bar´ba|rous|ness — bar|ba|rous «BAHR buhr uhs», adjective. 1. not civilized; savage: »Cannibals are barbarous people. SYNONYM(S): See syn. under barbarian. (Cf. ↑barbarian) 2. savagely cruel; brutal: »Torture of prisoners is a barbarous practice … Useful english dictionary
ca|no´rous|ness — ca|no|rous «kuh NR uhs, NOHR », adjective. melodious; musical. ╂[< Latin canōrus (with English ous) < canor, ōris melody < canere sing] –ca|no´rous|ly, adverb. –ca|no´rous|ness, noun … Useful english dictionary
chiv´al|rous|ness — chiv|al|rous «SHIHV uhl ruhs», adjective. 1. a) having the qualities of an ideal knight; brave, courteous, helpful, honorable, and devoted to the service of the weak and oppressed. SYNONYM(S): considerate, gallant. b) having to do with the rules… … Useful english dictionary
so|no´rous|ness — so|no|rous «suh NR uhs, NOHR », adjective. 1. giving out or having a deep, loud sound: »a big, sonorous church bell. 2. full and rich in sound: »a round, deep, sonorous voice (Dickens). 3. having an impressive sound; high sounding: »sonorous… … Useful english dictionary
ster´to|rous|ness — ster|to|rous «STUR tuhr uhs», adjective. making a heavy snoring sound: »stertorous breathing. ╂[< New Latin stertor snoring + English ous] –ster´to|rous|ly, adverb. –ster´to|rous|ness, noun … Useful english dictionary
car|niv´o|rous|ness — car|niv|o|rous «kahr NIHV uhr uhs», adjective. 1. a) of or having to do with an order of mammals that feed on flesh. They are characterized especially by large, sharp canine teeth. The order Carnivora includes cats, dogs, lions, tigers, and bears … Useful english dictionary
in|dec´o|rous|ness — in|dec|o|rous «ihn DEHK uhr uhs; IHN dih KR , KOHR », adjective. not in accordance with proper behavior; in poor taste; not suitable; improper; unseemly; undignified: »Every young sculptor seems to think that he must give the world some specimen… … Useful english dictionary
lep´rous|ness — lep|rous «LEHP ruhs», adjective. 1. having leprosy: »a leprous person. 2. of or like leprosy: »white, leprous scales. 3. scaly or scurfy: »One old leprous screen of faded Indian leather (Dickens). 4. causing leprosy. 5 … Useful english dictionary
om|niv´o|rous|ness — om|niv|o|rous «om NIHV uhr uhs», adjective. 1. eating every kind of food. 2. eating both animal and vegetable food: »Man is an omnivorous animal. 3. Figurative. taking in everything; fond of all kinds: »An omnivorous reader reads all kinds of… … Useful english dictionary
o|vip´a|rous|ness — o|vip|a|rous «oh VIHP uhr uhs», adjective. producing eggs that hatch after leaving the body. Birds, and most reptiles, fishes, and insects are oviparous. ╂[< Latin ōviparus (with English ous) < ōvum egg + parere bring forth]… … Useful english dictionary