
Flammeous

Flam"me*ous
(?)
a.
[L. flammeus from flamma flame.]
Pertaining to, consisting of, or resembling, flame.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Browne.


word: Flammiferous
definition:
Flammiferous

Flam*mif"er*ous
(?)
a.
[L. flammifer; flamma flame + ferre to bear.]
Producing flame.


word: Flammivomous
definition:
Flammivomous

Flam*miv"o*mous
(?)
a.
[L. flammivomus; flamma flame + vomere to vomit.]
Vomiting flames, as a volcano.
W. Thompson. (1745).


word: Flammulated
definition:
Flammulated

Flam"mu*la`ted
(?)
a.
[L. flammula little flame, dim. fr. flamma flame.]
Of a reddish color.


word: Flamy
definition:
Flamy

Flam"y
(?)
a.
[From Flame.]
Flaming; blazing; flamelike; flame-colored; composed of flame.
Pope.


word: Flanch
definition:
Flanch

Flanch
(?)
n.
pl. Flanches (#).
[Prov. E., a projection, OF. flanche flank. See Flank.]
1.
A flange.
[R.]
(Her.) A bearing consisting of a segment of a circle encroaching on the field from the side.

&hand_; Flanches are always in pairs. A pair of flanches is considered one of the subordinaries.


word: Flanerie
definition:
Flanerie

flâ`ne*rie"
(?)
n.
[F. flânerie. See Flaneur.]
Lit., strolling; sauntering; hence, aimlessness; idleness; as, intellectual flânerie.


word: flaneur
definition:
flaneur

fla`neur"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. flâner to stroll.]
One who strolls about aimlessly; a lounger; a loafer.


word: Flange
definition:
Flange

Flange
(flănj)
n.
[Prov. E. flange to project, flanch a projection. See Flanch, Flank.]
1.
An external or internal rib, or rim, for strength, as the flange of an iron beam; or for a guide, as the flange of a car wheel (see Car wheel.); or for attachment to another object, as the flange on the end of a pipe, steam cylinder, etc.
Knight.

2.
A plate or ring to form a rim at the end of a pipe when fastened to the pipe.

Blind flange, a plate for covering or closing the end of a pipe. -- Flange joint, a joint, as that of pipes, where the connecting pieces have flanges by which the parts are bolted together. Knight. -- Flange rail, a rail with a flange on one side, to keep wheels, etc. from running off. -- Flange turning, the process of forming a flange on a wrought iron plate by bending and hammering it when hot.


word: Flange₂
definition:
Flange

Flange
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flanged (flănjd); p. pr. & vb. n. Flanging (flăn"jĭng).]
(Mach.)
To make a flange on; to furnish with a flange.


word: Flank
definition:
Flank

Flank
(flă&nsmacr_;k)
n.
[F. flanc, prob. fr. L. flaccus flabby, with n inserted.  Cf. Flaccid, Flanch, Flange.]
1.
The fleshy or muscular part of the side of an animal, between the ribs and the hip. See Illust. of Beef.

2.
(Mil.)
(a)
The side of an army, or of any division of an army, as of a brigade, regiment, or battalion; the extreme right or left; as, to attack an enemy in flank is to attack him on the side.

When to right and left the front
Divided, and to either flank retired.
Milton.
3.
(Arch.)
The side of any building.
Brands.

4.
That part of the acting surface of a gear wheel tooth that lies within the pitch line.

Flank attack (Mil.), an attack upon the side of an army or body of troops, distinguished from one upon its front or rear. -- Flank company (Mil.), a certain number of troops drawn up on the right or left of a battalion; usually grenadiers, light infantry, or riflemen. -- Flank defense (Fort.), protection of a work against undue exposure to an enemy's direct fire, by means of the fire from other works, sweeping the ground in its front. -- Flank en potence (Mil.), any part of the right or left wing formed at a projecting angle with the line. -- Flank files, the first men on the right, and the last on the left, of a company, battalion, etc. -- Flank march, a march made parallel or obliquely to an enemy's position, in order to turn it or to attack him on the flank. -- Flank movement, a change of march by an army, or portion of one, in order to turn one or both wings of the enemy, or to take up a new position. -- Flanks of a frontier, salient points in a national boundary, strengthened to protect the frontier against hostile incursion. -- Flank patrol, detachments acting independently of the column of an army, but patrolling along its flanks, to secure it against surprise and to observe the movements of the enemy.


word: Flank₂
definition:
Flank

Flank
(flă&nsmacr_;k)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flanked (flă&nsmacr_;kt); p. pr. & vb. n. Flanking.]
[Cf. F. flanquer. See Flank, n., and cf. Flanker, v. t.]
1.
To stand at the flank or side of; to border upon.

Stately colonnades are flanked with trees.
Pitt.

2.
To overlook or command the flank of; to secure or guard the flank of; to pass around or turn the flank of; to attack, or threaten to attack; the flank of.


word: Flanker
definition:
Flanker

Flank"er
(?)
n.
One who, or that which, flanks, as a skirmisher or a body of troops sent out upon the flanks of an army toguard a line of march, or a fort projecting so as to command the side of an assailing body.

They threw out flankers, and endeavored to dislodge their assailants.
W. Irwing.


word: Flanker₂
definition:
Flanker

Flank"er
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flankered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flankering.]
[See Flank, v. t.]
1.
To defend by lateral fortifications.
[Obs.]
Sir T. Herbert.

2.
To attack sideways.
[Obs.]
Evelyn.


word: Flannel
definition:
Flannel

Flan"nel
(flăn"nĕl)
n.
[F. flanelle, cf. OF. flaine a pillowcase, a mattress (?); fr. W. gwlanen flannel, fr. gwlan wool; prob. akin to E. wool.  Cf. Wool.]
1.
A soft, nappy, woolen cloth, of loose texture.
Shak.

2.
a cotton fabric with a thick nap on one side, resembling flannel{1}; it is used, e. g. for underwear or sheets; also called flanellette.

3.
pl.
garments made of flannel, especially underwear.

4.
a washcloth.
[Brit.]

5.
humbug; nonsensical or evasive talk.
[Brit. informal]

6.
insincere flattery or praise.
[Brit. informal]

Adam's flannel. (Bot.) See under Adam. -- Canton flannel, Cotton flannel. See Cotton flannel, under Cotton.


word: flannelbush
definition:
flannelbush

flannelbush

flannelbush, flannelbush
n.
(Bot.)
any of several handsome evergreen shrubs of California and Northern Mexico having downy lobed leaves and showy yellow flowers.

Syn. -- California beauty.


word: flannelcake
definition:
flannelcake

flannelcake
n.
a flat cake of thin batter fried on both sides on a griddle; a pancake; a flapjack.

Syn. -- pancake, battercake, flapcake, flapjack, griddlecake, hotcake, hot cake.


word: Flannel flower
definition:
Flannel flower

Flan"nel flow`er
(Bot.)
(a)
The common mullein.
(b)
A Brazilian apocynaceous vine (Macrosiphonia longiflora) having woolly leaves.
(c)
An umbelliferous Australian flower (Actinotus helianthi), often erroneously thought to be composite. The involucre looks as if cut out of white flannel.


word: Flap
definition:
Flap

Flap
(?)
n.
[OE. flappe, flap, blow, bly-flap; cf. D. flap, and E. flap, v.]
Anything broad and limber that hangs loose, or that is attached by one side or end and is easily moved; as, the flap of a garment.

A cartilaginous flap upon the opening of the larynx.
Sir T. Browne.

2.
A hinged leaf, as of a table or shutter.

3.
The motion of anything broad and loose, or a stroke or sound made with it; as, the flap of a sail or of a wing.

4.
pl.
(Far.)
A disease in the lips of horses.

5.
(Aeronautics)
a movable part of an airplane wing, used to increase lift or drag, especially when taking off or landing.  used often in the plural.

Flap tile, a tile with a bent up portion, to turn a corner or catch a drip. -- Flap valve (Mech.), a valve which opens and shuts upon one hinged side; a clack valve.


word: Flap₂
definition:
Flap

Flap
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flapped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flapping (?).]
[Prob. of imitative origin; cf. D. flappen, E. flap, n., flop, flippant, fillip.]
1.
To beat with a flap; to strike.

Yet let me flap this bug with gilded wings.
Pope.

2.
To move, as something broad and flaplike; as, to flap the wings; to let fall, as the brim of a hat.

To flap in the mouth, to taunt. [Obs.] W. Cartwright.


word: Flap₃
definition:
Flap

Flap
v. i.
1.
To move as do wings, or as something broad or loose; to fly with wings beating the air.

The crows flapped over by twos and threes.
Lowell.

2.
To fall and hang like a flap, as the brim of a hat, or other broad thing.
Gay.


word: Flapdragon
definition:
Flapdragon

Flap"drag`on
(?)
n.
1.
A game in which the players catch raisins out burning brandy, and swallow them blazing.
Johnson.

2.
The thing thus caught and eaten.
Johnson.

Cakes and ale, and flapdragons and mummer's plays, and all the happy sports of Christians night.
C. Kingsley.


word: Flapdragon₂
definition:
Flapdragon

Flap"drag`on
v. t.
To swallow whole, as a flapdragon; to devour.
[Obs.]

See how the sea flapdragoned it.
Shak.


word: Flapjack
definition:
Flapjack

Flap"jack`
(flăp"jăk`)
n.
1.
A flat cake turned on the griddle while cooking; a griddlecake or pancake.

2.
A fried dough cake containing fruit; a turnover.
[Prov. Eng.]


word: Flapper
definition:
Flapper

Flap"per
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, flaps.

2.
See Flipper.
flapper
Buckley.

3.
A flat object used to make a flapping noise by striking another object.
RHUD

4.
A flat and broad object hanging from a larger object, either flexible like rubber or hinged to allow a swinging motion; a flap.
5.
A young woman who dresses in a modern, stylish manner and behaves unconventionally in social situations; -- a term used especially to refer to young women during the 1920's and their peculiar style of dress.

Flapper skate (Zool.), a European skate (Raia intermedia).


word: Flare
definition:
Flare

Flare
(flâr)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flared (flârd); p. pr. & vb. n. Flaring.]
[Cf. Norw. flara to blaze, flame, adorn with tinsel, dial. Sw. flasa upp, and E. flash, or flacker.]
1.
To burn with an unsteady or waving flame; as, the candle flares.

2.
To shine out with a sudden and unsteady light; to emit a dazzling or painfully bright light.

3.
To shine out with gaudy colors; to flaunt; to be offensively bright or showy.

With ribbons pendant, flaring about her head.
Shak.

4.
To be exposed to too much light.
[Obs.]

Flaring in sunshine all the day.
Prior.

5.
To open or spread outwards; to project beyond the perpendicular; as, the sides of a bowl flare; the bows of a ship flare.

To flare up, to become suddenly heated or excited; to burst into a passion. [Colloq.] Thackeray.


word: Flare₂
definition:
Flare

Flare
n.
1.
An unsteady, broad, offensive light.

2.
A spreading outward; as, the flare of a fireplace.

3.
(Photog.)
A defect in a photographic objective such that an image of the stop, or diaphragm, appears as a fogged spot in the center of the developed negative.


word: Flare-up
definition:
Flare-up

Flare"-up`
(?)
n.
1.
A sudden burst of anger or passion; an angry dispute.
[Colloq.]

2.
A sudden bursting into flame; a flaring.


word: Flaring
definition:
Flaring

Flar"ing
(?)
a.
1.
That flares; flaming or blazing unsteadily; shining out with a dazzling light.

His [the sun's] flaring beams.
Milton.

2.
Opening or speading outwards.


word: Flash
definition:
Flash

Flash
(flăsh)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flashed (flăsht); p. pr. & vb. n. Flashing.]
[Cf. OE. flaskien, vlaskien to pour, sprinkle, dial. Sw. flasa to blaze, E. flush, flare.]
1.
To burst or break forth with a sudden and transient flood of flame and light; as, the lighting flashes vividly; the powder flashed.

2.
To break forth, as a sudden flood of light; to burst instantly and brightly on the sight; to show a momentary brilliancy; to come or pass like a flash.

Names which have flashed and thundered as the watch words of unnumbered struggles.
Talfourd.

The object is made to flash upon the eye of the mind.
M. Arnold.

A thought flashed through me, which I clothed in act.
Tennyson.

3.
To burst forth like a sudden flame; to break out violently; to rush hastily.

Every hour
He flashes into one gross crime or other.
Shak.

flash in the pan, a failure or a poor performance, especially after a normal or auspicious start; also, a person whose initial performance appears augur success but who fails to achieve anything notable.  From 4th pan, n., sense 3 -- part of a flintlock.  Occasionally, the powder in the pan of a flintlock would flash without conveying the fire to the charge, and the ball would fail to be discharged.  Thus, a good or even spectacular beginning that eventually achieves little came to be called a flash in the pan. -- To flash in the pan, to fail of success, especially after a normal or auspicious start. [Colloq.] See under Flash, a burst of light. Bartlett.


word: Flash₂
definition:
Flash

Flash
(flăsh)
v. t.
1.
To send out in flashes; to cause to burst forth with sudden flame or light.

The chariot of paternal Deity,
Flashing thick flames.
Milton.

2.
To convey as by a flash; to light up, as by a sudden flame or light; as, to flash a message along the wires; to flash conviction on the mind.

3.
(Glass Making)
To cover with a thin layer, as objects of glass with glass of a different color. See Flashing, n., 3 (b).

4.
To trick up in a showy manner.

Limning and flashing it with various dyes.
A. Brewer.

5.
[Perh. due to confusion between flash of light and plash, splash.]
To strike and throw up large bodies of water from the surface; to splash.
[Obs.]

He rudely flashed the waves about.
Spenser.

Flashed glass. See Flashing, n., 3.


word: Flash₃
definition:
Flash

Flash
n.
pl. Flashes (_;).
1.
A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash of lightning.

2.
A sudden and brilliant burst, as of wit or genius; a momentary brightness or show.

The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind.
Shak.

No striking sentiment, no flash of fancy.
Wirt.

3.
The time during which a flash is visible; an instant; a very brief period; as, I'll be back in a flash.

The Persians and Macedonians had it for a flash.
Bacon.

4.
A preparation of capsicum, burnt sugar, etc., for coloring and giving a fictitious strength to liquors.

5.
A lamp for providing intense momentary light to take a photograph; as, to take a picture without a flash.

Syn. -- flashbulb, photoflash, flash lamp, flashgun.

6.
Same as flashlight.
[informal]

7.
(Journalism)
A short news item providing recently received and usually preliminary information about an event that is considered important enough to interrupt normal broadcasting or other news delivery services; also called a news flash or bulletin.

Flash light, or Flashing light, a kind of light shown by lighthouses, produced by the revolution of reflectors, so as to show a flash of light every few seconds, alternating with periods of dimness. Knight. -- Flash in the pan, the flashing of the priming in the pan of a flintlock musket without discharging the piece; hence, sudden, spasmodic effort that accomplishes nothing.


word: Flash₄
definition:
Flash

Flash
a.
1.
Showy, but counterfeit; cheap, pretentious, and vulgar; as, flash jewelry; flash finery.

2.
Wearing showy, counterfeit ornaments; vulgarly pretentious; as, flash people; flash men or women; -- applied especially to thieves, gamblers, and prostitutes that dress in a showy way and wear much cheap jewelry.

Flash house, a house frequented by flash people, as thieves and whores; hence, a brothel. “A gang of footpads, reveling with their favorite beauties at a flash house.”  Macaulay.


word: Flash₆
definition:
Flash

Flash
n.
[OE. flasche, flaske; cf. OF. flache, F. flaque.]
1.
A pool.
[Prov. Eng.]
Haliwell.

2.
(Engineering)
A reservoir and sluiceway beside a navigable stream, just above a shoal, so that the stream may pour in water as boats pass, and thus bear them over the shoal.

Flash wheel (Mech.), a paddle wheel made to revolve in a breast or curved water way, by which water is lifted from the lower to the higher level.


word: flashback
definition:
flashback

flashback
n.
1.
a transition (in literary or theatrical works or films) to an earlier event or scene; also, the scene thus introduced.

2.
An unusually vivid recollection of a prior experience, often one that is traumatic, such as scenes from combat or a criminal assault, or induced by hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD; when accompanied by hallucinations it is called flashback hallucinosis.


word: flashbulb
definition:
flashbulb

flash"bulb`
n.
a lamp for providing intense momentary light to take a photograph.

Syn. -- flash, photoflash, flash lamp, flashgun.


word: Flashboard
definition:
Flashboard

Flash"board`
(?)
n.
A board placed temporarily upon a milldam, to raise the water in the pond above its usual level; a flushboard.
[U.S.]


word: Flash boiler
definition:
Flash boiler

Flash boiler
A variety of water-tube boiler, used chiefly in steam automobiles, consisting of a nest of strong tubes with very little water space, kept nearly red hot so that the water as it trickles drop by drop into the tubes is immediately flashed into steam and superheated.


word: Flasher
definition:
Flasher

Flash"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, flashes.

2.
A man of more appearance of wit than reality.

3.
(Zool.)
(a)
A large sparoid fish of the Atlantic coast and all tropical seas (Lobotes Surinamensis).
(b)
The European red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio); -- called also flusher.

4.
An exhibitionist{1}, especially a male, who briefly exposes his private parts in a public place.


word: flash-frozen
definition:
flash-frozen

flash-frozen
adj.
preserved by freezing sufficiently rapidly to retain flavor and nutritional value; -- used of foods.

Syn. -- quick-frozen, frozen.


word: flashgun
definition:
flashgun

flash"gun`
n.
a lamp for providing intense momentary light to take a photograph.

Syn. -- flash, photoflash, flash lamp, flashbulb.


word: Flashing
definition:
Flashing

Flash"ing
n.
1.
(Engineering)
The creation of an artificial flood by the sudden letting in of a body of water; -- called also flushing.

2.
(Arch.)
Pieces of metal, built into the joints of a wall, so as to lap over the edge of the gutters or to cover the edge of the roofing; also, similar pieces used to cover the valleys of roofs of slate, shingles, or the like.  By extension, the metal covering of ridges and hips of roofs; also, in the United States, the protecting of angles and breaks in walls of frame houses with waterproof material, tarred paper, or the like.  Cf. Filleting.

3.
(Glass Making)
(a)
The reheating of an article at the furnace aperture during manufacture to restore its plastic condition; esp., the reheating of a globe of crown glass to allow it to assume a flat shape as it is rotated.
(b)
A mode of covering transparent white glass with a film of colored glass.
Knight.

Flashing point (Chem.), that degree of temperature at which a volatile oil gives off vapor in sufficient quantity to burn, or flash, on the approach of a flame, used as a test of the comparative safety of oils, esp. kerosene; a flashing point of 100° F. is regarded as a fairly safe standard. The burning point of the oil is usually from ten to thirty degree above the flashing point of its vapor.  Usually called flash point.


word: flashlight
definition:
flashlight

flash"light`
n.
a portable battery-powered electric lamp, small enough to be held in one hand; -- it is most commonly cylindrical, but other forms are also made.  It is called in Britain a torch

Syn. -- torch.


word: Flash point
definition:
Flash point

Flash" point`
(?)
n.
1.
the lowest temperature at which the vapors given off by a volatile liquid exposed to air will burst into flame when approached by a flame.  Also called flashing point.

2.
That point in time or that degree of provocation at which someone will suddenly begin to act vigorously; -- often used in reference to angry reactions.


word: Flashy
definition:
Flashy

Flash"y
(?)
a.
1.
Dazzling for a moment; making a momentary show of brilliancy; transitorily bright.

A little flashy and transient pleasure.
Barrow.

2.
Fiery; vehement; impetuous.

A temper always flashy.
Burke.

3.
Showy; gay; gaudy; as, a flashy dress.

4.
Without taste or spirit.

Lean and flashy songs.
Milton.


word: Flask
definition:
Flask

Flask
(flăsk or flȧsk)
n.
[AS. flasce, flaxe; akin to D. flesch, OHG. flasca, G. flasche, Icel. & Sw. flaska, Dan. flaske, OF. flasche, LL. flasca, flasco; of uncertain origin; cf. L. vasculum, dim. of vas a vessel, Gr. fla`skh, fla`skwn, fla`skion.  Cf. Flagon, Flasket.]
1.
A small bottle-shaped vessel for holding fluids; as, a flask of oil or wine.

2.
A narrow-necked vessel of metal or glass, used for various purposes; as of sheet metal, to carry gunpowder in; or of wrought iron, to contain quicksilver; or of glass, to heat water in, etc.

3.
A bed in a gun carriage.
[Obs.]
Bailey.

4.
(Founding)
The wooden or iron frame which holds the sand, etc., forming the mold used in a foundry; it consists of two or more parts; viz., the cope or top; sometimes, the cheeks, or middle part; and the drag, or bottom part. When there are one or more cheeks, the flask is called a three part flask, four part flask, etc.

Erlenmeyer flask, a thin glass flask, flat-bottomed and cone-shaped to allow of safely shaking its contents laterally without danger of spilling; -- so called from Erlenmeyer, a German chemist who invented it. -- Florence flask. [From Florence in Italy.] (a) Same as Betty, n., 3. (b) A glass flask, round or pear-shaped, with round or flat bottom, and usually very thin to allow of heating solutions. -- Pocket flask, a kind of pocket dram bottle, often covered with metal or leather to protect it from breaking.


word: Flasket
definition:
Flasket

Flask"et
(?)
n.
[Cf. W. fflasged a vessel of straw or wickerwork, fflasg flask, basket, and E. flask.]
1.
A long, shallow basket, with two handles.
[Eng.]

In which they gathered flowers to fill their flasket.
Spenser.

2.
A small flask.

3.
A vessel in which viands are served.
[Obs.]
Pope.


word: flat-bottomed
definition:
flat-bottomed

flat-bottom

flat-bottom flat-bottomed
adj.
1.
having a flat bottom.
a flat-bottom boat


word: Flat
definition:
Flat

Flat
(flăt)
a.
[Compar. Flatter (flăt"rẽr); superl. Flattest (flăt"tĕst).]
[Akin to Icel. flatr, Sw. flat, Dan. flad, OHG. flaz, and AS. flet floor, G. flötz stratum, layer.]
1.
Having an even and horizontal surface, or nearly so, without prominences or depressions; level without inclination; plane.

Though sun and moon
Were in the flat sea sunk.
Milton.

2.
Lying at full length, or spread out, upon the ground; level with the ground or earth; prostrate; as, to lie flat on the ground; hence, fallen; laid low; ruined; destroyed.

What ruins kingdoms, and lays cities flat!
Milton.

I feel . . . my hopes all flat.
Milton.

3.
(Fine Arts)
Wanting relief; destitute of variety; without points of prominence and striking interest.

A large part of the work is, to me, very flat.
Coleridge.

4.
Tasteless; stale; vapid; insipid; dead; as, fruit or drink flat to the taste.

5.
Unanimated; dull; uninteresting; without point or spirit; monotonous; as, a flat speech or composition.

How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable
Seem to me all the uses of this world.
Shak.

6.
Lacking liveliness of commercial exchange and dealings; depressed; dull; as, the market is flat.

7.
Clear; unmistakable; peremptory; absolute; positive; downright.

Syn. -- flat-out.

Flat burglary as ever was committed.
Shak.

A great tobacco taker too, -- that's flat.
Marston.

8.
(Mus.)
(a)
Below the true pitch; hence, as applied to intervals, minor, or lower by a half step; as, a flat seventh; A flat.
(b)
Not sharp or shrill; not acute; as, a flat sound.

9.
(Phonetics)
Sonant; vocal; -- applied to any one of the sonant or vocal consonants, as distinguished from a nonsonant (or sharp) consonant.

10.
(Golf)
Having a head at a very obtuse angle to the shaft; -- said of a club.

11.
(Gram.)
Not having an inflectional ending or sign, as a noun used as an adjective, or an adjective as an adverb, without the addition of a formative suffix, or an infinitive without the sign to. Many flat adverbs, as in run fast, buy cheap, are from AS. adverbs in -ë, the loss of this ending having made them like the adjectives. Some having forms in ly, such as exceeding, wonderful, true, are now archaic.

12.
(Hort.)
Flattening at the ends; -- said of certain fruits.

Flat arch. (Arch.) See under Arch, n., 2. (b). -- Flat cap, cap paper, not folded. See under Paper. -- Flat chasing, in fine art metal working, a mode of ornamenting silverware, etc., producing figures by dots and lines made with a punching tool. Knight. -- Flat chisel, a sculptor's chisel for smoothing. -- Flat file, a file wider than its thickness, and of rectangular section. See File. -- Flat nail, a small, sharp-pointed, wrought nail, with a flat, thin head, larger than a tack. Knight. -- Flat paper, paper which has not been folded. -- Flat rail, a railroad rail consisting of a simple flat bar spiked to a longitudinal sleeper. -- Flat rods (Mining), horizontal or inclined connecting rods, for transmitting motion to pump rods at a distance. Raymond. -- Flat rope, a rope made by plaiting instead of twisting; gasket; sennit. Some flat hoisting ropes, as for mining shafts, are made by sewing together a number of ropes, making a wide, flat band. Knight. -- Flat space. (Geom.) See Euclidian space. -- Flat stitch, the process of wood engraving. [Obs.] -- Flat tint (Painting), a coat of water color of one uniform shade. -- To fall flat (Fig.), to produce no effect; to fail in the intended effect; as, his speech fell flat.
[1913 Webster]
Of all who fell by saber or by shot,
Not one fell half so flat as Walter Scott. Lord Erskine.


word: Flat₂
definition:
Flat

Flat
(?)
adv.
1.
In a flat manner; directly; flatly.

Sin is flat opposite to the Almighty.
Herbert.

2.
(Stock Exchange)
Without allowance for accrued interest.
[Broker's Cant]


word: Flat₃
definition:
Flat

Flat
n.
1.
A level surface, without elevation, relief, or prominences; an extended plain; specifically, in the United States, a level tract along the along the banks of a river; as, the Mohawk Flats.

Envy is as the sunbeams that beat hotter upon a bank, or steep rising ground, than upon a flat.
Bacon.

2.
A level tract lying at little depth below the surface of water, or alternately covered and left bare by the tide; a shoal; a shallow; a strand.

Half my power, this night
Passing these flats, are taken by the tide.
Shak.

3.
Something broad and flat in form
(a)
A flat-bottomed boat, without keel, and of small draught.
(b)
A straw hat, broad-brimmed and low-crowned.
(c)
(Railroad Mach.)
A car without a roof, the body of which is a platform without sides; a platform car.
(d)
A platform on wheel, upon which emblematic designs, etc., are carried in processions.

4.
The flat part, or side, of anything; as, the broad side of a blade, as distinguished from its edge.

5.
(Arch.)
A floor, loft, or story in a building;
especially,
a floor of a house, which forms a complete residence in itself; an apartment taking up a whole floor.  In this latter sense, the usage is more common in British English.

6.
(Mining)
A horizontal vein or ore deposit auxiliary to a main vein; also, any horizontal portion of a vein not elsewhere horizontal.
Raymond.

7.
A dull fellow; a simpleton; a numskull.
[Colloq.]

Or if you can not make a speech,
Because you are a flat.
Holmes.

8.
(Mus.)
A character [&flat] before a note, indicating a tone which is a half step or semitone lower.

9.
(Geom.)
A homaloid space or extension.


word: Flat₄
definition:
Flat

Flat
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flatted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flatting (?).]
1.
To make flat; to flatten; to level.

2.
To render dull, insipid, or spiritless; to depress.

Passions are allayed, appetites are flatted.
Barrow.

3.
To depress in tone, as a musical note; especially, to lower in pitch by half a tone.


word: Flat₅
definition:
Flat

Flat
v. i.
1.
To become flat, or flattened; to sink or fall to an even surface.
Sir W. Temple.

2.
(Mus.)
To fall form the pitch.

To flat out, to fail from a promising beginning; to make a bad ending; to disappoint expectations. [Colloq.]


word: Flatbill
definition:
Flatbill

Flat"bill`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
Any bird of the genus Flatyrynchus. They belong to the family of flycatchers.


word: Flatboat
definition:
Flatboat

Flat"boat`
(?)
n.
A boat with a flat bottom and square ends; -- used for the transportation of bulky freight, especially in shallow waters.


word: flat-bottomed₂
definition:
flat-bottomed

flat-bottom

flat"-bot`tom flat"-bot`tomed
(?)
a.
Having an even lower surface or bottom; as, a flat-bottomed boat.


word: Flat-cap
definition:
Flat-cap

Flat"-cap`
(?)
n.
A kind of low-crowned cap formerly worn by all classes in England, and continued in London after disuse elsewhere; -- hence, a citizen of London.
Marston.


word: Flatfish
definition:
Flatfish

Flat"fish`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
Any fish of the family Pleuronectidæ; esp., the winter flounder (Pleuronectes Americanus). The flatfishes have the body flattened, swim on the side, and have eyes on one side, as the flounder, turbot, and halibut. See Flounder.


word: flatfoot
definition:
flatfoot

flat foot

flat" foot`, flat"foot`
(?)
(Med.)
A foot in which the arch of the instep is flattened so that the entire sole of the foot rests upon the ground; also, the deformity, usually congential, exhibited by such a foot; splayfoot.


word: Flat-footed
definition:
Flat-footed

Flat"-foot`ed
a.
1.
Having a flat foot, with little or no arch of the instep; suffering from fallen arches.
[wns=3]

2.
Firm-footed; determined.
[Slang, U.S.]

3.
clumsy; amateurish; pedestrian; unimaginative; plodding; as, flatfooted prose.

4.
Without reservation; without evasion or compromise; firm; as, a flat-footed refusal; a flatfooted denial.
[wns=4]

Syn. -- downright, forthright, foursquare, head-on, straightforward.

5.
With feet flat on the ground; not tiptoe.
[wns=1]

6.
Unprepared and unable to react quickly; as, the new product caught their competitors flat-footed.
[wns=2]

Syn. -- unready.

To catch (one) flatfooted to catch (a person) unprepared; to catch (a person) by surprise.


word: Flathead
definition:
Flathead

Flat"head`
(?)
a.
Characterized by flatness of head, especially that produced by artificial means, as a certain tribe of American Indians.


word: Flatling
definition:
Flatling

Flat"ling
(?)
adv.
[Flat, a. + adverbial suff. -ling.]
With the flat side, as of a sword; flatlong; in a prostrate position.
[Obs.]
Spenser.


word: Flatly
definition:
Flatly

Flat"ly
adv.
1.
In a flat manner; evenly; horizontally; without spirit; dully; frigidly.

He that does the works of religion slowly, flatly, and without appetite.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
peremptorily; positively; plainly; forthrightly.
flatly
Sir P. Sidney.


word: flatness
definition:
flatness

flat"ness
n.
1.
The quality or state of being flat.

2.
Eveness of surface; want of relief or prominence; the state of being plane or level.

3.
Want of vivacity or spirit; prostration; dejection; depression.

4.
Want of variety or flavor; dullness; insipidity.

5.
Depression of tone; the state of being below the true pitch; -- opposed to sharpness or acuteness.


word: flat-out
definition:
flat-out

flat-out
adj.
downright; plain; unqualified; as, a flat-out lie.

Syn. -- out-and-out, outright.


word: Flatten
definition:
Flatten

Flat"ten
(flăt"t'n)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flattened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flattening.]
[From Flat, a.]
1.
To reduce to an even surface or one approaching evenness; to make flat; to level; to make plane.

2.
To throw down; to bring to the ground; to prostrate; hence, to depress; to deject; to dispirit.

3.
To make vapid or insipid; to render stale.

4.
(Mus.)
To lower the pitch of; to cause to sound less sharp; to let fall from the pitch.

To flatten a sail (Naut.), to set it more nearly fore-and-aft of the vessel. -- Flattening oven, in glass making, a heated chamber in which split glass cylinders are flattened for window glass.


word: Flatten₂
definition:
Flatten

Flat"ten
v. i.
To become or grow flat, even, depressed, dull, vapid, spiritless, or depressed below pitch.


word: flattened
definition:
flattened

flattened
adj.
1.
shaped like a thin sheet.

Syn. -- planate.

2.
(Biol)
flattened laterally along the whole length e.g. certain leafstalks or flatfishes.

Syn. -- compressed, flat.


word: Flatter
definition:
Flatter

Flat"ter
(flăt"tẽr)
n.
1.
One who, or that which, makes flat or flattens.

2.
(Metal Working)
(a)
A flat-faced fulling hammer.
(b)
A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips, as watch springs, etc.


word: Flatter₂
definition:
Flatter

Flat"ter
(flăt"tẽr)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flattered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flattering.]
[OE. flateren, cf. OD. flatteren; akin to G. flattern to flutter, Icel. flaðra to fawn, flatter: cf. F. flatter.  Cf. Flitter, Flutter, Flattery.]
1.
To treat with praise or blandishments; to gratify or attempt to gratify the self-love or vanity of, esp. by artful and interested commendation or attentions; to blandish; to cajole; to wheedle.

When I tell him he hates flatterers,
He says he does, being then most flattered.
Shak.

A man that flattereth his neighbor, spreadeth a net for his feet.
Prov. xxix. 5.

Others he flattered by asking their advice.
Prescott.

2.
To raise hopes in; to encourage or favorable, but sometimes unfounded or deceitful, representations.

3.
To portray too favorably; to give a too favorable idea of; as, his portrait flatters him.


word: Flatter₃
definition:
Flatter

Flat"ter
v. i.
To use flattery or insincere praise.

If it may stand him more in stead to lie,
Say and unsay, feign, flatter, or adjure.
Milton.


word: Flatterer
definition:
Flatterer

Flat"ter*er
(?)
n.
One who flatters.

The most abject flaterers degenerate into the greatest tyrants.
Addison.


word: Flattering
definition:
Flattering

Flat"ter*ing
a.
That flatters (in the various senses of the verb); as, a flattering speech.

Lay not that flattering unction to your soul.
Shak.

A flattering painter, who made it his care,
To draw men as they ought be, not as they are.
Goldsmith.


word: Flattery
definition:
Flattery

Flat"ter*y
(?)
n.
pl. Flatteries (#).
[OE. flaterie, OF. flaterie, F. flaterie, fr. flater to flatter, F. flatter; of uncertain origin. See Flatter, v. t.]
The act or practice of flattering; the act of pleasing by artful commendation or compliments; adulation; false, insincere, or excessive praise.

Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present.
Rambler.

Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver.
Burke.


word: Flatting
definition:
Flatting

Flat"ting
(?)
n.
1.
The process or operation of making flat, as a cylinder of glass by opening it out.

2.
A mode of painting,in which the paint, being mixed with turpentine, leaves the work without gloss.
Gwilt.

3.
A method of preserving gilding unburnished, by touching with size.
Knolles.

4.
The process of forming metal into sheets by passing it between rolls.

Flatting coat, a coat of paint so put on as to have no gloss. -- Flatting furnace. Same as flattening oven, under Flatten. -- Flatting mill. (a) A rolling mill producing sheet metal; esp., in mints, the mill producing the ribbon from which the planchets are punched. (b) A mill in which grains of metal are flatted by steel rolls, and reduced to metallic dust, used for purposes of ornamentation.


word: Flatulency
definition:
Flatulency

Flatulence

{ Flat"u*lence (?), Flat"u*len*cy (?) }
n.
[Cf. F. flatulence.]
The state or quality of being flatulent.


word: Flatulent
definition:
Flatulent

Flat"u*lent
(?)
a.
[L. flatus a blowing, flatus ventris windiness, flatulence, fr. flare to blow: cf. F. flatulent. See Blow.]
1.
Affected with flatus{2} or gases generated in the alimentary canal; windy.

2.
Generating, or tending to generate, wind in the stomach.

Vegetables abound more with aërial particles than animal substances, and therefore are more flatulent.
Arbuthnot.

3.
Turgid with flatus; as, a flatulent tumor.
Quincy.

4.
Pretentious without substance or reality; puffy; empty; vain; as, a flatulent vanity.

He is too flatulent sometimes, and sometimes too dry.
Dryden.


word: Flatus
definition:
Flatus

Fla"tus
(?)
n.
pl. E. Flatuses (#), L. Flatus.
[L., fr. flare to blow.]
1.
A breath; a puff of wind.
Clarke.

2.
Gas generated in the stomach, intestine, or other cavities of the body.
Quincy.


word: flatware
definition:
flatware

flat"ware`
n.
eating utensils such as knives, forks, and spoons, considered collectively.

Syn. -- silver.


word: Flatwise
definition:
Flatwise

Flat"wise`
(?)
a. or adv.
With the flat side downward, or next to another object; not edgewise.


word: Flatworm
definition:
Flatworm

Flat"worm`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
Any worm belonging to the Platyhelminthes; also, sometimes applied to the planarians.


word: Flaunt
definition:
Flaunt

Flaunt
(flänt or fl&asuml_;nt; 277)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flaunted; p. pr. & vb. n.. Flaunting.]
[Cf. dial. G. flandern to flutter, wave; perh. akin to E. flatter, flutter.]
To throw or spread out; to flutter; to move ostentatiously; as, a flaunting show.

You flaunt about the streets in your new gilt chariot.
Arbuthnot.

One flaunts in rags, one flutters in brocade.
Pope.


word: Flauto
definition:
Flauto

Flau"to
(flou"to̝)
n.
[It.]
A flute.

Flauto piccolo (_;) [It., little flute], an octave flute. -- Flauto traverso (_;) [It., transverse flute], the German flute, held laterally, instead of being played, like the old flûte à bec, with a mouth piece at the end.


word: Flavaniline
definition:
Flavaniline

Fla*van"i*line
(? or ?; 104)
n.
[L. flavus yellow + E. aniline.]
(Chem.)
A yellow, crystalline, organic dyestuff, C16H14N2, of artifical production. It is a strong base, and is a complex derivative of aniline and quinoline.


word: Flavescent
definition:
Flavescent

Fla*ves"cent
(?)
a.
[L. flavescens, p. pr. of flavescere to turn yellow.]
Turning yellow; yellowish.


word: Flavicomous
definition:
Flavicomous

Fla*vic"o*mous
(?)
a.
[L. flavicomus; flavus yellow + coma hair.]
Having yellow hair.
[R.]


word: Flavin
definition:
Flavin

Fla"vin
(?)
n.
[L. flavus yellow.]
(Chem.)
A yellow, vegetable dyestuff, resembling quercitron.


word: Flavine
definition:
Flavine

Fla"vine
(?; 104)
n.
(Chem.)
A yellow, crystalline, organic base, C13H12N2O, obtained artificially.


word: Flavol
definition:
Flavol

Fla"vol
(?)
n.
[L. flavus yellow + -oil.]
(Chem.)
A yellow, crystalline substance, obtained from anthraquinone, and regarded as a hydroxyl derivative of it.


word: Flavor
definition:
Flavor

Fla"vor
(?)
n.
[OF. fleur, flaur (two syllables), odor, cf. F. fleurer to emit an odor, It. flatore a bad odor, prob. fr. L. flare to bow, whence the sense of exhalation.  Cf. Blow.]
[Written also flavour.]
1.
That quality of anything which affects the smell; odor; fragrances; as, the flavor of a rose.

2.
That quality of anything which affects the taste; that quality which gratifies the palate; relish; zest; savor; as, the flavor of food or drink.

3.
That which imparts to anything a peculiar odor or taste, gratifying to the sense of smell, or the nicer perceptions of the palate; a substance which flavors.

4.
That quality which gives character to any of the productions of literature or the fine arts.


word: Flavor₂
definition:
Flavor

Fla"vor
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flavored (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flavoring.]
To give flavor to; to add something (as salt or a spice) to, to give character or zest.


word: flavorful
definition:
flavorful

flavorful
adj.
tasteful; having a good taste; -- of food.
tasteless

Syn. -- flavourful, flavorous, flavourous, flavorsome, flavoursome, sapid, saporous.


word: flavoring
definition:
flavoring

flavoring
n.
something added to food primarily for the savor it imparts.

Syn. -- flavorer, flavourer, flavouring, seasoner, seasoning.


word: flavorless
definition:
flavorless

fla"vor*less
(?)
a.
Without flavor; tasteless.  Opposite of flavorful.

Syn. -- bland, flat, flavourless, insipid, savorless.


word: flavour
definition:
flavour

flavour
v. t.
same as flavor, v. and n..
[Chiefly Brit.]

Syn. -- season, flavor, give flavor.


word: flavoured
definition:
flavoured

flavoured
adj.
same as flavored; -- of foods.
[Chiefly Brit.]

Syn. -- flavored, seasoned.


word: flavourer
definition:
flavourer

flavourer
n.
same as flavoring.
[Chiefly Brit.]

Syn. -- flavorer, flavoring, flavouring, seasoner, seasoning.


word: flavourful
definition:
flavourful

flavourful
adj.
same as flavorful.
[Chiefly Brit.]

Syn. -- flavorful, flavorous, flavourous, flavorsome, flavoursome, sapid, saporous.


word: flavouring
definition:
flavouring

flavouring
n.
same as flavoring.
[Chiefly Brit.]

Syn. -- flavorer, flavourer, flavoring, seasoner, seasoning.


word: flavourless
definition:
flavourless

flavourless
adj.
same as flavorless.
[Chiefly Brit.]

Syn. -- bland, flat, flavorless, insipid, savorless.


word: flavourous
definition:
flavourous

flavourous
adj.
same as flavorful.
[Chiefly Brit.]

Syn. -- flavorful, flavourful, flavorous, flavorsome, flavoursome, sapid, saporous.


word: flavoursome
definition:
flavoursome

flavoursome
adj.
same as flavorful.
[Chiefly Brit.]

Syn. -- flavorful, flavourful, flavorous, flavourous, flavorsome, sapid, saporous.


word: Flaw
definition:
Flaw

Flaw
(fl&asuml_;)
n.
[OE. flai, flaw flake; cf. Sw. flaga flaw, crack, breach, flake, D. vlaag gust of wind, Norw. flage, flaag, and E. flag a flat stone.]
1.
A crack or breach; a gap or fissure; a defect of continuity or cohesion; as, a flaw in a knife or a vase.

This heart
Shall break into a hundered thousand flaws.
Shak.

2.
A defect; a fault; as, a flaw in reputation; a flaw in a will, in a deed, or in a statute.

Has not this also its flaws and its dark side?
South.

3.
A sudden burst of noise and disorder; a tumult; uproar; a quarrel.
[Obs.]

And deluges of armies from the town
Came pouring in; I heard the mighty flaw.
Dryden.

4.
A sudden burst or gust of wind of short duration.

Snow, and hail, and stormy gust and flaw.
Milton.

Like flaws in summer laying lusty corn.
Tennyson.


word: Flaw₂
definition:
Flaw

Flaw
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flawed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flawing.]
1.
To crack; to make flaws in.

The brazen caldrons with the frosts are flawed.
Dryden.

2.
To break; to violate; to make of no effect.
[Obs.]

France hath flawed the league.
Shak.


word: flawed
definition:
flawed

flawed
(fl&asuml_;d)
a.
having flaws or imperfections; not perfect; -- applied broadly; as, a flawed vase; a flawed performance; a flawed character.

Syn. -- blemished.


word: Flawn
definition:
Flawn

Flawn
(fl&asuml_;n)
n.
[OF. flaon, F. flan, LL. flado, fr. OHG. flado, G. fladen, a sort of pancake; cf. Gr. _; broad. See Place.]
A sort of flat custard or pie.
[Obs.]
Tusser.


word: Flawy
definition:
Flawy

Flaw"y
(?)
a.
1.
Full of flaws or cracks; broken; defective; faulty.
Johnson.

2.
Subject to sudden flaws or gusts of wind.


word: Flax
definition:
Flax

Flax
(flăks)
n.
[AS. fleax; akin to D. vlas, OHG. flahs, G. flachs, and prob. to flechten to braid, plait,m twist, L. plectere to weave, plicare to fold, Gr. _; to weave, plait. See Ply.]
1.
(Bot.)
A plant of the genus Linum, esp. the L. usitatissimum, which has a single, slender stalk, about a foot and a half high, with blue flowers. The fiber of the bark is used for making thread and cloth, called linen, cambric, lawn, lace, etc. Linseed oil is expressed from the seed.

2.
The skin or fibrous part of the flax plant, when broken and cleaned by hatcheling or combing.

Earth flax (Min.), amianthus. -- Flax brake, a machine for removing the woody portion of flax from the fibrous. -- Flax comb, a hatchel, hackle, or heckle. -- Flax cotton, the fiber of flax, reduced by steeping in bicarbonate of soda and acidulated liquids, and prepared for bleaching and spinning like cotton. Knight. -- Flax dresser, one who breaks and swingles flax, or prepares it for the spinner. -- Flax mill, a mill or factory where flax is spun or linen manufactured. -- Flax puller, a machine for pulling flax plants in the field. -- Flax wench. (a) A woman who spins flax. [Obs.] (b) A prostitute. [Obs.] Shak. -- Mountain flax (Min.), amianthus. -- New Zealand flax (Bot.) See Flax-plant.


word: Flaxen
definition:
Flaxen

Flax"en
(?)
a.
Made of flax; resembling flax or its fibers; of the color of flax; of a light soft straw color; fair and flowing, like flax or tow; as, flaxen thread; flaxen hair.


word: Flax-plant
definition:
Flax-plant

Flax"-plant`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A plant in new Zealand (Phormium tenax), allied to the lilies and aloes. The leaves are two inches wide and several feet long, and furnish a fiber which is used for making ropes, mats, and coarse cloth.


word: Flay
definition:
Flay

Flay
(flā)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flayed (flād); p. pr. & vb. n. Flaying.]
[OE. flean, flan, AS. fleán; akin to D. vlaen, Icel. flā, Sw. flå, Dan. flaae, cf. Lith. pleszti to tear, plyszti, v.i., to burst, tear; perh. akin to E. flag a flat stone, flaw.]
To skin; to strip off the skin or surface of; as, to flay an ox; to flay the green earth.

With her nails
She 'll flay thy wolfish visage.
Shak.


word: Flea
definition:
Flea

Flea
(flē)
v. t.
[See Flay.]
To flay.
[Obs.]

He will be fleaed first
And horse collars made of's skin.
J. Fletcher.


word: Flea₂
definition:
Flea

Flea
n.
[OE. fle, flee, AS. fleá, fleáh; akin to D. vtoo, OHG. fl&omacrh, G. floh, Icel. fl&omacr, Russ. blocha; prob. from the root of E. flee. √84. See Flee.]
(Zool.)
An insect belonging to the genus Pulex, of the order Aphaniptera. Fleas are destitute of wings, but have the power of leaping energetically. The bite is poisonous to most persons. The human flea (Pulex irritans), abundant in Europe, is rare in America, where the dog flea (Ctenocephalides canis, formerly Pulex canis) and the smaller cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) take its place. See Aphaniptera, and Dog flea. See Illustration in Appendix.

A flea in the ear, an unwelcome hint or unexpected reply, annoying like a flea; an irritating repulse; as, to put a flea in one's ear; to go away with a flea in one's ear. -- Beach flea, Black flea, etc. See under Beach, etc.


word: Fleabane
definition:
Fleabane

Flea"bane`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
One of various plants, supposed to have efficacy in driving away fleas. They belong, for the most part, to the genera Conyza, Erigeron, and Pulicaria.


word: Flea-beetle
definition:
Flea-beetle

Flea"-bee`tle
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A small beetle of the family Halticidæ, of many species. They have strong posterior legs and leap like fleas. The turnip flea-beetle (Phyllotreta vittata) and that of the grapevine (Graptodera chalybea) are common injurious species.


word: Flea-bite
definition:
Flea-bite

Flea"-bite`
(?)
n.
1.
The bite of a flea, or the red spot caused by the bite.

2.
A trifling wound or pain, like that of the bite of a flea.
Harvey.


word: flea-bitten
definition:
flea-bitten

flea"-bit`ten
(?)
a.
1.
Bitten by a flea; as, a flea-bitten face.

2.
White, flecked with minute dots of bay or sorrel; -- said of the color of a horse.

3.
same as creaky, 1.
[wns=1]

Syn. -- creaky, decrepit, run-down, rundown, woebegone.


word: Fleak
definition:
Fleak

Fleak
(flēk)
n.
A flake; a thread or twist.
[Obs.]

Little long fleaks or threads of hemp.
Dr. H. More.


word: Fleaking
definition:
Fleaking

Fleak"ing
n.
A light covering of reeds, over which the main covering is laid, in thatching houses.
[Prov. Eng.]
Wright.


word: Flea-louse
definition:
Flea-louse

Flea"-louse`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A jumping plant louse of the family Psyllidæ, of many species. That of the pear tree is Psylla pyri.


word: Fleam
definition:
Fleam

Fleam
(?)
n.
[F. flamme, OF. flieme, fr. LL. flevotomum, phlebotomum; cf. D. vlijm. See Phlebotomy.]
(Surg. & Far.)
A sharp instrument used for opening veins, lancing gums, etc.; a kind of lancet.

Fleam tooth, a tooth of a saw shaped like an isosceles triangle; a peg tooth. Knight.


word: Fleamy
definition:
Fleamy

Fleam"y
(?)
a.
Bloody; clotted.
[Obs. or Prov.]

Foamy bubbling of a fleamy brain.
Marston.


word: Fleawort
definition:
Fleawort

Flea"wort`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
An herb used in medicine (Plantago Psyllium), named from the shape of its seeds.
Loudon.


word: Fleche
definition:
Fleche

Flèche
(?)
n.
[F. flèche, prop., an arrow.]
(Fort.)
A simple fieldwork, consisting of two faces forming a salient angle pointing outward and open at the gorge.


word: Fleck₂
definition:
Fleck

Fleck
(?)
n.
[Cf. Icel. flekkr; akin to Sw. fläck, D. vlek, G. fleck, and perh. to E. flitch.]
A spot; a streak; a speckle.
fleck
Longfellow.

Life is dashed with flecks of sin.
tennyson.


word: Fleck₃
definition:
Fleck

Fleck
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flecked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flecking.]
[Cf. Icel. flekka, Sw. fläcka, D. vlekken, vlakken, G. flecken. See Fleck, n.]
To spot; to streak or stripe; to variegate; to dapple.

Both flecked with white, the true Arcadian strain.
Dryden.

A bird, a cloud, flecking the sunny air.
Trench.


word: Fleckless
definition:
Fleckless

Fleck"less
a.
Without spot or blame.
[R.]

My consnience will not count me fleckless.
Tennyson.


word: Flection
definition:
Flection

Flec"tion
(?)
n.
[See Flexion.]
1.
The act of bending, or state of being bent.

2.
The variation of words by declension, comparison, or conjugation; inflection.


word: Flectional
definition:
Flectional

Flec"tion*al
(?)
a.
Capable of, or pertaining to, flection or inflection.

A flectional word is a phrase in the bud.
Earle.


word: Fledge
definition:
Fledge

Fledge
(?)
a.
[OE. flegge, flygge; akin to D. vlug, G. flügge, flücke, OHG. flucchi, Icel. fleygr, and to E. fly. √84. See Fly, v. i.]
Feathered; furnished with feathers or wings; able to fly.

His shoulders, fledge with wings.
Milton.


word: Fledge₂
definition:
Fledge

Fledge
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Fledged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fledging.]
1.
To furnish with feathers; to supply with the feathers necessary for flight.

The birds were not as yet fledged enough to shift for themselves.
L'Estrange.

2.
To furnish or adorn with any soft covering.

Your master, whose chin is not yet fledged.
Shak.


word: fledged
definition:
fledged

fledged
adj.
1.
having developed feathers or plumage; often used in combination; -- of birds.
fledgling(prenominal), fledgeling(prenominal)
unfledged

Syn. -- mature.

2.
equipped with feathers; -- of an arrow.

Syn. -- vaned.


word: fledgeless
definition:
fledgeless

fledgeless
adj.
not equipped with feathers; -- of an arrow.

Syn. -- unfledged, unvaned.


word: fledgling
definition:
fledgling

fledgeling

fledgeling, fledgling
n.
a new member of a group.

Syn. -- newcomer, fledgeling, starter, neophyte, freshman, entrant.

2.
A young bird just fledged.
[wns=2]


word: fledgling₂
definition:
fledgling

fledgling
adj.
1.
having just acquired its flight feathers; -- of a young bird; as, a fledgling robin.
[prenominal]

Syn. -- fledgeling(prenominal).

2.
young and inexperienced; as, a fledgling enterprise; a fledgling skier.

Syn. -- unfledged.


word: Flee
definition:
Flee

Flee
(flē)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Fled (flĕd); p. pr. & vb. n. Fleeing.]
[OE. fleon, fleen, AS. fleón (imperf. fleáh); akin to D. vlieden, OHG. & OS. fliohan, G. fliehen, Icel. fl&ymacr_;ja (imperf. fl&ymacr_;ði), Dan. flye, Sw. fly (imperf. flydde), Goth. þliuhan. √84.  Cf. Flight.]
To run away, as from danger or evil; to avoid in an alarmed or cowardly manner; to hasten off; -- usually with from. This is sometimes omitted, making the verb transitive.

[He] cowardly fled, not having struck one stroke.
Shak.

Flee fornication.
1 Cor. vi. 18.

So fled his enemies my warlike father.
Shak.

&hand_; When great speed is to be indicated, we commonly use fly, not flee; as, fly hence to France with the utmost speed. “Whither shall I fly to 'scape their hands?” Shak. See Fly, v. i., 5.


word: Fleece
definition:
Fleece

Fleece
(flēs)
n.
[OE. flees, AS. fleós; akin to D. flies, vlies.]
1.
The entire coat of wool that covers a sheep or other similar animal; also, the quantity shorn from a sheep, or animal, at one time.

Who shore me
Like a tame wether, all my precious fleece.
Milton.

2.
Any soft woolly covering resembling a fleece.

3.
(Manuf.)
The fine web of cotton or wool removed by the doffing knife from the cylinder of a carding machine.

Fleece wool, wool shorn from the sheep. -- Golden fleece. See under Golden.


word: Fleece₂
definition:
Fleece

Fleece
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fleeced (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fleecing.]
1.
To deprive of a fleece, or natural covering of wool.

2.
To strip of money or other property unjustly, especially by trickery or fraud; to bring to straits by oppressions and exactions.

Whilst pope and prince shared the wool betwixt them, the people were finely fleeced.
Fuller.

3.
To spread over as with wool.
[R.]
Thomson.


word: Fleeced
definition:
Fleeced

Fleeced
(?)
a.
1.
Furnished with a fleece; as, a sheep is well fleeced.
Spenser.

2.
Stripped of a fleece; plundered; robbed.


word: Fleecer
definition:
Fleecer

Flee"cer
(?)
n.
One who fleeces or strips unjustly, especially by trickery or fraund.
Prynne.


word: fleer₂
definition:
fleer

fleer
(flēr)
[imp. & p. p. fleered (flērd); p. pr. & vb. n. fleering.]
[OE. flerien; cf. Scot. fleyr, Norw. flira to titter, giggle, laugh at nothing, MHG. vlerre, vlarre, a wide wound.]
1.
To make a wry face in contempt, or to grin in scorn; to deride; to sneer; to mock; to gibe; as, to fleer and flout.

To fleer and scorn at our solemnity.
Shak.

2.
To grin with an air of civility; to leer.
[Obs.]

Grinning and fleering as though they went to a bear baiting.
Latimer.


word: Fleer₂
definition:
Fleer

Fleer
n.
1.
A word or look of derision or mockery.

And mark the fleers, the gibes, and notable scorn.
Shak.

2.
A grin of civility; a leer.
[Obs.]

A sly, treacherous fleer on the face of deceivers.
South.


word: fleet
definition:
fleet

fleet
(flēt)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. fleeted; p. pr. & vb. n. fleeting.]
[OE. fleten, fleoten, to swim, AS. fleótan to swim, float; akin to D. vlieten to flow, OS. fliotan, OHG. fliozzan, G. fliessen, Icel. flj&omacrta to float, flow, Sw. flyta, D. flyde, L. pluere to rain, Gr. plei^n to sail, swim, float, Skr. plu to swim, sail. √84.  Cf. Fleet, n. & a., Float, Pluvial, Flow.]
1.
To sail; to float.
[Obs.]

And in frail wood on Adrian Gulf doth fleet.
Spenser.

2.
To fly swiftly; to pass over quickly; to hasten; to flit as a light substance.

All the unaccomplished works of Nature's hand, . . . 
Dissolved on earth, fleet hither.
Milton.

3.
(Naut.)
To slip on the whelps or the barrel of a capstan or windlass; -- said of a cable or hawser.

4.
(Naut.)
To move or change in position; -- said of persons; as, the crew fleeted aft.


word: Fleet
definition:
Fleet

Fleet
v. t.
1.
To pass over rapidly; to skin the surface of; as, a ship that fleets the gulf.
Spenser.

2.
To hasten over; to cause to pass away lighty, or in mirth and joy.

Many young gentlemen flock to him, and fleet the time carelessly.
Shak.

3.
(Naut.)
(a)
To draw apart the blocks of; -- said of a tackle.
Totten.
4.
(Naut.)
To move or change in position; used only in special phrases; as, of fleet aft the crew.
We got the long “stick” . . . down and “fleeted” aft, where it was secured.
F. T. Bullen.


word: Fleet₂
definition:
Fleet

Fleet
a.
[Compar. Fleeter (?); superl. Fleetest.]
[Cf. Icel. flj&omacrtr quick. See Fleet, v. i.]
1.
Swift in motion; moving with velocity; light and quick in going from place to place; nimble.

In mail their horses clad, yet fleet and strong.
Milton.

2.
Light; superficially thin; not penetrating deep, as soil.
[Prov. Eng.]
Mortimer.


word: Fleet₃
definition:
Fleet

Fleet
n.
[OE. flete, fleote, AS. fleót ship, fr. fleótan to float, swim. See Fleet, v. i. and cf. Float.]
A number of vessels in company, especially war vessels; also, the collective naval force of a country, etc.

Fleet captain, the senior aid of the admiral of a fleet, when a captain. Ham. Nav. Encyc.


word: Fleet₄
definition:
Fleet

Fleet
n.
[AS. fleót a place where vessels float, bay, river; akin to D. vliet rill, brook, G. fliess. See Fleet, v. i.]
1.
A flood; a creek or inlet; a bay or estuary; a river; -- obsolete, except as a place name, -- as Fleet Street in London.

Together wove we nets to entrap the fish
In floods and sedgy fleets.
Matthewes.

2.
A former prison in London, which originally stood near a stream, the Fleet (now filled up).

Fleet parson, a clergyman of low character, in, or in the vicinity of, the Fleet prison, who was ready to unite persons in marriage (called Fleet marriage) at any hour, without public notice, witnesses, or consent of parents.


word: Fleet₅
definition:
Fleet

Fleet
(?)
v. t.
[AS. flēt cream, fr. fleótan to float. See Fleet, v. i.]
To take the cream from; to skim.
[Prov. Eng.]
Johnson.


word: Fleeten
definition:
Fleeten

Fleet"en
(?)
n.
Fleeted or skimmed milk.
[Obs.]

Fleeten face, a face of the color of fleeten, i. e., blanched; hence, a coward. “You know where you are, you fleeten face.”  Beau. & Fl.


word: Fleeting
definition:
Fleeting

Fleet"ing
a.
Passing swiftly away; not durable; transient; transitory; as, the fleeting hours or moments.


word: Fleetings
definition:
Fleetings

Fleet"ings
(?)
n. pl.
A mixture of buttermilk and boiling whey; curds.
[prov. Eng.]
Wright.


word: Fleetness
definition:
Fleetness

Fleet"ness
n.
Swiftness; rapidity; velocity; celerity; speed; as, the fleetness of a horse or of time.


word: Fleme
definition:
Fleme

Fleme
(?)
v. t.
[AS. flēman, fl&ymacr_;man.]
To banish; to drive out; to expel.
[Obs.]
flemeth discretion
Chaucer.


word: Flemish
definition:
Flemish

Flem"ish
(?)
a.
Pertaining to Flanders, or the Flemings.
n. The language or dialect spoken by the Flemings; also, collectively, the people of Flanders.

Flemish accounts (Naut.), short or deficient accounts. [Humorous] Ham. Nav. Encyc. -- Flemish beauty (Bot.), a well known pear. It is one of few kinds which have a red color on one side. -- Flemish bond. (Arch.) See Bond, n., 8. -- Flemish brick, a hard yellow paving brick. -- Flemish coil, a flat coil of rope with the end in the center and the turns lying against, without riding over, each other. -- Flemish eye (Naut.), an eye formed at the end of a rope by dividing the strands and lying them over each other. -- Flemish horse (Naut.), an additional footrope at the end of a yard.


word: Flense
definition:
Flense

Flense
(?)
v. t.
[Cf. Dan. flense, D. vlensen, vlenzen, Scot. flinch.]
To strip the blubber or skin from, as from a whale, seal, etc.

the flensed carcass of a fur seal.
U. S. Census (1880).


word: Flesh
definition:
Flesh

Flesh
(flĕsh)
n.
[OE. flesch, flesc, AS. fl&aemacr_;sc; akin to OFries. flāsk, D. vleesch, OS. flēsk, OHG. fleisc, G. fleisch, Icel. & Dan. flesk lard, bacon, pork, Sw. fläsk.]
1.
The aggregate of the muscles, fat, and other tissues which cover the framework of bones in man and other animals; especially, the muscles.

&hand_; In composition it is mainly proteinaceous, but contains in adition a large number of low-molecular-weight subtances, such as creatin, xanthin, hypoxanthin, carnin, etc. It is also rich in potassium phosphate.

2.
Animal food, in distinction from vegetable; meat; especially, the body of beasts and birds used as food, as distinguished from fish.

With roasted flesh, or milk, and wastel bread.
Chaucer.

3.
The human body, as distinguished from the soul; the corporeal person.

As if this flesh, which walls about our life,
Were brass impregnable.
Shak.

4.
The human eace; mankind; humanity.

All flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
Gen. vi. 12.

5.
Human nature
(a)
In a good sense, tenderness of feeling; gentleness.

There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart.
Cowper.
6.
Kindred; stock; race.

He is our brother and our flesh.
Gen. xxxvii. 27.

7.
The soft, pulpy substance of fruit; also, that part of a root, fruit, and the like, which is fit to be eaten.

&hand_; Flesh is often used adjectively or self-explaining compounds; as, flesh broth or flesh-broth; flesh brush or fleshbrush; flesh tint or flesh-tint; flesh wound.

After the flesh, after the manner of man; in a gross or earthly manner. “Ye judge after the flesh.” John viii. 15. -- An arm of flesh, human strength or aid. -- Flesh and blood. See under Blood. -- Flesh broth, broth made by boiling flesh in water. -- Flesh fly (Zool.), one of several species of flies whose larvæ or maggots feed upon flesh, as the bluebottle fly; -- called also meat fly, carrion fly, and blowfly. See Blowly. -- Flesh meat, animal food. Swift. -- Flesh side, the side of a skin or hide which was next to the flesh; -- opposed to grain side. -- Flesh tint (Painting), a color used in painting to imitate the hue of the living body. -- Flesh worm (Zool.), any insect larva of a flesh fly. See Flesh fly (above). -- Proud flesh. See under Proud. -- To be one flesh, to be closely united as in marriage; to become as one person. Gen. ii. 24.


word: Flesh₂
definition:
Flesh

Flesh
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fleshed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fleshing.]
1.
To feed with flesh, as an incitement to further exertion; to initiate; -- from the practice of training hawks and dogs by feeding them with the first game they take, or other flesh. Hence, to use upon flesh (as a murderous weapon) so as to draw blood, especially for the first time.

Full bravely hast thou fleshed
Thy maiden sword.
Shak.

The wild dog
Shall flesh his tooth on every innocent.
Shak.

2.
To glut; to satiate; hence, to harden, to accustom.
Fleshed
Glanvill.

Old soldiers
Fleshed in the spoils of Germany and France.
Beau. & Fl.

3.
(Leather Manufacture)
To remove flesh, membrance, etc., from, as from hides.


word: Fleshed
definition:
Fleshed

Fleshed
(?)
a.
1.
Corpulent; fat; having flesh.

2.
Glutted; satiated; initiated.

Fleshed with slaughter.
Dryden.


word: Flesher
definition:
Flesher

Flesh"er
(?)
n.
1.
A butcher.

A flesher on a block had laid his whittle down.
Macaulay.

2.
A two-handled, convex, blunt-edged knife, for scraping hides; a fleshing knife.


word: Fleshhood
definition:
Fleshhood

Flesh"hood
(?)
n.
The state or condition of having a form of flesh; incarnation.
[R.]

Thou, who hast thyself
Endured this fleshhood.
Mrs. Browning.


word: Fleshiness
definition:
Fleshiness

Flesh"i*ness
(?)
n.
The state of being fleshy; plumpness; corpulence; grossness.
Milton.


word: Fleshliness
definition:
Fleshliness

Flesh"li*ness
(?)
n.
The state of being fleshly; carnal passions and appetites.
Spenser.


word: Fleshly
definition:
Fleshly

Flesh"ly
(flĕsh"l&ybreve_;)
a.
[AS. fl&aemacr_;sclīc.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the flesh; corporeal.
Fleshly
Denham.

2.
Animal; not vegetable.
Dryden.

3.
Human; not celestial; not spiritual or divine.
Fleshly
2 Cor. i. 12.

Much ostentation vain of fleshly arm
And fragile arms.
Milton.

4.
Carnal; wordly; lascivious.

Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.
1 Pet. ii. 11.


word: Fleshment
definition:
Fleshment

Flesh"ment
(?)
n.
The act of fleshing, or the excitement attending a successful beginning.
[R.]
Shak.


word: Fleshmonger
definition:
Fleshmonger

Flesh"mon`ger
(?)
n.
[AS. fl&aemacr_;sc mangere.]
One who deals in flesh; hence, a pimp; a procurer; a pander.
[R.]
Shak.


word: Fleshpot
definition:
Fleshpot

Flesh"pot`
(?)
n.
1.
A pot or vessel in which flesh is cooked.

In the land of Egypt . . . we sat by the fleshpots, and . . . did eat bread to the full.
Ex. xvi. 3.

2.
hence
pl.
plenty; high living.

3.
pl.
Places providing opportunity to indulge in amusements or pleasures without moral restraints.


word: Fleshy
definition:
Fleshy

Flesh"y
(?)
a.
[Compar. Fleshier (?); superl. Fleshiest (?).]
1.
Full of, or composed of, flesh; plump; corpulent; fat; gross.

The sole of his foot is fleshy.
Ray.

2.
Human.
[Obs.]
Fleshy
Milton.

3.
(Bot.)
Composed of firm pulp; succulent; as, the houseleek, cactus, and agave are fleshy plants.


word: Fletch
definition:
Fletch

Fletch
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fletched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fletching.]
[F. flèche arrow.]
To feather, as an arrow.
Bp. Warburton.

[Congress] fletched their complaint, by adding: “America loved his brother.”
Bancroft.


word: Fletcher
definition:
Fletcher

Fletch"er
(?)
n.
[OF. flechier.]
One who fletches or feathers arrows; a manufacturer of bows and arrows.
[Obs.]
Mortimer.


word: Fletiferous
definition:
Fletiferous

Fle*tif"er*ous
(?)
a.
[L. fletifer; fletus a weeping (from flere, fletum, to weep) + ferre to bear.]
Producing tears.
[Obs.]
Blount.


word: Fleur-de-lis
definition:
Fleur-de-lis

Fleur`-de-lis`
(?)
n.
pl. Fleurs-de-lis (#).
[F., flower of the lily.  Cf. Flower-de-luce, Lily.]
1.
(Bot.)
The iris. See Flower-de-luce.

2.
A conventional flower suggested by the iris, and having a form which fits it for the terminal decoration of a scepter, the ornaments of a crown, etc. It is also a heraldic bearing, and is identified with the royal arms and adornments of France.


word: Fleuron
definition:
Fleuron

Fleu`ron"
(?)
n.
[F., fr. OF. floron. Cf. Floroon.]
A flower-shaped ornament, esp. one terminating an object or forming one of a series, as a knob of a cover to a dish, or a flower-shaped part in a necklace.


word: Fleury
definition:
Fleury

Fleur"y
(?)
a.
[F. fleuri covered with flowers, p. p. of fleurir. See Flourish.]
(Her.)
Finished at the ends with fleurs-de-lis; -- said esp. of a cross so decorated.


word: Flews
definition:
Flews

Flews
(?)
n. pl.
The pendulous or overhanging lateral parts of the upper lip of dogs, especially prominent in hounds; -- called also chaps. See Illust. of Bloodhound.


word: Flex
definition:
Flex

Flex
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flexed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flexing.]
[L. flexus, p. p. of flectere to bend, perh. flectere and akin to falx sickle, E. falchion.  Cf. Flinch.]
To bend; as, to flex the arm.


word: Flexanimous
definition:
Flexanimous

Flex*an"i*mous
(?)
a.
[L. flexanimus; flectere, flexum, to bend + animus mind.]
Having power to change the mind.
[Obs.]
Howell.


word: Flexibility
definition:
Flexibility

Flex`i*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
[L. flexibilitas: cf. F. flexibilite.]
The state or quality of being flexible; flexibleness; pliancy; pliability; as, the flexibility of strips of hemlock, hickory, whalebone or metal, or of rays of light.
Sir I. Newton.

All the flexibility of a veteran courtier.
Macaulay.


word: Flexible
definition:
Flexible

Flex"i*ble
(?)
a.
[L. flexibilis: cf. F. flexible.]
1.
Capable of being flexed or bent; admitting of being turned, bowed, or twisted, without breaking; pliable; yielding to pressure; not stiff or brittle.

When the splitting wind
Makes flexible the knees of knotted oaks.
Shak.

2.
Willing or ready to yield to the influence of others; not invincibly rigid or obstinate; tractable; manageable; ductile; easy and compliant; wavering.

Phocion was a man of great severity, and no ways flexible to the will of the people.
Bacon.

Women are soft, mild, pitiful, and flexible.
Shak.

3.
Capable or being adapted or molded; plastic,; as, a flexible language.

This was a principle more flexible to their purpose.
Rogers.


word: Flexicostate
definition:
Flexicostate

Flex`i*cos"tate
(?)
a.
[L. flexus bent + E. costate.]
(Anat.)
Having bent or curved ribs.


word: Flexile
definition:
Flexile

Flex"ile
(?)
a.
[L. flexilis.]
Flexible; pliant; pliable; easily bent; plastic; tractable.
Wordsworth.


word: Flexion
definition:
Flexion

Flex"ion
(?)
n.
[L. flexio: cf. F. flexion.]
1.
The act of flexing or bending; a turning.

2.
A bending; a part bent; a fold.
Bacon.

3.
(Gram.)
Syntactical change of form of words, as by declension or conjugation; inflection.

Express the syntactical relations by flexion.
Sir W. Hamilton.

4.
(Physiol.)
The bending of a limb or joint; that motion of a joint which gives the distal member a continually decreasing angle with the axis of the proximal part; -- distinguished from extension.


word: Flexor
definition:
Flexor

Flex"or
(?)
n.
[NL.]
(Anat.)
A muscle which bends or flexes any part; as, the flexors of the arm or the hand; -- opposed to extensor.


word: flex time
definition:
flex time

flextime

flexitime

flex"i*time`, flex"time` flex" time`
(?)
n.
[short for flexible time.]
A system of scheduling working hours in places of employment, which allows employees to arrive at and leave work at times of their own choice, providing that they work the required number of hours and usually requiring that they be present during certain hours, called core time.
Certain workers prefer to arrive early and leave early, and others prefer to arrive late and leave late.  Flex time is a way to accommodate such preferences, presumably improving employee morale, and also helps reduce traffic congestion during commmuting times.


word: Flexuous
definition:
Flexuous

Flex"u*ous
(?)
a.
[L. flexuosus, fr. flexus a bending, turning.]
1.
Having turns, windings, or flexures.

2.
(Bot.)
Having alternate curvatures in opposite directions; bent in a zigzag manner.

3.
Wavering; not steady; flickering.
Bacon.


word: Flexural
definition:
Flexural

Flex"u*ral
(?)
a.
[From Flexure.]
Of, pertaining to, or resulting from, flexure; of the nature of, or characterized by, flexure; as, flexural elasticity.


word: Flexure
definition:
Flexure

Flex"ure
(?; 135)
n.
[L. flexura.]
1.
The act of flexing or bending; a turning or curving; flexion; hence, obsequious bowing or bending.

Will it give place to flexure and low bending?
Shak.

2.
A turn; a bend; a fold; a curve.

Varying with the flexures of the valley through which it meandered.
British Quart. Rev.

3.
(Zool.)
The last joint, or bend, of the wing of a bird.

4.
(Astron.)
The small distortion of an astronomical instrument caused by the weight of its parts; the amount to be added or substracted from the observed readings of the instrument to correct them for this distortion.

The flexure of a curve (Math.), the bending of a curve towards or from a straight line.


word: Flick
definition:
Flick

Flick
(flĭk)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flicked (flĭkt); p. pr. & vb. n. Flicking.]
[Cf. Flicker.]
1.
To whip lightly or with a quick jerk; to flap; as, to flick a horse; to flick the dirt from boots.
Thackeray.

2.
To throw, snap, or toss with a jerk; to flirt; as, to flick a whiplash.
Rude boys were flicking butter pats across chaos.
Kipling.


word: Flick₃
definition:
Flick

Flick
n.
[See Flick, v. t.]
1.
A light quick stroke or blow, esp. with something pliant; a flirt; also, the sound made by such a blow.
She actually took the whip out of his hand and gave a flick to the pony.
Mrs. Humphry Ward.

2.
A motion picture; as, I went to see a flick on Friday.
[Colloq.]


word: Flicker
definition:
Flicker

Flick"er
(flĭk"ẽr)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flickered (flĭk"ẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Flickering.]
[OE. flikeren, flekeren, to flutter, AS. flicerian, flicorian, cf. D. flikkeren to sparkle. √84.  Cf. Flacker.]
1.
To flutter; to flap the wings without flying.

And flickering on her nest made short essays to sing.
Dryden.

2.
To waver unsteadily, like a flame in a current of air, or when about to expire; as, the flickering light.

The shadows flicker to fro.
Tennyson.


word: Flicker₂
definition:
Flicker

Flick"er
n.
1.
The act of wavering or of fluttering; fluctuation; sudden and brief increase of brightness; as, the last flicker of the dying flame.

2.
(Zool.)
The golden-winged woodpecker (Colaptes aurutus); -- so called from its spring note. Called also yellow-hammer, high-holder, pigeon woodpecker, and yucca.

The cackle of the flicker among the oaks.
Thoureau.


word: Flidge₂
definition:
Flidge

Flidge
v. i.
To become fledged; to fledge.
[Obs.]

Every day build their nests, every hour flidge.
R. Greene.


word: Flier
definition:
Flier

Fli"er
(flī"ẽr)
n.
[Form Fly, v.; cf. Flyer]
1.
One who flies or flees; a runaway; a fugitive.
Shak.

2.
(Mach.)
A fly. See Fly, n., 9, and 13 (b).

3.
(Spinning)
See Flyer, n., 5.

4.
(Arch.)
See Flyer, n., 4.

5.
An aëroplane or flying machine.


word: Flight
definition:
Flight

Flight
(flīt)
n.
[AS. fliht, flyht, a flying, fr. fleógan to fly; cf. flyht a fleeing, fr. fleón to flee, G. flucht a fleeing, Sw. flykt, G. flug a flying, Sw. flygt, D. vlugt a fleeing or flying, Dan. flugt. √84. See Flee, Fly.]
1.
The act of flying; a passing through the air by the help of wings; volitation; mode or style of flying.

Like the night owl's lazy flight.
Shak.

2.
The act of fleeing; the act of running away, to escape danger or expected evil; hasty departure.

Pray ye that your flight be not in the winter.
Matt. xxiv. 20.

Fain by flight to save themselves.
Shak.

3.
Lofty elevation and excursion; a mounting; a soaring; as, a flight of imagination, ambition, folly.

Could he have kept his spirit to that flight,
He had been happy.
Byron.

His highest flights were indeed far below those of Taylor.
Macaulay.

4.
A number of beings or things passing through the air together; especially, a flock of birds flying in company; the birds that fly or migrate together; the birds produced in one season; as, a flight of arrows.
Swift.

Swift flights of angels ministrant.
Milton.

Like a flight of fowl
Scattered winds and tempestuous gusts.
Shak.

5.
A series of steps or stairs from one landing to another.
Parker.

6.
A kind of arrow for the longbow; also, the sport of shooting with it. See Shaft.
[Obs.]

Challenged Cupid at the flight.
Shak.

Not a flight drawn home
E'er made that haste that they have.
Beau. & Fl.

7.
The husk or glume of oats.
[Prov. Eng.]
Wright.

8.
a trip made by or in a flying vehicle, as an airplane, spacecraft, or aeronautical balloon.

9.
A scheduled flight{8} on a commercial airline; as, the next flight leaves at 8 o'clock.

Flight feathers (Zool.), the wing feathers of a bird, including the quills, coverts, and bastard wing. See Bird. -- To put to flight, To turn to flight, to compel to run away; to force to flee; to rout. -- to take a flight{9}, to make a trip in an airplane, especially a scheduled flight{9}.


word: Flighted
definition:
Flighted

Flight"ed
(?)
a.
1.
Taking flight; flying; -- used in composition.
flighted
Milton.

2.
(Her.)
Feathered; -- said of arrows.


word: Flighter
definition:
Flighter

Flight"er
(?)
n.
(Brewing)
A horizontal vane revolving over the surface of wort in a cooler, to produce a circular current in the liquor.
Knight.


word: Flightiness
definition:
Flightiness

Flight"i*ness
n.
The state or quality of being flighty.

The flightness of her temper.
Hawthorne.


word: Flight-shot
definition:
Flight-shot

Flight"-shot`
(?)
n.
The distance to which an arrow or flight may be shot; bowshot, -- about the fifth of a mile.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]

Within a flight-shot it inthe valley.
Evelyn.

Half a flight-shot from the king's oak.
Sir W. Scott.


word: Flighty
definition:
Flighty

Flight"y
(?)
a.
1.
Fleeting; swift; transient.

The flighty purpose never is o'ertook,
Unless the deed go with it.
Shak.

2.
Indulging in flights, or wild and unrestrained sallies, of imagination, humor, caprice, etc.; given to disordered fancies and extravagant conduct; volatile; giddy; eccentric; slighty delirious.

Proofs of my flighty and paradoxical turn of mind.
Coleridge.

A harsh disciplinarian and a flighty enthusiast.
J. S. Harford.


word: Flimsy
definition:
Flimsy

Flim"sy
(?)
a.
[Compar. Flimsier (?); superl. Flimsiest.]
[Cf. W. llymsi naked, bare, empty, sluggish, spiritless.  Cf. Limsy.]
Weak; feeble; limp; slight; vain; without strength or solidity; of loose and unsubstantial structure; without reason or plausibility; as, a flimsy argument, excuse, objection.

Proud of a vast extent of flimsy lines.
Pope.

All the flimsy furniture of a country miss's brain.
Sheridan.


word: Flinch
definition:
Flinch

Flinch
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flinched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flinching.]
[Prob. fr. OE. flecchen to waver, give way, F. fléchir, fr. L. flectere to bend; but prob. influenced by E. blench.  Cf. Flex.]
1.
To withdraw from any suffering or undertaking, from pain or danger; to fail in doing or perserving; to show signs of yielding or of suffering; to shrink; to wince; as, one of the parties flinched from the combat.

A child, by a constant course of kindness, may be accustomed to bear very rough usage without flinching or complaining.
Locke.

2.
(Croquet)
To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.


word: Flindermouse
definition:
Flindermouse

Flin"der*mouse`
(?)
n.
[OE. vlindre moth (cf. D. vlinder butterfly) + E. mouse.  Cf. Flittermouse, Flinders.]
(Zool.)
A bat; a flittermouse.


word: Flinders
definition:
Flinders

Flin"ders
(?)
n. pl.
[Scot. flenders, flendris; perh. akin to E. flutter; cf. D. flenters rags, broken pieces.]
Small pieces or splinters; fragments.

The tough ash spear, so stout and true,
Into a thousand flinders flew.
Sir W. Scott.


word: flindosy
definition:
flindosy

flindosa

flindosa, flindosy
n.
A tall Australian timber tree (Flindersia australis) yielding tough hard wood used for staves etc.

Syn. -- native beech, flindosy, Flindersia australis.


word: Fling
definition:
Fling

Fling
(flĭng)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flung (flŭng); p. pr. & vb. n. Flinging.]
[OE. flingen, flengen, to rush, hurl; cf. Icel. flengia to whip, ride furiously, OSw. flenga to strike, Sw. flänga to romp, Dan. flenge to slash.]
1.
To cast, send, to throw from the hand; to hurl; to dart; to emit with violence as if thrown from the hand; as, to fing a stone into the pond.

'T is Fate that flings the dice: and, as she flings,
Of kings makes peasants, and of peasants kings.
Dryden.

He . . . like Jove, his lighting flung.
Dryden.

I know thy generous temper well.
Fling but the appearance of dishonor on it,
It straight takes fire.
Addison.

2.
To shed forth; to emit; to scatter.

The sun begins to fling
His flaring beams.
Milton.

Every beam new transient colors flings.
Pope.

3.
To throw; to hurl; to throw off or down; to prostrate; hence, to baffle; to defeat; as, to fling a party in litigation.

His horse started, flung him, and fell upon him.
Walpole.

To fling about, to throw on all sides; to scatter. -- To fling away, to reject; to discard.
[1913 Webster]
Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition. Shak.
--To fling down. (a) To throw to the ground; esp., to throw in defiance, as formerly knights cast a glove into the arena as a challenge.
[1913 Webster]
This question so flung down before the guests, . . . 
Was handed over by consent of all
To me who had not spoken. Tennyson.
(b) To overturn; to demolish; to ruin. -- To fling in, to throw in; not to charge in an account; as, in settling accounts, one party flings in a small sum, or a few days' work. -- To fling off, to baffle in the chase; to defeat of prey; also, to get rid of. Addison. -- To fling open, to throw open; to open suddenly or with violence; as, to fling open a door. -- To fling out, to utter; to speak in an abrupt or harsh manner; as, to fling out hard words against another. -- To fling up, to relinquish; to abandon; as, to fling up a design.


word: Fling₂
definition:
Fling

Fling
(?)
v. i.
1.
To throw; to wince; to flounce; as, the horse began to kick and fling.

2.
To cast in the teeth; to utter abusive language; to sneer; as, the scold began to flout and fling.

3.
To throw one's self in a violent or hasty manner; to rush or spring with violence or haste.

And crop-full, out of doors he flings.
Milton.

I flung closer to his breast,
As sword that, after battle, flings to sheath.
Mrs. Browning.

To fling out, to become ugly and intractable; to utter sneers and insinuations.


word: Fling₃
definition:
Fling

Fling
n.
1.
A cast from the hand; a throw; also, a flounce; a kick; as, the fling of a horse.

2.
A severe or contemptuous remark; an expression of sarcastic scorn; a gibe; a sarcasm.

I, who love to have a fling,
Both at senate house and king.
Swift.

3.
A kind of dance; as, the Highland fling.

4.
A trifing matter; an object of contempt.
[Obs.]

England were but a fling
Save for the crooked stick and the gray goose wing.
Old Proverb.

5.
a short period during which one indulges one's wishes, whims, or desires in an unrestrained manner.

6.
a love affair.

7.
a casual or brief attempt to accomplish something.
[informal]

Syn. -- shot.

8.
a period during which one tries a new activity; as, he took a fling at playing tennis.

To have one's fling, to enjoy one's self to the full; to have a season of dissipation. J. H. Newman. “When I was as young as you, I had my fling. I led a life of pleasure.” D. Jerrold.


word: Flingdust
definition:
Flingdust

Fling"dust`
(?)
n.
One who kicks up the dust; a streetwalker; a low manner.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.


word: Flint
definition:
Flint

Flint
(?)
n.
[AS. flint, akin to Sw. flinta, Dan. flint; cf. OHG. flins flint, G. flinte gun (cf. E. flintlock), perh. akin to Gr. _; brick.  Cf. Plinth.]
1.
(Min.)
A massive, somewhat impure variety of quartz, in color usually of a gray to brown or nearly black, breaking with a conchoidal fracture and sharp edge. It is very hard, and strikes fire with steel.

2.
A piece of flint for striking fire; -- formerly much used, esp. in the hammers of gun locks.

3.
Anything extremely hard, unimpressible, and unyielding, like flint.
flint
Spenser.

Flint age. (Geol.) Same as Stone age, under Stone. -- Flint brick, a fire made principially of powdered silex. -- Flint glass. See in the Vocabulary. -- Flint implements (Archæol.), tools, etc., employed by men before the use of metals, such as axes, arrows, spears, knives, wedges, etc., which were commonly made of flint, but also of granite, jade, jasper, and other hard stones. -- Flint mill. (a) (Pottery) A mill in which flints are ground. (b) (Mining) An obsolete appliance for lighting the miner at his work, in which flints on a revolving wheel were made to produce a shower of sparks, which gave light, but did not inflame the fire damp. Knight. -- Flint stone, a hard, siliceous stone; a flint. -- Flint wall, a kind of wall, common in England, on the face of which are exposed the black surfaces of broken flints set in the mortar, with quions of masonry. -- Liquor of flints, a solution of silica, or flints, in potash. -- To skin a flint, to be capable of, or guilty of, any expedient or any meanness for making money. [Colloq.]


word: Flint glass
definition:
Flint glass

Flint" glass`
(?)
(Chem.)
A soft, heavy, brilliant glass, consisting essentially of a silicate of lead and potassium. It is used for tableware, and for optical instruments, as prisms, its density giving a high degree of dispersive power; -- so called, because formerly the silica was obtained from pulverized flints. Called also crystal glass.  Cf. Glass.

&hand_; The concave or diverging half on an achromatic lens is usually made of flint glass.


word: Flintiness
definition:
Flintiness

Flint"i*ness
(?)
n.
The state or quality of being flinty; hardness; cruelty.
Beau. & Fl.


word: Flintlock
definition:
Flintlock

Flint"lock`
(?)
n.
1.
A lock for a gun or pistol, having a flint fixed in the hammer, which on striking the steel ignites the priming.

2.
A hand firearm fitted with a flintlock; esp., the old-fashioned musket of European and other armies.


word: Flintware
definition:
Flintware

Flint"ware`
(?)
n.
A superior kind of earthenware into whose composition flint enters largely.
Knight.


word: Flintwood
definition:
Flintwood

Flint"wood`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
An Australian name for the very hard wood of the Eucalyptus piluralis.


word: Flinty
definition:
Flinty

Flint"y
(?)
a.
[Compar. Flintier (?); superl. Flintiest.]
Consisting of, composed of, abounding in, or resembling, flint; as, a flinty rock; flinty ground; a flinty heart.

Flinty rock, or Flinty state, a siliceous slate; -- basanite is here included. See Basanite.


word: Flip
definition:
Flip

Flip
(flĭp)
n.
[Cf. Prov. E. flip nimble, flippant, also, a slight blow.  Cf. Flippant.]
A mixture of beer, spirit, etc., stirred and heated by a hot iron.

Flip dog, an iron used, when heated, to warm flip.


word: Flip₂
definition:
Flip

Flip
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flipped (flĭpt); p. pr. & vb. n. Flipping.]
1.
To toss (an object) into the air so as make it turn over one or more times; to fillip; as, to flip up a cent.

As when your little ones
Do 'twixt their fingers flip their cherry stones.
W. Browne.

2.
To turn (a flat object) over with a quick motion; as, to flip a card over; to flip a pancake.

3.
To cause (a person) to turn against former colleagues, such as to become a witness for the state, in a criminal prosecution in which the person is a defendant.
[cant]

4.
(Finance)
To resell (an asset) rapidly to make a quick profit.
[cant]


word: Flip₃
definition:
Flip

Flip
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flipped (flĭpt); p. pr. & vb. n. Flipping.]
To become insane or irrational; -- often used with out; as, seeing her mother killed made the girl flip out.


word: Flipe
definition:
Flipe

Flipe
(flīp)
v. t.
To turn inside out, or with the leg part back over the foot, as a stocking in pulling off or for putting on.
[Scot.]


word: Flip-flap
definition:
Flip-flap

Flip"-flap`
(?)
n.
[See Flip, and Flap.]
The repeated stroke of something long and loose.
Johnson.


word: Flippancy
definition:
Flippancy

Flip"pan*cy
(?)
n.
[See Flippant.]
The state or quality of being flippant.

This flippancy of language.
Bp. Hurd.


word: Flippant
definition:
Flippant

Flip"pant
(?)
a.
[Prov. E. flip to move nimbly; cf. W. llipa soft, limber, pliant, or Icel. fleipa to babble, prattle.  Cf. Flip, Fillip, Flap, Flipper.]
1.
Of smooth, fluent, and rapid speech; speaking with ease and rapidity; having a voluble tongue; talkative.

It becometh good men, in such cases, to be flippant and free in their speech.
Barrow.

2.
Speaking fluently and confidently, without knowledge or consideration; empty; trifling; inconsiderate; pert; petulant.
Flippant
Thomson.

To put flippant scorn to the blush.
I. Taylor.

A sort of flippant, vain discourse.
Burke.


word: Flipper
definition:
Flipper

Flip"per
(?)
n.
[Cf. Flip, Flippant.]
1.
(Zool.)
A broad flat limb used for swimming, as those of seals, sea turtles, whales, etc.

2.
(Naut.)
The hand.
[Slang]


word: flippers
definition:
flippers

flippers
n.
flipper
[By analogy with flipper[W13(1)], the limb of an aquatic animal used for locomotion]
A type of shoe with a paddle-like front extending well beyond the end of the toe, used an aid in swimming (especially underwater).
They are typically of rubber-like material, and are not worn when walking on land.

Syn. -- fin, fins.


word: Flirt
definition:
Flirt

Flirt
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flirted; p. pr. & vb. n. Flirting.]
[Cf. AS. fleard trifle, folly, fleardian to trifle.]
1.
To throw with a jerk or quick effort; to fling suddenly; as, they flirt water in each other's faces; he flirted a glove, or a handkerchief.

2.
To toss or throw about; to move playfully to and fro; as, to flirt a fan.

3.
To jeer at; to treat with contempt; to mock.
[Obs.]

I am ashamed; I am scorned; I am flirted.
Beau. & Fl.


word: Flirt₂
definition:
Flirt

Flirt
v. i.
1.
To run and dart about; to act with giddiness, or from a desire to attract notice; especially, to play the coquette; to play at courtship; to coquet; as, they flirt with the young men.

2.
To utter contemptuous language, with an air of disdain; to jeer or gibe.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.


word: Flirt₃
definition:
Flirt

Flirt
n.
1.
A sudden jerk; a quick throw or cast; a darting motion; hence, a jeer.

Several little flirts and vibrations.
Addison.

With many a flirt and flutter.
E. A. Poe.

2.
[Cf. LG. flirtje, G. flirtchen. See Flirt, v. t.]
One who flirts; esp., a woman who acts with giddiness, or plays at courtship; a coquette; a pert girl.

Several young flirts about town had a design to cast us out of the fashionable world.
Addison.


word: Flirtation
definition:
Flirtation

Flir*ta"tion
(?)
n.
1.
Playing at courtship; coquetry.

The flirtations and jealousies of our ball rooms.
Macaulay.


word: Flirt-gill
definition:
Flirt-gill

Flirt"-gill`
(?)
n.
A woman of light behavior; a gill-flirt.
[Obs.]
Shak.

You heard him take me up like a flirt-gill.
Beau. & Fl.


word: Flit
definition:
Flit

Flit
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flitted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flitting (?).]
[OE. flitten, flutten, to carry away; cf. Icel. flytja, Sw. flytta, Dan. flytte. √84.  Cf. Fleet, v. i.]
1.
To move with celerity through the air; to fly away with a rapid motion; to dart along; to fleet; as, a bird flits away; a cloud flits along.

A shadow flits before me.
Tennyson.

2.
To flutter; to rove on the wing.
Dryden.

3.
To pass rapidly, as a light substance, from one place to another; to remove; to migrate.

It became a received opinion, that the souls of men, departing this life, did flit out of one body into some other.
Hooker.

4.
To remove from one place or habitation to another.
[Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
Wright. Jamieson.

5.
To be unstable; to be easily or often moved.

And the free soul to flitting air resigned.
Dryden.


word: Flitch
definition:
Flitch

Flitch
(?)
n.
pl. Flitches (#).
[OE. flicche, flikke, AS. flicce, akin to Icel. flikki; cf. Icel. flīk flap, tatter; perh. akin to E. fleck.  Cf. Flick, n.]
1.
The side of a hog salted and cured; a side of bacon.
Swift.

2.
One of several planks, smaller timbers, or iron plates, which are secured together, side by side, to make a large girder or built beam.

3.
The outside piece of a sawed log; a slab.
[Eng.]


word: Flitch₂
definition:
Flitch

Flitch
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flitched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flitching.]
[See Flitch, n.]
To cut into, or off in, flitches or strips; as, to flitch logs; to flitch bacon.


word: Flite
definition:
Flite

Flite
(?)
v. i.
[AS. flītan to strive, contend, quarrel; akin to G. fleiss industry.]
To scold; to quarrel.
[Prov. Eng.]
Grose.


word: Flyte
definition:
Flyte

Flite

{ Flite, Flyte  }
(?)
n.
[AS. flīt. See Flite.]
Strife; dispute; abusive or upbraiding talk, as in fliting; wrangling.
[Obs. or Scot. & Prov. Eng.]
The bird of Pallas has also a good “flyte” on the moral side . . . in his suggestion that the principal effect of the nightingale's song is to make women false to their husbands.
Saintsbury.


word: Flitter₃
definition:
Flitter

Flit"ter
n.
[Cf. G. flitter spangle, tinsel, flittern to make a tremulous motion, to glitter.  Cf. Flitter, v. i.]
A rag; a tatter; a small piece or fragment.


word: Flittermouse
definition:
Flittermouse

Flit"ter*mouse`
(?)
n.
[Flitter, v.i. + mouse; cf. G. fledermaus, OHG. fledarmūs.  Cf. Flickermouse, Flindermouse.]
(Zool.)
A bat; -- called also flickermouse, flindermouse, and flintymouse.


word: Flittiness
definition:
Flittiness

Flit"ti*ness
(?)
n.
[From Flitty.]
Unsteadiness; levity; lightness.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hopkins.


word: Flitting
definition:
Flitting

Flit"ting
(?)
n.
1.
A flying with lightness and celerity; a fluttering.

2.
A removal from one habitation to another.
[Scot. & Prov. Eng.]

A neighbor had lent his cart for the flitting, and it was now standing loaded at the door, ready to move away.
Jeffrey.


word: Flytting
definition:
Flytting

Flitting

{ Flitt"ing, Flytt"ing  }
(?)
n.
Contention; strife; scolding; specif., a kind of metrical contest between two persons, popular in Scotland in the 16th century.
[Obs. or Scot.]
These “flytings” consisted of alternate torrents of sheer Billingsgate poured upon each other by the combatants.
Saintsbury.


word: Flix₂
definition:
Flix

Flix
n.
The flux; dysentery.
[Obs.]
Udall.

Flix weed (Bot.), the Sisymbrium Sophia, a kind of hedge mustard, formerly used as a remedy for dysentery.


word: Float
definition:
Float

Float
(fl&omacrt)
n.
[OE. flote ship, boat, fleet, AS. flota ship, fr. fleótan to float; akin to D. vloot fleet, G. floss raft, Icel. floti float, raft, fleet, Sw. flotta. √ 84. See Fleet, v. i., and cf. Flotilla, Flotsam, Plover.]
1.
Anything which floats or rests on the surface of a fluid, as to sustain weight, or to indicate the height of the liquid surface, or mark the place of, something.
(a)
A mass of timber or boards fastened together, and conveyed down a stream by the current; a raft.
(b)
The hollow, metallic ball of a self-acting faucet, which floats upon the water in a cistern or boiler.
(c)
The cork or quill used in angling, to support the bait line, and indicate the bite of a fish.
(d)
Anything used to buoy up whatever is liable to sink; an inflated bag or pillow used by persons learning to swim; a life preserver.
(e)
The hollow, metallic ball which floats on the fuel in the fuel tank of a vehicle to indicate the level of the fuel surface, and thus the amount of fuel remaining.
(f)
A hollow elongated tank mounted under the wing of a seaplane which causes the plane to float when resting on the surface of the water.

This reform bill . . . had been used as a float by the conservative ministry.
J. P. Peters.

2.
A float board. See Float board (below).

3.
(Tempering)
A contrivance for affording a copious stream of water to the heated surface of an object of large bulk, as an anvil or die.
Knight.

4.
The act of flowing; flux; flow.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

5.
A quantity of earth, eighteen feet square and one foot deep.
[Obs.]
Mortimer.

6.
(Plastering)
The trowel or tool with which the floated coat of plastering is leveled and smoothed.

7.
A polishing block used in marble working; a runner.
Knight.

8.
A single-cut file for smoothing; a tool used by shoemakers for rasping off pegs inside a shoe.

9.
A coal cart.
[Eng.]
Simmonds.

10.
The sea; a wave. See Flote, n.

11.
(Banking)
The free use of money for a time between occurrence of a transaction (such as depositing a check or a purchase made using a credit card), and the time when funds are withdrawn to cover the transaction; also, the money made available between transactions in that manner.

12.
a vehicle on which an exhibit or display is mounted, driven or pulled as part of a parade.  The float often is based on a large flat platform, and may contain a very elaborate structure with a tableau or people.

Float board, one of the boards fixed radially to the rim of an undershot water wheel or of a steamer's paddle wheel; -- a vane. -- Float case (Naut.), a caisson used for lifting a ship. -- Float copper or Float gold (Mining), fine particles of metallic copper or of gold suspended in water, and thus liable to be lost. -- Float ore, water-worn particles of ore; fragments of vein material found on the surface, away from the vein outcrop. Raymond. -- Float stone (Arch.), a siliceous stone used to rub stonework or brickwork to a smooth surface. -- Float valve, a valve or cock acted upon by a float. See Float, 1 (b).


word: Float₂
definition:
Float

Float
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Floated; p. pr. & vb. n. Floating.]
[OE. flotien, flotten, AS. flotian to float, swim, fr. fleótan. See Float, n.]
1.
To rest on the surface of any fluid; to swim; to be buoyed up.

The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground.
Milton.

Three blustering nights, borne by the southern blast,
I floated.
Dryden.

2.
To move quietly or gently on the water, as a raft; to drift along; to move or glide without effort or impulse on the surface of a fluid, or through the air.

They stretch their broad plumes and float upon the wind.
Pope.

There seems a floating whisper on the hills.
Byron.


word: Float₃
definition:
Float

Float
v. t.
1.
To cause to float; to cause to rest or move on the surface of a fluid; as, the tide floated the ship into the harbor.

Had floated that bell on the Inchcape rock.
Southey.

2.
To flood; to overflow; to cover with water.

Proud Pactolus floats the fruitful lands.
Dryden.

3.
(Plastering)
To pass over and level the surface of with a float while the plastering is kept wet.

4.
To support and sustain the credit of, as a commercial scheme or a joint-stock company, so as to enable it to go into, or continue in, operation.


word: Floater
definition:
Floater

Float"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who floats or swims.

2.
A float for indicating the height of a liquid surface.

3.
(Politics)
(a)
A voter who shifts from party to party, esp. one whose vote is purchasable.
[U. S.]
(b)
A person, as a delegate to a convention or a member of a legislature, who represents an irregular constituency, as one formed by a union of the voters of two counties neither of which has a number sufficient to be allowed a (or an extra) representative of its own.
[U. S.]
(c)
A person who votes illegally in various polling places or election districts, either under false registration made by himself or under the name of some properly registered person who has not already voted.
[U. S.]


word: Floating
definition:
Floating

Float"ing
a.
1.
Buoyed upon or in a fluid; a, the floating timbers of a wreck; floating motes in the air.

2.
Free or lose from the usual attachment; as, the floating ribs in man and some other animals.

3.
Not funded; not fixed, invested, or determined; as, floating capital; a floating debt.

Trade was at an end. Floating capital had been withdrawn in great masses from the island.
Macaulay.

Floating anchor (Naut.), a drag or sea anchor; drag sail. -- Floating battery (Mil.), a battery erected on rafts or the hulls of ships, chiefly for the defense of a coast or the bombardment of a place. -- Floating bridge. (a) A bridge consisting of rafts or timber, with a floor of plank, supported wholly by the water; a bateau bridge. See Bateau. (b) (Mil.) A kind of double bridge, the upper one projecting beyond the lower one, and capable of being moved forward by pulleys; -- used for carrying troops over narrow moats in attacking the outworks of a fort. (c) A kind of ferryboat which is guided and impelled by means of chains which are anchored on each side of a stream, and pass over wheels on the vessel, the wheels being driven by stream power. (d) The landing platform of a ferry dock. -- Floating cartilage (Med.), a cartilage which moves freely in the cavity of a joint, and often interferes with the functions of the latter. -- Floating dam. (a) An anchored dam. (b) A caisson used as a gate for a dry dock. -- Floating derrick, a derrick on a float for river and harbor use, in raising vessels, moving stone for harbor improvements, etc. -- Floating dock. (Naut.) See under Dock. -- Floating harbor, a breakwater of cages or booms, anchored and fastened together, and used as a protection to ships riding at anchor to leeward. Knight. -- Floating heart (Bot.), a small aquatic plant (Limnanthemum lacunosum) whose heart-shaped leaves float on the water of American ponds. -- Floating island, a dish for dessert, consisting of custard with floating masses of whipped cream or white of eggs. -- Floating kidney. (Med.) See Wandering kidney, under Wandering. -- Floating light, a light shown at the masthead of a vessel moored over sunken rocks, shoals, etc., to warn mariners of danger; a light-ship; also, a light erected on a buoy or floating stage. -- Floating liver. (Med.) See Wandering liver, under Wandering. -- Floating pier, a landing stage or pier which rises and falls with the tide. -- Floating ribs (Anat.), the lower or posterior ribs which are not connected with the others in front; in man they are the last two pairs. -- Floating screed (Plastering), a strip of plastering first laid on, to serve as a guide for the thickness of the coat. -- Floating threads (Weaving), threads which span several other threads without being interwoven with them, in a woven fabric.


word: Floating₂
definition:
Floating

Float"ing
(?)
n.
1.
(Weaving)
Floating threads. See Floating threads, above.

2.
The second coat of three-coat plastering.
Knight.

3.
The process of rendering oysters and scallops plump by placing them in fresh or brackish water; -- called also fattening, plumping, and laying out.


word: lien
definition:
lien

Floating charge

{ Floating charge, lien, etc. }
(Law)
A charge, lien, etc., that successively attaches to such assets as a person may have from time to time, leaving him more or less free to dispose of or encumber them as if no such charge or lien existed.


word: floatplane
definition:
floatplane

floatplane
n.
a plane equipped with pontoons for landing or taking off from water.

Syn. -- pontoon plane, seaplane.


word: Flobert
definition:
Flobert

Flo"bert
(?)
n.
(Gun.)
A small cartridge designed for target shooting; -- sometimes called ball cap.

Flobert rifle, a rifle adapted to the use of floberts.


word: Floccillation
definition:
Floccillation

Floc`cil*la"tion
(?)
n.
[L. floccus a flock of wool.  Cf. Flock of wool.]
(Med.)
A delirious picking of bedclothes by a sick person, as if to pick off flocks of wool; carphology; -- an alarming symptom in acute diseases.
Dunglison.


word: Floccose
definition:
Floccose

Floc*cose"
(?)
a.
[L. floccosus.  Cf. 2d Flock, n.]
1.
Spotted with small tufts like wool.
Wright.

2.
(Bot.)
Having tufts of soft hairs, which are often deciduous.


word: Flocculate
definition:
Flocculate

Floc"cu*late
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flocculated; p. pr. & vb. n. Flocculating.]
(Geol.)
To aggregate into small lumps.


word: Flocculate₃
definition:
Flocculate

Floc"cu*late
(?)
v. t.
To convert into floccules or flocculent aggregates; to make granular or crumbly; as, the flocculating of a soil improves its mechanical condition.
When applied to clay soils it [lime] binds the small particles together, or flocculates them.
I. P. Roberts.


word: Flocculation
definition:
Flocculation

Floc`cu*la"tion
(?)
n.
(Geol.)
1.
The process by which small particles of fine soils and sediments aggregate into larger lumps.

2.
The process or event in which masses of a solid substance of perceptible size form in a liquid by aggregation of smaller particles, and usually sediment to the bottom of the containing vessel; as, addition of a cationic polymer can cause flocculation of a negatively charged colloidal suspension.


word: Floccule
definition:
Floccule

Floc"cule
(?)
n.
[See Flocculus.]
1.
A detached mass of loosely fibrous structure like a shredded tuft of wool.

2.
(Chem.)
Specif.: A small particle of an insoluble substance formed in a liquid by the union of smaller particles.


word: Flocculent
definition:
Flocculent

Floc"cu*lent
(?)
a.
[See Flock of wool.]
1.
Clothed with small flocks or flakes; woolly.
Gray.

2.
(Zool.)
Applied to the down of newly hatched or unfledged birds.

3.
(Chem.)
Having a structure like shredded wool, as some precipitates.


word: Flocculus
definition:
Flocculus

Floc"cu*lus
(?)
n.
pl. Flocculi (#).
[NL., dim. of L. floccus a lock or flock of wool.]
(Anat.)
A small lobe in the under surface of the cerebellum, near the middle peduncle; the subpeduncular lobe.


word: Floccus
definition:
Floccus

Floc"cus
(?)
n.
pl. Flocci (#).
[L., a flock of wool.]
1.
(Zool.)
(a)
The tuft of hair terminating the tail of mammals.
(b)
A tuft of feathers on the head of young birds.

2.
(Bot.)
A woolly filament sometimes occuring with the sporules of certain fungi.


word: Flock
definition:
Flock

Flock
(?)
n.
[AS. flocc flock, company; akin to Icel. flokkr crowd, Sw. flock, Dan. flok; prob. orig. used of flows, and akin to E. fly. See Fly.]
1.
A company or collection of living creatures; -- especially applied to sheep and birds, rarely to persons or (except in the plural) to cattle and other large animals; as, a flock of ravenous fowl.
Milton.

The heathen . . . came to Nicanor by flocks.
2 Macc. xiv. 14.

2.
A Christian church or congregation; considered in their relation to the pastor, or minister in charge.

As half amazed, half frighted all his flock.
Tennyson.


word: Flock₂
definition:
Flock

Flock
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flocked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flocking.]
To gather in companies or crowds.

Friends daily flock.
Dryden.

Flocking fowl (Zool.), the greater scaup duck.


word: Flock₃
definition:
Flock

Flock
v. t.
To flock to; to crowd.
[Obs.]

Good fellows, trooping, flocked me so.
Taylor (1609).


word: Flock₄
definition:
Flock

Flock
n.
[OE. flokke; cf. D. vlok, G. flocke, OHG. floccho, Icel. fl&omacrki, perh. akin to E. flicker, flacker, or cf. L. floccus, F. floc.]
1.
A lock of wool or hair.

I prythee, Tom, beat Cut's saddle, put a few flocks in the point [pommel].
Shak.

2.
Woolen or cotton refuse (sing. or pl.), old rags, etc., reduced to a degree of fineness by machinery, and used for stuffing unpholstered furniture.

3.
Very fine, sifted, woolen refuse, especially that from shearing the nap of cloths, used as a coating for wall paper to give it a velvety or clothlike appearance; also, the dust of vegetable fiber used for a similar purpose.

Flock bed, a bed filled with flocks or locks of coarse wool, or pieces of cloth cut up fine. “Once a flock bed, but repaired with straw.” Pope. -- Flock paper, paper coated with flock fixed with glue or size.


word: Flock₅
definition:
Flock

Flock
v. t.
To coat with flock, as wall paper; to roughen the surface of (as glass) so as to give an appearance of being covered with fine flock.


word: Flockmel
definition:
Flockmel

Flock"mel
(?)
adv.
[AS. flocm_;lum. See Meal part.]
In a flock; in a body.
[Obs.]

That flockmel on a day they to him went.
Chaucer.


word: Floe
definition:
Floe

Floe
(fl&omacr)
n.
[Cf. Dan. flag af iis, iisflage, Sw. flaga, flake, isflaga, isflake. See Flag a flat stone.]
A low, flat mass of floating ice.

Floe rat (Zool.), a seal (Phoca fœtida).


word: Flog
definition:
Flog

Flog
(fl&obreve_;g)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flogged (fl&obreve_;gd); p. pr. & vb. n. Flogging (-gĭng).]
[Cf. Scot. fleg blow, stroke, kick, AS. flocan to strike, or perh. fr. L. flagellare to whip.  Cf. Flagellate.]
To beat or strike with a rod or whip; to whip; to lash; to chastise with repeated blows.


word: Flogger
definition:
Flogger

Flog"ger
(?)
n.
1.
One who flogs.

2.
A kind of mallet for beating the bung stave of a cask to start the bung.
Knight.


word: Flogging
definition:
Flogging

Flog"ging
(?)
a. & n.
from Flog, v. t.

Flogging chisel (Mach.), a large cold chisel, used in chipping castings. -- Flogging hammer, a small sledge hammer used for striking a flogging chisel.


word: Flong₂
definition:
Flong

Flong
(?)
n.
[Of the same origin as flawn, flan, a metal disk.]
(Stereotyping)
A compressed mass of paper sheets, forming a matrix or mold for stereotype plates.


word: Flood
definition:
Flood

Flood
(flŭd)
n.
[OE. flod a flowing, stream, flood, AS. fl&omacrd; akin to D. vloed, OS. fl&omacrd, OHG. fluot, G. flut, Icel. fl&omacrð, Sw. & Dan. flod, Goth. fl&omacrdus; from the root of E. flow. √80.  See Flow, v. i.]
1.
A great flow of water; a body of moving water; the flowing stream, as of a river; especially, a body of water, rising, swelling, and overflowing land not usually thus covered; a deluge; a freshet; an inundation.

A covenant never to destroy
The earth again by flood.
Milton.

2.
The flowing in of the tide; the semidiurnal swell or rise of water in the ocean; -- opposed to ebb; as, young flood; high flood.

There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.
Shak.

3.
A great flow or stream of any fluid substance; as, a flood of light; a flood of lava; hence, a great quantity widely diffused; an overflowing; a superabundance; as, a flood of bank notes; a flood of paper currency.

4.
Menstrual disharge; menses.
Harvey.

Flood anchor (Naut.) , the anchor by which a ship is held while the tide is rising. -- Flood fence, a fence so secured that it will not be swept away by a flood. -- Flood gate, a gate for shutting out, admitting, or releasing, a body of water; a tide gate. -- Flood mark, the mark or line to which the tide, or a flood, rises; high-water mark. -- Flood tide, the rising tide; -- opposed to ebb tide. -- The Flood, the deluge in the days of Noah.


word: Flood₂
definition:
Flood

Flood
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flooded; p. pr. & vb. n. Flooding.]
1.
To overflow; to inundate; to deluge; as, the swollen river flooded the valley.

2.
To cause or permit to be inundated; to fill or cover with water or other fluid; as, to flood arable land for irrigation; to fill to excess or to its full capacity; as, to flood a country with a depreciated currency.


word: flooded
definition:
flooded

flooded
adj.
1.
covered or overflowing with water.

Syn. -- afloat(predicate), awash(predicate).

2.
filled to overflowing as if with water; as, a desk flooded with applications.

Syn. -- inundated, swamped.


word: floodhead
definition:
floodhead

floodhead
n.
a wall of water rushing ahead of the flood; as, we were lucky to be safe when the floodheads hit.


word: Flooding
definition:
Flooding

Flood"ing
n.
The filling or covering with water or other fluid; overflow; inundation; the filling anything to excess.

2.
(Med.)
An abnormal or excessive discharge of blood from the uterus.
Dunglison.


word: Floor
definition:
Floor

Floor
(fl&omacrr)
n.
[AS. fl&omacrr; akin to D. vloer, G. flur field, floor, entrance hall, Icel. fl&omacrr floor of a cow stall, cf. Ir. & Gael. lar floor, ground, earth, W. llawr, perh. akin to L. planus level.  Cf. Plain smooth.]
1.
The bottom or lower part of any room; the part upon which we stand and upon which the movables in the room are supported.

2.
The structure formed of beams, girders, etc., with proper covering, which divides a building horizontally into stories. Floor in sense 1 is, then, the upper surface of floor in sense 2.

3.
The surface, or the platform, of a structure on which we walk or travel; as, the floor of a bridge.

4.
A story of a building. See Story.

5.
(Legislative Assemblies)
(a)
The part of the house assigned to the members.
(b)
The right to speak; as, the gentleman from Iowa has the floor.
[U.S.]

&hand_; Instead of he has the floor, the English say, he is in possession of the house.

6.
(Naut.)
That part of the bottom of a vessel on each side of the keelson which is most nearly horizontal.

7.
(Mining)
(a)
The rock underlying a stratified or nearly horizontal deposit.
(b)
A horizontal, flat ore body.
Raymond.

Floor cloth, a heavy fabric, painted, varnished, or saturated, with waterproof material, for covering floors; oilcloth. -- Floor cramp, an implement for tightening the seams of floor boards before nailing them in position. -- Floor light, a frame with glass panes in a floor. -- Floor plan. (a) (Shipbuilding) A longitudinal section, showing a ship as divided at the water line. (b) (Arch.) A horizontal section, showing the thickness of the walls and partitions, arrangement of passages, apartments, and openings at the level of any floor of a house.


word: Floor₂
definition:
Floor

Floor
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Floored (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flooring.]
1.
To cover with a floor; to furnish with a floor; as, to floor a house with pine boards.

2.
To strike down or lay level with the floor; to knock down; hence, to silence by a conclusive answer or retort; as, to floor an opponent.

Floored or crushed by him.
Coleridge.

3.
To finish or make an end of; as, to floor a college examination.
[Colloq.]

I've floored my little-go work.
T. Hughes.


word: floorboard
definition:
floorboard

floorboard
n.
1.
a board in the floor.

Syn. -- floor board.

2.
the floor of an automobile.


word: floored
definition:
floored

floored
adj.
1.
provided with a floor.
ceilinged

2.
knocked down to the floor or ground.

3.
defeated; overwhelmed.

4.
suprised and confounded; nonplused; as, I was floored by the brilliance of the solution.


word: Floorer
definition:
Floorer

Floor"er
(?)
n.
Anything that floors or upsets a person, as a blow that knocks him down; a conclusive answer or retort; a task that exceeds one's abilities.
[Colloq.]


word: Flooring
definition:
Flooring

Floor"ing
n.
A platform; the bottom of a room; a floor; pavement. See Floor, n.
Addison.

2.
Material for the construction of a floor or floors.


word: Floorwalker
definition:
Floorwalker

Floor"walk`er
(?)
n.
One who walks about in a large retail store as an overseer and director.
[U.S.]


word: Flop
definition:
Flop

Flop
(fl&obreve_;p)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flopped (fl&obreve_;pt); p. pr. & vb. n. Flopping.]
[A variant of flap.]
1.
To clap or strike, as a bird its wings, a fish its tail, etc.; to flap.

2.
To turn suddenly, as something broad and flat.
[Colloq.]
Fielding.


word: Flop₂
definition:
Flop

Flop
(fl&obreve_;p)
v. i.
1.
To strike about with something broad and flat, as a fish with its tail, or a bird with its wings; to rise and fall; as, the brim of a hat flops.

2.
To fall, sink, or throw one's self, heavily, clumsily, and unexpectedly on the ground.
[Colloq.]
Dickens.


word: Flora
definition:
Flora

Flo"ra
(?)
n.
[L., the goddess of flowers, from flos, floris, flower. See Flower.]
1.
(Rom. Myth.)
The goddess of flowers and spring.

2.
(Bot.)
The complete system of vegetable species growing without cultivation in a given locality, region, or period; a list or description of, or treatise on, such plants.


word: Floral
definition:
Floral

Flo"ral
(?)
a.
[L. Floralis belonging to Flora: cf. F. floral. See Flora.]
1.
Pertaining to Flora, or to flowers; made of flowers; as, floral games, wreaths.

2.
(Bot.)
Containing, or belonging to, a flower; as, a floral bud; a floral leaf; floral characters.
Martyn.

Floral envelope (Bot.), the calyx and corolla, one or the other of which (mostly the corolla) may be wanting.


word: Floramour
definition:
Floramour

Flo"ra*mour
(?)
n.
[L. flos, floris, flower + amorlove.]
The plant love-lies-bleeding.
[Obs.]
Prior.


word: Floran
definition:
Floran

Flo"ran
(?)
n.
(Mining)
Tin ore scarcely perceptible in the stone; tin ore stamped very fine.
Pryce.


word: Floreal
definition:
Floreal

Flo`réal"
(?)
n.
[F. floréal, fr. L. flos, floris, flower.]
The eight month of the French republican calendar. It began April 20, and ended May 19. See Vendémiare.


word: Florence
definition:
Florence

Flor"ence
(?)
n.
[From the city of Florence: cf. F. florence a kind of cloth, OF. florin.]
1.
An ancient gold coin of the time of Edward III., of six shillings sterling value.
Camden.

2.
A kind of cloth.
Johnson.

Florence flask. See under Flask. -- Florence oil, olive oil prepared in Florence.


word: Florentine
definition:
Florentine

Flor"en*tine
(? or ?; 277)
a.
[L. Florentinus, fr. Florentia Florence: cf. F. florentin.]
Belonging or relating to Florence, in Italy.

Florentine mosaic, a mosaic of hard or semiprecious stones, often so chosen and arranged that their natural colors represent leaves, flowers, and the like, inlaid in a background, usually of black or white marble.


word: Florentine₂
definition:
Florentine

Flor"en*tine
n.
1.
A native or inhabitant of Florence, a city in Italy.

2.
A kind of silk.
Knight.

3.
A kind of pudding or tart; a kind of meat pie.
[Obs.]

Stealing custards, tarts, and florentines.
Beau. & Fl.


word: Florescence
definition:
Florescence

Flo*res"cence
(?)
n.
[See Florescent.]
(Bot.)
A bursting into flower; a blossoming.
Martyn.


word: Florescent
definition:
Florescent

Flo*res"cent
(?)
a.
[L. florescens, p. pr. of florescere begin to blossom, incho. fr. florere to blossom, fr. flos, floris, flower. See Flower.]
Expanding into flowers; blossoming.


word: Floret
definition:
Floret

Flo"ret
(?)
n.
[OF. florete, F. fleurette, dim. of OF. lor, F. fleur. See Flower, and cf. Floweret, 3d Ferret.]
1.
(Bot.)
A little flower; one of the numerous little flowers which compose the head or anthodium in such flowers as the daisy, thistle, and dandelion.
Gray.

2.
[F. fleuret.]
A foil; a blunt sword used in fencing.
[Obs.]
Cotgrave.


word: Floriated
definition:
Floriated

Flo"ri*a`ted
(?)
a.
(Arch.)
Having floral ornaments; as, floriated capitals of Gothic pillars.


word: Floriation
definition:
Floriation

Flo`ri*a"tion
(?)
n.
1.
Ornamentation by means of flower forms, whether closely imitated or conventionalized.

2.
Any floral ornament or decoration.
Rock.


word: Floricomous
definition:
Floricomous

Flo*ric"o*mous
(?)
a.
[L. flos, floris, flower + coma hair.]
Having the head adorned with flowers.
[R.]


word: Floricultural
definition:
Floricultural

Flo`ri*cul"tur*al
(? or ?; 135)
a.
Pertaining to the cultivation of flowering plants.


word: Floriculture
definition:
Floriculture

Flo"ri*cul`ture
(? or ?; 135, 277)
n.
[L. flos, floris, flower + cultura culture.]
The cultivation of flowering plants.


word: Florid
definition:
Florid

Flor"id
(?)
a.
[L. floridus, fr. flos, floris, flower. See Flower.]
1.
Covered with flowers; abounding in flowers; flowery.
[R.]

Fruit from a pleasant and florid tree.
Jer. Taylor.

2.
Bright in color; flushed with red; of a lively reddish color; as, a florid countenance.

3.
Embellished with flowers of rhetoric; enriched to excess with figures; excessively ornate; as, a florid style; florid eloquence.

4.
(Mus.)
Flowery; ornamental; running in rapid melodic figures, divisions, or passages, as in variations; full of fioriture or little ornamentations.


word: Florida bean
definition:
Florida bean

Flor"i*da bean"
(?)
(Bot.)
(a)
The large, roundish, flattened seed of Mucuna urens. See under Bean.
(b)
One of the very large seeds of the Entada scandens.


word: Florideae
definition:
Florideae

Flo*rid"e*æ
(?)
prop. n. pl.
[NL., from L. flos, floris, a flower.]
(Bot.)
A subclass of algæ including all the red or purplish seaweeds; the Rhodospermeæ of many authors; -- so called from the rosy or florid color of most of the species.


word: Floriferous
definition:
Floriferous

Flo*rif"er*ous
(?)
a.
[L. florifer; flos, floris, flower + ferre to bear; cf. F. florifère.]
Producing flowers.
Blount.


word: Florification
definition:
Florification

Flo`ri*fi*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[L. flos, floris, flower + facere to make.]
The act, process, or time of flowering; florescence.


word: Floriform
definition:
Floriform

Flo"ri*form
(? or ?)
a.
[L. flos, floris, flower + -form: cf. F. floriforme.]
Having the form of a flower; flower-shaped.


word: Floriken
definition:
Floriken

Flo"ri*ken
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
An Indian bustard (Otis aurita). The Bengal floriken is Sypheotides Bengalensis.
[Written also florikan, florikin, florican.]


word: Florilege
definition:
Florilege

Flo"ri*lege
(?)
n.
[L. florilegus flower-culling; flos, floris, flower + legere to gather: cf. F. florilège.]
The act of gathering flowers.


word: Florin
definition:
Florin

Flor"in
(?)
n.
[F. florin, It. florino, orig., a Florentine coin, with a lily on it, fr. flore a flower, fr. L. flos. See Flower, and cf. Floren.]
A silver coin of Florence, first struck in the twelfth century, and noted for its beauty. The name is given to different coins in different countries. The florin of England, first minted in 1849, is worth two shillings, or about 48 cents; the florin of the Netherlands, about 40 cents; of Austria, about 36 cents.


word: Florist
definition:
Florist

Flo"rist
(? or ?; 277)
n.
[Cf. F. fleuriste, floriste, fr. F. fleur flower. See Flower.]
1.
A cultivator of, or dealer in, flowers.

2.
One who writes a flora, or an account of plants.


word: Florulent
definition:
Florulent

Flor"u*lent
(?)
a.
[L. florulentus, fr. flos, floris, flower.]
Flowery; blossoming.
[Obs.]
Blount.


word: Floscularian
definition:
Floscularian

Flos`cu*la"ri*an
(?)
n.
[From L. flosculus a floweret.]
(Zool.)
One of a group of stalked rotifers, having ciliated tentacles around the lobed disk.


word: Flos-ferri
definition:
Flos-ferri

Flos`-fer"ri
(?)
n.
[L., flower of iron.]
(Min.)
A variety of aragonite, occuring in delicate white coralloidal forms; -- common in beds of iron ore.


word: Flosh
definition:
Flosh

Flosh
(?)
n.
[Cf. G. flösse a trough in which tin ore is washed.]
(Metallurgy)
A hopper-shaped box or _;nortar in which ore is placed for the action of the stamps.
Knight.


word: Floss
definition:
Floss

Floss
(?; 195)
n.
[It. floscio flabby, soft, fr. L. fluxus flowing, loose, slack. See Flux, n.]
1.
(Bot.)
The slender styles of the pistillate flowers of maize; also called silk.

2.
Untwisted filaments of silk, used in embroidering.

3.
A body feather of an ostrich. Flosses are soft, and gray from the female and black from the male.

Floss silk, silk that has been twisted, and which retains its loose and downy character. It is much used in embroidery. Called also floxed silk. -- Floss thread, a kind of soft flaxen yarn or thread, used for embroidery; -- called also linen floss, and floss yarn. McElrath.


word: Floss₂
definition:
Floss

Floss
n.
[Cf. G. floss a float.]
1.
A small stream of water.
[Eng.]

2.
Fluid glass floating on iron in the puddling furnace, produced by the vitrification of oxides and earths which are present.

Floss hole. (a) A hole at the back of a puddling furnace, at which the slags pass out. (b) The tap hole of a melting furnace. Knight.


word: Flossification
definition:
Flossification

Flos`si*fi*ca"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. Florification.]
A flowering; florification.
[R.]
Craig.


word: Flota
definition:
Flota

Flo"ta
(?)
n.
[Sp. See Flotilla.]
A fleet; especially, a _;eet of Spanish ships which formerly sailed every year from Cadiz to Vera Cruz, in Mexico, to transport to Spain the production of Spanish America.


word: Flotage
definition:
Flotage

Flo"tage
(?)
n.
[OF. flotage, F. flottage, fr. flotter to float.]
1.
The state of floating.

2.
That which floats on the sea or in rivers.
[Written also floatage.]


word: Flotant
definition:
Flotant

Flo"tant
(?)
a.
[OF. flotant, F. flottant, p. pr. of flotter to float.]
(Her.)
Represented as flying or streaming in the air; as, a banner flotant.


word: Flotation
definition:
Flotation

Flo*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. flottation a floating, flottaison water line, fr. flotter to float. See Flotilla.]
1.
The act, process, or state of floating.

2.
The science of floating bodies.

3.
(Com. & Finance)
Act of financing, or floating, a commercial venture or an issue of bonds, stock, or the like.

Center of flotation. (Shipbuilding) (a) The center of any given plane of flotation. (b) More commonly, the middle of the length of the load water line. Rankine. -- Plane of flotation, or Line of flotation, the plane or line in which the horizontal surface of a fluid cuts a body floating in it. See Bearing, n., 9 (c). -- Surface of flotation (Shipbuilding), the imaginary surface which all the planes of flotation touch when a vessel rolls or pitches; the envelope of all such planes.


word: Flotation process
definition:
Flotation process

Flotation process
A process of separating the substances contained in pulverized ore or the like by depositing the mixture on the  surface of a flowing liquid, the substances that are quickly wet readily overcoming the surface tension of the liquid and sinking, the others flowing off in a film or slime on the surface, though, perhaps, having a greater specific gravity than those that sink.


word: Flotilla
definition:
Flotilla

Flo*til"la
(?)
n.
[Sp. flotilla, dim. of flota fleet; akin to F. flotte, It. flotta, and F. flot wave, fr. L. fluctus, but prob. influenced by words akin to E. float. See Fluctuate, and cf. Float, n.]
A little fleet, or a fleet of small vessels.


word: Flotson
definition:
Flotson

Flotsam

{ Flot"sam (?), Flot"son (?) }
n.
[F. flotter to float. See FFlotilla, and cf. Jetsam.]
(Law)
Goods lost by shipwreck, and floating on the sea; -- in distinction from jetsam or jetson.
Blackstone.


word: Flounce
definition:
Flounce

Flounce
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flounced (flounst); p. pr. & vb. n. Flouncing (?).]
[Cf. OSw. flunsa to immerge.]
To throw the limbs and body one way and the other; to spring, turn, or twist with sudden effort or violence; to struggle, as a horse in mire; to flounder; to throw one's self with a jerk or spasm, often as in displeasure.

To flutter and flounce will do nothing but batter and bruise us.
Barrow.

With his broad fins and forky tail he laves
The rising sirge, and flounces in the waves.
Addison.


word: Flounce₃
definition:
Flounce

Flounce
n.
[Cf. G. flaus, flausch, a tuft of wool or hair; akin to vliess, E. fleece; or perh. corrupted fr. rounce.]
An ornamental appendage to the skirt of a woman's dress, consisting of a strip gathered and sewed on by its upper edge around the skirt, and left hanging.


word: Flounder
definition:
Flounder

Floun"der
(?)
n.
[Cf. Sw. flundra; akin to Dan. flynder, Icel. fly_;ra, G. flunder, and perh. to E. flounder, v.i.]
1.
(Zool.)
A flatfish of the family Pleuronectidæ, of many species.

&hand_; The common English flounder is Pleuronectes flesus. There are several common American species used as food; as the smooth flounder (P. glabra); the rough or winter flounder (P. Americanus); the summer flounder, or plaice (Paralichthys dentatus), Atlantic coast; and the starry flounder (Pleuronectes stellatus).

2.
(Bootmaking)
A tool used in crimping boot fronts.


word: Flounder₂
definition:
Flounder

Floun"der
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Floundered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Floundering.]
[Cf. D. flodderen to flap, splash through mire, E. flounce, v.i., and flounder the fish.]
To fling the limbs and body, as in making efforts to move; to struggle, as a horse in the mire, or as a fish on land; to roll, toss, and tumble; to flounce.

They have floundered on from blunder to blunder.
Sir W. Hamilton.


word: Flour
definition:
Flour

Flour
(flour)
n.
[F. fleur de farine the flower (i.e., the best) of meal, cf. Sp. flor de la harina superfine flour, Icel. flür flower, flour. See Flower.]
The finely ground meal of wheat, or of any other grain; especially, the finer part of meal separated by bolting; hence, the fine and soft powder of any substance; as, flour of emery; flour of mustard.

Flour bolt, in milling, a gauze-covered, revolving, cylindrical frame or reel, for sifting the flour from the refuse contained in the meal yielded by the stones. -- Flour box a tin box for scattering flour; a dredging box. -- Flour dredge or Flour dredger, a flour box. -- Flour dresser, a mashine for sorting and distributing flour according to grades of fineness. -- Flour mill, a mill for grinding and sifting flour.


word: Flour₂
definition:
Flour

Flour
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Floured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flouring.]
1.
To grind and bolt; to convert into flour; as, to flour wheat.

2.
To sprinkle with flour.


word: Floured
definition:
Floured

Floured
(?)
p. a.
Finely granulated; -- said of quicksilver which has been granulated by agitation during the amalgamation process.
Raymond.


word: Flourish
definition:
Flourish

Flour"ish
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flourished (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flourishing.]
[OE. florisshen, flurisshen, OF. flurir, F. fleurir, fr. L. florere to bloom, fr. flos, floris, flower. See Flower, and -ish.]
1.
To grow luxuriantly; to increase and enlarge, as a healthy growing plant; a thrive.

A tree thrives and flourishes in a kindly . . . soil.
Bp. Horne.

2.
To be prosperous; to increase in wealth, honor, comfort, happiness, or whatever is desirable; to thrive; to be prominent and influental; specifically, of authors, painters, etc., to be in a state of activity or production.

When all the workers of iniquity do flourish.
Ps. xcii 7

Bad men as frequently prosper and flourish, and that by the means of their wickedness.
Nelson.

We say
Of those that held their heads above the crowd,
They flourished then or then.
Tennyson.

3.
To use florid language; to indulge in rhetorical figures and lofty expressions; to be flowery.

They dilate . . . and flourish long on little incidents.
J. Watts.

4.
To make bold and sweeping, fanciful, or wanton movements, by way of ornament, parade, bravado, etc.; to play with fantastic and irregular motion.

Impetuous spread
The stream, and smoking flourished o'er his head.
Pope.

5.
To make ornamental strokes with the pen; to write graceful, decorative figures.

6.
To execute an irregular or fanciful strain of music, by way of ornament or prelude.

Why do the emperor's trumpets flourish thus?
Shak.

7.
To boast; to vaunt; to brag.
Pope.


word: Flourish₂
definition:
Flourish

Flour"ish
v. t.
1.
To adorn with flowers orbeautiful figures, either natural or artificial; to ornament with anything showy; to embellish.
[Obs.]
Fenton.

2.
To embellish with the flowers of diction; to adorn with rhetorical figures; to grace with ostentatious eloquence; to set off with a parade of words.
[Obs.]

Sith that the justice of your title to him
Doth flourish the deceit.
Shak.

3.
To move in bold or irregular figures; to swing about in circles or vibrations by way of show or triumph; to brandish.

And flourishes his blade in spite of me.
Shak.

4.
To develop; to make thrive; to expand.
[Obs.]

Bottoms of thread . . . which with a good needle, perhaps may be flourished into large works.
Bacon.


word: Flourish₃
definition:
Flourish

Flour"ish
(?)
n.
pl. Flourishes (_;).
1.
A flourishing condition; prosperity; vigor.
[Archaic]

The Roman monarchy, in her highest flourish, never had the like.
Howell.

2.
Decoration; ornament; beauty.

The flourish of his sober youth
Was the pride of naked truth.
Crashaw.

3.
Something made or performed in a fanciful, wanton, or vaunting manner, by way of ostentation, to excite admiration, etc.; ostentatious embellishment; ambitious copiousness or amplification; parade of words and figures; show; as, a flourish of rhetoric or of wit.

He lards with flourishes his long harangue.
Dryden.

4.
A fanciful stroke of the pen or graver; a merely decorative figure.

The neat characters and flourishes of a Bible curiously printed.
Boyle.

5.
A fantastic or decorative musical passage; a strain of triumph or bravado, not forming part of a regular musical composition; a cal; a fanfare.

A flourish, trumpets! strike alarum, drums!
Shak.

6.
The waving of a weapon or other thing; a brandishing; as, the flourish of a sword.


word: Flout
definition:
Flout

Flout
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flouted; p. pr. & vb. n. Flouting.]
[OD. fluyten to play the flute, to jeer, D. fluiten, fr. fluit, fr. French. See Flute.]
To mock or insult; to treat with contempt.

Phillida flouts me.
Walton.

Three gaudy standards flout the pale blue sky.
Byron.


word: Flout₂
definition:
Flout

Flout
v. i.
To practice mocking; to behave with contempt; to sneer; to fleer; -- often with at.

Fleer and gibe, and laugh and flout.
Swift.


word: Flow₂
definition:
Flow

Flow
(fl&omacr)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flowed (fl&omacrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Flowing.]
[AS. fl&omacrwan; akin to D. vloeijen, OHG. flawen to wash, Icel. fl&omacra to deluge, Gr. plw`ein to float, sail, and prob. ultimately to E. float, fleet. √80.  Cf. Flood.]
1.
To move with a continual change of place among the particles or parts, as a fluid; to change place or circulate, as a liquid; as, rivers flow from springs and lakes; tears flow from the eyes.

2.
To become liquid; to melt.

The mountains flowed down at thy presence.
Is. lxiv. 3.

3.
To proceed; to issue forth; as, wealth flows from industry and economy.

Those thousand decencies that daily flow
From all her words and actions.
Milton.

4.
To glide along smoothly, without harshness or asperties; as, a flowing period; flowing numbers; to sound smoothly to the ear; to be uttered easily.

Virgil is sweet and flowingin his hexameters.
Dryden.

5.
To have or be in abundance; to abound; to full, so as to run or flow over; to be copious.

In that day . . . the hills shall flow with milk.
Joel iii. 18.

The exhilaration of a night that needed not the influence of the flowing bowl.
Prof. Wilson.

6.
To hang loose and waving; as, a flowing mantle; flowing locks.

The imperial purple flowing in his train.
A. Hamilton.

7.
To rise, as the tide; -- opposed to ebb; as, the tide flows twice in twenty-four hours.

The river hath thrice flowed, no ebb between.
Shak.

8.
To discharge blood in excess from the uterus.


word: Flow₃
definition:
Flow

Flow
v. t.
1.
To cover with water or other liquid; to overflow; to inundate; to flood.

2.
To cover with varnish.


word: Flow₄
definition:
Flow

Flow
n.
1.
A stream of water or other fluid; a current; as, a flow of water; a flow of blood.

2.
A continuous movement of something abundant; as, a flow of words.

3.
Any gentle, gradual movement or procedure of thought, diction, music, or the like, resembling the quiet, steady movement of a river; a stream.

The feast of reason and the flow of soul.
Pope.

4.
The tidal setting in of the water from the ocean to the shore. See Ebb and flow, under Ebb.

5.
A low-lying piece of watery land; -- called also flow moss and flow bog.
[Scot.]
Jamieson.


word: Flower
definition:
Flower

Flow"er
(flou"ẽr)
n.
[OE. flour, OF. flour, flur, flor, F. fleur, fr. L. flos, floris.  Cf. Blossom, Effloresce, Floret, Florid, Florin, Flour, Flourish.]
1.
In the popular sense, the bloom or blossom of a plant; the showy portion, usually of a different color, shape, and texture from the foliage.

2.
(Bot.)
That part of a plant destined to produce seed, and hence including one or both of the sexual organs; an organ or combination of the organs of reproduction, whether inclosed by a circle of foliar parts or not. A complete flower consists of two essential parts, the stamens and the pistil, and two floral envelopes, the corolla and callyx. In mosses the flowers consist of a few special leaves surrounding or subtending organs called archegonia. See Blossom, and Corolla.

&hand_; If we examine a common flower, such for instance as a geranium, we shall find that it consists of: First, an outer envelope or calyx, sometimes tubular, sometimes consisting of separate leaves called sepals; secondly, an inner envelope or corolla, which is generally more or less colored, and which, like the calyx, is sometimes tubular, sometimes composed of separate leaves called petals; thirdly, one or more stamens, consisting of a stalk or filament and a head or anther, in which the pollen is produced; and fourthly, a pistil, which is situated in the center of the flower, and consists generally of three principal parts; one or more compartments at the base, each containing one or more seeds; the stalk or style; and the stigma, which in many familiar instances forms a small head, at the top of the style or ovary, and to which the pollen must find its way in order to fertilize the flower.
Sir J. Lubbock.

3.
The fairest, freshest, and choicest part of anything; as, the flower of an army, or of a family; the state or time of freshness and bloom; as, the flower of life, that is, youth.

The choice and flower of all things profitable the Psalms do more briefly contain.
Hooker.

The flower of the chivalry of all Spain.
Southey.

A simple maiden in her flower
Is worth a hundred coats of arms.
Tennyson.

4.
Grain pulverized; meal; flour.
[Obs.]

The flowers of grains, mixed with water, will make a sort of glue.
Arbuthnot.

5.
pl.
(Old Chem.)
A substance in the form of a powder, especially when condensed from sublimation; as, the flowers of sulphur.

6.
A figure of speech; an ornament of style.

7.
pl.
(Print.)
Ornamental type used chiefly for borders around pages, cards, etc.
W. Savage.

8.
pl.
Menstrual discharges.
Lev. xv. 24.

Animal flower (Zool.) See under Animal. -- Cut flowers, flowers cut from the stalk, as for making a bouquet. -- Flower bed, a plat in a garden for the cultivation of flowers. -- Flower beetle (Zool.), any beetle which feeds upon flowers, esp. any one of numerous small species of the genus Meligethes, family Nitidulidæ, some of which are injurious to crops. -- Flower bird (Zool.), an Australian bird of the genus Anthornis, allied to the honey eaters. -- Flower bud, an unopened flower. -- Flower clock, an assemblage of flowers which open and close at different hours of the day, thus indicating the time. -- Flower head (Bot.), a compound flower in which all the florets are sessile on their receptacle, as in the case of the daisy. -- Flower pecker (Zool.), one of a family (Dicæidæ) of small Indian and Australian birds. They resemble humming birds in habits. -- Flower piece. (a) A table ornament made of cut flowers. (b) (Fine Arts) A picture of flowers. -- Flower stalk (Bot.), the peduncle of a plant, or the stem that supports the flower or fructification.


word: Flower₂
definition:
Flower

Flow"er
(flou"ẽr)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flowered (flou"ẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Flowering.]
[From the noun.  Cf. Flourish.]
1.
To blossom; to bloom; to expand the petals, as a plant; to produce flowers; as, this plant flowers in June.

2.
To come into the finest or fairest condition.

Their lusty and flowering age.
Robynson (More's Utopia).

When flowered my youthful spring.
Spenser.

3.
To froth; to ferment gently, as new beer.

That beer did flower a little.
Bacon.

4.
To come off as flowers by sublimation.
[Obs.]

Observations which have flowered off.
Milton.


word: Flower₃
definition:
Flower

Flow"er
v. t.
To embellish with flowers; to adorn with imitated flowers; as, flowered silk.


word: Flower-de-luce
definition:
Flower-de-luce

Flow"er-de-luce"
(?)
n.
[Corrupted fr. fleur-de-lis.]
(Bot.)
A genus of perennial herbs (Iris) with swordlike leaves and large three-petaled flowers often of very gay colors, but probably white in the plant first chosen for the royal French emblem.

&hand_; There are nearly one hundred species, natives of the north temperate zone. Some of the best known are Iris Germanica, I. Florentina, I. Persica, I. sambucina, and the American I. versicolor, I. prismatica, etc.


word: Flowerer
definition:
Flowerer

Flow"er*er
(?)
n.
A plant which flowers or blossoms.

Many hybrids are profuse and persistent flowerers.
Darwin.


word: Flower-fence
definition:
Flower-fence

Flow"er-fence`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A tropical leguminous bush (Poinciana pulcherrima, or Cæsalpinia, pulcherrima) with prickly branches, and showy yellow or red flowers; -- so named from its having been sometimes used for hedges in the West Indies.
Baird.


word: Flowering
definition:
Flowering

Flow"er*ing
a.
(Bot.)
Having conspicuous flowers; -- used as an epithet with many names of plants; as, flowering ash; flowering dogwood; flowering almond, etc.

Flowering fern, a genus of showy ferns (Osmunda), with conspicuous bivalvular sporangia. They usually grow in wet places. -- Flowering plants, plants which have stamens and pistils, and produce true seeds; phenogamous plants; -- distinguished from flowerless plants. -- Flowering rush, a European rushlike plant (Butomus umbellatus), with an umbel of rosy blossoms.


word: Flowering₂
definition:
Flowering

Flow"er*ing
n.
1.
The act of blossoming, or the season when plants blossom; florification.

2.
The act of adorning with flowers.


word: Flowerless
definition:
Flowerless

Flow"er*less
a.
Having no flowers.

Flowerless plants, plants which have no true flowers, and produce no seeds; cryptogamous plants.


word: Flowerpot
definition:
Flowerpot

Flow"er*pot`
(?)
n.
A vessel, commonly or earthenware, for earth in which plants are grown.


word: flowers-of-an-hour
definition:
flowers-of-an-hour

flowers-of-an-hour
n.
An annual weedy herb (Hibiscus trionum) with ephemeral yellow purple-eyed flowers, native to the Old World tropics and naturalized as a weed in North America.

Syn. -- flower-of-an-hour, bladder ketmia, black-eyed Susan, Hibiscus trionum.


word: Flower State
definition:
Flower State

Flow"er State
Florida; -- a nickname, alluding to sense of L. floridus, from florida flowery. See Florid.


word: Flowery
definition:
Flowery

Flow"er*y
(?)
a.
1.
Full of flowers; abounding with blossoms.

2.
Highly embellished with figurative language; florid; as, a flowery style.
Milton.

The flowery kingdom, China.


word: Flowery-kirtled
definition:
Flowery-kirtled

Flow"er*y-kir`tled
(?)
a.
Dressed with garlands of flowers.
[Poetic & Rare]
Milton.


word: Flowing
definition:
Flowing

Flow"ing
a.
That flows or for flowing (in various sense of the verb); gliding along smoothly; copious.

Flowing battery (Elec.), a battery which is kept constant by the flowing of the exciting liquid through the cell or cells. Knight. -- Flowing furnace, a furnace from which molten metal, can be drawn, as through a tap hole; a foundry cupola. -- Flowing sheet (Naut.), a sheet when eased off, or loosened to the wind, as when the wind is abaft the beam. Totten.


word: Flown
definition:
Flown

Flown
(?)
p. p. of Fly; -- often used with the auxiliary verb to be; as, the birds are flown.


word: Flown₂
definition:
Flown

Flown
a.
Flushed, inflated.
[Supposed by some to be a mistake for blown or swoln.]
Pope.

Then wander forth the sons
Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.
Milton.


word: Fluavil
definition:
Fluavil

Flu"a*vil
(?)
n.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
(Chem.)
A hydrocarbon extracted from gutta-percha, as a yellow, resinous substance; -- called also fluanil.


word: Flucan
definition:
Flucan

Flu"can
(?)
n.
(Mining)
Soft clayey matter in the vein, or surrounding it.
[Written also flookan, flukan, and fluccan.]


word: Fluctiferous
definition:
Fluctiferous

Fluc*tif"er*ous
(?)
a.
[L. fluctus wave + -ferous.]
Tending to produce waves.
Blount.


word: Fluctisonous
definition:
Fluctisonous

Fluc*tis"o*nous
(?)
a.
[L. fluctisonus; fluctus wave + sonus sound.]
Sounding like waves.


word: Fluctuability
definition:
Fluctuability

Fluc`tu*a*bil"i*ty
(?; 135)
n.
The capacity or ability to fluctuate.
[R.]
H. Walpole.


word: Fluctuant
definition:
Fluctuant

Fluc"tu*ant
(?; 135)
a.
[L. fluctuans, p. pr. of fluctuare. See Fluctuate.]
1.
Moving like a wave; wavering
(Med.) showing undulation or fluctuation; as, a fluctuant tumor.

2.
Floating on the waves.
[Obs.]
Bacon.


word: Fluctuate
definition:
Fluctuate

Fluc"tu*ate
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Fluctuated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fluctuating (?).]
[L. fluctuatus, p. p. of fluctuare, to wave, fr. fluctus wave, fr. fluere, fluctum, to flow. See Fluent, and cf. Flotilla.]
1.
To move as a wave; to roll hither and thither; to wave; to float backward and forward, as on waves; as, a fluctuating field of air.
Blackmore.

2.
To move now in one direction and now in another; to be wavering or unsteady; to be irresolute or undetermined; to vacillate.


word: Fluctuate₂
definition:
Fluctuate

Fluc"tu*ate
v. t.
To cause to move as a wave; to put in motion.
[R.]

And fluctuate all the still perfume.
Tennyson.


word: fluctuating
definition:
fluctuating

fluc"tu*at`ing
adj.
moving irregularly in an oscillatory manner, especially up and down; as, fluctuating prices.


word: Fluctuation
definition:
Fluctuation

Fluc`tu*a"tion
(?)
n.
[L. fluctuatio; cf. F. fluctuation.]
1.
A motion like that of waves; a moving in this and that direction; as, the fluctuations of the sea.

2.
A wavering; unsteadiness; as, fluctuations of opinion; fluctuations of prices.

3.
(Med.)
The motion or undulation of a fluid collected in a natural or artifical cavity, which is felt when it is subjected to pressure or percussion.
Dunglison.


word: Flue
definition:
Flue

Flue
(flū)
n.
[Cf. OF. flue a flowing, fr. fluer to flow, fr. L. fluere (cf. Fluent); a perh. a corruption of E. flute.]
1.
An inclosed passage way for establishing and directing a current of air, gases, etc.; an air passage
(a)
A compartment or division of a chimney for conveying flame and smoke to the outer air.
(b)
A passage way for conducting a current of fresh, foul, or heated air from one place to another.
(c)
(Steam Boiler)
A pipe or passage for conveying flame and hot gases through surrounding water in a boiler; -- distinguished from a tube which holds water and is surrounded by fire. Small flues are called fire tubes or simply tubes.

2.
In an organ flue pipe, the opening between the lower lip and the languet.

Flue boiler. See under Boiler. -- Flue bridge, the separating low wall between the flues and the laboratory of a reverberatory furnace. -- Flue plate (Steam Boiler), a plate to which the ends of the flues are fastened; -- called also flue sheet, tube sheet, and tube plate. -- Flue surface (Steam Boiler), the aggregate surface of flues exposed to flame or the hot gases.


word: Flue₂
definition:
Flue

Flue
(flū)
n.
[Cf. F. flou light, tender, G. flau weak, W. llwch dust. √84.]
Light down, such as rises from cotton, fur, etc.; very fine lint or hair.
Dickens.


word: fluegelhorn
definition:
fluegelhorn

fluegelhorn
n.
[from German flügelhorn.]
A brass instrument resembling a cornet but with a wider bore.

Syn. -- flugelhorn, flügelhorn.


word: Fluency
definition:
Fluency

Flu"en*cy
(?)
n.
[L. fluentia: cf. F. fluence. See Fluent.]
The quality of being fluent; smoothness; readiness of utterance; volubility.

The art of expressing with fluency and perspicuity.
Macaulay.


word: Fluent
definition:
Fluent

Flu"ent
(?)
a.
[L. fluens, -entis, p. pr. of fluere to flow; cf. Gr. _; to boil over.  Cf. Fluctuate, Flux.]
1.
Flowing or capable of flowing; liquid; glodding; easily moving.

2.
Ready in the use of words; voluble; copious; having words at command; and uttering them with facility and smoothness; as, a fluent speaker; hence, flowing; voluble; smooth; -- said of language; as, fluent speech.

With most fluent utterance.
Denham.

Fluent as the flight of a swallow is the sultan's letter.
De Quincey.


word: Fluent₂
definition:
Fluent

Flu"ent
n.
1.
A current of water; a stream.
[Obs.]

2.
[Cf. F. fluente.]
(Math.)
A variable quantity, considered as increasing or diminishing; -- called, in the modern calculus, the function or integral.


word: Flue pipe
definition:
Flue pipe

Flue pipe
(Music)
A pipe, esp. an organ pipe, whose tone is produced by the impinging of a current of air upon an edge, or lip, causing a wave motion in the air within; a mouth pipe; -- distinguished from reed pipe. Flue pipes are either open or closed (stopped at the distant end). The flute and flageolet are open pipes; a bottle acts as a closed pipe when one blows across the neck. The organ has both open and closed flue pipes, those of metal being usually round in section, and those of wood triangular or square.


word: Fluework
definition:
Fluework

Flue"work`
(?)
n.
(Mus.)
A general name for organ stops in which the sound is caused by wind passing through a flue or fissure and striking an edge above; -- in distinction from reedwork.


word: Fluff
definition:
Fluff

Fluff
(?)
n.
[Cf. 2d Flue. √84.]
1.
Nap or down; flue[2]; soft, downy feathers.

2.
Hence:
Anything light and downy, whose volume consists mostly of air, such as cotton or down.

3.
Something light and inconsequential; something not to be taken seriously; -- used commonly of literary or dramatic productions, and sometimes of people.

4.
A mistake, especially in the recitation of lines in a drama.


word: Fluff₃
definition:
Fluff

Fluff
(?)
v. t.
To make a mistake in the performance of; -- used mostly of lines in a drama; as, he fluffed the last line of the act.


word: Fluffy
definition:
Fluffy

Fluff"y
(?)
a.
[Compar. Fluffier (?); superl. Fluffiest.]
Pertaining to, or resembling, fluff or nap; soft and downy.
fluffy
Thackeray.

The present Barnacle . . . had a youthful aspect, and the fluffiest little whisker, perhaps, that ever was seen.
Dickens.


word: Fluegel
definition:
Fluegel

Flugel

Flü"gel
(?)
n.
[G., a wing.]
(Mus.)
1.
A grand piano or a harpsichord, both being wing-shaped.
[archaic]

2.
A flugelhorn.


word: fluegelhorn₂
definition:
fluegelhorn

flugelhorn

flugelhorn, flügelhorn
[from German flügelhorn.]
n.
A brass wind instrument resembling a cornet but with a wider bore, and having three valves.

Syn. -- fluegelhorn.


word: Fluid
definition:
Fluid

Flu"id
(flū"ĭd)
a.
[L. fluidus, fr. fluere to flow: cf. F. fluide. See Fluent.]
Having particles which easily move and change their relative position without a separation of the mass, and which easily yield to pressure; capable of flowing; liquid or gaseous.


word: Fluid₂
definition:
Fluid

Flu"id
n.
A fluid substance; a body whose particles move easily among themselves.

&hand_; Fluid is a generic term, including liquids and gases as species. Water, air, and steam are fluids. By analogy, the term was sometimes applied to electricity and magnetism, as in phrases electric fluid, magnetic fluid, though not strictly appropriate; such usage has disappeared.

Fluid dram, or Fluid drachm, a measure of capacity equal to one eighth of a fluid ounce. -- Fluid ounce. (a) In the United States, a measure of capacity, in apothecaries' or wine measure, equal to one sixteenth of a pint or 29.57 cubic centimeters. This, for water, is about 1.04158 ounces avoirdupois, or 455.6 grains. (b) In England, a measure of capacity equal to the twentieth part of an imperial pint. For water, this is the weight of the avoirdupois ounce, or 437.5 grains. -- Fluids of the body. (Physiol.) The circulating blood and lymph, the chyle, the gastric, pancreatic, and intestinal juices, the saliva, bile, urine, aqueous humor, and muscle serum are the more important fluids of the body. The tissues themselves contain a large amount of combined water, so much, that an entire human body dried in vacuo with a very moderate degree of heat gives about 66 per cent of water. -- Burning fluid, Elastic fluid, Electric fluid, Magnetic fluid, etc. See under Burning, Elastic, etc.


word: Fluidal
definition:
Fluidal

Flu"id*al
(?)
a.
Pertaining to a fluid, or to its flowing motion.

Fluidal structure (Geol.), the structure characteristic of certain volcanic rocks in which the arrangement of the minute crystals shows the lines of flow of thew molten material before solidification; -- also called fluxion structure.


word: Fluidity
definition:
Fluidity

Flu*id"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. fluidité.]
The quality of being fluid or capable of flowing; a liquid, aëriform, or gaseous state; -- opposed to solidity.

It was this want of organization, this looseness and fluidity of the new movement, that made it penetrate through every class of society.
J. R. Green.


word: Fluidize
definition:
Fluidize

Flu"id*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fluidized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fluidizing.]
To render fluid.


word: Fluke
definition:
Fluke

Fluke
(flūk or flōk)
n.
[Cf. AS. fl&omacrc a kind of flatfish, Icel. fl&omacrki a kind of halibut.]
1.
(Zool.)
The European flounder.  See Flounder.
[Written also fleuk, flook, and flowk.]

2.
(Zool.)
Any American flounder of the genus Paralichthys, especially Paralicthys dentatus, found in the Atlantic Ocean and in adjacent bays.
RHUD

3.
(Zool.)
A parasitic trematode worm of several species, having a flat, lanceolate body and two suckers.  Two species (Fasciola hepatica and Distoma lanceolatum) are found in the livers of sheep, and produce the disease called rot.


word: Fluke₂
definition:
Fluke

Fluke
(flūk)
n.
[Cf. LG. flunk, flunka wing, the palm of an anchor; perh. akin to E. fly.]
1.
The part of an anchor which fastens in the ground; a flook. See Anchor.

2.
(Zool.)
One of the lobes of a whale's tail, so called from the resemblance to the fluke of an anchor.

3.
An instrument for cleaning out a hole drilled in stone for blasting.

4.
An accidental and favorable stroke at billiards (called a scratch in the United States); hence, any accidental or unexpected advantage; as, he won by a fluke.
[Cant, Eng.]
A. Trollope.


word: Fluke₃
definition:
Fluke

Fluke
(?)
v. t. & i.
[imp. & p. p. Fluked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fluking (?).]
To get or score by a fluke; as, to fluke a play in billiards.
[Slang]


word: Flume
definition:
Flume

Flume
(f;ūm)
n.
[Cf. OE. flum river, OF, flum, fr. L. flumen, fr. fluere to flow. √84. See Fluent.]
A stream; especially, a passage channel, or conduit for the water that drives a mill wheel; or an artifical channel of water for hydraulic or placer mining; also, a chute for conveying logs or lumber down a declivity.


word: Fluminous
definition:
Fluminous

Flu"mi*nous
(?)
a.
[L. flumen, fluminis, river.]
Pertaining to rivers; abounding in streama.


word: Flummery
definition:
Flummery

Flum"mer*y
(?)
n.
[W. llumru, or llumruwd, a kind of food made of oatmeal steeped in water until it has turned sour, fr. llumrig harsh, raw, crude, fr. llum sharp, severe.]
1.
A light kind of food, formerly made of flour or meal; a sort of pap.

Milk and flummery are very fit for children.
Locke.

2.
Something insipid, or not worth having; empty compliment; trash; unsubstantial talk of writing.

The flummery of modern criticism.
J. Morley.


word: Flunk
definition:
Flunk

Flunk
(flŭ&nsmacr_;k)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flunked (flŭ&nsmacr_;kt); p. pr. & vb. n. Flunking.]
[Cf. Funk.]
To fail, as on a lesson; to back out, as from an undertaking, through fear.


word: Flunk₂
definition:
Flunk

Flunk
v. t.
1.
To fail in; to fail to pass (a test, examination, or course of study).
[Colloq. U.S.]

2.
To shirk, as a task or duty.


word: flunk out
definition:
flunk out

flunk out
v. i.
to be dismissed (from a school or course of study) due to failure to perform up to the minimum standard.

Syn. -- fail out; wash out.


word: Flunky
definition:
Flunky

Flun"ky
(flŭ&nsmacr_;"k&ybreve_;)
n.
pl. Flunkies (flŭ&nsmacr_;"kĭz).
[Prob. fr. or akin to flank.]
[Written also flunkey.]
1.
A contemptuous name for a liveried servant or a footman.

2.
One who is obsequious or cringing; a snob.

3.
One easily deceived in buying stocks; an inexperienced and unwary jobber.
[Cant, U.S.]


word: Flunlyism
definition:
Flunlyism

Flun"ly*ism
(?)
n.
The quality or characteristics of a flunky; readiness to cringe to those who are superior in wealth or position; toadyism.
Thackeray.


word: Fluo-
definition:
Fluo-

Flu"o-
(_;)
(Chem.)
A combining form indicating fluorine as an ingredient; as in fluosilicate, fluobenzene.


word: Fluoborate
definition:
Fluoborate

Flu`o*bo"rate
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. fluoborate.]
(Chem.)
A salt of fluoboric acid; a fluoboride.


word: Fluoboric
definition:
Fluoboric

Flu`o*bo"ric
(?)
a.
[Fluo- boric: cf. F. fluoborique.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or consisting of, fluorine and boron.

Fluoridic acid (Chem.), a double fluoride, consisting essentially of a solution of boron fluoride, in hydrofluoric acid. It has strong acid properties, and is the type of the borofluorides. Called also borofluoric acid.


word: Fluocerite
definition:
Fluocerite

Fluocerine

{ Flu`o*ce"rine (?), Flu`o*ce"rite (?) }
n.
[Fluo- + cerium.]
(Min.)
A fluoride of cerium, occuring near Fahlun in Sweden. Tynosite, from Colorado, is probably the same mineral.


word: Fluophosphate
definition:
Fluophosphate

Flu`o*phos"phate
(?)
n.
[Fluo- + phosphate.]
(Chem.)
A double salt of fluoric and phosphoric acids.


word: Fluor
definition:
Fluor

Flu"or
(?)
n.
[L., a flowing, fr. fluere to flow. See Fluent.]
1.
A fluid state.
[Obs.]
Sir I. Newton.

2.
Menstrual flux; catamenia; menses.
[Obs.]

3.
(Min.)
See Fluorite.


word: Fluoranthene
definition:
Fluoranthene

Flu`or*an"thene
(?)
n.
[Fluorene + anthracene.]
(Chem.)
A white crystalline hydrocarbon C15H10, of a complex structure, found as one ingredient of the higher boiling portion of coal tar.


word: Fluorated
definition:
Fluorated

Flu"or*a`ted
(?)
a.
(Chem.)
Combined with fluorine; subjected to the action of fluoride.
[R.]


word: Fluorene
definition:
Fluorene

Flu`or*ene
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A colorless, crystalline hydrocarbon, C13H10 having a beautiful violet fluorescence; whence its name. It occurs in the higher boiling products of coal tar, and is obtained artificially.


word: fluorescein
definition:
fluorescein

fluoresceine

fluo`res"ce*in, fluo`res"ce*ine, flu`o*res"ce*ïn
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A yellowish red, crystalline substance, C20H12O5, produced by heating together phthalic anhydride and resorcin; -- so called, from the very brilliant yellowish green fluorescence of its alkaline solutions. It has acid properties, and its salts of the alkalies are known to the trade under the name of uranin.

Syn. -- fluorescein, fluorescent dye, resorcinolphthalein.


word: Fluorescence
definition:
Fluorescence

Flu`o*res"cence
(?)
n.
[From Fluor.]
(Chemistry, Optics)
A luminescence emitted by certain substances due to the absorption of radiation at one wavelength, and the almost instantaneous re-emission of radiation at another, usually longer wavelength.  The re-radiation stops almost as soon as the incident radiation is halted, thus distinguishing this phenomenon from phosphorescence, in which re-radiation of light may continue for some time after the incident radiation is halted.
The color of the radiated light typically differs from the apparent color of the material, as when green crystals of fluor spar afford blue reflections. It is due not to the difference in the color of a distinct surface layer, but to the power which the substance has of modifying the light incident upon it, by first absorbing the light to achieve an excited state, and then radiating light to resume the ground energy level. The light emitted by fluorescent substances is in general of longer wavelength than the incident light.  The radiation can also be induced by ionizing radiation which is not electromagnetic, such as alpha or beta rays, and cathode rays.  This property is possessed by fluorspar, uranium glass, sulphide of calcium, and many other substances.  It finds use in analytical instruments to detect or measure radiation, and in some commercial applications.


word: Fluorescin
definition:
Fluorescin

Flu`o*res"cin
(?)
n.
(Chem.)
A colorless, amorphous substance which is produced by the reduction of fluoresceïn, and from which the latter may be formed by oxidation.


word: Fluoric
definition:
Fluoric

Flu*or"ic
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. fluorique.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, obtained from, or containing, fluorine.


word: fluoridate
definition:
fluoridate

fluoridate
v. t.
To subject to fluoridation, as of water; to add fluoride to.

Syn. -- fluoridize.


word: fluoridation
definition:
fluoridation

fluoridation
n.
The addition of a fluoride to the water supply (to prevent dental decay).

Syn. -- fluoridization.


word: Fluoride
definition:
Fluoride

Flu"or*ide
(? or ?; 104)
n.
[Cf. F. fluoride.]
(Chem.)
A binary compound of fluorine with another element or radical.

Calcium fluoride (Min.), fluorite, CaF2. See Fluorite.


word: fluoridization
definition:
fluoridization

fluoridization
n.
the addition of a fluoride to the water supply (to prevent dental decay).

Syn. -- fluoridation.


word: Fluorine
definition:
Fluorine

Flu"or*ine
(flū"&obreve_;r*ĭn or flū"&obreve_;r*ēn; 104)
n.
[NL. fluorina: cf. G. fluorin, F. fluorine. So called from its occurrence in the mineral fluorite.]
(Chem.)
A non-metallic, gaseous element of atomic number 9, strongly acid or negative, and associated with chlorine, bromine, and iodine, in the halogen group of which it is the first member. It always occurs combined, is very active chemically, and possesses such an avidity for most elements, and silicon especially, that it can neither be prepared nor kept in glass vessels, but may be contained in lead vessels. If set free it immediately attacks a containing glass vessel, so that it was not isolated until 1886. It is a pungent, corrosive, colorless gas. Symbol F. Atomic weight 19.00.

&hand_; Fluorine unites with hydrogen to form hydrofluoric acid, which is the agent employed in etching glass. It occurs naturally, principally combined as calcium fluoride in fluorite, and as a double fluoride of aluminium and sodium in cryolite.


word: Fluorite
definition:
Fluorite

Flu"or*ite
(?)
n.
(Min.)
Calcium fluoride (CaF2), a mineral of many different colors, white, yellow, purple, green, red, etc., often very beautiful, crystallizing commonly in cubes with perfect octahedral cleavage; also massive. It is used as a flux. Some varieties are used for ornamental vessels. Also called fluor spar, or simply fluor.


word: fluorochrome
definition:
fluorochrome

fluorochrome
n.
Any of various fluorescent substances used in fluorescence microscopy to stain specimens.


word: Fluoroid
definition:
Fluoroid

Flu"or*oid
(?)
n.
[Fluor + -oid.]
(Crystallog.)
A tetrahexahedron; -- so called because it is a common form of fluorite.


word: Fluoroscope
definition:
Fluoroscope

Flu*or"o*scope
(?)
n.
[Fluorescence + -scope.]
1.
(Phys.)
An instrument for observing or exhibiting fluorescence.

2.
(Physics)
A fluorescent screen, with hood to protect the eyes, used for observing the shadows cast by objects placed in the path of the X rays.
Flu*or`o*scop"ic (#), a.


word: Fluoroscopy
definition:
Fluoroscopy

Flu`or*os"co*py
(?)
n.
Examination of an object, as the human body, by exposing it to the X rays and observing the shadow cast upon a fluorescent screen; cryptoscopy.


word: Fluosilicate
definition:
Fluosilicate

Flu`o*sil"i*cate
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. fluosilicate.]
(Chem.)
A double fluoride of silicon and some other (usually basic) element or radical, regarded as a salt of fluosilicic acid; -- called also silicofluoride.


word: Fluosilicic
definition:
Fluosilicic

Flu`o*si*lic"ic
(?)
a.
[Fluo- + silicic: cf. F. fluosilicique.]
(Chem.)
Composed of, or derived from, silicon and fluorine.

Fluosilicic acid, a double fluoride of hydrogen and silicon, H2F6Si, obtained in solution in water as a sour fuming liquid, and regarded as the type of the fluosilicates; -- called also silicofluoric acid, and hydrofluosilicic acid.


word: Flurry
definition:
Flurry

Flur"ry
(?)
n.
pl. Flurries (#).
[Prov. E. flur to ruffle.]
1.
A sudden and brief blast or gust; a light, temporary breeze; as, a flurry of wind.

2.
A light shower or snowfall accompanied with wind.

Like a flurry of snow on the whistling wind.
Longfellow.

3.
Violent agitation; commotion; bustle; hurry.

The racket and flurry of London.
Blakw. Mag.

4.
The violent spasms of a dying whale.


word: Flurry₂
definition:
Flurry

Flur"ry
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flurried (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flurrying.]
To put in a state of agitation; to excite or alarm.
H. Swinburne.


word: Flush
definition:
Flush

Flush
(?)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Flushed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flushing.]
[Cf. OE. fluschen to fly up, penetrate, F. fluz a flowing, E. flux, dial. Sw. flossa to blaze, and E. flash; perh. influenced by blush. √84.]
1.
To flow and spread suddenly; to rush; as, blood flushes into the face.

The flushing noise of many waters.
Boyle.

It flushes violently out of the cock.
Mortimer.

2.
To become suddenly suffused, as the cheeks; to turn red; to blush.

3.
To snow red; to shine suddenly; to glow.

In her cheek, distemper flushing glowed.
Milton.

4.
To start up suddenly; to take wing as a bird.

Flushing from one spray unto another.
W. Browne.


word: Flush₂
definition:
Flush

Flush
v. t.
1.
To cause to be full; to flood; to overflow; to overwhelm with water; as, to flush the meadows; to flood for the purpose of cleaning; as, to flush a sewer.

2.
To cause the blood to rush into (the face); to put to the blush, or to cause to glow with excitement.

Nor flush with shame the passing virgin's cheek.
Gay.

Sudden a thought came like a full-blown rose,
Flushing his brow.
Keats.

3.
To make suddenly or temporarily red or rosy, as if suffused with blood.

How faintly flushed. how phantom fair,
Was Monte Rosa, hanging there!
Tennyson.

4.
To excite; to animate; to stir.

Such things as can only feed his pride and flush his ambition.
South.

5.
To cause to start, as a hunter a bird.
Nares.

6.
To cause to flow; to draw water from, or pour it over or through (a pond, meadow, sewer, etc.); to cleanse by means of a rush of water.

To flush a joints (Masonry), to fill them in; to point the level; to make them flush.


word: Flush₃
definition:
Flush

Flush
v. i.
(Mining)
(a)
To operate a placer mine, where the continuous supply of water is insufficient, by holding back the water, and releasing it periodically in a flood.
(b)
To fill underground spaces, especially in coal mines, with material carried by water, which, after drainage, constitutes a compact mass.


word: Flush₄
definition:
Flush

Flush
n.
1.
A sudden flowing; a rush which fills or overflows, as of water for cleansing purposes.

In manner of a wave or flush.
Ray.

2.
A suffusion of the face with blood, as from fear, shame, modesty, or intensity of feeling of any kind; a blush; a glow.

The flush of angered shame.
Tennyson.

3.
Any tinge of red color like that produced on the cheeks by a sudden rush of blood; as, the flush on the side of a peach; the flush on the clouds at sunset.

4.
A sudden flood or rush of feeling; a thrill of excitement. animation, etc.; as, a flush of joy.

5.
A flock of birds suddenly started up or flushed.

6.
[From F. or Sp. flux.  Cf. Flux.]
A hand of cards, all of the same suit; -- especially significant in poker, where five cards of the same suit constitute a flush, which beats a straight but is beaten by a full house or four of a kind.


word: Flush₅
definition:
Flush

Flush
a.
1.
Full of vigor; fresh; glowing; bright.

With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May.
Shak.

2.
Affluent; abounding; well furnished or suppled; hence, liberal; prodigal.

Lord Strut was not very flush in ready.
Arbuthnot.

3.
(Arch. & Mech.)
Unbroken or even in surface; on a level with the adjacent surface; forming a continuous surface; as, a flush panel; a flush joint.

4.
(Card Playing)
Consisting of cards of one suit.

Flush bolt. (a) A screw bolt whose head is countersunk, so as to be flush with a surface. (b) A sliding bolt let into the face or edge of a door, so as to be flush therewith. -- Flush deck. (Naut.) See under Deck, n., 1. -- Flush tank, a water tank which can be emptied rapidly for flushing drainpipes, etc.


word: Flusher
definition:
Flusher

Flush"er
(?)
n.
1.
A workman employed in cleaning sewers by flushing them with water.

2.
(Zool.)
The red-backed shrike. See Flasher.


word: Flushing
definition:
Flushing

Flush"ing
n.
1.
A heavy, coarse cloth manufactured from shoddy; -- commonly in the _;
[Eng.]

2.
(Weaving)
A surface formed of floating threads.


word: Fluster
definition:
Fluster

Flus"ter
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Flustered; p. pr. & vb. n. Flustering.]
[Cf. Icel. flaustra to be flustered, flaustr a fluster.]
To make hot and rosy, as with drinking; to heat; hence, to throw into agitation and confusion; to confuse; to muddle.

His habit or flustering himself daily with claret.
Macaulay.


word: Fluster₂
definition:
Fluster

Flus"ter
v. i.
To be in a heat or bustle; to be agitated and confused.

The flstering, vainglorious Greeks.
South.


word: Flusteration
definition:
Flusteration

Flus`ter*a"tion
(?)
n.
The act of flustering, or the state of being flustered; fluster.
[Colloq.]


word: Flute
definition:
Flute

Flute
(?)
n.
[OE. floute, floite, fr. OF. flaüte, flahute, flahuste, F. fl_;te; cf. LL. flauta, D. fluit. See Flute, v. i.]
1.
A musical wind instrument, consisting of a hollow cylinder or pipe, with holes along its length, stopped by the fingers or by keys which are opened by the fingers. The modern flute is closed at the upper end, and blown with the mouth at a lateral hole.

The breathing flute's soft notes are heard around.
Pope.

2.
(Arch.)
A channel of curved section; -- usually applied to one of a vertical series of such channels used to decorate columns and pilasters in classical architecture. See Illust. under Base, n.

3.
A similar channel or groove made in wood or other material, esp. in plaited cloth, as in a lady's ruffle.

4.
A long French breakfast roll.
Simonds.

5.
A stop in an organ, having a flutelike sound.

Flute bit, a boring tool for piercing ebony, rosewood, and other hard woods. -- Flute pipe, an organ pipe having a sharp lip or wind-cutter which imparts vibrations to the column of air in the pipe. Knight.


word: Flute₂
definition:
Flute

Flute
(flūt)
n.
[Cf. F. flûte a transport, D. fluit.]
A kind of flyboat; a storeship.

Armed en flûte (_;) (Nav.), partially armed.


word: Flute₃
definition:
Flute

Flute
(?)
v. i.
[OE. flouten, floiten, OF. flaüter, fleüter, flouster, F. flûter, cf. D. fluiten; ascribed to an assumed LL. flautare, flatuare, fr. L. flatus a blowing, fr. flare to blow.  Cf. Flout, Flageolet, Flatulent.]
To play on, or as on, a flute; to make a flutelike sound.


word: Flute₄
definition:
Flute

Flute
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fluted (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fluting (?).]
1.
To play, whistle, or sing with a clear, soft note, like that of a flute.

Knaves are men,
That lute and flute fantastic tenderness.
Tennyson.

 The redwing flutes his o-ka-lee.
Emerson.

2.
To form flutes or channels in, as in a column, a ruffle, etc.


word: Flute a bec
definition:
Flute a bec

Flûte` à bec"
(?)
[F.]
(Mus.)
A beak flute, an older form of the flute, played with a mouthpiece resembling a beak, and held like a flageolet.


word: Fluted
definition:
Fluted

Flut"ed
(?)
a.
1.
Thin; fine; clear and mellow; flutelike; as, fluted notes.
Busby.

2.
Decorated with flutes; channeled; grooved; as, a fluted column; a fluted ruffle; a fluted spectrum.


word: Flutemouth
definition:
Flutemouth

Flute"mouth`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A fish of the genus Aulostoma, having a much elongated tubular snout.


word: Fluter
definition:
Fluter

Flut"er
(?)
n.
1.
One who plays on the flute; a flutist or flautist.

2.
One who makes grooves or flutings.


word: Fluting
definition:
Fluting

Flut"ing
n.
Decoration by means of flutes or channels; a flute, or flutes collectively; as, the fluting of a column or pilaster; the fluting of a lady's ruffle.

Fluting iron, a laundry iron for fluting ruffles; -- called also Italian iron, or gaufering iron. Knight. -- Fluting lathe, a machine for forming spiral flutes, as on balusters, table legs, etc.


word: Flutist
definition:
Flutist

Flut"ist
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. flûtiste.]
A performer on the flute; a flautist.
Busby.

2.
To move with quick vibrations or undulations; as, a sail flutters in the wind; a fluttering fan.

3.
To move about briskly, irregularly, or with great bustle and show, without much result.

    No rag, no scrap, of all the beau, or wit,
    That once so fluttered, and that once so writ.
Pope.

4.
To be in agitation; to move irregularly; to flucttuate; to be uncertainty.

 Long we fluttered on the wings of doubtful success.
Howell.

     His thoughts are very fluttering and wandering.
I. Watts.


word: Flutter
definition:
Flutter

Flut"ter
(?)
v. t.
1.
To vibrate or move quickly; as, a bird flutters its wings.

2.
To drive in disorder; to throw into confusion.

        Like an eagle in a dovecote, I
Fluttered your Volscians in Corioli.
Shak.


word: Flutter₂
definition:
Flutter

Flut"ter
n.
1.
The act of fluttering; quick and irregular motion; vibration; as, the flutter of a fan.

     The chirp and flutter of some single bird
Milnes. .

2.
Hurry; tumult; agitation of the mind; confusion; disorder.
Pope.

Flutter wheel, a water wheel placed below a fall or in a chute where rapidly moving water strikes the tips of the floats; -- so called from the spattering, and the fluttering noise it makes.


word: Fluvial
definition:
Fluvial

Flu"vi*al
(?)
a.
[L. fluvialis, from fluvius river, fr. fluere to flow: cf.F. fluvial. See Fluent.]
Belonging to rivers; growing or living in streams or ponds; as, a fluvial plant.


word: Fluviatic
definition:
Fluviatic

Flu`vi*at"ic
(?)
a.
[L. fluviaticus. See Fluvial.]
Belonging to rivers or streams; fluviatile.
Johnson.


word: Fluviatile
definition:
Fluviatile

Flu"vi*a*tile
(?)
a.
[L. fluviatilis, fr. fluvius river: cf. F. fluviatile.]
Belonging to rivers or streams; existing in or about rivers; produced by river action; fluvial; as, fluviatile starta, plants.
Lyell.


word: Fluviograph
definition:
Fluviograph

Flu"vi*o*graph
(?)
n.
[L. fluvius river + -graph.]
An instrument for measuring and recording automatically the rise and fall of a river.


word: Fluvio-marine
definition:
Fluvio-marine

Flu`vi*o-ma*rine"
(?)
a.
[L. fluvius river + E. marine.]
(Geol.)
Formed by the joint action of a river and the sea, as deposits at the mouths of rivers.


word: Fluviometer
definition:
Fluviometer

Flu`vi*om"e*ter
(?)
n.
[L. fluvius river + -meter.]
An instrument for measuring the height of water in a river; a river gauge.


word: Flux
definition:
Flux

Flux
(flŭks)
n.
[L. fluxus, fr. fluere, fluxum, to flow: cf.F. flux. See Fluent, and cf. 1st & 2d Floss, Flush, n., 6.]
1.
The act of flowing; a continuous moving on or passing by, as of a flowing stream; constant succession; change.

 By the perpetual flux of the liquids, a great part of them is thrown out of the body.
Arbuthnot.

Her image has escaped the flux of things,
And that same infant beauty that she wore
Is fixed upon her now forevermore.
Trench.

       Languages, like our bodies, are in a continual flux.
Felton.

2.
The setting in of the tide toward the shore, -- the ebb being called the reflux.

3.
The state of being liquid through heat; fusion.

4.
(Chem. & Metal.)
Any substance or mixture used to promote the fusion of metals or minerals, as alkalies, borax, lime, fluorite.

&hand_; White flux is the residuum of the combustion of a mixture of equal parts of niter and tartar. It consists chiefly of the carbonate of potassium, and is white. -- Black flux is the ressiduum of the combustion of one part of niter and two of tartar, and consists essentially of a mixture of potassium carbonate and charcoal.

5.
(Med.)
(a)
A fluid discharge from the bowels or other part; especially, an excessive and morbid discharge; as, the bloody flux or dysentery. See Bloody flux.
(b)
The matter thus discharged.

6.
(Physics)
The quantity of a fluid that crosses a unit area of a given surface in a unit of time.


word: Flux₂
definition:
Flux

Flux
a.
[L. fluxus, p. p. of fluere. See Flux, n.]
Flowing; unstable; inconstant; variable.

The flux nature of all things here.
Barrow.


word: Flux₃
definition:
Flux

Flux
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fluxed (flŭkst); p. pr. & vb. n. Fluxing.]
1.
To affect, or bring to a certain state, by flux.

He might fashionably and genteelly . . . have been dueled or
fluxed into another world.
South.

2.
To cause to become fluid; to fuse.
Kirwan.

3.
(Med.)
To cause a discharge from; to purge.


word: Fluxibility
definition:
Fluxibility

Flux`i*bil"i*ty
(?)
n.
[Cf. LL. fluxibilitas fluidity.]
The quality of being fluxible.
Hammond.


word: Fluxible
definition:
Fluxible

Flux"i*ble
(?)
a.
[Cf.LL. fluxibilis fluid, OF. fluxible.]
Capable of being melted or fused, as a mineral.
Holland.


word: Fluxion
definition:
Fluxion

Flux"ion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. fluxion.]
The act of flowing.
Cotgrave.

2.
The matter that flows.
Wiseman.

3.
Fusion; the running of metals into a fluid state.

4.
(Med.)
An unnatural or excessive flow of blood or fluid toward any organ; a determination.

5.
A constantly varying indication.

Less to be counted than the fluxions of sun dials.
De Quincey.

6.
(Math.)
(a)
The infinitely small increase or decrease of a variable or flowing quantity in a certain infinitely small and constant period of time; the rate of variation of a fluent; an incerement; a differential.
(b)
pl.
A method of analysis developed by Newton, and based on the conception of all magnitudes as generated by motion, and involving in their changes the notion of velocity or rate of change. Its results are the same as those of the differential and integral calculus, from which it differs little except in notation and logical method.


word: Fluxional
definition:
Fluxional

Flux"ion*al
(?)
a.
Pertaining to, or having the nature of, fluxion or fluxions; variable; inconstant.

 The merely human,the temporary and fluxional.
Coleridge.

Fluxional structure (Geol.), fluidal structure.


word: Fluxionary
definition:
Fluxionary

Flux"ion*a*ry
(?)
a.
1.
Fluxional.
Berkeley.

2.
(Med.)
Pertaining to, or caused by, an increased flow of blood to a part; congestive; as, a fluxionary hemorrhage.


word: Fluxure
definition:
Fluxure

Flux"ure
(?; 138)
n.
[L. fluxura a flowing.]
1.
The quality of being fluid.
[Obs.]
Fielding.

2.
Fluid matter.
[Obs.]
Drayton.


word: Fly
definition:
Fly

Fly
(flī)
v. i.
[imp. Flew (flū); p. p. Flown (fl&omacrn); p. pr. & vb. n. Flying.]
[OE. fleen, fleen, fleyen, flegen, AS. fleógan; akin to D. vliegen, OHG. fliogan, G. fliegen, Icel. fljūga, Sw. flyga, Dan. flyve, Goth. us-flaugjan to cause to fly away, blow about, and perh. to L. pluma feather, E. plume. √84.  Cf. Fledge, Flight, Flock of animals.]
1.
To move in or pass through the air with wings, as a bird.
2.
To move through the air or before the wind; esp., to pass or be driven rapidly through the air by any impulse.

3.
To float, wave, or rise in the air, as sparks or a flag.

 Man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
Job v. 7.

4.
To move or pass swiftly; to hasten away; to circulate rapidly; as, a ship flies on the deep; a top flies around; rumor flies.

Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race.
Milton.

The dark waves murmured as the ships flew on.
Bryant.

5.
To run from danger; to attempt to escape; to flee; as, an enemy or a coward flies. See Note under Flee.

Fly, ere evil intercept thy flight.
Milton.

Whither shall I fly to escape their hands ?
Shak.

6.
To move suddenly, or with violence; to do an act suddenly or swiftly; -- usually with a qualifying word; as, a door flies open; a bomb flies apart.

To fly about (Naut.), to change frequently in a short time; -- said of the wind. -- To fly around, to move about in haste. [Colloq.] -- To fly at, to spring toward; to rush on; to attack suddenly. -- To fly in the face of, to insult; to assail; to set at defiance; to oppose with violence; to act in direct opposition to; to resist. -- To fly off, to separate, or become detached suddenly; to revolt. -- To fly on, to attack. -- To fly open, to open suddenly, or with violence. -- To fly out. (a) To rush out. (b) To burst into a passion; to break out into license. -- To let fly. (a) To throw or drive with violence; to discharge. “A man lets fly his arrow without taking any aim.” Addison. (b) (Naut.) To let go suddenly and entirely; as, to let fly the sheets.


word: Fly₂
definition:
Fly

Fly
v. t.
1.
To cause to fly or to float in the air, as a bird, a kite, a flag, etc.

The brave black flag I fly.
W. S. Gilbert.

2.
To fly or flee from; to shun; to avoid.

Sleep flies the wretch.
Dryden.

To fly the favors of so good a king.
Shak.

3.
To hunt with a hawk.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

4.
To manage (an aircraft) in flight; as, to fly an aëroplane.

To fly a kite (Com.), to raise money on commercial notes. [Cant or Slang]


word: Fly₃
definition:
Fly

Fly
n.
pl. Flies (flīz).
[OE. flie, flege, AS. fl&ymacr_;ge, fleóge, fr. fleógan to fly; akin to D. vlieg, OHG. flioga, G. fliege, Icel. & Sw. fluga, Dan. flue. √ 84.  See Fly, v. i.]
1.
(Zool.)
(a)
Any winged insect; esp., one with transparent wings; as, the Spanish fly; firefly; gall fly; dragon fly.
(b)
Any dipterous insect; as, the house fly; flesh fly; black fly. See Diptera, and Illust. in Append.

2.
A hook dressed in imitation of a fly, -- used for fishing.
fly
Gay.

3.
A familiar spirit; a witch's attendant.
[Obs.]

A trifling fly, none of your great familiars.
B. Jonson.

4.
A parasite.
[Obs.]
Massinger.

5.
A kind of light carriage for rapid transit, plying for hire and usually drawn by one horse.
[Eng.]

6.
The length of an extended flag from its staff; sometimes, the length from the “union” to the extreme end.

7.
The part of a vane pointing the direction from which the wind blows.

8.
(Naut.)
That part of a compass on which the points are marked; the compass card.
Totten.

9.
(Mech.)
(a)
Two or more vanes set on a revolving axis, to act as a fanner, or to equalize or impede the motion of machinery by the resistance of the air, as in the striking part of a clock.
(b)
A heavy wheel, or cross arms with weights at the ends on a revolving axis, to regulate or equalize the motion of machinery by means of its inertia, where the power communicated, or the resistance to be overcome, is variable, as in the steam engine or the coining press. See Fly wheel (below).

10.
(Knitting Machine)
The piece hinged to the needle, which holds the engaged loop in position while the needle is penetrating another loop; a latch.
Knight.

11.
The pair of arms revolving around the bobbin, in a spinning wheel or spinning frame, to twist the yarn.

12.
(Weaving)
A shuttle driven through the shed by a blow or jerk.
Knight.

13.
(a)
Formerly, the person who took the printed sheets from the press.
(b)
A vibrating frame with fingers, attached to a power to a power printing press for doing the same work.

14.
The outer canvas of a tent with double top, usually drawn over the ridgepole, but so extended as to touch the roof of the tent at no other place.

15.
One of the upper screens of a stage in a theater.

16.
The fore flap of a bootee; also, a lap on trousers, overcoats, etc., to conceal a row of buttons.

17.
(Baseball)
A batted ball that flies to a considerable distance, usually high in the air; also, the flight of a ball so struck; as, it was caught on the fly.  Also called fly ball.
fly

18.
(Cotton Manuf.)
Waste cotton.

Black fly, Cheese fly, Dragon fly, etc. See under Black, Cheese, etc. -- Fly agaric (Bot.), a mushroom (Agaricus muscarius), having a narcotic juice which, in sufficient quantities, is poisonous. -- Fly block (Naut.), a pulley whose position shifts to suit the working of the tackle with which it is connected; -- used in the hoisting tackle of yards. -- Fly board (Printing Press), the board on which printed sheets are deposited by the fly. -- Fly book, a case in the form of a book for anglers' flies. Kingsley. -- Fly cap, a cap with wings, formerly worn by women. -- Fly drill, a drill having a reciprocating motion controlled by a fly wheel, the driving power being applied by the hand through a cord winding in reverse directions upon the spindle as it rotates backward and forward. Knight. -- Fly fishing, the act or art of angling with a bait of natural or artificial flies; fishing using a fly{2} as bait. Walton. -- -- Fly fisherman, one who fishes using natural or artificial flies{2} as bait, especially one who fishes exclusively in that manner. -- Fly flap, an implement for killing flies. -- Fly governor, a governor for regulating the speed of an engine, etc., by the resistance of vanes revolving in the air. -- Fly honeysuckle (Bot.), a plant of the honeysuckle genus (Lonicera), having a bushy stem and the flowers in pairs, as L. ciliata and L. Xylosteum. -- Fly hook, a fishhook supplied with an artificial fly. -- Fly leaf, an unprinted leaf at the beginning or end of a book, circular, programme, etc. -- Fly maggot, a maggot bred from the egg of a fly. Ray. -- Fly net, a screen to exclude insects. -- Fly nut (Mach.), a nut with wings; a thumb nut; a finger nut. -- Fly orchis (Bot.), a plant (Ophrys muscifera), whose flowers resemble flies. -- Fly paper, poisoned or sticky paper for killing flies that feed upon or are entangled by it. -- Fly powder, an arsenical powder used to poison flies. -- Fly press, a screw press for punching, embossing, etc., operated by hand and having a heavy fly. -- Fly rail, a bracket which turns out to support the hinged leaf of a table. -- Fly rod, a light fishing rod used in angling with a fly. -- Fly sheet, a small loose advertising sheet; a handbill. -- Fly snapper (Zool.), an American bird (Phainopepla nitens), allied to the chatterers and shrikes. The male is glossy blue-black; the female brownish gray. -- Fly wheel (Mach.), a heavy wheel attached to machinery to equalize the movement (opposing any sudden acceleration by its inertia and any retardation by its momentum), and to accumulate or give out energy for a variable or intermitting resistance. See Fly, n., 9. -- On the fly (Baseball), still in the air; -- said of a batted ball caught before touching the ground..


word: Fly fungus
definition:
Fly fungus

Fly amanita

{ Fly amanita, Fly fungus  }
(Bot.)
A poisonous mushroom (Amanita muscaria, syn. Agaricus muscarius), having usually a bright red or yellowish cap covered with irregular white spots. It has a distinct volva at the base, generally an upper ring on the stalk, and white spores. Called also fly agaric, deadly amanita.


word: Flyaway
definition:
Flyaway

Fly"a*way`
(?)
a.
Disposed to fly away; flighty; unrestrained; light and free; -- used of both persons and things.
n. A flyaway person or thing. “Truth is such a flyaway.” Emerson.


word: Flyaway grass
definition:
Flyaway grass

Flyaway grass
(Bot.)
The hair grass (Agrostis scabra). So called from its light panicle, which is blown to great distances by the wind.


word: Flybane
definition:
Flybane

Fly"bane`
(?)
n.
(Bot.)
A kind of catchfly of the genus Silene; also, a poisonous mushroom (Agaricus muscarius); fly agaric.


word: Flyblow
definition:
Flyblow

Fly"blow`
(?)
v. t.
To deposit eggs upon, as a flesh fly does on meat; to cause to be maggoty; hence, to taint or contaminate, as if with flyblows.
Bp. Srillingfleet.


word: Flyblown
definition:
Flyblown

Fly"blown`
(?)
a.
Tainted or contaminated with flyblows; damaged; foul.

 Wherever flyblown reputations were assembled.
Thackeray.


word: Flyboat
definition:
Flyboat

Fly"boat`
(?)
n.
[Fly + boat: cf. D. vlieboot.]
1.
(Naut.)
A large Dutch coasting vessel.

 Captain George Weymouth made a voyage of discovery to the northwest with two flyboats.
Purchas.

2.
A kind of passenger boat formerly used on canals.


word: Flycatcher
definition:
Flycatcher

Fly"catch`er
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
One of numerous species of birds that feed upon insects, which they take on the wing.

&hand_; The true flycatchers of the Old World are Oscines, and belong to the family Muscicapidæ, as the spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa grisola). The American flycatchers, or tyrant flycatchers, are Clamatores, and belong to the family Tyrannidæ, as the kingbird, pewee, crested flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus), and the vermilion flycatcher or churinche (Pyrocephalus rubineus). Certain American flycatching warblers of the family Sylvicolidæ are also called flycatchers, as the Canadian flycatcher (Sylvania Canadensis), and the hooded flycatcher (S. mitrata). See Tyrant flycatcher.


word: Flyer
definition:
Flyer

Fly"er
(?)
n.
[See Flier.]
1.
One that uses wings.

2.
The fly of a flag: See Fly, n., 6.

3.
Anything that is scattered abroad in great numbers as a theatrical programme, an advertising leaf, etc.

4.
(Arch.)
One in a flight of steps which are parallel to each other(as in ordinary stairs), as distinguished from a winder.

5.
The pair of arms attached to the spindle of a spinning frame, over which the thread passes to the bobbin; -- so called from their swift revolution. See Fly, n., 11.

6.
The fan wheel that rotates the cap of a windmill as the wind veers.
Internat. Cyc.

7.
(Stock Jobbing)
A small operation not involving ? considerable part of one's capital, or not in the line of one's ordinary business; a venture.
[Cant]
Bartlett.


word: Flyfish
definition:
Flyfish

Fly"fish`
(?)
n.
(Zool.)
A California scorpænoid fish (Sebastichthys rhodochloris), having brilliant colors.


word: Flying
definition:
Flying

Fly"ing
(?)
a.
[From Fly, v. i.]
Moving in the air with, or as with, wings; moving lightly or rapidly; intended for rapid movement.

Flying army (Mil.) a body of cavalry and infantry, kept in motion, to cover its own garrisons and to keep the enemy in continual alarm. Farrow. --Flying artillery (Mil.), artillery trained to rapid evolutions, -- the men being either mounted or trained to spring upon the guns and caissons when they change position. -- Flying bridge, Flying camp. See under Bridge, and Camp. -- Flying buttress (Arch.), a contrivance for taking up the thrust of a roof or vault which can not be supported by ordinary buttresses. It consists of a straight bar of masonry, usually sloping, carried on an arch, and a solid pier or buttress sufficient to receive the thrust. The word is generally applied only to the straight bar with supporting arch. -- Flying colors, flags unfurled and waving in the air; hence: To come off with flying colors, to be victorious; to succeed thoroughly in an undertaking. -- Flying doe (Zool.), a young female kangaroo. -- Flying dragon. (a) (Zool.) See Dragon, 6. (b) A meteor. See under Dragon. -- Flying Dutchman. (a) A fabled Dutch mariner condemned for his crimes to sail the seas till the day of judgment. (b) A spectral ship. -- Flying fish. (Zool.) See Flying fish, in the Vocabulary. -- Flying fox (Zool.), see Flying fox in the vocabulary. -- Flying frog (Zool.), either of two East Indian tree frogs of the genus Rhacophorus (Rhacophorus nigrapalmatus and Rhacophorus pardalis), having very large and broadly webbed feet, which serve as parachutes, and enable it to make very long leaps. -- Flying gurnard (Zool.), a species of gurnard of the genus Cephalacanthus or Dactylopterus, with very large pectoral fins, said to be able to fly like the flying fish, but not for so great a distance. Three species are known; that of the Atlantic is Cephalacanthus volitans. -- Flying jib (Naut.), a sail extended outside of the standing jib, on the flying-jib boom. -- Flying-jib boom (Naut.), an extension of the jib boom. -- Flying kites (Naut.), light sails carried only in fine weather. -- Flying lemur. (Zool.) See Colugo. -- Flying level (Civil Engin.), a reconnoissance level over the course of a projected road, canal, etc. -- Flying lizard. (Zool.) See Dragon, n. 6. -- Flying machine, any apparatus for navigating through the air, especially a heavier-than-air machine. -- Flying mouse (Zool.), the opossum mouse (Acrobates pygmæus), a marsupial of Australia.  Called also feathertail glider. It has lateral folds of skin, like the flying squirrels, and a featherlike tail. -- Flying party (Mil.), a body of soldiers detailed to hover about an enemy. -- Flying phalanger (Zool.), one of several species of small marsuupials of the genera Petaurus and Belideus, of Australia and New Guinea, having lateral folds like those of the flying squirrels.  The sugar squirrel (Belideus sciureus), and the ariel (Belideus ariel), are the best known; -- called also squirrel petaurus and flying squirrel. See Sugar squirrel. -- Flying pinion, the fly of a clock. -- Flying sap (Mil.), the rapid construction of trenches (when the enemy's fire of case shot precludes the method of simple trenching), by means of gabions placed in juxtaposition and filled with earth. -- Flying shot, a shot fired at a moving object, as a bird on the wing. -- Flying spider. (Zool.) See Ballooning spider. -- Flying squid (Zool.), an oceanic squid (Ommastrephes Bartramii syn. Sthenoteuthis Bartramii), abundant in the Gulf Stream, which is able to leap out of the water with such force that it often falls on the deck of a vessel. -- Flying squirrel (Zool.) See Flying squirrel, in the Vocabulary. -- Flying start, a start in a sailing race in which the signal is given while the vessels are under way. -- Flying torch (Mil.), a torch attached to a long staff and used for signaling at night.


word: Flying fish
definition:
Flying fish

Fly"ing fish`
(?)
(Zool.)
A fish which is able to leap from the water, and fly a considerable distance by means of its large and long pectoral fins. These fishes belong to several species of the genus Exocœtus, and are found in the warmer parts of all the oceans.


word: Flying fox
definition:
Flying fox

Fly"ing fox`
(?)
(Zool.)
1.
a fruit bat of the genus Pteropus, which has a head resembling that of a fox.

2.
the colugo.


word: Flying lemur
definition:
Flying lemur

Fly"ing le"mur
(?)
(Zool.)
either of two nocturnal lemurlike mammals inhabiting the East Indies (Cynocephalus variegatus) or the Phillipines (Cynocephalus volans) having broad folds of skin between the fore and hind limbs on both sides of the body allowing them to make long gliding leaps; they have been classed in the separate order Dermoptera.  They are arboreal and have become rare.


word: Flying squirrel
definition:
Flying squirrel

Fly"ing squir"rel
(? or ?)
(Zool.)
One of a group of squirrels, of the genus Glaucomys (formerly Pteromus and Sciuropterus [1913 Webster]), especially Glaucomys volans and Glaucomys sabrinus, having parachute-like folds of skin extending from the fore to the hind legs, which enable them to make very long, gliding leaps.

&hand_; The species of Pteromys are large, with bushy tails, and inhabit southern Asia and the East Indies; those of Sciuropterus are smaller, with flat tails, and inhabit the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and America. The American species (Sciuropterus volucella) is also called Assapan. The Australian flying squirrels, or flying phalangers, are marsupials. See Flying phalanger (above).


word: flyover
definition:
flyover

flyover
n.
1.
the upper level of a crossing of two highways at different levels; called in the United States an overpass; as, an overpass is called a flyover or a flypast in England.
[Brit.]

Syn. -- overpass, flypast.

2.
a low-altitude flight (usually of military aircraft) over spectators on the ground.

Syn. -- flypast.


word: flypaper
definition:
flypaper

fly"pa`per
(flī"pā`pẽr)
n.
A strip of paper that is coated with a sticky substance and suspended from an overhead object to trap and kill flies; also, a similar paper poisoned so as to kill flies on contact.


word: flypast
definition:
flypast

fly"past
(flī"păst)
n.
1.
the upper level of a crossing of two highways at different levels; same as flyover; called in the United States an overpass.
[Brit.]

Syn. -- overpass, flyover.

2.
a low-altitude flight (usually of military aircraft) over spectators on the ground.

Syn. -- flyover.


word: Flysch
definition:
Flysch

Flysch
(flēsh)
n.
[A Swiss word, fr. G. fliessen to flow, melt.]
(Geol.)
A name given to the series of sandstones and schists overlying the true nummulitic formation in the Alps, and included in the Eocene Tertiary.


word: Flyspeck
definition:
Flyspeck

Fly"speck
(flī"spĕk)
n.
A speck or stain made by the excrement of a fly; hence, any insignificant dot.


word: flyswatter
definition:
flyswatter

flyswat

fly"swat , fly"swat*ter
n.
An implement with a flat part (a mesh of metal or plastic) and a long handle, used to kill insects by striking them.  The handle is typically about one foot long and the flat mesh at the end (usually of plastic) is about 5 inces square.

Syn. -- swatter.


word: flytrap
definition:
flytrap

fly"trap
(flī"trăp)
n.
1.
A trap for catching flies.

2.
(Bot.)
A plant (Dionæa muscipula), called also Venus's flytrap, having two-lobed leaves which are fringed with stiff bristles, and fold together when certain sensitive hairs on their upper surface are touched, thus trapping insects that light on them. The insects so caught are afterwards digested by a secretion from the upper surface of the leaves.  The plant is native to North and South Carolina, growing in bogs.


word: flywheel
definition:
flywheel

flywheel
n.
A heavy wheel or disk which stores kinetic energy by rotating on a shaft, and by its momentum smoothes the operation of a reciprocating engine by reducing fluctuations of speed.  It is used in certain types of machinery, such as automobiles.

&hand_; Flywheels rotating at high speed have also been proposed as a means to store kinetic energy for use as a low-polluting source of energy in vehicles.


word: FM
definition:
FM

FM
n.
[Frequency Modulaiton.]
A method of transmitting radio signals by modulating the frequency of the carrier wave; -- opposed to AM (amplitude modulation), in which the signal modulates the amplitude, rather than the frequency of the carrier wave.
[acron.]

Syn. -- frequency modulation.


word: Fm₂
definition:
Fm

Fm
prop. n.
The chemical symbol for Fermium, a transuranic element.

Syn. -- fermium, atomic number 100.


word: FNMA
definition:
FNMA

FNMA
n.
The Federal National Mortgage Association a federally chartered corporation that purchases and resells mortgages.
[acron.]

Syn. -- Federal National Mortgage Association, Fannie Mae.


word: Foal
definition:
Foal

Foal
(f&omacrl)
n.
[OE. fole, AS. fola; akin to OHG. folo, G. fohlen, Goth. fula, Icel. foli, Sw. fåle, Gr. pw^los, L. pullus a young animal.  Cf. Filly, Poultry, Pullet.]
(Zoö.)
The young of any animal of the Horse family (Equidæ); a colt; a filly.

Foal teeth (Zool.), the first set of teeth of a horse. -- In foal, With foal, being with young; pregnant; -- said of a mare or she ass.


word: Foal₂
definition:
Foal

Foal
(f&omacrl)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Foaled (f&omacrld); p. pr. & vb. n. Foaling.]
To bring forth (a colt); -- said of a mare or a she ass.


word: Foam
definition:
Foam

Foam
(f&omacrm)
n.
[OE. fam, fom, AS. fām; akin to OHG. & G. feim.]
The white substance, consisting of an aggregation of bubbles, which is formed on the surface of liquids, or in the mouth of an animal, by violent agitation or fermentation; froth; spume; scum; as, the foam of the sea.

Foam cock, in steam boilers, a cock at the water level, to blow off impurities.


word: Foam₂
definition:
Foam

Foam
(f&omacrm)
v. i.
[imp. & p. p. Foamed (f&omacrmd); p. pr. & vb. n. Foaming.]
[AS. f&aemacr_;man. See Foam, n.]
1.
To gather foam; to froth; as, the billows foam.

He foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth.
Mark ix. 18.

2.
To form foam, or become filled with foam; -- said of a steam boiler when the water is unduly agitated and frothy, as because of chemical action.


word: Foam₃
definition:
Foam

Foam
(f&omacrm)
v. t.
To cause to foam; as, to foam the goblet; also (with out), to throw out with rage or violence, as foam.
Foaming
Jude 13.


word: foaming
definition:
foaming

foam"ing
adj.
Giving off bubbles and developing a head of foam; as, a foaming glass of beer.

Syn. -- bubbling, frothing.


word: foamy
definition:
foamy

foam"y
(f&omacrm"&ybreve_;)
a.
Covered with foam; frothy; spumy.

Behold how high the foamy billows ride!
Dryden.


word: Fob
definition:
Fob

Fob
(f&obreve_;b)
n.
[Cf. Prov. G. fuppe pocket.]
1.
A little pocket for a watch; -- callled also a watch pocket.

2.
a short chain or ribbon attached to a pocket watch, usually worn hanging out of the watch pocket, and used to conveniently remove the watch from the watch pocket.

Fob chain, a short watch chain worn with a watch carried in the fob; a fob{2}.


word: Fob₂
definition:
Fob

Fob
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fobbed (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Fobbing.]
[Cf.Fop.]

1.
To beat; to maul.
[Obs.]

2.
To cheat; to trick; to impose on.
Shak.

To fob off, to shift off by an artifice; to put aside; to delude with a trick."A conspiracy of bishops could prostrate and fob off the right of the people." Milton.


word: Focal
definition:
Focal

Fo"cal
(?)
a.
[Cf. F. focal. See Focus.]
Belonging to,or concerning, a focus; as, a focal point.

Focal distance, or length, of a lens or mirror (Opt.), the distance of the focus from the surface of the lens or mirror, or more exactly, in the case of a lens, from its optical center. --Focal distance of a telescope, the distance of the image of an object from the object glass.


word: Focalization
definition:
Focalization

Fo`cal*i*za"tion
(?)
n.
The act of focalizing or bringing to a focus, or the state of being focalized.


word: Focalize
definition:
Focalize

Fo"cal*ize
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Focalized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Focalizing (?).]
To bring to a focus; to focus; to concentrate.

Light is focalized in the eye, sound in the ear.
De Quincey.


word: Focimeter
definition:
Focimeter

Fo*cim"e*ter
(?)
n.
[Focus + -meter.]
(Photog.)
An assisting instrument for focusing an object in or before a camera.
Knight.


word: fo'c's'le
definition:
fo'c's'le

fo'c'sle

fo'c'sle, fo'c's'le
(f&omacrk"s'l)
n.
The forecastle, a superstructure in the bow of a merchant ship where the crew is housed; -- the spelling is intended to reflect the common pronunciation among seamen.

Syn. -- forecastle.


word: Focus
definition:
Focus

Fo"cus
(f&omacr"kŭs)
n.
pl. E. Focuses (f&omacr"kŭs*ĕz), L. Foci (f&omacr"sī).
[L. focus hearth, fireplace; perh. akin to E. bake.  Cf. Curfew, Fuel, Fusil the firearm.]
1.
(Opt.)
A point in which the rays of light meet, after being reflected or refracted, and at which the image is formed; as, the focus of a lens or mirror.

2.
(Geom.)
A point so related to a conic section and certain straight line called the directrix that the ratio of the distance between any point of the curve and the focus to the distance of the same point from the directrix is constant.

&hand_; Thus, in the ellipse FGHKLM, A is the focus and CD the directrix, when the ratios FA:FE, GA:GD, MA:MC, etc., are all equal. So in the hyperbola, A is the focus and CD the directrix when the ratio HA:HK is constant for all points of the curve; and in the parabola, A is the focus and CD the directrix when the ratio BA:BC is constant. In the ellipse this ratio is less than unity, in the parabola equal to unity, and in the hyperbola greater than unity. The ellipse and hyperbola have each two foci, and two corresponding directrixes, and the parabola has one focus and one directrix.
    In the ellipse the sum of the two lines from any point of the curve to the two foci is constant; that is: AG + GB = AH + HB; and in the hyperbola the difference of the corresponding lines is constant. The diameter which passes through the foci of the ellipse is the major axis.  The diameter which being produced passes through the foci of the hyperbola is the transverse axis. The middle point of the major or the transverse axis is the center of the curve. Certain other curves, as the lemniscate and the Cartesian ovals, have points called foci, possessing properties similar to those of the foci of conic sections.
    In an ellipse, rays of light coming from one focus, and reflected from the curve, proceed in lines directed toward the other; in an hyperbola, in lines directed from the other; in a parabola, rays from the focus, after reflection at the curve, proceed in lines parallel to the axis. Thus rays from A in the ellipse are reflected to B; rays from A in the hyperbola are reflected toward L and M away from B.

3.
A central point; a point of concentration.

Aplanatic focus. (Opt.) See under Aplanatic. -- Conjugate focus (Opt.), the focus for rays which have a sensible divergence, as from a near object; -- so called because the positions of the object and its image are interchangeable. -- Focus tube (Phys.), a vacuum tube for Rœntgen rays in which the cathode rays are focused upon the anticathode, for intensifying the effect. -- Principal focus, or Solar focus (Opt.), the focus for parallel rays.


word: Focus₂
definition:
Focus

Fo"cus
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Focused (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Focusing.]
To bring to a focus; to focalize; as, to focus a camera.
R. Hunt.


word: focused
definition:
focused

focused
adj.
[Also spelled focussed.]
1.
being in focus or brought into focus; clearly delineated; -- of an image.  Opposite of unfocused.

2.
converging on a point; -- of light rays; as, focused light rays can set something afire.

3.
concentrated on or clustered around a central point or purpose.

Syn. -- centered, centred, centralized.


word: focussing
definition:
focussing

focusing

focusing, focussing
n.
1.
the concentration of attention or energy on something.

Syn. -- focus, focussing.

2.
the act of bringing into focus.

Syn. -- focalization, focalisation.


word: Fodder
definition:
Fodder

Fod"der
(f&obreve_;d"dẽr)
n.
[See 1st Fother.]
A weight by which lead and some other metals were formerly sold, in England, varying from 191/2 to 24 cwt.; a fother.
[Obs.]


word: Fodder₂
definition:
Fodder

Fod"der
(f&obreve_;d"dẽr)
n.
[AS. f&omacrdder, f&omacrddor, fodder (also sheath case), fr. f&omacrda food; akin to D. voeder, OHG. fuotar, G. futter, Icel. f&omacrðr, Sw. & Dan. foder. √75. See Food and cf. Forage, Fur.]
That which is fed out to cattle horses, and sheep, as hay, cornstalks, vegetables, etc.


word: Fodder₃
definition:
Fodder

Fod"der
(f&obreve_;d"dẽr)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Foddered (f&obreve_;d"dẽrd); p. pr. & vb. n. Foddering.]
To feed, as cattle, with dry food or cut grass, etc.; to furnish with hay, straw, oats, etc.


word: Fodient
definition:
Fodient

Fo"di*ent
(?)
a.
[L. fodiens, p. pr. of fodere to dig.]
Fitted for, or pertaining to, digging.


word: Fodientia
definition:
Fodientia

Fo`di*en"ti*a
(?)
n. pl.
[NL., fr. L. fodiens p. pr., digging.]
(Zool.)
A group of African edentates including the aard-vark.


word: Foe
definition:
Foe

Foe
(f&omacr)
n.
[OE. fo, fa, AS. fāh hostile; prob. akin to E. fiend. √81.  See Fiend, and cf. Feud a quarrel.]

1.
One who entertains personal enmity, hatred, grudge, or malice, against another; an enemy.

A man's foes shall be they of his own household.
Matt. x. 36

2.
An enemy in war; a hostile army.

3.
One who opposes on principle; an opponent; an adversary; an ill-wisher; as, a foe to religion.

A foe to received doctrines.
I. Watts


word: Foehn
definition:
Foehn

Foehn
(?)
n.
[G. dial. (Swiss), fr. L. Favonius west wind. Cf. Favonian.]
(Meteor.)
(a)
A warm dry wind that often blows in the northern valleys of the Alps, due to the indraught of a storm center passing over Central Europe. The wind, heated by compression in its descent from the mountains, reaches the base, particularly in winter, dry and warm.
(b)
Any similar wind, as the chinook, in other parts of the world.


word: Foeman
definition:
Foeman

Foe"man
(f&omacr"man)
n.
pl. Foemen (-men).
[AS. fāhman.]
An enemy in war.

And the stern joy which warriors feel
In foemen worthy of their steel.
Sir W. Scott


word: Fog
definition:
Fog

Fog
(f&obreve_;g)
n.
[Cf. Scot. fog, fouge, moss, foggage rank grass, LL. fogagium, W. ffwg dry grass.]
(Agric.)
(a)
A second growth of grass; aftergrass.
(b)
Dead or decaying grass remaining on land through the winter; -- called also foggage.
[Prov.Eng.]
Halliwell.
Sometimes called, in New England, old tore. In Scotland, fog is a general name for moss.


word: Fog₂
definition:
Fog

Fog
(f&obreve_;g)
v. t.
(Agric.)
To pasture cattle on the fog, or aftergrass, of; to eat off the fog from.


word: Fog₃
definition:
Fog

Fog
(f&obreve_;g)
v. i.
[Etymol. uncertain.]
To practice in a small or mean way; to pettifog.
[Obs.]

Where wouldst thou fog to get a fee?
Dryden.


word: Fog₄
definition:
Fog

Fog
(f&obreve_;g)
n.
[Dan. sneefog snow falling thick, drift of snow, driving snow, cf. Icel. fok spray, snowdrift, fjūk snowstorm, fjūka to drift.]
1.
Watery vapor condensed in the lower part of the atmosphere and disturbing its transparency. It differs from cloud only in being near the ground, and from mist in not approaching so nearly to fine rain. See Cloud.

2.
A state of mental confusion.

3.
(Photog.)
Cloudiness or partial opacity of those parts of a developed film or a photograph which should be clear.

Fog alarm, Fog bell, Fog horn, etc., a bell, horn, whistle or other contrivance that sounds an alarm, often automatically, near places of danger where visible signals would be hidden in thick weather. -- Fog bank, a mass of fog resting upon the sea, and resembling distant land. -- Fog ring, a bank of fog arranged in a circular form, -- often seen on the coast of Newfoundland.


word: Fog₅
definition:
Fog

Fog
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fogged (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Fogging (#).]
1.
To envelop, as with fog; to befog; to overcast; to darken; to obscure.

2.
(Photog.)
To render semiopaque or cloudy, as a negative film, by exposure to stray light, too long an exposure to the developer, etc.


word: Fog₆
definition:
Fog

Fog
(?)
v. i.
(Photog.)
To show indistinctly or become indistinct, as the picture on a negative sometimes does in the process of development.


word: Fog belt
definition:
Fog belt

Fog belt
A region of the ocean where fogs are of marked frequency, as near the coast of Newfoundland.


word: Fogbow
definition:
Fogbow

Fog"bow`
(?)
n.
A nebulous arch, or bow, of white or yellowish light sometimes seen in fog, etc.


word: Fogger
definition:
Fogger

Fog"ger
(?)
n.
One who fogs; a pettifogger.
[Obs.]

A beggarly fogger.
Terence in English(1614)


word: Foggy
definition:
Foggy

Fog"gy
(?)
a.
[Compar. Foggier (?); superl. Foggiest.]
[From 4th Fog.]
1.
Filled or abounding with fog, or watery exhalations; misty; as, a foggy atmosphere; a foggy morning.
Shak.

2.
Beclouded; dull; obscure; as, foggy ideas.

Your coarse, foggy, drowsy conceit.
Hayward.


word: foghorn
definition:
foghorn

fog"horn
n.
A horn that emits a loud low-pitched sound, used on ships navigating in a fog, to warn other ships of their presence.

Syn. -- fog signal.


word: fog signal
definition:
fog signal

fog signal
n.
a loud low warning sound that can be heard by fog-bound ships; a foghorn.

Syn. -- foghorn.


word: Fogy
definition:
Fogy

Fo"gy
(?)
n.
pl. Fogies (_;).
1.
A dull old fellow; a person behind the times, over-conservative, or slow; -- usually preceded by old; an old fogy.
[Written also fogie and fogey.]
[Colloq.]

Notorious old bore; regular old fogy.
Thackeray.

&hand_; The word is said to be connected with the German vogt, a guard or protector. By others it is regarded as a diminutive of folk (cf. D. volkje). It is defined by Jamieson, in his Scottish Dictionary, as “an invalid or garrison soldier,” and is applied to the old soldiers of the Royal Hospital at Dublin, which is called the Fogies' Hospital. In the fixed habits of such persons we see the origin of the present use of the term.
Sir F. Head.

2.
(Mil.)
In the United States service, extra pay granted to officers for length of service.
[Colloq.]


word: Foible₂
definition:
Foible

Foi"ble
(?)
n.
1.
A moral weakness; a failing; a weak point; a frailty.

 A disposition radically noble and generous, clouded and overshadowed by superficial foibles.
De Quincey.

2.
The half of a sword blade or foil blade nearest the point; -- opposed to forte.
[Written also faible.]


word: Foil
definition:
Foil

Foil
(foil)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Foiled (foild); p. pr. & vb. n. Foiling.]
[F. fouler to tread or trample under one's feet, to press, oppress. See Full, v. t.]
1.
To tread under foot; to trample.

 King Richard . . . caused the ensigns of Leopold to be pulled down and foiled under foot.
Knoless.

 Whom he did all to pieces breake and foyle,
      In filthy durt, and left so in the loathely soyle.
Spenser.

2.
To render (an effort or attempt) vain or nugatory; to baffle; to outwit; to balk; to frustrate; to defeat.

         And by _; mortal man at length am foiled.
Dryden.

         Her long locks that foil the painter's power.
Byron.

3.
To blunt; to dull; to spoil; as, to foil the scent in chase.
Addison.


word: Foil₃
definition:
Foil

Foil
n.
1.
Failure of success when on the point of attainment; defeat; frustration; miscarriage.
Milton.

            Nor e'er was fate so near a foil.
Dryden.

2.
A blunt weapon used in fencing, resembling a smallsword in the main, but usually lighter and having a button at the point.

    Blunt as the fencer's foils, which hit, but hurt not.
Shak.

   Isocrates contended with a foil against Demosthenes with a word.
Mitford.

3.
The track or trail of an animal.

To run a foil,to lead astray; to puzzle; -- alluding to the habits of some animals of running back over the same track to mislead their pursuers. Brewer.


word: Foil₄
definition:
Foil

Foil
n.
[OE. foil leaf, OF. foil, fuil, fueil, foille, fueille, F. feuille, fr. L. folium, pl. folia; akin to Gr. _; , and perh. to E. blade.  Cf. Foliage, Folio.]
1.
A leaf or very thin sheet of metal; as, brass foil; tin foil; gold foil.

2.
(Jewelry)
A thin leaf of sheet copper silvered and burnished, and afterwards coated with transparent colors mixed with isinglass; -- employed by jewelers to give color or brilliancy to pastes and inferior stones.
Ure.

3.
Anything that serves by contrast of color or quality to adorn or set off another thing to advantage.

As she a black silk cap on him began
To set, for foil of his milk-white to serve.
Sir P. Sidney.

Hector has a foil to set him off.
Broome.

4.
A thin coat of tin, with quicksilver, laid on the back of a looking-glass, to cause reflection.

5.
(Arch.)
The space between the cusps in Gothic architecture; a rounded or leaflike ornament, in windows, niches, etc. A group of foils is called trefoil, quatrefoil, quinquefoil, etc., according to the number of arcs of which it is composed.

Foil stone, an imitation of a jewel or precious stone.


word: Foiling₂
definition:
Foiling

Foil"ing
n.
[Cf. F. foulées. See 1st Foil.]
(Hunting)
The track of game (as deer) in the grass.


word: Foin
definition:
Foin

Foin
(foin)
n.
[F. fouine a marten.]
1.
(Zool.)
The beech marten (Mustela foina). See Marten.

2.
A kind of fur, black at the top on a whitish ground, taken from the ferret or weasel of the same name.
[Obs.]

 He came to the stake in a fair black gown furred and faced with foins.
Fuller.


word: Foin₂
definition:
Foin

Foin
v. i.
[OE. foinen, foignen; of uncertain origin; cf. dial. F. fouiner to push for eels with a spear, fr. F. fouine an eelspear, perh. fr. L. fodere to dig, thrust.]
To thrust with a sword or spear; to lunge.
[Obs.]

 He stroke, he soused, he foynd, he hewed, he lashed.
Spenser.

They lash, they foin, they pass, they strive to bore
Their corselets, and the thinnest parts explore.
Dryden.


word: Foinery
definition:
Foinery

Foin"er*y
(?)
n.
Thrusting with the foil; fencing with the point, as distinguished from broadsword play.
[Obs.]
Marston.


word: Foison
definition:
Foison

Foi"son
(?)
n.
[F. foison, fr. L. fusio a pouring, effusion. See Fusion.]
Rich harvest; plenty; abundance.
[Archaic]
Lowell.

       That from the seedness the bare fallow brings
To teeming foison.
Shak.


word: Foist
definition:
Foist

Foist
(foist)
n.
[OF. fuste stick, boat, fr. L. fustis cudgel.  Cf. 1st Fust.]
A light and fast-sailing ship.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.


word: Foist₂
definition:
Foist

Foist
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Foisted; p. pr. & vb. n. Foisting.]
[Cf. OD. vysten to fizzle, D. veesten, E. fizz, fitchet, bullfist.]
To insert surreptitiously, wrongfully, or without warrant; to interpolate; to pass off (something spurious or counterfeit) as genuine, true, or worthy; -- usually followed by in.

 Lest negligence or partiality might admit or foist in abuses and corruption.
R. Carew.

 When a scripture has been corrupted . . . by a supposititious foisting of some words in.
South.


word: Foist₃
definition:
Foist

Foist
n.
1.
A foister; a sharper.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.

2.
A trick or fraud; a swindle.
[Obs.]
B. Jonson.


word: Fold
definition:
Fold

Fold
(f&omacrld)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Folded; p. pr. & vb. n. Folding.]
[OE. folden, falden, AS. fealdan; akin to OHG. faltan, faldan, G. falten, Icel. falda, Dan. folde, Sw. fålla, Goth. falþan, cf. Gr. di-pla`sios twofold, Skr. pu&tsdot_;a a fold.  Cf. Fauteuil.]
1.
To lap or lay in plaits or folds; to lay one part over another part of; to double; as, to fold cloth; to fold a letter.

As a vesture shalt thou fold them up.
Heb. i. 12.

2.
To double or lay together, as the arms or the hands; as, he folds his arms in despair.

3.
To inclose within folds or plaitings; to envelop; to infold; to clasp; to embrace.

A face folded in sorrow.
J. Webster.

We will descend and fold him in our arms.
Shak.

4.
To cover or wrap up; to conceal.

Nor fold my fault in cleanly coined excuses.
Shak.


word: Fold₂
definition:
Fold

Fold
v. i.
To become folded, plaited, or doubled; to close over another of the same kind; to double together; as, the leaves of the door fold.
1 Kings vi. 34.


word: Fold₃
definition:
Fold

Fold
n.
[From Fold, v. In sense 2 AS. -feald, akin to fealdan to fold.]
1.
A doubling,esp. of any flexible substance; a part laid over on another part; a plait; a plication.

Mummies . . . shrouded in a number of folds of linen.
Bacon.

 Folds are most common in the rocks of mountainous regions.
J. D. Dana.

2.
Times or repetitions; -- used with numerals, chiefly in composition, to denote multiplication or increase in a geometrical ratio, the doubling, tripling, etc., of anything; as, fourfold, four times, increased in a quadruple ratio, multiplied by four.

3.
That which is folded together, or which infolds or envelops; embrace.

Shall from your neck unloose his amorous fold.
Shak.

Fold net, a kind of net used in catching birds.


word: Fold₄
definition:
Fold

Fold
n.
[OE. fald, fold, AS. fald, falod.]
1.
An inclosure for sheep; a sheep pen.

Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold.
Milton.

2.
A flock of sheep; figuratively, the Church or a church; as, Christ's fold.

     There shall be one fold and one shepherd.
John x. 16.

        The very whitest lamb in all my fold.
Tennyson.

3.
A boundary; a limit.
[Obs.]
Creech.

Fold yard, an inclosure for sheep or cattle.


word: foldaway
definition:
foldaway

foldable

foldable foldaway
adj.
Capable of being folded into a more compact form.

Syn. -- folding(prenominal).


word: folded
definition:
folded

folded
adj.
made compact by bending or doubling over.
accordion, plicate 
bifold 
closed 
doubled 
pleated 
rolled, rolled-up(prenominal) 
sunburst, sunray 
Also See: collapsible, collapsable.
unfolded


word: Folder
definition:
Folder

Fold"er
(?)
n.
One who, or that which, folds; esp., a flat, knifelike instrument used for folding paper.


word: Folderol
definition:
Folderol

Fol"de*rol`
(?)
n.
Nonsense; foolish talk.
[Also spelled falderal and falderol.]
[Colloq.]

Syn. -- humbug; balderdash; poppycock.


word: Folding
definition:
Folding

Fold"ing
(?)
n.
1.
The act of making a fold or folds; also, a fold; a doubling; a plication.

The lower foldings of the vest.
Addison.

2.
(Agric.)
The keepig of sheep in inclosures on arable land, etc.

Folding boat, a portable boat made by stretching canvas, etc., over jointed framework, used in campaigning, and by tourists, etc. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

Folding chair, a chair which may be shut up compactly for carriage or stowage; a camp chair. -- Folding door, one of two or more doors filling a single and hung upon hinges.


word: Foliaceous
definition:
Foliaceous

Fo`li*a"ceous
(?)
a.
[L. foliaceus, fr. folium leaf.]
1.
(Bot.)
Belonging to, or having the texture or nature of, a leaf; having leaves intermixed with flowers; as, a foliaceous spike.

2.
(Min.)
Consisting of leaves or thin laminæ; having the form of a leaf or plate; as, foliaceous spar.

3.
(Zool.)
Leaflike in form or mode of growth; as, a foliaceous coral.


word: Foliage
definition:
Foliage

Fo"li*age
(?)
n.
[OF. foillage, fueillage, F. feuillage, fr. OF. foille, fueille, fueil, F. feulle, leaf, L. folium. See 3d Foil, and cf. Foliation, Filemot.]

1.
Leaves, collectively, as produced or arranged by nature; leafage; as, a tree or forest of beautiful foliage.

2.
A cluster of leaves, flowers, and branches; especially, the representation of leaves, flowers, and branches, in architecture, intended to ornament and enrich capitals, friezes, pediments, etc.

Foliage plant (Bot.), any plant cultivated for the beauty of its leaves, as many kinds of Begonia and Coleus.


word: Foliage₂
definition:
Foliage

Fo"li*age
(?)
v. t.
To adorn with foliage or the imitation of foliage; to form into the representation of leaves.
[R.]
Drummond.


word: Foliar
definition:
Foliar

Fo"li*ar
(?)
a.
(Bot.)
Consisting of, or pertaining to, leaves; as, foliar appendages.

Foliar gap (Bot.), an opening in the fibrovascular system of a stem at the point of origin of a leaf. -- Foliar trace (Bot.), a particular fibrovascular bundle passing down into the stem from a leaf.


word: Foliate
definition:
Foliate

Fo"li*ate
(_;)
a.
[L. foliatus leaved, leafy, fr. folium leaf. See Foliage.]
(Bot.)
Furnished with leaves; leafy; as, a foliate stalk.

Foliate curve. (Geom.) Same as Folium.


word: Foliate₂
definition:
Foliate

Fo"li*ate
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Foliated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Foliating (?).]
1.
To beat into a leaf, or thin plate.
Bacon.

2.
To spread over with a thin coat of tin and quicksilver; as, to foliate a looking-glass.


word: Foliated
definition:
Foliated

Fo"li*a`ted
(?)
a.
1.
Having leaves, or leaflike projections; as, a foliated shell.

2.
(Arch.)
Containing, or consisting of, foils; as, a foliated arch.

3.
(Min.)
Characterized by being separable into thin plates or folia; as, graphite has a foliated structure.

4.
(Geol.)
Laminated, but restricted to the variety of laminated structure found in crystalline schist, as mica schist, etc.; schistose.

5.
Spread over with an amalgam of tin and quicksilver.

Foliated telluium. (Min.) See Nagyagite.


word: Foliation
definition:
Foliation

Fo"li*a"tion
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. foliation.]
1.
The process of forming into a leaf or leaves.

2.
The manner in which the young leaves are dispo_;ed within the bud.

 The . . . foliation must be in relation to the stem.
De Quincey.

3.
The act of beating a metal into a thin plate, leaf, foil, or lamina.

4.
The act of coating with an amalgam of tin foil and quicksilver, as in making looking-glasses.

5.
(Arch.)
The enrichment of an opening by means of foils, arranged in trefoils, quatrefoils, etc.; also, one of the ornaments. See Tracery.

6.
(Geol.)
The property, possessed by some crystalline rocks, of dividing into plates or slabs, which is due to the cleavage structure of one of the constituents, as mica or hornblende. It may sometimes include slaty structure or cleavage, though the latter is usually independent of any mineral constituent, and transverse to the bedding, it having been produced by pressure.


word: Foliature
definition:
Foliature

Fo"li*a*ture
(?)
n.
[L. foliatura foliage.]
1.
Foliage; leafage.
[Obs.]
Shuckford.

2.
The state of being beaten into foil.
Johnson.


word: Foliferous
definition:
Foliferous

Fo*lif"er*ous
(?)
a.
[L. folium leaf+ -ferous: cf. F. foliifère.]
Producing leaves.
[Written also foliiferous.]


word: Folio
definition:
Folio

Fol"io
(?)
n.
pl. Folios (#).
[Ablative of L. folium leaf. See 4th Foil.]
1.
A leaf of a book or manuscript.

2.
A sheet of paper once folded.

3.
A book made of sheets of paper each folded once (four pages to the sheet); hence, a book of the largest kind. See Note under Paper.

4.
(Print.)
The page number. The even folios are on the left-hand pages and the odd folios on the right-hand.

5.
A page of a book; (Bookkeeping) a page in an account book; sometimes, two opposite pages bearing the same serial number.

6.
(Law)
A leaf containing a certain number of words, hence, a certain number of words in a writing, as in England, in law proceedings 72, and in chancery, 90; in New York, 100 words.

Folio post, a flat writing paper, usually  17 by 24 inches.


word: Folio₃
definition:
Folio

Fol"io
a.
Formed of sheets each folded once, making two leaves, or four pages; as, a folio volume. See Folio, n., 3.


word: Foliolate
definition:
Foliolate

Fo"li*o*late
(?)
a.
Of or pertaining to leaflets; -- used in composition; as, bi-foliolate.
Gray.


word: Foliole
definition:
Foliole

Fo"li*ole
(?)
n.
[Dim. of L. folium leaf: cf. F. foliole.]
(Bot.)
One of the distinct parts of a compound leaf; a leaflet.


word: Foliosity
definition:
Foliosity

Fo`li*os"i*ty
(?)
n.
The ponderousness or bulk of a folio; voluminousness.
[R.]
De Quincey.


word: Folious
definition:
Folious

Fo"li*ous
(_;)
a.
[See Foliose.]
1.
Like a leaf; thin; unsubstantial.
[R.]
Sir T. Browne.

2.
(Bot.)
Foliose.
[R.]


word: Folium
definition:
Folium

Fo"li*um
(?)
n.
pl. E. Foliums (#), L. Folia (#).
[L., a leaf.]
1.
A leaf, esp. a thin leaf or plate.

2.
(Geom.)
A curve of the third order, consisting of two infinite branches, which have a common asymptote. The curve has a double point, and a leaf-shaped loop; whence the name. Its equation is x3 + y3 = axy.


word: Folks
definition:
Folks

Folk

{ Folk (f&omacrk), Folks (f&omacrks) }
n. collect. & pl.
[AS. folc; akin to D. volk, OS. & OHG. folk, G. volk, Icel. f&omacrlk, Sw. & Dan. folk, Lith. pulkas crowd, and perh. to E. follow.]
1.
(Eng. Hist.)
In Anglo-Saxon times, the people of a group of townships or villages; a community; a tribe.
[Obs.]

The organization of each folk, as such, sprang mainly from war.
J. R. Green.

2.
People in general, or a separate class of people; -- generally used in the plural form, and often with a qualifying adjective; as, the old folks; poor folks.
[Colloq.]

In winter's tedious nights, sit by the fire
With good old folks, and let them tell thee tales.
Shak.

3.
The persons of one's own family; as, our folks are all well.
[Colloq. New Eng.]
Bartlett.

Folk song, one of a class of songs long popular with the common people. -- Folk speech, the speech of the common people, as distinguished from that of the educated class.


word: Folkething
definition:
Folkething

Fol"ke*thing`
(?)
n.
[Dan. See Folk, and Thing.]
The lower house of the Danish Rigsdag, or Parliament. See Legislature, below.


word: Folkland
definition:
Folkland

Folk"land`
(?)
n.
[AS. folcland.]
(O.Eng. Law)
Land held in villenage, being distributed among the folk, or people, at the pleasure of the lord of the manor, and resumed at his discretion. Not being held by any assurance in writing, it was opposed to bookland or charter land, which was held by deed.
Mozley & W.


word: Folk lore
definition:
Folk lore

Folklore

{ Folk"lore` (?), n., or Folk" lore`  }
Tales, legends, or superstitions long current among the people; the unwritten literature of a culture, such as stories, proverbs, riddles and songs.
Trench.


word: Folkmote
definition:
Folkmote

Folk"mote`
(?)
n.
[AS. folcm&omacrt folk meeting.]
An assembly of the people
(Sax. Law)
a general assembly of the people to consider and order matters of the commonwealth; also, a local court.
[Hist.]

To which folkmote they all with one consent
Agreed to travel.
Spenser.


word: folksy
definition:
folksy

folksy
adj.
1.
same as cracker-barrel.

Syn. -- cracker-barrel, homespun.

2.
very informal and familiar; as, a folksy radio commentator; a folksy style.


word: folk tale
definition:
folk tale

folktale

folktale, folk tale
n.
a tale circulated by word of mouth among the common folk, especially one forming part of the tradition of a culture.


word: Follicle
definition:
Follicle

Fol"li*cle
(?)
n.
[L. folliculus a small bag, husk, pod, dim of follis bellows, an inflated ball, a leathern money bag, perh. akin to E. bellows: cf. F. follicule.  Cf. 2d Fool.]
1.
(Bot.)
A simple podlike pericarp which contains several seeds and opens along the inner or ventral suture, as in the peony, larkspur and milkweed.

2.
(Anat.)
(a)
A small cavity, tubular depression, or sac; as, a hair follicle.
(b)
A simple gland or glandular cavity; a crypt.
(c)
A small mass of adenoid tissue; as, a lymphatic follicle.


word: Follicular
definition:
Follicular

Fol*lic"u*lar
(?)
a.
1.
Like, pertaining to, or consisting of, a follicles or follicles.

2.
(Med.)
Affecting the follicles; as, follicular pharyngitis.


word: Folliculous
definition:
Folliculous

Fol*lic"u*lous
(?)
a.
[L. folliculosus full of husks: cf. F. folliculeux.]
Having or producing follicles.


word: Follow
definition:
Follow

Fol"low
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Followed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Following.]
[OE. foluwen, folwen, folgen, AS. folgian, fylgean, fylgan; akin to D. volgen, OHG. folgēn, G. folgen, Icel. fylgja, Sw. följa, Dan. fölge, and perh. to E. folk.]
1.
To go or come after; to move behind in the same path or direction; hence, to go with (a leader, guide, etc.); to accompany; to attend.

         It waves me forth again; I'll follow it.
Shak.

2.
To endeavor to overtake; to go in pursuit of; to chase; to pursue; to prosecute.

 I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them.
Ex. xiv. 17.

3.
To accept as authority; to adopt the opinions of; to obey; to yield to; to take as a rule of action; as, to follow good advice.

Approve the best, and follow what I approve
Milton.

Follow peace with all men.
Heb. xii. 14.

 It is most agreeable to some men to follow their reason; and to others to follow their appetites.
J. Edwards.

4.
To copy after; to take as an example.

 We had rather follow the perfections of them whom we like not, than in defects resemble them whom we love.
Hooker.

5.
To succeed in order of time, rank, or office.

6.
To result from, as an effect from a cause, or an inference from a premise.

7.
To watch, as a receding object; to keep the eyes fixed upon while in motion; to keep the mind upon while in progress, as a speech, musical performance, etc.; also, to keep up with; to understand the meaning, connection, or force of, as of a course of thought or argument.

He followed with his eyes the flitting shade.
Dryden.

8.
To walk in, as a road or course; to attend upon closely, as a profession or calling.

O, had I but followed the arts!
Shak.

O Antony! I have followed thee to this.
Shak.

Follow board (Founding), a board on which the pattern and the flask lie while the sand is rammed into the flask. Knight. -- To follow the hounds, to hunt with dogs. -- To follow suit (Card Playing), to play a card of the same suit as the leading card; hence, colloquially, to follow an example set. -- To follow up, to pursue indefatigably.


word: Follow₂
definition:
Follow

Fol"low
v. i.
To go or come after; -- used in the various senses of the transitive verb: To pursue; to attend; to accompany; to be a result; to imitate.


word: Follow₃
definition:
Follow

Fol"low
(?)
n.
The art or process of following; specif., in some games, as billiards, a stroke causing a ball to follow another ball after hitting it. Also used adjectively; as, follow shot.


word: Follower
definition:
Follower

Fol"low*er
(?)
n.
[OE. folwere, AS. folgere.]
1.
One who follows; a pursuer; an attendant; a disciple; a dependent associate; a retainer.

2.
A sweetheart; a beau.
[Colloq.]
A. Trollope.

3.
(Steam Engine)
(a)
The removable flange, or cover, of a piston. See Illust. of Piston.
(b)
A gland. See Illust. of Stuffing box.

4.
(Mach.)
The part of a machine that receives motion from another part. See Driver.

5.
Among law stationers, a sheet of parchment or paper which is added to the first sheet of an indenture or other deed.


word: Following
definition:
Following

Fol"low*ing
(?)
n.
1.
One's followers, adherents, or dependents, collectively.
Macaulay.

2.
Vocation; business; profession.


word: Following₂
definition:
Following

Fol"low*ing
a.
1.
Next after; succeeding; ensuing; as, the assembly was held on the following day.

2.
(Astron.)
(In the field of a telescope) In the direction from which stars are apparently moving (in consequence of the earth's rotation); as, a small star, north following or south following. In the direction toward which stars appear to move is called preceding.

&hand_; The four principal directions in the field of a telescope are north, south, following, preceding.


word: follow-on
definition:
follow-on

follow-on
n.
an immediate second innings forced on a cricket team scoring a prescribed number of runs fewer than its opponents in the first innings.


word: follow-on₂
definition:
follow-on

follow-on
a.
Following as a logical consequence or next step in a process; -- used mostly of voluntary actions.


word: follow-through
definition:
follow-through

follow-through
n.
1.
Carrying a process, plan, or project to full completion; as, I appreciated his follow-through on his promise.  The term usually is used in reference to the period after some point in time at which the actor is given freedom to pursue the project.

2.
(Golf, Baseball, Tennis)
The remainder of a stroke with a club, bat, or racket after the ball has been hit.


word: follow-up
definition:
follow-up

follow-up
n.
1.
a second (or subsequent) action to increase the effectiveness of an initial action.  Also used attributively; as a follow-up visit.
A follow-up may be of various types.  After a medical examination, a second examination (or reexamination) to obtain additional information regarding some fact discovered in the first examination is considered a follow-up.  A second visit or phone call in pursuit of a sale or other request would also be a follow-up.

Syn. -- reexamination, review.

2.
(Journalism)
A subsequent story providing information discovered or events happening after a first story was published.

3.
(Journalism)
Same as sidebar.


word: Folly
definition:
Folly

Fol"ly
(?)
n.
pl. Follies (#).
[OE. folie, foli, F. folie, fr. fol, fou, foolish, mad. See Fool.]
1.
The state of being foolish; want of good sense; levity, weakness, or derangement of mind.

2.
A foolish act; an inconsiderate or thoughtless procedure; weak or light-minded conduct; foolery.

          What folly 'tis to hazard life for ill.
Shak.

3.
Scandalous crime; sin; specifically, as applied to a woman, wantonness.

[Achan] wrought folly in Israel.
Josh. vii. 15.

When lovely woman stoops to folly.
Goldsmith.

4.
The result of a foolish action or enterprise.

 It is called this man's or that man's “folly,” and name of the foolish builder is thus kept alive for long after years.
Trench.


word: Fomalhaut
definition:
Fomalhaut

Fo"mal*haut`
(?)
n.
[Ar., prop., mouth of the large fish: cf. F. Fomalhaut.]
(Astron.)
A star of the first magnitude, in the constellation Piscis Australis, or Southern Fish.


word: Foment
definition:
Foment

Fo*ment"
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fomented; p. pr. & vb. n. Fomenting.]
[F. fomenter, fr. L. fomentare, fr. fomentum (for fovimentum) a warm application or lotion, fr. fovere to warm or keep warm; perh. akin to Gr. _; to roast, and E. bake.]
1.
To apply a warm lotion to; to bathe with a cloth or sponge wet with warm water or medicated liquid.

2.
To cherish with heat; to foster.
[Obs.]

Which these soft fires . . . foment and warm.
Milton.

3.
To nurse to life or activity; to cherish and promote by excitements; to encourage; to abet; to instigate; -- used often in a bad sense; as, to foment ill humors.
Locke.

          But quench the choler you foment in vain.
Dryden.

         Exciting and fomenting a religious rebellion.
Southey.


word: Foment₂
definition:
Foment

Fo"ment
(?)
n.
1.
Fomentation.

2.
State of excitation; -- perh. confused with ferment.
He came in no conciliatory mood, and the foment was kept up.
Julian Ralph.


word: Fomentation
definition:
Fomentation

Fo`men*ta"tion
(?)
n.
[_;. fomentatio: cf. F. fomentation.]
1.
(Med.)
(a)
The act of fomenting; the application of warm, soft, medicinal substances, as for the purpose of easing pain, by relaxing the skin, or of discussing tumors.
(b)
The lotion applied to a diseased part.

2.
Excitation; instigation; encouragement.

Dishonest fomentation of your pride.
Young.


word: Fomenter
definition:
Fomenter

Fo*ment"er
(?)
n.
One who foments; one who encourages or instigates; as, a fomenter of sedition.


word: Fomes
definition:
Fomes

Fo"mes
(f&omacr"mēz)
n.
pl. Fomites (f&obreve_;m"ĭ*tēz).
[L. fomes, -itis, touch-wood, tinder.]
(Med.)
Any substance supposed to be capable of absorbing, retaining, and transporting contagious or infectious germs; as, woolen clothes are said to be active fomites.


word: Fomor
definition:
Fomor

Fomor
n.
1.
(Irish) one of a group of sea demons sometimes associated with the hostile power of nature.

Syn. -- Fomorian.


word: Fomorian
definition:
Fomorian

Fomorian
n.
1.
(Irish) one of a group of sea demons sometimes associated with the hostile power of nature.

Syn. -- Fomor.


word: Fon
definition:
Fon

Fon
(f&obreve_;n)
n.
[Of Scand. origin; cf. Icel. fāni silly, fāna to act silly, Sw. fåne fool.  Cf. Fond, a.]
A fool; an idiot.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Fond₂
definition:
Fond

Fond
a.
[Compar. Fonder (?); superl. Fondest.]
[For fonned, p. p. of OE. fonnen to be foolish. See Fon.]
1.
Foolish; silly; simple; weak.
[Archaic]

Grant I may never prove so fond
To trust man on his oath or bond.
Shak.

2.
Foolishly tender and loving; weakly indulgent; over-affectionate.

3.
Affectionate; loving; tender; -- in a good sense; as, a fond mother or wife.
Addison.

4.
Loving; much pleased; affectionately regardful, indulgent, or desirous; longing or yearning; --  followed by of (formerly also by on).

           More fond on her than she upon her love.
Shak.

           You are as fond of grief as of your child.
Shak.

     A great traveler, and fond of telling his adventures.
Irving.

5.
Doted on; regarded with affection.
[R.]

 Nor fix on fond abodes to circumscribe thy prayer.
Byron.

6.
Trifling; valued by folly; trivial.
[Obs.]
Shak.


word: Fond₃
definition:
Fond

Fond
v. t.
To caress; to fondle.
[Obs.]

    The Tyrian hugs and fonds thee on her breast.
Dryden.


word: Fond₅
definition:
Fond

Fond
(?)
n.
[F., fr. L. fundus. See Fund.]
[Obs., or used as a French word]
1.
Foundation; bottom; groundwork;
specif.:
(a)
(Lace Making)
The ground.
(b)
(Cookery)
The broth or juice from braised flesh or fish, usually served as a sauce.

2.
Fund, stock, or store.


word: Fondant
definition:
Fondant

Fon"dant
(f&obreve_;n"dant; Fr. fôN`däN")
n.
[F., lit., melting, p. pr. of fondre to melt, L. fundere. See Found to cast.]
A kind of soft candy, made of a thick creamy sugar paste by boiling solutions to the point of crystallization, and usually molded; as, cherry fondant.


word: Fonde
definition:
Fonde

Fond"e
(f&obreve_;nd"e)
v. t. & i.
[AS. fandian to try.]
To endeavor; to strive; to try.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.


word: Fondle
definition:
Fondle

Fon"dle
(?)
v. t.
[imp. & p. p. Fondled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fondling (?).]
[From Fond, v.]
To treat or handle with tenderness or in a loving manner; to caress; as, a nurse fondles a child.


word: Fondling
definition:
Fondling

Fon"dling
(?)
n.
[From Fondle.]
The act of caressing; manifestation of tenderness.

Cyrus made no . . . amorous fondling
To fan her pride, or melt her guardless heart.
Mickle.


word: Fondling₂
definition:
Fondling

Fond"ling
(?)
n.
[Fond + -ling.]
1.
A person or thing fondled or caressed; one treated with foolish or doting affection.

Fondlings are in danger to be made fools.
L'Estrange.

2.
A fool; a simpleton; a ninny.
[Obs.]
Chapman.


word: Fondly
definition:
Fondly

Fond"ly
(?)
adv.
1.
Foolishly.
[Archaic]
Verstegan (1673).

          Make him speak fondly like a frantic man.
Shak.

2.
In a fond manner; affectionately; tenderly.

      My heart, untraveled, fondly turns to thee.
Goldsmith.


word: Fondness
definition:
Fondness

Fond"ness
n.
1.
The quality or state of being fond; foolishness.
[Obs.]

 Fondness it were for any, being free,
                 To covet fetters, though they golden be.
Spenser.

2.
Doting affection; tender liking; strong appetite, propensity, or relish; as, he had a fondness for truffles.

       My heart had still some foolish fondness for thee.
Addison.


word: Fondon
definition:
Fondon

Fon"don
(?)
n.
[Cf. F. fondant flux.]
(Metal.)
A large copper vessel used for hot amalgamation.


word: Fondu
definition:
Fondu

Fon`du"
(f&obreve_;n"d&usdot_;")
a.
[F. fondu, p.p. of fondre to melt, blend. See Found to cast.]
1.
Blended; gradually changing or passing into each other by subtle gradations; -- said of colors or of the surface or material on which the colors are laid.
2.
Melted.
[Also spelled fondue.]


word: Fondu₂
definition:
Fondu

Fondue

Fon`due"
(?)
n.
[Also erroneously Fon`du".]
[F. See Fondu; cf. Fondant.]
1.
(Cookery)
A dish made of cheese, eggs, butter, etc., often seasoned with kirsch and white wine, melted together, and usually used as a dip for pieces of bread.

2.
(Cookery)
A dish consisting of pieces of solid food cooked in or dipped into a hot sauce; as, beef fondue.


