Excessive - Exclude

Prev Next

Excessive (ĕksĕsĭv), a. [Cf. F. excessif.] Characterized by, or exhibiting, excess; overmuch.
[ Webster]

Excessive grief [is] the enemy to the living. Shak.

Syn. -- Undue; exorbitant; extreme; overmuch; enormous; immoderate; monstrous; intemperate; unreasonable. See

--Excessively, adv. -Excessiveness, n.
[ Webster]

exchange (ĕkschānj), n. [OE. eschange, eschaunge, OF. eschange, fr. eschangier, F. échanger, to exchange; pref. ex- out + F. changer. See , and cf. .] 1. The act of giving or taking one thing in return for another which is regarded as an equivalent; as, an exchange of cattle for grain.
[ Webster]

2. The act of substituting one thing in the place of another; as, an exchange of grief for joy, or of a scepter for a sword, and the like; also, the act of giving and receiving reciprocally; as, an exchange of civilities or views.
[ Webster]

3. The thing given or received in return; esp., a publication exchanged for another. Shak.
[ Webster]

4. (Com.) The process of setting accounts or debts between parties residing at a distance from each other, without the intervention of money, by exchanging orders or drafts, called bills of exchange. These may be drawn in one country and payable in another, in which case they are called foreign bills; or they may be drawn and made payable in the same country, in which case they are called inland bills. The term bill of exchange is often abbreviated into exchange; as, to buy or sell exchange.
[ Webster]

☞ A in London is creditor to B in New York, and C in London owes D in New York a like sum. A in London draws a bill of exchange on B in New York; C in London purchases the bill, by which A receives his debt due from B in New York. C transmits the bill to D in New York, who receives the amount from B.
[ Webster]

5. (Law) A mutual grant of equal interests, the one in consideration of the other. Estates exchanged must be equal in quantity, as fee simple for fee simple. Blackstone.
[ Webster]

6. The place where the merchants, brokers, and bankers of a city meet at certain hours, to transact business; also, the institution which sets regulations and maintains the physical facilities of such a place; as, the New York Stock Exchange; a commodity exchange. In this sense the word was at one time often contracted to 'change
[ Webster +PJC]

Coloq. Arbitration of exchange . See under . -- Coloq. Bill of exchange . See under . -- Coloq. Exchange broker . See under . -- Coloq. Par of exchange , the established value of the coin or standard of value of one country when expressed in the coin or standard of another, as the value of the pound sterling in the currency of France or the United States. The par of exchange rarely varies, and serves as a measure for the rise and fall of exchange that is affected by the demand and supply. Exchange is at par when, for example, a bill in New York, for the payment of one hundred pounds sterling in London, can be purchased for the sum. Exchange is in favor of a place when it can be purchased there at or above par. -- Coloq. Telephone exchange , a central office in which the wires of any two telephones or telephone stations may be connected to permit conversation.

Syn. -- Barter; dealing; trade; traffic; interchange.
[ Webster]

Exchange, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exchanged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Exchanging (?).] [Cf.OF. eschangier, F. échanger. See , n.] 1. To part with give, or transfer to another in consideration of something received as an equivalent; -- usually followed by for before the thing received.
[ Webster]

Exchange his sheep for shells, or wool for a sparking pebble or a diamond. Locke.
[ Webster]

2. To part with for a substitute; to lay aside, quit, or resign (something being received in place of the thing parted with); as, to exchange a palace for cell.
[ Webster]

And death for life exchanged foolishly. Spenser.
[ Webster]

To shift his being
Is to exchange one misery with another.
Shak.
[ Webster]

3. To give and receive reciprocally, as things of the same kind; to barter; to swap; as, to exchange horses with a neighbor; to exchange houses or hats.
[ Webster]

Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Shak.

Syn. -- To barter; change; commute; interchange; bargain; truck; swap; traffic.
[ Webster]

Exchange, v. i. To be changed or received in exchange for; to pass in exchange; as, dollar exchanges for ten dimes.
[ Webster]

Exchangeability (?), n. The quality or state of being exchangeable.
[ Webster]

The law ought not be contravened by an express article admitting the exchangeability of such persons. Washington.
[ Webster]

Exchangeable (?), a. [Cf.F. échangeable.] 1. Capable of being exchanged; fit or proper to be exchanged.
[ Webster]

The officers captured with Burgoyne were exchangeable within the powers of General Howe. Marshall.
[ Webster]

2. Available for making exchanges; ratable. “An exchangeable value.” J. S. Mill.
[ Webster]

Exchangeably, adv. By way of exchange.
[ Webster]

Exchange editor. An editor who inspects, and culls from, periodicals, or exchanges, for his own publication.
[Webster Suppl.]

Exchanger (?), n. One who exchanges; one who practices exchange. Matt. xxv. 27.
[ Webster]

Excheat (?), n. See . [Obs.] Spenser.
[ Webster]

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

Exchequer (?), n. [OE. escheker, OF. eichekier, fr. LL. scaccarium. See , , .] 1. One of the superior courts of law; -- so called from a checkered cloth, which covers, or formerly covered, the table. [Eng.]
[ Webster]

☞ The exchequer was a court of law and equity. In the revenue department, it had jurisdiction over the proprietary rights of the crown against subjects; in the common law department, it administered justice in personal actions between subject and subject. A person proceeding against another in the revenue department was said to exchequer him. The judges of this court were one chief and four puisne barons, so styled. The Court of Exchequer Chamber sat as court of error in which the judgments of each of the superior courts of common law, in England, were subject to revision by the judges of the other two sitting collectively. Causes involving difficult questions of law were sometimes after argument, adjourned into this court from the other courts, for debate before judgment in the court below. Recent legislation in England (1880) has abolished the Court of Exchequer and the Court of Exchequer Chamber, as distinct tribunals, a single board of judiciary, the High Court of Justice, being established for the trial of all classes of civil cases. Wharton.
[ Webster]

2. The department of state having charge of the collection and management of the royal revenue. [Eng.] Hence, the treasury; and, colloquially, pecuniary possessions in general; as, the company's exchequer is low.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Barons of the exchequer . See under . -- Coloq. Chancellor of the exchequer . See under . -- Coloq. Exchequer bills or Coloq. Exchequer bonds (Eng.), bills of money, or promissory bills, issued from the exchequer by authority of Parliament; a species of paper currency emitted under the authority of the government, and bearing interest.
[ Webster]

Exchequer (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exchequered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Exchequering.] To institute a process against (any one) in the Court of Exchequer.
[ Webster]

Excide (?), v. t. [L. excidere, excisum; ex out + caedere to cut. See , and cf. to cut off.] To cut off. [R.]
[ Webster]

Excipient (?), a. [L. excipients, -entis, p. pr. of exipere. See , v. t.] Taking an exception.
[ Webster]

Excipient, n. 1. An exceptor. [R.]
[ Webster]

2. (Med., Pharmacy) An inert or slightly active substance used in preparing remedies as a vehicle or medium of administration for the medicinal agents. Chambers.

{ Exciple (?), Excipulum (?), } n. [NL. excipulum, fr. L. excipere. See .] (Bot.) The outer part of the fructification of most lichens.
[ Webster]

Excisable (?), a. Liable or subject to excise; as, tobacco in an excisable commodity.
[ Webster]

Excise (?), n. [Apparently fr. L. excisum cut off, fr. excidere to cut out or off; ex out, off + caedere to cut; or, as the word was formerly written accise, fr. F. accise, LL. accisia, as if fr. L. accidere, accisum, to cut into; ad + caedere to cut; but prob. transformed fr. OF. assise, LL. assisa, assisia, assize. See , .] 1. In inland duty or impost operating as an indirect tax on the consumer, levied upon certain specified articles, as, tobacco, ale, spirits, etc., grown or manufactured in the country. It is also levied to pursue certain trades and deal in certain commodities. Certain direct taxes (as, in England, those on carriages, servants, plate, armorial bearings, etc.), are included in the excise. Often used adjectively; as, excise duties; excise law; excise system.
[ Webster]

The English excise system corresponds to the internal revenue system in the United States. Abbot.
[ Webster]

An excise . . . is a fixed, absolute, and direct charge laid on merchandise, products, or commodities. 11 Allen's (Mass. ) Rpts.
[ Webster]

2. That department or bureau of the public service charged with the collection of the excise taxes. [Eng.]
[ Webster]

Excise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Excised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Excising.] 1. To lay or impose an excise upon.
[ Webster]

2. To impose upon; to overcharge. [Prov. Eng.]
[ Webster]

Excise, v. t. [See .] To cut out or off; to separate and remove; as, to excise a tumor.
[ Webster]

Exciseman (?), n.; pl. Excisemen (�). An officer who inspects and rates articles liable to excise duty. Macaulay.
[ Webster]

Excision (?), n. [L. excisio: cf. F. excision. See .] 1. The act of excising or cutting out or off; extirpation; destruction.
[ Webster]

Such conquerors are the instruments of vengeance on those nations that have . . . grown ripe for excision. Atterbury.
[ Webster]

2. (Eccl.) The act of cutting off from the church; excommunication.
[ Webster]

3. (Surg.) The removal, especially of small parts, with a cutting instrument. Dunglison.
[ Webster]

Excitability (?), n. [Cf. F. excitabilité.] 1. The quality of being readily excited; proneness to be affected by exciting causes.
[ Webster]

2. (Physiol.) The property manifested by living organisms, and the elements and tissues of which they are constituted, of responding to the action of stimulants; irritability; as, nervous excitability.
[ Webster]

Excitable (?), a. [L. excitabilis inciting: cf. F. excitable.] Capable of being excited, or roused into action; susceptible of excitement; easily stirred up, or stimulated.
[ Webster]

excitableness n. being easily excited.
Syn. -- excitability, volatility.
[WordNet 1.5]

Excitant (?), a. [L. excitans, -antis, p. pr. of excitare: cf. F. excitant.] Tending to excite; exciting.
[ Webster]

Excitant, n. (Physiol.) An agent or influence which arouses vital activity, or produces increased action, in a living organism or in any of its tissues or parts; a stimulant.
[ Webster]

Excitate (?), v. t. [L. excitatus, p. p. of excitare. See .] To excite. [Obs.] Bacon.
[ Webster]

Excitation (?) n. [L. excitatio: cf. F. excitation.] 1. The act of exciting or putting in motion; the act of rousing up or awakening. Bacon.
[ Webster]

2. (Physiol.) The act of producing excitement (stimulation); also, the excitement produced.
[ Webster]

Excitative (?), a. [Cf. F. excitatif.] Having power to excite; tending or serving to excite; excitatory. Barrow.
[ Webster]

Excitator (?), n. [L., one who rouses.] (Elec.) A kind of discarder.
[ Webster]

Excitatory (?), a. [Cf. F. excitatoire.] Tending to excite; containing excitement; excitative.
[ Webster]

Excite (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Excited; p. pr. & vb. n. exciting.] [L. excitare; ex out + citare to move rapidly, to rouse: cf. OF. esciter, exciter, F. exciter. See .] 1. To call to activity in any way; to rouse to feeling; to kindle to passionate emotion; to stir up to combined or general activity; as, to excite a person, the spirits, the passions; to excite a mutiny or insurrection; to excite heat by friction.
[ Webster]

2. (Physiol.) To call forth or increase the vital activity of an organism, or any of its parts.

3. (Elec.) To energize (an electro-magnet); to produce a magnetic field in; as, to excite a dynamo.
[Webster Suppl.]

4. (Physics) To raise to a higher energy level; -- used especially of atoms or molecules, or of electrons within atoms or molecules; as, absorption of a photon excites the cesium atom, which subsequently radiates the excess energy.
[Webster Suppl. +PJC]

Syn. -- To incite; awaken; animate; rouse or arouse; stimulate; inflame; irritate; provoke. -- To , . When we excite we rouse into action feelings which were less strong; when we incite we spur on or urge forward to a specific act or end. Demosthenes excited the passions of the Athenians against Philip, and thus incited the whole nation to unite in the war against him. Antony, by his speech over the body of Cæsar, so excited the feelings of the populace, that Brutus and his companions were compelled to flee from Rome; many however, were incited to join their standard, not only by love of liberty, but hopes of plunder.
[ Webster]

Exciteful (?), n. Full of exciting qualities; as, an exciteful story; exciteful players. Chapman.
[ Webster]

Excitement (?) n. [Cf. OF. excitement, escitement.] 1. The act of exciting, or the state of being roused into action, or of having increased action; impulsion; agitation; as, an excitement of the people.
[ Webster]

2. That which excites or rouses; that which moves, stirs, or induces action; a motive.
[ Webster]

The cares and excitements of a season of transition and struggle. Talfowrd.
[ Webster]

3. (Physiol.) A state of aroused or increased vital activity in an organism, or any of its organs or tissues.
[ Webster]

Exciter (?), n. One who, or that which, excites.
[ Webster]

Hope is the grand exciter of industry. Dr. H. More.
[ Webster]

Exciting, a. Calling or rousing into action; producing excitement; as, exciting events; an exciting story. -- Excitingly, adv.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Exciting causes (Med.), those which immediately produce disease, or those which excite the action of predisposing causes.
[ Webster]

Excitive (?), a. Serving or tending to excite; excitative. [R.] Bamfield.
[ Webster]

Excitive, n. That which excites; an excitant. [R.]
[ Webster]

Excito-motion (?), n. (Physiol.) Motion excited by reflex nerves. See .
[ Webster]

Excito-motor (?), a. (Physiol.) Excito-motory; as, excito-motor power or causes.
[ Webster]

Excito-motory (?), a. (Physiol.) Exciting motion; -- said of that portion of the nervous system concerned in reflex actions, by which impressions are transmitted to a nerve center and then reflected back so as to produce muscular contraction without sensation or volition.
[ Webster]

Excito-nutrient (?), a. (Physiol.) Exciting nutrition; said of the reflex influence by which the nutritional processes are either excited or modified.
[ Webster]

Excito-secretory (?), a. (Physiol.) Exciting secretion; -- said of the influence exerted by reflex action on the function of secretion, by which the various glands are excited to action.
[ Webster]

Exclaim (?), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Exclaimed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Exclaiming.] [L. exclamare, exclamatum; ex + clamare to cry out; cf. OF. exclamer. See .] To cry out from earnestness or passion; to utter with vehemence; to call out or declare loudly; to protest vehemently; to vociferate; to shout; as, to exclaim against oppression with wonder or astonishment; “The field is won!” he exclaimed.
[ Webster]

Exclaim, n. Outcry; clamor. [Archaic]
[ Webster]

Cursing cries and deep exclaims. Shak.
[ Webster]

Exclaimer, n. One who exclaims.
[ Webster]

Exclamation (?), n. [L. exclamatio: cf. F. exclamation.] 1. A loud calling or crying out; outcry; loud or emphatic utterance; vehement vociferation; clamor; that which is cried out, as an expression of feeling; sudden expression of sound or words indicative of emotion, as in surprise, pain, grief, joy, anger, etc.
[ Webster]

Exclamations against abuses in the church. Hooker.
[ Webster]

Thus will I drown your exclamations. Shak.
[ Webster]

A festive exclamation not unsuited to the occasion. Trench.
[ Webster]

2. (Rhet.) A word expressing outcry; an interjection; a word expressing passion, as wonder, fear, or grief.
[ Webster]

3. (Print.) A mark or sign by which outcry or emphatic utterance is marked; thus [!]; -- called also exclamation point.
[ Webster]

Exclamative (?), a. [Cf. F. exclamatif.] Exclamatory. Earle. -- Exclamatively, adv.
[ Webster]

Exclamatory (?), a. Containing, expressing, or using exclamation; as, an exclamatory phrase or speaker. South. -- Exclamatotily (#), adv.
[ Webster]

Exclave (?), n. [Formed fr. enclave by substitution of ex- for en-] A portion of a country which is separated from the main part and surrounded by politically alien territory. [Recent.]
[ Webster]

☞ The same territory is an enclave in respect to the surrounding country and an exclave with respect to the country to which it is politically attached.
[ Webster]

Exclude (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Excluded; p. pr. & vb. n. Excluding.] [L. excludere, exclusum; ex out + claudere to shut. See .] 1. To shut out; to hinder from entrance or admission; to debar from participation or enjoyment; to deprive of; to except; -- the opposite to admit; as, to exclude a crowd from a room or house; to exclude the light; to exclude one nation from the ports of another; to exclude a taxpayer from the privilege of voting.
[ Webster]

And none but such, from mercy I exclude. Milton.
[ Webster]

2. To thrust out or eject; to expel; as, to exclude young animals from the womb or from eggs.
[ Webster]

Coloq. Excluded middle . (logic) The name given to the third of the “three logical axioms,” so-called, namely, to that one which is expressed by the formula: “Everything is either A or Not-A.” no third state or condition being involved or allowed. See Principle of contradiction, under .
[ 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