I PE 1628 
 
 .G3 
 
 1847 
 I Copy 1 
 
 SCHOOL AND FAMII/i 
 
 j) 1 C T [ O N A R Y , 
 
 ILLUSTRA T I V E DETINER, 
 
 1Y T. H. GALLAUDET, 
 
 AND 
 
 HORACE HOOKER 
 
 NEW-YORK : 
 PR A i [\ W ■» O DF BD & CO. 
 
 G$ 
 
i LI BRARY OF CONGRE SS. 
 
 ! [SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT.] 
 
 ; / uzai \ 
 
 ! UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. " 
 
&■ 
 
 SCHOOL AND FAMILY 
 
 DICTIONARY, 
 
 ILLUSTRATIVE DEFINER. 
 
 BY T. H.GALLAUDET, 
 
 »*" 
 
 HORACE HOOKER. 
 
 NEW-YORK: 
 PUBLISHED BY PRATT, WOODFORD & CO., 
 
 , 1847. 
 
At 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1841, bv 
 T. H. GALLAUDET, 
 
 AND 
 
 HORACE HOOKER, 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut. 
 
 Stereotyped by 
 
 RICHARD H. HOBBS, 
 
 Hartford. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Few things are more important in the early education of youth, than to 
 teach them accurately the meaning of words, and few things are more 
 difficult. If a common dictionary is taken for this purpose, and an attempt 
 made to study the definitions which it contains, both teacher and pupil are 
 appalled, at the very outset, with the almost hopeless task of learning in 
 succession the meaning of some thirty or forty thousand words. But this is 
 not necessary. The well known principle, Divide and conquer, applies here 
 with peculiar force. Thousands of these words, by daily use in the family 
 and in the common intercourse of life, are better understood by every intel- 
 ligent child of eight or ten years of age, than they can be from any mere de- 
 finition. For what can make plainer to such a child the meaning of the 
 words, tree, horse, chair, table, run, give, take, see, hear, love, hate, and the 
 like. This class of words is very large, and it is needless to occupy the 
 time, and burden the memory of the pupil, with learning definitions of them. 
 
 In addition to this, thousands of the most difficult words, including the 
 technical and scientific, had better be reserved till the mind is more devel- 
 oped and fitted to comprehend them, and till the comparatively easy words 
 needed in defining them, are well understood. For, otherwise, from getting 
 only a vague and imperfect notion of the meaning of such words, there will 
 
be danger that the habit will be formed of not getting the meaning of any 
 thoroughly. 
 
 Between these two great classes there is another, to which the attention 
 of the learner in studying definitions should first be directed ; and when he 
 is well acquainted with it, the attainr^ent of the higher class will not be 
 found difficult. It is principally words of this middle range which the 
 authors have here introduced. Those of a higher class belong to a suc- 
 ceeding volume. 
 
 Another peculiarity of this work 'consists in its definitions and illustra- 
 tions. In the definitions the authors have aimed at simplicity and clear- 
 ness, avoiding what they conceive to be a great defect, — the defining of 
 one word by another, often still more difficult, and then the defining of this 
 latter one by the very word which it had been used to define. For exam- 
 ple, as when the scholar is told that to abandon means to forsake, to desert; 
 and that to forsake is to abandon, to desert ; and that to desert is to abandon, 
 to forsake. By going through this circle, unless the scholar happens to 
 know already the meaning of some one or more of these words, what addi- 
 tional knowledge can he obtain, — while he is continually led to think that 
 certain words are synonymous, which often vary widely in their significa- 
 tions when applied to different subjects. ' This evil is one of no small 
 magnitude, and ought to be guarded against most carefully by those con- 
 cerned in the education of youth. 
 
 And even when the definitions have been made as simple as possible, the 
 proper meaning and use of most words can be taught effectually only by 
 illustrative examples. This is the very way, indeed, in which children, in 
 the common intercourse of life, learn their mother tongue ; and it seems • 
 essential, therefore, that this should be one of the striking features of a die- 
 
tionary for schools and families. In this respect, it is believed^the follow- 
 ing work has peculiar claims upon the attention of teachers and parents. 
 The illustrations have been prepared with great labor, and in making them 
 it has been the design of the authors, while showing the proper meaning 
 and use of words, to communicate valuable knowledge, to cultivate a correct 
 taste, and to impress moral truth. Historical facts and dates, references to 
 the Sacred Scriptures, with prudential maxims and precepts adapted to 
 the young, pervade the whole. It is recommended to require of the learner 
 to give additional illustrations ; as this will serve both to fix more deeply in 
 his mind the true power of the word, and to make him more ready in the 
 correct use of language. 
 
 It will be seen, too, that a work thus constructed, while it best answers 
 the design of such a dictionary, ma)* be used advantageously for occasional 
 exercises in reading. It will be, also, a valuable help to the pupil, by fur- 
 nishing models in that kind of composition, becoming prevalent in many, 
 schools, which consists in forming sentences to contain particular words 
 given out by the teacher. 
 
 For the sake of conciseness and method, words of the same family, though 
 of different parts of speech, are brought together under that definition of one 
 of them to which they properly belong, and are printed in italics. For in- 
 stance, under the word " apprehend" will be found the words apprehension 
 and apprehensive. 
 
 Of some words, those significations which are rarely met with, are 
 omitted. 
 
 In the latter part of the work, as an exercise for the pupil, words are oc- 
 casionally defined by other words which had themselves already been fully 
 defined. 
 
Compound words whose meaning can very easily be learned from the 
 simple word together with the prefix or suffix, have been omitted, the import 
 of such prefixes and suffixes being carefully given. 
 
 Thus, the authors have ain.ed to furnish, in a small compass, a kind of 
 First Book in the acquisition of the meaning of the English language, to 
 be used in schools and families ; which, with fidelity on the part of teacher 
 and pupil, will, they trust, not only aid in accomplishing this great object, 
 but in forming, also, accuracy of thought, propriety of diction, correctness of 
 taste, and soundness of moral principle. 
 
MARKS AND ABBREVIATIONS. 
 
 The long vowels are marked thus ; hate, here, mine, globe, cube, rhyme. 
 The short vowels are marked thus ; hat, pen, pin, not, nut, hymn. 
 The figure 1 over a, denotes the sound of a, as in bar. 
 
 The figure 2 denotes the sound of u, as 
 
 in bush. 
 
 The figure 3 denotes the sound of a, as in ball. 
 
 in w; 
 
 ad. 
 
 The figure 4 denotes the sound of a, as i 
 
 The figure 5 denotes the sound of u, as in bird. 
 
 The figure 6 denotes the sound of o, as in move. 
 
 s sounds like z ; as in rose. 
 
 A dot under the t, in th, denotes that th sounds as in the, thine. 
 
 Th without this dot, is sounded as in thin, thistle. 
 
 The accented syllable is denoted by the figure, or the mark of a long or 
 short vowel, placed over it ; as bar gain, cap tive, de plore ; — except in a 
 few cases, where the accent (') is used for this purpose, as com pound'. 
 
 Where no illustration is added to a definition, it is separated from the 
 succeeding definition by a period and a dash. 
 
 Unless otherwise designated, di sounds as in pain; dy, as in play; ea, as 
 in heat ; ee, as in tree ; ei, as in de ceit; 6a, as in board; oi t as in point; oy 9 
 as in boy ; ou, as in pound ; ow, as in cow. 
 
 Silent letters are printed in italics ; as in cAasm, dearth, course 
 
Till MARKS AND ABBREVIATIONS. 
 
 In such words as chance, grant, and disaster, the sound of a, as in many 
 other dictionaries, is denoted by the figure 1, as in bar, although the true 
 sound lies between this and the sound of a as in man. The sound of a as 
 in care, and of a as mfate, as in most other dictionaries, is denoted by the 
 same mark, although there is a difference between them. To attempt to 
 distinguish accurately these and other similar variations of vowel sounds in 
 an elementary work, might serve only to perplex the learner, and the living 
 voice will prove his best guide. 
 
 n. stands for noun. 
 
 a. for adjective. 
 
 v. a. for verb active. 
 
 v. n. for verb neuter. 
 
 p. for participle. 
 
 ad. for adverb. 
 
SCHOOL AND FAMILY 
 
 DICTIONARY. 
 
 AEA 
 
 A ban don, v. a. to quit or forsake, 
 ~^* m intending never to return to, or 
 take care of. 
 
 The crew abandoned the sinking ship. 
 A wicked man abandoned his family. 
 Avoid bad habits; their abandonment is dif- 
 ficult. 
 
 A ban doned, p. wholly given up to 
 wickedness. 
 
 We should try to do good, even to a very 
 abandoned man. 
 
 A base, v. a. to cast down, to make 
 low. 
 
 A scholar behaved badly. The master took 
 him from the highest class, and placed him in 
 the lowest. He abased him. His abase- 
 ment made him feel ashamed. 
 
 We should be humble, and abase ourselves 
 before God. 
 
 A bash, v. a. to make ashamed, to 
 confuse. 
 
 A boy was stealing apples. The owner 
 detected him. He looked red, and did not 
 know what to say or do. He was abashed. 
 
 A bate, v. a. to make less. 
 
 A man asked six cents for an orange. A 
 
 ABH 
 
 boy offered him five ; but he would not abate 
 the price. 
 
 v. n. to become less. 
 
 It rained hard. It rained less and less. 
 The storm abated. His fever continued a 
 week, without any abatement. 
 
 Ab bre vi ate, v. a. to shorten, [usu- 
 ally applied to words.] 
 
 We abbreviate January by writing it Jan. 
 U. S. is an abbreviation for United States. 
 
 A bet, v. a. to encourage or help a 
 person, [usually in doing wrong.] 
 
 John promised to watch, while Charles 
 was stealing water-melons. He abetted 
 Charles. Never be an abettor of others in 
 wickedness. 
 
 Ab di cate, v. a. to give up forever 
 an office, or place of power. 
 
 The king determined to be king no longer. 
 He abdicated his throne. After his abdica- 
 tion, his son became king. 
 
 Ab hor, v. a. to start back from with 
 strong dislike. 
 Almost every body abhors a snake. 
 We should abhor a lie. 
 A good child has an abhorrence of bad words. 
 
ABO 
 
 To abuse animals should be abhorrent to 
 our feelings. 
 
 A bide, v. n. to stay in a place. 
 
 The young birds abide in their nest. 
 
 to continue the same. 
 
 The truth of God abideth forever. 
 
 v. a. to wait for. 
 
 " Bonds abide me," said Paul, — that is, he 
 expected to be bound. 
 
 to bear or endure. 
 
 The slothful man must abide the evils of 
 poverty, — that is, he must hear them. 
 A bil i ty, n. I can do it, — that is, I 
 have the ability to do it. 
 *James can walk. He has the ability to 
 walk. 
 
 William is deaf and dumb. He has not 
 the ability to speak. 
 Eliza has the ability to write a good letter. 
 We should be glad to have the ability of 
 „ doing good to others. 
 
 Ab ject, a. low, mean, despised. 
 
 Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, became 
 like a beast, and was a miserable, abject man. 
 Drunkards often become very abject. 
 
 Jib jure, v. a. to give up something 
 with an oath, or in a solemn man- 
 ner. 
 
 A Hindoo became a Christian, and abjured 
 idolatry. 
 
 A man left his country, solemnly declaring 
 he would never return to it. He abjured 
 _ his country. 
 
 A ble, a. I can do it, — that is, I am 
 able to do it. 
 
 Robert is able to swim. 
 Sarah is able to read. 
 
 A board, ad. in a ship. 
 
 A bode, n. the place where one lives. 
 
 The abode of an Arab is his tent. 
 
 continuance in a place. 
 
 He made but a short abode in London. 
 
 A bol ish, v. a. to unmake, to put an 
 end to. 
 
 10 ABR 
 
 A school-master abolished an old rule, and 
 made a new one. # 
 
 The abolition of the custom of war, would be ' 
 a great blessing. 
 
 A bom i nate, v. a. to hate a thing, 
 and turn away from it with great 
 dislike. 
 
 We abominate the base conduct of Judas 
 
 when he betrayed Christ. 
 
 " Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord." 
 Nero, a Roman emperor, was abominable for 
 
 his cruelty. 
 
 Ab o rig' i nes, (ab o rife nez,) n. the 
 earfiest people in a country. 
 
 The Indians are the aborigines, c 
 inhabitants, of America. 
 
 A bor tive, a. failing, because it takes 
 place before the proper time, or be- 
 cause all was not done that ought 
 to be done. 
 
 The woman tried to bake the bread before 
 the oven was made hot enough, but the attempt 
 was an abortive one. She had to heat the 
 oven over again. 
 
 A bound', v. n. to be full of, to have 
 a great deal of. 
 The trees abound with cherries. 
 There is an abundance of oranges in Cuba. 
 "The Lord is abundant in goodness and 
 truth." 
 
 A bridge, v. a. to make shorter or less. 
 
 His letter was too long. He wrote it over 
 again, saying the same things in much fewer 
 words. He abridged it. 
 
 This small Geography is an abridgment. 
 
 to deprive of. 
 
 A boy came late to school so often, that the 
 master abridged him of his play-hours. 
 
 Ab nipt, a. broken short and rough, 
 sudden. 
 
 The road at fiist was level. All at once, we 
 began to go down a steep descent. It was ab 
 rupt and dangerous. 
 
 He toid John of the death of his father with 
 great abruptness. 
 
ABS 
 
 11 
 
 ABU 
 
 Ab scond, v. n. to go away secretly. 
 
 He was afraid of being taken to jail for pass- 
 ing bad money, and absconded in the night. 
 
 Ab sence, n. a being away. — inatten- 
 tion. 
 
 Mary was thinking so much of her doll, that 
 she did not hear what her sister said to her. 
 w She had absence of mind. 
 
 Ab so lute, a. free from any thing 
 that can hinder. 
 
 A king who governs his people just as he 
 pleases, is absolute. 
 
 not limited, unconditional. 
 
 He made me a promise without saying, 
 " if." It was a promise he would not fail to 
 keep. It was absolute. 
 
 Ab solve, v. a. to set free from. . 
 
 I told him he need not pay me. I absolved 
 him from the debt. 
 
 to clear without punishing. 
 
 The father did not punish his son who had 
 behaved badly and was sorry for it. He ab- 
 solved him. 
 
 The Bible teaches us, how we may obtain 
 the absolution of our sins. 
 
 Ab sorb, v. a. to suck or swallow up 
 by degrees. 
 
 The sponge absorbs the water. 
 
 to be deeply engaged in. 
 
 "William did not hear the cry of " fire," he 
 was so absorbed in his lesson. 
 
 Ab stain, v. n. to keep from the use 
 of. 
 
 He drinks spirituous liquors no longer. He 
 abstains from the use of them. ( 
 
 Ab ste mi ous, a. using sparingly. 
 
 When recovering from sickness, he had to 
 ^ be abstemious in his food. 
 
 Ab sti nence, n. using none, or very 
 much less than common. 
 
 Mohammed ordered an entire abstinence 
 from wine among his followers. 
 
 We should be abstinent in using what we 
 <ear may hurt us. 
 
 Ab stract, v. a. to draw away from 
 other things. 
 
 Robert abstracted his mind from every thing 
 else, and fixed it upon his lesson. 
 
 I think only of the whiteness of an 
 egg, and not of its shape or weight. 
 I say, its whiteness is like that of 
 snow. In my mind, and in speak- 
 ing of it, I separate its whiteness 
 from its shape and weight, and 
 from any thing else that belongs 
 to it. 1 abstract its whiteness from 
 its other qualities. Whiteness, 
 redness, goodness, strength, and 
 such words are called abstract 
 terms. 
 
 Our being able, in our minds, to sep- 
 arate one quality of a thing from 
 the rest, and to speak of it, is 
 called the power of abstraction. 
 
 Ab stract, n. a small writing, or book, 
 containing the principal things in a 
 larger one. 
 
 John made an abstract of the history of Rome. 
 
 Ab strfise, a. hidden, not easy to be 
 understood. 
 
 The sermon was too abstruse for most of 
 those who heard it. They did not know what 
 a great deal of it meant. 
 
 Ab surd, a. clearly wrong, so that it 
 would be foolish to say it is true, 
 or to believe it. 
 
 It is an absurdity to suppose that a boy can 
 improve without attention to his studies. 
 
 A buse, v. a. to use things or persons 
 ill. 
 
 A boy threw his books about, and let them 
 get torn and dirty. He abused them. 
 
 Samuel struck John, and called him bad 
 names. He abused him shamefully. 
 
ACC 
 
 12 
 
 ACC 
 
 William had leave to get a few apples ; bui 
 he picked a hundred. It was an abuse of his 
 father's kindness. 
 
 Doeg was abusive to David. 
 
 A byss, n. a bottomless depth; a very 
 
 deep gulf. 
 A cad e my, n. a society of learned 
 
 men, or of artists ; a higher kind of 
 
 school. 
 Ac cept, v. a. to take willingly what 
 
 is given. 
 
 He accepted the invitation with pleasure. 
 Your letter was very acceptable. 
 
 Ac cess, n. the getting to a person or 
 thing. 
 
 He gave me a note to the jailer, by which I 
 had access to the prison. 
 
 He was a kind man, and his house was al- 
 ways accessible to the poor. 
 
 the way by which we may approach. 
 
 The access to the cave was through a nar- 
 ^ row, winding path. 
 
 Ac ci dent, n. that which happens 
 unexpectedly, and without design/ 
 
 A boy sliding on the ice fell, and broke his 
 arm. It was a sad accident. 
 
 The meeting of the two friends in New 
 York, was accidental. 
 
 Ac com mo date, v. a. to make suita- 
 ble or fit. 
 
 He had been rich, but became poor. He 
 was willing to live in a small house, and ac- 
 commodate himself to his circumstances. 
 
 to furnish what is comfortable and 
 convenient. 
 
 The school-room accommodated twenty 
 scholars well. 
 
 We found good accommodations in the 
 
 steam-boat. 
 
 Ac com plish, v. a. to do, with regard 
 
 to a thing, all that is necessary or 
 
 intended to be done. 
 
 A man planned abridge across a wide river. 
 
 It was begun to be built in April, and the work 
 was accomplished before winter. 
 
 Christ foretold the destruction of Jerusalem. 
 After his death, the Romans came and destroy- 
 ed the city. His prophecy was accomplished. 
 
 Ac cord, v. n. to agree with, to be 
 suited to. 
 
 His account of the pyramids in Egypt, ac 
 corded well with what we had read of them be 
 fore. 
 
 He came punctually at the time, in exacl 
 accordance with his engagement. 
 
 When a person is led to do a thing from his 
 own thoughts and feelings, and not by others, 
 we say he does it of his own accord. 
 
 Ac cost, v. a. to speak to. 
 
 A boy who had lost his way accosted a stran- 
 ger respectfully, and inquired of him the road. 
 
 Ac cormt', v. a. to esteem or have an 
 opinion of. 
 
 Silver was so plenty in the days of Solo- 
 mon, that they accounted it of very little value. 
 
 v. n. to give a reason for. 
 
 He spent a great deal of money in letter}' 
 tickets, and this accounts for his poverty. 
 
 to tell what one has done and be 
 rewarded or punished. 
 
 The boy had to account to his father for the 
 money which was given to him. 
 
 We are all accountable to God for our con- 
 duct. 
 
 Ac count', n. what is told about some- 
 thing. 
 
 The Bible gives us the true account of the 
 creation of the world. 
 
 that which is put down in writing of 
 . what is due, received, or paid. 
 
 Charles kept an account of his expenses on 
 the journey. 
 
 Ac cu mu late, v. a. to bring into a 
 pile or heap, by degrees. 
 
 John kept gathering shells on the sea-shore, 
 and at last accumulated a great many. 
 
 v: n. to come together into a heap 
 gradually. 
 
ACQ 
 
 The floating ice accumulated above the 
 bridge, and broke down one of the arches. 
 w Job was afflicted by an accumulation of evils. 
 
 Ac cu rate, a. done with great care, 
 and free from error or mistake. 
 
 Washington was very accurate in all that he 
 said and did. 
 
 William studied his lesson carefully, and 
 recited it with great accuracy. 
 
 Ac cuse, v. a. to say that a person 
 has done wrong, in order to bring 
 blame or punishment upon him. 
 
 We should never accuse another, unless 
 we are sure that he is guilty. 
 
 The Jews brought an accusation against 
 Christ before the Roman governor. 
 
 Ac cus torn, v. a. to do a thing often, 
 and to continue to do it. 
 
 It is said, that Alexander the Great was ac- 
 customed to place a copy of a book written 
 by Homer, under his pillow, every night. 
 
 He is accustomed to pray in his family, 
 every morning and evening. 
 
 Ac knowl edge, v. a. to admit or own 
 it to be so. 
 
 He acknowledged the receipt of my letter. 
 Robert was sorry, and acknowledged his 
 fault. 
 
 to own thankfully. 
 
 We should acknowledge with gratitude the 
 mercies of God. 
 
 Ac quaint, v. a. to tell a person of 
 something. 
 
 Samuel behaved badly in school, and the 
 master acquainted his father with it. 
 
 to make familiar with. 
 
 He has visited often at our house and we 
 are well acquainted with him. 
 
 We should not seek the acquaintance of 
 wicked persons. 
 
 Ac % quire, v. a. to make a thing our 
 own by continued effort. 
 
 Newton acquired the character of agreat and 
 
 learned man, by much thought and hard study. 
 
 Many strive hard for the acquisition of 
 
 13 ACU 
 
 wealth ; but the acquirement of knowledge is 
 much more valuable. 
 
 Ac quit, v. a. to declare one not to be 
 guilty or in fault. 
 
 The man was tried for theft, but the jury 
 acquitted him. 
 
 His acquittal gave his friends great joy. 
 
 to be no longer bound to do a thing. 
 Mary answered all the questions asked her 
 at the examination. She acquitted herself 
 well, and was bound to do no more. 
 
 Act, v. n. to cease to rest, to be in 
 motion, to put forth power. 
 
 There was a calm. Then the wind began 
 to blow, and acted upon the sails of the ship, 
 which moved swiftly along. 
 
 When you raise your arm, your will acts 
 upon it and makes it rise. 
 
 Napoleon, emperor of France, thought much 
 and quickly. He had a very active mind. 
 
 He is an active man, and never contented 
 unless he is doing something. 
 
 To do well in his business, a man should 
 have much activity. 
 
 to behave in a particular manner. 
 
 The drunkard acted like a crazy man. 
 Daniel, when in Babylon, acted with great 
 M wisdom and courage. 
 
 Act, n. something done. 
 
 A boy was caught in the very act of stealing 
 money from the drawer. 
 
 A sailor plunged into the water, and saved a 
 w man who was drowning. It was a noble act. 
 
 Ac tion, n. the doing of something. 
 
 The action of the wind on the sails lasted 
 during the day. 
 
 The heart is constantly in action. 
 
 Men judge each other more by their actions 
 than by their words. 
 
 The action, (or battle,) continued four hours. 
 
 Ac tu al, a. that which really is, and 
 not merely supposed to be. 
 
 The sick man was in actual danger of dy 
 ing, though he did not think so. 
 
 The small pox was ictually in the village 
 though many denied it. 
 
 A cute, a. sharp, pointed. 
 
 ^_. 
 
ADJ 
 
 Needles have very acute points. 
 
 An eagle, when high in the air, can s<se a lit- 
 tle lamb on the ground. Its sight is very acute. 
 
 John has an acute mind. He sees mistakes 
 in writing quickly. 
 
 The acuteness of her tooth-ache kept Sarah 
 awake all night. 
 
 A dapt, v. a. to make one thing fit 
 another. 
 
 He bought a small stove, adapting it to the 
 size of the room, which was not large. 
 
 He used very plain words, and adapted 
 them to the minds of the children. 
 
 Ad diet, v. a. to give one's self up 
 strongly to some practice, usually 
 a bad one. 
 
 He was so much addicted to lying, that no- 
 body would believe him. 
 
 Ad dress, v. a. to speak or write to a 
 person. 
 
 We should address the aged with respect. 
 Robert addressed a letter to his father, ask- 
 ing leave to return home. 
 
 Ad dress, n. a speech on something, 
 important. 
 
 The teacher made a very good address to 
 the scholars. 
 
 manner of directing a leiter. 
 
 The address of the letter was, " John Smith, 
 London." 
 Ad here, v. n. to stick to. 
 
 The mortar, when dry, adhered to the bricks. 
 
 The man adhered strongly to his opinion, 
 and would not give it up. 
 
 The adherence of the Jews to their religion, 
 is very striking. 
 
 Glue is very adhesive. 
 
 Ad journ, v. a. to put off till another 
 time. 
 
 The meeting was adjourned for a week. 
 
 ' Ad just, v. a. to put in order. 
 
 Before going to sea, the captain adjusted 
 the affairs of his family. 
 
 to put things so, that those agree who 
 have differed about them. 
 
 14 ADO 
 
 The man and his workmen adjusted their dif 
 ficulties, so that they agreed about the wages 
 
 After several conversations, there was an 
 adjustment of their accounts. 
 
 Ad mire, v. a. to view or regard with 
 pleasing wonder, or esteem. 
 
 Eliza admired the beautiful moss-rose in 
 her father's garden. 
 
 The benevolence of Howard is admired by 
 all good people. 
 
 The sun, moon, and stars fill us with admi- 
 ration of the power and goodness of God. 
 
 The music of Handel is admirable. 
 
 Ad mit, v. a. to let one enter. 
 
 The room was so full, that no more* could 
 be admitted. 
 
 He gave me a ticket of admission to the lec- 
 tures. 
 
 Through the kindness of a friend, I gained 
 admittance to the collection of paintings. 
 
 to allow, or to say willingly that a 
 thing is so, or may be so. 
 
 I admit that I owe you a hundred dollars, 
 and I will pay it soon. 
 
 The master said that Samuel's excuse was 
 not admissible. 
 
 Ad mon ish, v. a. to tell another of 
 his faults, kindly and seriously, 
 that he may do better in future. 
 
 He is a true friend who admonishes us 
 when, we do wrong. 
 
 The examples of God's displeasure against 
 the wicked are given in the Bible, for our ad- 
 monition. 
 
 A dopt, v. a. to take the child of 
 another, and treat it as one's own. 
 
 Pharaoh's daughter adopted Moses. 
 
 to take the opinions or customs of 
 others, and have them for our own. 
 
 It has been very difficult to get any of the 
 Indians to adopt our mode of living. 
 
 A dore, v. a. to bow the soul before 
 God in prayer, with deep reverence 
 and love. 
 
 We think of our weakness, our sinfulness, 
 
ADV 
 
 and our dependence. "We acknowledge how- 
 much we owe to God ; and we adore his mer- 
 cy and grace through Jesus Christ. 
 
 The works of God should lead us to the ado- 
 ration of his greatness. 
 
 A dorn, v. a. to put on, in order to 
 make beautiful. 
 
 He adorned his garden with many fine 
 flowers. 
 
 Savages love to adorn themselves with 
 rings, beads, and gaudy things. 
 
 The Bible teaches us, that the best adorning 
 of a wife, is " the ornament of a meek and 
 quiet spirit." 
 
 A dult, n. a grown up man or woman. 
 Ad vance, v. a. to carry or bring for- 
 ward. 
 
 John was a diligent scholar, and the mas- 
 ter advanced him to the first class. 
 
 Young persons should advance their opin- 
 ions before older ones, with great modesty. 
 
 Oil became scarce, and there was a great 
 advance in its price. 
 
 v. n. to go forward. 
 
 David advanced to meet Goliath, trusting 
 in God for help. 
 
 As we advance in years, we should ad- 
 vance in knowledge and virtue. 
 
 His advancement to the office of judge, was 
 a great honor to so young a man. 
 
 Ad van tage, n. something which 
 makes superior or better. 
 
 The fine harbor of New York is a great ad- 
 vantage to its trade. 
 
 Our common schools furnish many advan- 
 tages for getting a good education. 
 
 A good library is very advantageous to a 
 place. 
 
 Ad ven ture, n. something which hap- 
 pens, or is undertaken, and which 
 is uncertain or dangerous. 
 
 Seniors meet with many wonderful adven- 
 tures at sea. 
 
 _ General Putnam crept into the cave, shot 
 he wolf, and drew it out. It was a bold ad- 
 venture. 
 
 15 
 
 AFF 
 
 The men who dive after pearls, are very ad- 
 M venturous. 
 
 Ad ver sa ry, n. one who acts against 
 another, usually as an enemy. 
 
 The wicked Haman hated the Jews, and 
 was a violent adversary to them. 
 
 Ad verse, a. that which opposes. 
 
 The ship made very little progress, for the 
 wind was adverse. 
 
 that which brings evil. 
 
 He was poor, sick, and friendless. His 
 circumstances were adverse. 
 
 Remember them which are in adversity, and 
 do all you can to help them. 
 
 Ad vise, v.'a. to tell a person what he 
 had better do. . 
 
 When the Israelites complained that they 
 were not well treated, Rehoboam asked the 
 old men to advise him what to say. 
 
 The proverbs of Solomon are full of good 
 w advice to the young. 
 
 Ad vo cate, n. one who pleads in be- 
 half of. 
 
 *M fair, n. something that happens, or 
 is done, or is to be done. 
 
 John spent an hour in trying to get a boy to 
 take a cent less for his top, than he knew it 
 was worth. It was a mean affair. 
 
 The building of the academy was an im- 
 portant affair to the whole village. 
 
 The man was idle, and neglected his busi- 
 ness. His affairs got into a bad state. 
 Af feet, vma. to act upon. 
 
 The close air of the crowded room affected 
 me unpleasantly. 
 
 to act upon the feelings. 
 
 The death of Absalom affected David with 
 deep grief. 
 
 It was an affecting sight to Xerxes, when he 
 looked upon his vast army, and thought how 
 soon all the men in it would be dead. 
 
 to try to appear what we are not. 
 
 He was ignorant, but affected to be very 
 Jearned. 
 
 The young lady was not simple and natural 
 in her manners, she tried to be very polite and 
 
AFF 
 
 graceful. She was affected. Affectation al- 
 ways shows weakness of mind. 
 
 Af fee tion, n. any passion or feeling 
 of the mind. 
 
 He is a man of strong affections. When he 
 loves, he loves greatly ; when he hates, he 
 hates bitterly. 
 
 the strong feeling of attachment 
 which relations and friends have 
 to each other. 
 
 The affection of Christ for his mother show- 
 ed itself, when he was dying on the cross. 
 
 Mary loved to be with her mother, and tried 
 to do all she could to please her. She was 
 an affectionate child. 
 
 Af firm, v. a. to say strongly that a 
 thing is truly so. 
 
 When one who stood near him, affirmed that 
 Peter was a follower of Christ, he solemx.ly 
 denied it. 
 
 Samuel's affirmation was doubted, because 
 he sometimes told falsehoods. 
 
 To say " yes," is to answer in the affirmative. 
 
 Af flict, v. a. to cause continued pain* 
 of body, or of mind. 
 
 He has been afflicted with rheumatism for 
 a long time. 
 
 When Adam and Eve left the garden of 
 Eden, they were much afflicted. 
 
 to vex, trouble, or distress. 
 
 The Egyptians kept the Israelites in bond- 
 age, and afflicted them four hundred years. 
 
 Manasseh, the wicked king oMsrael, when 
 in deep affliction, humbled himself before God. 
 
 The burning up of the steam-boat, with the 
 loss of many lives, was an afflictive event. 
 
 Af ford, v. a. to yield, produce, or give. 
 
 The sun affords light and warmth to the earth. 
 The sight of the beautiful lake afforded 
 Eliza much pleasure. 
 
 to be able to sell or do a thing with- 
 out loss or injury. 
 
 He is rich, and can afford to give much 
 money in charity. 
 
 He could not afford the apples for less than 
 fifty cents a bushel. 
 
 16 
 
 AGR 
 
 Af front', (af frunt,) v. a. to abuse a 
 person to his face, and hurt his 
 feelings. 
 
 One man affronted another greatly, by call- 
 ing him a liar and a thief. 
 
 We should try to bear affronts with patience. 
 
 A gen cy, n. the putting a thing into 
 action, or causing something to be 
 done. 
 
 The kettle was put over the fire, and the 
 agency of the heat made the water boil. 
 
 The powerful agency of God, causes the 
 earth an^ other planets to revolve round the 
 sun. 
 
 John led the other boys to do the mischief. 
 He was the principal agent in the matter. 
 
 loing business for another. 
 
 A company of men employed others to trade 
 for them in South America. The agency was 
 a profitable one. 
 
 The merchant sent out an agent to collect 
 his debts. 
 
 Ag gress or, n. one who goes up to 
 another, and begins to treat him ill. 
 
 In the quarrel between James and Charles, 
 James was the most to blame, because he was 
 the aggressor. 
 
 The aggressions of the Indians upon the 
 whites, was the cause of a war. 
 
 Ag' i tate, (aj i tate,) v. a. to shake 
 violently and put in quick motion. 
 
 The wind blew furiously, and agitated the 
 waters of the lake. 
 
 He was so angry that he shook all over, and 
 was greatly agitated. 
 
 Paul's preaching at Ephesus caused great 
 agitation among the people. 
 
 Ag o ny, n. very violent pain. 
 
 Our Saviour's agony of mind in the garden, 
 was so distressing as to make his sweat as it 
 were great drops of blood. 
 
 A gree, v. n. to be adapted or suited 
 to each other. 
 
 Her lungs were weak, and she found that the 
 climate of Georgia agreed well with her health. 
 
AIM 17 
 
 ro think, feel, and act together. 
 
 John wished to study Latin, but his father 
 and the schoolmaster agreed in opinion that he 
 was too young to do it. 
 
 Samuel agreed with the farmer to work for 
 him for ten dollars a month. 
 
 There was much unhappiness in the fam- 
 ily ; for there was no agreement between the 
 husband and wife. 
 
 An obedient son will conduct agreeably to 
 the wishes of his parents. 
 A gree a ble, a. adapted or suited to. 
 
 Charles wished to be a merchant, but it was 
 not agreeable to the plans of his lather. 
 
 that which is pleasant. 
 
 His conversation is both instructive and 
 ^ agreeable.. 
 
 Ag ri cul ture, n. ploughing,, sowing, 
 getting in the crops, and doing 
 what is necessary to make the 
 earth produce. It is often used 
 to mean the whole business of a 
 farmer. 
 
 Aid, v. a. to help a person to do 
 something, or to get out of some 
 trouble. 
 
 Eliza aided Mary in doing her work, that 
 she might get to school in season. 
 
 James found the lesson too hard, and the 
 master told Robert to aid him. 
 
 In the war of the Revolution, the French 
 _ soldiers came to the aid of the Americans. 
 
 Ail, v. a. to give pain or trouble. 
 
 She looked very pale, and they asked what 
 _ ailed her. 
 
 Aim, v. a. to point at, intending to hit. 
 
 He aimed the gun at the bird. 
 The master aimed what he said at the boy 
 who made the disturbance. 
 
 v. n. to strive and intend to get some- 
 thing. 
 
 Napoleon when young aimed to be a great 
 man. 
 
 _ The aim of Washington was to do good to 
 nis country. 
 
 ALL 
 
 A*r, n. that which we breathe ; a 
 tune ; the manner of a person — as, 
 he had a very proud air. 
 
 Azr y, a. open to air. 
 
 The house stood on a hill, and was very airy. 
 
 lively, gay. 
 
 She is a light-hearted, airy girl. 
 
 A larm, v. a. to give sudden notice of 
 danger. 
 
 The ringing of the bells at midnight for fire, 
 alarmed the whole city. 
 
 The man who was watching saw the enemy 
 approaching, and gave the alarm. 
 
 A\ lay, v. a. to make quiet, to lessen 
 the strength of. 
 
 He ate plentifully, and allayed his hunger. 
 
 The mob were becoming riotous, when the 
 mayor addressed them and allayed the disturb- 
 ance. 
 
 A mild answer will often allay anger. 
 
 Al le vi ate, v. a. to make lighter and 
 easier to be borne. 
 
 The medicine which he took alleviated his 
 pain. 
 
 It was quite an alleviation to the sorrow of 
 the mother, in parting with her son, that he 
 was going to live in a worthy family who 
 would take good care of him. 
 
 Al lot, v. a. to parcel out, to give to 
 each his part or place. 
 
 When the school was opened, the master 
 allotted a seat to each of the scholars. 
 
 Every year, he allotted a part of his money 
 to do good with. 
 
 William was directed to cut the wood, and 
 John to feed the cattle. William did not like 
 this allotment. 
 
 Al low,' v. a. to give leave to. 
 
 God allowed Adam and Eve to eat of the 
 fruit of all the trees in the garden, except one. 
 
 to admit, or say willingly that a thing 
 is so. 
 
 After I had explained the matter, he allowed 
 that what I said was true. 
 
ALT 
 
 to abate or make a deduction. 
 
 When I paid for the sugar, he allowed for 
 the weight of the barrel. 
 
 The master made an allowance for the boy's 
 misconduct, because he was young and igno- 
 rant, and punished him but little. 
 
 Al hide, v. n. to turn the attention to 
 a thing, without saying plainly and 
 fully what is meant. 
 
 He did not mention his name, but he spoke 
 of him in such a way that I knew to whom he 
 alluded. 
 
 In his address, he made so many allusions to 
 himself that it was very disagreeable. 
 
 Al lure, v. a. to draw to, gently and 
 pleasingly, by the offer of some good. 
 
 The weather was so fine that it allured us 
 to take a long walk in the fields. 
 
 The book was so interesting, that he was al- 
 lured from page to page till he had finished it. 
 
 The allurements of the theatre, and its 
 strong temptations, lead many into wicked 
 practices. 
 
 Al ly, v. a. to unite together, as per- 
 sons or nations do, for each other's 
 advantage. 
 
 Russia, Austria, Prussia, and England, al- 
 lied themselves together, to resist the power of 
 France. These allies, under Wellington, de- 
 feated the French at the battle of Waterloo. 
 
 David and Jonathan formed an alliance of 
 friendship. 
 
 Al might' y, (al mite' y,) a. able to do 
 every thing that can be done. 
 
 No being is almighty but God. 
 
 Alms, (amz,) n. any thing given to 
 help the poor. 
 
 Our Saviour said ; " Do not your alms be- 
 'fore men, to be seen of them." 
 
 Al' tar, (al tar,) n. the place on which 
 sacrifices or offerings, to the true 
 God, or to false gods, were made. 
 
 When Paul was at Athens, he saw there an 
 altar on which was this inscription ; To the 
 unknown God. 
 
 18 AME 
 
 Al' ter, (al ter,) v. a. to make persons 
 or things different from what they 
 were before. 
 
 William's mother altered his coat, so as to 
 make it fit John. 
 
 The advice of his father led him to alter his 
 conduct and do better. 
 
 There is no alteration in his disease ; he 
 continues quite ill. 
 
 A mass, v. a. to bring together and 
 make a great deal of. 
 
 Within a few years, he has amassed wealth 
 to a vast amount, and is the richest man in 
 the city. 
 
 Bacon thought and studied much, and thus 
 amassed wonderful stores of knowledge. 
 
 A maze, v. a. to bewilder or confuse 
 the mind with something fearful, 
 surprising, or astonishing. 
 
 When Sarah first saw the bright northern 
 lights, she did not know what they were. She 
 almost thought the heavens were on fire. The 
 sight amazed her. 
 
 When Christ healed the man that was sick 
 of the palsy, the people " were all amazed — 
 and were filled with fear, saying, we nave 
 seen strange things to-day." 
 
 We are filled with amazement at the power 
 of God, when we think of the number of the 
 stars, their size, and distance. 
 Am bi' tion, (am bish un), n. a strong 
 desire to be better or greater than 
 one now is, or to rise above others. 
 
 Frank wrote a good hand, but he strove 
 daily to improve ; for he had an ambition to 
 write as well as the copy. 
 
 The ambition of Themistocles, a young 
 Athenian, was so great, that when he saw the 
 honors that had been bestowed on Miltiades, a 
 brave general, he said, they would not suffer 
 ' him to sleep. 
 
 Alexander the Great was a very ambitious 
 man, and wept when he thought that he had 
 no more worlds to conquer. 
 
 A mend, v. a. to make better, to re- 
 move errors or faults. 
 
AMU 
 
 He was often admonished by his friends, 
 but would not amend his conduct. 
 
 The first edition of the book contained a few 
 errors. The second edition was amended. 
 
 The boys wished to have some of the rules 
 of the school altered, but the master said 
 they were all necessary, and he could make 
 no amendment. 
 
 A mends, n. something which is 
 given or done to make up for an 
 injury or loss. 
 
 Edward accidentally broke the slate of the 
 boy who sat next to him, and made amends for 
 it by giving him his own. 
 
 A mi a ble, a. that in the mind which 
 makes a person worthy of being 
 loved. 
 
 She is kind, affectionate, and obliging. She 
 has a very amiable disposition. 
 
 A mount', v. n. to come up to by de- 
 grees, or by adding one thing to 
 another. 
 
 He spent six cents a day for cigars, and 
 was surprised to find that, at the end of twenty 
 years, it had amounted to four hundred and 
 thirty-eight dollars. 
 
 He said one thing after another against the 
 plan, but it all amounted to very little. 
 
 He has paid off the whole amount of his 
 debts. 
 
 Am phib i ous, a. able to live either 
 in air or water ; as frogs, beavers, 
 and crocodiles. 
 Am pie, a. large enough in space and 
 quantity. 
 
 He has a large family, but his house is of 
 ample size for their accommodation. 
 
 The college has a well chosen and ample 
 library. 
 
 A muse, v. a. to keep the mind 
 pleased by drawing its attention to 
 something agreeable. 
 
 A father told his children interesting stories 
 to amuse them. 
 
 19 ANI 
 
 We were made to live for something more 
 w than mere amusement. 
 
 An ces tor, n. Richard had a father 
 and mother ; and they had their 
 fathers and mothers ; and these 
 had their fathers and mothers, and 
 so on. All these persons, from 
 whom Richard is descended, ex- 
 cepting his father and mother, are 
 his ancestors. His ancestry, so far 
 back as we know, is very respect- 
 able. 
 
 An cient, a. that which was a very 
 long time ago. 
 
 In ancient times, cities were surrounded by 
 high and strong walls. 
 
 The Bible is the most ancient of all books. 
 
 An ec dote, n. some one thing that 
 is told in the way of a story, and 
 which is short, interesting, and 
 striking. 
 
 His conversation is full of instructive and 
 amusing anecdotes. 
 
 An' guish, (ang gwish,) n. violent 
 pain. 
 
 A man was pressed to the ground by a 
 heavy tree which had fallen upon him ; and 
 he lay there in great anguish before any one 
 came to help him. 
 
 When Hagar saw her son Ishmael nearly 
 dying for thirst in the wilderness, her heart 
 ^ was full of anguish. 
 
 An i mal, n. that which lives, feels 
 and can move of itself. 
 
 Adam gave names to all the animals which 
 God had created. 
 
 Of all animals man only has the power of 
 w speech. 
 
 An i mal, a. that which belongs or 
 relates to animals. 
 
 Some persons eat no animal food ; they live 
 wholly on vegetables, bread, and such things. 
 
ANN 
 
 We have a body, which is our animal na- 
 ture, and a soul, which is our spiritual na- 
 M ture. 
 
 An i mate, v. a. to give life and ac- 
 tivity to. . 
 
 The master promised the boys a holiday, 
 which animated them much in their studies. 
 
 The long voyage had disheartened the sai- 
 lors, when Columbus animated them again to 
 new exertions, by telling them he saw signs 
 that land was near. 
 
 The preacher spofce in a very animated and 
 interesting manner. 
 
 The whole city was full of joy and anima- 
 tion on the arrival of LaFayette. 
 
 An nex, v. a. to join to the end of a 
 thing. 
 
 He wrote a 'history, to which he annexed 
 an appendix. 
 
 The penalty of death is annexed to the law 
 against murder. 
 
 to join a small thing to a greater. 
 
 He gave his son fifty acres of land, to which 
 he afterwards annexed a small pasture. 
 
 An ni ver sa ry, n. a day returning 
 at the same time yearly, on which 
 something remarkable happened 
 that is kept in mind by a public 
 celebration. 
 
 The fourth of July is the anniversary of 
 American independence. 
 
 An nounce', v. a. to tell openly, to 
 make known in a public manner. 
 
 The arrival of the Governor was announ- 
 ced by the ringing of the bells. 
 
 Angels were sent from heaven to announce 
 the birth of Christ. 
 
 An noy', v. a. to continue to vex or 
 trouble. 
 
 The musketoes were very numerous and 
 annoyed us much. 
 
 His sleep did not refresh him, he was so 
 annoyed by unpleasant dreams. 
 
 He came so often to our room when we 
 wished to study, that it was a great annoy- 
 
 20 
 
 ANT 
 
 "An nu al, a. that which returns every 
 year. 
 
 The passover among the Jews, was an an 
 nual feast. 
 
 The Congress of the United States meets 
 annually. 
 
 not living over to the next year. 
 
 Most of the vegetables in our gardens are 
 annual. 
 An mil, v. a. to make a thing as 
 though it had never been. 
 
 Two men made a bargain about some land, 
 which they were afterwards sorry they had 
 made, and both agreed to annul it. 
 
 It was forbidden among the ancient Med°s 
 and Persians, for the Kings ever to annul their 
 decrees. 
 
 An' swer, (an' ser,) v. a. to speak or 
 write back to the person who makes 
 an inquiry. 
 
 It is impolite not to answer a proper ques- 
 tion. 
 
 Letters on business ought to be answered 
 as soon as possible. 
 
 to speak or write in defense of. 
 
 When Paul was accused and stood before 
 Felix, he. said that he answered the more 
 cheerfully, because Felix had long been a 
 judge among the Jews. 
 
 to suit or be fit for. 
 
 The ark which Noah built, answered admi- 
 rably the purpose for which it was made. 
 
 v. n. to be accountable to. 
 
 When James broke the window on purpose, 
 Robert told him he would have to answer to 
 the man that owned the house for doing it. 
 
 Even he who had but one talent given to 
 him, was answerable for his use of it. 
 
 An tag o nist, n. one who contends 
 
 with another. 
 An tic, a. odd, wild, full of strange 
 
 tricks. 
 
 They had a monkey in the ship who was so 
 antic that he amused the sailors very much. 
 
 Ari tic' i pate, (an tis i pate,) v* a. to 
 
ANX 
 
 take or do a thing before another 
 can. 
 
 Two men wished to buy a certain field. One 
 of them went to the owner for that purpose, 
 but found that the other had anticipated him 
 by buying it only a few minutes before. 
 
 to take or do a thing before the time. 
 
 The nurse, wishing to go away, gave the 
 medicine at two. o'clock which the physician 
 told her to give at threat. She did wrong to 
 anticipate the time. 
 
 to see and feel a coming good or evil 
 beforehand. 
 
 Some persons are so unwise as to make 
 themselves very unhappy by anticipating trouble. 
 
 A pious man often enjoys much of the hap- 
 piness of heaven by anticipation. 
 
 An tip a thy, n. so strong and fixed 
 a dislike to a thing, as to lead 
 a person, at once, to abhor and 
 shun it. 
 
 Persons have been known to have such an 
 antipathy to a cat, as to faint away at the sight 
 of one. 
 
 An tiq' ui ty, (an tiq we ty,) n. an- 
 cient times. 
 
 The temple of Solomon was one of the most 
 costly and beautiful buildings of antiquity. 
 
 what was made in ancient times, and 
 still continues. 
 
 The pyramids of Egypt are among the most 
 remarkable antiquities. 
 
 Anx' i e ty, (angz i e ty,) n. great 
 trouble or care about something 
 uncertain, or future. 
 
 When Joseph was sent to inquire after his 
 brethren, and did nbt return, Jacob had much 
 anxiety about him. 
 
 When the mother heard of the loss of the 
 ship, she felt very anxious with regard to her 
 son, lest he might not have been saved from 
 the wreck. 
 
 being very careful. 
 
 A good man had several orphan children left 
 
 21 APP 
 
 to his charge, and felt much anxiety to do his 
 duty towards them. 
 
 Jane seems always to be anxious to please 
 her mother. 
 
 A pol o gize, v. n. when a person has 
 done wrong, or is thought to have 
 done wrong, to give an excuse or 
 reason, to show why he ought not 
 to be blamed, or to be blamed less 
 than he is. 
 
 I took a letter out of the post-office and care- 
 lessly opened it. I apologized to the person 
 to whom it was directed. 
 
 He made an apology for coming late to din- 
 ner. 
 
 A pos tie, n. a person sent to do some 
 important business, and especially 
 one whom Christ sent out to preach 
 the Gospel. 
 
 Our Saviour chose twelve of his disciples to 
 be his apostles. 
 
 Ap pall, v. a. to dishearten and make 
 pale wjth great fear. 
 
 We read in the Book of Job, that when a 
 spirit passed before Eliphaz in the visions of 
 the night, fear and trembling came upon him, 
 which made all- his bones to shake, and the 
 hair of his flesh to stand up. He was greatly 
 appalled. 
 
 Ap pa rent, a. that which can easily 
 be seen. 
 
 Her love of praise is very apparent. 
 
 that which is not, but only seems 
 to be. 
 
 As we were sailing down the river in a 
 steam-boat, the trees on the shore seemed to 
 move rapidly by us. But they really did not. 
 Their motion was only apparent. 
 
 The accounts which the two boys gave were 
 thought at first to be very different, but when 
 they explained the matter it was found that 
 the contradiction was only apparent, and that 
 they agreed. 
 
 Ap peal, v. n. to call upon one or more 
 
APP 
 
 22 
 
 APP 
 
 for an opinion or declaration con- 
 cerning something, expecting that 
 it will be in our favor. 
 
 His account of what happened was doubted, 
 and he appealed to several who were there at 
 the time, to say whether he had not told the 
 truth. 
 
 The lawyer's appeal to the jury in behalf of 
 the prisoner, was very eloquent and affecting. 
 
 v. a. to carry a cause from one court 
 of justice to a higher one. 
 
 The case was appealed to the Supreme 
 Court of the United States. 
 
 Ap pear, v. n. to be in sight. 
 
 The fog broke suddenly away, and the sun 
 appeared. 
 
 The trees were covered with ice, sparkling 
 like diamonds, and had a most beautiful ap- 
 pearance. 
 
 to seem to be what it is not. 
 
 A fly seen through a microscope appears to 
 be much larger than it really is. 
 
 Ap pen dix, n. something added, usu- 
 ally to a book at its end. 
 
 Robertson's History of Scotland has a 
 w valuable appendix. 
 
 Ap pe tite, n. the desire of, or long- 
 ing after, that which is good or 
 pleasant. 
 
 A healthy child has a strong appetite for food. 
 The appetite for tobacco which many have, 
 is not a natural one. 
 
 He has a strong appetite for distinction. 
 We should learn to govern our appetites. 
 
 Ap plaud, v. a. to give praise to, often 
 in a strong and loud manner, as by 
 clapping and shouting. 
 
 It is much more common in England than 
 in this country, to applaud those who speak 
 in public. 
 
 Men often bestow their applauses, to-day, 
 upon those whom they will hiss, to-morrow. 
 
 Ap ply, v. a. to put one thing to 
 another. 
 
 The physician applied cold water to the 
 bruise, and the swelling soon abated. 
 
 If you wish to get a lesson well, you must 
 apply your mind closely to it. 
 
 His health was injured by too long and se- 
 vere application to business. 
 
 v. n. to suit or fit. 
 
 The anecdotes which he told were well cho- 
 sen ; they applied to the subject. . . 
 
 He was addressing young children, but 
 many of the remaps which he made were 
 more applicable to older persons than to 
 them. 
 
 to ask something from one. 
 
 The lame man at the gate of the temple, 
 applied to Peter and John for alms. 
 
 There were many applicants for admission 
 into school, but only a few could be received. 
 
 Ap point', v. a. to fix upon. 
 
 Mr. Jones appointed Saturday afternoon to 
 take his children to ride. 
 
 The master went out of the school, and ap- 
 pointed Edw r ard to be monitor while he was 
 gone. 
 
 The people were much pleased with his ap- 
 ■p ointment as post-master. 
 
 Ap pre ciate, v. a. to think of or re- 
 gard a thing as worth just what it 
 really is. 
 
 If men appreciated, as they ought, the good 
 which the Sabbath might do them, they would 
 keep it better. 
 
 Ap pre hend, v. a. to catch or seize a 
 person accused of doing wrong. 
 
 The man charged with theft fled into the 
 woods, but was soon apprehended. 
 
 to catch the meaning of. 
 
 He could not speak English, but I appre 
 hended from the motions which he made, that 
 he wanted food. 
 
 Jane easily and clearly understands what 
 she reads. She has a quick apprehension. 
 
 to think that a thing is probably so. 
 He is sick, but I apprehend he will soon 
 recover. 
 
 to have some fear of. 
 
 The captain of the ship apprehended that a 
 
AQU 
 
 storm was approaching, and had every thing 
 put in order to meet it. 
 
 Her mother is very apprehensive that she 
 may have the consumption. 
 
 Ap pren tice, n. one who goes to live 
 with another for the sake of learn- 
 ing a trade. 
 
 The apprentice is usually bound to work 
 for the master, tor a certain number of years ; 
 and the master is bound to provide for him, 
 and to instruct him in his trade. 
 
 Ap prise, v. a. to tell a person of 
 something which he ought soon to 
 know, 
 
 Paul's nephew apprised the Roman gover- 
 nor, that more than forty men had banded to- 
 gether to kill Paul. 
 
 Ap proach, v. n. to come, or go near. 
 
 The boys saw the cars on the rail-road ap- 
 proaching rapidly, and got out of the way. 
 
 At the approach of winter, many birds fly 
 from a colder to a warmer climate. 
 Ap prove, v. a. to like or be pleased 
 with. 
 
 I do not approve his plan of sending his son 
 to sea. 
 
 The approbation of God is better than the 
 praise ot men. 
 
 to speak of something as right or good. 
 
 The master approved the conduct of Sam- 
 uel before the whole school. 
 
 Apt, a. fit, or suited to. 
 
 His address at the meeting was full of apt 
 remarks. 
 
 to be in danger of, or exposed to. 
 
 An empty barrel left in the sun, is apt to 
 become leaky. 
 
 inclined to. 
 
 Robert is much too apt to laugh at little 
 things. 
 
 quick, ready. 
 
 He makes rapid progress in his studies. 
 He is a very apt scholar. 
 
 Aq' ue duct, (ak we duct,) n. a con- 
 veyance made for carrying water. 
 
 23 ARM 
 
 Ar' bi tra ry, (ar bi tra ry,) a. acting 
 or done without any fixed law and 
 according to mere will. 
 
 He was so arbitrary in his conduct, that he 
 found it difficult to get persons to work for him. 
 
 His government of his family was very ar- 
 bitrary, and at one time he would punish se- 
 verely what he would take no notice of at 
 another. 
 
 Arch, (arch,) n. part of a circle, and 
 not more than one half. — a part of 
 a building, or bridge, made in that 
 form. 
 
 Arch (arch,) a. chief, when used as 
 the first part of a compound word ; 
 as arch-bishop. — cunning and play- 
 fully roguish. 
 
 He is an arch boy, and makes a great deal 
 of sport among his playmates. 
 
 Ar' dor, (ar dor,) n. strong and warm 
 feeling. 
 
 Peter's ardor led him to say that he would 
 lay down his life for Christ's sake ; yet he 
 soon after denied him. 
 
 Though the two friends have not seen e«ch 
 other for a long time, their attachment is as ar- 
 dent as ever. 
 
 Ar' gue, (ar gu,) v. n. to try to show 
 by reasoning that a thing is so. 
 
 Charles wished to be a sailor. He tried to 
 make his father think that it was best. He 
 used one reason after another. He argued 
 a long time with his father, but did^^jt get his 
 consent. 
 
 The Bible is show T n to be true by a great 
 many strong arguments. 
 
 We expected a lively and entertaining ad- 
 dress, but it was rather argumentative and dull. 
 
 Arm, (arm,) n. a limb of the body. — a 
 narrow branch of the sea, running 
 up into the land. — might, power ; 
 as the arm of God, meaning the 
 power of God. 
 
ARR 
 
 Ar' mor, (ar mor,) n. that which was 
 worn in ancient times to defend 
 the body in battle. 
 
 A rouse', v. a. to wake suddenly from 
 sleep. 
 
 As the enemy were approaching, the cack- 
 ling of a goose aroused the soldiers and saved 
 the city of Rome. 
 
 to stir up to activity. 
 
 The news of the battle of Lexington soon 
 spread through the country, and aroused 
 the Americans to resistance against the 
 British. 
 
 Ar range, v. a. to put in proper order. 
 
 Frank spent a day in helping his father ar- 
 range the books in the library. 
 to adjust, to- settle. 
 
 They have arranged the matter so that their 
 disputes are at an end, and they are now as 
 good friends as ever. 
 
 The arrangements for the meeting were so 
 well made, that all were accommodated. 
 
 Ar ray, v. a. to arrange in regular 
 lines, as soldiers before a battle. 
 
 When the army was arrayed, the general 
 addressed his troops, and led them on to the 
 
 attack. 
 
 to dress in a beautiful and rich man- 
 ner. 
 
 Our Saviour says of the lilies, " that Solo- 
 mon in all his glory was not arrayed like one 
 of these." 
 
 Ar rest, v. a. to stop the motion of. 
 
 ThejAad not sailed far up the river, when 
 a sand-Bank arrested their progress. 
 
 to take or seize a person by order of 
 a public officer. 
 
 The judge ordered the sheriff to arrest the 
 man who behaved badly in the court -room, 
 and take him to prison. 
 to call off the attention from other 
 things, and fix it strongly upon one 
 thing. 
 
 While examining the beautiful flowers in 
 
 24 ART 
 
 the garden, my attention was arrested by the 
 sound of distant music. 
 
 Ar rive, v. n. to come to a certain 
 place. 
 
 The ship arrived at New York after a quick 
 passage from Liverpool. 
 
 The missionaries, on their arrival at the 
 Sandwich Islands, found that the people had 
 already begun to give up their idols. 
 
 Art, (art), n. the ability to do some- 
 thing skillfully which we have ac- 
 quired by practice, and which was 
 not born with us. 
 
 Charles has the art of writing well. When 
 he was four years old he could not write at all. 
 
 a set of particular directions, or rules, 
 to show how to do something in a 
 certain way, and which may be 
 followed without understanding the 
 reason of them; as the art of weav- 
 ing, the art of watch-making, the 
 art of music. 
 
 The art of printing was not known in an- 
 cient times. 
 
 the doing of something cunningly, 
 and not in an open and direct way. 
 
 • The serpent used much art in tempting Eve 
 to eat of the forbidden fruit. 
 
 He seemed to be a frank and honest man, 
 but yet was very artful. 
 
 A beggar pretended to be poor, sick, and 
 lame. He deceived the people, and was so 
 artful that he got a good deal of money. 
 
 The little girl pleased every body, her man- 
 ners were so artless. 
 
 Ar' ti fice, (ar ti fis,) n. something 
 done to mislead and deceive. 
 
 The prisoner dressed himself in his wife's 
 clothes, who was admitted to visit him, and by 
 this artifice escaped. 
 
 Ar ti fi' cial, (ar ti fish al,) a. made 
 by art. 
 The rose on her bonnet is artificial, but you 
 
ASS 
 
 can hardly tell it from one that grows on a 
 bush. 
 
 Art' ist, (art ist,) n. one who is well 
 skilled in an art ; as a musician, a 
 painter, a sculptor, and the like. 
 
 As cer tain, v. a. to find out certainly 
 what a thing is concerning which 
 there had been doubt. 
 
 They examined the hand-writing on the 
 bank-note, and ascertained that it was coun- 
 terfeit. 
 
 By sailing down the river Niger, Lander 
 ascertained where it emptied. 
 
 As crlbe, v. a. to say that one thing is 
 .the e fleet of another. 
 
 The man became crazy. His friends ascri- 
 bed his insanity to the loss of property, when, 
 in truth, intemperance was the cause of it. 
 
 to say that something belongs to a 
 person or thing in such a way that 
 they cannot be separated. 
 
 It is strange that the heathen can ascribe 
 any power to the gods of wood or stone which 
 they have made with their own hands. 
 
 The angels in heaven delight in the ascrip- 
 M tion of greatness and goodness to God. 
 
 As pect, n. look or appearance. 
 
 A lion when angry has a terrible aspect. 
 The aspect of the rising sun is bright and 
 cheerful. 
 
 placed so that one may see in a par- 
 ticular way. 
 
 The windows of the parlor have a western 
 aspect. 
 
 As pire, v. n. to pant after something 
 higher, to desire eagerly. 
 
 William aspired to be among the best schol- 
 ars in the school. 
 
 Absalom aspired to be king of Israel instead 
 of his father. 
 
 As sail, v. a. to attack or fall upon 
 suddenly and violently. 
 
 The mob assailed the house with great fury, 
 and broke the windows. 
 
 25 ASS 
 
 One man assailed another in the newspaper, 
 and wrote against him very bitterly. 
 
 The soldiers rushed out of the fort, and 
 drove back the assailants with great slaughter. 
 
 As sas sin, n. one who kills another 
 secretly and by surprise. 
 
 As sault, v. a. to assail, or attack vio- 
 lently. 
 
 The Bastile, a strong prison in Paris, was 
 assaulted by the mob, and torn down to the 
 ground. 
 
 As sem ble, v. a. to bring together 
 into one place. 
 
 Jacob, just before his death, assembled his 
 children around his bed, and gave them his 
 blessing. 
 
 v. n. to come together. . 
 
 The Israelites in the wilderness were accus- 
 tomed to assemble at the sound of the trumpet. 
 
 There was a great assembly of people at his 
 funeral. 
 
 As sent, v. n. not to contradict, but to 
 own that a thing is true. 
 
 Eliza assented to the truth of what her mo- 
 ther had been told about her misconduct. 
 
 We should give our hearty assent to all that 
 God teaches us in the Bible. 
 
 As sert, v. a. to say positively that a 
 thing is so. 
 
 He was charged with theft, but strongly as- 
 serted his innocence. He was so bad a man, 
 however, that his assertions were not believed. 
 
 to defend a right to a thing. 
 
 Samuel tried to get John's seat from him, 
 but he asserted his right to it and would not 
 let him take it. 
 
 As sign, v. a. to mark out for a par- 
 ticular person or purpose. 
 
 He assigned the prize for the best speaking 
 to Charles. 
 
 He failed in business, and assigned his 
 property to Mr. Jones for the benefit of his 
 • creditors. 
 
 Julia assigned as a reason for being late at 
 school, that her mother sent heron an errand. 
 
ASS 
 
 As sist, v. a. to stand by and aid a 
 person. 
 
 Aaron and Hur assisted Moses in holding 
 up his hands, while the Israelites were fight- 
 ing with the Amalekites. 
 
 Emma rendered great assistance to her mo- 
 ther in taking care of her sick sister. 
 
 The master had a school of one hundred, 
 without any assistant. 
 
 As so ciate, v. a. to join together in 
 company. 
 
 The father associated his son with him in 
 business. 
 
 v. n. to be frequently in company 
 with. 
 
 If you associate with the wicked, you will 
 be in great danger of being like them. 
 
 A boy was- so selfish and proud, that he 
 could get no one to be an associate with him. 
 
 A number of men formed a charitable associ- 
 ation for aiding the poor. 
 
 As sort, v. a. to sort or arrange into 
 classes things which are like each 
 other, or which are used together. 
 
 After opening his bales of goods, the mer- 
 chant and' his clerks assorted them, and put 
 them on the different shelves. 
 
 You will find all that you want at his shop, 
 for he has a large assortment. 
 
 As sume, v. a. to take upon one's 
 self. 
 
 When Nebuchadnezzar became like a 
 beast, his son Evil-merodach assumed the 
 government. 
 
 He assumed the debts of his friend and 
 agreed to pay them. 
 
 to take to one's self unjustly or im- 
 properly. 
 
 The crew rose against the captain, and as- 
 sumed the command of the ship. 
 
 As sum ing, a. acting as if superior 
 * to others, and having a right to 
 more than they. 
 
 He is young and knows but little, yet he is 
 very assuming among his associates. 
 
 26 ATT 
 
 As sure, (ash shur,) v. a. to assert 
 a thing in order to have another feel 
 sure that it is so. 
 
 When Peter stood at the gate, after being de- 
 livered from prison by the angel, the maid who 
 knew his voice ran in, and assured those who 
 were in the house that he was really there. 
 
 As su ranee, (ash shu ranee,) n. the 
 asserting of a thing in order to have 
 another feel sure that it is so. 
 
 He has given me the strongest assurances 
 of his friendship. 
 
 the being sure of a thing. 
 
 His book was but little thought of while he 
 lived, but he had a firm assurance that it 
 would be appreciated after his death. 
 
 want of modesty, the being too bold 
 and assuming. 
 
 He has so much assurance in his manners, 
 that it makes him very disagreeable. 
 
 As ton ish, v. a. to strike and con- 
 found the mind suddenly with 
 something fearful or wonderful. 
 
 When the Israelites saw the sun stand still 
 at the command of Joshua, they must have 
 been greatly as1 onished. 
 
 He was filled with astonishment, when he 
 _ first saw the ocean. 
 
 A the ist, n. one who thinks there is 
 
 no God. 
 A tone, v. a. to make amends for. 
 
 The boy lost much time in useless sport, 
 and is now striving to atone for it by studying 
 hard. 
 
 to do or suffer that which gets for of- 
 fenders the pardon and favor of the 
 person against whom they offend. 
 
 The Lord Jesus Christ came into our world, 
 to atone for our sins, and through his atonement 
 we may have peace with God. 
 
 At tach, v. a. to seize or take by law, 
 the body, or property of a person, 
 usually to answer for debt 
 
ATT 27 
 
 All his goods have been attached, and his 
 shop is shut up. 
 
 to bind closely to one in kind and 
 friendly feeling. 
 
 There was a good little girl to whom every- 
 body was attached, and they loved her be- 
 cause she loved every body. 
 
 The attachment of a dog to his master is 
 often very strong and affecting. 
 
 to tie or fasten one thing to another. 
 
 Edward attached a long tail to his kite. 
 
 At tack, v. a. to fall upon a person or 
 thing with violence, intending to 
 do an injury. 
 
 The English, under Captain Mason, attack- 
 ed the fort of the Pequod Indians, very early 
 in the morning, and destroyed it. 
 
 The large boys made a shameful attack upon 
 the smaller ones, and drove them from the 
 play-ground. 
 
 At tain, v. a. to reach after and get a 
 thing by effort. 
 
 Demosthenes labored hard to be a great 
 orator, and he attained his object. 
 v. n. to reach or arrive at by effort. 
 
 Stephen Girard was a poor boy, but by in- 
 dustry and enterprise he attained to great 
 wealth. 
 
 He is a self-taught man. His attainments 
 are wonderful. He understands twenty dif- 
 ferent languages. 
 
 At tempt, v. a. to try to do something, 
 to set about a thing in order to ac- 
 complish it. 
 
 Soon after the flood, men attempted to build 
 the tower of Babel, the top of which might 
 reach to heaven ; but the Lord defeated their 
 attempt. 
 
 At tend, v. a. to go or be with, usually 
 to help or serve. 
 
 Charles was too young to go to school 
 alone ; so his older brother attended him to 
 see that he got there safe. 
 
 The sick man was attended by a kind nurse. 
 
 Paii^ and weakness usually attend old age. 
 
 AUT 
 to be present at. 
 
 A great many persons attended the meetmsr. 
 
 All the scholars- were in attendance at the 
 opening of the school. 
 
 The king was surrounded by numerous at- 
 tendants richly dressed. 
 
 v. n. to turn the mind to, or to fix it 
 upon a thing. 
 
 David besought the Lord to attend to his cry. 
 
 He attends well to his business, and every 
 body is willing to trust him. 
 
 You must not expect to excel in any thing 
 without close attention. 
 
 Though Jane was a little girl, she was at- 
 tentive to the sermon, and could, iellagreat 
 deal about it when she got home. 
 
 At tract, v. a. to draw towards. 
 
 The load-stone attracts the needle. 
 
 The show of the wild animals attracted 
 many persons to see it. 
 
 The school-mistress attracts the children 
 to her by her kindness. They love her very 
 much. 
 
 The amusement of skating is very attractive 
 to boys. 
 
 A stone thrown into the air is made to fall 
 down by the earth's attraction. 
 
 At trib ute, v. a. to say that one thing 
 is caused by another. 
 
 The loss of the ship was attributed to the in 
 temperance of the captain. 
 
 to say that something belongs to a 
 person or thing in such a way that 
 they cannot be separated. 
 
 Great wisdom is attributed to Alfred, king 
 of England, in governing his people. 
 
 At'tri bute, n. something that insep- 
 arably belongs to a person or 
 thing. 
 
 To give out light is an attribute of the sun. 
 Omniscience, or to know all things, is one of 
 the attributes of God. 
 
 Au' thor, (au thor,) n. one who causes 
 a thing to be which was not 
 before. 
 
AVA 
 
 28 AWA 
 
 God created all worlds. He is the author of 
 the universe. 
 
 the beginner or first mover. 
 
 It was said throughout the city that the 
 President was dead. It was a false story, 
 and the author of it could not be found out. 
 
 one who writes or composes. 
 
 De Foe was the author of Robinson Crusoe. 
 
 one whose business is to write books. 
 
 There are many more authors in England 
 than in America. 
 
 A.u thor i ty, n. power to command, 
 or to act, which is received in a 
 proper and rightful way. 
 
 The authority which a parent has over his 
 children comes from God. 
 
 A captain has authority, by law, to make 
 the sailors do the work of a ship. 
 
 The wisdom, age, and piety of the prophet 
 Samuel gave him great authority with the 
 people. 
 
 The Bible is a book of divine authority. 
 We should believe and obey it. 
 
 Au' thor ize, (au thor ize,) v. a. to 
 give authority to. 
 
 God authorized Moses to lead the Israel- 
 ites out of Egypt to Canaan. 
 
 The watchmen are authorized to take up 
 those who make a disturbance at night. 
 
 He said the report did not come from him ; 
 it was false, and he never authorized it. 
 
 A vail, v. a. to be of use to, or to 
 turn to advantage. 
 
 He told many falsehoods, but they did not 
 avail him. He was found out and punished. 
 
 The honors of Haman availed him nothing, 
 he was so envious of Mordecai. 
 
 I availed myself of his kind offer to give me 
 letters of introduction to his friends. 
 
 v. n. to be of use. 
 
 He took a voyage to sea, but it did not avail 
 to restore him to health. 
 
 The farmer tried many ways of killing the 
 worms, but they were all of no avail. 
 
 Av a rice, n. a greedy and excessive 
 desire after money. 
 
 His avarice is so great that it leads him to 
 be dishonest. 
 
 An avaricious man is usually mean and de- 
 spised. 
 
 A venge, v. a. to punish justly for a - 
 wrong or injury done. 
 
 Our Saviour tells us of a widow who often 
 went to an unjust judge asking him to avenge 
 her of her adversary. 
 
 A verse, a. turning away from with 
 dislike. 
 
 He is averse to study, and never will make 
 a good scholar. 
 
 Very wicked men have a strong aversion to 
 reading the Bible. 
 
 A vert, v. a. to turn away from. 
 
 He averted his eyes from the sight, it was so 
 painful. 
 
 to turn aside or keep off. 
 
 When Sennacherib threatened to attack Je- 
 rusalem, the Lord averted the danger by de- 
 stroying his army. 
 A void', v.' a. to get away and keep 
 at a distance from. 
 
 Solomon says ; " Enter not into the path of 
 the wicked, — avoid it. Pass not by it. Turn 
 from it and pass away." 
 
 A vow', v. a. to declare openly with- 
 out fear or shame. 
 
 Samuel was among some wicked young 
 men who laughed at the Bible, but he was not 
 at all afraid to avow his belief in it. 
 
 He felt that he was innocent, and made a 
 frank avowal of all that he did. 
 
 A wait, v. a. to look for, to expect. 
 
 John stood at the door, and awaited the 
 approach of the stage coach which was to 
 carry him home. 
 
 He was told that he could not live long, 
 and awaited the hour of his death with great 
 ealmness. 
 
 to be laid up for, to be ready for. 
 
 Wherever LaFayette went, as he passed 
 through the United States, honors awaited 
 him. 
 
 A ware, a. knowing beforehand that 
 
BAP 
 
 something may happen, and which 
 we ought to be prepared to meet. 
 
 Nehemiahwas aware that Sanballat intend- 
 ed to attack the Jews, and commanded the 
 people to be armed while they were at work 
 on the walls. 
 
 Awe, (awe,) n. the feeling of deep 
 reverence and fear caused by 
 something great and terrible. 
 
 We should stand in awe of God, and sin not ; 
 for he is " God of gods, and Lord of lords." 
 
 The lava poured forth from the volcano, and 
 buried the city. It was an awful sight. 
 
 Awk' ward, (awk ward,) a. bungling, 
 not using the hands or tools skill- 
 fully and well. 
 
 Frank has a very awkward way of hold- 
 ing his pen, and I fear he will never make a 
 good writer. 
 
 moving the body and limbs in a dis- 
 agreeable and ungraceful manner. 
 
 He was very awkward in coming into the 
 room, in bowing to the company, and in ta- 
 king his seat. 
 
 B. 
 
 "Dack bite, v. a. to speak evil of a 
 
 person who is not present. 
 
 Badge, n. a mark worn by a person 
 
 to distinguish him in some way. 
 
 A piece of black crape on the arm is a 
 badge of mourning ; it shows that the per- 
 son who wears it has lost a friend. 
 
 The medal which hangs from Jane's neck 
 is a badge of merit ; it shows that she has 
 been a good girl at school. 
 
 Baf fie, v. a. to hinder or confuse one, 
 so. that he cannot do what he 
 wishes to do. 
 
 The wind blew so violently from the shore, 
 that it baffled all the attempts of the captain 
 to get his ship into the harbor, and he was 
 obliged to put out again to sea. 
 
 29 BAN 
 
 The fox ran this way and that, and crossed 
 the brook so many times, that the dogs lost 
 the scent and could not find his track. He 
 completely baffled them. 
 
 Bal ance, v. a. to make the two sides 
 of a pair of scales hang even. — 
 to make two accounts equal by 
 paying the difference between 
 them. 
 
 •John owed Robert ten cents for a top ; imd 
 Robert owed John four cents for some mar- 
 bles. John paid Robert six cents, and the ac- 
 count was balanced. 
 
 v. n. to be looking at what is best on 
 one side, and on the other side, 
 without coming to a choice. 
 
 When the prisoner was let out of jail, he 
 was seen standing in the road along time and 
 balancing which way he should go. 
 
 Bale ful, a. causing great sorrow or 
 injury. 
 
 The evils caused by intemperance are many 
 and baleful. 
 
 Ba/k, v. a. to hinder or keep one- 
 from doing a thing. 
 
 He was balked by the floating ice in 
 all his attempts to get the boat across the 
 river. 
 
 Ba/m y, a. soft and pleasant to the 
 feelings. 
 
 I waiked out in the fields on a fine May 
 morning, and breathed the sweet, balmy air. 
 
 After a long season of wakefulness, the 
 sick man fell into a gentle, balmy slumber. 
 
 Band, n. that which binds or ties 
 things together. 
 
 Edward bound his books together with a 
 leathern band, to carry them to school. 
 
 a company of persons joined and 
 acting together. # 
 
 Cornelius commanded a hundred Roman 
 soldiers, called " the Italian band." 
 
 The robbers banded together, and caused 
 great alarm among the people. 
 
BAR 
 
 30 
 
 BAR 
 
 LJ 
 
 Bane, n. a dangerous poison ; that 
 which injures or destroys. 
 
 Arsenic, a very poisonous thing, is a bane 
 used to kill rats. 
 
 Gambling has been the bane of many young 
 men. 
 
 To use opium, as the Turks and the Chi- 
 nese do, is a hateful practice. 
 
 Ban ish, v. a. to drive one from his 
 home and country, by authority of 
 the government. 
 
 A Greek being asked why he voted to banish 
 Aristides, replied ; " I do not even know him, 
 but it vexes me to hear him every where call- 
 ed the Just." Three years afterwards, when 
 Xerxes, the Persian king, came to attack 
 the Greeks with a large army, they feared 
 that Aristides might join the enemy, and they 
 called him back from his banishment. 
 
 to drive away from. 
 
 It is unwise to try to banish from our 
 minds the thought that we must die. 
 
 Ban ner, n. a flag used by soldiers, 
 or by ships of war, and sometimes 
 when people walk together on 
 public occasions. 
 
 The banner was raised to the top of the 
 staff, and could be seen at a great distance. 
 
 Ban ter, v. a. to laugh at and make 
 sport of a person in a joking, and 
 sometimes in a severe way* 
 
 John bantered Edward one day about his 
 manner of walking. He said he waddled just 
 like a duck. 
 
 Bar, 7i. a piece of wood or iron used 
 to fasten a door or gate, or in some 
 other way to keep people from en- 
 tering a place. 
 
 Samson at midnight took the gate of the 
 city of Gaza, and the two posts on his shoul- 
 ders, bar and all, and went away with them. 
 
 a bank of sand, or earth, in a river or 
 harbor, which it is difficult for ves- 
 sels to pass over. 
 
 They took a pilot on board, to conduct the 
 ship safely round the sand-bar. 
 
 any thing which interrupts or hinders 
 greatly. 
 
 He might have got along very successfully 
 in his business, but his indolence was a 
 great bar to it. 
 
 Bar ba rous,«. those people are called 
 barbarous, or barbarians, who have 
 no books and who do not write. 
 They live a little better than the 
 savages do. They get some food 
 by agriculture, and some of them 
 keep cattle and flocks of sheep. 
 They have a few tools and know 
 how to use them. They are far 
 below civilized people. 
 
 When Paul, on the island of Melita, shook 
 off, without having received any harm, the 
 viper which had fastened on his hand, the bar- 
 barians who saw it said that he was a god. 
 
 very cruel. 
 
 He was a barbarous man, to whip his poor 
 horse so when the load was too heavy for him 
 to draw. 
 
 Bar gain, n. the agreement which 
 persons make about the price of 
 something which is sold, or done. 
 
 In making bargains, take care to be strictly 
 honest, and to do to others as you would 
 have others do to you. 
 
 Bar ren, a. not bringing forth, not 
 producing. 
 
 The tree has abundance of leaves, but no 
 fruit has ever grown upon it. It is barren. 
 
 Arabia is full of sandy, barren deserts. 
 
 He cannot read or write. He does not 
 love to think much. What he. says has very 
 little meaning. He has a barren mind. 
 
 Bar ri er, n. something put in a place 
 to hinder persons from going any 
 further. 
 The soldiers cut down the tall trees, so 
 
BEA 
 
 that they fell across the road, and formed a 
 barrier to the approach of the enemy. 
 
 The great wall of China was built as a bar- 
 rier to keep off the attacks of the Tartars. 
 
 Bar ter, v. a. to exchange one thing 
 for another in the way of trade. 
 
 Frank was a foolish boy, he bartered away 
 a pretty, new book for some sugar candy. 
 
 If we had no money it would be very in- 
 convenient, for we should have to do all our 
 trading by barter. 
 
 Base, n. the bottom of a thing, or that 
 part of it on which it stands. 
 
 The base of the largest pyramid in Egypt, 
 covers about thirteen acres of ground. 
 
 Base, a. very low, mean, and vile. 
 
 The conduct of Judas in betraying Christ, 
 was exceedingly base. 
 
 Bash ful, a. very modest with a down- 
 cast look, fearing to speak and act 
 before others. 
 
 Eliza was a bashful little girl. When her 
 mother had company, she was afraid to come 
 into the room ; but it was better for her to be' 
 too bashful than too bold. 
 
 Bask, v. n. to lie s« as to be receiv- 
 ing; heat. 
 
 Early in the spring, the snakes crawl out 
 from their holes, and love to bask in the sun. 
 
 Beach, n. the flat, sandy shore of the 
 sea, or a lake. 
 
 The beach was so smooth and hard, that 
 they rode on it in carriages for several miles. 
 
 Bea con, n. something placed high, 
 so as to be easily seen, to give 
 warning of danger. 
 
 Light-houses are erected all along our 
 coast as beacons, so that the sailors may see 
 them in the dark night, and know which is 
 the safe course for the ship to take. 
 
 Beam, n. a large piece of timber pre- 
 pared for use. — a long, straight line 
 of light coming from the sun, or 
 from some other body which shines. 
 
 31 BEC 
 
 The sun is ninety-five millions of fnileg 
 from the earth, and yet its beams reach us in 
 about eight minutes. 
 
 v. n. to give out beams of light. 
 
 Though the sun has been beaming nearly 
 six thousand years, it has lost none of its 
 brightness. How great must be the God who 
 made it. 
 
 Bear, v. a. to bring forth, to produce. 
 
 Fig-trees in a warm climate bear fruit sev- 
 eral times each year. 
 
 to carry from one place to another. 
 
 In the East, the attendants of rich men 
 bear them on their shoulders in palanquins. 
 
 to be strong and patient under suffer- 
 ing. 
 
 Job bore his great afflictions so well, that 
 the Bible speaks of him as a striking exam- 
 ple of patience. 
 
 Beau ti ful, a. that which is highly 
 pleasing, especially to the eye. 
 
 The rose is among the most beautiful flowers. 
 
 The evening star, shining with its clear and 
 silvery light in the western sky, is beautiful. 
 
 It was a beautiful thought of a deaf-mute, 
 that Gratitude is the memory of the heart. 
 
 A dutiful daughter taking care of an aged 
 and feeble mother with great kindness and at- 
 tention, is a beautiful sight. 
 
 Beauty of countenance will soon fade, it 
 is foolish therefore to be vain of it. 
 
 Be caZm, v. a. to make quiet, to put 
 at rest. 
 
 The wind had died away. The sea was 
 as smooth as glass, and the ship was becalm- 
 ed for several days. 
 
 Beck on, v. n. to make a motion, in 
 order to attract attention, or to give 
 a hint or meaning. 
 
 Sarah was at a great distance from *he 
 house, and her mother, who stood at the 
 window, beckoned to her to come in. 
 
 Be come', (be kum,) v. n. to come to 
 be what a person or thing was not 
 before. 
 
BEH 
 
 32 
 
 Joseph was sold as a slave by his breth- 
 ren, and afterwards became governor of Egypt. 
 
 v. a. to fit, to agree with, or be suit- 
 able to. 
 
 She was an old lady, and her simple, plain 
 dress became her much. 
 
 Henry has had great advantages, and it be- 
 comes him to conduct well. 
 
 Light and trifling behavior is not becoming 
 in the house of God. 
 
 Be fall, v. a. to happen to. 
 
 Paul went fearlessly to Jerusalem, though 
 he did not know what things would befall him 
 there. 
 
 Be fit, v. a. to fit, to become, to be 
 suitable to. 
 
 To give so much time to amusements, is 
 not befitting a person of his age. 
 
 Be guile, v. a. to deceive in an artful 
 and alluring manner. 
 
 A wicked man invited a young lad to go 
 with him and play cards, telling him how pleas- 
 ant it would be, and how easily he could get 
 much money in that way. He beguiled him 
 to his ruin, for the lad became a gambler. 
 
 to amuse one, so as to cause that 
 which would otherwise be disa- 
 greeable to be forgotten, or but 
 little thought of. 
 
 The passage in the steam-boat was long, 
 and would have been tedious, if we had not 
 beguiled the time with reading and pleasant 
 conversation. 
 
 Be ha/f, n. for the benefit. of. . 
 
 He went round to collect money in behalf 
 of the orphan children. 
 
 instead of. 
 
 He was sick and could' not attend to the 
 business. He sent another person to act in 
 his behalf. 
 
 Be have, v. n. to show out the 
 thoughts and feelings, when with 
 others, in a good or bad way. 
 
 Robert is still, attentive, studious, and obe- 
 dient at school. He behaves well. 
 
 BEN 
 
 Charles was noisy, rude, and even got an- 
 gry when his sisters had some little girls to 
 visit them. He behaved badly. 
 
 When David was at Gath, being afraid 
 of King Achish, he changed his behavior, and 
 acted like a mad-man. 
 
 Be hold, v.a.io look at for some time. 
 
 When Christ came near Jerusalem, he be- 
 held the city and wept over it. 
 
 Be hold en, a. held or bound to be 
 grateful to another for some bene- 
 fit. 
 
 James was an orphan boy, and is much be- 
 holden to Mr. Smith for setting him up in bu- 
 siness. 
 
 Be hoove, v. a. to be fit for, to be ne- 
 cessary to, to be advantageous to, 
 
 to be a duty. 
 
 A father wrote to his son that it behooved 
 him to be very economical, as he could not 
 afford to let him have much money. 
 
 Be h'eve, v. a. to think and feel that 
 something is certainly true which 
 we have not ourselves seen or 
 known, because some one tells us 
 that it is so,- or because we have 
 other good reasons to think that it 
 is so. 
 
 We believe that there were such men as 
 Alexander and Cesar, though they lived long 
 before we were born. 
 
 Elizabeth believed her mother when she 
 told her that the medicine would do her good, 
 and took it although it was very disagreeable. 
 
 The belief of Abraham in what God told 
 him, was so strong that he was called the 
 friend of God. 
 
 v. n. to put trust in. 
 
 Our Saviour said to his disciples, "Ye be- 
 lieve in God, believe also in me." 
 
 " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
 thou shalt be saved." 
 
 Ben e fac tor, n. one that does good 
 to another. 
 
BER 33 
 
 If you would be happy, strive to be a ben- 
 efactor of your fellow-men. 
 
 Be nef i cence, n. doing good to oth- 
 ers. 
 
 It is not enough to say that we wish well to 
 others, we must show that we do so by our be- 
 neficence. 
 
 She is always visiting the sick and the 
 poor, and doing something to relieve them. 
 She is truly a beneficent woman. 
 
 Ben e fit, n. a good done us, advan- 
 tage, profit. 
 
 He rode early every morning for the ben- 
 efit of his health. 
 
 We ought to be thankful to the Lord, 
 " who daily loadeth us with benefits." 
 
 The trade of the city has been greatly bene- 
 fitted by the rail -road. 
 
 It is very beneficial to the young, to be often 
 in the company of older and wiser persons. 
 
 Be nev o lence, n. the love and de- 
 sire of doing good. 
 
 True benevolence always shows itself, 
 when it has the ability to do so, in active be- 
 neficence. 
 
 Christ has taught us to be benevolent even 
 to our enemies. 
 
 Be nl>n, a. kind in a gentle and con- 
 descending manner. 
 
 LaFayette accosted, in a most benign man- 
 ner, the old soldier who had served under him. 
 
 The countenance of the venerable man was 
 full of benignity, as he looked upon his 
 grand-children at their sports. 
 
 Be queath, v. a. to give by will, to 
 leave something to others which 
 they are to have after our death. 
 
 They found a will after his d^ath, in which 
 he had bequeathed half of his property to his 
 wife, and the other half to his four children, 
 to be equally divided between them. ' 
 
 Be reave, v. a. to take from, so that 
 the loss is great and afflictive. 
 
 When the sons of Jacob wished to carry- 
 Benjamin down to Egypt, he said to them, 
 " Me ye have bereaved of my children ; Jo- 
 
 3 
 
 BES 
 
 seph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will 
 take Benjamin away." 
 
 His only son was drowned, but he bore the 
 bereavement like a christian. 
 
 Be seech, v. a. to pray or ask, with 
 strong feeling and with earnest- 
 ness. 
 
 When Coriolanus drew near the city of 
 Rome to destroy it, the inhabitants sent out 
 his mother, wife, and children to beseech 
 him not to do it. He granted their request. 
 
 Be set, v. a. to surround and trouble, 
 or threaten with danger. 
 
 He was beset by robbers in the woods, 
 was wounded, and escaped with difficulty. 
 
 The man who brought the news was be- 
 set with so many questions by the crowd who 
 gathered round him, that he did not know 
 what to say. 
 
 Be siege, v. a. to surround or block 
 up a place with soldiers in order to 
 take it. 
 
 The united forces of the Americans and 
 French besieged Yorktown, and took Corn- 
 wallis and the English army prisoners. 
 
 Be speak, v. a. to speak for, or en- 
 gage beforehand. 
 
 He bespoke his passage in the ship three 
 weeks before he sailed. 
 
 to foretell. 
 
 The circle round the moon bespeaks a 
 storm soon. 
 
 Be stir, v. a. to cause to move in a 
 lively and quick manner. 
 
 Charles got up late, and bestirred himself 
 that he might get to school in season. 
 
 Be stow, v. a. to give freely to some 
 one who needs or desires the fa- 
 vor, or to some thing which needs 
 care and attention. 
 Paul says, " Though I bestow all my 
 . goods to feed the poor, — and have not char 
 ity, it profiteth me nothing." 
 
 She bestows a great deal of time and la- 
 bor upon the education of her children. 
 
BIG 
 
 to lay up in store. 
 
 Gehazi bestowed in the house the pres- 
 ents which he received from Naaman. 
 
 Be take, v. a. to take or apply to. 
 
 The boy was so much alarmed at the sight 
 of the bear, that he betook himself to flight. 
 
 He was formerly very indolent, but has 
 lately betaken himself to study with great 
 diligence. 
 
 Be tray, v. a. to be guilty of not keep- 
 ing that which others have trusted 
 to us. 
 
 Charles betrayed the secret which Henry 
 told him, by letting all his companions know it. 
 
 An officer who had the command of a 
 fort, was bribed by the enemy and betrayed 
 it into their hands. 
 
 to do that which shows what would 
 otherwise have been concealed. 
 
 He blushed and hesitated, and thus be- 
 trayed his guilt. 
 
 Be wail, v. a. to give vent to deep 
 grief by sounds or words. 
 
 She bewailed the death of her child with 
 loud sobs and groans. 
 
 Be ware, v. n. to be very careful and 
 cautious with regard to what may 
 injure us. 
 
 The father warned his son to beware of 
 idleness, because the idle are exposed to 
 many temptations. 
 
 Bl as, n. a strong and fixed lean- 
 ing of the mind in favor of, or in 
 opposition to, some person or 
 thing. 
 
 The attachment of the mother to her chil- 
 dren caused in her such a bias in their favor, 
 that she could not see their faults. 
 
 That a judge may give a right decision, 
 he should never be biased against either one 
 party or the other. 
 
 Big ot, n. one who is so unreasonably 
 and obstinately attached to his own 
 narty or opinions, that he treats 
 
 34 BLA 
 
 those who differ from him with 
 great harshness and contempt. 
 Bill, n. a written account of things, 
 for which usually money is to be 
 paid. 
 
 A merchant sent the goods, with a bill of 
 them, to the man who had bought them. 
 
 a paper in which some law is drawn 
 up to be laid before the legislature 
 for them to enact, if they see fit to 
 do it. 
 
 Bind, v. a. to put something round 
 other things in such a way as to 
 hold them tight together. 
 
 The hoops bind together the staves of a 
 barrel. 
 
 to unite persons closely together in 
 affection, or for some common pur- 
 pose. 
 
 David and Jonathan were bound together 
 by a strong friendship. 
 
 When we ought to do a thing, we say we 
 are bound to do it. 
 
 James is bound to love and be grate- 
 ful to his uncle, who has done so much for 
 him. 
 
 The witness is bound by his oath to tell 
 the truth. 
 
 Bi 6g ra phy, n. an account of the 
 life and character of a particular 
 person. 
 
 Bit ter, a. tasting like wormwood.— 
 sharp, cruel, severe ; as a bitter 
 cold storm, bitter hatred, bitter af- 
 fliction. * 
 
 When the little girl received the news 
 of the death of her mother, she wept bitter- 
 ly- 
 Blame, v. a. to find fault with a per- 
 son. 
 
 The master blamed the boy for not taking 
 care of his book. 
 
BLE 
 
 It was Benjamin who did the mischief, but 
 he tried to throw the blame upon Samuel. 
 
 The Bible calls upon Christians to be found 
 without spot and blameless. 
 
 Blank, a. white, without any thing 
 written, printed, or drawn upon it. 
 
 Frank has taken a small blank book with 
 him, and intends to fill it up with an account 
 of his journey. 
 
 pale, confused. 
 
 He was charged all at once with having 
 set the house on fire, when another man did 
 it, and it made him look very blank. 
 
 Blank-verse is poetry having measure with- 
 out rhyme ; as Cowper, speaking of his tame 
 hare, says : 
 
 " If I survive thee, I will dig thy grave ; 
 
 And, when I place thee in it, sighing, say, 
 
 I knew, at least, one hare that had a friend." 
 
 Bias pheme, v. a. to speak evil of 
 God in a reproachful and very- 
 wicked manner. 
 
 Blast, n. the wind rushing suddenly 
 and strongly. 
 
 A blast of wind passed over the corn and 
 bent the stalks rb the ground. 
 
 the sound made by some wind instru- 
 ments. 
 
 He blew a loud blast on the trumpet. 
 
 a disease in plants. # 
 
 His grain has been much injured by the 
 blast. 
 
 Blast, v. a. to cause to wither by some 
 deadly influence. 
 
 Pharaoh dreamed that seven ears of corn, 
 thin, withered, and blasted by the east wind, 
 sprung up after seven good ears, and devour- 
 ed them. 
 
 to injure greatly, to cause to fail. 
 
 He was dealing largely in cotton, when a 
 sudden fall in the price blasted all his expec- 
 tations of making a great sum of money. 
 
 Bleak, a. bare, open to the wind and 
 cold. 
 The house stood on the top of a hill, and 
 
 35 
 
 BLf 
 
 had no trees round it. It was a very bleax 
 situation. 
 
 Blem ish, n. a spot, defect, or deform- 
 ity, which injures the appearance 
 or value of a thing. 
 
 The lambs which the Israelites offered 
 up in sacrifice, were required to be without 
 blemish. 
 
 The most violent enemies of Christ have 
 never been able to find a blemish in his char- 
 acter. 
 
 Blend, v. a. to bring or put things to- 
 gether in such a way, that it is 
 more or less difficult to distinguish 
 between them. 
 
 The seven colors, red, orange, yellow, green, 
 blue, indigo, and violet, are beautifully blend- 
 ed in the rainbow. » 
 
 The affections of the two friends were blend- 
 ed in a warm and lasting attachment. 
 
 Bless, v. a. to utter a wish or prayer 
 that one may be prosperous and 
 happy. 
 
 The father blessed his son who was going 
 on a long voyage, and prayed that he might 
 return in safety. 
 
 to give prosperity and happiness to. 
 
 The Lord blessed the latter end of Job 
 more than his beginning, even in the things of 
 this life; so that he had abundance of wealth. 
 
 It is a great blessing to have a pious father 
 and mother. 
 
 to praise God. 
 
 David said, " I will bless the Lord at all 
 times ; his praise shall continually be in my 
 mouth." 
 
 to set apart for the service of God, 
 and to cause to be a great blessing. 
 
 " The Lord blessed the Sabbath-day, and 
 hallowed it." 
 
 Blight, i). a. to blast, to injure the 
 growth or success of. 
 
 He had great advantages, but his bad conduct 
 and extravagance soon blighted all his pros- 
 pects. 
 
fiLU 
 
 30 
 
 BOD 
 
 Bltss, n. happiness of the highest 
 kind, such as is enjoyed in heaven. 
 
 Block, n. a short, heavy piece of 
 wood, or of marble.— something 
 put in the way that stops or hin- 
 ders. 
 
 The snow was so deep, that it completely 
 blocked up our path. 
 
 Block ade, v. a. to block up a place 
 so completely, by an enemy's ships 
 or soldiers, that no one can enter 
 or leave it with safety. 
 
 Blood, (bifid,) n. the red fluid which 
 circulates in the bodies of ani- 
 mals. — kindred among those who 
 have the same common ancestor. 
 
 They are related to each other by blood, hav- 
 ing the same great grandfather. 
 
 the state of feeling which one is in. 
 
 There was nothing done to provoke him. 
 He was not angry. He deliberately killed the 
 man for his money. He committed the mur- 
 der in cold blood. 
 
 Bloom, n. the flowers of a tree, or 
 plant, when fully unfolded. 
 
 The apple-trees were in bloom, and the air 
 was filled with fragrance. 
 
 Bloom ing, a. unfolding its blossom ; 
 showing youthful health and vigor. 
 
 Death cuts down the gay and the blooming, 
 as well as the feeble and aged. 
 
 Blus ter, v. n. to be loud and noisy in 
 a swaggering and boisterous man- 
 ner. 
 
 It is very often the case that the person who 
 blusters the most, is the greatest coward. 
 
 to blow, as the wind sometimes does, 
 in a noisy, irregular and boisterous 
 manner. 
 
 ' The day was so blustering, that the little 
 children did not go abroad. 
 
 Board, n. along thin piece of timber, 
 usually made so by sawing. — the 
 taking of food regularly at a cer- 
 tain place, and paying for it. — a 
 company of men who are associa- 
 ted and meet together, from time to 
 time, to do business ; as the Board of 
 Directors of an Orphan Asylum 
 
 Board, v. a. to attack and enter a ship 
 by force. 
 
 The captain ran his ship along side of the 
 enemy's ; and his men boarded it, and took it. 
 
 to furnish food regularly at a certain 
 price. 
 
 He boards the men who are at work on the 
 bridge, and they pay him every month. 
 
 Boast, v. n. for a person to talk in a 
 vain manner about something which 
 he has — or has done or can do, so 
 as to make others think very high- 
 ly of him. 
 
 Samuel boasted that he had said his lesson 
 without making one mistake, though his older 
 brother helped him to get it the evening before. 
 
 A truly great man is modest, and is not 
 boastful if he has to speak of himself. 
 
 Bod y, n. the bones, flesh, and other 
 parts, which taken together, make 
 up the frame of man, and of other 
 animals.— matter, and not soul or 
 spirit.— that which we can see, 
 touch, or handle. 
 
 At death the spirit leaves the body. 
 
 a number of persons united for some 
 particular purpose. 
 
 Napoleon marched, in 1812, to conquer 
 Russia, with an immense body of soldiers, bui 
 was defeated. 
 
 the main part of a thing ; as the bo- 
 dy of a tree. 
 
BOU 
 
 37 
 
 BRA 
 
 Bois' ter cms, a. noisy, loud, turbulent. 
 
 When Peter, who was walking on the water 
 to go to Christ, saw that the wind was bois- 
 terous, he was afraid ; and beginning to sink, 
 he cried, " Lord, save me." 
 
 Henry was told not .to come into the room 
 in so boisterous a manner, for it disturbed his 
 sister who was sick. 
 
 Bold, a. ready to go forward and meet 
 danger, in speaking or acting, 
 whenever it ought to be done. 
 
 He who has right on his side, should always 
 be bold in the defense of it. 
 
 impudent, rude. 
 
 Her manners were so bold as to be very- 
 disagreeable. 
 
 Bond, 'n. any thing that binds. 
 
 Samson was so strong, that he easily burst 
 the bonds with which he was bound. 
 
 It is a lovely family ; the parents and chil- 
 dren appear to be strongly united in the bonds 
 of Christian affection. 
 
 Bond age, n. the being unjustly de- 
 prived of liberty, and compelled in 
 an oppressive manner to labor for 
 others. 
 
 The Egyptians made the lives of the Isra- 
 elites bitter with hard bondage in mortar, and 
 in brick, and in all manner of service in the 
 field. 
 Booty, 11. that which is taken from 
 an enemy in war, or by robbery 
 and violence. 
 
 The Arabs attacked the caravan in the des- 
 ert, and carried off the camels, and all with 
 which they were loaded. It was a rich booty. 
 
 Bound, n. the point or line which 
 any thing comes up to, and beyond 
 which it does not go, or ought not 
 t to go. 
 
 They agreed where the bound of the lot 
 should be on its north side, and set up stones 
 to mark it. 
 
 The ambition of Alexander was without 
 bound 
 
 a quick spring or jump. 
 
 He ran, and one bound carried hua over 
 the fence. 
 
 Bound, v. a. to fix the bound of. 
 
 Connecticut is bounded on the north by 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 He is so eager to acquire wealth, that it 
 seems as if he could not bound his desires 
 after it. 
 v. n. to spring or jump quickly. 
 
 The deer bounded lightly over the fields, 
 and was soon out of sight. 
 
 Bound' a ry, n. some fixed mark to 
 point out a bound. 
 
 A stone fence is the boundary between the 
 two farms. 
 
 A part of the Ohio river forms the boundary 
 between the States of Ohio and Kentucky. 
 Bound' less, a. without bound. 
 
 Go as far as you may in any direction, and 
 you can still go farther. Space is boundless. 
 The goodness of God is boundless. 
 
 Boun' ty, n. giving freely and benev- 
 olently. 
 
 The bounty of God towards his creatures 
 is great and constant. t 
 
 the thing which is given freely and 
 benevolently. 
 
 The farmers gathered in large crops of 
 wheat. It w r as a rich bounty of a kind Prov- 
 idence. 
 
 He is a very bountiful man, and gives a 
 great deal to the poor in his neighborhood. 
 Branch, n. a small part of a tree, 
 shooting out from a larger part. 
 
 The trunk of the tree rose fifty feet before 
 any branches came from it. 
 
 a smaller stream running into a larger 
 one. 
 
 The Ohio river is one of the branches of 
 the Mississippi. 
 
 Persons who come from the same ancestor, 
 are said to be branches of his family. 
 
 He came from England two hundred years 
 ago, and his descendants have branched out 
 into a great many families. 
 
BRI 38 
 
 Brand, n. a piece of wood partly 
 burned. — a mark made by burning 
 with a hot iron. 
 
 The brand on the box was the name of the 
 person to whom it belonged. 
 
 Criminals have sometimes been branded on 
 the forehead, to show that they have done 
 something very wicked. 
 
 Brand ish, v. a. to raise and move a- 
 bout quickly in various directions. 
 
 He frightened the smaller boys by brandish- 
 ing the bat, as if he was about to strike them. 
 
 Brave, a. ready, if necessary, to en- 
 counter or seek any danger, with 
 a fearless and resolute spirit. 
 
 Jonathan was truly a brave man, he and his 
 armor-bearer went alone to attack a garrison of 
 the Philistines, and destroyed many of them. 
 
 The Greeks in their struggles against the 
 Turks, showed a^great deal of bravery. 
 
 The sailors braved the storm with great firm- 
 ness, and brought the ship safely into port. 
 
 Brawl, n. a noisy and low quarrel. 
 
 If there are sometimes brawls in the street, 
 tfcere should be peace at home. 
 
 Breach, n. an opening made by vio- 
 lence. 
 
 The heavy rains made a breach in the 
 banks of the canal, and the water ran out 
 over the meadows. 
 
 The breaking or disobeying of a law, — the 
 breaking of a promise, — the separation of 
 friends by a quarrel, are called breaches. 
 
 Breed, v. a. to give birth to animals ; 
 as, a hen breeds chickens.— to pro- 
 duce, or cause to be, gradually. 
 
 A want of cleanliness often breeds disease. 
 If the scholars in a school are disobedient 
 to the master, it is sure to breed trouble. 
 
 Bribe, n. something given to a person, 
 to lead him to say or to do what is 
 wrong. 
 
 He Kave the witness ten dollars, as a bribe, 
 lo get him to swear to what was not true. 
 
 BRO 
 
 The great lord Bacon, when a judge, was 
 sometimes bribed to give an unjust decision. 
 
 Bnef, a. short, not drawn out into 
 many words or sentences ; . usually 
 applied to what is said or written, 
 or to portions -of time. 
 
 His letters are brief, but full of meaning. 
 He spoke well, and the only fault found 
 with his address was its brevity. 
 
 Brill' iant, (bril yant,) a. shining with 
 a bright and sparkling light ; as the 
 stars in a clear winter's night, or a 
 diamond in a lady's ring, or the 
 trees covered with icicles in the 
 bright sun of the morning. 
 
 He wrote a composition which contained 
 many brilliant" thoughts. 
 
 Brink, n. the edge of any deep or 
 steep place ; as the brink of a well, 
 of a precipice, of a river. 
 
 Brisk, a. lively, active, sprightly. 
 
 The little lambs were brisk, and skipped 
 about the field. 
 
 The boys had a holyday, and played briskly 
 at ball all the afternoon. 
 
 Brit tie, a. easily broken short off, and 
 into parts ; as glass, a pipe, an 
 icicle. 
 
 Broach, v. a. to make a hole in, or to 
 tap, in order to let out a liquid. — 
 to let out, or make known a secret, 
 or something which was before un- 
 known. 
 
 The opinion has been broached that the 
 earth is hollow, and that it is possible to get 
 inside of it. 
 
 Broil, n. a quarrel accompanied with 
 noise, heat, and confusion. 
 
 A dispute about a little land which was 
 scarcely worth any thing, kept the two fami- 
 lies in a continual broil. 
 
BUL 
 
 Brood, v. rt. to sit over and warm, in 
 order to hatch ; as a hen broods 
 over her eggs. — to think of, a long 
 time, carefully and anxiously. 
 
 He met with many troubles, and brooded 
 over them so much, that his friends were 
 afraid he would become deranged. 
 
 Brow, n. the arch of hair over the 
 eye, called the eye-brow. — the 
 forehead. — the edge of any high 
 place, as the brow of a hill. 
 Brunt, n. the hottest and most violent 
 part, of a contest. 
 
 There was a great slaughter among the sol- 
 diers who bore the brunt of the battle. 
 
 the chief part of the force of a blow, 
 of a storm, or of a shock of any 
 kind. 
 
 The brunt of the storm fell on the west 
 part of the town, and unroofed many houses. 
 
 Brfi tal, a. very cruel and inhuman, 
 like a wild animal or brute. # 
 
 He came home intoxicated, and turned his 
 family out of doors in a cold winter's night, 
 in a most brutal manner. 
 
 Brfi tish, a. ignorant, stupid, unfeel- 
 ing like a brute. 
 
 " He that hateth reproof is brutish." 
 
 Buf fet, v. a. to beat or strike with the 
 hand or fist. 
 
 The waves ran high, but the sailor buffet- 
 ed them manfully, and at length reached the 
 shore. 
 
 Bulk, n. size, quantity, usually in a 
 considerable degree. 
 
 He was a man of great bulk, and weighed 
 about four hundred pounds. 
 
 the larger part. 
 
 He owned some land, but the bulk of his 
 property was in houses which he rented. 
 
 The box containing his books was bulky, 
 and took up a great deal of room. 
 
 39 
 
 BUS 
 
 Bui wark, n. a bank »f earth raised 
 to defend a place from the attack 
 of an enemy. — any great and pow- 
 erful means of defense, as, the 
 navy of Great Britain is her bul- 
 wark. 
 Bun gle, v. n. to do a thing in a clum- 
 sy, unskillful manner, not like a 
 workman. 
 
 The master set him to draw a map on the 
 blackboard, but he held the chalk so loosely in 
 his fingers, and let the rule slip out of its place 
 so often, and drew the lines so badly, and 
 bungled in so many othei Kms that he made 
 all the school laugh at him.* 
 
 Bur den, n. a thing which is car- 
 ried. 
 
 Camels carry very heavy burdens across 
 the desert. 
 
 something which is borne with labor 
 or difficulty. 
 
 He lost his whole family in a few weeks, 
 and the burden of his grief was so great, that 
 it seemed as if he would sink under it. 
 
 something often repeated in conver- 
 sation or writing, because it is felt 
 deeply. 
 
 He finds fault with his friends, because 
 they did not give him the advantages of an 
 early education, and this is the burden of his 
 complaint whenever I see him.# 
 
 Bus' i ness, (biz ness,) n, that which 
 a man does, day after day, to get a 
 living, or in some other way to 
 benefit himself. 
 
 His former business was that of a merchant, 
 but now he is a farmer. 
 
 something that is done at a particular 
 time. 
 
 The only business which he had to do in 
 the city, was to go to the Post-QfBcs,. 
 
CAM 
 
 the right to say, or to do some partic- 
 ular thing. 
 
 He says many things about the man with 
 whom he lives which he has no business to say. 
 
 Butt, n. a point to be shot at, or to- 
 wards which some effort is direct- 
 ed. — one that is made sport of by 
 those in company with him. — the 
 push which an animal makes with 
 his head against something. — the 
 larger end of a plank or stick. — a 
 large cask. 
 
 % C. 
 
 f^a lam i ty, n. a very great, sudden, 
 ^ and destructive evil, in most 
 
 cases not caused by any thing 
 
 which men do. 
 
 The river rose rapidly in the night, and car- 
 ried off the house of the poor family and all 
 that it contained, while they barely escaped 
 with their lives. It was a great calamity to 
 them. 
 
 The earthquake which destroyed a great 
 part of the city of Lisbon in the year 1755, 
 was a terrible calamity ; ten thousand persons 
 were killed. 
 Cairn, a. not agitated, still. 
 
 The sun shone bright after the storm. The 
 wind had died away. The leaves on the trees 
 scarcely moved. It was calm. 
 
 When Christ and some of his followers 
 were in a little ship during a violent tempest, 
 he rebuked the winds and the waves, ■ and 
 there was a great calm. 
 
 When persons are angry with us, we should 
 try to calm their feelings, by speaking kindly 
 to them. 
 
 Camp, n. the place in which tents are 
 
 arranged for soldiers to lodge in. 
 Cam paigTi, n. the time during which, 
 
 40 CAP 
 
 day after day, an army is march- 
 ing, fighting, or in camp ready for 
 action. 
 
 As the severe cold weather came on, both 
 armies went into v/inter quarters, to remain 
 there till the spring, before they should again 
 attack each other. In this way the first cam- 
 paign ended. 
 Can did, a. free from any wrong 
 bias, — thinking, judging and speak- 
 ing, truly and justly. 
 
 He was very candid in admitting that what 
 was said was true, although it made directly 
 against himself. 
 
 He always speaks of others as well as he 
 can, and never finds fault with them, unless he 
 thinks there is a good reason for doing so. 
 He is much esteemed for his candor. 
 
 Can di date, n. one who offers him- 
 self, or whom others name, to be 
 chosen to some office. 
 
 Three young men came forward as candi- 
 dates for the office of school master, and the 
 committee made choice of the oldest. 
 
 da pa ble, a. able to admit or hold. 
 
 The church was capable of seating one 
 thousand persons. 
 
 The stage-coach had not capacity enough to 
 accommodate all the passengers who wished 
 to go in it. 
 
 having those powers of body or of 
 mind, which if used will accom- 
 plish a particular thing. 
 
 Susan shows, by the manner in which she 
 gets her lessons, that she is capable of mak- 
 ing a fine scholar. 
 
 Zerah Colburn had a wonderful capacity for 
 working out long and hard sums in arithmetic, 
 in his head. 
 
 Ca pa cious, a. wide, large, so as to 
 - be able to hold much. 
 
 The city has a fine, capacious harbor. Hun- 
 dreds of vessels can be accommodated in it 
 at the same time. 
 
CAP 
 
 He has studied and thought a great deal. 
 He has gained much knowledge of many dif- 
 ferent things, and is able to take a wide view 
 of them, and see how they affect each other. 
 He has a very capacious mind. 
 
 Cap i tal, a. of the largest kind, chief. 
 
 Little Edward has not yet learned all the 
 capital letters in the Spelling-Book. 
 
 There were many mistakes in John's letter, 
 but the capital one was, that he mis-spelt his 
 own name. 
 
 criminal in the highest degree, so as 
 to be punished with death. 
 
 Murder is a capital offense, and the law 
 says that he who commits it must be hung. 
 
 Cap i tal, n. the chief or principal 
 city in a state or nation. 
 
 Washington is the seat of government, or 
 the capital of the United States. 
 
 the money or goods with which any 
 
 business is begun and carried on, 
 
 for the sake of profit. 
 
 Cap i tol, n. the building in which the 
 
 • Congress of the United States 
 
 meets. 
 
 In some of the States the same name is 
 given to the building in which the legislature 
 meets. 
 Ca prf cious, (ca prish us,) a. not 
 steady, — suddenly turning from 
 one thing to another as one may 
 happen to feel, and without any 
 good reason. 
 
 Eliza had a holyday. In the morning she 
 was full of joy at the thought of visiting her 
 aunt. She soon, however, concluded to stay 
 at home, and play with her little brother ; but 
 by dinner-time, she asked leave to go and 
 ride with her cousin. She changed her 
 mind, nobody could tell why. She was very 
 capricious. 
 
 Cap tious, a. very apt to find fault, or 
 to be offended. 
 
 Samuel's playmate tried to amuse him by 
 
 41 
 
 CAR 
 
 showing him some beautiful pictures ; but he 
 did nothing but point Out all the little blem- 
 ishes he could find, and would not be pleased 
 with any of them. He was very captious. 
 
 Cap tive, n. a person taken prisoner 
 in war. 
 
 Daniel and his three friends were carried 
 into captivity to Babylon, by order of Nebu- 
 chadnezzar. 
 
 Cap ture, v.. a. to take or seize, in 
 war, an enemy or what belongs 
 to him. 
 
 The English captured Gibraltar in the year 
 1704, and have kept possession of it ever 
 since. 
 
 The capture of Burgoyne and his army, by 
 the Americans under General Gates, in 1777, 
 spread joy throughout the whole country. 
 
 Car a van, n. a company of men who 
 travel together, in Arabia, and other 
 parts of the East, for the sake of 
 helping and defending each other. 
 Care, n. thinking and feeling much, 
 lest some evil or disadvantage may 
 befall a person or thing. 
 
 The mother's care for her sick child, led 
 her to pass many wakeful nights in watching 
 over it. 
 
 He was a very disobedient boy, and seemed 
 not to care how much trouble he gave his pa- 
 rents. 
 
 looking about attentively and so act- 
 ing as to avoid some evil or dan- 
 ger. * * 
 
 The ice is very thin in many places, and 
 if the boys do not take great care they may 
 break through into the water. 
 
 taking the charge of, so as to keep 
 from evil, or do good to. 
 
 Joseph was an affectionate son and brother, 
 and took good care of his old father, and of 
 his brethren, when they came down into 
 Egypt. 
 
 Henry is very careful of his books ; he has 
 
CAS 
 
 had them a long time, and they look almost 
 as well as if they were new. 
 
 If people were not so careless about their 
 fires, fewer houses would be burned. 
 
 Ca reer, n. the going on with speed 
 and ardor in some course of action. 
 
 Cromwell was very little known till he was 
 more than forty years old, when a war broke 
 out in England among the English themselves. 
 He entered the army that was opposed to the 
 king. He soon became general, and after- 
 wards rose to be the head of the English nation 
 in 1 654. His career was rapid and brilliant. 
 Ca ress, v. a. to embrace fondly, and 
 treat affectionately as a mother does 
 her infant. 
 Car go, n. the things which are car- 
 ried from one place to another in 
 a ship that is employed in trade. 
 Car nage, n. many dead bodies of 
 men, or of beasts, in one place, 
 that have been killed in a bloody 
 and violent manner. 
 
 The slaughter during the battle of Waterloo 
 between the French and the allied powers in 
 1815, was terrible, and the carnage so great, 
 that after the battle one could hardly walk 
 over the field without treading on the dead. 
 
 Case, n. a box, covering, or sheath, in 
 which something is put. — that 
 which happens to persons or things, 
 and continues to affect them in a 
 certain way, either for good or for 
 evil. 
 
 Robert fell from a tree, and broke several of 
 his ribs. He is confined to his bed, and it 
 will be a long while before he gets well. 
 His case is a sad one. 
 
 He has had a large estate left him by his 
 grandfather, and many would like to be in his 
 case. 
 
 He has been afflicted with a consumption 
 for more than three years, and there is little 
 or no hope of recovery in his case. 
 
 42 
 
 CAU 
 
 Two boys had a quarrel. They came be- 
 fore the master, and each gave his account of 
 the case. 
 
 Cas u al ty, n. something evil or dis- 
 advantageous, which happens un- 
 expectedly and without design. 
 
 Two brothers were in the woods hunting. 
 One saw the other at a distance behind some 
 bushes, and thought it was a deer. He fired 
 and killed him. It was a most distressing 
 casualty. 
 
 Ca tas tro phe, n. the coming to an 
 end, usually an unhappy one, of 
 some plan, course of action, or im- 
 portant affair. 
 
 Pharaoh, after letting the Israelites go, pur- 
 sued them with an immense army. They 
 passed through the Red Sea in safety. He 
 and his army followed after them, and were 
 swallowed up in the waters and drowned. It 
 was a striking catastrophe. 
 Cause, n. that which makes another 
 thing to be, or which always goes 
 before and is joined with it, ant 
 without which, so far as we can 
 see, it would not be. 
 
 I think to have my hand rise, intending 
 that it shall. It rises. My thinking thus to 
 have it rise, is the cause of its rising. 
 
 The sunshine and the rain cause the grass 
 to grow. 
 
 God is the great First Cause, who has made 
 all worlds, and the beings that dwell in them. 
 
 the reason why a thing is done. 
 
 The wise men could not explain to Nebu- 
 chadnezzar the meaning of his dream, and 
 for this cause he was angry with them. 
 
 the side or part of those who are 
 striving to accomplish some par- 
 ticular thing. 
 
 Many benevolent persons have associated 
 together to make prisons better than they 
 are. It is a good cause, and we should do 
 all we can to aid them. 
 
CEL 
 
 43 
 
 A suit before a court of justice, is called 
 a cause. 
 
 Can tion, n. looking out carefully for 
 some evil or danger which it is 
 feared may befall one, in order to 
 avoid it. 
 Fabius, a Roman general, had so much cau- 
 tion in avoiding a battle with Hannibal, that 
 he was unjustly accused of being a coward. 
 But his caution saved his country, and the 
 Romans afterwards called him their shield. 
 
 Washington was very cautious in his 
 movements with the soldiers under his com- 
 mand, and may, on that account, be called the 
 American Fabius. 
 
 telling one to be on his guard against 
 some evil or danger. 
 
 The father's letter to his son contained a 
 very serious caution against his associating 
 with a certain person. 
 
 "When Alexander was dangerously- sick 
 from bathing in the river Cydnus, Parmenio, 
 one of his friends, wrote to caution him not to 
 take any medicine from Philip, his physician, 
 •who had been bribed to poison him. But he 
 had confidence in Philip, took the medicine, 
 and was cured. 
 
 Cav il, v. n. to make objections to a 
 thing, or to find fault with it, in a 
 vain and ill-natured way, and with- 
 out any good reason. , 
 
 It is very often true, that those who cavil 
 most at the Bible have read it the least, and 
 disregard what it teaches. 
 
 Cede, v. a. for one country or person 
 to give up something to another. 
 
 Canada was settled by the French, who, at 
 the close of a war with England, ceded it to 
 that nation in the year 17G3. 
 
 Cel e brate, v. a. to praise in a solemn 
 manner. 
 
 In our psalms and hymns in public worship, 
 we celebrate the goodness of God. 
 
 to distinguish with honor some per- 
 son or events in a public manner, 
 
 CEN 
 
 * and by doing things which show 
 gratitude, joy, and respect. 
 
 The Jews were accustomed to celebrate the 
 feast of the passover once each year, at Jeru- 
 salem. 
 
 It is a great evil that the celebration of the 
 fourth of July should be attended, as it too of- 
 ten i.i, with intemperance and disorderly con- 
 duct. 
 
 Cel e bra ted, p. much distinguished, 
 known and honored by a great 
 many. 
 
 Homer is the most celebrated heathen poet 
 of ancient times. 
 
 Franklin has attained much celebrity by 
 what he found out concerning the lightning. 
 
 Ce lest' ial, (ce lest yal,) a. belong- 
 ing or relating to heaven. 
 
 Cen so ri ous, a. very fond of finding 
 fault. 
 
 Those censorious persons who are so often 
 blaming others, would do well first to correct 
 their own faults. 
 
 Cen sure, v. a. to find fault with what 
 is thought to be improper or wrong. 
 
 When it is necessary for us to censure oth- 
 ers, we should do it kindly, and be careful not 
 to make what they do, appear to be worse 
 than it really is. 
 
 He strove to do right, and feared more the 
 displeasure of God than the censure of men. 
 
 Cen sus, n. taking an account of the 
 number of inhabitants in a coun- 
 try by order of the government. 
 
 In the United States the census is taken 
 once in ten years. 
 
 Cen tu ri on, n. an officer among the 
 Romans who commanded one hun- 
 dred soldiers. 
 
 Cornelius was a pious centurion, whose 
 prayers and alms came up as a memorial be 
 fore God. 
 
 Cen tu ry, n. one hundred years. 
 
 Before the flood nun lived m^~ "' -*•-*-■<-- 
 
CES 
 
 44 
 
 Cer e mo ny, n. a form or outward 
 manner, which is fixed upon of do- 
 ing certain things , as the cere- 
 mony of baptism, of taking an oath 
 in a court of justice, of marriage, 
 and the ceremonies of politeness. 
 
 We read in the Old Testament of a great- 
 many religious ceremonies which were ob- 
 served by the Jews. 
 Cer e mo ni ous, a. too careful and 
 exact in observing certain forms of 
 politeness. 
 
 She is so ceremonious in receiving her 
 friends, that it seems as if she had but little 
 regard for them. 
 Certain, a. free from all doubt, that 
 which is known to be true. 
 
 " We brought nothing into this world, and 
 it is certain we can cany nothing out." 
 
 Abstaining from all intoxicating drinks, is 
 a certain cure for intemperance. 
 
 John told his father, he could not say with 
 certainty that the man was in the shop, but he 
 believed he was. 
 
 fixed, regular. 
 
 He advertises to sell his goods at a certain 
 price, which he says he will not alter. 
 
 pointing out particular persons or 
 things without naming them. 
 
 There are certain persons who almost al- 
 ways come late to church. 
 Cer ti fy, v. a. to inform one, usually in 
 writing, that a thing is certainly so. 
 
 Esther, the queen of Ahasuerus, certified 
 him that two of his servants were intending 
 to kill him. 
 
 Samuel carried home a written certificate 
 from the master that he had behaved and 
 studied well at school for a month, which 
 pleased his father very much. 
 
 Ces sion, n. the giving up of some- 
 thing by one country or person to 
 another. 
 
 CHA 
 
 Spain made a cession of Florida to the 
 United States in the year 1819. 
 
 Chal lenge, v. a. for a person to call 
 upon one to meet him in some dis- 
 pute or contest. 
 
 It is very foolish and wicked for a man to 
 challenge another to fight a duel with him. 
 
 He denied that what the other man affirmed 
 was true, and challenged him to prove it. 
 
 to call upon others to admit that a 
 certain thing belongs to one. 
 
 A father may justly challenge respect and 
 obedience from his children. 
 
 Cham pi on, n. a brave man who 
 fights, or who is ready to fight, for 
 another or for a body of men.. 
 
 Goliath was the champion of the Philis- 
 tines. 
 
 Chance, n. when a thing happens 
 unexpectedly, and without design, 
 so that we cannot ascertain the 
 cause, we say that it happens by 
 chance ; as, he was looking for the 
 owner of the money which he 
 found, and, by chance, met him in 
 the street. We also use this word, 
 when we speak of a thing which 
 it is possible may happen, but 
 about which there is much uncer- 
 tainty. 
 
 He has just opened a shop, but there^ are 
 so many already engaged in the same busi- 
 ness, that his chance of success is very smalL 
 
 Change, v. a. to put one person or 
 thing in the place of another. 
 
 When a lady gets married she changes her 
 surname for that of her husband. 
 
 to cause persons or things to be dif- 
 ferent from what they were before. 
 
 Cyrus changed the course of the river Eu- 
 phrates by digging one trench around the city 
 of Babylon, and another towards a large 
 
CHA 
 
 45 
 
 lake, into both of which the stream ran, leav- 
 ing its former channel dry. He then marched 
 his soldiers through the channel into the city 
 and took it. 
 
 He is an old man, and has lived to see a 
 great many chayxges in the world around him. 
 
 Change a ble, a. apt to change. 
 
 He sometimes thinks one way and some- 
 times another, about the same thing ; he is 
 very changeable in his opinions. 
 
 Chan nel, n. a long hollow passage 
 for running water. 
 
 The banks of the river, on each side of its 
 channel, are steep. 
 
 Sometimes only the deepest part of a river 
 or harbor, and through which vessels can pass, 
 is called the channel. 
 
 the means by which a thing is con- 
 veyed from one person or place to 
 another. 
 
 Newspapers are very important channels of 
 intelligence from one part of the country to 
 another. - W 
 
 CAar ac ter, n. a mark which is writ- 
 ten, printed, or engraved, and has 
 a meaning. 
 
 The letters of the alphabet are called char- 
 acters ; they stand for certain sounds. 
 
 those things belonging to a person in 
 his mind, habits, conversation and 
 conduct, which, taken together, 
 mark, and distinguish him from 
 others. 
 
 Before the farmer would take the young 
 man into his family, he inquired very par- 
 ticularly about his character — whether he 
 was honest, temperate, industrious, careful 
 not to use bad language, intelligent, and obe- 
 dient. 
 
 A man may have a good reputation whose 
 real character is a bad one. Reputation is 
 what is generally thought and said about a 
 man ; and this is sometimes called his char- 
 acter — as, when the question is asked, "What 
 is his character for truth." 
 
 When we say of a person that he is a man 
 
 CHA 
 
 of character, it means, he is a man of good 
 character. 
 
 an account of any person or thing, 
 as good or bad. 
 
 From the character which was given *o him 
 of the school, he concluded not to send his 
 son to it. 
 
 C^ar ac ter is tic, a. that which agrees 
 with, and points out the character 
 of, a person. 
 
 It is characteristic of the Arabs to be hos- 
 pitable to strangers. 
 
 CAar' ac ter Ize, v. a. to do or say 
 that which shows the character. 
 
 Kindness and condescension characterize 
 the true follower of Christ. 
 
 Charge, v. a. to tell a person with 
 authority, or seriously and earnest- 
 ly, that he must do or keep from 
 doing a certain thing. 
 
 A mother charged her son, who was going 
 to live at a distance, to read his Bible daily. 
 He remembered the charge, and did as she 
 told him. 
 
 to intrust to. 
 
 He went to New York, and was charged 
 with many letters to be delivered there. 
 
 Just before a man died, he put his three 
 children in charge of his friend, to take care of 
 them as if they were his own. 
 
 to accuse. 
 
 The boy was charged by his father with tell- 
 ing a falsehood, and confessed it. 
 
 The jury, after considering the charges made 
 against the prisoner, found him guilty. 
 
 to set down in an account something 
 which a person is in debt for. 
 
 The merchant charged the goods which the 
 wife got, to her husband. 
 
 to load or put into ; as to charge a 
 
 gun with powder or shot, — to 
 
 charge the memory with something 
 
 to be done. 
 
 I was to meet my friend precisely at four 
 
CHA 
 
 o'clock, and I charged my mind with it that I 
 might not forget it. 
 
 to rush forward in an attack. 
 
 After the first fire, the soldiers charged up- 
 on the enemy with their bayonets. 
 
 Char i ta ble, a. having kind and be- 
 nevolent feelings, especially in 
 judging of others. 
 
 He who knows and feels his own faults, will 
 be charitable in looking at the faults of others. 
 
 " Charity sufFereth long and is kind — think- 
 eth no evil — beareth all things ; believeth all 
 things ; hopeth all things ; endureth all things." 
 
 ready to give bountifully to those who 
 are in need of aid. 
 
 The truly charitable man will seek out 
 those who are suffering. 
 
 He was industrious and economical, that he 
 might have the more to give away in charity. 
 
 ' Charm, v. a. to give one great delight. 
 
 The music was very fine, and charmed 
 him much. 
 It was a charming prospect. 
 
 CMsm, n. an opening made by vio- 
 lence. 
 
 The earthquake made a wide chasm in the 
 rock. 
 a place not filled up. «; 
 
 There was a chasm in the letter of several 
 lines, which was left blank. 
 
 Chaste, a. pure, free from all that is 
 immodest in thought, feeling, con- 
 versation and conduct. 
 
 Chas ten, v. a. to afflict a person who 
 has done wrong in order to make 
 him better. 
 
 "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, 
 andscourgeth every son whom he receiveth." 
 
 Chas tlse, v. a. to inflict pain or suf- 
 fering upon a guilty person. 
 
 When God chastises us for our sins, we 
 should be penitent and humble. 
 
 A kind father inflicts chastisement upon his 
 children because he loves them. 
 
 46 CHE 
 
 Cheat, v. a. to get an advantage of a 
 person in some bargain, or in play, 
 by falsehood or deceit. 
 
 He sold the horse for a sound and good 
 one, but cheated the man greatly who bought 
 him, for the horse was blind of one eye, and 
 stumbled badly. 
 
 Hardly any thing worse' can happen to a 
 boy than to get the character of a cheat. 
 
 Check, v. a. to cause to go slower, — 
 to put something in the way, so as 
 to lessen the progress of. 
 
 The brook was flowing rapidly along, but 
 its current was much checked by some trees 
 which had fallen across it. 
 
 The children were laughing too loud and 
 too long, and their mother had to check them. 
 
 His business received quite a check from 
 the death of his partner. 
 
 Cheer, v. a. to receive with shouts of 
 
 j°y* 
 
 As The boat approached, the crowds on the 
 shore cheered it. 
 
 to applaud. 
 
 They cheered him Several times while he 
 was speaking. 
 
 to remove sadness, to gladden. 
 
 He received a letter which informed him 
 that his wife was much better. It cheered 
 him greatly. 
 
 Our Saviour said to the man who was sick 
 of the palsy, " Son, be of good cheer, thy sins 
 are forgiven thee." 
 
 Cheer ful, a. having lively, pleasant, 
 and happy feelings, flowing on 
 evenly from day to day. 
 
 If you wish to have a cheerful old age, 
 spend your youth and manhood in the love 
 and service of God. 
 
 There was an appearance of cheerfulness 
 about the whole school, which pleased me 
 very much. 
 
 Cher ish, v. a. to take care, tenderly 
 and kindly, of the weak or suffer- 
 ing. 
 
CHO 
 
 47 
 
 She took the poor, friendless orphan into 
 her house, and fed, warmed and clothed him. 
 She cherished him. 
 
 to keep something with affectionate 
 care, in the mind or heart, because 
 one loves it. 
 
 Her son has been dead twenty years, but 
 she still cherishes his memory, and weeps 
 whenever she speaks of him. 
 
 Chide, v. a. to blame a person in 
 words, and so as to show that one ( 
 is displeased with him. 
 
 A mother chid her daughter for not putting 
 the things in order. » 
 
 Chtef, a. being at the head, highest, 
 most of, most valuable, most im- 
 portant. 
 
 Boston is the chief city of New Eng- 
 land. 
 
 Washington was the first President, or 
 chief magistrate, of the United States. 
 
 " A whisperer," (or tale bearer,) " separa- 
 ted chief friends." 
 
 He comes to the city now and then, but 
 spends his time chiefly in the country. 
 
 Choice, n. the act of the mind when 
 it takes, or does, one thing rather 
 than another. 
 
 Solomon set us a good example when he 
 made choice of wisdom, rather than of long 
 life, riches, and honor. 
 
 the thing which is taken, or done, 
 rather than another. 
 
 The father offered Edward one of a num- 
 ber of things as a present. His choice was a 
 book. 
 
 Moses chose rather to suffer affliction with 
 the people of God, than to enjoy the plea- 
 sures of sin for a season. 
 
 Choice^ a. something not common, 
 and very valuable. 
 
 The choicest book in his library, is a 
 Bible which was printed more than two hun- 
 dred years ago. 
 
 CIR 
 
 valuable, and 
 
 regarding as valuable, and using 
 with care. 
 
 He has a miniature of his wife who died 
 some years ago, of which he is very choice. 
 
 nice in choosing. 
 
 He is very choice in his dress, always buy- 
 ing the richest and the best. 
 
 Cir cle, n. a round figure like a ring. 
 — an assembly of persons. 
 
 A small circle of friends meet weekly at 
 her house, to improve themselves by reading 
 and conversation. 
 
 The full moon is circular. 
 
 Cir' cuit, (sur kit,) n. the act of going 
 round. 
 
 The circuit of the earth round the sun, is 
 completed once every year. 
 
 the space gone round. 
 
 He walked the circuit of the city, which 
 was eight miles, in two hours. 
 
 .Cir cu' i tous, a. not the straightest 
 way, — roundabout. 
 
 He took a very circuitous path through the 
 woods, so as to escape from those who were 
 after him. 
 
 Cir cu late, v. a. to cause to move 
 round. 
 
 The law punishes those who circulate 
 counterfeit money, knowing it to be such. 
 
 v. n. to move round. 
 
 The news brought by the express, circula- 
 ted rapidly through the city. 
 
 The circulation of the blood through the 
 body, was discovered by Dr. Wm. Harvey, 
 and he made it known in the year 1619. 
 
 Cir cum' fe rence, n. the line by 
 which a circle is bounded. 
 
 Cir cum stance, n. something which 
 is outward that attends a thing, or 
 belongs to it, or happens to it, or 
 may be thought or said about it. 
 
 The goodness of the roads, the pleasant- 
 ness of the weather, the agreeable company, 
 
CIV 
 
 and the fine country and towns through which 
 we passed, were ch-cumstances that made the 
 journey a very delightful one. 
 
 No circumstance in the history of Joseph is 
 more affecting than the one of his making 
 himself known to his brethren. 
 
 Richard told every thing that happened in 
 the dispute between the boys, all that they 
 ^aid and all that they did. He gave a very 
 circumstantial account of it. 
 
 When we. speak of a man's circumstances, 
 we* mean his condition in life as to property 
 and the means of living; as, he is in easy 
 circumstances, he is in low circumstances. 
 
 Cite, v. a. to call one by authority to 
 appear at some place. 
 
 The witness was cited to come before the 
 court, and give his testimony. 
 
 to take or repeat the words of another, 
 as such. 
 
 In his sermon, he cited many beautiful pas- 
 sages from the Bible. 
 
 Cit i zen, n. an inhabitant of a city. 
 
 In the United States this word also means, 
 a person, whether a native or a foreigner, who 
 has those things which give him a right to 
 vote for rulers, and to -buy and own houses, 
 lands, and such kind of property. 
 
 Civil, a. where men live together 
 under one government we call 
 those affairs civil affairs- that are 
 regulated by certain laws distinct 
 from the laws which govern sol- 
 diers ; which punish criminals ; 
 and which control religious bodies 
 of men. 
 
 By a civil war is meant not a war between 
 one nation and another, but among those who 
 belong to the same nation. 
 
 treating others well, and in a kind 
 and obliging manner. 
 
 I asked a boy where Mr. B. lived. He 
 said he would show me, and he went with 
 me through several streets to the house. He 
 was very civil. 
 
 48 CLA 
 
 The inhabitants of Paris are re'markable 
 for their civility to strangers. 
 
 Civ'il Ize, v. a. to raise men from a 
 savage or barbarous condition to 
 one in which they live in cities 
 and towns ; have the arts and sci- 
 ences, schools and the means of 
 improvement, many conveniences 
 and comforts ; and treat females as 
 
 l companions. 
 
 The inhabitants of the Sandwich islands 
 have, of late years, made considerable pro- 
 gress in civilization-, 
 
 Claim, v. a. for a person to say that 
 he must have a thing because it of . 
 right belongs to him. 
 
 Frank claimed the. marbles which John 
 found, for he said he had lost them. 
 
 When the English set up a claim to tax 
 the Americans, the latter resisted it, and this 
 led to the independence of the United States. 
 
 Clam or, n. loud, noisy sounds made 
 by the human voice. 
 
 While the boys were playing ball, a dis- 
 pute arose, and they all began to talk at once. 
 There was such a clamor for a little while 
 that they did not hear what each other said. 
 
 The man doubted whether what the beg- 
 gar told him was true, he was so clamorous in 
 asking for charity. 
 
 The poor, hungry children got round their 
 mother and clamored for food. 
 
 Clash, v. n. for one thing to strike 
 abruptly and forcibly against anoth- 
 er, often with a loud noise. 
 
 In ancient times when two armies rushed to- 
 gether in battle, their swords and shields 
 clashed terribly. 
 
 to act or be contrary to each oriier. 
 
 Some of the school-committee wished to 
 have one young man for a teacher, and others 
 of the committee a different one. They could 
 not agree. Their opinions clashed, and they 
 made no choice. 
 
CLE 
 
 Class, n. a number of persons or 
 things which are separated from 
 others, and arranged together, be- 
 cause they are more or less like 
 each other. 
 
 In our colleges there are four classes of stu- 
 dents. 
 
 Among animals, the tiger and the cat belong 
 to the same class. 
 
 He had a hundred scholars in his school, of 
 both sexes and various ages, and found it al- 
 most impossible to class them. 
 
 Clause, n. a number of words in a 
 sentence taken together, and which 
 cannot be separated by any stop ; 
 as, See the tall corn, how it waves 
 in the wind. The first clause in 
 this sentence is, " See the tall corn." 
 
 sentences, and short distinct parts of 
 writings or books, are also called 
 clauses. 
 
 Clean, a. free from dirt and filth. — 
 pure, holy, free from the guilt and 
 power of sin. 
 
 David prayed, " Create in me a clean heart, 
 O God, and renew a right spirit within me." 
 
 Clear, a. free from every thing which 
 'can hinder the light from shining 
 upon it, through it, or from it ; as a 
 clear mirror, a clear stream, the 
 clear sun. 
 
 not having any thing mixed with it. 
 
 She drinks clear tea, without sugar or milk 
 in it. 
 
 He strewed some fine, clear sand on the 
 floor ; there was no dirt, nor gravel with it. 
 
 free from; as a field clear of stones, a 
 clear path, clear of blame, clear of 
 debt. 
 
 God will not clear the guilty, but will pun- 
 ish them unless they are sorry for their sins. 
 4 
 
 49 CLO 
 
 plain to be seen by the mind, and ea- 
 sily understood ; as, a clear ac- 
 count, a clear argument. 
 
 Cleave, v. n. to stick to closely. 
 
 When Naomi returned from Moab to her 
 own country, Orpah, one of her daughters- 
 in-law, would not go with her, but Ruth the 
 other one clave to her, and went with her to 
 Bethlehem. 
 
 Cleave, v. a. to split or divide violent- 
 
 The log of wood was so hard and knotty 
 that he could not cleave it without a wedge. 
 
 Clev er, a. able to do or accomplish 
 a thing readily and ingeniously. 
 
 He is very clever m drawing, although he 
 has had little or no instruction. 
 
 In many parts of the United States, this word 
 more usually means, a good natured. honest, 
 obliging man, but not remarkable for his pow- 
 ers of mind. 
 
 ClI mate, n. a portion of the earth 
 lying between two parallels of lati- 
 tude. 
 
 the general state of the weather in a 
 place or country, as being hot or 
 cold, dry or wet, healthy or un- 
 healthy, pleasant or unpleasant. 
 
 Close, v. a. to bring together, to shut. 
 — to bring to an end. 
 He closed his address at eight, o'clock. 
 The close of his sermon was very .eloquent. 
 
 v. n. to come together. 
 
 • After they abandoned the ship, it sunk and 
 the waves closed over it. 
 
 to end. 
 
 The reign of Charles the fifth, Emperor of 
 Germany and king of Spain, closed by his giv- 
 ing up his power, and going into retirement in 
 a monastery. He died in the year 1553. 
 
 Close, a. shut fast so as to have no 
 opening. 
 
 The doors and windows of the house 
 
CLU 
 
 were all close, so that the rain did not beat 
 into it. 
 
 quite near to. 
 
 The two neighbors live close to each other. 
 
 kept from being known, secret. 
 
 Several wicked men formed a plan to rob a 
 house, but one of them could not keep it close, 
 and they were all found out and arrested. 
 
 stingy, holding fast to money. 
 
 He is. so close that he would not give a cent 
 to those who had lost all their property by the 
 fire, and were in great suffering. 
 
 with no wandering of .mind, attentive. 
 
 When one undertakes to study, he should 
 keep close to his lesson. 
 
 Clown, n. a person who is ill-bred, 
 rough, coarse, and awkward in his 
 manners. 
 
 Cloy, v. a. to give or take so much of 
 that which is pleasant, as to make 
 the taking of more disagreeable. 
 
 While their mother was absent, the children 
 ate so much cake that it almost made them 
 sick, and it so cloyed their appetite that they 
 did not wish to eat any again for a long time. . 
 
 Clum sy, a. ill-shapen, moving heav- 
 ily, slowly, and awkwardly. 
 
 The large wooden shoes which are worn by 
 many of the poor people in France, are very 
 heavy and clumsy. 
 
 His fingers were so short and thick, that he 
 held his pen badly, and wrote clumsily. 
 
 Clus ter, n. a bunch, a number of 
 things of the same kind growing 
 together, or joined together. 
 
 When the spies went out from .among the 
 Israelites to see what kind of a country Ca- 
 naan was, it took two of them to bring back 
 from Eshcol a single cluster of grapes, it was 
 so heavy. 
 
 a number of persons, or of animals, 
 collected together. 
 
 Soon after the mail arrived there was a large 
 cluster of men and boys at the Post-Office. 
 
 50 
 
 COL 
 
 When James returned from college, m the 
 vacation, and got out of the stage coach, all his 
 younger brothers and sisters ran and clustered 
 round him, they were so glad to see him. 
 
 Coarse, a. thick and large of its kind, 
 not fine ; as coarse thread, coarse 
 hair, coarse hand in writing. 
 
 not smooth, nor soft ; as coarse pa- 
 per, a coarse painting. 
 
 not gentle and refined in manners, 
 saying and doing things in such a 
 way as to hurt the feelings of oth- 
 ers. 
 
 He called his friend whom he met in the 
 street by a nick-name, slapped him on the 
 shoulder, and accosted him in a very coarse 
 manner. 
 
 Coast, n. the edge or side of the land 
 which is next to the sea. 
 
 The captain of the ship being unacquainted 
 with the coast, did not dare to approach it. 
 
 the outside line or border of a coun- 
 try. 
 
 Moses said to the Israelites, " From the wil- 
 derness, and Lebanon, from the river, the 
 river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea, 
 shall your coast be." 
 
 They discovered an unknown island, and 
 coasted along it for many miles before they 
 could find a harbor. 
 
 Coin, n. money which is stamped by 
 order of the government, as gold 
 eagles, silver dollars, and copper 
 cents. 
 
 In ancient times they had no coined money. 
 When they bought and sold, they weighed the 
 gold and silver which they used for money. 
 
 Col lect, v. a. to bring together dif- 
 ferent persons or things, for some 
 particular purpose. 
 
 Mary has been collecting some of the pret- 
 tiest flowers in the garden into a bunch to 
 give to her mother. 
 
COM 
 
 51 
 
 Cyras, king of Persia, spent many years in 
 collecting soldiers into a great army, with 
 which he conquered Babylon. 
 
 One of the largest collections of books in the 
 world is in the National Library at Paris, 
 which contains three hundred and fifty thou- 
 sand printed volumes. 
 
 Col lis' ion, (col lizh un,) n. the strik- 
 ing togetherforcibly of two bodies. 
 
 At a turn of the rail-road, two trains of cars 
 came suddenly into collision, and several of 
 the passengers were badly hurt, though no 
 lives were lost. 
 
 Col o ny, n. a number of people who 
 leave a country, and go to live to- 
 gether in a place more or less dis- 
 tant,, but who are still under the 
 government of the country which 
 they have left. 
 
 The state of New-York was originally set- 
 tled by a colony from Holland, in the year 
 1614. 
 
 the country where a colony settles. 
 
 The Plymouth colony, the oldest in New- 
 England, was settled by a company of persons 
 from England, in the year 1620. 
 
 Com bat, n. a fighting against each 
 other, of men or of beasts, — more 
 commonly where two only are en- 
 gaged. 
 
 In ancient battles, it often happened that the 
 leaders of the two armies encountered each 
 other in combat. 
 
 The duel was a bloody one ; for both the 
 combatants were killed on the spot. 
 
 Com bine, v. a. andw. to join together 
 for some particular purpose. 
 
 The two generals combined their forces be- 
 fore they commenced their attack upon the 
 place. 
 
 His amiable disposition, his agreeable man- 
 ners, and his instructive conversation com- 
 bined to make him an interesting companion. 
 
 Be careful to avoid all combinations for do- 
 ing what is wrong. 
 
 COM 
 
 Com bus ti ble, a. easily taking fire, 
 so as to burn. 
 
 The cotton factory took fire, and being 
 full of combustible matter, was quickly con- 
 sumed. 
 
 Come' ly, (cum ly,) a. pleasing to 
 the eye from its form, color, and 
 proportion, — usually applied to 
 persons. 
 
 She is not very beautiful, but has an agree- 
 able countenance, and is a comely lady. 
 
 becoming, suitable. 
 
 " Praise is comely to the upright." 
 
 Com' fort, (cum fort,) v. a. kindly to 
 strengthen and encourage one who 
 is in pain or trouble, to bear it and 
 to hope for relief. 
 
 When Jacob was in deep affliction because 
 he thought an evil beast had devoured Joseph, 
 " all his sons and all his daughters rose up to 
 comfort him." 
 
 Com' fort, (cum fort,) n. encourage- 
 ment and support to one who is in 
 pain or trouble. 
 
 The Bible affords much comfort to those in 
 affliction who put their trust in God. 
 
 the pleasant feeling of ease which 
 we have, when freed from pain, 
 trouble, or inconvenience, or when 
 some want is supplied. 
 
 The young man had been confined to his 
 chamber by sickness for several weeks. To 
 get out of the sick room, to breathe the fresh 
 air, to see the many cheerful things around 
 him, and to take the gentle exercise which 
 the easy motion of the chaise gave him, were 
 all comforts for which he felt truly thankful. 
 
 Much more pains should be taken to make 
 school-houses comfortable and pleasant. 
 
 Com i cal, a. droll, odd, causing 
 
 laughter. 
 Com mand, v. a. for one who has the 
 
COM 
 
 52 
 
 right, to tell another to do, or not 
 to do something. 
 
 God commands all men to repent of sin 
 and forsake it. 
 
 God gave from Mount Sinai the Ten Com- 
 mandments which we are all bound to obey. 
 
 to lead as chief, to govern. 
 
 General Wolfe commanded the English 
 forces which defeated the French, and took 
 Quebec from them in the year 1759. He was 
 killed in the battle. 
 
 Com mem o rate, v. a. to say and do 
 things in a becoming and serious 
 manner, in order to keep alive the 
 remembrance of some person, ac- 
 tion, or event. 
 
 In the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, 
 Christians commemorate the death of Christ. 
 
 Com mence, v.- a. £$■ n. to begin. 
 
 Violent quarrels often commence in little 
 things. 
 
 Com mend, v. a. to speak well of. 
 
 Mary's mother commended her for doing 
 her sewing so neatly. 
 
 We ought not to seek to be praised and flat- 
 tered ; but it is right, when we conduct well, 
 to be pleased with the commendation of the 
 wise and good. 
 
 to speak of as deserving attention or 
 kindness. 
 
 He gave Frank a letter of introduction, in 
 which he commended him to his friend as a 
 very worthy young man. 
 
 to intrust to. 
 
 Our Saviour, when dying on the cross, 
 said; "Father, into thy hands I commend 
 my spirit." 
 
 Com merce, n. the exchanging of 
 * goods and property of all kinds be- 
 tween different countries and 
 states. 
 
 A ship carries cotton from the United 
 States to France, and brings back silk and 
 cloths. She is engaged in commerce. 
 
 COM 
 
 That which relates to commerce is called 
 commercial. 
 
 News was received in New York that the 
 vessels which had sailed to China, arrived 
 there safely. It was commercial news. 
 
 Com mit, v. a. to put a person or 
 thing under the care or power of 
 another. 
 
 The father, during his absence from home, 
 committed the management of his business to 
 his eldest son. 
 
 Saul re'ceived from the chief priests a com- 
 mission to persecute the Christians at Da- 
 mascus. 
 
 to put in any place to be kept safe. 
 
 The man who was committed to prison 
 will have to stay there three months before 
 he has his trial. 
 
 Sarah has committed her lesson to memory, 
 and can repeat it although it is a very long 
 one. 
 
 to do some wrong thing. 
 
 We are told in the Bible that Saul, king of 
 Israel, died for his transgression which he 
 committed against the Lowl. 
 
 Intemperance leads to the commission of 
 almost every crime. 
 
 Com mo di ous, a. well suited to our 
 wants, so as to accommodate us, — 
 amply convenient. 
 
 The church is spacious, well-lighted, with 
 comfortable and well-arranged seats, and is 
 very commodious for a large congregation. 
 
 Com mod i ty, n. any thing which 
 can be bought and sold, goods, 
 merchandise. 
 
 Com mon, a. belonging equally to 
 two or more. 
 Death is the common lot of all. 
 
 belonging to no particular person, but 
 to the public. 
 
 The beautiful green in the center of the 
 city, is common to all the citizens as a place 
 for walking. 
 
COM 
 
 usual, accustomed to be done. 
 
 It is common in some parts of Europe to 
 see the women at work in the fields. 
 
 Schools commonly open at nine o'clock in 
 the morning. 
 
 not rare or distinguished, of little 
 worth. 
 
 He thinks, or says, nothing new or striking. 
 He has a very common mind. 
 
 Com mu ni cate, v. a. to give a part 
 or share of what one has to an- 
 other. 
 
 He seems to take great pleasure in com- 
 municating knowledge to the young. 
 
 to tell what is not known. 
 
 He offered to communicate the secret of 
 making the ink, if they would pay him for 
 doing it. 
 v. n. to have the means of passing 
 from one to another. 
 
 The two towns were on the opposite sides 
 of the river, and communicated by a bridge. 
 
 Com mu ni ty, n. a number pf per- 
 sons taken together, who have the 
 same laws, rights, interests, or 
 privileges. 
 
 Every member; of a community is bound to 
 act for the good of the whole. 
 
 Com pare, v. a. to bring things or 
 persons together, to see in what re- 
 spects they are alike, or unlike 
 each other. 
 
 John took his slate in one hand and Ed- 
 ward's in the other, and compared them. He 
 found Edward's to be larger, smoother, and 
 better than his. 
 
 Plutarch has written the lives of many 
 celebrated Greeks and Romans, and compar- 
 ed them with each other ; as Aristides and 
 Cato, Alexander and Julius Cesar. 
 
 We should be very careful in common con- 
 versation how we make comparisons be- 
 tween one person and another. 
 
 We call that comparative which is found out 
 
 53 
 
 COM 
 
 to belong to a thing or person, by comparing 
 it with something else. 
 
 Although not a very good scholar, his com- 
 parative rank in the school is high, the other 
 scholars being much inferior to him. 
 
 Com' pass, (cum pass,) v. a. to go 
 quite round. 
 
 The Israelites, under the command of 
 Joshua, compassed the city of Jericho seven 
 times in one day. 
 
 to stretch or extend quite round. 
 
 The walls which compassed the city of 
 Babylon, are said by some to have been sixty 
 miles round, three hundred feet high, and 
 seventy -five feet thick. 
 
 to accomplish. 
 
 Clodius, a base and wicked Roman, used 
 many arts in order to get Cicero banished, 
 and at length compassed his design. 
 
 Com' pass, (cum pass,) n. the boun- 
 dary of a space, and the space 
 within it. 
 
 He was in prison, and was not permitted to 
 walk beyond the compass of its small yard. 
 
 I answered his letter, and told him I would 
 finish the business within the compass of a 
 week. 
 
 the instrument by which a captain 
 knows how to steer his ship. 
 
 Com pas sion, n. a tender and pain- 
 ful feeling at the sufferings of oth- 
 ers, with a desire to relieve them. 
 
 The good Samaritan had compassion on 
 the man who fell among thieves, and bound 
 up his wounds, and had him taken care of. 
 
 When a leper came desiring to be cleans- 
 ed, our Saviour was compassionate towards 
 him, and healed him. 
 
 Com pel, v. a. to make a person by 
 force do that which he does not 
 wish to do. 
 
 The violent snow storm blocked up the 
 roads, and compelled us to wait three days 
 before we could proceed on our journey. 
 The prodigal son, having spent foolishly fell 
 
COM 54 
 
 that his father gave him, was in great distress 
 and compelled to hire himself out to feedswine. 
 A child who loves his parents will obey 
 their commands without any compulsion. 
 
 Com pen sate, or com pen sate, v. a. 
 to give what is equal in value to ; 
 as to compensate a person for a 
 loss, an injury, or a service per- 
 formed. 
 
 Com pet i tor, n. one who strives to 
 get that which another, at the same 
 time, is striving to get, and which 
 only one of them can have. 
 
 William the Conqueror defeated Harold, his 
 competitor for the crown of England, at the 
 battle of Hastings, in the year 1066, and him- 
 self became king. 
 
 Sad accidents often happen on account of 
 the competition between steam-boats, to see 
 which will go the fastest. 
 
 Com plain, v. n. to tell others that 
 one is uneasy and not satisfied 
 with some person or thing. 
 
 An apprentice complained to Ids father, 
 that the man. with whom he lived did not 
 give him good food. 
 
 Those who are often making complaints 
 will find but few to listen to them. 
 
 to accuse before a magistrate. 
 
 The farmer went to the justice, and com- 
 plained of the boys who had robbed his or- 
 chard. 
 to let it be known that one feels pain 
 or sorrow. 
 
 He suffered greatly during his sickness, 
 but was veiy patient and did not complain. 
 
 Com plete, a. not wanting in any 
 thing, — being so that nothing can 
 be added or done to it, to make it 
 better or worse. 
 
 The little bird, when it makes its nest, 
 keeps adding to it one thing after another, sucii 
 as straw, and clay, and wool, until it is a 
 
 COM 
 
 soft, warm, clean and complete habitation for 
 its young. 
 
 He is always civil, well-bred, and obliging 
 to others. He is a complete gentleman. 
 
 Com plete, v. a. to finish, so that 
 nothing more need be added or 
 done to it. 
 
 The great church of St. Paul's in London, 
 was planned by Sir Christopher Wren, about 
 the year 1666, but was not completed till 
 thirty -five years afterwards. 
 
 Com ply, v. n. not to oppose or re- 
 sist, but to yield to the will, the 
 wishes, the requests, or the com- 
 mand of another. 
 
 John was very desirous of going to play, 
 but he complied with the wishes of his broth- 
 er, and staid at home to assist him in piling 
 up the wood. 
 
 A merchant received from another mer- 
 chant in a distant city, an order to purchase ten 
 hogsheads of molasses, and he immediately 
 complied with it. 
 
 I asked him in the letter to take some pains 
 to get- a certain book for me, and told him that 
 his compliance with my request would greatly 
 oblige me. 
 
 He has so compliant a disposition that he is 
 in great danger from evil companions. 
 
 to do what one has promised or en- 
 gaged to do. 
 
 He bound himself to build and finish the 
 house, in six months, for three thousand dol- 
 lars. He did it faithfully and well by that 
 time. He complied with the contract. 
 
 Com pose, v. a. to make one body or 
 thing, by putting together two or 
 more persons or things. 
 
 We met a very pleasant, circle of friends 
 last evening. It was composed both of the 
 ,old and the young. 
 
 • Letters compose syllables ; syllables, words ; 
 and words, sentences. 
 
 to write down one's own thoughts or 
 feelings. 
 
COM 
 
 55 
 
 CON 
 
 Buny.in composed the Pilgrim's Progress 
 when he was in prison. 
 
 If you wish to write a good composition, find 
 out first what you mean to say. 
 
 to make quiet or calm. 
 
 While others were greatly alarmed during 
 a violent storm at sea, one little boy had his 
 fears quite composed by thinking that his fa- 
 ther was at the helm. How much more, then, 
 ought we to have composure in seasons of dan- 
 ger, by trusting in our Heavenly Father, who 
 rules over all things. 
 
 Com pound', v. a. to take different 
 things, and mix them together, so 
 as to form one mass. 
 
 The apothecary compounds his medicines 
 according to the prescriptions of the physi- 
 cian. 
 
 The words grist and mill make the com- 
 pound word grist-mill. 
 
 Com pre hend, v. a. to take together 
 so as to include. 
 
 The Middle States of the Union compre% 
 hend New-York, .New-Jersey, Pennsylvania,' 
 and Delaware. 
 
 The Bible comprehends the Old and New 
 Testaments. 
 
 to understand, to take the meaning of. 
 
 The book was so full of hard words that Wil- 
 liam could comprehend but very little of it. 
 
 God does many great and wonderful things 
 which are far beyond our comprehension. 
 
 Com prise, v. a. to take together, so 
 as to include or contain. 
 
 His assortment of goods comprises a great 
 variety. 
 
 He says but little, but what he does say com- 
 prises a great deal of meaning. 
 
 Com pute, v. a. to find out, by calcu- 
 lating, how much several particu- 
 lars will amount to. 
 
 A man wish°d to know what he should have 
 to pay out for his family for one year. He set 
 down how much it would cost for clothes, for 
 food, for fuel, for rent, for the schooling of his 
 children, and other things, and computed that 
 
 it would probably amount to one thousand dol- 
 lars. At the close of the year, he found that 
 his computation was very nearly correct. 
 
 Con ceal, v. a. not to tell of a thing, 
 to keep it from being known. 
 
 It was found out after his death, that he had 
 given away a great deal in charity, but he 
 always kept his name concealed. 
 
 The concealment from others of that which 
 they have no right to know, is not wrong. 
 
 to hide, or keep out of sight. 
 
 Before Moses was put into the ark of bul- 
 rushes, he was concealed by his mother three 
 months. 
 
 Con cede, v. a. for on* to give up 
 something which another asks or 
 claims. 
 One man used to drive his cattle to water 
 through his neighbor's pasture, and said he 
 had a right to do it. His neighbor knew that 
 he had no such right, but for the sake of peace 
 conceded to him the privilege. 
 
 to allow that a thing is as another 
 claims it to be. 
 
 John said it was needless to say any thing 
 more to show that he was mistaken. He was 
 willing to concede it. 
 
 Samuel was charged with having done 
 wrong ; but although he knew it was so, he 
 was obstinate and would make no concessions. 
 
 Con ceil, n. the thinking about some- 
 thing in an odd and whimsical 
 manner. • 
 
 It was a strange conceit of an insane man, 
 that he thought himself glass and was afraid 
 to be moved lest he should be broken. 
 
 a vain and too high an opinion of one's 
 self. 
 
 He is- full of conceit, talking continually 
 about himself— what he has done, and what 
 he intends to do. 
 
 Nobody thinks much of a conceited person, 
 excepting himself. 
 
 Con ceive, v. a. to form ideas in the 
 mind. 
 
CON 
 
 56 
 
 CON 
 
 I shut my eyes, and think of an elephant | 
 which I saw two months ago. I conceive the 
 manner in which he looked, and walked, and 
 acted. 
 
 He sat down to think of the new house 
 which he intended to build. He thought how- 
 large he would have it, and how he would 
 have all the rooms in it arranged. He con- 
 ceived the plan of the house, and then drew 
 it on paper. 
 
 As he was going, he alluded to something 
 which he had told me a long time since, but 
 I could not conceive what he meant. 
 
 It is very difficult to give young persons a 
 true conception, of the value of time. 
 
 o. n. to think, or have an opinion. 
 
 He conceives that he has been very much 
 injured by what has been said about him. 
 
 Con cern, v. a. to relate to, to belong to. 
 
 Try to become thoroughly acquainted with 
 every thing which concerns your business. 
 
 Audubon has published a splendid work 
 concerning birds. 
 
 He said it belonged to his neighbor to see 
 that he had a good side-walk before his house, 
 and that it was no concern of his. 
 
 to relate to a person, so as to bring 
 good or evil to him. 
 
 It concerns us deeply to know who God 
 is, and what we must do to obtain his favor. 
 
 to take an interest in. 
 
 He concerns himself much in the improve- 
 ment of the public schools. 
 
 He is an excellent father, and feels a deep 
 concern in the welfare of his children. 
 
 To feel concerned about what may happen, 
 is to be anxious about it. 
 
 Con cert, v. a. for several persons to 
 agree together upon something 
 which is to be done, usually with- 
 out letting others know it. 
 
 The prisoners concerted a plan to make 
 their escape from the jail. 
 
 Con cert, n. agreement to act together. 
 
 There was a concert among several wicked 
 men to set fire to some houses for the sake 
 of plunder. 
 
 the acting together of persons who 
 agree so to do. 
 
 At the same time that the land forces at- 
 tacked the towm, the armed vessels attacked 
 it also. They acted in concert. 
 
 Con cil i ate, v. a. to gain, by gentle 
 and winning means, the good will 
 and favor of a person. 
 
 Jacob, expecting to meet his brother Esau 
 who had been offended with him, sent him 
 many valuable presents to conciliate his af- 
 fection. 
 
 to lead persons to be friendly to each 
 other who have had disputes or 
 quarrels. 
 
 When the Romans and Sabines w r ere fight- 
 ing each other furiously, the wives of the 
 Romans, who were Sabine women, rushed be- 
 tween the combatants, and by their entreaties 
 and tears conciliated them. They became 
 friends, and agreed to live together in Rome. 
 
 0Con else, a. saying or writing things 
 in a very short manner, using as 
 few words as possible to tell what 
 one means. 
 
 Julius Cesar gave this concise account 
 of one of his victories ; " I came, I saw, I 
 conquered." 
 
 Con elude, v. a. to bring to an end. 
 
 As he concluded his address, almost every 
 one was in tears. 
 
 The stoiy is an interesting one, but the 
 conclusion of it so sad that I do not . like to 
 read it. 
 to make up one's mind to do, or not 
 to do something, after having 
 thought about it. 
 
 Eliza was invited to spend a week at he* 
 cousin's, and her mother concluded to let hei 
 go. 
 
 to make up one's mind that a thing is 
 true, because we see a good rea- 
 son for thinking so. 
 
CON 57 
 
 CON 
 
 He has taken down his sign, and I con- 
 clude that he does not intend to keep tavern 
 any longer. 
 
 His argument was so conclusive that no one 
 attempted to make any reply to it. 
 Con' course, (con cors,) n. a consid- 
 erable collection of persons who 
 are drawn together at the same 
 time. 
 
 When the balloon ascended, there was an 
 immense concourse of people to see it. 
 Con cur, v. n. to agree in thought or 
 action. 
 
 One of the men thought it was best to make 
 the road through a thick wood, and the others 
 concurred with him in opinion. 
 
 Two men were in business together. One 
 of them had something very important to do 
 in their affairs, and wrote to the other who 
 was from home, to get his concurrence. 
 
 Con demra, v. a. to censure severely, 
 to say that a thing is utterly wrong. 
 
 He treated his mother with great disrespect, 
 and every one condemned his conduct. 
 
 to declare one guilty and pronounce 
 his punishment. 
 
 He was found guilty of murder, and the 
 judee condemned him to death. 
 
 The Bible assures us that there is no con- 
 demnation to them who are in Christ Jesus, — 
 that is, to those who receive him as their 
 Saviour, and follow his example. 
 
 Con dense, v. a. to bring the parts of 
 any thing more closely together ; 
 to make more solid. 
 
 Frank kept squeezing the snow in his 
 hands till he condensed it, and made a hard 
 snow-ball. 
 
 Hold a plate over the steam which comes 
 from a tea-kettle, and you will soon sea the 
 steam becoming condensed into drops of 
 water. 
 
 The teacher told Charles that he had 
 drawn out his thoughts too much, and used 
 too many words. He told him to condense 
 
 his thoughts, and make his composition more 
 concise. 
 
 Con de scend, v. n. for a superior, in 
 a kind and obliging manner, to do 
 that for an inferior which .the latter 
 has no right to claim. 
 
 When little children were brought to 
 Christ, he condescended to take them in his 
 arms, and blessed them. 
 
 It is great condescension in God to notice, 
 and take care of beings so weak and sinful 
 as we are. 
 
 Con di' tion, (con dish un,) n. the cir- 
 cumstances in which a person is 
 placed, at a certain time, with re- 
 gard to his being rich or poor, high 
 or low, happy or unhappy, well or 
 sick ; and also the circumstances 
 which, at a certain time, make a 
 thing good or bad, convenient or 
 inconvenient, useful or useless, 
 valuable or worthless. 
 
 David, when a youth, was the keeper of his 
 father's flocks at Bethlehem. He was in a 
 humble and obscure condition. He after- 
 wards rose to the high station of being King 
 of Israel. 
 
 The Christian religion has greatly improved 
 the condition of females. 
 
 He wishes to rent his house. It has a 
 very healthful and pleasant situation. It is 
 well built, and the brick and wood work are in 
 a good state. But many of the panes of glass 
 are broken ; some of the doors are off the 
 hinges ; most of the rooms need painting ; 
 and it is not fit to be occupied in its present 
 condition. 
 
 something to be done in order that 
 something else be done. 
 
 His farm is to be sold at auction. The 
 conditions of the sale are, that one half of the 
 money for which it is sold shall be paid in six 
 months, and the other half in twelve. When 
 this is all done, the purchaser will have a 
 
CON 58 
 
 CON 
 
 deed of the farm. Such a sale is said to be 
 conditional. 
 
 Con duce, p. n. to help a thing for- 
 ward. 
 
 Exercise in the open air conduces to 
 health. • 
 
 A cheerful disposition conduces much to 
 happiness. 
 
 His obliging manners have conduced to his 
 success in business. 
 
 Obedience to the parent, on the part of the 
 older children, is very conducive to the good 
 order of a family. 
 
 Con duct, n. the good or ill behavior 
 of a person. 
 
 The boy often laughed and played at 
 church. His conduct was unbecoming and 
 wicked. 
 
 There was a man who treated his neighbor 
 in a very abusive and provoking manner, for a 
 long time. But the latter bore it with great 
 meekness, and always returned good for evil. 
 His conduct was that of a Christian. 
 
 Con duct, v. a. to lead and show the 
 way. 
 
 In the East, when persons are to be marri- 
 ed, the bridegroom and a large company go 
 out to meet the bride in the evening, and con- 
 duct her from her father's house to that of 
 the bridegroom. 
 
 to carry on one's business. 
 
 Though quite young when his father died, 
 he had the charge of the farm, and conducted 
 its affairs with great prudence and success. 
 
 to behave well, or ill. 
 
 He conducted so well while a clerk, that 
 his employer took him into partnership. 
 
 Confer, v. n. to talk with others, on 
 some important subject. 
 
 When Festus had conferred with his coun- 
 cil, he determined to send Paul to Rome, to 
 be judged by Cesar. 
 
 Several neighbors spent an evening together 
 in conference about making a new road through 
 their land, to shorten the distance to the 
 mill. 
 
 v. a. to give or bestow. 
 
 Wherever Washington is known, every 
 body confers on him the title of Father of his 
 country. 
 
 Con fess, v. a. for one to own to 
 others that he is guilty of having 
 done something wrong. 
 
 " He that covereth his sins shall not pros- 
 per, — but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them 
 shall have mercy." 
 
 David made confession of his sins to God 
 with deep penitence, and prayed to be for- 
 given. 
 
 to acknowledge a thing to be so. 
 
 He said, he was sorry to say it, but confess- 
 ed that he had no fondness for music. 
 
 To confess Christ before men, is to ac- 
 knowledge him as our Saviour. 
 
 Con fide, v. n. to feel entirely safe in 
 putting ourselves, or something 
 that is dear to us under the direc- 
 tion or care of another, because he 
 is honest and capable, and, in some 
 cases, has a peculiar affection for 
 us. 
 
 Children should confide in their parents, 
 because no body else loves them so much, or 
 usually knows so well what is best for them. 
 
 " It is better to trust in the Lord than to 
 put confidence in princes." 
 
 A father once wished to see if his little 
 daughter fully confided in his word. He told 
 her to throw a string of pretty beads which 
 she had into the fire, and said, if she would, 
 he would give her something much more val- 
 uable. She did it immediately, and thus 
 showed that she had entire confidence in his 
 promise. 
 
 v. a. to commit something to one's 
 charge, feeling that it is safe to 
 lo so, because he is honest and 
 capable. 
 
 Pharaoh made- Joseph governor of Egypt, 
 and confided to him the management of the 
 affairs of the kingdom. 
 
 When a person has a great deal of assur- 
 
CON 
 
 59 
 
 CON 
 
 ance, and shows that he feels as if he could 
 do almost any thing, we say, he has too much 
 confidence. - 
 
 Con fi dent, a. having no doubt, being 
 sure that a thing is so. 
 
 He said he was as confident that what his 
 friend told him was true, as if he had seen it 
 with his own eyes. 
 
 " A wise man feareth, and departeth from 
 evil ; but the fool rageth, and is confident." 
 
 too bold and forward. 
 
 He was so confident, that although very- 
 young, he sent some poetry of his own wri- 
 ting to a distinguished man, with whom he 
 had no acquaintance, requesting him to have 
 it published. 
 
 Con fi den tial, a. worthy of being 
 confided in. 
 
 If you have found a confidential friend, you 
 have found a treasure. 
 
 to be kept in confidence, not to be 
 told. 
 
 I can read to you every part of his letter 
 except the postscript, which he says nobody 
 must know. It is strictly confidential. ^ 
 
 Con fine, v. a. to keep within certain 
 bounds, so that a person or thing is 
 not to go beyond them. 
 
 The prisoner was confined to his cell. 
 
 He has been confined to his bed three 
 weeks. 
 
 He confines himself too closely to his books. 
 
 He said he had a great deal to tell us about 
 Philadelphia, but must confine his remarks, 
 at that time, to the Chinese Museum. 
 
 Con firm, v. a. to make a thing 
 stronger, and more sure. 
 
 The report of the loss of the ship was, at 
 first, doubted ; but the news which came 
 afterwards confirmed it. 
 
 He who studies the Bible diligently and 
 prayerfully, and lives as it tells him to do, 
 will be more and more confirmed in his belief 
 of its truth. 
 ' What he says may be true, but it needs 
 
 confirmation. 
 
 to make a thing quite strong and sure, 
 to fix, to settle. 
 
 His disease and weakness have entirely 
 left him, and his health is fully confirmed. 
 
 His insanity has continued for twenty 
 years, and appears to be confirmed beyond 
 the hope of cure. 
 
 Con flict, n. the striking or dashing 
 violently together of bodies which 
 are moving so as to meet. 
 
 There was a furious storm, and the con- 
 flict of the waves, as they rushed against 
 each other, w r as terrible. 
 
 The two armies met and charged each other 
 at the point of the bayonet. The conflict 
 was severe and bloody. 
 
 The father told the child to do one thing, 
 and the mother told it to do another. Their 
 commands conflicted, and the poor child did 
 not know what to do. 
 
 a striving or struggle in the mind or 
 feelings. 
 
 Robert often had violent fits of anger. He 
 knew he ought not to feel so. He strove, he 
 prayed against being angry. It was a hard 
 conflict for him, but he got, at length, the vie 
 tory over his passion. 
 
 Con form, v. n. to think, feel, or act, 
 according to some rule or example 
 
 We should conform to the customs of the 
 people among whom we live, so far as we 
 can do it innocently. 
 
 Though Frederick w T as as old as the teacher, 
 he cheerfully conformed to all the rules of the 
 school. 
 
 Christians should pray and strive to make 
 their conduct conformable to the example of 
 Christ. 
 
 Moses made the tabernacle in exact con- 
 formity w ith the pattern which God had shown 
 him in the mount. 
 
 Con found', v. a. to mix things to- 
 gether in a disorderly way so that 
 one is liable to be mistaken for an- 
 other. 
 
CON 60 
 
 The Bible tells us that God confounded the 
 language of the men who were building the 
 tower of Babel, so that they could not under- 
 stand what each other said. 
 
 to throw the thoughts and feelings 
 into a disorderly state, to amaze 
 greatly. 
 
 On the day of Pentecost, the multitude 
 who had come to Jerusalem from different 
 parts of the world, were greatly confounded, 
 because each one heard the disciples of 
 Christ speaking in his own language. 
 
 Con fuse, v. a. to break up arrange- 
 ment, to throw into disorder. 
 
 A little child played with the papers on his 
 father'^ desk, and confused them so much 
 that it took a long time to put them in order 
 again. 
 
 The troops were suddenly attacked on their 
 march, and thrown into great confusion, 
 
 to throw the thoughts and feelings in- 
 to disorder by shame, fear or some 
 accusation. 
 
 When he rose to speak before the large as- 
 sembly, he blushed, hesitated, and appeared ( 
 to be much confused. 
 
 Con fiite, v. a. to show by argument 
 or proof, that something which 
 another advances is either not right, 
 or not true. 
 
 A number of persons came together to fix 
 upon the place for a school-house. One gave 
 some reasons for having it close by the road, 
 where there would be no trees nor play -ground. 
 Another showed that his reasons were not 
 good. He confuted them, and proved that 
 the school-house ought to stand on a small 
 hill, in a beautiful, pleasant place. 
 
 Con grat u late, v. a. for one person 
 to tell another that he rejoices with 
 him on account of some good which 
 has happened to the latter. 
 
 Mary had been sick for several weeks, and 
 at length became well enough to go about the 
 
 CON 
 
 house. Several of her young, friends called 
 to congratulate her on her recovery. 
 
 Con g»ess, n. the Congress of the 
 United States is made up of two 
 parts— the Senate, and the House 
 of . Representatives. Each State 
 sends two senators, who are cho- ; 
 sen for six years, and a certain 
 number of representatives, chosen 
 for two years, according to its num- 
 ber of inhabitants. The Congress 
 makes laws, and does many other 
 things which are necessary in or- 
 der to carry on the affairs of the 
 government. 
 
 Con jec ture, n. thinking that it is 
 possible something may have hap- 
 pened, or may yet happen, about* 
 which there is much uncertainty. 
 
 ^ A loud noise was heard for a few seconds, 
 J. at midnight. There were many conjectures 
 about it. Some thought it was an earthquake ; 
 and some, the blowing up of a powder mill. 
 But it proved to be the cracking of the ice on 
 the river. 
 
 Edward, at a distance, saw a man passing 
 through town in the stage-coach, and conjec- 
 tured that it was his uncle. 
 
 Con nect, v. a. to link or join things 
 together. 
 
 The links in a chain are connected. 
 
 The oxen were connected by a yoke. 
 
 Two places, thirty mdes distant from each 
 other, have been connected by a rail-road. 
 
 In telling the story he did not remember 
 things well, but connected those together 
 which happened at different times. 
 
 Children are not apt to think what a close 
 connection there is between what they do now, 
 and what they will be hereafter. 
 
 His family connections are among the mosfc 
 respectable people in the place. 
 
CON 
 
 Con nive, v. n. to seem not to see or 
 know some wrong thing which 
 another does. 
 
 There was a teacher of a school, who was 
 partial to two or three of the scholars. One 
 day they went out without leave. He knew 
 it, but connived at it, and did not call them 
 to account for it. 
 Con quer, v. a. for one to bring fully 
 under his power persons or things 
 that have resisted him. 
 
 The Spaniards, under Fernando Cortes, 
 conquered Mexico in the y6ar 1521, and treat- 
 ad the natives with great cruelty. 
 
 He was formerly addicted to profane swear- 
 ing, but has completely conquered the habit. 
 
 Con' science, (conshens,) n.the mind 
 judging what is right or wrong in 
 ourselves, and approving the for- 
 mer, and condemning the latter. 
 Use all the means in your power to find 
 • out what you ought to do ; and be careful to 
 do nothing which your conscience tells you is 
 wrong. 
 
 We call him who strictly follows his con- 
 science in all things, a conscientious person. 
 
 Con' scious, (con shus,) a. knowing 
 and feeling a tiring to be true in 
 one's own mind. 
 
 We are conscious of hunger, of thirst, of 
 pain, of pleasure, of innocence, of guilt, and 
 the like. 
 
 He was thrown from his horse, and lay for 
 several hours as if he were dead and not con- 
 scious of any thing. 
 
 Con se crate, v. a. to set apart, in a 
 solemn manner, s,ome person or 
 thing for the service of God. 
 
 Moses consecrated Aaron and his sons to be 
 priests of the Lord, with many and striking 
 ceremonies. 
 
 Hezekiah, king of Judah, consecrated, at 
 one time, six hundred oxen and three thou- 
 sand sheep to be offered in sacrifice to the 
 Lord. 
 
 61 
 
 CON 
 
 Con sent, v. n. for one to give up, or 
 yield, something which he has a 
 right to refuse. 
 
 James asked his father to let him attend a 
 writing school in the evening, and his father 
 consented. 
 
 to agree with. 
 
 When Stephen, the first martyr, was put to 
 death, Saul was consenting to it. 
 
 Con se quence, n. that which is caus- 
 ed by something else, or follows 
 from it. 
 
 He was sick in consequence of eating too 
 much fruit. 
 
 He notices things very attentively, and the 
 consequence is, he remembers them well. 
 
 He did not love to work, or study, when he 
 was young, and consequently he is now both 
 a poor and ignorant man. 
 
 Parents have a right to command ; and it 
 follows as a consequence from this, that it is 
 the duty of children to obey. 
 
 When we say a thing is of great conse- 
 quence, we mean that some great good, or 
 evil will follow from it. When we say it is 
 of little consequence, we mean that what fol- 
 lows from it will not be of much importance. 
 
 Con sid er, v. a. to think upon a thing 
 very attentively and carefully. 
 
 David says, " When 1 consider thy heavens, 
 the work of thy fingers ; the moon and the 
 stars, which thou hast ordained ; what is man 
 that thou art mindful of him ?" 
 
 " Go to the ant, thou sluggard, consider her 
 ways, and be wise." 
 
 Children are apt to do improper things from 
 the want of consideration. 
 
 to think upon kindly and aid. 
 
 " Blessed is he that considereth the poor; 
 the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." 
 
 Con sid e ra ble, a. more than a little, 
 and less than a great deal. 
 
 It has not been a wet season this year 
 though considerable rain has fallen. 
 
 Con sist, v. n. to be made up of. 
 A week consists of seven days. 
 
CON 
 
 His library consists entirely of very an- 
 cient books. 
 
 The ship was approaching a rocky shore, 
 and the safety of the crew consisted in keep- 
 . ing a constant watch against danger. 
 
 Con sis tent, a. agreeing with, con- 
 formed to. 
 
 He wished very much to accompany his 
 friend on a journey, but could not, as it was 
 not consistent with his business to leave home. 
 
 Con sole, v. a. to relieve the feelings 
 of one who is in affliction or trou j 
 ble, in a kind and encouraging way. 
 
 After the death of Lazarus, the friends of 
 his sisters, Martha and Mary, came to console 
 them. 
 
 It was a great consolation to his parents 
 that although he died among strangers, they 
 treated him as if he had been a brother. 
 
 Con spic u ous, a. easy to be seen. 
 
 The White Mountains in New Hampshire 
 are very conspicuous. 
 
 greatly distinguished. 
 
 Among English writers Addison is con- 
 sidered one of the most conspicuous. 
 
 Among the Romans Cato was conspicuous 
 for his justice. 
 
 Con spire, v. n. for several persons to 
 join together secretly, for the ac- 
 complishment of some wicked 
 thing. 
 
 Joseph's brethren were envious of him and 
 hated him, and when they saw him at a dis- 
 tance, they conspired to slay him. 
 
 Julius Cesar was killed in the Senate 
 house at Rome, by Brutus and the other con- 
 spirators, forty -four years before Christ. 
 
 to join in causing the same thing. 
 
 He was poor, and without friends. He 
 went but little to school, as he had to work 
 hard for his living. Every thing, for a long 
 time, seemed to conspire to keep him m a low 
 condition. But he was industrious, upright, 
 and resolute, and became a very respectable 
 and useful man. 
 
 62 
 
 CON 
 
 Con stant, a. keeping on without 
 stopping. 
 
 After the flood, God promised Noah that, 
 while the earth remained, there should be a 
 constant return, year after year, of seed-time 
 and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer 
 and winter, and day and night. 
 
 fixed, firm, adhering to. 
 
 Nothing is more constant than the affec- 
 tion which a kind mother has for her child. 
 
 Columbus was remarkable for constancy to 
 his purpose. He met with great difficul- 
 ties for many years, but persevered till he 
 discovered America. 
 
 Con sti tute, v. a. to make a thing to 
 be what it is. 
 
 A convenient building, a good teacher, in- 
 dustrious and well-behaved scholars, and 
 suitable books, are the chief things which 
 constitute a good school. 
 
 to appoint and give authority to. 
 
 Our Saviour called unto him twelve of his 
 followers, and constituted them to be his apos- 
 tles. 
 
 Con sti tu tion, n. what a thing con- 
 . stantly is, because it is made up of 
 certain things put together in a cer- 
 tain way. 
 
 We say a man has a good constitution, 
 when the different things which make up his 
 body have been so put together, and kept on 
 their action, as to give him vigorous health. 
 A person has a feeble constitution, when the 
 state of his health is such that he cannot bear 
 much labor or fatigue, and is often liable to 
 weakness and sickness. 
 
 those fixed laws according to which 
 the government of a country must 
 be carried on, and to which all oth- 
 er laws that are made must con- 
 form. 
 
 The Constitution of the United States was 
 made by the people, and can be altered by 
 them only in the way which itself points out. 
 
Con strain, v. a. to stop a person from 
 doing that which he wishes to do, 
 or to make him do that which he is 
 not inclined to do. 
 
 He got so much in debt, that he was con- 
 strained to sell the house in which he lived, 
 and the farm round it, for less than their value. 
 He wished to stay at home and read a new 
 and interesting book, but the other boys, though 
 with great difficulty, constrained him to go 
 put and play with them. 
 Con struct, v. a. to make a thing, by- 
 putting together in a proper man- 
 ner the several parts of which it is 
 composed. 
 
 The bees, without being taught, construct 
 the cells in which they live and put their 
 honey, with astonishing accuracy and skill. 
 
 John is beginning to put a few Words to- 
 gether in composition, but he cannot yet con- 
 struct long sentences. 
 
 %o put a construction upon what a person 
 says or does, is to give what we think is its 
 meaning. 
 
 Con suit, v. a. to ask advice of. 
 
 Before young persons undertake any im- 
 portant business, they should consult those 
 who are older and wiser. 
 
 to seek information of. 
 
 He said he did not recollect the year in 
 which the battle of Marathon happened, but 
 he would consult his books and see. 
 to act with regard to. 
 
 He who aims to do good, must learn- not to 
 consult his own ease. 
 
 v. n. for two or more persons to ad- 
 vise together with regard to what 
 is to be done. 
 
 After hearing the arguments of the-lawyers, 
 before giving their decision the judges consult- 
 ed together in private. 
 
 When the physicians had examined the sick 
 man, they retired into another room, and held 
 a long consultation on his case. 
 
 Con sume, v. a. to make a thing be- 
 
 63 CON 
 
 come less and less, until it is quite 
 gone. 
 
 The poor family had consumed their last 
 mouthful of food, when a kind lady came to 
 their relief. 
 to spend in a wasteful manner. 
 
 His father left him a large estate, but he 
 soon consumed it in extravagance. % 
 
 He has so little application, that he con- 
 sumes a great deal of time in getting his lesson. 
 
 Con sump tion, n. a wasting and very- 
 dangerous disease.— the act of 
 consuming. 
 
 The consumption of ardent spirits has very 
 much decreased withh* a few years. 
 
 Con ta gious, a. communicating dis- 
 ease from one person to another, 
 by touch or a near approach. — » 
 when the bad example or influ- 
 ence of one person corrupts oth- 
 ers, it is said to be contagious. 
 
 Con tain, v. a. to hold or keep within. 
 
 The book contains a great many beautiful 
 engravings. 
 
 According to the census of 1840, the State 
 of New York contains 2,428,921 inhabitants. 
 
 Con tern plate, or con tem plate, v. a. 
 to view with close, continued, and 
 serious attention. 
 
 When we contemplate the immortality of 
 the soul, it is astonishing that men regard the 
 present life so much, and the future so little. 
 
 Frequent contemplation on the works of 
 God, tends to keep the idea of his presence 
 in our minds. 
 
 to think of a thing with some expec- 
 tation of doing it. 
 
 He contemplates a voyage to Europe, if 
 his business will allow it. 
 
 Con tempt, n. regarding or treating 
 a person or thing as exceedingly 
 low, vile or worthless. 
 
CON 
 
 64 
 
 CON 
 
 We should never treat with contempt those 
 who conduct well, whatever their condition 
 in life may be. 
 
 He is not a good citizen who contemns any 
 of the laws. 
 
 What is deserving of contempt we call 
 contemptible ; as, profane swearing is a con- 
 temptible vice. 
 
 That which shows contempt we call con- 
 temptuous. 
 
 Con tend, v. n. to strain or strive, in 
 order to overcome. 
 
 In the ancient games among the Greeks, 
 those who wrestled or ran in the races, con- 
 tended with all their might for the crown of 
 victory.. 
 
 Our Saviour reproved his disciples, because 
 there had been a contention among them who 
 should be the greatest. 
 
 We call one who is much addicted to con- 
 tention, and is quarrelsome, a contentious per- 
 son. 
 
 Con tent, a. happy in the enjoyment 
 of what one has, without being 
 uneasy for more. 
 
 " Happy the man whose wish and care 
 
 A few paternal acres bound, 
 Content to breathe his native air 
 
 In his own ground." 
 " Godliness with contentment is great gain." 
 
 Con test, n. a striving to overcome by 
 argument, evidence, or force. 
 
 There is sometimes a contest between two 
 persons, each of whom claims that he has 
 been chosen a member of Congress, in order 
 to see which has a right to the seat. 
 
 In the fifteenth century, there was a long 
 and bloody contest between the houses (or 
 families) of York and Lancaster, for the crown 
 of England. 
 
 Con tin ue, v. n. to stay in a place. 
 
 James reproves those who feel so sure of 
 living that they say, " To-day or to-morrow, 
 we will go into such a city, and continue 
 there a year, and buy, and sell, and get gain." 
 
 to keep on without stopping. 
 
 The earth has continued, ever since it was 
 
 created, to turn round on its axis, once a day, 
 and to go round the sun, once a year. 
 
 The storm was violent while it lasted, but 
 of short continuance. 
 
 God's constant care of us, calls for our 
 continual gratitude. 
 
 v. a. to keep on doing. 
 
 Although an old man, he continued his prac- 
 tice as a physician among the circle of his 
 friends. 
 
 Con tract, v. a. to draw nearer togeth- 
 er, or within narrower bounds. 
 
 The muscles which move the fingers had 
 been so long contracted, that he could not 
 open his hand. 
 
 He said he must contract his business, for 
 he had more to do than he could possibly at- 
 tend to. 
 
 to draw upon one's self. 
 
 He got many goods charged to him, and 
 contracted large debts without the knowledge 
 of his father. 
 
 v. n. to shrink up, to grow short. 
 
 If Frank lets go of that piece of india-rub- 
 ber which he is stretching, it will contract. 
 to make a bargain. 
 
 He contracted with the farmer for ten bar- 
 rels of winter apples at fifty cents a bushel. 
 
 The house was well built and finished, ac- 
 cording to cmltract. 
 
 Con tra diet, v. a. to assert that what 
 another says is not so. 
 
 " Be slow to contradict others. 
 
 to be contrary to. 
 
 He said he was not angry, but any body 
 could see that he was so from his very looks. 
 His actions contradicted his language. 
 
 Con tra ry, a. different from, oppo- 
 sed to. 
 
 The physician found fault with the sick 
 man for acting contrary to his directions. 
 
 Con trast, v. a. to set one thing over 
 against another of the same kind, 
 in order to show more distinctly 
 some difference between them. 
 
CON 
 
 The master contrasted the writing books 
 of George and Edward. That of George was 
 free from blots and mistakes, and the letters 
 were made carefully and well ; while that of 
 Edward was dirty and blotted, and full of mis- 
 takes, and the letters were awkwardly made. 
 
 What a con'trast between the acorn and the 
 great oak which grows from it. 
 
 Contrib ute, v. a. to give or do some- 
 thing, in common with other per- 
 sons or things. 
 
 A little girl had laid up a dollar, which she 
 contributed to aid the orphan children. 
 
 He went to the springs, and found the use 
 of the waters contributed veiy much to re- 
 store him to health. 
 
 Con trlve, v. a. to think out or plan 
 some new way of doing a thing. 
 
 The stream in front of the house was very 
 much swollen, and Richard contrived a nice 
 little bridge of boards by which to cross it. 
 Con trol, v. a. to have power over, 
 so as to check and direct. 
 
 He rode a very spirited horse which was 
 quite restless at the noise of the drums, and 
 the sight of the soldiers, but being a skillful 
 rider, was able to control him. 
 
 He who is apt to be angry, must learn to 
 control his passion, or he will soon be under 
 a very hard master. 
 
 His parents have no control over him, and 
 I fear he is getting to be a very bad boy. 
 
 Con vene, v. n. to come together on 
 some public occasion. 
 
 The two Houses of Congress convene at 
 Washington annually in December. 
 
 v. a. to call together on some public 
 occasion. 
 
 The President of the United States has 
 power' to convene Congress at other than the 
 usual times, if he thinks it necessary. 
 
 Con ven' ient, (con ven yent,) a. agree- 
 ing well with the condition or cir- 
 cumstances of a person, or with 
 what he has to do. 
 
 65 CON 
 
 When Paul reasoned before Felix of right 
 eousness, temperance, and judgment to come, 
 the latter said, " Go thy way, when I have a 
 more convenient season, 1 will call for ihee.' ; 
 
 The lame man rinds his crutches a great 
 convenience to him. 
 
 Con vert, v. a. to turn a person from 
 one opinion, or course of conduct, 
 to another. 
 
 Before the ancient Britons were converted 
 to Christianity, they worshipped idols anc 
 offered up human sacrifices. 
 
 His arguments were so convincing, that al 1 
 who heard him became con'verts to his opin 
 ion. 
 
 to turn a thing from one use to anoth- 
 er. 
 
 The building was erected for a theatre, but 
 was afterwards converted into a church. 
 
 Con vey', (kon va,) v. a. to carry from 
 one place to another by the help 
 of something. 
 
 Thousands of letters are conveyed every 
 day in the mail from one part of the countiv 
 to the other. 
 
 Deaf-mutes convey their ideas to eac »■■ 
 other by signs, and by spelling words on the: i 
 fingers. 
 
 Some have thought that balloons will yet b 
 means of conveyance. 
 
 When a person gives over his right to h 
 thing, or his property, to another, we say h 
 conveys it. 
 
 Con vict, v. a. to prove or find guilty 
 or wrong. 
 
 The evidence of his guilt was so cleai 
 that the jury convicted him of forgery withou 
 leaving their seats. 
 
 The con'victs in the prison are not permitte 
 to converse with each other. 
 
 Con vince, v. a. to make one feel tha 
 a thing is true or false, right o» 
 wrong, which he before doubte ! 
 or denied. 
 Apollos, while in Achaia, " mightily co ... 
 
COR 
 
 vilified the Jews, and that publicly, showing 
 by the Scriptures, that Jesus was Christ." 
 
 Con voy'. v. a. to accompany for pro- 
 tection, more usually by sea. 
 
 The frigate which convoyed several mer- 
 chant-vessels was separated from them in a 
 gale, and one of them was taken by the ene- 
 my. 
 
 Con vulse, v. a. to twitch and shake 
 suddenly, so as to put in violent 
 motion. 
 
 He was convulsed with laughter for so long 
 a time, that they were almost afraid he would 
 go into a fit. 
 
 We call any irregular and violent move- 
 ment a cojimilsion ; as of an earthquake, or of 
 a body of people when greatly agitated. 
 
 Co pi ous, a. giving or sending forth 
 an abundance. 
 
 It was a copious stream and afforded water 
 enough for several mills. 
 
 The old sailor often spoke of his adventures 
 at sea, and the subject was so copious that it 
 seemed as if he did not know when to stop. 
 
 Cord'ial, (cord yal,) a. coming from 
 the heart, — affectionate and sin- 
 cere. 
 
 He seemed to be truly glad to see me, and 
 invited me to make his house my home. " He 
 -jave me a very cordial reception. 
 
 Cor rect, v. a. to change that which 
 is wrong so as to make it right. 
 
 There were so many words spelt wrong, 
 and other mistakes in his composition, that it 
 cook the teacher a long time to correct it. 
 
 Avoid bad habits, for their correction is very 
 •tifficult. 
 
 to punish in order to make better. 
 
 " Behold, happy is the man whom God cor- 
 • ecteth." 
 
 We call that correct, which is free from 
 '">»ult, error, or mistake. 
 
 0«'«r re spend, v. n. for one thing to be 
 like another in some or all of their 
 parts. 
 
 66 COU 
 
 That miniature of our friend corresponds 
 well with the original. 
 
 It is singular that his eyes do not corres- 
 pond in color ; one is gray, and the other 
 black. 
 
 for one thing to be adapted or suited 
 to another. 
 
 The steeple is not high, and corresponds 
 with the size of the church, which is a small 
 one. 
 
 His conduct does not correspond with his 
 professions. 
 
 for two persons to write letters back 
 and forth to each other. 
 
 He carries on so large a correspondence 
 that he has to employ a clerk to copy his let- 
 ters. 
 
 Cor rupt, v. a. to change from good 
 to bad. 
 
 The knives and forks had lain so long in a 
 damp closet, that the rust had corrupted thern 
 very much. 
 
 James used to be obedient to his parents, 
 and fond of going to school. But he conducts 
 very differently of late, and I am afraid he ia 
 corrupted by a wicked companion. 
 
 When our Saviour made his appearance on 
 earth, men were exceedingly corrupt. 
 
 v. n. to, become putrid and spoiled ; 
 
 as, meat and vegetables corrupt by 
 
 being kept too long. 
 Coun' cil, n. a number of persons who 
 
 come together, to consult with each 
 
 other on some important affair. 
 
 When the high-priest had convened the 
 Jewish council, to consider what to do with 
 the apostles, one of the council, Gamaliel, 
 advised to let them alone. 
 
 Coun' sel, n. deliberate advice on im- 
 portant affairs. 
 
 The proverb says, Young men for action 
 and old men for counsel. 
 
 consulting together. 
 
 Before the general decided upon attacking 
 
cov 
 
 the place, he called his officers together, and 
 took counsel with them. 
 
 Coun' te nance, v. a. to say or do 
 something to favor, encourage, or 
 uphold another. 
 
 It was very wrong in the father, to counte- 
 nance his son in treating the man with whom 
 he lived w ith disrespect. 
 
 Cour age, n. freedom from fear,— 
 • power of mind to meet difficulty 
 and danger firmly. 
 
 Horatius Codes, standing alone at the head 
 of abridge over the Tiber, defended it against 
 a body of the Tuscans until his countrymen, 
 the Romans, broke it down behind him, and 
 thus prevented the enemy from taking the 
 city. In honor of his courage, the Romans 
 erected a brazen statue. 
 
 Cowrse, n. the line in which a person 
 or thing moves. 
 
 The course of the river for ten miles, was 
 directly south, and then turned to the east. 
 
 ordei -of things following each other. 
 
 The master heard the classes say their les- 
 sons in course, beginning with the highest 
 and ending with the lowest. 
 
 He left home a year ago. He stayed two 
 months in New-York doing nothing. He 
 then went to Philadelphia, and opened a wri- 
 ting school. A few weeks afterwards, he was 
 in Pittsburg, a clerk in a store, and he is now 
 said to be in New Orleans as a book-agent. 
 His course of conduct is very singular. 
 
 Cov' et, (kuv et,) v. a. to desire un- 
 lawfully what belongs to another. 
 
 " Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, 
 tuou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor 
 his man-servant, norhis maid-servant, nor his 
 01, norhis ass, nor any thing that is thy neigh- 
 bor's." 
 
 We call him a covetous person who is very 
 enger to lay up property, and very unwilling 
 to part with it when he ought to do so. 
 
 to desire earnestly what it is proper 
 for us to have. 
 
 67 CRE 
 
 He is a hard student, and seems to oovet 
 knowledge more than any thing else 
 Craft, n. an art or trade. 
 
 When Paul went to Corinth, he abode witi 
 Aquila and Priscilla, and worked with them, 
 because he was of the same craft. 
 
 something done in an artful way, to 
 deceive and take advantage of 
 another. 
 
 The boy pretended to have a tooth-ache, and 
 tried to get leave to go home, but the master 
 detected the craft, and would not dismiss him. 
 
 The crafty person is ahnost always found 
 out at last, and despised. 
 We also call small sailing vessels, small craft. 
 
 Cre ate, v. a. to make something to be 
 which was not before. 
 
 "In the beginning God created the heav- 
 ens and. the earth." 
 
 God is called the Creator, — all the beings 
 and things that he has made, the creation, — 
 and each one taken separately, a creature. 
 
 Cred i ble, a. what may or ought to be 
 believed. 
 
 Some books for children contain stories 
 which are too strange to be credible. 
 
 Cred it, n. belief. 
 
 He has told so many falsehoods, that no 
 one now gives credit to what he says, even 
 when he tells the truth. 
 
 honor, reputation. 
 
 Both the master and scholars, gained much 
 credit from the examination of the school. 
 
 trust in one that he will pay at some 
 future time for wha.t he purchases. 
 
 He bought a thousand dollars worth of 
 goods on a credit of twelve months. 
 
 Cred it, v. a. to believe. 
 
 We should be slow to credit evil reports 
 against others. 
 
 to trust one that he will pay, in future, 
 for what he purchases. 
 
 He credited a neighbor goods to a large 
 amount, and lost it all by his failure. 
 
CUL 68 
 
 Cred u lous, a. apt to believe without 
 sufficient evidence, not suspicious, 
 easily deceived. 
 
 He is so credulous, that he will believe 
 almost any story that a beggar tells about his 
 misfortunes, and give him money. 
 
 Crime, n. the breaking of a law by- 
 some very wicked act ; as the 
 crime of robbery or murder. 
 
 Crim i nal, a. sinful, — guilty of a 
 crime. 
 
 In the sight of God he is criminal who in- 
 tends wrong, although he does not do it. 
 
 Cru el, a. pleased at giving pain to 
 others. 
 
 He was a cruel boy. He loved to throw 
 stones at the little birds on the trees ; and 
 when he was a man, he showed great cruelty 
 towards his wife and children. 
 
 Cruise, v. n. to sail about on the sea 
 without any certain course, in or- 
 der to take other vessels. 
 
 Cull, v. a. to pick out from among 
 others. 
 
 A farmer told his sons to cull out the best 
 ears of corn, and save them for planting, next 
 year. 
 Cul pa ble, a.' deserving of blame. 
 
 John's father was sick. He was sent to 
 call the physician, and was very culpable for 
 stopping to play on the way. 
 
 Cul ti vate, v. a. to make better and 
 more productive by labor, skill, and 
 care. 
 
 Eliza was fond of cultivating flowers. She 
 rose early. She watered them. She loos- 
 ened the earth round the stalks. She picked 
 off the dead leaves, and loved to see them 
 grow and look beautiful. 
 
 When a boy he was thought to have only a 
 moderate capacity to learn, but by the dili- 
 gent cultivation of his mind, he has become a 
 useful and even distinguished man. 
 
 CUR 
 
 Cul ture, n. the act of cultivating. 
 
 He has neglected the culture of his farm 
 so long, that the crops are very poor. 
 
 Cun ning, a. skillful in accomplishing 
 something by artifice and conceal- 
 ment. 
 
 The fox was very cunning. He lay a long 
 time motionless, and as if he was dead, and 
 when he thought he was not noticed, he sprang 
 up suddenly and ran off. 
 
 Cunning people are very apt to lose the 
 confidence of others. 
 
 Cu ri ous, a. desiring strongly to see 
 new things, and to find out what is 
 hidden or unknown. 
 
 James was very curious to know what his 
 father was writing in the letter, but he would 
 not tell him. 
 
 His curiosity was so great, that he spent 
 many years in travelling over one country and 
 another. 
 
 made with great skill, nicety, and ex- 
 actness. 
 
 - The watch which she wore on a ring, was 
 a very curious one. 
 
 not common and causing surprise or 
 admiration. 
 
 James and his sister seemed as if they nev- 
 er would be tired of looking at the curious 
 things in the museum. 
 
 His collection of curiosities from different 
 parts of the world, occupies a large room in 
 his house. 
 
 Cur rent, a. passing from one to anoth- 
 er, circulating freely. 
 
 You need not be afraid to take that bavik. 
 bill. It is good and current all over the State. 
 
 now passing, and not yet finished. 
 
 The current year will not come to a close 
 till the thirty -first of December. 
 
 Cur rent, n. the running or flowing on 
 of a stream, 
 
 The current of the river was so rapid, thai 
 the steam-boat ascended it very slowly. 
 
DEA 69 
 
 Curse, v. a. to wish for, or call down, 
 evil upon a person or thing in a sol- 
 emn manner. 
 " Love your enemies ; bless them that curse 
 you." 
 
 to give up a person or thing to evil. 
 
 After Adam had eaten the forbidden fruit, 
 God said to him ; " Cursed is the ground for 
 thy sake. Thorns and thistles shall it bring 
 forth to thee." 
 
 Cus to dy, n. the keeping and guard- 
 ing of a person with care, that he 
 may not escape. 
 
 The young men made such a disturbance 
 in the streets at night, that they were put into 
 custody by the watchmen, and carried before 
 the magistrate in the morning. 
 
 Cus torn, n. the doing of a thing often, 
 and the continuing to do it. 
 
 It was formerly the custom among the in- 
 habitants of the Sandwich Islands, when their 
 parents became old and sick, to carry them 
 away, and leave them to perish. 
 
 It was customary among the Jews for all the 
 adult males to go up to Jerusalem, three times 
 a year, to attend the feasts. 
 
 D. 
 
 Darmt, v. a. to put in great fear. 
 A bear crossed his path in the wobds ; but 
 it did not daunt him, for he had a loaded gun 
 in his hand. 
 
 to discourage or check by fear. 
 
 When Cicero, the great Roman orator, rose 
 to make a speech in defense of Milo, he was 
 so daunted by the appearance of the soldiers 
 who stood near him, that he trembled, his 
 tongue faltered, and he could hardly utter a 
 word. 
 
 Dearth, n. a very great want or scar- 
 city of any thing. 
 
 Tnere is often such a dearth of food, in 
 some parts of India, that thousands of the in- 
 habitants starve. 
 
 DEC 
 
 De base, v. a. to put into a lower con- 
 dition on account of misconduct, 
 to make mean and vile. 
 
 He has debased himself so much by intem- 
 perance and other vices, that his former com- 
 panions will not associate with him. 
 
 De bate,* v. a. for each of two or more 
 persons who differ in opinion, to 
 argue in defense of his own. 
 
 They often debate a subject in Congress 
 for several days before they decide upon it. 
 
 De ceit, n. leading a person to think 
 a thing is true when it is false, or 
 false when it is true. 
 
 Avoid deceit; for truth is always better 
 than falsehood. 
 
 Rebekah and Jacob did wrong in deceiving 
 Isaac, in order that Jacob might obtain his 
 blessing. 
 
 " The Lord will abhor the bloody and deceit- 
 ful man." 
 
 De cent, a. becoming and modest in 
 conversation, conduct, address, or 
 manners. 
 
 " Let all things be done decently and in or- 
 der." 
 
 De cep tion, n. making something to 
 appear different from what it is. 
 
 A boy asked his little brother William to 
 come to him and get something out of his hand. 
 William came, expecting to have a present, 
 but found his brother's hand had nothing in it. 
 It was wrong to practice such deception. 
 
 Travellers in the deserts of Arabia some- 
 times see sand at a distance which glistens in 
 the sun-shine, and which they mistake for 
 water. It is a deceptive appearance. 
 
 De cide, v. a. to make up one's mind 
 fully, usually after some hesitation 
 or doubt. 
 
 When Cesar came with his army to the 
 bank of the Rubicon, which he had been for- 
 bidden to pass by the Roman Senate, he de- 
 liberated a long time what to do. He, at 
 
DEC 7 
 
 length, decided the matter, and crossed the 
 river, fearless of consequences. This is a 
 striking example of decision of character. 
 
 De ci sive, a. that which settles or 
 ends what was before doubtful. 
 
 Cesar and Pompeyhad for some time been 
 contending which of them should be master 
 of Rome. They met with thei* armies at 
 Pharsalia. A decisive battle took place, in 
 which Cesar was victorious, and Pompey was 
 soon after slain while attempting to escape 
 into Egypt. 
 
 De clare, v. a. to make a thing known 
 by telling it plainly. 
 
 In 1776 a number of men from the different 
 colonies met together in Philadelphia, and 
 drew up a writing in which they declared to 
 the world, that the colonies ought no longer 
 to be subject to Great Britain, but had a right 
 to govern themselves, and would do so. This 
 writing was agreed to on the fourth of July, 
 and is called the Declaration of Independence. 
 
 * to affirm positively. 
 
 John declared that the charge which was 
 brought against him of abusing a boy, was en- 
 tirely false. 
 
 De cline, v. n. to bend, lean, or move 
 downwards. 
 
 Jane has neglected to water the lilies, and 
 their heads begin to decline. 
 
 It is past four o'clock, and the sun is declin- 
 ing in the western sky. 
 
 to pass from a better to a worse state. 
 
 It was formerly a very flourishing place, but 
 of late there is much less business done there. 
 It is on the decline. 
 
 not to accept. 
 
 He was invited to go on a sailing party, but 
 declined, having business at home. 
 
 Dec o rate, v. a. to put on, in order to 
 make more becoming and beautiful. 
 
 The ancient heathen used often to decorate 
 with garlands of flowers the animals which 
 were offered up in sacrifice. 
 
 De coy', v. a. to allure by artifice so 
 as to bring into one's power. | 
 
 ) DEE 
 
 The wild pigeons were decoyed into the net- 
 by the grains of corn which had been scat- 
 tered all along on the ground. 
 
 De crease, v. n. to become less. 
 
 It was a warm sunny day, and the snow 
 decreased rapidly. 
 
 v. a. to make less. 
 
 He owed a thousand dollars, but by being 
 very industrious and economical he made fre- 
 quent payments, and kept decreasing the debt 
 till it was all paid. 
 
 De cree, v. a. to decide upon some- 
 thing, and to order it to be done. 
 
 After much deliberation the court decreed 
 that the vessel should be given up to the own- 
 ers. 
 
 Just before our Saviour was born, a decree 
 went out from Cesar Augustus, that all the 
 world should be taxed. 
 De cry, v. a. to cry down a thing, to 
 endeavor to make it appear of less 
 value. 
 
 He was an envious, captious man, and 
 whenever any one did what was commended 
 by others, he was sure to decry it. 
 
 Ded i cate, v. a. to set apart and give 
 up some person 6r thing to a sacred 
 
 use. 
 
 When Solomon dedicated the temple at Je- 
 rusalem, he offered up in sacrifice twenty-two 
 thousand oxen, and one hundred and twenty 
 thousand sheep. 
 
 Deed, n. any thing which is done. 
 
 "God will render to every man according 
 to his deeds." 
 
 a writing which conveys the owner- 
 ship of houses, lands, and such 
 kind of property, to another, is 
 called a deed. 
 
 Deem, v. a. to think or judge. 
 
 John's father deemed it best that he^hould 
 stay at home and work, during the winter, 
 and not go to school 
 
DEF 
 
 De face, v. a. to injure or destroy 
 the face or surface of a thing. 
 
 He .has defaced a page of his writing book 
 very much by spilling ink over it. 
 
 De fame, v. a. to speak evil of others, 
 falsely and wickedly. 
 
 A few persons have tried to defame the 
 character of Washington, but have been com- 
 pletely baffled in their designs. 
 
 De feat, v. a. to overcome in battle, 
 or in some contest. 
 
 At the battle of Jena, in the year 1806, the 
 Prussians were defeated by the French with 
 immense loss. 
 
 to keep a person or thing from suc- 
 ceeding. 
 
 His plan of building a new house, was de- 
 feated by the failure of the man to whom he 
 had lent his money. 
 
 De feet, n. the absence or want of 
 something which is necessary to 
 make persons or things what they 
 ought to be. 
 
 He bought a book, and soon found that there 
 was a considerable defect in the binding, for 
 many of the leaves became loose and fell out. 
 
 It is a great defect in his character, that he 
 wants perseverance. 
 
 He cannot see things at a distance. His 
 eye-sight is defective, and he has to wear spec- 
 tacles. 
 
 De fer, v. a. to put off to a future 
 time. 
 
 The storm was so violent that they con- 
 cluded to defer the meeting till the following 
 week. 
 
 Defer not till to-morrow what ought to be 
 done to-day. 
 
 De fi ance, n. a contemptuous dar- 
 ing, as if fearless of consequen- 
 ces. 
 
 In some places, men continue to sell lottery 
 tickets in open defiance of the law. ^ 
 
 71 DEF 
 
 Goliath defied the armies of the Israelites 
 to send out a man to fight him. 
 
 De fi' cient, (de fish ent,) a. want- 
 ing something to make it what it 
 ought to be. 
 
 The committee that examined the school 
 found it very deficient in suitable books. 
 
 De file, n. a narrow passage. 
 
 The defile between the hills was so narrow, 
 that the soldiers had to march through it one 
 after another. 
 
 De file, v. a. to make corrupt and fil- 
 thy. 
 
 The Bible says of Heaven, that " there shall 
 in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, 
 neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or 
 maketh a lie." 
 
 De fine, v. a. to mark out exactly 
 how far a thing goes. 
 
 When a man sells land, he gives a deed of 
 it to the purchaser, which defines its bounds. 
 
 What he said was so definite that no one 
 could misunderstand him. 
 
 to tell accurately the meaning of a 
 word. 
 
 Some words are so simple in their mean- 
 ing, that it is useless to attempt to define 
 them ; while others are so hard to be under- 
 stood, that the definitions of them need to be 
 made clear by examples. 
 
 De form, v. a. to change the proper 
 form of a person or thing, so as to 
 make it out of shape and disagree- 
 able to the sight. 
 Can it be right to deform the body and in- 
 jure the health by tight dressing? 
 
 It is both mean and wicked to laugh at those 
 who have any natural deformity of body. 
 
 De fraud, v. a. to keep or take wrong- 
 fully, and by artifice, what belongs 
 to another. 
 
 He failed in business, concealed much of 
 his property, and defrauded those that he owed 
 out of more than half that was due to them 
 
DEL 
 
 f )e fray, v. a. to pay the expense, or 
 bear the charge of. 
 
 He found himself one hundred miles from 
 home, and his money quite gone. He had to 
 borrow some to defray his remaining ex- 
 penses. 
 
 I)e grade, v. a. to bring down .with 
 disgrace from a higher station to a 
 lower. 
 
 He was degraded, on account of cowardice, 
 from the rank of captain to that of a common 
 soldier. 
 
 De gree, n. when a person or thing 
 rises or falls, or moves in any other 
 direction, by little and little, each 
 of the several spaces thus passed 
 over, one after the other, is called 
 a degree. 
 
 A boy went up a ladder placed against a 
 house. He stepped from one round to an- 
 other, ascending a degree at each step. 
 When he reached the top, he was at the high- 
 est degree from the bottom. Another boy, 
 just beginning to ascend, had taken but one 
 step. He was at the lowest degree. 
 
 A thermometer is so marked, that the mer- 
 cury in it, by rising and falling, tells the de- 
 grees of heat and cold. 
 
 The youngest class in the school are in the 
 
 lowest degree of improvement. They should 
 
 strive, as they grow older, to reach the highest. 
 
 The three hundred and sixtieth part of the 
 
 circumference of a circle, is called a degree. 
 
 Deign, (dane,) v. n. to condescend. 
 
 He was so proud that he would not deign 
 even to hear what the poor, beggar had to say. 
 
 De ject ed, p. cast down in spirits 
 under disappointment or affliction. 
 
 He is so dejected at the misconduct of his 
 son, that he avoids all company, and is never 
 seen to smile. 
 
 De lib e rate, v. n. to weigh in the 
 mind, to consider the reasons for 
 and against doing something 
 
 72 DEL 
 
 The inhabitants of the town held several 
 meetings, and deliberated a long while, before 
 they could agree where the new court-house 
 should stand. 
 
 He does not decide hastily, but is veiy de- 
 liberate, and when he makes up his mind it is 
 not easy to lead him to change his purpose. 
 
 Del i cate, a. fine, soft, and smooth 
 to the touch ; as a delicate rose-leaf, 
 the delicate hand of an infant. 
 
 not bright and glaring, soft and pleas- 
 ant to the sight ; as the delicate 
 whiteness of pure snow, the deli- 
 cate green of the early grass in 
 spring. 
 
 nice, tender, pleasing to the taste ; as 
 delicate food. 
 
 soft and gentle, careful not to hurt the 
 feelings of others ; as, he is a man 
 of very delicate manners. 
 
 feeble in body, easily fatigued, or 
 made sick. 
 
 Her health is so delicate, that she cannot 
 go abroad except in the mildest weather. 
 
 We say of a person who is very nice and 
 accurate in judging whether things are beau- 
 tiful or not, that he has delicacy of taste. 
 
 De li' cious, (de Ifsh us,) a. highly 
 pleasing and sweet ; as delicious 
 fruit, delicious music, delicious po- 
 etry. 
 
 De light, n. a high degree of joy or 
 pleasure. 
 
 Robert seems to take great delight in doing 
 what he can, to make his lame brother happy 
 who is confined to the house. 
 
 John was so delighted with his new book r 
 that he wanted to be reading it all the while. 
 
 We visited the Orphan Asylum, and it was 
 delightful to see what good care was taken of 
 the poor children who have no father or 
 mother. 
 
DEN 7 
 
 De liv er, v . a. to give to another. 
 
 He said he would deliver the letter as soon 
 as he arrived in the city. 
 
 to give up. 
 
 They could no longer make any resistance, 
 and delivered up the city into the hands of 
 the enemy. 
 to save from. 
 
 When Daniel was cast into the den of 
 lions, they did not hurt him, for God delivered 
 him from their power. 
 
 to speak, or say something. 
 
 Though more than seventy years of age, he 
 delivered an address two hours in length, 
 without being the least fatigued. 
 
 De lade, v. a. to lead a person, in an 
 artful way, to think wrong on some 
 subject. 
 
 Mohammed, by pretending to have received 
 the Koran from heaven, deluded his followers 
 into a belief of it. 
 
 When a person has very false views of a 
 subject so as to fall into a great error or mis- 
 take, we say, he is under a delusion. 
 
 Some insane persons think themselves 
 kings and queens. It is a strange delusion. 
 
 That which causes delusion, we call delu- 
 sive. 
 
 De mol ish, v. a. to break down what 
 has been built up. 
 
 The ships approached the town, and firing 
 upon it demolished many of the houses. 
 
 Dem on strate,or de m5n strate, v. a. 
 to prove a thing to be true so 
 clearly that it cannot be doubted. 
 
 It is easy to demonstrate that eight times 
 eight are sixty-four. 
 
 De note, v. a. to mark, to be a sign 
 of, to mean. 
 
 The piece of timber placed at the end of 
 the bridge, denotes that it is not safe to cross 
 it. 
 
 De nounce, v. a. to threaten in a sol- 
 emn .and public manner. 
 
 i DEP 
 
 Moses denounced severe judgments against 
 the Israelites, if they became idolaters. 
 
 Dense, a. when the parts of a thing 
 are very close together, so that it 
 is thick, we call it dense ; as a 
 dense fog, a dense black cloud, 
 dense air. 
 
 De pend, v. n. to hang from. 
 
 In some of the southern States, the moss 
 depends from the tops of the tallest trees in 
 strips one or two feet wide, and twenty 01 
 thirty long. 
 
 When one thing is the cause of some- 
 thing else being what it is, or of 
 its having what it needs, the latter 
 is said to depend on the former. 
 
 We- depend on God to keep us in life. 
 
 His getting well will depend on his taking 
 the medicine. 
 
 He is so poor and helpless, that he is de- 
 pendent on the bounty of his friends for his 
 support. 
 
 When we feel sure that a person 
 will do a certain thing, we say that 
 we can depend upon him ; and 
 when we feel sure that a thing will 
 happen, we say that we can depend 
 upon it. 
 
 He has so often failed to keep his promise, 
 that I cannot depend upon him. 
 
 De plore, v. a. to feel and express 
 deep grief. 
 
 When he read the account of the burning 
 of widows in India, on the funeral pile of 
 their husbands, he greatly deplored the condi- 
 tion of females in that country. 
 
 It was deplorable indeed to hear the shrieks 
 of the poor drunkard who died with delirium 
 tremens. 
 
 De port ment, n. the manner in which, 
 by his words and actions, a person 
 shows his feelings and character. 
 
 The deportment of Louis the sixteenth, 
 
DEP 
 
 knig of France, when he was beheaded, was 
 calm, dignified, and becoming one in his situ- 
 ation. 
 
 De pos it, v. a. to lay down in a cer- 
 tain place. 
 
 The ostrich deposits her eggs in the sand, 
 and leaves them to be hatched by the heat of 
 the sun. 
 
 to lay up for safe keeping. 
 
 He was going a long journey, and deposited 
 a small trunk with many valuable things in it, 
 in the bank. 
 
 De praved, p. become very corrupt 
 and bad. 
 
 He is so depraved that he mocks at God 
 and the Bible, and seems to have no shame in 
 committing the vilest sins. 
 
 The bloody murder which the pirates com- 
 mitted showed great depravity of heart. 
 
 De pre ciate, v. a. to bring down the 
 price or value of a thing. 
 
 The arrival of a large cargo of tea from 
 China, has depreciated its price considerably. 
 
 to speak of a thing as of less value 
 than it is commonly thought to 
 have. 
 
 He was so envious of the prosperity of his 
 neighbor, that whenever be spoke of him, he 
 depreciated his character. 
 
 v. n. to become of less value. 
 
 Since the bank has refused to pay specie 
 for its bills, they have much depreciated, one 
 dollar passing for only eighty cents. 
 
 De press, v. a. to make low, so as hot 
 to be active and prosperous. 
 
 The place is sickly, and on that account 
 its trade has become very much depressed. 
 
 to cause to be satl and cast down in 
 spirits. 
 
 His health is feeble ; the expenses of his 
 family increasing ; his prospects far from en- 
 couraging ; and he is much depressed in 
 mind. 
 
 De prive, v. a. to take or keep away 
 
 74 
 
 DES 
 
 from a person something pleasant 
 or useful. 
 
 Charles had behaved so badly, that his mo- 
 ther told him she should have to deprive him 
 of the privilege of sitting with them in the 
 evening to hear an interesting book read. 
 
 De range, v. a. to put things out of 
 their proper order. 
 
 The house took fire, and while extinguish- 
 ing it, they deranged his beautiful collection 
 of shells. 
 
 He has talked and acted so strangely, for 
 some weeks past, that his friends begin to 
 think he is deranged. 
 
 De ride, v. a. to laugh at, or make 
 sport of, in a contemptuous manner. 
 
 While our Saviour was on the cross, the 
 rulers of the Jews and many of the people 
 derided him, saying, "He saved others; let 
 him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen 
 of God." 
 
 A good man is often treated with derision 
 by the wicked. 
 
 De rive,?;, a. to draw or receive from. 
 
 The water which all the families in the 
 neighborhood use, is derived from one foun- 
 tain, and carried to them m aqueducts. 
 
 The English word current is derived from 
 the Latin word curro, which signifies to run. 
 
 A knowledge of the derivation of words of- 
 ten assists us in understanding their meaning. 
 
 De scend ant, n. Adam and Eve had 
 several children. These again 
 had children, who also had chil- 
 dren, and so on down to this time. 
 All the people, therefore, who now 
 are living, or who have ever lived 
 in the world, except Adam and 
 Eve, are their descendants. 
 
 De scribe, v. a. to tell what persons 
 and things are, how they look, and 
 what they do, so that others may 
 form a conception of them. 
 
DES 
 
 Many persons have attempted to describe 
 the falls of Niagara ; bat no one can think 
 how they look without seeing them. 
 
 Milton, in his Paradise Lost, has given a 
 beautiful description of the garden of Eden, 
 as he supposed it might have appeared before 
 the fall. 
 
 De scry, v. a. to spy out. 
 
 Men were sent by the Israelites to descry 
 the city of Bethel. 
 
 to see and find out something distant 
 or obscure. 
 
 They descried a ship many miles off, which 
 they feared might be a pirate. 
 
 De sert, n. that of good or bad in a 
 person, on account of which he 
 ought to be praised or blamed, re- 
 warded or punished. 
 
 Parents and teachers ought to be careful to 
 treat children according to their deserts, and 
 not to be partial. 
 
 De sert, v. a. to leave for a certain 
 length of time, in order to avoid 
 some danger, inconvenience, or 
 loss. 
 
 At the approach of the enemy, the inhabit- 
 ants deserted their houses, and did not return 
 until the soldiers had left the city, 
 
 to leave a person or thing, meanly or 
 wickedly. 
 
 While he was prosperous, there were many 
 who pretended to be his friends, but when he 
 became poor and sick, they deserted him and 
 never came to see him. 
 
 Never desert a good cause, however few 
 there may be to support, it. 
 
 De sign, v. a. to draw the outlines of 
 a figure, picture, or plan. 
 
 Eliza designed on her slate a pretty little 
 cottage, with trees and fences around it. 
 
 to mark out in the mind something to 
 be done, meaning or intending to 
 doit. 
 
 When Napoleon went to conquer Russia, 
 
 75 DES 
 
 he designed to have his anny spend tne win- 
 ter in Moscow, but the Russians defeated his 
 plan by burning the city. 
 
 A watch shows design, and we say it must 
 have had a maker. Our bodies, also, show 
 wonderful design, and we conclude they must 
 have had a Creator. That Creator is God. 
 De sire, n. an ardent and fixed feel- 
 ing to have something which we 
 do not possess, because we think 
 it will afford us pleasure. 
 
 After Paul's conversion, he says ; " My 
 heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, 
 that they might be saved." 
 
 Richard was very fond of studying Geogra- 
 phy, and desired greatly to have a globe. But 
 his parents were poor and could not buy him 
 one. He used to work out of school hours, 
 and earn some money every week, till he was 
 able to buy it. Other children should be as 
 desirous of obtaining knowledge as Richard 
 was. 
 
 Des o late, a. A place is said to be 
 desolate, when it is without inhab- 
 itants ; either because it never had 
 any, or because they have deserted 
 it, or have been driven from it. 
 
 It was foretold by Isaiah, that Babylon 
 should be destroyed, and that wild beasts 
 should cry in its desolate houses. A late 
 traveller says, that his guides told him that 
 the ruins of this city abound in lions and other 
 wild beasts. 
 
 De spair, v. n. to give up all hope of 
 obtaining some good, or of avoid- 
 ing some evil. 
 
 Her husband went to sea, and has not been 
 heard of for twenty years. She despairs of 
 ever seeing him again. 
 
 Des pe rate, a. doing something in a 
 rash and violent manner, without 
 regard to consequences, because 
 one is in utter despair. 
 
 The pirates were desperate, and fought fu 
 riously till they were all killed, because they 
 
DES 
 
 76 
 
 DET 
 
 knew that if they weie taken, they would be 
 hune". 
 
 When a man is in such trouble or afflic- 
 tion, that we can see no way of his getting 
 out of it, we say he is in a desperate condi- 
 tion. 
 
 De spise, v. a. to look down with 
 very great contempt upon a person 
 or thing. 
 
 The Bible says ; " The eye that mocketh 
 at his father, and despiseth to obey his mo- 
 ther, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, 
 and the young eagles shall eat it." 
 
 That which ought to be despised, we call 
 despicable ; as, to open a sealed letter, when 
 a person has no right to do it, is despicable. 
 
 x>e spond/v. n. to become so much 
 discouraged as to make little or no 
 effort to obtain some good, or avoid 
 some evil. 
 
 He has had so many misfortunes of late, 
 and met with so many disappointments, that 
 he is very desponding, and his friends fear that 
 if his despondency continues much longer, it 
 may settle down into despair. 
 
 Des pot ic, a. absolute in power. — 
 arbitrary, tyrannical. 
 The captain was so despotic in his govern- 
 ment of the ship, that he could never get a 
 sailor to go a second time with him to sea. 
 
 Des tine, v. a. to fix upon the use or 
 purpose for which a person or 
 thing is to be employed, or the 
 state or condition in which they 
 are to be placed. 
 
 He is building a large ship, which is des- 
 tined for the East India trade. 
 
 His oldest son is a farmer. He has des- 
 tined his youngest one to go to college. 
 
 He set out on a journey from New-York, 
 and arrived safely at Quebec, the place of his 
 destination. 
 
 The final destiny of this world, is, to be 
 consumed by fire. 
 
 Des ti tute, a. not having a thing. 
 
 During the coldest weather, the poor fam- 
 ily were destitute of fuel. 
 
 You cannot safely trust him, for he is des- 
 titute of honesty. 
 
 We say of one who is friendless and needy, 
 that he is destitute. 
 
 De tach, v. a. to take away a part 
 from the whole, or one thing from 
 another. 
 
 A father found that his son was often in the 
 company of some very wicked boys, and to 
 detach him from them removed him to another 
 school. 
 
 to send off- part of an army for some 
 particular purpose. 
 
 The general ordered a detachment of one 
 thousand men to march by night, and attack 
 the fort. 
 
 De tain, v. a. to keep from one what 
 belongs to him. 
 
 When you have borrowed a book and read 
 it, you should not detain it, but return it im- 
 mediately to the owner. 
 
 to keep back from going. 
 
 The ship was detained three days in port 
 by a head wind before she could sail. The 
 detention gave the passengers a good opportu- 
 nity of examining the curiosities of the place. 
 
 De tect, V- a. to find out and bring to 
 light, usually something wrong 
 which is concealed. 
 
 Arnold, an American officer, had agreed to 
 give up West Point to the British, but his 
 treachery was detected, and his design de- 
 feated, by the arrest of Major Andre who had 
 been sent to him by the British as a spy. 
 
 De ter, v. a. to keep back, or dis- 
 courage, by fear. 
 
 The travellers had been to Alexandria, and 
 were intending to visit Cairo, but were de- 
 terred from doing it by hearing that the plague 
 had broken out there. 
 
 De ter mine, v. a. to fix upon, or 
 
 settle. 
 
 Frank wished very much to study French, 
 
DEV 
 
 77 
 
 DIG 
 
 but his father, after thinking about it, de- 
 termined that, at present, he should not take 
 any new study. 
 
 The determination of Washington, at the end 
 of the war, to retire from all .public business 
 and live on his farm, shows that he was not 
 an ambitious man. 
 
 Robert's father taught him to determine the 
 height of the steeple, by setting up a pole tea 
 feet long near it, measuring the shadows or 
 each, and then calculating that if the shadow 
 of the pole is made by a pole of ten feet in 
 length, the shadow of the steeple must be 
 made by a steeple so many feet in height. 
 De test, v. a. to have the strongest 
 dislike to what is mean and wrong. 
 
 A certain rich man was so hard in his deal- 
 ings with the poor, that he was detested by 
 all his neighbors. 
 
 He is an old man, and his conduct in try- 
 ing to corrupt young persons, is most detes- 
 table. 
 
 De vi ate, v. n. to go aside from a 
 straight line, or from the right way. 
 
 The travellers deviated from the usual road 
 in order to visit a remarkable cave. 
 
 We ought to be on our guard against the 
 smallest deviations from truth. 
 
 De vice, n. an ingenious contrivance 
 or design, usually to accomplish 
 some evil. 
 
 He feigned himself an old blind man, and 
 by this device got a good deal of money. 
 
 emblem. 
 
 The device on his seal was an anchor, rep- 
 resenting Hope. 
 
 De vise, v. a. to contrive or invent. 
 
 " Do they not err that devise evil ? but 
 mercy and truth shall be to them that devise 
 good." 
 
 De vote, v. a. to give up a person or 
 thing wholly to some particular 
 purpose or service. 
 
 Hannah, the pious mother of Samuel, car- 
 ried him up to the tabernacle at Shiloh, when 
 he was about three years old, and devoted 
 
 • him to the service of the Lord ; and he re 
 mained there under the charge of Eli, the 
 high-priest. 
 
 Although very much engaged in business, 
 he devoted some time every day to the im- 
 provement of his mind. Such devotion to 
 study is very commendable. 
 
 We call praying to God, and singing his 
 praises, acts of devotion. 
 
 De vout', a. loving to pray to God 
 and praise him, and doing it fre- 
 quently and reverently. 
 
 Devout men carried the first martyr Ste- 
 phen to his burial. 
 
 Dex ter i ty, n. the ability to do 
 things in an easy, skillful, and 
 expeditious manner. 
 
 In driving safely over a rough, steep, and 
 dangerous road, the coachman showed great 
 dexterity. 
 
 Die tate, v. a. for one to point out, 
 and command with authority, what 
 to do, or to tell another what to 
 write. 
 
 A father found that his sons were not fol- 
 lowing the directions he had given them, and 
 it became necessary for him to dictate to them 
 precisely what they must do. 
 
 His arm being lame, he dictated to his 
 clerk, who wrote it, the letter which he 
 wished to send to his friend. 
 
 Dif fi dent, a. we say of- a person 
 who is very bashful, and has but 
 little confidence in his ability to 
 do a thing, that he is diffident. 
 
 Dig ni ty, n. the thinking, feeling, 
 and acting above what is improper, 
 unjust, or mean, so as to be re- 
 garded with great respect by 
 others. 
 
 He who would have true dignity of mind, 
 must learn to fear God and obey his com 
 mandments. 
 
DIR 
 
 78 
 
 DIS 
 
 When Daniel stood before Belshazzar, to 
 explain the hand writing upon the wall, he 
 declined receiving the gifts of the king, and 
 acted with great dignity as a prophet of the 
 Lord. 
 
 He was very dignified in his manners, and 
 yet so gentle and affectionate that even chil- 
 dren loved to be in his company. 
 
 a high office or rank. 
 
 It is not uncommon in the East for persons 
 born in a very low condition to rise to places 
 of the highest dignity and power. Joseph 
 was a striking instance of this, and so is Mo- 
 hammed Ali, the pasha of Egypt. 
 
 Dil i gent, a. engaged in some kind 
 of work, cheerfully, actively, and 
 perseveringly. 
 
 " The hand of the diligent maketh rich." 
 It is curious to see with what diligence the 
 little ants lay up their food. 
 
 Di mm ish, v. a. and n. to make, or 
 become less, usually in size, quan- 
 tity, or number. 
 
 As he looked down from the steeple, the 
 people in the streets appeared to be very 
 much diminished in- size. 
 
 We call a thing diminutive, when it is very 
 much smaller than other things of the same 
 kind. 
 
 Dint, n. a blow, or the mark made 
 by it. — force, power ; as to ac- 
 complish a thing by dint of perse- 
 verance, by dint of entreaty, by 
 dint of arms. 
 
 Di rect, a. not crooked, in a straight 
 line. 
 
 The road is so direct that you cannot but 
 go right. 
 
 plain, about which there can be no 
 mistake. 
 
 Charles wished to stop and play after 
 school, but the master gave him a direct or- 
 der to go home. 
 
 Di rect, v. a. to point out to another 
 what course to take. 
 
 When a person inquires of us the way to a 
 certain place, we ought to be civil, and take 
 pains to direct him. 
 
 " In all thy ways acknowledge God, and he 
 shall direct thy paths." 
 
 ty3 point in a straight line towards 
 some object. 
 
 He directed the ship towards the light- 
 house. 
 
 to point out with authority what one 
 should do. 
 
 He directed the servant to call him at five 
 o'clock in the morning. 
 
 The direction of a letter is what is written 
 on the outside, to show to what person and 
 place it is to go. 
 
 Dis a ble, v. a. to take away the abil- 
 ity to do a particular thing. 
 
 The loss of his sight disabled him from car- 
 rying on the business of an engraver. 
 
 The ship was so disabled by the storm, that 
 she was compelled to come back to New- 
 York, and get new masts and rigging. 
 
 Dis ap point', v. a. for something to 
 happen, or to be done, contrary to 
 what one expects, wishes, or in- 
 tends. 
 
 John and his sister Mary had been antici- 
 pating a great deal of pleasure in visiting their 
 uncle, but when the day came on which they 
 were to go, they were sadly disappointed by 
 hearing that he was too unwell to see them. 
 
 We must expect to meet many diszf/point- 
 ments } and should learn to bear them with 
 patience. 
 
 Dis as ter, n. a sudden event which 
 causes disappointment or misfor- 
 tune. 
 
 The sweeping off of the only mill in the 
 village by the flood, was a great disaster. 
 
 Dis cern, v. a. to see or find out 
 something distant or obscure. 
 
DIS 
 
 We could but just discern the house 
 through the fog. 
 
 He is a man of great discernment. He 
 seems to understand the characters of per- 
 sons after a very short acquaintance. 
 
 Dis charge, v. a. to take or send out 
 a load ; as, the ship discharged her 
 cargo, they discharged the cannon. 
 
 to do all that is required of one, so 
 that no further claim can be made. 
 
 He has discharged his debts, and now owes 
 nobody. 
 
 Sir Matthew Hale discharged the duties of 
 a judge with great wisdom and fidelity. 
 
 to dismiss one from some service or 
 employment. 
 
 The hired man behaved so badly, that he 
 paid him his wages and discharged him. 
 
 Dis ci pie, n. one who receives in- 
 struction from another on impor- 
 tant subjects. 
 
 He who would be a disciple of Christ, must 
 feel the need of being taught by him. 
 
 Dis ci pline, n. a settled course of 
 instruction and government com- 
 bined. 
 
 He taught the scholars well, and he made* 
 them punctual, attentive, diligent, kind, and 
 obedient. His discipline was excellent. 
 
 Dis claim, v. a. to deny that one 
 makes any claim to a thing, or 
 that he has any knowledge of it, 
 or that he has any thing to do 
 with it. 
 
 He was charged with having written a cer- 
 tain book, but disclaimed entirely being the 
 author of it. 
 
 Disclose, v. a. to make known what 
 was before unknown or concealed. 
 
 The opening rose-bvffl discloses its beau- 
 ties. 
 
 He was true to his promise, and nothing 
 eould induce him to disclose the secret. 
 
 79 
 
 DIS 
 
 Dis cord, n. disagreement in feelings 
 or opinions, usually leading to dis- 
 putes and strife. 
 
 Avoid a tale bearer, for he is sure to cause 
 discord wherever he goes. 
 
 We call a painful disagreement of sounds 
 in music a discord. 
 
 Dis cov' er, (dis kuv er,) v. a. to see, 
 to find out, or to bring to view what 
 was before unknown. 
 
 Columbus discovered America in the yeai 
 1492. 
 
 Dis creet, a. looking carefully at con- 
 sequences before one says or does 
 something ; avoiding what may be 
 injurious ; and choosing out the 
 best means for attaining an ob- 
 ject. 
 
 " The discretion of a man deferreth his an- 
 ger." 
 
 Dis cuss, v. a. for two or more per- 
 sons to examine a subject particu- 
 larly and thoroughly, and to argue 
 about it in order to find out what is 
 right, or best to be done. 
 
 The owners of a ship discussed the matter 
 some time, before they concluded on what 
 voyage to send her. 
 
 Dis dam, v. a. to regard and treat a 
 thing with utter contempt, ctoid to 
 feel that to have any thing to do " 
 with it, would make one exceed- 
 ingly mean and vile. 
 
 A wicked boy offered to give Robert a 
 knife if he would help him to steal some 
 apples, but he disdained the offer. 
 
 Dis fig ure, v. a. to injure, the figure 
 or shape of. a thing, so as to make 
 it less agreeable to the sight. 
 
 He had a large scar on his cheek which dis- 
 figured his looks very much. 
 
DIS 
 
 Dis grace, n. the not being regarded 
 with favor. 
 
 A child who had done wrong, was not per- 
 mitted to come to the table at meals for one 
 day. He was in disgrace. 
 
 saying or doing something of which 
 a person ought to be very much 
 ashamed. 
 
 It Avas a great disgrace to the young man to 
 be so rude and impolite to his sister. 
 
 It was very disgraceful conduct in the boj r s 
 to disturb the people who were worshipping 
 in the church. 
 
 Dis guise, v. a. to conceal by putting 
 on an unusual or false appearance, 
 or by words, intended to mislead 
 or deceive. 
 
 Alfred, king of England, disguised himself 
 as a harper, and went into the camp of his 
 enemies, the Danes, to find out their strength 
 and their plans. 
 
 Dis gust, v. a. to cause great dislike. 
 
 She was so affected and conceited in her 
 maimers and conversation that she disgusted 
 the whole company. 
 
 Dis mal, a. dark, cheerless, comfort- 
 less ; causing discouragement and 
 
 80 
 
 DIS 
 
 I saw the prisoner in his dungeon. It was 
 without light, cold and damp, and he had no- 
 thing to lie on but some straw on the stone 
 floor. It was a dismal place. 
 Pis may, v. a. to put into great fear, 
 to deprive of courage and the pow- 
 er of effort. 
 
 When Saul and the Israelites heard the 
 challenge of Goliath, they were dismayed and 
 greatly afraid. 
 
 Dis patch, v. a. to send on special 
 business, and usually in haste. 
 
 He was taken suddenly and dangerously 
 sick, and his friends dispatched a messenger, 
 on horseback, ten miles, after a physician. 
 
 to do a thing quickly, to finish. 
 
 They had a great deal of business to do, 
 and in order to dispatch it they sat up nearly 
 the whole night. 
 
 to put to death. 
 
 Herod sent some one who dispatched John 
 the Baptist in prison. 
 
 Dis pel, v. a. to bring to an end by 
 scattering and driving away. 
 
 The rising sun dispelled the fog. 
 
 He was very apprehensive that his son was 
 lost at sea, but he received a letter from him 
 yesterday which dispelled all his fears. 
 
 Dis pense, v. a. to deal out, to give 
 portions of what is good to others. 
 
 When Christ was on earth, he dispensed 
 many blessings to the poor, the sick, and the 
 wretched. 
 
 When we say, we can dispense with a 
 thing, we mean that we can do without it ; 
 as, there is no fear of rain, you may dispense 
 with your umbrella. 
 
 Dis perse, v. a. to break up into parts, 
 and to scatter what was before 
 united. 
 
 In autumn, the dry leaves on the trees were 
 dispersed by the gale, and left the branches 
 bare. 
 
 Dis play, v. a. to spread out, so as to 
 strike the eye and be fully seen. 
 
 The peacock displays its train of beautiful 
 feathers, and seems to be vain of them. It 
 knows no better. 
 
 The Spartan band of three hundred men, 
 which defended the straits of Thermopyjas 
 against the vast army of Xerxes, displayed 
 heroic courage. They were all slain but 
 one. This happened 480 years before Christ. 
 
 Dis pose, v. a. to place, or put in or- 
 der. 
 
 The master disposed the scholars in two 
 parts, placing the boys on one side of the 
 room, and the girls on the other. 
 
 to lead one to do something. 
 
 One said to his friend who was a poor 
 man ; " What could have disposed you to ttuy 
 that expensive painting ?" 
 
DIS 
 
 81 
 
 DIS 
 
 to sell. 
 
 He has failed, and his goods will be dispo- 
 sed of at auction to-day. 
 
 When a person's feelings commonly and 
 strongly lead him to a particular thing, we 
 say he is disposed, or has a disposition to 
 do it. 
 
 When a person is almost always kind, gen- 
 tle, generous, and amiable, we say he has a 
 good disposition; but when he is frequently 
 unkind, peevish, selfish, and disobliging, we 
 say he has a bad disposition. 
 
 Dis pute, v. n. to contend in argu- 
 ment. 
 
 v. a. to deny, and to attempt to show 
 that what a person says is hot so. 
 
 It is very common for one newspaper to 
 dispute the statements made in another. 
 
 to contend for. 
 
 Though the army was driven from the field, 
 the soldiers retreated slowly, and disputed 
 every inch of ground. 
 
 Dis sem ble, v. a. to put on a false 
 appearance, to pretend that to be 
 which is not, or that not to be which 
 is. 
 
 He thought so differently from what the 
 others did, and was so afraid to let it be 
 known, that he dissembled his opinion, and 
 appeared to think as they did. 
 Dis sent, v. n. to disagree or differ 
 from in opinion. 
 
 Four of the judges agreed in a decision ; 
 the other judge dissented from them, and gave 
 his reasons for doing so. 
 
 Dis sdlve, v. a. to melt something 
 solid so as to make it fluid. 
 
 The warm sun dissolves the snow very 
 fast. 
 
 to separate a thing into its parts, and 
 bring it to an end. 
 
 At the close of the address, the* meeting 
 was dissolved and every one went home. 
 
 Dis suade, v. a. to lead, or to attempt 
 6 
 
 to lead a person, by advice or ar- 
 gument, not to do a thing. 
 
 All the spies, except Caleb and Joshua, 
 who were sent by Moses to explore the land 
 of Canaan, were unbelieving and fearful, and 
 tried to dissuade the Israelites from going up 
 to take possession of it. 
 Dis tinct, a. different, apart from. 
 
 The boys and girls were in distinct roomsMj 
 
 clear, not confused. 
 
 Our view of the village on the distant hill, 
 was very distinct. 
 
 Dis tin guish, v. a. to mark a thing in 
 some way so that it may be clearly 
 known from other things. 
 
 He distinguished his umbrella by tying a 
 red string round the handle. 
 
 to know a thing from others, by no- 
 ticing a mark or something else 
 which is peculiar to it. 
 
 The child knew the countenance of his mo- . 
 ther so well, that he quickly distinguished her 
 among a large crowd. 
 
 Some words are so much alike in meaning, 
 that it is difficult to perceive any distinction 
 between them. 
 
 to make one's self known, or to bring 
 into notice, by having or doing 
 something remarkable. 
 
 Saul was distinguished for his great height. 
 He was a head taller than any of his country- 
 men. 
 
 Solomon was distinguished for his wis- 
 dom. * 
 
 Dis tract, v. a. to draw strongly dif- 
 ferent ways at the same time. 
 
 When the boy went into the museum, his 
 attention was so distracted by the great num- 
 ber of curious things, that he became quite 
 perplexed, and for some time did not notice 
 any one of them carefully. 
 
 We say of a person!** whose mind is very 
 much confused, and who does not reason and « 
 
 act as other people do, and is sometimes vio- 
 lent and furious, that he is distracted. 
 
DIV 
 
 Dis tress, n. very great pain of body 
 or of mind. 
 
 He went to visit a family of young orphan 
 cluldren, and found them in great distress at 
 the loss of their parents. 
 
 [ suffering for the want of something. 
 
 After being wrecked, the crew took to the 
 long boat, and having scarcely any thing to 
 flk eat for several days were in great distress. 
 
 W)is trib ute, v . a. to divide a thing, 
 and deal it out among two or more. 
 
 When our Saviour fed about five thousand 
 men with five barley loaves and two small 
 fishes, he distributed them to his disciples, 
 and they distributed them to the multitude. 
 
 Di vert, v. a. to turn off from a course 
 or purpose. 
 
 The bank of the river was worn away by 
 the flood, so that the stream was diverted 
 from its course, and ran across the meadows 
 into a new channel. 
 
 to turn the mind off from some object 
 by bringing before it what is pleas- 
 ant and amusing. 
 
 A little child was crying after its mother 
 who had left it, when its sister gave it a doll 
 to play with, which so much diverted it, that 
 it soon ceased weeping. 
 
 We ought not to engage in diversions which 
 will give pain to other persons, or to animals. 
 
 Di ver si ty, n. the difference between 
 several things when compared with 
 each other. 
 
 The wisdom of God is strikingly shown in 
 making such a diversity among human faces, 
 that one person is scarcely ever mistaken for 
 another. 
 
 Di vest, v. a. to strip off, to deprive of 
 that which covers or is connected 
 with. 
 
 Jonathan divested himself of his splendid 
 robe, and gave it to ©avid as a mark of friend- 
 t ship. 
 
 Di vine, a. not human nor angelic, 
 
 82 DOM 
 
 belonging to God ; as divine wis- 
 dom, divine power, divine good- 
 ness. 
 
 coming directly from God ; as the 
 divine law, a divine revelation. 
 
 Di vine, v. a. to know beforehand ; to 
 foretell. 
 
 Di vin i ty, n. God is sometimes 
 called the Divinity. 
 
 the science which teaches us con- 
 cerning God and his government, 
 is called divinity. 
 
 Do cile; a. willing and easy to be 
 taught. 
 The dog and ox are docile animals. 
 Maria has a great deal of docility, and her 
 teacher loves to instruct her. 
 
 Doc trine, n. that which is taught to 
 direct opinion and belief on impor- 
 tant subjects. 
 
 The things which Christ taught concerning 
 God, the soul, and a future world, are called 
 his doctrines. 
 
 Dole ful, a. expressing sorrow ; as 
 the doleful look, or doleful cry, of 
 one who is suffering. 
 
 dismal, causing sorrow. 
 
 The doleful sound of the muffled drum, as 
 the soldiers followed one of their companions 
 to the grave, filled his friends with a melan- 
 choly grief. 
 
 Do mes tic, a. belonging to the house 
 or family, not public. 
 
 He was very fond of domestic enjoyment, 
 and loved to be at home with his wife and 
 children. 
 
 We call those domestic persons who are 
 ■ much at home, and those domestic animals 
 which are tame, and live in or about the 
 house. 
 
 belonging to the state or country in 
 
DM 
 
 which we live, not foreign ; as do- 
 mestic news, domestic manufac- 
 tures, domestic trade. 
 Do min' ion, (do mm yun,) n. su- 
 preme power. 
 
 When Gad created Adam and Eve, he gave 
 them dominion over the things which he had 
 made on the earth. 
 
 the country under a particular gov- 
 ernment, as the British or Russian 
 dominions. 
 
 Doom, v. a. to fix upon the punish- 
 ment, or the evil which' one is to 
 suffer. 
 
 The judges of Charles I. king of England, 
 one hundred and thirty-three in number, 
 doomed him to death, and he was beheaded on 
 the 30th of January, 1649, in the forty-ninth 
 year of his age. 
 Dote, v. n. to become silly by having 
 the mind weakened by old age, or 
 in some other way. 
 to be fond of, or love one in a foolish 
 and excessive manner. 
 
 She doated upon the little dog, and treated 
 it almost as if it was her child. 
 Dread, v. a. to fear very greatly. 
 
 There was a violent shock of an earth- 
 quake, and the people dreaded another so 
 much, that they fled from their houses. 
 
 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, in which 
 he had dreamed of a ladder reaching from 
 earth to heaven, and the angels of God as- 
 cending and descending upon it, he was afraid, 
 and said ; "How dreadful is this place. This 
 is none other but the house of God, and this 
 is the gate of heaven." 
 
 Drear y, a. lonely and gloomy. 
 
 The traveller was lost in a thick and dark 
 forest, and wandered for a long time without 
 seeing a human being, or finding a path. His 
 condition was a dreary one. 
 
 Drift, n. a heap of any thing driven 
 
 83 DUT 
 
 forcibly together ; as a drift of 
 snow or of sand, 
 the principal design of what is said 
 or done. 
 
 He said some things on other subjects, but 
 the drift of his address to the school was, to 
 teach the children how to improve their mem- 
 ory. 
 
 Due, a. that which a person may 
 justly claim to be paid to -him, or 
 given to him, or done for him. 
 
 Love, obedience, and respect are due from 
 children to their parents. 
 " Render to all their dues."' 
 
 becoming, being suitable to. 
 
 He wished to have his daughter learn to play 
 on the piano, but he thought he could not buy 
 one with a due regard to his circumstances. 
 
 " A word spoken in due season, how good 
 is it." 
 
 Dupe, n. a person who is easily 
 cheated by being flattered into the 
 belief of what is told him, or who 
 is apt to believe without examina- 
 tion. 
 
 Canute the great, a king of England, was 
 told by some who wished to flatter him, that 
 he was more than a man. To show them that 
 he was not the dupe of their flattery, he went 
 with them to the sea-shore and commanded 
 the approaching waves to go back, and not 
 w r et his feet. The waves did not obey him, 
 and his flatterers saw that it was useless to 
 try to dupe him. 
 
 Du ra ble, a. that which lasts a long 
 time without wearing out. 
 
 No work of man is more durable than the 
 Egyptian pyramids. 
 
 Friendship between the wicked, is not apt 
 to be durable. 
 
 Du ty, n. that which a person ought 
 to do, because it is right that he 
 should do it. 
 The law of God, as contained in the Bibla, 
 
EDU 
 
 84 
 
 EFF 
 
 is the rule of our duty to him, to our fellow- 
 men, and to ourselves. 
 
 We call him dutiful who loves and obeys 
 his parents and those who have authority over 
 him ; as a dutiful son, a dutiful scholar, a du- 
 tiful subject. 
 
 the money which the government of 
 
 a country requires to be paid by 
 
 ►, those who bring certain goods into 
 
 it from a foreign country ; as the 
 
 duty on silk, the duty on books. 
 
 E. 
 
 TTla' ger, (e gur,) a. having a strong 
 -^and impatient desire to do or get 
 something without delay. 
 
 "Frank was so eager to get the chesnuts 
 which were roasting in the fire, that he burn- 
 ed his fingers. 
 
 Richard III. was so eager to be king of 
 England, that he caused his two nephews to 
 be murdered. This happened in the year 
 * 1483. 
 
 Ear nest, a. ardent, fixed, and perse- 
 vering in the purpose to do or to 
 get something. 
 
 Mary was so earnest to get leave from her 
 mother to go to the exhibition of another 
 school, that she rose very early, for a week 
 beforehand, to do her work and study her les- 
 sons. 
 
 The prophet Elijah prayed earnestly that it 
 might not rain ; and it did not rain for three 
 years and six months. 
 E co nom i cal, a. careful in doing 
 things well at the least expense. 
 
 He who is economical, will be the more 
 able to be generous. 
 
 E di' tion, (e dish un,) n. we call all 
 the copies of a book which are 
 published at the same time an edi- 
 
 u tion. 
 
 Ed u cate, v. a. to teach, to govern, 
 
 and to bring up a child or youth in 
 such a way as to fit him for what 
 he is to do in after life. 
 
 Happy is that child whose parents are edu- 
 cating him to serve God, and do good in the 
 world. 
 
 Ef face, v. a. to rub or scratch out, or 
 remove in some other way, letters, 
 marks, or figures from the surface 
 of a thing so that they can no 
 longer be distinctly seen. 
 
 Some wicked boy has effaced the figures on 
 that mile-stone, and they cannot be read. 
 
 Ef feet, n. that which is caused, or 
 made to be, by some other thing 
 which it follows, and without 
 which, so far as we can see, it 
 would not be. 
 
 A spark fell into a barrel of gunpowder, 
 and the effect was to blow it up, and to kill 
 the man who stood near it. 
 
 His poverty is the effect of his idleness. 
 We say a thing is of no effect, when its 
 power to cause any thing is destroyed. 
 
 Ef feet, v. a. to cause a thing to be, 
 to bring to pass. 
 
 The prisoner effected his escape by filing 
 off two of the iron bars in his window. 
 
 After many years of hard and persevering 
 effort, Wilberforce and his friends effected 
 the abolition of the slave trade in the British 
 empire. 
 
 The medicine which he took was effectual, 
 and he soon got well. 
 
 Ef fi ca cy, n. having power to effect, 
 
 The cold was so severe, that the heat of 
 the sun had no efficacy in melting the snow. 
 
 Ef fort, n. a trying hard to do or ac- 
 complish something. 
 
 When Samson was in a great building, 
 and the Philistines were making sport of him, 
 he took hold of two pillars on which the 
 building rested, and with a mighty effort threw 
 
ELU S5 
 
 them down, destroying himself and thousands 
 of his enemies. 
 
 E late, v . a. to puff up as with pride ; 
 — to lift up with success, as by the 
 hearing of good news, or by a vic- 
 tory. 
 iE lec't, v. a. to fix upon, and take out 
 one or more from among * others, 
 for a particular purpose. 
 The people in the United States elect the 
 persons who make the laws, and govern the 
 nation. 
 
 El e gant, a. not grand, splendid, nor 
 
 strikingly beautiful, but heat, nice, 
 
 polished, and delicately beautiful. 
 
 The tall, white lily, on its slender stalk> is 
 
 an elegant flower. 
 
 It was an elegant book. The paper was 
 white and smooth. The letters were clear ; 
 the margin wide ; the engravings soft and 
 highly finished ; and the binding of rich and 
 delicate morocco with gilt edges to the leaves. 
 She had elegant manners — soft, gentle, po- 
 ^lite, and graceful. 
 
 El # e vate, v. a. to raise up, to make 
 higher. 
 
 The garret was too low, and to make it 
 higher, they elevated the roof. 
 
 Wolsey, from being the son of a poor man, 
 was elevated to the station of lord chancellor 
 of England. He died in the year 1530. 
 
 Astronomy is a study well fitted to give ele- 
 ^vation to the mind. 
 
 El o quent, a. speaking in an easy, 
 feeling, forcible and pleasing man- 
 ner, so as to convince and persuade 
 the hearers. 
 
 Chatham and Burke are among the most 
 eloquent of English orators. 
 
 E hide*, v. a. to get out of the way of 
 danger or evil by artifice. 
 
 Charles II. after his defeat at Worcester by 
 Cromwell, in the year 1651, eluded his ene- 
 
 EMB 
 
 mies who were in pursuit of him by conceal- 
 ing himself among the branches of an oak. 
 
 E man ci pate, v. a. to set free from 
 slavery. 
 Terence, a distinguished Roman write/, 
 was an African slave and emancipated by his 
 master. He died 159 years before Christ. 
 Em bar rass, v. a. to throw into con- 
 fusion, so as very much to hinder. 
 He was a fine scholar, but had been so little 
 in company, that when invited to dine at a 
 gentleman's house, on entering the room he 
 was much embarrassed, and for some time 
 could not utter a word. 
 
 His affairs were greatly embarrassed by the 
 failure of his friend, so that he found it very 
 difficult to carry on his business. 
 
 Em bellish, v. a. to make pleasing by 
 ornament. 
 
 The book was embellished by many fine 
 ^ engravings. 
 
 Em blem, n. something which we 
 can see, and which, on account of its 
 likeness to something else of which 
 we can only think, is used to rep- 
 resent it ; as, the ant is an emblem 
 of industry ; the lamb, of meek- 
 ness ; the balance, of justice. 
 
 Em brace, v. a. to hold fondly in the 
 arms. 
 
 When the little boy, who had been long ab- 
 sent, returned home, his mother embraced and 
 kissed him. 
 
 to seize eagerly, or to take very wil- 
 lingly ; as to embrace an oppor- 
 tunity, — to embrace the christian 
 religion. 
 
 to take together so as to include or 
 contain. 
 
 Herodotus, a distinguished Greek writer, 
 who lived 444 years before Christ, wrote in 
 nine books a historv which embraces an at* 
 
ENA 
 
 86 
 
 END 
 
 count of the wars of Persia against Greece 
 till the reign of Xerxes. He is called the fa- 
 „ ther of history. 
 
 Em i grate, v. a. to go from one's own 
 state or country, in order to live 
 in another. 
 
 Thousands of persons emigrate every year 
 from Europe to the United States. 
 
 Em i nent, a. rising above others, so 
 as to be easily seen, or well known. 
 
 Moses was eminent for his meekness. 
 The city of Tyre was eminent in ancient 
 times for its commerce and wealth. 
 
 E mit, v. a. to send forth. 
 
 The lamp emits light. 
 
 The bank has lately emitted some bills of 
 fifty cents. 
 
 E mo tion, n. a feeling, moving, or 
 agitation of the mind. 
 
 When our Saviour went to the grave of 
 Lazarus, his emotion of grief was deep and 
 w he wept. 
 
 Em pire, n. a country under the gov- 
 ernment of an emperor ; — or seve- 
 ral countries under one kingly gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 The British empire comprises England, 
 Scotland, and Ireland, with certain small isl- 
 ands near them, and numerous colonies in al- 
 most all parts of the world. 
 
 Em ploy', v. a. to make use of. 
 
 He employed the best kind of stone and 
 wood in building his house. 
 
 He employed six workmen to get in his 
 wheat during harvest. 
 
 Ask yourself, every evening, how you have 
 ' employed your time during the day. 
 
 Em u la tion, n. a striving to be su- 
 perior to others. 
 
 Frank's emulation led him to study very 
 hard, that he might be at the head of the class. 
 
 En act, v. a. for the legislature of a 
 country to make a law. 
 
 After a long discussion, a law for the im- 
 
 provement of the common schools was en 
 acted.' 
 
 En coun' ter, v. a. to meet force with 
 force, to rush upon danger or diffi- 
 culty, and strive to overcome it. 
 
 The forces of Richard III. and of Henry 
 VII. encountered jeach other in Bosworth 
 field in the year 1485. Richard's troops were 
 defeated and himself slain, and Henry be- 
 came king of England. 
 
 to meet and endeavor to overcome. 
 
 He who expects to accomplish any thing 
 great and.good, must expect to encounter dif- 
 ficulties. 
 
 En cour age, v. a. to give courage to, 
 to keep up hope and resolution. 
 
 Two men had saved themselves from a 
 burning steam-boat on a bale of cotton, and 
 were floating in the water. One of them en- 
 couraged the other,*who was becoming feeble 
 and disheartened, by telling him to hold on a 
 little longer, and they would soon reach the 
 shore. 
 
 En croach, v. a. to go beyond what 
 one has a right to, and to get pos- 
 session, by little and little, of what 
 belongs to another. 
 
 A farmer moved his fence, several times, 
 farther and farther into the high-way, and had 
 encroached upon it six feet before the wrong 
 was discovered. 
 
 to pass over a customary line. 
 
 The land has encroached upon the sea so 
 much, that the harbor, which was once a very 
 good one, is now almost filled up. 
 
 En cum ber, v. a. to connect with a 
 thing that which is inconvenient 
 or useless, and which hinders it 
 from acting- and moving freely. 
 
 The road was very muddy, and the stage- 
 coach so much encumbered with baggage that 
 u we advanced only three miles an hour; 
 
 End, n. the last condition of a person 
 or thing. 
 
ENG 
 
 The end of the good man is peace, 
 conclusion, result. 
 
 He was often told, that the end of his 
 wicked conduct would be certain ruin. 
 
 the gre^t object for which things are 
 done. 
 
 His end in remaining at the academy an- 
 other year, was the better to qualify himself 
 to become a teacher. 
 
 En de«v or, v. a. to try, to use 
 strength or means of any kind in 
 order to do a thing. 
 
 A good child will constantly endeavor to 
 improve. 
 
 En dure, v. a. to bear up under some- 
 thing without giving way. 
 
 The pillars of the temple were of marble and 
 able to endure the weight of the heavy roof. 
 
 The poor little infant could not endure the 
 severe cold, and died in its mother's arms. 
 
 to be strong and patient under suffer- 
 ing. 
 
 Regulus, a Roman general, was taken pris- 
 oner by the Carthaginians, and sent to Rome 
 to bring about a peace. He promised to re- 
 turn if he did not succeed. He advised his 
 countrymen not to make the peace on the 
 conditions which were proposed. He went 
 back, knowing that he should be put to death 
 in a very cruel manner, and he died enduring 
 the most barbarous tortures without a word or 
 a groan, — 251 years before Christ. 
 
 v. n. to continue or last. 
 
 " Weeping may endure for a night, but joy 
 ^cometh in the morning." 
 
 En er gy, n. a very strong ability to 
 think, to feel, or to act. 
 
 Henry V., of England, in his youth, was 
 very wild and vicious ; but when he became 
 king, he showed great energy of character in 
 breaking off entirely from his wicked com- 
 panions. 
 
 En gage, v. a. to bring one under an 
 agreement or promise to do a 
 thing. 
 
 87 
 
 ENO 
 
 He engaged a man for one year, to take 
 care of his business while he was gone. 
 
 When we say that a person is engaged in 
 something, we mean that he gives his time 
 and attention very much to it. , 
 
 When we say that a thing engages our at- 
 tention, we mean that it draws and fixes our 
 attention upon it. 
 
 v. n. to meet in battle or combat. 
 
 The combined fteets of France and Spain 
 engaged in battle with the English fleet under 
 Lord Nelson, off Cape Trafalgar, in the year 
 1805. The English were victorious, but 
 Nelson was slain. 
 
 to agree or promise to do a thing. 
 
 He engaged to keep the school during the 
 winter for thirty dollars a month. 
 
 En join', v. a. to tell a person with 
 earnestness and authority what to 
 do. 
 
 The mother on her dying bed gave her son 
 a Bible, and enjoined upon him to read it 
 daily. 
 
 En joy', v. a. to take pleasure in. 
 
 We rode quite to the top of the mountain, 
 and enjoyed the pure air and the fine prospect, 
 very much. 
 
 to have that from which we derive, 
 or might derive, pleasure or advan- 
 tage. 
 
 Eliza went several years to an excellent 
 school, where she enjoyed the best opportu- 
 nities for improvement. 
 
 En mi ty, n. a feeling of very 
 strong and fixed dislike to another, 
 which shows itself in attempts to 
 injure him, and in being glad when 
 evil happens to him. 
 
 There was so much enmity between the 
 Jews and the Samaritans, that they had no 
 dealings with each other. 
 
 E nor mous, a. very much greater 
 than things of the same kind usu- 
 ally are. 
 
ENT i 
 
 The mastodon was an enormous quadruped. 
 
 There are none now living. The skeleton of 
 
 one in the museum at Philadelphia, is 18 feet 
 
 in length, and 11 feet 5 inches in height. 
 
 M The tusks are 10 feet and 7 inches long. 
 
 En' ter prise, n. something of conse- 
 quence that men set out to accom- 
 plish, which is difficult or danger- 
 ous, and requires* resolution and 
 boldness. 
 
 It was a daring enterprise in Hannibal, the 
 celebrated Carthaginian general, to lead his 
 army across the lofty Alps, and through the 
 snows, and difficult rocky passages, into 
 Italy. This happened a little more than 200 
 \ years before Christ. 
 
 En ter tain, v. a. to receive into one's 
 dwelling and treat kindly and hos- 
 pitably. 
 
 The hotel is large, well-furnished, and well- 
 kept, and two hundred persons can be enter- 
 tained in it at one time. 
 
 to receive and keep something in the 
 mind, or heart. 
 
 Men, in former times, entertained the 
 opinion that the sun moved round the earth. 
 
 to hold the attention of one agreeably, 
 by what is amusing or instructive. 
 
 Francis was very much entertained, for a 
 a number of evenings, by reading Rollin's 
 Ancient History. 
 
 En tice, v. a to draw or urge, usually 
 to what is evil, by the offer of 
 some good. 
 
 Satan enticed Eve to pluck the forbidden 
 fruit. 
 
 " My son, when sinners entice thee, con- 
 sent thou not." 
 
 En tire, a. not broken or separated 
 into parts, undivided. 
 
 John gave Eliza a whole orange, though it 
 was cut into quarters. He gave Mary an 
 entire orange ; it was not cut at all. 
 
 She had the entire care of the orphan chil- 
 
 \ EQU 
 
 dren ; no one else had any part in their man- 
 agement. 
 
 En ti tie, v. a. to give a name to. 
 
 Milton entitled his celebrated poem, " Para- 
 dise Lost." 
 
 to give a right or claim to. 
 
 His age and character entitle him to our 
 respect. 
 
 En treat, v. a. to ask something of 
 one very earnestly. 
 
 When the plagues were sent upon the 
 Egyptians, Pharaoh asked Moses to entreat 
 the Lord to remove them. 
 
 E nii me rate, v. a. to count up things, 
 and see how many there are. 
 
 Who can enumerate the stars ? 
 
 En vy, v. a. to feel uneasiness, sor- 
 row, and pain, because another has 
 something desirable which one 
 has not himself, and to dislike oi 
 hate him on that account. 
 
 " Envy is the rottenness of the bones." 
 
 E pis tie, n. a letter written on some 
 important occasion ; as " The 
 Epistle of Paul to the Romans." 
 
 E pocA, n. a point of time when some 
 remarkable event happens. 
 
 The time when the deluge happened, 1656 
 years after the creation, is a great epoch in 
 the history of the world. 
 
 E quip, v. a. to fit out, or furnish with 
 what is necessary for accomplish- 
 ing some particular object. 
 
 Daniel set out on a long journey. He was 
 well equipped for it. He had a good horse ; 
 a good bridle and saddle ; spurs, whip, and 
 umbrella ; clothes of the best kind ; money 
 enough to pay his expenses ; a pocket-bible, 
 ^ and a few good books. 
 
 Eq ui ta ble, a. doing what is right,— 
 doing to others as one would have 
 others do to himself. 
 
 
ERR 
 
 An equitable judge is one who will decide 
 according to what is right between the par- 
 ties who come before him, whatever may be 
 their character or condition. 
 
 E quiv a lent, n. that which is equal 
 in value, power, or meaning. 
 
 He owed me a dollar which he could not 
 pay me, but he gave me a book which I took 
 as an equivalent. 
 
 E ra, n. a point of time when some 
 remarkable event happened, and 
 from which nations, or bodies of 
 men, reckon years or other por- 
 tions of time. 
 
 The birth of Christ is the era from which 
 we reckon time. 
 
 The era from which the Mohammedans 
 reckon their time, is the flight of Mohammed 
 to Medina, which took place in the year of 
 our Lord 622. 
 
 The word era is, also, sometimes used to 
 denote any length of time after some remark- 
 able event. 
 
 E rase, v. a. to rub or scratch out let- 
 ters or marks, so that they cannot 
 be seen. 
 
 He erased two lines in his letter in which 
 there were several mistakes, and wrote them 
 over again. 
 
 E rect, v. a. to place upright or per- 
 pendicular to the horizon. 
 
 The soldiers erected a pole with the flag of 
 the United States floating from it. 
 
 to set up, or raise something from 
 the ground by placing the things 
 of which it is made one above the 
 other. 
 
 There is a fine monument in Baltimore 
 erected to the memory of Washington. 
 
 Err, v. nAo miss the right way, to go 
 wrong, to mistake. 
 
 He erred greatly in giving up his business ; 
 for he finds that he cannot be happy without 
 having something to do. 
 
 89 
 
 EST 
 
 Who can say that ne has never erred from 
 the path of duty ? 
 
 In adding up the account there was an 
 error of five dollars, which the man did not 
 discover lill he had paid the bill. 
 
 David says; "Who can understand his 
 errors, cleanse thou me from secret faults." 
 
 Es cort, v. a. to attend by land in or- 
 der to defend from harm. 
 
 When Paul was sent from Jerusalem to 
 Cesarea, he was escorted by two hundred 
 soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred 
 spearmen. 
 
 E spe' cial, (e spesh al,) a. first of all, 
 most important, most worthy of 
 notice. ^ 
 
 The mother told her little son to take espe- 
 cial care in walking over the log which was 
 across the brook. 
 
 We should think of God with reverence at 
 all times, and especially when we pray to 
 him. 
 
 Es sen tial, a. that without which 
 something else cannot be or act. 
 
 Air is essential to the life of animals. 
 Study is essential to improvement in 
 knowledge. 
 
 highly important. 
 
 Cleanliness is essential to comfort. 
 Es tab lish, v. a. to fix or set firmly. 
 
 " He hath made the earth by his power, he 
 hath established the world by his wisdom." 
 
 to make, fix, or settle something so 
 as to have it durable. 
 
 Stephen Girard left a large sum of money 
 to establish a college for orphan children at 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 He has, for years, been considered an ex- 
 cellent physician. His character, in this re- 
 spect, is well established. 
 to fix by authority ; as to establish 
 laws for a country, to establish 
 rules for a school. 
 Es tate, n. condition; rank. — all that 
 a man owns. 
 
EVI 
 
 90 
 
 EXA 
 
 Houses and lands are called real estate. 
 
 Es teem, v. a. to set a value upon. 
 
 God says ; " Them that honor me, I will 
 honor ; and they that despise me, shall be 
 lightly esteemed." 
 
 to have a high opinion of, to set a 
 high value upon, on account of 
 real worth. 
 
 We should seek rather to be esteemed for 
 
 being good, than to be admired for being great. 
 
 What is deserving of esteem, we call 
 
 E ter nal, a. without beginning or 
 end of being. 
 
 God is eternal. 
 
 •without change ; as eternal truth. 
 E vade, v. a. to turn off or avoid a 
 difficulty or danger, by skill or ar- 
 tifice. 
 
 A large stone was thrown at him, but he 
 evaded the blow by quickly stooping to the 
 ground. 
 
 The robber concealed himself for three 
 days and nights in the woods, but he was per- 
 sued by so many that he could no longer 
 evade them, and was taken. 
 
 E vent, n. any thing which happens, 
 usually of some consequence. 
 
 The birth of our Saviour was a most joy- 
 ful event, 
 
 that which follows from something 
 done. 
 
 The event of the revolutionary war, was 
 the acknowledgment of the independence of 
 _the United States by Great Britain. 
 
 Ev i dence, n. that which helps to 
 show us what the truth is about a 
 person or thing. 
 
 I see the sunshine. My sight gives # me 
 certain evidence that there is a sun. 
 
 He told me that he saw the northern lights 
 last evening. He is a man of truth, and his 
 word is sufficient evidence to me that there 
 were such lights at that time. » 
 
 He passed the loadstone over the sand, and 
 it drew up many small dark colored particles, 
 which was sure evidence that the sand con- 
 tained iron. 
 
 The good effects of the Bible upon those 
 who truly love and obey it, is a strong evi- 
 dence of its truth. 
 
 One who is under oath, and tells in court 
 what he knows about a person or thing, is 
 w sometimes called an evidence. 
 
 Ev i dent, a. clear, and easy to be 
 perceived or understood. 
 
 The houses in the town were shaken so 
 violently, that it was evident to all there must 
 have been an earthquake. 
 
 Ex act', (egz act) a. according to 
 what is right, orderly, and proper, 
 without any deviation from it, — 
 having nothing omitted or not done 
 that ought to be done. 
 
 If he says that he will have a pair of shoes 
 done for you on a certain day, you may de- 
 pend upon it ; for he is always exact in keep- 
 ing his promise. 
 
 The school begins at 9 o'clock, and the 
 children should be there at the exact time, 
 and not five or ten minutes after nine. 
 
 During the revolutionary war, Washington 
 kept an exact account of his expenses, which 
 Congress paid, and which was all he would 
 receive for his services. 
 
 Ex act', (egz act,) v. a. to demand, or 
 require a thing to be done, by au- 
 thority or force. 
 
 A teacher has a right to exact obedience 
 from his scholars to all his reasonable com- 
 mands. 
 
 When the soldiers took possession of the 
 town, they exacted a large sum of money 
 from the inhabitants. 
 
 Ex ag' ge rate, (egz aj ge rate,) v. a. 
 to speak of a thing as greater, or 
 more important, than it really is. 
 
 A child who had been looking at an ant-hill 
 not larger than a tea-cup, came in and told 
 his mother that it was as big as a half bushel. 
 
EXC 
 
 She said if he exaggerated in that way, she 
 feared he might soon learn to lie. 
 
 Ex alt', (egz alt,) v. a. to raise high 
 in power, wealth, character, or 
 office. 
 
 Moses was the son of parents in a low con- 
 dition, but was afterwards exalted to be the 
 leader and commander of the Israelites. 
 
 to raise high with praise. 
 
 " Be thou exalted, O God, above the heav- 
 ens ; let thy glory be above all the earth." 
 
 Ex am' ine, (egz am in,) v. a. to look 
 very carefully into or about a 
 thing. 
 
 His pocket-book was missing, and he could 
 not find it although he examined his pockets, 
 the drawers in his bureau, his trunk, his 
 closet, and every part of the room. 
 
 The merchant examined several newspa- 
 pers, to see if he could find any news about 
 his vessel, 
 to question a person closely in order 
 to find out something important. 
 
 The lawyer examined the witness a long 
 time to discover what he knew about the 
 matter. 
 
 Ex am' pie, (egz am pi,) n. some- 
 thing said, done, or made, which if 
 proper should be copied after, and 
 if wrong, avoided. 
 
 Our Saviour has given us the story of the 
 good Samaritan as an example of kindness, 
 that we may go and do likewise. 
 
 The Spartans used to make their slaves 
 drunk, and lead them into the public halls, 
 in order that the young men might be led to 
 see the evils of such examples and avoid 
 them, 
 something which is used to make 
 another thing plain to be under- 
 
 1 stood ; as the examples under the 
 different rules in Arithmetic. 
 Ex ceed, v. a. to go beyond, to be 
 more than. 
 
 91 EXC 
 
 His expenses were twelve hundred dollars 
 a year, and exceeded his income which was 
 only one thousand. 
 
 I was much more interested in the pictures 
 than I thought I should be ; they quite ex- 
 ceeded my expectations. 
 
 Ex eel, v. a. to be or do better than 
 another. 
 
 Frederick excelled every scholar in the 
 school in penmanship. 
 
 The Greeks excelled all other ancient na- 
 tions in painting and sculpture. 
 
 Ex cep tion, n. something taken out 
 from among other things as differ- 
 ent from them. 
 
 Each of the months in the year has thirty 
 or thirty-one days, with the exception of 
 February, which has twenty-eight, and once 
 in four years, twenty -nine days. . 
 
 objection. 
 
 His reasoning was so conclusive, that no 
 one made any exception to it. 
 
 When one is offended at a thing, it is some- 
 times said that he takes exceptions at it. 
 
 Ex cess ive, a. going beyond what is 
 right and proper. 
 
 Joab thought that the grief of David for the 
 death of Absalom was excessive, and re- 
 proved him. 
 
 Ex change, v. a. to give one thing for 
 another. 
 
 He exchanged his farm in Connecticut for 
 some new lands at the west. 
 
 Ex cite, v. a. to stir up, to give life 
 and activity to. 
 
 His long ride in the morning excited a good 
 appetite for breakfast. 
 
 His speech contained many witty remarks, 
 Avhich excited the laughter of some, but the 
 anger of others. 
 
 Ex claim, v. n. to cry out loudly. 
 
 Titus, who became emperor of Rome in 
 the year 79, was a I eneficent prince ; — and 
 recollecting, one evening, that during the day 
 he had done no good deed, he exclaimed, " O, 
 my friends, I have lost a day." 
 
EXH 
 
 Ex elude, v. a. to shut and keep out, 
 to hinder from. 
 
 He disgraced himself so much by his bad 
 conduct that he was excluded from all re- 
 spectable company. 
 
 to leave out as an exception. 
 
 When he speaks of having thirty scholars 
 in his school, he excludes two who come to 
 take private lessons at noon. 
 
 Ex e cute, v. a. to do all that is in- 
 tended, or ordered to be done. 
 
 He determined to be a distinguished paint- 
 er, and though he had to encounter many 
 difficulties, he kept on until he executed his 
 purpose. 
 
 When a criminal is put to death according 
 to the sentence of the law, we say he is ex- 
 ecuted. 
 Ex ert', (egz ert,) v. a. to put forth or 
 use with an effort. • 
 
 He exerted all his strength to stop the 
 horse, but was unable to do it. 
 
 Ex hale', (egz hale,) v. a. to send or 
 draw out, as fragrance or vapor. 
 
 The rose exhales a sweet odor. 
 When the sun rose, the dew was exhaled 
 by it into vapor. 
 Ex haust', (egz haust,)na.todrawout 
 or use till nothing is left. 
 
 There had been no rain for a long time, and 
 all the water in the cistern was exhausted. 
 
 The strength of the sick traveller was ex- 
 hausted, and he could go no farther. 
 
 Ex hit/ it, (egz hib it,) v. a. to bring 
 out and show a thing, so that it can 
 be clearly seen. 
 
 The missionary exhibited to the children 
 several idols which he had brought with him 
 from the heathen. 
 
 The lady in India who suddenly opened 
 her parasol to frighten away the tiger that 
 was approaching her, exhibited great presence 
 of mind. 
 
 Ex hort', (egz hort,) v. a. to urge one 
 
 92 EXP 
 
 earnestly to do something which is 
 right or necessary. 
 
 Paul said to Timotny ; " Young men, like- 
 wise, exhort to be sober-minded." 
 
 Ex' ile, (egz ile,) n. the being driven 
 away from one's country by author- 
 ity, and forbidden to return. 
 
 The Emperor of Russia often sends crimi- 
 nals, and persons who are suspected of crime, 
 into exile in Siberia. 
 
 The person who is thus sent away, is call- 
 ed an exile. 
 
 Ex ist', (egz 1st,) v. n. to be, to live. 
 
 We began to exist, but we shall never cease 
 to exist; we shall live forever. 
 
 Ex pand, v. a. to spread out a thing, 
 so as to make it larger, or wider. 
 
 He expanded the umbrella. 
 The balloon was expanded and rose into 
 the air. 
 
 v. n. to spread out and become wider 
 or larger. 
 
 Some flowers expand beneath the light 
 and heat of the sun, but close at night. 
 
 Ex pect, v. a. to think that a thing 
 will happen. 
 
 They were watching the moon in good sea- 
 son, expecting to see the eclipse. 
 
 Ex pe di ent, a. that which is best to 
 be done, taking things as they are. 
 
 He heai-d that there was considerable sick- 
 ness in the place where his daughter was at 
 school, and thought it expedient to have her 
 come home. 
 
 It is sometimes expedient for a man to give 
 up what he has a right to, rather than have a 
 law-suit about it which will cost him a great 
 deal of money. 
 
 Ex pe di' tious, (eks pe dish us,) a. 
 doing or done quickly. 
 
 He was very expeditious in walking, and 
 the country being hilly he kept ahead of the 
 stage coach during the day. 
 
 Ex pel, v. a. to drive or force out. 
 
EXP 93 
 
 In blowing a bellows, the air is expelled 
 from it. 
 
 He was expelled from college for miscon- 
 duct, and never suffered to return. 
 
 Tarquin, the Proud, the last king of Rome, 
 was expelled from the city for his tyranny, 
 and the kingly office was abolished, 509 years 
 before 1 Christ. 
 
 Ex pe ri ence, n. what a person has 
 himself felt, seen, known, or made 
 trial of, and has not learned from 
 others. 
 
 His experience of the mild climate of Cuba, 
 led him to advise his sick friend to spend a 
 winter there. 
 
 He was very kind in encouraging young 
 men, for he knew from his own experience 
 while an apprentice how much good might be 
 done in that way. 
 
 Ex per i ment, n. a trial, something 
 done to find out what was uncer- 
 tain or unknown. 
 
 Some boys wished to see whether the ice was 
 strong enough ^;o bear them, and made the 
 experiment by throwing a large stone upon it. 
 
 Ex pert, a. doing a thing easily, 
 quickly, and skillfully, because one 
 has often done it before. 
 
 Charles was very expert in skating, so that 
 hardly any of the boys could overtake or 
 catch hirn. 
 
 He had been a clerk several years, and 
 was very expert in adding up a long column 
 of figures. 
 
 Ex plre, v. a. to breathe out. 
 
 When we draw the air into our lungs, we 
 inspire it ; when we throw it out, we expire 
 it. 
 
 v. n. to die ; as, he expired without a 
 
 sigh or groan, 
 to come to an end. 
 
 The partnership between them expired on 
 the first of January. 
 
 Ex plain, v. a. to make a thing plain, 
 so that it can be understood. 
 
 EXP 
 
 The master brought a beautiful globe into 
 the school, and explained to the children the 
 shape of the earth ; how it moves round its 
 axis from west to east ; and why the days 
 and nights are longer in some places than in 
 others. 
 
 Ex ploit', n. some great and uncom- 
 mon action, requiring much effort 
 or courage to perform it. 
 
 When David wished for some water from 
 the well of Bethlehem, three of his mighty 
 men broke through the host of the Philistines, 
 and got it at the hazard of their lives. It 
 was a brave and dangerous exploit. He 
 would not drink the water, however, but 
 poured it out unto the Lord. 
 
 Ex plore, v. a. to search every part 
 very carefully. 
 
 When the enemies of Mohammed were in 
 pursuit of him, they came to a cave in which 
 he was concealed. But they did not explore 
 it ; for they thought no one could have enter- 
 ed it, as they saw a spider's web across the 
 mouth of the cave, and a dove just within, 
 sitting on her nest. 
 
 Ex port, v. a. to carry goods from one 
 state or country to another in the 
 way of trade. 
 
 Great quantities of cotton are exported, 
 every year, from the Southern States to 
 Europe. 
 
 Ex pose, v. a. to uncover; to lay 
 open a thing to view, to danger, or 
 to some evil. 
 
 He very foolishly cut down a beautiful 
 grove round his house, so that it was exposed 
 to the hot rays of the sun. 
 
 The kind missionary visited those who 
 were sick with the plague, although he was 
 continually exposed to take it. 
 
 Ex press, v. a. to make known the 
 thoughts and feelings, and the dif- 
 ferent states of the mind. 
 
 He was called upon to speak unexpectedly 
 and expressed himself in^a neat and hand 
 some manner. 
 
 
EXT 
 
 His writings express what he means to say 
 and nothing more. 
 
 Deaf-mutes in conversation express a great 
 deal by the mere countenance. 
 
 He showed us a fine likeness of his father, 
 in which there was a striking expression of 
 dignity and benevolence. 
 
 Ex press, n. a person sent in haste 
 on some particular business. 
 
 An express from England arrived at Bos- 
 ton, and travelled day and night to Washing- 
 ton with communications for the British 
 minister. 
 
 Ex punge, v. a. to blot or cross out 
 letters with a pen. 
 
 They expunged the writing so thoroughly 
 that not a word could be read. 
 
 Ex tend, v. a. to stretch out. 
 
 The sailor in the boat extended his arm, 
 and caught the boy just as he was sinking. 
 
 to stretch in any direction. 
 
 They extended the road ten miles farther 
 to the new settlement. 
 
 to enlarge. 
 
 He was once very selfish and thought 
 of nothing but himself and his own family, 
 but now he has become benevolent and ex- 
 tends his efforts to do good to all whom he 
 can aid. 
 
 He ascended the steeple of St. Paul's 
 church, and had an extensive view of the city 
 of London. 
 
 Ex term i nate, v. a. to destroy ut- 
 terly. 
 
 After a great deal of labor, he succeeded in 
 exterminating the Canada thistles from his 
 fields. 
 
 Ex ter nal, a. outward, on the out- 
 side. 
 
 The external surface of the glass of a 
 watch is convex, and its internal surface is 
 concave. 
 
 The dress, manners and looks of a person 
 are external ; his thoughts and feehngs are 
 internal. 
 
 Ex tol, v. a. to*praise very highly. 
 
 94 
 
 EXT 
 
 When Nebuchadnezzar was restored to 
 reason and his throne, he extolled and honor- 
 ed the King of Heaven. 
 
 Ex tort, v. a. to screw out from, to 
 draw out with force or violence. 
 
 He extorted money from the poor sick 
 family, by telling them that if they Aid not 
 sell some of their furniture, and pay the 
 quarter's rent, which was very high, he would 
 turn them out of doors. 
 
 Ex tract, v. a. to draw out or take 
 from. 
 
 Mary was very resolute, and had two teeth 
 extracted at once. 
 
 When his scholars were reciting their 
 lessons in Geography on Egypt, he read to 
 them a few lines, or ex'tracts from a book of 
 travels in that country. 
 
 Ex tra or di na ry, a. that which is 
 not common. 
 
 He usually took an hour to learn his lesson, 
 but being much pressed for time, he made an 
 extraordinary effort and got it in half an 
 hour. • 
 
 uncommon and remarkable in a high 
 degree. 
 
 William Tell, a distinguished Swiss. pat- 
 riot, showed extraordinary firmness, when he 
 stood at a distance and shot an arrow through 
 an apple on his son's head, by order of the ty- 
 rant Gesler, who told him to do it, or he would 
 take his life. This happened in the year 1307. 
 
 Ex trav a gant, a. going beyond what 
 is proper and right. 
 
 He buys a great many more things than he 
 can afford. He is extravagant in his ex- 
 penses. 
 
 The speaker tossed his head about, and 
 swung his arms violently. He was very ex- 
 travagant in his gestures. 
 
 Ex treme, a. at the utmost point or 
 edge of a thing. 
 
 We had a delightful sail, and went to the 
 extreme northern end of the lake. 
 
 of the highest degree. 
 
FAC 
 
 The cold was extreme, and several of the 
 sailors were so badly frozen that it was 
 doubtful whether they would recover the use 
 of their limbs. . 
 
 Cape St. Roque is the eastern extremity of 
 South America, and Cape Blanco, the western. 
 
 When a person is in very deep distress, we 
 say he is in great extremity. 
 
 Ex ult', (egz ult,) v. n. to leap as it 
 were for joy. 
 
 The people filled the air with their shouts, 
 and exulted at the news of the victory. 
 
 to rejoice over a fallen enemy. 
 
 When the Israelites had passed safely 
 through the Red Sea, they praised God for 
 their deliverance and exulted over the Egyp- 
 tians. 
 
 TT^a ble, n. a short story, to teach the 
 " truth in a pleasing Avay. It often 
 supposes things to happen which 
 never did tfappen — not to deceive 
 us, but to instruct and amuse. 
 Fab u lous, a, not true, invented as a 
 fable or story, to please and in- 
 struct. 
 
 The stories about the heathen gods and 
 goddesses, are all fabulous. 
 
 Fa cil i ty, n. ease and readiness in 
 doing a thing. 
 
 It requires a good deal of practice to learn 
 to write with facility. 
 
 Fact, n. something done ; something 
 which has really happened, and not 
 merely supposed to have happened. 
 
 It is a fact that the Spaniards fitted out a 
 large fleet, called the Invincible Armada, to 
 conquer England, in the year 1588, which 
 was attacked and defeated by the English. 
 Most of the ships were destroyed in the en- 
 gagement, and a large part of the remainder, 
 soon after, by a storm. 
 
 95 FAI 
 
 When Abimelech, in the Book of Judges, de- 
 scribes the trees as going forth, on a time, to 
 anoint a king over tbem, he does not mean to 
 state a fact, but only relates an instructive 
 fable. 
 
 Fac tion, n. a number of persons 
 combined and acting together, to 
 oppose the government of a coun- 
 try, or to get the government into 
 their hands. 
 
 When Jerusalem was besieged by the Ro- 
 mans, the Jews were split into several differ- 
 ent factions, which were continually attack- 
 ing and killing each other. 
 
 Fac ul ty, n. an ability to do some- 
 thing which belongs to one natu- 
 rally, .and is not acquired by art. 
 
 We are able to see, that is we have the fac- 
 ulty of sight. 
 
 We are able to hea^ that is we have the 
 faculty of hearing. 
 
 We are able to remember, that is we have 
 the faculty of memory. 
 
 readiness and skill in doing some- 
 thing. 
 
 He has a remarkable faculty of keeping his 
 school in order, with very little difficulty, or 
 appearance of authority. 
 
 Faith, n. belief. 
 
 He doubted entirely the account in the 
 newspaper. He said he had no faith in it. 
 
 a cordial belief. 
 
 Without faith in his declarations and prom- 
 ises, it is impossible to please God. 
 
 the religious doctrines believed by 
 any body of men ; as the Christian 
 faith, the Mohammedan faith. 
 
 When a man fails to fulfill his solemn 
 promises, we say he has broken his faith. 
 
 When a man engages to do a thing, really 
 intending to do it, we say he engages to do if 
 in good faith. 
 
 Faith ful, a. true to one's word. 
 
 He said that he would not tell it to any 
 
FAN 
 
 body, and he was faithful in keeping his 
 promise. 
 
 agreeing with. fact. 
 
 He gave a faithful account of every thing 
 just as it happened. 
 
 doing carefully that which is intrust- 
 ed to one to do. 
 
 His father. left John alone in the evening 
 to study his lesson, and he was as faithful in 
 doing it as if his father had been there. 
 
 A faithful friend is one who does all that 
 
 9S 
 
 FEI 
 
 A- fa 
 fri< 
 
 his friend has a right to expect he would 
 do. 
 
 Fal ter, v. n. to stammer, or hesitate 
 in speaking. — to fail or tremble in 
 the bodily motions. 
 
 He is a very old man, and his limbs falter 
 as he walks. 
 
 Fame, n. much public talking about 
 a person or thim*. 
 
 When Christ raised the ruler's daughter 
 from the dead, the fame of the miracle went 
 abroad throughout all that land. 
 
 much public talking about what is 
 good or great. 
 
 The fame of Alfred the Great, as a wise 
 and good king, has reached wherever the En- 
 glish language is spoken. 
 
 Thebes, a very ancient city in Upper 
 Egypt, was famous for having a hundred 
 gates. 
 
 Fan cy, n. the power which the mind 
 has of bringing up before it the 
 appearances of things. 
 
 He bought a considerable quantity of land, 
 and his fancy was busy in picturing the ele- 
 gant house that he would build, and the beau- 
 tiful manner in which he would lay out his 
 garden and grounds. 
 
 Fancy is very active in dreams, bringing 
 up strange and odd things before the mind. 
 
 the feeling of like or dislike to things 
 which are beautiful or ugly, suit- 
 able or unsuitable. 
 
 He said, the lady appeared to be intelli- 
 
 gent and amiable, but her manners did not 
 suit his fancy. 
 
 the thinking or feeling about some- 
 thing in a whimsical manner. 
 
 It is a strange fancy in the young man to 
 dress as the old gentlemen, did a hundred 
 years ago. 
 
 Fa tal, a. causing death or destruc- 
 tion. 
 
 He took laudanum by mistake, and though 
 every effort was made to save him, it proved 
 fatal, and he died in a few hours. 
 
 Fate, n. what must happen and can- 
 not be avoided. 
 
 Many of the ancient martyrs, when con- 
 demned to a cruel death, met their fate with 
 composure, and even with joy. 
 
 Fa. vor, n. kind and friendly feeling, 
 benevolent regard. 
 
 He gained the favor of almost every one 
 by his obliging disposition and correct con- 
 duct. 
 
 Samuel, the prophet, when quite a child, 
 was in favor both with the Lord and also witH 
 men. 
 
 a kind and friendly act. 
 
 Will you do me the favor, as you pass by 
 
 the Post-Office, to put this letter into the box? 
 
 " A good man showeth favor and lendeth." 
 
 aid, support, on the side of. 
 
 When he was charged with theft, the evi- 
 dence against him was so weak, and his char- 
 acter for honesty so much in his favor, that 
 no one would believe him guilty. 
 
 The wind was favorable, and the ship made 
 rapid progress. 
 
 Feign, (fane,) v. a. to think or speak 
 of things as existing which do not 
 exist. 
 
 The heathen poets feigned many foolish 
 stories about their false gods. 
 
 to seem to be what one is not. 
 
 He feigned sickness, by saying that he had 
 a head-ache, in order that he might stay at 
 home from school. 
 
FID 
 
 97 
 
 F1L 
 
 Fe ro cious, a. fierce and cruel, like 
 a wild beast. 
 
 The hungry tiger, seeking his prey, is a 
 most ferocious animal. 
 
 The keeper had so much tamed ike ferocity 
 of the lion, that he could go into his cage 
 without harm. 
 
 Fer tile, a. yielding or producing 
 much. 
 
 Palestine was once a very fertile country, 
 and it would be so again if it were well cul- 
 tivated. 
 
 Egypt owes its fertility to the overflowing 
 of the Nile. 
 
 We say a man has a fertile mind who strikes 
 out a great many new and fine thoughts. 
 
 Fer vent, a. having warm and enga- 
 ged feeling. 
 
 The little child was heard offering up a fer- 
 vent prayer for its mother who was sick. 
 Fes ti val, n. a time of feasting, or 
 rejoicing, on some important oc- 
 casion. 
 
 The feast of tabernacles was a solemn fes- 
 tival among the Jews, celebrated to keep them 
 in mind that their ancestors dwelt in tents 
 while passing through the wilderness. 
 
 Fic kle, a. changeable, inconstant 
 in feeling. 
 
 He is as fickle as a weathercock. He 
 thinks one thing to-day, but he will think 
 very differently to-morrow. You cannot de- 
 pend upon him. 
 
 Fic tion, n. a story or tale made up 
 to instruct or amuse. 
 
 Children would do well to read fewer 
 books of fiction, and more of true history. 
 
 Fic ti' tious, (fik tish us,) a. not real 
 or true, feigned. 
 
 To excite pity, the beggar told a long story 
 about his being captured by the pirates, 
 whfch was afterwards found to be fictitious. 
 
 Fi del i ty, n. doing one's duty con- 
 scientiously and carefully. 
 7 
 
 Eliezer, the chief servant of Abraham, 
 promised him that he would go into Mesopo- 
 tamia to get a wife for his son Isaac, and he 
 performed the promise with great fidelity. 
 
 firm adherence to a person or cause. 
 
 After the battle of Waterloo, an English 
 surgeon was endeavoring to extract a bullet 
 from the breast of an old soldier of Napoleon, 
 who, looking up in his face said ; " Cut deep- 
 er, and yo,u will find the emperor." This was 
 an affecting instance of fidelity to his military 
 leader. 
 
 agreement with fact. 
 
 The history relates the events just as they 
 happened, and is remarkable for its fideli- 
 ty- 
 
 Fzerce, a. not gentle or moderate, 
 rushing violently forward as a ti- 
 ger to seize its prey. — easily en- 
 raged. 
 
 The lion was sleeping in his cage, when 
 being touched by a cane, he sprang up sud 
 denly, and ran against the bars in a very fierce 
 manner. 
 
 We say a man has a fierce countenance when 
 he looks wild and violent. 
 
 We say a man is fierce for a thing, when he 
 is exceedingly eager and vehement in what 
 he says or does to accomplish it. 
 
 Fig u ra tive, a. standing for some- 
 thing else which it resembles. 
 
 When we say of a person, he is a fox, it is 
 a figurative expression, by which we mean, 
 he is cunning like the fox. 
 
 A little infant may be compared to the 
 morning dew, and it has been figuratively said 
 of such a one that died ; " It sparkled, was 
 exhaled, and went to heaven." 
 
 When Christ said to his disciples, " Ye are 
 the light of the world," he used a figure, 
 meaning that they ought, by their instruction 
 and example, to teach and lead mankind in 
 the right way. 
 
 Fil thy, a. very dirty, and disagree- 
 able. — corrupt, impure in thought, 
 feeling, conversation, or conduct. 
 
FLA 
 
 98 
 
 Fi nal, a. the last ; followed by no- 
 thing. 
 
 He took a final leave of his friends and 
 country, and went out as a missionary ex- 
 pecting never to return. 
 
 bringing a thing entirely to a close. 
 
 He wrote that nothing could induce him to 
 engage in the business ; that it would be of 
 no use to say any thing more about it ; and 
 that this was his final answer. 
 
 Fi' nite, (fT nite,) a. having bounds. 
 
 Any number which can be counted is a 
 finite nuinher. Any space which can be 
 measured is a finite space. 
 
 Firm, a. hard, closely pressed to- 
 gether ; as firm flesh, firm wood. 
 — strong, fast in its place, not 
 easily moved or shaken. 
 
 That old oak has braved the fury of many 
 storms, and yet stands firm. 
 
 His health is so firm that he is able to en- 
 dure all kinds of weather and hardships. - 
 
 He is a man of firm resolution, and you 
 will find it of no use to endeavor to make him 
 change his plan. 
 
 Fla grant, a. very wicked and much 
 blazed abroad. 
 
 The cruel man whipped the poor child that 
 lived with him till it died. It was a flagrant 
 crime. 
 Flat ter, v. a. to please one by prais- 
 ing him, and leading him to think 
 well of himself. 
 
 " Meddle not with him that flattereth with 
 his lips." 
 
 to encourage by favorable appear- 
 ances. 
 
 The grain in the fields looks well, and the 
 farmers are flattered with the prospect of a 
 good crop. 
 
 to raise false hopes. 
 
 He has the consumption, and although 
 drawing near the grave is flattering himself 
 that he will recover. 
 
 FLU 
 
 Flay, v. a. to strip off the skin. 
 Fleet, n. a company of ships. 
 Fleet, a. moving very quickly ; as a 
 
 fleet horse, the fleet wind. 
 Flex i ble, a. easily bent. 
 
 The branches of the weeping willow are 
 very flexible. 
 
 Flit, v. n. to fly or dart along quickly 
 
 The wind was fresh, and the light fleecy 
 clouds flitted through the air, casting their 
 shadows over the fields. 
 
 Flor id, a. having a lively red color. 
 
 The little boy has just come in from play- 
 ing in the snow, and see what florid cheeks 
 he has. 
 
 We call that a florid composition which 
 abounds in figures and brilliant expressions. 
 
 Flour ish, v. n. to have a healthy 
 growth. 
 
 That tree though small is very flourishing, 
 and has yielded several barrels of apples this 
 year. 
 
 to be in a prosperous condition. 
 
 The school is flourishing this winter. It 
 has an excellent teacher; the scholars are 
 regular in their attendance, diligent in their 
 studies, correct in their conduct, and making 
 good improvement. 
 
 Flu ent, a. flowing on freely and 
 easily. 
 
 When he spoke, the words came to his lips 
 as fast as he could utter them. They follow- 
 ed each other quickly and smoothly. He was 
 a fluent speaker. 
 
 Flu id, n. that which is not solid, but 
 
 flows ; as water, milk, juice. 
 Flush, v. n. to grow red suddenly. 
 
 Her cheeks were flushed, and showed that 
 she had some fever. 
 
 v. a. to excite highly and lift up with 
 
 j°y- 
 
 The troops were so flushed with their suc- 
 cess in taking the town, that the general 
 found it very difficult to keep them from plun 
 
FOR 
 
 99 
 
 FOR 
 
 dering the inhabitants, and committing other 
 excesses. 
 
 Foe, n. a violent enemy or oppo- 
 ser. 
 
 When king Ahasuerus gave the Jews per- 
 mission to defend themselves against those 
 who should attack them, they slew of their 
 foes seventy-five thousand. 
 
 Envy is a foe to happiness. 
 
 Foi' ble, n. a small degree of imper- 
 fection or weakness in character 
 or conduct. 
 
 He has very fine children, but it is a foible 
 in him to speak so much in their praise as he 
 often does. 
 
 Foil, v. a. by art, skill, or force, to 
 keep one from succeeding. 
 
 Augustus had taken Cleopatra, queen of 
 Egypt, prisoner, and intended to lead her in 
 triumph, as a captive, at Rome. But she 
 foiled his purpose by destroying her life with 
 the bite of an asp. This happened 30 years 
 before Christ. 
 
 Fo li age, n. the leaves of plants or 
 
 trees. 
 Fo ment, v. a. to bathe with warm 
 
 liquids.— to excite and stir up 
 
 something which is evil. 
 
 He is a despicable tale-bearer, and foments 
 many quarrels among his acquaintance, by 
 telling them wrong things about each other. 
 
 For age, n. food for horses or cattle, 
 usually got by soldiers sent out to 
 plunder. 
 
 He was a noble and kind-hearted man who 
 persuaded a company of soldiers, that were 
 in search of forage, to pass by the field of his 
 poor neighbor, and take it from his own. 
 
 For bear, v. a. to cease doing, to keep 
 from doing. 
 
 How often God forbears to punish us as 
 our sins deserve. 
 
 She forbore to weep, that she might not dis- 
 turb her sick son. 
 
 Force, n. an ability to act on matter 
 or mind, so as to cause some effect 
 or change. 
 
 The blacksmith has great force in his right 
 arm, and brings down the heavy hammer upon 
 the heated iron on his anvil so as to shape it 
 as he pleases. 
 
 He determined to abstain entirely from in- 
 toxicating drinks, and has shown the force of 
 his determination \y not using any for twenty 
 years. 
 
 There was^so much force in his arguments, 
 that he convinced all who were opposed to 
 him when he began his speech, and they 
 agreed with him in opinion. 
 
 causing a person to do something 
 against his will. 
 
 When our Saviour was on earth, some of 
 the Jews wished to take him by force and 
 make him a king. 
 
 Fore go, v. a. to give up some good 
 which one might claim or enjoy. 
 
 We can hope to accomplish nothing good 
 or great, unless we forego many present grati- 
 fications. 
 
 For eign, a. not of one's own country. 
 
 He carries on an extensive foreign trade. 
 
 not belonging to what one is doing or 
 intending to do. 
 
 It would be quite foreign to the design of 
 this dictionary to put into it lessons on draw- 
 ing. 
 
 For feit, v. a. to lose some good by 
 neglect, or by doing wrong. 
 
 He has forfeited by his low and vicious 
 conduct the respect of all decent people. 
 
 Forge, v. a. to beat heated metal into 
 shape by hammering. — to make 
 something like another thing in 
 order to deceive. 
 
 He forged a check for 500 dollars on the 
 bank, putting his brother's name to it; and 
 the forgery was not detected till some months 
 afterwards, when he was apprehended and 
 put into prison. 
 
FOR 
 
 100 
 
 FOR 
 
 For give, v. a. to let one oft from 
 paying a debt. 
 
 Our Saviour speaks of- a certain king who 
 forgave one of his servants a debt of ten thou- 
 sand talents ; while the latter was so hard- 
 hearted as not to forgive a fellow-servant a 
 debt of one hundred.pence. 
 
 not to punish a guilty person, nor to 
 have towards him any feelings of 
 ill-will or unkindn#ss. 
 
 Our Saviour says ; " If ye forgive not men 
 their trespasses, neither will your heavenly 
 Father forgive your trespasses." 
 
 For lorn, a. being in a friendless, 
 helpless, and cheerless condition. 
 The poor maniac was wandering alone in 
 the woods, without a home or any one to take 
 care of her. Her case was truly a forlorn 
 one. 
 
 For mal, a. done strictly according to 
 a custom or rule. 
 
 The students were assembled in the chapel. , 
 The President of the college stated the of- 
 fense of the young man, and read his formal 
 dismission. 
 
 over nice in attending to certain cus- 
 toms or rules. 
 
 When in company, he is so particular in 
 saying and doing every little thing according 
 to what he considers the strictest rules of 
 propriety, that he is stiff and formal in his 
 manners. 
 
 done outwardly, but heartless. 
 
 Prayer is but formal worship, when the 
 heart does not feel what the lips utter. 
 
 For mi da ble, a. causing or fitted to 
 cause fear. 
 
 The locusts in the East sometimes come in 
 such multitudes, that they are very formida- 
 ble to the inhabitants. 
 
 For sake, v. a. to go to, and take an 
 interest in, no longer,— to leave 
 entirely. 
 A boy took some eggs from a bird's nest. 
 
 The bird discovered it, and forsook her nest 
 and returned to it no more. 
 
 He was so much alarmed, that the blood 
 forsook his cheeks. 
 
 For ti fy, v. a. to make a place strong 
 against an enemy. 
 
 Cities in ancient times were so well forti- 
 fied by high walls and towers, and broad and 
 deep ditches, filled with water, that'they were 
 often besieged for years without being ta 
 ken. 
 
 to make strong against some evil. 
 
 He was fortified in his resolution never to 
 gamble again, by thinking how much joy it 
 wouLd give his wife. 
 For ti tude, n. strength and firmness 
 of mind in view of approaching 
 evil, or in enduring evil without 
 murmuring or sinking under it". 
 
 Caius Mucius, a brave Roman, displayed 
 great fortitude, when being seized in the 
 camp, after failing in an attempt to kill king 
 Porsenna, an enemy of his country, he thrust 
 his hand into the fire, and kept it fhere till it 
 was burnt off, to show what kind of men the 
 king had to contend with. 
 
 For tu nate, a. bringing some good 
 in an unexpected manner. 
 
 His drawing a large prize in the lottery 
 was considered by some of his friends a very 
 fortunate event, but as is usual in such ca- 
 ses, it nearly caused his ruin. 
 
 having some great good happen to 
 one. 
 
 He was very fortunate in embarking for 
 Europe when he did; for he had the finest 
 and most favorable weather during the voy- 
 age. 
 
 For tune, n. the happening of a thing 
 
 by chance. 
 
 It was the good fortune of the two brothers, 
 to meet and know each other in New Orleans 
 after a separation of many years. 
 
 Some persons pretend to be able to tell 
 what will happen to others, or what their for- 
 
FRA 
 
 101 
 
 FRO 
 
 tunes will be, and a few are foolish enough 
 to believe them. 
 
 the property which belongs to one. 
 
 His fortune is small, but by industry and 
 economy he makes out to live very comforta- 
 bly. 
 
 When we say, he is a man of fortune, we 
 mean that he has a large property. 
 
 Fos ter, v. a. to nurse and feed with 
 tender care. 
 
 She took the little lamb, which was almost 
 frozen, into the house, and fostered it for sev- 
 eral days, till it was able to go to its dam. 
 
 to keep alive and active in the mind. 
 
 The mother fostered the vanity of her son 
 by praising him so much in the presence of 
 others. 
 
 Found, v. a. to place one thing upon 
 another that it may be supported. 
 
 The castle is of stone and founded upon a 
 rock, and has stood firm for centuries. 
 
 " Other foundation can no man lay than that 
 is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 
 to make, fix, or settle some thing so 
 as to have it durable. 
 
 He gave twenty thousand dollars to the 
 town, to found an academy. 
 
 Frag ment, n. a part of a thing broken 
 off from it. 
 
 After our Saviour had fed the multitude, he 
 commanded his disciples to gather up the frag- 
 ments that nothing might be lost. 
 
 the only part of a thing which is left. 
 
 Polybius, a Greek, who died 121 years be- 
 fore Christ, wrote a Universal History, of 
 which only a fragment remains. 
 
 Fra grant, a. having a sweet, pleas- 
 ant smell. 
 
 The field of clover, as we passed it, was 
 very fragrant. 
 
 Frail, a. weak, feeble, easily destroy- 
 ed. 
 
 It was a frail little infant, and its life was 
 preserved only by the most careful nursing. 
 11 Lord, make me to know mine end, and 
 
 the measure of my days what it is ; that I 
 may know how frail I am." 
 
 Frank, a. speaking and acting as one 
 thinks and feels, without conceal- 
 ment or reserve. 
 
 When the master asked James what he 
 thought of his manner of teaching, he was 
 very frank, and said he liked it much, except- 
 ing in Grammar. In that study, he thought 
 the master ought to give more explanations. 
 
 Fran tic, a. acting without reason in 
 a very violent and furious manner. 
 
 She was frantic with grief ; tore her hair ; 
 wrung her hands ; shrieked aloud, and seemed 
 like a deranged person. 
 
 Fra ter nal, a. belonging to brothers. 
 
 James and John are brothers. We call the 
 relation between them a fraternal relation. 
 
 feeling kindly, as brothers ought to 
 do towards one another. 
 It is pleasant to see the fraternal affection 
 
 * which the brothers always show towards each 
 other. 
 
 Fraud, n. gaining or attempting to 
 gain wrongfully, and by artifice, 
 some advantage over another, or 
 something which belongs to an- 
 other. 
 
 He came with a forged letter, and obtained 
 a large amount of goods on credit. It was 
 several months before the fraud was detected. 
 
 Fric tion, n. the rubbing of one thing 
 against another. ff 
 
 The Indians often kindle a fire by friction, 
 rubbing one hard stick upon another. 
 
 Friv o lous, a. light, trifling, of little 
 importance. 
 
 Sarah made a frivolous excuse for being 
 late at school, by saying that she lost an apple 
 on the way, and went back to find it. 
 
 Fron tier , n. that part of a country 
 Which lies next to another coun- 
 try. 
 
FUN 
 
 102 
 
 GAR 
 
 Troubles are sometimes feared from the 
 Indians on the western frontiers of the United 
 States. 
 
 Fro ward, a. willful, perverse, and 
 hard to be governed. 
 
 The widow had a very froward son who 
 gave her a great deal of trouble. He would 
 not obey her directions, nor follow her advice. 
 He was continually going with wicked com- 
 panions, and getting into mischief. 
 
 " He that hath a froward heart findeth no 
 good," 
 
 Frii gal, a. careful not to use or spend 
 more tlian is necessary. 
 
 She was a frugal housewife. She had every 
 thing neat and comfortable, but took care to 
 waste nothing, and not to spend more than 
 her husband could well afford. 
 
 Frus trate, v. a. to bring to nothing, 
 to keep a person or thing from suc- 
 ceeding. 
 
 Julian the apostate, a Roman Emperor, wh© 
 died in the year 363, attempted to rebuild the 
 temple at Jerusalem, in order to disprove a 
 prophecy of scripture. He was frustrated, 
 however, by an earthquake, and by fire break- 
 ing out from the ground, and abandoned the 
 design. 
 Fu gitive, n. one who flees from pun- 
 ishment, danger, or duty. 
 
 After Cain had killed his brother Abel, God 
 said to him ; " A fugitive and a vagabond shalt 
 thou be in the earth." 
 
 Fulfill',?;, a. to do to the full ; to do 
 all that is foretold, or intended, or 
 promised, or wished, or that ought 
 to be done. 
 
 Christ was born in Bethlehem, and thus 
 the prophecy of Micah respecting the place of 
 his birth was fulfilled. 
 
 " All the law is fulfilled in one word, even 
 in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy- 
 self " 
 
 Fund, n. the money with which" any 
 business is begun and carried on, 
 
 for the sake of profit ; as the fund 
 of a manufacturing company, the 
 fund of a bank. 
 
 When a person is said to have funds, it 
 means that he has money on hand. 
 
 When we say that a person has a fund of 
 any thing, we mean that he has an ample sup- 
 ply ; as a fund of knowledge, a fund of expe- 
 rience. 
 
 Fun da ment al, a. belonging to the 
 foundation, important in the high- 
 est degree, necessary. 
 
 The existence of God is a fundamental 
 truth in religion ; for there can be no religion 
 without a God. 
 
 Fu ri ous, a. rushing forward vio- 
 lently ; as a furious tempest, a furi- 
 ous stream. 
 
 The fury of the storm was so great that the 
 strongest trees fell before it. 
 
 violent with anger or madness. 
 
 In the cruel bull-fights in Spain, they goad 
 the poor animal with spears till he becomes 
 furious. 
 
 " Make no friendship with an angry man, 
 and with a furious man thou shalt not go." 
 
 Furl, v. a. to draw up ; as to furl the 
 sail of a ship close to the yard, or 
 a flag to the staff. 
 
 Fur nish, v. a. to get or supply that 
 which is necessary ; as to furnish 
 a room with chairs, to furnish a 
 scholar with books, to furnish the 
 mind with knowledge. 
 
 G. 
 
 /^J.am bol, v. n. to skip, frisk, and play 
 about, like children or young 
 
 lambs. 
 Garb, n. . dress, outward appearance 
 
 of a person. 
 
 
GEN 
 
 103 
 
 GEN 
 
 I should think from his garb that he is a 
 clergyman. 
 
 Gai land, n. a wreath of flowers, 
 leaves, or branches to put round 
 the head. 
 
 When Pain and Barnabas were at Lystta, 
 and had heaL J a lame man who had never 
 walked, the priest of Jupiter brought to the 
 gates of the city c?xen, and garlands with 
 which to decorate them, and would have of- 
 fered a sacrifice to the apostles, but the latter 
 forbade it. 
 
 Gar ri son, n. a body of soldiers sta- 
 tioned in a fortified place, to defend 
 it. 
 
 The place itself, with such a body of troops 
 in it, is sometimes called a garrison. 
 
 Gaze, v. n. to look stf steadily and 
 earnestly. 
 
 While the disciples of Christ were looking 
 steadfastly towards him, as he ascended from 
 mount Olivet, two men stood by them in white 
 apparel, who said ; " Ye men of Galilee, why 
 stand ye gazing up into heaven ?" 
 
 Gem, n. a precious stonq, as a dia- 
 mond or pearl ; — a bud. 
 
 Gen e ral, a. including the larger part, 
 or the greater number. 
 
 The general sentiment was in favor of 
 peace, but a few restless and ambitious men 
 wished for war. 
 
 common to all of a kind. 
 
 It is always found that water freezes when 
 its temperature is 32 degrees above zero. 
 This is a general law. 
 
 not having a particular meaning. 
 
 He said the remark which he made was a 
 general one, and that the man had no right to 
 suppose it was aimed at him. 
 
 Gen e ra tion, n. parents are called 
 one generation, — their children, an- 
 other generation, — their grand chil- 
 dren, another generation, and so 
 oh. All the people who are liv- 
 
 ing in the world at the same time, 
 are also called a generation. 
 Gen e rous, a. open-hearted and free 
 in giving. 
 
 He was a very generous physician > as 
 ready to visit the poor as the rich ; and never 
 asked any thing from those who could not 
 afford to pay him. 
 
 Many of them are yet living, and remember 
 his generosity with gratitude. 
 
 above all that is low or mean, having 
 noble feelings. 
 
 Alexander the great, though very ambitious, 
 was often generous to his enemies. He or- 
 dered the dead" body of Darius, king of Per- 
 aki, whose army he had overcome, to have all 
 tfie honors of a royal funeral, and sent it em- 
 balmed to his mother. 
 
 Ge ni al,«. making things grow, caus- 
 ing life and cheerfulness. 
 
 The genial heat of the sun brings forth the 
 flowers in the spring. 
 
 Ge ni us, n. the strong disposition or 
 bent of mind which one has by na- 
 ture for some particular employ- 
 ment. 
 
 Mozart,, an eminent German musician, who 
 died at the age of 35, in the year 1791, showed 
 in very early childhood a genius for music. 
 
 uncommon powers of mind, espe- 
 cially originality and invention. 
 
 Among the poets, Homer and Milton are 
 distinguished for their genius. 
 
 We sometimes call the person who has 
 these uncommon powers of mind a genius. 
 
 Gen u ine, a. true, real, pure, — not 
 having any thing mixed with it, or 
 added to it, which does not prop- 
 erly belong to it. 
 
 The oashier of the bank examined the bill 
 and said it was not counterfeit, but that it was 
 genuine. 
 
 He bought some honey which appeared to 
 be excellent, but on using it he found it was 
 
GLA 
 
 104 
 
 GLO 
 
 not genuine ; some molasses had been mixed 
 with it. 
 
 Germ, n. a bud. — that from which 
 any thing grows or springs. 
 
 A remark made by a friend led him to think 
 more on the subject, and at length to write a 
 book about it. The remark was the germ of 
 the book. 
 Gest lire, n. any motion of the body 
 or limbs to express thoughts or 
 feelings. 
 
 In the instruction of the deaf and dumb, it 
 is necessary for the teacher to use many ges- 
 tures. 
 
 GAast ly, a. looking v^ery pale and 
 death-like. ~ 
 
 He had been confined a long time by sick- 
 ness, and was much wasted away. He had 
 a ghastly appearance. 
 Gin, n. an intoxicating liquor made 
 from grain. — a trap, or snare. — a 
 machine or engine. 
 Glance, v. n. to shoot or dart light sud- 
 denly. 
 
 The flash of lightning glanced into the room 
 and immediately disappeared. 
 
 to fly off in an oblique direction. 
 
 The^all from the cannon struck the side 
 of the house slantingly, and glanced from it 
 without doing any injury. 
 
 to look at a thing with a quick cast 
 of the eye. 
 
 As we passed along rapidly on the rail-road, 
 I could only glance at the neat church in the 
 centre of the village. 
 
 He wrote in great haste, and but just glan- 
 ced at the subject in the postscript. 
 
 Glare, n. a very strong light, shining 
 so as to dazzle the eye. 
 
 The glare of the sun in some warm coun- 
 tries is so over-powering as ofteji to cause 
 blindness. 
 
 a fierce piercing look. 
 
 They could see scarcely any thing of the 
 
 tiger, through the darkness, but the frightful 
 glare of his eyes. 
 
 Gleam, n. a sudden shooting or dart- 
 ing of light. 
 
 It had been a dark and stormy day, but just 
 ,as the sun was setting, a beam of light broke 
 through the clouds for a moment. 
 
 Glean, v. a. to gather up what is left 
 after reaping. • 
 
 God gave this command to the Israelites : 
 " When ye reap the harvest of your land, thou 
 shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, 
 neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy 
 harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vine- 
 yard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of 
 thy vineyard ; thou shalt leave them for the 
 poor and stranger." 
 
 to gather what can be found only 
 here and there. 
 
 He went into the library and gleaned; from 
 one book and another, all that he could find 
 on the subject about which he was writing. 
 
 Glim mer, v. n. to shine with a feeble 
 and unsteady light. 
 
 He was lost in the woods, and did not know 
 which way to go, when he saw a glimmering 
 light through the trees, and directed his course 
 towards it. 
 
 Glimpse, n. a slight view of a thing 
 for a moment. 
 
 The lake was at a considerable distance on 
 our right, but as we rode along we just caught 
 a glimpse of it between two hills. 
 
 Glis ten, v. n. to shine, to sparkle 
 with light. 
 
 When Robert saw the pretty rabbit which 
 his father bought for him, his eyes glistened 
 with joy. 
 
 Gloomy, a. wanting light, disagree- 
 ably dark. 
 
 The tomb under ground was opened, and 
 we went into it. It was a gloomy place. 
 
 not cheerful, dejected, melancholy. 
 
 He is so gloomy that he never smiles, and 
 
GLU 
 
 105 
 
 GRA 
 
 seems to take little or no interest in his family 
 or business. 
 
 G16 ri fy, v. a. to give praise or honor 
 to. 
 
 "When the multitude saw the dumb to 
 speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame M 
 walk, and the blind to see, they glorified the* 
 God of Israel." 
 
 to raise to glory. 
 
 The true followers of Christ on earth, will 
 be glorified with him in heaven. 
 
 Glo ry, n. a bright shining like that 
 of the sun, or of a brilliant star. — 
 a splendid appearance. 
 
 Our Saviour said of the lilies of the field, 
 that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed 
 like one of these. 
 praise or honor ascribed to God. 
 
 "Give unto the Lord the glory due unto 
 his name." 
 ; great celebrity or renown. 
 
 How many who fancied they had secured a 
 glory which would never die, are now^orgot- 
 ten and unknown. 
 
 In the Bible, the blessedness of heaven is 
 called glory 
 
 Glow, v. n. to shine with a very great 
 or white heat. 
 
 As the smith took the iron from the fire to 
 put it on the anvil, it was glowing. 
 
 to be bright or red. 
 
 His cheeks glow with health. 
 ; to feel great warmth. 
 
 He ran so fast, that although it was very 
 cold, his body glowed with heat. 
 
 His heart glowed with gratitude, when he 
 thought of the kindness of his benefactor. 
 
 Glut, v. a. to fill or gratify to excess 
 so as to cloy. 
 
 He sat down to a table full of nice things, 
 and so glutted his appetite that he had no rel 
 ish for food for several days. 
 
 to furnish more than enough. 
 
 There was a full supply of flour in the 
 
 i iiert 
 
 place, when another large cargo arrived, and 
 glutted the market. 
 
 He who is in the habit of eating to excess, 
 is called a glutton. 
 
 Goad, v. a. to prick and drive on with 
 a sharp point ; as to .goad oxen or 
 mules, to make them go faster. 
 
 to stir up a person to do something 
 by what is irritating and painful. 
 
 The boy was so goaded on, by his ambition, 
 to strive to be at the head of his class, that 
 he grieved to see any one of his companions' 
 do as well as himself. 
 
 Goal, n. the point from which a race 
 begins, or wlRch marks how far it 
 is to reach. 
 
 The goal from which the boys started in 
 running, was* the corner of the school-house, 
 and the goal which they strove to arrive at 
 first, was an old oak forty rods distant. 
 
 the great object which a person aims 
 to accomplish. 
 
 He was in a flourishing business, but the 
 goal of his wishes seemed to be, to retire to a, 
 farm in the country as soon as he was rich 
 
 enough. 
 
 Gor' geous, (gor jus,) a. fine, splen- 
 did, showy, glittering with^gay 
 colors. 
 
 The train of the peacock spread out in the 
 sun, is gorgeous. 
 
 Grace, n. good will, kind and friendly 
 feeling. 
 
 When Joseph went down into Egypt, he 
 found grace in the sight of Potiphar, the cap- 
 tain of the king's guard, who had bought him. 
 
 favor shown to the guilty and unde- 
 serving. 
 
 The Bible teaches us, that in Christ Jesus 
 " we have redemption through his blood, the 
 forgiveness of sins according to the riches of 
 his grace." 
 
 Nehemiah says, " Thou art a God ready to 
 pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, 
 and of great kindness." 
 
GRA 
 
 106 
 
 GRA 
 
 the influence of God on the mind, 
 . leading it to that which is good. 
 
 We need the grace of God to aid us in the 
 performance of duty. 
 
 that which is becoming, elegant, and 
 pleasing in language, or in man-< 
 ners. 
 
 Milton says of Eve, 
 " Grace was in all hersteps, Heaven in her eye, 
 In every gesture, dignity and love." 
 
 The motions of the swallow, as it skims 
 and floats in the air, are graceful. 
 
 Faith, hope, charity, meekness, patience, 
 and other similar characteristics of the Chris- 
 tian, are called Christia^graces. 
 
 Gra da tion, n. a going on regularly 
 by degrees. 
 
 He went into the army as a^private soldier, 
 and rose by regular gradation till he became 
 
 Grade, n. a step or degree in any order 
 of things. 
 
 In a single company of soldiers the officer 
 of the highest grade is the captain. 
 
 Grad u al, a. step by step, advancing 
 or declining by degrees, slowly. 
 
 The ascent of the sun in the sky is gradual, 
 audits descent also. 
 Grand, a. so great as to excite admi- 
 ration, and cause elevated feelings. 
 
 The vast ocean when at rest is a grand ob- 
 ject. 
 
 An army of one hundred thousand, all mo- 
 ving together in perfect order, at the command 
 of one man, is a grand sight. 
 
 It was a grand idea of Columbus, before he 
 discovered America, that there must be land 
 on the western side of the globe, to balance 
 that on the eastern. 
 
 There is a striking grandeur in a lofty 
 mountain as it rises above the clouds. 
 
 Grant, v. a. to admit thai a thing is 
 true which has not been proved to 
 be so. 
 
 The lawyer said they need not bring for- 
 ward a witness to show that a certain thing 
 was so, for he would grant that it was. 
 
 to make a gift of something to one 
 who asks for or desires it. 
 
 ~* He had an excellent well of water, and 
 ' granted permission to the neighbors to draw 
 from it when they pleased. 
 
 Grasp, v. a. to catch and hold in the 
 hand or arms. 
 
 He had fallen overboard in a dark night, 
 and was just sinking in the water, when he 
 grasped a rope and drew himself up by it in- 
 to the ship. 
 
 v. n. to try to catch and hold. 
 
 The little child grasped at a shadow on the 
 wall, but found he could not catch it. 
 
 He is a very avaricious man, and is con- 
 tinually grasping after more and more money. 
 
 Grate ful, a. remembering favors and 
 feeling what one owes for them. 
 
 When David was driven from his throne by 
 his^on Absalom, and was in great distress 
 for%ant of food, Barzillai, the Gileadite, 
 brought provisions for him and those that were 
 with him. David was grateful for this, and, 
 when about to pass over Jordan on his return, 
 said to Barzillai, " Come thou over with me, 
 and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem." 
 He Was too old to go himself, but he sent his 
 son. 
 
 agreeable, pleasant to the feelings." 
 
 It was very grateful to the thirsty travellers 
 to drink from the fountain in the cool shade. 
 ■ When we have, done well, the commenda- 
 tion of those whom we love and respect is 
 always grateful to us. 
 
 Grat i fy, v. a. to give pleasure to. 
 
 He was much gratified by the' civilities 
 which were shown him when he visited the 
 city. 
 
 It is a great gratification to parents to see 
 their children growing up to be respectable 
 and useful, 
 to please by complying with. 
 
 Frank was desirous to visit the falls of Ni- 
 
GRI 
 
 107 
 
 GRU 
 
 agara during the vacation, and his father grati- 
 fied his wishes. 
 
 Grat i tude, n. a heart-felt remem- 
 brance of favors. 
 
 That man is not to be trusted, who feels no 
 gratitude to his benefactors. 
 
 Gra tu i tous, a. given or done for 
 nothing. 
 
 The teachers in the Sunday-schools in- 
 struct the children without any compensation. 
 Their services are gratuitous. 
 
 given or done to those who have no 
 claim to it. 
 
 He told the workmen in his factory that 
 they might go into his garden when they pleas- 
 ed, and gather fruit. This was not a part of 
 the bargain he had made with them. It was 
 entijfely gratuitous. 
 
 asserted without proof. 
 
 He said the climate in a certain part of the 
 country was unhealthy. But he had never 
 been there, and in fact knew nothing about it. 
 His remark was gratuitous. 
 
 Grave, a. not light or gay,— looking, 
 speaking, and acting in a serious 
 manner. 
 
 He was so grave even when a boy, that his 
 companions ufeed to call him the judge. 
 
 We call a dress grave which is plain and 
 has no light and gay colors. 
 
 In music, low sounds are called grave. 
 
 Greet, v. a. to meet and address kind- 
 l Y- 
 
 He had been absent from his native village 
 twenty years, and when he returned all his 
 old acquaintances came out to greet him with 
 great joy. 
 
 to send kind wishes to the ab- 
 sent. 
 
 In his epistle to the Corinthians, Paul says, 
 " All the brethren greet you." * 
 Gnef, n. pain and sorrow on account 
 of some evil which befalls one. 
 
 It is said that the grief of Henry II. king 
 
 of England, at the misconduct of his sons 
 was so great that he died of a broken heart. 
 This happened in the year 1189. 
 
 The famine was so grievous in Canaan, 
 that Abraham went down for a while to dwell 
 in Egypt. 
 
 Grim, a. looking fierce and terrible 
 in the face. 
 
 Death is sometimes called the grim mes- 
 senger. 
 
 Grope, v. a. to try to find one's way 
 in the dark by feeling. 
 
 The men went down into the deep cave, 
 and their lights being extinguished by a sud- 
 den blast of wind, jt was with great difficulty 
 that they groped their way back again. 
 
 Gross, a. bulky and fat ; as a gross 
 
 man. 
 not decent, immodest. 
 
 He used such gross language that it is im- 
 proper for me to repeat it. 
 
 We call a great and striking mistake, er- 
 ror, fault, or insult, a gross one. 
 
 The gross amount of a thing is the whole 
 amount, without giving the particulars. 
 
 Ground' less, a. without foundation, 
 false. 
 
 The report of his death is entirely ground 
 less, and he is expected home in a few days 
 
 Group, n. a number of persons or 
 things near together without any 
 regular order. 
 
 Among the boys who stood in a group around 
 the poor, blind beggar, there was one who 
 pitied him and gave him some money. 
 
 Grudge, v. a. to envy. 
 
 An ambitious boy at the bottom of the clas? 
 is very apt to grudge him his pleasure who is 
 at the top. * 
 
 to give, take, or do a thing very un- 
 willingly. 
 
 He is so selfish that he grudges the very 
 little which he thinks he must give to the 
 poor to avoid being despised. 
 
GUI 
 
 1*08 
 
 HAM 
 
 Grudge, n. ill-will on account of 
 some old dispute or quarrel. 
 
 They had a law-suit twenty years ago, and 
 one of them cherishes such a grudge against 
 the other, that he will not speak to him. 
 
 Guard, v. a. to watch and be ready to 
 defend against danger. 
 
 When travellers in the East pass through 
 the deserts, they go in company, and are at- 
 tended by armed men to guard them against 
 robbers. 
 
 We should alv/ays be on our guard against 
 temptation. 
 
 Guard i an, n. one who has the care 
 of another. 
 
 He was seven years old when his father 
 died, and his uncle was appointed his guar- 
 dian. 
 Guest, n. one who is entertained at 
 the house of another. 
 
 When our Saviour went with Zaccheus, 
 to his house, they said, " he was gone to be 
 guest with a man that, is a sinner." 
 
 Guide, v. a. to point out the right 
 way, to tell one what to do, or how 
 to do it. 
 
 He did not know the path across the moun- 
 tain, and hired a man to go with him and 
 guide him. 
 
 The Psalmist says of God ; " The meek 
 will he guide in judgment ; and the meek will 
 he teach his way." 
 Guile, n. deep deceit. 
 
 " Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips 
 from speaking guile." 
 
 Guilt, n. the having done wrong, and 
 being liable to punishment on ac- 
 count of it. 
 
 After Adam and Eve had eaten the forbid- 
 den fruit, they were conscious of their guilt 
 and hid themselves from the presence of the 
 Lord among the trees of the garden. 
 
 John came to his father and confessed that 
 he had been guilty of striking his little broth- 
 er; but said he felt very sorry for it, and 
 
 would do so no more, and begged his father 
 to forgive him. 
 
 Gush, v. n. to flow or burst forthwith 
 violence, as a fluid. 
 
 When Moses smote the rock in the wilder- 
 ness with his rod, " the waters gushed out, 
 and the streams overflowed." 
 
 H. 
 
 TTab it, n. a disposition of the 
 J " L mind or body, acquired by cus- 
 tom, to do a certain thing, or to be 
 in a certain state. 
 
 He began to gamble when a boy by pitching 
 cents. He afterwards learned to play cards, 
 and kept on till he played for large sums of 
 money. He formed, at last, such a habit of 
 gambling that it ruined him. 
 
 the doing of a thing often from hav- 
 ing acquired the disposition to do it. 
 
 When a child, his father used to let him 
 sip a little wine from his glass at the dinner 
 table. As he grew older, he was accustomed 
 to^take a glass of wine with the rest. It was 
 not long before he took stronger liquors fre 
 quently, and the habit of doing this made him 
 at length, a complete sot. 
 
 Persevere in doing right ; for when it be- 
 comes habitual it will be easy. 
 
 Hale, a. sound, healthy, having no 
 * part feeble or diseased ; as a hale 
 
 ear of corn, a hale boy. 
 Hal low, v. a. to set apart for the spe- 
 cial service of God. 
 
 " The Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and 
 hallowed it." 
 
 to treat with reverence because it is 
 holy. 
 
 " Hallowed be thy name." 
 
 Ham let, -■•fo. a small collection of 
 houses in the country. 
 
 " Beneath those rugged elms, that yew-tree's shade, 
 Where heaves the turf in many a mouldering 
 heap, 
 
HAR 
 
 109 
 
 HAU 
 
 Each in his narrow cell forever laid. 
 The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep." 
 
 Ham per, v. a. to put on fetters or 
 shackles ; to make it difficult to 
 move. 
 
 We were so hampered by the briars in get- 
 ting through the woods, that we made very 
 slow progress. 
 
 Hand some, a. pleasant to the eye, 
 well-formed. 
 
 His little daughter has handsome and reg- 
 ular features, with an agreeable expression, 
 though she cannot be called beautiful. 
 
 ample. 
 
 He has a handsome fortune, and devotes 
 himself chiefly to study. 
 
 large, considering the circumstances 
 of the giver. 
 
 He owned but a small farm, and had to la- 
 bor hard for his living, yet he made a hand- 
 some present of a library to the district school. 
 
 Hank er, v. n. to long for with an 
 eager appetite or desire. 
 
 After the Israelites were delivered from 
 bondage, and were wandering in the wilder- 
 ness, they hankered after the cucumbers, the 
 melons, the leeks, and the onions which they 
 had enjoyed in Egypt. 
 Har ass, v. a. to make weary by labor. 
 
 The troops were harassed by long marches 
 through the swamps. 
 
 to tire by importunity or by care, to 
 annoy greatly. 
 
 Diocletian, a Roman Emperor, was so much 
 harassed by the cares of government, that 
 he left his throne, and retired to Salona, a 
 town in Dalmatia, where he cultivated a small 
 farm. When some of his friends wished him 
 to become emperor again, he said, that if they 
 knew his present happiness, they would rath- 
 er endeavor to imitate than disturb it. He 
 died in the year 313. 
 
 Har bor, v. a. to give a place of rest 
 or shelter to some evil person or 
 thing. 
 
 He harbored the thieves for some time in a 
 room in his house, and received a part of the 
 goods which they stole. 
 
 He harbored revenge, for several years, 
 against his neighbor who had injured him. 
 
 Har dy, a. bold and daring. 
 
 The old hardy sailor feared not the wildest 
 storm. 
 
 firm to endure fatigue. 
 
 Julius Cesar, though he had a feeble con- 
 stitution, by exercise and exposure, made him- 
 self a very hardy man. 
 
 Har mo ny, n. the agreeable sound- 
 ing together of two or more mu- 
 sical notes. 
 
 The music was delightful. The voices of 
 the singers and the instruments were in per 
 feet harmony. 
 
 agreement of one person or thing 
 with another. 
 
 The two friends thought and felt alike. 
 They were never known to differ. What 
 pleased one pleased the other, and this har- 
 mony continued undisturbed through life. 
 
 The accounts which the writers of the Gos- 
 pels give of the life of Christ, are harmonious ; 
 though one sometimes relates what another 
 does not. 
 Harsh, a. rough and unpleasant to 
 the touch, taste, or ear ; as harsh 
 hair-cloth ; the harsh taste of the 
 crab-apple ; the harsh grating of 
 a door on its hinges, 
 rough in feeling, language, or con- 
 duct. 
 
 Friends should be very careful not to use 
 harsh words towards each other; for they 
 cause wounds which it is very difficult to 
 cure. 
 
 Haug-A ty, a. proud and disdainful, 
 having a high opinion of one's 
 self in comparison with others. 
 
 "Pride goeth before destruction, and a 
 haughty spirit before a fall." 
 
HEA 
 
 110 
 
 HER 
 
 treating others with contempt as if 
 much superior to them. 
 
 To be haughty is not the mark of a great 
 mind. 
 
 Hawnt, d. a. to go very often to a. 
 place. 
 
 Idlers haunt taverns. 
 
 to come so often as to be unwelcome. 
 
 He complains of being haunted by trouble- 
 some dreams almost every night, 
 
 Hav ock, n. violent and wide-spread 
 destruction. 
 
 A wolf broke into a sheep-fold, and made 
 great havock among the sheep. When 
 the farmer came, he found most of them 
 dead. 
 
 Haz ard, v. a. to run the risk of loss, 
 danger, or some other evil. 
 
 A boy broke through the ice on a pond, and 
 was near drowning, when another boy nobly 
 hazarded his life to save him. 
 
 Health ful, a. free from sickness, 
 sound in health. 
 
 That is a healthful plant, and grows well. 
 
 conducive to health; as a healthful 
 climate, a healthful diet. 
 
 Heart, n. that part of the body which 
 sends the blood throughout the 
 whole of it. — the inner part or 
 middle of a thing ; as the heart 
 of a tree, the heart of a state or 
 country. 
 
 the word heart is often used to denote 
 the feelings, affections, passions, 
 desires, and purposes. 
 
 "A merry heart maketh a cheerful counte- 
 nance, but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is 
 broken." 
 
 "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with 
 all thine heart." 
 
 " " A good man out of the good treasure of 
 his heart, bringeth forth that which is good ; 
 
 and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his 
 heart, bringeth forth that which is evil." 
 
 courage, spirit. 
 
 Be of good heart, do not be afraid. 
 
 Heart y, a. coming warm from the 
 heart, sincere. 
 
 He sent his friend a hearty invitation to 
 come and visit him. 
 strong, in full health. 
 
 He is a very hearty man, and does not 
 know what it is to be sick. 
 
 Food which is supposed to be very nour- 
 ishing, is called hearty food. 
 
 Hea then, n. people who worship 
 idols, or who know not the God of 
 the Bible. 
 
 Many missionaries have gone to teach the 
 heathen, and to carry to them the Word of God. 
 
 Heed, v. a. to attend to, to mind care- 
 fully. 
 
 When Nero became Emperor of Rome, he 
 did not heed the good counsels of his instruc- 
 tor Seneca, and was so ungrateful that he 
 ordered him to kill himself. 
 
 " Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his 
 way ? by taking heed thereto according to thy 
 word." 
 
 He was so heedless in his sports, that he 
 often hurt others, and got hurt himself. 
 
 Hei A nous, (ha nus,) a. very hateful 
 and wicked. 
 
 To take a false oath, and tell what is not 
 true, is a heinous crime. 
 
 Heir, (are,) n. one who, when the 
 owner of property, or the possess- 
 or of a title, dies, has a legal right 
 to it. 
 
 He is heir to the large estate of his uncle, 
 and will take possession of it when he comes 
 of age. 
 
 Her aid, n. an officer who in ancient 
 times was sent out to proclaim war 
 and peace, or to bear messages. — J 
 
HID 
 
 111 
 
 HOL 
 
 one who goes before, to tell that 
 another is coming. 
 
 The little blue bird which we heard this 
 morning, is the herald of spring. 
 
 He red i ta ry, a. going down from 
 parents, or ancestors, to their de- 
 scendants, by some law of a coun- 
 try or of nature. 
 
 Some men in England are called dukes. 
 When one of them dies, his eldest son is 
 called a duke, and so on. This title is hered- 
 itary. There are no hereditary titles in the 
 United States. 
 
 . He has the gout. His father and grand- 
 father had it before him. It seems to be he- 
 reditary in the family. 
 
 Her mit, n. one who separates him- 
 self from others, and lives entirely 
 alone. 
 
 Peter the hermit, after visiting the holy 
 land, returned to Europe, and roused up the 
 people to attempt to recover the country where 
 the Saviour was born and died, from the hands 
 of the Mohammedans. This happened at 
 the close of the eleventh century. 
 
 He ro, n. a man distinguished for 
 bold and great actions. — a woman 
 distinguished in the same way, is 
 called a heroine. 
 
 Hes i tate, v. n. to stop because one 
 is in doubt what to believe,* to de- 
 cide upon, or to do. 
 
 Samuel's uncle wished him to come and be 
 a clerk in the city, but he hesitated a long 
 time, and at length determined not to go, but 
 to remain at home and take care of his aged 
 mother. 
 
 to stop often in speaking, from having 
 some difficulty in uttering words. 
 
 His hesitation in reading was owing to bash- 
 fulness. 
 
 Hid e ous, a. frightful and shocking 
 to see or to hear. 
 
 The naughty boy tried to terrify his sister 
 by putting on a hideous mask. 
 
 Hint, n. partly telling a thing, a slight 
 allusion. 
 
 The master gave Robert a hint to take bet- 
 ter care of his writing book, by asking him 
 to see how neatly George kept his. 
 
 Hire ling, n. one who works for pay. 
 
 God says, He will be a swift witness 
 against those who oppress the hireling in his 
 wages. 
 
 one who thinks only of what he gets 
 for his services. 
 
 " The hireling fleeth because he is an hire- 
 ling, and careth not for the sheep." 
 
 His to ry, n. an account of important 
 things that have happened. 
 
 The most ancient history is that which is 
 contained in the Bible. 
 
 We call a description of things which con- 
 tinue the same from age to age, as minerals, 
 plants, animals, and things of a similar kind, 
 natural history. 
 
 His to ri an, n. one who writes his- 
 tory. 
 His tor i cal, a. relating to history. 
 Hoard, v. a. to lay up carefully. 
 
 The miser deprives himself of many things 
 which he needs, in order to hoard money 
 which he will never use. 
 
 Ho ly, a. perfect in all that is right 
 and good. 
 
 " The Lord is righteous in all his ways, 
 and holy in all his works." 
 
 entirely free from sin, doing the will 
 of God perfectly. 
 
 The inhabitants of heaven are holy. 
 
 A man is called holy who loves and serves 
 God sincerely, though he is not yet entirely 
 free from sin. 
 
 set apart for the special service of 
 God ; as the holy Sabbath, the holy 
 temple. 
 
 We call the Bible holy, because it is the 
 
HOP 
 
 112 
 
 HOS 
 
 Book of God, and to be treated with great 
 reverence. 
 Horn age, n. great respect shown to 
 a superior. 
 
 The Romans did homage to Virgil, their 
 distinguished poet, by always rising when he 
 entered the theatre, 
 
 devout and reverential worship. 
 
 The language of the lips will not be accept- 
 able to God without the homage of the heart. 
 
 Hon est, a. upright, just in dealing 
 with others. 
 
 The farmer told the man who bought some 
 grain of him to go and measure it himself, for 
 he was not afraid to trust an honest man. 
 
 fair, Tree from fraud. 
 
 He sold the whole house, pretending that it 
 belonged to him when he owned only a part. 
 It was not an honest transaction. 
 
 true, without concealment or dis- 
 guise. 
 
 He gave an honest account of the whole 
 matter, although he knew it would expose 
 him to blame. 
 
 Hon or, v. a. to show respect to. 
 
 " Honor thy father and thy mother that thy 
 days maybe long upon the land which the 
 Lord thy God giveth thee.'' 
 
 to show great reverence to. 
 
 David desired to honor God by building a 
 splendid temple for his worship. 
 
 to raise in rank or condition. 
 
 Pharaoh greatly honored Joseph by taking 
 him from prison and making him governor of 
 Egypt. 
 
 We say of a man who has a high regard for 
 what is noble and right, that he is a man of 
 honor. 
 
 H5pe, n. the desire of future good, 
 with a belief more or less strong 
 that it will be enjoyed. 
 
 It was beautifully said by a deaf-mute ; 
 " Hope is the blossom of happiness." 
 
 The Bible calls the hope of the Christian, 
 " an anchor to the soul, both sure and stead- 
 fast." 
 
 that which causes hope, or that object 
 to which hope is directed. 
 
 The shipwrecked seamen were in the long- 
 boat without food or water, and their only 
 hope was that they might fall in with some 
 ship and be rescued. 
 
 Hor ri ble, a. very dreadful and hid- 
 eous. 
 
 After the battle it was a horrible sight to see 
 the mangled bodies of men and horses floating 
 down the river. 
 
 Hos pi ta ble, a. kind and generous 
 in entertaining strangers and 
 guests. 
 
 The boy was sick and friendless. A poor 
 widow took him into her house and treated 
 him in the most hospitable manner till he re- 
 covered. 
 
 " Use hospitality one to another without 
 grudging." 
 
 Hos pi tal, n. a place in which the 
 sick, the poor, the insane, and other 
 such persons are taken care of, by 
 private or public charity. 
 
 The establishment of hospitals for the suf- 
 fering, is one of the happy effects of the 
 Christian religion. 
 
 Host, n. one who entertains strangers 
 or guests. 
 
 The good Samaritan paid the host for taking 
 care of the wounded man. 
 
 an army, or any very great number 
 assembled together. 
 
 When Christ was born, " a multitude of the 
 heavenly hosts praised God, saying ; Glory 
 to God in the highest, and on earth peace, 
 good- will to men." 
 
 Host age, n. a person placed in the 
 keeping of others who are to have 
 the right of depriving him of liber- 
 ty, or of life, if certain things 
 which have been promised them 
 are not donei 
 
HUM 
 
 113 
 
 HYP 
 
 Joseph kept Simeon as a hostage in Egypt, 
 when the rest of bis brothers returned home, 
 in order that they might not fail to bring Ben- 
 jamin with them when they came again. 
 
 Hos tile, a. opposed to, with the feel- 
 ings of an enemy. 
 
 Cato the elder, a distinguished Roman, was 
 so hostde to the Carthaginians, that he never 
 gave his opinion in the Senate on any sub- 
 ject, without adding that he thought Carthage 
 ought to be destroyed. 
 
 What belongs to an enemy is also called 
 hostile ; as a hostile country, a hostile fleet. 
 House, n. a place to live in. — a family 
 or household. 
 
 Joshua said ; " As for me and my house, we 
 will serve the Lord." 
 a person with all his descendants. 
 " All the souls of the house of Jacob which 
 came into Egypt were three score and ten." 
 
 a branch of a legislature ; as the 
 House of Representatives in Con- 
 
 Hov' er, (huv er,) v. n. to hang flut- 
 tering in the air over or about a 
 place. 
 
 A hawk hovered some time over the barn- 
 yard, and then darting suddenly down carried 
 off a chicken. 
 
 to move back and forth in the neigh- 
 borhood of a place. 
 
 The ship which was seen hovering off the 
 coast for several days, was supposed to be a 
 pirate. 
 Huge, a. very large in size ; as a huge 
 
 ox, a huge mountain. 
 Hu man, a. belonging to mankind ; as 
 a human face, a human voice, hu- 
 man nature. 
 Hu mane, a. having kind and tender 
 feelings. 
 
 The jailer is decided and strict, but yet 
 8 
 
 very humane, in his treatment ol the pnson- 
 ■ ers. 
 
 The animals about his house and in his 
 yard were all so tame and gentle, that any 
 one might know that their master was a man 
 of great humanity. 
 
 Hum ble, a. low, not high or great. 
 
 He once occupied a splendid house, but 
 through misfortune has become poor, and now 
 lives in a humble cottage. 
 
 not proud, having a low opinion of 
 '4 one's self. 
 
 " God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace 
 to the humble." 
 
 " Before destruction the heart of man is 
 haughty, and before honor is humility." 
 
 To humble a person, is to make him lower 
 in his own opinion, or in the opinion of oth- 
 ers. 
 
 Hu mor, n. the peculiar condition of 
 one's feelings at a particular time, 
 as it respects being cheerful or 
 melancholy, good-natured or fret- 
 ful, playful or serious, active or in- 
 active, and the like. 
 
 One day he is in the humor for writing, and 
 the next day he does nothing but read, and 
 then the humor takes him to be idle. His 
 humor is very changeable. 
 an agreeable way of representing 
 things which tends to excite laugh- 
 ter or mirth. 
 
 Addison, an elegant English writer, has a 
 great deal of humor. 
 
 Hyp o crite, n. one who puts on the 
 appearance of being what he is 
 not. 
 
 One man pretended to be a great friend of 
 another, and spoke very kindly to him when- 
 ever they met, while he hated him and was 
 ail the while trying to injure him. He was a 
 great hypocrite. 
 
 The Pharisees used to make long prayers 
 in the synagogues and at the corners of the 
 
ILL 
 
 114 
 
 IMA 
 
 streets, that they might be seen of men. They 
 were hypocritical prayers. 
 
 Nothing is more mean in itself, more disa- 
 greeable to men, or more offensive to God 
 than hypocrisy. 
 
 I. 
 
 T de a, n. that which the mind thinks 
 -*- about, 
 
 I saw a beautiful rose yesterday. 1 am 
 now thinking how it looked. I have an idea 
 of it. Last evening I heard a flute. I am 
 now thinking of it. I have an idea of its 
 sound. 
 
 The word idea is sometimes used to denote 
 opinion or purpose ; as, they did not agree in 
 their ideas on the subject, — he said, he had no 
 idea of going to Boston at present. 
 
 I dol, n. an image or representation 
 of some thing made by man, and 
 worshipped as a god. 
 
 In the wilderness the Israelites made a calf 
 and offered sacrifices unto the idol. 
 
 Whole nations, at the present day, worship 
 idols. 
 
 any thing which men love very much 
 more than they ought to do. 
 
 The mother made such an idol of her little 
 boy that he was spoiled by her indulgence. 
 
 I dol a ter, n. one who worships an 
 idol, or any thing else as a god 
 which is not the true God. 
 
 The ancient Greeks were idolaters, and 
 they had so many false gods, that an Athenian 
 once said, it was easier to find a god in Athens 
 than a man. 
 
 Ig no mm i ous, a. very disgraceful. 
 
 . Among the Romans crucifixion was consid- 
 „ ered a most ignominious punishment. 
 
 Ill, n. wickedness. — any thing which 
 causes injury or unhappiness. 
 
 " Love worketh no ill to his neighbor." 
 
 II lit e rate, a. not having learning. 
 
 He is so illiterate that he cannot read in the 
 
 Bible without stopping to spell many of the 
 words. 
 
 11 lfi mi nate, v. a. to fill with light. 
 
 The city was so illuminated by the number 
 of buildings on fire, that although it was mid- 
 night one might see to read in any of the 
 streets. 
 
 Truth is often compared to light, and is said 
 to illuminate the mind. 
 
 II Id sion, n. something supposed to 
 be true and real, when it is not so. 
 
 She thinks often that she sees her absent 
 friends. It is an illusion of sight. She thinks 
 that she hears them speaking to her. It is an 
 illusion of hearing. 
 
 [1 Jus trate, v. a. to make a thing 
 more clear, and easy to be under- 
 stood. 
 
 The master drew a map of the country on 
 the black board, and in that way illustrated 
 the lesson in geography to his pupils. 
 
 In this book, the definitions are usually 
 followed by illustrative examples. 
 
 II lus tri ous, a. very highly distin- 
 guished for goodness or great- 
 ness. 
 
 Solomon was so illustrious for his wisdom, 
 that the Queen of Sheba came from a distant 
 country' to see and converse with him. 
 
 conspicuous, glorious. 
 
 The retreat of ten thousand Greeks, under 
 the command of Xenophon, from Babylon to 
 the banks of the Euxine, a distance of sixteen 
 hundred miles through an enemy's country, is 
 one of the most illustrious events recorded in 
 history. It happened 401 years before 
 Christ. 
 Im age, n. something made or ap- 
 pearing in the likeness of another 
 thing ; as the image of a king on 
 a piece of money — a marble 
 statue — a painting of a person on 
 canvas — the image of a person in 
 a mirror. 
 
IM1 
 
 115 
 
 IMP 
 
 An idol which the heathen make to worship, 
 is called an image because it represents the 
 object of their worship. 
 
 a picture of something in the mind 
 is also called an image ; as,he saw 
 the image of his deceased mother 
 in his dream. 
 
 Im ag' i na ry, (im aj i na ry,) a. fan- 
 cied, supposed to be real when it 
 is not so. 
 
 He is a rich man, and his fears of coming 
 to want are wholly imaginary. 
 
 Im ag' ine, (im aj ine,) v. a. to pic- 
 ture things in the mind as we have 
 seen or felt them. 
 
 A lad at sea, in his dreams, imagined him- 
 self at home, and that he saw his father's 
 house and every thing about it just as they 
 used to be. 
 
 to picture things in the mind as we 
 have seen or felt them, and to put 
 them together under new forms. 
 
 Robert imagined, one day, how beautifully 
 the trees in his father's orchard would look if 
 they were all loaded with oranges instead of 
 apples. 
 
 to contrive. 
 
 " Deceit is in the heart of them that ima- 
 gine evil." 
 
 Im blbe, v, a. to drink in, to receive 
 in. 
 
 The beautiful rose-bud imbibed the dew 
 which fell upon it. 
 
 He was early taught the truths of the Bible 
 by a pious mother, and imbibed sound re- 
 ligious principles from her lips. 
 
 Im bue, v. a. to give a deep color to. 
 — to cause the mind to imbibe. 
 
 The teacher took great pains to imbue the 
 minds of his scholars with a strict regard to 
 truth. 
 
 Im i tate, v. a. to do or make some- 
 thing like another thing. 
 
 It is surprising how well the mocking-bird 
 will imitate the notes of other birds. 
 Choose the best examples for imitation. 
 
 Im mense, a. so extensive that it 
 cannot be bounded. 
 
 Space is immense ; go into it which way 
 you will, you will never come to an end. 
 
 exceedingly great. 
 
 The distance from the earth to the sun is 
 immense. 
 
 Im rni nent, a. hanging over, as if 
 about to fall on one ; threatening 
 immediate evil. 
 
 The boat had got into the rapids, and the 
 men were in imminent danger of being carri- 
 ed over the cataract. 
 
 Im mor tal, a. never dying or end- 
 ing. 
 
 The soul of man is immortal. 
 
 Im pair, v. a. to injure a thing by 
 diminishing its worth, quantity, or 
 strength. 
 
 He read so long and so late by candle light, 
 that his sight was, at length, quite impaired 
 by it. 
 
 A severe fit of sickness seemed for a time 
 to impair his memory, but it was afterwards 
 restored. 
 
 Im part, v. a. to give a part or share 
 of what one has to another. 
 
 John the Baptist said to the people who 
 sought his instruction ; " He that hath two 
 coats, let him impart to him that hath none, 
 and he that hath meat, let him do likewise." 
 
 to communicate the knowledge of 
 something. 
 
 When deeply afflicted, he found much re- 
 lief in imparting his sorrows to his friend. 
 
 Im peach, v. a. to accuse a public of- 
 ficer of misconduct or crime before 
 those who have a right to try him. — 
 
 A judge of one of the United States' courts W 
 
 was impeached before the Senate of the 
 United States, tried and acquitted. 
 
IMP 
 
 116 
 
 IMP 
 
 to censure or call in question. 
 
 He impeached the motive of his neighbor 
 in giving some clothes to a poor man, by say- 
 ing that it was done to get praise for doing it. 
 
 Im pede, v. a, to make it difficult to 
 go forward. 
 
 The ship was much impeded in its course 
 by the floating islands of ice. 
 
 The habit which he formed when young of 
 getting his lessons slightly, impeded his pro- 
 gress in his studies for a long time. 
 
 Im pel, v. a. to push or drive onward. 
 
 The power of steam impelled the boat 
 through the water. 
 
 A strong desire to have a large navy for the 
 defense of his kingdom, impelled Peter the 
 Great, Emperor of Russia, to go in disguise 
 to Holland and work there, for some time, as 
 a ship carpenter. This happened in the year 
 1698. 
 
 Im pend, v. n. to hang over, to be 
 near and threatening. 
 
 A dark cloud impended over the mountain 
 which we were ascending, but disappeared 
 before we reached the summit. 
 
 Our Saviour wept over Jerusalem when he 
 . saw its impending destruction. 
 
 Im pen e tra ble, a. not to be pierced. 
 
 Achilles is represented by Homer as hav- 
 ing a body which was impenetrable in all its 
 parts excepting the heel, so that no weapon 
 could injure him but in that place. 
 
 not to be seen into or understood. 
 
 Many things which God does, are impene- 
 trable to our minds. 
 
 Im pet u ous, a. rushing on with vio- 
 lence. 
 
 The gale was so impetuous that it rent the 
 sails of the ship in pieces. 
 
 Charles XII. king of Sweden had a very 
 impetuous temper. He caused himself to be 
 declared king at the age of fifteenj and bold- 
 ly seizing the crown from the hands of the 
 archbishop at his coronation, placed it upon 
 his own head. This happened in the year 
 1697. 
 
 Im pi ous, a. very wicked, without 
 reverence for God or religion. 
 
 Some men are so impious as to laugh at 
 the Bible and all sacred things. 
 
 He was guilty of great impiety in uttering 
 oaths so horrible. 
 
 Im pli cate, v. a. to be concerned in, 
 or connected with some wicked 
 affair. 
 
 He did not kill the man with his own hand ; 
 but he was implicated in the murder, as he 
 stood by and assisted the person who com- 
 mitted it. 
 Im plore, v. a. to beg with great 
 earnestness for aid, relief, or par- 
 don. 
 
 Poor, blind Bartimeus implored Jesus to 
 cause him to see ; and the Saviour said ; 
 " Receive thy sight, thy faith hath saved 
 thee." 
 Im ply, v. a. to say or do that from 
 which something may be inferred 
 that is not distinctly expressed. 
 
 His sending his son to the school the day 
 that it was opened, implied that he meant to 
 pay for his tuition although nothing was said 
 on the subject: 
 
 Im port, v. a. to bring things into one 
 country from another. 
 
 Tea is imported into the United States 
 from China. 
 
 to mean. 
 
 He used a word so differently from what 
 I had ever heard it used before, that I could 
 not tell what it imported. 
 
 Im port ant, a. affecting something 
 else very much, either for good or 
 evil. 
 
 The great western canal is very important 
 to the prosperity of the State of New York. 
 
 If a mother would have her son learn to 
 obey God, it is important that she should 
 teach him to obey his parents. 
 
IMP 
 
 117 
 
 INC 
 
 lm por tu ni tf, n. keeping on asking 
 for something with great earnest- 
 ness. 
 
 Robert begged his father again and again 
 to get him a book of maps to illustrate the 
 geography of the Bible, and the father at length 
 yielded to his importunity and bought him 
 one. 
 
 Im pose, v. a. to lay or put upon one ; 
 as to impose a burden, to impose 
 a duty T , to impose a tax, to impose 
 a command. 
 
 To impose upon a person is to deceive or 
 cheat him. 
 
 Im pos tor, n. one . who pretends to 
 be what he is not, in order -to de- 
 ceive people and gain some advan- 
 tage. 
 
 Mohammed claimed to be a prophet sent 
 from God, when he had no right to call him- 
 self so. He was a mere impostor. 
 
 Im press, v. a. to make a mark or fig- 
 ure on any thing by pressure. 
 
 With his seal he impressed the first letters 
 of his name on the soft wax. 
 
 to act strongly upon the mind or 
 feelings. 
 
 The teacher read to his pupils an affecting 
 account of the death of a little child, and 
 they were much impressed by it. 
 
 to fix deeply in the mind. 
 
 The witness in court said, it was strongly 
 impressed on his memory that, a certain thing 
 happened on the 19th of April, because that 
 was the day of the month when the battle of 
 Lexington was fought, in the year 1775. 
 Tm prove, v. a. to make better. 
 
 The farmer improved his meadow very 
 much by draining it. 
 
 Although working at his trade industrioj^ly, 
 he found time to improve his mind by reading, 
 and conversing with intelligent persons. 
 
 to make a good use of. 
 
 He spent several years in Europe, and had 
 
 the best opportunities for gaining knowledge, 
 which he was careful to improve. 
 
 v. n. to become better. 
 
 I had not seen him foi^a long time, and was 
 very glad to find him so much improved In 
 health, in mind, and in manners. 
 
 In, prefixed. to words, and sometimes 
 changed into ig, il, im, and ir, often 
 has the signification of not ; as in- 
 attentive, that is, not attentive — il- 
 legal, that is not legal. 
 
 In cen di a ry, n. one who wickedly 
 sets fire to a building. — ore who 
 stirs up public quarrels. 
 
 In cense, v. a. to kindle up angry 
 feelings. 
 
 Chosroes, a proud king of Persia, was 
 greatly incensed against one of his generals 
 for sending to hun the Roman embassadors to 
 ask for peace. He imprisoned the embassa- 
 dors^ and caused his general to be flayed 
 alive. 
 
 In ces sant, a. keeping on continually 
 so long as it lasts. , 
 
 ' The river on which his mill stands is never 
 dry ; it is an incessant stream during the 
 whole year. 
 
 In ci dent, n. something which hap- 
 pens. 
 
 One striking incident during the voyage 
 was, that a large whale passed so near the 
 ship that we had a full view of him. 
 
 In cite, v. a. to stir up to action. 
 
 Frank was incited to great diligence in his 
 studies by the desire of pleasing his parents. 
 
 In clem ent, a. not mild, rough, se- 
 vere. 
 
 The snow storm was so violent, and the 
 weather so inclement, that the traveller was in 
 great danger of perishing. 
 
 In cllne, v. n. to lean towards, to turn 
 from a direct line. 
 It was easy to perceive thit the steeple of 
 
INC 
 
 118 
 
 IND 
 
 the church was not perpendicular, but inclin- 
 ed a little to the east. 
 
 to be disposed towards something. 
 
 Eliza was invited by her aunt to accom- 
 pany her on a journey to the White Moun- 
 tains, and was much inclined to go, but 
 thought it best on the whole not to leave her 
 studies. 
 
 v. a. to cause to lean towards, or be 
 disposed. 
 
 It should be our ' earnest prayer to God, to 
 incline our hearts to do his will. 
 
 In cluie, v. a. to hold within, to con- 
 
 TrM physician said that his bill included all 
 the visits which he had made to the family up 
 | to that time. 
 
 In' come, (in cum,) n. the gain which 
 comes in to a man from his labor, 
 his business, or his property. 
 
 His farm yields him an income of one thou- 
 sand dollars a year. t 
 
 In crease, v. n. to become more or 
 greater, to grow ; as the cold in-, 
 creases, the tree increases in size, 
 the boy increases in strength, the 
 man increases in knowledge. 
 
 " If riches increase, set not your heart 
 upon them." 
 
 v. a. to make greater; as to increase 
 one's property, to increase one's 
 influence. 
 
 In cul cate, v. a. to try to impress 
 good instruction or advice on 
 others by repeating it often and 
 urgently. 
 
 It is said, that the apostle John was in the 
 habit of inculcating brotherly affection on his 
 disciples, by frequently saying to them' when 
 he met them ; " Little children, love one an- 
 other." 
 
 In cur, v. a. to become liable to, or 
 
 expose one's self to some evil or 
 
 danger. 
 
 He incurred great danger by crossing on 
 the ice which had been much weakened by. 
 the warm weather. 
 
 to bring some evil on one's self. 
 
 By building a splendid house he very fool- 
 ishly incurred a heavy debt, which it will 
 take him a long time to pay. 
 
 In del i ble, a. that cannot be blotted 
 out or effaced. 
 
 He behaved so well that he waft punished 
 but once, and he will never forget it. It made 
 an indelible impression on his memory. 
 
 In del i cate, a. offending against 
 decency, modesty, and good man- 
 ners. 
 
 Shun the company of any one who is indel- 
 icate in his conversation or conduct. 
 
 In de pen dent, a. free to do as one 
 pleases without control from any 
 one. 
 
 God is independent of all other beings. He 
 says; "My counsel shall stand, and I will 
 do all my pleasure." 
 
 not relying on others for direction. 
 
 John Hampden, an illustrious English pat- 
 riot, showed great firmness and independence 
 of mind 'by refusing to pay a tax, the laying 
 of which he thought illegal and dangerous to 
 the liberties of his country. 
 
 He is willing to hear the advice and opin 
 ion of others, but after all makes up his mind 
 and acts for himself. He is an independent 
 man. 
 
 not relying on others for support. 
 
 He fancied himself independent of others 
 because he was so rich, but when he was sick 
 he soon found that he needed their services. 
 
 In di cate, v. a. to point out some- 
 thing which is not apparent, or 
 which is yet to happen. 
 
 The ripple and the foam on the distant 
 wave indicate that there are rocks below. 
 
 
IND 
 
 119 
 
 INF 
 
 The return of the wild geese, indicates the 
 return of spring. 
 
 His close attention to his studies, indicates 
 that he will make an excellent scholar. 
 
 In dlf fer ence, n. the taking no in- 
 terest in a thing. 
 
 A number of Indians who visited a museum 
 looked round on the curiosities with entire 
 indifference. 
 
 the having no preference either way. 
 
 Sarah said it was a matter of indif- 
 ference to her whether she went or staid ; 
 she would do just as her mother thought 
 best. 
 
 In di gent, a. very poor, destitute of 
 the comforts of life. 
 
 She was a noble-hearted young woman, and 
 labored hard to help her young and indigent 
 brother get an education. 
 
 In dig na tion, n. great anger, with 
 contempt and disgust. 
 
 A band of counterfeiters offered an engra- 
 ver a large sum of money if he would do 
 some work for them ; but he rejected the offer 
 with indignation. 
 
 In dis pens a ble, a. not to be spared, 
 that must be had or done. 
 
 It is indispensable that the farmer who 
 would do his work well, should have a supply 
 of good tools. 
 
 Air is indispensable to life. 
 
 In dis pose, v. a. to make unwilling, 
 or disinclined to. 
 
 He lost a good situation, because he was 
 indisposed to be confined by business. 
 
 When a person is slightly unwell, we say 
 he is indisposed. 
 
 In di vid u al, n. one single person 
 • or thing. 
 
 Among the crowd who heard his defense, 
 there was not an individual who did not re- 
 gard him as innocent. 
 
 In do lence, n. a strong dislike of 
 
 labor whether of body or of mind. 
 
 He had a large family and his property was 
 
 fast wasting away, but his indolence was so 
 great that he could not be roused to make any 
 effort for their support. 
 
 In duce, v. a. to lead or draw one on 
 to do a thing. 
 
 He was induced by what he heard of the 
 rich and cheap lands at the West, to go there 
 with his family. 
 
 In dulge, v. a. not to check or con- 
 trol, but to let a thing have its own 
 way. 
 
 He took no pains to govern his temper, but 
 indulged it so much that, at length, it became 
 very violent. 
 
 Many a fine child has been spoiled by 
 too great indulgence. 
 
 to grant as a favor. 
 
 The children had behaved so well during 
 the week, that their father indulged them with 
 a ride. 
 
 In dus tri ous, a. constantly doing 
 some kind of work. 
 
 He who is industrious, temperate, and hon- 
 est, is in a fair way of succeeding in his bu- 
 siness. 
 
 When Solomon, king of Israel, saw that 
 Jeroboam, a young man, was industrious, he 
 gave him a high office. 
 
 In es ti ma ble, a. so valuable that it 
 is above all price. 
 
 ■ To be born in a free and Christian land, is 
 an inestimable blessing. 
 
 In ev i ta ble, a. that which cannot 
 be avoided, that must happen. 
 
 Death is inevitable, and we should be pre- 
 pared to meet it. 
 
 In fa mous, a. publicly known as vile 
 and detestable. 
 
 Heliogabalus, a Roman emperor, who died 
 in the year 222, was cruel, and guilty of 
 shameful vices, and was one of the most in- 
 famous wretches that ever lived. He was 
 chosen emperor when he was fourteen years 
 of age, and murdered by his soldiers when he 
 was eighteen. 
 
INF 
 
 shameful and abominable. 
 
 Joan of Arc, sometimes called the maid of 
 Orleans, a distinguished French heroine, was 
 taken prisoner by the English, tried for 
 witchcraft, and condemned to be burned to 
 death. It was an infamous transaction. 
 
 In fee tious. a. communicating dis- 
 ease. 
 
 The small pox is infectious, and is thought 
 to be conveyed from one place to another in 
 clothing. 
 In fer, v. a. to conclude that one thing 
 is true, because another is true. 
 
 He has owed me a small sum for a long 
 time, and I must infer, from his not paying 
 me, that he has entirely forgotten it. 
 
 In fe ri or, a. lower in place, station, 
 merit, or value. 
 
 The lieutenant in a military company is 
 inferior in rank to the captain. 
 
 The cloth which he bought proved to be of 
 an inferior quality, and lasted but a short 
 time. 
 
 In fest, v. a. to continue to trouble or 
 disturb greatly. 
 
 The rats infested the house. 
 
 The sea was infested with pirates. 
 
 In fi del, n. one who does not believe 
 
 the Bible to be the Word of God. 
 In fi nite, ft. having no bounds. 
 
 God is infinite in power and goodness. 
 
 having no end. 
 
 A straight line drawn from any point 
 and forever extending, would be an infinite 
 line. 
 
 Things very large or great are sometimes 
 called infinite ; as, " Is not thy wickedness 
 great, and thine iniquities infinite ?" 
 
 In flame, v. a. to kindle up, to excite 
 greatly. 
 
 One boy inflamed the anger of another by 
 calling him a liar. 
 
 Every conquest which Alexander made, 
 only inflamed his ambition to make another. 
 
 to cause great heat in the body 
 
 120 INF 
 
 " Wo unto them that rise up early in the 
 morning, that they may follow strong drink ; 
 that continue until night, till wine inflame 
 them." 
 
 In flict, v. a. to put or bring on one a 
 punishment, or something that is 
 evil. 
 
 The old Romans used sometimes to inflict 
 upon criminals the punishment of putting 
 them to death by throwing them down from a 
 steep rock in the city. 
 
 In flu ence, n. that which, in an un- 
 seen and silent manner, causes 
 things to continue as they are, or 
 causes changes in them. 
 
 As we approach the fire in a cold day, we 
 feel its influence warming us. 
 
 The icicles on the trees melt away under 
 the influence of a bright sun in winter. 
 
 He was in great pain, but after taking the 
 medicine soon felt its influence, and sunk into 
 a quiet sleep. 
 
 A wicked boy at school was in the habit of 
 profane swearing, and, after some time, his 
 example had such an influence 'over several 
 other boys, that they began to be profane 
 also. 
 
 Wherever the Bible is read, and its truths 
 felt and obeyed, its influence in making men 
 happy, even in this world, is inestimable. 
 
 We call one a person of influence, who can 
 lead others to do very much as he pleases. 
 
 In form, v. a. to tell, to make known. 
 
 The newspapers inform us of what is go- 
 ing on in the world. 
 
 The latest information which I received 
 from my friend was, that he was about to 
 leave Paris for Rome. 
 
 In fringe, v. a. to break, or act con- 
 trary to, an agreement, law, or the 
 rights of another. 
 
 He promised to pay the farmer as soon as 
 the wood was delivered, but infringed the 
 contract by putting off the payment for sev 
 eral months. 
 
 In fuse, v. a. to pour into. 
 
 
ING 
 
 121 
 
 INL 
 
 The bite of the rattle-snake infused so 
 deadly a poison into his veins, that he died in 
 a few hours. 
 
 The general infused ardor into the minds 
 of his soldiers, by telling them that they were 
 fighting for their wives and children. 
 
 In ge ni ous, a. skillful in contriving, 
 or in making, what is new and cu- 
 rious. 
 
 He is an ingenious teacher. He has many 
 original, striking, and interesting ways of giv- 
 ing instruction to his pupils, and of gaining 
 their attention. 
 
 When quite a boy, he was very ingenious 
 in constructing little mills, bridges, and such 
 things. * 
 
 showing that the author or maker of 
 a thing is ingenious ; as an inge- 
 nious argument, an ingenious ma- 
 chine'. 
 
 He has a good deal of ingenuity, but for 
 want of perseverance fails of accomplishing 
 any thing. 
 In gen u ous, a. open-minded, frank, 
 noble, willing to acknowledge 
 faults, and ready to tell the 
 truth. 
 
 John's father praised him one morning for 
 having weeded the garden so well ; but he 
 was an ingenuous boy, and at once replied, 
 that it was not he but his brother who had 
 done it. 
 
 In gra tiate, v. a. to endeavor to gain 
 the good-will of another by doing 
 something to please him. 
 
 To get favor by honest means is right, but . 
 to seek to ingratiate one's self with others by 
 flattery, is despicable. 
 
 In gre di ent, n. one of two or more 
 things of a different kind, which 
 are mixed together to make some- 
 thing. 
 
 Yeast is one of the necessary ingredients 
 in making good bread. 
 
 In hale, v. a. to draw into the lungs 
 when breathing. 
 
 • The invalid was much revived as he in 
 haled the pure air of the pine grove through 
 which he passed. 
 
 In her it, v. a. to have a legal right 
 to the property or title of one, 
 when he dies. % 
 
 A widower died leaving several children, 
 who inherited his estate, each having an 
 equal share. If he had lived in England, and 
 been a duke or an earl, his eldest son would 
 have inherited the title. 
 
 to receive from parents, or ances- 
 tors, by a law of nature. 
 
 He died in early youth of the consumption, 
 a disease which he inherited from his mother. 
 
 to have the sure possession of. 
 
 " The unrighteous shall not inherit the 
 kingdom of God." 
 
 In hu man, a. not humane, unfeeling, 
 very cruel. 
 
 It was inhuman in the inn-keeper to turn* 
 the poor old man out of doors, on a cold win- 
 ter's night, because he had not money enough 
 to pay for a lodging. 
 
 In Im i cal, a. having enmity towards 
 another. 
 
 There were two wicked boys so inimical to 
 each other, chat they scarcely ever met with- 
 out having a quarrel, 
 adverse to. 
 
 Keeping late hours is inimical to health. 
 
 In lq ui ty, n. unrighteousness, wick- 
 edness. 
 
 " Fools, because of their iniquities, are af- 
 j flicted." 
 
 In land, a. not near the sea. 
 
 Utica, in the State of New- York, is an in- 
 land town. £ 
 
 not foreign, carried on within a coun- 
 try. 
 
 An extensive inland trade is carried on 
 by means of the great western canal. 
 
INS 
 
 122 
 
 INS 
 
 In no cent, a. not doing any harm ; 
 as an innocent play, an innocent 
 medicine, an innocent lamb. 
 
 free from blame or guilt. 
 
 Pilate, wishing to appear guiltless when he 
 condemned Christ, " took water, and washed 
 his hands before the multitude, saying, I am 
 innocent of the blood of this just person : see 
 ye to it." W 
 
 In sane, a. deprived of reason, de- 
 ranged, crazy. 
 
 The insane should be treated with great 
 kindness. 
 
 In scribe, v. a. to write or cut upon a 
 thing. 
 
 Many travellers have inscribed their names 
 upon the pyramids of Egypt. 
 
 When Paul was at Athens, he found an 
 altar with this inscription, — " To the un- 
 known God." 
 
 In sens i ble, a. so small, or moving 
 
 so slowly, as not to be perceived 
 
 , by the sight, or any of the senses. 
 
 The grass grows, but its growth is insensi- 
 ble. You cannot see it growing. 
 
 having no feeling. 
 
 You do not feel pain when your hair is cut, 
 for it is insensible. 
 
 When the prisoner was sentenced to be 
 hung, he did not seem to be at all affected by 
 it. He was wholly insensible. 
 
 He is hardened in wickedness, and insen- 
 sible to reproof. 
 
 In sert, v. a. to set in or among ; as 
 to insert a graft into a branch of a 
 tree, — a spoke into a wheel, — a 
 name among other names on a 
 list. 
 
 In sig nif i cant, a. without meaning. 
 — of no importance. 
 
 What he says is so insignificant, that you 
 need not mind it. 
 
 - In sin u ate, v. a. to work one's self 
 
 into the favor of another, by gen- 
 tle, gradual, or artful means. 
 
 Satan insinuated himself into the good 
 opinion of Eve, by pretending to seek to do 
 her good. 
 
 to hint at a thing in an indirect man- 
 ner. 
 
 He did not dare to say openly that his 
 neighbor was dishonest, but he insinuated 
 as much by the questions which he put and 
 his manner of asking them. 
 
 In sist, v. n. for one to press a thing 
 so earnestly, as to show that he is 
 determined not to have it other- 
 wise. 
 
 He insisted upon the payment of the debt 
 that very day, and said he would be put off no 
 longer. 
 
 to dwell much upon a thing in speak- 
 ing or writing. 
 
 In his lecture on common schools, he m 
 sisted on the importance of having backs to 
 the seats, and of making the scholars sit in 
 an upright and healthful position. 
 
 In so lent, a. treating others with 
 proud contempt. 
 
 The night was very dark and the roads bad, 
 and the ladies in the stage-coach begged the 
 driver not to go so furiously ; when he replied 
 in an insolent manner, that he knew what he 
 was about, and that if they would mind their 
 own business he would mind his. 
 
 In sol vent, a. not having property 
 
 enough to pay all debts. 
 In spect, v. a. to look on, or into, very 
 
 carefully. 
 
 The ancient Romans used to inspect the 
 entrails of the beasts which were offered up 
 in sacrifice, foolishly thinking that in this 
 way they could learn what was to happen. 
 
 The mother stood at the window, inspect- 
 ing her children in the yard, to see how they 
 behaved towards each other. 
 
 In spire, v. a. to draw air into the 
 
 
INS 
 
 123 
 
 INT 
 
 lun^s. — to breathe or infuse into 
 the mind. 
 
 He was very much disheartened, but the 
 kind words and cheerful looks of his friend 
 inspired hope in his breast. 
 The Scriptures claim to be written by men 
 w who were inspired by God to write them. 
 In stance, n. urgent request. 
 
 He felt unwilling to do it, but consented at 
 last, at the instance of his friend. 
 
 a case. 
 
 The master told Robert's father that he had 
 always conducted well in school, except in one 
 instance, when he whispered contrary to the 
 rules. 
 
 One instance of falsehood, will cause a 
 boy's word to be suspected for a great while 
 afterwards. 
 
 an example. 
 
 His anger was so violent that he fell down 
 dead ; a striking instance of the danger of 
 giving way to passion. 
 
 In still, v. a. to put into the mind 
 gently and gradually. 
 
 The ancient Romans took much pains to 
 instill into the minds of the young a great re- 
 spect for the aged. Their example is well 
 worthy of imitation at the present day. 
 
 In stinct, n. that disposition in man 
 and other animals to do certain 
 things, which is not the effect of 
 education or experience, and which 
 is always found to be the same in 
 animals of the same kind. 
 
 A hen had hatched some duck's eggs, and 
 was very much alarmed when the young 
 ducks, following their instinct, went into a 
 pond to swim. 
 
 Birds build their nests by instinct ; so that 
 a little bird which has never wn a nest built, 
 will make one exactly like those which birds 
 of its own kind have always made. 
 
 When something approaches our eyes sud- 
 denly, we wink them instinctively. 
 
 In sti tute, v* a. to appoint, form, or 
 
 enact something which is intended 
 to be permanent. 
 
 God instituted the office of priests among 
 the Jews, and ordered that its duties should 
 be performed by Aaron' and his descendants. 
 
 Lycurgus instituted a law among the Spar- 
 tans which required that all the children 
 should eat together at a public table. 
 
 Marriage is one of the earliest institutions 
 of which the Bible gives us any account. 
 
 In stru ment al, a. helping to bring 
 about something. 
 
 He talked and acted much on the subject, 
 ■ and was very instrumental in causing a bet- 
 ter jail to be built in the county in which he 
 lived. 
 
 In suit, v. a. to abuse in a gross and 
 contemptuous manner. 
 
 He will bear an insult with the best spirit, 
 who is careful never to give one. 
 
 In sure, v. a. to make sure of. 
 
 His great fairness in dealing was one thing 
 which insured his success. 
 
 to make secure against damage or 
 loss. 
 
 His library was very valuable, and he got 
 it insured every year against fire. 
 
 In sur rec tion, n. a rising up of ma- 
 ny people against the government. 
 
 The insurrection was so extensive, that it 
 was a long time before the troops succeeded 
 in quelling it. 
 
 In teg ri ty, n. the doing right in the 
 whole of conduct, firmly and con- 
 stantly. 
 
 " The just man walketh in his integrity ; 
 his children are blessed after him." 
 
 During the revolutionary war, certain agents 
 of the British government offered General 
 Reed, who was President of the American 
 Congress, ten»thousand guineas, if he would 
 come over to their side. His reply was ; 
 " Gentlemen, I am poor, very poor, but your 
 king is not rich enough to buy me/' This is 
 a noble instance of the integrity of a patriot. 
 
INT 
 
 124 
 
 INT 
 
 In lei lect, n. the understanding ; the 
 power of the mind to perceive, to 
 think, to reason, to acquire and use 
 knowledge. 
 
 His intellect is good, but he has not much 
 imagination, and very little feeling. 
 
 Old age had much impaired his intellectual 
 faculties, but his benevolent disposition and 
 kind manners remained unaltered. 
 
 In tel li gent, a. having intellect. 
 
 Animals know, and can learn to do some 
 things, but we do not call them intelligent be- 
 ings, as we do men. 
 
 able to understand things quickly. 
 
 The rapid progress which he makes in his 
 studies, shows that he has a very intelligent 
 mind. 
 
 We say of a man who is well informed on 
 general subjects that he is an intelligent man, 
 or a man of intelligence. 
 
 In tel li gi ble, a. that can be under- 
 stood. 
 
 He told the children, if they would give 
 him their attention, he would try to make the 
 subject intelligible to them although it was a 
 difficult one. 
 
 The descriptions which travellers in the 
 East give with regard to the manners and 
 customs of the people, are throwing light up- 
 on some obscure parts of the Bible, and ma- 
 king them intelligible. 
 
 In tend, v. a. to mean to say or do 
 something. 
 
 He was understood to say, that he did not 
 like the physician who had come to settle in 
 the place, but he declared that he intendedno 
 such thing. 
 
 A man walking over a field of grain with 
 his friend, advised him to plough it and plant 
 it with corn. He said, that was what he had 
 already intended to do. 
 
 An intention to do wrong is sinful, although 
 a person may not be able to carry it into ef- 
 fect. 
 
 In ter cede, v. n. to try to make one 
 who has been injured or offended 
 
 by another, forgive him, or treat 
 him with favor. 
 
 Abraham interceded earnestly with God 
 that He would not destroy Sodom. 
 
 Edward III. king of England, when he had 
 taken Calais, consented, at the intercession of 
 his queen, to spare the lives of six of the cit- 
 izens who had given themselves up to be put 
 to death in the place of the rest of the inhab- 
 w itants. 
 
 In ter course, n. communication be- 
 tween persons, by conversation, 
 visits, letters, dealings, or trade. 
 
 The Jews and Samaritans disliked each 
 other so much, that the"re was no intercourse 
 between them. 
 
 The Christian religion has done more than 
 almost any thing else to bring about a free 
 _ and friendly intercourse between nations. 
 
 In ter est, v. a. to affect the feelings. 
 
 The missionary told the children about a 
 little girl in the Sandwich Islands, who had 
 been buried alive, when an infant, by its 
 heathen mother, and dug up, before it was 
 dead, by a young woman who was a Chris- 
 tian. He said this little girl was now living, 
 and had become a Christian also. The chil- | 
 dren were much interested in the story. 
 
 to have a share in a thing, either for 
 one's benefit or loss. 
 
 He is one of a company which is interest- 
 ed in the new rail-road that is to be made. 
 
 He thought it was for his interest to dis- 
 solve partnership with the man with whom he 
 had been in business. 
 
 In ter fere, v. n. to take part in the 
 concerns of others, to meddle with. 
 
 Two small boys were quarrelling and had 
 proceeded to blows, when a man passing by 
 interfered and separated them. 
 
 for one thi^ to clash with another, 
 or be opposed to it. 
 
 He said, he should be happy to attend the 
 examination, but it would interfere with an 
 engagement that he had made to attend 
 some business at the same hour. 
 
 
INT. 
 
 In ter mis sion, n. stopping doing 
 something for a while, to begin 
 again. 
 
 There were two months of intermission 
 between the summer and the winter school. 
 
 In ter nal, a. inward, in the inside. 
 
 He opened his watch, and let the little 
 child see its internal movements. 
 
 within a country, not foreign ; as in- 
 ternal trade, internal improvements. 
 In ter pose, v. a. to place between. 
 
 He interposed a screen between himself 
 and the fire to keep off the heat. 
 
 The timely interposition of a friend saved 
 him from ruining himself by making foolish 
 bargains. 
 
 v. n. to come between two parties 
 that are at variance with each oth- 
 er, and endeavor -to reconcile them. 
 
 When there was some danger of a war be- 
 tween the United States and France, the 
 king of England interposed between them, so 
 as to lead to an adjustment of their diffi- 
 culties. 
 
 In ter pret, v. a. to explain the mean- 
 ing of something to those who do 
 not understand it. 
 
 A Spanish teacher came into court to in- 
 terpret the testimony of one of his country- 
 men, who could not speak English. 
 
 The prophet Daniel interpreted the dream 
 of Nebuchadnezzar. 
 
 In ter ro gate, v. a. to examine one 
 by putting questions to him ; as, 
 the lawyer interrogated the wit- 
 ness. 
 
 In ter val, n. the space or time be- 
 tween. 
 
 It was a pleasant street ; the intervals be- 
 tween the houses were filled up with beauti- 
 ful gardens. 
 
 The interval between the two shocks of the 
 earthquake was about five minutes. 
 
 125 
 
 INT 
 
 In ter vene, t;. n. to come between. 
 
 A fertile valley intervened between the 
 ^ two barren mountains. 
 
 In ter view, n. the mf eting together 
 of persons for some purpose. 
 
 I found him at home in the evening, and 
 had a short interview with him concerning 
 the conduct of his son. 
 
 In' ti mate, (in' ti mate,) v. a. to hint 
 at, to point out but not very plainly. 
 
 His friends are much concerned about 
 him, for he did not intimate to any one that 
 he was about to leave the city. 
 In ti mate, a. closely connected ; as, 
 success in life has an intimate con- 
 nection with good conduct in youth, 
 very familiar with ; as one friend 
 or acquaintance is intimate with 
 another. 
 In tri cate, a. entangled, confused ; 
 so as to be difficult to be seen 
 through, found out, or understood. 
 
 The cave was large and dark, and so many 
 intricate windings through it, that those who 
 went in to explore it were in great danger of 
 being lost. 
 
 In trigue', (in treg,) n. a secret. plot, 
 to be carried on by artifice, in which 
 two or more persons are engaged. 
 
 An honest man will always avoid intrigue. 
 
 In tro duce, v. a. to bring, for the first 
 time, to the acquaintance or notice 
 of others. 
 
 He had numerous letters from his friends 
 which introduced him to families of the first 
 respectability. 
 
 to bring into use. 
 
 Sir Walter Raleigh introduced the use of 
 tobacco into England, about th#year 1585. 
 
 to begin a speech, discourse, or book. 
 
 He introduced his address by telling a short 
 anecdote. 
 
INV 
 
 126 
 
 INV 
 
 In trude, v. a. to thrust one's self 
 upon others without invitation or 
 welcome. 
 
 He intruded himself upon the company 
 without even an introduction, and much to 
 their annoyance. 
 
 He intruded his remarks upon the meeting, 
 although he had no right to speak or to take 
 a part in the business. 
 
 [n trust, v. a. to put something under 
 the care, or into the keeping of 
 another, because we confide in 
 him. 
 
 When Charles Edward, otherwise called 
 the Pretender, had invaded Scotland and been 
 defeated, he was obliged to' conceal himself 
 in order to preserve his life. Though a large 
 reward was offered for his head, and many 
 were intrusted with the secret of his conceal- 
 ment, no one, not even his enemies, made it 
 known. It showed both their compassion 
 and honor. 
 
 In un da fcion, n. the overflowing of 
 waters. 
 
 The inundation of the river, every spring, 
 makes the meadows on its banks very fertile. 
 
 In ure, v. a. to make one much used 
 to a thing difficult to be done or 
 endured. 
 
 The father inured his son to iabor, by mak- 
 ing him work when he was a boy. 
 
 In vade, v. a. to enter with force upon 
 the possessions or rights of others. 
 
 It is a striking fact in the history of the 
 Jews, that their country was never invaded 
 when the men from all parts of it went up, 
 three times a year, to the feasts at Jerusa- 
 lem. 
 
 to attack with violence. 
 
 The greatest care will not always secure us 
 against the Hkvasion of disease. 
 
 In vent, v. a. to think out a new 
 thing. 
 
 James Metius, a native of Holland, is said 
 
 to have invented the telescope about the 
 year 1609. 
 
 When a person makes up a false account 
 of a thing, we say he has invented a false- 
 hood. 
 
 In vert, v. a. to turn upside down. 
 
 I saw a beautiful flower in the garden un- 
 der an inverted glass. 
 
 to place things in an order contrary 
 to what they were before ; as, 
 abed inverted, will be d c b a. 
 
 In ves ti gate, v. a. to examine into 
 carefully and thoroughly. 
 
 An agent of a factory was charged with 
 dishonesty, and the owners appointed a com- 
 mittee to investigate the matter. 
 
 In vet e rate, a. long continued, so 
 as to be very difficult to be changed 
 or removed. 
 
 His habit of idleness is so inveterate, that 
 there is scarcely any hope that he will ever 
 reform and become a useful man. 
 
 In vin ci ble, a. that cannot be con- 
 quered. 
 
 When the Spaniards first invaded Mexico, 
 the Mexicans thought them invincible. 
 
 In vis i ble, a. that which cannot be 
 seen. 
 
 God is every where present, but he is in- 
 visible. 
 
 In voke, v. a. to call upon, or pray to, 
 earnestly. 
 
 The dying mother, after conversing affec- 
 tionately with her children, invoked the bles- 
 sing of God upon them. 
 
 In volve, v. a. to cover on all sides. 
 
 A§ the ship was approaching the coast, it 
 was involved in so heavy a snow-storm that 
 the captain thought it dangerous to pro- 
 ceed. 
 
 to imply. 
 
 He did not positively engage to go, but 
 what he said involved an intention to do so. 
 to entangle. 
 
 
JEO 
 
 127 
 
 JUS 
 
 He got involved in a law-suit, which lasted 
 many years and cost him a great deal of 
 money. 
 
 Irk' some, (irk sum,) a. causing one 
 to be uneasy and tired of, be- 
 cause it continues so long, or is so 
 often repeated. 
 
 His memory is not very good, and I have 
 heard him tell the same story so often that it 
 has become quite irksome. 
 
 I ron i cal, a. saying one thing and 
 meaning another. 
 
 The prophet Elijah intended to be ironical', 
 when he said to the priests of Baal ; " Cry 
 aloud : for he is a god ; either he is talking, or 
 he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or per- 
 adrenture he sleepeth, and must be awaked." 
 
 Ir ri tate, v. a. to excite heat, or 
 redness, in the skin or flesh, by 
 rubbing. — to tease, to excite anger. 
 
 James was much irritated by hearing some 
 one speak ill of his father. 
 
 J. 
 
 Teal ous, a. very suspicious and 
 fearful, lest another should deprive 
 one of some good which he al- 
 ready has, or keep him from getting 
 some good which he desires. 
 
 He was a very ambitious man, and anxious 
 to get a certain office, which made him jealous 
 of all others who he thought might wish also 
 to obtain it. 
 
 very anxious to defend the character 
 or honor of. 
 
 The prophet Elijah said, "I have been 
 very jealous for the Lord God of Hosts." 
 
 Jeer, v. n. to scoff at, to make a mock 
 
 of. 
 Jeop ard y, n. the being in great 
 
 danger of some evil. 
 
 When Christ and his disciples were passing 
 
 over the sea of Tiberias, a sudden storm 
 arose while he was asleep, and filled the 
 vessel, so that they were in jeopardy of losing 
 their lives. 
 
 Jo cose, a. full of jesting and merri- 
 ment. 
 
 Jour nal, n. an account of what hap-* 
 pens daily. 
 
 He kept a journal of his voyage, and pub- 
 lished it on his return. 
 
 Joy' ous, a. full of joy. 
 
 The children were joyous, and made the 
 house ring with their sport. 
 
 causing joy. 
 
 Eliza's mother let her invite a number of 
 little girls to visit her on her birth-day, and it 
 was a joyous occasion. 
 
 Judge, v. n. and a. to compare things, 
 and thus to form an opinion or de- 
 cision respecting them. 
 
 Be free from bias and examine carefully, 
 that you may judge wisely. 
 
 " God shall bring every work va.% judgment, 
 with every secret thing, whether it be good, 
 or whether it be evil," 
 
 Ju di' cious, (ju dish us,) a. judging 
 and acting wisely, discreet. 
 
 He was regarded by all the neighborhood 
 as so judicious, that if they had any dispute 
 they always went to him to settle it. 
 
 June tion, n. the joining of two 
 things together. 
 
 By a rapid march he brought his troops be- 
 tween the two armies, and prevented their 
 junction. 
 Just, a. exactly conformed to what is 
 true, proper, and right. 
 
 He related every thing as it happened. He 
 gave a just account of the whole matter. 
 
 He said he was afraid his discourse might 
 be long, but. he would endeavor to confine it 
 within just limits. 
 
 He suffered a just punishment. 
 
 "A false balance is abomination to the 
 Lord : but a just weight is his delight." 
 
KIN 
 
 128 
 
 LAM 
 
 upright, giving to every one his 
 due. 
 
 He is just in all his dealings, and shows 
 that he would rather suffer wrong than do 
 wrong. 
 
 We say a man is brought to justice, when he 
 - is punished as his crimes deserve. 
 Just i fy, v. a. to show that a person 
 is innocent who is charged with 
 having done something wrong. 
 
 He justified himself in entering the house, 
 and taking possession of it, by proving that 
 he had a perfect right to do so. 
 
 <»o defend as being right. 
 
 The boy complained to his father of having 
 been punished at school ; but his father told 
 him that he had done wrong, and justified the 
 master. 
 
 t) pardon and treat as innocent one 
 who is guilty. 
 
 " Being justified by faith, we have peace 
 with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
 Ju ve nilei, a. belonging to youth. 
 
 Many juvenile sports are the same now 
 that they were hundreds of years ago. 
 
 K. 
 
 Keen, a. eager. 
 His appetite was so keen, that it seemed 
 as if he could not be satisfied. 
 
 very sharp. 
 
 The razor has a keen edge. 
 
 piercing, severe. 
 
 The traveller was poorly clad, and he suf- 
 fered much from the keen wintry wind. 
 
 Samuel received a keen reproof from his 
 father, which he felt to be deserved. 
 
 Kid nap, v. a. to steal and carry 
 away a human being. 
 
 Many poor Africans are kidnapped and 
 sold as slaves. 
 
 Km dred, n. relation by birth or mar- 
 riage. 
 
 The Jews, all over the world, claim kin- 
 dred with each other, as the descendants of 
 Abraham. 
 
 relatives by birth or marriage. 
 
 God said unto Abraham ; " Get thee out of 
 thy country, and from thy kindred, and from 
 thy father's house, unto a land that I will 
 show thee." 
 
 We say that persons and things are kin- 
 dred to each other, when they are very much 
 alike in nature or disposition. 
 
 ifnave, n. a dishonest person. 
 
 L. 
 
 F ab y rinth, n. a place with many 
 
 -^ intricate windings, so that it is 
 
 ^ery difficult to find the right way. 
 
 There was an enormous labyrinth in Egypt, 
 built of marble and partly underground, 
 which contained no less than 3000 cham- 
 bers. 
 Lack, v. a. and n. to want, to be 
 wanting in. 
 
 " If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask 
 of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and 
 upbraideth not." 
 
 " He that giveth to the poor, shall not 
 lack." 
 
 He is a very learned man, but he lacks 
 common sense. 
 
 La con ic, a. containing much mean- 
 • ing in a few words. 
 
 When Xerxes demanded of Leonidas, king 
 of Sparta, that he should give up his arms, 
 the laconic reply was ; " Come and take 
 them." 
 
 Lair, n. the place where a wild beast • 
 
 sleeps. 
 La i ty, n. the people taken together 
 
 who are not clergymen. 
 
 Each one of the laity, is called a lay- 
 man. 
 
 La ment, v. n. or a. to grieve aloud on 
 account of some loss or suffering. 
 
LAS 
 
 129 
 
 LAV 
 
 David lamented over the death of Saul and 
 Jonathan, saying ; " The beauty of Israel is 
 slain upon thy high places ; how are the 
 mighty fallen !" 
 to be sorry for. 
 
 The father lamented, but too late, that he had 
 not trained up his son in industrious habits. 
 
 Land scape, n. that part of a country 
 which can be seen at one view, or 
 the picture of it. 
 
 He climbed a high hill, and saw a beautiful 
 landscape stretching before him. 
 
 Lan guage, n. the making known 
 one's thoughts or feelings to an- 
 other by spoken or written words ; 
 by the eye ; by expressions of the 
 countenance, signs, and gestures, 
 or in any other way. 
 
 Lan guid, a. drooping, feeble, made 
 weak by effort or disease. 
 
 He had walked so far in a hot day, that 
 when he reached home he was very languid 
 and hardly able to sit up. _ . 
 
 . He used to be very active, but since his 
 sickness he shows much languor in all that 
 he says and does. 
 
 Lan' guish, (lang guish,) v. n. to be- 
 come feeble, to droop. 
 
 " Blessed is he that considereth the poor ; 
 — the Lord will strengthen him upon the bed 
 of languishing." 
 
 . to pirie away under sorrow. 
 
 Her grief was so violent, that she languish- 
 ed and died in a few months. 
 
 •Lapse, n. the gliding away, as of time, 
 or of a stream of water. 
 
 After the lapse of many years he returned 
 home. 
 
 a falling into some fault or mistake. 
 
 The best men, if not on their guard, are 
 nable to lapses in conversation and conduct. 
 
 Las si tude, n. the being tired and 
 feeble, the being languid. 
 . 9 
 
 La tent, a. hidden, that is not per- 
 ceived. 
 
 There was a latent meaning in the letter • j 
 
 which none of those who read it discovered, 
 excepting the one to whom it was directed. 
 
 There is latent heat in water, which is giv- 
 en out when it freezes. 
 
 Lat i tude, n. the distance of any 
 place on the globe, north or south 
 from the equator, and measured on 
 a meridian. 
 
 breadth, room. 
 
 Their play ground was a very small one, 
 and the boys had not latitude enough in it for 
 their sports. 
 
 Laud a ble, a. deserving of commen- 
 dation and praise. 
 He worked on a farm, for wages, several 
 years, that he might have the means of getting 
 an education. His efforts were very laudable ; 
 and, as might have been expected, he has be 
 come a learned and useful man. 
 
 La va, or la va, n. the melted matter 
 
 which is thrown out from a volcano Q 
 during its eruption, or the same mat- 
 ter when it becomes cool and hard. 
 
 In 1840 during an eruption of a volcano in 
 one of the Sandwich Islands, a stream of 
 lava, in some places a mile wide, and rolling 
 on about 30 miles into the sea, gave out so 
 brilliant a light that the finest print could be 
 read at a distance of thirty miles. 
 
 Lav ish, v. a. to bestow very freely. 
 
 Her friends unwisely lavished many prais- 
 es upon her on account of her quickness in 
 learning, which made her very conceited. 
 
 to sf>end more than is needful, to be 
 wasteful of. 
 
 Vitellius, a Roman emperor, who died about 
 the year 70, was a great glutton, and lavished 
 so much money upon his feasts, that it was 
 said, if he had reigned long, the whole empire 
 would not have furnished means sufficient to 
 maintain his table. & 
 
LEG 
 
 130 
 
 LET 
 
 Law, n. a rule of action ; a rule es- 
 tablished by rightful authority, 
 which points out what men are to 
 be, or to do, and threatens punish- 
 ment to the disobedient. 
 
 The ten commandments which God gave 
 from mount Sinai, are called the Moral Law. 
 
 A good citizen is careful to obey^ all the 
 laws of his country. 
 
 the established and regular mode in 
 which God acts upon matter and 
 mind. 
 
 It is one of the laws of light, that it always 
 moves in straight lines. 
 
 It is one of the laws of mind, that we re- 
 collect those things best which affect us most 
 deeply when they happen. 
 
 Law less, a. breaking through all law. 
 
 Even when a child he was so lawless, that 
 he was a great annoyance to the whole neigh- 
 , borhood. 
 
 Lax, a. loose, not exact or strict. 
 
 He does not take care to have his rules 
 obeyed. He lets the children do too much as 
 they have a mind to do. He is very lax in 
 his government. 
 
 League, n. a joining together for mu- 
 tual benefit, and for some particular 
 purpose. 
 
 By artifice the Gibeonites persuaded Josh- 
 ua to make a league with them, and to spare 
 their lives. 
 
 Lect ure, n. a discourse on some 
 particular subject, usually to give 
 instruction. 
 
 His course of lectures on astronomyfvas 
 very interesting and well attended. 
 
 a formal reproof. 
 
 The father gave his son a serious lecture 
 for treating the man with whom he lived dis- 
 respectfully. 
 
 Leg a cy, n. something given to one 
 4>y will. 
 
 A man wrote his will, in which he gave the 
 house in which he lived as a legacy to his 
 wife, and the rest of his property to his 
 children. 
 
 Le gal, a. according to law, permitted 
 by law. 
 
 He whipped the boy very severely whom 
 he found stealing his watermelons,— which 
 he had not a legal right to do, although the 
 boy deserved it. 
 
 Leg' i ble, (lej i ble,) a. that may be 
 read. 
 
 The inscription on the monument, although 
 much worn away by time, was still legible. 
 
 Le' gion, (le jun,) n. abody of soldiers, 
 a great number. 
 
 At one time, a legion in the Roman army 
 consisted of above five thousand men. 
 
 Leg' is late, (lej is late,) v. a. to make 
 
 laws. 
 Leg' is la ture, (lej is la ture,) n. the 
 
 body of men who make the laws 
 
 of a country. 
 
 The making of laws, is called legislation, 
 and each person who is concerned in making 
 them, a legislator. 
 
 Lei' sure, (le zhur or lezh ur,) n. a 
 being free from business. 
 
 The farmer had got through with his har- 
 vest, and had leisure to take a short journey 
 with his family. 
 
 Len i ty, n. gentleness, mildness, . 
 mercy. 
 
 The sailors were very sorry that they had 
 disobeyed the captain, and although he pun- 
 ished the ringleader severely, he treated the 
 rest with great lenity. 
 
 Less, annexed to a word, denotes not 
 having ; as c\oudless 7 feaxless. 
 
 Leth ar gy, n. a disease which pro- 
 duces very great sleepiness. 
 
 He was so much afflicted with a lethargy, 
 that he sometimes fell asleep, even at dinner. 
 
LIB 
 
 131 
 
 When there is a great want of feeling on 
 any subject, and it is difficult to excite an in- 
 terest in it, we say there is a lethargy with 
 regard to it. bJ 
 
 Lev ee, n. an assembly to visit some 
 distinguished person. 
 
 Persons of all parties, and of all ages 
 were at the levee, on new year's day at the 
 President's house. 
 
 A bank of earth, raised to prevent the 
 overflowing of a river, is called a levee 
 
 Lev i ty, n: lightness.— thoughtless 
 ness, unsteadiness, triflino- o-ayety 
 
 She laughed and talked a grea°t deal about 
 
 LIM 
 
 ti„-r,„o c"° "" , "" , " ;u tt S 1 ^ ueai aoout I hj m ,' mmD j;„ ( T — f" Wil w, ana discharged 
 
 things of no consequence, and had so much t ~u lmmed ^tely. r S ea 
 
 Kln?L mmd that k was im P° ss ^ to ii x Ll ° er ty, ». freedom from con W 
 
 3r attention upon any serious subiert mor.fl . • . Uin c °nnne- 
 
 lowance for his support erai ^ 
 
 not selfish or narrow-minded, but 
 
 Ss? enlarged and charitabie 
 
 to ^ruTh, tlo^T *W f aChment 
 those who dker^rtt in^iS t ° W "* 
 
 Liberate, w . a . to set free. ' 
 
 1 he jailer received an onW f™ m *u 
 
 ., ,-. ~,.. IVJ . „ llcl „ lk w as ijupossioie 
 her attention upon any serious subject. 
 
 Lev y, v. «. to collect money by a tax 
 • or by force ; to collect soldiers for 
 war. 
 
 The enemy's fleet appeared before the city, 
 which was not able to make any resistance 
 of dolor's a Contnbutlonu P° n ^ of a million 
 _ To levy war, is to make war upon a nation. 
 
 ^i a ble, a. bound by law to do some- 
 thing. 
 
 If a man indorses a note he is liable to pay 
 it, it the person does not who gave it 
 
 to be exposed or subject to some 
 evil. 
 
 errors 5S ourselv es so liable to commit 
 errors, that we ought to be careful how we 
 find fault with others 
 
 ment or restraint, 
 permission to do something 
 
 come tn^ y iP Ve the P 00r stud&ent "berty to 
 When a person, in what he says or does 
 
 Li cense n. permission or authority 
 granted to do something 
 
 for H ! n aS P rose : c pted, and had to pay a fine 
 
 Hcenss S SpintU ° US li( * Uors ^ifhout a 
 
 Li cen tious, a. unrestrained bylaw 
 
 wi f ri d nciple ; Ye *y corru P t and 
 
 ^EHk^i^^S^ I LI ^ \'^ ^hest end or border 
 
 of a thing or place, beyond which 
 it does not extend. 
 
 sidI h w« it0f , t ] lep 1 layground on &* north 
 side was an old oak and a rock, and on the 
 south side, a little brook. 
 
 Lirn i ta tion, n. placing limits to 
 
 He gave the neighbors permission to draw 
 water from his well at all times without Z 
 mi atmn, excepting that they should not dJ 
 it after ten o'clock in the evening. 
 
 very great. 
 
 Lib e ral, a. giving bountifully accord- 
 ing to one's means. 
 
 lib?rl S l ™T 6 7 aS n0t large ' but he ™ a 
 
 i^T*&i more to the needy than 
 
 " The liberal sou! shall be made fat " 
 
 large, and showing a generous dispo 
 
 sition. ^ 
 
LIT 
 
 Lm ger, (ling gur,) v. n. to stay long- 
 er in a place, or move slowly from 
 it, because one does not like to go. 
 
 A mother went to visit the grave of her 
 little infant, and lingered at the spot as if she 
 could not tear herself away from it. 
 
 to remain long in any state. 
 
 He lingered several months under a dis- 
 tressing disease before he began to recover. 
 
 Liq uid, n. that which is not solid, but 
 has been melted, or flows ; as 
 thawed ice, and melted lead or lava. 
 
 List less, a. taking no interest in 
 what is said or done, inattentive. 
 
 During the whole lecture, he kept yawning 
 and stretching himself, turning over the 
 leaves of a book, and gazing round upon 
 every body in the room. He was so listless, 
 that he knew nothing of what was said. 
 
 Lit e ral, a. according to the exact 
 meaning of the words, not figurative. 
 
 When we say the moon shines brightly, the 
 meaning is literal. When we say the moon is 
 the queen of night, the meaning is not literal, 
 but figurative. 
 
 exact, word for word. 
 
 The scholar put some Latin sentences into 
 English, giving the meaning of each Latin 
 word by an English one. It was a literal 
 translation, but not an elegant one. 
 
 We say an account is literally true, when 
 every thing is told exactly as it happened. 
 
 Lit e ra ry, a. relating to literature, 
 or learned men. 
 
 He has retired from business, and given 
 himself up entirely to literary pursuits. 
 
 Lit e ra ture, n. the learning which 
 is derived from an acquaintance 
 
 * with the best works that are gener- 
 ally studied or read. 
 
 Though he was a blacksmith and worked at 
 nis trade, he found so much time to devote to 
 literature, that he learned to read in about 
 fifty different languages. 
 
 132 LOT 
 
 Lit i ga tion, n. a law-suit, or conten- 
 tion about something before a court 
 - of justice. 
 
 Be very slow to engage in litigation ; for it 
 will not improve your temper, and may empty 
 your purse. 
 
 Loan, n. something which is lent, 
 and which, or an equivalent, is to 
 be returned ; as a loan of bread, 
 or of a book, or of money. 
 
 Lo cal, a. relating to a place. 
 
 The local situation of his farm was advan- 
 tageous, being within a few miles of a large 
 city. 
 
 limited to a particular place. 
 
 The disease was local and confined to one 
 part of the town ; all the rest of it remained 
 
 healthy. 
 
 Loft y, a. stretching high up in the 
 air ; as a lofty mountain, the lofty 
 flight of an eagle. 
 
 elevated in thought, feeling, or condi- 
 tion. 
 
 The poetry of Milton is distinguished for 
 its lofty conceptions. 
 
 proud, haughty. 
 
 " The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, 
 and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed 
 down." 
 
 Lon gev i ty, n. great length of life. 
 
 Temperance and peace of mind, with some 
 regular employment, promote longevity. 
 
 Lon gi tude, n. the distance of a 
 place, east or west, from some 
 other place, measured on the equa- 
 tor or a parallel of latitude. 
 
 Lo qua cious, a. talking a great deal. 
 
 Loquacious persons are in danger of say- 
 ing many foolish things^and of betraying se- 
 crets. 
 
 Lot, n. the condition in which a per- 
 son is placed. 
 
 
LUD 
 
 133 
 
 LUX 
 
 The lot of young children who have to work 
 twelve or fourteen hours a day in factories, 
 and do not go to school, is very severe ; and 
 they are much to be pitied. 
 
 fortune, chance. 
 
 Although industrious and economical, it 
 seemed to be his lot, from want of judgment 
 in his business, always to be poor. 
 
 To cast or draw lots, is to use something in 
 such a way as to determine by chance, as we 
 say, what is to be done, although the Provi- 
 dence of God really causes the lot to fall out 
 as it does. - 
 
 The land of Canaan was divided among the 
 twelve tribes of the Israelites by lot. 
 
 a portion ; as a lot of goods. 
 Loathe, v. a. to feel disgust, espe- 
 cially in regard to food or drink. 
 
 " The full soul loatheth a honey-comb ; but 
 to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet." 
 
 how ly, a. humble, having a modest 
 opinion of one's self. 
 
 Our Saviour says ; " Learn of me, for I 
 am meek and lowly in heart." 
 
 poor, low. 
 
 The contrast between the splendid palace 
 and the lowly cottages that were in its neigh- 
 borhood, was very striking. 
 
 Loy' al, a. faithful to a prince, to a 
 lady, or to a lover. 
 
 The subjects of Richard I. king of Eng- 
 land, were very loyal to him, and, when re- 
 turning from Palestine in disguise through 
 Germany, he was imprisoned by the Empe- 
 ror Henry VI., they paid a large sum to have 
 him set at liberty. 
 
 Lu cid, a. bright, clear. 
 
 Although deranged for the most part of the 
 time, he had some lucid intervals, during 
 which he was in full possession of his rea- 
 son. 
 Lu di crous, a. causing laughter and 
 merriment, without any feeling of 
 contempt. 
 
 Persons are sometimes placed, by accident, 
 in a ludicrous situation, and we should be 
 
 careful, on such occasions, not to say or do 
 
 any thing to hurt their feelings. 
 
 Lu mi nous, a. shining, giving out 
 light. 
 
 As a ship passes through the ocean in the 
 night, it often leaves a luminous track on the 
 water, for some distance behind it. 
 
 Lu na tic, a. an insane person. 
 Lure, n. something which allures. 
 
 The bait put on a hook, is the lure by which 
 a fish is caught. 
 
 Lurk, v. n. to lie in a place, or move 
 about it secretly, for the sake ,of 
 doing evil. 
 
 The thieves lurked in the woods near the 
 village during the day, and at night broke into 
 several houses and plundered them. 
 
 Lus cious, a. sweet to a very great 
 degree, and sometimes so much so 
 as to cloy. 
 
 We picked the fine, large, ripe grapes from 
 the vines, and found them very luscious. 
 
 Lust, v. n. to desire with great eager- 
 ness. 
 
 We are commanded not to lust after evil 
 things, as did the Israelites of old in the wil- 
 derness, who were slain for their sins. 
 
 Lus tre, or luster, n. brightness, as of 
 the sun. — renown ; as the lustre of 
 a great and good character. 
 
 Lux u riant, a. abundant in growth, 
 plentiful. 
 
 The luxuriant vine grew so rapidly, that it 
 soon spread itself over the whole side of the 
 house. 
 
 The soil was very rich,«and yielded a luxu- 
 riant crop. 
 
 Lux u ry, n. too great indulgence in 
 delicious food, in fine dress, or in 
 a costly manner of living. 
 
 The old Romans were very frugal ; their 
 descendants were ruined by luxury. 
 He who is luxurious is in great danger of 
 
MAG 
 
 weakening his body, of impairing his mind, 
 ana of wasting his esiate. 
 
 Those nice and costly things which are used 
 to gratify the appetite, and the desire for in- 
 dulgence, are called luxuries. 
 
 134 
 
 MAI 
 
 M. 
 
 Ma 
 i 
 
 Tag a zine', (mag ga zeen,) n. a 
 building in which arms, provis- 
 ions,, and other things necessary for 
 carrying on war, are deposited. — a 
 pamphlet published at regular pe- 
 riods, and containing pieces on a 
 variety of subjects. 
 
 Mag' is trate, (maj is trate,) n. a pub- 
 lic officer who acts with authority 
 in executing the laws, and in car- 
 rying on the government ; as the 
 President of the United States, the 
 Governor of a State, a mayor, a 
 sheriff, a justice of the peace, and 
 the like. 
 
 Mag na mm i ty, n. greatness and no- 
 bleness of mind. 
 
 When Aristides was sitting as a judge in a 
 cause, one of the parties said that the other 
 had spoken and done many things injurious to 
 Aristides. " Do not talk about that," said he, 
 " tell me only what harm he has done to thee ; 
 it is thy cause I am judging." This was true 
 magnanimity. 
 
 Mag nan i mous, a. great and noble 
 in mind. 
 
 Saul was pursuing David, andwickedly at- 
 tempting to take nis life, when the latter found 
 him, one night, asleep in the camp, and forbade 
 Abishai who wished to kill him, to do him the 
 least injury. This showed that David was 
 truly a magnanimous man. 
 
 Mag nif i cent, a. grand in appear- 
 ance, splendid. 
 
 A clear winter's sky, with its hosts of 
 shining stars, is a magnificent sight. 
 
 Mag ni fy, v. a. to cause to appear 
 larger. 
 
 He wears spectacles which magnify objects. 
 
 to make great. 
 
 When Joshua led the Israelites safely 
 across the Jordan on dry land, the Lord mag- 
 nified him by this, in the sight of all the peo- 
 ple, " and they feared him as they feared 
 Moses, all the days of his life." 
 
 to extol. 
 
 The Psalmist says ; " O magnify the Lord 
 with me, and let us exalt his name together." 
 
 Mag nitude, n. bulk, size. 
 
 The magnitude of the sun is one million of 
 times greater than that of the earth. 
 
 greatness, importance. 
 
 He boasts too much, and is apt to speak of 
 almost every thing that he does as an affair 
 of great magnitude. 
 
 Mail, n. a coat of steel network, worn 
 anciently for defense. — a bag for 
 carrying letters or papers. 
 Main, a. chief, principal. 
 
 The middle mast of a ship, is called the 
 main-mast. 
 
 Some timbers in the house were decayed, 
 
 but the main part of the building was sound. 
 
 He expected to accomplish several objects in 
 
 visiting the city ; but his main object was, to 
 
 examine a large library. 
 
 Main tain, v. a. to keep a thing in its 
 present state or condition. 
 
 He was much confined by his business, and 
 in order to maintain his health, he worked in 
 his garden every morning. 
 
 to defend and hold. 
 
 Though the army was furiously attacked 
 it maintained its position. 
 
 to assert that a thing is so, and to 
 hold to it. 
 
 He maintained that what he said was true, 
 notwithstanding it was clear to all present, 
 that he was mistaken. 
 
MAN 
 
 135 
 
 MAN 
 
 to furnish the means of living, as 
 food, clothes, and other necessa- 
 ries. 
 
 His parents were old and pqpr, and he 
 maintained them by his daily labor. 
 
 Maj es ty, n. greatness, dignity ; — 
 that in a person's appearance, man- 
 ners, or condition, which causes 
 others to regard him with rever- 
 ence and awe. 
 
 . " The Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly 
 in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon' 
 him such royal majesty as had not been on 
 any king before him in Israel." 
 
 a title applied to kings and queens ; 
 as her majesty, the queen of Eng- 
 land. 
 
 Mai a dy, n. disease of body or mind. 
 
 Ma lev o lent, a. disposed to do evil 
 to others. 
 
 He early showed a malevolent disposition, 
 by inflicting pain upon animals, and loving to 
 tease and provoke his companions. 
 
 Mai ice, n. deep enmity, a strong de- 
 sire to inflict evil upon others, even 
 without cause. 
 
 He was discharged from prison after hav- 
 ing been confined ten years, and felt so much 
 malice towards the witness who testified 
 against him, that he set fire to his house, 
 which was burned to the ground. 
 
 Domitian, a Roman emperor, who died in 
 the year 96, was so malicious that he put to 
 death many of the most illustrious citizens 
 of Rome, and looked with a ferocious pleas- 
 ure upon their dying agonies. 
 
 Ma lig nant, a. full of malice. — dan- 
 gerous to life ; as a malignant 
 fever. 
 
 Man age, v. a. to carry on business. 
 
 He is a carriage-maker, and manages his 
 business with great skill and success 
 
 to govern, to control. 
 
 He was a headstrong boy, and it was with 
 great difficulty that his mother could manage 
 him. 
 
 We say of a person who conducts aflairs 
 of any kind with skill, economy, and success, 
 that he is a good manager. 
 . We say a person has used management, 
 when he accomplishes a thing by some de- 
 gree of art. 
 
 Ma ni ac, n. a raving madman. 
 
 Kindness in the treatment of maniacs is 
 found to be the best way of controlling them. 
 
 Man i fest, a. plain, open, easy to be 
 seen or understood. 
 
 He was drawing a map of Europe on the 
 black board and placed the island of Great 
 Britain so farjiorth of the coast of France, 
 that the mistake was manifest to all the class. 
 
 Man i fold, a. many, and of various 
 
 kinds. 
 
 " Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in 
 wisdom hast thou made them all." 
 
 Man ner, n. the w^ay in which a thing 
 is done. 
 
 John examined the machinery of the steam- 
 boat a long while, to find out the manner in 
 w r hich the wheels were made to move. 
 
 custom. 
 
 It was the manner of the apostle Paul to 
 go into the synagogues of the Jews on the 
 Sabbath, and reason with them out of the 
 Scriptures. 
 
 kind or sort. 
 
 Our Saviour healed all manner of diseases. 
 
 the peculiar way of a person's mov- 
 ing and acting. . 
 
 The manner of the teacher was so cold and 
 distant, that the scholars were often afraid to 
 speak to him. 
 
 Man ners, n. behaviour, deportment. 
 
 Strive to acquire good manners ; for it will 
 much promote your own happiness and that 
 of others. 
 
 Man u al, a. done by the hand. 
 
 There are two kinds of labor, one oUthe 
 
MAR 
 
 136 
 
 MAT 
 
 head, and the other of the hand. The former 
 is called mental labor, and the latter, manual. 
 Both are necessary for the good of society. 
 
 We call a small book that can be easily 
 carried in the hand, a manual. 
 
 Man u script, n. a book or paper 
 which is written — not printed. 
 
 In some of the libraries of Europe there 
 are very ancient manuscripts of the Bible. 
 
 Mar, v. a. to hurt, damage, or injure. 
 
 One of the arms of the statue was broken 
 off, which marred its beauty very much. 
 
 Mar gin, n. border, brink, side Of a 
 thing. 
 
 As he read the book, which was his own, 
 he wrote some notes with a pencil on the 
 margin. 
 
 Ma rine', (ma reen,) a.' belonging to 
 the sea ; as marine shells, marine 
 plants. 
 
 Mar i time, a. relating to the sea. 
 
 The management of a vessel, the carrying 
 on of trade across the^ ocean, and the whole 
 business of fighting in ships on the water, are. 
 called maritime affairs. 
 
 bordering, on the sea. 
 
 Charleston in South Carolina is a mari- 
 time town. 
 Mar tial, a. warlike, brave. 
 
 The ancient Romans were a very martial 
 nation. 
 
 suited or relating to war. 
 
 The troops were reviewed by the com- 
 mander in chief, and made a very martial ap- 
 pearance. 
 
 Mar tyr, n. one who suffers death 
 rather than give up what he thinks 
 is true. 
 
 i Stephen was the first Christian martyr. 
 
 Mar vel, v. n. to wonder, to be sur- 
 prised. 
 
 When Jesus calmed, with a word, the wi nds 
 and the waves which were raging, his disci- 
 ples marvelled, saying," what manner of man is 
 tkis, that even the winds and the sea obey him." 
 
 Mar vel lous, or mar vel ous, a. pro- 
 ducing wonder or surprise. 
 
 " God doeth great things and unsearchable : 
 marvellous things without numbrr." 
 
 so strange and very wonderful as to 
 exceed belief. 
 
 In his book of travels, he tells so many 
 marvellous stories, that he does not gain 
 credit even for what is strictly true. 
 
 Mask, v. a. to hide under a false ap- 
 pearance, in order to deceive. 
 
 When Satan tempted Eve, he masked his 
 design to lead her to disobey God, under the 
 pretence of wishing to increase her happi- 
 ness. 
 
 Mas sa ere, n. the killing of one or 
 more persons in a barbarous man- 
 ner, without lawful authority, and 
 contrary to the customs of war. 
 
 After the battle, the victorious army killed 
 all the prisoners whom they had taken. It 
 was an inhuman and disgraceful massacre. 
 
 Match, v. a. to equal. 
 
 He was remarkable for running fast, and 
 not a boy in the school could match him. 
 
 to make one thing suit or correspond 
 to another. 
 
 He had a fine, large, noble horse, and found 
 it difficult to match him. 
 
 Ma te ri al, a. consisting of matter, 
 not relating to the mind. 
 
 That which we can see and touch is mate- 
 rial. 
 
 That which relates to the mind is imma- 
 terial. 
 
 very important. 
 
 In copying the sentence, he left out one ma- 
 terial word, which altered entirely the whole 
 meaning. 
 
 When we say, that it is not material 
 whether a thing is done or not, we mean that 
 it is of little consequence to have it done. 
 
 Ma te ri al, n. that of which any thing 
 is made. 
 
MAX 
 
 137 MEL 
 
 He purchased stone, brick, timber, and 
 other materials for building his house. 
 
 Ma ter rial, a. motherly, kind like a 
 . mother. 
 
 Though the orphan was only her adopted 
 child, nsr feelings towards it were maternal, 
 and she treated it as if it were her own. 
 
 relating or belonging to a mother. 
 
 No love is so strong and lasting, as mater- 
 nal love. 
 Mat ter, n. that which we can see, 
 feel or touch, or divide into parts ; 
 as wood, stone, flesh, bone, water, 
 air, light, 
 some affair or business. 
 
 It was a thing of no consequence, and yet 
 he treated it as a very serious matter. 
 cause of some difficulty or evil ; as 
 
 when we sav, what is the matter ? 
 importance ; as when we say, it is 
 
 no matter. 
 Ma ture, a. ripe, fully grown. 
 
 The peach-tree has borne an abundance of 
 mature fruit this season. 
 
 When a person has arrived at manhood, we 
 say he is of mature age. 
 
 Such was the maturity of his mind, that 
 • when but a youth he seemed to have the judg- 
 ment of a man. 
 
 completed, ready to be done. 
 
 The plan of the prisoners to escape, was 
 well arranged and mature, and th^ey were only 
 waiting for a dark and stormy night to put it 
 into execution. 
 
 Max im, n. an established principle, 
 or general truth, to direct the con- 
 duct of men. 
 
 The Book of Proverbs is full of excellent 
 maxims for the young, which they would do 
 well to study and remember. This is one of 
 them : " Wisdom is better than rubies ; and 
 all the things that may be desired are not to 
 be compared to it." 
 
 Maze, n. a labyrinth. — confusion and 
 perplexity of thought. 
 
 He waked at midnight and found the house 
 on fire, and the flames approaching his room. 
 For a moment, he was in such a maze that he 
 could make no effort to escape. 
 
 Mea' ger, (me gur,) a. lean, wanting 
 flesh, poor. 
 
 The crew of the ship had scarcely any 
 food for several weeks, and when they ar- 
 rived in port had a very meagre appearance. 
 
 The account of the meeting published in 
 the paper was very meager, and contained 
 but a small part of what was said and done. 
 
 Med i tate, v. n. to think very atten- 
 tively and seriously upon a thing. 
 
 " I remember the days of old, I jpeditate on 
 all thy works, I muse on the work ofThy hands." 
 
 v. a. to plan out, to intend. 
 
 He has been meditating a removal, and a 
 considerable change in his business, for some 
 time. 
 
 Meek, a. gentle, mild, patient under 
 trials and injuries, not easily pro- 
 voked, ready to forgive. 
 
 "^The meek will he guide in judgment, and 
 the meek will he teach his way." 
 
 Meet, a. fit, suitable, proper. 
 
 " Bring forth fruits meet for repentance." 
 
 Mel an chol y, n. a sad, depressed 
 state of mind. 
 
 Every thing appeared to him dismal and 
 cheerless. His melancholy was so deep and 
 settled, that his friends could say or do no- 
 thing that would interest him. 
 Me lo di ous, a. musical, agreeable 
 to the ear ; as the melodious notes 
 of a bird, a melodious voice, the 
 melodious sounds of a flute. 
 Mel o dy, n. a succession of sweet, 
 pleasant sounds. 
 
 She sang alone a simple hymn, and the 
 melody was delightful. 
 
MER 
 
 138 MER 
 
 Mem ber, n. a part of the body which 
 has some particular thing to do ; 
 as the eye, the ear, the hand, the 
 foot. 
 
 a part of a sentence or discourse. 
 
 It was a long sentence, and the principle 
 members of it «vere distinguished from each 
 other by semicolons. 
 
 one of several or many which go to 
 make up a whole. 
 
 There were fifty young men belonging to 
 the Lyceum of which he was a member. 
 
 Mem oir, n. an account of things 
 which have happened, written in 
 a fanjiliar manner. 
 
 Mem o *a ble, a. worthy to be re- 
 membered. 
 
 The discovery of the passage to the East- 
 ' Indies by the Cape of Good Hope, by Vas- 
 quez de Gama, a Portuguese, November 20th, 
 1497, is a memorable event. 
 
 Me mo ri al, n. that which keeps 
 another thing in remembrance. ' 
 
 As the Israelites were crossing Jordan on 
 dry grouiid, Joshua commanded twel^# men 
 to take, each of them, a stone from the bed 
 of the river, and place them on the west side, 
 as a memorial of this wonderful event. 
 
 Mem o ry, n. the power which the 
 mind has of thinking, at the pres- 
 ent time, about what is past. 
 
 Pliny, a Roman writer, says that Cyrus, 
 king of Persia, knew every soldier in his 
 army by name, his memory was so strong. 
 
 Men tal, a. relating to the mind. 
 
 Mental labor is often more hard and fa- 
 tiguing than bodily labor. 
 
 Mer can tile, a. carrying on trade or- 
 commerce. 
 
 The inhabitants of ancient Tyre were a 
 very mercantile people. 
 
 relating to trade or commerce. 
 
 He was brought up a farmer, and afterwards 
 engaged in mercantile business. 
 
 Mer ce na ry, n. one who hires him- 
 self to serve another merely for 
 the sake of the pay. r 
 
 Many Swiss soldiers have been accustom- 
 ed to engage as mercenaries, to fight for for- 
 eign princes. 
 
 A man who is ready to do little, mean, or 
 wrong things for the sake of reward, is said 
 to have a mercenary spirit. 
 
 Mer cy, n. feeling kindly towards 
 offenders, disposed to forgive them, 
 and to treat them better than they 
 deserve. 
 
 " The mercy of the Lord is from everlast- 
 ing to everlasting upon them that fear him." 
 
 He was so young, that although found guil- 
 ty he was recommended by the court to the 
 mercy of the government, and obtained a 
 pardon. 
 
 kindness to the feeble and distressed. 
 
 The good Samaritan showed mercy to the 
 man who fell among thieves. 
 
 favor shown to the undeserving. 
 
 Jacob said, " I am not worthy of the least 
 of all the mercies, and of all the truth which 
 thou hast showed unto thy servant." 
 
 Mere, a. one thing by itself, nothing 
 more. 
 
 He wrote a letter on his own business 
 friend, and through mere forgetfulness did 
 not pay the postage. He felt very sorry for 
 it, and maie an apology in his next letter. 
 
 Me rid i an, n. the circle supposed 
 to be drawn in the heavens, from 
 north to south, directly over any 
 place, and which the sun crosses 
 at noon. — mid-day, noon. 
 
 Mer it, n. that which deserves praise, 
 honor, or reward. 
 There is no merit in having money which 
 
 hing 
 
 s to a 
 
MIG 
 
 139 
 
 MIN 
 
 was left to one by another, but there is great 
 merit in making a good use of it. 
 
 He was an industrious, obedient and excel- 
 lent scholar, and as a reward of his merit re- 
 ceived the present of a valuable book. 
 
 We sometimes say, that a guilty person 
 merits punishment. 
 
 Mer i to ri ous, a. deserving praise, 
 honor, or reward. 
 
 When you do any thing that is meritorious, 
 boast not of it, nor praise yourself. 
 
 Mes sage, n. some notice, word, or 
 information, verbal or written, giv- 
 en to one person to be delivered to 
 another. 
 
 The committee sent a message to the 
 school-master, to let him know that they would 
 visit his school the next day. 
 
 In the United States, the President sends 
 messages to Congress, and the Governors of 
 States, to the Legislatures. 
 
 Met a phor, n. a comparison made by 
 a single word used figuratively ; 
 as, he was a lion in battle ; — though 
 much provoked, he curbed his an- 
 ger. 
 
 Meth od, n. such an arrangement as 
 will enable us to think of, or do, 
 things in the easiest and best man- 
 ner. 
 
 He had a great deal of business to attend 
 to, and was obliged to divide his time accord- 
 ing to an exact method, doing particular things 
 at certain hours of the day. 
 
 If you wish to be free from hurry and per- 
 plexity, be methodical, 
 
 the manner of doing a thing. 
 
 The method of writing the Hebrew lan- 
 guage, is from the right hand to the left. 
 
 Me trop o lis, n. the chief city of a 
 country or state. 
 Paris is the metropolis of France. * 
 
 lUlght, w. He had such might in his 
 
 arm, that he could use, with great 
 ease, a hammer which most men 
 could scarcely raise from the 
 ground. 
 
 An elephant has great might in his 
 trunk, and with it can tear up a 
 tree of considerabft size by its 
 roots. 
 
 He was a man of very strong feel- 
 ings, and whatever he attempted, 
 he did with all his might. 
 
 The mighty waves of the sea beat furiously 
 against the high rock. 
 
 Mil i ta ry, a. relating to war, or to 
 soldiers. 
 
 The country was threatened with an in- 
 vasion, and they made great military prepa- 
 rations in every part of it. 
 
 Mm i a ture, n. a small picture or 
 likeness of something, which is 
 much less than that which it rep- 
 resents. 
 
 The little girl wore a beautiful miniature 
 of her father around her neck. 
 
 Mm is ter, n. one acting under anoth- 
 er, to do something for him. 
 
 Our Saviour says, " Whosoever will be 
 great among you, let him be your minister ; 
 whosoever will be chief among you, let him 
 be your servant." 
 
 one who is chosen by a king or prince 
 to direct the affairs of the govern- 
 ment. 
 
 In England, the principal person who is 
 thus chosen, is called the prime minister. 
 
 a person sent by one government, as 
 its representative, to another, to 
 transact very important business. 
 
 The foreign ministers who come to the 
 United States usually reside at Washington. 
 
 a clergyman. 
 
MIS 
 
 140 
 
 MIS 
 
 He is an aged and worthy minister of the 
 Gospel, and has preached to his people for 
 more than half a century. 
 
 Mm is ter, v. a. and n. to give sup- 
 plies ; to serve. 
 
 Mint, n. a place where money is 
 coined by tjae authority of the gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 Mln ute, v. a. to set down a thing in 
 writing in a few words. 
 
 He wished to remember the advice which 
 his mother gave him, and minuted down the 
 principal parts of it. 
 
 Mi nute, a. extremely small. 
 
 There are living things in water so very 
 minute that they cannot be seen without a 
 powerful microscope. 
 
 omitting nothing, but going into all 
 the particulars ; as a minute ac- 
 count of a thing, a minute inquiry. 
 
 Mir a cle, n. a wonderful thing which 
 is contrary to the known laws of 
 nature, and which takes place by 
 the special agency, assistance, or 
 permission of God. 
 
 When the sun stood still at the command 
 of Joshua, it was a miracle. 
 
 Our Saviour performed many miracles, as 
 the turning of water into wine, the restoring 
 of sight to the blind, and the raising of Laz- 
 arus from the dead. 
 
 The plagues which were inflicted upon 
 the Egyptians were miraculous. 
 
 Mis, prefixed to a word, denotes 
 wrong or error ; as, misbehave, 
 misle&d.. 
 
 Mis eel la ne ous, a. made up of ma- 
 ny different kinds of things. 
 
 He has quite a miscellaneous library, con- 
 sisting of books on agriculture, commerce, 
 divinity and history, with a collection of po- 
 etry, voyages and travels, and many newspa- 
 pers and pamphlets. 
 
 Mis er a ble, a. very unhappy. 
 
 He was made miserable by the continued 
 disobedience and misconduct of his only son. 
 very poor or mean. 
 
 Much of the misery of men is brought on 
 them by their own folly. 
 
 Before the missionaries went among the 
 Hottentots, they lived in miserable mud huts, 
 and were entirely ignorant of the true God. 
 worthless. 
 
 He has become a miserable vagabond by 
 his vices, and despised by eveiy body, though 
 his father was one of the most respectable 
 men in the State. 
 
 Mis for tune, n. ill fortune, any thing 
 evil which happens to a person. 
 
 He had been in the city only a day, when 
 he had the misfortune to lose his pocket- 
 book, and all the money which it contained. 
 
 Mis sion, n. the sending or being sent 
 to do some important thing. 
 
 The object of Paul's mission to the Gen- 
 tiles, was to preach the Gospel to them, and 
 to convert them to the true God. 
 
 His mission to France was to settle some' 
 difficulties with that country. 
 
 the persons sent to do some impor- 
 tant thing. 
 
 The Moravians sent a mission to Green- 
 land many years ago, which, after much la- 
 bor, succeeded in leading numbers of the in- 
 habitants to become the followers of Christ. 
 
 He went as a missionary to Ceylon, to in- 
 •st.ruct the people in the Christian religion, 
 and after remaining there twenty-five years, 
 returned on a visit to his native country. 
 
 Mis trust, v. a. not to have confi- 
 dence in, to suspect. 
 
 He had so often broken his word, that his 
 customers mistrusted him when he promised 
 to have his work done on a certain day. 
 
 He was so bad a boy, that whenever any 
 mischief was done, he was one of the first to 
 be mistrusted. 
 
 Mis un der stand ing, n. a mistaking 
 of the meaning. 
 
MOD 
 
 141 ' MON 
 
 Difficulties often arise between perscis 
 from the misunderstanding of what is said. 
 
 an unfriendly disagreement between 
 two or more persons. 
 
 There had been such a misunderstanding 
 between the two families for years, that they 
 hardly spoke to each other. 
 
 Mit i gate, v. a. to make less painful 
 'or severe ; as to mitigate sorrow, 
 to mitigate punishment, to mitigate 
 evil or calamity. 
 
 Mock, v. a. to imitate one in con- 
 tempt or derision. 
 
 Charles complained to his mother, that his 
 brother was mocking every thing which he 
 said or did. 
 
 to laugh at, to make sport of. 
 
 " Whoso mocketh the poor, reproacheth his 
 Maker." 
 
 to disappoint, to deceive. 
 
 He was looking forward to a fine crop of 
 grain, but his expectations were mocked by a 
 furious tempest which levelled it all with the 
 ground. 
 
 Mode, n. the form in which a thing 
 exists. 
 
 Our mode of existence in this world, is to 
 have a mind united to a body. The mode in 
 which angels exist, is unknown to us. 
 
 the way in which a thing is done. 
 
 His mode of walking is so singular, that 
 you fcan tell who he is at a great distance. 
 
 custom. 
 
 The modes of salutation among the people 
 of the East, are very different from ours. 
 
 Mod el, n. a representation in minia- 
 ture of something made or done. 
 
 He had a beautiful model of a frigate, which 
 was complete in all its parts. 
 
 a pattern after which something is to 
 be made or done. 
 
 He carried a model of the maehine which 
 he wished to have made, to the man who was 
 to make it. 
 
 When we say that a person is a model A 
 any particular excellence, we mean that his 
 example in that respect is one of the best to 
 be followed. * 
 
 Mod e rate, a. keeping within proper 
 bounds, not going to excess ; as 
 moderate in eating, in amusements, 
 in expenses. 
 
 not great ; as a moderate breeze, 
 moderate cold. 
 
 not violent, calm and candid. 
 
 He was a moderate man, and would not go 
 all lengths with any party. 
 
 not very good or very bad, of middle 
 rate. 
 
 He is a man of only moderate abilities, and 
 has never distinguished himself. 
 
 Mod ern, a. not ancient, belonging to 
 the present time, or to times not 
 long past. 
 
 The French and English are called modern 
 languages ; the Latin and Greek, ancient 
 ones. 
 
 Mod est, a. not bold or assuming in 
 behavior ; feeling, speaking and 
 acting in a delicate, pure, and 
 proper manner. 
 
 Mo lest, v. a. to trouble or vex. 
 
 We found it difficult to get any sleep ; we. 
 were so molested by the noise of the engine 
 in the steamboat. 
 
 He lived in a noisy street which caused 
 him much molestation in attending to his stu- 
 dies. 
 
 Mo ment, n. the smallest portion of 
 time. — importance or value. 
 
 The choice which a young man makes of 
 his business for life, is a thing of great mo- 
 ment. 
 
 He was a very correct merchant, and 
 taught his clerks to consider the slightest mis- 
 take in making out an account as momentous. 
 
 Mon arcA, n. a king, or emperor, 
 
MOR 
 
 who governs either with absolute 
 power, or with power somewhat 
 limited. 
 Mo nop o lize, v. a. to get all of a 
 thing to one's self. 
 
 He bought up all the tea in the city, that he 
 might monopolize the trade in it, and sell it 
 at a great price. 
 
 Mon ster, n. some living thing, either 
 animal or vegetable, which is de- 
 formed in its shape or parts, and 
 is unlike other things of the same 
 kind. 
 
 The calf was a monster ; it had two heads. 
 
 something horrible, or extremely 
 mischievous and wicked. 
 
 Caligula, a Roman emperor, was a mon- 
 ster of iniquity. He wished that the whole 
 Roman people had but one neck, that he might 
 dispatch them at a single blow. 
 
 The murder of a father is a monstrous 
 crime. It was not known to be committed in 
 Rome for five hundred years from the build- 
 ing of the city. 
 
 Mon u ment, n. something erected as 
 a memorial of some person or 
 event. 
 
 Westminster Abbey, a celebrated building 
 in London, is remarkable for the number of 
 its splendid monuments in memory of very 
 distinguished persons of the British nation. 
 
 Mood, n. the peculiar condition of 
 one's mind at a certain time, as it 
 respects being happy or sad, kind 
 or cross, angry or mild, and the like. 
 
 He was quite cheerful yesterday, but to- 
 day he seems to be in a melancholy mood. 
 
 Moor, v. a. to fasten a ship in one 
 place by cables and anchors. 
 
 The storm was violent, and they moored 
 the vessel within a safe harbor. 
 
 Mor al } a. We call the conduct of 
 
 142 
 
 MOR 
 
 men towards God, towards each 
 other, and towards themselves, 
 considered as right or wrong, moral 
 conduct. 
 
 We call man a moral being, because 
 he is free to do right or wrong, and 
 is accountable. 
 
 We call a man, or his conduct, moral, 
 when they are right as respects his 
 duties towards men. 
 
 We call that moral truth, and those 
 moral precepts, which relate to 
 what is right or wrong. 
 
 We call that moral power, which af- 
 fects the mind by example, argu- 
 ment, evidence, or persuasion. 
 
 Mor al, n. the truth respecting some- 
 thing right or wrong which a fable, 
 or a story, teaches. 
 
 The moral of the jack -daw which dressed 
 himself in stolen feathers, is, never to set 
 ourselves up above our equals, nor to pretend 
 to be what we are not. 
 
 Mo rose, a. sour of temper, harsh in 
 feeling and conduct. 
 
 He never speaks pleasantly to his children. 
 He treats them in a severe and rough manner. 
 He does nothing to amuse or interest, them. 
 They are always afraid of him, he is so mo- 
 rose a man. 
 
 Mor tal, a. that which must die. ♦ 
 
 Philip, king of Macedon, ordered one of 
 his attendants to cry aloud in his hearing, 
 every morning ; " Remember, Philip, thou art 
 mortal." 
 
 causing death ; as a mortal poison, 
 
 a mortal wound, 
 relating to man ; as our mortal state, 
 
 that is, our existence in this world. 
 Mor ti fy, v. n. to become corrupt. 
 
MOV 
 
 143 MUT 
 
 His diseased limb mortified, and he soon 
 died. 
 
 v. a. to subdue sinful and improper 
 desires. 
 
 " If ye mortify the deeds of the body ye 
 shall live." 
 
 to humble one and make him feel 
 ashamed or vexed. 
 
 A mother was much mortified by the con- 
 duct of her little daughter, who would not 
 mind her and behaved very ill, when several 
 of her friends were visiting her. 
 
 Mo tive, n. that which leads or moves 
 a person to do something. 
 
 Frank studied his lessons very hard, and 
 got them well, because he wished to please 
 his mother. That was his motive for doing 
 so. 
 
 Mot to, n. a short sentence, placed, 
 before or added to something, to 
 show its meaning, or to what it re- 
 lates. 
 
 Constantine the Great, the first Roman em- 
 peror who embraced Christianity, caused a 
 standard to be made for his army in the shape 
 of a cross, with a motto on it in Greek, which 
 means in English, " By this conquer." He 
 died in the year 387. 
 
 Mourn, v. n. or a. to grieve and show 
 it by some outward expression, 
 either of the countenance, voice, 
 dress, or manner. 
 
 When it was told Nehemiah, who was an 
 attendant in the palace of the Persian king, 
 that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, 
 and the gates thereof burned with fire, he sat 
 down and wept, and mourned certain days, 
 and fasted, and prayed before the God of 
 heaven. 
 
 Move, v. a. to cause a thing to change 
 its place ; as, he has moved his 
 goods to his new store. 
 
 to affect the feelings, to stir up to ac- 
 tion. 
 
 The account of the distressed family moved 
 her pity, and she went immediately to their 
 relief. 
 
 to propose or recommend something 
 to be done. 
 
 They had a long and warm debate in the 
 Legislature, and one of the members moved 
 that they should adjourn till the next day. 
 
 v. n. to go from one place to an- 
 other. 
 
 Mul ti ply, v. a. or n. to increase in 
 number. 
 
 His engagements are so multiplied, that he 
 finds it difficult to attend to them all. 
 
 Mur mur, v. n. to make a low, contin- 
 ued noise, like that of bees, or of 
 water running gently in a brook.— 
 to grumble, to utter discontent in 
 a low voice. 
 
 In their journey through the wilderness, the 
 Israelites often murmured against Moses and 
 Aaron, and were severely punished on that 
 account. 
 
 Muse, v. n. to think on something 
 deeply, silently,, 'and attentively. 
 
 He sat alone, on a winter's evening, look- 
 ing steadily into the fire, and musing upon 
 what had taken place in his childhood. 
 
 Mii ta ble, a. changeable, not fixed, 
 inconstant. 
 
 All created things are more or less muta- 
 ble ; God alone is unchangeable, " with 
 whom is no variableness, neither shadow of 
 turning." 
 
 Mute, a. not speaking, or not having 
 the power to speak. 
 
 He was mute through fear, and could not 
 utter a word. 
 
 A deaf and dumb person is called a mute, 
 or a deaf-mute. 
 
 Mu ti late, v. a. to cut off, remove, or 
 destroy some important part ; as 
 to mutilate the body, by taking off 
 
NAT 
 
 144 
 
 NAV 
 
 a limb, — to mutilate a book, by 
 tearing out some leaves. 
 Mu ti ny, n. a rising up against law- 
 ful authority, by seamen or sol- 
 diers. 
 
 The captain of the ship was a brave man, 
 and soon put down the mutiny which broke 
 out among the sailors. 
 
 Mu tu al, a. each of two, thinking, 
 feeling or acting, in the same way, 
 towards the other. 
 
 Their condition, education, tastes, and 
 habits were similar, and their attachment to 
 each other was mutual and strong. 
 
 Mys te ri ous, a. hidden, obscure, 
 very difficult to be understood or 
 explained. 
 
 He was in prosperous business and pleas- 
 ant circumstances, and suddenly left his fam- 
 ily, and has not since been heard of. It is a 
 very mysterious affair. 
 
 In the Bible, God has shown us some of 
 the mysteries of his government, which other- 
 wise we never should have known. 
 
 N. 
 IVTar ra tion, n. the giving an ac- 
 -^- count of something which has 
 happened, or been done. 
 
 The narration of his shipwreck which he 
 gave to his family on his return from sea, 
 was deeply affecting. 
 
 Na tion, n. a body of people living 
 under the same government, and 
 distinct from others ; as the En- 
 glish nation, the French nation. . 
 
 Na tive, a. not artificial, produced by 
 nature, born with one. 
 
 When an infant, he showed that his na- 
 tive disposition was very irritable. 
 
 belonging, or relating, to the time or 
 place of birth. 
 
 • Bethlehem, in Judea, is the native place.of 
 our Saviour ; and his nativity, or birth, is cel- 
 ebrated by many Christians on the twenty- 
 fifth of December. 
 
 Nat u ral, a. not artificial ; not caus- 
 ed by habit or outward circum- 
 stances, but such as a being or 
 thing is by its own life or growth. 
 
 It is natural for all animals to eat and sleep. 
 To desire to be happy, is natural to man. 
 
 taking place according to fixed laws. 
 
 His wealth was the natural consequence of 
 his industry and economy. 
 
 not forced or affected. 
 
 His manner of delivering the address was 
 very natural. 
 
 Na ture, n. all the beings and things 
 which God has made. 
 
 The more we study nature, the more we 
 shall see of the wisdom and power of God. 
 
 that which causes a thing to be what 
 it is, which we find in all things of 
 the same kind, and which is given 
 it by God. 
 
 It is the nature of the sun to give out light 
 and heat. 
 
 It is the nature of some trees to bear ap- 
 ples, and of others, to bear cherries. 
 
 It is the nature of the beaver to live in, and 
 about the water. 
 
 It is the nature of the mind to gain strength 
 by action. 
 
 the fixed and uniform course of 
 things, or of God's acting on mind 
 and matter, is called nature. 
 
 disposition. 
 
 His nature was so generous, that he often 
 gave to others when he could not afford to 
 do it. 
 
 kind or sort. 
 
 The master thought that misconduct of 
 such a nature ought to be severely punished. 
 
 Na val, a. consisting of, or relating 
 to, ships. 
 
NIC 
 
 145 
 
 NOT 
 
 Columbus, from early life, gave great atten- 
 tion to naval affairs. 
 
 Nav i ga ble, a. that can be passed 
 in ships or boats. 
 
 The Connecticut river is navigable for ves- 
 sels as far as Hartford. 
 
 Nav i gate, v. a. to pass on water 
 
 with ships or boats. — to direct the 
 
 course of a vessel. 
 Na vy, n. a company of ships of war. 
 
 — all the armed vessels that belong 
 
 to a nation. 
 
 The navy of Great Britain is larger than 
 that of any other in the world. 
 
 Nec' es sa ry, (nes ses sa ry,) a. in- 
 dispensable, that without which 
 something else cannot be. 
 
 • Food is necessary to life. 
 that which must be, or which cannot 
 be avoided. 
 
 His failure in business was the necessary 
 consequence of his imprudent bargains. 
 
 There was a necessity of pulling down one 
 very good building in order to stop the pro- 
 gress of the fire. 
 
 When a person is extremely poor, or in 
 want, we say he is in great necessity. 
 
 Neg a tive, n. saying No to something. 
 
 A boy at a boarding school wrote a letter to 
 his father, to see if he might be permitted to 
 buy a watch. But he received an answer in 
 the negative. 
 
 denoting the absence of something. 
 
 'Not to be hungry, is a negative good ; but 
 to satisfy hunger, is a positive good. 
 
 Neu tral, a. not giving any opinion, or 
 taking any part on either side. 
 
 Two boys had a dispute, and left it to their 
 cousin to say who was light ; but he told 
 them, he must be neutral, and would have 
 nothing to do with it. 
 
 Nice, a. soft, tender, dainty; as a 
 piece of nice cake. 
 r 10 
 
 accurate, exact; as nice sewing, nice 
 cabinet-work, a man of nice taste 
 or judgment. 
 Nig gard ly, a. stingy, and meanly 
 avaricious. 
 He broke an axe which he borrowed of his 
 neighbor, and he was so niggardly that he 
 was unwilling to get it mended. 
 
 No ble, a. elevated, dignified. 
 
 There was something so noble in the ap- 
 pearance, manners, and conduct of Wash- 
 ington, that no one ventured to approach him 
 but with great respect. 
 
 above all that is selfish or mean, lib- 
 eral. 
 
 He was a man of a noble disposition, al- 
 ways ready to do good to others, and in such 
 a way as to let them see that the pleasure of 
 doing it was a sufficient reward to him. 
 
 magnificent. 
 
 The capital is a noble building. 
 
 Those persons are called noble who have a 
 high rank and certain titles, as dukes, earls, 
 barons and the like. . All of this class in a 
 country, taken together, are called the nobility, 
 and each of them a nobleman. 
 
 Noc tur nal, a. relating to the night, 
 
 done in the night. 
 Noi' some, a. hurtful, injurious to life 
 
 or health. — disgusting, offensive. 
 Nom i nal, a. only in name, not real. 
 The nominal value of the bank-note was 
 expressed by the number on it, that is five 
 dollars ; but its real value was only four and 
 a half dollars. 
 
 Nom i nate, v. a. to name a person as 
 a candidate for some office. 
 
 Some time before the election, a meeting 
 was held to nominate certain persons to be 
 voted for as members of Congress. 
 
 No tice, n. attending to something by 
 the eye, the ear, or any of the 
 other senses. 
 
NOV 
 
 146 
 
 NUT 
 
 He is a very observing man, and takes no- 
 tice of almost every thing winch passes 
 around him. 
 
 attending to something in the mind. 
 
 I took notice of a mistake in his lecture. 
 
 information given or received. 
 
 A written notice was left at his house to 
 attend a meeting of the committee in the eve- 
 ning. 
 
 respectful and kind attention. 
 
 Though a stranger in the place, he was 
 much gratified with the notice that was taken 
 of him. 
 
 No tion, n. a conception in the mind. 
 
 The heathen have strange notions about 
 their gods, that they eat, drink, sleep, and 
 quarrel among themselves. 
 
 opinion, sentiment. 
 
 His notions on the subject of education are 
 such, that he will not let any one teach his 
 children but himself. 
 
 We say a man is notional when he has 
 strange fancies, and is whimsical. 
 
 No to ri ous, a. publicly known, and 
 usually on account of something 
 bad. . 
 
 Robespierre is notorious as one of the most 
 bloody and cruel men who were engaged in 
 the French revolution. He was put to death 
 in the year 1794. 
 
 Nour ish, v. a. to furnish food. 
 
 " Joseph nourished his father, and his 
 brethren, and all his father's household with 
 bread," during the famine in the land of 
 Egypt. 
 
 to cause to grow ; as, the rain nour- 
 ishes the plants. 
 to train, to educate. 
 
 Moses was taken, when a child, by the 
 daughter of Pharaoh, who nourished him as 
 her own son. 
 
 Nov el, a. new, but lately known, 
 unusual. 
 
 The father took his children to see the as- 
 cension of a balloon. They had never seen 
 
 one before. It was to them a novel and very 
 interesting sight. 
 
 Nov ice, n. one who is just entering 
 upon some business or profession ; 
 one who is unskilled in it, or unac- 
 quainted with it. 
 
 He is on his first voyage, and is quite a no- 
 vice in the duties of a sailor. 
 
 Nox' ious, (nok shus,) a. hurtful, in- 
 jurious to life Or health. 
 
 In warm climates, they are troubled with 
 many noxious insects and reptiles. 
 
 Nth" sance, n. that which annoys by 
 being offensive or noxious. 
 
 They threw so many dead animals into the 
 pond, that it became a great nuisance to the 
 neighborhood. 
 
 He was intemperate, profane, and a gam- 
 bler, and a mere nuisance wherever he went, 
 
 Null, a. having no force, not binding! 
 
 A law was passed forbidding ships to sail 
 out of the country for sixty days. When that 
 time expired, the law was null, and ships 
 could sail just as if it had not been made. 
 
 If a boy should give a deed of his father's 
 land, it would be a nullity. The man to 
 whom it was given, could not hold the land. 
 
 Nu me ral, a. relating to number, 
 consisting of number. 
 
 The numeral figures are 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 
 8,9,0. 
 
 Nur ture, n. food, nourishment. — tak- 
 ing care of, training up and educa- 
 ting young persons. 
 
 Paul exhorts parents to bring up their chil- 
 dren in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 
 
 Nu tri ment, n. that which supports 
 life, and causes growth. 
 
 His fever was so high, that he took no nu- 
 triment for several days. 
 
 Nu tri 7 tious, a. (nu trish us,) a. sup- 
 porting life and causing growth. 
 
 Bread and milk is very nutritious food for 
 young children. 
 
OBL 
 
 O. 
 
 147 
 
 OBS 
 
 f^iath, n. a solemn appeal to God 
 ^that what one says is true. 
 
 In taking an oath, it is always implied that 
 the one who takes it calls upon God to inflict 
 punishment upon him, if w*hat he says is not 
 w true. 
 
 6b du rate, a. hardened in wicked- 
 ness, stubborn. 
 
 He had become so obdurate in his course 
 of crime, that nothing seemed to have any ef- 
 fect upon him, but calling to his remembrance 
 the religious instruction which his mother 
 ^ gave him, when a child. 
 
 6b ject, n. that which we see, hear, 
 smell, taste or touch, or about which 
 the mind thinks or feels. 
 
 The sun is the most glorious object of sight. 
 An infant is the object of its mother's warm 
 affection. 
 
 that to which the mind is directed as 
 a thing to be obtained or accom- 
 plished. 
 
 The great object which Pizarro and the 
 Spaniards had in view, when they invaded 
 Peru in the year 1531, was to get possession 
 of the gold and silver with which that country 
 abounded. 
 
 Ob li ga tion, n. that which binds a 
 person, — the reason why one ought 
 to do some particular thing, or feel 
 in some particular manner. 
 
 A person may be under obligation to do a 
 certain thing, because it is right in itself that 
 he should do it ; or because he has promised 
 to do it ; or because some law or custom re- 
 quires it of him ; or because he has received 
 . a favor from some one. 
 
 We say that a person has conferred an obli- 
 gation upon another, when he has done him 
 some favor. 
 
 O bilge, (or o blege,) v. a. to compel 
 a person to do something. 
 
 His limb was so badly wounded, that he 
 was obliged to have it cut off. 
 
 to put under obligation. 
 
 He failed, and his creditors had discharged 
 him from the payment of his debts. But he 
 afterwards accumulated property, and felt 
 himself obliged by a sense of duty, to pay all 
 that he owed, with interest. 
 
 Ob lit e rate, v. a. to blot out, rub out, 
 scratch out, or erase. 
 
 The piece of money had been so long in 
 circulation, that the impression on it was quite 
 obliterated. 
 
 Ob nox'ious,(obnok shus,) a. exposed 
 to some evil. 
 
 He has committed a crime, and is obnox- 
 ious to the punishment of the law. 
 
 hateful, offensive. 
 
 The general was so severe in his discipline, 
 that he became obnoxious to the whole army. 
 
 Ob scure, a, dark, dimly and indis- 
 tinctly seen. 
 
 There was so heavy a fog, that we could 
 get but an obscure view of the lake at a dis- 
 tance. 
 
 not easily understood. 
 
 Some passages in ancient writers are ob- 
 scure, because we are not acquainted fully 
 with the customs and manners of the times 
 in which they lived. 
 
 very little known. 
 
 Though in moderate circumstances and an 
 obscure condition, he was contented and 
 happy. 
 
 Ob serve, v. a. to look at attentively. 
 
 He amused himself, by observing the bees, 
 • as they were gathering honey from the flowers. 
 
 to take notice of in the mind. 
 
 In reading his late work, I observe that he 
 contradicts himself several times. 
 
 to express a thoujjbt, or an opinion, 
 briefly. 
 
 He observed to his friend, he was not sur- 
 prised at being found fault with, for hf ha i 
 long known that if a man would alwa /s d » 
 right, he must not expect to please every bodj 
 
occ 
 
 148 
 
 OCC 
 
 to keep religiously. 
 
 The Jews were required by their law, to 
 observe the feast of tabernacles seven days. 
 
 The observance of the Sabbath is a great, 
 blessing to man, even so far as his happiness 
 in this -world is concerned. 
 6b so lete, a. gone put of use ; as 
 an obsolete custom, an obsolete 
 word. 
 6b sta cle, n. any thing which hin- 
 ders. 
 
 His weak eyes were a great obstacle to his 
 progress in his studies. 
 
 Ob struct, v. a. to block up, to put 
 some hindrance in the way. 
 
 The floating ice obstructed the passage of 
 the ship up the river. 
 
 Ob tain, v. a. to get something which 
 one wishes for, or aims at. 
 
 The Turks, under Mahomet II. obtained 
 possession of Constantinople in the year 1453, 
 and destroyed the Eastern Empire of the 
 Romans. 
 
 Ob tru sive, a. disposed to force one's 
 self, or something else, upon others, 
 undesired or uninvited. 
 
 While several gentlemen were engaged in 
 conversation, he was so obtrusive, although a 
 stranger, as to interrupt it by remarks of his 
 
 v own. 
 
 6b vi ate, v. a. to meet and remove 
 some difficulty or objection, or to 
 prevent it by previous preparation. 
 
 The bridge had fallen, and a ferry-boat was 
 provided for crossing the river ; but finding 
 it not sufficient, they procured two others to 
 obviate the inconvenience of delay. 
 
 6b vi ous, a. plain to be seen, easy 
 to be understood.% 
 
 He treated the man very civilly, but it was 
 obvious to all that he did it only to obtain a 
 favor from him, 
 
 Oc ca' sion, (oc ca zhun,) n. the hap- 
 
 pening of something with its at- 
 tending circumstances. 
 
 The wedding was a joyful occasion. 
 
 a favorable time for doing something. 
 
 He found the family in deep affliction, and 
 he made use of the occasion to give them 
 some kind religious counsel. 
 
 indirect or accidental cause. 
 
 The expectation of a war between Chinv 
 and England, was the occasion of the rise in 
 the price of tea. 
 
 need. 
 
 The merchant told the young man who ap- 
 plied to him, that he had no occasion for th« 
 services of another clerk. 
 
 Oc ca' sion al, (oc ca zhun al,) a. not 
 often, happening now and then. 
 
 He is a hard, student, and his visits to his 
 friends are only occasional. 
 
 Oc cu pa.tion, n. the regular busi- 
 ness which one follows. 
 
 The occupation of a farmer is favorable to 
 health, to happiness, and to independence. 
 
 employment of any kind. 
 
 His occupations were so numerous, that 
 he neglected the instruction and government 
 ^ of his children. 
 
 6c cu py, v. a. to hold, to keep pos- 
 session of a thing for one's own 
 
 use. 
 
 He has occupied the same house for fifty 
 years. 
 
 to take up, cover over, or fill. 
 
 The delivery of the discourse occupied one 
 hour. 
 
 to employ. 
 
 He occupied all his spare time in improv- 
 ing his mind. 
 
 Oc cur, v. n. to happen. 
 
 He -was very feeble, and his death occurred 
 . in consequence of his taking a severe cold. 
 
 to come before the mind. 
 
 Strange thoughts occur to us in our dreams- 
 
 to appear here and there. 
 
OFF 
 
 149 
 
 OPI 
 
 He usually writes with great clearness, 
 but some sentences occur in the book which 
 w are very obscure. 
 
 6c u lar, a. known by seeing it. 
 
 He knew that his friend was there, for he 
 had ocular proof of it, — he saw him. 
 
 O di ous, a. hateful, very offensive. 
 
 Tiberius, a Roman Emperor, during the 
 first eight or nine years of his reign, appeared 
 to be just and moderate, but afterwards be- 
 came exceedingly odious by his cruelty and 
 vices. He died in the year 37. 
 
 O dor, n. a smell, fragrance. 
 
 Of fend, v. n. to break some law. 
 
 He offended against the rules of the school 
 so often, that he was at last dismissed. 
 
 v. a. to displease. 
 
 Children in their plays should be careful 
 not to do any thing to offend each other. 
 Of fice, n. a place of trust to which 
 one is appointed, by lawful autho- 
 rity, to do public business. 
 
 The judges of the Supreme Court of the 
 United States, hold their office during good 
 behavior. 
 
 particular employment, business, or 
 part to be performed. 
 
 It belongs to the office of a sexton to ring 
 the bell for public worship. 
 
 It is the office of the eye, to see ; of the 
 ear, to hear ; of the hand, to work. 
 
 a voluntary act of kindness or un- 
 kindness. 
 
 We should always be ready to do good of- 
 fices to the poor and needy. 
 
 the place in which public and other 
 business is done ; as the office of 
 the Secretary of State, — a physi- 
 cian's office. 
 
 Of fi' cial, (of fish al,) a. relating to 
 office. 
 
 He never neglected his official duties, to 
 attei*d to his own affairs. 
 
 coming from proper authority. 
 
 A communication from the general has 
 been published, which can be relied upon as giv- 
 ing a true account of the battle ; for it is official. 
 
 Of fi' ciate, (of fish ate,) v. n. to do 
 what belongs to an office or em- 
 ployment. 
 
 He officiated as chaplain on the occasion, 
 offering up the prayers, and reading a portion 
 of Scripture. 
 
 Of fi' cious, (of fish us,) a. so for- 
 ward and excessive in fondness as 
 to be troublesome. 
 
 He was so officious in continually asking 
 those near him at table to what they would be 
 helped, that it greatly annoyed them. 
 
 He who is busy in meddling with what does 
 ^ not concern him, is said to be officious. 
 
 Om i nous, a. showing that some- 
 thing ill will happen. 
 
 Some persons are so foolish as to think that 
 certain things which happen, are ominous 
 of evil ; as seeing the new moon, for the first 
 time, over the left shoulder. 
 
 Om nip o tent, a. having all power, 
 almighty. 
 
 Om ni pres ent, a. being in all places 
 at the same time. 
 
 Om nis' cient, (omnlsh ent,) a. know- 
 ing all things. 
 
 On set, n. rushing on with a violent 
 attack. 
 
 The foot-soldiers could not withstand the 
 onset of the cavalry, but were thrown into 
 confusion, and retreated. 
 
 O paque, or o pake, a. dark, that can- 
 not be seen through. 
 
 The moon is an opaque body, and looks 
 bright because it reflects the light of the sun. 
 
 O pin' ion, (o pia yun,) n. what the 
 mind thinks about something con- 
 cerning which there is probable, 
 but not certain evidence that it is 
 true or false. 
 
ORA 
 
 150 
 
 ORD 
 
 We do not know certainly, that any body 
 lives in the moon, but in the opinion of many 
 it is inhabited. 
 
 what one thinks about persons or 
 things. 
 
 He said that, in his opinion, it was one of 
 the best paintings he had ever seen. 
 
 When we say that we have no opinion of a 
 person, we mean that we do not think well of 
 him. 
 
 Op po neiu% n. one who opposes. 
 Op por tu nity, n. a good or suitable 
 
 time, occasion, or means for doing 
 
 something. 
 
 He was spending the winter in Cuba, and 
 finding a friend about to return to the United 
 States, he took that opportunity to send by 
 him a present of oranges to his mother. 
 
 Op pose, v. a. to do something in or- 
 der to hinder, prevent, or defeat. 
 
 He stood at the door and opposed the en- 
 trance of any one into the house. 
 
 Op press, v. a. to burden heavily ; to 
 be severe, and require more of 
 those under our power than is right. 
 
 The Greeks were so much oppressed by the 
 Turks, that they rose against them a few 
 years ago, and set up a government of their 
 own. 
 
 to bear down, to cause to sink in 
 strength or spirits. 
 
 It was a summer's day, and the excessive 
 heat oppressed us much. 
 
 One trouble after another has overtaken 
 him, and he is so much oppressed by them 
 w that his health begins to fail. 
 
 Op u lent, a. rich, owning a great 
 many things. 
 
 Or a cle, n. an answer supposed, in 
 ancient times, to Tae given by some 
 god to an inquiry concerning some- 
 thing unknown. — the place where, 
 and the being by whom, the answer 
 
 was supposed to be given, was also 
 called an oracle. 
 
 The most celebrated of all the heathen ora- 
 cles, was that of Apollo at Delphos in Greece. 
 
 A man distinguished for giving very wise 
 opinions or counsels, is sometimes called an 
 _ oracle. 
 
 ral, a. spoken, not written. 
 
 The governor met both houses of the legis- 
 lature, and made an oral communication to 
 them. 
 
 Or dain, v. a. to appoint or design for 
 a certain purpose. 
 
 God has ordained the sun to give light by 
 day, and the moon by night. 
 
 to choose or set apart for a particular 
 office ; as to ordain a minister of 
 the Gospel. , 
 
 to decree, to establish. 
 
 The government of a country ordains its 
 w laws. 
 
 Or der, n. a regular manner of pla 
 cing and doing things. 
 
 The order in which persons were to wall* 
 in the procession, was published in the news 
 papers the day before the celebration. 
 
 proper condition. 
 
 He took care to have his horse in fine ordei 
 before he started on his long journey. 
 
 the settled and usual way of doing 
 
 things. 
 
 The motion which the member of the legis 
 lature made, was contrary to the rules of the 
 house. It was out of order. 
 
 command. 
 
 The order of the physician was, that no 
 person should be permitted to visit the sick 
 man. 
 
 class or rank ; as the different orders 
 
 in society. 
 Or di na ry, a. common, usual. 
 
 The ordinary hour .of dinner in the place 
 is one o'clock. 
 
 plain, not handsome. 
 
OVE 
 
 151 
 
 PAC 
 
 She is a woman of ordinary appearance. 
 
 of little worth. 
 
 He has been at school a long time, yet he 
 can write only an ordinary composition. 
 
 Or'gan ize,u. a. to form and put things 
 together in a regular manner, so 
 that all the • parts may act in har- 
 mony. 
 
 God has so organized man, that most of the 
 motions of his body obey his will. 
 
 The meeting was organized by choosing a 
 chairman to keep order, and a secretary to 
 write down what was done. 
 
 Or i gin, n. the beginning or cause of 
 a thing. 
 
 Mankind derive their origin from Adam 
 and Eve. 
 
 The origin of the quarrel between the two 
 friends, was a difference of opinion about a 
 very trifling affair. 
 
 O rig' i nal, (o rlj i nal, ) a. first, not 
 copied, not known before. 
 
 The composition was original. He wrote 
 it himself, and no person had ever written one 
 like it. 
 
 Os ten ta tious, a. fond and vain of 
 display. 
 
 » She had studied some Latin, and was so 
 ostentatious, that she often used words taken 
 from that language, when English ones would 
 have been far better. 
 
 Men of real learning and talents, are not 
 apt to be ostentatious. 
 
 Out' law, n. one cut off from the 
 benefit of the law, and the protec- 
 tion of government. 
 
 Out' rage, n. open and violent attack 
 or abuse. 
 
 They broke the windows of the church 
 during public service, and were committed 
 to prison for the outrage. 
 
 The mob became outrageous, and attempted 
 to pull down the house. 
 
 O vei* bear ing, a. assuming, attempt- 
 
 ing to control others in a haughty 
 and insolent manner. 
 
 His conduct was so overbearing that all 
 present were quite disgusted with it, and 
 treated him with the neglect which he de- 
 served. 
 
 O ver whelm, v. a. to cover over and 
 crush with something violent and 
 weighty. 
 
 The waves ran so high that the boat was 
 overwhelmed by them, and all who were in it 
 were drowned. 
 
 to bear down and crush the spirits. 
 
 The Psalmist says ; " Fearfulness and 
 trembling are come Upon me, and horror hath 
 _ overwhelmed me." 
 
 Owe, v. a. to be in debt, to have to 
 pay money to another. 
 
 After, paying all that he owes, he will have 
 little or nothing left. 
 
 to be under obligation to one for some 
 favor. 
 
 We constantly owe the deepest gratitude to 
 God for his mercies. 
 
 to have to ascribe one thing to an- 
 other as its cause. 
 
 He owes his success in business to his in- 
 dustry ; that is, his industry is the cause of 
 his success. 
 
 We owe all our blessings to the goodness 
 of God. 
 
 P. 
 
 T>a cif ic, a. tending to make peace, 
 peaceful. 
 
 His neighbors were quarrelling, and divi- 
 ded into parties. He would not take sides 
 with any, but pursued a pacific course, and 
 endeavored to reconcile them to each other. 
 
 Pac' i fy, (pas se fy,) v. a. to make 
 one quiet, to calm. 
 
 The child was crying, and the mother pa- 
 cified it by singing to it a sweet song. 
 
PAM 
 
 152 
 
 PAR 
 
 He pacified the anger of the man by kind 
 words. 
 
 Pa gan,w. a, heathen, a worshipper of 
 false gods. 
 
 Pal ace, n. a house in which an em- 
 peror, king, or prince lives. — a ve- 
 ry magnificent house. 
 
 Pal a ta ble, a. agreeable to the taste. 
 
 He was very thirsty, and the fresh orange 
 was palatable to him. 
 
 Pal li ate, v. a. to endeavor by ex- 
 cuses to make that which is wrong 
 appear less so. 
 
 He forged a note, and his friends palliated 
 his conduct by saying that he intended no 
 harm, and that he paid the note before any 
 injury took place. 
 
 to make less, to ease. 
 
 The medicine which he took palliated his 
 pain, but did not entirely remove it. 
 
 Paim, v. a. to cheat one by putting off 
 something upon him as different 
 from what it really is. 
 
 The pedlar palmed the plated spoons upon 
 the woman for silver ones, and got a great 
 price for them. 
 
 Pal pa ble, a. that may be felt, that 
 may be easily perceived or under- 
 stood. 
 
 The falsehood was so palpable, that nobody 
 was deceived by it. 
 
 Pal try, a. mean, worthless, despi- 
 cable. 
 
 He wore a shabby, paltry dress. 
 He made a paltry excuse for coming late, 
 and bad better have made none. 
 
 Pam per, v. a. to feed with dainty 
 food ; to glut. 
 
 The indulgent mother pampered her chil- 
 dren so much as to injure their health, and 
 make them dissatisfied with plain, wholesome 
 fore. 
 
 Pan ic, n. a sudden fright for which 
 there is no cause. 
 
 While the enemy was approaching, a panic 
 seized the troops and they fled from the field. 
 
 Pant, v. n. to beat as the heart does 
 in a sudden fright, or after violent 
 exercise ; to have the breast heave 
 as one does when out of breath. — ■ 
 to wish for earnestly. 
 
 " As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, 
 so panteth my soul after thee, O God." 
 
 Par a ble, n. a short story in which, 
 for the sake of moral instruction, 
 one person or thing is made to 
 represent another ; as the parable 
 of the prodigal son, and of the 
 rich man and Lazarus. 
 Par a graph, n. a distinct part of a 
 chapter, discourse, or book. 
 
 Jt was a letter on business, but had a con- 
 cluding paragraph respecting the duath of a 
 friend. 
 
 Par al lei, a. Lines are said to be 
 parallel, which if extended ever so 
 far either way will never rneet. 
 
 Things are said to be parallel to each 
 other, when there is a resemblance 
 between them in many important 
 respects. 
 
 Par a phrase, n. explaining the mean- 
 ing of a writer, in a clearer man- 
 ner and often in more words. 
 
 Par don, v. a. not to inflict the pun- 
 ishment which a guilty person de- 
 serves. 
 
 The President has power to pardon those 
 who have been convicted of breaking the 
 laws of the United States. 
 
 Pa rent al, a. relating to parents. 
 
PAR 
 
 153 
 
 PAR 
 
 The conduct of the young man shows that 
 in early life he was under good parental gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 kind and affectionate, as parents are 
 to their children. 
 
 The instructer watched over his pupils with 
 parental care. 
 
 Par ley, v. n. for two persons, or two 
 parties, to talk together on some 
 subject which concerns both. 
 
 After the battle, the two generals parleyed 
 together respecting an exchange of prisoners. 
 
 Par li« ment, n. the legislature of 
 Great Britain is called the parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 Par ri cide, n. one who murders a 
 parent.— the murder of a parent. 
 
 Par ry, v. a. to turn aside a blow. 
 
 The man struck at him with a heavy cud- 
 gel, but he parried it with his cane, so that 
 it did not hit him. 
 Par si mo ni ous, a. so excessively 
 careful in using or spending mon- 
 ey as to be mean. 
 
 Though in good circumstances he was so 
 parsimonious that he did not dress even de- 
 cently. 
 
 Par take, v. n. to have or take a part of. 
 
 It is common among the Arabs to invite 
 strangers to partake of their meals. 
 
 Par tial, a. inclined to favor one per- 
 son, or side, more than another. 
 
 Jacob was partial to Joseph, and it led his 
 brethren to hate him. 
 
 inclined to favor without a good rea- 
 son. 
 
 The teacher was partial to his own chil- 
 dren, and treated them better than the other 
 scholars, although they behaved no better. 
 
 relating to or affecting only a part, 
 not including the whole. 
 
 It was a partial eclipse, and only about 
 half the moon was darkened. 
 
 Par tic' i pate, (par tls i pate,) v. n. to 
 have a share of in common with 
 
 others. 
 
 He is no true friend who is not ready to 
 participate in your sorrows, as well as in 
 your joys. 
 
 Par ti cle, n. a very small part of a 
 thing, any thing very small. 
 
 He got a particle of dust in his eye which 
 troubled him much. 
 
 Par tic u lar, a. relating to a single 
 person or thing. 
 
 He took frequent walks into the country 
 for the particular purpose of collecting min- 
 erals. 
 
 noting a single thing as distinct from 
 others. 
 
 He always puts his cane in a particular 
 place in his study. 
 
 attentive to single things, or to single 
 parts of a thing. 
 
 Be particular in your examination of the 
 horse, and, if you like him in all respects, 
 buy him for me. 
 
 very nice and careful. 
 
 He is very particular in his dress, and al- 
 ways has his clothes cut after the same fash- 
 ion. 
 
 Par ty, n. a number of persons united, 
 and acting together in opposition 
 to others. 
 
 The people of England have for a long 
 time been divided into two great political 
 parties, — whig and tory. 
 
 one of two persons who go to law 
 with each other. 
 
 The party who sues is called the plaintiff, 
 and the party sued, the defendant. 
 
 a select company for some particular 
 purpose. 
 
 The sailing party was made up of three 
 gentlemen and five ladies. 
 
 one concerned in any affair. 
 
PAT 
 
 154 
 
 PAT 
 
 John was accused of being a party to the 
 mischief that was done, but he showed clear- 
 ly that he was innocent. 
 
 Pas sion, n. strong feeling or excite- 
 ment of mind ; as anger, love, joy, 
 grief, and the like. 
 
 Govern your passions, or they will govern 
 
 you. 
 
 When we say that a man has a passion for 
 a thing, we mean that he is extremely fond 
 of it, or attached to it ; as, he has a passion for 
 music. 
 
 By the passion of our. Saviour, is meant his 
 last sufferings. 
 
 Pass port, n. a written permission to 
 pass from one place to another. 
 
 Pas time, n, amusement, sport. 
 
 Pat ent, n. a writing made by author- 
 ity, and granting to one or more 
 persons an exclusive right. 
 
 He has obtained a patent for making a par- 
 ticular kind of plough ; so that any body else 
 who should attempt to make and use it might 
 be prosecuted. 
 
 Pa ter nal, a. relating to a father, af- 
 fectionate as a father is ; as the pa- 
 ternal relation of a father to his 
 children, the paternal government 
 of a school. 
 
 hereditary. 
 
 He lives in the paternal mansion which his 
 ancestors have inhabited for many genera- 
 tions. 
 
 Pa thet ic, a. moving the gentle and 
 tender feelings. 
 
 The music at the funeral was very pathetic, 
 and most of the audience were in tears. 
 
 Pa tient, a. quiet under suffering or 
 toil, not fretting or murmuring 
 against it. 
 
 His sickness was long and severe, but he 
 was so patient that he was not heard to utter 
 a groan or complaint. 
 
 bearing injuries calmly, and without 
 revengeful feelings. 
 
 " The patient in spirit, is better than the 
 proud in spirit." 
 
 Pa tri arch, n. father or head of a 
 family or tribe. 
 
 He lived to see his children, grand-children, 
 and even great grand-children settled around 
 him, and was a venerable patriarch in the 
 midst of them. 
 
 Pat ri mo ny, n. an estate received 
 from a father, or any ancestor. 
 
 He entered upon the possession of his pat- 
 rimony, which was a large farm, when he 
 was twenty-one years of age. 
 Pa tri ot, or pat ri ot, n. one who ar- 
 dently loves his country, and is > 
 ready to make great sacrifices for it. 
 
 Moses was a distinguished patriot; and 
 when the Lord threatened to destroy the Is- 
 raelites, and make of him and his family a 
 greater nation than they, he earnestly be- 
 sought the Lord not to do it. 
 
 Pa trol, or pa troll, n. going round a 
 camp or any other place, during the 
 night, to see that all things are safe 
 and the proper orders obeyed. 
 
 The persons who go round, are also called 
 a patrol. 
 Pat'ron Ize, v. a. to encourage by aid- 
 ing or favoring. 
 
 He has patronized the institution for the 
 blind, and made a large donation to it. 
 
 Several of the most respectable citizens 
 are patrons of the school, and send their chil- 
 dren to it. 
 
 Pat tern, n. something to be copied 
 or imitated. 
 
 Paul wrote to Titus to show himself a pat- 
 tern of good works. 
 
 a part of a thing shown, to let it be 
 seen what the rest is. 
 
 A brick-maker brought a brick with him. 
 
PEN 155 
 
 PEN 
 
 as a pattern of those which he could furnish 
 to the man who was about building a house. 
 
 Pau per, n. a poor person, usually 
 one that is supported at the public 
 expense. 
 
 Pawn, v. a. to leave something with 
 another, as security for money bor- 
 rowed, or a promise made, to be 
 his own if the money is not paid 
 at a certain time, or if the promise 
 is not fulfilled. 
 
 , She was so poor that she had to pawn a 
 valuable ring which her mother gave her, to 
 get bread for her children. 
 
 Plak, n. the pointed top of a hill or 
 mountain. 
 
 Peal, n. loud sounds following each 
 other ; as a peal of thunder, of 
 bells, or of cannon. 
 
 Pe cul' iar, (pe cul yar,) a. belong- 
 ing to one only, and not to others. 
 
 His eldest son has a very peculiar expres- 
 sion of countenance ; he looks like none of 
 the rest of the family. 
 
 singular, not common. 
 
 There was something so peculiar in his 
 manner of speaking, that they thought he 
 must be deranged. 
 
 . Pe cun' ia ry, (pe cim ya ry,) a. rela- 
 ting to or consisting of money. 
 
 A man ought to settle his accounts once a 
 year, and see what is the condition of his 
 pecuniary affairs. 
 
 Ped ant, n. one who is vain of his 
 learning, and loves to make a dis- 
 play of it. 
 
 The greatest pedants are often found among 
 those who know the least. 
 
 Men more easily bear^with one who is ig- 
 norant, than with one who is pedantic. 
 
 Pe nal, a. threatening punishment ; as 
 
 a penal law. — exposing to punish- 
 ment ; as a penal offence. 
 Pen al ty, n. the punishment which 
 the law threatens against offend- 
 ers. 
 
 He committed murder, and suffered the 
 penalty of the law by being hung. 
 
 what a person binds himself to for- 
 feit, or to suffer, if he does not do 
 as he promises. 
 
 He engaged, under a pe^ftlty of five hun- 
 dred dollars, to have the bridge finished by the 
 first of November. 
 
 Pen e trate, v. a. to pierce, or find its 
 way into. 
 
 He trod on a sharp thorn,' which penetra- 
 ted the sole of his shoe and wounded his 
 foot. 
 
 The dampness penetrated the walls of the 
 house. 
 
 to enter, or go into. 
 
 . They landed on the coast, but the inhabi- 
 tants had so warlike an appearance, that they 
 did not dare to penetrate the interior. 
 
 to understand something which is 
 very difficult. 
 
 Prince Maurice, duke of Saxony, so care- 
 fully concealed his design of attacking Charles 
 V. emperor of Germany, that the latter did 
 not penetrate it, and came very near being 
 taken prisoner. This happened in the year 
 1552. 
 
 We call him a man of penetration who can 
 understand very difficult things easily and 
 well. • 
 
 Pen i tent, a. truly sorry for having 
 done wrong, and resolving to do 
 so no more. 
 
 The boy was so penitent for having done 
 what his father forbade him to do, that he lay 
 awake a great part of the night thinking of 
 his fault ; and the next morning frankly con- 
 fessed it and asked his father's forgiveness. 
 
 Pen sion, n. something paid annually 
 
PER 
 
 156 
 
 PER 
 
 co a person, or to some one else 
 on his account, for his past ser- 
 vices. 
 
 He is an old soldier, and fought during the 
 revolutionary war, and now draws a pension 
 lrom the government of the United States. 
 
 Pe nu ri ous, a. very saving in mon- 
 ey, and sparing in spending it. 
 
 He is so penurious that he grudges to buy 
 the books which are necessary for his chil- 
 dren at school. 
 
 Per ceive, v.m. to take notice of, and 
 
 know things by seeing, hearing, 
 
 smelling, tasting, or feeling them. 
 
 A sailor is able to perceive a ship at a 
 
 great distance. 
 
 50 see in the mind, to understand. 
 
 It was some time before he perceived that 
 the word had a different meaning from what 
 He had been accustomed to give it. 
 
 Per cep tion, n. the faculty, or act, of 
 perceiving things by the senses ; 
 as the perception of light, of fra- 
 grance, or of a sound. 
 
 idea. 
 
 He had the clearest perceptions on the 
 subject, and communicated them in the most 
 forcible manner. 
 
 Per cep ti ble, a. that which can be 
 perceived. 
 
 The brothers looked so much alike, that 
 the difference between them was not percep- 
 tible, except by their intimate acquaintance. 
 
 Per feet, a. deficient in nothing ; so 
 good or right, that nothing can be 
 added to it, or taken from it to 
 make it more so. 
 
 The likeness is perfect, not a fault can be 
 found with it. 
 
 The perfect character of Christ, is one of 
 the strongest proofs that those who wrote 
 the account of it were inspired by God. 
 
 Per form, v. a. to do, or go through 
 
 with, what one undertakes or prom- 
 ises to do. 
 
 Samuel performed the task which was set 
 him by three o'clock, and then went to play. 
 
 He performed the promise which he made 
 to his children of giving them presents on 
 New-Year's day. 
 
 Several of the scholars spoke pieces, and 
 read compositions, at the examination, and 
 it was thought that their performances were 
 very good. 
 
 Per il, n. very great danger. 
 
 A sudden flaw of wind upset the sail-boat, 
 and they were in peril of losing their lives. 
 
 danger threatened. 
 
 He pointed a gun at the man who was at- 
 tempting to break into the house, and told 
 him not to enter at his peril. 
 
 Pe ri od, n. the time in which any 
 thing is performed, or brought to 
 a close, so as to begin again in 
 the same manner. 
 
 The period of the moon's revolution round 
 the earth is twenty-seven days and a half. 
 
 any definite portion of time ; as a 
 period of two hours, of five days, 
 of eight months, of fifty years. 
 
 the time during which a thing con- 
 tinues. 
 
 He has been sick and confined to the house 
 for a long period. 
 
 the end or conclusion. 
 
 His sudden death put a period to all the high 
 expectations of his friends concerning him. 
 
 A certain number of words so arranged as 
 to make complete sense, and at the end of 
 which is a full stop, is called a period. The 
 full stop itself, is also called a period. 
 
 Pe ri 6d i cal, a. performed or brought 
 to a close within a certain time, 
 so as to begin again in the same 
 manner. 
 
 The planet Mercury completes its period- 
 ical revolution round the sun in three months. 
 
PER 
 
 157 
 
 PER 
 
 happening, or done, at times which 
 follow each other with equal por- 
 tions of time between them. 
 
 He made a periodical visit to his mother on 
 her birth-day, as long as she lived. 
 
 Per ma nent, a. continuing without 
 end or change. 
 
 The laws of God are permanent. 
 
 lasting long, fixed. 
 
 He had often removed from one place to 
 another, but at length made his permanent 
 residence in Philadelphia. 
 
 Per ni' cious, (per nish us,) a. caus- 
 ing great injury, destructive. 
 
 The late frost, it is feared, will be perni- 
 cious to the fruit. 
 
 The young should use great care in the 
 choice of the books which they read, for there 
 are not a few which are very pernicious to 
 good morals. 
 
 Per pet u al, a. never ceasing, with- 
 out end. 
 
 The body dies, but the existence of the 
 soul will be perpetual. 
 
 going on without interruption. 
 
 At all seasons, even in the driest, the 
 spring never failed to give an abundant 
 supply of water. A perpetual stream ran 
 from it. 
 
 Per plex, v. a. to entangle, to put in 
 such a state that the mind is em- 
 barrassed, and at a loss what to 
 think flr do. 
 
 The traveller came to a point in the road, 
 where it branched off into two other roads 
 running nearly in the same direction, and he 
 was perplexed to know which to take. 
 
 Per se cute, v. a. to pursue and in- 
 flict repeated injury upon a person, 
 maliciously and unjustifiably. 
 
 He had an old grudge against his neighbor, 
 and persecuted him by continually circulating 
 false reports about his character. 
 
 to inflict pain or punishment upon a 
 person on account of his religious 
 belief. 
 
 "Blessed are ye. when men shall revile 
 you, and persecute you, and say all manner 
 of evil against you falsely, for my sake." 
 
 to vex by importunity. 
 
 In some of the cities of Europe, strangers 
 are persecuted in the streets by the clamor- 
 ous requests of the beggars for charity. 
 
 Per se ve ranee, n. going on firmly 
 and steadily with what one has 
 begun. 
 
 Tamerlane, a distinguished Tartar prince, 
 after, being defeated by his enemies, saw an 
 ant try sixty-nine times, without success, to 
 carry a kernel of grain up a high wall. The 
 seventieth time it succeeded, and this exam- 
 ple of the ant excited Tamerlane to new per- 
 severance. 
 
 Per sist, v. n. to keep on, with a fix- 
 ed determination, in what one has 
 t^gun. 
 
 Daniel was disobedient, and persisted in 
 flying his kite in the street, although his moth- 
 er had repeatedly forbidden him to do so. 
 
 Per suade, v. a. to induce one, by ar- 
 gument or motives, without the use 
 of fear or force; to think or act in 
 a particular manner. 
 
 The deranged man reasoned so well, that 
 he persuaded the keeper to let him walk in 
 the yard, and soon after made his escape. 
 
 The evidence of his innocence is so clear, 
 that I am fully persuaded of the truth of it. 
 
 Pe ru sal, n. reading any thing. 
 Per vade, v. a. to pass through, or 
 into all parts of a thing. 
 
 The rose had a delicious fragrance which 
 pervaded the room. 
 
 At his death, deep sorrow pervaded the 
 whole city. 
 
 Per verse, a. strongly disposed to 
 what is wrong, and obstinate in it. 
 
PIE 
 
 The Jews of old were a very perverse peo- 
 ple; they were continually turning aside 
 from the service of the true God to the wor- 
 ship of idols. 
 
 Per vert, v. a. to make wrong, or to 
 make a wrong use of, by turning 
 from what is true, right and 
 proper. 
 
 A merchant perverted the Sabbath by 
 spending the day in making out his accounts. 
 
 The sons of Samuel, the prophet, did not 
 follow his good example, but through love of 
 money took bribes, and did not judge justly. 
 They perverted judgment. 
 
 A wicked man took much pains to pervert 
 a young man who was often in his company, 
 and at length made him as corrupt as him- 
 self. 
 
 Pe ti' tion, (pe tish un,) n. asking 
 earnestly for something which one 
 wants. 
 
 The class wrote and signed a petition to 
 the master, that he would once a month, on 
 Saturday afternoon, go out with them intothe 
 fields and collect minerals. 
 
 Phi Ian thro pist, n. one who loves all 
 men, and strives to do them good. 
 
 Phi 16s o pher, n. a person of great 
 knowledge, and who understands 
 well the reasons of things. 
 
 Benjamin was so studious, and thoughtful, 
 and so often inquired about the causes of 
 things, that they called him "the little phi- 
 losopher." 
 
 Phys i cal, a. not relating to mind, re- 
 lating to matter. 
 
 His mind was feeble, but he had great 
 physical strength ; he could do as much 
 work in a day as any man. 
 
 The state has but a small army and navy. 
 It has little physical force. But its schools, 
 colleges, benevolent and religions institutions, 
 and wise and able men, give it great moral 
 power. 
 
 Pi e ty, n. love and reverence to- 
 
 158 
 
 PIT 
 
 wards God, with obedience to his 
 will. — this word is sometimes used 
 to denote the love, reverence, and 
 obedience which a dutiful child 
 shows towards his father or mother. 
 Pil grim, n. a traveller, especially one 
 who travels on some religious ac- 
 count. 
 
 Thousands of pilgrims visit the tomb of 
 Mohammed at Mecca every year. 
 
 Pil lage, v. a. to search after, and 
 carry things away, wrongfully, — 
 usually with violence, and by a 
 number of persons. 
 
 The enemy's troops entered the town, and 
 pillaged the houses of all the valuable articles 
 they could find. 
 
 Pi lot, n. one whose .business it is to 
 
 steer a ship ; a guide. 
 Pine, v. n. to waste away by degrees 
 
 from anxiety, sorrow, or longing 
 
 greatly for something. 
 
 They had lived happily together for more 
 than fifty years, and when his wife died he 
 pined away so rapidly that he soon^follo%red 
 her to the grave. 
 
 When he first went away to school, he 
 pined so much 'to go home that he lost his 
 appetite, and became quite sick. 
 
 Pi rate, n. one who commits robbery 
 on the seas. — the vessel yi which 
 pirates sail. — 
 
 One who steals, and uses as his own, what 
 others have written or published, is some- 
 times called a pirate. 
 
 Pit i ful, a. feeling tenderly and 
 kindly towards those who are suf- 
 fering, with a desire to relieve 
 them. 
 
 " The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender 
 mercy." 
 
PLE 
 
 159 
 
 PLY 
 
 " He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to 
 the Lord." 
 
 moving compassion. 
 
 The little beggar girl told so pitiful and true a 
 story, that she received aid wherever she went. 
 
 contemptible, mean. 
 
 He made use of a pitiful trick to get above 
 another scholar in the class, by whispering in his 
 ear and giving him a wrong spelling of a word. 
 
 Plague, n. any thing which troubles 
 or vexes one. 
 
 He never was fond of little children ; they 
 seem always to be a plague to him. 
 
 The evils which God inflicted upon Pharaoh, 
 and the Egyptians, were called plagves. 
 
 a violent and fatal disease which is 
 common in the east. 
 
 Plain, a. smooth, flat ; as plain ground. 
 — not having ornament ; as a plain 
 dress.— without disguise or reserve. 
 
 He told the plain truth, although he saw 
 that it would give offense. 
 
 easy to be seen or understood. 
 
 He gave me very plain directions, and I 
 found the house without any difficulty. 
 Plan, n. a drawing or representation, 
 as of a harbor, a city, a building, 
 and the like, 
 the marking out and arranging how a 
 thing is to be made or done. 
 
 He drew several plans for the new church, 
 and laid them before the building committee. 
 
 The teacher gave his scholars a plan for 
 studying history, in which he put down the 
 different books to be read, and the order m 
 which he wished to have them read. 
 
 Plau si ble, a. appearing to be true 
 or right. 
 
 He told a very plausible story to account 
 for his absence, but on a clo*se examination it 
 
 ^ roved to be false. 
 ead, v. n. to use arguments or en- 
 treaties, in favor of or against. • 
 
 When he was carried off as a prisoner by 
 the Indians, he pleaded hard with them for 
 his life. 
 v. a. to offer as an apology or excuse. 
 
 Every one is supposed to know what the 
 laws of his country are, and no offender is 
 allowed to escape punishment by pleading 
 that he is ignorant of them. 
 
 Pledge, n. a pawn ; — any thing given 
 or regarded as security for the per- 
 formance of something which is to 
 be done. 
 
 His character for integrity was so well known, 
 that his word was considered a sufficient 
 pledge that he would do what he promised. 
 
 PlI a ble, a. easy to be bent ; as the 
 
 tender branch of a willow-tree, 
 easy to be influenced or persuaded. 
 
 He is a lovely youth, but has so pliable a 
 disposition that he is in great danger of being 
 led astray by evil companions. 
 
 Plight, n. condition. 
 
 She had on a new dress, and was overtaken 
 by a violent storm, so that when she reached 
 home she was in a sad plight. 
 
 The animals on his farm are well taken 
 care of, and in good plight. 
 
 Plot, n. a secret design or plan to do 
 some wicked thing. 
 
 Absalom and his friends formed a plot to 
 dethrone his father David, which was not 
 successful, 
 
 Plun der, v. a. to take and carry 
 things away wrongfully, and usual- 
 ly with violence. 
 
 In Spain there are bands of robbers who 
 often plunder travellers of their money and 
 other valuable articles. 
 
 While the family were absent from the 
 city, the thieves broke into the house and 
 plundered it. 
 
 Ply, v. a. to lay out strength, or work 
 upon, with continued effort. 
 
 She was a poor woman, and was obliged to 
 
POP 
 
 160 
 
 POS 
 
 ply her needle from morning till night, in 
 order to support'her family. 
 
 to press upon with importunity. 
 
 The daughter plied her mother with con- 
 tinued entreaties and arguments, to let her 
 study French in the same class with several 
 of her companions. 
 
 Pol i tic, a. using means which are 
 well fitted to produce some end. 
 
 He was very politic in calling first upon 
 the person who he thought might oppose his 
 plan, and persuading him to approve it. 
 
 Po lit i cal, a. relating to the govern- 
 ment of a country and its affairs. 
 
 He was a long time in office, and his politi- 
 cal conduct was such that even those of the 
 opposite party could not find fault with it. 
 
 Pol i ti' cian, (pol i tish an,) n. one 
 well skilled in the art of governing 
 a country. 
 
 In the United States almost every one 
 trunks he is a politician. 
 Pol lute, v. a. to corrupt. 
 
 He was a vile wretch and polluted the 
 morals of many of his young companions. 
 
 £0 injure a thing by mixing something 
 bad with it. 
 
 A mischievous boy poured some ink into 
 the pail of water which was brought into the 
 school, and polluted it. 
 
 Pomp, n. a show of what is grand and 
 splendid. 
 
 When a king is crowned, the nobles, and 
 persons of high distinction, assemble on the 
 occasion, which is one of great pomp. 
 
 Pon der, v. a. to think deliberately 
 and seriously on some important 
 thing. 
 
 " Ponder the path of thy feet ;" — look well to 
 the course you are taking lest you fall into sin. 
 
 Pop u lace, n. In Europe the lower 
 class of people is called the pop- 
 ulace. 
 
 Pop u lar, a. relating to the people in 
 general. 
 
 When the great body of the people agree 
 in opinion or wishes, we call it the popular 
 voice. 
 
 suited to the people in general. 
 
 He has written a popular work on astron- 
 omy, so as to make it plain to those who 
 have not given much attention to the sub 
 ject._ 
 
 pleasing to the people in general. 
 
 It was a very popular measure, and not one 
 throughout the whole country was found who 
 
 Pop u la tion, n. the whole number 
 of people in a place, state, or 
 country. 
 
 The. population of the United States, 
 according to the census of 1840, was 
 17,100,572. 
 
 Pop u lous, a. full of inhabitants. 
 
 London is the most populous city in Eu- 
 rope. 
 
 Por tion, n. part of a thing. — a part 
 of a thing assigned to a particular 
 person. 
 
 The mother divided the fruit into six por- 
 tions, and gave one to each of the children. 
 
 the part of an estate which is given 
 to a child or heir. 
 
 The prodigal son said to his father ; " Give 
 me the portion of goods that falleth to me." 
 
 Po si tion, (po zish un,) n. the pla£e 
 where a thing stands, or is put. 
 
 . Their position at the window was such, 
 that they had a good view of the whole pro- 
 cession. 
 
 the manner in which a person or 
 thing stands, or is placed. 
 
 The entrance into the cavern was so low, 
 that they could not walk into it in an upright 
 position, but were obliged to creep on their 
 hands and feet. . 
 
 When a person affirms something to be 
 
POS 
 
 161 
 
 PRA 
 
 true, and reasons from it, we say, he lays it 
 down as a position. 
 
 Pos i tive, a. not implied, direct. 
 
 We did not have to guess what he meant. 
 He made a positive declaration about the 
 matter in so many words. 
 
 absolute. 
 
 His father gave him a positive command 
 not to go into the river to swim without per- 
 mission. 
 
 really existing. 
 
 To be free from troublesome companions, 
 is a negative good; but to have agreeable 
 ones, is a positive good. 
 
 feeling very sure that a thing is so. 
 
 He told the farmer, that he was positive he 
 had seen his lost horse on the mountain. 
 
 Pos ses sion, n. the having, holding, 
 or occupying a thing, in some cases 
 rightfully, and in others wrongful- 
 
 He has come into possession of a large es- 
 tate by the death of his grandfather. 
 
 He claimed that the watch which was in 
 the other man's possession, belonged to him. 
 
 The possession of great power, often 
 makes men haughty and unfeeling. 
 
 the thing owned. 
 
 God gave Mount Seir to Esau for a posses- 
 sion. 
 
 Pos si ble, a. that which can be, or 
 can be done. 
 
 It is possible for me, to-day, to raise my 
 hand to my head ; but I could not do it last 
 week, for I had the rheumatism. 
 
 It is possible for him to get the lesson, if 
 he would only study it carefully. 
 
 that which may be, or may be done. 
 It is possible that he may arrive here in a 
 week, but not very probable. 
 
 Pos ter i ty, n. A man's children, 
 grand -children, great -grand-chil- 
 dren, and so on, including all his 
 descendants, are called his posteri- 
 11 
 
 ty. — All the generations of men 
 which come after the present gen- 
 eration, are called posterity. 
 Post pone', (post pone',) v. a. to put 
 off to a future time. 
 
 The day for the exhibition was so rainy, 
 that it was postponed for another week. 
 
 Pos-ture, n. the manner of sitting, 
 standing, or reclining. 
 
 A well-bred man will take care |c avoid all 
 unbecoming postures of body. 
 
 condition. 
 
 The army was disbanded, the navy was 
 neglected, and the forts were out of repair. 
 The country was in a bad posture for a war. 
 Pow' er, n. I can think ; that is, I 
 f have the power to think. — I can 
 rise up and walk ; that is, I have 
 the power to do it. 
 
 The boy can do what his father tells him to 
 do ; that is, he has power to obey his father. — 
 He can do much good with his property ; that 
 is, he has the power of doing good. — He can 
 tell what is right from what is wrong ; that is, 
 he has the power of distinguishing right from 
 wrong. Brutes have not this power. — The 
 water from the pond moves the great wheel of 
 the factory, and that moves all the smaller 
 wheels. The water is the moving power. — 
 He can, by argument and persuasion, lead bis 
 friends to do as he wishes. *He has great 
 power over their minds. — Authority, command, 
 government, are also called power; as, the 
 power of the ancient Romans extended over a 
 large part of the world which was then known. 
 
 Prac ti ca ble, a. that which can be 
 done. 
 
 The men sent out to examine the ground, 
 said that although it was very rough and* 
 hilly, it was practicable to make a good road 
 over it. 
 
 Prac ti cal, a. relating to the doing of 
 things. 
 
 He had not read and studied much, but he 
 
PRE 
 
 162 
 
 PRE 
 
 understood well how to carry on the common 
 business of life. He had a great deal of 
 practical knowledge. 
 
 He does not merely think how things ought 
 to be done ; but he has done them himself so 
 often, that he knows very well how to do them. 
 He is a practical man. 
 Prac tice, n. doing a thing frequently 
 and regularly. 
 
 He is in the constant practice of walking 
 before breakfast. 
 
 not merely thinking, studying, or 
 talking about a thing, but doing 
 it. 
 
 When he became a clerk, he put the 
 know>dge of arithmetic which he acquired 
 at school, into practice. 
 
 When a physician has much to do in his 
 profession, we say he has an extensive pracj 
 tice. 
 
 Pre cau tion, n. care taken before- 
 hand to guard against some evil or 
 danger. 
 
 If Lord Nelson, at the battle of Trafalgar, 
 had taken the precaution of laying aside the 
 decorations which distinguished him as an 
 Admiral, he might not have been killed. 
 
 Pre cede, v. a. to go before. 
 
 Monday precedes Tuesday. 
 In the procession the teacher of each school 
 preceded his scholars. 
 
 Prec' e dent, (pres se dent,) n. some- 
 thing that has been said or done, 
 and which is used as an example, 
 or to justify the saying or doing 'a 
 similar thing again. 
 
 The Americans refused to pay a small tax 
 on tea, because they feared it might be made 
 » a precedent by the British government for 
 laying other taxes upon them. 
 
 Pre cept, n. a direction or rule of 
 conduct given by authority. 
 
 Our Saviour's sermon on the mount is full 
 of excellent precepts. 
 
 Pre' cious, (presh us,) a. of great 
 price. 
 
 " A good name is better than precious oint- 
 ment." 
 esteemed or valued highly. 
 
 He kept a lock of his mother's hair as a 
 precious memorial of her. 
 
 Pre else, a. exact in every particu- 
 lar. 
 
 He sent his son to market, and gave him 
 precise directions what to buy, and how much 
 of each article. 
 
 When a man is excessively exact and par- 
 ticular in all that he says and does, he is called 
 a precise man. 
 
 Pre elude, v. a. to shut out, or keep 
 from, by something done before- 
 hand. 
 
 His mean and wicked conduct has preclu- 
 ded him from all good society. 
 
 Pred e ces sor, n. one who has been 
 before another in some office or 
 place. 
 
 Moses was the predecessor of Joshua as- 
 the leader of the Israelites, 
 
 Pre die tion, n. a telling beforehand 
 what is to happen. 
 
 The predictions in the almanacs about the 
 weather, are too foolish to be at all regarded. 
 
 Pref ace, n. something said at the 
 beginning, to tell what is to follow, 
 or to explain it. 
 
 The preface is short, and ought to be read 
 before studying the book. 
 
 Pre fer, v. a. to like one better than 
 another. 
 
 The captive Jews in Babylon loved their 
 country, and one of them said ; " If I do not 
 remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the 
 roof of my mouth ; if I prefer not Jerusalem 
 above my chief joy." 
 
 Many regard the winter as preferable to the 
 summer for study. 
 
PRE 
 
 163 
 
 PRE 
 
 Have no preference without a good reason 
 for it. '. , . , 
 
 to advance or raise to some higher 
 station. 
 
 Darius preferred Daniel to be chief over 
 all the other officers of his kingdom. 
 
 Pre fix, n. a letter, syllable, or word, 
 placed at the beginning of a word, 
 which generally varies its mean- 
 ing ; as un before able in unable, 
 and re in rebuild. 
 
 Prej u dice, n. an opinion or decision 
 formed beforehand, and without 
 proper examination. 
 
 His prejudice in favor of the old mode of 
 instruction was so strong, that he thought no 
 improvements could be made in it. 
 
 a strong like or dislike for a thing 
 without any good reason. 
 
 One of the family had injured him while 
 a boy, and he always afterwards had a strong 
 prejudice against persons of the same 
 name. 
 
 injury. 
 
 It was quite a prejudice to his business, 
 that his clerk was not more attentive to the 
 customers. 
 
 Pre ma ture,a. ripe too soon, formed 
 before the proper time, said or done 
 too soon. 
 
 He had a premature mind, and could read 
 well when he was only three years old. 
 
 He made up his mind against the book after 
 only one day's trial. It was a premature de- 
 cision. 
 
 Pre med i tate, v. a. to think of and 
 contrive beforehand. 
 
 (Jhe robbers had premeditated an attack 
 upon the travellers, but were deterred from 
 doing it- by hearing that they were armed. 
 
 Pre mi um, n. something valuable 
 offered to the person who shall ex- 
 
 cel in a certain thing, or who shall 
 do a certain thing. 
 
 She got the premium, which was five 
 dollars, for making the best butter. 
 
 The Agricultural Society offered a premium 
 4 a silver cup, for the discovery of a sure 
 mode of destroying the canker worm. 
 
 Pre scribe, v. a. for a physician to 
 direct what medicines a patient is 
 to take, or how he is to be treated. 
 — to give rule* or directions with 
 authority. 
 
 A farmer prescribed the tasks which were 
 to be performed by his sons during his ab- 
 sence. 
 
 Pre serve, v. a. to keep safe from de- 
 cay, injury, or any evil. 
 
 He has preserved the book, with great care, 
 which was given him as a reward for good 
 conduct at school, when he was a boy. 
 
 Pre sume, v. n. to suppose a thing to 
 be true, without examination or 
 positive proof. 
 
 As the weather was favorable, he said he 
 presumed that the steam- boat had arrived, 
 though he had not been down to the river to 
 see. 
 
 to venture without positive permis- 
 sion. 
 
 As he was an old friend of the family, he 
 presumed to call at a very early hour. 
 
 Pre su ming, a. too forward and bold. 
 
 Though the youngest person in the com- 
 pany, he was so presuming as to talk very 
 loudly and confidently on subjects about 
 which he knew very little. 
 
 Pre sump tu ous, a. too bold and dar- 
 ing. 
 
 The boy was so presumptuous, that he 
 climbed a lofty tree, and went out on one of 
 its weakest branches to get a bird's nest. , 
 
 taking too much upon one's self, too 
 forward. 
 
PRI 
 
 164 
 
 PRO 
 
 It was very presumptuous in the young 
 man to seat himself at the head, of the table, 
 without being asked tn do it, when several 
 persons older than himself were present. 
 
 done directly against conscience, and 
 what one clearly knows to be Ins 
 duty. 
 
 It was a presumptuous sin in David to take 
 the life of Uriah. 
 
 Pre vail, v. n. to overcome, to get the 
 advantage of. 
 
 After a war of several^years with the Brit- 
 ish, the Americans prevailed, and established 
 their independence. 
 
 to have power or influence. 
 
 After a long conversation, a teacher pre- 
 vailed upon the mother to send her child to 
 the Sunday school. 
 
 to be general in its influence. 
 
 The influenza prevailed throughout the 
 whole town ; scarcely a family escaped. 
 
 It was a prevalent opinion in ancient times, 
 that the parts of the world near the equator 
 were too hot to be inhabited. 
 
 Pre vent, v. a. to keep a thing from 
 happening or being done. 
 
 He was prevented from fulfilling his en- 
 gagement by being taken suddenly sick. 
 An ounce of prevention is better than a 
 * pound of cure. * 
 
 Pre vi ous, a. before something else. 
 
 In his letter he mentioned something which 
 he had written in a previous one. 
 
 Prey, (pra,) n. something seized with 
 violence, to be devoured or carried 
 off. 
 
 The wolf made a prey of the young lamb. 
 An animal that lives on other animals, is 
 called an animal of prey. 
 
 Pride, ■ n. thinking very highly o'f 
 one's self. 
 
 Parmenio, a distinguished general of Alex- 
 ander, said one day to his son who showed a 
 great deal of pride ; " My son, be less." 
 
 " When pride cometh, then cometh shame , 
 but with the lowly is wisdom." 
 
 Prince, n. a sovereign, a chief ruler. 
 
 — a king's son. 
 Prln ci pal, a. chief. 
 
 The principal families in the town patron 
 ized the young painter, by having their like- 
 nesses taken. 
 
 He said he had only time to answer the 
 principal arguments of his opponent. 
 
 Pri vate, a. belonging or relating to a 
 particular person. 
 
 He owned a factory in company with his 
 brother, and had considerable private proper- 
 ty besides; 
 
 away from company or observation, 
 alone. 
 
 He staid at the hotel a week, and took a 
 private parlor for himself and his family. 
 
 secret, not public. 
 
 He wrote a letter to the individual, and 
 wished him to consider it as private, and not 
 to be seen by any one. 
 
 A private citizen is one who holds no office. 
 
 Friv i lege, n. a right or advantage 
 enjoyed by some and not by others. 
 
 Members of Congress have the privilege of 
 franking letters, that is, of sending them by 
 the mail free of postage. 
 
 The gentleman with whom he lived, when 
 a boy, had a large library, and gave him the 
 privilege of taking books from it. 
 
 Prize, v. a. to set a price upon. 
 
 He prized the goods at forty dollars. 
 
 to esteem, to value highly. 
 
 She has made a collection of the autographs, 
 or hand-writing, of many distinguished indi- 
 viduals, which she prizes very much. 
 
 Prob a ble, a. likely to be true or to 
 happen, though not certain. 
 
 Dark clouds are rising in the south, Ad it 
 is probable that there will soon be rain. 
 
 Pro ceed, v. n. to go forward. 
 
 He rose at sun-rise and proceeded on his 
 journey. 
 
PRO 
 
 165 
 
 PRO 
 
 to go from, or out of. 
 
 " Let no corrupt communication proceed 
 out of your mouth." 
 
 to carry on any business or course of 
 action. 
 
 In taking whales, the sailors have to pro- 
 ceed with much caution. 
 
 to come from as from a cause. 
 
 His misery has proceeded from his own 
 misconduct. 
 
 Proc' ess, (pros es,) n. a moving or 
 going forward. 
 
 In process of time, Robert, if he lives, will 
 grow up to be a man. 
 
 the particular manner in which a 
 thing takes place, is made, or is 
 done. 
 
 He took his son to the pottery, to show him 
 the process of making a pitcher out of a lump 
 of clay. 
 Pro ces sion, n. a number of persons 
 moving after each other in regular 
 order, on some solemn or impor- 
 tant occasion. 
 Pro claim, v. a. to make known in a 
 public manner, and often with au- 
 thority. 
 
 When Nineveh was threatened with de- 
 struction by the prophet Jonah, the king pro- 
 claimed a fast to be kept by all the inhab- 
 itants. 
 
 Pro cure, v. a. to get by care, effort, 
 purchase, or request. 
 
 He is poor, and has to work hard to pro- 
 cure the necessaries of life for himself and 
 family. 
 
 to cause or bring about. 
 
 He did not like the captain of the steam- 
 boat, and tried all he could to procure his dis- 
 mission from that office. 
 
 to gain. 
 
 His good conduct procured him the love 
 and esteem of all who knew him. 
 
 Prod i gal, a. spending in a wasteful 
 and extravagant manner. 
 
 His father died and left him a large estate ; 
 but he was so prodigal that he had squander- 
 ed it all before he became of age. 
 
 Caligula, a Roman emperor, was so prod- 
 igal, that in little more than a year he spent a * 
 fortune of eighteen millions of pounds ster- 
 ling left him by Tiberius, his predecessor. 
 
 He was prodigal of his time, and wasted a 
 great part of the day in the bar-room of a 
 neighboring tavern. 
 
 Pro duce, v. a. to bring forward to 
 view or notice. 
 
 John told the master he had received a let- 
 ter from his father requesting him to come 
 home. The master asked him to produce it. 
 
 to bear, to bring forth. 
 
 .The tree produced apples which had one 
 half sweet, and the other half sour. 
 
 to cause to be. 
 
 One thoughtless word often produces a 
 great deal of mischief. 
 
 Pro due tion, n. act of producing. 
 
 The soil of one part of his farm was pecu- 
 liarly favorable to the production of potatoes. 
 
 the thing produced. 
 
 Rice, cotton, and silk, are the chief produc- 
 tions of Hindoostan. 
 
 Pro fane, a. treating sacred things 
 , without reverence. 
 
 He is very profane in his conversation ; he 
 uses the name of God lightly, and speaks dis- 
 respectfully of the Bible. 
 
 relating to the affairs and business of 
 this world. 
 
 Moses wrote sacred history, and Herodo- 
 tus, profane history. — In the Bible, things ' 
 consecrated to God are called holy, and other 
 things, profane. 
 
 Pro fes sion, n. an open declaration 
 of what one thinks, feels, or be- 
 lieves. 
 
 The early Christians were not afraid to 
 make a public profession of their Jaith in 
 
PRO 
 
 166 
 
 PRO 
 
 Christ, though it often exposed them to die 
 as martyrs. 
 
 regular business or employment 
 • which requires not mechanical 
 
 skill, but study and thought; as 
 'the profession of a clergyman, of a 
 
 lawyer, of a physician. 
 Prof it, n. what a thing is sold for 
 
 above what it cost. 
 
 He bought fifteen bushels of apples for 
 twenty-five cents a bushel, and sold them for 
 thirty cents a bushel. What profit did he 
 make on the whole ? 
 gain, advantage. 
 
 " In all labor there is profit, but the talk of 
 the lips tendeth only to penury." 
 
 Pro found', a. very deep ; as the pro- 
 found ocean. 
 
 deep in thought, requiring close 
 thinking to understand it. 
 
 The eternity of God is a very profound sub- 
 ject ; no human mind can comprehend it. 
 
 We call him a profound man who thinks 
 deeply and closely, and understands difficult 
 subjects. 
 
 Pro fuse, a. spending, using, or giv- 
 ing away things very freely and 
 immoderately. 
 
 Cataline, a wicked Roman conspirator, was 
 very eager to get other men's property, an* 
 very profuse of his own. 
 
 abounding in a great degree. 
 
 When the maple trees were cut down and 
 cleared away, there came up a profuse growth 
 of pines. 
 
 She loves flowers, and has a profusion of 
 them in her garden. 
 
 Prog ress, n. moving forward, advan- 
 cin §: 
 
 He is very diligent, and makes rapid pro- 
 gress in his studies. 
 Pro hib it, v. a. to forbid with au- 
 thority. 
 
 Christians are prohibited by the Mohamme- 
 dans from entering their mosques. 
 
 Proj ect, n. something new, useful, 
 or important to be made or accom- 
 plished, with the plan for doing it. 
 
 A project has been formed for cutting a ca- 
 nal across the isthmus of Darien, so as to 
 unite the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. 
 
 Prom i nent, a. standing out farther 
 than the other parts around it. 
 
 He has a prominent nose. 
 
 distinguished above others. 
 
 He was a prominent man, and most stran- 
 gers who visited the city wished to be intro- 
 duced to him. 
 Pro mote, v. a. to aid in carrying for- 
 ward. 
 
 The discovery of the art of printing has 
 very much promoted the diffusion of know- 
 ledge throughout the world. 
 
 to raise to a higher station or office. 
 
 For his great braveiy, he was promoted 
 from the rank of captain to that of major. 
 
 Prompt, a. quick and ready without 
 any delay. 
 
 A gentleman said to a child; "Tell me 
 where God is, and I will give you an orange." 
 The prompt reply of the child was ; " Tell 
 me where he is not, and I will give you two." 
 
 Ledyard, the traveller, being asked how 
 soon he could be ready to start for Africa, if 
 it should be thought best to have him go, his 
 prompt reply was, " To-morrow." 
 
 Children should render prompt obedience 
 to their parents. 
 
 Proof, n. trial, doing something to 
 find out what is- true. 
 
 Before he bought the pencils, he made 
 proof of them, to see if they w r ere good, by 
 writing with them on a slate. 
 
 " Prove all things ; hold fast that which is 
 good." 
 
 the amount of evidence which con- 
 vinces the mind that a thing is 
 true or false, right or wrong. 
 
 • 
 
PRO 
 
 167 
 
 PRO 
 
 There was much evidence brought forward 
 in court to show that the prisoner was guilty ; 
 but the jury did not think that the proof of it 
 was clear, and acquitted him. 
 
 A. judge who cannot be influenced by a 
 bribe, is said to be proof against it. 
 
 A wall of a fort which cannot be pene- 
 trated by cannon balls, is said to be proof 
 against them. 
 
 Proph e cy, n. a foretelling of some- 
 thing which is to happen, and 
 which cannot be foreseen by our 
 knowledge of what has already 
 happened. . 
 
 In the Bible are many prophecies relating 
 to Christ, and his coming into our world, 
 which were made long before he appeared. 
 
 Pro por tion, n. Our arms are just 
 long enough for strength, and ease 
 of motion and use. There is a 
 good proportion between them and 
 the other parts of the body. 
 
 He merely smiled in school, and the mas- 
 ter punished him severely for it. There was 
 no proportion between his fault and the pun- 
 ishment. 
 
 When a person has his proper share 
 of a thing, we s^iy, he has his proportion 
 of it. 
 
 Pro pose, v. a. to offer something to 
 be considered, to be determined, 
 or to be acted upon. 
 
 When Themistocles told the Athenians, 
 that he had a secret plan for placing them at 
 the head of Greece, they directed him to com- 
 municate it to Aristides. It was to burn the 
 fleet of their allies. Aristides told the Athe- 
 nians, that nothing could be more advanta- 
 geous than what Themistocles proposed, nor 
 at the same time more unjust ; and they re- 
 fused to do it. 4 
 
 When one says., " I propose to go to Bos- 
 ton to-morrow," it means that he intends to 
 do it. 
 
 Pros' e cute, v. a. to continue doing, 
 
 with a design to accomplish some 
 particular object. 
 
 He began the study of German last month, 
 and is prosecuting it with great industry. 
 
 to bring before a court of justice for 
 some crime or injury. 
 
 He was prosecuted for robbing the mail. 
 A man prosecuted his neighbor for driving 
 cattle several times through his meadow. 
 
 Pros pect, n. all that can be seen 
 from a single point or place. 
 
 We ascended the steeple, and a fine pros- 
 pect of the city, the river, and the surround- 
 ing country was spread before us. 
 
 a view in the mind of something fu- 
 ture. 
 
 The prospect of heaven encourages the 
 Christian to endure with patience the trials 
 of life. • 
 
 future good or evil to be expected. 
 
 His prospects are very fair of becoming 
 useful in his profession, and of getting a com- 
 fortable support. 
 
 Pros per, v a. to favor and make suc- 
 cessful. 
 
 When Joseph was in the house of Poti- 
 phar, the Lord prospered him in all that he 
 
 did. 
 
 v. n. to be successful, to thrive. 
 
 He settled down upon some new land ten 
 years ago, and has prospered so much that he 
 is now a wealthy farmer. 
 
 " The prosperity of fools shall destroy 
 them." 
 
 Prov erb, n. a short wise saying ; as, 
 " The fear of the Lord is the be- 
 ginning of knowledge." 
 
 Prov i dence, n. the constant over- 
 sight and care which God takes of 
 all beings and things. 
 
 In all difficulties and dangers look to God 
 for aid, and put your trust in his providence. 
 
 Prov i dent, a. foreseeing what is 
 
PUR 
 
 168 
 
 QUA 
 
 wanted for the future, and taking 
 care to get it in season. 
 
 He was a provident man, and, before the 
 cold weather, laid in all the supplies which 
 the family needed for winter. 
 
 Pro v5ke, v. a. to stir up; as to pro- 
 voke anger or hatred, — to provoke 
 one to love and good works. 
 
 When we say that it provoked his laughter, 
 we mean that it caused him to laugh. 
 
 Pru dent, a. looking carefully at con- 
 sequences before one says, does, 
 or undertakes something. 
 
 He is a very prudent man and takes great 
 care to guard against what is evil or injuri- 
 ous ; to undertake only what he thinks he can 
 accomplish without much risk, and to use the 
 bestjjneans for doing it. 
 
 Her income was small, and she was obliged 
 to be prudent in the expenses of her family. 
 
 Pub lie, a. belonging or relating to a 
 state, whole country, or nation; as 
 public property, the public good. 
 
 generally known. 
 
 They kept the matter secret for a short 
 time, but at length it became public and ex- 
 cited great surprise. 
 
 not belonging or relating to an indi- 
 vidual, but to the community. 
 
 He gave a large and beautiful* piece of 
 ground, in the center of the town, for a pub- 
 lic s }uare to walk in. 
 
 Punc tu al, a. coming, doing, or done 
 at the exact time. 
 
 He who is not punctual, often robs others 
 of their time. 
 
 Pure, a. unmixed, free from every 
 thing which does not properly be- 
 long to it. 
 
 Pure gold is that which has no dross in it. 
 
 He never employs any foreign words, or 
 those which are not in good use. His lan- 
 guage is very pure. 
 
 not corrupt and wicked. 
 
 " Blessed are the pure in heart ; for they 
 shall see God." 
 
 mere. 
 
 He helped the stranger from pure compas- 
 sion ; he had no other motive for doing it. 
 
 Pur pose, n. something placed before 
 the mind to be done or accomplish- 
 ed. 
 
 . His purpose in visiting the female semina- 
 ry, was to find a teacher for his children. 
 
 intention or design. 
 
 You cannot depend upon him, for very lit- 
 tle things" will lead him to change his pur- 
 pose. 
 
 We say, it will answer no purpose to do a 
 thing, when it will have no effect, or be of no 
 use to do it. 
 
 ; 
 
 £~\uack, n. one who pretends in a 
 
 ^^ boastful manner to have skill or 
 knowledge which he does not pos- 
 sess, especially in the practice of 
 medicine. 
 
 Quad ru ped, n. an ammal which has 
 four legs ; as a horse or dog. 
 
 Quaff, v. a. to drink, to swallow in 
 large draughts. 
 
 He was very thirsty, and was much re- 
 freshed by quaffing the pure water from the 
 fountain. 
 
 Qual i fy, v. a. to make fit for some 
 duty, privilege, or employment. 
 
 He joined the highest class in the acad- 
 emy, and pursued his studies for a year with 
 great diligence, to qualify himself to become 
 a teacher. 
 
 He was born in the State and had always 
 resided in it, w r as twenty-one years of age, 
 had a good character, sufficient property, and 
 all the qualifications necessary to make him a 
 
QUO 
 
 169 
 
 RAN 
 
 to limit, explain, alter, or abate. 
 
 He at first said that they were a very in- 
 hospitable people, but afterwards qualified 
 his remark by admitting that some families 
 were kind and attentive to strangers. 
 
 Qual i ty, n. Snow falling from the 
 clouds is always white. White- 
 ness belongs to snow. Whiteness 
 is a quality of snow. — Sweetness 
 is a quality of sugar. — To be poi- 
 sonous is a quality of arsenic. — 
 To cause sleep is a quality of 
 opium. 
 
 He was frank, generous, honest and kind, 
 and had many other good qualities. — Persons 
 of high rank and distinction, are sometimes 
 called persons of quality. — When we inquire 
 » abouT the quality of an action, we mean to ask 
 whether it is good or bad, right or wrong. — 
 When we inquire about the quality of a thing, 
 we mean to ask whether it is fitted or not 
 for the use for which it was designed, or 
 how* it compares with other things of the 
 same kind ; as, " What is the quality of that 
 cloth?" 
 
 Quell, v. a. to subdue, to put a stop to 
 by force. 
 
 Several companies rose against the com- 
 mander, but by a prompt and decisive move- 
 ment he quelled the mutiny. 
 
 to allay. 
 
 The- steamboat took fire, but the cap- 
 tain quelled the fears of the passengers by 
 telling them that it would soon be extin- 
 guished. 
 
 Quo rum, n. The number of persons 
 which the law, or some rule, re- 
 quires to be present for doing busi- 
 ness. 
 
 Quo ta, n. the share or proportion as- 
 signed to each. 
 
 The State was required to raise three thou- 
 sand soldiers, as its quota for the army. 
 
 Quote, v. a. to take or repeat the 
 words of another, as such. 
 
 Our Saviour quoted the Old Testament 
 when he said, " Thou shalt worship the Lord 
 thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." 
 
 R. 
 
 "Q ace, ft.arunning, often tosee which 
 will beat. — all who are descended 
 from the same ancestor. 
 He is a Jew, and of the race of Abraham. 
 Mankind are sometimes divided into five 
 races, — the European, the Asiatic or Mon- 
 golian, the American or Indian, the Malay, 
 and the African. 
 
 Rack, n. a frame to put hay in. — an 
 engine used to inflict severe pain. 
 
 Ra di ance, n. light shooting out 
 steadily and brightly, as the radi- 
 ance of the sun or of the moon. 
 
 Rail, v. n. to use abusive and re- 
 proachful language. 
 
 As Christ hung on the cross, " they that passed 
 by railed on him, wagging their heads." 
 
 Ral ly, v. a. to put men again into or- 
 der who have been dispersed, or 
 thrown into disorder. 
 
 The troops were retreating in confusion, 
 but the general rallied them, and they re- 
 turned to the attack with great bravery. 
 
 to joke or laugh at, sometimes in a 
 
 severe manner. 
 Ran cor, n. bitter and settled malice. 
 
 He cherished so deep rancor against his 
 neighbor, that he expressed the greatest joy 
 at his death. 
 
 Ran dom, n. without any direction, 
 rule, or method. 
 
 An intoxicated man fired a gun at random, 
 which wounded a little boy severely. 
 
 Range, n. things placed in a line ; as 
 a range of houses, a range of hills 
 
RAP 
 
 a wandering off from the usual course. 
 
 He took a wide range in his speech, and 
 introduced many things which had little or no 
 connection with his subject. 
 
 the extent of room to move in. 
 
 He let down the bars, and gave the cattle 
 the range of two large meadows. 
 
 Rank, n. a row of men standing side 
 by side. — the place held, consid- 
 ered as high or low, when com- 
 pared with others. 
 
 He has the rank of colonel. 
 He is an author of the highest rank. 
 Under a kingly government there are many 
 ranks among the people. 
 
 Ran kle, v. n. to fester, to be inflamed 
 either in body or in mind. 
 
 The wound rankles, and gives him great 
 pain. 
 
 Let not envy rankle in your breast. 
 
 Ran som, n. a price paid, to get one 
 set free from captivity, or delivered 
 from punishment, or to get back 
 goods which have been captured 
 by an enemy. 
 
 Louis IX., king of France, invaded Egypt, 
 and captured Damietta. He was afterwards 
 defeated and taken prisoner, and gave this 
 city back again, as a ransom for himself. 
 This happened in the year 1248. 
 
 the being set free from captprity. 
 
 He offered a large sum to procure the ran- 
 som of his son, but the enemy would not give 
 him up. 
 
 Ra pa cious, a. greedy of what, be- 
 longs to others, and disposed to 
 take it violently. 
 
 Many of the Pharisees of old were so ra- 
 pacious, that our Saviour denounced a woe 
 against them for devouring widows' houses. 
 
 accustomed to seize other animals 
 violently for food. 
 The wolf and tiger are rapacious. 
 
 170 
 
 RAV 
 
 Rate, n. price of a thing. 
 
 He sold his goods at 'so low a rate, that he 
 made very little profit on them. 
 
 the settled value, or fixed price. 
 
 A Spanish silver dollar passes in the Uni- 
 ted States at the rate of one hundred cents. 
 
 The rates of passing through the turnpike- 
 gates, are established by law. 
 
 degrees of swiftness or slowness. " 
 
 The cars on the rail -road went at the rate 
 of twenty -five miles an hour. 
 
 a tax. 
 
 He always pays his rates the first time the 
 collector calls. 
 
 Rat i fy, v. a. to approve and confirm 
 by authority that which has been 
 done by others. 
 
 Nd treaty made by the General Govern- 
 ment with foreign nations, is bindinpuntil it 
 is ratified by the Senate of the United States* 
 
 Ra tion al, a. having the power of 
 reasoning. 
 
 Man is a rational animal, but the -brutes 
 are irrational. 
 
 agreeable to reason. 
 
 It is rational to believe that the soul will 
 exist after death, even if the Bible did not 
 tell us so. 
 
 We call him a rationalmcm who acts wisely. 
 
 Rav age, v. a. to plunder, to lay 
 waste, to destroy by violence. 
 
 The troops of the enemy overrun the coun- 
 try, and ravaged the villages and fields where- 
 ever they went. 
 
 Just before harvest, a furious hail-storm 
 ravaged the fields, and beat down the oats, the 
 grain, and the young corn. 
 
 Intemperance has made great ravages upon 
 his constitution. 
 
 Rav en ous, a. furiously greedy after 
 food ; as a ravenous wolf or vul- 
 ture. 
 
 He had eaten nothing for two days, and his 
 appetite was so ravenous that it seemed as if 
 he could not be satisfied. 
 
REB 
 
 171 
 
 REC 
 
 Raze, v. a. to pull or break down and 
 destroy utterly. 
 
 When Jerusalem was taken and destroyed 
 by the Romans, under Titus, in the year 70, 
 the temple was razed to the foundation, and 
 the ground on which it stood was ploughed 
 up. 
 
 ( Rea son, n. the power which the hu- 
 man mind has to distinguish be- 
 tween what is true and false, right 
 and wrong, good and evil ; to per- 
 ceive the connection between dif- 
 ferent truths ; and to derive one 
 truth from another. 
 
 A child soon begins to understand xohy it 
 should obey its parents ; why it should not 
 steal ; ivhy certain things are done or made ; 
 why it should do so and so, in order to avoid 
 what is injurious, or procure what is pleas- 
 ant. It is its reason which enables it to do 
 all this. 
 
 why a thing is believed or done. 
 
 i He said the 'reasons for his thinking the 
 sick man would get well, were, that he had a 
 good constitution, a skillful physician, and an 
 attentive nurse. 
 
 cause. 
 
 He was kept from school a month by rea- 
 son of sickness. 
 
 Rea son a ble,a. having the power of 
 reasoning. — agreeable to what is 
 proper, just, and right. 
 
 He is very fair in his dealings, and makes 
 nothing more than a reasonable profit on his 
 goods. 
 
 Reb el, n. one who resists and re- 
 nounces lawful authority. 
 
 The Americans were called rebels by the 
 British during the war of the revolution. 
 
 Re biike, v. a. to blame in order to 
 check. 
 
 When the nobles and the rulers at Jerusa- 
 lem oppressed the people by taking usury, 
 Nehemiah rebuked them. 
 
 to afflict in order to make better. 
 
 " O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, 
 nor chasten me in thy hot displeasure." 
 
 to quiet, to silence. 
 
 Jesus " rebuked the winds and the sea, and 
 there was a great calm." 
 
 Re call, v. a. to call back. 
 
 His father sent Henry on an errand, and 
 when he had gone but a few steps from the 
 door, recalled him to give him some further 
 directions. 
 
 His visit to his native place recalled to his 
 mind an event which happened there when 
 he was a boy. 
 
 for one to take back a thing, and con- 
 sider it as if it had not been said 
 or done. 
 
 He wrote a letter to recall the order which 
 he had sent a few days before to his agent to 
 buy him some goods. 
 
 Re cant, v. a. for one to take back 
 what he has declared, and con- 
 sider it as not having been said. 
 
 He recanted all that he had said against his 
 neighbor, and acknowledged that it was false. 
 
 Re cede, v. n. to go back. 
 
 The sea has receded so far in a harbor in 
 France within a century, that the remains of 
 a British frigate which was once sunk there, 
 are now in the midst of a plain. 
 
 to desist from, to give up. 
 
 .He at first insisted upon being paid twenty 
 dollars a. month, but afterwards receded from 
 his demand and took eighteen. 
 
 Re cent, a. not having existed long, 
 late, new. 
 
 The bar at the mouth of the harbor is of re- 
 cent origin. A few years ago, ships could en- 
 ter it without any difficulty. 
 
 There is recent intelligence that the plague 
 is raging in Alexandria. 
 
 Reck less, a. very rash and regard- 
 less of consequences. 
 
 The traveller was so reckless, that he stood 
 for some time, at the very mouth of the vol- 
 cano after the eruption had begun. 
 
REC 
 
 172 
 
 -RED 
 
 Re claim, v. a. to bring back from a 
 bad to a good state or condition. 
 
 By faithful and kind efforts, he succeeded 
 in reclaiming the young man from gambling. 
 
 Rec og nize, or rec' og nise, v. a. to 
 recollect that one has known be- 
 fore what is now presented to his 
 notice. 
 
 He had not seen his friend for thirty years, 
 but recognized him as soon as he met him. 
 
 to acknowledge. 
 
 Children should show by their conduct that 
 they recognize the duty of treating their pa- 
 rents with respect. 
 
 Rec ol lect, v. a. to recall to the 
 mind, usually with some degree of 
 effort, what it has known before. 
 
 It was not till after iie had examined the 
 hand- writing for some time, that he recollected 
 he had seen it before. 
 
 Rec om mend, v. a. to speak well of 
 a person or thing to another. 
 
 The physician recommended the medicine 
 to the sick man, saying he had every reason 
 to believe it would cure him. 
 
 to cause to be well thotight of and 
 acceptable. 
 
 The neatness and quietness of the hotel, 
 recommend it to all who visit, it. 
 
 Rec om pense,7i.an equivalent either 
 as a reward or punishment. 
 
 The physician told the poor family that all 
 the recompense which he asked for attending 
 them, was the pleasure of doing them good. 
 
 " Recompense to no man evil for evil." 
 
 Rec on cile, v. a. to make persons 
 friends again whose friendship has 
 been broken off. 
 
 He took great pains to reconcile the two 
 neighbors to each other who had had a long 
 quarrel, and at last succeeded. 
 
 vO make satisfied or contented with. 
 The sick man, when disposed to murmur 
 
 and complain, reconciled himself to his con- 
 dition by thinking how many were suffering 
 more than he. 
 
 to make things agree which appeared 
 to contradict each other. 
 
 He cannot reconcile the account which he 
 gives to-day, with the one which he gave yes- 
 terday ; either the one or the other must be 
 false. 
 
 Re cord, v. a. to write down things 
 that they may not be forgotten. 
 
 The Secretary of the Board of Directors 
 recorded what they did at the meeting, in a 
 book kept for the purpose. 
 
 Re course, n. applying for aid or 
 protection. 
 
 He was so lame that he was obliged to have 
 recourse to crutches. 
 
 Re cruz't, v. a. to furnish again- what 
 has been lost, spent, or wasted. 
 
 His health has been much recruited by a 
 sea-voyage. 
 
 He was stationed in the city to get soldiers 
 as recruits for the army. 
 
 Re cur, v. n. to come back to the 
 mind. 
 
 What we said and did years ago, often re- 
 curs to us in our dreams, 
 to apply or go to.' 
 
 He was often obliged to recur to the dic- 
 tionary, to find out the meaning of words. 
 
 Re deem, v. a. to free from captivity, 
 bondage, or some evil, by paying 
 something as an equivalent. 
 
 For a long time the Algerines obliged other 
 nations to redeem, by large sums of money, 
 those whom they had taken prisoners. 
 
 to buy back again what has been sold, 
 by paying the price to the person 
 who bought it. 
 
 By the laws of Moses if a man sold a 
 house in a walled city, he had a right to re- 
 deem it within a year if he wished so to dp. 
 
 to deliver from some evil. 
 
REF 
 
 173 
 
 REG 
 
 The Psalmist says, " God will redeem my 
 soul from the power of the grave." 
 
 The Bible says, " Christ has redeemed us 
 from the curse of the law, being made a curse 
 for us ;" — that is, on account of what Christ 
 has done and suffered, God will forgive and 
 receive to heaven those who truly repent of 
 their sins and trust in Christ. 
 
 " But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who 
 of God is made unto us wisdom, and right- 
 eousness, and sanctification, and redemption" 
 
 Re dress, n. something given or done, 
 to make up fo/ an injury or loss. 
 
 When Henry's kite was torn in pieces by 
 Robert, he went to Robert's father to get re- 
 dress, —who paid him what it was worth. 
 
 the putting of things right where 
 wrong has been done. 
 
 The American colonies petitioned the 
 British government several times for a re- 
 dress of the injuries they had suffered, before 
 they went to war. 
 
 Re dfice, v. a. to bring from higher to 
 lower, or from greater to smaller. 
 
 ' Flour became so plenty, that the price was 
 reduced from six to five dollars a barrel. 
 
 The water in the pond was reduced so low 
 by the drought, that grain could not be ground 
 at t ae mill. 
 
 to bring under rule, or into order. 
 
 When the mother returned from a longigb- 
 sence, she found the affairs of the family in 
 much confusion, and it took, her some time to 
 reduce them to a proper state. 
 
 to cause to submit. 
 
 Julius Cesar invaded Britain 55 years be- 
 fore Christ, and, not long after, reduced the 
 country under the power of the Romans. 
 
 Re fer, v. a. to direct to for information. 
 
 The little boy referred the stranger to the 
 next house, to learn where the person lived 
 about whom he inquired. 
 
 to leave to for decision. 
 
 Two neighbors could not agree how much 
 one should pay for the damage which his 
 cattle had done by breaking into the meadow 
 
 of the other, and referred the matter to another 
 * neighbor to say what it should be. 
 
 v. n. to carry the mind to. 
 
 When Christ said, " And I, if I be lifted 
 up from the earth, will draw all men unto 
 me," he referred to the manner of his death. 
 
 to point to. 
 
 He said he did not refer to any one present. 
 
 Re fleet, v. a. to throw back. 
 
 The clear, calm lake reflects the image of 
 the moon, at evening. 
 
 v. n. to turn back the thoughts upon 
 what is past. 
 
 He reflected with sorrow on his miscon- 
 duct, and resolved with divine aid to. do bet- 
 ter in future. 
 
 to think deeply and seriously. 
 
 He said it was so important a matter, that 
 he wished for more time to reflect upon it, be- 
 fore giving his opinion. 
 
 Re form, v. a. to change from worse 
 to better. 
 
 Those who would reform others, must take 
 care to do right themselves. 
 
 When we see one earnestly desiring his 
 own reformation, we ought to do all we can to 
 encourage him in so good a work. 
 
 Re frain, v. a. and n. to keep from. 
 
 " He that will love life and see good days, 
 let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his 
 lips that they speak no guile." 
 
 He told the story in so affecting a manner, 
 that the audience could not refrain from tears. 
 
 Refuge, n. shelter or protection from 
 some threatening evil. 
 
 " God is our refuge and strength, a very 
 present help in trouble." 
 
 The Israelites had six cities of refuge, 
 three on each side of the Jordan, to which if a 
 person fled who had killed another without de- 
 sign, he was safe so long as he continued there. 
 
 Re gard, v. a. to notice. 
 
 He was so melancholy that he regarded the 
 beautiful scenery with indifference. 
 
 to attend to and consider as impor- 
 tant. 
 
REL 
 
 174 
 
 REL 
 
 Youth should regard the counsels of age. m 
 
 to esteem with affection. 
 
 The teacher was faithful and kind, and the 
 scholars regarded him very highly. 
 
 to keep religiously. 
 
 The captain and his crew regarded the 
 Sabbath, and always had divine service on 
 that day when the weather would permit. 
 
 to relate to. 
 
 He said, as it regarded himself, he had no 
 choice in the matter. 
 
 Re gret, n. a painful feeling on ac- 
 count of something which has hap- 
 pened, and a strong wish that it 
 had been otherwise. 
 
 He felt deep regret that he had been so in- 
 attentive to his studies when at school. 
 
 Reg u lar, a. according to rule. 
 
 The regular hour for their beginning work 
 in the factory, was five o'clock in the morn- 
 ing. 
 
 stated, fixed. 
 
 There is a regular return of spring, sum- 
 mer, autumn and winter, each year. 
 
 Reg u late, v. a. to make things con- 
 form to some rule, to carry them 
 on in an orderly manner. 
 
 Congress has power to regulate the trade 
 between the United States and other na- 
 tions. 
 
 Re ject, v. a. to cast off, to refuse to 
 accept. 
 
 He was offered a large bribe to conceal the 
 robbery, but rejected the proposal with abhor- 
 rence. 
 
 Re lapse, v. n. to fall back again into 
 some previous bad state. 
 
 He was fast recovering, when he indulged 
 his appetite so much as to relapse again into 
 a fever. 
 Re late, v. a. to tell, to give an ac- 
 count of. 
 He was an old revolutionary soldier, and 
 
 took great pleasure in relating his exploits to 
 his grand-children. 
 
 v. n. to be connected with, to refer 
 to. 
 
 The letter he wrote related to the loss 
 which he had just met with from a large fire. 
 
 The relation between a teacher and his pu- 
 pils is an interesting one. 
 
 The relations of life are numerous, as be- 
 tween the master and apprentice, the physi- 
 cian and his patient, the government and the 
 people, and of one nation with' another. 
 
 Re lax, v. a. to slacken, to mal^e more 
 loose. 
 
 He was obliged to relax his hold on the 
 rope, and was drowned. 
 
 to make less strict. 
 
 As he grows older, he seems to relax bis 
 discipline over his children. 
 
 to divert and ease the mind. 
 
 After studying hard, he relaxed himself by 
 playing on the flute. 
 
 Re lease, v. a. to set free. 
 
 After two years' confinement, he was re- 
 leased from prison. 
 
 The poor man was unable to pay the debt, 
 ' and his creditor released him from the obli- 
 gation. 
 
 Re lent, v. n. to become less severe, 
 to grow tender in feeling. 
 
 *His son had become so disobedient and 
 abandoned, that the father was obliged to 
 send him away from home ; but on hearing 
 that he was beginning to reform, he relented 
 and permitted him to return. , 
 
 Re Kef, n. the removing or easing of 
 some pain or evil. 
 
 When the Greeks were suffering during 
 their war with the Turks, the Americans sent 
 a vessel with provisions and clothing for their 
 relief. 
 
 Re lin quish, v. a. to leave or quit a 
 thing, sometimes for a season, and 
 sometimes intending never to re- 
 turn to it. 
 
REM 
 
 175 
 
 REN 
 
 His situation was a very agreeable one, 
 but he was obliged to relinquish it on ac- 
 count of ill health. 
 
 to give up entirely. 
 
 He relinquished to his sisters, who were 
 poor, the portion of property left to him by 
 his father. 
 
 Re ly, v. n. to depend upon, to put 
 confidence in. 
 
 You may rely upon the truth of what he 
 says, 'for he was never known to tell a false- 
 hood. 
 
 She was a poor and feeble widow, and her 
 only reliance for support was upon ner son. 
 
 Re mark, v. a. to take notice of in 
 the mind. # 
 
 He said nothing, but remarked carefully 
 every thing that was going on around him. 
 
 to express what one thinks or feels. 
 
 He remarked, that h#had never seen so 
 fine an exhibition of paintings before. 
 
 Rem e dy, n. that which cures some 
 disease, or removes some evil. 
 
 His disorder had made such progress, that 
 the physician told him it was too late to hope 
 for a remedy. 
 
 That which is used to cure some disease, 
 or remove some evil, even if it should not 
 succeed, is also called a remedy. 
 
 Re mem ber, v. a. to keep in the mind. 
 
 He said, he should remember his kindness 
 as long as he lived. 
 
 to recall to the mind, usually with- 
 out effort, what it has known be- 
 fore. 
 
 He remembers countenances with great 
 ease, but finds it very difficult to recollect 
 names. 
 
 Re miss, a. not doing at all what one 
 ought to do, or not doing it in sea- 
 son. 
 
 His children were often absent frfm Sun- 
 day school ; and when they came, they usu- 
 ally came late. They were very remiss in 
 their attendance. 
 
 Re mon strate, v.-n. to express rea- 
 sons against something in a strong 
 and feeling manner. 
 
 The Israelites remonstrated with Saul 
 against putting his son Jonathan to death, 
 for having broken his commands by eating a 
 little honey. 
 Re morse, n. the keen pain which 
 the mind feels on account of some 
 past crime or sin. 
 
 No one suspected that be had committed 
 the murder, but his remorse of conscience 
 was so great that he confessed it twenty years 
 afterwards, was tried, and was hung. 
 
 Re mote, a. far off, distant in place, 
 in time, or in connection with. 
 
 His house was remote from any town or 
 village. 
 
 It was a remote event, and but few of the 
 oldest inhabitants remembered it. 
 
 They were remote relations, their grand- 
 fathers being cousins. 
 
 Ren der, v. a. to pay or give back. 
 
 " See that none render evil for evil to any 
 man." 
 
 to give. 
 
 He could render no excuse for his conduct, 
 and was punished. 
 
 to make or cause to be. 
 
 He rendered himself very unpopular by 
 his haughty manners. 
 
 to put into one language from another. 
 
 He rendered the Latin lesson into English. 
 
 JRe new', (re nu,) v. a. to repeat. 
 
 His father did not give him permission to 
 go a sailing, and the next day he renewed his 
 request. 
 
 to make again. 
 
 When their partnership had expired, they 
 renewed it for five years more. 
 
 to make strong and full of life. 
 
 His journey has renewed his health, and 
 he looks many years younger than he did. 
 
 Re nounce', v. a. to cast off, to say 
 
REP 
 
 176 
 
 REP 
 
 one will have nothing to do with a 
 thing. 
 
 He saw that his wicked companions were 
 leading him astray, and he renounced them. 
 
 He thought he had been treated with great 
 injustice. He renounced his countiy, and 
 > removed to another. 
 
 Re nown', n. the being very exten- 
 sively known and celebrated for 
 something great. 
 
 Men of the highest renown, have often 
 done the world much more harm than good. 
 
 Re peal, v. a. for the proper authori- 
 ty to make a thing cease to have 
 < force, -or be binding. 
 
 The law was found not to be a good one, 
 and the Legislature repealed it. 
 
 Re pel, v. a. to drive back and keep 
 off. 
 
 The enemy attacked the city, but were re- 
 pelled with great loss. 
 
 Re pent, v. n. to be truly sorry for 
 having done wrong, and to try to 
 do better. 
 
 " If thy brother trespass against thee, re- 
 buke him ; and if he repent, forgive him." 
 
 to regret having done that which 
 causes inconvenience or evil. 
 
 He found himself so unfit for the business, 
 that he repented he had undertaken it. 
 
 . Re pine, v. n. to fret at, and be dis- 
 contented with. 
 
 He was an envious man and continually 
 repining at his situation, because he saw oth- 
 ers more prosperous than himself. 
 
 Re port, n. something talked of pub- 
 licly. 
 
 , Be slow to believe ill reports of others. 
 
 an account or statement made by per- 
 sons chosen for that purpose. 
 
 A committee appointed by the British par- 
 liament made a report, a few years since, on 
 
 the observance of the Sabbath, in which they 
 say, that uueach kind of business, the people 
 engaged in it are immoral in proportion to 
 their disregard of this holy day. 
 a sound. 
 
 The report of the cannon was heard seve- 
 ral miles. 
 
 Rep re sent, v. a. for one thing to 
 show what another is, on account 
 of being in some respects like it. 
 
 The figure of a circle is sometimes used to 
 represent eternity, because it has neither be- 
 ginning n§r end. 
 to describe. 
 
 He represented so well what took place on 
 
 the occasMi, that it seemed as if we were 
 present and saw it all. 
 
 to act the character of another person. 
 
 A teacher taught his deaf and dumb schol- 
 ars the meaning of#he word angry, by repre- 
 senting the looks and conduct of an angry man. 
 
 to act in the place of another. 
 
 Two persons were sent to the Legislature, 
 to represent the inhabitants of the town. 
 
 He was. for many years a representative in 
 Congress. 
 
 Re pn'eve, v. a. to put off to a future 
 time the execution of one who is 
 sentenced to death. 
 
 Re proach, v. a. to blame one severe- 
 ly as having acted in a shameful 
 manner. 
 
 The son reproached the father for having 
 led him, by his example, to become intem- 
 perate. 
 
 Rep tile, n. an animal that creeps on 
 many feet, or moves along as a 
 snake does. 
 
 Re pulse, n. a driving back and keep- 
 ing off. 
 
 He fsked a favor of one whom he had of- 
 ten obliged, and was grieved to meet with so 
 unkind a repulse. 
 
RES 
 
 177 
 
 RES 
 
 Rep u ta tion, n. the being well spo- 
 ken of by others, a good name. 
 
 He said it was cruel to circulate so false a 
 report about him, as he had nothing but his 
 reputation to depend upon, 
 what is generally thought and said of 
 a man. 
 
 His reputation was so bad, that he could 
 find no one who would employ him. 
 
 Re quire, v. a. to ask or claim, as if 
 one had a right to do so. 
 
 The father was careful to require no more 
 work of his young son than he was able to 
 perform. 
 
 to make necessary, to need. 
 
 The physician said, the case of the sick 
 man would require a great deal of examina- 
 tion before he could give an opinion about it. 
 
 Res cue, v. a. to deliver from some 
 violence, danger, or other evil. 
 
 A young man rushed into the house, which 
 was on fire, and rescued two children from 
 the flames. 
 
 Re sent, v. a. for one to show strong 
 displeasure or anger against what 
 he considers as ill treatment. 
 
 He resented the attack upon his friend's 
 character, with as much indignation as if it 
 had been made upon his own. 
 
 Re serve, v. a. to keep back, Or lay 
 up a thing for the future, or for 
 some particular purpose. 
 
 The farmer told his sons while they were 
 husking the corn, to pick out the best ears 
 and reserve them for seed. 
 
 He said it was so late that he should re- 
 serve what he had to say till the next meet- 
 ing. • 
 
 Re served, a. not telling one's 
 thoughts and feelings. 
 
 He is sociable on most subjects, but with 
 regard to his own concerns, very reserved. 
 
 We say of a man who is very little dis- 
 posed to talk, that he is a reserved man. 
 
 12 
 
 Re sTg-n, v. a. to give up or to give 
 back a thing. 
 
 He resigned the office of post-master, not 
 wishing to hold it any longer. 
 
 to submit without resistance or com- 
 plaint. . # 
 
 He felt that God ordered all things right 
 and well, and was resigned to his condi- 
 tion. 
 
 Res o hi tion, n. fixed purpose or de- 
 termination. 
 
 He formed a resolution to rise at five in the 
 morning, and spend an hour in study. 
 
 the being firm, steady, and coura- 
 geous in doing something. 
 
 She was a woman of great resolution, and 
 when she was alone in the house with her 
 children, and a party of Indians attacked it, 
 she succeeded in defending it till the neigh- 
 bors came to her relief. 
 
 Re s51ve, v. n. to form a fixed pur- 
 pose or determination. 
 
 He resolved that he would never speak of 
 the faults of any one, unless some good was 
 to lie done by it. 
 
 Re sort, v. n. to go to a place. 
 
 Our Saviour often resorted with his disci- 
 ples to the garden of Gethsemane. 
 
 to go to for aid. 
 
 During the French revolution, Louis Phi- 
 lippe, the present king of France, was driven 
 from his country, and resorted for a while to 
 the business of teaching, to gel _ support. 
 
 Re spect, v. a. to have a good opin- 
 ion of, to set a high value upon 
 worth or good qualities. 
 
 He is an old man, and very much respected 
 by all who know him, for his benevolence, 
 wisdom, and strict integrity. 
 
 to relate to. 
 
 He gave the young man much good advice 
 respecting his future conduct. 
 
 Re spon si ble, a. liable to be called 
 to account for what one does or 
 
RES 178 
 
 engages to do, and meet the con- 
 sequences. 
 
 Those who take boons from a library are 
 responsible for their being returned in good 
 condition. 
 
 The father said he would be responsible for 
 • the payment of the debt, if his son did not pay 
 it within six months. 
 
 able to discharge an obligation. 
 
 He told the merchant the man was respon- 
 sible to the amount of a thousand dollars, and 
 even more, and might be safely trusted. 
 
 Re store, v. a. to bring back what 
 has been taken away or lost. 
 
 John found a pocket-book in the street, and 
 took great pains to restore it to its owner. 
 
 to bring or take back to a former state 
 or condition. 
 
 Our Saviour often restored hearing to the 
 deaf and sight to the blind. 
 
 Re strain, v. a. to hold or keep back. 
 
 The sight was so ludicrous, that he could 
 not restrain his laughter. 
 
 to check. 
 
 While the strangers were present he some- 
 what restrained his grief, but when they with- 
 drew he wept bitterly. 
 
 He disregarded all the commands of his 
 father and acted without restraint. 
 
 Re suit, n. that which follows as • a 
 consequence from certain things 
 which have happened, or have 
 been said or done. 
 
 A useless manhood and a wretched old 
 age, was the result of his youthful follies. 
 
 conclusion or determination. 
 
 A committee of the Legislature held sev- 
 eral meetings on the subject of building a new 
 State House, and the result was, that they 
 made a report against doing any thing at that 
 time. 
 
 Re sume, v. a. to take or begin again. 
 
 She rose to receive the company, and then 
 resumed her seat. 
 He left the office of judge, which he held 
 
 REV 
 
 for several years, and resumed the practice of 
 law. 
 Re tal i ate, v. a. to return evil for 
 evil. 
 
 James did wrong in retaliating the injury 
 which Henry had done to his kite, by break- 
 ing Henry's hoop. 
 
 Re tard, v. a. to make to go slower. 
 
 The snow on the rail-road retarded the 
 cars, and they did not arrive till two hours 
 after the time. ' , 
 
 to delay, to put off. 
 
 His return home was retarded several 
 weeks by sickness. x 
 
 Re tneve, v. a. to make good again, t 
 to make up a loss, to restore to a 
 former good state. 
 
 He encouraged the young man to reform, 
 by telling him that it was not too late to re- 
 trieve his character. 
 
 Re veal, v. a. to make a thing known 
 which was not known before. 
 
 It was very disgraceful in him to reveal the 
 secret which he had promised to keep. 
 
 for God to make something known to 
 men. 
 
 God has revealed his will to us in the Bible. 
 
 While there are so many heathen, we 
 should be thankful that we live in a Christian 
 land, and enjoy the light of Revelation. 
 
 Re venge, n. the returning of an in- 
 jury with malicious feelings. 
 
 He was too good and great a man to take 
 any revenge upon his enemies. 
 
 Rev e rence, n. a high respect min- 
 gled with fear. 
 
 A dutiful child will always show by his 
 conduct that he feel§ a deep reverence for his 
 parents. 
 
 We should never think or speak of God but 
 with great reverence. 
 
 Re verse, n. the opposite side of a 
 thing. — a change in one's affairs 
 usually for the worse 
 
RID 
 
 179 
 
 ROU 
 
 He met with a sad reverse of fortune, and 
 bore it with great patience. 
 
 Re view', (re vu,) v. a. to look back, 
 or over again, with care. 
 
 He reviewed' the manuscript several times 
 before it was published. 
 
 He reviewed his past life, and finding many 
 things wrong in it, resolved to amend his con- 
 duct. 
 
 Re vile, v. a. to use reproachful and 
 abusive language towards another. 
 
 When Christ was reviled, he reviled not 
 again. ^ 
 
 Re vive, v. n. and a. to come, or bring, 
 to life again. 
 
 The dead man, when he was put into the 
 tomb of Elisha, and touched his bones, re- 
 vived. 
 
 to regain, or give, new life and vigor. 
 
 When Jacob saw the wagons which Joseph 
 sent to carry him and his family into Egypt, 
 his spirit revived. 
 
 Re volt, v. n. for a nation, or body of 
 people, to renounce the authority 
 of the government. 
 
 Syphax, king of Numidia, revolted from the 
 Romans and joined the Carthaginians. He 
 was defeated by Massinissa, an African king, 
 and died in prison at Rome, 201 years before 
 Christ. 
 
 Rev o lu tion, n. motion of a body 
 either round an axis, or a fixed 
 point; as the revolution of a wheel, 
 or of the earth round the sun. 
 
 the course of any thing which comes 
 back to the point from which it 
 began to move. 
 
 The revolution of the seasons brings in suc- 
 cession, every year, spring, summer, autumn, 
 and winter. 
 
 We call a very great change in the govern, 
 ment or affairs of a country, — or in the opin- 
 ions or feelings of men, — a revolution. 
 
 Rid i cule, v. ai to laugh at, or expose 
 
 to be laughed at, in a contemptu- 
 ous manner. 
 
 Persevere in doing right, though the foolish 
 or the wicked may ridicule you. 
 
 Ri die u lous, a. deserving or exci- 
 ting laughter or contempt. 
 
 He'made himself ridiculous by refusing to 
 associate with some of his school-mates, be- 
 cause his father was richer than theirs. 
 
 Ri ot, n. the noise and violence of 
 several persons assembled for mis- 
 chief. 
 
 It was found necessary to call out the sol- 
 diers to quell the riot. 
 
 noisy feasting and mirth. 
 
 Some wild young men had a supper at a 
 tavern, and the riot was so great that they 
 disturbed the whole neighborhood. 
 
 Rite,* n. a fixed way of performing a 
 religious, or other solemn service. 
 
 The ancient Jews celebrated the, passover 
 with many rites. 
 
 Ri val, n. one who is striving for that ' 
 for which another is also striving. 
 
 Cicero and Hortensius lived at Rome at 
 the same time, and both aime'd to be distin- 
 guished orators. They were rivals. 
 
 Ro bust, a. having great strength and 
 health, of good bodily size, and ca- 
 pable of enduring much labor and 
 exposure. 
 
 The ancient Romans were a robust race of 
 men. 
 
 Rote, n. a mere repeating of words 
 without attending to or knowing 
 the meaning. 
 
 Parrots can be taught to say many things 
 by rote. 
 
 When a person learns tunes by t^e ear and 
 can sirtg .them, without understanding the 
 rules of music, we say he sings by rote. 
 
 Rout, v. a. to overcome and throw 
 into confusion, to put to flight. 
 
SAC 
 
 180 
 
 SAL 
 
 The troops for a time resisted bravely the 
 attack of the enemy, but at length were rout- 
 ed and driven from the field. 
 
 Roy' al, a. belonging, or suitable, to 
 a king. 
 
 Rude, a. coarse and rough in man- 
 ners. 
 
 He was so rude that he rushed into the 
 stage-coach before the ladies, and without as- 
 sisting them to get in. 
 
 coarsely and roughly made. 
 
 The missionary made a table and some 
 chairs for his family, which answered very 
 well though the workmanship was rude. 
 
 We call a people or nation, rude, who have 
 no books, but little knowledge of the arts, and 
 few of the comforts and conveniences of life. 
 
 Ru in, v. a. to demolish or destroy 
 utterly, so that it cannot be restored 
 again. 
 
 The severe frost ruined the early peas. 
 
 The numerous frauds which he committed 
 ruined his character. 
 
 It is often said, when a man loses all his 
 property, that he is ruined. 
 
 Ru mor, n. something told from one 
 to another, and spread abroad, 
 without any one's being certain 
 that it is true. 
 
 There was a rumor, yesterday, throughout 
 the city, of the loss of the steamboat, but to- 
 day it is contradicted, and nobody believes it. 
 
 Ru. ral, a. belonging or suited to the 
 country. 
 
 He was so fond of rural life, that he sold 
 his beautiful house in the city, and removed 
 to a farm in the neighborhood of a small vil- 
 lage. 
 
 s. 
 
 Qack, vPa. to take possession of a 
 ^ city or town by violence, and plun- 
 der it. 
 
 In the year 385 before Christ, the Gauls, 
 under Brennus, took the city of Rome, sack- 
 ed, and burned it. 
 
 Sa cred, a. set apart for the service 
 of God. 
 
 The Sabbath is a day of sacred rest. 
 
 used for a religious .purpose, or rela- 
 ting to religion. 
 
 The cultivation of sacred music should 
 form a part of the education of youth. 
 
 to be kept with peculiar care and 
 never violated. 
 
 The signers of the declaration of American 
 Independence, pledged in support of it their 
 lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. 
 
 Sac ri fice, (saV rifize,) v. a. to offer 
 up to the true God, or to false 
 gods. 
 
 The faith of Abraham was so strong, that 
 he was willing to sacrifice his only son. 
 
 to destroy, or give up, something for 
 the sake of something else. 
 
 She sacrificed her own life, in trying to 
 save her child from. the flames. 
 
 Sa ga cious, a. quick in smelling, as 
 some dogs are. — quick to find out 
 difficult or obscure things. 
 
 An Indian is very sagacious in discovering 
 the track of a deer or enemy. 
 
 Sage, n. a wise and grave man. 
 
 Solon, who gave laws to the Athenians, 
 was a distinguished sage, and one of the sever, 
 * wise men of Greece. He died 558 years be 
 fore Christ. t 
 
 Sal a xy,?i. a fixed allowance for ser 
 vices, usually by the year. 
 
 The salary of the President of the United 
 States is 25,000 dollars a year. 
 
 Sal ly, n. a rushing out of troops from 
 any place, to attack the enemy. 
 
 The troops made a sudden sally from the 
 fort during the night, and took a large num- 
 ber of the enemy prisoners. 
 
SAN 
 
 181 
 
 SAR 
 
 a sudden expression of thought or 
 feeling ; as a sally of humor, a 
 sally of passion. 
 
 Sa lu bri ous, a. wholesome, promo- 
 ting health. 
 
 The mountain air was very salubrious to the 
 invalid. 
 
 Sal u ta ry, a. contributing to health 
 or safety, advantageous. 
 
 The traveller found the precaution of tak- 
 ing a guide very salutary, for if he had not 
 done it he would have perished in the snow 
 storm. 
 
 Sal va tion, n. the being kept safe, 
 or delivered, from any danger or 
 evil, especially from the future 
 punishment due to sin. 
 
 When the Egyptians were pursuing the Is- 
 raelites near the Red Sea, " Moses said unto 
 the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see 
 the salvation of the Lord, which he will show 
 to you to-day: for the Egyptians- whom ye 
 have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no 
 more forever." ■ 
 
 Sane ti fy, v. a. to cleanse from sin, 
 to make holy. 
 
 Christ prayed for his disciples, " Sanctify 
 them through thy truth, thy word is truth." 
 
 to set apart for the service of God. 
 
 " God blessed the seventh day and sancti- 
 fied it." 
 
 We say, that afflictions are sanctified to a 
 person, when they become the means of mak- 
 ing him holy. 
 
 Sane tion, v. a. for those who have 
 the proper authority, to make a 
 thing binding. 
 
 The President and Senate of the United 
 States sanctioned the treaty with Great Bri- 
 tain. # 
 
 to give support or strength to, by 
 what one says or does, or by the 
 force of example or custom. 
 
 The scholar was in the wrong, and the 
 teacher threatened to punish him ; but his 
 father sanctioned his misconduct by taking- 
 him from the school. • ' 
 
 Sane tu a ry, n. a place for worship. 
 — a place of refuge. 
 
 In ancient times, criminals often fled to 
 the temples as a sanctuary from justice. 
 
 Sane, a. sound in body, having per- 
 fect health. — sound in mind, in 
 possession of reason, not deranged. 
 
 San' gui na ry, (sang gwe na ry,) a. 
 bloody. 
 
 The battle of Borodino, fought between the 
 French and the Russians, in the year 1812, 
 was very sanguinary. Fifty thousand men 
 were left dead on the field. 
 
 exceedingly cruel. 
 
 The laws of Draco, a distinguished Athe- 
 nian, who lived 643 years before Christ, were 
 so sanguinary that they were said to be writ- 
 ten in blood. 
 
 blood-thirsty. 
 
 Caracalla, a Roman emperor, who was 
 assassinated 217 years after Christ, was a 
 sanguinary tyrant. He murdered his own 
 brother, and when the celebrated lawyer Pa- 
 pinian, who was called upon to defend the 
 deed, refused, saying that the murder of a 
 brother was a thing much more easily done 
 than vindicated, Caracalla ordered him to be 
 put to death. 
 
 San' guine, (sang gwin,) a. ardent. 
 His disposition is sanguine ; he feels quick 
 and shows his feelings strongly. 
 
 confident of success. 
 
 He was so sanguine that he always expect- 
 ed things would happen according to his 
 wishes, even when there was little or no rea- 
 son for thinking so. 
 
 Sar casm, n. a keen and contemptu- 
 ous reproach. 
 
 His feelings were much wounded by the 
 unjustifiable sarcasm. 
 
 A sarcastic man will be both feared and 
 hated. 
 
SAT 
 
 182 
 
 SCE 
 
 Sa tiate, v. a. to fill to the full, to 
 gratify so that no more is de- 
 sired. 
 
 The boy climbed the tree and ate the cher- 
 ries till he had satiated his appetite. 
 
 to fill or gratify to excess so as to 
 cloy. 
 
 The children found some honey in the 
 woods, and so satiated themselves with it 
 that it began to be unpleasant to the taste. 
 
 Sat' Ire, n. something written or spo- 
 ken, to ceiisure folly or vice. 
 
 Juvenal was a distinguished Roman writer 
 of satire. He died 128 years after Christ. 
 
 Sa tir i cal, a. full of satire, censuring 
 with severity. 
 
 He is so satirical, that it often seems as if 
 he would rather run the risk of losing a friend 
 than not show his own wit. 
 
 Sat is fac tion, n. the being content- 
 ed or pleased. 
 
 He takes great satisfaction in the company 
 of his children. 
 
 the making amends. 
 
 He made him satisfaction for the injury he 
 had done his book. 
 
 the payment of a debt. 
 
 He received one hundred dollars in full 
 satisfaction of all his demands. 
 
 the being convinced. 
 
 He showed that he was right to the satis- 
 faction of all present. 
 
 Sat is fy, v. a, to do, or give, as much 
 as is asked, needed, desired, or 
 due. 
 
 He told his neighbor he would satisfy him 
 for the use of the wagon. 
 
 He gave the poor man food, and satisfied 
 his hunger. 
 
 " The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor 
 the ear with hearing." 
 
 He has property enough to satisfy the claim 
 of all his creditors. 
 
 to convince. 
 
 The father, after hearing his son's account 
 of the matter, was satisfied that he had done 
 fright 
 Sawn ter, v. n. to wander about idly. 
 
 The company spent an hour sauntering in 
 the fields. 
 
 to loiter. 
 
 He sauntered so much in going to school, 
 that he was very late. 
 Sav age, a. wild, ferocious. 
 
 Lions, wolves, and bears, are savage beasts. 
 
 exceedingly cruel. 
 
 The Indians, in tormenting the prisoners 
 which they take in war, show a very savage 
 disposition. 
 
 uncivilized. 
 
 The inhabitants of some of the South Sea 
 Islands are still savages, and devour human 
 flesh. 
 
 Scale, v. a. to climb the walls of a 
 fortified place. 
 
 The troops came silently in the night, and 
 with their ladders scaled the walls of the city. 
 
 Scan, v. a. to examine very closely 
 and carefully. 
 
 If we wish to know ourselves, we should 
 often scan the motives of our conduct. 
 
 Scan dal, n. talking against the char- 
 acter of others. 
 
 He who talks scandal to you about others, 
 will talk scandal to others about you. 
 
 great disgrace. 
 
 His conduct was so bad that it brought 
 scandal upon his whole family. 
 
 The cheating of the poor widow out of hei 
 property, was a most scaiidalous affair. 
 
 Scene, n. the different things taken 
 together which are seen at one 
 view. 
 
 As we looked over the country from the top 
 of the mountain, a delightful scene was- 
 spread before J>s. 
 
 the place where any thing happens 
 or is done. 
 
SGI 
 
 183 
 
 SCR 
 
 Jerusalem has been the scene of the most 
 interesting and wonderful events. 
 
 Seen er y, n. the different things 
 which are seen at one view, taken 
 either separately or together. 
 
 They admired the beautiful scenery, as 
 they passed up the river in the steamboat. 
 
 Scheme, (skeme,) n. the combination 
 and arrangement of various things 
 for some particular purpose. 
 
 Any one who visits his school, will soon 
 perceive that his scheme both of teaching and 
 governing is a good one. 
 
 something to be made or accomplish- 
 ed, with the plan for doing it. 
 
 He had a scheme for supplying the city 
 with water from a spring which was several 
 miles distant. 
 
 Sci ence, n. A person may learn from 
 a book what music is, and the 
 rules for singing, or playing on a 
 musical instrument, without being 
 able either to sing or play. He 
 may thus be acquainted with the 
 science of music, and not be skilled 
 at all in the art. In the same way 
 he may study about navigation, and 
 learn its rules, without being able 
 to navigate a ship. He may un- 
 derstand the science of navigation, 
 and yet be ignorant of the art. 
 Science, then, is the collection and 
 arrangement of the general truths 
 and rules which relate to any par- 
 
 • ticular subject; as the science of 
 astronomy, the science of botany, 
 the science of law, the science of 
 medicine 
 
 Scoff, v. n. to treat with abusive ridi- 
 cule. 
 
 Never choose him for your friend who 
 scoffs at religion. 
 
 Scorn, v. a. to regard with very great 
 .contempt. 
 
 Job, in his afflictions and poverty, com- 
 plained that his friends scorned him. 
 Scout, n. one sent out to get informa- 
 tion about the movements of an 
 enemy. 
 Screen, v. a. to hide, cover, or shelter. 
 
 He carried a large umbrella to screen him 
 from the rays of the sun. 
 
 He sent the man privately out of town who 
 had committed the theft, and screened him 
 from punishment. 
 
 Scribe, n. one whose business it is to 
 do writing. 
 
 The scribes among the Jews were em- 
 ployed in copying the Scriptures, and in teach- 
 ing them to the people. 
 Scroll, 7i. a writing rolled up. 
 
 The scroll handed in to the Legislature was 
 a very large one, and contained a petition 
 signed by several thousand persons. 
 
 Scru pie, v. n. to hesitate about some- 
 thing lest it may not be right or 
 proper. 
 
 He scrupled to receive the contribution 
 which his friends made to relieve him under 
 his losses, because he had considerable prop- 
 erty left. 
 
 He was so scrupulous and fearful of doing 
 what might be considered improper, that 
 sometimes it made him very undecided in his 
 conduct 
 
 Scru' ti nize, v. a. to look into a thing 
 very carefully, in order to find out 
 all about it. 
 
 They scrutinized the conduct of the stran- 
 ger, to ascertain what his object was in stay 
 ing so long in the village. 
 
SEC 
 
 184 
 
 SEC 
 
 Sculp ture, n. the art of carving wood 
 or stone into images, or of engrav- 
 ing. — The carved work itself is 
 also called sculpture. 
 
 Scur ri lous, a. using very low, inde- 
 cent, or abusive language. 
 
 Never let a scurrilous person provoke you 
 to make a reply. 
 
 very low, indecent, or abusive. 
 
 He showed his ill breeding by his scurril- 
 ous jokes. 
 
 Sear, v. a. to burn or heat, so as to 
 make dry and hard. 
 
 The hot sand seared the feet of the traveller. 
 Paul says of those who have become so 
 wicked as to have little or no feeling with re- 
 gard to what is right or wrong, that their con- 
 science is seared with a hot iron. 
 Sea son, n. a suitable, customary, or 
 appointed time. 
 
 Boys who study and work, need also a 
 season for play. 
 
 a time of short continuance. 
 
 Paul told Elymas, that he should be blind 
 for a season. 
 
 one of the four parts of the year. 
 
 Spring, summer, autumn, and winter make 
 up the four seasons. 
 
 We say a thing is seasonable when it is in 
 good time. 
 Se cede, v. n. for one to quit his con- 
 nection with those with whom he 
 has been united in opinion or ac- 
 tion. 
 
 He seceded from his party because he did 
 not like some things which they had done, 
 and joined the opposite side. 
 
 Se elude, v. a. to shut out and sepa- 
 rate from. 
 
 In Eastern countries it is the custom to 
 seclude women from the society of men. 
 
 The village was secluded from the cold 
 winds by a range of high mountains. 
 
 Sec ond, v. a. to encourage, to help 
 forward. 
 
 Several persons seconded the efforts of the 
 intemperate man to reform, by treating him 
 kindly and furnishing him with employment. 
 
 Sec re ta ry, n. one who does writing 
 for an individual, or for a public 
 body. 
 
 He was chosen secretary of the society, 
 and kept a faithful record of all its proceed- 
 ings. 
 
 an officer of the government who 
 manages a particular part of the 
 public business ; as the Secretary 
 of State, the Secretary of the Treas- 
 ury, the Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 Se crete, v. a. to conceal from the 
 notice or knowledge of others. 
 
 The charter granted by king Charles II. to 
 the Colony of Connecticut, and which his 
 agent attempted to seize and carry away, was 
 secreted for a while in a large oak-tree in the 
 city of Hartford. The tree is still standing, 
 and is called the Charter Oak. 
 
 Sect, n. a body of men who are uni- 
 ted in the opinions which they hold, 
 especially with regard to morals 
 and religion. 
 
 The two principal sects among the* 'Jews, 
 in our Saviour's time, were the Pharisees 
 and Sadducees. 
 
 Sec tion, n. a part divided from the 
 rest. 
 
 One section of the city was on low, marshy 
 ground, and was unhealthy. 
 
 a small and distinct part of a writing 
 or book. 
 
 The chapter was divided into eight sections". 
 
 Sec u lar, a. relating not to heaven 
 or religious concerns, but to the 
 things of this world. 
 While we should not neglect our secular 
 
 
SEN 
 
 affairs, we should keep in mind that we have 
 a soul which is to live forever. 
 
 Se cure, a. free from the danger of 
 being taken or entered. 
 
 The castle was secure against the enemy. 
 It stood on a high rock, and there was only- 
 one entrance to it, which was well guarded. 
 
 free from danger, safe. 
 
 While the inhabitants of the world were 
 drowning, Noah and his family were secure 
 in the ark. 
 feeling free from danger. 
 
 The enemy were so secure that they had 
 neglected to set a guard, and were surprised 
 and destroyed. 
 
 We say that a man is secure of a thing, 
 when he is sure of getting it. % 
 
 Se date, a. calm, undisturbed. 
 
 Though his looks and manners are sedate, 
 he has a cheerful, happy disposition. 
 
 Se di' tion, (se dish un,) n. arising up 
 against the authority of the gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 Paul was falsely accused by Tertullus 
 before Felix, of being a mover of sedition 
 among the Jews. 
 
 Se duce, v. a. to draw away from 
 what is right to what is wrong. 
 
 He was a lovely youth and a great comfort 
 to his parents, till bad companions seduced 
 him to join them in their wicked practices. 
 
 Se lect, v. a. to choose out of several. 
 
 There were so many interesting books, 
 that he hardly knew which to select as a pres- 
 ent to his friend. 
 
 Sen ate, n. A body or council of some 
 of the principal men in a city, or 
 country, assembled to make laws 
 and consult for the public good. — 
 In the United States this word de- 
 notes one branch of the Legisla- 
 ture. 
 
 Sen sa tion, n. A person feels hungry, 
 
 185 SEN 
 
 that is, he has the sensation of 
 hunger. He feels cold, or has the 
 sensation of cold. He has painful 
 feelings or sensations. He has 
 agreeable feelings or sensations. 
 Sense, n. We see things with the eye, 
 our faculty of doing this is called 
 the sense of sight. We hear sounds 
 with the ear, our faculty of doing 
 this is called the sense of hearing. 
 We have also the sense of smell, 
 of taste, and of touch. 
 
 We call that person a man of sense who un- 
 derstands things readily and clearly, and has 
 a good judgment. 
 
 When a person does not see and feel what 
 is proper, we say he has no sense of propriety. 
 
 The sense of what is said, or written, is its 
 meaning. 
 
 Sen si bil i ty, n. quickness and del- 
 icacy of feeling. 
 
 The eye has so much sensibility, that it is 
 very painful to look directly at the sun. 
 
 She had a tender heart and a keen sensi- 
 bility, but she never shrunk back from the 
 relief of the wretched. 
 
 Sen sible, a. capable of feeling. 
 
 He has lived many years in the West In- 
 dies, and is very sensible to the cold of a 
 northern winter. 
 
 He was very sensible to the reproof, and 
 much affected by it. 
 
 convinced of a thing. 
 
 He said he was sensible of his mistake, 
 and would correct it. 
 
 understanding things quickly and 
 clearly, and having a good judg- 
 ment. 
 
 He is a sensible man, and much confidence 
 is placed in his opinion. 
 
 Sen si tive, a. having quick and deli 
 cate feeling. 
 
SER 
 
 186 
 
 SHO 
 
 The sensitive plant shrinks back from the 
 touch and closes its leaves. 
 
 He is so sensitive with regard to the death 
 of his sister, that he cannot bear to have it 
 alluded to. 
 
 Sen tence, n. a determination or de- 
 cision respecting some person or 
 thing. 
 
 The sentence which the judge pronounced 
 upon the criminal, was, that he should be 
 sent to the State's prison for life. 
 
 We call a number of words so arranged as 
 to make complete sense, and followed by a 
 period, a sentence. 
 
 Sen ti ment, n. what one thinks about 
 persons or things. 
 
 He expressed his sentiments on the sub- 
 ject in a very impressive manner. 
 
 feeling. . .. , / 
 
 He cherished warm sentiments of grati- 
 tude towards his benefactor. 
 
 Sen ti nel, n. one who is set to watch* 
 against surprise or danger. 
 
 Se quel, n. a concluding part; as the 
 sequel of a story. — a distinct part 
 following something else. 
 
 He published a sequel to his book of trav- 
 els, giving an account of his visit to the same 
 country a few years afterwards. 
 
 Se rene, a. clear and calm ; as a se- 
 rene sky, a serene day. — calm and 
 'undisturbed ; as a serene mind, a 
 serene temper, serene looks. 
 
 Se ri ous, a. not trifling or mirthful, 
 thoughtful, considerate. 
 
 As he walked in the grave-yard, and re- 
 flected on the shortness of human life, he 
 felt very serious. 
 
 meaning as one says, being in earn- 
 est. 
 
 In asking his friend to accompany him to 
 Europe, he said he was serious, and very far 
 from any thing like jesting. 
 
 important. 
 
 It is a serious matter for a young man to 
 choose his employment for life. 
 
 Ses sion, n. a meeting and sitting of 
 a court, legislature, or other body 
 of men for the transaction of busi- 
 ness. 
 
 The Senate are 'now in session, and will 
 probably adjourn at twelve o'clock. 
 
 the whole time between the coming 
 together of such a body and its 
 breaking up. 
 
 The Legislature of Connecticut has one 
 session a year, alternately at Hartford and 
 New Haven. 
 
 Se vere, a. not mild, harsh. 
 
 His manner of reproving his children was 
 severe, and they stood in constant fear of him. 
 
 making no allowance for faults or er- 
 rors, demanding exact obedience. 
 
 He was very severe in discipline, and pun- 
 ished a soldier with death for writing a letter 
 to his wife by candle-light, in violation of an 
 order to have no lights in the camp. 
 
 inflicting excessive suffering. 
 
 The penalty for stealing a horse in England, 
 is very severe. It is death. 
 
 very distressing, violent ; as a severe 
 
 head-ache, a severe storm. 
 Sher iff, n. an officer in each county 
 
 whose duty it is to execute the 
 
 laws. 
 Shield, v. a. to defend against harm 
 
 or danger. 
 The hen covered her chickens with her 
 
 wings, and shielded them against the hawk. 
 
 Shore v n. a prop or support. 
 
 The branch of the tree was so loaded with 
 peaches, that they put a shore under it to 
 keep it from breaking. 
 
 that portion of land which borders 
 on the sea, a lake, or great river. 
 
SIG 
 
 187 
 
 SIM 
 
 Shrewd, (shrud,) a. sly, cunning. 
 
 An impostor borrowed a gold-headed cane 
 of a gentleman, to punish a man who had 
 been begging money, and who, he said, pre- 
 tended to be lame. He pursued the beggar, 
 and both ran off with the money and the cane. 
 It was a shrewd trick. 
 
 quick and accurate in observing. 
 
 He was a shrewd man, and soon found out the 
 artful rogue who had deceived many others. 
 
 Shrine, n. a box or case in which 
 
 something very valuable or sacred 
 
 is deposited. 
 Szege, n. the surrounding or blocking 
 
 up a place with soldiers in order 
 
 to take it. 
 
 After a siege of seven months, Alexander 
 the Great took, the city of Tyre and levelled 
 it with the ground. 
 
 Sign, n. something \^iich shows that 
 something else exists, or will fol- 
 low it. 
 
 The wind has come round into the north- 
 west, and it is a sign of fair weather. 
 
 'a look or motion intended to mean 
 something. 
 
 He made a sign for silence by putting his 
 fore -finger on his lips. 
 
 a miracle. 
 
 After Christ's ascension, many signs were 
 done by the apostles. 
 Sig nal, n. something employed to 
 give notice, or the notice itself. 
 
 The shipwrecked sailors hoisted a hand- 
 kerchief on a pole', as a signal that they need- 
 ed relief. 
 
 Sig nal, a. very worthy of notice, re- 
 markable. 
 
 The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah 
 was a signal example of the displeasure of 
 God against sin. 
 
 Sig' nal Ize, v. a. to make a person or 
 thing remarkable. 
 
 Captain James Cook, a celebrated naviga 
 tor, signalized himself by his discoveries ot 
 islands in the South Seas. He was kihed 
 at Oahu, one of these islands, by the natives, 
 on the 14th of February, 1779. 
 
 Sig nif i cant, a. having a meaning. 
 
 His looks were so significant, and well 
 understood by the scholars, that he often gov- 
 erned them in this way without saying a word. 
 
 showing that something else exists, 
 or willfollow it. 
 
 The rumbling noise of a volcano, is often 
 : , significant of an eruption. 
 
 Sig ni fy, v. a. to make known by 
 some sign, or bywords. 
 
 The taking down of the flag in the ship, 
 signified that it surrendered to the enemy. 
 
 When Jacob was about to die, he signified 
 to his children Ms wish to be buried in the 
 cave of Machpelah, near Hebron in Canaan. 
 
 to mean. 
 
 Sol in Latin, signifies Sun in English. 
 
 There is nothing gained by trying to teach 
 a child the signification of one word by anoth- 
 er which is equally difficult. 
 
 When we say, that a man's attempts to ac- 
 complish an object will signify nothing, we 
 mean that they will be of no use. 
 
 Sim pie, a. not mingled or united 
 with any thing else. 
 
 He uses nothing but simple water as his 
 constant drink. 
 
 He said he had nothing to gain for himself 
 in the matter, but gave them his advice from 
 a simple desire to do them good. 
 
 free from all art, plain. 
 
 Although a learned man, he was as simple 
 in his feelings as a child. 
 
 True greatness of mind is always accom 
 panied with simplicity of character. 
 
 We call that a simple dress which is plain, 
 having^ttle or no ornament, — and those man 
 ners simple which are artless and unaffected. 
 — By a simple man we sometimes mean a man 
 of weak mind. 
 
 Sim pli fy, v. a. to make a thing con 
 sist of fewer parts. 
 
SKE 
 
 188 
 
 SOA 
 
 He simplified the machine very much by 
 taking away many of the wheels, and making 
 the movements \es.s numerous and intricate. 
 
 to make a thing easy to be understood. 
 
 The teacher in the Sunday School while 
 addressing the younger children, took great 
 pains to simplify his instructions. 
 
 Sin cere, a. without disguise, being 
 what it appears to be, true, real. 
 
 When we need aid, we shall find who are 
 our sincere friends. 
 
 Prayer, in order to be acceptable to God, 
 must be sincere. 
 
 He is so upright, that none can doubt the 
 sincerity of his opinions, howe\ r er much they 
 may differ from him. 
 
 Sin' gu lar, (sing gu lar,) a. one, not 
 two or more. 
 
 Wheat is a word used only in the singular 
 number. 
 
 not happening often, unusual. 
 
 His forgetting his own name, was a singu- 
 lar instance of the loss of memory. 
 
 odd, differing from others. 
 
 His dress and manners are so singular, that 
 they attract the notice of every one as he 
 passes in the streets. 
 
 Sit u a tion, n. the place in which a 
 person or thing is, with regard to 
 other persons or things, either for 
 good or for evil. 
 
 The situation of Gibraltar at the entrance 
 into the Mediterranean sea, makes it a place 
 of great importance to the British. 
 
 He found his situation as librarian very 
 favorable to the improvement of his mind. 
 
 Sketch, v. a. to draw the general ap- 
 pearance or figure of a thing, 
 
 The view was so fine that tire tr 
 stopped to sketch it. 
 
 to give some of the most important 
 and striking particulars. 
 
 He sketched the plan of an address which 
 he expected to deliver in the evening. 
 
 traveller 
 
 Skill, n. the knowing how things 
 ought to be done and the being 
 able to do them easily and well. 
 
 His reputation for skill as a surgeon is so: 
 great, that he is sent for from a distance to 
 perform difficult operations. 
 
 Skir mish, n. a slight contest between 
 two armies or parts of armies. 
 
 After several skirmishes, the two armies 
 met and fought a hard battle. 
 
 Slan der, n. a telling of falsehoods 
 about another with an intention to 
 injure his character. 
 
 " He that uttereth a slander is a fool." 
 
 Slauo-A ter, n. a killing, a great and 
 violent destruction of life. 
 
 There has been much less slaughter in 1 
 tie since the invention of gunpowder than 
 there was before.^ 
 
 Sloth ful, a. inactive, not liking to 
 move or to labor. 
 
 " I went by the field of the slothful, and by 
 the vineyard of the man void of understanding, 
 and lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and 
 nettles had covered the face thereof." 
 
 Slug gard, n. an inactive, lazy person. 
 "The soul of the sluggard desireth, and 
 hath nothing." 
 
 It was a muddy sluggish stream, and w r e 
 floated down it only a mile in four hQurs. 
 
 Smug gle, v. a. to bring goods into 
 a country, or to carry them out of 
 it, secretly, and contrary to law, or 
 without paying the duties. 
 
 A great deal of opium has been smuggled 
 into China. 
 
 Sneer, v. n. to show contempt by the 
 looks, or by some insinuation. 
 
 He was afraid to be seen reading his Bible, 
 lest his wicked companions . should sneer at 
 him. 
 
 Soar, v. n. to fly high in the air. 
 
 Though the lark, soared so high, she did not 
 forget her nest and little ones on the ground. 
 
soc 
 
 189 
 
 SOL 
 
 to rise high in thought or feeling. 
 
 The desires of the Christian soar above this 
 world. 
 So ber, a. not under the influence of 
 intoxicating drinks. — not deranged, 
 nor under the influence of pas- 
 sion. 
 
 He acted so much like a crazy man, that 
 they thought he could hardly be in his sober 
 senses. 
 
 He said he had deliberated much on the en- 
 terprise, and in his sober judgment they had 
 better not undertake it. 
 
 serious in thought or in looks. 
 
 The reproof which his father gave him in 
 the morning, made him feel and appear sober 
 during the whole day. 
 
 He is always cheerful and happy, although 
 there is much sobriety in his deportment. 
 
 So cial, a. relating to men living to- 
 gether in society or to the public 
 at large. 
 
 To be honest, to obey the laws, and to pro- 
 mote the welfare of our country, are social 
 duties. 
 
 The neighbors met frequently at 'each 
 other's houses, and enjoyed much social in- 
 tercourse. 
 
 fond of mingling in company with 
 others. 
 
 He was very social in his feelings, and after 
 getting through the business of the day, took 
 great delight in conversing with his friends. 
 
 So ci e ty, n. a number of persons 
 united for some common purpose, 
 and having common interests. 
 
 Men could not live together in society with- 
 out government and laws. 
 
 a body of men united and acting to- 
 gether for a particular purpose ; as 
 a Bible Society. 
 
 company. 
 
 We spent an hour very agreeably in his so- 
 ciety. 
 
 So journ, v. n. to live for a while in a 
 place without expecting to settle 
 there. 
 
 Abraham went down and sojourned in 
 Egypt during a famine in Canaan. 
 
 Sol ace, v. a. to relieve or * cheer in 
 trouble or affliction. 
 
 The little boy tried to solace the grief of 
 his mother, by saying that he should soon be 
 able to take care of her, as his older brother 
 did who had just died. 
 So lar, a. belonging or relating to the 
 sun ; as solar light, a solar eclipse. 
 Sol emn, a. having, or producing, very 
 grave and serious feelings. 
 
 The church was dressed in black, and as 
 he entered it his mind became solemn. 
 
 The husband and wife were both buried in 
 the same grave. It was'a solemn scene. 
 
 He appealed to God, and declared, in the 
 most solemn manner, that what he said was 
 true. . 
 
 £o lem ni ty, n. a religious cere- 
 mony. 
 
 When the body of Napoleon was carried 
 from St. Helena to Paris and buried there, 
 the funeral solemnities were very grand and 
 striking. 
 
 deep seriousness. 
 
 The solemnity of the dying father in giving 
 his last, ad vice to his children, impressed it 
 strongly on their minds. 
 
 So lie' it, (so lis sit,) v. a. to ask ear- 
 nestly. 
 
 He solicited his father to let him attend the 
 lectures on astronomy ; but he was so young 
 that his father did not think it best to yield to 
 his solicitation. 
 
 So lie' i tous, (so lis si tus,) a. very 
 earnest to get something. 
 
 He knew it would please his father, and he 
 was very solicitous to obtain the highest 
 prize at school. 
 
 anxious. 
 
sou 
 
 The physician was so solicitous about his 
 patient who was very sick, that he spent the 
 whole night with him. 
 
 There is great solicitude about the safety of 
 the ship, as she has not been heard of since 
 she sailed. 
 
 Sol i ta ry, a. living alone. 
 
 Some animals herd cogether, while others 
 lead a solitary life, as the lion and tiger. 
 
 She had plenty of books and a taste for 
 reading, and found her solitude not unpleas- 
 ant. 
 
 away from others, retired. 
 
 The house was solitary. It stood on the 
 top of a mountain, many miles distant from 
 any other dwelling. 
 
 single, only one. # 
 
 The enemy set fire to the village, and but 
 a solitary building was left standing. 
 
 Soothe, v. a. to allay or calm, by kind 
 words or treatment ; as to soothe 
 pain, to soothe grief, to soothe an- 
 ger. | 
 
 Sor did, a. dirty, filthy ; as a sordid 
 dress. — low, vile. 
 
 He belongs to a respectable family, but has 
 ruined his character by abandoning himself to 
 the most sordid vices. 
 
 niggardly. 
 
 Though rich, he was so sordid that he 
 would do the meanest things to get a little 
 money. 
 
 Sowl, n. that something within us 
 which thinks, feels, and wills ; 
 which distinguishes between what 
 is true and false, right and wrong, 
 and which will live forever. — a hu- 
 man, being. 
 
 The ship foundered, and every soul on 
 
 board perished. 
 
 Sound, v. n. or a. to make a noise. — 
 
 to try how deep the water is, 
 
 and what kind of ground is at the 
 
 190 
 
 SPE 
 
 bottom, by sinking lead at the end 
 of a line. 
 
 Sov' er eign, (suv er in,) a. highest 
 in power or authority. 
 
 The sovereign ruler in Turkey, is called 
 the Sultan. , 
 
 We call that which never fails to cure a 
 disease, a sovereign remedy. 
 
 Spa cious, a. not narrow or confined, 
 having room enough. 
 
 The new school-house is very convenient. 
 The rooms are spacious and well ventilated. 
 
 vast in extent ; as the spacious ocean. 
 Spe' cial, (spesh al,) a. particular. 
 
 He said his special reason for calling so 
 early in the morning, was to ask him to visit 
 a poor neighbor who was sick. 
 
 extraordinary. 
 
 There was a special session of the Con- 
 gress of the United States in the summer of 
 1841. 
 
 Spe' cie, (spe she,) n. coined money; 
 as gold eagles, silver dollars, cop- 
 per cents. 
 
 Spec' i fy, (spes se fy,) v. a. to name 
 or state particularly. 
 
 He said the picture had several faults, 
 which he would specify one by one. 
 
 Spec' i men, (spes i men,) n. a sam- 
 ple ; one thing, or a part of a thing, 
 which is exhibited to show what 
 the whole is. 
 
 He told the farmer, he would buy ten bar- 
 rels of his apples, if the bushel which had 
 been brought was a fair specimen of the rest. * 
 
 Spe' cious, (spe shus,) a, appearing 
 well at first view, but perhaps not 
 true or right. 
 
 He told him his account of the matter was 
 very specious, but he must examine the other 
 side before he could form an opinion. 
 
 Spec ta cle, n. something of a strik- 
 
SPI 
 
 191 
 
 SPO 
 
 ing or affecting kind exhibited to 
 the view. 
 
 The eruption of a volcano at night is a sub- 
 lime spectacle. 
 
 It was an interesting spectacle to see the 
 blind pupils, at the examination, reading the 
 Bible with their fingers. 
 
 Spec u la tion, n. an attentive view 
 of a thing taken by the mind. 
 
 In his speculations on the power of God he 
 became lost in wonder and delight. 
 
 thoughts and opinions formed by 
 meditation. 
 
 He has lately published in the newspapers 
 his speculations on the instruction of young 
 children in the common schools. 
 
 a scheme or view of a subject formed 
 in the mind, but not carried out 
 into practice. 
 
 The mode of directing balloons, so as to 
 travel in them through the air, is still a matter 
 of mere speculation. 
 
 When a man buys something to sell again, 
 expecting an unusual advance in the price, we 
 call it a speculation. 
 
 Spend thrift, n. one who spends mon- 
 ey in a wasteful and extravagant 
 manner. 
 
 Sphere, (sfere), n. a globe — a round 
 body, every part of the surface of 
 which is equally distant from its 
 centre. — the regular circuit through 
 which a body moves. 
 
 The earth in revolving round the sun never 
 goes out of its sphere. 
 
 We say, a man keeps within his proper 
 sphere, when he does not attempt to do that 
 for which he is not fitted, or which it does 
 not belong to him to do. 
 
 Spher' i cal, (sfer i cal,) a. round like 
 
 a sphere. 
 Spir it, n. the soul, the immortal part 
 
 of man. 
 
 When Stephen, the first martyr, wa3 stoned 
 to death, he said, " Lord Jesus, receive my 
 
 spirit." 
 
 animation, ardor. 
 
 He spoke with so much spirit, that he 
 roused the feelings of the whole assembly. 
 
 disposition of mind. 
 
 She had a sweet and gentle spirit, and was 
 careful never to wound the feelings of others. 
 
 eager desire. 
 
 The spirit of speculation spread over the 
 whole country, and ruined thousands. 
 
 that which gives power or life. 
 
 The spirit of industry was seen through- 
 out the whole village, and every thing ap- 
 peared flourishing and in the best order. 
 
 Spir it u al, a. distinct from matter, 
 belonging or relating to the mind. 
 
 The spiritual part of man will live, when 
 the body moulders in the grave. 
 
 relating to the soul and to religious 
 concerns. 
 
 He took good care of his body, but neg- 
 lected his spiritual welfare. 
 
 requiring holy thoughts, feelings, and 
 purposes. 
 
 The law of God is spiritual. 
 
 relating to sacred things ; as spiritual 
 
 songs. 
 Splen did, a. shining very brightly, as 
 
 the sun in a clear day. — very 
 
 showy. 
 
 His cabinet contained a splendid collection 
 of birds of the richest plumage. 
 
 illustrious ; as a splendid victory, a 
 ^ splendid reputation. 
 Spoil, n. that which is taken by vio- 
 lence, especially in war. 
 Spon ta ne ous, a. acting of itself, 
 without compulsion or any exter- 
 nal influence. 
 When he entered the hall there was a , 
 
STA 192 
 
 STA 
 
 spontaneous rising of the whole assembly as 
 a mark of respect. 
 
 When any thing burns without fire being 
 applied to it, we call it a spontaneous com- 
 bustion. 
 
 When any thing grows without being 
 planted, or taken care of by man, we call it 
 a spontaneous growth. 
 
 Spu ri cms, a. not what it appears or 
 claims to be. 
 
 It is a spurious letter, and was never writ- 
 ten by the person whose name is signed to it. 
 
 The cashier said the bank note was a spu- 
 rious one, and he would not take it. 
 
 Spurn, v. a. to drive away as with the 
 foot, to reject with disdain. 
 
 He was offered money if he would vote for 
 a particular man, but he spumed the proposal 
 as an insult. 
 
 Squan der, v. a. to spend in a wasteful 
 and injudicious manner. 
 
 He soon squandered the property that was 
 left him by his father, in purchasing costly 
 articles which he did not need, and which he 
 could not dispose of without great loss. 
 
 Sta. ble, a. fixed strongly in its place, 
 not easily moved or shaken. 
 
 The pillar-is firm on its base, and likely to 
 be stable. 
 
 He is a very stable man, and it will be of 
 no use to attempt to change his purpose. 
 
 To-day he is following one plan, and to- 
 morrow he will follow another. His want of 
 stability prevents his success. 
 
 Stag nant, a. not flowing, having no 
 motion; as a stagnant pond of 
 water. 
 
 In a confined room the air stagnates. 
 When business is very dull, we say it stag- ' 
 nates. 
 
 Stanch, v. a. to stop blood from run- 
 ning. 
 
 Stanch, a. strong and tight; as a 
 stanch hogshead, a stanch boat. 
 
 firm and hearty in purpose and feel- 
 ing. 
 
 Wilberforce was a stanch advocate of the 
 abolition of the slave trade. 
 
 Stand ard, n. a flag used in war. — a 
 rule or measure fixed by the gov- 
 ernment of a country, and by which 
 other things of the same kind are 
 tried. 
 
 The government of the United States de- 
 termines the standard of gold coin, as how 
 much pure gold, and how much of inferior 
 metal shall make an eagle. 
 
 a rule or model of established au- 
 thority, by which other things of 
 the same kind are tried. 
 
 In judging which of the scholars wrote the 
 best, the master made tho copy which he set 
 them the standard. 
 
 The speeches of Demosthenes are among 
 the best standards of eloquence. 
 
 If you would excel in any thing, you must 
 take a high standard to imitate. 
 
 Sta pie, a. the staple productions of 
 a country are the principal ones 
 which are raised or manufactured ; 
 as, cotton and rice are the staple 
 productions of South-Carolina. 
 
 State, n. the circumstances in which 
 a person or thing is placed, condi- 
 tion. In this sense of the word, 
 however, it usually denotes more 
 permanency than the word condi- 
 tion does. 
 
 He enjoys a fine state of health, and has 
 not been sick for many years. 
 
 The country is in a very prosperous state, 
 and is likely to continue so. 
 
 a body of people united under one 
 government; as the State of Ver- 
 mont, the State of Georgia. 
 
 
STE 
 
 193 STI 
 
 The State of Connecticut has a large fund 
 for the support of common schools. 
 
 pomp. 
 
 The king came in state to dissolve the par- 
 liament. 
 
 Sta ted, a. fixed, settled. 
 
 He has a stated salary and receives it in 
 quarterly payments. 
 
 He was very methodical in the arrange- 
 ment of his time, and had stated hours lor 
 study, for business, and for exercise. 
 
 State ly, a. lofty, dignified, magnifi- 
 cent. 
 
 The shepherd and his flock reposed beneath 
 the shade of a stately elm. 
 
 Her maimers were stately but condescend- 
 ing. 
 
 The temple of Bel in Babylon was a 
 stately building, rising 600 feet into the air. 
 
 Sta tion, n. the place where a person 
 or thing stands. 
 
 He wished to see the procession pass, and 
 took his station on the flat roof of the house. 
 
 office to which one is appointed. 
 
 He held the station of Governor five years 
 in succession. 
 
 condition. 
 
 However humble your station, you may be 
 useful and happy if you do your duty. • 
 
 Sta tion a ry, a. fixed, not going back- 
 ward or forward. 
 The floating ice in the river became sta- 
 ' tionary during a severely cold night. 
 
 Stat ure, n: the height of any animal, 
 especially of man. 
 
 Zaccheus, being short of stature, climbed 
 up into a sycamore tree, that he might get a 
 sight of Christ who was passing by. 
 
 Stead fast, a. fixed firmly in its place. 
 The true hope of the Christian is as an an- 
 chor of the soul, sure and steadfast. 
 
 firm in purpose, constant. 
 
 " Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always 
 abounding in the work of the Lord." 
 
 Stead y, a. firm in its place, not tot- 
 13 
 
 tering or shaking ; as the table is. 
 steady. — not fickle ; constant in 
 feeling, purpose, and conduct. 
 
 He is very steady in attending to his busi- 
 ness, and you may always find him at his of- 
 fice at the regular hours. 
 
 keeping on in an unchanging course ; 
 
 as a steady stream, the steady 
 
 motion of the ' earth round the 
 
 sun. 
 Stem, v. a. to oppose a current. 
 
 The boys stemmed the running brook, by 
 building a dam across it. 
 
 to ascend or cross a stream against 
 the force of its current. 
 
 Though the water ran swiftly, he was a 
 good swimmer and able to stem it. 
 
 Stern, a. severe in look or manners. 
 
 He had so stern a countenance that little 
 children were afraid to go to- him. 
 
 Stew' ard, (stfi ard,) n. one who 
 manages the household concerns, 
 or the affairs of another. 
 
 " It is required in stewards that a man be 
 found faithful." 
 
 Sti fie, v. a to stop the breath. 
 
 The dust was so thick, that we were almost 
 stifled by it. 
 
 to keep from breaking out or spread- 
 ing, to put a stop to ; as to stifle a 
 flame, to stifle laughter, to stifle a 
 report. 
 
 Stig' ma tize, v. a. to mark with infa- 
 my, to speak of with great re- 
 proach. 
 
 He endeavored to stigmatize the character 
 of his neighbor by charging him falsely with 
 having committed a mean theft. 
 
 Stmt, v. a. to confine within certain 
 and often narrow limits. 
 
 The poor child was so stinted in its food. 
 
STR 
 
 194 
 
 STU 
 
 that it was "much smaller than other children 
 of its age. 
 
 The son was so extravagant that his father 
 ■was obliged to stint him in his expenses. 
 
 to set a certain task to be done with- 
 in a certain time. 
 
 The young man was stinted to mow an 
 acre of grass during the day. He finished it 
 by noon, and had the^ afternoon to himself. 
 
 Stip u late, v. a. to make' an agree- 
 ment to do, or not to do, a certain 
 thing. 
 
 When the man rented his house, he stipu- 
 lated to keep it in good repair. 
 Stock, n. the main body of a plant or 
 tree. — race; the beginning of a 
 family to which all of the same 
 kindred belong. 
 
 Paul said he was of the stock of Israel, of 
 the tribe of Benjamin. 
 
 the money or goods with which any 
 business is begun and carried on 
 for the sake of profit. 
 
 The merchant has just taken an account of 
 his stock, and finds it amounts to five thou- 
 sand dollars. 
 
 a quantity laid up for future use. 
 
 He has a sufficient stock of provisions for 
 the winter. 
 
 The domestic animals on a farm are called 
 stock. 
 
 Strand, n. the shore of a sea or lake 
 which is washed by the tide or 
 waves. 
 
 Strat a gem, n. an artifice or trick, 
 usually in war. 
 
 To conceal the retreat of the troops, fires 
 were kept burning in the camp during the 
 night, and the sentinels continued at their 
 posts. The. stratagem was successful. 
 
 Stren u ous, a. very earnest and press- 
 ing. 
 
 He was very strenuous in defending the 
 plan, although it was unpopular. 
 
 very bold and active. 
 
 He is a strenuous supporter of his party. 
 
 Strict, a. accurate, exact. 
 
 He kept a strict account of all the money 
 which he expended. 
 
 keeping, or making others keep, a 
 rule or law very exactly. 
 
 He was kind yet strict in the government 
 of his family, and his children loved him the 
 more for being so. 
 
 Strife, n. a trying to see which can 
 excel or succeed. 
 
 There was a long strife between Robert 
 and James, to see which would get the prize 
 for the best writing. 
 
 a trying by persons who are angry, 
 or at enmity, to overcome each 
 other. 
 
 " It is an honor for a man to cease from 
 
 strife." 
 
 Strl king, a. affecting, forcible, sur- 
 prising. 
 
 David lamenting the death of Absalom, is 
 a striking example of the power of a father's 
 love. 
 
 The short passage of the steam-ships across 
 the ocean, is a striking proof of what human 
 skill can effect. 
 
 Struct ure, n. the manner of building, 
 or of putting together the parts of 
 a thing. 
 
 The structure of the human body is won- 
 derful, and shows the wisdom and goodness 
 of God. 
 
 a building. 
 
 The ruins lately discovered in Central 
 America, show that the original structures 
 must have been very magnificent. 
 
 Stur dy, a. very strong and capable 
 of enduring labor or fatigue. 
 
 The man told the impudent sturdy beggar, 
 
 
SUB 
 
 195 
 
 SUB 
 
 that he was well able to work and earn his 
 living. 
 
 forcible. 
 
 He struck sturdy blows with his battle-axe 
 against the gate of the castle. 
 
 stiff, strong. 
 
 The sturdy oak did not bend before the 
 violent gale. 
 
 Style, h. the manner of writing with 
 regard to language ; the manner of 
 speaking, of music, of painting, of 
 dress, of living, or of doing a 
 thing. 
 
 Sub due, v. a. to overcome and bring 
 entirely under the power of, to de- 
 stroy the force of. ' 
 
 Henry II. king of England, subdued Ireland, 
 and brought it under his government, in the 
 j'ear 1172. 
 
 He was naturally very passionate, but suc- 
 ceeded^in subduing his temper, so that he was 
 not known to be angry for many years. 
 
 Sub ject, a. being under the authority 
 or power of. 
 
 A large part of India is subject to the do- 
 minion of Great Britain. 
 
 exposed to something which cannot 
 be avoided. 
 
 He has been subject to fits for many years. 
 
 Sub ject, n. one who lives under the 
 dominion of another. 
 
 He was formerly a subject of the king of 
 Great Britain, but has lately become an 
 American citizen. 
 
 that about which one thinks, speaks, 
 or writes. 
 
 The subject of a beautiful poem by Camp- 
 bell, is, The Pleasures of Hope. 
 
 Sub ju gate, v. a. to bring by force 
 entirely under th# dominion of. 
 
 Julius Cesar subjugated the Gauls, who 
 lived in the country which is now called 
 France. 
 
 Sub lime, a. high, and exciting ele- 
 vated feelings. 
 
 A dark, cloud rising in the heavens, with 
 the vivid flashes of lightning and the heavy 
 peals of thunder, is a sublime object. • 
 
 The falls of Niagara are among the most 
 sublime scenes in the world. 
 
 It is a sublime thought of the prophet Isaiah, 
 that " the heavens shall be rolled together as 
 a scroll." • 
 
 It is a sublime expression of Moses, " And 
 God said, Let there be light : and there was 
 light." 
 
 Sub mis sion, n. yielding one's sflf 
 up to the power and authority of an- 
 other. 
 
 The king required submission of the rebels, 
 before he would say whether he would pardon 
 them or not. 
 
 yielding obedience. 
 
 The Bible enjoins the cheerful submission 
 of children to their parents. 
 
 yielding to the will of another, so 
 as not to murmur or complain. 
 
 The submission of Eli to God was striking, 
 when he said, "It is the Lord: let him do 
 what seemeth him good." 
 
 When a thing is referred to another, to give 
 an opinion or decision about it, it is said to be 
 submitted to him. 
 
 Sub scribe, v. a. to write one's name 
 under something that is written or 
 printed ; as to subscribe a letter. — 
 to consent to, or bind one's self by 
 something that is written or printed, 
 by signing one's name to it. 
 
 He subscribed the deed which conveyed 
 his farm to his neighbor. 
 
 v. n. to give assent to. 
 
 He rose in the meeting, and said he sub- 
 scribed fully to the remarks of the last 
 speaker. 
 
 Sub serve, v. a. to help in accomplish- 
 ing some object or purpose. 
 
SUB 
 
 196 
 
 sue 
 
 He is very selfish, and cares nothing about 
 others only so far as he can make them sub- 
 serve his own designs. 
 
 He did not select for his reading merely 
 amusing books, but those which would be 
 subservient to his improvement. 
 
 Sub side, v. n. to sink or fall knver. 
 
 The mud subsided in the water which was 
 taken out of the river, and it became clear. 
 
 to settle or become calm* after being 
 agitated. 
 
 The storm, after raging all day, subsided 
 ^t sunset, and the evening was clear and de- 
 %htful. 
 
 Sub sist, v. n. to be. 
 
 We subsist because God keeps us^in life. 
 
 to have the means of living. 
 
 He and his family subsist by hard labor. 
 
 to support life. 
 
 The lion subsists on animal, but the sheep 
 on vegetable food. 
 
 Sub stance, , n. any thing which 
 exists. 
 
 The soul is a substance. The body is a 
 substance. 
 
 the most important part of a thing. 
 
 He did not repeat the whole address which 
 he had before delivered, but he gave us the 
 substance of it. 
 
 property, means of living. 
 
 Before his death, Job became a man of 
 great substance. 
 
 Sub stan tial, a. real, not merely 
 seeming to be. 
 
 There is substantial happiness in loving 
 God and doing good. 
 
 strong, stout, solid. 
 
 He bought some cloth for a surtout, which 
 proved to be very substantial. It lasted 
 several years. 
 
 We call him a substantial man, who is in 
 good circumstances and doing well in his 
 business. 
 Sub sti tute, v. a. to put one person 
 or thing in the place of another. 
 
 The rudder of the boat was lost, and they 
 substituted an oar in its stead. 
 
 Mere outward politeness is a poor substitute 
 for the benevolence of the heart. 
 
 Sub vert,?;, a. to overturn and destroy 
 utterly. 
 
 Alfred the Great subverted the power of 
 the Danes, and established himself firmly on 
 the throne of England. He died in the year 
 900. 
 to corrupt the mind. 
 
 Paul speaks of certain unruly and vain 
 talkers and deceivers, who subverted whole 
 families, teaching things which they ought 
 not, for the sake of money. 
 
 Sue ceed, v. a. to follow in order. 
 
 The month of June succeeds that of 
 May. 
 
 to come into the place which another 
 has left. 
 
 James Monroe succeeded James Madison 
 as President of the United States in the year 
 1817. 
 
 v. n. to accomplish or gain what one 
 attempts or wishes. 
 
 After trying a long time, they succeeded in 
 restoring the drowned man to life. » 
 
 Sue cess, n. accomplishing or gain- 
 ing what one attempts or wishes. 
 
 Industry and perseverance are necessary 
 to success. 
 
 Sue ces sion'ft. the following of one 
 thing after another. 
 
 There was a succession of flocks of wild 
 geese, passing to the north, during the whole 
 day. 
 
 coming into the place which another 
 has left. 
 
 Domitian, on his succession to the throne 
 of Rome in the year 81, at first seemed to be 
 a good emperor, but soon after showed him- 
 self a detestable typnt. 
 
 Nicholas I. became the successor of his 
 brother Alexander, as emperor of Hussia, in 
 the year 1825. • 
 
SUI 
 
 197 
 
 SUP 
 
 Sue cor, v. a. to come to the help of 
 another, to relieve one who is in 
 distress or difficulty. 
 
 The ship succored the men on the island 
 who were almost starving, by furnishing them 
 with a supply of provisions. 
 
 Suffice', (suf fize,) v. n. to be 
 enough. 
 
 James found that one hour a day sufficed 
 for getting his lesson in geography out of 
 school. 
 v. a. to satisfy. 
 
 He said what he had eaten sufficed him. 
 He did not wish for any more. 
 
 Our Saviour teaches us not to be too anx- 
 ious for the morrow; saying, that "sufficient 
 unto the day is the evil thereof." 
 
 Suf fix, n. a letter or syllable annex- 
 ed to a word to modify its signifi- 
 cation ; as less in fatherless, ar in 
 beggar. 
 
 Suf fo cate, v. a. to stop one's breath- 
 ing by preventing the air from get- 
 ting into the lungs, or by introdu- 
 cing into them smoke, dust, or some- 
 thing else of a similar kind which is 
 hurtful. 
 
 They very carelessly left a vessel of burn- 
 ing coals in the room where they slept, and 
 were suffocated and found dead in the 
 morning. 
 Sug gest, v. a. to intimate, or give 
 the idea of a thing to the mind. 
 
 The visiter suggested to the teacher, that a 
 black-board would be very useful in the school. 
 
 His visiting two young women who were 
 deaf and dumb, first suggested to the Abbe' de 
 l'Epe'e the plan of establishing a school in 
 Paris, for the benefit of such persons. He 
 died in 1790. _ 
 
 Su i cide, n. intentionally killing one's 
 self. — The person who does this is 
 also called a suicide. 
 
 Sul ly, v. a. to lessen the brightness 
 of a thing by soiling or dirtying it. 
 
 A father gave a beautiful book with gilt 
 edges to his son, and told him to be careful 
 not to sully it. 
 
 It is much easier to sully a good character 
 than to gain it. 
 
 Sum ma ry, a. not going into particu- 
 lars, short and mentioning only the 
 principal things. 
 
 He said, as there would not be time to read 
 the whole Report, he would give a summary 
 statement of it to the meeting. 
 
 not done in the usual, but in a much 
 shorter manner. 
 
 He found a young man taking money out of 
 his drawer, and inflicted upon him a summa- 
 ry punishment by a severe flogging, when he 
 ought to have had him dealt with according 
 to law. 
 
 Sum mit, n. the top or highest part ; 
 as the summit of a mountain. 
 
 Sum mon, v. a. to call one, by author- 
 ity, to attend at a particular place, 
 or to do a particular thing. 
 
 He was summoned to appear as a witness 
 in court, and tell under oath what he knew 
 about the matter. 
 
 to stir up to action. 
 
 He saw the danger which threatened him, 
 and summoned up all his resolution to meet it. 
 
 Sun der, v. a. to part, to separate. 
 The lightning struck the trunk of a large 
 oak, and sundered it in pieces. 
 
 Sun dry, a. several, more than one. 
 The merchant sent his clerk on a journey, 
 to collect sundry debts. 
 
 Su perb, a. rich, magnificent, stately. 
 
 The palace of Chosroes, king of Persia, 
 who died in the year 579, was very superb. 
 It is said, that the roof was supported by forty 
 thousand columns of silver, and that a thou- 
 sand globes of gold were suspended in the 
 dome, to represent the motions of the planets 
 and the constellations in the zodiac. 
 
SUP 
 
 198 
 
 SUP 
 
 Su per fi' cial, (su per fish al,) a. be- 
 ing on the surface. 
 
 The knife scarcely cut the skin; it was 
 only a superficial wound. 
 
 not deep or thorough, slight. 
 
 He has read a little, here and a little there 
 in many books, and can tell you something 
 about them all ; but he has not studied them 
 with attention, and his knowledge is very su- 
 perficial. 
 
 Su per flu ous, a. more than enough, 
 not needed. 
 
 The day is so warm, that a fire in the stove 
 is superfluous. 
 
 She was dressed with great neatness, and 
 showed her good taste in avoiding all super- 
 fluous ornaments. 
 
 Su pe ri or, a. higher in place, station, 
 merit or value. 
 
 A general is superior to a colonel ; a colo- 
 nel, to a major ; and a major, to a captain. 
 
 He is a superior mechanic, and does his 
 work so well that he never wants customers. 
 
 above the influence of. 
 
 Be superior to the temptations of ease and 
 pleasure, if you wish to be either good or 
 great. 
 
 Su per nat u ral, a. beyond the pow- 
 ers of nature, miraculous. 
 
 The swimming of the axe on the water, at 
 the command of the prophet Elisha, was su- 
 pernatural. 
 
 Su per scribe, v. a. to write, or en- 
 grave, on the top or outside ; as to 
 superscribe a letter. 
 
 The superscription on the coin was nearly 
 
 Su per sede, v. a. for one thing to de- 
 stroy the force of another, or make 
 it useless. 
 
 Steam-boats and rail-road cars have, in ma- 
 ny places, superseded stage coaches. 
 
 for one to come into the place of 
 another who is set 
 
 The general who commanded the army did 
 not perform his duty well, and another was 
 sent to supersede him. 
 
 Su per struct ure, n. that which is 
 built on something else. 
 
 They have finished the foundation, and are 
 just beginning the superstructure of the State- 
 house. 
 
 Sup plant, v. a. to get one out of his 
 place by stratagem. 
 
 Jacob supplanted Esau, and obtained the 
 blessing which Isaac intended to give his 
 brother. 
 
 Sup pie ment, n. an addition to some- 
 thing, to supply what is wanting. 
 
 , A supplement to the newspaper was pub- 
 lished, containing advertisements. 
 
 Siip. pli ant, n. one who asks for 
 something earnestly and humbly. 
 
 Sup pli cate, v. a. to ask for some- 
 thing earnestly and humbly. 
 
 We should daily supplicate the mercy and 
 favor of God. 
 
 Sup port, v. a. to bear or hold up. 
 
 The pillars supported the roof. 
 
 to bear pain, or evil of any land, 
 
 without being overcome by it. 
 
 His losses were severe, 'but he supported 
 them with a cheerful resignation. 
 
 to furnish the means of living, or of 
 doing a particular thing; as to 
 support a family, to support a cler- 
 gyman, to support the expenses of 
 the government, or of a war. 
 
 Sup press, v. a. to crush, to subdue. 
 
 Tiie soldiers were ordered out to suppress 
 the riot. 
 
 to keep a thing from appearing or be- 
 ing known. 
 
 She suppressed her grief, that she might 
 not make her companions sad. , 
 
 to keep back, not to let out. 
 
SUR 
 
 199 
 
 sus 
 
 The clerk suppressed an important letter 
 which he ought to have communicated to his 
 employer. 
 Su preme, a. highest in authority, in 
 dignity, or in excellence. 
 
 God is the Supreme Governor of all beings 
 and things. 
 
 above all. 
 
 The miser makes money the supreme ob- 
 ject of his affections. 
 
 Sur face, n. the outside of a thing. 
 The surface of the ice was as smooth as 
 glass. 
 Sur feit, n. eating or drinking to ex- 
 cess, so as to cause great uneasi- 
 ness or sickness. 
 v Sur mise, v. a. to think that a thing 
 is or may be, without any certain 
 knowledge. 
 
 The captain surmised the danger for some 
 time. before the ship struck the rock. 
 Sur mount', v. a. to rise above. 
 
 The balloon in its flight soon surmounted 
 the clouds. . 
 to overcome. 
 
 He had to encounter great difficulties, but 
 by energy and perseverance he surmounted 
 them all. 
 
 Sur pass,u. a. to go beyond, to excel. 
 
 The sun surpasses all other objects in 
 brightness. 
 
 The moderns much surpass the ancients in 
 the knowledge of astronomy. 
 
 Sur ren der, v. a. to yield or give up 
 to the power or authority of anoth- 
 er. 
 
 The thief surrendered the watches which 
 he had stolen, to the officer. 
 
 After a severe attack, the fort surrendered 
 and was taken possession of by the enemy. 
 
 Sur vey', (sur va,) v. a. to look at, or 
 over, with particular attention. 
 
 He stood on the high cliff, and surveyed 
 
 the ocean, to see if he could discover any 
 vessel, 
 to examine. 
 
 He surveyed every part of the house, to 
 ascertain whether it was well built. 
 
 to measure land and determine the 
 quantity. 
 
 They surveyed the field, and found it con- 
 tained fifty acres. 
 
 Sur vive, v. a. for one to continue to 
 live after another who has lived at 
 the same time with him, dies. 
 
 He survived his wife four years. 
 
 to continue to live after some event 
 which has happened since a per- 
 son was born. 
 
 Noah survived the deluge 350 jpars. 
 
 Sus cep ti ble, a. capable of receiv- 
 ing or admitting. 
 
 The melted wax is susceptible of an im 
 pression from the seal. 
 
 Some children appear to be susceptible of 
 instruction at an earlier age than others. 
 
 tender in feeling, easily affected. 
 
 When young he was very susceptible both 
 to commendation and reproof ; but he has be- 
 come so hardened in crime that he seems 
 now to care for neither. 
 
 Sus pect, v. a. to think or fear, with 
 little or no evidence, that some- 
 thing exists or may happen. 
 
 The traveller said, he suspected there 
 might be some danger in passing through the . 
 wood, as a late robbery had been committed 
 there. 
 
 to think, without proof, that a person 
 is guilty. 
 
 He was suspected of having counterfeit 
 money, and when searched a large amount 
 was found upon him. 
 
 to think a thing doubtful or uncertain. 
 
 I suspected the truth of what he told me, 
 because he took so much pains to lead me to 
 believe it. 
 
SWA 
 
 200 
 
 SYM 
 
 Sus pend, v. a. to hang. 
 
 The swing was suspended from the branch 
 of a tree. 
 
 to make to stop for a time. 
 
 The boys suspended their game at ball till 
 the shower was over. 
 
 When, for misconduct, one is kept from 
 enjoying some privilege, or performing the 
 duties of some office and receiving his pay, 
 he is said to be suspended. 
 
 Sus pi' cious, (sus pish us,) a. inclined 
 to suspect. 
 
 He is deranged, and suspicious that every 
 body who approaches him intends to do him 
 some harm. 
 
 giving cause to suspicion, liable to be 
 suspected. 
 
 His conduct is such that he is regarded as 
 a suspicious character, although nothing crim- 
 inal has yet been proved against him. 
 
 Sus tain, v. a. to bear or hold up. 
 
 He is a strong man, and able to sustain a 
 very heavy weight. 
 
 The hope that he would yet be abie to pay 
 his debts, sustained him in the midst of his 
 pecuniary difficulties. 
 
 to keep alive. 
 
 He was lost in the woods, and for several 
 days had to sustain himself on berries. 
 
 to bear pain, or evil of any kind, with- 
 out being overcome by it. 
 
 He was confined to his house by sickness 
 for three years, and sustained it with great 
 fortitude. 
 •Sus te nance, n. supply of the means 
 of living. 
 
 He told his father not to be anxious about a 
 sustenance in old age, he would provide for 
 it. 
 
 f@od, victuals. 
 
 Manna was almost the only sustenance 
 which, the Israelites had during their forty 
 years wandering in the wilderness. 
 
 Sway, v. a. to move easily, or wave, 
 something held in the hand ; as for 
 
 a king to sway' his sceptre.— to 
 cause a strong leaning of the mind 
 in favor of, or in opposition to, some 
 person or thing. 
 
 He was swayed in his choice of a residence 
 by its being in the neighborhood of his old' 
 friends. 
 
 to govern, or have a powerful influ- 
 ence over. 
 
 He was so popular that he swayed the mul 
 titude to do as he pleased. 
 
 Swerve, v. n. to turn aside from what 
 is right. 
 
 To screen himself from blame, he swerved 
 very much from the truth in giving an account 
 of the matter. 
 
 Swin die, v. a. to cheat one out of his 
 property by artifice or false pre- 
 tences. 
 
 He swindled the merchant out of a large 
 amount of goods, which he got on credit, B31 
 representing that he was doing a large busi 
 ness in the country. He sold the goods at 
 auction for much less than they cost, and ran 
 off with the money. 
 
 Sym bol, n. an emblem, a represen- 
 tation of something else for which 
 it stands. 
 
 The olive-branch is a symbol of peace. 
 A crown is symbolical of kingly govern- 
 ment. 
 
 Sym me try, n. proportion, or the 
 fitness of the different parts of a 
 thing to each other, and of each to 
 the whole. 
 
 The child has a beautiful symmetry of fea- 
 tures. Its forehead, eyes, nose, cheeks, 
 mouth and chin, are just what they should be 
 to make the whole countenance very expres- 
 sive and interesting. 
 
 Sym' pa thlze, v. n. for one to feel as 
 another does, in consequence of 
 knowing how the other feels. 
 
TAB 
 
 201 
 
 TAN 
 
 He visited the family the day after the fu- 
 neral, to sympathize with them in their be- 
 reavement. * 
 
 A man who has no sympathy for others, 
 must expect none from them. 
 
 to have like feelings. 
 
 Their dispositions, tastes, and favorite pur- 
 suits were similar, and they seemed to sym- 
 pathize in almost every thing. 
 
 Symp torn, n. something that points 
 out what another thing is which it 
 accompanies, or with which it is 
 connected. 
 
 The physician thinks that his hard cough is 
 a symptom of disease in his lungs. 
 
 His borrowing money so often is a symp- 
 tom that his affairs are getting into a bad state. 
 
 Syn o nym, n. a word which has the 
 same signification with another 
 word. 
 
 Crabb has written a large work on English 
 synonyms. « 
 
 Words are often used as synonymous which 
 are really not so. 
 
 Sys tem, n. a combination of many 
 things, so arranged and connected 
 that they agree with each other 
 and with the whole. 
 
 The solar system is made up of the sun, the 
 planets, the asteroids, the satellites and the 
 comets, and its motions are carried on with 
 perfect regularity. 
 
 Look into a watch, and you will see a strik- 
 ing instance of systematic movement. It is 
 this which enables it to keep good time. 
 
 T. 
 
 ^pab er na cle, n. a tent. — a build- 
 ing in which one dwells but for a 
 short time. — the Jewish place of 
 warship before the temple was 
 built. — any house of worship.— 
 the human body. 
 
 Tac' it, (tas it,) a. expressing by si- 
 lence, implied. 
 
 The chairman of the meeting said that if no 
 objections were made to publishing the Re- 
 port, he should consider them as giving their 
 tacit consent. 
 
 Tac' i turn, (tas i turn,) a. not fond of 
 talking, habitually silent. 
 
 He was so taciturn, that during the whole 
 day's ride he said nothing except to ask where 
 they should stop to dine. 
 
 Tact, n. a nice discernment of the 
 best time and manner of doing 
 something, and being expert in do- 
 ing it. 
 
 He has such a tact in getting subscriptions 
 to charitable objects, that he obtained one 
 hundred dollars from the greatest miser in the 
 town. 
 
 Tal ent, n. an ancient weight or coin. 
 — mental power. 
 
 When a man has superior ability to excel 
 in what he undertakes, he is called a man of 
 talents. Wlien he shows an ability to excel 
 in any particular thing, he is said to have a 
 talent, for that thing. 
 
 Tal ly, v. n. for one thing to fit or 
 correspond with another. 
 
 The account which he gives of the matter 
 to-day, does not tally with that which he gave 
 yesterday. 
 
 A boy was chosen on each side, to keep 
 tally for those who were playing at ball. 
 
 Tarn per, v. n. to meddle or be busy 
 with, to little or no purpose. 
 
 He has been taking one kind of dose and 
 another, without consulting a physician, and 
 tampering so long with his disease, that his 
 friends fear that it can never be cured. 
 
 to deal with secretly. 
 
 He was detected in tampering with one of 
 the jury, to try to get the prisoner acquitted. 
 
 Tan gi ble, a. that which can be per- 
 ceived by the* touch. 
 
TED 
 
 202 
 
 TEM 
 
 Light is not tangible. 
 
 We say that a thing 13 tangible, when it is 
 so plain as to be easily apprehended by the 
 mind. 
 
 Tan' ta llze, v. a. to torment, by show- 
 ing some good which is kept out 
 of reach, and exciting the desire 
 of it. 
 
 After a dead calm of several days, they 
 were tantalized with a breeze which just 
 filled the sails, and then died away. 
 
 Taste, n. niceness and accuracy in, 
 perceiving, relishing, and judging 
 of the beauties of nature and art. 
 
 The house, and every thing in and around 
 it, showed that the owner, though not rich, 
 was a man of taste. 
 
 Tawnt, v. a. to reproach, or ridicule, 
 in an insulting manner. 
 
 He was an industrious and worthy young 
 man, and it was cruel to taunt him with the 
 crimes of his father. 
 
 Taw dry, a. showy, but not elegant, 
 and costing but little. 
 
 The Indian woman wore some tawdry glass 
 beads around her neck. 
 
 Tax, v. a. to determine by authority 
 how much a citizen shajl pay as 
 his part of the public expenses. — - 
 to load as with a burden. 
 
 He came so often and staid so long, that he 
 taxed my patience exceedingly. 
 
 to accuse or censure. 
 
 They taxed him with great imprudence in 
 going in to bathe when he was so excessively 
 heated. 
 
 TecA ni cal, a. relating to gome par- 
 ticular art, business, or profession. 
 
 A sailor uses many technical words and 
 phrases, which those who have not been to 
 sea cannot understand. 
 
 Te di ous, a. so slow or particular as 
 to be tiresome. 
 
 We had a tedious walk through the drifted 
 snow. 
 
 p Before he finished his long and tedious ad 
 dress, many of the hearers became quite in- 
 attentive. 
 
 Teem, v. n. to bring forth, to abound. 
 
 His garden teems with vegetables of all 
 kinds. 
 
 The mind of the speculator teemed with 
 schemes for making money. 
 
 Tel e graph, n. an instrument, or ma- 
 chine, for conveying intelligence to 
 a distance by signals. 
 
 Tern per, v. a. to mix things togeth- 
 er, so that one part may abate the 
 force or severity of the other. 
 
 He tempered the hot water by pouring into 
 it a small quantity of cold water. 
 
 A kind Providence tempers the wind to the 
 shorn lamb. 
 
 The father tempered the reproof which he 
 gave his son with some commendation. 
 
 Iron or steel is said to be tempered when it 
 is made of a proper hardness by heat. 
 
 Tern per, n. that state which arises 
 from a mixture of different quali- 
 ties. 
 
 The temper of the putty was just as it 
 should be; it was neither too hard nor too 
 soft. 
 
 disposition of mind. 
 
 The infant is almost always smiling and 
 playful. It has a sweet temper. 
 
 heat of feeling. 
 
 The boy showed a good deal of temper, 
 when the master, on account of his miscon- 
 duct, would not let him go out to play with 
 the other boys. 
 
 By the temper of a metal, we mean its de- 
 gree of hardness or softness. 
 
 Tem per a ment, n. that state which 
 arises from such a mixture of dif- 
 ferent qualities that one has ftore 
 Torce than the rest. 
 
TEN 
 
 203 
 
 TER 
 
 He is of a very sanguine temperament. 
 His feelings are strong and lively, and he al- 
 ways expects to succeed, even when there is 
 but little ground for it. 
 Tera per a ture, n. state with regard 
 to the degree of heat or cold. 
 
 When the temperature of water is as low 
 as 32 degrees above zero, by Fahrenheit's 
 thermometer, it freezes ; when its tempera- 
 ture rises to 212 degrees, it boils. 
 
 Tern po ral, a. measured by time, not 
 eternal. 
 
 " The things which are seen," (that is, the 
 things of this world,) " are temporal ; but the 
 things which are not seen," (that is, the things 
 of the next world,) " are eternal." 
 
 belonging to the body, or to the things 
 of this world only, and not to the 
 concerns of the soul. 
 
 Being very sick, and finding that death was 
 near, he arranged all his temporal affairs, and 
 gave his whole attention to the things of 
 another life. 
 
 Tem po ra ry, a. lasting only for a 
 limited time. - 
 
 When they first removed to the new coun- 
 try, they put up a log house as a temporary 
 residence ; but were so industrious that they 
 were soon able to erect a comfortable frame 
 dwelling. 
 
 Tempt, v. a. to allure or solicit to evil, 
 by the offer of some good* 
 
 A rogue tempted a boy to get a counterfeit 
 bill changed, by telling him he would give him 
 half the money. 
 
 to allure. 
 
 After being confined all day, he was tempt- 
 ed by the pleasantness of the evening to ram- 
 ble in the fields. 
 
 Te na cious, a. holding a thing fast, 
 not letting it go, or not inclined to 
 let it go. 
 
 He is so tenacious of his opinions, that no 
 argument or proof can induce him to change 
 them. 
 
 His memory is very tenacious, and he sel- 
 dom forgets the name of a person or the date 
 of an event. 
 
 Tend, v. n. to move or be directed 
 towards a certain point or place. 
 
 The general course of the river is south, 
 but just below the city it tends to the south- 
 east. 
 
 to be directed to some end, or result, 
 and help its accomplishment. 
 
 Her light and trifling conduct tends to less 
 en her in the estimation of others. 
 The tendency of having books for children 
 printed neatly and well, is to form a good 
 taste in the young mind. 
 
 Ten der, v. a. to offer for accep- 
 tance. 
 
 Several of the lawyers were so interested 
 in the prisoner, that they tendered him their 
 services gratuitously. 
 
 to offer in payment of a debt or to 
 satisfy some demand. 
 
 He tendered his landlord a hundred silver 
 dollars, in the presence of witnesses, for the 
 rent of the house. 
 
 Term, n. a limit or boundary. — the 
 time for which any thing lasts. 
 
 There were two terms m the school in a 
 year, each of twenty -two weeks. 
 
 the word by which a thing is ex- * 
 • pressed. 
 
 Abaft is a technical term among seamen, to 
 denote towards the hind part of a ship. 
 
 He commended it very much, speaking of 
 it in high terms. 
 
 This word is used in the plural to de- 
 note conditions. 
 
 One of the terms on which he offered to 
 rent him the farm, was, that the fences should 
 be 'kept in good repair. 
 
 Term i nate, v. a. to bound, to limit. 
 
 The field was terminated on the north side 
 by a brook, 
 to put an end to. 
 
 The career of Charles XII. king of Swe 
 
TES 
 
 204 
 
 TIM 
 
 den, was terminated by a cannon ball at the 
 siege of Frederickshall, Dec. 12th, 1718. 
 v. n. to be limited, to end. 
 
 The vacation will terminate in four weeks. 
 
 Ter res tri al, a. belonging or rela- 
 ting to the earth. — consisting of 
 earth. 
 
 Ter ri to ry, n. land or country over 
 which the power of a particular 
 government extends. 
 
 The district of Columbia has a territory of 
 ten miles square. ^ 
 
 Russia has the most extensive territory of 
 any empire or kingdom in Europe. 
 
 Ter ror, n. very great dread, causing 
 agitation of body and mind. 
 
 A sudden attack of the savages at night 
 upon the defenseless village, filled the inhab- 
 itants with terror. 
 
 that which causes terror. 
 
 " Rulers are not a terror to good works, but 
 to the evil." 
 
 Test, n. that which tries a thing, and 
 shows what it is. 
 
 As a test of the good temper of the axe, he 
 cut a very harctaknot with it. 
 
 As a test of his knowledge of grammar, the 
 committee gave him a very difficult sentence 
 to parse. 
 
 the trial itself. 
 
 During the terrible storm at sea, both the 
 courage and skill of the captain of the ship 
 were put to th$.test. 
 
 Tes ti fy,u. w/anda. to tell under oath, 
 or in a solemn manner, what one 
 knows about a thing. 
 
 When a witness is called upon in court to 
 testify, he swears that he will tell the truth, 
 the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. 
 
 v. a. to prove or show. 
 
 He testified his strong approbation of the 
 Institution, by contributing largely to its 
 funds. 
 
 Tes ti mo ni al, n. a writing, or cer- 
 
 tificate, to show that one's charac- 
 ter or conduct is good. 
 
 The teacher brought testimonials with him 
 from the Committee, that he had taught the 
 school to their satisfaction, and was worthy 
 of entire confidence. 
 
 Tes ti mo ny, n. telling under oath, 
 or in a solemn manner, what one 
 knows about a thing. 
 
 The testimony of the two false witnesses 
 against our Saviour, on his trial before the 
 high priest, did not agree together. 
 
 a showing or proving. 
 
 When a man gives a deed of his property 
 to another, he puts his name and seal to it as 
 a testimony that it is truly his own act. 
 
 Theme, n. a subject on which one 
 speaks or writes. 
 
 The wisdom and goodness of God in the 
 works of creation, was a theme on which he 
 often conversed with his children. 
 
 Thrift y, a. increasing one's proper- 
 ty by being frugal and prudent. 
 
 The neat and flourishing appearance of the 
 village, showed that the people were thrifty. 
 
 having a quick and healthy growth. 
 
 He set out a number of young maple trees 
 in his yard, and they are all thrifty, and in a 
 few years will make a pleasant shade. 
 
 Thrive, v. n. to be thrifty.— to suc- 
 ceed by industry and good man- 
 agement. 
 
 Thwart, v. a. to oppose or. defeat. 
 
 She had formed high expectations of the 
 aid which her son would afford her, but they 
 were all thwarted by his idleness and extrav- 
 agance. 
 Ti dings, n. news, an account of 
 something that has happened. 
 
 When our Saviour was born, the angel said 
 to the shepherds ; " Behold, I bring you good 
 tidings of great joy, which shall be to all 
 people." 
 
 Tim id, a. fearful, wanting courage. 
 
TOK 
 
 205 
 
 TOR 
 
 The hare is a timid animal. 
 
 Tim o rous, a. fearful, not bold, afraid 
 to do things. 
 
 She was so timorous, that she never felt at 
 ease when on board a steamboat. • 
 
 He was a very timorous man, and did not 
 dare to express his opinions when any body 
 opposed him. 
 
 Tinge, v. a. to give a slight color, or 
 taste, of one thing to another. 
 
 The fingers of the little girl were tinged 
 with the juice of the strawberries which she 
 had been picking. 
 Tint, n. a dye, a color. 
 
 The tints of the summer clouds, as the sun 
 was setting, were extremely beautiful. 
 
 Ti tie, n. the inscription at the be- 
 ginning of a book, telling its name 
 and subject, and sometimes the 
 name of the author. 
 
 What is the title of this book ? 
 
 The inscription at the top of the pages of a 
 book, showing the subject below, is called a 
 running title. 
 
 a name of respect or honor,, by which 
 a person is called or addressed. 
 
 A judge is called his Honor; a member of 
 Congress, Honorable ; a justice of the peace, 
 Esquire ; a commander of a military compa- 
 ny, Captain ; these are titles. 
 
 a claim of right to a thing. 
 
 His title to the land canno^be disputed, for 
 he bought it of the "Government of the United 
 States. 
 
 To ken, n. a sign. 
 
 The beautiful rainbow is a token of the 
 promise, that God will never destroy the earth 
 by another deluge. 
 
 a mark. 
 
 John's father bought him a new penknife, 
 as a token of approbation of his good conduct. 
 
 memorial. 
 
 . She wore on her finger a ring which her 
 brother had given her on his death bed, to be 
 kept as a token of his affection. 
 
 Tol e ra ble, a. that which can be 
 endured. 
 
 He said his pain was severe, but he ought 
 to be thankful that it was tolerable. 
 
 not very good nor bad, moderately 
 well. 
 
 His hand-writing is tolerable ; it is plain te 
 be read, but not elegant. 
 
 Tol .e rate, v. a. not to hinder; to 
 suffer a thing to be, or to be done. 
 
 «In the United States, a man does not ask 
 s Government to tolerate him in worship- 
 ping God according to his conscience ; he 
 claims it s a right. 
 
 Top ic, n. a subject about which one 
 speaks or writes. 
 
 His knowledge was very limited, and his 
 conversation almost always run upon the 
 same topics. 
 
 Tor ment, n. excessive pain. 
 
 No torment is greater than that of a guilty 
 conscience. 
 
 that which causes excessive pain. 
 
 When our Saviour was on earth, they 
 brought to him for relief those who had divers 
 diseases and torments. 
 
 Tor pid, a. in a benumbed state, mo- 
 tionless, not seemiffg to have feel- 
 ing or life. 
 
 Flies are in a torpid state during the win- 
 ter ; when the warm weather of spring comes, 
 they revive and fly about again. 
 
 He was once an intelligent, enterprising 
 man ; but his mind has become so torpid by 
 indolence and indulgence, that it cannot be 
 roused to any effort. 
 
 When persons are exposed to very severe 
 cold, a dangerous torpor often seizes upon 
 them, which they should try in every possible 
 way to shake off. 
 
 Tor rid, a. dried up by very great heat; 
 as a torrid desert. — violently hot. . 
 
 The ship was becalmed near the Equator, 
 and the crew suffered greatly from the torrid 
 rays of the sun. 
 
TRA 
 
 206 
 
 TRA 
 
 Tor ture, n. very violent pain. 
 
 The Indians often put their prisoners to 
 torture in the most cruel manner. 
 
 Touch ing, a. moving the feelings. 
 
 The conclusion of his funeral discourse 
 was very touching, and drew tears from the 
 whole assembly. 
 
 relating to, or concerning. 
 
 Gamaliel said to the Jewish council, before 
 which the apostles had beenaccused, — "Take 
 heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as 
 touching these men." 
 
 Tour, n. a journey of considerable 
 length through different places. 
 
 While making the tour of Europe, he spent 
 a winter at Rome. 
 
 Tow' er, v. n. to fly or rise high ; as, 
 the eagle towers towards heaven. 
 Trace, v. a. to mark out. 
 
 He traced out on paper the course which 
 he advised me to take on my journey. 
 
 to follow by marks which have been 
 left. 
 
 The hunter traced the course which the 
 deer had taken in the woods, by observing the 
 print of his feet. 
 
 He was able to trace most of the words on 
 the monument, though a few had been effaced. 
 
 He can trace ftack his ancestors to the first 
 settlers at Plymouth. 
 
 Tract, n. a quantity of land, or ex- 
 tent of country. 
 
 There was a small tract of wood-land on 
 the north side of his farm. 
 
 The United States own vast tracts of terri- 
 tory, which are yet unoccupied. 
 
 a small book, a written or printed 
 discourse. 
 
 He read a tract on The value of time, which 
 led him to resolve to make a better use of the 
 rest of his life. 
 
 Tract a ble, a. easy to be led, man- 
 aged, governed, or taught. 
 
 The horse was so tractable that a child 
 could ride him with safety. 
 
 Tra di 7 tion, (tra dish un,) n. the de- 
 livering of accounts of things from 
 father to son, and from generation 
 to generation, by telling them 
 orally, and not by writing or print- 
 ing. 
 
 The American savages preserve the history 
 of their tribes by tradition. 
 
 the account itself thus delivered. 
 
 Traditions respecting the deluge are found 
 among many heathen nations. 
 
 Tra duce, v. a. to speak evil of, 
 falsely and wickedly. 
 
 An ambitious man traduced the character 
 of his rival, in order to get the office which 
 he held. 
 
 TraT fick, n. exchanging ■ goods or 
 merchandise, either by barter or by 
 buying and selling. 
 
 London carries on an extensive traffick 
 with all parts of the world. ' 
 
 Train, v. a., to draw or lead along. 
 
 The gardener trained the grape-vine, so 
 that it covered the side of the house. 
 
 to educate. 
 
 " Train up a child in the way he should go, 
 and when he is old he will not depart from 
 it." 
 
 to teach and form by practice. 
 
 He trained the elephant to do many things 
 by merely being told to do them. 
 Men are trained to be- soldiers. 
 
 Trait, n. a line drawn, a stroke 'or 
 touch of a pencil or paint-brush. — 
 something which marks or distin- 
 guishes. 
 
 A strict regard to truth is a striking trait of 
 his character. 
 
 Trait or, n. one who betrays what 
 was entrusted to him. 
 
 A traitor is despised by every body. • 
 
 Tram mel, v. a. to catch and entangle, 
 
TRA 
 
 207 
 
 TRA 
 
 as birds or fishes in a net. — to 
 hamper. 
 
 He was very much trammelled in carrying 
 on bis business, for the want of a little more 
 capital. 
 
 Tran quil, a. free from all that can 
 agitate or disturb, peaceful. 
 
 Nothing is more tranquil than the sleep of 
 an infant in its mother's arms. 
 
 Not a fear %r doubt distressed him, he was 
 perfectly tranquil in the view of death. 
 
 Trans act, v. a. to perform, to carry- 
 on or manage business of any kind. 
 
 Tran scribe, v. a. to copy any thing 
 written or printed. 
 
 He kept a book in which he transcribed the 
 most striking passages he met with in reading. 
 
 Trans fer, v. a. to convey, or cause 
 to pass, from one person or place 
 to another. 
 
 The seat of Government in the United 
 States, was transferred from Philadelphia to 
 Washington, in the year 1800. 
 
 for one person to make over a thing 
 to another, so that it shall be his. 
 
 He transferred his right in the library to his 
 son. 
 
 Trans form, v. a. to change into 
 another form, or condition. 
 
 The creeping caterpillar was transformed 
 into a beautiful butterfly. 
 
 The Christian religion transforms the rude 
 savage into the intelligent and peaceful citi- 
 zen. 
 
 Trans gress, v. a. to go beyond a 
 limit. 
 
 He was allowed ten minutes in the debate, 
 but transgressed by speaking fifteen. 
 
 to break some rule or law. 
 
 He transgressed the express command of 
 his father by going to the theatre. 
 
 Tran sient, a. soon passing away. 
 
 Our stay in the city was so transient, that 
 we had no time to visit its curiosities, 
 short and imperfect. 
 
 I had so transient a view of the village as I 
 passed it on the rail-road, that I cannot de- 
 scribe it. 
 
 Trans i to ry, a. continuing but a 
 short time, soon to pass away. 
 
 He is not wise, who neglects the concerns 
 of his soul for the transitory pleasures of this 
 life. 
 
 Trans late, v. a. to put into one lan- 
 guage what is expressed in an- 
 other. 
 
 He has been studying French some time, 
 . and is able to translate from that language 
 into English, very well. 
 
 Trans nut, v. a. to send from one 
 person or place to another. 
 
 A great many letters are transmitted from 
 the United States to England, by the steam 
 vessels. 
 
 Light is transmitted through the air. 
 
 Trans pa rent, a. so clear that objects 
 can be seen through it ; as air, 
 water, glass. 
 
 Trans plre, v. n. to come out through 
 the pores of the skin. — to become 
 known after having been secret. 
 
 All spectators were ordered to withdraw, 
 and the Senate did their business with closed 
 doors. What it was has not yet transpired. 
 
 to happen. 
 
 James VI. king of Scotland became king of 
 England, by the title of James I. on the death 
 of Queen Elizabeth. This event transpired 
 in the year 1603. 
 
 Trans port, n. a carrying from one 
 place to another. — a vessel in 
 which soldiers, or things neces- 
 sary for war, are carried. — a very 
 high excitement of mind, as if it 
 
TRE 
 
 208 
 
 TRI 
 
 was carried away by some sudden 
 , and violent force. 
 
 He was in such a transport of joy at his 
 unexpected success, that he seemed almost 
 beside himself. 
 
 Trans pose, v. a. to change the place 
 of things, by putting each in the 
 place of the other. 
 
 He wrote the word deceive incorrectly by 
 transposing the e and the i, writing it decieve. 
 
 Treach er ous, a. betraying one's 
 trust, faithless in not keeping one's 
 promise. 
 
 He was treacherous, and revealed a very- 
 important secret, which his friend had told 
 him in confidence. 
 
 Treas/ ure, (trezh ure,) n. money, or 
 other property, accumulated and 
 laid up in abundance. 
 
 The tombs of some Eastern kings, when 
 opened, have been found to contain great 
 treasures. 
 
 A thing which is valued very highly is 
 sometimes called a treasure. 
 
 Treat ise, n. a written or printed dis- 
 • course on some particular sub- 
 ject. 
 
 He has published a treatise on the cultiva- 
 tion of silk. 
 
 Treat y, n. the trying to settle differ- 
 ences, or to make an agreement 
 between individuals or nations. 
 
 He was in treaty with a neighbor several 
 months to buy his farm, before they could de- 
 termine on the price. 
 
 an agreement between the govern- 
 ments of two or more nations, to 
 settle their differences and to de- 
 termine how they shall treat each 
 other. 
 
 Tre men dous, a, exciting very great 
 
 fear or astonishment by its force or 
 violence. 
 
 After a hot, sultry day there was a tremen- 
 dous thunder storm. 
 
 Tres pass, v. n. to pass the bounds of 
 another person's land and enter 
 unlawfully upon it. — to commit an 
 offence against another, or to bseak 
 any rule or command.* 
 
 " If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke 
 him ; and if he repent, forgive him." 
 
 He trespassed against the rules of polite- 
 ness, by asking so many questions of the 
 stranger. 
 
 We say a man trespasses upon the time of 
 another, when he comes at an unseasonable 
 hour, or stays too long. 
 
 Tri al, n. doing something, in order 
 to see what the effect or result 
 will be. 
 
 The farmer's wife told the miller, she had 
 made % trial of the flour and found it very 
 good. 
 
 suffering which shows the feelings 
 and character. 
 
 • It was a severe trial of the faith of Abra- 
 ham, when he was commanded by God to 
 leave his home and country, and go he knew 
 not whither. 
 
 an examination before some court of 
 justice. 
 
 He showed on his trial that he was not 
 guilty of the crime, by proving that he was in 
 another place when it w^f committed. 
 
 Tribe, n. a distinct portion of a peo- 
 ple divided from the rest. 
 
 The children of Israel were divided into 
 twelve tribes. 
 
 The Mohawks were among the most pow- 
 erful and terrible of the Indian tribes. 
 
 Tri bu. nal, n. the seat on which a 
 
 judge sits. — a court of justice. 
 Trib u ta ry, a. paying tribute, 
 
 
The Jews, 
 
 TRO 
 
 209 
 
 TUR 
 
 at the time of our Saviour, 
 were tributary to the Romans. 
 
 helping to increase another thing. 
 
 The great river Mississippi has many tri- 
 butary streams which enter into it. 
 
 Trib ute, n. an annual and fixed pay- 
 ment made by one people in ac- 
 knowledgment of their subjection 
 to another, or to purchase peace 
 or protection. 
 
 Solomon at the beginning of his reign, made 
 the Canaanites who were left in the land pay 
 tribute to him. 
 
 Trite, a. worn out by long use, very 
 common. 
 
 There was nothing original or interesting in 
 his discourse. It was made up of trite 
 thoughts and expressions. 
 
 TrI umph, n. a rejoicing with great 
 pomp, on account of a conquest or 
 victory. 
 
 In the magnificent triumph which the Ro- 
 mans celebrated in honor of Paulus iEmilius 
 a distinguished general, for his conquest of 
 Macedonia, Perseus, the king of that country, 
 was led captive in the procession, clad in 
 black, immediately after his children. This 
 happened 168 years before Christ. 
 
 conquest or victory. 
 
 The triumph of Octavius Cesar over An- 
 tony, at the sea-fight of Actium, was complete. 
 The latter fled to Egypt and there killed 
 himself, 30 years before the Christian era. • 
 
 great joy on account of success. 
 
 The city was filled with triumph at the 
 news of the victory. 
 
 Triv i al, a. trifling, light, of little 
 worth or consequence. 
 
 In learning to write composition, be care- 
 ful to avoid even trivial mistakes. 
 
 Tro phy, n. something taken from a 
 vanquished enemy, and kept as a 
 memorial of victory. 
 14 
 
 The sword which David took from Goliath, 
 was laid up as a trophy in the Tabernacle. 
 
 Truce, n. stopping war for a certain 
 time, during which both parties 
 agree not to attack each other. 
 
 After the battle there was a trucf of three 
 days, in order that each army might bury 
 their dead. 
 
 a ceasing for a while, -a short quiet. 
 
 After committing the crime, there was no 
 truce to the goadings of his troubled con- 
 science. 
 
 Trust, n. placing confidence in. 
 
 " Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall 
 be safe." 
 
 the person or object confided in. 
 
 " Blessed is that man that maketh the 
 Lord his trust. " 
 
 that which is committed to one's 
 care. 
 
 He has had charge of many estates belong- 
 ing to widows and orphan children, and has 
 always been faithful to his trust. 
 
 When a person takes a thing on trust, he be- 
 lieves it without examination. 
 
 When a person buys things to be paid for 
 at a future time, he buys them on trust. 
 
 Tii mult, n. the agitation, confcsion, 
 and noise of a multitude. 
 
 God " stilleth the noise of the seas, the 
 noise of their waves, and the tumult of the 
 people." 
 
 great excitement and agitation of 
 mind. 
 
 Pride, grief, and indignation struggled to- 
 gether in his breast, and produced a great 
 tumult of feeling. 
 
 The assembly was so tumultuous that it was 
 impossible for the speaker to be heard. 
 
 Tur bid, a. thick, muddy, not clear. 
 
 After the heavy rain, the stream was very 
 turbid. 
 
 Tur bu lent, a. greatly agitated ; as 
 the turbulent ocean in a storm. — 
 
UMP 
 
 210 
 
 UND 
 
 restless and disorderly, causing 
 tumult. 
 
 There were several turbulent young men in 
 the village, who defied all authority, and kept 
 the place in a continual uproar. 
 
 Tur moil, n. disturbance, trouble, and 
 harassing uneasiness. 
 
 The children were so rude and ungovern- 
 able, that they kept the house in a constant 
 turmoil. 
 Tur pi tude, n. extreme baseness in 
 heart, words, or conduct. 
 
 Ingratitude to a mother is a crime of the 
 deepest turpitude. 
 
 Type, n. an emblem. — something 
 which represents another thing 
 that is to come. 
 
 The lamb offered in sacrifice at the Jewish 
 passover, was a type of Christ. 
 
 a letter made of metal used by print- 
 ers. 
 
 Ty rant, n. one who governs in an un- 
 just, oppressive, and cruel manner. 
 
 Tyrants may be feared, but they are always 
 hated. 
 
 • u. 
 
 Ul ti mate, a. last of all. 
 The ship was to touch at several ports, but 
 to make Smyrna the ultimate place of her 
 destination. 
 
 that which is the last and chief object 
 aimed at, and for which other 
 things are done. 
 
 His ultimate design in studying in Paris 
 several years, was, to prepare himself to 
 _ travel in the East. 
 
 Urn pire, n. one to whom those who 
 have a dispute, or difference, leave 
 it for decision. 
 
 The fable says that two persons disputed 
 about the color of a chameleon, one affirming 
 
 it was green, and the other blue. They call- 
 ed in an umpire who declared it was black ; 
 but, on his producing it, it proved to be white. 
 
 Un, prefixed to a verb, denotes to 
 undo; as unfurl, unseal : — wheb 
 prefixed to adjectives and adverbs, 
 it denotes not ; as zmkind, wrcjustly. 
 
 Un ac count' a ble, a. that for which 
 a reason cannot be given, or which 
 cannot be explained. 
 
 That a man who had always been so penu- 
 rious, should all at once become so lavish ot 
 his money, was unaccountable. 
 
 U nan' i mous, (yu nan i mus,) a. all 
 being of one mind, all agreeing to 
 a thing. 
 
 The meeting were unanimous in the opin- 
 ion that the road should be repaired. 
 
 At first there was some difference of opin- 
 ion, but after discussing the subject there was 
 an entire unanimity. 
 
 Un be Kef, n. not believing, and es- 
 pecially not believing the Bible 
 and the truths which it contains. 
 
 Christ showed great condescension in re- 
 moving the unbelief of Thomas. 
 
 Un cowth, a. odd, strange, unusual. 
 
 Although a good and intelligent man, his 
 influence is much diminished by his very un- 
 couth manners. 
 
 Un der go, v. a. to suffer, to endure. 
 
 In crossing the mountain, they underwent 
 a great deal of fatigue. 
 
 to pass through. 
 
 During his absence he underwent such a 
 change in his appearance, that on his return 
 his friends scarcely knew him. 
 
 Un der mine, v. a. to dig under a 
 thing, so that it may fall or be 
 blown up; as to undermine the 
 walls of a fort. — to hollow out the 
 earth beneath any thing. 
 
UNI 
 
 211 
 
 UNI 
 
 The stream undermined the foundation of 
 the house, and it was in great danger of 
 falling. 
 
 to injure or destroy in a secret man- 
 ner. 
 
 He used very base means to undermine the 
 reputation of his rival. 
 
 Un der rate, v. a. to put less than the 
 true value upon a thing. 
 
 He might have been much more useful if 
 he had not underrated his own talents. 
 
 Un do, v. a. to change a thing back to 
 its former state. 
 
 He had nearly laid out his garden, when a 
 new plan struck him, and he undid the whole 
 work and began again. 
 
 to loose, to untie, to unravel. 
 
 He undid the parcel, and found it contained 
 a present of some books. 
 
 to destroy, to ruin. 
 
 He was undone by wild speculations in 
 new land. 
 
 Un du la tion, n. a motion like that 
 of the waves. 
 
 There was a severe earthquake, and the 
 undulations of the ground were distinctly 
 visible. 
 
 Un fold, v. a. to open, to disclose, to 
 display to view. 
 
 The rose unfolds its beauties. 
 He unfolded his plan to a few friends, and 
 they heartily approved of it. 
 
 U' ni form, (yu ni form,) a. having 
 always the same form or manner, 
 not varying. 
 
 In the East the fashions of dress do not 
 change ; it is uniform, one age after another. 
 
 He has always held one uniform opinion on 
 that subject. 
 
 conformingto the same pattern or rule. 
 
 The dress of the girls was uniform, they 
 were all clad in white. 
 
 continuing in the same degree, or of 
 the same state. 
 
 He was obliged to remain in the house all 
 winter, and keep the air in his rooms of an 
 uniform temperature. 
 
 Un' ion, (yun yun,) n. the act of 
 joining two or more things into 
 one, or the being thus joined to- 
 gether. 
 
 The union of the scholars into one class 
 was found difficult, because their ages were 
 so different. 
 
 Every true patriot should do all in his 
 . power to preserve the Union. 
 
 agreement of mind, feelings, or in- 
 terests. 
 
 There was so much union between the di.- 
 ferent families, that the neighborhood was a 
 very happy one. 
 
 U. nite' (yu nite',) v. a. and n. to join 
 two or more things into one, or 
 to be thus joined. 
 
 In the government of her children, she 
 united decision with kindness. 
 
 The Alleghany and Monongahela rivers 
 unite at Pittsburg, and form the Ohio* 
 
 to agree in mind, feelings, or interests. 
 
 The ancient Romans were often quarrel- 
 ing among themselves, but united together 
 when they were attacked by an enemy. 
 
 U' ni ty, (yu ni ty,) n. the state of being 
 one. 
 
 . "When we speak of the unity of God, we 
 mean that there are not two or more Gods. 
 
 agreement. 
 
 M How good and how pleasant it is for 
 brethren to dwell together in unity." 
 
 A house is said to have unity of plan, when 
 all the parts are well suited to each other. 
 
 U ni vers'al, (yu ni vers al,) o. all, the 
 whole, including every one. 
 
 The influenza in the town was general, but 
 not universal ; a few did not have it. 
 
 U' ni verse, (yuni verse,) n. all the be- 
 ings and things which God has 
 made. 
 
UPB 
 
 212 
 
 USH 
 
 Ud man, v. a. to deprive of strength 
 and courage. 
 
 The death of his wife and only child com- 
 pletely unmanned him. 
 
 Un ques tion a ble, a. that cannot be 
 doubted. 
 
 He is a man of unquestionable truth, and 
 you need not hesitate to believe him. 
 
 Un re lent ing, a. continuing severe, 
 not feeling pity. 
 
 The crew begged hard for their lives, but 
 the pirates were unrelenting, and put them all 
 to death. 
 
 Un ru ly, a. not submitting to rule, 
 hard to be restrained or governed. 
 
 He was an unruly boy, and had caused his 
 father a great deal of trouble, before he com- 
 mitted the crime for which he was sent to 
 prison. 
 
 Un search a ble, a. that cannot be 
 searched into and found out. 
 
 " Great is the Lord and greatly to be 
 praised, and his greatness is unsearchable." 
 
 Un tmfe ly, a. happening before the 
 usual or proper time. 
 
 An untimely season of very warm weather 
 brought out the bads of the peach trees, 
 which were soon after destroyed by the frost. 
 
 Un tow ard, a. wilful, perverse, hard 
 to be guided, taught, or governed. 
 
 He was so untoward a boy, that his mother 
 was obliged to bind him out to a farmer in 
 the neighborhood. 
 
 We call that an untoward event which hin- 
 ders our plans, or injures our interests. 
 
 Up braid, v. a. to charge with some- 
 thing wrong or disgraceful. 
 
 The mother of the only Spartan who survi- 
 ved the battle of Thermopylae, upbraided 
 h'm for his cowardly flight, and said she 
 would rather have seen him brought home 
 dead on his shield. 
 
 to reprove severely. 
 
 Our Saviour upbraided the people among 
 
 whom most of his mighty works had been 
 w done, because they repented not. 
 
 Up right, a. straight up, not leaning 
 one way or the other \ as an up- 
 right post or pillar. — doing right 
 in the whole of conduct, firmly 
 and constantly. 
 " Mark the perfect man, and behold the up- 
 
 w right : for the end of that man is peace." 
 
 Urge, v. a. to push or press onward. 
 
 The deserters escaped in a boat, which 
 they urged forward with all their might. 
 
 to press one to feel or to act in a par- 
 ticular way. 
 
 Frank used a great many arguments in ur 
 w ging his father to let him buy a watch. 
 
 Ur gent, a. pressing and importunate. 
 
 His creditors were so urgent in their de- 
 mands, that he had to sell his property at a 
 great loss, in order to pay his debts. 
 
 very pressing, demanding immediate 
 attention. 
 
 It was an urgent case, and the physician 
 hastened to visit the patient. 
 
 Use, (yiise,) n. the employing of a 
 thing for any purpose. 
 
 The Aborigines of America did not make 
 use of iron. 
 
 the being employed for any purpose. 
 
 The axe is not fit for use, because the 
 handle is broken. 
 
 benefit. 
 
 His knowledge of French was of great use 
 to him in his business. 
 
 need of, or occasion for. 
 
 He dismissed his clerk, saying that he had 
 no further use for his services. 
 
 Ush er, n. one who introduces ; an 
 ^ under-teacher. 
 
 Ush er, v. a. to introduce by going 
 before. 
 
 His friend ushered him into the room, and 
 announced his name to the company. 
 
VAG 
 
 213 
 
 VAL 
 
 s 
 
 The fourth of July was ushered in by the 
 ringing of bells. 
 
 U surp', (yu zurp,) v. a. to seize or 
 possess without right. 
 
 Stephen usurped the crown of England, 
 and succeeded Henry I. in the year 1135. 
 
 U' su ry, (yu zhu ry,) n. formerly this 
 word denoted money paid for the 
 use of money. It now means, tak- 
 ing more money for the use of mo- 
 ney than is allowed by law. 
 
 U til i ty, (yu til i ty,) n. the being 
 of use or profit. 
 
 It is of great utility to the farmer to have a 
 ^ knowledge of chemistry, geology, and botany. 
 
 Ut ter, (i. farthest from the centre. 
 
 His father told him not to ride more than 
 five miles from the city, and he went to the 
 utter extent of his limits. 
 extreme. 
 
 When they had got some distance into the 
 cave, their lights went out, and they were left 
 in utter darkness. 
 
 complete. 
 
 They bored very deep into the earth to find 
 water, but it was an utter failure. 
 
 V. 
 
 *\7"a cant, a. empty, not filled ; as a 
 vacant seat, a vacant house, a 
 vacant office. 
 not employed; unoccupied. 
 
 He had a few vacant hours each week, 
 which he proposed to employ in teaching 
 German. 
 
 empty of thought. 
 
 He shows by his very countenance that he 
 has a vacant mind. 
 
 Vag a bond, n. one that wanders 
 
 about without a home. 
 Va grant, a. wandering about without 
 
 a home. 
 
 Vague, a. unsettled, indefinite, not 
 clear. 
 The ideas of the heathen concerning a fu- 
 ture state are very vague. 
 
 We call a report vague, when we cannot 
 tell whence it came, nor how much reason 
 there is for believing it. 
 
 Vain, a. useless, done to no purpose. 
 
 The waves ran so high, that all the efforts 
 of the persons on shore to save those on the 
 wreck, were vain. 
 
 proud of little things, and making a 
 display of them ; having too high 
 an opinion of one's self. 
 
 Those who know the least are the most apt 
 to be vain of their acquirements, 
 unsatisfying. 
 
 He expected to be happy when he became 
 rich, but he found that the pleasures of wealth 
 are vain. 
 
 light, idle, worthless. 
 
 " He that tilleth his land shall have plenty 
 of bread ; but he that followeth after vain 
 persons shall have poverty enough." 
 
 To take the name of God in vain, is to use it 
 in a light and trifling manner, or on unimpor- 
 tant occasions. 
 
 Val' iant (val yant,) a. brave, 1 coura- 
 geous. 
 
 Be valiant in the defense of truth and right. 
 
 Val id, a. having force, well-estab- 
 lished, supported by law or right ; 
 as a valid argument, a valid objec- 
 tion, a valid claim, a valid title. 
 
 Val or, n. bravery, courage. 
 
 His army was much smaller than that of 
 the enemy, but relying on the valor of his 
 troops, the general led them on to the attack. 
 
 Val ue, n. the real worth of a thing. 
 
 Iron is of more value than diamonds, be- 
 cause it can be applied to many more useful 
 purposes. 
 
 what a thing can be sold for. 
 
 The value of his farm was much increased 
 
VAR 
 
 214 
 
 YEN 
 
 by the new rail-road which passed through 
 the town. 
 
 importance. 
 
 Our Saviour said to his disciples, " Ye are 
 vf more value than many sparrows." 
 
 Val u a ble, a. having value ; as a 
 valuable watch, a valuable inven- 
 tion, a valuable citizen. 
 
 Van, n. the front line of an army or 
 a fleet. 
 
 Van ish, v. n. to pass away from the 
 sight, to disappear. 
 
 " What is your life ? It is even a vapor 
 that appeareth for a little time, and then van- 
 isheth away." 
 
 Van i ty, n. emptiness, uselessness, 
 what is unsatisfying. 
 
 Solomon said respecting the great things 
 which he had done, that all was vanity and 
 vexation of spirit, and that there is no profit 
 under the sun. 
 
 pride about little things, and the mak- 
 ing a display of them. 
 
 He has so much vanity in regard to dress 
 as to make himself ridiculous. 
 
 Van quish, v. a. to subdue in battle ; 
 to overcome in any contest. 
 
 He had fought many battles and had never 
 been defeated; he always vanquished his 
 foes. 
 
 Va ri a ble, a. often changing, incon- 
 stant. 
 
 The wind during the day was variable. In 
 the morning it was from the north-west ; at 
 noon from the south-east ; and in the evening 
 from the south-west. 
 
 Her feelings are so variable, that she is 
 cordial to her friends, one day, and cold to 
 them, another. 
 
 Fashions undergo a continual variation. 
 
 liable ft) change. 
 
 Public opinion is variable ; what the people 
 approve to-day they may disapprove to-mor- 
 row. 
 
 Va ri ance, n. disagreement. 
 
 The two accounts of the affair are at vari- 
 ance with each other. 
 
 discord. 
 
 It was a great grief to their aged mother, 
 that her two sons were so often at variance 
 with each other. 
 
 Va ry, v. a. and n. to change in some 
 degree. 
 
 Since the frost of last night, the leaves of 
 the maple trees in the yard have varied their 
 color. 
 
 As the sun was setting, the tints of the 
 clouds were continually varying. 
 
 His hand-writing has varied within a feW 
 years, but still it is easy to be recognized, 
 to be unlike. 
 
 The manner in which persons salute each 
 other, varies in different countrie's. 
 to deviate from. 
 
 He took great pains to teach his son never 
 to vary from the truth, on any occasion. 
 Vawnt, v. n. to boast. 
 
 " Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed 
 up." 
 Ve he merit, a. rushing on or acting 
 with great force. 
 
 After a worm had destroyed the gourd un- 
 der which Jonah reclined, a vehement east 
 wind blew upon him, and with the heat of the 
 sun caused him to faint. 
 
 very ardent, very urgent ; as vehe- 
 ment anger, vehement eloquence. 
 
 Ve hi cle, n. that by which any thing 
 is conveyed ; as a coach, a cart, a 
 sled. 
 
 Newspapers are extensive vehicles of com- 
 munication from one part of the country to 
 another. 
 
 Ve loc' i ty, (ve los i ty,) n. swift- 
 ness, quick motion. 
 
 The earth moves round the sun with a ve 
 locity of 68,000 miles an hour. 
 
 Ven e ra ble, a. worthy to be treated 
 
YER 
 
 215 
 
 VES 
 
 with reverence ; as a venerable 
 grand-father, a venerable family 
 Bible, a venerable old church. # 
 Ven e rate, v. a. to regard or treat 
 with reverence. 
 
 He shows that he venerates the memory 
 of his moth£r,«by following her good exam- 
 ple. 
 
 Venge ance, n. inflicting evil upon 
 others with malicious feelings be- 
 cause they have injured us. 
 
 The Bible teaches us to forgive those who 
 have done us wrong, and not to take venge- 
 ance upon them. 
 
 just punishment for doing "Wrong. 
 
 " Vengeance is mine ; I will repay, saith 
 the Lord." 
 
 Ven o mous, a, poisonous, usually by 
 being applied to the outside of the 
 body. 
 
 The Indians of South America dip the 
 points of their arrows in a venomous juice, 
 and the slightest wounds made by them are 
 mortal. 
 
 malignant ; as the venomous tooth of 
 
 envy, or of slander. 
 Ven ti late, v. a. to fan with wind, — 
 
 to cause the air to pass through. 
 
 Great care should 'be taken to have the 
 rooms in which we sit, or sleep, well venti- 
 lated. 
 
 Verb al, a. spoken, uttered by the 
 mouth, not written or printed. 
 
 He sent a verbal message by his son to the 
 teacher, to say that he would call at the 
 school in the afternoon. 
 
 consisting in, or relating to, words 
 merely. 
 
 After explaining their ideas fully to each 
 other, they found they differed only about the 
 meaning of a word. Their dispute was 
 m nothing but a verbal one 
 
 Verd ure, n. the fresh green of trees 
 and plants. 
 
 The verdure of the meadows, after tne rain, 
 was very deep and beautiful. 
 
 The house was surrounded by verdant fields, 
 and was cool and pleasant in the hottest 
 weather. 
 
 Ver diet, n. the decision of a jury, 
 declared to the court, concerning 
 the cause which they have been 
 trying. 
 
 The jury withdrew to their room, and, after 
 conferring together several hours, returned a 
 verdict of not guilty. 
 
 Verge, n. edge, border. 
 
 It was a very dark night, and the traveller 
 was on the very verge of tfle precipice, before 
 he perceived his danger. • 
 
 Verge, v. n. to tend, to lean towards. 
 
 After running for some' distance along the 
 bank of the river, there was a slight bend in 
 the road, and it verged toward the mountain. 
 
 He has passed the meridian of life, and is 
 verging towards old age. 
 
 Ver i fy, v. a. to prove a thing to be 
 certainly true. 
 
 He said the land had yielded eighty bushels 
 of corn to the acre, and verified his statement 
 bv the testimony of the man who gathered it. 
 
 to fulfill. 
 
 His teacher said, that if the boy lived he 
 would become a distinguished man ; and the 
 prediction was afterwards fully verified. 
 
 Ver nal, a. belonging to the spring ; 
 
 as vernal flowers. 
 Ver ti cal, a. directly over head. 
 
 The sun is vertical, twice a year, to those 
 who live within the tropics. 
 
 Ves tige, n. a footstep, — a mark left 
 of something which has been in 
 the place before. 
 
 Scarcely a vestige remains of ancient Bab- 
 ylon, and travellers cannot now tell where its 
 magnificent temples and palaces once stood 
 
VIG 
 
 216 
 
 VIR 
 
 Vet e ran, n. one who has been a 
 soldier a long time, or who has 
 had much practice in any art or 
 employment. 
 
 VI brate, v. a. and n. to move to and 
 fro quickly ; as the pendulum of a 
 clock, or the string of a violin when 
 it is struck. 
 
 Vice, n. that which is habitually 
 wrong and wicked in conversation 
 or conduct, but not so wicked as to 
 amount to a crime ; as the vice of 
 falsehood, the vice of intempe- 
 rance, the vice of gambling. 
 
 When young ^ie led a vicious life, and is 
 now a poor vagabond, respected by nobody. 
 
 a blemish or fault. 
 
 The horse, he said, was sound, never start- 
 ed suddenly from fright, or stumbled, was 
 easily managed, and free from every vice. 
 
 It is a vicious cow, and has gored many 
 persons. 
 
 Vic tim, n. a living being slain and 
 offered up in sacrifice. 
 
 The ancient Britons, before they became 
 Christians, used to offer up human victims to 
 their idols. 
 
 When a person is ruined, or very greatly 
 injured, by keeping on in any particular 
 course, we say, he is the victim of it. 
 
 Vic to ry, n. overcoming in battle or 
 in any other contest. 
 
 The hardest victory to gain is over one's 
 self. 
 
 Vig' i lant, (vij i lant,) a. watching 
 carefully to secure some good, or to 
 avoid some evil. 
 
 The sentinels were ordered to be very vigi- 
 lant, as an attack was hourly expected from 
 the enemy. m 
 
 Vig or, n. healthful and unimpaired 
 strength. 
 
 He died suddenly in the full vigor of man- 
 hood, when his friends and his country had 
 high expectations of his increasing useful- 
 ness. 
 ■ The majestic oak, more than a hundred 
 * years old, still retains its vigor. 
 
 He had been kept from school for some 
 time by the death of his father, and on his re- 
 turn made a vigorous effort tft overtake his 
 class. 
 
 Vile, a. mean, of little worth. 
 
 James reproves those who, in their reli- 
 gious meetings, treated a man " with a gold 
 ring, in goodly apparel," better than " a poor 
 man in vile raiment." 
 
 meanly wicked, despicable. 
 
 He is a vile fellow ; he will lie, cheat, and 
 steal any tiling that he can lay his hands on. 
 
 Vin di cate, v. a. to defend as being 
 right. 
 
 He had the courage to vindicate his friend 
 because he believed him to be innocent, al- 
 though almost every one condemned him. 
 
 to defend with success. 
 
 He vindicated his claim as the inventor of 
 the machine. 
 
 VI o late, v. a. to break, to transgress ; 
 
 as to violate a promise, a command, 
 
 or a rule, 
 to treat with irreverence. 
 
 Antiochus Epiphanes, king of Syria, vio- 
 lated the temple at Jerusalem, by ordering a 
 smaller altar, which was to be used in sacri- 
 ficing to Jupiter Olympius, a heathen god, to 
 be built on the altar of Jehovah. This hap- 
 pened 167 years before Christ. 
 
 Vir tue, n. the doing of that which is 
 good and right. 
 
 Even the vicious approve of virtue in. 
 others. 
 
 Men often think themselves to be virtuous, 
 because they admire those who are so. 
 
 a particular moral excellence ; as the 
 virtue of temperance, of honesty, 
 of candor. 
 
VIV 
 
 217 
 
 VOL 
 
 efficacy. 
 
 The medicine was so old that it had lost 
 all its virtue, and did him no good. 
 
 power to act. 
 
 He was sheriff of the county, and by virtue 
 of his office commanded the mob to disperse. 
 
 Vis i ble, a. that can be seen. 
 
 A bright star was visible at noon by the 
 naked eye. 
 
 Vis' ion, (vizh un,) n. the faculty, or 
 the act, of seeing. 
 
 His vision is much impaired by disease, and 
 he fears he may lose his sight entirely. 
 
 The air was ptfre, and our vision of the 
 surrounding objects very distinct. 
 
 some appearance presented to the 
 mind in a dream, or in a super- 
 natural way. 
 
 Peter had a vision on the house-top, in 
 which he saw a certain vessel descending, as 
 if it had been a great sheet let down from 
 heaven by four corners, containing all kinds 
 of beasts, and creeping things, and birds. 
 
 Vis' ion a ry, (vizh un a ry,) a. im- 
 aginary, impracticable. 
 
 When the plan of making a tunnel under 
 the river Thames in England, was first pro- 
 posed, it was regarded by many as quite 
 visionary. 
 
 Vital,. a. relating or necessary to 
 life. 
 
 The heart is a vital part of the body. 
 
 very necessary. 
 
 Well conducted common schools are of 
 vital importance to the prosperity of our 
 country. 
 
 Viv id, a. lively and bright to the 
 eye ; as the vivid colors of a rain- 
 bow, vivid lightning. — sprightly, 
 active. 
 
 He har 1 a very vivid imagination, and gave 
 us so K/ely a description of the places which 
 he had visited, that it seemed as if we could 
 see them. 
 
 Vo cal, a. having a voice. 
 
 The woods were filled v ith birds, and the 
 air was made vocal by their songs. 
 
 uttered by the voice. 
 
 The music was entirely vocal ; there was 
 no organ, flute, or any other kind of instru- 
 ment. 
 
 Vo ca tion, n. the trade or employ- 
 ment which one usually follows. 
 
 His vocation is that of a caUinet-maker. 
 
 Void, a. empty. 
 
 The houses stood at some distance from 
 each other, with a void space between them. 
 
 having no power. 
 
 The will which he at first made became void, 
 by his making another afterwards. 
 
 being without. 
 
 Though the danger was great, he was void 
 of all fear. 
 
 Vol a tile, a. easily passing into va- 
 por. — very light and gay, fickle. 
 
 She is a volatile, giddy girl, and seems 
 never to think of any thing serious. 
 
 Vol ca no, n. a mountain which sends 
 
 out fire, smoke, and lava. 
 Vol ume, n, a roll. 
 
 In anient times, before the art of printing, 
 books or volumes were written on parchment 
 or some other substance, and not bound as 
 they are now, but rolled up. 
 
 a book. 
 
 The work consists of twelve volumes. 
 
 that which fills a certain space. 
 
 The engine threw out so large a volume of 
 water upon the roof of the house, that the 
 fire was soon extinguished. 
 
 Vol un ta ry, a. acting or done from 
 choice, and nqt because one is 
 forced to act. 
 
 He went to a justice before any one sus 
 pected him, and made a voluntary confession 
 of his guilt. 
 
 done by design, and not by accident. 
 It is doubtful whether the taking of the 
 
WAF 
 
 218 
 
 WAR 
 
 laudanum which caused her death, was vol- 
 untary or through mistake. 
 
 done of one's own accord, and not 
 because led to do it by others. 
 
 The donation which he made of a telescope 
 to the academy, was entirely voluntary ; no 
 one had even suggested it to him. 
 
 Vol un teer, v. a. and n. to offer a 
 thing, or to enter into a service, of 
 one's own accord, and not because 
 compelled or led to, by others. 
 
 He volunteered to go down into the well, 
 and bring up the man who was at the bottom 
 of it, suffocated by the bad air. 
 
 Vo ra cious, a. greedy to eat, eating 
 in haste and a great deal. 
 
 Vo ta ry, 7i. one who is devoted to 
 some particular object or service ; 
 as a votary to study, a votary to 
 music, a votary of fashion. 
 
 Vouch, v. a. to call to witness ; to af- 
 firm. 
 
 v. n. to bear witness to, to declare 
 one's full belief of. 
 
 He said he could vouch for the skill of the 
 dentist, as he had employed him" for many 
 years. 
 
 Vow, n. a solemn promise made to 
 the true God, or to a false god. 
 
 " Offer unto God thanksgiving, and pay thy 
 vows unto the Most High." 
 
 any solemn promise. 
 
 Two friends bound themselves by a vow, 
 that, in case of the death of either, the other 
 if able should take care of his family. 
 
 w. 
 
 aft, v. a. and n. to carry gently 
 through the air or water ; to 
 float. 
 
 As the current wafted us along, we had a 
 
 W: 
 
 fine view of the beautiful flowers and trees 
 
 which adorned the banks. 
 
 Wage, v. a. to bet. 
 
 To wage money or other things is a foolish 
 and often a ruinous practice. 
 
 to make, to carry on; as to wage 
 
 war. 
 Wail, v. a. and n. to give vent to deep 
 
 grief by sounds or words. 
 
 Among the ancient Jews, it was customary 
 at funerals for the mourners to wail as they 
 followed the bier. 
 
 Wan, a. pale as with sickness, hav- 
 ing a languid look. 
 Wane, v. n. to grow less, to decline. 
 
 After the moon is full, it begins to wane. 
 For some years past, the business of the 
 place seems to be on the wane. 
 
 Ward, n. a district, or certain part of 
 a town or city. — custody. 
 
 Pharaoh was wroth against his chief butler 
 ' and chief baker, and put them in ward in the 
 prison where Joseph was bound. 
 
 the part of a lock which the proper 
 key fits. — one under the care of a 
 guardian. 
 
 Mary is an orphan, and the ward of her 
 uncle. 
 
 Ward, v. a. to defend, to turn aside a 
 blow or some evil. 
 
 With his cane he warded off the stroke 
 which was aimed at his head* 
 
 War rant, v. n. to authorize. 
 
 He was warranted to make purchase of the 
 goods, by the letter which he received from 
 his father. 
 
 The officer received a warrant to apprehend 
 the man, and bring him before the justice. 
 
 to justify. 
 
 Though the owner was absent, he felt him 
 self warranted, by their great intimacy, in 
 taking some fruit from the garden for a sick 
 friend. 
 
 to make secure against loss. 
 
WEL 
 
 219 
 
 WIT 
 
 He warranted the cloth to be of a good 
 quality. 
 
 He warranted the watch to go right for a 
 year. 
 Wa ry, a. very careful in looking out 
 for some danger or evil, so as to 
 avoid it. 
 
 He is so wary that a rogue will find it very 
 difficult to cheat him. 
 
 Wa ver, v. n. to move backwards and 
 forwards, to be unsettled, to be un- 
 determined. 
 
 " He that wavereth is like a wave of the 
 sea, driven with the wind and tossed." 
 
 Wax, v. n. to grow, to become larger. 
 The new moon continues to wax till it is 
 full. 
 
 to become. 
 
 When Moses descended from the mount, 
 and saw the idolatry of the Israelites in 
 worshipping the golden calf, his anger waxed 
 hot. 
 
 Way ward, a. froward, bent upon 
 having one's own way. 
 
 His disposition was so wayward that the 
 advice of his friends seemed to do him no 
 good. 
 
 Wealth, n. riches, much money or 
 
 other kinds of property. 
 Wei fare, n. the condition of one who 
 
 is in health and safety, and has the 
 
 comforts .of life. 
 
 When Jethro came to visit Moses in the 
 wilderness, they asked each other of their 
 welfare. 
 
 When we speak of the welfare of a place 
 or country, we mean its being free from 
 danger or evil, and in a happy and flourishing 
 condition. 
 
 Wei ter, v. n. to roll in blood, water, 
 or mire. 
 
 He was attacked and wounded by robbers, 
 and was found soon after weltering in his 
 own blood. 
 
 Whee die, v. a. to entice or induce 
 by nattering words. 
 
 He was a rich but weak-minded man, and 
 a cunning rogue, by praising him and gratily- 
 ing his vanity, contrived to wheedle him out 
 of a great deal of money. 
 
 Whim si cal, a. odd, changing one's 
 mind strangely and suddenly, hav- 
 ing likes and dislikes without any 
 good reason. 
 
 He is very whimsical in his dress, altering 
 the fashion of it continually, and trying to 
 make it unlike that of every body else. 
 
 Wz'eld, v. a. to use with ease and 
 power ; as to wield a sceptre, which 
 means, to exercise kingly authority, 
 — to wield an argument, which 
 means, to argue skillfully and 
 forcibly. 
 
 Wile, n. sly and secret cunning in 
 order to deceive or ensnare. 
 
 The Indians, in war, rely more upon their 
 wiles than upon their numbers and strength. 
 
 Wis dom, n. that knowledge which 
 can be applied to useful and im- 
 portant purposes. 
 
 " How much better is it to get wisdom 
 than gold." 
 
 seeking a good object, and under- 
 standing and employing the best 
 means to accomplish it. 
 
 It is wisdom in the young not to seek pres- 
 ent enjoyment merely, but to prepare for 
 future duty and usefulness. 
 
 Wisdom, in the Bible, is often used to 
 mean piety. • 
 
 Wise, a. having wisdom. 
 
 Wit, n. intellect. — sense, judgment. 
 
 He showed but little wit in buying so large 
 a house, when both his income and his family 
 were so small. 
 
 quickness of mind in bringing ideas 
 
WOE 
 
 220 
 
 WOR 
 
 together in a new and unexpected 
 manner, so as to strike with sur- 
 prise and pleasure. 
 
 Never use your wit at the expense of truth 
 or decency. 
 
 "What is said in this way is, also, called wit, 
 and the person who often says such things, is 
 called a wit. 
 
 With draw, v. a. to draw or take 
 back. 
 
 He said, he would give a hundred dollars 
 an acre for the land, but the next day he 
 withdrew his offer. 
 
 v. n. to retire or retreat fr^ra. 
 
 He withdrew from the partnership, and 
 commenced business on his own account. 
 
 With hold, v. a. to keep or hold 
 back. 
 
 He was very angry and would have struck 
 the man, if he had not been withheld by those 
 who stood near. 
 
 He withheld the money until the court 
 should decide to whom he ought to pay it. 
 
 to refuse. 
 
 The son wished to join the army, but the 
 father withheld his consent. 
 
 With stand, v. a. to resist, to stand 
 out against. 
 
 The troops withstood the violent attack of 
 the enemy, and kept their ground. 
 
 He withstood all the intreaties of a kind 
 sister, and would not give up his bad compan- 
 ions. 
 
 Wit ness, n. testimony. 
 
 The passengers bore witness to the skill 
 and courtesy of the captain during the 
 voyage. 
 
 one who gives testimo/iy ; as a wit- 
 ness in court, a witness to a deed. 
 —one who is present and knows 
 that a thing is done ; as an eye- 
 witness. 
 
 Woe or Wo, n. grief, misery, calamity. 
 " Who hath wo ? Who hath sorrow 1 Who 
 
 hath contentions ? Who hath babbling ? Who 
 hath wounds without cause ? Who hath red- 
 ness of eyes ? They that tarry long at the . 
 wme : they that go to seek mixed wine." 
 
 His death was a woful event to his large, 
 young family. 
 
 a threatening of some calamity. 
 
 "Wo to them that call evil good, and good 
 evil." 
 
 an expression of deep grief. 
 
 " Wo is me, for I am undone." 
 
 Won' der, (wun der,) n. that feeling 
 which is produced in the mind 
 when it is affected by something 
 new, strange, unexpected, striking, 
 or unaccountable. 
 
 Children and ignorant people are full of 
 wonder, because they meet with so many 
 things which they never saw or knew before. 
 
 When Moses saw the burning bush on 
 mount Horeb, and that it was not consumed, 
 he wondered greatly. 
 
 that which causes wonder. 
 
 It was a wonder to Edward how the ele- 
 phant could do so many things with his 
 trunk. 
 
 In the Bible, wonder sometimes means 
 miracle. 
 
 Wor' ship, (wur ship,) v. a. to pray, 
 to sing praises, and to render honor 
 to God as a divine Being. 
 
 " Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, 
 and him only shalt thou serve." 
 
 to treat with great reverence. 
 
 In the parable of the servant who owed ten 
 thousand talents, it is said that he fell down 
 at the feet of his lord and worshipped him. 
 
 When a mother shows an excessive fond- 
 ness for her child, she is said to worship it. 
 
 Worth, (wurth,) n. what a thing can 
 be sold or exchanged for. — that in 
 a thing which makes it capable of 
 being put to some good use. 
 
 The French dictionary which he bought at 
 
 
WRI 
 
 221 
 
 ZES 
 
 auction was of great worth to him, as he was 
 studying that language. 
 
 excellence, usefulness ; as, he is a 
 
 man of worth. 
 Worth' less, (wurth less,) a. having 
 
 no worth. 
 Wor' thy, (wur thy,) a. deserving, 
 
 having worth or excellence. 
 
 The centurion said to Christ, " I am not 
 worthy that thou shouldest come under my 
 roof." 
 
 The book is worthy of a place in the libra- 
 ry of every young man. 
 
 deserving of ill. 
 
 His father told him that he was worthy of 
 the punishment which he had received. 
 
 Wrath, n. very violent anger or dis- 
 pleasure. 
 
 "Let not the sun go down upon your 
 wrath." 
 
 Wreak, v. a. to execute a revengeful 
 and evil design. 
 
 The Romans wreaked their vengeance on 
 Jugurtha, a Numidian prince, by casting him 
 into prison at Rome, to die with hunger. 
 This happened 106 years before Christ. 
 
 Writhe, v. a. and n. to twist the face 
 or limbs, or to have them twisted, 
 out of shape, as by pain. 
 
 ^eal, n. passionate ardor, a very 
 strong and eager desire to accom- 
 plish some purpose, either good or 
 bad. 
 
 His zeal for collecting birds of all kinds, 
 to make a history of them, was so strong that 
 he travelled over many countries, and under- 
 went great hardships, in prosecuting this 
 object.. 
 
 Before his conversion Paul was so zealous 
 in persecuting Christians, that he pursued 
 them even to foreign cities. 
 
 Ze ro, n. the point at which the de- 
 grees of a thermometer begin to 
 be counted, both upwards and 
 downwards. 
 
 In Fahrenheit's thermometer, zero, or the 
 cipher 0, is 32 degrees below the point at 
 which water freezes. 
 
 Zest, n. an agreeable taste added to 
 something. 
 
 He was feverish, and thought the tamarinds 
 gave quite a zest tofche water. 
 
 that which heightens enjoyment. 
 
 His lively and instructive conversation 
 gave a zest to the other pleasures of the 
 
 evening. 
 
m 
 
 APPllG/ED SCHO 
 
 WOODFORD fi 003 337 435 5 
 
 No. 1 i*earl Street, New-York. 
 
 ..rial Spelling -trated bv mar 
 
 By R. Bentl 
 
 > :' Lesson* in Grammar and Composition. 
 
 Bu'; is' English Gramm 
 
 s' Latin Grammar. 
 
 Bullion*' Latin Reader. 
 
 is' Greek Grati 
 
 ek Reader. 
 _ril, with English Notes. 
 
 r.iplvv and At I 
 uiuction to Geography. 
 
 rs, being a superior series 
 
 i Prussia 
 
 '.irk bus I 
 
 s Elements of Chemistry, revised. 
 Outlines of Physiol 
 ung Botanist. 
 
 my and Vegetable Physiology. 
 Do. Outlines of Geoii 
 
 Elements of Mineralogy. 
 >n's Histon of England. 
 
 are executed in the best manner, 
 a all parts of the United States.