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It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. |
INFERN'AL, a. [L. infernus.]
INFERN'AL, n. An inhabitant of hell, or of the lower regions.
Infernal stone [Lapis infernalis.] a name formerly given to lunar caustic, a substance prepared from an evaporated solution of silver, or from crystals of silver.
Lunar caustic is nitrate of silver fused and cast in small cylinders.
Of or pertaining to or suitable for the
lower regions, inhabited, according to the ancients, by the dead;
pertaining to Pluto's realm of the dead, the Tartarus of the
ancients.
The Elysian fields, the infernal monarchy. Garth. Of or pertaining to, resembling, or
inhabiting, hell; suitable for hell, or to the character of the
inhabitants of hell; hellish; diabolical; as, infernal
spirits, or conduct.
The instruments or abettors in such infernal dealings. Addison. Infernal machine, a machine or apparatus maliciously designed to explode, and destroy life or property. - - Infernal stone (lapis infernalis), lunar caustic; formerly so called. The name was also applied to caustic potash. Syn. -- Tartarean; Stygian; hellish; devilish; diabolical; satanic; fiendish; malicious. An inhabitant of
the infernal regions; also, the place itself.
[Obs.]
Drayton. | ||||||||