sightn.1
/sʌɪt/, U.S. /saɪt/ I. Something seen; a vision, aspect, and related uses.† 3. Aspect, appearance, look. Obsolete.
1. † b. A vision. Book of sights, the Apocalypse.
a. A thing seen, esp. of a striking or remarkable nature; a spectacle. Sometimes with the addition of the infinitives to behold, to see, with an intensifying force.In early use chiefly of something strange or supernatural.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > [noun]
i-sightc888
sightc950
regard1586
aspectc1600
observed1604
visiona1616
landscape1659
eyefula1808
visibilia1936
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > [noun] > sight or spectacle
sightc950
showingOE
spectacle1434
inspectionc1460
show1536
object1588
eyemark1595
theatre1606
theorya1626
exhibit1676
exhibition1786
something to see (or look at)1808
eyeful1858
spectacular1890
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark ix. 9 [He] bebead ðæm þætte ne ænigum..ða sihðo gesægdon.
c1160 Hatton Gosp. Mark xvi. 8 Hyo..wæren aferde for þare sihðe þe hyo geseagen.
a1225 Leg. Kath. 1607 Ha awundreden ham swiðe of þat sihðe.
c1275 Laȝamon Brut 3897 Þreo daiȝes hit reinede blod... Þat was a wel wonder siht.
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience ii. 911 Swa grysly a sight saw he never nane.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 115 Wherof the Cite sore afflyhte, Of hem that sihen thilke syhte.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vii. l. 441 The sycht with-out was awfull for to se.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin ii. 37 Vnder that water be two dragons that see no sight.
1526 W. Bonde Rosary sig. Diiiv My hert bresteth to se this syght.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer i. sig. H.iv Whyte teeth is a good sight in a woman.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 433 I saw in Irelands North-parts, two remarkable sights:..The other as goodly sight I saw.
1693 J. Dryden tr. Ovid Fable Acis, Polyphemus & Galatea in Examen Poeticum 94 What fouler sight can be Than the bald Branches of a leafless Tree?
1742 E. Young Complaint: Night the First 15 How sad a sight is human Happiness To those whose Thought can pierce beyond an Hour?
1807 W. Wordsworth Ode in Poems II. 147 The earth, and every common sight . View more context for this quotation
1854 D. Brewster More Worlds ii. 17 There is, perhaps, no sight in the material world more magnificent than that of the starry firmament.
1865 Mrs. J. H. Riddell Maxwell Drewitt I. vi. 116 The inn-yards were a sight to behold, crammed full of carriages.
1889 St. G. Mivart Origin Human Reason 53 A name can only be a certain sound, or, if written, a certain sight.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > mental image, idea, or fancy > a vision > [noun]
swevenc897
sightc950
showing?c1225
visionc1290
avisionc1300
phantasma1398
semblance1489
visure1535
visioning1832
society > faith > aspects of faith > Bible, Scripture > Testament > New Testament > Revelations > [noun]
apocalypseOE
'pocalypseOE
book of privities?c1225
Book of sights1340
revelationc1384
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. John, Int. 1 Iohannes..in pathma ealond þæt boc ðæra sighðana [L. apocalipsen] eac awrat.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 32 Him-sulf he cam bi niȝhte, And schewede heom ȝware is heued lay ase it were in a siȝhte.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 133 Þou miȝt..ete of þe trawe of liue, ase god zayþ ine þe boc of ziȝþe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 18984 Ȝur ȝongmen sal sightes se. ȝur eldrin men sal dremis dreme.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 270/1 Sight that disceyveth ones jugement, illusion.
1581 A. Anderson Shield of Safetie (title page) Vpon Symeons sight, in hys Nunc dimittis.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Vision, a vision, sight, apparition, fantasie.
1825 C. Lamb in London Mag. Jan. 20 He was subject to sights, and had visions.
c. plural. Those features or objects in a particular place or town which are considered to be specially worth seeing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > [noun] > sights (of a place)
singularity1576
sights1632
videnda1765
visibility1775
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. ix. 400 We tooke a Guide, and so proceeded in our sights.
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1646 (1955) II. 489 We came this Evening to Bres<c>ia, which next morning..we traverst in search of Antiquities & new sights.
1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World I. 284 You may go and see sights the whole day.
1835 J. W. Carlyle Lett. I. 44 Other sights we have seen none, except the British Museum and the King and Queen.
1885 J. Ruskin Præterita I. vi. 183 A high class courier, well acquainted with the proper sights to be seen in each town.
d. In colloquial phrase a sight for sore eyes: a person or thing one is glad to see, esp. a welcome visitor.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > [noun] > welcome or appealing
a sight for sore eyes1826
spectacular1874
the mind > emotion > pleasure > quality of being pleasant or pleasurable > [noun] > person or thing greeted with pleasure
a sight for sore eyes1826
1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 7 The Sight of you is good for sore Eyes.]
1826 W. Hazlitt in New Monthly Mag. 16 38 Garrick's name was..proposed..on condition he should act in tragedy and comedy... What a sight for sore eyes that would be!
1871 Monthly Pkt. Christmas 108 You're a sight for sair ee'n the now! I'm just aboot in the awfuest swither ever a body was.
1897 R. Marsh Crime & Criminal xxiii. 192 He was a sight for sore eyes... I like to see a man that is a man.
1931 E. O'Neill Mourning becomes Electra (1932) 125 You certainly are a sight for sore eyes, Vinnie!
1973 People's Jrnl. 28 July (Inverness & Northern Counties ed.) 4/5 Elizabeth..and Sheena had done wonders,..and the buffet was a sight for sore eyes.
e. Something which calls forth contemptuous, horrified, or amused glances; a shocking, repulsive, or ridiculous spectacle. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > lack of beauty > ugliness > [noun] > ugly thing
eyesore1530
blind side1606
dissightc1710
ugly1755
desight1828
eye-sorrow1828
sight1862
a blot (up)on the landscape1912
to be no oil painting1919
1694 W. Penn Brief Acct. Rise Quakers ii. 53 It was not very easie to our Primitive Friends, to make themselves Sights and Spectacles, and the Scorn and Derision of the World.]
1862 F. W. Robinson Owen II. v. iv. 288 I'm getting better now,..I was a sight last week.
1902 J. S. Farmer & W. E. Henley Slang VI. i. 207/1 Sight, an oddity; a scarecrow: also contemptuously, ‘Her new jacket was a perfect sight,’ or ‘You've made yourself a regular sight’ = ‘Not fit to be seen’.
1911 M. Beerbohm Zuleika Dobson xx. 296 Clarence curbed the brotherly intention of telling her she looked ‘a sight’ in them.
1924 D. H. Lawrence England, my England 220 ‘I don't like you in those clothes,’ he said. ‘Do I look a sight?’ he answered.
1940 W. Faulkner Hamlet iii. i. 229 ‘Ain't he a sight now,’ Snopes cackled.
f. sight unseen adv. without previous inspection, without seeing the object to be acquired. Originally U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [adverb] > without previous inspection
sight unseen1892
1892 Dial. Notes 1 231 To trade knives sight unseen is to swap without seeing each other's knife.
1898 Yearbk. U.S. Dept. Agric. 1897 427 The intelligent farmer of today has got beyond trading ‘sight unseen’ or ‘buying a cat in a bag’ when it comes to fertilizers.
1940 F. D. Davison Woman at Mill 94 I learned that he had selected sight-unseen, that he had now come to look over his property for the first time.
1962 V. Nabokov Pale Fire 82 I have had occasion to say something about the amenities of my habitation. The charming, charmingly vague lady..who secured it for me, sight unseen, meant well, no doubt.
1968 Listener 7 Mar. 303 I said you were mad to advertise our modest needs—sight unseen—in the New Statesman.
1979 Daily Tel. 3 Feb. 34/2 I am recommending this [TV film], sight unseen, because the first offering in the series..was so good.
2.
a. A show or display of something; hence, a great number or quantity; a multitude; a ‘deal’ or ‘lot’. Now colloquial or slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > (a) great quantity or amount
felec825
muchc1230
good wone1297
plentyc1300
bushelc1374
sight1390
mickle-whata1393
forcea1400
manynessa1400
multitudea1400
packc1400
a good dealc1430
greata1450
sackful1484
power1489
horseloadc1500
mile1508
lump1523
a deal?1532
peckc1535
heapa1547
mass1566
mass1569
gallon1575
armful1579
cart-load1587
mickle1599
bushelful1600–12
a load1609
wreck1612
parisha1616
herd1618
fair share1650
heapa1661
muchness1674
reams1681
hantle1693
mort1694
doll?1719
lift1755
acre1759
beaucoup1760
ton1770
boxload1795
boatload1807
lot1811
dollop1819
swag1819
faggald1824
screed1826
Niagara1828
wad1828
lashings1829
butt1831
slew1839
ocean1840
any amount (of)1848
rake1851
slather1857
horde1860
torrent1864
sheaf1865
oodlesa1867
dead load1869
scad1869
stack1870
jorum1872
a heap sight1874
firlot1883
oodlings1886
chunka1889
whips1888
God's quantity1895
streetful1901
bag1917
fid1920
fleetful1923
mob1927
bucketload1930
pisspot1944
shitload1954
megaton1957
mob-o-ton1975
gazillion1978
buttload1988
shit ton1991
society > communication > manifestation > showing to the sight > [noun] > a show (of something)
sight1390
presentationa1616
exhibit1654
show1695
re-exhibition1758
layout1869
shop window1894
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > great number, numerousness > [noun] > a large number or multitude
sandc825
thousandc1000
un-i-rimeOE
legiona1325
fernc1325
multitudec1350
hundred1362
abundancec1384
quantityc1390
sight1390
felec1394
manyheada1400
lastc1405
sortc1475
infinityc1480
multiplie1488
numbers1488
power1489
many1525
flock1535
heapa1547
multitudine1547
sort1548
myriads1555
myriads1559
infinite1563
tot-quot1565
dickera1586
multiplea1595
troop1596
multitudes1598
myriad1611
sea-sands1656
plurality1657
a vast many1695
dozen1734
a good few1756
nation1762
vast1793
a wheen (of)1814
swad1828
lot1833
tribe1833
slew1839
such a many1841
right smart1842
a million and one1856
horde1860
a good several1865
sheaf1865
a (bad, good, etc.) sortc1869
immense1872
dunnamuch1875
telephone number1880
umpty1905
dunnamany1906
skit1913
umpteen1919
zillion1922
gang1928
scrillion1935
jillion1942
900 number1977
gazillion1978
fuckload1984
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 121 Out of his sepulture Ther sprong..Of floures such a wonder syhte [etc.].
1449 R. Wenyngton in Paston Lett. & Papers (2005) III. 69 Ye sawe never suche a syght of schyppys take in to Englond thys c wyntere.
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1876) VI. 239 He..brouȝhte to Yorke also a noble siȝhte of bookes.
a1552 J. Leland Itinerary (1711) V. 76 A greate redy Poole, whither an innumerable sight of Stares resort at night.
1577 N. Breton Floorish vpon Fancie sig. C A sight of Asses then, there stood in battell ray.
1632 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy (ed. 4) ii. iii. iii. 334 O ye gods what a sight of things doe not I want.
1752 W. C. Lukis in W. C. Lukis Family Mem. W. Stukeley (1882) I. 83 An infinite sight of rare flowers.
1778 R. B. Sheridan Camp i. ii They wear..a large hat and feather, and a mortal sight of hair.
1800 J. Austen Let. 25 Oct. (1995) 50 She expresses herself more warmly than the rest, for she sends him a ‘sight of thanks’.
1871 M. Collins Marquis & Merchant III. viii. 216 A sight of gentlemen goes over to see that old lady.
b. Used adverbially. colloquial or slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > plurality > great number, numerousness > [adverb]
manifoldlyeOE
thick971
a-storec1300
rifec1325
thickfolda1400
thicklyc1400
by, in heaps1523
amain1549
numerously1611
frequently1615
sight1836
multitudinously1839
like flies1934
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > to a great or definite extent
sight1836
1836 T. Hook Gilbert Gurney II. i. 49 One..eats and drinks a considerable sight more than one does at home.
1854 Hawthorne in Bridge Pers. Recoll. (1893) 144 It is a devilish sight harder to write to a President..than to a private man.
1860 ‘G. Eliot’ Mill on Floss I. i. ii. 6 He's had a fine sight more schoolin' nor I ever got.
1889 G. Allen Tents of Shem II. 122 You're a sight too clever for me to talk to.
1931 R. Campbell Georgiad i. 12 He could be..heterosexual with either, too—A damn sight more than you or I could do!
1958 Times 16 Oct. 17/1 Surrey..will have to do a sight better than they did yesterday if they are to make their presence fittingly felt in the current Rugby Union county championship.
1977 ‘E. Crispin’ Glimpses of Moon xii. 241 Be a sight cooler there than it is here, I reckon.
1979 C. P. Snow Coat of Varnish xvi. 133 Money might be fun, but if I had to choose I'd a damn sight rather try for the top jobs.
c. by a long, damn, etc., sight, by a long way, by a good deal (usually in negative contexts). U.S. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > to a great extent or by far
great quantityc1330
far forthly1362
by farc1380
well awayc1390
by half?a1400
by mucha1450
far (and) away1546
by a great sort1579
to stand head and shoulders abovea1683
(by) a long way1741
by a jugful1831
by all odds1832
by a long, damn, etc., sight1834
out and away1834
(by) a long chalk1835
by chalks1835
by long chalks1835
by a street1886
a whole lot1886
1834 C. A. Davis Lett. J. Downing, Major iv. 41 ‘Gineral, do you want another report?’ ‘Not by a darn'd sight.’
1840 Niles' Reg. 9 May 149/2 He asked him if he was not going for Harrison and the whigs. ‘No,’ said he, ‘not by a d——d sight.’
1844 Republican Sentinel (Richmond, Va.) 22 June 1/2 These animals begin to venture out a little of nights, since the Baltimore Convention, but are slyer by a long sight than foxes.
1884 ‘M. Twain’ Adventures Huckleberry Finn i. 20 I asked her if she reckoned Tom Sawyer would go there, and, she said, not by a considerable sight.
1894 ‘M. Twain’ in Cent. Mag. Mar. 779/2 It ain't on'y jist Essex blood dat's in you, not by a long sight.
1896 J. C. Harris Sister Jane 63 If you'll believe me, that ain't all by a long sight.
1931 E. O'Neill Mourning becomes Electra (1932) 248 But I don't wish to convey that he approves of all I've set down—not by a damned sight!
1959 E. Pound Thrones ciii. 88 But not his fault by a damn sight.
1976 M. Machlin Pipeline xxii. 272 The excitement ain't through here by a damn sight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > appearance or aspect > [noun]
onseneeOE
bleea1000
shapeOE
ylikeOE
laitc1175
semblanta1225
sightc1275
fare1297
showingc1300
specea1325
parelc1330
guise1340
countenance1362
semblance?a1366
apparel1377
regardc1380
apparencec1384
imagec1384
spicec1384
overseeminga1398
kenninga1400
seemingc1400
visage1422
rinda1450
semenauntc1450
'pearance1456
outwardc1475
representation1489
favour?a1500
figurea1522
assemblant1523
prospect?1533
respect1535
visure1545
perceiverance1546
outwardshine1549
view1556
species1559
utter-shape1566
look1567
physiognomy1567
face1572
paintry1573
visor1575
mienc1586
superficies?1589
behaviour1590
aspect1594
complexion1597
confrontment1604
show1604
aira1616
beseeminga1616
formality1615
resemblancea1616
blush1620
upcomea1630
presentment1637
scheme1655
sensation1662
visibility1669
plumage1707
facies1727
remark1748
extrinsica1797
exterior1801
showance1820
the cut of one's jib1823
personnel1839
personal appearance1842
what-like1853
look-see1898
outwall1933
visuality1938
prosopon1947
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12769 Com an wunderlic deor. æst in þan leofte ladlic an sehte [c1300 Otho sihte].
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 147 Ely of fairest place, of fairest siȝt roucestre.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. i. 57 Þat dungun in þat deope dale þat dredful is of siht.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. xi. 2 Preise thou not a man in his fairnesse; ne dispise thou a man in his siȝt [L. visu].
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 452/1 Semely, yn syghte, decens.
1486 Bk. St. Albans c vj Neuer the lees this engraylyng is no propur langage aftir the sight of thys cros.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ezek. xliii. 2 His sight to loke vpon was like the first.
1581 J. Marbeck Bk. Notes & Common Places 280 His bearde, which was now growne and did chaunge the sight of his face verie much.
1610 Bible (Douay) II. Ezek. i. 22 comm. A similitude over the heades of the living creatures of the firmament, as it were the sight of christal dreadful.
c1680 W. Beveridge Serm. (1729) I. 532 All that by false weights, false measures, or false sights have imposed upon their customers.
II. Perception by means of the eyes; a look, glance, and related uses.
4. figurative.1737 Gentleman's Mag. Feb. 73/1 It would not be much Matter what I began upon, for I would presently lose Sight of that.1837 P. Keith Bot. Lexicon 296 The conjecture was not lost sight of by contemporary or succeeding botanists.1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) IV. 42 The higher the view which men take of life, the more they lose sight of their own pleasure or interest.
a. The perception or apprehension of something by means of the eyes; the presentation of a thing to the sense of vision.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > sight of something > [noun]
looka1200
sight?c1225
visc1340
visea1450
respection?a1475
viewa1500
prospection?1530
kenningc1540
conspect1548
ken1594
spectacle1625
styme1776
perception1817
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 75 Ȝe schulen habbe..þe brichte sichðe of godes neb.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 10841 Þis leuedi duted noght þe sight O þis angel þat was sa bright.
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 381 Wel hath Fortune yturned thee the dys That hast the sighte of hir, and I thabsence.
a1492 W. Caxton tr. Vitas Patrum (1495) i. viii. f. xiii/2 The sonne of a Heerd man, The whyche was as deed oonly by the syghte of the sayde dragon.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xxiii. 68 They loste ye syght of ye castell, it was clene vanysshyd a way.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie ii. i. 31 Wee had on our left hande the sight of the Ilandes.
1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Donzella Desterrada 30 But no sooner lost shee once the sight of him [etc.].
1640 E. Reynolds Treat. Passions Ep. Ded. So far hath your Highness vouchsafed (having happened on the sight of this Tractate) to express favour thereunto.
1743 J. Bulkeley & J. Cummins Voy. to South-seas 15 Therefore he never inform'd the Captain of the Sight of Land.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian vii, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. III. 180 I did think the sight on her would but vex your Reverence.
1845 M. Pattison in Christian Remembrancer Jan. 84 Unable any longer to bear the sight of one who had pleaded guilty to so great a crime.
1885 ‘E. Garrett’ At Any Cost v. 85 He had had a preconceived idea which the sight of Mr. Sandison shattered for ever.
b. With possessive pronoun or genitive case.
ΚΠ
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 79 Ierusalem bitacneð griþes sihþe.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 674 Ȝiff he seþ þatt mann iss ohht. Forrfæredd off hiss sihhþe.
c1275 Moral Ode 361 in Old Eng. Misc. Nis þer no Murehþe so muchel so is godes syhte.
c1386 G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Tale 866 If þat youre eyen kan nat seen aright, Looke þat youre mynde lakke noght his sight.
1594 S. Daniel Trag. Cleopatra iv. 1074 Although they need such actors of deceit, Yet still our sight seemes to vpbraid their wrong.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) i. i. 249 You must needs dine with me... I am ioyfull of your sights . View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals x, in tr. Virgil Wks. 47 You, (alas, that I shou'd find it so!) To shun my sight, your Native Soil forgo.
1702 N. Rowe Tamerlane i. i When thy lov'd Sight shall bless my Eyes again.
1873 R. Browning Red Cotton Night-cap Country iv. 263 Sully yourselves no longer by my sight!
c. Without article, chiefly in phrases as to catch, have, lose sight of.
ΚΠ
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 84 To ȝeoue þeancre brich sichðe inheouene.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 23330 Þe seli sal o þaim ha sight, Bot þof þai se þam [etc.].
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xvii. 57 Feith had first siȝte of hym, ac he flegh on syde.
c1425 Eng. Conq. Ireland (1896) 6 Mych hit gladet his hert..þat he myght in fayr weder haue somdell syght of his lond.
c1595 Capt. Wyatt in G. F. Warner Voy. R. Dudley to W. Indies (1899) 49 Our Generall sent Captain Jobson and the master to take sight of such commodities as they weare ladend withall.
1674 R. Boyle Excellency Theol. ii. iii. 155 That he was able at first sight of them to give each of the beasts a name expressive of its nature.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 105 With sight of Arms and sounds of Trumpets nurst. View more context for this quotation
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. xii. 263 Our people pursued him..; but as he had the advantage of being on horseback, he soon lost sight of them.
1820 J. Keats Isabella in Lamia & Other Poems 73 Wondering, Until her heart felt pity to the core At sight of such a dismal labouring.
1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxxv. 391 She..caught sight of what was going forward.
1898 F. Montgomery Tony 13 As if he dreaded losing sight of her.
d. The first perception or view of something. Usually in at or upon (the) sight of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > sight of something > [noun] > first sight
sight1471
first sight1741
1471 Little Red Bk. Bristol (1900) II. 130 That incontinent vpon the sighte of thies ye schew [etc.].
1565 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 341 The thrid day nixt eftir the resset and sycht heirof.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias i. ii. 7 At sight of which the Captaine generall went to lande.
1625 in R. Sanderson Rymer's Fœdera (1726) XVIII. 60 Upon Sight of theis our Letters Pattents.
1670 S. Wilson Lassels's Voy. Italy (new ed.) ii. 12 The seruant vpon sight of the paper, presently threw her out 50 crownes.
1734 tr. C. Rollin Anc. Hist. I. 183 On sight of them, [they] drew up their forces in order of battle.
1771 Encycl. Brit. III. 351/1 At sight of the sharps or flats prefixed to the tune to be sung,..you have of course the places of the semitones.
1810 W. Scott Lady of Lake ii. 79 Sir Roderick..Reddened at sight of Malcolm Græme.
e. A position or point commanding or giving a view of something. Chiefly in or within (†the) sight of. Also transferred.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > thing seen > place where view obtained > [noun]
sightc1515
standing point1606
station1659
aspect1660
point of view1701
viewpoint1839
visual point1842
standpoint1843
eye-point1875
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxi. 241 He came within the syght of Burdeux.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xii. 14 Passing further towards the sight of the yles De la Galite, & des Symboles.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 700 Fountaines, built within the sight of it [Ripon].
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. J. Albert de Mandelslo in Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors (1669) 279 The 16. About 10. in the morning we passed in sight of Dover-Castle.
1807 Salmagundi 11 Nov. 357 When that the army of the Hoppingtots did peregrinate within sight of Gotham.
a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. P. Calderon Scenes from Magico Prodigioso in Posthumous Poems (1824) 366 Even within the sight Of the high towers of Antioch.
1890 Spectator 29 Nov. 764/1 We are not yet in possession of ritual peace, but for the first time we are fairly in sight of it.
5. † b. at one sight, in a single look, from one point of view. Obsolete.
a. A view, look, or glimpse of something.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > sight of something > [noun] > glimpse
sightc1275
gliff1570
glemish1576
glent?1577
glimpse1580
interview1610
catch1775
styme1776
vizy1785
peep1793
snatch1816
waff1818
glint1838
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 10443 Nænne siht of londe iseon heo ne mahten.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 1623 He nolde þe gywes leue ȝiue..Þat hii moste of þe boru enes abbe an siȝte.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xx. 57 Faith on hym hadde furst a sight ac he fleih a-syde.
c1420 Sir Amadace (Camden) lii Quen aythir of othir hade a siȝte, Suche a lufue be-tuene hom liȝte.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 240 Schyr Ihone Butler..Out fra his men, of Wallace had a sicht.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cciiijv Whan the Pristes not without monye let them haue a syght therof.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. ix. 397 [His] presence to me after so long a sight of Hethnike strangers was exceeding comfortable.
1692 J. Ray in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eminent Literary Men (1843) (Camden) 198 You should have had a sight of the Copy.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield II. ix. 134 He had some difficulty, he said, to get a sight of his landlord.
1832 H. Martineau Homes Abroad vii. 99 One sight of a savage in a life-time was as much as most settlers had.
1857 A. Trollope Barchester Towers xii A sight of you, Mr. Harding, is good for sore eyes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > sight of something > [adverb] > at (first) sight
at (the, as to the) first sightc1390
at prime facea1413
by the first visage1422
at a lookc1450
on (also upon) (the) view of1489
prima faciec1500
at one sight1508
at the first show of1549
at first gaze1577
prima fronte1622
on (also in) the face of ita1656
on the view1823
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. bii* Seuyne score of scheildis thai schew at ane sicht.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. vi. 283 The City..can not be seene all at one sight; saue on this Mountaine.
c. figurative. A look into a matter. Cf. insight n.1 2b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > [noun] > instance of
inquisitionc1440
investigation1533
sight1592
review1611
percontation1623
evestigation1658
inquirendoa1846
shakedown1914
look-around1967
nosy1990
1592 R. Greene Blacke Bookes Messenger sig. C4v There is no Art but he will haue a superficiall sight into.
1768 H. Brooke Fool of Quality III. xvi. 262 I joined myself to a house painter..on condition of his giving me a sight into his business.
1902 J. S. Farmer & W. E. Henley Slang VI. i. 207/1 Sight, an opportunity; a chance; a show.
d. Scottish. A station on the bank of a river, etc., from which the movements of salmon are observed.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing for type of fish > [noun] > for salmon > place > place for observing
sight1805
1805 State Leslie of Powis 56 (Jam.) That the fishers used sights, during the fishing season, upon Fraserfield's grounds..; that the westmost sight was above the Fluicky~shot [etc.].
e. Poker. A show of hands; spec. one called for by a player who has insufficient chips or money to equal another's bet, but bets as much as he can. U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > poker > [noun] > actions or tactics > show or call for show
sight1821
call1850
1821 G. Long Hoyle's Games Improved 162 The youngest hand..may call a sight... If he calls a sight the cards must be shown in rotation, the player who calls showing last, and the best hand shown wins the pool.
1850 H. G. Bohn et al. Hand-bk. Games 381 Should one of the party over-reach the amount that is in possession of an adversary, a ‘sight’ may be demanded.
1887 Courier-Jrnl. (Louisville, Kentucky) 23 Jan. 15/7 Then a rule sprang up that a man should be allowed a sight for his money.
1940 O. Jacoby On Poker 150 Even though a player's hand is beaten in sight, he should make no move to fold it except in his proper turn.
1964 E. Sinclair Poker v. 142 If a player who is beaten in sight bets against the cinch hand, he will be allowed to withdraw his bet from the pot after his attention had been drawn to the fact that he is beaten in sight.
f. A sale of packets of uncut diamonds.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > selling > a public sale > [noun] > sale of specific articles
woodsale1479
port-salea1513
boutisalea1627
book sale1797
book fair1798
sight1940
1940 Economist 2 Mar. 385/1 A significant hint on the likely evolution of the British exchange control technique was provided last week on the occasion of the latest diamond ‘sights’ held in London.
1966 J. Wainwright Crystallised Carbon Pig xv. 74 The Diamond Corporation hold monthly ‘sights’—auctions, I suppose you could call them. They sell anything between three million and five million pounds' worth of stones at each ‘sight’.
1978 Times 9 Mar. 23/6 The rough gems are sold by the CSO at 10 ‘sights’ (sales) a year... London holds the most important sights.
6. With omission of the dependent genitive, in phrases related to sense 4d:
a. at (†the, as to the) first sight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > sight of something > [adverb] > at (first) sight
at (the, as to the) first sightc1390
at prime facea1413
by the first visage1422
at a lookc1450
on (also upon) (the) view of1489
prima faciec1500
at one sight1508
at the first show of1549
at first gaze1577
prima fronte1622
on (also in) the face of ita1656
on the view1823
(a)
(b)a1593 C. Marlowe Hero & Leander (1598) i. 176 Who ever lov'd, that lov'd not at first sight?1611 T. Middleton & T. Dekker Roaring Girle sig. H4 Alex... You can play any lesson [i.e. in music]. Mol. At first sight sir.1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan ii. xxvi. 137 In which definition, there is nothing that is not at first sight evident.1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 166. ⁋3 You may see them at first Sight grow acquainted by Sympathy.1773 Life N. Frowde 29 I'm glad to see him, however, he has pleased me at first Sight.1846 J. S. Mill Syst. Logic (ed. 2) i. vi. §1 Propositions which at first sight present themselves as verbal.1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 426 There is more of system in the Phaedo than appears at first sight.c1390 in F. J. Furnivall Minor Poems Vernon MS (1901) ii. 537 An vnknowen to take anonriht Is nouȝt to Aferme at þe furste siht.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8029 He kneu þam at þe first sight.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) v. 40 At the firste sight..Men knele to him.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 150 As to the first sicht, jt semys yat [etc.].
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. xliijv Hys seriante porter, whiche knewe hym at the fyrste sighte.
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 11 Euphues at the firste sight was so kyndled with desyre, that [etc.].
1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi i. ii. 9/2 They saw no Indians..but such as at the first Sight always ran away.
1730 N. Bailey et al. Dictionarium Britannicum at Axiom A Proposition whose Truth every Person perceives at the first Sight.
b. at (formerly also on or upon) sight, used spec. with reference to the payment of bills. Also, in this connection, after sight (see quot. 18352).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [adverb] > payment of bills of exchange
after sight1617
for (the) honour1622
at (so many) days' (etc.) sight1701
(a)
(b)1673 Humours Town 60 One that will play at sight, tilt at sight (that is without Thought or Consideration), and whore at sight.1721 A. Ramsay Ode to Ph—— vi If they command the storms to blaw, Then upo' sight the hailstanes thud.1774 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 63 270 Those who are not able to sing at sight.1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer (1891) 205 I swore to shoot the old warrigal at sight.1892 Speaker 3 Sept. 277/1 The cowboy who lives in constant apprehension of being shot at sight.1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 277 Let it be expressed in your bill that the money be paid upon sight.
1682 J. Scarlett Stile of Exchanges 63 He that receives a Bill payable at sight, or some dayes after sight, &c.
1709 S. Centlivre Busie Body ii. i. 24 The Frugal Hand can Bills at Sight defray.
1767 B. Franklin in Pennsylvania Chron. 25 May–1 June 1/2 Being payable in Cash upon Sight by the Drawers.
1835 Penny Cycl. IV. 399/1 At first, no doubt, the order was to pay..‘on sight’.
1835 Penny Cycl. IV. 399/1 In modern times, the more frequent practice has been to make them payable at so many days after sight.
1861 G. J. Goschen Theory Foreign Exchanges 53 We have..considered all bills as drawn payable at sight.
c. at (so many) days' (etc.) sight, of bills.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [adverb] > payment of bills of exchange
after sight1617
for (the) honour1622
at (so many) days' (etc.) sight1701
1701 London Gaz. No. 3730/4 A Bill drawn..at 6 days sight.
1716 London Gaz. No. 5472/4 A Bill..payable..at 15 Days Sight.
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy II. ii. 34 A goldsmith's bill at six day's sight.
1866 A. Crump Pract. Treat. Banking v. 100 Inland bills of exchange are drawn on demand, at so many days', or weeks', or months', sight or date, as the case may require.
7.
a. A look or glance (at something or in a certain direction). Now rare except in slang phrase to take sights, to observe, to watch.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > a look or glance > [noun]
eie wurpc950
laitc1175
looka1200
lecha1250
sightc1275
insighta1375
blushc1390
castc1400
glentc1400
blenkc1440
regardc1450
ray1531
view1546
beam of sight1579
eye-beam1583
eyewink1591
blink1594
aspecta1616
benda1616
eyeshot1615
eye-casta1669
twire1676
ken1736
Magdalene-look1752
glimmering1759
deek1833
wink1847
deck1853
vision1855
pipe1865
skeg1876
dekko1894
screw1904
slant1911
gander1914
squiz1916
butcher's hook1934
butcher's1936
gawk1940
bo-peep1941
nose1976
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > observe or watch
spya1400
wait1399
espyc1405
watch1487
gate?1590
to look sharp1680
stag1796
to keep one's eyes peeled1844
to skin one's eyes1851
to peel one's eyes1875
to take sights1934
c1275 Moral Ode 280 in Old Eng. Misc. Þer schule þe wrecche soulen iseon þat sunegeden bi sihtes.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 7886 Þe king kast anis on hir a sight.
a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS xxix. iii. 119 Þe damysele caste on hire a siht.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Suffolk v Fortune euer since I was a lad, Did smile vpon mee with a chearefull sight.
1568 A. Scott Poems (1896) iii. 18 Be sicht or smyle lat non knaw ȝour intentis.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Oeil, the eye;..a sight, a looke.
1700 Moxon's Math. made Easie (ed. 3) 37 Compass, an Instrument..much more easy to be understood by a Sight, than the best description.
1844 E. B. Barrett Drama of Exile 141, in Poems I I fell..struck blind By the sight within your eyes.
1894 H. Caine Manxman iii. xx When you are coming down the alley give a sight up, sir, and you'll see me.
1934 P. Allingham Cheapjack xiv. 175 He pointed out a Rolls-Royce which stopped at the entrance of the fair... ‘Take sights at that Rolls,’ he said. ‘There'll be some right mugs turn up in a minute.’
1950 R. M. Howe Gross's Criminal Investigation (ed. 4) viii. 163/1 Take sights, looking out (especially for suitable house to break into).
1962 New Statesman 21 Dec. 897/3 Once we have all this information, we start ‘taking sights’, and this means watching the house, from the grounds, for the best part of a week.
b. An observation with a surveying or other similar instrument; an aim with a gun, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > instruments for observing > [noun] > observation with
sight1834
society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > [noun] > position > sight or observation
observation1559
sight1834
shot1867
the world > the earth > earth sciences > geography > map-making > surveying > [noun] > an observation with a surveying instrument
sight1834
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > [noun] > aiming > an aim
sight1834
1834 Reg. Deb. Congr. U.S. 25 Feb. 691 I supposed for once in my life I saw gentlemen in the open field, and might be able to draw a fine sight upon them.
1835 J. Ross Narr. Second Voy. North-west Passage viii. 121 Some sights obtained for the chronometer gave the longitude 94° 40′.
1849 H. Miller Foot-prints of Creator To Rdr. p. viii Across which he may safely take his sights and lay down his angles.
1882 E. A. Floyer Unexplored Baluchistan 151 All the way down I was either taking sights or working them out, and soon got pretty handy with my sextant.
c. slang. (See quots.)
ΚΠ
1836 T. Hook Gilbert Gurney II. i. 77 She proceeded to place her two hands extended in a right line from the tip of her nose.., after the fashion of what is called 'taking a double sight'.
1860 Slang Dict. 214 ‘To take a sight at a person,’ a vulgar action employed by street boys to denote incredulity, or contempt for authority, by placing the thumb against the nose and closing all the fingers except the little one, which is agitated in token of derision.
1872 Routledge's Every Boy's Ann. 186/1 Playfully ‘taking a sight’ with extended finger and thumb.
d. U.S. ‘A straight stretch of road, as one along which a sight may be taken in surveying; a line uninterrupted by a bend or an elevation’ ( Cent. Dict.).
ΚΠ
1848 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (at cited word) In North Carolina the distance that can be seen on a road is called a sight.
III. Senses relating to the faculty of vision.
8.
a. The faculty or power of seeing, as naturally inherent in the eye; eyesight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > [noun]
i-sightc888
seneOE
lightOE
eyesightc1175
sightc1200
rewarda1382
seeingc1390
viewc1390
outwitc1400
starec1400
speculation1471
eyec1475
vision1493
ray1531
visive power1543
sightfulnessa1586
outsight1605
conspectuitya1616
visibility1616
optics1643
rock of eye1890
visuality1923
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 61 Ȝif he binimeð us ure sihte,..oðer us crokeð on fote oðer on honde.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 27 Ore swete louerd..smot him and bi-nam him is siȝt.
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. II. 308 Þre siȝtis fallen to man; þe first is bodili siȝt, þat falliþ to mannis eien, þe while he wakiþ.
a1400 Sir Beues 3108 Þow hauest so swonke.., Þow hauest neȝ for-lore þe siȝt.
a1464 J. Capgrave Abbreuiacion of Cron. (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 13 He began first grauing in metallis to plesauns of þe sith.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope xii I praye to the goddes that they vouchesauf to send me my syght ageyne.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 270/1 Sight, ueve, uision.
1599 J. Davies Nosce Teipsum 56 Most eyes haue perfect sight, though some be blind.
1637 T. Heywood Londini Speculum sig. C3 Sight is the most soveraigne sence, the first of five.
1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. Pref. sig. C2 The knowledge of Man..hath hitherto been determin'd by the view or sight.
1743 J. Bulkeley & J. Cummins Voy. to South-seas 145 They are exceeding nimble, of an exquisite quick Sight.
1832 H. Martineau Ella of Garveloch iii. 35 He has a keener sight into the place of storms than we.
1850 E. B. Browning tr. Æschylus Prometheus Bound (rev. ed.) in Poems (new ed.) I. 142 A spectacle that turns The sight o' the eyes to pity.
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 7 His sight was exquisitely keen and clear.
b. figurative. Mental or spiritual vision. With definite article, spec. = second sight n. Chiefly Scottish.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > [noun]
anyitOE
eyesightc1175
sightc1175
sentimentc1374
mindc1384
intentc1386
fantasyc1400
savoura1425
spiritsc1450
perceiverancea1500
perceiverationa1500
senses1528
perceivance1534
sense1553
kenc1560
mind-sight1587
knowledge1590
fancy1593
animadversion1596
cognition1651
awaring1674
perception1678
scan1838
apperception1848
perceivedness1871
the mind > mental capacity > perception or cognition > faculty of imagination > [noun]
sightc1175
thoughtc1175
imagination1340
thinking1340
conceptiona1387
imaginativea1398
phantasm1490
concept1536
fetch1549
conceit1556
conceiving1559
fancy1581
notion1647
fantastic1764
ideality1815
ideoplasty1884
phantastikon1917
the world > the supernatural > the paranormal > [noun] > clairvoyance
second sight1616
second-sightedness1708
deuteroscopy1822
clairvoyance1847
clairvoyancy1877
magnetoscope1890
telegnomy1905
telegnosis1911
sight1924
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > foresight, foreknowledge > prediction, foretelling > inspired prophecy > [noun] > second sight
second sight1616
sight1924
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 5799 Fowwre der..Þatt godess þeww ezechyel. Sahh þurrh gastlike sihhþe.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 75 Þis cnawunge kimeð of gastlich sichðe.
c1350 S. Ambrosius 43 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1878) 8/2 Þat inward siht Þat Ambrose hedde in God Almiht.
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. II. 308 Þe þridde..is siȝt of mynde of mannis soule.
1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. Hist. Troy ii. 2848 Ȝif þat euery wiȝt Aduerten schuld & castyn in his siȝt Of future þing [etc.].
a1586 Sir P. Sidney tr. Psalmes David (1823) xxv. i To thee, O Lord most just, I lift my inward sight.
1664 H. More Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity i. xiv. §7 The sight of their Mind more directly penetrative into the Divine presence.
1735 Visct. Bolingbroke Diss. upon Parties (ed. 2) 135 The Sight of the Mind differs very much from the Sight of the Body.
1781 W. Cowper Charity 395 The soul, whose sight all-quick'ning grace renews.
1924 W. Holtby Crowded Street xxix. 195 They say she's got the ‘sight’—you know, second sight.
1925 W. Duke Scotland's Heir x. 223 At the last the Sight came upon him, and he reared upright, crying with outflung arms that he saw bloody claymores.
1959 E. H. Clements High Tension v. 80 The factor stared at him. ‘Why, Kilmorrin, you have the sight!’
1977 C. McCarry Secret Lovers x. 129 I do believe you see me in everything I do. If you haven't the sight, then what is the explanation?
c. Contrasted with faith.
ΚΠ
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) 2 Cor. v. 7 For we walken bi feith, and not bi cleer siȝt.
1611 Bible (King James) 2 Cor. v. 7 For we walke by faith, not by sight . View more context for this quotation
1834 J. H. Newman Parochial Serm. I. xvii. 258 And all these inducements to live by sight and not by faith are greatly increased, when men are engaged in any pursuit which properly belongs to the intellect.
1858 W. Brock Sir H. Havelock xiii. 216 He might well have doubted of success had he walked by sight.
1871 H. Alford in Hymns Anc. & Mod. (1875) 285/1 Forward, marching eastward Where the heaven is bright, Till the veil be lifted, Till our faith be sight.
1981 M. Green I believe in Satan's Downfall vii. 201 To walk by sight would be the very antithesis of the trusting walk of faith to which God's Messiah, along with all men, was called.
9. plural.1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) ix. 33 O all ye cursed and such evyll fooes, Whose syghtes be blynded over all wyth foly.1589 R. Greene Ciceronis Amor 6 Beautiful Ladies tickled with an earnest desire to satisfie their sightes with his Personage.1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 125 From the hill tops wee dazell our sights in view of that sandy, stony, sterill desert.
a. The sense or power of vision in relation to the individual possessing or exercising it; frequently approaching to a concrete use, = eye or eyes. †Formerly also in plural of a number of persons, etc.
ΚΠ
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 5495 Wiþþ þatt itt iss inn heoffness ærd Biforenn godess sihhþe.
a1225 Leg. Kath. 904 He is to ure sihðe unsehelich in his ahne cunde.
1340 Ayenb. 267 Ich wente myne ziȝþe uor to yzi þe ilke holy ordres of þe gostes.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 206 To make his soule fair..to goddis siȝtte as he makiþ him bisi..for þe siȝtte of men.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 7886 Þe king kest ans on hir his sight.
?c1450 in G. J. Aungier Hist. & Antiq. Syon Monastery (1840) 307 Kepyng ther syȝth, and ther countynaunce saddly and religiously.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope iii. x Thow arte now moche playsaunt and fayr to the syghte of me.
1561 J. Hollybush tr. H. Brunschwig Most Excellent Homish Apothecarye f. 35 The same are pale under their syghte and leane.
1592 R. Greene Disput. Conny-catcher sig. E3 He..would present his hart as a Tragick sacrifice to the sight of his cruel mistresse.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 140 The slipp'ry God will..various Forms assume, to cheat thy sight . View more context for this quotation
1700 J. Dryden tr. G. Boccaccio Sigismonda & Guiscardo 715 Nor farther word she spoke, but closed her sight.
a1771 T. Gray in London Mag. (1781) 52 296 Our mother church with half averted sight.
1827 J. Keble Christian Year I. iii. 12 A fouler vision yet; an age of light, Light without love, glares on the aching sight.
b. in one's sight, before one's eyes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > [adverb] > before one's sight
in one's sightc1275
before (a person's) facec1380
before the face of1574
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12775 Me þuhte a mire sihȝeðe [c1300 Otho in mine sihte]. þat þa sæ gon to berne.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 622 Fiss on sund, and fouxl on flight, Was broght all fort in his sight.
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Rev. xiii. 13 It made fijr for to come doun fro heuen in to erthe, in the siȝt of alle men.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xliv. 214 All thyng was visible In Goddes syght.
a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 62 in W. A. Craigie Asloan MS (1925) II. 96 Be I seyne in yar sicht..Sum will me dulfully dicht.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. vv He was aduised by his frendes not to come in the Cardinalles syght.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 232 In the sight of the World, so as none should be able to denie it.
1812 G. Crabbe Tales ii. 37 His wife, his children weeping in his sight.
c. to sight, to the eye; so as to be seen.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > [adverb] > to the sight
to sighta1300
(for) to showc1400
at (also to) the view1486
to view1594
a1300 Cursor Mundi 23968 Þai had him bath for-driuen and draun, Als sceud es us to sight.
a1400–50 Alexander 1252 It was semand to siȝt as all þe soyle trymblid.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 10 We hard of no showting, too sight no sister apered.
1746 P. Francis tr. Horace Art of Poetry 208 He breaks to Light, And pours his specious Miracles to Sight.
1785 W. Cowper Task i. 602 Not rude and surly,..And terrible to sight.
10.
a. The range or field of one's vision; chiefly in out of one's sight. Also spec. (quot. c1865).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > [noun] > range or field of
eyeOE
sightc1175
eyesightc1225
kenning1530
view1553
reach1579
kena1592
sight-shot1663
command1697
field1721
eye scope1853
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3387 Þeȝȝ wenndenn fra þa wake menn. All ut off þeȝȝre sihhþe.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 420 [He told] how sone of his seiȝt þe bestes seþþen ware.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 377 Or be me lief or be me loth, Out of my sighte forth he goth.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) iv. l. 19 For he na tyme suld..be fra hys sicht.
1595 A. Duncan Appendix Etymologiae: Index in Latinae Grammaticae Horizon, The circle bounding our sicht.
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 18 The visible things are gone out of our sight.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 64 Watchful Herons..Gain on the Skyes, and soar above the sight . View more context for this quotation
1761 D. Hume Hist. Eng. (1812) I. vi. 321 The two armies lay in sight of each other.
1778 J. Cook Jrnl. 3 May (1967) III. i. 339 The Chain of Mountains before mentioned is broke by a plain of a few leagues in extent, beyond which the sight was unlimited.
1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci i. iii. 19 Now get thee from my sight.
c1865 J. Wylde Circle of Sci. I. 76/1 The difficulty experienced by all persons.., is to find what is called their ‘sight’; that is, the focal distance of the lens.
b. Without article, in the phrase in sight, out of sight. See also out of sight adv., adj., and n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > [adverb] > in sight
in sight1377
there1535
in (full) view of1548
in prospect1555
in vista1786
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [adverb] > out of sight
out of sight1377
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xix. 175 Blessed mote þei alle be..That neuere shal se me in siȝte as þow doste nouthe.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15884 Petre he folud him on ferr, For durst he noght in sight.
c1420 Sir Amadace (Camden) xxxvii He wende that no mon hade him herd, For he seȝhe non in siȝte.
1549 R. Crowley Voyce Laste Trumpet sig. Cviiiv Kepe Gods feare in sight.
1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini Ragguagli di Parnasso (1674) ii. lxxix. 231 For fear of their Creditors, they have all played least-in-sight.
1717 A. Pope tr. Homer Iliad III. x. 222 And hostile Troy was ever full in Sight.
1816 W. Scott Old Mortality viii, in Tales of my Landlord 1st Ser. IV. 154 Bothwell Bridge was at a little distance, and also in sight.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Æneid iii, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 159 Goats in the meadows feeding without one watchman in sight.
c. out of all sight: = out of sight adj. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > extremely > beyond all comparison
out of all sight1821
1821 in Byron's Wks. (1846) 586/1 I consider Don Juan as out of all sight the best of your works.
11.
a. The exercise of the faculty of vision; the act of seeing or looking; esp. by sight, frequently denoting merely visual, as contrasted with more intimate, knowledge.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > [adverb]
by sight1297
visually1448
visibly1600
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > [noun]
eyesenea1225
lookinga1225
sight1297
eyesight?c1335
seeing1372
view?c1475
vision1493
speculation1509
discernment1614
ken1667
outsight1681
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 183 Me knoweþ hem in eche lond bi siȝte þar me hem seþ.
c1330 Assump. Virg. 628 (Brit. Mus.) Oure mayne þee knewe þat ilke nyȝt, Bothe bi speche and by syȝt.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xiv. 13 I..soiled it with syȝte or sum ydel speche.
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xx. 98 On whome my hole delyght Dayly was sette, upon her to have sight.
1568 A. Scott Poems (1896) xiv. 5 The kocatrice keilis wt hir sicht.
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iii. xvi. 172 A thousand sortes of hearbes and flowers,..in such sort, as a man cannot well conceive them without sight.
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1680 (1955) IV. 213 He told us the things most worthy of our sight, would be, the draughts he had caused to be made.
1700 J. Astry tr. D. de Saavedra Fajardo Royal Politician I. 334 Then came flocking to him..those too who knew him not but by sight.
1831 Society 1 292 I assure you I mistook the person; Lord Conway is barely known to me by sight.
b. Examination, inspection, scrutiny. bill of sight: (see quot. 1821 at sense 10c).In quots. 1452-3, 1655 sense 12a is possible.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > [noun]
inspection1390
search1415
probationc1422
ensearchingc1430
surview1432
enserchise1436
overseeingc1449
sight1452
hearkeninga1483
discuting1483
ensearcha1509
inquiry1512
upsightc1515
perusing1556
perpending1558
overlooking1565
interview1567
trial1575
peruse1578
visitation1583
perspective?a1586
overviewing1590
looking over1599
sounding1599
perusal1604
supervise1604
disquisition1605
expiscation1605
prospect1625
ravellinga1626
disquiry1628
disquisitive1660
perpendment1667
inspecting1788
sleuthing1900
casing1928
society > trade and finance > importing and exporting > [noun] > customs documents
cocket1425
transire1599
bill of sight1662
bill of store1670
sufferance1670
passport1714
pricking-note1846
transit pass1862
certificate of origin1886
dandy-note-
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > inspection, survey > [noun] > authorization to inspect
bill of sight1662
order to view1911
1452–3 Cal. Rec. Dublin (1889) 278 To gywe in the names of the tenantis..by the sighte of R. Dowdall.
1619 in W. Foster Eng. Factories India 1618–21 (1906) 79 Pretending itt to reserve them only for his first sight.
1655 in J. A. Picton City of Liverpool: Select. Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 188 Repaired and amended..at ye sight and discression of Mr. Maior.
1662 Order Ho. Comm. as to Customs (1663) 1 For a Bill of sight, Bill of Sufferance, or any other imperfect Warrant.
1812 J. Smyth Pract. of Customs ii. 260 A Merchant,..ignorant of the real quantities and qualities of his goods,..may apply to the Collector and Comptroller for a Bill of Sight or View, in order that they may be brought on shore and examined.
1833 Act 3 & 4 William IV c. 52 §24 An entry by Bill of Sight.
c. line of sight n. cf. line n.2 11. Also transferred with reference to the transmission of radio waves, etc.; frequently attributive (with hyphens); line-of-sight velocity = radial velocity n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > [noun] > line of sight
line of sight1559
visual line?a1560
ray1625
eyeline1664
line of collimation1687
sight-line1859
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > [adjective] > line of sight
line of sight1559
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 139 Marking diligentlye that the Center of the second Circle, be in the line of sighte.
1893 R. S. Ball Story of Sun 184 The amount of their movements along the line of sight.
1920 A. S. Eddington Space, Time & Gravitation viii. 135 In the case of the sun we know by other evidence exactly what the line-of-sight velocity should be; but we have not this knowledge for other stars.
1955 Times 18 July 8/2 The others [sc. ways of transmitting radio waves], employing in one case ‘very high’, and in the other ‘ultra high’ frequencies, are extremely reliable but until now they have been limited to line-of-sight transmission.
1956 H. S. Jones in A. Pryce-Jones New Outl. Mod. Knowledge 129 When the first measurements of the line-of-sight velocities of some of these objects [sc. spiral nebulae] were made, they were found to be surprisingly large.
1963 G. Troup Masers & Lasers (ed. 2) ix. 158 Infra-red masers might be applied to line-of-sight terrestrial communications.
1972 Sci. Amer. Feb. 76/1 Microwave radio links are limited to line-of-sight operation.
12. † b. Knowledge, skill, insight. Const. in. Obsolete. (Very common in the 16th cent.)
a. Opinion, estimate, judgement; respect, regard, view. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > [noun]
weenc888
doomc900
advicec1300
wonec1300
opiniona1325
sentence1340
sight1362
estimationc1374
witc1374
assent1377
judgementa1393
supposinga1393
mindc1400
reputationc1400
feelingc1425
suffrage1531
counta1535
existimation1535
consent1599
vote1606
deem1609
repute1610
judicaturea1631
estimate1637
measure1650
sentiment1675
account1703
sensation1795
think1835
the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > evaluation, estimation, appraisal > [noun]
weenc888
rightnessOE
steemc1330
sight1362
witc1374
emprisea1393
reputation?c1400
apprizingc1449
nick?a1450
vail1471
countc1475
opinionc1480
estimationc1522
meting1548
reckoning1548
valuation1548
computation1558
account1583
cess1588
esteem1598
appreciation1605
resentiment1606
repute1610
ratea1616
assessmenta1626
estimate1637
vote1639
supputation1643
compute1646
value1651
resentment1655
contemplation1673
critique1798
appraisement1808
appraisal1817
viewa1854
sizing up1967
chit1989
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. Prol. 32 Summe chosen Chaffare to cheeuen þe bettre, As hit semeþ to vre siht þat suche men scholden.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11853 ‘Godd men,’ he said, ‘quat es your sight O mi fader þat þus es dight?’
?a1400 Morte Arth. 3289 The secunde sir..þat sewede thame aftyre Was sekerare to my sighte, and saddare in armes.
c1540 J. Bellenden tr. H. Boece Hyst. & Cron. Scotl. ix. xix. f. 124/2 He had nothir reuerence to god nor sicht to the commoun weil.
a1572 J. Knox Hist. Reformation Scotl. in Wks. (1846) I. 419 At youre awin sychtis sche will sett fordwart that caus at hir power.
1607 in Antiquary XXXII. 242 To be disposed at the sight of [supervisors of will].
1674 J. Playford Introd. Skill Musick (ed. 7) iii. 2 I assume that the true sight and judgment of the upper three must proceed from the lowest.
1851 B. F. Westcott Introd. Study Gospels (ed. 5) viii. 396 The first step to a right understanding of the Gospels must be the abandonment of this point of sight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ability > skill or skilfulness > [noun] > skill or knowledge
insightc1175
smeighnessc1200
slyness1357
cunningc1374
knowledge?a1425
wisdom1526
sight1530
cunningness1609
can1721
know-how1838
can-do1839
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > [noun] > with a subject, skill
insightc1175
practice1504
sight1530
experiment1575
discourse1589
practic1592
expertness1659
experimentals1748
sophistication1915
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 270/1 Sight, knowledge, perspicasité.
1535 T. Cranmer Let. 30 Apr. in Remains (1833) I. 134 Surely I do much marvel of them both..having such sight in Scriptures and Doctors.
1581 in Confer. (1584) ii. sig. M iij His sight in Greke was very litle or none at all.
1600 Wisdome Doctor Dodypoll i. sig. B3v His sweete discourse, His sight in Musick, and in heauenlie Arts.
IV. An agent of vision or sight, and related uses.
13. † b. A visor. Obsolete.† d. (See quot. 1640) Obsolete. rare.
a. The pupil of the eye. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > sense organ > sight organ > parts of sight organ > [noun] > pupil
apple of the eyeeOE
pearl1340
blacka1387
pupillaa1400
sightc1400
pupil?a1425
sheenc1500
strale1553
prunall1612
sight-hole1670
shine1713
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 247 Macula is a wem in a mannys iȝe, & summe be white þerof & sittiþ vpon þe siȝt of þe iȝe, & summe bisidis þe siȝt.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 270/1 Sight of the eye, le noyre de loyil.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. 155 In either eie they haue two sights or apples.
1683 A. Snape Anat. Horse iii. viii. 123 The horney Tunicle or Coat of the Eye, with the pupilla or sight.
1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. i. 14 What they mean by the Ground of the Eye, is the Pupil or Hole thro' the Iris and Uvea, which the common People call the Sight of the Eye.
1751 R. Paltock Life Peter Wilkins I. xiii. 133 His Eyes were small and blue, with a large black Sight in the Middle.
1808 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Sicht of the ee.
1889 in Eng. Dial. Dict. (Yorksh.).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > armour > helmet > [noun] > visor
cover of the eyesc1300
visorc1330
umbrerea1400
umber14..
umbraryc1442
umbrelc1470
visure1470
sight1508
vizard1704
umbril1864
mesail1869
1508 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1902) IV. 122 For the grathing of the gilt ermyt [sic] my Lord of Owbigne gaif the King and for making of ane new sicht to it.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. cxcvijv The point of the axe of the lord Scales happened to enter into the sight of the healme of the bastard.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 (1623) iv. i. 119 Their eyes of fire, sparkling through sights of Steele.
1656 Ld. Orrery Parthenissa V. iii. ii. 107 He lifted up the sight of his Helmet.
c. plural. Spectacles. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > ophthalmology or optometry > aids to defective vision > [noun] > spectacles
spectaclec1386
a pair of spectacles1423
ocularies?a1425
barnaclea1566
eye1568
sight-glasses1605
glass eye1608
prospective glass1616
sights1619
prospectivea1635
nose-compasses1654
glass1660
lunettes1681
peeper1699
eyeglass1760
specs1807
winker1816
gig-lamps1853
nose-riders1875
window1896
cheaters1920
1619 H. Hutton Satyricall Epigrams in Follie's Anat. sig. C6 An aged man, which spectacles did vse, Hauing them filcht..Fearing the thiefe would not his sights restore.
1667 S. Pepys Diary 18 Oct. (1974) VIII. 486 I..bought me two new pair of spectacles of Turlington..And his daughter..doth advise me to very young sights.
1823 E. Moor Suffolk Words 350 Sights, spectacles, glasses.
1899 in Eng. Dial. Dict.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > mirror > [noun] > parts of
foila1582
clear1587
sight1640
1640 Tables Rates & Duties in J. Entick New Hist. London (1766) II. 165 Glass-plates, or sights for looking-glasses.
14.
a. An appendage to a surveying or observing instrument, serving to guide the eye.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > instruments for observing > [noun] > parts of
sight1559
the world > the earth > earth sciences > geography > map-making > surveying > [noun] > surveying instruments > part of a surveying instrument > sight on a surveying instrument
sight1559
vane1594
target1877
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 137 A ruler with two sightes, which we moue to and fro.
?a1560 L. Digges Geom. Pract.: Pantometria (1571) i. vii. sig. Civv Forget not to haue two equall fine plates of brasse persed in the middes (for your sightes).
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. ii. xvi. 93 Take the Quadrant and look through the Sight at E.
1676 H. Phillippes Purchasers Pattern 131 If a man have but a Ruler with sights..he may draw the foresaid lines to the several angles of the field.
1715 tr. D. Gregory Elements Astron. I. ii. §18. 282 A Quadrant..and an Index moving upon its Center, furnished with Telescopic Sights.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 255 An accurate land surveyor, with his chain, sight, and theodolite. View more context for this quotation
1833 J. F. W. Herschel Astronomy ii. 83 The tube or sight, fastened on the circle, works in the solid metallic centring.
1879 Cassell's Techn. Educator (new ed.) IV. 93/1 This prism..has, when so placed, a notched ‘sight’ on its upper surface.
b. A device, of the nature of a projection or notch, on a firearm or piece of ordnance, etc., to assist in taking aim; a telescopic device or other optical aid designed for this purpose; in one's sights, visible through the sights of one's gun; also figurative, esp. in to raise one's sights, to adopt a more ambitious objective (similarly to lower one's sights).In firearms and ordnance the sights are usually two in number, one at or near the muzzle and the other near the breech, the latter being adjustable so as to vary with the distance. In large guns the forms are often very complex.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > instrument for distant vision > [noun] > sights
sight1588
telescope-sight1674
telescopic sight1674
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > parts and fittings of firearms > [noun] > sight
sight1588
level1611
vizy1828
gun-sight1867
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > visibility > [adverb] > in sights of gun
in one's sights1942
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > aspiration or ambition > aspire [verb (intransitive)]
affect?a1425
aspirec1460
affectate1560
to think big1903
trod1909
to raise one's sights1950
1588 C. Lucar tr. N. Tartaglia 3 Bks. Shooting 18 When the levell sight which is set uppon the mouth of the peece is precisely so high as the levell sight which is set uppon the taile of the peece.
1594 J. Smythe Certen Instr. Militarie 191 All their mosquets should be of one heigth or caliver of bullets with open sights.
1647 H. Hexham Copious Eng. & Netherduytch Dict. The sight of a crosse-bow, het gesight.
1681 W. Robertson Phraseologia generalis (1693) 1128 The sight in a gun or cross-bow, scutula.
1847 Infantry Man. (1854) 34 The foresight is aligned through the back sight with the object.
1890 Times 6 Dec. 15/3 Thousands of rounds were fired so rapidly..that in some cases the sights were actually melted.
1942 T. Rattigan Flare Path i. 20 I've got 'im in my sights, and 'e's getting bigger all the time.
1950 Economist 9 Dec. 1002/2 The United States must now raise its sights, in terms of both manpower and production.
1956 A. H. Compton Atomic Quest 151 Colonel Marshall..had helped greatly in raising our sights as to the magnitude of the production task.
1956 A. H. Compton Atomic Quest 339 It is in part the competition between societies that is forcing us to readjust our educational sights.
1959 N.Z. Listener 10 July 4/2 I did, for many months, seeing apprehensively that the Army would be raising its sights on compulsory marshalling of our manpower little by little.
1962 Times 26 Apr. 7/3 Set your sights a little higher than the kitchen and try to trim your appearance to the job.
1962 Times 5 Dec. 4/3 Lawry setting his sights on a century.
1967 Mrs. L. B. Johnson White House Diary 5 Dec. (1970) 596 First, he said, we have raised our sights. We have set our national goals to have a clean country.
1971 Nature 31 Dec. 499/2 Two years ago, the Government Actuary was estimating that the population would have grown from 56 million at present to..68 million by the turn of the century, but he has since been forced by more recent trends to lower his sights.
1976 J. Snow Cricket Rebel 35 They were not Gloucestershire batsmen at the other end of my sights that day but the England selectors.
c. Any of a number of nails in the sides and ends of a billiard table, used in marking out the table for some forms of carom billiards.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > billiards, pool, or snooker > [noun] > table > nails or marks
stringing nail1788
stringing spot1839
sight1864
1864 W. B. Dick Amer. Hoyle 419 A line is drawn down the centre of the table, from the centre nails or sights in the head and lower cushions.
1890 J. D. Champlin & A. E. Bostwick Young Folks' Cycl. Games & Sports 81/1 Each carom table has on it two spots, along an imaginary line drawn lengthways through the centre from the middle rails or ‘sights’ in the head and lower cushions: the first, opposite the second ‘sight’, is sometimes called the light red spot, the second, opposite the sixth ‘sight’, the dark red spot.
1910 Encycl. Brit. III. 939/1 In the case of the Triangular Baulk-line, lines are drawn at the four corners from the second ‘sight’ on the side-rails to the first sight on the end-rails, forming four triangles within which only a limited number of caroms may be made.
d. Any of various devices through which the progress of an operation may be observed; spec. (a) a pane of glass in a sulphuric acid plant for observing the colours of gases; (b) a glass tube or vessel showing the flow of oil in a lubricator.
ΚΠ
1912 Motor Man. (ed. 14) iii. 125 One way [of indicating whether the rear light is on or off] is to use two 4-volt lamps, one for the rear light and one for the dash or the near-side lamp, especially if this has a small ‘sight’ or window adapted.
1912 Motor Man. (ed. 14) vi. 230 If one notes that the oil drips from the ‘sights’ steadily and there is no accumulation of oil in the sight-glasses, of course it follows that the oil must be passing down the tubes.
15. The opening in a picture-frame; that part of the picture which shows in this.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > equipment for painting or drawing > [noun] > picture-frame > opening
sight1850
1850 [see sight draft n. at Compounds 3].
V. With reference to typing text.
16. In terms relating to the practice of watching the keys of a typewriter while typing, as sight method, sight system, sight technique, sight typing, sight typist, sight writer, sight writing. Cf. touch-typing n.
ΚΠ
1904 A. E. Morton Mod. Typewriting (ed. 2) 12 There are two methods of manipulation, one the ‘touch’, and the other the ‘sight’ system.
1918 M. B. Owen Typewriting Speed 145 The constant shifting of the eyes in sight writing.
1918 M. B. Owen Typewriting Speed 147 The sight typist writes spasmodically.
1918 M. B. Owen Typewriting Speed 153 Many sight writers use all the fingers.
1928 M. Crooks Touch Typewriting for Teachers ii. 10 A typist writing by the Sight method expends about six times as much..energy..as that expended by the Touch typist.
1928 M. Crooks Touch Typewriting for Teachers ii. 11 The properly trained Touch typist is capable of greater speed than the Sight typist.
1935 A. C. Marshall Princ. Teaching Typewriting i. 1 It is..hardly necessary now to advocate the ‘touch’ system as against ‘sight-typing’.
1935 A. C. Marshall Princ. Teaching Typewriting i. 2 The maximum speed ever attained by a sight-typist has never exceeded 60 per cent of that of equivalent touch experts.
1969 L. J. West Acquisition of Typewriting Skills viii. 183 Will not early sight typists form a habit of sight typing?.. How does one wean learners away from sight techniques?
Compounds
C1. General attributive (chiefly objective).
a.
sight-fitting adj.
ΚΠ
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Advenant, handsome,..well beseeming,..sight-fitting.
sight-hungry adj.
ΚΠ
1880 L. Wallace Ben-Hur v. xii. 349 There the close of the exercises found them, patient and sight-hungry as at the beginning.
sight-invigorating adj.
ΚΠ
1743 R. Blair Grave 17 The Star-surveying Sage, close to his Eye Applies the Sight-invigorating Tube.
sight-irking adj.
ΚΠ
1593 T. Nashe Christs Teares f. 77v The..sight-ircking botches of theyr vnsatiate intemperance, they will vnblushingly lay foorth.
sight out-running adj.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. ii. 204 Ioues Lightning, the precursers O'th dreadfull Thunder-claps more momentarie And sight out-running were not. View more context for this quotation
sight-proof adj.
ΚΠ
1870 J. R. Lowell My Study Windows I. 12 Their enemies were hidden in their own sight-proof bush.
sight-refreshing adj.
ΚΠ
1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 759 That sight-refreshing green Is still the liv'ry she [Nature] delights to wear.
sight-seen adj.
ΚΠ
1896 Catholic Mag. June 350 It would be happiness to add its name to our list of sight-seen countries.
sight-slaying adj.
ΚΠ
1596 C. Fitzgeffry Sir Francis Drake sig. C2 Monsters of nature, Nile-bred crocodiles, Sight-slaying basilisks.
b.
sight-hunter n.
ΚΠ
1848 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Aug. 185 That professional sight-hunters should go sight-hunting.
sight-maker n.
ΚΠ
1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iii. 34 What can the sight of the Sight-maker dim?
sight-seeker n.
ΚΠ
1814 F. Burney Let. 24 Aug. (1978) VII. 438 But for Heaven's sake send him no more sight-seekers, who expect ‘The Hero’ to give dinners, & shew Lyons!
1844 A. Smith Adventures Mr. Ledbury I. vi. 66 The majority of sight-seekers..know..little about that venerable edifice.
1895 E. Owen in Wks. G. Edwards p. ix There were then no fashionable inns to give accommodation to sight-seekers.
sight-supporter n.
ΚΠ
1676 A. Marvell Mr. Smirke sig. G2v The King of Virginia, that had two Squires..to lift up his Eye-lids... I am not bound to be any of his Sight-supporters.
sight-trouble n.
ΚΠ
1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. VI. 613 There was a slight attack of left hemiplegia with headache, vertigo, and sight-troubles.
c.
sight-killingly adv.
ΚΠ
1593 T. Nashe Christs Teares f. 66 Sight-killingly with his..frownes, he shall teache him, both that he is, and what he is.
C2. In terms relating to the taking of surveys or observations, or denoting appliances used for this purpose.
sight-alidade n.
ΚΠ
1900 H. M. Wilson Topogr. Surveying vii. 161 A small sight-alidade was devised by the author both for sighting directions, and for determining elevations by vertical angulation.
sight-aligner n.
ΚΠ
1892 W. W. Greener Breech-loader 97 The sight-aligner and adjustable gun, invented in 1882.
sight-angle n.
ΚΠ
?a1560 L. Digges Geom. Pract.: Pantometria (1571) i. xxxiv. sig. Kiijv From the Centre thereof, extend right lines.., wryting as before vppon euery of them the names of their places or markes, whereof they are the sight Angles.
sight-beam n.
ΚΠ
?a1400 in J. O. Halliwell Rara Mathematica (1839) 63 Go toward it and froward it til þi sight beme passe by þe heght of þe ȝerde and of þat thyng.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. ii. xiii. 82 The Sight-beams over the ends of the Crosses.
sight-magnitude n.
ΚΠ
1859 J. Ruskin Elements Perspective i. 99 The Sight-magnitude of a line is the magnitude which bears, to the real line, the same proportion that the distance of the picture bears to the distance of the object.
sight-piece n.
ΚΠ
1835 C. F. Hoffman Winter in West II. 205 The long western rifle has three sight-pieces on the barrel.
1874 J. W. Long Amer. Wild-fowl Shooting i. 24 Sight-piece small and close to the muzzle.
sight-point n.
ΚΠ
1859 J. Ruskin Elements Perspective Introd. 9 The point S is to represent the point opposite which you wish the observer of your picture to place his eye in looking at it. Call this point the Sight-point.
sight rest n.
ΚΠ
1883 R. G. White Mr. Washington Adams in Eng. 121 He threw up his left arm, and took a sight rest on it [with his revolver].
sight-staff n.
ΚΠ
1731 W. Halfpenny Perspective made Easy p. iv The Groove E, wherein the Sight-Staff slides to and fro.
sight-vane n.
ΚΠ
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. ii. xiv. 85 If you see all Skie and no Water, then draw your Sight-Vane a little lower.
1863 A. Young Naut. Dict. (ed. 2) 297 The sight vanes are pieces of brass standing perpendicularly to the plane of the instrument.
C3. Special combinations:† sight-court n. Obsolete a place for public shows.† sight-glasses n. Obsolete spectacles.† sight-shot n. Obsolete the range of vision.
sight bar n. a metal bar forming part of the breech-sight of a gun.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > parts and fittings of firearms > [noun] > sight > types of
dispart1578
telescopic sight1674
plain sight1686
aim-frontlet1745
hausse1787
foresight1806
gloaming sight1817
night-sight1822
bead1831
leaf1832
backsight1847
globe sight1847
pendulum hausse1850
hindsight1851
tangent scale1859
tangent1861
tangent backsight1862
training pendulum1862
training level1863
peep sight1866
dispart-sight1867
notch sight1867
buck-horn1877
orthoptic1881
aperturea1884
pinball-sighta1884
dispart patch1884
sight bar1884
flap-sight1887
barley-corn1896
ring sight1901
riflescope1902
spotting scope1904
tangent sight1908
Aldis sight1918
wind-sight1923
scope sight1934
gyro-sight1942
1884 Naval Encycl. 751/2 Sight-bar, a metal bar on which the range in yards, or in degrees, is marked. It is a part of the breech-sight, and, by raising or lowering it, different ranges are obtained.
1920 A. H. Carter & A. V. Arnold Field Artillery Instr. iii. 47 The rocking bar sight consists of a rocking bar..and a sight bar.
sight bill n. U.S. a bill of exchange payable on presentation.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > paper money > promissory notes or bills of exchange > [noun] > other promissory notes or bills
warrant1433
assignmentc1460
policy1623
navy bill1679
redraft1682
tally of pro1691
bank bill1694
bank seal bill1696
chequer-bill1697
assignation1704
chequer-note1705
mint bill1707
transport debenture1707
transport-bill1710
loan-bill1722
treasury note1756
tin bill1778
treasury-bill1798
rescription1800
short bill1808
treasury-warrant1834
sight bill1853
short-paper1912
treasuries1922
T.B.1936
T.D.R.1948
T-Bill1982
1853 Southern Literary Messenger 19 89/2 Mr. Thompson agreed to accommodate him with a sight bill on his correspondent in Raleigh.
1887 Courier-Jrnl. (Louisville, Kentucky) 5 May 7/3 Eastern exchange was firm, and there were more buyers than sellers of New York sight bills at 80c per $1,000 premium.
sight-board n. = sight-screen n. below.
ΚΠ
1898 K. S. Ranjitsinhji With Stoddart's Team (ed. 4) iii. 49 [At Adelaide] the sight-boards behind the bowler's arm appeared to be but reminders of the existence of such things for a better purpose in England.
1955 K. R. Miller & R. S. Whitington Cricket Typhoon i. i. 13 Tiny white pavilion and tinier white sight-boards.
1975 N. Nicholson Wednesday Early Closing vi. 129 Every..excuse for hindrance and delay was..tried—asking for the sight-boards to be moved,..looking round at the fielders, testing the bat.
sight-chase n. a chase in which the dogs hunt by sight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > [noun] > chase by sight
sight-chase1897
1897 Outing 30 127/1 Just in time to witness a short but pretty ‘sight chase’. The dogs have seen the fox.
sight cheque n. U.S. a cheque or draft payable on presentation.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > paper money > cheques and drafts > [noun] > cheque
paper credit1725
draught1736
banker's draft1764
bank cheque1774
draft1786
sight cheque1863
certified cheque1880
marked cheque1896
Eurocheque1969
1863 ‘E. Kirke’ My Southern Friends xxii. 232 I enclose you sight check of Branch Bank of Cape Fear on Bank of Republic, for $10,820.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > a public show or spectacle > [noun] > place for public shows
sight-court1556
showplace1560
1556 N. Grimald tr. Cicero Thre Bks. Duties ii. f. 87 Sightcourts, galereywalkes, and new churches, the more reuerentlie I fynde faulte with, for Pompeius sake.
sight draft n. = sight cheque n.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > paper money > cheques and drafts > [noun] > draft form with counterfoil > draft payable on presentation
sight draft1850
1850 G. N. Jones Florida Plantation Rec. (1927) 60 Your favor of the 22nd ult. enclosing sight draft on Messrs Habersham for $200.
1863 ‘E. Kirke’ My Southern Friends xxi. 214 Dawsey's ‘account’ is a good one. He never draws against shipments, but holds on, and sells sight drafts, thus making the exchange.
1904 ‘O. Henry’ Cabbages & Kings xiv. 254 It's a gold mine. It's a sight-draft on your president man for twenty thousand dollars.
1979 O. Sela Petrograd Consignment 34 At the bank..letters of authority were presented, mandates altered and instructions given for the preparation of sight drafts.
sight edge n. Nautical (see quot. 1948).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > parts of vessels > body of vessel > [noun] > plating > edges of
sight edge1911
1911 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 971/1 The projections of the plate and longitudinal sight edges are drawn in the body plan on the floor.
1948 R. de Kerchove Internat. Maritime Dict. 676/2 Sight edge, the edges of the plates, in clinker-built plating, which are visible on the outside of the shell, on the top of decks and tank top, and on the opposite side from the stiffeners on bulkheads.
sight feed n. a device through which the feeding of lubricant or fuel may be seen; also (with hypen) attributive.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > other parts > [noun] > feeders or suppliers
feeder1669
injector1744
hopper1763
supplier1823
header1867
sight feed1888
filter feed1901
feed-box1902
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > other parts > [adjective] > types of feeder or supplier
sight feed1888
force-feed1918
1888 Lockwood's Dict. Mech. Engin. 319 Sight feed lubricator, a lubricator..in which the flowing or non-flowing of the oil is always apparent at sight, being enclosed in, or having to pass through a glass vessel.
1902 C. S. Rolls in A. C. Harmsworth et al. Motors & Motor-driving (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) ix. 172 If a Dubrulle mechanical lubricator is used, examine the ball valves sometimes, and do not trust entirely to the sight feed.
1904 A. B. F. Young Compl. Motorist (ed. 2) iv. 83 In connection with the sight-feed lubricator an important improvement is arranged whereby hot water, which is connected up to the sight feed, circulates from the engine round the lubricating oil.
1928 Daily Tel. 16 Oct. 7 Non-crushable back~lamps and sight-feed fuel gauges on the dashboard are in demand for the new cars.
sight gag n. a joke which achieves its effect visually.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > [noun] > jest or pleasantry > a jest or joke > other types of jest or joke
dry biscuit jest1600
kniff-knaff1683
private joke1789
jokelet1847
inside joke1849
wheeze1864
one-liner1904
lavatory joke1931
lavatory humour1935
sight gag1957
cruellie1959
in-joke1964
elephant joke1966
1957 N.Y. Herald Tribune 7 Nov. 24/4 The line gags are like the sight gags: they're not quite sturdy enough to be up and around yet.
1977 Time 2 May 49/3 I Love My Wife..is dotted with paralyzingly funny sight gags.
sight-glass n. (cf. sense 14d(b)).
ΚΠ
1912 Motor Man. (ed. 14) vi. 230 If one notes that the oil drips from the ‘sights’ steadily and there is no accumulation of oil in the sight-glasses, of course it follows that the oil must be passing down the tubes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > ophthalmology or optometry > aids to defective vision > [noun] > spectacles
spectaclec1386
a pair of spectacles1423
ocularies?a1425
barnaclea1566
eye1568
sight-glasses1605
glass eye1608
prospective glass1616
sights1619
prospectivea1635
nose-compasses1654
glass1660
lunettes1681
peeper1699
eyeglass1760
specs1807
winker1816
gig-lamps1853
nose-riders1875
window1896
cheaters1920
1605 Z. Jones tr. P. le Loyer Treat. Specters 59 It is well knowne that ordinarily the spectacles or sight-glasses do make letters to seeme more great than they are indeede.
sight-holder n. a diamond merchant entitled to buy diamonds at a sight (see sense 5f above).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > trader > traders or dealers in specific articles > [noun] > in diamonds
diamond-broker1876
diamond-merchant1883
sight-holder1973
1973 Times 19 June (Bombay Suppl.) p. xii/3 Bombay has at least 2,000 diamond businesses, of which about 1,400 are members of the Diamond Merchants' Association. Of these 43 are ‘sight-holders’ of the Diamond Trading Company of London, which means that they are notified of the 10 ‘sightings’ which the DTC holds every year. The sight-holders are the only people in India to whom the DTC will sell.
sight liability n. an obligation to pay money on presentation of a cheque or bill of exchange.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [noun] > use of bills of exchange > state of being due for payment > obligation to pay
sight liability1930
1930 Economist 27 Sept. 556/2 It may be desirable to modify present standards as regards the ratio of gold cover to notes and sight liabilities.
1958 Spectator 24 Jan. 97/2 The proportion of sight-liabilities covered by reserves is no better than in 1945.
sight-line n. (a) (see quot. 1859); (b) a straight line extending from the eye of a spectator to an object or area being watched; spec. a line from the eye of a spectator in a theatre to the edge of the part of the stage which that spectator can see.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > [noun] > line of sight
line of sight1559
visual line?a1560
ray1625
eyeline1664
line of collimation1687
sight-line1859
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > auditorium > [noun] > line from spectator to specific point on stage
sight-line1859
1859 J. Ruskin Elements Perspective Introd. 9 Through the Sight-point, S, draw a horizontal line GH, right across your paper from side to side, and call this line the Sight-line.
1917 E. B. Kinsila Mod. Theatre Construction iv. 60 One of the most important requisites in designing an auditorium is the establishment of correct sight lines.
1957 J. Osborne Entertainer 11 The sight-lines are preserved by swagging.
1958 Archit. Rev. 123 352/2 The second case [for the substitution of wire fence for hedgerow] is to provide sightlines at corners.
1971 P. Gresswell Environment 264 Sight lines have to be kept open at bends and corners.
1975 I. Melchior Sleeper Agent (1976) ii. 65 He positioned himself so that he had optimum sight lines down the side street.
1977 Time Out 28 Jan. 43/2 Check seating plan before buying tickets as many seats have restricted sight lines.
sight-measure n. (see sense 15).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > painting and drawing > equipment for painting or drawing > [noun] > picture-frame > opening > dimensions of
sight-measure1850
1850 Jrnl. of Design 4 58 Sight measure 41/ 8 × 31/ 8.
sight-player n. one who is able to play music at sight.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musician > instrumentalist > [noun] > playing from music
sight-player1909
paper man1936
1909 Chambers's Jrnl. May 334/2 Ask an accomplished sight-player how he is able to translate so readily the symbols he reads with the eye into their relative notes.
sight-playing n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > [noun] > reading music
sight-reading1864
score-reading1909
sight-playing1909
1909 Chambers's Jrnl. May 334/1 He maintains that sight-playing does not depend upon an accurate knowledge of the relationship between notes and keys.
1944 W. Apel Harvard Dict. Music 680/1 The greatest enemy of sight-playing is playing by heart.
sight-read v. (intransitive and transitive) to read (a piece of music) at sight.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform music [verb (intransitive)] > read music
read1889
sight-read1903
see1955
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > perform (music) [verb (transitive)] > read music
read1754
sight-read1903
1903 A. W. Patterson Schumann 181 We want more than a facility to ‘sight read’ in order to fully comprehend.
1959 ‘F. Newton’ Jazz Scene ii. 30 Jazz cannot at present be adequately noted down on paper, and if it could, would almost certainly be far too complex for players to sight-read.
1974 Guardian 22 Mar. 14/4 Paul Beard, the [orchestra] leader, asked him whether he would like to stay on, making him sight-read part of Vaughan Williams's Fourth Symphony as an audition.
sight-reader n. one who is able to read music at sight.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musician > [noun] > sight-reader
sightsman1786
reader1826
sight-reader1866
1866 Athenæum No. 2000. 277/2 The best sight-readers in Europe.
1874 F. A. G. Ouseley Musical Form 5 A man may be a thoroughly accomplished musician,..a perfect sight-reader [etc.].
sight-reading n.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > [noun] > reading music
sight-reading1864
score-reading1909
sight-playing1909
1864 Reader 30 Apr. 551/2 The singer's power of independent ‘sight-reading’.
sight record n. Ornithology a record of the sighting (not the capture) of a bird.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > zoology > study of specific types of animal > [noun] > birds > bird-watching > record of birds seen
life list1900
sight record1934
1934 Brit. Birds 28 31 All but one of these are ‘sight-records’, but in some cases the writer had already made the acquaintance of the species in other lands.
1959 D. A. Bannerman Birds Brit. Isles VIII. 35 A sight-record of a frigate bird observed off the south~west coast of Ireland on 25th May 1953 by W. K. Richmond, was published in the Fair Isle Bulletin.
sight-rule n. = alidade n.
ΚΠ
1909 Rep. Brit. Assoc. 767 Through the central pivot passes a pin, carrying a sight-rule or alidade on the front of the transparent disc.
sight-screen n. = screen n.1 5.
ΚΠ
1956 N. Cardus Close of Play 20 The sixth ball..was fielded on the boundary's edge at the sight-screen behind MacDonald's arm.
1977 T. Heald Just Desserts v. 92 At either end of the ground were white sightscreens on wheels.
sight-setter n. on a warship, a member of a gun-crew whose duty is to keep the gun-sight at the correct elevation as shown by the range indicator (see also quot. 1973 for sight-holder n.).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > hostilities at sea > seafaring warrior or naval man > [noun] > member of gun's crew
trainer1899
sight-setter1909
1909 Cent. Dict. Suppl. Sight-setter.
1916 ‘Taffrail’ Pincher Martin xvi. 307 Some order came through a voice-pipe to the gun; whereupon the sight-setter twiddled a small wheel and peered anxiously at a graduated dial.
1920 Blackwood's Mag. Mar. 332/2 Dully from the concealed gun positions echoed the calls of the sight~setters.
1973 J. Quick Dict. Weapons 400/1 Sight setter, the gun-crew member who sets the range and deflection data ordered by the officer controlling the fire.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > [noun] > range or field of
eyeOE
sightc1175
eyesightc1225
kenning1530
view1553
reach1579
kena1592
sight-shot1663
command1697
field1721
eye scope1853
1663 A. Cowley Of Obscurity in Ess. in Verse & Prose It only makes me run faster from the place, till I get, as it were, out of sight-shot.
sight-singing n. the practice or art of singing at sight.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > [noun] > sight-singing
sight-singing1786
1786 T. Busby Compl. Dict. Music at Solmization This preparatory exercise, so necessary to sight-singing.
1898 Westm. Gaz. 29 Oct. 5/2 Sight-singing in elementary schools.
sight tube n. (a) a tube through which observations are made; (b) a transparent tube connected to a tank or cistern so as to display the level of the liquid inside it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical instruments > instruments for observing > [noun]
sight tube1851
shufti-scope1948
the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [noun] > for measuring level in a container
dipstick1824
sight tube1851
dip-rod1923
1851 H. Melville Moby-Dick cxxiv. 571 The crushed copper sight-tubes of the quadrant.
1859 Times 7 Jan. 8/4 He can enter an enemy's harbour under water and make surveys, only showing above the surface a sight tube, no more than one half inch in diameter, and retire still under water.
1900 W. M. Stine Photometrical Measurements iii. 77 Adjust the telescopic sight tube until the different portions of the field are sharply outlined.
1905 Motor Manual (ed. 7) iv. 78 The oil..enters a series of sight tubes.
1951 Proc. Physical Soc. B. 64 49 The level of the liquid in the annular gap can be deduced from observations of its level in a vertical sight-tube attached to the filling apparatus.
Draft additions March 2003
sight bite n. [after soundbite n. at sound n.3 Additions] originally U.S. a brief piece of footage used in television coverage of an event and intended to convey the essence and significance of that event; (hence) a person, image, etc., used in this way, or an event staged for this purpose.
ΚΠ
1988 Los Angeles Times 29 Aug. (Calendar) 1/6 The pacing, the writing, the sound bites and sight bites and just about everything else that executive producer Lorne Michaels..brought to this usually thudding evening seemed to work.
1992 Entertainm. Weekly 21 Aug. 14/2 For campaign sight bites, he has adopted Midwestern businessman casual—white shirt and tie, no jacket, rolled-up shirtsleeves—to show he can get down with the guys.
1996 Independent (Electronic ed.) 23 Sept. 4 In an age of presidential political combat—where leaders are presented as the sight bite for party—Mr Ashdown will grab the attention.
2001 Evening Standard (Nexis) 2 Apr. 23 The inexorable rise of the sight bite.., encapsulated by MTV music promos, commercials and any visual entity with a maximum length of five minutes, has created a whole new market for flash performances.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† sightn.2
Obsolete.
A sigh.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > sighing > [noun] > a sigh
sichec1000
sike?c1225
sighinga1300
sighta1375
sighc1381
sithe?1553
sospire?1578
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > audible breathing > [noun] > sighing > a sigh
sichec1000
sike?c1225
sighinga1300
sighta1375
sighc1381
soughc1386
suspirec1450
sithe?1553
sospire?1578
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 924 My seknes wiþ my siȝtes sumtime slakes.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 15169 Mani sari sight [Fairf. sigh, Trin. Cambr. sikyng], i-wiss, þar sanc vn-til his hert.
1584 T. Lodge Delect. Hist. Forbonius & Prisceria 30 Not waying of her many louing sightes, Her watrie eyes, her secret moane by nights.
1584 Pleas. Com. Two Ital. Gentl. D j By the smoake of loouers scalding sightes [rhyme flightes].
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
† sightn.3
Obsolete. rare.
A sieve or strainer.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > freedom from impurities > removal of impurities > straining > [noun] > strainer
strainer1326
renge?1362
canvasc1386
strain1432
searcec1440
sye1468
runnera1475
ranger1485
renger1510
searce-net1526
colatory?1541
range1542
sight1559
sythe1568
colature1577
tamis1601
sile-dish1668
hurdle1725
kenting1725
stamin1725
tammy1769
tamin1847
vat-neta1884
chinois1937
1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner Treasure of Euonymus 376 Pres it out strongly and put the decoction prest out through a wullen sight, and pres it out, that the substance may remaine in the sight.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
sightv.1
/sʌɪt/, U.S. /saɪt/ 1. transitive.† a. Scottish. To look at, view, inspect, examine, scrutinize. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > investigate, examine [verb (transitive)]
underseekc897
speerc900
lookeOE
askOE
seeOE
teem witnessc1200
seeka1300
fand13..
inquirec1300
undergoc1315
visit1338
pursuea1382
searcha1382
examinec1384
assay1387
ensearchc1400
vesteyea1425
to have in waitc1440
perpend1447
to bring witnessc1475
vey1512
investigate?1520
recounta1530
to call into (also in) question1534
finger1546
rip1549
sight1556
vestigatea1561
to look into ——1561
require1563
descry?1567
sound1579
question1590
resolve1593
surview1601
undersearch1609
sift1611
disquire1621
indagate1623
inspect1623
pierce1640
shrive1647
in-looka1649
probe1649
incern1656
quaeritate1657
inquisite1674
reconnoitre1740
explore1774
to bring to book1786
look-see1867
scrutate1882
to shake down1915
sleuth1939
screen1942
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > examine or inspect
through-lookc1175
spyc1325
to see overc1475
to see over ——1490
view1544
overview1549
sight1556
pervise1577
speculate1616
study1616
to have (also take) a look1673
to have a look1725
to eye over1795
scan1798
search1811
survey1860
skin1876
1556 Peebles Burgh Rec. (1872) 234 To..pas done with ane of the baillies to sycht the saidis stanis.
1578 Supplication General Assembly in Misc. Wodrow Soc. (1844) 402 Quhen as zour Grace hes sichtit thir our laboris.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. vii. 303 None of us all knowing what was in the Clogbags till they were sighted.
1678 G. Mackenzie Laws & Customes Scotl. i. 68 The Body must in this case be sighted by Physitians.
1706 in J. Watson Jedburgh Abbey (1894) 42 That necessar it is workmen be imployed to sight and repair the samyn.
b. To examine by taking a sight.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > examine or inspect > by taking a sight
sight1884
1884 Truth 13 Mar. 372/1 He reports..that the rails, sighted crosswise, are not as true as they should be.
2.
a. To get or catch sight of, to see, to get or go within sight of (anything).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (transitive)] > succeed in seeing or catch sight of
underyetec1000
aspya1250
kenc1275
ofyetec1275
choosea1300
akenc1300
descrivec1300
ofkenc1300
readc1300
espyc1320
descryc1330
spyc1380
discernc1405
discover1553
scan1558
scry1558
decern1559
describe1574
to make out1575
escry1581
interview1587
display1590
to set sight of (in)c1595
sight1602
discreevec1650
glance1656
to catch a glimpse of1679
steal1731
oversee1735
glimpse1779
twig1796
to clap eyes on1838
spot1848
sky1900
1602 W. Warner Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) xiii. lxxvi. 315 Nor doth our Eie sight see it selfe, nor Soule that sighteth it.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. viii. 375 Wilde beasts, whose hollow cryes, as we heard in the night, so we too often sighted their bodies in the day.
1819 B. E. O'Meara Expos. Trans. St. Helena 36 The remarks which he asserts to have been made relative to sighting Napoleon.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. iv. 33 On the same day,..we sighted the mountainous coast of Greenland.
1887 W. Besant World Went vii We sighted her one morning at daybreak.
b. spec. Of bills: (see quot. 1866).
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [verb (transitive)] > use bills of exchange
protest1479
retire1610
imprest1617
to take up1655
honour1664
discount1671
indulge1766
dishonour1811
cover1866
sight1866
protect1884
1866 A. Crump Pract. Treat. Banking v. 103 A bill drawn at so many days' sight, must be computed exclusively of the day on which it is sighted, and inclusively of the day it falls due.
c. To take aim at (an object); to level or aim (a firearm, etc.) at a target.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > direct [verb (transitive)] > aim at
mete1598
rove1598
levy1618
mean1633
to cover (with a gun, pistol, etc.)1693
to draw a bead upon1831
target1837
sight1871
bead1888
the world > space > direction > direct [verb (transitive)] > aim at > aim (a blow, weapon, etc.)
reachOE
seta1300
shapec1400
ettlec1450
charge1509
bend1530
level1530
aimc1565
butt1594
levy1618
to give level to1669
wise1721
intenda1734
train1795
sight1901
to zero in1944
1871 Harper's Mag. Dec. 48/2 No sooner, however, did he ‘sight’, or try to sight, the horseman in question,..than the thumping against the ribs again began.
1901 F. Norris Octopus ii. vi. 521 With the words, he dropped to one knee, and sighting his rifle carefully, fired into the group of armed men.
1976 D. Storey Saville i. iv. 36 Take out the bullets, and sight it at various objects outside the window.
3.
a. intransitive. To take a sight, esp. in shooting.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > point or lie in a direction [verb (intransitive)] > aim
cast1340
aimc1380
set14..
to lay, bend, take level1548
butt1553
vizyc1600
to level one's aim1667
to make aim1796
sight1842
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > optical skills and techniques > use optical skills and techniques [verb (intransitive)] > use instruments
sight1842
1787 in Maryland Hist. Mag. (1924) 19 265 The mother of the complainants wife sighted with a compass from the tree.
1842 J. F. Cooper Jack o' Lantern xxviii Together they sighted, and together they fired.
1883 Harper's Mag. Jan. 201/1 Then stooping and sighting along it, he moves the outer end of the lath.
1896 Daily News 27 July 9/3 He took matters very coolly, and sighted several times before he was satisfied.
b. With in. To correct the sights of (a firearm, etc.) by testing and adjustment. North American.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > production and development of arms > produce or develop arms [verb (transitive)] > processes in gun-making > set or correct sights
zero1911
sight1958
1958 Washington Post 31 Oct. d6/3 The Berwyn Rod & Gun Club invites deer hunters to sight-in their rifles during all-day open house sessions on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9.
1971 W. Hillen Blackwater River x. 91 I started him off right by sighting-in his new rifle, and soon he was hitting the apple box every time.
1972 Islander (Victoria, Brit. Columbia) 24 Sept. 13/1 Heading into the woods with a rifle that hasn't been sighted-in makes no more sense than driving an automobile without a gasoline gauge.
1980 Outdoor Life (U.S.) Oct. (Northeast ed.) 94/3 A Leupold 4X compact scope (made specially for the Kimber rifle) mounted and sighted in at the factory.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† sightv.2
Obsolete.
intransitive. To sigh.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > sorrow or grief > lamentation or expression of grief > sighing > sigh [verb (intransitive)]
sichec893
sikec1175
sigh1377
to sigh unsound?a1400
sightc1450
sithec1450
throb1557
to break a sigh1765
heave1820
sock1863
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > audible breathing > [verb (intransitive)] > sigh
sichec893
sikec1175
sughc1175
sigh1377
sightc1450
sithec1450
suspirec1450
soughc1475
supire?1590
to break a sigh1765
sock1863
c1450 Abce of Aristotill 18 in H. Gilbert Queene Elizabethes Achademy (1869) i. 67 Be not to sadde, to sorry, ne sight not to deep.
c1475 in T. Wright & J. O. Halliwell Reliquiæ Antiquæ (1845) I. 71 Whan other men doyth sleype, Thene do I syght and weype.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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n.1c950
n.2a1375n.31559
v.11556v.2c1450