from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lamb \Lamb\, n. [AS. lamb; akin to D. & Dan. lam, G. & Sw. lamm,
OS., Goth., & Icel. lamb.]
1. (Zool.) The young of the sheep.
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2. Any person who is as innocent or gentle as a lamb.
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3. A simple, unsophisticated person; in the cant of the Stock
Exchange, one who ignorantly speculates and is victimized.
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{Lamb of God}, {The Lamb} (Script.), the Jesus Christ, in
allusion to the paschal lamb.
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The twelve apostles of the Lamb. --Rev. xxi.
14.
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Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of
the world. --John i. 29.
{Lamb's lettuce} (Bot.), an annual plant with small obovate
leaves ({Valerianella olitoria}), often used as a salad;
corn salad. [Written also {lamb lettuce}.]
{Lamb's tongue}, a carpenter's plane with a deep narrow bit,
for making curved grooves. --Knight.
{Lamb's wool}.
(a) The wool of a lamb.
(b) Ale mixed with the pulp of roasted apples; -- probably
from the resemblance of the pulp of roasted apples to
lamb's wool. [Obs.] --Goldsmith.
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from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Wassail \Was"sail\, n. [AS. wes h[=a]l (or an equivalent form in
another dialect) be in health, which was the form of drinking
a health. The form wes is imperative. See {Was}, and
{Whole}.]
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1. An ancient expression of good wishes on a festive
occasion, especially in drinking to some one.
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Geoffrey of Monmouth relates, on the authority of
Walter Calenius, that this lady [Rowena], the
daughter of Hengist, knelt down on the approach of
the king, and, presenting him with a cup of wine,
exclaimed, Lord king waes heil, that is, literally,
Health be to you. --N. Drake.
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2. An occasion on which such good wishes are expressed in
drinking; a drinking bout; a carouse. "In merry wassail he
. . . peals his loud song." --Sir W. Scott.
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The king doth wake to-night and takes his rouse,
Keeps wassail. --Shak.
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The victors abandoned themselves to feasting and
wassail. --Prescott.
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3. The liquor used for a wassail; esp., a beverage formerly
much used in England at Christmas and other festivals,
made of ale (or wine) flavored with spices, sugar, toast,
roasted apples, etc.; -- called also {lamb's wool}.
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A jolly wassail bowl,
A wassail of good ale. --Old Song.
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4. A festive or drinking song or glee. [Obs.]
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Have you done your wassail! 'T is a handsome, drowsy
ditty, I'll assure you. --Beau. & Fl.
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