Forms: 4–7 solide (6–7 solude, 7 solede, sollide); 5– solid (7 solyd, sollid). [a. OF. solide (mod.F. solide, = Sp., Pg., It. solido), or ad. L. solidus.]
I. 1. Free from empty spaces, cavities, interstices, etc.; having the interior completely filled in or up. Opposed to hollow.
c. 1391. Chaucer, Astrol., II. § 26. The excellence of the spere solide … shewyth Manifeste the diuerse assenciouns of signes in diuerse places.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., II. 85. Hollow things are more fitte to receiue sounds, and to cause them to be heard better, then things that are solide and more thicke.
1604. R. Cawdrey, Table Alph., Solid, not hollowe, sound, heavie.
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 567. This was hollow, the other solid.
1796. Kirwan, Elem. Min. (ed. 2), I. 106. That [piece] examined … was a solid rhomboid.
1842. Loudon, Suburban Hort., 180. In the construction of walls they are generally built solid; but when the wall is formed entirely of brick, a saving of material is obtained … by building them hollow.
1863. P. Barry, Dockyard Econ., 277. Mr. Fawcett introduced the highly important improvement of casting the guns solid and boring them.
1883. Grove’s Dict. Music, III. 179/1. It was played with the hand, guitar-fashion, and had seven strings mounted in a solid wooden frame.
b. spec. in Bot. and Ent. (see quots.).
(a) 1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl., Solid root … expresses the whole root to be one uniform lump of matter.
1776. J. Lee, Introd. Bot., 378. Solidus, solid, without internal Pores.
c. 1789. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), III. 448/1. Solid, consisting of solid substance; as the tulip.
1796. Withering, Brit. Plants (ed. 3), I. 82. Solid Root; fleshy and uniform, as that of a Turnep.
1866. Treas. Bot., 1072/1. Solid, not hollow or furnished with internal cavities of any kind.
(b) 1826. Kirby & Sp., Entomol., IV. 259. Solid (Solida). When the interior is full. Ibid., 323. Solid Knob.… When the knob consists of a single joint, or if of more, exhibits very faint traces of their separation.
c. Typog. Having no leads between the lines; unleaded; (see also quot. 1888).
1808. Stower, Printers’ Gram., 163. To a solid page, two leads make the usual white after the head.
1839. T. C. Hansard, Print. & Type-founding (1841), 89. How many lines of the particular type used there would be in a page of the given size, supposing it were all solid type.
1888. Jacobi, Printers’ Vocab., 128. Solid matter.—Type composed without leads; also applied to type with but few quadrats in.
d. Of a wall, etc.: Having no opening or window; unbroken, blank.
1865. J. Fergusson, Hist. Arch., II. II. ii. I. 427. The apse, properly speaking, is a solid semi-cylinder, surmounted by a semi-dome, but always solid below, though generally broken by windows above.
2. Math. Of a body or figure: Having three dimensions.
c. 1430. Art Nombryng, 14. It is clepede a solide body that hathe þer-in … lengthe, brede, and thiknesse.
1704. J. Harris, Lex. Techn., I. Solid Angle, is an Angle made by the meeting of three or more Planes, and those joining in a Point.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), s.v. Curve, The Conchoid and the Solid Parabola.
1823. H. J. Brooke, Introd. Crystallogr., 111. Alternate solid angles replaced by tangent planes.
1841. Brewster, Martyrs Science, III. i. (1850), 192. Kepler asked himself, in despair, ‘What have plane figures to do with solid orbits? Solid bodies ought to be used for solid orbits.’
1842. Penny Cycl., XXII. 206/1. The rules … for measuring different superficial or solid figures will be found under the several heads.
fig. 1830. Carlyle, Misc. (1857), II. 172. Narrative is linear, Action is solid.
† b. Of number or measure: = CUBIC a. Obs.
(a) c. 1430. Art Nombryng, 14. The solide nombre or cubike is þat þat comythe of double ledynge of nombre in nombre.
1570. Billingsley, Euclid, VII. def. 18. 186 b. When three numbers multiplyed together ye one into the other, produce any number, the number produced, is called a solide number.
1704. J. Harris, Lex. Techn., I. Solid Numbers, are those which arise from the Multiplication of a Plain Number, by any other whatsoever.
(b) 1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., IV. i. (1848), 50. Ten thousand millions of Cubick German Leagues, (and consequently above three-score times as many English miles of solid measure).
1667. Primatt, City & C. Builder, 165. A Foot solid measure hath seventeen hundred twenty eight square Inches.
1705. Arbuthnot, Coins, etc. ix. (1727), 91. There are in a solid Foot 1728 solid Inches.
c. Of, relating, or pertaining to a geometrical solid or solids († or to cubic numbers).
1570. Billingsley, Euclid, I. prop. 12. 22. A solide perpendiculer line is, when the point, from whence the perpendiculer is drawne, is on high, and without the plaine superficies.
1571. Digges, Pantom., II. xiv. O j. The thirde kynde of Geometrie, where you shall haue rules to measure, not onely the solide, but also the superficiall contents of all maner bodies.
1684. E. Halley (title), Discourse concerning the number of roots of solid and biquadratical equations.
1704. J. Harris, Lex. Techn., I. Solid Place … is when the Point is in one of the Conick Sections. Ibid., Solid Problem … is one which can’t be Geometrically solved, but by the Intersection of a Circle, and a Conick Section.
1733. H. Gore (title), Elements of Solid Geometry.
1842. Penny Cycl., XXII. 206/1. Solid, superficial, and linear dimensions.
1885. Watson & Burbury, Math. Th. Electr. & Magn., I. 59. U, instead of being a single spherical solid harmonic, may be an infinite series of such harmonics.
3. Of material substances: Of a dense or massive consistency; composed of particles that are firmly and continuously coherent; hard and compact.
c. 1532. Du Wes, Introd. Fr., in Palsgr., 917. Solude, massif.
1567. Maplet, Gr. Forest, 33. It is nothing solide or massie, but much porouse.
1602. Shaks., Ham., I. ii. 129. Oh that this too too solid Flesh would melt, Thaw, and resolue it selfe into a Dew.
1634. Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1638), 179. In place of solyd walls, it is ingirt with liquid moats or trenches.
1715. trans. Gregory’s Astron. (1726), I. 170. We shall demonstrate … that each Planet, the nearer it is to the Sun, the solider or more dense it is.
1742. Gray, Propertius, ii. 30. What wondrous force the solid earth can move.
1815. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 299. The separation of a fluid from the solid or undissolved particles which it contains.
1841. Penny Cycl., XXI. 177/2. These secretions are exceedingly numerous, and constitute the great bulk of the solid parts of the plant.
1895. P. Q. Keegan, in Naturalist, 26. A solid camphor.
transf. 1746. Francis, trans. Horace, Epist., II. i. 272. IV. 205.
| To think that Asses should in Judgment sit, | |
| In solid Deafness on the Works of Wit. |
1847. Tennyson, Princess, III. 110. I forced a way Thro’ solid opposition crabb’d and gnarl’d.
1887. Lecky, Eng. in 18th C., V. 338. There will no longer be any obstacle to a solid despotism.
b. Solidified; frozen.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 560/113.
| With Axes first they cleave the Wine, and thence | |
| By weight, the solid portions they dispence. |
1786. S. Rogers, Ode Superstit., I. iii. O’er solid seas, where Winter reigns.
1879. Daily Telegr., 28 June, 5/5. Having the bowl of solid soup carefully enwrapped in a copy of the Sunday Times.
c. In the phr. solid rock, with reference to the cutting of steps or passages in it.
1779. J. Moore, View Soc. Fr. (1793), I. 231. We entered the largest saline by a passage cut out of the solid rock.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, IV. xiv. 320. We went through a long passage, and down other steps cut in the solid rock.
1838. Penny Cycl., XI. 215/1. Two excavations, wrought with extreme labour, in the solid rock, called galleries.
d. Of clouds, the atmosphere, etc.: Having the appearance of a solid or unbroken mass; dense, thick, compact. Chiefly poet.
1807. Wordsw., Poems Indep. & Liberty, II. v. Clouds, lingering yet, extend in solid bars Through the grey west.
1819. Shelley, Ode to West Wind, 27. Thy congregated might of vapours, from whose solid atmosphere Black rain, and fire, and hail will burst.
1841. Browning, Pippa Passes, I. 7. Of yonder gap in the solid gray Of the eastern cloud.
4. Of states, conditions, etc.: Characterized by solidity or compactness.
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., III. i. 48. That one might … see … the Continent (Wearie of solide firmenesse) melt it selfe Into the Sea.
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl. (1848), 64. The Leaves … are of a more solid Texture … than the Blossoms.
1824. Scott, Redgauntlet, ch. xix. A little surprised at the solid weight of the distressed fair one.
1868. Lockyer, Elem. Astron., § 66. Taking water and iron as instances: when both are in a solid state we get ice and hard iron.
5. Of rain, etc.: Steady, drenching; continuous. Also, of a day: Characterized by rain of this kind.
1621. in Foster, Eng. Factories India (1906), 354. There fell (in a sad and sollid shewer without intermission) soe much unexpected rayne.
1847. Helps, Friends in C., I. vi. I. 86. To be looking out on a good solid English wet day.
1868. in Huntley, Glouc. Gloss., 63. A solid rain.
b. Of water: Coming in a compact mass.
1893. C. Bowyer Vaux, in Outing, XXII. 146/2. Her principal fault is that she is wet in a sea-way, though she rarely ships solid water.
6. Having the property of occupying a certain amount of space (cf. SOLIDITY 4).
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., II. v. (1695), 53. Nor is an Adamant one jot more solid than Water. Ibid. Yet it is not that the parts of the Diamond are more solid than those of Water, or resist more.
1794. R. J. Sulivan, View Nat., I. 125. Even a particle of water is solid.
1829. Nat. Philos., Pneumatics, ii. (L.U.K.), 3. The quality in air which we have called impenetrability, is sometimes called solidity, and air is said to be solid.
II. 7. Of a strong, firm, or substantial nature or quality; not slight or flimsy: a. Of things (or persons), in figurative applications.
1586. Reg. Privy Council Scot., IV. 61. Upon a gude and solide ordour for convocating of the ministerie to General Assembleis thaireftir.
1606. G. W[oodcocke], trans. Hist. Ivstine, XV. 64. This temper had made them sollude, and fitte for anie foundation.
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., IV. xiii. (1848), 250. The Decrees of Providence are too solid and fixt to have Violence offered them.
1703. Evelyn, Diary, 11 July. All the points of good and solid architecture.
1746. Chesterf., Lett., cv. (1792), I. 288. As he took so much pains for the graces of oratory only, I conclude he took still more for the more solid parts of it.
a. 1770. Jortin, Serm. (1771), I. 30. Faith is gone, having no solid support.
1812. Examiner, 10 May, 302/2. The colouring … is solid without heaviness.
1860. Motley, Netherl., iv. (1868), I. 101. There was another way of earning something solid.
1876. Bancroft, Hist. U. S., III. vi. 370. His [Grenville’s] desire was for solid and sure places.
b. Of structures, buildings, furniture, etc.
1644. Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 64. How goodly … were such an obedient unanimity as this…. Doubtles a stanch and solid peece of framework, as any January could freeze together.
1687. A. Lovell, trans. Thevenot’s Trav., II. 47. We saw on our right hand two very solid well built houses, but abandoned.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 2 June 1676. The furniture is very particular for … porcelain, and other solid and noble moveables.
1869. Howson, Metaph. St. Paul, ii. 72. The illustrations which St Paul connects with human habitations are … drawn … from the solid cities of the Greeks and Romans.
c. Of food or liquor.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 27 Oct. 1685. There were all the dainties … of the season,… venison, plaine solid meate, fowle [etc.].
1700. Dryden, Pref. Fables, Ess. (Ker), II. 258. Whole pyramids of sweetmeats for boys and women, but little of solid meat for men.
1711. Steele, Spectator, No. 43, ¶ 4. A Bottle or two of good solid Edifying Port, at honest George’s, made a Night chearful, and threw off Reserve.
1822–7. Good, Study Med. (1829), I. 210. One substantial meal of solid animal food daily.
d. Of cloth, garments, etc.
1859. Habits of Gd. Society, iv. 177. For the country, the attire should be tasteful and solid and strong.
1903. Sat. Rev., 5 Dec., 697/2. Solid unbleached calico … wears well.
8. a. Combined; consolidated; united. rare.
1596. Bacon, Max. & Use Com. Law, xxiv. (1630), 94. So if tenant for life the remainder in fee bee, and they ioine in graunting a rent, this is one solid rent out of both their estates.
1818. Hallam, Mid. Ages (1872), I. 204. The other acquired unlimited power over a solid kingdom.
b. Unanimous, undivided; united in approval or opposition. Orig. U.S.
1884. Boston (Mass.) Jrnl., 16 Aug. The vote of the solid South.
1890. Henty, With Lee in Virginia, 84. The North can never hope to force the solid South back into the Union.
1892. Boston (Mass.) Jrnl., 8 Nov., 4/4. A solid New England vote for protection.
c. Of persons: Regular or steady in attendance, politics, voting, etc. Chiefly U.S.
1883. Keighley, Who are you, 90. I escorted her to Sunday School excursions, and was ‘solid’ at the picnics and bazaars.
1884. American, IX. 180/1. He [Sen. Garland] is, therefore, presumed to be solid as a Southern man.
1888. Howells, Annie Kilburn, xviii. I’m solid for Mr. Peck every time.
d. U.S. Intimately or closely allied, on friendly terms, with another.
1888. G. Kennan, in Century Mag., Nov., 30/2. We thus succeeded in making ourselves ‘solid with the administration’ before we had been in a town or village forty-eight hours.
1895. Ed. W. Sandys, in Outing, XXVI. 64/1. I wanted to get solid with him for a time while he lived.
9. † a. Of time: Continuous, consecutive. rare.
1662. Stillingfl., Orig. Sacræ, I. v. § 8. The uncertainty of heathen chronology, when … implicite years are given out for solid.
1704. Hearne, Duct. Hist. (1714), I. 284. They took implicit Years for solid, and placed those Kings in a Succession which were Contemporary with one another.
b. Of a day, hour, etc.: Whole, entire, complete. Now colloq.
1718. Prior, Solomon, II. 729. Loose and undisciplin’d the Soldier lay; Or lost in Drink, and Game, the solid Day.
1884. Boston (Mass.) Jrnl., 16 Aug. The Queen kept her seven solid hours fitting on and trying the current fashions.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer (1891), 420. I walked [a horse] him up and down, with the rug on, for a solid hour.
10. Entirely of the same substance or material (as that specified); of (gold, etc.) and nothing else.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 179, ¶ 6. The Wall toward the North is of solid Stone.
1722–7. Boyer, Dict. Royal, II. Solid Gold, de l’or massif.
1844. Thirlwall, Greece, VIII. 63. The assertion that the gilded statues … were of solid gold.
1847. Yeowell, Anc. Brit. Church, x. 101. [Severus] determined to build a wall of solid stone.
1874. Stubbs, Const. Hist., I. xi. 424. They were purchased with solid gold.
ellipt. 1879. Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 308/1. What is termed ‘solid,’ or gold jewellery of the better qualities.
b. Of color: Of the same tone or shade throughout; uniform, self.
1883. Evening Star (Washington), 31 Oct., 3/6. These solid browns, blacks, greens, reds, and, in fact, all these solid colors, are popular.
1885. Goodale, Physiol. Bot., 19. Yellow and Orange dyes. Solid yellow.
1894. F. M. Turner, in Outing, XXIV. 181/1. The outside of the thighs down to the knees are [tatoos] in solid color.
c. U.S. Of liquor: Neat, undiluted.
1894. W. H. Mac, in Outing, XXIV. 49/1. He always took his liquor solid,… he swallowed down two-thirds of a tumbler of raw Appleton rum.
11. Of persons, their constitution, etc.: Strong, healthy, sturdy.
1741. Watts, Improv. Mind, I. xvi. § 3. 237. If Persons of this Make ever devote themselves to Science, they should be well assured of a solid and strong Constitution of Body.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. IV. iv. He walks there, with solid step.
1893. Cozens-Hardy, Broad Norf., 68. ‘Solid, bor, solid!’ meaning in one’s usual health.
III. 12. Of persons: a. Of sound scholarship or sober judgment in matters of learning or speculation.
1600. B. Jonson, Ev. Man out of Hum., Q iij b. A right-eyd and solide Reader may perceiue it was not so great a part of the Heauen awry, as they would make it.
1624. Gataker, Transubst., 48. Like an ingenuous solide Author.
1665. Bunyan, Holy Citie (1669), 259. It makes them grave, knowing, solid Guides, and Unfolders of the Mysteries of the Kingdom.
1709. Strype, Ann. Ref., I. 84. This Discourse of Guest, shewing him to have been a solid and well-read Man, I have transcribed from the Original.
1847. L. Hunt, Men, Women, & B., II. xi. 281–2. He has by this time become a solid student in Butler.
1875. T. Hill, True Order Studies, 127. There are fundamental truths, established by the clear thought of Adam Smith, and Henry C. Carey (the two most solid thinkers upon these subjects), which are valuable to every citizen.
b. Sober-minded, of reliable judgment, in practical matters; steady, sedate, staid.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., II. 71. The solid, and sad man, is not troubled with the floods and ebbes of Fortune.
1670. G. H., Hist. Cardinals, III. III. 302. He is an excellent person,… of a good judgement, and solid, but something too resolute.
a. 1691. Fox, Autobiogr., in Jrnl. (ed. Newman), 280. I … therefore desired none but solid, weighty Friends might be about me.
1724. in Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc. (1733), I. 36. O! as thou art bony, be solid and cany, And tent a true lover.
1760. J. Woolman, Jrnl., vii. (1898), 182. The hearts of some Solid Friends appeared to be united to discourage the practice amongst their members.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. III. i. Now nothing but a solid phlegmatic M. de Vergennes sits there.
1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., III. xc. 247. Kearney throve because the solid classes despised him.
c. Sc. Fully possessed of the mental faculties; of sound mind, sane.
1606. Sc. Acts, Jas. VI. (1816), IV. 317/1. Scho tuk occasioun be his infirmitie and waik Judgement, he being than nocht so solide as wes necessar for the weill of his estait.
1822. Galt, Provost, xxii. The heads of the town … no, may be, just so solid at the time as could have been wished.
1825. Jamieson, Suppl., Solid, sane…; used in a negative form, as, ‘He’s no very solid.’
d. U.S. and dial. Financially sound or reliable; possessing capital, property or means; well-to-do.
1788. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), II. 443. I wish to see the beef-trade with America taken up by solid hands.
1799, 1863. in Thornton, Amer. Gloss.
a. 1904. in Eng. Dial. Dict., s.v. She’s not poor, she’s a solid woman.
13. Of qualities: Well founded or established; of real value or importance; substantial.
Freq. in the 17th and 18th centuries.
a. 1601. Pasquil & Kath. (1878), III. 99. The pressure of my haires … stands at the seruice of your sollide perfections.
1638. Junius, Paint. Ancients, 122. The … solid joy conceived out of the absolutenesse of the worke.
1654. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 234. We shall see it a Mint of Solid worth, the good it hath … being inestimable.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 29, ¶ 1. Having a very solid Respect for humane Nature.
1753. Fielding, Amelia, III. xii. The cheerful, solid comfort which a fond couple enjoy in each other’s conversation.
1843. R. J. Graves, Syst. Clin. Med., xxii. 265. Many such portions may exist in the lungs together, without the least solid appearance of inflammation in the pulmonary substance.
1869. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1875), III. 229. He undoubtedly owed William a debt of solid gratitude.
b. Of learning or knowledge.
1668. Culpepper & Cole, Barthol. Anat., 372. Those persons of solid Learning.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 6 Jan. 1692. He dilated on his … solid knowledge in theology.
1711. Hearne, Collect. (O.H.S.), III. 145. These two … are really Books of solid Learning.
1781. Warton, Hist. Eng. Poetry, III. xxx. 211. She [Q. Eliz.] was entertained by the new chancellor with splendid banquets and much solid erudition.
1857. Miller, Elem. Chem., Org., i. § 1. 6. So essential to the reception and advancement of solid philosophical knowledge.
1882. J. H. Blunt. Ref. Ch. Eng., II. 125. He was a man of solid learning.
14. Of arguments, reasons, etc.: Having a sound or substantial foundation; based upon sound principles or indisputable facts.
1615. W. Bedwell, trans. Moham. Impost., II. § 87. He … will thus go on by way of solid demonstration.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies (1840), III. 25. Having an excellent faculty in the clear and solid interpreting thereof.
1664. J. Webb, Stone-Heng (1725), 101. He can raise no solider an Argument against it.
1740. Cheyne, Regimen, 305. There seems to be something solid, in one Observation Leibnitz makes.
1866. Rogers, Agric. & Prices, I. xxiii. 603. Too little information … is given of the price of copper … for the purpose of attempting any solid inference as to the rise … in its value.
1894. Solicitors’ Jrnl., XXXIX. 3/1. If there were no solid defence to the claim, the plaintiff would certainly obtain his order.
b. Similarly of writings, discourse, etc.
1676. Glanvill, Ess. Philos., v. 27. The Book and Method of Veronius was kindly … approved by … all the Gallick Clergy, as solid.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary (Chandos), 17. Of solid discourse, affable, humble, and in nothing affected.
1709. Strype, Ann. Ref., I. Pref. p. i. For the Church of England … have been written solid Apologies and Vindications.
1734. Rollin’s Anc. Hist. (1827), I. 60. A very solid treatise.
1881. Nation (N.Y.), XXXII. 459/1. Of the other papers of the number, which is a ‘solid’ one.
15. Marked by, or involving, serious study or intention; not light, frivolous, or merely amusing.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. § 186. Dr. Bancroft … disposed the clergy to a more solid course of study.
1648. J. Beaumont, Psyche, XX. cxl. Scorn light fond Accents, and reserve thine Ear For those which solid Musick’s sweets distil.
1700. T. Brown, trans. Fresny’s Amusem. Ser. & Com., v. Wks. 1709, III. I. 46. There’s as much difference between their Rhimes and solid Verse, as [etc.].
1736. Gentl. Mag., VI. 315/1. The most amiable Genius is That, which, embracing the most solid Arts, excludes not the Polite ones.
1827. Scott, Surg. Dau., Pref. I doubt there is little solid in his studies—poetry and plays,… all nonsense.
1845. W. A. Butler, in Serm. (1849), Mem. p. xxxvii. Romances debauch the taste for solid reading.
1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., III. lxxx. 59. In other countries statesmen or philosophers do … the solid thinking for the bulk of the people.
16. Of judgment, etc.: Of a sober, sound or practical character.
1662. J. Davies, trans. Mandelslo’s Trav., 95. The Queen, who was a woman of a solid judgement.
1683. D. A., Art of Converse, 12. They shall never please solid judgments.
1718. Pope, Iliad, XV. 322. Not more in councils famed for solid sense, Than winning words and heavenly eloquence.
1805. A. Knox, Rem. (1834), I. 31. He who is apparently cold in affection may have solider judgment, and steadier resolution.
1825. Scott, Betrothed, Introd. The assistance of men of reading and of solid parts.
1868. Milman, St. Paul’s, iv. 92. Hallam has said, with his usual solid wisdom [etc.].
17. Marked or characterized by a high degree of religious fervor or seriousness.
Used esp. by the Society of Friends.
1740. Whitefield, in Life & Jrnls. (1756), 436. Preached in the Afternoon to about two Thousand, and have not seen a more solid melting … since my Arrival.
1757. Woolman, Jrnl., iv. (1898), 123. At the twelfth hour the meeting for worship began, which was a solid meeting. Ibid. (1769), x. 259. We had some solid Conversation, under which I felt myself bowed in reverence before the Most High.
18. Thorough, downright, vigorous, etc. Used with intensive force and freq. strengthened by good, right, etc.
1830. Galt, Lawrie T., III. ii. (1849), 87. I never … had a right solid sound sleep in one.
1873. Burton, Hist. Scot., V. lvi. 119. England was to strike the one solid blow that was necessary.
1888. Stevenson, Black Arrow, 112. Swear your innocency with a good solid oath.
1897. Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 294. Feeling sure that for good solid murderous rascality several of my old Fan acquaintances, and even my own party, would take a lot of beating.
IV. 19. Quasi-adv. a. Solidly, firmly, completely, etc.
A number of dial. uses are given in the Eng. Dial. Dict.
1651. Davenant, Gondibert, II. VI. l. 190. Glory, too solid great to taste of pride.
1683. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, § xxiv. ¶ 19. 338. White Pages … make the Heap lower in that place, because they clap solider together.
b. In a body or as a whole; unanimously. In phrases with reference to voting, esp. to go solid (for or against some thing or person).
Freq. in recent journalistic use.
(a) 1884. Pall Mall Gaz., 9 July, 3/1. The episcopal vote … was cast solid for the Government.
1884. Sat. Rev., 5 July, 1/1. The Government majority has not been in the habit of voting solid with Mr. Goschen lately.
1893. Times, 22 April, 11/6. For a party to vote solid for a measure in which not 10 per cent. of its members believe.
(b) 1888. Bryce, Amer. Commw., I. x. 131. The party going solid for whomsoever the majority has approved.
1891. Sat. Rev., 24 Jan., 91/2. The fleet seems to have gone almost solid against him.
20. In special collocations:
Solid balsam, Balsam of Tolu. Solid dig, key, rib, shoot, shot (see quots.). See also BASTION 1, NEWEL1 1, SQUARE sb.
1836. Pharm. R. Coll. Physicians, 5. Tolu Balsam, the *solid Balsam.
1888. Jacobi, Printers’ Vocab., 128. *Solid dig.—A lean or bad ‘take’ of copy.
1862. Catal. Internat. Exhib., Brit., II. No. 6105, The key is what is called *‘solid,’ that is, that the ‘bits’ or ‘steps’ are cut on the solid metal of the ‘web.’
1782. Monro, Compar. Anat. (ed. 3), 167. The eight upper ribs were formerly classed into pairs, with particular names to each two, to wit, the crooked, the *solid [etc.].
1842. Gwilt, Archit., Gloss. 1033. *Solid Shoot [= Square Shoot, a wooden trough for discharging water from a building].
1876. Voyle & Stevenson, Milit. Dict., 393/2. *Solid Shot.—Projectiles made of solid iron or steel.
21. Comb. a. Forming parasynthetic adjs., as solid-billed, -browed, -colo(u)red, -headed, etc.
1611. Chapman, Iliad, VIII. 323/112. When to the solid-ported depths, of hell his sonne was sent.
1854. Orr’s Circle Sci., Org. Nat., I. 239. The ruminants of the deer and elk tribes are those which have antlers, or are ‘solid horned.’
1862. Catal. Internat. Exhib., Brit., II. No. 6112, Solid-headed pins.
1876. Geo. Eliot, Dan. Der., I. i. 13. A gentleman—solid-browed, stiff and German.
1890. H. S. Babcock, in Century Mag., May, 50/1. The White and Black Leghorns are solid-colored birds.
1895. Lydekker, Roy. Nat. Hist., IV. 68. The beak of the solid-billed hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) has … a perfectly solid casque.
b. With pples., as solid-looking, -seeming, -set. Also solid-full adj.
1831. Carlyle, Sart. Res., I. viii. This so solid-seeming World.
1850. Tennyson, In Mem., Concl. iv. Like a statue solid-set, And moulded in colossal calm.
1877. E. R. Conder, Basis Faith, ii. 81. The solid-seeming rock is beheld as a flexible and elastic collection of molecules.
1883. Huxley, Pract. Biol., 23. A roundish more solid-looking particle.
1887. Goode, etc. Fisheries U. S., V. II. 579. They hove their dredges,… and when they hauled them in, found them solid-full of scallops.
c. With sbs., forming attributive compounds, as solid-colo(u)r, -ink, -silver, etc.
1883. Stationer & Bookseller, 8 May, 35. Solid-ink Fountain Pens.
1884. Knight, Dict. Mech., Suppl., Solid Plate Saw. A circular saw made of a single plate, as distinguished from a segment saw.
1891. Cent. Dict., Solid-color porcelains.
1897. A. H. Godfrey, in Outing, XXX. 350/1. The club won a handsome solid-silver cup at Long Branch.
