highway

(hi’wa), n. [ waye, ete.; equiv. to highroad, high-street, and high gate; with reference to the elevation of such roads above the adjacent surface: see highroad, ete.] 1. A public road or pa age; a way open to all pa engers, by either land or water. He loked in Bernysdale, By the hye waye. Intell Geste of Robyn Hode (Child's Ballads, V. 81). Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in. Luke xiv, 28. The summer droughts rendered the Tenne ee River usele asa military highway. The Century, XXXVI. 676, 2. In law, any road or way, whether for foot pa engers, beasts of burden, or vehicles, or all, over which all persons, as members of the public, have a right to pa . The word is commonly restricted to a way that is fit or intended for vehicles as well as for foot-pa engers and animals. 8. Figuratively, a common or easy way or course. So she [the falcon] makes her highway over the steepest mountains and deepest rivers. JI. Walton, Complete Angler, p. 25. T could mention more trades we have lost, and are in the highway to lose. Sir J. Child, Trade. Men were striking away from all the proper and respectable highways of thought into paths no decorous person had ever thought of. J. W. Hales, Int. to Milton’s Areopagitica. Commi ioners of highways, See commi ioner.— Duns table highway. See duns table.— Highway robbery. See robbery.