n.
An allowance of a certain amount of time or distance in starting, granted in a race to the competitor possessing inferior advantages; or an additional weight or other hindrance imposed upon the one possessing superior advantages, in order to equalize, as much as possible, the chances of success; as, the handicap was five seconds, or ten pounds, and the like. →
n.
The name of several kinds of grass having a soft dense head of flowers, mostly the species of Alopecurus and Setaria. →
a.
Having a light, springy step; nimble in running or dancing; active; as, light-foot Iris. →
a.
Not lucky; not successful; unfortunate; ill-fated; unhappy; as, an unlucky man; an unlucky adventure; an unlucky throw of dice; an unlucky game. →
Any bird which habitually frequents the sea, as an auk, gannet, gull, tern, or petrel; also, all such birds, collectively. →
n.
A place or post unfilled; an unoccupied office; as, a vacancy in the senate, in a school, etc. →
n.
An allotted portion of time, usually four hour for standing watch, or being on deck ready for duty. Cf. Dogwatch. →