adv. & a. [ Pref. a- + glimmer. ] In a glimmering state. Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ]

. a hammer powered by compressed air so as to be able to provide powerful repeated strokes; a pneumatic hammer. [ PJC ]

n. (Physics) A contraction of amperometer or ampèremeter. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Incommensurable; also, unsymmetrical. [ Obs. ] D. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ See Asymmetrous. ] 1. Incommensurable. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not symmetrical; wanting proportion; esp., not bilaterally symmetrical. Huxley. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Gr. &unr_;. ] Asymmetrical. [ Obs. ] Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. &unr_;; 'a priv. + &unr_; symmetry. ] 1. Want of symmetry, or proportion between the parts of a thing, esp. lack of bilateral symmetry. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Math.) Incommensurability. [ Obs. ] Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Oriflamme. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. any of numerous predaceous aquatic insects of the family Notonectidae (such as Notonecta undulata) that swim on their backs and may inflict painful bites; -- also called boat bug. [ RHUD ] [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

adj. 1. made dim or indistinct. a sun bedimmed by clouds [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bepommeled p. pr. & vb. n. Bepommeling. ] To pommel; to beat, as with a stick; figuratively, to assail or criticise in conversation, or in writing. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } v. t. [ Pref. be- + scumber, scummer. ] To discharge ordure or dung upon. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Arch.) A summer or girder extending across a building flush with, and supporting, the upper part of a front or external wall; a long lintel; a girder; -- used principally above shop windows. [ Written also brestsummer and bressummer. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. See Breastsummer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Having a brim; -- usually in composition. “Broad-brimmed hat.” Spectator. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Full to, or level with, the brim. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A brimful bowl; a bumper. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having a broad brim. [ 1913 Webster ]

A broad-brimmed flat silver plate. Tatler. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. An idle, worthless fellow, who is without any visible means of support; a loafer; a dissipated sponger; one who bums. [ Slang, U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. an unpleasant event, experience, or situation; as, getting caught in a cloudburst while wearing my best suit was a bummer. [ Slang, U.S. ] [ PJC ]

n. See Bottomery. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

There was a scivener of Wapping brought to hearing for relief against a bummery bond. R. North. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A hammer with a head formed of a bundle of square bars, with pyramidal points, arranged in rows, or a solid head with a face cut into a number of rows of such points; -- used for dressing stone. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To dress with bushhammer; as, to bushhammer a block of granite. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ F. centigramme; centi- (L. centum) + gramme. See Gram. ] The hundredth part of a gram; a mass equal to .15432 of a grain. See 3rd Gram. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. Cimmerius. ] [ Written also Kimmerian. ] 1. Pertaining to the Cimmerii, a fabulous people, said to have lived, in very ancient times, in profound and perpetual darkness. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Without any light; intensely dark. [ 1913 Webster ]

In dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. circum- + meridian. ] About, or near, the meridian. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. Commensurable. ] Having the same measure; commensurate; proportional. [ 1913 Webster ]

She being now removed by death, a commeasurable grief took as full possession of him as joy had done. I. Walton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To be commensurate with; to equal. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. commemorabilis. ] Worthy to be commemorated. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Commemorated; p. pr. & vb. n. Commemorating. ] [ L. commemoratus, p. p. of commemorare to remember; com- + memorare to mention, fr. memor mindful. See Memory. ] To call to remembrance by a special act or observance; to celebrate with honor and solemnity; to honor, as a person or event, by some act of respect or affection, intended to preserve the remembrance of the person or event; as, to commemorate the sufferings and dying love of our Savior by the sacrament of the Lord's Supper; to commemorate the Declaration of Independence by the observance of the Fourth of July. [ 1913 Webster ]

We are called upon to commemorate a revolution. Atterbury.

Syn. -- See Celebrate. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. of or pertaining to a commemoration; serving to commemorate.
Syn. -- commemorative. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L. commemoratio. ] 1. The act of commemorating; an observance or celebration designed to honor the memory of some person or event. [ 1913 Webster ]

This sacrament was designed to be a standing commemoration of the death and passion of our Lord. Abp. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

The commonwealth which . . . chooses the most flagrant act of murderous regicide treason for a feast of eternal commemoration. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Whatever serves the purpose of commemorating; a memorial. [ 1913 Webster ]

Commemoration day, at the University of Oxford, Eng., an annual observance or ceremony in honor of the benefactors of the University, at which time honorary degrees are conferred. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tending or intended to commemorate; as, a commemorative plaque. “A sacrifice commemorative of Christ's offering up his body for us.” Hammond. [ 1913 Webster ]

An inscription commemorative of his victory. Sir G. C. Lewis. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. something that commemorates, especially a postage stamp or coin having a design commemorating some event, person, institution, etc. [ PJC ]

n. [ L. ] One who commemorates. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Serving to commemorate; commemorative. Bp. Hooper. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Commenced p. pr. & vb. n. Commencing. ] [ F. commencer, OF. comencier, fr. L. com- + initiare to begin. See Initiate. ] 1. To have a beginning or origin; to originate; to start; to begin. [ 1913 Webster ]

Here the anthem doth commence. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

His heaven commences ere the world be past. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To begin to be, or to act as. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

We commence judges ourselves. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To take a degree at a university. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I question whether the formality of commencing was used in that age. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To enter upon; to begin; to perform the first act of. [ 1913 Webster ]

Many a wooer doth commence his suit. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ It is the practice of good writers to use the verbal noun (instead of the infinitive with to) after commence; as, he commenced studying, not he commenced to study. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. commencement. ] 1. The first existence of anything; act or fact of commencing; rise; origin; beginning; start. [ 1913 Webster ]

The time of Henry VII. . . . nearly coincides with the commencement of what is termed “modern history.” Hallam. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The day when degrees are conferred by colleges and universities upon students and others. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Commendation; praise. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Speak in his just commend. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. pl. Compliments; greetings. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Hearty commends and much endeared love to you. Howell. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Commended; p. pr. & vb. n. Commending. ] [ L. commendare; com- + mandare to intrust to one's charge, enjoin, command. Cf. Command, Mandate. ] 1. To commit, intrust, or give in charge for care or preservation. [ 1913 Webster ]

His eye commends the leading to his hand. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Luke xxiii. 46. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To recommend as worthy of confidence or regard; to present as worthy of notice or favorable attention. [ 1913 Webster ]

Among the objects of knowledge, two especially commend themselves to our contemplation. Sir M. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]

I commend unto you Phebe our sister. Rom. xvi. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To mention with approbation; to praise; as, to commend a person or an act. [ 1913 Webster ]

Historians commend Alexander for weeping when he read the actions of Achilles. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To mention by way of courtesy, implying remembrance and good will. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Commend me to my brother. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Formerly accented on the first syllable.) [ L. commendabilis. ] Worthy of being commended or praised; laudable; praiseworthy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Order and decent ceremonies in the church are not only comely but commendable. Bacon.

-- Com*mend"a*ble*ness, n. -- Com*mend"a*bly, adv. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. dare in commendam to give into trust. ] (Eng. Eccl. Law) A vacant living or benefice commended to a cleric (usually a bishop) who enjoyed the revenue until a pastor was provided. A living so held was said to be held in commendam. The practice was abolished by law in 1836. [ 1913 Webster ]

There was [ formerly ] some sense for commendams. Selden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Partnership in commendam. See under Partnership. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. commendataire, LL. commendatarius. ] One who holds a living in commendam. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. commendatio. ] 1. The act of commending; praise; favorable representation in words; recommendation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Need we . . . epistles of commendation? 2 Cor. iii. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

By the commendation of the great officers. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is the ground of approbation or praise. [ 1913 Webster ]

Good nature is the most godlike commendation of a man. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. pl. A message of affection or respect; compliments; greeting. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Hark you, Margaret;
No princely commendations to my king? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. ] One who holds a benefice in commendam; a commendatary. Chalmers. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. commendatorius. ] 1. Serving to commend; containing praise or commendation; commending; praising. “Commendatory verses.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Holding a benefice in commendam; as, a commendatory bishop. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Commendatory prayer (Book of Common Prayer), a prayer read over the dying. “The commendatory prayer was said for him, and, as it ended, he [ William III. ] died.” Bp. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A commendation; eulogy. [ R. ] “Commendatories to our affection.” Sharp. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who commends or praises. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ LL. commensalis; L. com- + mensa table: cf. F. commensal. Cf. Mensal. ] 1. One who eats at the same table. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) An animal, not truly parasitic, which lives in, with, or on, another, partaking usually of the same food. Both species may be benefited by the association. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having the character of a commensal. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act of eating together; table fellowship. [ 1913 Webster ]