Eagless - Earsh

Prev Next

Eagless (?), n. [Cf. OF. aiglesse.] (Zoöl.) A female or hen eagle. [R.] Sherwood.
[ Webster]

Eaglestone (?), n. (Min.) A concretionary nodule of clay ironstone, of the size of a walnut or larger, so called by the ancients, who believed that the eagle transported these stones to her nest to facilitate the laying of her eggs; aëtites.
[ Webster]

Eaglet (?), n. [Cf. OF. aiglet.] (Zoöl.) A young eagle, or a diminutive eagle.
[ Webster]

Eagle-winged (?), a. Having the wings of an eagle; swift, or soaring high, like an eagle. Shak.
[ Webster]

Eaglewood (?), n. [From Skr. aguru, through Pg. aguila; cf. F. bois d'aigle.] A kind of fragrant wood. See .
[ Webster]

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

Eagre (?), n. [AS. eágor, �gor, in comp., water, sea, eágor-streám water stream, sea.] A wave, or two or three successive waves, of great height and violence, at flood tide moving up an estuary or river; -- commonly called the bore. See .

{ Ealderman, Ealdorman (?) }, n. An alderman. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Eale (?), n. [See .] Ale. [Obs.] Shak.
[ Webster]

Eame (?), n. [AS. eám; akin to D. oom, G. ohm, oheim; cf. L. avunculus.] Uncle. [Obs.] Spenser.
[ Webster]

Ean (?), v. t. & i. [AS. eánian. See .] To bring forth, as young; to yean. “In eaning time.” Shak.
[ Webster]

Eanling (?), n. [See , .] A lamb just brought forth; a yeanling. Shak.
[ Webster]

Ear (?), n. [AS. eáre; akin to OFries. áre, ár, OS. �ra, D. oor, OHG. �ra, G. ohr, Icel. eyra, Sw. öra, Dan. öre, Goth. auso, L. auris, Lith. ausis, Russ. ukho, Gr. �; cf. L. audire to hear, Gr. �, Skr. av to favor , protect. Cf. , .] 1. The organ of hearing; the external ear.
[ Webster]

☞ In man and the higher vertebrates, the organ of hearing is very complicated, and is divisible into three parts: the external ear, which includes the pinna or auricle and meatus or external opening; the middle ear, drum, or tympanum; and the internal ear, or labyrinth. The middle ear is a cavity connected by the Eustachian tube with the pharynx, separated from the opening of the external ear by the tympanic membrane, and containing a chain of three small bones, or ossicles, named malleus, incus, and stapes, which connect this membrane with the internal ear. The essential part of the internal ear where the fibers of the auditory nerve terminate, is the membranous labyrinth, a complicated system of sacs and tubes filled with a fluid (the endolymph), and lodged in a cavity, called the bony labyrinth, in the periotic bone. The membranous labyrinth does not completely fill the bony labyrinth, but is partially suspended in it in a fluid (the perilymph). The bony labyrinth consists of a central cavity, the vestibule, into which three semicircular canals and the canal of the cochlea (spirally coiled in mammals) open. The vestibular portion of the membranous labyrinth consists of two sacs, the utriculus and sacculus, connected by a narrow tube, into the former of which three membranous semicircular canals open, while the latter is connected with a membranous tube in the cochlea containing the organ of Corti. By the help of the external ear the sonorous vibrations of the air are concentrated upon the tympanic membrane and set it vibrating, the chain of bones in the middle ear transmits these vibrations to the internal ear, where they cause certain delicate structures in the organ of Corti, and other parts of the membranous labyrinth, to stimulate the fibers of the auditory nerve to transmit sonorous impulses to the brain.
[ Webster]

2. The sense of hearing; the perception of sounds; the power of discriminating between different tones; as, a nice ear for music; -- in the singular only.
[ Webster]

Songs . . . not all ungrateful to thine ear. Tennyson.
[ Webster]

3. That which resembles in shape or position the ear of an animal; any prominence or projection on an object, -- usually one for support or attachment; a lug; a handle; as, the ears of a tub, a skillet, or dish. The ears of a boat are outside kneepieces near the bow. See Illust. of .
[ Webster]

4. (Arch.) (a) Same as . (b) Same as .
[ Webster]

5. Privilege of being kindly heard; favor; attention.
[ Webster]

Dionysius . . . would give no ear to his suit. Bacon.
[ Webster]

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears. Shak.
[ Webster]

Coloq. About the ears , in close proximity to; near at hand. -- Coloq. By the ears , in close contest; as, to set by the ears; to fall together by the ears; to be by the ears. -- Coloq. Button ear (in dogs), an ear which falls forward and completely hides the inside. -- Coloq. Ear finger , the little finger. -- Coloq. Ear of Dionysius , a kind of ear trumpet with a flexible tube; -- named from the Sicilian tyrant, who constructed a device to overhear the prisoners in his dungeons. -- Coloq. Ear sand (Anat.), otoliths. See . -- Coloq. Ear snail (Zoöl.), any snail of the genus Auricula and allied genera. -- Coloq. Ear stones (Anat.), otoliths. See . -- Coloq. Ear trumpet , an instrument to aid in hearing. It consists of a tube broad at the outer end, and narrowing to a slender extremity which enters the ear, thus collecting and intensifying sounds so as to assist the hearing of a partially deaf person. -- Coloq. Ear vesicle (Zoöl.), a simple auditory organ, occurring in many worms, mollusks, etc. It consists of a small sac containing a fluid and one or more solid concretions or otocysts. -- Coloq. Rose ear (in dogs), an ear which folds backward and shows part of the inside. -- Coloq. To give ear to , to listen to; to heed, as advice or one advising.Give ear unto my song.” Goldsmith. -- Coloq. To have one's ear , to be listened to with favor. -- Coloq. Up to the ears , deeply submerged; almost overwhelmed; as, to be in trouble up to one's ears. [Colloq.]
[ Webster]

Ear (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Eared (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Earing.] To take in with the ears; to hear. [Sportive] “I eared her language.” Two Noble Kinsmen.
[ Webster]

Ear, n. [AS. ear; akin to D. aar, OHG. ahir, G. ähre, Icel., Sw., & Dan. ax, Goth. ahs. ���. Cf. , .] The spike or head of any cereal (as, wheat, rye, barley, Indian corn, etc.), containing the kernels.
[ Webster]

First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. Mark iv. 28.
[ Webster]

Ear, v. i. To put forth ears in growing; to form ears, as grain; as, this corn ears well.
[ Webster]

Ear, v. t. [OE. erien, AS. erian; akin to OFries. era, OHG. erran, MHG. eren, ern, Prov. G. aren, ären, Icel. erja, Goth. arjan, Lith. arti, OSlav. orati, L. arare, Gr. �. Cf. .] To plow or till; to cultivate. “To ear the land.” Shak.
[ Webster]

Earable (?), a. Arable; tillable. [Archaic]
[ Webster]

Earache (?), n. Ache or pain in the ear.
[ Webster]

Earal (?), a. Receiving by the ear. [Obs.] Hewyt.
[ Webster]

Ear-bored (?), a. Having the ear perforated.
[ Webster]

Earcap (?), n. A cap or cover to protect the ear from cold.
[ Webster]

Earcockle (?), n. (Bot.) A disease in wheat, in which the blackened and contracted grain, or ear, is filled with minute worms.
[ Webster]

Eardrop (?), n. 1. A pendant for the ear; an earring; as, a pair of eardrops.
[ Webster]

2. (Bot.) A species of primrose. See .
[ Webster]

Eardrum (?), n. (Anat.) The tympanum. See Illust. of .
[ Webster]

Eared (?), a. 1. Having (such or so many) ears; -- used in composition; as, long-eared-eared; sharp-eared; full-eared; ten-eared.
[ Webster]

2. (Zoöl.) Having external ears; having tufts of feathers resembling ears.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Eared owl (Zoöl.), an owl having earlike tufts of feathers, as the long-eared owl, and short-eared owl. -- Coloq. Eared seal (Zoöl.), any seal of the family Otariidæ, including the fur seals and hair seals. See .
[ Webster]

earflap n. one of two flaps attached to a cap to keep the ears warm. On some hats the earflaps may be adjusted or tied to the top of the hat, and lowered when needed in colder weather.
Syn. -- earlap.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

Eariness (?), n. [Scotch ery or eiry affected with fear.] Fear or timidity, especially of something supernatural. [Written also eiryness.]
[ Webster]

The sense of eariness, as twilight came on. De Quincey.
[ Webster]

Earing, n. (Naut.) (a) A line used to fasten the upper corners of a sail to the yard or gaff; -- also called head earing. (b) A line for hauling the reef cringle to the yard; -- also called reef earing. (c) A line fastening the corners of an awning to the rigging or stanchions.
[ Webster]

Earing, n. Coming into ear, as corn.
[ Webster]

Earing, n. A plowing of land. [Archaic]
[ Webster]

Neither earing nor harvest. Gen. xlv. 6.
[ Webster]

Earl (?), n. [OE. eorl, erl, AS. eorl man, noble; akin to OS. erl boy, man, Icel. jarl nobleman, count, and possibly to Gr. � male, Zend arshan man. Cf. .] A nobleman of England ranking below a marquis, and above a viscount. The rank of an earl corresponds to that of a count (comte) in France, and graf in Germany. Hence the wife of an earl is still called countess. See .
[ Webster]

Earl, n. (Zoöl.) The needlefish. [Ireland]
[ Webster]

Earlap (?), n. The lobe of the ear.
[ Webster]

Earldom (?), n. [AS. eorl-d�m; eorl man, noble + -d�m -dom.] 1. The jurisdiction of an earl; the territorial possessions of an earl.
[ Webster]

2. The status, title, or dignity of an earl.
[ Webster]

He [Pulteney] shrunk into insignificancy and an earldom. Chesterfield.
[ Webster]

Earldorman (?), n. Alderman. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Earlduck (?), n. (Zoöl.) The red-breasted merganser (Merganser serrator).
[ Webster]

Earles penny (?). [Cf. , 4th .] Earnest money. Same as . [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Earless (?), a. Without ears; hence, deaf or unwilling to hear. Pope.
[ Webster]

Earlet (?), n. [Ear + -let.] An earring. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

The Ismaelites were accustomed to wear golden earlets. Judg. viii. 24 (Douay version).
[ Webster]

earlier adj. occurring at a prior time; as, on earlier occasions.
[WordNet 1.5]

earliest adj. preceding all others in time.
Syn. -- premier, premiere.
[WordNet 1.5]

Earliness (?), n. The state of being early or forward; promptness.
[ Webster]

Earl marshal (?). An officer of state in England who marshals and orders all great ceremonials, takes cognizance of matters relating to honor, arms, and pedigree, and directs the proclamation of peace and war. The court of chivalry was formerly under his jurisdiction, and he is still the head of the herald's office or college of arms.
[ Webster]

Earlock (?), n. [AS. eár-locca.] A lock or curl of hair near the ear; a lovelock. See .
[ Webster]

Early (ẽrl�), adv. [OE. erli, erliche, AS. ǣrlīce; ǣr sooner + līc like. See , and .] Soon; in good season; seasonably; betimes; as, come early.
[ Webster]

Those that me early shall find me. Prov. viii. 17.
[ Webster]

You must wake and call me early. Tennyson.
[ Webster]

Early, a. [Compar. Earlier (ẽrlĭẽr); superl. Earliest.] [OE. earlich. √204. See , adv.] 1. In advance of the usual or appointed time; in good season; prior in time; among or near the first; -- opposed to late; as, the early bird; an early spring; early fruit.
[ Webster]

Early and provident fear is the mother of safety. Burke.
[ Webster]

The doorsteps and threshold with the early grass springing up about them. Hawthorne.
[ Webster]

2. Coming in the first part of a period of time, or among the first of successive acts, events, etc.
[ Webster]

Seen in life's early morning sky. Keble.
[ Webster]

The forms of its earlier manhood. Longfellow.
[ Webster]

The earliest poem he composed was in his seventeenth summer. J. C. Shairp.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Early English (Philol.) See the Note under . -- Coloq. Early English architecture , the first of the pointed or Gothic styles used in England, succeeding the Norman style in the 12th and 13th centuries.

Syn. -- Forward; timely; not late; seasonable.
[ Webster]

earlyish adj. being somewhat early.
[WordNet 1.5]

Earmark (ērmärk), n. 1. A mark on the ear of sheep, oxen, dogs, etc., as by cropping or slitting.
[ Webster]

2. A mark for identification; a distinguishing mark.
[ Webster]

Money is said to have no earmark. Wharton.
[ Webster]

Flying, he [a slave] should be described by the rounding of his head, and his earmark. Robynson (More's Utopia).
[ Webster]

A set of intellectual ideas . . . have earmarks upon them, no tokens of a particular proprietor. Burrow.
[ Webster]

Earmark, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Earmarked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Earmarking.] 1. To mark, as sheep, by cropping or slitting the ear.
[ Webster]

2. To designate or reserve for a specific purpose; as, the alumni fund was earmarked for dormitory construction.
[PJC]

Ear-minded (?), a. (Physiol. Psychol.) Thinking chiefly or most readily through, or in terms related to, the sense of hearing; specif., thinking words as spoken, as a result of familiarity with speech or of mental peculiarity; -- opposed to eye-minded.
[Webster Suppl.]

Earn (ẽrn), n. (Zoöl.) See , n. Sir W. Scott.
[ Webster]

Earn (ẽrn), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Earned (ẽrnd); p. pr. & vb. n. Earning.] [AS. earnian; akin to OHG. arnōn to reap, aran harvest, G. ernte, Goth. asans harvest, asneis hireling, AS. esne; cf. Icel. önn working season, work.] 1. To merit or deserve, as by labor or service; to do that which entitles one to (a reward, whether the reward is received or not).
[ Webster]

The high repute
Which he through hazard huge must earn.
Milton.
[ Webster]

2. To acquire by labor, service, or performance; to deserve and receive as compensation or wages; as, to earn a good living; to earn honors or laurels.
[ Webster]

I earn that [what] I eat. Shak.
[ Webster]

The bread I have earned by the hazard of my life or the sweat of my brow. Burke.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Earned run (Baseball), a run which is made without the assistance of errors on the opposing side.

Syn. -- See .
[ Webster]

Earn (ẽrn), v. t. & i. [See 1st .] To grieve. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

Earn, v. i. [See 4th .] To long; to yearn. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

And ever as he rode, his heart did earn
To prove his puissance in battle brave.
Spenser.
[ Webster]

Earn, v. i. [AS. irnan to run. √11. See , and cf. .] To curdle, as milk. [Prov. Eng.]
[ Webster]

earned (ẽrnd), adj. 1. Gained as a result of effort or action; -- used especially of income; as, earned income. Contrasted with unearned.
[WordNet 1.5]

2. (Baseball) not resulting from an error by an opposing team; -- used in the phrase earned runs.
[PJC]

earner (ẽrnẽr), n. someone who earns wages in return for labor.
Syn. -- wage earner.
[WordNet 1.5]

Earnest (ẽrnĕst), n. [AS. eornost, eornest; akin to OHG. ernust, G. ernst; cf. Icel. orrosta battle, perh. akin to Gr. 'ornynai to excite, L. oriri to rise.] Seriousness; reality; fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.
[ Webster]

Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest. Sir P. Sidney.
[ Webster]

And given in earnest what I begged in jest. Shak.
[ Webster]

Coloq. In earnest , serious; seriously; not in jest; earnestly.
[ Webster]

Earnest, a. 1. Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; -- used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers.
[ Webster]

An earnest advocate to plead for him. Shak.
[ Webster]

2. Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention.
[ Webster]

3. Serious; important. [Obs.]
[ Webster]

They whom earnest lets do often hinder. Hooker.

Syn. -- Eager; warm; zealous; ardent; animated; importunate; fervent; sincere; serious; hearty; urgent. See .
[ Webster]

Earnest, v. t. To use in earnest. [R.]
[ Webster]

To earnest them [our arms] with men. Pastor Fido (1602).
[ Webster]

Earnest, n. [Prob. corrupted fr. F. arrhes, L. arra, arrha, arrhabo, Gr. 'arrabwn, of Semitic origin, cf. Heb. ērāvōn; or perh. fr. W. ernes, akin to Gael. earlas, perh. fr. L. arra. Cf. , .] 1. Something given, or a part paid beforehand, as a pledge; pledge; handsel; a token of what is to come.
[ Webster]

Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 2 Cor. i. 22.
[ Webster]

And from his coffers
Received the golden earnest of our death.
Shak.
[ Webster]

2. (Law) Something of value given by the buyer to the seller, by way of token or pledge, to bind the bargain and prove the sale. Kent. Ayliffe. Benjamin.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Earnest money (Law), money paid as earnest, to bind a bargain or to ratify and prove a sale.

Syn. -- , . These words are here compared as used in their figurative sense. Earnest is not so strong as pledge. An earnest, like first fruits, gives assurance, or at least a high probability, that more is coming of the same kind; a pledge, like money deposited, affords security and ground of reliance for the future. Washington gave earnest of his talent as commander by saving his troops after Braddock's defeat; his fortitude and that of his soldiers during the winter at Valley Forge might rightly be considered a pledge of their ultimate triumph.
[ Webster]

Earnestful (?), a. Serious. [Obs.] Chaucer.
[ Webster]

Earnestly, adv. In an earnest manner.
[ Webster]

Earnestness, n. The state or quality of being earnest; intentness; anxiety.
[ Webster]

An honest earnestness in the young man's manner. W. Irving.
[ Webster]

Earnful (?), a. [From to yearn.] Full of anxiety or yearning. [Obs.] P. Fletcher.
[ Webster]

Earning, n.; pl. Earnings (�). That which is earned; wages gained by work or services; money earned; -- used commonly in the plural.
[ Webster]

As to the common people, their stock is in their persons and in their earnings. Burke.
[ Webster]

Earpick (?), n. An instrument for removing wax from the ear.
[ Webster]

earpiece n. a device for converting electric signals into sounds, designed to be held over or inserted into the ear; as, The common telephone handset has a speaker and an earpiece.
Syn. -- earphone, headphone, phone.
[WordNet 1.5]

Ear-piercer (?), n. (Zoöl.) The earwig.
[ Webster]

Earreach (?), n. Earshot. Marston.
[ Webster]

Earring (?), n. An ornament consisting of a ring passed through the lobe of the ear, with or without a pendant.
[ Webster]

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

ear-shaped adj. having the shape of an ear.
Syn. -- auriform.
[WordNet 1.5]

Ear-shell (?), n. (Zoöl.) any of various large edible marine gastropod mollusks of the genus Haliotis, having a flattened ear-shaped shell with a pearly interior; -- called also sea-ear. See .
Syn. -- abalone.
[ Webster + WordNet 1.5]

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