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(), a.[Compar.Simpler (); superl.Simplest.] [F., fr. L. simplus, or simplex, gen. simplicis. The first part of the Latin words is probably akin to E. same, and the sense, one, one and the same; cf. L. semel once, singuli one to each, single. Cg. Single, a., Same, a., and for the last part of the word cf. Double, Complex.] 1. Single; not complex; not infolded or entangled; uncombined; not compounded; not blended with something else; not complicated; as, a simple substance; a simple idea; a simple sound; a simple machine; a simple problem; simple tasks. 2. Plain; unadorned; as, simple dress. "Simple truth." Spenser. "His simple story." Burns. 3. Mere; not other than; being only. A medicine . . . whose simple touch Is powerful to araise King Pepin. Shak. 4. Not given to artifice, stratagem, or duplicity; undesigning; sincere; true. Full many fine men go upon my score, as simple as I stand here, and I trust them. Marston. Must thou trust Tradition's simple to Sim"ple (), n.[F. See Simple, a.] 1. Something not mixed or compounded. "Compounded of many simples." Shak. 2. (Med.) A medicinal plant; -- so called because each vegetable was supposed to possess its particular virtue, and therefore to constitute a simple remedy. What virtue is in this remedy lies in the naked simple itself as it comes over from the Indies. Sir W. Temple. 3. (Weaving) (a) A drawloom. (b) A part of the apparatus for raising the heddles of a drawloom. 4. (R. C. Ch.) A feast which is not a double or a semidouble. Sim"ple v. i.To gather simples, or medicinal plants. As simpling on the flowery hills she [Circe] strayed. Garth. スポンサード リンク
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