FORTISSIMO. See FORTE.
FORTITION, for-tish'un, _n._ principle of trusting to chance. [L. _fors_,
chance.]
FORTITUDE, for'ti-t[=u]d, _n._ mental power of endurance: firmness in
meeting danger: (_obs._) strength, power of resistance or attack.--_adj._
FORTIT[=U]'DINOUS. [L. _fortitudo_--_fortis_.]
FORTLET, f[=o]rt'let, _n._ a little fort.
FORTNIGHT, fort'n[=i]t, _n._ two weeks or fourteen days.--_adj._ and _adv._
FORT'NIGHTLY, once a fortnight. [Contr. of _A.S._ _féowertýne niht_,
fourteen nights.]
FORTRESS, for'tres, _n._ a fortified place: a defence.--_v.t._ (_Shak._) to
guard. [O. Fr. _forteresse_, another form of _fortelesce_ (q.v. under
FORTALICE).]
FORTUITOUS, for-t[=u]'i-tus, _adj._ happening by chance.--_ns._
FORT[=U]'ITISM; FORT[=U]'ITIST.--_adv._ FORT[=U]'ITOUSLY.--_ns._
FORT[=U]'ITOUSNESS, FORT[=U]'ITY. [L. _fortuitus_.]
FORTUNE, for't[=u]n, _n._ whatever comes by lot or chance: luck: the
arbitrary ordering of events: the lot that falls to one in life: success:
wealth.--_v.i._ to befall.--_v.t._ to determine.--_adj._ FOR'TUN[=A]TE,
happening by good fortune: lucky: auspicious: felicitous.--_adv._
FOR'TUN[=A]TELY.--_ns._ FOR'TUN[=A]TENESS; FOR'TUNE-BOOK, a book helpful in
telling fortunes.--_adj._ FOR'TUNED, supplied by fortune.--_n._
FOR'TUNE-HUNT'ER, a man who hunts for marriage with a woman of
fortune.--_adj._ FOR'TUNELESS, without a fortune: luckless.--_v.i._
FOR'TUNE-TELL, to reveal futurity: to tell one his fortune.--_ns._
FOR'TUNE-TELL'ER, one who pretends to foretell one's fortune;
FOR'TUNE-TELL'ING.--_v.t._ FOR'TUN[=I]SE (_Spens._), to make fortunate or
happy. [Fr.,--L. _fortuna_.]
FORTY, for'ti, _adj._ and _n._ four times ten.--_adj._ FOR'TIETH.--_n._ a
fortieth part.--FORTY WINKS, a short nap, esp. after dinner.--THE FORTY,
the French Academy. [A.S. _féowertig_--_feower_, four, _tig_, ten.]
FORUM, f[=o]'rum, _n._ a market-place, esp. the market-place in Rome, where
public business was transacted and justice dispensed: the courts of law as
opposed to the Parliament. [L., akin to _foras_, out of doors.]
FORWANDER, for-won'd[.e]r, _v.i._ and _v.t._ (_Spens._) to wander till
wearied, to weary with wandering.
FORWARD, for'ward, _adj._ near or at the forepart: in advance of something
else: ready: too ready: presumptuous: officious: earnest: early
ripe.--_v.t._ to help on, to quicken: to send on.--_advs._ FOR'WARD,
FOR'WARDS, towards what is before or in front: onward:
progressively.--_ns._ FOR'WARDER; FOR'WARDING, the act of sending forward
merchandise, &c., for others.--_adv._ FOR'WARDLY.--_n._ FOR'WARDNESS. [A.S.
_foreweard_--_fore_, and _-weard_, sig. direction. _Forwards_--M. E.
_forwardes_--was orig. the gen. form (cf. Ger. _vorwärts_).]
FORWASTE, for-w[=a]st', _v.t._ (_Spens._) to lay waste utterly.
FORWEARY, for-w[=e]'ri, _v.t._ (_Spens._) to weary out.
FORWENT, for-went' (_Spens._), _pa.t_ of _forego_.
FORWORN, for-w[=o]rn', _adj._ (_Spens._) much worn.
FORZANDO. Same as SFORZANDO (q.v.).
FOSS, FOSSE, fos, _n._ (_fort._) a ditch or moat, either with or without
water, the excavation of which has contributed material for the walls of
the fort it protects: an abyss.--_adj._ FOSSED.--_n._ FOSS'WAY, an ancient
Roman road having a ditch on either side. [Fr. _fosse_--L.
_fossa_--_fod[)e]re_, _fossum_, to dig.]
FOSSA, fos'a, _n._ (_anat._) a pit or depression in a body, esp. that in an
animal integument forming a point of attachment for an organ.--_n._
FOSSETTE', a dimple or small depression. [L., a ditch.]
FOSSET-SELLER, fos'et-sel'[.e]r, _n._ (_Shak._) one who sells faucets.
[_Fosset_, obs. form of _faucet_.]
FOSSICK, fos'ik, _v.i._ to be troublesome: to undermine another's diggings,
or work over waste-heaps for gold: to search about for any kind of
profit.--_ns._ FOSS'ICKER, a mining gleaner who works over old diggings,
and scratches about in the beds of creeks; FOSS'ICKING. [Ety. dub.]
FOSSIL, fos'il, _n._ the petrified remains of an animal or vegetable found
embedded in the strata of the earth's crust: anything antiquated.--_adj._
dug out of the earth: in the condition of a fossil: antiquated.--_adj._
FOSSILIF'EROUS, bearing or containing fossils.--_n._ FOSSILIFIC[=A]'TION,
the act of becoming fossil.--_vs.t._ FOSSIL'IFY, FOSS'IL[=I]SE, to convert
into a fossil.--_v.i._ to be changed into a stony or fossil state.--_ns._
FOSSILIS[=A]'TION, a changing into a fossil; FOSS'ILISM, the science of
fossils; FOSS'ILIST, one skilled in fossils; FOSSILOL'OGY, FOSSIL'OGY,
paleontology. [Fr. _fossile_--L. _fossilis_--_fod[)e]re_, to dig.]
FOSSORIAL, fo-s[=o]'ri-al, _adj._ digging, burrowing.--_n._ FOSS'OR, a
grave-digger. [L. _fossor_--_fod[)e]re_, to dig.]
FOSSULATE, fos'[=u]-l[=a]t, _adj._ (_anat._) having one or more long narrow
grooves or depressions.
FOSTER, fos't[.e]r, _v.t._ to bring up or nurse: to encourage.--_ns._
FOS'TER[=A]GE, the act of fostering or nursing; FOS'TER-BROTH'ER, a male
child, fostered or brought up with another of different parents;
FOS'TER-CHILD, a child nursed or brought up by one who is not its parent;
FOS'TER-DAUGH'TER; FOS'TERER; FOS'TER-FA'THER, one who brings up a child in
place of its father; FOS'TERLING, a foster-child; FOS'TER-MOTH'ER, one who
suckles a child not her own; FOS'TER-NURSE (_Shak._), a nurse;
FOS'TER-PAR'ENT, one who rears a child in the place of its parent;
FOS'TER-SIS'TER, one brought up as a sister by the same parents, but not a
sister by birth; FOS'TER-SON, one brought up as a son, though not a son by
birth. [A.S. _fóstrian_, to nourish, _fóstor_, food.]
FOSTER, fos't[.e]r, _n._ (_Spens._) a forester.
FOTHER, fo_th_'[.e]r, _v.t._ to stop or lessen a leak in a ship's bottom
whilst afloat by means of a heavy sail closely thrummed with yarn and
oakum. [Perh. from Dut. _voederen_ (mod. _voeren_) or Low Ger. _fodern_, to
line.]
FOTHER, fo_th_'[.e]r, _n._ a load, quantity: a definite weight--of lead,
19½ cwt. [A.S. _fóðer_; Ger. _fuder_.]
FOU, f[=oo], _adj._ (_Scot._) full: drunk.
FOU, f[=oo], _n._ (_Scot._) a bushel.
FOUD, fowd, _n._ a bailiff or magistrate in Orkney and Shetland.--_n._
FOUD'RIE, his jurisdiction. [Ice. _fógeti_; Ger. _vogt_; from L.
_vocatus_--_voc[=a]re_, to call.]
FOUDROYANT, f[=oo]-droi'ant, _adj._ quick like lightning. [Fr.
_foudroyer_--_foudre_, lightning.]
FOUET, f[=oo]'et, _n._ (_Scot._) the house-leek.--Also FOU'AT.
FOUGADE, foo-gäd', _n._ (_mil._) a small mine from six to twelve feet under
ground, charged either with powder or loaded shells, and sometimes loaded
with stones.--Also FOUGASSE'. [Fr.]
FOUGHT, fawt, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._--FOUGHTEN (fawt'n), old _pa.p._ of
_fight_.
FOUL, fowl, _adj._ filthy: loathsome: obscene: impure: stormy: unfair:
running against: distressing, pernicious: choked up, entangled: (_Shak._)
homely, ugly.--_v.t._ to make foul: to soil: to effect a collision.--_v.i._
to come into collision:--_pr.p._ foul'ing; _pa.p._ fouled.--_n._ act of
fouling: any breach of the rules in games or contests.--_adj._ FOUL'-FACED
(_Shak._), having a hatefully ugly face.--_n._ FOUL'-FISH, fish during the
spawning season.--_adv._ FOUL'LY.--_adjs._ FOUL'-MOUTHED, FOUL'-SPOK'EN,
addicted to the use of foul or profane language.--_ns._ FOUL-MOUTHED'NESS;
FOUL'NESS; FOUL'-PLAY, unfair action in any game or contest, dishonest
dealing generally.--CLAIM A FOUL, to assert that the recognised rules have
been broken, and that a victory is therefore invalid; FALL FOUL OF, to come
against: to assault; MAKE FOUL WATER, used of a ship, to come into such
shallow water that the keel raises the mud. [A.S. _fúl_; Ger. _faul_, Goth.
_fûls_.]
FOULARD, f[=oo]l'ard, _n._ a soft untwilled silk fabric: a silk
handkerchief. [Fr.]
FOULDER, fowl'd[.e]r, _v.i._ (_Spens._) to flame, to gleam. [O. Fr.
_fouldre_--L. _fulgur_, lightning.]
FOULÉ, f[=oo]-l[=a]', _n._ a light woollen dress material with a glossy
surface. [Fr.]
FOUMART, f[=oo]'märt, _n._ an old name for the polecat, from its offensive
smell. [M. E. _fulmard_--A.S. _fúl_, foul, _mearð_, a marten.]
FOUND, _pa.t._ and _pa.p._ of _find_.--_n._ FOUND'LING, a little child
found deserted.--FOUNDLING HOSPITAL, an institution where such are brought
up.
FOUND, fownd, _v.t._ to lay the bottom or foundation of: to establish on a
basis: to originate: to endow.--_v.i._ to rely.--_ns._ FOUND[=A]'TION, the
act of founding: the base of a building: the groundwork or basis: a
permanent fund for a benevolent purpose or for some special object;
FOUND[=A]'TIONER, one supported from the funds or foundation of an
institution; FOUND[=A]'TION-MUS'LIN, -NET, gummed fabrics used for
stiffening dresses and bonnets; FOUND[=A]TION-STONE, one of the stones
forming the foundation of a building, esp. a stone laid with public
ceremony; FOUND'ER, one who founds, establishes, or originates: an
endower:--_fem._ FOUND'RESS. [Fr. _fonder_--L. _fund[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to
found--_fundus_, the bottom.]
FOUND, fownd, _v.t._ to form by melting and pouring into a mould: to
cast.--_ns._ FOUND'ER, one who melts and casts metal, as a brassfounder;
FOUND'ING, metal-casting; FOUND'RY, FOUND'ERY, the art of founding or
casting: the house where founding is carried on. [Fr. _fondre_--L.
_fund[)e]re_, _fusum_, to pour.]
FOUNDER, fownd'[.e]r, _v.i._ to go to the bottom: to fill with water and
sink.--_v.t._ to cause to sink: to disable by injuring the feet (of a
horse).--_adj._ FOUND'EROUS, causing to founder. [O. Fr. _fondrer_, to fall
in, _fond_, bottom--L. _fundus_, bottom.]
FOUNT. See FONT (2).
FOUNTAIN, fownt'[=a]n, _n._ a spring of water, natural or artificial: the
structure for a jet of water: the source of anything: a reservoir for
holding oil, &c., in a lamp.--_ns._ FOUNT, a spring of water: a source;
FOUNT'AIN-HEAD, the head or source of a fountain: the beginning.--_adj._
FOUNT'AINLESS, wanting fountains or springs of water.--_n._ FOUNT'AIN-PEN,
a pen having a reservoir for holding ink.--_adj._ FOUNT'FUL, full of
springs. [Fr. _fontaine_--Low L. _font[=a]na_--L. _fons_, _fontis_, a
spring---_fund[)e]re_, to pour.]
FOUR, f[=o]r, _adj._ and _n._ two and two, a cardinal number.--_adjs._
FOUR'FOLD, folded four times: multiplied four times; FOUR'-FOOT'ED, having
four feet; FOUR'-HAND'ED, having four hands: of a game, played by four
people; FOUR'-INCHED (_Shak._), four inches broad.--_ns._ FOUR'-IN-HAND, a
vehicle drawn by four horses, driven by one person: a team of four horses
drawing a carriage--also _adj._; FOUR'PENNY, a small silver coin worth
fourpence formerly coined in England.--_adj._ worth fourpence.--_n._
FOUR'-POST'ER, a large bed with four posts on which to hang
curtains.--_adjs._ FOUR'SCORE, four times a score--80; FOUR'SOME, by fours:
anything in which four act together--also _n._; FOUR'SQUARE, having four
equal sides and angles: square.--_adjs._ and _ns._ FOUR'TEEN, four and ten;
FOUR'TEENTH, four or the fourth after the tenth.--_adj._ FOURTH, next after
the third.--_n._ one of four equal parts.--_adv._ FOURTH'LY.--_adj._
FOURTH'-RATE, of the fourth class or order.--_n._ FOUR'-WHEEL'ER, a
carriage or cab with four wheels.--GO ON ALL FOURS, to go on hands and
knees. [A.S. _féower_; Ger. _vier_, L. _quatuor_, Gr. _tessares_.]
FOURCHETTE, f[=oo]r-shet', _n._ a small forked instrument used for
supporting the tongue in the operation of cutting the frenum: a forked
piece between glove fingers, uniting the front and back parts. [Fr.]
FOURCROYA, f[=oo]r-kr[=o]'ya, _n._ a neotropical genus of _Amaryllidaceæ_,
nearly allied to Agave (q.v.), and yielding a similar fibre. [Named from A.
F. de _Fourcroy_, a French chemist (1755-1809).]