A dictionary of the English language: in which the words are deduced from their originals, and illustrated in their different significations by examples from the best writers : to which are prefixed a history of the language, and an English grammar (Volume 1).

Johnson, Samuel, 1709-1784.

Date:: 1819

Credit: A dictionary of the English language: in which the words are deduced from their originals, and illustrated in their different significations by examples from the best writers : to which are prefixed a history of the language, and an English grammar (Volume 1). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

Title Page

186/1196

$ease in the eye, by which the cornea contracts a whiteness. The same, with leucoma. A'lburn-colour, aVburn-kui'Iur. n. s. See Auburn. A'lcahest, al'ka-h&st.847?..9. An Arabick word, to express an universal dissolvent; pretended to, by Paracelsus and Hel- mont. Quincy. Alca'id*, al-cade'.8* n. s. [from al, Arab. and pip, the head.] 1. In Barbary, the governour of a castle. TV alcai'l Shuns me; and with a grim civility. Bows, and declines my walks. Dryden. 2. In Spain, the judge of a city; first insti- tuted by the Saracens. Du Cunge. ALCA'NjYA, al-kan'na.*4 n. s. An Egyp- tian plant, used in dying; the leaves making a yellow, infused in water; and a red, in acid iiquors. The root of alcanna, though green, will give a red stain. Brown's Vulgar Errours. Alchy'mical, al-kim'me-kal. adj. [from alchymy.^ Relating to alchymy; produ- ced by alchymy. The rose-noble, then current for six shillings and eight pence, the alchymists do affirm as an unwritten verity, was made by projection or multiplication al- chemical of Raymond Lully in the tower of London. Camden's Remains. Alchy'mically, al-kim'me-kal-le. adv. [from alchymical.~\ In the manner of an alchymist; by means of alchymy. Raymond Lully would prove it alchymically. Camden. A'lchymist, al'ke-mlst.8* n.s. [from a/- chymy.~\ One, who pursues or professes the science of alchymy. To solemnize this day, the glorious sun Stays in his course, and plays the alchymist; Turning, with splendour of his precious eye, The meagre cloddy earth to glittering gold. Shaksp. Every alchymist knows, that gold will endure a vehement fire for a long time without any change; and, after it has been divided by corrosive liquors into invisible parts, yet may presently be precipitated, so as to appear in its own form. Grew. A'LCHYMY, al'ke-me.8* n. s. [of a/, Arab, and %»;,«.*.] 1. The more sublime and occult part of chymistry; which proposes for its ob- ject, the transmutation of metals, and other important operations. There is nothing more dangerous, than this delud- ing art; which changeth the meaning of words, as alchymy doth (or would do) the substance of metals; maketh of any thing, what it listeth; and bringeth, in the end, all truth to nothing. Hooker. O he sits high, in all the people's hearts; And that, which would appeal- offence in us, His countenance, like richest alchymy, Will change to virtue and to worthiness. Shaksp. Compared to this, All honour's mimick; all wealth, alchymy is. Donne. 2. A kind of mixed metal, used for spoons and kitchen utensils. White alchymy is made of pan-brass one pound, and arsenicum three ounces; or alchymy is made of copper and auripigmentum. BacoiVs Phys. Remains. They bid cry, With <'limpets regal sound, the great result: Tow'rds the four winds, four speedy cherubims Put to their mouths the sounding alchymy, By herald's voice explained. Milton's Par. Lost. A'LCOUOL, aTkO-ho!/4 H,r. Ah Ara- bick term used by chymists, for a high rectified dephlegmated spirit of wine, or for any thing reduced into an impalp- able powder. Quincy. If the same salt shall be reduced into alcolwl, as the chymists speak, or an impalpable powder; the particles and intercepted spaces will be extremely lessened. Boyle. Sal volatile oleosum will coagulate the serum, on account of the alcohol (or rectified spirit) which it contains. Jirbuthnot. Alooholiza'tion, aTko-hol-e-za'shun. n.s. [from alcoholize^ The act of alco- holizing or rectifying spirits; or of redu- cing bodies to an impalpable powder. To A'lcoholize, ai'k6-ho-lize. v. a. [from alcohol.^ 1. To make an alcohol; that is, to rectify spirits, till they are wholly dephlegma- ted. 2. To comminute powder, till it is wholly without roughness. A'lcoran, al'ko-ran.84 n. s. [al and koran, Arab.] The book of the Mahometan precepts and credenda. If this would satisfy the conscience, we might not only take the present covenant, but subscribe to the council of Trent; yea, and to the Turkish alcoran; and swear, to maintain and defend either of them. Saunderson against the Covenant. Alco've, al-kove'. n.s. [alcoba, Span.] A recess, or part of a chamber; separated by an estrade or partition, and other cor- respondent ornaments; in which is plac- ed a bed of state, and sometimes seats to entertain company. Trevoux. The weary'd champion lull'd in soft alcoves, The noblest boast of thy romantick groves: Oft, if the muse presage, shall he be seen By Rosamonda fleeting o'er the green; In dreams be hail'd by heroes' mighty shades, And hear old Chaucer warble through the glades. Tickell. Deep in a rich alcove the prince was laid, And slept beneath the pompous colonnade. Pope. A'lder, al'dur.S4 n. s. [alnus, Lat.] A tree, having leaves resembling those of the hazel: the male flowers, or katkins, are produced at remote distances from the fruit, on the same tree; the fruit is squa- mose, and of a conical figure: the spe- cies are 1. The common or round- leaved alder; 2. The long-leaved alder; 3. The scarlet aldrr. These trees dc- lisyht in a very moist soil: the wood is used, by turners; and will endure long, under ground, or in water Miller. Without the grot, a various sylvan scene Appear'd around, and groves of living green; Poplars and alders ever-quivering play'd, And nodding cypress form'd a fragrant shade. Pope's Odyssey. Alderli'evest, al-dur-liv'est. adj.sufierl. [from aid, alder, old, elder, and lieve, dea', beloved] Most beloved; which has held the longest possession of the heart The mutual conference, that my mind hath had (In courtly company, or at my beads) With you, mine alderlicvest sovereign, Makes me the bolder. Sliaksp. Henry VI. p. ii. A'lderman, al'dur-man. n. s. [from aid, old, and man.] 1. The same as senator; Cornell. A go- vernour or magistrate, originally, (as the name imports) chosen on account of the experience, which his age had given him Tell him, ' Myself, the mayor, and aldermen, Are come to have some conf'rence with his grace.' Shakspearc Though my own aldermen conferr'd my bays, To me committing their eternal praise; Their full-fed heroes, their pacilick may'rs, Their annual trophies, and their monthly wars. Pope's Dunchid 2. In the following passage it is, I think, improperly used. But, if the trumpet's clangour you abhor, And dare not be an alderman of war; Take to a shop, behind a counter lie. Dryden, A'ldermanly, al'dtlr-man-le. adv. [from alderman.j Like an alderman; belong- ing to an alderman. These, and many more, suffered death, in envy to their virtues and superiour genius; which embold- ened them, in exigencies wanting an aldermanly dis- cretion, to attempt service out of the common forms. Swift's Miscellanies. A'ldern, al'dum.84 asa adj. [from aider.'] Made of alder. Then aldern boats first plow'd the ocean. Maifs Virgil. ALE, ale. n. s. [eale, Sax.] 1. A liquor, made by infusing malt in hot water, and then fermenting the liquor. You must be seeing christenings. Do you look for ale and cakes here, you rude rascals? Shaksp. The fertility of the soil in grain, and its being not proper for vines, put the Egyptians upon drinking ale, of which they were the inventors. Arbulh. 2. A merry-meeting, used in country places. And all the neighbourhood, from old records Of antick proverbs drawn from Whitson lords, And their authorities at wakes and ales, With country precedents and old wives tales, We bring you now. Ben Jonson. A'leberry, ale'ber-re n.s. [from ale and berry.] A beverage, made by boiling ale, with spice and sugar, and sops of bread: a word, now only used in conversation. Their ale-berries, cawdles, possets, each one, Syllibubs made at the milking pale, But what are composed of a pot of good ale. Beaumont. V'le-brewer, ale'broo-ur. n. s. [from ale and brewerr\ One that professes to brew ale. The summer-made malt brews ill, and is disliked by most of our ale-brewers. Mortinw'[s Husb. A'leconner, ale'kon-nur. n. s. [from ale and cow.] An officer, in the city of London; whose business is, to inspect the measures of publick houses. Four of them are chosen (or rechosen) annu- ally, by the common-hall of the city; and, whatever might be their use for- merly, their places are now regarded only as sinecures for decayed citizens. A'lecost, afle'kost. n. s. [perhaps from ale, and costus, Lat.] The name of an herb. Diet. Ale'ctryomancy, or Ale'ctoromancy, a-l£k'tre-6-man-se, or a-leVto-ro-man- se. n. s. [uXtxl^vm, and /k,«v/<$.] Divina- tion by a cock. Diet. A'legar, al'le-gfir.98 418 n. s. [from ale, and eager, sour.] Sour ale; a kind of acid, made by ale; as vinegar by wine, which has lost its spirit. A'LEGERjarie-jer.o8 adj. [allegr*, Yv.ala-$