Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary 1908/Forethink Free

by Thomas Davidson

fāte, fär; mē, hėr; mīne; mōte; mūte; mōōn; then.

Forethink, fōr-thingk′, v.t. to anticipate in the mind: to have prescience of.—n. Fore′thought, thought or care for the future: provident care.

Foretoken, fōr′tō-kn, n. a token or sign beforehand.—v.t. Foretō′ken, to signify beforehand.

Foretooth, fōr′tōōth, n. a tooth in the forepart of the mouth:—pl. Fore′teeth.

Foretop, fōr′top, n. (naut.) the platform at the head of the foremast: a lock of natural hair or in a wig, lying on the forehead, or brushed up straight.—n. Foretop′mast, in a ship, the mast erected at the head of the foremast, at the top of which is the Fore′top-gall′ant-mast.

Forever, for-ev′ėr, adv. for ever, for all time to come: to eternity.—adv. Forev′ermore, for ever hereafter.

Forevouched, fōr-vowcht′, p.adj. (Shak.) affirmed or told before.

Foreward, fōr′wawrd, n. advance-guard: (Shak.) the front.

Forewarn, fōr-wawrn′, v.t. to warn beforehand: to give previous notice.—n. Forewarn′ing, warning beforehand.

Foreweigh, fōr-wā′, v.t. to estimate beforehand.

Forewind, fōr′wind, n. (Shak.) a favourable wind.

Forewoman, fōr′woom-an, n. a woman who oversees the employees in any shop or factory, a head-woman:—pl. Fore′women.

Foreword, fōr′wurd, n. a preface.

Forfairn, fōr-fārn′, adj. (Scot.) worn out: exhausted.

Forfeit, for′fit, v.t. to lose the right to by some fault or crime:—pr.p. for′feiting; pa.p. for′feited.—n. that which is forfeited: a penalty for a crime, or breach of some condition: a fine: something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine or penalty, esp. in pl., a game of this kind.—adj. forfeited.—adj. For′feitable.—ns. For′feiter (Shak.), one who incurs punishment by forfeiting his bond; For′feiture, act of forfeiting: state of being forfeited: the thing forfeited. [O. Fr. forfait—Low L. forisfactum—L. forisfacĕre, to transgress.]

Forfend, for-fend′, v.t. (arch.) to ward off, avert.

Forfex, fōr′feks, n. a pair of scissors.

Forfoughten, for′fäh-ten, adj. (Scot.) exhausted, as by fighting.

Forgat, for-gat′, old pa.t. of forget.

Forgather, for-gath′er, v.i. (Scot.) to meet, to take up company with.

Forgave, for-gāv′, pa.t. of forgive.

Forge, fōrj, n. the workshop of a workman in iron, &c.: a furnace, esp. one in which iron is heated: a smithy: a place where anything is shaped or made.—v.t. to form by heating and hammering: to form: to make falsely: to fabricate: to counterfeit or imitate for purposes of fraud.—v.i. to commit forgery.—ns. Forge′man; Forg′er, one who forges or makes one guilty of forgery; Forg′ery, fraudulently making or altering any writing: that which is forged or counterfeited.—adj. Forg′etive (Shak.), that may forge or produce.—n. Forg′ing, a piece of metal shaped by hammering: act of one who forges: a form of overreaching in which the horse strikes the fore shoe with the toe of the hind one, clicking. [O. Fr. forge—L. fabrica—faber, a workman.]

Forge, fōrj, v.t. to move steadily on (with ahead).

Forget, for-get′, v.t. to lose or put away from the memory: to neglect:—pr.p. forget′ting; pa.t. forgot′; pa.p. forgot′, forgot′ten.—adjs. Forget′able, Forget′table; Forget′ful, apt to forget: inattentive.—adv. Forget′fully.—ns. Forget′fulness; Forget′-me-not, a small herb (Myosotis palustris) with beautiful blue flowers, regarded as the emblem of friendship: a keepsake [a word adapted by Coleridge from the German Vergissmeinnicht]; Forget′ter, one who fails to bear in mind: a heedless person.—adv. Forget′tingly.—Forget one's self, to lose one's self-control or dignity, to descend to words and deeds unworthy of one's self. [A.S. forgietan—pfx. for-, away, gitan, to get.]

Forgive, for-giv′, v.t. to pardon: to overlook an offence or debt: (Spens.) to give up.—v.i. to be merciful or forgiving.—adj. Forgiv′able, capable of being forgiven.—n. Forgive′ness, pardon: remission: disposition to pardon.—adj. Forgiv′ing, ready to pardon: merciful: compassionate. [A.S. forgiefan—pfx. for-, away, giefan, to give; cf. Ger. ver-geben.]

Forgo. See Forego.

Forgot, Forgotten. See Forget.

Forhail, for-hāl′, v.t. (Spens.) to overtake.

Forhent, for-hent′, v.t. (Spens.) to overtake.

Forhow, for-how′, v.t. (Scot.) to desert or abandon. [A.S. forhogian, pfx. for-, away, hogian, to care.]

Forisfamiliate, fō-ris-fa-mil′i-āt, v.t. to put a son in possession of land which he accepts as his whole portion of his father's property, said of a father.—v.i. to renounce one's title to a further share of the paternal estate, said of a son:—pr.p. fōrisfamil′iāting; pa.p. fōrisfamil′iāted.—n. Fōrisfamiliā′tion. [Low L. forisfamiliāre, -ātum—L. foris, out of doors, familia, a family.]

Forjeskit, for-jes′kit, adj. (Scot.) tired out.

Fork, fork, n. an instrument with two or more prongs at the end: one of the points or divisions of anything fork-like: the bottom of a sump into which the water of a mine drains—also Forcque: (pl.) the branches into which a road or river divides, also the point of separation.—v.i. to divide into two branches: to shoot into blades, as corn.—v.t. to form as a fork: to pitch with a fork: to bale a shaft dry.—n. Fork′-chuck, a forked lathe-centre used in wood-turning.—adjs. Forked, Fork′y, shaped like a fork.—adv. Fork′edly.—ns. Fork′edness, Fork′iness; Fork′er; Fork′head, the forked end of a rod in a knuckle-joint or the like; Fork′-tail, a fish with forked tail: the kite.—Fork out, over (slang), to hand or pay over. [A.S. forca—L. furca.]

Forlorn, for-lorn′, adj. quite lost: forsaken; wretched.—v.t. Forlore′ (Spens.).—adv. Forlorn′ly.—n. Forlorn′ness. [A.S. forloren, pa.p. of forléòsan, to lose—pfx. for-, away, and léòsan, to lose; Ger. verloren, pa.p. of verlieren, to lose.]

Forlorn-hope, for-lorn′-hōp, n. a body of soldiers selected for some service of uncommon danger. [From the Dut. verloren hoop, the lost troop.]

Form, form, n. shape of a body: the boundary-line of an object: a model: a mould: mode of being: mode of arrangement: order: regularity: system, as of government: beauty or elegance: established practice: ceremony: fitness or efficiency for any undertaking: a blank schedule to be filled in with details: a specimen document to be copied or imitated: (phil.) the inherent nature of an object, that which the mind itself contributes as the condition of knowing, that in which the essence of a thing consists: (print.) the type from which an impression is to be taken arranged and secured in a chase—often Forme:—(in the fol. senses pron. fōrm), a long seat, a bench: the pupils on a form, a class: the bed of a hare, which takes its shape from the animal's body.—v.t. to give form or shape to: to make: to contrive: to settle, as an opinion: to combine: to go to make up: to establish: (gram.) to make by derivation.—v.i. to assume a form.—adj. Form′al, according to form or established mode: ceremonious, punctilious, methodical: having the form only: (Shak.) embodied in a form: having the power of making a thing what it is: essential: proper.—v.t. and v.i. Form′alise.—ns. Form′alism, excessive observance of form or conventional usage, esp. in religion: stiffness of manner; Form′alist, one having exaggerated regard to rules or established usages; Formal′ity, the precise observance of forms or ceremonies: established order: sacrifice of substance to form.—adv. Form′ally.—n. Formā′tion, a making or producing: structure: (geol.) a group of strata of one period.—adj. Form′ative, giving form, determining, moulding: (gram.) inflectional, serving to form, not radical.—n. a derivative.—p.adj. Formed, trained, mature.—n. Form′er.—adj. Form′less, shapeless.—Formal logic (see Logic).—Good, or Bad, form, according to good social usage, or the opposite; Take form, to assume a definite appearance. [O. Fr. forme—L. forma, shape.]

Formalin, for′ma-lin, n. a formic aldehyde used as an antiseptic, germicide, or preservative in foods.

Format, for′ma, n. of books, &c., the size, form, shape in which they are issued. [Fr.]

Formate, form′āt, n. a salt composed of formic acid and a base.—Also For′miate.

Former, form′ėr, adj. (comp. of fore) before in time or order: past: first mentioned.—adv. Form′erly, in former times: heretofore. [Formed late on analogy of M. E. formest by adding comp. suff. -er to base of A.S. forma, first, itself a superlative form.]

Formic, for′mik, adj. pertaining to ants, as formic acid, originally obtained from ants.—adj. For′micant, crawling like an ant: very small and unequal, of a pulse.—n. For′micary, an ant-hill.—adj. For′micate, resembling an ant.—n. Formicā′tion, a sensation like that of ants creeping on the skin. [L. formicāre, -ātum, to creep like an ant—formica.]

Formidable, for′mi-da-bl, adj. causing fear: adapted to excite fear.—ns. Formidabil′ity; For′midableness.—adv. For′midably. [Fr.,—L. formidabilis—formido, fear.]

Formula, form′ū-la, n. a prescribed form: a formal statement of doctrines: (math.) a general expression for solving problems: (chem.) a set of symbols expressing the components of a body:—pl. Formulæ (form′ū-lē), Form′ulas.—adjs. Form′ular, Formularis′tic.—ns. Formularisā′tion, Formulā′tion; Form′ulary, a formula: a book of formulæ or precedents.—adj. prescribed: ritual.—vs.t. Form′ulāte, Form′ulise, to reduce to or express in a formula: to state or express in a clear or definite form. [L., dim. of forma.]

Fornent, for-nent′, adv. and prep. (Scot.) right opposite to.

Fornicate, for′ni-kāt, adj. arched: (bot.) arching over.—n. Fornicā′tion. [L. fornicatus—fornix, an arch.]

Fornicate, for′ni-kāt, v.i. to commit lewdness: to have unlawful sexual intercourse.—ns. Fornicā′tion, sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons, or an unmarried and married person: (B.) adultery, and applied frequently by a figure to idolatry; For′nicator, an unmarried person guilty of lewdness:—fem. For′nicatress. [L. fornix, an arch, brothel.]

Fornix, for′niks, n. something resembling an arch: an arched formation of the brain. [L.]

Forpine, for-pīn′, v.i. (Spens.) to waste away.

Forpit, for′pit, n. (Scot.) the fourth part of some other measure, now of a peck.—Also For′pet.

Forrit, for′it, adv. (Scot.) forward.

Forsake, for-sāk′, v.t. to desert: to abandon:—pr.p. forsāk′ing; pa.t. forsook′; pa.p. forsāk′en.—adj. Forsāk′en.—adv. Forsāk′enly.—ns. Forsāk′enness; Forsāk′ing, abandonment. [A.S. forsacan—for-, away, sacan, to strive.]

Forsay, for-sā′, v.t. (Spens.) to forbid, to renounce. [A.S. forsecgan—for, against, secgan, to say.]

Forslack, for-slak′, v.t. (Spens.) to relax, delay.

Forslow, for-slō′, v.t. See Foreslow.

Forsooth, for-sōōth′, adv. in truth: certainly.

Forspeak, for-spēk′, v.t. (Shak.) to forbid, to prohibit: (Scot.) to bewitch.

Forspend, for-spend′, v.t. to spend completely:—pa.t. and pa.p. forspent′.

Forstall, for-stawl′, v.t. Same as Forestall.

Forswat, for-swat′, adj. (Spens.) exhausted with heat. [Pfx. for-, inten., and swat, old pa.t. of sweat.]

Forswear, for-swār′, v.t. to deny upon oath:—pa.t. forswore′; pa.p. forsworn′.—n. Forsworn′ness.—Forswear one's self, to swear falsely.

Forswink, for-swingk′, v.t. to exhaust by labour.—p.adj. Forswonk′ (Spens.), over-laboured. [Pfx. for-, inten., and obs. swink, labour.]

Fort, fōrt, n. a small fortress: an outlying trading-station, as in British North America.—adj. Fort′ed (Shak.), guarded by forts. [Fr.,—L. fortis, strong.]

Fortalice, fort′al-is, n. a small outwork of a fortification. [Low L. fortalitia—L. fortis.]

Forte, fōrt, n. that in which one excels.

Forte, fōr′te, adj. (mus.) strongly, loud:—superl. Fortis′simo.—n. a loud passage in music. [It.]

Forth, fōrth, adv. before or forward in place or order: in advance: onward in time: (Shak.) completely, outright: abroad: (B.) out.—prep. (Shak.) out of, forth from.—v.i. Forth′come, to come forth.—adj. Forth′coming, just coming forth: about to appear.—ns. Forth′going, a going forth: a proceeding out; Forth′-iss′uing, coming forth; Forth′-put′ting, action of putting forth: (U.S.) forwardness.—adj. forward.—adv. Forth′right, straightforward.—n. (Shak.) a straight path.—adj. straightforward: honest.—adv. Forthwith′, immediately.—And so forth, and so on, and more besides. [A.S. forth—fore, before; Dut. voort, Ger. fort.]

Forthink, for-thingk′, v.t. (Spens.) to be sorry for.

Forthy, for′thi, adv. (Spens.) therefore. [A.S. forthý—for, and thý, instrumental case of thaet, that.]

Fortieth. See Forty.

Fortify, for′ti-fī, v.t. to strengthen against attack with forts, &c.: to invigorate: to confirm:—pa.p. for′tifīed.—adj. Fortifī′able.—ns. Fortificā′tion, the art of strengthening a military position by means of defensive works: the work so constructed: that which fortifies; For′tifier. [Fr. fortifier—Low L. fortificāre—fortis, strong, facĕre, to make.]

Fortilage, fōr′ti-lāj, n. (Spens.) a fort. [Fortalice.]

Fortissimo. See Forte.

Fortition, for-tish′un, n. principle of trusting to chance. [L. fors, chance.]

Fortitude, for′ti-tūd, n. mental power of endurance: firmness in meeting danger: (obs.) strength, power of resistance or attack.—adj. Fortitū′dinous. [L. fortitudo—fortis.]

Fortlet, fōrt′let, n. a little fort.

Fortnight, fort′nīt, n. two weeks or fourteen days.—adj. and adv. Fort′nightly, once a fortnight. [Contr. of A.S. féowertýne niht, fourteen nights.]

Fortress, for′tres, n. a fortified place: a defence.—v.t. (Shak.) to guard. [O. Fr. forteresse, another form of fortelesce (q.v. under Fortalice).]

Fortuitous, for-tū′i-tus, adj. happening by chance.—ns. Fortū′itism; Fortū′itist.—adv. Fortū′itously.—ns. Fortū′itousness, Fortū′ity. [L. fortuitus.]

Fortune, for′tūn, n. whatever comes by lot or chance: luck: the arbitrary ordering of events: the lot that falls to one in life: success: wealth.—v.i. to befall.—v.t. to determine.—adj. For′tunāte, happening by good fortune: lucky: auspicious: felicitous.—adv. For′tunātely.—ns. For′tunāteness; For′tune-book, a book helpful in telling fortunes.—adj. For′tuned, supplied by fortune.—n. For′tune-hunt′er, a man who hunts for marriage with a woman of fortune.—adj. For′tuneless, without a fortune: luckless.—v.i. For′tune-tell, to reveal futurity: to tell one his fortune.—ns. For′tune-tell′er, one who pretends to foretell one's fortune; For′tune-tell′ing.—v.t. For′tunīse (Spens.), to make fortunate or happy. [Fr.,—L. fortuna.]

Forty, for′ti, adj. and n. four times ten.—adj. For′tieth.—n. a fortieth part.—Forty winks, a short nap, esp. after dinner.—The Forty, the French Academy. [A.S. féowertig—feower, four, tig, ten.]

Forum, fō′rum, n. a market-place, esp. the market-place in Rome, where public business was transacted and justice dispensed: the courts of law as opposed to the Parliament. [L., akin to foras, out of doors.]

Forwander, for-won′dėr, v.i. and v.t. (Spens.) to wander till wearied, to weary with wandering.

Forward, for′ward, adj. near or at the forepart: in advance of something else: ready: too ready: presumptuous: officious: earnest: early ripe.—v.t. to help on, to quicken: to send on.—advs. For′ward, For′wards, towards what is before or in front: onward: progressively.—ns. For′warder; For′warding, the act of sending forward merchandise, &c., for others.—adv. For′wardly.—n. For′wardness. [A.S. foreweard—fore, and -weard, sig. direction. Forwards—M. E. forwardes—was orig. the gen. form (cf. Ger. vorwärts).]

Forwaste, for-wāst′, v.t. (Spens.) to lay waste utterly.

Forweary, for-wē′ri, v.t. (Spens.) to weary out.

Forwent, for-went′ (Spens.), pa.t of forego.

Forworn, for-wōrn′, adj. (Spens.) much worn.

Forzando. Same as Sforzando (q.v.).

Foss, Fosse, fos, n. (fort.) a ditch or moat, either with or without water, the excavation of which has contributed material for the walls of the fort it protects: an abyss.—adj. Fossed.—n. Foss′way, an ancient Roman road having a ditch on either side. [Fr. fosse—L. fossa—fodĕre, fossum, to dig.]

Fossa, fos′a, n. (anat.) a pit or depression in a body, esp. that in an animal integument forming a point of attachment for an organ.—n. Fossette′, a dimple or small depression. [L., a ditch.]

Fosset-seller, fos′et-sel′ėr, n. (Shak.) one who sells faucets. [Fosset, obs. form of faucet.]

Fossick, fos′ik, v.i. to be troublesome: to undermine another's diggings, or work over waste-heaps for gold: to search about for any kind of profit.—ns. Foss′icker, a mining gleaner who works over old diggings, and scratches about in the beds of creeks; Foss′icking. [Ety. dub.]

Fossil, fos′il, n. the petrified remains of an animal or vegetable found embedded in the strata of the earth's crust: anything antiquated.—adj. dug out of the earth: in the condition of a fossil: antiquated.—adj. Fossilif′erous, bearing or containing fossils.—n. Fossilificā′tion, the act of becoming fossil.—vs.t. Fossil′ify, Foss′ilīse, to convert into a fossil.—v.i. to be changed into a stony or fossil state.—ns. Fossilisā′tion, a changing into a fossil; Foss′ilism, the science of fossils; Foss′ilist, one skilled in fossils; Fossilol′ogy, Fossil′ogy, paleontology. [Fr. fossile—L. fossilis—fodĕre, to dig.]

Fossorial, fo-sō′ri-al, adj. digging, burrowing.—n. Foss′or, a grave-digger. [L. fossor—fodĕre, to dig.]

Fossulate, fos′ū-lāt, adj. (anat.) having one or more long narrow grooves or depressions.

Foster, fos′tėr, v.t. to bring up or nurse: to encourage.—ns. Fos′terāge, the act of fostering or nursing; Fos′ter-broth′er, a male child, fostered or brought up with another of different parents; Fos′ter-child, a child nursed or brought up by one who is not its parent; Fos′ter-daugh′ter; Fos′terer; Fos′ter-fa′ther, one who brings up a child in place of its father; Fos′terling, a foster-child; Fos′ter-moth′er, one who suckles a child not her own; Fos′ter-nurse (Shak.), a nurse; Fos′ter-par′ent, one who rears a child in the place of its parent; Fos′ter-sis′ter, one brought up as a sister by the same parents, but not a sister by birth; Fos′ter-son, one brought up as a son, though not a son by birth. [A.S. fóstrian, to nourish, fóstor, food.]

Foster, fos′tėr, n. (Spens.) a forester.

Fother, foth′ėr, v.t. to stop or lessen a leak in a ship's bottom whilst afloat by means of a heavy sail closely thrummed with yarn and oakum. [Perh. from Dut. voederen (mod. voeren) or Low Ger. fodern, to line.]

Fother, foth′ėr, n. a load, quantity: a definite weight—of lead, 19½ cwt. [A.S. fóðer; Ger. fuder.]

Fou, fōō, adj. (Scot.) full: drunk.

Fou, fōō, n. (Scot.) a bushel.

Foud, fowd, n. a bailiff or magistrate in Orkney and Shetland.—n. Foud′rie, his jurisdiction. [Ice. fógeti; Ger. vogt; from L. vocatus—vocāre, to call.]

Foudroyant, fōō-droi′ant, adj. quick like lightning. [Fr. foudroyer—foudre, lightning.]

Fouet, fōō′et, n. (Scot.) the house-leek.—Also Fou′at.

Fougade, foo-gäd′, n. (mil.) a small mine from six to twelve feet under ground, charged either with powder or loaded shells, and sometimes loaded with stones.—Also Fougasse′. [Fr.]

Fought, fawt, pa.t. and pa.p.—Foughten (fawt′n), old pa.p. of fight.

Foul, fowl, adj. filthy: loathsome: obscene: impure: stormy: unfair: running against: distressing, pernicious: choked up, entangled: (Shak.) homely, ugly.—v.t. to make foul: to soil: to effect a collision.—v.i. to come into collision:—pr.p. foul′ing; pa.p. fouled.—n. act of fouling: any breach of the rules in games or contests.—adj. Foul′-faced (Shak.), having a hatefully ugly face.—n. Foul′-fish, fish during the spawning season.—adv. Foul′ly.—adjs. Foul′-mouthed, Foul′-spok′en, addicted to the use of foul or profane language.—ns. Foul-mouthed′ness; Foul′ness; Foul′-play, unfair action in any game or contest, dishonest dealing generally.—Claim a foul, to assert that the recognised rules have been broken, and that a victory is therefore invalid; Fall foul of, to come against: to assault; Make foul water, used of a ship, to come into such shallow water that the keel raises the mud. [A.S. fúl; Ger. faul, Goth. fûls.]

Foulard, fōōl′ard, n. a soft untwilled silk fabric: a silk handkerchief. [Fr.]

Foulder, fowl′dėr, v.i. (Spens.) to flame, to gleam. [O. Fr. fouldre—L. fulgur, lightning.]

Foulé, fōō-lā′, n. a light woollen dress material with a glossy surface. [Fr.]

Foumart, fōō′märt, n. an old name for the polecat, from its offensive smell. [M. E. fulmard—A.S. fúl, foul, mearð, a marten.]

Found, pa.t. and pa.p. of find.—n. Found′ling, a little child found deserted.—Foundling hospital, an institution where such are brought up.

Found, fownd, v.t. to lay the bottom or foundation of: to establish on a basis: to originate: to endow.—v.i. to rely.—ns. Foundā′tion, the act of founding: the base of a building: the groundwork or basis: a permanent fund for a benevolent purpose or for some special object; Foundā′tioner, one supported from the funds or foundation of an institution; Foundā′tion-mus′lin, -net, gummed fabrics used for stiffening dresses and bonnets; Foundātion-stone, one of the stones forming the foundation of a building, esp. a stone laid with public ceremony; Found′er, one who founds, establishes, or originates: an endower:—fem. Found′ress. [Fr. fonder—L. fundāre, -ātum, to found—fundus, the bottom.]

Found, fownd, v.t. to form by melting and pouring into a mould: to cast.—ns. Found′er, one who melts and casts metal, as a brassfounder; Found′ing, metal-casting; Found′ry, Found′ery, the art of founding or casting: the house where founding is carried on. [Fr. fondre—L. fundĕre, fusum, to pour.]

Founder, fownd′ėr, v.i. to go to the bottom: to fill with water and sink.—v.t. to cause to sink: to disable by injuring the feet (of a horse).—adj. Found′erous, causing to founder. [O. Fr. fondrer, to fall in, fond, bottom—L. fundus, bottom.]

Fount. See Font (2).

Fountain, fownt′ān, n. a spring of water, natural or artificial: the structure for a jet of water: the source of anything: a reservoir for holding oil, &c., in a lamp.—ns. Fount, a spring of water: a source; Fount′ain-head, the head or source of a fountain: the beginning.—adj. Fount′ainless, wanting fountains or springs of water.—n. Fount′ain-pen, a pen having a reservoir for holding ink.—adj. Fount′ful, full of springs. [Fr. fontaine—Low L. fontāna—L. fons, fontis, a spring—-fundĕre, to pour.]

Four, fōr, adj. and n. two and two, a cardinal number.—adjs. Four′fold, folded four times: multiplied four times; Four′-foot′ed, having four feet; Four′-hand′ed, having four hands: of a game, played by four people; Four′-inched (Shak.), four inches broad.—ns. Four′-in-hand, a vehicle drawn by four horses, driven by one person: a team of four horses drawing a carriage—also adj.; Four′penny, a small silver coin worth fourpence formerly coined in England.—adj. worth fourpence.—n. Four′-post′er, a large bed with four posts on which to hang curtains.—adjs. Four′score, four times a score—80; Four′some, by fours: anything in which four act together—also n.; Four′square, having four equal sides and angles: square.—adjs. and ns. Four′teen, four and ten; Four′teenth, four or the fourth after the tenth.—adj. Fourth, next after the third.—n. one of four equal parts.—adv. Fourth′ly.—adj. Fourth′-rate, of the fourth class or order.—n. Four′-wheel′er, a carriage or cab with four wheels.—Go on all fours, to go on hands and knees. [A.S. féower; Ger. vier, L. quatuor, Gr. tessares.]

Fourchette, fōōr-shet′, n. a small forked instrument used for supporting the tongue in the operation of cutting the frenum: a forked piece between glove fingers, uniting the front and back parts. [Fr.]

Fourcroya, fōōr-krō′ya, n. a neotropical genus of Amaryllidaceæ, nearly allied to Agave (q.v.), and yielding a similar fibre. [Named from A. F. de Fourcroy, a French chemist (1755-1809).]

Fourgon, fōōr-gong′, n. a baggage-wagon. [Fr.]

Fourierism, fōō′ri-ėr-izm, n. the socialistic system of F. M. Charles Fourier (1772-1837), based on the harmony educed by the free-play of his twelve radical passions.

Foutre, fōō′tėr, n. (Shak.) a gross term of contempt, used interjectionally.—Also Fou′ter. [O. Fr. foutre—L. futuere, to lecher.]

Fouth, footh, n. (Scot.) abundance.—Also Fowth.

Fovea, fō′vē-a, n. (anat.) a depression or pit.—adjs. Fō′veal; Fō′veate, pitted.—n. Fovē′ola, a small depression—also Fovē′ole. [L.]

Fovilla, fō-vil′a, n. (bot.) the contents of a pollen-grain.

Fowl, fowl, n. a bird: a bird of the barn-door or poultry kind, a cock or hen: the flesh of fowl:—pl. Fowls, Fowl.—v.i. to kill fowls by shooting or snaring.—ns. Fowl′er, a sportsman who takes wild-fowl; Fowl′ing; Fowl′ing-net, a net for catching birds; Fowl′ing-piece, a light gun for small-shot, used in fowling. [A.S. fugol; Ger. vogel.]

Fox, foks, n. an animal of the family Canidæ, genus Vulpes, of proverbial cunning:—fem. Vix′en: any one notorious for cunning.—ns. Fox′-bat, a flying-fox, a fruit-bat; Fox′-brush, the tail of a fox; Fox′-earth, a fox's burrow.—adj. Foxed, discoloured, spotted.—ns. Fox′-ē′vil, alopecia; Fox′glove, a plant with glove-like flowers, whose leaves are used as a soothing medicine; Fox′hound, a hound used for chasing foxes; Fox′-hunt; Fox′-hunt′er; Fox′-hunt′ing; Fox′iness, decay: having a harsh, sour taste: state of being spotted, as books; Fox′-shark, a large shark of over 12 feet, occasionally seen off British coasts; Fox′ship (Shak.), the character of a fox, craftiness; Fox′-tail, a genus of grasses, generally characterised by a bushy head; Fox′-terr′ier, a kind of terrier trained to unearth foxes; Fox′-trap, a trap for catching foxes; Fox′-trot, a pace with short steps, as in changing from trotting to walking.—adj. Fox′y, of foxes: cunning, suspicious, causing suspicion: (paint.) having too much of the reddish-brown or fox-colour.—Fox and geese, a game played with pieces on a board, where the object is for certain pieces called the geese to surround or corner one called the fox. [A.S. fox; Ger. fuchs.]

Foy, foi, n. (Spens.) allegiance. [Fr. foi, faith.]

Foy, foi, n. (prov.) a parting entertainment.

Foyer, fwo-yā′, n. in theatres, a public room opening on the lobby. [Fr.,—L. focus, hearth.]

Fozy, fōz′i, adj. (Scot.) spongy.—n. Foz′iness, softness, want of spirit. [Cf. Dut. voos, spongy.]

Frab, frab, v.t. to worry.—adj. Frab′bit, peevish.

Fracas, fra-kä′, n. uproar: a noisy quarrel. [Fr.,—It. fracasso—fracassare, to make an uproar.]

Fraction, frak′shun, n. a fragment or very small piece: (arith.) any part of a unit: a technical term to indicate the breaking of the bread in the sacrifice of the Eucharist.—v.t. Fract (Shak.), to break, to violate.—adjs. Fract′ed (her.), having a part displaced, as if broken; Frac′tional, belonging to or containing a fraction or fractions; Frac′tionary, fractional: unimportant.—v.t. Frac′tionate, to separate the elements of a mixture by distillation or otherwise.—n. Fractionā′tion.—v.t. Frac′tionise, to break up into fractions.—n. Frac′tionlet, a small fraction.—adj. Frac′tious, ready to quarrel: cross.—adv. Frac′tiously.—ns. Frac′tiousness; Frac′ture, the breaking of any hard body: the breach or part broken: the breaking of a bone.—v.t. to break through.—Compound, Comminuted, Complicated fracture (see the respective adjectives); Greenstick fracture, a fracture where the bone is partly broken, partly bent, occurring in the limbs of children; Simple fracture, a fracture when the bone only is divided. [O. Fr. fraccion—L. fraction-em—frangĕre, fractum, to break.]

Fragaria, frā-gā′ri-a, n. a genus of perennial plants with creeping stolons, the fruit the strawberry. [L. fragum, the strawberry.]

Fragile, fraj′il, adj. easily broken: frail: delicate.—n. Fragil′ity, the state of being fragile. [Fr.,—L. fragilis, frangĕre, to break.]

Fragment, frag′ment, n. a piece broken off: an unfinished portion.—adj. Frag′mental (also -ment′).—adv. Frag′mentarily.—n. Frag′mentariness.—adjs. Frag′mentary, Frag′mented, consisting of fragments or pieces: broken. [Fr.,—L. fragmentum, frangĕre, to break.]

Fragor, frā′gor, n. a crash. [L.]

Fragrant, frā′grant, adj. sweet-scented.—ns. Frā′grance, Frā′grancy, pleasantness of smell or perfume: sweet or grateful influence.—adv. Frā′grantly.—n. Frā′grantness. [Fr.,—L. fragrans, -antis, pr.p. of fragrāre, to smell.]

Frail, frāl, adj. wanting in strength or firmness: weak: unchaste.—adj. Frail′ish, somewhat frail.—adv. Frail′ly.—ns. Frail′ness, Frail′ty, weakness: infirmity. [O. Fr. fraile—L. fragilis, fragile.]

Frail, frāl, n. a rush: a basket made of rushes. [O. Fr. frayel; of dubious origin.]

Fraise, frāz, n. (fort.) a palisade of pointed stakes planted in the rampart horizontally or in an inclined position: a tool used for enlarging a drill-hole: a 16th-cent. ruff.—v.t. to fence with a fraise. [Fr.]

Fraise, frāz, n. (prov.) commotion.

Frambœsia, fram-bē′zi-a, n. the yaws (q.v.). [Fr. framboise, a raspberry.]

Frame, frām, v.t. to form: to shape: to construct by fitting the parts to each other: to plan, adjust, or adapt to an end: to contrive or devise: to constitute: to put a frame or border round, as a picture: to put into a frame: (Spens.) to support.—v.i. (dial.) to move: (B.) to contrive.—n. the form: a putting together of parts: a case made to enclose or support anything: the skeleton of anything: state of mind: in gardening, a movable structure used for the cultivation or the sheltering of plants, as a 'forcing-frame,' 'cucumber-frame,' &c.: (Shak.) the act of devising.—ns. Frame′-bridge, a bridge constructed of pieces of timber framed together; Frame′-house, a house consisting of a skeleton of timber, with boards or shingles laid on; Frame′-mak′er, a maker of frames for pictures; Fram′er, he who forms or constructs: one who makes frames for pictures, &c.; Frame′-saw, a thin saw stretched in a frame for greater rigidity; Frame′work, the work that forms the frame: the skeleton or outline of anything; Fram′ing, the act of constructing: a frame or setting. [A.S. framian, to be helpful, fram, forward.]

Frampold, fram′pōld, adj. (Shak.) peevish, cross-grained: quarrelsome.—Also Fram′pel. [Prob. fram, from, poll, head.]

Franc, frangk, n. a French silver coin, forming since 1795 the unit of the French monetary system, and now also used in Belgium, Switzerland, equal to fully 9½d. sterling, the equivalent of the Italian lira, the Greek drachma. [O. Fr. franc, from the legend Francorum rex on the first coins.]

Franchise, fran′chiz, or -chīz, n. liberty: a privilege or exemption belonging to a subject by prescription or conferred by grant: the right of voting for a member of Parliament.—v.t. to enfranchise: to give one the franchise.—ns. Fran′chisement (Spens.), freedom, release; Fran′chiser, one who has the franchise. [O. Fr., from franc, free.]

Franciscan, fran-sis′kan, adj. belonging to the order of mendicant friars in the R.C. Church founded by St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226).—n. a monk of this order. [L. Franciscus, Francis.]

Franco-, frangk′ō, French, in combinations as Franco-German, Franco-Russian, &c.

Francolin, frang′kō-lin, n. a genus of birds of the grouse family, closely allied to partridges. [Fr.]

Franc-tireur, frang-tē-rėr′, n. a French sharp-shooter, one of an armed band of French peasants and others prominent in the later stages of the Franco-Prussian war. [Fr. franc, free, tireur, a shooter.]

Frangible, fran′ji-bl, adj. easily broken.—n. Frangibil′ity. [See Fraction.]

Frangipane, fran′ji-pān, n. a kind of pastry-cake, filled with cream, almonds, and sugar: a perfume from the flower of the red jasmine, or in imitation of it.—Also Fran′gipani. [Fr., from a personal name.]

Franion, fran′yun, n. (Spens.) a paramour: a boon-companion. [Origin uncertain.]

Frank, frangk, adj. free, open: (obs.) liberal: open or candid in expression: (Spens.) unrestrained.—v.t. to send free of expense, as a letter.—n. the signature of a person who had the right to frank a letter.—n. Frank′-fee, a species of tenure in fee-simple, the opposite of copyhold.—adv. Frank′ly, candidly: (obs.) gratuitously.—ns. Frank′ness; Frank′-pledge, a system of mutual suretyship by which the members of a tithing were made responsible for one another; Frank′-ten′ement, freehold. [O. Fr. franc—Low L. francus—Old High Ger. Franko, one of the tribe called Franks, a free man.]

Frank, frangk, n. one of the German tribes from Franconia who conquered Gaul in the 5th century, and founded France: the name given in the East to a native of Western Europe.—adj. Frank′ish.

Frank, frangk, n. (Shak.) a pig-sty.—v.t. (Shak.) to shut up in a sty, to cram, to fatten. [O. Fr. franc.]

Frankalmoign, frangk′al-moin, n. (Eng. law) a form of land-tenure in which no obligations were enforced except religious ones, as praying, &c. [O. Fr. franc, free, almoigne, alms.]

Frankenstein, frangk′en-stīn, n. any creation which brings anxiety or disaster to its author—from the Frankenstein in Mrs Shelley's romance so named, who by his skill forms an animate creature like a man, only to his own torment.

Frankincense, frangk′in-sens, n. a sweet-smelling vegetable resin from Arabia, used in sacrifices. [O. Fr. franc encens, pure incense.]

Franklin, frangk′lin, n. an old English freeholder, free from feudal servitude to a subject-superior. [Low L. francus, frank.]

Frantic, fran′tik, adj. mad, furious: wild.—advs. Fran′tically, Fran′ticly (Shak.).—adj. Fran′tic-mad, raving mad.—n. Fran′ticness, the state of being frantic. [O. Fr. frenetique—L. phreneticus—Gr. phrenētikos, mad, phrenītis, inflammation of the brain—phrēn, the mind; see Frenzy.]

Franzy, fran′zi, adj. (prov.) cross: particular.

Frap, frap, v.t. to strike: (naut.) to secure by many turns of a lashing. [Fr. frapper, to strike.]

Frappé, fra-pā, adj. iced, cooled. [Fr.]

Fratch, frach, n. (prov.) a quarrel or brawl.—adjs. Fratch′ety, Fratch′y; Fratch′ing. [Imit.]

Frater, frā′ter, n. the refectory of a monastery. [O. Fr. fraitur for refreitor.—Low L. refectōrium.]

Fraternal, fra-tėr′nal, adj. belonging to a brother or brethren: becoming brothers.—ns. Frate (frä′te), a friar:—pl. Frä′ti; Frā′ter, a friar: comrade; Frater′cula, a genus of marine diving-birds, the puffins or masked auks.—adv. Frater′nally.—n. Fraternisā′tion, the associating as brethren.—v.i. Frat′ernise, to associate as brothers: to seek brotherly fellowship.—ns. Frat′erniser; Frater′nity, the state of being brethren: a society formed on a principle of brotherhood; Frat′ry, the common-room of a monastic establishment, the chapter-house—also Frat′ery: a fraternity: a convent of friars. [Fr.,—Low L. fraternalis—frater, a brother, Eng. brother, Gr. phratēr, a clansman, Sans. bhrāta.]

Fratricide, frat′ri-sīd, n. one who kills his brother: the murder of a brother.—adj. Frat′ricidal. [Fr.,—L. frater, fratris, cædĕre, to kill.]

Frau, frow, n. a married woman, a wife.—n. Fräu′lein, a young lady, miss—often in England for a German governess. [Ger.]

Fraud, frawd, n. deceit: imposture: (Milt.) a snare: a deceptive trick: (coll.) a cheat: a fraudulent production.—adj. Fraud′ful, deceptive.—adv. Fraud′fully.—ns. Fraud′ulence, Fraud′ulency.—adj. Fraud′ulent, using fraud: dishonest.—adv. Fraud′ulently.—Fraudulent bankruptcy, a bankruptcy in which the insolvent is accessory, by concealment or otherwise, to the diminution of the funds divisible among his creditors.—Pious fraud, a deception practised with a good end in view: (coll.) a religious humbug. [O. Fr.,—L. fraus, fraudis, fraud.]

Fraught, frawt, n. a load, cargo: the freight of a ship.—v.t. to fill, store.—v.i. (Shak.) to form the freight of a vessel.—p.adj. freighted, laden: filled.—n. Fraught′age (Shak.), loading, cargo. [Prob. Old Dut. vracht. Cf. Freight.]

Fraxinella, frak-si-nel′a, n. a common name for cultivated species of dittany.—n. Frax′inus, the genus of Oleaceæ containing the common ash.

Fray, frā, n. an affray, a brawl.—v.t. (B.) to frighten. [Abbrev. of affray.]

Fray, frā, v.t. to wear off by rubbing: to ravel out the edge of a stuff.—v.i. to become frayed.—n. Fray′ing, the action of the verb fray: ravellings. [Fr. frayer—L. fricāre, to rub.]

Frazil, fräz′il, n. anchor-ice. [Canadian Fr.; prob. Fr. fraisil, cinders.]

Frazzle, fraz′l, v.t. (U.S.) to fray, wear out.—n. state of being worn out.

Freak, frēk, n. a sudden caprice or fancy: sport: an abnormal production of nature, a monstrosity.—ns. Freak′iness, Freak′ishness.—adjs. Freak′ish, Freak′ful, apt to change the mind suddenly: capricious.—adv. Freak′ishly. [A late word; cf. A.S. frícian, to dance.]

Freak, frēk, v.t. to spot or streak: to variegate.—n. a streak of colour.

Freck, frek, adj. (Scot.) prompt, eager.—Also Frack.

Freckle, frek′l, v.t. to spot: to colour with spots.—n. a yellowish or brownish-yellow spot on the skin, esp. of fair-haired persons: any small spot.—n. Freck′ling, a little spot.—adjs. Freck′ly, Freck′led, full of freckles. [Ice. freknur (pl.), Dan. fregne.]

Free, frē, adj. not bound: at liberty: not under arbitrary government: unimpeded: set at liberty: guiltless: frank: lavish: not attached: exempt (with from): having a franchise (with of): gratuitous: bold, indecent: idiomatic, as a translation.—v.t. to set at liberty: to deliver from what confines: to rid (with from, of):—pr.p. free′ing; pa.p. freed.—ns. Free′-ag′ency, state or power of acting freely, or without necessity or constraint upon the will; Free′-ag′ent; Free′-and-eas′y, a kind of public-house club where good fellows gather to smoke and sing; Free′-bench, a widow's right to dower out of her husband's lands, so long as unmarried and chaste; Free′-board, the space between a vessel's line of flotation and the upper side of the deck; Free′booter (Dut. vrijbuiter), one who roves about freely in search of booty: a plunderer; Free′bootery.—adj. Free′booting, acting the part of a freebooter: robbing.—n. the practice of a freebooter: robbery, pillage.—n. Free′booty.—adj. Free′born, born of free parents.—ns. Free′-cit′y, a city having independent government; Free′-cost, freedom from charges; Freed′man, a man who has been a slave, and has been freed or set free; Free′dom, liberty: frankness: separation: privileges connected with a city: improper familiarity: license; Free′-fish′er, one who has a right to take fish in certain waters.—adjs. Free-foot′ed (Shak.) not restrained in movement; Free′-hand, applied to drawing by the unguided hand; Free′-hand′ed, open-handed: liberal; Free′-heart′ed, open-hearted: liberal.—ns. Free′-heart′edness, liberality: frankness; Free′hold, a property held free of duty except to the king; Free′holder, one who possesses a freehold; Free′-lā′bour, voluntary, not slave, labour; Free′-lance, one of certain roving companies of knights and men-at-arms, who after the Crusades wandered about Europe, selling their services to any one; Free′-liv′er, one who freely indulges his appetite for eating and drinking: a glutton; Free′-love, the claim to freedom in sexual relations, unshackled by marriage or obligation to aliment.—adv. Free′ly.—ns. Free′man, a man who is free or enjoys liberty: one who holds a particular franchise or privilege:—pl. Free′men; Free′māson, one of a secret society of so-called speculative masons, united in lodges for social enjoyment and mutual assistance, and laying dubious claim to a connection with the medieval organisations of free operative masons.—adj. Freemason′ic.—n. Freemā′sonry, the institutions, practices, &c. of Freemasons.—adj. Free′-mind′ed, with a mind free or unperplexed: without a load of care.—ns. Free′ness; Free′-port, a port where no duties are levied on articles of commerce; Free′-school, a school where no tuition fees are exacted; Free′-shot (Ger. Freischütz), the name given to a legendary hunter and marksman who gets a number of bullets (Freikugeln) from the devil, six of which always hit the mark, while the seventh is at the disposal of the devil himself.—adjs. Free′-soil, in favour of free territory, opposed to slavery; Free′-spōk′en, accustomed to speak without reserve.—ns. Free′-spōk′enness; Free′stone, an easily quarried stone composed of sand or grit.—adj. having a stone from which the pulp easily separates, as a peach—opp. to Clingstone.—adj. Free′-swim′ming, swimming freely, as an aquatic animal.—ns. Free′thinker, one who professes to be free from conventional authority in religion: a rationalist; Free′thinking, Free′-thought, the habit of mind of a freethinker.—adj. Free′-tongued, free-spoken.—ns. Free′-trade, free or unrestricted trade: free interchange of commodities without protective duties; Free′-trad′er, one who practises or advocates this; Free′-will, freedom of the will from restraint: liberty of choice: power of self-determination.—adj. spontaneous.—Free-cell formation, the formation of several cells from and in the protoplasm of the mother-cell; Free Church, that branch of the Presbyterians in Scotland which left the Established Church in the Disruption of 1843, finding spiritual independence impossible within it: a church whose sittings are open to all: (pl.) a term often applied to the Nonconformist churches generally; Free list, the list of persons admitted without payment to a theatre, &c., or of those to whom a book, &c., is sent; Free on board (F.O.B.), a phrase meaning that goods are to be delivered on the vessel or other conveyance without charge.—Free States, in America, before the Civil War of 1861-65, those of the United States in which slavery did not exist, as opposed to Slave States.—Make free with, to take undue liberties with. [A.S. freo; Ger. frei, Ice. frí.]