%dict%

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Addicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Addicting. ] [ L. addictus, p. p. of addicere to adjudge, devote; ad + dicere to say. See Diction. ] 1. To apply habitually; to devote; to habituate; -- with to. “They addict themselves to the civil law.” Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

He is addicted to his study. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

That part of mankind that addict their minds to speculations. Adventurer. [ 1913 Webster ]

His genius addicted him to the study of antiquity. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

A man gross . . . and addicted to low company. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To adapt; to make suitable; to fit. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The land about is exceedingly addicted to wood, but the coldness of the place hinders the growth. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Addict, Devote, Consecrate, Dedicate. Addict was formerly used in a good sense; as, addicted to letters; but is now mostly employed in a bad sense or an indifferent one; as, addicted to vice; addicted to sensual indulgence. “Addicted to staying at home.” J. S. Mill. Devote is always taken in a good sense, expressing habitual earnestness in the pursuit of some favorite object; as, devoted to science. Consecrate and dedicate express devotion of a higher kind, involving religious sentiment; as, consecrated to the service of the church; dedicated to God. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being addicted; attachment. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. L. addictio an adjudging. ] The state of being addicted; devotion; inclination. “His addiction was to courses vain.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Same as Apodeictic. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. apodicticus, Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; to point out, to show by argument; &unr_; from + &unr_; to show. ] Self-evident; intuitively true; evident beyond contradiction. Brougham. Sir Wm. Hamilton. [ 1913 Webster ]

, adv. So as to be evident beyond contradiction. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ From Benedick, one of the characters in Shakespeare's play of “Much Ado about Nothing.” ] A married man, or a man newly married. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. benedictus, p. p. of benedicere to bless. See Benison, and cf. Bennet. ] Having mild and salubrious qualities. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to the monks of St. Benedict, or St. Benet. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a famous order of monks, established by St. Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century. This order was introduced into the United States in 1846. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The Benedictines wear black clothing, and are sometimes called Black Monks. The name Black Fr&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;rs which belongs to the Dominicans, is also sometimes applied to the Benedictines. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. benedictio: cf. F. bénédiction. See Benison. ] 1. The act of blessing. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A blessing; an expression of blessing, prayer, or kind wishes in favor of any person or thing; a solemn or affectionate invocation of happiness. [ 1913 Webster ]

So saying, he arose; whom Adam thus
Followed with benediction. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Homeward serenely she walked with God's benediction upon her. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

Specifically: The short prayer which closes public worship; as, to give the benediction. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Eccl.) The form of instituting an abbot, answering to the consecration of a bishop. Ayliffe. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (R. C. Ch.) A solemn rite by which bells, banners, candles, etc., are blessed with holy water, and formally dedicated to God. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A book of benedictions. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A collected series of benedictions. [ 1913 Webster ]

The benedictionary of Bishop Athelwold. G. Gurton's Needle. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Tending to bless. Gauden. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Expressing wishes for good; as, a benedictory prayer. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., blessed. See Benedict, a. ] The song of Zacharias at the birth of John the Baptist (Luke i. 68); -- so named from the first word of the Latin version. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Contradicted; p. pr. & vb. n. Contradicting. ] [ L. contradictus, p. p. of contradicere to speak against; contra + dicere to speak. See Diction. ] 1. To assert the contrary of; to oppose in words; to take issue with; to gainsay; to deny the truth of, as of a statement or a speaker; to impugn. [ 1913 Webster ]

Dear Duff, I prithee, contradict thyself,
And say it is not so. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The future can not contradict the past. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To be contrary to; to oppose; to resist. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

No truth can contradict another truth. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

A greater power than we can contradict
Hath thwarted our intents. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To oppose in words; to gainsay; to deny, or assert the contrary of, something. [ 1913 Webster ]

They . . . spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Acts xiii. 45. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being contradicted. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. one who contradicts. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. contradictio answer, objection: cf. F. contradiction. ] 1. An assertion of the contrary to what has been said or affirmed; denial of the truth of a statement or assertion; contrary declaration; gainsaying. [ 1913 Webster ]

His fair demands
Shall be accomplished without contradiction. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Direct opposition or repugnancy; inconsistency; incongruity or contrariety; one who, or that which, is inconsistent. [ 1913 Webster ]

can he make deathless death? That were to make
Strange contradiction. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

We state our experience and then we come to a manly resolution of acting in contradiction to it. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

Both parts of a contradiction can not possibly be true. Hobbes. [ 1913 Webster ]

Of contradictions infinite the slave. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

Principle of contradiction (Logic), the axiom or law of thought that a thing cannot be and not be at the same time, or a thing must either be or not be, or the same attribute can not at the same time be affirmed and and denied of the same subject; also called the law of the excluded middle. It develops itself in three specific forms which have been called the “Three Logical Axioms.” First, “A is A.” Second, “A is not Not-A” Third, “Everything is either A or Not-A.” [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Contradictory; inconsistent; opposing. [ R. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Filled with contradictions; inconsistent. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Inclined to contradict or cavil [ Obs. ] Sharp.

-- Con`tra*dic"tious*ness, n. Norris. [1913 Webster]

a. Contradictory; inconsistent. -- Con`tra*dict"ive*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]

n. [ L. ] A contradicter. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a contradictory manner. Sharp. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality of being contradictory; opposition; inconsistency. J. Whitaker. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ LL. contradictorius: cf. F. contradictoire. ] 1. Affirming the contrary; implying a denial of what has been asserted; also, mutually contradicting; inconsistent. “Contradictory assertions.” South. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Opposing or opposed; repugnant. [ 1913 Webster ]

Schemes . . . contradictory to common sense. Addisn. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Contradictories 1. A proposition or thing which denies or opposes another; contrariety. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is common with princes to will contradictories. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. pl. (Logic) propositions with the same terms, but opposed to each other both in quality and quantity. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ L. ] See Dictum. [ 1913 Webster ]

Var. of Dictograph. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

‖n. [ LL., fr. dictare to dictate. ] A dictation or dictate. [ R. ] Falkland. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L. See Dittany. ] (Bot.) A suffrutescent herb, Dictamnus Fraxinella (the only species), with strong perfume and showy flowers. The volatile oil of the leaves is highly inflammable. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Dictate + -phone, as in telephone. ] A form of phonographic recorder and reproducer adapted for use in dictation, as in business. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Dictated; p. pr. & vb. n. Dictating. ] [ L. dictatus, p. p. of dictare, freq. of dicere to say. See Diction, and cf. Dight. ] 1. To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an amanuensis. [ 1913 Webster ]

The mind which dictated the Iliad. Wayland. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pages dictated by the Holy Spirit. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with authority; to impose; as, to dictate the terms of a treaty; a general dictates orders to his troops. [ 1913 Webster ]

Whatsoever is dictated to us by God must be believed. Watts.

Syn. -- To suggest; prescribe; enjoin; command; point out; urge; admonish. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on). [ 1913 Webster ]

Who presumed to dictate to the sovereign. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written or said by another. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sylla could not skill of letters, and therefore knew not how to dictate. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. dictatum. See Dictate, v. t. ] A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as, listen to the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of the gospel. [ 1913 Webster ]

I credit what the Grecian dictates say. Prior.

Syn. -- Command; injunction; direction suggestion; impulse; admonition. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. dictatio. ] 1. The act of dictating; the act or practice of prescribing; also that which is dictated. [ 1913 Webster ]

It affords security against the dictation of laws. Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The speaking to, or the giving orders to, in an overbearing manner; authoritative utterance; as, his habit, even with friends, was that of dictation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] 1. One who dictates; one who prescribes rules and maxims authoritatively for the direction of others. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. One invested with absolute authority; especially, a magistrate created in times of exigence and distress, and invested with unlimited power. [ 1913 Webster ]

Invested with the authority of a dictator, nay, of a pope, over our language. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. dictatorial. ] 1. Pertaining or suited to a dictator; absolute. [ 1913 Webster ]

Military powers quite dictatorial. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Characteristic of a dictator; imperious; dogmatical; overbearing; as, a dictatorial tone or manner.

-- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ly, adv. -- Dic`ta*to"ri*al*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Dictatorial. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office, or the term of office, of a dictator; hence, absolute power. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. dictatorius. ] Dogmatical; overbearing; dictatorial. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who dictates or commands. [ 1913 Webster ]

Earth's chief dictatress, ocean's mighty queen. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] A dictatress. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. dictatura: cf. F. dictature. ] Office of a dictator; dictatorship. [ R. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. dicto a saying, a word, fr. dicere, dictum, to say; akin to dicare to proclaim, and to E. teach, token: cf. F. diction. See Teach, and cf. Benison, Dedicate, Index, Judge, Preach, Vengeance. ] Choice of words for the expression of ideas; the construction, disposition, and application of words in discourse, with regard to clearness, accuracy, variety, etc.; mode of expression; language; as, the diction of Chaucer's poems. [ 1913 Webster ]

His diction blazes up into a sudden explosion of prophetic grandeur. De Quincey.

Syn. -- Diction, Style, Phraseology. Style relates both to language and thought; diction, to language only; phraseology, to the mechanical structure of sentences, or the mode in which they are phrased. The style of Burke was enriched with all the higher graces of composition; his diction was varied and copious; his phraseology, at times, was careless and cumbersome. “Diction is a general term applicable alike to a single sentence or a connected composition. Errors in grammar, false construction, a confused disposition of words, or an improper application of them, constitute bad diction; but the niceties, the elegancies, the peculiarities, and the beauties of composition, which mark the genius and talent of the writer, are what is comprehended under the name of style.” Crabb. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A lexicographer. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]