Fan-tracery.
Fan, fan,n.an instrument for winnowing grain: a broad, flat instrument used by ladies to cool themselves: a wing: a small sail to keep a windmill to the wind: the agitation of the air caused by a fan.—v.t.to cool with a fan: to winnow: to ventilate: to remove by waving a fan:—pr.p.fan′ning;pa.p.fanned.—ns.Fan′-blast, in ironworks the blast produced by a fan, as distinguished from that produced by a blowing-engine;Fan′-crick′et, the mole-cricket, fen-cricket, or churr-worm.—adj.Fan′-nerved, in entomology, having a fan-like arrangement of the nervures or veins of the wings.—ns.Fan′light, a window resembling in form an open fan;Fan′ner, a machine with revolving fans, used for winnowing grain, &c.;Fan′-palm, a species of palm 60 or 70 feet high, with fan-shaped leaves, used for umbrellas, tents, &c.;Fan′-tail, an artificial fan-tailed variety of the domestic pigeon;Fan′-trāc′ery(archit.), tracery rising from a capital or a corbel, and diverging like the folds of a fan over the surface of a vault;Fan′-wheel, a wheel with fans on its rim for producing a current of air. [A.S.fann, from L.vannus, a fan; cf. Fr.van.]
Fanal, fā′nal,n.(arch.) a lighthouse, a beacon. [Fr.,—Gr.phanos, a lantern,phainein, to show.]
Fanatic, fa-nat′ik,adj.extravagantly or unreasonably zealous, esp. in religion: excessively enthusiastic.—n.a person frantically or excessively enthusiastic, esp. on religious subjects.—adj.Fanat′ical, fanatic, (Shak.) extravagant.—adv.Fanat′ically.—v.t.Fanat′icise, to make fanatical.—v.i.to act as a fanatic.—n.Fanat′icism, wild and excessive religious enthusiasm. [Fr.,—L.fanaticus, belonging to a temple, inspired by a god,fanum, a temple.]
Fancy, fan′si,n.that faculty of the mind by which it recalls, represents, or makes to appear past images or impressions: an image or representation thus formed in the mind: an unreasonable or capricious opinion: a whim: capricious inclination or liking: taste: (Shak.) love.—adj.pleasing to, or guided by, fancy or caprice: elegant or ornamental.—v.t.to portray in the mind: to imagine: to have a fancy or liking for: to be pleased with: to breed animals:—pr.p.fan′cying;pa.p.fan′cied.—p.adj.Fan′cied, formed or conceived by the fancy: imagined.—n.Fan′cier, one who has a special liking for anything, or who keeps a special article for sale: one who is governed by fancy.—adj.Fan′ciful, guided or created by fancy: imaginative: whimsical: wild.—adv.Fan′cifully.—n.Fan′cifulness.—adj.Fan′ciless, destitute of fancy.—ns.Fan′cy-ball, a ball at which fancy-dresses in various characters are worn;Fan′cy-dress, dress arranged according to the wearer's fancy, to represent some character in history or fiction;Fan′cy-fair, a special sale of fancy articles for some charitable purpose.—adj.Fan′cy-free(Shak.), free from the power of love.—n.pl.Fan′cy-goods, fabrics of variegated rather than simple pattern, applied generally to articles of show and ornament.—n.Fan′cy-mong′er(Shak.), one who deals in tricks of imagination.—adj.Fan′cy-sick(Shak.), of distempered mind, love-sick.—ns.Fan′cy-stitch, a more intricate and decorative stitch thanplain-stitch;Fan′cy-stroke(billiards), an unusual stroke, or one made to show off one's skill;Fan′cy-work, ornamental needlework.—The fancy, sporting characters generally, esp. pugilists: pugilism. [Contracted fromfantasy.]
Fand, fand (Spens.),pa.t.ofFind.
Fand, fand,Fond, fond,v.i.(Spens.) to try, attempt. [A.S.fandian.]
Fandango, fan-dan′go,n.an old Spanish dance for two, in ¾ time, with castanets, proceeding gradually from a slow and uniform to the liveliest motion: a gathering for dancing, a ball. [Sp.]
Fane, fān,n.(obs.) a flag: weathercock. [Vane.]
Fane, fān,n.a temple. [L.fanum.]
Fanfare, fan-fār′,n.a flourish of trumpets or bugles—alsoFanfarade′.—ns.Fan′faron, one who uses bravado: a blusterer, braggart;Fan′faronade, vain boasting: bluster: ostentation.—v.i.to bluster. [Fr.fanfare, perh. from the sound.]
Fang, fang,n.the tooth of a ravenous beast: a claw or talon: the venom-tooth of a serpent: (Shak.) a grip, catch.—v.t.(obs.) to seize upon, catch.—adjs.Fanged, having fangs, clutches, or anything resembling them;Fang′less, having no fangs or tusks: toothless.—Lose the fang(of a pump), to be dry, to have no water (Scot.). [A.S.fang, fromfón, to seize; Ger.fangen, to catch, Dut.vangen.]
Fangle, fang′gl,n.(Milt.) fancy.—adj.Fang′led(obs.save innewfangled, q.v.), newly made, new-fashioned: showy, gaudy.—n.Fang′leness.
Fanion, fan′yun,n.a small marking-flag used at a station in surveying. [O. Fr.,—Low L.fano.]
Fannel, fan′el,n.a vexillum or banner.
Fanon, fan′on,n.a cloth for handling the holy vessels or the offertory bread: a maniple or napkin used by the celebrant at mass: an orale: a fannel: one of the lappets of a mitre: (surg.) a fold of linen laid under a splint. [O. Fr.]
Fantasia, fan-tä′zi-a,n.a musical composition, not governed by the ordinary musical rules. [It., from Gr.phantasia. SeeFancy.]
Fantasy,Phantasy, fan′ta-si,n.fancy: imagination: mental image: love: whim, caprice.—v.t.to fancy, conceive mentally.—adj.Fan′tasied, filled with fancies.—n.Fan′tasm(same asPhantasm).—adj.Fan′tasque, fantastic.—ns.Fan′tast, a person of fantastic ideas;Fantas′tic, one who is fantastical.—adjs.Fantas′tic,-al, fanciful: not real: capricious: whimsical: wild.—adv.Fantas′tically.—n.Fantas′ticalness.—v.t.andv.i.Fantas′ticate.—ns.Fantas′ticism;Fantas′tico(Shak.), a fantastic. [O. Fr.,—Low L.phantasticus—Gr.phantastikos,phantazein, to make visible.Fancyis a doublet.]
Fantoccini, fan-to-chē′nē,n.pl.puppets worked by machinery: dramatic performances by puppets. [It., pl. offantoccino, dim. offantoccio, a puppet—fante, a boy.]
Fantom, fan′tom,n.Same asPhantom.
Fap, fap,adj.(Shak.) fuddled, drunk.
Faquir, fak-ēr′,n.Same asFakir.
Far, fär,adj.remote: more distant of two: remote from or contrary to purpose or design.—adv.to a great distance in time, space, or proportion: remotely: considerably or in great part: very much: to a great height: to a certain point, degree, or distance.—v.t.(prov.) to remove to a distance.—adjs.Far′-away′, distant: abstracted, absent-minded;Far′-fetched, fetched or brought from a remote place: forced, unnatural—(obs.)Far′fet.—advs.Far′-forth(Spens.), very far;Far′most, most distant or remote.—n.Far′ness, the state of being far: remoteness, distance.—adj.andadv.Far′-off, distant.—adjs.Far′-reach′ing, exerting influence to a great distance and for a long time;Far′-sight′ed, seeing to a great distance: having defective eyesight for near objects;Far′-sought, sought for at a distance;Far′-spent, far advanced.—Far and away, by a great deal;By far, in a very great degree;I'll see you far(orfarther)first, I will not do it by any means;In so far as, to the extent that. [A.S.feor; Dut.ver; Ice.fiarre; Ger.fern.]
Far, fär,n.(prov.) a litter of pigs.
Farad, far′ad,n.the name of the practical unit of electrical capacity—the capacity of a conductor which when raised to a potential of one volt has a charge of one coulomb.—adj.Farad′ic.—n.Faradisā′tion.—v.t.Far′adise.—ns.Far′adism;Microfar′ad, the millionth part of a farad. [From MichaelFaraday(1791-1867).]
Farand,Farrand, far′and,adj.(Scot.) having a certain favour or appearance, esp. in such compound forms asauld-farand, old-fashioned;ill-faured, ill-favoured, &c. [M. E.farand, comely. Origin obscure; most prob. the verbfare(q.v.).]
Farce, färs,n.a style of comedy marked by low humour and extravagant wit: ridiculous or empty show.—n.Far′ceur, a joker.—adj.Far′cical.—n.Farcical′ity, farcical quality.—adv.Far′cically.—v.t.Far′cify, to turn into a farce. [Fr.farce, stuffing, from L.farcīre, to stuff, applied, acc. to H. Bradley, to words put betweenKyrieandEleisonin religious services, then to the interpolatedgagin a religious play, next a buffoon performance.]
Farce, färs,v.t.to cram: to stuff, fill with stuffing: (Shak.) to swell out.—n.Far′cing, stuffing. [O. Fr.farsir—L.farcīre, to cram.]
Farcy, fär′si,n.a disease of horses like glanders—(obs.)Far′cin.—adj.Far′cied.—n.Far′cy-bud, a swollen lymphatic gland, as in farcy. [Fr.farcin—Low L.farciminum.]
Fard, färd,n.white paint for the face.—v.t.to paint with such, to embellish. [Fr., of Teut. origin, Old High Ger.farwjan, to colour.]
Fardage, fär′dāj,n.(naut.) loose wood or other material stowed among the cargo to keep it from shifting, or put under it to keep it above the bilge. [Fr.]
Fardel, fär′del,n.a pack: anything cumbersome or irksome.—adj.Far′del-bound, constipated, esp. of cattle and sheep, by the retention of food in the third stomach. [O. Fr.fardel(Fr.fardeau), dim. offarde, a burden—Ar.fardah, a package (Devic).]
Farding-bag, fär′ding-bag,n.the first stomach of a cow or other ruminant.
Fare, fār,v.i.to get on or succeed: to happen well or ill to: to be in any particular state, to be, to go on: to feed.—n.the price of passage—(orig.) a course or passage: those conveyed in a carriage: food or provisions for the table.—interj.Farewell′, may you fare well! a wish for safety or success.—n.well-wishing at parting: the act of departure.—adj.parting: final. [A.S.faran; Ger.fahren.]
Farina, fa-rī′na, or fa-rē′na,n.ground corn: meal: starch: pollen of plants.—adjs.Farinā′ceous, mealy;Farinose′, yielding farina. [L.,—far.]
Farl, färl,n.(Scot.) the quarter of a round cake of flour or oatmeal. [Fardel, a fourth part.]
Farm, färm,n.land let or rented for cultivation or pasturage, with the necessary buildings: (Spens.) habitation: (Shak.) a lease.—v.t.to let out as lands to a tenant: to take on lease: to grant certain rights in return for a portion of what they yield, as to farm the taxes: to cultivate, as land.—adj.Farm′able.—ns.Farm′-bai′liff;Farm′er, one who farms or cultivates land: the tenant of a farm: one who collects taxes, &c., for a certain rate per cent.:—fem.Farm′eress;Farm′ering, the business of a farmer.—n.pl.Farm′ers-gen′eral, the name given before the French Revolution to the members of a privileged association in France, who leased the public revenues of the nation.—ns.Farm′ery, the buildings of a farm;Farm′-house, a house attached to a farm in which the farmer lives;Farm′ing, the business of cultivating land;Farm′-lā′bourer.—n.pl.Farm′-off′ices, the offices or outbuildings on a farm.—ns.Farm′stead, a farm with the buildings belonging to it;Farm′-yard, the yard or enclosure surrounded by the farm buildings. [A.S.feorm, goods, entertainment, from Low L.firma—L.firmus, firm. The Low L.firmameant a fixed payment, also a signature (whence our 'firm' in business); from 'rent'farmpassed to 'lease,' then to 'a tract of land held on lease.'Farmis therefore a doublet offirm.]
Faro, fār′o,n.a game of chance played by betting on the order in which certain cards will appear when taken singly from the top of the pack. [Perh. from KingPharaohon one of the cards.]
Farrago, far-rā′gō,n.a confused mass.—adj.Farrā′ginous, miscellaneous, jumbled. [L.,far, grain.]
Farrier, far′i-ėr,n.one who shoes horses: one who cures the diseases of horses.—n.Farr′iery, the art of curing the diseases of cattle. [O. Fr.ferrier, through Low L.ferrarius, from L.ferrum, iron.]
Farrow, far′ō,n.a litter of pigs.—v.i.orv.t.to bring forth pigs. [A.S.fearh, a pig; Ger.ferkel.]
Farrow, far′rō,adj.not producing young in a particular season, said of cows. [Ety. dub.; withfarrow cowcf. Flem.verwekoe,varwekoe.]
Farse, färs,n.an explanation of the Latin epistle in the vernacular.—v.t.to extend by interpolation.
Fart, fart,v.i.to break wind.—n.a noisy expulsion of wind. [A.S.feortan; Ger.farzen.]
Farther, fär′thėr,adj.(comp.ofFar) more far or distant: tending to a greater distance: longer: additional.—adv.at or to a greater distance; more remotely: beyond: moreover.—adjs.andadvs.Far′thermore, furthermore;Far′thermost, furthermost.—adj.Farthest(superl.ofFar), most far, distant, or remote.—adv.at or to the greatest distance. [A rather recent form, comp. offar, the euphonicthbeing inserted from the analogy offurther.]
Farthing, fär′thing,n.the fourth of a penny: anything very small: (B.) the rendering for two names of coins, one the fourth part of the other—assarion, used as the Gr. equivalent of the L.as, andkodrantes(L.quadrans), a coin equivalent to twolepta.—n.Far′thingful. [A.S.féorthing, a fourth part—féortha, fourth, and dim.-ing, or-ling.]
Farthingale, fär′thing-gāl,n.a kind of crinoline of whalebone for distending women's dress. [O. Fr.verdugale—Sp.verdugado, hooped,verdugo, rod.]
Fasces, fas′ēz,n.pl.a bundle of rods with an axe in the middle, borne before the ancient Roman principal magistrates. [L.fascis, a bundle.]
Fascia, fash′i-a,n.(archit.) a flat space or band between mouldings: (anat.) a layer of condensed connective tissue between some muscle and any other tissue.—adjs.Fas′cial;Fas′ciated.—n.Fasciā′tion(bot.), a form of monstrosity by the flattening of a single stem, or the lateral union of several stems. [L.]
Fascicle, fas′i-kl,n.a little bundle: (bot.) a close cluster, the flowers crowded together, as in the sweet-william—alsoFas′cicule.—adjs.Fas′cicled,Fascic′ular,Fascic′ulate,-d, united as in a bundle.—n.Fascic′ulus, a fascicle: a part of a book issued in parts. [L.fasciculus, dim. offascis, a bundle.]
Fascinate, fas′i-nāt,v.t.to control by the glance: to charm: to captivate: to enchant, esp. by the evil eye.—adj.Fas′cinating, charming, delightful.—n.Fascinā′tion, the act of charming: power to harm by looks or spells: mysterious attractive power exerted by a man's words or manner: irresistible power of alluring: state of being fascinated. [L.fascināre,-ātum; perh. allied to Gr.baskainein, to bewitch.]
Fascine, fas-sēn′,n.(fort.) a brushwood faggot bound together with wire, yarn, or withes, used to fill ditches, &c. [Fr.,—L.fascina—fascis, a bundle.]
Fash, fash,v.t.(Scot.) to trouble, annoy.—v.i.to be vexed at, to take trouble or pains.—n.pains, trouble.—adj.Fash′ious, troublesome, vexatious.—ns.Fash′iousness,Fash′ery. [O. Fr.fascher(Fr.fâcher)—L.fastidium,fastidiosus, fastidious.]
Fashion, fash′un,n.the make or cut of a thing: form or pattern: prevailing mode or shape of dress: a prevailing custom: manner: genteel society: appearance.—v.t.to make: to mould according to a pattern: to suit or adapt.—adj.Fash′ionable, made according to prevailing fashion: prevailing or in use at any period: observant of the fashion in dress or living: moving in high society: patronised by people of fashion.—n.a person of fashion.—n.Fash′ionableness.—adv.Fash′ionably.—ns.Fash′ioner;Fash′ionist.—adjs.Fash′ionmongering,Fash′ionmonging(Shak.), behaving like a fop.—After, orIn,a fashion, in a way: to a certain extent;In the fashion, in accordance with the prevailing style of dress, &c.—opp. toOut of fashion. [O. Fr.fachon—L.faction-em—facĕre, to make.]
Fast, fast,adj.firm: fixed: steadfast: fortified: (of sleep) sound (Shak.).—adv.firmly, unflinchingly: soundly or sound (asleep): quickly: close, near.—n.Fast-and-loose, the name of a cheating game practised at fairs—called alsoPrick-the-garter.—adj.Fast′-hand′ed, close-fisted.—adv.Fast′ly(Shak.), firmly.—n.Fast′ness, fixedness: a stronghold, fortress, castle.—Fast by, close to.—Play fast and loose(from the foregoing), to be unreliable, to say one thing and do another;Hard-and-fast(seeHard). [A.S.fæst; Ger.fest.]
Fast, fast,adj.quick: rapid: rash: dissipated.—adv.swiftly: in rapid succession: extravagantly.—adj.Fast′ish, somewhat fast. [A special use offast, firm, derived from the Scand., in the sense of urgent.]
Fast, fast,v.i.to keep from food: to go hungry: to abstain from food in whole or part, as a religious duty.—n.abstinence from food: special abstinence enjoined by the church: the day or time of fasting.—ns.Fast′-day, a day of religious fasting: (Scot.) a day for humiliation and prayer, esp. before celebrations of the Lord's Supper;Fast′ens, short forFastens-eve(Scot.Fasten-e'enandFastern's-e'en),Fastens Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday;Fast′er, one who fasts:Fast′ing, religious abstinence. [A.S.fæstan, to fast; Ger.fasten, to keep: perh. allied withfast, firm, in the sense of making strict.]
Fasten, fas′n,v.t.to make fast or tight: to fix securely: to attach firmly one thing to another: to confirm.—v.i.to fix itself.—n.Fas′tening, that which fastens.
Fasti, fas′tī,n.pl.those days among the ancient Romans on which it was lawful to transact legal or public business—opp. toNefasti: an enumeration of the days of the year, a calendar. [L.]
Fastidious, fas-tid′i-us,adj.affecting superior taste: over-nice: difficult to please.—adv.Fastid′iously.—n.Fastid′iousness. [L.fastidiosus—fastidium, loathing—fastus, pride,tædium, loathing.]
Fastigiate, fas-tij′i-āt,adj.pointed, sloping to a point or edge—alsoFastig′iated.—n.Fastig′ium, the apex of a building: the pediment of a portico. [L.fastigāre,-ātum—fastigium, a gable-end, roof.]
Fat, fat,adj.plump, fleshy: fruitful, esp. profitable: gross: thick, full-bodied, esp. of printing-types.—n.an oily substance under the skin: solid animal oil: the richest part of anything.—v.t.to make fat.—v.i.to grow fat:—pr.p.fat′ting;pa.p.fat′ted.—adj.Fat′brained(Shak.), dull of apprehension.—ns.Fat′-hen(prov.), any one of various plants of thick succulent foliage, esp. pigweed, orach, and ground-ivy;Fat′ling, a young animal fattened for slaughter.—adj.small and fat.—n.Fat′-lute, a mixture of pipe-clay and linseed-oil, for filling joints, &c.—adv.Fat′ly, grossly: in a lumbering manner.—n.Fat′ness, quality or state of being fat: fullness of flesh: richness: fertility: that which makes fertile.—v.t.Fat′ten, to make fat or fleshy: to make fertile.—v.i.to grow fat.—ns.Fat′tener, he who, or that which, fattens;Fat′tening, the process of making fat: state of growing fat;Fat′tiness.—adjs.Fat′tish, somewhat fat;Fat′-witted, dull, stupid;Fat′ty, containing fat or having the qualities of fat.—Fat images, those in relief.—The fat is in the fire, things have gone to confusion. [A.S.fæt; Ger.fett.]
Fat, fat,n.a vessel for holding liquids: a vat: a dry measure of nine bushels. [SeeVat.]
Fata Morgana, fä′tä mor-gä′nä, a striking kind of mirage seen most often in the Strait of Messina. [Supposed to be caused by the fairy (fata)Morganaof Arthurian romance.]
Fate, fāt,n.inevitable destiny or necessity: appointed lot: ill-fortune: doom: final issue: (pl.) the three goddesses of fate, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, who determined the birth, life, and death of men—theFatal Sisters.—adj.Fāt′al, belonging to or appointed by fate: causing ruin or death: mortal: calamitous.—ns.Fāt′alism, the doctrine that all events are subject to fate, and happen by unavoidable necessity;Fāt′alist, one who believes in fatalism.—adj.Fāt′alistic, belonging to or partaking of fatalism.—n.Fatal′ity, the state of being fatal or unavoidable: the decree of fate: fixed tendency to disaster or death: mortality: a fatal occurrence.—adv.Fāt′ally.—adjs.Fāt′ed, doomed: destined: (Shak.) invested with the power of destiny: (Dryden) enchanted;Fate′ful, charged with fate.—adv.Fate′fully.—n.Fate′fulness. [L.fatum, a prediction—fatus, spoken—fāri, to speak.]
Father, fä′thėr,n.a male parent: an ancestor or forefather: a fatherly protector: a contriver or originator: a title of respect applied to a venerable man, to confessors, monks, priests, &c.: a member of certain fraternities, as 'Fathers of the Oratory,' &c.: the oldest member of any profession or other body: one of a group of ecclesiastical writers of the early centuries, usually ending with Ambrose, Jerome, and Augustine: the first person of the Trinity.—v.t.to adopt: to ascribe to one as his offspring or production.—ns.Fa′therhood, state of being a father: fatherly authority;Fa′ther-in-law, the father of one's husband or wife;Fa′therland, the land of one's fathers—from the Ger.Vaterland;Fa′ther-lash′er, a name applied to two bull-heads found on the British coasts, belonging to the Gurnard family.—adj.Fa′therless, destitute of a living father: without a known author.—ns.Fa′therlessness;Fa′therliness.—adj.Fa′therly, like a father in affection and care: paternal.—n.Fa′thership.—Holy Father, the Pope.—Be gathered to one's fathers(B.), to die and be buried. [A.S.fæder; Ger.vater, L.pater, Gr.patēr.]
Fathom, fath′um,n.a nautical measure=6 feet: depth: (Shak.) penetration.—v.t.to try the depth of: to comprehend or get to the bottom of.—adjs.Fath′omable;Fath′omless.—n.Fath′om-line, a sailor's line and lead for taking soundings. [A.S.faethm; Dut.vadem, Ger.faden.]
Fatidical, fa-tid′ik-al,adj.having power to foretell future events: prophetical.—adv.Fatid′ically. [L.fatidicus—fatum, fate,dicĕre, to tell.]
Fatigue, fa-tēg′,n.weariness from labour of body or of mind: toil: military work, distinct from the use of arms.—v.t.to reduce to weariness: to exhaust one's strength: to harass.—pr.p.fatigu′ing;pa.p.fatigued′.—adj.Fat′igate(Shak.), fatigued.—n.Fatigue′-dū′ty, the part of a soldier's work distinct from the use of arms—also infatigue-dress, &c.—adv.Fatigu′ingly. [Fr.,—L.fatigāre, to weary.]
Fatiscent, fā-tis′ent,adj.gaping.—n.Fatis′cence.
Fattrels, fat′relz,n.pl.(Scot.) ends of ribbon. [O. Fr.fatraille, trumpery.]
Fatuous, fat′ū-us,adj.silly: imbecile: without reality—alsoFatū′itous.—n.Fatūity, unconscious stupidity: imbecility. [L.fatuus.]
Faubourg, fō′bōōrg,n.a suburb just beyond the walls, or a district recently included within a city. [O. Fr.forbourg, lit. 'out-town'—fors(Fr.hors)—L.foris, out of doors, and O. Fr.bourg, town.]
Fauces, faw′sēz,n.pl.the upper part of the throat, from the root of the tongue to the entrance of the gullet.—adj.Fau′cal, produced in the fauces, as certain Semitic guttural sounds. [L.]
Faucet, faw′set,n.a pipe inserted in a barrel to draw liquid. [Fr.fausset.]
Faugh, faw,interj.an exclamation of contempt or disgust. [Prob. from the sound.]
Faulchion, an obsolete form offalchion.
Fault, fawlt,n.a failing: error: blemish: imperfection: a slight offence: (geol.,min.) a displacement of strata or veins: (tennis) a stroke in which the player fails to serve the ball into the proper place.—adj.Fault′ful(Shak.), full of faults or crimes.—adv.Fault′ily.—n.Fault′iness.—adj.Fault′less, without fault or defect.—adv.Fault′lessly.—n.Fault′lessness.—adj.Fault′y, imperfect, defective: guilty of a fault: blamable.—At fault, open to blame: (of dogs) unable to find the scent;Find fault(with), to censure for some defect. [O. Fr.faute,falte—L.fallĕre, to deceive.]
Fauna, fawn′a,n.animals collectively, or those of a particular country, or of a particular geological period:—pl.Faun′æ,Faun′as.—n.Faun, a Roman rural deity, protector of shepherds.—adj.Faun′al.—n.Faun′ist, one who studies a fauna. [L.faunus, fromfavēre,fautum, to favour.]
Fauteuil, fō-tey′,n.an arm-chair, esp. a president's chair, the seat of one of the forty members of the French Academy. [Fr.]
Fautor, faw′tor,n.a favourer or supporter. [O. Fr.fauteur—L.fautor—favēre, to favour.]
Faveolate, fā-vē′ō-lāt,adj.honeycombed.—AlsoFavose′.
Fauvette, fō-vet′,n.a name applied to warblers in general. [Fr.]
Favonian, fav-ō′ni-an,adj.pertaining to the west wind, favourable. [L.Favonius, the west wind.]
Favour, fā′vur,n.countenance: good-will: a kind deed: an act of grace or lenity: indulgence: partiality: advantage: a knot of ribbons worn at a wedding, or anything worn publicly as a pledge of a woman's favour: (arch.) countenance, appearance: a letter or written communication: (Shak.) an attraction or grace.—v.t.to regard with good-will: to be on the side of: to treat indulgently: to afford advantage to: (coll.) to resemble.—adj.Fā′vourable, friendly: propitious: conducive to: advantageous.—n.Fā′vourableness.—adv.Fā′vourably.—p.adj.Fā′voured, having a certain appearance, featured—as inill-favoured,well-favoured.—ns.Fā′vouredness;Fā′vourer;Fā′vourite, a person or thing regarded with favour or preference: one unduly loved: a kind of curl of the hair, affected by ladies of the 18th century.—adj.esteemed, preferred.—n.Fā′vouritism, the practice of showing partiality.—adj.Fā′vourless, without favour: (Spens.) not favouring.—Favours to come, favours still expected;Curry favour(seeCurry). [O. Fr.,—L.favor—favēre, to favour, befriend.]
Favus, fāv′us,n.a disease of the skin, chiefly of the hairy scalp. [L. 'a honeycomb.']
Faw, faw,n.a gipsy. [From the surnameFaa.]
Fawn, fawn,n.a young deer.—adj.resembling a fawn in colour.—v.i.to bring forth a fawn. [O. Fr.faon, through Low L. from L.fœtus, offspring.]
Fawn, fawn,v.i.to cringe, to flatter in a servile way (withupon).—n.(rare) a servile cringe or bow: mean flattery.—ns.Fawn′er, one who flatters to gain favour;Fawn′ing, mean flattery: sycophancy.—adv.Fawn′ingly.—n.Fawn′ingness. [A variant offain, to rejoice—A.S.fægen, glad.]
Fay, fā,n.a fairy. [O. Fr.fee—L.fata, a fairy—L.fatum, fate.]
Fay, fā,n.(Shak.) faith.
Fay, fā,v.i.to fit, unite closely.—v.t.to fit together closely. [A.S.fégan; Ger.fügen.]
Fay,Fey, fā,v.t.(prov.) to clean out, as a ditch.
Feague, fēg,v.t.(obs.) to whip: to perplex. [Cog. with Dut.vegen, Ger.fegen.]
Feal, fē′al,adj.(obs.) loyal, faithful.
Feal, fēl,v.t.(prov.) to conceal.
Fealty, fē′al-ti, or fēl′ti,n.the vassal's oath of fidelity to his feudal lord: loyalty. [O. Fr.fealte—L.fidelitat-em—fidelis, faithful—fidĕre, to trust.]
Fear, fēr,n.a painful emotion excited by danger: apprehension of danger or pain: alarm: the object of fear: aptness to cause fear: (B.) deep reverence: piety towards God.—v.t.to regard with fear: to expect with alarm: (B.) to stand in awe of: to venerate: (obs.) to terrify: to make afraid.—v.i.to be afraid: to be in doubt.—adj.Fear′ful, timorous: exciting intense fear: terrible.—adv.Fear′fully.—n.Fear′fulness.—adj.Fear′less, without fear: daring: brave.—adv.Fear′lessly.—ns.Fear′lessness;Fear′nought(same asDreadnaught).—adj.Fear′some, causing fear, frightful.—adv.Fear′somely. [A.S.fǽr, fear,fǽran, to terrify; cf. Ger.gefahr, Ice.fár, harm, mischief.]
Fear, fēr,n.(Spens.) a companion. [SeeFere.]
Feasible, fēz′i-bl,adj.practicable.—ns.Feas′ibleness,Feasibil′ity.—adv.Feas′ibly. [Fr.faisable, that can be done—faire,faisant—L.facĕre, to do.]
Feast, fēst,n.a day of unusual solemnity or joy: a festival in commemoration of some event—movable, such as occurs on a specific day of the week succeeding a certain day of the month, asEaster;immovable, at a fixed date, as Christmas: a rich and abundant repast: rich enjoyment for the mind or heart.—v.i.to hold a feast: to eat sumptuously: to receive intense delight.—v.t.to entertain sumptuously.—ns.Feast′-day;Feast′er.—adj.Feast′ful, festive, joyful, luxurious.—ns.Feast′ing;Feast′-rite, a rite or custom observed at feasts.—adj.Feast′-won(Shak.), won or bribed by feasting.—Feast of fools,Feast of asses, medieval festivals, held between Christmas and Epiphany, in which a burlesque bishop was enthroned in church, and a burlesque mass said by his orders, and an ass driven round in triumph.—Double feast(eccles.), one on which the antiphon is doubled. [O. Fr.feste(Fr.fête)—L.festum, a holiday,festus, solemn, festal.]
Feat, fēt,n.a deed manifesting extraordinary strength, skill, or courage.—v.t.(Shak.) to fashion.—adj.neat, deft.—adj.Feat′eous, dexterous, neat.—adv.Feat′ly, neatly, dexterously—(Spens.)Feat′eously. [Fr.fait—L.factum—L.facĕre, to do.]
Feather, feth′ėr,n.one of the growths which form the covering of a bird: a feather-like ornament: the feathered end of an arrow: nature, kind, as in 'birds of a feather:' birds collectively: anything light or trifling.—v.t.to furnish or adorn with feathers.—ns.Feath′er-bed, a mattress filled with feathers;Feath′er-board′ing(same asWeather-boarding, q.v.).—p.adj.Feath′ered, covered or fitted with feathers, or anything feather-like: like the flight of a feathered animal, swift: smoothed as with feathers.—ns.Feath′er-edge, an edge of a board or plank thinner than the other edge;Feath′er-grass, a perennial grass, so called from the feathery appearance of its awns;Feath′er-head,Feath′er-brain, a frivolous person;Feath′eriness;Feath′ering, plumage: the fitting of feathers to arrows: (archit.) an arrangement of small arcs or foils separated by projecting cusps, frequently forming the feather-like ornament on the inner mouldings of arches;Feath′er-star, a crinoid of feathery appearance and radiate structure;Feath′er-weight, the lightest weight that may be carried by a racing-horse: a boxer, wrestler, &c., of a class below the light-weights—hence one of small importance or ability.—adj.Feath′ery, pertaining to, resembling, or covered with feathers.—Feather an oar, to turn the blade of the oar horizontally as it comes out of the water, thus lessening the resistance of the air;Feather one's nest, to accumulate wealth for one's self while serving others in a position of trust.—A feather in one's cap, some striking mark of distinction;Be in high feather, to be greatly elated or in high spirits;Make the feathers fly, to throw into confusion by a sudden attack;Show the white feather, to show signs of cowardice—a white feather in a gamecock's tail being considered as a sign of degeneracy. [A.S.feðer; Ger.feder; L.penna, Gr.pteron.]
Feature, fēt′ūr,n.the marks by which anything is recognised: the prominent traits of anything: the cast of the face: (pl.) the countenance.—v.t.(coll.) to have features resembling.—adjs.Feat′ured, with features well marked;Feat′ureless, destitute of distinct features;Feat′urely, handsome. [O. Fr.faiture, from fut. part. of L.facĕre, to make.]
Febricule, feb′ri-kūl,n.a slight fever.—adj.Febri′culose.—n.Febriculos′ity. [L.febricula, dim. offebris, fever.]
Febrific, fe-brif′ik,adj.producing fever, feverish.—AlsoFebrifā′cient. [L.febris, fever,facĕre, to make.]
Febrifuge, feb′ri-fūj,n.a medicine for removing fever.—adj.Febrif′ugal(orfeb′-).[L.febris, fever,fugāre, to put to flight.]
Febrile, fē′bril, or feb′ril,adj.pertaining to fever: feverish.—n.Febril′ity. [Fr.,—L.febris, fever.]
Febronianism, feb-rō′ni-an-izm,n.a system of doctrine antagonistic to the claims of the Pope and asserting the independence of national churches, propounded in 1763 by Johann Nikolaus von Hontheim under the pseudonym 'JustinusFebronius.'
February, feb′rōō-ar-i,n.the second month of the year. [L.Februarius(mensis), the month of expiation,februa, the feast of expiation.]
Feces,Fecal. SeeFæces,Fæcal.
Fecial. SeeFetial.
Feck, fek,n.(Scot.) strength, value, quantity, number: the bulk of anything.—adj.Feck′less, spiritless.—adv.Feck′ly, mostly. [Corr. ofeffect.]
Fecula, fek′ū-la,n.starch obtained as a sediment by breaking down certain plants or seeds in water. [L.fæcula, dim. offæx, dregs.]
Feculent, fek′ū-lent,adj.containing fæces or sediment: muddy: foul.—ns.Fec′ulence,Fec′ulency.
Fecund, fek′und,adj.fruitful: fertile: prolific.—v.t.Fec′undāte,Fecund′āte, to make fruitful: to impregnate.—ns.Fecundā′tion, the act of impregnating: the state of being impregnated;Fecund′ity, fruitfulness: prolificness in female animals. [Fr.,—L.fecundus, fruitful.]
Fed,pa.t.andpa.p.ofFeed.
Fedary, fed′ar-i (Shak.). Same asFederary.
Federal, fed′ėr-al,adj.pertaining to or consisting of a treaty or covenant: confederated, founded upon mutual agreement: of a union or government in which several states, while independent in home affairs, combine for national or general purposes, as in the United States (in the American Civil War,Federalwas the name applied to the states of the North which defended the Union against theConfederateseparatists of the South).—n.a supporter of federation: a Unionist soldier in the American Civil War.—n.Fed′eracy.—v.t.Fed′eralise.—ns.Fed′eralism, the principles or cause maintained by federalists;Fed′eralist, a supporter of a federal constitution or union;Fed′erary(Shak.), a confederate.—adj.Fed′erāte, united by league: confederated.—n.Federā′tion, the act of uniting in league: a federal union.—adj.Fed′erātive, united in league.—Federal(orCovenant)theology, that first worked out by Cocceius (1603-69), based on the idea of two covenants between God and man—of Works and of Grace (seeCovenant). [Fr.fédéral—L.fœdus,fœderis, a treaty, akin tofidĕre, to trust.]
Fee, fē,n.price paid for services, as to a lawyer or physician: recompense, wages: the sum exacted for any special privilege: a grant of land for feudal service: an unconditional inheritance—Fee′-sim′ple, possession: ownership.—v.t.to pay a fee to: to hire:—pr.p.fee′ing;pa.p.feed.—ns.Fee′-grief(Shak.), a private grief;Fee′ing-mar′ket(Scot.), a fair or market at which farm-servants are hired for the year or half-year following;Fee′-tail, an entailed estate, which on failure of heirs reverts to the donor.—Base fee, a qualified fee, a freehold estate of inheritance to which a qualification is annexed;Conditional fee, a fee granted on condition, or limited to particular heirs: the estate of a mortgagee of land, possession of which is conditional on payment;Great fee, the holding of a tenant of the Crown. [A.S.feoh, cattle, property: a special kind of property, property in land; Ger.vieh, Ice.fé; allied to L.pecus, cattle,pecunia, money.]
Feeble, fē′bl,adj.weak: wanting in strength of body, energy, or efficiency: showing weakness or incapacity: faint: dull.—adj.Fee′ble-mind′ed, weak-minded: irresolute.—n.Fee′bleness—(Spens.)Fe′blesse.—adv.Fee′bly. [O. Fr.foible, forfloible—L.flebilis, lamentable, fromflēre, to weep.]
Feed, fēd,v.t.to give food to: to nourish: to furnish with necessary material: to foster.—v.i.to take food: to nourish one's self by eating:—pr.p.feed′ing;pa.t.andpa.p.fed.—n.an allowance of provender, esp. to cattle: the motion forward of anything being fed to a machine: (Milt.) a meal: (Shak.) pasture land.—ns.Feed′er, he who feeds, or that which supplies: an eater: one who abets another: one who fattens cattle: (obs.) a parasite;Feed′-head, the cistern that supplies water to the boiler of a steam-engine;Feed′-heat′er, an apparatus for heating the water supplied to a steam-boiler;Feed′ing, act of eating: that which is eaten: pasture: the placing of the sheets of paper in position for a printing or ruling machine;Feed′ing-bott′le, a bottle for supplying liquid food to an infant;Feed′-pipe, a pipe for supplying a boiler or cistern with water;Feed′-pump, a force-pump for supplying a steam-engine boiler with water. [A.S.fédan, to feed.]
Fee-faw-fum, fē′-faw′-fum′,n.a nursery word for anything frightful.
Feel, fēl,v.t.to perceive by the touch: to handle or try by touch: to be conscious of: to be keenly sensible of: to have an inward persuasion of.—v.i.to know by the touch: to have the emotions excited: to produce a certain sensation when touched, as to feel hard or hot:—pr.p.feel′ing;pa.t.andpa.p.felt.—n.the sensation of touch.—ns.Feel′er, a remark cautiously dropped, or any indirect stratagem, to sound the opinions of others: (pl.) jointed fibres in the heads of insects, &c., possessed of a delicate sense of touch, termedantennæ;Feel′ing, the sense of touch: perception of objects by touch: consciousness of pleasure or pain: tenderness: emotion: sensibility, susceptibility, sentimentality: opinion as resulting from emotion: (pl.) the affections or passions.—adj.expressive of great sensibility or tenderness: easily affected.—adv.Feel′ingly.—Feel after(B.), to search for. [A.S.félan, to feel; Ger.fühlen; prob. akin to L.palpāre, to quiver.]
Feer, fēr,n.(Spens.) a companion, a spouse. [A.S.ge-féra, a companion—ge-féran, to travel.]
Fee-simple,Fee-tail. See underFee.
Feet, fēt,pl.ofFoot.—adj.Feet′less, without feet.
Feign, fān,v.t.to invent: to imagine: to make a show or pretence of, to counterfeit, simulate.—adj.Feigned, pretended: simulating.—adv.Feign′edly.—ns.Feign′edness;Feign′ing. [Fr.feindre, pr.p.feignant, to feign.—L.fingĕre,fictum, to form.]
Feint, fānt,n.a false appearance: a pretence: a mock-assault: a deceptive movement in fencing, boxing, &c.—v.i.to make a feint. [Fr., see above.]
Feldspar, feld′spär,n.(min.) a general term for the most important rock-forming group of minerals—all anhydrous silicates of alumina—divided into those in which the minerals crystallise inmonoclinicand intriclinicforms—alsoFel′spar,Feld′spath.—adjs.Feldspath′ic,Feld′spathose. [Ger.feldspath—feld, a field,spath, spar.]
Felicity, fe-lis′i-ti,n.happiness: delight: a blessing: a happy event.—v.t.Felic′itāte, to express joy or pleasure to: to congratulate.—n.Felicitā′tion, the act of congratulating.—adj.Felic′itous, happy: prosperous: delightful: appropriate.—adv.Felic′itously. [Fr.,—L.felicitat-em, fromfelix,-icis, happy.]
Feline, fē′līn,adj.pertaining to the cat or the cat kind: like a cat.—ns.Felin′ity;Fē′lis, the cats as a genus, the typical genus of familyFē′lidæand subfamilyFēlī′næ. [L.felinus—felis, a cat.]
Fell, fel,n.a barren hill. [Ice.fjall; Dan.fjeld.]
Fell, fel,pa.t.ofFall.
Fell, fel,v.t.to cause to fall: to bring to the ground: to cut down.—adj.Fell′able.—n.Fell′er, a cutter of wood. [A.S.fellan, causal form offeallan, to fall.]
Fell, fel,n.a skin.—n.Fell′monger, a dealer in skins. [A.S.fel; cf. L.pellis, Gr.pella, Ger.fell.]
Fell, fel,n.(Spens.) anger, melancholy. [L.fel, bile.]
Fell, fel,adj.cruel: fierce: bloody: deadly: keen, eager, spirited: (Scot.) very great, huge.—adj.Fell′-lurking(Shak.), lurking with treacherous purpose.—n.Fell′ness.—adv.Fell′y. [O. Fr.fel, cruel—L.fello. SeeFelon.]
Fellah, fel′ä,n.an Arabic name applied contemptuously by the Turks to the labouring or agricultural population of Egypt—descendants of the ancient Egyptian, intermingled with Syrians, Arabs, &c.:—pl.Fell′ahs,Fell′ahîn. [Ar., 'tiller of the soil.']
Fellic, fel′ik,adj.obtained from bile—alsoFellin′ic.—adj.Fellif′luous, flowing with gall. [L.fel, gall.]
Felloe. SeeFelly.
Fellonous, fel′lon-us,adj.(Spens.) fell.—adj.Fel′lonest, most fell.
Fellow, fel′ō,n.an associate: a companion and equal: one of a pair, a mate: a member of a university who enjoys a fellowship: a member of a scientific or other society: an individual, a person generally: a worthless person.—ns.Fell′ow-cit′izen, one belonging to the same city;Fell′ow-comm′oner, at Cambridge and elsewhere, a privileged class of undergraduates, dining at the Fellows' table;Fell′ow-crea′ture, one of the same race;Fell′ow-feel′ing, feeling between fellows or equals: sympathy;Fell′ow-heir, a joint-heir.—adv.Fell′owly(Shak.), companionable.—ns.Fell′ow-man, a man of the same common nature with one's self;Fell′ow-serv′ant, one who has the same master;Fell′owship, the state of being a fellow or partner: friendly intercourse: communion: an association: an endowment in a college for the support of graduates called Fellows: the position and income of a fellow: (arith.) the proportional division of profit and loss among partners.—Good fellowship, companionableness;Right hand of fellowship, the right hand given by one minister or elder to another at an ordination in some churches. [M. E.felawe—Ice.félagi, a partner in goods, fromfé(Ger.vieh), cattle, property, andlag, a laying together, a law. Cf. Eng.Fee, andLaw.]
Felly, fel′ī,Felloe,fel′ō,n.one of the curved pieces in the circumference of a wheel: the circular rim of the wheel. [A.S.felg; Ger.felge.]
Felon, fel′on,n.one guilty of felony: a convict: a wicked person: an inflamed sore.—adj.wicked or cruel.—adj.Felō′nious, wicked: depraved: done with the deliberate intention to commit crime.—adv.Felō′niously.—n.Felō′niousness, the quality of being felonious.—adj.Fel′onous(Spens.), felonious.—ns.Fel′onry, a body of felons;Fel′ony, (orig.) a crime punished by total forfeiture of lands, &c.: a grave crime, beyond a misdemeanour, as that punishable by penal servitude or death. [O. Fr.,—Low L.fellonem,fello, a traitor, prob. L.fel, gall.]
Felsite, fel′sīt,n.a fine-grained, compact rock, a variety of quartz-porphyry—alsoFel′stone.—adj.Felsit′ic. [Fr.,—Ger.fels, rock.]
Felspar. Same asFeldspar.
Felt, felt,pa.t.andpa.p.ofFeel.
Felt, felt,n.a fabric formed without weaving, by means of the natural tendency of the fibres of wool and certain kinds of hair to interlace with and cling to each other.—v.t.to make into felt: to cover with felt.—v.t.Felt′er, to mat together like felt.—n.Felt′ing, the art or process of making felt: the felt itself. [A.S.felt; cf. Dut.vilt, Ger.filz.]
Felucca, fe-luk′a,n.a class of small merchant-vessels, used in the Mediterranean, with two masts, lateen sails, and often a rudder at each end. [It.feluca, which, like Fr.felouque, is from Ar.fulk, a ship.]
Female, fē′māl,adj.of the sex that produces young: pertaining to females: (bot.) having a pistil or fruit-bearing organ.—n.one of the female sex, a woman.—ns.Femal′ity,Feminal′ity, the female nature.—adj.Fem′inal.—n.Feminē′ity, the quality of being female.—adj.Fem′inine, pertaining to women: tender: womanly: (gram.) the gender denoting females.—adv.Fem′ininely.—ns.Fem′inineness;Feminin′ity, the nature of the female sex.—Female screw, a screw cut upon the inward surface of a cylindrical hole in wood or metal;Feminine rhyme, a rhyme between words that terminate each in an unaccented syllable. [Fr.femelle—L.femella, dim. offemina, a woman.]
Femerell, fem′er-el,n.a louvre or covering on the roof of a kitchen, &c., to allow the smoke to escape.
Femur, fē′mer,n.the thigh-bone.—adj.Fem′oral, belonging to the thigh.—Femoral artery, the main artery of the thigh. [L.femoralis—femur, thigh.]
Fen, fen,n.a kind of low marshy land often, or partially, covered with water: a morass or bog.—ns.Fen′-berr′y, the cranberry;Fen′-fire, the Will-o'-the-wisp.—adjs.Fen′ny,Fen′nish;Fen′-sucked(Shak.), drawn out of bogs. [A.S.fenn; Ice.fen.]
Fen, fen,v.t.an exclamatory phrase in boys' games, meaning 'Check!' 'Bar!' [Cf.Fend.]
Fence, fens,n.a wall or hedge for enclosing animals or for protecting land: the art of fencing: defence: a receiver of stolen goods, also a receiving-house.—v.t.to enclose with a fence: to fortify.—v.i.to practise fencing: to conceal the truth by equivocal answers.—adjs.Fenced, enclosed with a fence;Fence′less, without fence or enclosure, open.—n.Fenc′er, one who practises fencing with a sword.—adj.Fenc′ible, capable of being fenced or defended.—n.pl.Fenc′ibles, volunteer regiments raised for local defence during a special crisis: militia enlisted for home service.—p.adj.Fenc′ing, defending or guarding.—n.the act of erecting a fence: the art of attack and defence with a sword or other weapon.—n.Fenc′ing-mas′ter, one who teaches fencing.—Fence the tables, in the ancient usage of Scotland, to debar from partaking in communion those guilty of any known sin.—Sit on the fence, to be still hesitating as between two opinions;Sunk fence, a ditch or water-course. [Abbrev. ofdefence.]
Fend, fend,v.t.to ward off: to shut out: to defend.—v.i.to offer resistance: to make provision for.—n.self-support, the shift one makes for one's self.—adj.Fend′y, shifty. [Abbrev. ofdefend.]
Fender, fend′ėr,n.a metal guard before a fire to confine the ashes: a protection for a ship's side against piers, &c., consisting of a bundle of rope, &c.—ns.Fend′er-beam, a fender of wood, protecting a ship's side in dock: a permanent buffer at the end of a railway siding;Fend′er-board, a board protecting the steps of a carriage from the dust thrown up by the wheels. [Fend.]
Fenestella, fen-es-tel′a,n.a niche on the south side of an altar, containing the piscina, and sometimes the credence: a genus of Polyzoa, like the recent 'lace coral,' very common in Palæozoic rocks. [L., dim. offenestra, a window.]
Fenestral, fe-nes′tral,adj.belonging to or like a window: with transparent spots—alsoFenes′trāte.—n.Fenestrā′tion, the arrangement of windows in a building. [L.fenestralis—fenestra, window.]
Fengite, fen′jīt,n.a transparent alabaster for window panes.
Fenian, fē′ne-an,n.a member of an association of Irishmen founded in New York in 1857 for the overthrow of the English government in Ireland.—adj.belonging to the legendary Fenians, or to the modern conspirators.—n.Fē′nianism. [Old Ir.Féne, one of the names of the ancient population of Ireland, confused in modern times withfíann, the militia of Finn and other ancient Irish kings.]
Fenks, fengks,n.the refuse of whale-blubber.—AlsoFinks.
Fennec, fen′ek,n.a little African fox with large ears. [Moorish.]
Fennel, fen′el,n.a genus of umbelliferous plants, allied to Dill, but distinguished by the cylindrical, strongly-ribbed fruit, the flower yellow.—n.Fenn′el-flow′er, theNigella Damascena, or ragged lady. [A.S.finul—L.fœniculum, fennel—fenum, hay.]
Fent, fent,n.(prov.) a slit, crack: a remnant or odd piece. [O. Fr.fente—L.findĕre, to cleave.]
Fenugreek, fen′ū-grēk,n.a genus of leguminous plants, allied to clover and melilot. [L.fenum-græcum, 'Greek hay.']
Feod,Feodal,Feodary. Same asFeud,Feudal,Feudary.
Feoff, fef,n.a fief.—v.t.to grant possession of a fief or property in land.—ns.Feoffee′, the person invested with the fief;Feoff′er,Feoff′or, he who grants the fief;Feoff′ment, the gift of a fief or feoff. [O. Fr.feofferorfiefer—O. Fr.fief. SeeFee.]
Feracious, fe-rā′shus,adj.fruitful.—n.Ferac′ity(rare). [L.ferax,-acis—ferre, to bear.]
Fer-de-lance, fār′de-längs′,n.the lance-headed or yellow viper of tropical America.
Fere, fēr,n.(Spens.) a mate, companion, equal. [A.S.geféra, a companion,ge-féran, to travel.]
Feretory, fer′e-tor-i,n.a shrine for relics carried in processions. [L.feretrum—ferre, to bear.]
Ferial, fē′ri-al,adj.pertaining to holidays (feriæ), belonging to any day of the week which is neither a fast nor a festival. [Fr.,—L.feria, a holiday.]
Ferine, fē′rin,adj.pertaining to, or like, a wild beast: savage.—n.pl.Feræ(fē′rē),wild animals.—adj.Fē′ral, wild, run wild.—n.Fer′ity, wildness.—Fēræ naturæ, those animals that are wild or not domesticated, including game animals—deer, hares, pheasants, &c. [L.ferinus—fera, a wild beast—ferus; akin to Gr.thēr, Ger.thier, a beast.]
Feringhee, fer-ing′gē,n.a Hindu name for an Englishman.—AlsoFarin′gee. [A corr. ofFrank.]
Ferly, fer′li,adj.fearful: sudden: singular.—n.a wonder.—v.i.to wonder. [A.S.fǽrlic, sudden; cf. Ger.ge-fährlich, dangerous.]
Ferm, fėrm,n.a farm: (Spens.) abode, lodging.
Fermata, fer-mä′ta,n.(mus.) a pause or break. [It.]
Ferment, fėr′ment,n.what excites fermentation, as yeast, leaven: internal motion amongst the parts of a fluid: agitation: tumult.—v.t.Ferment′, to excite fermentation: to inflame.—v.i.to rise and swell by the action of fermentation: to work, used of wine, &c.: to be in excited action: to be stirred with anger.—n.Fermentabil′ity.—adj.Ferment′able, capable of fermentation.—n.Fermentā′tion, the act or process of fermenting: the change which takes place in liquids exposed to air: the kind of spontaneous decomposition which produces alcohol: restless action of the mind or feelings.—adj.Ferment′ative, causing or consisting in fermentation.—n.Ferment′ativeness.—adj.Fermentes′cible, capable of being fermented. [Fr.,—L.fermentum, forfervimentum—fervēre, to boil.]
Fermeture, fer′me-tūr,n.a mechanism for closing the chamber of a breech-loading gun. [Fr.,—L.firmāre, to make fast.]
Fern, fern,n.one of the beautiful class of higher or vascular cryptogamous plants—the natural orderFilices.—ns.Fern′ery, a place for rearing ferns;Fern′-owl, the European goatsucker or night-jar;Fern′-seed, the spores of ferns, which, properly gathered, render the bearers invisible;Fern′shaw, a thicket of ferns;Fern′ticle, a freckle.—adjs.Fern′ticled;Fern′y. [A.S.fearn; Ger.farn.]
Ferocious, fe-rō′shus,adj.savage, fierce: cruel.—adv.Ferō′ciously.—ns.Ferō′ciousness;Feroc′ity, savage cruelty of disposition: untamed fierceness. [L.ferox,ferocis, wild—ferus, wild.]
Ferrandine, fer′an-din,n.a silk and wool or silk and hair cloth.—AlsoFarr′andine. [Fr.]
Ferrara, fer-ä′ra,n.a make of sword-blade highly esteemed in Scotland from about the close of the 16th century—oftenAndrea Ferrara—said to have been made at Belluno in Venetia by Cosmo, Andrea, and GianantonioFerrara. [Perh. a native ofFerrara, or prob. merely the It.ferrajo, a cutler—L.ferrarius, a smith.]