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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. |
SHOAL, n.
1. A great multitude assembled; a crowd; a throng; as shoals of people. Immense shoals of herring appear on the coast in the spring.
The vices of a prince draw shoals of followers. Decay of Piety.
2. A place where the water of a river, lake or sea is shallow or af little depth; a sand bank or bar; a shallow. The entrance of rivers is often rendered difficult or dangerous by shoals.
SHOAL, v.i.
1. To crowd; to throng; to assemble in a multitude. The fishes shoaled about the place.
2. To become more shallow. The water shoals as we approach the town.
SHOAL, a. Shallow; of little depth; as shoal water.
A great multitude assembled; a crowd; a throng; -- said
especially of fish; as, a shoal of bass.
"Great
shoals of people." Bacon.
Beneath, a shoal of silver fishes glides. Waller. To assemble in a multitude] to throng; as, the
fishes shoaled about the place.
Chapman. Having little depth;
shallow; as, shoal water.
A
place where the water of a sea, lake, river, pond, etc., is shallow; a
shallow.
The depth of your pond should be six feet; and on the sides some shoals for the fish to lay their span. Mortimer. Wolsey, that once trod the ways of glory, A sandbank or bar which makes the water
shoal.
The god himself with ready trident stands, To become shallow; as,
the color of the water shows where it shoals.
To cause to become
more shallow; to come to a more shallow part of; as, a ship
shoals her water by advancing into that which is less
deep.
Marryat. | ||||||||