Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

EVAPORATE — EVOCATION

EVAPORATE, v.i. [L. evaporo; e and vaporo, from vapor, which see.]

1. To pass off in vapor, as a fluid; to escape and be dissipated, either in visible vapor, or in particles too minute to be visible. Fluids when heated often evaporate in visible steam; but water, on the surface of the earth, generally evaporates in an imperceptible manner.

2. To escape or pass off without effect; to be dissipated; to be wasted. Arguments evaporate in words. The spirit of a writer often evaporates in translating.

EVAPORATE, v.t. To convert or resolve a fluid into vapor, which is specifically lighter than the air; to dissipate in fumes, steam, or minute particles. Heat evaporates water at every point of temperature, from 32 degrees to 212 degrees, the boiling point, of Fahrenheit. A north west wind, in New England, evaporates water and dries the earth more rapidly, than the heat alone of a summer’s day.

1. To give vent to; to pour out in words or sound.

EVAPORATE, a. Dispersed in vapors.

EVAPORATED, pp. Converted into vapor or steam and dissipated; dissipated in insensible particles, as a fluid.

EVAPORATING, ppr. Resolving into vapor; dissipating, as a fluid.

EVAPORATION, n. The conversion of a fluid into vapor specifically lighter than the atmospheric air. Evaporation is increased by heat and is followed by cold. It is now generally considered as a solution in the atmosphere.

1. The act of flying off in fumes; vent; discharge.

2. In pharmacy, the operation of drawing off a portion of a fluid in steam, that the remainder may be of a greater consistence, or more concentrated.

EVAPOROMETER, n. [L. evaporo, and Gr. measure.]

An instrument for ascertaining the quantity of a fluid evaporated in a given time; an atmometer.

EVASION, n. s as z. [L. evasio, from evado, evasi. See Evade.]

The act of eluding or avoiding, or of escaping, particularly from the pressure of an argument, from an accusation or charge, from an interrogatory and the like; excuse; subterfuge; equivocation; artifice to elude; shift. Evasion of a direct answer weakens the testimony of a witness.

Thou by evasions thy crime uncover’st more.

EVASIVE, a. Using evasion or artifice to avoid; elusive; shuffling; equivocating.

He--answered evasive of the sly request.

1. Containing evasion; artfully contrived to elude a question, charge or argument; as an evasive answer; an evasive argument or reasoning.

EVASIVELY, adv. By evasion or subterfuge; elusively; in a manner to avoid a direct reply or a charge.

EVASIVENESS, n. The quality or state of being evasive.

EVE, n. The consort of Adam, and mother of the human race; so called by Adam, because she was the mother of all living. In this case, the word would properly belong to the Hebrew. But the Hebrew name is havah or chavah, coinciding with the verb, to shew, to discover, and Parkhurst hence denominates Eve, the manifester. In the Septuagint, Eve, in Genesis 3:20, is rendered life; but in Genesis 4:1, it is rendered Euan or Evan. The reason of this variation is not obvious, as the Hebrew is the same in both passages. In Russian Eve is Evva. In the Chickasaw language of America, a wife is called awah, says Adair.

EVECTION, n. [L. eveho, to carry away.] A carrying out or away; also, a lifting or extolling; exaltation.

EVEN, EVE, n. e’vn.

1. The decline of the sun; the latter part or close of the day, and beginning of the night. Eve is used chiefly in poetry. In prose, we generally use evening.

Winter, oft at eve, resumes the breeze.

They, like so many Alexanders,

Have in these parts from morn till even fought.

2. Eve is used also for the fast or the evening before a holiday; as Christmas Eve.

EVEN-SONG, n. A song for the evening; a form of worship for the evening.

1. The evening, or close of the day.

EVEN-TIDE, n. Literally, the time of evening; that is, evening.

Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the even-tide. Genesis 24:63.

This word is nearly obsolete; tide being a useless addition to even.

EVEN, a. e’vn.

1. Level; smooth; of an equal surface; flat; not rough or waving; as an even tract of land; an even country; an even surface.

2. Uniform; equal; calm; not easily ruffled or disturbed, elevated or depressed; as an even temper.

3. Level with; parallel to.

And shall lay thee even with the ground. Luke 19:44.

4. Not leaning.

He could not carry his honors even.

5. Equally favorable; on a level in advantage; fair. He met the enemy on even ground. The advocates meet on even ground in argument.

6. Owing nothing on either side; having accounts balanced. We have settled accounts and now are even.

7. Settled; balanced; as, our accounts are even.

8. Equal; as even numbers.

9. Capable of being divided into equal parts, without a remainder; opposed to odd. 4, 6, 8, 10 are even numbers.

Let him tell me whether the number of the stars is even or odd.

EVEN, v.t. e’vn. To make even or level; to level; to lay smooth.

This will even all inequalities.

This temple Xerxes evened with the soil.

1. To place in an equal state, as to obligation, or in a state in which nothing is due on either side; to balance accounts.

EVEN, v.i. To be equal to. [Not used.]

EVEN, adv. e’vn. Noting a level or equality, or emphatically, a like manner or degree. As it has been done to you, even so shall it be done to others. Thou art a soldier even to Cato’s wishes, that is, your qualities, as a soldier, are equal to his wishes.

1. Noting equality or sameness of time; hence emphatically, the very time. I knew the facts, even when I wrote to you.

2. Noting, emphatically, identity of person.

And behold I, even I, do bring a flood of waters on the earth. Genesis 6:17.

3. Likewise; in like manner.

Here all their rage, and ev’n their murmurs cease.

4. So much as. We are not even sensible of the change.

5. Noting the application of something to that which is less probably included in the phrase; or bringing something within a description, which is unexpected. The common people are addicted to this vice, and even the great are not free from it. He made several discoveries which are new, even to the learned.

Here also we see the sense of equality, or bringing to a level. So in these phrases, I shall even let it pass, I shall even do more, we observe the sense of bringing the mind or will to a level with what is to be done.

EVENE, v.i. [L. evenio.] To happen. [Not in use.]

EVENED, pp. Made even or level.

EVENER, n. One that makes even.

EVENHAND, n. Equality.

EVENHANDED, a. Impartial; equitable; just.

EVENING, n. [See Eve, Even.] The latter part and close of the day, and the beginning of darkness or night; properly the decline or fall of the day, or of the sun.

The evening and the morning were the first day. Genesis 1:5.

The precise time when evening begins, or when it ends, is not ascertained by usage. The word often includes a part at least of the afternoon, and indeed the whole afternoon; as in the phrase, “The morning and evening service of the sabbath.” In strictness, evening commences at the setting of the sun, and continues during twilight, and night commences with total darkness. But in customary language, the evening extends to bed-time, whatever that time may be. Hence we say, to spend an evening with a friend; an evening visit.

1. The decline or latter part of life. We say, the evening of life, or of one’s days.

2. The decline of any thing; as the evening of glory.

EVENING, a. Being at the close of day; as the evening sacrifice.

EVENING HYMN, EVENING SONG, n. A hymn or song to be sung at evening.

EVENING-STAR, n. Hesperus or Vesper; Venus, when visible in the evening.

EVENLY, adv. e’vnly. With an even, level or smooth surface; without roughness, elevations and depressions; as things evenly spread.

1. Equally; uniformly; in an equipoise; as evenly balanced.

2. In a level position; horizontally.

The surface of the sea is evenly distant from the center of the earth.

3. Impartially; without bias from favor or enmity.

EVENNESS, n. The state of being even, level or smooth; equality of surface.

1. Uniformity; regularity; as evenness of motion.

2. Freedom from inclination to either side; equal distance from either extreme.

3. Horizontal position; levelness of surface; as the evenness of a fluid at rest.

4. Impartiality between parties; equal respect.

5. Calmness; equality of temper; freedom from perturbation; a state of mind not subject to elevation or depression; equanimity.

EVENT, n. [L. eventus, evenio; e and venio, to come.]

1. That which comes, arrives or happens; that which falls out; any incident good or bad.

There is one event to the righteous and to the wicked. Ecclesiastes 9:2.

2. The consequence of any thing; the issue; conclusion; end; that in which an action, operation, or series of operations terminates. The event of the campaign was to being about a negotiation for peace.

EVENT, v.i. To break forth. [Not used.]

EVENTERATE, v.t. [L. e and venter, the belly.]

To open the bowels; to rip open; to disembowel.

EVENTERATED, pp. Having the bowels opened.

EVENTERATING, ppr. Opening the bowels.

EVENTFUL, a. [from event.] Full of events or incidents; producing numerous or great changes, either in public or private affairs; as an eventful period of history; an eventful period of life.

EVENTILATE, v.t. To winnow; to fan; to discuss. [See Ventilate.]

EVENTILATION, n. A fanning; discussion.

EVENTUAL, a. [from event.] Coming or happening as a consequence or result of any thing; consequential.

1. Final; terminating; ultimate.

Eventual provision for the payment of the public securities.

EVENTUALLY, adv. In the event; in the final result or issue.

EVENTUATE, v.i. To issue; to come to an end; to close; to terminate.

EVENTUATING, ppr. Issuing; terminating.

EVER, adv. At any time; at any period or point of time, past or future. Have you ever seen the city of Paris, or shall you ever see it?

No man ever yet hated his own flesh. Ephesians 5:29.

1. At all times; always; continually.

He shall ever love, and always be

The subject of my scorn and cruelty.

He will ever by mindful of his covenant. Psalm 111:5.

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:7.

2. Forever, eternally; to perpetuity; during everlasting continuance.

This is my name forever. Exodus 3:15.

In a more lax sense, this word signifies continually, for an indefinite period.

His master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him forever. Exodus 21:6.

These words are sometimes repeated, for the sake of emphasis; forever and ever, or forever and forever.

3. Ever and anon, at one time and another; now and then.

4. In any degree. No man is ever the richer or happier for injustice.

Let no man fear that creature ever the less, because he sees the apostle safe from his poison.

In modern usage, this word is used for never, but very improperly.

And all the question, wrangle e’er so long,

Is only this, if God has placed him wrong.

This ought to be, ne’er so long, as the phrase is always used in the Anglo-Saxon, and in our version of the scriptures, that is, so long as never, so long as never before, to any length of time indefinitely. As me never so much dowry. Charmers, charming never so wisely. These are the genuine English phrases. Let them charm so wisely as never before.

5. A word of enforcement or emphasis; thus, as soon as ever he had done it; as like him as ever he can look.

They broke all their bones in pieces or ever they came to the bottom of the den. Daniel 6:24.

The latter phrase is however anomalous; or-ever being equivalent to before, and or may be a mistake for ere.

7. In poetry, and sometimes in prose, ever is contracted into e’er.

Ever in composition signifies always or continually, without intermission, or to eternity.

EVERBUBBLING, a. [ever and bubbling.] Continually boiling or bubbling.

EVERBURNING, a. [ever and burning.] Burning continually or without intermission; never extinct; as an everburning lamp; everburning sulphur.

EVERDURING, a. [ever and during.] Enduring forever; continuing without end; as everduring glory.

EVERGREEN, a. [ever and green.] Always green; verdant throughout the year.

The pine is an evergreen tree.

EVERGREEN, n. A plant that retains its verdure through all the seasons; as a garden furnished with evergreens.

EVERHONORED, a. [ever and honored.] Always honored; ever held in esteem; as an everhonored name.

EVERLASTING, a. [ever and lasting.] Lasting or enduring for ever; eternal; existing or continuing without end; immortal.

The everlasting God, or Jehovah. Genesis 21:33.

Everlasting fire; everlasting punishment. Matthew 18:8; Matthew 25:41, 46.

1. Perpetual; continuing indefinitely, or during the present state of things.

I will give thee, and thy seed after thee, the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. Genesis 17:8.

The everlasting hills or mountains. Genesis. Habakkuk.

2. In popular usage, endless; continual; unintermitted; as, the family is disturbed with everlasting disputes.

EVERL`ASTING, n. Eternity; eternal duration, past and future.

From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Psalm 90:2.

1. A plant, the Gnaphalium; also, the Xeranthenum.

EVERLASTINGLY, adv. Eternally; perpetually; continually.

EVERLASTINGNESS, n. Eternity; endless duration; indefinite duration. [Little used.]

EVERLASTING-PEA, n. A plant, the Lathyrus latifolia.

EVERLIVING, a. [ever and living.] Living without end; eternal; immortal; having eternal existence; as the everliving God.

1. Continual; incessant; unintermitted.

EVERMORE, adv. [ever and more.] Always; eternally.

Religion prefers the pleasures which flow from the presence of God for evermore.

1. Always; at all times; as evermore guided by truth.

EVEROPEN, a. [ever and open.] Always open; never closed.

EVERPLEASING, a. [ever and pleasing.] Always pleasing; ever giving delight.

The everpleasing Pamela.

EVERSE, v.t. evers’. [L. eversus.] To overthrow or subvert. [Not used.]

EVERSION, n. [L. eversio.] An overthrowing; destruction.

Eversion of the eye-lids, ectropium, a disease in which the eye-lids are turned outward, so as to expose the red internal tunic.

EVERT, v.t. [L. everto; e and verto, to turn.] To overturn; to overthrow; to destroy. [Little used.]

EVERWAKING, a. [ever and waking.] Always awake.

EVERWATCHFUL, a. [ever and watchful.] Always watching or vigilant; as everwatchful eyes.

EVERY, a. [Old Eng. everich. It is formed from ever.] Each individual of a whole collection or aggregate number. The word includes the whole number, but each separately stated or considered.

Every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Psalm 39:5.

EVERYDAY, a. [every and day.] Used or being every day; common; usual; as everyday wit; an everyday suit of clothes.

EVERYWHERE, adv. [See Where, which signifies place.] In every place; in all places.

EVERYOUNG, a. [ever and young.] Always young or fresh; not subject to old age or decay; undecaying.

Joys everyoung, unmixed with pain or fear.

EVES-DROP. [See Eaves-drop, the usual spelling.]

EVES-DROPPER, n. One who stands under the eaves or at a window or door, to listen privately to what is said in the house. [See Eaves-dropper.]

EVESTIGATE, v.t. [Not in use.] [See Investigate.]

EVIBRATE, [Not in use.] [See Vibrate.]

EVICT, v.t. [L. evinco, evictum; e and vinco, to conquer.]

1. To dispossess by a judicial process, or course of legal proceedings; to recover lands or tenements by law.

If either party be evicted for defect of the other’s title.

2. To take away by sentence by law.

3. To evince; to prove. [Not used.]

EVICTED, pp. Dispossessed by sentence of law; applied to persons. Recovered by legal process; applied to things.

EVICTING, ppr. Dispossessing by course of law.

EVICTION, n. Dispossession by judicial sentence; the recovery of lands or tenements from another’s possession, by due course of law.

1. Proof; conclusive evidence.

EVIDENCE, n. [L. evidentia, from video, to see.]

1. That which elucidates and enables the mind to see truth; proof arising from our own perceptions by the senses, or from the testimony of others, or from inductions of reason. Our senses furnish evidence of the existence of matter, of solidity, of color, of heat and cold, of a difference in the qualities of bodies, of figure, etc. The declarations of a witness furnish evidence of facts to a court and jury; and reasoning, or the deductions of the mind from facts or arguments, furnish evidence of truth or falsehood.

2. Any instrument or writing which contains proof.

I delivered the evidence of the purchase to Baruch. Jeremiah 32:16.

I subscribed the evidence and sealed it. Jeremiah 32:10.

3. A witness; one who testifies to a fact. This sense is improper and inelegant, though common, and found even in Johnson’s writings.

EVIDENCE, v.t. To elucidate; to prove; to make clear to the mind; to show in such a manner that the mind can apprehend the truth, or in a manner to convince it. The testimony of two witnesses is usually sufficient to evidence the guilt of an offender. The works of creation clearly evidence the existence of an infinite first cause.

EVIDENCED, pp. Made clear to the mind; proved.

EVIDENCING, ppr. Proving clearly; manifesting.

EVIDENT, a. Plain; open to be seen; clear to the mental eye; apparent; manifest. The figures and colors of bodies are evident to the senses; their qualities may be made evident. The guilt of an offender cannot always be made evident.

EVIDENTIAL, a. Affording evidence; clearly proving.

EVIDENTLY, adv. Clearly; obviously; plainly; in a manner to be seen and understood; in a manner to convince the mind; certainly; manifestly. The evil of sin may be evidently proved by its mischievous effect.

EVIGILATION, n. [L. evigilatio.] A waking or watching. [Little used.]

EVIL, a. e’vl. [Heb. to be unjust or injurious, to defraud.]

1. Having bad qualities of a natural kind; mischievous; having qualities which tend to injury, or to produce mischief.

Some evil beast hath devoured him. Genesis 37:20.

2. Having bad qualities of a moral kind; wicked; corrupt; perverse; wrong; as evil thoughts; evil deeds; evil speaking; an evil generation.

3. Unfortunate; unhappy; producing sorrow, distress, injury or calamity; as evil tidings; evil arrows; evil days.

EVIL, n. Evil is natural or moral. Natural evil is any thing which produces pain, distress, loss or calamity, or which in any way disturbs the peace, impairs the happiness, or destroys the perfection of natural beings.

Moral evil is any deviation of a moral agent from the rules of conduct prescribed to him by God, or by legitimate human authority; or it is any violation of the plain principles of justice and rectitude.

There are also evils called civil, which affect injuriously the peace or prosperity of a city or state; and political evils, which injure a nation, in its public capacity.

All wickedness, all crimes, all violations of law and right are moral evils. Diseases are natural evils, but they often proceed from moral evils.

2. Misfortune; mischief; injury.

There shall no evil befall thee. Psalm 91:10.

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself. Proverbs 22:3.

3. Depravity; corruption of heart, or disposition to commit wickedness; malignity.

The heart of the sons of men is full of evil. Ecclesiastes 9:3.

4. Malady; as the king’s evil or scrophula.

EVIL, adv. [generally contracted to ill.]

1. Not well; not with justice or propriety; unsuitable.

Evil it beseems thee.

2. Not virtuously; not innocently.

3. Not happily; unfortunately.

It went evil with his house.

4. Injuriously; not kindly.

The Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us.

In composition, evil, denoting something bad or wrong, is often contracted to ill.

EVIL-AFFECTED, a. Not well disposed; unkind; now ill-affected.

EVILDOER, n. [evil and doer, from do.] One who does evil; one who commits sin, crime, or any moral wrong.

They speak evil against you as evildoers. 1 Peter 2:12.

EVILEYED, a. [evil and eye.] Looking with an evil eye, or with envy, jealousy or bad design.

EVIL-FAVORED, a. [evil and favor.] Having a bad countenance or external appearance; ill-favored.

EVIL-FAVOREDNESS, n. Deformity.

EVILLY, adv. Not well. [Little used.]

EVIL-MINDED, a. [evil and mind.] Having evil dispositions or intentions; disposed to mischief or sin; malicious; malignant; wicked. Slanderous reports are propagated by evil-minded persons. [This word is in common use.]

EVILNESS, n. Badness; viciousness; malignity; as evilness of heart; the evilness of sin.

EVILSPEAKING, n. [evil and speak.] Slander; defamation; calumny; censoriousness. 1 Peter 2:1.

EVILWISHING, a. [evil and wish.] Wishing harm to; as an evilwishing mind.

EVILWORKER, n. [evil and work.] One who does wickedness. Philippians 3:2.

EVINCE, v.t. evins’. [L. evinco, to vanquish, to prove or show; e and vinco, to conquer.]

1. To show in a clear manner; to prove beyond any reasonable doubt; to manifest; to make evident. Nothing evinces the depravity of man more fully than his unwillingness to believe himself depraved.

2. To conquer. [Not in use.]

EVINCED, pp. Made evident; proved.

EVINCIBLE, a. Capable of proof; demonstrable.

EVINCIBLY, adv. In a manner to demonstrate, or force conviction.

EVINCIVE, a. Tending to prove; having the power to demonstrate.

EVIRATE, v.t. [L. vir. eviratus.] To emasculate. [Not in use.]

EVISCERATE, v.t. [L. eviscero; e and viscera, the bowels.]

To embowel or disembowel; to take out the entrails; to search the bowels.

EVISCERATED, pp. Deprived of the bowels.

EVISCERATING, ppr. Disemboweling.

EVITABLE, a. [L. evitabilis. See Evitate.] That may be shunned; avoidable. [Little used.]

EVITATE, v.t. [L. evito; e and vito, from the root of void, wide.]

To shun; to avoid; to escape. [Little used.]

EVITATION, n. An avoiding; a shunning. [Little used.]

EVITE, v.t. [L. evito.] To shun. [Not used.]

EVOCATE, EVOKE, v.t. [L. evoco; e and voco, to call.] To call forth.

Neptune is a deity who evocates things into progression.

1. To call from one tribunal to another; to remove.

The cause was evoked to Rome.

[Evoke is the preferable word.]

EVOCATION, n. A calling forth; a calling or bringing from concealment.

1. A calling from one tribunal to another.

2. Among the Romans, a calling on the gods of a besieged city to forsake it and come over to the besiegers; a religious ceremony of besieging armies.