Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages)

by Noah Webster

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portions, as in the parabola, which has one such axis, the ellipse, which has two, or the circle, which has an infinite number. The two axes of the ellipse are the major axis and the minor axis, and the two axes of the hyperbola are the transverse axis and the conjugate axis. Ð Axis of a lens, the straight line passing through its center and perpendicular to its surfaces. Ð Axis of a telescope or microscope, the straight line with which coincide the axes of the several lenses which compose it. Ð Axes of co”rdinates in a plane, to straight lines intersecting each other, to which points are referred for the purpose of determining their relative position: they are either rectangular or oblique. Ð Axes of co”rdinates in space, the three straight lines in which the co”rdinate planes intersect each other. Ð Axis of a balance, that line about which it turns. Ð Axis of oscillation, of a pendulum, a right line passing through the center about which it vibrates, and perpendicular to the plane of vibration. Ð Axis of polarization, the central line around which the prismatic rings or curves are arranged. Brewster. Ð Axis of revolution (Descriptive Geom.), a straight line about which some line or plane is revolved, so that the several points of the line or plane shall describe circles with their centers in the fixed line, and their planes perpendicular to it, the line describing a surface of revolution, and the plane a solid of revolution. Ð Axis of symmetry (Geom.), any line in a plane figure which divides the figure into two such parts that one part, when folded over along the axis, shall coincide with the other part. Ð Axis of the equator, ecliptic, horizon (or other circle considered with reference to the sphere on which it lies), the diameter of the sphere which is perpendicular to the plane of the circle. Hutton. Ð Axis of the Ionic capital (Arch.), a line passing perpendicularly through the middle of the eye of the volute. Ð Neutral axis (Mech.), the line of demarcation between the horizontal elastic forces of tension and compression, exerted by the fibers in any cross section of a girder. Ð Optic ~ of a crystal, the direction in which a ray of transmitted light suffers no double refraction. All crystals, not of the isometric system, are either uniaxial or biaxial. Ð Optic ~, Visual ~ (Opt.), the straight line passing through the center of the pupil, and perpendicular to the surface of the eye. Ð Radical ~ of two circles (Geom.), the straight line perpendicular to the line joining their centers and such that the tangents from any point of it to the two circles shall be equal to each other. Ð Spiral ~ (Arch.), the ~ of a twisted column drawn spirally in order to trace the circumvolutions without. Ð Axis of abscissas and Axis of ordinates. See Abscissa. Ax¶le (?), n. [OE. axel, exel, shoulder, AS. ?axl; akin to AS. eax axle, Sw. & Dan. axel shoulder, ~, G. achse axle, achsel shoulder, L. axis axle, Gr. ?, Skr. aksha, L. axillaÿshoulder joint: cf. F. essieu, axle, OF. aissel, fr. dim. of L. axis. ?. Cf. 2d Axis.] 1. The pin or spindle on which a wheel revolves, or which revolves with a wheel. 2. A transverse bar or shaft connecting the opposite wheels of a car or carriage; an axletree. 3. An axis; as, the sun's axle. Had from her axle torn The steadfast earth. Milton. µ Railway axles are called leading and trailing from their position in the front or in the rear of a car or truck respectively. Ax¶le box· (?). 1. A bushing in the hub of a wheel, through which the axle passes. 2. The journal box of a rotating axle, especially a railway axle. µ In railway construction, the axle guard, or pedestal, with the superincumbent weight, rests on the top of the box (usually with a spring intervening), and holds it in place by flanges. The box rests upon the journal bearing and key, which intervene between the inner top of the box and the axle. Ax¶led (?), a. Having an axle; Ð used in composition. Merlin's agateÐaxled car. T. Warton. Ax¶le guard· (?). The part of the framing of a railway car or truck, by which an axle box is held laterally, and in which it may move vertically; Ð also called a jaw in the United States, and a housing in England. Ax¶leÏtree· (?), n. [Cf. Icel. ”xultr?.] 1. A bar or beam of wood or iron, connecting the opposite wheels of a carriage, on the ends of which the wheels revolve. 2. A spindle or axle of a wheel. [Obs.] Ax¶man (?), n.; pl. Axmen (?). One who wields an ax. Ax¶min·ster (?), n. An ÷ carpet, ?n imitation Turkey carpet, noted for its thick and soft pile; Ð so called from Axminster, Eng. Ø Ax¶oÏlotl (?), n. [The native name.] (Zo”l.) An amphibian of the salamander tribe found in the elevated lakes of Mexico; the siredon. µ When it breeds in captivity the young develop into true salamanders of the genus Amblystoma. This also occurs naturally under favorable conditions, in its native localities; although it commonly lives and breeds in a larval state, with persistent external gills. See Siredon. Ax¶stone· (?), n. (Min.) A variety of jade. It is used by some savages, particularly the natives of the South Sea Islands, for making axes or hatchets. Ax¶tree (?), n. Axle or axletree. [Obs.] Drayton. Ax¶unge (?), n. [F. axonge, L. axungia; axis wheel + ungere to grease.] Fat; grease; esp. the fat of pigs or geese; usually (Pharm.), lard prepared for medical use. Ay (?), interj. Ah! alas! ½Ay me! I fondly dream ? Had ye been there.'¸ Milton. Ay (?), adv. Same as Aye. Ø A¶yah (?), n. [Pg. aia, akin to Sp. aya a governess, ayo a tutor.] A native nurse for children; also, a lady's maid. [India] Aye, Ay } (?), adv. [Perh. a modification of yea, or from the interjection of admiration or astonishment, OE. ei, ey, why, hey, ay, well, ah, ha. Cf. MHG. & G. ei, Dan. ej. Or perh. akin to aye ever.] Yes; yea; Ð a word expressing assent, or an affirmative answer to a question. It is much used in viva voce voting in legislative bodies, etc. µ This word is written I in the early editions of Shakespeare and other old writers. Aye (?), n. An affirmative vote; one who votes in the affirmative; as, ½To call for the ayes and noes;¸ ½The ayes have it.¸ Aye, Ay } (?), adv. [Icel. ei, ey; akin to AS. ¾, ¾wa, always, Goth. aiws an age, Icel. ‘fi, OHG, ?wa, L. aevum, Gr. ? an age, ?, ?, ever, always, G. je, Skr. ?va course. ?,?. Cf. Age, v., Either, a., Or, conj.] Always; ever; continually; for an indefinite time. For his mercies aye endure. Milton. For aye, always; forever; eternally. Aye¶Ðaye· (?), n. [From the native name, prob. from its cry.] (Zo”l.) A singular nocturnal quadruped, allied to the lemurs, found in Madagascar (Cheiromys Madagascariensis), remarkable for its long fingers, sharp nails, and rodentÐlike incisor teeth. Aye¶green· (?), n. [Aye ever + green.] (Bot.) The houseleek (Sempervivum tectorum). Halliwell. AÏyen¶, AÏyein¶ (?), AÏyeins¶ (?), adv. & prep. [OE. ?, ?. See Again.] Again; back against. [Obs.] Chaucer. AÏyen¶ward (?), adv. Backward. [Obs.] Chaucer. Ayle (?), n. [OE. ayel, aiel, OF. aiol, aiel, F. a‹eul, a dim. of L. avus grandfather.] A grandfather. [Obs.] Writ of Ayle, an ancient English writ which lay against a stranger who had dispossessed the demandant of land of which his grandfather died seized. Ay¶me· (?), n. [Cf. F. ahi interj.] The utterance of the ejaculation ½Ay me !¸ [Obs.] See Ay, interj. ½Aymees and hearty heighÐhoes.¸ J. Fletcher. AÏyond¶ (?), prep. & adv. Beyond. [North of Eng.] AÏyont¶ (?), prep. & adv. Beyond. [Scot.] A¶yÏrie, A¶yÏry (?), n. See Aerie. Drayton. Ayr¶shire (?), n. (Agric.) One of a superior breed of cattle from Ayrshire, Scotland. Ayrshires are notable for the quantity and quality of their milk. Ø AÏyun·taÏmiÏen¶to (?), n. [Sp., fr. OSp. ayuntar to join.] In Spain and Spanish America, a corporation or body of magistrates in cities and towns, corresponding to mayor and aldermen. AÏza¶leÏa (?; 97), h.; pl. Azaleas (?). [NL., fr. Gr. ? dry, Ð so called because supposed to grow best in dry ground.] (Bot.) A genus of showy flowering shrubs, mostly natives of China or of North America; false honeysuckle. The genus is scarcely distinct from Rhododendron. Az¶aÏrole (?), n. [F. azerole, the name of the fruit, fr. Ar. azÏzo'r?r: cf. It. azzeruolo, Sp. acerolo.] (Bot.) The Neapolitan medlar (Crat‘gus azarolus), a shrub of southern Europe; also, its fruit. AÏzed¶aÏrach (?), n. [F. az‚darac, Sp. acederaque, Pers. ¾z¾ddirakht noble tree.] 1. (Bot.) A handsome Asiatic tree (Melia azedarach), common in the southern United States; Ð called also, Pride of India, Pride of China, and Bead tree. 2. (Med.) The bark of the roots of the azedarach, used as a cathartic and emetic. Az¶iÏmuth (?), n. [OE. azimut, F. azimut, fr. Ar. asÐsum?t, pl. of asÐsamt a way, or perh., a point of the horizon and a circle extending to it from the zenith, as being the Arabic article: cf. It. azzimutto, Pg. azimuth, and Ar. samtÐalÐr¾'s the vertex of the heaven. Cf. Zenith.] (Astron. & Geodesy) (a) The quadrant of an ~ circle. (b) An arc of the horizon intercepted between the meridian of the place and a vertical circle passing through the center of any object; as, the azimuth of a star; the azimuth or bearing of a line surveying. µ In trigonometrical surveying, it is customary to reckon the azimuth of a line from the south point of the horizon around by the west from 00 to 3600. Azimuth circle, or Vertical circle, one of the great circles of the sphere intersecting each other in the zenith and nadir, and cutting the horizon at right angles. Hutton. Ð Azimuth compass, a compass resembling the mariner's compass, but having the card divided into degrees instead of rhumbs, and having vertical sights; used for taking the magnetic ~ of a heavenly body, in order to find, by comparison with the true ~, the variation of the needle. Ð Azimuth dial, a dial whose stile or gnomon is at right angles to the plane of the horizon. Hutton. Ð Magnetic ~, an arc of the horizon, intercepted between the vertical circle passing through any object and the magnetic meridian. This is found by observing the object with an ~ compass. Az¶iÏmuth·al (?), a. Of or pertaining to the azimuth; in a horizontal circle. ÷ error of a transit instrument, its deviation in azimuth from the plane of the meridian. Az¶oÏ (?). [See Azote.] (Chem.) A combining form of azote; (a) Applied loosely to compounds having nitrogen variously combined, as in cyanides, nitrates, etc. (b) Now especially applied to compounds containing a two atom nitrogen group uniting two hydrocarbon radicals, as in azobenzene, azobenzoic, etc. These compounds furnish many artificial dyes. See DiazoÏ. Az·oÏben¶zene (?), n. [AzoÏ + benzene.] (Chem.) A substance (C6H5.H2.C6H5) derived from nitrobenzene, forming orange red crystals which are easily fusible. AÏzo¶ic (?), a. [Gr. ? priv. + ? life, from ? to live.] Destitute of any vestige of organic life, or at least of animal life; anterior to the existence of animal life; formed when there was no animal life on the globe; as, the azoic. rocks. ÷ age (Geol.), the age preceding the existence of animal life, or anterior to the paleozoic tome. Azoic is also used as a noun, age being understood. See Arch‘an, and Eozoic. Az·oÏle¶ic (?), a. [AzoÏ + oleic.] (Chem.) Pertaining to an acid produced by treating oleic with nitric acid. [R.] AÏzon¶ic (?), a. [Gr. ?; ? priv. + ? zone, region.] Confined to no zone or region; not local. AÏzo¶riÏan (?), a. Of or pertaining to the Azores. Ð n. A native of the Azores. Az¶ote (?; 277), n. [F. azote, fr. Gr. ? priv. + ? life; Ð so named by Lavoisier because it is incapable of supporting life.] Same as Nitrogen. [R.] Az¶oth (?), n. [LL. azoch, azoth, fr. Ar. azÐzauq mercury.] (Alchemy) (a) The first principle of metals, i. e., mercury, which was formerly supposed to exist in all metals, and to be extractable from them. (b) The universal remedy of Paracelsus. AÏzot¶ic (?), a.ÿ(Chem.) Pertaining to azote, or nitrogen; formed or consisting of azote; nitric; as, azotic gas; azotic acid. [R.] Carpenter. Az¶oÏtite (?), n.ÿ(Chem.) A salt formed by the combination of azotous, or nitrous, acid with a base; a nitrite. [R.] Az¶oÏtize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Azotized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Azotizing (?).] To impregnate with azote, or nitrogen; to nitrogenize. Az·oÏtom¶eÏter (?), n. [Azote + Ïmeter.] (Chem.) An apparatus for measuring or determining the proportion of nitrogen; a nitrometer. AÏzo¶tous (?), a: Nitrous; as, azotous acid. [R.] Az¶tec (?), a. Of or relating to one of the early races in Mexico that inhabited the great plateau of that country at the time of the Spanish conquest in 1519. Ð n. One of the Aztec race or people. Az¶ure (?; 277), a. [F. & OSp. azur, Sp. azul, through Ar. from Per. l¾jaward, or l¾juward, lapis lazuli, a blue color, l¾jawardÆ, l¾juwardÆ, azure, cerulean, the initial l having been dropped, perhaps by the influence of the Ar. azrÐaq azure, blue. Cf. G. lasur, lasurstein, azure color, azure stone, and NL. lapis lazuli.] SkyÐblue; resembling the clear blue color of the unclouded sky; cerulean; also, cloudless. ÷ stone (Min.), the lapis lazuli; also, the lazulite. Az¶ure, n. 1. The lapis lazuli. [Obs.] 2. The clear blue color of the sky; also, a pigment or dye of this color. ½In robes of azure.¸ Wordsworth. 3. The blue vault above; the unclouded sky. Not like those steps On heaven's azure. Milton. 4. (Her.) A blue color, represented in engraving by horizontal parallel lines. Az¶ure, v. t. To color blue. Az¶ured (?), a. Of an azure color; skyÐblue. ½The azured harebell.¸ Shak. AÏzu¶reÏous (?), a. (Zo”l.) Of a fine blue color; azure. Az¶uÏrine (?), a. [Cf. Azurn.] Azure. Az¶uÏrine, n. (Zo”l.) The blue roach of Europe (Leuciscus c‘ruleus); Ð so called from its color. Az¶uÏrite (?), n. (Min.) Blue carbonate of copper; blue malachite. Az¶urn (?), a. [Cf. OF. azurin, asurin, LL. azurinus. See Azure, a.] Azure. [Obs.] Thick set with agate, and the azurn sheen Of turkis blue, and emerald green. Milton. Az¶yÏgous (?), a. [Gr. ?; ? priv. + ? yoke.] Odd; having no fellow; not one of a pair; single; as, the azygous muscle of the uvula. Az¶ym, Az¶yme (?), n. [F. azyme unleavened, L. azymus, fr. Gr. ?; ? priv. + ? leaven.] Unleavened bread. AÏzym¶ic (?), a. Azymous. Az¶yÏmite (?), n. [Cf. F. azymite.] (Eccl. Hist.) One who administered the Eucharist with unleavened bread; Ð a name of reproach given by those of the Greek church to the Latins. Az¶yÏmous (?), a. [See Azym.] Unleavened; unfermented. ½Azymous bread.¸ Dunglison.

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B (?) is the second letter of the English alphabet. (See Guide to Pronunciation, 196,220.) It is etymologically related to ÿpÿ,ÿvÿ,ÿfÿ,ÿwÿ and ÿmÿ, letters representing sounds having a close organic affinity to its own sound; as in Eng. bursar andÿpurser;ÿEng. ÿbear and Lat. ÿpear; Eng. silver and Ger. ÿsilber; Lat. cubitum and It. gomito; Eng. seven, Anglo-Saxon seofon, Ger. sieben, Lat. septem, Gr.?, Sanskrit saptan. The form of letter B is Roman, from Greek B (Beta), of Semitic origin. The small ÿbÿ was formed by gradual change from the capital B.
In ÿMusic, B is the nominal of the sevens tone in the model major scale ÿ(the scale of C majorÿ), or of the second tone in it's relative minor scale (that of A minorÿ)ÿ. B? stands for B flat, the tone a half step , or semitone, lower than B. In German, B stands for our B?, while our B natural is called H (pronounced h„).
Ba (?), v.i. [Cf. OF. ÿbaer to open mouth, F. baer.] To kiss. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Baa (?), v.i. [Cf. G. b„en; an imitative word.] To cry baa, or bleat as a sheep.
He treble baas for help, but none can get.
Sir P.Sidney.
Baa (?), n.; pl.ÿBaas. [Cf. G. ÿb„.] The cry or bleating of a sheep; a bleat.
Baa¶ing, n. The bleating of a sheep.
Marryat.
Ba¶al (?), n.; Heb.pl. ÿBaalim (?). [Heb. ba'al lord.] 1. (Myth.) The supreme male divinity of the Ph?nitian and Canaanitish nations.
µ The name of this god occurs in the Old Testament and elsewhere with qualifying epithets subjoined, answering to the different ideas of his character; as, ÿBaal-berith (the Covenant Baal), Baal-zebub (Baal of the fly).
2. pl. The whole class of divinities to whom the name Baal was applied.
Judges x. 6.
Ba¶alÏism (?), n. Worship of Baal; idolatry.
Ba¶alÏist (?), Ba¶alÏite (?), } n. A worshiper of Baal; a devotee of any false religion; an idolater.
ØBa¶ba (?), n. [F.] A kind of plum cake.
Bab¶bitt (?), v.t. To line with Babbitt metal.
Bab¶bitt met·al (?). [From the inventor, Isaac Babbittÿ of Massachusetts.] A soft white alloy of variable composition (as a none parts of tin to one of copper, or of fifty parts of tin to five of antimony and one of copper) used in bearings to diminish friction.
Bab¶ble, v.i. [imp. & p.p. Babbled (?);p. pr. & vb. n. Babbling.] [Cf.LG. babbeln, D. babbelen, G. bappeln, bappern, F. babiller, It. babbolare; prob. orig., to keep saying baÿ0, imitative of a child learning to talk.]
1. To utter words indistinctly or unintelligibly; to utter inarticulate sounds; as a child babbles.
2. To talk incoherently; to utter unmeaning words.
3. To talk much; to chatter; to prate.
4. To make a continuous murmuring noise, as shallow water running over stones.
In every babbling he finds a friend.
Wordsworth.
µ Hounds are said to babble, or to be babbling, when they are too noisy after having found a good scent.
Syn. - To prate; prattle; chatter; gossip.
Bab¶ble, v.i. 1. To utter in an indistinct or incoherent way; to repeat,as words, in a childish way without understanding.
These [words] he used to babble in all companies.
Arbuthnot.
2. To disclose by too free talk, as a secret.
Bab¶ble, n. 1. Idle talk; senseless prattle; gabble;twaddle. ½This is mere moral babble.¸
Milton.
2. Inarticulate speech; constant or confused murmur.
The babble of our young children.
Darwin.
The babble of the stream.
Tennyson.
Bab¶bleÏment (?), n. Babble.
Hawthorne.
Bab¶bler (?), n. 1. An idle talker; an irrational prater;a teller of secrets.
Great babblers, or talkers, are not fit for trust.
L'Estrange.
2. A hound too noisy on finding a good scent.
3. (Zo”l.) A name given to any one of family (Timalin‘) of thrushlike birds, having a chattering note.
Bab¶bleÏry (?), n. Babble. [Obs.]
Sir T. More
Babe (?), n. [Cf. Ir. bab, baban, W. baban, maban.]
1. An infant; a young child of either sex; a baby.
2. A doll for children.
Spenser.
Babe¶hood (?), n. Babyhood. [R.]
Udall.
Ba¶bel (?), n. [Heb. B¾bel, the name of the capital of Babylonia; in Genesis associated with the idea of ½confusion¸] 1. The city and tower in the land of Shinar, where the confusion of languages took place.
Therefore is the name of it called Babel.
Gen.xi.9.
2. Hence: A place or scene of noise and confusion; a confused mixture of sounds, as of voices or languages.
That babel of strange heathen languages.
Hammond.
The grinding babel of the street.
R.L.Stevenson.
Bab¶erÏy (?), n. [Perh. orig. for baboonery. Cf. Baboon, and also Babe.] Finery of a kind to please a child. [Obs.] ½Painted ÿbabery.¸
Sir P.Sidney.
Ba¶biÏan (?), Ba¶biÏon (?), n. [ See Baboon] A baboon. [Obs.]
B.Jonson.
ØBab¶ilÏlard (?), n. [F., a babbler.] (Zo”l.) The lesser whitethroat of Europe; - called also ÿbabbling warbler.
Bab¶ingÏtonÏite (?), n. [From Dr. Babbington.] (Min.) A mineral occurring in triclinic crystals approaching pyroxene in angle, and of a greenish black color.It is a silicate of iron, manganese, and lime.
ØBab·iÏrous¶sa, ØBab·iÏrus¶sa (?), n. [F. babiroussa, fr.Malay ÿb¾bÆ hog + r?sa deer.] (Zo”l.) A large hoglike quadruped (Sus, or Porcus, babirussa) of the East Indies, sometimes domesticated; the Indian hog. Its upper canine
teeth or tusks are large and recurved.
Bab¶ish (?), a. Like a babe; a childish; babyish. [R.] ½Babish imbecility.¸ Drayton. - Bab¶ishÏly, adv. - Bab¶ishÏness, n. [R.]
Bab¶ism (?), n. [From Bab (Pers.ÿbab a gate), the title assumed by the founder, Mirza Ali Mohammed.] The doctrine of a modern religious sect, which originated in Persia in 1843, being a mixture of Mohammedan, Christian,Jewish and Parsee elements.
Bab¶ist, n. A believer in Babism.
ØBab¶lah (?), n. [Cf. Per. bab?l a species of mimosa yielding gum arabic.] The ring of the fruit of several East Indian species of acacia; neb-neb. It contains gallic acid and tannin, and is used for dyeing drab.
ØBa¶boo, ØBa¶bu (?), n. [Hind. b¾b?ÿ] A Hindoo gentleman; native clerk who writes English; also, a Hindoo title answering to Mr.ÿ or Esquire.
Whitworth.
BabÏoon¶ (?), n. [OE. babewin, baboin, fr.F. babouin, or LL.ÿbabewynus. Of unknown origin; cf. D. baviaan, G. pavian, baboon, F. babin lip of ape, dogs, etc., dial. G. b„ppe mouth.] (Zo”l.) One of the Old World Quadrumana, of the genera Cynocephalus and Papio; the dog-faced ape. Baboons have dog-like muzzles and large canine teeth, cheek pouches, a short tail, and naked callosities on the buttocks. They are mostly African. See Mandrill, and Chacma, and Drill an ape.
BabÏoon¶ery (?), n. Baboonish behavior.
Marryat.
BabÏoon¶ish, a. Like a baboon.
Ba¶by (?), n.; pl. Babies. [Dim. of babe] 1. An infant or young child of either sex; a babe.
2. A small image of an infant; a doll.
Babies in the eyes, the minute reflection which one sees of one's self in the eyes of another.
She clung about his neck, gave him ten kisses,
Toyed with his locks, looked babies in his eyes.
Heywood.
Ba¶by, a. Pertaining to, or resembling, an infant; young or little; as, ÿbaby swans. ½Baby figure¸
Shak.
Ba¶by, v.i. [imp. & p.p. Babied (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Babying.] To treat like a young child; to keep dependent; to humor; to fondle.
Young.
Ba¶by farm· (?). A place where the nourishment and care of babies are offered for hire.
Ba¶by farm·er (?). One who keeps a baby farm.
Ba¶by farm·ing. The business of keeping a baby farm.
Ba¶byÏhood (?), n. The state or period of infancy.
Ba¶byÏhouse· (?), a. A place for children's dolls and dolls' furniture.
Swift.
Ba¶byÏish, a. Like a baby; childish; puerile; simple. - Ba¶byÏishÏly, adv. - Ba¶byÏishÏness, n.
Ba¶byÏism (?), n. 1. The state of being a baby.
2. A babyish manner of acting or speaking.
Ba¶by jump·er (?). A hoop suspended by an elastic strap, in which a young child may be held secure while amusing itself by jumping on the floor.
Bab·yÏlo¶niÏan (?), a. Of or pertaining to the real or to the mystical Babylon, or to the ancient kingdom of Babylonia; Chaldean.
Bab·yÏlo¶niÏan, n. 1. An inhabitant of Babylonia (which included Chaldea); a Chaldean.
2. An astrologer; - so called because the Chaldeans were remarkable for the study of astrology.
Bab·yÏlon¶ic (?), Bab·yÏlon¶icÏal (?), } a. 1. Pertaining to Babylon, or made there; as Babylonic garments,carpets, or hangings.
2. Tumultuous; disorderly. [Obs.]
Sir J.Harrington.
Bab¶yÏlo·nish (?), n. 1. Of or pertaining to, or made in, Babylon or Babylonia. ½A Babylonishÿgarment.¸
Josh. vii.21.
2. Pertaining to the Babylon of Revelation xiv.8.
3. Pertaining to Rome and papal power. [Obs.]
The… injurious nickname of Babylonish.
Gape.
4.Confused; Babel-like.
ØBab·yÏrous¶sa, ØBab·yÏrus¶sa (?), n. (Zo”l.) See Babyroussa.
Ba¶byÏship (?), n. The quality of being a baby; the personality of an infant.
Bac (?), n. [F. See Back a vat]
1. A broad, flatbottomed ferryboat, usually worked by a rope.
2. A vat or cistern. See 1st Back.
Bac¶caÏlau¶reÏate (?), n. [NL. baccalaureatus, fr.LL. baccalaureus a bachelor of arts, fr. baccalarius, but as if fr L. bacca lauri bayberry, from the practice of the bachelor's wearing a garland of bayberries. See Bachelor.]
1. The degree of bachelor of arts. (B.A. or A.B.), the
first or lowest academical degree conferred by universities and colleges.
2. A baccalaureate sermon. [U.S.]
Bac·caÏlau¶reÏate, a. Pertaining to a bachelor of arts.
Baccalaureate sermon, in some American colleges, a sermon delivered as a farewell discourse graduating class.
ØBac·caÏra¶, Bac·caÏrat¶ (?), n. [F.] A French game of cards, played by a banker and punters.
BacÏca¶re, BacÏka¶re } (?), interj. Stand back! give place! - a cant word of the Elizabethan writers, probably in ridicule of some person who pretended to a knowledge of Latin which he did not possess.
Baccare! you are marvelous forward.
Shak.
Bac¶cate (?), a. [L. baccatus, fr. L. bacca berry.]
(Bot.) Pulpy throughout, like a berry; - said of fruits.
Gray.
Bac¶caÏted (?), a. 1. Having many berries.
2. Set or adorned with pearls. [Obs.]
Bac¶chaÏnal (?), a.ÿ[L. Bacchanalis. See Bacchanalia.]
1. Relating to Bacchus or his festival.
2. Engaged in drunken revels; drunken and riotous or noisy.
Bac¶chaÏnal (?), n. 1. A devotee of Bacchus; one who indulges in drunken revels; one who is noisy and riotous when intoxicated; a carouser. ½Tipsy bacchanals.¸
Shak.
2. pl. The festival of Bacchus; the bacchanalia.
3. Drunken revelry; an orgy.
4. A song or dance in honor of Bacchus.
ØBac·chaÏna¶liÏa (?), n. pl. [L. Bacchanalÿa place devoted to Bacchus; in the pl. Bacchanalia a feast of Bacchus, fr. Bacchusÿthe god of wine, Gr. ?]
1. (Myth.) A feast or an orgy in honor of Bacchus.
2. Hence: A drunken feast; drunken reveler.
Bac·chaÏna¶liÏan (?), a. Of or pertaining to the festival of Bacchus; relating to or given to reveling and drunkenness.
Even bacchanalian madness has its charms.
Cowper.
Bac·ahaÏna¶liÏan, n. A bacchanal; a drunken reveler.
Bac·chaÏna¶liÏanÏism (?), n. The practice of bacchanalians; bacchanals; drunken revelry.
Bac¶chant (?), n.; pl. E. Bacchants, L. Bacchantes. [L. bacchans, -antis, p. pr. of bacchariÿ to celebrate the festival of Bacchus.]
1. A priest of Bacchus.
2. A bacchanal; a reveler.
Croly.
Bac¶chant, a. Bacchanalian; fond of drunken revelry; wine-loving; reveling; carousing.
Byron.
Bac¶chante (?), n.; L. pl. Bacchantes 1. A priestess of Bacchus.
2. A female bacchanal.
BacÏchan¶tic (?), a. Bacchanalian.
Bac¶chic (?), Bac¶chicÏal (?) }, a. [L. Bacchicus, Gr. ?] Of or relating to Bacchus; hence, jovial, or riotous,with intoxication.
ØBacÏchi¶us (?), n.; pl. Bacchii. [L. Bacchiusÿpes, Gr. ? (sc. ? foot).] (Pros.) A metrical foot composed of a short syllable and two long ones; according to some, two long and a short.
Bac¶chus (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. ?] (Myth.) The god of wine, son of Jupiter and Semele.
BacÏcif¶erÏous (?), a. [L.ÿbaccifer;ÿbaccaÿberry + ferre to bear] Producing berries. ½ÿBacciferousÿtrees.¸
Ray.
Bac¶ciÏform (?), a. [L. bacca berry + -form. ] Having the form of a berry.
BacÏciv¶oÏrous (?), a. [L. bacca berry + varare to devour.] (Zo”l.) Eating, or subsisting on, berries; as,ÿbaccivorous birds.
Bace (?), n., a., &v. See Base. [Obs.]
Spenser.
Bach¶aÏrach, Back¶aÏrack } (?), n. A kind of wine made at Bacharach on the Rhine.
Bache¶eÏlor (?), n. [OF. bacheler young man, F. bachelierÿ (cf.Pr. bacalar, Sp.bachiller, Pg. bacharel, It. baccalare), LL. baccalarius the tenant of a kind of farm called baccalaria, a soldier not old or rich enough to lead his retainers into battle with a banner, person of an inferior academical degree aspiring to a doctorate. In the latter sense, it was afterward changed to baccalaureus. See Baccalaureate, n.]
1. A man of any age who has not been married.
As merry and mellow an old bachelor as ever followed a hound.
W.Irving.
2. An unmarried woman. [Obs.]
B.Jonson.

<— p. 110 —>

3. A person who has taken the first or lowest degree in the liberal arts, or in some branch of science, at a college or university; as, a bachelorÿof arts.
4. A knight who had no standard of his own, but fought under the standard of another in the field; often, a young knight.
5. In the companies of London tradesmen, one not yet admitted to wear the livery; a junior member. [Obs.]
6. (Zo”l.) A kind of bass, an edible fresh-water fish (Pomoxys annularis) of the southern United States.
Bach¶eÏlorÏdom (?), n. The state of bachelorhood; the whole body of bachelors.
Bach¶eÏlorÏhood (?), n. The state or condition of being a bachelor; bachelorship.
Bach¶eÏlorÏism (?), n. Bachelorhood; also, a manner or peculiarity belonging to bachelors.
W.Irving.
Bach¶eÏlor's but¶ton (?), (Bot.) A plant with flowers shaped like buttons; especially, several species of Ranunculus, and the cornflower (ÿCentaures cyanus) and globe amaranth (Gomphrena).
µ Bachelor's buttons, a name given to several flowers ½from their similitude to the jagged cloathe buttons, anciently worne in this kingdom¸, according to Johnson's Gerarde, p.472(1633); but by other writers ascribed to " a habit of country fellows to carry them in their pockets to divine their success with their sweethearts.¸
Dr.Prior.
Bach¶eÏlorÏship , n. The state of being a bachelor.
Bach¶elÏry (?), n. [OF. bachelerie.] The body of young aspirants for knighthood. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
BaÏcil¶lar (?), a. [L. bacillum little staff.] (Biol.) Shaped like a rod or staff.
ØBac¶ilÏla·riÏ‘ (?), n. pl. [ NL., fr.L. bacillum, dim. of baculum stick.] (Biol.) See ÿDiatom.
Bac¶ilÏlaÏry (?), a. Of or pertaining to little rods; rod-shaped.
BaÏcil¶liÏform (?), a. [L. bacillum little staff + Ïform.] Rod-shaped.
BaÏcil¶lus (?), n.; pl. Bacilli (?). [NL., for L. bacillum. See Bacillarle.] (Biol.) A variety of bacterium; a microscopic, rod-shaped vegetable organism.
Back (?), n. [F. bac: cf. Arm. bak tray, bowl.] 1. A large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and others, for mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot glue, etc.
Hop back, Jack back, the cistern which receives the infusion of malt and hops from the copper.- Wash back, a vat in which distillers ferment the wort to form wash. - Water back, a cistern to hold a supply of water; esp. a small cistern at the back of a stove, or a group of pipes set in the fire box of a stove or furnace, through which water circulates and is heated.
2. A ferryboat. See Bac, 1
Back (?), n. [As b‘c, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. bak, Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn, OSlav. b?g? flight. Cf. Bacon.] 1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end o the spine; in other animals, that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to such part of a human being; as, the ÿback of a horse, fish, or lobster.
2. An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge.
[The mountains] their broad bare backs upheave
Into the clouds.
Milton.
3. The outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the inner or lower part; as, the back of the hand, the back of the foot, the back of a hand rail.
Methought Love pitying me, when he saw this,
Gave me your hands, the ÿbacksÿand palms to kiss.
Donne.
4. The part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of a thing; as, the back of a book; the back of an army; the ÿback of a chimney.
5. The part opposite to, or most remote from, that which fronts the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or not generally seen; as, the back of an island, of a hill, or of a village.
6. The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw.
7. A support or resource in reserve.
This project
Should have a back or second, that might hold,
If this should blast in proof.
Shak.
8. (Naut.) The keel and keelson of a ship.
9. (Mining) The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a horizontal underground passage.
10. A garment for the back; hence, clothing.
A bak to walken inne by daylight.
Chaucer.
Behind one's back, when one is absent; without one's knowledge;as, to ridicule a person behind his back. - Full back, Half back, Quarter back (Football), players stationed behind those in the front line. - To be or lie on one's back, to be helpless. - To put, or get, one's back up, to assume an attitude of obstinate resistance (from the action of a cat when attacked.). [Colloq.] - To see the back of, to get rid of. - To turn the back, to go away; to flee. - To turn the back on one, to forsake or neglect him.
Back, a. 1. Being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; as, the back door; back settlements.
2. Being in arrear; overdue; as, back rent.
3. Moving or operating backward; as, back action.
Back charges, charges brought forward after an account has been made up. - Back filling (Arch.), the mass of materials used in filling up the space between two walls, or between the inner and outer faces of a wall, or upon the haunches of an arch or vault. - Back pressure. (Steam Engine) See under Pressure.ÿ- Back rest, a guide attached to the slide rest of a lathe, and placed in contact with the work, to steady it in turning.- Back slang, a kind of slang in which every word is written or pronounced backwards; as, nam for ÿman. - Back stairs, stairs in the back part of a house; private stairs. Also used adjectively. See ÿBack stairs, Backstairs, and Backstair, in the Vocabulary. - Back step (Mil.), the retrograde movement of a man or body of men, without changing front. - Back stream, a current running against the main current of a stream; an eddy. - To take the back track, to retrace one's steps; to retreat. [Colloq.]
Back (?), v.i.ÿ[imp. & p.p. Backed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Backing.]
1. To get upon the back of; to mount.
I will back him Shak.
2. To place or seat upon the back. [R.]
Great Jupiter, upon his eagle backed,
Appeared to me.
Shak.
3. To drive or force backward; to cause to retreat or recede; as, to back oxen.
4. To make a back for; to furnish with a back; as, to back books.
5. To adjoin behind; to be at the back of.
A garden … with a vineyard backed.
Shak.
The chalk cliffs which back the beach.
Huxley.
6. To write upon the back of; as, to back a letter; to indorse; as, to back a note or legal document.
7. To support; to maintain; to second or strengthen by aid or influence; as, to backÿ a friend. ½Parliament would be backed by the people.¸
Macaulay.
Have still found it necessary to back and fortify their laws with rewards and punishments.
South.
The mate backed the captain manfully.
Blackw. Mag.
8. To bet on the success of; - as, to back a race horse.
To back an anchor (Naut.), to lay down a small anchor ahead of a large one, the cable of the small one being fastened to the crown of the large one. - To back the field, in horse racing, to bet against a particular horse or horses, that some one of all the other horses, collectively designated ½the field¸, will win. - To back the oars, to row backward with the oars. - To back a rope, to put on a preventer. - To back the sails, to arrange them so as to cause the ship to move astern. - To back up, to support; to sustain; as, to back up one's friends. - To back a warrant (Law), is for a justice of the peace, in the county where the warrant is to be executed, to sign or indorse a warrant, issued in another county, to apprehend an offender. - To back water (Naut.), to reverse the action of the oars, paddles, or propeller, so as to force the boat or ship backward.}
Back, v.i. 1. To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back.
2. (Naut.) To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; - used of the wind.
3. (Sporting) To stand still behind another dog which
has pomted; - said of a dog. [Eng.]
To back and fill, to manage the sails of a ship so that the wind strikes them alternately in front and behind, in order to keep the ship in the middle of a river or channel while the current or tide carries the vessel against the wind. Hence: (Fig.) To take opposite positions alternately; to assert and deny. [Colloq.] - To back out, To back down, to retreat or withdraw from a promise, engagement, or contest; to recede. [Colloq.]
Cleon at first … was willing to go; but, finding that he [Nicias] was in earnest, he tried to ÿback out.
Jowett (Thucyd.)
Back, adv. [Shortened from aback.] 1. In, to, or toward, the rear; as, to stand back; to step ÿback.
2. To the place from which one came; to the place or person from which something is taken or derived; as, to go back for something left behind; to go ÿback to one's native place; to put a book back after reading it.
3. To a former state, condition, or station; as, to go back to private life; to go back to barbarism.
4. ( Of time) In times past; ago. ½Sixty or seventy years back.¸
Gladstone.
5. Away from contact; by reverse movement.
The angel of the Lord … came, and rolled back the stone from the door.
Matt. xxvii.2.
6. In concealment or reserve; in one's own possession; as, to keep ÿback the truth; to keep back part of the money due to another.
7. In a state of restraint or hindrance.
The Lord hath kept thee back from honor.
Numb. xxiv.11.
8. In return, repayment, or requital.
What have I to give you ÿback!
Shak.
9. In withdrawal from a statement, promise, or undertaking; as, he took back0 the offensive words.
10. In arrear; as, to be back in one's rent. [Colloq.]
Back and forth, backwards and forwards; to and fro. - To go back on, to turn back from; to abandon; to betray;as, to go back on a friend; to go back on one's professions. [Colloq.]
Bac¶aÏrack (?), n. See Bacharach.
BacÏka¶re (?), interj. Same as Baccare.
Back¶band· (?),n. [2nd backÿ, n. + band.] (Saddlery) The band which passes over the back of a horse and holds up the shafts of a carriage.
Back¶bite·, v.i. [2nd back, n., + bite] To wound by clandestine detraction; to censure meanly or spitefully (as absent person); to slander or speak evil of (one absent).
Spenser.
Back¶bite·, v.i. To censure or revile the absent.
They are arrant knaves, and will ÿbackbite.
Shak.
Back¶bit·er (?), n. One who backbites; a secret calumniator or detractor.
Back¶bit·ing (?), n. Secret slander; detraction.
Backbiting, and bearing of false witness.
Piers Plowman.
Back¶board· (?), n. [2nd ÿbackÿ,n. + board.]
1. A board which supports the back wen one is sitting;
specifically, the board athwart the after part of a boat.
2. A board serving as the back part of anything, as of a wagon.
3. A thin stuff used for the backs of framed pictures, mirrors, etc.
4. A board attached to the rim of a water wheel to prevent the water from running off the floats or paddies into the interior of the wheel.
W.Nicholson.
5. A board worn across the back to give erectness to the figure.
Thackeray.
Back¶bond· (?), n. [Back, adv. + ÿbond.] (Scots Law) An instrument which, in conjunction with another making an absolute disposition, constitutes a trust.
Back¶bone¶, n. [2d back, n. + bone.ÿ]
1. The column of bones in the back which sustains and gives firmness to the frame; the spine; the vertebral or spinal column.
2. Anything like , or serving the purpose of, a backbone.
The lofty mountains on the north side compose the granitic axis, or backbone of the country.
Darwin.
We have now come to the backbone of our subject.
Earle.
3. Firmness; moral principle; steadfastness.
Shelley's thought never had any ÿbackbone.
Shairp.
To the backbone, through and through; thoroughly; entirely. ½Staunch to ÿthe backbone.¸
Lord Lytton.
Back¶boned¶ (?), a. Vertebrate.
Back¶cast· (?), n. [ Back, adv.+ ÿcast.] Anything which brings misfortune upon one, or causes failure in an effort or enterprise; a reverse. [Scot.]
Back¶ door¶ (?). A door in the back part of a building; hence, an indirect way.
Atterbury.
Back¶door¶, a. Acting from behind and in concealment; as backdoor intrigues.
Back¶down· (?), n. A receding or giving up; a complete surrender. [Colloq.]
Backed (?), a. Having a back; fitted with a back; as, a backed electrotype or stereotype plate. Used in composition; as, broad-ÿbacked; hump-backed.
Back¶er (?), n. One who, or that which, backs; especially one who backs a person or thing in a contest.
Back¶fall· (?), n. [2nd back ,n. + fall] A fall or throw on the back in wrestling.
Back¶friend· (?), n. [Back, n. or adv. + friend] A secret enemy. [Obs.]
South.
Back¶gam·mon (?), n. [ Origin unknown; perhaps fr.Dan. bakke tray + E.ÿgame; or very likely the first part is from E.back, adv., and the game is so called because the men are often set back.] A game of chance and skill, played by two persons on a ½board¸ marked off into twenty-four spaces called ½points¸. Each player has fifteen pieces, or ½men¸, the movements of which from point to point are determined by throwing dice. Formerly called ÿtables.
Backgammon board , a board for playing backgammon, often made in the form of two rectangular trays hinged together, each tray containing two ½tables¸.
Back¶gam·mon, v.i. In the game of backgammon, to beat by ending the game before the loser is clear of his first ½table¸.
Back¶ground· (?), n. [ÿBack, a. + ground.]
1. Ground in the rear or behind, or in the distance,
as opposed to the foreground, or the ground in front.
2. (Paint.) The space which is behind and subordinate to a portrait or group of figures.
µ The distance in a picture is usually divided into foreground, middle distance, and background.
Fairholt.
3. Anything behind, serving as a foil; as, the statue had a background of red hangings.
4. A place in obscurity or retirement, or out of sight.
I fancy there was a background of grinding and waiting before Miss Torry could produce this highly finished … performance.
Mrs.Alexander.
A husband somewhere in the background.
Thackeray.
Back¶hand· (?), n. [Back, adv. + ÿhand.] A kind of handwriting in which the downward slope of the letters is from left to right.
Back¶hand·, a. 1. Sloping from left to right; - said of handwriting.
2. Backhanded; indirect; oblique. [R.]
Back¶hand·ed, a. 1. With the hand turned backward; as, a ÿbackhanded blow.
2. Indirect; awkward; insincere; sarcastic; as, a ÿbackhandedÿ compliment.
3.Turned back, or inclining to the left; as, a backhanded letters.
Back¶hand·edÏness, n. State of being backhanded; the using of backhanded or indirect methods.
Back¶hand·er (?), n. A backhanded blow.
Back¶house· (?), n. [ÿBack, a. + house.] A building behind the main building. Specifically: A privy; a necessary.
Back¶ing, n. 1. The act of moving backward, or of putting or moving anything backward.
2. That which is behind, and forms the back of, anything, usually giving strength or stability.
3. Support or aid given to a person or cause.
4. (Bookbinding) The preparation of the back of a book with glue, etc., before putting on the cover.
Back¶joint· (?), n. [Backÿ, a. or adv. + joint.] (a) A rebate or chase in masonry left to receive a permanent slab or other filling.
Back¶lash· (?), n. [ÿBackÿ, adv. + lash.] (Mech.) The distance through which one part of connected machinery, as a wheel, piston, or screw, can be moved without moving the connected parts, resulting from looseness in fitting or from wear; also, the jarring or reflex motion caused in badly fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse of motion.
Back¶less, a. Without a back.
Back¶log·(?), n. [ÿBack, a. + log.] A large stick of wood, forming the of a fire on the hearth. [U.S.]
There was first a backlog, from fifteen to four and twenty inches in diameter and five feet long, imbedded in the ashes.
S.G. Goodrich.
Back¶piece· (?), Back¶plate· (?),} n. [ÿBack, n. or a. + ÿpiece, plate.ÿ] A piece, or plate which forms the back of anything, or which covers the back; armor for the back.

<— p. 111 —>

Back¶rack (?), Back¶rag (?),} n. See Bacharach.
Backs (?), n. pl. Among leather dealers, the thickest and stoutest tanned hides.
Back¶saw· (?), n. [2d back,n.+ saw.] A saw (as a tenon saw) whose blade is stiffened by an added metallic back.
Back¶set· (?), n. [ÿBack, adv. + ÿset.] 1. A check; a relapse; a discouragement; a setback.
2. Whatever is thrown back in its course, as water.
Slackwater, or the ÿbackset caused by the overflow.
Harper's Mag.
Back¶set·, v.i. To plow again, in the fall; - said of prairie land broken up in the spring. [Western U.S.]
Back¶set¶tler (?), n. [Back, a. + settler.] One living in the back or outlying districts of a community.
The English backsettlers of Leinster and Munster.
Macaulay.
ØBack¶sheesh·, ØBack¶shish·} (?), n. [Pers.ÿbakhshÆsh, fr. ÿbakhshÆdan to give.] In Egypt and the Turkish empire, a gratuity; a ½tip¸.
Back¶side· (?), n. [ÿBack, a. + side.ÿ] The hinder part, posteriors, or rump of a person or animal.
µBackside (one word) was formerly used of the
rear part or side of any thing or place, but in such senses is now two words.
Back¶sight· (?), n. [Back, adv. + sight.ÿ] (Surv.) The reading of the leveling staff in its unchanged position when the leveling instrument has been taken to a new position; a sight directed backwards to a station previously occupied. Cf. Foresight,ÿn., 3.
Back·slide¶ (?), v.i. [ imp. Backslidÿ(?); p.p. Backslidden (?), Backslid; p.pr.&vb.n. ÿBacksliding.ÿ] [Backÿ, adv.+ slide.] To slide back; to fall away; esp. to abandon gradually the faith and practice of a religion that has been professed.
Back¶slid¶er (?), n. One who backslides.
Back¶slid¶ing, a. Slipping back; falling back into sin or error; sinning.
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord.
Jer. iii. 14.
Back¶slid¶ing, n. The act of one who backslides; abandonment of faith or duty.
Our backslidings are many.
Jer. xiv.7.
Back¶staff· (?), n. An instrument formerly used for taking the altitude of the heavenly bodies, but now superseded by the quadrant and sextant; - so called because the observer turned his back to the body observed.
Back¶ stairs·. Stairs in the back part of a house, as distinguished from the front stairs; hence, a private or indirect way.
Back¶stairs·, Back¶stair·, a. Private; indirect; secret; intriguing; as if finding access by the back stairs.
A backstairs influence.
Burke.
Female caprice and ÿbackstairs influence.
Trevelyan.
Back¶stay· (?), n. [ÿBack, a. or n. + stay.] 1.(Naut.) A rope or stay extending from the masthead to the side of a ship, slanting a little aft, to assist the shrouds in supporting the mast. [ Often used in the plural.]
2. A rope or strap used to prevent excessive forward motion.
Back¶ster (?), n. [See Baxter.] A backer. [Obs.]
Back¶stitch· (?), n. [ÿBack, adv. + ÿstitch.] A stitch made by setting the needle back of the end of the last stitch, and bringing it out in front of the end.
Back¶stitch·, v.i. To sew with backstitches; as, to backstitch a seam.
Back¶stress (?), n. A female baker. [Obs.]
Back¶sword· (?), n. [2d back, n. + sword.] 1. A sword with one sharp edge.
2. In England, a stick with a basket handle, used in rustic amusements; also, the game in which the stick is used. Also called ÿsinglestick.
Halliwell.
Back¶ward (?), Back¶wards (?),} adv. [ÿBack, ÿadv. + Ïward.] 1. With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward.
2. Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms ÿbackward.
3. On the back, or with the back downward.
Thou wilt fall ÿbackward.ÿ
Shak.
4. Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.
Some reigns ÿbackward. ÿ
Locke.
5. By way of reflection; reflexively.
Sir J.Davies.
6. From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin.
The work went ÿbackward.ÿ
Dryden.
7. In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read ÿbackwards.
We might have … beat them ÿbackward home.
Shak.
Back¶ward, a. 1. Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.
2. Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.
For wiser brutes were ÿbackwardÿ to be slaves.
Pope.
3. Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a ÿbackward ÿchild. ½The backward learner.¸
South.
4. Late or behindhand; as, a ÿbackward season.
5. Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward ÿstate.
6. Already past or gone; bygone. [R.]
And flies unconscious o'er each ÿbackwardÿ year.
Byron.
Back¶ward, n. The state behind or past. [Obs.]
In the dark ÿbackwardÿ and abysm of time.
Shak.
Back¶ward, v.i. To keep back; to hinder. [Obs.]
Back·warÏda¶tion (?), n. [Backward, v.i.+ Ïation.] (Stock Exchange) The seller's postponement of delivery of stock or shares, with the consent of the buyer, upon payment of a premium to the latter; - also, the premium so paid. See ÿContango.
Biddle.
Back¶wardÏly (?), adv. 1. Reluctantly; slowly; aversely. [Obs.]
Sir P.Sidney.
2. Perversely; ill.[Obs.]
And does he think so ÿbackwardlyÿ of me?
Shak.
Back¶wardÏness, n. The state of being backward.
Back¶wash· (?), v.i. To clean the oil from (wood) after combing.
Back¶wa·ter (?), n. [ÿBack, a. or adv. + ÿÏward.ÿ] 1. Water turned back in its course by an obstruction, an opposing current , or the flow of the tide, as in a sewer or river channel, or across a river bar.
2. An accumulation of water overflowing the low lands, caused by an obstruction.
3. Water thrown back by the turning of a waterwheel, or by the paddle wheels of a steamer.
Back¶woods¶ (?), n. pl. [Back,ÿ a. + ÿwoods.] The forests or partly cleared grounds on the frontiers.
Back¶woods¶man (?), n.; pl. Backwoodsmen (?). A men living in the forest in or beyond the new settlements, especially on the western frontiers of the older portions of the United States.
Fisher Ames.
Back¶worm· (?), n. [2d ÿback, n. + worm.ÿ] A disease of hawks. See Filanders.
Wright.
Ba¶con (?), n. [OF. bacon, fr. OHG. bacho, bahho, flitch of bacon, ham; akin to E. back. ÿCf. ÿBack the back side.] The back and sides of a pig salted and smoked; formerly, the flesh of a pig salted or fresh.
Bacon beetle (Zo”l.), a beetle (Dermestes lardarius) which, especially in the larval state, feeds upon bacon, woolens, furs, etc. See Dermestes. - To save one's bacon, to save one's self or property from harm or less. [Colloq.]
BaÏco¶niÏan (?), a. Of or pertaining to Lord Bacon, or to his system of philosophy.
Baconian method, the inductive method. See Induction.
BacÏte¶riÏa (?), n.p. See ÿBacterium.
BacÏte¶riÏal (?), a. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to bacteria.
BacÏte¶riÏci·dal (?), a. Destructive of bacteria.
BacÏte¶riÏcide (?), n. [ÿBacterium ÿ+ L. ÿcaedere to kill] (Biol.) Same as Germicide.
BacÏte¶riÏoÏlog·icÏal (?), a. Of or pertaining to bacteriology; as, ÿbacteriological ÿstudies.
BacÏte¶riÏol·oÏgist, n. One skilled in bacteriology.
BacÏte¶riÏol·oÏgy (?), n. [ÿBacterium + Ïlogy.ÿ] (Biol.) The science relating to bacteria.
BacÏte·riÏoÏscop¶ic (?), a. (Biol.) Relating to bacterioscopy; as, a ÿbacterioscopic examination.
BacÏte·riÏos¶coÏpist (?), n. (Biol.) One skilled in bacterioscopic examinations.
BacÏte·riÏos¶coÏpy (?), n. [ÿBacterium + Ïscopyÿ] (Biol.) The application of a knowledge of bacteria for their detection and identification, as in the examination of polluted water.
BacÏte¶riÏum (?), n.; pl. ÿBacteria (?). [NL., fr. Gr.?, ?, a staff: cf. F. bact‚rie.ÿ] (Biol.) A microscopic vegetable organism, belonging to the class Alg‘, usually in the form of a jointed rodlike filament, and found in putrefying organic infusions. Bacteria are destitute of chlorophyll, and are the smallest of microscopic organisms. They are very widely diffused in nature, and multiply with marvelous rapidity, both by fission and by spores. Certain species are active agents in fermentation, while others appear to be the cause of certain infectious diseases. See ÿBacillus.
Bac¶teÏroid (?), Bac·teÏroid¶al (?),} a. [ÿBacterium + Ïoid.] (Biol.) Resembling bacteria; as, bacteroid particles.
Bac¶triÏan (?), a. Of or pertaining to Bacteria in Asia. - n. A native of Bacteria.
Bactrian camel, the two-humped camel.
Bac¶ule (?), n. [F.] (Fort.) See ÿBascule.
Bac¶uÏline (?), a. [L. baculum staff.] Of or pertaining to the rod or punishment with the rod.
Bac¶uÏlite (?), n. [L. baculune stick, staff; cf. F. baculite.] (Paleon.) A cephalopod of the extinct genus Baculites, found fossil in the Cretaceous rocks. It is like an uncoiled ammonite.
Bac·uÏlom¶eÏtry (?), n. [L. baculum staff + Ïmetry] Measurement of distance or altitude by a staff or staffs.
Bad (?), imp. of Bid.ÿ Bade. [Obs.]
Dryden.
Bad (?), a. [Compar. Worse (?); ÿsuperl. ÿWorst (?).ÿ] [Probably fr. AS. ÿb‘ddel hermaphrodite; cf. b‘dling effeminate fellow.] Wanting good qualities, whether physical or moral; injurious, hurtful, inconvenient, offensive, painful, unfavorable, or defective, either physically or morally; evil; vicious; wicked; - the opposite of good; as a ÿbad man; ÿbad conduct; bad habits; bad soil; ÿbad health; bad crop; bad news.
Sometimes used substantively.
The strong antipathy of good to ÿbad.ÿ
Pope.
Syn. - Pernicious; deleterious; noxious; baneful; injurious; hurtful; evil; vile; wretched; corrupt; wicked; vicious; imperfect.
Bad¶der (?), compar. of ÿBad, a.[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Bad¶derÏlocks (?), n. [Perh. for Balderlocks, ÿfr. Balder the Scandinavian deity.] (Bot.) A large black seaweed (Alaria esculenta) sometimes eaten in Europe; - also called ÿmurlins, honeyware, ÿand henware.
Bad¶dish, a. Somewhat bad; inferior.
Jeffrey.
Bade (?). A form of the pat tense of ÿBid.
Badge (?), n. [LL. bagea, bagia, ÿsign, prob. of German origin; cf. AS. be g, be h, bracelet, collar, crown, OS ÿb?g- in comp., AS. b?gan ÿto bow, bend, G. ÿbiegen. See Bow to bend.] 1. A distinctive mark, token, sign, or cognizance, worn on the person; as, the ÿbadge of a society; the ÿbadge of a policeman. ½Tax gatherers, recognized by their official ÿbadges.ÿ¸
Prescott.
2. Something characteristic; a mark; a token.
Sweet mercy is nobility's true ÿbadge.ÿ
Shak.
3. (Naut.) A carved ornament on the stern of a vessel, containing a window or the representation of one.
Badge (?), v.t. To mark or distinguish with a badge.
Badge¶less, a. Having no badge.
Bp. Hall.
Badg¶er (?), n. [Of uncertain origin; perh. fr. an old verb ÿbadge to lay up provisions to sell again.] An itinerant licensed dealer in commodities used for food; a hawker; a huckster; - formerly applied especially to one who bought grain in one place and sold it in another. [Now dialectic, Eng.]
Badg¶er, n. [OE. bageard, prob. fr. badge + Ïard, in reference to the white mark on its forehead. See Badge,n.] 1. A carnivorous quadruped of the genus ÿMeles or of an allied genus. It is a burrowing animal, with short, thick legs, and long claws on the fore feet. One species (M. vulgaris), called also brock, inhabits the north of Europe and Asia; another species (Taxidea Americana or Labradorica) inhabits the northern parts of North America. See ÿTeledu.
2. A brush made of badgers' hair, used by artists.
Badger dog. (Zo”l.) See ÿDachshund.
Badg¶er, v.t. [imp. & p.p. Badgered (?);p. pr. & vb. n. Badgering.] [For sense 1, see 2d ÿBadger; for 2, see 1st Badger.] 1. To tease or annoy, as a badger when baited; to worry or irritate persistently.
2. To beat down; to cheapen; to barter; to bargain.

Badg¶erÏer (?), n. 1. One who badgers.
2. A kind of dog used in badger baiting.
Badg¶erÏing, n. 1. The act of one who badgers.
2. The practice of buying wheat and other kinds of food in one place and selling them in another for a profit. [Prov. Eng.]
Badg¶erÏlegged· (?), a. Having legs of unequal length, as the badger was thought to have.
Shak.
ØBad·iÏa¶ga (?), n. [Russ. badiaga.] (Zo”l.) A freshÐwater sponge (Spongilla), common in the north of Europe, the powder of which is used to take away the livid marks of bruises.
ØBa¶diÏan (?), n. [F.badiane, fr. Per. b¾di¾n anise.] [Bot.] An evergreen Chinese shrub of the Magnolia family (Illicium anisatum), and its aromatic seeds; Chinese anise; star anise.
BaÏdi¶geon (?), n. [F.] A cement or paste (as of plaster and freestone, or of sawdust and glue or lime) used by sculptors, builders, and workers in wood or stone, to fill holes, cover defects, or finish a surface.
ØBa·di·nage¶ (?),n. [F., fr. badiner to joke, OF. to trifle, be silly, fr. badin silly.] Playful raillery; banter. ½He …indulged himself only in an elegant badinage.¸
Warbur?on.
Bad¶ lands¶ (?). Barren regions, especially in the western United States, where horizontal strata (Tertiary deposits) have been often eroded into fantastic forms, and much intersected by canons, and where lack of wood, water, and forage increases the difficulty of traversing the country, whence the name, first given by the Canadian French, Mauvaises Terres (bad lands).
Bad¶ly, adv. In a bad manner; poorly; not well; unskillfully; imperfectly; unfortunately; grievously; so as to cause harm; disagreeably; seriously.
µ Badly is often used colloquially for very much or very greatly, with words signifying to want or need.
Bad¶minÏton (?), n. [From the name of the seat of the Duke of Beaufort in England.] 1. A game, similar to lawn tennis, played with shuttlecocks.
2. A preparation of claret, spiced and sweetened.
Bad¶ness, n. The state of being bad.
ØB‘¶noÏmere (?), n. [Gr. ? to walk + Ðmere.] (Zo”l.) One of the somites (arthromeres) that make up the thorax of Arthropods.
Packard.
B‘¶noÏpod (?), n. [Gr. ? to walk + Ðpod.] (Zo”l.) One of the thoracic legs of Arthropods.
ØB‘¶noÏsome (?), n. [Gr. ? to walk + Ðsome body.] (Zo”l.) The thorax of Arthropods.
Packard.
Baff (?), n. A blow; a stroke. [Scot.]
H.Miller.
Baf¶fle (?), v.i. [imp. & p.p. Baffled (?); p.pr. & vb.n. Baffling (?).] [Cf. Lowland Scotch bauchle to treat contemptuously, bauch tasteless, abashed, jaded, Icel. b¾gr uneasy, poor, or b¾gr, n., struggle, b‘gja to push, treat harshly, OF. beffler, beffer, to mock, deceive, dial. G. b„ppe mouth, beffen to bark, chide.]
1. To cause to undergo a disgraceful punishment, as a recreant knight. [Obs.]
He by the heels him hung upon a tree,
And baffled so, that all which passed by
The picture of his punishment might see.
Spenser.
2. To check by shifts and turns; to elude; to foil.
The art that baffles time's tyrannic claim.
Cowper.
3. To check by perplexing; to disconcert, frustrate, or defeat; to thwart. ½A baffled purpose.¸
De Quincey.
A suitable scripture ready to repel and baffle them all.
South.
Calculations so difficult as to have baffled, until within a … recent period, the most enlightened nations.
Prescott.
The mere intricacy of a question should not baffle us.
Locke.
Baffling wind (Naut.), one that frequently shifts from one point to another.
Syn. Ð To balk; thwart; foil; frustrate; defeat.
Baf¶fle, v.i. 1. To practice deceit. [Obs.]
Barrow.
2. To struggle against in vain; as, a ship baffles with the winds. [R.]
Baf¶fle, n. A defeat by artifice, shifts, and turns; discomfiture. [R.] ½A baffle to philosophy.¸
South.
Baf¶fleÏment (?), n. The process or act of baffling, or of being baffled; frustration; check.
Baf¶fler (?), n. One who, or that which, baffles.