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Webster 1913 Edition

Amazon

Am′a-zon

,
Noun.
[L., fr. Gr. [GREEK].]
1.
One of a fabulous race of female warriors in Scythia; hence, a female warrior.
2.
A tall, strong, masculine woman; a virago.
3.
(Zool.)
A name numerous species of South American parrots of the genus
Chrysotis
Amazon ant
(Zool.)
,
a species of ant (
Polyergus rufescens
), of Europe and America. They seize by conquest the larvæ and nymphs of other species and make slaves of them in their own nests.

Webster 1828 Edition

Amazon

AM'AZON

,
Noun.
[This is said to be formed of a neg and breast. History informs us, that the Amazons cut off their right breast, that it might not incommode them in shooting and hurling the javelin. This is doubtless a fable.]
1.
The Amazons are said by historians, to have been a race of female warriors, who founded an empire on the river Thermodon, in Asia Minor, on the coast of the Euxine. They are said to have excluded men from their society; and by their warlike enterprises, to have conquered and alarmed surrounding nations. Some writers treat these accounts as fables.
2.
By analogy, a warlike or masculine woman; a virago.
3.
This name has been given to some American females, on the banks of the largest river in the world, who joined their husbands in attacking the Spaniards that first visited the country. This trivial occurrence gave the name Amazon to that river, whose real name is Maranon.

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