GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Found 5 definitions
-
-
Potter , n. [Cf. F. potier.]
- One whose occupation is to make earthen vessels.Ps. ii. 9.1913 Webster
The potter heard, and stopped his wheel.
Longfellow.1913 Webster - One who hawks crockery or earthenware. [Prov. Eng.]De Quincey.1913 Webster
- One who pots meats or other eatables.1913 Webster
- (Zool.) The red-bellied terrapin. See Terrapin.1913 Webster
Potter's asthma (Med.), emphysema of the lungs; -- so called because very prevalent among potters. Parkers. -- Potter's clay. See under Clay. -- Potter's field, a public burial place, especially in a city, for paupers, unknown persons, and criminals; -- so named from the field south of Jerusalem, mentioned in Matt. xxvii. 7. -- Potter's ore. See Alquifou. -- Potter's wheel, a horizontal revolving disk on which the clay is molded into form with the hands or tools. “My thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel.” Shak. -- Potter wasp (Zool.), a small solitary wasp (Eumenes fraternal) which constructs a globular nest of mud and sand in which it deposits insect larvæ, such as cankerworms, as food for its young.
1913 Webster
- One whose occupation is to make earthen vessels.
-
Potter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Pottered ; p. pr. & vb. n. Pottering.] [Cf. W. pwtio to poke, or OD. poteren to search one thoroughly, Sw. påta, peta, to pick, E. pother, put.]
- To busy one's self with trifles; to labor with little purpose, energy, of effect; to trifle; to putter; to pother.
Syn. -- putter; pother.1913 WebsterPottering about the Mile End cottages.
Mrs. Humphry Ward.1913 Webster - To walk lazily or idly; to saunter.1913 Webster
- To busy one's self with trifles; to labor with little purpose, energy, of effect; to trifle; to putter; to pother.
-
Potter, v. t. To poke; to push; also, to disturb; to confuse; to bother. [Prov. Eng.]Halliwell.1913 Webster
-
Terrapin , n. [Probably of American Indian origin.] (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of tortoises living in fresh and brackish waters. Many of them are valued for food. [Written also terapin, terrapen, terrapene, turpen, and turapen.]1913 Webster
☞ The yellow-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys scabra) of the Southern United States, the red-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys rugosa or Chrysemys rubriventris), native of the tributaries Chesapeake Bay (called also potter, slider, and redfender), and the diamond-back or salt-marsh terrapin (Malaclemmys palustris), are the most important American species. The diamond-back terrapin is native of nearly the whole of the Atlantic coast of the United States.
1913 WebsterAlligator terrapin, the snapping turtle. -- Mud terrapin, any one of numerous species of American tortoises of the genus Cinosternon. -- Painted terrapin, the painted turtle. See under Painted. -- Speckled terrapin, a small fresh-water American terrapin (Chelopus guttatus) having the carapace black with round yellow spots; -- called also spotted turtle.
1913 Webster