Dragonnade - Draught

Prev Next

Dragonnade (drăgŏnnād), n. [F., fr. dragon dragoon, because Louis XIV., in persecuting the Protestants of his kingdom, quartered dragoons upon them.] The severe persecution of French Protestants under Louis XIV., by an armed force, usually of dragoons; hence, a rapid and devastating incursion; dragoonade.
[ Webster]

He learnt it as he watched the dragonnades, the tortures, the massacres of the Netherlands. C. Kingsley.

{ Dragon's blood, Dragon's head, Dragon's tail }. See Dragon's blood, Dragon's head, etc., under .
[ Webster]

Dragoon (drȧg�n), n. [F. dragon dragon, dragoon, fr. L. draco dragon, also, a cohort's standard (with a dragon on it). The name was given from the sense standard. See .] 1. ((Mil.) Formerly, a soldier who was taught and armed to serve either on horseback or on foot; now, a mounted soldier; a cavalry man.
[ Webster]

2. A variety of pigeon. Clarke.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Dragoon bird (Zoöl.), the umbrella bird.
[ Webster]

Dragoon, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dragooned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dragooning.] 1. To harass or reduce to subjection by dragoons; to persecute by abandoning a place to the rage of soldiers.
[ Webster]

2. To compel submission by violent measures; to harass; to persecute.
[ Webster]

The colonies may be influenced to anything, but they can be dragooned to nothing. Price.
[ Webster]

Lewis the Fourteenth is justly censured for trying to dragoon his subjects to heaven. Macaulay.
[ Webster]

Dragoonade (?), n. See .
[ Webster]

Dragooner (?), n. A dragoon. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Drail (drāl), v. t. & i. [√73.] To trail; to draggle. [Obs.] South.
[ Webster]

Drain (drān), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Drained (drānd); p. pr. & vb. n. Draining.] [AS. drehnigean to drain, strain; perh. akin to E. draw.] 1. To draw off by degrees; to cause to flow gradually out or off; hence, to cause the exhaustion of.
[ Webster]

Fountains drain the water from the ground adjacent. Bacon.
[ Webster]

But it was not alone that the he drained their treasure and hampered their industry. Motley.
[ Webster]

2. To exhaust of liquid contents by drawing them off; to make gradually dry or empty; to remove surface water, as from streets, by gutters, etc.; to deprive of moisture; hence, to exhaust; to empty of wealth, resources, or the like; as, to drain a country of its specie.
[ Webster]

Sinking waters, the firm land to drain,
Filled the capacious deep and formed the main.
Roscommon.
[ Webster]

3. To filter.
[ Webster]

Salt water, drained through twenty vessels of earth, hath become fresh. Bacon.
[ Webster]

Drain, v. i. 1. To flow gradually; as, the water of low ground drains off.
[ Webster]

2. To become emptied of liquor by flowing or dropping; as, let the vessel stand and drain.
[ Webster]

Drain, n. 1. The act of draining, or of drawing off; gradual and continuous outflow or withdrawal; as, the drain of specie from a country; the project is a drain on resources.
[ Webster]

2. That means of which anything is drained; a channel; a trench; a water course; a sewer; a sink.
[ Webster]

3. pl. The grain from the mashing tub; as, brewers' drains. [Eng.] Halliwell.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Box drain , Coloq. Counter drain . See under , . -- Coloq. Right of drain (Law), an easement or servitude by which one man has a right to convey water in pipes through or over the estate of another. Kent.
[ Webster]

Drainable (?), a. Capable of being drained.
[ Webster]

Drainage (?), n. 1. A draining; a gradual flowing off of any liquid; also, that which flows out of a drain.
[ Webster]

2. The mode in which the waters of a country pass off by its streams and rivers.
[ Webster]

3. (Engin.) The system of drains and their operation, by which superfluous water is removed from towns, railway beds, mines, and other works.
[ Webster]

4. Area or district drained; as, the drainage of the Po, the Thames, etc. Latham.
[ Webster]

5. (Surg.) The act, process, or means of drawing off the pus or fluids from a wound, abscess, etc.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Drainage tube (Surg.), a tube introduced into a wound, etc., to draw off the discharges.
[ Webster]

drainboard n. a board beside a kitchen sink having a surface inclined so as to drain into the sink.
Syn. -- draining board.
[WordNet 1.5]

Draine (?), n. [F.] (Zoöl.) The missel thrush.
[ Webster]

drained adj. having lost much energy or emotion from vigorous activity; -- of people; as, the day's events left her completely drained of strength.
[WordNet 1.5]

2. having resources completely depleted.
Syn. -- depleted.
[WordNet 1.5]

3. having no power remaining; -- of a battery.
Syn. -- run-down.
[WordNet 1.5]

Coloq. to go down the drain 1. to be consumed in profitless activity; to be wasted; to become worthless. 2. to vanish or cease existing.
[PJC]

Drainer (?), n. One who, or that which, drains.
[ Webster]

Draining, vb. n. of , v. t. (Agric.) The art of carrying off surplus water, as from land.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Draining tile . Same as .
[ Webster]

Drainpipe (?), n. A pipe used for carrying off surplus water.
[ Webster]

Draintile (?), n. A hollow tile used in making drains; -- called also draining tile.
[ Webster]

Draintrap (?), n. See 4th , 5.
[ Webster]

Drake (drāk), n. [Akin to LG. drake, OHG. antrache, anetrecho, G. enterich, Icel. andriki, Dan. andrik, OSw. andrak, andrage, masc., and fr. AS. ened, fem., duck; akin to D. eend, G. ente, Icel. önd, Dan. and, Sw. and, Lith. antis, L. anas, Gr. � (for �), and perh. Skr. āti a water fowl. √207. In English the first part of the word was lost. The ending is akin to E. rich. Cf. .] 1. The male of the duck kind.
[ Webster]

2. [Cf. Dragon fly, under .] The drake fly.
[ Webster]

The drake will mount steeple height into the air. Walton.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Drake fly , a kind of fly, sometimes used in angling.
[ Webster]

The dark drake fly, good in August. Walton.
[ Webster]

Drake, n. [AS. draca dragon, L. draco. See .] 1. A dragon. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Beowulf resolves to kill the drake. J. A. Harrison (Beowulf).
[ Webster]

2. A small piece of artillery. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Two or three shots, made at them by a couple of drakes, made them stagger. Clarendon.
[ Webster]

Drake, n. [Cf. F. dravik, W. drewg, darnel, cockle, etc.] Wild oats, brome grass, or darnel grass; -- called also drawk, dravick, and drank. [Prov. Eng.] Dr. Prior.
[ Webster]

Drakestone (?), n. A flat stone so thrown along the surface of water as to skip from point to point before it sinks; also, the sport of so throwing stones; -- sometimes called ducks and drakes.
[ Webster]

Internal earthquakes, that, not content with one throe, run along spasmodically, like boys playing at what is called drakestone. De Quincey.
[ Webster]

Dram (drăm), n. [OF. drame, F. drachme, L. drachma, drachm, drachma, fr. Gr. drachmh, prop., a handful, fr. drassesqai to grasp. Cf. , .] 1. A weight; in Apothecaries' weight, one eighth part of an ounce, or sixty grains; in Avoirdupois weight, one sixteenth part of an ounce, or 27.34375 grains.
[ Webster]

2. A minute quantity; a mite.
[ Webster]

Were I the chooser, a dram of well-doing should be preferred before many times as mush the forcible hindrance of evildoing. Milton.
[ Webster]

3. As much spirituous liquor as is usually drunk at once; as, a dram of brandy; hence, a potation or potion; as, a dram of poison. Shak.
[ Webster]

4. (Numis.) A Persian daric. Ezra ii. 69.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Fluid dram , or Coloq. Fluid drachm . See under .
[ Webster]

Dram, v. i. & t. To drink drams; to ply with drams. [Low] Johnson. Thackeray.
[ Webster]

DRAM, D-RAM n. (Computers) same as . [acron.]
Syn. -- dynamic RAM.
[PJC]

Drama (drämȧ or drāmȧ; 277), n. [L. drama, Gr. dra^ma, fr. dra^n to do, act; cf. Lith. daryti.] 1. A composition, in prose or poetry, accommodated to action, and intended to exhibit a picture of human life, or to depict a series of grave or humorous actions of more than ordinary interest, tending toward some striking result. It is commonly designed to be spoken and represented by actors on the stage.
[ Webster]

A divine pastoral drama in the Song of Solomon. Milton.
[ Webster]

2. A series of real events invested with a dramatic unity and interest. “The drama of war.” Thackeray.
[ Webster]

Westward the course of empire takes its way;
The four first acts already past,
A fifth shall close the drama with the day;
Time's noblest offspring is the last.
Berkeley.
[ Webster]

The drama and contrivances of God's providence. Sharp.
[ Webster]

3. Dramatic composition and the literature pertaining to or illustrating it; dramatic literature.
[ Webster]

☞ The principal species of the drama are tragedy and comedy; inferior species are tragi-comedy, melodrama, operas, burlettas, and farces.
[ Webster]

Coloq. The romantic drama , the kind of drama whose aim is to present a tale or history in scenes, and whose plays (like those of Shakespeare, Marlowe, and others) are stories told in dialogue by actors on the stage. J. A. Symonds.

{ Dramatic (drȧmătĭk), Dramatical (drȧmătĭk�l), } a. [Gr. dramatikos, fr. dra^ma: cf. F. dramatique.] Of or pertaining to the drama; as, dramatic arts. [wns=3]
[ Webster]

2. suitable to or characteristic of or having the qualities of, a drama; theatrical; as, a dramatic entrance in a swirling cape; a dramatic rescue at sea. Opposite of undramatic. [wns=1] [Narrower terms: melodramatic; awe-inspiring, spectacular]
[WordNet 1.5]

The emperor . . . performed his part with much dramatic effect. Motley.
[ Webster]

3. striking in appearance or effect; vivid; having a thrilling effect; as, a dramatic sunset; a dramatic pause. [wns=2]
Syn. -- spectacular, striking.
[WordNet 1.5]

4. (Music) marked by power and expressiveness and a histrionic or theatrical style; -- of a singer or singing voice; as, a dramatic tenor; a dramatic soprano. Contrasted to lyric. [wns=4]
[WordNet 1.5]

Dramatically, adv. In a dramatic manner; theatrically; vividly.
[ Webster]

dramatisation n. same as .
Syn. -- dramatization.
[WordNet 1.5]

Dramatis personæ (?). [L.] The actors in a drama or play.
[ Webster]

Dramatist (?), n. [Cf. F. dramatiste.] The author of a dramatic composition; a writer of plays.
[ Webster]

Dramatizable (?), a. Capable of being dramatized.
[ Webster]

dramatization (?), n. Act of dramatizing; a dramatic representation.
[ Webster]

Dramatize (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dramatized (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Dramatizing (?).] [Cf. F. dramatiser.] To compose in the form of the drama; to represent in a drama; to adapt to dramatic representation; as, to dramatize a novel, or an historical episode.
[ Webster]

They dramatized tyranny for public execration. Motley.
[ Webster]

Dramaturgic (?), a. Relating to dramaturgy.
[ Webster]

Dramaturgist (?), n. One versed in dramaturgy. Carlyle.
[ Webster]

Dramaturgy (?), n. [Gr. � dramatic composition; � drama + a root akin to E. work: cf. F. dramaturgie.] The art of dramatic composition and representation.
[ Webster]

Dramming (?), n. The practice of drinking drams.
[ Webster]

Dramseller (?), n. One who sells distilled liquors by the dram or glass.
[ Webster]

Dramshop (?), n. A shop or barroom where spirits are sold by the dram.
[ Webster]

Drank (?), imp. of .
[ Webster]

Drank, n. [Cf. 3d .] Wild oats, or darnel grass. See a plant. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
[ Webster]

Drap d'été (?). [F., clot of summer.] A thin woolen fabric, twilled like merino.
[ Webster]

Drape (drāp), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Draped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Draping (?).] [F. draper, fr. drap cloth. See 3d .] 1. To cover or adorn with drapery or folds of cloth, or as with drapery; as, to drape a bust, a building, etc.
[ Webster]

The whole people were draped professionally. De Quincey.
[ Webster]

These starry blossoms, [of the snow] pure and white,
Soft falling, falling, through the night,
Have draped the woods and mere
. Bungay.
[ Webster]

2. To rail at; to banter. [Obs.] Sir W. Temple.
[ Webster]

Drape, v. i. 1. To make cloth. [Obs.] Bacon.
[ Webster]

2. To design drapery, arrange its folds, etc., as for hangings, costumes, statues, etc.
[ Webster]

draped adj. 1. covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak; as, a beam draped with cobwebs. Contrasted with uncovered.
Syn. -- cloaked, clothed, mantled, wrapped.
[WordNet 1.5]

2. curtained; -- of windows; as, velvet-draped windows. Opposite of curtainless.
[PJC]

Draper (?), n. [F. drapier.] One who sells cloths; a dealer in cloths; as, a draper and tailor.
[ Webster]

Draperied (?), a. Covered or supplied with drapery. [R.] Byron.
[ Webster]

Drapery (?), n.; pl. Draperies (#). [F. draperie.] 1. The occupation of a draper; cloth-making, or dealing in cloth. Bacon.
[ Webster]

2. Cloth, or woolen stuffs in general.
[ Webster]

People who ought to be weighing out grocery or measuring out drapery. Macaulay.
[ Webster]

3. A textile fabric used for decorative purposes, especially when hung loosely and in folds carefully disturbed; as: (a) Garments or vestments of this character worn upon the body, or shown in the representations of the human figure in art. (b) Hangings of a room or hall, or about a bed.
[ Webster]

Like one that wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.
Bryant.
[ Webster]

All the decent drapery of life is to be rudely torn off. Burke.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Casting of draperies . See under .
[ Webster]

The casting of draperies . . . is one of the most important of an artist's studies. Fairholt.
[ Webster]

Drapet (?), n. [Dim. of drap.] Cloth. [Obs.] Spenser.
[ Webster]

Drastic (?), a. [Gr. �, fr. � to do, act: cf. F. drastique. See .] (Med.) Acting rapidly and violently; efficacious; powerful; -- opposed to bland; as, drastic purgatives. -- n. (Med.) A violent purgative. See .
[ Webster]

Drasty (?), a. [AS. dærstan, dresten, dregs.] Filthy; worthless. [Obs.]Drasty ryming.” Chaucer.
[ Webster]

Draugh (?), n. See . [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Draught (?), n. [The same as draft, the spelling with gh indicating an older pronunciation. See , n., .] 1. The act of drawing or pulling; as: (a) The act of moving loads by drawing, as by beasts of burden, and the like.
[ Webster]

A general custom of using oxen for all sort of draught would be, perhaps, the greatest improvement. Sir W. Temple.

(b) The drawing of a bowstring. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

She sent an arrow forth with mighty draught. Spenser.

(c) Act of drawing a net; a sweeping the water for fish.
[ Webster]

Upon the draught of a pond, not one fish was left. Sir M. Hale.

(d) The act of drawing liquor into the mouth and throat; the act of drinking.
[ Webster]

In his hands he took the goblet, but a while the draught forbore. Trench.

(e) A sudden attack or drawing upon an enemy. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

By drawing sudden draughts upon the enemy when he looketh not for you. Spenser.

(f) (Mil.) The act of selecting or detaching soldiers; a draft (see , n., 2) (g) The act of drawing up, marking out, or delineating; representation. Dryden.
[ Webster]

2. That which is drawn; as: (a) That which is taken by sweeping with a net.
[ Webster]

Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. Luke v. 4.
[ Webster]

He laid down his pipe, and cast his net, which brought him a very great draught. L'Estrange.

(b) (Mil.) The force drawn; a detachment; -- in this sense usually written draft. (c) The quantity drawn in at once in drinking; a potion or potation.
[ Webster]

Disguise thyself as thou wilt, still, Slavery, . . . still thou art a bitter draught. Sterne.
[ Webster]

Low lies that house where nut-brown draughts inspired. Goldsmith.

(d) A sketch, outline, or representation, whether written, designed, or drawn; a delineation.
[ Webster]

A draught of a Toleration Act was offered to the Parliament by a private member. Macaulay.
[ Webster]

No picture or draught of these things from the report of the eye. South.

(e) (Com.) An order for the payment of money; -- in this sense almost always written draft. (f) A current of air moving through an inclosed place, as through a room or up a chimney. Thackeray.
[ Webster]

He preferred to go and sit upon the stairs, in . . . a strong draught of air, until he was again sent for. Dickens.
[ Webster]

3. That which draws; as: (a) A team of oxen or horses. Blackstone. (b) A sink or drain; a privy. Shak. Matt. xv. 17. (c) pl. (Med.) A mild vesicatory; a sinapism; as, to apply draughts to the feet.
[ Webster]

4. Capacity of being drawn; force necessary to draw; traction.
[ Webster]

The Hertfordshire wheel plow . . . is of the easiest draught. Mortimer.
[ Webster]

5. (Naut.) The depth of water necessary to float a ship, or the depth a ship sinks in water, especially when laden; as, a ship of twelve feet draught.
[ Webster]

6. (Com.) An allowance on weighable goods. [Eng.] See , 4.
[ Webster]

7. A move, as at chess or checkers. [Obs.] Chaucer.
[ Webster]

8. The bevel given to the pattern for a casting, in order that it may be drawn from the sand without injury to the mold.
[ Webster]

9. (Masonry) See , n., 7.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Angle of draught , the angle made with the plane over which a body is drawn by the line in which the pulling force acts, when the latter has the direction best adapted to overcome the obstacles of friction and the weight of the body. -- Coloq. Black draught . See under , a. -- Coloq. Blast draught , or Coloq. Forced draught , the draught produced by a blower, as by blowing in air beneath a fire or drawing out the gases from above it. -- Coloq. Natural draught , the draught produced by the atmosphere flowing, by its own weight, into a chimney wherein the air is rarefied by heat. -- Coloq. On draught , so as to be drawn from the wood (as a cask, barrel, etc.) in distinction from being bottled; as, ale on draught. -- Coloq. Sheer draught . See under .
[ Webster]

Draught, a. 1. Used for drawing vehicles, loads, etc.; as, a draught beast; draught hooks.
[ Webster]

2. Relating to, or characterized by, a draft, or current of air.
[ Webster]

3. Used in making drawings; as, draught compasses.
[ Webster]

4. Drawn directly from the barrel, or other receptacle, in distinction from bottled; on draught; -- said of ale, cider, and the like.
[ Webster]

☞ This word, especially in the first and second meanings, is often written draft, a spelling which is approved by many authorities.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Draught box . See Draught tube, below. -- Coloq. Draught engine (Mining), an engine used for pumping, raising heavy weights, and the like. -- Coloq. Draught hook (Mil.), one of the hooks on a cannon carriage, used in drawing the gun backward and forward. -- Coloq. Draught horse , a horse employed in drawing loads, plowing, etc., as distinguished from a saddle horse or carriage horse. -- Coloq. Draught net , a seine or hauling net. -- Coloq. Draught ox , an ox employed in hauling loads, plowing, etc. -- Coloq. Draught tube (Water Wheels), an air-tight pipe extending downward into the tailrace from a turbine wheel located above it, to make the whole fall available; -- called also draught box.
[ Webster]

Prev Next

Concept Explore Home

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z