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Read Ebook: The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary: Section F G and H by Project Gutenberg Webster Noah
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Ebook has 17114 lines and 398902 words, and 343 pages
Begin file 4 of 11: F, G, and H. of An electronic field-marked version of:
This electronic version was prepared by MICRA, Inc. of Plainfield, NJ. Last edit February 11, 1999.
This version is only a first typing, and has numerous typographic errors, including errors in the field-marks. Assistance in bringing this dictionary to a more accurate and useful state will be greatly appreciated. This electronic dictionary is made available as a potential starting point for development of a modern on-line comprehensive encyclopedic dictionary, by the efforts of all individuals willing to help build a large and freely available knowledge base. Anyone willing to assist in any way in constructing such a knowledge base should contact:
Patrick Cassidy cassidy@micra.com 735 Belvidere Ave. Office: 668-5252 Plainfield, NJ 07062 561-3416
F . 1. F is the sixth letter of the English alphabet, and a nonvocal consonant. Its form and sound are from the Latin. The Latin borrowed the form from the Greek digamma &?;, which probably had the value of English w consonant. The form and value of Greek letter came from the Phoenician, the ultimate source being probably Egyptian. Etymologically f is most closely related to p, k, v, and b; as in E. five, Gr. pe`nte; E. wolf, L. lupus, Gr. ly`kos; E. fox, vixen ; fragile, break; fruit, brook, v. t.; E. bear, L. ferre. See Guide to Pronunciation, ?? 178, 179, 188, 198, 230.
F clef, the bass clef. See under Clef.
Fa , n. A syllable applied to the fourth tone of the diatonic scale in solmization. The tone F.
Fabian policy, a policy like that of Fabius Maximus, who, by carefully avoiding decisive contests, foiled Hannibal, harassing his army by marches, countermarches, and ambuscades; a policy of delays and cautions.
Fa"ble , n. 1. A Feigned story or tale, intended to instruct or amuse; a fictitious narration intended to enforce some useful truth or precept; an apologue. See the Note under Apologue.
Jotham's fable of the trees is the oldest extant.
Addison.
The moral is the first business of the poet; this being formed, he contrives such a design or fable as may be most suitable to the moral.
Dryden.
We grew The fable of the city where we dwelt.
Tennyson.
It would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret methods.
Addison.
Fa"ble, v. i. To compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction ; to write or utter what is not true. "He Fables not." Shak.
Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell.
Prior.
He fables, yet speaks truth.
M. Arnold.
Fa"ble, v. t. To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely.
The hell thou fablest.
Milton.
Fa"bler , n. A writer of fables; a fabulist; a dealer in untruths or falsehoods. Bp. Hall.
||Fa`bli`au" , n.; pl. Fabliaux . One of the metrical tales of the Trouv?res, or early poets of the north of France.
Fab"ric , n. 1. The structure of anything; the manner in which the parts of a thing are united; workmanship; texture; make; as cloth of a beautiful fabric.
Anon out of the earth a fabric huge Rose like an exhalation.
Milton.
Cloth of any kind that is woven or knit from fibers, either vegetable or animal; manufactured cloth; as, silks or other fabrics.
Tithe was received by the bishop, . . . for the fabric of the churches for the poor.
Milman.
The whole vast fabric of society.
Macaulay.
Fab"ric, v. t. To frame; to build; to construct. "Fabric their mansions." J. Philips.
Our books were not fabricated with an accomodation to prevailing usages.
Paley.
Syn. -- See Fiction.
The fabricator of the works of Ossian.
Mason.
Fab"rile , a. Pertaining to a workman, or to work in stone, metal, wood etc.; as, fabrile skill.
The fabulous birth of Minerva.
Chesterfield.
Fabulous age, that period in the history of a nation of which the only accounts are myths and unverified legends; as, the fabulous age of Greece and Rome.
Fac , n. A large ornamental letter used, esp. by the early printers, at the commencement of the chapters and other divisions of a book. Brande & C.
||Fa`?ade" , n. The front of a building; esp., the principal front, having some architectural pretensions. Thus a church is said to have its fa?ade unfinished, though the interior may be in use.
Face , n. 1. The exterior form or appearance of anything; that part which presents itself to the view; especially, the front or upper part or surface; that which particularly offers itself to the view of a spectator.
A mist . . . watered the whole face of the ground.
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