PLOW-MONDAY — POET
PLOW-MONDAY, n. The Monday after twelfth-day.
PLOWSHARE, n. [See Shear.] The part of a plow which cuts the ground at the bottom of the furrow, and raises the slice to the mold-board, which turns it over.
1. To pull with sudden force or effort, or to pull off, out or from, with a twitch. Thus we say, to pluck feathers from a fowl; to pluck hair or wool from a skin; to pluck grapes or other fruit.NWAD PLUCK.2
They pluck the fatherless from the breast. Job 24:9.NWAD PLUCK.3
2. To strip by plucking; as, to pluck a fowl.NWAD PLUCK.4
They that pass by do pluck her. Psalm 80:12.NWAD PLUCK.5
The sense of this verb is modified by particles.NWAD PLUCK.6
To pluck away, to pull away, or to separate by pulling; to tear away.NWAD PLUCK.7
He shall pluck away his crop with his feathers. Leviticus 1:16.NWAD PLUCK.8
To pluck down, to pull down; to demolish; or to reduce to a lower state.NWAD PLUCK.9
To pluck off, is to pull or tear off; as, to pluck off the skin. Micah 3:2.NWAD PLUCK.10
To pluck on, to pull or draw on.NWAD PLUCK.11
To pluck up, to tear up by the roots or from the foundation; to eradicate; to exterminate; to destroy; as, to pluck up a plant; to pluck up a nation. Jeremiah 12:14, 17.NWAD PLUCK.12
To pluck out, to draw out suddenly or to tear out; as, to pluck out the eyes; to pluck out the hand from the bosom. Psalm 74:11.NWAD PLUCK.13
To pluck up, to resume courage; properly, to pluck up the heart. [Not elegant.]NWAD PLUCK.14
PLUCK, n. The heart, liver and lights of an animal.
PLUCKED, pp. Pulled off; stripped of feathers or hair.
PLUCKER, n. One that plucks.
PLUCKING, ppr. Pulling off; stripping.
PLUG, n. A stopple; any piece of pointed wood or other substance used to stop a hole, but larger than a peg or spile.
Hawse-plug, in marine affairs, a plug to stop a hawse-hole.NWAD PLUG.2
Shot-plug, a plug to stop a breach made by a cannon ball in the side of a ship.NWAD PLUG.3
PLUG, v.t. To stop with a plug; to make tight by stopping a hole.
1. The fruit of a tree belonging to the genus Prunus. The fruit is a drupe, containing a nut or stone with prominent sutures and inclosing a kernel. The varieties of the plum are numerous and well known.NWAD PLUM.2
2. A grape dried in the sun; a raisin.NWAD PLUM.3
3. The sum of f100,000 sterling.NWAD PLUM.4
4. A kind of play.NWAD PLUM.5
[Dr. Johnson remarks that this word is often written improperly plumb. This is true, not only of this word, but of all words in which b follows m, as in thumb, dumb, etc.]NWAD PLUM.6
PLUMAGE, n. The feathers that cover a fowl.
Smit with her varying plumage, spare the dove.NWAD PLUMAGE.2
PLUMB, n. plum. [L. plumbum, lead; probably a clump or lump.]
A mass of lead attached to a line, and used to ascertain a perpendicular position of buildings and the like. But the word as a noun is seldom used, except in composition. [See Plumb-line.]NWAD PLUMB.2
PLUMB, a. Perpendicular, that is, standing according to a plumb-line. The post of the house or the wall is plumb. [This is the common language of our mechanics.]
PLUMB, adv. In a perpendicular direction; in a line perpendicular to the plane of the horizon. The wall stands plumb.
Plumb down he falls.NWAD PLUMB.5
1. Directly; suddenly; at once; as a falling mass; usually pronounced plump. He fell plumb into the water.NWAD PLUMB.6
PLUMB, v.t. To adjust by a plumb-line; to set in a perpendicular direction; as, to plumb a building or a wall.
1. To sound with a plummet, as the depth of water. [Little used.]NWAD PLUMB.8
PLUMBAGINOUS, a. Resembling plumbago; consisting of plumbago, or partaking of its properties.
PLUMBAGO, n. [L.] A mineral consisting of carbon and iron; used for pencils, etc.
PLUMBEAN, PLUMBEOUS, a. Consisting of lead; resembling lead.
1. Dull; heavy; stupid.NWAD PLUMBEAN.2
PLUMBED, pp. plum’med. Adjusted by a plumb-line.
PLUMBER, n. plum’mer. One who works in lead.
PLUMBERY, n. plum’mery. Works in lead; manufactures of lead; the place where lead is wrought.
1. The art of casting and working lead, or of making sheets and pipes of lead.NWAD PLUMBERY.2
PLUMBIFEROUS, a. [L. plumbum, lead, and fero, to produce.]
Producing lead.NWAD PLUMBIFEROUS.2
PLUMB-LINE, n. plum’-line. A line perpendicular to the plane of the horizon; or a line directed to the center of gravity in the earth.
PLUM-CAKE, n. Cake containing raisins or currants.
PLUME, n. [L. pluma.]
1. The feather of a fowl, particularly a large feather.NWAD PLUME.2
2. A feather worn as an ornament, particularly an ostrich’s feather.NWAD PLUME.3
And his high plume that nodded o’er his head.NWAD PLUME.4
3. Pride; towering mien.NWAD PLUME.5
4. Token of honor; prize of contest.NWAD PLUME.6
Ambitious to win from me some plume.NWAD PLUME.7
PLUME, PLUMULE, n. In botany, the ascending scaly part of the corculum or heart of a seed; the scaly part of the embryo plant within the seed, which rises and becomes the stem or body. It extends itself into the cavity of the lobes, and is terminated by a small branch resembling a feather, from which it derives its name.
PLUME, v.t. To pick and adjust plumes or feathers.
Swans must be kept in some inclosed pond, where they may have room to come on shore and plume themselves.NWAD PLUME.10
1. To strip of feathers. Carnivorous animals will not take pains to plume the birds they devour.NWAD PLUME.11
2. To strip; to peel.NWAD PLUME.12
3. To set as a plume; to set erect.NWAD PLUME.13
His stature reach’d the sky, and on his crestNWAD PLUME.14
Sat honor plum’d.NWAD PLUME.15
4. To adorn with feathers or plumes.NWAD PLUME.16
5. To pride; to value; to boast. He plumes himself on his skill or his prowess.NWAD PLUME.17
PLUME-ALUM, n. A kind of asbestus.
PLUMELESS, a. Without feathers or plumes.
PLUMIGEROUS, a. [L. pluma, a feather, and gero, to wear.]
Feathered; having feathers.NWAD PLUMIGEROUS.2
PLUMIPED, a. [infra.] Having feet covered with feathers.
PLUMIPED, n. [L. pluma, feather, and pes, foot.]
A fowl that has feathers on its feet.NWAD PLUMIPED.3
PLUMMET, n. [See Plumb.]
1. A long piece of lead attached to a line, used in sounding the depth of water.NWAD PLUMMET.2
2. An instrument used by carpenters, masons, etc. in adjusting erections to a perpendicular line, and with a square, to determine a horizontal line. It consists of a piece of lead fastened to a line.NWAD PLUMMET.3
3. Any weight.NWAD PLUMMET.4
4. A piece of lead used by school boys to rule their paper for writing.NWAD PLUMMET.5
PLUMMING, n. Among miners, the operation of finding by means of a mine dial the place where to sink an air shaft, or to bring an adit to the work, or to find which way the lode inclines.
PLUMOSE, PLUMOUS, a. [L. plumosus.] Feathery; resembling feathers.
1. In botany, a plumose bristle is one that has hairs growing on the sides of the main bristle. Plumose pappus or down is a flying crown to some seeds, composed of feathery hairs.NWAD PLUMOSE.2
PLUMOSITY, n. The state of having feathers.
1. Full; swelled with fat or flesh to the full size; fat; having a full skin; round; as a plump boy; a plump habit of body.NWAD PLUMP.2
The famish’d crow grows plump and round.NWAD PLUMP.3
2. Full; blunt; unreserved; unqualified; as a plump lie.NWAD PLUMP.4
PLUMP, n. A knot; a cluster; a clump; a number of things closely united or standing together; as a plump of trees; a plump of fowls; a plump of horsemen.
[This word is not now used in this sense, but the use of it formerly, is good evidence that plump is clump, with a different prefix, and both are radically one word with lump. Plumb, L. plumbum, is the same word, a lump or mass.]NWAD PLUMP.6
PLUMP, v.t. [from the adjective.] To swell; to extend to fullness; to dilate; to fatten.
The particles of air expanding themselves, plump out the sides of the bladder.NWAD PLUMP.8
A wedding at our house will plump me up with good cheer.NWAD PLUMP.9
PLUMP, v.i.
1. To plunge or fall like a heavy mass or lump of dead matter; to fall suddenly or at once.NWAD PLUMP.11
2. To enlarge to fullness; to be swelled.NWAD PLUMP.12
PLUMP, adv. Suddenly; heavily; at once, or with a sudden heavy fall.
PLUMPER, n. Something carried in the mouth to dilate the cheeks; any thing intended to swell out something else.
1. A full unqualified lie. [In vulgar use.]NWAD PLUMPER.2
PLUMPLY, adv. Fully; roundly; without reserve; as, to assert a thing plumply; a word in common popular use.
PLUMPNESS, n. Fullness of skin; distention to roundness; as the plumpness of a boy; plumpness of the eye or cheek.
PLUM-PUDDING, n. Pudding containing raisins or currants.
PLUMPY, a. Plump; fat; jolly. [Not elegant.]
PLUM-TREE, n. A tree that produces plums.
PLUMULE, n. [L. plumula.] The ascending scaly part of the embryo plant, which becomes the stem. [See Plume.]
PLUMY, a. [from plume.] Feathered; covered with feathers.
1. Adorned with plumes; as a plumy crest.NWAD PLUMY.2
1. To pillage; to spoil; to strip; to take the goods of an enemy by open force. Nebuchadnezzar plundered the temple of the Jews.NWAD PLUNDER.2
2. To take by pillage or open force. The enemy plundered all the goods they found. We say, he plundered the tent, or he plundered the goods of the tent. The first is the proper use of the word.NWAD PLUNDER.3
3. To rob, as a thief; to take from; to strip; as, the thief plundered the house; the robber plundered a man of his money and watch; pirates plunder ships and men.NWAD PLUNDER.4
PLUNDER, n. That which is taken from an enemy by force; pillage; prey; spoil.
1. That which is taken by theft, robbery or fraud.NWAD PLUNDER.6
PLUNDERED, pp. Pillaged; robbed.
PLUNDERER, n. A hostile pillager; a spoiler.
1. A thief; a robber.NWAD PLUNDERER.2
PLUNDERING, ppr. Pillaging; robbing.
1. To thrust into water or other fluid substance, or into any substance that is penetrable; to immerse in a fluid; to drive into flesh, mire or earth, etc.; as, to plunge the body in water; to plunge the arm into fire or flame; to plunge a dagger into the breast.NWAD PLUNGE.2
2. To thrust or drive into any state in which the thing is considered as enveloped or surrounded; as, to plunge one’s self into difficulties or distress; to plunge a nation into war.NWAD PLUNGE.3
3. To baptize by immersion.NWAD PLUNGE.4
PLUNGE, v.i. To pitch; to thrust or drive one’s self into water or a fluid; to dive or to rush in. He plunged into the river.
The troops plunged into the stream.NWAD PLUNGE.6
His courser plung’d,NWAD PLUNGE.7
And threw him off; the waves whelm’d over him.NWAD PLUNGE.8
1. To fall or rush into distress or any state or circumstances in which the person or thing is enveloped, inclosed or overwhelmed; as, to plunge into a gulf; to plunge into debt or embarrassments; to plunge into war; a body of cavalry plunged into the midst of the enemy.NWAD PLUNGE.9
2. To pitch or throw one’s self headlong.NWAD PLUNGE.10
PLUNGE, n. The act of thrusting into water or any penetrable substance.
1. Difficulty; strait; distress; a state of being surrounded or overwhelmed with difficulties.NWAD PLUNGE.12
People when put to a plunge, cry out to heaven for help.NWAD PLUNGE.13
And wilt thou not reach out a friendly arm,NWAD PLUNGE.14
To raise me from amidst this plunge of sorrow?NWAD PLUNGE.15
[In this sense, the word is now little used.]NWAD PLUNGE.16
PLUNGED, pp. Thrust into a fluid or other penetrable substance; immersed; involved in straits.
PLUNGER, n. One that plunges; a diver.
1. A cylinder used as a forcer in pumps.NWAD PLUNGER.2
PLUNGING, ppr. Immersing; diving; rushing headlong.
PLUNGY, a. Wet. [Not used.]
PLUNKET, n. A kind of blue color.
PLURAL, a. [L. pluralis, from plus, pluris, more.]
1. Containing more than one; consisting of two or more, or designating two or more; as a plural word.NWAD PLURAL.2
2. In grammar, the plural number is that which designates more than one, that is, any number except one. Thus in most languages, a word in the plural number expresses two or more. But the Greek has a dual number to express two; and the plural expresses more than two.NWAD PLURAL.3
PLURALIST, n. A clerk or clergyman who holds more ecclesiastical benefices than one, with cure of souls.
PLURALITY, n. [L. pluralis.]
1. A number consisting of two or more of the same kind; as a plurality of gods; a plurality of worlds.NWAD PLURALITY.2
2. A state of being or having a greater number.NWAD PLURALITY.3
3. In elections, a plurality of votes is when one candidate has more votes than any other, but less than half of the whole number of votes given. It is thus distinguished from a majority, which is more than half of the whole number.NWAD PLURALITY.4
4. Plurality of benefices, is where the same clerk is possessed of more benefices than one, with cure of souls. In this case, each benefice thus held is called a plurality.NWAD PLURALITY.5
PLURALLY, adv. In a sense implying more than one.
PLURILITERAL, a. [L. plus and litera, letter.]
Containing more letters than three.NWAD PLURILITERAL.2
PLURILITERAL, n. A word consisting of more letters than three.
PLURISY, n. [L. plus, pluris.] Superabundance. [Not used.]
PLUS, [L. more,] in algebra, a character marked thus, +, used as the sign of addition.
PLUSH, n. Shag; a species of shaggy cloth or stuff with a velvet nap on one side, composed regularly of a woof of a single thread and a double warp; the one, wool of two threads twisted, the other of goat’s or camel’s hair. But some plushes are made wholly of worsted; others wholly of hair.
PLUSHER, n. A marine fish.
PLUTONIAN, a. Plutonic, which see.
PLUTONIAN, n. One who maintains the origin of mountains, etc. to be from fire.
The Plutonian theory of the formation of rocks and mountains is opposed to the Neptunian.NWAD PLUTONIAN.3
PLUTONIC, a. [from Pluto, in mythology, the king of the infernal regions.] Pertaining to or designating the system of the Plutonists; as the Plutonic theory.
PLUTONIST, n. One who adopts the theory of the formation of the world in its present state from igneous fusion.
PLUVIAL, PLUVIOUS, a. [L. pluvialis, from pluvia, rain.] Rainy; humid.
PLUVIAL, n. A priest’s cope.
PLUVIAMETER, n. [L. pluvia, rain, and Gr. measure.] A rain gage, an instrument for ascertaining the quantity of water that falls in rain, or in rain and snow, in any particular climate or place.
PLUVIAMETRICAL, a. Pertaining to a pluviameter; made or ascertained by a pluviameter.
PLY, v.t. [Gr. to fold; L. plico.]
1. To lay on, to put to or on with force and repetition; to apply to closely, with continuation of efforts or urgency.NWAD PLY.2
And plies him with redoubled strokes.NWAD PLY.3
The hero from afarNWAD PLY.4
Plies him with darts and stones.NWAD PLY.5
We retain the precise sense in the phrase to lay on, to put it on him.NWAD PLY.6
2. To employ with diligence; to apply closely and steadily; to keep busy.NWAD PLY.7
Her gentle wit she plies.NWAD PLY.8
The wearied Trojans ply their shattered oars.NWAD PLY.9
3. To practice or perform with diligence.NWAD PLY.10
Their bloody task, unweari’d, still they ply.NWAD PLY.11
4. To urge; to solicit with pressing or persevering importunity.NWAD PLY.12
He plies the duke at morning and at night.NWAD PLY.13
5. To urge; to press; to strain; to force.NWAD PLY.14
PLY, v.i. To bend; to yield.
The willow plied and gave way to the gust.NWAD PLY.16
1. To work steadily.NWAD PLY.17
He was forced to ply in the streets.NWAD PLY.18
2. To go in haste.NWAD PLY.19
Thither he plies undaunted.NWAD PLY.20
3. To busy one’s self; to be steadily employed.NWAD PLY.21
4. To endeavor to make way against the wind.NWAD PLY.22
PLY, n. A fold; a plait.
1. Bent; turn; direction; bias.NWAD PLY.24
The late learners cannot so well take the ply.NWAD PLY.25
PLYER, n. He or that which plies. In fortification, plyers denotes a kind of balance used in raising and letting down a drawbridge, consisting of timbers joined in the form of St. Andrew’s cross.
PLYING, ppr. Laying on with steadiness or repetition; applying closely; employing; performing; urging; pressing or attempting to make way against the wind.
PLYING, n. Urgent solicitation.
1. Effort to make way against the wind.NWAD PLYING.3
PNEUMATIC, PNEUMATICAL, a. numat’ic. [Gr. breath, spirit; to breathe or blow.]
1. Consisting of air, as a thin compressible substance; opposed to dense or solid substances.NWAD PNEUMATIC.2
The pneumatic substance being, in some bodies, the native spirit of the body.NWAD PNEUMATIC.3
2. Pertaining to air, or to the philosophy of its properties; as pneumatic experiments; a pneumatic engine.NWAD PNEUMATIC.4
3. Moved or played by means of air; as a pneumatic instrument of music.NWAD PNEUMATIC.5
PNEUMATICS, n. In natural philosophy, that branch which treats of air. In chimistry, that branch which treats of the gases.
1. In the schools, the doctrine of spiritual substances, as God, angels, and the souls of men.NWAD PNEUMATICS.2
PNEUMATOCELE, n. [Gr. air, and a tumor.] In surgery, a distension of the scrotum by air.
PNEUMATOLOGICAL, a. Pertaining to pneumatology.
PNEUMATOLOGIST, n. One versed in pneumatology.
PNEUMATOLOGY, n. [Gr. air, and discourse.]
1. The doctrine of the properties of elastic fluids, or of spiritual substances.NWAD PNEUMATOLOGY.2
2. A treatise on elastic fluids, or on spiritual substances.NWAD PNEUMATOLOGY.3
PNEUMONIA, PNEUMONY, n. [Gr. the lungs, to breathe.]
In medicine, an inflammation of the lungs.NWAD PNEUMONIA.2
PNEUMONIC, a. Pertaining to the lungs; pulmonic.
PNEUMONIC, n. A medicine for affections of the lungs.
1. To boil slightly.NWAD POACH.2
2. To dress by boiling slightly and mixing in a soft mass.NWAD POACH.3
3. To begin and not complete.NWAD POACH.4
4. To tread soft ground, or snow and water, as cattle, whose feet penetrate the soil of soft substance and leave deep tracks.NWAD POACH.5
5. To steal game; properly, to pocket game, or steal it and convey it away in a bag.NWAD POACH.6
6. To steal; to plunder by stealth.NWAD POACH.7
They poach Parnassus, and lay claim for praise.NWAD POACH.8
POACH, v.t. [Eng. poke, poker, to punch; L. pungo.]
To stab; to pierce; to spear; as, to poach fish.NWAD POACH.10
POACH, v.i. To be trodden with deep tracks, as soft ground. We say, the ground is soft in spring, and poaches badly.
Chalky and clay lands burn in hot weather, chap in summer, and poach in winter.NWAD POACH.12
POACHARD, POCHARD, n. [from poach.] A fresh water duck of an excellent taste, weighing a pound and twelve ounces. It is the red headed duck of Lawson; found in America and in the north of Europe.
POACHED, pp. Slightly boiled or softened; trodden with deep footsteps; stolen.
POACHER, n. One that steals game.
POACHINESS, n. Wetness and softness; the state of being easily penetrable by the feet of beasts; applied to land.
POACHY, a. Wet and soft; such as the feet of cattle will penetrate to some depth; applied to land or ground of any kind.
POCK, n. [Eng. big.] A pustule raised on the surface of the body in the variolous and vaccine diseases, named from the pustules, small pox, or as it ought to be written, small pocks.
1. A small bag inserted in a garment for carrying small articles.NWAD POCKET.2
2. A small bag or net to receive the balls in billiards.NWAD POCKET.3
3. A certain quantity; as a pocket of hops, as in other cases we use sack. [Not used in America.]NWAD POCKET.4
POCKET, v.t. To put or conceal in the pocket; as, to pocket a penknife.
1. To take clandestinely.NWAD POCKET.6
To pocket an insult or affront, to receive it without resenting it, or at least without seeking redress. [In popular use.]NWAD POCKET.7
POCKET-BOOK, n. A small book of paper covered with leather; used for carrying papers in the pocket.
POCKET-GLASS, n. A portable looking glass.
POCKET-HOLE, n. The opening into a pocket.
POCKET-LID, n. The flap over the pocket-hole.
POCKET-MONEY, n. Money for the pocket or for occasional expenses.
POCK-HOLE, n. The pit or scar made by a pock.
POCKINESS, n. The state of being pocky.
POCKWOOD, n. Lignum vitae, a very hard wood.
POCKY, a. [from pock.] Infected with the small pocks; full of pocks.
1. Vile; rascally; mischievous; contemptible. [In vulgar use.]NWAD POCKY.2
POCULENT, a. [L. poculentus, from poculum, a cup.]
Fit for drink. [Not used.]NWAD POCULENT.2
POD, n. The pericarp, capsule or seed vessel of certain plants. The silique or pod is an oblong, membranaceous, two valved pericarp, having the seeds fixed along both sutures. A legume is a pericarp of two valves, in which the seeds are fixed along one suture only.
According to these descriptions, the seed vessels of peas and beans are legumes, and not pods; but in popular language, pod is used for the legume as well as for the silique or siliqua. In New England, it is the only word in popular use.NWAD POD.2
POD, v.i. To swell; to fill; also, to produce pods.
PODAGRIC, PODAGRICAL, a. [L. podagra; Gr. the foot, and a seizure.]
1. Pertaining to the gout; gouty; partaking of the gout.NWAD PODAGRIC.2
2. Afflicted with the gout.NWAD PODAGRIC.3
PODDED, a. Having its pods formed; furnished with pods.
PODDER, n. A gatherer of pods.
PODGE, n. A puddle; a plash.
POEM, n. [L. poema; Gr. to make, to compose songs.]
1. A metrical composition; a composition in which the verses consist of certain measures, whether in blank verse or in rhyme; as the poems of Homer or of Milton; opposed to prose.NWAD POEM.2
2. This term is also applied to some compositions in which the language is that of excited imagination; as the poems of Ossian.NWAD POEM.3
POESY, n. [L. poesis; Gr. to make.]
1. The art or skill of composing poems; as, the heavenly gift of poesy.NWAD POESY.2
2. Poetry; metrical composition.NWAD POESY.3
Music and poesy used to quicken you.NWAD POESY.4
3. A short conceit engraved on a ring or other thing.NWAD POESY.5
POET, n. [L. poeta. See Poem.]
1. The author of a poem; the inventor or maker of a metrical composition.NWAD POET.2
A poet is a maker, as the word signifies; and he who cannot make, that is, invent, hath his name for nothing.NWAD POET.3
2. One skilled in making poetry, or who has a particular genius for metrical composition; one distinguished for poetic talents. Many write verses who cannot be called poets.NWAD POET.4