[ Named from Thomas Addison, M. D., of London, who first described it. ] (Med.) A morbid condition causing a peculiar brownish discoloration of the skin, hypotension, and loss of weight; it is due to insufficient secretion of adrenocortical hormones. Untreated disease is usually fatal. Called also chronic adrenocortical insufficiency [ 1913 Webster + AS ]

n. See Ambergris. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Appealed p. pr. & vb. n. Appeasing. ] [ OE. apesen, apaisen, OF. apaisier, apaissier, F. apaiser, fr. a (L. ad) + OF. pais peace, F. paix, fr. L. pax, pacis. See Peace. ] To make quiet; to calm; to reduce to a state of peace; to still; to pacify; to dispel (anger or hatred); as, to appease the tumult of the ocean, or of the passions; to appease hunger or thirst. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To pacify; quiet; conciliate; propitiate; assuage; compose; calm; allay; hush; soothe; tranquilize. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of appeasing, or the state of being appeased; pacification. Hayward. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who appeases; a pacifier. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Named for Dr. Basedow, a German physician. ] (Med.) A disease characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland, prominence of the eyeballs, and inordinate action of the heart; -- called also exophthalmic goiter. Flint. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To soil or daub with grease or other oily matter. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Med.) the popular name for a form of the chronic lung disease pneumoconiosis which is observed among coal miners, and is caused by the inhalation of coal dust. It is thus named because of the black appearance of the lungs (pneumomelanosis) of those affected with the disease. See also the related condition anthracosis. [ PJC. ]

n. a difficult problem.
Syn. -- riddle, conundrum, enigma. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

[ From Dr. Bright of London, who first described it. ] (Med.) An affection of the kidneys, usually inflammatory in character, and distinguished by the occurrence of albumin and renal casts in the urine. Several varieties of Bright's disease are now recognized, differing in the part of the kidney involved, and in the intensity and course of the morbid process. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Med.) A disease frequently induced by remaining for some time in an atmosphere of high pressure, as in caissons, diving bells, etc. It is characterized by neuralgic pains and paralytic symptoms. It is caused by the release of bubbles of gas, usually nitrogen, from bodily fluids into the blood and tissues, when a person, having been in an environment with high air pressure, moves to a lower pressure environment too rapidly for the excess dissolved gases to be released through normal breathing. It may be fatal, but can be reversed or alleviated by returning the affected person to a high air pressure, and then gradually decreasing the pressure to allow the gases to be released from the body fluids. It is a danger well known to divers. It is also called the bends and decompression sickness. It can be prevented in divers by a slow return to normal pressure, or by using a breathing mixture of oxygen combined with a gas having low solubility in water, such as helium. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Ceased p. pr. & vb. n. Ceasing. ] [ OE. cessen, cesen, F. cesser, fr. L. cessare, v. intensive fr. cedere to withdraw. See Cede , and cf. Cessation. ] 1. To come to an end; to stop; to leave off or give over; to desist; as, the noise ceased. “To cease from strife.” Prov. xx. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To be wanting; to fail; to pass away. [ 1913 Webster ]

The poor shall never cease out of the land. Deut. xv. 11.

Syn. -- To intermit; desist; stop; abstain; quit; discontinue; refrain; leave off; pause; end. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To put a stop to; to bring to an end. [ 1913 Webster ]

But he, her fears to cease
Sent down the meek-eyed peace. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Cease, then, this impious rage. Milton [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Extinction. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Without pause or end; incessant. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Without intermission or end. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Carlos Chagas, a physician in Brazil, 1879-1934 ] a form of trypanosomiasis caused by infection with Trypamosoma cruzi, found principally in South America. It is transmitted by certain species of reduviid bugs, and has natural reservoirs in dogs, armadillos, rodents and other domestic and wild mammals. Stedman's Med. Dict., Dorland's Illustr. Med. Dict.
Syn. -- South Amercian trypanosomiasis, Chagas-Cruz disease. [ PJC ]

. (Med.) A disease communicable by contact with a patient suffering from it, or with some secretion of, or object touched by, such a patient. Most such diseases have already been proved to be germ diseases, and their communicability depends on the transmission of the living germs. Many germ diseases are not contagious, some special method of transmission or inoculation of the germs being required. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. See Creese. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. LG. krus, G. krause, crispness, krausen, kräusen, to crisp, curl, lay on folds; or perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Armor. kriz a wrinkle, crease, kriza to wrinkle, fold, W. crych a wrinkle, crychu to rumple, ripple, crease. ] 1. A line or mark made by folding or doubling any pliable substance; hence, a similar mark, however produced. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Cricket) One of the lines serving to define the limits of the bowler and the striker. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Lacrosse) The combination of four lines forming a rectangle inclosing either goal, or the inclosed space itself, within which no attacking player is allowed unless the ball is there; -- called also goal crease. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Bowling crease (Cricket), a line extending three feet four inches on each side of the central strings at right angles to the line between the wickets. --
Return crease (Cricket), a short line at each end of the bowling crease and at right angles to it, extending toward the bowler. --
Popping crease (Cricket), , a line drawn in front of the wicket, four feet distant from it, parallel to the bowling crease and at least as long as the latter. J. H. Walsh (Encyc. of Rural Sports). [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Creased p. pr. & vb. n. Creasing. ] To make a crease or mark in, as by folding or doubling. [ 1913 Webster ]

Creased, like dog's ears in a folio. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A tool, or a sewing-machine attachment, for making lines or creases on leather or cloth, as guides to sew by. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A tool for making creases or beads, as in sheet iron, or for rounding small tubes. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Bookbinding) A tool for making the band impression distinct on the back. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. deses, deces, F. décès, fr. L. decessus departure, death, fr. decedere to depart, die; de- + cedere to withdraw. See Cease, Cede. ] Departure, especially departure from this life; death. [ 1913 Webster ]

His decease, which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke ix. 31. [ 1913 Webster ]

And I, the whilst you mourn for his decease,
Will with my mourning plaints your plaint increase. Spenser.

Syn. -- Death; departure; dissolution; demise; release. See Death. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Deceased p. pr. & vb. n. Deceasing. ] To depart from this life; to die; to pass away. [ 1913 Webster ]

She's dead, deceased, she's dead. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

When our summers have deceased. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Inasmuch as he carries the malignity and the lie with him, he so far deceases from nature. Emerson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Passed away; dead; gone. [ 1913 Webster ]

The deceased, the dead person. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Decreased p. pr. & vb. n. Decreasing. ] [ OE. decrecen, fr. OF. decreistre, F. décroître, or from the OF. noun (see Decrease, n.), fr. L. decrescere to grow less; de + crescere to grow. See Crescent, and cf. Increase. ] To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc., or in strength, quality, or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December. [ 1913 Webster ]

He must increase, but I must decrease. John iii. 30.

Syn. -- To Decrease, Diminish. Things usually decrease or fall off by degrees, and from within, or through some cause which is imperceptible; as, the flood decreases; the cold decreases; their affection has decreased. Things commonly diminish by an influence from without, or one which is apparent; as, the army was diminished by disease; his property is diminishing through extravagance; their affection has diminished since their separation their separation. The turn of thought, however, is often such that these words may be interchanged. [ 1913 Webster ]

The olive leaf, which certainly them told
The flood decreased. Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye;
Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means. [ 1913 Webster ]

That might decrease their present store. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. decrees, OF. decreis, fr. decreistre. See Decrease, v. ] 1. A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of strength. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The wane of the moon. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. made less in size or amount or degree. Opposite of increased. [ Narrower terms: attenuate, attenuated, faded, weakened; belittled, diminished, small; cut, cut-rate; diminished, lessened; minimized; remittent; attenuated ]
Syn. -- reduced. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Suffering no decrease. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

It [ the river ] flows and flows, and yet will flow,
Volume decreaseless to the final hour. A. Seward. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To remove grease or fatty matter from, as wool or silk. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ OE. disese, OF. desaise; des- (L. dis-) + aise ease. See Ease. ] 1. Lack of ease; uneasiness; trouble; vexation; disquiet. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

So all that night they passed in great disease. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

To shield thee from diseases of the world. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An alteration in the state of the body or of some of its organs, interrupting or disturbing the performance of the vital functions, and causing or threatening pain and weakness; malady; affection; illness; sickness; disorder; -- applied figuratively to the mind, to the moral character and habits, to institutions, the state, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Diseases desperate grown,
By desperate appliances are relieved. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The instability, injustice, and confusion introduced into the public counsels have, in truth, been the mortal diseases under which popular governments have every where perished. Madison. [ 1913 Webster ]

Disease germ. See under Germ.

Syn. -- Distemper; ailing; ailment; malady; disorder; sickness; illness; complaint; indisposition; affection. -- Disease, Disorder, Distemper, Malady, Affection. Disease is the leading medical term. Disorder mean&unr_; much the same, with perhaps some slight reference to an irregularity of the system. Distemper is now used by physicians only of the diseases of animals. Malady is not a medical term, and is less used than formerly in literature. Affection has special reference to the part, organ, or function disturbed; as, his disease is an affection of the lungs. A disease is usually deep-seated and permanent, or at least prolonged; a disorder is often slight, partial, and temporary; malady has less of a technical sense than the other terms, and refers more especially to the suffering endured. In a figurative sense we speak of a disease mind, of disordered faculties, and of mental maladies. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Diseased p. pr. & vb. n. Diseasing. ] 1. To deprive of ease; to disquiet; to trouble; to distress. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

His double burden did him sore disease. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To derange the vital functions of; to afflict with disease or sickness; to disorder; -- used almost exclusively in the participle diseased. [ 1913 Webster ]

He was diseased in body and mind. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Afflicted with disease. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is my own diseased imagination that torments me. W. Irving.

Syn. -- See Morbid. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being diseased; a morbid state; sickness. [ R. ] T. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Causing uneasiness. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Disgraceful to the king and diseaseful to the people. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Abounding with disease; producing diseases; as, a diseaseful climate. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being diseaseful; trouble; trial. [ R. ] Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Uneasiness; inconvenience. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Displeased p. pr. & vb. n. Displeasing. ] [ OF. desplaisir, whence F. déplaisir displeasure; pref. des- (L. dis-) + plaisir to please. See Please, and cf. Displeasure. ] 1. To make not pleased; to excite a feeling of disapprobation or dislike in; to be disagreeable to; to offend; to vex; -- often followed by with or at. It usually expresses less than to anger, vex, irritate, or provoke. [ 1913 Webster ]

God was displeased with this thing. 1 Chron. xxi. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

Wilt thou be displeased at us forever? Psalms lxxxv. 5 (Bk. of Com. Prayer). [ 1913 Webster ]

This virtuous plaster will displease
Your tender sides. J. Fletcher. [ 1913 Webster ]

Adversity is so wholesome . . . why should we be displeased therewith? Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To fail to satisfy; to miss of. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I shall displease my ends else. Beau. & Fl.

Syn. -- To offend; disgust; vex; annoy; dissatisfy; chafe; anger; provoke; affront. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To give displeasure or offense. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. With displeasure. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Displeasure. [ R. ] South. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who displeases. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. [ imp. & p. p. Eased p. pr. & vb. n. Easing. ] [ OE. esen, eisen, OF. aisier. See Ease, n. ] 1. To free from anything that pains, disquiets, or oppresses; to relieve from toil or care; to give rest, repose, or tranquillity to; -- often with of; as, to ease of pain; to ease the body or mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

Eased [ from ] the putting off
These troublesome disguises which we wear. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sing, and I 'll ease thy shoulders of thy load. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To render less painful or oppressive; to mitigate; to alleviate. [ 1913 Webster ]

My couch shall ease my complaint. Job vii. 13. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To release from pressure or restraint; to move gently; to lift slightly; to shift a little; as, to ease a bar or nut in machinery. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To entertain; to furnish with accommodations. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

To ease off,
To ease away (Naut.), to slacken a rope gradually. --
To ease a ship (Naut.), to put the helm hard, or regulate the sail, to prevent pitching when closehauled. --
To ease the helm (Naut.), to put the helm more nearly amidships, to lessen the effect on the ship, or the strain on the wheel rope. Ham. Nav. Encyc.

Syn. -- To relieve; disburden; quiet; calm; tranquilize; assuage; alleviate; allay; mitigate; appease; pacify. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. ese, eise, F. aise; akin to Pr. ais, aise, OIt. asio, It. agio; of uncertain origin; cf. L. ansa handle, occasion, opportunity. Cf. Agio, Disease. ] 1. Satisfaction; pleasure; hence, accommodation; entertainment. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

They him besought
Of harbor and or ease as for hire penny. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Freedom from anything that pains or troubles; as: (a) Relief from labor or effort; rest; quiet; relaxation; as, ease of body. [ 1913 Webster ]

Usefulness comes by labor, wit by ease. Herbert. [ 1913 Webster ]

Give yourself ease from the fatigue of watching. Swift.

(b) Freedom from care, solicitude, or anything that annoys or disquiets; tranquillity; peace; comfort; security; as, ease of mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

Among these nations shalt thou find no ease. Deut. xxviii. 65. [ 1913 Webster ]

Take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. Luke xii. 19.

(c) Freedom from constraint, formality, difficulty, embarrassment, etc.; facility; liberty; naturalness; -- said of manner, style, etc.; as, ease of style, of behavior, of address. [ 1913 Webster ]

True ease in writing comes from art, not chance. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whate'er he did was done with so much ease,
In him alone 't was natural to please. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

At ease, free from pain, trouble, or anxiety. “His soul shall dwell at ease.” Ps. xxv. 12. --
Chapel of ease. See under Chapel. --
Ill at ease, not at ease, disquieted; suffering; anxious. --
To stand at ease (Mil.), to stand in a comfortable attitude in one's place in the ranks. --
With ease, easily; without much effort.

Syn. -- Rest; quiet; repose; comfortableness; tranquillity; facility; easiness; readiness. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. made less severe or intense; mitigated.
Syn. -- alleviated, relieved. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Full of ease; suitable for affording ease or rest; quiet; comfortable; restful. Shak. -- Ease"ful*ly, adv. -- Ease"ful*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ D. ezel ass, donkey, hence, easel, or G. esel; akin to E. ass. See Ass. ] A frame (commonly) of wood serving to hold a canvas upright, or nearly upright, for the painter's convenience or for exhibition. [ 1913 Webster ]

Easel picture,
Easel piece, a painting of moderate size such as is made while resting on an easel, as distinguished from a painting on a wall or ceiling. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Without ease. Donne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. aisement. See Ease, n. ] 1. That which gives ease, relief, or assistance; convenience; accommodation. [ 1913 Webster ]

In need of every kind of relief and easement. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) A liberty, privilege, or advantage, which one proprietor has in the estate of another proprietor, distinct from the ownership of the soil, as a way, water course, etc. It is a species of what the civil law calls servitude. Kent. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Arch.) A curved member instead of an abrupt change of direction, as in a baseboard, hand rail, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]