Comeliness - Command
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Comeliness (?), n. [See .] The quality or state of being comely.
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Comeliness is a disposing fair
Of things and actions in fit time and place.
Sir J. Davies.
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Strength, comeliness of shape, or amplest merit.
Milton.
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Comeliness signifies something less forcible than beauty, less elegant than grace, and less light than prettiness.
Johnson.
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Comely (kŭml�), a. [Compar. Comelier (?); superl. Comeliest.] [OE. comeliche, AS. cymlīc; cyme suitable (fr. cuman to come, become) + līc like.] 1. Pleasing or agreeable to the sight; well-proportioned; good-looking; handsome.
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He that is comely when old and decrepit, surely was very beautiful when he was young.
South.
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Not once perceive their foul disfigurement
But boast themselves more comely than before.
Milton.
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2. Suitable or becoming; proper; agreeable.
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This is a happier and more comely time
Than when these fellows ran about the streets,
Crying confusion.
Shak.
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It is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
Ps. cxlvii. 1.
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Comely, adv. In a becoming manner. Ascham.
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Come-outer (?), n. One who comes out or withdraws from a religious or other organization; a radical reformer. [Colloq. U. S.]
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Comer (?), n. One who comes, or who has come; one who has arrived, and is present.
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Coloq. All comers , all who come, or offer, to take part in a matter, especially in a contest or controversy. “To prove it against all comers.” Bp. Stillingfleet.
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Comes (?), n. [L., a companion.] (Mus.) The answer to the theme (dux) in a fugue.
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Comessation (?), n. [L. comissatio, comessatio.] A reveling; a rioting. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
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Comestible (?), a. [F. comestible, fr. L. comesus, comestus, p. p. of comedere to eat; com- + edere to eat.] Suitable to be eaten; eatable; esculent.
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Some herbs are most comestible.
Sir T. Elyot.
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Comestible, n. Something suitable to be eaten; -- commonly in the plural. Thackeray.
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Comet (?), n. [L. cometes, cometa, from Gr. � comet, prop. long-haired, fr. � to wear long hair, fr. � hair, akin to L. coma: cf. F. comète.] (Astron.) A member of the solar system which usually moves in an elongated orbit, approaching very near to the sun in its perihelion, and receding to a very great distance from it at its aphelion. A comet commonly consists of three parts: the nucleus, the envelope, or coma, and the tail; but one or more of these parts is frequently wanting. See Illustration in Appendix.
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Cometarium (?), n. [NL.] (Astron.) An instrument, intended to represent the revolution of a comet round the sun. Hutton.
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Cometary (?), a. [Cf. F. cométaire.] Pertaining to, or resembling, a comet. Cheyne.
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{ Comet-finder (?), or Comet- seeker (?) }, n. (Astron.) A telescope of low power, having a large field of view, used for finding comets.
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Comether (?), n. [Prob. dial. pron. of come hither, used in calling cows, etc.] [Dial. or Colloq., Brit.] 1. Matter; affair.
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2. Friendly communication or association.
Coloq. To put the comether on or Coloq. To put one's comether on , to exercise persuasion upon; to get under one's influence; to beguile; to wheedle.
How does ut come about, sorr, that whin a man has put the comether on wan woman he's sure bound to put ut on another?
Kipling.
[Webster Suppl.]
Cometic (?), a. Relating to a comet.
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Cometographer (?), n. One who describes or writes about comets.
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Cometography (?), n. [Comet + -graphy: cf. F. cométographie.] A description of, or a treatise concerning, comets.
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Cometology (?), n. [Comet + -logy.] The branch of astronomy relating to comets.
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comeuppance (kŭmŭpp�ns), n. An unpleasant experience a person endures, which is viewed by others as a just retribution for bad behavior; just deserts; as, the Senator took bribes for years, and finally got his comeuppance when he was caught in a sting operation.
[PJC]
Comfit (?), n. [F. confit, prop. a p. p., fr. confire to preserve, pickle, fr. L. conficere to prepare; con- + facere to make. See , and cf. .] A dry sweetmeat; any kind of fruit, root, or seed preserved with sugar and dried; a confection.
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Comfit, v. t. To preserve dry with sugar.
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The fruit which does so quickly waste, . . .
Thou comfitest in sweets to make it last.
Cowley.
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Comfiture (?; 135), n. [F. confiture; cf. LL. confecturae sweetmeats, confectura a preparing. See , and cf. .] See , n.
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Comfort (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Comforted; p. pr. & vb. n. Comforting.] [F. conforter, fr. L. confortare to strengthen much; con- + fortis strong. See .] 1. To make strong; to invigorate; to fortify; to corroborate. [Obs.] Wyclif.
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God's own testimony . . . doth not a little comfort and confirm the same.
Hooker.
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2. To assist or help; to aid. [Obs.]
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I . . . can not help the noble chevalier:
God comfort him in this necessity!
Shak.
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3. To impart strength and hope to; to encourage; to relieve; to console; to cheer.
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Light excelleth in comforting the spirits of men.
Bacon.
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That we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction.
2 Cor. i. 4 (Rev. Ver.).
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A perfect woman, nobly planned,
To warn, to comfort, and command.
Wordsworth.
Syn. -- To cheer; solace; console; revive; encourage; enliven; invigorate; inspirit; gladden; recreate; exhilarate; refresh; animate; confirm; strengthen. -- , , . These verbs all suppose some antecedent state of suffering or sorrow. Console is confined to the act giving sympathetic relief to the mind under affliction or sorrow, and points to some definite source of that relief; as, the presence of his friend consoled him; he was much consoled by this intelligence. The act of consoling commonly implies the inculcation of resignation. Comfort points to relief afforded by the communication of positive pleasure, hope, and strength, as well as by the diminution of pain; as, “They brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.” Acts xx. 12. Solace is from L. solacium, which means according to Dumesnil, consolation inwardly felt or applied to the case of the sufferer. Hence, the verb to solace denotes the using of things for the purpose of affording relief under sorrow or suffering; as, to solace one's self with reflections, with books, or with active employments.
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Comfort (?), n. [OF. confort, fr. conforter.] 1. Assistance; relief; support. [Obs. except in the phrase “aid and comfort.” See 5 below.] Shak.
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2. Encouragement; solace; consolation in trouble; also, that which affords consolation.
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In comfort of her mother's fears.
Shak.
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Cheer thy spirit with this comfort.
Shak.
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Speaking words of endearment where words of comfort availed not.
Longfellow.
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3. A state of quiet enjoyment; freedom from pain, want, or anxiety; also, whatever contributes to such a condition.
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I had much joy and comfort in thy love.
Phil. 7 (Rev. Ver.).
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He had the means of living in comfort.
Macaulay.
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4. A wadded bedquilt; a comfortable. [U. S.]
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5. (Law) Unlawful support, countenance, or encouragement; as, to give aid and comfort to the enemy.
Syn. -- , . Comfort has two meanings: 1. Strength and relief received under affliction; 2. Positive enjoyment, of a quiet, permanent nature, together with the sources thereof; as, the comfort of love; surrounded with comforts; but it is with the former only that the word consolation is brought into comparison. As thus compared, consolation points to some specific source of relief for the afflicted mind; as, the consolations of religion. Comfort supposes the relief to be afforded by imparting positive enjoyment, as well as a diminution of pain. “Consolation, or comfort, signifies some alleviation to that pain to which it is not in our power to afford the proper and adequate remedy; they imply rather an augmentation of the power of bearing, than a diminution of the burden.” Johnson.
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Comfortable (?), a. [OF. confortable.] 1. Strong; vigorous; valiant. [Obs.] Wyclif.
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Thy conceit is nearer death than thy powers. For my sake be comfortable; hold death a while at the arm's end.
Shak.
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2. Serviceable; helpful. [Obs.]
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Be comfortable to my mother, your mistress, and make much of her.
Shak.
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3. Affording or imparting comfort or consolation; able to comfort; cheering; as, a comfortable hope. “Kind words and comfortable.” Cowper.
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A comfortable provision made for their subsistence.
Dryden.
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4. In a condition of comfort; having comforts; not suffering or anxious; hence, contented; cheerful; as, to lead a comfortable life.
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My lord leans wondrously to discontent;
His comfortable temper has forsook him:
He is much out of health.
Shak.
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5. Free, or comparatively free, from pain or distress; -- used of a sick person. [U. S.]
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Comfortable, n. A stuffed or quilted coverlet for a bed; a comforter; a comfort. [U. S.]
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Comfortableness, n. State of being comfortable.
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Comfortably, adv. In a comfortable or comforting manner.
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Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem.
Is. xl. 2.
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Comforter (?), n. 1. One who administers comfort or consolation.
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Let no comforter delight mine ear
But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine.
Shak.
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2. (Script.) The Holy Spirit, -- referring to his office of comforting believers.
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But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things.
John xiv. 26.
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3. A knit woolen tippet, long and narrow. [U. S.]
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The American schoolboy takes off his comforter and unbuttons his jacket before going in for a snowball fight.
Pop. Sci. Monthly.
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4. A wadded bedquilt; a comfortable. [U. S.]
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Coloq. Job's comforter , a boil. [Colloq.]
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comforting adj. 1. providing freedom from worry.
Syn. -- cheering, satisfying.
[WordNet 1.5]
2. affording comfort or solace.
Syn. -- consolatory, consoling.
[WordNet 1.5]
Comfortless, a. Without comfort or comforts; in want or distress; cheerless.
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Comfortless through tyranny or might.
Spenser.
Syn. -- Forlorn; desolate; cheerless; inconsolable; disconsolate; wretched; miserable.
-- Comfortlessly, adv. -- Comfortlessness, n.
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When all is coldly, comfortlessly costly.
Milton.
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Comfortment (?), n. Act or process of administering comfort. [Obs.]
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The gentle comfortment and entertainment of the said embassador.
Hakluyt.
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Comfortress (?), n. A woman who comforts.
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To be your comfortress, and to preserve you.
B. Jonson.
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Comfrey (?), n. [Prob. from F. conferve, L. conferva, fr. confervere to boil together, in medical language, to heal, grow together. So called on account of its healing power, for which reason it was also called consolida.] (Bot.) A rough, hairy, perennial plant of several species, of the genus Symphytum.
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☞ A decoction of the mucilaginous root of the “common comfrey” (Symphytum officinale) is used in cough mixtures, etc.; and the gigantic “prickly comfrey” (Symphytum asperrimum) is somewhat cultivated as a forage plant.
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comfy adj. 1. comfortable. [informal]. uncomfortable
[WordNet 1.5]
Comic (kŏmĭk), a. [L. comicus pertaining to comedy, Gr. kwmikos: cf. F. comique. See .] 1. Relating to comedy, as distinct from tragedy.
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I can not for the stage a drama lay,
Tragic or comic, but thou writ'st the play.
B. Jonson.
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2. Causing mirth; ludicrous. “Comic shows.” Shak.
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Comic, n. A comedian. [Obs.] Steele.
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Comical (?), a. 1. Relating to comedy.
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They deny it to be tragical because its catastrophe is a wedding, which hath ever been accounted comical.
Gay.
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2. Exciting mirth; droll; laughable; as, a comical story. “Comical adventures.” Dryden.
Syn. -- Humorous; laughable; funny. See .
-- Comically, adv. -- Comicalness, n.
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Comicality (?), n.; pl. Comicalities (#). The quality of being comical; something comical.
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Comicry (?), n. The power of exciting mirth; comicalness. [R.] H. Giles.
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comics (kŏmĭks), n. pl. The section of a newspaper containing mostly ; -- called also funnies and funny papers. Many but not all newspapers have a comics section.
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comic strip (kŏmĭk strĭp), n. a brief sequence of drawings, usually with characters drawn only sketchily, as in a cartoon, with dialog written in “balloons” over a character's head, and depicting a fictional and usually comical incident; -- also called a cartoon. Each comic strip contains typically from four to six panels arranged horizontally, but widely varying arrangements are published. In modern newspapers, weekly comic strips are in color, and daily strips are usually in black and white. In some, the story depicted may be serialized and continuous, carried over from day to day or week to week. Stories of adventure, drama, mystery or an otherwise non-comical nature depicted in the same style are also called comic strips.
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Coming (?), a. 1. Approaching; of the future, especially the near future; the next; as, the coming week or year; the coming exhibition.
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Welcome the coming, speed the parting, guest.
Pope.
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Your coming days and years.
Byron.
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2. Ready to come; complaisant; fond. [Obs.] Pope.
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Coming, n. 1. Approach; advent; manifestation; as, the coming of the train.
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2. Specifically: The Second Advent of Christ, called usually the second coming.
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Coloq. Coming in . (a) Entrance; entrance way; manner of entering; beginning. “The goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof.” Ezek. xliii. 11 (b) Income or revenue. “What are thy comings in?” Shak.
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COMINT n. an abbreviation for communications intelligence; technical and intelligence information derived from foreign communications by other than the intended recipients.
Syn. -- communications intelligence.
[WordNet 1.5]
Comitia (?), n. pl. [L.] (Rom. Antiq.) A public assembly of the Roman people for electing officers or passing laws.
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☞ There were three kinds of comitia: comitia curiata, or assembly of the patricians, who voted in curiæ; comitia centuriata, or assembly of the whole Roman people, who voted by centuries; and comitia tributa, or assembly of the plebeians according to their division into tribes.
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Comitial (?), a. [L. comitialis.] Relating to the comitia, or popular assemblies of the Romans for electing officers and passing laws. Middleton.
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Comitiva (?), n. [It.] A body of followers; -- applied to the lawless or brigand bands in Italy and Sicily.
[Webster Suppl.]
Comity (?), n.; pl. Comities (#). [L. comitas, fr. comis courteous, kind.] Mildness and suavity of manners; courtesy between equals; friendly civility; as, comity of manners; the comity of States.
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Coloq. Comity of nations (International Law), the courtesy by which nations recognize within their own territory, or in their courts, the peculiar institutions of another nation or the rights and privileges acquired by its citizens in their own land. By some authorities private international law rests on this comity, but the better opinion is that it is part of the common law of the land, and hence is obligatory as law.
Syn. -- Civility; good breeding; courtesy; good will.
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Comma (?), n. [L. comma part of a sentence, comma, Gr. � clause, fr. � to cut off. Cf. .] 1. A character or point [,] marking the smallest divisions of a sentence, written or printed.
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2. (Mus.) A small interval (the difference between a major and minor half step), seldom used except by tuners.
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Coloq. Comma bacillus (Physiol.), a variety of bacillus shaped like a comma, found in the intestines of patients suffering from cholera. It is considered by some as having a special relation to the disease; -- called also cholera bacillus. -- Coloq. Comma butterfly (Zoöl.), an American butterfly (Grapta comma), having a white comma-shaped marking on the under side of the wings.
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Command (?; 61), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commanded; p. pr. & vb. n. Commanding.] [OE. comaunden, commanden, OF. comander, F. commander, fr. L. com- + mandare to commit to, to command. Cf. , .] 1. To order with authority; to lay injunction upon; to direct; to bid; to charge.
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We are commanded to forgive our enemies, but you never read that we are commanded to forgive our friends.
Bacon.
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Go to your mistress:
Say, I command her come to me.
Shak.
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2. To exercise direct authority over; to have control of; to have at one's disposal; to lead.
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Monmouth commanded the English auxiliaries.
Macaulay.
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Such aid as I can spare you shall command.
Shak.
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3. To have within a sphere of control, influence, access, or vision; to dominate by position; to guard; to overlook.
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Bridges commanded by a fortified house.
Motley.
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Up to the eastern tower,
Whose height commands as subject all the vale.
Shak.
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One side commands a view of the finest garden.
Addison.
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4. To have power or influence of the nature of authority over; to obtain as if by ordering; to receive as a due; to challenge; to claim; as, justice commands the respect and affections of the people; the best goods command the best price.
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'Tis not in mortals to command success.
Addison.
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5. To direct to come; to bestow. [Obs.]
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I will command my blessing upon you.
Lev. xxv. 21.
Syn. -- To bid; order; direct; dictate; charge; govern; rule; overlook.
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Command, v. i. 1. To have or to exercise direct authority; to govern; to sway; to influence; to give an order or orders.
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And reigned, commanding in his monarchy.
Shak.
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For the king had so commanded concerning [Haman].
Esth. iii. 2.
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2. To have a view, as from a superior position.
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Far and wide his eye commands.
Milton.
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Command, n. 1. An authoritative order requiring obedience; a mandate; an injunction.
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Awaiting what command their mighty chief
Had to impose.
Milton.
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2. The possession or exercise of authority.
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Command and force may often create, but can never cure, an aversion.
Locke.
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3. Authority; power or right of control; leadership; as, the forces under his command.
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4. Power to dominate, command, or overlook by means of position; scope of vision; survey.
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The steepy stand
Which overlooks the vale with wide command.
Dryden.
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5. Control; power over something; sway; influence; as, to have command over one's temper or voice; the fort has command of the bridge.
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He assumed an absolute command over his readers.
Dryden.
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6. A body of troops, or any naval or military force or post, or the whole territory under the authority or control of a particular officer.
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Coloq. Word of command (Mil.), a word or phrase of definite and established meaning, used in directing the movements of soldiers; as, aim; fire; shoulder arms, etc.
Syn. -- Control; sway; power; authority; rule; dominion; sovereignty; mandate; order; injunction; charge; behest. See .
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