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12 definitions found
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 : [ gcide ]
King \King\, n. [AS. cyng, cyning; akin to OS. kuning, D.
koning, OHG. kuning, G. k["o]nig, Icel. konungr, Sw. konung,
Dan. konge; formed with a patronymic ending, and fr. the root
of E. kin; cf. Icel. konr a man of noble birth. [root]44. See
Kin.]
1. A chief ruler; a sovereign; one invested with supreme
authority over a nation, country, or tribe, usually by
hereditary succession; a monarch; a prince. ``Ay, every
inch a king.'' --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Kings will be tyrants from policy, when subjects are
rebels from principle. --Burke.
[1913 Webster]
There was a State without king or nobles. --R.
Choate.
[1913 Webster]
But yonder comes the powerful King of Day,
Rejoicing in the east --Thomson.
[1913 Webster]
2. One who, or that which, holds a supreme position or rank;
a chief among competitors; as, a railroad king; a money
king; the king of the lobby; the king of beasts.
[1913 Webster]
3. A playing card having the picture of a king[1]; as, the
king of diamonds.
[1913 Webster]
4. The chief piece in the game of chess.
[1913 Webster]
5. A crowned man in the game of draughts.
[1913 Webster]
6. pl. The title of two historical books in the Old
Testament.
[1913 Webster]
Note: King is often used adjectively, or in combination, to
denote pre["e]minence or superiority in some
particular; as, kingbird; king crow; king vulture.
[1913 Webster]
Apostolic king. See Apostolic.
King-at-arms, or King-of-arms, the chief heraldic officer
of a country. In England the king-at-arms was formerly of
great authority. His business is to direct the heralds,
preside at their chapters, and have the jurisdiction of
armory. There are three principal kings-at-arms, viz.,
Garter, Clarencieux, and Norroy. The latter (literally
north roy or north king) officiates north of the Trent.
King auk (Zo["o]l.), the little auk or sea dove.
King bird of paradise. (Zo["o]l.), See Bird of paradise.
King card, in whist, the best unplayed card of each suit;
thus, if the ace and king of a suit have been played, the
queen is the king card of the suit.
King Cole, a legendary king of Britain, who is said to have
reigned in the third century.
King conch (Zo["o]l.), a large and handsome univalve shell
({Cassis cameo), found in the West Indies. It is used for
making cameos. See Helmet shell, under Helmet.
King Cotton, a popular personification of the great staple
production of the southern United States.
King crab. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The limulus or horseshoe crab. See Limulus.
(b) The large European spider crab or thornback ({Maia
squinado).
(c) A large crab of the northern Pacific ({Paralithodes
camtshatica), especially abundant on the coasts of
Alaska and Japan, and popular as a food; called also
Alaskan king crab.
King crow. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A black drongo shrike ({Buchanga atra) of India; --
so called because, while breeding, they attack and
drive away hawks, crows, and other large birds.
(b) The Dicrurus macrocercus of India, a crested bird
with a long, forked tail. Its color is black, with
green and blue reflections. Called also devil bird.
King duck (Zo["o]l.), a large and handsome eider duck
({Somateria spectabilis), inhabiting the arctic regions
of both continents.
King+eagle+(Zo["o]l.),+an+eagle+({Aquila+heliaca" rel="nofollow">King eagle (Zo["o]l.), an eagle ({Aquila heliaca) found in
Asia and Southeastern Europe. It is about as large as the
golden eagle. Some writers believe it to be the imperial
eagle of Rome.
King+hake+(Zo["o]l.),+an+American+hake+({Phycis+regius" rel="nofollow">King hake (Zo["o]l.), an American hake ({Phycis regius),
found in deep water along the Atlantic coast.
King monkey (Zo["o]l.), an African monkey ({Colobus
polycomus), inhabiting Sierra Leone.
King mullet (Zo["o]l.), a West Indian red mullet ({Upeneus
maculatus); -- so called on account of its great beauty.
Called also goldfish.
King of terrors, death.
King parrakeet (Zo["o]l.), a handsome Australian parrakeet
({Platycercys scapulatus), often kept in a cage. Its
prevailing color is bright red, with the back and wings
bright green, the rump blue, and tail black.
King penguin (Zo["o]l.), any large species of penguin of
the genus Aptenodytes; esp., Aptenodytes longirostris,
of the Falkland Islands and Kerguelen Land, and
Aptenodytes Patagonica, of Patagonia.
King rail (Zo["o]l.), a small American rail ({Rallus
elegans), living in fresh-water marshes. The upper parts
are fulvous brown, striped with black; the breast is deep
cinnamon color.
King salmon (Zo["o]l.), the quinnat. See Quinnat.
King's counsel, or Queen's counsel (Eng. Law), barristers
learned in the law, who have been called within the bar,
and selected to be the king's or queen's counsel. They
answer in some measure to the advocates of the revenue
(advocati fisci) among the Romans. They can not be
employed against the crown without special license.
--Wharton's Law Dict.
King's cushion, a temporary seat made by two persons
crossing their hands. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
The king's English, correct or current language of good
speakers; pure English. --Shak.
King's evidence or Queen's evidence, testimony in favor
of the Crown by a witness who confesses his guilt as an
accomplice. See under Evidence. [Eng.]
King's evil, scrofula; -- so called because formerly
supposed to be healed by the touch of a king.
King snake (Zo["o]l.), a large, nearly black, harmless
snake ({Ophiobolus getulus) of the Southern United
States; -- so called because it kills and eats other kinds
of snakes, including even the rattlesnake.
King's spear (Bot.), the white asphodel ({Asphodelus
albus).
King's yellow, a yellow pigment, consisting essentially of
sulphide and oxide of arsenic; -- called also yellow
orpiment.
King tody (Zo["o]l.), a small fly-catching bird
({Eurylaimus serilophus) of tropical America. The head is
adorned with a large, spreading, fan-shaped crest, which
is bright red, edged with black.
King vulture (Zo["o]l.), a large species of vulture
({Sarcorhamphus papa), ranging from Mexico to Paraguay,
The general color is white. The wings and tail are black,
and the naked carunculated head and the neck are
briliantly colored with scarlet, yellow, orange, and blue.
So called because it drives away other vultures while
feeding.
King wood, a wood from Brazil, called also violet wood,
beautifully streaked in violet tints, used in turning and
small cabinetwork. The tree is probably a species of
Dalbergia. See Jacaranda.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 : [ gcide ]
Swift \Swift\, n.
1. The current of a stream. [R.] --Walton.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small,
long-winged, insectivorous birds of the family
Micropodid[ae]. In form and habits the swifts resemble
swallows, but they are destitute of complex vocal muscles
and are not singing birds, but belong to a widely
different group allied to the humming birds.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The common European swift ({Cypselus apus syn.
Micropus apus) nests in church steeples and under the
tiles of roofs, and is noted for its rapid flight and
shrill screams. It is called also black martin,
black swift, hawk swallow, devil bird,
swingdevil, screech martin, and shriek owl. The
common American, or chimney, swift ({Ch[ae]tura
pelagica) has sharp rigid tips to the tail feathers.
It attaches its nest to the inner walls of chimneys,
and is called also chimney swallow. The Australian
swift ({Ch[ae]tura caudacuta) also has sharp naked
tips to the tail quills. The European Alpine swift
({Cypselus melba) is whitish beneath, with a white
band across the breast. The common Indian swift is
Cypselus affinis. See also Palm swift, under
Palm, and Tree swift, under Tree.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of lizards, as the
pine lizard.
[1913 Webster]
4. (Zo["o]l.) The ghost moth. See under Ghost.
[1913 Webster]
5. [Cf. Swivel.] A reel, or turning instrument, for winding
yarn, thread, etc.; -- used chiefly in the plural.
[1913 Webster]
6. The main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 : [ gcide ]
Devil \Dev"il\, n. [AS. de['o]fol, de['o]ful; akin to G. ?eufel,
Goth. diaba['u]lus; all fr. L. diabolus the devil, Gr. ? the
devil, the slanderer, fr. ? to slander, calumniate, orig., to
throw across; ? across + ? to throw, let fall, fall; cf. Skr.
gal to fall. Cf. Diabolic.]
1. The Evil One; Satan, represented as the tempter and
spiritual of mankind.
[1913 Webster]
[Jesus] being forty days tempted of the devil.
--Luke iv. 2.
[1913 Webster]
That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world. --Rev. xii. 9.
[1913 Webster]
2. An evil spirit; a demon.
[1913 Webster]
A dumb man possessed with a devil. --Matt. ix.
32.
[1913 Webster]
3. A very wicked person; hence, any great evil. ``That devil
Glendower.'' ``The devil drunkenness.'' --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a
devil? --John vi. 70.
[1913 Webster]
4. An expletive of surprise, vexation, or emphasis, or,
ironically, of negation. [Low]
[1913 Webster]
The devil a puritan that he is, . . . but a
timepleaser. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
The things, we know, are neither rich nor rare,
But wonder how the devil they got there. --Pope.
[1913 Webster]
5. (Cookery) A dish, as a bone with the meat, broiled and
excessively peppered; a grill with Cayenne pepper.
[1913 Webster]
Men and women busy in baking, broiling, roasting
oysters, and preparing devils on the gridiron. --Sir
W. Scott.
[1913 Webster]
6. (Manuf.) A machine for tearing or cutting rags, cotton,
etc.
[1913 Webster]
Blue devils. See under Blue.
Cartesian devil. See under Cartesian.
Devil bird (Zo["o]l.), one of two or more South African
drongo shrikes ({Edolius retifer, and Edolius remifer),
believed by the natives to be connected with sorcery.
Devil may care, reckless, defiant of authority; -- used
adjectively. --Longfellow.
Devil's apron (Bot.), the large kelp ({Laminaria
saccharina, and Laminaria longicruris) of the Atlantic
ocean, having a blackish, leathery expansion, shaped
somewhat like an apron.
Devil's coachhorse. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The black rove beetle ({Ocypus olens). [Eng.]
(b) A large, predacious, hemipterous insect ({Prionotus
cristatus); the wheel bug. [U.S.]
Devil's darning-needle. (Zo["o]l.) See under Darn, v. t.
Devil's fingers, Devil's hand (Zo["o]l.), the common
British starfish ({Asterias rubens); -- also applied to a
sponge with stout branches. [Prov. Eng., Irish & Scot.]
Devil's riding-horse (Zo["o]l.), the American mantis
({Mantis Carolina).
The Devil's tattoo, a drumming with the fingers or feet.
``Jack played the Devil's tattoo on the door with his boot
heels.'' --F. Hardman (Blackw. Mag.).
Devil worship, worship of the power of evil; -- still
practiced by barbarians who believe that the good and evil
forces of nature are of equal power.
Printer's devil, the youngest apprentice in a printing
office, who runs on errands, does dirty work (as washing
the ink rollers and sweeping), etc. ``Without fearing the
printer's devil or the sheriff's officer.'' --Macaulay.
Tasmanian devil (Zo["o]l.), a very savage carnivorous
marsupial of Tasmania ({Dasyurus ursinus syn. Diabolus
ursinus).
To play devil with, to molest extremely; to ruin. [Low]
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 : [ gcide ]
Devil-diver \Dev"il-div`er\, Devil bird \Dev"il bird`\, n..
(Zo["o]l.)
A small water bird. See Dabchick.
[1913 Webster]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) : [ web1913 ]
King \King\, n.[AS. cyng, cyning; akin to OS. kuning, D. koning,
OHG. kuning, G. k["o]nig, Icel. konungr, Sw. konung, Dan.
konge; formed with a patronymic ending, and fr. the root of
E. kin; cf. Icel. konr a man of noble birth. [root]44. See
Kin.]
1. A chief ruler; a sovereign; one invested with supreme
authority over a nation, country, or tribe, usually by
hereditary succession; a monarch; a prince. ``Ay, every
inch a king.'' --Shak.
Kings will be tyrants from policy, when subjects are
rebels from principle. --Burke.
There was a State without king or nobles. --R.
Choate.
But yonder comes the powerful King of Day, Rejoicing
in the east --Thomson.
2. One who, or that which, holds a supreme position or rank;
a chief among competitors; as, a railroad king; a money
king; the king of the lobby; the king of beasts.
3. A playing card having the picture of a king; as, the king
of diamonds.
4. The chief piece in the game of chess.
5. A crowned man in the game of draughts.
6. pl. The title of two historical books in the Old
Testament.
Note: King is often used adjectively, or in combination, to
denote pre["e]minence or superiority in some
particular; as, kingbird; king crow; king vulture.
Apostolic king.See Apostolic.
King-at-arms, or King-of-arms, the chief heraldic officer
of a country. In England the king-at-arms was formerly of
great authority. His business is to direct the heralds,
preside at their chapters, and have the jurisdiction of
armory. There are three principal kings-at-arms, viz.,
Garter, Clarencieux, and Norroy. The latter (literally
north roy or north king) officiates north of the Trent.
King auk (Zo["o]l.), the little auk or sea dove.
King bird of paradise. (Zo["o]l.), See Bird of paradise.
King card, in whist, the best unplayed card of each suit;
thus, if the ace and king of a suit have been played, the
queen is the king card of the suit.
King Cole, a legendary king of Britain, who is said to have
reigned in the third century.
King conch (Zo["o]l.), a large and handsome univalve shell
({Cassis cameo), found in the West Indies. It is used for
making cameos. See Helmet shell, under Helmet.
King Cotton, a popular personification of the great staple
production of the southern United States.
King crab. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The limulus or horseshoe crab. See Limulus.
(b) The large European spider crab or thornback ({Maia
squinado).
King crow. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A black drongo shrike ({Buchanga atra) of India; --
so called because, while breeding, they attack and
drive away hawks, crows, and other large birds.
(b) The Dicrurus macrocercus of India, a crested bird
with a long, forked tail. Its color is black, with
green and blue reflections. Called also devil bird.
King duck (Zo["o]l.), a large and handsome eider duck
({Somateria spectabilis), inhabiting the arctic regions
of both continents.
King+eagle+(Zo["o]l.),+an+eagle+({Aquila+heliaca" rel="nofollow">King eagle (Zo["o]l.), an eagle ({Aquila heliaca) found in
Asia and Southeastern Europe. It is about as large as the
golden eagle. Some writers believe it to be the imperial
eagle of Rome.
King+hake+(Zo["o]l.),+an+American+hake+({Phycis+regius" rel="nofollow">King hake (Zo["o]l.), an American hake ({Phycis regius),
fond in deep water along the Atlantic coast.
King monkey (Zo["o]l.), an African monkey ({Colobus
polycomus), inhabiting Sierra Leone.
King mullet (Zo["o]l.), a West Indian red mullet ({Upeneus
maculatus); -- so called on account of its great beauty.
Called also goldfish.
King of terrors, death.
King parrakeet (Zo["o]l.), a handsome Australian parrakeet
({Platycercys scapulatus), often kept in a cage. Its
prevailing color is bright red, with the back and wings
bright green, the rump blue, and tail black.
King penguin (Zo["o]l.), any large species of penguin of
the genus Aptenodytes; esp., A. longirostris, of the
Falkland Islands and Kerguelen Land, and A. Patagonica,
of Patagonia.
King rail (Zo["o]l.), a small American rail ({Rallus
elegans), living in fresh-water marshes. The upper parts
are fulvous brown, striped with black; the breast is deep
cinnamon color.
King salmon (Zo["o]l.), the quinnat. See Quinnat.
King's, or Queen's, counsel (Eng. Law), barristers
learned in the law, who have been called within the bar,
and selected to be the king's or queen's counsel. They
answer in some measure to the advocates of the revenue
(advocati fisci) among the Romans. They can not be
employed against the crown without special license.
--Wharton's Law Dict.
King's cushion, a temporary seat made by two persons
crossing their hands. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
The king's English, correct or current language of good
speakers; pure English. --Shak.
King's or Queen's, evidence, testimony in favor of the
Crown by a witness who confesses his guilt as an
accomplice. See under Evidence. [Eng.]
King's evil, scrofula; -- so called because formerly
supposed to be healed by the touch of a king.
King snake (Zo["o]l.), a large, nearly black, harmless
snake ({Ophiobolus getulus) of the Southern United
States; -- so called because it kills and eats other kinds
of snakes, including even the rattlesnake.
King's spear (Bot.), the white asphodel ({Asphodelus
albus).
King's yellow, a yellow pigment, consisting essentially of
sulphide and oxide of arsenic; -- called also yellow
orpiment.
King tody (Zo["o]l.), a small fly-catching bird
({Eurylaimus serilophus) of tropical America. The head is
adorned with a large, spreading, fan-shaped crest, which
is bright red, edged with black.
King vulture (Zo["o]l.), a large species of vulture
({Sarcorhamphus papa), ranging from Mexico to Paraguay,
The general color is white. The wings and tail are black,
and the naked carunculated head and the neck are
briliantly colored with scarlet, yellow, orange, and blue.
So called because it drives away other vultures while
feeding.
King wood, a wood from Brazil, called also violet wood,
beautifully streaked in violet tints, used in turning and
small cabinetwork. The tree is probably a species of
Dalbergia. See Jacaranda.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) : [ web1913 ]
Swift \Swift\, n.
1. The current of a stream. [R.] --Walton.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of small,
long-winged, insectivorous birds of the family
Micropodid[ae]. In form and habits the swifts resemble
swallows, but they are destitute of complex vocal muscles
and are not singing birds, but belong to a widely
different group allied to the humming birds.
Note: The common European swift ({Cypselus, or Micropus,
apus) nests in church steeples and under the tiles of
roofs, and is noted for its rapid flight and shrill
screams. It is called also black martin, black
swift, hawk swallow, devil bird, swingdevil,
screech martin, and shreik owl. The common
American, or chimney, swift ({Ch[ae]tura pelagica) has
sharp rigid tips to the tail feathers. It attaches its
nest to the inner walls of chimneys, and is called also
chimney swallow. The Australian swift ({Ch[ae]tura
caudacuta) also has sharp naked tips to the tail
quills. The European Alpine swift ({Cypselus melba) is
whitish beneath, with a white band across the breast.
The common Indian swift is Cypselus affinis. See also
Palm swift, under Palm, and Tree swift, under
Tree.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of lizards, as the
pine lizard.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The ghost moth. See under Ghost.
5. [Cf. Swivel.] A reel, or turning instrument, for winding
yarn, thread, etc.; -- used chiefly in the plural.
6. The main card cylinder of a flax-carding machine.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) : [ web1913 ]
Devil \Dev"il\, n. [AS. de['o]fol, de['o]ful; akin to G. ?eufel,
Goth. diaba['u]lus; all fr. L. diabolus the devil, Gr. ? the
devil, the slanderer, fr. ? to slander, calumniate, orig., to
throw across; ? across + ? to throw, let fall, fall; cf. Skr.
gal to fall. Cf. Diabolic.]
1. The Evil One; Satan, represented as the tempter and
spiritual of mankind.
[Jesus] being forty days tempted of the devil.
--Luke iv. 2.
That old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which
deceiveth the whole world. --Rev. xii. 9.
2. An evil spirit; a demon.
A dumb man possessed with a devil. --Matt. ix.
32.
3. A very wicked person; hence, any great evil. ``That devil
Glendower.'' ``The devil drunkenness.'' --Shak.
Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a
devil? --John vi. 70.
4. An expletive of surprise, vexation, or emphasis, or,
ironically, of negation. [Low]
The devil a puritan that he is, . . . but a
timepleaser. --Shak.
The things, we know, are neither rich nor rare, But
wonder how the devil they got there. --Pope.
5. (Cookery) A dish, as a bone with the meat, broiled and
excessively peppered; a grill with Cayenne pepper.
Men and women busy in baking, broiling, roasting
oysters, and preparing devils on the gridiron. --Sir
W. Scott.
6. (Manuf.) A machine for tearing or cutting rags, cotton,
etc.
Blue devils. See under Blue.
Cartesian devil. See under Cartesian.
Devil bird (Zo["o]l.), one of two or more South African
drongo shrikes ({Edolius retifer, and E. remifer),
believed by the natives to be connected with sorcery.
Devil may care, reckless, defiant of authority; -- used
adjectively. --Longfellow.
Devil's apron (Bot.), the large kelp ({Laminaria
saccharina, and L. longicruris) of the Atlantic ocean,
having a blackish, leathery expansion, shaped somewhat
like an apron.
Devil's coachhorse. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The black rove beetle ({Ocypus olens). [Eng.]
(b) A large, predacious, hemipterous insect ({Prionotus
cristatus); the wheel bug. [U.S.]
Devil's darning-needle. (Zo["o]l.) See under Darn, v. t.
Devil's fingers, Devil's hand (Zo["o]l.), the common
British starfish ({Asterias rubens); -- also applied to a
sponge with stout branches. [Prov. Eng., Irish & Scot.]
Devil's riding-horse (Zo["o]l.), the American mantis
({Mantis Carolina).
The Devil's tattoo, a drumming with the fingers or feet.
``Jack played the Devil's tattoo on the door with his boot
heels.'' --F. Hardman (Blackw. Mag.).
Devil worship, worship of the power of evil; -- still
practiced by barbarians who believe that the good and evil
forces of nature are of equal power.
Printer's devil, the youngest apprentice in a printing
office, who runs on errands, does dirty work (as washing
the ink rollers and sweeping), etc. ``Without fearing the
printer's devil or the sheriff's officer.'' --Macaulay.
Tasmanian devil (Zo["o]l.), a very savage carnivorous
marsupial of Tasmania ({Dasyurus, or Diabolus, ursinus).
To play devil with, to molest extremely; to ruin. [Low]
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) : [ web1913 ]
Devil-diver \Dev"il-div`er\, Devil bird \Dev"il bird`\, n..
(Zo["o]l.)
A small water bird. See Dabchick.
From English Wiktionary: All languages (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-ALL-2023-07-27 ]
devil bird
n.
An avian cryptid of Sri Lanka, said to emit human-sounding shrieks
that portend death; possibly the (vern: spot-bellied eagle owl)
((taxlink Bubo nipalensis species)) or (vern: Ceylon highland nightjar)
((taxlink Caprimulgus indicus species)).
From English Wiktionary: English language only (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-en-2023-07-27 ]
devil bird
n.
An avian cryptid of Sri Lanka, said to emit human-sounding shrieks
that portend death; possibly the (vern: spot-bellied eagle owl)
((taxlink Bubo nipalensis species)) or (vern: Ceylon highland nightjar)
((taxlink Caprimulgus indicus species)).
From English Wiktionary: Western, Greek, and Slavonic languages only (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-Western_Greek_Slavonic-2023-07-27 ]
devil bird
n.
An avian cryptid of Sri Lanka, said to emit human-sounding shrieks
that portend death; possibly the (vern: spot-bellied eagle owl)
((taxlink Bubo nipalensis species)) or (vern: Ceylon highland nightjar)
((taxlink Caprimulgus indicus species)).
From English Wiktionary: Western languages only (2023-07-27) : [ dictinfo.com:wikt-en-Western-2023-07-27 ]
devil bird
n.
An avian cryptid of Sri Lanka, said to emit human-sounding shrieks
that portend death; possibly the (vern: spot-bellied eagle owl)
((taxlink Bubo nipalensis species)) or (vern: Ceylon highland nightjar)
((taxlink Caprimulgus indicus species)).
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