n. [ OE. aldir, aller, fr. AS. alr, aler, alor, akin to D. els, G. erle, Icel. erlir, erli, Swed. al, Dan. elle, el, L. alnus, and E. elm. ] (Bot.) A tree, usually growing in moist land, and belonging to the genus Alnus. The wood is used by turners, etc.; the bark by dyers and tanners. In the U. S. the species of alder are usually shrubs or small trees. [ 1913 Webster ]

Black alder. (a) A European shrub (Rhamnus frangula); Alder buckthorn. (b) An American species of holly (Ilex verticillata), bearing red berries. [ 1913 Webster ]

. 1. Any of numerous dark-colored neuropterous insects of the genus Sialis or allied genera. They have predaceous aquatic larvæ, which are used for bait. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. (Angling) An artificial fly with brown mottled wings, body of peacock harl, and black legs. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ For allerliefest dearest of all. See Lief. ] Most beloved. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Aldermen [ AS. aldormon, ealdorman; ealdor an elder + man. See Elder, n. ] 1. A senior or superior; a person of rank or dignity. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The title was applied, among the Anglo-Saxons, to princes, dukes, earls, senators, and presiding magistrates; also to archbishops and bishops, implying superior wisdom or authority. Thus Ethelstan, duke of the East-Anglians, was called Alderman of all England; and there were aldermen of cities, counties, and castles, who had jurisdiction within their respective districts. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One of a board or body of municipal officers next in order to the mayor and having a legislative function. They may, in some cases, individually exercise some magisterial and administrative functions. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office of an alderman. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Relating to, becoming to, or like, an alderman; characteristic of an alderman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Aldermen collectively; the body of aldermen. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The state of being an alderman. [ Jocular ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Like or suited to an alderman. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to, or like, an alderman. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to, or like, an alderman. “An aldermanly discretion.” Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The district or ward of an alderman. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The office or rank of an alderman. [ R. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The condition, position, or office of an alderman. Fabyan. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Made of alder. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One of a breed of cattle raised in Alderney, one of the Channel Islands. Alderneys are of a dun or tawny color and are often called Jersey cattle. See Jersey, 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ From ealra, alra, gen. pl. of AS. eal. The d is excrescent. ] Of all; -- used in composition; as, alderbest, best of all, alderwisest, wisest of all. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. n. [ Icel. Baldr, akin to E. bold. ] (Scan. Myth.) The most beautiful and beloved of the gods; the god of peace; the son of Odin and Freya. [ Written also Baldur. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Of uncertain origin: cf. Dan. balder noise, clatter, and E. dash; hence, perhaps, unmeaning noise, then hodgepodge, mixture; or W. baldorduss a prattling, baldordd, baldorddi, to prattle. ] 1. A worthless mixture, especially of liquors. [ 1913 Webster ]

Indeed beer, by a mixture of wine, hath lost both name and nature, and is called balderdash. Taylor (Drink and Welcome). [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Senseless jargon; ribaldry; nonsense; trash. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To mix or adulterate, as liquors. [ 1913 Webster ]

The wine merchants of Nice brew and balderdash, and even
mix it with pigeon's dung and quicklime. Smollett. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ Icel. tjaldr. ] (Zool.) A kind of bird; the oyster catcher. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ , n. An alderman. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Nonsense; foolish talk. [ Also spelled folderol and falderol. ] [ Colloq. ]
Syn. -- humbug; balderdash; poppycock. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. a knickknack; a gew-gaw. [ PJC ]

n. A Scandinavian poet; a scald. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From the root of stall. ] A wooden frame to set casks on. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]