\F-rAIIFDPi .^•LIBRARY ' LIBRAR> WH-INIVERJ/a OSANCFLfr ft u I rt In 2< * t^ "- r * i ^/HtiAINIHVk "% .^EUNIVERS/a AvlOS-ANCElfj r\F-n i T"7 t 7' : WORD-BOOK OF VIRGINIA FOLK-SPEECH BY B. W. GREEN. ■■.'-.. RICHMOND: \VM. ELLIS JONES, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER. 1899. 86946 Copyrighted, 1899, by B. W. Green. . . . • . •. • • • . . • » • • • . .♦.•.• • • • •• • . • • • •■ » * • For Keadi^q Konm < >niy ?E 3\ 01 VS68 TO VIRGINIA PEOPLE BY ONE OF THEM. SOME VIRGINIA NAMES SPELT ONE WAY AND CALLED ANOTHER. '3 SPELT. CALLED. Anne, An'ne; not Annie, Armistead, Um'sted, Baird, Beard, Balfour, Bel'fur, Berkeley, Bark'ly, Bart'let, Bernard, Bar'net, Bidgood, Bed'good, Blount, Blunt, Boothe, Bowthe, Boswell, Bos'ell, Botetourt, Bot'etot, Boulvvare, Bo'ler, Brockenbrough, Brok'enburro, Burwell, Bur'rel, Callowhill, Car'rol, Camp, Kemp, Capehart, Cap'hart, Carter, Cear'ter, Chamberlaine, Chaum'berlin, Chisman, Cheese'man, Chiswell, Chiss'ell, Cluverius, Cluviers, Contesse, Coun'tis, Crenshaw, Gran'ger, Daisy, Di'sy, Degge, or Degges, Diggs, 14 Some Virginia Names. spelt. Deneufville, Dewbery, Dinwiddie, Drewry, Elliott, Enroughty, Fauntleroy, Fauquier, Fontaine, Fourqurean, Fulgham, Gawin, Geddy, Gibson, Gilliam, Gloucester, Gooch, Goode, Goldsmith, Gower, Gravely, Hairston, Hartvvell, Harwood, Haughton, Hawthorne, Hey ward, I [igginson, Hinde, Hobson, Hodsden, Ironmonger, James, CALLED. Don'evel, Dew'bre, Dinwood'dy, Dru'it, El'let, Dar'by, Fant'ilroy, Faw'keer, Foun'tain, Fon'tin, Fur'cron, Full j um, Go'in, Gad'dy, Gip'son, Gil'lum, Glaw'ster, Gouge, Gude, Gould'smith, Gore, Grav'elly, Hars'ton, Heart'well, Hor'rod, Hor'ton, How'ard, Hick'erson, Hines, Hop'son, Hodg'den, Mun'ger, Jeames, FOREWORDS. There is no trouble in tracing Virginians either by their blood or speech. They are English in both. The English when they came from the low-country near the mouth of the Elbe, landed on the eastern and southern coast of what is now England, and made good their footing by gaining the ground slowly by fighting. Wessex, one of the Saxon kingdoms in England, became the kingdom of England. The kingdom from the coast of Hamp- shire spread north and west to Berkshire, Wiltshire, and Dor- setshire. The Thames and the Avon became the permanent boundaries of Wessex to the north, and the later extension of the West Saxon Dominion was wholly westward. Wessex ob- tained the overlordship in Britain in the ninth century, and in the times of Alfred's successors developed into the kingdom of Eng- land, Wessex grew into England in the end. The king of the West-Saxons grew into the king of the English, the Emperor of all Britain. The language of Alfred is to be found in the present rustic speech of Wiltshire, Somersetshire, Dorset, Gloucester, and western Hampshire; and these with the Devonshire dialect be- yond them to the westward, are the descendents of the early southern English, which at one time was the literary or classical form of speech. From the time of Alfred or earlier, until after the Norman conquest, for a period of some two hundred and fifty years, the West-Saxon English was the only written or lit- erary form of the speech of the country and it is in the main to the writings of that period that we must look for the ground- work on which our modern English has been built up. Virginia English is the southwestern. 6 Forewords. . i The classical English of to-day is neither northern nor southern but midland; and of the midland it is eastern and not western. The literary language was settled by the writers, and their being at the seat of government, the political and literary centre. As London became the capital there was the court and parliament; there were also the law courts, these drawing to that point the principal people of the country, both for business and pleasure; the writers were there, and the readers. Chaucer was one of the principal writers; wrote in the Midland dialect, and did a great deal towards making it the classical English. Wyclif's translation of the Bible, and his numerous English sermons and tracts went far towards fixing the literary language. Midland speech became the national literary tongue. The seaports of Devonshire had early become the main strong- holds of maritime enterprize; and in the sixteenth century Dev- onshire was distinguished from the rest of England by its activity and progress. We find many of the men connected with the early settlement of Virginia from southwestern England. Of course there were many from London, Kent and other parts; but there were Cabot, Raleigh, Drake, the Gilberts, Somers, Bas- set, Botetourt, Cary, and others of the principal men from the southwest. Moreover, the west, above all districts of England, seems to have had a numerous gentry bound by constant intermarriages into a great clan, strongly animated by local pride and a pecu- liar love of country. These are striking characteristics of Vir- ginians. In Virginia, essentially the whole of the white blood i-, English, that has been on the soil for over two hundred years. It is not believed that there is any body of folk of as purely I English stock as the white population of Virginia, and the States descended from her; and it amounts to about three millions of people, and there i^ scarcely any admixture of other blood. Nothing in their history shows the least tailing off from the qualities that have always distinguished their race in all times and all places. The Virginian has a good opinion of himself, is calm, well-balanced, is self reliant and has the English quality of not being afraid to take responsibility. In a living form are now to be heard in the southwest, words Forewords. 7 and pronunciations which have remained unaltered at least since the time of Simon de Montfort. There are many Wiltshire words in Virginia speech: Bache- lor s buttons, wild scabious. Craw; cross-grained; drag, for harrow; handy, near at hand; pnrserve, preserve; whicker. From Cornwall we have: Half, haalf; marster. Care, keer; yallow; been, bin; heard, heerd; ear, with a faint sound of y, year. In words of more than one syllable ending in ing, the g is omitted, as goin; singin. Put an a before the participle, as a-going, a-huntin. D is commonly elided at the end of words, . as ban, band; groun, ground. Middle English, Mercian, became the standard speech and its influence is seen in Virginia English where we find the tendency to change v into b; rivet, a ribet; trivet, a tribbet. C to eh, as rench for rinse; curchey, for curtsey. D final to /, holt, licit, for hold, held. The double d is often pronouced as ///, bladder, blather; ladder, lather. Guard, garden, blackguard, are always pronounced geard, gearden, blackgeard. L sometimes changes to r, as frail, for flail; frounce, for flounce; fresh- fork, for flesh- fork; warnut, for walnut. N often changes to m, as seven, gen- erally sevm, or sebm; churm, nimepence. R, often elided, mossel, for morsel, the r is clearly sounded \\\ pritfy, for pretty; gearl, girl. Chopped hands; poller, for follow; stroddle, for straddle; homper, for hamper; cotch, caught. Fur, furder, fur- drest. Drean, for drain. Gret, for great. Brek, for break. Git, yit, chist. Yalla, wrastle., sarvant, varmint. Heerd, heern, Arrant, for errand. Peart. Ear, ee-a; year, yee-a. Blate, for bleat. Yo, yoe, for ewe. Beth, for pith; set, for sit. Favourite, favrit; month, for moth; an/is, for office; caufy, for coffee. Close, for clothes. Gallus, for gallows, galluses. Sut, for soot. Coob, for coop, fine, for join; lines, for loins; kivi'cr, for cover. Mischievous, with accent on second syllable; contrary, with accent on second syllable. In answer to the question, "Who is that?" "It's me," always. In comparing the glossaries of the English Dialect Society, it seems that the words dike and ditch are used indifferently for the same thing. We in Virginia use dike, for the bank on the edge of the ditch, which is a canal cut in the ground. 8 Forewords. Perused, a book or newspaper, also used locally as in search of something-. Hampshire gives us ckim/ey, brickie, brickly. The first permanent English settlement in America was at Jamestown, in 1607. Shakespeare died in 1616. The coloniza- tion from England was steady, and the colonists fairly repre- sented the England of the day. The English of that day was Shakespeare's English, with the speech and proverbs of the people that have been kept to the present day. They were Shakespeare's contemporaries who came, the very men and women, some of them doubtless knowing him not only as an actor, but personally. By the geographical position of Virginia, and the fact that the lands were early taken up, there were no newcomers after the earliest years; the first who came were of course of the same stock, manners, customs and speech. Many of the tracts of land now held, are of the same boundaries of the first divident, with the names first given to them, " Buck Roe," " Little Eng- land," "Celey's," " Newport's News," "Blunt Point," "Den- bigh," "Balthrope," " Martin's Hundred," " Kingsmill," "In- dian Field," "Green Spring," "Weyanoke," "Varina," and others. In Virginia fifty acres of land was given to every free immi- grant who came at his own cost, with fifty acres more for every person that he transported; his wife and children counting as head-rights. Virginia English seems to resemble the standard English of the time that the first immigrants came to the country, and there has been no foreign mixture, as the comers were English, and few or none have come from other parts of the United States; the lands having been taken up early, there was no room for new comers, and there were no towns, every man's shipping- port was on his own land. There also seems to be a distinctly southern, southwestern and east midland character in the speech, little or none of the East Anglian or Norfolk. Virginia English is not a development of the American soil, but a survival of archaic English forms that have been lost in England. The accent being pure and softer, there is no rugged burr, no nasal Forewords. 9 twang, such as almost every voice in the north has. We never have the trilled r of the Italian, nor the Northumbrian dorr, the r being slurred and almost silent. R not followed by a vowel is lost or reduced in Southern England. The language spoken in Virginia cannot be called a dialect, but old English that has undergone few changes since it was brought from England, none of these changes caused by mixture of different languages, but slight changes of accent or intonation caused by change of cli- mate, mode of life and such reasons. Good spoken English often differs from book English. Chil- dren are carefully taught to avoid various forms of ' ' bad English " by persons not all of whom can correctly distinguish in every case between bad English and idiomatic colloquial English; by colloquial is meant belonging to common speech, characteristic of or proper to ordinary conversation, distinguished from formal or elevated language. Romance words are constantly borrowed from literary English, especially when it is wished to replace a short and familiar word by a longer and more grandly sounding one; perspiration for sweat. Often good old words are driven out by the school-master; boys are told that a tooth is "ex- tracted," not "pulled out," and not to say "catching" in the sense of "contagious," and to say "fractured limb" for "bro- ken leg." Ours is the English of every-day life and not of dictionaries and technical works, and it will be seen how large a number are of pure English roots. These words are simply put down as they are, and not as some people think they ought to be. I did not make them, but the every-day people made them as they had use for them, and used the shortest and most straightforward words to express what they meant. There are very few foreign words in Virginia English chat were not brought from England. There are a few Indian words, such as Chinkapen, Chipmunk, Hominy, Moccasin, Monock, Opos- sum (Possum), Persimmon, Pohickory (Hickory), Pone, Poquo- son, Raccoon (Coon), Skunk, Squaw, Tomahawk, Tuckahoe, Wampum, Wigwam. There are many place-names: Cheba- peake, Chickahominy, Chuckatuck, Mattaponi, Pamunkey, Pocahontas, Potomac, Totopotomoi and others. 10 Forewords. The following counties — Accomack, Alleghany, Appomattox, Nansemond, Nottoway, Powhatan, Rappahannock, Roanoke, Shenandoah. The only negro word is juba, the name of a dance; no negro verbs were added, as there were none that could take the place of English words in use. A list of dialectic words can never be said to be complete, while to enter fully into the force of them one must be conver- sant with the habits of thought of the speaker, and with his peculiar accent and intonation. My object has been to put on record, as far as I am able, the dialect of my own county and of the part that we call the "Lower Peninsula," between the " Jeames " and York rivers, and from Williamsburg to the Ches- apeake Bay; they are practically one folk and one speech. One reason for gathering these folk-words is the hope that people who wish to learn more about their every-day speech may have a list of good words within their reach, from which they may take what they need and save the speech of their fathers; and also it maybe of use to the comparative philologist. I have tried to set all this down in the very words that we would use among ourselves when not trying to talk or write fine. As has been said before, the lands were early taken up and settled, and received no considerable accessions from outside untill the last thirty years. The economic conditions have been such that, while the native-born population has been able to maintain itself in a comfortable and dignified condition, outsiders, since the first opening up of the Country, have not been attracted to move in. The natural increase of the population has been sufficient t<> maintain its numbers and send very many natives to the regions of the west, on the same lines of latitude as people generally travel in their migrations. Down to the time of the people win. arc alive now, the region has had a stable, homo- geneous population of intelligent farm-folk, whose English comes of good stock, and has been handed down from generation to generation free from outside influences. As there were few towns the professional men were of the same country-bred stock. The sent generation have come greatly under the influence of the Forewords. 11 school-mistress and the newspaper, but the generation now gray- headed have a speech inherited in all its purity. I ""Have always accepted a good definition wherever found. The words have been taken from the mouths of the people; from books, newspapers and wherever they could be found. The records of the oldest counties are a mine for the word- gatherer; the wills and deeds are usually written by lawyers, who use the law-jargon of their trade, but the depositions and inventories use the very words of the people, taken down from their mouths in the first and written with their own hands in the latter; more valuable in that they spell the words as they are pronounced and not always by the rules of spelling; besides, they give the names of many household things that have gone entirely out of use. In gathering these words I have made use of what has been done by all who have gone before me in the work. The subject is not exhausted; to make it perfect would be impossible, but I hope some words have been saved that might otherwise have been lost. I have tried to put down everything that is not in standard English, not to miss a word because it was current in other places, and to note every word without stopping to ascer- tain if it is peculiar to this locality. Dialectal words have a good claim to be considered English; they are survivals, and many words have locally a secondary meaning. Among the dictionaries used are Bailey, Century, Murray's N. E. D., Halliwell, Nares, Wright, Grose, Skeat, the word- lists of the English Dialect Society and the American Dialect Society, making free use of everything that I could lay my hands on to make the book fuller and better. If this book helps in the direction of sounder English, the time spent in making it will not have been wasted. Glossaries should be full of examples of local expressions to show the peculiarities intended to be illustrated. They should describe the facts of usage instead of trying to lay down rules for usage to follow. Nor should they give what the meanings of words ought to be in theory, instead of what they are in fact. Neither should the grammarian make laws for the language, but describe it as it is. 12 Forewords. Who, as a word-gatherer, can say at the end of his work that the material is exhausted ? It is well to gather what is at hand, leaving the rest for another time and other hands, not waiting that all may be lost. Better to err on the side of including too much than too little. " If no other bookes can be so well perfected, but still some- thing may be added, how much lesse a Word-booke? " Florio's Worlde of Wordes (1598). B. W. Green, "Warwick, Virginia. Richmond, February, 1899. Longing — Looking-glass. 225 Longing, n. An eager desire; an earnest wish or craving. Long-potatoes, n. pi. Sweet potatoes. Long run, n. In the end. "It will be all right in the long run." Long-sighted, adj. Having foresight; of acute intellect; sa^- gacious; far-seeing. Long-tongue, n. A tale-bearer; a gossip. Long-tongued, adj. Prating; babbling; loquacious. Long-waisted, adj. Having a long waist. Long from the armpits to the waist or narrowest part, as a dress or coat. Longways, adv. Longwise; lengthways. Long-winded, adj. Tedious from length; of a wearisome or burdensome length; slow in doing anything; dilatory. Look. n. Appearance or seeming in general; quality of any- thing as judged by the eye or the understanding: as, "I don't like the look of the sky. " " The look of the thing is bad." As a verb. " He looked much older." Look, n. Visual or facial expression; cast of countenance; per- sonal aspect. " He has a sour look on his face." Look-after,^. To watch; to attend to. "He was sent to look-after the cattle." Look at, exclam. " Now look at you ! " Look a-here. Look here, a phrase to call attention and to emphasize it. ' "Look a-here, don' t forget to call at the store. ' ' Looker-on, n. One who looks on; a spectator. Looked on, v. Respected. " He is very much looked on." Look over. v. To forgive. "I don't see how he can look over that." Looking, n. Appearance; aspect; countenance. "She is very good- look i 'ng. ' ' Looking-glass, n. A mirror. 15 226 Lookout — Lounge. Lookout, n. A prospect or view; an . outlook. Future prospect. Loom, n. A machine for weaving any fabric from yarn or thread. Loom, n. The indistinct or unnaturally enlarged appearance of anything, as land, seen at a distance or through a fog. Loom, v. To appear indistinctly; come dimly into view, as from below the horizon or through a mist. Loom-harness, n. That part of a loom which moves the warp threads to make the crossing forming the shed in which the shuttle travels and leaves the weft-thread. Loosen, v. To free from constraint or confinement: as, to loosen the bowels, to relieve from constipation. Lope, n. A leisurely gallop with a long, easy stride, as a horse. Lope, v. To move or run with a long step, as a dog; canter leisurely with a long, easy stride, as a horse. To cause to lope in going or running. Lop-eared, adj. Having ears that lop or hang down. Lop-sided, adj. Inclining to one side; heavier or more devel- oped on one side than the other, physically or mentally. Lord, n. " To be good lord and good devil,'" to be equally civil and complimentary to all, whether good or bad. Lot,;/. A good deal. "You didn't wake Mary up." "I waked her up a lot." Lots, n. pi. A great deal; as, " He has lots of money." Loud, adj. Flashy; showy; overloaded with ornaments or col- ours; conspicuous in manner or appearance; vulgar; over- done. Loud, adj. Strong in smell; of evil odour. Loud, adv. Loudly; noisily. Lounge, v. To act, move, or rest in a lazy or listless manner; Louse — Lucky. 227 move about or do anything with negligence or indifference. To recline in a lazy attitude. Louse, v. To clean from lice. Louse-path, n. The parting of the hair on the head. Lousey, adj. Degraded; mean; contemptible. Lout, n. An awkward, ungainly fellow. Love-apple, n. The common tomato. Lovelock, n, A separate lock of hair hanging conspicuously on the head, either of a man or woman. Love-pain, n. Toothache. Love-vine, n. Gold-thread. Low, v. To utter the soft bellow peculiar to animals of the cow-kind; moo. Low, v. To allow, that is count, reckon, be of opinion. "I low he'll be here to-day." Hire, reward. " What do you low?"=what wages do you pay? O. F. loner. Low, adj. Not high in character or condition. Low, «(//'. Short in height. " Mighty low man." (2) Sick. ' ' He is still very low. ' ' Lowance, n. Share; portion. Low-down, adj. Far down in the scale of existence; a very rude or mean person. Low-grounds, n. Meadow or bottom land. Low-lived, adj. Living a low or mean life; vulgar. Pertain- ing to or characteristic of low or vulgar life; mean; shabby. Lowery, adj. Threatening, said of the weather. Low-spirited, adj. Having low spirits; without animation and courage; dejected; depressed; not lively or sprightly. Lozenger, n. A lozenge. Lucky, adj. Favoured by luck; fortunate; meeting with good success. 228 Lug — Luncheon. Lug, v. To pull with force or effort, as something that is heavy or resists; haul; drag. (2) To carry as something heavy or burdensome ; bear laboriously. ' ' Lug in wood at night. Lug-sail, )i. A sail with a gaff and without any boom. A lug-foresail, is one in a schooner without a boom, the sheet coming aft to an eyebolt on the quarter part of the deck. Lukewarm, adj. Only moderately warm; tepid; neither cold nor hot. Lull, 7'. To quiet; compose; assuage; cause rest or subsidence by gentle, soothing means. Lumbardy, n. Lombardy. ll Lumbardj> poplar." Lumber, v. To make a heavy rumbling noise; rumble. (2) To move heavily or cumbrously. (3) To make a loud noise, as, a person or animal. ' ' He lumbered when he fell. Lumber, n. Timber sawn or split for use, as beams, joists, boards, planks, staves, hoops. Lumber, n. Things more or less bulky and cumbersome, thrown aside as of no present use or value. Lumber, v. To heap together in disorder. To fill with lum- ber; to encumber with anything useless. Lumbered up, v. A room or yard is said to be "lumbered up ' ' when it is overcrowded with furniture or implements. Lumbering, prcs.part. A dull, heavy, prolonged sound. The sound of distant thunder. " It kept lumbering in the west all day yesterday." Lummox, ;/. An unwieldy, clumsy, stupid fellow. Lump, v. To take without choice; take "anyhow." " If you don't like it, you may lump it." Lumping,/), a. Bulky; chunky; heavy. Lumpous, adj. Lumpus. All of a heap. "She came down lum/tous." All of a lump; of a heavy fall. Luncheon, ;z. A slight meal. Luny — Mainstay. 229 Luny, adj. Applied to partial or temporary aberration, and to persons afflicted with partial lunacy. Lurch, v. To roll or sway to one side, or from side to side. Lurch, n. Any sudden or unexpected shift or change of posi- tion. "Lee-larch,'" a sudden, jerky roll, as of a ship rol- ling to leeward. Lurk, v. Hide or keep out of sight, as for ambush or escape; skulk. Lurking-place, n. A place in which one lurks or lies con- cealed; a secret place; a hiding-place; a den. Lusty, adj. Full-bodied; or stout from pregnancy. Lye, n. Water in which wood ashes have been steeped. Lye -trough, n. A trough in which ashes are placed to let the water run through and out at a hole in the bottom, as lye. M Mad, a;//'. Very angry; enraged; furious. " He has been mad with me for a week." Mad as fire, adj. Very mad. "When he hears of it he will be as mad as jire. Mad-doctor, n. A doctor who treats mad people. Mad-house, n. A house where mad people are confined for cure or for restraint. Madman, n. A man who is insane; a distracted man; a crazy person. Mahvil, n. A marble. "We'll play a game of mahvils." Maiden-land, n. Land that a man gets with his wife and loses at her death. Main-road, n. Principal road; highway. " He lives on the main-road near the Court-house." Mainstay, n. Chief support of a household; main dependence. / 230 Make— Make up. Make, v. The ripening of grain or fruit. " The grain didn't make well this year. ' ' Make, v. To compel. "If you don't go I'll make you.'' (2) To earn. " He makes about two dollars aday." Make, v. To make believe, to pretend; act as if: as, " He was only making believe." Make, v. To do; act; beactive; take a course or line of action. To make way; proceed; move; direct one's course; with words expressing direction : as, ' ' He made towards home. ' ' To make at, to approach as if to attack; make a hostile movement against. " He made at him with a knife." Make, n. Form; shape; constitution and arrangement of parts; structure: as, a man of slender make. A sort, kind, or fashion. Make-belief, n. Pretense; sham; false or fanciful representa- tion. Make for, v. To go towards. "A squall is coming up, we had better make for shore." Make-game, ;/. One who makes a laughing-stock of another; one who makes of another a butt for jest and sport. One who makes fun of another. Make out, v. To be able to see or understand something: as, " I can't make out what it is." Make-outs, >i. pi. Things with which one can manage to get along in place of something else. Also, people who pre- tend to be something that they are not: as, " They are great make-outs. " Makeshift, n. An expedient adopted to serve a present need or turn; a temporary substitute. Make shift, adj. Of the nature of a temporary expedient. Make up, v. To be reconciled. "They have finally made up their difference." (2) To repair. '"Make up the fence that has been blown down." Make up to — Mare's-nest. 231 Make up to, v. For a man to show marked attention to a woman. " He makes up to the Jones girl." Mammock, n. A shapeless piece; a fragment. Mammock, v. To tear in pieces; mangle. Mammy, n. Mother. Also applied to the old black nurses. Manavel, v. To pilfer eatables or articles of small value. Manavellings, n. pi. Odds and ends of food; scraps; "leav- ings;" remnant of a meal. "Dog's leavings." Small perquisites. Mango, ;/. A green muskmelon stuffed with horse-radish, mustard seed, mace, nutmeg, ginger, and then pickled. Maninose, n. Mannose. The soft clam. Manhandle, v. To overcome or controll by main force. " It took three men to manhandle him." Mannerly, adj. Well behaved; polite. Manners,;;./)/. Behaviour; conduct; deportment. Mannish, adj. Simulating manhood; having the air or appear- ance of manliness. Manyplies, n. Third stomach of a cow from its many folds like the leaves of a book. Mantlepiece, n. The work or wainscotting around a fireplace, including usually one shelf or more. Marchantable, adj. In good condition; fit for sale. Used to mean tobacco that was currency in Virginia. Specifically, inferior to the best or selected, but sufficiently good for ordinary purposes. March-hare, n. Acting wildly or senselessly; strangely freak- ish; mad as a March-hare. Mare's-nest, n. An absurd or ridiculous imagined discovery; something of apparent importance which a person fancies he has discovered, but which turns out to be a delusion and a hoax. " He has found a mare's nest, and is laughing at the eggs." 232 Mare's-tails— Mash. Mare's-tails, n. pi. Long, straight fibres of grey cirrus cloud, an indication of the approach of stormy weather. M argent, n. For margin. Mark, n. Made on the ears of animals by various cuts with a knife to distinguish the ownership. Marketing, n. Groceries or other articles bought by people when they go to market. Marking-pole, n. A pole ten of twelve feet long used in ploughing long furrows; the distance between furrows was marked by the pole, and they were stuck up in the ground at long distances, usually with a small white rag to be seen readily. Marl, >i. A mixture of clay with carbonate of lime, used for manureing land. Marl, v. To overspread or manure with marl. Marl-bank, ;/. A place where marl is dug from the natural deposit. Marm, n. A form of ma'am, madam; "yes'm;' "no'm." In answer to a call: as, "John !" " Marm." Marrow-bones, n. pi. The bones of the knees: the knees. Used both literally and figuratively. Marsh-blackbird, n. A species of blackbird living in marshes. Marsh-hen, n. A bird living in marshes. Marshy, adj. Partaking of the nature of a marsh; swampy. Marse, n. Master: as, "A/arse Bob." Martin, ;/. House-martin, a bird that builds its nest under the eaves of houses. Black martin. Martingill, n. Martingale. Marvel, n. A marble. Maryland side, n. The hock of the ham. The other is the Virginia side. Mash, n. A form of marsh. Contraction of marish. Mash— Matter-of-course. 233 Mash, n. A form of mesh. Mash, v. To press or beat into a confused mass; crush by- beating or pressure: as, to mash apples in a mill. Mash, v. To crush by weight; to break. Mash-grass, n. Grass that grows in marshes. Mason, n. A wasp that makes its nest with grains of sand mixed with saliva, and fixes it on the sides of walls, and other places. Massacree, v. To massacre. " If you do that he will mas- sacre e you." Mast, n. The fruit of the oak and beech or other forest trees; acorns or nuts collectively, serving as food for animals. Mat,?;. Twist together; interweave like a mat; entangle. "His hair is so matted that he can't get a comb through it." Match, n. A pair; a couple; two persons, things, or sets mated or suited to each other. A mating or pairing; a coupling; a joining of two persons or things. Match, n. The wick of a candle, "one skayne of match." Match-coat, n. A large, loose coat formerly worn by the In- dians, first of fur skins matched and sewn together, after- wards of a kind of coarse woollen cloth. ' Matchcock, n. (?) " Fower matchcock chiers." Matross, n. An artillery soldier next to the gunners and helped them to load and fire. Matter, n. Pus; the discharge of matter from an abscess or wound. Matter, n. Ground of consideration; importance; consequence; used especially in interrogative and negative phrases. Matter, v. To form pus; collect or be discharged, as matter in an abscess; also, to discharge pus. Matter-of-course, adj. Proceeding as a natural consequence; following naturally as a thing to be expected or about which there can be no question. 234 Matter-of-fact— Mealy. Matter-of-fact, adj. Consisting of or pertaining to facts; not fanciful, imaginative, or ideal; ordinary; commonplace: applied to things. Mattery, adj. Purulent; generating pus. Maul, n. A heavy wooden hammer or mallet. Maul, v. To split with wedges and a maul. " I have maided two hundred rails to-day." Mauling, n. A severe beating, as with a stick or the fists. Maw, n. The stomach of animals, and also of human beings. (/Mawkish, adj. Insipid; sickening to the taste. Mawss, ?>. Moss. May-apple, ?i. A plant with a large white flower and yellowish, pulpy, slightly acid fruit, larger than a hen's egg, some- times eaten. Maybe, adv. Perhaps; possibly; probably. Mayduke, n. Me'doc. A variety of cherry of the sour type. May-fly, n. An insect troublesome to horses in spring and summer. Maypop, n. The fruit of the passion-flower. Maze, n. Bewilderment; perplexity. To be in a maze. Mazerin-dish, a. Mazerine. A dish made of maple wood. Mazer. Meal, //. The ground powder of corn. Meal, n. The supply of food taken at one time for the relief of hunger. A meal of victuals, food enough for one meal. Meal-bag, n. Made of a salt-sack, held three bushels of corn or meal, and used for sending " toll " to mill every week. Meal-time, n. The usual time for eating a meal. Meal-tub, ;/. A large tub or barrel for holding meal. Mealy, adj. Light, floury, and white when cooked; said of Irish potatoes. Mealy-mouthed— Melt. 235 Mealy-mouthed, adj. Speaking cautiously or warily; not saying plainly what is meant; soft-spoken; given to the use of soft or honied words. (2) White-mouthed, as if dipped in meal. "Item, one Mealy-mouthed bull." Mealy-mouthed, adj. A bay or brown horse having a light- coloured muzzle. /Mean, adj. Niggardly; penurious; miserly; stingy. (2) Of little or no account; low in worth or estimation; worthy of little or no regard; contemptible. (3) Disobliging; pettily offensive or unaccommodating. Means,//./)/. Private income; money. "He lives on his means. ' ' Measly, adj. Good for nothing; miserable; wretched; con- temptible. (2) Spotted, as pork. Measuring- worm, //. So called from its mode of progression, moving its head, afterwards drawing its tail along making a loop, then moving its head forward again. Meat, n. The flesh of warm-blood animals ordinarily killed for food. Meat-house, //. The house where the supply of meat is smoked and kept for use. Meddle, v. To interfere or take part inappropriately, improp- erly, or impertinently; concern or busy one's self with or about something without necessity or warrant; act in a mat- ter with which one has no business. Meddlesome, adj. Given to meddling; apt to interpose in the affairs of others; inclined to be officiously intrusive. Meeting-house, //. Any house of worship. Mek, v. To make. " Come in and mek the fire." Meller, adj. Mellah. Mellow; soft. Mellow, adj. Rendered good humoured or genial by liquor; somewhat under the influence of liquor; half-tipsy. Melt, //. The spleen. 236 Mend— Metes. Mend, ;/. Amendment; improvement; course of improvement; way to recovery: as, to be on the mend, said especially of persons recovering from sickness. " He's been sick but is now on the mending-hand. ' ' Mend, 7'. To mend the fire is to add fresh fuel to it. Mend his gait, v. To go faster. Men-folks, ;/. pi. The men of a household or community col- lectively. Merchandizing, part. Trading. " He has been merchandiz- ing all his life." Merchandizing goods, n. pi. Goods for sale, not for home use. Merrygold, n. Marigold; the flower. [/ Merrymaking, n. A convivial entertainment; a gay festival. Merrythought, n. The wishbone of a fowl's breast; so called from the sport of breaking it between two persons each of them pulls at one of the two ends, to determine which is to be married first. Mesh, ;/. "Wheat to the f/iesh." Mash, a mixture of ground grain malted, and water for brewing. (?) Mess, ;/. A quantity of food sufficient for one or more persons for a single meal. In fishing, the amount or number of fish taken. A mess of fish. Mess, n. A disorderly mixture or jumble of things; a state of dirt and disorder: as, the house was in a mess. A situation of confusion, disorder, or embarrassment; a muddle: as, to get one's self" in a mess. Mess, :■. To make a mess of; throw into confusion: as, "He messes the whole matter." Messy, adj. In a state of mess, confusion, or dirtiness; mak- ing a mess; littered or littering; untidy. Metes, n. pi. " Metes and bounds,'" limitation; limits. / Middle- Mile. 237 Middle, n. The waist; the middle part of the body. "He walked into the water up to his middle." Middle-aged, adj. Having lived to the middle of the ordinary age of man. By a middle-aged man is generally understood a man from the age of from forty to fifty years. Middle-name, n. The first name of a person is called the given-name ; the surname is the name, and any between the two is the middle-name, or he may have two middle-names. Middle-sized, adj. Half-sized. Being of middle or average size. Middling, n. That part of a hog that lies between the ham and the shoulder; a side of bacon. (2) Coarse flour be- tween the fine flour and the bran. Middling, adj. Not in good health, yet not very unwell. Middling, adv. Tolerably; moderately. Miff, n. A fit of petulant displeasure; a feeling of slight anger or resentment. Miff, v. To give a slight offence to; displease; nearly always in the past participle: as, " She was somewhat miffed." Might, >i. With might and main, with the utmost strength or bodily exertion. Mightily, adv. Greatly; in or to a great degree; very much. " I heard the new preacher and liked him mightily." Mighty, adv. In a great degree; very; exceedingly: as, mighty thoughtful. Mihill, n. Myhill; Mighell. Forms of Micheal. JVlihell; Mig- hel. Milch, adj. Give milk; furnishing milk: as, a milch cow. Mildewy, adj. Affected by or abounding in mildew; mouldy. Mild-spoken, adj. Mild in speech. Mile, v. Mile and tile, to fatigue with labour and toil. 238 Milk-and-water— Million. Milk-and-water, adj. Insipid, like milk diluted with water; hence, weak; characterless; wishy-washy. Milk-pail, ;/. A pail for holding milk; the wooden or tin ves- sel commonly used for milking. Milk-pan, n. A large, shallow pan in which milk is kept to allow cream to rise. Milk-piggin, n. A small, wooden vessel with an upright han- dle formed by continuing one stave above the rim, used for milking. Milk-sop, n. A soft, effeminate, girlish man; one who is de- void of manliness; a term of contempt. Milk-strainer, n. Made of a gourd, with a cotton cloth stretched across the bottom. Milk-warm, adj. Warm as milk as it comes from the breast or udder. Milky, adj. Oysters when spawning are said to be milky, and unfit for food. "Milky and not jitten to eat." Mill, n. A stone hand-mill for grinding grain. Consisting of two circular flat stones, the uppermost one with a hole in the middle and turning on a metal pin passing through the lower stone. In using the mill the grain is dropped with one hand into the central opening, while with the other the upper stone is turned by means of a stick put into a small hole near the edge. The stones are put in a wooden frame. Millclapper, n. Something making a continuous, clattering noise; a constant talker. " His tongue goes like a mill- clapper. ' ' Miller, n. To drown the miller is to put too much water in one's liquor. Miller's thumb, n. The name of a fish. Miller's turn, ;/. Where every one takes his turn as he comes, as at the mill the " first come first served." Million, 7i. A form of melon. Mill-peck — Minnum. 239 Mill-peck, n. A hammer with two chisel-heads, used for deepening the grooves of millstones. Mill-race, n. The channel through which the water runs to get to the mill-wheel to be turned. Mill-scite, n. Site. The ground on which anything was or is placed. Where a mill is placed. Mill-tail, n. The current of water leaving a mill-wheel after turning it, or the channel through which it runs. The waste water from a water-mill, Mimock, n. One who or that which imitates or mimics. " He is always mimocking everybody. ' ' Mince, v. To utter primly; bring or show forth sparingly or in a half-spoken way; hence, to display with affected. deli- cacy; use affectation in regard to: as, to mince one's words. Mincing, p. a. Speaking or walking affectedly or with cau- tion; affectedly elegant and nice; simpering. Mind, ;/. Intention; purpose. Memory; remembrance. In- clination. " I've a mind to go to bed." Mind, v. To regard with attention; pay attention to; notice; heed. (2) To take care of; attend to; to take or have the oversight of: as, a boy to mind the door; to mind a. child. (3) To care for; be concerned about; be affected by. (4) To look out for; be watchfull against. (5) To remind; to notice: as, "He minded me of my promise." (6) To be afraid of. " Don't mind him, he won't trouble you." Mindfull, adj. Taking thought or care; heedfull; thoughtfull. Minister's face, n. The upper part of the head of a hog, from which the ears, nose, and jowl have been cut. Usually boiled, when salt, with beans. Mink, n. Minx; a pert girl; a huzzy. Minniken, adj. Mannikin. Very small: as, " minnikin pins" the smallest size pins sold. Minnum, n. A small fish. 240 Mint-stick — Mismanage. Mint-stick, n. Sticks of candy flavoured with peppermint. Mint-drops, small, round pieces of candy flavoured with peppermint. Minx, ;/. A pert girl; a huzzy. Miration, n. Surprize. " He made a great miration at it." Mire, v. To plunge and fix in mire; set or stall in mud; sink in mud: as, poor, weak cattle mired in the soft marshes. Mireing-time, ;/. Caretakers were used to look after stock in the " miring-time," that is, in the spring when the cattle were thin and weak and apt to get stuck in the soft marshes. Miry, adj. Abounding with mire or mud; full of mire: as, a miry road. Misbehave, v. To behave ill; conduct one's self improperly or indecorously. Misbehaved, p. a. Guilty of ill-behaviour; ill-bred; rude. Misbehavior, n. Improper, rude, or uncivil behavior; mis- conduct. Miscall, v. To give an unworthy name or character to; berate; revile. Mischief, n. To play the mischief; to cause trouble, damage, injury. Mischievous, adj. With accent on the e in the second sylla- ble. Fond of mischief; full of tricks; teasing or trouble- some. Misery, ;/. A seated pain or ache; an acute local ailment: as, a misery in the back. Misfortune, >i. An illegitimate child. Mishap, )/. A lapse from virtue. Also, a miscarriage. Mislick, n. When an axe cuts out of line; a false blow. Mismanage, v. To manage badly; conduct carelessly or im- properly. Mismatch — Mizzle. 241 Mismatch, n. To match unevenly. Horses of different sizes and colours are mismatched in size, and mismatched in col- our. Shoes of different sets are mismatched. Mismeant, v. Past tense. To mistake. "It was mismeant on my part." Misremember, v. To mistake in calling to mind; err by fail- ure of memory. Miss Nancy, ;/. An affectedly prim young person of either sex; an effeminate young man. Misstep, n. A mistake in conduct; an incautious or erroneous act. Mist, n. A very fine rain; a fog. Misty, adj. Accompanied or characterized by mist; overspread with mist. Misunderstanding, ;/. A disagreement; difference; dissen- sion; quarrel. Mite, ;/. A very little of anything. Mitten, ;/. A covering for the hand, differing from a glove in not having a separate cover for each finger, the thumb only being separated. To get the mitten, to receive only the mitten, instead of the hand; be refused as a lover. A woollen covering for the hands which leaves the fingers and half the thumb bare. Mits. Mitten on, v. To sieze and hold fast. " When you get near enough mitten on to him." Mix, v. To mix up. To confuse; entangle mentally. To in- volve; implicate. Mixed Virginia-cloth, ;/. A cloth made in Virginia of cotton warp, cotton and woollen filling "broke" by carding them together, and woven on a hand-loom. Mizzle, ;/. Fine rain. Mizzle, v. To rain in very fine drops; drizzle. 16 242 Mizzle — Monkey-jacket. Mizzle, v. To disappear suddenly; decamp; run off. Mizzling, n. A thick mist of fine rain; a mist. Mizzly adj. Misty; drizzly. Mo, adj. For more. Moe. Mobby, n. The liquor or juice expressed from apples or peaches, for distillation in making apple- or peach-brandy. Moccasin, n. A venomous serpent of the United States. Mock, v. Mork, or mawk. To imitate, to mimic. To make sport of by mimicry, ridicule or sarcasm; deride. "Why are you always mocking that boy? " Mocking-bird, n. A well known song-bird that imitates other songsters, and other sounds. Moil, v. To be very painstaking. To "moil and toil." Mole -hole, //. The burrow of a mole. Mole-track, ;/. The track or course of a mole under ground. Molosses, n. Molasses. " A barrel of molosses.'" Molly cottontail, n. The common rabbit; "old hare." Monack, n. Moonack. A woodchuck. Moneyed, adj. Supplied with money; rich in money; wealthy. Money-grubber, n. An avaricious or rapacious person. Money-matters, ;/. Business. A careful man is said to look after his mo)icy-matters,. Money-purse, ;/. Purse for carrying money. Money's-worth, n. Full value; something that is worth what one pays for it. Mongrel, adj. Of a mixed or impure breed; begotten or made up of different kinds. Mongrel-duck, ;/. A duck produced by a cross between a < ommon duck and a muscovy drake. Monkey-jacket, ;/. A short, close-fitting coat or jacket, gen- erally made of stout material, as pilot-cloth, much worn by sailors in cold weather. Monkey-shine — Mope. 243 Monkey-shine, n. A trick or prank like a monkey's; buf- foonery; tomfoolery. Monkey-wrench, ;/. A screw-key with a moveable jaw, which can be adjusted by a screw. Monsus, adv. Exceedingly; extremely; wonderfully: as, " That's a monsus hard thing to do." Month-of-Sundays, n. A long and indefinite period of time. " It will take him a month -of- Sundays to do it." Monumental, adj. Notable; excessive; amazing: as, monu- mental impudence. Moo, v. To utter the characteristic cry of a cow; low. Moo-cow, n. A cow. Moody, adj. Peevish; fretfull; out of humour; gloomy; sullen; melancholy. Moon, v. To wander or gaze idly or moodily about, as if moonstruck. Moondown, n. The setting, or time of setting, of the moon. " We'll get there before moou-doiun." Moon-eyed, adj. Dim-eyed; purblind. Moon -faced, adj. Having a round face like the rising full moon. Moon-rise, n. The rising of the moon, or its appearance above the horizon. Moonshine, n. Show without substance or reality; pretense; empty show; fiction: as, that's all moonshine. Moonshiny, adj. Illuminated by moonlight. " Moonshiny nights." Moonstruck, adj. Affected, or regarded as affected in mind or health; by the light of the moon; lunatic; crazed; dazed. Mope, n. A low-spirited, listless, melancholy person; a drone. Mope, v. To be very dull and listless; especially, to be spirit- less or gloomy; as commonly used, it implies a rather trivial and weak melancholy. 244 Mop-head — Mother. Mop-head, A person with a rough, unkempt head of hair, resembling a mop. Mop-headed, adj. Having rough, unkemp hair, resembling the head of a mop. Morello, ;/. A kind of cherry with a dark red skin. Morning-glory, n. A plant and flower. Morning's milk, n. As the cows are milked twice aday that gotten in the morning is called morning* ' s milk. That in the evening is called night's milk. Morphew, n. Moss? A scurfy eruption on the face, mostly of women during pregnancy and after delivery. Mort, adj. A very great number or quantity. Mortar, n. A vessel of wood, in which corn is beaten with a pestle, of metal or hard wood, for making hominy. Mortify, v. To humiliate; depress; effect with vexation or chagrin. To bother; to tease. Mosquito-bar, ;/. A mosquito net. It may be a net-covered frame for a window, or a net canopy for a bed. Mosquito- curtain; mosquito-net. Mosquito-hawk, ;/. The name of an insect that preys on mosquitos. Dragon-fly. Mosquito-netting, n. A coarse fabric with large open meshes used for mosquito-bars, etc. Moss, n. A lichen on the face. Mossel, n. Morsel. " He hasn't got a mossel of sense." Mote, n. A small particle; anything very small; a minute par- ticle of straw; a small splinter of wood. "The butter is full of motes." Moth, n. Any larva that destroys woollen fabrics. Moth-eaten, past part. Eaten or preyed on by moths. Mother, n. A stringy, mucilaginous substance which forms in vinegar during the acetous fermentation. Mother— Moult. 245 Mother, v. To nurse; look after; take care of. Woman mothers man. Mother-bunch, n. A short, stout girl. Mother-country, n. One's native country. Mothering, adj. Motherly. " She was so mothering. " Motherly, adj. Tender; parental; affectionate. Like a mother. Mothermark, ;/. Stain on the face or body of a new-born child. Mother-naked, adj. Naked as at birth. Start naked. Quite naked. Mother- wit, n. Native wit; common sense. Good sense un- aided by book-learning. Mothy, adj. Containing moths; eaten by moths. Motion, ;/. Style or manner of moving; carriage. Motion, n. Evacuation of the bowels; alvine discharge. Motley, adj. Party-coloured; variegated in colour; consisting of different colours. Also dirty. "Where did you get that motley face." Mottled, adj. Spotted; variegated; marked with blotches of colour, of unequal intensity, passing insensibly into one another. A " mottled heifer.''' Mottle-faced, adj. Having a face of mixed colours, usually applied to cattle. Mought, v. Form of might, past tense of may. Mould, n. A soft place on the crown of children's heads where the sutures are not closed, the bones being incomplete. Moulder, v. To burn slowly; smoulder. "The logs on the fire are mouldering away." (2) To mildew. " The shoes are all mouldered with the damp." Moulder, v. To consume slowly. "Moulders away between the Minister's fingers." Moult, v. To shed or cast, as feathers, hair, or skin; slough off. 246 Mouse— Muddler. Mouse, v. To hunt out, as a cat hunts out mice. Mouse-coloured, adj. Having the gray colour of a mouse, or a colour somewhat similar. Mouser, n. An animal that catches mice; specifically, a cat; commonly used with a qualifying word to describe the pro- ficiency of the animal as a mouse-catcher. A good mouser. Mouse-trap, n. A trap for catching mice. Mousing, adj. Mouse catching; given to catching mice. Mouth, ;/. To make a mouth; or to mouth, to distort the mouth in mockery; make a wry face; pout. Mouthfull, u. As much as the mouth will hold, or is put into the mouth at one time. A small quantity. Move, v. To change residence: as, "We move next week." Never remove. Mow, ;/. An insulting grimace; a mock. Mowburn, ;/. Mowheat. The damage done by the heating of hay or tobacco when put in bulk. Mower, n. One who mows; a mowing machine. Much, v. To make much of; coax; stroke gently. Much, v. To be much; valuable in some capacity. "Not much" of small value. Much-what, adj. Nearly; almost. For the most part. "They are all much ?rhaL' ' Muck of sweat, u. To be wet with sweat. Excessive perspi- ration. Mucky, adj. A wet, slimy mass. Mud-dauber, u. A digger wasp; a mason. Muddle, v. To make foul, turbid, or muddy, as water. To bring into a state of confusion; make a mess of. Muddle, u. Intellectual confusion; bewilderment; cloudiness. Muddler, ;/. A churning stick for mixing toddies, made of wood, flattened at the end for crushing sugar, and a handle to hold it by. Mudflat— Mumbler. 247 Mudflat, n. A muddy, low-lying strip of ground by the shore, or an island, usually under water by the rising of the tide. Mud-hen, n. Same as marsh-hen. Mud-hole, n. A place full of mud; a depression where water and mud stand, as in a road. Mud-turkle, ;/. Mud-turtle; the name of various turtles that live in mud or muddy water. Muffle, v. Wrap up or cover close, particularly the neck and face; envelope or wrap in some covering. (2) To envelope more or less completely in something that deadens sound. Muffler, ;/. Anything used to muffle or wrap up; a woollen cravat wound several times around the neck, and worn in cold weather. Mug, n. A small, sylindrical drinking vessel, made of earth- enware or metal. (2) The face: as, " Ugly mug. " Mulbriland, n. Mulbury Island; a place name. Mulish, adj. Having the characteristics of a mule; sullen; stubborn. Mullet, )i. Jumping mullet, a fish that jumps from the water when startled, and blinded by a light at night, is caught by jumping into a boat. Mullein, ;/. A weed with thick, woolly leaves, yellow flowers. Mulligrubs, n. A pain in the intestines; colic. (2) 111 temper; sulkiness; the sulks: as, to have the mulligrubs. Mum, adj. Silent. Mumble, v. To speak with the vocal organs partly closed, so as to render the sounds inarticulate and imperfect; speak in low tones, deprecatingly or hesitatingly. (2) To chew or bite softly with the gums; work food with the gums on account of lack of teeth or their defectiveness. Mumbler, n. One who mumbles. 248 Mumble-the-peg — Music-box. Mumble-the-peg, ;/. A boy's game in which each player in turn throws a knife from a series of positions, continuing till he fails to make the blade stick in the ground. The last player to complete the series is compelled to draw out of the ground with his teeth a peg, which the others have driven in with a number of blows with the handle of the knife with which the game was played. Mumbling, n. The act of speaking in a low tone or with the vocal organs partly closed; an indistinct utterance. Mumchance, n. One who has not a word to say for himself; a fool. Mummick, v. To cut awkwardly; mess or make a mess of: as, he mummicks his food. Mommick. Mommuck. Mummy, «, A pulpy mass. "The peaches in the basket were mashed to a mummy." Mun, n. A familiar term of address applied to persons of either sex and of any age. Usually at the end of a sentence and practically expletive: as, "Mind what I'm telling you, mun." ' Yes, mun;" used to give emphasis to an asser- tion. Munch, v. To chew deliberately or continuously; chew audibly. Murkle, >i. Myrtle, the name of a tree. Munts, ;/. pi. Months. "I have not seen him for two munis. " Mush, n. Meal boiled in water or milk until it forms a thick soft mast: as, "mush and milk," a preparation made from corn meal. Mushmelon, n. Muskmelon. Mushroon, ;/. Never with m t but a final n. An eatable fun- gus. Musheron. Mushy, adj. Like mush; soft; pulpy; without fibre or firm- ness. Music-box,;/. A mechanical music instrument. Plays certain tunes on being wound up with a key. Muskmellon — Nag. 249 Muskmellon, n. A well known plant and its fruit. Musrat, n. Muskrat. A large, gnawing, fourfooted animal so called from its musky smell. Mussrat. Musquagh. Musky, adj. Having the smell of musk. Muss, ;/. A state of confusion; disorder: as, the things are all in a mass. An indiscriminate fight; a squabble; a row. Muss, n. A scramble; disturbance; uproar. Muss, v. To put in a state of disorder; rumple; tumble: as, to muss one's hair. Mussy, adj. Disorderly; rumpled; towsled. (2) A form of mercy: as, " Lord a mussy." Muster-day, n. A day appointed for militia training in bodies collected from different places. Musty, adj. Mouldy; sour: as, musty corn, or straw; "musty books." Mutter, v. To utter words in a low tone and with compressed lips, as in complaint or sullenness; murmur; grumble. Muttering, ;/. The sound made by one who mutters; grum- bling; mumbling. Mutton-head, ;/. A dull or stupid person. Myring-branches, n.pl. " My 'ring-branches of a river," were places where the bottom was so soft that animals could not cross without being stuck in the mud. Mutton-suet, ;/. The fat, dried out of mutton. N Nab, v. To catch or seize suddenly or by a sudden thrust or grasp. Nabel, n. Nable. For nave/. Nag, n. A horse, especially a poor or small horse. Nag, v. To irritate or annoy with continued scolding, petty faultfinding, or urging; pester with continual complaints; torment; worry. 250 Nail— Nasty. Nail, v. To secure by prompt action; catch. Naked-bed, n. A bed without sheets, and not a naked person in bed; it does not seem to have been the custom to sleep without clothes. Name after, v. To give one person the name of another. " He is named John after his father." Namesake, n. One who is named after or for the sake of another; hence, one who has the same name as another. Nankeen, n. A sort of cotton cloth usually of a yellow colour. Nanny-goat, n. A she-goat. Nap, n. Nape. The back, upper part of the neck. Nap, //. The woolly substance on the surface of cloth, felt, or other fabric. Nap, n. A short sleep. Nap, v. To have a short sleep. To catch one napping. To come on one when he is unprepared; taken at a disadvantage. Napper, n. The pronunciation of the surname Napier. Nappy, adj. Covered with nap. A frock made of nappy cot- ton was called a " Nappy -cotton gown." Narrow, v. In knittings to reduce the number of stitches either by knitting two together or by slipping one and bind- ing it over the next; opposed to widen: as, to narrow a stocking at the toe. Narrow-minded, adj. Of confined views or sentiments; big- gotted; illiberal. Nary, adj. A form of ne'er a, never a. Ary, e'er a, ever a. Narry\ neither; none. Nastiness, //. Disgusting taste; nauseousness. That which is filthy. Filth. Nas'ness. Nasty, adj. Filthy; dirty; foul; unclean. Physically filthy or dirty. Of filthy habits. Nauseous; disgusting to taste or smell: as, a nasty medicine. (2) Mean; dishonourable; hate- ful: as, a nasty trick. Natty— Neat. 251 Natty, adj. Neat; tidy; spruce. Natural, adj. Legitimate. Used in this sense in the County records; as, my " natural daughter. " Also: " My natural mother." Natural-born, adj. So by nature; born so: as, "A natural- born fool." Naught, n. An aught; cipher; zero. Naught, adj. Wicked; bad in conduct; improper conduct. Naughty, adj. In a mitigated sense, bad in conduct or speech; improper; mischievous; used with reference to the more or less venial faults or delinquences of children, or playfully to those of older persons. Naval officer, //. In the Colonial times, an officer for the entry and clearance of vessels, and other official business connected with the administration of the Navigation Act. Nave, ;;. The central part of a wheel where the spokes are put. Hub. Naysay, ;/. A refusal. " He wouldn't take a naysay." Right or opportunity of refusal. " Give me the naysay. " Near, adj. Closely allied by blood; closely akin; near kin. Intimate; united in close ties of affection or confidence; familiar: as, a near friend. (2) So as to barely escape injury, danger or exposure; close. (3) Economical; closely calculating; also close; parsimonious; stingy. Near-by, adj. Close at hand; not far off; neighbouring. Near chance, //. A near miss; a close shave. " It was the nearest chance in the world that we didn't turn over." Near-sighted, adj. Short-sighted; seeing distinctly at a short distance only. Neat, adj. Characterized by nicety of appearance, construc- tion, arrangement, etc.; nice; hence, orderly; trim; tidy; often specifically clean: as, neat in one's dress. Spruce; finical; over-nice. (2) Simple; undiluted; to take liquor without water. 252 Neatly — Nest-egg. Neatly, adv. In a neat manner; with neatness, in any sense of the word. Neat's-foot-oil, n. The oil gotten from the feet of neat-cattle. Necessary, ;/. A privy. Necessary-honse. Neck, //. A piece of dry land running between two creeks or rivers; or between two marshes. "The Neck.'" Neck'ed, adj. Naked; without any clothes on at all. "He was as neck'ed as he could be." " She was walking on the neck'ed floor." Neckhankercher, n. A neck-tie. Need-be, n. Something compulsory, indispensable, or requi- site; a necessity. Needle, n. Needlefull; the length of thread used at one time in a needle. " Give me a needle of black silk." Needle-wires, n. pi. Knitting-needles. Neet, adj. For net. " Neet proceeds. " Negro-fellow, n. A full grown negro man to distinguish from wenches and children. Negrofy, v. Nigrify. To turn into a negro. Negrohed. To become like a negro in thoughts and deeds. Negro-news, n. News carried about by negroes. It is almost equal to the telegraph in the rapidity of transmission. Neighbourly,^//. Becoming a neighbour; kind; considerate. Cultivating familiar intercourse, interchanging, visits; social. " He is a neighbourly man." Neither, adj. Never wither. Nesses, n. pi. Plural of nest. " Two hen nessesfuW of eggs." Nest, ;/. A series or set, as of boxes, baskets, trays, bowls, tubs, etc., of diminishing sizes each fitting within the next in order. Nest-egg, n. An egg, natural or artificial put or left in a nest to prevent a laying hen from forsaking her nest. (2) Some- Nettle— Nice. 253 thing laid up as the beginning or nucleus of a continued growth or accummulation. Nettle, v. Irritate or vex; provoke; pique. " He was very much nettled by what she said." Nevue, n. Form of nephew. Newcomer, //. One who has lately come to a neighbourhood. Newfangle, n. A new or novel fashion; a novelty. Newfangled, adj. Disposed to take up new things; fond of change. New made or new fashioned; formed with affec- tation of novelty. New-fashion, n. Recently come into fashion; newfashioned; novel. Newfashioned, adj. Made in a new form or style, or lately come into fashion. New-ground, n. New land clearing, but not fully cleared and ready for cultivation. New-hand, n. A person newly come to the country and not seasoned. Newish, adj. Rather new. News, n. Gossip; something new: as, "That's news to me. News, v. To report; rumour: as, " It was newsed about that something had happened." Newsy, adj. Having the latest and fullest news: as, " it is a very newsy paper. " " What a newsy woman she is. ' ' Nibble, v. To bite very slightly or gently; bite off small pieces of. Nibbler, ;/. One who nibbles; one who bites a little at a time. Nice, adj. Fastidious; very particular or scrupulous; dainty; difficult to please or satisfy; exacting; squeamish. Agree- able; pleasant; good; applied to persons. Anything that is gratifying: " nice and warm; " " nice and clean." 254 Nicely — Nightmare. Nicely, adv. Satisfactorily: as, the work goes on nicely. Nicety, n. Fastidiousness; extreme or excessive delicacy; squeamishness. Delicacy; exactness; accuracy; precision. To a nicety, to a turn ; with great exactness. Nick, n. A hollow cut or slight depression made in the surface of anything; a notch. Point, especially point of time: as, in the nick of; that is, on the point of being or doing some- thing. The exact point of time which accords with or is demanded by the necessities of the case; the critical or right moment: in the nick of time, that is, at the right moment, just when most needed or demanded. Nick, v. To cut the sinews in a horse's tail to make him carry it higher. Nick, n. Old Nick, the devil. Nicker, v. To make the cry of a horse; to neigh. Nickname, n. A name given to a person in contempt, deris- ion or reproach. A familiar or diminutive name. Nickname, v. To call by an improper or opprobious name. To apply a familiar or diminutive name. Nigh, adj. Penurious; stingy; close; near. Nigh, adv. Near. " We are nigh home now." Night, n. After dark — not evening. Night begins as the sun goes down. Night-cap, ;/. A drink of spirit or wine taken before going to bed. Night-clothes, n. pi. Garments designed to be worn at night. Night-fall, ;/. The fall of night; the close of day; evening. Night-glass, n. A chaamber-pot. Nightlong, adv. Through the night. All nightlong. Nightmare, //. An oppressed state during sleep. Any over- powering, oppressive, or stupefying influence. Night-partridge — Nobody. 255 Night-partridge, n. The American woodcock. Night-rail, n. Night-raile. A night gown. Nights, adv. At night; by night. Night-walking, adj. Walking about at night. Nigrified, adj. A mean action, term of contempt. Acting like a negro. Nimble, adj. Light and quick in motion; active; moving with ease and celerity; marked by ease and rapidity of motion; livelv; swift. Nimbly, adv. In a nimble manner; with agility; with light, quick motion. Nincompoop, n. A fool; a blockhead; a simpleton. Nine-lived, adj. Having nine lives as a cat is said to have; hence, not easy to kill; escaping great perils or surviving grave wounds or hurts. Ninny, ;/. A fool; a simpleton. Nip, n. A sip or small draught, especially of some strong spir- itous beverage: as, a nip of brandy. Nip, v. To take a dram or nip. Nip, v. To blast, as by frost; destroy; check the growth or vigour of. " The fruit was nipped by the frost." Nip, v. To pinch with the fingers or nails. Nipcheese, n. A person of cheese paring habits; a skinflint; a niggardly person. Nipping-frost, ;/. A heavy frost that nips or destroys vegeta- tion. Nip-tide, n. Neap-tide. Lowest point of tide. Adj. When tides are at their lowest. Nit, ;/. The egg of a louse, or similar insect. No-account, adj. Worthless. " He is very no-account. " Nobody, n. An unimportant or insignificant person; one who is not in fashionable society. 256 Nod— Noses. Nod, n. A short, quick, forward and downward motion of the head, as when one is drowsy or sleepy. "In the land of nod,'" gone to sleep. Nod, v. To salute, beckon, or express assent by a slight, quick inclination of the head. Noddle, n. The head. Noggin, n. A vessel of wood, with iron or brass hoops that is kept near a tub of water, used for washing hands, mostly for children. Noggin, v. To cut the hair straight round as if a noggin had been turned over the head to cut by; the blue-law cap method. No go, adv. Impracticable; of no use; not to be done. " He tried, but it was no go, he couldn't." Nohow, adv. In no manner; not in any way; not at all. Noint, v. Nint. To annoint. To beat severely. " Ninted scoundrel;" very bad, "annointed by the Devil." Noisy, adj. Full of noise; characterized by noise; attended with noise: as, a noisy place. No'm. For " no madam." Nonesuch, ;/. An extraordinary thing; a thing that has not its equal. Nonplus, v. To perplex; puzzle; confound; put to a stand- still; stop by embarrassment. Nonsense, ;/. Trifles; things of no importance. Norate, v. To rumour; spread by report. Norated. Noration, n. A rumour; a long, rambling account. "She put out the noration that there would be a dance there next week." Northeaster, n. A wind or gale from the northeast. Noses, ;/. />/. To count noses, to count the number of persons present. Nose-bleed — Nuss. 257 Nose-bleed, n. Bleeding at the nose. Nother, n. " You are a nother." N other, adj. An other. Nother, adj. Same as neither. 1 Nothing but, adv. Only; no more than. Nothing much, adv. Very little; not very much. "What are you doing at home? " "Nothing much." Notion, n. A desire, inclination, intention, or sentiment, generally not very deep or rational; a caprice; a whim. Opinion; idea. " I have a notion he'll do it." No two ways, n. Only one way to do a thing; a positive as- sertion. "I'll not allow it, there are no two ways about that." Nowadays, adv. In these days; in the present age. Now-and-again, adv. Sometimes. "He comes now- and - again." Noways, adv. In no way, respect, or degree; not at all. Nub, n. A knob; a protuberance; a small lump of any sub- stance, roundish in form. Nubbin, n. A small or imperfect ear of corn. Nubby, adj. Full of nubs, knots, or protuberances. Nudge, n. A slight push as with the elbow; a covert jog in- tended to call attention, giving warning, or the like. Nudge, v. To touch gently, as with the elbow; give a hint or signal to by a covert touch with the hand, elbow, or foot. Numb, adj. Deprived of the power of sensation as from a stoppage of the circulation; torpid; hence, stupefied; pow- erless to feel or act: as, fingers numb with cold. Numskull, n. A dunce; a dolt; a stupid fellow. Nuss, n. A nurse, generally one who takes care of a child. " I've been nuss for all these children." Nuss, v. Nurse; to suckle a child. 17 258 Nuts— Odd-time. Nuts, n. pi. The testicles. Nuts, n. pi. Something especially agreeable or enjoyable. Nuver, adj. Never. "I ^/c'/. An auction. " To be sold at public outcry." Outcure, <\ To cure more sick people than any other remedy. Outdacious, adj. Audacious; bold; impudent; forward. Outdone— Pacify. 263 Outdone, v. To be outdone, annoyed or vexed, provoked at something said or done by another. " He was very much outdone by what the boy said." Out of the way, adv. Not well done; vicious. "He has never done anything- out of the zuay. ' ' Out of his head. Saying applied to a delirious person; or a crazy one. Over the river, Phrase used to designate the south side of the James river. "He lives over the river." " They are over the river folks. ' ' Overcoat, n. " It is a whole overcoat colder than it was yester- day." Overnight,;;. The night before. "The dough should be made up overnight.'''' Overplus, ;;. Excess. Own, adj. Showing nearest relationship: as, " Own cousin," for, first cousin; "own brother;" "own uncle." "The young people just married were ozvn cousins." Ox-team, ;/. One or more yokes of oxen worked together. Oyes, v. The sheriff opened the Court by saying: " Oyes, oyes, oyes, silence is commanded under pain of imprisonment while the worshipful justices of Warwick County hold their court. God save the Commonwealth." Oyster-eating, /;. Where a number of friends gathered on the shore to roast and eat oysters. P Pa, n. A childish form of papa. Pace, ;;. A gait of a horse, in which the legs of the same side are lifted together. Pace, v. To move by lifting both feet on the same side to- gether. Pacify, v.- To appease; calm; quiet; allay the agitation or ex- citement of. 264 Pack — Palaver. Pack, n. A collection; a budget; a stock or store: as, a pack of lies. The whole nnmber of persons in any category: as, the whole pack of them. Pack, v. To send off or away summarily; specifically, to dis- miss or discharge from one's employment; with off, away, etc. : as, to pack off an impudent servant. To depart in haste, as when summarily dismissed; be off at once. Pad, n. A path; a footpath; a road. (2) To be on the pad, to be on the go all the time. Paddies, n. />/. Pantalets or knee-drawers with flounces. Paddle, n. An implement having a short blade and long han- dle, held in the hands, not resting in the rowlock, and dipped into the water with a more or less vertical motion; used for propelling canoes. Paddle, v. To chastise by beating on the buttocks with a pad- dle. Paddle, v. To wade in shallow water. " What are you doing paddling about in the water like that ? ' ' Paddle, v. To trample about in the wet and dirt: these chil- dren are always paddling about in the mud. Pail, n. A vessel of wooden staves, nearly or quite cylindrical, with a looped handle, used for carrying water, milk or other liquid. Pale. Pailfull, >i. The quantity that a pail will hold. Painter, n. A rope attached to the bow of a boat, and used to fasten it to a stake, or ship, or other object. Painty, adj. Smeared or spotted with paint: as. " His clothes are painty." Pair-of-bars, n. Poles made to draw out of posts with large holes morticed in them, and placed on each side of the road to let a cart pass through. Palaver, //. Mattery; adulation; talk intended to deceive. Palaver, :•. To talk idly or plausibly; indulge in palaver. Palaverer — Pantalets. 265 Palaverer, n. One who palavers; a cajoling or flattering per- son. Palings, n. pi. Pales. The yard was enclosed with oak pal- ings. Pall, v. To lose taste, life or spirit; become insipid; hence, to become distastefull, wearisome. To make spiritless; dis- pirit; depress; weaken; impair. Pallet, n. A bed on the floor made up with quilts, or blankets, sheets and a pillow, on which children of a house were put to sleep while visitors occupied their beds. Palm-leaf fan, n. A fan made from a dried palm leaf, partic- ularly from the leaf of the fan-palm, or of the palmetto. Pamper, v. To feed high, enjoy ease and do no work. Horses that stand in the stable, are well fed and do little, are said to ho. pampered. Pan, n. A broad, shallow vessel of tin, iron, or other metal, used for various domestic purposes. Pancake, n. A thin cake of batter fried or baked in a pan or on a griddle. Pancake-day, n. Shrove Tuesday; so called because, accord- ing to an old custom, pancakes are eaten on that day. Panel, ;/. A jury. Pan-fish, n. A fish of the right size or quality for frying whole in a pan, being from six to ten inches long. Pannel, n. The space between two locks of a worm fence; or between two posts of a post and rail fence. Pansy, n. The heartsease. Pant, v. To breathe hard or quickly; gasp with open mouth and heaving breast, as after exertion ; gasp with excited eagerness. Pantalets, n. pi. Long frilled drawers, worn by women and girls. A false or adjustable prolongation of the legs of 266 Pap— Passage. women's drawers, renewed for neatness as is done with culls and the like: worn about 1840-50. Pap, n. Soft food for infants, usually made by boiling milk till much of the water is evaporated. Pappy, adj. Like pap; soft. Pappy, n. Papa; father. A childish word. Parboil, v. To boil slightly or in a moderate degree. Pardner, n. A form of partner. Parish-levy, n. The money levied by the county for help for the poor; as the poor were formerly cared for by the vestry of the parish. Parrot-toed, adj. Parry-toed, with the toes turned in in walk- ing. Parsley-bed, n. Children are told that babies are dug out of the parsley-bed. Parster, ;/. For pasture. " The horses are all in the parster." Partial, adj. To be partial to anything, means to like it; gen- erally in the sense of relishing. "She is very partial to strawberries and cream." Partridge, >i. A well known bird; the name quail is never used for this bird. Parts, n. pi. Fractions of quantity or space. " The bowl was three parts full; " " the theatre was three parts full." Pasley, n. Parsley. Pasnip, n. Pasnep, for parsnip. Pas'on, //. For parso?i. Pass, //. State or condition. " A pretty pass." Pass, ;/. A discharge from the bowels. Pass, v. To discharge from the intestinal canal; void, as bile, blood, etc. : as. to pass a tape-worm. Passage, ;/. A discharge from the bowels. Passage— Patch. 267 Passage, ;/. An avenue or alley leading to the various divisions or apartments in a building. Hall not generally used. Pass-by, n. The act of passing by: as, to give one the pass-by. Passel, 7i. An indefinite number, quantity, or measure forming a group, mass, or lot. A whole passel. Passle. Passer-by, n. One who passes by or near. Passionate, adj. Easily moved to vehement emotion, especially to anger; easily excited or agitated. Pasture, v. To put cattle to graze: as, "I've just begun to pasture my cattle on the clover." Pat, ;/. A light quick blow or stroke with the hand or fingers. "A pat on the head." Pat, v. To strike gently with the fingers or hand; tap. " I had to get up and pat you to sleep." To pat juba, to pat the knee or thigh with the hands as an accompaniment of the juba-dance. Pat, adv. Fitly; conveniently; just in the nick; exactly; read- ily; fluently. " He has got it all very pat." Pat, adj. Apt; fit; convenient; exactly suitable as to either time or place; ready; fluent. Pat, ;/. A small lump, as of butter, moulded or pressed into some regular shape. Patch, n. Any piece of material used to repair a defective place in some fabric, as a piece of cloth sewed on a garment where it is worn or torn. (2) A small piece of ground, especiallv one under cultivation; a small detached piece: "potato patch." A small quantity of any growing crop: " patch of cotton." Patch, v. To mend in an imperfect manner to serve a tempo- rary purpose. Patch, n. A small piece of thin cotton or linen cloth, greased and used for making the ball fit tight in muzzle-loading rifles. 268 Patching— Pea. Patching, n. "That isn't a patching to him " ; said of a thing that seems to fall short of what it is intended to fullfill. Pate, >i. In general, the head; the noddle. Usually employed in a trivial or derogatory sense. Pated, adj. Having a pate or head of this or that kind: as, \ong-fiated, cunning. Patent, >i. The document by which land was given to first set- tlers by the Colonial Governors. These patents from 1626, are. registered in the capitol. Patent, v. To grant land by the Governor to settlers. ' Land patented to T. W., in 1660." Patron, n. ¥ ox pattern. A model or plan. Patteroller, n. A patroller. Authority was given by the justices of the peace to hunt for thieves and nightwalkers who were punished when caught. Patty-cake, n. A children's game played by patting the hands together to a nursery rime. Pat-a-cake. Paunch, n. The belly; the abdomen; the stomach of an animal. Paunchy, adj. Having a prominent paunch; big-bellied. Pavele, n. (?) " For every pound of Pavele Sugar one penny Custom." Paw, n. The human hand, especially when large or coarse, or when awkwardly used. Paw, v. To handle roughly or clumsily, as with paws. Pay, v. " What's to pay?" What is the matter? Pay, v. To coat or cover with tar or pitch, or with a composi- tion of tar, resin, turpentine, tallow, and the like: as, to pay a seam. Pea, n. Name given by boys to a little marble. Pea, n. A pear shaped mass of iron hung on the arm of steel- yards and slid along, when b'allancing the thing weighed the weight is read off. The weight used in weighing any- thing with the steelyards. Peach-brandy— Pebbly. 269 Peach-brandy, n. A spirituous liquor distilled from the fer- mented juice of peaches. Peach-orchard, n. A place where a number of peach trees grow. Peach-seed, n. The hard nut enclosing the seed or kernel within the fruit of the peach. Pea-coat, n. A short double-breasted coat of woollen stuff, in form resembling a short over-coat. Pea-jacket, ;;. A heavy coat, generally of pilot cloth, worn by seamen in cold or stormy weather. Peak'ed, adj. Having a sickly, thin, or emaciated appearance; drawn. Said of the face or expression. Pronounced as two syllables. Peanut, n. The eatable fruit of the plant bearing the same name. Pear, v. To appear. " It pears to me so." Pearch, n. Perch, a rod or pole serving as a roost for birds; anything on which birds light and rest. An elevated seat or position. Pearch, n. A fish. Perch. Pearch, v. Perch. To place, set, or fix on a pearch or other elevated support. Peart, adj. Lively; smart; feeling well; in good spirits; brisk; clever. Pearten up, v. To become more lively and active: as, a horse peartens tip when he goes along better and makes better time on the road. Peartly, adv. In a peart manner. Readily; briskly; promptly. Pea-hull, n. The hull covering the pea; a pea-pod, Pea-time, n. The last of pea-time \ faded; sickly. Pebble, n. A small rounded stone. Pebbly, adj. Full of pebbles. 270 Peck— Pelt. Peck, v. To peck at, to attack repeatedly with petty criticism; to carp at. " Peck on." Peck, n. A quantity; a great deal: as, in a peck of trouble. (2) A quarter of a bushel. Peck, //. Peckaxe. A pickaxe. A \m\\-peck. Peckish, adj. Inclined to eat; somewhat hungry. Peculiar, adj. Singular; unusual; uncommon; odd: as, he was somewhat peculiar in his manner. Pee, v. To make water. Used by and to children. Peeler, //. A speech or letter scoring a person. Peelings, //. Parings. The outside skin cut from fruit or vege- tables : ' ' Potato peelings; ' " apple peelings. Peep, v. To appear; to show: as, the corn has begun to peep out of the ground. Pee-pee. Call for turkeys. Peeper, n. The eye. Peer, v. To appear; seem. " It peers to me so." Peer, v. To look narrowly or sharply. Implying searching or an effort to see. ' ' What are you peeping and peering at ? ' ' Peevish, adj. Petulant; ill-tempered; cross; fitfull. Peg, n. A tooth; children's teeth are often called "pegs." Peg, v. To work or strive persistently. Generally followed by away or along. To peg out. To depart; die. Pegging, p. p. Dogged or plodding perseverance in work. " He keeps pegging away at his work." Peg-top, //. A variety of top, commonly of solid wood with a metal peg. Peg-tops, n. pi. A kind of trowsers very wide at the top, and gradually narrowing till they become tight at the ankles. Pelf,//. Money; riches; " filthy lucre. " Pelt, v. To assail with missies; assail or strike with something- thrown. To throw stones at a person. Pelting— Perk. 271 Pelting, adj. Heavy; violent. " A pelting rain." Pelter, ;/. A storm, as of falling rain, hailstones. Pen, n. A small enclosure made with rails or planks for shut- ting up stock. Pen, v. To enclose; shut up: as, to pen the cattle at night. Pen-feather, n. An undergrown feather. Pen-fed, adj. An animal fattened in a pen. Stall-fed. Penny, n. As in ten penny, nail, means so many nails to the pound — ten penny is ten pounds to the thousand nails: six penny, six pounds weight to the thousand nails. Pennywinkle, n. A small, eatable, sea snail. Pepper, v. To pelt with shot or other missies. Pepper-and-salt, adj. Of a colour consisting either of a light ground, as white, drab, gray, dotted or speckled finely with a dark colour, as black or dark gray, or black or dark gray thickly and evenly speckled with white or light gray: said of a fabric or a garment. Pepper-box, n. A small box with a perforated lid, used for sprinkling powdered pepper on food. Peppermint-drop, n. A confection flavoured with pepper- mint. Peppery, adj. Choleric; irritable; warm; sharp; passionate; stinging. Perfect, adj. Entire; out and out; utter; very great: as, a per- fect stranger. Perfectly, adv. In a perfect manner; wholly; entirely; com- pletely; thoroughly; altogether; quite. With the highest degree of thoroughness or excellence; in such a way to leave nothing to be desired. Periauger, n. A canoe made from the trunk of a single tree hollowed out, with built up sides. Perk, v. To hold up smartly; to prick up: as, to perk up the mouth. s 272 Perpetuana — Pethcoat. Perpetuana, ;/. A stuff of wool or silk and wool. It was similar to lasting. Perry, n. A fermented liquor, similar to cider, made from the juice of pears. Persimmon, n. Simmon. The date-plum of a tree common in Virginia. The fruit is about an inch in diametre, ex- tremely astringent when green; when frosted or thoroughly ripe it is sweet and eatable. A beer is made of the fruit. Perspective glass, n. A spy-glass; a magnifying glass. Peruse, v. To go through searchingly or carefully; run over with careful scrutiny; inspect: as, "We have perused the town in search of a house to live in." Pester, n. A trouble; bother; plague: as, he is a great pester. Pester, v. To trouble, disturb, or annoy, especially, with re- peated acts of an annoying kind; harrass with petty vexa- tions; plague; worry. Pestle, n. A wooden or iron instrument for pounding or break- ing corn in a wooden mortar for making hominy. (2) The leg of certain animals: as, a turkey pestle. Pestle-tail, ;/. A horse's tail denuded of hair; also, applied to a person of an indifferent kind: " He is a pestle-tail any- how. ' ' Pet, ;/. A fit, as of peevishness, ill humour, or discontent. Pet, n. A favourite. Pet, ;/. A pit; a small depression or dent, such as left on the skin by the smallpox: his face is covered with pets. Peter-grievous, n. A dismal person. " He isa regular />i. A form of pith. The pet h of a tree. The marrow in an animal's backbone. Pethcoat, n. Petticoat. (?) Pethy— Pick up. 273 Pethy, adj. Dry, spongy and tasteless: " These apples are not good ; they are pethy. ' ' Petted, v. Favoured; indulged. Petticoat, ;/. An underskirt worn by women and children. Petticoat-tail, n. To be without a top coat: " She was going about in her petticoat-tail." Pewter, n. An alloy of tin and lead of which plates, dishes, saucers, spoons, tankards, drinking-cups, etc., were made and in common use. Pewtery, adj. Belonging to, resembling, or characteristic of pewter: as, a pewtery taste. Philomedicy, n. "John Stringar Philomedicy." Phleem, n. A thick ropy matter secreted in the digestive and breathing passages, and thrown off" by coughing or vomit- ing; bronchial mucus. Phyll-horse, ;/. Fill-horse; thill-horse. Physic, n. A medicine; a drug; a remedy for disease; also, drugs collectively. Physic, v. To treat with physic or medicines; cure; heal; relieve. Physicky, adj. Like physic or drugs: as, it has a Physicky ' taste. Piazza, n. An arcaded or colonaded walk on the outside of a building; a veranda. Pick at, v. To quarrel •vith. They are always picking at each other. Picking up, v. Growing better in health. " He has been very sick but is now picking up. ' ' Pickle, n. A state or condition of difficulty or disorder; a dis- agreeable position; a plight. Pick up, v. To overtake; to come up with. "I'll pick you up as I come along." (2) To mend in health. "The child has been very sick, but now begins to pick up. 18 274 Pick-upon — Piggin. Pick-upon, v. To annoy; the other boys always pick upon this one. Picture-book, ;/. A book of pictures; also, a book illustrated with pictures. Piddle, v. To deal in trifles; spend time in a trifling way or about trifling or unimportant matters; attend to trivial con- cerns, or to take the small parts rather than the main; trifle. (2) To make water. Piddler, >i. One who piddles; a mere trifler or good-for-noth- ing. Piddling, n. Trifling. Piebald, adj. Having spots or patches of white and black or other colour; parti-coloured; pied. Piece, n. A separate article; a thing: as, a piece of writing; a piece for publication. A portion of land in an open field; sometimes a small enclosure. Piece, n. An individual; a person; used contemptuously, and commonly of women: as, " She is a bold piece; " a " torn- down piece. " Piecemeal, adv. By pieces; bit by bit; little by little; grad- ually. Piedmont, n. That part of Virginia at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains above the Tidewater. Piercer,;/. An awl; a gimlet. " Piercer bitts. " Pig, v. To bring forth pigs; bring forth in the manner of pigs; litter. Pigeon-breasted, adj. Having the breast deformed, narrow and sharp in front. Pigeon-toed, adj. Having the toes turned in; said of persons. Pigeonwing, >i. A brisk, fancy step or caper in dancing: as, to cut a. pigeonwing. Piggin, //. A small, wooden vessel with a straight-up handle, formed by continuing one stave above the rim. Piggish — Pinch. 275 Piggish, n. Like a pig in disposition, habits, or manners; hog- gish; swinish; especially, greedy; said chiefly of persons. Piggishness, n. The character of being piggish; especially, greediness. Pig-headed, adj. Stupid and obstinate as a pig; stupidly per- verse; unreasonably set in mind. Pigheadedness, n. The character of being pigheaded; stupid perversity or obstinacy. Pig in, v. To sleep three or four in a bed like pigs. Pig-nut, n. The fruit of a North American tree, the brown hickory. (2) Also, earth-nut, ground-nut, a small nut grow- ing in the ground, dug up and eaten by children. Pig-pen, n. A pen for pigs. Pig-wash, n. Swill. Pigtail, n. Tobacco twisted into a rope or coil. Pile, n. A large amount of money; a fortune: as, "He has made his pile. " (2) The nap on cloth. Pilfer, v. To steal in small quantities; practice petty theft. Pill, n. A disagreeable or objectionable person. "He'sa//// for you." Piller, n. Pillow. Pillowbear, n. A cover to draw over a pillow. Pillowbeer. Pillowbier. Pillow-case, n. A moveable case or covering drawn over a pillow. Pillowbeere. Pillowslip. Pilot-bread, n. Dry, hard, bread made for use at sea. Pin, v. To sieze and hold. " The dog pinned him by the leg." " When you get a chance pin him." Pin-basket, n. The youngest child of a family. Pinch, n. At on a pinch, in an emergency; under the pressure of necessity. 276 Pinch — Pinners Point. Pinch, v. To deprive one's self of necessary food: as, they pinch their bellies for the benefit of their backs. Pinchback, ;/. An alloy used for cheap jewellery. Adj. Sham; spurious; bogus. Pinched,/, a. Compressed; contracted; narrowed; presenting the appearance of being straightened in circumstances, or with cold, want, or trouble. Pinchers, n. pi. A metal implement for seizing and holding. Pincers. Pinching-times, n. pi. Times of poverty and want, when people were pinched with cold and hunger. Pine, v. To be consumed with grief or longing; grow thin or waste away with pain, sorrow, or longing; languish: often with away. " She is pining away to a shadow." Pine-blank, adv. Point-blank. Pine-burr, n. The cone of the pine-tree. Pine-knot, n. The resinous knot of the pine-tree, used for fuel and light. Pine-tag, ;/. The needle or leaf of the pine-tree. Pinetop, ;/. Cheap, adulterated whisky, said to be made of pinetags. Pin-feathers, n. pi. Ungrown feathers. Ping, n. The whistling sound made by a bullet, as from a rifle, in passing through the air. Pin-head, ;/. The head of a pin; hence anything very small. "A pin has a head and so has Joe." Pinner, n. A woman's headdress, having long flaps hanging down the sides of the cheeks. Pinners Point, n. Pinnis, pinnace (?) A point of land in York county, running into Chesapeake Bay. (2) Pinnice. A kind of open boat. Pins and needles — Pitch. 277 Pins and needles, n. pi. The pricking, tingling sensation at- tending the recovery of feeling in a limb which has gone to sleep. Pint, n. and v. Point. Piny, ;/. PL pinies. A form of peony. Pip, v. To crack the egg in hatching. " The chichens will be out tomorrow, the eggs are all pipped." Pipe, v. To smoke; to smoke a tobacco pipe. " Come over tomorrow and we'll pipe an hour or so." Pipes, ;/. pi. The large air passages of the lungs; and when one has these obstructed he is said not to have his pipes clear. Bloodvessels; veins; arteries. Pipe-tree, n. The catawba. Catalpa. The long pods are smoked by the children. Piping,/>. a. Simmering; boiling; piping-hot, so hot as to hiss or simmer. Pipjinny, n. Pimgenet. A pimple; a small bile. Pustule. Pipped, past part. When the eggshell is cracked by the chicken about to be hatched out it is said to be "pipped.''' Pissabed, n. The dandelion flower. Children are warned not to pull it under the penalty of wetting their beds at night. Piss-ant, n. An ant. Piss-clam, n. So called from its squirting. Pit, v. To make a small dent by pressure. Pitch, n. The height of anything. "The roof was ten feet pitch." Pitch, v. To pitch in, to begin; set to work with promptness or energy. (2) To pitch into, to attack; assault. Pitch, v. To sit down; to light. " I saw the wild geese pitch in the wheatfields." Pitch, v. To plant. " I have already pitched my crop." 278 Pitcher— Plank. Pitcher, ;/. A vessel of various sizes with one handle and a lip-spout for holding water or other liquids. A basin and pitcher. Never called jug. Pitcher, ;/. The man who pitches the sheaves of wheat up on the cart or stack, by means of a pitch-fork. Pitch-fork, ;/. A wooden implement that will hold several sheaves of wheat, and used to pitch them upon a cart or stack. Pitch-pine, n. A sort of pine tree. Pitch-pot, >i. A large pot used for boiling pitch for paying the seams of wooden vessels after caulking. Pit-coal, n. Mineral coal: distinguished from charcoal. Pit-saw, )i. A saw working in a pit, as a large saw for cutting timber, operated by two men, one of whom called the pit- sawyer stands in the pit below the log that is sawing, and the other called the top-sawyer on the log. Pizzle, n. The penis of an animal, as a bull, ram, boar; not ot a dog. Place, n. Dwelling; a building or part of a building set apart for any purpose. A place in the country; a place of busi- ness. Place, n. Duty; business. "It's your place to do as I tell you." Placket, //. The opening or slit in a petticoat or skirt. Placket- hole, the slit in a gown or petticoat, before or behind, which enables the wearer to put it on. Plague, :■. To vex; harrass; trouble; annoy; tease. Plaguy, adj. Troublesome; vexatious; annoying; Plaguy, adv. Vexatiously; deucedly: as, plaguy hard. Plain, adj. Without beauty; homely. Artless; simple; un- learned; without artifice or affectation ; unsophisticated. Plank, v. To lay or place as on a plank or table : as, he planked down the money. Plants— Plight. 279 Plants, n. pi. Young cabbage-plants fit for planting out. (2) Oysters that have been taken from the rocks and planted to grow and fatten. Plashy, adj. Watery; full of puddles; wet. Plaster, v. To bedaub or besmear: as, to plaster the face with powder. Plat, n. A platted or braided thing, something produced by platting or interweaving: as, a straw plat for hats; a plat ol hair. Plat, v. To interweave; make or shape by interweaving. Play-acting, n. Theatrical performance; stage-playing. Play-actor, n. A stage-player; an actor. Play-day, n. A day given to pastime or diversion; a day exempt from work. Playgame, n. Sport; child's play; a play of children. Playmate, n. A playfellow; a companion in play or amuse- ment. Playsome, adj. Playfull. Playthings, ;/. pi. Toys; things that serve to amuse. ' Rainy days when children cannot go out they have their playthings in-door." Playtime, n. Time for playing; time devoted to or set aside for amusement, at school. Pleat, n. A flattened gather or fold. Never plait. Pleat, v. To fold; double in narrow strips. Pleated,/.*/. Folded. Pled, v. Past tense and past part, of plead. To urge a plea, an argument. " He pled hard for his life." Plegged, adj. Troublesome; annoying. Plenty, adv. Quite. " It' s plenty big enough for what I want." Plight, ;/. Condition; position; state; situation; predicament. 280 Plod— Plum. Plod, v. To go or walk over in a heavy, labouring manner. Plodding, p. a. Moving or working with slow and patient diligence; patiently laborious: as, a man of plodding habits. Plodge, v. To walk in mud or water; plunge. Plop, v. To fall or plump into. Plot, ;/. A plan; a design; sketch; drawing. " A plot for a town. " "A plot for a house. ' ' Plough-lines, n. The cord used as reins by which a plough- man drives and guides his horses. Plough-point, n. A detachable share at the front end of a plough-body forming a point to the junction of the mould- board, sole, and landside. Pluck, ;/. The heart, liver, and lights or lungs of a sheep, ox, or other animals used as butchers' meat: also, used figura- tively or humourously of the like parts in a human being. (2) Heart; courage; spirit; determined energy; resolution in the face of difficulties. Pluckily, adv. In a plucky manner; with courage or spirit. Plucky, adj. Possessing pluck or spirit, and courage; spirited; courageous. Plug, n. A mass of chewing tobacco flattened out under a press. Plug, n. A filling of gold or other substance put in a tooth. (2) A piece of wood to stop a hole. Plug, v. To hit with a ball or bullet: as, to ping a deer with a rifle. (2) To cut a plug from: said of watermelons when a tapering plug is cut out to see if the fruit is ripe, and then replaced. Plug, v. To plug tops, is to put one top on the ground and the players try to strike it with the spike of their tops. Plug-hole, ;/. A hole for a plug, in the bottom of a boat. Plum,;;. Dried grapes; raisin. "Plum-cake." "Plum-pud- ding." Plumb— Pocket-pistol. 281 Plumb, adj. Perpendicular. Plumb, adv. Exactly; to a nicety; completely: as, he hit him plumb on the nose. Plumb, adv. Altogether; all the time. " He was there plumb to Sunday." Plumb-bob, n. A lump of lead used by bricklayers to tell when their work is perpendicular. Plume, v. To pride; boast; used reflexively; as, to plume one's self on one's skill. Plump, adj. Full and well rounded; hence, of a person, fleshy; fat; chubby. Plump, adv. At once, as with a sudden heavy fall; suddenly; heavily; without warning or preparation; very unexpect- edly; right; downright. Plum-peach, n. A peach the meat of which does not leave the seed. Plumper, u. An unqualified lie; a downright falsehood. Plumply, adv. Fully; roundly; without reserve: as, to assert a thing plumply. Plumps, ;/. pi. A game of marbles where the marble shot must hit the one shot at without striking the ground. Plunder, n. Household or personal effects; baggage; lug- gage- Ply, n. A fold; a thickness: as, three-plj' thread; threeply carpets. Pocket-knife, n. A knife with one or more blades that shut into the handle, suitable for carrying in the pocket. Pocket-piece, n. A coin that is kept in the pocket and not spent, generally a coin that is not current. For luck. Pocket-pistol, n. A small liquor-flask, arranged with a screw stopper, or in other ways safely closed, and often fitted with a cup; a small travelling-flask. 282 Pohickery — Poop. Pohickery, n. Hickory. The Indian name for the hickory tree. " Poinkery." Pohickery, n. Powcohicora. An Indian word. The milky oily liquor made by pounding - hard-shell walnuts shell and all in a mortar with water. Point of death, ;/. The near approach of death; a very sick person with little hope of recovery is said to be " at the point of death r Point-blank, adj. Direct; plain; explicit; express. Point-blank, adv. Directly; straight; without deviation or cir- cumlocution. Poke, ;/. A lazy person; a dawdler. Poke, v. To thrust or push against; prod; especially with some- thing long or pointed, as a cow's horns; prod, and stir up: as, to poke a person in the ribs. Poke fun at, to joke. Poke about, v. To pry; to go about stealthily. Poke-berry, ;/. The fruit of the poke-weed. The juice was used as a dye. Poky, adj. Slow; dull; stupid: said of persons. Confined; cramped; musty; stuffy: said of places. Poor; shabby. Poll-parrot, n. A parrot. Polls, ;/. Voting-places. Poll-tax, )i. A tax paid on each head. Pollywog, ;/. A tadpole. Pomarie, ;/. Orchard; fruit garden. Pometo-basket, n. A round apple-shaped basket. (Of a green colour?) Pommetty ? Made of green coloured grass ? Pond, v. To dam back water. "Since the dam was built the water ponds in the road after every rain." Pone, ;/. A loaf or cake of bread: as, "Holding a pone of corn-bread in her hand." Poop, v. To break wind. Also, poot. Poop — Poquoson. 283 Poop, u. The act of breaking wind. Also, poot. Poor, adj. Lean; meagre; emaciated: as, poor cattle. (2) Lack- ing in fertility; barren; exhausted: as, poor land. Poor creetur, n. One weak in body or mind. "He is a mighty poor creetur. ' ' Poor folks, n. pi. The thriftless class. Poor folksy, adj. Like or after the fashion of poor folks. Poorly, adj. Somewhat ill; indisposed; not in health; unwell. "She is right poorly to-day." Poorly off, adj. Not well off; not rich. Pop, n. An effervescent drink, like soda water, in bottles, fla- voured. Pop, v. To make a noise like burning wood. " I don't like to burn this green wood, it pops so." Popcrackers, ;/. pi. Small Chinese fireworks. Firecrackers. Pop-corn, n. One of several varieties of Indian corn suitable for "popping." The "popping" is done by parching the grains till they pop or burst open. Pope's-nose, n. The fleshy part of the tail of a bird; the part on which the tail-feathers are borne. Pop-eyed, adj. Having pop-eyes; having prominent eyes. Pop-eyes, n. pi. Full, bulging, or prominent eyes. Pop-gun, ;/. The barrel of a quill, with a stick as rammer, with sliced Irish potato for charges; also, a joint of elder with the " peth " shoved out, and ripe dogwood berries for ammunition. Pop open, v. To tear from pressure. " Her dress is so tight it looks like it would pop open.'" Poppy, adj. Full, or bulging. "His eyes are mighty poppy to-day." Poppy-cock, n. Trivial talk; nonsense; stuff and rubbish. Poquoson, ;/. A wet, swampy piece of ground. Pocoson. Pawquoson. 284 Porch— Pot-lid. Porch, n. A covered way or entrance, whether enclosed or unenclosed. Portly, adj. Stout; somewhat large and unwieldy in person. Pose, v. To bear; conduct. Possession, v. To chop line-trees and renew landmarks. Possessioner, ?i. Possessionem are men appointed to go around and chop line-trees or otherwise mark between peo- ple's landed property. Possum, ;/. A well known animal in Virginia. Possum, v. To play possum; feign death; dissemble. Post-haste, adj. Expeditious; speedy; immediate. Post-hole, >i. A hole dug in the ground to receive the end of a fence-fost. Potato, n. Small potatoes, something petty, or insignificant or contemptible. Potato- vine, n. The part of the potato plant above ground. Pot-bellied, adj. Having a prominent belly. Pot-belly, >i. A protuberant belly; a person having a protu- berant belly. Potfull, >i. The contents of a pot; as much as a pot can hold. Pot-hanger, >i. A hook secured in a chimney in any way, as on a crane, for supporting a pot over a fire. Pot-herb, //. Any herb prepared for use by boiling in a pot; particularly, one of which the tops or the whole plant is boiled. Pot-hook, ii. Two pieces of iron joined at one end, the free ends having a hook by which pots are handled, the hooks being put into the ears of the pot. Pothooks-and-hangers, n. pi. The first straight and crooked lines made by children learning to write. Pot-lid, >i. The lid or top of a pot. Pot-liquor — Pound. 285 Pot-liquor, n. The liquor in which bacon and cabbage have been boiled. Pot-luck, n. What may chance to be in the pot, in provision for a meal; hence, a meal at which no special preparation has been made for guests. Pot-metal, ;/. Cast iron. Pot-pie, n. A pie made by lining the inner surface of a pot or pan with pastry, and filling it with meat, as, beef, mutton, fowl, etc., seasoning it and then baking. Potrack, n. The cry of the guinea fowl. Pot-rack, n. A chain hanging in a chimney on which pots are hung for cooking. Pot-stick, n. A stick used for stirring a pot in soap-making; soapstick. Potted-butter, ;/. Butter salted, and put away in earthern pots in summer, for winter use. Butter-pot. Potter, v. To busy one's self over trifles; trifle; work with little energy or purpose. Pottanger, ?i. Pottinger; pottenger. A porringer. Porringer, a small vessel deeper than a plate or saucer, usually having upright sides, a nearly flat bottom, and one or two ears. Pottle, n. A liquid measure of two quarts. Poultry, n. A poultry, a hen: as, "one Poultry, one Duck, and one Turkey." "Two Poultrie. " York Records. Pounce, n. A substance used to prevent blotting in writing over erasures. Pounce-box, n. A box for holding the pounce used in writing- over erasures. Pound, v. To beat; to strike as with a heavy instrument and with repeated blows. Pound, n. An enclosure, maintained by authority, for confin- ing cattle or other beasts when trespassing, or going at large in violation of law. (2) An enclosure in which animals are 286 Pound-cake— Pratite. kept; a farm-pen. (3) A low pen made with planks for young turkeys when first hatched to keep them from straying. Pound-cake, ?i. A rich sweet cake, so named because its prin- cipal ingredients are measured by the pound. Pound-net, n. In fishing, a kind of weir. Pour, v. To run rapidly. " The cows poured over the road to- wards the meadow." Pout, v. To thrust out the lips, as in displeasure or sullenness; hence to look sullen. Pouty, adj. Showing sullenness of displeasure by thrusting out the lips. Powder-gourd, n. A small gourd with a straight neck, car- ried in the pocket for holding gun-powder in place of a flask. Powder-horn, n. A cow's horn fitted with a wooden bottom, for holding gunpowder. (2) Anything very dry is said to be as "dry as a poivdcr-Jwrny Name of the old magazine in Williamsburg. Powdering-tub, n. A tub used for salting meat. Powerfull, adj. Great; numerous; numerically large. Powerfull, adv. Very: as, powerfull good; power/nil weak. Powwow, n. A meeting where there is more noise than de- liberation. Powwow, v. To hold a consultation; deliberate over events. To hold any noisy meeting. Praise, v. To appraise; to value. Prance, v. To walk, strut, or caper in an elated, proud, or conceited way. Prank, n. A playful! or mischievous act; a trick played some- times in malice, but more commonly in sport, an escapade; a gambol. Prankish, adj. Mischievous; frolicsome; full of pranks. Pratite, >i. (?) " Pratite dish." Inventory. Preacher-man — Prim. 287 Preacher-man, ;/. A preacher. Precinct, v. A subdivision of a county or city, within which a single poll is held at elections; a territorial district or divis- ion. Precious, adj. Worthless; good-for-nothing; a "precious couple." Precious, adv. Very; exceedingly; extremely. Prehaps, adv. Perhaps. Presently, adv. By and by; after a while. " Tell him to wait I'll come presently." Presently, adv. Now; at this very time. "He said he had it not at present, but would eyther pay it as soon as he could p'cure it, or give him valuable satisfaction. He vio- lently replyed and swore that he would have it presently. ," Presny, adv. By and by; after a while. " He has gone away but will be back presny. " Preserves, n. pi. Fruits preserved in sugar. President, n. President of the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia, seems to have been called "president" and not Chief Justice, because the presiding officer of the former council, that was the Court of Appeals, was called Presi- dent of the council, and presided in the absence of the Gov- ernor. Prespiration, n. Perspiration; sweat. Press, n. An upright case or cupboard in which clothes, books, china, or other articles are kept. Book-press. Pretties, ;/. pi. Pretty toys or things. "Pretties for the chil- dren." Pride, n. The ovary of female animals, particularly the sow. Prim, adj. Neat; formal; stifly precise; affectedly nice; de- mure. Prim, v. . To make one's self prim and precise. 288 Prime — Promise. Prime, n. The spring of life; youth; full health, strength, or beauty; hence, the highest or most perfect state or most flourishing condition of anything. Prime, n. The highest or most perfect state; the best of any- thing. The time when fruit, vegetables and fish are at their best, is the prime of the seaso>i. Priming, n. Figuratively, anything as small to something else as the gun-priming is relatively to the charge: as, " His crop isn't w priming to mine." Priming-gourd, n. A small gourd with fine gunpowder used to prime the old flint-lock guns. Prink, v. Todeck; adorn; dress ostentatiously or fantastically. Prisoners' -base, /i. A children's game in which one player strives to touch others as they run from one base or goal to another. Privy, n. A necessary house; a water-closet out of doors. Prize, ;;. A lever. Prize, v. To force or press, especially force open by means of a lever. To pry. Prizes, n. pi. Used for prices. Procession, v. To mark off the boundaries of land, and us- ually done by possessioners or processioners named by the court. Processioning. Prog, n. Victuals gotten by begging; hence, victuals in gen- eral; food. One who goes from place to place begging for victuals. Prog, v. To go prowling about, as for pickings; forage. Projeck, n. Apian; a scheme; a design. Proj'ekt. "Some projeck in view." Projecking, />. a. Trying experiments; inventive; enterpriz- ing. (2) In one sense, as playing pranks. 'Don't be projecking with that clock." Promise, v. To assure. It promises well for crops. Promising — Provoking. 289 Promising,^), a. Giving promise; affording just expectations of good ; affording reasonable ground of hope for the future : looking as if likely to turn out well. Prone, adj. Inclined by disposition or natural tendency ; pre- pense; disposed. Usually in an ill sense. Prong, n. A sharp point or pointed instrument; especially one of several points which together make up a larger object: as, the prong of a fork. Prong, n. A branch of a river. Proper, adj. Decent; correct in behaviour; respectable; such as should be. Properly, adv. In a proper manner; with propriety; fitly; suitably; correctly. Prospect, n. Expectation or ground of expectation, especially expectation of advantage, often used in the plural: as, his prospects are good. Protracted-meeting, n. A meeting held in the country churches and preaching continued several days, usually among the Baptists and Methodists. Proud, adj. Conceited; supercilious. " He is a proud sort of man." Proud, v. To be excited by sexual desire: as, a proud bitch. Proud-flesh, n. Unhealthy flesh in a wound or sore. Exu- berant granulations. Provender, n. Food; provisions; especially dry food for beasts, as hay, straw, or corn; fodder. Provider, n. A good provider, one who is liberal in supplying provisions, etc., for his family. Provoke, v. To excite to anger or passion; exasperate; irri- tate; enrage. Provoking,/, a. Tending to stir up passion; irritating; vexa- tious. ' ' He is very provoking. 19 290 Prowl— Pull. Prowl, v. To rove or wander in a stealthy manner. Pry, n. A large lever used to move heavy substances; a prize. Puce, adj. Purplish brown; flea colour. Pucker, n. A drawing or gathering into folds or wrinkles; an irregular folding or wrinkling; a collection of irregularly converging ridges or wrinkles. (2) A state of flutter, agi- tation, or confusion; a fuss; with a touch of ill-temper. Pucker, v. To draw up or contract into irregular folds or wrinkles; specially in serving; to gather. Pudding-headed, adj. Dull; stupid. Pudding-time, n. The time for pudding, that is, dinner-time. The nick of time; critical time. Puddle, n. A small, dirty pool of water. "Duck-puddle" a small pond of water for ducks to swim in. Puddle, v. To stir up mud or the sediment in water like a duck. Puddle-duck, n. The common, domestic duck; so called from its characteristic habit of puddling water. Pudge, v. In playing marbles to gain in distance by moving the hand suddenly forward just before shooting the marble. Pudgy, adj. Fat and short; thick; fleshy. Puffy, adj. Coming in puffs; characterized by puffs; gusty. (2) Swollen; distended as with a blister. " His eyes were swollen, and his face was puffy. " Pug, n. A pug-nose; the form or turn of a pug-nose: as, a decided pug. Pug-nose, >i. A nose turned up at the tip; a snub-nose. Puke, v. To vomit; eject the contents of the stomach. Puke, n. Vomit; a vomiting; that which is vomited. (2) An emetic. (3) A disgusting person. Pull, >i. A drink; a swig: as, to have a pull at the brandy- bottle. Pull-down— Pussy. 291 Pull-down, v. To weaken: as, "He has been very much pulled down by that spell of sickness." Pummy, n. Pummage; Pummies; Pomace. Ground apples in cider making; before and after the juice is pressed out. Pump, v. An artfull effort to extract or elicit information, as by indirect question or remark. Pump, )i. A low shoe or slipper, with a single unwelted sole, and without a heel, or with a very low heel; worn chiefly by gentlemen for dancing. Punch, n. A blow, dig, or thrust, as with the fist, elbow, or knee: as, to give a punch on the head. Puncheon, n. A short, upright piece of timber, usually driven in the mud or water. Pungy, n. A small schooner with a low log-gunnel instead of a waist around the deck. Punk, n. Wood decayed through the influence of a fungus or otherwise, and used like tinder. Punkin, n. Pronounced pung'kin. The fruit of a variety of Cucurbita Pepo, and the plant which produces it. Punkin-head, n. A stupid fellow; a dolt. Punkhorne, n. A horn for holding punk when used as tinder. Punt, 7i. A flat-bottomed, square ended, mastless boat of va- rying size and use, made of a large tree. Puny, adj. Small and weak; inferior or imperfectly developed in size and strength; feeble; petty. Purchase, n. Leverage; length of lever beyond fulcrum. (2) A tackle for moving a weight. Push, v. To urge; hurry. " If I was pushed I could do it." Puss, n. Purse. M.ox\zy-puss. Pussly, n. A plant. A form of p?irsla?ie. Pussy, n. Fat; corpulent; inclined to puff and pant with slight exertion. 292 Put-off— Quarter. Put-off, n. An excuse; a shift for evasion or delay. Put out, v. Offend. "He was very much put out by what she said." Put-up, v. To take lodgings; lodge. " He put-tip at the new tavern." Put to, v. Said of domestic animals. " I always put my mares to Mr. A's horse." Put up to, v. To incite; to instruct; to suggest. " He wouldn't do it himself, he was put up to it." Put up with, v. To take what one can get, and be thankfull. Q Quaggy, adj. Yielding to the feet or trembling under foot, as soft, wet earth; boggy; spongy. Quagmire, n. Soft, wet, boggy land that shakes under foot; a marsh; a bog. Quait, n. A form of quoit. Qualify, v. To modify the quality or strength of; make stronger, dilute, or otherwise fit for taste: as, to qualify liquors. Quality, n. The better class of people. Qualmish, adj. Sick at the stomach; inclined to vomit; affected with nausea. Quandary, n. A state of difficulty or perplexity; a state of uncertainty, hesitation or puzzlement; a pickle, a predica- ment. " He was in such a quandary he didn't know what to do." Quarrelsome, adj. Apt to quarrel; given to brawls and conten- tion; inclined to petty fighting; easily irritated or provoked to contest; irascible; choleric; petulant; also, proceeding from or characteristic of such a disposition. Quarter, n. A twenty-five cent piece, which is a quarter of a dollar, is often called simply ' ' a quarter. ' ' Quarters— Quill. 293 Quarters, n. pi. The houses inhabited by negroes on a plan- tation. Also, a settlement of negro slaves away from the " great house." Quarter-horse, n. A horse that is good for a dash of a quar- ter of a mile in a race. Quartering-house, n. House where white servants were quar- tered. Quartering-room, n. Name given to a room in the Colonial houses. Quawk, n. Imitative of the sound made by the cry of fowls. Quawk, v. To croak; caw. Queen Hive, ;/. Queen Hithe. A landing place on the Thames near London. The name of a place in Mulbury Island. Queer, adj. Having a sensation of sudden or impending ill- ness; sick or languid. (2) Odd; singular; droll; whimsical; quaint. " Queer fishy Queerly, adv. In a queer, odd, or singular manner. Querl, n. A twist; a curl. Querl, v. To twirl; turn or wind around; coil: as, to querl a cord, thread, rope. Question, n. Out of the question. A thing not to be noticed, or admitted. Quick, n. That which is quick, or living and sensitive; with the article: cut to the quick. Quid, n. A portion suitable to be chewed; specifically, a piece of tobacco chewed and rolled about in the mouth. Quiet, adj. Applied to persons, gentle; civil; not given to strong language. Quill, ?i. A piece of small reed, used by weavers to wind the thread on. These quills are put in the " shettle " and shot through the warp, by hand. 294 Quilt— Race-path. Quilt, n. A quilted petticoat. A quilted cover for a bed. Quilting, n. A meeting of women for the purpose of assisting one of their number in quilting a bed-quilt. Quilting-frame, n. A frame with adjustable bars, etc., used for stretching flat a fabric for quilting. Quinch, n. A form of quince. Quirl, v. Curl. " The dog was quirled up on the mat." Quit, v. To cease; stop; give over. " Quit troubling that child." Quiver, v. To quake; tremble; shake tremulously; shudder; shiver. Quizzical, adj. Characteristic of a quiz; bantering; teasing; shy; queer. Quoives, ;/. pi. Ouoif, a sort of cap. Quoke, v. Strong past tense of quake. R. Littera canina; the dog's letter; letter of roughness, is soft- ened and slurred in so many words that it is scarcely heard: as, in horse, the r is so softened as to be almost hoss. and others. The burr and trilled r are never heard. R has sound of w in corn = cawn; born = bawn; morn = mawn. Or, or has sound of azv. Raccoon, n. A well known varmint. Raccoon-oyster, ;/. An uncultivated oyster growing on muddy banks exposed at low tide. Race, ;/. Root: as, a race of ginger; ginger in the root. Racefield, ;/. A field where races are run; a field in which there is a track or paths for racing. Race-path, >/. Path or track over which races are run. A place near Williamsburg still known as the ' ' Quarter-paths, where races were formerly run. Racer — Ragman. 295 Racer, n. The common black snake. He is said to run faster than a race-horse. Rack, v. To be guided in working by the eye, without line or rule. To work by rack of eye. Rack, v. To strain so as to rend; wrench by strain or jar; dis- integrate; disjoint: as, a racking cough. Rack, n. Thin, flying, broken clouds. Rack, n. Same as wrack; now used in the phrases to go to rack, to go to rack and ruin; total destruction. Rack, n. A gait of the horse between a trot and a gallop. Rack, v. To draw off, as pure liquor from its dregs. Racker, n. A horse that moves with a racking gait. Racket, n. A disorderly, confusing noise, as of commingled play or strife and loud tajk; any prolonged clatter; din; clamour. A clamorous outburst, as of indignation or other emotion; a noisy manifestation of feeling: as, to make a racket about a trifle; to raise a racket about one's ears. Rackety, adj. Making or characterized by a racket or noise; noisy: as, a rackety company or place. Raft, n. A miscellaneous collection or heap; a promiscuous lot; used slightingly: as, a raft of papers; a whole raft of things to be attended to. Rag-baby, n. A rag-baby. A doll made entirely of rags or scraps of cloth, usually in a very artless manner. Rag-bag, n. A bag into which are put odds and ends and scraps of cloth for further use. Rag-carpet, n. A carpet made of rags, formerly made by families, the rags being first cut into strips and woven by hand. Ragg'ed, adj. In rags. " He was dirty and very ragged." Raggedy, adj. Ragged; uneven. Ragman, n. A ragged person. ' ' He looked like a ragman. 296 Rags-and-jags — Rallack. Rags-and-jags, n. pi. Tatters; fragments; rags. "Meat boiled to rags." Rag-tag, n. Ragged people collectively; the scum of the pop- ulace; the rabble. Rail, n. A piece of timber split, hewed, or sawed for making fences. Rain-barrel, n. A barrel put under the eaves to catch rain- water. Rain-crow, ;/. A bird so named from its cries, often heard in lowering weather, and supposed to foretell rain. Rain or shine, adv. Certainly: without fail. "I'll be there rain or shine. ' ' Rainy-day, n. A time of need, and to lay by for a rainy-day is to provide for the future. Rainy-quarter, n. Winds anywhere between northeast and southeast are in the rainy-quarter as they bring rain Raise, v. To promote the growth and development of; bring- up; rear; grow; breed: as, to raise a family of children; to raise crops, plants, or cattle. (2) To raise a house, to raise and join together the parts of the frame of a house built of wood. (3) To raise the wind, to obtain money by some shift or other. (4) To raise, to bring up phlegm, bile or blood from the throat, lungs, or stomach. (5) An acquisi- tion; a getting or procuring by special effort, as of money or chattels: as, to make a raise of a. hundred dollars. (6) Raise the place. To make a disturbance. Rake and scrape, v. To rake and scrape together, to gather like a miser. "He has been raking and scraping all his life, and now his son will sqtiander what he saved." Rake up, :■. To collect or repeat scandal or calumnies. " She is always raking up some bad tale or another." Rallack, v. Rollack. Rollick. To run about after pleasure instead of attending to business. "He goes rallacking about from one place to another." Ram— Rank. 297 Ram, v. To stuff or press together; to pack dirt around a post set in the ground. Rambunctious, adj. Boisterous; careless of the comfort of others; violent; arrogant. Rammish, «(//'. Strong scented; rank; stinking. Rampage, n. A leaping or jumping about, as from anger or excitement; violent or furious movement; excited action of any kind: as, to be on the rampage. Rampageous, adj. Behaving rampantly; unruly; raging; boisterious; stormy. Rampant, adj. Overleaping restraint or usual limits; unbridled; unrestrained. Ramsack, v. To search thoroughly; seek carefully in all parts; overhaul in detail. Ransack. Ramshackly, adj. Out of gear or repair; crazy; tumble- down. Ramshackle. Randevoo, n. A place of gathering for people. " His house is a regular randevoo for all sorts of people." Randy voo. Ran die, v. Rannel. To pinch a schoolboy for breaking wind if he did not say, " free man," or " free nob," before the other said li rand/e." Random, adj. In a haphazzard, and aimless way. "The cattle were not confined at all but went at random. ' ' (2) Ap- plied to fruits or vegetables that grow where no seed has been intentionally sown. Range, v. To rove freely; pass from point to point: as, the cattle range in the woods in the winter-time. Rank, adj. Standing in close order; thick on the ground: as, a rank crop of wheat or corn. Rank, adj. Strong smelling. Rank, adj. Eager; anxious; impatient: as, has was rank to doit. (2) Decided; strong in principle. "He is a rank Democrat. 298 Rap— Rate. Rap,?/. A thing of very small value. " He didn't care a rap." "As if he cared a rap. ' ' Rap, v. To rap out. To throw out violently or suddenly in speech; utter in a forcible or striking manner: as, to rap out an oath. Rap-full, adj. Full of wind. Applied to sails when on a wind every sail stands full without lifting. Rappee, n. A strong kind of snuff. Rapper, n. An extravagant oath or lie. Rapping, adj. Remarkably large; of striking or astonishing size. Rapscallion, n. A rascally, disorderly, or despisable person; a wretch or vagabond. Rare, adj. Underdone; meat not fully cooked. Rare, v. Rear. To rise up; assume an elevated posture; as, a horse or other animal in standing on its hind legs alone. Rare back, v. To sit up straight with the head thrown back. "There she sat in the carriage, rared back, who but her." Rarely, adv. Seldom; not often: as, things rarely seen. Rareripe, adj. Early ripe: ripe before others, or before the season. Hardly ripe. Rasberry, n. A form of raspberry. Rascality, n. The character or action of a rascal; the quality of being a rascal; low or mean trickery; base or dishonest procedure; villainy; fraud. Rash, ;/. An eruption on the skin. Rasp, >/. A large hie, such as horst'shoers use on horses' hoofs. Rasping, />. a. Characterized by grating or scraping: as, a rasping sound; hence, irritating; exasperating. Rassle, v. To wrastle. Rate, ;/. At any rate, in any manner, by any means; in any case; at all events; positively. At no rate, in no manner; by no means; not at all. Rather— Rawboned. 299 Rather, adv. In preference; preferably; with better reason; better. In some degree or measure; somewhat; moderately: as, she is rather pretty. Rat-hole, n. A hole gnawed in woodwork, etc., by a rat or rats. Ratsbane, n. A poison for killing rats. Rattlebrain, n. A giddy, chattering person; a rattlepate. Rattletrap, n. A shaky, rattling object; especially, a rattling, rickety vehicle; in the plural, objects clattering or rattling against each other. Ravel, v. Disengage the threads or fibres of a woven or knitted fabric, a rope; draw apart thread by thread; unravel; commonly with out. Ravelling, n. A ravelled thread or fibre; a thread drawn out from a woven, knitted, or twisted fabric: as, to use ravel- lings for basting. Ravelly, adj. Showing loose or disjointed threads; partly rav- elled out. Ravine, n. A long, deep hollow worn by a stream or torrent of water; hence, any deep, narrow gorge, as in a mountain; a gully. Raving,/), a. Furious with delirium; mad; distracted. Raw, adj. Harshly sharp or chilly, as the weather; bleak, es- pecially from cold moisture; characterized by chilly damp- ness. (2) Looking like raw meat, as from lividness or removal of the skin; deprived or appearing destitute of the natural integument: as, a razv spot on a horse. Raw, n. A raw article, material or product. An uncooked oyster, or an oyster of a kind preferred for eating raw. (2) A raw, galled, or sore place; an established sore, as, on a horse; hence, soreness or sensativeness of feeling or tem- per. Rawboned, adj. Having little flesh on the bones; lean and large-boned; gaunt. 300 Raw-edged — Reckon. Raw-edged, adj. Not hemmed. Rawhead, n. A spectre; a nursery bugbear of frightfull aspect: usually coupled with bloody bones. Rawhide, >i. A riding-whip made of twisted rawhide. Razor-back, n. A hog whose back was somewhat the shape of a sharp ridge. The formation accompanied by long legs, is characteristic of breeds of hogs that have long been allowed to run wild in the woods and waste places and feed on mast, wild fruit, etc. The flesh of such swine, particu- larly that of the hams, is usually of superior quality for the table. Razor-back, adj. Narrow back as hogs. Razor-strop, ;/. A leather on which a razor is whetted. Strap. Reach, n. A continuous stretch or course; a reach of a river a straight course between bends. Really, adv. Indeed; to tell the truth; as a fact. Ream, n. A ring of grass twisted and put around the ends of an oxbow under the " key " to adjust the bow to the size of the steer's neck. The "key" went through a hole in the bow above the "ream." Ream, v. To put the ream on the bow. Ream up, to tighten the bow. Ream, v. To enlarge a hole in wood or metal. The tapering instrument used for the purpose is called a reamer. Reap-hook, n. A reaping hook for cutting grain that requires to be sharpened, as distinguished from a "toothed hook ' or sickle; the difference is always made in old inventories, the two being always mentioned. Rear-horse, n. Pronounced rare. The mantis. Reason, n. A form of raisin. Reckon, v. To hold a supposition or impression; have a no- tion; think; suppose: as, "I reckon a storm is coming." Reclaim— Reel. 301 Reclaim, v. To fit for cultivation, as wild or marshy land. Recollect, v. To recover or recall knowledge of; bring back to the mind or memory; remember. Recollection, n. The act of recollecting, or recalling to the memory; the act by which objects are voluntarily recalled to the memory or ideas are revived in the mind; the search- ing of the memory; remembrance. Recover, v. To regain health after sickness; grow well again. Recovery, ;/. Restoration from a bad to a good condition: es- pecially, restoration from sickness, faintness, or the like. Red Betty, n. A small whip of that colour kept hanging up behind the closet-door as a warning, and also a special ap- plication. Redbird, ;;. A name of several red or partly red birds. Redden, v. To make red. Red ochre is used to redden hearths in the country. Redding, n. A compound used to redden the jambs and hearth of an open wood-fireplace ; Red ochre. Reddish, n. Radish. Redeye, n. A strong, fiery whiskey; so called from its effect on the eyes of drinkers. Red lane, n. The throat; what one swallows is said to go down the red lane. Red-oak, n. An oak tree, common in eastern North America. Reel, n. A machine on which yarn is wound to form it into hanks, skeins, etc. Reel, v. To wind on a reel, as yarn or thread from the spindle; or a fishing-line. Reel, v. To sway from side to side in standing or walking; stagger, especially as one drunk. To turn round and round. Reel, n. A lively dance. Virginia reel, a country dance the same as the " Sir Roger de Coverley." 302 Refusal — Respects. Refusal, n. The refuse. The choice of refusing or taking; the right of taking in preference to others; option of buy- ing. Regards, n. pi. Respects; good wishes; compliments: as, " My best regards to the family." Regrets, n. pi. An expression of regret. Regular, adj. Thorough; out and out; perfect; complete: as, a regular humbug. Reight, n. For right. Related,/), a. Allied by kindred; connected by blood or al- liance, particularly by consanguinity. Relation, n. A person connected by blood or affinity; a kins- man or kinswoman; a relative. Relationship, n. The state of being related by kindred, affin- ity, or other alliance. Relative, ;/. A person connected by blood or affinity; espe- cially one allied by blood; a kinsman or kinswoman; a rela- tion. Relish, >i. That which is used to impart a flavour; especially, something taken with food to increase the pleasure of eating; a sauce. Remember, v. To put in mind of: as, " If you will remember me of it." Rensh, ,-■. A form of rinse. To wash by the shaking around of water in a vessel; or by washing in a second clean water. Pronounced like xvrench. Render, v. To reduce; try out; clarify by boiling or steaming; said of fats. Renig, v. To play a card that is not of the suit led; to revoke. Resk, ;/. for risk. " I don't think I can take the resk." Respects, n. pi. Expression or sign of esteem, deference or compliments: as, to pay one's respects to the governor. " Please give him my respects.'" Respectable— Rid. 303 Respectable, adj. Proper; decent: as, conduct that is not respectable. Rest, n. Those not included in a proposition or description; others. In this sense rest is a collective noun taking a plu- ral verb. " The rest of the family." Rest, v. To sleep. " He rests well at night." Retch, n. Reach. " In my retch." Retch, v. To reach. ''Retch me that plate." Retch, v. To make efforts to vomit. Reticule, n. A bag, originally of net-work, but later of any formation or material, carried by women in the hand or on the arm, and answering the purpose of a pocket. Reverent, adj. Strong; unadulterated liquors. Rib, ?i. The part knit at the top of a sock, in a different stitch, to make it fit closer on the leg. "Ribs of a sock." Ribbin, ;/. Ribbon. Ribbit, n. A form of rivet. Rib-roast, v. To beat soundly; cudgel; thrash. Rib-roaster, n. A heavy blow on the ribs; a body-blow. Rib-roasting, n. A beating or drubbing; a cudgelling. Rich, adj. Excessive; extravagant; inordinate; outrageous; preposterous; commonly applied to ideas, fancies, fabrica- tions, claims, demands, pretensions, conceits, jests, tricks, etc. Rick, 7i. A heap or pile; specially a pile of hay, grain, or wood. Rick, v. To pile up in ricks. Rickety, adj. Shaky; liable to fall or collapse, as a chair, table, bridge, etc.; ill-sustained; weak. Rid, v. To separate or free from anything superfluous or ob- jectionable; disencumber; clear. (2) To rid hog-guts of the fat for making lard. 304 Rid— Rife. Rid, v. A form of rode. Riddance, n. A welcome relief from unpleasant company or an embarrassing- connection or complication; hence, some- thing of which one is glad to be quit. ' ' A happy riddance. ' ' Riddle, n. A sieve, especially a coarse one for grain, sand, and the like. (2) A large sieve for sifting wheat in a barn. Riddle, v. To sift with a riddle, or coarse sieve. Riddle, n. A proposition so framed as to exercise one's inge- nuity in discovering its meaning; an ambiguous, complex, or puzzling question offered for solution. Riddlings, ;/. pi. The coarser part of anything, as grain or ashes, which is left in the riddle after sifting; siftings; screenings. Ride, v. To ride and tie, to ride and go on foot alternately; said of two persons. Ride, v. Ride sheriff; to ride about as sheriff for the purpose of collecting taxes from the people. " I rode sheriff in that county five years." Ride, v. To be carried in a wheel carriage. "Riding in a buggy." Rider, n. In a snake-fence, a rail or stake one of which rests on the ground, while the other end crosses and bears upon the fence-rails at the angle of meeting, and thus holds them in place. Ridgeling, ;/. A horse or mule with one testicle removed or wanting. Ridge-pole, ;/. The board or timber at the ridge of the roof, into which the rafters are fastened. Ridicule, n. A form of reticule; a bag in which women carry gloves, handkerchiefs, etc. Ridiculous, adj. Abominable; outrageous; shocking. Rife, adj. Abundant; plentifull; numerous; prevalent; current. " Such reports are rife in the country." Riffle— Right much. 305 Riffle, ;/. A ripple, as on the surface of water; hence, a rapid; a place in a stream where a swift current, striking on rocks, produces a boiling motion in the water. Riffle, n. Ripple; the breeze makes a riffle on the water. Riffraff, n. The rabble. Rifle, n. An instrument used after the manner of a whetstone for sharpening scyths, and made of a piece of wood coated with sharp sand or emery, with a handle at one end. Also made of a piece of shingle, paddle-shaped, coated with tar and covered with sand. Rig, n. A frolic; a trick 4 " They are all the time running rigs on each other." Rig, v. To dress; to fit out or decorate with clothes or personal adornments; often with out or up. Right, n. " Has a right; " ought. " You have no right to do that." Right, adj. Precise; exact; very. In good health or spirits; well in body or mind; in good condition; comfortable. "Right as a trivet." Right, adv. Exactly; precisely; completely; quiet; just: as, right here; right now; to speak right out. Right away. Rain right hard. Right, v. To take an upright and proper position. ' The boat creened with the flaw then righted. Right-down, adv. Very. " Right-down cold." Rights, n. pi. To put to rights, to arrange in an orderly con- dition; set in proper order; bring into a normal state. ' It puts me to rights." " To put things to rights." Right-hand, adj. Serving as a right hand, hence, foremost in usefullness; of great service as an assistant: as, " My rigid- hand man." Right much, adv. A gooddeal. " He had right much fever to-day." 20 306 Right smart — Rip-saw. Right smart, adj. A good deal. There was right smart of water in the road. Rigmaree, ;/. A trifle. Rigmarole, n. A succession of confused or foolish statements; an incoherent, long-winded harangue; disjointed talk, or writing; nonsense. Rig-out, ;/. A rig; an outfit; a suit of clothes; a costume. Rile, v. To excite to some degree of anger; vex; annoy. Rim, n. Edge. The rim of a hat; bound around the rim. Also used for " casters.'" " One silver rim and casters." Rim, n. The outter edge of a spinning-wheel on which the band goes. Rine, n. The outside of a water-melon, or a musk-melon. Ring, v. To have the sensation of a continued humming or buzzing sound: as, to make one's head ring;. Have a ring- ing in the ears. Ring-fence, n. A fence surrounding a piece of property as if in a ring, when the land of no other owner is within the fence. Rip, v. To rush or drive headlong or with violence. (2) To rip and tear, to be violent and furious, as with excitement and rage. Rip, v. To break forth with violence; explode; with out. " He ripped out an oath." Rip, ;/. A vicious, reckless, and worthless person; applied to a man or woman of vicious practices or propensities, and more or less worn by dissipation. Ripper, A very efficient person or thing; one who does great execution: as, he is a regular ripper. A big lie. Ripping, adj. Rip-saw, ;/. A hand-saw the teeth of which have more rake and less set than a cross-cut saw, used for cutting wood in the direction of the grain. Rip up — Roger. 307 Rip up, v. To part clothes into the several pieces by cutting the sewing. " She ripped up the old dress and made a new- one of it." Rise, n. Increase beyond a certain number. ' He has the rise of fifty sheep. ' ' Rise, v. To ferment; to leaven, as dough in which " east" has been put, " The ' easf isn't good the bread didn't rise." Rising, n. That which rises; a prominence, elevation, or swell- ing; specifically, a tumour on the body, as a bile. " He has a bad rising on his hand." (2) That which is used to make dough rise, as yeast or leaven. Risky, adj. Attended with risk; hazardous; dangerous: as, a very risky business. Rethmetic, n. For arithmetic. Rive, v. To split; cleave; rend asunder by force: as, to rive slabs with a froe. Roach, v. To cause to stand up or arch; make projecting or convex: as, his hair was roached up over his forehead. To cut short so as to cause to stand up straight; said of horses' manes. Roadster, n. A good travelling horse is called a good road- ster. Roasting-ear, n. A ear of corn in the green and milky state, and fit for roasting for food. Rock, 71. A stone of any size larger than a pebble. Rock, v. To throw rocks. " You boys stop rocking." Rock, n. A fish, the striped bass. Rock-candy, n. Pure sugar in cohering crystals of consider- able size and hardness. Rocking-chair, n. A chair mounted on rockers. Rocky, adj. Disposed to rock or reel; hence, giddy, tipsy, dizzy. Roger, v. To copulate. 308 Rogerry— Roost. Rogerry, n. The penis. Roguy, adj. Knavish; dishonest. "He has a roguy look." Roll, v. To turn; have a rotary motion; a movement of the eyes: as, " She rolled her eyes at him." Roll, n. A slender, loose cylinder of wool or cotton made on hand-cards for spinning- into a thread on a spinning-wheel. Rolling-house, n. Warehouse for tobacco, where it was rolled down to the wharf and aboard a vessel; also used as a store- house for imported goods. Rolling-pin, n. A cylindrical piece of wood, with which dough is reduced to a Droper thickness. Rolling-road, >i. Road on which tobacco was hauled to mar- ket, each hogshead was rolled by having an animal hitched to it by shafts fixed to its ends, the hogshead rolling along the ground. These hogsheads were stored in Rolling- houses, built on Rolling-roads. Roly-poly, n. A short, stout person. Roly-poly, adj. Round; pudgy. Romble, v. A form of ramble. " These cattle romblc all over the country." Romp, v. To play rudely and boisterously; leap and frisk about in play. Romp, n. A rude girl who indulges in boisterous play. Rooster-crow, n. At daybreak. "I get up every morning at rooster-crow." Rooster's egg, n. A small hen's egg. Room, v. To occupy a room or rooms; lodge: as, " He rooms at No. 3." Roomy, adj. A house that is large, with large rooms, and plenty of space is called " roomy." " He has a large fam- ily but he has a roomy house." Roost, ;/. A pole or pearch on which fowls rest at night. (2) A temporary abiding or resting place. Rooster — Rouser. 309 Rooster, n. The male of the domestic hen; a cock, as distin- guished from the female or hen. Root, v. To turn over the ground with the nose as a hog. Rooves, ;/. pi. Roofs. Plural of roof. Rope, v. To tie or fasten with a rope. To catch with a rope. Ropy, adj. Stringy; thick, gummy soup is ropy, like gumbo. Rosen-ear, n. Roasting ear; green corn. Ross, n. The rough, scaly matter on the bark of some trees. Rosum, n. Rosin. Rotgut, n. Bad or adulterated liquor, injurious to the stomach and bowels; whiskey adulterated with hurtful substances to cheapen it while increasing its apparent strength. Rough-carpenter, n. A carpenter who can do only the plainest work of the trade. Rotten-ripe, adj. Overripe; too ripe. "These peaches are rotten-ripe . ' ' Rotten-stone, ;/. A light stone, in its powdered state used for polishing metals. Rough-dry, adj. Dry but not smoothed or ironed: as rough- dry clothes. Rough-scuff,;/. A rough coarse fellow; a rough ; collectively, the lowest class of the people; riff-raff; the rabble. Round, n. A round, cylindrical, part or piece of something. Round of a ladder; round of a chair. (2) The step in a ladder between the side-frames. Round-jacket, n. A short coat or body garment coming down to the hips and without any skirts. Round-potatoes, n. pi. Irish potatoes, distinguishing from long-potatoes, or sweet-potatoes. Rouser, n. That which arouses attention or interest; something exciting or astonishing: as, "That's a rouser" — an aston- ishing lie. 310 Rousing— Ruffle. Rousing, adj. Having power to rouse, excite, or astonish; surprizingly great, swift, violent, forcible, lively: as a rous- ing fire; a rousing meeting. Rout, n. Rowt. Away; road; path; a line of travel, passage, or progression ; the course passed or to be passed over in reaching a destination. Not route — root. " They took the old rout by the Canaries in 1607." Stith p. 44. Row, ;/. A noisy disturbance; a riot; a riotous noise or out- break; any disorderly or disturbing affray, brawl, hubbub, or clatter. Row, v. To behave in a wild and riotous way; engage in a noisy dispute, affray. Rowling-house, ;/. Rolling house, or landing place for to- bacco. The house where tobacoo was rolled down to the landing for loading on a vessel. Rubbage, n. Rubbish; waste, broken or worn out material. Ruck, ;/. A fold, crease, or pucker in the material of a gar- ment, resulting from faults in the making. Ruck, v. To wrinkle; crease; pucker; usually with up: as, to ruck up cloth. (2) To become creased and wrinkle; draw up in wrinkles and puckers. " My shirt is rucked up under my arms." Ruck, n. A narrow track worn or cut in the ground; especially, the hollowed track made by a wheel in passing over the ground. The road is full of rucks; it is very rucky. Rucky, adj. Full of rucks. "The road is very rucky and wants mending. " Ruction, n. A vexation or annoyance; also, a disturbance; a row or rumpus. Ruff, >i. Roof. "The ruff of his mouth." Ruffle, 7'. To disquiet; discompose; agitate; disturb; annoy; vex. To ruffle cur's feathers. To irritate one; make one angry; disturb or fret. Rug — Rumpus. 311 Rug, n. A thick, nappy material used as a covering for the floor; a mat usually oblong or square, and woven in one piece. (2) A thick, heavy covering, ordinarily woollen, and having a shaggy nap; a covering for a bed. Ruinate, v. To fall in ruins. To bring to ruin; overthrow; undo. Ruination, ;/. The act of ruining, or the state of being rui- nated; ruin. Rule, n. A flat piece of wood used for punishing children at school, by striking them on the palm of the open hand. A ferule. Rullock, n. Rowlock. Rulluck, n. A tattered garment; a rag. Rullucks. A form of relics. Odds and ends of dolls' clothes. Old clothes. " Rullucks and jullucks." Rumbling, n. A rumble; a peculiar rumbling in the bowels. Rum-blossom, n. A pimple on the nose caused by excessive drinking. Rumbustious, adj. Boisterous; careless of the comfort of others; violent. Rummage, v. To move to and fro the contents of, as in a search; ransack; hunt through, explore. To search nar- rowly, especially by moving about and looking among the things in the place searched; execute a search. Rump, n. The tail-end of an animal; the hinder parts; the backside or buttocks. Rumple, ;/. A wrinkle; a fold; a ridge. Rumple, v. To wrinkle; make uneven; form into irregular inequalities. Rumpless, adj. Having no tail, specially noting male and fe- male specimens of the common hen so characterized. Rumpus, n. An uproar; a disturbance; a riot; a noisy or dis- orderly outbreak. 312 Run — Running-horse. Run, n. A small stream of water running in one direction; a rivulet; a brook. " Stoney Run;" "Allen Jones's Run." "Horse Run." Run, v. To melt or be melted. " The rossum runs out of the wood with the hot sun." (2) Colours in cloth run by wash- ing. Run, v. " Run as hard as I can pour." To run as fast as one can. Run, v. To sew lightly. "She didn't have time to sew it, but only to run it together." Run, v. In the sense of to carry. "T's schooner has begun to run wood to town again, the oyster-season being over." Runabout, //. A gadabout; a vagabond. " He is such a run- about that he will never do anything. ' ' Runaround, n. A disease of the finger where the inflamma- tion runs around the nail. Runaway, n. A negro who had escaped from the control of his master and was in hiding. Runaway, adj. Acting the part of a runaway; escaping or breaking from control; defying or overcoming restraint. Run down, :■. To disparage; to malign. Run mad, v. To lose the mind. " That sort of thing would run me /uad." Runner, ;/. The upper millstone. Running, prep. Approaching; going on. "He's been living- there now running on ten years." Running-blackberry, n. The dewberry; it trails on the ground, bearing small blackberries. Running-chair, n. (?) A two-wheel carriage drawn by one horse/by the side of which a footman ran. (?) Running-horse,;^. Racehorse. "The high-bred and cele- brated Run/iino- horse." Run on — Sack-bag. 313 Run on, v. To talk together in a free and easy way. " They sit there and run on all day long. ' ' Runt, n. An undersized animal; the smallest of a litter of pigs. Applied to persons. Run to, v. For a servant to have everything to run to, means that access is given to all household stores; that there is no locking up. Runty, adj. Stunted; dwarfish; little. Rupture, n. Abdominal hernia. Rush, n. Extreme urgency of affairs; urgent pressure; extra- ordinary effort or haste: as, a rush of business. Go with a rusk. Rush-bottomed, adj. Having a bottom or seat made with rushes: as, a rush-bottomed chair. Rusher, ;/. A go-ahead person. " He's a rusher." Rusty, adj. Rancid: " rusty bacon." Rusty, adj. Out of practice; dulled in skill or knowledge through disuse or inactivity. (2) Unruly; ill-humoured; he cut up rusty; applied to persons or horses. Rut, n. The period of heat in animals. Ruvver, n. River. Rye, ;/. Whiskey made from rye. " Old rye." Ryner, n. Riddle? " Five Brass Wyre Wheat Ryner." Sacer, n. Sasser. Saucer. " Cup and sasser." Sack, n. To get the sack, to be dismissed from employment; or rejected as a suitor. Sack, v. Discharge or dismiss from employment, office, etc.; also, to reject the suit of: as, to sack a lover. Sack-bag, ;/. A bag holding three bushels of grain. c 314 Sacking-bottomed — Sail. Sacking-bottomed, adj. Having a sheet of sacking stretched between the rails, as an old fashioned bedstead, to form a support for the bed. Sad, adj. Dark; sombre; sober; quiet; applied to colour: as, a sad brown. (2) Heavy; sobby: as bread. Sadday, n. For Saturday. Saddle-backed, adj. Hollow-backed; sway-backed; said of a horse. Saddle-blanket, ;/. A blanket of small size and coarse make, used folded under a saddle. Safe, n. A receptable for the storage of meat and provisions. Usually a skeleton frame of wood covered with a fine wire- netting to keep out insects. \ Safe, adj. Reliable. A safe man Is one who may be trusted. Safeguard, n. A skirt which was formerly worn by women when they rode on a pillion. Saft, adj. For soft. Sag, //. A bending or drooping, as of a rope fastened at its ends; pr of a surface; droop. Sag, v. To droop, especially in the middle; settle or sink through weakness or lack of support; to subside by its own weight. Sagaciate, v. To do or be in any way; think, talk, or act, as indicating a state of mind or body: as, " How do you saga- ciate this morning? " Sage, ;/. A plant, the common garden sage. Sagging, >i. That form of breakage in which the middle part sinks more than the ends. Sail, v. To move forward impressively, as if in the manner of a ship with all sail set. " Mrs. C. sailed in, and the dancing was kept up till late." (2) To move slowly and steadily through the air, as a bird. Saint Ant'ny's fire— Sap. 315 Saint Ant'ny's fire,;/. Erysipelas. Sake, ;/. Cause; account; reason; interest; regard to any per- son or thing: as, "for my sake." Salary, //. Sallary. Commission paid to the sheriff for col- lecting the levies. Salary, //. Celery. Sallet, ;/. No connection with salt or salad. Applied to fresh, green herbs that are cooked for food: as, " turnip- sallet. " Salmon-trout, ;/. A fish in Virginia waters which resembles both a salmon and a trout. Salt, ;/. It is unlucky to spill salt. The bad luck will fall on the person in whose direction the salt falls. The bad luck may be overcome by throwing a pinch of the spilt salt with the right hand over the left shoulder. (2) Salt-cellar. Salt-box, n. A box for keeping salt for house-use. Salte, adj. Lecherous; salacious. " Badd as anie salte bitch." Salts, n. Epsom salt, taken as a medicine. Salty, adj. Somewhat salt; saltish. Salvatory, ;/. A place where things are preserved; a reposi- tory, a safe. Sampler, n. A large piece of cloth or canvass on which many patterns are worked side by side. Sand-beach, n. A streach of sand on the sea or river left dry by the tide. " There is a sand-beach five miles long." Sand-burr, n. The prickly burr of a grass growing in sandy soil. Sandifer, n. Surname. Slag found in making glass. Sandy, adj. Of the colour of sand; of a yellowish-red colour: as, sandy -hair '. Sangaree, //. Red wine diluted with water, sweetened, and flavoured with nutmeg, used as a cold drink. Sap, n. The soft outside part of timber. 316 Saphead — Sassage. Saphead, ;/. So called in allusion to his freshness and green- ness. A silly fellow. Sap-headed, adj. Silly; foolish. Sapling, >i. A young tree. Especially applied to a young forest tree when its trunk is three or four inches through. Sappy, adj. Weak; foolish; silly; sap-headed. (2) Timber that has much more sap than heart. Sapsucker, n. Small spotted woodpecker. Sarch, v. Search. A sarching wind, one that finds entrance to the body, and very cold; penetrating; keen. Sardine, n. An insignificant or contemptible person; a petty character. Sarment, >i. A sermon. Sarmon. Sars, ;/. Search; searce. A fine hair sifter. Sartain, adj. A form of certain. Sartin. Sarvant, n. A form of servant. Sarve, v. For serve. Sarvis, n. Service. Sash-light, )i. Window-light; pane of glass in a window. Saspanne, ?i. Saucepan. Sass, ;/. Vegetables, particularly those used in making sauces: as garden sass. Same as sauce. Sass, ;/. Insolence; impudence. Sass, v. To talk or reply saucily; be insolent in replying. 2 To sauce; be saucy to; sassy. Sassafras, ;/. Tea is made from the dried bark of the root. Salloopt salop, salap. "Sassafras tea, flavoured with milk and sugar is sold at daybreak in the streets of London under the name ot sa/oop.' ' Sassage, n. Chopped or minced meat, as poke, beef, or veal, seasoned with sage-, pepper, salt, etc., and stuffed into prop- erly cleaned entrails of the ox, or hog, tied or constricted at short intervals. Sasser— Scald-head. 317 Sasser, n. For saucer. Sassinger, n. Sausage. Vf Sassy, adj. Saucy. " He's a sassy fellow." Sauce-boat, n. An oblong crockery vessel with a spout for holding sauce, or gravy. Saunter, n. A leisurely, careless gait. Saunter, v. To move or walk in a leisurely, listless, or unde- cided way; loiter. " He does nothing but saunter about all day." Satan's mark, n. pi. Five small pits on the skin of the inside of foreleg in hogs where satan entered before the drove ran down the cliff into the sea. Save, v. To house a crop. ' ' I have finished saving my corn. ' ' ' ' The fodder is all saved. Save-all, n. A small pan, of china or metal, with a sharp point in the middle, fitted to the socket of a candlestick, to allow the short socket-end of a candle to be burnt without waste. Sawder, n. Flattery; blarney. "Soft-sawder." Saw-pit, n. A pit over which timber is sawn by two men, one standing below the timber, the other above it. Say, v. When children recite their lessons they are said to ' ' say their lessons. ' ' Say-so, ;/. A saying or assertion; especially an authoritative declaration. (2) A personal assertion; an expression of in- dividual opinion. "We'll have to take his say-so for it. " Scaffling, n. Scaffolding. Materials for scaffolds. A scaffold for building. Scald, v. Hogs after they are killed are put into very hot water to make the hair come off easily, that they may be picked; this is called scaldi?ig. Scald-head, n. A disease in the skin of the head; excema. 318 Scalloped — Scarecrow. Scalloped, p. a. Scalloped-oysters, oysters baked with bread- crumbs, cream, pepper, salt, and butter. This should be done always in scallop-shells. Scallop-shell, n. A scallop, or the shell or valve of one. Scaly, adj. Shabby; mean; stingy. Scamp, ii. A worthless fellow; a swindler; a mean villain; a rascal; a rogue. Scamper, v. To run with speed; hasten away. Scampish, adj. Pertaining to or like a scamp; knavish; ras- cally. Scant, adj. Short in quantity; scarcely sufficient; rather less than is wanted for the purpose; not enough; scanty. Sca?it fare; scant wind. Sparing; parsimonious. Scantling, ?i. Wood cut to special sizes for carpenters' use. Scanty, adj. Lacking extent; narrow; small; scant. Limited in scope, copiousness, fullness, or abundance; barely suffi- cient for use or necessity. (2) Sparing; niggardly. Scape-gallows, ;/. One who has escaped the gallows though deserving; a villain. Scape-grace, ;/. A graceless fellow; a careless, idle, hare- brained fellow. Scarce, adj. To make one s self' scarce, get out of the way; leave at once. Scarcely, adv. Hardly; barely; with difficulty. Scare, >i. A sudden fright or panic; particularly applied to a sudden terror or fear inspired by a trifling cause, or a purely imaginative or causeless terror. Scare, v. To frighten; terrify suddenly; strike with terror or tear. Scarecrow, u. A figure of old clothes, made in resemblance of a man, and set in a cornfield or garden to frighten off crows and other birds from the- crops. (2) A person so poor and meanly clad as to look like a scarecrow. Scare-face — School-teacher. 319 Scare-face, n. A mask made of pasteboard, for scaring chil- dren. Scary, adj. Inclined to be scared; subject to scares; timid. Scase, adj. A form of scarce. Scasely, adv. A form of scarcely. Scat, interj. Be off; begone; addressed to cats and other small animals. (2) Said to a person when he sneezes. "Scat/' Scat, v. To scare or drive away by crying " scat." Scaths, n. Having loss; damage. Scatteration, n. A scattering or dispersion; a breaking up and departing in all directions. Scatterbrain, ;/. A thoughtless, giddy person; one incapable of serious, connected thought. Scattering, n. One of a number of disconnected or fragment- ary things. "In the congregation were a good many women and a scattering of men." School, n. A large number of fish, or porpoises, or the like, feeding together. School-basket, n. A small basket made of fine white oak splints, in which children carried their dinner to the country schools. School-butter, n. A word of obscure origin and meaning but of the greatest insult to schoolboys. When called out to them by a passer of the old country school-house he could only save himself by flight from their wrath. School-days, n. pi. The time of life at which children attend school; time passed at school. Schoolin, ;;. Instruction in school; tuition. Education. 'He didn't have much sc//oo/m." Schoolmarster, n. A man who teaches school. School-teacher, n. One who gives regular instruction in a school. 320 School-teaching — Scours. School-teaching, n. The business of instruction in a school. Science, ;/. A scion; a shoot. Scold, n. A scolding: as, she gave him a good scold. Sconce, n. A blockhouse; an earthwork. Scoop, n. A wooden shovel with a short handle for bailing water out of a boat. Scoot, v. To run, fly, or make off with haste and directness; dart. Scorch, v. To burn superficially; subject to a degree of heat that changes the colour, or both the colour and the texture of the surface. Scorched,/), a. Burnt; parched with heat. Scorcher, n. Anything that is very hot: as, "This day has been a scorcher. ' ' Scorching, adj. A high fever with dry skin is called a "scorch- ing fever." Score, n. A large chip split from the side of a stick of timber when hewed, dried and used for firewood. Scot, u. One's share of expense. " Pay your scot." Scotch, n. A prop put behind or before a wheel, to prevent its moving, or placed under a log to keep it from rolling. Scotch, v. To prop or block, as the wheel of a coach or wag- gon, with a stone or other obstacle. Scotch-broom, ;/. A plant, the common broom. Scot-free, adj. Unhurt; clear; safe. Scour, v. To purge thoroughly or with violence; purge dras- tically. Scouring-sand, >i. Clean, tine sand used for scouring floors. " White scouring-sand" Scours, ;/. pi. A kind of diarrhoea or dysentery among cattle or other animals; violent purging. Scout — Scraunch. 321 Scout, v. To ridicule; sneer at; treat with disdain and con- tempt; reject with scorn. Scovy, n. A Muscovy duck. Scraggly, adj. Having or presenting a rough, irregular, or ragged appearance: as, a scraggly beard. Scraggy, adj. Lean; thin; bony; poor; scrawny. Scramble, v. To struggle rudely or in a jostling manner with others for the purpose of grasping or getting something; strive eagerly, rudely, and without ceremony for or as if for something thrown on the ground. To fight. Scrambly, adj. Eager, rude contest or struggle for the posses- sion of something offered or desired; an unceremonious jostling or pushing for the possession of something. Scrambly, adj. Straggling; irregular; haphazzard; random. Scrap, n. A small piece, properly something scraped off; a detached portion; a bit; a fragment; a remnant. ' A scrap of paper." Scrape, n. An embarrassing position, usually due to impru- dence and thoughtlessness; a difficulty. "He got himself into a scrape. ' ' Scrapings, n. pi. Savings; hard earnings; hoardings. Scrappy, adj. Consisting of scraps; made up of odds and ends; fragmentary. Scratch, n. A scrawl. A piece of unskillfull or inelegant writing. Scratch, v. To scratch along, to scramble on; get along some- how; to pull through hard times. Scratch together, v. To scrape together; to accumulate hardly, and by little and little. Scratchy, adj. Consisting of mere scratches; ragged; rough; irregular. Scraunch, v. To grind with the teeth, with a crackling sound; craunch. 21 322 Scrawly — Scrouge. Scrawly, adj. Scrawling; loose; ill-formed and irregular: not- ing writing or manuscript. Scrawny, adj. Meagre; wasted; raw-boned; lean: as, a scrawny person. Screak, v. To utter a sharp, shrill sound or outcry; also, to creak, as a door or wheel. Screamer, ?/. Something very great, excellent or exciting; a thing that attracts the attention or draws forth screams of astonishment, delight, etc.; a whacker, a bouncer. Screek, v. Anticipating pain with fear; imitating the noise made. Screenings, ;/. pi. The small or defective grains of wheat separated by sifting. Screw, ;/. A stingy fellow; a close or penurious person; one who makes a sharp bargain; an extortioner; a miser; a skinflint. Screw, v. To press hard upon; oppress as by exactions or vexatious restrictions or conditions. Screw, v. To crouch. To be screwed up in a corner. Scribble, ii. Hurried or careless writing; a scrawl. Scribe, n. A pointed instrument used to make marks on wood, metal, etc., to serve as a guide in sawing, cutting, etc. Scriggle, v. To writhe; to struggle or twist about with more or less force; wriggle. Scrimmage, ;/. A confused row or contest; a tussle. Scrimp, adj. Scrimpy. Scanty; narrow; deficient; contracted; mean; pinched hospitality. Scrimption, ;/. A small portion, a pittance: as, just a scrimp- tion of salt. Scrooch, :■. To draw up in a small space. " You sit scrooched up in the cornder." Scrouge, v. To squeeze; press; crowd. Scrouger — Sea-coal. 323 Scrouger, n. One who scrouges; figuratively, something big; a whopper. Scrub, n. A mean or common fellow. Anything mean and small. (2) Short, rough, stunted trees. Scrub oaks. Scrub, n. Scrub-broom. A worn out broom, used for scrub- bing purposes. Also, a broom made of young, green, white-oak, and used for the same purpose. Scrubby, adj. Of inferior breed or stunted growth; stunted; hence, small, shabby, mean; contemptible. Scruff, n. Scurf; dandruff. Scruff, n. The nape of the neck. ' ' He took him by the scruff of the neck." Scruffly, adj. Scurvy; scabby; resembling or consisting of scurf. Scrumptious, adj. Fine; nice; particular; fastidious. Scrunch, v. To crush as with the teeth; crunch. So squeeze; crush. Scud, n. A light, rapid shower of rain. Also, thin, rapid- passing raincloud. Scuff, n. A scurf; a scale. Scuff, n. The back part of the neck. Scuffle, 11. Hurry; bustle. Scufflle along, v. A person in bad circumstances who still ' ' keeps his head above water, ' ' is said to scuffle along. Scum, n. That which rises to the top when a liquid is boiled. Scum-milk, n. Milk with the cream taken off. Scuppernong, n. A wild grape. Scythe-cradle, n. A scythe blade with a light wooden frame- work attached for catching the grain as it is cut, and to lay it down. Sea-coal, n. Coal dug out of the ground, and carried by sea to London; also, pit-coal, distinguished from charcoal. 324 Sea-bed— Seeking. Sea-bed, n. Probably a narrow mattress for one person, as in a ship's bunk. Hammock ? Search, n. A hair sieve; a sieve, especially a fine sieve. Searce. Search, v. Searce. To sift through a search. Sea-side, n. The Atlantic side of Accomack and Northamp- ton counties. Season, ;/. Used for weather. Season is a shower, or spell of rain. " Long season in May." Seasoning, n. Condiments added to food to improve the taste. Seasoning, n. A spell of sickness that attacked newcomers; the sickness of climation. "A seasoned hand," not a " nezv- hand." Sea-wrack, n. Coarse seaweeds of any kind that are cast on the shore. Seben, n. For seven. " It comes to seben dollars." Second-handed, adj. At second hand. " Second-handed clothes." Seconds, n. pi. The flour of the second degree of fineness, between flour and bran. Sedge-hen, n. A marsh-hen. See, v. To visit. " You must come to see me when you come our way." Seed, v. To sow grain: as, "I have finished seeding wheat to-day." Seed-basket, n. A basket carried on the arm from which seed wheat was sown. Seed-tick, n. Usually "see'tick." A young or small tick. Seedy, adj. Run to seed; no longer fresh, new or prosperous; worn-out; shabby; poor. (2) Looking or feeling wretched, as after a debauch; not well; out of sorts. Seeking, v. A person who is concerned about his future state is said to be "seeking religion," and when he has " found " is said to be " converted. ' ' Seep— Service-tree. 325 Seep, v. To soak through gently; trickle. "'Seep through." See-saw, n. A sport in which two children sit one at each end of a board or long piece of timber balanced on some support, and move alternately up and down. See to, v. To attend to. " I'll see to that the first thing to- morrow morning. ' ' Seine-needle, n. A needle with which the meshes of a seine are netted. Seizing-dog, n. A large, strong dog for seizing and holding animals. Seldum, adv. For seldom. Sell, n. An imposition; a cheat; a deception; a trick played at another's expense. Selvage, n. That part of the web at each edge which is not finished like the surface of the cloth, and which is meant to be torn away when the material is made up, or for use in making the seam. Sence, adv. Since. Sense, n. Sound or clear mind. Ordinary, normal, or clear mental action; especially in the plural, with a collective force. Senses, n. pi. " Scared out of his seven senses." Senseless, adj. Without meaning, or contrary to reason or sound judgement; ill-judged; unwise; foolish; nonsensical. Sep, Seps, adv. Except: unless. "I knowed 'em all seps two." " I don't know the place, and I can't find the way sep somebody shows me. ' ' Servant, n. At the early settling "a servant of " meant "in the service of;" it had not as menial a meaning as now. Servant and service might be of high character. Service-tree, n. A tree bearing small pear-shaped or apple- shaped fruit. (2) Service apples, the fruit of the service- tree. 326 Ses— Set out. Ses, n. A form of cease; cessation. Set, v. To sit: as, "I was setting in my chair." Set, v. To direct or accompany one on his way: as, to set him across the river. Set, v. Obstinate; self-willed; determined. " He is set on going." Set, v. To put a hen on a nest containing eggs, for the purpose of hatching them. To put eggs under a hen or other bird in a nest, for the purpose of hatching them. (2) " A set- ting of eggs," the number of eggs on which a hen sets at one hatching, usually thirteen. Set, v. To plant. " It is a good day to set potatoes." " I'll begin to set corn to-morrow. " "I am going to set out some trees." Set,/, a. Formed; built; made; noting the person: as, well- set; thick-set. (2) Sharp-^/, very hungry; ravenous. Set a stitch, v. To sew. "They never think that I set a stitch." Setback,;/. Check to progress; the losing of ground; relapse; reverse. ' ' He had more than one setback. ' ' Set-by, v. To value or hold in estimation. To set store by. Set down, n. A depressing or humiliating rebuke or repre- hension; a rebuff; an unexpected and overwhelming answer or reply. Set- fast, >i. A hard swelling. Set horses, v. To agree. " They set horses very well." Set in, v. To begin with a set purpose: as, it has set in for a rainy day. Setlins, ;/. Settlings. Sediment; dregs. Set on, v. To sew on, as buttons. " I must set the buttons on his jacket." Set out, n. A display, as of plate, dishes, etc., at table. " There was a grand set out at the wedding." Setting-down— Shaant. 327 Setting-down, n. A rebuke. " I like to see that upstart get a setting-down.' ' Setting-of-eggs, n. A setting of eggs must always be an odd number. For a hen, thirteen, twelve chickens and a bad one. Settle, v. To plant with inhabitants; colonize; people. (2) To establish a residence; take up permanent habitation or abode. (3) To sink, as the foundations or floor of a building; be- coming lowered, as by the yielding of earth or timbers be- neath. Settle, v. To pay one's bill; discharge a claim or demand. Settled, adj. Sober; grave. "A settled white woman to assist in household duties." Settle down, v. To be established in a way of life; to enter the married state or the state of a householder. Settlement, n. Payment; arrangement of accounts. "After great trouble we finally had a settlement. Set to, v. To begin in earnest. "Here is the work, now set tor Set up, v. A person was told to " set up " and " catch hold: " that is, to sit up to the table and help himself to the food. "Set up and take holt." Seven-sleepers, n. A sleepy-headed person, hard to wake, is said to be one of the seven-sleepers. Seven-up, n. A game with cards, the same as all-fours. Sewed-up, v. To be drunk. Sewing-cotton, //. Cotton thread made for plain sewing, in white or printed cotton goods. Sewing-needle, n. A needle used in ordinary sewing, as dis- tinguished from a sail-needle, an embroidering needle and others. Shaant, v. Shall not, with broad a. " He thinks he will but he shaant. 328 Shabby— Shalves. Shabby, adj. Of mean appearance; noting clothes and other things which are worn, or show poverty or decay, or per- sons wearing such clothes; seedy. Shackly, adj. Shaky; rickety tottering; ramshackle. Shad-bellied, adj. Sloping away gradually in front; cutaway: as, a shad-bellied coat. Shade, n. A shed. "Crab shade." " Ceavt-shade ; " cart- shed. (2) Shed to a building. Shady, adj. Such as cannot bear the light; as of doubtfull honesty or morality. (2) On the shady side of, beyond; used with reference to age: as, to be on the shady-side of forty. Shaggy, adj. Rough, coarse, or unkempt; thick, rough and irregular. Shag-ged. Shagtail, ;/. A snapping turkle. Shah. Shoo, interj. Pshaw. A peevish exclamation. Shake, v. To shake a foot or leg, to dance. Shake, n. In the plural and with the definite article, the shakes, ague; intermittent fever. (2) A brief moment; an instant: as, to do a thing in three shakes of a sheep's tail, that is, to do it immediately. (3) Great shakes, literally a thing of great account; something extraordinary; something of value and worth; usually in the negative: " no great shakes. " Shake-up, >/. A shaking or stirring up; commotion; disturb- ance. Shaking-ague, n. A very violent ague. "Joe had a sheking ager yistiddy." Shaky, adj. Loosely put together; ready to fall to pieces; full of shakes or cracks; cracked, split, or cleft, as timber. (2) Feeble; weak. Shalloon, n. A light woollen stuff made at Chalons from which it takes its name Shalves, //. pi. Sharves. Plural of shaft. Ceart-shalves. Sham— Shed. 329 Sham, n. A false shirt-front; a dicky. (2) A false pillow- cover; a pillow-j/mw. Shamble, n. A shambling walk or gait. Shame, adj. Tendency to feel distressed at any breach of de- corum: as, he is shame to do it. Shammy, n. Same as chamois. Shanghai, n. A tall person; especially a tall dandy. Shank, n. The latter end or part of anything: as, the shank of the evening. Shanks' s mare, n. On foot is to ride shanks' 1 s mare. Shan't, v. A contraction of shall not. 1711. Shanty, n. A hut or mean dwelling; a temporary building of a rough or flimsy character. Shape, n. The mould in which things are cooked, and allowed to stand for awhile, then turned out to be served. (2) The small pie or tart cooked in a shape. Sharp, adj. Fierce: as, a sharp dog. Sharp-set, v. Hungry and ready for one's food. Sharves, n. Plural of shaft. " Both the sharves were broken short off." Shavs. Shatters, n. pi. The leaves of the pine after they have fallen. Pine-shatters. Shave, n. An exceedingly narrow miss or escape: as, a " close shave. ' ' Shave, v. To be hard or extortionate in bargains; specifically to buy notes or securities at a greater discount than is com- mon. Shaver, n. A young fellow; a youngster. She, n. A female animal; a bird, beast, or fish of the female sex: as, a ,y/2i. A fancy; liking: as, to have a shine for a person. " I've got no shine for him." (2) A trick, a prank: to cut up shines. (3) To take the shine out of\ to cast into the shade; outshine; eclipse. Shingle, ;/. A small sign-board, especially that of a profes- sional man: as, to hang out one's shingle. Shingle, v. To cut the hair so that streaks of it overlap like rows of shingles; hence, to cut the hair very close. Shinny, ;/. The game of bandy-ball. Shipwrack, ;/. and v. A form of shipwreck. Shirk, v. To avoid or get off from unfairly or meanly; slink away from: as, to shirk responsibility. Shirt-buttons, n. pi. The fruit of the mallow. Shirting, n. A cotton cloth woven expressly for making shirts. Shirtmen, ;/. Name given by the British to the Virginia mili- tia in the Revolutionary war, because they wore hunting- shirts as uniform. Shirt-tail,;;. With nothing on but a shirt. "He had un- dressed and was going about in his shirt-tail." Shivers, ;;. pi. Pieces; atoms; the cup fell on the floor and broke to shivers. (2) The feeling of shivering; cold and trembly with the teeth chattering. " I've got the shivers." Shivery, adj. Inclined or disposed to shiver. Causing shiv- ering; chill. Shock, ;/. A group of sheaves of grain placed standing in a field with the stalk-ends down, and so arranged to shed the rain as completely as possible, in order to permit the grain 332 Shock— Short. to dry and ripen before housing. (2) A like group of stalks of corn, not made up in sheaves, but placed singly, coming together at the top in a conical form. Shock, v. To heap together in shocks. To make up into shocks: as, to shock corn. "I've got all my corn shocked up. Shock-head, n. A head covered with bushy or frowzy hair; a frowzy head of hair. Shock-row, n. When wheat is sown on corn-land the corn is cut off two rows that are ploughed together making a wheat- bed, this is sown first, then the corn cut from the other rows is shocked on this shock-row. Shodden, v. Past participle of shoe. Shoe, ;/. To be in one 's shoes or boots, to be in one's place. Shoe-leather, ;/. Used figuratively for shoes. "He is as great a scoundrel as ever trod shoe-leather." Shoemake, n. A form of sumach. Shoo, interj. Begone! Off! away! Used to scare away fowls and other animals. Shoo, v. To scare or drive away fowls or other creatures by calling out " shoo." Shooks, n. pi. The number of staves to make a barrel, dressed and jointed, put up in a bundle for shipment. Shoot, n. The act of shooting; the discharge as of a gun: as, " Let me have a shoot." Shootes, >i. />/. Shoates; small hogs. Shooting, n. A quick, glancing pain, often following the track i >i a nerve: as, " the slwoting of my corns is a sign of rain." Shore, n. A prop; a support. Shore, v. To prop up anything. Short, adj. Curt; brief; abrupt; sharp; crusty; petulant; un- civil. (2) Brittle; friable; breaking or crumbling readily: as, pastry is made short with butter or lard. Short-cake— Show. 333 Short-cake, n. Corn bread made "short" by putting grease in it. Short-corn, n. Small and imperfect ears of corn used for feeding to stock. Shortening, ;/. Anything put in flour to make the cakes short: as, butter, or lard. Short-horn, n. An ordinary person, one of indifferent quality and not belonging to the best sort. Shorts, n. Coarse flour. Short-sighted, adj. Not able to look far into futurity; of lim- ited intellect; not able to discern remoter consequences or results; not gifted with foresight. Short-winded, adj. Unable to bear long-continued, violent exercise, as running, without difficulty of breathing; out of breath. (2) Lacking in application or purpose. Shortly, adv. In time; we expect him shortly; that is, we ex- pect him to come soon. Shortly, adj. Quickly; peevishly: he answered very shortly. Shote, 11. A young hog; a half-grown pig. (2) A trifling worthless fellow: as, "a poor shote.'" Shot-gourd, ;/. A small gourd with a straight neck, used for carrying shot in the pocket in place of a shot-pouch. Shotten,/>. a. Shot out of its socket; dislocated as a bone. Shoulder-shotten, sprained in the shoulder as a horse. Hip- shotten. Should, v. Always used in a sense of obligation; compulsion. Ought. Shoulder, v. To take on the shoulder. "Can you shoulder that bag of meal ? ' ' Show, n. An exhibition of any kind; a circus, wild-beast show, or theatrical. Show, n. Chance; opportunity; appearance. " There is some show for rain this afternoon." 334 Showery— Sickle. Showery, adj. With many showers. ' ' It has been showery all day." Showing-off, ;/. Ostentatious display. Shr. Is usually pronounced Sr. Srimp, for shrimp. Shreeve, n. For sheriff. Shuck, n. The covering- of ears of corn. (2) Not worth shucks, good for nothing. Shuck, v. To remove the shucks of corn from the ears. Shuck, v. Perfect tense of the verb to shake. "He shuck down the apples." Shuck, interj. A call to hogs. Shook. Shuck-bottom, adj. Having a seat made of the shucks of corn, as, a chair. Shucking, n. The act of freeing from shucks: as, "a corn shucking. Shuffle, v. To move in a slow, irregular, lumbering fashion; drag clumsily or heavily along a surface; especially, to walk with a slovenly, dragging or scraping gait. (2) A move- ment in dancing; a sort of dance. Shut, v. To shut up. To conclude; end; terminate. Shet. Shute, n. Shewte. A suit of clothes. Shy, adj. Keeping away from some person or thing through timidity or caution; fearful of approaching; disposed to avoid: followed by of. Sich, adv. Sech. Forms of such. Sich, adj. and pron. A variant of such. Sick, adj. Affected with or suffering from physical disorder. Sick, v. To seek; chase; set upon. Used in the imperative in inciting a dog to chase or attack a person or animal: as, ' ' s-s-sick ' em Bose ! ' ' Sickle, >i. A "toothed hook" for reaping as distinguished from " reap-hook " that has to be sharpened; the difference Sickly- Sifting-tray. 335 is always made in old inventories, the two being always mentioned. Sickly, adj. Habitually ailing or indisposed; not sound or strong as regards health or natural vigour; liable to be or become sick. " She has always been sickly from a child." Side, 7i. A scythe. " Side •-blade'' scythe-blade. Side, v. To flatten off a side or sides of timber by hewing it with a broad-axe, or by sawing. (2) To take the part of another. ' ' He always sided with B. " " He took sides with A." Side-boards, n. pi. Moveable boards to set up on the sides of carts. Side-comb, n. A comb used in a woman's head-dress to hold a curl or lock of hair on the side of the head, usually in front of the ear. Generally of thin tortoise-shell. Sidesman, ;/. Assistant to a churchwarden. Side-table, n. A table made to stand near the wall, especially in a dining-room; a smaller table than the dining-table. Sidewalk, n. The paved way for foot-passengers on each side of a street. "It is necessary to keep the sideivalk clear of boxes." Side -ways, adv. Directed or tending to one side. Towards one side; in an inclining position. Side-wipe, n. A sly rebuke; an insinuation. " He gave him a side-ivipe." (2) A bastard. Siding, n. The act of taking sides. Sidle, v. To move sideways or obliquely; go aslant as while looking in another direction. To sidle up, to approach side- ways. Siege, ;;. A long time: as, " You have been gone a siege." Sifter, n. A fine wire sieve for separating the meal from the meal-husk, or bran. Sifting-tray, n. A large, wooden tray on the edges of which a sifter was slid rapidly for sifting meal or flour. 336 Sight— Simple-hearted. Sight, n. Something to be seen; a spectacle. " Look at that bonnet! aint she a sight?" " If you do that he'll make you see sights. ' ' Sight, ;/. A number or quantity wonderful to see or contemplate; a great many or a great deal: as, a sight of people. " It did her a sight of good." Sightly, adj. Pleasing to the eye; affording gratification to the sense of sight. Signify, v. To have import or meaning; be of consequence; matter. Sildum, adv. Seldom. Sile, ;/. A variant of soil. Silk, n. The mass growing from the ears of corn; so called from the resemblance in the unripe state to silk in fineness and softness. Sill, n. The large wooden beam on which the frame of a wooden house is built. "Sills 12x14 inches." Silly, adj. Foolish as an epithet of contempt: characterized by weakness or folly; manifesting want of judgment or com- mon sense; stupid or unwise. Imbecile; mentally weak to the verge of idiocy. Simlin, n. Cymblin, a small, eatable gourd. Simmer, v. Liquids kept while heating, just below the boiling point. Simon, n. Salmon. The upper bricks in a kiln, which in burning receive the least heat; so called from their colour. Simper, v. To mince one's words. Simper, v. To cry; to begin to cry as a spoilt child does. " One cried and the other began to simper." Simple, adj. Unlearned; incapable of understanding a situa- tion of affairs; easily deceived. Simple-hearted, adj. Having a simple-heart; single-hearted; ingenuous. Simple-minded — Skeart. 337 Simple-minded, adj. Lacking intelligence or penetration; artless. Since, adv. For ago, never used. "Sometime ago;" but never ''sometime since." Singed-cat, n. A cat disfigured with burnt fur; hence, a per- son of unprepossessing appearance — different from what he looks. Single-tree, n. A bar of wood with a hook in the middle, and a cuff at each end to which traces may be fastened for haul- ing. Sink, n. A low place in the ground. Sinker, n. A weight fastened to a fishing-line to make it sink in the water. Siss, v. To hiss. Sissing, ;/. A hissing sound. " The gander sissing at him." Sistren, n. pi. Sisters of a society or guild. Sisters. Sithence, prep. ¥ ox since. Sive, n. For scythe. Sizeable , adj. Well grown ; of appropriate size. ' ' She is now a good sizeable girl. " Sized, adj. Having a particular size, extent, magnitude, pro- portions, etc. : as, middle-sized. Sizing, n. Hanks of cotton are boiled in water and meal-husk, the gluten forming a sizing so that the thread may be wound and otherwise handled without frazzling or kinking. Sizz, v. To hiss; sizzle. Sizzle, v. To make a hissing or sputtering sound; make a sound as of frying. (2) To be very hot, as if hissing or shrivelling. Skearce, adj. For scarce. Skeart, n. Form of skirt. Saddle-skeart; coat-skeart; skeart of woods. 22 338 Skeart— Skin. Skeart, v. A form of scared. Past part, of scare. Skeer, v. and n. A form of scare. Skeery, adj. A form of scary, shying, easily scared. "The horses were very skeery." Skeet, v. To skate. Skeeter, >i. A mosquito. Skein, n. Thread of silk, wool, cotton, or flax wound around and knotted that the end may be found for winding. (2) A skein=i20 yards. Hank=7 skeins of cotton or silk. Skeleton, ;/. A very lean or much emaciated person; a mere shadow of a person. Skelp, v. To remove the skelp, or scalp. Skene, ;/. A thin iron strip on the lower side of the arm of a wooden axletree to save wear. Skid, ;/. A log forming a track for a heavy moving object; a timber forming an inclined plane in loading or unloading heavy articles from waggons. Skiff, n. A small boat moved with oars. Skillet, ;/. Of brass, cast not beaten, a semi-globe in form, having three short, straight legs of about three inches in length cast on its bottom. The handle is tapering, but flat and quite straight, longer than that of common saucepans; it is cast in the same piece as the vessel, in a line with the diameter. The skillet is only suitable to be used with a wood fire on the hearth. Skillpot, ;/. A red-bellied tarrapin. Skim, n. Thin layer. "There is a thin skim of ice on the pond." Skimp, adj. Scant in quantity or extent; scarcely sufficient; meagre; spare. Skimpy, adj. Spare; scanty; skimped. Skin, :■. To strip of valuable properties or possession; fleece; plunder; rob; cheat; swindle. Skin and bones — Slab-sided 339 Skin and bones, ;/. Very lean. Skin-deep, adj. Not penetrating or extending deeper than the thickness of the skin; superficial. Skin-flint, n. One who makes use of contemptible means to get or save money; a mean, niggardly, or avaricious person; miser. Skinfull, )i. As much as one can hold, especially of strong drink of any kind. Skinny, adj. Characterized by skinniness; lean. Skinny-grievous, adj. Thin; scrawny. Skip, v. To pass over without action or notice; disregard; pass by. (2) To skip over a part in reading. Skipper, n. Certain larvae in bacon and cheese. Skippery, adj. Abounding in skippers. Skitters, n. pi. Diarrhoea. Skittish, adj. Easily frightened; disposed to start, jump, or run, as from fright. Sky-high, adj. As high as the sky; very high. Sky-lark, v. To engage in boisterous fun or frolic. Sky-parlour, n. A room next the sky, or at the top of the building; hence, an attic. Slab, ;/. A thick piece of timber; especially the outter cut of a tree or log when sawn up into plank. Sawn from the tree in squaring it. (2) A piece split with the grain of pine, with a frow for covering a roof or the sides of a rough house. Slab, v. To cover with split slabs. Slabber, ;/. Moisture falling from the mouth. Slobber. Slabber, v. To let saliva or other liquid fall from the mouth carelessly; drivel. Slobber. Slabberer, n. One who slabbers. Slab-sided,. adj. Having flat sides like slabs; hence, tall and lank. 340 Slack up— Slat. Slack up, v. To stop rain. " I think it is about to slack up raining." Slack, v. Air-slacked lime, lime which has been converted into a mixture of hydrate and carbonate by exposure to moist air. (2) To add water to quick-lime until it is reduced to powder. Slack, adj. Dull; low; depressed. "This is a slack time of the year." " Business is slack. " Slack-twisted, adj. Of little physical force or energy. Slack-water, adj. Just at the time when the tide neither ebbs nor flows: as, high-watet slack, low-water slack. Water, where there is no current. Slam, v. To close with force and noise; shut with violence. To throw violently and with a loud, sudden noise. Slank, adj. Slim; slender; slanky. Slant, n. An oblique direction or plane; a slope. Slap, adj. First rate; of the best; "slap-up." Slap-bang, adv. With a slap and a bang; hence, suddenly; vio- lently; with a sudden, noisy dash; headlong; all at once. Slap-dash, adv. In a sudden, offhand, abrupt, random, or headlong manner; abruptly; suddenly; all at once. Slap-up, adv. Excellent; first-rate; fine. Slashes, n. pi. A shallow pool of water left after a rain. Wet or swampy places overgrown with bushes. (2) Small places of standing water after a heavy rain, usually in roads. (3) "Fiasche, ' watyr; ' plasche, fiasche where rayne watyr ston- dythe. Fiasche, a shallow pool." Slashy, adj. Wet and muddy. Slat, n. A long, narrow strip or slip of wood. One of a num- ber of strips forming the bottom boards of a bedstead; or, slats in a window blind. The flat pieces of a gate. ' ' I wish you would mend the slats in my gate." Slat-bonnet— Slip-knot. 341 Slat-bonnet, n. A bonnet made of calico, long to come over the face, with slats of pasteboard to keep it extended. Slay, n. Sley. The reed of a weavers' -loom; the slay having teeth like a comb, through which the threads of the warp are passed. Slayes. Slaie. Slay-hook, ;/. Reed-hook; of bone, for passing threads through the slay. Slazy, adj. Badly woven. Of thin or flimsy substance; com- posed of poor or light material. Said of woven stuff. Sleazy. Sleepers, n. pi. Timbers that support a floor. Sleepish, adj. Disposed to sleep; sleepy. Sleepyhead, n. An idle, lazy person; one disposed to sleep long and late. ' ' What a sleepyhead. ' ' Slender, adj. Meagre; small; scant: as, slender means. Slep, v. Slept. " I step badly last night." Slick, adj. Smooth; glossy; soft. Slight, n. Intentional neglect; disrespect*^. Slight, v. To treat with disrespect. " He used to go to see her a great deal, but I think she slighted him." Slim, adj. Meagre; small: as, a slim chance. Slender. Slim built. Slip, n. A child's apron. Slip, n. A twig detached from the main stock, especially for planting or grafting: as, a potato -slip. Slipe, n. A long, narrow strip: as, a slipe of woods between the fence and the road; a slipe of bark from a tree. Slipe, v. To remove bark from trees in long strips or slipes. (2) To slice off. " He sliped a piece off his thumb with his new knife." Slip-knot, n. A knot so tied that it will come loose by pulling on one end. 34.! Slippers — Slouching. Slippers, >i. pi. Thin, low shoes without heel fastened by two ribbons from the sides crossed on the instep and tied around the ankle; used mostly by ladies for dancing. Slippery, adj. That cannot be depended on or trusted; un- certain; untrustworthy; apt to play one false; dishonest. Slipshod, adj. Wearing shoes or slippers down at the heel or having no counters, so that the soles trail after the foot. (2) Appearing like one in slippers; careless or slovenly in appearance, manners, action, and the like; loose; slovenly; shuffling. Slip-shoes, n. An old loose pair of shoes worn at night after taking off the shoes. Slit, n. A long cut or tear; a narrow opening. Slop, ;/. Liquid carelessly dropped or spilt about; a wet place. Slop, v. To spill by causing to overflow the edge of a contain- ing vessel. Make a slop. Slop-bowl, n. A vessel to receive the dregs from tea or coffee- cups at table. Slop-basin. Slope, v. To run away; elope; decamp; disappear suddenly. Sloppy, adj. Wet from slopping; covered with slops; muddy. "'Sloppy weather." (2) Weak and watery, like sloppy tea. Slough, ?/. The cast skin of a snake. Snake-shed. Slops, n. pi. Cooked food for cattle. Slop-shop, ;/. A shop were slops or ready-made clothes are sold. Slosh, v. To go about recklessly or carelessly : as, to slosh around. (2) The movement of a liquid quickly from one side of the vessel to the other. Slouch, ;/. An inefficient or useless person or thing. Slouch-hat, n. A hat of soft material, with a broad and flex- ible brim. Slouching, p. a. Awkward, heavy, and dragging, as in car- riage or gait. Slue— Smart. 343 Slue, ;/. A narrow channel or thoroughfare in water between shoals. Turn or new channel in a river. Slue, v. To turn or twist about; often followed by round. To turn partly round. Slue-footed, adj. With the feet turned out. Slued, adj. Slightly drunk. Sluice, n. A slop; a large wet place. "What a sluice you have made on the floor." Sluice, v. To wet or wash abundantly: to sluice the floor with water. (2) Making a sluice, making a slop, sluicing with water. Slunk, adj. Produced before the time: as, a slunk calf. Slunk, n. A calf prematurely brought forth: also, a slunk-kit- ten. (2) A person, thin, weak and haggard, is said to " look like a ^ I '/oik -kitten." Slunken, adj. Lean; shrivelled; all slunk up. Slush, n. Wet mud; any wet dirt. Slut, n. A female dog; a bitch. (2) A nasty woman. (3) Carpets were called "^/-harbours," as they hid the dirt. Sly, adj. Playfully artfull; knowing. Smack, v. To give a blow with the inside of the hand. Smack, v. To make a sudden noise as with a whip: to smack a whip. Smack, adv. In a direct manner; straight. " He hit him and knocked him smack over the chair. Small, adj. "They have a small family; " meaning a family of small children. Small-hominy, n. Corn ground finer than for big hominy, and boiled in water for food. Smart, adj. Brisk; lively; witty. Considerable; large: as, a right smart way. (2) In good health; well; not sick. "I'm right smart." 344 Smart — Smoke house. Smart, adj. Right smart; much; many; a great deal. " There were right smart people at the church." Smarten up, v. To make smart; to become brisk. Smartweed, n. A hot, pungent weed growing in damp places. Smarty, ;/. A would-be witty person. Smash, ?i. Downfall; catastrophe. (2) Condition or state of complete destruction. " It was broken all to smash." Smasher, n. Anything astounding, extraordinary, or very large and unusual. Smear, v. To overspread thickly, irregularly, or in blotches with anything greasy or sticky. Smeary, adj. Tending to smear or soil; adhesive. Showing smears; smeared. Smell a rat, v. To suspect. Smellers, )i.pl. A cat's whiskers. Smicket, n. A very small quantity: as, a smicket of butter, salt, etc. Smirk, n. An affected smile; a soft look. " He was all smirks and smiles ." Smirk, v. To smile affectedly or wantonly; look affectedly soft or kind. Smite, v. A little piece. " Give me a smite of butter." Smithers, ;/. pi. Fragments. " He broke it all to smithers." Smoke, v. To suffer from hard treatment; be punished. " They would have made him smoke." Smoke, n. Like smoke, very rapidly. " He ran like smoke.'''' Smoke-dried, adj. One whose skin is dried and hardened by sitting near the fire; people who stay at home in the chim- ney-corner. "Smoke-dried people who sat in the chimney- corner. ' ' Smoke house, n. A building in which meats are cured by smoking, over a smouldering fire in the middle of the floor Smooth — Snail's pace. 345 made of wet oak or hickory chips, thus making a ' ' smother, ' ' not a blaze. Smooth, v. To iron washed clothes. (2) Smoothing-iron is the implement used for the purpose. Smother, n. A great smoke. (2) A vapour or smoke made by burning straw, wet chips, etc. "A smother of smoke." Smotheration, n. The act of smothering, or the state of being smothered; suffocation. Smouch, n. A loud kiss; a smack. Smouch, v. To kiss. Smoulder, n. Smoke. Smouldering, pres. part. A dying fire; nearly out, no blaze, the dying coals and embers smoking. "A smouldering fire." Smut, n. A spot made with "sut," coal, or the like; also the fouling matter itself. A fungus disease in plants, effecting especially the cereal plants. (2) Loose or obscene talk. Smut, v. To stain or mark with smut; blacken with coal, " sut," or other dirty substance. Smutty, adj. Soiled with smut. Obscene; immodest; impure: as, smutty language. Snack, n. A portion of food that can be eaten hastily; a slight hasty repast; a luncheon; a bite. Snacks, n.pi. Partnership; shares; halves. "We go snacks." Snag, n. A short, projecting stump, stub, or branch; the stubby base of a broken or cut-off branch or twig; a jagged branch separated from the tree. Snag, v. To catch or run against a snag. " The horse snagged himself on the end of a fence-rail." Snaggle-tooth,;/. A tooth growing out irregularly from the others. Snail's pace, n. Going very slowly. " You move at a snail ' s pace." Snail's gait. 310 Snake-doctor — Snipperty. Snake-doctor, n. Mosquito hawk; dragon-fly. Snake-shed, ;/. Snakes hade. The shed left by a snake when he casts his skin. Looked on as a remedy, and a charm. Snap, v. The falling of thccock of a gun when the piece fails to go off. " My gun snapped so I didn't get the deer." To miss fire. Snaphance, ;/. Snapcock, a flint-lock gun. Snaps, n. p. A bean of which the green pods are used for food, prepared before cooking by stripping off the fibrous thread at their back. String-beans. Snaps, ;/. Thin, round and brittle ginger-cakes. Snapper, n. Snappin turtle. A shagtail. Snapping-turkle, ;/. A large and ferocious turtle. Snappish, adj. Sharp in reply; apt to speak angrily or tartly; tart; crabbed. Snarl, n. Snarle. A knot in wood; tangle in thread. Snarly, adj Knotty or twisted, as tangled thread. Snatch, v. To sieze or take hastily, eagerly, abruptly, or violently. Snathe, n. The curved handle of a scythe. Snead, ;/. The long, bent handle of a scythe. Sneak, //. A mean contemptible fellow; one who has recourse to mean and cowardly methods. Sneaky, adj. Somewhat sneaking. Sneck, n. A snake. Snicker, >i. A half suppressed laugh. Snicker, v. To laugh in a half suppressed or foolish manner. Snickup, v. To make a noise like a cat about to vomit. Hic- cough. To sneeze, as a cat. Snifter, ;/. A dram; a nip. Snipperty, adj. Insignificant; ridiculously small; fragmentary. Sniptious — Snuffers. 347 Sniptious, adj. Smart and finical. Snob, n. A journeyman shoemaker. Snobscat, ;/. A cobbler; a botcher. Snooze, n. A short nap. Snooze, v. To slumber; take a short nap. Snorter, n. Something fierce or furious, especially a gale; something large of its kind. Snot, n. Mucus from the nose. Snot-rag, n. A handkerchief. Snotty-nosed, adj. Foul with snot; mean; dirty. Snout, ;/. The nose. Snouty, adj. Long-nosed. Snow, n. A snowfall. "We had a heavy snow last week." Snowball, n. A shrub bearing large white balls of flowers. Viburnum opulus. (2) The flower itself. Snowbird, ;/. A small bird seen in winter and associated with snow. Snow-dram, n. A drink made of liquor, water and sugar, cooled with snow. Snowstorm, //. A continued snow; as long as it is snowing. Snubb, n. A check; a rebuff; a rebuke; an intentional slight. (2) A nose turned up at the tip and somewhat flat and broad; a pug-nose. Snubby, adj. Somewhat snub; short or flat. Snub-nosed, adj. Having a short flat nose with the end some- what turned up. Snuff-dish, n. An oblong dish or tray on which the snuffers were put, and also emptied when they got full of "candle- snuff." Snuffers, ;;. pi. An instrument for cropping the snuff of a candle, usually furnished with a close box to receive the burnt snuff and retain the smoke and smell. 348 Snuffer-tray — So fashion. Snuffer-tray, n. An oblong dish on which snuffers were laid after being used, not to smut the table-cover. Snuffles, n. pi. A cold affecting the nose. Snuff-rag, n. A pocket handkerchief. Snug, adj. Cozy; agreeable owing to exclusion of disagreeable circumstances and persons. (2) Neat; trim; tidy. Snuggle, v. Lie close for warmth or from affection; cuddle; nestle. Soak, v. To drink intemperately and habitually; booze; to be continually under the influence of liquor. (2) To receive a prolonged baking; bake thoroughly: said of bread. Soak, n. A tippler; a hard drinker. Soaking, n. A steeping. A wetting; a drenching. Soap-lock, n. A lock of hair worn on the temple and kept smoothly in place by being soaped. Soap-stick, n. A long paddle-shaped stick used for stirring the soap in country soap-making where the ingredients were boiled together in a large forty gallon iron pot. Sob, v. To sop; soak with a liquid. Sobby, adj. Sobbed; soaked with a liquid. Sobbing-wet. Sober-sided, adj. Sedate; serious. "He is a very sober- sided man." Sober-sides, n. A sedate or serious person. Sock, )i. A blow. He gave him a sock in the ribs. Sock, v. To strike a hard blow; give a drubbing: as, sock it to him. Sockdologer, ;/. A conclusive argument; a settler. (2) A knock-down or decisive blow. (3) Something very big; a whopper. Sodden,/), a. Of bread not well baked; doughy. Sodder, n. A fusible alloy for joining metals. So fashion, ad;: So; in that way; in this manner. 'You ought not to put on your hat that way, but so fashion." Soft— Sop. 349 Soft, adj. Silly; half-witted. Soft-crab, ;/. The common eatable crab when it has shed its hard shell. Soft-soap, ;/. Smooth words; flattery; persuasion. Soggy, adj. Soaked with water or moisture; thoroughly wet; damp and heavy: as, soggy land; soggy timber; soggy bread. Sokened, v. For soaked. " Nor shall put any Hides or skins into any Tan-Fats, before the Lime be well and perfectly sokened and wrought out of them." Somebody, n. A person of consideration, consequence, or importance. " She thinks she's somebody." Somehow, adv. In some way not yet known, mentioned, or explained. "I'll try to do it somehow.'" Som'ers, adv. Somewheres, somewhere. "He has gone out som'ers. ' ' Something, ;/. A spirit or ghost. " I saw something in the church-yard last night." "Something came out of the bushes and followed him half a mile." Sonny, n. A familiar form of address in speaking to a boy. Sook, n. A call for hogs, used when they are called to their food. Sooky, n. Name given to a female hog. Soon, adv. Early; before the time specified is much advanced; when the time, event, or the like has but just arrived: as, ' soon in the morning. "It is soon yet." Soo wench, interj. To make a cow stand still. Sooy, interj. Word used to drive away hogs. Sop, v. Bread dipped in liquid before eaten; the liquid in which the bread is dipped. Sop, n. The gravy of meat in which bread is sopped or moist- ened. 350 Sop — Souse. Sop, v. To dip or soak in liquid. Sora, n. A bird found in numbers in the marshes in the fail. Sorehead, n. An irritable, discontented person; one who has a real or fancied grievance. Sorrel, ;/. The light chestnut colour of horses. Sorry, adj. Vile; wretched; worthless; mean: as, a sorry horse. Of a poor quality. "As the corn crop is sorry this year." Sort, n. Characteristic mode of being; nature; quality; char- acter. (2) Out of sorts, out of health or spirits; out of the normal condition of the mind or body; cross. Sort, v. To separate into sorts; arrange according to kind; classify. Sorter, n. A spelling of sort d , for sort of. So-so, adj. Neither very good nor very bad, but generally in- clining towards bad; indifferent; middling; passable. Sot, v. Perfect tense and past participle of set and sat. Soul, n. The shrivelled lungs of a dead duck, or chicken, or any fowl. Soul-case, ;/. The body. " You wear out my very soul-case.'" Sound, n. The swimming-bladder of a fish. That of the sea- trout when dried is used for clearing coffee. Sound, adj. "Soimd asleep;" to be in a deep sleep. "He has been sound asleep for three hours." Souple, adj. Soople. Pliant; flexible; easibly bent. Souple-jack, n. A strong, pliant cane: applied to persons: as limber as a souple-jack. Sour, adj. Harsh of temper; crabbed; peevish; morose. " He has always been sour. Souse, v. To plunge into water or other liquid; cover or drench with liquid. Souse, >/. A pouncing down; a swift or precipitate descent, especially for attack. A dip or plunge into the water. Souse — Sparrer. 351 Souse, n. Something- kept or steeped in pickle; especially, the head, ears, and feet of swine pickled. Souse-meat, n. Meat used for sousing; the feet, ears, and noses, of hogs. Sow, «. A woodlouse; a sow-hug. Sow-cat, n. A female cat. Span, n. The extent between the tips of the thumb and little finger when outstretched. A measure used by boys when playing marbles. So-wench, interj. Word to make a cow stand still when milking. Spancel, v. To fasten with a spancel the legs of a horse or cow to keep the animal from kicking. Spang, v. To throw with violence: as, " He spanged down the money." Spank, n. To beat with the open hand. Spanker, n. Something striking, from its unusual size or some other peculiarity; a whopper. Spanking,^, a. Strikingly large, or surprizing in any way; going beyond expectation; whopping. Span-new, adj. Quite new; brand-new; fire-new. Spare, adj. Thin in habit of body. " He is a spare man." " Tall and spare in the waist." Sparerib, n. A cut of pork consisting of the ribs out of the shoulder, with the meat adhering to them. Sparing,/*, a. Inclined to spare or save; chary; economical; frugal; grudging. Spark, n. A lover; a gallant; a beau. Spark, v. To pay attention to, especially with a view to mar- riage; court; pay the gallant to. Sparrables, n. pi. Sparrowbills. Small iron nails for shoes. Sparrer, n. For sparrow. Sporrer. 352 Sparrer-grass — Spending-money. Sparrer-grass, n. Asparagus. Spat, n. A petty contest; a little quarrel or dissension. Spat, n. The spawn of the oyster. Spatt, n. For spot. "A spa ft of blood." Spatter, v. To scatter or throw about carelessly, as some fluid or semifluid substance; dash or splash so as to fall in spread- ing drops or small quantities. Spatterdashes, n. pi. Leggings. Spay, v. To castrate a female by removing the ovaries — pride. Spayed-sow, n. A sow having the ovaries removed; and used to be fattened for food. Speak, v. To admonish or rebuke: as, "Will you speak to Bob." Speck, n. A very small superficial spot or stain; a small dot, blot, blotch, or patch appearing on or adhering to a surface: as, a fiy-speck; a speck of dirt. Specked, adj. Used of decay in its earlier stages. "All the apples are specked this year, they are not good." Speckle, n. A little speck or spot; a speckled marking. Specky, adj. Having specks or spots; slightly or partially spotted. Specks, n. pi. Spectacles. Spedacles, n. pi. Spectacles. Spell, n. A turn of work or duty in place of another; an inter- val of relief by another person. An interval of rest or relaxation; a turn or period of relief from work; a resting lime. (2) An interval of time within definite limits: as, a severe spell of cold weather. (3) A long time. "You've been a spell about it." (4) A bad turn; an uncomfortable time; a period of personal ailment or ill-feeling. Spell, v. To relieve by taking a turn at a piece of work. Spending-money, n. Small sums of money given by parents or others to children to be spent as they choose. Spences — Spinner. 353 Spences, n. pi. Expenses. Spent, v. Worn out; tired. "I am nearly spent with walk- ing." Sperit, n. A spirit; a ghost. Sperits, n. For spirits; used for any kind of spiritous liquors; ardent sperits. Spew, v. To discharge the contents of the stomach; vomit; puke. Spick-and-span, adj. New and fresh; span-new; brand-new. Spicket, n. The inner plug of a wooden tap. Spicy, adj. Keen; pointed; racy. Spider, n. A cooking utensil with a long handle, having three or four legs or feet to keep it from contact with the coals; made of cast-iron, with a top of the same metal. Spike, v. To add wine or spirits to lemonade, coffee or other drinks. "Lemonade spiked with claret;" "coffee spiked with brandy. ' ' Spike-nails, n. pi. Large, long nails. Spile, n. A peg at the end of a cask of liquor. On the top it is the vent-peg. Spile, v. A form of spoil. Spilt for spoilt. Spill, n. A throw or fall, as from a saddle or vehicle. Spilt, v. A form of spoilt. Spin, v. To spin a yam, to tell a long story. Spindling, adj. Long and slender; disproportionately slim or spindle-like. Spindly, adj. Spindle-like ; disproportionately long and slender or slim. Spine of the back, n. The spine, not mentioned alone. Spinner, n. A spider. 23 354 Spinning-stick— Split-broom. Spinning-stick, n. A stick seven or eight inches long, turned with a knob at each end, held in the right-hand and used for turning the old hand-spinning-wheel. Spinning-weeel, n. A machine for spinning wool, or cotton, into threads by hand. Spirit, n. A strong alcoholic liquor; used as a beveridge or medicinally, as brandy, gin, and whiskey. Spit, n. A small, low point of land running into the sea, or a long, narrow shoal extending from the shore into the sea. ' ' York Spit; " " Willoughby' s Spit. ' ' Sand Spit. Spit, ;/. Very light rain; or the warning drops of a shower. Spit, v. To fall in scattered drops, as rain; to rain slightly. Spit,;/. Image; likeness: as, "He is the very spit of his father." Spit-cotton, v. When one is very thirsty and his mouth dry the spittle white and sticky he is said to " spit-cottony Spit- fire, n. An irascible or passionate person; one whose temper is hot and fiery. Splatter, v. To bespatter. " He is splattered with mud." Splay-foot, ;/. A broad flat foot turned more or less outward. Spleen, n. The spleen, ague-cake, enlargement of the organ under malarial poisoning. Splendid, adj. Very fine; excellent; extremely good. A splendid chance to do well. Splice, v. To join in marriage; to marry. Split, v. To run or walk with long strides. " Go as hard as you can split. Split, n. A thin strip of green white-oak used in basket mak- ing; also used for hanging up meat to be smoked. Split-bottom, adj. A chair with seat made of white-oak splits. Split-broom, //. A broom made of young white oak by split- ting thin pieces back several inches from the point until all Splitting — Sponge. 355 the stick is split, then splitting from several inches above this leaving a stick big enough for a handle, the whole tied together and trimmed even. White-oak broom. Splitting, adj. Very severe, or in some way extreme, as if it were likely to cause something to split: as, a splitting head- ache. Very rapid. Splits, n. pi. Thin, narrow strips, of young white oak used to form loops by which meat was hung on sticks to be smoked. Splot, n. A splotch; a spot. Splotch, n. Abroad ill-defined spot; a stain; a daub; a smear. Splotched, adj. Having pimples on the skin. " His face is all splotched." Splotchy, adj. Marked with splotches or daubs. Splurge, n. A blustering, noisy, or ostentatious, display, or effort. Splurge, v. To make an ostentatious demonstration or dis- play. Splutter, n. Bustle; stir; commotion. Spoake wheeles, n. pi. "Carte with spoake wheeles." In an inventory to distinguish from other carts made with solid wheels. Spoil, v. To injure, vitiate, or impair in any way; especially, as applied to persons; to vitiate or impair in character or in disposition; render less filial, obedient, affectionate, man- nerly, modest, contented, or the like: as, to spoil a child. Spoken, p. a. Speaking; in composition: as, a civil spoken man. Spondulics, ;/. Money. Sponge, n. A parasitical dependent; a hanger-on for mainte- nance; a sponge. Sponge, v. To live meanly at the expense of others; to obtain money or other aid in a mean way. 356 Spool— Spreet. Spool, n. A small cylinder of wood or metal, with a project- ing disc at each end, on which cotton thread is wound. Spool-cotton, n. Cotton thread wound on spools. Spoony, adj. Weakly or foolishly fond ; sentimental. Sport, v. To make sport of, to laugh at; mock at; deride, hi sport, in jest; in play; jesting. Spot, n. Piece. " What a spot of work! " Spot, v. To note or recognize by some peculiarity; catch with the eye; detect; come upon; find out. Spots on the nails. Thumb = a broad; forefinger = a cross; middle finger = a loss; third finger = a present; little fin- ger = a sweetheart. Spraddle, v. To walk with the legs wide apart, and with a wabbling motion. To stretch the legs far apart. Spraddles, n. pi. A disease incident to young ducks. They are said to have the ' ' spraddles ' ' when they have not strength to stand on their legs, but walk with them very far apart. Straddles. Sprag, n. A small nail without a head. Sprig. Sprat, n. A small person; in contempt. "What sprats are these?" Sprawl, v. To spread out in an ungracefull posture; be stretched out carelessly and awkwardly. " He fell sprawl- i)ig in the street." Spread, n. A cloth used for a covering, as of a table or bed. Spread, v. It was an early custom to spread butter on bread with the thumb. General Knyphausen did it. Spree, 71. A bout or season of drinking to intoxication; a fit of drunkenness. Spreet, n. A sprit, a small pole, spar, or boom which crosses a sail diagonally from the mast to the upper aftmost corner, which it is used to stretch and hoist. Sprig— Spunk. 357 Sprig, n. A brad; a small, sharp nail having no head. Sprig, n. A sprout; a shoot; a small bunch; as of a tree or plant. ( 2) A young person. Sprightly, adj. Full of spirit or vigour; brisk; lively; ani- mated; spirited; gay. Spring, v. To warp or become warped; bend or wind from a straight line or surface, as a piece of timber or plank in seas- oning. To shift out of place; relax; loosen. Spring, n. The spring of the year. Spring-fever, n. The listless feeling caused by the sudden in- crease of heat in the spring; laziness. Spring-house, n. A small house, generally of stone or brick, built over a spring or brook, where milk, fresh meat, etc., is put, in order to be kept cool in or near the running water. Spring-keeper, n. A water newt living in a spring and thought to keep the water flowing and good. A water-puppy . Spring-run, //. The small stream of water the outlet of a spring. Spring-water, n. Water issuing from a spring; in contradic- tion to river-water, rain-water, etc. Sprinkle, n. A sprinkling, or falling in drops. Specifically, a light rain. Sprinkling, n. A small amount scattered here and there, as if by sprinkling: as, a sprinkling of our people. Sprout, v. To remove sprouts from: as, to sproxit potatoes. Sprout, ;/. The shoot of a plant. Sprouts. Spruce, adj. Smart in dress and appearance; trim. Spruce, v. To become spruce; assume or affect a smartness in dress. Often followed by up. Sprung, v. Past tense and past part. Tipsy; drunk. Spry, adj. Active; nimble; vigourous; lively. Spunk,?/. Mettle; spirit; pluck; obstinate resistance to yield- ing. 358 Spunky— Squat. Spunky, adj. Spirited; unwilling to give up, or to acknowledge one's self beaten. Spun-out, adj. Lengthened; unduly protracted. Spurt, n. A brief and sudden outbreak. Sputter, n. Bustle; ado; excited talk; squabble. Squab, ;/. Unfledged, newly hatched, or not yet having at- tained the full growth, as a pigeon. Squabble, u. A wrangle; a dispute; a broil; a noisy quarrel. Squabby, adj. Thick; squat; short; fat. Squab-pie, n. A pie made of squabs; a pigeon-pie. Squall, n. A sudden shower of rain, or snow, not necessary accompanied by wind. Squally, adj. Threatening; ominous: as, things began to look squally. Squander, v. To spend lavishly, profusely or prodigally; dis- sipate; use without economy or judgement; lavish: as to squander one's estate. Squander, v. To scatter; disperse; go at random. "His family are squandered about the country." Square off, v. To take the attitude of a boxer; prepare to spar. " They squared off and I thought they would fight." Square-shouldered, adj. Having high and broad shoulders, not sloping and well braced back, so as to be straight across the back. Square-toed, adj. Formal; precise; prim. Square up, v. To settle accounts. Squash, v. To crush, smash; beat or press into pulp or a flat mass. To splash; make a splashing noise. Squashy, adj. Soft and wet; miry; muddy; pulpy: mushy; watery. Squat, v. To sit close to the ground; crouch; sit down upon the buttocks with the knees drawn up or with the legs crossed. Squat— Srink. 359 Squat, adj. Short and thick, like the figure oi" an animal squatting. Squatty, adj. Squat; short and thick; dumpy; low-set. Squawk, n. A loud, harsh squall. Squawk, v. To cry with a loud, harsh voice; make a loud out- cry, as a duck or other fowl when frightened. Squeaky, adj. Squeaking; inclined to squeak. Squeamish, adj. Qualmish; slightly nauseated; sickish. Squeamishness, n. Excessive nicety or daintiness; fastid- iousness; excessive scrupulousness. Squelch, v. To disconcert; discomfit; put down. Squench, v. To quench. Squez, v. Past tense; squeezed. Squiggle, v. To move about like an eel; squirm; wriggle. Squinch, ;/. A variant of quince. Squinch, v. To quench; to put out, as water does fire; there are some verses about water " squinching " fire. Squinched-up, v. To have a squinched-up look, to be thin and shrivelled; a lean and shrunken look. Squint-eyed, adj. The eyelids partly closed; eyes directed to one side. Squirrel-load, v. A small drink of liquor, not a buck-load. Squirt, n. A small, insignificant, but self-assertive fellow. Squirt, n. A syringe. Squirts, n. Diarrhoea. Squitch-owl, n. A small owl. Squoze, v. Past tense, squeezed. Sqush, v. To crush. Mash. Squush. Squtters, n. Diarrhoea. Srinips, n. pi. Shrimps. Srink, v. For shrink. 360 Ssh, ssh — Stamping-ground. Ssh, ssh, exclam. To drive away fowls. Shoo. Stack, n. A pile of grain in the sheaf, or of hay, straw, etc., gathered into a circular or rectangular form, often, when of large size, coming to a point or ridge at the top. A fodder- stack. Wheat-stack. Stack-yard, n. A yard or encloseure for stacks of hay or grain. Stag, n. A bull castrated when half-grown or full-grown. Stag- dance, n. A dance performed by men only. Staggerer, n. A statement or argument that staggers; a poser, whatever causes one to stagger, falter, hesitate, or doubt. Staging, n. A temporary structure of posts and boards for support, as in a building; scaffolding. Stag-party, n. A party or entertainment to which men only are invited. Stars, n. Stairs. " He went up stars to bed." Stake, n. A stick of wood sharpened at one end and set in the ground. Stake and rider, ?t. A fence made higher by another rail being put on the locks. Stale, adj. Wanting freshness. Stalk, n. The stem or main axis of a plant: as, a stalk of corn. Stalk, v. To walk with slow, deliberate steps: as, to go stalk- ing about. Stall, v. To stick fast in the mud: as, to stall a. waggon. (2) To satiate. " I can't eat any more, I'm stalled now." Stall-beef, >i. Beef fed and fattened in a stall. Stall-fed, v. To feed and fatten in a stall or stable, or on dry fodder. Stamping-ground, 11. A place of habitual resort; a custom- ary haunt. Stand— State House. 361 Stand, n. A standing growth. We've a good stand of corn this year." Stand, n. A tub, vat, or cask: as, a lye-stand. Stand, v. To "stand in a store," is to be employed as an assistant in a store. ' ' He stands in a drygood store. ' ' Stand-by, n. One who or that which stands by one. A sup- porter or adherent. That on which one relies; especially, a ready, timely resource. The " old standby s," are the old, trustworthy people of the neighborhood. Stand-off, n. A holding or keeping off; a counteraction. Stand-still, n. A halt; a pause; a stop, especially in conse- quence of obstruction. Staple, n. A loop of metal, or a bar or wire bent and formed with two points, to be driven into wood to hold a hook, pin or bolt. Starchy, adj. Stiff; precise; formal in manner. Starn, n. A form of stern. Stars and garters. An exclamation. Start, n. Beginning. " He didn't know at the start what he would do." Start, n. A sudden involuntary spring, jerk, or twitch, such as may be caused by sudden surprise, fear, pain, or other emotion. Start, v. To start in, to begin. (2) To originate; begin; set in motion; set going; give the first or a new impulse: as, to start a fire. " They will start to school on Monday." Start-naked, n. Entirely naked; .y/rtrZ-body-naked; start- mother -naked. Startler, n. That which startles: as, that was a startler. Starve, v. To die or perish of or with hnnger; and not in con- sequence of cold. State House, n. In 1639 it was ordered that 2 lbs. of tobacco per poll should be raised to " build a state house; " " where > 362 Stave— Steep. the general assemblies and general courts for this his maj- esty's colony and dominion of Virginia were kept and held. ' ' In 1699 an act was passed " directing the building the Cap- itoll " at the City of Williamsburg. The word Capitol was used in 1779 for the same public building when the seat of government was moved to Richmond; and " capitol' is stilled used in the same sense. Stave, v. To go or rush along recklessly or regardless of every- thing, as one in a rage; work energetically; drive. Staver, n. An active, energetic person. Stay, v. To take a small quantity of food, is to stay your stomach until the regular meal. Stay, v. To remain; especially to remain in a place for an in- definite time; abide; sojourn; dwell; reside. Stays, n. pi. A support worn about the body; made in two parts and held together by lacing. Steady, adj. Sober; industrious; persevering; correct in morals. Steady-going, adj. Of steady habits; consistently uniform and regular in action; that steadily pursues a reasonable and consistent way: as, a steady-going fellow \ Steele-mill, >/. Steel-wheel. A small machine, by the turn- ing of a ratchet, rapid movement is given to a steel wheel against the edge of which a Hint was held, striking out sparks. Was used with tinder for making a fire. Usually valued at £1 in the inventories. Steal-clothes, n. A boys' game, the players divided in two puts and from a line in the middle of the ground running across to take the " clothes " — jackets or caps, and some dis- tance from the base. Steep, adj. Excessive; difficult; forbidding: as, a steep price. Steep, v. To soak in warm water; to soak in liquid: as, to steep herb-. Steer— Stiddy. 363 Steer, n. A young male of the ox kind. Male beef-cattle of any age. Stent, n. Allotted portion. "A stent of tobacco." Step, v. To walk. "Step over to the shop." Stern, ?i. The hinder parts, backside, buttocks, or rump; the tail of an animal. Stew, ;/. A state of apprehension and alarm. " When I saw him yesterday he was in a great stew about something." Worry; fuss; agitation. Stew, ;/. Food cooked bv stewing; especially, meat or fish prepared by slow cooking in a liquid. Stew-pan, n. A utensil in which anything is stewed. Stew-pot, ;/. A pot with a cover for making stews, soups, etc. Stick, n. A timber tree. (2) A person who is stiff and awk- ward in bearing; hence, a stupid, incapable, or incompetent person. Stick, v. To impose upon; cheat. (2) To stick out, to refuse to comply or come to terms; hold out or hold back. Stick, v. To put sticks in the ground for peas to run on. ' It is time to stick peas, they are high enough." Stick him. Words used for urging on a dog. Sticker, n. One who kills hogs by sticking. Stick-in-the-mud, n. An old fogy; a slow or insignificant person. Stickler, n. An obstinate contender about anything, often about a thing of little consequence. Stick-weed, n. A tall, straight weed that is hard and looks like a stick when it is dry. Sticky, adj. Inclining to stick; adhesive; viscous; glutinous- humid; producing stickiness. Stiddy, adj.' A form of steady. 364 Stiff— Stirrup-leather. Stiff, adj. Strong; said of an alchoholic drink, or mixed drink of which spirits form a part. Proud. Stifling,^, a. Close; oppressive; suffocating. Still, adv. Constantly; continually; habitually; always; ever. " You go there still. ' ' Stilt, n. Those used by children are slender poles about six feet long, with steps or stirrups a foot or more from one end, the longer end of the pole held with one hand. Stilyards, n. The iron beam with a moveable pea and proper hooks used for weighing. The pea also called a " bob." Stilyards, n. An instrument for weighing consisting of a long arm on which are notches for the pounds, and counterbal- ance called a pea. Stingaree, ;/. A fish; a stingray. Stinger, n. The sting of an insect. Sting- nettle, n. The stinging weed, urtica. (2) The jelly- fish ; also called sea-nettle. Stingy, adj. Meanly avaricious; extremely close-fisted and covetous; niggardly. Stinkabus, n. Stink-a-puss. A term of contempt. Stint, v. To limit; restrain; restrict; to confine to a scanty allowance: as, to stint one's self in food. (2) To prevent large crops and low prices of tobacco the General Assembly passed laws "stinting" the planting as early as 1629. Stir, ;/. Commotion; excitement; tumult. Stir, v. To rouse from sleep; to move in the sleep, as a child. " Watch that child to see if he stirs." Stirrer, n. One who excites or instigates; an instigator; a stirrer-up. Stirrup-iron, ;/. The iron hanging to the saddle by the stirrup- leather. Stirrup-leather, n. The leather that goes through the stirrup- iron and hangs it to the saddle. Stirrup-oil — Stomach. 365 Stirrup-oil, n. A sound beating; a drubbing with a leather strap. Stitch, n. An acute sudden pain like that produced by the thrust of a needle. (2) A bit of cloth; a rag: as, "He hadn't a dry stitch on." Stiver, n. Something of small value. ' ' I don' t care a stiver. ' ' Stob, n. A small post. Stob, v. A form of stab. Strike with the point of a sharp weapon. Stock, n. A hive of bees. A swarm of bees. " 13 stocks of Bees at 15s p. stock." York Rec. Stock, n. A person who is as dull and senseless as a block or log. (2) The cattle, sheep, and other useful animals raised or kept on a farm; does not include horses except in the general term ' ' live stock. ' ' Stock, n. A stiff band of horsehair, leather, or the like, covered with black satin, cambric, or similar material, and made to imitate and replace the cravat or neckband. Formerly worn by men generally. Stock, n. Trunk of a tree. A stock of timber. Stock, v. To stock a farm is to put sufficient cattle, sheep and hogs on it. Stocking-feet, n. To have on stockings and no shoes. In his "stocking-feet" Stock-lock, n. A lock fastened on a door by aid of nails or screws only, distinguished from a padlock, or mortice- lock. Some of them made by country blacksmiths were of great size, more than a foot long, with keys weighing pounds of solid iron. Stock-still, adj. Still as a stock or fixed post; perfectly still. Stold, v. Past tense and past part, of steal. Stomach, n. Appetite; desire or relish for food: as, to have a good stomach for one's meals. Relish; taste; inclination; liking: as, to have no stomach for a controversy. 366 Stomach — Store-keeper. Stomach, v. To bear with. " I cannot stomach that." Stomacker, n. The front part of the dress covering the breast and stomach. Stomp, v. A form of stamp. Stompers, ;/. Large, heavy shoes. Stone-bruise, n. A bruise caused by a stone; especially, a painfull and persistent bruise on the sole of the foot, com- monly in the middle of the ball of the foot, due to walking bare-footed. Stone-cold, adj. Cold as a stone. Stone-dead, adj. Dead as a stone: lifeless. Stone-deaf, adj. Deaf as a stone; totally deaf. Stone-horse, n. A stallion. Sone-jars, n. pi. Large jars are so-called, though made of earthenware. Stoneware, n. Potter's ware made from clay of a very sili- cious nature, or a composition of clay and flint. Stonish, v. Same as astonish. Stonishment, n. Same as astonishment. Stool, n. The seat used in easing the bowels; hence, a fecal evacuation; a discharge from the bowels. Stoop-shouldered, adj. Having a habitual stoop in the shoul- ders and back. Stop, v. To make a halt or stay of longer or shorter duration; tarry; remain: as, " I've been stopping in the country." Stop-gap, n. That which fills a gap, or that which serves as an expedient in an emergency. Stopper, n. Cork or other substance for stopping a bottle. Store, ;/. A place where goods are kept for sale by either wholesale or retail; a shop: as, a book-store. Store-keeper, n. One who has the eare or charge of a store. A shop-keeper. Store-tea — Strainer. 367 Store-tea, n. China tea, distinguished from yarb tea, sassa- fras-tea, ginger-tea. Storm, v. To scold; to be angry. " He stormed and swore." Storm-breeder, n. A mild day before rain, cold, or bad weather. Story, n. A falsehood; a lie; a fib. Polite for liar. "What a story you are. " " You are a big story. Story-book, n. A book containing one or more stories or tales; a printed collection of short tales. Story-teller, ;/. One who tells falsehoods; a fibber. Stout, adj. Strong built man; broad and strong. Stouten, v. To make stout; strengthen; grow stout. "He has stoutened very much in the last few years." Stove-pipe, ;/. A stove-pipe hat, a tall silk hat. Straddle, v. To stand or walk with the legs wide apart; sit or stand astride. To place one leg on one side of and the other leg on the other side of: as, to straddle a horse. Straddles, n. A disease of young ducks where they lose the power of walking and their legs spread out or straddle in opposite directions. Spraddles. Straight, adj. Unmixed; undiluted; neat: as, whiskey straight. Straight, adv. At once; immediately; directly; straightway. " Go straight to the house and take off your wet shoes." " Go right straight and do what I told you." Straightway, adv. Immediately; forthwith; without loss of time; without delay. Straightaway. Strain, v. To urge; to press: as, to strain a horse, to make him run his best. Strain, v. To strain milk, to pass milk through a strainer to remove all foreign matter. Strainer, n'. A utensil for separating small solid particles from the liquid that contains them, either to preserve the solid 368 Straining — Straw. objects or to clarify the liquid, or both: as, a strainer for milk. Straining, n. A straining on the bowels is dysentery. Straiten, v. To press hard, as with want or difficulties of any- kind; distress; afflicted with pecuniary difficulties: as, to be straitened in money matters. Straight-laced, adj. Strict in manners or morals; rigid in opinion. Strand, n. A number of yarns twisted together to form one of the parts of which a rope is twisted. A single thread; a filament; a fibre. One of the threads of a line. Strange, adj. Foreign; alien; of, or belonging to some other country. Outlandish; queer; odd. (2) Shy; reserved; retiring. " He is a strange sort of person." Stranger, n. A small knot on the wick of a candle, which, when burnt becomes enlarged and red. It is a sign that a stranger will come to-morrow. (2) A small body floating in tea or coffee. Stranger, n. One not belonging to the house; a guest; a visi- tor. (2) A person who has not been seen lately is said to be a " great stranger. ' ' Strangely, adv. In a strange manner. Strangth, u. For strength. •^ Strap, v. To beat or chastise with a strap. To be strapped, out of money. Strapper, ;/. Anything bulky; large, tall person. Strapping,/), a. Tall; lusty; robust. Stropping. Straps, ;/. Pieces of leather or cloth under the feet to keep the trowsers down. Stravagant, adj. Extravagant; profuse. Straw, n. Anything proverbially worthless; the least possible thing: as, not worth a straw. (2) In the straw, lying in, as a mother in childbed. Straw-bed— Stringy. 369 Straw-bed, n. A bed of straw put under a featherbed to give it hardness. Streak, v. To run swiftly. Streak, n. To go like a streak, to go very rapidly; rush. Streaky, adj. Having streaks; marked with streaks. Streaked. Stream, v. To move swiftly and continuously, as a ray of light; streak. " They went streaming along, one after the other." Street, n. The inhabitants of a street collectively. "The whole street will hate us." Street-door, n. The door of a house or other building that opens on a street. Strenth, n. A form of strength. Stretcher, n. A statement that overstretches the truth; a lie. Stretchy, adj. Inclined to stretch one's self; a consequence of fatigue or sleepiness. (2) Capable of being stretched. " That is very stretchy leather." Strike, n. A wooden implement with a straight edge for level- ling a measure of grain, salt, etc., by striking off what is above the level of the top. Strike, v. When salt has been applied to meat it is said to strike. "The meat is safe, the salt has struck." (2) To take root from a shoot. String, n. A slender cord; a thick thread; a line; a twine; a narrow band, thong, or ribbon; also, anything which ties. String of fish, n. A number of fish with a string passed through the gills and out at the mouth to be carried easier. String-halt, n. An involuntary convulsive movement of the muscles of either hind leg of a horse, by which the leg is suddenly and unduly raised from the ground, and lowered again with unnatural force. Stringy, adj. Consisting of strings or small threads. Ropy; viscid; gluey; that may be drawn into a thread. 24 370 Strip— Stubbly. Strip, >i. A narrow piece, comparatively long: as, a strip of cloth. Stripling, u. A youth just passing from boyhood to manhood; a lad. Striving, ji. A striving, an effort; a strife. Stroak, n. Strike. A struck half bushel measure. A dry measure regularly of two bushels. Varied from two pecks of corn to four pecks, and to four bushels. Stroll, n. A wandering along or about; a leisurely walk; saun- ter. ' ' Let's take a stroll. ' ' Strong, adj. Forcible offensive in quality; repellant to sense or sensation; ill-tasting or ill-smelling; rank; rancid; tainted. Strong-waters, ;/. pi. Distilled spirit of any kind. Strop, n. and v. For strap, in all its senses. Stroud, )i. A form of shroud. Strow, v. St rowed, strown, strowing. A form of strew. Struck-bushel, >i. A slruck-bushel, is where the measure has been struck even with a strike. Strum, v. To play unskillfully, or in a vulgar noisy manner, on a stringed musical instrument, as a guitar or banjo. Strut, n. A proud step or walk, with the head erect; affected dignity in walking. Strut, :•. To walk with a pompous gait and head up, as from pride or affected dignity. (2) To stand or walk stiffly with the tail erect and spread, as the peacock, the turkey, and various other birds. Stubble, ;/. The lower ends of grain-stalks, collectively, left standing in the ground when the crop is cut. Stubblefield, ;/. A field covered with stubble; a piece of ground from which grain has been cut. Stubbly, adj. Covered with stubble; stubbled. Resembling stubblr; short and stiff. Stubborn— Stuffy. 371 Stubborn, adj. Persistently obdurate; obtuse to reason or right; obstinately perverse. Stubborn, adj. Stiff; thick. "If you cut your beard it will grow very stubborn.'''' Stubby, adj. Short; thick and stiff; stubbed: as, stubby fin- gers. Stuck-up, adj. Offensively proud and conceited; puffed up; consequential. Stud, ;/. One of the scantlings between the sill and plate of a building to which the weatherboarding is nailed on the out- side and the laths on the inside. Stud, n. A stallion kept for service in breeding; a stud-horse. Studdy, adj. For steady. Stud-horse, n. A horse kept in the stud for breeding purposes; a stallion. Studien's, n. pi. For students. ' ' Two pews for the use of the studien' s." Stud-minder, ;/. A man who has charge of a stud-horse. Studs, n. pi. When a person or animal is obstinate and will do neither one thing or another he is said to " take the studs." Studying, pres. part. Meditating; pondering; thinking. " There they all sat silent around the fire studying." Stuff,;/. Goods; possessions in general. Furniture. Rubbish. (2) Woven material ; a textile fabric of any kind; specifically, a woollen fabric. Medicine. (3) "Stuff and nonsense." Foolish talk. Stuff, v. Fill with stuffing or packing; to stuff a turkey. (2) To stuff out, to fill, round, or puff out; swell to the full; distend; expand. Stuffing, ?i. Seasoned or flavoured material, such as bread- crumbs, chestnuts, mashed potatoes, or oysters, for filling the body of a fowl. Stuffy, adj. Stuffed out; fat, said of a person. 372 Stumbly— Sucker. Stumbly, adj. Liable to stumble; given to stumbling. Stump, v. To strike unexpectedly and sharply, as the foot or toes against something fixed: as, to stump one's toe against a stone. (2) To bring to a halt by obstacle or impediment, block the course of; stall; foil. (3) To walk heavily. Stump, n. The part of the tree remaining in the ground after the tree is cut down. Stumper, //. One who or that which stumps in any sense. Stumps, n. pi. Legs; to hurry up, make haste. To stir your stumps Stump-tailed, adj. Having a stumpy tail; bob-tailed; used in derogatory sense applied to a person. " He is a stumD-tail fellow anyhow." Stumpy, adj. Having the character or appearance of a stump; short and thick; stubby. Stunner, n. One who or that which stuns, or excites astonish- ment; a person, an action, or thing that astounds or amazes. Stunning, p. a. Very striking; astonishing; by fine quality or appearance; of a most admirable or wonderful kind. Stunt, v. To check; cramp; hinder; stint; used of growth or progress. (2) To check the growth or development of; hinder the increase or progress of; cramp; dwarf. Stutter, v. To speak with a marked stammer; utter words with frequent breaks and repetition of parts, either habitu- ally or under special excitement. Sty, ?i. A circumscribed inflammatory swelling of the edge of the eyelid, like a small bile. Sucker, n. A pump-valve. Sucker, n. A parasite; a sponge. (2) A sprout from the root of a plant near the stalk. Sucker, v. To strip off suckers or shoots from; deprive of suckers; to remove superfluous shoots from corn-stalks, or tobacco. Suckle— Sulk. 373 Suckle, v. To give suck to; to nurse at the breast Suckling, adj. Sucking, as a young animal; not yet weaned: as, a suckling-pig. Sudden, ;/. A sudden. At once and without notice; suddenly. " He made up his mind all of a sudden." Suddenly, adv. For the present; and at this time. "With ground sufficient for a graveyard and shall suddenly be bounded by four corner trees to be planted." Suds, ;/. pi. Water impregnated with soap, forming a frothy mass. (2) In the suds, in turmoil or difficulty; in distress. Suet, n. The fatty tissue about the loins or kidneys of certain animals: as, mwXlow-suei. Suet dumpling, n. Made of wheat flour and beef tallow, properly seasoned, then boiled. Suffer, v. To endure; support bravely or unflinchingly; sus- tain; bear up under. Sugar, n. Pet word for a child. " Come here, sugar.'' 1 Suger. Sugar-berry, n. Same as hackberry. Sugar-candy, n. Sugar clarified or concreted or crystalized. Sugar-loaf, n. A conical mass of refined sugar. Covered with thick blue paper, tied with a strong twine string with a loop at the top of the cone by which it was hung from a nail in the country stores. When wanted for use pieces were broken off with a case knife and the barn-key. Sugar-teat, u. Sugar tied up in a rag of linen of the shape and size of a woman's nipple, and moistened, given to an infant to suck to quiet it. Sugary, adj. Sweet; honeyed; alluring; sometimes deceitful. Sulk, ;/. A state of sulkiness; sullen fit or mood; often in the plural: as, to be in the sulks ; to have a fit of the sulks. Sulk, v. To be sulky; indulge in a sulky or sullen mood; be morose or glum. 374 Sulky — Sun-pain. Sulky, adj. Silently resentful; dogged; morose; sullen; moody; disposed to keep aloof from society, or repel the friendly advances of others. Sulky, n. A light, two-wheel carriage for one person, drawn by one horse. Sum, )i. Example in arithmetic; ciphering, is doing sums. (2) Sum-book, u. In which sums and rules were written down. Summer-time, «. The summer season; summer. Summery, adj. Like summer. " This weather begins to feel summery." Summons, v. To serve with a summons. Summun,/iw/. Someone. A particular person. Sun, v. To expose to the sun; sunning himself, basking in the sun. To dry in the sun; to air. Sun-bonnet, n. Made long to come over the face, with a cape to cover the neck, worn by women in the country, made usually of coloured calico. Sunburn, v. To discolour or scorch by the sun; tan; said es- pecially of the skin or complexion. Sunburnt, p a. Discoloured by the heat or rays of the sun; tanned; darkened in hue: as, a sunburnt skin. Sunday, ;/. To look both ways for Sunday. Often said of a person staring vacantly about. "What are you standing there for, looking both ways for Sunday ? " Sun-dog, n. A mock sun. Sundown, //. Sunset; sunsetting. Sun-pain, ;/. Face-ache; neuralgia in the upper part of the face, said to come on with the sun and go off as the sun goes down. Cured by hanging a piece of lead around the neck made of an ounce bullet, with nine holes in it, in the form of a triangle. Sunshade — Swallow-tail. 375 Sunshade, n. A parasol; in particular form, the handle of which is hinged so that the opened top could be held in a vertical position between the face and the sun. Sun-up, n. Sunrise. Sup, n. A small quantity of liquid; he took a sup of whiskey. Supm, ;/. Something. ' ' Tell me sup'm. " Suppen, n. Something. Supper-time, n. The time when supper is taken; evening. Sure, adj. Sure enough, certainly; without doubt. To be sure, certainly; without doubt. Sure-enough, adj. Genuine; real; not imitation: as, sure- enough butter. Surmise, v. To infer or guess on slight evidence: conjecture; suspect. Suspicion, v. To suspect of having done a bad deed. 'I suspicioned him at once." Sut, n. A black substance formed by combustion. Soot. Sut-tea, n. Sut put into warm sweetened water; given to babies for colic. Sutty, adj. Covered with sut. Swad, n. A lump, mass, or bunch. Swag, v. To sink down by its weight; lean; sag. (2) To move as something heavy and pendent; sway. Swage, v. To make quiet; soothe; assuage. (2) To reduce a swelling in size. Swagger, v. To strut with a defiant or insolent air, or with an obtrusive affectation of superiority. Swagging, p. a. Swaggy; pendulous. Swaggy, adj. Sinking, hanging, or leaning by its own weight. Swaller, n. A form of szvallow. Swallow-pipe, n. The gullet. Swallow-tail, ;/. A dress coat; a swallow-tail coat. 376 Swamp — Sweat. Swamp, v. To overwhelm; to ruin. Swampy, a^//'. Consisting of swamp; like a swamp; low, wet, and spongy: as, swampy land. Swang, v. Past tense of swing. Swan's-down, n. A fine thick soft woollen cloth. (2) A thick cotton cloth with a soft nap on one side. Swap, n. An act of swapping; a barter and exchange. Swap, v. To exchange; to barter. Sward, n. Swarth; swath. The grassy surface of land; turf; that part of the soil filled with the roots of grass, forming a kind of mat. Swarm, v. To gather around in a cluster. "The people just swarmed around him like a passel of bees. ' ' Swash, ;/. A narrow sound or channel of water lying within a sand-bank, or between that and the shore: as, a " swash- channel. ' ' Swash, v. To spill or splash water about; dash or flow noisily; splash. Swathe, n. The whole reach or sweep of a scythe; also, the path or passage so cut. Pronounced swarth. Sway, n. Rule; control. " When he comes he has full sway. " Sway, v. To move backward and forward; wave or swing. Sway-backed, adj. Having the back naturally sagged or hollowed to an unusual degree, as a horse. Sway-pole, >i. A long pole fixed at the top of a post as a pivot, by which water is drawn from a well. (2) A pole in the kitchen-chimney on which chains and hooks are hung for hanging pots over the fire in cooking. Swear, v. To swear by, to treat as an infallible authority; place great confidence in. Sweat, v. To sweat for it, to suffer for an offence; pay the penalty for a wrong done. Sweaty— Swift. 377 Sweaty, i. Whiskey or other intoxicating beverage. Tanglesome, adj. Tangled; complicated. Tangly, adj. Knotted; intertwined; intricate; snarly. Tankard, //. A metal mug; usually silver or pewter. Tantivy, adj. Swift; rapid. Remembered as a swift canoe rowed with six oars called the "Tantivy." Tantrums— Taste. 383 Tantrums, n. pi. A burst of ill humour; a display of temper; an ill-natured caprice. Tap, n. Nut of a screw, the female thread being cut inside. Tap, n. A gentle blow; a slight blow, as with the fingers or a small thing. "A tap on the head." Tar-brush, n. To have a touch of the tar-brush, to have a a dash of black or dark blood in the veins, showing in the colour of the skin. Tarbucket, n. A small wooden keg holding a gallon or two of tar and lard mixed, used for axletrees; also applied to kill ticks on animals. Tar-pot. Tarrapin, n. A terrapin. Tarrify, v. To annoy; to tease. " These fleas larrify me to death." " I can't wear woollen next to my skin, it tarrifies me so." Tarrier, n. A sort of dog. Terrier. Tarry, v. To wait; linger. " Go at once, don't tarry.'''' Tart, adj. Sharp to the taste; sour. Sharp; keen; severe; cutting; biting: as, tart language. Tartar, n. A savage, intractable person; a person of a keen, irritable temper; as applied to a woman, a shrew; a vixen: as, " She is a regular Tartar.'" Task, n. Labour imposed; especially, a definite quantity or amount of labour; work to be done; that which duty or necessity imposes. A lesson to be learnt; a portion of study imposed by a teacher. Burdensome employment; toil. Task, v. To impose a task on; assign a definite amount of labour to. Task-work, n. Work done by the job or the piece, as opposed to time-work. Taste, n. A small portion given as a sample; a morsel, bit, sip tasted, eaten or drunk. " You hardly gave me a taste." 384 Taste— Tearing. Taste, ;/. Narrow, thin silk ribbon. " 10 yds. of taste 3s. 40 1 ." Tasty, adj. Having good taste, or nice perception of excellence. In conformity to the principles of good taste. Palatable; nice; fine. Tater, n. A form of potato. Tater-trap, //. The mouth. Tatters, n. pi. Ragged clothes: he is all in tatters. Tattle, v. To gossip; carry tales. Tattle, n. Prate; idle talk or chat; trifling talk. Tattling,/, a. Given to idle talk; apt to tell tales; tale-bear- ing. Tattoo, n. A beating or drumming with the fingers on a table or other piece of furniture; an indication of impatience or absence of mind. Tauten, v. To become taut or tense. To make taut, tense or tight; tighten; stiffen. Tavern, n. A public house where both food and drink are supplied. Taw, ;/. The marble used by a boy to shoot with in the sev- eral games. (2) To come to taw, to come to a designated line or position; be brought to account. Tawny, adj. A dark- or dull-yellowish colour; tan-coloured; fawn-coloured-buff. "Tawny complexion." Tea-fight, //. A tea-party. Teakle, ;/. Tackle: a "block and teakle" Team, n. Two or more horses or mules driven in harness to- gether: as, a four-horse tea///. Teapot, n. A boy-child's virile member. Tear, n. A spree. " He has been on a tear." Tearing, p. a. Great; rushing; tremendous; towering; rant- ing: as, a tearing pace. (2) V. To tear along; to go or drive at a very rapid pace. 9 Tease— Tejus. 385 Tease, v. To vex, annoy, disturb or irritate by petty requests, by silly trifling, or by jests and raillery; plague with ques- tions, importunity, insinuations, raillery, or the like. Tease, n. One who or that which teases; a plague. Teaser, ;/. Anything which teases, or causes trouble or annoy- ance. (2) An inferior stallion used to excite mares, but not allowed to serve them. Teasing,/, a. Vexing; irritating; annoying. Teaster, n. The frame which connects the tops of the posts of a four-post bedstead, and the material stretched upon it, the whole forming a sort of canopy. Tea-things, n. pi. The articles of the tea-service taken col- lectively; more especially, the tea-cups, tea-pots, etc. Tedious, adj. Annoying; disagreable; offensive; uncongenial. ' ' I hate that man he is so tedious. ' ' Tediousome, adj. Tedious. Teekle, n. Tackle; block and teekle, block and rope for a pur- chase. Teen, num. For ten. " Teen pounds starling." Teens, n. pi. The years of one's age included within these numbers. These years begin with thirteen, and end with nineteen, and during this time the person is said to be in his or her teens. Teensy, adj. Small. " Little teensy bit of a boy." Teeny, adj. Very small. Tetotally, \xdv. Totally; entirely; used emphatically. Tee-totum, n. A small four-sided toy of the top kind, used by children in ,a game of chance. The sides are marked thus: T, take up; P, put up; A, all; N, none. Tehee, n. A laugh: from the sound. Tehee, v. To laugh contemptuously or insolently; titter. Tejus, adj. Tedious. 25 386 Tek— Terrible. Tek, v. To take. Teld, v. Past tense and past part, of tell. Tell, v. To tell one good-bye is to bid him good-bye. (2) To recognize; distinguish. "I could tell her among a hundred." " To tell one from another." Tell, v. To tell tales; play the informer; blab. "If you do I'll tell." Tell , prep. Till. ' ' Wait tell next week. ' ' Telltale, n. One who heedlessly or officiously gives informa- tion about the private affairs of others; one who tells that which is supposed to be secret or private; a blabber; an in- former; a tale-bearer. A liar. Temper, n. Disposition of mind; frame of mind; inclination; humour; mood: as, a hasty temper. Temple-wires, n. pi. An implement used in a hand-loom for keeping the cloth stretched, while the sley beats the threads into place after each throw of the shuttle. Temples. Tenants, ;/. pi. For tenons. Tend, v. To look after; take care of; to have the charge, care or supervision of: as, to tend a machine; to tend a sick per- son. Tendance, ;/. Attendance; the work or act of tending or car- ing for some person or thing; attention; care; watchfull su- pervision or care. "Dr. A's account for tendance on B." Tendence, n. Tendency. Tender, adj. Not strong; not hardy; not able to endure hard- ship or rough treatment; delicate; weak. Tender-hearted, adj. Having great sensibility; susceptible. Ten-penny nails, n. pi. Are nails, a thousand of which weigh ten pounds. Terrible, adj. Excessive; tremendous; severe; great: as, a terrible bore. Terror— Thick-set. 387 Terror, ;/. A person or thing that terrifies or strikes with ter- ror; a cause of dread or extreme fear. Tetchy, adj. Peevish; fretfull; irritable. Thang, v. For thank. " Thang God." Thanky, v. " Thank you," for something offered or received. " She didn't even say thanky." That same. That same, a cry to set on dogs. Records. That-there, pron. That; that one, person or things. Thawy, adj. Growing liquid; thawing; inclined to thaw. The house, n. Where the master lives. "You must go to the house to-morrow morning soon." Them, pron. These; those. " Them's 'em, these are them." Them there,^;w;. Those. " Which do you want? " "Them there. ' ' The other day, n. Some indefinite day before yesterday. Thereaway, adv. In those parts; there; thereabouts. Therm, n. The therm, thum-gnt, the coecum of an animal stuffed full of sausage-meat and smoked. Tharm. Thick, adj. Close in friendship; intimate. Thick-and-thin, adj. Ready to go through thick and thin; thorough; devoted. Thicken, v. To increase the consistency of liquids: as, to thicken gravy with flour. Thicken, v. To grow stouter. "At 59 he has thickened." Thicket, n. A number of shrubs, bushes, or trees growing close together. Thickety, adj. Abounding in thickets. Thick-head, n. A stupid fellow; a blockhead; a numskull. Thick-of-hearing. Slightly deaf. Thick-set, adj. Low and strongly built. 388 Thick-skinned — Thoroughgoing. Thick-skinned, adj. Insensible to reproach, ridicule or insult; dull; stolid. Thief, n. A faulty wick in a candle, which causes it to waste. Thin, adj. In the sense of small. "A very thin funeral." "A thin attendance at church." Thing, n. A person; commonly used as a term of contempt or pity. " He's an ugly old thing'' (2) When used to ex- press a purpose, action, or result, it has the force of imply- ing satisfaction. ' ' If you' 11 come that' 11 be the very thing. Thingamy, n. Thingumajig. Thingumbob. Thingummy. An indefinite name for any person or thing which a speaker is at a loss, or too indifferent, to designate more precisely. Things,;/./)/. Clothes; personal apparel. (2) Cattle; sheep; live stock. " It's nearly night, and time to feed the things." Think of, v. To remember; to recollect. " I didn't think of it in time to go." Think on, v. To consider carefully. " I'll think on it." Thin-skinned, adj. Unduly sensitive ; easily offended ; irritable. Third-day-ague-and-fever. A term used when the chill comes on the third day; tertian. This-a-way, pron. This way. This-here, adj. This; near at hand. Thole-pin, n. The peg in a rowlock against which the oar bears in rowing. Thoroughbred, adj. Having qualities characteristic of pure breeding; high spirited; mettlesome; elegant or graceful in bearing. Said of a pers/n or horse. Thoroughfare, n. That through which one goes; a place of travel or passage. A place through which much travel passes. (2) Long, narrow body of water through mudflats connecting two bodies of water. Thoroughgoing, aftj. Unqualified; out-and-out; thorough; complete. Thort— Thrive. 389 Thort, ?/. Thwart, the seat in a boat on which one sits to row. Thother, adj. A contraction of the other: as, thother side. Thoughtful, adj. Mindful as to something- specified; heedfull; carefull. Showing regard or consideration for others ; kindly. Thoughtless, adj. Unthinking; heedless; careless; giddy. Thouten, prep. Without. " Thouten he comes to-day." Thrash, v. To beat soundly, as with a stick or whip; drub; hence, to beat in any way. (2) To practice thrashing; beat out grain from straw with a flail or a thrashing-machine. Thrasher, n. A thrashing machine; a machine for separating the grain of wheat from the head. Thrasher, n. A kind of thrush, related to the mocking-bird. Jack-thrasher. Thrashhold, n. The plank, stone, or piece of timber which lies at the bottom of a door, or under it, particularly the door of a dwelling-house; a door-sill; hence, entrance ; - gate; door. Thrashing,;/. A beating; a whipping. "He got a good thrashing for his badness." Threadbare, adj. Having the thread bare; worn so that the nap was lost and the thread visible, either wholly or in cer- tain parts. Wearing threadbare clothes; shabby; seedy. (2) Well-worn; much used. Hence, trite; hackneyed. Threatening,/), a. Indicating some impending evil; indicat- ing rain or snow. ' ' Threatening weather. Three-ply, adj. Consisting of three parts or thicknesses. Thribble, adj. Treble; triple; threefold. Thrid, n. Thread. Thrifty, adj. Thriving; nourishing; prosperous. " The crops look very thrifty this year." Thrive, v. To grow vigorously or luxuriantly; flourish. 390 Throat-latch— Thunder-clap. Throat-latch, ;/. A strap which passes under a horse's neck and holds the headstall in place. Throttle, v. To choke; suffocate; stop the breath by compress- ing the throat; strangle. Through and through, adv. Completely through. The bul- let went through and through. Throw, v. To cut down trees. When he threw the tree it lodged and broke off near the top. Throwing the hatchet, phr. Telling lies. "He is given to throwing the hatchet. Throw up, v. To vomit. Thrum, n. The fringe of thread which remains attached to a loom when the web has been cut off; also, one of such threads. Thrums, ;/. pi. Coarse yarn; waste yarn. Thumbed, adj. Marked with thumb-marks: as, a thumbed book. Thumb-ring, n. A ring designed to be worn on the thumb. Often a seal-ring, and in that case probably worn only occasionally, as when occupied in business. Thumb-stall, n. A case or sheath of leather or other sub- stance to be worn on the thumb. (2) A piece of paper folded, and used by children to keep their books clean. Thump, ;/. To strike with the middle-finger by means of the thumb. " To thump a watermelon to see if it is ripe," by the sound. Thumper, ;/. A thing or person that is impressive by reason of hugeness or greatness; an unusually big fish, lie, etc.; a whopper. Thumping,/), a. Unusually large or heavy; big. Thunderation, >/. An exclamation. Thunder-clap, n. A clap or burst of thunder; a sudden re- port of a discharge of atmospheric electricity; a thunder- peal. Thunder-cloud— Tidies. 391 Thunder-cloud, n. A cloud that produces thunder and light- ning. Thunder-gust, n. A thunder-storm, with wind. Thundering, p. a. Unusual; extraordinary; great; tremen- dous. Thundery, adj. Betokening, characterized by, or accompa- nied with thunder, or atmospheric disturbance caused by electric discharges. Thusty, adj. Thirsty. Tick, ;/. Credit; trust: as, to buy on tick. Tick, n. The cover or case of a bed, which holds the feathers, hair, moss, cornshucks or other material conferring softness and elasticity. Ticket, ?i. Word of approval. " That's the ticket." Tickler, n. A small bottle holding about half a pint of spirits, or just enough to tickle. Ticklish, adj. Doubtfull; difficult; critical. Easily tickled; tickly; touchy. (2) Also applied to a boat very easy to upset: as, a ticklish canoe. Tickly, adj. Easily tickled; ticklish. Ticky, adj. Used of persons in a rough or unpolished condi- tion. (2) Term used to describe Rio coffee from its taste. " This coffee is very ticky." Tide-mill, n. A mill on a small tidal stream the wheel of which is moved by the ebb and flow of the tide. Tide-rip, ;/. Rough water made by meeting of opposite tides. Tide-water, n. Water affected by the ordinary ebb and flow of the tide. (2) The low plain of eastern Virginia, extend- ing from the Atlantic coast westward about a hundred miles. Tidies, n. pi. A more or less ornamental covering for the back of a chair, the arms of a sofa, or the like, to keep them from becoming soiled. 392 Tidy— Time-of-day. Tidy, adj. Of neat and orderly habits; disposed to be neat and orderly. Tidy, v. To make neat; put in good order; often followed by up: as, to tidy up a room. Tie, n. Something that binds: a bond; obligation, moral or legal; ties of blood. Tiff, n. A petty quarrel or misunderstanding; a slight pet, or ht of peevishness. Tige, ;/. A word for a dog: as, "sick him tige." Tike; tyke. Tight, adj. Close-fisted; narrow; niggardly; parsimonious: as, a man tight in his dealings. Tight, adj. Under the influence of liquor; tipsy; drunk. Tights, ;/. pi. Garments clinging closely to the legs, or to the whole form, and intended either to display the form or to facilitate movement or both, as in the case of dancers, acro- bats, or gymnasts. Tight-squeeze, n. Being in a tight squeeze is being in a diffi- culty. "He got through his examinations, but it was a tight-squeeze. ' ' Till, ;/. A small box or tray put at one end of a trunk or box. (2) The money drawer in a shop. Tilt, n. Awning to a boat; cloth cover to a waggon. Tilt, v. To rush; charge; burst into a place: as, he came full tilt. (2) To incline; cause to heel over; give aslope to; to raise one end up: as, to tilt a barrel in order to facilitate the emptying of it. Timbered,/), a. Made or furnished with timber or timbers: as, a well -timbered vessel; we\\-ti/nbered land. Timber-getter, n. One engaged in timber-getting; cutting down trees, cutting to right length and hewing to right shape for sending to market. Time-of-day, ;/. To know a person slightly is to know him so as to pass the time-of-day on meeting. Time or two— Tire. 393 Time or two, n. Once or twice; an uncertain number of times, but very few. " I've seen him a time or two since he got back." Timersome, adj. Timoursome. Timid; easily frightened. Tin-can, n. A cup made of tin holding about a pint, used for drinking purposes. Tinder, n. Something easy to burn: as, it burns like tinder. Tinker, v. To repair or put into shape rudely, temporarily, or as an unskilled workman. To tinker up. Tinned,/), a. Covered, overlaid, or covered with tin: as tinned dishes. Tiny, adj. Very diminutive; minute. It is frequently used with little as an intensification of its force: as, a tiny little boy. Tip, v. To lean or slant from the perpendicular; incline down- ward or to one side. To tip 2ip; to tip over; upset. Tip, v. To touch a marble lightly when the taw is shot, giving the player another shoot. Tipsy, adj. Overcome with drink so as to stagger slightly; partly drunk; fuddled; boozy. Tiptoe, n. In the plural, with reference to posture or move- ment on the ends of the toes of both feet. (2) The ends of the toes collectively; the forward extremity of the foot, or of the feet jointly; on tiptoe, a cautious or mincing move- ment, or a stretching up to the greatest possible height. Tiptop, n. The extreme top; highest point in altitude, excel- lence, etc. Tiptop, adj. Of the highest order or kind; most excellent; first-rate. " That gray is a tiptop horse." Tiptop, adv. In a tiptop manner; in the highest degree; to the top notch. Tire, n. The iron band of a wheel. 394 Tired as a dog — Toilsome. Tired as a dog, past part. Completely worn out by exertion. " I've been walking all day and am as tired as a dog:" Tiresome, adj. Exhausting the patience or attention; weari- some; tedious; prosy. Tiry, adj. In a tired condition; liable to become tired, or give out from fatigue. Tit, ?/. A teat. Tit-bit, n. A delicate morsel. Tit-tat-toe, n. A child's game. Titter, n. A restrained or nervous laugh; a giggle; a snicker. Tittivate, v. To dress neatly. To dress or spruce up; smarten one's self. Tittle, n. A very small thing; a minute object or quantity; a particle; a whit. Titty, n. A teat; the breast; especially, the mother's breast; a child's word. To, prep. The pronunciation is always to, never too. Toast, v. To warm thoroughly: as, to toast one's feet Tobarcoe, //. For tobacco. Tod, n. A drink; toddy. Toddle, n. A walk taken in a toddling fashion, as by a child, or an invalid; a careless stroll. Toddy, a. A drink made of spirits, water and sugar, with nut- meg. Toddy-stick, ;/. A stick used for mixing toddy or other drinks, often roughened for breaking loaf-sugar. To-do, ;/. Hustle; fuss; commotion; a row. Trouble. "There was a great to-do about it." Occurrence of a public kind. * There is going to be a big to-do in town next week." Toggery, ;/. Clothes. Toilsome, adj. Attended with toil; demanding or compelling toil; laborious; fatiguing. Token — Tongue. 395 Token, ;/. Apparition, or other sign. " He will not live long as he has seen a token of his death." Tolerable, adj. In fair health; passably well. Toll, n. A portion of grain retained by a miller as a compen- sation for grinding. (2) The quantity of corn sent to mill each week was called the "to//," or "turn." Toll, v. Tole. To draw; invite; entice; allure: as, the farmer tolled the animals out of the pen and down the road. Toll-corn, n. Corn taken at a mill in payment for grinding. The quantity taken was fixed by law. Tol-lol, adj. Tolerably good; pretty fair. Tomboy, n. A wild, romping girl. Tom-cat, //. A male cat, especially a full grown male cat. Tom-fool, n. A silly fool; a trifler. Tomfoolery, n. Foolish trifling; ridiculous behaviour; non- sense. Tomtit, n. A small bird. Tom-walkers, n. pi. Stilts on which boys walk; in the country usually made of sapplings, a limb being used for the foot- rest. Tong, v. To handle or use tongs, to catch something, as oysters, with tongs. Tonger, ;/. One whose occupation is catching oysters with tongs. Tonging, n. The use of oyster- tongs; the method or practice of taking oysters with tongs. Tongman, n. One who uses the tongs in taking oysters; a tonger. Tongue, n. A part of a buckle; the piece that goes through the hole in the strap. A person who finds difficulty in pay- ing his way is said "To find it hard to make buckle and tongue meet." X 396 Tongue-lashing — Top off. Tongue-lashing, n. A scolding; wordy abuse. Tongue-tied, adj. Dumb; compelled to be silent. Indistinct in utterance; stuttering. Tonguey, adj. Loquacious; garrulous. Tony, adj. Of high tone; affecting social elegance; genteel; swell. Toodles, ;/. pi. A male child's genitals. Toofies, ;;. pi. Child's name for teeth. Tool, ii. A man's penis. Tools, n. pi. Farming implements. Toot, ;/. To project; stand, stick, or bulge out. To shoot up, ' as plants out of the ground. Tooth, n. Palate; relish; taste: as, a siveet-tooth. Toothfull, ii. A small draft of any liquor. "You don't call that a drink, it isn't a toothfull." Top, //. Top of the pot, the highest point or position attain- able; the top rank in the social scale, in a profession, or the like. (2) Top of the voice, in the highest voice. " I called him at the top of my voice." Top, :■. To top the candle is to snuff it. Top, v. To top corn is to cut off the stalk above the ear; the top is used for fodder. Top-dressing, ;/. A dressing of manure laid on the surface of the land. Toper, ;/. One who habitually drinks alchoholic liquors to excess; a hard drinker; a sot. Top- fodder, n. The top of a cornstalk above the ear, cut oft" and dried for forage. Topknot, ii. Any knot, tuft or crest worn or growing on the head. Top off, v. To finish; end up. "They eat everything and topped off with whiskey." " Top off a stack of wheat." Top-sawyer— Tottle. 397 Top-sawyer, u. The sawyer who takes the upper stand in a saw-pit. (2) One who holds a higher place than another; a chief over others; a superior. (3) A person of conse- quence or importance; a prominent person. Topsyturvy, adv. Upside down; in reverse of the natural order; hence, in a state of confusion or chaos. Torectly, adv. A form of directly. Directly; straight away; at once. " He'll come torectly.'''' To-rights, n. pi. In proper order or condition. "You must put things to-rights at once." Torment, n. A state of suffering, bodily or mental; misery; agony. (2) One who, or that which, torments others. Torn-down, adj. Rough; violent; turbulent rebellious; un- governable; hence, overpowering of its kind. "She is a torn-dozen piece. ' ' Torn-down, n. An unruly or unmanageable person. Tossel, n. The flower at the top of the stalk of corn. (2) A tuft at the end of a cord. Tossel, v. To put forth a tossel; especially, corn. " My corn is about to tossel.'" Toss-up, n. A case in which conditions or probabilities are equal. Tot, n. A drink; and the small cup from which it is taken, is also a tot. Totch, v. For touched. Tote, v. To carry or bear, especially in the arms, on the shoulders, or on the back, as a burden or load. ' They were by Beverly comanded to go to work, fall trees and mawl and/^a/railes." 1677. Bacon's Rebellion, Gloster Grievances, Vol. II, p. 156. MS. Virginia State Library. Tother, pron. Other. That other. Totter, v. To stagger: he tottered as he walked. Tottle, v. To totter; to walk with short uneven steps. " He "is old and goes tottling about." 398 Touch— Track. Touch, n. A slight attack of any disease. " He had a touch of the grip." Touch, v. To touch the gums ; to cause slight salivation by the use of mercury. Touch-and-go, adj. Of uncertain action or outcome; that may explode, go off, or come to a head on the least touch or provocation; hence, ticklish; uncertain: applied to per- sons, circumstances, or actions. Touchous, adj. Touchy. Apt to take offence on slight prov- ocation; irritable- irascible; peevish; testy; techy. Tough, adj. Hard to manage or accomplish; difficult; trying; requiring great or continued effort. Toiigh customer. Tousle, v. To put into disorder, as by pulling about roughly; dishevel; rumple: as, to tousle one's hair, Tout, v. Toot. To blow notes on a horn. Tower, u. A turn round some place; a going round from place to place; a continued ramble or excursion; a short journey: as, a wedding tower. Tow-headed, adj. Having hair like tow. Townfolks, n. People who live in towns. Toy-dog, n. A very small dog kept as a pet. Trab-ball, n. Trap-ball. An old game played by two or more persons with a ball, bat, and trap. (2) The ball used in the game of trab-ball. Trace-chain, n. A chain used as a harness trace. Trace-hook, ;/. A hook on the end of a singletree for fasten- ing a trace. Track, v. In playing marbles, a boy who hits one marble may " take track off it," that is, he gets another shoot. Track, v. To follow up the tracks of; follow by the tracks or traces left by that which is followed; trace; trail. Track, >i . A tract of land. (2) A brief printed treatise or discourse on some topic of practical religion. Tractable— Trash. 399 Tractable, adj. Easily managed. "He is a very tradable boy." Trade, n. A purchase or sale; a bargain; an exchange. Trade, v. To exchange one thing for another: as, to trade horses. Tradesmen, n. pi. Men who work at trades; mechanics. Train-oil, n. Common whale oil. Trammel, n. An iron hook by which a pot is hung over the fire. Trammel, v. To confine; to hamper. Trammels are used to tie together the legs of a horse on the same side to make him pace. Tramp, ;/. A walk; a journey. Trampoose, v. To tramp; walk or wander about. "To go trampoosing about in the mud and water." Trance, v. To tramp: travel. Trance, n. A state of perplexity or bewilderment; amaze. Transport, v. To carry people from one part to another by sea, as in transport-ships. It does not mean that they were sent as felons. It simply means that they were conveyed. Also, applied to animals. " No mares or sheep to be trans- ported out of the country." Trapes, ;/. Traipse. A slattern; an idle sluttish woman. Trapes, v. To walk along in an untidy manner; walk carelessly and sluttishly; run about idly. To gad or flaunt about idly. Trap-sticks, >i. pi. Small split sticks one or more feet long for making traps to catch birds. Traps, n. pi. Goods; furniture. Trash,;/. Waste; refuse; rubbish; dross; that which is worth- less or useless. A low worthless person. (2) The super- fluous twigs, branches, and leaves that fall from trees: as, woods-/rtf.y/?. 400 Trashy— Trench. Trashy, adj. Composed of or resembling trash, rubbish, or dross; waste; worthless; useless. Tread, n. Copulation of fowls. (2) The thread-like embryo in an egg. Tread, v. To copulate, as birds: said especially of a cock-bird. Treadle, n. A foot-lever in a hand-loom. (2) The tough ropy or stringy part of the white of an ego;; the cholaza. So called because formerly thought to be the male sperm. Tread-softly, n. Treadsoft. A low weed armed with white nettles half an inch long that sting severely. Tread-snow, v. Fire is said to t?'ead-s?ww when a blowing noise is made by the escape of steam from the burning wood caused by the heat. Tread water, v. To keep the head and shoulders above the surface by treading with the feet as if walking. Treat, n. Anything which affords much pleasure; that which is peculiarly enjoyable; unusual gratification. Treat, v. To give an entertainment which costs the recipient nothing; especially, to bear the expense of food, drink, or any pleasure for another as a compliment or expression of good will. Treble, adj. Tribil. Threefold; triple. Tree, v. To drive up a tree, as a hunted animal fitted for climb- ing, such as animals of the cat kind, coons, possums, and squirrels; compel to take refuge up a tree, as a man fleeing from wolves. Tree-top, n. The top or uttermost part of a tree. Trembly, adj. Trembling; tremulous. Tremendous-clip, adj. Going at a tremendous-c/ip, is going very fast. Trench, n. A narrow excavation of considerable length cut into the earth; a deep furrow or ditch. Trencher— Trip. 401 Trencher, n. A wooden plate used for cutting up meat and bread. Tribe, n. Any class or body of persons taken collectively; any aggregation of individuals of a kind, either as a united body or as distinguished by common characteristics or occupation. " Brown and his tribe." Tribet, n. Trivet. An iron three-footed stand on which to place cooking vessels or anything which is to be kept hot by the fire. Trick, ?i. Any small article; a toy; a knicknack; a trifle; a mere nothing. Trick, v. One who is effected by means of conjuration or witchcraft is said to be tricked. Hoodooed. Tricking, part. Some process by which one negro works the ill of another. " That 'oman is tricked and is going to die." Trickly, adj. Trickling. Trick- roots, n. pi. Roots of plants used by conjurers in their conjurations. Tricky, adj. Given to tricks; knavish; artfull; sharp; shifty. Trifling,/), a. Good-for-nothing; worthless; mean. Trig, v. To dress; trick. All trigged out. Trigly, adv. In a trig manner; neatly; trimly; finely. Trim, adj. Neat; spruce; smart. Ingood/r/w. Trim, v. To beat; thrash. Trimble, v. A form of tremble. Trimming, n. Specifically, a dressing; a sharp scolding; a drubbing or thrashing. Trinket, n. A trifling ornament; a jewel for personal wear, especially one of no great value; any small fancy article; a cherished thing of slight worth. Trip, n. A journey or voyage; an excursion; a jaunt. 26 402 Trojan— Truck. Trojan, n. A plucky or determined fellow; one who fights or works with a will. Trollop, n. A woman who is slovenly in dress, appearance or habits; a draggletail. Trollop, v. To draggle; hang in a wet state; to walk or work in a slovenly manner. To run hither and thither. Trolloping, adj. Going about in a slovenly, draggled manner. Tromp, v. To tread under foot; trample. Tromple, v. To beat or tread down by the tramping or stamp- ing of feet, or by frequent treading. To tread with repeated force and shock; stomp; hence, to stomp roughshod; tread roughly or contemptuously. Trompling, ?i. Trampling; a treading under foot. Troop, v. To march off in haste: as, "She went trooping down the road." Trooths, n. pi. Pronunciation of the plural of truth. Trot, >i. Quick, steady movement; "go" : as, to keep one on the trot all day. Trouble, ?i. A source or cause of annoyance, perplexity or distress. Trouble, v. To disturb in mind; annoy; vex; harrass; afflict; distress; worry. Troublesome, adj. Difficult; trying. Trounce, v. To punish or beat severely; thrash or whip smartly. Truck, >i. Small wares; stuff; goods; gear; belongings; (2) A barrow on two small wheels for carrying bales or boxes. (3) The produce of a truck-farm. Truck, v. Exchange; barter; trade by exchanging goods: as, the whites trucked with the Indians for furs and skins. Truck, //. Trash. Trucker— Tuckey. 403 Trucker, n. A truck-farmer; a market-gardener; one who sells garden-stuff, especially at wholesale. Truck-farm, n. A market-garden. Truck-patch. Trudge, v. A weary or laborious walk or tramp. Trudge, v. To make one's way on foot; walk; travel on foot; especially, to travel wearily or laboriously on foot. Trump, n. A person on whom one may depend; one who spontaneously does the right thing in an emergency; a good fellow. Trundle-bed, n. A low bed moving on casters, and designed to be pushed under a high bed when not in use. Trunk, n. A frame-work of timber lined with plank for carry- ing water to a water-wheel. Trunnel, n. A cylindrical pin of hard wood used for fastening planks or timbers in ships and similar constructions. The best material for them is the wood of the American locust. Trussel, n. A frame, consisting of a beam or bar fixed at each end to a pair of spreading legs, for use as a support. Try, v. To separate or reduce by boiling or steaming; render: generally with out: as, to try oid lard. Trying,/, a. Of a kind to test severely or thoroughly; diffi- cult; severe. Tub, ;/. An open wooden vessel made of staves, held together by hoops, surrounding a bottom. Tubby, adj. Tub-shaped; round like a tub or barrel. Tuck, n. Nip and tuck, expresses the closeness of a race. Tuckahoe, n. The roots of plants growing in Virginia, with deep fleshy and starchy rootstocks, which, made eatable by cooking, were used by the Indians for food. (2) The name given to the eastern Virginians to distinguish them from the "Quo 'he's" of the west. Tuckey, n. A form of turkey. 404 Tucking-comb — Turkey-cock. Tucking-comb, n. A comb used for holding the hair up on the back part of the head. Tudder, pron. The other. Tug, v. To exert one's self; labour; strive; struggle; contend; wrestle. Tug, ;/. A supreme effort; the severest strain or struggle; a contest; tussle. Tug, n. A short chain from the hames to the shafts of a cart. Tug -chain. Tumble-bug, ;;. One of several kinds of dung-beetles, that roll up balls of dung in which their eggs are laid, and in which they are hatched. Tumble-down, (/^/. In a falling state; dilapidated; decayed; ruinous. Tumbler-cart, n. The body of the cart is a separate box, and the load is thrown out by upsetting the body. Tumbler-full, n. The quantity of liquid that fills or nearly fills a tumbler. Tumbler-glass, n. A drinking-glass, One without stem, made to stand on a flat bottom. They were first made so that they could not stand up, hence the name. Tune up, v. To get ready to cry, said of children. " He be- gan to tune up ready to cry. ' ' Tunnel, n. A funnel. Tup, v. To copulate as a ram. " They are exhibited with a view of letting one of them the ensuing season out to /?//>." Turk, n. A savage fellow; a "Tartar:" as, he is a regular Turk. Turkemtime, ;/. Turpentine. Turkey-call, n. An implement producing a sound which re- sembles the yelping of the turkey-hen, used as a decoy. Turkey-cock, n. A person of great vanity and foolish pride. So called in allusion to the strutting of the bird. Turkey-eggs — Turn out. 405 Turkey-eggs, n. pi. Freckles. " His face is covered with turkey-eggs. ' ' Turkey-gobbler, ;/. The turkey-cock. Turkey-hen, n. The hen or female of the turkey. Turkey-pen, n. A pen contrived for trapping wild turkeys. Turkey-wing, n. The wing" of a turkey the quill part of which is hardened bv being pressed with a hot flat-iron, is in very common use for a duster. Turkie wheate, n. Indian corn. Turkle, n. A turtle. Turn, n. A load; a pack; as much as can be carried at one time by a man or an animal. " Bring in a turn or two of wood before night." Turn, n. The quantity of corn that was carried to mill each week. Turn of meal, the quantity of meal brought each week from the mill. Turn oj grist, the corn carried to mill. Turn, v. To curdle. To change from a fresh, sweet, or other- wise natural condition; cause to ferment, become sour, or the like: as, warm weather turns milk. Turn, v. To change one's religion or politics. " She turned Roman Catholic. " " He turned republican. " " He turned preacher. ' ' Turnip, n. A watch. " What time is it by your turnip?" Turnip-sallet, n. The green turnip-tops cooked with bacon, generally jowl or middling. Turnipy, adj. Turnip-like: having a turnipy taste. Turn one's stomach, v. To nauseate; to make sick at the stomach. " He is enough to turn one's stomach." Turn out, v. The yearly custom of schoolboys of turning out the schoolmaster on a particular day for the purpose of get- ting holidays. 406 Turnout— Twill. Turnout, n. A carriage or coach with the horses. The net quantity of produce yielded; production: the wheat gave a good turnout this year; the oats turnout well. (2) A road branching off from the main-road. " He lives on the main- road just before you come to Lindsay's turnout." Turnover, n. A kind of pie in a semicircular form: so called because made by turning one half of a circular crust upon the other, with apples between. Turn-row, n. The cross-row at the head of the furrows through which the ploughman goes from one side to the other of his patch. Turtle, n. The common tortoise. Turtle-crawl, ;/. The track of a turtle to and from her nest where she lays her eggs. Tush, n. A long pointed tooth; a tusk. PL Tushes. Tushed, adj. Having tushes. Tussle, n. A struggle; a conflict; a scuffle. Tussle, v. To struggle; wrestle confusedly; scuffle. Tussock, ;/. A clump, tuft, or small hillock of growing grass. Tussocky, adj. Abounding in or resembling tussocks or tufts. Twang, n. A sharp taste; a disagreeable after-taste or flavour left in the mouth; a flavour: a peculiar flavour. Tweedle, ;/. A sound such as is made by a fiddle. Tween, prep. A contraction of between. Twell, prep. A form of till. "He won't come tzvell to- morrow. Tweezers, n. Small tongs for holding things, used for pick- ing up, and for pulling out hairs. Twick, 71. A twitch; a sudden jerk. Twilight, ;/. Time between sunset and dark. Twill, ;/. Cloth the threads of which are diagonal. Twill cotton. Jeans. Twit— Uncouple. 407 Twit, v. To taunt; to tease. Twitch, n. A loop at the end of a stick a foot and a half long twisted on the upper lip of an unruly horse for holding him while shoeing or drenching. Twitchit, n. Woman's generative organs. Twitter, n. A tremble; aflutter; a general excitement: as, to be in a twitter, or to be in the tzvitters. All of a twitter. Twitters, n. pi. Thread unevenly spun is said to be in twit- ters. ' ' All in knots and twitters. ' ' Twitteration, n. A twitter; a flutter. Two-double, adj. Double. " Make that string two-double, it will be stronger." Type, ;/. A prefigurement; a person, thing or event in the Old Testament regarded as foreshowing a corresponding reality in the new dispensation: as the paschal lamb in the type of Christ. In a church in Bristol Parish, among other things were ordered a ' ' Pulpit and Type. ' ' U Udder, n. The mammary glands of cattle and various other animals, especially when large and baggy, and with more than one teat, as two or four; the milk-bag. Ugly, adj. Ill-natured; cross-grained; quarrelsome; ill-condi- tioned. Uh-hu. A grunt of assent. Umble, adj. One of the few words where h is not sounded. Umphrey is another. Unc, n. For uncle. " Unc Henry. " Uncle, n. A term of familiarity: Uncle Bob; Uncle Billy. Uncomeatable, adj. Unattainable. " I tried to get it but it was not co?nealable." Uncouple, v. Set loose; disjoin; to let or go loose; unfasten. 408 Under— Undo. Under, prep. " He writes tinder his own name." Under the weather,^//;-. Not being well in health. Indis- posed; ailing. Underbrush, ;/. Shrubs and small trees growing under large trees in a forest or woods; brush; undergrowth. Underclothes, n. pi. Garments worn under others; specifi- cally, those worn next the skin. Underclothing. Undercut, n. A piece cut out of the underpart of an animals ear in marking. Underfoot, prep. Under the feet; underneath; beneath; be- low. Undergrowth, n. The small bushes that grow in the woods under the big trees. Underhand, adj. Secret; clandestine; usually implying mean- ness or fraud, or both. Underkeel, n. Mark on the ear of an animal by cutting out a small piece on the underpart; undercut. Underminded, past part. Undermined. "The place is all underminded with rats." " The house was underminded by the rain." Underpinning, n. The masonry that supports stud-work. The brick- or stone-work on which the frame of a wooden house is placed. Undershirt, n. A shirt or similar garment, as of woollen, worn under a shirt and next to the skin. Undertaker, n. Contractor; bidder for a contract. One who furnished supplies to the garrisons. " That all Sheriffs and Collectors who have the charge of those Payments to the Undertakers." Understrapper, ;;. Inferior person; a servant. Underwood, n. Small trees and bushes that grow among larger trees. Undo, v. To untie or unfasten; unloose; open; unfix. Unfitten— Upright. 409 Unfitten, adj. Not fit. Improper; unsuitable; unbecoming. (2) Not suited or adapted. Wanting suitable qualifications, physical or moral; not competent. Unfix, v. To make no longer fixed or firm; loosen from any fastening; detach. Unfixt, adj. Out of order; notin repair. " Two guns unfixt. " Unhandy, adj. Not handy in any sense; awkward; inconven- ient. Unloose, v. To loose. " Unloose that horse from the plough." Unlucky, adj. Always in trouble. Unriddle, v. To solve a riddle. Unrip, v. To undo by ripping; rip; tear or cut open. Unsight, adj. Not seen. " Unsight, unseen," without inspec- tion or examination: thus, to buy anything "unsight un- seen " is to buy without seeing it. Untidy, adj. Dirty; slovenly. Un urn, pron. Of them. " He is one un u/u." Up, v. To take up. " He ups with a stone and threw it at him." (2) To raise. " He up with his fist and hit him in the face. ' ' Up and down, adv. Positively; decidedly. " I told him up and down that I would not do it. ' ' Up-a-daisy. Oop-a-daisy. An expression used when lifting up a child. Also, up-a-deedi'es, when lifting a child. Up-end, v. To raise something up and stand it on one end. " It was as much as he could do to up-end the bale." Upper-crust, n. People of the best sort are spoken of as the upper-crust. Upper-hand, n. The advantage. "He got the tipper-hand of him." Uppish, adj. Proud; arrogant; airs; assuming; self-assertion. Upright, n. Something standing erect or vertical. A princi- 410 Uproar — Valance. pal piece of timber placed vertically, and serving to support rafters. Uproar, n. Great tumult; violent disturbance and noise; bustle and clamour; confusion; excitement. Ups and downs, ;/. Good and bad fortune; experiences of life. Upset, v. Upsot. To discompose completely; make nervous or irritable "They were all very much upset by what he said." Upshot, )i. Final issue; conclusion; end. Upstairs, n. An upper story; that part of a building that is above the ground floor. "She has just gone upstairs.''' Upstars. Upstart, n. One who assumes a lofty or arrogant tone. (2) A fellow of a new and late rise. Up to, v. What one is doing or wants to do. " What is Bob up to now ?' ' Up to, adv. In a condition to understand, or do something. " What is he up to?" "I don't think he is up to much." Us, prou. " It was us that you saw." " It was us." Use, n. Having a liking for. " I have no use for him." Use, v. To be accustomed to go; linger or stay habitually; dwell; frequent; haunt. Use, v. To treat. " He ought to be used like that." Utter, adj. Complete; total; entire; perfect; absolute: as, " He is an utter stranger." Uv, prep. Of. " What has become uv Jane?" V Valance, n. A short curtain used on a bedstead, around the frame on which the mattress rests and reaching nearly to the floor to conceal what may be under a tall bed, as a trundle bed. Vamp — Vinegar-cruet. 411 Vamp, n. The forepart of a shoe; the upper. Varge, n. Vargis. Varjis. Changed from verjuice; sour juice of apples or grapes; anything very sour. "As sour as varge." Varqis, an acid liquid similar to vinegar, made from crab-apples. Varina, n. The name of a department in Venezuela where a very fine sort of tobacco grew. The name was given to a place in Virginia that produced a like good kind of tobacco. Varmint, n. Any noxious or troublesome animal. A con- temptible or obnoxious person; a low or vile fellow; also, such persons collectively. Varment. Vence, v. A prohibitory exclamation used by boys in the games of marbles: as, Vence ! Stop, I forbid you to play. Vendue, ?/. Vandue. A public auction. Venson, n. The flesh of animals of the deer tribe, used as food. Vent, ;/. Any small hole or opening made for passage. The vent in the barrel of a gun. (2) A sale of goods. Vent, v. To sell. Vergaloo, n. A kind of pear. Verge, ;/. The extreme side or edge of anything; the brink; edge; border; margin. Very previous, adj. In a hurry; disposed to do something before the proper time. " He is always very previous." Vilet, n. The flower violet; also the colour. " Roses red, and vilets blue." Vilyan, ;/. Villain. A scoundrel; a rascal; rogue. Vim, n. Vigour; energy; activity. Vine, n. Any trailing, fruit-bearing plant. Strawberry; cu- cumber; watermelon; punkin. Vinegar-cruet, n. A glass bottle for holding vinegar; espe- cially, one of the bottles of a caster. 412 Vinegarish — Wad. Vinegarish, adj. Sharp; sour. Vinegary, adj. Having the character of vinegar; hence, sour; crabbed. Virginia drams, ;;. The brandy distilled from apples and peaches. Virginia Reel, ;/. Called Sir Roger de Coverley in England. Danced by several sets, the men and women opposite to each other, and with many figures. Vittles, n. pi. Provision of food; meat; provisions; signifying commonly food for human beings, prepared for eating. Vixen, v. A turbulent, quarrelsome woman; a scold; a ter- magant. Vogue, n. The mode or fashion prevalent at any particular time; popular reception, repute or estimation; common cur- rency. Voider, n. A tray or basket in which scraps were carried away from the table. Volunteer gourds, n. pi. Gourds grown from accidentally planted seed. It is bad luck to plant gourds. W Wabble, n. A rocking, unequal motion, as of a wheel un- evenly hung, or a top imperfectly balanced. Wabble, v. To incline to one side and the other alternately, as a wheel, top, spindle or other rotating body when not properly balanced; rock. Wabbly, adj. Inclined to wabble; shaky; unsteady; tremu- lous. Wacapompecke, n. Wampum? The shells used in trading with the Indians. Wad, ;/. A small bundle or wisp of rags, hay, hair, wool, or other fibrous material. Wad, .'. To pad; stuff; fill out with or as with wadding. x Waddle— Walk up. 413 Waddle, v. To sway or rock from side to side in walking; move with short, quick steps, throwing- the body from one side to the other; walk in a tottering or vacillating manner. Wade, v. To walk in water. Waffle, n. A peculiar kind of batter cake baked in waffle-irons and served hot. Waffle-irons, n. An iron utensil for baking waffles over a fire, having two flat halves hinged together, one to hold the batter, the other to cover it. Wag, v. To move slowly, unevenly, as when one staggers along under a heavy load: as, " He had so much on his shoulder he just could wag." To move; to budge; to stir. Waggle, v. To move with a wagging motion; sway or move from side to side. Waggon, v. To transport, convey, or carry in a waggon. Wainscot, n. A wooden lining or boarding of the walls of rooms, usually made in panels; pannelled boards of the walls of rooms. Waistcoating, n. A woven stuff made especially for men's waistcoats, and different from cloth intended to be used for coats and trowsers. Wait, v. To wait on, to escort; accompany; attend: as, when a man is waiting on a woman with a view to marriage. Waiter, n. A small tin tray for handing plates, teacups, etc. Walk, n. Where game-cocks are bred and trained. Hence, "Cock of the walk:' Walk, n. Manner of walking; gait; step; carriage. Walk, v. To move about: as, "The dead walk at night." " Ghosts walk at night." Walking-papers, n. pi. A dismissal. Walk up, v. To increase your gate. " Walk up or we won't get there in time." 414 Wallet— Warm. Wallet, n. A long bag with a slit in the middle, and space for the contents at the two ends that are closed. Walletfull, n. As much as a wallet holds. Wall-eye, n. An eye in a condition in which it presents little or no colour, the iris being light-coloured or white, or opa- city of the cornea being present. Walleyed, adj. Showing much of the white of the eye; hav- ing a large staring or glaring eye. Wallop, v. To beat soundly; drub; thrash. Wallow, n. The act of rolling or tumbling, as in sand or mire. (2) A place where an animal, as a hog, resorts to wallow: as, a " Jiog-walloiv." Wallow, v. To roll; tumble about. Horses and mules are allowed to wallow on the ground. Walplate, n. The plate for roof-timbers, and also for joists is called a wallplate. ' ' Walplate tobacco houses. ' ' Wampumpeage, n. Strings of white and black shells, used as tokens of value in trading between the whites and Indians, mentioned in the earliest county records. Wander, v. To think or speak incoherently; rave; be deliri- ous. Want, v. To desire to see, speak to, or do business with; de- sire the presence or assistance of; desire or require to do something: as, "I want to go." Wa'n't, v. A form of was not. Wapper-jaw, >i. A projecting under-jaw. Ward, n. The Dart of a key that goes into a lock. The slot in the bit of the key. The wards are often named accord- ing to their shape, L-ward; T-ward. Warf, n. A wharf. Warfage. Warrf. Never with the sound of the h. Warm, v. To administer castigation to: as, " I'll warm him tor that." Warming — Washwoman. 415 Warming, ;/. A whipping; a thrashing. Warn, r. To notify. " Give fair warning.'" Warn't, v. Was not. Warnut, ;/. For walnut. Warp, u. The threads that are extended lengthwise in a loom; and across which the woof is thrown in the process of weav- ing. Warp, v. Warping consists in arranging the threads according to number and colour, or in any special manner that may be necessary, and to keep them in their relative places after they have been so laid. Warp, v. To twist out of shape by heat, pressure, or other- wise. " The planks were warped by the sun." Warping-bars, ;/. pi. A wooden frame on which the threads are prepared and arranged for the warp of a piece of cloth in hand-weaving. Warp-thread, n. One of the threads that form the warp of a web. Warrant-trying, n. A court held before a single magistrate for the trial of simple cases, as small debts, etc. Washer, n. A ring on the end of an axle-tree between the end of the hub and the linchpin to keep the wheel tight and pre- vent moving on the axletree; a ring on the end of a rivet over which the point is beaten down. Washing, ;/. A " washing " of clothes is as much as is washed at one time. Washing, n. Boys' term for bathing in the rivers and streams. " He went in washing at 9 o'clock and didn't come out un- till 12." Wash-rag, n. A small piece of cloth used in washing the* per- son. Washwoman, n. The woman who washeb clothes. 416 Washy— Wattle. Washy, adj. Too much diluted; weak; thin. Feeble; worth- less. Waspish, adj. Like a wasp in any way. Having a very slen- der waist; wasp-waisted; tight-laced. (2) Quick to resent any trifle, injury or affront; snappish; petulant; irritable. Watch-dog, n. A dog kept to watch or guard premises and property. Water, v. To water horses or cattle is to take them to drink. Water-can, n. A vessel holding two or three gallons, made of red cedar with hoops usually of copper, for holding drink- ing-water. It usually stands on a wooden frame-work called a water-stand, in some convenient place where it can be gotten at easily. The water is dipped out with a cocoa-nut. Watercourses, n. pi. Rivers and streams of running-water. Water-furrow, n. A deep furrow made for conducting water from ground and keeping it dry; an open drain. Water-gall, n. An appearance in the sky regarded as show- ing the approach of rain; an imperfectly formed secondary rainbow. (2) A jelly-fish. (3) Small watery oyster. Water-hole, n. A hole or hollow where water collects: as, there are many water-holes in the road after a hard rain. Water-sobbed, adj. Soaked with water. "Water-stand, n. A wooden frame-work made by fastening four upright, parallel sides four feet long and a foot apart, this placed on one end held the water-can or water-tub. Water-table, n. A projecting course of bevelled bricks for throwing off the water from the wall of a house. Water- witch, n. One of several water-birds noted for their quickness in diving, as a kind of duck. Wattle, ;/. A frame work made of interwoven sticks or twigs. (2) A round flap of skin forming a teat-like excrescence on each side of the neck of some hogs, and goats. Loose hanging flesh. (3) The gill appendages of a game-cock. Wattle— Wear off. 417 Wattle, v. To form by interweaving twigs or branches. Wattle-and-dab, n. A rough mode of building huts, cottages, etc. , of interwoven twigs plastered with mud or clay. Wattled, adj. Having a wattle or wattles, as a bird. Wave, v. To give a signal by a gesture of movement up and down: as, " She waved to me with her hand." Wavy, adj. Undulating in movement or shape; waving: as, wavy hair. Waynable, adj. At the right age to be weaned. Wax-end, n. A shoemaker's waxed and bristled thread. Waxin-kearnels, n. pi. Enlarged lymph-nodes sometimes found in the groins or under the jaws of children. Waxen kernels. Waxen kearnels. Waxy, adj. Angry; wrathy. Way, n. Length of space; distance: as, the church is but a little way from here. Mostly used as ways: it is no great ways. Ways, n. pi. Habitual or peculiar mode or manner of doing or saying this: as, " He has his father's ways. " Weak-headed, adj. Having a weak head or intellect. Weak-hearted, adj. Having little courage; dispirited. Weak-kneed, adj. Weak as regards will or determination. Weakly, adj. Weak; feeble; not robust: as, a a/mi'/)' woman. We-all's.^/w/. Our. " We-alV s Miss Mary." We all, we. Wean, v. To accustom a child or young animal to nourish- ment or food other than its mother's milk; disaccustom to the mother's breast: as, to wean a child. Weanable, adj. At a fit age to be weaned. Wear, v. Applied to vigour retained in age. "He wears well." (2) " It 7vears late." It grows late. Wear off, v. To cease by length of time or other causes. ' ' Towards night the fever wore off. ' ' 27 418 Wearisome — Weed. s Wearisome, adj. Causing weariness; tiresome; tedious; irk- some; monotonous. Weasand, n. Wezzen. The windpipe. Weasel, n. A lean, mean, sneaking fellow. '"Thin as a zv ease I. Weather, n. Falling weather, actual rain or drizzling weather; wind ; storm. ' ' I think we are going to have some weather. Weather, v. To affect injuriously by the action of the weather. The tombstone " has not been weathered." Weather-beaten, adj. Beaten or marred by the weather; seasoned or hardened by exposure to all kinds of weather. Weather-boarding, n. A facing of thin boards, having usually a feather-edge, and nailed lapping one over the other, used as an outside covering for the walls of a wooden building. "Weather-breeder, n. A fine serene day which precedes and prepares a storm. Weather-dog, n. A fragmentary rainbow, popularly believed, to be an indication of rain. Weather-gall. Weather-gall, >i. A faint indication of a double rainbow. Weather-wise, adj. Skillfull in foretelling the changes of the weather. Wed, v. Perfect tense of weed. " He 'wed all of his corn be- fore the droughth." Wedge, n. A large pointed piece of iron used with a maul for splitting wood. Wedth, ;/. For width. "This boat has more wedth than the other." Wee, adj. Small; little; teeny. Weed, n. Any one of those herbaceous plants which are use- less and without special beauty, or especially which are positively troublesome. Weed— Well-favoured. 419 Weed, v. To root up and remove weeds, or anything resem- bling weeds: as, to weed corn. Wed, past tense. Weed, ;/. A garment of any sort, especially an outer garment; hence, garments in general, especially the whole garment worn at any time. Now commonly in the plural, and chiefly in the phrase: " Widoiv' s weeds." Weeding-hoe, n. A broad hoe for weeding corn. Weedy, adj. Abounding with weeds. Week, n. The wick of a candle. Week-day, n. Any day of the week except Sunday. Weeky- day. Weepon, n. For weapon. Weevil, n. Any insect that damages stored grain, as the fly weevil, or the grain-moth. Weevilly, adj. Infested or infected with weevils, as grain. Weft, n. The threads taken together, which run across the web from side to side, or from selvage to selvage. Weigh butter and sell cheese, ;/. A children's game. Two persons stand back to back and interlock their arms, then each by bending forward alternately, lifts the other off the ground. Weir, n. Pronounced ware. A fence as of stakes or twigs, set in a stream for catching fish. Welch-chimney, n. (?) " House ffifteene ffoote broade w th a Welch-chimney in it." Well-behaved, adj. Of good behaviour or conduct; becom- ing in manner; courteous; civil. Well-bricks, n. pi. Curved bricks used for lining wells. Well-bucket, ;/. A vessel for drawing up water from a well. Well-day, n. In intermittent fever the day on which there is neither ague nor fever. " To-morrow is my well-day." Well-favoured, adj. Being of good favour or appearance; good-looking; comely. 4'20 Well-kearb — Weyenoke. Well-kearb, n. A kearb or enclosure around and above the top of a well. Well-meant, adj. Rightly intended; friendly; sincere; not feigned. Well-read, adj. Having read largely; having an extensive and intelligent knowledge of books or literature. Well-set, adj. Symmetrically formed; properly joined or put together. Well-sweep, n. A sweep or pivotted pole to one end of which a bucket is hung for drawing water from a well. Well-timbered, adj. Well furnished with timber: as, well- timbered land; a well-timbered vessel. Well-to-do, adj. Having means to do or get along with; well off; prosperous; forehanded. Well-water, n. The water of a well; water drawn from an artificial well. Welt, ;/. A low superficial ridge or linear swelling, as on the skin: as, to raise welts on a person or animal by blows with a whip. Welt, v. To beat severely with a stick or whip, whereby welts may be raised. Welting, n. A severe beating with a whip, stick, strap, or the like. "Wench, n. A negro woman of any age, a negro or mulatto, especially one in service. A young woman. (2) A winch. Were, v. IVer, not wear. Wester, v. To tend or move towards the west: as, the wind westered. Wet, v. To mix the meal with water. "The bread isn't near ready. I haven't wet the dough yet." Wether, ;/. A castrated ram. Weyenoke, >i. Indian word, used as place-name, meaning sassafras. Whack— Whet. 421 Whack, n. A heavy blow; a thwack. (2) Full quantity; share. "I'll get my whack while things are going." Whack, v. To give a heavy or resounding blow to; thwack. Whacker, n. Something strikingly large of its kind; a big thing; a whopper. Whacking, adj. Very large; lusty; whopping. Whale, v. To lash with vigourous stripes; thrash or beat soundly. Whaling, p. a. Big, unusual, or extraordinary of its kind; strapping; whopping; whacking. Whapper-jawed, adj. Having a protruding under-jaw. Whang, n. A blow; a whack; a beating or banging; a bang. Wharves, ;/. pi. Plural of wharf, not wharfs. Whatever, interrog. "Whatever became of Jones and his wife ?" " Whatever made him do that ?' ' What for, pron. For what reason. What not, ;/. Anything no matter what; what you please. What say, interrog. For " What do you say ?" " Wheate-strewed to & agen about the house flower." Used in an inventory for wheat scattered about the floor of a house. Wheat-tailings, n. pi. The faulty grains of wheat that are blown out in fanning. Wheedle, v. To gain or procure by flattery or coaxing. Wheedling, ;/. The act or art of coaxing, cajoling, or delud- ing by flattery. Wheel, v. To cause to turn, or to move in a circle; make to rotate, revolve, or change direction. Wheel-horse, n. A person who bears the brunt, or on whom the burden mostly rests. Whet, n. A turn; a bout. A long space of time: as, " He 422 Whichaway — Whipper-snapper. staid such a whet." " He has been such a whet doing that." Whichaway, pron. Which of two or more ways. Every- whichaway, everywhere. Whicker, n. The cry of a horse. Whicker, v. To make the sound of a horse's voice; to neigh. To utter the cry of a horse. Whiff, n. A quick exhalation of air, and especially of smoke; a putt of air conveying some smell; a sudden expulsion of air, smoke, or the like from the mouth; a puff. 'I don't like it, I only got a whiff of it and that was enough for me." While, n. A time; a space of time. " He comes every little while r "While, adv. Untill. " Stay here while I go into the house." Whim, n. A sudden turn or inclination of the mind; a fancy; a caprice. Whimper, n. A low, peevish, broken cry; a whine. Whimper, v. To cry with a low, whining, broken voice; make a low, complaining sound. Whimpering, ;/. A low whining cry; a whimper. Whimsy, ;/. A whim; a freak; a capricious notion. Whindle, v. To whimper or whine; to cry peevishly; to whimper, used of a child. Whinny, v. To neigh; make the cry of a horse. Whip, v. To sew with an over and over stitch, as two pieces of cloth the edges of which are laid or stitched together. Whip-around, v. To change one's opinion. " He has whipped around to the other side. ' ' The wind whips around when it changes suddenly. Whip-hand, ;/. An advantage, or advantageous position. Whip-lash, n. The lash, or pliant part of a whip. Whipper-snapper, n. A shallow, insignificant person. Whippoorwill— Whittle. 423 Whippoorwill, n. A bird so called in imitation of its cry. Whip-saw, ;;. A saw with a long blade used by two persons in a saw-pit. Whipstitch, n. A short space of time; a thing repeated often: as, he went in and out at every whipstitch. Whip up, v. To move briskly. " Whip up to get there in time." " We must whip up or we'll be there late." Whirligig, n. A toy which children spin in the hand by means of a string. Whisp, ;/. A handfull of straw twisted. Whisp-broom, n. A handfull of straw gathered and tied at the butt-ends and used as a broom for brushing clothes. Whisk, n. "Whiskies." A sort of tippet; an old ornament for women's necks. Whistle, 11. The throat; to wet one's whistle, is to take a drink. Whisuntide, n. Whitsuntide. White-bread, n. When people are not at their ease and in good circumstances they refer to their better days, and say: "We were eating our white-bread then." Whited-brown-thread, n. Pale dusky brown, " whitey brown ' ' thread. White-livered, adj. A term of reproach. White-oak broom, n. Same as "split-broom." Whitleather, n. The nuchal ligament of grazing animals, as the ox, supporting the head. People old and tough, are said to be in the ' ' whitleather state. Whitlow, ;/. A suppurative inflamation of the deeper tissues in a finger, usually of the last joint. Whittle, v. To cut wood with a pocket-knife, either aimlessly or with the intention of forming something; to use a pocket- knife in cutting wood or shaping wooden things. 424 Who— Wiggletail. Who,/;'o«. Who all, all the persons who; the whole number who. Who-all, interrog. Meaning all who: as, " Who all were there." Whop, ;/. Whap. A heavy slap. Whop, v. To plump suddenly down as on the floor; flop: as, she whopped down on the floor. Whopper, n. Anything uncommonly large: applied particu- larly to a monstrous lie. Whopping, adj. Very large; thumping. Whorl, n. A piece of wood on the spindle of a spinning-wheel with deep groves cut in it to receive the band from the large wheel that gives motion to the spindle. The band was usually made of a stout cotton string. W 'id, prep. A form of with. Wide-awake, adj. On the alert; keen; sharp; knowing. Wid'nin, n. The widening; the place where a stocking is widened. Widow-bewitched, n. A woman who is separated from her husband. Widow-woman, ;/. A woman who has lost her husband by death. Grass-widow, a woman who is living temporarily or permanently apart from her husband. An unmarried woman who has had a child. California-widow, came into use when many men went to California leaving their wives be- hind; and women who claimed to have husbands in Cali- fornia when they had never been married. Wiggle, ;/. A waggling or wriggling motion. Wiggle, v. To waggle; wabble; wriggle. Wiggler, 7i. One who or that which wriggles. (2) A small moving animal in the water. Wiggletail, ;/. One of the active larvae, as of mosquitos, seen in stagnant water. Wild— Window-light. 425 Wild, adj. Loose and disorderly in conduct; given to going beyond bounds in pleasurable indulgence; ungoverned; more or less dissolute, wayward, or unrestrained in conduct. Enthusiastic, eager; keen; especially, very eager with de- light, excitement or the like. (2) Living in a state of nature; inhabiting the forest or open field; roving; wander- ing; not tame. Wildish, adj. Somewhat wild. Wilk, n. A large mollusk with convoluted shell. Will, v. To bequeath by will. " It was zvilled to me." Wilier, n. A willow. Willow-oak, n. An oak the leaves of which are large and entire, like those of a willow. Wilt, v. To become soft or languid; lose energy, pith, or strength; to wither. Wimble, n. A gimlet. Wince, n. A form of winch. The crank, projecting handle, or lever by which the axis of a revolving machine is turned. Wind-bag, n. A person of mere words; a noisy, empty, pre- tender. Wind-broken,/), a. Diseased in the respiratory organs; hav- ing the power of breathing impaired by chest-disease. Wind-colic, n. Intestinal pain caused by flatulence. Winder, n. For window. "Workmanlike winders in y e house." Winder-shetters, n. Window-shutters. Windfall, n. Any piece of good fortune entirely unexpected. Wind-gall, n. Fragments of rainbows seen on detached clouds. Winding-blades, n. pi. Four arms on which a skein of cot- ton or yarn is put to be wound into balls. Window-light, n. The pane of glass in a window. 426 Windrow — Wish-bone. Windrow, n. Sheaves of wheat set up in a row one against another in order that the wind may blow between them. Wind-shake, n. A flaw in the timber of trees. Wind-shaken, adj. Impaired by the action of the wind: as, wind-shaken timber. Windsor-chair, n. A chair made of wood, painted, with gilt figures on the back and rounds. Wind-up, n. The conclusion of final adjustment of any mat- ter; the close. (2) Stopping business. Windy, adj. Talkative; boastful; vain. Wine-sop, n. Wine-sap. A highly esteemed American apple. Wink, n. A nap; sleep. Winker, n. An eyelash. Winter, v. To keep, feed, or manage during the winter: as, to winter cattle. Winter-geranium, n. Name for the crysanthemum. Winterish, adj. Wintery. "The weather begins to feel winterish. ' ' Winter-kill, v. To kill by cold in the winter: as, wheat, or other vegetation. Wipe, ;/. A quick or hard stroke; a blow; a cut: as, with a knife; a blow with a whip. Wire-edge, n. A thin, wire-like edge formed on a cutting- tool by over-sharpening on one side, which causes the edge to turn over slightly towards the other side. Wire-grass, ;/. A grass with long roots that look like wire; strong, and giving the farmers much trouble as it grows rapidly. Wirey, adj. Of persons, lean and sinew v. Wisdom-tooth, n. The last molar in each jaw. Wish-bone, ;/. The merry-thought of a fowl. Wishy-washy — Woodgy. 427 Wishy-washy, adj. Very thin and weak; diluted; sloppy; feeble; lacking in substantial or desirable qualities; insig- nificant. Wisp, n. A handfull of straw. Witched, v. Persons are said to be "witched" when they have suffered at the hands of witches. Witch-knot, ;/. A knot or snarl especially in the hair, sup- posed to be caused by witchcraft. Witch-ridden, adj. Ridden by witches; having a nightmare. Witches'- stirrup, n. The tangles in a colt's mane that are used as stirrups by witches to mount to his back. Withe, n. A twig or stick twisted to make it flexible. Without, conj. Unless. " I wont go without you do." Wizzen, n. The windpipe. A form of zveasand. Wizzen, adj. Hard, dry and shrivelled; withered. Wizzen-faced, adj. Having a thin, shrivelled face. Woff, n. The bark of a dog. Women-folks, n. pi. Women, especially the members of a household. Wonder, v. To speculate on something that may happen in the future. " I wonder if it'll rain before night." Wondering, n. Expressing admiration or amazement; mar- velling. Wonderstruck, adj. Struck with wonder, admiration or sur- prize. Wonderment, n. Surprize; astonishment. Something won- derfull. Wont, v. A contraction of woll not, that is, anil not. Woodgy, adj. Hair tumbled and towselled about, like one frantic, enraged: as," woodgy headed." (2) Any connec- tion with O. E. wood = mad; crazy? Woodly. Woodlich. 428 Wood-cock— Woolly. Wood-cock, n. The large, red-crested woodpecker. Lob- cock. Wood-cutter, n. A person who cuts wood; one who cuts down trees, cuts them into proper lengths and splits them for use. Wooden, adj. Dull; stupid, as if with no more sensation than wood. Wooden, v. Wouldn't. Wouden. Wooden-head, ;/. A blockhead; a thick-headed, dull, or stu- pid person; numskull. Woodenware, //. Tubs, buckets, etc., of wood. Wood-horse, n. A saw-horse. A framework on which logs of wood are put to be sawn into lengths for use. Wood-rick, n. A pile of cord-wood laid in order. Woods, )i. Always used in the plural when speaking of a forest. " Fresh woods and pastures new." Woodsy, adj. Belonging to or associated with woods; peculiar to or characteristic of woods. Abounding in woods. Woodwork, n. Carpentry. "The house must be nearly finished, the woodwork is all done." Wool, v. To pull the hair oi\ in sport or anger; rumple or towsel the hair of; to beat. " I'll ivool you when I get my hands on you." Wool-cards, n. pi. A small hand machine about a foot long and four or five inches wide, made of bent wire teeth for carding wool into rolls for spinning into yarn. Wool-dyed, adj. Dyed in the wool, that is, before spinning or weaving: as, icool-dyed cloth. Wool-fell, n. A sheepskin with the wool on it. Wool-gathering, ;/. The indulgence of idle fancies or to any foolish or fruitless pursuit. Woolly, adj. Consisting of wool; fleecy. Resembling wool; having the appearance of wool: as, woolly hair. Word— Wormed. 429 Word, n. To praise or blame; to speak well or ill of. "I never heard anybody give him a bad word. Words, n. Dispute; disagreement. " They had already had some words about it." Wore,/fl/-/. Of wear. "Yes, he's old and wore out now." Work, v. To express the action of purgative medicine. " The oil "worked four times. ' ' Work, v. To ferment, as liquors. To operate on, as a purga- tive or other drug; purge. (2) To ply one's trade, calling, vocation, or business. To exact labour or service from; keep busy or employed: as, "He works his horses too hard." Workaday, n. Working day; relating to workdays; plodding; toiling. Workyday. Work-bag, n. A small bag of some woven material, formerly carried by women, and used to hold their needle-work. The term is often used for the reticule. Work-basket, n. A basket used by women either to hold the implements for sewing, as needles, thread, scissors, or thim- ble; or to hold partly made garments, articles needing repair, etc. Workies, n. pi. Working people distinguished from those who do not have to work. Working, n. Fermentation: as, the working of yeast. Working-man, n. A labouring man; one who earns his living by manual labour. Work-steers, n. pi. Steers used for work, as hauling, and other farm work, and not for beef cattle. Worm-eaten, p. a. Old, worn-out, or worthless, as if eaten by worms. Wormed, past part. Eaten or damaged by worms. "The wood is wormed by being so long in the water. ' ' 430 Worm-fence — Wrack. Worm-fence, ;/. A zigzag fence made by placing the ends of the rails at an angle upon one another; a snake-fence, Worm-hole, n. The hole or track made by a worm, as in timber, fruit, etc. Worm-holed, adj. Perforated with worm-holes. Wormy, adj. Full of worms; infested or affected with worms. (2) Worm-like; low; mean; debased; grovelling; earthy. 'Worn-out, adj. Wearied; exhausted, as with toil. Past; gone; removed; departed. Worn't, v. Was not, were not. " They worrit at church to- day." Worrisome, adj. Causing worry or annoyance; troublesome. Worrum, ;/. A worm. " I Vorrum fence," a fence zigzag made of split-rails. Worry, n. Harrassing anxiety, solicitude or turmoil; per- plexity arising from over-anxiety or petty annoyances and cares; trouble: as, the worries of housekeeping. Worry, v. To tease; trouble; harrass with importunity or with care and anxiety; plague; bother; vex; persecute. (2) To worry down, to swallow or put down by a strong effort of the will. Worrying,/), a. Teasing; troubling; harrassing; fatiguing. Worsen, v. To grow worse; make worse. Worser,//^/. A comparative of "worse. Wo'th, adv. For worth. " He isn't wo'th a cent." Would, v. Always used in a sense of inclination, will. Wozzen, n. Woozzen. The gullet. Wrack, >i. That which is cast ashore by waves. Sea-weed cast ashore. (2) The destruction of a ship by winds or rocks or by the force of the waves; shipwreck. (3) Distruc- tion; ruin. Wrack, v. To destrov; make shipwreck of; wreck. Wranglesome — Wropper. 431 Wranglesome, adj. Contentious; quarrelsome. Wrastle, v. To struggle, as two persons striving to throw each other to the ground. (2) To deal, as with a trouble- some duty; apply one's self vigourously; grapple. Wrathy, adj. Angry. Wrench, n. A violent twist or turn given to something; a pulling awry; a sudden twisting out of shape, place or rela- tion: as, to sprain one's foot by a wrench. Wrench, v. To injure or pain by a twisting action; produce a distorting effect? in or upon; distort; sprain. Wretched, adj. Suffering from or affected by extreme misery or distress; deeply afflicted; miserable; unhappy. Wriggle, v. To move sinuously; twist to and fro; writhe; squirm; wiggle. Wring, v. To twist out of place, shape, or relation; bend or strain tortuously or twistingly: as, to wring the neck of a bird. Wring and twist, v. As a restless child in bed. Wringing, adj. Saturated; dripping with water, so that it may be wrung out: as, he was out in the rain and came in wring- ing wet. Wrinkle, n. A short, pith piece of information or advice; a valuable hint; a bit of usefull knowledge or instruction; a good idea; a trick; a point; a notion; a device. Wrinkly, adj. Somewhat wrinkled; having a tendency to be wrinkled; puckered; creased. Wrisbuns, n. pi. Wristbands of a shirt. Writings, n. pi. Legal documents; title deeds relating to land. Wrongheaded, adj. Characterized by or due to perversity of judgement; obstinately opinionated; misguided; stubborn. Wropper, ;/. Wrapper. A loose gown for man or woman. " Mommg-wropper. " v 432 "Wryneck — Yarn. Wryneck, ;/. A twisted or distorted neck; a deformity in which the neck is drawn to one side and twisted. Wt = weight, n. Often used for pound. Wudget, n. A wad; pad; bundle. " She had her hair done up in wudgets of paper." Wunk, v. Form of winked. Wunnut, n. Warnut. The black walnut; and other nuts of the same family. Wornut. Wush, n. A wish. Wusser, adj. Comparative of worse. " He is wusser than tother." Wust, adj. For worst. Wuth, n. Worth. " How much is the horse wuth ? " Y Yahoo, n. A rough, brutal, uncouth character. (2) A green- horn; a back-country lout. Yaller-belly, n. A small fish; a " yaller pearch." Yallerhammer, n. A yellowish woodpecker. Yucker. Yallow, adj. A colour; yellow. Yaller. Yam, n. A variety of sweet potato. Yankeefied, adj. Having the appearance or manner of a Yankee; characteristic of a Yankee. Yap, v. To yelp; to bark. Yarb, n. A form of herb. Yarb-tea. made of catnip, much used for colicky babies. Yard, n. The virile member; the penis. Yard, n. A piece of enclosed ground of small or moderate size; particularly, a piece of ground enclosing or adjoining a house or other building, or enclosed by it. Yardstick, n. A measuring-stick of the exact length of three feet. Yarn, ;/. Stout woollen thread used for knitting. (2) A story; Yarn— Yerk. 433 a tale; often implying the marvellous or untrue; applied to a long story, with allusion to spinning yarn. Yarn, v. To tell stories; to spin yarns. Yarn, v. A form of earn. Yearn. Yawn, v. To open the mouth wide voluntarily. Involuntarily, as through drowsiness or dullness; gearpe. Yeaning, pres. part. Bringing forth young, as a sheep, or goat. " Yeaning -time," lambing time. Yea-nay, adj. A yea-nay chap is one who does not know his own mind. Yearling, n. A young beast of one year old or in the second year of its age; usually applied to cattle and horses, the males. Year, n. Ear of corn. " Shall pay three barrels of yeares." Years, n. pi. Age. He is getting in years, meaning that he is far advanced in age. Yelk, n. A form of yolk. Yell, n. A sharp, loud outcry; a scream or cry suggestive of horror, distress, agony or ferocity. Yell, v. To cry out with a sharp, loud noise; shriek; cry or scream as with agony, horror or ferocity. Yellow-belly, n. A small, yellow, fresh-water pearch. Yellow-jacket, n. Yallow -jacket, a hornet having the body marked with yellow. Yelp, v. To give a sharp, shrill, quick cry, like a wild turkey- hen. Yelper, n. A call used by sportsmen to imitate the cry of a wild turkey-hen. Yelping, n. The cry of a wild turkey-hen, or an imitation of it. Yer, adv. A form of here. Yerb, n. A form of herb. Yerk, n. A sharp or sudden pull; a jerk. 28 434 Yerk— Yulk. Yerk, v. To pull sharply or suddenly; jerk; move with a jerk. Yuk. Yes'm, For " yes madam." Yield, n. Produce. " There has been a good yield of wheat this year." Yistiddy, «.' A form of yesterday. Yistirday. Yoe, 7i. , Yow; yeo; eow; yowe; a female sheep. "Breeding yoes & a Ramm." Yoe-necked, adj. Long and hollow neck like a yoe. Yoke, 7i. A pair; couple; said of things united by some link, especially of draught animals: as, a yoke of steers. Yoke, 7i. A form of yolk. Yoke of an egg. Yon, adv. That or those, referring to an object at a distance; yo7ider. "Km he goes." Yond, adv. In or at that more or less distant place. " Yo7id it is." Yound, adj. ¥ ox young. Young, adj. Junior. Applied to the younger of two persons, especially when they have the same name: as, the yoimg Mr. Jones. Young-man, n. A bachelor; unmarried man irrespective of age. Youngster, 7i. A young person; a lad. Your day, /i. Your lifetime; all your days: as, "It will last you yotcr day. ' ' Yourn, pro7i. Yours, your own. Youthsome, adj. Having the vigour, freshness, feelings, tastes, or appearance of youth ; youthful, young. Yowl, v. To howl. Yuck, v. To yerk; to jerk. Yucker, 71. The golden-winged woodpecker. Yellow-hammer. Yulk, 7i. The yellow part of an egg. Yuck. Zed— Zuch. 435 Z Zed, n. The letter Z, also called izzard. Zip, n. The sound of a bullet passing through the air. Zip-coon, n. Name for a raccoon. Zuch, Zuch, Zuch; choog, choog, choog, words used for call- ing hogs. F for Fig, I for Jig, N for Nuckle-bones, I for John the Waterman, S for Sally Jones. Some Virginia Names. 15 SPELT. CALLED. Jenkins, Jin'kins, Jordan, Jur'dn, Kean, Kane, Ker, Kerr, Carr, Keaar, Kirby, Kearby, Langhorne, Lang'on, Lawrence, Lar'ance, Mackintosh, Mack'entash, Malhcote, Mal'icut, Marsden, Mas'den, Marye, Maree, Maury, Mur'ry, Michaux, Mish'er, Montford, Munford, Mum'ford, Morton, Mo'ton, Napier, Nap'per, Norsworthy, Naz'ary, Patrick, Part'rick, Perrott, Par'rot, Piggot, Pick'et, Presson, Pres'sy, Randolph, Ran'dal, Rochelle, Roach'el, Roper, Roo'per, Sandys, Sands, Sayer, Saw'yer, Sclater, Slaughter, Slater Semple, Sarm'ple, Sewell, Seawell, Sow'el, Sinclair, Sink'ler, Stegge, Stag, 16 Some Virginia Names. spelt. Sweeny, Taliaferro, Timberlake, Turlington, Tutwiler, Urquhart, Waltham, Warwick, Wilkinson, Wills, Womb well, Woodward, Woolfolk, Wyatt, Yates, Yeardley, CALLED. Swin'ny, Tol'iver, Tim'berleg, Turn'ton, Toot'wiler, Urk'art, Wal'tum, War'rick, Wilker'son, Wells, Wom'ble, Wood'ard, Wool'fork, Wait, Yeates, Yard'ly. SOME VIRGINIA FOLK-SAYINGS. Accidents will happen in the best regulated families. A bird dying in your hand will give you the palsy. A chunk of fire falling on the hearth is a sure sign that a stranger is coming. A creaking door never falls. A dog's howl is a sign of death. A face that would stop a clock; that is, repellant. After breakfast walk a mile; after dinner sit awhile. A feast or a famine. A good run is better than a bad stand. A handful of salt will put out the fire of a burning chimney. A lean dog for a long chase. A left-handed person owes the devil a day's work. A lick and a promise and better next time. Alluding to a hasty wash given to a child, dish, etc. A month of Sundays. A figure for a very long time, or even eternity. A nimble sixpence is better than a slow shilling. A nod's as good as a wink to a blind horse. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Any port in a storm. A person made mad by the bite of a mad-dog was smothered between feather-beds to relieve him of his misery. A person who never stole anything has a lock of hair growing in the palm of his hand. A potato carried in the pocket constantly will cure rheumatism. It all goes into the potato that becomes dry and hard. April showers bring May flowers. A rolling stone gathers no moss; but a stagnant pool stinks. A stitch in time saves nine. 2 18 Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. A slice from a cut loaf is never missed. Usually said to gloss over a breach of the seventh commandment. A sore on the tip of the tongue is a sign that you have told a lie. A sleeping foot or hand relieved by crossing with the finger wetted in the mouth. A still winter's night with clear sky and twinkling stars a sign of heavy frost. A snake never dies till sundown. A strip of red flannel worn around the neck cures the sorethroat. A watched pot never boils. A whistling woman and a crowing hen never came to any good end. A wild bird flying in at the window is a sign of death. A word and a blow and the blow first. Hasty temper. All on one side like a jug-handle. • /As bald as a coot. As big as a nimepence chicken. As big as I don't know what. As black as the back, (of the chimney); as my hat. As black as thunder. As brazen as brass. As bright as a new cent. As clean as a penny. As clean as a new pin. As clear as a bell. As clear as mud. As cold as a frog. As cold as charity. As common as dish-water (as dirt). As crooked as a dog's hind leg. A very crooked fence rail is mule from a tree that grew in the night; and was so crooked that it will neither lie on the fence nor on the ground. As crooked as a ram's horn. As cross as two sticks. As cunning as a fox. As cute as the devil. As dark as a dungeon. Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. 19 As dead as a herring. As dead as a nit. A nit is the egg of a louse or other insect. As deaf as a post. As deep as a well. As drunk as a fiddler's bitch. As drunk as a fool. As drunk as a lord. As dry as a bone. As dry as a stick. As dull as a hoe. As easy as an old shoe. Said of the fit of anything, or of any easy temper. As fat as a match. As flat as a flounder. As full as a tick; that is, the insect. As full of conceit as an egg is of meat. As good as gold. As gray as a badger. As gray as a rat. As hard as a bullet. As hard as a flint. As hard as a rock. As heavy as lead. As hungry as a hound. As hungry as a hunter. As large as life and twice as natural. As lazy as Hall's dog, that lent against the fence to bark. As light as a feather. As lively as a cricket. As lively as a two year old. As lousy as a hog. As many times as I've fingers and toes. As much alike as two peas. As mute as a mouse. As old as Adam ; As old as Methuselah. As pale as death. / 20 Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. As pale as a ghost. As plain as an old shoe. As plain as a pike-staff. As plain as the nose on a man's face. As playful as a kitten. As pleased as a basket of chips. As pleased as Punch. As pretty as a picture. As proud as a dog with two tails. As ragged as a buzzard. As red as a gobbler's snout. As rotten as a pear. As rough as a bear's backside (a — e.) As rough as a rasp. As savage as a bear. As sick as a dog, (sick at the stomach.) As silly as a goose. As sound as a dollar. As sour as varge. As stiff as a poker: applied to a person. As sure as fate, or death. As sure as God made little apples. As sure as a gun. As sure as shooting. As tall as a May-pole. As thick as hail. As thick as mud. As thick as three in a bed. As thin as a lath. As tight as a drum. As ugly as sin and nearly as agreeable. Ask me no questions I'll tell you no lies, Give me no apples I'll make you no pies. A squitch-owl hollering near the house is a sign of death. A wounded snake does not die till sundown. At midnight on Christmas eve the cattle will be found on their knees, a token of adoration. Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. 21 A woollen sock when taken oft" the foot at night and wrapped around the neck will cure sore throat. Bad luck to hear a hen crow; kill her at once. /\Ba.d news travels fast. /^Barking up the wrong tree. Bastings in a garment are a sign that it has not been paid for. Be as quick as you can, and if you fall down, don't stop to get up, but roll. Beech trees are never struck by lightning. Beef and pullet (pull it) when the beef is tough. Before the cat can lick behind her ear. Best in the world. Bitter as sut. j>Vome easy, go easy. XCool as a cucumber. Cramps in the arms or legs are cured by tying a strip of eelskin around the wrists or ankles. Croaking of a rain crow a sign ol rain. Croaking of a tree-frog a sign of rain. Curses, like chickens, come home to roost. Cut dogs and spayed bitches see spirits. Cut your coat according to your cloth. J^T)ark as night. J^Dark as pitch. >QZ)ead as a narnmer; as a hatchet. Deaf as a beagle. Dogs see sperits. Do not let the birds put the combings of your hair in their nests; it will make you have the headache. Do not let any one sweep under your feet, it will sweep away all your friends. Don't holler till you are out of the woods. Do not speak of a rope in the house of a man whose father was hanged. Drawn teeth should be burnt. Don't kick before you are spurred. y Drunk as .1 boited owl. 1 )rv as a powder-horn. Drv weather when the moon hangs on her back. Enough to make a dog laugh. Every dog has his day. Every little helps as the old woman said when she made water in the sea. Her husband was a sailor. Every tub must stand on its own bottom. Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. 23 Exchange is no robbery. <^ 1 24 Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. He doesn't know where his behind hangs. Said of a very proud person. He knows where the shoe pinches. He'll take anything that isn't too hot to hold or too heavy to carry. He furnished the stick to break his own head. He has found a mare's nest, and is laughing at the eggs. He had hardly gotten warm in the nest before he had to go. He looks like a motherless colt with his lip hanging. Help to salt, help to sorrow. He must have been fed with a shovel. Alluding to one with a wide mouth. He's got a head and so has a pin. He has more than nits and lice in his head. He was born tired. Said of a lazy person. He will -have the bag to hold. He would skin a louse for his hide and tallow. Of a stingy per- son. Hew to the line, let the chips fall where they will. He'll never make old bones. Spoken of a sickly child, youth or young man. His father will never be dead as long as he lives. Said of a son who closely resembles his father in looks and ways. He is eating his white bread now. Said of a person living at his ease and comfort, whose fortune may be worse later. Hogs see the wind. Hogs, when swimming, are said to cut their throats with the hoofs of their forefeet. In burying or laving out the dead, the feet must always be to the east, the head to the west. If a death-watch is heard ticking it is a sign of death. If a stick catches in the dress while walking, it is the sign of a beau. If it falls off of itself he will leave you. If you have to pull it off it is a better sign. If ants build up sand around their holes it is a sign of rain. If anyone brings a hoe or axe into the house on his shoulder, it Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. 25 is bad luck; to do away with it, you must walk out back- wards with the tool still on your shoulder. 11 a rooster flies on a fence while it is raining, and crows, it is a sure sign that it will clear off. If it rains on the 15th of July, it will rain every day in dog days. If it rains while the sun is shining out it is a sign that the devil is whipping his wife. If hens eat snow it will stop them from laying. If on arising from a chair, it falls over, the person causing the accident will not marry for twelve months. If sea-birds fly near the land, it is a si^jtt of a storm. If swallows fly lower than usual, skimming the ground, it is a sign of rain. /QT you dig where the end of a rainbow touches the ground you'll find a bag of gold. If your foot itches you'll walk on strange ground. ylf your nose itches somebody is coming; right side a man, left side a woman. Jx$f your right ear burns somebody is " talking good " about you; if the left ear burns somebody is " talking bad" about you; wet your finger and cross the ear that burns. If your right hand itches you are going to shake hands with somebody; if your left hand itches you are going to get money. If your shoe comes untied somebody is thinking about you. If you see the moon over your right shoulder, good luck; over the left, bad luck. If you see the moon through the trees, bad luck; if clear, good ^Tf£J ! UCk " - rjf If von sing before breakfast you'll cry before night. If you sneeze with food in your mouth it is a sign of death. If you stand with your back too near the fire it will melt the marrow in your backbone and kill you. [f you step over a mop-or broom-handle it is a sign that you will never be married. If you try to burn the combings of your hair and they do not blaze it is a sign of sickness. 26 Some Virginia Folk-Savings. If you want good luck, always carry about with you a rabbit's left hind foot. If's a long letter. F's a long letter. Ef. If scissors fall and stick up in the floor it is a sign that somebody is coming. If two people look in a glass at once, the younger will die within a year. If two spoons are in the same cup of tea or coffee as it is handed, it is a sign of marriage. If you find a pin on the floor with the head towards you, good luck; point, bad luck. If you give a dog a bad name you had just as well hang him. If you see a pin and let it lie, you'll be sure to want it before you die. If you want to catch the calf give a nubbin to the cow. If you shiver, someone is walking on your grave. In a drouth all signs fail. Nfii two shakes of a sheep's tail. In an eclipse the sun and moon jump over each other. In an eagle's nest will be found a loadstone. It always clears off in time to put up the fowls before night. It's all moonshine. It's a different breed of dogs. It's a long lane that has no turning. It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest. Adit's as broad as it's long. It's bad luck to carry fire to fire; if you carry fire from one room to another, spit on it. It's bad luck to plant gourd seeds; they should be thrown at random to come up. It is bad luck to let a child see it's face in a looking-glass before it is a year old. It is bad luck to burn sassafras wood. It blows great guns. It is better to be at the end of a feast than the beginning of a hay. X It never rains without it pours. Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. 27 /\It's neither here nor there. It's no sign of a duck's nest seeing a drake sitting on the fence. It's not the worth of a thing but the want of it that makes its value. Jaybirds go to Hell every Friday with a grain of corn. Joy go with you; you'll leave peace behind you. Keei een as a whistle. Keen as a razor. >4.ady-bug, lady-bug, fly away home, your house is on fire and your children will burn. Larovers to catch meddlers. ^M^augh on the wrong side of your mouth, that is, cry. XJ^east said, soonest mended. Light nut crop a sign of a mild winter. ^Like a bump on a log. Like a cooper around a cask. Like a dove builds her nest, a stick at a time. Like a green bay-tree: said of a person who is in a good flourish- ing condition. Like a hen on a hot griddle. Like a jug-handle, all on one side. Like a pea on a hot shovel. Like darting straws against a nor' wester. Like the Dutchman's anchor, at home, when he was on a voyage and wanted it. Like the old sow, you have to pull her ears off to get her to the wash and pull her tail off to get her away. Like the old woman's pig, little and old. Like the little boy that fell down the chimney. Live and learn, die and forget it all. Lively as a kitten. Long looked for come at last. Looks like the last of pea-time. - 28 Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. M; fake both ends meet. Make buckle and tongue meet. /Make the best of a'bad bargain. Make every edge cut. \Mad as a March hare. Made of money and stuffed with the same. Many men, many minds. XMarch comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion. Mares' tails a sign of wind. Meek as Moses. Merry as a cricket. Misery makes us acquainted with strange bed-fellows. Moles were people too proud to walk on the ground, and were made to go under it. Money makes the mare go. More you cry the less you p — s. Said to children that cry too much. More rogue than fool. Muddy as a duck-puddle. Must not cut a baby's finger nails before it is a year old; 'twill make it steal. My fingers are all thumbs. Of a clumsy person. Naught is never in danger. /y*Ieat as a pin. ^Needles and pins, when a man marries his trouble begins. Neither sick nor sorry. Never comb your head at night; it will make you forgetfull. Never cross a funeral or count the followers. Never mind the weather if the wind don't blow. Never plant in the dark of the moon; do not kill in the dark of the moon, the meat will spoil. Never use water in a basin that any one else has washed in, without making a cross over it. Ninety-nine pounds is an old hag's weight. No more alike than chalk's like cheese. None of your tricks on travellers. Not worth a tinker's ru^-s. :cu Some Virginia Folk-Savings. 29 Nosebleed remedied by putting a large key or a bunch of keys down the back. Nosebleed stopped by wearing a string of blood-stone beads around the neck. Not enough to physic a snipe. Not worth hell-room. J>01d as the hills. Old hares get fat in frosty weather. On the water when the land looms it is a sign of wind from that quarter. •^AjQnce bitten twice shy. One is as deep in the mud as the other in the mire. One-half of the world knows not how the other half live. One horse is allowed to eat the grass and the other is not allowed to look over the fence. /^3ne man's meat is another man's poison. Opportunity makes the thief. Out of hoo; out of line; out of square. Out of his seven senses. ./XDut of the frying-pan into the fire. Over the left shoulder. Oysters are said to be good only in the months in which there is an r. Passing the leg over the head of a child will stop its growth. People die as the tide goes out, is a belief of dwellers on the water. Pick your flint and try again. ^M^oor as a church mouse. Poor as Job's turkey. J>Q ot calling kettle black. Pride is never too hot nor too cold. Promises like piecrusts are made to be broken. Proud as a dog with two tails. ^>roud as a peacock. Pull the string, the latch will fly. Put a plaster over your mouth. 30 Some Virginia Folk-Savings. Put a spider in his dumpling. NQuick as lightning. Quick as thought. Rain falling on a new-made grave is a good sign. ^Regular as clock-work. Right as tribet. Ring-streaked and speckle, like Jacob's cattle. Ringing in the ears: right ear, good news; left ear, bad. Robins are not to be troubled as they covered the Babes in the Woods with leaves. X^-cmie was not built in one day. Root hog or die. Rope-yarn worn around the wrists and ankles for rheumatism and cramp. Rough as a nutmeg grater. Rusty as an anchor. Salt as a herring. Salt is given to cattle, sheep and horses. Salt makes mortar sweat. Scarce as hen's teeth. Screaming of peacocks a sign of rain. /*$ense enough to come in out of the rain. Sharp as a needle. •■■(l- Sheets and white spreads are put over everything in the room, over the pictures, looking-glass and clock, in presence of a dead body. She knows what's what. Short md sweet like a roasted maggot; donkey's gallop. Shut the st able-d oor after the horse is gone. Jb~* Shy as a fawn. ■*•*■ Silence gives consent; when one does not object it is taken for granted he assents. Six of one, and half dozen to the other. Slippery as an eel. Slow as a coach. Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. 31 Sly as a fox. Xl Small pitchers have large ears. Sneezing three times in succession is sign of a stranger coming. Soap was always stirred one way, from right to left, never " back- wards," as it would not "turn." \$oft as silk. Soft words butter no parsnips. Soon ripe, soon rotten. Sound as a bell. Stand by the rack, fodder, or no fodder. Still as a mouse. Straight as an arrow. Straight as a line. >Straight off the reel. \f Strike while the iron is hot. Sty to be relieve'd by rubbing with a gold ring. Sue a beggar and get a louse. Surly as a bear. Stumbling on the sidewalk is a bad sign; to stumble going up- stairs a good one. Stupid as an owl. Sut falling down the chimney a sign of rain. Swap the devil for the witch. ^Sweet as honey. Sweet as a nut. Talk about the devil his imps will appear. Teach your granny to suck eggs. Tender as a chicken. Thank' e starves the cat. That cock wont fight. ^XThat will be a feather in his cap. That will be a fire when it burns, as the fox said. That won't hold water. That's a rime if you take it in time. The best of the bunch. 32 Some Virginia Folk-Savings. The clock is stopped when a member of the household dies, and started again after the funeral. 7vThe darkest hour is before the dawn. The heart of a hot roasted onion put in the ear for earache. The merrythought of a fowl, if pulled apart by two persons, marriage will come first to the one having the longest piece. If put over the door, the person who first comes under will be the bride or bridegroom elect. The new moon lying on her back is a sign of a rainy month. The sight of you is good for sore eyes. There is catching before hanging. The size of a cent's worth of soap after a hard week's washing. Thin as a wafer. Thin as a weasel. Through the woods and pick up a crook stick at last. Thunder turns milk sour, and addles setting-eggs. Timid as a hare. Tip from taw is as good as the law. Tired as a dog. Tit for tat. You kill my dog, I'll kill your cat. To be down in the mouth. To be put to one's trumps. To be struck all of a heap. aTo be the very spit of his father. ^To be worth a mint of money. To bite off more than you can chaw. \To blow up our sky high. To break a looking-glass is seven years of trouble. To cut off your nose to spite your face. To fall between two Stools. To find a horseshoe is good luck; it should be nailed over the outside door, with the heels up, for good luck. To go from post to pillar. To grin like a Cheshire cat. To make a young cow gentle and a good milch-cow, pour the beeslings on her rump; if you let the milk fall on the ground she will dry up. Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. 33 ■KTo put up an umbrella in the house will bring bad luck. ^To spill salt is bad luck; to do away with it throw a pinch over your left shoulder. To come off with a whole skin. To come off with flying colors. To draw in one's horns. To draw the long bow. To drink like a fish. To feel all-overish. To get more kicks than half-pence. To get on the blind side of anyone. To get used to a thing like an eel to skinning. To have a rod in pickle, .^o have a screw loose. XTo kill with kindness. To leave one the bag to hold. To look like he had been drawn through a keyhole. To look two ways for Sunday. Toothache is caused by a worm at the root of the tooth; the worm may be seen when the tooth is pulled out. To preach over one's liquor. To put a spoke in one's wheel is to afford help in an under- taking. /\To put two and two together. To ride a free horse to death. To spite one's belly for the sake of one's back. To swear like a trooper. To take the wrong sow by the ear. v To take to one's heels. To take up the cudgels for any one. To talk the leg off an iron pot. To throw a thing in one's teeth. >To throw cold water on a thing. To throw the helve after the hatchet. To trim one's jacket. To tumble to pieces. To give birth to a child. 3 34 Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. To turn up the eyes like a duck in a thunder-storm. To turn up like a bad penny. To walk like a cat on hot bricks. To warm the cockles of the heart. )^Too big for his breeches. Too much for one, and not enough for two, as the man said about the turkey. Too thick to thrive. >Couch and go. /Trying to pull the wool over one's eyes. Turn about is fair play. Turpentine a remedy for fresh wounds. Two heads are better than one, even if one head is a horse's. Two's company, three's a crowd. Up-a' daisy. Addressed to a child when lifting it from the ground after a fall. Warm moon when she hangs far to the south. Wash together, wipe together, fall out and fight together. "Waste not, want not. Weak as a cat. Weak as water. We curchey to the new moon when we first see it. We turn over the money that we have in our pocket when we first see the new moon, so as to have more before it changes. What is bred in the bone will come out in the flesh. When a baby smiles in its sleep the angels are talking to it. When a cat washes her face it is going to rain. When a cat turns his back to the fire it is a sign of snow. When a clock strikes out of time it is a bad sign. When a door or window swells so as to be hard to open it is a sign of rain. When a jack-m' lantern leads you, turn your pocket wrongside out. When animals have a heavy coat of hair it is a sign of a hard winter, Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. 35 When a rooster crows with his head in the door somebody is coming. When he stands in the door looking out it is a sign of death. When ducks and chickens drink they hold up their bills to thank God. When one shudders it is a sign that some one is stepping on the ground where his grave will be dug. When sut burns on the bottom of pots and kettles, it is a sign of a storm. When the bottom of your foot itches it is a sign that you are going to walk on strange ground. When the dogwood is white fish begin to bite. When smoke goes straight up it is a sign of good weather. When smoke falls to the ground it is a sign of rain. When the fire " treads snow " a sign of snowfall. When the moon hangs on her point a sign of wet weather. When the wind's in the east it's neither good for man nor beast. When drink's in wit's out. When wild geese fly over to south, a sign of coming cold weather. When you are going anywhere and have to go back for some- thing forgotten, make a cross mark on the ground and spit on it. When you burn through I'll get warm. When you come we'll put the little pot in the big one. When you see the new moon for the first time look steadily at her and turn the money over in your pocket, you'll get more before another moon. Whipping the devil around the stump. ./XWhite as a sheet. Who would keep a cow when he can get milk for nothing. Wild as a colt. Willfull waste makes woeful want. Will neither work nor hold the candle. Witches plat horses' manes for their stirrups, and ride the horses very hard, sometimes to death. With half an eye. 36 Some Virginia Folk-Sayings. Worse and worse like old Beck's prayers. Worse than the third-day ague and fever. Yellow as a gourd — as a punkin. You are in your hornbook yet. You don't catch an old bird with chaff. You can't get blood out of a turnip. You have to go away from home to hear the news. You'll find the latch string on the outside. You might put it in your eye and see none the worse for it. You measure your neighbour's corn by your own bushel. You move like the dead lice were dropping off you. You sit like a mumchanee, and say nothing. You were behind the door when beauty was given out. You were not behind the door when noses were given out. You'll be well before you are twice married. You'll whistle another tune. You will die when your time comes, and not before. You are a nice young man for a small tea-party. Your eyes are bigger than your belly. WORD-BOOK. A. Has the broad sound; and is used before many participles: as, a-doing, a-coming, a-going, a-running. VA, v. For have. "He would a been five years old. " "He should a done it long ago." A, prep. Of. What kind a man; by no manner a means. Ab, ab's and ba ba's. The beginnings of spelling lessons; used to show that a person is in the very beginning of things, and has everything to learn. " Why he is hardly in his ab and ad's, and ba ba's yet." Aaint, v. To smear with fatty matter. Int. An-oint. ABC,». The alphabet. A-B-C-book, ;/. Primer used for teaching children their let- ters. Abed, adv. In bed. " He is still abed." Abide, v. Endure; suffer. " I can't abide that person." Able, adj. Wealthy. " He is an able man." \ About, prep. Near. "It is about twenty miles from here." " That horse is worth about fifty dollars." X'About, adv. To be about, to be astir; be on the move; be at- tending to one's usual duties; be about after a spell of sick- ness. ^Above-board, adv. Straight-forward; open; unconcealed. " He always acts above-board." Abscond, v. To hide. "I immediately absconded myself." \/ Ache, v. To express intense desire, rather than pain. ' I am aching to get back." 86946 38 Accommodate — After-night. Accommodate,:'. To supply or furnish. " The tavern-keeper accommodated us very well." " We got good accommoda- tions for ourselves and our horse." NAccount, n. Esteem; reputation. " He is of no account." Achemy, ;/. Alcamy, alcomy, alkomy, occomy. A mixed metal used for utensils, a modification of brass. Ackerel. A man's given name. \ Acreage, ;/. The extent of land, or acres taken collectively; as the acreage in corn. Adam's ale, >i. Water. \ Adam's apple, n. The knot on the windpipe in the front of the neck. Adays, adv. By day; in the daytime. X^ Addle, v. To confuse; muddle: "You addle my brain with your noise." Addle, adj. Rotten; as an addle egg. Addled, p. p. Eggs are said to be addled when they fail to hatch on being in the nest the proper time. Addle-brain, //. A stupid person. Adoors, adv. At doors; at the door. " Out a-doors." Adventurers, n. pi. Name given to all traders to foreign parts. " Merchant adventurers." Afeard, v. Afraid; affected with fear. A\%o, feard: as, "Are you feard to go ? " ■Afire, adj. On fire. The house is afire. Afore, prep. Before. " A little afore day." After, adv. For about. " That hen is after laying." Afterclap, n. An unexpected subsequent event. Something happening after an affair is supposed to be at an cm\. Afterlaine, ? After-night, n. The time after it becomes night. After-thought— Ail. 39 yi. pi. Lima beans, the vines of which run on sticks. Arching, adj. Bending; convex. " The top of that door isn't arching enough." V A'ready, adv. Already; at this time. " Have you came back arcadr." Arfter — Assembly. 45 Arfter, adv. For after. Argufy, v. To argue; signify. Argify. Arky, adj. For archaic. " Came out of the ark. " " She had on a very arky bonnet." Arm, n. The end of the axle-tree that goes into the hub of the wheel. Armfull, n. As much as can be carried with the two hands together. A large woman is called an armfull. Arn, v. To earn. " He can't am his living." Arnins, n. pi. Earnings. Around, prep. About; near: as, "He waited around till din- ner time." Arrand, n. Arrant. Old form of errand. Tidings. A message. Arrant, adj. Notorious; manifest; an arrant thief. Downright; thorough. Arter, prep. For after. Arsle, v. To arsle, to move backwards; to back out. \ Ary, adj. Any: as, " I haven't seen ary one of them." Ashame, v. To feel shame; be ashamed. " He is ashame to do it. " '' Aint you ashame to serve me so." Ashcake, ;/. A loaf of corn bread baked in the ashes. Ashcat, n. A child that plays in the ashes, dirtying its hands, face, and clothes. Ashy, adj. Angry. Asked, past part. Invited; as, " He was not asked to the wed- mg. Asleep, adv. Sails are asleep when filled with wind so as not to move. (2) A top is asleep when turning rapidly on the peg without wabbling. Aslew, adv. Askew; diagonally; one-sided. Assembly, n. A subscription ball. V 46 Ass over head — Awork. Ass over head, Head over heels; topsy-turvy. No sound of r in ass. As soon as, adv. Never "so soon as." Ast, v. Asked. " I ast him when he was going." Astraddle, adv. Astride. "He was sitting astraddle of the fence. ' ' Aswarm, adj. In a swarm ; swarming. ' 'Aswarm with folks. ' ' Aswim, adj. Swimming; overflowing. Atom, ?i. Anything very small; a minute quantity. " An atom of sense." A-tremble, n. Trembling all over; in a state of general agi- tation or excitement. "All of a-tremble.'' At that. A phrase used to define more nearly, or intensify something already said; as, " He's got a scolding wife, and an ugly one at that.'" Atturney, n. Attorney. Auf, adv. Off. " Christmas is a long way auf." Aught, n. Ort; naught; a cipher o. Aunt, n. Word used by white children when speaking to or of old negro women. "Aunt Judy," "Aunt Sillah." Author, n. A person on whose authority a statement is made. " Brown is my author for what I tell you." Authureskine, n. For otter's skin. Old Record. Awhile, adv. Foratime. " We shall have no frost yet awhile." Awkward, adj. Difficult; not easily overcome. " It was an awkward job." Awork, v. Small animals in restless activity and motion, like ants in a hill, or fish in a net. " The seine was awork with fish." Awork, v. At work; in a state of action. "The bacon was all aivork with the skippers." Ax — Backside. 47 Ax, v. Ask. Axletree, n. A wooden beam on which cart-wheels turn. Baby, n. A doll; doll-baby. Baby-clouts, n. pi. Baby-clothes. Pieces of stuff of different colours given to children to dress their dolls with. (2) The clothes used for swaddling babies. Baby-rags, >i. pi. Small pieces of various kinds of cloth col- lected by children for their baby-clothes. Dolls' clothes. ^ Babtize, v. For baptize. Bachelors' buttons, ;/. A flower. Back, v. To back a letter is to direct. \/Back and forth, adv. Going in and out, or to and fro, back- wards and forwards. " Back-band, n. A chain passing over the saddle of a cart-horse to support the shafts. Or a band to hold up the traces of plough harness. Back-door-trots, n. pi. The diarrhoea. Back-hander, n. A blow with the back of the open hand; a sarcastic retort or snub. Back-house, n. A necessary house; a privy. Back-lane, >i. Any street or lane leading from the highway. Back lay, n. ? Apparently a cast-iron plate put at the back of a fireplace. Back-log, n. A large log put at the back of an open fireplace to throw out the heat. VBack out, v. To give up. " He tried to do it but backed out." (2) To get out of a difficulty. " He backed out and would' nt fight." Backside, n. Backyard; the yard behind the house. (2) The buttocks. 48 Back-seat — Bad-off. \&ack-seat, v. To take a back-seat; be modest; be refused a favour. Back-step, n. A step in dancing; by placing one foot behind the other, alternately. Backstitch, v. To sew with stitches overlapping each other. A backstitch. Back up. To get the back up is to provoke or be provoked. Backward, adj. Timid; bashful; retiring in disposition; mod- est, slow; sluggish; behind in progress. (2) Backward; not up in learning; a boy who has not learned at school what boys of his age ought to know, is said to be backward. Backwards and forwards, adv. To walk in a direction and return on one's steps; as, " He walked backwards and for- wards in the room all day long." Backwater, ;/. Slackwater, kept back by something in the watercourse. Backway, ;/. The yard or space at the back of a house. ' He came in the backway." Back yonder, adv. A long time ago. "Away back yonder." Bacon, n. Hog's flesh salted and smoked. Bacon-rind, n. The skin of bacon that becomes hard and dry by smoking. Bad-bowels, ;/. Diarrhoea. Bad disorder, n. Venereal disease. Badly, adj. Sickly; poorly. " He looks badly." Bad manager, n. A person who wants skill and industry in the management of his affairs is called a " bad manager." " B. has never done anything on his farm, he has always been a bad manager." Badness, n. A bad name given to children. Bad-off, adv. Badly provided for; not in comfortable circum- stances; poor; in want. "Their father lost all his money and I'm afraid they are bad-off." Bad place— Balky. 49 Bad place, n. Hell. Children are warned against the "bad place. ' ' Baffle, v. To confound; to defeat by stratagem ; perplex; de- ceive. Bag, n. Udder of animals. (2) A "meal bag'''' was usually made of a salt-sack, and held three bushels of meal or corn. It was used to send the "tolls" to mill each week. Bag, v. To claim; to seize; to take without right. ' He bag- ged the whole lot. Bagging, ;/. Material for making bags. -\Baggy, adj. Loose hanging. Baggy trowsers. XBag of bones, n. A very lean person or animal. Bagonet, ;/. Bayonet. Baile-piggon, n. Bail-piggin; a bucket or pail for bailing water out of a boat. Bait, v. Soft crabs are used for bait in fishing; the act of catch- ing the crabs is to bait. "/ baited all the tide and caught two dozen crabs. ' ' Baker's bread, n. Bread made by a baker, as distinguished from " home made bread." XBaker's dozen, n. Thirteen. ^Balance, n. Apparatus for weighing. (2) A remainder; the rest; what is left over. The balance of a meal. , Baldfaced, adj. Having a white face. Said of animals. Baldface hornet, ;/. A hornet so called because it has a whit- ish head. Balk, n. A ridge; a ridge left unploughed in a field, or be- tween two fields. Balk, n. To hinder; to disappoint. Balky, adj. Given to balking. "A balky horse." 50 Ball — Bannisters. Ball, n. The ball of the thumb; the palm of the hand, on the fleshy thumb-side. ^.Ballance, n - The rest or remainder of anything. "I rode with him all the ballance of the way. ' ' Ballet, n. Ballad. Ballocks, n. pi. Testicles. Bollocks. Balm, n. A sweet smelling herb, melissa. Balm of Gilead, n. The balsam poplar. VBalmy, adj. Soft, refreshing. ' : ' A balmy day .' " Bamboo-briar, n. Bamboe-briars. A tall thorny climber. A large briar. Band, n. The string by which the old hand spinning-wheel was driven. t Band-box, ;/. A pasteboard box for holding bonnets, caps, and light articles. A neat, tidy woman was said ' ' to look as if she had just stepped out of a band-boxy Bandy, n. A game of ball played with crooked sticks. Bandy- ball. Bandy, v. To move about from one place to another. " He goes bandying about and does nothing." X.Bandy-legs, n. pi. Crooked legs; bow-legs. 'Bang, v. To beat as with a club. To make a noise by slam- ming a door. Banger, ;/. A large person. A great falsehood. Banging, adj. Large: as, " A great, banging snake." \/ ,'Bangup, (?.(//. In fine style; complete; perfect. Bank, n. A dark, thick cloud, behind which the sun goes down. ' The sun set in a bank this evening, we are going to have rain." Bannisters, ;;. Not Banisters, nor connected with balusters. Persons with passes who received money from the mayor to enable them to depart out of the limits of his jurisdiction. Banter — Bars. 51 A common surname, as well as Christian name. Travellers in distress. Banter, n. A challenge to a contest. Banter, v. To challenge to a contest. " He bantered him to a race." Bar, adj. Bare. " On his bar back." Barbecue, n. Meat roasted over coals in a hole in the ground. (2) A large open-air feast on social or political occasions. /Barefooted, p. p. Without shoes and socks; with the feet naked. The children all like to go barefooted in summer- time. Barge-board, n. A board placed in the gable where the roof extends over the wall covering the rafter. Bark, v. To cough. Bark, v. To bark one's shins is to knock the skin off. Bark, v. (1) To bark a tree, to cut through the bark all around the tree so as to kill the tree. (2) To bark a squirrell is to shoot a rifle ball between him and the limb. Barking-iron, n. Instrument for removing bark for tanning. Barlow-knife, n. Pocket-knife with long metal jaws and one blade. Barrel, n. A barrel of corn is five bushels of corn in the ears, or unshelled. Barren, adj. Barren cows, cows not having calves at the usual season. Barring-out, n. Turning out. Barring the schoolmaster out to get holidays. Barrow, n. A castrated hog. (2) A wooden frame for carry- ing a load between two men. Hand-barrow. Bars, n. pi. The ridges on the roof of a horse's mouth. 52 Bars — Bay-side. Bars, 7i. pi. Poles put in holes in posts, to stop the passage in a road. Bason, n. A large circular vessel for holding water for washing purposes. A basin. Baste, v. To sew together with long stitches, as for trying on. Sew slightly. Basting, n. A beating. Bat, n. The night hawk. Bat, >i. A loose flattened cylinder of cotton made on hand- cards and put between two layers of cloth for making quilts. VBat, v. To bat the eyes: to wink, or move the eyelids up and down. X^ Batch, n. A number of individuals or articles like each other. A " batch of bread." A " batch of prisoners. " Bate, ;/. Bait. The solution in which hides are steeped to re- move the lime in tanning. Batteau, n. A flat, light-draught boat, built of planks. Batten, n. The frame in which the slay is held in a hand-loom, used for beating the threads of the weft together. (2) The thick frame that holds the panel in a panel-door. Batter-bread, ;/. Bread made of corn meal, eggs, and milk, and baked in a deep earthenware dish or tin pan. Batter-cake, >i. A thin cake made of corn meal, milk, and eggs, and baked on a hot iron. Battle-royal, n. A fight between three, five, or seven cocks all fighting together, so that the cock that stands the longest gets the day. Battoon, //. A stick; a club. Bawl, v. To cry out with a loud, full sound; to shout. " The child has been bawling for an hour." Bay-side, ;/. The Chesapeake Bay side of Accomack and Northampton counties. B B B— Beck. 53 B B B, n. Tribble b's, a large shot; double b's, B B, a smaller size. Be. A common prefix to verbs; as, " Your face is all be-gormcd with molasses." Be-all, n. All that is to be. "The be-all and end-all." Beam, n. The long arm of a pair of stillyards on which the " pea " is slid while weighing. Bear a hand, v. To lend a hand; take hold; give aid or assist- ance. To work quickly. Beard, n. (i) The fringe around the mouth of an oyster. (2) The barb of a fishhook. (3) A lock of black hair hanging from the breast of a fullgrown turkey gobbler. Beareing, ;/. The womb? " That her water scalded her and that her beareing came down." York Rec. p. 168. Sept. 25, 1646. Bearing, n. "Those external parts of animals which are concerned in parturition." "The teats and external parts, called by farmers the bearing." Murray, N. E. D. Bear-grass, n. The yucca. The tough leaves are used as strings for hanging up beef to be smoked. Beasts, n. pi. Horned cattle. Beat, v. " To beat an orchard." Possibly to beat off part of the fruit when the trees were overloaded. XBeat, v. To be too difficult for; to baffle. "That beats me." Beater, ;/. One who surpasses, excells, goes beyond. The beater. ' ' He beats the Jews. Beau, n. A piece of thorn or briar which becomes attached to a woman's dress and drags along after her. ^Beauty-sleep, n. The sleep before twelve o'clock at night. eck, n. The nod of the head intended to express a desire, or as a sign, of command. At one's " beck and call." 54 Bedcord — Bee-martin. Bedcord, n. The rope that goes from side to side and end to end of the bed-rails to hold the bed. Bedding, n. Bedclothes. " Beds and bedding." Bedlam,;/. A noise and confusion. "Hush! you make a regular bedlam." " You'd as well be in bedlam." Bedquilt, n. A wadded and quilted covering for a bed. Bed-rug, n. A counterpane; a coverlid. Bedstick, n. Bedstaff. A long stick used for smoothing the bedclothes when bedsteads were too high and broad to be reached with the hand. Bedstid, n. A bedstead. Bed tyke, n. Bed-tick. Bed-wrench, ;/. A wooden instrument divided at one end something like a boot-jack used for tightening the cords of the old-fashion corded bedsteads. Beebread, //. Brown, bitter substance found in honeycomb, food for young bees. Beef, n. Cattle fattened for food. Flesh of cattle when killed. Beeves, Beaves. The animal sold to the butcher for meat. Beef-rope, //. A large, strong rope used when a beef is to be butchered, for controlling the animal and hoisting it up to be skinned. Beefy, adj. Stout; fleshy. " He has grown very beefy" Bee-glue, ;/. A soft substance with which bees cement the comb to the hive and close up the cells. Bee-gum, n. Hollow section of a tree used as a beehive. VBee-line, n. The straightest line from one place to another. Bee-martin, >/. A small bird that lights and keeps off hawks, crows and other birds of prey, and is encouraged to live near, by having a small box put on a pole where he can make a nest. Been to — Bellowses. 55 XBeen to, v. "I've been to dinner." "Have you been to church ? " Simply asks a question. Beer, n. The number of threads in a chain of warp. Beestlings, n. Beeslings, Beaslins, Beslings. First milk of a cow with her first calf. Generally poured on her rump to make her gentle and a good milch cow. Bee-tree, n. A hollow tree in which the wild honey-bee makes its hive. ^Beforehand, adv. In advance. " He is well beforehand with his crop." ^Befriend, v. To act as a friend; to benefit; to help. Beggar's lice, n. The seeds of a weed that stick to clothing. Begin, v. To begin to scold; trouble; to cry; to a child about to cry it is said: " Now you are going to begin." Behanged. An exclamation. "You be/ianged. " VBehave, v. To conduct one's self properly. "Come, be- have! " is a caution often given to unruly children. Behindhand, adv. In a state in which means are not adequate to wants. To be behindhand in one's circumstances. Behind the door, prep. Showing how one has been over- looked. Behind the door, when beauty (or any feature), was given out. A person wanting in beauty or with a faulty nose was behind the door, when beauty and noses were served out. N7Beholden,/>a/Y. Obliged; bound in gratitude; indebted. "He is beholden to A. for his success in life." Belated, past part. Hindered; behind the time. ' Hurry up, don't be belated." Beliked, v Liked; beloved. " Much beliked. Bell-metal, n. A variety of bronze of which skillets, preserv- ing-kettles, etc., are made. Bellowses, n. For belloics. 56 Bell-wether— Bent. Bell-wether, n. Leader of a flock of sheep with a bell. Ap- plied also to persons who lead a number of followers. Belly-ache, n. Cholic. Belly-band, n. A girth to secure a cart-saddle. (2) An infant's binder. Belly-bound, n. Costive. Belly-buster, n. To jump from a height into the water, fall- ing on the belly, is to make a belly-buster. , Bellyfull, n. Enough; a sufficiency. " He has gotten his bel- lyful I this time." Belly-part, n. The thin bacon that comes from the abdomen of the hog. Belly- shot, v. Cattle that have become lean and pinched from lack of food in the winter. " Their guts shrink up and they become Belly-shot as they call it." Belly-timber, n. Food; that which supplies the belly. V Belittle, v. To make smaller; to lower in character; to speak of in a depreciatory or contemptuous way. .^Belong, v. To have it's or one's proper place; be resident; as, ' ' This book belongs on the top shelf. " "I belong here. To be the property of. ' ' That house belongs to me. ' ' / Belongings, n. pi. Property; possessions; that which belongs to one. ' He has moved away with his family and all his belongings." Belt, v. To cut away the bark around the body of a tree a few feet from the ground that it may die. -- Belt, v. To beat; to whip. Bend, ?i. A turn in a road, or river: " He lives near the bend of the road." Bender, n. A spree; a frolic. "He was on a bender {ox a week." Bent, ;/. Gap in a chain of hills; steep place; slope. In the old land surveys. Bent— Big-bugs. 57 \Bent, adj. Determined; set. " He is bent on doing it." Berlue, n. Great noise among children. Racket. Hulla- bulloo. (?) Bermoothes, n. An old name for the Bermuda Islands. Bespoke, pa stpart. Bewitched; conjured. Best-girl, n. Sweetheart. Betimes, adv. In good season or time. Before it is too late; early. ' ' Up betimes. Better, adv. More, without any idea of superior excellence: as, " It is better than a mile to town." Betterment, n. A making better, usually applied to some improvement to land. Betweenwhiles, n. In the meantime; at odd times; at leisure intervals. Beverage, n. A drink made of hard cider and water. Bezel, n. Basil. The slope at the edge of a cutting-tool, as a plane-iron or chisel. Bias, adj. Oblique; diagonal to the outline of the texture; as, to cut a piece of cloth bias. Bib, ;/. A cloth put under children's chins when they are eat- ing. The part of an apron above the waistband. Bib-an-tucker, n. The clothes; the whole costume. "She was dressed in her best bib-an-tucker. Bibble, v. To drink like a duck. "Ducks bibbling in the water. ' ' Bid, n. An invitation. " He got a bid to the party." Bid, v. To invite. s/Big, adj. Great as regards wealth, influence, standing. "He is a big man among them." (2) Also, strong; violent. " I don't like to be out in a big wind." (3) Grown up. " He was a boy, and she a big woman. 1 ' Big-bugs, n. pi. People of consequence. 58 Big-chair — Binder. Big-chair, n. A large chair with arms, usually occupied by some of the older members of the family. " He was sitting in the big-chair by the fire when I went in." .Biggest, adj. Most. "I was there the biggest part of the day." Bight, n. A small, circular sheet of water between two points of land. " We put the boat in the bight, out of the way of the ice." Big-meeting, ;;. A meeting at country churches kept up for several days, the preachers and congregation coming from a distance. " Protracted meeting." Bigness, n. Size, large or small. " They are about of the same bigness. ' ' Big woods, n. A large growth of trees, distinguished from a thicket. " The hogs are now in the big-woods, feeding on the mast." Bile, n. The true English form. An inflamed tumour. Bile, v. For boil. Bill, ;/. Bank-note; paper money. Billett, ;/. A stick of wood, such as cut for firewood. Bill-holt, n. A strong hold of anything; as when a muscovy •drake siezes with his bill and will not let go, he is said to have a •' bill -holt r Bills, >i. pi. Bank-notes; all kinds of paper money. Bill of loading, ;/. For bill of lading. Bimeby, adv. By and by. Bin, ;/. A large wooden box for holding grain, or food for cattle. Bin, past part. Vox been. Bind, v. To tie the bands around the sheafs in the harvest field. Binder, n. One who tics up sheaves. Binder — Black and white. 59 Binder, //. A soft, broad piece of" cloth around the body of a new-born child. Binding, part. Forming a border or edge on. ' ' Land binding on the north side of the inlet." Binding, part. Causing constipation. "Cheese is very bind- Dig. Bird-hunting, n. Hunting and shooting partridges. Birds, n. Always means partridges. "Are there many birds this season ? " y&irthmark, n. Stain on the face or body of a new-born child. Biscuit, ;/. A small, round, soft cake made from dough raised with yeast, sometimes shortened with lard. t^ Bishop, ;/. A woman's bustle. Bit, ;/. A small West India coin worth 10 cents. Bit, n. The part of a key that is cut to pass the wards of a lock. The part of a key at right angles to the barrel or stock. " To every ward on the plate make a slit or ward in the bit of the key." ^\Bit, n. A small piece or fragment of anything. It is used depreciatingly. A little bit of a man. Little bits of chil- dren. Bite, ;/. A mouthful. " To take a bite out of an apple." Bitter, adj. Unpalatable; hard to swallow, literally or figu- ratively. A bitter pill. Bitter cold. Bitter-end,//. The utmost extremity; to the very last. 'He held on to the bitter-end. Bity. Good bye; good bye to ye. "■Blab, v. To tell in a thoughtless manner what ought to be kept secret. A blab, a talker, telltale. Black, n. Mourning clothes; as, "She's in black." ^xBlack and white, n. In writing. "I'd like to have it in black and zvkite." 60 Black-book — Blaze-face. Black-book, n. An imaginary record of offences and sins. Black-eyed peas, n. pi. Small, roundish peas with black eyes, used for food when fresh, and also when dry. Blackberry, n. The fruit of those species of rubus in which the receptacle becomes juicy and falls off. Black cattle, n. Cattle for slaughter; not work cattle, or for breeding. Blacken, v. To smear with blacking; as to blacken shoes. Blackleg, n. A gambler. • Black-sheep, n. Flocks of sheep were small, and nearly every flock had a black sheep to furnish black wool, before there were facilities for dyeing. Used for mixing the colours or making stripes or checks. A black sheep was also for good luck. \ Blade, >i. A leaf; blade of wheat; blade of grass. Blades, n. pi. The leaves of corn pulled and dried for fodder. Blades, ;/. pi. An implement on the lour arms of which a skein is stretched by means of sticks, for winding into balls. Winding-blades. ■^lame, ;/. Responsibility for something that is wrong. " You'll lay the blame on me." Blame, v. A common substitute for a worse word; as, "I'll be blamed if I do." (2) To condemn. "She did it, but I was always blamed for it." Blast, v. To wither; be blighted. The crops are blasted. Blate, v. Bleat. The voice of a sheep or calf. Blather, n. Bladder. Blaze, v. To mark a tree by cutting off the bark. To blaze a path. Blaze-face, ;/. With a white face or white spot on the fore- head: as, a blaze-face horse. Bleak — Blood-shotten. 61 \Bleak, adj. Cold; chill; piercing. "That is a very bleak place during a nor' wester. " " Right on the river, and very bleak r Blemish, n. A motion as if to strike. " He made a blemish at him." (2) A speck or defect in the eye. " He's got a blemish in one eye." Blessing, n. A fierce scolding. " You'll get a blessing when you go home." Blind, n. Anything which obstructs the sight. A blind bridle. Blind, n. A small hut of boughs in which one hides from ap- proaching game. A duck-blind. A pretence; a stratagem. "He did it only for a blinds Blind bile, n. A bile that does not come to a head. Blind man's holiday, n. Twilight; when it gets too dark to see how to work. Blindside, n. Weak or unguarded side of a person or thing. " I'll try to get on his blindside." Bline, adj. Blind. Blink, v. To smile, to look kindly, but with a modest eye, the word being generally applied to females. Blob, n. A big drop. Blob, n. A blister; a small globe of liquid. Blob out, v. To blab out. " He blobs everything right out." Block, n. Block of cotton, a number of hanks put up in the shape of a square block, the hanks twisted together and tied, weighing five pounds. ■sVBlood-blister, n. A small blister filled with blood, made by a blow or a pinch. Blood-raw, adj. So raw that the blood runs out; as, under- cooked meat. Blood-shotten, part. Red and inflamed, said of the eye, from a blow, or other cause. s 62 Blood-sucker — Blunder. Blood-sucker, n. A stinging jelly-fish. Bloom, n. A blossom. "The apple tree is full of blooms." Blotch, n. A spot of any kind, especially a large, irregular spot. Blow, n. Wind storm. "A heavy blow yesterday." Blow, n. A blossom; bloom; as, "peach-blow." Blow, v. To bloom; blossom; flower. Blower, n. Braggart. "Blow-hard." Blowfly, ;/. The large blue fly that blows meat. Blow-out, n. A great demonstration. A hearty meal. Blow-up, v. To scold severely. Blowy, adj. Windy; blustering, " It's a blowy day." Blowzy, adj. Unkempt; as bloivzy hair; wild; disordered; confused. Blubber, v. To weep; especially in such a manner as to swell the cheeks; used in sarcasm or ridicule. Blubber, n. For bubble. Blue, adj. Dismal; unpromising as applied to things. Blue-devils, n. pi. Low spirits; depression of mind. Delirium tremens. Blueing, n. A preparation of indigo used for giving a blue color to clothes. Bluestone, n. Sulphate of copper. Bluff, n. A hill, bank, or headland, with a steep broad face. "Drewry's Bluff." Bluff, adj. Blustering; surly. Bluff, v. To repulse or frighten by a bold front. To bluff off a dun. Blunder, v. To make a noise; stumble about. "What are you doing blundering about there in the dark ? " Blunderbuss — Boll. 63 Blunderbuss, ;/. A stupid, blundering person. Blunt, adj. Plain spoken; direct; as, blunt bearing. Blur, v. To obscure without effacing; render indistinct. Blur-eyed, adj. Blear eyed. Blurt, v. To utter suddenly; divulge unadvisedly. Commonly with out. Blush, n. Glance; look. " At the first blush it looks like it." Bluster, v. To be loud, noisy, or swaggering. Blustering, /w/7. Stormy; windy. A blustering day. Blustery. Boar-cat, n. A he-cat; a male cat. Bob, n. The pear shaped piece of lead at the end of the line of a carpenter's level. Plumb-bob. Bobtail, n. A contemptible fellow; a cur. (2) Short; cut tail of an animal, horse, dog, or other. Bob- white, n. A partridge. The word quail is never used as the name of this bird. Boddom, n. For bottom. Bodily, adv. Entirely. " He carried all off bodily." Body,?/. In the sense of a person. " Why cant you let a body alone?" (2) The fundament; when a person has falling out of the rectum he is said to have his ' ' body down. (3) Tract of land. "He has a good body of land on the river. ' ' Bofet, n. A buffet, generally in a corner, with glass doors, for holding crockery and such like. Boffet. M. E. Baufat. Boggle, v. To do anything in a slovenly, blundering way; to bungle. Bogue, v. To grope, or wander uncertainly about: as, " Bogue- ing about in the dark." Boiling, n. Every one; the entire lot; all put together. " He is worth the whole boiling of them." Boll, n. The pod that holds the cotton. 64 Bolt— Borrow. Bolt, v. To swallow hurriedly without chewing: as, to bolt food. (2) To remove the bran from flour; the mills have bolting cloths for that purpose. To sift. Bolt, n. A roll of indefinite length, canvass, tape, or other woven goods. Boltings, 71. pi. The "bran," and "seconds" separated from the flour in the bolting process. Boltsprit, n. The head yard of a vessel. Bosplit. Bone to pick, v. To have a bone to pick with some one is to have a cause for a quarrel with him. Bones, ;/. pi. To make "no bones," to make or have no scruples about, or in regard to. Book-learning, n. Learning acquired by reading. Boom out, v. When a boat is running before the wind the sails are boomed out, one on each side to catch as much wind as possible. 1 Boot, n. Wheat is in the boot when the stalk is swollen near the top, just before the head has come out of the upper leaf or sheath. Boot, ;/. To the advantage; into the bargain; in addition; over and above; besides; to boot. Bootlick, ;;. A person who tries to gain favour by mean be- havior. Boottee, n. Foot-gear for women to come high about the ankle Boozy, adj. Partly drunk. Bo-peep,;/. Amusement for children; generally pee-bo. Bore, ;/. One who or that which bores one, or causes annoy- ance. Born-days, n. In one's born days, in one's lifetime. ' I've never seen anything like that before in my born-days." Borrow, ;/. Barrow. A gelt hog. Borrowing-days — Bound. 65 Borrowing-days, n. pi. The last three days of March are said to have been borrowed from April, and supposed to be especially stormy. Bosplit, n. The head yard of a vessel. Boltsprit, Bowsprit. Botch, n. A bungled or unfinished part. Botch, v. To mend or patch in a clumsy manner. Botcher, n. One who botches; a clumsy, bungling workman. Bother, v. To give trouble to; annoy; pester; worry. Bother one's head, v. To trouble one's self. " He don't bother his head with that." Bothersome, adj. Troublesome; annoying; vexatious; incon- venient. Bots, n. pi. Intestinal worms in animals. Bottom, 11. Low land near a river; or between two hills; a valley. Bottom, n. Cocoon of the silkworm. "Sent over ten bottoms taken from Apple trees." Bouge, n. For bulge; bilge: the round swelling part of a cask. Virginia tobacco-hogshead. " F'orty-three inches in length, and the head twenty-six inches wide, with the Bon^e pro- portionable." Bough, n. A smaller branch of a tree. "A bough full of cherries." Bouquet, 11. A bunch of cut flowers tied together. Bounce, n. A drink made by adding cherries, sugar and flavouring spices to alcoholic liquors, and left to stand. Bounce, adj. With a bounce; suddenly. Bouncer,;/. A large, strong, vigorous person. A bareface lie. Bouncing, part. Exaggerated; excessive; big. Bound,/), a. Obliged by moral, legal, or compellable ties; under obligation or compulsion. Determined; resolved; as, "He is bound to do it." "I'll be bound you'll find 66 Bounden — Brad. Tom there." " " I'll be bound for him." (2) Costive; con- stipated in the bowels. Bounden,/). a. Obliged; bound or under obligation. The bounden duty. Bout, )i. As much of an action as is performed at one time. A turn or fit of sickness, as, a bout of rheumatism. Bow, ;/. Handle of scissors; or of a key. Bow-arrow, ;/. A bow and arrows. Bowels, n. To move the bowels, to produce evacuation of the bowels by giving a purgative. Bower, ;/. A shelter made with boughs; an arbour; a shady recess. A "bower meeting. " Bow-knot, n. A large, loose, and wide knot, made by doub- ling the two ends and tying. Bowsplit, 11. Bowsprit. The spar that goes out of the bow of a vessel for holding the head sails. Boltsplit. Box, n. A blow with the open hand. (2) A coffin. Box, v. To strike on the side of the face with the open hand. " Box his jaws." Box-iron, n. A hollow smoothing-iron, kept hot by a piece of hot iron put inside called a "heater." Spoken of as a " box-iron and heater." Box -turtle, n. A species of terrapin the lower shell of which is joined by a hinge, by means of which the body may be enclosed as in a box. Boy, //. Name given to a black male servant whatever his age. Brace, >i. A measure of length. Originally the measure of the outstretched arms. Fathom. (The French brasse was 1.62 metres=to about 64 inches ) Brack, >i. A break; a crack; a flaw. "Without a brack or a < ) tick.' ' Brad, >i. A slender nail having, instead of a head, a slight projection on one side. Brag — Break. 67 Brag, v. To use boastful language; boast; vaunt. Braggart, ;/. A boaster; a vaunting fellow. Brake, n. Break. A fork in which pieces of wood are held when slabs and staves are riven with a froe. Brambles, n. pi. Blackberry bushes. Bramble-saw, n. A saw the use of which is undetermined. ' ' Cross-cut bramb/c-sa.w. Branch, n. A small stream of water. A brook, or one prong of a stream or run. "Western Branch." "Southern Branch." Branch, n. A pilot's license given to one who has stood an examination and been received as competent. Bran new, adj. Quite new; fire new. v/Brash, n. Sudden nausea, with acid rising in the mouth, as in heartburn. Brash, adj. Impetuous; rash. Brass, n. Money. Brass, n. Excessive assurance; impudence; brazenness. Brat, n. A child. Brawny, Wy'. Fleshy; muscular; having large strong muscles- Brazen, adj. Impudent; having a front like brass. Brazen-faced, adj. Impudent; bold to excess; shameless. Bread-corn, n. The white, and best corn, was always used for grinding into meal for bread. When a man had a scant crop it was said that he would not make bread-corn; that is enough for bread. Break, v. To change money. " He broke the note and it soon went. ' ' Break, v. To break wool was to mix the white and black wools, card them together to make gray or mixed colour for cloth or stockings. Break, v. To break out in a new spot; to do something new; to do something else. 68 Break — Bridle-up. Break, v. To become bankrupt; to fail in business. Break-down, n. A riotous dance. Breakfusses, n. pi. For breakfasts. Break out, v. As an eruption; as sores on one's body or face. Break up, v. To plough pasture land for cultivation. Breath, n. The air breathed at one time; to take " a breath of air," as one who suffers from want of fresh air, or from too much heat. Breath, n. For breadth. Breck, ;/. A break; breach; fracture. Breed, n. Sort; kind; in a general sense. A good breed of dogs. Breeder, n. That which produces, causes, or brings about. "A weather breeder." Breeder, n. A woman who has many children. "She is a good-breeder, she has a dozen children." Breeding, n. Education; good- breeding. Breeze, n. A noisy quarrel; a disturbance; a row. Breeze up, v. When the wind begins to grow in force from a calm. " The wind began to breeze up from the south." Bresh, n. Brush. The small branches and twigs of trees. "BresA-heaps," when piled to be dried and burnt. Brickbat, ;/. A piece of brick. Brickly, adj. Easily broken; brittle. Brickie. Brick oven, ;/. An oven made of bricks, with a dome top. in which bread and pies were baked. Het by putting wood into the oven, and when hot the coals and ashes were taken out, and the bread put in. Bricks, ;/. pi. A paved walk near a house or garden. " He was standing on the bricks." Bridle up, v. To raise the head scornfully. "She bridled up at what he said. ' ' Bridle-wise — Broach, 69 Bridle -wise, adj. A horse trained to the use of the bridle; "not bridle-wise" said of an untrained colt, and also of a young person headstrong and undisciplined. Brief, adj. Common; rife; prevalent: as, "I hear that small- pox is very brief there." Briary, adj. Full of briars; rough; thorny. Bright, adj. Intelligent; quick; having an active mind. Brile, n. and v. For broil. Brim, n. Brink; edge or margin: as, full to the brim. The upper edge of any thing hollow: as, the brim of a cup. Hat-brim.. Brimming over, part. Overfull; running over. Brimstone, n. Sulphur in rolls. Brindle, n. A colour or mixture of which gray is the base, mixed with darker colours; applied to cattle and dogs. Bring up, v. To rear; to raise. " They tried to bring up their children well. " Brisket, n. Of beef, a piece cut off the breastbone. Bristle, v. To show anger, resentment, or defiance. To bris- tle up. Bristly, adj. Thickly set with bristles; rough. "Bristly hair. Britch, n. Breech. Britch of a gun. Britchin, n. That part of horse-harness passing around the hind part of the horse and fastened near the ends of the backhand on the shafts to keep the cart from running on the horse in going down hill. British, n. For the British army. In use when the troops were in Virginia. Broach, ;/. A pin for fastening the clothes or ornamental pur- poses. Broach, n. A quantity of cotton or yarn spun and run up on the spindle of a spinning-wheel, then reeled into hanks, 70 Broach — Brown-study. washed, and wound into balls. A strip of cornshuck was put on the spindle so as to slip it off when the broach was big enough. Broach, v. To bore a hole in a cask to draw off liquids. Broad-axe, n. A broad-bladed axe for hewing" timber. Broad-cast, n. Wheat sown by hand and not in drills. Broad-hoe, ;/. A hoe with a blade a foot wide, and long handle for weeding corn. Broad-spoken, adj. Out-spoken, using coarse language. Broke, v. A young woman who has lost her beauty is said to be " broke all to pieces." Broken, past part. Rough; uneven. " The land is very much broken.^ Broken-doses, ;/. Small and often repeated does. " It is better to take quinine in broken-doses.'' Brood, n. The number of chickens that a hen hatches at one time; or the number given to her to take care of: a brood of chickens. Brood, v. To ponder; to meditate long and anxiously. Brood-mare, n. A mare that is kept for breeding purposes and not for work. Broom-corn, n. A sort of corn that grows six or eight feet high, from the tops of which brooms are made. Broomstick-marriage, n. Two people living together as man and wile without legal marriage, are said to have been mar- ried by jumping over the broomstick. Brothren, )i. pi. Brethren. Brow, ;/. Edge of a hill. "The trees were growing on the very brow of the hill." Brow-ague, >i. Frontal neuralgia. Brown-study,;/. A reverie. "There he sat in a bro'ccn- study and didn't hear what was said to him." Bruff— Bud. 71 Bruff, adj. Rough; short in manners and speech. Bruised-blood, n. Clotted blood under the skin. " His lip was cut, and his mouth was full of braised-blood.'' Brung, v. Brought. Past tense of bring. Brunswick Stew, n. A stew made of squirrel or chicken meat, lima beans and green corn cooked together and sea- soned with pepper and salt. Brush, n. The tail of a fox. Brussles, n. pi. A variant of bristles. Bubby, n. A woman's breast. Buck, n. A gay or fashionable man. (2) The nickname for William. Bucket, ;/. Wooden or metal vessels, usually carried by a handle over the top. Bucket-ears, n. pi. The metal eyelets at the upper edge in which the handle works. Buckle, v. The bendine of a mast. " How that mast buckles with this wind." Buckle to, v. To set to work in downright earnest. Buck-load, n. A large drink of liquor. Buckram, n. A fine and costly material used for personal wear. Buck-saw, n. A long, narrow saw set in upright sticks, as handles, used for sawing wood, on a buck, or horse. Buckshot, n. Large shot used in deer-shooting. Buckskin, n. Name given to colonial Virginians from their buckskin hunting-shirts. General Braddock asked: " If His Majesty's Regulars were to be taught the art of war by ' Vir- ginia Buckskins.' Buck-up-to, v. To make advances of courtship. ' I saw Bob bucking up to her at the party." Bud, v. A calf's horns bud. 72 Budge— Bullyrag. Budge, v. To move; stir; change position; give way; now usually with a negative, implying stubborn resistance to pressure. Budget, n. A bundle. " He had a budget of clothes under his arm." Buff, ;/. The bare skin. Buff, ;/. Thick leather made of oxhide, dressed with oil, of a yellowish white colour. Buffalo, u. Cattle without horns. " Pied b?cffalo-co\\." Buffalo-robe, ;/. The skin of the buffalo dressed for use. Bug, n. General name for insects; any hard-winged insect. Bugabo, )i. A ghost. Bugabo, ;/. Hardened mucus in a child's nose. Bugabo, n. A louse. Buggy, ;/. A light, one horse, four-wheel carriage, with or without a top. Build, v. To make: To build a fire. Bulge, ;/. The bung-diameter of a barrel. Bulge, :■. To swell out; not to indent. To bulge out, not in. Bull-bat, n. Night-hawk; whippoorwill. Bulchyn, n. A young male calf Bulling, part. A cow in heat is said to be bulling. Bull-ring, ;/. The word was used without any special meaning being applied to it: as, "Come up to the bull-ring." May have some forgotten connection with bull-baiting. Bull-stagg, //. A bull castrated when half grown or full grown. Bully, u. A large marble. Bully, adj. Fine; capital: tin- highest term of commendation: "He is just bully r Bull yellin, ;/. Bull yearling. A year old bull calf. Bullyrag, :■. To banter or abuse. Bum — Burgess. 73 Bum, n. The buttocks; the part of the body on which one sits. Bumby, adv. By and bye. Bump, ?/. A swelling or protuberance; a large pimple. " He always did have bumps on his face." Bump, v. It was the custom to punish the person who did not arrive at the appointed time, usually sunrise, at a fox-hunt, by bumping his backside against a tree, being held by four men. Bump, v. (2) To bump against a thing is to strike one's self awkwardly against it. "He bumped his head against the table." Bumpy, adj. Covered with swellings, or large pimples. (2) Uneven; said of a rough road. Bunchy, adj. The clothes gathered in bundles about the waist. (2) Short and stout. Bung, n. A large wooden stopper for closing the bung-hole of a barrel. Bung-bellies, n. pi. Name given to black-eye or cornfield peas. Bungersome, adj. Clumsy. Bungle, v. To act in a clumsy, or awkward manner. Bung up, v. To be bruised or swollen from a blow. "His eyes are bunged up." Bunny, n. Pet name for a squirrel. Bunt, v. For burnt. Burdock, n. A coarse, broad-leafed weed; used as a common remedy. Bureau, n. A chest of drawers for holding clothing and other articles. Burgess, n. The representative of a borough, or plantation in the Virginia colonial General Assembly. There were 74 Burly— But. one or more from each place represented, without regard to the numbers represented. This held untill 1830. House of Burgesses. Burly, adj. Thick; clumsy; big; strong. Burn, v. To inflame or tan the skin, as sunlight. Burn daylight, v. To light candles before there is need; waste of time. Burning-shame, //. An exceedingly shamefull action. Burnt up, v. Parched by heat and drought; as, the crops are all burnt up. Burr, n. Burr of the ear, the external opening of the ear. (2) The washer placed on the small end of a rivet before the end is swaged down. Burr, v. To burrow. Burrying, ;/. A funeral. Burrying-ground, ;/. A graveyard. Bush, v. To line the hole in the nave of a cart-wheel with wood when it becomes worn, so as to hold the iron box. Bushelman, n. A tailor's assistant whose business it is to repair clothes. A tailor who does odd jobs. A busheller. Bushing, //. The wooden piece put in the nave of a wheel. Bushy, adj. " Bus hy -whiskered man" ; one with heavy beard. Bussen, />. a. Affected with rupture or hernia. Bust, n. A spree: as, to go on a bust. Bust, ;•. To fail in business. Buster, ;/. Something of extraordinary size. Buster, ;/. A crab bursting open behind and about to shed. Bustle, :•. To be active and stirring; to move quickly and energetically. Bustler, //. One who bustles; an active, stirring person. But, adj. Except. " All were there but Tom." Butcher — By-gone. 75 Butcher, v. To slaughter for food on the market. Butt, n. The buttocks; the posteriors. Butt-cut, n. The first length cut off a tree after it is cut down, usually much bigger than the others; also applied to a short thick person. Butter and eggs, //. Junquel. The jonquil. Butter-and-point, n. When butter was scarce in the country children were told not to eat butter, but to eat bread and point at the butter. Butter-fingers, ;/. A person who is apt to let things fall. Butter-money, n. The money made from butter, eggs, etc., which is the perquisite of the farmer's wife. Butter-piggin, n. A wooden piggin in which butter was worked with a wooden butter-stick. Butter-print, n. A piece of wood shaped like a stamper on which some device is cut, used for marking pats of butter. Butter-stick, n. A paddle three or four inches wide, six inch blade, and a handle eight or more inches long usually made of red cedar, for working the water out of butter. Button-moulds, n. pi. Forms of wood to be covered with the material to match the clothing. Buxom, adj. Healthy and cheerful; brisk; lively and vigorous. Buzzards picked him, v. A person who looks dilapidated and seedy, is said to "look like the buzzards had picked him:' By and large, adv. Altogether; in every aspect: "Taken by and large he was the best of all of them." By blow, n. An illegitimate child; a bastard. By-by, interject. Good-by. By-chance, a. An accident. By-gone,;/. Past; gone by. " Let bygo?ies be bygones." 76 By heart— Cag. By heart, n. By rote; in the memory: as. "I get a lesson by heart." By-now, adv. By this time. " He has come by now." By-path, >/. By-path, a private footway or briclle-path, or one that is little used. By-rights, adv. Property; of right. " He should be here now by rights. ' ' ' 'By good-rights. By sun, adv. Counting by the sun; an hour by sun: when the sun is an hour high. By that, prep. By then. By that time. "Come in on your way back; he'll be here by that." By the by, adv. By the way; introducing an incidental remark. " By the by, did John come back yesterday ? ' By then, adv. By that time. " Come back about 10 o'clock, he'll be here by then/' By-way, //. A by-road; an out of the way path. By-path. By- word, n. A saying; a word used as a proverb. " He knows all the by-words in the country." C Cabbage, v. To steal; to keep possession of a part of a cus- tomer's cloth of which a garment was made. Caboodle, n. Crowd; pack; lot; company. The " whole eabood/e." Caboose, //. Cambouse. The small house on board a vessel where cooking is clone. Cackle, v. To talk in a silly way. Cacky, u. Human excrement. Caddow, n. A quilt; a coverlet. Caddy, n A box for keeping tea when in use. Cag, n. Kag. A small wooden barrel for holding liquids; a keg. Cahoot — Canvass. 77 Cahoot, n. A partnership or company: as, to go into cahoot with a person. Cake, v. To stick together in a concrete mass. Calf, v. To have a calf. "The red cow calfed last night." Always pronounced with the hard c. Cearfed. Call, n. Occasion; obligation: as, he had no call to do it. Call, v. To call out of name; to call by improper and abusive names. " He called me everything he could lay his tongue to." "He called me shameful." "What do they call you ? " " What is your name ? " " He called me names.' ' " A negro woman who calls her name Sally." Call, v. To consider: he is called a. good workman. Call in, v. School calls in at 9 o'clock. Calline, ;/. The pronunciation of Caroline. Calling, n. Profession; trade; employment or occupation to which one is called by aptitude, necessity, etc.; usual occu- pation, profession, or employment; vocation. Candle-light, n. The time at which candles or lamps are lighted. ' ' The evening service will begin at candle-light. ' ' Marriages took place at " early candle-light." Candle-moulds, n. pi. A frame of cylindrical moulds of pew- ter or tin for making candles. Candy, n. .Sugar cooked, and flavoured in many ways. Canker, n. Verdigris, formed on the surface of dirty brass candlesticks. Canker, v. To corrode; to rust. Cankery, adj. Corroded; rusty; metallic. Having a cankery taste in the mouth. Cannister, n. A small box for tea, coffee, etc. Cant, v. To put or set at an angle; to set up on edge; to throw with a sudden jerk. To tilt over; upset. Canvass, n. Thick linen stuff, used for sheets; " canvass- sheets. " 78 Cap— Carry. Cap, v. To put a sheaf of wheat with the heads down over the top of a shock is to cap it. Cap, v. To puzzle. " That caps me. " (2) To surpass. "He capped all. Cape-merchant, n. The man who had charge of the general store or magazine. Caper, ;/. A sportive or capricious action; a prank. A leap; a skip or spring, as in dancing or mirth. Caper, v. To leap; skip or jump; prance. To cut capers like a child. Cap-sheaf, 11. A sheaf of wheat or straw forming the top of the stack. Captain of the corn-pile. The negro who walked up and down on top of the pile of corn at the corn-shuckings, led in the singing, and made most of the noise, hollered more than he shucked corn. Car, v. Ceaar; caire. To carry. Carred; earring. ll Caire this letter to the postofnee. " Carboy, n. A demijohn. A large bottle with a short neck, covered with wicker-work, or in a wooden case. Carcase,;/. The trunk; the body. "He takes good care of his carcase.''' Card, n. Keard. A personal statement in a newspaper over the writer's signature. " B is out in a card, explaining his standing in the matter." Card, v. Keard. To use the hand-cards for cotton or wool. T< 1 card rolls. Care, v. To be concerned so as to feel or express objection; feel an interest in opposing. " I don't care if he does come." Careing, v. Carrying. " For careing you to town." Caren, //. Carrion. Carren. Carry, v. To lead or conduct in going; escort. "Carry the Carry on — Catch a crab. 79 horses to water." "Are you going to carry Miss A. to the theatre?" Carry-on, v. To complain, or find fault for a lengthened pe- riod. To behave improperly. Carrying-on, ;/. Frolicsome or riotous behaviour. Usually in the plural, carrying s-oxv. Carry-log, n. A set of very tall wheels for carrying timber. Cart-body, n. The wooden body of a cart. Case, n. In case he should go. Case, n. A person who is peculiar or remarkable in any respect: as, a queer case; a hard case; sometimes without qualifica- tion: as, he is a case. Case-bottle, n. A bottle, often square in shape, made to fit in a case with others. Case-hardened, p. a. Figuratively, not sensitive; having no sense of shame; indifferent to reproof or dishonor. Case-knife, n. A table knife kept in a wooden knife-case. Cash, n. A receptacle for money: a money-box. Cast, n. Motion or turn of the eye; direction, look or glance; hence, a slight squint: as, to have a cast in one's eye. Opaque spots on the cornea. May come from these spots having a tendency to cause squint. Cast, n. Tinge; a slight shade of colouring: as, a cast of green. Cast-away, v. A ship when lost is said to be cast-away. Castor, n. Caster. A beaver hat; made of beaver fur. Catalpa, n. Catawba. An ornamental tree. Cat-bird, n. A bird of the thrush family. Cat-briar, n. A kind of bramble, the briars of which are like the claws of a cat. Catch, ;;. The quantity of fish taken at one time. Catch a crab, v. To catch the blade of the oar in the water in an awkward manner when rowing. 80 Catching— Cave. Catching, adj. Infectious; contagious. "He has got some catching disease or other. Catercornered, adj. Diagonal; cut from corner to corner ot a square; irregular in shape. Cat-hammed, adj. Said of a horse that has very crooked hind legs. Cat-hole, n: A very deep place in any body of water, either pond, creek or river. Cat-nap, ;/. Short intervals of sleep. "He does not sleep much at night but takes cat-ndps in the day." Catnip, n. A plant stimulant and tonic, a domestic remedy for various ailments. Given as a tea to new-born children. Catooch, n. A cartridge box. Cat's-cradle, ;/. A children's game played by two with a looped string. Cat's foot. An expression of dissent or disapproval. Cat's-paw, n. Small patch of ripple on the water from a slight breeze. Cat-tail, n. Name given to a water plant the spike of which is long and furry like a cat's tail. Cattle, ;/. Human beings, in contempt or ridicule. Caul, ;/. "You were born with a caul over your face." A sign of prosperity, and its possessor was safe from drown- ing. Caution, //. Security, as one became caution for the appear- ance of another, or for the payment of a sum of money. Caution, >i. Something to excite alarm or astonishment; some- thing extraordinary. " The way they ran was a caution." " I le's a caution." Cap, ;/. A piece of leather put on the toe of a shoe. Cave,:'. To breakdown; yield; give up; submit. " He caved in." Said also of earth that tails down when dug in a bank. Cavort — Chance. 81 Cavort, v. To prance about; said of a horse. To bustle about nimbly; said of a person. Ceapp, n. Sheep. "The ccapp in Confversie betweene Mrs. L. and Robt° W. shalbe sheared equally." Cearfullie, adv. For carefully. Ceart, n. Cart. Hard c. A two wheel vehicle for hauling, generally used with one horse. Cearr, v. Carr. To carry. "You can't carr more than two bushels in that bag. : ' Cedar-bird, n. A small bird that feeds on cedar berries. Cedar-pencil, n. Lead-pencil used for writing. Cellar-cap, n. Small roofed cover over the door leading to the cellar. Certain, adv. Certainly; assuredly. "'Tis certain so." Certain sure, adv. Without doubt or question; without fail; in truth and fact. Certny, adv. Certainly. " He'll certny come tomorrow." Chaff, v. To assail with sarcastic raillery; banter; make game of; tease; worry; joke. Chafing-dish, n. A portable grate for coals. A dish with a lamp under it for keeping food warm, or cooking. Chalk, n. Not by a long chalk; not on any account; not by any means; not at all. Chalk for cheese. One thing for another. Chalk line, ;/. A small line used by carpenters for making long marks to saw by. Charmber, n. For chamber. Pronounced with broad a. Charmber, n. A chamber-pot. Charmber-lye, ;/. Urine. Chance, )i. A considerable but uncertain number. "He's got a right smart chance of children." 82 Change— Cheatery. Change, n. The balance of money returned after a purchase is made. Changes, >i. pi. Suits oi clothes. " How many changes of clothes have you got." Channel-crab, /?. A large, fullgrown crab. " Chandler-crab. ' ' Chaney, ;/. Chainy. Chinaware. Character, ;/. A person of marked peculiarities; an odd per- son: as, " He was a character. " Charger, ?/. Contrivance for measuring and putting into a gun a load of powder or shot. Charn, >/. Churn. Chary, adj. Sparing; not lavish; not disposed to give freely. Chase, >i. A fox-hunt. " We had a good chase to-day and caught the fox." Chat, ;/. Free, informal talk. Chat, ;/. To converse in a familiar way; talk without form or ceremony. Chattel, n. Cattel; cattle. Chatter, ;•. To talk thoughtlessly, idly, or rapidly; jabber; gal 'Me. Chatty, adj. Entertaining in style; unconventional; easy. Chaumber, ;/. Chaamber. A room oi a dwelling house; a sleeping room. Charmber. Chaw, v. To bite and grind with the teeth. Chaw-bacon, >i. A countryman. Cheapen, v. To beat down the price. Cheaply, adv. At a small price; at a low cost. Cheat, n. A person who cheats. Cheat, n. Darnel, a deleterious grass growing among wheat. Cheatery,;/. Deception; (heating. " All kinds of cheatery.' 1 Checks— Chile. 83 Checks, n. A game among children, in which five marbles are thrown and caught on the back of the hand: or one is thrown up, and before it is caught as it falls the others are picked up, or placed in ones, twos, threes, or fours. Check apron, n. An apron made of checks, cotton goods of narrow blue and white stripes at right angles, worn by women while indoors and engaged in household matters. Cheek, n. Cool confidence; brazen faced impudence; an impu- dent manner. Cheeky, adj. Impudent; brazen-faced; self-confident. Cheer, n. Chair. Chear. Chers. Cheesecake, n. Used for the name of a church called after a tribe of Indians at that place; Kiskyake, Cheescake, Chis- cake. Chermany, //. A boys' game with a ball and bats. Cherry-bounce, n. Made by steeping cherries in brandy with sugar. Cherup, v. To urge on by cherupping. A noise made with the lips to urge on a horse. Cheshire-cat, n. A cat with a broad grin on his face, and applied to a person always laughing. "He was grinning like a 'Cheshire-cat.' " Chicken, n. A person of tender years; a child; used with a negative in satirical implication of mature age. " She's no chicken" Chicken-hearted, adj. Timid; without courage. Chicken-weed, n. A weed the seeds of which are mixed with chickens' food as a remedy. Chigger, n. A small, red ocarus or tick that buries itself in the skin. Childern, n. pi. Children. Chile,?/. Child. " Fetch that chile here." 84 Chill— Chink. Chill, it. To take the chill off, is to warm a cold liquid to an agreeable warmth. Chiller, adj. Chillier; colder. "Oysters will be better when the weather is chiller." Chilled, past part. Cold. " The wind is very cold, and lam thoroughly chilled." Chills, n. Intermittent fever. Chimbly, n. Chimney. Chimbley; C himly. Chimbly-back, n. A large, iron plate at the back of the fire- place where wood fires are used, to protect the bricks, and to throw out the heat. Chimbly-jam, n. The inside wall of a fireplace. Chimbly-pole, >i. In clay chimneys a pole is put across some distance above the fire on which the chain was fastened to hang pots on when cooking was done. Chimley-crook, ;/. In the old kitchen chimneys a chain swang to which pots were hung by means of the crook, or hook, when cooking was carried on. Chimney-corner, ;/. Fireside; a place near the fire. Chimney-hook, n. A hook hanging from the bar for holding pots and kettles oven the open fire. Chimney-rack. China-press, ;/. A cupboard for china. China-tree, >i. Pride of china. Chinch, ;/. Bed bug. Cimex. Spanish chinche. Chinching, adj. Miserly; niggardly. "A chinching rogue." Chine, n. The backbone of a hog cut for cooking. Chine, n. The edge of a barrel formed by the ends of the ends of the staves beyond the head. Chime. Chine-hoops, ;/. The two end hoops on a cask, that cover the chine, usually much stouter than the others. Chink, n. Money. Chink— Chop. 85 Chink, ;/. A crack; a gap: as, the chinks of a wall. Chink, v. To fill up chinks in: as, to chink the side of a log- house; with clay or mortar. Chink, v. To caulk. Chinkapen, n. The nut of a tree like a chestnut, but smaller. Chinkapen-whistle, n. A boy's whistle made from the sappy sprout of chinkapen. The bark is loosened by rubbing, and pulled off the wood, then made into a whistle. Chip, v. To break or crack. An egg is chipped when the chicken breaks the shell. (2) To chop; to cut with an axe. Chisel, v. To cheat. Chism, ;/. Chissum. Seminal fluid. Chist, n. A form of chest. Chit, ;/. A pert young girl. Chitling, n. Hog's intestines prepared for food, linked into knots and boiled, then put into vinegar. Choaty, adj. Fat; chubby, used of children. ' Choaty Brown." Chock, v. To wedge. Barrels are chocked to prevent their rolling. Chock, n. A wedge used for chocking. Chockful, adj. Full to the utmost. Chock-up, adj. Close; tight; said of a thing that fits closely to another. Choice, adj. Dainty; fastidious. Chokey, adj. Tending to choke or suffocate. Chomp, v. To chew loudly; as when a horse chews hard on a bit. Chop, n. Cleft or crack in the hands or face. Chop, v. To mark a tree by making three chops with an axe on each side, showing the boundary between tracks of land. Line-trees are chopped every three years by law. Chop, v. To crack; open in slits. The hands chop. N'> Chop — Churm. Chop,?-. To make a sudden retrograde movement. "The wind chopped 'round to the nor'rard." Chopfallen, adj. Dejected; dispirited; silenced. Chops, ;/. pi. The upper or lower part of the mouth; the jaws. Chouse, v. To cheat; swindle. He choused him out of his money. Christyde, n. Christmas. Chubby, adj. Round and plump. Chutch, )i. Church. Chuck. Word for calling hogs. Chok. Chook. Chuck, v. To pat playfully; give a familiar blow to. Chuck a child under the chin. Chucklehead, n. A large or thick head; adunce; anumskull. Chuckle-headed, adj. Stupid. Chuffy, adj. Blunt; rude; surly. Chuffy, adj. Fat, plump, or round, especially the cheeks. Chum, n. Intimate friend; crony. Chune, n. A tune. Chunk, n. A short, thick piece of anything. A chunk of wood. A chunk of meat. Chunk, v. To throw stones or sticks at one. (2) To punch or poke the fire with a stick or poker. "You'll put the fire out chunking it so much." Chunk-of-fire, n. The burning end of a chunk of wood. Fire was carried in chunks from one place to another before matches came into use. Chunky, adj. Short and thick. A chunky person. Church-mouse, >i. A mouse supposed to live in a church, where there is nothing for it to eat. "Poor as a church- mouse. " Churm,//. Form of churn. Chirme. Churm — Clapboard. 87 Churm, v. The process of getting butter from milk by agita- tion. Churm-dasher, n. A staff with a flat disk with holes bored in it at one end used in an upright churm. The dasher is of ash, a wood dedicated to Wodin. (?) The staff of oak. Chusen, n. (?) May be an Indian word for a kind of fish. Cinder-tea, n. Sweetened warm water into which a live fire- coal has been dropped; given to babies for colic. Cipher, n. The character of the form o. Cipher, v. To reckon in figures. To cipher-out. Ciphering,;/. Arithmetic. "I have to learn my ciphering the first thing in the morning." " He has learnt reading, writing and ciphering at school." Circumbendibus, n. A roundabout way. Circumstance, n. Not a circumstance, nothing in comparison; a thing of no account. Circumstances, n. pi. A person's worldly estate, or condition of wealth or poverty; fortune; means; generally in the plu- ral. " In good circumstances." Citified, adj. Having the peculiarities and appearance of resi- dents in cities. Clabber, n. Curdled milk. Bonnyclabber. Clobber. Clam, v. To ascend by both feet and hands. To climb. Clammy, adj. Damp; moist: as, imperfectly dried clothes. Clap, v. To clap eyes on. To look at; see. " As soon as I dapped eyes on her I knew who she was." Clap, v. To sprinkle light articles of clothing with water be- fore being ironed; in order to dampen them equally they are clapped between the hands several times. To pat. Clapboard, n. A roofing board about 4 feet long and 8 inches wide, riven from a log by splitting it from the centre out- wards, not quartered, with a froe in a break. 88 Clapper — Clever. Clapper, n. An instrument made of two pieces of thin wood, and used to scare birds away. (2) Part of the hopper of a mill. (3) Tongue of a bell; bell-clapper. Clark, n. Writer of a court. Clerk. Clarke. Clash, n. Idle talk. ' ' What is all that clash going on about ? ' Clatter, n. Idle gossip. Fast and idle talk; rattle with the tongue; confusion; talk or gabble. Confused noise. Claw, n. The human hand. Claw, v. Snatch; handle; lay hold of roughly. "They clawed over everything as soon as it came in reach." Clayey, adj. Like clay; abounding in clay. Clean, adv. Quite; perfectly; wholly; entirely; fully. "The shot went clean through both sides of the house." Clean, v. To fan chaff and dirt out of wheat is to clean it. Clear, adj. Free from dilution; as, "clear brandy." Free from defect: as, " clear lumber; " K> clea r heart." Clear, v. To make room; go away: as, to clear out. Clear-headed, adj. Sagacious. Clear of the world, plir. Free from debt. Clearing, n. A small piece of land from which the trees have been cut, and planted in corn, tobacco and vegetables. Clearing-off, adj. The clearing-off shower is the one that ends the spell of rainy weather. Clear-sighted, adj. Having acute mental discernment; judi- cious. Clench, n. ? " One clench of the door." Clerking, part. Acting as a clerk, or salesman. To clerk, v. Clever, adj. Good-natured; obliging; possessing an agreeable mind or disposition. Pretty. Handsome; healthy; tall. Clever, adj. Suitable; agreeable; of advantage: as, "A rich relation promised to do something clever for them." Clevis— Close. 89 Clevis, n. A cuff at the end of the plough-beam, to which the singletree is fastened. PI. Clevises. Clevy. Clevvy. Clevyses. Climb down, v. To descend slowly and with difficulty: as, ' ' I saw him climbing dozen the tree. Clinch, v. To fasten a nail or staple by beating down the points after going through. Clincher, n. A retort or reply so decisive as to close a contro- versy. Clinker-built, n. A boat built with the upper plank edges lapping over the lower. Clip, n. A smart blow. " I gave him a clip over the head." Clip, n. A quick motion, or short space of time. " Four dol- lars saved to you at one clip.'" Clipping, part. Swift; as, a clipping-pace; smart; showy; first-rate. Cloak, v. To protect from discovery. Clocked stockings, n. pi. They had on each side, rising about six inches above the ankle, a flowery pattern of raised work; the clocking of different colour from the stockings, or the clocking knit with a different stitch. Clod, v. To pelt with clods; to throw lumps of dirt. Cloddy, adj. Abounding with clods. Clod-hopper, n. A farmer's labourer. Clog, v. To choke up; obstruct so as to hinder a passage through. ' ' Clogged up with dirt. Cloggy, adj. Clogging or having the power to clog; adhesive; obstructive. Close, adj. Sultry, still weather. "It is very close to-day, it is going to rain." Close, adj. Near; parsimonious. "He is as close as wax." Miserly! 90 Close-body-coat— Co. Close-body-coat, ;/. A coat fitting- close to the body. Not a "sack." Close-fisted, adj. Miserly; niggardly; penurious. Closet, ;/. A small room for storing utensils, clothing, provis- ions. Clothes-press, n. A wardrobe. Clotty, adj. Full of clots, or small, hard masses. Clout, n. Any piece of cloth: as, as a baby's clout; or, one designed for a mean use: as, a dishclout; a rag. Clout, ;/. A blow with the hand; a cuff. Cloy, v. To satiate; gratify to repletion so as to cause loathing; surfeit. "These preserves are too sweet, they cloy.'" Cluck, v. To make a sound between the tongue and teeth to make a horse go faster. Also, a sound made between the the tip of the tongue and the inside of the front teeth as a sign of dissent and disappreciation. May be a relic of the African " cluck." Clucker, >i. An oyster that has been kept so long out of the water as to lose its liquor, and sounds hollow when the shell is struck, is called a " clucker." Clucking, v. A hen wishing to set makes the noise clucking. Clum, v. Climbed. Clump, ii. A cluster; a small group of persons or things. Clumse, >i. A stupid, awkward person. " What a great clumse you arc. Clunk, ;/. Large, irregular lump. " Clunk of sut in the stove- pipe." Cluster, a. A number of things forming a mass. "The cher- ries hang in great clusters" Cluster-roses. Clutch, v. To grasp tightly; sieze or grasp strongly. Co., ;/. for in company. "There were two of them in co. together." Coasters — Cod. 91 Coasters, n. pi. Vessels sailing and trading coastwise. Coasting-coat, n. Coursing-coat; a hunting or coursing-coat. Coats, n. pi. Women's outer garments. Petticoats. Coat-tail, ;/. The whole skirt of a woman's dress from the waist. " They went about in the rain with their coat-tails over their heads. ' ' Cob, v. To beat on the buttocks with a board. Cobay, ;/. Call for calves. Cobbing-board, n. A wooden paddle for cobbing one on the buttocks. Cobwebby, adj. Abounding with cobwebs. Cockcrow, )i. Daybreak. " I was up before cockcrow." Cocket, n. Cockquet. A scroll of parchment sealed and de- livered by the officers of the custom-house to a merchant as a warrant that his merchandise is entered. Cockeyed, adj. One eye looking out. Cock-fighting, n. "That beats cock-jig hting;' to surpass everything; to go beyond expectation^ Cockle, ;/. To round clam. Cockle, n. A weed that grows in wheat; corn-rose, or corn- cockle; the small, black seeds that grow in a capsule. Cockle-burr, n. A weed filled with burrs. Sheepburr. Cockles of the heart, v. pi. The innermost recesses of the heart. Cock-loft, n. A garret. Cocky, adj. Pert; conceited; self-confident. Cocoa-nut, ;/. Made by sawing off one fourth of the stem- end of a cocoa-nut shell, a handle a foot long is made by putting a stick through holes bored near the edge. It is used for dipping water out of a water-can. Cod, n. The inmost recess of a bay or sea; also of a marsh; "the cod or farthermost part of it." "The line of the property crossing the cod of the marsh." 92 Coddle— Coloury. Coddle, v. To boil gently; to stew. Codger, ;/. An old fellow; an odd person. Cods, n. pi. Testicles. Cold-bread, n. Bread not warm; stale bread. Cold-harbour, ;/. A protection at a wayside for travellers who are benighted, where they found shelter and a lodging place; no food was supplied, but means to cook what the traveller had; he used his own bedding, and feed might be had for his animals. Such places were established by the Romans on their military roads in England, and occupied by travel- lers until inns were used. The name came thence into eastern Virginia. Cold-snap, n. A short cold spell of weather. Colicky, adj. Causing colic: as, "Green apples are very colicky." Collar, v. To sieze by the collar. "The policeman collared him and took him off." Collar-beam, n. A piece of timber between *the two legs of a rafter some distance above the foot to keep them from spread- ing. Collard, n. A cabbage. Collards, //. pi. The leaves that grow on a cabbage stalk after the head has been cut off, and the stalk left in the ground. Collard-leaf. Colleague, v. To combine for a common end. Collogue, v. To join together, in a bad sense, in league or conversation. " They were colloguing together for some- time" Coloury, adj. Having a colour characteristic of good quality. ' Fine coloury tobacco 21 cts. a pound. " " Coloury coffee, ' ' of a bright bluish tint. Colonel — Comeatable. 93 Colonel, ii. It does not seem that the title of Colonel before the Revolutionary war was used as an honorary or derisive title. From the earliest colonial times there were military expeditions against Indians, and defenses against foreign attacks from the sea. When the inhabitants increased mak- ing the formation of separate governments distant from Jamestown necessary, counties were formed after the manner of English shires with a county-lieutenant at the head of each county. He was usually a colonel, at the head of the civil as well as military affairs. Then colonels, lieu- tenant-colonels, majors, captains, lieutenants and ensigns were added for the military organizations. The members of the Council were colonels or of other high military title as they were of the principal men of the colony. The house of Burgesses were largely made up of men of military titles. So, Virginians seem to have had a right to titles that have since fallen into contempt, as being used or claimed by men who have no right to them whatever. Comb, ;/. The ridge of a roof. Comb, v. Instead of combing the hair they always comb the head. Combing, n. The ridge of a roof. "The boy was astraddle of the combing when they saw him." Combustion, n. Tumult; violent agitation with much noise. Come, v. The forming of butter in a churn after the proper churning. " Has the butter come yet, you've been churn- ing at it long enough." Come, v. Never used in the sense of going from one place to another. ' ' Go home with me, ' ' not ' ' come home with me. Come about, v. To happen; take place. "How did that come-about ? ' ' Comeatable, adj. Capable of being approached or come at: that may be reached, attained, or procured. 94 Come-back — Complete. Come-back, v. Of the dead, to appear after death. " Old Brown died last month but he came back." ' Do you know that Mrs. A. who died last week has come back." Come-back, ;/. The cry of the guinea-fowl. Come -by, v. To obtain. " How did you come-by that horse." Come-down, n. A fall, or downfall; a set-back. Come in, v. To be brought into use: as, " Everything to read comes in. ' ' Come-off, 11. Evasion; escape; means of escape. " It was a great come-off. ' ' Come out, v. How did you come out?' How did you fare in your undertaking. Comers, ;/. pi. Visitors; there are comers and goers all the time. Come-up, inter/. Said to horses to urge them on. * Comfort, ;/. A thickly wadded and quilted bed-cover. Comfort, n. A knitted or crochetted woolen scarf, long and narrow, for tying around the neck in cold weather. Comfrey, n. A plant so called with reference to its medicinal qualities. Comical, adj. Odd in appearance; having some peculiarity. " He is a comical looking person." Commissionate, v. To give a commission; to appoint or em- power a person to act for another. Commissioner, ?i. A justice of the peace. Commons, h. pi. Provisions. "Short commons," a scant supply. Complain, v. To speak of ailing. " He is always complain- ing . Complected, adj. A certain complexion; as, dark complected. Complete, adj. "Complete horse," a stallion. Composant — Contraption. 95 Composant, n. A ball of fire seen on a ship's rigging on a stormy night. Conceit, n. Opinion; fancy; liking; prejudice. Out of con- ceit with a person or thing; not having a favourable opinion; no longer pleased. Concern, n. A sort of business. "The concern does not seem to be doing well." Concerned,/), part. Interested in a certain business. Conch, n. A large marine shell. Conclude, v. To decide. " So he concluded to stay in the house all day." Confab, n. Familiar talk or conversation. Chat. Congy, n. Congee. A bow or a courtesy. Conjuration, ;/. A magic spell; an enchantment. Conjure, v. Cunjur. To practice the art of a conjurer; to use arts to engage the aid of supernatural agents. Conanny. A sheep call. Conniption fit, n. Hysterics or tantrums. Consequence, //, A matter of very little consequence; of little importance. Consider, v. .To regard in a particular light; judge to be; take for: as, "I consider him a rascal." Considerable, adj. A good deal. Considering, />#/-/. Viewing carefully; taking everything into consideration. " He does very well considering." Constancy, n. To make a practice of doing something. ' I dont do it as a constancy." Consumpted, past part. Suffering with consumption. I always thought she was consumpted. Contraption, n. A contrivance; New and peculiar things; device. 96 Contrary-Cooner. Contrary, adj. Disagreeable; stubborn; crossgrained ; contra- dictory. He will not do one thing nor another. " He is just as contrary as he can be." Contrairy. Contrive, v. To contrive a thing is to send it to the person. " It I see anybody going that way I will try to contrive the bundle to him." To manage by a device, plan or scheme. Contrive, v. To imagine; find out. (2) A mild oath. Con- trive that boy. Contrivance, n. The thing contrived, planned, or invented; a device, especially a mechanical one; an artifice; a scheme; stratagem. Convenient, adj. Near. " He lives convenient to town." Coob, n. Coop, a small building for fowls. " Chicken-«>/. Of Scotch origin "Ouo'he." Coohees was the nickname applied 10 people in western Virginia, while those in the east were called "Tuckahoes." Cook-woman, n. A cook. Cookey, n. A small, thin cake made of corn-meal and milk and cooked on a griddle. Cool, adj. Absolute; round; used in speaking of a sum ol money. "A cool hundred dollars it cost me." Cool-headed, adj. Not easily excited or confused; possessing clear and calm judgement; not acting hastily or rashly. Coon, n. A sly, knowing person. "A coon's age," a long time. "A gone coon" one who is in a very bad way. Coon-oyster, n. A small oyster. Coonner, //. A canoe. Hard to express by letters. Not cunner, nor cornier. Coop — Corn-cob. 97 Coop. Word used for calling a horse. Contraction for " come up." Cope. Coot, n. A water fowl. "As bald as a coot." Cooter, n. A terrapin. Cope, v. To strive or contend; meet in combat; oppose. Copee-pee-pee. A call used for turkeys. Coo-wench. A word used for calling cows, repeated several times. Copsil, n. A cuff at the end of a plough beam to which the singletree is fastened. Copsal. Cord, n. A cord of wood is 8 ft. long, 4 ft. high and 4 ft. thick. Corded-bed, n. Bedstead with cords crossing the rails, on which cords the bed lay. Coram, n. For quorum,, certain magistrates who were neces- sary to form a court. Corduroy, ;/. A road made bv laying small logs across and covering with dirt. Corduvant, n. Thin leather named from the town Cordoba in Spain where it was made. " Corduvant gloves." Cordwinder, n. Cordwainer. A shoemaker. Cord-wood, n. Firewood cut four feet long and sold by the cord. Corking-pin, n. A pin of the largest size. Manikin pin, the smallest size. Pins were ordered by the thousand, m. " I2 m best pins, 3 sorts, from manikin to corkin." Corn, ;/. Indian corn. Maize. Corn, v. To make drunk with whiskey. Corned=drunk. Corn-basket, ;/. A large basket for carrying ears of corn. Corn-bread, n. Bread made of the meal of Indian corn. Corn-broom, n. Brooms made from the tops of broom-corn. Corn-cob, ii. The spike on which the grains of corn grow. 98 Corn-crib — Cosey. Corn-crib, >i. A house for holding corn in the ears. Cornder, n. A corner. A receding angle. " Put that broom in the cornder.' 1 Corn-dodger, >/. A dumplin' made of corn meal and boiled in a pot with ham and cabbage. Corned-beef, ;/. Beef that has been a few days in pickle but not fully salted. Corner-tree, n. The marked tree at the angle of boundary between two or more tracts of land. Corn-fed, adj. Stout; plump: said of man or beast. Cornfield-hand, ;/. A negro who worked in the field, to dis- tinguish from others who were house-servants, boatmen and so on. Corn-husk, n. The spike on which the grains of corn grow. Corn-shuck, n. The outer covering of a ear of corn. Corn-shucking, n. A gathering of people for the purpose of shucking corn. Corn-stalk, ;/. The stem of the plant on which the ears of corn and fodder grow. Corn-stalk fiddle, ;/. A child's plaything, made by loosening the outer fibre of a corn stalk and putting a bridge under each end. Corn to sell, n. Said of a person who stands with his hands behind him. Corporal, adj. Corporal oath, an oath ratified by touching a sacrel object, especially the New Testament, as distinguished from ;i merely spoken or written oath. Corruption, n. Putrid matter; pus. Cortenions, >i. />/. Curtenemons? Like capers. "Gathering Tuckahoe, Cortenions and other Wild Fruits," from the Englishman's land. Cos, adv. Because; by reason of. Cosey, adj. Snug; comfortable. Cost-free— Cove. 99 Cost-free, adj. Free of charge; without expense. Cotch, v. Caught. Cote, v. To quote. Cote-house, n. For courthouse. Cotton, v. To become closely or intimately associated with; to acquire a strong liking for. Cotton-cards, n. pi. Hand cards made with bent wires as teeth for carding cotton into rolls for spinning. Cotton-patch, n. Most of the farmers planted a patch of a few acres of cotton, enough to be spun, and woven for homespun socks, cloth, and other family uses. Cotton-tail, «. Popular name for the rabbit, "old hare." ' ' Molly cottontail. ' ' Coulter, n. An iron blade attached to the beam of a plough to cut the ground. Count, v. To expect or think. " I don't count on his com- ing. Counter-jumper, n. A salesman in a dry-goods store. Counterpane, n. A bed-cover; a coverlet woven of raised figures. Countrified, adj. Looking like people from the country. County, n. The unit of government in Virginia. Couple, n. A man and woman associated together by marriage or by betrothal. Court-cupboard, n. A sideboard with a number of shelves for the display of plate, and distinguished from the "livery cupboard," or wardrobe. Counterpin, ;/. Covering for a bed; counterpane. Court-house, >i. County seat. Shortened to C. H., often having no other name. Cove, ;/. A small inlet, creek, or bay; a nook in the shore of any considerable body of water. 100 Cover— Crack. Cover, v. To copulate with; said of male animals, usually horses. Cover, v. To sit on: as, a hen on eggs or chickens. Covering, n. Something spread over or wrapped about another, for protection or warmth: bed-covering. Coverlid, n. A cover for a bed. Bed quilt. Coverled. Covey, n. A flock of partridges. Cow, v. To daunt the spirits or courage; overawe. Cow-calf, n. A female calf. Cowcumber, >i. A form of cucumber. Cow-dab, n. A lump of cow-dung. Cower, v. To sink by bending the knees; crouch; squat; es- pecially in fear or shame. Cow-lick, n. A tuft of hair that looks like it had been licked by a cow, out of its proper position and natural direction. Cow-path, n. A path or track made by cows. Cow-pen, v. To manure land by penning cattle on it. Cows, n. pi. In the sense of cattle. "The boy has gone to fetch up the cows. ' ' Crabbed, adj. Perverse; cross; peevish; springing from a sour t em per. Crab-shed, n. The dead shell thrown off by a crab when he sheds. Crack, >i. A sharp blow; a shoot: as, " Let me have a crack at him." Crack, >i. Space between the door and door post. "She peeped through the crack of the door." Crack, v. To open a short distance: as, "Crack the door a little to let out the smoke." Crack, v. To chat; talk familiarly: as, to crack jokes. Crack, adj. Excellent; first rate: as, a crack shot. Crack a smile — Craney Island. 101 Crack a smile, v. To laugh; to smile. "He sits and tells the funniest tales and don't crack a smile." Cracked, part. Impaired intellectually ; crazy. Cracker, n. A thin, hard or crisp biscuit. Cracker, ;/. A long foreskin. Crackling-bread, n. Bread made with cracklings and corn meal. Cracklings, n. The crisp residue of hogs' fat after the lard has been dried out. (2) Hardened mucus in the corners of the eyes in the morning. Crack of day, n. Break of day. The narrow crack of light on the horizon which is the first appearance of dawn. " He was up by the crack of day." Crack up, v. Cry up; puff. " He is not what he is cracked up to be. ' ' Cradle, n. The frame for catching the grain that is cut by the scythe. Cradle, v. To cut grain with a scythe-cradle. Cram, v. To fill with more than can be conveniently, properly, or comfortably contained; fill to repletion; overcrowd. Cram, v. To fill with food beyond what is necessary, or to satiety; stuff. Cramp, n. An involuntary and painful contraction of a muscle. v Cramp, v. Hinder from free action or development; restrain; hamper; cripple. Crane, v. To stretch or bend the neck like a crane. "Cran- ing his neck." Craney, adj. A person is said to be craney, when he is tall and slender. Craney Island. The name of a small, sandy island in Hamp- ton Roads at the mouth of the Elizabeth river, from Crayne, a personal name; or "craine," the bird; crayne. 102 Crank — Cream-pitcher. Crank, ?i. The handle of a grindstone or any similar machine. Crank, adj. Cranky; liable to lurch or capsize. Cranksided. Unsteady; not firm. Cranksided, adj. Onesided. One side heavier than the other. Cranky, adj. Full of cranks; full of whims and crotchets; having the characteristics of a crank. Cranky, adj. In a shaky or loose condition. Rickety. Un- steady. Crap, n. A crop of grain. Crap, v. To raise a crop. Crapping, farming. Cratch, n. Crotch, fork of a tree. Cratches, crutches. Crave, v. To long for or eagerly desire, as a means of gratifi- cation. Craving, >i. Vehement or urgent desire, or longing; appetite; longing. Craw, ;/. The crop of a bird. When a person has received a slight, and cannot forget it, it is said to " stick in his craw, ' "to stick in his gizzard." Crawly, adj. Having the sensation as of the contact of crawl- ing things. "I felt crawly." Craziness, n. Mental weakness, or flightiness. " That's her era ziness." Crazy, adj. Broken; delapidated; weak; applied to any struc- ture, but especially to a building, or to a boat, or a carriage. Crazy condition of health. Crazy-bone, n. The point of the elbow, where the ulnar nerve comes mar the surface and is hurt by a casual blow. Creaky, adj. Creaking; apt to creak. Cream, n. The best part of a thing; the choice part. The cream of a joke. Cream of a bargain. Cream-pitcher, ;/. Cream-pot. A small pitcher for holding cream at table. Never railed a jug. Crease — Cripple. 103 Crease, n. A line or long thin mark made by a folding or doubling. Creasy, adj. Full of creases; marked by creases. Creek, n. A small stream where there is an ebb and flow of the tide. C'reen, v. To lean to one side as a ship under press of sail. Careen. " The boat creened so I thought she'd turn over. Creepers, ;/. pi. Headdice. Creepings, ;/. pi. Shivery sensations from dread, or cold. Creep-mouse, >i. To tickle babies to make them laugh by moving the fingers rapidly on their bodies as if a mouse was running over them. Creetur, ;/. A creature. Creetur. A disparaging term for a person. " He is a poor creetur.'' Also applied to animals: " dumb creeturs." Creepy, adj. Chilled and crawling, as with horrow or fear. Crib, >/. A child's bed. Crib, ;/. A house usually built of logs for holding corn. Coni- crib. Crick, n. A painful spasmodic affection as of the neck or back. Cricket, n. A small, low stool of wood, with four legs like a bench; a seat for one person. Cried up,^. part. Well spoken of; much praised. Crimp, v. To cause to contract or pucker so as to become wrinkled or wavy. Crimple, v. To contract or draw together; cause to shrink or pucker. Crinkly, adj. Full of crinkles; wrinkly; crimpy; like a crin- kle; uneven of surface as crumpled paper is. Cripple, //. One who creeps, halts or limps; one who is par- tially or wholly deprived of the use of one or more of his limbs. A lame person; also applied to animals. 104 Crisp— Cross-lift. Crisp, adj. Brittle; breaking or crumbling into fragments. Crispy, adj. Curled; formed into curls of little waves. Crispy hair. Croaker, n. A small fish getting its name from a peculiar croaking sound it makes when caught. Crock, n. An earthen vessel used for holding milk, butter, etc. Crony, n. An old familiar friend; an intimate companion. " He is an old crony of mine." Crook, n. A hook on which the pots are hung in the kitchen chimney. Crookeder, adj. More crooked. Crope, v. Crept. Croppercrown, n. A top-knot on a fowl's head. Cropping, pres. part. Farming; raising crops. Cross, n. A mixing of breeds in raising animals; an animal of a cross-breed. Cross, adj. Peevish; fretful; illhumored; perverse. Cross-cut saw, n. Croskarfe. A saw to cut across the grain of wood, with a handle at each end, and used by two per- sons. Cross-eyed, adj. One or both eyes looking in. Cross-furrow, n. A furrow cut across the other furrows to intercept the water that runs along them, to carry it off the field. Cross-garnets, n. pi. Hinges for windows or doors shaped like a ; the shorter part fastened to the frame and the longer to the leaf. Cross-grained, adj. Perverse; crabbed; untractable. Cross-jostle, n. A wrangle. To cross-jostle, v. Cross-legged, adj. Having the legs crossed when seated. " There he sat cross-legged in the shade." Cross-lift, v. When men are carrying a heavy load with hand- speaks two will put their handspeak under that of two al- Crossness — Crowder. 105 ready carrying; this is called cross-lifting; when a mighty effort is made to upset or get one out of a place it is said: " We will try to cross-lift him." Crossness, n. Ill-humour; fretfullness ; peevishness. Cross-road, ;/. A road that crosses from one main road to another; a by road. Cross-wise, adv. Across; transversely. Figuratively, con- trary to desire ; at cross purposes ; across the grain. ' ' Every- thing goes crosswise today." Crossways. Cross-words, n. pi. A quarrel. " They have been neighbours all their lives and never had a cross- ti'ord." Crotch, n. A fork, or forking, as of two legs, or branches. A man's crotch is the fork of his legs. " His boots came up to his crotch." Crotchet, n. A singular opinion; an unusual and whimsical notion. Crotchety, adj. Full of odd fancies; eccentric in thought; whimsical. Croupy, adj. Hoarse, like one about to have croup. " The child has a very croupy cough." Crow, )i. A large black bird; the American crow feeds on grain and not on carrion like the English crow. Crow, n. Groove in the head of a barrel into which the head is fitted. Crow, v. To boast in triumph; vaunt; usually with over. " He crows over him now." Crow-blackbird, u. A large black bird. Crow-cracklings, n. pi. Crozv is the mesentery of the hog; crow -cracklings are the brown, crisp pieces left after drying out !;he lard from the fat of the mesentery, or ' ' gut-fat. ' ' Crowd, v. To push; force forward; shove. To press close, or closely together; squeeze; cram. Crowder, ;/. A kind of pea, many in the hull. 106 Crow-feet— Cud. Crow-feet, n. pi. Wrinkles about the outer corners of the eyes. Crowner, n. For coroner. Crow over, v. To bully; to triumph: as, a cock does when he has won a fignt. Cruet, n. A small glass bottle for holding vinegar, oil, etc. The small bottles in casters. Crumb, v. To break into small pieces with the fingers. Crumbly, adj. Apt to crumble; friable: as, crumbly bread. Crummy, adj. Full of crumbs; soft as the crumb of bread is. Crumple, v. To draw or press into irregular folds; rumple; wrinkle. Crumply, adj. Crooked; twisted: as, a cow with crumply horns. Crunch, v. To grind with the teeth; chew with violence and noise. Crupper-bone, n. The lower end of the backbone. Crusses, n. pi. For crusts. Crusty, adj. Peevish; snappish; surly; harshly curt in manner of speech. Cry, n. The voice of the foxhound. " We heard the pack in full cry about sunrise." Cry, v. "She was crying a' most to death." To weep inor- dinately. Cry, v. The peculiar crackling noise made by leather when bent: as, " crying shoes. " Cry-baby, ?/. A child babyish for its age, and disposed to cry for a small hurt or disappointment. Crystal, ?/. The glass cover of a watch face. Cubbord, >i. Cupboard. A series of shelves open or enclosed in a closet to hold cups, plates, food, etc. Cud, >/. Quid; something that is chewed. Cuddle— Curchy. 107 Cuddle, v. To lie close or snug. Cuddy, n. A small cupboard, or storeroom for odds and ends. Cuff, n. A woolen wristlet worn for warmth. Cull, v. To pick out; select or separate one or more irom others. ' ' To cull oysters. Cullender, n. A metal vessel with the bottom full of small holes to let liquids run through; a strainer. Culls, n. pi. Things of an inferior quality separated from a bet- ter sort. ' ' There were a number of good red-oak hogsheads staves, and some culls. Cullings. Cumbersome, adj. Burdensome; awkward; unwieldy. Cunning, adj. Curiously or quaintly attractive; subtly interest- ing; piquant. Cunny-fingered, adj. A peculiar way of using the fingers in shooting a marble, it being held on the thumb nail with the end of the fore-finger. A way of bending the thumb into the closed hand to shoot the taw, in playing marbles. Cuppen, 11. Pen for cattle. Cowpen. Cup-plate, ;/. A small glass plate in which the tea or coffee cup was put when coffee was poured into and drunk from the saucer. Cups and saucers, >i. A child's term for acorns, and the cups that hold them. Cup-towel, n. The last yard or so of a piece of cotton cloth in a loom had spaces of an inch cut out of the warp, the filling going all the way across, the thrums were tied so as to form lozenge shaped spaces, and tossels at the ends; used for wiping cups. Cur, n. A surly, ill-bred man; a low despicable, ill-natured fellow. Curat, )i. Cuirass. Curchy, ■>/. A gesture of reverence, respect, or civility; a kind of obeisance made by a woman, consisting in a sinking or 108 Curcumber — Cut. inclination of the body, with the bending of the knee. Curtsy; curtshy; courtesey. Curcumber, n. A cucumber. Cur-dog, n. A cur, a worthless dog. A dog of unknown breed and blood, but of mean stock. Cure, v. To ripen in the sun. "The apples were peeled, and cured in the sun. " " Sun-cured tobacco. ' ' Curies, n. Name of a place on the James river from the " Curies of the river, " 1612. From an Indian word mean- ing "a sinuous tidal estuary; " " the curls of the river." Curlicue, ;/. Something fantastically curled or twisted: as, to make a curlicue with a pen. Currel, n. Name of some household implement; found in in- ventories. Curry favour, v. To gain favour by officious show of kind- ness; or by flattery. Curt, adj. Short and dry; tartly abrupt; brusk. Cush, n. A dish made by stirring broken corn-bread in a spider with the gravy of fried bacon, water being added, and pieces of red-pepper pods. Cuss, n. A fellow; a perverse or refractory person: as, "a hard cuss. ' ' Cuss, v. To curse; swear; use profane language. Cut, u. A blow. " I gave him a cut with the whip and he went off." Cut, n. Part of a cornfield. " Have you finished weeding the corn in the upper cut? " Cut, v. To cut the foot. A person "cuts his foot" when he treads on dung. (2) To cut one's finger, is to break wind. " Somebody has cut his finger.''' Cut, :■. To castrate. Cut, v. To cast or turn stealthily: as, "She cut her eyes at him." Cut— Dabble. 109 Cut, v. To gnaw as a rat. ' ' I heard a rat cutting in the closet. Cut down, v. To fell trees. " He cut-down all of his timber. " Cut down, v. At the last hour just before the school breaking up all the children who were big enough to spell were made to stand up and the master gave out the words. The scholar who spelt a word missed by those ahead of him cut them down, and went ahead of them. Cute, adj. Clever; sharp; smart; quick; cunning. Cut loose, v. As to shoot a gun. "He cut loose with both barrels at the flock and knocked down six ducks." Cut stick, v. To be off; to go away. Cutthroat, n. A murderer; an assassin; a ruffian. Cutlash, ;/. A cutlass. Cut out, v. After hogs are killed and the meat cold they are cut out, into hams, middlings, shoulders, etc. Cut the comb, v. To humiliate; abase. Cuttle-ex, n. A cutlass. Cutty. The given /lame of a short, stumpy negro woman. Cut up, v. To be riotous. Cymblin, n. A sort of eatable gourd. Cymblin-gourd, n. The dried shell of the cymblin that is used for dipping water, and many other household purposes. D The / has a tendency to change to d in the middle of words: as, boddle for bottle; coddon for cotton, etc. Dab, n. A small lump or mass of something soft, or moist; a small quantity: as, a dab of mortar; a dab of butter. Dab, v. The sense of striking with a soft or moist substance. Dab, v. To strike; peck. Dabble, v. To play in water, as with the hands; splash or play as in water. 110 Dabs — Dapper. Dabs, n. pi. Lumps; pieces. " Your hands are just like dabs of ice." Daddy-long-legs, n. Spider like creatures with small body and long legs. Daddy, n. A father; papa. Grand-daddy. Dade, adj. For dead. Daft, adj. Simple; stupid; foolish; weak-minded; silly. Daggle, v. To trail in the dirt; to trail through mud and water, as a garment. Daggly, adj. Wet. Dainty, adj. Nice as regards behaviour, decorum; weak; fas- tidious; effeminate. Dally, v. To trifle away time in any way, as in idleness; lin- ger; loiter; delay. "Why have you dallied so long." Damage, ?;. Cost; expense. " What's the damage." Damnify, v. To hurt, or injure; damage. Damp, adj. Rainy: a damp day. Dampen, v. To make damp or moist; wet slightly. To put a check or damper on; make weak or dull; dim. Dampishness, ;/. A moderate degree of dampness or moisture. Dampness, n. Moistness; moisture; moderate humidity. Dance, )i. A country party where dancing is the chief amuse- ment. Dander, n. Scurf; dandruff. Anger; passion. "When his dander is up." Dangerous, adj. In danger from illness: as, " He is not dan- gerous, but very sick." Dangle, v. To dance attendance; hover longingly, as for no- tice or favours: as, to dangle about a woman. Dangler, ;/. One who dangles about another. Dapper, adj. Pretty; elegant; neat; trim. Small and active; nimble: lively. Dapple — Dasher. Ill Dapple, adj. Marked with spots; spotted; with spots of dif- ferent colours, or shades of colour: as, a dapple-horse. Dapple-gray, n. Of a gray colour variegated by spots of a different colour or shade. Dare, n. Take a dare, to receive a challenge without accepting it. Daredevil, //. One who fears nothing and will undertake any- thing. Daresent, v. Not dare to do a thing. Dark, ;/. Dark of the moon: nights when the moon does not shine, between the last of the last quarter and the new moon. (2) Also, in the dark; by the time it gets dark: as, " He will get there by dark." Dark, adj. Not fair: applied to the complexion. Darken, v. To grow dark or darker. Darkey, n. A negro. Darlen, n. Darnel; cheat; a deleterious grass that grows in wheat. Darn, v. To mend a hole with yarn or thread, by means of a needle, so as to fill up the hole with threads without puck- ering the material. Darning-gourd, ;/. A small, smooth gourd over which an arti- cle to be darned is drawn. Darning-needle, n. A long needle with a large eye, used in darning-. »• Darnix, n. Darnick. A thick cloth used for table-covers. " Table carpets." A coarse sort of damask. Darnex. Dash, ;/. A small infusion or mixture: as, a dash of wine in water. Dasher, n. A circular piece of wood full of holes to which a staff is fixed and used as a plunger for churming in the bar- re\-churm. The dasher-head was made of ash, and the staff of oak. 112 Dashing — Dead-set. Dashing, p. a. Showy; brilliant. Bold; dashy. Date, -v. End; conclusion: as, " up to dfofe. " Daubing, n. The mud or mortar with which a wall was daubed, or plastered. Daunce, v. Dance, with the very broad a. Dawdle, v. To idle; waste time; trifle; loiter. Dawdling, p. a. Sauntering; idling. Daylight, n. The light of day; early morning. "I was up at daylight." Daylight-down, v. When dark comes after sunset. ' I ex- pect him back by daylight-doivn." Daze, v. To stun. A person is dazed by a blow on the head, or by fright. " He had a dazed look." Dead, adj. Tasteless; vapid; spiritless; flat: said of liquors. (2) Fixed; sure; unerring: as, a " dead sure thing." Dead, v. A tree was deaded by cutting off the bark all around it. Deaden, v. To kill trees by belting. Deadfall, ;/. A trap that kills the game by falling on it. Deadhead, n. One who is allowed to ride in a public convey- ance, to attend a theatre or other public place of amuse- ment without payment. Dead-lift,?/. A last resort; a desperate emergency. "Some butts of small claret the captain had concealed in a cellar for a dead-lift '." Dead-men, n. Some inside part (lungs?) of a crab, not to be eaten, "as they will kill you." Dead men's fingers, ;/. pi. A part of a crab held to be unfit for food. Dead-set, ;/. A determined effort or attempt; a pointed at- tack. Dead-stand — Delegates. 113 Dead-stand, n. A dilemma; a fix; to be brought to a stand- still; be checked and prevented from motion or action. To come to a stop. " He seems to be at a dead stand in his business." Deaf-ears, n. pi. Deef-ears. The auricles of the heart of a hog, always cut off and thrown away. Deal, n. An indefinite quantity, degree or extent: as, a "good deal of time. ' ' Death-bell, n. A sound in the ears like the ringing of a bell, supposed to foretell a death. Debth, n. For depth. "He went too far into the river and got out of his debth. " Decay, n. Loss of fortune or property; misfortune; ruin: ap- plied to persons. " They have gone to decay." Decence, n. Decency. " Have decence." Decent, adj. Moderate: respectable; fair; tolerable; good enough: as, a decent fortune; a decent appearance. Deck, n. A pack, applied to playing cards. Decline, ;/. Any chronic disease in which the strength and plumpness of the body gradually diminish untill the patient dies. " He's in a decline." Decoy-duck, n. A person who is acting as a decoy for other persons. Deef, adj. Deaf. Deer-drive, n. To hunt deer with dogs to drive them in a cer- tain direction. Deerskin sifter, n. A sifter for separating the husk from the meal, made by punching small holes in a tanned deerskin, for lack of the wire gauze. Deer-stand, n. The place where a hunter stands to shoot deer that are driven by him. Delegates, n. pi. House of Delegates, the lower house of the General Assembly. 114 Delve— Dibble. Delve, v. To practice constant toil; long- and laborious. ' To dig and delve." " They are delving at it." Demean, v. To lower; lower the dignity or standard of. ' I wouldn't demean myself to do such a thing." Dent, n. A hollow made by a blow or pressure. Depend, v. To rely; rest in full confidence or relief, with, on or upon. " We couldn't depend on him." Dependance, n. Reliance; confidence; trust; resting on some- thing. Deranged, p. a. Unsettled in mind; insane. Destitute, adj. Without means; indigent; needy; poor. Determined,/), a. Showing determination of purpose; reso- lute; unflinching. Devil, n. A drag with crooked iron teeth, for clearing grass out of ploughed ground. Devil, v. To bother; torment. Devilishness, ;/. Deviltry; trickery; roguishness; mischief. Devilment, n. Roguery; mischief; trickery. Devil's darning needle, n. Mosquito-hawk. Dragon-fly. Devil's riding horse, n. The praying mantis. Devil's snuff-box, ;/. The puff-hall. Deviltry, n. Diabolical action; malicious mischief. Dew-berry, n. A trailing plant bearing black berries. The running-blackberry. Dew-claw, n. The rudimentary inner toe of the foot, espe- cially the hind foot, of some dogs. Dewfall, n. A fall of dew: as, heavy dewfallXzsX night. Diaper, n. A square piece of cloth for swaddling nates and ad- jacent parts of an infant; clout. Dibble, v. The action of a duck when it fills its mouth with water and holds up its head to let it run down; drinking. Dicky— Din. 115 Dicky, ;/. A separate shirt front worn over the breast in place of a shirt, or to hide a shirt not fit to be seen. Separate shirt-fronts of this sort were also called false-bosoms, and shams. Didapper, n. A small diving bird. Diddle-daddle, v. To dawdle about. "You go diddle-dad- dling about all day and do nothing." Diddles, n. pi. Young ducks. Diddle, a word to call ducks. Didoes, n. A caper; prank; trick; cutting didoes, playing a prank; cutting capers. Die, v. To be consumed with great yearning or desire; be very desirous: as, " She was just dying to go." Die-away, adj. Languid; languishing; expiring. Die-out, v. To come to an end gradually; become extinct by degrees; vanish. Diet, n. Food prescribed for the prevention or cure of disease, and limited in kind and quantity. Differ, v. To quarrel. Difference, n. A controversy. "They had a difference and have never settled it." Difficulty, ;/. A quarrel: a fight. " They will have a difficulty the first time they meet." Dig, n. A thrust; a punch; a poke: as, "A dig in the ribs." Diggings, ;/. Neighbourhood. " In these diggings.'" Dike, n. A low wall of turf; a ditch-bank. Dike, v. To dress fine. " You are diked up to-day." Dilly-dally, v. To loiter; delay; trifle. Dimity, n. A cotton fabric used undyed for beds and bed fur- niture. Din, n. A loud, rattling, clattering noise of long duration. ' ' You make such a din I cannot hear my ears. ' ' 116 Din— Dirty. Din, v. To press or force with clamour or with persistent repe- tition. " It has been dinned in my ears tor months." Ding, v. To keep repeating; impress by reiteration. "You have been dinging at that all day. Ding, v. "I cannot ding it into him." I cannot make him understand it. Dingy, adj. Dingey (soft g)\ foul; dirty. Soiled; tarnished; of a dusky colour. Dining-day, n. A dinner given to a large number of people was spoken of as a "dining-day." Dinner-pot, ;/. A large, iron pot holding about twenty gal- lons, in which dinner is cooked, ham and cabbage. Some- times hung over the fire by pot-hooks, sometimes standing on its three iron legs over the coals on the hearth. Dint, n. Force; power: as, by dint of argument. Dip, v. To plunge into water or other liquid and quickly emerge. Dip, n. The act of dipping up as with a ladle or dipper. " Give me a dip of it." Dip-net, n. A net with a bow and long handle, for catching crabs. Crabbing-net. Dipper, //. A bird so called because it dips, ducks, or dives under water. (2) A vessel of wood, iron or tin with a long- straight handle, used to dip water or other liquid. Dipsey-lead, n. Nautical change of deep-sea lead. Directly, adv. Straightway; without delay; at once; imme- diately; presently. " He'll go directly." Dirt, n. Earth, especially loose earth; disintegrated soil. Dirt-cheap, adj. As cheap as dirt; very cheap. Dirt-pies, n. pi. Imitation of pies made by children out of clay or dirt. Dirty, v. To dirty, to discharge excrement from the bowels. Dirty— Ditch. 117 Dirty, adj. Characterized by dirt; unclean; not cleanly; sul- lied. Morally unclean; base; low; mean; dishonest. Dirty, v. To defile; make filthy; soil; befoul. Disagree, v. To be in a state of discord; wrangle, quarrel. Disbelief, n. A negation or denial of the truth of some partic- ular thing. Discommode, v. To put to inconvenience; trouble; incom- mode. Disgruntled,/), a. Disappointed; disgusted; offended; thrown into a state of sulky dissatisfaction. Dish, ;/. Angle at which spokes are set in the hub of a wheel. Dish-cloth, ;/. A cloth used for washing dishes. Dish-clout, n. A dish-cloth. Dish-rag, n. A dish-cloth. Dish-up, v. To take the dinner from pots, ovens and skillets and put it on dishes ready for the table. Dish-water, n. Water in which dishes have been washed. Dismals,;/./)/. Gloom; melancholy; dumps. Displeasure, //. Offense; umbrage. Disposed,/), a. Inclined; minded; in the mood. " He is dis- posed to do what is right. ' ' Disremember, v. Not remember; forget. Distemper, n. Disease for man or beast. "Living like that they will all have the distemper." Distracted,/), a. Disordered in intellect; deranged; mad; frantic: distracted with the toothache. Distraction, n. Violent mental excitement, or extreme agony of mind: as, "You drive me to distraction.'" Ditch, ;/. Any narrow open passage for water on the surface of the ground. A clear distinction is made between a (///rand a ditch; '^ ditch is a trench dug in the ground, a dike is the bank made on the edge of the ditch. 118 Ditch— Dog. Ditch, v. To dig or make a ditch. To dig a ditch in. Ditch-water, n. Stale or stagnant water collected in a ditch. Dividen, v. For divided. " Is dividend York Records, 1672. Dividend, n. Divident. A body of land contained in one patent or survey. Dizzy, adj. Giddy; having a sensation of whirling in the head, with proneness to fall. Do, v. The phrase, " He will not do a thing to them," means that they would not be molested in any way. Dobber, n. A dauber. " Dirt-dobber. " A mud-wasp. Dobbing, n. Plastering. Clay mixed with straw for filling chinks in log-houses, and building chimblies. Dobble, v. Dabble. "To dobblc in the mud," as children. Dock, n. The space of water between two wharves. Dock, :•. To cut off, as the end of a thing; cut short; curtail: as, to dock the tail of a horse. (2) To deduct a part from; shorten; diminish: as, to dock one's wages. Doctor, v. To disguise by mixture or manipulations; adulter- ate; tamper with; cook up. (2) To practice physic. To receive medical treatment; to take medicine. Doctor-snake, ;/. When a snake was killed and left on the ground, and a hog, bird of prey or some other varmint made way with him, it is said that the "doctor-snake" has cured him so that he could get away. Doddle, v. To toddle. Dodge,;;. A cunning trick. "He is up to some dodge or other." Dodge, v. To start suddenly aside. To shift about; move cautiously, as in avoiding discovery, or in following and watching another's movements. Dog, v. To pursue: t<> urge. (2) To chase cattle with dogs. Dog-eared — Doom. 119 Dog-eared, adj. Having the corners of the leaves curled over and soiled by use, as a book. Doggery, ?/. A mean grog-shop. Dogs, n. pi. Doggs. Andirons. Fire-dogs. Dogs' -ears, n. The turned corners of the leaves of books. Dog-stud, ti. The husband of a woman who had no children was called a dog-stud. Dog-trick, n. A currish or mean trick; an ill-natured practi- cal joke. Dolefull, adj. Full of grief; sorrowful. Dolefully, adj. In a doleful manner; sorrowfully; dismally; sadly. Dolesome, adj. Doleful; gloomy; sorrowful; dismal. Dolesomely, adv. In a dolesome manner. Dolesomeness, n. Gloom; dismalness. Doll, n. A toy representing a baby girl or boy, used by chil- dren. Domestics, n. pi. Home-made cotton cloth, either bleached or unbleached, of the grades in common use, and neither printed nor dyed. Domicils, n. Household furniture. Dominica, n. A large white fowl covered with black spots: a dominica hen. Done-up, p. p. Completely used up; thoroughly fatigued; tired out. Donothing, ;/. One who does nothing; an idler. Don't, v. For do not. The double negative often used: as, " They don t have no money." Doodle-bug, n. Ant-lion. A kind of beetles which live in the ground in holes. By calling " doodle" near their holes it is said the bugs will come out. Doom, n. To end of time. "The crack of doom." 120 Door — Dowdy. Door, 11. Next door to; near to; bordering on; very nearly: as, next door to a fool, he is not far from a fool. Door-neigbours, n. People living next door to each other; " next-door-neighbours." Door-sill, ;/. The piece of wood at the bottom of the door, over which all have to pass. Threshold. Door-step. Doorstep, n. Threshold. Dooryard, n. A yard about a door. Dormant window, n. Window in a slanting roof. Dot, n. A speck; a small speck on a surface. Dot, v. To make dots or spots. " Dot and carry; " to add as at school, dot down the units, and carry the tens to the next column. Dotage, n. The state of one who dotes; feebleness of mind in old age; second childhood. Dote, v. To bestow excessive love; lavishing extravagant lik- ing. (2) To decay, as a tree. Doty, adj. Decayed; decaying; applied to timber or old trees. Doty wood, decayed wood. Doted. Double-trouble, n. Double shuffle; kind of dance. Doughface, n. A mask made of thick paper moulded to form, and usually of hideous aspect. Doughy, adj. Not thoroughly baked, as bread; consisting in part of unbaked dough; half-baked. Do up, v. To mend; repair. " He must do up my hat." Douse, v. To put out a light. Douse, n. A blow; a stroke; a blow in the face. Douse, v. To plunge into a fluid; to drench with a fluid. Douse, v. To strike or lower in haste; slacken suddenly: as, to douse sail. Dowdy, adj. Slovenly; ill-dressed; slatternly: applied to women. Dowel— Dram. 121 Dowel, ;/. A wooden pin used to fasten two pieces of wood together. Dowlas, n. Dowlass. Dowlace. A strong and coarse linen cloth. Down, <((/;'. To be sick in bed: as down with the measles; down with chills, with chills and fevers. Down-face, v. To contradict flatly. "She downfaced him that she didn't say it." Downhearted, adj. Dejeced; depressed; discouraged. Downright, adj. Plain; unambiguous: as, " He is a downright liar." Downright, adv. Completely; thoroughly; utterly. Downstairs, adj. Pertaining or relation to, or situated on, the lower floor of a house: as, " He is in one of the downstairs rooms. ' ' Doze, v. To sleep lightly, or fitfully; especially, to fall into a light sleep intentionally. To be in a state of drowsiness; be dull or half asleep. Drabble, v. To draggle; make dirty, as by dragging in the mud and water; wet and befoul. Drabbletail, //. A slattern. Drag, v. To break the clods by hauling an iron-toothed drag over the ploughed ground. Draggle, v. To drag or draw along on damp ground or mud, or on wet grass; to drabble. Draggletailed, adj. Untidy; bedraggled. Draggletail, n. An untidy woman. Draggly, adj. Bedraggled. " She came through the tall grass with her coats all draggly. ' ' Dram, n. As much spirits as is drunk at once. As liquor was furnished to soldiers on service it was usually spoken of as drams: ' ' a bottle of drams. ' ' 122 Dram — Drench. Dram, v. To give a dram or drams to; ply with drink. Drap, n. Drop: "a drap of something to drink." Draw, v. To injure paint by being near the fire. " Heat will draw the paint." Draw-bar, n. A bar or set of bars, in a fence, which can be drawn back or let down to allow passage, as along a road or path. Draw-bucket, ;/. A bucket to draw water from a well. Drawing the long bow, phr. Telling exaggerated stories. Draw straws, v. To decide a thing, a number of straws of unequal lengths are held in the hand each person drawing one, the longest straw winning. Draw-string, ;/. A string in the mouth of a bag to close it. Drawl, v. To speak with a slow, spiritless utterance, from affectation, laziness or want of interest. Drawl, n. The act of drawling; a slow, unanimated utterance. Draw up, v. To move one's seat up to a table to eat. ''Drazv up your chair and have some supper." Draw-well, u. A deep well from which water is drawn by a sweep, a long pole and bucket. Drean, //. A small stream of water; a small ditch. Drean, v. To drean; to drean water off from land; to draw off gradually; to dry by letting the water drean: as, from a hanging cloth. Drearisome, adj. Very dreary; gloomy; forlorn. Dreggy, adj. Containing dregs or lees; consisting of dregs; foul; muddy. Dregs, ;/. pi. Sediment of liquors; grounds; any foreign mat- ter of liquors that subsides to the bottom of the vessel con- taining them. Drench, >i. Draught tor a sick horse. Drench— Drive. 123 Drench, v. To wet thoroughly; soak; till or cover with water or other fluid. Dress, v. To clean and prepare for food: to dress poultry; to dress salad ; salad-dressing. Dressing, >i. Stuffing of a fowl; gravy. Dressing, n. A whipping. " To give him a dressing." Dresser, n. A set of shelves for dishes and cooking utensils. Dress up, v. To dress one's self with special care; put on one's best clothing, or different garments from those com- monly worn. Dressy, adj. Fond of dress; given to showy dressing. Dribble, v. To fall in drops or a quick succession of drops. (2) To move slowlv; a boy dribbles by shooting his marble, rolling along the ground slowly towards its object. Dribblet, ;/. A small piece or part; any inconsiderable part of a whole. " He gave out the money in driblets." Dribblings, n. pi. Drippings of any liquid. Drill, v. To sow in rows, channels or drills: as, to drill wheat. Drilling, n. A stout linen or cotton cloth. Drink, n. Strong or intoxicating liquor: as, a craving for drink. A draught; as much of any liquid as may be taken at one time: as, " Have a drink f " Drinking-napkin, n. Drinking-towel. A napkin tied under the chin to protect the clothes while drinking. Drinking-water, n. Water used for drinking. " This farm has good drinking-water on it." Drip, v. To let fall in drops. Drippin-wet, adj. Thoroughly wet from rain so that the water runs off. "He was out in the rain and came in drippin- wet. ' ' Drive, v. To be conveyed in a carriage; travel in a vehicle drawn by one or more horses. (2) To aim or tend: as, " What are you driving at? " 124 Droll— Drudge. Droll, adj. Ludicrous; queer; laughable. Drone. ;/. An idler; a sluggard; one who lives on the labour of another. Droop, v. To sink or hang down; bend or hang downward. To be weak and heavy from sickness. ' He drooped and died." Droopy, adj. Drooping; bending or hanging down. ' The flowers are going to die, they look mighty droopy." Drop, v. To give birth to a colt. " My mare dropped a colt to-day." Drop, v. To let go; dismiss; lay aside; break off from: as, to drop an acquaintance. Dropoff,:'. To fall asleep. "Mary didn't sleep much last night, she's just dropped off now." Drop-dumpling, n. A dumpling made of corn-meal and dropped into a pot where a ham is cooking to be cooked with the cabbage. Drouth, ;/. Dry weather; want of rain. Thirst; want of drink. Drouthy, adj. Dry; thirsty, requiring drink; thirsty from heat or lever. Drownded, past. pari. For dro'u'ned. Drove, n. A number of animals together. "A drove of horses; ,; "a drove of cattle; " a flock of sheep. Drown the miller, v. To pour too much water into the spirit when mixing grog. Drowse, v To be heavy with sleepiness; be half asleep. Drowsy, adj. Inclined to sleep; sleepy; heavy with sleep. Drowsy-headed, adj. Sleepy-headed. Drub, v. To beat with a stick; belabour; thrash. Drubbing, >i. Sound beating. Drudge, n. A dredge. " They have been arrested for drudg- ing oysters against the law." Drudge — Duberous. 125 Drudge, v. To dredge; to catch oysters in deep water with a drudge — dredge. Drudge, n. One who toils at servile or mechanical labour. A spiritless toiler. Drudge, v. To work hard at servile or uninteresting work; labour in tedious dragging tasks. "He drudges all the week." Drudgery,;/. The labour of a drudge; ignoble; spiritless toil. Drudging-box, n. Dredging-box. A small box, usually of tin with holes in the top, used to sprinkle flour on roasting meat, or a kneading-board. Drugs, n. pi. Dregs; sediment in any liquid. Drumline, n. A stout line used in drum-fishing. Drumstick, ;/. From its shape, the lower joint of the leg of a dressed fowl, as a turkey. Drunkards, n. pi. Small flies that fly about and light in sweet- ened liquors. Dry out, v. The act of separating fat by heat. "We have been drying out lard all day." Dry, adj. Humourous or sarcastic; slily witty or caustic. Dry, adj. Thirsty. " I'm as dry as a fish." (2) Not giving milk. Said of cows: as, " a dry cow." Dry-belly-ache, ;/. Strong pains in the belly without loose- ness of the bowels. " He looks like he had the dry-belly- ache. ' ' Dry-gripes, ;/. Pains in the belly without looseness, same as dry-belly-ache. Dry so, adv. In that manner. " He said it just dry so." Dub, v. To cut down with an adze. Dubbin, n. A preparation of grease for use in currying leather. Duberous, adj. Doubtfull. \ l"26 Dubersome — Dull. Dubersome, adj. Doubting; an uncertain state of mind. Dubious, adj. Doubting; hesitating; wavering or fluctuating in opinion, but inclined to doubt. Dubs, n. pi. Doublets at marbles. A player knocking two marbles out of the ring cries, " dubs" and thereby claims both. If a boy says " vents" first, the other cannot take the two, but only one. Duck, n. Strong linen or cotton fabric woven plain. Ducking. Duck, v. To dip or plunge in water and immediately with- draw. (2) To lower or bend down suddenly, or in saluting awkwardly. Duck, v. To dip a person's head under water by force. Duck-fit, n. Sportively. In a great state of excitement about a thing. " I thought she'd have a duck-fit when the circus came by." Duck-house, >i. A house with the door low to the ground that ducks may go in and out easily. Duck-legged, adj. Having short legs like a duck. Dudgeon, n. A state of offense; resentment; sullen anger. " He was in high dudgeon." Duds, n. pi. Clothes; especially poor or ragged clothing. Due, adv. Directly; exactly; only with reference to the points of the compass. "The wind was due west."' Duff, n. Name given to all sorts of dessert. University word. Duffels, >i. Duffles. A coarse woolen cloth having a thick nap, generally knotted. Duftail, >i. Dovetail. A manner of joining the ends of planks to make boxes, used by carpenters. Dug, u. The breast of a woman or female animal. Dugout, ;/. A boat made of a hollowed out log. Dull, adj. Stupid; foolish; slow of understanding. (2) Not sharp or acute; blunt: as, a dull knife; a ^//needle. Dull— Dunghill. 127 Dull, v. To make less sharp or acute; render blunt: as, to dull a knife. Dull, adj. "Dull of hearing," hard of hearing. Dumb, adj. Lacking some usual power, manifestation, char- acteristic, or accompaniment: as, a dzimb ague, an ague which is not accompanied by the usual shakings. Dumb-cake, n. A cake made in silence, on St. Mark's Eve, with numerous ceremonies, by girls, to discover their future husbands. Dumb-creeters, n. pi. The lower animals. Dumfounder, v. To strike dumb; confuse; stupify; confound. Dummy, ad/. Silent; mute; sham; fictitious; feigned: as, a dummy watch. Dump, v. To throw or put down a mass or load of anything; unload; especially to throw down or cause to fall out by the lifting up of a cart. Dumplin, n. A mass of corn-meal and water made into a flat- tish ball and put into a dinner-pot where a ham and cabbage were cooking, boiled not baked. Dumps, n. pi. A gloomy state of mind; sadness; sorrow; melancholy; heaviness of heart. Dumpy, adj. Short and thick; squat. Dun, ;/. One who duns. A demand for the payment of a debt, especially a written one. To dun, v. , 1 7 5 1 . Dun, adj. Colour partaking of brown and black; of a dull brown colour. Dunce, //. A dull-witted, stupid person. Dunderhead, n. A dunce; a numskull. Dungaree, n. A coarse cotton stuff, generally blue, worn by sailors. Dunghill, a. A heap of dung. One's own dunghill, his home. 128 Dungil — Dying-day. Dungil, ;/. Dunghill; a cowardly, mean-spirited fellow; a "dung-hill cock," as distinguished from a game-cock. Dunnage, ;/. Loose wood laid in the hold of a ship to raise heavy goods above the bottom and prevent injury from water. Durance, >i. A kind of durable stuff made of silk or thread. "A green du rants short coat." Dusk, n. Twilight: as, "the dusk of the evening." Duskish, n. Moderately dusky; partially obscure. Duskish, adj. The time of getting dark. " It was getting duskish when they came back." Dust, ;/. A small quantity of any powdered substance. A beggar will often say: "I haven't a dust of meal in the house." (2) Money: "down with the dusty Dust, n. Discord; embroilment: as, to kick up a dust. Duster, n. A light overcoat or wrap worn to protect the cloth- ing from dust, especially in travelling. Dusty, adj. Filled, covered, or sprinkled with dust: as, a dusty road. Dutch, n. Any speech not understood is said to be " Dutch." " That's all Dutch to me." Dwelling, n. A place of residence or abode; a house for resi- dence. Dwelling-house, u. A house occupied as a residence. Dwindle, v. To diminish; become less; shrink; waste away. Dyed in the wool, adj. Ingrained; thorough. " He's a bap- tist, dyed in the wool." Dye-pot, ;/. A large, earthen-ware pot in which putrid urine, indigo, etc., were put for dyeing of a blue colour. Dying-day, ;/. The day of one's death. " I'll remember it 'till my dying-day.^ ' Each— Easterly. 129 E Each, n. Form of itch. Eachy, adj. Itchy. " Mosquito bites are very eachy." Ear, n. A head of corn, or grain; that part of a cereal plant which contains the flowers and seeds. Ear, v. To shoot, as a ear; form ears, as corn. "The corn has eared very well this season." Ear, n. The metal catches on the upper edges of metal and wooden buckets into which the handle is fastened for lift- ing them. Also, the place where the pothooks are hooked for lifting or hanging a dinner-pot. Ear-bob, n. A ear-ring or ear-drop. Ear-drops, n. pi. Ear-rings of all shapes. Eared, adj. Having ears as grain. " The corn is well eared." Early, adv. Near the initial point of some reckoning in time: as, early in the morning. Earning, n. That which is earned; wages; compensation; used chiefly in the plural. " His earnings keep his family in comfortable circumstances." Ears, n. pi. " You make so much noise I can't hear my ears." Ears, n. pi. The handles of a pot, by which it is held with the hands, or by pot-hooks. Ear-shot, n. Reach of hearing; the distance at which words may be heard. " He was out of earshot before I could tell him." Ear-wax, n. Cerumen that gathers in the ear. Ear-wig, n. A small insect with many legs, said to crawl into the ear and injure it. Ease, v. To ease one's self; to relieve the bowels. East, n. A form of yeast. For making dough rise. Easterly, adj. Coming from the east: as, an " easterly wind; " an ' ' easterly rain ; " an " easterly spell. ' ' 130 Easy — Elaboratory. Easy, adv. Softly; gently. Cl Walk easy; " " talk easy." Easy-going, adj. Inclined to take matters in an easy way, without jar or friction; good-natured. Eat, v. To taste; relish: as, it eats like the finest peach. Eat short, v. Anything is said to " eat-short " when it is crisp and crumbly in the mouth. Edge, ;/. The extreme border or margin of anything; the brink: as, the " edge of a table." Edge, v. To move sideways, as if by force. " He edged him- self through the crowd." Edgeways, adv. With the edge turned forward or towards a particular point. (2) When others have monopolized the talk it is said: " I couldn't get a word in edgeways." Egg, v. To incite or urge; encourage; instigate; provoke. Egg-bag, n. Some intimate part of the anatomy supposed to be effected by intense desire for something. " I hope his egg-bag is easy at last. ' ' Edify, v. To educate. " He shall be edified in reading." Eende, ;/. For end. One of the terminal parts of that which has length, or more length than thickness. Ef, conj. For if. Egg-nogg, 71. A drink made of brandy, eggs, cream and sugar. Egregious, adj. In a bad sense. Extreme. " He threatened and abused A in a most egregious manner." Either, adj. Used in the sense of each. Either, really means one of two; each, one single individual of several; they are often confounded : as, " There are trees on either side of the road," when both is meant. Never eyether. A schoolmas- ter invention. Elaboratory, >i. Laboratory. Elbow— End-all. 131 Elbow, v. To make or gain by pushing, as with the elbows: as, to elbow one's way through a crowd. Elbow-grease, n. A term for energetic hand labour, as in rub- bing, scouring. Elbow-room, n. Room to extend the elbows; hence, freedom from confinement; ample room for motion or action. Elder-gun, n. Popgun made of elder wood by shoving out the pith, dogwood berries being used for ammunition. Elderly, adj. Somewhat old; advanced beyond the middle age; bordering on old age. Eldest, adj. Oldest; that was born first: as, the eldest son. Element, n. The sky; the firmament; the atmosphere. Ell, n. A measure of length used for yard. A measure of 45 inches. "Ell and Yard." Ellenyard, n. The yard-stick. The three stars in the belt of Orion. Ellum, n. A form of elm. Era, pron. Them. " I don't like em." Sometimes, tim. Embers, n.pl. Live cinders or ashes; the smouldering remains of a fire. Emblem, n. Any object whose predominant quality symbol- izes something else, as another quality, condition, state, and the like; the figure of such an object used as a symbol; an allusive figure. " What is a rose the emblem of? " Employment, n. Work or business of any kind, physical or mental; that which engages the head or the hands; any- thing that engages time or attention; office or position in- volving business. Empt, v. To deprive of contents. To empty. Empty, adj. Wanting food; fasting; hungry. Emptins, n. pi. That which is emptied out. Emtyings. End-all, n. That which ends all; conclusion. 132 End-irons — Eve. End-irons, n. pi. Short, thick, bars of iron used to hold the ends of the sticks in a wood-fire built on a hearth. And- irons. End-on, adj. In a great hurry. " He went at it end-on." End-up, v. To stand up on end; to lift up. Endure, v. " H. with his hair powdered, as I endure." Endure, v. To bear with patience; bear up under without sinking or yielding, or without murmuring or opposition; put up with. Enduring, prep. During: the whole enduring day; all day long. A continuous time. Endways, adv. On end; erectly; in an upright position. Engaging, p. a. Winning; attractive; tending to draw the attention, the interest, or the affections; pleasing: as, engag- ing manners or address. English, n. For white people, to distinguish from Indians. English, v. To turn into English from any other language. English ell, n. Equal to i}( yards. Entertain, v. Provide for; support; hence, to take into service: as, " A. was entertained by X. as his overseer." Entire, adj. Not castrated; uncut: as, an entire horse, a stal- lion, as distinguished from a. gelding. Entirely, adv. Wholly; completely; fully: as, the money is entirely lost. Entry, n. An entrance-room in a building, or any similar means of access; an entrance or small hole. Eow, n. Yoe. Yowe. A female sheep. Et, v. Perfect and past part, of eat. " He et his dinner at i o'clock. Eve, n. The period just preceding some specific event; a space of time near the happening of something else: as, on the eve of going. Even— Ewst. 133 Even, v, To make even or level; level; lay smooth. " He has gone to even the rucks in the road." Even- down, adj. Downright; direct; plain; flat: an even- down lie. Even-handed, adj. Impartial; rightly balanced; equitable. Evening, n. Time between noon and dark, including after- noon and twilight. In saluting a person after night, " eve- ning" is used; except when taking leave, then, "Good- night. ' ' Everlasting, adj. Recurring without cessation; happening again and again without end; incessant: as, "these everlast- ing disputes. ' ' Everlasting, n. A strong woollen stuff. " Black everlasting stockings." Everlastingly, adv. Continually; incessantly: as, "You are everlastingly grumbling. ' ' Every days, n. pi. Weekdays. " Sundays and everyday s. " "Everyday clothes." Every once in a while. The same as every now and then. Something taking place at irregular intervals. Every other, adv. "Every other day," for every second day. Every other one. Every alternate one. Everything, n. Very much; a great deal: as, "He thinks everything of her." Everywhere, adv. Wherever; to whatever place or point: as, 1 ' You will see them everywhere you go. ' ' Every which way, adv. Every way. Scattered in all parts. " You will find his things scattered every which way." Evidence, n. A witness; an evidence. Ewe-necked, adj. Yoe necked. Having a thin, hollow neck like -a yoe. Ewst, v. Past tense. Used; was accustomed. " He eivst to go." 134 Exactly— Fad. Exactly, adv. Precisely; according to rule, measure, fact, cir- cumstances, etc.;. with minute correctness; accurately. " That is the right size exactly." Expect, v. To suppose; reckon; conclude; applied to things past or present, as well as to things future: as, "I expect he went to town yesterday. ' ' Eye, n. The bud in a potato from which a stalk springs. Eyelet-hole, n. A small round hole worked round the edge like a buttonhole, used in dressmaking, sailmaking and the like. Eye-opener, n. A drink of strong liquor taken in the morn- ing. Eyes bigger than the belly. A person is said to have his "eyes bigger than his belly," when he takes more on his plate than he can eat. Eyesight, n. "I know him by eyesight but not to speak to." Eyesore, ;/. A disfigurement; something which offends the eye and spoils the appearance of a thing. ' ' That old house is an eyesore, I wish it was pulled down." Eyewinker, n. An eyelash. F Face, v. To answer an accuser. " I can face him." Face, v. To cover some part of a garment, as the hem, with another material. Face-card, v. A coat card. Face down, v. Down face. To withstand or put down by audacity or effrontery. Facing, ;/. That part of the lining of any garment which cov- ers those parts that are turned over or in any way exposed to general view. Fack, ;/. A fact. Fad, n. A whim; a fancy. Fader— Fallow. 135 Fader, ;/. Father. Faddle, n. Nonsense: as, " That's all f addle." Fag, v. To tire by labour; exhaust: as, "We were completely fagged out." Fag-end, n. The latter or meaner part of anything; the very end. Fail, v. To show signs of growing old. " He begins to fail." Fainty, adj. Faint; feeble; languid; exhausted. " I feel very fainty." (2) Fainty. That causes a feeling of faintness. " These flowers have a fainty smell." Fair, v. To clear up; cease raining: as, "It will fair up to- ward night." Fair-shake, n. Fair play; fair chance. " Give him a fair- shake. ' ' Fall, n. Bout at wrestling. Fall, n. A terrace. "There are three falls in the garden." Fall, n. The quantity of rain or snow that falls at one time. " There was a heavy fall of rain last night." Fall, n. The season when leaves fall from the trees. Fall of the year. The months of September, October, and No- vember. Fall, v. To cut down a tree: as, to fall a tree; to fall timber. Fallen, v. "A cow-calf that is fallen this year. " " Dropped. Falling-axe, n. A narrow, thin-bladed axe for falling trees; distinguished from liezving-axe. Fall out, v. To quarrel. " They used to be great friends, but they fell out about something." Falling-table, ;/. A table with leaves to let down. Falling-weather, n. A rainy, or snowy time. Weather in which rain, hail, or snow, may be expected. Fallow, n. Land ploughed and left unseeded. 136 Fall through— Farrow. Fall through, v. To fail; to come to nothing: the plan fell through. , Fambly, n. Family. Famish, v. Be exhausted through want of food or drink; starved; very hungry. " Give me some water I am nearly famished." Fan, n. Wheat-fan. An implement turned by hand, used for ridding wheat of the chaff. Fan, v. To stir about briskly: as, " She goes fanning about." Fancy, v. To take a fancy to; like; be pleased with. Fancy,;/. Inclination; liking; fondness. "That which suits your fancy. ' ' Fantods, //. A fit of the sulks or other slight indisposition, mental or bodily. Fidgets; restlessness; a state of anxiety or excitement. Fare, n. Price of passage by land or water. Far-fetched, adj. Remotely connected; irrelevant; forced; strained : as, far-fetched conceits. Farmer, //. The early meaning was, one who rented or leased land and tilled it for his own benefit. Farrow, n. A litter of pigs. The number of pigs borne by a sow at one time. Farting-spell, n. A short space of time. Fashion, n. Manner; way; mode: as, to ride man-fashion. Fast, adv. Soundly; closely; deeply: as, fast asleep. Fast, adv. Swiftly; rapidly; quickly: as, it rains fast. Fasting-spittle, ?>. The saliva of a fasting person, formerly held to be very efficacious in ceremonies, charms, etc. ; also used as a remedy. Farm-pen, n. Pen in which stock is shut up and fed. Farrow, v. To have pigs. Fat— Feather. 137 Fat, n. A large open vessel for water. A vat. Tan-fat. Fat, adj. Containing much resin; resinous: as, fat pine; fat lightvvood. Fat, n. Hog's lard. Fat-gourd, a gourd used for holding lard. Fat, adj. In playing marbles when the taw stopped in the ring it was "fat" and the player had to stop playing untill next game. Fat-bread, n. Bread made of corn-meal, shortened with fat, or hog's lard. Fat-headed, adj. Dull; stupid; heavy-witted. Fattening-coob, n. Coop in which fowls are put and fattened before being killed for food. Fattening-pen, n. Pen where hogs were put to be fed on corn and ' ' cleansed ' ' before killed for ' ' meat. ' ' Fatten-up, v. To make fat; grow fat. " You've fattened up since I saw you." Fatty, >i. A fat person. " What a. fatty he is." Faut,«. For fault. " It's your faut." Faught rhymes with taught in Chatterton. Fauty, adj. Defective; imperfect. " The apples are all fauty this year. ' ' Favour, n. Counternance; appearance; look; features. Favour, v. To resemble in features or aspect; look something like. " We favours his father." Favoured, adj. Featured: as, a hard-/ 'avoured man; well favoured. Faze, v. Disturb; ruffle; daunt: as, " Nothing fazes him." Fearder, adj. More afraid. "He is fearder to go than to stay. ' ' Feather, v. To feather one's nest, to make one's self a com- fortable place; gather wealth. 138 Feather-edged — Fencing. Feather-edged,^'. Having one thin edge: as, feather-edge plank. Febuary, n. February. Feder, n. A form of feather. Feed, v. To fatten cattle, sheep or hogs for slaughter. " He is an old steer and I mean to feed him." Feed, n. A certain allowance of provender given: as, 2ifeed of oats. Feeding-time, n. The time for giving the animals their feed at 12 o'clock, and at night. " Come, you had better go to the 'cuppen,' it is feeding -time." Feed-trough, n. A trough in which is put food for animals. Feel, n. A sensation of any kind. " I have a strange feel in my head to-day." Feeze, n. Worry; fret. To be in a feeze, to be in a state of excitement. Feaze. Fell, v. To hem down the side of a seam. Felled, past part. Wilted by heat. A collard leaf felled by having hot water poured over it, then covered with fresh lard is the common dressing for a blister; and as a remedy for the headache. Felloe, n. The circular rim of a wheel into which the spokes are set. Fellon, n. An acute and painful inflammation of the finger near the nail. Whitlow. Fence, n. Virginia rail-fence, worm fence, stake-and-rider fence, according to the way of making it. Fence, n. Be neutral or undecided, as, between persons, to be " on the fence. ' ' Fencing, n. That which fences; an enclosure or fence; the fences collectively. "There are ten miles of fencing on this farm. Fend-off— Figdlacs. 139 Fend-off, v. To parry; to ward off. Fer, ferrer, ferrest, adj. F or far, farther, farthest. Fur, furder. Farder, farrer. Ferrel, ?:. A metal cap put on the end of a cane to save it from splitting. Ferret, n. Formerly, a silk tape or narrow ribbon used for fastening or lacing. Now, a narrow worsted or cotton rib- bon used for binding or shoe strings. Ferret, v. To search out by perseverance and cunning: com- monly followed by out. Fester, n. A small purulent tumour, a superficial suppuration resulting from irritation of the skin, the pus being developed in small vesicles of irregular figure and extent. Fester, v. To become a fester; generate pus. Fetch, v. To go and bring. Bring to terms; cause to come or yield, or to meet one's wishes: as, " Money will fetch him, if persuasion will not." Fetcher, n. A dog that will go into the water and fetch any- thing out. Fib, ;/. A white lie. Fice, ;/. A small, worthless dog. Fiddle-head, n. The figurehead of a vessel was sometimes made in the shape of the head of a fiddle. Fiddler, n. A small crab, with a very large claw and a small one. Fiddling,/*, a. Trifling; trivial; fussily busy with nothing. Fidget, n. Commonly in the plural. "To have the fidgets. " Fidgety, adj. Being in a fidget; moving about uneasily; rest- less; nervously impatient. Field-hand, n. A hand who works in the field. Field-lark, n. A bird generally called "old-field-larky Figdlacs, ? 140 Figger — Fireback. Figger, n. Figure. " Dosn't she cut a figger?" Figur. Figger, v. To figure; to do sums. " Let me figger it out." Fighting-cock, n. A game-cock. To live like a fighting- cock, to be well fed; indulge in high living. Figure, v. To set down, or reckon up in numerical figure; make a calculation of: as, to figure up. Fike, n. A sort of fishing net; a net with bows. Fill, n. A full supply; enough to satisfy want or desire; as much as gives complete satisfaction. "I have got my fill of oysters." Filliloo-bird, n. A mythic bird that sticks his bill in the sand and whistles in a mysterious way. Filling, n. The woof- or weft-thread of a woven fabric. Filling,/), a. Calculated to fill, satisfy, or satiate: as, "a fill- ing diet." Filly, ;/. A young woman; a lively, hoydenish, or wanton girl. Fillum, n. Film. A very thick skin or membrane; an atten- uated layer, or sheet of any substance: as, a fillum over the eye. Filthy, adj. Low; scurvy; contemptible; mean. Find, v. To support; maintain; provide for: to find in victuals and clothes. Find himself, said of a servant who provides his own food and lodgings. Find-fault, u. A grumbler; a scold. Finger-stall, ;/. A cover worn on the finger to protect it, as when injured. Usually made from the finger of an old glove. Finickin, adj. Fussy; fastidious; unduly particular about trifles; overnice. Finakin. Fip, ;/. A small silver coin, 6}( cents. Fireback, n. A large, thick piece of iron, usually cast, put in the back of a fireplace to protect the bricks, and throw out heat. Often had a coat of arms. Fire-dog— Fist. 141 Fire-dog, //. Same as andiron. Fire-coal, ;/. A coal of burnt wood;' dead-coal; live-coal. Fire-fanged, adj. Dried up as by fire. " It has been so hot and dry that the corn is fire-fang ed." Fireplace, n. A place for the fire in which the fuel is supported on andirons or is put on the hearth. Fireside, n. The space about a fire or hearth, considered es- pecially as the place where a family gathers for social enjoy- ment. Firewood, n. Wood for fuel. Firmer-chisel, n. A carpenter's chisel with a blade thin in proportion to its width. The blade is fixed to the handle by a shank. First, adv. Sooner; before doing some act. "Is that job finished ? " "It wont be long first. " First-name, n. The first of a person's names; baptismal name. First-rate, n. Something rated among the first or in the first class. A first-rate horse. Fish, v. To get or secure in a way with some difficulty or search: as, to fish for compliments. Fish-fry, n. A picnic where the fish are caught, cooked and eaten near the place of catching. " We are going to have a fish-fry at Buck Roe next week." Fish-sound, n. The swimming-bladder or air-sack of a fish. Fishy, adj. Extravagant; dubious or incredible; unsound; not to be trusted. " He is rather fishy." Fisgig, n. A worthless fellow; a light-heeled wench. Adj. Frisky. Fissgig, n. Fish-gig. An instrument with barbed prongs for striking fish. Fist, n. To make a fist: to be awkward or clumsy in doing anything. " He makes a. fist of it." 142 Fit—Flame. Fit, >i. An attack of convulsive disease. An attack coming on suddenly: as, a fit of colic. Fits and starts, irregular pe- riods of action. To give one fits, to make a vigourous at- tack on one: to rate or scold one vigourously. Fit, v. Fought. Past tense of fight. Fit, adj. In a state of preparedness; ready; prepared: as, " He laughed as if he was fit to split." " It looked as if it was /it to rain." Fitten, adj. Suitable: as, not fitten to eat. Noty?/ to eat. Fittyfied, adj. Subject to tits, spasms, or paroxysms. Fitty. Fives, >i. />/. A game played by striking a ball against a wall with the hand. Fix, //. A critical condition; a predicament; a difficulty. Fix, :•. To regulate; adjust; put in order; arrange in a suitable or desired way. " Let me fix your saddle." Fix, :\ To rest; settle down or remain permanently; cease from wandering. " He seems to be fixed at last." Fixing, //. Establishment in life; the act of setting up in house- keeping. Fixture, //. A person or thing which holds a fixed place or position. Fix up, v. To mend; repair; contrive; arrange; dress up. " 1 b's fixing up to go to church." Flabbergast, v. To overcome with confusion or bewilderment; astonish, with ludicrous effect; confound. Flabby, adj. Without firmness or elasticity; hanging loose by its own weight; lax; flaccid; said ehielly of flesh : as, flab by cheeks. Flag, //. A flat stone used for paving. Flag-stones. Flag, v. To pave with flat stones. Flagrant, adj. F 'or fragrant. "A flagrant smell. ' ' Flame,//. An objecl or the passion of love: as, "She was my tust flame." Flannen — Flawy. 143 Flannen, n. A warm, loosely woven woollen stuff, used espe- cially for undergarments, bed covering, etc. Flannel. Flanill. Flapdoodle, u. Food for fools. The stuff that fools are fed on. Flap-jack, >i. A pancake. Slapjack. Flare, v. To burn with an unsteady light, as a flame in a cur- rent of air. Flare-up, ;/. A sudden quarrel or angry argument. Flashy, adj. Ostentatiously showy in appearance; gay; gaudy; tawdry: as, a "flashy dress." Flashy, adj. Insipid; vapid ; without taste or spirit, as food or drink. Flat, n. A level ground near water, or covered by water; a shoal or sand bank. The part of a shore that is uncovered at low tide. Flat, adj. Having no definite or characteristic taste; tasteless ; stale; vapid; insipid; dead. (2) Absolute; downright; positive; as, " I say no, and that's /A?/." Flat-footed, adj. Firm-footed; resolute. Flatform, ;/. Platform. " I saw him standing on the /latform when the train came in." Flat-iron, n. An iron without a box, used when heated for smoothing clothes. Flat-ways, adv. With the flat side downward; not edgeways. Flaunt, v. To display ostentatiously, impudently, or offen- sively. Flavour, ;/. The quality of a substance which affects the smell, taste; odour; fragrance. Flaw, n. A breach; a crack; a defect of continuity or cohe- sion; a weak spot or place. Flaw, ;/. A sudden gust of wind. Flawy, adj. Having flaws or cracks; broken; defective; faulty. 144 Flawy— Flighty. Flawy, adj. Subject to sudden flaws or gusts of wind. Flea, v. To flay off the skin. To skin. Fleabite, ;/. A relatively very small or insignificant quantity. Flea-bitten, adj. Colour of a horse; dark brown spots on a white surface; generally the sign of an old animal. "A flea-bitten mare." Fleak-fat, n. Flake fat. The large flakes of fat in a hog's belly, from which the best lard is made. Fleck. Flick. Fleam, n. A sharp instrument for opening veins in horses. Fleece, v. To strip of money or property unfairly or under false pretenses; rob heartlessly; take from without mercy. Fleece, v. To whip. Connected with the sense of taking off one's fleece: as, "I will fleece you." Fleeces, ii. pi. Fleeces of snow: snow-flakes as they fall. Fleed, v. Flayed; skinned. Fleeting-dish, n. A shallow dish for skimming off cream. " 1 jfleeteing dish." Fleet-footed, adj. Swift of foot; running or able to run with rapidity. Fleshy, adj. Full of flesh; plump; fat: as, a. fleshy man. Flick, v. To strike lightly with a quick jerk, as with a whip or the finger. Flicker, n. A waving or fluctuating gleam, as of a candle. (2) A woodpecker. Flecker. Flicker, v. To fluctuate or waver, as the light of a torch in the wind. Flight, ;/. Flight of steps. The part of a stairway leading from one floor or landing to another. " Up two flights of steps. ' ' Flighty, adj. Indulging in flights or sallies of imagination, humor, caprice; given to disordered fancies and extravagant conduct; volatile; giddy; fickle; slightly delerious; wander- ing in mind. Flimsy— Flush. 145 Flimsy, adj. Without material, strength, or solid substance; of loose and unsubstantial structure. Flinch, v. To give way to fear or to a sense of pain; shrink back from anything painful or dangerous; shrink; wince. Flinders, n. pi. Splinters; small pieces or fragments: usually in the plural. Float, v. Flood; to cover with water. "All afloat,'" filled with water. Flock-bed, n. A bed made of flocks or locks of wool. Flood-gate, n. A gate placed in the dam of a mill-pond to let off the water when too great a head is caused by rain. Floor, v. Beat; conquer; put to silence by some decisive argument, retort; overcome in any way; overthrow: as, ' ' To floor an assailant. ' ' Flop, v. To plump down suddenly; or come down with a. flop: as, " He flopped down. ' ' Flosh,z'. To spill; shake over. " Don't flosli the water on the floor." Flounce, n. Frounce. A sudden fling or turn of the body. " She frounced out of the room." (2) Frounce of a skirt. Flower, n. Meal made by grinding corn, wheat, etc. Flour. Flue, n. A duct for the conveyance of air, smoke, heat, or gas. The flue of the chimney. (2) Fur of an animal. Flummux, v. To perplex; embarrass; bewilder; defeat. Flurry, n. A sudden snowstorm, is a. flurry of snow. Flurry, n. A confusion. "Everything was in a flurry.'''' "He was much flurried. ' ' Flush, v. To rouse and cause to start up or fly off: as, to flush a covey. Flush, adj. Well supplied, as with money: as, to be quite flush. Flush, adj. Having the surface or face even or level with the adjacent surface, or in the same plane or line. 10 146 Fluster— Folks. Fluster, v. To confuse; embarrass, as by surprise; cause to flush and move or speak hurriedly and confusedly; flurry. Flusteration, ;/. The state of being flustered; confusion; flurry. Flux, n. Bloodyy^.r, dysentery. Fly, v. Fly around, to stir about; to be active. Flyblow, v. To deposit eggs on meat or the like, as a fly. Flyblown. Fly-boat, //. A light, swift sail-boat. Flyflap, ;/. A flap for driving off flies. Something to drive off flies. Flying-seal,;/. An unsealed letter. "These letters were with a flying-seal, that I might, if I thought proper, close them with a wafer." Fly-specked, adj. Specked or soiled with fly dung. "His goods have been in the shop so long that they are all fly- specked. ' ' Fly-time, n. Summer. The time when animals are most annoyed by flies. Fly-up-the-creek, n. The small green heron. A giddy, capricious person. Fob, v. To put into a fob; to pocket; get possession of. Fodder, :'. To feed cattle. " It's about night and time for you to fodder the cattle." Fog-grass, ;/. Long grass that remains on the land during the winter. Fogy, n. An old fashioned or very conservative person; one who is averse to change or novelty. Foil, ;/. The back of a looking-glass. Folk, n. People in general; persons regarded individually. Folks, )i. pi. One's family or relatives. " How are all your folk's^ " How .ire the folks at home." Follow— Forelock. 147 Follow, v. To practice a trade, profession, or art. " He now follows the water. ' ' Folly, n. " Any ridiculous building, not answering its intended purpose." Several place-names. Fond, adj. Disposed to prize highly, or to like very much; feeling affection or pleasure: as, to be fond of children. Fondle, v. To treat with tender caresses; bestow tokens of love on; caress. Fool, v. To fool with, to play, tamper, or meddle with foolishly. To fool away, to spend to no advantage, or on objects of little or no value. To fool azvay time or opportunity. Fooling, n. Jesting; banter; levity; nonsense. Foot, v. To pay; liquidate: as, to foot the bill. To add a column of figures and set the sum at the foot: as, 7^0/ up the account. Foot, v. To "foot socks " is to knit a new foot to an old sock- leg. Footback, n. On foot. Footing, n. Mutual standing; reciprocal relation: as, a friendly footing. (2) To pay one's footing, to pay money usually spent for drink. Foot-lock, n. Tuft of hair growing beneath the pastern-joint of horses. For, prep. " I'm not as old as you think for." Force, n. The hands to work in the field, or to do any piece of work. A body of persons prepared for joint action of any kind. " He has a force of fifty hands weeding corn." Force, v. Compel to give way or yield; oblige. "I did not wish to but was forced to do it." Forehanded, adj. Well circumstanced as regards property and financial condition generally: as, a forehanded farmer. Forelock, n. The lock of hair that grows from the forepart of the head ; the lock above the forehead of a horse. 148 Foreshore — Fox-trot. Foreshore, ;/. The sloping part of a shore, uncovered at low water; the beach. For good, adv. Finally; entirely. "I think he's gone for good. " " For good and all. " Forhead cloths, n. pi. Forehead cloth. A bandage formerly worn by ladies to prevent wrinkles. Fork, ;/. One of the parts into which anything is divided by bifurcation; a forking branch or division: as, the forks of a road or stream. " The north fork of the river." Forky, adj. Forked. Form, ;/, A bench seat. Forrud, adv. Forward. Fortnit, n. ^fortnight Fotch, v. Old past tense of fetch. Fo'teen, adj. For foicrtcen. " About fd 1 teen yards long. " Foul, adj. Causing trouble or annoyance; obnoxious: as, foul weather. Foul-mouthed, adj. Using scurrillous, obscene, or profane language. Fourpenshapeni, n. Fourpence — halfpenny. A small Spanish silver coin worth 4^d. English money, and 6}( cents U. S. money. Foursquare, adj. Having four sides and four angles. Foutham, n. Fathom, the length of the outstretched arms, about six feet. Fower, ?i. Four. Fourty, forty. Fox, v. To intoxicate; fuddle. Foxy, p. a. Drunk. Foxfire, n. Phosphorescent light given off by decayed wood. (2) The decayed wood that gives out a dull light on a dark night. Fox-trot, n. A pace, as of a horse, consisting of a series of short steps. Foxy— Fresh. 149 Foxy, adj. Tricky; given to cunning or subtle artifice. (2) Red coloured like a fox. " He has a foxy hair and beard." Fractious, adj. Apt to quarrel; cross; snappish; peevish; fretfull: as, a fractious child. "That child must be sick he is very fractious today. ' ' Frail, n. Flail. An implement for beating out grain, peas, and beans. Frail, v. To beat. " He frailed him well." Frailing, n. A beating. Frame, n. Skeleton. "She is nothing but a frame." Frame-building, n. A building made entirely of wood. Fransy , n. Violent agitation of mind approaching to temporary derangement of the mental faculties; distraction; madness. Fray, n. A broil; a riot. Fray, v. To fret or chafe as a cord or piece of cloth by rub- bing. Frazlings, n. pi. Threads of cloth torn or unravelled. Frazzle, n. A substance worn to threads or small splinters. Frazzle, v. To fray; wear out to threads, or small splinters. Freality, n. Liberality. " Give to us with a f reality." Freckly, adj. Marked or covered with freckles. Free, adj. Unrestrained by decency; bold; indecent. Freehanded, adj. Free to give; openhanded. Freemartin, n. A cow-calf twin-born with a bull-calf, and supposed that she will be always barren. Freeze, ;/. Frost or its results; chilling or freezing conditions: as, there was a heavy freeze last night. Fren, n. Friend. Frenship. Frenchmen, ;/. pi. Tall, spindling tobacco plants of a useless quality. Fresh, n. A flood; a stream in overflow; an inundation. (2) A brook of fresh water; a small tributary stream; a current 150 Fresh — Friendship. of fresh water running into tide-water. (3) Meat of a freshly killed hog; spareribs, chines, sausage. Fresh, adj. Cool; refreshing: as, a draught of fresh water. Cold; raw; applied to weather. "Afresh morning." (2) Not salt, salted or pickled. Freshen, v. To revive; to increase: the wind freshens. Freshes, n. pi. A small branch, usually of fresh-water, run- ning into a large river; the large river is tide- water and salt. A stream or current of fresh water running into tide-water. Freshet, n. A flood or overflowing of a river by reason of heavy rains or melted snow; an inundation of a compara- tively moderate extent. Fresh-fork, n. A large, three-prong iron fork, with a handle two feet or more long, for taking out a ham, or other cooked meat from a dinner-pot, or other boiler while cooking. Flesh-fork. Fresh-water, adj. Accustomed to sail on fresh water only, as on lakes and rivers; as, a fresh-water sailor. Fret, n. A state of chafing or irritation; as of the mind, tem- per, etc. ; vexation ; anger. Fret, v. To chafe painfully or vexatiously; irritate; worry: gall. (2) To worry; annoy. " Don't fret the child, but let him alone." Fret, v. To be worried; give way to chafed or irritated feel- ings. (2) To be in commotion or agitation, as water. " The sea is in a great fret to-day." Fretty, adj. Fretful. "The child must be sick he is very fretty to-day." Friday come fortnight. Meaning that something would take place a fortnight from the next coming Friday. Friendly, adv. In a friendly manner; with friendship. "He treated them friendly." Friendship, n. An act of kindness or friendliness; friendly aid; help; relief: as, "You have done me frie?idships often. " Fright- Fry. 151 Fright, ;/. A person of shocking, grotesque, or ridiculous ap- pearance in either person or dress. " She's a fright." Frighten, v. To astonish; to agreeably surprise. "I was frightened when he told me how much it was." Frill, n. A piece of fat on a hog's entrails; the omentum. Frisky, adj. Gaily active; lively; frolicsome. Fritter, n. A small cake of batter, sometimes containing a slice of fruit. Frizzle, v. To curl or crisp in cooking: as, the meat is all frizzled up. (2) To fry. " The meat frizzling in the pan." Frizzly, adj. Loosely crisp; curly: as, frizzly-headed. Frock, n. The principal outer garment of women. Frog, n. The biceps muscle in the arm when made to move and swell by contraction is called "frog." Frog-spit, n. Froth-spit. A froth seen on pine bushes in the spring, from which may-flies are said to be hatched. Frog-stool, n. Toad stool; a fungus. Frolic, n. A scene of gaiety and mirth, as in dancing or play; a merrymaking. Frolicsome, adj. Full of gaiety and mirth; given to pranks. Frost, v. To sharpen the front and hind parts of a horse's shoes. (2) To freeze: as, " The sweet potatoes were frosted by the cold." Frozen. Frosted, frostbitten. Frounce, ;/. A fold, pleat, or frill of a garment. Flounce. Frow, ;/. Also f roe. A cleaving tool having a wedge-shape blade, with a handle at right angles to the length of the blade, used for splitting staves, riving slabs, and the like. Frowsy, adj. In a state of disorder; offensive to the eye; slovenly; soiled; dingy; unkempt; dirty: said especially of the head, or the hair. Fry, n. Small fry, young babies or children; persons or things of no importance. 152 Fuddle— Fuss. Fuddle,z'. To make foolish or stupid with drink; make drunk. Full, adj. Filled with liquor; drunk. Full, v. " The moon fulls next Monday night." Full-faced, adj. Having a plump or round face. Full-swing, adj. He is going at full-swing; very fast; at full speed. Full-tilt, adj. With much impetuosity or violence. " He ran full-tilt against the gate." Fumble, v. To feel or grope about blindly, or clumsily; seek or search for something awkwardly. To manage awkwardly. Fumbler, n. One who fumbles or gropes. Fume, n. Excitement; an irritable or angry mood; passion. Fume, v. To be angered or irritated; be in a passion. Fun,;/. Mirthful sport. In fun, as, a joke. To be great fun, to be very amusing or funny. Funeral, ;/. The funeral sermon. " His fwieral was preached last Wednesday." Funeral, ?i. Meeting a* funeral, the carriage draws up along- side the road until the funeral passes, then falls in behind and follows some distance, then goes back on its way. Funk, n. A strong and offensive smell: as, " I smell afimk." Funky, adj. Having a bad smell. Funning, /wr/. Jesting; joking; the playing of sportive tricks. Funny-bone, n. The place at the elbow where the ulnar nerve passes by the inner condyle of the humerus. A blow on the nerve causes a tingling sensation on the ulnar side of the hand. Also crazy-bone. Fur, adr. and adj. A variant of far. Per. Furmety, n. Wheat boiled in milk and seasoned. Furrer, >i. Fur of animals. Fuss, n. An anxious display of petty energy. Bustling about trifles. Fuss— Gaffs. 153 Fuss, v. To make much ado about trifles. Fussing. Fussing, part. Bustling about. Quarrelling. Fussy, adj. Acting with fuss; bustling; quarrelsome. Fusty, adj. Mouldy; musty; ill-smelling. Fuzz, n. Loose fibres, as on the surface of cloth, or separated from it by friction. Fuzzy, adj. Covered with fuzz. Like fuzz. G Gab, n. Idle talk; chatter; loquacity. Gabble, ;/. Loud or rapid talk without sense or coherence. Gabble, v. To talk noisily and rapidly; prate; jabber. Gabbler, n. One who gabbles; a noisy, silly, or incoherent talker. Gabbling, n. Incoherent babble; jabber. Gabby, adj. Talkative; chattering; loquacious. " He is very gabby. ' ' Gable-end, ;/. The end of a building where there is a gable. The end-wall up to the roof. " Gable-ends of brick." Gad, v. To ramble about idly, from trivial curiosity or for gossip. Gad, n. The act of gadding or rambling about: as, "she is always on the gad. ' ' Gadabout, n. One who gads or walks idly about, especially from motives of curiosity or gossip. Gadding, n. The act of going about idly, or moving from place to place from mere curiosity. Gaff, n. A sharp, strong iron hook, like a large fish-hook with- out a barb, used for landing large fish. Gaff, v. To hook with a gaff: as, to gaff a fish. Gaffs, n. pi. Gaves. Steel spurs for fighting-cocks. 154 Gag — Gallows. Gag, v. To retch; heave with nausea. Gainsay, v. To speak against; contradict; oppose in words; deny, or declare not to be true; dispute; refuse. ' ' As if she had never gainsaid it." Gainsaying, n. Opposition, especially in speech; refuse to accept or believe something; contradiction: denial. Gait, ;/. Manner of walking or stepping; carriage of the body while walking. " I know him by his gait.'" Gait, v. To train a horse to certain manners of stepping; and a horse so trained is ' ' well gaited. Gaiter, n. A shoe covering the ankle, with or without cloth, generally with an insertion of elastic on each side. Gal, n. A girl. Gall, ii. Bitterness of feeling; rancour; hate; malignity. Gall, n. A sore on the skin, caused by fretting or rubbing; an excoriation. Gall, ;/. A spot where grass, corn, or trees have failed, where the surface has been washed away, or been so exhausted that nothing will grow on it. Gallant, n. A man who is particularly attentive to women; one who habitually escorts or attends on women; a ladies' man. Gall-apple, n. The gall of the gall-oak; an oak-apple. Gall-bushes, n. pi. Gaul. A sort of myrtle growing in marshy places; bog-myrtle. Galled, /. a. Fretted or excoriated; abraded: as, a galled back. Gallinipper, ;/. A large mosquito. Gallivances, n. pi. Spanish gar6anzos=chick peas. Gallivant, v. To spend time in pleasure-seeking, especially with the opposite sex. Gallows, //. A pole supported on forks on which hogs are hung to dry after killing and cleaning. Gallowses — Garden-house. 155 Gallowses, n. pi. Gallases. Goluses. A pair of braces for supporting the trowsers. Also, in the singular: as, "He belongs to the one gallus crowd," speaking of an " ornary person." Gallows, adj. Reckless; clashing; showy: as, "What a gal- lozvs walk she's got." Gaily, adj. Characterized by galls or naked spots, where no grass will grow. Gambaters, n. pi. Gambadoes; a spatterdash for covering the legs when riding. Gamble, n. Gambrel. A stick used for hanging up a hog to dress and dry. Game, adj. Crooked; lame: as, a game leg. Game, v. To make game of, to turn into ridicule; make sport of; mock; delude or humbug. Game-leg, n. A lame leg. Gammut, n. Children when engaged in, a very active and noisy game of play, were said to be in a gammut of play. Merriment; fun. Ganging, n. A going; walking. " What are you doing gang- ing about in that way ? ' ' Gangway, ;/. A thoroughfare; passage; outlet. Gap, n. A break or opening, as in a fence, or wall. Also in ranges of mountains. Gap, v. To notch: to gap a knife, by making notches in the blade. Gar, n. A fish. Pronounced with hard g, and broad a,geaar. Garble, v. To corrupt: as, a garbled account of an affair. Gar-broth, ;/. A gar is looked on as a particularly poor fish for food, and broth made from it is very mean; applied to persons is worse still. " He is as mean as gar-broth." Garden-house, ;/. A privy, as they are usually built in a gar- den of a country-house. 156 Garden-stuff — Gayly. Garden-stuff, n. Plants growing in the garden; vegetables for the table. Gardien, n. A guardian; pronounced geardeen. Guardeen. Garlicky, adj. Smelling or tasting of garlic. In the spring, when the cows run out, the milk has a "garlicky taste." Gas, v. To talk nonesense or falsehood to; to impose upon by wheedling, frothy, or empty speech. Gas-bag, ;/. A boastful, loquacious person; a conceited gab- bler. Gashly, adj. Ghastly; horrible; dreadful; deadly. Gassy, adj. Given to "gas," or "gassing;" prone to con- ceited, boastful, or high-flown talk: as, a "gassy fellow." Gate-post, n. One of the side-posts that support a gate. Gather, v. To suppurate. Gathering, n. A suppuration; an abscess. Gatherings, ;/. pi. Gathers; the folds of a woman's dress where it is sewn to the body. Gathering-string, ?i. A string run through the mouth of a bag by which it may be drawn together and closed. Gaudy, adj. Showy without taste; vulgarly gay or splendid; flashy. Gaunt, adj. Slender; slim; lean. Gawd, n. For God. Gawk, )i. A stupid, awkward fellow; a fool; a simpleton; a booby. Gawkiness, n. The quality of being a gawk. Gawky, adj. Awkward in manner or bearing; inapt in beha- viour; clumsy; clownish. Gay, adj. Bright or lively, especially in colour; showy: as, a gay dress. Gayly, adj. Spirited: as, a gayly horse. Galy. Gaze — Gelding. 157 Gaze, v. To look at intently or with fixed attention. Gazing-stock, n. A person or thing gazed at with wonder or curiosity, especially of a scornful kind. Gear, n. Any special set of things forming essential parts or appurtenances, or utilized for or connected with some special act: as, plough-/?^/-. Gear, v. To furnish with gear. Gearden, n. With hard g; O. E. geard. A plot of ground for cultivating vegetables, etc. Gearing, n. Machinery. Gearl, n. Gerle. Girl. Always pronounced with the hard g. Gearp, //. When a person yawns often he is said to have the gearps. Gearpe, v. Pronounced very broad; to yawn. Gearp. Gyarp. Gearp, v. To stretch open. A girl said to one who was fast- ening her dress: " Pin it so it won't gearp." Gearps, n. pi. A disease of chickens which keeps them gearp- ing all the time. Gearpy, adj. [Gyaapee.] Inclined to gearp. " I think I am going to have a chill, I feel very gearpy. " Geart, n. The band used for holding on a saddle. Girt. Es- pecially the band passed under the belly of a horse, and drawn tight, to hold a saddle; sa.dd\e-geart. Gearth, n. Band used for holding on a saddle. Girth. Gee, v. To agree; suit; fit. "That won't gee." To get on well with a person. " They gee very well." Gee, v. To move to one side; to turn to the off-side or from the driver. Geemeny, ;/. A mild oath. Geld, v. To castrate an animal. Gelding, n. A castrated horse. 158 General Assembly — Giblets. General Assembly, n. In 1651 the governing body was spoken of as, "The General Assembly of the Governour, Councill and Burgesses." Generality, n. The main body; the bulk; the greatest part; the majority of the people; the multitude. Generation, n. Family; race; kind. Genteel, adj. Fashionable; stylish. Genteelly, adv. In a genteel manner; in the manner of well- bred people. Gentle, v. To tame; to make gentle: as, to gentle a horse by careful handling and driving. ' ' Your colts have not been gentled any." German silver, n. A white alloy used as a cheap substitute for silver. Get, v. When children prepare their lessons and get them ready for recitation are said to get their lessons. Get, v. Used as an auxiliary: as, to get shaved ; to get married. (2) To grow; to become. " She has gotten all right again since she had the grip. Gether, v. To gather. Gethers, n. pi. The pleats of a woman's dress. Gethering, n. Gathering. An inflamed and suppurating swelling. (2) A collection of people. " They had a good gethering at the meeting last night." Get out, v. To prepare, cut out and get timber ready. "To get out spokes for a wheel. " "To get out timber for a ship. Get-up, n. Equipment; dress; appearance; style. Get wind, v. To learn as by accident. " He got wind of it." Gib, v. To gut. "Gzbbed herrings," herrings that have had their guts removed. Giblets, n. />/. The heart, liver, gizzard, neck, ends of wings, and feet of a fowl, often used in pies, stews, etc. (2) Rags; tatters. Torn to giblets. Giddy— Gimblet. 159 Giddy, adj. Affected with vertigo, or a swimming sensation in the head, causing liability to reel and fall. Giddy-head,?/. A giddy frivolous person; one without serious thought or sound judgement. Giddy-headed, adj. Having a giddy head; frivolous; volatile; incautious. Gift of gab, n. Gift of idle talk; chatter. " He has the gift of g a b- ' ' Gift-horse, n. A horse that is given as a present. To look a gift-horse in the mouth, to criticize or examine critically a present or favour received. Gifts, n. pi. White specks on finger-nails, which have been superstitiously supposed to foreshadow gifts. Sometimes called, also, " a sweetheart." Gig, n. A light carriage with a pair of high wheels and drawn by one horse. Gig, n. A fishing spear. Gigging, n. The act of taking fish with the gig. Giggle, v. To laugh in a silly or affected manner; titter. Giggling, n. Silly or affected laughter; tittering. Gig-lamps, n. pi. Spectacles. Gig- saddle, ;/. A small saddle used with a gig harness. Gill, n. A quarter of a pint. Gilling, n. The process of catching fish with a gill net. Gill-net, n. A net which catches fish by the gills, having put their heads through the meshes. Gills, ;/. pi. The fringe on an oyster's mouth. "Oysters have green gills this year." Gimber-jawed, adj. Having the lower jaw apparently out of joint, projecting beyond the upper, and moving with unus- ual freedom. Jimber-jawed. Gimblet, n. A gimlet. 160 Gimblet-eyed— Givey. Gimblet-eyed, adj. Keen-eyed; given to watching or peering into small matters. Gin, prep. Against a certain time; by: as, "I'll be there gin rive o'clock." Hard g. Gin, v. Past tense of give, gave; with hard g. ' I gin him one." Ging, n. Company; people. Gang. Ginger-bread, adj. Weak; slight in make; wanting in stabil- ity; bad in material. Applied to any kind of construction. Ginger-bread, n. A kind of sweet cake flavoured with ginger. Often made in fanciful shape: as, of horses; horse-cake. Gingerly, adv. Softly; cautiously; mincingly; daintily; used with reference to walking or manner of handling. Ginning, n. Beginning. Gipsy, n. Applied to a young woman, playful freedom or in- nocent roguishness of action or manner. Girl, ;/. Pronounced gear/e, with hard g; a female child; any young person of the female sex; a young, unmarried woman; a maid servant. Giste, ;/. A joist. Jiste. Given,/), a. In the habit of; disposed; addicted: as, given to drink. Given-name, n. Name given at baptism; Christian name. Name given to young children who are not baptized. Give out, v. To become exhausted or weary; to fail. "He can't walk far his legs give out." " He thought at first he would go, but at last he gave it on/." (2) To be finished: as, ' ' the bread gave out. ' ' (3) To lack strength or staying power; fail from weakness. "The horse gave out and couldn't go." I 1 ) To give out the lines of a hymn to be sung. Givey, adj. Damp, moist; "givey 7eeat/ier," said of damp weather. Gizzard — Glint. 161 Gizzard, n. To stick in one's gizzard to prove hard of diges- tion; be distasteful or offensive; vex one. Gizzard-shad, n. A name for alewives. Glair, n. The white of an egg. Glance, n. A sudden look; a rapid or momentary view or directing of the eye. Glare, n. A strong, bright, dazzling light. Glaring,/, a. Emitting a brilliant, dazzling light; shining with dazzling lustre. Glary, adj. Of a brilliant, dazzling lustre. Glass candle shade, n. A glass cylinder two feet or more tall to protect a lighted candle from draughts of air. Glasses, n. pi. Spectacles. Gleam, v. To collect in fragmentary parcels; pick up here and there. Glean. Gleaner, n. A rake drawn by a horse that followed wheat- cutters. Glebe, ;/. Turf; soil; ground; farming-land. Glee, ;/. Exultant or playful exhilaration; demonstrative joy or delight; merriment; mirth; gaiety. In great glee. Glib, adj. Plausibly voluble: as, a glib tongue. Glibly, adv. In a glib manner; smoothly; volubly: as, to slide Glibly; to talk glibly. Glim, ;/. Glimpse; glance. Glimmering, ;/. A dim or vague view or notion; an inkling; a glimpse. Glimpse, n. A transient or hurried view; a glance as in pass- ing; hence, a momentary or chance experience of anything; a faint perception. ' ' I only got a glimpse at him as he passed." Glint, n. A gleam; a shimmer of light as through a chink. Glimpse. 11 162 Glisten— Gobble. Glisten, n. Glitter; sparkle; gleam. Gloomy, adj. Affected with, characterized by, or expressing gloom; wearing the aspect of sorrow; depressed or depress- ing; doleful. Glory, n. To lie in one's glory. To be in full gratification of one's pride; vanity; taste; hobby. Glow, >/. Shining heat, or white heat. Brightness of colour; vivid redness: as, the glow of health in the cheeks. Gluey, adj. Like glue; sticky. Glum, adj. Gloomily sullen or silent; moody; frowning. Glut, n. A thick wooden wedge used for splitting timber. Glut, ;/. More than is desired; so much as to cause displeasure, or satiety; a supply above the demand in the market. Gnabble, v. To nibble. Go, v. Spoken of some callings. A waterman is spoken of as one " who goes by water." Go, ;■. Go by: to leave the public road and take road by the owner's house. To call; to stop at. " Will you go by and get dinner with me." Go, :■. To go like, is to imitate the voice of. " He goes like a partridge." Go after, v. To court. " Does he still go after Hannah ? " Go-ahead, adj. Energetic; pushing; active; driving. 'He is a go-ahead man." Go-at, v. To work at; be employed on. " What am I to go at now, I've finished the fence." Gob, ;/. A mouthfull: hence a little mass or collection; a dab; a lump: a gob of spittle. Gobble, v. To swallow in large: pieces; swallow hastily; often with up or down. Gobble, v. To make the loud noise in the throat peculiar to the turkey-cock, or gobbler. Gobbler— Gollop. 163 Gobbler, n. A turkey-cock; turkey-gobbler. Go-between, n. One who passes from one to another of dif- ferent persons or parties, as an agent or assistant in nego- tiation or intrigue; one who serves another or others as an intermediary. Goblet, n. A glass with a foot and stem, as distinguished from a tumbler. Go-by, ;/. A passing without notice; an intentional disregard, evasion, or avoidance, in the phrase, to give, or get the go by. Go-cart, n. A small framework with casters or rollers, and without a bottom, in which children are taught to walk with- out danger of falling. (2) A hand-cart. Goddy-mighty, n. God almighty. Godforsaken, adj. Neglected in appearance; remote in situa- tion: as, " A godforsaken-looking place. " God save the Commonwealth,/^. When the sheriff opens court he says: " Oyes, oyes, silence is commanded, under pain of imprisonment while the worshipfull justice of W. County holds his court. God save the Commonwealth." God-send, n. Something regarded as sent by God; an un- looked-for acquisition or piece of good fortune. Goer-by, n. One who goes or passes by; a passer by. Goggles, n. pi. An instrument worn like spectacles, to protect the eyes from dust or light. Spectacles. Goggle-eyed, adj. Having prominent, squinting, or rolling eves. Go in, v. The time of the beginning of something. " School goes in at 9 o'clock." " Church goes in at 11." Goings-on, ?/. />/. Behaviour; actions; conduct; used like car- ryings-on, mostly in a depreciative sense. Gollop, n. A large morsel. Gollop, v. ' To swallow greedily. "You golloped that down as if you liked it." 164 Gone — Goose. Gone, p. a. Lapsed; lost; hopeless; beyond recovery: "a gone cz.se." "A gone coon." (2) Characterized by a sink- ing sensation, as if about to faint; weak and faint: as, a gone feeling. Goneness,;/. A fainting or sinking sensation; faintness: as, a feeling of goneness. Goner,??. Lost; past recovery; utterly demolished. "A goner. ' ' Gone out, v. When a fire has stopped burning it is said to have gone out. ' ' The fire went out in the night and the room got very cold. Good, adj. Considerable; more than a little; rather large, great; long, or the like: as, a good way off; a good deal. Good-and-all, adv. Entirely; forever. "He went for good- and-all. Good-few, adj. An indefinite, but comparatively large, num- ber. " There were a good-few people at church." Good-for-nothing, n. An idle worthless person. Good-for-nothing, adj. Of no value or use; worthless; idle; shiftless. Goodies, n. pi. A sweetmeat; most frequently used in the plural. Children's sweetmeats. Good-mind, n. A half resolved will. "I've a good-mind to go to the country to-morrow." Goods, n. Property. Good-time, n. A festival. Good-way, n. A long distance. " He went a good-ways with me, and carried my things for me." Goods and chattels, n. pi. Household furniture and utensils. Go on, v. To scold; to complain. "I wonder how you can go on so. " Goose, n. A silly, foolish person; a simpleton. Gore — Go-to-meeting. 165 Gore, ;/. Clotted blood; blood running in plenty. " He is all a gore of blood. ' ' Gore, n. A triangular piece or strip of material inserted to make something, as a garment or sail, wider in one part than another. Gore, v. To wound with the horns, as a bull. Gorge, u. The act of gorging; inordinate eating; a heavy- meal: as, to indulge in a gorge after long abstinence. ' He has got his gorge. " Gorge, n. A disgust from too much of anything. " I've got a. gorge and don't want any more now." Gorge, v. To glut; fill the throat or stomach of; satiate. Gorm, u. A mess; all sticky. In a gorm. Gaum. * Gorm, v. To smear, as with anything sticky. When a child has smeared its face with something soft and sticky, they say: " Look how you have gormed your face." Gormy, adj. Smeary; sticky. Gaumy. Gormandize, v. To eat greedily; devour food voraciously. Gormandizer, ;/. A voracious eater; a glutton. "He is a great gormandizer. ' ' Goslins, n. pi. When a boy's voice is changed, he is said to have the goslins, or be in the goslins. Goss, ;/. A unnamed punishment. " If you do, he'll give you goss. ' ' Gossip, n. One who goes about tattling and telling news; an idle tattler. Gossip, n. Idle talk, as of one friend or acquaintance to another; personal remarks about people; tattle; scandal; trifling or groundless report. Gossip, v. To talk idly, especially about other people; chat; tattle. Go-to-meeting, adj. Proper to be worn to church; hence, best; applied to clothes: as, her go-to-meeting clothes. 166 Gotten— Grainery. Gotten, pastpart. Ofverbtoget. Obtained; procured; gained; won ; acquired by any means. Gouge, n. An imposition; cheat; also, an imposter. Gouge, v. To cheat in a bold or brutal manner; overreach in a bargain. Gound, n. Form of gown. Gourd, n. A dried and cleaned gourd-shell prepared for use as a bottle, or dipper, or other purposes. Gourd-boxes, n. pi. Boxes made of dry gourds, and put up on walls of houses or on posts for martins and other small birds to build their nests in. Gouts, n. pi. Lumps of clotted blood. ''Gouts of blood." Gourd-guts, n. pi. The soft inside part of a gourd holding the seeds. Gouty, adj. A thread full of knots, tangles, and kinks, is gouty. Gown, n. A long, loose garment worn in the house: as, a night-gown. Grab, v. Snatch; hence, to get possession of rudely, roughly, forcibly, or illegally. Grab, n. A sudden seizure or grasp; a catch. Grab, //. Something that is grabbed or obtained by grabbing. Grabble, v. To dig out of the ground with the hands. ' To g rabble potatoes. Grain, n. Seed of one of the cereal plants. The gathered seeds of cereal plants in mass; the plants themselves stand- ing or gathered. Cram-market. Grain, ;/. Fibrous structure or constitution, especially of wood; the substance of wood modified by the quality, arrangement, or direction of its fibres. Grainery,;/. A granary. A large house for storing wheat after it is thrashed, oats, and corn in the ears. Grain-cradle — Gravy. 167 Grain-cradle, n. A cradle for cutting grain. Granny, n. An old woman; a midwife. Grape-vine, n. The vine on which grapes grow; to distinguish it from many other vines; as, " punkin vine," ' hop vine ; ' " watermellon vine." Grapline, n. A boat's anchor having from three to six flukes placed at equal distances about the end of a shank. Grapple, n. A siezing or gripping. Grasping,/), a. Covetous; avaricious; exacting. Grass,?/. The grazing season; the spring. "A horse five years old last grass. ' ' Grass-beef, n. Meat of a grass-fed animal, distinguished from "rfa//-fed." Grass-fed, adj. Said of an animal fattened on growing grass, and not on grain and fodder. Grass-hook, n. A hook for bracing the scythe-blade to the snead; near the butt of the blade. Grass-widow, n. A woman temporarily separated from her husband, as while he is travelling or living at a distance or account of business. (2) An unmarried woman who has had a child. Grass- widower, ;/. A man who, for an}- reason, is living apart from his wife. Gratify, v. To requite or reward voluntarily: to give a gratuity to. Grave, v. To clean a ship's bottom by burning or scraping off seaweeds, barnacles, etc., and paying it over with" pitch. Graveyard, n. Place where people are buried. Graving-dock, n. A dock where ships' bottoms are graved. Graving-piece, n. Apiece of wood inserted to supply the de- fect of another piece, mostly used in ship- and boat-building. Gravy, ;/. The juice of cooked meat. 168 Gray-mare — Griddle. Gray-mare, >i. A wife who rules her husband. " The gray- mare's the better horse.' Graze, 71. A slight stroke or scratch in passing. Graze, v. To touch or rub lightly in passing; brush lightly the surface: as, " The bullet grazed his cheek." Great-big, adj. Very large. " He lives in a great big house. " Greatcoat, ;/. Overcoat. Any coat that is worn over all other clothing. Great-house, n. A house of the better class; generally the master's distinguished from the negroes' houses. Great-uncle, /i. The brother of a grandfather or grandmother. Greedy-gut,;/. A greedy person ; a glutton; a belly-god; also, a covetous person. Green, adj. Applied to wood not dried or seasoned. (2) Un- ripe fruit. Green apples. Green, adj. Immature with respect to age or judgment; raw; unskilled; easily imposed on. Green, n. A piece of grass-land in a village or town reserved by the community for ornamental purposes. " Courthouse Green." "College Green." Greens, ;/. pi. The leaves and stems of young plants used in cookery or dressed for food, especially plants of the cabbage kind, spinage, etc. Sallets. Greenbriar, n. A greenish-yellow climbing plant with prickly stem and thick leaves. Green-gill, ?i. A greenness of the gills of an oyster. A green gilled oyster. Greenhorn, n. A raw, inexperienced person; one unacquainted with the world or with local customs. Greeny, n. A greenhorn; a simpleton. Gret, ;/. ¥ ox great. 6'/Y'/-house. Griddle, ;/. Gridiron. Grimy — Groggery. 169 Grimy, adj. Full of grime; foul; dirty. Grinder, n. One of the double teeth used to grind the food; hence, a tooth in general. Grindlestone, n. Grindstone. Grine, n. Groin; the part of the body at the bend of the thigh. " He had kearnels in his grine." Gripe, v. To produce pain as by constriction or contraction; as, to gripe the bowels. To suffer griping pains. Gripes, n. pi. An intermittent, spasmodic pain in the intes- tines, as in colic; cramp-colic; cramps. Gripey, adj. Causing griping pain. "You had better not eat those green apples, they are very gripey." Grissle, n. Gristle; cartilage. Grist, n. That which is ground; corn to be ground; grain car- ried to the mill to be ground separately for the owner. The quantity ground at one time, the grain carried to the mill for grinding at one time. Applied to small quantities. Gristle, n. The popular name for cartilage. Grist-mill, n. A mill for grinding grain by the grist, or for customers, usually moved by water. " Water grist-mill." A mill for grinding small quantities. Grit, n. Sand or gravel; rough, hard particles collectively. Grit, n. Firmness of mind; courage: spirit; pluck; determi- nation; resolution. Gritty, adj. Containing sand or grit; consisting of grit. (2) Courageous; plucky. Grizzly, adj. Somewhat gray; grayish. "Grizzlj'-beard." Grocery, n. A grocer's shop. Grog-blossom, ;/. A redness or an irruption of inflamed pim- ples on the nose or face of a man who drinks ardent spirits to excess. Groggery, n. A tavern or drinking-place, especially one of low and disreputable character. 170 Groggy— Grub. Groggy, adj. Overcome with grog, so as to stagger or stum- ble: tipsy. Grog- watch, n. A watch fast and always ahead of time so that the hour for taking a drink will come quicker. Grog-shop, n. A place where grog or other spiritous liquor is sold. Groom, n. A man newly married, or about to be married; a bridegroom. Groomsman, n. One who acts as attendant on a bridegroom at his marriage. Gross, adj. Over fat, applied to meat. Ground, >i. A held. "It is hard work walking over the ploughed ground. " Grounds,;/./"/. Enclosed fields. Ground-puppy, n. A small animal said to live under the ground, and bark when disturbed. Grounds, n. pi. Sediment at the bottom of liquors: as, coffee- grounds. Ground-pea, //. Peanut. Groundsell, //. A plant. Used as a domestic remedy. Groundsill, //. The timber of a building that lies next to the ground; the sill. Gmnsill. Grouty, adj. Sulky; surly; cross. Growing-weather, //. Weather with the proper warmth and moisture to make crops grow; alternate rain and sunshine. Growl, v. To find fault; grumble. Grown children, //. pi. Sons and daughters living in the house with the parents, almost grown, but unmarried. " Several other grown children." Growth, -v. Increase in size. "They are small but they have not got their growth." Grub,;/. Something to eat; victuals. Grub, :■. To dig up by tin- roots; to char land of roots. Grubbing-hoe — Guffins. 17i Grubbing-hoe, n. A tool for digging up shrubs, weeds, roots, etc. Grub-time, n. Time to eat; meal time. Grudge, n. Ill-will excited by some special cause, as a personal injury or insult; secret enmity; spite. Gruel, n. A fluid or semi-liquid food, usually for infants or sick people, made by boiling meal or any farinaceous sub- stance in water. Gruff, adj. Rough or stern in manner, voice, or countenance; surly; harsh. Gruffness, n. The state or quality of being gruff. Grum, adj. Morose; surly; sullen; glum. Grumble, v. To complain in a low, surly voice; murmur with discontent. (2) A slight, but constant toothache is called " a grumbling toothache." Grumble, v. To make a noise by the movement of wind in the belly. "A grumbling in the belly." Grumbler, n. One who grumbles or murmurs; one who com- plains or expresses discontent. Grumpy, adj. Surly; gruff; grum. Grunt, v. To complain. " There needn't be any grunting as it must be done." Grutch, v. To give or permit with reluctance; grant or submit to unwillingly; begrudge. Guard, //. Geaa'rd. Always pronounced with the g hard, geard. Gudgeons, n. pi. Gudgins. The iron pins at the ends of the axles of a wheelbarrow on which the wheel revolves. (2) Small fish; minnums; minnows. Gudgins. Guesswork, //. Random or haphazard action. ' It is all guesswork. Guffins,;/./)/. Very large feet. "Look what guffins he's got." 172 Guggle— Gust. Guggle, n. A gurgling sound. Guggle, v. To make a gurgling noise; gurgle. To gargle, as the throat. Guggling. Guinea-keet, >i. A guinea fowl. Guinea-wheate, >i. Indian corn. Gull, n. A simpleton; a fool; a dupe; one easily cheated. Gull, v. To deceive; cheat; mislead by deception; trick; de- fraud. Gullet,;/. The throat. (2) Deep; narrow water channel. Gulluck, n. Gullet; the throat. Gullock. Gully, ;/. A channel or hollow worn in the earth by a current of' water; a narrow ravine. Gum, n. A section of a hollow log or tree, usually a gum tree, used to form a well-kearb, or to make a beehive; or a trap for catching rabbits; " old-hare gum." Guma, n. Seminal fluid. Gump, n. A foolish person; a dolt. Gumption, //. Acuteness of practical understanding; clear, nractical common sense; quick perception of the right thing to do under unusual circumstances. Gumptious, adj. Having quick perception and sound judge- ment. Supercillious; conceitedly proud. Gun, v. To hunt game with a gun; to shoot with a gun; prac- tice shooting, especially the smaller kinds of game. Gunning, >i. The art or practice of shooting with guns. Gun-shy, adj. Afraid of a gun; frightened by the report of a gun : said of a field-dog. Gunstick, n. A ramrod; generally a long and big one, used for cleaning a gun. Gust, ;/. A sudden squall or blast of wind. A long and heavy gale. "The March gust" Gusty— Hag. 173 Gusty, adj. Marked by gusts or squalls of wind; fitfully windy or stormy. Gut, ;/. A small waterway through a marsh. Gut, v. To take out the entrails. To plunder of contents. Guts, u. pi. The intestines in general. Guttler, n, A greedy or gluttonous eater; a gormandizer. Guy, ;/. A grotesque person in dress, looks, or manners; a dowdy; a "fright." Guzzle, v. To swallow liquor greedily; swill; drink much. Guzzler, n. One who guzzles; an immoderate drinker. Gwine, part. Going. " I gwine right away. " H The initial // is always sounded, except, probably, in the words umole, Umphrey, and a few others. Is always heard in when, zvhat, where, and such words. Haayot, n. Proper name Harriet. Hab, v. A variant of have. Hack, n. A person is said to be "under hack" when he is controlled and ordered by another. ' ' She has her husband tender hack. Hack, v. Newly split rails are hacked up to dry. Piled by crossing the ends, the other end lying far apart. (2) To pile up newly made bricks to dry. Hack, v. To make irregular cuts in or upon; cut or notch at random. To cut or chip in an awkward manner. Hack, v. To cough faintly and frequently. " He has a hack- ing cough." Hackle, ;/. A comb for dressing flax. Haft, n. Handle of a knife, a cutting or thrusting instrument; sword or dagger. Hag, n. A repulsive, vicious, or malicious old woman; a witch. 174 Haggle— Half-baked. Haggle, v. Cut or chop in an unskillful] manner; mangle in cutting. Haggle, v. To bargain in a petty and tedious manner; higgle; stick at small matters. Haggly, adj. Hacked unevenly. "Look how haggly that edge is, why did'nt you cut straight ? " Hag-ridden, adj. Ridden by hags or witches, as a horse. Tangled mane and tail is evidence of it. Afflicted with nightmare. A hag-ridden person was described as, "A drinker of poke-root and whiskey." Hail, v. To call at, as a person, place, house, ship, etc. , at a dis- tance; to cry out in order to attract attention. To hail from, to the question: "Where do you hail from?" Where do you come from. Hail-fellow, n. An intimate companion; a pleasant or genial companion. " He's Jiail-fellow well met with everybody." Hail-salt, ;/. Coarse salt, with grains the size of small hail- stones. Hail-shot, n. Small shot for cannon ; grape-shot. ' ' Hail-shott, pistol and goose shott." Hair, ;/. To a hair, to a nicety. Hairbreadth, ?i. To the breadth of a hair; extremely narrow. Hairbrain, n. A giddy or reckless person. Hairbrain, adj. Giddy; heedless; reckless; wild. Hair-trunk, n. Trunks were made of pine planks and covered with raw cow-hide, finished with brass-head nails; the ini- tials of the owner were made with the brass nails. Hale, v. To vex; trouble; worry; " pull arid haul. " Hale, adj. Sound; entire; healthy; robust; not impaired in health. Half-baked, adj. Raw: inexperienced; silly; immature; ill- digested. Halfhead bedstead — Hand-barrow. 175 Half head bedstead, n. A bedstead with posts lower than the headboard, not as high as a teaster. Half in two, adj. Almost in two pieces. " That rope is half- in-twoS ' Half-leg, adj. " Half-leg deep." Water reaching halfway up the leg. Hall, n. An entrance-way or passage-way in a house leading to or communicating with its different parts. Hall's dog, n. " As lazy as Hall's dog that leant against the fence to bark." Halt, v. To limp; move with a limping gait. (2) To stand in doubt; delay; hesitate; linger. Ham, «. The thigh of animal slaughtered for food; the thigh of a hog salted and cured or dried in the smoke. Hambroline, ;/. A sort of small line used for seizings. Made of flax. Hambrow, n. Coarse sheets made of flax. Hamburg. ? Hames, n. Pieces of wood on the collar of the horse on which the traces are fixed. Hamper, ;/. A basket with handles on the edge, made of white-oak splits, holding about a bushel and used for hand- ling corn in the ear. Homper. Hamper, v. To hinder; impede. "She can do very little as she is hampered with so many children." Homper. Hand, n. One who is engaged in some manual employment: as, a field-hand. An adept or proficient in anything; one who is fond of anything. Help; assistance; a lift. " I al- ways lend them a hand when they are pushed." Hand, v. To give or transmit by means of the hand: as, "She hands the bread." Hand-barrow, n. A wooden frame for carrying a load between two persons. 176 Handbasket— Handwriting. Handbasket, n. A small basket that with its contents can be handled with one hand. Handfull, n. As much as one can hold or manage; full em- ployment. A troublesome child is spoken of as a handfull. A person difficult to manage. Hand-gallop, n. A slow, easy gallop. Hand-holt, n. Anything that may be grasped or taken hold of. When one has a firm grasp on a thing he is said to have a good hand-holt. Handle, v. To touch or feel with the hands, use the hand or hands upon. (2) To use; to employ; not necessarily with the hands: as, a dancer is said to "Handle her feet very well." Hand-line, n. A fishing line worked by hand without a rod. Handlocke, ;/. Handcuff. Hand-loom, n. A weaver's loom worked by hand. Hand-reel, n. For making skeins of cotton or wool from the newly spun broaches. Hand-running, adv. In immediate succession; without break; consecutively: as, " He went five days hand-running." Hands, n. pi. Men, women, and children who work on a farm. Hands off. An order and warning from one person to another not to lav hands on him. "Bands off. ! now I won't have any more ol this. " Handspeak, n. A wooden lever; a handspike; used for mov- ing heavy things. Hand's-turn, n. A helping hand; assistance. Adv. At every hand' stum: often; frequently. " He has to be waited on at every hand's turn." Hand-to-mouth, adj. Precarious; unsettied; depending on present nerds. Handwriting, //. The castor form peculiar to each person. Handwrite. Handy— Hant. 177 Handy, adj. Apt; useful; cleverhanded. Near; close to; ready at hand. Hang, v. To hang a door or gate, is to set it on its hinges. Hang, v. To get fast; catch. "He hung his toe in a crack of the floor and fell." "Tom hung a. big fish but he got away." Hang, n. The precise manner of doing or using something; to lose the hang of it. Hang-by, n. A dependant; a hanger-on. Hang-dog look, n. A vile expression. Hanger-on, n. One who hangs on a person, company, etc.; one who clings to the society of another longer than he is wanted. Hangman's choice, n. The choice between two evils. Hangnail, n. A small, separate piece of hard, partly detached skin at the root or side of a nail. Hang-net, n. A net with a large mesh. Hang out, v. To hang in sight, as a sign; to hang out one's shingle, is to hang a sign in sight: as a doctor, or lawyer. Hang up his hat, v. When a man marries and goes to his wife's house to live he is said to hang up his hat. Hank, n. A coil of yarn or thread, bound up in one or more skeins. Hank, v. To form into hanks. Hanker, v. To linger with expectation; hang about: as, an animal hankering about a gate with the expectation of get- ting in. Hankercher, n. A handkerchief Hankering, n. An uneasy, craving or longing to possess or enjoy something. Hant, n. Haunt. A ghost. 12 178 Hant— Harness. Hant, v. Haunt. To be much about; go or visit often; resort. " He hants that house." Happen, v. To chance; be by chance or unexpectedly: as, he happened to be at home; she happened in. Happen-along •, to come by chance. Harbour, v. To frequent. "They harbour about there." (2) To shelter; to conceal. Hard, adj. Becoming sour; said of cider. Hard-case, n. A worthless, dissipated fellow. Hard-cider, n. Cider that has become sour through age. Hard-favoured, adj. Having coarse features; harsh counte- nance; ugly. Hard-featured, adj. Having coarse features. Hard-fisted, adj. Close-fisted; covetous. Hard-got, adj. Obtained with difficulty. Hard-headed, adj. Obstinate; hard to move or change the opinion. Hard-hearted, adj. Unfeeling; cruel; pitiless; inhuman. Hardly, adv. Not quite or completely; scarcely: as, hardly strong enough. Barely; narrowly; almost not at all: as, hardly any. Not probably; with little likelihood: as, he will hardly come today. Hard of hearing, adj. Rather deaf. Hard-knot, //. An overhand knot tied so that it will not slip. Hard-pushed, adj. Hard set; hard put to it Hard-run, adv. Hard pressed; ill-provided; needy; without resources. Hard-wood, n. Oak, hickory, ash, etc., distinguished from resinous woods, as pine, cedar. Hardy, adj. Strong; enduring; capable of resisting fatigue, hardship, or exposure. Harness, n. Clothing, dress: garments. Harness — Haul. 179 Harness, n. The apparatus in a loom by which the sets of vvarp-threads are shifted alternately for the shed. Harp, v. To speak often of something, especially so as to be tiresome or vexing; speak with reiteration. " He is always harpin on that string." Harry, v. To trouble; vex; harrass; agitate; tease. Harrow. Harslet, n. The heart, liver, and lights of hogs, sheep, beeves. Harum-scarum, n. A giddy, hairbrained, or rash person. Harum-scarum, adj. Hairbrained; flighty; giddy; rash. Harvest, n. The season of gathering the ripened crops; the time of reaping and gathering grain. (2) A crop or crops gathered or ready to be gathered. Harvest, v. To reap and gather grain-crops. "I will begin to harvest my wheat next week." Harvesters, n. pi. Workers in the harvest. Harvest-field, n. A field from which a harvest is gathered. Has-been, n. A person, thing, or belief, that belongs exclu- sively to the past; something out of date, or past use. Hash, n. To settle one's hash. To finish or make an end of opposition. Hash, adj. A variant of harsh. Very hash treatment. Hasp, n. A clasp; especially, a clasp that passes over a staple and is fastened by a pin or a padlock; also, a metal hook for fastening a door. Hatch, n. The number of eggs hatched at one time. Some- times hatching. A hatching of eggs is thirteen. Hatchet-faced, adj. A thin face, lean and furrowed by deep lines. Hate, v. To dislike. " I hate to go out on a dusty, hot day." Haul, n. The quantity of fish taken at one haul of the seine; a catch. Any valuable acquisition; a "find." 180 Haul— Headache. Haul, v. To pull or draw with force. To convey on a cart or waggon. Haul, v. To " haul in your horns " is to leave off pretentions; be more modest. Havance, ;;. Goodmanners. Behaviour. " Have havance " — behave yourself. (2) When boys keep the marbles they win at play, it is playing for havance, or keeps. Have liefer, or liever. To hold, regard, or consider as prefer- able; prefer. " I had liefer," I would hold or regard it as preferable. " Had as lieve. " Havoc, n. Waste. " What havoc you make of evervthing. " Havvers, n. Claiming half of what another finds. Havins, n. Havings. A game of marbles where each puts so many marbles in a ring and each boy keeps all he knocks out. Haw, interj. Word used by a driver to his oxen to make them turn to the left. The opposite of gee. Haw, v. To speak with hesitation and the interruption of drawling and unmeaning sounds: as, " To hum and haw." Hawk, n. The board on which a plasterer holds his mortar. Hawk, v. To cough voluntarily for the expectoration of phlegm ; hawk and spit. Haze, n. Fine particles in the air that produce opaqueness. Hazel, n. A colour; light brown like a hazel-nut. "Hazel eyes." Hazy, adj. Opaque with haze: as, a hazy morning. Lacking distinctness; obscure, vague; confused. He, n. A male animal; a bird, beast, or fish of the male sex: as, a " he-goat." Head, n. An individual animal or person. "Ten head of cattle. ' ' Headache, n. Always used with the article, the headache. " I have the headache almost every day." Head-brough — Hearsay. 181 Head-brough, n. An officer subordinate to a constable. Headland, n. The part of the field close to the fence, ploughed parallel to the fence, and at right-angles to the other furrows; where the plough-teams turn; headrow. Head off, v. To stop the progress of by getting in front: as, to head off a running horse. To prevent by some counter- action: as, to head off a scheme. Head-posts, n. pi. Posts at the head of a bedstead. Headright, n. At the first settlement of Virginia every person who brought over a settler was entitled to fifty acres of land; these persons were called ' ' headrights. ' ' A man himself, with his wife and each child counted and he got a patent for so much land. Head-row, n. A number of furrows ploughed at the end of a field where the horses turn in the furrow, and is the last sowed or planted. Headstall, n. A stout sort of bridle for fastening a horse's head to the manger. Headstrong, adj. Willfull ; ungovernable ; bent on having one' s own way. Head-up, v. To stand anything on its head: as, a barrel. Head-work, n. Mental or intellectual labour; thought; con- sideration. Heap, n. A great number of things; a large quantity; much. ' ' Whole heap. " " Heap of people. ' ' Hear, v. To hear tell of; to hear some or any one talked about ; listen to what is said about. Hearing, n. "Hard of hearing'' hearing with difficulty, partly deaf. Hearn, v. For heard. Hearsay, n. Information communicated by another; report; common talk; rumor; gossip. "I don't know for certain, it's only hearsay." y 182 Heart — Heavyhanded. Heart, n. Condition; said of ground. "My land is now in very good heart. Heartache, n. Sorrow; anguish of mind. Heartbreak, n. Overwhelming sorrow of grief. Heartburning, n. Discontent; especially, envy or jealousy; enmity. Hear tell, v. To hear about something. " So I've heardtell" Hearth,;;. Haarth. That part of the floor of a room on which the fire is made. The fireside; the home; the domestic circle. Heartless, adj. Destituteof feeling or affection; cruel. Hope- less: as, a heartless task. Hear to, v. To permit; to receive favourably; to give consent; mostly used in the negative: as, " He would not hear to it." Heartsick, adj. S'.ck at heart; deeply afflicted or depressed. Heartstrings, ;/. Strongest affections; most intense feeling of any kind. Hearty, adj. Full of health; showing strength; sound; strong; healthy. Adapted for, affording, using, or requiring strong or abundant nourishment: as a hearty dinner. Hear your ears, v. Meaning that one cannot hear on account of great noise. " The children make such a noise that you can't hear your ears for 'em." Heat, ;;. An itching eruption on the skin, generally in hot weather. "John begins to break out with the heat." Heat, adj. The hottest part: as, "He came in the very heat of the day." Heave, v. To make an effort to vomit; retch. Heavy, adj. To show that a person has a full suit of hair. " She has a heavy head of hair." Heavyhanded, adj. A cook that uses much salt in cooking is said {<> be heavyhanded. Heavy-pork — Hem. 183 Heavy-pork, n. A name given to hogs of large size killed for salting. Hector, v. To treat with insolence; threaten; bully. He'd. A contraction of he had, and of he zvonld. Heels, n. pi. To take to one s heels, to flee; to take flight. Heel-tap, n. The heel-piece of a shoe. Heft, n. The weight of a thing, as ascertained by lifting it. Weight; heaviness. The greater or weightier part of any- thing; the bulk; the gist. " Give me the fish let me try the heft of it." Heft, v. To try the weight of. Hefty, adj. Having considerable weight; rather heavy; hence, weighty; forcible: as, a hefty argument. Heir, v. To inherit. " He heired that land from his mother." Heirlooms, n. pi. Goods left in a house by way of inheritance; some standing pieces of household stuff that go with the house. fc Heish, exclam. Hush ! The hei like in height. He'll, v. He will. Hell-bent, adj. Recklessly determined, without regard to consequences; determined to have or do at all hazards; "deadset." Hellcat, n. A devil-may-care person. " Hell-cat Billy Jones." Hellion, n. An overbearing, quarrelsome, and vulgar woman. " She is a regular hellion." Helium, n. For helm. Helt, v. Healt. Held. " He hea.lt the horse by the bridle." Helter-skelter, adj. Confused; disorderly; carelessly hurried. Helve, n. The handle of an axe, adze, or hatchet. Helve, v. To furnish with a helve or handle. Hem, pro?/. Them. 'Em. 184 Hender — Heydey. Hender, v. To hold, to keep back. Hinder. Hendersome, a^/'. In the way; obstructive. "He is more hendersome than anything else." Hen-hawk, n. A hawk that preys on fowls. Hen-house, n. Hen-us. A house or shelter for fowls; with rows of compartments for hens to lay in, and with" pearches," for them to roost on. Hen-huzzy, n. A woman who looks after fowls. Henscratches, n.pl. A bad handwriting. " His writing looks like henscratches. Herb, n. Pronounced erb. Hen-us, ;/. A house fitted up for hens, with nests to lay in, " pearches " for them to roost on. Herb-doctor, n. Erb doctor. One who cures by means of herbs. Herd, n. In a disparaging sense, a company of men or people; a rabble; a mob: as, the "vulgar herd.'" Hereabouts, adv. About this place; in this neighbourhood. Hereafter, n. A future state; the future. " He does not be- lieve there is any hereafter." Hereaway, adv. Hereabouts; in this neighbourhood, or in this direction. Hereby, adv. By this; or by means of this. Hern, pron. Hers. Herricane, ;/. A hurricane. Herrin-gutted, adj. Thin; poor; lean. Het, v. Past tense of heat. Heated. "He was very much lift by the hot sun." Hewn, past part. Of hew. Heydey, ;/. Highest vigour; full strength. "He is in the heydey of life." Hi— High-minded. 185 Hi, interj. High. "Hi! what are you doin there?" Hickory-nut, //. The nut of the hickory tree. From the In- dian word Pohickory. Hickory-shad, n. Same as gizzard-shad. Hickory-shirt, u. A coarse and lasting shirt worn by labour- ers, made of heavy, twilled cotton, with a narrow, blue stripe or check. Hide, n. The human skin. " I'll tan your hide for you." Hide, v. To beat or flog. Hidebound, adj. Obstinately set in opinion or purpose; nar- row-minded; bigotted; unyielding. Hiding,,;/. A flogging or thrashing. Higgledy-piggledy, adv. In confusion; in a disorderly man- ner; topsy-turvy. Higgling, n. Close bargaining; chaffer. High, adj. Excited with drink. High, adj. A high time, a time of great effort; difficulty; jol- lity; an exciting time. High and low, >i. People of all conditions. Highfalutin, //. Pompous speech or writing. Bombast. High-handed, adj. Carried on with a high hand; violent; overbearing; arbitrary. High-keys, n. A person is said to be on his high-keys when he is loud in voice, and boisterous in action. " There's no telling what he'll do when he gets on his high-keys.'" Highlone, adv. Alone, without help. " Mares scarce able to stand highlone much less assist in the business of the Planta- tions." High-minded, adj. Of or pertaining to an elevated mind; having. or resulting from high principle; honourable; mag- nanimous. 186 High-spirited— Hint. High-spirited, adj. Having a high spirit; bold; mettlesome; sensitive. High-strung, adj. Strung to a high pitch; high spirited; hav- ing a sensitive or highly organized nervous system. Highth, n. A form of height. High-time, n. Quite time: as, "It is high-time you were going." Full time. High-toned, adj. Having high principles; dignified; self re- specting. Hike, v. Hoist; high. "Hiked up on a horse." Used in disparagement; to a person who seemed to be out of place, he was asked what he was doing "hiked up " on a horse, fence, or other high place. Hild, v. Hilt. Form of held, past tense and past participle of hold. Hill, n. A little mound raised about a cluster of cultivated plants: as, a hill of corn or potatoes. Hill, v. To form small hills or heaps of earth around; form in hills or heaps. " To hill up potatoes." Hilltop, 7i. The top of a hill. Hilly, adj. Abounding in hills. Hi'most, adj. The last of a row of several. Hindermost. Hind-foremost, adv. Hind part before. Opposite to what it ought to be. " Everything has been going hindforemost to- day." Hind-gut, ii. The lower end of the alimentary canal; the rectum. Hindward, adj. Posterior; in the rear. Hint, ii. A suggestion made indirectly; a covert suggestion or implication; an indirect indication, conveyed by speech, gesture, action, or circumstance, whether intentional or un- intentional. Hipped— Ho. 187 Hipped,/), a. Having the hip sprained or dislocated. Hipped,/), a. Rendered melancholy; melancholy; mopish. Hip-shot, adj. Having the hip dislocated or shot out of place; lame; awkward. Hipshotten. Hireing-day, n. Usually the county court-day before Christ- mas, when negroes were hired for the next year. Hireling, n. A negro hired by the year, distinguished from one owned by the employer. Hisn, pro n. Also hisn; a popular formation, like hern, ourn, yourn, theirn etc. Same as his. His own. Hisself, pron. Himself; alone. " By hisself. " Hist, v. Hoist. To raise; lift; elevate; to raise by means of block and tackle. Hit, v. Succeed. " If peaches hit this year it will be the first time in three years." (2) To agree with some other time. " He can't fix his appointments to make them hit right." Hit, v. To strike; to give a blow to; especially to strike inten- tionally. Hitch, ;;. An entanglement; impediment. Hitch, v. To fasten, especially in a temporary or occasional way; make fast; tether; tie up by means of a hook, a ring, a bridle, a rope. To hitch up, to harness a horse or horses to a vehicle. Hithe, ;/. A port or haven. " Queenhithe," name of a place in Mulbury Island. Hit-off, n. A clever presentation, imitation, or travesty. Hit-or-miss, adj. Reckless; haphazard. H'm, interj. Used as a murmur of assent, being then often repeated, "h'm, h'm." Ho, interj. A cry used to stop one who is passing; now, espe- cially, also written whoa, a cry used to stop a horse, or other draft animal. > 188 Hoard^Hoggish. Hoard, v. To treasure up; collect and store; lay up. Hoarsen, v. To make hoarse. Hoax, n. One who misleads or deceives; a hoaxer; humbug. Hoax, v. To deceive by an amusing or mischievous fabrication or fiction; play on the credulity of. Hobble, n. An unequal, halting gait; a limp; an awkward step. Difficulty; perplexity; scrape. "I'm in a regular hobble." Hobbledehoy, n. A stripling; a youth in the half formed age preceding manhood; a raw, awkward youth. " Hobblede- hoy, neither man nor boy." Hobby, n. Any favourite object, pursuit, or topic. Hobnob, adv. A familiar invitation to drink — to take or not to take. Hock, n. The leg end of a ham, including the bones and joint. Hockset, n. Hogshead. A large, wooden vessel for holding liquids or solids. Hoxhead. Hoe, ;/. Iron tool for moving the soil. Weeding-hoes are very broad and thin bladed, for pulling dirt to the corn; hilling- hoes narrower and longer in the blade; grubbing-hoes with strong, narrow, cutting blades, for grubbing up roots and stumps. Hoe, v. To cut, dig, scrape, or clean off with a hoe. Hoe-cake, //. Bread made of corn-meal, water and salt, baked on the bottom of the blade of an old wecding-hoe. Hog, n. Name applied to swine. (2) A mean, stingy, grasp- ing, gluttonous, or filthy person. Hog-fish, ;/. A fish found to perfection in the waters of Ches- apeake Bay. Hogged,/, a. I laving a droop at the ends; said of a ship when her ends are lower than her middle part. Hoggish, adj. Having the characteristics of a hog; swinish; greedy; gluttonous; filthy; mean; selfish. Hog-killing-time — Home-field. 189 Hog-killing-time, n. The season when hogs are slaughtered. Hog-minder, n. One who has charge of hogs. Hog-pen, n. A pen for hogs; usually made of fence rails. Hog-round, ;/. Hams, shoulders and middlings have different prices, but when taken all together at one price, it is so much hog-round. Hog-wallow, n. A wet, muddy hole where hogs wallow to cool themselves. Hog-wash, ;/. The refuse of a kitchen or brewery, etc., given to hogs as food; swill. Hog-weed, n. One of several weeds, grows up in a field after the wheat has been cut. Holding her hands, v. Idle; unemployed. "There she stands holding her hands." Hold out, v. To live, or do business at any place. "Where do you hold out? " " He holds out at the Court-house." Holerday, n. Holiday. Holler, v. To call; cry; shout. "When the rock hit him it made him holler." Hollow, adv. Beyond doubt or question; utterly; completely: as, ' ' To beat him holloiv. ' ' Hollow-hearted, rt^/. Insincere; deceitful; not sound or true. Hollow-horn, n. A fancied disease of cattle. Hollow-ware, n. All sorts of hollow vessels made of wood, and sometimes the term is applied to sauce-pans, skillets, and other like hardware. Hollyhork, n. A plant; the hollyhock. Holp, v. Hope. Holpen, the past tense and past participle of help. Holt, n. A form of hold. The act of holding; a grasp; grip, or clutch: as, to take holt; to keep holt of a thing. Home-field, n. The piece of land adjoining the homestead. I 190 Homelike— Hook. Homelike, adj. Having the qualities that constitute a home; suggesting or resembling a home; familiar. Homely, adj. Plain; without particular beauty of features, form, or colour: as, a homely face. Home-made, adj. Made at home; of domestic maunfacture. "Home-made bread." Homespun, adj. Spun or wrought at home, as distinguished from the bought article. Homespun, n. Cloth made at home; home-made clothing. Homestead, n. A family's dwelling-place, with the enclosure or grounds immediately contiguous; an abode; a home. Home-stretch, n. The finishing of a career; the ending of a race. ' ' You are now on the home-stretch. ' ' Hominy, n. Corn hulled and ground or broken more or less coarsely and prepared for food by being mixed with water and boiled. Hommer, ;/. A hammer. Hommer, v. To hammer; to beat. Hone, v. To pine; long; yearn. To long for; crave. Honey, n. Sweet one; darling; a word of endearment. Honey, v. To talk sweetly to; coax; flatter. Honey-cherry, n. Honey-heart; a large, sweet, heart-shaped cherry. Honeyfuggle, v. To cajole; wheedle. Honey-locust, ;/. A tree bearing large pods that become sweet with frost. Honey-pod, n. Same as honey-locust. Honey-shuck. Hongry, adj. Hungry. "I'm very hongry. " Honk, )i. The cry of the wild goose. Hook, v. To steal by grasping; to catch up and make off with. Hook, v. To have a habit of attacking with the horns, said of a cow. li She hooks." Hook'ed — Hornbeam. 191 Hook'ed, adj. Bent like a hook; hook-shaped: a "hook'ed- stick." Hook-nose, n. A curved nose like the beak of a hawk; an aquiline nose. Hookumpate, n. The American woodcock. Imitating the cry. Hoop-pole, n. A small sapling of green wood, for making hoops for casks. Hooter, n. A dram; a drink; from a tin cup from which the drink was taken. Hop, ;/. A dance; a dancing party. Hop, v. Hopping mad, so mad as to hop or jump about in rage; violently angry. Hope, n. Aninlet; asmallbay; a haven. " Archer's Hope," on James River. Hope, v. Past tense of help; holp. Hopeful, n. A more or less willfull, troublesome, or incorrigible boy or girl, regarded ironically as the rising hope of the family. Hopper, n. The large, funnel-shaped trough over the mill- stones, in which is placed the grain to be ground. Hoppergrass, n. For grasshopper. Hopple, v. To tie the feet together so as only to walk with short steps. Generally applied to hopples for horses. Hopscot, n. A children's game. Horn,;/. " In a horn." Spoken of as a thing never likely to happen. Horn, n. A draught of strong liquor: as, to take a horn. Probably because early drinking vessels were made of horn. Horn, v. To gore with the horns. • Hornbeam, n. A small tree like a beech, of very hard wood. 192 Horn-tumbler— Houn. Horn-tumbler, n. A drinking cup shaped like a tumbler and made of a cow's horn. Horrid, adj. Very bad or offensive; abominable. "These are horrid roads." Horrors, n. Extreme depression; the blues. Delirium tre- mens. Horse, n. A cross-legged frame on which logs are laid to be sawn. Saw -horse. Wood-horse. Horse, v. To be mounted on another's back to be flogged. Horse-block, n. A block to mount on horseback from. Horse-cake, n. Gingerbread fashioned into the shape of a horse. Horse-clog, n. A block of wood or other material fastened to a horse's leg by a rope or chain to keep him from straying. Horse-collar, n. A collar made of leather and stuffed with straw, with creases to fit the hames. Horse-colt, n. A young male horse. Horseflesh, n. Horses collectively, with reference to driving, riding or racing. Horse-fly, n. A large fly that bites horses and cattle. Horse-meat, n. Horse feed. Licenses generally read, "to sell liquors, provisions and korsemeat." Horse-sense, n. A crude, instinctive kind of common sense, independent of instruction or experience; a coarse, robust, and conspicuous form of shrewdness often found in ignorant and rude persons; plain, practical, good sense. Horsey, adj. Applied to a mare in heat. Horseing. Hot, adj. Half drunk. Hot, adj. Mad; angry. Hot-headed, adj. Of ardent passions; vehement; rash. Hot-tempered, adj. Having a violent temper. Houn, 11. A variant of hound. A dog. Hound — How come. 193 Hound, ;/. A mean contemptible fellow; a dastard; a poltroon. Hounds, n. pi. A pair of side-bars or horizontal braces for strengthening parts of the running-gear of a waggon. Hour, n. An hour by sun, an hour before sunset. House, n. Never howse. House, v. To gather under cover; put under shelter. "All of the crops have been housed. Housed over, v. Covered over as with a roof. " I've got my pile of coal housed over. Household goods, n. pi. Furniture of a house. Housen, n. pi. For houses. House-raising, ;/. When a man in the country was building a house his neighbours went to help him raise the corner- posts, "jists," plates, and other heavy pieces. Housetop, n. The roof or top of a house. Housewarming, n. A merrymaking to celebrate the entry of a family into a new home. Housewife, n. Huzzy. A case for pins, needles, thread, scis- sors, etc. Housing, n. A collection of houses; all that appertains to the house or homestead, its outbuildings, etc. Hove, v. Past tense and past participle of heave. Hovel, n. A small house for housing fowls on the ground. Hovel, v. To cover chickens as a hen. " That hen has more chickens than she can hovel.''' Hover, v. To hang fluttering in the air, as a bird while seek- ing food or a place to alight. (2) To be in an indeterminate or irresolute state; to waver as to a decision or a result. How, n. Way. " I can't do it no how.'" How come, v. Pronounced Imc-cum. How came it? How did it happen ? 13 194 Howdy— Huff. Howdy, inter j. A contraction of hoic do you do? Howdy-do, n. An embarrassing or troublesome state of affairs which suddenly confronts one. Howe, n. Hoe. Howell, n. A cooper's tool for smoothing work, as the inside of a cask. Howell, v. To smooth; plane. Howl, v. To utter in a loud wailing tone. Howse, v. To put under shelter. " For the better provision of howseing of said children." Howsomever, adv. In what manner or to what degree soever. Hrup, n. A hritft; a whip. Hrup, v. To whip. Hub, n. The central part of a wheel in which the spokes are put. Nave. Hubbub, n. A great noise of many confused voices or sounds; a tumult; uproar; riot. Huck-bone, n. The bone of the rump of beef. Huckleberry, n. A small, bluish, round, sweet, wild berry. Hue come, v. How comes it; why. "Hue come you didn't say so ? " Huckster, n. A retailer of small articles; a small dealer in agricultural produce. Huddle, ;/. A number of persons or things thrown together without rule or order; a confused crowd or cluster; a jumble. Huddle, v. To put on in haste or disorder, as the clothes. (2) To crowd; press together promiscuously; press or hurry in disorder. "They were all huddled up together." Hue and cry, //. A cry; a shout; loud shouting of many voices, as in pursuit of game or of a fugitive. Huff, ft. In a huff; huffish; angry. Huffish— Humbug. 195 Huffish, adj. Petulant; ill-humoured. Huffs, n. pi. The hoofs of an animal; also applied in derision to the feet of people. " What huffs he has got! ' : Huffy, adj. Characterized by petulance or ill temper. Hug, v. To grasp firmly and completely with the arms; em- brace closely; clasp to the breast. Hug, n. A close embrace. Hug-me-close, n. A fowl's merry-thought; wish bone, or clavicle. Huh, inter/. Answer to a call. ' ' Sally ! ' ' "Huh. ' ' Hulk, n. Anything bulky or unyielding; a large, unwieldy person. Hulking, adj. Unwieldy; heavy and clumsy. Hulky, adj. Clumsy; loutish; hulking. Hull, n. An outer covering, particularly of a nut or grain. Walnut-hulls. Pea-hulls. Hull, v. To strip off the hull or hulls: as, to hull walnuts. Hull-gull, ;/. A guessing game for children. One player takes a number of chinkapens in his closed hand, saying " hull-guli !." Another says: " Hand full." Then the first says : ' ' How many ? ' ! The other player then guesses at the number, taking all if the guess is correct, otherwise making up the discrepancy. They play alternately. Hum, v. To sing with shut mouth; murmur without articula- tion. Human, n. A human being; a member of the family of man- kind. " I didn't see a human." Humblebee, n. A large kind of bee. Humbug, n. An impostor; a cheat; a deceitfull fellow; a per- son given to cajolery, flattery, or specious stories. Humbug, .v. To deceive by a false pretense; impose upon; cajole; hoax. 196 Humbuggerry — Husband. Humbuggerry, n. The practice of humbug; false pretense; imposition. Humour, n. Watery matter in some skin breakings-out. Humour, v. To comply with the humour, fancy, or disposi- tion of; soothe by compliance; indulge; gratify. Humoursome, adj. Capricious; peevish; petulant. (2) Adapted to excite laughter; odd; humourous. Humpback, n. A crooked or hunched back; one who has a crooked back. Hunchback. Hunch, n. To push or jog with the fist or elbow. Or with the head. " The lambs hunched the ewe's bags." Hunderd, n. Hundred. Hundred-legs, ;/. A centipede. Hung, v. For hanged. ' ' The murderer was hung yesterday. Hunk, n. A large lump, piece or slice. Hunch. Hunt, v. To seek after; pursue; seek. "I've found you at last; I've been hunting for you all day." Hunt, n. The act of seeking for, or, chasing game or other wild animals for the purpose of catching or killing them ; a pursuit; a chase. Hunting-shirt, n. A shirt worn by hunter's, fitting loosely, with a belt about the waist, originally made of buckskin and highly ornamented. Hurry-skurry, n. Fluttering haste; swift disorderly move- ment. Hurrah, v. A word of encouragement, for hurry. ' Hurrah now, let us finish the job before night." Hurrah's nest, n. A state of confusion or disorder. A rumpled and uncombed head is said to look like a hurrah' s nest. " Your head looks like a hurrah' s ?iest." Hurt, v. To do harm. " Nothing to hurt." Husband, n. Steward; one who has the care of another's property. Hush— Idler. 197 Hush, v. To be silent or quiet. " He was crying but I spoke to him and he hushed. . " Hushaby, interj. Hush: a word used in lulling children to sleep. Huskanaw, n. An Indian ceremony to prepare boys to be young men. Husky, adj. Abounding with, consisting of, or resembling husks. Husky, adj. Dry in the throat; hoarse; sounding rough: said of the voice or utterance. Huslement, n. Hustlement. Furniture. Odds and ends. ' ' Lumber and huslement about the house. ' ' Huss, n. Husk. The bran that is sifted out of corn-meal. " Meal-huss" Huss, n. Husk. The spike on which the grains of corn grow. Hussy, n. Huzzy. A pert willfull woman or girl; a frolicsome or mischievous girl. Hussy, ;/. Huzzy. A case for scissors, needles, thread, etc. Husting's-court, n. A municipal court having civil and crim- inal jurisdiction within the city limits. Hustle, v. To shake or throw things together confusedly or in a disorderly manner; jostle: as, to hustle things together. Hy spy, n. A boys' game. I Idea, n. An ooinion; a thought, especially one not well estab- lished by evidence. Idle, adj. Not engaged in any occupation or employment, un- employed; inactive; doing nothing. Idle, adj. Wandering in mind; light-headed. Idler, adj. One who idles; one who spends his time in inaction, or without occupation or employment; a lounging or lazy person; a sluggard. 198 Ifs and ands — Inch-worm. Ifs and ands,;/.//. Hesitation; indecision. "Don't come here with your ' ifs and ands.' Hand, ;/. Former and proper way of spelling island. He, n. A form of oil. He of White, n. The county of Isle of Wight. Ill-conditioned, adj. Ill-tempered. Ill-contrived, adj. Crabbed; cross; ill-tempered. Ill- convenient, adj. Inconvenient; not to be done conven- iently. Ill-mannered, adj. Of bad manners; uncivil; impolite; rude; boorish. Ill-natured, adj. Having a bad temper; churlish; crabbed; surly; spiteful. Ill-tempered, adj. Having a bad temper; morose, crabbed; petulant; surly; cross. Ill-timed, adj. Not at a suitable time; unseasonable. Ill-will, n. Enmity; malevolence. Imp, >i. A mischievous or pert child. Impedent, adj. Impudent. Impolite, adj. Unpolished in manners; not polite; ill-man- nered; rude; uncivil. Imposition, n. A trick or deception; a fraud; an imposture. Improvements, n. pi. Valuable additions, as building, clear- ings, dreans, fences, on a farm. In. In-. Through confusion with the endings in -end, -e?ide, -inde, -and, -ande, the g has been dropped in the pronouncia- tion. Inch, v. To advance or retire by small degrees; move reluct- antly <>r l)\- inches: as, " To inch away from the fire." ' He kept inching his chair up to Mary." Inch-worm, ;/. A drop worm or measuring-worm. Incline — Ins and outs. 199 Incline, v. To have a mental bent or tendency; be disposed; tend, as towards an opinion, a course of action, etc. Incline, n. A slope. Indian-field, ;/. A clearing used by the Indians for corn plant- ing, and abandoned; then grown up in bushes and broom- straw. Indian-file, n. Single file; one following after and treading in the footsteps of another. Indian-meal, n. Meal made from Indian corn. Indian-summer, n. A period in the fall characterized by calm and absence of rain. India-rubber, ;/. An overshoe made of india-rubber. Indian wheat, n. Corn; maize. Indifferent, adj. Common kind or quality; only passable; or- dinary: as, " They are indifferent sort of people. " Indoors, adv. Within doors; into or inside a house or dwel- ling. Indoor servant is one who does not work in the fields. Indulge, v. To be kind or complaisant to; yield to the wish or humour of; gratify by complaisance; refrain from restrain- ing; humour. (2) Gratify one's self freely; give free course to the gratification of one's desires or appetites. Industrous, adj. Marked by industry; done with or charac- terized by diligence; busily pursued; perform, or employed. Inglish-meale, n. Wheat flour, to distinguish from Indian meal, made from corn. Ingun, n. An onion. Inkling, ;/. A hint; an intimation; a slight or imperfect idea or notion. Inlet, n. A waterway into a sea or lake, and forming part of it; a strip of water running from a larger body into the land; a creek. Ins and outs, n. The full particulars. "I've heard the ins and outs of it. ' ' 200 Inside — Iron-back. Inside, adv. Of time or space; within limit: followed by of. " He'll be here inside of two hours." Insides, n. pi. The organs inside of the body. Instant, n. Present: as, at this instant, right away. Instefy, v. Instify. To show; testify; set forth. Insurance, n. For assurance. Great boldness; impudence. Int, v. To annoint. Aaint. To smear with fatty matter. Intend, v. To fix the mind upon, as something' to be done or brought about; have in mind or purpose; design. To have intention; be inclined or disposed. " I intend to go to town to-morrow." Intended, n. The person whom one intends to marry: as, "I saw him riding out with his intended." Interesting, adj. The third syllable long. In the night, prep. Night-time; during the night. "Possums and such varmints only run about in the night.'" In the straw, n. Lying in; a woman is said to be in the straw when she is lying in, and not ready to get up. Intment, n. Ointment. Intruder, >i. A person who goes to a party or wedding with- out invitation. Inventory, v. To make an inventory. "To inventory and appraise all such Estate. Invite, n. An imitation: as, " Did you get an invite." Inwards, ;/. pi. In'ards. The inner parts of an animal; the bowels; the viscera. I'on, ;/. The pronunciation of iron. Irish potato, n. The well known potato so-called to distinguish it from the s7veet-polato. Iron-back, ;/. A large iron plate set up against the back of the chimney to shield the bricks, and to throw out the heat. They were ornamented and had on them coats of arms. Iron-gray — Jacket. 201 Iron-gray, n. A colour; steel-gray, usually applied to the colour of horses. Iron-mould, n. Discolouration, in cloth or the like, caused by stains from rusted iron. Iron-mould, v. To stain or discolour, as cloth, by means of iron-rust. Ishickle, n. Icicle. I-spy, n. So called from the exclamation of the seeker " I-spy" so-and-so, when he discovers a hidden player. A children's game. Itchy, adj. Characterized by or having an itching sensation. Item, n. A scrap: as, "I haven't got an item of tobacco, or anything else." (2) A hint. Itself, pron. By itself, alone; apart; separately from anything else. It's me, v. Never, " it is I." "It's me and Tom." I-yi, exclam. Answer to a call. " Bob ! " " I-yi." Izzard, n. The letter z. " From a to izzard." From begin- to end; from first to last. J Jabber, ;/. Rapid talk with indistinct utterance of words; chat- tering. Jabber, v. To talk rapidly, indistinctly, imperfectly, or non- sensically; utter gibberish; chatter; prate. Jabberer, ?i. One who jabbers; who talks nonsense. Jack, n. Any one of the knaves in a pack of playing-cards. Jack, ;/. The male of certain animals: as, a. jack-ass. Jackass, n. A very stupid or ignorant person; used in con- tempt. Jacket, 11, A short coat or body garment; any garment for the body coming not lower than the hips. 202 Jacketing— Jar. Jacketing,;/. A thrashing. To warm his jacket. Jack-frost, n. Frost. "Jack-frost is about this morning;" a cold morning when the ground is white. Jack-leg, adj. Used to signify a poor specimen in any trade or profession : "a jack-leg carpenter ; " "a jack-leg doctor. ' ' Jack-m'lantern, n. A light that goes about at night to mis- lead people, carrying them who follow through briars and swamps. Jack-plane, ;/. A large plane for coarse work. Jackstraws, n. pi. A children's game. The several pieces are to be taken from the heap without moving any one of the rest. Jade, v. Tire out; ride or drive without sparing; overdrive: as, to jade a horse. To weary or fatigue in general. Jag, ;/. A lot; parcel; small load. Jagged,/), a. Having notches or teeth, or ragged edges; cleft; divided. J a ggy% &dj. Set with jags or teeth; notched; jagged. Jags,;/./)/. Tatters. " Rags and jags." Jakes, ;;. A privy. Jam, n. A crush; a squeeze; pressure by thrusting or crowd- ing. Jam, v. To press; squeeze; to thrust or press down or in with force or violence. " We jammed me in a corner." Jamb, n. The inside wall of a fireplace; the inside posts of a door. The upright side of door, window, chimney. Jam-up, adj. A degree of high perfection. Janders, n. For juaundice. "Yallerjanders." Jangle, v. To quarrel; altercate; wrangle. Jangly, adj. Jangling or jangled; harsh sounding. Jar, n. A clashing of interests or opinions; collision; discord; debate; conflict: as, family jars. Jar— Jesuit's bark. 203 Jar, n. A turn; turned a little way, as a door or gate; on a jar, on the jar, ajar, on the turn. Jaunders, ;/. A form of jaundice. Jaunt, n. A ramble; an excursion; a short journey, especially one made for pleasure. Jaw, n. Rude loquacity; coarse railing; abusive clamour; wrangling. Jaw, v. To talk or gossip; also, to scold; to talk in an offensive way; to give saucy answers. Jaw-breakers, ;/. pi. Words hard to pronounce. Jay-bird, ;/. The common blue jay. This bird is said to go to hell every Friday to carry the devil a grain of corn. For that reason they are never seen on the morning of that day. When they get back they are very noisy and their eyes red from the heat. Jeames, ;;. Proper name. Jeames River. A colloquial name of James; formerly in common use. Jeans, ;/. A twilled cotton cloth, used both for under wear and outter clothing. Jericho, n. A long way off. " I wish he was in Jericho" Jerk, n. A short, sharp pull, thrust or twitch: a jolt; a twitch- ing or spasmodic movement. Jerk, v. To pull or thrust with sudden energy; act upon with a twitching or snatching motion; move with quick, sharp force. Jerks, n. pi. A convulsive jerking all over. Jerky, adj. Of a jerking character; acting by jerks; spasmodic- impatient. Jesse, n. To give one Jesse, to give one a good scolding or dressing; punish one severely. Jest, adv. A form of just. Jesuit's bark, n. Peruvian bark; the bark of the chinchona tree. 204 Jew— Job. Jew, n. For dew, and due. Jew, v. To overreach; cheat; beat unfairly at a bargain: as,. to jew one out of a dollar. To jew down, to beat down the price of. Jews-harp, n. A musical instrument held in the player's mouth. Jibe,z'. To agree; being in harmony or accord; work together. Jib-rags, n. pi. Torn into strips or small pieces. Jice, n. Joists; joist. Jiffy, n. A moment; an instant. "I will be with you in a My" Jiggamy, n. Any implement or tool. Jigger, ;/. A small, red tick. Chigger. Jiggumbob, n. Something strange, peculiar, or unknown; a thingumbob. Jimber-jaw, n. A projecting lower jaw. Jimber-jawed, adj. Having a projecting lower jaw. Jimjams, n. pi. Delirium tremens. Jimmy, adj. Spruce; neat; smart; handy; dextrous. Jimmy-john, n. A form of demijohn. Jimpson-weed, ?i. Name of a weed, Jamestown weed. Da- tura stramonium. Jine, v. To join. ' He's going to jinc the military company." Jint, >i. Joint. Job, n. A sudden stab, prick, or thrust, as with anything pointed. Job, u. A particular piece of work; something to be done; something to do. Job, v. To strike, stab, or punch, as with something pointed. Job, //. Do a. job, to go to stool. Job's comforter — Jowery. 205 Job's comforter, n. One who depresses and discourages un- der the appearance of consoling. Jog, v. To stimulate gently; stir up by a hint or reminder: as, to give a. jog to one's memory. (2) To move idly, heavily, or slowly: a jog-trot. (3) To be jogging, to go away; move on. " Come, let's he jogging." Joggle, v. To shake slightly ; give a sudden but slight push; jolt; jostle. Joggly, adj. Unsteady; shaky. Jog-trot, n. A slow, easy jogging motion on horseback. Monotonous ; easy-going. John Barleycorn, n. Whiskey. Johnny-cake, n. Made with corn meal mixed with water or milk, seasoned with salt, and baked on a board set on edge before the fire. Journey cake ( ? ). Joices, n. pi. For joists; beams running across, the ends rest- ing on the plates for holding the floor of a house. Join, v. Two pieces of land lying alongside of each other "joined.'''' A man was said to want all the land that "joined" his own. Joint-stool, n. A stool made of parts fitted or joined together, as distinguished from one roughly made, as from planks, or a single block. Jones, n. Go to see Mrs. Jones, going to the privy. Used in the country. Josey, n. A little jacket, part of a girl's dress. Joskin, n. A clownish fellow; a countryman. Jostle, 7/. A pushing about or crowding; a shock or encounter. Jower, v. To quarrel with much confused talk; all talking to- gether. Jowerings, n. pi. Scoldings; growlings. Jowery, adj. Given to scolding; growling; grumbling. 206 Jowl— Junk-bottle. Jowl, n. The lower jaw of a hog, prepared for the table: as, "jowl and turnip sallet." Juba, n. A negro dance. One sang, patting his hands to- gether, and on his thighs, keeping time with his foot, while one or more danced to the music. Juba-patting, n. The patting on the knee or thigh practiced by negroes in keeping time to the juba-dance. Jubilee, ;/. Any exceptional season or course of rejoicing or festivity; a special occasion or manifestation of joyousness. Jug, ;/. Earthenware vessels of several sizes with a handle on one side, a small mouth to be stopped with a cork, for hold- ing liquids. Never used for pitcher. Jug, v. To put in prison. " He was jugged for five years." Jugfull, n. Not by a jugfu/1, not by a great deal; by no means. Julep, it. Mint julep, made by pouring brandy on sugar and cracked ice, to which is added sprigs of fresh mint. Jumble, v. To mix in a confused mass; put or throw together without order; often followed by tip or together. Jumble, n. A confused mixture, mass, or collection; a state of disorder or confusion. Jump, v. To move or spring suddenly when startled. " When he heard the door slam it made him jump.'" " To jump for joy-" Jumping-mullet, ;/. A small fish that jumps out of the water when startled. Jump over the broom, n. Phrase for an irregular marriage. June-bug, n. A large, smooth, greenish beetle. It is tied by one of its legs with a long, fine string and allowed to fly, making a humming noise. Junk, n. A thick piece; a lump: a chunk. Junk-bottle, >i. The ordinary black, glass bottle, low and big round. Just — Keep on. 207 Just, adv. Immediately before the time then passing. "He \\2L&just gone when I got there." Just now, adv. A short time ago; lately: as, " He was here just now. Just so, adv. In one particular way. "He likes everything just so. Juty, n. For duty. K Kearb, n. A stone, brick, or other casing in a well, or spring. Kearb, v. To hold in check. Kerb. Curb. Kearbine, n. Carbine, with hard c. Kerbine. Kearby, n. The surname Kerby, or Kirby. Keard, //. Card. Kearnel, ;/. Kernel. Edible substance contained the shell of a nut or the stone of a fruit. Kearnel, n. Enlarged lymphatic glands, in the groins, or about the neck; waxen kearnels. Keel, v. To keel over. To fall suddenly; tumbledown or over, as from fright or a blow, or in a faint. Keeled up, adj. Laid up or worn out from sickness or old age. " He's been keeled up for more than a year." Keener, ;/. Having or manifesting great mental acuteness; acute; sharp. Keep, v. (i) To be in health. "Are you keeping well this fall?" (2) To maintain an establishment. "He keeps house now, and has given up boarding." (3) " He keeps a boy's school." " He is a drygoods-man and keeps in Wil- liamsburg." Keep going, v. Keep about; up and out of bed; continue to go to work. " He has not been well for sometime, but he kep' going till last Sadday when he was forced to give up." Keep on, v. To continue. " It keeps on raining." 208 Keeps— Killing. Keeps, n. pi. For keeps, to be kept or retained; to be held or retained as one's own; for good: as, to play marbles "for keeps, ' ' each player to keep the marbles he wins. Kelter, n. Order; proper form, adaptation, or condition: as, out of kelter. Kep, v. Past tense of keep; kept. Kerf, n. Kearf. A channel or cut made in wood by a saw or other cutting instrument. A cut in a tree with an axe for felling. Ketch,;/. Catch. A metal or wooden implement for fastening a door. The latch is raised by pressing on a thumb-piece on the outside. Kerseymere, n. A kind of coarse cloth. Ketch, v. A form of catch. Ketcht, for caught. Key-basket, n. A small basket, very neatly made of white- oak splits, in which all the keys of the household were kept. It was always kept in one place, and when a key was used it was put back. Kias beds ? Kick, n. Fashion; novelty; thing in vogue: as, "The latest kick." Kick, v. To refuse; to jilt. Kick, v. To kick up a row, to create a disturbance. Kicking about, v. Lying about; out of place; neglected. " He leaves his things kicking about." Kidney, n. Sort or kind: as, of that kidney. Kill, n. Kiln. Brick- kill; lime-/-///. Kildee, ;/. Imitative of the bird's cry. The largest ring-plover. ' Killick, n. A small anchor or weight for mooring a boat. Sometimes a stone. Killing,/), a. Overpowering; irresistible; generally in the sense of fascinating, bewitching, charming, so as to attract and compel admiration. Killing-time— Kinky. 209 Killing-time, ?i. The time for killing hogs just before Christ- mas. Kilne-house, n. A house for baking and brewing. Kilt, v. Past tense of kill. Kimbo, adj. Bent, as the arms when set akimbo. Kin, n. Race; family; breed; kind. Of the same blood. Kind, n. Kind of, as used with a following noun to express something like or resembling: as, he is a kind of fool. Kinder, kind of. " It rained and he got kinder wet." Kind, adj. Easy to work; gentle; easily managed; a horse is recommended as, " A good saddle-horse, and kind in har- ness." Kind-hearted, adj. Having much kindness of nature; also, proceeding from or characterized by kindness of heart. Kindling-wood, n. Dry wood used for kindling fires. Kindly, adv. Well: as, " He takes kindly to his business." Kind-spoken, adj. Characterized by kindly speech. Kind-tempered, adj. Mild; gentle. Kinfolks, n. pi Relatives; kindred; persons of the same family. Kings's cruse, n. A cry to stop a game; or a fight; enough! King's truce? Scruce. King's evil, n. Scrofula. It used to be cured by being touched by the king. Kink, n. An unreasonable or obstinate notion; a crotchet; a whim. Kink, n. A knot-like contraction or curl in a thread, cord, or rope, or in a hair, wire, or chain, resulting from its being twisted or doubled on itself." " One great kink." Kinky, adj. Full of kinks; woolly. ". p. For lackered. ' ' Six lackened book frames for pictures, well burnished. Ladybug, n. The name of a small, yellow beetle with black spots. Lady-killer, n. A man supposed to be dangerously fascinating to women; a real or pretended lover; one whose fascina- tions are potent. Laff— Landed. 213 Laff, ;/. A form of laugh. Lag, n. One, or that which comes behind; the last comer; one who hangs back. A player who comes in last at a game of marbles. Lag, v. To move slowly; fall behind; hang back; loiter; lin- ger. Laid by, v. A crop of corn was " laid by" when all the work of ploughing and hoeing it was done. Laid out, v. A body is said to be laid out, when it is clad in burial garments ready to be put into the coffin. Laig, n. For leg. Lam, v. To thrash; beat. Lambaste, v. To thrash; beat. Lambasting, ;/. A whipping; beating. Lamb-black, ;/. For lampblack. Lamb's quarter, n. A weed; chenopodium album; used as a sallet for cooking in the spring. Lame, adj. Now applied only to ailing in feet and legs; was used as well for hands and arms. "Lame of his hands and feet." Lanch, v. To lance. "I had a big gethering, the doctor lanched it, and all the stuff came out. Land, n. A strip of land left unbroken in a ploughed field; the space between two furrows. A division in ploughing. (2) The whole land making a farm. " I gave him the last meal there was on the land. Land, v. To come to land or shore; touch at a wharf or other landing place; to arrive; come to a stop: as, "I landed at home." Landside, n. The left side of a plough, so called because it goes next to the unturned soil. Landed, adj. Having possessions in land: as, a landed pro- prietor. 214 Landing — Lareover. Landing, ;/. A place on the shore of the sea or on the bank of a river where persons land or come on shore, or where goods are set on shore. Landlocked, adj. Almost shut in by land from the full force of the wind and waves. Landloper, n. One who wanders about the country. Vaga- bond; vagrant. Land of nod, v. Sleep. " He is in the land of nod." Landowner, n. An owner or proprietor of land. Land-poor, n. Poor or in need of ready money while owning or holding much unremunerative land; especially, poor be- cause of the taxes and other maintenance charges against such land. Lane, n. The road, generally between two fences leading from the main road to the house. Lank, adj. M eagerly slim; lean; gaunt. Lanky, adj. Somewhat lank; tending to, or characteristic of lankness or leanness. Lantern-jawed, adj. Having lantern jaws; having a long, thin face. Lantern-jaws,//./>/. Long, thin, jawsor chops: hence, a thin visage. Lap, n. The front part of a skirt of a garment; that part of the clothing that lies loosely on the thighs and knees when a person sits down; especially, that part of the clothing, or an apron, as used to contain or hold something. Lap, n. That part of the body covered by the front part of the skirts of one's garments or by an apron, especially when in a sitting posture. Lapsided, adj. One-sided; leaning more to one side. 'That gate is not straight, it's lapsided" Lareover, ;/. From larva, a ghost, spectre, mask, skeleton; used to frighten children. " A lareover to catch meddlers." Large-hearted — Lather. 215 When children are over inquisitive as to the meaning or use of any articles, it is some times the custom to rebuke them by saying they are " lareovers for meddlers." Large-hearted, adj. Having a large heart or liberal disposi- tion; sympathetic; generous; liberal; magnanimous. Largen, n. To make large or larger; enlarge; increase. Lark, n. A merry or hilarious adventure; a jovial prank or frolic; sport: as, "To go on a lark." Larn, v. To learn; to teach. " It will larn them a lesson." Laming, n. A form of learning. Book-learning. Larrans, n. Larence. Lawrence, patron saint of idlers. When the summer air is seen vibrating with heat it is called "larrans," and the lazy feeling of that time is said to be caused by " ' lazy larrans ' having hold of you." Larrup, v. To whip; flog; thrash. Larruping, n. A thrashing. Larva, n. A mask, being an image, "which was put over the face to frighten children." Last, n. Power of holding out; endurance; outlast. "He is very sick and can't last 'till to-morrow." Lasting, n. A strong and durable woollen or worsted fabric. Last legs, n. pi. A person is said to be on his last legs when near death, or about to become bankrupt. Latch, n. A piece of wood on the inside, which is raised by a string passed through a hole in the door. On the latch, not locked but fastened only by a latch. Latch-string, ;/. A string passed through a hole in a door for the purpose of raising a latch on the inside. "The latch- string is out; the door is ready to be opened; " an expres- sion of invitation and welcome. Lather, n. Laather. Ladder. Lather, v. To flog. (2) To froth; to sweat. 216 Latter— Lay off. Latter, adj. A later or second brood of chickens that a hen has. "I have a fine lot of latter chickens." (2) Corn planted after the main crop. ' ' My latter corn is very good this year." Latterly, adv. Of late; lately; at a late or recent period. Laughing-stock, ;/. A person or thing that is an object of ridicule; a butt for laughter or jokes. Lavish, adj. Expending or bestowing with profusion; profuse; prodigal. Lavish, v. To expend or bestow with profusion; give or lay out prodigally. Lavish, n. Waste; squandering. Lawn, n. A large yard about a dwelling, with trees. Lawyer-man, ;/. A lawyer. Lax, n. Diarrhoea. Lay, v. To /ay an axe, or grubbing-hoe is to weld a new piece of steel into the body of the old axe or hoe that had been worn out. Lay, v. To wager; bet; stake money: as, " I'll lay he'll come tomorrow." Lay about, v. An idle and dissipated man is said to lay abotit. " He just lays about and does nothing." Lay by, v. To finish working a crop of corn; after all the plowing and hoeing was done, it was said: "I'm done working my corn, it is ready to lay by." "I'm laying by my corn." Lay in, v. To be brought to childbed: as, " She will lay in in about two months from now. ' ' Laylock. n. Lilac. A flower. Lay off, v. To intend to do a thing. " I laid off to go to town last week but couldn't get there." Lay out— Lef-hand-side. 217 Lay out, v. To arrange; to plan. " I laid out to do that to- morrow." " I laid off to do it." (2) To prepare a body for burial. Laze, v. To act, move, or rest idly or lazily; be lazy. " Laz- ing all the day. ' ' , Lazy-bones, n. A lazy fellow; an idler. Leach-trough, n. A trough in which ashes were placed to be leached with water, the lye caught by a hole in the bottom, for making soap. Lead, n. To " lead steers " was to let a small negro boy walk in front of them to direct their course. Leader, //. A sinew; a tendon. Leaders, n. pi. The sinews of a limb. Leading-lines, n. The small rope used for reins for driving horses in a cart, or plough. " Lines." Leaf-fat, n. Fat around the kidneys of a hog, and on the walls of the belly. Leap, n. The act of a horse covering a mare. " Five dollars for a single leap. ' ' Learn, v. To teach. " A school to learn children in." Leather-wing-bat, //. The common bat, from its leathery wings. Leave, v. To go away; depart. Leaving, n. Departure. (2) That which is left; a remnant or relic; refuse. Nearly always in the plural. Leavings, especially of food. Leave off, v. To cease; give over; leave off doing something. Leben, n. For eleven. " He has been gone leben days." Led, n. A lid; the lid of a chest; or of a book. "The led of the kittle." "The kittle led." Lef-hand-side,;/. The left side. " The lef-hand-side of the road." 218 Lee-lurch — Lick. Lee-lurch, n. A sudden swaying of a person who is not very steady on his feet. ' ' He gave a lee-lurch and I thought he would fall." Leetle, n. A variant of little. Leeve, adv. Willingly; a word of indifference. " I'd as leeve go as stay. ' ' Leg, n. An unmarried woman who had a child is said to have ' ' broken her leg. Leg-up, v. To help one on a horse, by lifting him by the bent leg, is to give him a ' ' leg up. Leg-wearied, v. Tired from long walking. Lend, v. Always used, and never to loan. Lengthy, adj. Having length; of great length, with the idea of tediousness attached. " A lengthy sermon." Less, v. Let us. " Less go to-morrow." Lessen, ;/. To make less; diminish, reduce in number, size, degree, or quality. Let, :■. To permit or allow to be or to do, either actively or passively; grant or afford liberty to. Letter, n. A spark on the wick of a burning candle, foretelling the coming of a letter. Let out, v. " School lets out at 3 o'clock." Level, ;/. Well balanced; of good judgement: as, "a level head.^ Level-headed, adj. Sensible; shrewd. Levy, n. A tax raised by a levy. Levy, ;\ To raise money publicly by a poll tax, called " a levy." To levy taxes. Liable, adj. Likely. " He is a good fellow but liable to get drunk. ' Lick, ;/. A blow; a stroke. "A lick and a promise:" to do a piece of work in a slovenly fashion, with the implied pur- pose of making amends later. Lick — Light-fingered. 219 Lick, n. The act of doing a thing very fast. "Who was that playing the piano at such a lick. Lick, v. To strike repeatedly by way of punishment; flog; chastise with blows; beat. Lick amiss, n. When a person had received some punishment thought to be deserved, it was said: " He didn't get a lick amiss, unless they hit at him and missed him." Lickety-split, adv. Headlong; very fast. Licking, n. A beating; a thrashing. Lickwish, ;/. Liquorice. Lid, n. A moveable cover which closes an opening by being- attached or closely fitted: as, the lid of the tea-kettle. Also led. One of the covers or boards of a book: as, the lids of the Bible. Lie-abed, n. One who lies long in bed in the morning. Lie-down, v. To go to bed. " I'm very tired, I think I'll go and lie down.' ' Lief, adv. Gladly; willingly. To have as lief; to have liefer. Leeve. " I'd as leeve go as stay." Liever, adv. Rather. " I'd liefer; " rather. Lift, n. Assistance; a helping-hand: as, to give one a lift. A free ride. Lift, n. That which is lifted, or to be lifted. A weight to be raised, as a heavy lift. (2) On the lift. Said of an animal so poor and weak that it has to be lifted up and helped to be able to walk; at the point of death. Light, v. To get down off a horse. "Light down." To light from flying as a bird. Light-bread, n. Wheaten bread made with yeast. Lighter, //. An open, flat-bottomed boat used for loading and unloading vessels. Light-fingered, adj. Thievish; addicted to petty thefts. 220 Light-headed — Limber-twig. Light-headed, adj, Disordered in the head; giddy or dizzy; hence flighty; delirious. (2) Thoughtless; volatile; frivo- lous. " Light-headed and talked idly." Lightning-bug, n. A firefly. Lights, n. pi. The lungs, more especially of brute animals. Lights, n. The openings between the divisions of a window; also the panes of glass put in a window: as, window- ligkts. Lightwood, n. Very resinous pine wood. Lightwood km it, a knot of fat pine to burn brightly. Likeable, adj. Of a nature to attract liking; apt to be liked. Like, adj. Having resemblance; similar in any respect; re- sembling. Like, v. To feel like, to have an inclination for; be disposed to. " Like to sit down." Likely, adj. Such as may be liked; pleasing; agreeable; good looking; promising. "A very likely dark chestnut sorrel horse." Examiner, 1S05. Likely, adv. Probably; as may reasonably be supposed. Liking, ;/. The state of being pleased with something; favour; approval; inclination; pleasure: as, "He took a liking to the place." Lim, >i. A form of limb. Limb, n. A mischievous or roguish person, especially a young person; an imp; a scamp; a scapegrace. (2) The large branch of a tree. Limb, ;•. To tear in pieces; to tear limb from limb. "The 1 logs caught the old hare and just limbed her." Limber, adj. Easily bent; flexible; pliant: yielding. Limber-twig, //. A kind of apple with a long stem that hangs on the tree till frost. Linch-pin — Listed. 221 Linch-pin, n. A pin put in the spindle of the axle of a vehicle to keep the wheel from slipping off. Line, v. To copulate; said of dogs; a dog lines a bitch. Line -fish, n. A fish that is taken with the line; opposed to net-fish. Line-fishing, n. The act of fishing with a hook and line; dis- tinguished from net-fishing. Line out, v. Line out a hymn; to give out a hymn a line or two at a time to the singers. Lines, n. Loins. " I got such a pain across my lines that I can hardly stand up." Lines between neighbours. Are the lines marking the boun- daries between adjoining lands. Line-tree, n. Certain trees standing on the boundaries between tracts of lands are chopped every few years, and kept to mark metes and bounds. They are chopped every three years by " possessionem," appointed by the court. Link, n. One of the divisions of a sausage made in a contin- uous line. Linsey-woolsey, n. A cloth made of linen warp and woollen web. Lip, n. Impudent or abusive talk. Liquor, n. An alchoholic or spiritous liquor; an intoxicating beverage; especially, a spiritous or distilled drink. In liq- uor: drunk. Liquorish, n. A form of liquorice. List, n. A careening or leaning to one side, as a boat. List, n. A ridge of earth thrown up by a plough, as in culti- vating corn. List, n. The selvedge edge of flannel or of woollen cloth. A stripe of any kind, or streak. Listed, adj. Encircled by a list. A " listed '-sow," a sow with a white list around her black body, or the reverse. 222 Listen — Liver-pin. Listen at, v. To listen; hear. "Listen at the sound of the rain on the roof." Listing, v. The throwing up of the soil into ridges. Lit, v. Past tense of light: he fell and lit on his head. (2) " The candles were lit at 7 o'clock." Litchet, n. Child's name for Richard. Litter, n. A birth or bringing forth of more than one young animal at a time, as of pigs, kittens, puppies. (2) A number of young animals brought forth at one birth, used with ref- erence to mammals which regularly give birth to more than one young at once. Litter, n. Waste matter as shreds; fragments, or the like scat- tered about, as on a floor; scattered rubbish; things strewn about in a careless or slovenly manner. Litter, n. Manure made by cattle or horses; droppings. Stable-litter. Loose straw or anything thrown into a farm- yard for cattle to lie on and tread into manure. Litter, v. To scatter things over or about in a careless or slovenly manner. (2) To bring forth a litter of young animals. Little bit, n. A small quantity of anything: as, " a little bit of puddin." Little-house, ;/. An out-door privy. Livelihood, n. Way of life; living; means of maintaining life; maintenance; support of life; the occupation which furnishes means of support. Livelong, adj. Continuing or seeming to continue long; pass- ing slowly; tedious: as, the livelong night. "I waited for him the livelong day; " that is, all day long. Liver-pin, n. A figurative term to express the centre or most important part of the liver. A part not clearly located, but a special and vital part of the anatomy. " Damn his liver- pin ." Livery-cupboard — Lockram. 223 Livery-cupboard, n. A stand with two or three shelves used in the dining-room, on which the liveries, food and drink, intended for distribution were placed. (2) Wardrobe. Load, 11. A large quantity of anything. " Loads of people." " Loads of money." Load, n. The quantity of powder and shot put in a gun at one time. Loaden, v. To load. Past tense also, as: " loaden with corne." Loadened, v. Loaded. " A loadened gun." Loaf, v. To idle away one's time; lounge; davdle; stroll idly and without purpose. To pass or spend time in idleness; spend lazily; to wander about idly. Loafer, n. An idle man, lounger or aimless stroller; one who is too lazy to work or pursue regular business. Loaf-sugar, n. Sugar refined and moulded into a conical mass, broken into small pieces when wanted. Loan, v. For to lend not used. Lobcock, n. Logcock, a large woodpecker. Loblolly-stick, ;/. A stick used for stirring loblolly or gruel. Locate, v. To fix the place or limits; fix one's residence; de- termine one's residence. "At first we didn't know where he was but finally located him." Lock, n. The corner made by joining two pannels of worm fence. "In the lock of the fence." An evil-doer was threatened to have his "head put under the lock of the fence." (2) A small lot separate from the rest: as, a lock of hair; lock of wool. Locker, ;/. A small cupboard. Lock-out, n. The exclusion of a teacher by his scholars for the purpose of getting holidays. Also, turn out. Lockram, n. Lockrum. A kind of unbleached linen so called from the place where it was made, Loo r e?ia?i, in Brittany. 224 Locusses — Long-hundred. Locusses, ;/. pi. Locust trees. " A fine row of locusses." Lodge, v. To be fast without moving. " He threw the stick up the apple tree where it lodged." Loft, adj. Unwilling. " He was very loft to do it." Loft, ;/. A room in the upper part of a house, occupying the whole house. ' ' Bum-loft; " " Hay-loft. ' ' Logger-head, //. At loggerheads, engaged in bickerings or disputes. Logy, adj. Heavy; slow; stupid. Loll, v. To lie or lean at ease; recline or lean idly or in a care- less or languid attitude. To allow to hang out, as the tongue. Lollop, v. To loll or lounge idly; move heavily or be tossed about. Lone-woman, n. A widow; left alone. Lonesome, adj. Dejected for want of company. Secluded; unfrequented; lonely: as, a lonesome road. Far from neigh- bours. Long, adj. Great. "A hundred dollars is a long price for that horse." Long, v. To belong. " It longs to me." Long, v. To have longing or wistfull desire; feel a strong wish or craving; hanker. To long for; desire. Longbow, ;/. To draw the longboiv, to exaggerate; tell im- probable stories. Long-coats,?/, pi. Long clothes; said of an infant's wear. Long-corn, //. The longest and best ears of corn, used for bread corn. Long-headed, adj. Shrewd; far-seeing; discerning; as, a long-headed man. Long-hundred, ;/. One hundred and twenty. "5,. JRARYOr J J 1 $ So UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. '-/ ,..* '■ &J ER% 0) = q V; mhbi — n G> IFO/: ^ 811-V^ >- 1 i D Q hi: $7 ■3} I II Hill II 3 1158 01 028 9 ,"\\UUNI\ >z I ex it I IDDAOVo . 5$\ at UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACIL AA 000 354 269 3 =o OTA; «# UJ **3 V^ ff £2 I > C=> j.jOV