Dictionary    Maps    Thesaurus    Translate    Advanced >   


Tip: Click Thesaurus above for synonyms. Also, follow synonym links within the dictionary to find definitions from other sources.

1. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Crambo \Cram"bo\ (-b[-o]), n. [Cf. Cramp, a., difficult.]
   1. A game in which one person gives a word, to which another
      finds a rhyme.
      [1913 Webster]

            I saw in one corner . . . a cluster of men and
            women, diverting themselves with a game at crambo. I
            heard several double rhymes . . . which raised a
            great deal of mirth.                  --Addison.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A word rhyming with another word.
      [1913 Webster]

            His similes in order set
            And every crambo he could get.        --Swift.
      [1913 Webster]

   Dumb crambo, a game in which one party of players give a
      word which rhymes with another, which last to be guessed
      by the opposing party, who represent in dumb show what
      they think it to be.
      [1913 Webster]

2. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Dumb \Dumb\, a. [AS. dumb; akin to D. dom stupid, dumb, Sw.
   dumb, Goth. dumbs; cf. Gr. ? blind. See Deaf, and cf.
   Dummy.]
   1. Destitute of the power of speech; unable; to utter
      articulate sounds; as, the dumb brutes.
      [1913 Webster]

            To unloose the very tongues even of dumb creatures.
                                                  --Hooker.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Not willing to speak; mute; silent; not speaking; not
      accompanied by words; as, dumb show.
      [1913 Webster]

            This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

            To pierce into the dumb past.         -- J. C.
                                                  Shairp.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Lacking brightness or clearness, as a color. [R.]
      [1913 Webster]

            Her stern was painted of a dumb white or dun color.
                                                  --De Foe.
      [1913 Webster]

   Deaf and dumb. See Deaf-mute.

   Dumb ague, or Dumb chill, a form of intermittent fever
      which has no well-defined "chill." [U.S.]

   Dumb animal, any animal except man; -- usually restricted
      to a domestic quadruped; -- so called in contradistinction
      to man, who is a "speaking animal."

   Dumb cake, a cake made in silence by girls on St. Mark's
      eve, with certain mystic ceremonies, to discover their
      future husbands. --Halliwell.

   Dumb cane (Bot.), a west Indian plant of the Arum family
      (Dieffenbachia seguina), which, when chewed, causes the
      tongue to swell, and destroys temporarily the power of
      speech.

   Dumb crambo. See under crambo.

   Dumb show.
      (a) Formerly, a part of a dramatic representation, shown
          in pantomime. "Inexplicable dumb shows and noise."
          --Shak.
      (b) Signs and gestures without words; as, to tell a story
          in dumb show.

   To strike dumb, to confound; to astonish; to render silent
      by astonishment; or, it may be, to deprive of the power of
      speech.

   Syn: Silent; speechless; noiseless. See Mute.
        [1913 Webster]

Common Misspellings >
Most Popular Searches: Define Misanthrope, Define Pulchritudinous, Define Happy, Define Veracity, Define Cornucopia, Define Almuerzo, Define Atresic, Define URL, Definitions Of Words, Definition Of Get Up, Definition Of Quid Pro Quo, Definition Of Irreconcilable Differences, Definition Of Word, Synonyms of Repetitive, Synonym Dictionary, Synonym Antonyms. See our main index and map index for more details.

©2011-2024 ZebraWords.com - Define Yourself - The Search for Meanings and Meaning Means I Mean. All content subject to terms and conditions as set out here. Contact Us, peruse our Privacy Policy