Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
COMPLICACY — COMPULSORILY
COMPLICACY, n. A state of being complex or intricate.
COMPLICATE, v.t.
1. Literally, to interweave; to fold and twist together. Hence, to make complex; to involve; to entangle; to unite or connect mutually or intimately, as different things or parts; followed by with.
Our offense against God hath been complicated with injury to men.
So we say, a complicated disease; a complicated affair.
Commotion in the parts may complicate and dispose them after the manner requisite to make them stick.
2. To make intricate.
COMPLICATE, a.
1. Complex; composed of two or more parts united.
Through the particular actions of war are complicate in fact, yet they are separate and distinct in right.
2. In botany, folded together, as the valves of the glume or chaff in some grasses.
COMPLICATED, pp. Interwoven; entangled; involved; intricate; composed of two or more things or parts united.
COMPLICATELY, adv. In a complex manner.
COMPLICATENESS, n. The state of being complicated; involution; intricacy; perplexity.
COMPLICATING, ppr. Interweaving; infolding; uniting.
COMPLICATION, n.
1. The act of interweaving, or involving two or more things or parts; the state of being interwoven, involved or intimately blended.
The notions of a confused knowledge are always full of perplexity and complications.
2. The integral consisting of many things involved or interwoven, or mutually united.
By admitting a complication of ideas--the mind is bewildered.
COMPLICE, n. One who is united with another in the commission of a crime, or in an ill design; an associate or confederate in some unlawful act or design; an accomplice. The latter is now used. [See Accomplice.]
COMPLIED, pret. of comply.
COMPLIER, n. One who complies, yields or obeys; a person of ready compliance; a man of an easy, yielding temper.
COMPLIMENT, n.
1. An expression of civility, respect or regard; as, to send, or make ones compliments to an absent friend. In this application, the plural is always used.
He observed few compliments in matter of arms.
2. A present or favor bestowed. My friend made me a compliment of Homers Iliad.
COMPLIMENT, v.t.
1. To praise; to flatter by expressions of approbation, esteem or respect.
Monarchs--
Should compliment their foes, and shun their friends.
She compliments Menelaus very handsomely.
2. To congratulate; as, to compliment a prince on the birth of a son.
3. To bestow a present; to manifest kindness or regard for, by a present or other favor.
He complimented us with tickets for the exhibition.
COMPLIMENT, v.i. To pass compliments; to use ceremony, or ceremonious language.
I make the interlocutors upon occasion compliment with each other.
COMPLIMENTAL, a. Expressive of civility or respect; implying compliments.
Languages--grow rich and abundant in complimental phrases, and such froth.
COMPLIMENTALLY, adv. In the nature of a compliment; by way of civility, or ceremony.
COMPLIMENTER, n. One who compliments; one given to compliments; a flatterer.
COMPLINE, COMPLIN, n. The last division of the Romish breviary; the last prayer at night, to be recited after sun-set; so called because it closes the service of the day.
COMPLISH, for accomplish, is not now used.
COMPLOT, n. A plotting together; a joint plot; a plot; a confederacy in some evil design; a conspiracy.
I know their complot is to have my life.
COMPLOT, v.t. To plot together; to conspire; to form a plot; to join in a secret design, generally criminal.
We find them complotting together, and contriving a new scene of miseries to the Trojans.
COMPLOTMENT, n. A plotting together; conspiracy.
COMPLOTTED, pp. Plotted together; contrived.
COMPLOTTER, n. One joined in a plot; a conspirator.
COMPLOTTING, ppr. Plotting together; conspiring; contriving an evil design or crime.
COMPLY, v.i.
1. To comply with, to fulfil; to perfect or carry into effect; to complete; to perform or execute; as, to comply with a promise, with an award, with a command, with an order. So to comply with ones expectations or wishes, is to fulfil them, or complete them.
2. To yield to; to be obsequious; to accord; to suit; followed by with; as, to comply with a man’s humor.
The truth of things will not comply with or conceits.
COMPLYPING with, ppr. Fulfilling; performing; yielding to.
COMPONE, COMPONED, In heraldry, a bordure or composed of a row of angular parts or checkers of two colors.
COMPONENT, a. Literally, setting or placing together; hence, composing; constituting; forming a compound; as the component parts of a plant or fossil substance; the component parts of a society.
COMPORT, v.i. To comport with, literally, to bear to or with; to carry together. Hence, to agree with; to suit; to accord; as, to consider how far our charity may comport with our prudence. His behavior does not comport with his station.
COMPORT, v.t.
1. With the reciprocal pronoun, to behave; to conduct.
It is curious to observe how lord Somers--comported himself on that occasion.
2. To bear; to endure; as in French, Spanish and Italian.
COMPORT, n. Behavior; conduct; manner of acting.
I knew them well, and marked their rude comport.
This word is rarely or never used, but may be admissible in poetry. We now use deportment. The accent, since Shakespeares time, has been transferred to the first syllable.
COMPORTABLE, a. Suitable; consistent.
We cast the rules of this art into some comportable method.
COMPORTANCE, n. Behavior; deportment.
COMPORTATION, n. An assemblage.
COMPORTMENT, n. Behavior; demeanor; manner of acting. Possessed of mind; in a sound state of mind.
COMPOSE, v.t. s as z. Literally, to place or set together. Hence,
1. To form a compound, or one entire body or thing, by uniting two or more things, parts, or individuals; as, to compose an army of raw soldiers; the parliament of G. Britain is composed of two houses, lords and commons; the senate of the United States is composed of two senators from each state.
Zeal ought to be composed of the highest degrees of all pious affections.
2. To invent and put together words and sentences; to make, as a discourse or writing; to write, as an author; as, to compose a sermon, or a book.
3. To constitute, or form, as parts of a whole; as, letters compose syllables, syllables compose words, words compose sentences.
A few useful things, confounded with many trifles, fill their memories, and compose their intellectual possessions.
4. To calm; to quiet; to appease; to tranquilize; that is, to set or lay; as, to compose passions, fears, disorders, or whatever is agitated or excited.
5. To settle; to adjust; as, to compose differences.
6. To place in proper form, or in a quiet state.
In a peaceful grave my corpse compose.
7. To settle into a quiet state.
The sea composes itself to a level surface. It requires about two days to compose it after a gale.
8. To dispose; to put in a proper state for any purpose.
The army seemed will composed to obtain that by their swords which they could not by their pen.
9. In printing, to set types or characters in a composing stick, from a copy, arranging the letters in the proper order.
10. In music, to form a tune or piece of music with notes, arranging them on the stave in such a manner as when sung to produce harmony.
COMPOSED, pp.
1. Set together, or in due order; formed; constituted; calmed; quieted; settled; adjusted.
2. a. Calm; sedate; quiet; tranquil; free from agitation.
The Mantuan there is sober triumph sat,
Composed his posture, and his look sedate.
COMPOSEDLY, adv. Calmly; seriously; sedately.
The man very composedly answered, I am he.
COMPOSEDNESS, n. A state of being composed; calmness; sedateness; tranquility.
COMPOSER, n.
1. One who composes; one who writes an original work, as distinguished from a compiler; an author; also, one who forms tunes, whether he adapts them to particular words or not.
2. One who quiets or calms; one who adjusts a difference.
COMPOSING, ppr. Placing together; forming; constituting; writing an original work; quieting; settling; adjusting; setting types.
COMPOSING-STICK, n. Among printers, an instrument on which types are set from the cases, adjusted to the length of the lines.
COMPOSITE, a. In architecture, the Composite order is the last of the five orders of columns; so called because its capital is composed out of those of the other orders or columns, borrowing a quarter-round from the Tuscan and Doric, a row of leaves from the Corinthian, and volutes from the Ionic. Its cornice has simple modillions or dentils. It is called also the Roman or the Italic order.
Composite numbers are such as can be measured exactly by a number exceeding unity, as 6 by 2 or e; so that r is the lowest composite number. Composite numbers between themselves, are those which have a common measure besides unity; as 12 and 15, both which are measured by e.
COMPOSITION, n. s as z.
1. In a general sense, the act of composing, or that which is composed; the act of forming a whole or integral, by placing together and uniting different things, parts or ingredients; or the whole body, mass or compound, thus formed. Thus we speak of the composition of medicines, by mixing divers ingredients, and call the whole mixture a composition. A composition of sand and clay is used for luting chimical vessels.
Vast pillars of stone, cased over with a composition that looks like marble.
Heat and vivacity, in age, is an excellent composition for business.
2. In literature, the act of inventing or combining ideas, clothing them with words, arranging them in order, and in general, committing them to paper, or otherwise writing them. Hence,
3. A written or printed work; a writing, pamphlet or book.
4. In music, the act or art of forming tunes; or a tune, song, anthem, air, or other musical piece.
5. The state of being placed together; union; conjunction; combination.
Contemplate things first in their simple natures, and then view them in composition.
6. The disposition or arrangement of figures connected in a picture.
By composition is meant the distribution and orderly placing of things, both in general and particular.
7. Adjustment; orderly disposition. Ben Jonson speaks of the composition of gesture, look, pronunciation and motion, in a preacher.
8. Mutual agreement to terms or conditions for the settlement of a difference or controversy.
Thus we are agreed;
I crave our composition may be written.
9. Mutual agreement for the discharge of a debt, on terms or by means different from those required by the original contract, or by law, as by the payment of a different sum, or by making other compensation. Hence, the sum so paid, or compensation given, in lieu of that stipulated or required.
A read composition is when an agreement is made between the owner of lands and the parson or vicar, with the consent of the ordinary and the patron, that such lands shall for the future be discharged rom the payment of tithes, by reason of some land or other real recompense given to the parson, in lieu and satisfaction thereof.
A bankrupt is cleared by a commission of bankruptcy, or by composition with his creditors.
10. Consistency; congruity.
11. The act of uniting simple ideas in a complex idea or conception; opposed to analysis.
12. The joining of two words in a compound, as in book-case; or the act of forming a word with a prefix or affix, which varies its signification; as return, from turn; preconcert, from concert; endless from end.
13. The synthetical method of reasoning; synthesis; a method of reasoning from known or admitted truths or principles, as from axioms, postulates or propositions previously demonstrated, and from these deducing a clear knowledge of the thing to be proved; or the act of collecting scattered parts of knowledge, and combining them into a system, so that the understanding is enabled distinctly to follow truth through its different stages of gradation. This method of reasoning is opposed to analysis or resolution. It begins with first principles, and by a train of reasoning from them, deduces the propositions or truths sought. Composition or synthesis proceeds by collecting or combining; analysis or resolution, by separating or unfolding.
14. In printing, the act of setting types or characters in the composing-stick, to form lines, and of arranging the lines in a galley, to make a column or page, and from this to make a form.
15. In chimistry, the combination of different substances, or substances of different natures, by affinity; from which results a compound substance, differing in properties from either of the component parts. Thus water is a composition of hydrogen and oxygen, which are invisible gases.
COMPOSITOR, n. a as z.
1. In printing, one who sets types, and makes up the pages and forms.
2. One who sets in order.
COMPOSSIBLE, a. Consistent.
COMPOST, n. In agriculture, a mixture or composition of various manuring substances for fertilizing land. Compost may be made by almost every animal and vegetable substance in nature, with lime or other earthy matter.
COMPOST, v.t. To manure with compost.
COMPOSTURE, n. Soil; manure.
COMPOSURE, n.
1. The act of composing, or that which is composed; a composition; as a form of prayer of public composure; a hasty composure.
In the composures of men, remember you are a man.
In this use, this word has given way to composition.
2. Composition; combination; arrangement; order.
When such a composure of letters, such a word, is intended to signify a certain thing.
3. The form, adjustment, or disposition of the various parts.
In composure of his face,
Lived a fair but manly grace.
The outward form and composure of the body.
4. Frame; make; temperament.
His composure must be rare indeed,
Whom these things cannot blemish.
5. A settled state of the mind; sedateness; calmness; tranquility.
When the passions are silent, the mind enjoys its most perfect composure.
6. Agreement; settlement of differences; composition.
The treaty at Uxbridge gave the fairest hopes of a happy composure.
COMPOTATION, n. The act of drinking or tippling together.
COMPOTATOR, n. One who drinks with another.
COMPOUND, v.t.
1. To mix or unite two or more ingredients in one mass or body; as, to compound drugs.
Whoever compoundeth any like it--shall be cut off from his people. Exodus 30:33.
2. To unite or combine.
We have the power of altering and compounding images into all the varieties of picture.
3. To compose; to constitute.
4. In grammar, to unite two or more words; to form one word of two or more.
5. To settle amicably; to adjust by agreement; as a difference or controversy.
6. To pay by agreement; to discharge, as a debt, by paying a part, or giving an equivalent different from that stipulated or required; as, to compound debts.
But we now use, more generally, to compound with.
To compound felony, is for a person robbed to take the goods again, or other compensation, upon an agreement not to prosecute the thief or robber. This offense is, by the laws of England, punishable by fine and imprisonment.
COMPOUND, v.i.
1. To agree upon concession; to come to terms of agreement, by abating something of the first demand; followed by for before the thing accepted or remitted.
They were glad to compound for his bare commitment to the tower.
2. To bargain in the lump; to agree; followed by with.
Compound with this fellow by the year.
3. To come to terms, by granting something on each side; to agree.
Cornwall compounded to furnish ten oxen for thirty pounds.
Paracelsus and his admirers have compounded with the Galenists, and brought into practice a mixed use of chimical medicines.
4. To settle with a creditor by agreement, and discharge a debt by paying a part of its amount; or to make an agreement to pay a debt by means or in a manner different from that stipulated or required by law. A bankrupt may compound with his creditors for ten shillings on the pound, or fifty cents on the dollar. A man may compound with a parson to pay a sum of money in lieu of tithes.
To compound with a felon, is to take the goods stolen, or other amends, upon an agreement not to prosecute him.
COMPOUND, a.
1. Composed of two or more ingredients.
Compound substances are made up of two or more simple substances.
2. In grammar, composed of two or more words. Ink-stand, writing-desk, careless-ness, are compound words.
3. In botany, a compound flower is a species of aggregate flower, containing several florets, inclosed in a common perianth, on a common receptacle, with the anthers connected in a cylinder, as in the sunflower and dandelion.
A compound stem is one that divides into branches.
A compound leaf connects several leaflets in one petiole, called a common petiole.
A compound raceme is composed of several racemules or small racemes.
A compound spike is composed of several spicules or spikelets.
A compound corymb is formed of several small corymbs.
A compound umbel is one which has all its rays or peduncles bearing umbellules or small umbels at the top.
A compound fructification consists of several confluent florets; opposed to simple.
4. Compound interest, is interest upon interest; when the interest of a sum is added to the principal, and then bears interest; or when the interest of a sum is put upon interest.
5. Compound motion, is that which is effected by two or more conspiring powers, acting in different but not in opposite directions.
6. Compound number, is that which may be divided by some other number besides unity, without a remainder; as 18, which may be divided by 2, 6 and 9.
7. Compound ratio, is that which the product of the antecedents of two or more ratios has to the product of their consequents. Thus 6 to 72 is in a ratio compounded of 2 to 6, and of 3 to 12.
8. Compound quantities, in algebra, are such as are joined by the signs + and - plus and minus, and expressed by more letters than one, or by the same letters unequally repeated. Thus a+b-c, and bb-b, are compound quantities.
9. Compound larceny, is that which is accompanied with the aggravation of taking goods from ones house or person.
COMPOUND, n. A mass or body formed by the union or mixture of two or more ingredients or different substances; the result of composition.
Man is a compound of flesh and spirit.
Mortar is a compound of lime, sand and water.
COMPOUNDABLE, a. Capable of being compounded.
COMPOUNDED, p. Made up of different materials mixed; formed by union of two or more substances.
COMPOUNDER, n.
1. One who compounds or mixes different things.
2. One who attempts to bring parties to terms of agreement.
COMPOUNDING, ppr. Uniting different substances in one body or mass; forming a mixed body; agreeing by concession, or abatement of demands; discharging a debt by agreement to pay less than the original sum, or in a different manner.
COMPREHEND, v.t. Literally, to take in; to take with, or together.
1. To contain; to include; to comprise.
The empire of Great Britain comprehends England, Scotland and Ireland, with their dependencies.
2. To imply; to contain or include by implication or construction.
If there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Romans 13:9.
3. To understand; to conceive; that is, to take, hold or contain in the mind; to possess or to have in idea; according to the popular phrase, I take your meaning.
God doeth great things, which we cannot comprehend. Job 37:5.
It is not always safe to disbelieve a proposition or statement, because we do not comprehend it.
COMPREHENDED, pp. Contained; included; implied; understood.
COMPREHENDING, ppr. Including; comprising; understanding; implying.
COMPREHENSIBLE, a.
1. That may be comprehended, or included; possible to be comprised.
2. Capable of being understood; intelligible; conceivable by the mind.
COMPREHENSIBLENESS, n. Capability of being understood.
COMPREHENSIBLY, adv. With great extent of embrace, or comprehension; with large extent of signification; in a manner to comprehend a large circuit.
The words wisdom and righteousness are commonly used very comprehensibly, so as to signify all religion and virtue.
This word is rarely used.
COMPREHENSION, n.
1. The act or quality of comprehending, or containing; a comprising.
In the Old Testament there is a close comprehension of the New; in the New, an open discovery of the Old.
2. An including or containing within a narrow compass; a summary; an epitome or compend.
This wise and religious aphorism in the text, is the sum and comprehension of all the ingredients of human happiness.
3. Capacity of the mind to understand; power of the understanding to receive and contain ideas; capacity of knowing.
The nature of spirit is not within our comprehension.
4. In rhetoric, a grope or figure, by which the name of a whole is put for a part, or that of a part for a whole, or a definite number for an indefinite.
COMPREHENSIVE, a.
1. Having the quality of comprising much, or including a great extent; extensive; as a comprehensive charity; a comprehensive view. It seems some times to convey the sense of comprehending much in a small compass.
2. Having the power to comprehend or understand many things at once; as a comprehensive head.
COMPREHENSIVELY, adv. In a comprehensive manner; with great extent of embrace.
COMPREHENSIVENESS, n.
1. The quality of being comprehensive, or of including much extent; as the comprehensiveness of a view.
2. The quality of including much in a few words or narrow compass.
Compare the beauty and comprehensiveness of legends on ancient coins.
COMPREHENSOR, n. One who has obtained knowledge. [Not in use.]
COMPRESBYTERIAL, a. Pertaining to the presbyterian form of ecclesiastical ministration.
COMPRESS, v.t. [L. To press. See Press.]
1. To press together by external force; to force, urge or drive into a narrower compass; to crowd; as, to compress air.
The weight of a thousand atmospheres will compress water twelve and a half per cent.
2. To embrace carnally.
3. To crowd; to bring within narrow limits or space.
Events of centuries--compressed within the compass of a single life.
COMPRESS, n. In surgery, a bolster of soft linen cloth, with several folds, used by surgeons to cover a plaster or dressing, to keep it in its place and defend the part from the external air.
COMPRESSED, pp.
1. Pressed or squeezed together; forced into a narrow or narrower compass; embraced carnally.
2. In botany, flatted; having the two opposite sides plane or flat; as a compressed stem.
COMPRESSIBILITY, n. The quality of being compressible, or yielding to pressure; the quality of being capable of compression into a smaller space or compass; as the compressibility of elastic fluids, or of any soft substance.
COMPRESSIBLE, a. Capable of being forced or driven into a narrower compass; yielding to pressure; giving way to a force applied.
Elastic fluids are compressible. Water is compressible in a small degree.
COMPRESSIBLENESS, n. Compressibility; the quality of being compressible.
COMPRESSION, n.
1. The act of compressing, or of pressing into a narrower compass; the act of forcing the parts of a body into closer union, or density, by the application of force.
2. The state of being compressed.
COMPRESSIVE, a. Having power to compress.
COMPRESSURE, n. The act or force of one body pressing against another; pressure.
COMPRIEST, n. A fellow priest. [Not in use.]
COMPRINT, v.i. [See Print.] To print together. It is taken, in law, for the deceitful printing of anothers copy, or book, to the prejudice of the proprietor. [Little used.]
COMPRISAL, n. The act of comprising or comprehending.
COMPRISE, v.t. [See Comprehend.] To comprehend; to contain; to include; as, the substance of a discourse may be comprised in a few words.
COMPRISED, pp. Comprehended; contained.
COMPRISING, ppr. Containing; including; comprehending.
COMPROBATE, v.i. To agree in approving; to concur in testimony.
COMPROBATION, n. [L., to prove.] Proof; joint attestation. [Little used.]
COMPROMISE, n. [L. To give bond to stand to an award, to promise. See Promise.]
1. A mutual promise or contract of two parties in controversy, to refer their differences to the decision of arbitrators.
2. An amicable agreement between parties in controversy, to settle their differences by mutual concessions.
3. Mutual agreement; adjustment.
[This is its usual signification.]
COMPROMISE, v.t.
1. To adjust and settle a difference by mutual agreement, with concessions of claims by the parties; to compound.
2. To agree; to accord.
3. To commit; to put to hazard; to pledge by some act or declaration.
[In this sense, see Compromit, which is generally used.]
COMPROMISED, pp. Settled by agreement with mutual concessions.
COMPROMISER, n. One who compromises.
COMPROMISING, ppr. Adjusting by agreement.
COMPROMISSORIAL, a. Relating to a compromise.
COMPROMIT, v.t. [L., To promise.] To pledge or engage, by some act or declaration, which may not be a direct promise, but which renders necessary some future act. Hence, to put to hazard, by some previous act or measure, which cannot be recalled; as, to compromit the honor or the safety of a nation.
COMPROMITED, pp. Pledged by some previous act or declaration.
COMPROMITING, ppr. Pledging; exposing to hazard.
COMPROVINCIAL, n. One belonging to the same province or archiepiscopal jurisdiction.
COMPT, n. Account; computation.
COMPT, v.t. To compute. [See Count.]
COMPT, a. [L.] Neat; spruce. [Not used.]
COMPTIBLE, a. Accountable; subject; submissive.
COMPTLY, adv. Neatly. [Not in use.]
COMPTNESS, n. Neatness. [Not in use.]
COMPTONITE, n. A newly discovered mineral, found in drusy cavities of masses ejected from Mount Vesuvius; so called from Lord Compton, who brought it to England in 1818.
COMPTROLL, from L., To count or compute, and a register. If this word were of genuine origin, both the verb and its derivative, as applied to a public officer, would not be sense. But there is no such legitimate word in English, nor in any other known language. [See Control.]
COMPULSATIVE, a. [L., See Compel.] Compelling; forcing; constraining; operating by force.
COMPULSATIVELY, adv. By constraint or compulsion.
COMPULSION, n. [L., See Compel.]
1. The act of driving or urging by force, physical or moral; force applied; constraint of the will; the application of a force that is irresistible.
If reasons were as plenty as blackberries, I would give no man a reason on compulsion.
A man is excused for acts done through unavoidable force and compulsion.
2. The state of being compelled or urged by violence.
COMPULSIVE, a. Having power to compel; driving; forcing; constraining; applying force.
Uniformity of opinions cannot be effected by compulsive measures.