Part 566

2. Bloody; murderous. "Gory emulation." Shak.

Gos"hawk` (?), n. [AS. g&?;shafuc, lit., goosehawk; or Icel. gshaukr. See Goose, and Hawk the bird.] (Zoˆl.) Any large hawk of the genus Astur, of which many species and varieties are known. The European (Astur palumbarius) and the American (A. atricapillus) are the best known species. They are noted for their powerful flight, activity, and courage. The Australian goshawk (A. NovÊ-HollandiÊ) is pure white.

Gos"herd (?), n. [OE. gosherde. See Goose, and Herd a herdsman.] One who takes care of geese.

Gos"let (?), n. (Zoˆl.) One of several species of pygmy geese, of the genus Nettepus. They are about the size of a teal, and inhabit Africa, India, and Australia.

Gos"ling (?), n. [AS. g&?;s goose + -ling.]

1. A young or unfledged goose.

2. A catkin on nut trees and pines. Bailey.

Gos"pel (?), n. [OE. gospel, godspel, AS. godspell; god God + spell story, tale. See God, and Spell, v.]

1. Glad tidings; especially, the good news concerning Christ, the Kingdom of God, and salvation.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.

Matt. iv. 23.

The steadfast belief of the promises of the gospel.

Bentley.

It is probable that gospel is from. OE. godspel, God story, the narrative concerning God; but it was early confused with god spell, good story, good tidings, and was so used by the translators of the Authorized version of Scripture. This use has been retained in most cases in the Revised Version.

Thus the literal sense [of gospel] is the "narrative of God," i. e., the life of Christ.

Skeat.

2. One of the four narratives of the life and death of Jesus Christ, written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

3. A selection from one of the gospels, for use in a religious service; as, the gospel for the day.

4. Any system of religious doctrine; sometimes, any system of political doctrine or social philosophy; as, this political gospel. Burke.

5. Anything propounded or accepted as infallibly true; as, they took his words for gospel. [Colloq.]

If any one thinks this expression hyperbolical, I shall only ask him to read ådipus, instead of taking the traditional witticisms about Lee for gospel.

Saintsbury.

Gos"pel, a. Accordant with, or relating to, the gospel; evangelical; as, gospel righteousness. Bp. Warburton.

Gos"pel, v. t. To instruct in the gospel. [Obs.] Shak.

Gos"pel*er (?), n. [AS. godspellere.] [Written also gospeller.] 1. One of the four evangelists. Rom. of R.

Mark the gospeler was the ghostly son of Peter in baptism.

Wyclif.

2. A follower of Wyclif, the first English religious reformer; hence, a Puritan. [Obs.] Latimer.