English English Dictionary

A book of admiralty law, of the highest authority, compiled in the reign of Edw. III.

A book containing details of the enormities practiced in the English monasteries and religious houses, compiled by order of their visitors under Henry VIII., to hasten their dissolution.

One of several books of a political character, published at different times and for different purposes; -- so called either from the color of the binding, or from the character of the contents.

A book compiled in the twelfth century, containing a description of the court of exchequer of England, an official statement of the revenues of the crown, etc.

Any book which treats of necromancy.

A book kept for the purpose of registering the names of persons liable to censure or punishment, as in the English universities, or the English armies.

A pestilence which ravaged Europe and Asia in the fourteenth century.

A friar of the Dominican order; -- called also predicant and preaching friar; in France, Jacobin. Also, sometimes, a Benedictine.

A dungeon or dark cell in a prison; a military lock-up or guardroom; -- now commonly with allusion to the cell (the Black Hole) in a fort at Calcutta, into which 146 English prisoners were thrust by the nabob Suraja Dowla on the night of June 20, 17656, and in which 123 of the prisoners died before morning from lack of air.

Plumbago; graphite. It leaves a blackish mark somewhat like lead. See Graphite.

The old English or Gothic letter, in which the Early English manuscripts were written, and the first English books were printed. It was conspicuous for its blackness. See Type.

Easter Monday, so called from the severity of that day in 1360, which was so unusual that many of Edward III.'s soldiers, then before Paris, died from the cold.

The first Monday after the holidays; -- so called by English schoolboys.

A Benedictine monk.

A kind of sausage made of blood, suet, etc., thickened with meal.

the usher to the Chapter of the Garter, so called from the black rod which he carries. He is of the king's chamber, and also usher to the House of Lords.

An usher in the legislature of British colonies.

Crude potash.

Alt. of Blacksnake

A copious vomiting of dark-colored matter; or the substance so discharged; -- one of the most fatal symptoms in yellow fever.