P \P\ (p[=e]),
the sixteenth letter of the English alphabet, is a nonvocal
consonant whose form and value come from the Latin, into
which language the letter was brought, through the ancient
Greek, from the Ph[oe]nician, its probable origin being
Egyptian. Etymologically P is most closely related to b, f,
and v; as hobble, hopple; father, paternal; recipient,
receive. See {B}, {F}, and {M}. See Guide to Pronunciation,
[sect][sect] 247, 248, and 184-195.
Pa \Pa\ (p[aum]), n.
A shortened form of {Papa}.
Paage \Pa"age\ (p[=a]"[asl]j; 48), n. [OF. paage, paiage, F.
p['e]age, fr. (assumed) LL. pedaticum, fr. L. pes, pedis,
foot. See {Pedage}, {Pedal}.] (O. Eng. Law)
A toll for passage over another person's grounds. [Written
also {peage} and {pedage}.] --Burke.
Paard \Paard\ (p[aum]rd), n. [D., a horse.]
The zebra. [S. Africa]
Paas \Paas\ (p[aum]s), n.
Pace [Obs.] --Chaucer
Paas \Paas\ (p[add]s), n. [D. paash. See {Pasch}.]
The Easter festival. [Local, U. S.] --Bartlett.
{Paas egg}. See {Easter egg}, under {Easter}.
Pabular \Pab"u*lar\, a. [L. pabularis.]
Of, pertaining to, or fit for, pabulum or food; affording
food.
Pabulation \Pab`u*la"tion\, n. [L. pabulatio, fr. pabulari to
feed, fr. pabulum food. See {Pabulum}.]
1. The act of feeding, or providing food. [Obs.] --Cockeram.
2. Food; fodder; pabulum. [Obs.]
Pabulous \Pab"u*lous\, a. [L. pabulosus.]
Affording pabulum, or food; alimental. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Pabulum \Pab"u*lum\, n. [L., akin to pascere to pasture. See
{Pastor}.]
The means of nutriment to animals or plants; food;
nourishment; hence, that which feeds or sustains, as fuel for
a fire; that upon which the mind or soul is nourished; as,
intellectual pabulum.
Pac \Pac\, n.
A kind of moccasin, having the edges of the sole turned up
and sewed to the upper. --Knight.
Paca \Pa"ca\, n. [Pg., from the native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small South American rodent ({C[oe]logenys paca}), having
blackish brown fur, with four parallel rows of white spots
along its sides; the spotted cavy. It is nearly allied to the
agouti and the Guinea pig.
Pacable \Pa"ca*ble\, a. [L. pacare to pacify.]
Placable. [R.] --Coleridge.
Pacane \Pa*cane"\, n. (Bot.)
A species of hickory. See {Pecan}.
Pacate \Pa"cate\, a. [L. pacatus, p. p. of pacare to pacify, fr.
pax, pacis, peace. See {Pay} to requite, {Peace}.]
Appeased; pacified; tranquil. [R.]
Pacated \Pa"ca*ted\, a.
Pacified; pacate.
Pacation \Pa*ca"tion\, n. [L. pacatio.]
The act of pacifying; a peacemaking. --Coleridge.
Pace \Pace\, n. [OE. pas, F. pas, from L. passus a step, pace,
orig., a stretching out of the feet in walking; cf. pandere,
passum, to spread, stretch; perh. akin to E. patent. Cf.
{Pas}, {Pass}.]
1. A single movement from one foot to the other in walking; a
step.
2. The length of a step in walking or marching, reckoned from
the heel of one foot to the heel of the other; -- used as
a unit in measuring distances; as, he advanced fifty
paces. ``The heigh of sixty pace .'' --Chaucer.
Note: Ordinarily the pace is estimated at two and one half
linear feet; but in measuring distances be stepping,
the pace is extended to three feet (one yard) or to
three and three tenths feet (one fifth of a rod). The
regulation marching pace in the English and United
States armies is thirty inches for quick time, and
thirty-six inches for double time. The Roman pace
(passus) was from the heel of one foot to the heel of
the same foot when it next touched the ground, five
Roman feet.
3. Manner of stepping or moving; gait; walk; as, the walk,
trot, canter, gallop, and amble are paces of the horse; a
swaggering pace; a quick pace. --Chaucer.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in
this petty pace from day to day. --Shak.
In the military schools of riding a variety of paces
are taught. --Walsh.
4. A slow gait; a footpace. [Obs.] --Chucer.
5. Specifically, a kind of fast amble; a rack.
6. Any single movement, step, or procedure. [R.]
The first pace necessary for his majesty to make is
to fall into confidence with Spain. --Sir W.
Temple.
7. (Arch.) A broad step or platform; any part of a floor
slightly raised above the rest, as around an altar, or at
the upper end of a hall.
8. (Weaving) A device in a loom, to maintain tension on the
warp in pacing the web.
{Geometrical pace}, the space from heel to heel between the
spot where one foot is set down and that where the same
foot is again set down, loosely estimated at five feet, or
by some at four feet and two fifths. See {Roman pace} in
the Note under def. 2. [Obs.]
{To} {keep, or hold}, {pace with}, to keep up with; to go as
fast as. ``In intellect and attainments he kept pace with
his age.'' --Southey.
Pace \Pace\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Paced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pacing}.]
1. To go; to walk; specifically, to move with regular or
measured steps. ``I paced on slowly.'' --Pope. ``With
speed so pace.'' --Shak.
2. To proceed; to pass on. [Obs.]
Or [ere] that I further in this tale pace.
--Chaucer.
3. To move quickly by lifting the legs on the same side
together, as a horse; to amble with rapidity; to rack.
4. To pass away; to die. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pace \Pace\, v. t.
1. To walk over with measured tread; to move slowly over or
upon; as, the guard paces his round. ``Pacing light the
velvet plain.'' --T. Warton.
2. To measure by steps or paces; as, to pace a piece of
ground.
3. To develop, guide, or control the pace or paces of; to
teach the pace; to break in.
If you can, pace your wisdom In that good path that
I would wish it go. --Shak
{To pace the web} (Weaving), to wind up the cloth on the
beam, periodically, as it is woven, in a loom.
Paced \Paced\, a.
Having, or trained in, [such] a pace or gait; trained; --
used in composition; as, slow-paced; a thorough-paced
villain.
Pacer \Pa"cer\, n.
One who, or that which, paces; especially, a horse that
paces.
Pacha \Pa*cha"\, n. [F.]
See {Pasha}.
Pachacamac \Pa`cha*ca*mac"\, n.
A divinity worshiped by the ancient Peruvians as the creator
of the universe.
Pachak \Pa*chak"\, n. (Bot.)
The fragrant roots of the {Saussurea Costus}, exported from
India to China, and used for burning as incense. It is
supposed to be the costus of the ancients. [Written also
{putchuck}.]
Pachalic \Pa*cha"lic\, a. & n.
See {Pashalic}.
Pachisi \Pa*chi"si\, Parchesi \Par*che"si\, n. [Hind., fr.
pachis twenty-five, the highest throw in the game.]
A game, somewhat resembling backgammon, originating in India.
Pachometer \Pa*chom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. pa`chos thickness + -meter.]
(Physics)
An instrument for measuring thickness, as of the glass of a
mirror, or of paper; a pachymeter.
Pachonta \Pa*chon"ta\, n. (Bot.)
A substance resembling gutta-percha, and used to adulterate
it, obtained from the East Indian tree {Isonandra acuminata}.
Pachy- \Pach"y-\ [Gr. ? thick.]
A combining form meaning thick; as, pachyderm, pachydactyl.
Pachycarpous \Pach`y*car"pous\, a. [Pachy- + Gr. ? fruit.]
(Bot.)
Having the pericarp thick.
Pachydactyl \Pach`y*dac"tyl\, n. [Pachy- + dactyl.] (Zo["o]l.)
A bird or other animal having thick toes.
Pachydactylous \Pach`y*dac"tyl*ous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having thick toes.
Pachyderm \Pach"y*derm\, n. [Cf. F. pachyderme.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Pachydermata.
Pachydermal \Pach`y*der"mal\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or relating to the pachyderms; as, pachydermal dentition.
Pachydermata \Pach`y*der"ma*ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
thick-skinned; pachy`s thick + ? skin.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of hoofed mammals distinguished for the thickness of
their skins, including the elephant, hippopotamus,
rhinoceros, tapir, horse, and hog. It is now considered an
artificial group.
Pachydermatous \Pach`y*der"ma*tous\, a.
1. (Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to the pachyderms.
2. Thick-skinned; not sensitive to ridicule.
Pachydermoid \Pach`y*der"moid\, a. [Pachyderm + -oid.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Related to the pachyderms.
Pachyglossal \Pach`y*glos"sal\, a. [Pachy- + Gr. ? tongue.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having a thick tongue; -- applied to a group of lizards
({Pachygloss[ae]}), including the iguanas and agamas.
Pachymeningitis \Pach`y*men`in*gi"tis\, n. [Pachy- +
meningitis.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the dura mater or outer membrane of the
brain.
Pachymeter \Pa*chym"e*ter\, n. [Pachy- + -meter.]
Same as {Pachometer}.
Pachyote \Pach"y*ote\, n. [Pachy- + Gr. ?, ?, ear.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a family of bats, including those which have thick
external ears.
Pacifiable \Pac"i*fi`a*ble\, a.
Capable of being pacified or appeased; placable.
Pacific \Pa*cif"ic\, a. [L. pacificus: cf. F. pacifique. See
{Pacify}.]
Of or pertaining to peace; suited to make or restore peace;
of a peaceful character; not warlike; not quarrelsome;
conciliatory; as, pacific words or acts; a pacific nature or
condition.
{Pacific Ocean}, the ocean between America and Asia, so
called by Magellan, its first European navigator, on
account of the exemption from violent tempests which he
enjoyed while sailing over it; -- called also, simply, the
{Pacific}, and, formerly, the {South sea}.
Syn: Peacemaking; appeasing; conciliatory; tranquil; calm;
quiet; peaceful; reconciling; mild; gentle.
Pacificable \Pa*cif"ic*a*ble\, a.
Placable. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Pacifical \Pa*cif"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to peace; pacific. [R.] --Sir H. Wotton. --
{Pa*cif"ic*al*ly}, adv. [R.]
Pacification \Pa*cif`i*ca"tion\, n. [L. pacificatio: cf. F.
pacification. See {Pacify}.]
The act or process of pacifying, or of making peace between
parties at variance; reconciliation. ``An embassy of
pacification.'' --Bacon.
Pacificator \Pa*cif"i*ca`tor\, n. [L.]
One who, or that which, pacifies; a peacemaker. --Bacon.
Pacificatory \Pa*cif"i*ca*to*ry\, a. [L. pacificatorius.]
Tending to make peace; conciliatory. --Barrow.
Pacfier \Pac"fi`er\, n.
One who pacifies.
Pacify \Pac"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pacified}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pacifying}.] [F. pacifier, L. pacificare; pax, pacis,
peace + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See {Peace}, and {-fy}.]
To make to be at peace; to appease; to calm; to still; to
quiet; to allay the agitation, excitement, or resentment of;
to tranquillize; as, to pacify a man when angry; to pacify
pride, appetite, or importunity. ``Pray ye, pacify
yourself.'' --Shak.
To pacify and settle those countries. --Bacon.
Pacinian \Pa*cin"i*an\, a. (Anat.)
Of, pertaining to, or discovered by, Filippo Pacini, an
Italian physician of the 19th century.
{Pacinian corpuscles}, small oval bodies terminating some of
the minute branches of the sensory nerves in the
integument and other parts of the body. They are supposed
to be tactile organs.
Pack \Pack\, n. [Cf. {Pact}.]
A pact. [Obs.] --Daniel.
Pack \Pack\, n. [Akin to D. pak, G. pack, Dan. pakke, Sw. packa,
Icel. pakki, Gael. & Ir. pac, Arm. pak. Cf. {Packet}.]
1. A bundle made up and prepared to be carried; especially, a
bundle to be carried on the back; a load for an animal; a
bale, as of goods. --Piers Plowman.
2. [Cf. {Peck}, n.] A number or quantity equal to the
contents of a pack; hence, a multitude; a burden. ``A pack
of sorrows.'' ``A pack of blessings.'' --Shak.
Note: ``In England, by a pack of meal is meant 280 lbs.; of
wool, 240 lbs.'' --McElrath.
3. A number or quantity of connected or similar things; as:
(a) A full set of playing cards; also, the assortment used
in a particular game; as, a euchre pack.
(b) A number of hounds or dogs, hunting or kept together.
(c) A number of persons associated or leagued in a bad
design or practice; a gang; as, a pack of thieves or
knaves.
(d) A shook of cask staves.
(e) A bundle of sheet-iron plates for rolling
simultaneously.
4. A large area of floating pieces of ice driven together
more or less closely. --Kane.
5. An envelope, or wrapping, of sheets used in hydropathic
practice, called dry pack, wet pack, cold pack, etc.,
according to the method of treatment.
6. [Prob. the same word; but cf. AS. p?can to deceive.] A
loose, lewd, or worthless person. See {Baggage}. [Obs.]
--Skelton.
{Pack animal}, an animal, as a horse, mule, etc., employed in
carrying packs.
{Pack cloth}, a coarse cloth, often duck, used in covering
packs or bales.
{Pack horse}. See {Pack animal} (above).
{Pack ice}. See def. 4, above.
{Pack moth} (Zo["o]l.), a small moth ({Anacampsis
sarcitella}) which, in the larval state, is very
destructive to wool and woolen fabrics.
{Pack needle}, a needle for sewing with pack thread. --Piers
Plowman.
{Pack saddle}, a saddle made for supporting the load on a
pack animal. --Shak.
{Pack staff}, a staff for supporting a pack; a peddler's
staff.
{Pack thread}, strong thread or small twine used for tying
packs or parcels.
{Pack train} (Mil.), a troop of pack animals.
Pack \Pack\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Packed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Packing}.] [Akin to D. pakken, G. packen, Dan. pakke, Sw.
packa, Icel. pakka. See {Pack}, n.]
1. To make a pack of; to arrange closely and securely in a
pack; hence, to place and arrange compactly as in a pack;
to press into close order or narrow compass; as to pack
goods in a box; to pack fish.
Strange materials packed up with wonderful art.
--Addison.
Where . . . the bones Of all my buried ancestors are
packed. --Shak.
2. To fill in the manner of a pack, that is, compactly and
securely, as for transportation; hence, to fill closely or
to repletion; to stow away within; to cause to be full; to
crowd into; as, to pack a trunk; the play, or the
audience, packs the theater.
3. To sort and arrange (the cards) in a pack so as to secure
the game unfairly.
And mighty dukes pack cards for half a crown. --Pope.
4. Hence: To bring together or make up unfairly and
fraudulently, in order to secure a certain result; as, to
pack a jury or a causes.
The expected council was dwindling into . . . a
packed assembly of Italian bishops. --Atterbury.
5. To contrive unfairly or fraudulently; to plot. [Obs.]
He lost life . . . upon a nice point subtilely
devised and packed by his enemies. --Fuller.
6. To load with a pack; hence, to load; to encumber; as, to
pack a horse.
Our thighs packed with wax, our mouths with honey.
--Shack.
7. To cause to go; to send away with baggage or belongings;
esp., to send away peremptorily or suddenly; -- sometimes
with off; as, to pack a boy off to school.
He . . . must not die
Till George be packed with post horse up to heaven.
--Shak.
8. To transport in a pack, or in the manner of a pack (i. e.,
on the backs of men or beasts). [Western U.S.]
9. (Hydropathy) To envelop in a wet or dry sheet, within
numerous coverings. See {Pack}, n., 5.
10. (Mech.) To render impervious, as by filling or
surrounding with suitable material, or to fit or adjust
so as to move without giving passage to air, water, or
steam; as, to pack a joint; to pack the piston of a steam
engine.
Pack \Pack\, v. i.
1. To make up packs, bales, or bundles; to stow articles
securely for transportation.
2. To admit of stowage, or of making up for transportation or
storage; to become compressed or to settle together, so as
to form a compact mass; as, the goods pack conveniently;
wet snow packs well.
3. To gather in flocks or schools; as, the grouse or the
perch begin to pack. [Eng.]
4. To depart in haste; -- generally with off or away.
Poor Stella must pack off to town --Swift.
You shall pack, And never more darken my doors
again. --Tennyson.
5. To unite in bad measures; to confederate for ill purposes;
to join in collusion. [Obs.] ``Go pack with him.'' --Shak.
{To send packing}, to drive away; to send off roughly or in
disgrace; to dismiss unceremoniously. ``The parliament . .
. presently sent him packing.'' --South.
Package \Pack"age\, n.
1. Act or process of packing.
2. A bundle made up for transportation; a packet; a bale; a
parcel; as, a package of goods.
3. A charge made for packing goods.
4. A duty formerly charged in the port of London on goods
imported or exported by aliens, or by denizens who were
the sons of aliens.
Packer \Pack"er\, n.
A person whose business is to pack things; especially, one
who packs food for preservation; as, a pork packer.
Packet \Pack"et\, n. [F. paquet, dim. fr. LL. paccus, from the
same source as E. pack. See {Pack}.]
1. A small pack or package; a little bundle or parcel; as, a
packet of letters. --Shak.
2. Originally, a vessel employed by government to convey
dispatches or mails; hence, a vessel employed in conveying
dispatches, mails, passengers, and goods, and having fixed
days of sailing; a mail boat.
{Packet boat}, {ship}, or {vessel}. See {Packet}, n., 2.
{Packet day}, the day for mailing letters to go by packet; or
the sailing day.
{Packet note} or {post}. See under {Paper}.
Packet \Pack"et\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Packeted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Packeting}.]
1. To make up into a packet or bundle.
2. To send in a packet or dispatch vessel.
Her husband Was packeted to France. --Ford.
Packet \Pack"et\, v. i.
To ply with a packet or dispatch boat.
Packfong \Pack"fong`\, n. [Chin. peh tung.] (Metal.)
A Chinese alloy of nickel, zinc, and copper, resembling
German silver.
Pack herse \Pack herse\
See under 2d {Pack}.
Packhouse \Pack"house`\, n.
Warehouse for storing goods.
Packing \Pack"ing\, n.
1. The act or process of one who packs.
2. Any material used to pack, fill up, or make close.
Specifically (Mach.): A substance or piece used to make a
joint impervious; as:
(a) A thin layer, or sheet, of yielding or elastic
material inserted between the surfaces of a flange
joint.
(b) The substance in a stuffing box, through which a
piston rod slides.
(c) A yielding ring, as of metal, which surrounds a piston
and maintains a tight fit, as inside a cylinder, etc.
3. (Masonry) Same as {Filling}. [Rare in the U. S.]
4. A trick; collusion. [Obs.] --Bale.
{Cherd packing} (Bridge Building), the arrangement, side by
side, of several parts, as bars, diagonals, a post, etc.,
on a pin at the bottom of a chord. --Waddell.
{Packing box}, a stuffing box. See under {Stuffing}.
{Packing press}, a powerful press for baling cotton, wool,
hay, etc.
{Packing ring}. See {Packing}, 2
(c), and Illust. of {Piston}.
{Packing sheet}.
(a) A large cloth for packing goods.
(b) A sheet prepared for packing hydropathic patients.
Packman \Pack"man\, n.; pl. {Packmen}.
One who bears a pack; a peddler.
Pack saddle \Pack saddle\, Pack thread \Pack thread\ .
See under 2d {Pack}.
Packwax \Pack"wax`\, n. (Anat.)
Same as {Paxwax}.
Packway \Pack"way`\, n.
A path, as over mountains, followed by pack animals.
Paco \Pa"co\, Pacos \Pa"cos\, n. [Sp. paco, fr. Peruv. paco. Cf.
{Alpaca}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Alpaca}.
2. [Peruv. paco, pacu, red, reddish, reddish ore containing
silver; perh. a different word.] (Min.) An earthy-looking
ore, consisting of brown oxide of iron with minute
particles of native silver. --Ure.
Pact \Pact\, n. [L. pactum, fr. paciscere to make a bargain or
contract, fr. pacere to settle, or agree upon; cf. pangere to
fasten, Gr. ?, Skr. p[=a]ca bond, and E. fang: cf. F. pacie.
Cf. {Peace}, {Fadge}, v.]
An agreement; a league; a compact; a covenant. --Bacon.
The engagement and pact of society whish goes by the
name of the constitution. --Burke.
Paction \Pac"tion\, n. [L. pactio: cf. F. paction. See {Pact}.]
An agreement; a compact; a bargain. [R.] --Sir W. Scott.
Pactional \Pac"tion*al\, a.
Of the nature of, or by means of, a paction. --Bp. Sanderson.
Pactitious \Pac*ti"tious\, a. [L. pactitius, pacticius.]
Setted by a pact, or agreement. [R.] --Johnson.
Pactolian \Pac*to"li*an\, a.
Pertaining to the Pactolus, a river in ancient Lydia famous
for its golden sands.
Pacu \Pa"cu\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A South American freah-water fish ({Myleies pacu}), of the
family {Characinid[ae]}. It is highly esteemed as food.
Pad \Pad\, n. [D. pad. [root]21. See {Path}.]
1. A footpath; a road. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
2. An easy-paced horse; a padnag. --Addison
An abbot on an ambling pad. --Tennyson.
3. A robber that infests the road on foot; a highwayman; --
usually called a {footpad}. --Gay. Byron.
4. The act of robbing on the highway. [Obs.]
Pad \Pad\, v. t.
To travel upon foot; to tread. [Obs.]
Padding the streets for half a crown. --Somerville.
Pad \Pad\, v. i.
1. To travel heavily or slowly. --Bunyan.
2. To rob on foot. [Obs.] --Cotton Mather.
3. To wear a path by walking. [Prov. Eng.]
Pad \Pad\, n. [Perh. akin to pod.]
1. A soft, or small, cushion; a mass of anything soft;
stuffing.
2. A kind of cushion for writing upon, or for blotting; esp.,
one formed of many flat sheets of writing paper, or layers
of blotting paper; a block of paper.
3. A cushion used as a saddle without a tree or frame.
4. A stuffed guard or protection; esp., one worn on the legs
of horses to prevent bruising.
5. (Zo["o]l.) A cushionlike thickening of the skin one the
under side of the toes of animals.
6. A floating leaf of a water lily or similar plant.
7. (Med.) A soft bag or cushion to relieve pressure, support
a part, etc.
8. (Naut.) A piece of timber fixed on a beam to fit the curve
of the deck. --W. C. Russel.
9. A measure for fish; as, sixty mackerel go to a pad; a
basket of soles. [Eng.] --Simmonds.
{Pad cloth}, a saddlecloth; a housing.
{Pad saddle}. See def. 3, above.
{Pad tree} (Harness Making), a piece of wood or metal which
gives rigidity and shape to a harness pad. --Knight.
Pad \Pad\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Padded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Padding}.]
1. To stuff; to furnish with a pad or padding.
2. (Calico Printing) To imbue uniformly with a mordant; as,
to pad cloth. --Ure.
Padar \Pad"ar\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
Groats; coarse flour or meal. [Obs.] --Sir. H. Wotton.
Padder \Pad"der\, n.
1. One who, or that which, pads.
2. A highwayman; a footpad. [Obs.]
Padding \Pad"ding\, n.
1. The act or process of making a pad or of inserting
stuffing.
2. The material with which anything is padded.
3. Material of inferior value, serving to extend a book,
essay, etc. --London Sat. Rev.
4. (Calico Printing) The uniform impregnation of cloth with a
mordant.
Paddle \Pad"dle\, v. i. [Prob. for pattle, and a dim. of pat,
v.; cf. also E. pad to tread, Prov. G. paddeln, padden, to
walk with short steps, to paddle, G. patschen to splash,
dash, dabble, F. patouiller to dabble, splash, fr. patte a
paw. ?.]
1. To use the hands or fingers in toying; to make caressing
strokes. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. To dabble in water with hands or feet; to use a paddle, or
something which serves as a paddle, in swimming, in
paddling a boat, etc.
As the men were paddling for their lives.
--L'Estrange.
While paddling ducks the standing lake desire.
--Gay.
Paddle \Pad"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paddled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Paddling}]
1. To pat or stroke amorously, or gently.
To be paddling palms and pinching fingers. --Shak.
2. To propel with, or as with, a paddle or paddles.
3. To pad; to tread upon; to trample. [Prov. Eng.]
Paddle \Pad"dle\, n. [See {Paddle}, v. i.]
1. An implement with a broad blade, which is used without a
fixed fulcrum in propelling and steering canoes and boats.
2. The broad part of a paddle, with which the stroke is made;
hence, any short, broad blade, resembling that of a
paddle.
Thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon. --Deut.
xxiii. 13.
3. One of the broad boards, or floats, at the circumference
of a water wheel, or paddle wheel.
4. A small gate in sluices or lock gates to admit or let off
water; -- also called {clough}.
5. (Zo["o]l.) A paddle-shaped foot, as of the sea turtle.
6. A paddle-shaped implement for string or mixing.
7. [In this sense prob. for older spaddle, a dim. of spade.]
See {Paddle staff} (b), below. [Prov. Eng.]
{Paddle beam} (Shipbuilding), one of two large timbers
supporting the spring beam and paddle box of a steam
vessel.
{Paddle board}. See {Paddle}, n., 3.
{Paddle box}, the structure inclosing the upper part of the
paddle wheel of a steam vessel.
{Paddle shaft}, the revolving shaft which carries the paddle
wheel of a steam vessel.
{Paddle staff}.
(a) A staff tipped with a broad blade, used by mole
catchers. [Prov. Eng.]
(b) A long-handled spade used to clean a plowshare; --
called also {plow staff}. [Prov. Eng.]
{Paddle steamer}, a steam vessel propelled by paddle wheels,
in distinction from a screw propeller.
{Paddle wheel}, the propelling wheel of a steam vessel,
having paddles (or floats) on its circumference, and
revolving in a vertical plane parallel to the vessel's
length.
Paddlecock \Pad"dle*cock`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The lumpfish. [Prov. Eng.]
Paddlefish \Pad"dle*fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l)
A large ganoid fish ({Polyodon spathula}) found in the rivers
of the Mississippi Valley. It has a long spatula-shaped
snout. Called also {duck-billed cat}, and {spoonbill
sturgeon}.
Padder \Pad"der\, n.
One who, or that which, paddles.
Paddlewood \Pad"dle*wood`\, n. (Bot.)
The light elastic wood of the {Aspidosperma excelsum}, a tree
of Guiana having a fluted trunk readily split into planks.
Paddock \Pad"dock\, n. [OE. padde toad, frog + -ock; akin to D.
pad, padde, toad, Icel. & Sw. padda, Dan. padde.] (Zo["o]l.)
A toad or frog. --Wyclif. ``Loathed paddocks.'' --Spenser
{Paddock pipe} (Bot.), a hollow-stemmed plant of the genus
{Equisetum}, especially {E. limosum} and the fruiting
stems of {E. arvense}; -- called also {padow pipe} and
{toad pipe}. See {Equisetum}.
{Paddock stone}. See {Toadstone}.
{Paddock stool} (Bot.),a toadstool.
Paddock \Pad"dock\, n. [Corrupted fr. parrock. See {Parrock}.]
1. A small inclosure or park for sporting. [Obs.]
2. A small inclosure for pasture; esp., one adjoining a
stable. --Evelyn. Cowper.
Paddy \Pad"dy\, a. [Prov. E. paddy worm-eaten.]
Low; mean; boorish; vagabond. ``Such pady persons.'' --Digges
(1585). ``The paddy persons.'' --Motley.
Paddy \Pad"dy\, n.; pl. {Paddies}. [Corrupted fr. St. Patrick,
the tutelar saint of Ireland.]
A jocose or contemptuous name for an Irishman.
Paddy \Pad"dy\, n. [Either fr. Canarese bhatta or Malay
p[=a]d[=i].] (Bot.)
Unhusked rice; -- commonly so called in the East Indies.
{Paddy bird}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Java sparrow}, under {Java}.
Padelion \Pad`e*li"on\, n. [F. pas de lionon's foot.] (Bot.)
A plant with pedately lobed leaves; the lady's mantle.
Padella \Pa*del"la\, n. [It., prop., a pan, a friing pan, fr. L.
patella a pan.]
A large cup or deep saucer, containing fatty matter in which
a wick is placed, -- used for public illuminations, as at St.
Peter's, in Rome. Called also {padelle}.
Pademelon \Pad`e*mel"on\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Wallaby}.
Padesoy \Pad"e*soy`\, n.
See {Paduasoy}.
Padge \Padge\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The barn owl; -- called also {pudge}, and {pudge owl}. [Prov.
Eng.]
Padishah \Pa`di*shah"\, n. [Per. p[=a]dish[=a]h. Cf. {Pasha}.]
Chief ruler; monarch; sovereign; -- a title of the Sultan of
Turkey, and of the Shah of Persia.
Padlock \Pad"lock`\, n. [Perh. orig., a lock for a pad gate, or
a gate opening to a path, or perh., a lock for a basket or
pannier, and from Prov. E. pad a pannier. Cf. {Pad} a path,
{Paddler}.]
1. A portable lock with a bow which is usually jointed or
pivoted at one end so that it can be opened, the other end
being fastened by the bolt, -- used for fastening by
passing the bow through a staple over a hasp or through
the links of a chain, etc.
2. Fig.: A curb; a restraint.
Padlock \Pad"lock`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Padlocked}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Padlocking}.]
To fasten with, or as with, a padlock; to stop; to shut; to
confine as by a padlock. --Milton. Tennyson.
Padnag \Pad"nag`\, n. [lst pad + nag.]
An ambling nag. ``An easy padnag.'' --Macaulay.
Padow \Pad"ow\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A paddock, or toad.
{Padow pipe}. (Bot.) See {Paddock pipe}, under {Paddock}.
Padrone \Pa*dro"ne\, n.; pl. It. {Padroni}, E. {Padrones}. [It.
See {Patron}.]
1. A patron; a protector.
2. The master of a small coaster in the Mediterranean.
3. A man who imports, and controls the earnings of, Italian
laborers, street musicians, etc.
Paduasoy \Pad`u*a*soy"\, n. [From Padua, in Italy + F. soie
silk; or cf. F. pou-de-soie.]
A rich and heavy silk stuff. [Written also {padesoy}.]
Paducahs \Pa*du"cahs\ (p[.a]*d[=u]"k[.a]z), n. pl.; sing.
{Paducah} (-k[.a]). (Ethnol.)
See {Comanches}.
Paean \P[ae]"an\ (p[=e]`an), n. [L. paean, Gr. paia`n, fr.
Paia`n the physician of the gods, later, Apollo. Cf.
{P[ae]on}, {Peony}.] [Written also {pean}.]
1. An ancient Greek hymn in honor of Apollo as a healing
deity, and, later, a song addressed to other deities.
2. Any loud and joyous song; a song of triumph. --Dryden.
``Public p[ae]ans of congratulation.'' --De Quincey.
3. See {P[ae]on}.
Paedobaptism \P[ae]`do*bap"tism\ (p[=e]`d[-o]*b[a^]p"t[i^]z'm),
n.
Pedobaptism.
Paedogenesis \P[ae]`do*gen"esis\
(p[=e]`d[-o]*j[e^]n"[-e]*s[i^]s), n. [Gr. pai^s, paido`s,
child + E. genesis.] (Zo["o]l.)
Reproduction by young or larval animals.
Paedogenetic \P[ae]`do*ge*net"ic\ (-j[-e]*n[e^]t"[i^]k), a.
(Zo["o]l.)
Producing young while in the immature or larval state; --
said of certain insects, etc.
Paeon \P[ae]"on\ (p[=e]"[o^]n), n. [L. paeon, Gr. paiw`n a
solemn song, also, a p[ae]on, equiv. to paia`n. See
{P[ae]an}.] (Anc. Poet.)
A foot of four syllables, one long and three short, admitting
of four combinations, according to the place of the long
syllable. [Written also, less correctly, {p[ae]an}.]
Paeonine \P[ae]"o*nine\ (p[=e]"[-o]*n[i^]n), n. (Chem.)
An artifical red nitrogenous dyestuff, called also {red
coralline}.
Paeony \P[ae]"o*ny\ (p[=e]"[-o]*n[y^]), n. (Bot.)
See {Peony}.
Pagan \Pa"gan\ (p[=a]"gan), n. [L. paganus a countryman,
peasant, villager, a pagan, fr. paganus of or pertaining to
the country, rustic, also, pagan, fr. pagus a district,
canton, the country, perh. orig., a district with fixed
boundaries: cf. pangere to fasten. Cf. {Painim}, {Peasant},
and {Pact}, also {Heathen}.]
One who worships false gods; an idolater; a heathen; one who
is neither a Christian, a Mohammedan, nor a Jew.
Neither having the accent of Christians, nor the gait
of Christian, pagan, nor man. --Shak.
Syn: Gentile; heathen; idolater.
Usage: {Pagan}, {Gentile}, {Heathen}. Gentile was applied to
the other nations of the earth as distinguished from
the Jews. Pagan was the name given to idolaters in the
early Christian church, because the villagers, being
most remote from the centers of instruction, remained
for a long time unconverted. Heathen has the same
origin. Pagan is now more properly applied to rude and
uncivilized idolaters, while heathen embraces all who
practice idolatry.
Pagan \Pa"gan\, a. [L. paganus of or pertaining to the country,
pagan. See {Pagan}, n.]
Of or pertaining to pagans; relating to the worship or the
worshipers of false goods; heathen; idolatrous, as, pagan
tribes or superstitions.
And all the rites of pagan honor paid. --Dryden.
Pagandom \Pa"gan*dom\ (-d[u^]m), n.
The pagan lands; pagans, collectively; paganism. [R.]
Paganic \Pa*gan"ic\ (p[.a]*g[a^]n"[i^]k), Paganical
\Pa*gan"ic*al\ (-[i^]*kal), a.
Of or pertaining to pagans or paganism; heathenish; paganish.
[R.] ``The paganic fables of the goods.'' --Cudworth. --
{Pa*gan"ic*al*ly}, adv. [R.]
Paganish \Pa"gan*ish\ (p[=a]"gan*[i^]sh), a.
Of or pertaining to pagans; heathenish. ``The old paganish
idolatry.'' --Sharp
Paganism \Pa"gan*ism\ (-[i^]z'm), n. [L. paganismus: cf. F.
paganisme. See {Pagan}, and cf. {Painim}.]
The state of being pagan; pagan characteristics; esp., the
worship of idols or false gods, or the system of religious
opinions and worship maintained by pagans; heathenism.
Paganity \Pa*gan"i*ty\ (p[.a]*g[a^]n"[i^]*t[y^]), n. [L.
Paganitas.]
The state of being a pagan; paganism. [R.] --Cudworth.
Paganize \Pa"gan*ize\ (p[=a]"gan*[imac]z), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Paganized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Paganizing}.]
To render pagan or heathenish; to convert to paganism.
--Hallywell.
Paganize \Pa"gan*ize\, v. i.
To behave like pagans. --Milton.
Paganly \Pa"gan*ly\, adv.
In a pagan manner. --Dr. H. More.
Page \Page\ (p[=a]j), n. [F., fr. It. paggio, LL. pagius, fr.
Gr. paidi`on, dim. of pai^s, paido`s, a boy, servant; perh.
akin to L. puer. Cf. {Pedagogue}, {Puerile}.]
1. A serving boy; formerly, a youth attending a person of
high degree, especially at courts, as a position of honor
and education; now commonly, in England, a youth employed
for doing errands, waiting on the door, and similar
service in households; in the United States, a boy
employed to wait upon the members of a legislative body.
Page \Page\, n. [F., fr. L. pagina; prob. akin to pagere,
pangere, to fasten, fix, make, the pages or leaves being
fastened together. Cf. {Pact}, {Pageant}, {Pagination}.]
1. One side of a leaf of a book or manuscript.
Such was the book from whose pages she sang.
--Longfellow.
2. Fig.: A record; a writing; as, the page of history.
3. (Print.) The type set up for printing a page.
Page \Page\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Paging}.]
To mark or number the pages of, as a book or manuscript; to
furnish with folios.
Pageant \Pag"eant\ (p[a^]j"ent or p[=a]"jent; 277), n. [OE.
pagent, pagen, originally, a movable scaffold or stage,
hence, what was exhibited on it, fr. LL. pagina, akin to
pangere to fasten; cf. L. pagina page, leaf, slab,
compaginare to join together, compages a joining together,
structure. See {Pact}, {Page} of a book.]
1. A theatrical exhibition; a spectacle. ``A pageant truly
played.'' --Shak.
To see sad pageants of men's miseries. --Spenser.
2. An elaborate exhibition devised for the entertainmeut of a
distinguished personage, or of the public; a show,
spectacle, or display.
The gaze of fools, and pageant of a day ! --Pope.
We love the man, the paltry pageant you. --Cowper.
Pageant \Pag"eant\, a.
Of the nature of a pageant; spectacular. ``Pageant pomp.''
--Dryden.
Pageant \Pag"eant\, v. t.
To exhibit in show; to represent; to mimic. [R.] ``He
pageants us.'' --Shak.
Pageantry \Pag"eant*ry\ (-r[y^]), n.
Scenic shows or spectacles, taken collectively; spectacular
quality; splendor.
Such pageantry be to the people shown. --Dryden.
The pageantry of festival. --J. A.
Symonds.
Syn: Pomp; parade; show; display; spectacle.
Pagehood \Page"hood\, n.
The state of being a page.
Pagina \Pag"i*na\, n.; pl. {Pagin[ae]}. [L.] (Bot.)
The surface of a leaf or of a flattened thallus.
Paginal \Pag"i*nal\, a. [L. paginalis.]
Consisting of pages. ``Paginal books.'' --Sir T. Browne.
Pagination \Pag`i*na"tion\, n.
The act or process of paging a book; also, the characters
used in numbering the pages; page number. --Lowndes.
Paging \Pa"ging\, n.
The marking or numbering of the pages of a book.
Pagod \Pa"god\, n. [Cf. F. pagode. See {Pagoda}.]
1. A pagoda. [R.] ``Or some queer pagod.'' --Pope.
2. An idol. [Obs.] --Bp. Stillingfleet.
Pagoda \Pa*go"da\, n. [Pg. pagoda, pagode, fr.Hind. & Per.
but-kadah a house of idols, or abode of God; Per. but an idol
+ kadah a house, a temple.]
1. A term by which Europeans designate religious temples and
tower-like buildings of the Hindoos and Buddhists of
India, Farther India, China, and Japan, -- usually but not
always, devoted to idol worship.
2. An idol. [R.] --Brande & C.
3. [Prob. so named from the image of a pagoda or a deity (cf.
Skr. bhagavat holy, divine) stamped on it.] A gold or
silver coin, of various kinds and values, formerly current
in India. The Madras gold pagoda was worth about three and
a half rupees.
Pagodite \Pa*go"dite\, n. (Min.)
Agalmatolite; -- so called because sometimes carved by the
Chinese into the form of pagodas. See {Agalmatolite}.
Paguma \Pa*gu"ma\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of East Indian viverrine mammals
of the genus {Paguma}. They resemble a weasel in form.
Pagurian \Pa*gu"ri*an\, n. [L. pagurus a kind of crab, Gr. ?.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of a tribe of anomuran crustaceans, of which
{Pagurus} is a type; the hermit crab. See {Hermit crab},
under {Hermit}.
Pah \Pah\, interj.
An exclamation expressing disgust or contempt. See {Bah}.
Fie! fie! fie! pah! pah! Give me an ounce of civet,
good apothecary, to sweeten my imagination. --Shak.
Pah \Pah\, n. [From native name.]
A kind of stockaded intrenchment. [New Zealand.] --Farrow.
Pahi \Pa"hi\, n. (Naut.)
A large war canoe of the Society Islands.
Pahlevi \Pah"le*vi\, n.
Same as {Pehlevi}.
Pahoehoe \Pa*ho"e*ho`e\, n. (Min.)
A name given in the Sandwich Islands to lava having a
relatively smooth surface, in distinction from the
rough-surfaced lava, called a-a.
PahUtes \Pah"*Utes`\, n. pl. (Ethnol.)
See {Utes}.
Paid \Paid\, imp., p. p., & a. of {Pay}.
1. Receiving pay; compensated; hired; as, a paid attorney.
2. Satisfied; contented. [Obs.] ``Paid of his poverty.''
--Chaucer.
Paideutics \Pai*deu"tics\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to teach, fr. ?,?, a
boy.]
The science or art of teaching.
Paien \Pai"en\, n. & a.
Pagan. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Paigle \Pai"gle\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Bot.)
A species of {Primula}, either the cowslip or the primrose.
[Written also {pagle}, {pagil}, {peagle}, and {pygil}.]
Paijama \Pai*ja"ma\, n.
Pyjama.
Pail \Pail\, n. [OE. paile, AS. p[ae]gel a wine vessel, a pail,
akin to D. & G. pegel a watermark, a gauge rod, a measure of
wine, Dan. p[ae]gel half a pint.]
A vessel of wood or tin, etc., usually cylindrical and having
a bail, -- used esp. for carrying liquids, as water or milk,
etc.; a bucket. It may, or may not, have a cover. --Shak.
Pailful \Pail"ful\, n.; pl. {Pailfuls}.
The quantity that a pail will hold. ``By pailfuls.'' --Shak.
Paillasse \Pail*lasse"\ (?; F. ?), n. [F., fr. paille straw. See
{Pallet} a bed.]
An under bed or mattress of straw. [Written also
{palliasse}.]
Pailmall \Pail`mall"\, n. & a.
See {Pall-mall}. [Obs.]
Pain \Pain\, n. [OE. peine, F. peine, fr. L. poena, penalty,
punishment, torment, pain; akin to Gr. ? penalty. Cf.
{Penal}, {Pine} to languish, {Punish}.]
1. Punishment suffered or denounced; suffering or evil
inflicted as a punishment for crime, or connected with the
commission of a crime; penalty. --Chaucer.
We will, by way of mulct or pain, lay it upon him.
--Bacon.
Interpose, on pain of my displeasure. --Dryden.
None shall presume to fly, under pain of death.
--Addison.
2. Any uneasy sensation in animal bodies, from slight
uneasiness to extreme distress or torture, proceeding from
a derangement of functions, disease, or injury by
violence; bodily distress; bodily suffering; an ache; a
smart. ``The pain of Jesus Christ.'' --Chaucer.
Note: Pain may occur in any part of the body where sensory
nerves are distributed, and it is always due to some
kind of stimulation of them. The sensation is generally
referred to the peripheral end of the nerve.
3. pl. Specifically, the throes or travail of childbirth.
She bowed herself and travailed, for her pains came
upon her. --1 Sam. iv.
19.
4. Uneasiness of mind; mental distress; disquietude; anxiety;
grief; solicitude; anguish. --Chaucer.
In rapture as in pain. --Keble.
5. See {Pains}, labor, effort.
{Bill of pains and penalties}. See under {Bill}.
{To die in the pain}, to be tortured to death. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Pain \Pain\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pained}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Paining}.] [OE. peinen, OF. pener, F. peiner to fatigue. See
{Pain}, n.]
1. To inflict suffering upon as a penalty; to punish. [Obs.]
--Wyclif (Acts xxii. 5).
2. To put to bodily uneasiness or anguish; to afflict with
uneasy sensations of any degree of intensity; to torment;
to torture; as, his dinner or his wound pained him; his
stomach pained him.
Excess of cold, as well as heat, pains us. --Locke
.
3. To render uneasy in mind; to disquiet; to distress; to
grieve; as a child's faults pain his parents.
I am pained at my very heart. --Jer. iv. 19.
{To pain one's self}, to exert or trouble one's self; to take
pains; to be solicitous. [Obs.] ``She pained her to do all
that she might.'' --Chaucer.
Syn: To disquiet; trouble; afflict; grieve; aggrieve;
distress; agonize; torment; torture.
Painable \Pain"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]nible.]
Causing pain; painful. [Obs.]
The manacles of Astyages were not . . . the less
weighty and painable for being composed of gold or
silver. --Evelyn.
Painful \Pain"ful\, a.
1. Full of pain; causing uneasiness or distress, either
physical or mental; afflictive; disquieting; distressing.
--Addison.
2. Requiring labor or toil; difficult; executed with
laborious effort; as a painful service; a painful march.
3. Painstaking; careful; industrious. [Obs.] --Fuller.
A very painful person, and a great clerk. --Jer.
Taylor.
Nor must the painful husbandman be tired. --Dryden.
Syn: Disquieting; troublesome; afflictive; distressing;
grievous; laborious; toilsome; difficult; arduous. --
{Pain"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Pain"ful*ness}, n.
Painim \Pai"nim\, n.[OE. painime pagans, paganism, fr. OF.
paienisme paganism, LL. paganismus. See {Paganism}, {Pagan}.]
A pagan; an infidel; -- used also adjectively. [Written also
{panim} and {paynim}.] --Peacham.
Painless \Pain"less\, a.
Free from pain; without pain. -- {Pain"less*ly}, adv. --
{Pain"less*ness}, n.
Pains \Pains\, n.
Labor; toilsome effort; care or trouble taken; -- plural in
form, but used with a singular or plural verb, commonly the
former.
And all my pains is sorted to no proof. --Shak.
The pains they had taken was very great. --Clarendon.
The labored earth your pains have sowed and tilled.
--Dryden.
Painstaker \Pains"tak`er\, n.
One who takes pains; one careful and faithful in all work.
--Gay.
Painstaking \Pains"tak`ing\, a.
Careful in doing; diligent; faithful; attentive.
``Painstaking men.'' --Harris.
Painstaking \Pains"tak`ing\, n.
The act of taking pains; carefulness and fidelity in
performance. --Beau. & Fl.
Painsworthy \Pains"wor`thy\, a.
Worth the pains or care bestowed.
Paint \Paint\ (p[=a]nt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Painted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Painting}.] [OE. peinten, fr. F. peint, p. p. of
peindre to paint, fr. L. pingere, pictum; cf. Gr. poiki`los
many-colored, Skr. pi[,c] to adorn. Cf. {Depict}, {Picture},
{Pigment}, {Pint}.]
1. To cover with coloring matter; to apply paint to; as, to
paint a house, a signboard, etc.
Jezebel painted her face and tired her head. --2
Kings ix. 30.
2. Fig.: To color, stain, or tinge; to adorn or beautify with
colors; to diversify with colors.
Not painted with the crimson spots of blood. --Shak.
Cuckoo buds of yellow hue Do paint the meadows with
delight. --Shak.
3. To form in colors a figure or likeness of on a flat
surface, as upon canvas; to represent by means of colors
or hues; to exhibit in a tinted image; to portray with
paints; as, to paint a portrait or a landscape.
4. Fig.: To represent or exhibit to the mind; to describe
vividly; to delineate; to image; to depict.
Disloyal? The word is too good to paint out her
wickedness. --Shak.
If folly grow romantic, I must paint it. --Pope.
Syn: To color; picture; depict; portray; delineate; sketch;
draw; describe.
Paint \Paint\, v. t.
1. To practice the art of painting; as, the artist paints
well.
2. To color one's face by way of beautifying it.
Let her paint an inch thick. --Shak.
Paint \Paint\, n.
1.
(a) A pigment or coloring substance.
(b) The same prepared with a vehicle, as oil, water with
gum, or the like, for application to a surface.
2. A cosmetic; rouge. --Praed.
Painted \Paint"ed\, a.
1. Covered or adorned with paint; portrayed in colors.
As idle as a painted ship Upon a painted ocean.
--Coleridge.
2. (Nat. Hist.) Marked with bright colors; as, the painted
turtle; painted bunting.
{Painted beauty} (Zo["o]l.), a handsome American butterfly
({Vanessa Huntera}), having a variety of bright colors,
{Painted cup} (Bot.), any plant of an American genus of herbs
({Castilleia}) in which the bracts are usually
bright-colored and more showy than the flowers.
{Castilleia coccinea} has brilliantly scarlet bracts, and
is common in meadows.
{Painted finch}. See {Nonpareil}.
{Painted lady} (Zo["o]l.), a bright-colored butterfly. See
{Thistle butterfly}.
{Painted turtle} (Zo["o]l.), a common American freshwater
tortoise ({Chrysemys picta}), having bright red and yellow
markings beneath.
Painter \Paint"er\ (p[=a]nt"[~e]r), n. [OE, pantere a noose,
snare, F. panti[`e]re, LL. panthera, L. panther a hunting
net, fr. Gr. panqh`ra; pa^s all + qh`r beast; cf. Ir.
painteir a net, gin, snare, Gael. painntear.] (Naut.)
A rope at the bow of a boat, used to fasten it to anything.
--Totten.
Painter \Paint"er\, n. [Corrupt. of panther.] (Zo["o]l.)
The panther, or puma. [A form representing an illiterate
pronunciation, U. S.] --J. F. Cooper.
Painter \Paint"er\, n. [See lst {Paint}.]
One whose occupation is to paint; esp.:
(a) One who covers buildings, ships, ironwork, and the like,
with paint.
(b) An artist who represents objects or scenes in color on a
flat surface, as canvas, plaster, or the like.
{Painter's colic}. (Med.) See {Lead colic}, under {Colic}.
{Painter stainer}.
(a) A painter of coats of arms. --Crabb.
(b) A member of a livery company or guild in London, bearing
this name.
Painterly \Paint"er*ly\, a.
Like a painter's work. [Obs.] ``A painterly glose of a
visage.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
Paintership \Paint"er*ship\, n.
The state or position of being a painter. [R.] --Br.
Gardiner.
Painting \Paint"ing\, n.
1. The act or employment of laying on, or adorning with,
paints or colors.
2. (Fine Arts) The work of the painter; also, any work of art
in which objects are represented in color on a flat
surface; a colored representation of any object or scene;
a picture.
3. Color laid on; paint. [R.] --Shak.
4. A depicting by words; vivid representation in words.
Syn: See {Picture}.
Paintless \Paint"less\, a.
Not capable of being painted or described. ``In paintless
patience.'' --Savage.
Painture \Pain"ture\, n. [F. peinture. See {Paint}, v. t., and
cf. {Picture}.]
The art of painting. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Dryden.
Painty \Paint"y\, a.
Unskillfully painted, so that the painter's method of work is
too obvious; also, having too much pigment applied to the
surface. [Cant]
Pair \Pair\, n. [F. paire, LL. paria, L. paria, pl. of par pair,
fr. par, adj., equal. Cf. {Apparel}, {Par} equality, {Peer}
an equal.]
1. A number of things resembling one another, or belonging
together; a set; as, a pair or flight of stairs. ``A pair
of beads.'' --Chaucer. --Beau. & Fl. ``Four pair of
stairs.'' --Macaulay.
Note: [Now mostly or quite disused, except as to stairs.]
Two crowns in my pocket, two pair of cards.
--Beau. & Fl.
2. Two things of a kind, similar in form, suited to each
other, and intended to be used together; as, a pair of
gloves or stockings; a pair of shoes.
3. Two of a sort; a span; a yoke; a couple; a brace; as, a
pair of horses; a pair of oxen.
4. A married couple; a man and wife. ``A happy pair.''
--Dryden. ``The hapless pair.'' --Milton.
5. A single thing, composed of two pieces fitted to each
other and used together; as, a pair of scissors; a pair of
tongs; a pair of bellows.
6. Two members of opposite parties or opinion, as in a
parliamentary body, who mutually agree not to vote on a
given question, or on issues of a party nature during a
specified time; as, there were two pairs on the final
vote. [Parliamentary Cant]
7. (Kinematics) In a mechanism, two elements, or bodies,
which are so applied to each other as to mutually
constrain relative motion.
Note: Pairs are named in accordance with the kind of motion
they permit; thus, a journal and its bearing form a
turning pair, a cylinder and its piston a sliding pair,
a screw and its nut a twisting pair, etc. Any pair in
which the constraining contact is along lines or at
points only (as a cam and roller acting together), is
designated a higher pair; any pair having constraining
surfaces which fit each other (as a cylindrical pin and
eye, a screw and its nut, etc.), is called a lower
pair.
{Pair royal} (pl. {Pairs Royal}) three things of a sort; --
used especially of playing cards in some games, as
cribbage; as three kings, three ``eight spots'' etc. Four
of a kind are called a double pair royal. ``Something in
his face gave me as much pleasure as a pair royal of
naturals in my own hand.'' --Goldsmith. ``That great pair
royal of adamantine sisters [the Fates].'' --Quarles.
[Written corruptly {parial} and {prial}.]
Syn: {Pair}, {Flight}, {Set}.
Usage: Originally, pair was not confined to two things, but
was applied to any number of equal things (pares),
that go together. Ben Jonson speaks of a pair (set) of
chessmen; also, he and Lord Bacon speak of a pair
(pack) of cards. A ``pair of stairs'' is still in
popular use, as well as the later expression, ``flight
of stairs.''
Pair \Pair\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Paired}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pairing}.]
1. To be joined in paris; to couple; to mate, as for
breeding.
2. To suit; to fit, as a counterpart.
My heart was made to fit and pair with thine.
--Rowe.
3. Same as {To pair off}. See phrase below.
{To pair off}, to separate from a company in pairs or
couples; specif. (Parliamentary Cant), to agree with one
of the opposite party or opinion to abstain from voting on
specified questions or issues. See {Pair}, n., 6.
Pair \Pair\, v. t.
1. To unite in couples; to form a pair of; to bring together,
as things which belong together, or which complement, or
are adapted to one another.
Glossy jet is paired with shining white. --Pope.
2. To engage (one's self) with another of opposite opinions
not to vote on a particular question or class of
questions. [Parliamentary Cant]
{Paired fins}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Fin}.
Pair \Pair\, v. t. [See {Impair}.]
To impair. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Pairer \Pair"er\, n.
One who impairs. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Pairing \Pair"ing\, n. [See {Pair}, v. i.]
1. The act or process of uniting or arranging in pairs or
couples.
2. See {To pair off}, under {Pair}, v. i.
{Pairyng time}, the time when birds or other animals pair.
Pairment \Pair"ment\, n.
Impairment. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Pais \Pa`is\, n. [OF. pu["i]s, F. pays, country.] (O. E. Law)
The country; the people of the neighborhood.
Note: A trial per pais is a trial by the country, that is, by
a jury; and matter in pais is matter triable by the
country, or jury.
Paisano \Pa`i*sa"no\, n. [Sp., of the country, ?ative.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The chaparral cock.
Paise \Paise\, n. [Obs.]
See {Poise}. --Chapman.
Pajock \Pa"jock\, n.
A peacock. [Obs.] --Shak.
Pakfong \Pak"fong`\, n.
See {Packfong}.
Pal \Pal\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
A mate; a partner; esp., an accomplice or confederate.
[Slang]
Palace \Pal"ace\, n. [OE. palais, F. palais, fr. L. palatium,
fr. Palatium, one of the seven hills of Rome, ? which
Augustus had his residence. Cf. {Paladin}.]
1. The residence of a sovereign, including the lodgings of
high officers of state, and rooms for business, as well as
halls for ceremony and reception. --Chaucer.
2. The official residence of a bishop or other distinguished
personage.
3. Loosely, any unusually magnificent or stately house.
{Palace car}. See under {Car}.
{Palace court}, a court having jurisdiction of personal
actions arising within twelve miles of the palace at
Whitehall. The court was abolished in 1849. [Eng.]
--Mozley & W.
Palacious \Pa*la"cious\, a.
Palatial. [Obs.] --Graunt.
Paladin \Pal"a*din\, n. [F., fr.It. paladino, fr. L. palatinus
an officer of the palace. See {Palatine}.]
A knight-errant; a distinguished champion; as, the paladins
of Charlemagne. --Sir W. Scott.
Palaeo- \Pa"l[ae]*o-\
See {Paleo-}.
Palaeographer \Pa`l[ae]*og"ra*pher\, n., Palaeographic
\Pa`l[ae]*o*graph"ic\, a., etc.
See {Paleographer}, {Paleographic}, etc.
Palaeotype \Pa"l[ae]*o*type\, n. [Pal[ae]o- + -type.] (Phon.)
A system of representing all spoken sounds by means of the
printing types in common use. --Ellis. --
{Pa`l[ae]*o*typ"ic*al}, a. -- {Pa`l[ae]*o*typ"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Palaestra \Pa*l[ae]s"tra\, n.
See {Palestra}.
Palaestric \Pa*l[ae]s"tric\, a.
See {Palestric}.
Palaetiologist \Pa*l[ae]`ti*ol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in pal[ae]tiology.
Palaetiology \Pa*l[ae]`ti*ol"o*gy\, n. [Pal[ae]o- +
[ae]tiology.]
The science which explains, by the law of causation, the past
condition and changes of the earth. --
{Pa*l[ae]`ti*o*log"ic*al}, a.
Palama \Pal"a*ma\, n.; pl. {Palamme}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? the palm.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A membrane extending between the toes of a bird, and uniting
them more or less closely together.
Palamedeae \Pal`a*me"de*[ae]\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order, or suborder, including the kamichi, and allied
South American birds; -- called also {screamers}. In many
anatomical characters they are allied to the Anseres, but
they externally resemble the wading birds.
Palampore \Pal`am*pore"\, n.
See {Palempore}.
Palanka \Pa*lan"ka\, n. [Cf. It., Pg., & Sp. palanca, fr.L.
palanga, phalanga a pole, Gr.? ] (Mil.)
A camp permanently intrenched, attached to Turkish frontier
fortresses.
Palanquin \Pal`an*quin"\, n. [F. palanquin, Pg. palanquim,
Javan. palangki, OJavan. palangkan, through Prakrit fr. Skr.
parya?ka, palya?ka, bed, couch; pari around (akin to E. pref.
peri-) + a?ka a hook, flank, probably akin to E. angle
fishing tackle. Cf. {Palkee}.]
An inclosed carriage or litter, commonly about eight feet
long, four feet wide, and four feet high, borne on the
shoulders of men by means of two projecting poles, -- used in
India, China, etc., for the conveyance of a single person
from place to place. [Written also {palankeen}.]
Palapteryx \Pa*lap"te*ryx\, n. [Paleo- + apteryx.] (Paleon.)
A large extinct ostrichlike bird of New Zealand.
Palatability \Pal`a*ta*bil"i*ty\, n.
Palatableness.
Palatable \Pal"a*ta*ble\, a. [From {Palate}.]
Agreeable to the palate or taste; savory; hence, acceptable;
pleasing; as, palatable food; palatable advice.
Palatableness \Pal"a*ta*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being agreeable to the taste; relish;
acceptableness.
Palatably \Pal"a*ta*bly\, adv.
In a palatable manner.
Palatal \Pal"a*tal\, a. [Cf. F. palatal.]
1. Of or pertaining to the palate; palatine; as, the palatal
bones.
2. (Phonetics) Uttered by the aid of the palate; -- said of
certain sounds, as the sound of k in kirk.
Palatal \Pal"a*tal\, n. (Phon.)
A sound uttered, or a letter pronounced, by the aid of the
palate, as the letters k and y.
Palatalize \Pal"a*tal*ize\, v. t. (Phon.)
To palatize.
Palate \Pal"ate\, n. [L. palatum: cf. F. palais, Of. also
palat.]
1. (Anat.) The roof of the mouth.
Note: The fixed portion, or palate proper, supported by the
maxillary and palatine bones, is called the hard palate
to distinguish it from the membranous and muscular
curtain which separates the cavity of the mouth from
the pharynx and is called the soft palate, or velum.
2. Relish; taste; liking; -- a sense originating in the
mistaken notion that the palate is the organ of taste.
Hard task! to hit the palate of such guests. --Pope.
3. Fig.: Mental relish; intellectual taste. --T. Baker.
4. (Bot.) A projection in the throat of such flowers as the
snapdragon.
Palate \Pal"ate\, v. t.
To perceive by the taste. [Obs.] --Shak.
Palatial \Pa*la"tial\, a. [L. palatium palace. See {Palace}.]
Of or pertaining to a palace; suitable for a palace;
resembling a palace; royal; magnificent; as, palatial
structures. ``Palatial style.'' --A. Drummond.
Palatial \Pa*la"tial\, a. [From {Palate}.] (Anat.)
Palatal; palatine. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Palatial \Pa*la"tial\, n.
A palatal letter. [Obs.] --Sir W. Jones.
Palatic \Pa*lat"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Palatal; palatine.
Palatic \Pa*lat"ic\, n. (Phon.)
A palatal. [R.]
Palatinate \Pa*lat"i*nate\, n. [F. palatinat. See {Palatine}.]
The province or seigniory of a palatine; the dignity of a
palatine. --Howell.
Palatinate \Pa*lat"i*nate\, v. t.
To make a palatinate of. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Palatine \Pal"a*tine\, a. [F. palatin, L. palatinus, fr.
palatium. See {Palace}, and cf. {Paladin}.]
Of or pertaining to a palace, or to a high officer of a
palace; hence, possessing royal privileges.
{Count palatine}, {County palatine}. See under {Count}, and
{County}.
{Palatine hill}, or {The palatine}, one of the seven hills of
Rome, once occupied by the palace of the C[ae]sars. See
{Palace}.
Palatine \Pal"a*tine\, n.
1. One invested with royal privileges and rights within his
domains; a count palatine. See {Count palatine}, under 4th
{Count}.
2. The Palatine hill in Rome.
Palatine \Pal"a*tine\, a. [From Palate.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the palate.
{Palatine bones} (Anat.), a pair of bones (often united in
the adult) in the root of the mouth, back of and between
the maxillaries.
Palatine \Pal"a*tine\ n. (Anat.)
A palatine bone.
Palative \Pal"a*tive\, a.
Pleasing to the taste; palatable. [Obs.] ``Palative
delights.'' --Sir T. Browne.
Palatize \Pal"a*tize\, v. t.
To modify, as the tones of the voice, by means of the palate;
as, to palatize a letter or sound. -- {Pal`a*ti*za"tion}, n.
--J. Peile.
Palato- \Pal"a*to-\ [From {Palate}.]
A combining form used in anatomy to indicate relation to, or
connection with, the palate; as in palatolingual.
Palatonares \Pal`a*to*na"res\, n. pl. [NL. See {Palato-}, and
{Nares}.] (Anat.)
The posterior nares. See {Nares}.
Palatopterygoid \Pal`a*top*ter"y*goid\, a. [Palato- +
pterygoid.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to the palatine and pterygoid region of the skull;
as, the palatopterygoid cartilage, or rod, from which the
palatine and pterygoid bones are developed.
Palaver \Pa*la"ver\, n. [Sp. palabra, or Pg. palavra, fr. L.
parabola a comparison, a parable, LL., a word. See
{Parable}.]
1. Talk; conversation; esp., idle or beguiling talk; talk
intended to deceive; flattery.
2. In Africa, a parley with the natives; a talk; hence, a
public conference and deliberation; a debate.
This epoch of parliaments and eloquent palavers.
--Carlyle.
Palaver \Pa*la"ver\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Palavered}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Palavering}.]
To make palaver with, or to; to used palaver;to talk idly or
deceitfully; to employ flattery; to cajole; as, to palaver
artfully.
Palavering the little language for her benefit. --C.
Bront?
Palaverer \Pa*la"ver*er\, n.
One who palavers; a flatterer.
Pale \Pale\, a. [Compar. {Paler}; superl. {Palest}.] [F.
p[^a]le, fr. p[^a]lir to turn pale, L. pallere to be o? look
pale. Cf. {Appall}, {Fallow}, {pall}, v. i., {Pallid}.]
1. Wanting in color; not ruddy; dusky white; pallid; wan; as,
a pale face; a pale red; a pale blue. ``Pale as a forpined
ghost.'' --Chaucer.
Speechless he stood and pale. --Milton.
They are not of complexion red or pale. --T.
Randolph.
2. Not bright or brilliant; of a faint luster or hue; dim;
as, the pale light of the moon.
The night, methinks, is but the daylight sick; It
looks a little paler. --Shak.
Note: Pale is often used in the formation of self-explaining
compounds; as, pale-colored, pale-eyed, pale-faced,
pale-looking, etc.
Pale \Pale\, n.
Paleness; pallor. [R.] --Shak.
Pale \Pale\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Paled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Paling}.]
To turn pale; to lose color or luster. --Whittier.
Apt to pale at a trodden worm. --Mrs.
Browning.
Pale \Pale\, v. t.
To make pale; to diminish the brightness of.
The glow?worm shows the matin to be near, And gins to
pale his uneffectual fire. --Shak.
Pale \Pale\, n. [F. pal, fr. L. palus: cf. D. paal. See {Pol?} a
stake, and lst {Pallet}.]
1. A pointed stake or slat, either driven into the ground, or
fastened to a rail at the top and bottom, for fencing or
inclosing; a picket.
Deer creep through when a pale tumbles down.
--Mortimer.
2. That which incloses or fences in; a boundary; a limit; a
fence; a palisade. ``Within one pale or hedge.''
--Robynson (More's Utopia).
3. A space or field having bounds or limits; a limited region
or place; an inclosure; -- often used figuratively. ``To
walk the studious cloister's pale.'' --Milton. ``Out of
the pale of civilization.'' --Macaulay.
4. A stripe or band, as on a garment. --Chaucer.
5. (Her.) One of the greater ordinaries, being a broad
perpendicular stripe in an escutcheon, equally distant
from the two edges, and occupying one third of it.
6. A cheese scoop. --Simmonds.
7. (Shipbuilding) A shore for bracing a timber before it is
fastened.
{English pale} (Hist.), the limits or territory within which
alone the English conquerors of Ireland held dominion for
a long period after their invasion of the country in 1172.
--Spencer.
Pale \Pale\, v. t.
To inclose with pales, or as with pales; to encircle; to
encompass; to fence off.
[Your isle, which stands] ribbed and paled in With
rocks unscalable and roaring waters. --Shak.
Palea \Pa"le*a\, n.; pl. {Pale[ae]} (-[=e]). [L., chaff.]
1. (Bot.)
(a) The interior chaff or husk of grasses.
(b) One of the chaffy scales or bractlets growing on the
receptacle of many compound flowers, as the Coreopsis,
the sunflower, etc.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A pendulous process of the skin on the throat
of a bird, as in the turkey; a dewlap.
Paleaceous \Pa`le*a"ceous\, a. [L. palea chaff.] (Bot.)
Chaffy; resembling or consisting of pale[ae], or chaff;
furnished with chaff; as, a paleaceous receptacle.
Palearctic \Pa`le*arc"tic\, a. [Paleo- + arctic.]
Belonging to a region of the earth's surface which includes
all Europe to the Azores, Iceland, and all temperate Asia.
Paled \Paled\, a. [See 5th {Pale}.]
1. Striped. [Obs.] ``[Buskins] . . . paled part per part.''
--Spenser.
2. Inclosed with a paling. ``A paled green.'' --Spenser.
Paleechinoidea \Pa`le*["e]ch`i*noi"de*a\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Paleo-}, and {Echinoidea}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extinct order of sea urchins found in the Paleozoic rocks.
They had more than twenty vertical rows of plates. Called
also {Pal[ae]echini}. [Written also {Pal[ae]echinoidea}.]
Paleface \Pale"face`\, n.
A white person; -- an appellation supposed to have been
applied to the whites by the American Indians. --J. F.
Cooper.
Paleichthyes \Pa`le*ich"thy*es\, n. pl. [NL. See {Paleo-}, and
{Ichthyology}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A comprehensive division of fishes which includes the
elasmobranchs and ganoids. [Written also {Pal[ae]ichthyes}.]
Palely \Pale"ly\, adv. [From Pale, a.]
In a pale manner; dimly; wanly; not freshly or ruddily.
--Thackeray.
Palempore \Pal`em*pore"\, n.
A superior kind of dimity made in India, -- used for bed
coverings. [Written also {palampore}, {palampoor}, etc.] --De
Colange.
Paleness \Pale"ness\, n.
The quality or condition of being pale; want of freshness or
ruddiness; a sickly whiteness; lack of color or luster;
wanness.
The blood the virgin's cheek forsook; A livid paleness
spreads o'er all her look. --Pope.
Palenque \Pa*len"que\, n. pl. (Ethnol.)
A collective name for the Indians of Nicaragua and Honduras.
Paleo- \Pa"le*o-\ [Gr. ?, adj.]
A combining form meaning old, ancient; as, palearctic,
paleontology, paleothere, paleography. [Written also
{pal[ae]o}-.]
Paleobotanist \Pa`le*o*bot"a*nist\, n.
One versed in paleobotany.
Paleobotany \Pa`le*o*bot"a*ny\, n. [Paleo- + botany.]
That branch of paleontology which treats of fossil plants.
Paleocarida \Pa`le*o*car"ida\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? ancient +
?, ?, ?, a kind of crustacean.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Merostomata}. [Written also Pal[ae]ocarida.]
Paleocrinoidea \Pa`le*o*cri*noi"de*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Paleo-},
and {Crinoidea}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A suborder of Crinoidea found chiefly in the Paleozoic rocks.
Paleocrystic \Pa`le*o*crys"tic\, a. [Paleo- + Gr. ? ice.]
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, a former glacial
formation.
Paleogaean \Pa`le*o*g[ae]"an\, a. [Paleo- + Gr. ? the eart]
(Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Eastern hemisphere. [Written also
{pal[ae]og[ae]an}.]
Paleograph \Pa"le*o*graph\, n.
An ancient manuscript.
Paleographer \Pa`le*og"ra*pher\, n.
One skilled in paleography; a paleographist.
Paleographic \Pa`le*o*graph"ic\, Paleographical
\Pa`le*o*graph"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. pal['e]ographique.]
Of or pertaining to paleography.
Paleographist \Pa`le*og"ra*phist\, n.
One versed in paleography; a paleographer.
Paleography \Pa`le*og"ra*phy\, n. [Paleo- + -graphy: cf. F.
pal['e]ographie.]
1. An ancient manner of writing; ancient writings,
collectively; as, Punic paleography.
2. The study of ancient inscriptions and modes of writing;
the art or science of deciphering ancient writings, and
determining their origin, period, etc., from external
characters; diplomatics.
Paleola \Pa*le"o*la\, n.; pl. {Paleol[ae]}. [NL., dim. of L.
palea.] (Bot.)
A diminutive or secondary palea; a lodicule.
Paleolith \Pa"le*o*lith\, n. [Paleo- + -lith.] (Geol.)
A relic of the Paleolithic era.
Paleolithic \Pa`le*o*lith"ic\, a. (Geol.)
Of or pertaining to an era marked by early stone implements.
The Paleolithic era (as proposed by Lubbock) includes the
earlier half of the ``Stone Age;'' the remains belonging to
it are for the most part of extinct animals, with relics of
human beings.
Paleologist \Pa`le*ol"ogist\, n.
One versed in paleology; a student of antiquity.
Paleology \Pa`le*ol"o*gy\, n. [Paleo- + -logy.]
The study or knowledge of antiquities, esp. of prehistoric
antiquities; a discourse or treatise on antiquities;
arch[ae]ology .
Paleontographical \Pa`le*on`to*graph"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to the description of fossil remains.
Paleontography \Pa`le*on*tog"ra*phy\, n. [Paleo- + Gr. ?
existing things + -graphy.]
The description of fossil remains.
Paleontological \Pa`le*on`to*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to paleontology. --
{Pa`le*on`to*log"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Paleontologist \Pa`le*on*tol"o*gist\, n. [Cf. F.
pal['e]ontologiste.]
One versed in paleontology.
Paleontology \Pa`le*on*tol"o*gy\, n. [Paleo- + Gr. ? existing
things + -logy. Cf. {Ontology}.]
The science which treats of the ancient life of the earth, or
of fossils which are the remains of such life.
Paleophytologist \Pa`le*o*phy*tol"o*gist\, n.
A paleobotanist.
Paleophytology \Pa`le*o*phy*tol"o*gy\, n. [Paleo- + phytology.]
Paleobotany.
Paleornithology \Pa`le*or`ni*thol"o*gy\, n. [Paleo- +
ornithology.]
The branch of paleontology which treats of fossil birds.
Paleosaurus \Pa`le*o*sau"rus\, n.[NL., fr. Gr. ? ancient + ? a
lizard.] (Paleon.)
A genus of fossil saurians found in the Permian formation.
Paleotechnic \Pa`le*o*tech"nic\, a. [Paleo- + technic.]
Belonging to, or connected with, ancient art. ``The
paleotechnic men of central France.'' --D. Wilson.
Paleothere \Pa"le*o*there\, n. [F. pal['e]oth[`e]re.] (Paleon.)
Any species of Paleotherium.
Paleotherian \Pa`le*o*the"ri*an\, a. [F. pal['e]oth['e]rien.]
(Paleon.)
Of or pertaining to Paleotherium.
Paleotherium \Pa`le*o*the"ri*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? ancient + ?
beast.] (Paleon.)
An extinct genus of herbivorous Tertiary mammals, once
supposed to have resembled the tapir in form, but now known
to have had a more slender form, with a long neck like that
of a llama. [Written also {Pal[ae]otherium}.]
Paleotheroid \Pa`le*o*the"roid\, [Paleothere + -oid.] (Paleon.)
Resembling Paleotherium. -- n. An animal resembling, or
allied to, the paleothere.
Paleotype \Pa"le*o*type\, n.
See {Pal[ae]otype}.
Paleous \Pa"le*ous\, a. [L. palea chaff.]
Chaffy; like chaff; paleaceous. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Paleozoic \Pa`le*o*zo"ic\, a. [Paleo- + Gr. ? life, fr. ? to
live.] (Geol.)
Of or pertaining to, or designating, the older division of
geological time during which life is known to have existed,
including the Silurian, Devonian, and Carboniferous ages, and
also to the life or rocks of those ages. See Chart of
{Geology}.
Paleozoology \Pa`le*o*zo*["o]l"o*gy\, n. (Geol.)
The Paleozoic time or strata.
Paleozooogy \Pa`le*o*zo*["o]"o*gy\, n. [Paleo- + zo["o]logy.]
The science of extinct animals, a branch of paleontology.
Palesie \Pale"sie\, Palesy \Pale"sy\, n.
Palsy. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Palestinian \Pal`es*tin"i*an\, Palestinean \Pal`es*tin"e*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Palestine.
Palestra \Pa*les"tra\, n.; pl. L. {Palestr[ae]}, E. {Palestras}.
[NL., fr. L. palaestra, Gr. ?, fr. ? to wrestle.] [Written
also {pal[ae]stra}.] (Antiq.)
(a) A wrestling school; hence, a gymnasium, or place for
athletic exercise in general.
(b) A wrestling; the exercise of wrestling.
Palestrian \Pa*les"tri*an\, Palestric \Pa*les"tric\, Palestrical
\Pa*les"tric*al\, a. [L. palaestricus, Gr. ?]
Of or pertaining to the palestra, or to wrestling.
Palet \Pal"et\, n. [See {Palea}.] (Bot.)
Same as {Palea}.
Paletot \Pal"e*tot\, n. [F. paletot, OF. palletoc, prob. fr. L.
palla (see {Palla}) + F. toque cap, and so lit., a frock with
a cap or hood; cf. Sp. paletoque.]
(a) An overcoat. --Dickens.
(b) A lady's outer garment, -- of varying fashion.
Palette \Pal"ette\, n. [See {Pallet} a thin board.]
1. (Paint.) A thin, oval or square board, or tablet, with a
thumb hole at one end for holding it, on which a painter
lays and mixes his pigments. [Written also {pallet}.]
2. (Anc. Armor) One of the plates covering the points of
junction at the bend of the shoulders and elbows.
--Fairholt.
3. (Mech.) A breastplate for a breast drill.
{Palette knife}, a knife with a very flexible steel blade and
no cutting edge, rounded at the end, used by painters to
mix colors on the grinding slab or palette.
{To set the palette} (Paint.), to lay upon it the required
pigments in a certain order, according to the intended use
of them in a picture. --Fairholt.
Palewise \Pale"wise`\, adv. (Her.)
In the manner of a pale or pales; by perpendicular lines or
divisions; as, to divide an escutcheon palewise.
Palfrey \Pal"frey\, n. [OE. palefrai, OF. palefrei, F. palefroi,
LL. palafredus, parafredus, from L. paraveredus a horse for
extraordinary occasions, an extra post horse; Gr. ? along,
beside + L. veredus a post horse.]
1. A saddle horse for the road, or for state occasions, as
distinguished from a war horse. --Chaucer.
2. A small saddle horse for ladies. --Spenser.
Call the host and bid him bring Charger and palfrey.
--Tennyson.
Palfreyed \Pal"freyed\, a.
Mounted on a palfrey. --Tickell.
Palgrave \Pal"grave\, n.
See {Palsgrave}.
Pali \Pa"li\, n.,
pl. of {Palus}.
Pali \Pa"li\, n. [Ceylonese, fr. Skr. p[=a]li row, line, series,
applied to the series of Buddhist sacred texts.]
A dialect descended from Sanskrit, and like that, a dead
language, except when used as the sacred language of the
Buddhist religion in Farther India, etc.
Palification \Pal`i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [L. palus a stake + -ficare
(in comp.) to make: cf. F. palification. See {-fy}.]
The act or practice of driving piles or posts into the ground
to make it firm. [R.] --Sir H. Wotton.
Paliform \Pa"li*form\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Resembling a palus; as, the paliform lobes of the septa in
corals.
Palilogy \Pa*lil"o*gy\, n. [L. palilogia, Gr. ?; ? again + ? to
speak.] (Rhet.)
The repetition of a word, or part of a sentence, for the sake
of greater emphasis; as, ``The living, the living, he shall
praise thee.'' --Is. xxxviii. 19.
Palimpsest \Pal"imp*sest\, n. [L. palimpsestus, Gr. ? scratched
or scraped again, ? a palimpsest; ? again + ? to rub, rub
away: cf. F. palimpseste.]
A parchment which has been written upon twice, the first
writing having been erased to make place for the second.
--Longfellow.
Palindrome \Pal"in*drome\, n. [Gr. ? running back again; ? again
+ ? to run: cf. F. palindrome.]
A word, verse, or sentence, that is the same when read
backward or forward; as, madam; Hannah; or Lewd did I live, &
evil I did dwel.
Palindromic \Pal`in*drom"ic\, Palindromical \Pal`in*drom"ic*al\,
a.
Of, pertaining to, or like, a palindrome.
Palindromist \Pa*lin"dro*mist\, n.
A writer of palindromes.
Paling \Pal"ing\, n.
1. Pales, in general; a fence formed with pales or pickets; a
limit; an inclosure.
They moved within the paling of order and decorum.
--De Quincey.
2. The act of placing pales or stripes on cloth; also, the
stripes themselves. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Paling board}, one of the slabs sawed from the sides of a
log to fit it to be sawed into boards. [Eng.]
Palingenesia \Pal`in*ge*ne"si*a\, n.[NL.]
See {Palingenesis}.
Palingenesis \Pal`in*gen"e*sis\, Palingenesy \Pal`in*gen"e*sy\,
n. [Gr. ?; ? again + ? birth: cf. F. paling['e]n['e]sie. See
{Genesis}.]
1. A new birth; a re-creation; a regeneration; a continued
existence in different manner or form.
2. (Biol.) That form of evolution in which the truly
ancestral characters conserved by heredity are reproduced
in development; original simple descent; -- distinguished
from kenogenesis. Sometimes, in zo["o]logy, the abrupt
metamorphosis of insects, crustaceans, etc.
Palingenetic \Pal`in*ge*net"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to palingenesis: as, a palingenetic process.
-- {Pal`in*ge*net"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Palinode \Pal"i*node\, n. [L. palinodia, from Gr. ?; ? again + ?
a song. See {Ode}.]
1. An ode recanting, or retracting, a former one; also, a
repetition of an ode.
2. A retraction; esp., a formal retraction. --Sandys.
Palinodial \Pal`i*no"di*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a palinode, or retraction. --J. Q. Adams.
Palinody \Pal"i*no*dy\, n.
See {Palinode}. [Obs.] --Wood.
Palinurus \Pal`inu"rus\, n. [So called from L. Palinurus, the
pilot of [AE]neas.] (Naut.)
An instrument for obtaining directly, without calculation,
the true bearing of the sun, and thence the variation of the
compass
Palisade \Pal`i*sade"\, n. [F. palissade, cf. Sp. palizada, It.
palizzata, palizzo, LL. palissata; all fr. L. palus a stake,
pale. See {Pale} a stake.]
1. (Fort.) A strong, long stake, one end of which is set
firmly in the ground, and the other is sharpened; also, a
fence formed of such stakes set in the ground as a means
of defense.
2. Any fence made of pales or sharp stakes.
{Palisade cells} (Bot.), vertically elongated parenchyma
cells, such as are seen beneath the epidermis of the upper
surface of many leaves.
{Palisade worm} (Zo["o]l.), a nematoid worm ({Strongylus
armatus}), parasitic in the blood vessels of the horse, in
which it produces aneurisms, often fatal.
Palisade \Pal`i*sade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Palisaded}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Palisading}.] [Cf. F. palissader.]
To surround, inclose, or fortify, with palisades.
Palisading \Pal`i*sad"ing\, n. (Fort.)
A row of palisades set in the ground.
Palisado \Pal`i*sa*"do\, n.; pl. {Palisadoes}.
A palisade. [Obs.] --Shak.
Palisado \Pal`i*sa"do\, v. t.
To palisade. [Obs.] --Sterne.
Palish \Pal"ish\, a.
Somewhat pale or wan.
Palissander \Pal`is*san"der\, n. [F. palissandre.] (Bot.)
(a) Violet wood.
(b) Rosewood.
Palissy \Pal"is*sy\, a.
Designating, or of the nature of, a kind of pottery made by
Bernard Palissy, in France, in the 16th centry.
{Palissy ware}, glazed pottery like that made by Bernard
Palissy; especially, that having figures of fishes,
reptiles, etc., in high relief.
Palkee \Pal"kee\, n. [Hind. p[=a]lk[=i]; of the same origin as
E. palanquin.]
A palanquin. --Malcom.
Pall \Pall\, n.
Same as {Pawl}.
Pall \Pall\, n. [OE. pal, AS. p[ae]l, from L. pallium cover,
cloak, mantle, pall; cf. L. palla robe, mantle.]
1. An outer garment; a cloak mantle.
His lion's skin changed to a pall of gold.
--Spenser.
2. A kind of rich stuff used for garments in the Middle Ages.
[Obs.] --Wyclif (Esther viii. 15).
3. (R. C. Ch.) Same as {Pallium}.
About this time Pope Gregory sent two archbishop's
palls into England, -- the one for London, the other
for York. --Fuller.
4. (Her.) A figure resembling the Roman Catholic pallium, or
pall, and having the form of the letter Y.
5. A large cloth, esp., a heavy black cloth, thrown over a
coffin at a funeral; sometimes, also, over a tomb.
Warriors carry the warrior's pall. --Tennyson.
6. (Eccl.) A piece of cardboard, covered with linen and
embroidered on one side; -- used to put over the chalice.
Pall \Pall\, v. t.
To cloak. [R.] --Shak
Pall \Pall\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Palled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Palling}.] [Either shortened fr. appall, or fr. F. p[^a]lir
to grow pale. Cf. {Appall}, {Pale}, a.]
To become vapid, tasteless, dull, or insipid; to lose
strength, life, spirit, or taste; as, the liquor palls.
Beauty soon grows familiar to the lover, Fades in the
eye, and palls upon the sense. --Addisin.
Pall \Pall\, v. t.
1. To make vapid or insipid; to make lifeless or spiritless;
to dull; to weaken. --Chaucer.
Reason and reflection . . . pall all his enjoyments.
--Atterbury.
2. To satiate; to cloy; as, to pall the appetite.
Pall \Pall\, n.
Nausea. [Obs.] --Shaftesbury.
Palla \Pal"la\, n. [L. See {Pall} a cloak.] (Rom. Antuq.)
An oblong rectangular piece of cloth, worn by Roman ladies,
and fastened with brooches.
Palladian \Pal*la"di*an\, a. (Arch.)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, a variety of the revived
classic style of architecture, founded on the works of Andrea
Palladio, an Italian architect of the 16th century.
Palladic \Pal*la"dic\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, palladium; -- used
specifically to designate those compounds in which the
element has a higher valence as contrasted with palladious
compounds.
Palladious \Pal*la"di*ous\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or containing, palladium; -- used
specifically to designate those compounds in which palladium
has a lower valence as compared with palladic compounds.
Palladium \Pal*la"di*um\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?, ?, Pallas.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) Any statue of the goddess Pallas; esp., the
famous statue on the preservation of which depended the
safety of ancient Troy.
2. Hence: That which affords effectual protection or
security; a sateguard; as, the trial by jury is the
palladium of our civil rights. --Blackstone.
Palladium \Pal*la"di*um\, n. [NL.] (Chem.)
A rare metallic element of the light platinum group, found
native, and also alloyed with platinum and gold. It is a
silver-white metal resembling platinum, and like it permanent
and untarnished in the air, but is more easily fusible. It is
unique in its power of occluding hydrogen, which it does to
the extent of nearly a thousand volumes, forming the alloy
{Pd2H}. It is used for graduated circles and verniers, for
plating certain silver goods, and somewhat in dentistry. It
was so named in 1804 by Wollaston from the asteroid Pallas,
which was discovered in 1802. Symbol Pd. Atomic weight,
106.2.
Paladiumize \Pala"di*um*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Palladiumized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Palladiumizing}.]
To cover or coat with palladium. [R.]
Pallah \Pal"lah\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A large South African antelope ({[AE]pyceros melampus}). The
male has long lyrate and annulated horns. The general color
is bay, with a black crescent on the croup. Called also
{roodebok}.
Pallas \Pal"las\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, ?.] (Gr. Myth.)
Pallas Athene, the Grecian goddess of wisdom, called also
{Athene}, and identified, at a later period, with the Roman
Minerva.
Pallbearer \Pall"bear*er\, n.
One of those who attend the coffin at a funeral; -- so called
from the pall being formerly carried by them.
Pallet \Pal"let\, n. [OE. paillet, F. paillet a heap of straw,
fr. paille straw, fr. L. palea chaff; cf. Gr. ? fine meal,
dust, Skr. pala straw, pal[=a]va chaff. Cf. {Paillasse}.]
A small and mean bed; a bed of straw. --Milton.
Palet \Pa"let\, n. [Dim. of pale. See {Pale} a stake.] (Her.)
A perpendicular band upon an escutcheon, one half the breadth
of the pale.
Pallet \Pal"let\, n. [F. palette: af. It. paletta; prop. and
orig., a fire shovel, dim. of L. pala a shovel, spade. See
{Peel} a shovel.]
1. (Paint.) Same as {Palette}.
2. (Pettery)
(a) A wooden implement used by potters, crucible makers,
etc., for forming, beating, and rounding their works.
It is oval, round, and of other forms.
(b) A potter's wheel.
3. (Gilding)
(a) An instrument used to take up gold leaf from the
pillow, and to apply it.
(b) A tool for gilding the backs of books over the bands.
4. (Brickmaking) A board on which a newly molded brick is
conveyed to the hack. --Knight.
5. (Mach.)
(a) A click or pawl for driving a ratchet wheel.
(b) One of the series of disks or pistons in the chain
pump. --Knight.
6. (Horology) One of the pieces or levers connected with the
pendulum of a clock, or the balance of a watch, which
receive the immediate impulse of the scape-wheel, or
balance wheel. --Brande & C.
7. (Mus.) In the organ, a valve between the wind chest and
the mouth of a pipe or row of pipes.
8. (Zo["o]l.) One of a pair of shelly plates that protect the
siphon tubes of certain bivalves, as the Teredo. See
Illust. of {Teredo}.
9. A cup containing three ounces, -- ?ormerly used by
surgeons.
Pallial \Pal"li*al\, a. [L. pallium a mantle. See {Pall}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Of or pretaining to a mantle, especially to the mantle of
mollusks; produced by the mantle; as, the pallial line, or
impression, which marks the attachment of the mantle on the
inner surface of a bivalve shell. See Illust. of {Bivalve}.
{Pallial chamber} (Zo["o]l.), the cavity inclosed by the
mantle.
{Pallial sinus} (Zo["o]l.), an inward bending of the pallial
line, near the posterior end of certain bivalve shells, to
receive the siphon. See Illust. of {Bivalve}.
Palliament \Pal"li*a*ment\, n. [LL. palliare to clothe, fr. L.
pallium a manltle. See {Pall} the garment.]
A dress; a robe. [Obs.] --Shak.
Palliard \Pal"liard\, n. [F. paillard, orig., one addicted to
the couch, fr. paille straw. See {Pallet} a small bed.]
1. A born beggar; a vagabond. [Obs.] --Halliwell.
2. A lecher; a lewd person. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Palliasse \Pal*liasse"\, n.
See {Paillasse}.
Palliate \Pal"li*ate\, a. [L. palliatus, fr. pallium a cloak.
See {Pall} the garment.]
1. Covered with a mant?e; cloaked; disguised. [Obs.] --Bp.
Hall.
2. Eased; mitigated; alleviated. [Obs.] --Bp. Fell.
Palliate \Pal"li*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Palliated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Palliating}.]
1. To cover with a mantle or cloak; to cover up; to hide.
[Obs.]
Being palliated with a pilgrim's coat. --Sir T.
Herbert.
2. To cover with excuses; to conceal the enormity of, by
excuses and apologies; to extenuate; as, to palliate
faults.
They never hide or palliate their vices. --Swift.
3. To reduce in violence; to lessen or abate; to mitigate; to
ease withhout curing; as, to palliate a disease.
To palliate dullness, and give time a shove.
--Cowper.
Syn: To cover; cloak; hide; extenuate; conceal.
Usage: To {Palliate}, {Extenuate}, {Cloak}. These words, as
here compared, are used in a figurative sense in
reference to our treatment of wrong action. We cloak
in order to conceal completely. We extenuate a crime
when we endeavor to show that it is less than has been
supposed; we palliate a crime when we endeavor to
cover or conceal its enormity, at least in part. This
naturally leads us to soften some of its features, and
thus palliate approaches extenuate till they have
become nearly or quite identical. ``To palliate is not
now used, though it once was, in the sense of wholly
cloaking or covering over, as it might be, our sins,
but in that of extenuating; to palliate our faults is
not to hide them altogether, but to seek to diminish
their guilt in part.'' --Trench.
Palliation \Pal`li*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F. palliation.]
1. The act of palliating, or state of being palliated;
extenuation; excuse; as, the palliation of faults,
offenses, vices.
2. Mitigation; alleviation, as of a disease. --Bacon.
3. That which cloaks or covers; disguise; also, the state of
being covered or disguised. [Obs.]
Palliative \Pal"li*a*tive\, a. [Cf. F. palliatif.]
Serving to palliate; serving to extenuate or mitigate.
Palliative \Pal"li*a*tive\, n.
That which palliates; a palliative agent. --Sir W. Scott.
Palliatory \Pal"li*a*to*ry\, a.
Palliative; extenuating.
Pallid \Pal"lid\, a. [L. pallidus, fr. pallere to be or look
pale. See {pale}, a.]
Deficient in color; pale; wan; as, a pallid countenance;
pallid blue. --Spenser.
Pallidity \Pal*lid"i*ty\, n.
Pallidness; paleness.
Pallidly \Pal"lid*ly\, adv.
In a pallid manner.
Pallidness \Pal"lid*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being pallid; paleness; pallor;
wanness.
Palliobranchiata \Pal`li*o*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Brachiopoda}.
Palliobranchiate \Pal`li*o*bran"chi*ate\, a. [See {Pallium}, and
{Branchia}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having the pallium, or mantle, acting as a gill, as in
brachiopods.
Pallium \Pal"li*um\, n.; pl. L. {Pallia}(?), E. {Palliums}. [L.
See {Pall} the garment.]
1. (Anc. Costume) A large, square, woolen cloak which
enveloped the whole person, worn by the Greeks and by
certain Romans. It is the Roman name of a Greek garment.
2. (R.C.Ch.) A band of white wool, worn on the shoulders,
with four purple crosses worked on it; a pall.
Note: The wool is obtained from two lambs brought to the
basilica of St. Agnes, Rome, and blessed. It is worn by
the pope, and sent to patriarchs, primates, and
archbishops, as a sign that they share in the plenitude
of the episcopal office. Befoer it is sent, the pallium
is laid on the tomb of St. Peter, where it remains all
night.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The mantle of a bivalve. See {Mantle}.
(b) The mantle of a bird.
Pall-mall \Pall`-mall"\, n. [OF. palemail, It. pallamagio; palla
a ball (of German origin, akin to E. ball) + magio hammer,
fr. L. malleus. See lst {Ball}, and {Mall} a beetle.]
A game formerly common in England, in which a wooden ball was
driven with a mallet through an elevated hoop or ring of
iron. The name was also given to the mallet used, to the
place where the game was played, and to the street, in
London, still called Pall Mall. [Written also {pail-mail} and
{pell-mell}.] --Sir K. Digby. Evelyn.
Pallone \Pal*lo"ne\, n. [It., a large ball, fr. palla ball. See
{Balloon}.]
An Italian game, played with a large leather ball.
Pallor \Pal"lor\, n. [L., fr. pallere to be or look pale. See
{Pale}, a.]
Paleness; want of color; pallidity; as, pallor of the
complexion. --Jer. Taylor.
Palm \Palm\, n. [OE. paume, F. paume, L. palma, Gr. ?, akin to
Skr. p[=a]ni hand, and E. fumble. See {Fumble}, {Feel}, and
cf. 2d {Palm}.]
1. (Anat.) The inner and somewhat concave part of the hand
between the bases of the fingers and the wrist.
Clench'd her fingers till they bit the palm.
--Tennyson.
2. A lineal measure equal either to the breadth of the hand
or to its length from the wrist to the ends of the
fingers; a hand; -- used in measuring a horse's height.
Note: In Greece, the palm was reckoned at three inches. The
Romans adopted two measures of this name, the lesser
palm of 2.91 inches, and the greater palm of 8.73
inches. At the present day, this measure varies in the
most arbitrary manner, being different in each country,
and occasionally varying in the same. --Internat. Cyc.
3. (Sailmaking) A metallic disk, attached to a strap, and
worn the palm of the hand, -- used to push the needle
through the canvas, in sewing sails, etc.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The broad flattened part of an antler, as of a
full-grown fallow deer; -- so called as resembling the
palm of the hand with its protruding fingers.
5. (Naut.) The flat inner face of an anchor fluke.
Palm \Palm\, n. [AS. palm, L. palma; -- so named fr. the leaf
resembling a hand. See lst {Palm}, and cf. {Pam}.]
1. (Bot.) Any endogenous tree of the order {Palm[ae]} or
{Palmace[ae]}; a palm tree.
Note: Palms are perennial woody plants, often of majestic
size. The trunk is usually erect and rarely branched,
and has a roughened exterior composed of the persistent
bases of the leaf stalks. The leaves are borne in a
terminal crown, and are supported on stout, sheathing,
often prickly, petioles. They are usually of great
size, and are either pinnately or palmately many-cleft.
There are about one thousand species known, nearly all
of them growing in tropical or semitropical regions.
The wood, petioles, leaves, sap, and fruit of many
species are invaluable in the arts and in domestic
economy. Among the best known are the date palm, the
cocoa palm, the fan palm, the oil palm, the wax palm,
the palmyra, and the various kinds called cabbage palm
and palmetto.
2. A branch or leaf of the palm, anciently borne or worn as a
symbol of victory or rejoicing.
A great multitude . . . stood before the throne, and
before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palme
in their hands. --Rev. vii. 9.
3. Hence: Any symbol or token of superiority, success, or
triumph; also, victory; triumph; supremacy. ``The palm of
martyrdom.'' --Chaucer.
So get the start of the majestic world And bear the
palm alone. --Shak.
{Molucca palm} (Bot.), a labiate herb from Asia ({Molucella
l[ae]vis}), having a curious cup-shaped calyx.
{Palm cabbage}, the terminal bud of a cabbage palm, used as
food.
{Palm cat} (Zo["o]l.), the common paradoxure.
{Palm crab} (Zo["o]l.), the purse crab.
{Palm oil}, a vegetable oil, obtained from the fruit of
several species of palms, as the African oil palm
({El[ae]is Guineensis}), and used in the manufacture of
soap and candles. See {El[ae]is}.
{Palm swift} (Zo["o]l.), a small swift ({Cypselus
Batassiensis}) which frequents the palmyra and cocoanut
palms in India. Its peculiar nest is attached to the leaf
of the palmyra palm.
{Palm toddy}. Same as {Palm wine}.
{Palm weevil} (Zo["o]l.), any one of mumerous species of very
large weevils of the genus {Rhynchophorus}. The larv[ae]
bore into palm trees, and are called {palm borers}, and
{grugru worms}. They are considered excellent food.
{Palm wine}, the sap of several species of palms, especially,
in India, of the wild date palm ({Ph[oe]nix sylvestrix}),
the palmyra, and the {Caryota urens}. When fermented it
yields by distillation arrack, and by evaporation jaggery.
Called also {palm toddy}.
{Palm worm}, or {Palmworm}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The larva of a palm weevil.
(b) A centipede.
Palm \Palm\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Palmed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Palming}.]
1. To handle. [Obs.] --Prior.
2. To manipulate with, or conceal in, the palm of the hand;
to juggle.
They palmed the trick that lost the game. --Prior.
3. To impose by fraud, as by sleight of hand; to put by
unfair means; -- usually with off.
For you may palm upon us new for old. --Dryden.
Palmaceous \Pal*ma"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to palms; of the nature of, or resembling,
palms.
Palma Christi \Pal"ma Chris"ti\ [L., palm of Christ.] (Bot.)
A plant ({Ricinus communis}) with ornamental peltate and
palmately cleft foliage, growing as a woody perennial in the
tropics, and cultivated as an herbaceous annual in temperate
regions; -- called also {castor-oil plant}. [Sometimes
corrupted into {palmcrist}.]
Palmacite \Pal"ma*cite\, n. (Paleon.)
A fossil palm.
Palmar \Pal"mar\, a. [L. palmaris, fr. palma the palm of the
hand: cf. F. palmaire.]
1. (Anat.) Pertaining to, or corresponding with, the palm of
the hand.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to the under side of the wings
of birds.
Palmarium \Pal*ma"ri*um\, n.; pl. {Palmaria}. [NL. See
{Palmar}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the bifurcations of the brachial plates of a crinoid.
Palmary \Pal"ma*ry\, a. (Anat.)
Palmar.
Palmary \Pal"ma*ry\, a. [L. palmarius, palmaris, belonging to
palms, deserving the palm or prize, fr. palma a palm.]
Worthy of the palm; palmy; pre["e]minent; superior;
principal; chief; as, palmary work. --Br. Horne.
Palmate \Pal"mate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of palmic acid; a ricinoleate. [Obsoles.]
Palmate \Pal"mate\, Palmated \Pal"ma*ted\, a. [L. palmatus
marked with the palm of a hand, from palma the palm of the
hand.]
1. Having the shape of the hand; resembling a hand with the
fingers spread.
2. (Bot.) Spreading from the apex of a petiole, as the
divisions of a leaf, or leaflets, so as to resemble the
hand with outspread fingers. --Gray.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Having the anterior toes united by a web, as in most
swimming birds; webbed. See Illust. (i) under {Aves}.
(b) Having the distal portion broad, flat, and more or
less divided into lobes; -- said of certain corals,
antlers, etc.
Palmately \Pal"mate*ly\, adv.
In a palmate manner.
Palmatifid \Pal*mat"i*fid\, a. [L. palmatus palmate + root of
findere to split.] (Bot.)
Palmate, with the divisions separated but little more than
halfway to the common center.
Palmatilobed \Pal*mat"i*lobed\, a. [L. palmatus palmate + E.
lobed.] (Bot.)
Palmate, with the divisions separated less than halfway to
the common center.
Palmatisect \Pal*mat"i*sect\, Palmatisected \Pal*mat`i*sect"ed\,
a. [L. palmatus palmate + secare to cut.] (Bot.)
Divided, as a palmate leaf, down to the midrib, so that the
parenchyma is interrupted.
Palmcrist \Palm"crist\, n.
The palma Christi. (--Jonah iv. 6, margin, and Douay version,
note.)
Palmed \Palmed\, a.
Having or bearing a palm or palms.
{Palmed deer} (Zo["o]l.), a stag of full growth, bearing
palms. See lst {Palm}, 4.
Palmer \Palm"er\, n. [From {Palm}, v. t.]
One who palms or cheats, as at cards or dice.
Palmer \Palm"er\, n.[From {Palm} the tree.]
A wandering religious votary; especially, one who bore a
branch of palm as a token that he had visited the Holy Land
and its sacred places. --Chaucer.
Pilgrims and palmers plighted them together. --P.
Plowman.
The pilgrim had some home or dwelling place, the palmer
had none. The pilgrim traveled to some certain,
designed place or places, but the palmer to all. --T.
Staveley.
Palmer \Palm"er\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) A palmerworm. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
2. (Angling) Short for {Palmer fly}, an artificial fly made
to imitate a hairy caterpillar; a hackle. [Webster 1913
Suppl.]
Palmerworm \Palm"er*worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any hairy caterpillar which appears in great numbers,
devouring herbage, and wandering about like a palmer.
The name is applied also to other voracious insects.
--Joel. i. 4.
(b) In America, the larva of any one of several moths,
which destroys the foliage of fruit and forest trees,
esp. the larva of {Ypsolophus pometellus}, which
sometimes appears in vast numbers.
Palmette \Pal*mette"\, n. [F., dim. of palme a palm.]
A floral ornament, common in Greek and other ancient
architecture; -- often called {the honeysuckle ornament}.
Palmetto \Pal*met"to\, n. [Dim. of palm the tree: cf. Sp.
palmito.] (Bot.)
A name given to palms of several genera and species growing
in the West Indies and the Southern United States. In the
United States, the name is applied especially to the
{Cham[ae]rops, or Sabal, Palmetto}, the cabbage tree of
Florida and the Carolinas. See {Cabbage tree}, under
{Cabbage}.
{Royal palmetto}, the West Indian {Sabal umbraculifera}, the
trunk of which, when hollowed, is used for water pipes,
etc. The leaves are used for thatching, and for making
hats, ropes, etc.
{Saw palmetto}, {Sabal serrulata}, a native of Georgia, South
Carolina, and Florida. The nearly impassable jungle which
it forms is called palmetto scrub.
Palmic \Pal"mic\, a. [Cf. F. palmique.] (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, the castor-oil plant
({Ricinus communis}, or {Palma Christi}); -- formerly used to
designate an acid now called ricinoleic acid. [Obsoles.]
Palmidactyles \Pal`mi*dac"ty*les\, n. pl. [NL. See {Palm}, and
{Dactyl}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of wading birds having the toes webbed, as the
avocet.
Palmiferous \Pal*mif"er*ous\, a.[L. palmifer; palma a palm +
ferre to bear: cf. F. palmif[`e]re.]
Bearing palms.
Palmigrade \Pal"mi*grade\, a. [L. palma palm of the hand + gradi
to walk.] (Zo["o]l.)
Putting the whole foot upon the ground in walking, as some
mammals.
Palmin \Pal"min\, n. [From palma Christi: cf. F. palmine.]
(Chem.)
(a) A white waxy or fatty substance obtained from castor oil.
(b) Ricinolein. [Obs.]
Palmiped \Pal"mi*ped\, a.[L. palmipes, -edis, broad-footed;
palma the palm of the hand + pes a foot; cf. F.
palmip[`e]de.] (Zo["o]l.)
Web-footed, as a water fowl. -- n. A swimming bird; a bird
having webbed feet.
Palmipedes \Pal*mip"e*des\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Natatores}.
Palmister \Pal"mis*ter\, n. [From {Palm} of the hand.]
One who practices palmistry --Bp. Hall.
Palmistry \Pal`mis*try\, n.[See {Palmister}.]
1. The art or practice of divining or telling fortunes, or of
judging of character, by the lines and marks in the palm
of the hand; chiromancy. --Ascham. Cowper.
2. A dexterous use or trick of the hand. --Addison.
Palmitate \Pal"mi*tate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of palmitic acid.
Palmite \Pal"mite\, n. [From {Palm}.] (Bot.)
A South African plant ({Prionium Palmita}) of the Rush
family, having long serrated leaves. The stems have been used
for making brushes.
Palmitic \Pal*mit"ic\, a. (Physiol. Chem.)
Pertaining to, or obtained from, palmitin or palm oil; as,
palmitic acid, a white crystalline body belonging to the
fatty acid series. It is readily soluble in hot alcohol, and
melts to a liquid oil at 62[deg] C.
Palmitin \Pal"mi*tin\, n. [So called because abundant in palm
oil.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A solid crystallizable fat, found abundantly in animals and
in vegetables. It occurs mixed with stearin and olein in the
fat of animal tissues, with olein and butyrin in butter, with
olein in olive oil, etc. Chemically, it is a glyceride of
palmitic acid, three molecules of palmitic acid being united
to one molecule of glyceryl, and hence it is technically
called {tripalmitin}, or {glyceryl tripalmitate}.
Palmitolic \Pal`mi*tol"ic\, a. [Palmitic + -oleic + ic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an artificial acid of the
oleic acid series, isomeric with linoleic acid.
Palmitone \Pal"mi*tone\, n. (Chem.)
The ketone of palmitic acid.
Palm Sunday \Palm" Sun`day\ (Eccl.)
The Sunday next before Easter; -- so called in commemoration
of our Savior's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when the
multitude strewed palm branches in the way.
Palmy \Palm"y\, a.
1. Bearing palms; abounding in palms; derived from palms; as,
a palmy shore. --Pope.
His golden sands and palmy wine. --Goldsmith.
2. Worthy of the palm; flourishing; prosperous.
In the most high and palmy state of Rome. --Shak.
Palmyra \Pal*my"ra\, n. (Bot.)
A species of palm ({Borassus flabelliformis}) having a
straight, black, upright trunk, with palmate leaves. It is
found native along the entire northern shores of the Indian
Ocean, from the mouth of the Tigris to New Guinea. More than
eight hundred uses to which it is put are enumerated by
native writers. Its wood is largely used for building
purposes; its fruit and roots serve for food, its sap for
making toddy, and its leaves for thatching huts.
Palola \Pa*lo"la\, n. [Fr. the native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
An annelid ({Palola viridis}) which, at certain seasons of
the year, swarms at the surface of the sea about some of the
Pacific Islands, where it is collected for food.
Pallometa \Pal`lo*me"ta\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A pompano.
Palp \Palp\, n. [Cf. F. palpe. See {Palpable}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Palpus}.
Palp \Palp\, v. t. [L. palpare: cf. F. palper.]
To have a distinct touch or feeling of; to feel. [Obs.]
To bring a palp[`e]d darkness o'er the earth.
--Heywood.
Palpability \Pal`pa*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being palpable, or perceptible by the touch.
--Arbuthnot.
Palpable \Pal"pa*ble\, a. [F. palpable, L. palpabilis, fr.
palpare to feel, stroke; cf. palpus the soft palm of the
hand.]
1. Capable of being touched and felt; perceptible by the
touch; as, a palpable form. --Shak.
Darkness must overshadow all his bounds, Palpable
darkness. --Milton.
2. Easily perceptible; plain; distinct; obvious; readily
perceived and detected; gross; as, palpable imposture;
palpable absurdity; palpable errors. ``Three persons
palpable.'' --P. Plowman.
[Lies] gross as a mountain, open, palpable. --Shak.
-- {Pal"pa*ble*ness}, n. -- {Pal"pa*bly}, adv.
Palpation \Pal*pa"tion\, n. [L. palpatio, fr. palpare. See
{Palpable}.]
1. Act of touching or feeling.
2. (Med.) Examination of a patient by touch. --Quain.
Palpator \Pal*pa"tor\, n. [L., a stroker.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a family of clavicorn beetles, including those which
have very long maxillary palpi.
Palpebra \Pal"pe*bra\, n.; pl. {Palpebr[ae]}. [L.] (Zo["o]l.)
The eyelid.
Palpebral \Pal"pe*bral\, a. [L. palpebralis, fr. palpebra: cf.
F. palp['e]bral.]
Of or pertaining to the eyelids.
Palprbrate \Pal"pr*brate\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having eyelids.
Palped \Palped\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having a palpus.
Palpi \Pal"pi\, n.,
pl. of {Palpus}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Palpus}.
Palpicorn \Pal"pi*corn\, n. [See {Palpus}, and {Cornu}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of a group of aquatic beetles ({Palpicornia}) having
short club-shaped antenn[ae], and long maxillary palpi.
Palpifer \Pal"pi*fer\, n. [Palpus + L. ferre to bear.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Palpiger}.
Palpiform \Pal"pi*form\, a. [Palpus + -form: cf. F. palpiforme.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having the form of a palpus.
Palpiger \Pal"pi*ger\, n. [See {Palpigerous}.] (Zo["o]l.)
That portion of the labium which bears the palpi in insects.
Palpigerous \Pal*pig"er*ous\, a. [Palpus + -gerous.] (Zo["o]l.)
Bearing a palpus. --Kirby.
Palpitant \Pal"pi*tant\, a. [L. palpitans, p. pr.]
Palpitating; throbbing; trembling. --Carlyle.
Palpitate \Pal"pi*tate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Palpitated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Palpitating}.] [L. palpitare, palpitatum, v.
intens. fr. pappare. See {Palpable}.]
To beat rapidly and more strongly than usual; to throb; to
bound with emotion or exertion; to pulsate violently; to
flutter; -- said specifically of the heart when its action is
abnormal, as from excitement.
Palpitation \Pal`pi*ta"tion\, n. [L. palpitatio: cf. F.
palpitation.]
A rapid pulsation; a throbbing; esp., an abnormal, rapid
beating of the heart as when excited by violent exertion,
strong emotion, or by disease.
Palpless \Palp"less\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Without a palpus.
Palpocil \Pal"po*cil\, n. [See {Palpus}, and {Cilium}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A minute soft filamentary process springing from the surface
of certain hydroids and sponges.
Palpus \Pal"pus\, n.; pl. {Palpi}. [NL. See {Palp}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A feeler; especially, one of the jointed sense organs
attached to the mouth organs of insects, arachnids,
crustaceans, and annelids; as, the mandibular palpi,
maxillary palpi, and labial palpi. The palpi of male spiders
serve as sexual organs. Called also {palp}. See Illust. of
{Arthrogastra} and {Orthoptera}.
Palsgrave \Pals"grave`\, n. [D. paltsgraaf; palts palace (l.
palatium) + graaf count; cf. G. pfalzgraf. See {Palace}, and
{Landgrave}.] (Ger. Hist.)
A count or earl who presided in the domestic court, and had
the superintendence, of a royal household in Germany.
Palsgravine \Pals"gra*vine`\, n.[D. paltsgravin: cf. G.
pfalzgrafin.]
The consort or widow of a palsgrave.
Palsical \Pal"si*cal\, a.[From {Palsy}.]
Affected with palsy; palsied; paralytic. [R.] --Johnson.
Palsied \Pal"sied\, a.
Affected with palsy; paralyzed.
Palstave \Pal"stave`\, n. [Dan. paalstav.]
A peculiar bronze adz, used in prehistoric Europe about the
middle of the bronze age. --Dawkins.
Palster \Pal"ster\, n. [D. palsterstaf.]
A pilgrim's staff. [Obs.] --Halliwell.
Palsy \Pal"sy\, n.; pl. {Palsies}. [OE. palesie, parlesy, OF.
paralesie, F. paralysie, L. paralysis. See {Paralysis}.]
(Med.)
Paralysis, complete or partial. See {Paralysis}. ``One sick
of the palsy.'' --Mark ii. 3.
{Bell's palsy}, paralysis of the facial nerve, producing
distortion of one side of the face; -- so called from Sir
Charles Bell, an English surgeon who described it.
{Scrivener's palsy}. See {Writer's cramp}, under {Writer}.
{Shaking palsy}, paralysis agitans, a disease usually
occurring in old people, characterized by muscular tremors
and a peculiar shaking and tottering gait.
Palsy \Pal"sy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Palsied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Palsying}.]
To affect with palsy, or as with palsy; to deprive of action
or energy; to paralyze.
Palsywort \Pal"sy*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
The cowslip ({Primula veris}); -- so called from its supposed
remedial powers. --Dr. Prior.
Palter \Pal"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Paltered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Paltering}.] [See {Paltry}.]
1. To haggle. [Obs.] --Cotgrave.
2. To act in insincere or deceitful manner; to play false; to
equivocate; to shift; to dodge; to trifle.
Romans, that have spoke the word, And will not
palter. --Shak.
Who never sold the truth to serve the hour, Nor
paltered with eternal God for power. --Tennyson.
3. To babble; to chatter. [Obs.]
Palter \Pal"ter\, v. t.
To trifle with; to waste; to squander in paltry ways or on
worthless things. [Obs.] ``Palter out your time in the penal
statutes.'' --Beau. & Fl.
Palterer \Pal"ter*er\, n.
One who palters. --Johnson.
Palterly \Pal"ter*ly\, a. & adv.
Paltry; shabby; shabbily; paltrily. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] ``In
palterly clothes.'' --Pepys.
Paltock \Pal"tock\, n. [See {Paletot}.]
A kind of doublet; a jacket. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
Paltrily \Pal"tri*ly\, adv.
In a paltry manner.
Paltriness \Pal"tri*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being paltry.
Paltry \Pal"try\, a. [Compar. {Paltrier}; superl. {Paltriest}.]
[Cf. Prov. E. paltry refuse, rubbish, LG. paltering ragged,
palte, palter, a rag, a tatter, Dan. pialt, Sw. palta, pl.
paltor.]
Mean; vile; worthless; despicable; contemptible; pitiful;
trifling; as, a paltry excuse; paltry gold. --Cowper.
The paltry prize is hardly worth the cost. --Byron.
Syn: See {Contemptible}.
Paludal \Pa*lu"dal\, a. [L. palus, -udis, a marsh.]
Of or pertaining to marshes or fens; marshy. [R.]
{Paludal fever}, malarial fever; -- so called because
generated in marshy districts.
Paludament \Pa*lu"da*ment\, n.
See {Paludamentum}.
Paludamentum \Pa*lu`da*men*tum\, n.; pl. {Paladumenta}. (Rom.
Antiq.)
A military cloak worn by a general and his principal
officers.
Paludicolae \Pal`u*dic"o*l[ae]\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. palus,
-udis, a marsh + colere to inhabit.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of birds, including the cranes, rails, etc.
Paludicole \Pa*lu"di*cole\, a. [Cf. F. paludicole.] (Zo["o]l.)
Marsh-inhabiting; belonging to the Paludicol[ae]
Paludina \Pal`u*di"na\, n.; pl. L. {Paludin[ae]}, E.
{Paludinas}. [NL., fr. L. palus, -udis, a marsh, pool.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of freshwater pectinibranchiate
mollusks, belonging to {Paludina}, {Melantho}, and allied
genera. They have an operculated shell which is usually
green, often with brown bands. See Illust. of {Pond snail},
under {Pond}.
Paludinal \Pal`u*di"nal\, a.
Inhabiting ponds or swamps.
Paludine \Pal"u*dine\, a. [L. palus, -udis, a marsh.]
Of or pertaining to a marsh. --Buckland.
Paludinous \Pa*lu"di*nous\, a.
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Paludinal.
(b) Like or pertaining to the genus Paludina.
2. Of or pertaining to a marsh or fen. [R.]
Paludism \Pa*lu"dism\, n. (Med.)
The morbid phenomena produced by dwelling among marshes;
malarial disease or disposition.
Paludose \Pal"u*dose`\, a.[L. paludosus marshy.]
Growing or living in marshy places; marshy.
Palule \Pal"ule\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Palulus} or {Palus}.
Palulus \Pal"u*lus\, n.; pl. {Paluli}. [NL., dim. of L. palus a
stake.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Palus}.
Palus \Pa"lus\, n.; pl. {Pali}. [L., a stake.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of several upright slender calcareous processes which
surround the central part of the calicle of certain corals.
Palustral \Pa*lus"tral\, a. [L. paluster, -ustris.]
Of or pertaining to a bog or marsh; boggy. [R.]
Palustrine \Pa*lus"trine\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or living in, a marsh or swamp; marshy.
Paly \Pal"y\, a. [From {Pale}, a.]
Pale; wanting color; dim. [Poetic] --Shak. Whittier.
Paly \Pal"y\, a. [Cf. F. pal['e]. See {Pale} a stake.] (Her.)
Divided into four or more equal parts by perpendicular lines,
and of two different tinctures disposed alternately.
Pam \Pam\, n. [From {Palm} victory; cf. trump, fr. triumph.]
The knave of clubs. [Obs.] --Pope.
Pament \Pa"ment\, n.
A pavement. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pampano \Pam"pa*no\, n. [Sp.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pompano}.
Pampas \Pam"pas\, n. pl. [Sp., fr. Peruv. pampa a field, plain.]
Vast plains in the central and southern part of the Argentine
Republic in South America. The term is sometimes used in a
wider sense for the plains extending from Bolivia to Southern
Patagonia.
{Pampas cat} (Zo["o]l.), a South American wild cat ({Felis
pajeros}). It has oblique transverse bands of yellow or
brown. It is about three and a half feet long. Called also
{straw cat}.
{Pampas deer} (Zo["o]l.), a small, reddish-brown, South
American deer ({Cervus, or Blastocerus, campestris}).
{Pampas grass} (Bot.), a very tall ornamental grass
({Gynerium argenteum}) with a silvery-white silky panicle.
It is a native of the pampas of South America.
Pamper \Pam"per\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pampered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pampering}.] [Cf. LG. pampen, slampampen, to live
luxuriously, pampe thick pap, and E. pap.]
1. To feed to the full; to feed luxuriously; to glut; as, to
pamper the body or the appetite. ``A body . . . pampered
for corruption.'' --Dr. T. Dwight.
2. To gratify inordinately; to indulge to excess; as, to
pamper pride; to pamper the imagination. --South.
Pampered \Pam"pered\, a.
Fed luxuriously; indulged to the full; hence, luxuriant.
``Pampered boughs.'' --Milton. ``Pampered insolence.''
--Pope. -- {Pam"pered*ness}, n. --Bp. Hall.
Pamperer \Pam"per*er\, n.
One who, or that which, pampers. --Cowper.
Pamperize \Pam"per*ize\, v. t.
To pamper. [R.] --Sydney Smith.
Pampero \Pam*pe"ro\, n.[Sp., fr. pampa a plain.]
A violent wind from the west or southwest, which sweeps over
the pampas of South America and the adjacent seas, often
doing great damage. --Sir W. Parish.
Pamperos \Pam*pe"ros\, n. pl.; sing. {Pampero}. [Sp. American.]
(Ethnol.)
A tribe of Indians inhabiting the pampas of South America.
Pamphlet \Pam"phlet\, n. [OE. pamflet, pamfilet, paunflet,
possibly fr. OF. palme the palm of the hand, F. paume (see
{Palm}) + OF. fueillet a leaf, dim. of fueil, m., F. feuille,
f., fr. L. folium, pl. folia, thus meaning, a leaf to be held
in the hand; or perh. through old French, fr. L. Pamphila, a
female historian of the first century who wrote many
epitomes; prob., however, fr. OF. Pamflette, the Old French
name given to Pamphilus, a poem in Latin verse of the 12th
century, pamphlets being named from the popularity of this
poem.]
1. A writing; a book. --Testament of love.
Sir Thomas More in his pamphlet of Richard the
Third. --Ascham.
2. A small book consisting of a few sheets of printed paper,
stitched together, often with a paper cover, but not
bound; a short essay or written discussion, usually on a
subject of current interest.
Pamphlet \Pam"phlet\, v. i.
To write a pamphlet or pamphlets. [R.] --Howell.
Pamphleteer \Pam`phlet*eer"\, n.
A writer of pamphlets; a scribbler. --Dryden. Macaulay.
Pamphleteer \Pam`phlet*eer"\, v. i.
To write or publish pamphlets.
By pamphleteering we shall not win. --C. Kingsley.
Pampiniform \Pam*pin"i*form\, a. [L. pampinus a tendril +
-form.] (Anat.)
In the form of tendrils; -- applied especially to the
spermatic and ovarian veins.
Pampre \Pam"pre\, n. [F. pampre a vine branch, L. pampinus.]
(Sculp.)
An ornament, composed of vine leaves and bunches of grapes,
used for decorating spiral columns.
Pamprodactylous \Pam`pro*dac"tyl*ous\, a. [Pan- + Gr. ? forward
+ ? finger.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having all the toes turned forward, as the colies.
Pan- \Pan-\, Panta- \Pan"ta-\, Panto- \Pan"to-\ [Gr. ?, m.,
?,neut., gen. ?, all.]
Combining forms signifying all, every; as, panorama,
pantheism, pantagraph, pantograph. Pan- becomes pam- before b
or p, as pamprodactylous.
Pan \Pan\, n. [OE. See 2d {Pane}.]
1. A part; a portion.
2. (Fort.) The distance comprised between the angle of the
epaule and the flanked angle.
3. [Perh. a different word.] A leaf of gold or silver.
Pan \Pan\, v. t. & i. [Cf. F. pan skirt, lappet, L. pannus a
cloth, rag, W. panu to fur, to full.]
To join or fit together; to unite. [Obs.] --Halliwell.
Pan \Pan\, n. [Hind. p[=a]n, Skr. parna leaf.]
The betel leaf; also, the masticatory made of the betel leaf,
etc. See {?etel}.
Pan \Pan\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Gr. Myth.)
The god of shepherds, guardian of bees, and patron of fishing
and hunting. He is usually represented as having the head and
trunk of a man, with the legs, horns, and tail of a goat, and
as playing on the shepherd's pipe, which he is said to have
invented.
Pan \Pan\, n. [OE. panne, AS. panne; cf. D. pan, G. pfanne, OHG.
pfanna, Icel., Sw., LL., & Ir. panna, of uncertain origin;
cf. L. patina, E. paten.]
1. A shallow, open dish or vessel, usually of metal, employed
for many domestic uses, as for setting milk for cream, for
frying or baking food, etc.; also employed for various
uses in manufacturing. ``A bowl or a pan.'' --Chaucer.
2. (Manuf.) A closed vessel for boiling or evaporating. See
{Vacuum pan}, under {Vacuum}.
3. The part of a flintlock which holds the priming.
4. The skull, considered as a vessel containing the brain;
the upper part of the head; the brainpan; the cranium.
--Chaucer.
5. (C?rp.) A recess, or bed, for the leaf of a hinge.
6. The hard stratum of earth that lies below the soil. See
{Hard pan}, under {Hard}.
7. A natural basin, containing salt or fresh water, or mud.
{Flash in the pan}. See under {Flash}.
{To savor of the pan}, to suggest the process of cooking or
burning; in a theological sense, to be heretical.
--Ridley. Southey.
Pan \Pan\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Panned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Panning}.] (Mining)
To separate, as gold, from dirt or sand, by washing in a kind
of pan. [U. S.]
We . . . witnessed the process of cleaning up and
panning out, which is the last process of separating
the pure gold from the fine dirt and black sand. --Gen.
W. T. Sherman.
Pan \Pan\, v. i.
1. (Mining) To yield gold in, or as in, the process of
panning; -- usually with out; as, the gravel panned out
richly.
2. To turn out (profitably or unprofitably); to result; to
develop; as, the investigation, or the speculation, panned
out poorly. [Slang, U. S.]
Panabase \Pan"a*base\, n. [Pan- + base. So called in allusion to
the number of metals contained in it.] (Min.)
Same as {Tetrahedrite}.
Panacea \Pan`a*ce"a\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? all-healing; ?,
?, all + ? to heal.]
1. A remedy for all diseases; a universal medicine; a
cure-all; catholicon; hence, a relief or solace for
affliction.
2. (Bot.) The herb allheal.
Panacean \Pan`a*ce"an\, a.
Having the properties of a panacea. [R.] ``Panacean dews.''
--Whitehead.
Panache \Pa*nache"\, n. [F., fr. L. penna a feather. See {Pen} a
feather.]
A plume or bunch of feathers, esp. such a bunch worn on the
helmet; any military plume, or ornamental group of feathers.
A panache of variegated plumes. --Prescott.
Panada \Pa*na"da\, Panade \Pa*nade"\, n. [Sp. panada, fr. L.
panis bread: cf. F. panade. See {Pantry}.]
Bread boiled in water to the consistence of pulp, and
sweetened or flavored. [Written also {panado}.]
Panade \Pa*nade"\, n.
A dagger. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Panama hat \Pan`a*ma" hat`\
A fine plaited hat, made in Central America of the young
leaves of a plant ({Carludovica palmata}).
Pan-American \Pan`-A*mer"i*can\, a. [See {Pan-}.]
Of or pertaining to both North and South America.
Pan-Anglican \Pan`-An"gli*can\, a. [Pan- + Anglican.] (Eccl.)
Belonging to, or representing, the whole Church of England;
used less strictly, to include the Protestant Episcopal
Church of the United States; as, the Pan-Anglican Conference
at Lambeth, in 1888.
Panary \Pan"a*ry\, a. [L. panis bread.]
Of or pertaining to bread or to breadmaking.
Panary \Pan"a*ry\, n.
A storehouse for bread. --Halliwell.
Pancake \Pan"cake`\, n.
A thin cake of batter fried in a pan or on a griddle; a
griddlecake; a flapjack. ``A pancake for Shrove Tuesday.''
--Shak.
Pancarte \Pan"carte`\, n. [F., fr. LL. pancharta. See {Pan-},
and {Carte}.]
A royal charter confirming to a subject all his possessions.
[Obs.] --Holinshed.
Pance \Pance\, n. (Bot.)
The pansy. [Also {paunce}.]
Panch \Panch\, n. (Naut.)
See {Paunch}.
Panchway \Panch"way\, n. [Hind. pan?oi.] (Naut.)
A Bengalese four-oared boat for passengers. [Written also
{panshway} and {paunchwas}.] --Malcom.
Pancratian \Pan*cra"tian\, a.
Pancratic; athletic.
Pancratiast \Pan*cra"ti*ast\, n.
One who engaged in the contests of the pancratium.
Pancratiastic \Pan*cra`ti*as"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the pancratium. --G. West.
Pancratic \Pan*crat"ic\, a. [Gr. ? all-powerful.] (Opt.)
Having all or many degrees of power; having a great range of
power; -- said of an eyepiece made adjustable so as to give a
varying magnifying power.
Pancratic \Pan*crat"ic\, Pancratical \Pan*crat"ic*al\, a. [See
{Pancratium}.]
Of or pertaining to the pancratium; athletic. --Sir T. Browne
Pancratist \Pan"cra*tist\, n.
An athlete; a gymnast.
Pancratium \Pan*cra"ti*um\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? a complete
contest, fr. ? all-powerful; ?, ?, all + ? strength.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) An athletic contest involving both boxing and
wrestling.
2. (Bot.) A genus of Old World amaryllideous bulbous plants,
having a funnel-shaped perianth with six narrow spreading
lobes. The American species are now placed in the related
genus {Hymenocallis}.
Pancreas \Pan"cre*as\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; ?, ?, all + ? flesh,
meat: cf. F. pancr['e]as.] (Anat.)
The sweetbread, a gland connected with the intestine of
nearly all vertebrates. It is usually elongated and
light-colored, and its secretion, called the pancreatic
juice, is discharged, often together with the bile, into the
upper part of the intestines, and is a powerful aid in
digestion. See Illust. of {Digestive apparatus}.
Pancreatic \Pan`cre*at"ic\, a. [Cf. F. pancr['e]atique.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the pancreas; as, the pancreatic
secretion, digestion, ferments.
{Pancreatic juice} (Physiol.), a colorless alkaline fluid
secreted intermittently by the pancreatic gland. It is one
of the most important of the digestive fluids, containing
at least three distinct ferments, trypsin, steapsin and an
amylolytic ferment, by which it acts upon all three
classes of food stuffs. See {Pancreas}.
Pancreatin \Pan"cre*a*tin\, n. [See {Pancreas}.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
One of the digestive ferments of the pancreatic juice; also,
a preparation containing such a ferment, made from the
pancreas of animals, and used in medicine as an aid to
digestion.
Note: By some the term pancreatin is restricted to the
amylolytic ferment of the pancreatic juice, by others
it is applied to trypsin, and by still others to
steapsin.
Pancy \Pan"cy\, n.
See {Pansy}. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Panda \Pan"da\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small Asiatic mammal ({Ailurus fulgens}) having fine soft
fur. It is related to the bears, and inhabits the mountains
of Northern India.
Pandanus \Pan*da"nus\, n. [NL., fr. Malay pandan.] (Bot.)
A genus of endogenous plants. See {Screw pine}.
Pandar \Pan"dar\, n.
Same as {Pander}. ``Seized by the pandar of Appius.''
--Macaulay.
Pandarism \Pan"dar*ism\, n.
Same as {Panderism}. --Swift.
Pandarize \Pan"dar*ize\, v. i.
To pander. [Obs.]
Pandarous \Pan"dar*ous\, a.
Panderous. [Obs.]
Pandean \Pan*de"an\, a. [From 4th {Pan}.]
Of or relating to the god Pan.
{Pandean pipes}, a primitive wind instrument, consisting of a
series of short hollow reeds or pipes, graduated in length
by the musical scale, and fastened together side by side;
a syrinx; a mouth organ; -- said to have been invented by
Pan. Called also {Pan's pipes} and {Panpipes}.
Pandect \Pan"dect\, n. [L. pandecta, pandectes, Gr. ?
all-receiving, all-containing; ?, ?, all + ? to receive: cf.
F. pandectes, pl.]
1. A treatise which comprehends the whole of any science.
[Thou] a pandect mak'st, and universal book.
--Donne.
2. pl. The digest, or abridgment, in fifty books, of the
decisions, writings, and opinions of the old Roman
jurists, made in the sixth century by direction of the
emperor Justinian, and forming the leading compilation of
the Roman civil law. --Kent.
Pandemic \Pan*dem"ic\, a. [L. pandemus, Gr. ?, ?; ?, ?, all + ?
the people: cf. F. pand['e]mique.]
Affecting a whole people or a number of countries; everywhere
epidemic. -- n. A pandemic disease. --Harvey.
Pandemonium \Pan`de*mo"ni*um\, n. [NL., from Gr. ?, ?, all + ? a
demon.]
1. The great hall or council chamber of demons or evil
spirits. --Milton.
2. An utterly lawless, riotous place or assemblage.
Pander \Pan"der\, n. [From Pandarus, a leader in the Trojan
army, who is represented by Chaucer and Shakespeare as having
procured for Troilus the possession of Cressida.]
1. A male bawd; a pimp; a procurer.
Thou art the pander to her dishonor. --Shak.
2. Hence, one who ministers to the evil designs and passions
of another.
Those wicked panders to avarice and ambition.
--Burke.
Pander \Pan"der\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pandered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pandering}.]
To play the pander for.
Pander \Pan"der\, v. i.
To act the part of a pander.
Panderage \Pan"der*age\, n.
The act of pandering.
Panderism \Pan"der*ism\, n.
The employment, arts, or practices of a pander. --Bp. Hall.
Panderly \Pan"der*ly\, a.
Having the quality of a pander. ``O, you panderly rascals.''
--Shak.
Pandermite \Pan*der"mite\, n. [From Panderma, a port on the
Black Sea from which it is exported.] (Min.)
A hydrous borate of lime, near priceite.
Panderous \Pan"der*ous\, a.
Of or relating to a pander; characterizing a pander.
Pandiculated \Pan*dic"u*la`ted\, a. [See {Pandiculation}.]
Extended; spread out; stretched.
Pandiculation \Pan*dic`u*la"tion\, n. [L. pandiculari to stretch
one's self, fr. pandere to spread out.]
A stretching and stiffening of the trunk and extremities, as
when fatigued and drowsy.
Pandit \Pan"dit\, n.
See {Pundit}.
Pandoor \Pan"door\, n.
Same as {Pandour}.
Pandora \Pan*do"ra\, n. [L., fr. Gr. Pandw`ra; pa^s, pa^n, all +
dw^ron a gift.]
1. (Class. Myth.) A beautiful woman (all-gifted), whom
Jupiter caused Vulcan to make out of clay in order to
punish the human race, because Prometheus had stolen the
fire from heaven. Jupiter gave Pandora a box containing
all human ills, which, when the box was opened, escaped
and spread over the earth. Hope alone remained in the box.
Another version makes the box contain all the blessings of
the gods, which were lost to men when Pandora opened it.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of marine bivalves, in which one valve
is flat, the other convex.
Pandore \Pan"dore\, n. [F. See {Bandore}.]
An ancient musical instrument, of the lute kind; a bandore.
[Written also {pandoran}.]
Pandour \Pan"dour\, n.
One of a class of Hungarian mountaineers serving in the
Austrian army; -- so called from Pandur, a principal town in
the region from which they originally came. [Written also
{pandoor}.]
Her whiskered pandours and her fierce hussars.
--Campbell.
Pandowdy \Pan*dow"dy\, n.
A deep pie or pudding made of baked apples, or of sliced
bread and apples baked together, with no bottom crust.
Pandurate \Pan"du*rate\, Panduriform \Pan*du"ri*form\, a. [L.
pandura a pandore + -form: cf. F. panduriforme.]
Obovate, with a concavity in each side, like the body of a
violin; fiddle-shaped; as, a panduriform leaf; panduriform
color markings of an animal.
Pane \Pane\, n. [F. panne.]
The narrow edge of a hammer head. See {Peen}.
Pane \Pane\, n. [OE. pan part, portion of a thing, F. pan a
skirt, lappet, part or piece of a wall, side, fr. L. pannus a
cloth, fillet, rag; akin to E. vane. See {Vane}, and cf.
{Panel}, {Pawn} pledge.]
1. A division; a distinct piece, limited part, or compartment
of any surface; a patch; hence, a square of a checkered or
plaided pattern.
2. One of the openings in a slashed garment, showing the
bright colored silk, or the like, within; hence, the piece
of colored or other stuff so shown.
3. (Arch.)
(a) A compartment of a surface, or a flat space; hence,
one side or face of a building; as, an octagonal tower
is said to have eight panes.
(b) Especially, in modern use, the glass in one
compartment of a window sash.
4. In irrigating, a subdivision of an irrigated surface
between a feeder and an outlet drain.
5.
(a) One of the flat surfaces, or facets, of any object
having several sides.
(b) One of the eight facets surrounding the table of a
brilliant cut diamond.
Paned \Paned\, a.
1. Having panes; provided with panes; also, having openings;
as, a paned window; paned window sash. ``Paned hose.''
--Massinger.
2. (Mach.) Having flat sides or surfaces; as, a six?paned
nut.
Panegyric \Pan`e*gyr"ic\, n. [L. panegyricus, Gr. panhgyrico`s:
cf. F. pan['e]gyrique. See {Panegyric}, a.]
An oration or eulogy in praise of some person or achievement;
a formal or elaborate encomium; a laudatory discourse;
laudation. See Synonym of {Eulogy}.
Panegyric \Pan`e*gyr"ic\, Panegyrical \Pan`e*gyr"ic*al\, a. [L.
panegyricus, Gr. panhgyrico`s, from ? an assembly of the
people, a high festival; pa^, pa^n all + ?, an assembly.]
Containing praise or eulogy; encomiastic; laudatory.
``Panegyric strains.'' --Pope. -- {Pan`e*gyr"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Some of his odes are panegyrical. --Dryden.
Panegyris \Pa*neg"y*ris\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?. See {Panegyric}.]
A festival; a public assembly. [Obs.] --S. Harris.
Panegyrist \Pan"e*gyr`ist\, n. [L. panegyrista, Gr. ? one who
attends a ?: cf. ? to celebrate or attend a public festival,
to make a set speech, esp. a panegyric, in a public assembly.
See {Panegyric}.]
One who delivers a panegyric; a eulogist; one who extols or
praises, either by writing or speaking.
If these panegyrists are in earnest. --Burke.
Panegyrize \Pan"e*gy*rize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Panegyrized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Panegyrizing}.] [Gr. ?. See {Panegyrist}.]
To praise highly; to extol in a public speech; to write or
deliver a panegyric upon; to eulogize.
Panegyrize \Pan"e*gy*rize\, v. i.
To indulge in panegyrics. --Mitford.
Panegyry \Pan"e*gyr`y\, n.
A panegyric. [Obs.] --Milton.
Panel \Pan"el\, n. [Orig., a little piece; OF. panel, pannel, F.
panneau, dim. of pan skirt, lappet, part or piece of a wall,
side. See 2d {Pane}.]
1. (Arch.) A sunken compartment with raised margins, molded
or otherwise, as in ceilings, wainscotings, etc.
2. (Law)
(a) A piece of parchment or a schedule, containing the
names of persons summoned as jurors by the sheriff;
hence, more generally, the whole jury. --Blackstone.
(b) (Scots Law) A prisoner arraigned for trial at the bar
of a criminal court. --Burrill.
3. Formerly, a piece of cloth serving as a saddle; hence, a
soft pad beneath a saddletree to prevent chafing.
4. (Joinery) A board having its edges inserted in the groove
of a surrounding frame; as, the panel of a door.
5. (Masonry) One of the faces of a hewn stone. --Gwilt.
6. (Painting) A slab or plank of wood upon which, instead of
canvas, a picture is painted.
7. (Mining)
(a) A heap of dressed ore.
(b) One of the districts divided by pillars of extra size,
into which a mine is laid off in one system of
extracting coal.
8. (Dressmaking) A plain strip or band, as of velvet or
plush, placed at intervals lengthwise on the skirt of a
dress, for ornament.
9. A portion of a framed structure between adjacent posts or
struts, as in a bridge truss.
{Panel game}, a method of stealing money in a panel house.
{Panel house}, a house of prostitution in which the rooms
have secret entrances to facilitate theft by accomplices
of the inmates.
{Panel saw}, handsaw with fine teeth, -- used for cutting out
panels, etc.
{Panel thief}, one who robs in a panel house.
Panel \Pan"el\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paneled}or {Panelled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Paneling} or {Panelling}.]
To form in or with panels; as, to panel a wainscot.
{Paneled back} (Arch.), the paneled work covering the window
back. See {Window back}.
Panelation \Pan`el*a"tion\, n.
The act of impaneling a jury. [Obs.] [Written also
{panellation}.] --Wood.
Paneless \Pane"less\, a.
Without panes.
To patch his paneless window. --Shenstone.
Paneling \Pan"el*ing\, n.
A forming in panels; panelwork. [Written also {panelling}.]
Panelwork \Pan"el*work`\, n. (Arch.)
Wainscoting.
Paneulogism \Pan*eu"lo*gism\, n. [See {Pan-}, {Eulogy}.]
Eulogy of everything; indiscriminate praise. [R.]
Her book has a trace of the cant of paneulogism.
--National
Rev.
Panful \Pan"ful\, n.; pl. {Panfuls}. [See 5th {Pan}.]
Enough to fill a pan.
Pang \Pang\, n. [Prob. for older prange. Cf. {Prong}.]
A paroxysm of extreme pain or anguish; a sudden and
transitory agony; a throe; as, the pangs of death.
Syn: Agony; anguish; distress. See {Agony}.
Pang \Pang\, v. t.
To torture; to cause to have great pain or suffering; to
torment. [R.] --Shak.
Pangenesis \Pan*gen"e*sis\, n. [Pan- + genesis.] (Biol.)
An hypothesis advanced by Darwin in explanation of heredity.
Note: The theory rests on the assumption, that the whole
organization, in the sense of every separate atom or
unit, reproduces itself, the cells throwing off minute
granules called gemmules, which circulate freely
throughout the system and multiply by subdivision.
These gemmules collect in the reproductive organs and
products, or in buds, so that the egg or bud contains
gemmules from all parts of the parent or parents, which
in development give rise to cells in the offspring
similar to those from which they were given off in the
parent. The hypothesis also assumes that these gemmules
need not in all cases develop into cells, but may lie
dormant, and be transmitted from generation to
generation without producing a noticeable effect until
a case of atavism occurs.
Pangenetic \Pan`ge*net"ic\, a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to pangenesis.
Pangful \Pang"ful\, a.
Full of pangs. --Richardson.
Pangless \Pang"less\, a.
Without a pang; painless. --Byron.
Pangolin \Pan"go*lin\, n. [Malay pang?lang.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of {Manis}, {Pholidotus}, and
related genera, found in Africa and Asia. They are covered
with imbricated scales, and feed upon ants. Called also
{scaly ant-eater}.
Pangothic \Pan*goth"ic\, a. [Pan- + Gothic.]
Of, pertaining to, or including, all the Gothic races.
``Ancestral Pangothic stock.'' --Earle.
Panhellenic \Pan`hel*len"ic\, a. [See {Panhellenium}.]
Of or pertaining to all Greece, or to Panhellenism; including
all Greece, or all the Greeks.
Panhellenism \Pan*hel"len*ism\, n.
A scheme to unite all the Greeks in one political body.
Panhellenist \Pan*hel"len*ist\, n.
An advocate of Panhellenism.
Panhellenium \Pan`hel*le"ni*um\, n. [NL., from Gr. ?; ?, ?, all
+ ? the Greeks.] (Gr. Antiq.)
An assembly or association of Greeks from all the states of
Greece.
Panic \Pan"ic\, n. [L. panicum.] (Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Panicum}; panic grass; also, the edible
grain of some species of panic grass.
{Panic grass} (Bot.), any grass of the genus {Panicum}.
Panic \Pan"ic\, a. [Gr. ? of or pertaining to ? Pan, to whom the
causing of sudden fright was ascribed: cf. F. panique.]
Extreme or sudden and causeless; unreasonable; -- said of
fear or fright; as, panic fear, terror, alarm. ``A panic
fright.'' --Dryden.
Panic \Pan"ic\, n. [Gr. ? (with or without ? fear): cf. F.
panigue. See {Panic}, a.]
1. A sudden, overpowering fright; esp., a sudden and
groundless fright; terror inspired by a trifling cause or
a misapprehension of danger; as, the troops were seized
with a panic; they fled in a panic.
2. By extension: A sudden widespread fright or apprehension
concerning financial affairs.
Panical \Pan"ic*al\, a.
See {Panic}, a. [Obs.] --Camden.
Panicle \Pan"i*cle\, n. [L. panicula a tuft on plants, dim. of
panus the thread wound upon the bobbin in a shuttle; cf. Gr.
?, ?; prob. akin to E. pane: cf. F. panicule. See 2d {Pane}.]
(Bot.)
A pyramidal form of inflorescence, in which the cluster is
loosely branched below and gradually simpler toward the end.
Panicled \Pan"i*cled\, a. (Bot.)
Furnished with panicles; arranged in, or like, panicles;
paniculate.
Panic-stricken \Pan"ic-strick`en\, Panic-struck
\Pan"ic-struck`\, a.
Struck with a panic, or sudden fear. --Burke.
Paniculate \Pa*nic"u*late\, Paniculated \Pa*nic"u*la`ted\, a.
[See {Panicle}.] (Bot)
Same as {Panicled}.
Panicum \Pan"i*cum\, n. [L., panic grass.] (Bot.)
A genus of grasses, including several hundred species, some
of which are valuable; panic grass.
Panidiomorphic \Pan*id`i*o*mor"phic\, a. [Pan- + idiomorphic.]
(Geol.)
Having a completely idiomorphic structure; -- said of certain
rocks.
Panier \Pan"ier\, n.
See {Pannier}, 3. [Obs.]
Panification \Pan`i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [L. panis bread + -ficare
(in comp.) to make: cf. F. panification.]
The act or process of making bread. --Ure.
Panim \Pa"nim\, n.
See {Painim}. [Obs.] --Milton.
Panislamism \Pan*is"lam*ism\, n. [Pan- + Islamism.]
A desire or plan for the union of all Mohammedan nations for
the conquest of the world.
Panivorous \Pa*niv"o*rous\, a. [L. panis bread + vorare to
devour.]
Eating bread; subsisting on bread.
Pannade \Pan*nade"\, n.
The curvet of a horse.
Pannage \Pan"nage\, n. [OF. pasnage, LL. pasnadium,
pastinaticum, fr. pastionare to feed on mast, as swine, fr.
L. pastio a pasturing, grazing. See {Pastor}.] (O. Eng. Law)
(a) The food of swine in the woods, as beechnuts, acorns,
etc.; -- called also {pawns}.
(b) A tax paid for the privilege of feeding swine in the
woods.
Pannary \Pan"na*ry\, a.
See {Panary}. --Loudon.
Pannel \Pan"nel\, n. [See {Panel}.]
1. A kind of rustic saddle. --Tusser.
2. (Falconry) The stomach of a hawk. --Ainsworth.
3. (Mil.) A carriage for conveying a mortar and its bed, on a
march. --Farrow.
Pannier \Pan"nier\, n. [F. panier, fr. L. panarium a bread
basket, fr. panis bread. Cf. {Pantry}.]
1. A bread basket; also, a wicker basket (used commonly in
pairs) for carrying fruit or other things on a horse or an
ass --Hudibras.
2. (Mil. Antiq.) A shield of basket work formerly used by
archers as a shelter from the enemy's missiles.
3. A table waiter at the Inns of Court, London.
4. A framework of steel or whalebone, worn by women to expand
their dresses; a kind of bustle.
Panniered \Pan"niered\, a.
Bearing panniers. --Wordsworth.
Pannikel \Pan"ni*kel\, n. [See {Pan} a dish.]
The brainpan, or skull; hence, the crest. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Pannikin \Pan"ni*kin\, n. [Dim. of pan a dish.]
A small pan or cup. --Marryat. Thackeray.
Pannose \Pan"nose`\, a. [See {Pannus}.] (Bot.)
Similar in texture or appearance to felt or woolen cloth.
Pannus \Pan"nus\, n. [L., cloth. See 2d {Pane}.] (Med.)
A very vascular superficial opacity of the cornea, usually
caused by granulation of the eyelids. --Foster.
Panoistic \Pan`o*is"tic\, a. [Pan- + Gr. ? an egg.] (Zo["o]l.)
Producing ova only; -- said of the ovaries of certain insects
which do not produce vitelligenous cells.
Panomphean \Pan`om*phe"an\, a. [L. panomphaeus, Gr. ?.]
Uttering ominous or prophetic voices; divining. [R.]
We want no half gods, panomphean Joves. --Mrs.
Browning.
Panoplied \Pan"o*plied\, a.
Dressed in panoply.
Panoply \Pan"o*ply\, n. [Gr. ?; ?, ?, all + ? tool, implement,
in pl., armor, arms.]
Defensive armor in general; a full suit of defensive armor.
--Milton.
We had need to take the Christian panoply, to put on
the whole armor of God. --Ray.
Panopticon \Pa*nop"ti*con\, n. [NL. See {Pan-}, and {Optic}.]
1. A prison so contructed that the inspector can see each of
the prisoners at all times, without being seen.
2. A room for the exhibition of novelties.
Panorama \Pan`o*ra"ma\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, all + ? that
which is seen, a view, fr. ? to see. See {Pan-}, and {Wary}.]
1. A complete view in every direction.
2. A picture presenting a view of objects in every direction,
as from a central point.
3. A picture representing scenes too extended to be beheld at
once, and so exhibited a part at a time, by being
unrolled, and made to pass continuously before the
spectator.
Panoramic \Pan`o*ram"ic\, Panoramical \Pan`o*ram"ic*al\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or like, a panorama.
{Panoramic camera}. See under {Camera}.
Panorpian \Pa*nor"pi*an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like, or pertaining to, the genus {Panorpa}. -- n. Same as
{Panorpid}.
Panorpid \Pa*nor"pid\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any neuropterous insect of the genus {Panorpa}, and allied
genera. The larv[ae] feed on plant lice.
Panpharmacon \Pan*phar"ma*con\, n. [NL. See {Pan-}, and
{Pharmacon}.]
A medicine for all diseases; a panacea. [R.]
Panpresbyterian \Pan`pres`by*te"ri*an\, a. [Pan- +
Presbyterian.]
Belonging to, or representative of, those who hold
Presbyterian views in all parts of the world; as, a
Panpresbyterian council.
Pansclavic \Pan`sclav"ic\, Pansclavism \Pan`sclav"ism\,
Pansclavist \Pan`sclav"ist\, Pansclavonian \Pan`scla*vo"ni*an\
See {Panslavic}, {Panslavism}, etc.
Panshon \Pan"shon\, n.
An earthen vessel wider at the top than at the bottom, --
used for holding milk and for various other purposes. [Prov.
Eng.] --Halliwell.
Pansied \Pan"sied\, a. [From {Pansy}.]
Covered or adorned with pansies. ``The pansied grounds.''
--Darwin.
Panslavic \Pan`slav"ic\, a. [Pan- + Slavic.]
Pertaining to all the Slavic races.
Panslavism \Pan`slav"ism\, n.
A scheme or desire to unite all the Slavic races into one
confederacy.
Panslavist \Pan`slav"ist\, n.
One who favors Panslavism.
Panslavonian \Pan`sla*vo"ni*an\, a.
See {Panslavic}.
Pansophical \Pan*soph"ic*al\, a. [See {Pansophy}.]
All-wise; claiming universal knowledge; as, pansophical
pretenders. [R.] --John Worthington.
Pansophy \Pan"so*phy\, n. [Pan- + Gr. ? wisdom, ? wise: cf. F.
pansophie.]
Universal wisdom; esp., a system of universal knowledge
proposed by Comenius (1592 -- 1671), a Moravian educator.
[R.] --Hartlib.
Panspermatist \Pan*sper"ma*tist\, Panspermist \Pan"sper`mist\,
n. (Biol.)
A believer in panspermy; one who rejects the theory of
spontaneous generation; a biogenist.
Panspermic \Pan`sper"mic\, a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to panspermy; as, the panspermic hypothesis.
Panspermy \Pan"sper`my\, n. [Pan- + Gr. ? a seed.] (Biol.)
(a) The doctrine of the widespread distribution of germs,
from which under favorable circumstances bacteria,
vibrios, etc., may develop.
(b) The doctrine that all organisms must come from living
parents; biogenesis; -- the opposite of {spontaneous
generation}.
Panstereorama \Pan*ste`re*o*ra"ma\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, all +
? solid + ? a view.]
A model of a town or country, in relief, executed in wood,
cork, pasteboard, or the like. --Brande & C.
Pansy \Pan"sy\, n.; pl. {Pansies}. [F. Pens['e]e thought, pansy,
fr. penser to think, L. pensare to weigh, ponder. See
{Pensive}.] (Bot.)
A plant of the genus Viola ({V. tricolor}) and its blossom,
originally purple and yellow. Cultivated varieties have very
large flowers of a great diversity of colors. Called also
{heart's-ease}, {love-in-idleness}, and many other quaint
names.
Pant \Pant\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Panted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Panting}.] [Cf. F. panteler to gasp for breath, OF.
panteisier to be breathless, F. pantois out of breath; perh.
akin to E. phantom, the verb prob. orig. meaning, to have the
nightmare.]
1. To breathe quickly or in a labored manner, as after
exertion or from eagerness or excitement; to respire with
heaving of the breast; to gasp.
Pluto plants for breath from out his cell. --Dryden.
2. Hence: To long eagerly; to desire earnestly.
As the hart panteth after the water brooks. --Ps.
xlii. 1.
Who pants for glory finds but short repose. --Pope.
3. To beat with unnatural violence or rapidity; to palpitate,
or throb; -- said of the heart. --Spenser.
4. To sigh; to flutter; to languish. [Poetic]
The whispering breeze Pants on the leaves, and dies
upon the trees. --Pope.
Pant \Pant\, v. t.
1. To breathe forth quickly or in a labored manner; to gasp
out.
There is a cavern where my spirit Was panted forth
in anguish. --Shelley.
2. To long for; to be eager after. [R.]
Then shall our hearts pant thee. --Herbert.
Pant \Pant\, n.
1. A quick breathing; a catching of the breath; a gasp.
--Drayton.
2. A violent palpitation of the heart. --Shak.
Panta- \Pan"ta-\
See {Pan-}.
Pantable \Pan"ta*ble\, n.
See {Pantofle}. [Obs.]
Pantacosm \Pan"ta*cosm\, n. [Panta- + Gr. ko`smos universe.]
See {Cosmolabe}.
Pantagraph \Pan"ta*graph\, n.
See {Pantograph}.
Pantagruelism \Pan*tag"ru*el*ism\, n. [From Pantagruel, one of
the characters of Rabelais.]
1. The theory or practice of the medical profession; -- used
in burlesque or ridicule.
2. An assumption of buffoonery to cover some serious purpose.
[R.] --Donaldson.
Pantalet \Pan`ta*let"\, n. [Dim. of pantaloon.]
One of the legs of the loose drawers worn by children and
women; particularly, the lower part of such a garment, coming
below the knee, often made in a separate piece; -- chiefly in
the plural.
Pantaloon \Pan`ta*loon"\, n. [F. pantalon, fr. It. pantalone, a
masked character in the Italian comedy, who wore breeches and
stockings that were all of one piece, from Pantaleone, the
patron saint of Venice, which, as a baptismal name, is very
frequent among the Venetians, and is applied to them by the
other Italians as a nickname, fr. Gr. ?, lit., all lion, a
Greek personal name.]
1. A ridiculous character, or an old dotard, in the Italian
comedy; also, a buffoon in pantomimes. --Addison.
The sixth age shifts Into the lean and slippered
pantaloon. --Shak.
2. pl. A bifurcated garment for a man, covering the body from
the waist downwards, and consisting of breeches and
stockings in one.
3. pl. In recent times, same as {Trousers}.
Pantaloonery \Pan`ta*loon"er*y\, n.
1. The character or performances of a pantaloon; buffoonery.
[R.] --Lamb.
2. Materials for pantaloons.
Pantamorph \Pan"ta*morph\, n.
That which assumes, or exists in, all forms.
Pantamorphic \Pan`ta*mor"phic\, a. [Panta- + Gr. ? form.]
Taking all forms.
Pantascope \Pan"ta*scope\, n. [Panta- + -scope.] (Photog.)
A pantascopic camera.
Pantascopic \Pan`ta*scop"ic\, a.
Viewing all; taking a view of the whole. See under {Camera}.
Pantastomata \Pan`ta*stom"a*ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, all
+ ?, ?, mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the divisions of Flagellata, including the monads and
allied forms.
Pantechnicon \Pan*tech"ni*con\, n. [NL. See {Pan-}, and
{Technic}.]
A depository or place where all sorts of manufactured
articles are collected for sale.
Pantelegraph \Pan*tel"e*graph\, n. [Pan- + telegraph.]
See under {Telegraph}.
Panter \Pant"er\, n.
One who pants. --Congreve.
Panter \Pan"ter\, n.[F. panetier. See {Pantry}.]
A keeper of the pantry; a pantler. [Obs.] --Tyndale.
Panter \Pan"ter\, n. [See {Painter} a rope.]
A net; a noose. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Panteutonic \Pan`teu*ton"ic\, a. [Pan- + Teutonic.]
Of or pertaining to all the Teutonic races.
Pantheism \Pan"the*ism\, n. [Pan- + theism.]
The doctrine that the universe, taken or conceived of as a
whole, is God; the doctrine that there is no God but the
combined force and laws which are manifested in the existing
universe; cosmotheism.
Pantheist \Pan"the*ist\, n.
One who holds to pantheism.
Pantheistic \Pan`the*is"tic\, Pantheistical \Pan`the*is"tic*al\,
a.
Of or pertaining to pantheism; founded in, or leading to,
pantheism. -- {Pan`the*is"tic*al*ly}, adv.
Pantheologist \Pan`the*ol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in pantheology.
Pantheology \Pan`the*ol"o*gy\, n. [Pan- + theology.]
A system of theology embracing all religions; a complete
system of theology.
Pantheon \Pan*the"on\, n. [L. pantheon, pantheum, Gr. ? (sc. ?),
fr. ? of all gods; ?, ?, all + ? a god: cf. F. panth['e]on.
See {Pan-}, and {Theism}.]
1. A temple dedicated to all the gods; especially, the
building so called at Rome.
2. The collective gods of a people, or a work treating of
them; as, a divinity of the Greek pantheon.
Panther \Pan"ther\, n. [OE. pantere, F. panth[`e]re, L.
panthera, Gr. ?, prob. fr. Skr. pundr[=i]ka a tiger.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A large dark-colored variety of the leopard, by
some zo["o]logists considered a distinct species. It is
marked with large ringlike spots, the centers of which are
darker than the color of the body.
2. (Zo["o]l.) In America, the name is applied to the puma, or
cougar, and sometimes to the jaguar.
{Panther cat} (Zo["o]l.), the ocelot.
{Panther cowry} (Zo["o]l.), a spotted East Indian cowry
({Cypr[ae]a pantherina}); -- so called from its color.
Pantheress \Pan"ther*ess\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A female panther.
Pantherine \Pan"ther*ine\, a.
Like a panther, esp. in color; as, the pantherine snake
({Ptyas mucosus}) of Brazil.
Pantile \Pan"tile`\, n. [5th pan + tile.] (Arch.)
A roofing tile, of peculiar form, having a transverse section
resembling an elongated S laid on its side (?).
Pantingly \Pant"ing*ly\, adv.
With palpitation or rapid breathing. --Shak.
Pantisocracy \Pan`ti*soc"ra*cy\, n. [Panto- + Gr. ? equal + ? to
rule.]
A Utopian community, in which all should rule equally, such
as was devised by Coleridge, Lovell, and Southey, in their
younger days.
Pantisocrat \Pan*tis"o*crat\, n.
A pantisocratist.
Pantisocratic \Pan`ti*so*crat"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to a pantisocracy.
Pantisocratist \Pan`ti*soc"ra*tist\, n.
One who favors or supports the theory of a pantisocracy.
--Macaulay.
Pantler \Pan"tler\, n. [F. panetier. See {Panter}, {Pantry}.]
The servant or officer, in a great family, who has charge of
the bread and the pantry. [Obs.] --Shak.
Panto- \Pan"to-\
See {Pan-}.
Pantochronometer \Pan`to*chro*nom"e*ter\, n. [Panto- +
chronometer.]
An instrument combining a compass, sundial, and universal
time dial. --Brande & C.
Pantofle \Pan*to"fle\, n. [F. pantoufle.]
A slipper for the foot. [Written also {pantable} and
{pantoble}.]
Pantograph \Pan"to*graph\, n. [Panto- + -graph: cf. F.
pantographe.]
An instrument for copying plans, maps, and other drawings, on
the same, or on a reduced or an enlarged, scale. [Written
also {pantagraph}, and incorrectly {pentagraph}.]
{Skew pantograph}, a kind of pantograph for drawing a copy
which is inclined with respect to the original figure; --
also called {plagiograph}.
Pantographic \Pan`to*graph"ic\, Pantographical
\Pan`to*graph"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. pantographique.]
Of or pertaining to a pantograph; relating to pantography.
Pantography \Pan*tog"ra*phy\, n. [Cf. F. pantographie.]
A general description; entire view of an object.
Pantological \Pan`to*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to pantology.
Pantologist \Pan*tol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in pantology; a writer of pantology.
Pantology \Pan*tol"o*gy\, n. [Panto- + -logy.]
A systematic view of all branches of human knowledge; a work
of universal information.
Pantometer \Pan*tom"e*ter\, n. [Panto- + -meter: cf. F.
pantom[`e]tre.]
An instrument for measuring angles for determining
elevations, distances, etc.
Pantometry \Pan*tom"e*try\, n.
Universal measurement. [R.] -- {Pan`to*met"ric}, a. [R.]
Pantomime \Pan"to*mime\, n. [F., fr. L. pantomimus, Gr. ?, lit.,
all-imitating; ?, ?, all + ? to imitate: cf. It. pantomimo.
See {Mimic}.]
1. A universal mimic; an actor who assumes many parts; also,
any actor. [Obs.]
2. One who acts his part by gesticulation or dumb show only,
without speaking; a pantomimist.
[He] saw a pantomime perform so well that he could
follow the performance from the action alone.
--Tylor.
3. A dramatic representation by actors who use only dumb
show; hence, dumb show, generally.
4. A dramatic and spectacular entertainment of which dumb
acting as well as burlesque dialogue, music, and dancing
by Clown, Harlequin, etc., are features.
Pantomime \Pan"to*mime\, a.
Representing only in mute actions; pantomimic; as, a
pantomime dance.
Pantomimic \Pan`to*mim"ic\, Pantomimical \Pan`to*mim"ic*al\, a.
[Cf. F. pantomimique.]
Of or pertaining to the pantomime; representing by dumb show.
``Pantomimic gesture.'' --Bp. Warburton. --
{Pan`to*mim"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Pantomimist \Pan"to*mi`mist\, n.
An actor in pantomime; also, a composer of pantomimes.
Panton \Pan"ton\, n. [F. patin. See {Patten}.] (Far.)
A horseshoe to correct a narrow, hoofbound heel.
Pantophagist \Pan*toph"a*gist\, n. [See {Pantophagous}.]
A person or an animal that has the habit of eating all kinds
of food.
Pantophagous \Pan*toph"a*gous\, a. [Gr. ?; ?, ?, all + ? to
eat.]
Eating all kinds of food.
Pantophagy \Pan*toph"a*gy\, n. [Gr. ?.]
The habit or power of eating all kinds of food.
Pantopoda \Pan*top"o*da\, n. pl. [NL. See {Panto-}, & {-poda}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pycnogonida}.
Pantoscopic \Pan`to*scop"ic\, a. [Panto- + -scope + -ic.]
Literally, seeing everything; -- a term applied to eyeglasses
or spectacles divided into two segments, the upper being
designed for distant vision, the lower for vision of near
objects.
Pantry \Pan"try\, n.; pl. {Pantries}. [OE. pantrie, F.
paneterie, fr. panetier pantler, LL. panetarius baker,
panetus small loaf of bread, L. panis bread. Cf. {Company},
{Pannier}, {Pantler}.]
An apartment or closet in which bread and other provisions
are kept.
Panurgic \Pan*ur"gic\, a. [Cf. Gr. ? knavish.]
Skilled in all kinds of work. ``The panurgic Diderot.'' --J.
Morley.
Panurgy \Pan"ur*gy\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ?, properly, ready to do
anything; hence, knavish, roguish; ?, ?, all + ? work.]
Skill in all kinds of work or business; craft. [R.] --Bailey.
Panyard \Pan"yard\, n.
See {Pannier}. [Obs.] --Pepys.
Panym \Pa"nym\, n. & a.
See {Panim}. [Obs.]
Panzoism \Pan*zo"ism\, n. [Pan- + Gr. ? an animal.] (Biol.)
A term used to denote all of the elements or factors which
constitute vitality or vital energy. --H. Spencer.
Paolo \Pa"o*lo\, n. [It. Cf. {Paul}.]
An old Italian silver coin, worth about ten cents.
Pap \Pap\, n. [Cf. OSw. papp. Cf. {Pap} soft food.]
1. (Anat.) A nipple; a mammilla; a teat. --Dryden.
The paps which thou hast sucked. --Luke xi. 27.
2. A rounded, nipplelike hill or peak; anything resembling a
nipple in shape; a mamelon. --Macaulay.
Pap \Pap\, n. [Cf. D. pap, G. pappe, both perh. fr. L. papa,
pappa, the word with which infants call for food: cf. It.
pappa.]
1. A soft food for infants, made of bread boiled or softtened
in milk or water.
2. Nourishment or support from official patronage; as,
treasury pap. [Colloq. & Contemptuous]
3. The pulp of fruit. --Ainsworth.
Pap \Pap\, v. t.
To feed with pap. --Beau. & Fl.
Papa \Pa*pa"\, n. [F. papa, L. papa; cf. Gr. ?, ?, a child's
word meaning father. Cf. {Pope}.]
1. A child's word for father.
2. A parish priest in the Greek Church. --Shipley.
Papabote \Pa`pa*bo"te\, n. [Probably of Creole origin.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The upland plover. [Local, U. S.]
Papacy \Pa"pa*cy\, n. [LL. papatia, fr. L. papa a father,
bishop. See {Pope}.]
1. The office and dignity of the pope, or pontiff, of Rome;
papal jurisdiction.
2. The popes, collectively; the succession of popes.
3. The Roman Catholic religion; -- commonly used by the
opponents of the Roman Catholics in disparagement or in an
opprobrious sense.
Papagay \Pap"a*gay\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Popinjay}, 1
(b) .
Papain \Pa*pa"in\, n. [From {Papaw}.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A proteolytic ferment, like trypsin, present in the juice of
the green fruit of the papaw ({Carica Papaya}) of tropical
America.
Papal \Pa"pal\, a. [F., fr. L. papa bishop. See {Papacy}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the pope of Rome; proceeding from the
pope; ordered or pronounced by the pope; as, papal
jurisdiction; a papal edict; the papal benediction.
--Milman.
2. Of or pertaining to the Roman Catholic Church. ``Papal
Christians.'' --Bp. Burnet.
{Papal cross}. See Illust. 3 of {Cross}.
{Papal crown}, the tiara.
Papalist \Pa"pal*ist\, n.
A papist. [Obs.] --Baxter.
Papality \Pa*pal"i*ty\, n. [LL. papalitas: cf. F. papaut['e].]
The papacy. [Obs.] --Ld. Berners. Milton.
Papalize \Pa"pal*ize\, v. t.
To make papal. [R.]
Papalize \Pa"pal*ize\, v. i.
To conform to popery. --Cowper.
Papally \Pa"pal*ly\, adv.
In a papal manner; popishly
Papalty \Pa"pal*ty\, n.
The papacy. [Obs.] --Milton.
Papaphobia \Pa`pa*pho"bi*a\, n. [NL., fr. L. papa bishop + Gr. ?
to fear.]
Intense fear or dread of the pope, or of the Roman Catholic
Church. [R.]
Paparchy \Pa"par*chy\, n. [L. papa bishop + -archy.]
Government by a pope; papal rule.
Papaver \Pa*pa"ver\, n. [L., poppy.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants, including the poppy.
Papaveraceous \Pa*pav`er*a"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a natural order of plants
({Papaverace[ae]}) of which the poppy, the celandine, and the
bloodroot are well-known examples.
Papaverine \Pa*pav"er*ine\, n. (Chem.)
An alkaloid found in opium. It has a weaker therapeutic
action than morphine.
Papaverous \Pa*pav"er*ous\, a.
Of or pertaining to the poppy; of the nature of the poppy.
--Sir T. Browne.
Papaw \Pa*paw"\, n. [Prob. from the native name in the West
Indies; cf. Sp. papayo papaw, papaya the fruit of the papaw.]
[Written also {pawpaw}.]
1. (Bot.) A tree ({Carica Papaya}) of tropical America,
belonging to the order {Passiflore[ae]}. It has a soft,
spongy stem, eighteen or twenty feet high, crowned with a
tuft of large, long-stalked, palmately lobed leaves. The
milky juice of the plant is said to have the property of
making meat tender. Also, its dull orange-colored,
melon-shaped fruit, which is eaten both raw and cooked or
pickled.
2. (Bot.) A tree of the genus {Asimina} ({A. triloba}),
growing in the western and southern parts of the United
States, and producing a sweet edible fruit; also, the
fruit itself. --Gray.
Papboat \Pap"boat`\, n.
1. A kind of sauce boat or dish.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A large spiral East Indian marine shell
({Turbinella rapha}); -- so called because used by native
priests to hold the oil for anointing.
Pape \Pape\, n. [Cf. F. pape, fr. L. papa. See {Pope}.]
A spiritual father; specifically, the pope. [Obs.]
Papejay \Pa"pe*jay\, n.
A popinjay. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Paper \Pa"per\, n. [F. papier, fr. L. papyrus papyrus, from
which the Egyptians made a kind of paper, Gr. ?. Cf.
{Papyrus}.]
1. A substance in the form of thin sheets or leaves intended
to be written or printed on, or to be used in wrapping. It
is made of rags, straw, bark, wood, or other fibrous
material, which is first reduced to pulp, then molded,
pressed, and dried.
2. A sheet, leaf, or piece of such substance.
3. A printed or written instrument; a document, essay, or the
like; a writing; as, a paper read before a scientific
society.
They brought a paper to me to be signed. --Dryden.
4. A printed sheet appearing periodically; a newspaper; a
journal; as, a daily paper.
5. Negotiable evidences of indebtedness; notes; bills of
exchange, and the like; as, the bank holds a large amount
of his paper.
6. Decorated hangings or coverings for walls, made of paper.
See {Paper hangings}, below.
7. A paper containing (usually) a definite quantity; as, a
paper of pins, tacks, opium, etc.
8. A medicinal preparation spread upon paper, intended for
external application; as, cantharides paper.
Note: Paper is manufactured in sheets, the trade names of
which, together with the regular sizes in inches, are
shown in the following table. But paper makers vary the
size somewhat.
Note: In the manufacture of books, etc., a sheet, of whatever
size originally, is termed, when folded once, a folio;
folded twice, a quarto, or 4to; three times, an octavo,
or 8vo; four times, a sextodecimo, or 16mo; five times,
a 32mo; three times, with an offcut folded twice and
set in, a duodecimo, or 12mo; four times, with an
offcut folded three times and set in, a 24mo.
Note: Paper is often used adjectively or in combination,
having commonly an obvious signification; as, paper
cutter or paper-cutter; paper knife, paper-knife, or
paperknife; paper maker, paper-maker, or papermaker;
paper mill or paper-mill; paper weight, paper-weight,
or paperweight, etc.
{Business paper}, checks, notes, drafts, etc., given in
payment of actual indebtedness; -- opposed to
accommodation paper.
{Fly paper}, paper covered with a sticky preparation, -- used
for catching flies.
{Laid paper}. See under {Laid}.
{Paper birch} (Bot.), the canoe birch tree ({Betula
papyracea}).
{Paper blockade}, an ineffective blockade, as by a weak naval
force.
{Paper boat} (Naut.), a boat made of water-proof paper.
{Paper car wheel} (Railroad), a car wheel having a steel
tire, and a center formed of compressed paper held between
two plate-iron disks. --Forney.
{Paper credit}, credit founded upon evidences of debt, such
as promissory notes, duebills, etc.
{Paper hanger}, one who covers walls with paper hangings.
{Paper hangings}, paper printed with colored figures, or
otherwise made ornamental, prepared to be pasted against
the walls of apartments, etc.; wall paper.
{Paper house}, an audience composed of people who have come
in on free passes. [Cant]
{Paper money}, notes or bills, usually issued by government
or by a banking corporation, promising payment of money,
and circulated as the representative of coin.
{Paper mulberry}. (Bot.) See under Mulberry.
{Paper muslin}, glazed muslin, used for linings, etc.
{Paper nautilus}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Argonauta}.
{Paper reed} (Bot.), the papyrus.
{Paper sailor}. (Zo["o]l.) See Argonauta.
{Paper stainer}, one who colors or stamps wall paper. --De
Colange.
{Paper wasp} (Zo["o]l.), any wasp which makes a nest of
paperlike material, as the yellow jacket.
{Paper weight}, any object used as a weight to prevent loose
papers from being displaced by wind, or otherwise.
{Parchment paper}. See {Papyrine}.
{Tissue paper}, thin, gauzelike paper, such as is used to
protect engravings in books.
{Wall paper}. Same as {Paper hangings}, above.
{Waste paper}, paper thrown aside as worthless or useless,
except for uses of little account.
{Wove paper}, a writing paper with a uniform surface, not
ribbed or watermarked.
Paper \Pa"per\, a.
Of or pertaining to paper; made of paper; resembling paper;
existing only on paper; unsubstantial; as, a paper box; a
paper army.
Paper \Pa"per\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Papered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Papering}.]
1. To cover with paper; to furnish with paper hangings; as,
to paper a room or a house.
2. To fold or inclose in paper.
3. To put on paper; to make a memorandum of. [Obs.]
Paperweight \Pa"per*weight`\, n.
See under {Paper}, n.
Papery \Pa"per*y\, a.
Like paper; having the thinness or consistence of paper.
--Gray.
Papescent \Pa*pes"cent\, a. [From {Pap} soft food.]
Containing or producing pap; like pap. [R.] --Arbuthnot.
Papess \Pa"pess\, n. [F. papesse.]
A female pope; i. e., the fictitious pope Joan. [Obs.] --Bp.
Hall.
Papeterie \Pa`pe*terie"\, n. [F., paper manufacture, fr. papier
paper.]
A case or box containing paper and materials for writing.
Paphian \Pa"phi*an\, a. [L. Paphius, Gr. ?, from ? the city
Paphos.]
Of or pertaining to Paphos, an ancient city of Cyprus, having
a celebrated temple of Venus; hence, pertaining to Venus, or
her rites.
Paphian \Pa"phi*an\, n.
A native or inhabitant of Paphos.
Papier-mach'e \Pa`pier"-ma`ch['e]"\, n. [F. papier m[^a]ch['e],
lit., chewed or mashed paper.]
A hard and strong substance made of a pulp from paper, mixed
with sise or glue, etc. It is formed into various articles,
usually by means of molds.
Papilio \Pa*pil"i*o\, n. [L., a butterfly.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of butterflies.
Note: Formerly it included numerous species which are now
placed in other genera. By many writers it is now
restricted to the swallow-tailed butterflies, like
{Papilio polyxenes, or asterias}, and related species.
Papilionaceous \Pa*pil`io*na"ceous\, a.
1. Resembling the butterfly.
2. (Bot.)
(a) Having a winged corolla somewhat resembling a
butterfly, as in the blossoms of the bean and pea.
(b) Belonging to that suborder of leguminous plants
({Papilionace[ae]}) which includes the bean, pea,
vetch, clover, and locust.
Papiliones \Pa*pil`i*o"nes\, n. pl. [NL. See {Papilio}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The division of Lepidoptera which includes the butterflies.
Papilionides \Pa*pil`i*on"i*des\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
The typical butterflies.
Papilla \Pa*pil"la\, n.; pl. {Papill[ae]}. [L., a nipple,
pimple.]
Any minute nipplelike projection; as, the papill[ae] of the
tongue.
Papillar \Pap"il*lar\, a. [Cf. F. papillaire.]
Same as {Papillose}.
Papillary \Pap"il*la*ry\, a. [Cf. F. papillaire.]
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a papilla or papill[ae];
bearing, or covered with, papill[ae]; papillose.
Papillate \Pap"il*late\, v. t. & i.
To cover with papill[ae]; to take the form of a papilla, or
of papill[ae].
Papillate \Pap"il*late\, a.
Same as {Papillose}.
Papilliform \Pa*pil"li*form\, a. [Papilla + -form.]
Shaped like a papilla; mammilliform.
Papilloma \Pap`il*lo"ma\, n.; pl. {Papillomata}. [NL. See
{Papilla}, and {-Oma}.] (Med.)
A tumor formed by hypertrophy of the papill[ae] of the skin
or mucous membrane, as a corn or a wart. --Quain.
Papillomatous \Pap`il*lo"ma*tous\, a. (Med.)
Of, pertaining to, or consisting of, papillomata.
Papillose \Pap"il*lose`\, a. [Cf. F. papilleux.]
Covered with, or bearing, papill[ae]; resembling papill[ae];
papillate; papillar; papillary.
Papillote \Pap"il*lote\, n. [F., fr. papillon a butterfly.]
a small piece of paper on which women roll up their hair to
make it curl; a curl paper.
Papillous \Pap"il*lous\, a.
Papillary; papillose.
Papillulate \Pa*pil"lu*late\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having a minute papilla in the center of a larger elevation
or depression.
Papion \Pa"pi*on\, n. [Prob. from native name: cf. Sp. papion.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A West African baboon ({Cynocephalus sphinx}), allied to the
chacma. Its color is generally chestnut, varying in tint.
Papism \Pa"pism\, n. [F. papisme. See {Pape}, {Pope}.]
Popery; -- an offensive term. --Milton.
Papist \Pa"pist\, n. [F. papiste. See {Pape}, {Pope}.]
A Roman catholic; one who adheres to the Church of Rome and
the authority of the pope; -- an offensive designation
applied to Roman Catholics by their opponents.
Papistic \Pa*pis"tic\, Papistical \Pa*pis"tic*al\, a. [Cf. F.
papistique.]
Of or pertaining to the Church of Rome and its doctrines and
ceremonies; pertaining to popery; popish; -- used
disparagingly. ``The old papistic worship.'' --T. Warton. --
{Pa*pis"tic*al*ly}, adv.
Papistry \Pa"pist*ry\, n.
The doctrine and ceremonies of the Church of Rome; popery.
[R.] --Whitgift.
Papized \Pa"pized\, a. [From {Pape}.]
Conformed to popery. [Obs.] ``Papized writers.'' --Fuller.
Papoose \Pa*poose"\, n.
A babe or young child of Indian parentage in North America.
Pappiform \Pap"pi*form\, a. (Bot.)
Resembling the pappus of composite plants.
Pappoose \Pap*poose"\, n.
Same as {Papoose}.
{Pappoose root}. (Bot.) See {Cohosh}.
Pappose \Pap*pose"\, a. (Bot.)
Furnished with a pappus; downy.
Pappous \Pap"pous\, a. (Bot.)
Pappose.
Pappus \Pap"pus\, n. [L., an old man or grandfather; hence, a
substance resembling gray hairs, Gr. ?.] (Bot.)
The hairy or feathery appendage of the achenes of thistles,
dandelions, and most other plants of the order
{Composit[ae]}; also, the scales, awns, or bristles which
represent the calyx in other plants of the same order.
Pappy \Pap"py\, a. [From {Pap} soft food.]
Like pap; soft; succulent; tender. --Ray.
Papuan \Pap"u*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Papua.
Papuars \Pap"u*ars\, n. pl.; sing. {Papuan}. (Ethnol.)
The native black race of Papua or New Guinea, and the
adjacent islands.
Papula \Pap"u*la\, n.; pl. {Papul[ae]}. [L.]
1. (Med.) A pimple; a small, usually conical, elevation of
the cuticle, produced by congestion, accumulated
secretion, or hypertrophy of tissue; a papule. --Quain.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the numerous small hollow processes of
the integument between the plates of starfishes.
Papular \Pap"u*lar\, a.
1. Covered with papules.
2. (Med.) Consisting of papules; characterized by the
presence of papules; as, a papular eruption.
Papule \Pap"ule\, n.; pl. {Papules}.
Same as {Papula}.
Papulose \Pap"u*lose`\, a. (Biol.)
Having papul[ae]; papillose; as, a papulose leaf.
Papulous \Pap"u*lous\, a. [Cf. F. pap?leux.]
Covered with, or characterized by, papul[ae]; papulose.
Papyraceous \Pap`y*ra"ceous\, a. [L. papyraceus made of
papyrus.]
Made of papyrus; of the consistency of paper; papery.
Papyrean \Pa*pyr"e*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to papyrus, or to paper; papyraceous.
Papyrine \Pap"y*rine\, n. [Cf. F. papyrin made of paper. See
{Paper}.]
Imitation parchment, made by soaking unsized paper in dilute
sulphuric acid.
Papyrograph \Pa*pyr"o*graph\, n. [Papyrus + -graph.]
An apparatus for multiplying writings, drawings, etc., in
which a paper stencil, formed by writing or drawing with
corrosive ink, is used. The word is also used of other means
of multiplying copies of writings, drawings, etc. See
{Copygraph}, {Hectograph}, {Manifold}.
Papyrography \Pap`y*rog"ra*phy\, n.
The process of multiplying copies of writings, etc., by means
of the papyrograph. -- {Pap`y*ro*graph"ic}, a.
Papyrus \Pa*py"rus\, n.; pl. {Papyri}. [L., fr. Gr. ?. See
{Paper}.]
1. (Bot.) A tall rushlike plant ({Cyperus Papyrus}) of the
Sedge family, formerly growing in Egypt, and now found in
Abyssinia, Syria, Sicily, etc. The stem is triangular and
about an inch thick.
2. The material upon which the ancient Egyptians wrote. It
was formed by cutting the stem of the plant into thin
longitudinal slices, which were gummed together and
pressed.
3. A manuscript written on papyrus; esp., pl., written
scrolls made of papyrus; as, the papyri of Egypt or
Herculaneum.
Paque \P[^a]que\, n. [F. p[^a]que.]
See {Pasch} and {Easter}.
Par \Par\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Parr}.
Par \Par\, prep. [F., fr. L. per. See {Per}.]
By; with; -- used frequently in Early English in phrases
taken from the French, being sometimes written as a part of
the word which it governs; as, par amour, or paramour; par
cas, or parcase; par fay, or parfay.
Par \Par\, n. [L. par, adj., equal. See {Peer} an equal.]
1. Equal value; equality of nominal and actual value; the
value expressed on the face or in the words of a
certificate of value, as a bond or other commercial paper.
2. Equality of condition or circumstances.
{At par}, at the original price; neither at a discount nor at
a premium.
{Above par}, at a premium.
{Below par}, at a discount.
{On a par}, on a level; in the same condition, circumstances,
position, rank, etc.; as, their pretensions are on a par;
his ability is on a par with his ambition.
{Par of exchange}. See under {Exchange}.
{Par value}, nominal value; face value.
Para- \Par"a-\ [Gr. ? beside; prob. akin to E. for- in forgive.
Cf. {For-}.]
1. A prefix signifying alongside of, beside, beyond, against,
amiss; as parable, literally, a placing beside; paradox,
that which is contrary to opinion; parachronism.
2. (Chem.) A prefix denoting:
(a) Likeness, similarity, or connection, or that the
substance resembles, but is distinct from, that to the
name of which it is prefixed; as paraldehyde,
paraconine, etc.; also, an isomeric modification.
(b) Specifically: (Organ. Chem.) That two groups or
radicals substituted in the benzene nucleus are
opposite, or in the respective positions 1 and 4; 2
and 5; or 3 and 6, as paraxylene; paroxybenzoic acid.
Cf. {Ortho-}, and {Meta-}. Also used adjectively.
Para \Pa*ra"\, n. [Turk., fr. Per. p[=a]rah a piece.]
A piece of Turkish money, usually copper, the fortieth part
of a piaster, or about one ninth of a cent.
Parabanic \Par`a*ban"ic\, a. [Gr. ? to pass over.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a nitrogenous acid which is
obtained by the oxidation of uric acid, as a white
crystalline substance ({C3N2H2O3}); -- also called oxalyl
urea.
Parablast \Par"a*blast\, n. [Cf. Gr. ? to grow beside. See
{Para-}, and {-blast}.] (Biol.)
A portion of the mesoblast (of peripheral origin) of the
developing embryo, the cells of which are especially
concerned in forming the first blood and blood vessels. --C.
S. Minot.
Parablastic \Par`a*blas"tic\, a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to the parablast; as, the parablastic cells.
Parable \Par"a*ble\, a. [L. parabilis, fr. parare to provide.]
Procurable. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Parable \Par"a*ble\, n. [F. parabole, L. parabola, fr. Gr. ? a
placing beside or together, a comparing, comparison, a
parable, fr. ? to throw beside, compare; ? beside + ? to
throw; cf. Skr. gal to drop. Cf. {Emblem}, {Gland},
{Palaver}, {Parabola}, {Parley}, {Parabole}, {Symbol}.]
A comparison; a similitude; specifically, a short fictitious
narrative of something which might really occur in life or
nature, by means of which a moral is drawn; as, the parables
of Christ. --Chaucer.
Declare unto us the parable of the tares. --Matt. xiii.
36.
Syn: See {Allegory}, and Note under {Apologue}.
Parable \Par"a*ble\, v. t.
To represent by parable. [R.]
Which by the ancient sages was thus parabled. --Milton.
Parabola \Pa*rab"o*la\, n.; pl. {Parabolas}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; --
so called because its axis is parallel to the side of the
cone. See {Parable}, and cf. {Parabole}.] (Geom.)
(a) A kind of curve; one of the conic sections formed by the
intersection of the surface of a cone with a plane
parallel to one of its sides. It is a curve, any point of
which is equally distant from a fixed point, called the
focus, and a fixed straight line, called the directrix.
See {Focus}.
(b) One of a group of curves defined by the equation y =
ax^{n} where n is a positive whole number or a positive
fraction. For the {cubical parabola} n = 3; for the
{semicubical parabola} n = 3/2. See under {Cubical}, and
{Semicubical}. The parabolas have infinite branches, but
no rectilineal asymptotes.
Parabole \Pa*rab"o*le\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?. See {Parable}.]
(Rhet.)
Similitude; comparison.
Parabolic \Par`a*bol"ic\, Parabolical \Par`a*bol"ic*al\, a. [Gr.
paraboliko`s figurative: cf. F. parabolique. See {Parable}.]
1. Of the nature of a parable; expressed by a parable or
figure; allegorical; as, parabolical instruction.
2. [From {Parabola}.] (Geom.)
(a) Having the form or nature of a parabola; pertaining
to, or resembling, a parabola; as, a parabolic curve.
(b) Generated by the revolution of a parabola, or by a
line that moves on a parabola as a directing curve;
as, a parabolic conoid.
{Parabolic conoid}, a paraboloid; a conoid whose directing
curve is a parabola. See {Conoid}.
{Parabolic mirror} (Opt.), a mirror having a paraboloidal
surface which gives for parallel rays (as those from very
distant objects) images free from aberration. It is used
in reflecting telescopes.
{Parabolic spindle}, the solid generated by revolving the
portion of a parabola cut off by a line drawn at right
angles to the axis of the curve, about that line as an
axis.
{Parabolic spiral}, a spiral curve conceived to be formed by
the periphery of a semiparabola when its axis is wrapped
about a circle; also, any other spiral curve having an
analogy to the parabola.
Parabolically \Par`a*bol"ic*al*ly\
(p[a^]r`[.a]*b[o^]l"[i^]*kal*l[y^]), adv.
1. By way of parable; in a parabolic manner.
2. In the form of a parabola.
Paraboliform \Par`a*bol"i*form\ (-[i^]*f[^o]rm), a. [Parabola +
-form.]
Resembling a parabola in form.
Parabolism \Pa*rab"o*lism\ (p[.a]*r[a^]b"[-o]*l[i^]z'm), n.
[From {Parabola}.] (Alg.)
The division of the terms of an equation by a known quantity
that is involved in the first term. [Obs.]
Parabolist \Pa*rab"o*list\ (-l[i^]st), n.
A narrator of parables.
Paraboloid \Pa*rab"o*loid\ (-loid), n. [Parabola + -oid: cf. F.
parabolo["i]de.] (Geom.)
The solid generated by the rotation of a parabola about its
axis; any surface of the second order whose sections by
planes parallel to a given line are parabolas.
Note: The term paraboloid has sometimes been applied also to
the parabolas of the higher orders. --Hutton.
Paraboloidal \Par`a*bo*loid"al\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, a paraboloid.
Parabronchium \Par`a*bron"chi*um\, n.; pl. {Parabronchia}. [NL.
See {Para-}, {Bronchia}.] (Anat.)
One of the branches of an ectobronchium or entobronchium.
Paracelsian \Par`a*cel"si*an\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or in conformity with, the practice of
Paracelsus, a Swiss physician of the 15th century. --Ferrand.
Paracelsian \Par`a*cel"si*an\, n.
A follower of Paracelsus or his practice or teachings.
--Hakewill.
Paracelsist \Par`a*cel"sist\, n.
A Paracelsian.
Paracentesis \Par`a*cen*te"sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to
pierce at the side, to tap.] (Med.)
The perforation of a cavity of the body with a trocar,
aspirator, or other suitable instrument, for the evacuation
of effused fluid, pus, or gas; tapping.
Paracentric \Par`a*cen"tric\, Paracentrical \Par`a*cen"tric*al\,
a. [Pref. para- + centric, -ical: cf. F. paracentrique.]
Deviating from circularity; changing the distance from a
center.
{Paracentric curve} (Math.), a curve having the property
that, when its plane is placed vertically, a body
descending along it, by the force of gravity, will
approach to, or recede from, a fixed point or center, by
equal distances in equal times; -- called also a
{paracentric}.
{Paracentric motton} or {velocity}, the motion or velocity of
a revolving body, as a planet, by which it approaches to,
or recedes from, the center, without reference to its
motion in space, or to its motion as reckoned in any other
direction.
Parachordal \Par`a*chor"dal\, a. [Pref. para- + chordal.]
(Anat.)
Situated on either side of the notochord; -- applied
especially to the cartilaginous rudiments of the skull on
each side of the anterior part of the notochord. -- n. A
parachordal cartilage.
Parachronism \Pa*rach"ro*nism\, n. [Pref. para- + Gr. ? time:
cf. F. parachronisme.]
An error in chronology, by which the date of an event is set
later than the time of its occurrence. [R.]
Parachrose \Par"a*chrose\, a. [Gr. ? false coloring; ? beside,
beyond + ? color.] (Min.)
Changing color by exposure --Mohs.
Parachute \Par"a*chute\, n. [F., fr. paper to ward off, guard +
chute a fall. See {Parry}, and {Chute}, {Chance}.]
1. A contrivance somewhat in the form of an umbrella, by
means of which a descent may be made from a balloon, or
any eminence.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A web or fold of skin which extends between the
legs of certain mammals, as the flying squirrels, colugo,
and phalangister.
Paraclete \Par"a*clete\, n. [L. paracletus, Gr. ?, from ? to
call to one, to exhort, encourage; ? beside + ? to call.]
An advocate; one called to aid or support; hence, the
Consoler, Comforter, or Intercessor; -- a term applied to the
Holy Spirit.
From which intercession especially I conceive he hath
the name of the Paraclete given him by Christ. --Bp.
Pearson.
Paraclose \Par"a*close\, n. (Arch.)
See {Parclose}.
Paracmastic \Par`ac*mas"tic\, a. [Gr. ?. See {Para-}, and
{Acme}.] (Med.)
Gradually decreasing; past the acme, or crisis, as a
distemper. --Dunglison.
Paraconic \Par`a*con"ic\, a. [Pref. para- + aconitic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid obtained as a
deliquescent white crystalline substance, and isomeric with
itaconic, citraconic, and mesaconic acids.
Paraconine \Par`a*co"nine\, n. [Pref. para- + conine.] (Chem.)
A base resembling and isomeric with conine, and obtained as a
colorless liquid from butyric aldehyde and ammonia.
Paracorolla \Par`a*co*rol"la\, n. [Pref. para- + corolla.]
(Bot.)
A secondary or inner corolla; a corona, as of the Narcissus.
Paracrostic \Par`a*cros"tic\, n. [Pref. para- + acrostic.]
A poetical composition, in which the first verse contains, in
order, the first letters of all the verses of the poem.
--Brande & C.
Paracyanogen \Par`a*cy*an"o*gen\, n. [Pref. para- + cyanogen.]
(Chem.)
A polymeric modification of cyanogen, obtained as a brown or
black amorphous residue by heating mercuric cyanide.
Paracymene \Par`a*cy"mene\, n. [Pref. para- + cymene.] (Chem.)
Same as {Cymene}.
Paradactylum \Par`a*dac"ty*lum\, n.; pl. {Paradactyla}. [NL. See
{Para-}, and {Dactyl}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The side of a toe or finger.
Parade \Pa*rade"\, n. [F., fr. Sp. parada a halt or stopping, an
assembling for exercise, a place where troops are assembled
to exercise, fr. parar to stop, to prepare. See {Pare}, v.
t.]
1. The ground where a military display is held, or where
troops are drilled.
2. (Mil.) An assembly and orderly arrangement or display of
troops, in full equipments, for inspection or evolutions
before some superior officer; a review of troops. Parades
are general, regimental, or private (troop, battery, or
company), according to the force assembled.
3. Pompous show; formal display or exhibition.
Be rich, but of your wealth make no parade. --Swift.
4. That which is displayed; a show; a spectacle; an imposing
procession; the movement of any body marshaled in military
order; as, a parade of firemen.
In state returned the grand parade. --Swift.
5. Posture of defense; guard. [A Gallicism.]
When they are not in parade, and upon their guard.
--Locke.
6. A public walk; a promenade.
{Dress parade}, {Undress parade}. See under {Dress}, and
{Undress}.
{Parade rest}, a position of rest for soldiers, in which,
however, they are required to be silent and motionless.
--Wilhelm.
Syn: Ostentation; display; show.
Usage: {Parade}, {Ostentation}. Parade is a pompous
exhibition of things for the purpose of display;
ostentation now generally indicates a parade of
virtues or other qualities for which one expects to be
honored. ``It was not in the mere parade of royalty
that the Mexican potentates exhibited their power.''
--Robertson. ``We are dazzled with the splendor of
titles, the ostentation of learning, and the noise of
victories.'' --Spectator.
Parade \Pa*rade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paraded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Parading}.] [Cf. F. parader.]
1. To exhibit in a showy or ostentatious manner; to show off.
Parading all her sensibility. --Byron.
2. To assemble and form; to marshal; to cause to maneuver or
march ceremoniously; as, to parade troops.
Parade \Pa*rade"\, v. i.
1. To make an exhibition or spectacle of one's self, as by
walking in a public place.
2. To assemble in military order for evolutions and
inspection; to form or march, as in review.
Paradigm \Par"a*digm\, n. [F. paradigme, L. paradigma, fr. Gr.
?, fr. ? to show by the side of, to set up as an example; ?
beside + ? to show. See {Para-}, and {Diction}.]
1. An example; a model; a pattern. [R.] ``The paradigms and
patterns of all things.'' --Cudworth.
2. (Gram.) An example of a conjugation or declension, showing
a word in all its different forms of inflection.
3. (Rhet.) An illustration, as by a parable or fable.
Paradigmatic \Par`a*dig*mat"ic\, Paradigmatical
\Par`a*dig*mat"ic*al\, a. [Gr. paradeigmatiko`s.]
Exemplary. -- {Par`a*dig*mat"ic*al*ly}, adv. [Obs.]
Paradigmatic \Par`a*dig*mat"ic\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
A writer of memoirs of religious persons, as examples of
Christian excellence.
Paradigmatize \Par`a*dig"ma*tize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Paradigmatized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Paradigmatizing}.] [Gr.
paradeigmati`zein. See {Paradigm}.]
To set forth as a model or example. [Obs.] --Hammond.
Paradisaic \Par`a*di*sa"ic\, Paradisaical \Par`a*di*sa"ic*al\,
a.
Of or pertaining to, or resembling, paradise; paradisiacal.
``Paradisaical pleasures.'' --Gray.
Paradisal \Par"a*di`sal\, a.
Paradisiacal.
Paradise \Par"a*dise\, n. [OE. & F. paradis, L. paradisus, fr.
Gr. para`deisos park, paradise, fr. Zend pairida[=e]za an
inclosure; pairi around (akin to Gr. ?) + diz to throw up,
pile up; cf. Skr. dih to smear, and E. dough. Cf. {Parvis}.]
1. The garden of Eden, in which Adam and Eve were placed
after their creation.
2. The abode of sanctified souls after death.
To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. --Luke
xxiii. 43.
It sounds to him like her mother's voice, Singing in
Paradise. --Longfellow.
3. A place of bliss; a region of supreme felicity or delight;
hence, a state of happiness.
The earth Shall be all paradise. --Milton.
Wrapt in the very paradise of some creative vision.
--Beaconsfield.
4. (Arch.) An open space within a monastery or adjoining a
church, as the space within a cloister, the open court
before a basilica, etc.
5. A churchyard or cemetery. [Obs.] --Oxf. Gloss.
{Fool's paradise}. See under {Fool}, and {Limbo}.
{Grains of paradise}. (Bot.) See {Melequeta pepper}, under
{Pepper}.
{Paradise bird}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Bird of paradise}. Among
the most beautiful species are the superb ({Lophorina
superba}); the magnificent ({Diphyllodes magnifica}); and
the six-shafted paradise bird ({Parotia sefilata}). The
long-billed paradise birds ({Epimachin[ae]}) also include
some highly ornamental species, as the twelve-wired
paradise bird ({Seleucides alba}), which is black, yellow,
and white, with six long breast feathers on each side,
ending in long, slender filaments. See {Bird of paradise}
in the Vocabulary.
{Paradise fish} (Zo["o]l.), a beautiful fresh-water Asiatic
fish ({Macropodus viridiauratus}) having very large fins.
It is often kept alive as an ornamental fish.
{Paradise flycatcher} (Zo["o]l.), any flycatcher of the genus
{Terpsiphone}, having the middle tail feathers extremely
elongated. The adult male of {T. paradisi} is white, with
the head glossy dark green, and crested.
{Paradise grackle} (Zo["o]l.), a very beautiful bird of New
Guinea, of the genus {Astrapia}, having dark velvety
plumage with brilliant metallic tints.
{Paradise nut} (Bot.), the sapucaia nut. See {Sapucaia nut}.
[Local, U. S.]
{Paradise whidah bird}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Whidah}.
Paradise \Par"a*dise\, v. t.
To affect or exalt with visions of felicity; to entrance; to
bewitch. [R.] --Marston.
Paradisean \Par`a*dis"e*an\, a.
Paradisiacal.
Paradised \Par"a*dised\, a.
Placed in paradise; enjoying delights as of paradise.
Paradisiac \Par`a*dis"i*ac\, Paradisiacal \Par`a*di*si"a*cal\,
a. [L. paradisiacus.]
Of or pertaining to paradise; suitable to, or like, paradise.
--C. Kingsley. --T. Burnet. ``A paradisiacal scene.'' --Pope.
The valley . . . is of quite paradisiac beauty. --G.
Eliot.
Paradisial \Par`a*dis"i*al\, Paradisian \Par`a*dis"i*an\, a.
Paradisiacal. [R.]
Paradisic \Par`a*dis"ic\, a.
Paradisiacal. [R.] --Broome.
Paradisical \Par`a*dis"ic*al\, a.
Paradisiacal. [R.]
Parados \Par`a*dos\, n.; pl. {Paradoses}. [F., fr. parer to
defend + dos back, L. dorsum.] (Fort.)
An intercepting mound, erected in any part of a fortification
to protect the defenders from a rear or ricochet fire; a
traverse. --Farrow.
Paradox \Par`a*dox\, n.; pl. {Paradoxes}. [F. paradoxe, L.
paradoxum, fr. Gr. ?; ? beside, beyond, contrary to + ? to
think, suppose, imagine. See {Para-}, and {Dogma}.]
A tenet or proposition contrary to received opinion; an
assertion or sentiment seemingly contradictory, or opposed to
common sense; that which in appearance or terms is absurd,
but yet may be true in fact.
A gloss there is to color that paradox, and make it
appear in show not to be altogether unreasonable.
--Hooker.
This was sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it
proof. --Shak.
{Hydrostatic paradox}. See under {Hydrostatic}.
Paradoxal \Par"a*dox`al\, a.
Paradoxical. [Obs.]
Paradoxical \Par`a*dox"ic*al\, a.
1. Of the nature of a paradox.
2. Inclined to paradoxes, or to tenets or notions contrary to
received opinions. --Southey. -- {Par`a*dox"ic*al*ly},
adv. -- {Par`a*dox"ic*al*ness}, n.
Paradoxer \Par"a*dox`er\, n., Paradoxist \Par"a*dox`ist\, n.
One who proposes a paradox.
Paradoxides \Par`a*dox"i*des\, n. [NL.] (Paleon.)
A genus of large trilobites characteristic of the primordial
formations.
Paradoxology \Par`a*dox*ol"o*gy\, n. [Paradox + -logy.]
The use of paradoxes. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Paradoxure \Par`a*dox"ure\, n. [Gr. ? incredible, paradoxical +
? tail. So called because its tail is unlike that of the
other animals to which it was supposed to be related.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any species of {Paradoxurus}, a genus of Asiatic viverrine
mammals allied to the civet, as the musang, and the luwack or
palm cat ({Paradoxurus hermaphroditus}). See {Musang}.
Paradoxy \Par"a*dox`y\, n.
1. A paradoxical statement; a paradox.
2. The quality or state of being paradoxical. --Coleridge
Paraffin \Par"af*fin\, Paraffine \Par"af*fine\, n. [F.
paraffine, fr. L. parum too little + affinis akin. So named
in allusion to its chemical inactivity.] (Chem.)
A white waxy substance, resembling spermaceti, tasteless and
odorless, and obtained from coal tar, wood tar, petroleum,
etc., by distillation. It is used as an illuminant and
lubricant. It is very inert, not being acted upon by most of
the strong chemical reagents. It was formerly regarded as a
definite compound, but is now known to be a complex mixture
of several higher hydrocarbons of the methane or marsh-gas
series; hence, by extension, any substance, whether solid,
liquid, or gaseous, of the same chemical series; thus coal
gas and kerosene consist largely of paraffins.
Note: In the present chemical usage this word is spelt
paraffin, but in commerce it is commonly spelt
paraffine.
{Native paraffin}. See {Ozocerite}.
{Paraffin series}. See {Methane series}, under {Methane}.
Parage \Par"age\, n. [F., fr. L. par, adj., equal. Cf.
{Peerage}, {Peer} an equal.]
1. (Old Eng. Law) Equality of condition, blood, or dignity;
also, equality in the partition of an inheritance.
--Spelman.
2. (Feudal Law) Equality of condition between persons holding
unequal portions of a fee. --Burrill.
3. Kindred; family; birth. [Obs.] --Ld. Berners.
We claim to be of high parage. --Chaucer.
Paragenesis \Par`a*gen"e*sis\ (p[a^]r`[.a]*j[e^]n"[-e]*s[i^]s),
n. [Pref. para- + genesis.] (Min.)
The science which treats of minerals with special reference
to their origin.
Paragenic \Par`a*gen"ic\ (-[i^]k), a. [Pref. para- + the root of
ge`nos birth.] (Biol.)
Originating in the character of the germ, or at the first
commencement of an individual; -- said of peculiarities of
structure, character, etc.
Paraglobulin \Par`a*glob"u*lin\ (-gl[o^]b"[-u]*l[i^]n), n.
[Pref. para- + globulin.] (Physiol. Chem.)
An albuminous body in blood serum, belonging to the group of
globulins. See {Fibrinoplastin}.
Paraglossa \Par`a*glos"sa\ (-gl[o^]s"s[.a]), n.; pl.
{Paragloss[ae]} (-s[=e]). [NL., from Gr. para` beside +
glw^ssa tongue.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a pair of small appendages of the lingua or labium of
certain insects. See Illust. under {Hymenoptera}.
Paragnath \Par"ag*nath\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Paragnathus}.
Paragnathous \Pa*rag"na*thous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having both mandibles of equal length, the tips meeting, as
in certain birds.
Paragnathus \Pa*rag"na*thus\, n.; pl. {Paragnathi}. [NL. See
{Para-}, and {Gnathic}.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of the two lobes which form the lower lip, or
metastome, of Crustacea.
(b) One of the small, horny, toothlike jaws of certain
annelids.
Paragoge \Par`a*go"ge\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, from ? to lead
beside, protract; ? beside + ? to lead.]
1. (Gram.) The addition of a letter or syllable to the end of
a word, as withouten for without.
2. (Med.) Coaptation. [Obs.] --Dunglison.
Paragogic \Par`a*gog"ic\, Paragogical \Par`a*gog"ic*al\, a. [Cf.
F. paragogique.]
Of, pertaining to, or constituting, a paragoge; added to the
end of, or serving to lengthen, a word.
{Paragogic letters}, in the Semitic languages, letters which
are added to the ordinary forms of words, to express
additional emphasis, or some change in the sense.
Paragon \Par"a*gon\, n. [OF. paragon, F. parangon; cf. It.
paragone, Sp. paragon, parangon; prob. fr. Gr. ? to rub
against; ? beside + ? whetstone; cf. LGr. ? a polishing
stone.]
1. A companion; a match; an equal. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Philoclea, who indeed had no paragon but her sister.
--Sir P.
Sidney.
2. Emulation; rivalry; competition. [Obs.]
Full many feats adventurous Performed, in paragon of
proudest men. --Spenser.
3. A model or pattern; a pattern of excellence or perfection;
as, a paragon of beauty or eloquence. --Udall.
Man, . . . the paragon of animals ! --Shak.
The riches of sweet Mary's son, Boy-rabbi, Israel's
paragon. --Emerson.
4. (Print.) A size of type between great primer and double
pica. See the Note under {Type}.
Paragon \Par"a*gon\, v. t. [Cf. OF. paragonner, F. parangonner.]
1. To compare; to parallel; to put in rivalry or emulation
with. [Obs.] --Sir P. Sidney.
2. To compare with; to equal; to rival. [R.] --Spenser.
In arms anon to paragon the morn, The morn new
rising. --Glover.
3. To serve as a model for; to surpass. [Obs.]
He hath achieved a maid That paragons description
and wild fame. --Shak.
Paragon \Par"a*gon\, v. i.
To be equal; to hold comparison. [R.]
Few or none could . . . paragon with her. --Shelton.
Paragonite \Pa*rag"o*nite\, n. [From Gr. ?, p. pr. of ? to
mislead.] (Min.)
A kind of mica related to muscovite, but containing soda
instead of potash. It is characteristic of the paragonite
schist of the Alps.
Paragram \Par"a*gram\, n. [Gr. ? that which one writes beside.
See {Paragraph}.]
A pun.
Puns, which he calls paragrams. --Addison.
Paragrammatist \Par`a*gram"ma*tist\, n.
A punster.
Paragrandine \Pa`ra*gran"di*ne\, n. [It., from parare to parry +
grandine hail.]
An instrument to avert the occurrence of hailstorms. See
{Paragr[^e]le}. --Knight.
Paragraph \Par"a*graph\, n. [F. paragraphe, LL. paragraphus, fr.
Gr. para`grafos (sc. grammh`) a line or stroke drawn in the
margin, fr. paragra`fein to write beside; para` beside +
gra`fein to write. See {Para-}, and {Graphic}, and cf.
{Paraph}.]
1. Originally, a marginal mark or note, set in the margin to
call attention to something in the text, e. g., a change
of subject; now, the character [para], commonly used in
the text as a reference mark to a footnote, or to indicate
the place of a division into sections.
Note: This character is merely a modification of a capital P
(the initial of the word paragraph), the letter being
reversed, and the black part made white and the white
part black for the sake of distinctiveness.
2. A distinct part of a discourse or writing; any section or
subdivision of a writing or chapter which relates to a
particular point, whether consisting of one or many
sentences. The division is sometimes noted by the mark ?,
but usually, by beginning the first sentence of the
paragraph on a new line and at more than the usual
distance from the margin.
3. A brief composition complete in one typographical section
or paragraph; an item, remark, or quotation comprised in a
few lines forming one paragraph; as, a column of news
paragraphs; an editorial paragraph.
Paragraph \Par"a*graph\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paragraphed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Paragraphing}.]
1. To divide into paragraphs; to mark with the character
[para].
2. To express in the compass of a paragraph; as, to paragraph
an article.
3. To mention in a paragraph or paragraphs
Paragrapher \Par"a*graph`er\, n.
A writer of paragraphs; a paragraphist.
Paragraphic \Par`a*graph"ic\, Paragraphical \Par`a*graph"ic*al\,
a.
Pertaining to, or consisting of, a paragraph or paragraphs.
-- {Par`a*graph"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Paragraphist \Par"a*graph`ist\, n.
A paragrapher.
Paragraphistical \Par`a*gra*phis"tic*al\, a.
Of or relating to a paragraphist. [R.] --Beau. & Fl.
Para grass \Pa*ra" grass`\ (Bot.)
A valuable pasture grass ({Panicum barbinode}) introduced
into the Southern United States from Brazil.
Paragrele \Pa`ra`gr[^e]le"\, n. [F., fr. parer to guard +
gr[^e]le hail.]
A lightning conductor erected, as in a vineyard, for drawing
off the electricity in the atmosphere in order to prevent
hailstorms. [France] --Knight.
Paraguayan \Par`a*guay"an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Paraguay. -- n. A native or inhabitant of
Paraguay.
Paraguay tea \Pa`ra*guay" tea"\
See {Mate}, the leaf of the Brazilian holly.
Parail \Par"ail\, n.
See {Apparel}. [Obs.] ``In the parail of a pilgrim.'' --Piers
Plowman.
Parakeet \Par"a*keet`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Parrakeet}.
Paralactic \Par`a*lac"tic\, a. [Pref. para- + lactic.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
Designating an acid called paralactic acid. See {Lactic
acid}, under {Lactic}.
Paralbumin \Par`al*bu"min\, n. [Pref. para- + albumin.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A proteidlike body found in the fluid from ovarian cysts and
elsewhere. It is generally associated with a substance
related to, if not identical with, glycogen.
Paraldehyde \Par*al"de*hyde\, n. [Pref. para- + aldehyde.]
(Chem.)
A polymeric modification of aldehyde obtained as a white
crystalline substance.
Paraleipsis \Par`a*leip"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to leave
on one side, to omit; ? beside + ? to leave.] (Rhet.)
A pretended or apparent omission; a figure by which a speaker
artfully pretends to pass by what he really mentions; as, for
example, if an orator should say, ``I do not speak of my
adversary's scandalous venality and rapacity, his brutal
conduct, his treachery and malice.'' [Written also
{paralepsis}, {paralepsy}, {paralipsis}.]
Paralepsis \Par`a*lep"sis\, n. [NL.]
See {Paraleipsis}.
Paralian \Pa*ra"li*an\, n. [Gr. ? near the sea; ? beside + ? the
sea.]
A dweller by the sea. [R.]
Paralipomenon \Par`a*li*pom"e*non\, n. pl. [L., fr. Gr.
paraleipome`nwn of things omitted, pass. p. pr. (neuter
genitive plural) fr. ? to omit.]
A title given in the Douay Bible to the Books of Chronicles.
Note: In the Septuagint these books are called
Paraleipome`nwn prw^ton and dey`teron, which is
understood, after Jerome's explanation, as meaning that
they are supplementary to the Books of Kings --W.
Smith.
Paralipsis \Par`a*lip"sis\, n. [NL.]
See {Paraleipsis}.
Parallactic \Par`al*lac"tic\, Parallactical \Par`al*lac"tic*al\,
a. [Cf. F. parallactique.]
Of or pertaining to a parallax.
Parallax \Par"al*lax\, n. [Gr. ? alternation, the mutual
inclination of two lines forming an angle, fr. ? to change a
little, go aside, deviate; ? beside, beyond + ? to change:
cf. F. parallaxe. Cf. {Parallel}.]
1. The apparent displacement, or difference of position, of
an object, as seen from two different stations, or points
of view.
2. (Astron.) The apparent difference in position of a body
(as the sun, or a star) as seen from some point on the
earth's surface, and as seen from some other conventional
point, as the earth's center or the sun.
{Annual parallax}, the greatest value of the heliocentric
parallax, or the greatest annual apparent change of place
of a body as seen from the earth and sun; as, the annual
parallax of a fixed star.
{Binocular parallax}, the apparent difference in position of
an object as seen separately by one eye, and then by the
other, the head remaining unmoved.
{Diurnal}, or {Geocentric}, {parallax}, the parallax of a
body with reference to the earth's center. This is the
kind of parallax that is generally understood when the
term is used without qualification.
{Heliocentric parallax}, the parallax of a body with
reference to the sun, or the angle subtended at the body
by lines drawn from it to the earth and sun; as, the
heliocentric parallax of a planet.
{Horizontal parallax}, the geocentric parallx of a heavenly
body when in the horizon, or the angle subtended at the
body by the earth's radius.
{Optical parallax}, the apparent displacement in position
undergone by an object when viewed by either eye singly.
--Brande & C.
{Parallax of the cross wires} (of an optical instrument),
their apparent displacement when the eye changes its
position, caused by their not being exactly in the focus
of the object glass.
{Stellar parallax}, the annual parallax of a fixed star.
Parallel \Par"al*lel\, a. [F. parall[`e]le, L. parallelus, fr.
Gr. ?; ? beside + ? of one another, fr. ? other, akin to L.
alius. See {Allien}.]
1. (Geom.) Extended in the same direction, and in all parts
equally distant; as, parallel lines; parallel planes.
Revolutions . . . parallel to the equinoctial.
--Hakluyt.
Note: Curved lines or curved planes are said to be parallel
when they are in all parts equally distant.
2. Having the same direction or tendency; running side by
side; being in accordance (with); tending to the same
result; -- used with to and with.
When honor runs parallel with the laws of God and
our country, it can not be too much cherished.
--Addison.
3. Continuing a resemblance through many particulars;
applicable in all essential parts; like; similar; as, a
parallel case; a parallel passage. --Addison.
{Parallel bar}.
(a) (Steam Eng.) A rod in a parallel motion which is
parallel with the working beam.
(b) One of a pair of bars raised about five feet above the
floor or ground, and parallel to each other, -- used
for gymnastic exercises.
{Parallel circles of a sphere}, those circles of the sphere
whose planes are parallel to each other.
{Parallel columns}, or {Parallels} (Printing), two or more
passages of reading matter printed side by side, for the
purpose of emphasizing the similarity or discrepancy
between them.
{Parallel forces} (Mech.), forces which act in directions
parallel to each other.
{Parallel motion}.
(a) (Mach.) A jointed system of links, rods, or bars, by
which the motion of a reciprocating piece, as a piston
rod, may be guided, either approximately or exactly in
a straight line. --Rankine.
(b) (Mus.) The ascending or descending of two or more
parts at fixed intervals, as thirds or sixths.
{Parallel rod} (Locomotive Eng.), a metal rod that connects
the crank pins of two or more driving wheels; -- called
also {couping rod}, in distinction from the connecting
rod. See Illust. of {Locomotive}, in App. -- {Parallel
ruler}, an instrument for drawing parallel lines, so
constructed as to have the successive positions of the
ruling edge parallel to each other; also, one consisting
of two movable parts, the opposite edges of which are
always parallel.
{Parallel sailing} (Naut.), sailing on a parallel of
latitude.
{Parallel sphere} (Astron. & Geog.), that position of the
sphere in which the circles of daily motion are parallel
to the horizon, as to an observer at either pole.
{Parallel vise}, a vise having jaws so guided as to remain
parallel in all positions.
Parallel \Par"al*lel\, n.
1. A line which, throughout its whole extent, is equidistant
from another line; a parallel line, a parallel plane, etc.
Who made the spider parallels design, Sure as De
Moivre, without rule or line ? --Pope.
2. Direction conformable to that of another line,
Lines that from their parallel decline. --Garth.
3. Conformity continued through many particulars or in all
essential points; resemblance; similarity.
Twixt earthly females and the moon All parallels
exactly run. --Swift.
4. A comparison made; elaborate tracing of similarity; as,
Johnson's parallel between Dryden and Pope.
5. Anything equal to, or resembling, another in all essential
particulars; a counterpart.
None but thyself can be thy parallel. --Pope.
6. (Geog.) One of the imaginary circles on the surface of the
earth, parallel to the equator, marking the latitude;
also, the corresponding line on a globe or map.
7. (Mil.) One of a series of long trenches constructed before
a besieged fortress, by the besieging force, as a cover
for troops supporting the attacking batteries. They are
roughly parallel to the line of outer defenses of the
fortress.
8. (Print.) A character consisting of two parallel vertical
lines (thus, ||) used in the text to direct attention to a
similarly marked note in the margin or at the foot of a
page.
{Limiting parallels}. See under {Limit}, v. t.
{Parallel of altitude} (Astron.), one of the small circles of
the sphere, parallel to the horizon; an almucantar.
{Parallel of declination} (Astron.), one of the small circles
of the sphere, parallel to the equator.
{Parallel of latitude}.
(a) (Geog.) See def. 6. above.
(b) (Astron.) One of the small circles of the sphere,
parallel to the ecliptic.
Parallel \Par"al*lel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paralleled}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Paralleling}.]
1. To place or set so as to be parallel; to place so as to be
parallel to, or to conform in direction with, something
else.
The needle . . . doth parallel and place itself upon
the true meridian. --Sir T.
Browne.
2. Fig.: To make to conform to something else in character,
motive, aim, or the like.
His life is paralleled Even with the stroke and line
of his great justice. --Shak.
3. To equal; to match; to correspond to. --Shak.
4. To produce or adduce as a parallel. [R.] --Locke.
My young remembrance can not parallel A fellow to
it. --Shak.
Parallel \Par"al*lel\, v. i.
To be parallel; to correspond; to be like. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Parallelable \Par"al*lel`a*ble\, a.
Capable of being paralleled, or equaled. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Parallelism \Par"al*lel*ism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to place side by
side, or parallel: cf. F. parall['e]lisme.]
1. The quality or state of being parallel.
2. Resemblance; correspondence; similarity.
A close parallelism of thought and incident. --T.
Warton.
3. Similarity of construction or meaning of clauses placed
side by side, especially clauses expressing the same
sentiment with slight modifications, as is common in
Hebrew poetry; e. g.:
At her feet he bowed, he fell: Where he bowed, there
he fell down dead. --Judg. v. 27.
Parallelistic \Par`al*lel*is"tic\, a.
Of the nature of a parallelism; involving parallelism.
The antithetic or parallelistic form of Hebrew poetry
is entirely lost. --Milman.
Parallelize \Par"al*lel*ize\, v. t.
To render parallel. [R.]
Parallelless \Par"al*lel*less\, a.
Matchless. [R.]
Parallelly \Par"al*lel*ly\, adv.
In a parallel manner; with parallelism. [R.] --Dr. H. More.
Parallelogram \Par`al*lel"o*gram\, n. [Gr. ?; ? parallel + ? to
write: cf. F. parall['e]logramme. See {Parallel}, and
{-gram}.] (Geom.)
A right-lined quadrilateral figure, whose opposite sides are
parallel, and consequently equal; -- sometimes restricted in
popular usage to a rectangle, or quadrilateral figure which
is longer than it is broad, and with right angles.
{Parallelogram of velocities}, {forces}, {accelerations},
{momenta}, etc. (Mech.), a parallelogram the diagonal of
which represents the resultant of two velocities, forces,
accelerations, momenta, etc., both in quantity and
direction, when the velocities, forces, accelerations,
momenta, etc., are represented in quantity and direction
by the two adjacent sides of the parallelogram.
Parallelogrammatic \Par`al*lel`o*gram*mat"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to a parallelogram; parallelogrammic.
Parallelogrammic \Par`al*lel`o*gram"mic\, Parallelogrammical
\Par`al*lel`o*gram"mic*al\, a.
Having the properties of a parallelogram. [R.]
Parallelopiped \Par`al*lel`o*pi"ped\, n. [Gr. ? a body with
parallel surfaces; ? parallel + ? a plane surface, ? on the
ground, or level with it, level, flat; ? on + ? the ground:
cf. F. parall['e]lopip[`e]de.] (Geom.)
A solid, the faces of which are six parallelograms, the
opposite pairs being parallel, and equal to each other; a
prism whose base is a parallelogram.
Parallelopipedon \Par`al*lel`o*pip"e*don\, n. [NL.]
A parallelopiped. --Hutton.
Paralogical \Par`a*log"ic*al\, a.
Containing paralogism; illogical. ``Paralogical doubt.''
--Sir T. Browne.
Paralogism \Pa*ral"o*gism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to reason falsely;
? beside + ? to reason, ? discourse, reason: cf. F.
paralogisme.] (Logic)
A reasoning which is false in point of form, that is, which
is contrary to logical rules or formul[ae]; a formal fallacy,
or pseudo-syllogism, in which the conclusion does not follow
from the premises.
Paralogize \Pa*ral"o*gize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Paralogized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Paralogizing}.] [Gr. ?.]
To reason falsely; to draw conclusions not warranted by the
premises. [R.]
Paralogy \Pa*ral"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?; ? beside, beyond + ? reason.]
False reasoning; paralogism.
Paralyse \Par"a*lyse\, v. t.
Same as {Paralyze}.
Paralysis \Pa*ral"y*sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to loosen,
dissolve, or disable at the side; ? beside + ? to loosen. See
{Para-}, and {Loose}, and cf. {Palsy}.] (Med.)
Abolition of function, whether complete or partial; esp., the
loss of the power of voluntary motion, with or without that
of sensation, in any part of the body; palsy. See
{Hemiplegia}, and {Paraplegia}. Also used figuratively.
``Utter paralysis of memory.'' --G. Eliot.
Mischievous practices arising out of the paralysis of
the powers of ownership. --Duke of
Argyll (1887).
Paralytic \Par`a*lyt"ic\, a. [L. paralyticus, Gr. ?: cf. F.
paralytique.]
1. Of or pertaining to paralysis; resembling paralysis.
2. Affected with paralysis, or palsy.
The cold, shaking, paralytic hand. --Prior.
3. Inclined or tending to paralysis.
{Paralytic secretion} (Physiol.), the fluid, generally thin
and watery, secreted from a gland after section or
paralysis of its nerves, as the pralytic saliva.
Paralytic \Par`a*lyt"ic\, n.
A person affected with paralysis.
Paralytical \Par`a*lyt"ic*al\, a.
See {Paralytic}.
Paralyzation \Par`a*ly*za"tion\, n.
The act or process of paralyzing, or the state of being
paralyzed.
Paralyze \Par"a*lyze\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paralyzed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Paralyzing}.] [F. paralyser. See {Paralysis}.]
1. To affect or strike with paralysis or palsy.
2. Fig.: To unnerve; to destroy or impair the energy of; to
render ineffective; as, the occurrence paralyzed the
community; despondency paralyzed his efforts.
Param \Par"am\, n. (Chem.)
A white crystalline nitrogenous substance ({C2H4N4}); --
called also {dicyandiamide}.
Paramagnetic \Par`a*mag*net"ic\, a. [Pref. para- + magnetic.]
Magnetic, as opposed to {diamagnetic}. -- n. A paramagnetic
substance. --Faraday. -- {Par`a*mag*net"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Paramagnetism \Par`a*mag"net*ism\, n.
Magnetism, as opposed to diamagnetism. --Faraday.
Paramaleic \Par`a*ma*le"ic\, a. [Pref. para- + maleic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained from malic
acid, and now called fumaric acid. [Obs.]
Paramalic \Par`a*ma"lic\, a. [Pref. para- + malic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid metameric with
malic acid.
Paramastoid \Par`a*mas"toid\, a. [Pref. para- + mastoid.]
(Anat.)
Situated beside, or near, the mastoid portion of the temporal
bone; paroccipital; -- applied especially to a process of the
skull in some animals.
Paramatta \Par`a*mat"ta\, n. [So named from Paramatta, in
Australia.]
A light fabric of cotton and worsted, resembling bombazine or
merino. --Beck (Draper's Dict.)
Parament \Par"a*ment\, n. [Sp. paramento, from parar to prepare,
L. parare.]
Ornamental hangings, furniture, etc., as of a state
apartment; rich and elegant robes worn by men of rank; --
chiefly in the plural. [Obs.]
Lords in paraments on their coursers. --Chaucer.
{Chamber of paraments}, presence chamber of a monarch.
Paramento \Pa`ra*men"to\, n. [Sp.]
Ornament; decoration. --Beau. & Fl.
Paramere \Par"a*mere\, n. [Pref. para- + -mere.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the symmetrical halves of any one of the radii, or
spheromeres, of a radiate animal, as a starfish.
Parameter \Pa*ram"e*ter\, n. [Pref. para- + -meter: cf. F.
param[`e]tre.]
1.
(a) (Math.) A term applied to some characteristic
magnitude whose value, invariable as long as one and
the same function, curve, surface, etc., is
considered, serves to distinguish that function,
curve, surface, etc., from others of the same kind or
family. --Brande & C.
(b) Specifically (Conic Sections), in the ellipse and
hyperbola, a third proportional to any diameter and
its conjugate, or in the parabola, to any abscissa and
the corresponding ordinate.
Note: The parameter of the principal axis of a conic section
is called the latus rectum.
2. (Crystallog.) The ratio of the three crystallographic axes
which determines the position of any plane; also, the
fundamental axial ratio for a given species.
Parametritis \Par`a*me*tri"tis\, n. [NL. See {Para-}, and
{Metritis}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the cellular tissue in the vicinity of the
uterus.
Paramiographer \Par`a*mi*og"ra*pher\, n. [Gr. ? proverb + -graph
+ -er.]
A collector or writer of proverbs. [R.]
Paramitome \Par`a*mi"tome\, n. [Pref. para- + mitome.] (Biol.)
The fluid portion of the protoplasm of a cell.
Paramo \Pa"ra*mo\, n.; pl. {Paramos}. [Sp. p[ae]ramo.]
A high, bleak plateau or district, with stunted trees, and
cold, damp atmosphere, as in the Andes, in South America.
Paramorph \Par"a*morph\, n. [Pref. para- + Gr. ? form.] (Min.)
A kind of pseudomorph, in which there has been a change of
physical characters without alteration of chemical
composition, as the change of aragonite to calcite.
Paramorphism \Par`a*mor"phism\, n. (Min.)
The change of one mineral species to another, so as to
involve a change in physical characters without alteration of
chemical composition.
Paramorphous \Par`a*mor"phous\, a. (Min.)
Relating to paramorphism; exhibiting paramorphism.
Paramount \Par"a*mount\, a. [OF. par amont above; par through,
by (L. per) + amont above. See {Amount}.]
Having the highest rank or jurisdiction; superior to all
others; chief; supreme; pre["e]minent; as, a paramount duty.
``A traitor paramount.'' --Bacon.
{Lady paramount} (Archery), the lady making the best score.
{Lord paramount}, the king.
Syn: Syn. Superior; principal; pre["e]minent; chief.
Paramount \Par"a*mount\, n.
The highest or chief. --Milton.
Paramountly \Par"a*mount`ly\, adv.
In a paramount manner.
Paramour \Par"a*mour\, n. [F. par amour, lit., by or with love.
See 2d {Par}, and {Amour}.]
1. A lover, of either sex; a wooer or a mistress (formerly in
a good sense, now only in a bad one); one who takes the
place, without possessing the rights, of a husband or
wife; -- used of a man or a woman.
The seducer appeared with dauntless front,
accompanied by his paramour --Macaulay.
2. Love; gallantry. [Obs.] ``For paramour and jollity.''
--Chaucer.
Paramour \Par"a*mour`\, Paramours \Par"a*mours`\, adv.
By or with love, esp. the love of the sexes; -- sometimes
written as two words. [Obs.]
For par amour, I loved her first ere thou. --Chaucer.
Paramylum \Par*am"y*lum\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? beside + ? starch.]
(Chem.)
A substance resembling starch, found in the green frothy scum
formed on the surface of stagnant water.
Paranaphthalene \Par`a*naph"tha*lene\, n. [Pref. para- +
naphthalene.] (Chem.)
Anthracene; -- called also {paranaphthaline}. [Obs.]
Paranoia \Par`a*noi"a\ (p[a^]r`[.a]*noi"[.a]), n. [NL., fr. Gr.
para`noia.] (Med.)
Mental derangement; insanity.
Paranthracene \Par*an"thra*cene\, n. [Pref. para- + anthracene.]
(Chem.)
An inert isomeric modification of anthracene.
Paranucleus \Par`a*nu"cle*us\, n. [Pref. para- + nucleus.]
(Biol.)
Some as {Nucleolus}.
Para nut \Pa*ra" nut`\ (p[.a]*r[aum]" n[u^]t`). (Bot.)
The Brazil nut.
Paranymph \Par"a*nymph\, n. [L. paranymphus, Gr. ?; ? beside,
near + ? a bride: cf. F. paranymphe.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.)
(a) A friend of the bridegroom who went with him in his
chariot to fetch home the bride. --Milton.
(b) The bridesmaid who conducted the bride to the
bridegroom.
2. Hence: An ally; a supporter or abettor. --Jer. Taylor.
Paranymphal \Par`a*nym"phal\, a.
Bridal; nuptial. [R.]
At some paranymphal feast. --Ford.
Parapectin \Par`a*pec"tin\, n. [Pref. para- + pectin.] (Chem.)
A gelatinous modification of pectin.
Parapegm \Par"a*pegm\, n. [L. parapegma, Gr. ?, fr. ? to fix
beside; ? beside + ? to fix: cf. F. parapegme.]
An engraved tablet, usually of brass, set up in a public
place.
Note: Parapegms were used for the publication of laws,
proclamations, etc., and the recording of astronomical
phenomena or calendar events.
Parapeptone \Par`a*pep"tone\, n. [Pref. para- + peptone.]
(Phisiol. Chem.)
An albuminous body formed in small quantity by the peptic
digestion of proteids. It can be converted into peptone by
pancreatic juice, but not by gastric juice.
Parapet \Par"a*pet\, n. [F., fr. It. parapetto, fr. parare to
ward off, guard (L. parare to prepare, provide) + petto the
breast, L. pectus. See {Parry}, and {Pectoral}.]
1. (Arch.) A low wall, especially one serving to protect the
edge of a platform, roof, bridge, or the like.
2. (Fort.) A wall, rampart, or elevation of earth, for
covering soldiers from an enemy's fire; a breastwork. See
Illust. of {Casemate}.
Parapetalous \Par`a*pet"al*ous\, a. [Pref. para- + petal.]
(Bot.)
Growing by the side of a petal, as a stamen.
Parapeted \Par"a*pet`ed\, a.
Having a parapet.
Paraph \Par"aph\, n. [F. paraphe, parafe, contr. fr.
paragraphe.]
A flourish made with the pen at the end of a signature. In
the Middle Ages, this formed a sort of rude safeguard against
forgery. --Brande & C.
Paraph \Par"aph\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paraphed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Paraphing}.] [Cf. F. parapher, parafer.]
To add a paraph to; to sign, esp. with the initials.
Parapherna \Par`a*pher"na\, n. pl. [L.] (Rom. Law)
The property of a woman which, on her marriage, was not made
a part of her dower, but remained her own.
Paraphernal \Par`a*pher"nal\, a. [Cf. F. paraphernal.]
Of or pertaining to paraphernalia; as, paraphernal property.
--Kent.
Paraphernalia \Par`a*pher*na"li*a\, n. pl. [LL. paraphernalia
bona, fr. L. parapherna, pl., parapherna, Gr. ?; ? beside + ?
a bride's dowry, fr. fe`rein to bring. See 1st {Bear}.]
1. (Law) Something reserved to a wife, over and above her
dower, being chiefly apparel and ornaments suited to her
degree.
2. Appendages; ornaments; finery; equipments.
Paraphimosis \Par`a*phi*mo"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; ? beyond +
? to muzzle.] (Med.)
A condition in which the prepuce, after being retracted
behind the glans penis, is constricted there, and can not be
brought forward into place again.
Paraphosphoric \Par`a*phos*phor"ic\, a. [Pref. para- +
phosphoric.] (Chem.)
Pyrophosphoric. [Obs.]
Paraphagma \Par`a*phag"ma\, n.; pl. {Paraphragmata}. [NL., fr.
Gr. ? beside + ?, ?, an inclosure.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the outer divisions of an endosternite of Crustacea.
-- {Par`a*phrag"mal}, a.
Paraphrase \Par"a*phrase\, n. [L. paraphrasis, Gr. ?, from ? to
say the same thing in other words; ? beside + ? to speak: cf.
F. paraphrase. See {Para-}, and {Phrase}.]
A restatement of a text, passage, or work, expressing the
meaning of the original in another form, generally for the
sake of its clearer and fuller exposition; a setting forth
the signification of a text in other and ampler terms; a free
translation or rendering; -- opposed to metaphrase.
In paraphrase, or translation with latitude, the
author's words are not so strictly followed as his
sense. --Dryden.
Excellent paraphrases of the Psalms of David. --I.
Disraeli.
His sermons a living paraphrase upon his practice.
--Sowth.
The Targums are also called the Chaldaic or Aramaic
Paraphrases. --Shipley.
Paraphrase \Par"a*phrase\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paraphrased}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Paraphrasing}.]
To express, interpret, or translate with latitude; to give
the meaning of a passage in other language.
We are put to construe and paraphrase our own words.
--Bp.
Stillingfleet.
Paraphrase \Par"a*phrase\, v. i.
To make a paraphrase.
Paraphraser \Par"a*phra`ser\, n.
One who paraphrases.
Paraphrasian \Par`a*phra"sian\, n.
A paraphraser. [R.]
Paraphrast \Par"a*phrast\, n. [L. paraphrastes, Gr. ?: cf. F.
paraphraste.]
A paraphraser. --T. Warton.
Paraphrastic \Par`a*phras"tic\, Paraphrastical
\Par`a*phras"tic*al\, a. [Gr.?: cf. F. paraphrastique.]
Paraphrasing; of the nature of paraphrase; explaining, or
translating in words more clear and ample than those of the
author; not literal; free. -- {Par`a*phras"tic*al*ly}, adv.
Paraphysis \Pa*raph"y*sis\, n.; pl. {Paraphyses}. [NL., fr. Gr.
? beside + ? growth.] (Bot.)
A minute jointed filament growing among the archegonia and
antheridia of mosses, or with the spore cases, etc., of other
flowerless plants.
Paraplegia \Par`a*ple"gi*a\, Paraplegy \Par"a*ple`gy\, n. [NL.
paraplegia, fr. Gr. ? hemiplegia, fr. ? to strike at the
side; ? beside + ? to strike: cf. F. parapl['e]gie.] (Med.)
Palsy of the lower half of the body on both sides, caused
usually by disease of the spinal cord. -- {Par`a*pleg"ic}, a.
Parapleura \Par`a*pleu"ra\, n.; pl. {Parapleur[ae]}. [NL. See
{Para-}, and 2d {Pleura}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A chitinous piece between the metasternum and the pleuron of
certain insects.
Parapodium \Par`a*po"di*um\, n.; pl. {Parapodia}. [NL., fr. Gr.
? beside + ?, dim. of ? foot.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the lateral appendages of an annelid; -- called also
{foot tubercle}.
Note: They may serve for locomotion, respiration, and
sensation, and often contain spines or set[ae]. When
well developed, a dorsal part, or notopodium, and a
ventral part, or neuropodium, are distinguished.
Parapophysis \Par`a*poph"y*sis\, n.; pl. {Parapophyses}. [NL.
See {Para-}, and {Apophysis}.] (Anat.)
The ventral transverse, or capitular, process of a vertebra.
See {Vertebra}. -- {Par*ap`o*phys"ic*al}, a.
Parapterum \Pa*rap"te*rum\, n.; pl. {Paraptera}. [NL. See
{Para-}, and {Pteron}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A special plate situated on the sides of the mesothorax and
metathorax of certain insects.
Paraquet \Par`a*quet"\, Paraquito \Par`a*qui"to\, n. [See
{Paroquet}.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Parrakeet}.
Parasang \Par"a*sang\, n. [L. parasanga, Gr. ?, from Old
Persian; cf. Per. farsang.]
A Persian measure of length, which, according to Herodotus
and Xenophon, was thirty stadia, or somewhat more than three
and a half miles. The measure varied in different times and
places, and, as now used, is estimated at from three and a
half to four English miles.
Parascenium \Par`a*sce"ni*um\, n.; pl. {Parascenia}. [NL., fr.
Gr. ?; ? beside + ? stage.] (Greek & Rom. Antiq.)
One of two apartments adjoining the stage, probably used as
robing rooms.
Parasceve \Par`a*sce"ve\, n. [L., from Gr. ?, lit.,
preparation.]
1. Among the Jews, the evening before the Sabbath. [Obs.]
--Mark xv. 42 (Douay ver.)
2. A preparation. [R.] --Donne.
Paraschematic \Par`a*sche*mat"ic\, a. [Gr. ? to change from the
true form.]
Of or pertaining to a change from the right form, as in the
formation of a word from another by a change of termination,
gender, etc. --Max M["u]ller.
Paraselene \Par`a*se*le"ne\, n.; pl. {Paraselen[ae]}. [NL., from
Gr. ? beside + ? the moon: cf. F. paras['e]l[`e]ne.]
(Meteor.)
A mock moon; an image of the moon which sometimes appears at
the point of intersection of two lunar halos. Cf.
{Parhelion}.
Parasita \Par`a*si"ta\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) An artificial group formerly made for parasitic insects,
as lice, ticks, mites, etc.
(b) A division of copepod Crustacea, having a sucking mouth,
as the lerneans. They are mostly parasites on fishes.
Called also {Siphonostomata}.
Parasital \Par"a*si`tal\, a. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to parasites; parasitic.
Parasite \Par"a*site\, n. [F., fr. L. parasitus, Gr. ?, lit.,
eating beside, or at the table of, another; ? beside + ? to
feed, from ? wheat, grain, food.]
1. One who frequents the tables of the rich, or who lives at
another's expense, and earns his welcome by flattery; a
hanger-on; a toady; a sycophant.
Thou, with trembling fear, Or like a fawning
parasite, obey'st. --Milton.
Parasites were called such smell-feasts as would
seek to be free guests at rich men's tables.
--Udall.
2. (Bot.)
(a) A plant obtaining nourishment immediately from other
plants to which it attaches itself, and whose juices
it absorbs; -- sometimes, but erroneously, called
epiphyte.
(b) A plant living on or within an animal, and supported
at its expense, as many species of fungi of the genus
{Torrubia}.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) An animal which lives during the whole or part of its
existence on or in the body of some other animal,
feeding upon its food, blood, or tissues, as lice,
tapeworms, etc.
(b) An animal which steals the food of another, as the
parasitic jager.
(c) An animal which habitually uses the nest of another,
as the cowbird and the European cuckoo.
Parasitic \Par`a*sit"ic\, Parasitical \Par`a*sit"ic*al\, a. [L.
parasiticus, Gr. ?: cf. F. parasitique.]
1. Of the nature of a parasite; fawning for food or favors;
sycophantic. ``Parasitic preachers.'' --Milton.
2. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to parasites; living
on, or deriving nourishment from, some other living animal
or plant. See {Parasite}, 2 & 3.
{Parasitic gull}, {Parasitic jager}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Jager}.
-- {Par`a*sit"ic*al*ly}, adv. -- {Par`a*sit"ic*al*ness},
n.
Parasiticide \Par`a*sit"i*cide\, n. [Parasite + L. caedere to
kill.]
Anything used to destroy parasites. --Quain.
Parasitism \Par"a*si`tism\, n. [Cf. F. parasitisme.]
1. The state or behavior of a parasite; the act of a
parasite. ``Court parasitism.'' --Milton.
2. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.)The state of being parasitic.
Parasol \Par"a*sol`\, n. [F., fr. Sp. or Pg. parasol, or It.
parasole; It. parare to ward off, Sp. & Pg. parar (L. parare
to prepare) + It. sole sun, Sp. & Pg. sol (L. sol). See
{Parry}, {Solar}.]
A kind of small umbrella used by women as a protection from
the sun.
Parasol \Par"a*sol`\, v. t.
To shade as with a parasol. [R.]
Parasolette \Par`a*sol*ette"\, n.
A small parasol.
Parasphenoid \Par`a*sphe"noid\, a. [Pref. para- + sphenoid.]
(Anat.)
Near the sphenoid bone; -- applied especially to a bone
situated immediately beneath the sphenoid in the base of the
skull in many animals. -- n. The parasphenoid bone.
Parastichy \Pa*ras"ti*chy\, n. [Pref. para- + Gr. ? a row.]
(Bot.)
A secondary spiral in phyllotaxy, as one of the evident
spirals in a pine cone.
Parasynaxis \Par`a*syn*ax"is\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, from ? to
assemble illegally or secretly.] (Civil Law)
An unlawful meeting.
Parasynthetic \Par`a*syn*thet"ic\, a. [Gr. ?. See {Para-}, and
{Synthetic}.]
Formed from a compound word. ``Parasynthetic derivatives.''
--Dr. Murray.
Paratactic \Par`a*tac"tic\, a. (Gram.)
Of pertaining to, or characterized by, parataxis.
Parataxis \Par`a*tax"is\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a placing beside,
fr. ? to place beside.] (Gram.)
The mere ranging of propositions one after another, without
indicating their connection or interdependence; -- opposed to
syntax. --Brande & C.
Parathesis \Pa*rath"e*sis\, n.; pl. {Paratheses}. [NL., from Gr.
? a putting beside, from ? to put beside.]
1. (Gram.) The placing of two or more nouns in the same case;
apposition.
2. (Rhet.) A parenthetical notice, usually of matter to be
afterward expanded. --Smart.
3. (Print.) The matter contained within brackets.
4. (Eccl.) A commendatory prayer. --Shipley.
Parathetic \Par`a*thet"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to parathesis.
Paratonnerre \Pa`ra`ton`nerre"\, n. [F., fr. parer to parry +
tonnerre thunderbolt.]
A conductor of lightning; a lightning rod.
Paraunter \Par*aun"ter\, adv. [Par + aunter.]
Peradventure. See {Paraventure}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Parauque \Pa*rauque"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A bird ({Nyctidromus albicollis}) ranging from Texas to South
America. It is allied to the night hawk and goatsucker.
Paravail \Par`a*vail"\, a. [OF. par aval below; par through (L.
per) + aval down; a- (L. ad) + val (L. vallis) a valley. Cf.
{Paramount}.] (Eng. Law)
At the bottom; lowest. --Cowell.
Note: In feudal law, the tenant paravail is the lowest tenant
of the fee, or he who is immediate tenant to one who
holds over of another. --Wharton.
Paravant \Par"a*vant`\, Paravant \Par"a*vant`\, adv. [OF. par
avant. See {Par}, and lst {Avaunt}.]
1. In front; publicly. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. Beforehand; first. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Paraventure \Par`a*ven"ture\, adv. [Par + aventure.]
Peradventure; perchance. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Paraxanthin \Par`a*xan"thin\, n. [Pref. Para- + xanthin.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A crystalline substance closely related to xanthin, present
in small quantity in urine.
Paraxial \Par*ax"i*al\, a. [Pref. para- + axial.] (Anat.)
On either side of the axis of the skeleton.
Paraxylene \Par`a*xy"lene\, n. (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon of the aromatic series obtained as a colorless
liquid by the distillation of camphor with zinc chloride. It
is one of the three metamers of xylene. Cf. {Metamer}, and
{Xylene}.
Parboil \Par"boil`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Parboiled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Parboiling}.] [OE. parboilen, OF. parbouillir to cook
well; par through (see {Par}) + bouillir to boil, L. bullire.
The sense has been influenced by E. part. See lst {Boil}.]
1. To boil or cook thoroughly. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
2. To boil in part; to cook partially by boiling.
Parbreak \Par"break`\, v. i. & t. [Par + break.]
To throw out; to vomit. [Obs.] --Skelton.
Parbreak \Par"break`\, n.
Vomit. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Parbuckle \Par"buc`kle\, n.
(a) A kind of purchase for hoisting or lowering a cylindrical
burden, as a cask. The middle of a long rope is made fast
aloft, and both parts are looped around the object, which
rests in the loops, and rolls in them as the ends are
hauled up or payed out.
(b) A double sling made of a single rope, for slinging a
cask, gun, etc.
Parbuckle \Par"buc`kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Parbuckled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Parbuckling}.]
To hoist or lower by means of a parbuckle. --Totten.
Parcae \Par"c[ae]\, n. pl. [L.]
The Fates. See {Fate}, 4.
Parcase \Par*case"\, adv. [Par + case.]
Perchance; by chance. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Parcel \Par"cel\, n. [F. parcelle a small part, fr. (assumed)
LL. particella, dim. of L. pars. See {Part}, n., and cf.
{Particle}.]
1. A portion of anything taken separately; a fragment of a
whole; a part. [Archaic] ``A parcel of her woe.''
--Chaucer.
Two parcels of the white of an egg. --Arbuthnot.
The parcels of the nation adopted different forms of
self-government. --J. A.
Symonds.
2. (Law) A part; a portion; a piece; as, a certain piece of
land is part and parcel of another piece.
3. An indiscriminate or indefinite number, measure, or
quantity; a collection; a group.
This youthful parcel Of noble bachelors stand at my
disposing. --Shak.
4. A number or quantity of things put up together; a bundle;
a package; a packet.
'Tis like a parcel sent you by the stage. --Cowper.
{Bill of parcels}. See under 6th {Bill}.
{Parcel office}, an office where parcels are received for
keeping or forwarding and delivery.
{Parcel post}, that department of the post office concerned
with the collection and transmission of parcels.
{Part and parcel}. See under {Part}.
Parcel \Par"cel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Parceled}or {Parcelled};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Parceling} or {Parcelling}.]
1. To divide and distribute by parts or portions; -- often
with out or into. ``Their woes are parceled, mine are
general.'' --Shak.
These ghostly kings would parcel out my power.
--Dryden.
The broad woodland parceled into farms. --Tennyson.
2. To add a parcel or item to; to itemize. [R.]
That mine own servant should Parcel the sum of my
disgraces by Addition of his envy. --Shak.
3. To make up into a parcel; as, to parcel a customer's
purchases; the machine parcels yarn, wool, etc.
{To parcel a rope} (Naut.), to wind strips of tarred canvas
tightly arround it. --Totten.
{To parcel a seam} (Naut.), to cover it with a strip of
tarred canvas.
Parcel \Par"cel\, a. & adv.
Part or half; in part; partially. --Shak. [Sometimes hyphened
with the word following.]
The worthy dame was parcel-blind. --Sir W.
Scott.
One that . . . was parcel-bearded [partially bearded].
--Tennyson.
{Parcel poet}, a half poet; a poor poet. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Parceling \Par"cel*ing\, n. [Written also parcelling.]
1. The act of dividing and distributing in portions or parts.
2. (Naut.) Long, narrow slips of canvas daubed with tar and
wound about a rope like a bandage, before it is served;
used, also, in mousing on the stayes, etc.
Parcel-mele \Par"cel-mele`\, adv. [See {Parcel}, and {Meal} a
part.]
By parcels or parts. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Parcenary \Par"ce*na*ry\, n. [See {Parcener}, {partner}.] (Law)
The holding or occupation of an inheritable estate which
descends from the ancestor to two or more persons;
coheirship.
Note: It differs in many respects from joint tenancy, which
is created by deed or devise. In the United States
there is no essential distinction between parcenary and
tenancy in common. --Wharton. Kent.
Parcener \Par"ce*ner\, n. [Of. par[,c]onnier, parsonnier, fr.
parzon, par[,c]un, parcion, part, portion, fr. L. partitio a
division. See {Partition}, and cf. {Partner}.] (Law)
A coheir, or one of two or more persons to whom an estate of
inheritance descends jointly, and by whom it is held as one
estate.
Parch \Parch\ (p[aum]rch), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Parched}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Parching}.] [OE. perchen to pierce, hence used of a
piercing heat or cold, OF. perchier, another form of percier,
F. percer. See {Pierce}.]
1. To burn the surface of; to scorch; to roast over the fire,
as dry grain; as, to parch the skin; to parch corn.
Ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn. --Lev.
xxiii. 14.
2. To dry to extremity; to shrivel with heat; as, the mouth
is parched from fever.
The ground below is parched. --Dryden.
Parch \Parch\, v. i.
To become scorched or superficially burnt; to be very dry.
``Parch in Afric sun.'' --Shak.
Parchedness \Parch"ed*ness\, n.
The state of being parched.
Parchesi \Par*che"si\ (p[aum]r*ch[=e]"z[i^]), n.
See {Pachisi}.
Parching \Parch"ing\ (p[aum]rch"[i^]ng), a.
Scorching; burning; drying. ``Summer's parching heat.''
--Shak. -- {Parch"ing*ly}, adv.
Parchment \Parch"ment\ (-ment), n. [OE. parchemin, perchemin, F.
parchemin, LL. pergamenum, L. pergamena, pergamina, fr. L.
Pergamenus of or belonging to Pergamus an ancient city of
Mysia in Asia Minor, where parchment was first used.]
1. The skin of a lamb, sheep, goat, young calf, or other
animal, prepared for writing on. See {Vellum}.
But here's a parchment with the seal of C[ae]sar.
--Shak.
2. The envelope of the coffee grains, inside the pulp.
{Parchment paper}. See {Papyrine}.
Parcity \Par"ci*ty\, n. [L. parcitas, fr. parcus sparing.]
Sparingless. [Obs.]
Parclose \Par"close\, n. [OF. See {Perclose}.] (Eccl. Arch.)
A screen separating a chapel from the body of the church.
[Written also {paraclose} and {perclose}.] --Hook.
Pard \Pard\ (p[aum]rd), n. [L. pardus, Gr. pa`rdos; cf. Skr.
p[.r]d[=a]ku tiger, panther.] (Zo["o]l.)
A leopard; a panther.
And more pinch-spotted make them Than pard or cat
o'mountain. --Shak.
Pardale \Par"dale\ (p[aum]r"d[asl]l), n. [L. pardalis, Gr.
pa`rdalis. Cf. {Pard}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A leopard. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Parde \Par*de"\, Pardie \Par*die"\, adv. or interj. [F. pardi,
for par Dieu by God.]
Certainly; surely; truly; verily; -- originally an oath.
[Written also {pardee}, {pardieux}, {perdie}, etc.] [Obs.]
He was, parde, an old fellow of yours. --Chaucer.
Pardine \Par"dine\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Spotted like a pard.
{Pardine lynx} (Zo["o]l.), a species of lynx ({Felis
pardina}) inhabiting Southern Europe. Its color is rufous,
spotted with black.
Pardo \Par"do\, n. [Pg. pardao, fr. Skr. prat[=a]pa splendor,
majesty.]
A money of account in Goa, India, equivalent to about 2s. 6d.
sterling. or 60 cts.
Pardon \Par"don\, n. [F., fr. pardonner to pardon. See {Pardon},
v. t.]
1. The act of pardoning; forgiveness, as of an offender, or
of an offense; release from penalty; remission of
punishment; absolution.
Pardon, my lord, for me and for my tidings. --Shak.
But infinite in pardon was my judge. --Milton.
Usage: Used in expressing courteous denial or contradiction;
as, I crave your pardon; or in indicating that one has
not understood another; as, I beg pardon.
2. An official warrant of remission of penalty.
Sign me a present pardon for my brother. --Shak.
3. The state of being forgiven. --South.
4. (Law) A release, by a sovereign, or officer having
jurisdiction, from the penalties of an offense, being
distinguished from amenesty, which is a general
obliteration and canceling of a particular line of past
offenses.
Syn: Forgiveness; remission. See {Forgiveness}.
Pardon \Par"don\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pardoned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pardoning}.] [Either fr. pardon, n., or from F.
pardonner, LL. perdonare; L. per through, thoroughly,
perfectly + donare to give, to present. See {Par-}, and
{Donation}.]
1. To absolve from the consequences of a fault or the
punishment of crime; to free from penalty; -- applied to
the offender.
In this thing the Lord pardon thy servant. --2 Kings
v. 18.
I pray you, pardon me; pray heartily, pardom me.
--Shak.
2. To remit the penalty of; to suffer to pass without
punishment; to forgive; -- applied to offenses.
I pray thee, pardon my sin. --1 S??. xv.
25.
Apollo, pardon My great profaneness 'gainst thine
oracle ? --Shak.
3. To refrain from exacting as a penalty.
I pardon thee thy life before thou ask it. --Shak.
4. To give leave (of departure) to. [Obs.]
Even now about it! I will pardon you. --Shak.
{Pardon me}, forgive me; excuse me; -- a phrase used also to
express courteous denial or contradiction.
Syn: To forgive; absolve; excuse; overlook; remit; acquit.
See {Excuse}.
Pardonable \Par"don*a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. pardonnable.]
Admitting of pardon; not requiring the excution of penalty;
venial; excusable; -- applied to the offense or to the
offender; as, a pardonable fault, or culprit.
Pardonableness \Par"don*a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being pardonable; as, the
pardonableness of sin. --Bp. Hall.
Pardonably \Par"don*a*bly\, adv.
In a manner admitting of pardon; excusably. --Dryden.
Pardoner \Par"don*er\, n.
1. One who pardons. --Shak.
2. A seller of indulgences. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pardoning \Par"don*ing\, a.
Relating to pardon; having or exercising the right to pardon;
willing to pardon; merciful; as, the pardoning power; a
pardoning God.
Pare \Pare\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pared}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Paring}.] [F. parer to pare, as a horse's hoofs, to dress or
curry, as, leather, to clear, as anchors or cables, to parry,
ward off, fr. L. parare to prepare. Cf. {Empire}, {Parade},
{Pardon}, {Parry}, {Prepare}.]
1. To cut off, or shave off, the superficial substance or
extremities of; as, to pare an apple; to pare a horse's
hoof.
2. To remove; to separate; to cut or shave, as the skin,
ring, or outside part, from anything; -- followed by off
or away; as; to pare off the ring of fruit; to pare away
redundancies.
3. Fig.: To diminish the bulk of; to reduce; to lessen.
The king began to pare a little the privilege of
clergy. --Bacon.
Paregoric \Par`e*gor"ic\, a. [L. paregoricus, Gr. ?, from ?
addressing, encouraging, soothing; ? beside + ? an assembly:
cf. F. par['e]gorique. See {Allegory}.]
Mitigating; assuaging or soothing pain; as, paregoric elixir.
Paregoric \Par`e*gor"ic\, n. (Med.)
A medicine that mitigates pain; an anodyne; specifically,
camphorated tincture of opium; -- called also {paregoric
elexir}.
Parelcon \Pa*rel"con\, n. [Gr. ? to draw aside, to be redundant;
? beside + ? to draw.] (Gram.)
The addition of a syllable or particle to the end of a
pronoun, verb, or adverb.
Parelectronomic \Par`e*lec`tro*nom"ic\, a. (Physiol.)
Of or relating to parelectronomy; as, the parelectronomic
part of a muscle.
Parelectronomy \Par*e`lec*tron"o*my\, n. [Pref. para- + electro-
+ Gr. ? law.] (Physiol.)
A condition of the muscles induced by exposure to severe
cold, in which the electrical action of the muscle is
reversed.
Parella \Pa*rel"la\, Parelle \Pa`relle\, n. [Cf. F. parelle.]
(Bot.)
(a) A name for two kinds of dock ({Rumex Patientia} and {R.
Hydrolapathum}).
(b) A kind of lichen ({Lecanora parella}) once used in dyeing
and in the preparation of litmus.
Parembole \Pa*rem"bo*le\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? an insertion
beside. See {Para-}, and {Embolus}.] (Rhet.)
A kind of parenthesis.
Parement \Pare"ment\, n.
See {Parament}. [Obs.]
Paremptosis \Par`emp*to"sis\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? a coming in
beside; ? beside + ? to fall in.]
Same as {Parembole}.
Parenchyma \Pa*ren"chy*ma\, n. [NL., from Gr. ?, fr. ? to pour
in beside; ? beside + ? in + ? to pour: cf. F. parenchyme.]
(Biol.)
The soft celluar substance of the tissues of plants and
animals, like the pulp of leaves, to soft tissue of glands,
and the like.
Parenchymal \Pa*ren"chy*mal\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or consisting of, parenchyma.
Parenchymatous \Par`en*chym"a*tous\, Parenchymous
\Pa*ren"chy*mous\, a. [Cf. F. parenchymateux.]
Of, pertaining to, or connected with, the parenchyma of a
tissue or an organ; as, parenchymatous degeneration.
Parenesis \Pa*ren"e*sis\, n. [L. paraenesis, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
advise.]
Exhortation. [R.]
Parenetic \Par`e*net"ic\, Parenetioal \Par`e*net"io*al\, a. [Gr.
?: cf. F. par['e]n['e]tique.]
Hortatory; encouraging; persuasive. [R.] --F. Potter.
Parent \Par"ent\, n. [L. parens, -entis; akin to parere to bring
forth; cf. Gr. ? to give, beget: cf. F. parent. Cf. {Part}.]
1. One who begets, or brings forth, offspring; a father or a
mother.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord. --Eph. vi.
1.
2. That which produces; cause; source; author; begetter; as,
idleness is the parent of vice.
Regular industry is the parent of sobriety.
--Channing.
{Parent cell}. (Biol.) See {Mother cell}, under {Mother},
also {Cytula}.
{Parent nucleus} (Biol.), a nucleus which, in cell division,
divides, and gives rise to two or more daughter nuclei.
See {Karyokinesis}, and {Cell division}, under {Division}.
Parentage \Par"ent*age\, n. [Cf. F. parentage relationship.]
Descent from parents or ancestors; parents or ancestors
considered with respect to their rank or character;
extraction; birth; as, a man of noble parentage. ``Wilt thou
deny thy parentage?'' --Shak.
Though men esteem thee low of parentage. --Milton.
Parental \Pa*ren"tal\, a. [L. parentalis.]
1. Of or pertaining to a parent or to parents; as, parental
authority; parental obligations.
2. Becoming to, or characteristic of, parents; tender;
affectionate; devoted; as, parental care.
The careful course and parental provision of nature.
--Sir T.
Browne.
Parentally \Pa*ren"tal*ly\, adv.
In a parental manner.
Parentation \Par`en*ta"tion\, n. [L. parentatio, fr. parentare
to offer a solemn sacrifice in honor of deceased parents. See
{Parent}.]
Something done or said in honor of the dead; obsequies.
[Obs.] --Abp. Potter.
Parentele \Par"en`tele`\, n. [F. parent[`e]le, L. parentela.]
Kinship; parentage. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Parenthesis \Pa*ren"the*sis\, n.; pl. {Parentheses}. [NL., fr.
Gr. ?, fr. ? to put in beside, insert; ? beside + ? in + ? to
put, place. See {Para-}, {En-}, 2, and {Thesis}.]
1. A word, phrase, or sentence, by way of comment or
explanation, inserted in, or attached to, a sentence which
would be grammatically complete without it. It is usually
inclosed within curved lines (see def. 2 below), or
dashes. ``Seldom mentioned without a derogatory
parenthesis.'' --Sir T. Browne.
Don't suffer every occasional thought to carry you
away into a long parenthesis. --Watts.
2. (Print.) One of the curved lines () which inclose a
parenthetic word or phrase.
Note: Parenthesis, in technical grammar, is that part of a
sentence which is inclosed within the recognized sign;
but many phrases and sentences which are punctuated by
commas are logically parenthetical. In def. 1, the
phrase ``by way of comment or explanation'' is inserted
for explanation, and the sentence would be
grammatically complete without it. The present tendency
is to avoid using the distinctive marks, except when
confusion would arise from a less conspicuous
separation.
Parenthesize \Pa*ren"the*size\, v. t.
To make a parenthesis of; to include within parenthetical
marks. --Lowell.
Parenthetic \Par`en*thet"ic\, Parenthetical \Par`en*thet"ic*al\,
a. [Cf. Gr. ?.]
1. Of the nature of a parenthesis; pertaining to, or
expressed in, or as in, a parenthesis; as, a parenthetical
clause; a parenthetic remark.
A parenthetical observation of Moses himself.
--Hales.
2. Using or containing parentheses.
Parenthetically \Par`en*thet"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a parenthetical manner; by way of parenthesis; by
parentheses.
Parenthood \Par"ent*hood\, n.
The state of a parent; the office or character of a parent.
Parentticide \Pa*rent"ti*cide\, n. [L. parenticida a parricide;
parens parent + caedere to kill.]
1. The act of one who kills one's own parent. [R.]
2. One who kills one's own parent; a parricide. [R.]
Parentless \Par"ent*less\, a.
Deprived of parents.
Parepididymis \Par*ep`i*did"y*mis\, n. [NL. See {Para-}, and
{Epididymis}.] (Anat.)
A small body containing convoluted tubules, situated near the
epididymis in man and some other animals, and supposed to be
a remnant of the anterior part of the Wolffian body.
Parer \Par"er\, n. [From {Pare}, v. t.]
One who, or that which, pares; an instrument for paring.
Parergon \Pa*rer"gon\, n. [L.]
See {Parergy}.
Parergy \Par"er*gy\, n. [L. parergon, Gr. ?; ? beside + ? work.]
Something unimportant, incidental, or superfluous. [Obs.]
--Sir T. Browne.
Paresis \Par"e*sis\, n. [NL., from Gr. ?, fr. ? to let go; ?
from + ? to send.] (Med.)
Incomplete paralysis, affecting motion but not sensation.
Parethmoid \Par*eth"moid\, a. [Pref. para- + ethmoid.] (Anat.)
Near or beside the ethmoid bone or cartilage; -- applied
especially to a pair of bones in the nasal region of some
fishes, and to the ethmoturbinals in some higher animals. --
n. A parethmoid bone.
Paretic \Pa*ret"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to paresis; affected with paresis.
Parfay \Par*fay"\, interj. [Par + fay.]
By my faith; verily. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Parfit \Par"fit\, a.
Perfect. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Parfitly \Par"fit*ly\, adv.
Perfectly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Parforn \Par*forn"\, Parfourn \Par*fourn"\, v. t.
To perform. [Obs.] --Chaucer. --Piers Plowman.
Pargasite \Par"gas*ite\, n. [So called from Pargas, in Finland.]
(Min.)
A dark green aluminous variety of amphibole, or hornblende.
Pargeboard \Parge"board`\, n.
See {Bargeboard}.
Parget \Par"get\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pargeted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pargeting}.] [OE. pargeten, also spargeten, sparchen; of
uncertain origin.]
1. To coat with parget; to plaster, as walls, or the interior
of flues; as, to parget the outside of their houses. --Sir
T. Herbert.
The pargeted ceiling with pendants. --R. L.
Stevenson.
2. To paint; to cover over. [Obs.]
Parget \Par"get\, v. i.
1. To lay on plaster.
2. To paint, as the face. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Parget \Par"get\, n.
1. Gypsum or plaster stone.
2. Plaster, as for lining the interior of flues, or for
stuccowork. --Knight.
3. Paint, especially for the face. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Pargeter \Par"get*er\, n.
A plasterer. --Johnson.
Pargeting \Par"get*ing\, n. [Written also pargetting.]
Plasterwork; esp.:
(a) A kind of decorative plasterwork in raised ornamental
figures, formerly used for the internal and external
decoration of houses.
(b) In modern architecture, the plastering of the inside of
flues, intended to give a smooth surface and help the
draught.
Pargetory \Par"get*o*ry\, n.
Something made of, or covered with, parget, or plaster.
[Obs.] --Milton.
Parhelic \Par*he"lic\, a.
Of or pertaining to parhelia.
Parhelion \Par*hel"ion\, n.; pl. {Parhelia}. [L. parelion, Gr.
?, ?; ? beside + ? the sun.]
A mock sun appearing in the form of a bright light, sometimes
near the sun, and tinged with colors like the rainbow, and
sometimes opposite to the sun. The latter is usually called
an anthelion. Often several mock suns appear at the same
time. Cf. {Paraselene}.
Parhelium \Par*he"li*um\, n.
See {Parhelion}.
Pari- \Par"i-\ [L. par, paris, equal.]
A combining form signifying equal; as, paridigitate,
paripinnate.
Pariah \Pa"ri*ah\, n. [From Tamil paraiyan, pl. paraiyar, one of
the low caste, fr. parai a large drum, because they beat the
drums at certain festivals.]
1. One of an aboriginal people of Southern India, regarded by
the four castes of the Hindoos as of very low grade. They
are usually the serfs of the Sudra agriculturalists. See
{Caste}. --Balfour (Cyc. of India).
2. An outcast; one despised by society.
{Pariah dog} (Zo["o]l.), a mongrel race of half-wild dogs
which act as scavengers in Oriental cities.
{Pariah kite} (Zo["o]l.), a species of kite ({Milvus
govinda}) which acts as a scavenger in India.
Parial \Pa*ri"al\, n.
See {Pair royal}, under {Pair}, n.
Parian \Pa"ri*an\, a. [L. Parius.]
Of or pertaining to Paros, an island in the [AE]gean Sea
noted for its excellent statuary marble; as, Parian marble.
{Parian chronicle}, a most ancient chronicle of the city of
Athens, engraved on marble in the Isle of Paros, now among
the Arundelian marbles.
Parian \Pa"ri*an\, n.
1. A native or inhabitant of Paros.
2. A ceramic ware, resembling unglazed porcelain biscuit, of
which are made statuettes, ornaments, etc.
Paridigitata \Par`i*dig`i*ta"ta\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pari-}, and
{Digitate}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Artiodactyla}.
Parjdigitate \Par`j*dig"i*tate\, a. (Anat.)
Having an evennumber of digits on the hands or the feet.
--Qwen.
Paries \Pa"ri*es\, n.; pl. {Parietes}. [See {Parietes}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The triangular middle part of each segment of the shell of a
barnacle.
Parietal \Pa*ri"e*tal\, a. [L. parietalis, fr. paries, -ietis, a
wall: cf. F. pari['e]tal. Cf. {Parietary}, {Pellitory}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a wall; hence, pertaining to buildings
or the care of them.
2. Resident within the walls or buildings of a college.
At Harvard College, the officers resident within the
college walls constitute a permanent standing
committee, called the Parietal Committee. --B. H.
Hall (1856).
3. (Anat.)
(a) Of pertaining to the parietes.
(b) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the parietal
bones, which form the upper and middle part of the
cranium, between the frontals and occipitals.
4. (Bot.) Attached to the main wall of the ovary, and not to
the axis; -- said of a placenta.
Parietal \Pa*ri"e*tal\, n.
1. (Anat.) One of the parietal bones.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the special scales, or plates, covering
the back of the head in certain reptiles and fishes.
Parietary \Pa*ri"e*ta*ry\, a.
See {Parietal}, 2.
Parietary \Pa*ri"e*ta*ry\, n. [L. parietaria, fr. parietarius
parietal. Cf. {Pellitory}, {Parietal}.] (Bot.)
Any one of several species of {Parietaria}. See 1st
{Pellitory}.
Parietes \Pa*ri"e*tes\, n. pl. [L. paries a wall.]
1. (Anat.) The walls of a cavity or an organ; as, the
abdominal parietes; the parietes of the cranium.
2. (Bot.) The sides of an ovary or of a capsule.
Parietic \Pa`ri*et"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid found in the lichen
{Parmelia parietina}, and called also {chrysophanic} acid.
Parietine \Pa*ri"e*tine\, n. [L. parietinus parietal: cf.
parietinae ruined walls.]
A piece of a fallen wall; a ruin. [Obs.] --Burton.
Parieto- \Pa*ri"e*to-\ (Anat.)
A combining form used to indicate connection with, or
relation to, the parietal bones or the parietal segment of
the skull; as, the parieto-mastoid suture.
Parigenin \Pa*rig"e*nin\, n. [Parillin + -gen + -in.] (Chem.)
A curdy white substance, obtained by the decomposition of
parillin.
Parillin \Pa*ril"lin\, n. [Shortened fr. sarsaparillin.] (Chem.)
A glucoside resembling saponin, found in the root of
sarsaparilla, smilax, etc., and extracted as a bitter white
crystalline substance; -- called also {smilacin},
{sarsaparilla saponin}, and {sarsaparillin}.
Paring \Par"ing\, n. [From {Pare}, v. t.]
1. The act of cutting off the surface or extremites of
anything.
2. That which is pared off. --Pope.
Pare off the surface of the earth, and with the
parings raise your hills. --Mortimer.
Paripinnate \Par`i*pin"nate\, a. [Pari- + pinnate.] (Bot.)
Pinnate with an equal number of leaflets on each side; having
no odd leaflet at the end.
Paris \Par"is\, n. [From Paris, the son of Priam.] (Bot.)
A plant common in Europe ({Paris quadrifolia}); herb Paris;
truelove. It has been used as a narcotic.
Note: It much resembles the American genus {Trillium}, but
has usually four leaves and a tetramerous flower.
Paris \Par"is\, n.
The chief city of France.
{Paris green}. See under {Green}, n.
{Paris white} (Chem.), purified chalk used as a pigment;
whiting; Spanish white.
Parish \Par"ish\, n. [OE. parishe, paresche, parosche, OF.
paroisse, parosse, paroiche, F. paroisse, L. parochia,
corrupted fr. paroecia, Gr. ?, fr. ? dwelling beside or near;
? beside + ? a house, dwelling; akin to L. vicus village. See
{Vicinity}, and cf. {Parochial}.]
1. (Eccl. & Eng. Law)
(a) That circuit of ground committed to the charge of one
parson or vicar, or other minister having cure of
souls therein. --Cowell.
(b) The same district, constituting a civil jurisdiction,
with its own officers and regulations, as respects the
poor, taxes, etc.
Note: Populous and extensive parishes are now divided, under
various parliamentary acts, into smaller ecclesiastical
districts for spiritual purposes. --Mozley & W.
2. An ecclesiastical society, usually not bounded by
territorial limits, but composed of those persons who
choose to unite under the charge of a particular priest,
clergyman, or minister; also, loosely, the territory in
which the members of a congregation live. [U. S.]
3. In Louisiana, a civil division corresponding to a county
in other States.
Parish \Par"ish\, a.
Of or pertaining to a parish; parochial; as, a parish church;
parish records; a parish priest; maintained by the parish;
as, parish poor. --Dryden.
{Parish clerk}.
(a) The clerk or recording officer of a parish.
(b) A layman who leads in the responses and otherwise assists
in the service of the Church of England.
{Parish court}, in Louisiana, a court in each parish.
Parishen \Par"ish*en\, n.
A parishioner. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Parishional \Pa*rish"ion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a parish; parochial. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Parishioner \Pa*rish"ion*er\, n. [F. paroissien, LL.
parochianus.]
One who belongs to, or is connected with, a parish.
Parisian \Pa*ri"sian\, n. [Cf. F. parisen.]
A native or inhabitant of Paris, the capital of France.
Parisian \Pa*ri"sian\, a.
Of or pertaining to Paris.
Parisienne \Pa`ri`si`enne"\, n. [F.]
A female native or resident of Paris.
Parisology \Par`i*sol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? almost equal, evenly
balanced + -logy.]
The use of equivocal or ambiguous words. [R.]
Parisyllabic \Par`i*syl*lab"ic\, Parisyllabical
\Par`i*syl*lab"ic*al\, a. [Pari- + syllabic, -ical: cf. F.
parisyllabique.]
Having the same number of syllables in all its inflections.
Paritor \Par"i*tor\, n. [Abbrev. fr. apparitor: cf. L. paritor a
servant, attendant.]
An apparitor. ``Summoned by an host of paritors.'' --Dryden.
Paritory \Par"i*to*ry\, n.
Pellitory. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Parity \Par"i*ty\, n. [L. paritas, fr. par, paris, equal: cf. F.
parit['e]. See {Pair}, {Peer} an equal.]
The quality or condition of being equal or equivalent; A like
state or degree; equality; close correspondence; analogy; as,
parity of reasoning. ``No parity of principle.'' --De
Quincey.
Equality of length and parity of numeration. --Sir T.
Browne.
Park \Park\, n. [AS. pearroc, or perh. rather fr. F. parc; both
being of the same origin; cf. LL. parcus, parricus, Ir. &
Gael. pairc, W. park, parwg. Cf. {Paddock} an inclosure,
{Parrock}.]
1. (Eng. Law) A piece of ground inclosed, and stored with
beasts of the chase, which a man may have by prescription,
or the king's grant. --Mozley & W.
2. A tract of ground kept in its natural state, about or
adjacent to a residence, as for the preservation of game,
for walking, riding, or the like. --Chaucer.
While in the park I sing, the listening deer Attend
my passion, and forget to fear. --Waller.
3. A piece of ground, in or near a city or town, inclosed and
kept for ornament and recreation; as, Hyde Park in London;
Central Park in New York.
4. (Mil.) A space occupied by the animals, wagons, pontoons,
and materials of all kinds, as ammunition, ordnance
stores, hospital stores, provisions, etc., when brought
together; also, the objects themselves; as, a park of
wagons; a park of artillery.
5. A partially inclosed basin in which oysters are grown.
[Written also {parc}.]
{Park of artillery}. See under {Artillery}.
{Park phaeton}, a small, low carriage, for use in parks.
Park \Park\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Parked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Parking}.]
1. To inclose in a park, or as in a park.
How are we parked, and bounded in a pale. --Shak.
2. (Mil.) To bring together in a park, or compact body; as,
to park the artillery, the wagons, etc.
Parker \Park"er\, n.
The keeper of a park. --Sir M. Hale.
Parkeria \Par*ke"ri*a\, n. [NL. So named from W. K. Parker, a
British zo["o]logist.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of large arenaceous fossil Foraminifera found in the
Cretaceous rocks. The species are globular, or nearly so, and
are of all sizes up to that of a tennis ball.
Parkesine \Parkes"ine\, n. [So called from Mr. Parkes, the
inventor.]
A compound, originally made from gun cotton and castor oil,
but later from different materials, and used as a substitute
for vulcanized India rubber and for ivory; -- called also
{xylotile}.
Parkleaves \Park"leaves`\, n. (Bot.)
A European species of Saint John's-wort; the tutsan. See
{Tutsan}.
Parlance \Par"lance\, n. [OF., fr. F. parler to speak. See
{Parley}.]
Conversation; discourse; talk; diction; phrase; as, in legal
parlance; in common parlance.
A hate of gossip parlance and of sway. --Tennyson.
Parlando \Par*lan"do\, Parlante \Par*lan"te\, a. & adv. [It.]
(Mus.)
Speaking; in a speaking or declamatory manner; to be sung or
played in the style of a recitative.
Parle \Parle\, v. i. [F. parler. See {Parley}.]
To talk; to converse; to parley. [Obs.] --Shak.
Finding himself too weak, began to parle. --Milton.
Parle \Parle\, n.
Conversation; talk; parley. [Obs.]
They ended parle, and both addressed for fight.
--Milton.
Parley \Par"ley\, n.; pl. {Parleys}. [F. parler speech, talk,
fr. parler to speak, LL. parabolare, fr. L. parabola a
comparison, parable, in LL., a word. See {Parable}, and cf.
{Parliament}, {Parlor}.]
Mutual discourse or conversation; discussion; hence, an oral
conference with an enemy, as with regard to a truce.
We yield on parley, but are stormed in vain. --Dryden.
{To beat a parley} (Mil.), to beat a drum, or sound a
trumpet, as a signal for holding a conference with the
enemy.
Parley \Par"ley\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Parleyed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Parleying}.]
To speak with another; to confer on some point of mutual
concern; to discuss orally; hence, specifically, to confer
orally with an enemy; to treat with him by words, as on an
exchange of prisoners, an armistice, or terms of peace.
They are at hand, To parley or to fight; therefore
prepare. --Shak.
Parliament \Par"lia*ment\, n. [OE. parlement, F. parlement, fr.
parler to speak; cf. LL. parlamentum, parliamentum. See
{Parley}.]
1. A parleying; a discussion; a conference. [Obs.]
But first they held their parliament. --Rom. of R.
2. A formal conference on public affairs; a general council;
esp., an assembly of representatives of a nation or people
having authority to make laws.
They made request that it might be lawful for them
to summon a parliament of Gauls. --Golding.
3. The assembly of the three estates of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, viz., the lords spiritual,
lords temporal, and the representatives of the commons,
sitting in the House of Lords and the House of Commons,
constituting the legislature, when summoned by the royal
authority to consult on the affairs of the nation, and to
enact and repeal laws.
Note: Thought the sovereign is a constituting branch of
Parliament, the word is generally used to denote the
three estates named above.
4. In France, before the Revolution of 1789, one of the
several principal judicial courts.
{Parliament heel}, the inclination of a ship when made to
careen by shifting her cargo or ballast.
{Parliament hinge} (Arch.), a hinge with so great a
projection from the wall or frame as to allow a door or
shutter to swing back flat against the wall.
{Long Parliament}, {Rump Parliament}. See under {Long}, and
{Rump}.
Parliamental \Par`lia*men"tal\, a.
Parliamentary. [Obs.]
Parliamentarian \Par`lia*men*ta"ri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Parliament. --Wood.
Parliamentarian \Par`lia*men*ta"ri*an\, n.
1. (Eng. Hist.) One who adhered to the Parliament, in
opposition to King Charles I. --Walpole.
2. One versed in the rules and usages of Parliament or
similar deliberative assemblies; as, an accomplished
parliamentarian.
Parliamentarily \Par`lia*men"ta*ri*ly\, adv.
In a parliamentary manner.
Parliamentary \Par`lia*men"ta*ry\, a. [Cf. F. parlementaire.]
1. Of or pertaining to Parliament; as, parliamentary
authority. --Bacon.
2. Enacted or done by Parliament; as, a parliamentary act.
--Sir M. Hale.
3. According to the rules and usages of Parliament or of
deliberative bodies; as, a parliamentary motion.
{Parliamentary agent}, a person, usually a solicitor,
professionally employed by private parties to explain and
recommend claims, bills, etc., under consideration of
Parliament. [Eng.]
{Parliamentary train}, one of the trains which, by act of
Parliament, railway companies are required to run for the
conveyance of third-class passengers at a reduced rate.
[Eng.]
Parlor \Par"lor\, n. [OE. parlour, parlur, F. parloir, LL.
parlatorium. See {Parley}.] [Written also {parlour}.]
A room for business or social conversation, for the reception
of guests, etc. Specifically:
(a) The apartment in a monastery or nunnery where the inmates
are permitted to meet and converse with each other, or
with visitors and friends from without. --Piers Plowman.
(b) In large private houses, a sitting room for the family
and for familiar guests, -- a room for less formal uses
than the drawing-room. Esp., in modern times, the dining
room of a house having few apartments, as a London house,
where the dining parlor is usually on the ground floor.
(c) Commonly, in the United States, a drawing-room, or the
room where visitors are received and entertained.
Note: ``In England people who have a drawing-room no longer
call it a parlor, as they called it of old and till
recently.'' --Fitzed. Hall.
{Parlor car}. See {Palace car}, under {Car}.
Parlous \Par"lous\, a. [For perlous, a contr. fr. perilous.]
1. Attended with peril; dangerous; as, a parlous cough.
[Archaic] ``A parlous snuffing.'' --Beau. & Fl.
2. Venturesome; bold; mischievous; keen. [Obs.] ``A parlous
boy.'' --Shak. ``A parlous wit.'' --Dryden. --
{Par"lous*ly}, adv. [Obs.] -- {Par"lous*ness}, n. [Obs.]
Parmesan \Par`me*san"\, a. [F. parmesan, It. parmigiano.]
Of or pertaining to Parma in Italy.
{Parmesan cheese}, a kind of cheese of a rich flavor, though
from skimmed milk, made in Parma, Italy.
Parnassia \Par*nas"si*a\, n. [NL.] (Bot.)
A genus of herbs growing in wet places, and having white
flowers; grass of Parnassus.
Parnassian \Par*nas"sian\, a. [L. Parnassius.]
Of or pertaining to Parnassus.
Parnassian \Par*nas"sian\, n. [See {Parnassus}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of butterflies belonging to the
genus {Parnassius}. They inhabit the mountains, both in the
Old World and in America.
Parnassus \Par*nas"sus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Anc. Geog. & Gr.
Myth.)
A mountain in Greece, sacred to Apollo and the Muses, and
famous for a temple of Apollo and for the Castalian spring.
{Grass of Parnassus}. (Bot.) See under {Grass}, and
{Parnassia}.
{To climb Parnassus}, to write poetry. [Colloq.]
Paroccipital \Par`oc*cip"i*tal\, a. [Pref. para- + occipital.]
(Anat.)
Situated near or beside the occipital condyle or the
occipital bone; paramastoid; -- applied especially to a
process of the skull in some animals.
Parochial \Pa*ro"chi*al\, a. [LL. parochialis, from L. parochia.
See {Parish}.]
Of or pertaining to a parish; restricted to a parish; as,
parochial duties. ``Parochial pastors.'' --Bp. Atterbury.
Hence, limited; narrow. ``The parochial mind.'' --W. Black.
Parochialism \Pa*ro"chi*al*ism\, n.
The quality or state of being parochial in form or nature; a
system of management peculiar to parishes.
Parochiality \Pa*ro`chi*al"i*ty\, n.
The state of being parochial. [R.] --Sir J. Marriot.
Parochialize \Pa*ro"chi*al*ize\, v. t.
To render parochial; to form into parishes.
Parochially \Pa*ro"chi*al*ly\, adv.
In a parochial manner; by the parish, or by parishes. --Bp.
Stillingfleet.
Parochian \Pa*ro"chi*an\, a. [See {Parochial}, {Parishioner}.]
Parochial. [Obs.] ``Parochian churches.'' --Bacon.
Parochian \Pa*ro"chi*an\, n. [LL. parochianus.]
A parishioner. [Obs.] --Ld. Burleigh.
Parodic \Pa*rod"ic\, Parodical \Pa*rod"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?: cf. F.
parodique.]
Having the character of parody.
Very paraphrastic, and sometimes parodical. --T.
Warton.
Parodist \Par"o*dist\, n. [Cf. F. parodiste.]
One who writes a parody; one who parodies. --Coleridge.
Parody \Par"o*dy\, n.; pl. {Parodies}. [L. parodia, Gr. ?; ?
beside + ? a song: cf. F. parodie. See {Para-}, and {Ode}.]
1. A writing in which the language or sentiment of an author
is mimicked; especially, a kind of literary pleasantry, in
which what is written on one subject is altered, and
applied to another by way of burlesque; travesty.
The lively parody which he wrote . . . on Dryden's
``Hind and Panther'' was received with great
applause. --Macaulay.
2. A popular maxim, adage, or proverb. [Obs.]
Parody \Par"o*dy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Parodied}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Parodying}.] [Cf. F. parodier.]
To write a parody upon; to burlesque.
I have translated, or rather parodied, a poem of
Horace. --Pope.
Paroket \Par"o*ket`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Paroquet}.
Parol \Pa*rol"\, n. [See {Parole}, the same word.]
1. A word; an oral utterance. [Obs.]
2. (Law) Oral declaration; word of mouth; also, a writing not
under seal. --Blackstone.
Parol \Pa*rol"\, a.
Given or done by word of mouth; oral; also, given by a
writing not under seal; as, parol evidence.
{Parol arrest} (Law), an arrest in pursuance of a verbal
order from a magistrate.
{Parol contract} (Law), any contract not of record or under
seal, whether oral or written; a simple contract.
--Chitty. Story.
Parole \Pa*role"\, n. [F. parole. See {Parley}, and cf.
{Parol}.]
1. A word; an oral utterance. [Obs.]
2. Word of promise; word of honor; plighted faith; especially
(Mil.), promise, upon one's faith and honor, to fulfill
stated conditions, as not to bear arms against one's
captors, to return to custody, or the like.
This man had forfeited his military parole.
--Macaulay.
3. (Mil.) A watchword given only to officers of guards; --
distinguished from countersign, which is given to all
guards.
4. (Law) Oral declaration. See lst {Parol}, 2.
Parole \Pa*role"\, a.
See 2d {Parol}.
Parole \Pa*role"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paroled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Paroling}.] (Mil.)
To set at liberty on parole; as, to parole prisoners.
Paromology \Par`o*mol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. fr. ?, fr. ? to grant; ?
by, near + ? to speak together, agree. See {Homologous}.]
(Rhet.)
A concession to an adversary in order to strengthen one's own
argument.
Paronomasia \Par`o*no*ma"si*a\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to form
a word by a slight change; ? beside + ? to name, fr. ? a
name.] (Rhet.)
A play upon words; a figure by which the same word is used in
different senses, or words similar in sound are set in
opposition to each other, so as to give antithetical force to
the sentence; punning. --Dryden.
Paronomastic \Par`o*no*mas"tic\, Paronomastical
\Par`o*no*mas"tic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to paronomasia; consisting in a play upon
words.
Paronomasy \Par`o*nom"a*sy\, n. [Cf. F. paronomasie.]
Paronomasia. [R.] --B. Jonson.
Paronychia \Par`o*nych"i*a\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; ? beside + ?, ?,
a nail.] (Med.)
A whitlow, or felon. --Quincy.
Paronym \Par"o*nym\, n.
A paronymous word. [Written also {paronyme}.]
Paronymous \Pa*ron"y*mous\, a. [Gr. ?; ? beside, near + ? a
name.]
1. Having the same derivation; allied radically; conjugate;
-- said of certain words, as man, mankind, manhood, etc.
2. Having a similar sound, but different orthography and
different meaning; -- said of certain words, as al? and
awl; hair and hare, etc.
Paronymy \Pa*ron"y*my\, n.
The quality of being paronymous; also, the use of paronymous
words.
Paroophoron \Par`o*["o]ph"o*ron\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? (see
{Para-}) + ? an egg + ? to bear.] (Anat.)
A small mass of tubules near the ovary in some animals, and
corresponding with the parepididymis of the male.
Paroquet \Par"o*quet`\, n. [F. perroquet, or Sp. periquito; both
prob. orig. meaning, little Peter. See {Parrot}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Parrakeet}. [Written also {paroket}, {parroquet},
and {perroquet}.]
{Paroquet auk} or {auklet} (Zo["o]l.), a small auk
({Cyclorrhynchus psittaculus}) inhabiting the coast and
islands of Alaska. The upper parts are dark slate, under
parts white, bill orange red. Called also {perroquet auk}.
Parorchis \Pa*ror"chis\, n. [NL. See {Para-}, and {Orchis}.]
(Anat.)
The part of the epididymis; or the corresponding part of the
excretory duct of the testicle, which is derived from the
Wolffian body.
Parosteal \Pa*ros"te*al\, (Physiol.)
Of or pertaining to parostosis; as, parosteal ossification.
Parostosis \Par`os*to"sis\, n. [NL. See {Para-}, and {Ostosis}.]
(Physiol.)
Ossification which takes place in purely fibrous tracts; the
formation of bone outside of the periosteum.
Parostotic \Par`os*tot"ic\, a.
Pertaining to parostosis.
Parotic \Pa*rot"ic\, a. [See {Parotid}.] (Anat.)
On the side of the auditory capsule; near the external ear.
{Parotic region} (Zo["o]l.), the space around the ears.
Parotid \Pa*rot"id\, a. [L. parotis, -idis, Gr. ?, ?; ? beside,
near + ?, ?, the ear: cf. F. parotide. ] (Anat.)
(a) Situated near the ear; -- applied especially to the
salivary gland near the ear.
(b) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the parotid
gland.
{Parotid gland} (Anat.), one of the salivary glands situated
just in front of or below the ear. It is the largest of
the salivary glands in man, and its duct opens into the
interior of the mouth opposite the second molar of the
upper jaw.
Parotid \Pa*rot"id\, n. (Anat.)
The parotid gland.
Parotitis \Par`o*ti"tis\, n. [NL. See {Parotid}, and {-itis}.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the parotid glands.
{Epidemic}, or {Infectious}, {parotitis}, mumps.
Parotoid \Par"o*toid\, a. [Parotid + -oid.] (Anat.)
Resembling the parotid gland; -- applied especially to
cutaneous glandular elevations above the ear in many toads
and frogs. -- n. A parotoid gland.
Parousia \Pa*rou"si*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?. See {Parusia}.]
(a) The nativity of our Lord.
(b) The last day. --Shipley.
Parovarium \Par`o*va"ri*um\, n. [NL. See {Para-}, and
{Ovarium}.] (Anat.)
A group of tubules, a remnant of the Wolffian body, often
found near the ovary or oviduct; the epo["o]phoron.
Paroxysm \Par"ox*ysm\, n. [F. paroxysme, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
sharpen, irritate; ? beside, beyond + ? to sharpen, from ?
sharp.]
1. (Med.) The fit, attack, or exacerbation, of a disease that
occurs at intervals, or has decided remissions or
intermissions. --Arbuthnot.
2. Any sudden and violent emotion; spasmodic passion or
action; a convulsion; a fit.
The returning paroxysms of diffidence and despair.
--South.
Paroxysmal \Par`ox*ys"mal\, a.
Of the nature of a paroxysm; characterized or accompanied by
paroxysms; as, a paroxysmal pain; paroxysmal temper. --
{Par`ox*ys"mal*ly}, adv.
Paroxytone \Par*ox"y*tone\, n. [Gr. ?, a. See {Para-}, and
{Oxytone}.] (Gr. Gram.)
A word having an acute accent on the penultimate syllable.
Parquet \Par*quet"\, n. [F. See {Parquetry}.]
1. A body of seats on the floor of a music hall or theater
nearest the orchestra; but commonly applied to the whole
lower floor of a theater, from the orchestra to the dress
circle; the pit.
2. Same as {Parquetry}.
Parquetage \Par"quet*age\, n.
See {Parquetry}.
Parqueted \Par"quet*ed\, a.
Formed in parquetry; inlaid with wood in small and
differently colored figures.
One room parqueted with yew, which I liked well.
--Evelyn.
Parquetry \Par"quet*ry\, n. [F. parqueterie, fr. parquet inlaid
flooring, fr. parquet, dim. of parc an inclosure. See
{Park}.]
A species of joinery or cabinet-work consisting of an inlay
of geometric or other patterns, generally of different
colors, -- used especially for floors.
Parquette \Par*quette"\, n.
See {Parquet}.
Parr \Parr\, n. [Cf. Gael. & Ir. bradan a salmon.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A young salmon in the stage when it has dark transverse
bands; -- called also {samlet}, {skegger}, and
{fingerling}.
(b) A young leveret.
Parrakeet \Par"ra*keet`\, Parakeet \Par"a*keet`\, n. [See
{Paroquet}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of small parrots having a
graduated tail, which is frequently very long; -- called also
{paroquet} and {paraquet}.
Note: Many of the Asiatic and Australian species belong to
the genus {Paleornis}; others belong to {Polytelis},
{Platycercus}, {Psephotus}, {Euphema}, and allied
genera. The American parrakeets mostly belong to the
genus {Conurus}, as the Carolina parrakeet ({C.
Carolinensis}).
Parral \Par"ral\, Parrel \Par"rel\, n. [F. appareil. See
{Apparel}, n.]
1. (Naut.) The rope or collar by which a yard or spar is held
to the mast in such a way that it may be hoisted or
lowered at pleasure. --Totten.
2. A chimney-piece. --Halliwell.
Parraqua \Par*ra"qua\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A curassow of the genus {Ortalida}, allied to the guan.
Parrhesia \Par*rhe"si*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; ? beside, beyond +
? a speaking.] (Rhet.)
Boldness or freedom of speech.
Parricidal \Par"ri*ci`dal\, a. [L. parricidalis, parricidialis.
See {Parricide}.]
Of or pertaining to parricide; guilty of parricide.
Parricide \Par"ri*cide\, n. [F., fr. L. parricida; pater father
+ caedere to kill. See {Father}, {Homicide}, and cf.
{Patricide}.]
1. Properly, one who murders one's own father; in a wider
sense, one who murders one's father or mother or any
ancestor.
2. [L. parricidium.] The act or crime of murdering one's own
father or any ancestor.
Parricidious \Par`ri*cid"i*ous\, a.
Parricidal. [Obs.]
Parrock \Par"rock\, n. [AS. pearruc, pearroc. See {Park}.]
A croft, or small field; a paddock. [Prov. Eng.]
Parrot \Par"rot\, n. [Prob. fr. F. Pierrot, dim. of Pierre
Peter. F. pierrot is also the name of the sparrow. Cf.
{Paroquet}, {Petrel}, {Petrify}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) In a general sense, any bird of the order
{Psittaci}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of {Psittacus}, {Chrysotis},
{Pionus}, and other genera of the family {Psittacid[ae]},
as distinguished from the parrakeets, macaws, and lories.
They have a short rounded or even tail, and often a naked
space on the cheeks. The gray parrot, or jako ({P.
erithacus}) of Africa (see {Jako}), and the species of
Amazon, or green, parrots ({Chrysotis}) of America, are
examples. Many species, as cage birds, readily learn to
imitate sounds, and to repeat words and phrases.
{Carolina parrot} (Zo["o]l.), the Carolina parrakeet. See
{Parrakeet}.
{Night parrot}, or {Owl parrot}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Kakapo}.
{Parrot coal}, cannel coal; -- so called from the crackling
and chattering sound it makes in burning. [Eng. & Scot.]
{Parrot green}. (Chem.) See {Scheele's green}, under {Green},
n.
{Parrot weed} (Bot.), a suffrutescent plant ({Bocconia
frutescens}) of the Poppy family, native of the warmer
parts of America. It has very large, sinuate, pinnatifid
leaves, and small, panicled, apetalous flowers.
{Parrot wrasse}, {Parrot fish} (Zo["o]l.), any fish of the
genus {Scarus}. One species ({S. Cretensis}), found in the
Mediterranean, is esteemed by epicures, and was highly
prized by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Parrot \Par"rot\, v. t.
To repeat by rote, as a parrot.
Parrot \Par"rot\, v. i.
To chatter like a parrot.
Parroter \Par"rot*er\, n.
One who simply repeats what he has heard. [R.] --J. S. Mill.
Parrotry \Par"rot*ry\, n.
Servile imitation or repetition. [R.] --Coleridge. ``The
supine parrotry.'' --Fitzed. Hall.
Parrot's-bill \Par"rot's-bill`\, n. [So called from the
resemblance of its curved superior petal to a parrot's bill.]
(Bot.)
The glory pea. See under {Glory}.
Parry \Par"ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Parried}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Parrying}.] [F. par['e], p. p. of parer. See {Pare}, v. t.]
1. To ward off; to stop, or to turn aside; as, to parry a
thrust, a blow, or anything that means or threatens harm.
--Locke.
Vice parries wide The undreaded volley with a sword
of straw. --Cowper.
2. To avoid; to shift or put off; to evade.
The French government has parried the payment of our
claims. --E. Everett.
Parry \Par"ry\, v. i.
To ward off, evade, or turn aside something, as a blow,
argument, etc. --Locke.
Parry \Par"ry\, n.; pl. {Parries}.
A warding off of a thrust or blow, as in sword and bayonet
exercises or in boxing; hence, figuratively, a defensive
movement in debate or other intellectual encounter.
Parse \Parse\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Parsed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Parsing}.] [L. pars a part; pars orationis a part of speech.
See {Part}, n.] (Gram.)
To resolve into its elements, as a sentence, pointing out the
several parts of speech, and their relation to each other by
government or agreement; to analyze and describe
grammatically.
Let him construe the letter into English, and parse it
over perfectly. --Ascham.
Parsee \Par"see\, n. [Hind. & Per. p[=a]rs[=i] a Persian, a
follower of Zoroaster, a fire worshiper. Cf. {Persian}.]
1. One of the adherents of the Zoroastrian or ancient Persian
religion, descended from Persian refugees settled in
India; a fire worshiper; a Gheber.
2. The Iranian dialect of much of the religious literature of
the Parsees.
Parseeism \Par"see*ism\, n.
The religion and customs of the Parsees.
Parser \Pars"er\, n.
One who parses.
Parsimonious \Par`si*mo"ni*ous\, a. [Cf. F. parcimonieux. See
{Parsimony}.]
Exhibiting parsimony; sparing in expenditure of money; frugal
to excess; penurious; niggardly; stingy. --
{Par`si*mo"ni*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Par`si*mo"ni*ous*ness}, n.
A prodigal king is nearer a tyrant than a parsimonious.
--Bacon.
Extraordinary funds for one campaign may spare us the
expense of many years; whereas a long, parsimonious war
will drain us of more men and money. --Addison.
Syn: Covetous; niggardly; miserly; penurious; close; saving;
mean; stingy; frugal. See {Avaricious}.
Parsimony \Par"si*mo*ny\, n. [L. parsimonia, parcimonia; cf.
parcere to spare, parsus sparing: cf. F. parcimonie.]
Closeness or sparingness in the expenditure of money; --
generally in a bad sense; excessive frugality; niggardliness.
--Bacon.
Awful parsimony presided generally at the table.
--Thackeray.
Syn: Economy; frugality; illiberality; covetousness;
closeness; stinginess. See {Economy}.
Parsley \Pars"ley\, n. [OE. persely, persil, F. persil, L.
petroselinum rock parsley, Gr. ?; ? stone + ? parsley. Cf.
{Celery}.] (Bot.)
An aromatic umbelliferous herb ({Carum Petroselinum}), having
finely divided leaves which are used in cookery and as a
garnish.
As she went to the garden for parsley, to stuff a
rabbit. --Shak.
{Fool's parsley}. See under {Fool}.
{Hedge parsley}, {Milk parsley}, {Stone parsley}, names given
to various weeds of similar appearance to the parsley.
{Parsley fern} (Bot.), a small fern with leaves resembling
parsley ({Cryptogramme crispa}).
{Parsley piert} (Bot.), a small herb ({Alchemilla arvensis})
formerly used as a remedy for calculus.
Parsnip \Pars"nip\, n. [OE. parsnepe, from a French form, fr. L.
pastinaca; cf. pastinare to dig up, pastinum a kind of
dibble; cf. OF. pastenade, pastenaque.] (Bot.)
The aromatic and edible spindle-shaped root of the cultivated
form of the Pastinaca sativa, a biennial umbelliferous plant
which is very poisonous in its wild state; also, the plant
itself.
{Cow parsnip}. See {Cow parsnip}.
{Meadow parsnip}, the European cow parsnip.
{Poison parsnip}, the wild stock of the parsnip.
{Water parsnip}, any plant of the umbelliferous genus {Sium},
the species of which are poisonous.
Parson \Par"son\, n. [OE. persone person, parson, OF. persone,
F. personne person, LL. persona (sc. ecclesiae), fr. L.
persona a person. See {Person}.]
1. (Eng. Eccl. Law) A person who represents a parish in its
ecclesiastical and corporate capacities; hence, the rector
or incumbent of a parochial church, who has full
possession of all the rights thereof, with the cure of
souls.
2. Any clergyman having ecclesiastical preferment; one who is
in orders, or is licensed to preach; a preacher.
He hears the parson pray and preach. --Longfellow.
{Parson bird} (Zo["o]l.), a New Zealand bird ({Prosthemadera
Nov[ae]seelandi[ae]}) remarkable for its powers of mimicry
and its ability to articulate words. Its color is glossy
black, with a curious tuft of long, curly, white feathers
on each side of the throat. It is often kept as a cage
bird.
Parsonage \Par"son*age\, n.
1. (Eng. Eccl. Law) A certain portion of lands, tithes, and
offerings, for the maintenance of the parson of a parish.
2. The glebe and house, or the house only, owned by a parish
or ecclesiastical society, and appropriated to the
maintenance or use of the incumbent or settled pastor.
3. Money paid for the support of a parson. [Scot.]
What have I been paying stipend and teind, parsonage
and vicarage, for? --Sir W.
Scott.
Parsoned \Par"soned\, a.
Furnished with a parson.
Parsonic \Par*son"ic\, Parsonical \Par*son"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a parson; clerical.
Vainglory glowed in his parsonic heart. --Colman.
-- {Par*son"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Parsonish \Par"son*ish\, a.
Appropriate to, or like, a parson; -- used in disparagement.
[Colloq.]
Part \Part\, n. [F. part, L. pars, gen. partis; cf. parere to
bring forth, produce. Cf. {Parent}, {Depart}, {Parcel},
{Partner}, {Party}, {Portion}.]
1. One of the portions, equal or unequal, into which anything
is divided, or regarded as divided; something less than a
whole; a number, quantity, mass, or the like, regarded as
going to make up, with others, a larger number, quantity,
mass, etc., whether actually separate or not; a piece; a
fragment; a fraction; a division; a member; a constituent.
And kept back part of the price, . . . and brought a
certain part and laid it at the apostles'feet.
--Acts v. 2.
Our ideas of extension and number -- do they not
contain a secret relation of the parts ? --Locke.
I am a part of all that I have met. --Tennyson.
2. Hence, specifically:
(a) An equal constituent portion; one of several or many
like quantities, numbers, etc., into which anything is
divided, or of which it is composed; proportional
division or ingredient.
An homer is the tenth part of an ephah. --Ex.
xvi. 36.
A thought which, quartered, hath but one part
wisdom, And ever three parts coward. --Shak.
(b) A constituent portion of a living or spiritual whole;
a member; an organ; an essential element.
All the parts were formed . . . into one
harmonious body. --Locke.
The pulse, the glow of every part. --Keble.
(c) A constituent of character or capacity; quality;
faculty; talent; -- usually in the plural with a
collective sense. ``Men of considerable parts.''
--Burke. ``Great quickness of parts.'' --Macaulay.
Which maintained so politic a state of evil,
that they will not admit any good part to
intermingle with them. --Shak.
(d) Quarter; region; district; -- usually in the plural.
``The uttermost part of the heaven.'' --Neh. i. 9.
All parts resound with tumults, plaints, and
fears. --Dryden.
(e) (Math.) Such portion of any quantity, as when taken a
certain number of times, will exactly make that
quantity; as, 3 is a part of 12; -- the opposite of
multiple. Also, a line or other element of a
geometrical figure.
3. That which belongs to one, or which is assumed by one, or
which falls to one, in a division or apportionment; share;
portion; lot; interest; concern; duty; office.
We have no part in David. --2 Sam. xx.
1.
Accuse not Nature! she hath done her part; Do thou
but thine. --Milton.
Let me bear My part of danger with an equal share.
--Dryden.
4. Hence, specifically:
(a) One of the opposing parties or sides in a conflict or
a controversy; a faction.
For he that is not against us is on our part.
--Mark ix. 40.
Make whole kingdoms take her brother's part.
--Waller.
(b) A particular character in a drama or a play; an
assumed personification; also, the language, actions,
and influence of a character or an actor in a play;
or, figuratively, in real life. See {To act a part},
under {Act}.
That part Was aptly fitted and naturally
performed. --Shak.
It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a
calf. --Shak.
Honor and shame from no condition rise; Act well
your part, there all the honor lies. --Pope.
(c) (Mus.) One of the different melodies of a concerted
composition, which heard in union compose its harmony;
also, the music for each voice or instrument; as, the
treble, tenor, or bass part; the violin part, etc.
{For my part}, so far as concerns me; for my share.
{For the most part}. See under {Most}, a.
{In good part}, as well done; favorably; acceptably; in a
friendly manner. --Hooker.
{In ill part}, unfavorably; with displeasure.
{In part}, in some degree; partly.
{Part and parcel}, an essential or constituent portion; -- a
reduplicative phrase. Cf. {might and main}, {kith and
kin}, etc. ``She was . . . part and parcel of the race and
place.'' --Howitt.
{Part of speech} (Gram.), a sort or class of words of a
particular character; thus, the noun is a part of speech
denoting the name of a thing; the verb is a part of speech
which asserts something of the subject of a sentence.
{Part owner} (Law), one of several owners or tenants in
common. See {Joint tenant}, under {Joint}.
{Part singing}, singing in which two or more of the harmonic
parts are taken.
{Part song}, a song in two or more (commonly four) distinct
vocal parts. ``A part song differs from a madrigal in its
exclusion of contrapuntual devices; from a glee, in its
being sung by many voices, instead of by one only, to each
part.'' --Stainer & Barrett.
Syn: Portion; section; division; fraction; fragment; piece;
share; constituent. See {Portion}, and {Section}.
Part \Part\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Parted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Parting}.] [F. partir, L. partire, partiri, p. p. partitus,
fr. pars, gen. partis, a part. See {Part}, n.]
1. To divide; to separate into distinct parts; to break into
two or more parts or pieces; to sever. ``Thou shalt part
it in pieces.'' --Lev. ii. 6.
There, [celestial love] parted into rainbow hues.
--Keble.
2. To divide into shares; to divide and distribute; to allot;
to apportion; to share.
To part his throne, and share his heaven with thee.
--Pope.
They parted my raiment among them. --John xix.
24.
3. To separate or disunite; to cause to go apart; to remove
from contact or contiguity; to sunder.
The Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but
death part thee and me. --Ruth i. 17.
While he blessed them, he was parted from them, and
carried up into heaven. --Luke xxiv.
51.
The narrow seas that part The French and English.
--Shak.
4. Hence: To hold apart; to stand between; to intervene
betwixt, as combatants.
The stumbling night did part our weary powers.
--Shak.
5. To separate by a process of extraction, elimination, or
secretion; as, to part gold from silver.
The liver minds his own affair, . . . And parts and
strains the vital juices. --Prior.
6. To leave; to quit. [Obs.]
Since presently your souls must part your bodies.
--Shak.
{To part a cable} (Naut.), to break it.
{To part company}, to separate, as travelers or companions.
Part \Part\, v. i.
1. To be broken or divided into parts or pieces; to break; to
become separated; to go asunder; as, rope parts; his hair
parts in the middle.
2. To go away; to depart; to take leave; to quit each other;
hence, to die; -- often with from.
He wrung Bassanio's hand, and so they parted.
--Shak.
He owned that he had parted from the duke only a few
hours before. --Macaulay.
His precious bag, which he would by no means part
from. --G. Eliot.
3. To perform an act of parting; to relinquish a connection
of any kind; -- followed by with or from.
Celia, for thy sake, I part With all that grew so
near my heart. --Waller.
Powerful hands . . . will not part Easily from
possession won with arms. --Milton.
It was strange to him that a father should feel no
tenderness at parting with an only son. --A.
Trollope.
4. To have a part or share; to partake. [Obs.] ``They shall
part alike.'' --1 Sam. xxx. 24.
Part \Part\, adv.
Partly; in a measure. [R.] --Shak.
Partable \Part"a*ble\, a.
See {Partible}. --Camden.
Partage \Part"age\, n. [F. See {Part}, v. & n.]
1. Division; the act of dividing or sharing. [Obs.] --Fuller.
2. Part; portion; share. [Obs.] --Ford.
Partake \Par*take"\, v. i. [imp. {Partook}; p. p. {Partaken}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Partaking}.] [Part + take.]
1. To take a part, portion, lot, or share, in common with
others; to have a share or part; to participate; to share;
as, to partake of a feast with others. ``Brutes partake in
this faculty.'' --Locke.
When I against myself with thee partake. --Shak.
2. To have something of the properties, character, or office;
-- usually followed by of.
The attorney of the Duchy of Lancaster partakes
partly of a judge, and partly of an
attorney-general. --Bacon.
Partake \Par*take"\, v. t.
1. To partake of; to have a part or share in; to share.
Let every one partake the general joy. --Driden.
2. To admit to a share; to cause to participate; to give a
part to. [Obs.] --Spencer.
3. To distribute; to communicate. [Obs.] --Shak.
Partaker \Par*tak"er\, n.
1. One who partakes; a sharer; a participator.
Partakers of their spiritual things. --Rom. xv. 27.
Wish me partaker in my happiness. --Shark.
2. An accomplice; an associate; a partner. [Obs.]
Partakers wish them in the blood of the prophets.
--Matt. xxiii.
30.
Partan \Par"tan\, n. [Cf. Ir. & Gael. partan.] (Zo["o]l.)
An edible British crab. [Prov. Eng.]
Parted \Part"ed\, a.
1. Separated; devided.
2. Endowed with parts or abilities. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
3. (Bot.) Cleft so that the divisions reach nearly, but not
quite, to the midrib, or the base of the blade; -- said of
a leaf, and used chiefly in composition; as, three-parted,
five-parted, etc. --Gray.
Parter \Part"er\, n.
One who, or which, parts or separates. --Sir P. Sidney.
Parterre \Par*terre"\, n. [F., fr. par on, by (L. per)+terre
earth, ground, L. terra. See {Terrace}.]
1. (Hort.) An ornamental and diversified arrangement of beds
or plots, in which flowers are cultivated, with
intervening spaces of gravel or turf for walking on.
2. The pit of a theater; the parquet. [France]
Partheniad \Par*the"ni*ad\, n. [See {Parthenic}.]
A poem in honor of a virgin. [Obs.]
Parthenic \Par*then"ic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? a maid, virgin.]
Of or pertaining to the Spartan Partheni[ae], or sons of
unmarried women.
Parthenogenesis \Par`the*no*gen"e*sis\, n. [Gr. parqe`nos a
virgin + E. genesis.]
1. (Biol.) The production of new individuals from virgin
females by means of ova which have the power of developing
without the intervention of the male element; the
production, without fertilization, of cells capable of
germination. It is one of the phenomena of alternate
generation. Cf. {Heterogamy}, and {Metagenesis}.
2. (Bot.) The production of seed without fertilization,
believed to occur through the nonsexual formation of an
embryo extraneous to the embrionic vesicle.
Parthenogenetic \Par`the*no*ge*net"ic\, a. (Biol.)
Of, pertaining to, or produced by, parthenogenesis; as,
parthenogenetic forms. -- {Par`the*no*ge*net"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Parthenogenitive \Par`the*no*gen"i*tive\, a. (Biol.)
Parthenogenetic.
Parthenogeny \Par`the*nog"e*ny\, n. (Biol.)
Same as {Parthenogenesis}.
Parthenon \Par"the*non\, n. [L., fr. Gr. Parqenw`n, fr.parqe`nos
a virgin, i. e., Athene, the Greek goddess called also
Pallas.]
A celebrated marble temple of Athene, on the Acropolis at
Athens. It was of the pure Doric order, and has had an
important influence on art.
Partenope \Par*ten"o*pe\, n. [L., the name of a Siren, fr. Gr.
?.]
1. (Gr. Myth.) One of the Sirens, who threw herself into the
sea, in despair at not being able to beguile Ulysses by
her songs.
2. One of the asteroids between Mars and Jupiter, descovered
by M. de Gasparis in 1850.
Parthian \Par"thi*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to ancient Parthia, in Asia. -- n. A native
Parthia.
{Parthian arrow}, an arrow discharged at an enemy when
retreating from him, as was the custom of the ancient
Parthians; hence, a parting shot.
Partial \Par"tial\, a. [F., fr. LL. partials, fr. L. pars, gen.
partis, a part; cf. (for sense 1) F. partiel. See {Part}, n.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or affecting, a part only; not general
or universal; not total or entire; as, a partial eclipse
of the moon. ``Partial dissolutions of the earth.'' --T.
Burnet.
2. Inclined to favor one party in a cause, or one side of a
question, more then the other; baised; not indifferent;
as, a judge should not be partial.
Ye have been partial in the law. --Mal. ii. 9.
3. Having a predelection for; inclined to favor unreasonably;
foolishly fond. ``A partial parent.'' --Pope.
Not partial to an ostentatious display. --Sir W.
Scott.
4. (Bot.) Pertaining to a subordinate portion; as, a compound
umbel is made up of a several partial umbels; a leaflet is
often supported by a partial petiole.
{Partial differentials}, {Partial differential coefficients},
{Partial differentiation}, etc. (of a function of two or more
variables), the differentials, differential coefficients,
differentiation etc., of the function, upon the hypothesis
that some of the variables are for the time constant.
{Partial fractions} (Alg.), fractions whose sum equals a
given fraction.
{Partial tones} (Music), the simple tones which in
combination form an ordinary tone; the overtones, or
harmonics, which, blending with a fundamental tone, cause
its special quality of sound, or timbre, or tone color.
See, also, {Tone}.
Partialism \Par"tial*ism\, n.
Partiality; specifically (Theol.), the doctrine of the
Partialists.
Partialist \Par"tial*ist\ n.
1. One who is partial. [R.]
2. (Theol.) One who holds that the atonement was made only
for a part of mankind, that is, for the elect.
Partiality \Par`ti*al"i*ty\ (?; 277), n. [Cf. F. partialit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being partial; inclination to
favor one party, or one side of a question, more than the
other; undue bias of mind.
2. A predilection or inclination to one thing rather than to
others; special taste or liking; as, a partiality for
poetry or painting. --Roget.
Partialize \Par"tial*ize\, v. t. & i.
To make or be partial. [R.]
Partially \Par"tial*ly\ adv.
1. In part; not totally; as, partially true; the sun
partially eclipsed. --Sir T. Browne.
2. In a partial manner; with undue bias of mind; with unjust
favor or dislike; as, to judge partially. --Shak.
Partibility \Part`i*bil"i*ty\, n. [From {Partible}.]
The quality or state of being partible; divisibility;
separability; as, the partibility of an inherttance.
Partible \Part"i*ble\, a. [L. partibilis, fr. partire to part,
divide, fr. L. pars: cf. F. partible. See {Part}.]
Admitting of being parted; divisible; separable; susceptible
of severance or partition; as, an estate of inheritance may
be partible. ``Make the molds partible.'' --Bacon.
Participable \Par*tic"i*pa*ble\, a.
Capable of being participated or shared. [R.] --Norris.
Participant \Par*tic"i*pant\, a. [L. participans, p. pr. of
participare: cf. F. participant. See {Participate}.]
Sharing; participating; having a share of part. --Bacon.
Participant \Par*tic"i*pant\, n.
A participator; a partaker.
Participants in their . . . mysterious rites. --Bp.
Warburton.
Participantly \Par*tic"i*pant*ly\, adv.
In a participant manner.
Participate \Par*tic"i*pate\, a. [L. participatus, p. p. of
participare to participate; pars, partis, part + capere to
take. See {Part}, and {Capacious}.]
Acting in common; participating. [R.] --Shak.
Participate \Par*tic"i*pate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Participated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Participating}.]
To have a share in common with others; to take a part; to
partake; -- followed by in, formely by of; as, to participate
in a debate. --Shak.
So would he participateof their wants. --Hayward.
Mine may come when men With angels may participate.
--Milton.
Participate \Par*tic"i*pate\, v. t.
1. To partake of; to share in; to receive a part of. [R.]
Fit to participate all rational delight. --Milton.
2. To impart, or give, or share of. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Participation \Par*tic`i*pa"tion\, n. [F. participation, L.
participatio.]
1. The act or state of participating, or sharing in common
with others; as, a participation in joy or sorrows.
These deities are so by participation. --Bp.
Stillingfleet.
What an honor, that God should admit us into such a
blessed participation of himself! --Atterbury.
2. Distribution; division into shares. [Obs.] --Raleigh.
3. community; fellowship; association. [Obs.] --Shak.
Participative \Par*tic"i*pa*tive\, a. [Cf. F. participatif.]
Capable of participating.
Participator \Par*tic"i*pa`tor\, n. [L.]
One who participates, or shares with another; a partaker.
Participial \Par`ti*cip"i*al\, a. [L. participialis: cf. E.
participal. See {Participle}.]
Having, or partaking of, the nature and use of a participle;
formed from a participle; as, a participial noun. --Lowth.
Participial \Par`ti*cip"i*al\, n.
A participial word.
Participialize \Par`ti*cip"i*al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Participialized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Participializing}.]
To form into, or put in the form of, a participle. [R.]
Participially \Par`ti*cip"i*al*ly\, adv.
In the sense or manner of a participle.
Participle \Par"ti*ci*ple\, n. [F. participe, L. participium,
fr. particeps sharing, participant; pars, gen. partis, a part
+ capere to take. See {Participate}.]
1. (Gram.) A part of speech partaking of the nature both verb
and adjective; a form of a verb, or verbal adjective,
modifying a noun, but taking the adjuncts of the verb from
which it is derived. In the sentences: a letter is
written; being asleep he did not hear; exhausted by toil
he will sleep soundly, -- written, being, and exhaustedare
participles.
By a participle, [I understand] a verb in an
adjectival aspect. --Earle.
Note: Present participles, called also imperfect, or
incomplete, participles, end in -ing. Past participles,
called also perfect, or complete, participles, for the
most part end in -ed, -d, -t, -en, or -n. A participle
when used merely as an attribute of a noun, without
reference to time, is called an adjective, or a
participial adjective; as, a written constitution; a
rolling stone; the exhausted army. The verbal noun in
-ing has the form of the present participle. See
{Verbal noun}, under {Verbal}, a.
2. Anything that partakes of the nature of different things.
[Obs.]
The participles or confines between plants and
living creatures. --Bacon.
Particle \Par"ti*cle\, n. [L. particula, dim of pars, gen
partis, a part: cf. F. particule. See {Part}, and cf.
{Parcel}.]
1. A minute part or portion of matter; a morsel; a little
bit; an atom; a jot; as, a particle of sand, of wood, of
dust.
The small size of atoms which unite To make the
smallest particle of light. --Blackmore.
2. Any very small portion or part; the smallest portion; as,
he has not a particle of patriotism or virtue.
The houses had not given their commissioners
authority in the least particle to recede.
--Clarendon.
3. (R. C. Ch.)
(a) A crumb or little piece of concecrated host.
(b) The smaller hosts distributed in the communion of the
laity. --Bp. Fitzpatrick.
4. (Gram.) A subordinate word that is never inflected (a
preposition, conjunction, interjection); or a word that
can not be used except in compositions; as, ward in
backward, ly in lovely.
Particolored \Par"ti*col`ored\, a.
Same as {Party-colored}.
Particular \Par*tic"u*lar\, a. [OE. particuler, F. particulier,
L. particularis. See {Particle}.]
1. Relating to a part or portion of anything; concerning a
part separated from the whole or from others of the class;
separate; sole; single; individual; specific; as, the
particular stars of a constellation. --Shak.
[/Make] each particular hair to stand an end, Like
quills upon the fretful porpentine. --Shak.
Seken in every halk and every herne Particular
sciences for to lerne. --Chaucer.
2. Of or pertaining to a single person, class, or thing;
belonging to one only; not general; not common; hence,
personal; peculiar; singular. ``Thine own particular
wrongs.'' --Shak.
Wheresoever one plant draweth such a particular
juice out of the earth. --Bacon.
3. Separate or distinct by reason of superiority;
distinguished; important; noteworthy; unusual; special;
as, he brought no particular news; she was the particular
belle of the party.
4. Concerned with, or attentive to, details; minute;
circumstantial; precise; as, a full and particular account
of an accident; hence, nice; fastidious; as, a man
particular in his dress.
5. (Law)
(a) Containing a part only; limited; as, a particular
estate, or one precedent to an estate in remainder.
(b) Holding a particular estate; as, a particular tenant.
--Blackstone.
6. (Logic) Forming a part of a genus; relatively limited in
extension; affirmed or denied of a part of a subject; as,
a particular proposition; -- opposed to {universal}: e. g.
(particular affirmative) Some men are wise; (particular
negative) Some men are not wise.
{Particular average}. See under {Average}.
{Particular Baptist}, one of a branch of the Baptist
denomination the members of which hold the doctrine of a
particular or individual election and reprobation.
{Particular lien} (Law), a lien, or a right to retain a
thing, for some charge or claim growing out of, or
connected with, that particular thing.
{Particular redemption}, the doctrine that the purpose, act,
and provisions of redemption are restricted to a limited
number of the human race. See {Calvinism}.
Syn: Minute; individual; respective; appropriate; peculiar;
especial; exact; specific; precise; critical;
circumstantial. See {Minute}.
Particular \Par*tic"u*lar\, n.
1. A separate or distinct member of a class, or part of a
whole; an individual fact, point, circumstance, detail, or
item, which may be considered separately; as, the
particulars of a story.
Particulars which it is not lawful for me to reveal.
--Bacon.
It is the greatest interest of particulars to
advance the good of the community. --L'Estrange.
2. Special or personal peculiarity, trait, or character;
individuality; interest, etc. [Obs.]
For his particular I'll receive him gladly. --Shak.
If the particulars of each person be considered.
--Milton.
Temporal blessings, whether such as concern the
public . . . or such as concern our particular.
--Whole Duty
of Man.
3. (Law) One of the details or items of grounds of claim; --
usually in the pl.; also, a bill of particulars; a minute
account; as, a particular of premises.
The reader has a particular of the books wherein
this law was written. --Ayliffe.
{Bill of particulars}. See under {Bill}.
{In particular}, specially; peculiarly. ``This, in
particular, happens to the lungs.'' --Blackmore.
{To go into particulars}, to relate or describe in detail or
minutely.
Particularism \Par*tic"u*lar*ism\, n. [Cf. F. particularisme.]
1. A minute description; a detailed statement. [R.]
2. (Theol.) The doctrine of particular election.
3. (German Politics) Devotion to the interests of one's own
kingdom or province rather than to those of the empire.
Particularist \Par*tic"u*lar*ist\, n. [Cf. F. particulariste.]
One who holds to particularism. -- {Par*tic`u*lar*is"tic}, a.
Particularity \Par*tic`u*lar"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Particularities}.
[Cf. F. particularit['e].]
1. The state or quality of being particular; distinctiveness;
circumstantiality; minuteness in detail.
2. That which is particular; as:
(a) Peculiar quality; individual characteristic;
peculiarity. ``An old heathen altar with this
particularity.'' --Addison.
(b) Special circumstance; minute detail; particular.
``Even descending to particularities.'' --Sir P.
Sidney.
(c) Something of special or private concern or interest.
Let the general trumpet blow his blast,
Particularities and petty sounds To cease!
--Shak.
Particularization \Par*tic`u*lar*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of particularizing. --Coleridge.
Particularize \Par*tic"u*lar*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Particularized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Particularizing}.] [Cf. F.
particulariser.]
To give as a particular, or as the particulars; to mention
particularly; to give the particulars of; to enumerate or
specify in detail.
He not only boasts of his parentage as an Israelite,
but particularizes his descent from Benjamin.
--Atterbury.
Particularize \Par*tic"u*lar*ize\, v. i.
To mention or attend to particulars; to give minute details;
to be circumstantial; as, to particularize in a narrative.
Particularly \Par*tic"u*lar*ly\, adv.
1. In a particular manner; expressly; with a specific
reference or interest; in particular; distinctly.
2. In an especial manner; in a high degree; as, a
particularly fortunate man; a particularly bad failure.
The exact propriety of Virgil I particularly
regarded as a great part of his character. --Dryden.
Particularment \Par*tic"u*lar*ment\, n.
A particular; a detail. [Obs.]
Particulate \Par*tic"u*late\, v. t. & i. [See {Particle}.]
To particularize. [Obs.]
Particulate \Par*tic"u*late\, a.
1. Having the form of a particle.
2. Referring to, or produced by, particles, such as dust,
minute germs, etc. [R.]
The smallpox is a particulate disease. --Tyndall.
Parting \Par"ting\, a. [From {Part}, v.]
1. Serving to part; dividing; separating.
2. Given when departing; as, a parting shot; a parting
salute. ``Give him that parting kiss.'' --Shak.
3. Departing. ``Speed the parting guest.'' --Pope.
4. Admitting of being parted; partible.
{Parting fellow}, a partner. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Parting pulley}. See under {Pulley}.
{Parting sand} (Founding), dry, nonadhesive sand, sprinkled
upon the partings of a mold to facilitate the separation.
{Parting strip} (Arch.), in a sash window, one of the thin
strips of wood let into the pulley stile to keep the
sashes apart; also, the thin piece inserted in the window
box to separate the weights.
{Parting tool} (Mach.), a thin tool, used in turning or
planing, for cutting a piece in two.
Parting \Par"ting\, n.
1. The act of parting or dividing; the state of being parted;
division; separation. ``The parting of the way.'' --Ezek.
xxi. 21.
2. A separation; a leave-taking. --Shak.
And there were sudden partings, such as press The
life from out young hearts. --Byron.
3. A surface or line of separation where a division occurs.
4. (Founding) The surface of the sand of one section of a
mold where it meets that of another section.
5. (Chem.) The separation and determination of alloys; esp.,
the separation, as by acids, of gold from silver in the
assay button.
6. (Geol.) A joint or fissure, as in a coal seam.
7. (Naut.) The breaking, as of a cable, by violence.
8. (Min.) Lamellar separation in a crystallized mineral, due
to some other cause than cleavage, as to the presence of
twinning lamell[ae].
Partisan \Par"ti*san\, n. [F., fr. It. partigiano. See {Party},
and cf. {Partisan} a truncheon.] [Written also {partizan}.]
1. An adherent to a party or faction; esp., one who is
strongly and passionately devoted to a party or an
interest. ``The violence of a partisan.'' --Macaulay.
Both sides had their partisans in the colony.
--Jefferson.
2. (Mil.)
(a) The commander of a body of detached light troops
engaged in making forays and harassing an enemy.
(b) Any member of such a corps.
Partisan \Par"ti*san\, a. [Written also partizan.]
1. Adherent to a party or faction; especially, having the
character of blind, passionate, or unreasonable adherence
to a party; as, blinded by partisan zeal.
2. (Mil.) Serving as a partisan in a detached command; as, a
partisan officer or corps.
{Partisan ranger} (Mil.), a member of a partisan corps.
Partisan \Par"ti*san\, n. [F. pertuisane, prob. fr. It.
partigiana, influenced in French by OF. pertuisier to pierce.
It was prob. so named as the weapon of some partisans, or
party men. Cf. {Partisan} one of a corps of light troops.]
A kind of halberd or pike; also, a truncheon; a staff.
And make him with our pikes and partisans a grave.
--Shak.
Partisanship \Par"ti*san*ship\, n.
The state of being a partisan, or adherent to a party;
feelings or conduct appropriate to a partisan.
Partita \Par*ti"ta\, n. [It.] (Mus.)
A suite; a set of variations.
Partite \Par"tite\, a. [L. partitus, p. p. of partire to part,
divide, from pars. See {Part}, and cf. {Party}, a.] (Bot.)
Divided nearly to the base; as, a partite leaf is a simple
separated down nearly to the base.
Partition \Par*ti"tion\, n. [F. partition, L. partitio. See
{Part}, v.]
1. The act of parting or dividing; the state of being parted;
separation; division; distribution; as, the partition of a
kingdom.
And good from bad find no partition. --Shak.
2. That which divides or separates; that by which different
things, or distinct parts of the same thing, are
separated; separating boundary; dividing line or space;
specifically, an interior wall dividing one part or
apartment of a house, an inclosure, or the like, from
another; as, a brick partition; lath and plaster
partitions.
No sight could pass Betwixt the nice partitions of
the grass. --Dryden.
3. A part divided off by walls; an apartment; a compartment.
[R.] ``Lodged in a small partition.'' --Milton.
4. (Law.) The servance of common or undivided interests,
particularly in real estate. It may be effected by consent
of parties, or by compulsion of law.
5. (Mus.) A score.
{Partition of numbers} (Math.), the resolution of integers
into parts subject to given conditions. --Brande & C.
Partition \Par*ti"tion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Partitioned}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Partitioning}.]
1. To divide into parts or shares; to divide and distribute;
as, to partition an estate among various heirs.
2. To divide into distinct parts by lines, walls, etc.; as,
to partition a house.
Uniform without, though severally partitioned
within. --Bacon.
Partitionment \Par*ti"tion*ment\, n.
The act of partitioning.
Partitive \Par"ti*tive\, a. [Cf. F. partitif.] (Gram.)
Denoting a part; as, a partitive genitive.
Partitive \Par"ti*tive\, n. (Gram.)
A word expressing partition, or denoting a part.
Partitively \Par"ti*tive*ly\, adv.
In a partitive manner.
Partlet \Part"let\, n. [Dim. of part.]
1. A covering for the neck, and sometimes for the shoulders
and breast; originally worn by both sexes, but laterby
women alone; a ruff. [Obs.] --Fuller.
2. A hen; -- so called from the ruffing of her neck feathers.
``Dame Partlett, the hen.'' --Shak.
Partly \Part"ly\, adv.
In part; in some measure of degree; not wholly. ``I partly
believe it.'' --1 Cor. xi. 18.
Partner \Part"ner\, n. [For parcener, influenced by part.]
1. One who has a part in anything with an other; a partaker;
an associate; a sharer. ``Partner of his fortune.''
--Shak. Hence:
(a) A husband or a wife.
(b) Either one of a couple who dance together.
(c) One who shares as a member of a partnership in the
management, or in the gains and losses, of a business.
My other self, the partner of my life. --Milton.
2. (Law) An associate in any business or occupation; a member
of a partnership. See {Partnership}.
3. pl. (Naut.) A framework of heavy timber surrounding an
opening in a deck, to strengthen it for the support of a
mast, pump, capstan, or the like.
{Dormant}, or {Silent}, {partner}. See under {Dormant}, a.
Syn: Associate; colleague; coadjutor; confederate; partaker;
participator; companion; comrade; mate.
Partner \Part"ner\, v. t.
To associate, to join. [Obs.] --Shak.
Partnership \Part"ner*ship\, n.
1. The state or condition of being a partner; as, to be in
partnership with another; to have partnership in the
fortunes of a family or a state.
2. A division or sharing among partners; joint possession or
interest.
Rome, that ne'er knew three lordly heads before,
First fell by fatal partnership of power. --Rowe.
He does possession keep, And is too wise to hazard
partnership. --Dryden.
3. An alliance or association of persons for the prosecution
of an undertaking or a business on joint account; a
company; a firm; a house; as, to form a partnership.
4. (Law) A contract between two or more competent persons for
joining together their money, goods, labor, and skill, or
any or all of them, under an understanding that there
shall be a communion of profit between them, and for the
purpose of carrying on a legal trade, business, or
adventure. --Kent. Story.
Note: Community of profit is absolutely essential to, though
not necessary the test of, a partnership.
5. (Arith.) See {Fellowship}, n., 6.
{Limited partnership}, a form of partnership in which the
firm consists of one or more general partners, jointly and
severally responsible as ordinary partners, and one or
more special partners, who are not liable for the debts of
the partnership beyond the amount of cash they contribute
as capital.
{Partnership in commendam}, the title given to the limited
partnership (F. soci['e]t['e] en commandit['e]) of the
French law, introduced into the code of Louisiana.
--Burrill.
{Silent partnership}, the relation of partnership sustained
by a person who furnishes capital only.
Partook \Par*took"\,
imp. of {Partake}.
Partridge \Par"tridge\, n. [OE. partriche, pertriche, OF.
pertris, perdriz, F. perdrix, L. perdix, -icis, fr. Gr. ?.]
(Zo["o]l.)
1. Any one of numerous species of small gallinaceous birds of
the genus {Perdix} and several related genera of the
family {Perdicid[ae]}, of the Old World. The partridge is
noted as a game bird.
Full many a fat partrich had he in mew. --Chaucer.
Note: The common European, or gray, partridge ({Perdix
cinerea}) and the red-legged partridge ({Caccabis
rubra}) of Southern Europe and Asia are well-known
species.
2. Any one of several species of quail-like birds belonging
to {Colinus}, and allied genera. [U.S.]
Note: Among them are the bobwhite ({Colinus Virginianus}) of
the Eastern States; the plumed, or mountain, partridge
({Oreortyx pictus}) of California; the Massena
partridge ({Cyrtonyx Montezum[ae]}); and the California
partridge ({Callipepla Californica}).
3. The ruffed grouse ({Bonasa umbellus}). [New Eng.]
{Bamboo partridge} (Zo["o]l.), a spurred partridge of the
genus {Bambusicola}. Several species are found in China
and the East Indies.
{Night partridge} (Zo["o]l.), the woodcock. [Local, U.S.]
{Painted partridge} (Zo["o]l.), a francolin of South Africa
({Francolinus pictus}).
{Partridge berry}. (Bot.)
(a) The scarlet berry of a trailing american plant
({Mitchella repens}) of the order {Rubiace[ae]},
having roundish evergreen leaves, and white fragrant
flowers sometimes tinged with purple, growing in pairs
with the ovaries united, and producing the berries
which remain over winter; also, the plant itself.
(b) The fruit of the creeping wintergreen ({Gaultheria
procumbens}); also, the plant itself.
{Partridge dove} (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Mountain witch}, under
{Mountain}.
{Partridge pea} (Bot.), a yellow-flowered leguminous herb
({Cassia Cham[ae]crista}), common in sandy fields in the
Eastern United States.
{Partridge shell} (Zo["o]l.), a large marine univalve shell
({Dolium perdix}), having colors variegated like those of
the partridge.
{Partridge wood}
(a) A variegated wood, much esteemed for cabinetwork. It
is obtained from tropical America, and one source of
it is said to be the leguminous tree {Andira inermis}.
Called also {pheasant wood}.
(b) A name sometimes given to the dark-colored and
striated wood of some kind of palm, which is used for
walking sticks and umbrella handles.
{Sea partridge} (Zo["o]l.), an Asiatic sand partridge
({Ammoperdix Bonhami}); -- so called from its note.
{Snow partridge} (Zo["o]l.), a large spurred partridge
({Lerwa nivicola}) which inhabits the high mountains of
Asia.
{Spruce partridge}. See under {Spruce}.
{Wood partridge}, or {Hill partridge} (Zo["o]l.), any small
Asiatic partridge of the genus {Arboricola}.
Parture \Par"ture\, n.
Departure. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Parturiate \Par*tu"ri*ate\, v. i. [See {Parturient}.]
To bring forth young. [Obs.]
Parturiency \Par*tu"ri*en*cy\, n.
Parturition.
Parturient \Par*tu"ri*ent\, a. [L. parturiens, p. pr. of
parturire to desire to bring forth, fr. parere, partum, to
bring forth. See {Parent}.]
Bringing forth, or about to bring forth, young; fruitful.
--Jer. Tailor.
Parturifacient \Par*tu`ri*fa"cient\, n. [L. parturire to desire
to bring forth + facere to make.] (Med.)
A medicine tending to cause parturition, or to give relief in
childbearing. --Dunglison.
Parturious \Par*tu"ri*ous\, a.
Parturient. [Obs.] --Drayton.
Parturition \Par`tu*ri"tion\, n. [L. parturitio, fr. parturire:
cf. F. parturition. See {Parturient}.]
1. The act of bringing forth, or being delivered of, young;
the act of giving birth; delivery; childbirth.
2. That which is brought forth; a birth. [Obs.]
Parturitive \Par*tu"ri*tive\, a.
Pertaining to parturition; obstetric. [R.]
Party \Par"ty\, n.; pl. {Parties}. [F. parti and partie, fr. F.
partir to part, divide, L. partire, partiri. See {Part}, v.]
1. A part or portion. [Obs.] ``The most party of the time.''
--Chaucer.
2. A number of persons united in opinion or action, as
distinguished from, or opposed to, the rest of a community
or association; esp., one of the parts into which a people
is divided on questions of public policy.
Win the noble Brutus to our party. --Shak.
The peace both parties want is like to last.
--Dryden.
3. A part of a larger body of company; a detachment;
especially (Mil.), a small body of troops dispatched on
special service.
4. A number of persons invited to a social entertainment; a
select company; as, a dinner party; also, the
entertainment itself; as, to give a party.
5. One concerned or interested in an affair; one who takes
part with others; a participator; as, he was a party to
the plot; a party to the contract.
6. The plaintiff or the defendant in a lawsuit, whether an
individual, a firm, or corporation; a litigant.
The cause of both parties shall come before the
judges. --Ex. xxii. 9.
7. Hence, any certain person who is regarded as being opposed
or antagonistic to another.
It the jury found that the party slain was of
English race, it had been adjudged felony. --Sir J.
Davies.
8. Cause; side; interest.
Have you nothing said Upon this Party 'gainst the
Duke of Albany? --Shak.
9. A person; as, he is a queer party. [Now accounted a
vulgarism.]
Note: ``For several generations, our ancestors largely
employed party for person; but this use of the word,
when it appeared to be reviving, happened to strike,
more particularly, the fancy of the vulgar; and the
consequence has been, that the polite have chosen to
leave it in their undisputed possession.'' --Fitzed.
Hall.
{Party jury} (Law), a jury composed of different parties, as
one which is half natives and half foreigners.
{Party man}, a partisan. --Swift.
{Party spirit}, a factious and unreasonable temper, not
uncommonly shown by party men. --Whately.
{Party verdict}, a joint verdict. --Shak.
{Party wall}.
(a) (Arch.) A wall built upon the dividing line between
two adjoining properties, usually having half its
thickness on each property.
(b) (Law) A wall that separates adjoining houses, as in a
block or row.
Party \Par"ty\, a. [F. parti divided, fr. partir to divide. See
{Part}, v., and cf. {Partite}.]
1. (Her.) Parted or divided, as in the direction or form of
one of the ordinaries; as, an escutcheon party per pale.
2. Partial; favoring one party.
I will be true judge, and not party. --Chaucer.
{Charter party}. See under {Charter}.
Party \Par"ty\, adv.
Partly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Party-coated \Par"ty-coat`ed\, a.
Having a motley coat, or coat of divers colors. --Shak.
Party-colored \Par"ty-col`ored\, Parti-colored \Par"ti-col`ored\
, a.
Colored with different tints; variegated; as, a party-colored
flower. ``Parti-colored lambs.'' --Shak.
Partyism \Par"ty*ism\, n.
Devotion to party.
Parumbilical \Par`um*bil"ic*al\, a. [Pref. para- + umbilical.]
(Anat.)
Near the umbilicus; -- applied especially to one or more
small veins which, in man, connect the portal vein with the
epigastric veins in the front wall of the abdomen.
Parusia \Pa*ru"si*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? presence, fr. ? to be
present; ? beside + ? to be.] (Rhet.)
A figure of speech by which the present tense is used instead
of the past or the future, as in the animated narration of
past, or in the prediction of future, events.
Parvanimity \Par`va*nim"i*ty\, n. [L. parvus little + animus
mind.]
The state or quality of having a little or ignoble mind;
pettiness; meanness; -- opposed to magnanimity. --De Quincey.
Parvenu \Par"ve*nu`\, n. [F., prop. p. p. of parvenir to attain
to, to succeed, to rise to high station, L. pervenire to come
to; per through + venire to come. See {Par}, prep., and
{Come}.]
An upstart; a man newly risen into notice.
Parvis \Par"vis\, Parvise \Par"vise\, n. [F. parvis, fr. LL.
paravisus, fr. L. paradisus. See {Paradise}.]
a court of entrance to, or an inclosed space before, a
church; hence, a church porch; -- sometimes formerly used as
place of meeting, as for lawyers. --Chaucer.
Parvitude \Par"vi*tude\, Parvity \Par"vi*ty\, n. [L. parvitas,
fr. parvus little: cf. OF. parvit['e].]
Littleness. [Obs.] --Glanvill. Ray.
Parvolin \Par"vo*lin\, n. (Physiol. Chem.)
A nonoxygenous ptomaine, formed in the putrefaction of
albuminous matters, especially of horseflesh and mackerel.
Parvoline \Par"vo*line\, n. (Chem.)
A liquid base, C?H?N, of the pyridine group, found in coal
tar; also, any one of the series of isometric substances of
which it is the type.
Pas \Pas\, n. [F. See {Pace}.]
1. A pace; a step, as in a dance. --Chaucer.
2. Right of going foremost; precedence. --Arbuthnot.
Pasan \Pa"san\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The gemsbok.
Pasch \Pasch\, Pascha \Pas"cha\, n. [AS. pascha, L. pascha, Gr.
?, fr. Heb. pesach, fr. p[=a]sach to pass over: cf. OF.
pasque, F. p[^a]que. Cf. {Paschal}, {Paas}, {Paque}.]
The passover; the feast of Easter.
{Pasch egg}. See {Easter egg}, under {Easter}.
{Pasch flower}. See {Pasque flower}, under {Pasque}.
Paschal \Pas"chal\, a. [L. paschalis: cf. F. pascal. See
{Pasch}.]
Of or pertaining to the passover, or to Easter; as, a paschal
lamb; paschal eggs. --Longfellow.
{Paschal candle} (R. C. Ch.), a large wax candle, blessed and
placed on the altar on Holy Saturday, or the day before
Easter.
{Paschal flower}. See {Pasque flower}, under {Pasque}.
Paseng \Pa*seng"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The wild or bezoar goat. See {Goat}.
Pash \Pash\, v. t. [Prob. of imitative origin, or possibly akin
to box to fight with the fists.]
To strike; to crush; to smash; to dash in pieces. [Obs.] --P.
Plowman. ``I'll pash him o'er the face.'' --Shak.
Pash \Pash\, n. [Scot., the pate. Cf. {Pash}, v. t.]
1. The head; the poll. [R.] ``A rough pash.'' --Shak.
2. A crushing blow. [Obs.]
3. A heavy fall of rain or snow. [Prov. Eng.]
Pasha \Pa*sha"\, n. [Turk. p[=a]sh[=a], b[=a]sh[=a]; cf. Per.
b[=a]sh[=a], b[=a]dsh[=a]h; perh. a corruption of Per.
p[=a]dish[=a]h. Cf. {Bashaw}, {Padishah}, {Shah}.]
An honorary title given to officers of high rank in Turkey,
as to governers of provinces, military commanders, etc. The
earlier form was {bashaw}. [Written also {pacha}.]
Note: There are three classes of pashas, whose rank is
distinguished by the number of the horsetails borne on
their standards, being one, two, or three, a pasha of
three tails being the highest.
Pashalic \Pa*sha"lic\, n. [Written also {pachalic}.] [Turk.]
The jurisdiction of a pasha.
Pashaw \Pa*shaw"\, n.
See {Pasha}.
Pasigraphic \Pas`i*graph"ic\, Pasigraphical
\Pas`i*graph"ic*al\a.
Of or pertaining to pasigraphy.
Pasigraphy \Pa*sig"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ? for all (dat. pl. of ?
all) + -graphy.]
A system of universal writing, or a manner of writing that
may be understood and used by all nations. --Good.
Pasilaly \Pas"i*la`ly\, n. [Gr. ? for all (dat. pl. of ? all) +
? talking.]
A form of speech adapted to be used by all mankind; universal
language.
Pask \Pask\, n. [See {Pasque}.]
See {Pasch}.
Paspy \Pas"py\, n. [F. passe-pied.]
A kind of minuet, in triple time, of French origin, popular
in the reign of Queen Elizabeth and for some time after; --
called also {passing measure}, and {passymeasure}. --Percy
Smith.
Pasque \Pasque\, n. [OF. pasque.]
See {Pasch}.
{Pasque flower} (Bot.), a name of several plants of the genus
{Anemone}, section {Pulsatilla}. They are perennial herbs
with rather large purplish blossoms, which appear in early
spring, or about Easter, whence the common name. Called
also {campana}.
Pasquil \Pas"quil\, n. [It. pasquillo.]
See {Pasquin}. [R.]
Pasquil \Pas"quil\, v. t. [R.]
See {Pasquin}.
Pasquilant \Pas"quil*ant\, n.
A lampooner; a pasquiler. [R.] --Coleridge.
Pasquiler \Pas"quil*er\, n.
A lampooner. [R.] --Burton.
Pasquin \Pas"quin\, n. [It. pasquino a mutilated statue at Rome,
set up against the wall of the place of the Orsini; -- so
called from a witty cobbler or tailor, near whose shop the
statue was dug up. On this statue it was customary to paste
satiric papers.]
A lampooner; also, a lampoon. See {Pasquinade}.
The Grecian wits, who satire first began, Were pleasant
pasquins on the life of man. --Dryden.
Pasquin \Pas"quin\, v. t.
To lampoon; to satiraze. [R.]
To see himself pasquined and affronted. --Dryden.
Pasquinade \Pas`quin*ade"\, n. [F. pasquinade, It. pasquinata.]
A lampoon or satirical writing. --Macaulay.
Pasquinade \Pas`quin*ade"\, v. t.
To lampoon, to satirize.
Pass \Pass\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Passed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Passing}.] [F. passer, LL. passare, fr. L. passus step, or
from pandere, passum, to spread out, lay open. See {Pace}.]
1. To go; to move; to proceed; to be moved or transferred
from one point to another; to make a transit; -- usually
with a following adverb or adverbal phrase defining the
kind or manner of motion; as, to pass on, by, out, in,
etc.; to pass swiftly, directly, smoothly, etc.; to pass
to the rear, under the yoke, over the bridge, across the
field, beyond the border, etc. ``But now pass over [i. e.,
pass on].'' --Chaucer.
On high behests his angels to and fro Passed
frequent. --Milton.
Sweet sounds rose slowly through their mouths, And
from their bodies passed. --Coleridge.
2. To move or be transferred from one state or condition to
another; to change possession, condition, or
circumstances; to undergo transition; as, the business has
passed into other hands.
Others, dissatisfied with what they have, . . . pass
from just to unjust. --Sir W.
Temple.
3. To move beyond the range of the senses or of knowledge; to
pass away; hence, to disappear; to vanish; to depart;
specifically, to depart from life; to die.
Disturb him not, let him pass paceably. --Shak.
Beauty is a charm, but soon the charm will pass.
--Dryden.
The passing of the sweetest soul That ever looked
with human eyes. --Tennyson.
4. To move or to come into being or under notice; to come and
go in consciousness; hence, to take place; to occur; to
happen; to come; to occur progressively or in succession;
to be present transitorily.
So death passed upon all men. --Rom. v. 12.
Our own consciousness of what passes within our own
mind. --I. Watts.
5. To go by or glide by, as time; to elapse; to be spent; as,
their vacation passed pleasantly.
Now the time is far passed. --Mark vi. 35
6. To go from one person to another; hence, to be given and
taken freely; as, clipped coin will not pass; to obtain
general acceptance; to be held or regarded; to circulate;
to be current; -- followed by for before a word denoting
value or estimation. ``Let him pass for a man.'' --Shak.
False eloquence passeth only where true is not
understood. --Felton.
This will not pass for a fault in him. --Atterbury.
7. To advance through all the steps or stages necessary to
validity or effectiveness; to be carried through a body
that has power to sanction or reject; to receive
legislative sanction; to be enacted; as, the resolution
passed; the bill passed both houses of Congress.
8. To go through any inspection or test successfully; to be
approved or accepted; as, he attempted the examination,
but did not expect to pass.
9. To be suffered to go on; to be tolerated; hence, to
continue; to live along. ``The play may pass.'' --Shak.
10. To go unheeded or neglected; to proceed without hindrance
or opposition; as, we let this act pass.
11. To go beyond bounds; to surpass; to be in excess. [Obs.]
``This passes, Master Ford.'' --Shak.
12. To take heed; to care. [Obs.]
As for these silken-coated slaves, I pass not.
--Shak.
13. To go through the intestines. --Arbuthnot.
14. (Law) To be conveyed or transferred by will, deed, or
other instrument of conveyance; as, an estate passes by a
certain clause in a deed. --Mozley & W.
15. (Fencing) To make a lunge or pass; to thrust.
16. (Card Playing & other games) To decline to take an
optional action when it is one's turn, as to decline to
bid, or to bet, or to play a card; in euchre, to decline
to make the trump.
She would not play, yet must not pass. --Prior.
17. In football, hockey, etc., to make a pass; to transfer
the ball, etc., to another player of one's own side.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
{To bring to pass}, {To come to pass}. See under {Bring}, and
{Come}.
{To pass away}, to disappear; to die; to vanish. ``The
heavens shall pass away.'' --2 Pet. iii. 10. ``I thought
to pass away before, but yet alive I am.'' --Tennyson.
{To pass by}, to go near and beyond a certain person or
place; as, he passed by as we stood there.
{To pass into}, to change by a gradual transmission; to blend
or unite with.
{To pass on}, to proceed.
{To pass on} or {upon}.
(a) To happen to; to come upon; to affect. ``So death
passed upon all men.'' --Rom. v. 12. ``Provided no
indirect act pass upon our prayers to define them.''
--Jer. Taylor.
(b) To determine concerning; to give judgment or sentence
upon. ``We may not pass upon his life.'' --Shak.
{To pass off}, to go away; to cease; to disappear; as, an
agitation passes off.
{To pass over}, to go from one side or end to the other; to
cross, as a river, road, or bridge.
Pass \Pass\, v. t.
1. In simple, transitive senses; as:
(a) To go by, beyond, over, through, or the like; to
proceed from one side to the other of; as, to pass a
house, a stream, a boundary, etc.
(b) Hence: To go from one limit to the other of; to spend;
to live through; to have experience of; to undergo; to
suffer. ``To pass commodiously this life.'' --Milton.
She loved me for the dangers I had passed.
--Shak.
(c) To go by without noticing; to omit attention to; to
take no note of; to disregard.
Please you that I may pass This doing. --Shak.
I pass their warlike pomp, their proud array.
--Dryden.
(d) To transcend; to surpass; to excel; to exceed.
And strive to pass . . . Their native music by
her skillful art. --Spenser.
Whose tender power Passes the strength of storms
in their most desolate hour. --Byron.
(e) To go successfully through, as an examination, trail,
test, etc.; to obtain the formal sanction of, as a
legislative body; as, he passed his examination; the
bill passed the senate.
2. In causative senses: as:
(a) To cause to move or go; to send; to transfer from one
person, place, or condition to another; to transmit;
to deliver; to hand; to make over; as, the waiter
passed bisquit and cheese; the torch was passed from
hand to hand.
I had only time to pass my eye over the medals.
--Addison.
Waller passed over five thousand horse and foot
by Newbridge. --Clarendon.
(b) To cause to pass the lips; to utter; to pronounce;
hence, to promise; to pledge; as, to pass sentence.
--Shak.
Father, thy word is passed. --Milton.
(c) To cause to advance by stages of progress; to carry on
with success through an ordeal, examination, or
action; specifically, to give legal or official
sanction to; to ratify; to enact; to approve as valid
and just; as, he passed the bill through the
committee; the senate passed the law.
(e) To put in circulation; to give currency to; as, to
pass counterfeit money. ``Pass the happy news.''
--Tennyson.
(f) To cause to obtain entrance, admission, or conveyance;
as, to pass a person into a theater, or over a
railroad.
3. To emit from the bowels; to evacuate.
4. (Naut.) To take a turn with (a line, gasket, etc.), as
around a sail in furling, and make secure.
5. (Fencing) To make, as a thrust, punto, etc. --Shak.
{Passed midshipman}. See under Midshipman.
{To pass a dividend}, to omit the declaration and payment of
a dividend at the time when due.
{To pass away}, to spend; to waste. ``Lest she pass away the
flower of her age.'' --Ecclus. xlii. 9.
{To pass by}.
(a) To disregard; to neglect.
(b) To excuse; to spare; to overlook.
{To pass off}, to impose fraudulently; to palm off. ``Passed
himself off as a bishop.'' --Macaulay.
{To pass (something) on} or {upon (some one)}, to put upon as
a trick or cheat; to palm off. ``She passed the child on
her husband for a boy.'' --Dryden.
{To pass over}, to overlook; not to note or resent; as, to
pass over an affront.
Pass \Pass\, n. [Cf. F. pas (for sense 1), and passe, fr. passer
to pass. See {Pass}, v. i.]
1. An opening, road, or track, available for passing;
especially, one through or over some dangerous or
otherwise impracticable barrier; a passageway; a defile; a
ford; as, a mountain pass.
``Try not the pass!'' the old man said.
--Longfellow.
2. (Fencing) A thrust or push; an attempt to stab or strike
an adversary. --Shak.
3. A movement of the hand over or along anything; the
manipulation of a mesmerist.
4. (Rolling Metals) A single passage of a bar, rail, sheet,
etc., between the rolls.
5. State of things; condition; predicament.
Have his daughters brought him to this pass. --Shak.
Matters have been brought to this pass. --South.
6. Permission or license to pass, or to go and come; a
psssport; a ticket permitting free transit or admission;
as, a railroad or theater pass; a military pass.
A ship sailing under the flag and pass of an enemy.
--Kent.
7. Fig.: a thrust; a sally of wit. --Shak.
8. Estimation; character. [Obs.]
Common speech gives him a worthy pass. --Shak.
9. [Cf. {Passus}.] A part; a division. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Pass boat} (Naut.), a punt, or similar boat.
{Pass book}.
(a) A book in which a trader enters articles bought on
credit, and then passes or sends it to the purchaser.
(b) See {Bank book}.
{Pass box} (Mil.), a wooden or metallic box, used to carry
cartridges from the service magazine to the piece.
{Pass check}, a ticket of admission to a place of
entertainment, or of readmission for one who goes away in
expectation of returning.
Passable \Pass"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. passable.]
1. Capable of being passed, traveled, navigated, traversed,
penetrated, or the like; as, the roads are not passable;
the stream is passablein boats.
His body's a passable carcass if it be not hurt; it
is a throughfare for steel. --Shak.
2. Capable of being freely circulated or disseminated;
acceptable; generally receivable; current.
With men as with false money -- one piece is more or
less passable than another. --L'Estrange.
Could they have made this slander passable.
--Collier.
3. Such as may be allowed to pass without serious objection;
tolerable; admissable; moderate; mediocre.
My version will appear a passable beauty when the
original muse is absent. --Dryden.
Passableness \Pass"a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being passable.
Passably \Pass"a*bly\, adv.
Tolerably; moderately.
Passacaglia \Pas`sa*ca*glia\, Passacaglio \Pas`sa*ca*glio\, n.
[Sp. pasacalle a certain tune on the guitar, prop., a tune
played in passing through the streets.] (Mus.)
An old Italian or Spanish dance tune, in slow three-four
measure, with divisions on a ground bass, resembling a
chaconne.
Passade \Pas*sade"\, Passado \Pas*sa"do\, n. [F. passade; cf.
Sp. pasada. See {Pass}, v. i.]
1. (Fencing) A pass or thrust. --Shak.
2. (Man.) A turn or course of a horse backward or forward on
the same spot of ground.
Passage \Pas"sage\, n. [F. passage. See {Pass}, v. i.]
1. The act of passing; transit from one place to another;
movement from point to point; a going by, over, across, or
through; as, the passage of a man or a carriage; the
passage of a ship or a bird; the passage of light; the
passage of fluids through the pores or channels of the
body.
What! are my doors opposed against my passage!
--Shak.
2. Transit by means of conveyance; journey, as by water,
carriage, car, or the like; travel; right, liberty, or
means, of passing; conveyance.
The ship in which he had taken passage. --Macaulay.
3. Price paid for the liberty to pass; fare; as, to pay one's
passage.
4. Removal from life; decease; departure; death. [R.]
``Endure thy mortal passage.'' --Milton.
When he is fit and season'd for his passage. --Shak.
5. Way; road; path; channel or course through or by which one
passes; way of exit or entrance; way of access or transit.
Hence, a common avenue to various apartments in a
building; a hall; a corridor.
And with his pointed dart Explores the nearest
passage to his heart. --Dryden.
The Persian army had advanced into the . . .
passages of Cilicia. --South.
6. A continuous course, process, or progress; a connected or
continuous series; as, the passage of time.
The conduct and passage of affairs. --Sir J.
Davies.
The passage and whole carriage of this action.
--Shak.
7. A separate part of a course, process, or series; an
occurrence; an incident; an act or deed. ``In thy passages
of life.'' --Shak.
The . . . almost incredible passage of their
unbelief. --South.
8. A particular portion constituting a part of something
continuous; esp., a portion of a book, speech, or musical
composition; a paragraph; a clause.
How commentators each dark passage shun. --Young.
9. Reception; currency. [Obs.] --Sir K. Digby.
10. A pass or en encounter; as, a passage at arms.
No passages of love Betwixt us twain henceforward
evermore. --Tennyson.
11. A movement or an evacuation of the bowels.
12. In parliamentary proceedings:
(a) The course of a proposition (bill, resolution, etc.)
through the several stages of consideration and
action; as, during its passage through Congress the
bill was amended in both Houses.
(b) The advancement of a bill or other proposition from
one stage to another by an affirmative vote; esp.,
the final affirmative action of the body upon a
proposition; hence, adoption; enactment; as, the
passage of the bill to its third reading was delayed.
``The passage of the Stamp Act.'' --D. Hosack.
The final question was then put upon its
passage. --Cushing.
{In passage}, in passing; cursorily. ``These . . . have been
studied but in passage.'' --Bacon.
{Middle passage}, {Northeast passage}, {Northwest passage}.
See under {Middle}, {Northeast}, etc.
{Of passage}, passing from one place, region, or climate, to
another; migratory; -- said especially of birds. ``Birds
of passage.'' --Longfellow.
{Passage hawk}, a hawk taken on its passage or migration.
{Passage money}, money paid for conveyance of a passenger, --
usually for carrying passengers by water.
Syn: Vestibule; hall; corridor. See {Vestibule}.
Passager \Pas"sa*ger\, n. [See {Passenger}.]
A passenger; a bird or boat of passage. [Obs.] --Ld. Berners.
Passageway \Pas"sage*way`\, n.
A way for passage; a hall. See {Passage}, 5.
Passant \Pas"sant\, a. [F., p. pr. of passer. See {Pass}, v. i.]
1. Passing from one to another; in circulation; current.
[Obs.]
Many opinions are passant. --Sir T.
Browne.
2. Curs?ry, careless. [Obs.]
On a passant rewiew of what I wrote to the bishop.
--Sir P. Pett.
3. Surpassing; excelling. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
4. (Her.) Walking; -- said of any animal on an escutcheon,
which is represented as walking with the dexter paw
raised.
Pass'e \Pas`s['e]"\, masc. Pass'ee \Pas`s['e]"e\, fem., a. [F.]
Past; gone by; hence, past one's prime; worn; faded; as, a
pass['e]e belle. --Ld. Lytton.
Passegarde \Passe"garde`\, n. [F.] (Anc. Armor)
A ridge or projecting edge on a shoulder piece to turn the
blow of a lance or other weapon from the joint of the armor.
Passement \Passe"ment\, n. [F.]
Lace, gimp, braid etc., sewed on a garment. --Sir W. Scott.
Passementerie \Passe*men"terie\ (E. p[.a]s*m[e^]n"tr[i^]; F.
p[aum]`s'm[aum]N`t'r[-e]"), n. [F.]
Beaded embroidery for women's dresses.
Passenger \Pas"sen*ger\, n. [OE. & F. passager. See {Passage},
and cf. {Messenger}.]
1. A passer or passer-by; a wayfarer. --Shak.
2. A traveler by some established conveyance, as a coach,
steamboat, railroad train, etc.
{Passenger falcon} (Zo["o]l.), a migratory hawk. --Ainsworth.
{Passenger pigeon} (Zo["o]l.), the common wild pigeon of
North America ({Ectopistes migratorius}), so called on
account of its extensive migrations.
Passe partout \Passe" par`tout"\, n. [F., from passer to pass +
partout everywhere.]
1. That by which one can pass anywhere; a safe-conduct.
[Obs.] --Dryden.
2. A master key; a latchkey.
3. A light picture frame or mat of cardboard, wood, or the
like, usually put between the picture and the glass, and
sometimes serving for several pictures.
Passer \Pass"er\, n.
One who passes; a passenger.
Passer-by \Pass`er-by"\, n.
One who goes by; a passer.
Passeres \Pas"se*res\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. passer a sparrow.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An order, or suborder, of birds, including more that half of
all the known species. It embraces all singing birds
(Oscines), together with many other small perching birds.
Passeriform \Pas*ser"i*form\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like or belonging to the Passeres.
Passerine \Pas"ser*ine\, a. [L. passerinus, fr. passer a
sparrow.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Passeres.
The columbine, gallinaceous, and passerine tribes
people the fruit trees. --Sydney
Smith.
Passerine \Pas"ser*ine\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Passeres.
Passibility \Pas`si*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. passibilitas: cf. F.
passibilit['e].]
The quality or state of being passible; aptness to feel or
suffer; sensibility. --Hakewill.
Passible \Pas"si*ble\, a. [L. passibilis, fr. pati, to suffer:
cf. F. passible. See {Passion}.]
Susceptible of feeling or suffering, or of impressions from
external agents.
Apolinarius, which held even deity itself passible.
--Hooker.
Passibleness \Pas"si*ble*ness\, n.
Passibility. --Brerewood.
Passiflora \Pas"si*flo"ra\, n. [NL., from L. passio passion (fr.
pati, passus, to suffer) + flos, floris, flower.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants, including the passion flower. It is the
type of the order {Passiflore[ae]}, which includes about
nineteen genera and two hundred and fifty species.
Passim \Pas"sim\, adv. [L.]
Here and there; everywhere; as, this word occurs passim in
the poem.
Passing \Pass"ing\, n.
The act of one who, or that which, passes; the act of going
by or away.
{Passing bell}, a tolling of a bell to announce that a soul
is passing, or has passed, from its body (formerly done to
invoke prayers for the dying); also, a tolling during the
passing of a funeral procession to the grave, or during
funeral ceremonies. --Sir W. Scott. --Longfellow.
Passing \Pass"ing\, a.
1. Relating to the act of passing or going; going by, beyond,
through, or away; departing.
2. Exceeding; surpassing, eminent. --Chaucer. ``Her passing
deformity.'' --Shak.
{Passing note} (Mus.), a character including a passing tone.
{Passing tone} (Mus.), a tone introduced between two other
tones, on an unaccented portion of a measure, for the sake
of smoother melody, but forming no essential part of the
harmony.
Passing \Pass"ing\, adv.
Exceedingly; excessively; surpassingly; as, passing fair;
passing strange. ``You apprehend passing shrewdly.'' --Shak.
Passingly \Pass"ing*ly\, adv.
Exceedingly. --Wyclif.
Passion \Pas"sion\, n. [F., fr. L. passio, fr. pati, passus, to
suffer. See {Patient}.]
1. A suffering or enduring of imposed or inflicted pain; any
suffering or distress (as, a cardiac passion);
specifically, the suffering of Christ between the time of
the last supper and his death, esp. in the garden upon the
cross. ``The passions of this time.'' --Wyclif (Rom. viii.
18).
To whom also he showed himself alive after his
passion, by many infallible proofs. --Acts i. 3.
2. The state of being acted upon; subjection to an external
agent or influence; a passive condition; -- opposed to
action.
A body at rest affords us no idea of any active
power to move, and, when set is motion, it is rather
a passion than an action in it. --Locke.
3. Capacity of being affected by external agents;
susceptibility of impressions from external agents. [R.]
Moldable and not moldable, scissible and not
scissible, and many other passions of matter.
--Bacon.
4. The state of the mind when it is powerfully acted upon and
influenced by something external to itself; the state of
any particular faculty which, under such conditions,
becomes extremely sensitive or uncontrollably excited; any
emotion or sentiment (specifically, love or anger) in a
state of abnormal or controlling activity; an extreme or
inordinate desire; also, the capacity or susceptibility of
being so affected; as, to be in a passion; the passions of
love, hate, jealously, wrath, ambition, avarice, fear,
etc.; a passion for war, or for drink; an orator should
have passion as well as rhetorical skill. ``A passion fond
even to idolatry.'' --Macaulay. ``Her passion is to seek
roses.'' --Lady M. W. Montagu.
We also are men of like passions with you. --Acts
xiv. 15.
The nature of the human mind can not be sufficiently
understood, without considering the affections and
passions, or those modifications or actions of the
mind consequent upon the apprehension of certain
objects or events in which the mind generally
conceives good or evil. --Hutcheson.
The term passion, and its adverb passionately, often
express a very strong predilection for any pursuit,
or object of taste -- a kind of enthusiastic
fondness for anything. --Cogan.
The bravery of his grief did put me Into a towering
passion. --Shak.
The ruling passion, be it what it will, The ruling
passion conquers reason still. --Pope.
Who walked in every path of human life, Felt every
passion. --Akenside.
When statesmen are ruled by faction and interest,
they can have no passion for the glory of their
country. --Addison.
5. Disorder of the mind; madness. [Obs.] --Shak.
6. Passion week. See {Passion week}, below. --R. of Gl.
{Passion flower} (Bot.), any flower or plant of the genus
{Passiflora}; -- so named from a fancied resemblance of
parts of the flower to the instruments of our Savior's
crucifixion.
Note: The flowers are showy, and the fruit is sometimes
highly esteemed (see {Granadilla}, and {Maypop}). The
roots and leaves are generally more or less noxious,
and are used in medicine. The plants are mostly tendril
climbers, and are commonest in the warmer parts of
America, though a few species are Asiatic or
Australian.
{Passion music} (Mus.), originally, music set to the gospel
narrative of the passion of our Lord; after the
Reformation, a kind of oratorio, with narrative, chorals,
airs, and choruses, having for its theme the passion and
crucifixion of Christ.
{Passion play}, a mystery play, in which the scenes connected
with the passion of our Savior are represented
dramatically.
{Passion Sunday} (Eccl.), the fifth Sunday in Lent, or the
second before Easter.
{Passion Week}, the last week but one in Lent, or the second
week preceding Easter. ``The name of Passion week is
frequently, but improperly, applied to Holy Week.''
--Shipley.
Syn: {Passion}, {Feeling}, {Emotion}.
Usage: When any feeling or emotion completely masters the
mind, we call it a passion; as, a passion for music,
dress, etc.; especially is anger (when thus extreme)
called passion. The mind, in such cases, is considered
as having lost its self-control, and become the
passive instrument of the feeling in question.
Passion \Pas"sion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Passioned}; p. pr & vb.
n. {Passioning}.]
To give a passionate character to. [R.] --Keats.
Passion \Pas"sion\, v. i.
To suffer pain or sorrow; to experience a passion; to be
extremely agitated. [Obs.] ``Dumbly she passions, frantically
she doteth.'' --Shak.
Passional \Pas"sion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to passion or the passions; exciting,
influenced by, or ministering to, the passions. -- n. A
passionary.
Passionary \Pas"sion*a*ry\, n. [L. passionarius: cf. F.
passionaire.]
A book in which are described the sufferings of saints and
martyrs. --T. Warton.
Passionate \Pas"sion*ate\, a. [LL. passionatus: cf. F.
passionn['e].]
1. Capable or susceptible of passion, or of different
passions; easily moved, excited or agitated; specifically,
easily moved to anger; irascible; quick-tempered; as, a
passionate nature.
Homer's Achilles is haughty and passionate. --Prior.
2. Characterized by passion; expressing passion; ardent in
feeling or desire; vehement; warm; as, a passionate
friendship. ``The passionate Pilgrim.'' --Shak.
3. Suffering; sorrowful. [Obs.] --Shak.
Passionate \Pas"sion*ate\, v. i.
1. To affect with passion; to impassion. [Obs.]
Great pleasure, mixed with pitiful regard, The godly
kind and queen did passionate. --Spenser.
2. To express feelingly or sorrowfully. [Obs.] --Shak.
Passionately \Pas"sion*ate*ly\, adv.
1. In a passionate manner; with strong feeling; ardently.
Sorrow expresses itself . . . loudly and
passionately. --South.
2. Angrily; irascibly. --Locke.
Passionateness \Pas"sion*ate*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being passionate.
Passionist \Pas"sion*ist\, n. (R. C. Ch.)
A member of a religious order founded in Italy in 1737, and
introduced into the United States in 1852. The members of the
order unite the austerities of the Trappists with the
activity and zeal of the Jesuits and Lazarists. Called also
Barefooted Clerks of the Most Holy Cross.
Passionless \Pas"sion*less\, a.
Void of passion; without anger or emotion; not easily
excited; calm. ``Self-contained and passionless.''
--Tennyson.
Passiontide \Pas"sion*tide`\, n. [Passion + tide time.]
The last fortnight of Lent.
Passive \Pas"sive\, a. [L. passivus: cf. F. passif. See
{Passion}.]
1. Not active, but acted upon; suffering or receiving
impressions or influences; as, they were passive
spectators, not actors in the scene.
The passive air Upbore their nimble tread. --Milton.
The mind is wholly passive in the reception of all
its simple ideas. --Locke.
2. Receiving or enduring without either active sympathy or
active resistance; without emotion or excitement; patient;
not opposing; unresisting; as, passive obedience; passive
submission.
The best virtue, passive fortitude. --Massinger.
3. (Chem.) Inactive; inert; not showing strong affinity; as,
red phosphorus is comparatively passive.
4. (Med.) Designating certain morbid conditions, as
hemorrhage or dropsy, characterized by relaxation of the
vessels and tissues, with deficient vitality and lack of
reaction in the affected tissues.
{Passive congestion} (Med.), congestion due to obstruction to
the return of the blood from the affected part.
{Passive iron} (Chem.), iron which has been subjected to the
action of heat, of strong nitric acid, chlorine, etc. It
is then not easily acted upon by acids.
{Passive movement} (Med.), a movement of a part, in order to
exercise it, made without the assistance of the muscles
which ordinarily move the part.
{Passive obedience} (as used by writers on government),
obedience or submission of the subject or citizen as a
duty in all cases to the existing government.
{Passive prayer}, among mystic divines, a suspension of the
activity of the soul or intellectual faculties, the soul
remaining quiet, and yielding only to the impulses of
grace.
{Passive verb}, or {Passive voice} (Gram.), a verb, or form
of a verb, which expresses the effect of the action of
some agent; as, in Latin, doceor, I am taught; in English,
she is loved; the picture is admired by all; he is
assailed by slander.
Syn: Inactive; inert; quiescent; unresisting; unopposing;
suffering; enduring; submissive; patient.
Passively \Pas"sive*ly\, adv.
1. In a passive manner; inertly; unresistingly.
2. As a passive verb; in the passive voice.
Passiveness \Pas"sive*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being passive; unresisting
submission.
To be an effect implies passiveness, or the being
subject to the power and action of its cause. --J.
Edwards.
Passivity \Pas*siv"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. passivit['e].]
1. Passiveness; -- opposed to activity. --Jer. Taylor.
2. (Physics) The tendency of a body to remain in a given
state, either of motion or rest, till disturbed by another
body; inertia. --Cheyne.
3. (Chem.) The quality or condition of any substance which
has no inclination to chemical activity; inactivity.
Pass-key \Pass"-key`\, n.
A key for opening more locks than one; a master key.
Passless \Pass"less\, a.
Having no pass; impassable. --Cowley.
Passman \Pass"man\, n.; pl. {Passmen}.
One who passes for a degree, without honors. See {Classman},
2. [Eng. Univ.]
Passover \Pass"o`ver\, n. [Pass + over. See Pasch.] (Jewish
Antiq.)
(a) A feast of the Jews, instituted to commemorate the
sparing of the Hebrews in Egypt, when God, smiting the
firstborn of the Egyptians, passed over the houses of the
Israelites which were marked with the blood of a lamb.
(b) The sacrifice offered at the feast of the passover; the
paschal lamb. --Ex. xii.
Pass-parole \Pass`-pa*role"\, n. [F. passe-parole.] (Mil.)
An order passed from front to rear by word of mouth.
Passport \Pass"port\, n. [F. passeport, orig., a permission to
leave a port or to sail into it; passer to pass + port a
port, harbor. See {Pass}, and {Port} a harbor.]
1. Permission to pass; a document given by the competent
officer of a state, permitting the person therein named to
pass or travel from place to place, without molestation,
by land or by water.
Caution in granting passports to Ireland.
--Clarendon.
2. A document carried by neutral merchant vessels in time of
war, to certify their nationality and protect them from
belligerents; a sea letter.
3. A license granted in time of war for the removal of
persons and effects from a hostile country; a
safe-conduct. --Burrill.
4. Figuratively: Anything which secures advancement and
general acceptance. --Sir P. Sidney.
His passport is his innocence and grace. --Dryden.
Passus \Pas"sus\, n.; pl. L. {Passus}, E. {Passuses}. [L., a
step, a pace. See {Pace}.]
A division or part; a canto; as, the passus of Piers Plowman.
See 2d {Fit}.
Password \Pass"word`\, n.
A word to be given before a person is allowed to pass; a
watchword; a countersign. --Macaulay.
Passymeasure \Pas"sy*meas`ure\, n. [Corrupted fr. It.
passamezzo.] [Obs.]
See {Paspy}. --Shak.
Past \Past\, a. [From {Pass}, v.]
Of or pertaining to a former time or state; neither present
nor future; gone by; elapsed; ended; spent; as, past
troubles; past offences. ``Past ages.'' --Milton.
{Past master}. See under {Master}.
Past \Past\, n.
A former time or state; a state of things gone by. ``The
past, at least, is secure.'' --D. Webster.
The present is only intelligible in the light of the
past, often a very remote past indeed. --Trench.
Past \Past\, prep.
1. Beyond, in position, or degree; further than; beyond the
reach or influence of. ``Who being past feeling.'' --Eph.
iv. 19. ``Galled past endurance.'' --Macaulay.
Until we be past thy borders. --Num. xxi.
22.
Love, when once past government, is consequently
past shame. --L'Estrange.
2. Beyond, in time; after; as, past the hour.
Is it not past two o'clock? --Shak.
3. Above; exceeding; more than. [R.]
Not past three quarters of a mile. --Shak.
Bows not past three quarters of a yard long.
--Spenser.
Past \Past\, adv.
By; beyond; as, he ran past.
The alarum of drums swept past. --Longfellow.
Paste \Paste\, n. [OF. paste, F. p[^a]te, L. pasta, fr. Gr. ?
barley broth; cf. ? barley porridge, ? sprinkled with salt, ?
to sprinkle. Cf. {Pasty}, n., {Patty}.]
1. A soft composition, as of flour moistened with water or
milk, or of earth moistened to the consistence of dough,
as in making potter's ware.
2. Specifically, in cookery, a dough prepared for the crust
of pies and the like; pastry dough.
3. A kind of cement made of flour and water, starch and
water, or the like, -- used for uniting paper or other
substances, as in bookbinding, etc., -- also used in
calico printing as a vehicle for mordant or color.
4. A highly refractive vitreous composition, variously
colored, used in making imitations of precious stones or
gems. See {Strass}.
5. A soft confection made of the inspissated juice of fruit,
licorice, or the like, with sugar, etc.
6. (Min.) The mineral substance in which other minerals are
imbedded.
{Paste eel} (Zo["o]l.), the vinegar eel. See under {Vinegar}.
Paste \Paste\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pasted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pasting}.]
To unite with paste; to fasten or join by means of paste.
Pasteboard \Paste"board`\, n.
1. A stiff thick kind of paper board, formed of several
single sheets pasted one upon another, or of paper
macerated and pressed into molds, etc.
2. (Cookery) A board on which pastry dough is rolled; a
molding board.
Pastel \Pas"tel\, n. [F.; cf. It. pastello. Cf. {Pastil}.]
1. A crayon made of a paste composed of a color ground with
gum water. [Sometimes incorrectly written {pastil}.]
``Charming heads in pastel.'' --W. Black.
2. (Bot.) A plant affording a blue dye; the woad ({Isatis
tinctoria}); also, the dye itself.
Paster \Past"er\, n.
1. One who pastes; as, a paster in a government department.
2. A slip of paper, usually bearing a name, intended to be
pasted by the voter, as a substitute, over another name on
a printed ballot. [Cant, U.S.]
Pastern \Pas"tern\, n. [Of. pasturon, F. p[^a]turon, fr. OF.
pasture a tether, for beasts while pasturing; prop., a
pasturing. See {Pasture}.]
1. The part of the foot of the horse, and allied animals,
between the fetlock and the coffin joint. See Illust. of
{Horse}.
Note: The upper bone, or phalanx, of the foot is called the
{great pastern bone}; the second, the {small pastern
bone}; and the third, in the hoof, the {coffin bone}.
{Pastern joint}, the joint in the hoof of the horse, and
allied animals, between the great and small pastern bones.
2. A shackle for horses while pasturing. --Knight.
3. A patten. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Pasteurism \Pas*teur"ism\, n. [Fr. Pasteur, a French scientist.]
1. A method of treatment, devised by Pasteur, for preventing
certain diseases, as hydrophobia, by successive
inoculations with an attenuated virus of gradually
increasing strength.
2. Pasteurization.
Pasteurization \Pas*teur`i*za"tion\, n.
A process devised by Pasteur for preventing or checking
fermentation in fluids, such as wines, milk, etc., by
exposure to a temperature of 140[deg] F., thus destroying the
vitality of the contained germs or ferments.
Pasteurize \Pas*teur"ize\, v. t.
1. To subject to pasteurization.
2. To treat by pasteurism.
Pasticcio \Pas*tic"ci*o\, n. [It., fr. pasta. See {Paste}.]
1. A medley; an olio. [R.] --H. Swinburne.
2. (Fine Arts)
(a) A work of art imitating directly the work of another
artist, or of more artists than one.
(b) A falsified work of art, as a vase or statue made up
of parts of original works, with missing parts
supplied.
Pastil \Pas"til\, Pastille \Pas*tille"\, n. [F. pastille, L.
pastillusa pastus food. See {Pasture}, and cf. {Pastel}.]
1. (Pharmacy) A small cone or mass made of paste of gum,
benzoin, cinnamon, and other aromatics, -- used for
fumigating or scenting the air of a room.
2. An aromatic or medicated lozenge; a troche.
3. See {Pastel}, a crayon.
Pastime \Pas"time`\, n. [Pass + time: cf. F. passetemps.]
That which amuses, and serves to make time pass agreeably;
sport; amusement; diversion.
Pastime \Pas"time`\, v. i.
To sport; to amuse one's self. [R.]
Pastor \Pas"tor\, n. [L., fr. pascere, pastum, to pasture, to
feed. Cf. {Pabulum}, {Pasture}, {Food}.]
1. A shepherd; one who has the care of flocks and herds.
2. A guardian; a keeper; specifically (Eccl.), a minister
having the charge of a church and parish.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A species of starling ({Pastor roseus}), native
of the plains of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Its head
is crested and glossy greenish black, and its back is
rosy. It feeds largely upon locusts.
Pastorage \Pas"tor*age\, n.
The office, jurisdiction, or duty, of a pastor; pastorate.
Pastoral \Pas"tor*al\, a. [L. pastoralis: cf. F. pastoral. See
{Pastor}.]
1. Of or pertaining to shepherds; hence, relating to rural
life and scenes; as, a pastoral life.
2. Relating to the care of souls, or to the pastor of a
church; as, pastoral duties; a pastoral letter.
{Pastoral staff} (Eccl.), a staff, usually of the form of a
shepherd's crook, borne as an official emblem by a bishop,
abbot, abbess, or other prelate privileged to carry it.
See {Crook}, and {Crosier}.
{Pastoral Theology}, that part of theology which treats of
the duties of pastors.
Pastoral \Pas"tor*al\, n.
1. A poem describing the life and manners of shepherds; a
poem in which the speakers assume the character of
shepherds; an idyl; a bucolic.
A pastoral is a poem in which any action or passion
is represented by its effects on a country life.
--Rambler.
2. (Mus.) A cantata relating to rural life; a composition for
instruments characterized by simplicity and sweetness; a
lyrical composition the subject of which is taken from
rural life. --Moore (Encyc. of Music).
3. (Eccl.) A letter of a pastor to his charge; specifically,
a letter addressed by a bishop to his diocese; also (Prot.
Epis. Ch.), a letter of the House of Bishops, to be read
in each parish.
Pastorale \Pas`to*ra"le\, n. [It.]
1. (Mus.) A composition in a soft, rural style, generally in
6-8 or 12-8 time.
2. A kind of dance; a kind of figure used in a dance.
Pastorally \Pas"tor*al*ly\, adv.
1. In a pastoral or rural manner.
2. In the manner of a pastor.
Pastorate \Pas"tor*ate\, n. [Cf. F. pastorat. See {Pastor}.]
The office, state, or jurisdiction of a pastor.
Pastorless \Pas"tor*less\, a.
Having no pastor.
Pastorling \Pas"tor*ling\, n.
An insignificant pastor. [R.]
Pastorly \Pas"tor*ly\, a.
Appropriate to a pastor. --Milton.
Pastorship \Pas"tor*ship\, n.
Pastorate. --Bp. Bull.
Pastry \Pas"try\, n.; pl. {Pastries}.
1. The place where pastry is made. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. Articles of food made of paste, or having a crust made of
paste, as pies, tarts, etc.
{Pastry cook}, one whose occupation is to make pastry; as,
the pastry cook of a hotel.
Pasturable \Pas"tur*a*ble\, a.
Fit for pasture.
Pasturage \Pas"tur*age\, n. [OF. pasturage, F. p[^a]turage. See
{Pasture}.]
1. Grazing ground; grass land used for pasturing; pasture.
2. Grass growing for feed; grazing.
3. The business of feeding or grazing cattle.
Pasture \Pas"ture\, n. [OF. pasture, F. p[^a]ture, L. pastura,
fr. pascere, pastum, to pasture, to feed. See {Pastor}.]
1. Food; nourishment. [Obs.]
Toads and frogs his pasture poisonous. --Spenser.
2. Specifically: Grass growing for the food of cattle; the
food of cattle taken by grazing.
3. Grass land for cattle, horses, etc.; pasturage.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. --Ps.
xxiii. 2.
So graze as you find pasture. --Shak.
Pasture \Pas"ture\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pastured}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pasturing}.]
To feed, esp. to feed on growing grass; to supply grass as
food for; as, the farmer pastures fifty oxen; the land will
pasture forty cows.
Pasture \Pas"ture\, v. i.
To feed on growing grass; to graze.
Pastureless \Pas"ture*less\, a.
Destitute of pasture. --Milton.
Pasturer \Pas"tur*er\, n.
One who pastures; one who takes cattle to graze. See
{Agister}.
Pasty \Pas"ty\, a.
Like paste, as in color, softness, stickness. ``A pasty
complexion.'' --G. Eliot.
Pasty \Pas"ty\, n.; pl. {Pasties}. [OF. past['e], F. p[^a]t['e].
See {Paste}, and cf. {Patty}.]
A pie consisting usually of meat wholly surrounded with a
crust made of a sheet of paste, and often baked without a
dish; a meat pie. ``If ye pinch me like a pasty.'' --Shak.
``Apple pasties.'' --Dickens.
A large pasty baked in a pewter platter. --Sir W.
Scott.
Pat \Pat\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Patted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Patting}.] [Cf. G. patschen, Prov. G. patzen, to strike,
tap.]
To strike gently with the fingers or hand; to stroke lightly;
to tap; as, to pat a dog.
Gay pats my shoulder, and you vanish quite. --Pope.
Pat \Pat\, n.
1. A light, quik blow or stroke with the fingers or hand; a
tap.
2. A small mass, as of butter, shaped by pats.
It looked like a tessellated work of pats of butter.
--Dickens.
Pat \Pat\, a. [Cf. pat a light blow, D. te pas convenient, pat,
where pas is fr. F. passer to pass.]
Exactly suitable; fit; convenient; timely. ``Pat allusion.''
--Barrow.
Pat \Pat\, adv.
In a pat manner.
I foresaw then 't would come in pat hereafter.
--Sterne.
Pataca \Pa*ta"ca\, n. [Sp.]
The Spanish dollar; -- called also {patacoon}. [Obs.]
Patache \Pa`tache"\, n. [F. & Sp. patache, P. patacho.] (Naut.)
A tender to a fleet, formerly used for conveying men, orders,
or treasure. [Spain & Portugal]
Patacoon \Pa`ta*coon"\, n. [Sp.]
See {Pataca}.
Patagium \Pa*ta"gi*um\, n.; pl. {Patagia}. [L., an edge or
border.]
1. (Anat.) In bats, an expansion of the integument uniting
the fore limb with the body and extending between the
elongated fingers to form the wing; in birds, the similar
fold of integument uniting the fore limb with the body.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of a pair of small vesicular organs
situated at the bases of the anterior wings of
lepidopterous insects. See Illust. of {Butterfly}.
Patagonian \Pat`a*go"ni*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Patagonia. -- n. A native of Patagonia.
Patamar \Pat"a*mar\, n. [From the native name.] (Naut.)
A vessel resembling a grab, used in the coasting trade of
Bombay and Ceylon. [Written also {pattemar}.]
Patas \Pa*tas"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A West African long-tailed monkey ({Cercopithecus ruber});
the red monkey.
Patavinity \Pat`a*vin"i*ty\, n. [L. patavinitas, fr. Patavium:
cf. F. patavinit['e]]
The use of local or provincial words, as in the peculiar
style or diction of Livy, the Roman historian; -- so called
from Patavium, now Padua, the place of Livy's nativity.
Patch \Patch\, n. [OE. pacche; of uncertain origin, perh. for
placche; cf. Prov. E. platch patch, LG. plakk, plakke.]
1. A piece of cloth, or other suitable material, sewed or
otherwise fixed upon a garment to repair or strengthen it,
esp. upon an old garment to cover a hole.
Patches set upon a little breach. --Shak.
2. Hence: A small piece of anything used to repair a breach;
as, a patch on a kettle, a roof, etc.
3. A small piece of black silk stuck on the face, or neck, to
hide a defect, or to heighten beauty.
Your black patches you wear variously. --Beau. & Fl.
4. (Gun.) A piece of greased cloth or leather used as
wrapping for a rifle ball, to make it fit the bore.
5. Fig.: Anything regarded as a patch; a small piece of
ground; a tract; a plot; as, scattered patches of trees or
growing corn.
Employed about this patch of ground. --Bunyan.
6. (Mil.) A block on the muzzle of a gun, to do away with the
effect of dispart, in sighting.
7. A paltry fellow; a rogue; a ninny; a fool. [Obs. or
Colloq.] ``Thou scurvy patch.'' --Shak.
{Patch ice}, ice in overlapping pieces in the sea.
{Soft patch}, a patch for covering a crack in a metallic
vessel, as a steam boiler, consisting of soft material, as
putty, covered and held in place by a plate bolted or
riveted fast.
Patch \Patch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Patched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Patching}.]
1. To mend by sewing on a piece or pieces of cloth, leather,
or the like; as, to patch a coat.
2. To mend with pieces; to repair with pieces festened on; to
repair clumsily; as, to patch the roof of a house.
3. To adorn, as the face, with a patch or patches.
Ladies who patched both sides of their faces.
--Spectator.
4. To make of pieces or patches; to repair as with patches;
to arrange in a hasty or clumsy manner; -- generally with
up; as, to patch up a truce. ``If you'll patch a
quarrel.'' --Shak.
Patcher \Patch"er\, n.
One who patches or botches. --Foxe.
Patchery \Patch"er*y\, n.
Botchery; covering of defects; bungling; hypocrisy. [R.]
--Shak.
Patchingly \Patch"ing*ly\, adv.
Knavishy; deceitfully. [Obs.]
Patchouli \Pa*tchou"li\, Patchouly \Pa*tchou"ly\, n. [CF. F.
patchouli; prob. of East Indian origin.]
1. (Bot.) A mintlike plant ({Pogostemon Patchouli}) of the
East Indies, yielding an essential oil from which a highly
valued perfume is made.
2. The perfume made from this plant.
{Patchouly camphor} (Chem.), a substance homologous with and
resembling borneol, found in patchouly oil.
Patchwork \Patch"work`\, n.
Work composed of pieces sewed together, esp. pieces of
various colors and figures; hence, anything put together of
incongruous or ill-adapted parts; something irregularly
clumsily composed; a thing putched up. --Swift.
Patchy \Patch"y\, a.
Full of, or covered with, patches; abounding in patches.
Pat'e \Pa`t['e]"\, a. (Her.)
See {Patt['e]}.
Pat'e \Pa`t['e]"\, n. [F. p[^a]t['e].]
1. A pie. See {Patty}.
2. (Fort.) A kind of platform with a parapet, usually of an
oval form, and generally erected in marshy grounds to
cover a gate of a fortified place. [R.]
Pate \Pate\, n. [Cf. LG. & Prov. G. pattkopf, patzkopf, scabby
head; patt, patz, scab + kopf head.]
1. The head of a person; the top, or crown, of the head. [Now
generally used in contempt or ridicule.]
His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his
violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. --Ps.
vii. 16.
Fat paunches have lean pate. --Shak.
2. The skin of a calf's head.
Pated \Pat"ed\, a.
Having a pate; -- used only in composition; as, long-pated;
shallow-pated.
Patee \Pa*tee"\, n.
See {Pattee}.
Patefaction \Pat`e*fac"tion\, n. [L. patefactio, fr. patefacere
to open; patere to lie open + facere to make.]
The act of opening, disclosing, or manifesting; open
declaration. --Jer. Taylor.
Patela \Pat"e*la\, n. [Hind. patel[=a].]
A large flat-bottomed trading boat peculiar to the river
Ganges; -- called also {puteli}.
Patella \Pa*tel"la\, n.; pl. {Patell[ae]}. [L., a small pan, the
kneepan, dim. of patina, patena, a pan, dish.]
1. A small dish, pan, or vase.
2. (Anat.) The kneepan; the cap of the knee.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of marine gastropods, including many
species of limpets. The shell has the form of a flattened
cone. The common European limpet ({Patella vulgata}) is
largely used for food.
4. (Bot.) A kind of apothecium in lichens, which is
orbicular, flat, and sessile, and has a special rim not a
part of the thallus.
Patellar \Pa*tel"lar\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the patella, or kneepan.
Patelliform \Pa*tel"li*form\, a. [Patella + form: cf. F.
pattelliforme.]
1. Having the form of a patella.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Resembling a limpet of the genus Patella.
Patellula \Pa*tel"lu*la\, n.; pl. {Patellul[ae]}. [NL., dim. of
L. patella. See {Patella}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A cuplike sucker on the feet of certain insects.
Paten \Pat"en\, n. [LL. patina, patena, fr. L. patina, patena, a
pan; cf. L. patere to be open, E. patent, and Gr. ? a kind of
flat dish: cf. F. pat[`e]ne. Cf. {Patina}.]
1. A plate. [Obs.]
2. (Eccl.) The place on which the consecrated bread is placed
in the Eucharist, or on which the host is placed during
the Mass. It is usually small, and formed as to fit the
chalice, or cup, as a cover. [Written also {patin},
{patine}.]
Patena \Pat"e*na\, n. [LL.] (Eccl.)
A paten.
Patena \Pa*te"na\, n. [Cf. Pg. patena a paten.]
A grassy expanse in the hill region of Ceylon.
Patency \Pa"ten*cy\, n. [See {Patent}.]
1. The condition of being open, enlarged, or spread.
2. The state of being patent or evident.
Patent \Pat"ent\ (p[a^]t"ent or p[=a]t"ent), a. [L. patens,
-entis, p. pr. of patere to be open: cf. F. patent. Cf.
{Fathom}.]
1.
Note: (Oftener pronounced p[=a]t"ent in this sense) Open;
expanded; evident; apparent; unconcealed; manifest;
public; conspicuous.
He had received instructions, both patent and
secret. --Motley.
2. Open to public perusal; -- said of a document conferring
some right or privilege; as, letters patent. See {Letters
patent}, under 3d {Letter}.
3. Appropriated or protected by letters patent; secured by
official authority to the exclusive possession, control,
and disposal of some person or party; patented; as, a
patent right; patent medicines.
Madder . . . in King Charles the First's time, was
made a patent commodity. --Mortimer.
4. (Bot.) Spreading; forming a nearly right angle with the
steam or branch; as, a patent leaf.
{Patent leather}, a varnished or lacquered leather, used for
boots and shoes, and in carriage and harness work.
{Patent office}, a government bureau for the examination of
inventions and the granting of patents.
{Patent right}.
(a) The exclusive right to an invention, and the control
of its manufacture.
(b) (Law) The right, granted by the sovereign, of
exclusive control of some business of manufacture, or
of the sale of certain articles, or of certain offices
or prerogatives.
{Patent rolls}, the registers, or records, of patents.
Patent \Pat"ent\, n. [Cf. F. patente. See {Patent}, a.]
1. A letter patent, or letters patent; an official document,
issued by a sovereign power, conferring a right or
privilege on some person or party. Specifically:
(a) A writing securing to an invention.
(b) A document making a grant and conveyance of public
lands.
Four other gentlemen of quality remained
mentioned in that patent. --Fuller.
Note: In the United States, by the act of 1870, patents for
inventions are issued for seventeen years, without the
privilege of renewal except by act of Congress.
2. The right or privilege conferred by such a document;
hence, figuratively, a right, privilege, or license of the
nature of a patent.
If you are so fond over her iniquity, give her
patent to offend. --Shak.
Patent \Pat"ent\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Patented}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Patenting}.]
To grant by patent; to make the subject of a patent; to
secure or protect by patent; as, to patent an invention; to
patent public lands.
Patentable \Pat"ent*a*ble\, a.
Suitable to be patented; capable of being patented.
Patentee \Pat`ent*ee"\, n.
One to whom a grant is made, or a privilege secured, by
patent. --Bacon.
Patent-hammered \Pat"ent-ham"mered\, a. (Stone Cutting)
Having a surface dressed by cutting with a hammer the head of
which consists of broad thin chisels clamped together.
Patently \Pat"ent*ly\ (?; see {Patent}, a.), adv.
Openly; evidently.
Patera \Pat"e*ra\, n.; pl. {Pater[ae]}(?). [ L., fr. patere to
lie open.]
1. A saucerlike vessel of earthenware or metal, used by the
Greeks and Romans in libations and sacrificies.
2. (Arch.) A circular ornament, resembling a dish, often
worked in relief on friezes, and the like.
Paterero \Pat`e*re"ro\, n.
See {Pederero}. [Obs.]
Paterfamilias \Pa`ter*fa*mil`i*as\, n.; pl. {Pateresfamilias}.
[L., fr. pater father + familias, gen. of familia family.]
(Rom. Law)
The head of a family; in a large sense, the proprietor of an
estate; one who is his own master.
Paternal \Pa*ter"nal\, a. [L. paternus, fr. pater a father: cf.
F. paternel. See {Father}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a father; fatherly; showing the
disposition of a father; guiding or instructing as a
father; as, paternal care. ``Under paternal rule.''
--Milton.
2. Received or derived from a father; hereditary; as, a
paternal estate.
Their small paternal field of corn. --Dryden.
{Paternal government} (Polit. Science), the assumption by the
governing power of a quasi-fatherly relation to the
people, involving strict and intimate supervision of their
business and social concerns, upon the theory that they
are incapable of managing their own afffairs.
Paternalism \Pa*ter"nal*ism\, n. (Polit. Science)
The theory or practice of paternal government. See {Paternal
government}, under {Paternal}. --London Times.
Paternally \Pa*ter"nal*ly\, adv.
In a paternal manner.
Paternity \Pa*ter"ni*ty\, n. [L. paternitas: cf. F.
paternit['e]. See {Paternal}.]
1. The relation of a father to his child; fathership;
fatherhood; family headship; as, the divine paternity.
The world, while it had scarcity of people,
underwent no other dominion than paternity and
eldership. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
2. Derivation or descent from a father; male parentage; as,
the paternity of a child.
3. Origin; authorship.
The paternity of these novels was . . . disputed.
--Sir W.
Scott.
Paternoster \Pa"ter*nos`ter\, n. [L., Our Father.]
1. The Lord's prayer, so called from the first two words of
the Latin version.
2. (Arch.) A beadlike ornament in moldings.
3. (Angling) A line with a row of hooks and bead?shaped
sinkers.
{Paternoster pump}, {Paternoster wheel}, a chain pump; a
noria.
{Paternoster while}, the space of time required for repeating
a paternoster. --Udall.
Path \Path\ (p[.a]th), n.; pl. {Paths} (p[.a][th]z). [As.
p[ae][eth], pa[eth]; akin to D. pad, G. pfad, of uncertain
origin; cf. Gr. pa`tos, Skr. patha, path. [root]21.]
1. A trodden way; a footway.
The dewy paths of meadows we will tread. --Dryden.
2. A way, course, or track, in which anything moves or has
moved; route; passage; an established way; as, the path of
a meteor, of a caravan, of a storm, of a pestilence. Also
used figuratively, of a course of life or action.
All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth. --Ps.
xxv. 10.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave. --Gray.
Path \Path\ (p[.a][th]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pathed}
(p[.a][th]d); pr.p. & vb. n. {Pathing}.]
To make a path in, or on (something), or for (some one). [R.]
``Pathing young Henry's unadvised ways.'' --Drayton.
Path \Path\, v. i.
To walk or go. [R.] --Shak.
Pathematic \Path`e*mat"ic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? a suffering, ?, to
suffer.]
Of, pertaining to, or designating, emotion or suffering. [R.]
--Chalmers.
Pathetic \Pa*thet"ic\, a. [L. patheticus, Gr. ?, fr. ?, ?, to
suffer: cf. F. path['e]tique. See {Pathos}.]
1. Expressing or showing anger; passionate. [Obs.]
2. Affecting or moving the tender emotions, esp. pity or
grief; full of pathos; as, a pathetic song or story.
``Pathetic action.'' --Macaulay.
No theory of the passions can teach a man to be
pathetic. --E. Porter.
{Pathetic muscle} (Anat.), the superior oblique muscle of the
eye.
{Pathetic nerve} (Anat.), the fourth cranial, or trochlear,
nerve, which supplies the superior oblique, or pathetic,
muscle of the eye.
{The pathetic}, a style or manner adapted to arouse the
tender emotions.
Pathetical \Pa*thet"ic*al\, a.
Pathetic. [R.] -- {Pa*thet"ic*al*ly}, adv. --
{Pa*thet"ic*al*ness}, n.
Pathetism \Path"e*tism\, n. [Cf. F. path['e]tisme.]
See {Mesmerism}. --L. Sunderland.
Pathfinder \Path"find`er\, n.
One who discovers a way or path; one who explores untraversed
regions.
The cow is the true pathfinder and pathmaker. --J.
Burroughs.
Pathic \Path"ic\, n. [L. pathicus, Gr. ?, passive, fr. ?, ?, to
suffer]
A male who submits to the crime against nature; a catamite.
[R.] --B. Jonson.
Pathic \Path"ic\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Passive; suffering.
Pathless \Path"less\, a.
Having no beaten path or way; untrodden; impenetrable; as,
pathless woods.
Trough the heavens' wide, pathless way. --Milton.
Pathmaker \Path"mak`er\, n.
One who, or that which, makes a way or path.
Pathogene \Path"o*gene\, n. [See {Pathogenic}.] (Biol.)
One of a class of virulent micro["o]rganisms or bacteria
found in the tissues and fluids in infectious diseases, and
supposed to be the cause of the disease; a pathogenic
organism; a pathogenic bacterium; -- opposed to zymogene.
Pathogenesis \Path`o*gen"e*sis\, n. (Med.)
Pathogeny.
Pathogenetic \Path`o*ge*net"ic\, a. (Med.)
Pathogenic.
Pathogenic \Path`o*gen"ic\, a. [Gr. ? disease + the root of ?
birth.] (Med. & Biol.)
Of or pertaining to pathogeny; producting disease; as, a
pathogenic organism; a pathogenic bacterium.
Pathogeny \Pa*thog"e*ny\, n. (Med.)
(a) The generation, and method of development, of disease;
as, the pathogeny of yellow fever is unsettled.
(b) That branch of pathology which treats of the generation
and development of disease.
Pathognomonic \Pa*thog`no*mon"ic\, a. [Gr. ? skilled in judging
of diseases; ? a disease + ? skilled: cf. F. pathognomonique.
See {Gnomic}.] (Med.)
Specially or decisively characteristic of a disease;
indicating with certainty a disease; as, a pathognomonic
symptom.
The true pathognomonic sign of love jealousy.
--Arbuthnot.
Pathognomy \Pa*thog"no*my\, n. [Gr. ? passion + ? a judgment,
fr. ?, ?, to know.]
Expression of the passions; the science of the signs by which
human passions are indicated.
Pathologic \Path`o*log"ic\, Pathological \Path`o*log"ic*al\, a.
[Gr. ?: cf. F. pathologique.]
Of or pertaining to pathology. -- {Path`o*log"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Pathologist \Pa*thol"o*gist\, n. [Cf. F. pathologiste.]
One skilled in pathology; an investigator in pathology; as,
the pathologist of a hospital, whose duty it is to determine
the causes of the diseases.
Pathology \Pa*thol"o*gy\ (-j[y^]), n.; pl. {Pathologies}
(-j[i^]z). [Gr. pa`qos a suffering, disease + -logy: cf. F.
pathologie.] (Med.)
The science which treats of diseases, their nature, causes,
progress, symptoms, etc.
Note: Pathology is general or special, according as it treats
of disease or morbid processes in general, or of
particular diseases; it is also subdivided into
internal and external, or medical and surgical
pathology. Its departments are {nosology},
{[ae]tiology}, {morbid anatomy}, {symptomatology}, and
{therapeutics}, which treat respectively of the
classification, causation, organic changes, symptoms,
and cure of diseases.
{Celluar pathology}, a theory that gives prominence to the
vital action of cells in the healthy and diseased function
of the body. --Virchow.
Pathopoela \Path`o*p[oe]"la\, n.; pl. {-ias}. [NL., from Gr. ?;
? passion + ? to make.] (Rhet.)
A speech, or figure of speech, designed to move the passion.
--Smart.
Pathos \Pa"thos\, n. [L., from Gr. pa`qos a suffering, passion,
fr. ?, ?, to suffer; cf. ? toil, L. pati to suffer, E.
patient.]
That quality or property of anything which touches the
feelings or excites emotions and passions, esp., that which
awakens tender emotions, such as pity, sorrow, and the like;
contagious warmth of feeling, action, or expression; pathetic
quality; as, the pathos of a picture, of a poem, or of a cry.
The combination of incident, and the pathos of
catastrophe. --T. Warton.
Pathway \Path"way\, n.
A footpath; a beaten track; any path or course. Also used
figuratively. --Shak.
In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway
thereof is no death. --Prov. xii.
28.
We tread the pathway arm in arm. --Sir W.
Scott.
Patible \Pat"i*ble\, a. [L. patibilis, fr. pati to suffer.]
Sufferable; tolerable; endurable. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Patibulary \Pa*tib"u*la*ry\, a. [L. patibulum a gallows: cf. F.
patibulaire.]
Of or pertaining to the gallows, or to execution. [R.]
--Carlyle.
Patibulated \Pa*tib"u*la`ted\, a.
Hanged on a gallows. [R.]
Patience \Pa"tience\, n. [F. patience, fr. L. patientia. See
{Patient}.]
1. The state or quality of being patient; the power of
suffering with fortitude; uncomplaining endurance of evils
or wrongs, as toil, pain, poverty, insult, oppression,
calamity, etc.
Strenthened with all might, . . . unto all patience
and long-suffering. --Col. i. 11.
I must have patience to endure the load. --Shak.
Who hath learned lowliness From his Lord's cradle,
patience from his cross. --Keble.
2. The act or power of calmly or contentedly waiting for
something due or hoped for; forbearance.
Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
--Matt. xviii.
29.
3. Constancy in labor or application; perseverance.
He learned with patience, and with meekness taught.
--Harte.
4. Sufferance; permission. [Obs.] --Hooker.
They stay upon your patience. --Shak.
5. (Bot.) A kind of dock ({Rumex Patientia}), less common in
America than in Europe; monk's rhubarb.
6. (Card Playing) Solitaire.
Syn: {Patience}, {Resignation}.
Usage: Patience implies the quietness or self-possession of
one's own spirit under sufferings, provocations, etc.;
resignation implies submission to the will of another.
The Stoic may have patience; the Christian should have
both patience and resignation.
Patient \Pa"tient\, a. [F., fr. L. patiens, -entis, p. pr. of
pati to suffer. Cf. {Pathos}, {Passion}.]
1. Having the quality of enduring; physically able to suffer
or bear.
Patient of severest toil and hardship. --Bp. Fell.
2. Undergoing pains, trails, or the like, without murmuring
or fretfulness; bearing up with equanimity against
trouble; long-suffering.
3. Constant in pursuit or exertion; persevering; calmly
diligent; as, patient endeavor.
Whatever I have done is due to patient thought.
--Sir I.
Newton.
4. Expectant with calmness, or without discontent; not hasty;
not overeager; composed.
Not patient to expect the turns of fate. --Prior.
5. Forbearing; long-suffering.
Be patient toward all men. --1 Thess. v.
14.
Patient \Pa"tient\, n.
1. ONe who, or that which, is passively affected; a passive
recipient.
Malice is a passion so impetuous and precipitate
that often involves the agent and the patient.
--Gov. of
Tongue.
2. A person under medical or surgical treatment; --
correlative to physician or nurse.
Like a physician, . . . seeing his patient in a
pestilent fever. --Sir P.
Sidney.
{In patient}, a patient who receives lodging and food, as
treatment, in a hospital or an infirmary.
{Out patient}, one who receives advice and medicine, or
treatment, from an infirmary.
Patient \Pa"tient\, v. t.
To compose, to calm. [Obs.] ``Patient yourself, madam.''
--Shak.
Patiently \Pa"tient*ly\, adv.
In a patient manner. --Cowper.
Patin \Pat"in\, Patine \Pat"ine\, n.
A plate. See {Paten}. ``Inlaid with patines of bright gold.''
--Shak.
Patina \Pat"ina\, n. [It., fr. L. patina a dish, a pan, a kind
of cake. Cf. {Paten}.]
1. A dish or plate of metal or earthenware; a patella.
2. (Fine Arts) The color or incrustation which age gives to
works of art; especially, the green rust which covers
ancient bronzes, coins, and medals. --Fairholt.
Patio \Pa"ti*o\ (p[aum]"t[-e]*[-o]), n. [Sp., a court] (Metal)
A paved yard or floor where ores are cleaned and sorted, or
where ore, salt, mercury, etc., are trampled by horses, to
effect intermixture and amalgamation.
Note: The patio process is used to reduce silver ores by
amalgamation.
Patly \Pat"ly\, adv.
Fitly; seasonably. --Barrow.
Patness \Pat"ness\, n.
Fitness or appropriateness; striking suitableness;
convenience.
The description with equal patness may suit both.
--Barrow.
Patois \Pa`tois"\, n. [F.]
A dialect peculiar to the illiterate classes; a provincial
form of speech.
The jargon and patois of several provinces. --Sir T.
Browne.
Patonce \Pa*tonce"\, a. [Cf. F. patte d'once paw of an ounce.]
(Her.)
Having the arms growing broader and floriated toward the end;
-- said of a cross. See Illust. 9 of {Cross}.
Patrial \Pa"tri*al\, a. [L. patria fatherland, country, fr.
pater father.] (Lat. Gram.)
Derived from the name of a country, and designating an
inhabitant of the country; gentile; -- said of a noun. -- n.
A patrial noun. Thus Romanus, a Roman, and Troas, a woman of
Troy, are patrial nouns, or patrials. --Andrews.
Patriarch \Pa"tri*arch\, n. [F. patriarche, L. patriarcha, Gr.
?, fr. ? lineage, especially on the father's side, race; ?
father + ? a leader, chief, fr. ? to lead, rule. See
{Father}, {Archaic}.]
1. The father and ruler of a family; one who governs his
family or descendants by paternal right; -- usually
applied to heads of families in ancient history,
especially in Biblical and Jewish history to those who
lived before the time of Moses.
2. (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.) A dignitary superior to the order of
archbishops; as, the patriarch of Constantinople, of
Alexandria, or of Antioch.
3. A venerable old man; an elder. Also used figuratively.
The patriarch hoary, the sage of his kith and the
hamlet. --Longfellow.
The monarch oak, the partiarch of trees. --Dryde.
Patriarchal \Pa`tri*ar"chal\, a. [Cf. F. patriarcal.]
1. Of or pertaining to a patriarch or to patriarchs;
possessed by, or subject to, patriarchs; as, patriarchal
authority or jurisdiction; a patriarchal see; a
patriarchal church.
2. Characteristic of a patriarch; venerable.
About whose patriarchal knee Late the little
children clung. --Tennyson.
3. (Ethnol.) Having an organization of society and government
in which the head of the family exercises authority over
all its generations.
{Patriarchal cross} (Her.), a cross, the shaft of which is
intersected by two transverse beams, the upper one being
the smaller. See Illust. (2) of {Cross}.
{Patriarchal dispensation}, the divine dispensation under
which the patriarchs lived before the law given by Moses.
Patriarchate \Pa`tri*ar"chate\ (p>amac/`tr[i^]*[aum]r"k[asl]t),
n. [Cf. F. patriarcat.]
1. The office, dignity, or jurisdiction of a patriarch.
--Jer. Taylor.
2. The residence of an ecclesiastic patriarch.
3. (Ethnol.) A patriarchal form of government or society. See
{Patriarchal}, a., 3.
Patriarchdom \Pa"tri*arch*dom\, n.
The office or jurisdiction of a patriarch; patriarchate. [R.]
Patriarchic \Pa`tri*ar"chic\, a. [L. patriarchicus, Gr. ?.]
Patriarchal.
Patriarchism \Pa"tri*arch*ism\, n.
Government by a patriarch, or the head of a family.
Patriarchship \Pa"tri*arch*ship\, n.
A patriarchate. --Ayliffe.
Patriarchy \Pa"tri*arch`y\, n. [Gr. ?.]
1. The jurisdiction of a patriarch; patriarchship.
--Brerewood.
2. Government by a patriarch; patriarchism.
Patrician \Pa*tri"cian\, a. [L. patricius, fr. patres fathers or
senators, pl. of pater: cf. F. patricien. See {Paternal}.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) Of or pertaining to the Roman patres
(fathers) or senators, or patricians.
2. Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to, a person of high
birth; noble; not plebeian.
Born in the patrician file of society. --Sir W.
Scott.
His horse's hoofs wet with patrician blood.
--Addison.
Patrician \Pa*tri"cian\, n. [L. patricius: cf. F. patricien.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) Originally, a member of any of the families
constituting the populus Romanus, or body of Roman
citizens, before the development of the plebeian order;
later, one who, by right of birth or by special privilege
conferred, belonged to the nobility.
2. A person of high birth; a nobleman.
3. One familiar with the works of the Christian Fathers; one
versed in patristic lore. [R.] --Colridge.
Patricianism \Pa*tri"cian*ism\, n.
The rank or character of patricians.
Patriciate \Pa*tri"ci*ate\, n.
The patrician class; the aristocracy; also, the office of
patriarch. --Milman.
Patricidal \Pat*ri"ci`dal\, a.
Of or pertaining to patricide; parricidal.
Patricide \Pat*ri"cide\, n. [L. pater father + caedere to kill.
Cf. {Parricide}.]
1. The murderer of his father.
2. The crime of one who murders his father. Same as
{Parricide}.
Patrimonial \Pat`ri*mo"ni*al\, a. [L. patrimonialis: cf. F.
patrimonial.]
Of or pertaining to a patrimony; inherited from ancestors;
as, a patrimonial estate.
Patrimonially \Pat`ri*mo"ni*al*ly\, adv.
By inheritance.
Patrimony \Pat"ri*mo*ny\, n.; pl. {Patrimonies}. [L.
patrimonium, fr. pater father: cf. F. patrimoine. See
{Paternal}.]
1. A right or estate inherited from one's father; or, in a
larger sense, from any ancestor. ``'Reave the orphan of
his patrimony.'' --Shak.
2. Formerly, a church estate or endowment. --Shipley.
Patriot \Pa"tri*ot\, n. [F. patriote; cf. Sp. patriota, It.
patriotto; all fr. Gr. ? a fellow-countryman, fr. ?
established by forefathers, fr. ? father. See {Father}.]
One who loves his country, and zealously supports its
authority and interests. --Bp. Hall.
Such tears as patriots shaed for dying laws. --Pope.
Patriot \Pa"tri*ot\, a.
Becoming to a patriot; patriotic.
Patriotic \Pa`tri*ot"ic\, a. [Cf. F. patriotique, Gr. ?
belonging to a fellow-countryman.]
Inspired by patriotism; actuated by love of one's country;
zealously and unselfishly devoted to the service of one's
country; as, a patriotic statesman, vigilance.
Patriotical \Pa`tri*ot"ic*al\, a.
Patriotic; that pertains to a patriot. --
{Pa`tri*ot"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Patriotism \Pa"tri*ot*ism\, n. [Cf. F. patriotisme.]
Love of country; devotion to the welfare of one's country;
the virtues and actions of a patriot; the passion which
inspires one to serve one's country. --Berkley.
Patripassian \Pa`tri*pas"sian\, n. [LL. Patripassiani, pl.; L.
pater father + pati, passus, to suffer: cf. F.
patripassiens.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a body of believers in the early church who denied the
independent pre["e]xistent personality of Christ, and who,
accordingly, held that the Father suffered in the Son; a
monarchian. -- {Pa`tri*pas"sian*ism}, n.
Patrist \Pa"trist\, n.
One versed in patristics.
Patristic \Pa*tris"tic\, Patristical \Pa*tris"tic*al\, a. [F.
patristique. See {Paternal}.]
Of or pertaining to the Fathers of the Christian church.
The voluminous editor of Jerome anf of tons of
patristic theology. --I. Taylor.
Patristics \Pa*tris"tics\, n.
That departnent of historical theology which treats of the
lives and doctrines of the Fathers of the church.
Patrizate \Pa"tri*zate\, v. i. [L. patrissare, patrizare;cf. Gr.
?.]
To imitate one's father. [R.]
Patrocinate \Pa*troc"i*nate\, v. t. [L. patrocinatus, p. p. of
patrocinari to patronize, fr. patronus patron.]
To support; to patronize. [Obs.] --Urquhart.
Patrocination \Pa*troc`i*na"tion\, n.
The act of patrocinating or patronizing. [Obs.]
``Patrocinations of treason.'' --Bp. Hall.
Patrociny \Pa*troc"i*ny\, n. [L. patrocinium.] [Obs.]
See {Patrocination}.
Patrol \Pa*trol"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Patrolled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Patrolling}.] [F. patrouiller, O. & Prov. F. patrouiller
to paddle, paw about, patrol, fr. patte a paw; cf. D. poot
paw, G. pfote, and E. pat, v.]
To go the rounds along a chain of sentinels; to traverse a
police district or beat.
Patrol \Pa*trol"\, v.
t To go the rounds of, as a sentry, guard, or policeman; as,
to patrol a frontier; to patrol a beat.
Patrol \Pa*trol"\, n. [F. patrouille, OF. patouille. See
{Patrol}, v. i.]
1. (Mil.)
(a) A going of the rounds along the chain of sentinels and
between the posts, by a guard, usually consisting of
three or four men, to insure greater security from
attacks on the outposts.
(b) A movement, by a small body of troops beyond the line
of outposts, to explore the country and gain
intelligence of the enemy's whereabouts.
(c) The guard or men who go the rounds for observation; a
detachment whose duty it is to patrol.
2. Any perambulation of a particular line or district to
guard it; also, the men thus guarding; as, a customs
patrol; a fire patrol.
In France there is an army of patrols to secure her
fiscal regulations. --A. Hamilton.
Patrole \Pa*trole"\, n. & v.
See {Patrol}, n. & v.
Patrolman \Pa*trol"man\, n.; pl. {Patrolmen}.
One who patrols; a watchman; especially, a policeman who
patrols a particular precinct of a town or city.
Patron \Pa"tron\, n. [F., fr. L. patronus, fr. pater a father.
See {Paternal}, and cf. {Patroon}, {Padrone}, {Pattern}.]
1. One who protects, supports, or countenances; a defender.
``Patron of my life and liberty.'' --Shak. ``The patron of
true holiness.'' --Spenser.
2. (Rom. Antiq.)
(a) A master who had freed his slave, but still retained
some paternal rights over him.
(b) A man of distinction under whose protection another
person placed himself.
(c) An advocate or pleader.
Let him who works the client wrong Beware the
patron's ire. --Macaulay.
3. One who encourages or helps a person, a cause, or a work;
a furtherer; a promoter; as, a patron of art.
4. (Eccl. Law) One who has gift and disposition of a
benefice. [Eng.]
5. A guardian saint. -- called also {patron saint}.
6. (Naut.) See {Padrone}, 2.
{Patrons of Husbandry}, the grangers. See {Granger}, 2.
Patron \Pa"tron\, v. t.
To be a patron of; to patronize; to favor. [Obs.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Patron \Pa"tron\, a.
Doing the duty of a patron; giving aid or protection;
tutelary. --Dryden.
{Patron saint} (R. C. Ch.), a saint regarded as the peculiar
protector of a country, community, church, profession,
etc., or of an individual.
Patronage \Pa"tron*age\, n. [F. patronage. Cf. LL. patronaticum,
and L. patronatus.]
1. Special countenance or support; favor, encouragement, or
aid, afforded to a person or a work; as, the patronage of
letters; patronage given to an author.
2. Business custom. [Commercial Cant]
3. Guardianship, as of a saint; tutelary care. --Addison.
4. The right of nomination to political office; also, the
offices, contracts, honors, etc., which a public officer
may bestow by favor.
5. (Eng. Law) The right of presentation to church or
ecclesiastical benefice; advowson. --Blackstone.
Patronage \Pa"tron*age\, v. t.
To act as a patron of; to maintain; to defend. [Obs.] --Shak.
Patronal \Pa"tron*al\, a. [L. patronalis; cf. F. patronal.]
Patron; protecting; favoring. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Patronate \Pa"tron*ate\, n. [L. patronatus.]
The right or duty of a patron; patronage. [R.] --Westm. Rev.
Patroness \Pa"tron*ess\, n. [Cf. F. patronnesse.]
A female patron or helper. --Spenser.
Night, best patroness of grief. --Milton.
Patronization \Pa`tron*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of patronizing; patronage; support. [R.]
Patronize \Pa"tron*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Patronized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Patronizing}.]
1. To act as patron toward; to support; to countenance; to
favor; to aid.
The idea has been patronized by two States only.
--A. Hamilton.
2. To trade with customarily; to frequent as a customer.
[Commercial Cant]
3. To assume the air of a patron, or of a superior and
protector, toward; -- used in an unfavorable sense; as, to
patronize one's equals.
Patronizer \Pa"tron*i`zer\, n.
One who patronizes.
Patronizing \Pa"tron*i`zing\, a.
Showing condescending favor; assuming the manner of airs of a
superior toward another. -- {Pat"ron*i`zing*ly}, adv.
Thackeray.
Patronless \Pa"tron*less\, a.
Destitute of a patron.
Patronomayology \Pa`tro*nom`a*yol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, a father
+ E. onomatology.]
That branch of knowledge which deals with personal names and
their origin; the study of patronymics.
Patronymic \Pa`tro*nym"ic\, a. [L. patronymicus, Gr. ?; ? father
+ ? name: cf. F. patronymique.]
Derived from ancestors; as, a patronymic denomination.
Patronymic \Pa`tro*nym"ic\, n. [Gr. ?.]
A modification of the father's name borne by the son; a name
derived from that of a parent or ancestor; as, Pelides, the
son of Peleus; Johnson, the son of John; Macdonald, the son
of Donald; Paulowitz, the son of Paul; also, the surname of a
family; the family name. --M. A. Lower.
Patronymical \Pa`tro*nym"ic*al\, a.
Same as {Patronymic}.
Patroon \Pa*troon"\, n. [D. patroon a patron, a protector. See
{Patron}.]
One of the proprietors of certain tracts of land with
manorial privileges and right of entail, under the old Dutch
governments of New York and New Jersey.
Patroonship \Pa*troon"ship\, n.
The office of a patroon. --Irving.
Patt'e \Pat`t['e]"\, Pattee \Pat*tee"\, a. [F. patt['e], fem.
patt['e]e, fr. patte paw, foot. Cf. {Patten}.] (Her.)
Narrow at the inner, and very broad at the other, end, or
having its arms of that shape; -- said of a cross. See
Illust. (8) of {Cross}. [Written also {pat['e]}, {patee}.]
Pattemar \Pat"te*mar\, n.
See {Patamar}.
Patten \Pat"ten\, n. [F. patin a high-heeled shoe, fr. patte
paw, foot. Cf. {Panton}, {Patt['e]}.]
1. A clog or sole of wood, usually supported by an iron ring,
worn to raise the feet from the wet or the mud.
The patten now supports each frugal dame. --Gay.
2. A stilt. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Pattened \Pat"ten*ed\, a.
Wearing pattens. ``Some pattened girl.'' --Jane Austen.
Patter \Pat"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pattered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pattering}.] [Freq. of pat to strike gently.]
1. To strike with a quick succession of slight, sharp sounds;
as, pattering rain or hail; pattering feet.
The stealing shower is scarce to patter heard.
--Thomson.
2. To mutter; to mumble; as, to patter with the lips.
--Tyndale. [In this sense, and in the following, perh.
from paternoster.]
3. To talk glibly; to chatter; to harangue. [Colloq.]
I've gone out and pattered to get money. --Mayhew.
Patter \Pat"ter\, v. t.
1. To spatter; to sprinkle. [R.] ``And patter the water about
the boat.'' --J. R. Drake.
2. [See {Patter}, v. i., 2.] To mutter; as prayers.
[The hooded clouds] patter their doleful prayers.
--Longfellow.
{To patter flash}, to talk in thieves' cant. [Slang]
Patter \Pat"ter\, n.
1. A quick succession of slight sounds; as, the patter of
rain; the patter of little feet.
2. Glib and rapid speech; a voluble harangue.
3. The cant of a class; patois; as, thieves's patter;
gypsies' patter.
Patterer \Pat"ter*er\, n.
One who patters, or talks glibly; specifically, a street
peddler. [Cant, Eng.]
Pattern \Pat"tern\, n. [OE. patron, F. patron, a patron, also, a
pattern. See {Patron}.]
1. Anything proposed for imitation; an archetype; an
exemplar; that which is to be, or is worthy to be, copied
or imitated; as, a pattern of a machine.
I will be the pattern of all patience. --Shak.
2. A part showing the figure or quality of the whole; a
specimen; a sample; an example; an instance.
He compares the pattern with the whole piece.
--Swift.
3. Stuff sufficient for a garment; as, a dress pattern.
4. Figure or style of decoration; design; as, wall paper of a
beautiful pattern.
5. Something made after a model; a copy. --Shak.
The patterns of things in the heavens. --Heb. ix.
23.
6. Anything cut or formed to serve as a guide to cutting or
forming objects; as, a dressmaker's pattern.
7. (Founding) A full-sized model around which a mold of sand
is made, to receive the melted metal. It is usually made
of wood and in several parts, so as to be removed from the
mold without injuring it.
{Pattern box}, {chain}, or {cylinder} (Figure Weaving),
devices, in a loom, for presenting several shuttles to the
picker in the proper succession for forming the figure.
{Pattern card}.
(a) A set of samples on a card.
(b) (Weaving) One of the perforated cards in a Jacquard
apparatus.
{Pattern reader}, one who arranges textile patterns.
{Pattern wheel} (Horology), a count-wheel.
Pattern \Pat"tern\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Patterned}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Patterning}.]
1. To make or design (anything) by, from, or after, something
that serves as a pattern; to copy; to model; to imitate.
--Milton.
[A temple] patterned from that which Adam reared in
Paradise. --Sir T.
Herbert.
2. To serve as an example for; also, to parallel.
{To pattern after}, to imitate; to follow.
Patty \Pat"ty\, n.; pl. {Patties}. [F. p[^a]t['e]. See {Pasty}.]
A little pie.
Pattypan \Pat"ty*pan`\, n.
1. A pan for baking patties.
2. A patty. [Obs.]
Patulous \Pat"u*lous\, a. [L. patulus, fr. patere to be open,
extend.]
Open; expanded; slightly spreading; having the parts loose or
dispersed; as, a patulous calyx; a patulous cluster of
flowers.
The eyes are large and patulous. --Sir J. Hill.
Pau \Pau\, n.
See {Pah}.
Pauciloquent \Pau*cil"o*quent\, a.
Uttering few words; brief in speech. [R.]
Pauciloquy \Pau*cil"o*quy\, n. [L. pauciloquium; paucus little +
loqui to speak.]
Brevity in speech. [R.]
Paucispiral \Pau`ci*spi"ral\, a. [L. paucus few + E. spiral.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having few spirals, or whorls; as, a paucispiral operculum or
shell.
Paucity \Pau"ci*ty\, n. [L. paucitas, fr. paucus few, little:
cf. F. paucit['e] See {Few}.]
1. Fewness; smallness of number; scarcity. --Hooker.
Revelation denies it by the stern reserve, the
paucity, and the incompleteness, of its
communications. --I. Taylor.
2. Smallnes of quantity; exiguity; insufficiency; as, paucity
of blood. --Sir T. Browne.
Paugie \Pau"gie\, Paugy \Pau"gy\, n.; pl. {Paugies}. [Corrupted
from Amer. Indian mishcuppauog. See {Scup}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The scup. See {Porgy}, and {Scup}.
Pauhaugen \Pau*hau"gen\, n. [North Amer. Indian.] (Zo["o]l.)
The menhaden; -- called also {poghaden}.
Paul \Paul\, n.
See {Pawl}.
Paul \Paul\, n.
An Italian silver coin. See {Paolo}.
Pauldron \Paul"dron\, n. [See {Powldron}.] (Mil. Antiq.)
A piece of armor covering the shoulder at the junction of the
body piece and arm piece.
Paulian \Pau"li*an\, Paulianist \Pau"li*an*ist\, n. (Eccl.
Hist.)
A follower of Paul of Samosata, a bishop of Antioch in the
third century, who was deposed for denying the divinity of
Christ.
Paulician \Pau"li*cian\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect of Christian dualists originating in Armenia in
the seventh century. They rejected the Old Testament and the
part of the New.
Paulin \Pau"lin\, n. (Naut.)
See {Tarpaulin}.
Pauline \Pau"line\, a. [L. Paulinus, fr. Paulus Paul.]
Of or pertaining to the apostle Paul, or his writings;
resembling, or conforming to, the writings of Paul; as, the
Pauline epistles; Pauline doctrine.
My religion had always been Pauline. --J. H.
Newman.
Paulist \Paul"ist\, n. (R. C. Ch.)
A member of The Institute of the Missionary Priests of St.
Paul the Apostle, founded in 1858 by the Rev. I. T. Hecker of
New York. The majority of the members were formerly
Protestants.
Paulownia \Pau*low"ni*a\, n. [NL. So named from the Russian
princess Anna Pavlovna.] (Bot.)
A genus of trees of the order {Scrophulariace[ae]},
consisting of one species, {Paulownia imperialis}.
Note: The tree is native to Japan, and has immense
heart-shaped leaves, and large purplish flowers in
panicles. The capsules contain many little winged
seeds, which are beautiful microscopic objects. The
tree is hardy in America as far north as Connecticut.
Paum \Paum\, v. t. & i. [See {Palm} to cheat.]
To palm off by fraud; to cheat at cards. [Obs.] --Swift.
Paunce \Paunce\, n. [See {Pansy}.] (Bot.)
The pansy. ``The pretty paunce.'' --Spenser.
Paunch \Paunch\, n. [OF. panch, pance, F. panse, L. pantex,
panticis.]
1. (Anat.) The belly and its contents; the abdomen; also, the
first stomach, or rumen, of ruminants. See {Rumen}.
2. (Naut.) A paunch mat; -- called also {panch}.
3. The thickened rim of a bell, struck by the clapper.
{Paunch mat} (Naut.), a thick mat made of strands of rope,
used to prevent the yard or rigging from chafing.
Paunch \Paunch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paunched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Paunching}.]
1. To pierce or rip the belly of; to eviscerate; to
disembowel. --Shak.
2. To stuff with food. [Obs.] --Udall.
Paunchy \Paunch"y\, a.
Pot-bellied. [R.] --Dickens.
Paune \Paune\, n.
A kind of bread. See {Pone}.
Pauper \Pau"per\, n. [L. See {Poor}.]
A poor person; especially, one development on private or
public charity. Also used adjectively; as, pouper immigrants,
pouper labor.
Pauperism \Pau"per*ism\, n. [Cf. F. paup['e]risme.]
The state of being a pauper; the state of indigent persons
requiring support from the community. --Whatly.
Syn: Poverty; indigence; penury; want; need; destitution. See
{Poverty}.
Pauperization \Pau`per*i*za"tion\, n.
The act or process of reducing to pauperism. --C. Kingsley.
Pauperize \Pau"per*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pauperized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Pauperizing}.]
To reduce to pauperism; as, to pauperize the peasantry.
Pauropoda \Pau*rop"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? small +
-poda.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of small myriapods having only nine pairs of legs
and destitute of trache[ae].
Pause \Pause\, n. [F., fr. L. pausa. See {Pose}.]
1. A temporary stop or rest; an intermission of action;
interruption; suspension; cessation.
2. Temporary inaction or waiting; hesitation; suspence;
doubt.
I stand in pause where I shall first begin. --Shak.
3. In speaking or reading aloud, a brief arrest or suspension
of voice, to indicate the limits and relations of
sentences and their parts.
4. In writing and printing, a mark indicating the place and
nature of an arrest of voice in reading; a punctuation
point; as, teach the pupil to mind the pauses.
5. A break or paragraph in writing.
He writes with warmth, which usually neglects
method, and those partitions and pauses which men
educated in schools observe. --Locke.
6. (Mus.) A hold. See 4th {Hold}, 7.
Syn: Stop; cessation; suspension.
Pause \Pause\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Paused}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pausing}.] [Cf. F. pauser, L. pausare. See {Pause}, n.,
{Pose}.]
1. To make a short stop; to cease for a time; to intermit
speaking or acting; to stop; to wait; to rest. ``Tarry,
pause a day or two.'' --Shak.
Pausing while, thus to herself she mused. --Milton.
2. To be intermitted; to cease; as, the music pauses.
3. To hesitate; to hold back; to delay. [R.]
Why doth the Jew pause? Take thy forfeiture. --Shak.
4. To stop in order to consider; hence, to consider; to
reflect. [R.] ``Take time to pause.'' --Shak.
{To pause upon}, to deliberate concerning. --Shak.
Syn: To intermit; stop; stay; wait; delay; tarry; hesitate;
demur.
Pause \Pause\, v. t.
To cause to stop or rest; -- used reflexively. [R.] --Shak.
Pauser \Paus"er\, n.
One who pauses. --Shak.
Pausingly \Paus"ing*ly\, adv.
With pauses; haltingly. --Shak.
Pauxi \Paux"i\, n. [From the native name: cf. Sp. pauji.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A curassow ({Ourax pauxi}), which, in South America, is often
domesticated.
Pavage \Pav"age\, n. [Cf. F. pavage.]
See {Pavage}. [R.]
Pavan \Pav"an\, n. [F. pavane; cf. It. & Sp. pavana, and Sp.
pavon, pavo, a peacock, L. pavo.]
A stately and formal Spanish dance for which full state
costume is worn; -- so called from the resemblance of its
movements to those of the peacock. [Written also {pavane},
{paven}, {pavian}, and {pavin}.]
Pav'e \Pa`v['e]"\, n. [F., from paver to pave. See {Pave}.]
The pavement.
{Nymphe du pav['e]}, a prostitute who solicits in the street.
[A low euphemism.]
Pave \Pave\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paved}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Paving}.] [F. paver to pave, LL. pavare, from L. pavire to
beat, ram, or tread down; cf. Gr. ? to beat, strike.]
1. To lay or cover with stone, brick, or other material, so
as to make a firm, level, or convenient surface for
horses, carriages, or persons on foot, to travel on; to
floor with brick, stone, or other solid material; as, to
pave a street; to pave a court.
With silver paved, and all divine with gold. --Dryden.
To pave thy realm, and smooth the broken ways. --Gay.
2. Fig.: To make smooth, easy, and safe; to prepare, as a
path or way; as, to pave the way to promotion; to pave the
way for an enterprise.
It might open and pave a prepared way to his own
title. --Bacon.
Pavement \Pave"ment\, n. [F., fr. LL. pavamentum, L. pavimentum.
See {Pave}.]
That with which anythingis paved; a floor or covering of
solid material, laid so as to make a hard and convenient
surface for travel; a paved road or sidewalk; a decorative
interior floor of tiles or colored bricks.
The riches of heaven's pavement, trodden gold.
--Milton.
{Pavement teeth} (Zo["o]l.), flattened teeth which in certain
fishes, as the skates and cestracionts, are arranged side
by side, like tiles in a pavement.
Pavement \Pave"ment\, v. t.
To furnish with a pavement; to pave. [Obs.] ``How richly
pavemented!'' --Bp. Hall.
Paven \Pav"en\, n.
See {Pavan}.
Paver \Pav"er\, n.
One who paves; one who lays a pavement. [Written also
{pavier} and {pavior}.]
Pavesade \Pav`e*sade"\, n. [F. See {Pavise}.]
A canvas screen, formerly sometimes extended along the side
of a vessel in a naval engagement, to conceal from the enemy
the operations on board.
Pavese \Pa*vese"\, Pavesse \Pa*vesse"\, n.
Pavise. [Obs.]
Paviage \Pa"vi*age\, n. (Law)
A contribution or a tax for paving streets or highways.
--Bouvier.
Pavian \Pav"i*an\, n.
See Pavan.
Pavid \Pav"id\, a. [L. pavidus, from pavere to be afraid.]
Timid; fearful. [R.] --Thackeray.
Pavidity \Pa*vid"i*ty\, n.
Timidity. [R.]
Pavier \Pav"ier\, n.
A paver.
Paviin \Pa"vi*in\ (p[=a]"v[i^]*[i^]n), n. (Chem.)
A glucoside found in species of the genus {Pavia} of the
Horse-chestnut family.
Pavilion \Pa*vil"ion\, n. [F. pavillon, fr. L. pavilio a
butterfly, also, a tent, because spread out like a
butterfly's wings.]
1. A temporary movable habitation; a large tent; a marquee;
esp., a tent raised on posts. ``[The] Greeks do pitch
their brave pavilions.'' --Shak.
2. (Arch.) A single body or mass of building, contained
within simple walls and a single roof, whether insulated,
as in the park or garden of a larger edifice, or united
with other parts, and forming an angle or central feature
of a large pile.
3. (Mil.) A flag, colors, ensign, or banner.
4. (Her.) Same as {Tent} (Her.)
5. That part of a brilliant which lies between the girdle and
collet. See Illust. of {Brilliant}.
6. (Anat.) The auricle of the ear; also, the fimbriated
extremity of the Fallopian tube.
7. A covering; a canopy; figuratively, the sky.
The pavilion of heaven is bare. --Shelley.
Pavilion \Pa*vil"ion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pavilioned}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Pavilioning}.]
To furnish or cover with, or shelter in, a tent or tents.
The field pavilioned with his guardians bright.
--Milton.
Pavin \Pav"in\, n.
See {Pavan}.
Paving \Pav"ing\, n.
1. The act or process of laying a pavement, or covering some
place with a pavement.
2. A pavement.
Pavior \Pav"ior\, n.
1. One who paves; a paver.
2. A rammer for driving paving stones.
3. A brick or slab used for paving.
Pavise \Pa*vise\, n. [OF. pavaix, F. pavois; cf. It. pavese, LL.
pavense; perh. named from Pavia in Italy.] (Mil. Antiq.)
A large shield covering the whole body, carried by a pavisor,
who sometimes screened also an archer with it. [Written also
{pavais}, {pavese}, and {pavesse}.] --Fairholt.
Pavisor \Pa*vis"or\, n. (Mil. Antiq.)
A soldier who carried a pavise.
Pavo \Pa"vo\, n. [L., a peacock. See {Peacock}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of birds, including the peacocks.
2. (Astron.) The Peacock, a constellation of the southern
hemisphere.
Pavon \Pa"von\, n.
A small triangular flag, esp. one attached to a knight's
lance; a pennon.
Pavone \Pa*vone"\, n. [Cf. It. pavone, Sp. pavon, fr. L. pavo.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A peacock. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Pavonian \Pa*vo"ni*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to a peacock. [R.] --Southey.
Pavonine \Pav"o*nine\, a. [L. pavoninus, fr. pavo a peacock. See
{Peacock}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Like, or pertaining to, the genus Pavo.
2. Characteristic of a peacock; resembling the tail of a
peacock, as in colors; iridescent. --P. Cleaveland.
Paw \Paw\ (p[add]), n. [OE. pawe, poue, OF. poe: cf. patte, LG.
pote, D. poot, G. pfote.]
1. The foot of a quadruped having claws, as the lion, dog,
cat, etc.
2. The hand. [Jocose] --Dryden.
{Paw clam} (Zo["o]l.), the tridacna; -- so called because
shaped like an animal's paw.
Paw \Paw\, v. i.
To draw the forefoot along the ground; to beat or scrape with
the forefoot. --Job xxxix. 21.
Paw \Paw\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pawed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pawing}.]
1. To pass the paw over; to stroke or handle with the paws;
hence, to handle fondly or rudely.
2. To scrape or beat with the forefoot.
His hot courser pawed the Hungarian plane.
--Tickell.
Pawk \Pawk\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small lobster. --Travis.
Pawky \Paw"ky\, a. [Cf. AS. p[ae]cean to deceive.]
Arch; cunning; sly. [Scot.] --Jamieson.
Pawl \Pawl\, n. [W. pawl a pole, a stake. Cf. {Pole} a stake.]
(Mach.)
A pivoted tongue, or sliding bolt, on one part of a machine,
adapted to fall into notches, or interdental spaces, on
another part, as a ratchet wheel, in such a manner as to
permit motion in one direction and prevent it in the reverse,
as in a windlass; a catch, click, or detent. See Illust. of
{Ratchet Wheel}. [Written also {paul}, or {pall}.]
{Pawl bitt} (Naut.), a heavy timber, set abaft the windlass,
to receive the strain of the pawls.
{Pawl rim} or {ring} (Naut.), a stationary metallic ring
surrounding the base of a capstan, having notches for the
pawls to catch in.
Pawl \Pawl\, v. t.
To stop with a pawl; to drop the pawls off.
{To pawl the capstan}. See under {Capstan}.
Pawn \Pawn\, n.
See {Pan}, the masticatory.
Pawn \Pawn\, n. [OE. paune, poun, OF. peon, poon, F. pion, LL.
pedo a foot soldier, fr. L. pes, pedis, foot. See {Foot}, and
cf. {Pioneer}, {Peon}.] (Chess)
A man or piece of the lowest rank.
Pawn \Pawn\, n. [OF. pan pledge, assurance, skirt, piece, F. pan
skirt, lappet, piece, from L. pannus. See {Pane}.]
1. Anything delivered or deposited as security, as for the
payment of money borrowed, or of a debt; a pledge. See
{Pledge}, n., 1.
As for mortgaging or pawning, . . . men will not
take pawns without use [i. e., interest]. --Bacon.
2. State of being pledged; a pledge for the fulfillment of a
promise. [R.]
Redeem from broking pawn the blemish'd crown.
--Shak.
As the morning dew is a pawn of the evening fatness.
--Donne.
3. A stake hazarded in a wager. [Poetic]
My life I never held but as a pawn To wage against
thy enemies. --Shak.
{In pawn}, {At pawn}, in the state of being pledged. ``Sweet
wife, my honor is at pawn.'' --Shak.
{Pawn ticket}, a receipt given by the pawnbroker for an
article pledged.
Pawn \Pawn\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pawned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pawning}.]
1. To give or deposit in pledge, or as security for the
payment of money borrowed; to put in pawn; to pledge; as,
to pawn one's watch.
And pawned the last remaining piece of plate. --Dryden.
2. To pledge for the fulfillment of a promise; to stake; to
risk; to wager; to hazard.
Pawning his honor to obtain his lust. --Shak.
Pawnable \Pawna*ble\, a.
Capable of being pawned.
Pawnbroker \Pawn"bro`ker\, n.
One who makes a business of lending money on the security of
personal property pledged or deposited in his keeping.
Pawnbroking \Pawn"bro`king\, n.
The business of a pawnbroker.
Pawnee \Pawn*ee"\, n. (Law)
One or two whom a pledge is delivered as security; one who
takes anything in pawn.
Pawnees \Paw`nees"\, n. pl.; sing. {Pawnee}. (Ethnol.)
A tribe of Indians (called also {Loups}) who formerly
occupied the region of the Platte river, but now live mostly
in the Indian Territory. The term is often used in a wider
sense to include also the related tribes of Rickarees and
Wichitas. Called also {Pani}.
Pawner \Pawn"er\, Pawnor \Pawn*or"\, n. (Law)
One who pawns or pledges anything as security for the payment
of borrowed money or of a debt.
Pawpaw \Paw`paw"\, n. (Bot.)
See {Papaw}.
Pax \Pax\, n. [L. pax peace. See {Peace}.]
1. (Eccl.) The kiss of peace; also, the embrace in the
sanctuary now substituted for it at High Mass in Roman
Catholic churches.
2. (R. C. Ch.) A tablet or board, on which is a
representation of Christ, of the Virgin Mary, or of some
saint and which, in the Mass, was kissed by the priest and
then by the people, in medi[ae]val times; an osculatory.
It is still used in communities, confraternities, etc.
Kiss the pax, and be quiet like your neighbors.
--Chapman.
Paxillose \Pax"il*lose`\, a. [L. paxillus a small stake.]
(Geol.)
Resembling a little stake.
Paxillus \Pax*il"lus\, n.; pl. {Paxilli}. [L., a peg.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of a peculiar kind of spines covering the surface of
certain starfishes. They are pillarlike, with a flattened
summit which is covered with minute spinules or granules. See
Illustration in Appendix.
Paxwax \Pax"wax`\, n. [For faxvax, fr. AS. fea? hair (akin to
OHG. fahs) + weaxan to grow. See {Wax} to grow, and cf.
{Faxed}, {Pectinate}.] (Anat.)
The strong ligament of the back of the neck in quadrupeds. It
connects the back of the skull with dorsal spines of the
cervical vertebr[ae], and helps to support the head. Called
also {paxywaxy} and {packwax}.
Paxywaxy \Pax"y*wax`y\, n. (Anat.)
See {Paxwax}.
Pay \Pay\, v. t. [OF. peier, fr. L. picare to pitch, i? pitch:
cf. OF. peiz pitch, F. poix. See {Pitch} a black substance.]
(Naut.)
To cover, as bottom of a vessel, a seam, a spar, etc., with
tar or pitch, or waterproof composition of tallow, resin,
etc.; to smear.
Pay \Pay\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Paid}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Paying}.] [OE. paien, F. payer, fr. L. pacare to pacify,
appease, fr. pax, pacis, peace. See {Peace}.]
1. To satisfy, or content; specifically, to satisfy (another
person) for service rendered, property delivered, etc.; to
discharge one's obligation to; to make due return to; to
compensate; to remunerate; to recompense; to requite; as,
to pay workmen or servants.
May no penny ale them pay [i. e., satisfy]. --P.
Plowman.
[She] pays me with disdain. --Dryden.
2. Hence, figuratively: To compensate justly; to requite
according to merit; to reward; to punish; to retort or
retaliate upon.
For which, or pay me quickly, or I'll pay you. --B.
Jonson.
3. To discharge, as a debt, demand, or obligation, by giving
or doing what is due or required; to deliver the amount or
value of to the person to whom it is owing; to discharge a
debt by delivering (money owed). ``Pay me that thou
owest.'' --Matt. xviii. 28.
Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
--Matt. xviii.
26.
If they pay this tax, they starve. --Tennyson.
4. To discharge or fulfill, as a duy; to perform or render
duty, as that which has been promised.
This day have I paid my vows. --Prov. vii.
14.
5. To give or offer, without an implied obligation; as, to
pay attention; to pay a visit.
Not paying me a welcome. --Shak.
{To pay off}.
(a) To make compensation to and discharge; as, to pay off
the crew of a ship.
(b) To allow (a thread, cord, etc.) to run off; to unwind.
{To pay one's duty}, to render homage, as to a sovereign or
other superior.
{To pay out} (Naut.), to pass out; hence, to slacken; to
allow to run out; as, to pay out more cable. See under
{Cable}.
{To pay the piper}, to bear the cost, expense, or trouble.
[Colloq.]
Pay \Pay\ (p[=a]), v. i.
To give a recompense; to make payment, requital, or
satisfaction; to discharge a debt.
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again. --Ps.
xxxvii. 21.
2. Hence, to make or secure suitable return for expense or
trouble; to be remunerative or profitable; to be worth the
effort or pains required; as, it will pay to ride; it will
pay to wait; politeness always pays.
{To pay for}.
(a) To make amends for; to atone for; as, men often pay
for their mistakes with loss of property or
reputation, sometimes with life.
(b) To give an equivalent for; to bear the expense of; to
be mulcted on account of.
'T was I paid for your sleeps; I watched your
wakings. --Beau. & Fl.
{To pay off}. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Naut.) To fall to
leeward, as the head of a vessel under sail.
{To pay on}. [Etymol. uncertain.] To beat with vigor; to
redouble blows. [Colloq.]
{To pay round} [Etymol. uncertain.] (Naut.) To turn the
ship's head.
Pay \Pay\, n.
1. Satisfaction; content. --Chaucer.
2. An equivalent or return for money due, goods purchased, or
services performed; salary or wages for work or service;
compensation; recompense; payment; hire; as, the pay of a
clerk; the pay of a soldier.
Where only merit constant pay receives. --Pope.
There is neither pay nor plunder to be got.
--L'Estrange.
{Full pay}, the whole amount of wages or salary; maximum pay;
especially, the highest pay or allowance to civil or
military officers of a certain rank, without deductions.
{Half pay}. See under {Half}.
{Pay day}, the day of settlement of accounts.
{Pay dirt} (Mining), earth which yields a profit to the
miner. [Western U.S.]
{Pay office}, a place where payment is made.
{Pay roll}, a roll or list of persons entitled to payment,
with the amounts due.
Payable \Pay"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. payable. Cf. {Pacable}.]
1. That may, can, or should be paid; suitable to be paid;
justly due. --Drayton.
Thanks are a tribute payable by the poorest.
--South.
2. (Law)
(a) That may be discharged or settled by delivery of
value.
(b) Matured; now due.
Payee \Pay*ee"\, n.
The person to whom money is to be, or has been, paid; the
person named in a bill or note, to whom, or to whose order,
the amount is promised or directed to be paid. See {Bill of
exchange}, under {Bill}.
Payen \Pay"en\, n. & a.
Pagan. [F.] [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Payer \Pay"er\, n.
One who pays; specifically, the person by whom a bill or note
has been, or should be, paid.
Paymaster \Pay"mas`ter\, n.
One who pays; one who compensates, rewards, or requites;
specifically, an officer or agent of a government, a
corporation, or an employer, whose duty it is to pay
salaries, wages, etc., and keep account of the same.
Payment \Pay"ment\, n. [F. payment, paiement. See {Pay} to
requite.]
1. The act of paying, or giving compensation; the discharge
of a debt or an obligation.
No man envieth the payment of a debt. --Bacon.
2. That which is paid; the thing given in discharge of a
debt, or an obligation, or in fulfillment of a promise;
reward; recompense; requital; return. --Shak.
3. Punishment; chastisement. [R.]
Payn \Payn\, n. [OF. & F. pain, fr. L. panis bread.]
Bread. Having --Piers Plowman.
Payndemain \Payn`de*main"\, n. [OF. pain bread + demaine
manorial, lordly, own, private. See {Payn}, and {Demesne}.
Said to be so called from the figure of our Lord impressed
upon it.]
The finest and whitest bread made in the Middle Ages; --
called also {paynemain}, {payman}. [Obs.]
Paynim \Pay"nim\, n. & a.
See {Painim}.
Paynize \Payn"ize\, v. t. [From Mr. Payne, the inventor.]
To treat or preserve, as wood, by a process resembling
kyanizing.
Payor \Pay*or"\, n. (Law)
See {Payer}. [R.]
Payse \Payse\, v. t.
To poise. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Paytine \Pay"tine\, n. (Chem.)
An alkaloid obtained from a white bark resembling that of the
cinchona, first brought from Payta, in Peru.
Pea \Pea\, n. [OF. peis. See {Poise}.]
The sliding weight on a steelyard. [Written also {pee}.]
Pea \Pea\, n. (Naut.)
See {Peak}, n., 3.
Pea \Pea\, n.; pl. {Peas}or {Pease}. [OE. pese, fr. AS. pisa, or
OF. peis, F. pois; both fr. L. pisum; cf. Gr. ?, ?. The final
s was misunderstood in English as a plural ending. Cf.
{Pease}.]
1. (Bot.) A plant, and its fruit, of the genus {Pisum}, of
many varieties, much cultivated for food. It has a
papilionaceous flower, and the pericarp is a legume,
popularly called a pod.
Note: When a definite number, more than one, is spoken of,
the plural form peas is used; as, the pod contained
nine peas; but, in a collective sense, the form pease
is preferred; as, a bushel of pease; they had pease at
dinner. This distinction is not always preserved, the
form peas being used in both senses.
2. A name given, especially in the Southern States, to the
seed of several leguminous plants (species of {Dolichos},
{Cicer}, {Abrus}, etc.) esp. those having a scar (hilum)
of a different color from the rest of the seed.
Note: The name pea is given to many leguminous plants more or
less closely related to the common pea. See the
Phrases, below.
{Beach pea} (Bot.), a seashore plant, {Lathyrus maritimus}.
{Black-eyed pea}, a West Indian name for {Dolichos
sph[ae]rospermus} and its seed.
{Butterfly pea}, the American plant {Clitoria Mariana},
having showy blossoms.
{Chick pea}. See {Chick-pea}.
{Egyptian pea}. Same as {Chick-pea}.
{Everlasting pea}. See under {Everlasting}.
{Glory pea}. See under {Glory}, n.
{Hoary pea}, any plant of the genus {Tephrosia}; goat's rue.
{Issue pea}, {Orris pea}. (Med.) See under {Issue}, and
{Orris}.
{Milk pea}. (Bot.) See under {Milk}.
{Pea berry}, a kind of a coffee bean or grain which grows
single, and is round or pea-shaped; often used
adjectively; as, pea-berry coffee.
{Pea bug}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Pea weevil}.
{Pea coal}, a size of coal smaller than nut coal.
{Pea crab} (Zo["o]l.), any small crab of the genus
{Pinnotheres}, living as a commensal in bivalves; esp.,
the European species ({P. pisum}) which lives in the
common mussel and the cockle.
{Pea dove} (Zo["o]l.), the American ground dove.
{Pea-flower tribe} (Bot.), a suborder ({Papilionace[ae]}) of
leguminous plants having blossoms essentially like that of
the pea. --G. Bentham.
{Pea maggot} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of a European moth
({Tortrix pisi}), which is very destructive to peas.
{Pea ore} (Min.), argillaceous oxide of iron, occurring in
round grains of a size of a pea; pisolitic ore.
{Pea starch}, the starch or flour of the common pea, which is
sometimes used in adulterating wheat flour, pepper, etc.
{Pea tree} (Bot.), the name of several leguminous shrubs of
the genus {Caragana}, natives of Siberia and China.
{Pea vine}. (Bot.)
(a) Any plant which bears peas.
(b) A kind of vetch or tare, common in the United States
({Lathyrus Americana}, and other similar species).
{Pea weevil} (Zo["o]l.), a small weevil ({Bruchus pisi})
which destroys peas by eating out the interior.
{Pigeon pea}. (Bot.) See {Pigeon pea}.
{Sweet pea} (Bot.), the annual plant {Lathyrus odoratus};
also, its many-colored, sweet-scented blossoms.
Peabird \Pea"bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The wryneck; -- so called from its note. [Prov. Eng.]
Peabody bird \Pea"bod*y bird`\ (Zo["o]l.)
An American sparrow ({Zonotrichia albicollis}) having a
conspicuous white throat. The name is imitative of its note.
Called also {White-throated sparrow}.
Peace \Peace\, n. [OE. pees, pais, OF. pais, paiz, pes, F. paix,
L. pax, pacis, akin to pacere, paciscere, pacisci, to make an
agreement, and prob. also pangere to fasten. Cf. {Appease},
{Fair}, a., {Fay}, v., {Fang}, {Pacify}, {Pact}, {Pay} to
requite.]
A state of quiet or tranquillity; freedom from disturbance or
agitation; calm; repose; specifically:
(a) Exemption from, or cessation of, war with public enemies.
(b) Public quiet, order, and contentment in obedience to law.
(c) Exemption from, or subjection of, agitating passions;
tranquillity of mind or conscience.
(d) Reconciliation; agreement after variance; harmony;
concord. ``The eternal love and pees.'' --Chaucer.
Note: Peace is sometimes used as an exclamation in commanding
silence, quiet, or order. ``Peace! foolish woman.''
--Shak.
{At peace}, in a state of peace.
{Breach of the peace}. See under {Breach}.
{Justice of the peace}. See under {Justice}.
{Peace of God}. (Law)
(a) A term used in wills, indictments, etc., as denoting a
state of peace and good conduct.
(b) (Theol.) The peace of heart which is the gift of God.
{Peace offering}.
(a) (Jewish Antiq.) A voluntary offering to God in token of
devout homage and of a sense of friendly communion with
Him.
(b) A gift or service offered as satisfaction to an offended
person.
{Peace officer}, a civil officer whose duty it is to preserve
the public peace, to prevent riots, etc., as a sheriff or
constable.
{To hold one's peace}, to be silent; to refrain from
speaking.
{To make one's peace with}, to reconcile one with, to plead
one's cause with, or to become reconciled with, another.
``I will make your peace with him.'' --Shak.
Peace \Peace\, v. t. & i.
To make or become quiet; to be silent; to stop. [R.] ``Peace
your tattlings.'' --Shak.
When the thunder would not peace at my bidding. --Shak.
Peaceable \Peace"a*ble\, a. [OE. peisible, F. paisible.]
Begin in or at peace; tranquil; quiet; free from, or not
disposed to, war, disorder, or excitement; not quarrelsome.
-- {Peace"a*ble*ness}, n. -- {Peace"a*bly}, adv.
Syn: Peaceful; pacific; tranquil; quiet; mild; undisturbed;
serene; still.
Usage: {Peaceable}, {Peaceful}. Peaceable describes the state
of an individual, nation, etc., in reference to
external hostility, attack, etc.; peaceful, in respect
to internal disturbance. The former denotes ``in the
spirit of peace;'' latter; ``in the possession or
enjoyment of peace.'' A peaceable adjustment of
difficulties; a peaceful life, scene.
Peacebreaker \Peace"break`er\, n.
One who disturbs the public peace. -- {Peace"break`ing}, n.
Peaceful \Peace"ful\, a.
1. Possessing or enjoying peace; not disturbed by war,
tumult, agitation, anxiety, or commotion; quiet; tranquil;
as, a peaceful time; a peaceful country; a peaceful end.
2. Not disposed or tending to war, tumult or agitation;
pacific; mild; calm; peaceable; as, peaceful words.
Syn: See {Peaceable}. --{Peace"ful*ly}, adv.. --
{Peace"ful*ness}, n.
Peaceless \Peace"less\, a.
Without peace; disturbed. --Sandys.
Peacemaker \Peace"mak`er\, n.
One who makes peace by reconciling parties that are at
variance. --Matt. v. 9. --{Peace"mak`ing}, n.
Peach \Peach\, v. t. [See {Appeach}, {Impeach}.]
To accuse of crime; to inform against. [Obs.] --Foxe.
Peach \Peach\, v. i.
To turn informer; to betray one's accomplice. [Obs. or
Colloq.]
If I be ta'en, I'll peach for this. --Shak.
Peach \Peach\, n. [OE. peche, peshe, OF. pesche, F. p[^e]che,
fr. LL. persia, L. Persicum (sc. malum) a Persian apple, a
peach. Cf. {Persian}, and {Parsee}.] (Bot.)
A well-known high-flavored juicy fruit, containing one or two
seeds in a hard almond-like endocarp or stone; also, the tree
which bears it ({Prunus, or Amygdalus Persica}). In the wild
stock the fruit is hard and inedible.
{Guinea}, or {Sierra Leone}, {peach}, the large edible berry
of the {Sarcocephalus esculentus}, a rubiaceous climbing
shrub of west tropical Africa.
{Palm peach}, the fruit of a Venezuelan palm tree ({Bactris
speciosa}).
{Peach color}, the pale red color of the peach blossom.
{Peach-tree borer} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of a clearwing moth
({[AE]geria, or Sannina, exitiosa}) of the family
{[AE]geriid[ae]}, which is very destructive to peach trees
by boring in the wood, usually near the ground; also, the
moth itself. See Illust. under {Borer}.
Peach-colored \Peach"-col`ored\, a.
Of the color of a peach blossom. ``Peach-colored satin.''
--Shak.
Peacher \Peach"er\, n.
One who peaches. [Low] --Foxe.
Peachick \Pea"chick`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The chicken of the peacock.
Peachy \Peach"y\, a.
Resembling a peach or peaches.
Peacock \Pea"cock`\, n. [OE. pecok. Pea- in this word is from
AS. pe['a], p[=a]wa, peacock, fr. L. pavo, prob. of Oriental
origin; cf. Gr. ?, ?, Per. t[=a]us, t[=a]wus, Ar. t[=a]wu?s.
See {Cock} the bird.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The male of any pheasant of the genus {Pavo},
of which at least two species are known, native of
Southern Asia and the East Indies.
Note: The upper tail coverts, which are long and capable of
erection, are each marked with a black spot bordered by
concentric bands of brilliant blue, green, and golden
colors. The common domesticated species is {Pavo
cristatus}. The Javan peacock ({P. muticus}) is more
brilliantly colored than the common species.
2. In common usage, the species in general or collectively; a
peafowl.
{Peacock butterfly} (Zo["o]l.), a handsome European butterfly
({Hamadryas Io}) having ocelli like those of peacock.
{Peacock fish} (Zo["o]l.), the European blue-striped wrasse
({Labrus variegatus}); -- so called on account of its
brilliant colors. Called also {cook wrasse} and {cook}.
{Peacock pheasant} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
handsome Asiatic pheasants of the genus {Polyplectron}.
They resemble the peacock in color.
Peafowl \Pea"fowl`\, n. [See {Peacock}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The peacock or peahen; any species of Pavo.
Peage \Pe"age\, n.
See {Paage}.
Peagrit \Pea"grit`\, n. (Min.)
A coarse pisolitic limestone. See {Pisolite}.
Peahen \Pea"hen`\, n. [See {Peacock}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The hen or female peafowl.
Pea-jacket \Pea"-jack`et\, n. [Prob. fr. D. pij, pije, a coat of
a coarse woolen stuff.]
A thick loose woolen jacket, or coat, much worn by sailors in
cold weather.
Peak \Peak\, n. [OE. pek, AS. peac, perh of Celtic origin; cf.
Ir. peac a sharp-pointed thing. Cf. {Pike}.]
1. A point; the sharp end or top of anything that terminates
in a point; as, the peak, or front, of a cap. ``Run your
beard into a peak.'' --Beau. & Fl.
2. The top, or one of the tops, of a hill, mountain, or
range, ending in a point; often, the whole hill or
mountain, esp. when isolated; as, the Peak of Teneriffe.
Silent upon a peak in Darien. --Keats.
3. (Naut.)
(a) The upper aftermost corner of a fore-and-aft sail; --
used in many combinations; as, peak-halyards,
peak-brails, etc.
(b) The narrow part of a vessel's bow, or the hold within
it.
(c) The extremity of an anchor fluke; the bill. [In the
last sense written also {pea} and {pee}.]
{Fore peak}. (Naut.) See under {Fore}.
Peak \Peak\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Peaked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Peaking}.]
1. To rise or extend into a peak or point; to form, or appear
as, a peak.
There peaketh up a mighty high mount. --Holand.
2. To acquire sharpness of figure or features; hence, to look
thin or sicky. ``Dwindle, peak, and pine.'' --Shak.
3. [Cf. {Peek}.] To pry; to peep slyly. --Shak.
{Peak arch} (Arch.), a pointed or Gothic arch.
Peak \Peak\, v. t. (Naut.)
To raise to a position perpendicular, or more nearly so; as,
to peak oars, to hold them upright; to peak a gaff or yard,
to set it nearer the perpendicular.
Peaked \Peaked\, a.
1. Pointed; ending in a point; as, a peaked roof.
2. (Oftener ?) Sickly; not robust. [Colloq.]
Peaking \Peak"ing\, a.
1. Mean; sneaking. [Vulgar]
2. Pining; sickly; peakish. [Colloq.]
Peakish \Peak"ish\, a.
1. Of or relating to a peak; or to peaks; belonging to a
mountainous region. ``Her peakish spring.'' --Drayton.
``His peakish dialect.'' --Bp. Hall.
2. Having peaks; peaked.
3. Having features thin or sharp, as from sickness; hence,
sickly. [Colloq.]
Peaky \Peak"y\, a.
1. Having a peak or peaks. --Tennyson.
2. Sickly; peaked. [Colloq.]
Peal \Peal\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small salmon; a grilse; a sewin. [Prov. Eng.]
Peal \Peal\, v. i.
To appeal. [Obs.] --Spencer.
Peal \Peal\, n. [An abbrev. of F. appel a call, appeal, ruffle
of a drum, fr. appeller to call, L. appellare. See {Appeal}.]
1. A loud sound, or a succession of loud sounds, as of bells,
thunder, cannon, shouts, of a multitude, etc. ``A fair
peal of artillery.'' --Hayward.
Whether those peals of praise be his or no. --Shak.
And a deep thunder, peal on peal, afar. --Byron.
2. A set of bells tuned to each other according to the
diatonic scale; also, the changes rung on a set of bells.
{To ring a peal}. See under {Ring}.
Peal \Peal\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pealed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pealing}.]
1. To utter or give out loud sounds.
There let the pealing organ blow. --Milton.
2. To resound; to echo.
And the whole air pealed With the cheers of our men.
--Longfellow.
Peal \Peal\, v. t.
1. To utter or give forth loudly; to cause to give out loud
sounds; to noise abroad.
The warrior's name, Though pealed and chimed on all
the tongues of fame. --J. Barlow.
2. To assail with noise or loud sounds.
Nor was his ear less pealed. --Milton.
3. To pour out. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Pean \Pean\, n. [OF. pene, F. panne.] (Her.)
One of the furs, the ground being sable, and the spots or
tufts or.
Pean \Pe"an\, n.
A song of praise and triumph. See {P[ae]an}.
Peanism \Pe"an*ism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to chant the p[ae]an.]
The song or shout of praise, of battle, or of triumph. [R.]
Peanut \Pea"nut\, n. (Bot.)
The fruit of a trailing leguminous plant ({Arachis
hypog[ae]a}); also, the plant itself, which is widely
cultivated for its fruit.
Note: The fruit is a hard pod, usually containing two or
three seeds, sometimes but one, which ripen beneath the
soil. Called also {earthnut}, {groundnut}, and
{goober}.
Pear \Pear\ (p[^a]r), n. [OE. pere, AS. peru, L. pirum: cf. F.
poire. Cf. {Perry}.] (Bot.)
The fleshy pome, or fruit, of a rosaceous tree ({Pyrus
communis}), cultivated in many varieties in temperate
climates; also, the tree which bears this fruit. See {Pear
family}, below.
{Pear blight}.
(a) (Bot.) A name of two distinct diseases of pear trees,
both causing a destruction of the branches, viz., that
caused by a minute insect ({Xyleborus pyri}), and that
caused by the freezing of the sap in winter. --A. J.
Downing.
(b) (Zo["o]l.) A very small beetle ({Xyleborus pyri}) whose
larv[ae] bore in the twigs of pear trees and cause them
to wither.
{Pear family} (Bot.), a suborder of rosaceous plants
({Pome[ae]}), characterized by the calyx tube becoming
fleshy in fruit, and, combined with the ovaries, forming a
pome. It includes the apple, pear, quince, service berry,
and hawthorn.
{Pear gauge} (Physics), a kind of gauge for measuring the
exhaustion of an air-pump receiver; -- so called because
consisting in part of a pear-shaped glass vessel.
{Pear shell} (Zo["o]l.), any marine gastropod shell of the
genus {Pyrula}, native of tropical seas; -- so called from
the shape.
{Pear slug} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of a sawfly which is very
injurious to the foliage of the pear tree.
Pearch \Pearch\, n. [Obs.]
See {Perch}.
Pearl \Pearl\, n.
A fringe or border. [Obs.] -- v. t. To fringe; to border.
[Obs.] See {Purl}.
{Pearl stitch}. See {Purl stitch}, under {Purl}.
Pearl \Pearl\, n. [OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula,
probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear.
See {Pear}, and cf. {Purl} to mantle.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and
having a brilliant luster, with varying tints, found in
the mantle, or between the mantle and shell, of certain
bivalve mollusks, especially in the pearl oysters and
river mussels, and sometimes in certain univalves. It is
usually due to a secretion of shelly substance around some
irritating foreign particle. Its substance is the same as
nacre, or mother-of-pearl. Pearls which are round, or
nearly round, and of fine luster, are highly esteemed as
jewels, and compare in value with the precious stones.
2. Hence, figuratively, something resembling a pearl;
something very precious.
I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl.
--Shak.
And those pearls of dew she wears. --Milton.
3. Nacre, or mother-of-pearl.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.
5. (Zo["o]l.) A light-colored tern.
6. (Zo["o]l.) One of the circle of tubercles which form the
bur on a deer's antler.
7. A whitish speck or film on the eye. [Obs.] --Milton.
8. A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing some
liquid for medicinal application, as ether.
9. (Print.) A size of type, between agate and diamond. [hand]
This line is printed in the type called pearl.
{Ground pearl}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Ground}.
{Pearl barley}, kernels of barley, ground so as to form
small, round grains.
{Pearl diver}, one who dives for pearl oysters.
{Pearl edge}, an edge of small loops on the side of some
kinds of ribbon; also, a narrow kind of thread edging to
be sewed on lace.
{Pearl eye}, cataract. [R.]
{Pearl gray}, a very pale and delicate blue-gray color.
{Pearl millet}, Egyptian millet ({Penicillaria spicata}).
{Pearl moss}. See {Carrageen}.
{Pearl moth} (Zo["o]l.), any moth of the genus {Margaritia};
-- so called on account of its pearly color.
{Pearl oyster} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
large tropical marine bivalve mollusks of the genus
{Meleagrina}, or {Margaritifera}, found in the East Indies
(especially at Ceylon), in the Persian Gulf, on the coast
of Australia, and on the Pacific coast of America. Called
also {pearl shell}, and {pearl mussel}.
{Pearl powder}. See {Pearl white}, below.
{Pearl sago}, sago in the form of small pearly grains.
{Pearl sinter} (Min.), fiorite.
{Pearl spar} (Min.), a crystallized variety of dolomite,
having a pearly luster.
{Pearl white}.
(a) Basic bismuth nitrate, or bismuth subchloride; -- used
chiefly as a cosmetic.
(b) A variety of white lead blued with indigo or Berlin
blue.
Pearl \Pearl\, a.
Of or pertaining to pearl or pearls; made of pearls, or of
mother-of-pearl.
Pearl \Pearl\, v. t.
1. To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl. Used
also figuratively.
2. To cause to resemble pearls; to make into small round
grains; as, to pearl barley.
Pearl \Pearl\, v. i.
1. To resemble pearl or pearls.
2. To give or hunt for pearls; as, to go pearling.
Pearlaceous \Pearl*a"ceous\, a.
Resembling pearl or mother-of-pearl; pearly in quality or
appearance.
Pearlash \Pearl"ash`\, n. (Chem.)
A white amorphous or granular substance which consists
principally of potassium carbonate, and has a strong alkaline
reaction. It is obtained by lixiviating wood ashes, and
evaporating the lye, and has been an important source of
potassium compounds. It is used in making soap, glass, etc.
Pearl-eyed \Pearl"-eyed`\, a.
Having a pearly speck in the eye; afflicted with the
cataract.
Pearlfish \Pearl"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any fish whose scales yield a pearl-like pigment used in
manufacturing artificial pearls, as the bleak, and whitebait.
Pearlins \Pearl"ins\, Pearlings \Pearl"ings\, n. pl. [Prob. a
corruption of purflings. See {Purfle}.]
A kind of lace of silk or thread. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
Pearlite \Pearl"ite\, Pearlstone \Pearl"stone`\, n. (Min.)
A glassy volcanic rock of a grayish color and pearly luster,
often having a spherulitic concretionary structure due to the
curved cracks produced by contraction in cooling. See Illust.
under {Perlitic}.
Pearlwort \Pearl"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A name given to several species of {Sagina}, low and
inconspicuous herbs of the Chickweed family.
Pearly \Pearl"y\, a.
1. Containing pearls; abounding with, or yielding, pearls;
as, pearly shells. --Milton.
2. Resembling pearl or pearls; clear; pure; transparent;
iridescent; as, the pearly dew or flood.
Pearmain \Pear"main\, n. (Bot.)
The name of several kinds of apples; as, the blue pearmain,
winter pearmain, and red pearmain.
Pear-shaped \Pear"-shaped`\, a.
Of the form of a pear.
Peart \Peart\, a. [A variant of pert, a.]
Active; lively; brisk; smart; -- often applied to
convalescents; as, she is quite peart to-day. [O. Eng. &
Colloq. U. S.]
There was a tricksy girl, I wot, albeit clad in gray,
As peart as bird, as straight as bolt, as fresh as
flowers in May. --Warner
(1592).
Peasant \Peas"ant\, n. [OF. pa["i]sant (the i being perh. due to
confusion with the p. pr. of verbs), pa["i]san, F. paysan,
fr. OF. & F. pays country, fr. L. pagus the country. See
{Pagan}.]
A countryman; a rustic; especially, one of the lowest class
of tillers of the soil in European countries.
Syn: Countryman; rustic; swain; hind.
Peasant \Peas"ant\, a.
Rustic, rural. --Spenser.
Peasantlike \Peas"ant*like`\, a.
Rude; clownish; illiterate.
Peasantly \Peas"ant*ly\, a.
Peasantlike. [Obs.] --Milton.
Peasantry \Peas"ant*ry\, n.
1. Peasants, collectively; the body of rustics. ``A bold
peasantry.'' --Goldsmith.
2. Rusticity; coarseness. [Obs.] --p. Butler.
Peascod \Peas"cod`\, n.
The legume or pericarp, or the pod, of the pea.
Pease \Pease\, n.; obs.pl. {Peases}, {Peasen}. [See {Pea}.]
1. A pea. [Obs.] ``A peose.'' ``Bread . . . of beans and of
peses.'' --Piers Plowman.
2. A plural form of {Pea}. See the Note under {Pea}.
Peastone \Pea"stone`\, n. (Min.)
Pisolite.
Peasweep \Peas"weep`\, n. [So called from its note.] [Prov.
Eng.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The pewit, or lapwing.
(b) The greenfinch.
Peat \Peat\, n. [Cf. {Pet} a fondling.]
A small person; a pet; -- sometimes used contemptuously.
[Obs.] --Shak.
Peat \Peat\, n. [Prob. for beat, prop., material used to make
the fire burn better, fr. AS. b?tan to better, mend (a fire),
b?t advantage. See {Better}, {Boot} advantage.]
A substance of vegetable origin, consisting of roots and
fibers, moss, etc., in various stages of decomposition, and
found, as a kind of turf or bog, usually in low situations,
where it is always more or less saturated with water. It is
often dried and used for fuel.
{Peat bog}, a bog containing peat; also, peat as it occurs in
such places; peat moss.
{Peat moss}.
(a) The plants which, when decomposed, become peat.
(b) A fen producing peat.
(c) (Bot.) Moss of the genus {Sphagnum}, which often grows
abundantly in boggy or peaty places.
{Peat reek}, the reek or smoke of peat; hence, also, the
peculiar flavor given to whisky by being distilled with
peat as fuel. [Scot.]
Peaty \Peat"y\, a.
Composed of peat; abounding in peat; resembling peat.
Peba \Pe"ba\, n. [Cf. Pg. peba.] (Zo["o]l.)
An armadillo ({Tatusia novemcincta}) which is found from
Texas to Paraguay; -- called also {tatouhou}.
Pebble \Peb"ble\, n. [AS. papolst[=a]n; cf. L. papula pimple,
mote. See {Stone}.]
1. A small roundish stone or bowlder; especially, a stone
worn and rounded by the action of water; a pebblestone.
``The pebbles on the hungry beach.'' --Shak.
As children gathering pebbles on the shore.
--Milton.
2. Transparent and colorless rock crystal; as, Brazilian
pebble; -- so called by opticians.
{Pebble powder}, slow-burning gunpowder, in large cubical
grains.
{Scotch pebble}, varieties of quartz, as agate, chalcedony,
etc., obtained from cavities in amygdaloid.
Pebble \Peb"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pebbled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pebbling}.]
To grain (leather) so as to produce a surface covered with
small rounded prominences.
Pebbled \Peb"bled\, a.
Abounding in pebbles. --Thomson.
Pebblestone \Peb"ble*stone`\
A pebble; also, pebbles collectively. ``Chains of
pebblestone.'' --Marlowe.
Pebbly \Peb"bly\, a.
Full of pebbles; pebbled. ``A hard, pebbly bottom.''
--Johnson.
Pebrine \Pe`brine"\, n. [F.]
An epidemic disease of the silkworm, characterized by the
presence of minute vibratory corpuscles in the blood.
Pecan \Pe*can"\, n. [Cf. F. pacane the nut.] (Bot.)
A species of hickory ({Carya oliv[ae]formis}), growing in
North America, chiefly in the Mississippi valley and in
Texas, where it is one of the largest of forest trees; also,
its fruit, a smooth, oblong nut, an inch or an inch and a
half long, with a thin shell and well-flavored meat. [Written
also {pacane}.]
Pecary \Pec"a*ry\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Peccary}.
Peccability \Pec`ca*bil"i*ty\, n.
The state or quality of being peccable; lability to sin.
The common peccability of mankind. --Dr. H. More.
Peccable \Pec"ca*ble\, a. [Cf. F. peccable. See {Peccant}.]
Liable to sin; subject to transgress the divine law. ``A
frail and peccable mortal.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Peccadillo \Pec`ca*dil"lo\, n.; pl. {Peccadillos}. [Sp.
pecadillo, dim. of pecado a sin, fr. L. peccatum. See
{Peccant}.]
A slight trespass or offense; a petty crime or fault. --Sir
W. Scott.
Peccancy \Pec"can*cy\, n. [L. peccantia.]
1. The quality or state of being peccant.
2. A sin; an offense. --W. Montagu.
Peccant \Pec"cant\, a. [L. peccans, -antis, p. pr. of peccare to
sin: cf. F. peccant.]
1. Sinning; guilty of transgression; criminal; as, peccant
angels. --Milton.
2. Morbid; corrupt; as, peccant humors. --Bacon.
3. Wrong; defective; faulty. [R.] --Ayliffe.
Peccant \Pec"cant\, n.
An offender. [Obs.] --Whitlock.
Peccantly \Pec"cant*ly\, adv.
In a peccant manner.
Peccary \Pec"ca*ry\, n.; pl. {Peccaries}. [From the native South
American name: cf. F. p['e]cari, Sp. pecar.] (Zo["o]l.)
A pachyderm of the genus {Dicotyles}.
Note: The collared peccary, or tajacu ({Dicotyles
torquatus}), is about the size and shape of a small
hog, and has a white ring aroung the neck. It ranges
from Arkansas to Brazil. A larger species ({D.
labiatus}), with white cheeks, is found in South
America.
Peccavi \Pec*ca"vi\ [L.]
I have sinned; -- used colloquially to express confession or
acknowledgment of an offense. --Aubrey.
Pecco \Pec"co\, n.
See {Pekoe}.
Peck \Peck\, n. [Perh. akin to pack; or, orig., an indefinite
quantity, and fr. peck, v. (below): cf. also F. picotin a
peak.]
1. The fourth part of a bushel; a dry measure of eight
quarts; as, a peck of wheat. ``A peck of provender.''
--Shak.
2. A great deal; a large or excessive quantity. ``A peck of
uncertainties and doubts.'' --Milton.
Peck \Peck\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pecked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pecking}.] [See {Pick}, v.]
1. To strike with the beak; to thrust the beak into; as, a
bird pecks a tree.
2. Hence: To strike, pick, thrust against, or dig into, with
a pointed instrument; especially, to strike, pick, etc.,
with repeated quick movements.
3. To seize and pick up with the beak, or as with the beak;
to bite; to eat; -- often with up. --Addison.
This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons peas. --Shak.
4. To make, by striking with the beak or a pointed
instrument; as, to peck a hole in a tree.
Peck \Peck\, v. i.
1. To make strokes with the beak, or with a pointed
instrument. --Carew.
2. To pick up food with the beak; hence, to eat.
[The hen] went pecking by his side. --Dryden.
{To peck at}, to attack with petty and repeated blows; to
carp at; to nag; to tease.
Peck \Peck\, n.
A quick, sharp stroke, as with the beak of a bird or a
pointed instrument.
Pecker \Peck"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, pecks; specif., a bird that pecks
holes in trees; a woodpecker.
2. An instrument for pecking; a pick. --Garth.
{Flower pecker}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Flower}.
Peckish \Peck"ish\, a.
Inclined to eat; hungry. [Colloq.] ``When shall I feel
peckish again?'' --Beaconsfield.
Peckled \Pec"kled\, a.
Speckled; spotted. [Obs.]
Pecopteris \Pe*cop"te*ris\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? to comb + ? a
kind of fern.] (Paleon.)
An extensive genus of fossil ferns; -- so named from the
regular comblike arrangement of the leaflets.
Pecora \Pec"o*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. pecus. See {Pecuniary}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An extensive division of ruminants, including the antelopes,
deer, and cattle.
Pectate \Pec"tate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of pectic acid.
Pecten \Pec"ten\, n. [L. pecten, -inis, a comb, a kind of
shellfish. See {Pectinate}.]
1. (Anat.)
(a) A vascular pigmented membrane projecting into the
vitreous humor within the globe of the eye in birds,
and in many reptiles and fishes; -- also called
{marsupium}.
(b) The pubic bone.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of bivalve mollusks of the genus
{Pecten}, and numerous allied genera (family
{Pectinid[ae]}); a scallop. See {Scallop}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) The comb of a scorpion. See {Comb}, 4
(b) .
Pectic \Pec"tic\, a. [Gr. ? curdled.] (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to pectin; specifically, designating an acid
obtained from ordinary vegetable jelly (pectin) as an
amorphous substance, tough and horny when dry, but gelatinous
when moist.
Pectin \Pec"tin\, n. [Gr. ? curdled, congealed, from ? to make
fast or stiff: cf. F. pectine.] (Chem.)
One of a series of carbohydrates, commonly called {vegetable
jelly}, found very widely distributed in the vegetable
kingdom, especially in ripe fleshy fruits, as apples,
cranberries, etc. It is extracted as variously colored,
translucent substances, which are soluble in hot water but
become viscous on cooling.
Pectinal \Pec"ti*nal\, a. [L. pecten comb. See {Pectinate}.]
Of or pertaining to a comb; resembling a comb.
Pectinal \Pec"ti*nal\, n.
A fish whose bone? resemble comb teeth. --Sir T. Browne.
Pectinate \Pec"ti*na`te\, Pectinated \Pec"ti*na`ted\, a. [L.
pectinatus, p. pr. of pectinare to comb, from pecten, -inis,
a comb; cf. Gr. ? to comb, AS. feax hair, OHG. fahs, E.
paxwax.]
1. Resembling the teeth of a comb.
2. (Nat. Hist.) Having very narrow, close divisions, in
arrangement and regularity resembling those of a comb;
comblike; as, a pectinate leaf; pectinated muscles. See
Illust.
(e) of {Antenn[ae]}.
3. Interlaced, like two combs. [R.] ``Our fingers pectinated,
or shut together.'' --Sir T. Browne.
{Pectinate claw} (Zo["o]l.), a claw having a serrate edge,
found in some birds, and supposed to be used in cleaning
the feathers.
Pectinately \Pec"ti*nate*ly\, adv.
In a pectinate manner.
Pectination \Pec`ti*na"tion\, n.
1. The state of being pectinated; that which is pectinated.
--Sir T. Browne.
2. The act of combing; the combing of the head.
3. (Nat. Hist.) Comblike toothing.
Pectineal \Pec*tin"e*al\, a. [See {Pecten}.] (Anat.)
(a) Of or pertaining to the pecten.
(b) Relating to, or connected with, the pubic bone.
Pectinibranch \Pec*tin"i*branch\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Pectinibranchiata. Also used adjectively.
Pectinibranchiata \Pec`ti*ni*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Pecten}, and {Branchia}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Gastropoda, including those that have a
comblike gill upon the neck.
Pectinibranchiate \Pec`ti*ni*bran"chi*ate\, a. [L. pecten,
-inis, a comb + E. branchiate.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having pectinated gills.
Pectiniform \Pec*tin"i*form\, a.
Comblike in form.
Pectize \Pec*tize"\, v. i. [Gr. ? solid.]
To congeal; to change into a gelatinous mass. [R.] --H.
Spencer.
Pectolite \Pec"to*lite\, n. [L. pecten a comb + -lite.] (Min.)
A whitish mineral occurring in radiated or fibrous
crystalline masses. It is a hydrous silicate of lime and
soda.
Pectoral \Pec"to*ral\, a. [L. pectoralis, fr. pectus, -oris the
breast; cf. F. pectoral.]
1. Of or pertaining to the breast, or chest; as, the pectoral
muscles.
2. Relating to, or good for, diseases of the chest or lungs;
as, a pectoral remedy.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Having the breast conspicuously colored; as,
the pectoral sandpiper.
{Pectoral arch}, or {Pectoral girdle} (Anat.), the two or
more bony or cartilaginous pieces of the vertebrate
skeleton to which the fore limbs are articulated; the
shoulder girdle. In man it consists of two bones, the
scapula and clavicle, on each side.
{Pectorial cross} (Eccl.), a cross worn on the breast by
bishops and abbots, and sometimes also by canons.
{Pectorial} fins, or {Pectorials} (Zo["o]l.), fins situated
on the sides, behind the gills. See Illust. under {Fin}.
{Pectorial rail}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Land rail}
(b) under {Land}.
{Pectorial sandpiper} (Zo["o]l.), the jacksnipe
(b) .
Pectoral \Pec"to*ral\, n. [L. pectorale a breastplate, neut. of
pectorials.]
1. A covering or protecting for the breast.
2. (Eccl.)
(a) A breastplate, esp. that worn by the Jewish high
person.
(b) A clasp or a cross worn on the breast.
3. A medicine for diseases of the chest organs, especially
the lungs.
Pectorally \Pec"to*ral*ly\, adv.
As connected with the breast.
Pectoriloquial \Pec`to*ri*lo"qui*al\, a. [Cf. F. pectoriloque.]
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, pectoriloquy.
Pectoriloquism \Pec`to*ril"o*quism\, n.
Pectoriloquy.
Pectoriloquous \Pec`to*ril"o*quous\, a.
Pectoriloquial.
Pectoriloquy \Pec`to*ril"o*quy\, n. [L. pectus, -oris, the
breast + loqui to speak: cf. F. pectoriloquie.] (Med.)
The distinct articulation of the sounds of a patient's voice,
heard on applying the ear to the chest in auscultation. It
usually indicates some morbid change in the lungs or pleural
cavity.
Pectose \Pec"tose`\, n. [Pectic + cellulose.] (Chem.)
An amorphous carbohydrate found in the vegetable kingdom,
esp. in unripe fruits. It is associated with cellulose, and
is converted into substances of the pectin group.
Pectosic \Pec*to"sic\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, resembling, or derived from, pectose;
specifically, designating an acid supposed to constitute
largely ordinary pectin or vegetable jelly.
Pectostraca \Pec*tos"tra*ca\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? fixed + ?
shell of a testacean.] (Zo["o]l.)
A degenerate order of Crustacea, including the Rhizocephala
and Cirripedia.
Pectous \Pec"tous\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or consisting of, pectose.
Pectus \Pec"tus\, n.; pl. {Pectora}. [L., the breast.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The breast of a bird.
Pecul \Pec"ul\, n.
See {Picul}.
Peculate \Pec"u*late\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Peculated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Peculating}.] [L. peculatus, p. p. of peculari to
peculate, akin to peculium private property. See {Peculiar}.]
To appropriate to one's own use the property of the public;
to steal public moneys intrusted to one's care; to embezzle.
An oppressive, . . . rapacious, and peculating
despotism. --Burke.
Peculation \Pec`u*la"tion\, n.
The act or practice of peculating, or of defrauding the
public by appropriating to one's own use the money or goods
intrusted to one's care for management or disbursement;
embezzlement.
Every British subject . . . active in the discovery of
peculations has been ruined. --Burke.
Peculator \Pec"u*la`tor\, n. [L.]
One who peculates. ``Peculators of the public gold.''
--Cowper.
Peculiar \Pe*cul"iar\, a. [L. peculiaris, fr. peculium private
property, akin to pecunia money: cf. OF. peculier. See
{Pecuniary}.]
1. One's own; belonging solely or especially to an
individual; not possessed by others; of private, personal,
or characteristic possession and use; not owned in common
or in participation.
And purify unto himself a peculiar people. --Titus
ii. 14.
Hymns . . . that Christianity hath peculiar unto
itself. --Hooker.
2. Particular; individual; special; appropriate.
While each peculiar power forgoes his wonted seat.
--Milton.
My fate is Juno's most peculiar care. --Dryden.
3. Unusual; singular; rare; strange; as, the sky had a
peculiarappearance.
Syn: {Peculiar}, {Special}, {Especial}.
Usage: Peculiar is from the Roman peculium, which was a thing
emphatically and distinctively one's own, and hence
was dear. The former sense always belongs to peculiar
(as, a peculiar style, peculiar manners, etc.), and
usually so much of the latter as to involve feelings
of interest; as, peculiar care, watchfulness,
satisfaction, etc. Nothing of this kind belongs to
special and especial. They mark simply the relation of
species to genus, and denote that there is something
in this case more than ordinary; as, a special act of
Congress; especial pains, etc.
Beauty, which, either walking or asleep, Shot
forth peculiar graces. --Milton.
For naught so vile that on the earth doth live,
But to the earth some special good doth give.
--Shak.
Peculiar \Pe*cul"iar\, n.
1. That which is peculiar; a sole or exclusive property; a
prerogative; a characteristic.
Revenge is . . . the peculiar of Heaven. --South.
2. (Eng. Canon Law) A particular parish or church which is
exempt from the jurisdiction of the ordinary.
{Court of Peculiars} (Eng. Law), a branch of the Court of
Arches having cognizance of the affairs of peculiars.
--Blackstone.
{Dean of peculiars}. See under {Dean}, 1.
Peculiarity \Pe*cul`iar"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Peculiarities}.
1. The quality or state of being peculiar; individuality;
singularity. --Swift.
2. That which is peculiar; a special and distinctive
characteristic or habit; particularity.
The smallest peculiarity of temper on manner.
--Macaulay.
3. Exclusive possession or right. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Peculiarize \Pe*cul"iar*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pecularized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Pecularizing}.]
To make peculiar; to set appart or assign, as an exclusive
possession. [R.] --Dr. John Smith.
Peculiarly \Pe*cul"iar*ly\, adv.
In a peculiar manner; particulary; in a rare and striking
degree; unusually.
Peculiarness \Pe*cul"iar*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being peculiar; peculiarity. --Mede.
Peculium \Pe*cu"li*um\, n. [L. See {Peculiar}.]
1. (Rom. Law) The saving of a son or a slave with the
father's or master's consent; a little property or stock
of one's own; any exclusive personal or separate property.
--Burrill.
2. A special fund for private and personal uses.
A slight peculium only subtracted to supply his
snuff box and tobacco pouch. --Sir W.
Scott.
Pecunial \Pe*cu"ni*al\, a.
Pecuniary. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pecuniarily \Pe*cun"ia*ri*ly\, adv.
In a pecuniary manner; as regards money.
Pecuniary \Pe*cun"ia*ry\, a. [L. pecuniarius, fr. pecunia money,
orig., property in cattle, fr. pecus cattle: cf. F.
p['e]cuniaire. See {Fee}, and cf. {Peculiar}.]
1. Relating to money; monetary; as, a pecuniary penalty; a
pecuniary reward. --Burke.
Pecunious \Pe*cu"ni*ous\, a. [L. pecuniosus, fr. pecunia: cf. F.
p['e]cunieux.]
Abounding in money; wealthy; rich. [Obs.] --Sherwood.
Ped \Ped\, n. [OE. See {Peddler}.]
A basket; a hammer; a pannier. [Obs.] --Halliwell.
Pedage \Ped"age\, n. [LL. pedagium, for pedaticum. See {Paage}.]
A toll or tax paid by passengers, entitling them to
safe-conduct and protection. [Obs.] --Spelman.
Pedagog \Ped"a*gog\, n.
Pedagogue.
Pedagogic \Ped`a*gog"ic\, n. [From {Pedagogic}, a.; cf. G.
pedagogik.]
See {Pedagogics}.
Pedagogic \Ped`a*gog"ic\, Pedagogical \Ped`a*gog"ic*al\, a. [Gr.
?: cf. F. p['e]dagogique. See {Pedagogue}.]
Of or pertaining to a pedagogue; suited to, or characteristic
of, a pedagogue.
Pedagogics \Ped`a*gog"ics\, n.
The science or art of teaching; the principles and rules of
teaching; pedagogy.
Pedagogism \Ped"a*gog*ism\, n. [Cf. F. p['e]dagogisme.]
The system, occupation, character, or manner of pedagogues.
--Milton.
Avocation of pedantry and pedagogism. --De Foe.
Pedagogue \Ped"a*gogue\, n. [F. p['e]dagogue, L. paedagogus, Gr.
?; pai^s, paido`s, a boy + ? to lead, guide; cf. ? leading.
See {Page} a servant, {Agent}.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) A slave who led his master's children to
school, and had the charge of them generally.
2. A teacher of children; one whose occupation is to teach
the young; a schoolmaster.
3. One who by teaching has become formal, positive, or
pedantic in his ways; one who has the manner of a
schoolmaster; a pedant. --Goldsmith.
Pedagogue \Ped"a*gogue\, v. t. [Cf. L. paedagogare to instruct.]
To play the pedagogue toward. [Obs.] --Prior.
Pedagogy \Ped"a*go`gy\, n. [Gr. ?: cf. F. p['e]dagogie.]
Pedagogics; pedagogism. --South.
Pedal \Pe"dal\, a. [L. pedalis, fr. pes, pedis, foot. See
{Foot}, and cf. {Pew}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the foot, or to feet, literally or
figuratively; specifically (Zo["o]l.), pertaining to the
foot of a mollusk; as, the pedal ganglion.
2. Of or pertaining to a pedal; having pedals.
{Pedal curve} or {surface} (Geom.), the curve or surface
which is the locus of the feet of perpendiculars let fall
from a fixed point upon the straight lines tangent to a
given curve, or upon the planes tangent to a given
surface.
{Pedal note} (Mus.), the note which is held or sustained
through an organ point. See {Organ point}, under {Organ}.
{Pedal organ} (Mus.), an organ which has pedals or a range of
keys moved by the feet; that portion of a full organ which
is played with the feet.
Pedal \Pe"dal\, n. [Cf. F. p['e]dale, It. pedale. See {Pedal},
a.]
1. (Mech.) A lever or key acted on by the foot, as in the
pianoforte to raise the dampers, or in the organ to open
and close certain pipes; a treadle, as in a lathe or a
bicycle.
2. (Geom.) A pedal curve or surface.
Pedalian \Pe*da"li*an\, a.
Relating to the foot, or to a metrical foot; pedal. [R.]
--Maunder.
Pedality \Pe*dal"i*ty\, n.
The act of measuring by paces. [R.] --Ash.
Pedaneous \Pe*da"ne*ous\, a. [L. pedaneus of the size of a
foot.]
Going on foot; pedestrian. [R.]
Pedant \Ped"ant\, n. [F. p['e]dant, It. pedante, fr. Gr. ? to
instruct, from pai^s boy. See {Pedagogue}.]
1. A schoolmaster; a pedagogue. [Obs.] --Dryden.
A pedant that keeps a school i'th' church. --Shak.
2. One who puts on an air of learning; one who makes a vain
display of learning; a pretender to superior knowledge.
--Addison.
A scholar, yet surely no pedant, was he.
--Goldsmith.
Pedantic \Pe*dan"tic\, Pedantical \Pe*dan"tic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a pedant; characteristic of, or
resembling, a pedant; ostentatious of learning; as, a
pedantic writer; a pedantic description; a pedantical
affectation. ``Figures pedantical.'' --Shak.
Pedantically \Pe*dan"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In a pedantic manner.
Pedanticly \Pe*dan"tic*ly\, adv.
Pedantically. [R.]
Pedantism \Ped"ant*ism\, n.
The office, disposition, or act of a pedant; pedantry. [Obs.]
Pedantize \Ped"ant*ize\, v. i. [Cf. F. p['e]dantiser.]
To play the pedant; to use pedantic expressions. [R.]
Pedantocracy \Ped`an*toc"ra*cy\, n. [Pedant + democracy.]
The sway of pedants. [R.] --J. S. Mill.
Pedantry \Ped"ant*ry\, n. [Cf. F. p['e]danterie.]
The act, character, or manners of a pedant; vain ostentation
of learning. ``This pedantry of quotation.'' --Cowley.
'T is a practice that savors much of pedantry. --Sir T.
Browne.
Pedanty \Ped"ant*y\, n.
An assembly or clique of pedants. [Obs.] --Milton.
Pedarian \Pe*da"ri*an\, n. [L. pedarius, fr. pedarius belonging
to the foot, fr. pes, pedis, foot.] (Rom. Antiq.)
One of a class eligible to the office of senator, but not yet
chosen, who could sit and speak in the senate, but could not
vote; -- so called because he might indicate his opinion by
walking over to the side of the party he favored when a vote
was taken.
Pedary \Ped"a*ry\, n.; pl. {Pedaries}. [L. pedarius of the
foot.]
A sandal. [Obs.] --Latimer.
Pedata \Pe*da"ta\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pedate}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of holothurians, including those that have
ambulacral suckers, or feet, and an internal gill.
Pedate \Ped"ate\, a. [L. pedatus, p. p. of pedare to furnish
with feet, fr. pes, pedis, a foot.] (Bot.)
Palmate, with the lateral lobes cleft into two or more
segments; -- said of a leaf. -- {Ped"ate*ly}, adv.
Pedatifid \Pe*dat"i*fid\, a. [Pedate + root of L. findere to
split.] [Colloq.]
Cleft in a pedate manner, but having the lobes distinctly
connected at the base; -- said of a leaf.
Peddle \Ped"dle\, v. i. [From {Peddler}.]
1. To travel about with wares for sale; to go from place to
place, or from house to house, for the purpose of
retailing goods; as, to peddle without a license.
2. To do a small business; to be busy about trifles; to
piddle.
Peddle \Ped"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Peddled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Peddling}.]
To sell from place to place; to retail by carrying around
from customer to customer; to hawk; hence, to retail in very
small quantities; as, to peddle vegetables or tinware.
Peddler \Ped"dler\, n. [OE. pedlere, pedlare, also peddare,
peoddare, fr. OE. ped a basket, of unknown origin.]
One who peddles; a traveling trader; one who travels about,
retailing small wares; a hawker. [Written also {pedlar} and
{pedler}.] ``Some vagabond huckster or peddler.'' --Hakluyt.
Peddlery \Ped"dler*y\, n. [Written also pedlary and pedlery.]
1. The trade, or the goods, of a peddler; hawking; small
retail business, like that of a peddler.
2. Trifling; trickery. [Obs.] ``Look . . . into these their
deceitful peddleries.'' --Milton.
Peddling \Ped"dling\, a.
1. Hawking; acting as a peddler.
2. Petty; insignificant. ``The miserable remains of a
peddling commerce.'' --Burke.
Pederast \Ped"er*ast\, n. [Gr. paiderasth`s; pai^s, paido`s, a
boy + 'era^n to love: cf. F. p['e]d['e]raste.]
One guilty of pederasty; a sodomite.
Pederastic \Ped`er*as"tic\, a. [Gr. paiderastiko`s.]
Of or pertaining to pederasty.
Pederasty \Ped"er*as`ty\, n. [Gr. paiderasti`a: cf. F.
p['e]d['e]rastie.]
The crime against nature; sodomy.
Pederero \Ped`e*re"ro\, n. [Sp. pedrero, fr. OSp. pedra, Sp.
piedra, a stone, L. petra, fr. Gr. ?. So named because it was
at first charged with stones.] (Mil.)
A term formerly applied to a short piece of chambered
ordnance. [Written also {paterero} and {peterero}.]
Pedesis \Pe*de"sis\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? a leaping.]
Same as {Brownian movement}, under {Brownian}.
Pedestal \Ped"es*tal\, n. [Sp. pedestal; cf. F. pi['e]destal,
It. piedestallo; fr. L. es, pedis, foot + OHG. stal standing
place, station, place, akin to E. stall. See {Foot}, and
{Stall}, and {Footstall}.]
1. (Arch.) The base or foot of a column, statue, vase, lamp,
or the like; the part on which an upright work stands. It
consists of three parts, the base, the die or dado, and
the cornice or surbase molding. See Illust. of {Column}.
Build him a pedestal, and say, ``Stand there!''
--Cowper.
2.
(a) (Railroad Cars) A casting secured to the frame of a
truck and forming a jaw for holding a journal box.
(b) (Mach.) A pillow block; a low housing.
(c) (Bridge Building) An iron socket, or support, for the
foot of a brace at the end of a truss where it rests
on a pier.
{Pedestal coil} (steam Heating), a group of connected
straight pipes arranged side by side and one above
another, -- used in a radiator.
Pedestaled \Ped"es*taled\, a.
Placed on, or supported by, a pedestal; figuratively,
exalted. --Hawthorne.
Pedestaled haply in a palace court. --Keats.
Pedestrial \Pe*des"tri*al\, a. [L. pedester, -esteris, fr. pes,
pedis, a foot: cf. F. p['e]destere. See {Pedal}.]
Of or pertaining to the feet; employing the foot or feet.
Pedestrially \Pe*des"tri*al*ly\, adv.
In a pedestrial manner.
Pedestrian \Pe*des"tri*an\, a.
Going on foot; performed on foot; as, a pedestrian journey.
Pedestrian \Pe*des"tri*an\, n.
A walker; one who journeys on foot; a foot traveler; specif.,
a professional walker or runner.
Pedestrianism \Pe*des"tri*an*ism\, n.
The act, art, or practice of a pedestrian; walking or
running; traveling or racing on foot.
Pedestrianize \Pe*des"tri*an*ize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Pedestrianized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Pedestrianizing}.]
To practice walking; to travel on foot.
Pedestrious \Pe*des"tri*ous\, a.
Going on foot; not winged. [Obs.] ``Pedestrious animals.''
--Sir T. Browne.
Pedetentous \Ped`e*ten"tous\, a. [L. pes, pedis, foot + tendere
to stretch out: cf. L. tentim by degrees.]
Proceeding step by step; advancing cautiously. [R.]
That pedetentous pace and pedetentous mind in which it
behooves the wise and virtuous improver to walk.
--Sydney
Smith.
Pedi- \Ped"i-\, Pedo- \Ped"o-\ [See {Foot}.]
Combining forms from L. pes, pedis, foot, as pedipalp,
pedireme, pedometer.
Pedial \Pe"di*al\, a.
Pertaining to the foot, or to any organ called a foot; pedal.
--Dana.
Pedicel \Ped"i*cel\, n. [F. p['e]dicelle. See {Pedicle}.]
1. (Bot.)
(a) A stalk which supports one flower or fruit, whether
solitary or one of many ultimate divisions of a common
peduncle. See {Peduncle}, and Illust. of {Flower}.
(b) A slender support of any special organ, as that of a
capsule in mosses, an air vesicle in alg[ae], or a
sporangium in ferns.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A slender stem by which certain of the lower
animals or their eggs are attached. See Illust. of {Aphis
lion}.
3. (Anat.)
(a) The ventral part of each side of the neural arch
connecting with the centrum of a vertebra.
(b) An outgrowth of the frontal bones, which supports the
antlers or horns in deer and allied animals.
Pediceled \Ped"i*celed\, a.
Pedicellate.
Pedicellaria \Ped`i*cel*la"ri*a\, n.; pl. {Pedicellari[ae]}.
[NL. See {Pedicel}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A peculiar forcepslike organ which occurs in large numbers
upon starfishes and echini. Those of starfishes have two
movable jaws, or blades, and are usually nearly, or quite,
sessile; those of echini usually have three jaws and a
pedicel. See Illustration in Appendix.
Pedicellate \Ped"i*cel`late\, a.
Having a pedicel; supported by a pedicel.
Pedicellina \Ped`i*cel*li"na\, n. [NL. See {Pedicel}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of Bryozoa, of the order Entoprocta, having a
bell-shaped body supported on a slender pedicel. See Illust.
under {Entoprocta}.
Pedicle \Ped"i*cle\, n. [L. pediculus a little foot, dim. of pes
foot: cf. F. p['e]dicule. See {edal}, and cf. {Pedicel}.]
Same as {Pedicel}.
Pedicular \Pe*dic"u*lar\, a. [L. pedicularis, fr. pediculus a
louse: cf. F. p['e]diculaire.]
Of or pertaining to lice; having the lousy distemper
(phthiriasis); lousy. --Southey.
Pediculate \Pe*dic"u*late\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Pediculati.
Pediculati \Pe*dic`u*la"ti\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pedicle}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An order of fishes including the anglers. See Illust. of
{Angler} and {Batfish}.
Pediculation \Pe*dic`u*la"tion\, n. (Med.)
Phthiriasis.
Pedicule \Ped"i*cule\, n. [See {Pedicle}.]
A pedicel.
Pediculina \Pe*dic`u*li"na\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pediculus}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A division of parasitic hemipterous insects, including the
true lice. See Illust. in Appendix.
Pediculous \Pe*dic"u*lous\, a. [L. pediculosus.]
Pedicular.
Pediculus \Pe*dic"u*lus\, n.; pl. {Pediculi}. [L., a louse.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of wingless parasitic Hemiptera, including the common
lice of man. See {Louse}.
Pediform \Ped"i*form\, a. [Pedi- + -form.]
Shaped like a foot.
Pedigerous \Pe*dig"er*ous\, a. [Pedi- + -gerous.] (Zo["o]l.)
Bearing or having feet or legs.
Pedigree \Ped"i*gree\, n. [Of unknown origin; possibly fr. F.
par degr['e]s by degrees, -- for a pedigree is properly a
genealogical table which records the relationship of families
by degrees; or, perh., fr. F. pied de grue crane's foot, from
the shape of the heraldic genealogical trees.]
1. A line of ancestors; descent; lineage; genealogy; a
register or record of a line of ancestors.
Alterations of surnames . . . have obscured the
truth of our pedigrees. --Camden.
His vanity labored to contrive us a pedigree.
--Milton.
I am no herald to inquire of men's pedigrees. --Sir
P. Sidney.
The Jews preserved the pedigrees of their tribes.
--Atterbury.
2. (Stock Breeding) A record of the lineage or strain of an
animal, as of a horse.
Pediluvy \Ped"i*lu`vy\, n. [Pedi- + L. luere to wash: cf. It. &
Sp. pediluvio, F. p['e]diluve.]
The bathing of the feet, a bath for the feet. [Obs.]
Pedimana \Pe*dim"a*na\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. pes, pedis, foot +
manus hand.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of marsupials, including the opossums.
Pedimane \Ped"i*mane\, n. [Cf. F. p['e]dimane.] (Zo["o]l.)
A pedimanous marsupial; an opossum.
Pedimanous \Pe*dim"a*nous\, a. [See {Pedimana}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having feet resembling hands, or with the first toe
opposable, as the opossums and monkeys.
Pediment \Ped"i*ment\, n. [L. pes, pedis, a foot. See {Foot}.]
(Arch.)
Originally, in classical architecture, the triangular space
forming the gable of a simple roof; hence, a similar form
used as a decoration over porticoes, doors, windows, etc.;
also, a rounded or broken frontal having a similar position
and use. See {Temple}.
Pedimental \Ped`i*men"tal\, a.
Of or pertaining to a pediment.
Pedipalp \Ped"i*palp\, n. [Cf. F. p['e]dipalpe.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Pedipalpi.
Pedipalpi \Ped`i*pal"pi\, n pl. [NL. See {Pedipalpus}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A division of Arachnida, including the whip scorpions
({Thelyphonus}) and allied forms. Sometimes used in a wider
sense to include also the true scorpions.
Pedipalpous \Ped`i*pal"pous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to, or resembling, the pedipalps.
Pedipalpus \Ped`i*pal"pus\, n.; pl. {Pedipalpi}. [NL. See {Pes},
and {Palpus}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the second pair of mouth organs of arachnids. In some
they are leglike, but in others, as the scorpion, they
terminate in a claw.
Pedireme \Ped"i*reme\, n. [Pedi- + L. remus oar.] (Zo["o]l.)
A crustacean, some of whose feet serve as oars.
Pedlar \Ped"lar\, Pedler \Ped"ler\, n.
See {Peddler}.
Pedobaptism \Pe`do*bap"tism\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, a child + E.
baptism.]
The baptism of infants or of small children. [Written also
{p[ae]dobaptism}.]
Pedobaptist \Pe`do*bap"tist\, n.
One who advocates or practices infant baptism. [Written also
{p[ae]dobaptist}.]
Pedomancy \Ped"o*man`cy\, n. [Pedi- + -mancy.]
Divination by examining the soles of the feet.
Pedometer \Pe*dom"e*ter\, n. [Pedi-, pedo- + -meter: cf. F.
p['e]dom[`e]tre.] (Mech.)
An instrument for including the number of steps in walking,
and so ascertaining the distance passed over. It is usually
in the form of a watch; an oscillating weight by the motion
of the body causes the index to advance a certain distance at
each step.
Pedometric \Ped`o*met"ric\, Pedometrical \Ped`o*met"ric*al\, a.
Pertaining to, or measured by, a pedometer.
Pedomotive \Ped`o*mo"tive\, a. [Pedi-, pedo- + -motive.]
Moved or worked by the action of the foot or feet on a pedal
or treadle.
Pedotrophy \Pe*dot"ro*phy\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ?, ?, a child + ? to
nourish: cf. F. p['e]dotrophie.]
The art of nourishing children properly.
Pedregal \Pe`dre*gal"\, n. [Sp., a stony place, fr. piedra
stone.]
A lava field. [Mexico & Western U.S.]
Peduncle \Pe*dun"cle\, n. [Formed fr. (assumed) L. pedunculus,
dim. of pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. p['e]doncule.]
1. (Bot.) The stem or stalk that supports the flower or fruit
of a plant, or a cluster of flowers or fruits.
Note: The ultimate divisions or branches of a peduncle are
called pedicels. In the case of a solitary flower, the
stalk would be called a peduncle if the flower is
large, and a pedicel if it is small or delicate.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A sort of stem by which certain shells and
barnacles are attached to other objects. See Illust. of
{Barnacle}.
3. (Anat.) A band of nervous or fibrous matter connecting
different parts of the brain; as, the peduncles of the
cerebellum; the peduncles of the pineal gland.
Peduncled \Pe*dun"cled\, a.
Having a peduncle; supported on a peduncle; pedunculate.
Peduncular \Pe*dun"cu*lar\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]donculaire.]
Of or pertaining to a peduncle; growing from a peduncle; as,
a peduncular tendril.
Pedunculata \Pe*dun`cu*la"ta\, n. pl. [NL. See {Peduncle}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A division of Cirripedia, including the stalked or goose
barnacles.
Pedunculate \Pe*dun"cu*late\, Pedunculated \Pe*dun"cu*la`ted\,
a. (Biol.)
Having a peduncle; growing on a peduncle; as, a pedunculate
flower; a pedunculate eye, as in a lobster.
Pee \Pee\, n.
See 1st {Pea}.
Pee \Pee\, n. (Naut.)
Bill of an anchor. See {Peak}, 3
(c) .
Peece \Peece\, n. & v. [Obs.]
See {Piece}.
Peechi \Pee"chi\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The dauw.
Peek \Peek\, v. i. [OE. piken: cf. F. piquer to pierce, prick,
E. pique. Cf. {Peak}.]
To look slyly, or with the eyes half closed, or through a
crevice; to peep. [Colloq.]
Peekaboo \Peek"a*boo\, n.
A child's game; bopeep.
Peel \Peel\, n. [OE. pel. Cf. {Pile} a heap.]
A small tower, fort, or castle; a keep. [Scot.]
Peel \Peel\, n. [F. pelle, L. pala.]
A spadelike implement, variously used, as for removing loaves
of bread from a baker's oven; also, a T-shaped implement used
by printers and bookbinders for hanging wet sheets of paper
on lines or poles to dry. Also, the blade of an oar.
Peel \Peel\, v. t. [Confused with peel to strip, but fr. F.
piller to pillage. See {Pill} to rob, {Pillage}.]
To plunder; to pillage; to rob. [Obs.]
But govern ill the nations under yoke, Peeling their
provinces. --Milton.
Peel \Peel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Peeled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Peeling}.] [F. peler to pull out the hair, to strip, to
peel, fr. L. pilare to deprive of hair, fr. pilus a hair; or
perh. partly fr. F. peler to peel off the skin, perh. fr. L.
pellis skin (cf. {Fell} skin). Cf. {Peruke}.]
1. To strip off the skin, bark, or rind of; to strip by
drawing or tearing off the skin, bark, husks, etc.; to
flay; to decorticate; as, to peel an orange.
The skillful shepherd peeled me certain wands.
--Shak.
2. To strip or tear off; to remove by stripping, as the skin
of an animal, the bark of a tree, etc.
Peel \Peel\, v. i.
To lose the skin, bark, or rind; to come off, as the skin,
bark, or rind does; -- often used with an adverb; as, the
bark peels easily or readily.
Peel \Peel\, n.
The skin or rind; as, the peel of an orange.
Peele \Pee"le\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A graceful and swift South African antelope ({Pelea
capreola}). The hair is woolly, and ash-gray on the back and
sides. The horns are black, long, slender, straight, nearly
smooth, and very sharp. Called also {rheeboc}, and {rehboc}.
Peeler \Peel"er\, n.
One who peels or strips.
Peeler \Peel"er\, n. [See {Peel} to plunder.]
A pillager.
Peeler \Peel"er\, n.
A nickname for a policeman; -- so called from Sir Robert
Peel. [British Slang] See {Bobby}.
Peelhouse \Peel"house`\, n.
See 1st {Peel}. --Sir W. Scott.
Peen \Peen\, n. [Cf. G. pinne pane of a hammer.]
(a) A round-edged, or hemispherical, end to the head of a
hammer or sledge, used to stretch or bend metal by
indentation.
(b) The sharp-edged end of the head of a mason's hammer.
[Spelt also {pane}, {pein}, and {piend}.]
Peen \Peen\, v. t.
To draw, bend, or straighten, as metal, by blows with the
peen of a hammer or sledge.
Peenge \Peenge\, v. i.
To complain. [Scot.]
Peep \Peep\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Peeped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Peeping}.] [Of imitative origin; cf. OE. pipen, F. piper,
p['e]pier, L. pipire, pipare, pipiare, D. & G. piepen. Senses
2 and 3 perhaps come from a transfer of sense from the sound
which chickens make upon the first breaking of the shell to
the act accompanying it; or perhaps from the influence of
peek, or peak. Cf. {Pipe}.]
1. To cry, as a chicken hatching or newly hatched; to chirp;
to cheep.
There was none that moved the wing, or opened the
mouth, or peeped. --Is. x. 14.
2. To begin to appear; to look forth from concealment; to
make the first appearance.
When flowers first peeped, and trees did blossoms
bear. --Dryden.
3. To look cautiously or slyly; to peer, as through a
crevice; to pry.
eep through the blanket of the dark. --Shak.
From her cabined loophole peep. --Milton.
{Peep sight}, an adjustable piece, pierced with a small hole
to peep through in aiming, attached to a rifle or other
firearm near the breech.
Peep \Peep\, n.
1. The cry of a young chicken; a chirp.
2. First outlook or appearance.
Oft have we seen him at the peep of dawn. --Gray.
3. A sly look; a look as through a crevice, or from a place
of concealment.
To take t' other peep at the stars. --Swift.
4. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any small sandpiper, as the least sandpiper ({Trigna
minutilla}).
(b) The European meadow pipit ({Anthus pratensis}).
{Peep show}, a small show, or object exhibited, which is
viewed through an orifice or a magnifying glass.
{Peep-o'-day boys}, the Irish insurgents of 1784; -- so
called from their visiting the house of the loyal Irish at
day break in search of arms. [Cant]
Peeper \Peep"er\, n.
1. A chicken just breaking the shell; a young bird.
2. One who peeps; a prying person; a spy.
Who's there? peepers, . . . eavesdroppers? --J.
Webster.
3. The eye; as, to close the peepers. [Colloq.]
Peephole \Peep"hole`\, n.
A hole, or crevice, through which one may peep without being
discovered.
Peeping hole \Peep"ing hole`\
See {Peephole}.
Peepul tree \Pee"pul tree`\ [Hind. p[=i]pal, Skr. pippala.]
(Bot.)
A sacred tree ({Ficus religiosa}) of the Buddhists, a kind of
fig tree which attains great size and venerable age. See {Bo
tree}. [Written also {pippul tree}, and {pipal tree}.]
Peer \Peer\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Peered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Peering}.] [OF. parir, pareir equiv. to F. para[^i]tre to
appear, L. parere. Cf. {Appear}.]
1. To come in sight; to appear. [Poetic]
So honor peereth in the meanest habit. --Shak.
See how his gorget peers above his gown! --B.
Jonson.
2. [Perh. a different word; cf. OE. piren, LG. piren. Cf.
{Pry} to peep.] To look narrowly or curiously or intently;
to peep; as, the peering day. --Milton.
Peering in maps for ports, and piers, and roads.
--Shak.
As if through a dungeon grate he peered.
--Coleridge.
Peer \Peer\, n. [OE. per, OF. per, F. pair, fr. L. par equal.
Cf. {Apparel}, {Pair}, {Par}, n., {Umpire}.]
1. One of the same rank, quality, endowments, character,
etc.; an equal; a match; a mate.
In song he never had his peer. --Dryden.
Shall they consort only with their peers? --I.
Taylor.
2. A comrade; a companion; a fellow; an associate.
He all his peers in beauty did surpass. --Spenser.
3. A nobleman; a member of one of the five degrees of the
British nobility, namely, duke, marquis, earl, viscount,
baron; as, a peer of the realm.
A noble peer of mickle trust and power. --Milton.
{House of Peers}, {The Peers}, the British House of Lords.
See {Parliament}.
{Spiritual peers}, the bishops and archibishops, or lords
spiritual, who sit in the House of Lords.
Peer \Peer\ v. t.
To make equal in rank. [R.] --Heylin.
Peer \Peer\ v. t.
To be, or to assume to be, equal. [R.]
Peerage \Peer"age\, n. [See {Peer} an equal, and cf. {Parage}.]
1. The rank or dignity of a peer. --Blackstone.
2. The body of peers; the nobility, collectively.
When Charlemain with all his peerage fell. --Milton.
Peerdom \Peer"dom\, n.
Peerage; also, a lordship. [Obs.]
Peeress \Peer"ess\, n.
The wife of a peer; a woman ennobled in her own right, or by
right of marriage.
Peerie \Peer"ie\, Peery \Peer"y\, a. [See 1st {Peer}, 2.]
Inquisitive; suspicious; sharp. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] ``Two
peery gray eyes.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Peerless \Peer"less\, a.
Having no peer or equal; matchless; superlative. ``Her
peerless feature.'' --Shak.
Unvailed her peerless light. --Milton.
--{Peer"less*ly}, adv. -- {Peer"less*ness}, n.
Peert \Peert\, a.
Same as {Peart}.
Peerweet \Peer"weet\, n.
Same as {Pewit} (
a &
b ).
Peevish \Pee"vish\, a. [OE. pevische; of uncertain origin, perh.
from a word imitative of the noise made by fretful children +
-ish.]
1. Habitually fretful; easily vexed or fretted; hard to
please; apt to complain; querulous; petulant. ``Her
peevish babe.'' --Wordsworth.
She is peevish, sullen, froward. --Shak.
2. Expressing fretfulness and discontent, or unjustifiable
dissatisfaction; as, a peevish answer.
3. Silly; childish; trifling. [Obs.]
To send such peevish tokens to a king. --Shak.
Syn: Querulous; petulant; cross; ill-tempered; testy;
captious; discontented. See {Fretful}.
Peevishly \Pee"vish*ly\, adv.
In a peevish manner. --Shak.
Peevishness \Pee"vish*ness\, n.
The quality of being peevish; disposition to murmur; sourness
of temper.
Syn: See {Petulance}.
Peevit \Pee"vit\, Peewit \Pee"wit\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Pewit}.
Peg \Peg\, n. [OE. pegge; cf. Sw. pigg, Dan. pig a point,
prickle, and E. peak.]
1. A small, pointed piece of wood, used in fastening boards
together, in attaching the soles of boots or shoes, etc.;
as, a shoe peg.
2. A wooden pin, or nail, on which to hang things, as coats,
etc. Hence, colloquially and figuratively: A support; a
reason; a pretext; as, a peg to hang a claim upon.
3. One of the pins of a musical instrument, on which the
strings are strained. --Shak.
4. One of the pins used for marking points on a cribbage
board.
5. A step; a degree; esp. in the slang phrase ``To take one
down peg.''
To screw papal authority to the highest peg.
--Barrow.
And took your grandess down a peg. --Hudibras.
{Peg ladder}, a ladder with but one standard, into which
cross pieces are inserted.
{Peg tankard}, an ancient tankard marked with pegs, so as
divide the liquor into equal portions. ``Drink down to
your peg.'' --Longfellow.
{Peg tooth}. See {Fleam tooth} under {Fleam}.
{Peg top}, a boy's top which is spun by throwing it.
{Screw peg}, a small screw without a head, for fastening
soles.
Peg \Peg\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pegged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pegging}.]
1. To put pegs into; to fasten the parts of with pegs; as, to
peg shoes; to confine with pegs; to restrict or limit
closely.
I will rend an oak And peg thee in his knotty
entrails. --Shak.
2. (Cribbage) To score with a peg, as points in the game; as,
she pegged twelwe points. [Colloq.]
Peg \Peg\, v. i.
To work diligently, as one who pegs shoes; -- usually with
on, at, or away; as, to peg away at a task.
Pegador \Pe`ga*dor"\, n. [Sp., a sticker.] (Zo["o]l.)
A species of remora ({Echeneis naucrates}). See {Remora}.
Pegasean \Pe*ga"se*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Pegasus, or, figuratively, to poetry.
Pegasoid \Peg"a*soid\, a. [Pegasus + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to Pegasus.
Pegasus \Peg"a*sus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.]
1. (Gr. Myth.) A winged horse fabled to have sprung from the
body of Medusa when she was slain. He is noted for
causing, with a blow of his hoof, Hippocrene, the
inspiring fountain of the Muses, to spring from Mount
Helicon. On this account he is, in modern times,
associated with the Muses, and with ideas of poetic
inspiration.
Each spurs his jaded Pegasus apace. --Byron.
2. (Astron.) A northen constellation near the vernal
equinoctial point. Its three brightest stars, with the
brightest star of Andromeda, form the square of Pegasus.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of small fishes, having large pectoral
fins, and the body covered with hard, bony plates. Several
species are known from the East Indies and China.
Pegger \Peg"ger\, n.
One who fastens with pegs.
Pegging \Peg"ging\, n.
The act or process of fastening with pegs.
Pegm \Pegm\, n. [L. pegma a movable stage, Gr. ?, orig., a
framework.]
A sort of moving machine employed in the old pageants. [Obs.]
--B. Jonson.
Pegmatite \Peg"ma*tite\, n. [From Gr. ? something fastened
together, in allusion to the quartz and feldspar in graphic
granite: cf. F. pegmatite. See {Pegm}.] (Min.)
(a) Graphic granite. See under {Granite}.
(b) More generally, a coarse granite occurring as vein
material in other rocks.
Pegmatitic \Peg`ma*tit"ic\, a. (Min.)
Of, pertaining to, or resembling, pegmatite; as, the pegmatic
structure of certain rocks resembling graphic granite.
Pegtatoid \Peg"ta*toid\, a. [Pegmatite + -oid.] (Min.)
Resembling pegmatite; pegmatic.
Pegomancy \Peg"o*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ? fountain + -macy.]
Divination by fountains. [R.]
Pegroots \Peg"roots`\, n.
Same as {Setterwort}.
Pehlevi \Peh"le*vi`\, n. [Parsee Pahlavi.]
An ancient Persian dialect in which words were partly
represented by their Semitic equivalents. It was in use from
the 3d century (and perhaps earlier) to the middle of the 7th
century, and later in religious writings. [Written also
{Pahlavi}.]
Pein \Pein\, n.
See {Peen}.
Peirameter \Pei*ram"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? a trail + -meter.]
A dynamometer for measuring the force required to draw wheel
carriages on roads of different constructions. --G. Francis.
Peirastic \Pei*ras"tic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to try, fr. ? a
trail.]
Fitted for trail or test; experimental; tentative; treating
of attempts.
Peise \Peise\, n. [See {Poise}.]
A weight; a poise. [Obs.] ``To weigh pence with a peise.''
--Piers Plowman.
Peise \Peise\, v. t.
To poise or weight. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Lest leaden slumber peise me down. --Shak.
Peitrel \Pei"trel\, n. (Anc. Armor)
See {Peytrel}.
Pejorative \Pe*jor"a*tive\, a. [F. p['e]joratif, fr. L. pejor,
used as compar. of malus evil.]
Implying or imputing evil; depreciatory; disparaging;
unfavorable.
Pekan \Pek"an\, n. [F. pekan.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Fisher}, 2.
Pekoe \Pek"oe\, n. [Chin. pih-hoau: cf. F. peko["e]]
A kind of black tea. [Written also {pecco}.]
Pela \Pe"la\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Wax insect}, under {Wax}.
Pelage \Pel"age\, n. [F. pelage, fr. L. pilus hair.] (Zo["o]l.)
The covering, or coat, of a mammal, whether of wool, fur, or
hair.
Pelagian \Pe*la"gi*an\, a. [L. pelagius, Gr. ?, fr. ? the sea:
cf. F. p['e]lagien.]
Of or pertaining to the sea; marine; pelagic; as, pelagian
shells.
Pelagian \Pe*la"gi*an\, n. [L. Pelagianus: cf. F. p['e]lagien.]
(Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of Pelagius, a British monk, born in the later
part of the 4th century, who denied the doctrines of
hereditary sin, of the connection between sin and death, and
of conversion through grace.
Pelagian \Pe*la"gi*an\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]lagien.]
Of or pertaining to Pelagius, or to his doctrines.
Pelagianism \Pe*la"gi*an*ism\, n. [Cf. F. p['e]lagianisme.]
The doctrines of Pelagius.
Pelagic \Pe*lag"ic\, a. [L. pelagicus.]
Of or pertaining to the ocean; -- applied especially to
animals that live at the surface of the ocean, away from the
coast.
Pelargonic \Pel`ar*gon"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid (called also
nonoic acid) found in the leaves of the geranium
({Pelargonium}) and allied plants.
Pelargonium \Pel`ar*go"ni*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a stork.]
(Bot.)
A large genus of plants of the order {Geraniace[ae]},
differing from Geranium in having a spurred calyx and an
irregular corolla.
Note: About one hundred and seventy species are known, nearly
all of them natives of South Africa, and many having
very beautiful blossoms. See the Note under {Geranium}.
Pelasgian \Pe*las"gi*an\, Pelasgic \Pe*las"gic\, a. [L.
Pelasgus, Gr. ? a Pelasgian.]
1. Of or pertaining to the Pelasgians, an ancient people of
Greece, of roving habits.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Wandering.
Pelecan \Pel"e*can\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Pelican}.
Pelecaniformes \Pel`e*can`i*for"mes\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pelican},
and {-form}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Those birds that are related to the pelican; the Totipalmi.
Pelecoid \Pel"e*coid\, n. [Gr. ? a hatchet + -oid.] (Geom.)
A figure, somewhat hatched-shaped, bounded by a semicircle
and two inverted quadrants, and equal in area to the square
ABCD inclosed by the chords of the four quadrants. [Written
also {pelicoid}.] --Math. Dict.
Pelecypoda \Pel`e*cyp"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a hatchet +
-poda.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Lamellibranchia}.
Pelegrine \Pel"e*grine\, a.
See {Peregrine}. [Obs.]
Pelerine \Pel"er*ine\, n. [F. p[`e]lerine a tippet, fr.
p[`e]lerin a pilgrim, fr. L. peregrinus foreign, alien. See
{Pilgrim}.]
A woman's cape; especially, a fur cape that is longer in
front than behind.
Pelf \Pelf\, n. [OE. pelfir booty, OF. pelfre, akin to pelfrer
to plunder, and perh. to E. pillage. Cf. {Pilfer}.]
Money; riches; lucre; gain; -- generally conveying the idea
of something ill-gotten or worthless. It has no plural.
``Mucky pelf.'' --Spenser. ``Paltry pelf.'' --Burke.
Can their pelf prosper, not got by valor or industry?
--Fuller.
Pelfish \Pelf"ish\, a.
Of or pertaining to pelf. --Stanyhurst.
Pelfray \Pel"fray\, Pelfry \Pel"fry\, n.
Pelf; also, figuratively, rubbish; trash. [Obs.] --Cranmer.
Pelican \Pel"i*can\, n. [F. p['e]lican, L. pelicanus, pelecanus,
Gr. ?, ?, ?, the woodpecker, and also a water bird of the
pelican kind, fr. ? to hew with an ax, akin to Skr.
para[,c]u.] [Written also {pelecan}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any large webfooted bird of the genus
{Pelecanus}, of which about a dozen species are known.
They have an enormous bill, to the lower edge of which is
attached a pouch in which captured fishes are temporarily
stored.
Note: The American white pelican ({Pelecanus
erythrorhynchos}) and the brown species ({P. fuscus})
are abundant on the Florida coast in winter, but breed
about the lakes in the Rocky Mountains and British
America.
2. (Old Chem.) A retort or still having a curved tube or
tubes leading back from the head to the body for
continuous condensation and redistillation.
Note: The principle is still employed in certain modern forms
of distilling apparatus.
{Frigate pelican} (Zo["o]l.), the frigate bird. See under
{Frigate}.
{Pelican fish} (Zo["o]l.), deep-sea fish ({Eurypharynx
pelecanoides}) of the order {Lyomeri}, remarkable for the
enormous development of the jaws, which support a large
gular pouch.
{Pelican flower} (Bot.), the very large and curiously shaped
blossom of a climbing plant ({Aristolochia grandiflora})
of the West Indies; also, the plant itself.
{Pelican ibis} (Zo["o]l.), a large Asiatic wood ibis
({Tantalus leucocephalus}). The head and throat are
destitute of feathers; the plumage is white, with the
quills and the tail greenish black.
{Pelican in her piety} (in heraldry and symbolical art), a
representation of a pelican in the act of wounding her
breast in order to nourish her young with her blood; -- a
practice fabulously attributed to the bird, on account of
which it was adopted as a symbol of the Redeemer, and of
charity.
{Pelican's foot} (Zo["o]l.), a marine gastropod shell of the
genus {Aporrhais}, esp. {Aporrhais pes-pelicani} of
Europe.
Pelick \Pel"ick\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The American coot ({Fulica}).
Pelicoid \Pel"i*coid\, n.
See {Pelecoid}.
Pelicosauria \Pel`i*co*sau"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a
wooden bowl (but taken to mean, pelvis) + ? a lizard.]
(Paleon.)
A suborder of Theromorpha, including terrestrial reptiles
from the Permian formation.
Peliom \Pe"li*om\, n. [See {Pelioma}.] (Min.)
A variety of iolite, of a smoky blue color; pelioma.
Pelioma \Pe`li*o"ma\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? livid.]
1. (Med.) A livid ecchymosis.
2. (Min.) See {Peliom}.
Pelisse \Pe*lisse"\, n. [F., fr. L. pelliceus, pellicius, made
of skins, fr. pellis a skin. Cf. {Pelt} skin, {Pilch}, and
see 2d {Pell}.]
An outer garment for men or women, originally of fur, or
lined with fur; a lady's outer garment, made of silk or other
fabric.
Pell \Pell\, v. t. [Cf. {Pelt}, v. t.]
To pelt; to knock about. [Obs.] --Holland.
Pell \Pell\, n. [OF. pel, F. peau, L. pellis a skin. See {Fell}
a skin.]
1. A skin or hide; a pelt.
2. A roll of parchment; a parchment record.
{Clerk of the pells}, formerly, an officer of the exchequer
who entered accounts on certain parchment rolls, called
pell rolls. [Eng.]
Pellack \Pel"lack\, n. [Cf. Gael. {Peileag}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A porpoise.
Pellage \Pell"age\ (p[e^]l"[asl]j), n. [See 2d {Pell}.]
A customs duty on skins of leather.
Pellagra \Pel"la*gra\ (p[e^]l"l[.a]*gr[.a]), n. (Med.)
An erythematous affection of the skin, with severe
constitutional and nervous symptoms, endemic in Northern
Italy.
Pellagrin \Pel"la*grin\, n.
One who is afficted with pellagra. --Chambers's Encyc.
Pellet \Pel"let\, n. [F. pelote, LL. pelota, pilota, fr. L. pila
a ball. Cf. {Platoon}.]
1. A little ball; as, a pellet of wax ? paper.
2. A bullet; a ball for firearms. [Obs.] --Bacon.
As swift as a pellet out of a gun. --Chaucer.
{Pellet molding} (Arch.), a narrow band ornamented with
smalt, flat disks.
Pellet \Pel"let\, v.?.
To form into small balls. [Obs.] --Shak.
Pelleted \Pel"let*ed\, a.
Made of, or like, pellets; furnished with pellets. [R.]
``This pelleted storm.'' --Shak.
Pellibranchiata \Pel`li*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. pellis
garment + branchia a gill.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Nudibranchiata, in which the mantle itself
serves as a gill.
Pellicle \Pel"li*cle\, n. [L. pellicu?a, dim. of pellis skin:
cf. F. pellicule.]
1. A thin skin or film.
2. (Chem.) A thin film formed on the surface of an
evaporating solution.
Pellicular \Pel*lic"u*lar\, a.
Of or pertaining to a pellicle. --Henslow.
Pellile \Pel*li"le\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The redshank; -- so called from its note. [Prov. Eng.]
Pellitory \Pel"li*to*ry\, n. [OE. paritorie, OF. paritoire, F.
pari['e]taire; (cf. It. & Sp. parietaria), L. parietaria the
parietary, or pellitory, the wall plant, fr. parietarus
belonging to the walls, fr. paries, parietis a wall. Cf.
{Parietary}.] (Bot.)
The common name of the several species of the genus
{Parietaria}, low, harmless weeds of the Nettle family; --
also called {wall pellitory}, and {lichwort}.
Note: {Parietaria officinalis} is common on old walls in
Europe; {P. pennsylvanica} is found in the United
States; and six or seven more species are found near
the Mediterranean, or in the Orient.
Pellitory \Pel"li*to*ry\, n. [Sp. pelitre, fr. L. pyrethrum. See
{Bertram}.] (Bot.)
(a) A composite plant ({Anacyclus Pyrethrum}) of the
Mediterranean region, having finely divided leaves and
whitish flowers. The root is the officinal pellitory, and
is used as an irritant and sialogogue. Called also
{bertram}, and {pellitory of Spain}.
(b) The feverfew ({Chrysanthemum Parthenium}); -- so called
because it resembles the above.
Pell-mell \Pell`-mell"\, n.
See {Pall-mall}.
Pellmell \Pell`mell"\, adv. [F. p[^e]le-m[^e]le, prob. fr. pelle
a shovel + m[^e]ler to mix, as when different kinds of grain
are heaped up and mixed with a shovel. See {Pell} shovel,
{Medley}.]
In utter confusion; with confused violence. ``Men, horses,
chariots, crowded pellmell.'' --Milton.
Pellucid \Pel*lu"cid\, a. [L. pellucidus; per (see {Per-}) +
lucidus clear, bright: cf. F. pellucide.]
Transparent; clear; limpid; translucent; not opaque.
``Pellucid crystal.'' --Dr. H. More. ``Pellucid streams.''
--Wordsworth.
Pellucidity \Pel`lu*cid"i*ty\, Pellucidness \Pel*lu"cid*ness\,
n. [L. pelluciditas.]
The quality or state of being pellucid; transparency;
translucency; clearness; as, the pellucidity of the air.
--Locke.
Pellucidly \Pel*lu"cid*ly\, adv.
In a pellucid manner.
Pelma \Pel"ma\, n.; pl. {Pelmata}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
The under surface of the foot.
Pelopium \Pe*lo"pi*um\, n. [NL., fr. L. Pelops, brother of
Niobe, Gr. ?.] (Chem.)
A supposed new metal found in columbite, afterwards shown to
be identical with columbium, or niobium.
Peloponnesian \Pel`o*pon*ne"sian\, a. [L. Peloponnesius, fr.
Peloponnesus, Gr. ?, lit., the Island of Pelops; ?, ?, Pelops
+ ? an island.]
Of or pertaining to the Peloponnesus, or southern peninsula
of Greece. -- n. A native or an inhabitant of the
Peloponnesus.
Peloria \Pe*lo"ri*a\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? monstrous.] (Bot.)
Abnormal regularity; the state of certain flowers, which,
being naturally irregular, have become regular through a
symmetrical repetition of the special irregularity.
Peloric \Pe*lo"ric\, a. (Bot.)
Abnormally regular or symmetrical. --Darwin.
Pelotage \Pel"o*tage\, n. [F.]
Packs or bales of Spanish wool.
Pelt \Pelt\, n. [Cf. G. pelz a pelt, fur, fr. OF. pelice, F.
pelisse (see {Pelisse}); or perh. shortened fr. peltry.]
1. The skin of a beast with the hair on; a raw or undressed
hide; a skin preserved with the hairy or woolly covering
on it. See 4th {Fell}. --Sir T. Browne.
Raw pelts clapped about them for their clothes.
--Fuller.
2. The human skin. [Jocose] --Dryden.
3. (Falconry) The body of any quarry killed by the hawk.
{Pelt rot}, a disease affecting the hair or wool of a beast.
Pelt \Pelt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pelted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pelting}.] [OE. pelten, pulten, pilten, to thrust, throw,
strike; cf. L. pultare, equiv. to pulsare (v. freq. fr.
pellere to drive), and E. pulse a beating.]
1. To strike with something thrown or driven; to assail with
pellets or missiles, as, to pelt with stones; pelted with
hail.
The children billows seem to pelt the clouds.
--Shak.
2. To throw; to use as a missile.
My Phillis me with pelted apples plies. --Dryden.
Pelt \Pelt\, v. i.
1. To throw missiles. --Shak.
2. To throw out words. [Obs.]
Another smothered seems to peltand swear. --Shak.
Pelt \Pelt\, n.
A blow or stroke from something thrown.
Pelta \Pel"ta\, n.; pl. {Pelt[ae]}. [L., a shield, fr. Gr. ?.]
1. (Antiq.) A small shield, especially one of an
approximately elliptic form, or crescent-shaped.
2. (Bot.) A flat apothecium having no rim.
Peltate \Pel"tate\, Peltated \Pel"ta*ted\, a. [Cf. F. pelt['e].
See {Pelta}.]
Shield-shaped; scutiform; (Bot.) having the stem or support
attached to the lower surface, instead of at the base or
margin; -- said of a leaf or other organ. -- {Pel"tate*ly},
adv.
Pelter \Pelt"er\, n.
One who pelts.
Pelter \Pel"ter\, n.
A pinchpenny; a mean, sordid person; a miser; a skinflint.
[Obs.] ``Let such pelters prate.'' --Gascoigne.
Peltiform \Pel"ti*form\, a. [Pelta + -form.]
Shieldlike, with the outline nearly circular; peltate.
--Henslow.
Pelting \Pel"ting\, a.
Mean; paltry. [Obs.] --Shak.
Peltry \Pelt"ry\, n. [F. pelleterie peltry, furriery, fr.
pelletier a furrier, fr. OF. pel skin, F. peau, L. pelis. See
{Pelt} a skin, {Pell}, n., {Fell} a skin.]
Pelts or skins, collectively; skins with the fur on them;
furs.
Peltryware \Pelt"ry*ware`\, n.
Peltry. [Obs.]
Peludo \Pe*lu"do\, n. [Sp. peludo hairy.] (Zo["o]l.)
The South American hairy armadillo ({Dasypus villosus}).
Pelusiac \Pe*lu"si*ac\, a. [L. Pelusiacus.]
Of or pertaining to Pelusium, an ancient city of Egypt; as,
the Pelusiac (or former eastern) outlet of the Nile.
Pelvic \Pel"vic\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the pelvis; as,
pelvic cellulitis.
{Pelvic arch}, or {Pelvic girdle} (Anat.), the two or more
bony or cartilaginous pieces of the vertebrate skeleton to
which the hind limbs are articulated. When fully ossified,
the arch usually consists of three principal bones on each
side, the ilium, ischium, and pubis, which are often
closely united in the adult, forming the innominate bone.
See {Innominate bone}, under {Innominate}.
Pelvimeter \Pel*vim"e*ter\, n. [Pelvis + -meter.: cf. F.
pelvim[`e]tre.]
An instrument for measuring the dimensions of the pelvis.
--Coxe.
Pelvis \Pel"vis\, n. [L., a basin, laver; cf. Gr. ?, ?, bowl.]
1. (Anat.) The pelvic arch, or the pelvic arch together with
the sacrum. See {Pelvic arch}, under {Pelvic}, and
{Sacrum}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The calyx of a crinoid.
{Pelvis of the kidney} (Anat.), the basinlike cavity into
which the ureter expands as it joins the kidney.
Pemmican \Pem"mi*can\, n. [Written also pemican.]
1. Among the North American Indians, meat cut in thin slices,
divested of fat, and dried in the sun.
Then on pemican they feasted. --Longfellow.
2. Meat, without the fat, cut in thin slices, dried in the
sun, pounded, then mixed with melted fat and sometimes
dried fruit, and compressed into cakes or in bags. It
contains much nutriment in small compass, and is of great
use in long voyages of exploration.
Pemphigus \Pem*phi"gus\, n. [Nl., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a bubble.]
(Med.)
A somewhat rare skin disease, characterized by the
development of blebs upon different part of the body.
--Quain.
Pen \Pen\, n. [OE. penne, OF. penne, pene, F. penne, fr. L.
penna.]
1. A feather. [Obs.] --Spenser.
2. A wing. [Obs.] --Milton.
3. An instrument used for writing with ink, formerly made of
a reed, or of the quill of a goose or other bird, but now
also of other materials, as of steel, gold, etc. Also,
originally, a stylus or other instrument for scratching or
graving.
Graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock. --Job
xix. 24.
4. Fig.: A writer, or his style; as, he has a sharp pen.
``Those learned pens.'' --Fuller.
5. (Zo["o]l.) The internal shell of a squid.
6. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zo["o]l.) A female swan. [Prov.
Eng.]
{Bow pen}. See {Bow-pen}.
{Dotting pen}, a pen for drawing dotted lines.
{Drawing}, or {Ruling}, {pen}, a pen for ruling lines having
a pair of blades between which the ink is contained.
{Fountain pen}, {Geometric pen}. See under {Fountain}, and
{Geometric}.
{Music pen}, a pen having five points for drawing the five
lines of the staff.
{Pen and ink}, or {pen-and-ink}, executed or done with a pen
and ink; as, a pen and ink sketch.
{Pen feather}. A pin feather. [Obs.]
{Pen name}. See under {Name}.
{Sea pen} (Zo["o]l.), a pennatula. [Usually written
{sea-pen}.]
Pen \Pen\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Penned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Penning}.]
To write; to compose and commit to paper; to indite; to
compose; as, to pen a sonnet. ``A prayer elaborately
penned.'' --Milton.
Pen \Pen\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Penned}or {Pent} (?); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Penning}.] [OE. pennen, AS. pennan in on-pennan to
unfasten, prob. from the same source as pin, and orig.
meaning, to fasten with a peg.See {Pin}, n. & v.]
To shut up, as in a pen or cage; to confine in a small
inclosure or narrow space; to coop up, or shut in; to
inclose. ``Away with her, and pen her up.'' --Shak.
Watching where shepherds pen their flocks at eve.
--Milton.
Pen \Pen\, n. [From {Pen} to shut in.]
A small inclosure; as, a pen for sheep or for pigs.
My father stole two geese out of a pen. --Shak.
Penal \Pe"nal\, a. [L. poenalis, fr. poena punishment: cf. F.
p['e]nal. See {Pain}.]
Of or pertaining to punishment, to penalties, or to crimes
and offenses; pertaining to criminal jurisprudence: as:
(a) Enacting or threatening punishment; as, a penal statue;
the penal code.
(b) Incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as, a
penalact of offense.
(c) Inflicted as punishment; used as a means of punishment;
as, a penal colony or settlement. ``Adamantine chains and
penal fire.'' --Milton.
{Penal code} (Law), a code of laws concerning crimes and
offenses and their punishment.
{Penal laws}, {Penal statutes} (Law), laws prohibited certain
acts, and imposing penalties for committing them.
{Penal servitude}, imprisonment with hard labor, in a prison,
in lieu of transportation. [Great Brit.]
{Penal suit}, {Penal action} (Law), a suit for penalties.
Penality \Pe*nal"i*ty\, n. [Cf. LL. poenalitas. See {Penalty}.]
The quality or state of being penal; lability to punishment.
--Sir T. Browne.
Penalize \Pe"nal*ize\, v. t.
1. To make penal.
2. (Sport.) To put a penalty on. See {Penalty}, 3. [Eng.]
Penally \Pe"nal*ly\, adv.
In a penal manner.
Penalty \Pe"nal*ty\, n.; pl. {Penalties}. [F. p['e]nalit['e].
See {Penal}.]
1. Penal retribution; punishment for crime or offense; the
suffering in person or property which is annexed by law or
judicial decision to the commission of a crime, offense,
or trespass.
Death is the penalty imposed. --Milton.
2. The suffering, or the sum to be forfeited, to which a
person subjects himself by covenant or agreement, in case
of nonfulfillment of stipulations; forfeiture; fine.
The penalty and forfeit of my bond. --Shak.
3. A handicap. [Sporting Cant]
Note: The term penalty is in law mostly applied to a
pecuniary punishment.
{Bill of pains and penalties}. See under {Bill}.
{On}, or {Under}, {penalty of}, on pain of; with exposure to
the penalty of, in case of transgression.
Penance \Pen"ance\, n. [OF. penance, peneance, L. paenitentia
repentance. See {Penitence}.]
1. Repentance. [Obs.] --Wyclif (Luke xv. 7).
2. Pain; sorrow; suffering. [Obs.] ``Joy or penance he
feeleth none.'' --Chaucer.
3. (Eccl.) A means of repairing a sin committed, and
obtaining pardon for it, consisting partly in the
performance of expiatory rites, partly in voluntary
submission to a punishment corresponding to the
transgression. Penance is the fourth of seven sacraments
in the Roman Catholic Church. --Schaff-Herzog Encyc.
And bitter penance, with an iron whip. --Spenser.
Quoth he, ``The man hath penance done, And penance
more will do.'' --Coleridge.
Penance \Pen"ance\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Penanced}.]
To impose penance; to punish. ``Some penanced lady elf.''
--Keats.
Penanceless \Pen"ance*less\, a.
Free from penance. [R.]
Penang nut \Pe*nang" nut`\ [From the native name.] (Bot.)
The betel nut. --Balfour (Cyc. of India).
Penannular \Pen*an"nu*lar\, a. [L. pene, paene, almost + E.
annular.]
Nearly annular; having nearly the form of a ring.
``Penannular relics.'' --D. Wilson.
Penary \Pe"na*ry\, a.
Penal. [Obs.] --Gauden.
Penates \Pe*na"tes\, n. pl. [L.] (Rom. Antiq.)
The household gods of the ancient Romans. They presided over
the home and the family hearth. See {Lar}.
Penaunt \Pen"aunt\, n. [OF. penant, peneant. See {Penitent}.]
A penitent. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pence \Pence\, n.,
pl. of {Penny}. See {Penny}.
Pencel \Pen"cel\, n. [See {Pennoncel}.]
A small, narrow flag or streamer borne at the top of a lance;
-- called also {pennoncel}. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
--Chaucer.
Penchant \Pen`chant"\, n. [F., fr. pencher to bend, fr.
(assumed) LL. pendicare, L. pendere. See {Pendant}.]
Inclination; decided taste; bias; as, a penchant for art.
Penchute \Pen"chute`\, n.
See {Penstock}.
Pencil \Pen"cil\, n. [OF. pincel, F. pinceau, L. penicillum,
penicillus, equiv. to peniculus, dim. of penis a tail. Cf.
{Penicil}.]
1. A small, fine brush of hair or bristles used by painters
for laying on colors.
With subtile pencil depainted was this storie.
--Chaucer.
2. A slender cylinder or strip of black lead, colored chalk,
slate etc., or such a cylinder or strip inserted in a
small wooden rod intended to be pointed, or in a case,
which forms a handle, -- used for drawing or writing. See
{Graphite}.
3. Hence, figuratively, an artist's ability or peculiar
manner; also, in general, the act or occupation of the
artist, descriptive writer, etc.
4. (Opt.) An aggregate or collection of rays of light,
especially when diverging from, or converging to, a point.
5. (Geom.) A number of lines that intersect in one point, the
point of intersection being called the pencil point.
6. (Med.) A small medicated bougie.
{Pencil case}, a holder for pencil lead.
{Pencil flower} (Bot.), an American perennial leguminous herb
({Stylosanthes elatior}).
{Pencil lead}, a slender rod of black lead, or the like,
adapted for insertion in a holder.
Pencil \Pen"cil\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Penciled}or {Pencilled};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Penciling} or {Pencilling}.]
To write or mark with a pencil; to paint or to draw.
--Cowper.
Where nature pencils butterflies on flowers. --Harte.
Penciled \Pen"ciled\, a. [Written also pencilled.]
1. Painted, drawn, sketched, or marked with a pencil.
2. Radiated; having pencils of rays.
3. (Nat. Hist.) Marked with parallel or radiating lines.
Penciling \Pen"cil*ing\, n. [Written also pencilling.]
1. The work of the pencil or bruch; as, delicate penciling in
a picture.
2. (Brickwork) Lines of white or black paint drawn along a
mortar joint in a brick wall. --Knight.
Pencillate \Pen"cil*late\, Pencillated \Pen"cil*la`ted\, a.
Shaped like a pencil; penicillate.
Pencraft \Pen"craft\, n.
1. Penmanship; skill in writing; chirography.
2. The art of composing or writing; authorship.
I would not give a groat for that person's knowledge
in pencraft. --Sterne.
Pend \Pend\, n.
Oil cake; penock. [India]
Pend \Pend\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pended}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pending}.] [L. pendere.]
1. To hang; to depend. [R.]
Pending upon certain powerful motions. --I. Taylor.
2. To be undecided, or in process of adjustment.
Pend \Pend\, v. t. [Cf. pen to shut in, or AS. pyndan, E. pound
an inclosure.]
To pen; to confine. [R.]
ended within the limits . . . of Greece. --Udall.
Pendant \Pend"ant\, n. [F., orig. p. pr. of pendre to hang, L.
pendere. Cf. {Pendent}, {Pansy}, {Pensive}, {Poise},
{Ponder}.]
1. Something which hangs or depends; something suspended; a
hanging appendage, especially one of an ornamental
character; as to a chandelier or an eardrop; also, an
appendix or addition, as to a book.
Some hang upon the pendants of her ear. --Pope.
Many . . . have been pleased with this work and its
pendant, the Tales and Popular Fictions.
--Keightley.
2. (Arch.) A hanging ornament on roofs, ceilings, etc., much
used in the later styles of Gothic architecture, where it
is of stone, and an important part of the construction.
There are imitations in plaster and wood, which are mere
decorative features. ``[A bridge] with . . . pendants
graven fair.'' --Spenser.
3. (Fine Arts) One of a pair; a counterpart; as, one vase is
the pendant to the other vase.
4. A pendulum. [Obs.] --Sir K. Digby.
5. The stem and ring of a watch, by which it is suspended.
[U.S.] --Knight.
{Pendant post} (Arch.), a part of the framing of an open
timber roof; a post set close against the wall, and
resting upon a corbel or other solid support, and
supporting the ends of a collar beam or any part of the
roof.
Pendence \Pend"ence\, n. [See {Pendent}.]
Slope; inclination. [Obs.] --Sir H. Wotton.
Pendency \Pend"en*cy\, n.
1. The quality or state of being pendent or suspended.
2. The quality or state of being undecided, or in
continuance; suspense; as, the pendency of a suit.
--Ayliffe.
Pendent \Pend"ent\, a. [L. pendens, -entis, p. pr. of pendere to
hang, to be suspended. Cf. {Pendant}.]
1. Supported from above; suspended; depending; pendulous;
hanging; as, a pendent leaf. ``The pendent world.''
--Shak.
Often their tresses, when shaken, with pendent
icicles tinkle. --Longfellow.
2. Jutting over; projecting; overhanging. ``A vapor sometime
like a . . . pendent rock.'' --Shak.
Pendentive \Pen*den"tive\, n. [F. pendentif, fr. L. pendere to
hang.] (Arch.)
(a) The portion of a vault by means of which the square
space in the middle of a building is brought to an
octagon or circle to receive a cupola.
(b) The part of a groined vault which is supported by, and
springs from, one pier or corbel.
Pendently \Pend"ent*ly\, adv.
In a pendent manner.
Pendice \Pen"dice\, n. [Cf. {Pentice}.]
A sloping roof; a lean-to; a penthouse. [Obs.] --Fairfax.
Pendicle \Pen"di*cle\, n. [Cf. {Appendicle}.]
An appendage; something dependent on another; an
appurtenance; a pendant. --Sir W. Scott.
Pendicler \Pen*di*cler\, n.
An inferior tenant; one who rents a pendicle or croft.
[Scot.] --Jamieson.
Pending \Pend"ing\, a. [L. pendere to hang, to be suspended. Cf.
{Pendent}.]
Not yet decided; in continuance; in suspense; as, a pending
suit.
Pending \Pend"ing\, prep.
During; as, pending the trail.
Pendragon \Pen"drag*on\, n.
A chief leader or a king; a head; a dictator; -- a title
assumed by the ancient British chiefs when called to lead
other chiefs.
The dread Pendragon, Britain's king of kings.
--Tennyson.
Pendular \Pen"du*lar\, a.
Pendulous.
Pendulate \Pen"du*late\, v. i.
To swing as a pendulum. [R.]
Pendule \Pen"dule\, n. [F.]
A pendulum. [R.] --Evelyn.
Penduline \Pen"du`line\, n. [F. See {Pendulum}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A European titmouse ({Parus, or [AE]githalus, pendulinus}).
It is noted for its elegant pendulous purselike nest, made of
the down of willow trees and lined with feathers.
Pendulosity \Pen`du*los"i*ty\, n. [See {Pendulous}.]
The state or quality of being pendulous. --Sir T. Browne.
Pendulous \Pen"du*lous\, a. [L. pendulus, fr. pendere to hang.
Cf. {Pendant}, and cf. {Pendulum}.]
1. Depending; pendent loosely; hanging; swinging. --Shak.
``The pendulous round earth.'' --Milton.
2. Wavering; unstable; doubtful. [R.] ``A pendulous state of
mind.'' --Atterbury.
3. (Bot.) Inclined or hanging downwards, as a flower on a
recurved stalk, or an ovule which hangs from the upper
part of the ovary.
Pendulously \Pen"du*lous*ly\, adv.
In a pendulous manner.
Pendulousness \Pen"du*lous*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being pendulous; the state of hanging
loosely; pendulosity.
Pendulum \Pen"du*lum\, n.; pl. {Pendulums}. [NL., fr. L.
pendulus hanging, swinging. See {Pendulous}.]
A body so suspended from a fixed point as to swing freely to
and fro by the alternate action of gravity and momentum. It
is used to regulate the movements of clockwork and other
machinery.
Note: The time of oscillation of a pendulum is independent of
the arc of vibration, provided this arc be small.
{Ballistic pendulum}. See under {Ballistic}.
{Compensation pendulum}, a clock pendulum in which the effect
of changes of temperature of the length of the rod is so
counteracted, usually by the opposite expansion of
differene metals, that the distance of the center of
oscillation from the center of suspension remains
invariable; as, the mercurial compensation pendulum, in
which the expansion of the rod is compensated by the
opposite expansion of mercury in a jar constituting the
bob; the gridiron pendulum, in which compensation is
effected by the opposite expansion of sets of rodsof
different metals.
{Compound pendulum}, an ordinary pendulum; -- so called, as
being made up of different parts, and contrasted with
simple pendulum.
{Conical} or {Revolving}, {pendulum}, a weight connected by a
rod with a fixed point; and revolving in a horizontal
cyrcle about the vertical from that point.
{Pendulum bob}, the weight at the lower end of a pendulum.
{Pendulum level}, a plumb level. See under {Level}.
{Pendulum wheel}, the balance of a watch.
{Simple} or {Theoretical}, {pendulum}, an imaginary pendulum
having no dimensions except length, and no weight except
at the center of oscillation; in other words, a material
point suspended by an ideal line.
Penelope \Pe*nel"o*pe\ (p[-e]*n[e^]l"[-o]*p[=e]), n. [From. L.
Penelope, the wife of Ulysses, the hero of the Odyssey, Gr.
Phnelo`ph.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of curassows, including the guans.
Penetrability \Pen`e*tra*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F.
p['e]n['e]trabilit['e].]
The quality of being penetrable; susceptibility of being
penetrated, entered, or pierced. --Cheyne.
Penetrable \Pen"e*tra*ble\, a. [L. penetrabilus: cf. F.
p['e]n['e]trable.]
Capable of being penetrated, entered, or pierced. Used also
figuratively.
And pierce his only penetrable part. --Dryden.
I am not made of stones, But penetrable to your kind
entreats. --Shak.
-- {Pen"e*tra*ble*ness}, n. -- {Pen"e*tra*bly}, adv.
Penetrail \Pen"e*trail\, n.
Penetralia. [Obs.] --Harvey.
Penetralia \Pen`e*tra"li*a\, n. pl. [L., fr. penetralis
penetrating, internal. See {Penetrate}.]
1. The recesses, or innermost parts, of any thing or place,
especially of a temple or palace.
2. Hidden things or secrets; privacy; sanctuary; as, the
sacred penetralia of the home.
Penetrance \Pen"e*trance\, Penetrancy \Pen"e*tran*cy\, n.
The quality or state of being penetrant; power of entering or
piercing; penetrating power of quality; as, the penetrancy of
subtile effluvia.
Penetrant \Pen"e*trant\, a. [L. penetrans, p. pr. of penetrare:
cf. F. p['e]n['e]trant.]
Having power to enter or pierce; penetrating; sharp; subtile;
as, penetrant cold. ``Penetrant and powerful arguments.''
--Boyle.
Penetrate \Pen"e*trate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Penetrated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Penetrating}.] [L. penetratus, p. p. of
penetrare to penetrate; akin to penitus inward, inwardly, and
perh. to pens with, in the power of, penus store of food,
innermost part of a temple.]
1. To enter into; to make way into the interior of; to effect
an entrance into; to pierce; as, light penetrates
darkness.
2. To affect profoundly through the senses or feelings; to
touch with feeling; to make sensible; to move deeply; as,
to penetrate one's heart with pity. --Shak.
The translator of Homer should penetrate himself
with a sense of the plainness and directness of
Homer's style. --M. Arnold.
3. To pierce into by the mind; to arrive at the inner
contents or meaning of, as of a mysterious or difficult
subject; to comprehend; to understand.
Things which here were too subtile for us to
penetrate. --Ray.
Penetrate \Pen"e*trate\, v. i.
To pass; to make way; to pierce. Also used figuratively.
Preparing to penetrate to the north and west. --J. R.
Green.
Born where Heaven's influence scarce can penetrate.
--Pope.
The sweet of life that penetrates so near. --Daniel.
Penetrating \Pen"e*tra`ting\, a.
1. Having the power of entering, piercing, or pervading;
sharp; subtile; penetrative; as, a penetrating odor.
2. Acute; discerning; sagacious; quick to discover; as, a
penetrating mind.
Penetratingly \Pen"e*tra`ting*ly\, adv.
In a penetrating manner.
Penetration \Pen"e*tra`tion\, n. [L. penetratio: cf. F.
p['e]n['e]tration.]
1. The act or process of penetrating, piercing, or entering;
also, the act of mentally penetrating into, or
comprehending, anything difficult.
And to each in ward part, With gentle penetration,
though unseen, Shoots invisible virtue even to the
deep. --Milton.
A penetration into the difficulties of algebra.
--Watts.
2. Acuteness; insight; sharp discoverment; sagacity; as, a
person of singular penetration. --Walpole.
Syn: Discernment; sagacity; acuteness; sharpness;
discrimination. See {Discernment}, and {Sagacity}.
Penetrative \Pen"e*tra*tive\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]n['e]tratif.]
1. Tending to penetrate; of a penetrating quality; piercing;
as, the penetrative sun.
His look became keen and penetrative. --Hawthorne.
2. Having the power to affect or impress the mind or heart;
impressive; as, penetrative shame. --Shak.
3. Acute; discerning; sagacious; as, penetrative wisdom.
``The penetrative eye.'' --Wordsworth.
Led on by skill of penetrative soul. --Grainger.
Penetrativeness \Pen"e*tra*tive*ness\, n.
The quality of being penetrative.
Penfish \Pen"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A squid.
Penfold \Pen"fold`\, n.
See {Pinfold}.
Pengolin \Pen"go*lin\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The pangolin.
Penguin \Pen"guin\, n. [Perh. orig. the name of another bird,
and fr. W. pen head + gwyn white; or perh. from a native
South American name.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any bird of the order Impennes, or Ptilopteri.
They are covered with short, thick feathers, almost
scalelike on the wings, which are without true quills.
They are unable to fly, but use their wings to aid in
diving, in which they are very expert. See {King penguin},
under {Jackass}.
Note: Penguins are found in the south temperate and antarctic
regions. The king penguins ({Aptenodytes Patachonica},
and {A. longirostris}) are the largest; the jackass
penguins ({Spheniscus}) and the rock hoppers
({Catarractes}) congregate in large numbers at their
breeding grounds.
2. (Bot.) The egg-shaped fleshy fruit of a West Indian plant
({Bromelia Pinguin}) of the Pineapple family; also, the
plant itself, which has rigid, pointed, and spiny-toothed
leaves, and is used for hedges. [Written also {pinguin}.]
{Arctic penguin} (Zo["o]l.), the great auk. See {Auk}.
Penguinery \Pen"guin*er*y\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A breeding place, or rookery, of penguins.
Penholder \Pen"hold`er\, n.
A handle for a pen.
Penhouse \Pen"house`\, n.
A penthouse. [Obs.]
Penible \Pen*i"ble\, a. [OF. penible. Cf. {Painable}.]
Painstaking; assidous. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Penicil \Pen"i*cil\, n. [L. penicillum, penicillus, a painter's
brush, a roil of lint, a tent for wounds.] (mented.)
A tent or pledget for wounds or ulcers.
Penicillate \Pen`i*cil"late\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]nicill['e]. See
{Penicil}.] (Biol.)
Having the form of a pencil; furnished with a pencil of fine
hairs; ending in a tuft of hairs like a camel's-hair brush,
as the stigmas of some grasses.
Penicilliform \Pen`i*cil"li*form\, a. (Bot.)
Penicillate.
Peninsula \Pen*in"su*la\, n. [L. peninsula or paeninsula; paene
almost + insula an island. See {Isle}.]
A portion of land nearly surrounded by water, and connected
with a larger body by a neck, or isthmus.
Peninsular \Pen*in"su*lar\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]ninsulaire.]
Of or pertaining to a peninsula; as, a peninsular form;
peninsular people; the peninsular war.
Peninsulate \Pen*in"su*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Peninsulated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Peninsulating}.]
To form into a peninsula.
South River . . . peninsulates Castle Hill farm. --W.
Bentley.
Penis \Pe"nis\ (p[=e]"n[i^]s), n. [L.] (Anat.)
The male member, or organ of generation.
Penitence \Pen"i*tence\, n. [F. p['e]nitence, L. paenitentia.
See {Penitent}, and cf. {Penance}.]
The quality or condition of being penitent; the disposition
of a penitent; sorrow for sins or faults; repentance;
contrition. ``Penitence of his old guilt.'' --Chaucer.
Death is deferred, and penitenance has room To
mitigate, if not reverse, the doom. --Dryden.
Syn: Repentance; contrition; compunction.
Penitencer \Pen"i*ten*cer\, n. [F. p['e]nitencier.]
A priest who heard confession and enjoined penance in
extraordinary cases. [Written also {penitenser}.] [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Penitency \Pen"i*ten*cy\, n.
Penitence. [Obs.]
Penitent \Pen"i*tent\, a. [F. p['e]nitent, L. paenitens, -entis,
poenitens, p. pr. of paenitere, poenitere, to cause to
repent, to repent; prob. akin to poena punishment. See
{Pain}.]
1. Feeling pain or sorrow on account of sins or offenses;
repentant; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense of
guilt, and resolved on amendment of life.
Be penitent, and for thy fault contrite. --Milton.
The pound he tamed, the penitent he cheered.
--Dryden.
2. Doing penance. [Obs.] --Shak.
Penitent \Pen"i*tent\, n.
1. One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his
transgressions.
2. One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one
undergoing penance.
3. One under the direction of a confessor.
Note: Penitents is an appellation given to certain
fraternities in Roman Catholic countries, distinguished
by their habit, and employed in charitable acts.
Penitential \Pen`i*ten"tial\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]nitentiel.]
Of or pertaining to penitence, or to penance; expressing
penitence; of the nature of penance; as, the penitential
book; penitential tears. ``Penitential stripes.'' --Cowper.
Guilt that all the penitential fires of hereafter can
not cleanse. --Sir W.
Scott.
Penitential \Pen`i*ten"tial\, n. (R. C. Ch.)
A book formerly used by priests hearing confessions,
containing rules for the imposition of penances; -- called
also {penitential book}.
Penitentially \Pen`i*ten"tial*ly\, adv.
In a penitential manner.
Penitentiary \Pen`i*ten"tia*ry\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]nitentiaire.]
1. Relating to penance, or to the rules and measures of
penance. ``A penitentiary tax.'' --Abp. Bramhall.
2. Expressive of penitence; as, a penitentiary letter.
3. Used for punishment, discipline, and reformation.
``Penitentiary houses.'' --Blackstone.
Penitentiary \Pen`i*ten"tia*ry\, n.; pl. {Penitentiaries}. [Cf.
F. p['e]nitencier. See {Penitent}.]
1. One who prescribes the rules and measures of penance.
[Obs.] --Bacon.
2. One who does penance. [Obs.] --Hammond.
3. A small building in a monastery where penitents confessed.
--Shpiley.
4. That part of a church to which penitents were admitted.
--Shipley.
5. (R. C. Ch.)
(a) An office of the papal court which examines cases of
conscience, confession, absolution from vows, etc.,
and delivers decisions, dispensations, etc. Its chief
is a cardinal, called the Grand Penitentiary,
appointed by the pope.
(b) An officer in some dioceses since A. D. 1215, vested
with power from the bishop to absolve in cases
reserved to him.
6. A house of correction, in which offenders are confined for
punishment, discipline, and reformation, and in which they
are generally compelled to labor.
Penitentiaryship \Pen`i*ten"tia*ry*ship\, n.
The office or condition of a penitentiary of the papal court.
[R.] --Wood.
Penitently \Pen"i*tent*ly\, adv.
In a penitent manner.
Penk \Penk\, n.
A minnow. See {Pink}, n., 4. [Prov. Eng.] --Walton.
Penknife \Pen"knife`\, n.; pl. {Penknives}. [Pen + knife.]
A small pocketknife; formerly, a knife used for making and
mending quill pens.
Penman \Pen"man\, n.; pl. {Penmen}.
1. One who uses the pen; a writer; esp., one skilled in the
use of the pen; a calligrapher; a writing master.
2. An author; a composer. --South.
Penmanship \Pen"man*ship\, n.
The use of the pen in writing; the art of writing; style or
manner of writing; chirography; as, good or bad penmanship.
Penna \Pen"na\, n.; pl. {Penn[ae]}. [L.] (Zo["o]l.)
A perfect, or normal, feather.
Pennaceous \Pen"na"ceous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to a normal feather.
Pennach \Pen"nach\, n. [OF. pennache. See {Panache}.]
A bunch of feathers; a plume. [Obs.] --Holland.
Pennached \Pen"nached\, a. [Cf. OF. pennach['e]. See {Panache}.]
Variegated; striped. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Pennage \Pen"nage\, n. [L. penna feather.]
Feathery covering; plumage. [Obs.] --Holland.
Pennant \Pen"nant\, n. [OE. penon, penoun, pynoun, OF. penon, F.
pennon, fr. L. penna feather. See {Pen} a feather, and cf.
{Pennon}, {Pinion}.] (Naut.)
(a) A small flag; a pennon. The {narrow, or long, pennant}
(called also whip or coach whip) is a long, narrow piece
of bunting, carried at the masthead of a government
vessel in commission. The {board pennant} is an oblong,
nearly square flag, carried at the masthead of a
commodore's vessel. ``With flags and pennants trimmed.''
--Drayton.
(b) A rope or strap to which a purchase is hooked.
Pennate \Pen"nate\, Pennated \Pen"na*ted\, a. [L. pennatus
feathered, winged, from penna feather, wing.]
1. Winged; plume-shaped.
2. (Bot.) Same as {Pinnate}.
Pennatula \Pen*nat"u*la\, n.; pl. L. {Pennatul[ae]}, E.
{Pennatulas}. [NL., fr. L. penna a feather.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of {Pennatula}, {Pteroides}, and
allied genera of Alcyonaria, having a featherlike form; a
sea-pen. The zooids are situated along one edge of the side
branches.
Pennatulacea \Pen*nat`u*la"ce*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pennatula}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A division of alcyonoid corals, including the seapens and
related kinds. They are able to move about by means of the
hollow muscular peduncle, which also serves to support them
upright in the mud. See {Pennatula}, and Illust. under
{Alcyonaria}.
Penned \Penned\, a.
1. Winged; having plumes. [Obs.]
2. Written with a pen; composed. ``Their penned speech.''
--Shak.
Penner \Pen"ner\, n.
1. One who pens; a writer. --Sir T. North.
2. A case for holding pens. [Obs.]
Penniform \Pen"ni*form\, a. [L. penna feather + -form: cf. F.
penniforme.]
Having the form of a feather or plume.
Pennigerous \Pen*nig"er*ous\, a. [L. penniger; penna feather +
gerere to bear.] (Zo["o]l.)
Bearing feathers or quills.
Penniless \Pen"ni*less\, a. [From {Penny}.]
Destitute of money; impecunious; poor. -- {Pen"ni*less*ness},
n.
Penninerved \Pen"ni*nerved`\, a. [L. penna feather + E. nerve.]
Pinnately veined or nerved.
Pennipotent \Pen*nip"o*tent\, a. [L. pennipotens; penna wing +
potens strong.]
Strong of wing; strong on the wing. [Poetic] --Davies (Holy
Roode).
Pennon \Pen"non\, n. [Cf. {Pinion}.]
A wing; a pinion. --Milton.
Pennon \Pen"non\, n. [See {Pennant}.]
A pennant; a flag or streamer. --Longfellow.
Pennoncel \Pen"non*cel`\, Pennoncelle \Pen"non*celle`\, n. [OF.
penoncel. See {Pennant}.]
See {Pencel}.
Penny \Pen"ny\, a. [Perh. a corruption of pun, for pound.]
Denoting pound weight for one thousand; -- used in
combination, with respect to nails; as, tenpenny nails, nails
of which one thousand weight ten pounds.
Penny \Pen*ny\, n.; pl. {Pennies}or {Pence}. Pennies denotes the
number of coins; pence the amount of pennies in value. [OE.
peni, AS. penig, pening, pending; akin to D. penning, OHG.
pfenning, pfenting, G. pfennig, Icel. penningr; of uncertain
origin.]
1. An English coin, formerly of copper, now of bronze, the
twelfth part of an English shilling in account value, and
equal to four farthings, or about two cents; -- usually
indicated by the abbreviation d. (the initial of
denarius).
Note: ``The chief Anglo-Saxon coin, and for a long period the
only one, corresponded to the denarius of the Continent
. . . [and was] called penny, denarius, or denier.''
--R. S. Poole. The ancient silver penny was worth about
three pence sterling (see {Pennyweight}). The old
Scotch penny was only one twelfth the value of the
English coin. In the United States the word penny is
popularly used for cent.
2. Any small sum or coin; a groat; a stiver. --Shak.
3. Money, in general; as, to turn an honest penny.
What penny hath Rome borne, What men provided, what
munition sent? --Shak.
4. (Script.) See {Denarius}.
{Penny cress} (Bot.), an annual herb of the Mustard family,
having round, flat pods like silver pennies ({Thlaspi
arvense}). --Dr. Prior.
{Penny dog} (Zo["o]l.), a kind of shark found on the South
coast of Britain: the tope.
{Penny father}, a penurious person; a niggard. [Obs.]
--Robinson (More's Utopia).
{Penny grass} (Bot.), pennyroyal. [R.]
{Penny post}, a post carrying a letter for a penny; also, a
mail carrier.
{Penny wise}, wise or prudent only in small matters; saving
small sums while losing larger; -- used chiefly in the
phrase, penny wise and pound foolish.
Penny \Pen"ny\, a.
Worth or costing one penny.
Penny-a-liner \Pen"ny-a-lin"er\, n.
One who furnishes matter to public journals at so much a
line; a poor writer for hire; a hack writer. --Thackeray.
Pennyroyal \Pen`ny*roy"al\, n. [A corruption of OE. puliall
royal. OE. puliall is ultimately derived fr. L. puleium, or
pulegium regium (so called as being good against fleas), fr.
pulex a flea; and royal is a translation of L. regium, in
puleium regium.] (Bot.)
An aromatic herb ({Mentha Pulegium}) of Europe; also, a North
American plant ({Hedeoma pulegioides}) resembling it in
flavor.
{Bastard pennyroyal} (Bot.) See {Blue curls}, under {Blue}.
Pennyweight \Pen"ny*weight`\, n.
A troy weight containing twenty-four grains, or the twentieth
part of an ounce; as, a pennyweight of gold or of arsenic. It
was anciently the weight of a silver penny, whence the name.
Pennywort \Pen"ny*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A European trailing herb ({Linaria Cymbalaria}) with
roundish, reniform leaves. It is often cultivated in hanging
baskets.
{March}, or {Water}, {pennywort}. (Bot.) See under {March}.
Pennyworth \Pen"ny*worth`\, n.
1. A penny's worth; as much as may be bought for a penny. ``A
dear pennyworth.'' --Evelyn.
2. Hence: The full value of one's penny expended; due return
for money laid out; a good bargain; a bargain.
The priests sold the better pennyworths. --Locke.
3. A small quantity; a trifle. --Bacon.
Penock \Pen"ock\, n.
See {Pend}.
Penological \Pen`o*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to penology.
Penologist \Pe*nol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in, or a student of, penology.
Penology \Pe*nol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?, or L. poena, punishment +
-logy.]
The science or art of punishment. [Written also
{p[oe]nology}.]
Penrack \Pen"rack`\, n.
A rack for pens not in use.
Pens \Pens\, n.,
pl. of {Penny}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pensative \Pen"sa*tive\, a.
Pensive. [Obs.] --Shelton.
Pensel \Pen"sel\, n.
A pencel. --Chaucer.
Pensible \Pen"si*ble\, a.
Held aloft. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Pensile \Pen"sile\, a. [L. pensilis, fr. pendere to hang: cf.
OE. pensil. See {Pendant}.]
Hanging; suspended; pendent; pendulous. --Bacon.
The long, pensile branches of the birches. --W. Howitt.
Pensileness \Pen"sile*ness\, n.
State or quality of being pensile; pendulousness.
Pension \Pen"sion\, n. [F., fr. L. pensio a paying, payment, fr.
pendere, pensum, to weight, to pay; akin to pend?re to hang.
See {Pendant}, and cf. {Spend}.]
1. A payment; a tribute; something paid or given. [Obs.]
The stomach's pension, and the time's expense.
--Sylvester.
2. A stated allowance to a person in consideration of past
services; payment made to one retired from service, on
account of age, disability, or other cause; especially, a
regular stipend paid by a government to retired public
officers, disabled soldiers, the families of soldiers
killed in service, or to meritorious authors, or the like.
To all that kept the city pensions and wages. --1
Esd. iv. 56.
3. A certain sum of money paid to a clergyman in lieu of
tithes. [Eng.] --Mozley & W.
4. [F., pronounced ?.] A boarding house or boarding school in
France, Belgium, Switzerland, etc.
Pension \Pen"sion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pensioned}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Pensioning}.]
To grant a pension to; to pay a regular stipend to; in
consideration of service already performed; -- sometimes
followed by off; as, to pension off a servant.
One knighted Blackmore, and one pensioned Quarles.
--Pope.
Pensionary \Pen"sion*a*ry\, a.
1. Maintained by a pension; receiving a pension; as,
pensionary spies. --Donne.
2. Consisting of a pension; as, a pensionary provision for
maintenance.
Pensionary \Pen"sion*a*ry\, n.; pl. {Pensionaries}. [Cf. F.
pensionnaire. Cf. {Pensioner}.]
1. One who receives a pension; a pensioner. --E. Hall.
2. One of the chief magistrates of towns in Holland.
{Grand pensionary}, the title of the prime minister, or or
president of the Council, of Holland when a republic.
Pensioner \Pen"sion*er\, n.
1. One in receipt of a pension; hence, figuratively, a
dependent.
The fickle pensioners of Morpheus' train. --Milton.
Old pensioners . . . of Chelsea Hospital.
--Macaulay.
2. One of an honorable band of gentlemen who attend the
sovereign of England on state occasions, and receive an
annual pension, or allowance, of [pounds]150 and two
horses.
3. [Cf. F. pensionnaire one who pays for his board. Cf.
{Pensionary}, n.] In the university of Cambridge, England,
one who pays for his living in commons; -- corresponding
to commoner at Oxford. --Ld. Lytton.
Pensive \Pen"sive\, a. [F. pensif, fr. penser to think, fr. L.
pensare to weigh, ponder, consider, v. intens. fr. pendere to
weigh. See {Pension}, {Poise}.]
1. Thoughtful, sober, or sad; employed in serious reflection;
given to, or favorable to, earnest or melancholy musing.
The pensive secrecy of desert cell. --Milton.
Anxious cares the pensive nymph oppressed. --Pope.
2. Expressing or suggesting thoughtfulness with sadness; as,
pensive numbers. --Prior.
Pensived \Pen"sived\, a.
Made pensive. [R.] --Shak.
Pensively \Pen"sive*ly\, adv.
In a pensive manner.
Pensiveness \Pen"sive*ness\, n.
The state of being pensive; serious thoughtfulness;
seriousness. --Hooker.
Penstock \Pen"stock\, n. [Etymol. uncertain; perh. fr. pen an
inclosure + stock.]
1. A close conduit or pipe for conducting water, as, to a
water wheel, or for emptying a pond, or for domestic uses.
2. The barrel of a wooden pump.
Pent \Pent\, p. p. or a. [From {Pen}, v. t.]
Penned or shut up; confined; -- often with up.
Here in the body pent. --J.
Montgomery.
No pent-up Utica contracts your powers. --J. M.
Sewall.
Penta- \Pen"ta-\ [Gr. ?, a later combining form of ? five. See
{Five}.]
1. A combining form denoting five; as, pentacapsular;
pentagon.
2. (Chem.) Denoting the degree of five, either as regards
quality, property, or composition; as, pentasulphide;
pentoxide, etc. Also used adjectively.
Pentabasic \Pen`ta*ba"sic\, a. [Penta- + basic.] (Chem.)
Capable of uniting with five molecules of a monacid base;
having five acid hydrogen atoms capable of substitution by a
basic radical; -- said of certain acids.
Pentacapsular \Pen`ta*cap"su*lar\, a. [Penta- + capsular.]
(Bot.)
Having five capsules.
Pentachenium \Pen`ta*che"ni*um\, n. [NL. See {Penta-}, and
{Achenium}.] (Bot.)
A dry fruit composed of five carpels, which are covered by an
epigynous calyx and separate at maturity.
Pentachloride \Pen`ta*chlo"ride\, n. [Penta- + chloride.]
(Chem.)
A chloride having five atoms of chlorine in each molecule.
Pentachord \Pen"ta*chord\, n. [L. pentachordus five-stringed,
Gr. ?; ? five + ? string.]
1. An ancient instrument of music with five strings.
2. An order or system of five sounds. --Busby.
Pentacid \Pen*tac"id\, a. [Penta- + acid.] (Chem.)
Capable of neutralizing, or combining with, five molecules of
a monobasic acid; having five hydrogen atoms capable of
substitution by acid residues; -- said of certain complex
bases.
Pentacle \Pen"ta*cle\, n. [Gr. ? five.]
A figure composed of two equilateral triangles intersecting
so as to form a six-pointed star, -- used in early ornamental
art, and also with superstitious import by the astrologers
and mystics of the Middle Ages.
Pentacoccous \Pen`ta*coc"cous\, a. [See {Penta-}, {Coccus}.]
(Bot.)
Composed of five united carpels with one seed in each, as
certain fruits.
Pentaconter \Pen"ta*con`ter\, n. (Gr. Antiq.)
See {Penteconter}.
Pentacrinin \Pen*tac"ri*nin\, n. (Physiol. Chem.)
A red and purple pigment found in certain crinoids of the
genus Pentacrinus.
Pentacrinite \Pen*tac"ri*nite\, n. [Penta- + Gr. ? a lily.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any species of Pentacrinus.
Pentacrinoid \Pen*tac"ri*noid\, n. [Pentacrinus + -oid.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An immature comatula when it is still attached by a stem, and
thus resembles a Pentacrinus.
Pentacrinus \Pen*tac"ri*nus\, n. [NL. See {Penta-}, and
{Crinum}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of large, stalked crinoids, of which several species
occur in deep water among the West Indies and elsewhere.
Pentacron \Pen*ta"cron\, n.; pl. L. {Pentacra}, E. {Pentacrons}.
[NL., fr. Gr. ? five + ? a summit.] (Geom.)
A solid having five summits or angular points.
Pentacrostic \Pen`ta*cros"tic\, n. [Penta- + acrostic.]
A set of verses so disposed that the name forming the subject
of the acrostic occurs five times -- the whole set of verses
being divided into five different parts from top to bottom.
Pentad \Pen"tad\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, a body of five, fr. ? five.]
(Chem.)
Any element, atom, or radical, having a valence of five, or
which can be combined with, substituted for, or compared
with, five atoms of hydrogen or other monad; as, nitrogen is
a pentad in the ammonium compounds.
Pentad \Pen"tad\, a. (Chem.)
Having the valence of a pentad.
Pentadactyl \Pen`ta*dac"tyl\, Pentadactyle \Pen`ta*dac"tyle\, a.
[Gr. ? with five fingers or toes. See {Penta-}, and
{Dactyl}.]
1. (Anat.) Having five digits to the hand or foot.
2. Having five appendages resembling fingers or toes.
Pentadactyloid \Pen`ta*dac"tyl*oid\, a. [Pentadactyl + -oid.]
(Anat.)
Having the form of, or a structure modified from, a
pentadactyl limb.
Pentadecane \Pen`ta*dec"ane\, n. [Penta- + Gr. ? ten.] (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon of the paraffin series, ({C15H32}) found in
petroleum, tar oil, etc., and obtained as a colorless liquid;
-- so called from the fifteen carbon atoms in the molecule.
Pentadecatoic \Pen`ta*dec`a*to"ic\, a. [Penta- + decatoic.]
(Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or derived from, pentadecane, or
designating an acid related to it.
Pentadecylic \Pen`ta*decyl"ic\, a. [Penta- + decylic.] (Chem.)
Same as {Quindecylic}
.
Pentadelphous \Pen`ta*del"phous\, a. [Penta- + Gr. ? brother.]
(Bot.)
Having the stamens arranged in five clusters, those of each
cluster having their filaments more or less united, as the
flowers of the linden.
Pentafid \Pen"ta*fid\, a. [Penta- + root of L. findere to
split.] (Bot.)
Divided or cleft into five parts.
Pentaglot \Pen"ta*glot\, n. [Penta- + -glot, as in polyglot.]
A work in five different tongues.
Pentagon \Pen"ta*gon\, n. [Gr. ?; ? (see {Penta-}) + gwni`a
angle: cf. L. pentagonium, F. pentagone.] (Geom.)
A plane figure having five angles, and, consequently, five
sides; any figure having five angles.
{Regular pentagon}, a pentagon in which the angles are all
equal, and the sides all equal.
Pentagonal \Pen*tag"o*nal\, a. [Cf. F. pentagonal, pentagone, L.
pentagonus, pentagonius, Gr. ?.]
Having five corners or angles.
{Pentagonal dodecahedron}. See {Dodecahedron}, and
{Pyritohedron}.
Pentagonally \Pen*tag"o*nal*ly\, adv.
In the form of a pentagon; with five angles. --Sir T. Browne.
Pentagonous \Pen*tag"o*nous\, a.
Pentagonal.
Pentagram \Pen"ta*gram\, n. [Gr. ?, neut. of ? having five
lines. See {Penta-}, and {-gram}.]
A pentacle or a pentalpha. ``Like a wizard pentagram.''
--Tennyson.
Pentagraphic \Pen`ta*graph"ic\, Pentagraphical
\Pen`ta*graph"ic*al\, a. [Corrupted fr. pantographic, -ical.]
Pantographic. See {Pantograph}.
Pentagynia \Pen`ta*gyn"i*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? (see
{Penta-}) + ? female.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an order of plants, having five styles or pistils.
Pentagynian \Pen`ta*gyn"i*an\, Pentagynous \Pen*tag"y*nous\, a.
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to plants of the order Pentagyna; having
five styles.
Pentahedral \Pen`ta*he"dral\, a.
Having five sides; as, a pentahedral figure.
Pentahedrical \Pen`ta*hed"ric*al\, a.
Pentahedral. [R.]
Pentahedron \Pen`ta*he"dron\, n. [Penta- + Gr. "e`dra seat,
base.]
A solid figure having five sides.
Pentahedrous \Pen`ta*he"drous\, a.
Pentahedral. --Woodward.
Pentail \Pen"tail`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A peculiar insectivore ({Ptilocercus Lowii}) of Borneo; -- so
called from its very long, quill-shaped tail, which is scaly
at the base and plumose at the tip.
Pentalpha \Pen*tal"pha\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?: cf. F. pentalpha.
See {Penta-}, and {Alpha}.]
A five-pointed star, resembling five alphas joined at their
bases; -- used as a symbol.
Pentamera \Pen*tam"e*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pentamerous}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An extensive division of Coleoptera, including those that
normally have five-jointed tarsi. It embraces about half of
all the known species of the Coleoptera.
Pentameran \Pen*tam"er*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Pentamera.
Pentamerous \Pen*tam"er*ous\, a. [Penta- + Gr. ? part.]
1. (Biol.) Divided into, or consisting of, five parts; also,
arranged in sets, with five parts in each set, as a flower
with five sepals, five petals, five, or twice five,
stamens, and five pistils.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Belonging to the Pentamera.
Pentamerus \Pen*tam"e*rus\, n. [NL. See {Pentamerous}.]
(Paleon.)
A genus of extinct Paleozoic brachiopods, often very abundant
in the Upper Silurian.
{Pentamerus limestone} (Geol.), a Silurian limestone composed
largely of the shells of Pentamerus.
Pentameter \Pen*tam"e*ter\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; ? (see {Penta-})
+ ? measure.] (Gr. & L.Pros.)
A verse of five feet.
Note: The dactylic pentameter consists of two parts separated
by a di[ae]resis. Each part consists of two dactyls and
a long syllable. The spondee may take the place of the
dactyl in the first part, but not in the second. The
elegiac distich consists of the hexameter followed by
the pentameter. --Harkness.
Pentameter \Pen*tam"e*ter\, a.
Having five metrical feet.
Pentamethylene \Pen`ta*meth"yl*ene\, n. [Penta- + methylene.]
(Chem.)
A hypothetical hydrocarbon, {C5H10}, metameric with the
amylenes, and the nucleus of a large number of derivatives;
-- so named because regarded as composed of five methylene
residues. Cf. {Trimethylene}, and {Tetramethylene}.
Pentandria \Pen*tan"dri*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? (see
{Penta-}) + ?, ?, man, male.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an class of plants having five separate stamens.
Pentandrian \Pen*tan"dri*an\, Pentandrous \Pen*tan"drous\, a.
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the class Pentadria; having five stamens.
Pentane \Pen"tane\, n. [See {Penta-}.] (Chem.)
Any one of the three metameric hydrocarbons, {C5H12}, of the
methane or paraffin series. They are colorless, volatile
liquids, two of which occur in petroleum. So called because
of the five carbon atoms in the molecule.
Pentangle \Pen"tan`gle\, n. [Penta- + angle.]
A pentagon. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Pentangular \Pen*tan"gu*lar\, a. [Penta- + angular.]
Having five corners or angles. [R.]
Pentapetalous \Pen`ta*pet"al*ous\, a. [Penta- + petal.] (Bot.)
Having five petals, or flower leaves.
Pentaphyllous \Pen*taph"yl*lous\, a. [Penta- + Gr. ? leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having five leaves or leaflets.
Pentapody \Pen*tap"o*dy\, n. [Penta- + Gr. ?, ?, foot.] (Pros.)
A measure or series consisting of five feet.
Pentaptote \Pen"tap*tote\, n. [L. (pl.) pentaptota. Gr. ? with
five cases; ? (see {Penta-}) + ? falling.] (Gram.)
A noun having five cases.
Pentaptych \Pen"tap*tych\, n. [Penta- + Gr. ?, ?, a fold.] (Fine
Arts)
A picture, or combination of pictures, consisting of a
centerpiece and double folding doors or wings, as for an
altarpiece.
Pentarchy \Pen"tar*chy\, n. [Gr. ?: cf. F. pentarchie. See
{Penta-}, and {-archy}.]
A government in the hands of five persons; five joint rulers.
--P. Fletcher. ``The pentarchy of the senses.'' --A. Brewer.
Pentaspast \Pen"ta*spast\, n. [L. pentaspaston, Gr. ? (see
{Penta-}) + ? to pull: cf. F. pentaspaste.]
A purchase with five pulleys. [R.]
Pentaspermous \Pen`ta*sper"mous\, a. [Penta- + Gr. ? seed.]
(Bot.)
Containing five seeds.
Pentastich \Pen"ta*stich\, n. [Gr. ? of five verses; ? (see
{Penta-}) + ? line, verse.]
A composition consisting of five verses.
Pentastichous \Pen*tas"ti*chous\, a. [Penta- + Gr. ? a row.]
(Bot.)
Having, or arranged in, five vertical ranks, as the leaves of
an apple tree or a cherry tree.
Pentastomida \Pen`ta*stom"i*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. ? (see
{Penta-}) + ? a mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Linguatulina}.
Pentastyle \Pen"ta*style\, a. [Penta- + Gr. ? a pillar.] (Arch.)
Having five columns in front; -- said of a temple or portico
in classical architecture. -- n. A portico having five
columns.
Pentateuch \Pen"ta*teuch\, n. [L. pentateuchus, Gr. ?; ? (see
{Penta-}) + ? a tool, implement, a book, akin to ? to
prepare, make ready, and perh. to E. text. See {Five}, and
{Text}.]
The first five books of the Old Testament, collectively; --
called also the {Law of Moses}, {Book of the Law of Moses},
etc.
Pentateuchal \Pen`ta*teu"chal\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Pentateuch.
Pentathionic \Pen`ta*thi*on"ic\, a. [Penta- + thionic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of sulphur obtained by
leading hydrogen sulphide into a solution of sulphur dioxide;
-- so called because it contains five atoms of sulphur.
Pentathlon \Pen*tath"lon\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; ? five + ? a
contest.] (Gr. Antiq.)
A fivefold athletic performance peculiar to the great
national games of the Greeks, including leaping, foot racing,
wrestling, throwing the discus, and throwing the spear.
Pentatomic \Pen`ta*tom"ic\, a. [Penta- + atomic.] (Chem.)
(a) Having five atoms in the molecule.
(b) Having five hydrogen atoms capable of substitution.
Pentavalent \Pen*tav"a*lent\, a. [Penta- + L. valens, p. pr. See
{Valence}.] (Chem.)
Having a valence of five; -- said of certain atoms and
radicals.
Penteconter \Pen"te*con`ter\, n. [Gr. ? (sc. ?), fr. ? fifty.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
A Grecian vessel with fifty oars. [Written also
{pentaconter}.]
Pentecost \Pen"te*cost\, n. [L. pentecoste, Gr. ? (sc. ?) the
fiftieth day, Pentecost, fr. ? fiftieth, fr. ? fifty, fr. ?
five. See {Five}, and cf. {Pingster}.]
1. A solemn festival of the Jews; -- so called because
celebrated on the fiftieth day (seven weeks) after the
second day of the Passover (which fell on the sixteenth of
the Jewish month Nisan); -- hence called, also, the {Feast
of Weeks}. At this festival an offering of the first
fruits of the harvest was made. By the Jews it was
generally regarded as commemorative of the gift of the law
on the fiftieth day after the departure from Egypt.
2. A festival of the Roman Catholic and other churches in
commemoration of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the
apostles; which occurred on the day of Pentecost; --
called also {Whitsunday}. --Shak.
Pentecostal \Pen`te*cos"tal\, a.
Of or pertaining to Pentecost or to Whitsuntide.
Pentecostals \Pen`te*cos"tals\, n. pl.
Offerings formerly made to the parish priest, or to the
mother church, at Pentecost. --Shipley.
Pentecoster \Pen`te*cos"ter\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? fifty.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
An officer in the Spartan army commanding fifty men.
--Mitford.
Pentecosty \Pen`te*cos"ty\, n.; pl. {Pentecosties}. [Gr. ?, fr.
? the fiftieth, ? fifty.] (Gr. Antiq.)
A troop of fifty soldiers in the Spartan army; -- called also
{pentecostys}. --Jowett (Thucyd. ).
Pentelic \Pen*tel"ic\, Pentelican \Pen*tel"i*can\, a.
Of or pertaining to Mount Pentelicus, near Athens, famous for
its fine white marble quarries; obtained from Mount
Pentelicus; as, the Pentelic marble of which the Parthenon is
built.
Pentene \Pen"tene\, n. [See {Penta-}.] (Chem.)
Same as {Amylene}.
Penthouse \Pent"house`\, n. [A corruption of pentice.]
A shed or roof sloping from the main wall or building, as
over a door or window; a lean-to. Also figuratively. ``The
penthouse of his eyes.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Penthouse \Pent"house`\, a.
Leaning; overhanging. ``Penthouse lid.'' --Shak. ``My
penthouse eyebrows.'' --Dryden.
Pentice \Pen"tice\, n. [F. appentis a penthouse. See {Append}.]
A penthouse. [Obs.] --Sir H. Wotton.
Pentile \Pen"tile`\, n.
See {Pantile}.
Pentine \Pen"tine\, n. [See {Penta-}.] (Chem.)
An unsaturated hydrocarbon, {C5H8}, of the acetylene series.
Same as {Valerylene}.
Pentoic \Pen*to"ic\, a. [See {Penta-}.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or desingating, an acid (called also valeric
acid) derived from pentane.
Pentone \Pen"tone\, n. [See {Penta-}.] (Chem.)
Same as {Valylene}.
Pentoxide \Pen*tox"ide\, n. [Penta- + oxide.] (Chem.)
An oxide containing five atoms of oxygen in each molecule;
as, phosphorus pentoxide, {P2O5}.
Pentremite \Pen"tre*mite\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of Pentremites.
Pentremites \Pen`tre*mi"tes\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? five + L.
remus an oar.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of crinoids belonging to the Blastoidea. They have
five petal-like ambulacra.
Pentroof \Pent"roof`\, n. [F. pente slope + E. roof, or from
penthouse roof.]
See {Lean-to}.
Pentrough \Pen"trough`\, n.
A penstock.
Pentyl \Pen"tyl\, n. [Penta + -yl.] (Chem.)
The hypothetical radical, {C5H11}, of pentane and certain of
its derivatives. Same as {Amyl}.
Pentylic \Pen*tyl"ic\, a.
Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, pentyl; as,
pentylic alcohol
Penuchle \Pe"nu*chle\, Pinocle \Pin"o*cle\, n.
A game at cards, played with forty-eight cards, being all the
cards above the eight spots in two packs.
Penult \Pe"nult\, n. [Abbreviated fr. penultima.] (Gram. &
Pros.)
The last syllable but one of a word; the syllable preceding
the final one.
Penultima \Pe*nul"ti*ma\, n. [L. (sc. syllaba), fr. penultimus,
paenultimus, the last but one; paene almost + ultimus the
last.]
Same as {Penult}.
Penultimate \Pe*nul"ti*mate\, a.
Last but one; as, the penultimate syllable, the last syllable
but one of a word.
Penultimate \Pe*nul"ti*mate\, n.
The penult.
Penumbra \Pe*num"bra\, n. [NL., fr. L. paene almost + umbra
shade.]
1. An incomplete or partial shadow.
2. (Astron.) The shadow cast, in an eclipse, where the light
is partly, but not wholly, cut off by the intervening
body; the space of partial illumination between the umbra,
or perfect shadow, on all sides, and the full light. --Sir
I. Newton.
Note: The faint shade surrounding the dark central portion of
a solar spot is also called the {penumbra}, and
sometimes {umbra}.
3. (Paint.) The part of a picture where the shade
imperceptibly blends with the light.
Penumbrala \Pe*num"brala\
Of or pertaining to a penumbra; resembling a penumbra;
partially illuminated.
Penurious \Pe*nu"ri*ous\, a. [From {Penury}.]
1. Excessively sparing in the use of money; sordid; stingy;
miserly. ``A penurious niggard of his wealth.'' --Milton.
2. Not bountiful or liberal; scanty.
Here creeps along a poor, penurious stream. --C.
Pitt.
3. Destitute of money; suffering extreme want. [Obs.] ``My
penurious band.'' --Shak.
Syn: Avaricious; covetous; parsimonious; miserly; niggardly;
stingy. See {Avaricious}. --{Pe*nu"ri*ous*ly}, adv. --
{Pe*nu"ri*ous*ness}, n.
Penury \Pen"u*ry\, n. [L. penuria; cf. Gr. ? hunger, ? poverty,
need, ? one who works for his daily bread, a poor man, ? to
work for one's daily bread, to be poor: cf. F. p['e]nurie.]
1. Absence of resources; want; privation; indigence; extreme
poverty; destitution. ``A penury of military forces.''
--Bacon.
They were exposed to hardship and penury. --Sprat.
It arises in neither from penury of thought.
--Landor.
2. Penuriousness; miserliness. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
Penwiper \Pen"wip`er\, n.
A cloth, or other material, for wiping off or cleaning ink
from a pen.
Penwoman \Pen"wom`an\, n.; pl. {Penwomen}.
A female writer; an authoress. --Johnson.
Peon \Pe"on\, n.
See {Poon}.
Peon \Pe"on\, n. [Sp. peon, or Pg. pe?o, one who travels on
foot, a foot soldier, a pawn in chess. See {Pawn} in chess.]
1. A foot soldier; a policeman; also, an office attendant; a
messenger. [India]
2. A day laborer; a servant; especially, in some of the
Spanish American countries, debtor held by his creditor in
a form of qualified servitude, to work out a debt.
3. (Chess) See 2d {Pawn}.
Peonage \Pe"on*age\, n.
The condition of a peon.
Peonism \Pe"on*ism\, n.
Same as {Peonage}. --D. Webster.
Peony \Pe"o*ny\, n.; pl. {Peonies}. [OE. pione, pioine, pioni,
OF. pione, F. pivoine, L. paeonia, Gr. ?, fr. ?, ?, the god
of healing. Cf. {P[ae]an}.] (Bot.)
A plant, and its flower, of the ranunculaceous genus
{P[ae]onia}. Of the four or five species, one is a shrub; the
rest are perennial herbs with showy flowers, often double in
cultivation. [Written also {p[ae]ony}, and {piony}.]
People \Peo"ple\, n. [OE. peple, people, OF. pueple, F. peuple,
fr. L. populus. Cf. {Populage}, {Public}, {Pueblo}.]
1. The body of persons who compose a community, tribe,
nation, or race; an aggregate of individuals forming a
whole; a community; a nation.
Unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
--Gen. xlix.
10.
The ants are a people not strong. --Prov. xxx.
25.
Before many peoples, and nations, and tongues.
--Rev. x. 11.
Earth's monarchs are her peoples. --Whitter.
A government of all the people, by all the people,
for all the people. --T. Parker.
Note: Peopleis a collective noun, generally construed with a
plural verb, and only occasionally used in the plural
form (peoples), in the sense of nations or races.
2. Persons, generally; an indefinite number of men and women;
folks; population, or part of population; as, country
people; -- sometimes used as an indefinite subject or
verb, like on in French, and man in German; as, people in
adversity.
People were tempted to lend by great premiums.
--Swift.
People have lived twenty-four days upon nothing but
water. --Arbuthnot.
3. The mass of comunity as distinguished from a special
class; the commonalty; the populace; the vulgar; the
common crowd; as, nobles and people.
And strive to gain his pardon from the people.
--Addison.
4. With a possessive pronoun:
(a) One's ancestors or family; kindred; relations; as, my
people were English.
(b) One's subjects; fellow citizens; companions;
followers. ``You slew great number of his people.''
--Shak.
Syn: {People}, {Nation}.
Usage: When speaking of a state, we use people for the mass
of the community, as distinguished from their rulers,
and nation for the entire political body, including
the rulers. In another sense of the term, nation
describes those who are descended from the same stock;
and in this sense the Germans regard themselves as one
nation, though politically subject to different forms
of government.
People \Peo"ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Peopled} p. pr. & vb. n.
{Peopling}.] [Cf. OF. popler, puepler, F. puepler. Cf.
{Populate}.]
To stock with people or inhabitants; to fill as with people;
to populate. ``Peopled heaven with angels.'' --Dryden.
As the gay motes that people the sunbeams. --Milton.
Peopled \Peo"pled\, a.
Stocked with, or as with, people; inhabited. ``The peopled
air.'' --Gray.
Peopleless \Peo"ple*less\, a.
Destitute of people. --Poe.
Peopler \Peo"pler\, n.
A settler; an inhabitant. ``Peoplers of the peaceful glen.''
--J. S. Blackie.
Peoplish \Peo"plish\, a.
Vulgar. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Peorias \Pe*o"ri*as\, n. pl.; sing. {Peoria}. (Ethnol.)
An Algonquin tribe of Indians who formerly inhabited a part
of Illinois.
Pepastic \Pe*pas"tic\, a. & n. [Gr. ? to ripen, suppurate: cf.
F. p['e]pastique.] (Med.)
Same as {Maturative}.
Peperine \Pep"e*rine\, Peperino \Pep`e*ri"no\, n. [It. peperino,
L. piper pepper. So called on account of its color.] (Geol.)
A volcanic rock, formed by the cementing together of sand,
scoria, cinders, etc.
Peplis \Pep"lis\, n. [L., a kind of plant, Gr. ?.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants including water purslane.
Peplus \Pep"lus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.]
1. An upper garment worn by Grecian and Roman women.
2. A kind of kerchief formerly worn by Englishwomen. [Obs.]
--Fairholt.
Pepo \Pe"po\, n. [L., a kind of melon, from Gr. ?.] (Bot.)
Any fleshy fruit with a firm rind, as a pumpkin, melon, or
gourd. See {Gourd}.
Pepper \Pep"per\, n. [OE. peper, AS. pipor, L. piper, fr. Gr. ?,
?, akin to Skr. pippala, pippali.]
1. A well-known, pungently aromatic condiment, the dried
berry, either whole or powdered, of the {Piper nigrum}.
Note: Common, or black, pepper is made from the whole berry,
dried just before maturity; white pepper is made from
the ripe berry after the outer skin has been removed by
maceration and friction. It has less of the peculiar
properties of the plant than the black pepper. Pepper
is used in medicine as a carminative stimulant.
2. (Bot.) The plant which yields pepper, an East Indian woody
climber ({Piper nigrum}), with ovate leaves and apetalous
flowers in spikes opposite the leaves. The berries are red
when ripe. Also, by extension, any one of the several
hundred species of the genus {Piper}, widely dispersed
throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the
earth.
3. Any plant of the genus Capsicum, and its fruit; red
pepper; as, the bell pepper.
Note: The term pepper has been extended to various other
fruits and plants, more or less closely resembling the
true pepper, esp. to the common varieties of
{Capsicum}. See {Capsicum}, and the Phrases, below.
{African pepper}, the Guinea pepper. See under {Guinea}.
{Cayenne pepper}. See under {Cayenne}.
{Chinese pepper}, the spicy berries of the {Xanthoxylum
piperitum}, a species of prickly ash found in China and
Japan.
{Guinea pepper}. See under {Guinea}, and {Capsicum}.
{Jamaica pepper}. See {Allspice}.
{Long pepper}.
(a) The spike of berries of {Piper longum}, an East Indian
shrub.
(b) The root of {Piper, or Macropiper, methysticum}. See
{Kava}.
{Malaguetta}, or {Meleguetta}, {pepper}, the aromatic seeds
of the {Amomum Melegueta}, an African plant of the Ginger
family. They are sometimes used to flavor beer, etc.,
under the name of {grains of Paradise}.
{Red pepper}. See {Capsicum}.
{Sweet pepper bush} (Bot.), an American shrub ({Clethra
alnifolia}), with racemes of fragrant white flowers; --
called also {white alder}.
{Pepper box} or {caster}, a small box or bottle, with a
perforated lid, used for sprinkling ground pepper on food,
etc.
{Pepper corn}. See in the Vocabulary.
{Pepper elder} (Bot.), a West Indian name of several plants
of the Pepper family, species of {Piper} and {Peperomia}.
{Pepper moth} (Zo["o]l.), a European moth ({Biston
betularia}) having white wings covered with small black
specks.
{Pepper pot}, a mucilaginous soup or stew of vegetables and
cassareep, much esteemed in the West Indies.
{Pepper root}. (Bot.). See {Coralwort}.
{pepper sauce}, a condiment for the table, made of small red
peppers steeped in vinegar.
{Pepper tree} (Bot.), an aromatic tree ({Drimys axillaris})
of the Magnolia family, common in New Zealand. See
{Peruvian mastic tree}, under {Mastic}.
Pepper \Pep"per\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Peppered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Peppering}.]
1. To sprinkle or season with pepper.
2. Figuratively: To shower shot or other missiles, or blows,
upon; to pelt; to fill with shot, or cover with bruises or
wounds. ``I have peppered two of them.'' ``I am peppered,
I warrant, for this world.'' --Shak.
Pepper \Pep"per\, v. i.
To fire numerous shots (at).
Pepperbrand \Pep"per*brand`\, n. (Bot.)
See 1st {Bunt}.
Peppercorn \Pep"per*corn`\, n.
1. A dried berry of the black pepper ({Piper nigrum}).
2. Anything insignificant; a particle.
Pepper dulse \Pep"per dulse`\ (Bot.)
A variety of edible seaweed ({Laurencia pinnatifida})
distinguished for its pungency. [Scot.] --Lindley.
Pepperer \Pep"per*er\, n.
A grocer; -- formerly so called because he sold pepper.
[Obs.]
Peppergrass \Pep"per*grass`\, n. (Bot.)
(a) Any herb of the cruciferous genus {Lepidium}, especially
the garden peppergrass, or garden cress, {Lepidium
sativum}; -- called also {pepperwort}. All the species
have a pungent flavor.
(b) The common pillwort of Europe ({Pilularia globulifera}).
See {Pillwort}.
Pepperidge \Pep"per*idge\, n. [Cf. NL. berberis, E. barberry.]
(Bot.)
A North American tree ({Nyssa multiflora}) with very tough
wood, handsome oval polished leaves, and very acid berries,
-- the sour gum, or common tupelo. See {Tupelo}. [Written
also {piperidge} and {pipperidge}.]
{Pepperidge bush} (Bot.), the barberry.
Peppering \Pep"per*ing\, a.
Hot; pungent; peppery. --Swift.
Peppermint \Pep"per*mint\, n. [Pepper + mint.]
1. (Bot.) An aromatic and pungent plant of the genus {Mentha}
({M. piperita}), much used in medicine and confectionery.
2. A volatile oil (oil of peppermint) distilled from the
fresh herb; also, a well-known essence or spirit (essence
of peppermint) obtained from it.
3. A lozenge of sugar flavored with peppermint.
{Peppermint} camphor. (Chem.) Same as {Menthol}.
{Peppermint tree} (Bot.), a name given to several Australian
species of gum tree ({Eucalyptus amygdalina}, {E.
piperita}, {E. odorata}, etc.) which have hard and durable
wood, and yield an essential oil.
Pepperwort \Pep"per*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
See {Peppergrass}.
Peppery \Pep"per*y\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to pepper; having the qualities of
pepper; hot; pungent.
2. Fig.: Hot-tempered; passionate; choleric.
Pepsin \Pep"sin\, n. [Gr. ? a cooking, digesting, digestion, fr.
?, ?, to cook, digest: cf. F. pepsine. Cf. {Dyspepsia}.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
An unorganized proteolytic ferment or enzyme contained in the
secretory glands of the stomach. In the gastric juice it is
united with dilute hydrochloric acid (0.2 per cent,
approximately) and the two together constitute the active
portion of the digestive fluid. It is the active agent in the
gastric juice of all animals.
Note: As prepared from the glandular layer of pigs' or
calves' stomachs it constitutes an important article of
pharmacy.
Pepsinhydrochloric \Pep`sin*hy`dro*chlo"ric\, a. (Physiol.
Chem.)
Same as {Peptohydrochloric}.
Pepsinogen \Pep*sin"o*gen\, n. [Pepsin + -gen.] (Physiol. Chem.)
The antecedent of the ferment pepsin. A substance contained
in the form of granules in the peptic cells of the gastric
glands. It is readily convertible into pepsin. Also called
{propepsin}.
Peptic \Pep"tic\, a. [L. pepticus, Gr. ?. See {Pepsin}.]
1. Relating to digestion; promoting digestion; digestive; as,
peptic sauces.
2. Able to digest. [R.]
Tolerably nutritive for a mind as yet so peptic.
--Carlyle.
3. (Physiol. Chem.) Pertaining to pepsin; resembling pepsin
in its power of digesting or dissolving albuminous matter;
containing or yielding pepsin, or a body of like
properties; as, the peptic glands.
Peptic \Pep"tic\, n.
1. An agent that promotes digestion.
2. pl. The digestive organs.
Is there some magic in the place, Or do my peptics
differ? --Tennyson.
Peptics \Pep"tics\, n.
The science of digestion.
Peptogen \Pep"to*gen\, n. [Peptone + -gen.] (Physiol.)
A substance convertible into peptone.
Peptogenic \Pep`to*gen"ic\, a.
Same as {Peptogenous}.
Peptogenous \Pep*tog"e*nous\, a. (Physiol. Chem.)
Capable of yielding, or being converted into, peptone.
Peptohydrochloric \Pep`to*hy`dro*chlo"ric\, a. [See {Peptone},
and {Hydrochloric}.] (Physiol. Chem.)
Designating a hypothetical acid (called peptohydrochloric
acid, pepsinhydrochloric acid, and chloropeptic acid) which
is supposed to be formed when pepsin and dilute (0.1-0.4 per
cent) hydrochloric acid are mixed together.
Peptone \Pep"tone\, n. [Gr. ? cooked.] (Physiol. Chem.)
(a) The soluble and diffusible substance or substances into
which albuminous portions of the food are transformed by
the action of the gastric and pancreatic juices. Peptones
are also formed from albuminous matter by the action of
boiling water and boiling dilute acids.
(b) Collectively, in a broader sense, all the products
resulting from the solution of albuminous matter in
either gastric or pancreatic juice. In this case,
however, intermediate products (albumose bodies), such as
antialbumose, hemialbumose, etc., are mixed with the true
peptones. Also termed albuminose.
Note: Pure peptones are of three kinds, amphopeptone,
antipeptone, and hemipeptone, and, unlike the albumose
bodies, are not precipitated by saturating their
solutions with ammonium sulphate.
Peptonize \Pep"to*nize\, v. t. (Physiol.)
To convert into peptone; to digest or dissolve by means of a
proteolytic ferment; as, peptonized food.
Peptonoid \Pep"to*noid\, n. [Peptone + -oid.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A substance related to peptone.
Peptonuria \Pep`to*nu"ri*a\, n. [NL. See {Peptone}, and
{Urine}.] (Med.)
The presence of peptone, or a peptonelike body, in the urine.
Peptotoxine \Pep`to*tox"ine\, n. [Peptone + toxic + -ine.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A toxic alkaloid found occasionally associated with the
peptones formed from fibrin by pepsinhydrochloric acid.
Pequots \Pe"quots\, n. pl.; sing. {Pequot}. (Ethnol.)
A tribe of Indians who formerly inhabited Eastern
Connecticut. [Written also {Pequods}.]
Per- \Per-\ [See {Per}.]
1. A prefix used to signify through, throughout, by, for, or
as an intensive as perhaps, by hap or chance; perennial,
that lasts throughout the year; perforce, through or by
force; perfoliate, perforate; perspicuous, evident
throughout or very evident; perplex, literally, to
entangle very much.
2. (Chem.) Originally, denoting that the element to the name
of which it is prefixed in the respective compounds
exercised its highest valence; now, only that the element
has a higher valence than in other similar compounds;
thus, barium peroxide is the highest oxide of barium;
while nitrogen and manganese peroxides, so-called, are not
the highest oxides of those elements.
Per \Per\, prep. [L. Cf. {Far}, {For-}, {Pardon}, and cf. {Par},
prep.]
Through; by means of; through the agency of; by; for; for
each; as, per annum; per capita, by heads, or according to
individuals; per curiam, by the court; per se, by itself, of
itself. Per is also sometimes used with English words.
{Per annum}, by the year; in each successive year; annually.
{Per cent}, {Per centum}, by the hundred; in the hundred; --
used esp. of proportions of ingredients, rate or amount of
interest, and the like; commonly used in the shortened
form per cent.
{Per diem}, by the day. [For other phrases from the Latin,
see Quotations, Phrases, etc., from Foreign Languages, in
the Supplement.]
Peract \Per*act"\, v. t. [L. peractus, p. p. of peragere.]
To go through with; to perform. [Obs.] --Sylvester.
Peracute \Per`a*cute"\, a. [L. peracutus. See {Per-}, and
{Acute}.]
Very sharp; very violent; as, a peracute fever. [R.]
--Harvey.
Peradventure \Per`ad*ven"ture\, adv. & conj. [OE. per aventure,
F. par aventure. See {Per}, and {Adventure}.]
By chance; perhaps; it may be; if; supposing. ``If
peradventure he speak against me.'' --Shak.
Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city.
--Gen. xviii.
24.
Peradventure \Per`ad*ven"ture\, n.
Chance; hap; hence, doubt; question; as, proved beyond
peradventure. --South.
Peraeopod \Pe*r[ae]"o*pod\, n. [Gr. ? on the opposite side +
-pod.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the thoracic legs of a crustacean. See Illust. of
{Crustacea}.
Peragrate \Per"a*grate\, v. t. [L. peragratus, p. p. of
peragrate.]
To travel over or through. [Obs.]
Peragration \Per`agra"tion\, n. [L. peragratio: cf. F.
peragration.]
The act or state of passing through any space; as, the
peragration of the moon in her monthly revolution. [Obs.]
--Sir T. Browne.
Perambulate \Per*am"bu*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Perambulated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Perambulating}.] [L.
perambulatus, p. p. of perambulare to perambulate; per
through + ambulare to walk. See {Per-}, and {Amble}.]
To walk through or over; especially, to travel over for the
purpose of surveying or examining; to inspect by traversing;
specifically, to inspect officially the boundaries of, as of
a town or parish, by walking over the whole line.
Perambulate \Per*am"bu*late\, v. i.
To walk about; to ramble; to stroll; as, he perambulated in
the park.
Perambulation \Per*am`bu*la"tion\, n.
1. The act of perambulating; traversing. --Bacon.
2. An annual survey of boundaries, as of town, a parish, a
forest, etc.
3. A district within which one is authorized to make a tour
of inspection. ``The . . . bounds of his own
perambulation.'' [Obs.] --Holyday.
Perambulator \Per*am"bu*la`tor\, n.
1. One who perambulates.
2. A surveyor's instrument for measuring distances. It
consists of a wheel arranged to roll along over the
ground, with an apparatus of clockwork, and a dial plate
upon which the distance traveled is shown by an index. See
{Odometer}.
3. A low carriage for a child, propelled by pushing.
Perameles \Per`a*me"les\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a pouch + L. meles
a badger.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any marsupial of the genus {Perameles}, which includes
numerous species found in Australia. They somewhat resemble
rabbits in size and form. See Illust. under {Bandicoot}.
Perbend \Per"bend\, n.
See {Perpender}.
Perbreak \Per"break`\, n. [Obs.]
See {Parbreak}.
Perbromate \Per*bro"mate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of perbromic acid.
Perbromic \Per*bro"mic\, a. [Pref. per- + bromic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, the highest oxygen acid,
{HBrO4}, of bromine.
Perbromide \Per*bro"mide\, n. (Chem.)
A bromide having a higher proportion of bromine than any
other bromide of the same substance or series.
Perca \Per"ca\, n. [L., a perch.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of fishes, including the fresh-water perch.
Percale \Per`cale"\, n. [F.]
A fine cotton fabric, having a linen finish, and often
printed on one side, -- used for women's and children's wear.
Percaline \Per`ca`line"\, n. [F.]
A fine kind of French cotton goods, usually of one color.
Percarbide \Per*car"bide\, n. [Pref. per- + carbide.] (Chem.)
A compound containing a relatively large amount of carbon.
[R.]
Percarburet \Per*car"bu*ret\, n. [Pref. per- + carburet.]
(Chem.)
A percarbide. [Obsoles.]
Percarbureted \Per*car"bu*ret`ed\, a. (Chem.)
Combined with a relatively large amount of carbon.
Percase \Per*case"\, adv. [OE. per cas. See {Parcase}.]
Perhaps; perchance. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Perce \Perce\, v. t.
To pierce. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Perceivable \Per*ceiv"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being perceived; perceptible. -- {Per*ceiv"a*bly},
adv.
Perceivance \Per*ceiv"ance\, n.
Power of perceiving. [Obs.] ``The senses and common
perceivance.'' --Milton.
Perceive \Per*ceive"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perceived}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Perceiving}.] [OF. percevoir, perceveir, L.
percipere, perceptum; per (see {Per-}) + capere to take,
receive. See {Capacious}, and cf. {Perception}.]
1. To obtain knowledge of through the senses; to receive
impressions from by means of the bodily organs; to take
cognizance of the existence, character, or identity of, by
means of the senses; to see, hear, or feel; as, to
perceive a distant ship; to perceive a discord. --Reid.
2. To take intellectual cognizance of; to apprehend by the
mind; to be convinced of by direct intuition; to note; to
remark; to discern; to see; to understand.
Jesus perceived their wickedness. --Matt. xxii.
18.
You may, fair lady, Perceive I speak sincerely.
--Shak.
Till we ourselves see it with our own eyes, and
perceive it by our own understandings, we are still
in the dark. --Locke.
3. To be affected of influented by. [R.]
The upper regions of the air perceive the collection
of the matter of tempests before the air here below.
--Bacon.
Syn: To discern; distinguish; observe; see; feel; know;
understand.
Usage: To {Perceive}, {Discern}. To perceive a thing is to
apprehend it as presented to the senses or the
intellect; to discern is to mark differences, or to
see a thing as distinguished from others around it. We
may perceive two persons afar off without being able
to discern whether they are men or women. Hence,
discern is often used of an act of the senses or the
mind involving close, discriminating, analytical
attention. We perceive that which is clear or obvious;
we discern that which requires much attention to get
an idea of it. ``We perceive light, darkness, colors,
or the truth or falsehood of anything. We discern
characters, motives, the tendency and consequences of
actions, etc.'' --Crabb.
Perceiver \Per*ceiv"er\, n.
One who perceives (in any of the senses of the verb).
--Milton.
Percely \Perce"ly\, n.
Parsley. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Percentage \Per*cent"age\, n. [Per cent + -age, as in average.
See {Per}, and {Cent}.] (Com.)
A certain rate per cent; the allowance, duty, rate of
interest, discount, or commission, on a hundred.
Percept \Per"cept\, n. [From L. percipere, perceptum.]
That which is perceived. --Sir W. Hamilton.
The modern discussion between percept and concept, the
one sensuous, the other intellectual. --Max
M["u]ller.
Perceptibility \Per*cep`ti*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F.
perceptibilit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being perceptible; as, the
perceptibility of light or color.
2. Perception. [R.] --Dr. H. More.
Perceptible \Per*cep"ti*ble\, a. [L. perceptibilis: cf. F.
perceptible. See {Perceive}.]
Capable of being perceived; cognizable; discernible;
perceivable.
With a perceptible blast of the air. --Bacon.
-- {Per*cep"ti*ble*ness}, n. -- {Per*cep"ti*bly}, adv.
Perception \Per*cep"tion\, n. [L. perceptio: cf. F. perception.
See {Perceive}.]
1. The act of perceiving; cognizance by the senses or
intellect; apperhension by the bodily organs, or by the
mind, of what is presented to them; discernment;
apperhension; cognition.
2. (Metaph.) The faculty of perceiving; the faculty, or
peculiar part, of man's constitution by which he has
knowledge through the medium or instrumentality of the
bodily organs; the act of apperhending material objects or
qualities through the senses; -- distinguished from
conception. --Sir W. Hamilton.
Matter hath no life nor perception, and is not
conscious of its own existence. --Bentley.
3. The quality, state, or capability, of being affected by
something external; sensation; sensibility. [Obs.]
This experiment discovereth perception in plants.
--Bacon.
4. An idea; a notion. [Obs.] --Sir M. Hale.
Note: ``The word perception is, in the language of
philosophers previous to Reid, used in a very extensive
signification. By Descartes, Malebranche, Locke,
Leibnitz, and others, it is employed in a sense almost
as unexclusive as consciousness, in its widest
signification. By Reid this word was limited to our
faculty acquisitive of knowledge, and to that branch of
this faculty whereby, through the senses, we obtain a
knowledge of the external world. But his limitation did
not stop here. In the act of external perception he
distinguished two elements, to which he gave the names
of perception and sensation. He ought perhaps to have
called these perception proper and sensation proper,
when employed in his special meaning.'' --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Perceptive \Per*cep"tive\, a. [Cf. F. perceptif.]
Of or pertaining to the act or power of perceiving; having
the faculty or power of perceiving; used in perception. ``His
perceptive and reflective faculties.'' --Motley.
Perceptivity \Per`cep*tiv"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being perceptive; power of
perception. --Locke.
Percesoces \Per*ces"o*ces\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. perca a perch +
esox, -ocis, a pike.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of fishes including the gray mullets ({Mugil}), the
barracudas, the silversides, and other related fishes. So
called from their relation both to perches and to pikes.
Perch \Perch\ (p[~e]rch), n. [Written also {pearch}.] [OE.
perche, F. perche, L. perca, fr. Gr. pe`rkh; cf. perkno`s
dark-colored, Skr. p[.r][,c]ni spotted, speckled, and E.
freckle.] (Zo["o]l.)
1. Any fresh-water fish of the genus Perca and of several
other allied genera of the family {Percid[ae]}, as the
common American or yellow perch ({Perca flavescens, or
Americana}), and the European perch ({P. fluviatilis}).
2. Any one of numerous species of spiny-finned fishes
belonging to the {Percid[ae]}, {Serranid[ae]}, and related
families, and resembling, more or less, the true perches.
{Black perch}.
(a) The black bass.
(b) The flasher.
(c) The sea bass.
{Blue perch}, the cunner.
{Gray perch}, the fresh-water drum.
{Red perch}, the rosefish.
{Red-bellied perch}, the long-eared pondfish.
{Perch pest}, a small crustacean, parasitic in the mouth of
the perch.
{Silver perch}, the yellowtail.
{Stone}, or {Striped}, {perch}, the pope.
{White perch}, the {Roccus, or Morone, Americanus}, a small
silvery serranoid market fish of the Atlantic coast.
Perch \Perch\, n. [F. perche, L. pertica.]
1. A pole; a long staff; a rod; esp., a pole or other support
for fowls to roost on or to rest on; a roost;
figuratively, any elevated resting place or seat.
As chauntecleer among his wives all Sat on his
perche, that was in his hall. --Chaucer.
Not making his high place the lawless perch Of
winged ambitions. --Tennyson.
2.
(a) A measure of length containing five and a half yards;
a rod, or pole.
(b) In land or square measure: A square rod; the 160th
part of an acre.
(c) In solid measure: A mass 161/2 feet long, 1 foot in
height, and 11/2 feet in breadth, or 243/4 cubic feet
(in local use, from 22 to 25 cubic feet); -- used in
measuring stonework.
3. A pole connecting the fore gear and hind gear of a spring
carriage; a reach.
Perch \Perch\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Perched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Perching}.] [F. percher. See {Perch} a pole.]
To alight or settle, as a bird; to sit or roost.
Wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch. --Shak.
Perch \Perch\, v. t.
1. To place or to set on, or as on, a perch.
2. To occupy as a perch. --Milton.
Perchance \Per*chance"\, adv. [F. par by (L. per) + chance. See
{Par}, and {Chance}.]
By chance; perhaps; peradventure.
Perchant \Perch"ant\, n. [F.]
A bird tied by the foot, to serve as decoy to other birds by
its fluttering.
Percher \Perch"er\, n. [From {Perch}, v. i.]
1. One who, or that which, perches. --J. Burroughs.
2. One of the Insessores.
3. [From {Perch} a pole.] A Paris candle anciently used in
England; also, a large wax candle formerly set upon the
altar. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Percheron \Per"che*ron\, n. [F.]
One of a breed of draught horses originating in Perche, an
old district of France; -- called also {Percheron-Norman}.
Perchlorate \Per*chlo"rate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of perchloric acid.
Perchloric \Per*chlo"ric\, a. [Pref. per- + chloric.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, the highest oxygen acid
({HClO4}), of chlorine; -- called also {hyperchloric}.
Perchloride \Per*chlo"ride\, n. (Chem.)
A chloride having a higher proportion of chlorine than any
other chloride of the same substance or series.
Perchromic \Per*chro"mic\, a. [Pref. per- + chromic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a certain one of the highly
oxidized compounds of chromium, which has a deep blue color,
and is produced by the action of hydrogen peroxide.
Perciform \Per"ci*form\, a. [NL., & L. perca a perch + -form.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the Perciformes.
Perciformes \Per`ci*for"mes\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extensive tribe or suborder of fishes, including the true
perches ({Percid[ae]}); the pondfishes ({Centrarchid[ae]});
the sci[ae]noids ({Sci[ae]nid[ae]}); the sparoids
({Sparid[ae]}); the serranoids ({Serranid[ae]}), and some
other related families.
Percipience \Per*cip"i*ence\, Percipiency \Per*cip"i*en*cy\, n.
The faculty, act or power of perceiving; perception. --Mrs.
Browning.
Percipient \Per*cip"i*ent\, a. [L. percipiens, -entis, p. pr. of
percipere. See {Perceive}.]
Having the faculty of perception; perceiving; as, a
percipient being. --Bentley. -- n. One who, or that which, is
percipient. --Glanvill.
Perclose \Per*close"\, n. [OF. parclose an inclosed place; L.
per through + claudere, clausum, to shut.]
1. (Eccl. Arch.) Same as {Parclose}.
2. Conclusion; end. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh.
Percoid \Per"coid\, a. [L. perca a perch + -oid: cf. F.
perco["i]de.] (Zo["o]l.)
Belonging to, or resembling, the perches, or family
{Percid[ae]}. -- n. Any fish of the genus {Perca}, or allied
genera of the family {Percid[ae]}.
Percoidea \Per*coi"de*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Perciformes}.
Percolate \Per"co*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Percolated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Percolating}.] [L. percolatus, p. p. of
percolare to percolate; per through + colare to strain.]
To cause to pass through fine interstices, as a liquor; to
filter; to strain. --Sir M. Hale.
Percolate \Per"co*late\, v. i.
To pass through fine interstices; to filter; as, water
percolates through porous stone.
Percolation \Per`co*la"tion\, n. [L. percolatio.]
The act or process of percolating, or filtering; filtration;
straining. Specifically (Pharm.), the process of exhausting
the virtues of a powdered drug by letting a liquid filter
slowly through it.
Percolator \Per"co*la`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, filters. ``[Tissues] act as
percolators.'' --Henfrey.
Percomorphi \Per`co*mor"phi\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. perca perch +
Gr. ? form.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of fishes including the perches and related kinds.
Perculaced \Per"cu*laced\, a. [Prob. corrupt. fr. portcullised.]
(Her.)
Latticed. See {Lattice}, n., 2.
Percurrent \Per*cur"rent\, a. [L. percurrens, p. pr. of
percurrere to run through; per through + currere to run.]
Running through the entire length.
Percursory \Per*cur"so*ry\, a. [L. percursor one who runs
through, fr. percurrere. See {Percurrent}.]
Running over slightly or in haste; cursory. [R.]
Percuss \Per*cuss"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Percussed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Percussing}.] [L. percussus, p. p. of percutere; per
+ quatere to shake, strike. See {Quash}.]
To strike smartly; to strike upon or against; as, to percuss
the chest in medical examination.
Flame percussed by air giveth a noise. --Bacon.
Percuss \Per*cuss"\, v. i. (Med.)
To strike or tap in an examination by percussion. See
{Percussion}, 3. --Quain.
Percussion \Per*cus"sion\, n. [L. percussio: cf. F. percussion.
See {Percuss}.]
1. The act of percussing, or striking one body against
another; forcible collision, esp. such as gives a sound or
report. --Sir I. Newton.
2. Hence: The effect of violent collision; vibratory shock;
impression of sound on the ear.
The thunderlike percussion of thy sounds. --Shak.
3. (Med.) The act of tapping or striking the surface of the
body in order to learn the condition of the parts beneath
by the sound emitted or the sensation imparted to the
fingers. Percussion is said to be immediate if the blow is
directly upon the body; if some interventing substance, as
a pleximeter, is, used, it is called mediate.
{Center of percussion}. See under {Center}.
{Percussion bullet}, a bullet containing a substance which is
exploded by percussion; an explosive bullet.
{Percussion cap}, a small copper cap or cup, containing
fulminating powder, and used with a percussion lock to
explode gunpowder.
{Percussion fuze}. See under {Fuze}.
{Percussion lock}, the lock of a gun that is fired by
percussion upon fulminating powder.
{Percussion match}, a match which ignites by percussion.
{Percussion powder}, powder so composed as to ignite by
slight percussion; fulminating powder.
{Percussion sieve}, {Percussion table}, a machine for sorting
ores by agitation in running water.
Percussive \Per*cuss"ive\, a.
Striking against; percutient; as, percussive force.
Percutient \Per*cu"tient\, a. [L. percutiens, p. pr. of
percutere. See {Percuss}.]
Striking; having the power of striking. -- n. That which
strikes, or has power to strike. --Bacon.
Perdicine \Per"di*cine\, a. [See {Perdix}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the family {Perdicid[ae]}, or partridges.
Perdie \Per*die"\, adv.
See {Parde}. --Spenser.
Perdifoil \Per"di*foil\, n. [L. perdere to lose + folium leaf.]
(Bot.)
A deciduous plant; -- opposed to {evergreen}. --J. Barton.
Perdition \Per*di"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. perditio, fr. perdere,
perditum, to ruin, to lose; per (cf. Skr. par[=a] away) +
-dere (only in comp.) to put; akin to Gr. ?, E. do. See
{Do}.]
1. Entire loss; utter destruction; ruin; esp., the utter loss
of the soul, or of final happiness in a future state;
future misery or eternal death.
The mere perdition of the Turkish fleet. --Shak.
If we reject the truth, we seal our own perdition.
--J. M. Mason.
2. Loss of diminution. [Obs.] --Shak.
Perditionable \Per*di"tion*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being ruined; worthy of perdition. [R.] --Pollok.
Perdix \Per"dix\, n. [L., a partridge, Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of birds including the common European partridge.
Formerly the word was used in a much wider sense to include
many allied genera.
Perdu \Per*du"\, n. [See {Perdu}, a.]
1. One placed on watch, or in ambush.
2. A soldier sent on a forlorn hope. --Shak.
Perdu \Per*du"\, Perdue \Per*due"\, a. [F. perdu, f. perdue,
lost, p. p. of perdre to lose, L. perdere. See {Perdition}.]
1. Lost to view; in concealment or ambush; close.
He should lie perdue who is to walk the round.
--Fuller.
2. Accustomed to, or employed in, desperate enterprises;
hence, reckless; hopeless. ``A perdue captain.'' --Beau. &
Fl.
Perduellion \Per`du*el"lion\, n. [L. perduellio; per + duellum,
bellum, war.] (Civil Law)
Treason.
Perdulous \Per"du*lous\, a. [See {Perdu}, a.]
Lost; thrown away. [Obs.] --Abp. Bramhall.
Perdurability \Per*dur`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
Durability; lastingness. [Archaic] --Chaucer.
Perdurable \Per*dur"a*ble\, n. [Cf. F. perdurable, OE.
pardurable. See {Perdure}.]
Very durable; lasting; continuing long. [Archaic] --Chaucer.
Shak. -- {Per*dur"a*bly}, adv. [Archaic]
Perdurance \Per*dur"ance\, Perduration \Per`du*ra"tion\, n.
Long continuance. [Archaic]
Perdure \Per*dure"\, v. i. [L. perdurare; per trough + durare to
last.]
To last or endure for a long time; to be perdurable or
lasting. [Archaic]
The mind perdures while its energizing may construct a
thousand lines. --Hickok.
Perdy \Per*dy"\, adv.
Truly. See {Parde}. [Obs.]
Ah, dame! perdy ye have not done me right. --Spenser.
Pere \Pere\, n.
A peer. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Peregal \Per*e"gal\, a. [OF. par very (L. per) + egal equal, L.
aequalis.]
Fully equal. [Obs.] --Chaucer. ``Peregal to the best.''
--Spenser.
Peregrinate \Per"e*gri*nate\, v. i. [L. peregrinatus, p. p. of
peregrinari to travel. See {Pilgrim}.]
To travel from place to place, or from one country to
another; hence, to sojourn in foreign countries.
Peregrinate \Per"e*gri*nate\, a. [L. peregrinatus, p. p.]
Having traveled; foreign. [Obs.] --Shak.
Peregrination \Per`e*gri*na"tion\, n. [L. peregrinatio: cf. F.
p['e]r['e]grination.]
A traveling from one country to another; a wandering; sojourn
in foreign countries. ``His peregrination abroad.'' --Bacon.
Peregrinator \Per"e*gri*na`tor\, n. [L.]
One who peregrinates; one who travels about.
Peregrine \Per"e*grine\, a. [L. peregrinus. See {Pilgrim}.]
Foreign; not native; extrinsic or from without; exotic.
[Spelt also {pelegrine}.] ``Peregrine and preternatural
heat.'' --Bacon.
{Peregrine falcon} (Zo["o]l.), a courageous and swift falcon
({Falco peregrinus}), remarkable for its wide distribution
over all the continents. The adult plumage is dark bluish
ash on the back, nearly black on the head and cheeks,
white beneath, barred with black below the throat. Called
also {peregrine hawk}, {duck hawk}, {game hawk}, and
{great-footed hawk}.
Peregrine \Per"e*grine\, n.
The peregrine falcon.
Peregrinity \Per`e*grin"i*ty\, n. [L. peregrinitas: cf. F.
p['e]r['e]grinit['e].]
1. Foreignness; strangeness. [Obs.] ``Somewhat of a
peregrinity in their dialect.'' --Johnson.
2. Travel; wandering. [R.] --Carlyle.
Perel \Per"el\, n.
Apparel. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Perempt \Per*empt"\, v. t. [L. peremptus, p. p. of perimere to
take away entirely, to destroy; per (see {Per-}) + OL. emere
to take. See {Redeem}.] (Law)
To destroy; to defeat. [R.] --Ayliffe.
Peremption \Per*emp"tion\, n. [L. peremptio: cf. F.
p['e]remption.] (Law)
A quashing; a defeating. [Obs.]
Peremptorily \Per"emp*to*ri*ly\, adv.
In a peremptory manner; absolutely; positively. --Bacon.
Peremptoriness \Per"emp*to*ri*ness\, n.
The quality of being peremptory; positiveness.
Peremptory \Per"emp*to*ry\, a. [L. peremptorius destructive,
deadly, decisive, final: cf. F. p['e]remptorie. See
{Perempt}.]
1. Precluding debate or expostulation; not admitting of
question or appeal; positive; absolute; decisive;
conclusive; final.
Think of heaven with hearty purposes and peremptory
designs to get thither. --Jer. Taylor.
2. Positive in opinion or judgment; decided; dictatorial;
dogmatical.
Be not too positive and peremptory. --Bacon.
Briefly, then, for we are peremptory. --Shak.
3. Firmly determined; unawed. [Poetic] --Shak.
{Peremptory challenge} (Law) See under {Challenge}.
{Peremptory mandamus}, a final and absolute mandamus.
{Peremptory plea}, a plea by a defendant tending to impeach
the plaintiff's right of action; a plea in bar.
Syn: Decisive; positive; absolute; authoritative; express;
arbitrary; dogmatical.
Perennial \Per*en"ni*al\, a. [L. perennis that lasts the whole
year through; per through + annus year. See {Per-}, and
{Annual}.]
1. ing or continuing through the year; as, perennial
fountains.
2. Continuing without cessation or intermission; perpetual;
unceasing; never failing.
The perennial existence of bodies corporate.
--Burke.
3. (Bot.) Continuing more than two years; as, a perennial
steam, or root, or plant.
Syn: Perpetual; unceasing; never failing; enduring;
continual; permanent; uninterrupted.
Perennial \Per*en"ni*al\, n. (Bot.)
A perennial plant; a plant which lives or continues more than
two years, whether it retains its leaves in winter or not.
Perennially \Per*en"ni*al*ly\, adv.
In a perennial manner.
Perennibranchiata \Per*en`ni*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Perennial}, and {Branchia}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Those Batrachia which retain their gills through life, as the
menobranchus.
Perennibranchiate \Per*en`ni*bran"chi*ate\, a. [See {Perennial},
and {Branchiate}.]
1. (Anat.) Having branch[ae], or gills, through life; -- said
especially of certain Amphibia, like the menobranchus.
Opposed to caducibranchiate.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Belonging to the Perennibranchiata.
Perennity \Per*en"ni*ty\, n. [L. perennitas.]
The quality of being perennial. [R.] --Derham.
Pererration \Per`er*ra"tion\, n. [L. pererrare, pererratum, to
wander through.]
A wandering, or rambling, through various places. [R.]
--Howell.
Perfect \Per"fect\, a. [OE. parfit, OF. parfit, parfet, parfait,
F. parfait, L. perfectus, p. p. of perficere to carry to the
end, to perform, finish, perfect; per (see {Per-}) + facere
to make, do. See {Fact}.]
1. Brought to consummation or completeness; completed; not
defective nor redundant; having all the properties or
qualities requisite to its nature and kind; without flaw,
fault, or blemish; without error; mature; whole; pure;
sound; right; correct.
My strength is made perfect in weakness. --2 Cor.
xii. 9.
Three glorious suns, each one a perfect sun. --Shak.
I fear I am not in my perfect mind. --Shak.
O most entire perfect sacrifice! --Keble.
God made thee perfect, not immutable. --Milton.
2. Well informed; certain; sure.
I am perfect that the Pannonains are now in arms.
--Shak.
3. (Bot.) Hermaphrodite; having both stamens and pistils; --
said of flower.
{Perfect cadence} (Mus.), a complete and satisfactory close
in harmony, as upon the tonic preceded by the dominant.
{Perfect chord} (Mus.), a concord or union of sounds which is
perfectly coalescent and agreeable to the ear, as the
unison, octave, fifth, and fourth; a perfect consonance; a
common chord in its original position of keynote, third,
fifth, and octave.
{Perfect number} (Arith.), a number equal to the sum of all
its divisors; as, 28, whose aliquot parts, or divisors,
are 14, 7, 4, 2, 1. See {Abundant number}, under
{Abundant}. --Brande & C.
{Perfect tense} (Gram.), a tense which expresses an act or
state completed.
Syn: Finished; consummate; complete; entire; faultless;
blameless; unblemished.
Perfect \Per"fect\, n.
The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.
Perfect \Per"fect\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perfected}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Perfecting}.] [L. perfectus, p. p. of perficere. See
{Perfect}, a.]
To make perfect; to finish or complete, so as to leave
nothing wanting; to give to anything all that is requisite to
its nature and kind.
God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfect in us. --1
John iv. 12.
Inquire into the nature and properties of the things, .
. . and thereby perfect our ideas of their distinct
species. --Locke.
{Perfecting press} (Print.), a press in which the printing on
both sides of the paper is completed in one passage
through the machine.
Syn: To finish; accomplish; complete; consummate.
Perfecter \Per"fect*er\, n.
One who, or that which, makes perfect. ``The . . . perfecter
of our faith.'' --Barrow.
Perfectibilian \Per*fect`i*bil"i*an\, n.
A perfectionist. [R.] --Ed. Rev.
Perfectibilist \Per`fec*tib"i*list\, n.
A perfectionist. See also {Illuminati}, 2. [R.]
Perfectibility \Per*fect`i*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F.
perfectibilit['e].]
The quality or state of being perfectible.
Perfectible \Per*fect"i*ble\, a. [Cf. F. perfectible.]
Capable of becoming, or being made, perfect.
Perfection \Per*fec"tion\, n. [F. perfection, L. perfectio.]
1. The quality or state of being perfect or complete, so that
nothing requisite is wanting; entire development;
consummate culture, skill, or moral excellence; the
highest attainable state or degree of excellence;
maturity; as, perfection in an art, in a science, or in a
system; perfection in form or degree; fruits in
perfection.
2. A quality, endowment, or acquirement completely excellent;
an ideal faultlessness; especially, the divine attribute
of complete excellence. --Shak.
What tongue can her perfections tell? --Sir P.
Sidney.
{To perfection}, in the highest degree of excellence;
perfectly; as, to imitate a model to perfection.
Perfection \Per*fec"tion\, v. t.
To perfect. [Obs.] --Foote.
Perfectional \Per*fec"tion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to perfection; characterized by perfection.
[R.] --Bp. Pearson.
Perfectionate \Per*fec"tion*ate\, v. t.
To perfect. --Dryden.
Perfectionism \Per*fec"tion*ism\, n.
The doctrine of the Perfectionists.
Perfectionist \Per*fec"tion*ist\, n.
One pretending to perfection; esp., one pretending to moral
perfection; one who believes that persons may and do attain
to moral perfection and sinlessness in this life. --South.
Perfectionment \Per*fec"tion*ment\, n. [Cf. F.
perfectionnement.]
The act of bringing to perfection, or the state of having
attained to perfection. [R.] --I. Taylor.
Perfective \Per*fect"ive\, a.
Tending or conducing to make perfect, or to bring to
perfection; -- usually followed by of. ``A perfective
alteration.'' --Fuller.
Actions perfective of their natures. --Ray.
Perfectively \Per*fec"tive*ly\, adv.
In a perfective manner.
Perfectly \Per"fect*ly\, adv.
In a perfect manner or degree; in or to perfection;
completely; wholly; throughly; faultlessly. ``Perfectly
divine.'' --Milton.
As many as touched were made perfectly whole. --Matt.
xiv. 36.
Perfectness \Per"fect*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being perfect; perfection. ``Charity,
which is the bond of perfectness.'' --Col. iii. 14.
Perfervid \Per*fer"vid\, a. [Pref. per- + fervid.]
Very fervid; too fervid; glowing; ardent.
Perficient \Per*fi"cient\, a. [L. perficiens, p. pr. of
perficere to perform. See {Perfect}.]
Making or doing throughly; efficient; effectual. [R.]
--Blackstone.
Perficient \Per*fi"cient\, n.
One who performs or perfects a work; especially, one who
endows a charity. [R.]
Perfidious \Per*fid"i*ous\ (p[~e]r*f[i^]d"[i^]*[u^]s; 277), a.
[L. perfidious.]
1. Guilty of perfidy; violating good faith or vows; false to
trust or confidence reposed; teacherous; faithless; as, a
perfidious friend. --Shak.
2. Involving, or characterized by, perfidy. ``Involved in
this perfidious fraud.'' --Milton.
Perfidiously \Per*fid"i*ous*ly\, adv.
In a perfidious manner.
Perfidiousness \Per*fid"i*ous*ness\, n.
The quality of being perfidious; perfidy. --Clarendon.
Perfidy \Per"fi*dy\ (p[~e]r"f[i^]*d[y^]), n.; pl. {Perfidies}
(-d[i^]z). [L. perfidia, fr. L. perfidus faithless; per (cf.
Skr. par[=a] away) + fides faith: cf. F. perfidie. See
{Faith}.]
The act of violating faith or allegiance; violation of a
promise or vow, or of trust reposed; faithlessness;
treachery.
The ambition and perfidy of tyrants. --Macaulay.
His perfidy to this sacred engagement. --DeQuincey.
Perfit \Per"fit\ (p[~e]r"f[i^]t), a.
Perfect. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Perfix \Per*fix"\ (p[~e]r"f[i^]ks), v. t. [Pref. per- + fix.]
To fix surely; to appoint. [Obs.]
Perflable \Per"fla*ble\, a. [L. perflabilis. See {Perflate}.]
Capable of being blown through. [Obs.]
Perflate \Per*flate"\, v. t. [L. perflatus, p. p. of perflare to
blow through.]
To blow through. [Obs.] --Harvey.
Perflation \Per*fla"tion\, n. [L. perflatio.]
The act of perflating. [Obs.] --Woodward.
Perfoliate \Per*fo"li*ate\, a. [Pref. per- + L. folium leaf.]
1. (Bot.) Having the basal part produced around the stem; --
said of leaves which the stem apparently passes directory
through.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Surrounded by a circle of hairs, or projections
of any kind.
Perforata \Per`fo*ra"ta\ (p[~e]r`f[-o]*r[=a]"t[.a]), n. pl. [NL.
See {Perforate}.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A division of corals including those that have a
porous texture, as Porites and Madrepora; -- opposed
to Aporosa.
(b) A division of Foraminifera, including those having
perforated shells.
Perforate \Per"fo*rate\ (p[~e]r"f[-o]*r[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. {Perforated} (-r[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n.
{Perforating}.] [L. perforatus, p. p. of perforare to
perforate; per through + forare to bore. See {Bore}, v.]
To bore through; to pierce through with a pointed instrument;
to make a hole or holes through by boring or piercing; to
pierce or penetrate the surface of. --Bacon.
Perforate \Per"fo*rate\ (p[~e]r"f[-o]*r[asl]t), Perforated
\Per"fo*ra`ted\ (p[~e]r"f[-o]*r[=a]"t[e^]d), a.
Pierced with a hole or holes, or with pores; having
transparent dots resembling holes.
Perforation \Per`fo*ra"tion\, n. [Cf. F. perforation.]
1. The act of perforating, or of boring or piercing through.
--Bacon.
2. A hole made by boring or piercing; an aperture. ``Slender
perforations.'' --Sir T. Browne.
Perforative \Per"fo*ra*tive\, a. [Cf. F. perforatif.]
Having power to perforate or pierce.
Perforator \Per"fo*ra`tor\, n. [Cf. F. perforateur.]
One who, or that which, perforates; esp., a cephalotome.
Perforce \Per*force"\, adv. [F. par (L. per) + force.]
By force; of necessary; at any rate. --Shak.
Perforce \Per*force"\, v. t.
To force; to compel. [Obs.]
Perform \Per*form"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Performed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Performing}.] [OE. performen, parfourmen, parfournen,
OF. parfornir, parfournir, to finish, complete; OF. & F. par
(see {Par}) + fournir to finish, complete. The word has been
influenced by form; cf. L. performare to form thoroughly. See
{Furnish}.]
1. To carry through; to bring to completion; to achieve; to
accomplish; to execute; to do.
I will cry unto God most high, unto God that
performeth all things for me. --Ps. lvii. 2.
Great force to perform what they did attempt. --Sir
P. Sidney.
2. To discharge; to fulfill; to act up to; as, to perform a
duty; to perform a promise or a vow.
To perform your father's will. --Shak.
3. To represent; to act; to play; as in drama.
Perform a part thou hast not done before. --Shak.
Syn: To accomplish; do; act; transact; achieve; execute;
discharge; fulfill; effect; complete; consummate. See
{Accomplish}.
Perform \Per*form"\, v. i.
To do, execute, or accomplish something; to acquit one's self
in any business; esp., to represent sometimes by action; to
act a part; to play on a musical instrument; as, the players
perform poorly; the musician performs on the organ.
Performable \Per*form"a*ble\, a.
Admitting of being performed, done, or executed; practicable.
Performance \Per*form"ance\, n.
The act of performing; the carrying into execution or action;
execution; achievement; accomplishment; representation by
action; as, the performance of an undertaking of a duty.
Promises are not binding where the performance is
impossible. --Paley.
2. That which is performed or accomplished; a thing done or
carried through; an achievement; a deed; an act; a feat;
esp., an action of an elaborate or public character. ``Her
walking and other actual performances.'' --Shak. ``His
musical performances.'' --Macaulay.
Syn: Completion; consummation; execution; accomplishment;
achievement; production; work; act; action; deed;
exploit; feat.
Performer \Per*form"er\, n.
One who performs, accomplishes, or fulfills; as, a good
promiser, but a bad performer; especially, one who shows
skill and training in any art; as, a performer of the drama;
a performer on the harp.
Perfricate \Per"fri*cate\, v. t. [L. perfricatus, p. p. of
perfricare.]
To rub over. --Bailey.
Perfumatory \Per*fu"ma*to*ry\, a.
Emitting perfume; perfuming. [R.] --Sir E. Leigh.
Perfume \Per*fume"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perfumed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Perfuming}.] [F. parfumer (cf. Sp. perfumar); par
(see {Par}) + fumer to smoke, L. fumare, fr. fumus smoke. See
{Fume}.]
To fill or impregnate with a perfume; to scent.
And Carmel's flowery top perfumes the skies. --Pope.
Perfume \Per"fume\, n. [F. parfum; cf. Sp. perfume. See
{Perfume}, v.]
1. The scent, odor, or odoriferous particles emitted from a
sweet-smelling substance; a pleasant odor; fragrance;
aroma.
No rich perfumes refresh the fruitful field. --Pope.
2. A substance that emits an agreeable odor.
And thou shalt make it a perfume. --Ex. xxx. 35.
Perfumer \Per*fum"er\, n.
1. One who, oe that which, perfumes.
2. One whose trade is to make or sell perfumes.
Perfumery \Per*fum"er*y\, n.
1. Perfumes, in general.
2. [Cf. F. parfumerie.] The art of preparing perfumes.
Perfunctorily \Per*func"to*ri*ly\, adv.
In a perfunctory manner; formally; carelessly. --Boyle.
Perfunctoriness \Per*func"to*ri*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being perfunctory.
Perfunctory \Per*func"to*ry\, a. [L. perfunctorius, fr.
perfunctus dispatched, p. p. of perfungi to discharge,
dispatch; per (see {Per}) + fungi to perform. See
{Function}.]
1. Done merely to get rid of a duty; performed mechanically
and as a thing of rote; done in a careless and superficial
manner; characterized by indifference; as, perfunctory
admonitions. --Macaulay.
2. Hence: Mechanical; indifferent; listless; careless.
``Perfunctory in his devotions.'' --Sharp.
Perfuncturate \Per*func"tu*rate\, v. t.
To perform in a perfunctory manner; to do negligently. [R.]
Perfuse \Per*fuse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perfused}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Perfusing}.] [L. perfusus, p. p. of perfundere to
pour over; per + fundere to pour.]
To suffuse; to fill full or to excess. --Harvey.
Perfusion \Per*fu"sion\, n. [L. perfusio.]
The act of perfusing.
Perfusive \Per*fu"sive\, a.
Of a nature to flow over, or to spread through.
Pergamenous \Per`ga*me"no*us\, Pergamentaceous
\Per`ga*men*ta"ceous\, a. [L. pergamena parchment. See
{Parchment}.]
Like parchment.
Perhaps \Per*haps"\, adv. [Per + hap chance.]
By chance; peradventure; perchance; it may be.
And pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may
be forgiven thee. --Acts viii.
22.
Peri- \Per"i-\ [Gr. ?, prep.]
A prefix used to signify around, by, near, over, beyond, or
to give an intensive sense; as, perimeter, the measure
around; perigee, point near the earth; periergy, work beyond
what is needed; perispherical, quite spherical.
Peri \Pe"ri\, n.; pl. {Peris}. [Per. per[=i] a female genus, a
fairy.] (Persian Myth.)
An imaginary being, male or female, like an elf or fairy,
represented as a descendant of fallen angels, excluded from
paradise till penance is accomplished. --Moore.
Periagua \Per`i*a"gua\, n.
See {Pirogue}.
Perianth \Per"i*anth\, n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. ? flower: cf. F.
p['e]rianthe.] (Bot.)
(a) The leaves of a flower generally, especially when the
calyx and corolla are not readily distinguished.
(b) A saclike involucre which incloses the young fruit in
most hepatic mosses. See Illust. of {Hepatica}.
Perianthium \Per`i*an"thi*um\, n. [NL.] (Bot.)
The perianth.
Periapt \Per"i*apt\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? hung about, ? to hang
about; ? about + ? to tie: cf. F. p['e]riapte.]
A charm worn as a protection against disease or mischief; an
amulet. --Coleridge.
Now help, ye charming spells and periapts. --Shak.
Periastral \Per`i*as"tral\, a.
Among or around the stars. ``Comets in periastral passage.''
--R. A. Proctor.
Periastron \Per`i*as"tron\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? about + ? a
star.] (Astron.)
That point, in the real or apparent orbit of one star
revolving around another, at which the former is nearest to
the latter.
Periauger \Per"i*au"ger\, n.
See {Pirogue}. --W. Irving.
Periblast \Per"i*blast\, a. [Gr. ? to grow around. See {Peri-},
and {-blast}.] (Biol.)
The protoplasmic matter which surrounds the entoblast, or
cell nucleus, and undergoes segmentation. --
{Per`i*blas"tic}, a.
Periblem \Per"i*blem\, n. [Pref. peri- + root of Gr. ? to
sprout.] (Bot.)
Nascent cortex, or immature cellular bark.
Peribolos \Pe*rib"o*los\, n. [Nl., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?, adj., going
round, fr. ? to throw round; cf. L. peribolus.]
In ancient architecture, an inclosed court, esp., one
surrounding a temple.
Peribranchial \Per`i*bran"chi*al\, a. (Anat.)
Surrounding the branchi[ae]; as, a peribranchial cavity.
Peribranchial \Per`i*bran"chi*al\, a. (Anat.)
Around the bronchi or bronchial tubes; as, the peribronchial
lymphatics.
Pericambium \Per`i*cam"bi*um\, n. [NL. See {Peri-}, and
{Cambium}.] (Biol.)
A layer of thin-walled young cells in a growing stem, in
which layer certain new vessels originate.
Pericardiac \Per`i*car"di*ac\, Pericardial \Per`i*car"di*al\, a.
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to pericardium; situated around the heart.
{Pericardial fluid} (Physiol.), a serous fluid of a pale
yellow color contained in the pericardium.
Pericardian \Per`i*car"di*an\, a.
Pericardiac.
Pericardic \Per`i*car"dic\, a.
Pericardiac.
Pericarditus \Per`i*car*di"tus\, n. [NL. See {Pericardium}, and
{-itis}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the pericardium. --Dunglison.
Pericardium \Per`i*car"di*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? about
or near the heart; ? about + ? heart.] (Anat.)
The double baglike fold of serous membrane which incloses the
heart.
Note: The inner layer is closely adherent to the outer
surface of the heart, and is called the cardiac
pericardium. The outer layer loosely incloses the heart
and the adherent inner layer, and is called the
parietal pericardium. At the base of the heart the two
layers are continuous, and form a narrow closed cavity
filled with fluid, in which the pulsations of the heart
cause little friction.
Pericarp \Per"i*carp\, n. [Gr. ?; ? around + ? fruit: cf. F.
p['e]ricarpe.] (Bot.)
The ripened ovary; the walls of the fruit. See Illusts. of
{Capsule}, {Drupe}, and {Legume}.
Pericarpial \Per`i*car"pi*al\, Pericarpic \Per`i*car"pic\, a.
(Bot.)
Of or pertaining to a pericarp.
Pericellular \Per`i*cel"lu*lar\, a. (Anat.)
Surrounding a cell; as, the pericellular lymph spaces
surrounding ganglion cells.
Perichaeth \Per"i*ch[ae]th\, n. [See {Perich[ae]tium}.] (Bot.)
The leafy involucre surrounding the fruit stalk of mosses;
perich[ae]tium; perichete.
Perichaetial \Per`i*ch[ae]"ti*al\, a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the perich[ae]th.
Perichaetium \Per`i*ch[ae]"ti*um\, n.; pl. {Perich[ae]tia}.
[NL., fr. Gr. ? about + ? flowing hair, foliage.] (Bot.)
Same as {Perich[ae]th}.
Perichaetous \Per`i*ch[ae]"tous\, a. [See {Perich[ae]tium}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Surrounded by set[ae]; -- said of certain earthworms (genus
{Perich[ae]tus}).
Perichete \Per"i*chete\, n.
Same as {Perich[ae]th}.
Perichondrial \Per`i*chon"dri*al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the perichondrium; situated around
cartilage.
Perichondritis \Per`i*chon*dri"tis\, n. [NL. See
{Perichondrium}, and {-itis}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the perichondrium.
Perichondrium \Per`i*chon"dri*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? around + ?
cartilage.] (Anat.)
The membrane of fibrous connective tissue which closely
invests cartilage, except where covering articular surfaces.
Perichordal \Per`i*chor"dal\, a.
Around the notochord; as, a perichordal column. See
{Epichordal}.
Periclase \Per"i*clase\, Periclasite \Per`i*cla"site\, n. [Pref.
peri- + Gr. ? to break.] (Min.)
A grayish or dark green mineral, consisting essentially of
magnesia (magnesium oxide), occurring in granular forms or in
isometric crystals.
Periclinium \Per`i*clin"i*um\, n.; pl. {Periclinia}. [NL., fr.
Gr. ? around + ? a bed.] (Bot.)
The involucre which surrounds the common receptacle in
composite flowers.
Periclitate \Pe*ric"li*tate\, v. t. [L. periclitatus, p. p. of
periclitari, fr. periculum.]
To endanger. [Obs.]
Periclitating, pardi! the whole family. --Sterne.
Periclitation \Pe*ric`li*ta"tion\, n. [L. periclitatio: cf. F.
p['e]riclitation.]
1. Trial; experiment. [Obs.]
2. The state of being in peril. [Obs.]
Pericope \Pe*ric"o*pe\, n. [L., section of a book, Gr. ?; ?
around + ? to cut.]
A selection or extract from a book; especially (Theol.), a
selection from the Bible, appointed to be read in the
churches or used as a text for a sermon.
Pericranial \Per`i*cra"ni*al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the pericranium.
Pericranium \Per`i*cra"ni*um\, n. [NL.] (Anat.)
The periosteum which covers the cranium externally; the
region around the cranium.
Periculous \Pe*ric"u*lous\, a. [L. periculosus. See {Perilous}.]
Dangerous; full of peril. [Obs.]
Periculum \Pe*ric"u*lum\, n.; pl. {Pericula}. [L.] (Rom. &
O.Eng. Law)
1. Danger; risk.
2. In a narrower, judicial sense: Accident or casus, as
distinguished from dolus and culpa, and hence relieving
one from the duty of performing an obligation.
Periderm \Per"i*derm\, n.
1. (Bot.) The outer layer of bark.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The hard outer covering of hydroids and other
marine animals; the perisarc.
Peridiastole \Per`i*di*as"to*le\, n. (Physiol.)
The almost inappreciable time which elapses between the
systole and the diastole of the heart.
Peridium \Pe*rid"i*um\, n.; pl. {Peridia}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? about
+ ?, a dim. ending.] (Bot.)
The envelope or coat of certain fungi, such as the puffballs
and earthstars.
Peridot \Per"i*dot\, n. [F. p['e]ridot.] (Min.)
Chrysolite.
Peridotite \Per"i*do*tite\, n. [Cf. F. p['e]ridotite.] (Min.)
An eruptive rock characterized by the presence of chrysolite
(peridot). It also usually contains pyroxene, enstatite,
chromite, etc. It is often altered to serpentine.
Note: The chief diamond deposits in South Africa occur in a
more or less altered peridotite.
Peridrome \Per"i*drome\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? running around, fr. ?
to run round; ? round + ? to run: cf. F. p['e]ridrome.]
(Arch[ae]ol.)
The space between the columns and the wall of the cella, in a
Greek or a Roman temple.
Periecians \Per`i*e"cians\, n. pl.
See {Peri[oe]cians}.
Perienteron \Per`i*en"te*ron\, n. [NL. See {Peri-}, and
{Enteron}.] (Anat.)
The primitive perivisceral cavity.
Periergy \Per"i*er`gy\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? overcareful; ? about,
beyond + ? work.]
1. Excessive care or diligence. [Obs.]
2. (Rhet.) A bombastic or labored style. [R.]
Periganglionic \Per`i*gan`gli*on"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Surrounding a ganglion; as, the periganglionic glands of the
frog.
Perigastric \Per`i*gas"tric\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Surrounding the stomach; -- applied to the body cavity of
Bryozoa and various other Invertebrata.
Perigean \Per`i*ge"an\, a.
Pertaining to the perigee.
{Perigean tides}, those spring tides which occur soon after
the moon passes her perigee.
Perigee \Per"i*gee\, Perigeum \Per`i*ge"um\, n. [NL. perigeum,
fr. Gr. ? about, near + ? the earth: cf. F. p['e]rig['e]e.]
(Astron.)
That point in the orbit of the moon which is nearest to the
earth; -- opposed to {apogee}. It is sometimes, but rarely,
used of the nearest points of other orbits, as of a comet, a
planet, etc. Called also {epigee}, {epigeum}.
Perigenesis \Per`i*gen"e*sis\, n. (Biol.)
A theory which explains inheritance by the transmission of
the type of growth force possessed by one generation to
another.
Perigenetic \Per`i*gen"e*tic\, a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to perigenesis.
Perigone \Per"i*gone\, n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. ? productive
organs.]
1. (Bot.)
(a) Any organ inclosing the essential organs of a flower;
a perianth.
(b) In mosses, the involucral bracts of a male flower.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A sac which surrounds the generative bodies in
the gonophore of a hydroid.
Perigonium \Per`i*go"ni*um\, n.; pl. {Perigonia}. [NL.]
Same as {Perigone}.
Perigord pie \Per"i*gord pie`\ [From P['e]rigord, a former
province of France.]
A pie made of truffles, much esteemed by epicures.
Perigraph \Per"i*graph\, n. [Gr. ? outline; ? round, about + ?
to write.]
A careless or inaccurate delineation of anything. [R.]
Perigynium \Per`i*gyn"i*um\, n.; pl. {Perigynia}. [NL. See
{Perigynous}.] (Bot.)
Some unusual appendage about the pistil, as the bottle-shaped
body in the sedges, and the bristles or scales in some other
genera of the Sedge family, or {Cyperace[ae]}.
Perigynous \Pe*rig"y*nous\, a. [Pref. peri- + Gr. ? woman.]
(Bot.)
Having the ovary free, but the petals and stamens borne on
the calyx; -- said of flower such as that of the cherry or
peach.
Perihelion \Per`i*hel"ion\, Perihelium \Per`i*he"li*um\, n.; pl.
{Perihelia}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? about, near + ? the sun.]
(Astron.)
That point of the orbit of a planet or comet which is nearest
to the sun; -- opposed to {aphelion}.
Peril \Per"il\, n. [F. p['e]ril, fr. L. periculum, periclum,
akin to peritus experienced, skilled, and E. fare. See
{Fare}, and cf. {Experience}.]
Danger; risk; hazard; jeopardy; exposure of person or
property to injury, loss, or destruction.
In perils of waters, in perils of robbers. --2 Cor. xi.
26.
Adventure hard With peril great achieved. --Milton.
{At}, or {On}, {one's peril}, with risk or danger to one; at
the hazard of. ``On thy soul's peril.'' --Shak.
Syn: Hazard; risk; jeopardy. See {Danger}.
Peril \Per"il\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Periled}or {Perilled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Periling} or {Perilling}.]
To expose to danger; to hazard; to risk; as, to peril one's
life.
Peril \Per"il\, v. i.
To be in danger. [Obs.] --Milton.
Perilla \Pe*ril"la\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Bot.)
A genus of labiate herbs, of which one species ({Perilla
ocimoides}, or {P. Nankinensis}) is often cultivated for its
purple or variegated foliage.
Perilous \Per"il*ous\, a. [OF. perillous, perilleus, F.
p['e]rilleux, L. periculosus. See {Peril}.] [Written also
{perillous}.]
1. Full of, attended with, or involving, peril; dangerous;
hazardous; as, a perilous undertaking.
Infamous hills, and sandy, perilous wilds. --Milton.
2. Daring; reckless; dangerous. [Obs.] --Latimer.
For I am perilous with knife in hand. --Chaucer.
-- {Per"il*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Per"il*ous*ness}, n.
Perilymph \Per"i*lymph\, n. (Anat.)
The fluid which surrounds the membranous labyrinth of the
internal ear, and separates it from the walls of the chambers
in which the labyrinth lies.
Perilymphangial \Per`i*lym*phan"gi*al\, a. (Anat.)
Around, or at the side of, a lymphatic vessel.
Perilymphatic \Per`i*lym*phat"ic\, a. (Anat.)
(a) Pertaining to, or containing, perilymph.
(b) Perilymphangial.
Perimeter \Per*im"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ?; ? around + ? measure: cf.
F. p['e]rim[`e]tre.]
1. (Geom.) The outer boundary of a body or figure, or the sum
of all the sides.
2. An instrument for determining the extent and shape of the
field of vision.
Perimetric \Per`i*met"ric\, Perimetrical \Per`i*met"ric*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to the perimeter, or to perimetry; as, a
perimetric chart of the eye.
Perimetry \Per*im"e*try\, n.
The art of using the perimeter; measurement of the field of
vision.
Perimorph \Per"i*morph\, n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. ? form.] (Min.)
A crystal of one species inclosing one of another species.
See {Endomorph}.
Perimysial \Per`i*my"sial\, a. (Anat.)
(a) Surrounding a muscle or muscles.
(b) Of or pertaining to the perimysium.
Perimysium \Per`i*my"si*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? about + ?
muscle.] (Anat.)
The connective tissue sheath which surrounds a muscle, and
sends partitions inwards between the bundles of muscular
fibers.
Perinaeum \Per`i*n[ae]"um\, n.
See {Perineum}.
Perineal \Per`i*ne"al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the perineum.
Perineoplasty \Per`i*ne"o*plas`ty\, n. [Perineum + -plasty.]
(Med.)
The act or process of restoring an injured perineum.
Perineorrhaphy \Per`i*ne*or"rha*phy\, n. [Perineum + Gr. ? to
sew.] (Med.)
The operation of sewing up a ruptured perineum.
Perinephritis \Per`i*ne*phri"tis\, n. [NL. See {Peri-}, and
{Nephritis}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the cellular tissue around the kidney. --
{Per`i*ne*phrit"ic}, a.
Perineum \Per`i*ne"um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?.] (Anat.)
The region which is included within the outlet of the pelvis,
and is traversed by the urinogenital canal and the rectum.
Perineurial \Per`i*neu"ri*al\, a. (Anat.)
Surrounding nerves or nerve fibers; of or pertaining to the
perineurium.
Perineurium \Per`i*neu"ri*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? about + ? a
nerve.] (Anat.)
The connective tissue sheath which surrounds a bundle of
nerve fibers. See {Epineurium}, and {Neurilemma}.
Perinuclear \Per`i*nu"cle*ar\, a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to a nucleus; situated around a nucleus; as,
the perinuclear protoplasm.
Period \Pe"ri*od\, n. [L. periodus, Gr. ? a going round, a way
round, a circumference, a period of time; ? round, about + ?
a way: cf. F. p['e]riode.]
1. A portion of time as limited and determined by some
recurring phenomenon, as by the completion of a revolution
of one of the heavenly bodies; a division of time, as a
series of years, months, or days, in which something is
completed, and ready to recommence and go on in the same
order; as, the period of the sun, or the earth, or a
comet.
2. Hence: A stated and recurring interval of time; more
generally, an interval of time specified or left
indefinite; a certain series of years, months, days, or
the like; a time; a cycle; an age; an epoch; as, the
period of the Roman republic.
How by art to make plants more lasting than their
ordinary period. --Bacon.
3. (Geol.) One of the great divisions of geological time; as,
the Tertiary period; the Glacial period. See the Chart of
{Geology}.
4. The termination or completion of a revolution, cycle,
series of events, single event, or act; hence, a limit; a
bound; an end; a conclusion. --Bacon.
So spake the archangel Michael; then paused, As at
the world's great period. --Milton.
Evils which shall never end till eternity hath a
period. --Jer. Taylor.
This is the period of my ambition. --Shak.
5. (Rhet.) A complete sentence, from one full stop to
another; esp., a well-proportioned, harmonious sentence.
``Devolved his rounded periods.'' --Tennyson.
Periods are beautiful when they are not too long.
--B. Johnson.
Note: The period, according to Heyse, is a compound sentence
consisting of a protasis and apodosis; according to
Becker, it is the appropriate form for the
co["o]rdinate propositions related by antithesis or
causality. --Gibbs.
6. (Print.) The punctuation point [.] that marks the end of a
complete sentence, or of an abbreviated word.
7. (Math.) One of several similar sets of figures or terms
usually marked by points or commas placed at regular
intervals, as in numeration, in the extraction of roots,
and in circulating decimals.
8. (Med.) The time of the exacerbation and remission of a
disease, or of the paroxysm and intermission.
9. (Mus.) A complete musical sentence.
{The period}, the present or current time, as distinguished
from all other times.
Syn: Time; date; epoch; era; age; duration; limit; bound;
end; conclusion; determination.
Period \Pe"ri*od\, v. t.
To put an end to. [Obs.] --Shak.
Period \Pe"ri*od\, v. i.
To come to a period; to conclude. [Obs.] ``You may period
upon this, that,'' etc. --Felthman.
Periodate \Per*i"o*date\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of periodic acid.
Periodic \Per`i*od"ic\, a. [Pref. per- + iodic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, the highest
oxygen acid (HIO?) of iodine.
Periodic \Pe`ri*od"ic\, Periodical \Pe`ri*od"ic*al\, a. [L.
periodicus, Gr. ?: cf. F. p['e]riodique.]
1. Of or pertaining to a period or periods, or to division by
periods.
The periodicaltimes of all the satellites. --Sir J.
Herschel.
2. Performed in a period, or regular revolution; proceeding
in a series of successive circuits; as, the periodical
motion of the planets round the sun.
3. Happening, by revolution, at a stated time; returning
regularly, after a certain period of time; acting,
happening, or appearing, at fixed intervals; recurring;
as, periodical epidemics.
The periodic return of a plant's flowering.
--Henslow.
To influence opinion through the periodical press.
--Courthope.
4. (Rhet.) Of or pertaining to a period; constituting a
complete sentence.
{Periodic comet} (Astron.), a comet that moves about the sun
in an elliptic orbit; a comet that has been seen at two of
its approaches to the sun.
{Periodic function} (Math.), a function whose values recur at
fixed intervals as the variable uniformly increases. The
trigonomertic functions, as sin x, tan x, etc., are
periodic functions. Exponential functions are also
periodic, having an imaginary period, and the elliptic
functions have not only a real but an imaginary period,
and are hence called doubly periodic.
{Periodic law} (Chem.), the generalization that the
properties of the chemical elements are periodic functions
of their atomic wieghts. ``In other words, if the elements
are grouped in the order of their atomic weights, it will
be found that nearly the same properties recur
periodically throughout the entire series.'' The following
tabular arrangement of the atomic weights shows the
regular recurrence of groups (under I., II., III., IV.,
etc.), each consisting of members of the same natural
family. The gaps in the table indicate the probable
existence of unknown elements.
TABLE OF THE PERIODIC LAW OF THE CHEMICAL ELEMENTS (The vertical
columns contain the periodic groups) Series1[ 2[ 3[ 4[ 5[ 6[ 7[
8[ 9[ 10[ 11[ 12[
--------------------------------------------------------------
|I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. | RH4 RH3 RH3 RH |R2O RO R3O3
RO2 R2O5 RO3 R2O7 RO4
-------------------------------------------------------------- H
1 Li 7 Na 23 K 39 (Cu) 63 Rb 85.2 (Ag) (108) Cs 133 (-) (-) (Au)
(197) (-)
---------------------------------------------------------------
Note: A similar relation had been enunciated in a crude way
by Newlands; but the law in its effective form was
developed and elaborated by Mendelejeff, whence it is
sometimes called {Mendelejeff's law}. Important
extensions of it were also made by L. Meyer. By this
means Mendelejeff predicted with remarkable accuracy
the hypothetical elements ekaboron, ekaluminium, and
ekasilicon, afterwards discovered and named
respectively scandium, gallium, and germanium.
{Periodic star} (Astron.), a variable star whose changes of
brightness recur at fixed periods.
{Periodic time of a heavenly body} (Astron.), the time of a
complete revolution of the body about the sun, or of a
satellite about its primary.
Periodical \Pe`ri*od"ic*al\, n.
A magazine or other publication which appears at stated or
regular intervals.
Periodicalist \Pe`ri*od"ic*al*ist\, n.
One who publishes, or writes for, a periodical.
Periodically \Pe`ri*od"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a periodical manner.
Periodicalness \Pe`ri*od"ic*al*ness\, n.
Periodicity.
Periodicity \Pe`ri*o*dic"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Periodicities}. [Cf. F.
p['e]riodicit['e].]
The quality or state of being periodical, or regularly
recurrent; as, the periodicity in the vital phenomena of
plants. --Henfrey.
Periodide \Per*i"o*dide\, n. [Pref. per- + iodide.]
An iodide containing a higher proportion of iodine than any
other iodide of the same substance or series.
Periodontal \Per`i*o*don"tal\, a. [Pref. peri- + Gr. ?, ?,
tooth.] (Anat.)
Surrounding the teeth.
Periodoscope \Pe`ri*od"o*scope\, n. [Period + -scope.] (Med.)
A table or other means for calculating the periodical
functions of women. --Dunglison.
Perioeci \Per`i*[oe]"ci\, Perioecians \Per`i*[oe]"cians\, n. pl.
[NL. perioeci, fr. Gr. ?; ? around + ? house, dwelling.]
Those who live on the same parallel of latitude but on
opposite meridians, so that it is noon in one place when it
is midnight in the other. Compare {Ant[oe]ci}.
Periople \Per"i*o*ple\, n. [F. p['e]riople, from Gr. ? about + ?
the hoof of a horse.] (Anat.)
The external smooth horny layer of the hoof of the horse and
allied animals.
Perioplic \Per`i*op"lic\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the periople; connected with the
periople.
Periosteal \Per`i*os"te*al\, a. (Anat.)
Situated around bone; of or pertaining to the periosteum.
Periosteum \Per`i*os"te*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? round the bones;
? around + ? a bone: cf. L. periosteon.] (Anat.)
The membrane of fibrous connective tissue which closely
invests all bones except at the articular surfaces.
Periostitis \Per`i*os*ti"tis\, n. [NL. See {Periosteum}, and
{-itis}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the periosteum.
Periostracum \Per`i*os"tra*cum\, n.; pl. {Periostraca}. [NL.,
fr. Gr. ? around + ? shell of a testacean.] (Zo["o]l.)
A chitinous membrane covering the exterior of many shells; --
called also {epidermis}.
Periotic \Per`i*o"tic\, a. [Pref. peri- + Gr. ?, ?, the ear.]
(Anat.)
Surrounding, or pertaining to the region surrounding, the
internal ear; as, the periotic capsule. -- n. A periotic
bone.
Peripatecian \Per`i*pa*te"cian\, n.
A peripatetic. [Obs.]
Peripatetic \Per`i*pa*tet"ic\, a. [L. peripateticus, Gr. ?, fr.
? to walk about; ? about + ? to walk: cf. F.
p['e]ripat['e]tique.]
1. Walking about; itinerant.
2. Of or pertaining to the philosophy taught by Aristotle
(who gave his instructions while walking in the Lyceum at
Athens), or to his followers. ``The true peripatetic
school.'' --Howell.
Peripatetic \Per`i*pa*tet"ic\, n.
1. One who walks about; a pedestrian; an itinerant. --Tatler.
2. A disciple of Aristotle; an Aristotelian.
Peripatetical \Per`i*pa*tet"ic*al\, a.
Peripatetic. [R.] --Hales.
Peripateticism \Per`i*pa*tet"i*cism\, n. [Cf. F.
p['e]ripat['e]tisme.]
The doctrines or philosophical system of the peripatetics.
See {Peripatetic}, n., 2. --Lond. Sat. Rev.
Peripatus \Pe*rip"a*tus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a walking about.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A genus of lowly organized arthropods, found in South Africa,
Australia, and tropical America. It constitutes the order
Malacopoda.
Peripetalous \Per`i*pet"al*ous\, a. (Bot.)
Surrounding, or situated about, the petals.
Peripheral \Pe*riph"er*al\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a periphery; constituting a periphery;
peripheric.
2. (Anat.) External; away from the center; as, the peripheral
portion of the nervous system.
Peripheric \Per`i*pher"ic\, Peripherical \Per`i*pher"ic*al\, a.
[Cf. F. p['e]riph['e]rique. See {Periphery}.]
See {Peripheral}.
Periphery \Pe*riph"er*y\, n.; pl. {Peripheries}. [L. peripheria,
Gr. ?; ? around + ? to bear, carry: cf. F. p['e]riph['e]rie.]
1. The outside or superficial portions of a body; the
surface.
2. (Geom.) The circumference of a circle, ellipse, or other
figure.
Periphrase \Per"i*phrase\, n. [L. periphrasis, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
think about, to be expressed periphrastically; ? + ? to
speak: cf. F. p['e]riphrase. See {Phrase}.] (Rhet.)
The use of more words than are necessary to express the idea;
a roundabout, or indirect, way of speaking; circumlocution.
``To describe by enigmatic periphrases.'' --De Quincey.
Periphrase \Per"i*phrase\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Periphrased}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Periphrasing}.] [Cf. F. p['e]riphraser.]
To express by periphrase or circumlocution.
Periphrase \Per"i*phrase\, v. i.
To use circumlocution.
Periphrasis \Pe*riph"ra*sis\, n.; pl. {Periphrases}. [L.]
See {Periphrase}.
Periphrastic \Per`i*phras"tic\, Periphrastical
\Per`i*phras"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?: cf. F. p['e]riphrastique.]
Expressing, or expressed, in more words than are necessary;
characterized by periphrase; circumlocutory.
{Periphrastic conjugation} (Gram.), a conjugation formed by
the use of the simple verb with one or more auxiliaries.
Periphrastically \Per`i*phras"tic*al*ly\, adv.
With circumlocution.
Periplast \Per"i*plast\, n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. ? to mold, form.]
(Biol.)
Same as {Periblast}. -- {Per`i*plas"tic}, a. --Huxley.
Peripneumonia \Per`ip*neu*mo"ni*a\, Peripneumony
\Per`ip*neu"mo*ny\, n. [L. peripneumonia, Gr. ?: cf. F.
p['e]ripneumonie. See {Peri-}, {Pneumonia}.] (Med.)
Pneumonia. (Obsoles.)
Peripneumonic \Per`ip*neu*mon"ic\, a. [L. peripneumonicus, Gr.
?: cf. F. p['e]ripneumonique.] (Med.)
Of or pertaining to peripneumonia.
Periproct \Per"i*proct\, n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. ? the anus.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The region surrounding the anus, particularly of echinoderms.
Periproctitis \Per`i*proc*ti"tis\, n. [NL. See {Peri-}, and
{Proctitus}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the tissues about the rectum.
Peripteral \Pe*rip"ter*al\, a. [Gr., fr. ? + ? feather, wing,
row of columns.] (Arch.)
Having columns on all sides; -- said of an edifice. See
{Apteral}.
Peripterous \Pe*rip"ter*ous\, a.
1. (Arch.) Peripteral.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Feathered all around.
Perisarc \Per"i*sarc\, n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. ?, ?, flesh.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The outer, hardened integument which covers most hydroids.
Periscian \Pe*ris"cian\, a. [Gr. ?; ? around + ? shadow: cf. F.
p['e]riscien.]
Having the shadow moving all around.
Periscians \Pe*ris"cians\, Periscii \Pe*ris"ci*i\, n. pl. [NL.
See {Periscian}.]
Those who live within a polar circle, whose shadows, during
some summer days, will move entirely round, falling toward
every point of the compass.
Periscope \Per"i*scope\, n. [Pref. peri- + -scope.]
A general or comprehensive view. [R.]
Periscopic \Per`i*scop"ic\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]riscopique.]
Viewing all around, or on all sides.
{Periscopic spectacles} (Opt.), spectacles having
concavo-convex or convexo-concave lenses with a
considerable curvature corresponding to that of the eye,
to increase the distinctness of objects viewed obliquely.
Perish \Per"ish\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Perished}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Perishing}.] [OE. perissen, perisshen, F. p['e]rir, p.
pr. p['e]rissant, L. perire to go or run through, come to
nothing, perish; per through + ire to go. Cf. {Issue}, and
see {-ish}.]
To be destroyed; to pass away; to become nothing; to be lost;
to die; hence, to wither; to waste away.
I perish with hunger! --Luke xv. 17.
Grow up and perish, as the summer fly. --Milton.
The thoughts of a soul that perish in thinking.
--Locke.
Perish \Per"ish\, v. t.
To cause perish. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Perishability \Per`ish*a*bil"i*ty\, n.
Perishableness.
Perishable \Per"ish*a*ble\, a. [F. p['e]rissable.]
Liable to perish; subject to decay, destruction, or death;
as, perishable goods; our perishable bodies.
Perishableness \Per"ish*a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being perishable; liability to decay
or destruction. --Locke.
Perishably \Per"ish*a*bly\, adv.
In a perishable degree or manner.
Perishment \Per"ish*ment\, n. [Cf. OF. perissement.]
The act of perishing. [R.] --Udall.
Perisoma \Per`i*so"ma\, n.; pl. {Perisomata}. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Perisome}.
Perisome \Per"i*some\, n. [Pref. peri- + -some body.] (Zo["o]l.)
The entire covering of an invertebrate animal, as echinoderm
or c[oe]lenterate; the integument.
Perisperm \Per"i*sperm\, n. [F. p['e]risperme. See {Peri-}, and
{Sperm}.] (Bot.)
The albumen of a seed, especially that portion which is
formed outside of the embryo sac. -- {Per`i*sper"mic}, a.
Perispheric \Per`i*spher"ic\, Perispherical \Per`i*spher"ic*al\,
a.
Exactly spherical; globular.
Perispomenon \Per`i*spom"e*non\, n.; pl. {Perispomena}. [NL.,
from Gr. ?, pr. pass. p. of ? to draw around, to circumflex;
? around + ? to draw.] (Gr. Gram.)
A word which has the circumflex accent on the last syllable.
--Goodwin.
Perispore \Per"i*spore\, n. (Bot.)
The outer covering of a spore.
Perissad \Per"is*sad\, a. [Gr. ? odd, from ? over.] (Chem.)
Odd; not even; -- said of elementary substances and of
radicals whose valence is not divisible by two without a
remainder. Contrasted with artiad.
Perisse \Per"isse\, v. i.
To perish. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Perissodactyl \Per`is*so*dac"tyl\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Perissodactyla.
Perissodactyla \Per`is*so*dac"ty*la\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ?
odd (fr. ? over) + ? finger.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of ungulate mammals, including those that have an
odd number of toes, as the horse, tapir, and rhinoceros; --
opposed to Artiodactyla.
Perissological \Per`is*so*log"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F.
p['e]rissologique.]
Redundant or excessive in words. [R.]
Perissology \Per`is*sol"o*gy\, n. [L. perissologia, Gr. ?; ?
odd, superfluous + ? discourse.]
Superfluity of words. [R.] --G. Campbell.
Peristalsis \Per`i*stal"sis\, n. [NL. See {Peristaltic}.]
(Physiol.)
Peristaltic contraction or action.
Peristaltic \Per`i*stal"tic\, a. [Gr. ? clasping and
compressing, fr. ? to surround, wrap up; ? round + ? to
place, arrange: cf. F. p['e]ristaltique.] (Physiol.)
Applied to the peculiar wormlike wave motion of the
intestines and other similar structures, produced by the
successive contraction of the muscular fibers of their walls,
forcing their contents onwards; as, peristaltic movement. --
{Per`i*stal"tic*al*ly}, adv.
Peristeria \Per`is*te"ri*a\, n. [NL. See {Peristerion}.] (Bot.)
A genus of orchidaceous plants. See {Dove plant}.
Peristerion \Per`is*te"ri*on\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a dovecote, a
kind of verbena, fr. ? a dove, pigeon; cf. L. peristereon.]
(Bot.)
The herb vervain ({Verbena officinalis}).
Peristerite \Pe*ris"ter*ite\, n. [Gr. ? a pigeon.] (Min.)
A variety of albite, whitish and slightly iridescent like a
pigeon's neck.
Peristeromorphous \Pe*ris`ter*o*mor"phous\, a. [Gr. ? a pigeon +
-morphous.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the pigeons or Columb[ae].
Peristeropodous \Pe*ris`ter*op"o*dous\, a. [Gr. ? a pigeon + ?,
?, foot.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having pigeonlike feet; -- said of those gallinaceous birds
that rest on all four toes, as the curassows and megapods.
Peristole \Pe*ris"to*le\, n. [NL.: cf. F. p['e]ristole. See
{Peristaltic}.] (Physiol.)
Peristaltic action, especially of the intestines.
Peristoma \Pe*ris"to*ma\, n.; pl. {Peristomata}. [NL.]
Same as {Peristome}.
Peristome \Per"i*stome\, n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. ?, ?, mouth.]
1. (Bot.) The fringe of teeth around the orifice of the
capsule of mosses. It consists of 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64
teeth, and may be either single or double.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The lip, or edge of the aperture, of a spiral shell.
(b) The membrane surrounding the mouth of an invertebrate
animal.
Peristomial \Per`i*sto"mi*al\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to a peristome.
Peristomium \Per`i*sto"mi*um\, n. [NL.]
Same as {Peristome}.
Peristrephic \Per`i*streph"ic\, a. [Gr. ? to turn round.]
Turning around; rotatory; revolving; as, a peristrephic
painting (of a panorama).
Peristyle \Per"i*style\, n. [L. peristylum, Gr. ?, ?; ? about +
? a column: cf. F. p['e]ristyle.] (Arch.)
A range of columns with their entablature, etc.;
specifically, a complete system of columns, whether on all
sides of a court, or surrounding a building, such as the
cella of a temple. Used in the former sense, it gives name to
the larger and inner court of a Roman dwelling, the
peristyle. See {Colonnade}.
Perisystole \Per`i*sys"to*le\, n. [Pref. peri- + systole: cf. F.
p['e]risystole.] (Physiol.)
The interval between the diastole and systole of the heart.
It is perceptible only in the dying.
Perite \Pe*rite"\, a. [L. peritus.]
Skilled. [Obs.]
Perithecium \Per`i*the"ci*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? around + ?
box.] (Bot.)
An organ in certain fungi and lichens, surrounding and
enveloping the masses of fructification. --Henslow.
Peritomous \Pe*rit"o*mous\, a. [Gr. ? cut off all around. See
{Peri-}, and {Tome}.] (Min.)
Cleaving in more directions than one, parallel to the axis.
Peritonaeum \Per`i*to*n[ae]"um\, n. (Anat.)
Same as {Peritoneum}.
Peritoneal \Per`i*to*ne"al\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]riton['e]al.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the peritoneum.
Peritoneum \Per`i*to*ne"um\, n. [L. peritoneum, peritonaeum, Gr.
?, ?, fr. ? to stretch all around or over; ? around + ? to
stretch.] (Anat.)
The smooth serous membrane which lines the cavity of the
abdomen, or the whole body cavity when there is no diaphragm,
and, turning back, surrounds the viscera, forming a closed,
or nearly closed, sac. [Written also {periton[ae]um}.]
Peritonitis \Per`i*to*ni"tis\, n. [NL. See {Peritoneum}, and
{-itis}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the peritoneum.
Peritracheal \Per`i*tra"che*al\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Surrounding the trache[ae].
Peritreme \Per"i*treme\, n. [Pref. peri- + Gr. ? a hole.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) That part of the integument of an insect which surrounds
the spiracles.
(b) The edge of the aperture of a univalve shell.
Peritricha \Pe*rit"ri*cha\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? about + ?, ?,
hair.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of ciliated Infusoria having a circle of cilia
around the oral disk and sometimes another around the body.
It includes the vorticellas. See {Vorticella}.
Peritrochium \Per`i*tro"chi*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; ? around +
? a wheel.] (Mech.)
The wheel which, together with the axle, forms the axis in
peritrochio, which see under {Axis}.
Peritropal \Per*it"ro*pal\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to turn around; ?
around + ? to turn: cf. F. p['e]ritrope.]
1. Rotatory; circuitous. [R.]
2. Having the axis of the seed perpendicular to the axis of
the pericarp to which it is attached.
Peritropous \Per*it"ro*pous\, a.
Peritropal.
Perityphlitis \Per`i*typh*li"tis\, n. [NL. See {Peri-}, and
{Typhlitis}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the connective tissue about the c[ae]cum.
Periuterine \Per`i*u"ter*ine\, a. (Med.)
Surrounding the uterus.
Perivascular \Per`i*vas"cu*lar\, a.
Around the blood vessels; as, perivascular lymphatics.
Perivertebral \Per`i*ver"te*bral\, a. (Anat.)
Surrounding the vertebr[ae].
Perivisceral \Per`i*vis"cer*al\, a. (Anat.)
Around the viscera; as, the perivisceral cavity.
Perivitelline \Per`i*vi*tel"line\, a. [Pref. peri- + vitelline.]
(Biol.)
Situated around the vitellus, or between the vitellus and
zona pellucida of an ovum.
Periwig \Per"i*wig\, n. [OE. perrwige, perwicke, corrupt. fr. F.
perruque; cf. OD. peruyk, from French. See {Peruke}, and cf.
{Wig}.]
A headdress of false hair, usually covering the whole head,
and representing the natural hair; a wig. --Shak.
Periwig \Per"i*wig\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perwigged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Perwigging}.]
To dress with a periwig, or with false hair. --Swift.
Periwinkle \Per"i*win`kle\, n. [From AS. pinewincla a shellfish,
in which pine- is fr. L. pina, pinna, a kind of mussel, akin
to Gr. ?. Cf. {Winkle}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any small marine gastropod shell of the genus Littorina. The
common European species ({Littorina littorea}), in Europe
extensively used as food, has recently become naturalized
abundantly on the American coast. See {Littorina}.
Note: In America the name is often applied to several large
univalves, as {Fulgur carica}, and {F. canaliculata}.
Periwinkle \Per"i*win`kle\, n. [OE. pervenke, AS. pervince, fr.
L. pervinca.] (Bot.)
A trailing herb of the genus {Vinca}.
Note: The common perwinkle ({Vinca minor}) has opposite
evergreen leaves and solitary blue or white flowers in
their axils. In America it is often miscalled {myrtle}.
See under {Myrtle}.
Perjenet \Per"jen*et\, n. [Cf. {Pear}, and {Jenneting}.]
A kind of pear. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Perjure \Per"jure\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perjured}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Perjuring}.] [F. parjurer, L. perjurare, perjerare; per
through, over + jurare to swear. See {Jury}.]
1. To cause to violate an oath or a vow; to cause to make
oath knowingly to what is untrue; to make guilty of
perjury; to forswear; to corrupt; -- often used
reflexively; as, he perjured himself.
Want will perjure The ne'er-touched vestal. --Shak.
2. To make a false oath to; to deceive by oaths and
protestations. [Obs.]
And with a virgin innocence did pray For me, that
perjured her. --J. Fletcher.
Syn: To {Perjure}, {Forswear}.
Usage: These words have been used interchangeably; but there
is a tendency to restrict perjure to that species of
forswearing which constitutes the crime of perjury at
law, namely, the willful violation of an oath
administered by a magistrate or according to law.
Perjure \Per"jure\, n. [L. perjurus: cf. OF. parjur, F.
parjure.]
A perjured person. [Obs.] --Shak.
Perjured \Per"jured\, a.
Guilty of perjury; having sworn falsely; forsworn. --Shak.
``Perjured persons.'' --1 Tim. i. 10. ``Their perjured
oath.'' --Spenser.
Perjurer \Per"jur*er\, n.
One who is guilty of perjury; one who perjures or forswears,
in any sense.
Perjurious \Per*ju"ri*ous\, Perjurous \Per"ju*rous\, a. [L.
perjuriosus, perjurus.]
Guilty of perjury; containing perjury. [Obs.] --Quarles. B.
Johnson.
Perjury \Per"ju*ry\, n.; pl. {Perjuries}. [L. perjurium. See
{Perjure}, v.]
1. False swearing.
2. (Law) At common law, a willfully false statement in a fact
material to the issue, made by a witness under oath in a
competent judicial proceeding. By statute the penalties of
perjury are imposed on the making of willfully false
affirmations.
Note: If a man swear falsely in nonjudicial affidavits, it is
made perjury by statute in some jurisdictions in the
United States.
Perk \Perk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Perking}.] [Cf. W. percu to trim, to make smart.]
To make trim or smart; to straighten up; to erect; to make a
jaunty or saucy display of; as, to perk the ears; to perk up
one's head. --Cowper. Sherburne.
Perk \Perk\, v. i.
To exalt one's self; to bear one's self loftily. ``To perk
over them.'' --Barrow.
{To perk it}, to carry one's self proudly or saucily. --Pope.
Perk \Perk\, a.
Smart; trim; spruce; jaunty; vain. ``Perk as a peacock.''
--Spenser.
Perk \Perk\, v. i.
To peer; to look inquisitively. --Dickens.
Perkin \Per"kin\, n.
A kind of weak perry.
Perkinism \Per"kin*ism\, n. (Med.)
A remedial treatment, by drawing the pointed extremities of
two rods, each of a different metal, over the affected part;
tractoration, -- first employed by Dr. Elisha Perkins of
Norwich, Conn. See {Metallotherapy}.
Perky \Perk"y\, a.
Perk; pert; jaunty; trim.
There amid perky larches and pines. --Tennyson.
Perlaceous \Per*la"ceous\, a. [See {Pearl}.]
Pearly; resembling pearl.
Perlid \Per"lid\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any insect of the genus {Perla}, or family {Perlid[ae]}. See
{Stone fly}, under {Stone}.
Perlite \Per"lite\, n. (Min.)
Same as {Pearlite}.
Perlitic \Per*lit"ic\, a. (Min.)
Relating to or resembling perlite, or pearlstone; as, the
perlitic structure of certain rocks. See {Pearlite}.
Perlous \Per"lous\, a.
Perilous. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Perlustration \Per`lus*tra"tion\, n. [L. perlustrare to wander
all through, to survey. See 3d {Luster}.]
The act of viewing all over. [Archaic] --Howell.
Permanable \Per"ma*na*ble\, a.
Permanent; durable. [Obs.] --Lydgate.
Permanence \Per"ma*nence\, Permanency \Per"ma*nen*cy\, n. [Cf.
F. permanence.]
The quality or state of being permanent; continuance in the
same state or place; duration; fixedness; as, the permanence
of institutions; the permanence of nature.
Permanent \Per"ma*nent\, a. [L. permanens, -entis, p. pr. of
permanere to stay or remain to the end, to last; per + manere
to remain: cf. F. permanent. See {Per-}, and {Mansion}.]
Continuing in the same state, or without any change that
destroys form or character; remaining unaltered or unremoved;
abiding; durable; fixed; stable; lasting; as, a permanent
impression.
Eternity stands permanent and fixed. --Dryden.
{Permanent gases} (Chem. & Physics), hydrogen, oxygen,
nitrogen, and carbon monoxide; -- also called
{incondensible or incoercible gases}, before their
liquefaction in 1877.
{Permanent way}, the roadbed and superstructure of a finished
railway; -- so called in distinction from the contractor's
temporary way.
{Permanent white} (Chem.), barium sulphate ({heavy spar}),
used as a white pigment or paint, in distinction from
white lead, which tarnishes and darkens from the formation
of the sulphide.
Syn: Lasting; durable; constant. See {Lasting}.
Permanently \Per"ma*nent*ly\, adv.
In a permanent manner.
Permanganate \Per*man"ga*nate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of permanganic acid.
{Potassium permanganate}. (Chem.) See {Potassium
permanganate}, under {Potassium}.
Permanganic \Per`man*gan"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, one of the higher acids of
manganese, {HMnO4}, which forms salts called permanganates.
Permansion \Per*man"sion\, n. [L. permansio. See {Permanent}.]
Continuance. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Permeability \Per`me*a*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F.
perm['e]abilit['e].]
The quality or state of being permeable.
{Magnetic permeability} (Physics), the specific capacity of a
body for magnetic induction, or its conducting power for
lines of magnetic force. --Sir W. Thomson.
Permeable \Per"me*a*ble\, a. [L. permeabilis: cf. F.
perm['e]able. See {Permeate}.]
Capable of being permeated, or passed through; yielding
passage; passable; penetrable; -- used especially of
substances which allow the passage of fluids; as, wood is
permeable to oil; glass is permeable to light. --I. Taylor.
Permeably \Per"me*a*bly\, adv.
In a permeable manner.
Permeant \Per"me*ant\, a. [L. permeans, p. pr.]
Passing through; permeating. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Permeate \Per"me*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Permeated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Permeating}.] [L. permeatus, p. p. of permeare to
permeate; per + meare to go, pass.]
1. To pass through the pores or interstices of; to penetrate
and pass through without causing rupture or displacement;
-- applied especially to fluids which pass through
substances of loose texture; as, water permeates sand.
--Woodward.
2. To enter and spread through; to pervade.
God was conceived to be diffused throughout the
whole world, to permeate and pervade all things.
--Cudworth.
Permeation \Per`me*a"tion\, n.
The act of permeating, passing through, or spreading
throughout, the pores or interstices of any substance.
Here is not a mere involution only, but a spiritual
permeation and inexistence. --Bp. Hall.
Permian \Per"mi*an\, a. [From the ancient kingdom of Permia,
where the Permian formation exists.] (Geol.)
Belonging or relating to the period, and also to the
formation, next following the Carboniferous, and regarded as
closing the Carboniferous age and Paleozoic era. -- n. The
Permian period. See Chart of {Geology}.
Permians \Per"mi*ans\, n. pl.; sing. {Permian}. (Ethnol.)
A tribe belonging to the Finnic race, and inhabiting a
portion of Russia.
Permiscible \Per*mis"ci*ble\, a. [L. permiscere to mingle; per +
miscere to mix.]
Capable of being mixed.
Permiss \Per*miss"\, n. [See {Permit}.]
A permitted choice; a rhetorical figure in which a thing is
committed to the decision of one's opponent. [Obs.] --Milton.
Permissibility \Per*mis`si*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality of being permissible; permissibleness;
allowableness.
Permissible \Per*mis"si*ble\, a.
That may be permitted; allowable; admissible. --
{Per*mis"si*ble*ness}, n. -- {Per*mis"si*bly}, adv.
Permission \Per*mis"sion\, n. [L. permissio: cf. F. permission.
See {Permit}.]
The act of permitting or allowing; formal consent;
authorization; leave; license or liberty granted.
High permission of all-ruling Heaven. --Milton.
You have given me your permission for this address.
--Dryden.
Syn: Leave; liberty; license.
Usage: {Leave}, {Permission}. Leave implies that the
recipient may decide whether to use the license
granted or not. Permission is the absence on the part
of another of anything preventive, and in general, at
least by implication, signifies approval.
Permissive \Per*mis"sive\, a.
1. Permitting; granting leave or liberty. ``By his permissive
will.'' --Milton.
2. Permitted; tolerated; suffered. --Milton.
Permissively \Per*mis"sive*ly\, adv.
In a permissive manner.
Permistion \Per*mis"tion\, n. [L. permistio, permixtio, fr.
permiscere, permistum, and permixtum. See {Permiscible}.]
The act of mixing; the state of being mingled; mixture.
[Written also {permixtion}.]
Permit \Per*mit"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Permitted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Permitting}.] [L. permittere, permissum, to let through,
to allow, permit; per + mittere to let go, send. See {Per-},
and {Mission}.]
1. To consent to; to allow or suffer to be done; to tolerate;
to put up with.
What things God doth neither command nor forbid . .
. he permitteth with approbation either to be done
or left undone. --Hooker.
2. To grant (one) express license or liberty to do an act; to
authorize; to give leave; -- followed by an infinitive.
Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. --Acis
xxvi. 1.
3. To give over; to resign; to leave; to commit.
Let us not aggravate our sorrows, But to the gods
permit the event of things. --Addison.
Syn: To allow; let; grant; admit; suffer; tolerate; endure;
consent to.
Usage: To {Allow}, {Permit}, {Suffer}, {Tolerate}. To allow
is more positive, denoting (at least originally and
etymologically) a decided assent, either directly or
by implication. To permit is more negative, and
imports only acquiescence or an abstinence from
prevention. The distinction, however, is often
disregarded by good writers. To suffer has a stronger
passive or negative sense than to permit, sometimes
implying against the will, sometimes mere
indifference. To tolerate is to endure what is
contrary to will or desire. To suffer and to tolerate
are sometimes used without discrimination.
Permit \Per*mit"\, v. i.
To grant permission; to allow.
Permit \Per"mit\, n.
Warrant; license; leave; permission; specifically, a written
license or permission given to a person or persons having
authority; as, a permit to land goods subject to duty.
Permittance \Per*mit"tance\, n.
The act of permitting; allowance; permission; leave.
--Milton.
Permittee \Per`mit*tee"\, n.
One to whom a permission or permit is given.
Permitter \Per*mit"ter\, n.
One who permits.
A permitter, or not a hinderer, of sin. --J. Edwards.
Permix \Per*mix"\, v. t.
To mix; to mingle. [Obs.]
Permixtion \Per*mix"tion\, n.
See {Permission}.
Permutable \Per*mut"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. permutable.]
Capable of being permuted; exchangeable. --
{Per*mut"a*ble*ness}, n. -- {Per*mut"a*bly}, adv.
Permutation \Per`mu*ta"tion\, n. [L. permutatio: cf. F.
permutation. See {Permute}.]
1. The act of permuting; exchange of the thing for another;
mutual transference; interchange.
The violent convulsions and permutations that have
been made in property. --Burke.
2. (Math.)
(a) The arrangement of any determinate number of things,
as units, objects, letters, etc., in all possible
orders, one after the other; -- called also
{alternation}. Cf. {Combination}, n., 4.
(b) Any one of such possible arrangements.
3. (Law) Barter; exchange.
{Permutation lock}, a lock in which the parts can be
transposed or shifted, so as to require different
arrangements of the tumblers on different occasions of
unlocking.
Permute \Per*mute"\, v. t. [L. permutare, permutatum; per +
mutare to change: cf. F. permuter.]
1. To interchange; to transfer reciprocally.
2. To exchange; to barter; to traffic. [Obs.]
Bought, trucked, permuted, or given. --Hakluyt.
Permuter \Per*mut"er\, n.
One who permutes.
Pern \Pern\, v. t. [See {Pernancy}.]
To take profit of; to make profitable. [Obs.] --Sylvester.
Pern \Pern\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The honey buzzard.
Pernancy \Per"nan*cy\, n. [OF. prenance, fr. prendre, prenre,
penre, to take, L. prendere, prehendere.] (Law)
A taking or reception, as the receiving of rents or tithes in
kind, the receiving of profits. --Blackstone.
Pernel \Per"nel\, n.
See {Pimpernel}. [Obs.]
Pernicion \Per*ni"cion\, n. [See 2d {Pernicious}.]
Destruction; perdition. [Obs.] --hudibras.
Pernicious \Per*ni"cious\, a. [L. pernix, -icis.]
Quick; swift (to burn). [R.] --Milton.
Pernicious \Per*ni"cious\, a. [L. perniciosus, from pernicies
destruction, from pernecare to kill or slay outright; per +
necare to kill, slay: cf. F. pernicieux. Cf. {Nuisance},
{Necromancy}.]
Having the quality of injuring or killing; destructive; very
mischievous; baleful; malicious; wicked.
Let this pernicious hour Stand aye accursed in the
calendar. --Shak.
Pernicious to his health. --Prescott.
Syn: Destructive; ruinous; deadly; noxious; injurious;
baneful; deleterious; hurtful; mischievous. --
{Per*ni"cious*ly}, adv., -- {Per*ni"cious*ness}, n.
Pernicity \Per*nic"i*ty\, n. [L. pernicitas. See 1st
{Pernicious}.]
Swiftness; celerity. [R.] --Ray.
Pernio \Per"ni*o\, n. [L.] (Med.)
A chilblain.
Pernoctalian \Per`noc*ta"li*an\, n.
One who watches or keeps awake all night.
Pernoctation \Per`noc*ta"tion\, n. [L. pernoctatio, fr.
pernoctare to stay all night; per + nox, noctis, night.]
The act or state of passing the whole night; a remaining all
night. ``Pernoctation in prayer.'' --Jer. Taylor.
Pernor \Per"nor\, n. [See {Pern}, v.] (Law)
One who receives the profits, as of an estate.
Pernot furnace \Per"not fur"nace\ [So called from Charles
Pernot, its inventor.]
A reverberatory furnace with a circular revolving hearth, --
used in making steel.
Pernyi moth \Per"ny*i moth"\ (Zo["o]l.)
A silk-producing moth ({Attacus Pernyi}) which feeds upon the
oak. It has been introduced into Europe and America from
China.
Perofskite \Per*of"skite\, n. [From von Perovski, of
St.Petersburg.] (Min.)
A titanate of lime occurring in octahedral or cubic crystals.
[Written also {Perovskite}.]
Perogue \Pe*rogue\, n.
See {Pirogue}.
Peronate \Per"o*nate\, a. [L. peronatus rough?booted, fr. pero,
-onis, a kind of rough boot.] (Bot.)
A term applied to the stipes or stalks of certain fungi which
are covered with a woolly substance which at length becomes
powdery. --Henslow.
Peroneal \Per`o*ne"al\, a. [Gr. ? the fibula.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the fibula; in the region of the fibula.
Perorate \Per"o*rate\, v. i. [See {Peroration}.]
To make a peroration; to harangue. [Colloq.]
Peroration \Per`o*ra"tion\, n. [L. peroratio, fr. perorate,
peroratum, to speak from beginning to end; per + orate to
speak. See {Per-}, and {Oration}.] (Rhet.)
The concluding part of an oration; especially, a final
summing up and enforcement of an argument. --Burke.
Peroxidation \Per*ox`i*da"tion\, n.
Act, process, or result of peroxidizing; oxidation to a
peroxide.
Peroxide \Per*ox"ide\, n. (Chem.)
An oxide containing more oxygen than some other oxide of the
same element. Formerly peroxides were regarded as the highest
oxides. Cf. {Per-}, 2.
Peroxidize \Per*ox"i*dize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Peroxidized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Peroxidizing}.] (Chem.)
To oxidize to the utmost degree, so as to form a peroxide.
Perpend \Per*pend"\, v. t. [L. perpendere, perpensum; per +
pendere to weight.]
To weight carefully in the mind. [R.] ``Perpend my words.''
--Shak.
Perpend \Per*pend"\, v. i.
To attend; to be attentive. [R.] --Shak.
Perpender \Per*pend"er\, n. [F. parpaing, pierre parpaigne; of
uncertain origin.] (Masonry)
A large stone reaching through a wall so as to appear on both
sides of it, and acting as a binder; -- called also
{perbend}, {perpend stone}, and {perpent stone}.
Perpendicle \Per*pen"di*cle\, n. [L. perpendiculum; per +
pendere to hang: cf. F. perpendicule.]
Something hanging straight down; a plumb line. [Obs.]
Perpendicular \Per`pen*dic"u*lar\, a. [L. perpendicularis,
perpendicularius: cf. F. perpendiculaire. See {Perpendicle},
{Pension}.]
1. Exactly upright or vertical; pointing to the zenith; at
right angles to the plane of the horizon; extending in a
right line from any point toward the center of the earth.
2. (Geom.) At right angles to a given line or surface; as,
the line ad is perpendicular to the line bc.
{Perpendicular style} (Arch.), a name given to the latest
variety of English Gothic architecture, which prevailed
from the close of the 14th century to the early part of
the 16th; -- probably so called from the vertical style of
its window mullions.
Perpendicular \Per`pen*dic"u*lar\, n.
1. A line at right angles to the plane of the horizon; a
vertical line or direction.
2. (Geom.) A line or plane falling at right angles on another
line or surface, or making equal angles with it on each
side.
Perpendicularity \Per`pen*dic`u*lar"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F.
perpendicularit['e].]
The quality or state of being perpendicular.
Perpendicularly \Per`pen*dic"u*lar*ly\, adv.
In a perpendicular manner; vertically.
Perpend stone \Per"pend stone`\
See {Perpender}.
Perpension \Per*pen"sion\, n. [See {Perpend}.]
Careful consideration; pondering. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Perpensity \Per*pen"si*ty\, n.
Perpension. [Obs.]
Perpent stone \Per"pent stone`\
See {Perpender}.
Perpession \Per*pes"sion\, n. [L. perpessio, fr. perpeti,
perpessus, to bear steadfastly; per + pati to bear.]
Suffering; endurance. [Obs.] --Bp. Pearson.
Perpetrable \Per"pe*tra"ble\, a.
Capable of being perpetrated. --R. North.
Perpetrate \Per"pe*trate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perpetrated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Perpetrating}.] [L. perpetratus, p. p. of
perpetrare to effect, perpetrare; per + patrare to perform.]
To do or perform; to carry through; to execute, commonly in a
bad sense; to commit (as a crime, an offense); to be guilty
of; as, to perpetrate a foul deed.
What the worst perpetrate, or best endure. --Young.
Perpetration \Per`pe*tra"tion\, n. [L. perpetratio: cf. F.
perp['e]tration.]
1. The act of perpetrating; a doing; -- commonly used of
doing something wrong, as a crime.
2. The thing perpetrated; an evil action.
Perpetrator \Per"pe*tra`tor\, n. [L.]
One who perpetrates; esp., one who commits an offense or
crime.
Perpetuable \Per*pet"u*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being perpetuated or continued.
Varieties are perpetuable, like species. --Gray.
Perpetual \Per*pet"u*al\, a. [OE. perpetuel, F. perp['e]tuel,
fr. L. perpetualis, fr. perpetuus continuing throughout,
continuous, fr. perpes, -etis, lasting throughout.]
Neverceasing; continuing forever or for an unlimited time;
unfailing; everlasting; continuous.
Unto the kingdom of perpetual night. --Shak.
Perpetual feast of nectared sweets. --Milton.
{Circle of perpetual apparition}, or {occultation}. See under
{Circle}.
{Perpetual calendar}, a calendar so devised that it may be
adjusted for any month or year.
{Perpetual curacy} (Ch. of Eng.), a curacy in which all the
tithes are appropriated, and no vicarage is endowed.
--Blackstone.
{Perpetual motion}. See under {Motion}.
{Perpetual screw}. See {Endless screw}, under {Screw}.
Syn: Continual; unceasing; endless; everlasting; incessant;
constant; eternal. See {Constant}.
Perpetually \Per*pet"u*al*ly\, adv.
In a perpetual manner; constantly; continually.
The Bible and Common Prayer Book in the vulgar tongue,
being perpetually read in churches, have proved a kind
of standard for language. --Swift.
Perpetualty \Per*pet"u*al*ty\, n.
The state or condition of being perpetual. [Obs.] --Testament
of Love.
Perpetuance \Per*pet"u*ance\, n.
Perpetuity. [Obs.]
Perpetuate \Per*pet"u*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perpetuated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Perpetuating}.] [L. perpetuatus, p. p. of
perpetuare to perpetuate. See {Perpetual}.]
To make perpetual; to cause to endure, or to be continued,
indefinitely; to preserve from extinction or oblivion; to
eternize. --Addison. Burke.
Perpetuate \Per*pet"u*ate\, a. [L. perpetuatus, p. p.]
Made perpetual; perpetuated. [R.] --Southey.
Perpetuation \Per*pet`u*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F. perp['e]tuation.]
The act of making perpetual, or of preserving from extinction
through an endless existence, or for an indefinite period of
time; continuance. --Sir T. Browne.
Perpetuity \Per`pe*tu"i*ty\, n. [L. perpetuitas: cf. F.
perp['e]tuit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being perpetual; as, the
perpetuity of laws. --Bacon.
A path to perpetuity of fame. --Byron.
The perpetuity of single emotion is insanity. --I.
Taylor.
2. Something that is perpetual. --South.
3. Endless time. ``And yet we should, for perpetuity, go
hence in debt.'' --Shak.
4. (Annuities)
(a) The number of years in which the simple interest of
any sum becomes equal to the principal.
(b) The number of years' purchase to be given for an
annuity to continue forever.
(c) A perpetual annuity.
5. (Law)
(a) Duration without limitations as to time.
(b) The quality or condition of an estate by which it
becomes inalienable, either perpetually or for a very
long period; also, the estate itself so modified or
perpetuated.
Perplex \Per*plex"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perplexed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Perplexing}.] [L. perplexari. See {Perplex}, a.]
1. To involve; to entangle; to make intricate or complicated,
and difficult to be unraveled or understood; as, to
perplex one with doubts.
No artful wildness to perplex the scene. --Pope.
What was thought obscure, perplexed, and too hard
for our weak parts, will lie open to the
understanding in a fair view. --Locke.
2. To embarrass; to puzzle; to distract; to bewilder; to
confuse; to trouble with ambiguity, suspense, or anxiety.
``Perplexd beyond self-explication.'' --Shak.
We are perplexed, but not in despair. --2 Cor. iv.
8.
We can distinguish no general truths, or at least
shall be apt to perplex the mind. --Locke.
3. To plague; to vex; to tormen. --Glanvill.
Syn: To entangle; involve; complicate; embarrass; puzzle;
bewilder; confuse; distract. See {Embarrass}.
Perplex \Per*plex"\, a. [L. perplexus entangled, intricate; per
+ plectere, plexum, to plait, braid: cf. F. perplexe. See
{Per-}, and {Plait}.]
Intricate; difficult. [Obs.] --Glanvill.
Perplexed \Per*plexed"\, a.
Entangled, involved, or confused; hence, embarrassd; puzzled;
doubtful; anxious. -- {Per*plex"ed*ly}, adv. --
{Per*plex"ed*ness}, n.
Perplexing \Per*plex"ing\, a.
Embarrassing; puzzling; troublesome. ``Perplexing thoughts.''
--Milton.
Perplexity \Per*plex"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Perplexities}. [L.
perplexitas: cf. F. perplexit['e].]
The quality or state of being perplexed or puzzled;
complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction of mind
through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment; bewilderment;
doubt.
By their own perplexities involved, They ravel more.
--Milton.
Perplexiveness \Per*plex"ive*ness\, n.
The quality of being perplexing; tendency to perplex. [Obs.]
--Dr. H. More.
Perplexly \Per*plex"ly\, adv.
Perplexedly. [Obs.] --Milton.
Perpotation \Per`po*ta"tion\, n. [L. perpotatio, fr. perpotate.
See {Per-}, and {Potation}.]
The act of drinking excessively; a drinking bout. [Obs.]
Perquisite \Per"qui*site\, n. [L. perquisitum, fr. perquisitus,
p. p. of perquirere to ask for diligently; per + quaerere to
seek. See {Per-}, and {Quest}.]
1. Something gained from a place or employment over and above
the ordinary salary or fixed wages for services rendered;
especially, a fee allowed by law to an officer for a
specific service.
The pillage of a place taken by storm was regarded
as the perquisite of the soldiers. --Prescott.
The best perquisites of a place are the advantages
it gaves a man of doing good. --Addison.
2. pl. (Law) Things gotten by a man's own industry, or
purchased with his own money, as opposed to things which
come to him by descent. --Mozley & W.
Perquisited \Per"qui*sit*ed\, a.
Supplied with perquisites. [Obs.] ``Perquisited varlets
frequent stand.'' --Savage.
Perquisition \Per`qui*si"tion\, n. [Cf. F. perquisition.]
A thorough inquiry of search. [R.] --Berkeley.
Perradial \Per*ra"di*al\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Situated around the radii, or radial tubes, of a radiate.
Perrie \Per"rie\, n. [F. pierreries, pl., fr. pierre stone, L.
petra.]
Precious stones; jewels. [Obs.] [Written also {perre},
{perrye}, etc.] --Chaucer.
Perrier \Per"ri*er\, n. [OF. perriere, perrier, F. perrier. Cf.
{Pederero}.] (Mil.)
A short mortar used formerly for throwing stone shot.
--Hakluyt.
Perroquet \Per`ro*quet"\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Paroquet}, {Parakeet}.
Perruque \Per`ruque"\, n. [F.]
See {Peruke}.
Perruquier \Per*ru"qui*er\, n. [F.]
A marker of perukes or wigs.
Perry \Per"ry\, n. [OF. per['e], F. poir['e], fr. poire a pear,
L. pirum. See {Pear} the fruit.]
A fermented liquor made from pears; pear cider. --Mortimer.
Perry \Per"ry\, n.
A suddent squall. See {Pirry}. [Obs.]
Pers \Pers\, a. [F. pers.]
Light blue; grayish blue; -- a term applied to different
shades at different periods. -- n. A cloth of sky-blue color.
[Obs.] ``A long surcoat of pers.'' --Chaucer.
Persalt \Per"salt`\, n. (Chem.)
A term formerly given to the salts supposed to be formed
respectively by neutralizing acids with certain peroxides.
[Obsoles.]
Persant \Per"sant\, a. [F. per[,c]ant, p. pr. of percer to
pierce.]
Piercing. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Perscrutation \Per`scru*ta"tion\, n. [L. perscrutatio, fr.
perscrutari to search through.]
A thorough searching; a minute inquiry or scrutiny. --Carlyle
Persecot \Per"se*cot\, n.
See {Persicot}.
Persecute \Per"se*cute\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Persecuted}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Persecuting}.] [F. pers['e]cueter, L. persequi,
persecutus, to pursue, prosecute; per + sequi to follow,
pursue. See {Per-}, and {Second}.]
1. To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to
beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to
afflict, harass, punish, or put to death, for adherence to
a particular religious creed or mode of worship.
Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
--Matt. v. 44.
2. To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent
solicitations; to annoy. --Johnson.
Syn: To oppress; harass; distress; worry; annoy.
Persecution \Per`se*cu"tion\, n. [F. pers['e]cution, L.
persecutio.]
1. The act or practice of persecuting; especially, the
infliction of loss, pain, or death for adherence to a
particular creed or mode of worship.
Persecution produces no sincere conviction. --Paley.
2. The state or condition of being persecuted. --Locke.
3. A carrying on; prosecution. [Obs.]
Persecutor \Per"se*cu`tor\, n. [L.: cf. F. pers['e]cuteur.]
One who persecutes, or harasses. --Shak.
Persecutrix \Per"se*cu`trix\, n. [L.]
A woman who persecutes.
Perseid \Per"se*id\, n. (Astron.)
One of a group of shooting stars which appear yearly about
the 10th of August, and cross the heavens in paths apparently
radiating from the constellation Perseus. They are beleived
to be fragments once connected with a comet visible in 1862.
Perseus \Per"se*us\, n. [L., from Gr. ?.]
1. (Class. Myth.) A Grecian legendary hero, son of Jupiter
and Dana["e], who slew the Gorgon Medusa.
2. (Astron.) A consellation of the northern hemisphere, near
Taurus and Cassiopea. It contains a star cluster visible
to the naked eye as a nebula.
Persever \Per*sev"er\, v. i.
To persevere. [Obs.]
Perseverance \Per`se*ver"ance\, n. [F. pers['e]v['e]rance, L.
perseverantia.]
1. The act of persevering; persistence in anything
undertaken; continued pursuit or prosecution of any
business, or enterprise begun. ``The king-becoming graces
. . . perseverance, mercy, lowliness.'' --Shak.
Whose constant perseverance overcame Whate'er his
cruel malice could invent. --Milton.
2. Discrimination. [Obs.] --Sir J. Harrington.
3. (Theol.) Continuance in a state of grace until it is
succeeded by a state of glory; sometimes called final
perseverance, and the perseverance of the saints. See
{Calvinism}.
Syn: Persistence; steadfastness; constancy; steadiness;
pertinacity.
Perseverant \Per`se*ver"ant\, a. [L. perseverans, -antis, p.
pr.: cf. F. pers['e]v['e]rant.]
Persevering. [R.] ``Perseverant faith.'' --Whitby. --
{Per`se*ver"ant*ly}, adv. [R.]
Persevere \Per`se*vere"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Persevered}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Persevering}.] [F. pers['e]v['e]rer, L.
perseverare, fr. perseverus very strict; per + severus
strict, severe. See {Per-}, and {Severe}.]
To persist in any business or enterprise undertaken; to
pursue steadily any project or course begun; to maintain a
purpose in spite of counter influences, opposition, or
discouragement; not to give or abandon what is undertaken.
Thrice happy, if they know Their happiness, and
persevere upright. --Milton.
Syn: To {Persevere}, {Continue}, {Persist}.
Usage: The idea of not laying aside is common to these words.
Continue is the generic term, denoting simply to do as
one has done hitherto. To persevere is to continue in
a given course in spite of discouragements, etc., from
a desire to obtain our end. To persist is to continue
from a determination of will not to give up. Persist
is frequently used in a bad sense, implying obstinacy
in pursuing an unworthy aim.
Persevering \Per`se*ver"ing\, a.
Characterized by perseverance; persistent. --
{Per`se*ver"ing*ly}, adv.
Persian \Per"sian\, a. [From Persia: cf. It. Persiano. Cf.
{Parsee}, {Peach}, {Persic}.]
Of or pertaining to Persia, to the Persians, or to their
language.
{Persian berry}, the fruit of {Rhamnus infectorius}, a kind
of buckthorn, used for dyeing yellow, and imported chiefly
from Trebizond.
{Persian cat}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Angora cat}, under
{Angora}.
{Persian columns} (Arch.), columns of which the shaft
represents a Persian slave; -- called also {Persians}. See
{Atlantes}.
{Persian drill} (Mech.), a drill which is turned by pushing a
nut back and forth along a spirally grooved drill holder.
{Persian fire} (Med.), malignant pustule.
{Persian powder}. See {Insect powder}, under {Insect}.
{Persian red}. See {Indian red}
(a), under {Indian}.
{Persian wheel}, a noria; a tympanum. See {Noria}.
Persian \Per"sian\, n.
1. A native or inhabitant of Persia.
2. The language spoken in Persia.
3. A thin silk fabric, used formerly for linings. --Beck.
4. pl. (Arch.) See {Persian columns}, under {Persian}, a.
Persic \Per"sic\, a. [L. Persicus. Cf. {Persian}.]
Of or relating to Persia. -- n. The Persian language.
Persicaria \Per`si*ca"ri*a\, n. [NL., from LL. persicarius a
peach tree. See {Peach}.] (Bot.)
See {Lady's thumb}.
Persicot \Per"si*cot\, n. [F. See {Peach}.]
A cordial made of the kernels of apricots, nectarines, etc.,
with refined spirit.
Persiflage \Per`si`flage"\, n. [F., fr. persifler to quiz, fr.
L. per + siffler to whistle, hiss, L. sibilare, sifilare.]
Frivolous or bantering talk; a frivolous manner of treating
any subject, whether serious or otherwise; light raillery.
--Hannah More.
Persifleur \Per`si`fleur\, n. [F.]
One who indulges in persiflage; a banterer; a quiz.
--Carlyle.
Persimmon \Per*sim"mon\, n. [Virginia Indian.] (Bot.)
An American tree ({Diospyros Virginiana}) and its fruit,
found from New York southward. The fruit is like a plum in
appearance, but is very harsh and astringent until it has
been exposed to frost, when it becomes palatable and
nutritious.
{Japanese persimmon}, {Diospyros Kaki} and its red or yellow
edible fruit, which outwardly resembles a tomato, but
contains a few large seeds.
Persis \Per"sis\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
A kind of coloring matter obtained from lichens.
Persism \Per"sism\, n.
A Persian idiom.
Persist \Per*sist"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Persisted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Persisting}.] [L. persistere; per + sistere to stand
or be fixed, fr. stare to stand: cf. F. persister. See
{Per-}, and {Stand}.]
To stand firm; to be fixed and unmoved; to stay; to continue
steadfastly; especially, to continue fixed in a course of
conduct against opposing motives; to persevere; -- sometimes
conveying an unfavorable notion, as of doggedness or
obstinacy.
If they persist in pointing their batteries against
particular persons, no laws of war forbid the making
reprisals. --Addison.
Some positive, persisting fops we know, Who, if once
wrong, will needs be always so. --Pope.
That face persists. It floats up; it turns over in my
mind. --Mrs.
Browning.
Syn: See {Persevere}, and {Insist}.
Persistence \Per*sist"ence\, Persistency \Per*sist"en*cy\, n.
[See {Persistent}.]
1. The quality or state of being persistent; staying or
continuing quality; hence, in an unfavorable sense,
doggedness; obstinacy.
2. The continuance of an effect after the cause which first
gave rise to it is removed; as:
(a) (Physics) The persistence of motion.
(b) (Physiol.) Visual persistence, or persistence of the
visual impression; auditory persistence, etc.
Persistent \Per*sist"ent\, a. [L. persistens, -entis, p. pr. of
persistere. See {Persist}.]
1. Inclined to persist; having staying qualities; tenacious
of position or purpose.
2. (Biol.) Remaining beyond the period when parts of the same
kind sometimes fall off or are absorbed; permanent; as,
persistent teeth or gills; a persistent calyx; -- opposed
to {deciduous}, and {caducous}.
Persistently \Per*sist"ent*ly\, adv.
In a persistent manner.
Persisting \Per*sist"ing\, a.
Inclined to persist; tenacious of purpose; persistent. --
{Per*sist"ing*ly}, adv.
Persistive \Per*sist"ive\, a.
See {Persistent}. --Shak.
Persolve \Per*solve"\, v. t. [L. persolvere.]
To pay wholly, or fully. [Obs.] --E. Hall.
Person \Per"son\, n. [OE. persone, persoun, person, parson, OF.
persone, F. personne, L. persona a mask (used by actors), a
personage, part, a person, fr. personare to sound through;
per + sonare to sound. See {Per-}, and cf. {Parson}.]
1. A character or part, as in a play; a specific kind or
manifestation of individual character, whether in real
life, or in literary or dramatic representation; an
assumed character. [Archaic]
His first appearance upon the stage in his new
person of a sycophant or juggler. --Bacon.
No man can long put on a person and act a part.
--Jer. Taylor.
To bear rule, which was thy part And person, hadst
thou known thyself aright. --Milton.
How different is the same man from himself, as he
sustains the person of a magistrate and that of a
friend! --South.
2. The bodily form of a human being; body; outward
appearance; as, of comely person.
A fair persone, and strong, and young of age.
--Chaucer.
If it assume my noble father's person. --Shak.
Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shined.
--Milton.
3. A living, self-conscious being, as distinct from an animal
or a thing; a moral agent; a human being; a man, woman, or
child.
Consider what person stands for; which, I think, is
a thinking, intelligent being, that has reason and
reflection. --Locke.
4. A human being spoken of indefinitely; one; a man; as, any
person present.
5. A parson; the parish priest. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
6. (Theol.) Among Trinitarians, one of the three subdivisions
of the Godhead (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost);
an hypostasis. ``Three persons and one God.'' --Bk. of
Com. Prayer.
7. (Gram.) One of three relations or conditions (that of
speaking, that of being spoken to, and that of being
spoken of) pertaining to a noun or a pronoun, and thence
also to the verb of which it may be the subject.
Note: A noun or pronoun, when representing the speaker, is
said to be in the first person; when representing what
is spoken to, in the second person; when representing
what is spoken of, in the third person.
8. (Biol.) A shoot or bud of a plant; a polyp or zooid of the
compound Hydrozoa Anthozoa, etc.; also, an individual, in
the narrowest sense, among the higher animals. --Haeckel.
True corms, composed of united person[ae] . . .
usually arise by gemmation, . . . yet in sponges and
corals occasionally by fusion of several originally
distinct persons. --Encyc. Brit.
{Artificial}, or {Fictitious}, {person} (Law), a corporation
or body politic. --blackstone.
{Natural person} (Law), a man, woman, or child, in
distinction from a corporation.
{In person}, by one's self; with bodily presence; not by
representative. ``The king himself in person is set
forth.'' --Shak.
{In the person of}, in the place of; acting for. --Shak.
Person \Per"son\, v. t.
To represent as a person; to personify; to impersonate.
[Obs.] --Milton.
Persona \Per*so"na\, n.; pl. {Person[ae]}. [L.] (Biol.)
Same as {Person}, n., 8.
Personable \Per"son*a*ble\, a.
1. Having a well-formed body, or person; graceful; comely; of
good appearance; presentable; as, a personable man or
woman.
Wise, warlike, personable, courteous, and kind.
--Spenser.
The king, . . . so visited with sickness, was not
personable. --E. Hall.
2. (Law)
(a) Enabled to maintain pleas in court. --Cowell.
(b) Having capacity to take anything granted.
Personage \Per"son*age\, n. [F. personnage.]
1. Form, appearance, or belongings of a person; the external
appearance, stature, figure, air, and the like, of a
person. ``In personage stately.'' --Hayward.
The damsel well did view his personage. --Spenser.
2. Character assumed or represented. ``The actors and
personages of this fable.'' --Broome. ``Disguised in a
false personage.'' --Addison.
3. A notable or distinguished person; a conspicious or
peculiar character; as, an illustrious personage; a comely
personage of stature tall. --Spenser.
Personal \Per"son*al\, a. [L. personalis: cf. F. personnel.]
1. Pertaining to human beings as distinct from things.
Every man so termed by way of personal difference.
--Hooker.
2. Of or pertaining to a particular person; relating to, or
affecting, an individual, or each of many individuals;
peculiar or proper to private concerns; not public or
general; as, personal comfort; personal desire.
The words are conditional, -- If thou doest well, --
and so personal to Cain. --Locke.
3. Pertaining to the external or bodily appearance;
corporeal; as, personal charms. --Addison.
4. Done in person; without the intervention of another.
``Personal communication.'' --Fabyan.
The immediate and personal speaking of God. --White.
5. Relating to an individual, his character, conduct,
motives, or private affairs, in an invidious and offensive
manner; as, personal reflections or remarks.
6. (Gram.) Denoting person; as, a personal pronoun.
{Personal action} (Law), a suit or action by which a man
claims a debt or personal duty, or damages in lieu of it;
or wherein he claims satisfaction in damages for an injury
to his person or property, or the specific recovery of
goods or chattels; -- opposed to real action.
{Personal equation}. (Astron.) See under {Equation}.
{Personal estate} or {property} (Law), movables; chattels; --
opposed to real estate or property. It usually consists of
things temporary and movable, including all subjects of
property not of a freehold nature.
{Personal identity} (Metaph.), the persistent and continuous
unity of the individual person, which is attested by
consciousness.
{Personal pronoun} (Gram.), one of the pronouns {I}, {thou},
{he}, {she}, {it}, and their plurals.
{Personal representatives} (Law), the executors or
administrators of a person deceased.
{Personal rights}, rights appertaining to the person; as, the
rights of a personal security, personal liberty, and
private property.
{Personal tithes}. See under {Tithe}.
{Personal verb} (Gram.), a verb which is modified or
inflected to correspond with the three persons.
Personal \Per"son*al\, n. (Law)
A movable; a chattel.
Personalism \Per"son*al*ism\, n.
The quality or state of being personal; personality. [R.]
Personality \Per`son*al"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Personalities}. [Cf. F.
personnalit['e]. Cf. {Personality}.]
1. That which constitutes distinction of person;
individuality.
Personality is individuality existing in itself, but
with a nature as a ground. --Coleridge.
2. Something said or written which refers to the person,
conduct, etc., of some individual, especially something of
a disparaging or offensive nature; personal remarks; as,
indulgence in personalities.
Sharp personalities were exchanged. --Macaulay.
3. (Law) That quality of a law which concerns the condition,
state, and capacity of persons. --Burrill.
Personalize \Per"son*al*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Personalized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Personalizing}.]
To make personal. ``They personalize death.'' --H. Spencer.
Personally \Per"son*al*ly\, adv.
1. In a personal manner; by bodily presence; in person; not
by representative or substitute; as, to deliver a letter
personally.
He, being cited, personally came not. --Grafton.
2. With respect to an individual; as regards the person;
individually; particularly.
She bore a mortal hatred to the house of Lancaster,
and personally to the king. --Bacon.
3. With respect to one's individuality; as regards one's
self; as, personally I have no feeling in the matter.
Personalty \Per"son*al*ty\, n.
1. The state of being a person; personality. [R.]
2. (Law) Personal property, as distinguished from realty or
real property.
Personate \Per"son*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Personated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Personating}.] [L. personare to cry out, LL.,
to extol. See {Person}.]
To celebrate loudly; to extol; to praise. [Obs.]
In fable, hymn, or song so personating Their gods
ridiculous. --Milton.
Personate \Per"son*ate\, v. t. [L. personatus masked, assumed,
fictitious, fr. persona a mask. See {Person}.]
1. To assume the character of; to represent by a fictitious
appearance; to act the part of; hence, to counterfeit; to
feign; as, he tried to personate his brother; a personated
devotion. --Hammond.
2. To set forth in an unreal character; to disguise; to mask.
[R.] ``A personated mate.'' --Milton.
3. To personify; to typify; to describe. --Shak.
Personate \Per"son*ate\, v. i.
To play or assume a character.
Personate \Per"son*ate\, a. [L. personatus masked.] (Bot.)
Having the throat of a bilabiate corolla nearly closed by a
projection of the base of the lower lip; masked, as in the
flower of the snapdragon.
Personation \Per`son*a"tion\, n.
The act of personating, or conterfeiting the person or
character of another.
Personator \Per"son*a`tor\, n.
One who personates. ``The personators of these actions.''
--B. Jonson.
Personeity \Per`son*e"i*ty\, n.
Personality. [R.] --Coleridge.
Personification \Per*son`i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
personnification.]
1. The act of personifying; impersonation; embodiment. --C.
Knight.
2. (Rhet.) A figure of speech in which an inanimate object or
abstract idea is represented as animated, or endowed with
personality; prosopop?ia; as, the floods clap their hands.
``Confusion heards his voice.'' --Milton.
Personifier \Per*son"i*fi`er\, n.
One who personifies.
Personify \Per*son"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Personified}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Personifying}.] [Person + -fy: cf. F.
personnifier.]
1. To regard, treat, or represent as a person; to represent
as a rational being.
The poets take the liberty of personifying inanimate
things. --Chesterfield.
2. To be the embodiment or personification of; to
impersonate; as, he personifies the law.
Personize \Per"son*ize\, v. t.
To personify. [R.]
Milton has personized them. --J.
Richardson.
Personnel \Per`son`nel"\, n. [F. See {Personal}.]
The body of persons employed in some public service, as the
army, navy, etc.; -- distinguished from mat['e]riel.
Perspective \Per*spec"tive\, a. [L. perspicere, perspectum, to
look through; per + spicere, specere, to look: cf. F.
perspectif; or from E. perspective, n. See {Spy}, n.]
1. Of or pertaining to the science of vision; optical. [Obs.]
--Bacon.
2. Pertaining to the art, or in accordance with the laws, of
perspective.
{Perspective plane}, the plane or surface on which the
objects are delineated, or the picture drawn; the plane of
projection; -- distinguished from the ground plane, which
is that on which the objects are represented as standing.
When this plane is oblique to the principal face of the
object, the perspective is called oblique perspective;
when parallel to that face, parallel perspective.
{Perspective shell} (Zo["o]l.), any shell of the genus
{Solarium} and allied genera. See {Solarium}.
Perspective \Per*spec"tive\, n. [F. perspective, fr. perspectif:
cf. It. perspettiva. See {Perspective}, a.]
1. A glass through which objects are viewed. [Obs.] ``Not a
perspective, but a mirror.'' --Sir T. Browne.
2. That which is seen through an opening; a view; a vista.
``The perspective of life.'' --Goldsmith.
3. The effect of distance upon the appearance of objects, by
means of which the eye recognized them as being at a more
or less measurable distance. Hence, a["e]rial perspective,
the assumed greater vagueness or uncertainty of outline in
distant objects.
A["e]rial perspective is the expression of space by
any means whatsoever, sharpness of edge, vividness
of color, etc. --Ruskin.
4. The art and the science of so delineating objects that
they shall seem to grow smaller as they recede from the
eye; -- called also {linear perspective}.
5. A drawing in linear perspective.
{Isometrical perspective}, an inaccurate term for a
mechanical way of representing objects in the direction of
the diagonal of a cube.
{Perspective glass}, a telescope which shows objects in the
right position.
Perspectively \Per*spec"tive*ly\, adv.
1. Optically; as through a glass. [R.]
You see them perspectively. --Shak.
2. According to the rules of perspective.
Perspectograph \Per*spec"to*graph\, n. [L. perspectus (p. p. of
perspicere to look through) + -graph.]
An instrument for obtaining, and transferring to a picture,
the points and outlines of objects, so as to represent them
in their proper geometrical relations as viewed from some one
point.
Perspectography \Per`spec*tog"ra*phy\, n.
The science or art of delineating objects according to the
laws of perspective; the theory of perspective.
Perspicable \Per"spi*ca*ble\, a. [L. perspicabilis, fr.
perspicere.]
Discernible. [Obs.] --Herbert.
Perspicacious \Per`spi*ca"cious\, a. [L. perspicax, -acis, fr.
perspicere to look through: cf. F. perspicace. See
{Perspective}.]
1. Having the power of seeing clearly; quick-sighted; sharp
of sight.
2. Fig.: Of acute discernment; keen. --
{Per`spi*ca"cious*ly}, adv. -- {Per`spi*ca"cious*ness}, n.
Perspicacity \Per`spi*cac"i*ty\, n. [L. perspicacitas: cf. F.
perspicacit['e]. See {Perspicacious}.]
The state of being perspicacious; acuteness of sight or of
intelligence; acute discernment. --Sir T. Browne.
Perspicacy \Per"spi*ca*cy\, n.
Perspicacity. [Obs.]
Perspicience \Per*spi"cience\, n. [L. perspicientia, fr.
perspiciens, p. p. of perspicere. See {Perspective}.]
The act of looking sharply. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Perspicil \Per"spi*cil\, n. [LL. perspicilla, fr. L. perspicere
to look through.]
An optical glass; a telescope. [Obs.] --Crashaw.
Perspicuity \Per`spi*cu"i*ty\, n. [L. perspicuitas: cf. F.
perspicuit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being transparent or translucent.
[Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
2. The quality of being perspicuous to the understanding;
clearness of expression or thought.
3. Sagacity; perspicacity.
Syn: Clearness; perspicuousness; plainness; distinctness;
lucidity; transparency. See {Clearness}.
Perspicuous \Per*spic"u*ous\, a. [L. perspicuus, from perspicere
to look through. See {Perspective}.]
1. Capable of being through; transparent; translucent; not
opaque. [Obs.] --Peacham.
2. Clear to the understanding; capable of being clearly
understood; clear in thought or in expression; not obscure
or ambiguous; as, a perspicuous writer; perspicuous
statements. ``The purpose is perspicuous.'' --Shak. --
{Per*spic"u*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Per*spic"u*ous*ness}, n.
Perspirability \Per*spir`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being perspirable.
Perspirable \Per*spir"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. perspirable.]
1. Capable of being perspired. --Sir T. Browne.
2. Emitting perspiration; perspiring. [R.] --Bacon.
Perspiration \Per`spi*ra"tion\, n. [Cf. F. perspiration.]
1. The act or process of perspiring.
2. That which is excreted through the skin; sweat.
Note: A man of average weight throws off through the skin
during 24 hours about 18 ounces of water, 300 grains of
solid matter, and 400 grains of carbonic acid gas.
Ordinarily, this constant exhalation is not apparent,
and the excretion is then termed insensible
perspiration.
Perspirative \Per*spir"a*tive\, a.
Performing the act of perspiration; perspiratory.
Perspiratory \Per*spir"a*to*ry\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or producing, perspiration; as, the
perspiratory ducts.
Perspire \Per*spire"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Perspired}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Perspiring}.] [L. perspirare to breathe through; per
+ spirare. See {Per-}, and {Spirit}.]
1. (Physiol.) To excrete matter through the skin; esp., to
excrete fluids through the pores of the skin; to sweat.
2. To be evacuated or excreted, or to exude, through the
pores of the skin; as, a fluid perspires.
Perspire \Per*spire"\, v. t.
To emit or evacuate through the pores of the skin; to sweat;
to excrete through pores.
Firs . . . perspire a fine balsam of turpentine.
--Smollett.
Perstreperous \Per*strep"er*ous\, a. [L. perstrepere to make a
great noise.]
Noisy; obstreperous. [Obs.] --Ford.
Perstringe \Per*stringe"\, v. t. [L. perstringere; per +
stringere to bind up, to touch upon.]
1. To touch; to graze; to glance on. [Obs.]
2. To criticise; to touch upon. [R.] --Evelyn.
Persuadable \Per*suad"a*ble\, a.
That may be persuaded. -- {Per*suad"a*ble*ness}, n. --
{Per*suad"a*bly}, adv.
Persuade \Per*suade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Persuaded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Persuading}.] [L. persuadere, persuasum; per +
suadere to advise, persuade: cf. F. persuader. See {Per-},
and {Suasion}.]
1. To influence or gain over by argument, advice, entreaty,
expostulation, etc.; to draw or incline to a determination
by presenting sufficient motives.
Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. --Acts xxvi.
28.
We will persuade him, be it possible. --Shak.
2. To try to influence. [Obsolescent]
Hearken not unto Hezekiah, when he persuadeth you.
--2 Kings
xviii. 32.
3. To convince by argument, or by reasons offered or
suggested from reflection, etc.; to cause to believe.
Beloved, we are persuaded better things of you.
--Heb. vi. 9.
4. To inculcate by argument or expostulation; to advise; to
recommend. --Jer. Taylor.
Syn: To convince; induce; prevail on; win over; allure;
entice. See {Convince}.
Persuade \Per*suade"\, v. i.
To use persuasion; to plead; to prevail by persuasion.
--Shak.
Persuade \Per*suade"\, n.
Persuasion. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
Persuaded \Per*suad"ed\, p. p. & a.
Prevailed upon; influenced by argument or entreaty;
convinced. -- {Per*suad"ed*ly}, adv. -- {Per*suad"ed*ness},
n.
Persuader \Per*suad"er\, n.
One who, or that which, persuades or influences. ``Powerful
persuaders.'' --Milton.
Persuasibility \Per*sua`si*bil"i*ty\, n.
Capability of being persuaded. --Hawthorne.
Persuasible \Per*sua"si*ble\, a. [Cf. L. persuasibilis
persuasive, F. persuasible persuasible.]
1. Capable of being persuaded; persuadable.
2. Persuasive. [Obs.] --Bale. -- {Per*sua"si*ble*ness}, n. --
{Per*sua"si*bly}, adv.
Persuasion \Per*sua"sion\, n. [L. persuasio; Cf. F. persuasion.]
1. The act of persuading; the act of influencing the mind by
arguments or reasons offered, or by anything that moves
the mind or passions, or inclines the will to a
determination.
For thou hast all the arts of fine persuasion.
--Otway.
2. The state of being persuaded or convinced; settled opinion
or conviction, which has been induced.
If the general persuasion of all men does so account
it. --Hooker.
My firm persuasion is, at least sometimes, That
Heaven will weigh man's virtues and his crimes With
nice attention. --Cowper.
3. A creed or belief; a sect or party adhering to a certain
creed or system of opinions; as, of the same persuasion;
all persuasions are agreed.
Of whatever state or persuasion, religious or
political. --Jefferson.
4. The power or quality of persuading; persuasiveness.
Is 't possible that my deserts to you Can lack
persuasion? --Shak.
5. That which persuades; a persuasive. [R.]
Syn: See {Conviction}.
Persuasive \Per*sua"sive\, a. [Cf. F. persuasif.]
Tending to persuade; having the power of persuading; as,
persuasive eloquence. ``Persuasive words.'' --Milton.
Persuasive \Per*sua"sive\, n.
That which persuades; an inducement; an incitement; an
exhortation. -- {Per*sua"sive*ly}, adv. --
{Per*sua"sive*ness}, n.
Persuasory \Per*sua"so*ry\, a.
Persuasive. --Sir T. Browne.
Persulphate \Per*sul"phate\, n. (Chem.)
A sulphate of the peroxide of any base. [R.]
Persulphide \Per*sul"phide\, n. (Chem.)
A sulphide containing more sulphur than some other compound
of the same elements; as, iron pyrites is a persulphide; --
formerly called {persulphuret}.
Persulphocyanate \Per*sul`pho*cy"a*nate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of persulphocyanic acid. [R.]
Persulphocyanic \Per*sul`pho*cy*an"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a yellow crystalline substance
(called also perthiocyanic acid), analogous to sulphocyanic
acid, but containing more sulphur.
Persulphocyanogen \Per*sul`pho*cy*an"o*gen\, n. (Chem.)
An orange-yellow substance, produced by the action of
chlorine or boiling dilute nitric acid and sulphocyanate of
potassium; -- called also {pseudosulphocyanogen},
{perthiocyanogen}, and formerly {sulphocyanogen}.
Persulphuret \Per*sul"phu*ret\, n. (Chem.)
A persulphide. [Obs.]
Pert \Pert\, a. [An aphetic form of OE. & OF. apert open, known,
true, free, or impudent. See {Apert}.]
1. Open; evident; apert. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
2. Lively; brisk; sprightly; smart. [Obs.] --Shak.
3. Indecorously free, or presuming; saucy; bold; impertinent.
``A very pert manner.'' --Addison.
The squirrel, flippant, pert, and full of play.
--Cowper.
Pert \Pert\, v. i.
To behave with pertness. [Obs.] --Gauden.
Pertain \Per*tain"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pertained}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Pertaining}.] [OE. partenen, OF. partenir, fr. L.
pertinere to stretch out, reach, pertain; per + tenere to
hold, keep. See {Per-}, and {Tenable}, and cf. {Appertain},
{Pertinent}.]
1. To belong; to have connection with, or dependence on,
something, as an appurtenance, attribute, etc.; to
appertain; as, saltness pertains to the ocean; flowers
pertain to plant life.
Men hate those who affect that honor by ambition
which pertaineth not to them. --Hayward.
2. To have relation or reference to something.
These words pertain unto us at this time as they
pertained to them at their time. --Latimer.
Perterebration \Per*ter`e*bra"tion\, n. [L. perterebratus, p. p.
of perterebrare to bore through.]
The act of boring through. [Obs.] --Ainsworth.
Perthiocyanogen \Per*thi`o*cy*an"o*gen\, n. (Chem.)
Same as {Persulphocyanogen}.
Perthite \Perth"ite\, n. [So called from Perth, in canada.]
(Min.)
A kind of feldspar consisting of a laminated intertexture of
albite and orthoclase, usually of different colors. --
{Per*thit"ic}, a.
Pertinacious \Per`ti*na"cious\, a.[L. pertinax, -acis; per +
tenax tenacious. See {Per-}, and {Tenacious}.]
1. Holding or adhering to any opinion, purpose, or design,
with obstinacy; perversely persistent; obstinate; as,
pertinacious plotters; a pertinacious beggar.
2. Resolute; persevering; constant; steady.
Diligence is a steady, constant, and pertinacious
study. --South.
Syn: Obstinate; stubborn; inflexible; unyielding; resolute;
determined; firm; constant; steady. --
{Per`ti*na"cious*ly}, adv. -- {Per`ti*na"cious*ness}, n.
Pertinacity \Per`ti*nac"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. pertinacit['e].]
The quality or state of being pertinacious; obstinacy;
perseverance; persistency. --Macaulay.
Syn: See {Obstinacy}.
Pertinacy \Per"ti*na*cy\, n. [L. pertinere to pertain. See
{Pertinence}.]
The quality or state of being pertinent; pertinence. [Obs.]
Pertinacy \Per"ti*na*cy\, n. [L. pertinacia, fr. pertinax. See
{Pertinacious}.]
Pertinacity. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pertinate \Per"ti*nate\, a.
Pertinacious. [Obs.]
Pertinately \Per"ti*nate*ly\, adv.
Pertinaciously. [Obs.]
Pertinence \Per"ti*nence\, Pertinency \Per"ti*nen*cy\, n. [Cf.
F. pertinence. See {Pertinent}.]
The quality or state of being pertinent; justness of relation
to the subject or matter in hand; fitness; appositeness;
relevancy; suitableness.
The fitness and pertinency of the apostle's discourse.
--Bentley.
Pertinent \Per"ti*nent\, a. [L. pertinens, -entis, p. pr. of
pertinere: cf. F. pertinent. See {Pertain}.]
1. Belonging or related to the subject or matter in hand; fit
or appropriate in any way; adapted to the end proposed;
apposite; material; relevant; as, pertinent illustrations
or arguments; pertinent evidence.
2. Regarding; concerning; belonging; pertaining. [R.]
``Pertinent unto faith.'' --Hooker.
Syn: Apposite; relevant; suitable; appropriate; fit. --
{Per"ti*nent*ly}, adv. -- {Per"ti*nent*ness}, n.
Pertly \Pert"ly\, adv.
In a pert manner.
Pertness \Pert"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being pert.
Pertransient \Per*tran"sient\, a. [L. pertransiens, p. pr. of
pertransire.]
Passing through or over. [R.]
Perturb \Per*turb"\, v. t. [L. perturbare, perturbatum; per +
turbare to disturb, fr. turba a disorder: cf. OF. perturber.
See {Per-}, and {Turbid}.]
1. To disturb; to agitate; to vex; to trouble; to disquiet.
Ye that . . . perturb so my feast with crying.
--Chaucer.
2. To disorder; to confuse. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Perturbability \Per*turb`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being perturbable.
Perturbable \Per*turb"a*ble\, a.
Liable to be perturbed or agitated; liable to be disturbed or
disquieted.
Perturbance \Per*turb"ance\, n.
Disturbance; perturbation. [R.] ``Perturbance of the mind.''
--Sharp.
Perturbate \Per"tur*bate\, v. t. [From L. perturbatus, p. p.]
To perturb. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Perturbate \Per"tur*bate\, a.
Perturbed; agitated. [R.]
Perturbation \Per`tur*ba"tion\, n. [L. perturbatio: cf. F.
perturbation.]
1. The act of perturbing, or the state of being perturbed;
esp., agitation of mind.
2. (Astron.) A disturbance in the regular elliptic or other
motion of a heavenly body, produced by some force
additional to that which causes its regular motion; as,
the perturbations of the planets are caused by their
attraction on each other. --Newcomb.
Perturbational \Per`tur*ba"tion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to perturbation, esp. to the perturbations
of the planets. ``The perturbational theory.'' --Sir J.
Herschel.
Perturbative \Per"tur*ba*tive\, a.
Tending to cause perturbation; disturbing. --Sir J. Herschel.
Perturbator \Per"tur*ba`tor\, n.
A perturber. [R.]
Perturbed \Per*turbed"\, a.
Agitated; disturbed; troubled. --Shak. -- {Per*turb"ed*ly},
adv.
Perturber \Per*turb"er\, n.
One who, or that which, perturbs, or cause perturbation.
Pertusate \Per*tus"ate\, a. [See {Pertuse}.] (Bot.)
Pierced at the apex.
Pertuse \Per*tuse"\, Pertused \Per*tused"\, a. [L. pertusus, p.
p. of pertundere to beat or thrust through, to bore through;
per + tundere to beat: cf. F. pertus. Cf. {Pierce}.]
Punched; pierced with, or having, holes.
Pertusion \Per*tu"sion\, n. [L. pertusio.]
The act of punching or piercing with a pointed instrument;
as, pertusion of a vein. [R.] --Arbuthnot.
2. A punched hole; a perforation. --Bacon.
Pertussis \Per*tus"sis\, n. [NL., fr. L. per through, very +
tussis cough.] (Med.)
The whooping cough.
Peruke \Per"uke\, n. [F. perruque, It. perrucca, parrucca, fr.
L. pilus hair. Cf. {Periwig}, {Wig}, {Peel} to strip off,
{Plush}, {Pile} a hair.]
A wig; a periwig.
Peruke \Per"uke\, v. t.
To dress with a peruke. [R.]
Perula \Per"u*la\, n.; pl. {Perul[ae]}. [L., dim. of pera
wallet, Gr. ?: cf. F. p['e]rule.]
1. (Bot.) One of the scales of a leaf bud.
2. (Bot.) A pouchlike portion of the perianth in certain
orchides.
Perule \Per"ule\, n.
Same as {Perula}.
Perusal \Pe*rus"al\, n. [From {Peruse}.]
1. The act of carefully viewing or examining. [R.] --Tatler.
2. The act of reading, especially of reading through or with
care. --Woodward.
Peruse \Pe*ruse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perused}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Perusing}.] [Pref. per- + use.]
1. To observe; to examine with care. [R.]
Myself I then perused, and limb by limb Surveyed.
--Milton.
2. To read through; to read carefully. --Shak.
Peruser \Pe*rus"er\, n.
One who peruses.
Peruvian \Pe*ru"vi*an\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]ruvien, Sp. peruviano.]
Of or pertaining to Peru, in South America. -- n. A native or
an inhabitant of Peru.
{Peruvian balsam}. See {Balsam of Peru}, under {Balsam}.
{Peruvian bark}, the bitter bark of trees of various species
of Cinchona. It acts as a powerful tonic, and is a remedy
for malarial diseases. This property is due to several
alkaloids, as quinine, cinchonine, etc., and their
compounds; -- called also {Jesuit's bark}, and {cinchona}.
See {Cinchona}.
Pervade \Per*vade"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pervaded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Pervading}.] [L. pervadere, pervasum; per + vadere to
go, to walk. See {Per-}, and {Wade}.]
1. To pass or flow through, as an aperture, pore, or
interstice; to permeate.
That labyrinth is easily pervaded. --Blackstone.
2. To pass or spread through the whole extent of; to be
diffused throughout.
A spirit of cabal, intrigue, and proselytism
pervaded all their thoughts, words, and actions.
--Burke.
Pervasion \Per*va"sion\, n. [L. pervasio. See {Pervade}.]
The act of pervading, passing, or spreading through the whole
extent of a thing. --Boyle.
Pervasive \Per*va"sive\, a.
Tending to pervade, or having power to spread throughout; of
a pervading quality. ``Civilization pervasive and general.''
--M. Arnold.
Perverse \Per*verse"\, a. [L. perversus turned the wrong way,
not right, p. p. of pervertereto turn around, to overturn:
cf. F. pervers. See {Pervert}.]
1. Turned aside; hence, specifically, turned away from the
right; willfully erring; wicked; perverted.
The only righteous in a word perverse. --Milton.
2. Obstinate in the wrong; stubborn; intractable; hence,
wayward; vexing; contrary.
To so perverse a sex all grace is vain. --Dryden.
Syn: Froward; untoward; wayward; stubborn; ungovernable;
intractable; cross; petulant; vexatious.
Usage: {Perverse}, {Froward}. One who is froward is
capricious, and reluctant to obey. One who is perverse
has a settled obstinacy of will, and likes or dislikes
by the rule of contradiction to the will of others.
Perversed \Per*versed"\, a.
Turned aside. [Obs.]
Perversedly \Per*vers"ed*ly\, adv.
Perversely. [Obs.]
Perversely \Per*verse"ly\, adv.
In a perverse manner.
Perverseness \Per*verse"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being perverse. ``Virtue hath some
perverseness.'' --Donne.
Perversion \Per*ver"sion\, n. [L. perversio: cf. F. perversion.
See {Pervert}.]
The act of perverting, or the state of being perverted; a
turning from truth or right; a diverting from the true intent
or object; a change to something worse; a turning or applying
to a wrong end or use. ``Violations and perversions of the
laws.'' --Bacon.
Perversity \Per*ver"si*ty\, n. [L. perversitas: cf. F.
perversit['e].]
The quality or state of being perverse; perverseness.
Perversive \Per*ver"sive\, a.
Tending to pervert.
Pervert \Per*vert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perverted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Perverting}.] [F. pervertir, L. pervertere,
perversum; per + vertere to turn. See {Per-}, and {Verse}.]
1. To turnanother way; to divert. [Obs.]
Let's follow him, and pervert the present wrath.
--Shak.
2. To turn from truth, rectitude, or propriety; to divert
from a right use, end, or way; to lead astray; to corrupt;
also, to misapply; to misinterpret designedly; as, to
pervert one's words. --Dryden.
He, in the serpent, had perverted Eve. --Milton.
Pervert \Per*vert"\, v. i.
To become perverted; to take the wrong course. [R.]
--Testament of Love.
Pervert \Per"vert\, n.
One who has been perverted; one who has turned to error,
especially in religion; -- opposed to convert. See the
Synonym of {Convert}.
That notorious pervert, Henry of Navarre. --Thackeray.
Perverter \Per*vert"er\, n.
One who perverts (a person or thing). ``His own parents his
perverters.'' --South. ``A perverter of his law.'' --Bp.
Stillingfleet.
Pervertible \Per*vert"i*ble\, a.
Capable of being perverted.
Pervestigate \Per*ves"ti*gate\, v. t. [L. pervestigatus, p. p.
of pervestigare.]
To investigate thoroughly. [Obs.]
Pervestigation \Per*ves`ti*ga"tion\, n. [L. pervestigatio.]
Thorough investigation. [Obs.] --Chillingworth.
Pervial \Per"vi*al\, a. [See {Pervious}.]
Pervious. [Obs.] -- {Per"vi*al*ly}, adv. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Pervicacious \Per`vi*ca"cious\, a. [L. pervicax, -acis.]
Obstinate; willful; refractory. [Obs.] --
{Per`vi*ca"cious*ly}, adv. -- {Per`vi*ca"cious*ness}, n.
[Obs.]
Pervicacity \Per`vi*cac"i*ty\, n.
Obstinacy; pervicaciousness. [Obs.] --Bentley.
Pervicacy \Per"vi*ca*cy\, n. [L. pervicacia.]
Pervicacity. [Obs.]
Pervigilation \Per*vig`i*la"tion\, n. [L. pervigilatio, fr.
pervigilare.]
Careful watching. [Obs.]
Pervious \Per"vi*ous\, a. [L. pervis; per + via a way. See
{Per-}, and {Voyage}.]
1. Admitting passage; capable of being penetrated by another
body or substance; permeable; as, a pervious soil.
[Doors] . . . pervious to winds, and open every way.
--Pope.
2. Capable of being penetrated, or seen through, by physical
or mental vision. [R.]
God, whose secrets are pervious to no eye. --Jer.
Taylor.
3. Capable of penetrating or pervading. [Obs.] --Prior.
4. (Zo["o]l.) Open; -- used synonymously with perforate, as
applied to the nostrils or birds.
Perviousness \Per"vi*ous*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being pervious; as, the perviousness
of glass. --Boyle.
Pervis \Per"vis\, n.
See {Parvis}.
Pery \Per"y\, n.
A pear tree. See {Pirie}. [Obs.]
Pes \Pes\, n.; pl. {Pedes} . [L., the foot.] (Anat.)
The distal segment of the hind limb of vertebrates, including
the tarsus and foot.
Pesade \Pe*sade"\, n. [F.] (Man.)
The motion of a horse when, raising his fore quarters, he
keeps his hind feet on the ground without advancing; rearing.
Pesage \Pes"age\, n. [F., fr. peser to weigh.]
A fee, or toll, paid for the weighing of merchandise.
Pesane \Pes"ane\, n. (Anc. Armor.)
See {Pusane}.
Pesanted \Pes"ant*ed\, a. [F. pesant heavy.]
Made heavy or dull; debased. [Obs.] ``Pesanted to each lewd
thought's control.'' --Marston.
Peschito \Pe*schit"o\, n.
See {Peshito}.
Pese \Pese\, n. [See {Pea}.]
A pea. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Peseta \Pe*se"ta\, n. [Sp.]
A Spanish silver coin, and money of account, equal to about
nineteen cents, and divided into 100 centesimos.
Peshito \Pe*shit"o\, Peshitto \Pe*shit"to\, n. [Syriac
pesh[^i]t[^a] simple.]
The earliest Syriac version of the Old Testament, translated
from Hebrew; also, the incomplete Syriac version of the New
Testament. [Written also {peschito}.]
Pesky \Pes"ky\, a. [Etymol. uncertain.]
Pestering; vexatious; troublesome. Used also as an intensive.
[Colloq. & Low, U.S.] --Judd.
Peso \Pe"so\, n. [Sp.]
A Spanish dollar; also, an Argentine, Chilian, Colombian,
etc., coin, equal to from 75 cents to a dollar; also, a pound
weight.
Pessary \Pes"sa*ry\, n.; pl. {Pessaries}. [L. pessarium, pessum,
pessus, Gr. ?: cf. F. pessaire.] (Med.)
(a) An instrument or device to be introduced into and worn in
the vagina, to support the uterus, or remedy a
malposition.
(b) A medicinal substance in the form of a bolus or mass,
designed for introduction into the vagina; a vaginal
suppository.
Pessimism \Pes"si*mism\, n. [L. pessimus worst, superl. of pejor
worse: cf. F. pessimisme. Cf. {Impair}.]
1. (Metaph.) The opinion or doctrine that everything in
nature is ordered for or tends to the worst, or that the
world is wholly evil; -- opposed to {optimism}.
2. A disposition to take the least hopeful view of things.
Pessimist \Pes"si*mist\, n. [L. pessimus worst: cf. F.
pessimiste.]
1. (Metaph.) One who advocates the doctrine of pessimism; --
opposed to {optimist}.
2. One who looks on the dark side of things.
Pessimist \Pes"si*mist\, Pessimistic \Pes`si*mis"tic\, a.
(Metaph.)
Of or pertaining to pessimism; characterized by pessimism;
gloomy; foreboding. ``Giving utterance to pessimistic
doubt.'' --Encyc. Brit.
Pessimistical \Pes`si*mis"tic*al\, a.
Pessimistic.
Pessimize \Pes"si*mize\, v. i.
To hold or advocate the doctrine of pessimism. --London Sat.
Rev.
Pessulus \Pes"su*lus\, n.; pl. {Pessuli}. [L., a bolt.] (Anat.)
A delicate bar of cartilage connecting the dorsal and ventral
extremities of the first pair of bronchial cartilages in the
syrinx of birds.
Pest \Pest\, n. [L. pestis: cf. F. peste.]
1. A fatal epidemic disease; a pestilence; specif., the
plague.
England's sufferings by that scourge, the pest.
--Cowper.
2. Anything which resembles a pest; one who, or that which,
is troublesome, noxious, mischievous, or destructive; a
nuisance. ``A pest and public enemy.'' --South.
Pestalozzian \Pes`ta*loz"zi*an\, a.
Belonging to, or characteristic of, a system of elementary
education which combined manual training with other
instruction, advocated and practiced by Jean Henri Pestalozzi
(1746-1827), a Swiss teacher. -- n. An advocate or follower
of the system of Pestalozzi.
Pestalozzianism \Pes`ta*loz"zi*an*ism\, n.
The system of education introduced by Pestalozzi.
Pester \Pes"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pestered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pestering}.] [Abbrev. fr. impester, fr. OF. empaistrier,
empestrer, to entangle the feet or legs, to embarrass, F.
emp[^e]trer; pref. em-, en- (L. in in) + LL. pastorium,
pastoria, a fetter by which horses are prevented from
wandering in the pastures, fr. L. pastorius belonging to a
herdsman or shepherd, pastor a herdsman. See {In}, and
{Pasture}, {Pastor}.]
1. To trouble; to disturb; to annoy; to harass with petty
vexations.
We are pestered with mice and rats. --Dr. H. More.
A multitude of scribblers daily pester the world.
--Dryden.
2. To crowd together in an annoying way; to overcrowd; to
infest. [Obs.] --Milton.
All rivers and pools . . . pestered full with
fishes. --Holland.
Pesterer \Pes"ter*er\, n.
One who pesters or harasses.
Pesterment \Pes"ter*ment\, n.
The act of pestering, or the state of being pestered;
vexation; worry. ``The trouble and pesterment of children.''
--B. Franklin.
Pesterous \Pes"ter*ous\, a.
Inclined to pester. Also, vexatious; encumbering; burdensome.
[Obs.] --Bacon.
Pestful \Pest"ful\, a.
Pestiferous. ``After long and pestful calms.'' --Coleridge.
Pesthouse \Pest`house"\, n.
A house or hospital for persons who are infected with any
pestilential disease.
Pestiduct \Pes"ti*duct\, n. [L. pestis pest + ductus a leading,
fr. ducere to lead.]
That which conveys contagion or infection. [Obs.] --Donne.
Pestiferous \Pes*tif"er*ous\, a. [L. pestiferus, pestifer;
pestis pest + ferre to bear: cf. F. pestif[`e]re.]
1. Pest-bearing; pestilential; noxious to health; malignant;
infectious; contagious; as, pestiferous bodies. ``Poor,
pestiferous creatures begging alms.'' --Evelyn.
``Unwholesome and pestiferous occupations.'' --Burke.
2. Noxious to peace, to morals, or to society; vicious;
hurtful; destructive; as, a pestiferous demagogue.
Pestiferous reports of men very nobly held. --Shak.
Pestiferously \Pes*tif"er*ous*ly\, adv.
In a pestiferuos manner.
Pestilence \Pes"ti*lence\, n. [F. pestilence, L. pestilentia.
See {Pestilent}.]
1. Specifically, the disease known as the plague; hence, any
contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent
and devastating.
The pestilence That walketh in darkness. --Ps. xci.
6.
2. Fig.: That which is pestilent, noxious, or pernicious to
the moral character of great numbers.
I'll pour this pestilence into his ear. --Shak.
{Pestilence weed} (Bot.), the butterbur coltsfoot ({Petasites
vulgaris}), so called because formerly considered a remedy
for the plague. --Dr. Prior.
Pestilent \Pes"ti*lent\, a. [L. pestilens, -entis, fr. pestis
pest: cf. F. pestilent.]
Pestilential; noxious; pernicious; mischievous. ``Corrupt and
pestilent.'' --Milton. ``What a pestilent knave is this
same!'' --Shak.
Pestilential \Pes`ti*len"tial\, a. [Cf. F. pestilentiel.]
1. Having the nature or qualities of a pestilence. ``Sends
the pestilential vapors.'' --Longfellow.
2. Hence: Mischievous; noxious; pernicious; morally
destructive.
So pestilential, so infectious a thing is sin.
--Jer. Taylor.
Pestilentially \Pes`ti*len"tial*ly\, adv.
Pestilently.
Pestilentious \Pes`ti*len"tious\, a.
Pestilential. [Obs.]
Pestilently \Pes"ti*lent*ly\, adv.
In a pestilent manner; mischievously; destructively. ``Above
all measure pestilently noisome.'' --Dr. H. More.
Pestilentness \Pes"ti*lent*ness\, n.
The quality of being pestilent.
Pestilation \Pes`ti*la"tion\, n. [LL. pestillum, L. pistillum.
See {Pestle}.]
The act of pounding and bruising with a pestle in a mortar.
--Sir T. Browne.
Pestle \Pes"tle\, n. [OE. pestel, OF. pestel, LL. pestellum, L.
pistillum, pistillus, a pounder, pestle, fr. pisere, pinsere,
to pound, crush, akin to Gr. ?, Skr. pish. Cf. {Pistil}.]
1. An implement for pounding and breaking or braying
substances in a mortar.
2. A constable's or bailiff's staff; -- so called from its
shape. [Obs.] --Chapman.
3. The leg and leg bone of an animal, especially of a pig;
as, a pestle of pork.
Pestle \Pes"tle\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Pestled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Pestling}.]
To pound, pulverize, bray, or mix with a pestle, or as with a
pestle; to use a pestle.
Pet \Pet\, n. [Formerly peat, perhaps from Ir. peat, akin to
Gael. peata.]
1. A cade lamb; a lamb brought up by hand.
2. Any person or animal especially cherished and indulged; a
fondling; a darling; often, a favorite child.
The love of cronies, pets, and favorites. --Tatler.
3. [Prob. fr. {Pet} a fondling, hence, the behavior or humor
of a spoiled child.] A slight fit of peevishness or
fretfulness. ``In a pet she started up.'' --Tennyson.
Pet \Pet\, a.
Petted; indulged; admired; cherished; as, a pet child; a pet
lamb; a pet theory.
Some young lady's pet curate. --F. Harrison.
{Pet cock}. [Perh. for petty cock.] (Mach.) A little faucet
in a water pipe or pump, to let air out, or at the end of
a steam cylinder, to drain it.
Pet \Pet\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Petted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Petting}.]
To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge; as, she was petted
and spoiled.
Pet \Pet\, v. i.
To be a pet. --Feltham.
Petal \Pet"al\, n. [Gr. ? a leaf, a leaf or plate of metal, fr.
? outspread, broad, flat: cf. F. p['e]tale. See {Fathom}.]
1. (Bot.) One of the leaves of the corolla, or the colored
leaves of a flower. See {Corolla}, and Illust. of
{Flower}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the expanded ambulacra which form a
rosette on the black of certain Echini.
Petaled \Pet"aled\, a. (Bot.)
Having petals; as, a petaled flower; -- opposed to
{apetalous}, and much used in compounds; as, one-petaled,
three-petaled, etc.
Petaliferous \Pet`al*if"er*ous\, a. [Petal + -ferous.]
Bearing petals.
Petaliform \Pe*tal"i*form\, a. (Bot.)
Having the form of a petal; petaloid; petal-shaped.
Petaline \Pet"al*ine\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]talin.] (Bot.)
Pertaining to a petal; attached to, or resembling, a petal.
Petalism \Pet"al*ism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? a leaf: cf. F.
p['e]talisme.] (Gr. Antiq.)
A form of sentence among the ancient Syracusans by which they
banished for five years a citizen suspected of having
dangerous influence or ambition. It was similar to the
ostracism in Athens; but olive leaves were used instead of
shells for ballots.
Petalite \Pet"al*ite\, n. [Cf. F. p['e]talite.] (Min.)
A rare mineral, occurring crystallized and in cleavable
masses, usually white, or nearly so, in color. It is a
silicate of aluminia and lithia.
Petalody \Pe*tal"o*dy\, n. [Petal + Gr. ? form.] (Bot.)
The metamorphosis of various floral organs, usually stamens,
into petals.
Petaloid \Pet"al*oid\, a. [Petal + -oid: cf. F.
p['e]talo["i]de.] (Bot.)
Petaline.
Petaloideous \Pet`al*oid"e*ous\, a. (Bot.)
Having the whole or part of the perianth petaline.
{Petaloideous division}, that division of endogenous plants
in which the perianth is wholly or partly petaline,
embracing the {Liliace[ae]}, {Orchidace[ae]},
{Amaryllide[ae]}, etc.
Petalosticha \Pet`a*los"ti*cha\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? a leaf
+ ? a row.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of Echini, including the irregular sea urchins, as
the spatangoids. See {Spatangoid}.
Petalous \Pet"al*ous\, a.
Having petals; petaled; -- opposed to {apetalous}.
Petalum \Pet"a*lum\, n.; pl. {Petala}. [NL.]
A petal.
Petar \Pe*tar"\, n.
See {Petard}. [Obs.] ``Hoist with his own petar.'' --Shak.
Petard \Pe*tard"\, n. [F. p['e]tard, fr. p['e]ter to break wind,
to crack, to explode, L. pedere, peditum.] (Mil.)
A case containing powder to be exploded, esp. a conical or
cylindrical case of metal filled with powder and attached to
a plank, to be exploded against and break down gates,
barricades, drawbridges, etc. It has been superseded.
Petardeer \Pet`ar*deer"\, Petardier \Pet`ar*dier"\, n. [F.
p['e]tardier.] (Mil.)
One who managed a petard.
Petasus \Pet"a*sus\, n. [L., from Gr. ?.] (Gr. & Rom. Antiq.)
The winged cap of Mercury; also, a broad-brimmed, low-crowned
hat worn by Greeks and Romans.
Petaurist \Pe*tau"rist\, n. [L. petaurista a ropedancer, Gr. ?,
fr. ? to dance on a rope, fr. ? a pole, a stage for
ropedancers: cf. F. p['e]tauriste.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any flying marsupial of the genera {Petaurus}, {Phalangista},
{Acrobata}, and allied genera. See {Flying mouse}, under
{Flying}, and {Phalangister}.
Petechiae \Pe*tech"i*[ae]\, n. pl.; sing. {Petechia}. [NL., fr.
LL. peteccia; cf. F. p['e]t['e]chie, It. petecchia, Sp.
petequia, Gr. ? a label, plaster.] (Med.)
Small crimson, purple, or livid spots, like flea-bites, due
to extravasation of blood, which appear on the skin in
malignant fevers, etc.
Petechial \Pe*tech"i*al\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]t['e]chial, LL.
petecchialis.] (Med.)
Characterized by, or pertaining to, petechi[ae]; spotted.
{Petechial fever}, a malignant fever, accompanied with livid
spots on the skin.
Peter \Pe"ter\, n.
A common baptismal name for a man. The name of one of the
apostles,
{Peter boat}, a fishing boat, sharp at both ends, originally
of the Baltic Sea, but now common in certain English
rivers.
{Peter Funk}, the auctioneer in a mock auction. [Cant, U.S.]
{Peter pence}, or {Peter's pence}.
(a) An annual tax or tribute, formerly paid by the English
people to the pope, being a penny for every house,
payable on Lammas or St.Peter's day; -- called also {Rome
scot}, and {hearth money}.
(b) In modern times, a voluntary contribution made by Roman
Catholics to the private purse of the pope.
{Peter's fish} (Zo["o]l.), a haddock; -- so called because
the black spots, one on each side, behind the gills, are
traditionally said to have been caused by the fingers of
St. Peter, when he caught the fish to pay the tribute. The
name is applied, also, to other fishes having similar
spots.
Peter \Pet"er\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Petered}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Petering}.] [Etymol. uncertain.]
To become exhausted; to run out; to fail; -- used generally
with out; as, that mine has petered out. [Slang, U.S.]
Peterel \Pet"er*el\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Petrel}.
Peterero \Pet`e*re"ro\, n. (Mil.)
See {Pederero}.
Peterman \Pe"ter*man\, n.; pl. {Petermen}.
A fisherman; -- so called after the apostle Peter. [An obs.
local term in Eng.] --Chapman.
Petersham \Pe"ter*sham\, n. [Named after Lord Petersham.]
A rough, knotted woolen cloth, used chiefly for men's
overcoats; also, a coat of that material.
Peterwort \Pe"ter*wort`\, n. (Bot.)
See {Saint Peter's-wort}, under {Saint}.
Petiolar \Pet"i*o*lar\, Petiolary \Pet"i*o*la*ry\, a. [Cf. F.
p['e]tiolarie.] (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to petiole, or proceeding from it; as, a
petiolar tendril; growing or supported upon a petiole; as, a
petiolar gland; a petiolar bud.
Petiolate \Pet"i*o*late\, Petiolated \Pet"i*o*la`ted\, a. (Bot.
& Zo["o]l.)
Having a stalk or petiole; as, a petioleate leaf; the
petiolated abdomen of certain Hymenoptera.
Petiole \Pet"i*ole\, n. [F. p['e]tiole, fr. L. petiolus a little
foot, a fruit stalk; cf. pes, pedis, a foot.]
1. (Bot.) A leafstalk; the footstalk of a leaf, connecting
the blade with the stem. See Illust. of {Leaf}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A stalk or peduncle.
Petioled \Pet"i*oled\, a.
Petiolate.
Petiolulate \Pet`i*ol"u*late\, a. (Bot.)
Supported by its own petiolule. --Gray.
Petiolule \Pet"i*o*lule\, n. [Cf. F. p['e]tiolule.] (Bot.)
A small petiole, or the petiole of a leaflet.
Petit \Pet"it\, a. [F. See {Petty}.]
Small; little; insignificant; mean; -- Same as {Petty}.
[Obs., except in legal language.]
By what small, petit hints does the mind catch hold of
and recover a vanishing notion. --South.
{Petit constable}, an inferior civil officer, subordinate to
the high constable.
{Petit jury}, a jury of twelve men, impaneled to try causes
at the bar of a court; -- so called in distinction from
the grand jury.
{Petit larceny}, the stealing of goods of, or under, a
certain specified small value; -- opposed to grand
larceny. The distinction is abolished in England.
{Petit ma[^i]tre}. [F., lit., little master.] A fop; a
coxcomb; a ladies' man. --Goldsmith.
{Petit serjeanty} (Eng. Law), the tenure of lands of the
crown, by the service of rendering annually some implement
of war, as a bow, an arrow, a sword, a flag, etc.
{Petit treason}, formerly, in England, the crime of killing a
person to whom the offender owed duty or subjection, as
one's husband, master, mistress, etc. The crime is now not
distinguished from murder.
Petition \Pe*ti"tion\, n. [F. p['e]tition, L. petitio, fr.
petere, petitum, to beg, ask, seek; perh. akin to E. feather,
or find.]
1. A prayer; a supplication; an imploration; an entreaty;
especially, a request of a solemn or formal kind; a prayer
to the Supreme Being, or to a person of superior power,
rank, or authority; also, a single clause in such a
prayer.
A house of prayer and petition for thy people. --1
Macc. vii. 37.
This last petition heard of all her prayer.
--Dryden.
2. A formal written request addressed to an official person,
or to an organized body, having power to grant it;
specifically (Law), a supplication to government, in
either of its branches, for the granting of a particular
grace or right; -- in distinction from a memorial, which
calls certain facts to mind; also, the written document.
{Petition of right} (Law), a petition to obtain possession or
restitution of property, either real or personal, from the
Crown, which suggests such a title as controverts the
title of the Crown, grounded on facts disclosed in the
petition itself. --Mozley & W.
{The Petition of Right} (Eng. Hist.), the parliamentary
declaration of the rights of the people, assented to by
Charles I.
Petition \Pe*ti"tion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Petitioned}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Petitioning}.]
To make a prayer or request to; to ask from; to solicit; to
entreat; especially, to make a formal written supplication,
or application to, as to any branch of the government; as, to
petition the court; to petition the governor.
You have . . . petitioned all the gods for my
prosperity. --Shak.
Petition \Pe*ti"tion\, v. i.
To make a petition or solicitation.
Petitionarily \Pe*ti"tion*a*ri*ly\, adv.
By way of begging the question; by an assumption. [R.] --Sir
T. Browne.
Petitionary \Pe*ti"tion*a*ry\, a.
1. Supplicatory; making a petition.
Pardon Rome, and any petitionary countrymen. --Shak.
2. Containing a petition; of the nature of a petition; as, a
petitionary epistle. --Swift.
Petitionee \Pe*ti`tion*ee"\, n.
A person cited to answer, or defend against, a petition.
Petitioner \Pe*ti"tion*er\, n.
One who presents a petition.
Petitioning \Pe*ti"tion*ing\, n.
The act of presenting apetition; a supplication.
Petitor \Pet"i*tor\, n. [L., fr. petere to seek.]
One who seeks or asks; a seeker; an applicant. [R.] --Fuller.
Petitory \Pet"i*to*ry\, a. [L. petitorius, fr. petere, petitum,
to beg, ask: cf. F. p['e]titore.]
Petitioning; soliciting; supplicating. --Sir W. Hamilton.
{Petitory suit} or {action} (Admiralty Law), a suit in which
the mere title to property is litigated and sought to be
enforced, as distinguished from a possessory suit; also
(Scots Law), a suit wherein the plaintiff claims something
as due him by the defendant. --Burrill.
Petong \Pe*tong"\, n. (Metal.)
See {Packfong}.
Petralogy \Pe*tral"o*gy\, n.
See {Petrology}.
Petrary \Pet"ra*ry\, n. [L. petra stone. Cf. Sp. petraria, and
E. {Pederero}.]
An ancient war engine for hurling stones.
Petrean \Pe*tre"an\, a. [L. petraeus, Gr. ?, fr. ? a rock.]
Of or pertaining to to rock. --G. S. Faber.
Petre \Pe"tre\, n.
See {Saltpeter}.
Petrel \Pe"trel\, n. [F. p['e]trel; a dim. of the name Peter, L.
Petrus, Gr. ? a stone (--John i. 42); -- probably so called
in allusion to St. Peter's walking on the sea. See
{Petrify}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of longwinged sea birds belonging
to the family {Procellarid[ae]}. The small petrels, or Mother
Carey's chickens, belong to {{Oceanites}}, {{Oceanodroma}},
{{Procellaria}}, and several allied genera.
{Diving petrel}, any bird of the genus {Pelecanoides}. They
chiefly inhabit the southern hemisphere.
{Fulmar petrel}, {Giant petrel}. See {Fulmar}.
{Pintado petrel}, the Cape pigeon. See under {Cape}.
{Pintado petrel}, any one of several small petrels,
especially {Procellaria pelagica}, or Mother Carey's
chicken, common on both sides of the Atlantic.
Petrescence \Pe*tres"cence\, n.
The process of changing into stone; petrification.
Petrescent \Pe*tres"cent\, a. [L. petra rock, stone, Gr. ?.]
Petrifying; converting into stone; as, petrescent water.
--Boyle.
Petrifaction \Pet`ri*fac"tion\, n. [See {Petrify}.]
1. The process of petrifying, or changing into stone;
conversion of any organic matter (animal or vegetable)
into stone, or a substance of stony hardness.
2. The state or condition of being petrified.
3. That which is petrified; popularly, a body incrusted with
stony matter; an incrustation.
4. Fig.: Hardness; callousness; obduracy. ``Petrifaction of
the soul.'' --Cudworth.
Petrifactive \Pet`ri*fac"tive\, a.
1. Having the quality of converting organic matter into
stone; petrifying.
2. Pertaining to, or characterized by, petrifaction.
The . . . petrifactive mutations of hard bodies.
--Sir T.
Browne.
Petrific \Pe*trif"ic\, a. [Cf. F. p['e]trifique.]
Petrifying; petrifactive.
Death with his mace petrific, cold and dry. --Milton.
Petrificate \Pet"ri*fi*cate\, v. t.
To petrify. [Obs.]
Our hearts petrificated were. --J. Hall
(1646).
Petrification \Pet`ri*fi*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. p['e]trification.
See {Petrify}.]
1. See {Petrifaction}.
2. Fig.: Obduracy; callousness. --Hallywell.
Petrify \Pet"ri*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Petrified}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Petrifying}.] [L. petra rock, Gr. ? (akin to ? a
stone) + -fy: cf. F. p['e]trifier. Cf. {Parrot}, {Petrel},
{Pier}.]
1. To convert, as any animal or vegetable matter, into stone
or stony substance.
A river that petrifies any sort of wood or leaves.
--Kirwan.
2. To make callous or obdurate; to stupefy; to paralyze; to
transform; as by petrifaction; as, to petrify the heart.
Young. ``Petrifying accuracy.'' --Sir W. Scott.
And petrify a genius to a dunce. --Pope.
The poor, petrified journeyman, quite unconscious of
what he was doing. --De Quincey.
A hideous fatalism, which ought, logically, to
petrify your volition. --G. Eliot.
Petrify \Pet"ri*fy\, v. i.
1. To become stone, or of a stony hardness, as organic matter
by calcareous deposits.
2. Fig.: To become stony, callous, or obdurate.
Like Niobe we marble grow, And petrify with grief.
--Dryden.
Petrine \Pe"trine\, a.
Of or pertaining to St.Peter; as, the Petrine Epistles.
Petro- \Pet"ro-\
A combining form from Gr. ? a rock, ? a stone; as, petrology,
petroglyphic.
Petrogale \Pe*trog"a*le\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a rock + ? a
weasel.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any Australian kangaroo of the genus {Petrogale}, as the rock
wallaby ({P. penicillata}).
Petroglyphic \Pet`ro*glyph"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to petroglyphy.
Petroglyphy \Pe*trog"ly*phy\, n. [Petro + Gr. ? to carve.]
The art or operation of carving figures or inscriptions on
rock or stone.
Petrographic \Pet`ro*graph"ic\, Petrographical
\Pet`ro*graph"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to petrography.
Petrography \Pe*trog"ra*phy\, n. [Petro + -graphy.]
1. The art of writing on stone.
2. The scientific description of rocks; that department of
science which investigates the constitution of rocks;
petrology.
Petrohyoid \Pet`ro*hy"oid\, a. [Petro + hyoid.] (Anat.)
Pertaining to petrous, oe periotic, portion of the skull and
the hyoid arch; as, the petrohyoid muscles of the frog.
Petrol \Pe*trol"\, n.
Petroleum. [R.]
Petrolatum \Pet`ro*la"tum\, n. (Chem. & Pharm.)
A semisolid unctuous substance, neutral, and without taste or
odor, derived from petroleum by distilling off the lighter
portions and purifying the residue. It is a yellowish,
fatlike mass, transparent in thin layers, and somewhat
fluorescent. It is used as a bland protective dressing, and
as a substitute for fatty materials in ointments. --U. S.
Pharm.
Note: Petrolatum is the official name for the purified
product. Cosmoline and vaseline are commercial names
for substances essentially the same, but differing
slightly in appearance and consistency or fusibility.
Petroleum \Pe*tro"le*um\, n. [NL., fr. L. petra a rock + oleum
oil: cf. F. p['e]trole. Cf. {Petrify}, and {Oil}.]
Rock oil, mineral oil, or natural oil, a dark brown or
greenish inflammable liquid, which, at certain points, exists
in the upper strata of the earth, from whence it is pumped,
or forced by pressure of the gas attending it. It consists of
a complex mixture of various hydrocarbons, largely of the
methane series, but may vary much in appearance, composition,
and properties. It is refined by distillation, and the
products include kerosene, benzine, gasoline, paraffin, etc.
{Petroleum spirit}, a volatile liquid obtained in the
distillation of crude petroleum at a temperature of
170[deg] Fahr., or below. The term is rather loosely
applied to a considerable range of products, including
benzine and ligroin. The terms petroleum ether, and
naphtha, are sometimes applied to the still more volatile
products, including rhigolene, gasoline, cymogene, etc.
P'etroleur \P['e]`tro`leur"\, n. m. P'etroleuse
\P['e]`tro`leuse"\, n. f.[F.]
One who makes use of petroleum for incendiary purposes.
Petroline \Pet"ro*line\, n. (Chem.)
A paraffin obtained from petroleum from Rangoon in India, and
practically identical with ordinary paraffin.
Petrologic \Pet`ro*log"ic\, Petrological \Pet`ro*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to petrology.
Petrologically \Pet`ro*log"ic*al*ly\, adv.
According to petrology.
Petrologist \Pe*trol"o*gist\, n.
One who is versed in petrology.
Petrology \Pe*trol"o*gy\, n. [Petro + -logy.]
1. The department of science which is concerned with the
mineralogical and chemical composition of rocks, and with
their classification: lithology.
2. A treatise on petrology.
Petromastoid \Pet`ro*mas"toid\, a. [Petro + mastoid.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the petrous and mastoid parts of the
temporal bone, periotic.
Petromyzont \Pet`ro*my"zont\, n. [Petro + Gr. ? to suck in.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A lamprey.
Petronel \Pet`ro*nel\, n. [OF. petrinal, fr. peitrine, petrine,
the breast, F. poitrine; so called because it was placed
against the breast in order to fire. See {Poitrel}.]
A sort of hand cannon, or portable firearm, used in France in
the 15th century.
Petrosal \Pe*tro"sal\, a. [See {Petrous}.] (Anat.)
(a) Hard; stony; petrous; as, the petrosal bone; petrosal
part of the temporal bone.
(b) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the petrous, or
petrosal, bone, or the corresponding part of the temporal
bone.
{Petrosal bone} (Anat.), a bone corresponding to the petrous
portion of the temporal bone of man; or one forming more
or less of the periotic capsule.
Petrosal \Pe*tro"sal\, n. (Anat.)
(a) A petrosal bone.
(b) The auditory capsule. --Owen.
Petrosilex \Pet`ro*si"lex\, n. [Petro + silex.] (Min.)
Felsite.
Petrosilicious \Pet`ro*si*li"cious\, a.
Containing, or consisting of, petrosilex.
Petrostearine \Pet`ro*ste"a*rine\, n. [Petro + stearine.]
A solid unctuous material, of which candles are made.
Petrous \Pe"trous\, a. [L. petrosus, fr. petra a stone.]
1. Like stone; hard; stony; rocky; as, the petrous part of
the temporal bone. --Hooper.
2. (Anat.) Same as {Petrosal}.
Pettichaps \Pet"ti*chaps\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Pettychaps}.
Petticoat \Pet"ti*coat\, n. (Zo["o]l.) [Petty + coat.]
A loose under-garment worn by women, and covering the body
below the waist.
{Petticoat government}, government by women, whether in
politics or domestic affairs. [Colloq.]
{Petticoat pipe} (Locomotives), a short, flaring pipe
surrounding the blast nozzle in the smoke box, to equalize
the draft.
Pettifog \Pet"ti*fog\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pettifogged}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Pettifogging}.] [Petty + fog to pettifog.]
To do a petty business as a lawyer; also, to do law business
in a petty or tricky way. ``He takes no money, but pettifogs
gratis.'' --S. Butler.
Pettifog \Pet"ti*fog\, v. t.
To advocate like a pettifogger; to argue trickily; as, to
pettifog a claim. [Colloq.]
Pettifogger \Pet"ti*fog`ger\, n.
A lawyer who deals in petty cases; an attorney whose methods
are mean and tricky; an inferior lawyer.
A pettifogger was lord chancellor. --Macaulay.
Pettifoggery \Pet"ti*fog`ger*y\, n.; pl. -{ies}.
The practice or arts of a pettifogger; disreputable tricks;
quibbles.
Quirks of law, and pettifoggeries. --Barrow.
Pettifogging \Pet"ti*fog`ging\, a.
Paltry; quibbling; mean.
Pettifogging \Pet"ti*fog`ging\, n.
Pettifoggery.
Pettifogulize \Pet`ti*fog"u*lize\, v. i.
To act as a pettifogger; to use contemptible tricks. --De
Quincey.
Pettily \Pet"ti*ly\, adv.
In a petty manner; frivolously.
Pettiness \Pet"ti*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being petty or paltry; littleness;
meanness.
Pettish \Pet"tish\, a. [From {Pet}.]
Fretful; peevish; moody; capricious; inclined to ill temper.
``A pettish kind of humor.'' --Sterne. -- {Pet"tish*ly}, adv.
-- {Pet"tish*ness}, n.
Pettitoes \Pet"ti*toes\, n. pl. [Petty + toes.]
The toes or feet of a pig, -- often used as food; sometimes,
in contempt, the human feet. --Shak.
Petto \Pet"to\, n. [It., fr. L. pectus.]
The breast.
{In petto}, in the breast; hence, in secrecy; in reserve.
Petty \Pet"ty\, a. [Compar. {Pettier}; superl. {Pettiest}.] [OE.
petit, F. petit; probably of Celtic origin, and akin to E.
piece. Cf. {Petit}.]
Little; trifling; inconsiderable; also, inferior;
subordinate; as, a petty fault; a petty prince. --Denham.
Like a petty god I walked about, admired of all.
--Milton.
{Petty averages}. See under {Average}.
{Petty cash}, money expended or received in small items or
amounts.
{Petty officer}, a subofficer in the navy, as a gunner, etc.,
corresponding to a noncommissionned officer in the army.
Note: For petty constable, petty jury, petty larceny, petty
treason, See {Petit}.
Syn: Little; diminutive; inconsiderable; inferior; trifling;
trivial; unimportant; frivolous.
Pettychaps \Pet"ty*chaps\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of small European singing birds of
the subfamily {Sylviin[ae]}, as the willow warbler, the
chiff-chaff, and the golden warbler ({Sylvia hortensis}).
Pettywhin \Pet"ty*whin\, n. [Petty + whin.] (Bot.)
The needle furze. See under {Needle}.
Petulance \Pet"u*lance\, Petulancy \Pet"u*lan*cy\, n. [L.
petulania: cf. F. p['e]tulance. See {Petulant}.]
The quality or state of being petulant; temporary
peevishness; pettishness; capricious ill humor. ``The
petulancy of our words.'' --B. Jonson.
Like pride in some, and like petulance in others.
--Clarendon.
The lowering eye, the petulance, the frown. --Cowper.
Syn: {Petulance}, {Peevishness}. -- Peevishness implies the
permanence of a sour, fretful temper; petulance implies
temporary or capricious irritation.
Petulant \Pet"u*lant\, a. [L. petulans, -antis, prop., making
slight attacks upon, from a lost dim. of petere to fall upon,
to attack: cf. F. p['e]tulant. See {Petition}.]
1. Forward; pert; insolent; wanton. [Obs.] --Burton.
2. Capriciously fretful; characterized by ill-natured
freakishness; irritable. ``Petulant moods.'' --Macaulay.
Syn: Irritable; ill-humored; peevish; cross; fretful;
querulous.
Petulantly \Pet"u*lant*ly\, adv.
In a petulant manner.
Petulcity \Pe*tul"ci*ty\, n. [See {Petulcous}.]
Wantonness; friskiness. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Petulcous \Pe*tul"cous\, a. [L. petulcus. Cf. {Petulant}.]
Wanton; frisky; lustful. [Obs.] --J. V. Cane.
Petunia \Pe*tu"ni*a\, n. [NL., fr. Braz. petun tobacco.] (Bot.)
A genus of solanaceous herbs with funnelform or salver-shaped
corollas. Two species are common in cultivation, {Petunia
violacera}, with reddish purple flowers, and {P.
nyctaginiflora}, with white flowers. There are also many
hybrid forms with variegated corollas.
Petunse \Pe*tunse"\, Petuntse \Pe*tuntse"\, Petuntze
\Pe*tuntze"\, n. [From Chinese.]
Powdered fledspar, kaolin, or quartz, used in the manufacture
of porcelain.
Petworth marble \Pet"worth mar"ble\
A kind of shell marble occurring in the Wealden clay at
Petworth, in Sussex, England; -- called also {Sussex marble}.
Petzite \Petz"ite\, n. [From Petz, who analyzed it.] (Min.)
A telluride of silver and gold, related to hessite.
Peucedanin \Peu*ced"a*nin\, n. (Chem.)
A tasteless white crystalline substance, extracted from the
roots of the sulphurwort ({Peucedanum}), masterwort
({Imperatoria}), and other related plants; -- called also
{imperatorin}.
Peucil \Peu"cil\, n. [Gr. ? pine tree.] (Chem.)
A liquid resembling camphene, obtained by treating turpentine
hydrochloride with lime. [Written also {peucyl}.]
Pew \Pew\, n. [OE. pewe, OF. puie parapet, balustrade, balcony,
fr. L. podium an elevated place, a jutty, balcony, a parapet
or balcony in the circus, where the emperor and other
distinguished persons sat, Gr. ?, dim. of ?, ?, foot; --
hence the Latin sense of a raised place (orig. as a rest or
support for the foot). See {Foot}, and cf. {Podium}, {Poy}.]
1. One of the compartments in a church which are separated by
low partitions, and have long seats upon which several
persons may sit; -- sometimes called {slip}. Pews were
originally made square, but are now usually long and
narrow.
2. Any structure shaped like a church pew, as a stall,
formerly used by money lenders, etc.; a box in theater; a
pen; a sheepfold. [Obs.] --Pepys. Milton.
{Pew opener}, an usher in a church. [Eng.] --Dickens.
Pew \Pew\, v. t.
To furnish with pews. [R.] --Ash.
Pewee \Pe"wee\, n. [So called from its note.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A common American tyrant flycatcher ({Sayornis
ph[oe]be}, or {S. fuscus}). Called also {pewit}, and
{ph[oe]be}.
2. The woodcock. [Local, U.S.]
{Wood pewee} (Zo["o]l.), a bird ({Contopus virens}) similar
to the pewee (See {Pewee}, 1), but of smaller size.
Pewet \Pe"wet\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pewit}.
Pewfellow \Pew"fel`low\, n.
1. One who occupies the same pew with another.
2. An intimate associate; a companion. --Shak.
Pewit \Pe"wit\, n. [Prob. of imitative origin; cf. OD. piewit,
D. kievit, G. kibitz.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The lapwing.
(b) The European black-headed, or laughing, gull ({Xema
ridibundus}). See under {Laughing}.
(c) The pewee. [Written also {peevit}, {peewit}, {pewet}.]
Pewter \Pew"ter\, n. [OE. pewtyr, OF. peutre, peautre, piautre:
cf. D. peauter, piauter, It. peltro, Sp. & Pg. peltre, LL.
peutreum, pestrum. Cf. {Spelter}.]
1. A hard, tough, but easily fusible, alloy, originally
consisting of tin with a little lead, but afterwards
modified by the addition of copper, antimony, or bismuth.
2. Utensils or vessels made of pewter, as dishes, porringers,
drinking vessels, tankards, pots.
Note: Pewter was formerly much used for domestic utensils.
Inferior sorts contain a large proportion of lead.
Pewterer \Pew"ter*er\, n.
One whose occupation is to make utensils of pewter; a
pewtersmith. --Shak.
Pewtery \Pew"ter*y\, a.
Belonging to, or resembling, pewter; as, a pewtery taste.
Pexity \Pex"i*ty\, n. [L. pexitas, fr. pexus woolly, nappy, p.
p. of pectere to comb.]
Nap of cloth. [Obs.]
Peyer's glands \Pey"er's glands`\ [So called from J. K. Peyer,
who described them in 1677.] (Anat.)
Patches of lymphoid nodules, in the walls of the small
intestiness; agminated glands; -- called also {Peyer's
patches}. In typhoid fever they become the seat of ulcers
which are regarded as the characteristic organic lesion of
that disease.
Peytrel \Pey"trel\, n. [OF. peitral. See {Poitrel}.] (Anc.
Armor)
The breastplate of a horse's armor or harness. [Spelt also
{peitrel}.] See {Poitrel}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Peziza \Pe*zi"za\, n. [NL., corrupt. from L. pezica a sessile
mushroom, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?, ?, a foot.] (Bot.)
A genus of fungi embracing a great number of species, some of
which are remarkable for their regular cuplike form and deep
colors.
Pezizoid \Pez"i*zoid\, a. [Peziza + -oid.] (Bot.)
Resembling a fungus of the genus Peziza; having a cuplike
form.
Pfennig \Pfen"nig\, n.; pl. {Pfennigs}, G. {Pfennige}. [G. See
{Penny}.]
A small copper coin of Germany. It is the hundredth part of a
mark, or about a quarter of a cent in United States currency.
Phacellus \Pha*cel"lus\, n.; pl. {Phacelli}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a
bundle of fagots.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the filaments on the inner surface of the gastric
cavity of certain jellyfishes.
Phacochere \Phac"o*chere\, n. [Gr. ? a lentil seed, a wart + ? a
pig.] (Zo["o]l.)
The wart hog.
Phacoid \Pha"coid\, a. [Gr. ? a lentil + -oid.]
Resembling a lentil; lenticular.
Phacolite \Phac"o*lite\, n. [Gr. ? lentil + -lite.] (Min.)
A colorless variety of chabazite; the original was from
Leipa, in Bohemia.
Phacops \Pha"cops\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a lentil + ?, ?, the
eye.] (Paleon.)
A genus of trilobites found in the Silurian and Devonian
formations. {Phacops bufo} is one of the most common species.
Phaeacian \Ph[ae]*a"cian\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Ph[ae]acians, a fabulous seafaring
people fond of the feast, the lyre, and the dance, mentioned
by Homer.
Phaenogam \Ph[ae]"no*gam\, n. (Bot.)
Any plant of the class Ph[ae]nogamia.
Phaenogamia \Ph[ae]`no*ga"mi*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. ? to show + ?
marriage.] (Bot.)
The class of flowering plants including all which have true
flowers with distinct floral organs; phanerogamia.
Phaenogamian \Ph[ae]`no*ga"mi*an\, Phaenogamic
\Ph[ae]`no*gam"ic\, a.
Same as {Ph[ae]nogamous}.
Phaenogamous \Ph[ae]*nog"a*mous\, a. (Bot.)
Having true flowers with with distinct floral organs;
flowering.
Phaenomenon \Ph[ae]*nom"e*non\, n. [L.]
See {Phenomenon}.
Phaeospore \Ph[ae]"o*spore\, n. [Gr. ? dusky + E. spore.] (Bot.)
A brownish zo["o]spore, characteristic of an order
({Ph[ae]ospore[ae]}) of dark green or olive-colored alg[ae].
-- {Ph[ae]`o*spor"ic}, a.
Phaethon \Pha"["e]*thon\, n. [L., Pha["e]thon (in sense 1), fr.
Gr. ?, fr. ?, ?, to shine. See {Phantom}.]
1. (Class. Myth.) The son of Helios (Ph[oe]bus), that is, the
son of light, or of the sun. He is fabled to have obtained
permission to drive the chariot of the sun, in doing which
his want of skill would have set the world on fire, had he
not been struck with a thunderbolt by Jupiter, and hurled
headlong into the river Po.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of oceanic birds including the tropic
birds.
Phaeton \Pha"["e]*ton\, n. [F. pha['e]ton a kind of carriage,
fr. Pha['e]thon Pha["e]thon, the son of Helios. See
{Pha["e]thon}.]
1. A four-wheeled carriage (with or without a top), open, or
having no side pieces, in front of the seat. It is drawn
by one or two horses.
2. See {Pha["e]thon}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A handsome American butterfly ({Euphydryas, or
Melit[ae]a, Pha["e]ton}). The upper side of the wings is
black, with orange-red spots and marginal crescents, and
several rows of cream-colored spots; -- called also
{Baltimore}.
Phagedena \Phag`e*de"na\, n. [L. phagedaena, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
eat.] (Med.)
(a) A canine appetite; bulimia. [Obs.]
(b) Spreading, obstinate ulceration.
Phagedenic \Phag`e*den"ic\, PhagedenicAL \Phag`e*den"ic*AL\, a.
[L. phagedaenicus, Gr. ?: cf. F. phag['e]d['e]nique.] (Med.)
Of, like, or pertaining to, phagedena; used in the treatment
of phagedena; as, a phagedenic ulcer or medicine. -- n. A
phagedenic medicine.
Phagedenous \Phag`e*de"nous\, a. (Med.)
Phagedenic.
Phagocyte \Phag"o*cyte\, n. [Gr. ? to eat + ? a hollow vessel.]
(Physiol.)
A leucocyte which plays a part in retrogressive processes by
taking up (eating), in the form of fine granules, the parts
to be removed.
Phainopepla \Pha*i`no*pep"la\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? shining + ?
robe.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small crested passerine bird ({Pha["i]nopepla nitens}),
native of Mexico and the Southern United States. The adult
male is of a uniform glossy blue-black; the female is
brownish. Called also {black flycatcher}.
Phakoscope \Phak"o*scope\, n. [Gr. ? a lentil, or lenticular
body + -scope.] (Physiol.)
An instrument for studying the mechanism of accommodation.
Phalaena \Pha*l[ae]"na\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a kind od moth.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A linn[ae]an genus which included the moths in general.
Phalaenid \Pha*l[ae]"nid\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, a kind od moth.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any moth of the family {Phal[ae]nid[ae]}, of which the
cankerworms are examples; a geometrid.
Phalangeal \Pha*lan"ge*al\, Phalangal \Pha*lan"gal\, a.
Of or pertaining to the phalanges. See {Phalanx}, 2.
Phalanger \Pha*lan"ger\, n. [Cf. F. phalanger. See {Phalanx}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any marsupial belonging to {Phalangista}, {Cuscus},
{Petaurus}, and other genera of the family
{Phalangistid[ae]}. They are arboreal, and the species of
{Petaurus} are furnished with lateral parachutes. See {Flying
phalanger}, under {Flying}.
Phalanges \Pha*lan"ges\, n.,
pl. of {Phalanx}.
Phalangial \Pha*lan"gi*al\, Phalangian \Pha*lan"gi*an\, a.
(Anat.)
Phalangeal.
Phalangid \Pha*lan"gid\, n.; pl. {Phalangides}. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Phalangoidea.
Phalangious \Pha*lan"gi*ous\, a. [L. phalangium a kind of
venomous spider, Gr. ?, fr. ? a spider. Cf. {Phalanx}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to Phalangoidea.
Phalangist \Pha*lan"gist\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any arboreal marsupial of the genus {Phalangista}. The
vulpine phalangist ({P. vulpina}) is the largest species, the
full grown male being about two and a half feet long. It has
a large bushy tail.
Phalangister \Phal`an*gis"ter\, Phalangistine
\Phal`an*gis"tine\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Phalangist}.
Phalangite \Phal"an*gite\, n. [Gr. ?: cf. F. phalangite.]
A soldier belonging to a phalanx. [Obs.]
Phalangoidea \Phal`an*goi"de*a\, n. pl. [NL., from Phalangium
the daddy longlegs (see {Phalangious}) + Gr. ? form.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A division of Arachnoidea, including the daddy longlegs or
harvestman ({Phalangium}) and many similar kinds. They have
long, slender, many-jointed legs; usually a rounded,
segmented abdomen; and chelate jaws. They breathe by
trache[ae]. Called also {Phalangides}, {Phalangidea},
{Phalangiida}, and {Opilionea}.
Phalanst'ere \Pha`lan`st['e]re"\, n. [F.]
A phalanstery.
Phalansterian \Phal`an*ste"ri*an\, a. [F. phalanst['e]rien, a. &
n.]
Of or pertaining to phalansterianism.
Phalansterian \Phal`an*ste"ri*an\, n.
One who favors the system of phalansteries proposed by
Fourier.
Phalansterism \Pha*lan"ster*ism\, Phalansterianism
\Phal`an*ste"ri*an*ism\, n.
A system of phalansteries proposed by Fourier; Fourierism.
Phalanstery \Phal"an*ster*y\, n.; pl. {-ies}. [F.
phalanst[`e]re, fr. Gr. ? a phalanx + ? firm, solid.]
1. An association or community organized on the plan of
Fourier. See {Fourierism}.
2. The dwelling house of a Fourierite community.
Phalanx \Pha"lanx\, n.; pl. {Phalanxes}, L. {Phalanges}. [L.,
from Gr. ?.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) A body of heavy-armed infantry formed in
ranks and files close and deep. There were several
different arrangements, the phalanx varying in depth from
four to twenty-five or more ranks of men. ``In cubic
phalanx firm advanced.'' --Milton.
The Grecian phalanx, moveless as a tower. --Pope.
2. Any body of troops or men formed in close array, or any
combination of people distinguished for firmness and
solidity of a union.
At present they formed a united phalanx. --Macaulay.
The sheep recumbent, and the sheep that grazed, All
huddling into phalanx, stood and gazed. --Cowper.
3. A Fourierite community; a phalanstery.
4. (Anat.) One of the digital bones of the hand or foot,
beyond the metacarpus or metatarsus; an internode.
5. [pl. {Phalanges}.] (Bot.) A group or bundle of stamens, as
in polyadelphous flowers.
Phalarope \Phal"a*rope\, n. [Gr. ? having a patch of white + ?,
?, a foot: cf. F. phalarope.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of {Phalaropus} and allied genera of small wading
birds ({Grall[ae]}), having lobate toes. They are often seen
far from land, swimming in large flocks. Called also {sea
goose}.
Phallic \Phal"lic\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to the phallus, or to phallism.
Phallicism \Phal"li*cism\, n.
See {Phallism}.
Phallism \Phal"lism\, n.
The worship of the generative principle in nature, symbolized
by the phallus.
Phallus \Phal"lus\, n.; pl. {Phalli}. [L., a phallus (in sense
1), Gr. ?.]
1. The emblem of the generative power in nature, carried in
procession in the Bacchic orgies, or worshiped in various
ways.
2. (Anat.) The penis or clitoris, or the embryonic or
primitive organ from which either may be derived.
3. (Bot.) A genus of fungi which have a fetid and disgusting
odor; the stinkhorn.
Phane \Phane\, n.
See {Fane}. [Obs.] --Joye.
Phanerite \Phan"er*ite\, a. [Gr. ? visible, from ? to bring to
light.]
Evident; visible.
{Phanerite series} (Geol.), the uppermost part of the earth's
crust, consisting of deposits produced by causes in
obvious operation.
Phanerocarpae \Phan`er*o*car"p[ae]\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ?
evident + ? fruit (but taken to mean, ovary).] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Acraspeda}.
Phanerocodonic \Phan`er*o*co*don"ic\, a. [Gr. ? evident + ? a
bell.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having an umbrella-shaped or bell-shaped body, with a wide,
open cavity beneath; -- said of certain jellyfishes.
Phanerocrystalline \Phan`er*o*crys"tal*line\, a. [Gr. ? visible
+ E. crystalline.] (Geol.)
Distinctly crystalline; -- used of rocks. Opposed to
{cryptocrystalline}.
Phanerodactyla \Phan`er*o*dac"ty*la\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
evident + ? finger.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Saurur[ae]}.
Phanerogamia \Phan`er*o*ga"mi*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? visible
(fr. ? to bring to light) + ? marriage.] (Bot.)
That one of the two primary divisions of the vegetable
kingdom which contains the phanerogamic, or flowering,
plants.
Phanerogamian \Phan`er*o*ga"mi*an\, a. (Bot.)
Phanerogamous.
Phanerogamic \Phan`er*o*gam"ic\, Phanerogamous
\Phan`er*og"a*mous\, a.
Having visible flowers containing distinct stamens and
pistils; -- said of plants.
Phaneroglossal \Phan`er*o*glos"sal\, a. [Gr. ? evident + ?
tongue.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having a conspicious tongue; -- said of certain reptiles and
insects.
Phantascope \Phan"ta*scope\, n. [Gr. ? image + -scope.]
An optical instrument or toy, resembling the phenakistoscope,
and illustrating the same principle; -- called also
{phantasmascope}.
Phantasm \Phan"tasm\, n. [L. phantasma. See {Phantom}, and cf.
{Fantasm}.] [Spelt also {fantasm}.]
1. An image formed by the mind, and supposed to be real or
material; a shadowy or airy appearance; sometimes, an
optical illusion; a phantom; a dream.
They be but phantasms or apparitions. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
2. A mental image or representation of a real object; a
fancy; a notion. --Cudworth.
Figures or little features, of which the description
had produced in you no phantasm or expectation.
--Jer. Taylor.
Phantasma \Phan"tas"ma\, n. [L.]
A phantasm.
Phantasmagoria \Phan*tas`ma*go"ri*a\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? a
phantasm + ? an assembly, fr. ? to gather: cf. F.
phantasmagorie.]
1. An optical effect produced by a magic lantern. The figures
are painted in transparent colors, and all the rest of the
glass is opaque black. The screen is between the
spectators and the instrument, and the figures are often
made to appear as in motion, or to merge into one another.
2. The apparatus by which such an effect is produced.
3. Fig.: A medley of figures; illusive images. ``This mental
phantasmagoria.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Phantasmagorial \Phan*tas`ma*go"ri*al\, a.
Of, relating to, or resembling phantasmagoria;
phantasmagoric.
Phantasmagoric \Phan*tas`ma*gor"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to phantasmagoria; phantasmagorial.
--Hawthorne.
Phantasmagory \Phan*tas"ma*go*ry\, n.
See {Phantasmagoria}.
Phantasmal \Phan*tas"mal\, a.
Pertaining to, of the nature of, or resembling, a phantasm;
spectral; illusive.
Phantasmascope \Phan*tas"ma*scope\, n.
See {Phantascope}.
Phantasmatical \Phan`tas*mat"ic*al\, a. [L. phantasmaticus.]
Phantasmal. --Dr. H. More.
Phantasmatography \Phan*tas`ma*tog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ?, ?,
phantasm + -graphy.]
A description of celestial phenomena, as rainbows, etc.
Phantastic \Phan*tas"tic\, Phantastical \Phan*tas"tic*al\, a.
See {Fantastic}.
Phantasy \Phan"ta*sy\, n.
See {Fantasy}, and {Fancy}.
Phantom \Phan"tom\, n. [OE. fantome, fantosme, fantesme, OF.
fant[^o]me, fr. L. phantasma, Gr. ?, fr. ? to show. See
{Fancy}, and cf. {Pha["e]ton}, {Phantasm}, {Phase}.]
That which has only an apparent existence; an apparition; a
specter; a phantasm; a sprite; an airy spirit; an ideal
image.
Strange phantoms rising as the mists arise. --Pope.
She was a phantom of delight. --Wordsworth.
{Phantom ship}. See {Flying Dutchman}, under {Flying}.
{Phantom tumor} (Med.), a swelling, especially of the
abdomen, due to muscular spasm, accumulation of flatus,
etc., simulating an actual tumor in appearance, but
disappearing upon the administration of an an[ae]sthetic.
Phantomatic \Phan`tom*at"ic\, a.
Phantasmal. [R.] --Coleridge.
Pharaoh \Pha"raoh\, n. [Heb. par[=o]h; of Egyptian origin: cf.
L. pharao, Gr. ?. Cf. {Faro}.]
1. A title by which the sovereigns of ancient Egypt were
designated.
2. See {Faro}.
{Pharaoh's chicken} (Zo["o]l.), the gier-eagle, or Egyptian
vulture; -- so called because often sculpured on Egyptian
monuments. It is nearly white in color.
{Pharaoh's rat} (Zo["o]l.), the common ichneumon.
Pharaon \Pha"ra*on\, n.
See {Pharaoh}, 2.
Pharaonic \Phar`a*on"ic\, a. [Cf. F. pharaonique.]
Of or pertaining to the Pharaohs, or kings of ancient Egypt.
Phare \Phare\, n. [See {Pharos}.]
1. A beacon tower; a lighthouse. [Obs.]
2. Hence, a harbor. --Howell.
Pharisaic \Phar`i*sa"ic\ (f[a^]r`[i^]*s[=a]"[i^]k), Pharisaical
\Phar`i*sa"ic*al\ (-[i^]*kal), a. [L. Pharisaicus, Gr.
Farisai:ko`s: cf. F. pharisa["i]que. See {Pharisee}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the Pharisees; resembling the
Pharisees. ``The Pharisaic sect among the Jews.''
--Cudworth.
2. Hence: Addicted to external forms and ceremonies; making a
show of religion without the spirit of it; ceremonial;
formal; hypocritical; self-righteous. ``Excess of outward
and pharisaical holiness.'' --Bacon. ``Pharisaical
ostentation.'' --Macaulay. -- {Phar`i*sa"ic*al*ly}, adv.
-- {Phar`i*sa"ic*al*ness}, n.
Pharisaism \Phar`i*sa"ism\, n. [Cf. F. pharisaisme.]
1. The notions, doctrines, and conduct of the Pharisees, as a
sect. --Sharp.
2. Rigid observance of external forms of religion, without
genuine piety; hypocrisy in religion; a censorious,
self-righteous spirit in matters of morals or manners. ``A
piece of pharisaism.'' --Hammond.
Pharisean \Phar`i*se"an\, a. [L. Pharisaeus, Gr. Farisai^os.]
Following the practice of Pharisees; Pharisaic. [Obs.]
``Pharisean disciples.'' --Milton.
Pharisee \Phar"i*see\ (f[a^]r"[i^]*s[=e]), n. [L. Pharisaeus,
Gr. Farisai^os, from Heb. p[=a]rash to separate.]
One of a sect or party among the Jews, noted for a strict and
formal observance of rites and ceremonies and of the
traditions of the elders, and whose pretensions to superior
sanctity led them to separate themselves from the other Jews.
Phariseeism \Phar"i*see*ism\, n.
See {Pharisaism}.
Pharmaceutic \Phar`ma*ceu"tic\ (f[aum]r`m[.a]*s[=u]"t[i^]k),
Pharmaceutical \Phar`ma*ceu"tic*al\ (-t[i^]*kal), a. [L.
pharmaceuticus, Gr. farmakeytiko`s, fr. farmakey`ein: cf. F.
pharmaceutique. See {Pharmacy}.]
Of or pertaining to the knowledge or art of pharmacy, or to
the art of preparing medicines according to the rules or
formulas of pharmacy; as, pharmaceutical preparations. --
{Phar`ma*ceu"tic*al*ly}, adv.
{Pharmaceutical chemistry}, that department of chemistry
which ascertains or regulates the composition of medicinal
substances.
Pharmaceutics \Phar`ma*ceu"tics\, n.
The science of preparing medicines.
Pharmaceutist \Phar`ma*ceu"tist\, n.
One skilled in pharmacy; a druggist. See the Note under
{Apothecary}.
Pharmacist \Phar"ma*cist\, n.
One skilled in pharmacy; a pharmaceutist; a druggist.
Pharmacodynamics \Phar`ma*co*dy*nam"ics\, n. [Gr. fa`rmakon
medicine + E. dynamics.]
That branch of pharmacology which considers the mode of
action, and the effects, of medicines. --Dunglison.
Pharmacognosis \Phar`ma*cog*no"sis\, n. [Gr. fa`rmakon a drug +
gnw^sis a knowing.]
That branch of pharmacology which treats of unprepared
medicines or simples; -- called also {pharmacography}, and
{pharmacomathy}.
Pharmacognosy \Phar`ma*cog"no*sy\, n.
Pharmacognosis.
Pharmacography \Phar`ma*cog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. fa`rmakon a drug +
-graphy.]
See {Pharmacognosis}.
Pharmacolite \Phar*mac"o*lite\, n. [Gr. fa`rmakon drug,
poisonous drug + -lite: cf. F. pharmacolithe.] (Min.)
A hydrous arsenate of lime, usually occurring in silky fibers
of a white or grayish color.
Pharmacologist \Phar`ma*col"o*gist\, n. [Cf. F.
pharmacologiste.]
One skilled in pharmacology.
Pharmacology \Phar`ma*col"o*gy\, n. [Gr. fa`rmakon drug + -logy:
cf. F. pharmacologie.]
1. Knowledge of drugs or medicines; the art of preparing
medicines.
2. A treatise on the art of preparing medicines.
Pharmacomathy \Phar`ma*com"a*thy\, n. [Gr. fa`rmakon a drug +
manqa`nein to learn.]
See {Pharmacognosis}.
Pharmacon \Phar"ma*con\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. fa`rmakon.]
A medicine or drug; also, a poison. --Dunglison.
Pharmacopoeia \Phar`ma*co*p[oe]"ia\, n. [NL., from Gr.
farmakopoii:`a the preparation of medicines; fa`rmakon
medicine + poiei^n to make.]
1. A book or treatise describing the drugs, preparations,
etc., used in medicine; especially, one that is issued by
official authority and considered as an authoritative
standard.
2. A chemical laboratory. [Obs.] --Dunglison.
Pharmacopolist \Phar`ma*cop"o*list\, n. [L. pharmacopola, Gr.
farmakopw`lhs; fa`rmakon medicine + pwlei^n to sell.]
One who sells medicines; an apothecary.
Pharmacosiderite \Phar`ma*co*sid"er*ite\, n. [Gr. ? drug, poison
+ E. siderite.] (Min.)
A hydrous arsenate of iron occurring in green or yellowish
green cubic crystals; cube ore.
Pharmacy \Phar"ma*cy\, n. [OE. fermacie, OF. farmacie,
pharmacie, F. pharmacie, Gr. ?, fr. ? to administer or use
medicines, fr. ? medicine.]
1. The art or practice of preparing and preserving drugs, and
of compounding and dispensing medicines according to
prescriptions of physicians; the occupation of an
apothecary or a pharmaceutical chemist.
2. A place where medicines are compounded; a drug store; an
apothecary's shop.
Pharo \Pha"ro\, n.
1. A pharos; a lighthouse. [Obs.]
2. See {Faro}.
Pharology \Pha*rol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? a lighthouse + -logy.]
The art or science which treats of lighthouses and signal
lights.
Pharos \Pha"ros\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? an island in the Bay
of Alexandria, where king Ptolemy Philadelphus built a famous
lighthouse.]
A lighthouse or beacon for the guidance of seamen.
He . . . built a pharos, or lighthouse. --Arbuthnot.
Pharyngal \Pha*ryn"gal\, a.
Pharyngeal. --H. Sweet.
Pharyngeal \Phar`yn*ge"al\, a. [See {Pharynx}.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the pharynx; in the region of the
pharynx.
Pharyngeal \Phar`yn*ge"al\, n. (Anat.)
A pharyngeal bone or cartilage; especially, one of the lower
pharyngeals, which belong to the rudimentary fifth branchial
arch in many fishes, or one of the upper pharyngeals, or
pharyngobranchials, which are the dorsal elements in the
complete branchial arches.
Pharyngitis \Phar`yn*gi"tis\, n. [NL. See {Pharynx}, and
{-itis}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the pharynx.
Pharyngobranchial \Pha*ryn`go*bran"chi*al\, a. [Pharynx +
branchial.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the pharynx and the branchi[ae]; --
applied especially to the dorsal elements in the branchial
arches of fishes. See {Pharyngeal}. -- n. A
pharyngobranchial, or upper pharyngeal, bone or cartilage.
Pharyngobranchii \Pha*ryn`go*bran"chi*i\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Pharynx}, and {Branchia}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Leptocardia}.
Pharyngognathi \Phar`yn*gog"na*thi\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pharynx},
and {Gnathic}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of fishes in which the lower pharyngeal bones are
united. It includes the scaroid, labroid, and embioticoid
fishes.
Pharyngolaryngeal \Pha*ryn`go*lar`yn*ge"al\, a. [Pharynx +
laryngeal.]
Of or pertaining both to pharynx and the larynx.
Pharyngopneusta \Pha*ryn`gop*neus"ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
the pharynx + ? to breathe.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of invertebrates including the Tunicata and
Enteropneusta. -- {Pha*ryn`gop*neus"tal}, a.
Pharyngotome \Pha*ryn"go*tome\, n. (Surg.)
An instrument for incising or scarifying the tonsils, etc.
Pharyngotomy \Phar`yn*got"o*my\, n. [Pharynx + Gr. ? to cut: cf.
F. pharyngotomie.] (Surg.)
(a) The operation of making an incision into the pharynx, to
remove a tumor or anything that obstructs the passage.
(b) Scarification or incision of the tonsils.
Pharynx \Phar"ynx\, n.; pl. {pharynges}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?: cf.
F. pharynx.] (Anat.)
The part of the alimentary canal between the cavity of the
mouth and the esophagus. It has one or two external openings
through the nose in the higher vertebrates, and lateral
branchial openings in fishes and some amphibias.
Phascolome \Phas"co*lome\, n. [Gr. ? pouch + ? mouse.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A marsupial of the genus {Phascolomys}; a wombat.
Phase \Phase\, n.; pl. {Phases}. [NL. phasis, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
make to appear: cf. F. phase. See {Phenomenon}, {Phantom},
and {Emphasis}.]
1. That which is exhibited to the eye; the appearance which
anything manifests, especially any one among different and
varying appearances of the same object.
2. Any appearance or aspect of an object of mental
apprehension or view; as, the problem has many phases.
3. (Astron.) A particular appearance or state in a regularly
recurring cycle of changes with respect to quantity of
illumination or form of enlightened disk; as, the phases
of the moon or planets. See Illust. under {Moon}.
4. (Physics) Any one point or portion in a recurring series
of changes, as in the changes of motion of one of the
particles constituting a wave or vibration; one portion of
a series of such changes, in distinction from a contrasted
portion, as the portion on one side of a position of
equilibrium, in contrast with that on the opposite side.
Phasel \Pha"sel\, n. [L. phaselus, phaseolus, Gr. ?, ?: cf. F.
phas['e]ole, fas['e]ole. Cf. {Fesels}.]
The French bean, or kidney bean.
Phaseless \Phase"less\, a.
Without a phase, or visible form. [R.] ``A phaseless and
increasing gloom.'' --Poe.
Phaseolus \Pha*se"o*lus\, n. [L.] (Bot.)
A genus of leguminous plants, including the Lima bean, the
kidney bean, the scarlet runner, etc. See {Bean}.
Phaseomannite \Pha`se*o*man"nite\, n. [So called because found
in the unripe fruit of the bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).]
(Chem.)
Same as {Inosite}.
Phasis \Pha"sis\, n.; pl. {Phases}. [NL.]
See {Phase}. --Creech.
Phasm \Phasm\, Phasma \Phas"ma\, n. [L. phasma, Gr. ?. See
{Phase}.]
An apparition; a phantom; an appearance. [R.] --Hammond. Sir
T. Herbert.
Phasmid \Phas"mid\, n. [See {Phasm}. Probably so called from its
mimicking, or appearing like, inanimate objects.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any orthopterous insect of the family {Phasmid[ae]}, as a
leaf insect or a stick insect.
Phassachate \Phas"sa*chate\, n. [Gr. ? the wood pigeon + ? the
agate.] (Min.)
The lead-colored agate; -- so called in reference to its
color.
Phatagin \Phat"a*gin\, n. [Cf. Gr. ?; perhaps from native name.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The long-tailed pangolin ({Manis tetradactyla}); -- called
also {ipi}.
Pheasant \Pheas"ant\, n. [OE. fesant, fesaunt, OF. faisant,
faisan, F. faisan, L. phasianus, Gr. ? (sc. ?) the Phasian
bird, pheasant, fr. ? a river in Colchis or Pontus.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of large
gallinaceous birds of the genus {Phasianus}, and many
other genera of the family {Phasianid[ae]}, found chiefly
in Asia.
Note: The
{common, or English, {pheasant} ({Phasianus Colchicus}) is
now found over most of temperate Europe, but was
introduced from Asia. The
{ring-necked pheasant} ({P. torquatus}) and the
{green pheasant} ({P. versicolor}) have been introduced into
Oregon. The
{golden pheasant} ({Thaumalea picta}) is one of the most
beautiful species. The
{silver pheasant} ({Euplocamus nychthemerus}) of China, and
several related species from Southern Asia, are very
beautiful.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The ruffed grouse. [Southern U.S.]
Note: Various other birds are locally called pheasants, as
the lyre bird, the leipoa, etc.
{Fireback pheasant}. See {Fireback}.
{Gold}, or {Golden}, {pheasant} (Zo["o]l.), a Chinese
pheasant ({Thaumalea picta}), having rich, varied colors.
The crest is amber-colored, the rump is golden yellow, and
the under parts are scarlet.
{Mountain pheasant} (Zo["o]l.), the ruffed grouse. [Local,
U.S.]
{Pheasant coucal} (Zo["o]l.), a large Australian cuckoo
({Centropus phasianus}). The general color is black, with
chestnut wings and brown tail. Called also {pheasant
cuckoo}. The name is also applied to other allied species.
{Pheasant duck}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The pintail.
(b) The hooded merganser.
{Pheasant parrot} (Zo["o]l.), a large and beautiful
Australian parrakeet ({Platycercus Adelaidensis}). The
male has the back black, the feathers margined with
yellowish blue and scarlet, the quills deep blue, the wing
coverts and cheeks light blue, the crown, sides of the
neck, breast, and middle of the belly scarlet.
{Pheasant's eye}. (Bot.)
(a) A red-flowered herb ({Adonis autumnalis}) of the
Crowfoot family; -- called also {pheasant's-eye
Adonis}.
(b) The garden pink ({Dianthus plumarius}); -- called also
{Pheasant's-eye pink}.
{Pheasant shell} (Zo["o]l.), any marine univalve shell of the
genus {Phasianella}, of which numerous species are found
in tropical seas. The shell is smooth and usually richly
colored, the colors often forming blotches like those of a
pheasant.
{Pheasant wood}. (Bot.) Same as {Partridge wood}
(a), under {Partridge}.
{Sea pheasant} (Zo["o]l.), the pintail.
{Water pheasant}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The sheldrake.
(b) The hooded merganser.
Pheasantry \Pheas"ant*ry\, n. [Cf. F. faisanderie.]
A place for keeping and rearing pheasants. --Gwilt.
Phebe \Phe"be\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Ph[oe]be}.
Pheer \Pheer\, n.
See 1st {Fere}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Pheese \Pheese\, v. t.
To comb; also, to beat; to worry. [Obs. or Local] See
{Feaze}, v.
Pheese \Pheese\, n.
Fretful excitement. [Obs. or Local] See {Feaze}, n.
Phelloderm \Phel"lo*derm\, n. [Gr. ? cork + -derm.] (Bot.)
A layer of green parenchimatous cells formed on the inner
side of the phellogen.
Phellogen \Phel"lo*gen\, n. [Gr. ? cork + -gen.] (Bot.)
The tissue of young cells which produces cork cells.
Phelloplastics \Phel`lo*plas"tics\, n. [Gr. ? cork + ? to mold.]
Art of modeling in cork.
Phenacite \Phen"a*cite\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, impostor, deceiver.]
(Min.)
A glassy colorless mineral occurring in rhombohedral
crystals, sometimes used as a gem. It is a silicate of
glucina, and receives its name from its deceptive similarity
to quartz.
Phenakistoscope \Phen`a*kis"to*scope\, n. [Gr. ? a deceiver +
-scope.]
A revolving disk on which figures drawn in different relative
attitudes are seen successively, so as to produce the
appearance of an object in actual motion, as an animal
leaping, etc., in consequence of the persistence of the
successive visual impressions of the retina. It is often
arranged so that the figures may be projected upon a screen.
Phenanthrene \Phe*nan"threne\, n. [Phenyl + antracene.] (Chem.)
A complex hydrocarbon, {C14H10}, found in coal tar, and
obtained as a white crystalline substance with a bluish
fluorescence.
Phenanthridine \Phe*nan"thri*dine\, n. [Phenanthrene +
pyridine.] (Chem.)
A nitrogenous hydrocarbon base, {C13H9N}, analogous to
phenanthrene and quinoline.
Phenanthroline \Phe*nan"thro*line\, n. [Phenanthrene +
quinoline.] (Chem.)
Either of two metameric nitrogenous hydrocarbon bases,
{C12H8N2}, analogous to phenanthridine, but more highly
nitrogenized.
Phene \Phene\, n. (Chem.)
Benzene. [Obs.]
Phenetol \Phe"ne*tol\, n. [Phenyl + ethyl + L. oleum oil.]
(Chem.)
The ethyl ether of phenol, obtained as an aromatic liquid,
{C6H5.O.C2H5}.
Phenic \Phe"nic\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, derived from, or resembling, phenyl or
phenol.
{Phenic acid} (Chem.), a phenol. [Obsoles.]
Phenician \Phe*ni"cian\, a. & n.
See {Ph[oe]nician}.
Phenicine \Phen"i*cine\, n. [Gr. foi^nix purple red: cf. F.
ph['e]nicine.] (Chem.)
(a) A purple powder precipitated when a sulphuric solution of
indigo is diluted with water.
(b) A coloring matter produced by the action of a mixture of
strong nitric and sulphuric acids on phenylic alcohol.
--Watts.
Phenicious \Phe*ni"cious\, a. [L. phoeniceus, Gr. foini`keos,
from ? purple red.]
Of a red color with a slight mixture of gray. --Dana.
Phenicopter \Phen`i*cop"ter\, n. [L. phoenicopterus, Gr.
foiniko`pteros, i. e., red-feathered; foi^nix, foi`nikos,
purple red + ptero`n feather: cf. F. ph['e]nicopt[`e]re.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A flamingo.
Phenix \Phe"nix\, n.; pl. {Phenixes}. [L. phoenix, Gr. foi^nix.]
[Written also {ph[oe]nix}.]
1. (Gr. Myth.) A bird fabled to exist single, to be consumed
by fire by its own act, and to rise again from its ashes.
Hence, an emblem of immortality.
2. (Astron.) A southern constellation.
3. A marvelous person or thing. [R.] --Latimer.
Phenogamia \Phen`o*ga"mi*a\, n. pl. (Bot.)
Same as {Ph[ae]nogamia}.
Phenogamian \Phen`o*ga"mi*an\, Phenogamic \Phen`o*gam"ic\,
Phenogamous \Phe*nog"a*mous\, a.
Same as {Ph[ae]nogamian}, {Ph[ae]nogamic}, etc.
Phenol \Phe"nol\, n. [Gr. ? to show + -ol: cf. F. ph['e]nol.]
(Chem.)
1. A white or pinkish crystalline substance, {C6H5OH},
produced by the destructive distillation of many organic
bodies, as wood, coal, etc., and obtained from the heavy
oil from coal tar.
Note: It has a peculiar odor, somewhat resembling creosote,
which is a complex mixture of phenol derivatives. It is
of the type of alcohols, and is called also {phenyl
alcohol}, but has acid properties, and hence is
popularly called {carbolic acid}, and was formerly
called {phenic acid}. It is a powerful caustic poison,
and in dilute solution has been used as an antiseptic.
2. Any one of the series of hydroxyl derivatives of which
phenol proper is the type.
{Glacial phenol} (Chem.), pure crystallized phenol or
carbolic acid.
{Phenol acid} (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds which
are at once derivatives of both phenol and some member of
the fatty acid series; thus, salicylic acid is a phenol
acid.
{Phenol alcohol} (Chem.), any one of series of derivatives of
phenol and carbinol which have the properties of both
combined; thus, saligenin is a phenol alcohol.
{Phenol aldehyde} (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds
having both phenol and aldehyde properties.
{Phenol phthalein}. See under {Phthalein}.
Phenolate \Phe"no*late\, n. [Phenol + -ate.] (Chem.)
A compound of phenol analogous to a salt.
Phenomenal \Phe*nom"e*nal\, a. [Cf. F. ph['e]nom['e]nal.]
Relating to, or of the nature of, a phenomenon; hence,
extraordinary; wonderful; as, a phenomenal memory. --
{Phe*nom"e*nal*ly}, adv.
Phenomenalism \Phe*nom"e*nal*ism\, n. (Metaph.)
That theory which limits positive or scientific knowledge to
phenomena only, whether material or spiritual.
Phenomenist \Phe*nom"e*nist\, n.
One who believes in the theory of phenomenalism.
Phenomenology \Phe*nom`e*nol"o*gy\, n. [Phenomenon + -logy: cf.
F. ph['e]nom['e]nologie.]
A description, history, or explanation of phenomena. ``The
phenomenology of the mind.'' --Sir W. Hamilton.
Phenomenon \Phe*nom"e*non\, n.; pl. {Phenomena}. [L.
phaenomenon, Gr. faino`menon, fr. fai`nesqai to appear,
fai`nein to show. See {Phantom}.]
1. An appearance; anything visible; whatever, in matter or
spirit, is apparent to, or is apprehended by, observation;
as, the phenomena of heat, light, or electricity;
phenomena of imagination or memory.
In the phenomena of the material world, and in many
of the phenomena of mind. --Stewart.
2. That which strikes one as strange, unusual, or
unaccountable; an extraordinary or very remarkable person,
thing, or occurrence; as, a musical phenomenon.
Phenose \Phe"nose`\, n. [Phenyl + dextrose.] (Chem.)
A sweet amorphous deliquescent substance obtained indirectly
from benzene, and isometric with, and resembling, dextrose.
Phenyl \Phe"nyl\, n. [Gr. ? to bring to light + -yl: cf. F.
ph['e]nyle. So called because it is a by-product of
illuminating gas.] (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon radical ({C6H5}) regarded as the essential
residue of benzene, and the basis of an immense number of
aromatic derivatives.
{Phenyl hydrate} (Chem.), phenol or carbolic acid.
{Phenyl hydrazine} (Chem.), a nitrogenous base ({C6H5.N2H3})
produced artificially as a colorless oil which unites with
acids, ketones, etc., to form well-crystallized compounds.
Phenylamine \Phe`nyl*am"ine\, n. [Phenyl + amine.] (Chem.)
Any one of certain class of organic bases regarded as formed
from ammonia by the substitution of phenyl for hydrogen.
Phenylene \Phe"nyl*ene\, n. (Chem.)
A hypothetic radical ({C6H4}) occurring in certain
derivatives of benzene; as, phenylene diamine.
Phenylic \Phe*nyl"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, phenyl.
{Phenylic alcohol} (Chem.), phenol.
Pheon \Phe"on\, n. [Prob. from Old French.] (Her.)
A bearing representing the head of a dart or javelin, with
long barbs which are engrailed on the inner edge.
Phial \Phi"al\, n. [F. fiole, L. phiala a broad, flat, shallow
cup or bowl, Gr. ?. cf. {Vial}.]
A glass vessel or bottle, especially a small bottle for
medicines; a vial.
Phial \Phi"al\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Phialed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Phialing}.]
To put or keep in, or as in, a phial.
Its phial'd wrath may fate exhaust. --Shenstone.
Philabeg \Phil"a*beg\, n.
See {Filibeg}.
Philadelphian \Phil`a*del"phi*an\, a. [Gr. filadelfia brotherly
love, from fila`delfos brotherly; fi`los loved, loving,
friendly + 'adelfo`s brother.]
Of or pertaining to Ptolemy Philadelphus, or to one of the
cities named Philadelphia, esp. the modern city in
Pennsylvania.
Philadelphian \Phil`a*del"phi*an\, n.
1. A native or an inhabitant of Philadelphia.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) One of a society of mystics of the
seventeenth century, -- called also the Family of Love.
--Tatler.
Philalethist \Phil`a*le"thist\, n. [Philo- + Gr. ? truth.]
A lover of the truth. [Obs.] --Brathwait.
Philander \Phi*lan"der\, v. i. [Gr. ? fond of men; ? loving + ?
man.]
To make love to women; to play the male flirt.
You can't go philandering after her again. --G. Eliot.
Philander \Phi*lan"der\, n.
A lover. [R.] --Congreve.
Philander \Phi*lan"der\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A South American opossum ({Didelphys philander}).
(b) An Australian bandicoot ({Perameles lagotis}).
Philanderer \Phi*lan"der*er\, n.
One who hangs about women; a male flirt. [R.] --C. Kingsley.
Philanthrope \Phil"an*thrope\, n. [F.]
A philanthropist. [Obs.] --R. North.
Philanthropic \Phil`an*throp"ic\, Philanthropical
\Phil`an*throp"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. philanthropique.]
Of or pertaining to philanthropy; characterized by
philanthropy; loving or helping mankind; as, a philanthropic
enterprise. -- {Phil`an*throp"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Philanthropinism \Phil`an*throp"i*nism\, n.
A system of education on so-called natural principles,
attempted in Germany in the last century by Basedow, of
Dessau.
Philanthropinist \Phil`an*throp"i*nist\, n.
An advocate of, or believer in, philanthropinism.
Philanthropist \Phi*lan"thro*pist\, n. [Gr. ?; ? loving + ? man:
cf. F. philanthrope.]
One who practices philanthropy; one who loves mankind, and
seeks to promote the good of others.
Philanthropistic \Phi*lan`thro*pis"tic\, a.
Pertaining to, or characteristic of, a philanthropist. [R.]
--Carlyle.
Philanthropy \Phi*lan"thro*py\, n. [L. philanthropia, Gr. ?: cf.
F. philanthropie.]
Love to mankind; benevolence toward the whole human family;
universal good will; desire and readiness to do good to all
men; -- opposed to misanthropy. --Jer. Taylor.
Philatelic \Phil`a*tel"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to philately.
Philatelist \Phi*lat"e*list\, n.
One versed in philately; one who collects postage stamps.
Philately \Phi*lat"e*ly\, n. [Philo- + Gr. ? exemption from tax;
cf. frank to send free.]
The collection of postage stamps of various issues.
Philatory \Phil"a*to*ry\, n. [OF. filatiere, philatiere. See
{Phylactery}.] (Eccl.)
A kind of transparent reliquary with an ornamental top.
Philauty \Phil"au*ty\, n. [Gr. ?; ? loving + ? self.]
Self-love; selfishness. [Obs.] --Beaumont.
Philharmonic \Phil`har*mon"ic\, a. [Philo- + Gr. ? harmony: cf.
F. philharmonique.]
Loving harmony or music.
Philhellene \Phil*hel"lene\, n.
A friend of Greece, or of the Greeks; a philhellenist.
--Emerson.
Philhellenic \Phil`hel*len"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to philhellenism.
Philhellenism \Phil*hel"len*ism\, n.
Love of Greece.
Philhellenist \Phil*hel"len*ist\, n. [Philo- + Gr. ? a Greek:
cf. F. philhell[`e]ne.]
A friend of Greece; one who supports the cause of the Greeks;
particularly, one who supported them in their struggle for
independence against the Turks; a philhellene.
Philibeg \Phil"i*beg\, n.
See {Filibeg}. [Scot.]
Philip \Phil"ip\, n. [So called from their notes.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The European hedge sparrow.
(b) The house sparrow. Called also {phip}. [Prov. Eng.]
Philippian \Phi*lip"pi*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Philippi, a city of ancient Macedonia. --
n. A native or an inhabitant of Philippi.
Philippic \Phi*lip"pic\, n. [L. Philippicus belonging to Philip,
Philippic, Gr. ?, fr. ? Philip, ? fond of horses: cf. F.
philippique.]
1. Any one of the series of famous orations of Demosthenes,
the Grecian orator, denouncing Philip, king of Macedon.
2. Hence: Any discourse or declamation abounding in
acrimonious invective.
Philippium \Phi*lip"pi*um\, n. [NL. So named from Philippe
Plantamour, of Geneva, Switzerland.] (Chem.)
A rare and doubtful metallic element said to have been
discovered in the mineral samarskite.
Philippize \Phil"ip*pize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Philippized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Philippizing}.] [Gr. ? to be on Philip's side.]
1. To support or advocate the cause of Philip of Macedon.
2. [See {Philippic}.] To write or speak in the style of a
philippic.
Philister \Phi*lis"ter\, n. [G.]
A Philistine; -- a cant name given to townsmen by students in
German universities.
Philistine \Phi*lis"tine\, n. [L. Philistinus, Heb.
Phlishth[=i], pl. Phlishth[=i]m.]
1. A native or an inhabitant of ancient Philistia, a coast
region of southern Palestine.
2. A bailiff. [Cant, Eng.] [Obs.] --Swift.
3. A person deficient in liberal culture and refinement; one
without appreciation of the nobler aspirations and
sentiments of humanity; one whose scope is limited to
selfish and material interests. [Recent] --M. Arnold.
Philistine \Phi*lis"tine\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the Philistines.
2. Uncultured; commonplace.
Philistinism \Phi*lis"tin*ism\, n.
The condition, character, aims, and habits of the class
called Philistines. See {Philistine}, 3. [Recent] --Carlyle.
On the side of beauty and taste, vulgarity; on the side
of morals and feeling, coarseness; on the side of mind
and spirit, unintelligence, -- this is Philistinism.
--M. Arnold.
Phillipsite \Phil"lips*ite\, n. [So named after John Phillips,
an English mineralogist.] (Min.)
(a) A hydrous silicate of aluminia, lime, and soda, a
zeolitic mineral commonly occurring in complex twin
crystals, often cruciform in shape; -- called also
{christianite}.
Phillygenin \Phil*lyg"e*nin\, n. [Phillyrin + -gen + -in.]
(Chem.)
A pearly crystalline substance obtained by the decomposition
of phillyrin.
Phillyrea \Phil*lyr"e*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?.] (Bot.)
A genus of evergreen plants growing along the shores of the
Mediterranean, and breading a fruit resembling that of the
olive.
Phillyrin \Phil"ly*rin\, n. (Chem.)
A glucoside extracted from Phillyrea as a bitter white
crystalline substance. It is sometimes used as a febrifuge.
Philo- \Philo-\
A combining form from Gr. fi`los loving, fond of, attached
to; as, philosophy, philotechnic.
Philogynist \Phi*log"y*nist\, n. [See {Philogyny}.]
A lover or friend of women; one who esteems woman as the
higher type of humanity; -- opposed to {misogynist}.
Philogyny \Phi*log"y*ny\, n. [Gr. ?; ? loving + ? woman.]
Fondness for women; uxoriousness; -- opposed to {misogyny}.
[R.] --Byron.
Philohellenian \Phil`o*hel*le"ni*an\, n.
A philhellenist.
Philologer \Phi*lol"o*ger\, n. [Cf. L. philologus a man of
letters, Gr. ?, originally, fond of talking; hence, fond of
learning and literature; ? loving + ? speech, discourse.]
A philologist. --Burton.
Philologian \Phil`o*lo"gi*an\, n.
A philologist. [R.]
Philological \Phil`o*log"ic*al\, Philologic \Phil`o*log"ic\, a.
[Cf. F. philologique.]
Of or pertaining to philology. -- {Phil`o*log"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Philologist \Phi*lol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in philology.
Philologize \Phi*lol"o*gize\, v. i.
To study, or make critical comments on, language. --Evelyn.
Philologue \Phil"o*logue\, n. [Cf. F. philologue.]
A philologist. [R.] --Carlyle.
Philology \Phi*lol"o*gy\, n. [L. philologia love of learning,
interpretation, philology, Gr. ?: cf. F. philologie. See
{Philologer}.]
1. Criticism; grammatical learning. [R.] --Johnson.
2. The study of language, especially in a philosophical
manner and as a science; the investigation of the laws of
human speech, the relation of different tongues to one
another, and historical development of languages;
linguistic science.
Note: Philology comprehends a knowledge of the etymology, or
origin and combination of words; grammar, the
construction of sentences, or use of words in language;
criticism, the interpretation of authors, the
affinities of different languages, and whatever relates
to the history or present state of languages. It
sometimes includes rhetoric, poetry, history, and
antiquities.
3. A treatise on the science of language.
Philomath \Phil"o*math\, n. [Gr. ?; fi`los loving, a friend +
ma`qh learning, fr. ?, ?, to learn.]
A lover of learning; a scholar. --Chesterfield.
Philomathematic \Phil`o*math`e*mat"ic\, n.
A philomath.
Philomathic \Phil`o*math"ic\, a. [Cf. F. philomathique.]
1. Of or pertaining to philomathy.
2. Having love of learning or letters.
Philomathy \Phi*lom"a*thy\, n. [Gr. ?, ?.]
The love of learning or letters.
Philomel \Phil"o*mel\, n.
Same as {Philomela}, the nightingale. [Poetic] --Milton.
Cowper.
Philomela \Phil`o*me"la\, n. [L. philomela, Gr. ?, according to
the legend, from ? Philomela (daughter of Pandion, king of
Athens), who was changed into a nightingale.]
1. The nightingale; philomel. --Shak.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of birds including the nightingales.
Philomene \Phil"o*mene\, n.
The nightingale. [Obs.]
Philomot \Phil"o*mot\, a. [See {Filemot}.]
Of the color of a dead leaf. [Obs.] --Addison.
Philomusical \Phil`o*mu"sic*al\, a. [Philo- + musical.]
Loving music. [R.]Busby.
Philopena \Phil`o*pe"na\, n. [Probably a corruption fr. G.
vielliebchen, LG. vielliebken, or D. veelliebken, a
philopena, literally, much loved; but influenced by Gr. ? a
friend, and L. poena penalty, from an idea that the gift was
a penalty of friendship or love.]
A present or gift which is made as a forfeit in a social game
that is played in various ways; also, the game itself.
[Written also {fillipeen} and {phillippine}.]
Note: One of the ways may be stated as follows: A person
finding a nut with two kernels eats one, and gives the
other to a person of the opposite sex, and then
whichever says philopena first at the next meeting wins
the present. The name is also applied to the kernels
eaten.
Philopolemic \Phil`o*po*lem"ic\, Philopolemical
\Phil`o*po*lem"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ? fond of war, warlike; ? loving
+ ? war.]
Fond of polemics or controversy. [R.]
Philoprogenitive \Phil`o*pro*gen"i*tive\, a.
Having the love of offspring; fond of children.
Philoprogenitiveness \Phil`o*pro*gen"i*tive*ness\, n. [Philo- +
L. progenies offspring.] (Phren.)
The love of offspring; fondness for children.
Philosophaster \Phi*los"o*phas`ter\, n. [L., a bad philosopher,
fr. philosophus: cf. OF. philosophastre.]
A pretender to philosophy. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Philosophate \Phi*los"o*phate\, v. i. [L. philosophatus, p. p.
of philosophari to philosophize.]
To play the philosopher; to moralize. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Philosophation \Phi*los`o*pha"tion\, n.
Philosophical speculation and discussion. [Obs.] --Sir W.
Petty.
Philosophe \Phil"o*sophe\, n. [F., a philosopher.]
A philosophaster; a philosopher. [R.] --Carlyle.
Philosopheme \Phi*los"o*pheme\, n. [Gr. ?, from ? to love
knowledge.]
A philosophical proposition, doctrine, or principle of
reasoning. [R.]
This, the most venerable, and perhaps the most ancient,
of Grecian myths, is a philosopheme. --Coleridge.
Philosopher \Phi*los"o*pher\, n. [OE. philosophre, F.
philosophe, L. philosophus, Gr. ?; ? loving + ? wise. Cf.
{Philosophy}.]
1. One who philosophizes; one versed in, or devoted to,
philosophy.
Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of
the Stoics, encountered him. --Acts xvii.
18.
2. One who reduces the principles of philosophy to practice
in the conduct of life; one who lives according to the
rules of practical wisdom; one who meets or regards all
vicissitudes with calmness.
3. An alchemist. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Philosopher's stone}, an imaginary stone which the
alchemists formerly sought as instrument of converting the
baser metals into gold.
Philosophic \Phil`o*soph"ic\, Philosophical \Phil`o*soph"ic*al\,
a. [L. philosophicus: cf. F. philosophique.]
Of or pertaining to philosophy; versed in, or imbued with,
the principles of philosophy; hence, characterizing a
philosopher; rational; wise; temperate; calm; cool. --
{Phil`o*soph"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Philosophism \Phi*los"o*phism\, n. [Cf. F. philosophisme.]
Spurious philosophy; the love or practice of sophistry.
--Carlyle.
Philosophist \Phi*los"o*phist\, n. [Cf. F. philosophiste.]
A pretender in philosophy.
Philosophistic \Phi*los`o*phis"tic\, Philosophistical
\Phi*los`o*phis"tic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to the love or practice of sophistry. [R.]
Philosophize \Phi*los"o*phize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Philosophized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Philosophizing}.]
To reason like a philosopher; to search into the reason and
nature of things; to investigate phenomena, and assign
rational causes for their existence.
Man philosophizes as he lives. He may philosophize well
or ill, but philosophize he must. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Philosophizer \Phi*los"o*phi`zer\, n.
One who philosophizes.
Philosophy \Phi*los"o*phy\, n.; pl. {Philosophies}. [OE.
philosophie, F. philosophie, L. philosophia, from Gr. ?. See
{Philosopher}.]
1. Literally, the love of, including the search after,
wisdom; in actual usage, the knowledge of phenomena as
explained by, and resolved into, causes and reasons,
powers and laws.
Note: When applied to any particular department of knowledge,
philosophy denotes the general laws or principles under
which all the subordinate phenomena or facts relating
to that subject are comprehended. Thus philosophy, when
applied to God and the divine government, is called
theology; when applied to material objects, it is
called physics; when it treats of man, it is called
anthropology and psychology, with which are connected
logic and ethics; when it treats of the necessary
conceptions and relations by which philosophy is
possible, it is called metaphysics.
Note: ``Philosophy has been defined: tionscience of things
divine and human, and the causes in which they are
contained; -- the science of effects by their causes;
-- the science of sufficient reasons; -- the science of
things possible, inasmuch as they are possible; -- the
science of things evidently deduced from first
principles; -- the science of truths sensible and
abstract; -- the application of reason to its
legitimate objects; -- the science of the relations of
all knowledge to the necessary ends of human reason; --
the science of the original form of the ego, or mental
self; -- the science of science; -- the science of the
absolute; -- the scienceof the absolute indifference of
the ideal and real.'' --Sir W. Hamilton.
2. A particular philosophical system or theory; the
hypothesis by which particular phenomena are explained.
[Books] of Aristotle and his philosophie. --Chaucer.
We shall in vain interpret their words by the
notions of our philosophy and the doctrines in our
school. --Locke.
3. Practical wisdom; calmness of temper and judgment;
equanimity; fortitude; stoicism; as, to meet misfortune
with philosophy.
Then had he spent all his philosophy. --Chaucer.
4. Reasoning; argumentation.
Of good and evil much they argued then, . . . Vain
wisdom all, and false philosophy. --Milton.
5. The course of sciences read in the schools. --Johnson.
6. A treatise on philosophy.
{Philosophy of the Academy}, that of Plato, who taught his
disciples in a grove in Athens called the Academy.
{Philosophy of the Garden}, that of Epicurus, who taught in a
garden in Athens.
{Philosophy of the Lyceum}, that of Aristotle, the founder of
the Peripatetic school, who delivered his lectures in the
Lyceum at Athens.
{Philosophy of the Porch}, that of Zeno and the Stoics; -- so
called because Zeno of Citium and his successors taught in
the porch of the Poicile, a great hall in Athens.
Philostorgy \Phil`o*stor"gy\, n. [Gr. ?; ? loving + ?
affection.]
Natural affection, as of parents for their children. [R.]
Philotechnic \Phil`o*tech"nic\, Philotechnical
\Phil`o*tech"nic*al\, a. [Philo- + Gr. ? an art: cf. F.
philotechnique.]
Fond of the arts. [R.]
Philter \Phil"ter\, n. [F. philtre, L. philtrum, Gr. ?, fr. ? to
love, ? dear, loving.]
A potion or charm intended to excite the passion of love.
[Written also {philtre}.] --Addison.
Philter \Phil"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Philtered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Philtering}.]
1. To impregnate or mix with a love potion; as, to philter a
draught.
2. To charm to love; to excite to love or sexual desire by a
potion. --Gov. of Tongue.
Phimosis \Phi*mo"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a muzzling, fr. ?
muzzle.] (Med.)
A condition of the penis in which the prepuce can not be
drawn back so as to uncover the glans penis.
Phitoness \Phi"ton*ess\, n.
Pythoness; witch. [Obs.]
Phiz \Phiz\, n.; pl. {Phizes}. [Contr. fr. physiognomy.]
The face or visage. [Colloq.] --Cowper.
Phlebitis \Phle*bi"tis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a vein + -itis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of a vein.
Phlebogram \Phleb"o*gram\, n. [Gr. ?, ? + -gram.] (Physiol.)
A tracing (with the sphygmograph) of the movements of a vein,
or of the venous pulse.
Phlebolite \Phleb"o*lite\, Phlebolith \Phleb"o*lith\, n. [Gr. ?,
?, a vein + -lite, -lith.] (Med.)
A small calcareous concretion formed in a vein; a vein stone.
Phlebology \Phle*bol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, a vein + -logy.]
A branch of anatomy which treats of the veins.
Phlebotomist \Phle*bot"o*mist\, n. [Cf. F. phl['e]botomiste.]
(Med.)
One who practiced phlebotomy.
Phlebotomize \Phle*bot"o*mize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Phlebotomized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Phlebotomizing}.] [Cf. F.
phl['e]botomiser.]
To let blood from by opening a vein; to bleed. [R.] --Howell.
Phlebotomy \Phle*bot"o*my\, n. [L. phlebotomia, Gr. ?; ?, ?, a
vein + ? to cut: cf. F. phl['e]botomie. Cf. {Fleam}.] (Med.)
The act or practice of opening a vein for letting blood, in
the treatment of disease; venesection; bloodletting.
Phlegm \Phlegm\, n. [F. phlegme, flegme, L. phlegma, fr. Gr. ? a
flame, inflammation, phlegm, a morbid, clammy humor in the
body, fr. ? to burn. Cf. {Phlox}, {Flagrant}, {Flame},
{Bleak}, a., and {Fluminate}.]
1. One of the four humors of which the ancients supposed the
blood to be composed. See {Humor}. --Arbuthnot.
2. (Physiol.) Viscid mucus secreted in abnormal quantity in
the respiratory and digestive passages.
3. (Old Chem.) A watery distilled liquor, in distinction from
a spirituous liquor. --Crabb.
4. Sluggishness of temperament; dullness; want of interest;
indifference; coldness.
They judge with fury, but they write with phlegm.
--Pope.
Phlegmagogue \Phleg"ma*gogue\, n. [Gr. ? carrying of phlegm; ?
phlegm + ? to lead.] (Old Med.)
A medicine supposed to expel phlegm.
Phlegmasia \Phleg*ma"si*a\, n. [NL., from Gr. ?. See {Phlegm}.]
(Med.)
An inflammation; more particularly, an inflammation of the
internal organs.
{Phlegmasia dolens} (d[=o]"l[e^]nz) [NL.], milk leg.
Phlegmatic \Phleg*mat"ic\, a. [L. phlegmaticus, Gr. ?: cf. F.
phlegmatique.]
1. Watery. [Obs.] ``Aqueous and phlegmatic.'' --Sir I.
Newton.
2. Abounding in phlegm; as, phlegmatic humors; a phlegmatic
constitution. --Harvey.
3. Generating or causing phlegm. ``Cold and phlegmatic
habitations.'' --Sir T. Browne.
4. Not easily excited to action or passion; cold; dull;
sluggish; heavy; as, a phlegmatic person. --Addison.
{Phlegmatic temperament} (Old Physiol.), lymphatic
temperament. See under {Lymphatic}.
Phlegmatical \Phleg*mat"ic*al\, a.
Phlegmatic. --Ash.
Phlegmatically \Phleg*mat"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a phlegmatic manner.
Phlegmaticly \Phleg*mat"ic*ly\, a.
Phlegmatically. [Obs.]
Phlegmon \Phleg"mon\, n. [L. phlegmone, phlegmon, inflammation
beneath the skin, Gr. ?, fr. ? to burn: cf. F. phlegmon.]
(Med.)
Purulent inflammation of the cellular or areolar tissue.
Phlegmonous \Phleg"mon*ous\, a. [Cf. F. phlegmoneux.]
Having the nature or properties of phlegmon; as, phlegmonous
pneumonia. --Harvey.
Phleme \Phleme\, n. (Surg. & Far.)
See {Fleam}.
Phleum \Phle"um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a kind of marsh plant.]
(Bot.)
A genus of grasses, including the timothy ({Phleum
pratense}), which is highly valued for hay; cat's-tail grass.
--Gray.
Phloem \Phlo"["e]m\, n. [Gr. ? bark.] (Bot.)
That portion of fibrovascular bundles which corresponds to
the inner bark; the liber tissue; -- distinguished from
xylem.
Phlogistian \Phlo*gis"tian\, n.
A believer in the existence of phlogiston.
Phlogistic \Phlo*gis"tic\, a.
1. (Old Chem.) Of or pertaining to phlogiston, or to belief
in its existence.
2. (Med.) Inflammatory; belonging to inflammations and
fevers.
Phlogistical \Phlo*gis"tic*al\, a. (Old Chem.)
Phlogistic.
Phlogisticate \Phlo*gis"ti*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Phlogisticated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Phlogisticating}.] (Old
Chem.)
To combine phlogiston with; -- usually in the form and sense
of the p. p. or the adj.; as, highly phlogisticated
substances.
Phlogistication \Phlo*gis`ti*ca"tion\, n. (Old Chem.)
The act or process of combining with phlogiston.
Phlogiston \Phlo*gis"ton\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? burnt, set on
fire, fr. ? to set on fire, to burn, fr. ?, ?, a flame,
blaze. See {Phlox}.] (Old Chem.)
The hypothetical principle of fire, or inflammability,
regarded by Stahl as a chemical element.
Note: This was supposed to be united with combustible
(phlogisticated) bodies and to be separated from
incombustible (dephlogisticated) bodies, the phenomena
of flame and burning being the escape of phlogiston.
Soot and sulphur were regarded as nearly pure
phlogiston. The essential principle of this theory was,
that combustion was a decomposition rather than the
union and combination which it has since been shown to
be.
Phlogogenous \Phlo*gog"e*nous\, a. [Gr. ?, ? fire + -genous.]
(Med.)
Causing inflammation.
Phlogopite \Phlog"o*pite\, n. [Gr. ? firelike.] (Min.)
A kind of mica having generally a peculiar bronze-red or
copperlike color and a pearly luster. It is a silicate of
aluminia, with magnesia, potash, and some fluorine. It is
characteristic of crystalline limestone or dolomite and
serpentine. See {Mica}.
Phlogosis \Phlo*go"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? burning heat.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of external parts of the body; erysipelatous
inflammation.
Phlogotic \Phlo*got"ic\, n. (Med.)
Of or pertaining to phlogisis.
Phloramine \Phlo*ram"ine\, n. [Phlorlucin + amine.] (Chem.)
A basic amido derivative of phloroglucin, having an
astringent taste.
Phloretic \Phlo*ret"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, or designating, an organic
acid obtained by the decomposition of phloretin.
Phloretin \Phlor"e*tin\, n. [From Phlorizin.] (Chem.)
A bitter white crystalline substance obtained by the
decomposition of phlorizin, and formerly used to some extent
as a substitute for quinine.
Phlorizin \Phlor"i*zin\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, bark + ? root.] (Chem.)
A bitter white crystalline glucoside extracted from the root
bark of the apple, pear, cherry, plum, etc. [Formerly also
written {phloridzin}.]
Phloroglucin \Phlor`o*glu"cin\, n. [Phloretin + Gr. ? sweet.]
(Chem.)
A sweet white crystalline substance, metameric with
pyrogallol, and obtained by the decomposition of phloretin,
and from certain gums, as catechu, kino, etc. It belongs to
the class of phenols. [Called also {phloroglucinol}.]
Phlorol \Phlo"rol\, n. [Phloretic + -ol.] (Chem.)
A liquid metameric with xylenol, belonging to the class of
phenols, and obtained by distilling certain salts of
phloretic acid.
Phlorone \Phlo"rone\, n. [Phlorol + quinone.] (Chem.)
A yellow crystalline substance having a peculiar unpleasant
odor, resembling the quinones, and obtained from beechwood
tar and coal tar, as also by the oxidation of xylidine; --
called also {xyloquinone}.
Phlox \Phlox\, n. [L., a kind of flower, fr. Gr. ? flame, fr. ?
to burn.] (Bot.)
A genus of American herbs, having showy red, white, or purple
flowers.
{Phlox worm} (Zo["o]l.), the larva of an American moth
({Heliothis phloxiphaga}). It is destructive to phloxes.
{Phlox subulata}, the moss pink. See under {Moss}.
Phlyctenular \Phlyc*ten"u*lar\, a. [Gr. ? a blister or pustule.]
(Med.)
Characterized by the presence of small pustules, or whitish
elevations resembling pustules; as, phlyctenular ophthalmia.
Phoca \Pho"ca\, n. [L., a seal, fr. Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of seals. It includes the common harbor seal and
allied species. See {Seal}.
Phocacean \Pho*ca"cean\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of Phoca; a seal.
Phocal \Pho"cal\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to seals.
Phocenic \Pho*cen"ic\, a. [Gr. ? a porpoise.] (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to dolphin oil or porpoise oil; -- said of
an acid (called also delphinic acid) subsequently found to be
identical with valeric acid. --Watts.
Phocenin \Pho*ce"nin\, n. [Cf. F. phoc['e]nine.] (Chem.)
See {Delphin}.
Phocine \Pho"cine\, a. [L. phoca a seal.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the seal tribe; phocal.
Phocodont \Pho"co*dont\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Phocodontia.
Phocodontia \Pho`co*don"ti*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a seal +
?, ?, a tooth.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of extinct carnivorous whales. Their teeth had
compressed and serrated crowns. It includes Squalodon and
allied genera.
Phoebe \Ph[oe]"be\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The pewee, or pewit.
Phoebus \Ph[oe]"bus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? pure, bright.]
1. (Class. Myth.) Apollo; the sun god.
2. The sun. ``Ph[oe]bus 'gins arise.'' --Shak.
Phoenician \Ph[oe]*ni"cian\, a.
Of or pertaining to Ph[oe]nica. -- n. A native or inhabitant
of Ph[oe]nica.
Phoenicious \Ph[oe]*ni"cious\, a.
See {Phenicious}.
Phoenicopterus \Ph[oe]`ni*cop"te*rus\, n. [NL. See
{Phenicopter}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of birds which includes the flamingoes.
Phoenix \Ph[oe]"nix\, n. [L., a fabulous bird. See {Phenix}.]
1. Same as {Phenix}. --Shak.
2. (Bot.) A genus of palms including the date tree.
Pholad \Pho"lad\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of Pholas.
Pholadean \Pho*la"de*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Pholad.
Pholas \Pho"las\, n.; pl. {Pholades}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a kind
of mollusk.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of marine bivalve mollusks of the
genus {Pholas}, or family {Pholadid[ae]}. They bore holes for
themselves in clay, peat, and soft rocks.
Phonal \Pho"nal\, a.[Gr. ? the voice.]
Of or relating to the voice; as, phonal structure. --Max
M["u]ller.
Phonascetics \Pho`nas*cet"ics\, n. [Gr. ? to practice the voice;
? voice + ? to practice.]
Treatment for restoring or improving the voice.
Phonation \Pho*na"tion\, n. [Gr. ? the voice.]
The act or process by which articulate sounds are uttered;
the utterance of articulate sounds; articulate speech.
Phonautograph \Pho*nau"to*graph\, n. [Phono- + Gr. ? self +
-graph.] (Physics)
An instrument by means of which a sound can be made to
produce a visible trace or record of itself. It consists
essentially of a resonant vessel, usually of paraboloidal
form, closed at one end by a flexible membrane. A stylus
attached to some point of the membrane records the movements
of the latter, as it vibrates, upon a moving cylinder or
plate.
Phoneidoscope \Pho*nei"do*scope\, n. [Phono- + Gr. ? form +
-scope.] (Physics)
An instrument for studying the motions of sounding bodies by
optical means. It consists of a tube across the end of which
is stretched a film of soap solution thin enough to give
colored bands, the form and position of which are affected by
sonorous vibrations.
Phonetic \Pho*net"ic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? a sound, tone; akin to
Gr. ? to speak: cf. F. phon['e]tique. See {Ban} a
proclamation.]
1. Of or pertaining to the voice, or its use.
2. Representing sounds; as, phonetic characters; -- opposed
to {ideographic}; as, a phonetic notation.
{Phonetic spelling}, spelling in phonetic characters, each
representing one sound only; -- contrasted with Romanic
spelling, or that by the use of the Roman alphabet.
Phonetically \Pho*net"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a phonetic manner.
Phonetician \Pho`ne*ti"cian\, n.
One versed in phonetics; a phonetist.
Phonetics \Pho*net"ics\, n.
1. The doctrine or science of sounds; especially those of the
human voice; phonology.
2. The art of representing vocal sounds by signs and written
characters.
Phonetism \Pho"ne*tism\, n.
The science which treats of vocal sounds. --J. Peile.
Phonetist \Pho"ne*tist\, n.
1. One versed in phonetics; a phonologist.
2. One who advocates a phonetic spelling.
Phonetization \Pho`ne*ti*za"tion\, n.
The act, art, or process of representing sounds by phonetic
signs.
Phonetize \Pho"ne*tize\, v. t.
To represent by phonetic signs. --Lowell.
Phonic \Phon"ic\, a. [Gr. ? sound: cf. F. phonique.]
Of or pertaining to sound; of the nature of sound; acoustic.
--Tyndall.
Phonics \Phon"ics\, n.
See {Phonetics}.
Phono- \Pho"no-\
A combining form from Gr. ? sound, tone; as, phonograph,
phonology.
Phono \Phono\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A South American butterfly ({Ithonia phono}) having nearly
transparent wings.
Phonocamptic \Pho`no*camp"tic\, a. [Phono- + Gr. ? to bend: cf.
F. phonocamptique.]
Reflecting sound. [R.] ``Phonocamptic objects.'' --Derham.
Phonogram \Pho"no*gram\, n. [Phono- + -gram.]
1. A letter, character, or mark used to represent a
particular sound.
Phonograms are of three kinds: (1) Verbal signs,
which stand for entire words; (2) Syllabic signs,
which stand for the articulations of which words are
composed; (3) Alphabetic signs, or letters, which
represent the elementary sounds into which the
syllable can be resolved. --I. Taylor
(The
Alphabet).
2. A record of sounds made by a phonograph.
Phonograph \Pho"no*graph\, n. [Phono- + -graph.]
1. A character or symbol used to represent a sound, esp. one
used in phonography.
2. (Physics) An instrument for the mechanical registration
and reproduction of audible sounds, as articulate speech,
etc. It consists of a rotating cylinder or disk covered
with some material easily indented, as tinfoil, wax,
paraffin, etc., above which is a thin plate carrying a
stylus. As the plate vibrates under the influence of a
sound, the stylus makes minute indentations or undulations
in the soft material, and these, when the cylinder or disk
is again turned, set the plate in vibration, and reproduce
the sound.
Phonographer \Pho*nog"ra*pher\, n.
1. One versed or skilled in phonography.
2. One who uses, or is skilled in the use of, the phonograph.
See {Phonograph}, 2.
Phonographic \Pho`no*graph"ic\, Phonographical
\Pho`no*graph"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. phonographique.]
1. Of or pertaining to phonography; based upon phonography.
2. Of or pertaining to phonograph; done by the phonograph.
Phonographically \Pho`no*graph"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a phonographic manner; by means of phonograph.
Phonographist \Pho*nog"ra*phist\, n.
Phonographer.
Phonography \Pho*nog"ra*phy\, n. [Phono- + -graphy.]
1. A description of the laws of the human voice, or sounds
uttered by the organs of speech.
2. A representation of sounds by distinctive characters;
commonly, a system of shorthand writing invented by Isaac
Pitman, or a modification of his system, much used by
reporters.
Note: The consonants are represented by straight lines and
curves; the vowels by dots and short dashes; but by
skilled phonographers, in rapid work, most vowel marks
are omitted, and brief symbols for common words and
combinations of words are extensively employed. The
following line is an example of phonography, in which
all the sounds are indicated:
They also serve who only stand and wait. --Milton.
3. The art of constructing, or using, the phonograph.
Phonolite \Pho"no*lite\, n. [Phono- + -lite: cf. F. phonolithe.]
(Min.)
A compact, feldspathic, igneous rock containing nephelite,
ha["u]ynite, etc. Thin slabs give a ringing sound when
struck; -- called also {clinkstone}.
Phonologer \Pho*nol"o*ger\, n.
A phonologist.
Phonologic \Pho`no*log"ic\, Phonological \Pho`no*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to phonology.
Phonologist \Pho*nol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in phonology.
Phonology \Pho*nol"o*gy\, n. [Phono- + -logy.]
The science or doctrine of the elementary sounds uttered by
the human voice in speech, including the various
distinctions, modifications, and combinations of tones;
phonetics. Also, a treatise on sounds.
Phonometer \Pho*nom"e*ter\, n. [Phono- + -meter.] (Physics)
An instrument for measuring sounds, as to their intensity, or
the frequency of the vibrations.
Phonomotor \Pho`no*mo"tor\, n. [Phono- + -motor.] (Physics)
An instrument in which motion is produced by the vibrations
of a sounding body.
Phonorganon \Pho*nor"ga*non\, n. [NL. See {Phono-}, and
{Organon}.]
A speaking machine.
Phonoscope \Pho"no*scope\, n. [Phono- + -scope.] (Physics)
(a) An instrument for observing or exhibiting the motions or
properties of sounding bodies; especially, an apparatus
invented by K["o]nig for testing the quality of musical
strings.
(b) An instrument for producing luminous figures by the
vibrations of sounding bodies.
Phonotypr \Pho"no*typr\, n. [Phono- + -type.]
A type or character used in phonotypy.
Phonotypic \Pho`no*typ"ic\, Phonotypical \Pho`no*typ"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to phonotypy; as, a phonotypic alphabet.
Phonotypist \Pho*not"y*pist\, n.
One versed in phonotypy.
Phonotypy \Pho*not"y*py\, n.
A method of phonetic printing of the English language, as
devised by Mr. Pitman, in which nearly all the ordinary
letters and many new forms are employed in order to indicate
each elementary sound by a separate character.
Phorminx \Phor"minx\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?.]
A kind of lyre used by the Greeks. --Mrs. Browning.
Phormium \Phor"mi*um\, n. [NL. fr. Gr. ? a plaited mat, a kind
of plant.] (Bot.)
A genus of liliaceous plants, consisting of one species
({Phormium tenax}). See {Flax-plant}.
Phorone \Phor"one\, n. [Camphor + acetone.] (Chem.)
A yellow crystalline substance, having a geraniumlike odor,
regarded as a complex derivative of acetone, and obtained
from certain camphor compounds.
Phoronis \Pho*ro"nis\, n. [NL., fr. L. Phoronis, a surname of
Io, Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
A remarkable genus of marine worms having tentacles around
the mouth. It is usually classed with the gephyreans. Its
larva ({Actinotrocha}) undergoes a peculiar metamorphosis.
Phoronomia \Phor`o*no"mi*a\, n. [NL.]
See {Phoronomics}.
Phoronomics \Phor`o*nom"ics\, n. [Gr. ? a carrying, motion + ? a
law.]
The science of motion; kinematics. [R.] --Weisbach.
Phosgene \Phos"gene\, a. [Gr. ? light + the root of ? to be
born: cf. F. phosg[`e]ne.] (Old Chem.)
Producing, or produced by, the action of light; -- formerly
used specifically to designate a gas now called {carbonyl
chloride}. See {Carbonyl}.
Phosgenite \Phos"gen*ite\, n. (Min.)
A rare mineral occurring in tetragonal crystals of a white,
yellow, or grayish color and adamantine luster. It is a
chlorocarbonate of lead.
Phospham \Phos"pham\, n. [Phosphorus + ammonia.] (Chem.)
An inert amorphous white powder, {PN2H}, obtained by passing
ammonia over heated phosphorus. [Spelt also {phosphame}.] --
{Phos"pham"ic}, a.
Phosphate \Phos"phate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of phosphoric acid.
Phosphatic \Phos*phat"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or containing, phosphorus, phosphoric acid, or
phosphates; as, phosphatic nodules.
{Phosphatic diathesis} (Med.), a habit of body which leads to
the undue excretion of phosphates with the urine.
Phosphaturia \Phos`pha*tu"ri*a\, n. [NL. See {Phosphate}, and
{Urine}.] (Med.)
The excessive discharge of phosphates in the urine.
Phosphene \Phos"phene\, n. [Gr. ? light + ? to show.] (Physiol.)
A luminous impression produced through excitation of the
retina by some cause other than the impingement upon it of
rays of light, as by pressure upon the eyeball when the lids
are closed. Cf. {After-image}.
Phosphide \Phos"phide\, n. (Chem.)
A binary compound of phosphorus.
Phosphine \Phos"phine\, n. (Chem.)
A colorless gas, {PH3}, analogous to ammonia, and having a
disagreeable odor resembling that of garlic. Called also
{hydrogen phosphide}, and formerly, {phosphureted hydrogen}.
Note: It is the most important compound of phosphorus and
hydrogen, and is produced by the action of caustic
potash on phosphorus. It is spontaneously inflammable,
owing to impurities, and in burning produces peculiar
vortical rings of smoke.
Phosphinic \Phos*phin"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, certain acids analogous to the
phosphonic acids, but containing two hydrocarbon radicals,
and derived from the secondary phosphines by oxidation.
Phosphite \Phos"phite\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of phosphorous acid.
Phosphonic \Phos*phon"ic\, a. [Phosphoric + sulphonic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, certain derivatives of
phosphorous acid containing a hydrocarbon radical, and
analogous to the sulphonic acid.
Phosphonium \Phos*pho"ni*um\, n. [Phosphorus + ammonium.]
(Chem.)
The hypothetical radical {PH4}, analogous to ammonium, and
regarded as the nucleus of certain derivatives of phosphine.
Phosphor \Phos"phor\, n. [Cf. G. phosphor. See {Phosphorus}.]
1. Phosphorus. [Obs.] --Addison.
2. The planet Venus, when appearing as the morning star;
Lucifer. [Poetic] --Pope. Tennyson.
Phosphorate \Phos"phor*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Phosphorated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Phosphorating}.] (Chem.)
To impregnate, or combine, with phosphorus or its compounds;
as, phosphorated oil.
Phosphor-bronze \Phos"phor-bronze`\, n. [Phosphor + bronze.]
(Metal.)
A variety of bronze possessing great hardness, elasticity,
and toughness, obtained by melting copper with tin phosphide.
It contains one or two per cent of phosphorus and from five
to fifteen per cent of tin.
Phosphoreous \Phos*pho"re*ous\, a.
Phosphorescent. [Obs.]
Phosphoresce \Phos`phor*esce"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Phosphoresced}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Phosphorescing}.]
To shine as phosphorus; to be phosphorescent; to emit a
phosphoric light.
Phosphorescence \Phos`phor*es"cence\, n. [Cf. F.
phosphorescence.]
1. The quality or state of being phosphorescent; or the act
of phosphorescing.
2. A phosphoric light.
Phosphorescent \Phos`phor*es"cent\, a. [Cf. F. phosphorescent.]
Shining with a phosphoric light; luminous without sensible
heat. -- n. A phosphorescent substance.
Phosphoric \Phos*phor"ic\, a. [Cf. F. phosphorique.]
1. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to phosphorus; resembling, or
containing, from us; specifically, designating those
compounds in which phosphorus has a higher valence as
contrasted with the phosphorous compounds.
2. Phosphorescent. ``A phosphoric sea.'' --Byron.
{Glacial phosphoric acid}. (Chem.)
(a) Metaphosphoric acid in the form of glassy
semitransparent masses or sticks.
(b) Pure normal phosphoric acid.
{Phosphoric acid} (Chem.), a white crystalline substance,
{H3PO4}, which is the most highly oxidized acid of
phosphorus, and forms an important and extensive series of
compounds, viz., the phosphates.
{Soluble phosphoric acid}, {Insoluble phosphoric acid}
(Agric. Chem.), phosphoric acid combined in acid salts, or
in neutral or basic salts, which are respectively soluble
and insoluble in water or in plant juices.
{Reverted phosphoric acid} (Agric. Chem.), phosphoric acid
changed from acid (soluble) salts back to neutral or basic
(insoluble) salts.
Phosphorical \Phos*phor"ic*al\, a. (Old Chem.)
Phosphoric.
Phosphorite \Phos"phor*ite\, n. (Min.)
A massive variety of apatite.
Phosphoritic \Phos`phor*it"ic\, a. (Min.)
Pertaining to phosphorite; resembling, or of the nature of,
phosphorite.
Phosphorize \Phos"phor*ize\, v. t.
To phosphorate.
Phosphorized \Phos"phor*ized\, a.
Containing, or impregnated with, phosphorus.
Phosphorogenic \Phos`phor*o*gen"ic\, a. [Phosphorus + -gen +
-ic.]
Generating phosphorescence; as, phosphorogenic rays.
Phosphoroscope \Phos*phor"o*scope\, n. [Phosphorus + -scope.]
(Physics)
An apparatus for observing the phosphorescence produced in
different bodies by the action of light, and for measuring
its duration.
Phosphorous \Phos"phor*ous\, a. [Cf. F. phosphoreux.] (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to phosphorus; resembling or containing
phosphorus; specifically, designating those compounds in
which phosphorus has a lower valence as contrasted with
phosphoric compounds; as, phosphorous acid, {H3PO3}.
Phosphorus \Phos"phor*us\, n.; pl. {Phosphori}. [L., the morning
star, Gr. ?, lit., light bringer; ? light + ? to bring.]
1. The morning star; Phosphor.
2. (Chem.) A poisonous nonmetallic element of the nitrogen
group, obtained as a white, or yellowish, translucent waxy
substance, having a characteristic disagreeable smell. It
is very active chemically, must be preserved under water,
and unites with oxygen even at ordinary temperatures,
giving a faint glow, -- whence its name. It always occurs
compined, usually in phosphates, as in the mineral
apatite, in bones, etc. It is used in the composition on
the tips of friction matches, and for many other purposes.
The molecule contains four atoms. Symbol P. Atomic weight
31.0.
3. (Chem.) Hence, any substance which shines in the dark like
phosphorus, as certain phosphorescent bodies.
{Bologna phosphorus} (Chem.), sulphide of barium, which
shines in the dark after exposure to light; -- so called
because this property was discovered by a resident of
Bologna. The term is sometimes applied to other compounds
having similar properties.
{Metallic phosphorus} (Chem.), an allotropic modification of
phosphorus, obtained as a gray metallic crystalline
substance, having very inert chemical properties. It is
obtained by heating ordinary phosphorus in a closed vessel
at a high temperature.
{Phosphorus disease} (Med.), a disease common among workers
in phosphorus, giving rise to necrosis of the jawbone, and
other symptoms.
{Red, or Amorphous}, {phosphorus} (Chem.), an allotropic
modification of phosphorus, obtained as a dark red powder
by heating ordinary phosphorus in closed vessels. It is
not poisonous, is not phosphorescent, and is only
moderately active chemically. It is valuable as a chemical
reagent, and is used in the composition of the friction
surface on which safety matches are ignited.
{Solar phosphori} (Chem.), phosphorescent substances which
shine in the dark after exposure to the sunlight or other
intense light.
Phosphoryl \Phos"phor*yl\, n. [Phosphorus + -yl.] (Chem.)
The radical {PO}, regarded as the typical nucleus of certain
compounds.
Phosphuret \Phos"phu*ret\, n. (Chem.)
A phosphide. [Obsoles.]
Phosphureted \Phos"phu*ret`ed\, a. (Chem.)
Impregnated, or combined, with phosphorus. [Obsoles.]
[Written also {phosphuretted}.]
{Phosphureted hydrogen}. (Chem.) See {Phosphine}.
Photic \Pho"tic\, a. [Gr. fw^s, fwto`s, light.] (Physiol.)
Relating to the production of light by the lower animals.
Photics \Pho"tics\, n. (Physics)
The science of light; -- a general term sometimes employed
when optics is restricted to light as a producing vision.
--Knight.
Photo \Pho"to\, n.; pl. {Photos}.
A contraction of {Photograph}. [Colloq.]
Photo- \Pho"to-\
A combining form from Gr. fw^s, fwto`s, light; as,
photography, phototype, photometer.
Photobiotic \Pho`to*bi*ot"ic\, a. [Photo- + biotic.] (Biol.)
Requiring light to live; incapable of living without light;
as, photobiotic plant cells.
Photochemical \Pho`to*chem"ic*al\, a. [Photo- + chemical.]
(Chem.)
Of or pertaining to chemical action of light, or produced by
it; as, the photochemical changes of the visual purple of the
retina.
Photochemistry \Pho`to*chem"is*try\, n. [Photo- + chemistry.]
(Chem.)
The branch of chemistry which relates to the effect of light
in producing chemical changes, as in photography.
Photochromic \Pho`to*chro"mic\, Photochromatic
\Pho`to*chro*mat"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to photochromy; produced by photochromy.
Photochromy \Pho*toch"ro*my\, n. [Photo- + Gr. ? color.]
The art or process of reproducing colors by photography.
Photodrome \Pho"to*drome\, n. [Photo- + Gr. ? to run.] (Physics)
An apparatus consisting of a large wheel with spokes, which
when turning very rapidly is illuminated by momentary flashes
of light passing through slits in a rotating disk. By
properly timing the succession of flashes the wheel is made
to appear to be motionless, or to rotate more or less slowly
in either direction.
Photo-electric \Pho`to-e*lec"tric\, a. [Photo- + electric.]
Acting by the operation of both light and electricity; --
said of apparatus for producing pictures by electric light.
Photo-electrotype \Pho`to-e*lec"tro*type\, n. (Print.)
An electrotype plate formed in a mold made by photographing
on prepared gelatine, etc.
Photo-engraving \Pho`to-en*grav"ing\, n. [Photo- + engraving.]
The process of obtaining an etched or engraved plate from the
photographic image, to be used in printing; also, a picture
produced by such a process.
Photo-epinasty \Pho`to-ep"i*nas`ty\, n. [See {Photo-}, and
{Epinastic}.] (Bot.)
A disproportionately rapid growth of the upper surface of
dorsiventral organs, such as leaves, through the stimulus of
exposure to light. --Encyc. Brit.
Photogalvanography \Pho`to*gal`va*nog"ra*phy\, n. [Photo- +
galvanography.]
The art or process of making photo-electrotypes. --Sir D.
Brewster.
Photogen \Pho"to*gen\, n. [Photo- + -gen.] (Chem.)
A light hydrocarbon oil resembling kerosene. It is obtained
by distilling coal, paraffin, etc., and is used as a
lubricant, illuminant, etc. [Written also {photogene}.]
Photogene \Pho"to*gene\, n. [See {Photogen}.]
1. A photograph. [Obsoles.]
2. A more or less continued impression or image on the
retina. --H. Spencer.
Photogenic \Pho`to*gen"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to photogeny; producing or generating light.
Photogeny \Pho*tog"e*ny\, n. [See {Photogen}.]
See {Photography}. [Obsoles.]
Photoglyphic \Pho`to*glyph"ic\, a. [Photo- + Gr. ? to engrave.]
Pertaining to the art of engraving by the action of light.
[Written also {photoglyptic}.]
{Photoglyphic engraving}, a process of etching on copper,
steel, or zinc, by means of the action of light and
certain chemicals, so that from the plate impressions may
be taken. --Sir D. Brewster.
Photoglyphy \Pho*tog"ly*phy\, n.
Photoglyphic engraving. See under {Photoglyphic}.
Photoglyptic \Pho`to*glyp"tic\, a.
Same as {Photoglyphic}.
Photogram \Pho"to*gram\, n. [Photo- + -gram.]
A photograph. [R.]
Photograph \Pho"to*graph\, n. [Photo- + -graph.]
A picture or likeness obtained by photography.
Photograph \Pho"to*graph\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Photographed};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Photographing}.]
To take a picture or likeness of by means of photography; as,
to photograph a view; to photograph a group.
He makes his pen drawing on white paper, and they are
afterwards photographed on wood. --Hamerton.
Note: Also used figuratively.
He is photographed on my mind. --Lady D.
Hardy.
Photograph \Pho"to*graph\, v. i.
To practice photography; to take photographs.
Photographer \Pho*tog"ra*pher\, n.
One who practices, or is skilled in, photography.
Photographic \Pho`to*graph"ic\, Photographical
\Pho`to*graph"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. photographique.]
Of or pertaining to photography; obtained by photography;
used ib photography; as a photographic picture; a
photographic camera. -- {Pho`to*graph"ic*al*ly}, adv.
{Photographic printing}, the process of obtaining pictures,
as on chemically prepared paper, from photographic
negatives, by exposure to light.
Photographist \Pho*tog"ra*phist\, n.
A photographer.
Photographometer \Pho*tog"ra*phom"e*ter\, n. [Photograph +
-meter.] (Photog.)
An instrument for determining the sensibility of the plates
employed in photographic processes to luminous rays.
Photography \Pho*tog"ra*phy\, n. [Photo- + -graphy: cf. F.
photographie.]
1. The science which relates to the action of light on
sensitive bodies in the production of pictures, the
fixation of images, and the like.
2. The art or process of producing pictures by this action of
light.
Note: The well-focused optical image is thrown on a surface
of metal, glass, paper, or other suitable substance,
coated with collodion or gelatin, and sensitized with
the chlorides, bromides, or iodides of silver, or other
salts sensitive to light. The exposed plate is then
treated with reducing agents, as pyrogallic acid,
ferrous sulphate, etc., to develop the latent image.
The image is then fixed by washing off the excess of
unchanged sensitive salt with sodium hyposulphite
(thiosulphate) or other suitable reagents.
Photogravure \Pho`to*grav"ure\, n. [F.]
A photoengraving; also, the process by which such a picture
is produced.
Photoheliograph \Pho`to*he"li*o*graph\, n. [Photo- +
heliograph.] (Physics)
A modified kind of telescope adapted to taking photographs of
the sun.
Photolithograph \Pho`to*lith"o*graph\, n. [Photo- + lithograph.]
A lithographic picture or copy from a stone prepared by the
aid of photography.
Photolithograph \Pho`to*lith"o*graph\, v. t.
To produce (a picture, a copy) by the process of
photolithography.
Photolithographer \Pho`to*li*thog"ra*pher\, n.
One who practices, or one who employs, photolithography.
Photolithographic \Pho`to*lith`o*graph"ic\, n.
Of or pertaining to photolithography; produced by
photolithography.
Photolithography \Pho`to*li*thog"ra*phy\, n.
The art or process of producing photolithographs.
Photologic \Pho`to*log"ic\, Photological \Pho`to*log"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to photology, or the doctrine of light.
Photologist \Pho*tol"o*gist\, n.
One who studies or expounds the laws of light.
Photology \Pho*tol"o*gy\, n. [Photo- + -logy: cf. F.
photologie.]
The doctrine or science of light, explaining its nature and
phenomena; optics.
Photomagnetic \Pho`to*mag*net"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to photomagnetism.
Photomagnetism \Pho`to*mag"net*ism\, n.
The branch of science which treats of the relation of
magnetism to light.
Photomechanical \Pho`to*me*chan"ic*al\, a.
Pertaining to, or designating, any photographic process in
which a printing surface is obtained without the intervention
of hand engraving.
Photometer \Pho*tom"e*ter\, n. [Photo- + -meter: cf. F.
photom[`e]tre.] (Physics)
An instrument for measuring the intensity of light, or, more
especially, for comparing the relative intensities of
different lights, or their relative illuminating power.
Photometric \Pho`to*met"ric\, Photometrical \Pho`to*met"ric*al\,
a. [Cf. F. photom['e]trique.]
Of or pertaining to photometry, or to a photometer.
Photometrician \Pho*tom`e*tri"cian\, n.
One engaged in the scientific measurement of light.
Photometry \Pho*tom"e*try\, n. [Cf. F. photom['e]trie.]
That branch of science which treats of the measurement of the
intensity of light.
Photomicrograph \Pho`to*mi"cro*graph\
(f[=o]`t[-o]*m[imac]"kr[-o]*gr[.a]f), n. [Photo- + micro +
-graph.]
1. An enlarged or macroscopic photograph of a microscopic
object. See {Microphotograph}.
2. A microscopically small photograph of an object.
Photomicrography \Pho`to*mi*crog"ra*phy\, n.
The art of producing photomicrographs.
Photophobia \Pho`to*pho"bi*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. fw^s, fwto`s,
light + ? fear.] (Med.)
A dread or intolerance of light. --Sir T. Watson.
Photophone \Pho"to*phone\, n. [Photo- + Gr. ? sound.] (Physics)
An apparatus for the production of sound by the action of
rays of light. --A. G. Bell.
Photophonic \Pho`to*phon"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to photophone.
Photophony \Pho*toph"o*ny\, n.
The art or practice of using the photophone.
Photopsia \Pho*top"si*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. fw^s, fwto`s, light +
? sight.] (Med.)
An affection of the eye, in which the patient perceives
luminous rays, flashes, coruscations, etc. See {phosphene}.
Photopsy \Pho*top"sy\, n.
Same as {Photopsia}.
Photorelief \Pho`to*re*lief"\, n.
A printing surface in relief, obtained by photographic means
and subsequent manipulations. --Knight.
Photoscope \Pho"to*scope\, n. [Photo- + -scope.] (Physics)
Anything employed for the observation of light or luminous
effects.
Photoscopic \Pho`to*scop"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the photoscope or its uses.
Photosculpture \Pho`to*sculp"ture\, n. [Photo- + sculpture.]
A process in which, by means of a number of photographs
simultaneously taken from different points of view on the
same level, rough models of the figure or bust of a person or
animal may be made with great expedition.
Photosphere \Pho"to*sphere\, n. [Photo- + sphere.]
A sphere of light; esp., the luminous envelope of the sun.
Photospheric \Pho`to*spher"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to the photosphere.
Phototonus \Pho*tot"o*nus\, n. [NL. See {Photo-}, and {Tone}.]
(Bot.)
A motile condition in plants resulting from exposure to
light. -- {Pho`to*ton"ic}, a.
Phototropic \Pho`to*trop"ic\, a. [Photo- + Gr. ? to turn.]
(Bot.)
Same as {Heliotropic}.
Phototype \Pho"to*type\, n. [Photo- + -type.]
A plate or block with a printing surface (usually in relief)
obtained from a photograph; also, any one of the many methods
of processes by which such a printing surface is obtained.
Phototypic \Pho`to*typ"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to a phototype or phototypy.
Phototypography \Pho`to*ty*pog"ra*phy\, n. [Photo- +
typography.]
Same as {Phototypy}.
Phototypy \Pho*tot"y*py\, n.
The art or process of producing phototypes.
Photoxylography \Pho`to*xy*log"ra*phy\, n. [Photo- +
xylography.]
The process of producing a representation of an object on
wood, by photography, for the use of the wood engraver.
Photozincograph \Pho`to*zin"co*graph\, n.
A print made by photozincography. --
{Pho`to*zin`co*graph"ic}, a.
Photozincography \Pho`to*zin*cog"ra*phy\, n. [Photo- +
zincography.]
A process, analogous to photolithography, for reproducing
photographed impressions transferred to zinc plate.
Phragmocone \Phrag"mo*cone\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, a fence, an inclosure
+ ? a cone.] (Zo["o]l.)
The thin chambered shell attached to the anterior end of a
belemnite. [Written also {phragmacone}.]
Phragmosiphon \Phrag`mo*si"phon\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The siphon of a phragmocone.
Phrasal \Phras"al\, a.
Of the nature of a phrase; consisting of a phrase; as, a
phrasal adverb. --Earlc.
Phrase \Phrase\, n. [F., fr. L. phrasis diction, phraseology,
Gr. ?, fr. ? to speak.]
1. A brief expression, sometimes a single word, but usually
two or more words forming an expression by themselves, or
being a portion of a sentence; as, an adverbial phrase.
``Convey'' the wise it call. ``Steal!'' foh! a fico
for the phrase. --Shak.
2. A short, pithy expression; especially, one which is often
employed; a peculiar or idiomatic turn of speech; as, to
err is human.
3. A mode or form of speech; the manner or style in which any
one expreses himself; diction; expression. ``Phrases of
the hearth.'' --Tennyson.
Thou speak'st In better phrase and matter than thou
didst. --Shak.
4. (Mus.) A short clause or portion of a period.
Note: A composition consists first of sentences, or periods;
these are subdivided into sections, and these into
phrases.
{Phrase book}, a book of idiomatic phrases. --J. S. Blackie.
Phrase \Phrase\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Phrased}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Phrasing}.] [Cf. F. phraser.]
To express in words, or in peculiar words; to call; to style.
``These suns -- for so they phrase 'em.'' --Shak.
Phrase \Phrase\, v. i.
1. To use proper or fine phrases. [R.]
2. (Mus.) To group notes into phrases; as, he phrases well.
See {Phrase}, n., 4.
Phraseless \Phrase"less\, a.
Indescribable. --Shak.
Phraseogram \Phra"se*o*gram\, n. [Gr. ? a phrase + -gram.]
(Phonography)
A symbol for a phrase.
Phraseologic \Phra`se*o*log"ic\, Phraseological
\Phra`se*o*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to phraseology; consisting of a peculiar
form of words. ``This verbal or phraseological answer.''
--Bp. Pearson.
Phraseologist \Phra`se*ol"o*gist\, n.
A collector or coiner of phrases.
Phraseology \Phra`se*ol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, phrase + -logy: cf.
F. phras['e]ologie.]
1. Manner of expression; peculiarity of diction; style.
Most completely national in his . . . phraseology.
--I. Taylor.
2. A collection of phrases; a phrase book. [R.]
Syn: Diction; style. See {Diction}.
Phrasing \Phras"ing\, n.
1. Method of expression; association of words.
2. (Mus.) The act or method of grouping the notes so as to
form distinct musical phrases.
Phratry \Phra"try\, n.; pl. {Phratries}. [Gr. ?, ?.] (Gr.
Antiq.)
A subdivision of a phyle, or tribe, in Athens.
Phreatic \Phre*at"ic\, a. [F. phr['e]atique, from Gr. ?, ?, a
well.] (Geol.)
Subterranean; -- applied to sources supplying wells.
Phrenetic \Phre*net"ic\, Phrenetical \Phre*net"ic*al\, a. [L.
phreneticus, Gr. ?, ?: cf. F. phr['e]n['e]tique. See
{Frantic}, and cf. {Frenetic}.]
Relating to phrenitis; suffering from frenzy; delirious; mad;
frantic; frenetic. -- {Phre*net"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Phrenetic \Phre*net"ic\, n.
One who is phrenetic. --Harvey.
Phrenic \Phren"ic\, a.[Gr. ?, ?, the midriff, or diaphragm, the
heart, the mind: cf. F. phr['e]nique.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the diaphragm; diaphragmatic; as, the
phrenic nerve.
Phrenics \Phren"ics\, n.
That branch of science which relates to the mind; mental
philosophy. [R.]
Phrenism \Phre"nism\, n. [See {Phrenic}.] (Biol.)
See {Vital force}, under {Vital}.
Phrenitis \Phre*ni"tis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?, ?.]
1. (Med.) Inflammation of the brain, or of the meninges of
the brain, attended with acute fever and delirium; --
called also {cephalitis}.
2. See {Frenzy}.
Phrenograph \Phre"no*graph\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, the migriff +
-graph.] (Physiol.)
An instrument for registering the movements of the diaphragm,
or midriff, in respiration.
Phrenologer \Phre*nol"o*ger\, n.
A phrenologist.
Phrenologic \Phren`o*log"ic\, a. [Cf. F. phr['e]nologique.]
Phrenological.
Phrenological \Phren`o*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to phrenology. -- {Phren`o*log"ic*al*ly},
adv.
Phrenologist \Phre*nol"o*gist\, n. [Cf. F. phr['e]nologiste.]
One versed in phrenology; a craniologist.
Phrenology \Phre*nol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, the mind + -logy: cf.
F. phr['e]nologie.]
1. The science of the special functions of the several parts
of the brain, or of the supposed connection between the
various faculties of the mind and particular organs in the
brain.
2. In popular usage, the physiological hypothesis of Gall,
that the mental faculties, and traits of character, are
shown on the surface of the head or skull; craniology.
Note: Gall marked out on his model of the head the places of
twenty-six organs, as round inclosures with vacant
interspaces. Spurzheim and Combe divided the whole
scalp into oblong and conterminous patches. --Encyc.
Brit.
Phrenomagnetism \Phre`no*mag"net*ism\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, the mind +
E. magnetism.]
The power of exciting the organs of the brain by magnetic or
mesmeric influence.
Phrenosin \Phre"no*sin\, n. [See {Phrenic}.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A nitrogenous body, related to cerebrin, supposed to exist in
the brain.
Phrensied \Phren"sied\, p. p. & a.
See {Frenzied}.
Phrensy \Phren"sy\, n.
Violent and irrational excitement; delirium. See {Frenzy}.
Phrensy \Phren"sy\, v. t.
To render frantic.
Phrentic \Phren"tic\, n. & a.
See {Phrenetic}. [Obs.]
Phryganeid \Phry*ga"ne*id\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any insect belonging to the Phryganeides.
Phryganeides \Phryg`a*ne"i*des\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Phryganea, the
typical genus, fr. Gr. ? a dry stick.] (Zo["o]l.)
A tribe of neuropterous insects which includes the caddice
flies; -- called also {Trichoptera}. See {Trichoptera}.
[Written also {Phryganides}.]
Phrygian \Phryg"i*an\, a. [L. Phrygius, Gr. ?, fr. ? Phrygia, a
country of Asia Minor.]
Of or pertaining to Phrygia, or to its inhabitants.
{Phrygian mode} (Mus.), one of the ancient Greek modes, very
bold and vehement in style; -- so called because fabled to
have been invented by the Phrygian Marsyas. --Moore
(Encyc. of Music).
{Phrygian stone}, a light, spongy stone, resembling a pumice,
-- used by the ancients in dyeing, and said to be drying
and astringent.
Phrygian \Phryg"i*an\, n.
1. A native or inhabitant of Phrygia.
2. (Eccl. Hist.) A Montanist.
Phthalate \Phthal"ate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of phthalic acid.
Phthalein \Phthal"e*in\, n. [See {Phthalic}.] (Chem.)
One of a series of artificial organic dyes made as
condensation products of the phenols with phthalic acid, and
well represented by phenol phthale["i]n. Their alkaline
solutions are fluorescent.
{Phenol phthalein}, a white or yellowish white crystalline
substance made from phthalic acid and phenol. Its solution
in alkalies is brilliant red, but is decolorized by acids,
and as this reaction is exceedingly delicate it is used as
an indicator.
Phthalic \Phthal"ic\, a. [Naphthalene + -ic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a dibasic acid obtained by the
oxidation of naphthalene and allied substances.
{Phthalic acid} (Chem.), a white crystalline substance,
{C6H4.(CO2H)2}, analogous to benzoic acid, and employed in
the brilliant dyestuffs called the phthaleins.
Phthalide \Phthal"ide\, n. [Phthalyl + anhydride.] (Chem.)
A lactone obtained by reduction of phthalyl chloride, as a
white crystalline substance; hence, by extension, any one of
the series of which phthalide proper is the type. [Written
also {phthalid}.]
Phthalimide \Phthal"i*mide\, n. [Phthalic + imide.] (Chem.)
An imido derivative of phthalic acid, obtained as a white
crystalline substance, {C6H4.(CO)2NH}, which has itself (like
succinimide) acid properties, and forms a series of salts.
Cf. {Imido acid}, under {Imido}.
Phthalin \Phthal"in\, n. (Chem.)
A colorless crystalline substance obtained by reduction from
phthale["i]n, into which it is easily converted by oxidation;
hence, any one of the series of which phthalin proper is the
type.
Phthalyl \Phthal"yl\, n. [Phthalic + -yl.] (Chem.)
The hypothetical radical of phthalic acid.
Phthiriasis \Phthi*ri"a*sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? louse.]
(Med.)
A disease (morbus pediculous) consisting in the excessive
multiplication of lice on the human body.
Phthisic \Phthis"ic\, n.
Same as {Phthisis}.
Phthisical \Phthis"ic*al\, a. [L. phthisicus, Gr. ?: cf. F.
phthisique. See {Phthisis}.]
Of or pertaining to phthisis; affected with phthisis;
wasting; consumptive.
Phthisicky \Phthis"ick*y\, a.
Having phthisis, or some symptom of it, as difficulty in
breathing.
Phthisiology \Phthis`i*ol"o*gy\, n. [Phthisis + -logy.] (Med.)
A treatise on phthisis. --Dunglison.
Phthisipneumonia \Phthis`ip*neu*mo"ni*a\, Phthisipneumony
\Phthis`ip*neu"mo*ny\, n. [NL. See {Phthisis}, {Pneumonia}.]
(Med.)
Pulmonary consumption.
Phthisis \Phthi"sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to pass or waste
away: cf. F. phthisie.] (Med.)
A wasting or consumption of the tissues. The term was
formerly applied to many wasting diseases, but is now usually
restricted to pulmonary phthisis, or consumption. See
{Consumption}.
{Fibroid phthisis}. See under {Fibroid}.
Phthongal \Phthon"gal\, a. [Gr. ? voice.]
Formed into, or characterized by, voice; vocalized; -- said
of all the vowels and the semivowels, also of the vocal or
sonant consonants g, d, b, l, r, v, z, etc.
Phthongal \Phthon"gal\, n.
A vocalized element or letter.
Phthongometer \Phthon*gom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? voice + -meter.]
An instrument for measuring vocal sounds. --Whewell.
Phthor \Phthor\, n. [F. phthore, Gr. ? to destroy.] (Old Chem.)
Fluorine. [Written also {phthor}.]
Phycite \Phy"cite\, n. [Gr. ? seaweed.] (Chem.)
See {Erythrite}, 1.
Phycochrome \Phy"co*chrome\, n. [Gr. ? seaweed + ? color.]
(Bot.)
A bluish green coloring matter of certain alg[ae].
Phycocyanin \Phy`co*cy"a*nin\, Phycocyanine \Phy`co*cy"a*nine\,
n. [Gr. ? seaweed + E. cyanin.]
A blue coloring matter found in certain alg[ae].
Phycoerythrin \Phy`co*e*ryth"rin\, Phycoerythrine
\Phy`co*e*ryth"rine\, n. [Gr. ? seaweed + E. erythrin, -ine.]
A red coloring matter found in alg[ae] of the subclass
{Floride[ae]}.
Phycography \Phy*cog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ? seaweed + -graphy.]
A description of seaweeds.
Phycology \Phy*col"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? seaweed + -logy.]
The science of alg[ae], or seaweeds; algology.
Phycomater \Phy`co*ma"ter\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? seaweed + L.
mater mother.] (Bot.)
A gelatin in which the alg[ae] spores have been supposed to
vegetate.
Phycophaeine \Phy`co*ph[ae]"ine\, n. [Gr. ? seaweed + (?)
dusky.]
A brown coloring matter found in certain alg[ae].
Phycoxanthin \Phy`co*xan"thin\, Phycoxanthine
\Phy`co*xan"thine\, n. [Gr. ? seaweed + ? yellow.]
A yellowish coloring matter found in certain alg[ae].
Phylacter \Phy*lac"ter\, n.
A phylactery. --Sandys.
Phylactered \Phy*lac"tered\, a.
Wearing a phylactery.
Phylacteric \Phyl`ac*ter"ic\, Phylacterical \Phyl`ac*ter"ic*al\,
a.
Of or pertaining to phylacteries.
Phylactery \Phy*lac"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Phylacteries}. [OE.
filateri, OF. filatire, filatiere, F. phylact[`e]re, L.
phylacterium, Gr. ?, fr. ? a watcher, guard, ? to watch,
guard. Cf. {Philatory}.]
1. Any charm or amulet worn as a preservative from danger or
disease.
2. A small square box, made either of parchment or of black
calfskin, containing slips of parchment or vellum on which
are written the scriptural passages Exodus xiii. 2-10, and
11-17, Deut. vi. 4-9, 13-22. They are worn by Jews on the
head and left arm, on week-day mornings, during the time
of prayer. --Schaff-Herzog Encyc.
3. Among the primitive Christians, a case in which the relics
of the dead were inclosed.
Phylactocarp \Phy*lac"to*carp\, n. [Gr. ? to guard + ? fruit.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A branch of a plumularian hydroid specially modified in
structure for the protection of the gonothec[ae].
Phylactolaema \Phy*lac`to*l[ae]"ma\, Phylactolaemata
\Phy*lac`to*l[ae]"ma*ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? to guard + ?
the gullet.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of fresh-water Bryozoa in which the tentacles are
arranged on a horseshoe-shaped lophophore, and the mouth is
covered by an epistome. Called also {Lophopoda}, and
{hippocrepians}.
Phylactolaematous \Phy*lac`to*l[ae]"ma*tous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Phylactol[ae]ma.
Phylactolema \Phy*lac`to*le"ma\, Phylactolemata
\Phy*lac`to*le"ma*ta\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Phylactol[ae]ma}.
Phylarch \Phy"larch\, n. [L. phylarchus, Gr. ?. See {Phyle}, and
{-arch}.] (Gr. Antiq.)
The chief of a phyle, or tribe.
Phylarchy \Phy"larch*y\, n. [Gr. ?.]
The office of a phylarch; government of a class or tribe.
Phyle \Phy"le\, n.; pl. {Phyl[ae]}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a body of
men united by ties of blood or habitation.]
A local division of the people in ancient Athens; a clan; a
tribe.
Phyllite \Phyl"lite\, n. [See {Phylo-}.] (Min.)
(a) A mineral related to ottrelite.
(b) Clay slate; argillaceous schist.
Phyllo- \Phyl"lo-\
A combining form from Gr. ? a leaf; as, phyllopod,
phyllotaxy.
Phyllobranchia \Phyl`lo*bran"chi*a\, n.; pl. {Phyllobranci[ae]}.
[NL. See {Phyllo-}, and {Branchia}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A crustacean gill composed of lamell[ae].
Phyllocladium \Phyl`lo*cla"di*um\, n.; pl. {Phyllocladia}. [NL.,
fr. Gr. ? a leaf + ? a sprout.] (Bot.)
A flattened stem or branch which more or less resembles a
leaf, and performs the function of a leaf as regards
respiration and assimilation.
Phyllocyanin \Phyl`lo*cy"a*nin\, n. [Phyllo- + cyanin.] (Chem.)
A blue coloring matter extracted from chlorophyll. [Written
also {phyllocyanine}.]
Phyllocyst \Phyl"lo*cyst\, n. [Phyllo- + cyst.] (Zo["o]l.)
The cavity of a hydrophyllium.
Phyllode \Phyl"lode\, n. (Bot.)
Same as {Phyllodium}.
Phyllodineous \Phyl`lo*din"eous\, a. (Bot.)
Having phyllodia; relating to phyllodia.
Phyllodium \Phyl*lo"di*um\, n.; pl. {Phyllodia}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
leaflike; ? leaf + ? form.] (Bot.)
A petiole dilated into the form of a blade, and usually with
vertical edges, as in the Australian acacias.
Phyllody \Phyl"lo*dy\, n. [See {Phyllodium}.] (Bot.)
A retrograde metamorphosis of the floral organs to the
condition of leaves.
Phylloid \Phyl"loid\, a. [Phyllo- + -oid.]
Resembling a leaf.
Phyllomania \Phyl`lo*ma"ni*a\, n. [Phyllo- + mania.] (Bot.)
An abnormal or excessive production of leaves.
Phyllome \Phyl"lome\, n. [Gr. ? foliage, fr. ? a leaf.] (Bot.)
A foliar part of a plant; any organ homologous with a leaf,
or produced by metamorphosis of a leaf.
Phyllomorphosis \Phyl`lo*mor*pho"sis\, n. [NL. See {Phyllo-},
{Morphosis}.] (Bot.)
The succession and variation of leaves during different
seasons. --R. Brown.
Phyllophagan \Phyl*loph"a*gan\, n. [Phyllo- + Gr. ? to eat.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of a group of marsupials including the phalangists.
(b) One of a tribe of beetles which feed upon the leaves of
plants, as the chafers.
Phyllophagous \Phyl*loph"a*gous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Substituting on leaves; leaf-eating.
Phyllophorous \Phyl*loph"o*rous\, a. [Phyllo- + Gr. ? to bear.]
(Bot.)
Leaf-bearing; producing leaves.
Phyllopod \Phyl"lo*pod\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Phyllopoda.
Note: [Also used adjectively.]
Phyllopoda \Phyl*lop"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a leaf +
-poda.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of Entomostraca including a large number of species,
most of which live in fresh water. They have flattened or
leaflike legs, often very numerous, which they use in
swimming. Called also {Branchiopoda}.
Note: In some, the body is covered with a bivalve shell
({Holostraca}); in others, as Apus, by a shield-shaped
carapace ({Monostraca}); in others, like Artemia, there
is no carapace, and the body is regularly segmented.
Sometimes the group is made to include also the
Cladocera.
Phyllopodous \Phyl*lop"o*dous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Phyllopoda.
Phyllorhine \Phyl"lo*rhine\, a. [Phyllo- + Gr. ?, ?, the nose.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to {Phyllorhina} and other related genera of
bats that have a leaflike membrane around the nostrils.
Phyllosoma \Phyl`lo*so"ma\, n. [NL. See {Phyllo-}, and {-some}
body.] (Zo["o]l.)
The larva of the spiny lobsters ({Palinurus} and allied
genera). Its body is remarkably thin, flat, and transparent;
the legs are very long. Called also {glass-crab}, and
{glass-shrimp}.
Phyllostome \Phyl"lo*stome\, n. [Phyllo- + Gr. ? mouth.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any bat of the genus {Phyllostoma}, or allied genera, having
large membranes around the mouth and nose; a nose-leaf bat.
Phylloltomid \Phyl*lol"to*mid\, n.
A phyllostome.
Phyllotactic \Phyl`lo*tac"tic\, a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to phyllotaxy.
Phyllotaxy \Phyl"lo*tax`y\, Phyllotaxis \Phyl"lo*tax`is\, n.
[Phyllo- + Gr. ? order.] (Bot.)
The order or arrangement of leaves on the stem; the science
of the relative position of leaves.
Phyllous \Phyl"lous\, a. (Bot.)
Homologous with a leaf; as, the sepals, petals, stamens, and
pistils are phyllous organs.
Phylloxanthin \Phyl`lo*xan"thin\, n. [Phyllo- + Gr. ? yellow.]
(Bot.)
A yellow coloring matter extracted from chlorophyll.
Phylloxera \Phyl`lox*e"ra\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? leaf + ? dry.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A small hemipterous insect ({Phylloxera
vastatrix}) allied to the aphids. It attacks the roots and
leaves of the grapevine, doing great damage, especially in
Europe.
Note: It exists in several forms, some of which are winged,
other wingless. One form produces galls on the leaves
and twigs, another affects the roots, causing galls or
swellings, and often killing the vine.
2. The diseased condition of a vine caused by the insect just
described.
Phylogenesis \Phy`lo*gen"e*sis\, Phylogeny \Phy*log"e*ny\, n.
[Gr. ? tribe + E. genesis, or root of Gr. ? to be born.]
The history of genealogical development; the race history of
an animal or vegetable type; the historic exolution of the
phylon or tribe, in distinction from ontogeny, or the
development of the individual organism, and from biogenesis,
or life development generally.
Phylogenetic \Phy*lo*ge*net"ic\, a.
Relating to phylogenesis, or the race history of a type of
organism. -- {Phy*lo*ge*net"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Phylon \Phy"lon\, n.; pl. {Phyla}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? race, tribe.]
(Biol.)
A tribe.
Phylum \Phy"lum\, n.; pl. {Phyla}. [NL. See {Phylon}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the larger divisions of the animal kingdom; a branch;
a grand division.
Phyma \Phy"ma\, n.; pl. {Phymata}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to
produce.] (Med.)
A tubercle on any external part of the body.
Physa \Phy"sa\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a bellows.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of fresh-water Pulmonifera, having reversed spiral
shells. See {Pond snail}, under {Pond}.
Physalia \Phy*sa"li*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a bladder, fr. ? a
bellows.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of large oceanic Siphonophora which includes the
Portuguese man-of-war.
Note: It has a large air sac, or float, with a sail-like
crest on its upper side. Numerous zooids of different
kinds are attached to the under side of the float. Some
of the zooids have very long tentacles; some have a
mouth and digest food; others produce gonophores. The
American species ({Physalia arethusa}) is brilliantly
colored, the float being pink or purple, and bright
blue; the zooids blue. It is noted for its virulent
stinging powers, as well as for its beautiful colors,
graceful motions, and its ability to sail to windward.
Physaliae \Phy*sa"li*[ae]\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of Siphonophora which includes Physalia.
Physemaria \Phys`e*ma"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? a blowing.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A group of simple marine organisms, usually classed as the
lowest of the sponges. They have inflated hollow bodies.
Physeter \Phy*se"ter\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to blow: cf. F.
phys['e]t[`e]re.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The genus that includes the sperm whale.
2. A filtering machine operated by air pressure.
Physianthropy \Phys`i*an"thro*py\, n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + ?
man.]
The philosophy of human life, or the doctrine of the
constitution and diseases of man, and their remedies.
Physic \Phys"ic\, n. [OE. phisike, fisike, OF. phisique, F.
physique knowledge of nature, physics, L. physica, physice,
fr. Gr. ?, fr. fysiko`s natural, from fy`sis nature, fr. ? to
produce, grow, akin to E. be. See {Be}, and cf. {Physics},
{Physique}.]
1. The art of healing diseases; the science of medicine; the
theory or practice of medicine.
``A doctor of physik.'' --Chaucer.
2. A specific internal application for the cure or relief of
sickness; a remedy for disease; a medicine.
3. Specifically, a medicine that purges; a cathartic.
4. A physician. [R.] --Shak.
{Physic nut} (Bot.), a small tropical American euphorbiaceous
tree ({Jatropha Curcas}), and its seeds, which are well
flavored, but contain a drastic oil which renders them
dangerous if eaten in large quantities.
Physic \Phys"ic\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Physiced}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Physicking}.]
1. To treat with physic or medicine; to administer medicine
to, esp. a cathartic; to operate on as a cathartic; to
purge.
2. To work on as a remedy; to heal; to cure.
The labor we delight in physics pain. --Shak.
A mind diseased no remedy can physic. --Byron.
Physical \Phys"ic*al\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to nature (as including all created
existences); in accordance with the laws of nature; also,
of or relating to natural or material things, or to the
bodily structure, as opposed to things mental, moral,
spiritual, or imaginary; material; natural; as, armies and
navies are the physical force of a nation; the body is the
physical part of man.
Labor, in the physical world, is . . . employed in
putting objects in motion. --J. S. Mill.
A society sunk in ignorance, and ruled by mere
physical force. --Macaulay.
2. Of or pertaining to physics, or natural philosophy;
treating of, or relating to, the causes and connections of
natural phenomena; as, physical science; physical laws.
``Physical philosophy.'' --Pope.
3. Perceptible through a bodily or material organization;
cognizable by the senses; external; as, the physical,
opposed to chemical, characters of a mineral.
4. Of or pertaining to physic, or the art of medicine;
medicinal; curative; healing; also, cathartic; purgative.
[Obs.] ``Physical herbs.'' --Sir T. North.
Is Brutus sick? and is it physical To walk unbraced,
and suck up the humors Of the dank morning? --Shak.
{Physical astronomy}, that part of astronomy which treats of
the causes of the celestial motions; specifically, that
which treats of the motions resulting from universal
gravitation.
{Physical education}, training of the bodily organs and
powers with a view to the promotion of health and vigor.
{Physical examination} (Med.), an examination of the bodily
condition of a person.
{Physical geography}. See under {Geography}.
{Physical point}, an indefinitely small portion of matter; a
point conceived as being without extension, yet having
physical properties, as weight, inertia, momentum, etc.; a
material point.
{Physical signs} (Med.), the objective signs of the bodily
state afforded by a physical examination.
Physically \Phys"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a physical manner; according to the laws of nature or
physics; by physical force; not morally.
I am not now treating physically of light or colors.
--Locke.
2. According to the rules of medicine. [Obs.]
He that lives physically must live miserably.
--Cheyne.
Physician \Phy*si"cian\, n. [OE. fisician, fisicien, OF.
physucien, a physician, in F., a natural philosopher, an
experimentalist in physics. See {Physic}.]
1. A person skilled in physic, or the art of healing; one
duty authorized to prescribe remedies for, and treat,
diseases; a doctor of medicine.
2. Hence, figuratively, one who ministers to moral diseases;
as, a physician of the soul.
Physicianed \Phy*si"cianed\, a.
Licensed as a physician. [Obs.] ``A physicianed apothecary.''
--Walpole.
Physicism \Phys"i*cism\, n.
The tendency of the mind toward, or its preoccupation with,
physical phenomena; materialism in philosophy and religion.
Anthropomorphism grows into theology, while physicism
(if I may so call it) develops into science. --Huxley.
Physicist \Phys"i*cist\, n.
One versed in physics.
2. (Biol.) A believer in the theory that the fundamental
phenomena of life are to be explained upon purely chemical
and physical principles; -- opposed to vitalist.
Physicking \Phys"ick*ing\,
p. pr. & vb. n. fr. {Physic}, v. t.
Physico- \Phys"i*co-\ [Fr. Gr. ? natural, physical.]
A combining form, denoting relation to, or dependence upon,
natural causes, or the science of physics.
Physicochemical \Phys`i*co*chem"ic*al\, a. [Physico- +
chemical.]
Involving the principles of both physics and chemistry;
dependent on, or produced by, the joint action of physical
and chemical agencies. --Huxley.
Physicologic \Phys`i*co*log"ic\, n. [Physico- + logic.]
Logic illustrated by physics.
Physicological \Phys`i*co*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to physicologic. --Swift.
Physicology \Phys`i*col"o*gy\, n. [Physico- + -logy.]
Physics. [R.] -- {Phys`i*col"o*gist}, n. [R.]
Physico-mathematics \Phys`i*co-math`e*mat"ics\, n. [Physico- +
mathematics.]
Mixed mathematics.
Physico-philosophy \Phys`i*co-phi*los"o*phy\, n. [Physico- +
philosophy.]
The philosophy of nature.
Physico-theology \Phys`i*co-the*ol"o*gy\, n. [Physico- +
theology.]
Theology or divinity illustrated or enforced by physics or
natural philosophy.
Physics \Phys"ics\, n. [See {Physic}.]
The science of nature, or of natural objects; that branch of
science which treats of the laws and properties of matter,
and the forces acting upon it; especially, that department of
natural science which treats of the causes (as gravitation,
heat, light, magnetism, electricity, etc.) that modify the
general properties of bodies; natural philosophy.
Note: Chemistry, though a branch of general physics, is
commonly treated as a science by itself, and the
application of physical principles which it involves
constitute a branch called chemical physics, which
treats more especially of those physical properties of
matter which are used by chemists in defining and
distinguishing substances.
Physiocrat \Phys"i*o*crat\, n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + ? to rule.]
One of the followers of Quesnay of France, who, in the 18th
century, founded a system of political economy based upon the
supremacy of natural order. --F. A. Walker. --
{Phys`i*o*crat"ic}, a.
Physiogeny \Phys`i*og"e*ny\, n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + root of ?
to be born.] (Biol.)
The germ history of the functions, or the history of the
development of vital activities, in the individual, being one
of the branches of ontogeny. See {Morphogeny}. --Haeckel.
Physiognomer \Phys`i*og"no*mer\, n.
Physiognomist.
Physiognomic \Phys`i*og*nom"ic\, Physiognomical
\Phys`i*og*nom"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?: cf. F. physiognomonique.]
Of or pertaining to physiognomy; according with the
principles of physiognomy. -- {Phys`i*og*nom"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Physiognomist \Phys`i*og*nom"ist\, n.
Same as {Physiognomy}, 1.
Physiognomist \Phys`i*og"no*mist\, n. [Cf. F. physiognomiste.]
1. One skilled in physiognomy. --Dryden.
2. One who tells fortunes by physiognomy. --Holland.
Physiognomize \Phys`i*og"no*mize\, v. t.
To observe and study the physiognomy of. [R.] --Southey.
Physiognommonic \Phys`i*og`no*mmon"ic\, a.
Physiognomic.
Physiognomy \Phys`i*og"no*my\, n.; pl. {Physiognomies}. [OE.
fisonomie, phisonomie, fisnamie, OF. phisonomie, F.
physiognomie, physiognomonie, from Gr. ?; fy`sis nature + ?
one who knows or examines, a judge, fr. ?, ?, to know. See
{Physic}, and {Know}, and cf. {Phiz}.]
1. The art and science of discovering the predominant temper,
and other characteristic qualities of the mind, by the
outward appearance, especially by the features of the
face.
2. The face or countenance, with respect to the temper of the
mind; particular configuration, cast, or expression of
countenance, as denoting character.
3. The art telling fortunes by inspection of the features.
[Obs.] --Bale.
4. The general appearance or aspect of a thing, without
reference to its scientific characteristics; as, the
physiognomy of a plant, or of a meteor.
Physiogony \Phys`i*og"o*ny\, n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + go`nos
birth.]
The birth of nature. [R.] --Coleridge.
Physiographic \Phys`i*o*graph"ic\, Physiographical
\Phys`i*o*graph"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. physiographique.]
Of or pertaining to physiography.
Physiography \Phys`i*og"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. fy`sis nature +
-graphy: cf. F. physiographie.]
The science which treats of the earth's exterior physical
features, climate, life, etc., and of the physical movements
or changes on the earth's surface, as the currents of the
atmosphere and ocean, the secular variations in heat,
moisture, magnetism, etc.; physical geography.
Physiolatry \Phys`i*ol"a*try\, n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + ?
service.]
The worship of the powers or agencies of nature; materialism
in religion; nature worship. ``The physiolatry of the
Vedas.'' --M. Williams.
Physiologer \Phys`i*ol"o*ger\, n.
A physiologist.
Physiologic \Phys`i*o*log"ic\, a. [L. physiologicus, Gr. ?: cf.
F. physiologique.]
Physiological.
Physiological \Phys`i*o*log"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to physiology; relating to the science of
the functions of living organism; as, physiological botany or
chemistry.
Physiologically \Phys`i*o*log"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a physiological manner.
Physiologist \Phys`i*ol"o*gist\, n. [Cf. F. physiologiste.]
One who is versed in the science of physiology; a student of
the properties and functions of animal and vegetable organs
and tissues.
Physiologize \Phys`i*ol"o*gize\, v. i.
To speculate in physiology; to make physiological
investigations. --Cudworth.
Physiology \Phys`i*ol"o*gy\, n.; pl. {Physiologies}. [L.
physiologia, Gr. ?; fy`sis nature + ? discourse: cf. F.
physiologie.]
1. The science which treats of the phenomena of living
organisms; the study of the processes incidental to, and
characteristic of, life.
Note: It is divided into animal and vegetable physiology,
dealing with animal and vegetable life respectively.
When applied especially to a study of the functions of
the organs and tissues in man, it is called human
physiology.
2. A treatise on physiology.
{Mental physiology}, the science of the functions and
phenomena of the mind, as distinguished from a
philosophical explanation of the same.
Physiophyly \Phys`i*oph"y*ly\, n. [Gr. fy`sis nature + ? a
clan.] (Biol.)
The tribal history of the functions, or the history of the
paleontological development of vital activities, -- being a
branch of phylogeny. See {Morphophyly}. --Haeckel.
Physique \Phy*sique"\, n. [F. See {Physic}.]
The natural constitution, or physical structure, of a person.
With his white hair and splendid physique. --Mrs.
Stowe.
Physnomy \Phys"no*my\, n.
Physiogmony. [Obs.]
Physoclist \Phys"o*clist\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Physoclisti.
Physoclisti \Phys`o*clis"ti\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a bellows +
? to close.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of teleost in which the air bladder has no opening.
Physograde \Phys"o*grade\, n. [Gr. ? a bellows + L. gradi to
walk, go.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any siphonophore which has an air sac for a float, as the
Physalia.
Physophorae \Phy*soph"o*r[ae]\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a bellows
+ ? to bear.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of Siphonophora, furnished with an air sac, or
float, and a series of nectocalyces. See Illust. under
{Nectocalyx}.
Physopod \Phy"so*pod\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Physopoda; a thrips.
Physopoda \Phy*sop"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a bellows +
-poda.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Thysanoptera}.
Physostigmine \Phy`so*stig"mine\, n. (Chem.)
An alkaloid found in the Calabar bean (the seed of
{Physostigma venenosum}), and extracted as a white,
tasteless, substance, amorphous or crystalline; -- formerly
called {eserine}, with which it was regarded as identical.
Physostomi \Phy*sos"to*mi\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a bellows + ?
mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of fishes in which the air bladder is provided with
a duct, and the ventral fins, when present, are abdominal. It
includes the salmons, herrings, carps, catfishes, and others.
Physostomous \Phy*sos"to*mous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Having a duct to the air bladder.
(b) Pertaining to the Physostomi.
Phytelephas \Phy*tel"e*phas\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a plant + ? the
elephant; also, ivory.] (Bot.)
A genus of South American palm trees, the seeds of which
furnish the substance called vegetable ivory.
Phytivorous \Phy*tiv"o*rous\, a. [Phyto- + L. vorare to eat
greedily.]
Feeding on plants or herbage; phytophagous; as, phytivorous
animals. --Ray.
Phyto- \Phy"to-\ [See {Physic}.]
A combining form from Gr. fyto`n a plant; as, phytochemistry,
phytography.
Phytochemical \Phy`to*chem"ic*al\, a.
Relating to phytochemistry. --R. Hunt.
Phytochemistry \Phy"to*chem"is*try\, n. [Phyto- + chemistry.]
Chemistry in its relation to vegetable bodies; vegetable
chemistry. --R. Hunt.
Phytochimy \Phy*toch"i*my\, n. [F. phytochimie; Gr. ? a plant +
F. chimie chemistry.]
Phytochemistry. [Obsoles.]
Phytogenesis \Phy`to*gen"e*sis\, Phytogeny \Phy*tog"e*ny\, n.
[Phyto- + genesis, or root of Gr. ? to be born.]
The doctrine of the generation of plants.
Phytogeographical \Phy`to*ge"o*graph"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to phytogeography.
Phytogeography \Phy`to*ge*og"ra*phy\, n. [Phyto- + geography.]
The geographical distribution of plants.
Phytoglyphic \Phy`to*glyph"ic\, a.
Relating to phytoglyphy.
Phytoglyphy \Phy*tog"ly*phy\, n. [Phyto- + Gr. ? to engrave.]
See {Nature printing}, under {Nature}.
Phytographical \Phy`to*graph"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. phytographique.]
Of or pertaining to phytography.
Phytography \Phy*tog"ra*phy\, n. [Phyto- + -graphy: cf. F.
phytographie.]
The science of describing plants in a systematic manner;
also, a description of plants.
Phytoid \Phy"toid\, a. [Phyto- + -oid.]
Resembling a plant; plantlike.
Phytolacca \Phy`to*lac"ca\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? plant + It. lacca
lac.] (Bot.)
A genus of herbaceous plants, some of them having berries
which abound in intensely red juice; poke, or pokeweed.
Phytolite \Phy"to*lite\, n. [Phyto- + -lite: cf. F. phytolithe.]
An old name for a fossil plant.
Phytolithologist \Phy`to*li*thol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in phytolithology; a paleobotanist.
Phytolithology \Phy`to*li*thol"o*gy\, n. [Phyto- + lithology.]
The branch of science which treats of fossil plants; --
usually called {paleobotany}, sometimes {paleophytology}.
Phytological \Phy`to*log"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. phytologique.]
Of or pertaining to phytology; botanical.
Phytologist \Phy*tol"o*gist\, n.
One skilled in phytology; a writer on plants; a botanist.
--Evelyn.
Phytology \Phy*tol"o*gy\, n. [Phyto- + -logy: cf. F.
phytologie.]
The science of plants; a description of the kinds and
properties of plants; botany. --Sir T. Browne.
Phytomer \Phy"to*mer\, Phytomeron \Phy*tom"e*ron\, n. [NL.
phytomeron, fr. Gr. ? plant + ? share.] (Bot.)
An organic element of a flowering plant; a phyton.
Phyton \Phy"ton\, n.; pl. {Phytons}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? plant.]
(Bot.)
One of the parts which by their repetition make up a
flowering plant, each being a single joint of a stem with its
leaf or leaves; a phytomer.
Phytonomy \Phy*ton"o*my\, n. [Phyto- + Gr. ? law: cf. F.
phytonomie.]
The science of the origin and growth of plants.
Phytopathologist \Phy`to*pa*thol"o*gist\, n.
One skilled in diseases of plants.
Phytopathology \Phy`to*pa*thol"o*gy\, n. [Phyto- + pathology.]
The science of diseases to which plants are liable.
Phytophaga \Phy*toph"a*ga\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a plant + ?
to eat.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Hymenoptera; the sawflies.
Phytophagic \Phy`to*phag"ic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Phytophagous.
Phytophagous \Phy*toph"a*gous\, a. [Phyto- + Gr. ? to eat.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Feeding on plants; herbivorous; as, a phytophagous animal.
Phytophagy \Phy*toph"a*gy\, n.
The eating of plants.
Phytophysiology \Phy`to*phys`i*ol"o*gy\, n. [Phyto- +
physiology.]
Vegetable physiology.
Phytotomist \Phy*tot"o*mist\, n.
One versed in phytotomy.
Phytotomy \Phy*tot"o*my\, n. [Phyto- + Gr. ? to cut.]
The dissection of plants; vegetable anatomy.
Phytozoaria \Phy`to*zo*a"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Phytozo["o]n}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Infusoria}.
Phytozoon \Phy`to*zo"["o]n\, n.; pl. {Phytozoa}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
+ ? an animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
A plantlike animal. The term is sometimes applied to
zo["o]phytes.
Phyz \Phyz\, n.
See {Phiz}.
Pi \Pi\, n. [See {Pica}, {Pie} magpie, service-book.] (Print.)
A mass of type confusedly mixed or unsorted. [Written also
{pie}.]
Pi \Pi\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pied}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Pieing}.]
(Print.)
To put into a mixed and disordered condition, as type; to mix
and disarrange the type of; as, to pi a form. [Written also
{pie}.]
Piacaba \Pi*a[,c]"a*ba\, n.
See {Piassava}.
Piacle \Pi"a*cle\, n. [L. piaculum a propitiatory sacrifice,
that which requires expiation, a wicked action, fr. piare to
appease, to expiate, pius pious.]
A heinous offense which requires expiation. [R.] --Howell.
Piacular \Pi*ac"u*lar\, a. [L. piacularis: cf. F. piaculaire.]
1. Expiatory; atoning. --Sir G. C. Lewis.
2. Requiring expiation; criminal; atrociously bad. ``Piacular
pollution.'' --De Quincey.
Piacularity \Pi*ac`u*lar"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being piacular; criminality;
wickedness. --De Quincey.
Piaculous \Pi*ac"u*lous\, a.
Same as {Piacular}.
Pial \Pi"al\, a. (Anat.)
Pertaining to the pia mater.
Pia mater \Pi"a ma"ter\ [NL., fr. L. pia (fem. of pius tender,
kind) + mater mother.] (Anat.)
The delicate and highly vascular membrane immediately
investing the brain and spinal cord.
Pian \Pian\, n. [Pg. pian, epian, or. Sp. pian; from the native
name in South America: cf. F. pian.] (Med.)
The yaws. See {Yaws}.
Pianet \Pi"a*net`\, n. [Cf. {Pie} magpie.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The magpie. [Written also {pianate}, and {pyenate}.]
(b) The lesser woodpecker. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Pianette \Pi*a*nette"\, n. [Dim. of piano.] (Mus.)
A small piano; a pianino.
Pianino \Pi`a*ni"no\, n. [It., dim. of piano, adj. See {Piano}.]
(Mus.)
A pianette, or small piano.
Pianissimo \Pi`a*nis"si*mo\, a.[It., superl. of piano.] (Mus.)
Very soft; -- a direction to execute a passage as softly as
possible. (Abbrev. pp.)
Pianist \Pi*an"ist\, n. [Cf. F. pianiste, It. pianista.]
A performer, esp. a skilled performer, on the piano.
Piano \Pi*a"no\, a. & adv. [It., even, smooth, soft, fr. L.
planus even, level.] (Mus.)
Soft; -- a direction to the performer to execute a certain
passage softly, and with diminished volume of tone. (Abbrev.
p.)
Piano \Pi*an"o\, Pianoforte \Pi*an"o*for`te\, n. [It. piano soft
(fr. L. planus even, smooth; see {Plain}, a.) + It. forte
strong, fr. L. fortis (see {Fort}).] (Mus.)
A well-known musical instrument somewhat resembling the
harpsichord, and consisting of a series of wires of graduated
length, thickness, and tension, struck by hammers moved by
keys.
{Dumb piano}. See {Digitorium}.
{Grand piano}. See under {Grand}.
{Square piano}, one with a horizontal frame and an oblong
case.
{Upright piano}, one with an upright frame and vertical
wires.
Pianograph \Pi*an"o*graph\, n. [Piano + -graph.] (Mus.)
A form of melodiograph applied to a piano.
Piapec \Pi"a*pec\, n. [Cf. {Pie} a magpie.] (Zo["o]l.)
A West African pie ({Ptilostomus Senegalensis}).
Piarist \Pi"a*rist\, n. [L. pius pious.] (R. C. Ch.)
One of a religious order who are the regular clerks of the
Scuole Pie (religious schools), an institute of secondary
education, founded at Rome in the last years of the 16th
century. --Addis & Arnold.
Piassava \Pi*as"sa*va\, n. [Pg. piasaba.]
A fibrous product of two Brazilian palm trees ({Attalea
funifera} and {Leopoldinia Piassaba}), -- used in making
brooms, and for other purposes. Called also {pia[,c]aba} and
{piasaba}.
Piaster \Pi*as"ter\, n. [F. piastre, It. piastra a thin plate of
metal, a dollar, LL. piastra, fr. L. emplastrum. See
{Plaster}.]
A silver coin of Spain and various other countries. See
{Peso}. The Spanish piaster (commonly called peso, or peso
duro) is of about the value of the American dollar. The
Italian piaster, or scudo, was worth from 80 to 100 cents.
The Turkish and Egyptian piasters are now worth about four
and a half cents.
Piastre \Pi*as"tre\, n.
See {Piaster}.
Piation \Pi*a"tion\, n. [L. piatio. See {Piacle}.]
The act of making atonement; expiation. [Obs.]
Piatti \Pi*at"ti\, n. pl. [It., prop., plates.] (Mus.)
Cymbals. [Written also {pyatti}.]
Piazza \Pi*az"za\, n.; pl. {Piazzas}. [It., place, square,
market place, L. platea street, courtyard. See {Place}.]
An open square in a European town, especially an Italian
town; hence (Arch.), an arcaded and roofed gallery; a
portico. In the United States the word is popularly applied
to a veranda.
We walk by the obelisk, and meditate in piazzas. --Jer.
Taylor.
Pibcorn \Pib"corn`\, n. [W. pib pipe + corn horn.] (Mus.)
A wind instrument or pipe, with a horn at each end, -- used
in Wales.
Pibroch \Pi"broch\, n. [Gael. piobaireachd pipe music, fr.
piobair a piper, fr. pioba pipe, bagpipe, from English. See
{Pipe}, n.]
A Highland air, suited to the particular passion which the
musician would either excite or assuage; generally applied to
those airs that are played on the bagpipe before the
Highlanders when they go out to battle. --Jamieson.
Pic \Pic\, n. [Cf. F. pic.]
A Turkish cloth measure, varying from 18 to 28 inches.
Pica \Pi"ca\, n. [L. pica a pie, magpie; in sense 3 prob. named
from some resemblance to the colors of the magpie. Cf. {Pie}
magpie.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The genus that includes the magpies.
2. (Med.) A vitiated appetite that craves what is unfit for
food, as chalk, ashes, coal, etc.; chthonophagia.
3. (R. C. Ch.) A service-book. See {Pie}. [Obs.]
4. (Print.) A size of type next larger than small pica, and
smaller than English.
Note: This line is printed in pica
Note: Pica is twice the size of nonpareil, and is used as a
standard of measurement in casting leads, cutting
rules, etc., and also as a standard by which to
designate several larger kinds of type, as double pica,
two-line pica, four-line pica, and the like.
{Small pica} (Print.), a size of type next larger than long
primer, and smaller than pica.
Note: This line is printed in small pica
Picador \Pic`a*dor"\, n. [Sp.]
A horseman armed with a lance, who in a bullfight receives
the first attack of the bull, and excites him by picking him
without attempting to kill him.
Picamar \Pic"a*mar`\, n. [L. pix, picis, pitch + amarus bitter.]
(Chem.)
An oily liquid hydrocarbon extracted from the creosote of
beechwood tar. It consists essentially of certain derivatives
of pyrogallol.
Picapare \Pic"a*pare\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The finfoot.
Picard \Pic"ard\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a sect of Adamites in the fifteenth century; -- so
called from one Picard of Flanders. See {Adamite}.
Picaresque \Pic`a*resque"\, a. [F., fr. Sp. picaro rogue.]
Applied to that class of literature in which the principal
personage is the Spanish picaro, meaning a rascal, a knave, a
rogue, an adventurer.
Picariae \Pi*ca"ri*[ae]\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. picus a
woodpecker.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extensive division of birds which includes the
woodpeckers, toucans, trogons, hornbills, kingfishers,
motmots, rollers, and goatsuckers. By some writers it is made
to include also the cuckoos, swifts, and humming birds.
Picarian \Pi*ca"ri*an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to Picari[ae]. -- n. One of the Picari[ae].
Picaroon \Pic`a*roon"\, n. [Sp. picaron, aug. of picaro roguish,
n., a rogue.]
One who plunders; especially, a plunderer of wrecks; a
pirate; a corsair; a marauder; a sharper. --Sir W. Temple.
Picayune \Pic`a*yune"\, n. [From the language of the Caribs.]
A small coin of the value of six and a quarter cents. See
{Fippenny bit}. [Local, U.S.]
Picayunish \Pic`a*yun"ish\, a.
Petty; paltry; mean; as, a picayunish business. [Colloq.
U.S.]
Piccadil \Pic"ca*dil\, Piccadilly \Pic`ca*dil"ly\, n. [OF.
piccagilles the several divisions of pieces fastened together
about the brim of the collar of a doublet, a dim. fr. Sp.
picado, p. p. of picar to prick. See {Pike}.]
A high, stiff collar for the neck; also, a hem or band about
the skirt of a garment, -- worn by men in the 17th century.
Piccage \Pic"cage\, n. [LL. piccadium, fr. F. piquer to prick.]
(O. Eng. Law)
Money paid at fairs for leave to break ground for booths.
--Ainsworth.
Piccalilli \Pic"ca*lil`li\, n.
A pickle of various vegetables with pungent species, --
originally made in the East Indies.
Piccolo \Pic"co*lo\, n. [It., small.]
1. (Mus.) A small, shrill flute, the pitch of which is an
octave higher than the ordinary flute; an octave flute.
2. (Mus.) A small upright piano.
3. (Mus.) An organ stop, with a high, piercing tone.
Pice \Pice\, n. [Hind. pais[=a]]
A small copper coin of the East Indies, worth less than a
cent. --Malcom.
Picea \Pic"e*a\, n. [L., the pitch pine, from pix, picis,
pitch.] (Bot.)
A genus of coniferous trees of the northen hemisphere,
including the Norway spruce and the American black and white
spruces. These trees have pendent cones, which do not readily
fall to pieces, in this and other respects differing from the
firs.
Picene \Pi"cene\, n. [See {Piceous}.] (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon (C?H?) extracted from the pitchy residue of
coal tar and petroleum as a bluish fluorescent crystalline
substance.
Piceous \Pic"e*ous\, a. [L. piceus, fr. pix, picis, pitch.]
Of or pertaining to pitch; resembling pitch in color or
quality; pitchy.
Pichey \Pi"chey\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A Brazilian armadillo ({Dasypus minutus}); the little
armadillo. [Written also {pichiy}.]
Pichiciago \Pi`chi*ci*a"go\, n. [Native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small, burrowing, South American edentate ({Chlamyphorus
truncatus}), allied to the armadillos. The shell is attached
only along the back. [Written also {pichyciego}.]
Pichurim bean \Pich"u*rim bean`\ (Bot.)
The seed of a Brazilian lauraceous tree ({Nectandra Puchury})
of a taste and smell between those of nutmeg and of
sassafras, -- sometimes used medicinally. Called also
{sassafras nut}.
Pici \Pi"ci\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. picus a woodpecker.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A division of birds including the woodpeckers and wrynecks.
Piciform \Pi"ci*form\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to Piciformes.
Piciformes \Pic`i*for"mes\, n. pl. [NL. See {Picus}, and
{-Form}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of birds including the woodpeckers, toucans, barbets,
colies, kingfishes, hornbills, and some other related groups.
Picine \Pi"cine\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the woodpeckers ({Pici}), or to the
Piciformes.
Pick \Pick\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Picked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Picking}.] [OE. picken, pikken, to prick, peck; akin to
Icel. pikka, Sw. picka, Dan. pikke, D. pikken, G. picken, F.
piquer, W. pigo. Cf. {Peck}, v., {Pike}, {Pitch} to throw.]
1. To throw; to pitch. [Obs.]
As high as I could pick my lance. --Shak.
2. To peck at, as a bird with its beak; to strike at with
anything pointed; to act upon with a pointed instrument;
to pierce; to prick, as with a pin.
3. To separate or open by means of a sharp point or points;
as, to pick matted wool, cotton, oakum, etc.
4. To open (a lock) as by a wire.
5. To pull apart or away, especially with the fingers; to
pluck; to gather, as fruit from a tree, flowers from the
stalk, feathers from a fowl, etc.
6. To remove something from with a pointed instrument, with
the fingers, or with the teeth; as, to pick the teeth; to
pick a bone; to pick a goose; to pick a pocket.
Did you pick Master Slender's purse? --Shak.
He picks clean teeth, and, busy as he seems With an
old tavern quill, is hungry yet. --Cowper.
7. To choose; to select; to separate as choice or desirable;
to cull; as, to pick one's company; to pick one's way; --
often with out. ``One man picked out of ten thousand.''
--Shak.
8. To take up; esp., to gather from here and there; to
collect; to bring together; as, to pick rags; -- often
with up; as, to pick up a ball or stones; to pick up
information.
9. To trim. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{To pick at}, to tease or vex by pertinacious annoyance.
{To pick a bone with}. See under {Bone}.
{To pick a thank}, to curry favor. [Obs.] --Robynson (More's
Utopia).
{To pick off}.
(a) To pluck; to remove by picking.
(b) To shoot or bring down, one by one; as, sharpshooters
pick off the enemy.
{To pick out}.
(a) To mark out; to variegate; as, to pick out any dark
stuff with lines or spots of bright colors.
(b) To select from a number or quantity.
{To pick to pieces}, to pull apart piece by piece; hence
[Colloq.], to analyze; esp., to criticize in detail.
{To pick a quarrel}, to give occasion of quarrel
intentionally.
{To pick up}.
(a) To take up, as with the fingers.
(b) To get by repeated efforts; to gather here and there;
as, to pick up a livelihood; to pick up news.
Pick \Pick\, v. i.
1. To eat slowly, sparingly, or by morsels; to nibble.
Why stand'st thou picking? Is thy palate sore? --Dryden.
2. To do anything nicely or carefully, or by attending to
small things; to select something with care.
3. To steal; to pilfer. ``To keep my hands from picking and
stealing.'' --Book of Com. Prayer.
{To pick up}, to improve by degrees; as, he is picking up in
health or business. [Colloq. U.S.]
Pick \Pick\, n. [F. pic a pickax, a pick. See {Pick}, and cf.
{Pike}.]
1. A sharp-pointed tool for picking; -- often used in
composition; as, a toothpick; a picklock.
2. (Mining & Mech.) A heavy iron tool, curved and sometimes
pointed at both ends, wielded by means of a wooden handle
inserted in the middle, -- used by quarrymen, roadmakers,
etc.; also, a pointed hammer used for dressing millstones.
3. A pike or spike; the sharp point fixed in the center of a
buckler. [Obs.] ``Take down my buckler . . . and grind the
pick on 't.'' --Beau. & Fl.
4. Choice; right of selection; as, to have one's pick.
France and Russia have the pick of our stables.
--Ld. Lytton.
5. That which would be picked or chosen first; the best; as,
the pick of the flock.
6. (Print.) A particle of ink or paper imbedded in the hollow
of a letter, filling up its face, and occasioning a spot
on a printed sheet. --MacKellar.
7. (Painting) That which is picked in, as with a pointed
pencil, to correct an unevenness in a picture.
8. (Weawing) The blow which drives the shuttle, -- the rate
of speed of a loom being reckoned as so many picks per
minute; hence, in describing the fineness of a fabric, a
weft thread; as, so many picks to an inch.
{Pick dressing} (Arch.), in cut stonework, a facing made by a
pointed tool, leaving the surface in little pits or
depressions.
{Pick hammer}, a pick with one end sharp and the other blunt,
used by miners.
Pickaback \Pick"a*back`\, adv.
On the back or shoulders; as, to ride pickback. [Written also
{pickapack}, {pickback}, and {pickpack}.]
A woman stooping to take a child pickaback. --R,Jefferies.
Pickaninny \Pick"a*nin`ny\, n.; pl. {Pickaninnies}. [Cf. Sp.
peque[~n]o little, young.]
A small child; especially, a negro or mulatto infant. [U.S. &
West Indies]
Pickapack \Pick"a*pack`\, adv.
Pickaback.
Pickax \Pick"ax`\, Pickaxe \Pick"axe`\, n. [A corruption of OE.
pikois, pikeis, F. picois, fr. pic. See {Pick}, n.]
A pick with a point at one end, a transverse edge or blade at
the other, and a handle inserted at the middle; a hammer with
a flattened end for driving wedges and a pointed end for
piercing as it strikes. --Shak.
Pickback \Pick"back`\, adv.
On the back.
Picked \Pick"ed\, a.
1. Pointed; sharp. ``Picked and polished.'' --Chapman.
Let the stake be made picked at the top. --Mortimer.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having a pike or spine on the back; -- said of
certain fishes.
3. Carefully selected; chosen; as, picked men.
4. Fine; spruce; smart; precise; dianty. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Picked dogfish}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Dogfish}.
{Picked out}, ornamented or relieved with lines, or the like,
of a different, usually a lighter, color; as, a carriage
body dark green, picked out with red.
Pickedness \Pick"ed*ness\, n.
1. The state of being sharpened; pointedness.
2. Fineness; spruceness; smartness. [Obs.]
Too much pickedness is not manly. --B. Jonson.
Pickeer \Pick*eer"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pickeered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Pickeering}.] [F. picorer to go marauding, orig., to
go to steal cattle, ultimately fr. L. pecus, pecoris, cattle;
cf. F. picor['e]e, Sp. pecorea robbery committed by
straggling soldiers.]
To make a raid for booty; to maraud; also, to skirmish in
advance of an army. See {Picaroon}. [Obs.] --Bp. Burnet.
Pickeerer \Pick*eer"er\, n.
One who pickeers. [Obs.]
Picker \Pick"er\, n. [From {Pick}.]
1. One who, or that which, picks, in any sense, -- as, one
who uses a pick; one who gathers; a thief; a pick; a
pickax; as, a cotton picker. ``Pickers and stealers.''
--Shak.
2. (Mach.) A machine for picking fibrous materials to pieces
so as to loosen and separate the fiber.
3. (Weaving) The piece in a loom which strikes the end of the
shuttle, and impels it through the warp.
4. (Ordnance) A priming wire for cleaning the vent.
Pickerel \Pick"er*el\, n. [Dim. of {Pike}.] [Written also
{pickerell}.]
1. A young or small pike. [Obs.]
Bet [better] is, quoth he, a pike than a pickerel.
--Chaucer.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any one of several species of freshwater fishes of the
genus {Esox}, esp. the smaller species.
(b) The glasseye, or wall-eyed pike. See {Wall-eye}.
Note: The federation, or chain, pickerel ({Esox reticulatus})
and the brook pickerel ({E. Americanus}) are the most
common American species. They are used for food, and
are noted for their voracity. About the Great Lakes the
pike is called pickerel.
{Pickerel weed} (Bot.), a blue-flowered aquatic plant
({Pontederia cordata}) having large arrow-shaped leaves.
So called because common in slow-moving waters where
pickerel are often found.
Pickering \Pick"er*ing\, n. [Probably a corruption of
{Pickerel}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The sauger of the St.Lawrence River.
Pickery \Pick"er*y\, n. [From {Pick} to steal; or perhaps from
{Pickeer}.]
Petty theft. [Scot.] --Holinshed.
Picket \Pick"et\, n. [F. piquet, properly dim. of pique spear,
pike. See {Pike}, and cf. {Piquet}.]
1. A stake sharpened or pointed, especially one used in
fortification and encampments, to mark bounds and angles;
or one used for tethering horses.
2. A pointed pale, used in marking fences.
3. [Probably so called from the picketing of the horses.]
(Mil.) A detached body of troops serving to guard an army
from surprise, and to oppose reconnoitering parties of the
enemy; -- called also {outlying picket}.
4. By extension, men appointed by a trades union, or other
labor organization, to intercept outsiders, and prevent
them from working for employers with whom the organization
is at variance. [Cant]
5. A military punishment, formerly resorted to, in which the
offender was forced to stand with one foot on a pointed
stake.
6. A game at cards. See {Piquet}.
{Inlying picket} (Mil.), a detachment of troops held in camp
or quarters, detailed to march if called upon.
{Picket fence}, a fence made of pickets. See def. 2, above.
{Picket guard} (Mil.), a guard of horse and foot, always in
readiness in case of alarm.
{Picket line}. (Mil.)
(a) A position held and guarded by small bodies of men
placed at intervals.
(b) A rope to which horses are secured when groomed.
{Picketpin}, an iron pin for picketing horses.
Picket \Pick"et\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Picketed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Picketing}.]
1. To fortify with pointed stakes.
2. To inclose or fence with pickets or pales.
3. To tether to, or as to, a picket; as, to picket a horse.
4. To guard, as a camp or road, by an outlying picket.
5. To torture by compelling to stand with one foot on a
pointed stake. [Obs.]
Picketee \Pick`e*tee"\, n. (Bot.)
See {Picotee}.
Pick-fault \Pick"-fault`\, n.
One who seeks out faults.
Picking \Pick"ing\, n.
1. The act of digging or breaking up, as with a pick.
2. The act of choosing, plucking, or gathering.
3. That which is, or may be, picked or gleaned.
4. Pilfering; also, that which is pilfered.
5. pl. The pulverized shells of oysters used in making walks.
[Eng.] --Simmonds.
6. (Mining) Rough sorting of ore.
7. Overburned bricks. --Simmonds.
Picking \Pick"ing\, a.
1. Done or made as with a pointed tool; as, a picking sound.
2. Nice; careful. [Obs.]
was too warm on picking work to dwell. --Dryden.
{Picking peg}. (Weaving) See {Picker}, n., 3.
Pickle \Pic"kle\, n. [Obs.]
See {Picle}.
Pickle \Pic"kle\, n. [Cf. D. pekel. Probably a dim. fr. {Pick},
v. t., alluding to the cleaning of the fish.]
1.
(a) A solution of salt and water, in which fish, meat,
etc., may be preserved or corned; brine.
(b) Vinegar, plain or spiced, used for preserving
vegetables, fish, eggs, oysters, etc.
2. Any article of food which has been preserved in brine or
in vinegar.
3. (Founding) A bath of dilute sulphuric or nitric acid,
etc., to remove burnt sand, scale rust, etc., from the
surface of castings, or other articles of metal, or to
brighten them or improve their color.
4. A troublesome child; as, a little pickle. [Colloq.]
{To be in a pickle}, to be in disagreeable position; to be in
a condition of embarrassment, difficulty, or disorder.
``How cam'st thou in this pickle?'' --Shak.
{To put a rod in pickle}, to prepare a particular reproof,
punishment, or penalty for future application.
Pickle \Pic"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pickled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pickling}.]
1. To preserve or season in pickle; to treat with some kind
of pickle; as, to pickle herrings or cucumbers.
2. To give an antique appearance to; -- said of copies or
imitations of paintings by the old masters.
Pickled \Pic"kled\, a.
Preserved in a pickle.
Pickle-herring \Pic"kle-her"ring\, n.
1. A herring preserved in brine; a pickled herring. [Obs.]
--Shak.
2. A merry-andrew; a buffoon. [Obs.] --Addison.
Pickler \Pic"kler\, n.
One who makes pickles.
Picklock \Pick"lock`\, n.
1. An instrument for picking locks. --Shak.
2. One who picks locks; a thief. ``A picklock of secrets.''
--Jer. Taylor.
Pickmire \Pick"mire`\, n. [So called from its picking its food
from the mire.] (Zo["o]l.)
The pewit, or black-headed gull. [Prov. Eng.]
Picknick \Pick"nick\, n.
See {Picnic}.
Pickpack \Pick"pack`\, adv.
Pickaback.
Pickpenny \Pick"pen`ny\, n.; pl. {Pickpennies}.
A miser; also, a sharper. --Dr. H. More.
Pickpocket \Pick"pock`et\, n.
One who steals purses or other articles from pockets.
--Bentley.
Pickpurse \Pick"purse`\, n.
One who steals purses, or money from purses. --Latimer. Shak.
Picksy \Pick"sy\, n.
See {Pixy}.
Pickthank \Pick"thank`\, n.
One who strives to put another under obligation; an officious
person; hence, a flatterer. Used also adjectively.
Smiling pickthanks, and base newsmongers. --Shak.
Picktooth \Pick"tooth`\, n.
A toothpick. [Obs.] --Swift.
Picke \Pi"cke\, n. [Prob. fr. pightel or pingle.]
A small piece of land inclosed with a hedge; a close. [Obs.]
[Written also {pickle}.]
Picnic \Pic"nic\, n. [Cf. F. piquenique. See {Pick}, v., and cf.
{Knickknack}.]
Formerly, an entertainment at which each person contributed
some dish to a common table; now, an excursion or pleasure
party in which the members partake of a collation or repast
(usually in the open air, and from food carried by
themselves).
Picnic \Pic"nic\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Picnicked}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Picnicking}.]
To go on a picnic, or pleasure excursion; to eat in public
fashion.
Picnicker \Pic"nick*er\, n.
One who takes part in a picnic.
Picoid \Pi"coid\, a. [Picus + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like or pertaining to the Pici.
Picoline \Pic"o*line\, n. [L. pix, picis, pitch + oleum oil +
-ine.] (Chem.)
Any one of three isometric bases ({C6H7N}) related to
pyridine, and obtained from bone oil, acrolein ammonia, and
coal-tar naphtha, as colorless mobile liquids of strong odor;
-- called also {methyl pyridine}.
Picotee \Pic`o*tee"\, Picotine \Pic`o*tine"\, n. [F. picot['e]
dotted, picked.] (Bot.)
A variety of carnation having petals of a light color
variously dotted and spotted at the edges.
Picquet \Pic"quet\, n.
See {Piquet}.
Picra \Pi"cra\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? sharp, bitter.] (Med.)
The powder of aloes with canella, formerly officinal,
employed as a cathartic.
Picrate \Pi"crate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of picric acid.
Picric \Pi"cric\, a. [Gr. ? bitter.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a strong organic acid (called
picric acid), intensely bitter.
Note: Picric acid is obtained by treating phenol with strong
nitric acid, as a brilliant yellow crystalline
substance, {C6H2(NO2)3.OH}. It is used in dyeing silk
and wool, and also in the manufacture of explosives, as
it is very unstable when heated. Called also
{trinitrophenol}, and formerly {carbazotic acid}.
Picrite \Pic"rite\, n. [From Gr. ? bitter.] (Min.)
A dark green igneous rock, consisting largely of chrysolite,
with hornblende, augite, biotite, etc.
Picrolite \Pic"ro*lite\, n. [Gr. ? bitter + -lite.: cf. F.
picrolithe.] (Min.)
A fibrous variety of serpentine.
Picromel \Pic"ro*mel\, n. [Gr. ? bitter + ? honey: cf. F.
picromel.] (Old Chem.)
A colorless viscous substance having a bitter-sweet taste.
Note: It was formerly supposed to be the essential principle
of the bile, but is now known to be a mixture,
principally of salts of glycocholic and taurocholic
acids.
Picrotoxin \Pic`ro*tox"in\, n. [Gr. ? bitter + toxic + -in.]
(Chem.)
A bitter white crystalline substance found in the cocculus
indicus. It is a peculiar poisonous neurotic and intoxicant,
and consists of a mixture of several neutral substances.
Picryl \Pi"cryl\, n. [Picric + -yl.] (Chem.)
The hypothetical radical of picric acid, analogous to phenyl.
Pictish \Pict"ish\, a.
Of or pertaining to Picts; resembling the Picts. ``The
Pictish peer.'' --Byron.
Pictograph \Pic"to*graph\, n. [See {Picture}, and {-graph}.]
A picture or hieroglyph representing and expressing an idea.
-- {Pic`to*graph"ic}, a.
Pictorial \Pic*to"ri*al\, a. [L. pictorius, fr. pictor a
painter, fr. pingere to paint. See {Paint}.]
Of or pertaining to pictures; illustrated by pictures;
forming pictures; representing with the clearness of a
picture; as, a pictorial dictionary; a pictorial imagination.
``Pictorial rhetoric.'' --Ruskin. -- {Pic*to"ri*al*ly}, adv.
Pictoric \Pic*tor"ic\, Pictorical \Pic*tor"ic*al\, a.
Pictorial. [Obs.]
Picts \Picts\, n. pl.; sing. {Pict}. [L. Picti; cf. AS.
Peohtas.] (Ethnol.)
A race of people of uncertain origin, who inhabited Scotland
in early times.
Pictura \Pic*tu"ra\, n. [L., a painting.] (Zo["o]l.)
Pattern of coloration.
Picturable \Pic"tur*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being pictured, or represented by a picture.
Pictural \Pic"tur*al\, a.
Pictorial. [R.] --Sir W. Scott.
Pictural \Pic"tur*al\, n.
A picture. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Picture \Pic"ture\, n. [L. pictura, fr. pingere, pictum, to
paint: cf. F. peinture. See {Paint}.]
1. The art of painting; representation by painting. [Obs.]
Any well-expressed image . . . either in picture or
sculpture. --Sir H.
Wotton.
2. A representation of anything (as a person, a landscape, a
building) upon canvas, paper, or other surface, produced
by means of painting, drawing, engraving, photography,
etc.; a representation in colors. By extension, a figure;
a model.
Pictures and shapes are but secondary objects.
--Bacon.
The young king's picture . . . in virgin wax.
--Howell.
3. An image or resemblance; a representation, either to the
eye or to the mind; that which, by its likeness, brings
vividly to mind some other thing; as, a child is the
picture of his father; the man is the picture of grief.
My eyes make pictures when they are shut.
--Coleridge.
Note: Picture is often used adjectively, or in forming
self-explaining compounds; as, picture book or
picture-book, picture frame or picture-frame, picture
seller or picture-seller, etc.
{Picture gallery}, a gallery, or large apartment, devoted to
the exhibition of pictures.
{Picture red}, a rod of metal tube fixed to the walls of a
room, from which pictures are hung.
{Picture writing}.
(a) The art of recording events, or of expressing
messages, by means of pictures representing the
actions or circumstances in question. --Tylor.
(b) The record or message so represented; as, the picture
writing of the American Indians.
Syn: {Picture}, {Painting}.
Usage: Every kind of representation by drawing or painting is
a picture, whether made with oil colors, water colors,
pencil, crayons, or India ink; strictly, a painting is
a picture made by means of colored paints, usually
applied moist with a brush.
Picture \Pic"ture\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pictured}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Picturing}.]
To draw or paint a resemblance of; to delineate; to
represent; to form or present an ideal likeness of; to bring
before the mind. ``I . . . do picture it in my mind.''
--Spenser.
I have not seen him so pictured. --Shak.
Pictured \Pic"tured\, a.
Furnished with pictures; represented by a picture or
pictures; as, a pictured scene.
Picturer \Pic"tur*er\, n.
One who makes pictures; a painter. [R.] --Fuller.
Picturesque \Pic`tur*esque"\, a. [It. pittoresco: cf. F.
pittoresque. See {Pictorial}.]
Forming, or fitted to form, a good or pleasing picture;
representing with the clearness or ideal beauty appropriate
to a picture; expressing that peculiar kind of beauty which
is agreeable in a picture, natural or artificial; graphic;
vivid; as, a picturesque scene or attitude; picturesque
language.
What is picturesque as placed in relation to the
beautiful and the sublime? It is . . . the
characteristic pushed into a sensible excess. --De
Quincey. -- {Pic`tur*esque"ly}, adv. -- {Pic`tur*esque"ness},
n.
Picturesquish \Pic`tur*esqu"ish\, a.
Somewhat picturesque. [R.]
Picturize \Pic"tur*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Picturized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Picturizing}.] [R.]
1. To picture.
2. To adorn with pictures.
Picul \Pic"ul\, n. [Jav. & Malay pikul, fr. pikul to carry on
the back, to carry a burden; n., a man's burden.]
A commercial weight varying in different countries and for
different commodities. In Borneo it is 1355/8 lbs.; in China
and Sumatra, 1331/2 lbs.; in Japan, 1331/3 lbs.; but
sometimes 130 lbs., etc. Called also, by the Chinese, {tan}.
[Written also {pecul}, and {pecal}.]
Piculet \Pic"u*let\, n. [Dim. of {Picus}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of very small woodpeckers of the genus {Picumnus}
and allied genera. Their tail feathers are not stiff and
sharp at the tips, as in ordinary woodpeckers.
Picus \Pi"cus\, n.; pl. {Pici}. [L., a woodpecker.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of woodpeckers, including some of the common American
and European species.
Piddle \Pid"dle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Piddled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Piddling}.] [Cf. dial. Sw. pittla to keep picking at, Sw.
peta to pick.]
1. To deal in trifles; to concern one's self with trivial
matters rather than with those that are important.
--Ascham.
2. To be squeamishly nice about one's food. --Swift.
3. To urinate; -- child's word.
Piddler \Pid"dler\, n.
One who piddles.
Piddling \Pid"dling\, a.
Trifling; trivial; frivolous; paltry; -- applied to persons
and things.
The ignoble hucksterage of piddling tithes. --Milton.
Piddock \Pid"dock\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of Pholas; a pholad. See {Pholas}.
Pie \Pie\, n. [OE. pie, pye; cf. Ir. & Gael. pighe pie, also
Gael. pige an earthen jar or pot. Cf. {Piggin}.]
1. An article of food consisting of paste baked with
something in it or under it; as, chicken pie; venison pie;
mince pie; apple pie; pumpkin pie.
2. See {Camp}, n., 5. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
{Pie crust}, the paste of a pie.
Pie \Pie\, n. [F. pie, L. pica; cf. picus woodpecker, pingere to
paint; the bird being perhaps named from its colors. Cf.
{Pi}, {Paint}, {Speight}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A magpie.
(b) Any other species of the genus {Pica}, and of several
allied genera. [Written also {pye}.]
2. (R. C. Ch.) The service book.
3. (Pritn.) Type confusedly mixed. See {Pi}.
{By cock and pie}, an adjuration equivalent to ``by God and
the service book.'' --Shak.
{Tree pie} (Zo["o]l.), any Asiatic bird of the genus
{Dendrocitta}, allied to the magpie.
{Wood pie}. (Zo["o]l.) See {French pie}, under {French}.
Pie \Pie\, v. t.
See {Pi}.
Piebald \Pie"bald`\, a. [Pie the party-colored bird + bald.]
1. Having spots and patches of black and white, or other
colors; mottled; pied. ``A piebald steed of Thracian
strain.'' --Dryden.
2. Fig.: Mixed. ``Piebald languages.'' --Hudibras.
Piece \Piece\, n. [OE. pece, F. pi[`e]ce, LL. pecia, petia,
petium, probably of Celtic origin; cf. W. peth a thing, a
part, portion, a little, Armor. pez, Gael. & Ir. cuid part,
share. Cf. {Petty}.]
1. A fragment or part of anything separated from the whole,
in any manner, as by cutting, splitting, breaking, or
tearing; a part; a portion; as, a piece of sugar; to break
in pieces.
Bring it out piece by piece. --Ezek. xxiv.
6.
2. A definite portion or quantity, as of goods or work; as, a
piece of broadcloth; a piece of wall paper.
3. Any one thing conceived of as apart from other things of
the same kind; an individual article; a distinct single
effort of a series; a definite performance; especially:
(a) A literary or artistic composition; as, a piece of
poetry, music, or statuary.
(b) A musket, gun, or cannon; as, a battery of six pieces;
a following piece.
(c) A coin; as, a sixpenny piece; -- formerly applied
specifically to an English gold coin worth 22
shillings.
(d) A fact; an item; as, a piece of news; a piece of
knowledge.
4. An individual; -- applied to a person as being of a
certain nature or quality; often, but not always, used
slightingly or in contempt. ``If I had not been a piece of
a logician before I came to him.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
Thy mother was a piece of virtue. --Shak.
His own spirit is as unsettled a piece as there is
in all the world. --Coleridge.
5. (Chess) One of the superior men, distinguished from a
pawn.
6. A castle; a fortified building. [Obs.] --Spenser.
{Of a piece}, of the same sort, as if taken from the same
whole; like; -- sometimes followed by with. --Dryden.
{Piece of eight}, the Spanish piaster, formerly divided into
eight reals.
{To give a piece of one's mind to}, to speak plainly,
bluntly, or severely to (another). --Thackeray.
{Piece broker}, one who buys shreds and remnants of cloth to
sell again.
{Piece goods}, goods usually sold by pieces or fixed
portions, as shirtings, calicoes, sheetings, and the like.
Piece \Piece\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pieced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Piecing}.]
1. To make, enlarge, or repair, by the addition of a piece or
pieces; to patch; as, to piece a garment; -- often with
out. --Shak.
2. To unite; to join; to combine. --Fuller.
His adversaries . . . pieced themselves together in
a joint opposition against him. --Fuller.
Piece \Piece\, v. i.
To unite by a coalescence of parts; to fit together; to join.
``It pieced better.'' --Bacon.
Pieceless \Piece"less\, a.
Not made of pieces; whole; entire.
Piecely \Piece"ly\, adv.
In pieces; piecemeal. [Obs.]
Piecemeal \Piece"meal`\, adv. [OE. pecemele; pece a piece + AS.
m?lum, dat. pl. of m?l part. See {Meal} a portion.]
1. In pieces; in parts or fragments. ``On which it piecemeal
brake.'' --Chapman.
The beasts will tear thee piecemeal. --Tennyson.
2. Piece by piece; by little and little in succession.
Piecemeal they win, this acre first, than that.
--Pope.
Piecemeal \Piece"meal`\, a.
Made up of parts or pieces; single; separate. ``These
piecemeal guilts.'' --Gov. of Tongue.
Piecemeal \Piece"meal`\, n.
A fragment; a scrap. --R. Vaughan.
Piecemealed \Piece"mealed`\, a.
Divided into pieces.
Piecener \Piece"ner\, n.
1. One who supplies rolls of wool to the slubbing machine in
woolen mills.
2. Same as {Piecer}, 2.
Piecer \Pie"cer\, n.
1. One who pieces; a patcher.
2. A child employed in spinning mill to tie together broken
threads.
Piecework \Piece"work`\, n.
Work done by the piece or job; work paid for at a rate based
on the amount of work done, rather than on the time employed.
The reaping was piecework, at so much per acre. --R.
Jefferies.
Pied \Pied\,
imp. & p. p. of {Pi}, or {Pie}, v.
Pied \Pied\, a. [From {Pie} the party-colored bird.]
Variegated with spots of different colors; party-colored;
spotted; piebald. ``Pied coats.'' --Burton. ``Meadows trim
with daisies pied.'' --Milton.
{Pied antelope} (Zo["o]l.), the bontebok.
{Pied-billed grebe} (Zo["o]l.), the dabchick.
{Pied blackbird} (Zo["o]l.), any Asiatic thrush of the genus
{Turdulus}.
{Pied finch} (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The chaffinch.
(b) The snow bunting. [Prov. Eng.]
{Pied flycatcher} (Zo["o]l.), a common European flycatcher
({Ficedula atricapilla}). The male is black and white.
Piedmont \Pied"mont\, a. [F. pied foot + mont mountain.] (Geol.)
Noting the region of foothills near the base of a mountain
chain.
Piedmontite \Pied"mont*ite\, n. (Min.)
A manganesian kind of epidote, from Piedmont. See {Epidote}.
Piedness \Pied"ness\, n.
The state of being pied. --Shak.
Pi'edouche \Pi['e]`douche"\, n. [F., fr. It. peduccio console,
corbel.]
A pedestal of small size, used to support small objects, as
busts, vases, and the like.
Piedstall \Pied"stall\, n.
See {Pedestal}. [Obs.]
Pieman \Pie"man\, n.; pl. {Piemen}.
A man who makes or sells pies.
Piend \Piend\, n. [Cf. Dan. pind a peg.]
See {Peen}.
Pieno \Pi*e"no\, a. [It., fr. L. plenus full.] (Mus.)
Full; having all the instruments.
Pieplant \Pie"plant`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant ({Rheum Rhaponticum}) the leafstalks of which are
acid, and are used in making pies; the garden rhubarb.
Piepoudre \Pie"pou`dre\, Piepowder \Pie"pow`der\, n. [Lit.,
dustyfoot, i. e., dusty-footed dealers, fr. F. pied foot +
poudreux dusty.] (O. Eng. Law)
An ancient court of record in England, formerly incident to
every fair and market, of which the steward of him who owned
or had the toll was the judge. --Blackstone.
Pier \Pier\, n. [OE. pere, OF. piere a stone, F. pierre, fr. L.
petra, Gr. ?. Cf. {Petrify}.]
1. (Arch.)
(a) Any detached mass of masonry, whether insulated or
supporting one side of an arch or lintel, as of a
bridge; the piece of wall between two openings.
(b) Any additional or auxiliary mass of masonry used to
stiffen a wall. See {Buttress}.
2. A projecting wharf or landing place.
{Abutment pier}, the pier of a bridge next the shore; a pier
which by its strength and stability resists the thrust of
an arch.
{Pier glass}, a mirror, of high and narrow shape, to be put
up between windows.
{Pier table}, a table made to stand between windows.
Pierage \Pier"age\, n.
Same as {Wharfage}. --Smart.
Pierce \Pierce\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pierced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Piercing}.] [OE. percen, F. percer, OF. percier, perchier,
parchier; perh. fr. (assumed) LL. pertusiare for pertusare,
fr. L. pertundere, pertusum, to beat, push, bore through; per
through + tundere to beat: cf. OF. pertuisier to pierce, F.
pertuis a hole. Cf. {Contuse}, {Parch}, {Pertuse}.]
1. To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed
instrument. ``I pierce . . . her tender side.'' --Dryden.
2. To penetrate; to enter; to force a way into or through; to
pass into or through; as, to pierce the enemy's line; a
shot pierced the ship.
3. Fig.: To penetrate; to affect deeply; as, to pierce a
mystery. ``Pierced with grief.'' --Pope.
Can no prayers pierce thee? --Shak.
Pierce \Pierce\, v. i.
To enter; to penetrate; to make a way into or through
something, as a pointed instrument does; -- used literally
and figuratively.
And pierced to the skin, but bit no more. --Spenser.
She would not pierce further into his meaning. --Sir P.
Sidney.
Pierceable \Pierce"a*ble\, a.
That may be pierced.
Pierced \Pierced\, a.
Penetrated; entered; perforated.
Piercel \Pier"cel\, n. [Cf. F. perce.]
A kind of gimlet for making vents in casks; -- called also
{piercer}.
Piercer \Pier"cer\, n.
1. One who, or that which, pierces or perforates;
specifically:
(a) An instrument used in forming eyelets; a stiletto.
(b) A piercel.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The ovipositor, or sting, of an insect.
(b) An insect provided with an ovipositor.
Piercing \Pier"cing\, a.
Forcibly entering, or adapted to enter, at or by a point;
perforating; penetrating; keen; -- used also figuratively;
as, a piercing instrument, or thrust. ``Piercing eloquence.''
--Shak. -- {Pier"cing*ly}, adv. -- {Pier"cing*ness}, n.
Pierian \Pi*e"ri*an\, a. [L. Pierius, from Mount Pierus, in
Thessaly, sacred to the Muses.]
Of or pertaining to Pierides or Muses.
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring. --Pope.
Pierid \Pi"er*id\, n. [See {Peirides}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any butterfly of the genus {Pieris} and related genera. See
{Cabbage butterfly}, under {Cabbage}.
Pierides \Pi*er"i*des\, n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. ?. See {Pierian}.]
(Class. Myth.)
The Muses.
Piet \Pi"et\ (p[imac]"[e^]t), n. [Dim. of {Pie} a magpie: cf. F.
piette a smew.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The dipper, or water ouzel. [Scot.]
(b) The magpie. [Prov.Eng.]
{Jay piet} (Zo["o]l.), the European jay. [Prov.Eng.]
{Sea piet} (Zo["o]l.), the oyster catcher. [Prov.Eng.]
Pieta \Pi*e*t[`a]"\ (p[-e]*[asl]*t[aum]"), n. [It.] (Fine Arts)
A representation of the dead Christ, attended by the Virgin
Mary or by holy women and angels. --Mollett.
Pietism \Pi"e*tism\ (p[imac]"[-e]*t[i^]z'm), n. [Cf. G.
pietismus, F. pi['e]tisme.]
1. The principle or practice of the Pietists.
2. Strict devotion; also, affectation of devotion.
The Sch["o]ne Seele, that ideal of gentle pietism,
in ``Wilhelm Meister.'' --W. Pater.
Pietist \Pi"e*tist\, n. [Cf. G. pietist, F. pi['e]tiste. See
{Piety}.] (Eccl. Hist.)
One of a class of religious reformers in Germany in the 17th
century who sought to revive declining piety in the
Protestant churches; -- often applied as a term of reproach
to those who make a display of religious feeling. Also used
adjectively.
Pietistic \Pi`e*tis"tic\, Pietistical \Pi`e*tis"tic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Pietists; hence, in contempt,
affectedly or demonstratively religious. --Addison.
Pietra dura \Pi*e"tra du"ra\ [It., hard stone.] (Fine Arts)
Hard and fine stones in general, such as are used for inlay
and the like, as distinguished from the softer stones used in
building; thus, a Florentine mosaic is a familiar instance of
work in pietra dura, though the ground may be soft marble.
Piety \Pi"e*ty\, n. [F. pi['e]t['e]; cf. It. piet[`a]; both fr.
L. pietas piety, fr. pius pious. See {Pious}, and cf.
{Pity}.]
1. Veneration or reverence of the Supreme Being, and love of
his character; loving obedience to the will of God, and
earnest devotion to his service.
Piety is the only proper and adequate relief of
decaying man. --Rambler.
2. Duty; dutifulness; filial reverence and devotion;
affectionate reverence and service shown toward parents,
relatives, benefactors, country, etc.
Conferred upon me for the piety Which to my country
I was judged to have shown. --Milton.
Syn: Religion; sanctity; devotion; godliness; holiness. See
{Religion}.
Piewipe \Pie"wipe`\, n. [So called from its note.] (Zo["o]l.)
The lapwing, or pewit. [Prov. Eng.]
Piezometer \Pi`e*zom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? to press + -meter: cf. F.
pi['e]zom[`e]tre.]
1. (Physics) An instrument for measuring the compressibility
of liquids.
2. (Physics) A gauge connected with a water main to show the
pressure at that point.
Piffero \Pif"fe*ro\, Piffara \Pif"fa*ra\, n. [It. piffero.]
(Mus.)
A fife; also, a rude kind of oboe or a bagpipe with an
inflated skin for reservoir.
Pig \Pig\, n.
A piggin. [Written also {pigg}.]
Pig \Pig\, n. [Cf. D. big, bigge, LG. bigge, also Dan. pige
girl, Sw. piga, Icel. p[=i]ka.]
1. The young of swine, male or female; also, any swine; a
hog. ``Two pigges in a poke.'' --Chaucer.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any wild species of the genus {Sus} and related
genera.
3. [Cf. {Sow} a channel for melted iron.] An oblong mass of
cast iron, lead, or other metal. See {Mine pig}, under
{Mine}.
4. One who is hoggish; a greedy person. [Low]
{Masked pig}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Masked}.
{Pig bed} (Founding), the bed of sand in which the iron from
a smelting furnace is cast into pigs.
{Pig iron}, cast iron in pigs, or oblong blocks or bars, as
it comes from the smelting furnace. See {Pig}, 4.
{Pig yoke} (Naut.), a nickname for a quadrant or sextant.
{A pig in a poke} (that is, bag), a blind bargain; something
bought or bargained for, without the quality or the value
being known. [Colloq.]
Pig \Pig\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Pigged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pigging}.]
1. To bring forth (pigs); to bring forth in the manner of
pigs; to farrow.
2. To huddle or lie together like pigs, in one bed.
Pigeon \Pi"geon\, n. [F., fr. L. pipio a young pipping or
chirping bird, fr. pipire to peep, chirp. Cf. {Peep} to
chirp.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any bird of the order Columb[ae], of which
numerous species occur in nearly all parts of the world.
Note: The common domestic pigeon, or dove, was derived from
the Old World rock pigeon ({Columba livia}). It has
given rise to numerous very remarkable varieties, such
as the carrier, fantail, nun, pouter, tumbler, etc. The
common wild pigeons of the Eastern United States are
the passenger pigeon, and the Carolina dove. See under
{Passenger}, and {Dove}. See, also, {Fruit pigeon},
{Ground pigeon}, {Queen pigeon}, {Stock pigeon}, under
{Fruit}, {Ground}, etc.
2. An unsuspected victim of sharpers; a gull. [Slang]
{Blue pigeon} (Zo["o]l.), an Australian passerine bird
({Graucalus melanops}); -- called also {black-faced crow}.
{Green pigeon} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of Old
World pigeons belonging to the family {Treronid[ae]}.
{Imperial pigeon} (Zo["o]l.), any one of the large Asiatic
fruit pigeons of the genus {Carpophada}.
{Pigeon berry} (Bot.), the purplish black fruit of the
pokeweed; also, the plant itself. See {Pokeweed}.
{Pigeon English} [perhaps a corruption of business English],
an extraordinary and grotesque dialect, employed in the
commercial cities of China, as the medium of communication
between foreign merchants and the Chinese. Its base is
English, with a mixture of Portuguese and Hindoostanee.
--Johnson's Cyc.
{Pigeon grass} (Bot.), a kind of foxtail grass ({Setaria
glauca}), of some value as fodder. The seeds are eagerly
eaten by pigeons and other birds.
{Pigeon hawk}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A small American falcon ({Falco columbarius}). The
adult male is dark slate-blue above, streaked with
black on the back; beneath, whitish or buff, streaked
with brown. The tail is banded.
(b) The American sharp-shinned hawk ({Accipiter velox, or
fuscus}).
{Pigeon hole}.
(a) A hole for pigeons to enter a pigeon house.
(b) See {Pigeonhole}.
(c) pl. An old English game, in which balls were rolled
through little arches. --Halliwell.
{Pigeon house}, a dovecote.
{Pigeon pea} (Bot.), the seed of {Cajanus Indicus}; a kind of
pulse used for food in the East and West Indies; also, the
plant itself.
{Pigeon plum} (Bot.), the edible drupes of two West African
species of {Chrysobalanus} ({C. ellipticus} and {C.
luteus}).
{Pigeon tremex}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Tremex}.
{Pigeon wood} (Bot.), a name in the West Indies for the wood
of several very different kinds of trees, species of
{Dipholis}, {Diospyros}, and {Coccoloba}.
{Pigeon woodpecker} (Zo["o]l.), the flicker.
{Prairie pigeon}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The upland plover.
(b) The golden plover. [Local, U.S.]
Pigeon \Pi"geon\, v. t.
To pluck; to fleece; to swindle by tricks in gambling.
[Slang] --Smart.
He's pigeoned and undone. --Observer.
Pigeon-breasted \Pi"geon-breast`ed\, a.
Having a breast like a pigeon, -- the sternum being so
prominent as to constitute a deformity; chicken-breasted.
Pigeonfoot \Pi"geon*foot`\, n. (Bot.)
The dove's-foot geranium ({Geranium molle}).
Pigeon-hearted \Pi"geon-heart`ed\, a.
Timid; easily frightened; chicken-hearted. --Beau. & Fl.
Pigeonhole \Pi"geon*hole`\, n.
A small compartment in a desk or case for the keeping of
letters, documents, etc.; -- so called from the resemblance
of a row of them to the compartments in a dovecote. --Burke.
Pigeonhole \Pi"geon*hole`\, v. t.
To place in the pigeonhole of a case or cabinet; hence, to
put away; to lay aside indefinitely; as, to pigeonhole a
letter or a report.
Pigeon-livered \Pi"geon-liv`ered\, a.
Pigeon-hearted.
Pigeonry \Pi"geon*ry\, n.
A place for pigeons; a dovecote.
Pigeontoed \Pi"geon*toed`\, a.
Having the toes turned in.
Pig-eyed \Pig"-eyed`\, a.
Having small, deep-set eyes.
Pigfish \Pig"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any one of several species of salt-water grunts; --
called also {hogfish}.
(b) A sculpin. The name is also applied locally to several
other fishes.
Pigfoot \Pig"foot`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A marine fish ({Scorp[ae]na porcus}), native of Europe. It is
reddish brown, mottled with dark brown and black.
Pigg \Pigg\, n.
A piggin. See 1st {Pig}. --Sir W. Scott.
Piggery \Pig"ger*y\, n.; pl. {Piggeries}.
A place where swine are kept.
Piggin \Pig"gin\, n. [Scot.; cf. Gael. pigean, dim. of pigeadh,
pige, an earthen jar, pitcher, or pot, Ir. pigin, pighead, W.
piccyn.]
A small wooden pail or tub with an upright stave for a
handle, -- often used as a dipper.
Piggish \Pig"gish\, a.
Relating to, or like, a pig; greedy.
Pig-headed \Pig"-head`ed\, a.
Having a head like a pig; hence, figuratively: stupidity
obstinate; perverse; stubborn. --B. Jonson. --
{Pig"-head`ed*ness}, n.
Pight \Pight\, imp. & p. p. of {Pitch}, to throw; -- used also
adjectively.
Pitched; fixed; determined. [Obs.]
[His horse] pight him on the pommel of his head.
--Chaucer.
I found him pight to do it. --Shak.
Pightel \Pigh"tel\, n. [Cf. {Pight}, {Picle}.]
A small inclosure. [Written also {pightle}.] [Obs. or Prov.
Eng.]
Pig-jawed \Pig"-jawed`\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having the upper jaw projecting beyond the lower, with the
upper incisors in advance of the lower; -- said of dogs.
Pigmean \Pig*me"an\, a.
See {Pygmean}.
Pigment \Pig"ment\, n. [L. pigmentum, fr. the root of pingere to
paint: cf. F. pigment. See {Paint}, and cf. {Pimento},
{Orpiment}.]
1. Any material from which a dye, a paint, or the like, may
be prepared; particularly, the refined and purified
coloring matter ready for mixing with an appropriate
vehicle.
2. (Physiol.) Any one of the colored substances found in
animal and vegetable tissues and fluids, as bilirubin,
urobilin, chlorophyll, etc.
3. Wine flavored with species and honey. --Sir W. Scott.
{Pigment cell} (Physiol.), a small cell containing coloring
matter, as the pigmented epithelial cells of the choroid
and iris, or the pigmented connective tissue cells in the
skin of fishes, reptiles, etc.
Pigmental \Pig*men"tal\, Pigmentary \Pig"men*ta*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to pigments; furnished with pigments.
--Dunglison.
{Pigmentary degeneration} (Med.), a morbid condition in which
an undue amount of pigment is deposited in the tissues.
Pigmentation \Pig`men*ta"tion\, n. (Physiol.)
A deposition, esp. an excessive deposition, of coloring
matter; as, pigmentation of the liver.
Pigmented \Pig"ment*ed\, a.
Colored; specifically (Biol.), filled or imbued with pigment;
as, pigmented epithelial cells; pigmented granules.
Pigmentous \Pig*men"tous\, a.
Pigmental.
Pigmy \Pig"my\, n.
See {Pygmy}.
{Pigmy falcon}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Falconet}, 2
(a) .
Pignerate \Pig"ner*ate\, v. t. [L. pigneratus, p. p. of
pignerate to pledge.]
1. To pledge or pawn. [Obs.]
2. to receive in pawn, as a pawnbroker does. [Obs.]
Pignoration \Pig`no*ra"tion\, n. [LL. pignoratio, L. pigneratio,
fr. pignerate to pledge, fr. pignus, gen. -ous and -eris, a
pledge, a pawn: cf. F. pignoration.]
1. The act of pledging or pawning.
2. (Civil Law) The taking of cattle doing damage, by way of
pledge, till satisfaction is made. --Burrill.
Pignorative \Pig"no*ra*tive\, a. [Cf. F. pignoratif.]
Pledging, pawning. [R.]
Pignus \Pig"nus\, n.; pl. {Pignora}. [L.] (Rom. Law)
A pledge or pawn.
Pignut \Pig"nut\, n. (Bot.)
(a) See {Groundnut}
(d) .
(b) The bitter-flavored nut of a species of hickory ({Carya
glabra, or porcina}); also, the tree itself.
Pigpen \Pig"pen`\, n.
A pen, or sty, for pigs.
Pigskin \Pig"skin`\, n.
The skin of a pig, -- used chiefly for making saddles; hence,
a colloquial or slang term for a saddle.
Pigsney \Pigs"ney\, n. [Perh. a dim. of Dan. pige a girl, or Sw.
piga; or from E. pig's eye.]
A word of endearment for a girl or woman. [Obs.] [Written
also {pigsnie}, {pigsny}, etc.] --Chaucer.
Pig-sticking \Pig"-stick`ing\, n.
Boar hunting; -- so called by Anglo-Indians. [Colloq.]
--Tackeray.
Pigsty \Pig"sty`\, n.; pl. {Pigsties}.
A pigpen.
Pigtail \Pig"tail`\, n.
1. The tail of a pig.
2. (Hair Dressing) A cue, or queue. --J. & H. Smith.
3. A kind of twisted chewing tobacco.
The tobacco he usually cheweth, called pigtail.
--Swift.
Pigtailed \Pig"tailed`\, a.
Having a tail like a pig's; as, the pigtailed baboon.
Pigweed \Pig"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
A name of several annual weeds. See {Goosefoot}, and
{Lamb's-quarters}.
Pigwidgeon \Pig"wid`geon\, n. [Written also pigwidgin and
pigwiggen.]
A cant word for anything petty or small. It is used by
Drayton as the name of a fairy.
Pika \Pi"ka\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of rodents of the genus {Lagomys},
resembling small tailless rabbits. They inhabit the high
mountains of Asia and America. Called also {calling hare},
and {crying hare}. See {Chief hare}.
Pilentum \Pi*len"tum\, n.; pl. {Pilenta}. [L.] (Rom. Antiq.)
An easy chariot or carriage, used by Roman ladies, and in
which the vessels, etc., for sacred rites were carried.
Pileorhiza \Pi`le*o*rhi"za\, n.; pl. {Pilorhiz[ae]}. [NL., fr.
Gr. ? a cap + ? root.] (Bot.)
A cap of cells which covers the growing extremity of a root;
a rootcap.
Pileous \Pi"le*ous\, a. [See {Pilous}.]
Consisting of, or covered with, hair; hairy; pilose.
Piler \Pil"er\, n.
One who places things in a pile.
Piles \Piles\, n. pl. [L. pila a ball. Cf. {Pill} a medicine.]
(Med.)
The small, troublesome tumors or swellings about the anus and
lower part of the rectum which are technically called
{hemorrhoids}. See {Hemorrhoids}.
Note: [The singular {pile} is sometimes used.]
{Blind piles}, hemorrhoids which do not bleed.
Pileus \Pi"le*us\, n.; pl. {Pilei}. [L., a felt cap.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) A kind of skull cap of felt.
2. (Bot.) The expanded upper portion of many of the fungi.
See {Mushroom}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) The top of the head of a bird, from the bill to
the nape.
Pileworm \Pile"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The teredo.
Pile-worn \Pile"-worn`\, a.
Having the pile worn off; threadbare.
Pilewort \Pile"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
A plant ({Ranunculus Ficaria} of Linn[ae]us) whose tuberous
roots have been used in poultices as a specific for the
piles. --Forsyth.
Pilfer \Pil"fer\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pilfered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pilfering}.] [OF. pelfrer. See {Pelf}.]
To steal in small quantities, or articles of small value; to
practice petty theft.
Pilfer \Pil"fer\, v. t.
To take by petty theft; to filch; to steal little by little.
And not a year but pilfers as he goes Some youthful
grace that age would gladly keep. --Cowper.
Pilferer \Pil"fer*er\, n.
One who pilfers; a petty thief.
Pilfering \Pil"fer*ing\, a.
Thieving in a small way. --Shak. -- n. Petty theft. --
{Pil"fer*ing*ly}, adv.
Pilfery \Pil"fer*y\, n.
Petty theft. [R.] --Sir T. North.
Pilgarlic \Pil*gar"lic\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
One who has lost his hair by disease; a sneaking fellow, or
one who is hardly used.
Pilgrim \Pil"grim\, n. [OE. pilgrim, pelgrim, pilegrim,
pelegrim; cf. D. pelgrim, OHG. piligr[=i]m, G. pilger, F.
p[`e]lerin, It. pellegrino; all fr. L. peregrinus a
foreigner, fr. pereger abroad; per through + ager land,
field. See {Per-}, and {Acre}, and cf. {Pelerine},
{Peregrine}.]
1. A wayfarer; a wanderer; a traveler; a stranger.
Strangers and pilgrims on the earth. --Heb. xi. 13.
2. One who travels far, or in strange lands, to visit some
holy place or shrine as a devotee; as, a pilgrim to
Loretto; Canterbury pilgrims. See {Palmer}. --P. Plowman.
Pilgrim \Pil"grim\, a.
Of or pertaining to a pilgrim, or pilgrims; making
pilgrimages. ``With pilgrim steps.'' --Milton.
{Pilgrim fathers}, a name popularly given to the one hundred
and two English colonists who landed from the Mayflower
and made the first settlement in New England at Plymouth
in 1620. They were separatists from the Church of England,
and most of them had sojourned in Holland.
Pilgrim \Pil"grim\, v. i.
To journey; to wander; to ramble. [R.] --Grew. Carlyle.
Pilgrimage \Pil"grim*age\, n. [OE. pilgrimage, pelgrinage; cf.
F. p[`e]lerinage.]
1. The journey of a pilgrim; a long journey; especially, a
journey to a shrine or other sacred place. Fig., the
journey of human life. --Shak.
The days of the years of my pilgrimage. --Gen.
xlvii. 9.
2. A tedious and wearisome time.
In prison hast thou spent a pilgrimage. --Shak.
Syn: Journey; tour; excursion. See {Journey}.
Pilgrimize \Pil"grim*ize\, v. i.
To wander as a pilgrim; to go on a pilgrimage. [Obs.] --B.
Jonson.
Pilidium \Pi*lid"i*um\, n.; pl. {Pildia}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, dim.
of ? a cap.] (Zo["o]l.)
The free-swimming, hat-shaped larva of certain nemertean
worms. It has no resemblance to its parent, and the young
worm develops in its interior.
Pilifera \Pi*lif"e*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See {Piliferous}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Mammalia}.
Piliferous \Pi*lif"er*ous\, a. [L. pilus hair + -ferous: cf. F.
pilif[`e]re.]
1. Bearing a single slender bristle, or hair.
2. Beset with hairs.
Piliform \Pil"i*form\, a. [L. pilus hair + -form.] (Bot.)
Resembling hairs or down.
Piligerous \Pi*lig"er*ous\, a. [L. pilus hair + -gerous: cf. F.
pilig[`e]re.]
Bearing hair; covered with hair or down; piliferous.
Piling \Pil"ing\, n. [See {Pile} a heap.]
1. The act of heaping up.
2. (Iron Manuf.) The process of building up, heating, and
working, fagots, or piles, to form bars, etc.
Piling \Pil"ing\, n. [See {Pile} a stake.]
A series of piles; piles considered collectively; as, the
piling of a bridge.
{Pug piling}, sheet piles connected together at the edges by
dovetailed tongues and grooves.
{Sheet piling}, a series of piles made of planks or half logs
driven edge to edge, -- used to form the walls of
cofferdams, etc.
Pill \Pill\, n. [Cf. {Peel} skin, or {Pillion}.]
The peel or skin. [Obs.] ``Some be covered over with crusts,
or hard pills, as the locusts.'' --Holland.
Pill \Pill\, v. i.
To be peeled; to peel off in flakes.
Pill \Pill\, v. t. [Cf. L. pilare to deprive of hair, and E.
pill, n. (above).]
1. To deprive of hair; to make bald. [Obs.]
2. To peel; to make by removing the skin.
[Jacob] pilled white streaks . . . in the rods.
--Gen. xxx.
37.
Pill \Pill\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Pilled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pilling}.] [F. piller, L. pilare; cf. It. pigliare to take.
Cf. {Peel} to plunder.]
To rob; to plunder; to pillage; to peel. See {Peel}, to
plunder. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Pillers and robbers were come in to the field to pill
and to rob. --Sir T.
Malroy.
Pill \Pill\, n. [F. pilute, L. pilula a pill, little ball, dim.
of L. pila a ball. Cf. {Piles}.]
1. A medicine in the form of a little ball, or small round
mass, to be swallowed whole.
2. Figuratively, something offensive or nauseous which must
be accepted or endured.
--Udall.
{Pill beetle} (Zo["o]l.), any small beetle of the genus
{Byrrhus}, having a rounded body, with the head concealed
beneath the thorax.
{Pill bug} (Zo["o]l.), any terrestrial isopod of the genus
{Armadillo}, having the habit of rolling itself into a
ball when disturbed. Called also {pill wood louse}.
Pillage \Pil"lage\, n. [F., fr. piller to plunder. See {Pill} to
plunder.]
1. The act of pillaging; robbery. --Shak.
2. That which is taken from another or others by open force,
particularly and chiefly from enemies in war; plunder;
spoil; booty.
Which pillage they with merry march bring home.
--Shak.
Syn: Plunder; rapine; spoil; depredation.
Usage: {Pillage}, {Plunder}. Pillage refers particularly to
the act of stripping the sufferers of their goods,
while plunder refers to the removal of the things thus
taken; but the words are freely interchanged.
Pillage \Pil"lage\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pillaged}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pillaging}.]
To strip of money or goods by open violence; to plunder; to
spoil; to lay waste; as, to pillage the camp of an enemy.
Mummius . . . took, pillaged, and burnt their city.
--Arbuthnot.
Pillage \Pil"lage\, v. i.
To take spoil; to plunder; to ravage.
They were suffered to pillage wherever they went.
--Macaulay.
Pillager \Pil"la*ger\, n.
One who pillages. --Pope.
Pillar \Pil"lar\, n. [OE. pilerF. pilier, LL. pilare, pilarium,
pilarius, fr. L. pila a pillar. See {Pile} a heap.]
1. The general and popular term for a firm, upright,
insulated support for a superstructure; a pier, column, or
post; also, a column or shaft not supporting a
superstructure, as one erected for a monument or an
ornament.
Jacob set a pillar upon her grave. --Gen. xxxv.
20.
The place . . . vast and proud, Supported by a
hundred pillars stood. --Dryden.
2. Figuratively, that which resembles such a pillar in
appearance, character, or office; a supporter or mainstay;
as, the Pillars of Hercules; a pillar of the state. ``You
are a well-deserving pillar.'' --Shak.
By day a cloud, by night a pillar of fire. --Milton.
3. (R. C. Ch.) A portable ornamental column, formerly carried
before a cardinal, as emblematic of his support to the
church. [Obs.] --Skelton.
4. (Man.) The center of the volta, ring, or manege ground,
around which a horse turns.
{From pillar to post}, hither and thither; to and fro; from
one place or predicament to another; backward and forward.
[Colloq.]
{Pillar saint}. See {Stylite}.
{Pillars of the fauces}. See {Fauces}, 1.
Pillar \Pil"lar\, a. (Mach.)
Having a support in the form of a pillar, instead of legs;
as, a pillar drill.
Pillar-block \Pil"lar-block`\, n.
See under {Pillow}.
Pillared \Pil"lared\, a.
Supported or ornamented by pillars; resembling a pillar, or
pillars. ``The pillared arches.'' --Sir W. Scott. ``Pillared
flame.'' --Thomson.
Pillaret \Pil"lar*et\, n.
A little pillar. [R.] --Fuller.
Pillarist \Pil"lar*ist\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
See {Stylite}.
Pillau \Pil*lau"\, n. [Per. & Turk. pilau.]
An Oriental dish consisting of rice boiled with mutton, fat,
or butter. [Written also {pilau}.]
Pilled \Pilled\, a. [See 3rd {Pill}.]
Stripped of hair; scant of hair; bald. [Obs.] ``Pilled
beard.'' --Chaucer.
Pilled-garlic \Pilled"-gar"lic\, n.
See {Pilgarlic}.
Piller \Pill"er\, n.
One who pills or plunders. [Obs.]
Pillery \Pill"er*y\, n.; pl. {Pilleries}.
Plunder; pillage. [Obs.] --Daniel.
Pillion \Pil"lion\, n. [Ir. pillin, pilliun (akin to Gael.
pillean, pillin), fr. Ir. & Gael. pill, peall, a skin or
hide, prob. fr. L. pellis. See {Pell}, n., {Fell} skin.]
A panel or cushion saddle; the under pad or cushion of
saddle; esp., a pad or cushion put on behind a man's saddle,
on which a woman may ride.
His [a soldier's] shank pillion without stirrups.
--Spenser.
Pillorize \Pil"lo*rize\, v. t.
To set in, or punish with, the pillory; to pillory. [R.]
Pillory \Pil"lo*ry\, n.; pl. {Pillories}. [F. pilori; cf. Pr.
espitlori, LL. piloricum, pilloricum, pellericum, pellorium,
pilorium, spilorium; perhaps from a derivative of L.
speculari to look around, observe. Cf. {Speculate}.]
A frame of adjustable boards erected on a post, and having
holes through which the head and hands of an offender were
thrust so as to be exposed in front of it. --Shak.
Pillory \Pil"lo*ry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pilloried}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Pillorying}.] [Cf. F. pilorier.]
1. To set in, or punish with, the pillory. ``Hungering for
Puritans to pillory.'' --Macaulay.
2. Figuratively, to expose to public scorn. --Gladstone.
Pillow \Pil"low\, n. [OE. pilwe, AS. pyle, fr. L. pilvinus.]
1. Anything used to support the head of a person when
reposing; especially, a sack or case filled with feathers,
down, hair, or other soft material.
[Resty sloth] finds the down pillow hard. --Shak.
2. (Mach.) A piece of metal or wood, forming a support to
equalize pressure; a brass; a pillow block. [R.]
3. (Naut.) A block under the inner end of a bowsprit.
4. A kind of plain, coarse fustian.
{Lace pillow}, a cushion used in making hand-wrought lace.
{Pillow bier} [OE. pilwebere; cf. LG. b["u]re a pillowcase],
a pillowcase; pillow slip. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Pillow block} (Mach.), a block, or standard, for supporting
a journal, as of a shaft. It is usually bolted to the
frame or foundation of a machine, and is often furnished
with journal boxes, and a movable cover, or cap, for
tightening the bearings by means of bolts; -- called also
{pillar block}, or {plumber block}.
{Pillow lace}, handmade lace wrought with bobbins upon a lace
pillow.
{Pillow of a plow}, a crosspiece of wood which serves to
raise or lower the beam.
{Pillow sham}, an ornamental covering laid over a pillow when
not in use.
{Pillow slip}, a pillowcase.
Pillow \Pil"low\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pillowed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pillowing}.]
To rest or lay upon, or as upon, a pillow; to support; as, to
pillow the head.
Pillows his chin upon an orient wave. --Milton.
Pillowcase \Pil"low*case`\, n.
A removable case or covering for a pillow, usually of white
linen or cotton cloth.
Pillowed \Pil"lowed\, a.
Provided with a pillow or pillows; having the head resting
on, or as on, a pillow.
Pillowedon buckler cold and hard. --Sir W.
Scott.
Pillowy \Pil"low*y\, a.
Like a pillow. --Keats.
Pill-willet \Pill"-wil`let\, n. [So named from its note.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The willet.
Pillworm \Pill"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any myriapod of the genus {Iulus} and allied genera which
rolls up spirally; a galleyworm. See Illust. under
{Myriapod}.
Pillwort \Pill"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
Any plant of the genus {Pilularia}; minute aquatic
cryptograms, with small pill-shaped fruit; -- sometimes
called {peppergrass}.
Pilocarpine \Pi`lo*car"pine\, n. [From NL. {Pilocarpus
pennatifolius} jaborandi; L. pilus hair + Gr. karpo`s fruit:
cf. F. pilocarpine.] (Chem.)
An alkaloid extracted from jaborandi ({Pilocarpus
pennatifolius}) as a white amorphous or crystalline substance
which has a peculiar effect on the vasomotor system.
Pilose \Pi*lose"\, a. [L. pilosus, fr. pilus hair. See {Pile}.]
1. Hairy; full of, or made of, hair.
The heat-retaining property of the pilose covering.
--Owen.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Clothed thickly with pile or soft down.
3. (Bot.) Covered with long, slender hairs; resembling long
hairs; hairy; as, pilose pubescence.
Pilosity \Pi*los"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. pilosit['e].]
The quality or state of being pilose; hairiness. --Bacon.
Pilot \Pi"lot\, n. [F. pilote, prob. from D. peillood plummet,
sounding lead; peilen, pegelen, to sound, measure (fr. D. &
G. peil, pegel, a sort of measure, water mark) + lood lead,
akin to E. lead. The pilot, then, is the lead man, i. e., he
who throws the lead. See {Pail}, and {Lead} a metal.]
1. (Naut.) One employed to steer a vessel; a helmsman; a
steersman. --Dryden.
2. Specifically, a person duly qualified, and licensed by
authority, to conduct vessels into and out of a port, or
in certain waters, for a fixed rate of fees.
3. Figuratively: A guide; a director of another through a
difficult or unknown course.
4. An instrument for detecting the compass error.
5. The cowcatcher of a locomotive. [U.S.]
{Pilot balloon}, a small balloon sent up in advance of a
large one, to show the direction and force of the wind.
{Pilot bird}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A bird found near the Caribbee Islands; -- so called
because its presence indicates to mariners their
approach to these islands. --Crabb.
(b) The black-bellied plover. [Local, U.S.]
{Pilot boat}, a strong, fast-sailing boat used to carry and
receive pilots as they board and leave vessels.
{Pilot bread}, ship biscuit.
{Pilot cloth}, a coarse, stout kind of cloth for overcoats.
{Pilot engine}, a locomotive going in advance of a train to
make sure that the way is clear.
{Pilot fish}. (Zo["o]l)
(a) A pelagic carangoid fish ({Naucrates ductor}); -- so
named because it is often seen in company with a
shark, swimming near a ship, on account of which
sailors imagine that it acts as a pilot to the shark.
(b) The rudder fish ({Seriola zonata}).
{Pilot jack}, a flag or signal hoisted by a vessel for a
pilot.
{Pilot jacket}, a pea jacket.
{Pilot nut} (Bridge Building), a conical nut applied
temporarily to the threaded end of a pin, to protect the
thread and guide the pin when it is driven into a hole.
--Waddell.
{Pilot snake} (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A large North American snake ({Coluber obsoleus}). It
is lustrous black, with white edges to some of the
scales. Called also {mountain black snake}.
(b) The pine snake.
{Pilot whale}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Blackfish}, 1.
Pilot \Pi"lot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Piloted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Piloting}.] [Cf. F. piloter.]
1. To direct the course of, as of a ship, where navigation is
dangerous.
2. Figuratively: To guide, as through dangers or
difficulties. ``The art of piloting a state.'' --Berkeley.
Pilotage \Pi"lot*age\, n. [Cf. F. pilotage.]
1. The pilot's skill or knowledge, as of coasts, rocks, bars,
and channels. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh.
2. The compensation made or allowed to a pilot.
3. Guidance, as by a pilot. --Sir W. Scott.
Pilotism \Pi"lot*ism\, Pilotry \Pi"lot*ry\, n.
Pilotage; skill in the duties of a pilot. [R.]
Pilour \Pil"our\, n.
A piller; a plunderer. [Obs.]
Pilous \Pil"ous\, a.
See {Pilose}.
Pilser \Pil"ser\, n.
An insect that flies into a flame.
Pilular \Pil"u*lar\, a.
Of or pertaining to pills; resembling a pill or pills; as, a
pilular mass.
Pilulous \Pil"u*lous\, a. [L. pilula a pill. See {Pill}.]
Like a pill; small; insignificant. [R.] --G. Eliot.
Pilwe \Pil"we\, n.
A pillow. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pily \Pi"ly\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Like pile or wool.
Pimaric \Pi*mar"ic\, a. [NL. pinum maritima, an old name for {P.
Pinaster}, a pine which yields galipot.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid found in galipot, and
isomeric with abietic acid.
Pimelic \Pi*mel"ic\, a. [Gr. ? fat.] (Chem.)
(a) Pertaining to, or designating, a substance obtained from
certain fatty substances, and subsequently shown to be a
mixture of suberic and adipic acids.
(b) Designating the acid proper ({C5H10(CO2/H)2}) which is
obtained from camphoric acid.
Pimelite \Pim"e*lite\, n. [Gr. ? fat.] (Min.)
An apple-green mineral having a greasy feel. It is a hydrous
silicate of nickel, magnesia, aluminia, and iron.
Piment \Pi"ment\, n. [F. See {Pimento}.]
Wine flavored with spice or honey. See {Pigment}, 3. [Obs.]
Pimenta \Pi*men"ta\, n. (Bot.)
Same as {Pimento}.
Pimento \Pi*men"to\, n. [Sp. pimiento, pimienta; cf. Pg.
pimenta, F. piment; all fr. L. pigmentum a paint, pigment,
the juice of plants; hence, something spicy and aromatic. See
{Pigment}.] (Bot.)
Allspice; -- applied both to the tree and its fruit. See
{Allspice}.
Pimlico \Pim"li*co\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The friar bird.
Pimp \Pimp\ (p[i^]mp), n. [Cf. F. pimpant smart, sparkish; perh.
akin to piper to pipe, formerly also, to excel. Cf. {Pipe}.]
One who provides gratification for the lust of others; a
procurer; a pander. --Swift.
Pimp \Pimp\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pimped} (p[i^]mt; 215); p. pr.
& vb. n. {Pimping}.]
To procure women for the gratification of others' lusts; to
pander. --Dryden.
Pimpernel \Pim"per*nel\, n. [F. pimprenelle; cf. Sp. pimpinela,
It. pimpinella; perh. from LL. bipinnella, for bipinnula
two-winged, equiv. to L. bipennis; bis twice + penna feather,
wing. Cf. {Pen} a feather.] (Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Anagallis}, of which one species ({A.
arvensis}) has small flowers, usually scarlet, but sometimes
purple, blue, or white, which speedily close at the approach
of bad weather.
{Water pimpernel}. (Bot.) See {Brookweed}.
Pimpillo \Pim"pil*lo\, n. (Bot.)
A West Indian name for the prickly pear ({Opuntia}); --
called also {pimploes}.
Pimpinel \Pim"pi*nel\, n. [See {Pimpernel}.] (Bot.)
The burnet saxifrage. See under {Saxifrage}.
Pimping \Pimp"ing\, a. [Cf. G. pimpelig, pimpelnd, sickly,
weak.]
1. Little; petty; pitiful. [Obs.] --Crabbe.
2. Puny; sickly. [Local, U.S.]
Pimple \Pim"ple\, n. [AS. p[=i]pelian to blister; cf. L. papula
pimple.]
1. (Med.) Any small acuminated elevation of the cuticle,
whether going on to suppuration or not. ``All eyes can see
a pimple on her nose.'' --Pope.
2. Fig.: A swelling or protuberance like a pimple. ``A pimple
that portends a future sprout.'' --Cowper.
Pimpled \Pim"pled\, a.
Having pimples. --Johnson.
Pimply \Pim"ply\, a.
Pimpled.
Pimpship \Pimp"ship\, n.
The office, occupation, or persom of a pimp. [R.]
Pin \Pin\, v. t. (Metal Working)
To peen.
Pin \Pin\, v. t. [Cf. {Pen} to confine, or {Pinfold}.]
To inclose; to confine; to pen; to pound.
Pin \Pin\, n. [OE. pinne, AS. pinn a pin, peg; cf. D. pin, G.
pinne, Icel. pinni, W. pin, Gael. & Ir. pinne; all fr. L.
pinna a pinnacle, pin, feather, perhaps orig. a different
word from pinna feather. Cf. {Fin} of a fish, {Pen} a
feather.]
1. A piece of wood, metal, etc., generally cylindrical, used
for fastening separate articles together, or as a support
by which one article may be suspended from another; a peg;
a bolt.
With pins of adamant And chains they made all fast.
--Milton.
2. Especially, a small, pointed and headed piece of brass or
other wire (commonly tinned), largely used for fastening
clothes, attaching papers, etc.
3. Hence, a thing of small value; a trifle.
He . . . did not care a pin for her. --Spectator.
4. That which resembles a pin in its form or use; as:
(a) A peg in musical instruments, for increasing or
relaxing the tension of the strings.
(b) A linchpin.
(c) A rolling-pin.
(d) A clothespin.
(e) (Mach.) A short shaft, sometimes forming a bolt, a
part of which serves as a journal. See Illust. of
{Knuckle joint}, under {Knuckle}.
(f) (Joinery) The tenon of a dovetail joint.
5. One of a row of pegs in the side of an ancient drinking
cup to mark how much each man should drink.
6. The bull's eye, or center, of a target; hence, the center.
[Obs.] ``The very pin of his heart cleft.'' --Shak.
7. Mood; humor. [Obs.] ``In merry pin.'' --Cowper.
8. (Med.) Caligo. See {Caligo}. --Shak.
9. An ornament, as a brooch or badge, fastened to the
clothing by a pin; as, a Masonic pin.
10. The leg; as, to knock one off his pins. [Slang]
{Banking pin} (Horol.), a pin against which a lever strikes,
to limit its motion.
{Pin drill} (Mech.), a drill with a central pin or projection
to enter a hole, for enlarging the hole, or for sinking a
recess for the head of a bolt, etc.; a counterbore.
{Pin grass}. (Bot.) See {Alfilaria}.
{Pin hole}, a small hole made by a pin; hence, any very small
aperture or perforation.
{Pin lock}, a lock having a cylindrical bolt; a lock in which
pins, arranged by the key, are used instead of tumblers.
{Pin money}, an allowance of money, as that made by a husband
to his wife, for private and personal expenditure.
{Pin rail} (Naut.), a rail, usually within the bulwarks, to
hold belaying pins. Sometimes applied to the {fife rail}.
Called also {pin rack}.
{Pin wheel}.
(a) A contrate wheel in which the cogs are cylindrical
pins.
(b) (Fireworks) A small coil which revolves on a common
pin and makes a wheel of yellow or colored fire.
Pin \Pin\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pinned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pinning}.] [See {Pin}, n.]
To fasten with, or as with, a pin; to join; as, to pin a
garment; to pin boards together. ``As if she would pin her to
her heart.'' --Shak.
{To pin one's faith upon}, to depend upon; to trust to.
Pina cloth \Pi"[~n]a cloth`\
A fine material for ladies' shawls, scarfs, handkerchiefs,
etc., made from the fiber of the pineapple leaf, and perhaps
from other fibrous tropical leaves. It is delicate, soft, and
transparent, with a slight tinge of pale yellow.
Pinacoid \Pin"a*coid\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, a tablet + -oid.]
(Crystallog.)
A plane parallel to two of the crystalline axes.
Pinacolin \Pi*nac"o*lin\, n. [Pinacone + L. oleum oil.] (Chem.)
A colorless oily liquid related to the ketones, and obtained
by the decomposition of pinacone; hence, by extension, any
one of the series of which pinacolin proper is the type.
[Written also {pinacoline}.]
Pinacone \Pin"a*cone\, n. [From Gr. ?, ?, a tablet. So called
because it unites with water so as to form tablet-shaped
crystals.] (Chem.)
A white crystalline substance related to the glycols, and
made from acetone; hence, by extension, any one of a series
of substances of which pinacone proper is the type. [Written
also {pinakone}.]
Pinacotheca \Pin`a*co*the"ca\, n. [L. pinacotheca, fr. Gr. ?; ?,
?, a picture + ? repisitory.]
A picture gallery.
Pinafore \Pin"a*fore`\, n. [Pin + afore.]
An apron for a child to protect the front part of dress; a
tier.
Pinakothek \Pin"a*ko*thek`\, n. [G.]
Pinacotheca.
Pinaster \Pi*nas"ter\, n. [L., fr. pinus a pine.] (Bot.)
A species of pine ({Pinus Pinaster}) growing in Southern
Europe.
Pinax \Pi"nax\, n.; pl. {Pinaces}. [L., fr. Gr. ? tablet.]
A tablet; a register; hence, a list or scheme inscribed on a
tablet. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Pince-nez \Pince`-nez"\, n. [F. pincer to pinch + nez nose.]
Eyeglasses kept on the nose by a spring.
Pincers \Pin"cers\, n. pl. [Cf. F. pince pinchers, fr. pincer to
pinch. See {Pinch}, {Pinchers}.]
See {Pinchers}.
Pinch \Pinch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pinched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pinching}.] [F. pincer, probably fr. OD. pitsen to pinch;
akin to G. pfetzen to cut, pinch; perhaps of Celtic origin.
Cf. {Piece}.]
1. To press hard or squeeze between the ends of the fingers,
between teeth or claws, or between the jaws of an
instrument; to squeeze or compress, as between any two
hard bodies.
2. o seize; to grip; to bite; -- said of animals. [Obs.]
He [the hound] pinched and pulled her down.
--Chapman.
3. To plait. [Obs.]
Full seemly her wimple ipinched was. --Chaucer.
4. Figuratively: To cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to
starve; to distress; as, to be pinched for money.
Want of room . . . pinching a whole nation. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
5. To move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a
pinch. See {Pinch}, n., 4.
Pinch \Pinch\, v. i.
1. To act with pressing force; to compress; to squeeze; as,
the shoe pinches.
2. (Hunt.) To take hold; to grip, as a dog does. [Obs.]
3. To spare; to be niggardly; to be covetous. --Gower.
The wretch whom avarice bids to pinch and spare.
--Franklin.
{To pinch at}, to find fault with; to take exception to.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pinch \Pinch\, n.
1. A close compression, as with the ends of the fingers, or
with an instrument; a nip.
2. As much as may be taken between the finger and thumb; any
very small quantity; as, a pinch of snuff.
3. Pian; pang. ``Necessary's sharp pinch.'' --Shak.
4. A lever having a projection at one end, acting as a
fulcrum, -- used chiefly to roll heavy wheels, etc. Called
also {pinch bar}.
{At a pinch}, {On a pinch}, in an emergency; as, he could on
a pinch read a little Latin.
Pinchbeck \Pinch"beck\, n. [Said to be from the name of the
inventor; cf. It. prencisbecco.]
An alloy of copper and zinc, resembling gold; a yellow metal,
composed of about three ounces of zinc to a pound of copper.
It is much used as an imitation of gold in the manufacture of
cheap jewelry.
Pinchbeck \Pinch"beck\, a.
Made of pinchbeck; sham; cheap; spurious; unreal. ``A
pinchbeck throne.'' --J. A. Symonds.
Pinchcock \Pinch"cock`\, n.
A clamp on a flexible pipe to regulate the flow of a fluid
through the pipe.
Pinchem \Pin"chem\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The European blue titmouse. [Prov. Eng.]
Pincher \Pinch"er\, n.
One who, or that which, pinches.
Pinchers \Pinch"ers\, n. pl. [From {Pinch}.]
An instrument having two handles and two grasping jaws
working on a pivot; -- used for griping things to be held
fast, drawing nails, etc.
Note: This spelling is preferable to pincers, both on account
of its derivation from the English pinch, and because
it represents the common pronunciation.
Pinchfist \Pinch"fist`\, n.
A closefisted person; a miser.
Pinching \Pinch"ing\, a.
Compressing; nipping; griping; niggardly; as, pinching cold;
a pinching parsimony.
{Pinching bar}, a pinch bar. See {Pinch}, n., 4.
{Pinching nut}, a check nut. See under {Check}, n.
Pinchingly \Pinch"ing*ly\, adv.
In a pinching way.
Pinchpenny \Pinch"pen`ny\, n.
A miserly person.
Pincoffin \Pin"coff*in\, n. [From Pincoff, an English
manufacturer.]
A commercial preparation of garancin, yielding fine violet
tints.
Pincpinc \Pinc"pinc`\, n. [Named from its note.] (Zo["o]l.)
An African wren warbler. ({Drymoica textrix}).
Pincushion \Pin"cush`ion\, n.
A small cushion, in which pins may be stuck for use.
Pindal \Pin"dal\, Pindar \Pin"dar\, n. [D. piendel.] (Bot.)
The peanut ({Arachis hypog[ae]a}); -- so called in the West
Indies.
Pindaric \Pin*dar"ic\, a. [L. Pindaricus, Gr. ?, fr. ? (L.
Pindarus) Pindar: cf. F. pindarique.]
Of or pertaining to Pindar, the Greek lyric poet; after the
style and manner of Pindar; as, Pindaric odes. -- n. A
Pindaric ode.
Pindarical \Pin*dar"ic*al\, a.
Pindaric.
Too extravagant and Pindarical for prose. --Cowley.
Pindarism \Pin"dar*ism\, n.
Imitation of Pindar.
Pindarist \Pin"dar*ist\, n.
One who imitates Pindar.
Pinder \Pin"der\, n. [AS. pyndan to pen up, fr. pund a pound.]
One who impounds; a poundkeeper. [Obs.]
Pine \Pine\, n. [AS. p[=i]n, L. poena penalty. See {Pain}.]
Woe; torment; pain. [Obs.] ``Pyne of hell.'' --Chaucer.
Pine \Pine\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pined}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pining}.] [AS. p[=i]nan to torment, fr. p[=i]n torment. See
1st {Pine}, {Pain}, n. & v.]
1. To inflict pain upon; to torment; to torture; to afflict.
[Obs.] --Chaucer. Shak.
That people that pyned him to death. --Piers
Plowman.
One is pined in prison, another tortured on the
rack. --Bp. Hall.
2. To grieve or mourn for. [R.] --Milton.
Pine \Pine\, v. i.
1. To suffer; to be afflicted. [Obs.]
2. To languish; to lose flesh or wear away, under any
distress or anexiety of mind; to droop; -- often used with
away. ``The roses wither and the lilies pine.'' --Tickell.
3. To languish with desire; to waste away with longing for
something; -- usually followed by for.
For whom, and not for Tybalt, Juliet pined. --Shak.
Syn: To languish; droop; flag; wither; decay.
Pine \Pine\, n. [AS. p[=i]n, L. pinus.]
1. (Bot.) Any tree of the coniferous genus {Pinus}. See
{Pinus}.
Note: There are about twenty-eight species in the United
States, of which the {white pine} ({P. Strobus}), the
{Georgia pine} ({P. australis}), the {red pine} ({P.
resinosa}), and the great West Coast {sugar pine} ({P.
Lambertiana}) are among the most valuable. The {Scotch
pine} or {fir}, also called {Norway} or {Riga pine}
({Pinus sylvestris}), is the only British species. The
{nut pine} is any pine tree, or species of pine, which
bears large edible seeds. See {Pinon}. The spruces,
firs, larches, and true cedars, though formerly
considered pines, are now commonly assigned to other
genera.
2. The wood of the pine tree.
3. A pineapple.
{Ground pine}. (Bot.) See under {Ground}.
{Norfolk Island pine} (Bot.), a beautiful coniferous tree,
the {Araucaria excelsa}.
{Pine barren}, a tract of infertile land which is covered
with pines. [Southern U.S.]
{Pine borer} (Zo["o]l.), any beetle whose larv[ae] bore into
pine trees.
{Pine finch}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Pinefinch}, in the Vocabulary.
{Pine grosbeak} (Zo["o]l.), a large grosbeak ({Pinicola
enucleator}), which inhabits the northern parts of both
hemispheres. The adult male is more or less tinged with
red.
{Pine lizard} (Zo["o]l.), a small, very active, mottled gray
lizard ({Sceloporus undulatus}), native of the Middle
States; -- called also {swift}, {brown scorpion}, and
{alligator}.
{Pine marten}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A European weasel ({Mustela martes}), called also
{sweet marten}, and {yellow-breasted marten}.
(b) The American sable. See {Sable}.
{Pine moth} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of small
tortricid moths of the genus {Retinia}, whose larv[ae]
burrow in the ends of the branchlets of pine trees, often
doing great damage.
{Pine mouse} (Zo["o]l.), an American wild mouse ({Arvicola
pinetorum}), native of the Middle States. It lives in pine
forests.
{Pine needle} (Bot.), one of the slender needle-shaped leaves
of a pine tree. See {Pinus}.
{Pine-needle wool}. See {Pine wool} (below).
{Pine oil}, an oil resembling turpentine, obtained from fir
and pine trees, and used in making varnishes and colors.
{Pine snake} (Zo["o]l.), a large harmless North American
snake ({Pituophis melanoleucus}). It is whitish, covered
with brown blotches having black margins. Called also
{bull snake}. The Western pine snake ({P. Sayi}) is
chestnut-brown, mottled with black and orange.
{Pine tree} (Bot.), a tree of the genus {Pinus}; pine.
{Pine-tree money}, money coined in Massachusetts in the
seventeenth century, and so called from its bearing a
figure of a pine tree.
{Pine weevil} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of
weevils whose larv[ae] bore in the wood of pine trees.
Several species are known in both Europe and America,
belonging to the genera {Pissodes}, {Hylobius}, etc.
{Pine wool}, a fiber obtained from pine needles by steaming
them. It is prepared on a large scale in some of the
Southern United States, and has many uses in the economic
arts; -- called also {pine-needle wool}, and {pine-wood
wool}.
Pineal \Pi"ne*al\, a. [L. pinea the cone of a pine, from pineus
of the pine, from pinus a pine: cf. F. pin['e]ale.]
Of or pertaining to a pine cone; resembling a pine cone.
{Pineal gland} (Anat.), a glandlike body in the roof of the
third ventricle of the vertebrate brain; -- called also
{pineal body}, {epiphysis}, {conarium}. In some animals it
is connected with a rudimentary eye, the so-called pineal
eye, and in other animals it is supposed to be the remnant
of a dorsal median eye.
Pineapple \Pine"ap`ple\, n. (Bot.)
A tropical plant ({Ananassa sativa}); also, its fruit; -- so
called from the resemblance of the latter, in shape and
external appearance, to the cone of the pine tree. Its origin
is unknown, though conjectured to be American.
Pineaster \Pine`as"ter\, n.
See {Pinaster}.
Pine-clad \Pine"-clad`\, Pine-crowned \Pine"-crowned`\, a.
Clad or crowned with pine trees; as, pine-clad hills.
Pinedrops \Pine"drops`\, n. (Bot.)
A reddish herb ({Pterospora andromedea}) of the United
States, found parasitic on the roots of pine trees.
Pinefinch \Pine"finch`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A small American bird ({Spinus, or Chrysomitris,
spinus}); -- called also {pine siskin}, and {American
siskin}.
(b) The pine grosbeak.
Pinenchyma \Pi*nen"chy*ma\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a tablet +
-enchyma, as in parenchyma.] (Bot.)
Tabular parenchyma, a form of cellular tissue in which the
cells are broad and flat, as in some kinds of epidermis.
Pinery \Pin"er*y\, n.; pl. {Pineries}.
1. A pine forest; a grove of pines.
2. A hothouse in which pineapples are grown.
Pinesap \Pine"sap`\, n. (Bot.)
A reddish fleshy herb of the genus {Monotropa} ({M.
hypopitys}), formerly thought to be parasitic on the roots of
pine trees, but more probably saprophytic.
Pinetum \Pi*ne"tum\, n. [L., a pine grove.]
A plantation of pine trees; esp., a collection of living pine
trees made for ornamental or scientific purposes.
Pineweed \Pine"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
A low, bushy, nearly leafless herb ({Hypericum Sarothra}),
common in sandy soil in the Eastern United States.
Piney \Pin"ey\, a.
See {Piny}.
Piney \Pin"ey\, a. [Of East Indian origin.]
A term used in designating an East Indian tree (the {Vateria
Indica} or piney tree, of the order {Dipterocarpe[ae]}, which
grows in Malabar, etc.) or its products.
{Piney dammar}, {Piney resin}, {Piney varnish}, a pellucid,
fragrant, acrid, bitter resin, which exudes from the piney
tree ({Vateria Indica}) when wounded. It is used as a
varnish, in making candles, and as a substitute for
incense and for amber. Called also {liquid copal}, and
{white dammar}.
{Piney tallow}, a solid fatty substance, resembling tallow,
obtained from the roasted seeds of the {Vateria Indica};
called also {dupada oil}.
{Piney thistle} (Bot.), a plant ({Atractylis gummifera}),
from the bark of which, when wounded, a gummy substance
exudes.
Pin-eyed \Pin"-eyed`\, a. (Bot.)
Having the stigma visible at the throad of a gamopetalous
corolla, while the stamens are concealed in the tube; -- said
of dimorphous flowers. The opposite of {thrum-eyed}.
Pinfeather \Pin"feath`er\, n.
A feather not fully developed; esp., a rudimentary feather
just emerging through the skin.
Pinfeathered \Pin"feath`ered\, a.
Having part, or all, of the feathers imperfectly developed.
Pinfish \Pin"fish`\, n. [So called from their sharp dorsal
spines.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The sailor's choice ({Diplodus, or Lagodon, rhomboides}).
(b) The salt-water bream ({Diplodus Holbrooki}).
Note: Both are excellent food fishes, common on the coast of
the United States south of Cape Hatteras. The name is
also applied to other allied species.
Pinfold \Pin"fold`\, n. [For pindfold. See {Pinder}, {Pound} an
inclosure, and {Fold} an inclosure.]
A place in which stray cattle or domestic animals are
confined; a pound; a penfold. --Shak.
A parish pinfold begirt by its high hedge. --Sir W.
Scott.
Ping \Ping\, n. [Probably of imitative origin.]
The sound made by a bullet in striking a solid object or in
passing through the air.
Ping \Ping\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pinged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pinging}.]
To make the sound called ping.
Pingle \Pin"gle\, n. [Perhaps fr. pin to impound.]
A small piece of inclosed ground. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
Pingster \Ping"ster\, n.
See {Pinkster}.
Pinguicula \Pin*guic"u*la\, n. [NL., fr. L. pinguiculus somewhat
fat, fattish.] (Bot.)
See {Butterwort}.
Pinguid \Pin"guid\, a. [L. pinguis fat.]
Fat; unctuous; greasy. [Obs.] ``Some clays are more
pinguid.'' --Mortimer.
Pinguidinous \Pin*guid"i*nous\, a. [L. pinguedo fatness, fr.
pinguis fat.]
Containing fat; fatty. [Obs.]
Pinguitude \Pin"gui*tude\, n. [L. pinguitudo, from pinguis fat.]
Fatness; a growing fat; obesity. [R.]
Pinhold \Pin"hold`\, n.
A place where a pin is fixed.
Pinic \Pi"nic\, a. [L. pinus pine.] (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to the pine; obtained from the pine;
formerly, designating an acid which is the chief constituent
of common resin, -- now called abietic, or sylvic, acid.
Pining \Pin"ing\, a.
1. Languishing; drooping; wasting away, as with longing.
2. Wasting; consuming. ``The pining malady of France.''
--Shak.
Piningly \Pin"ing*ly\, adv.
In a pining manner; droopingly. --Poe.
Pinion \Pin"ion\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A moth of the genus {Lithophane}, as {L. antennata}, whose
larva bores large holes in young peaches and apples.
Pinion \Pin"ion\, n. [OF. pignon a pen, F., gable, pinion (in
sense 5); cf. Sp. pi[~n]on pinion; fr. L. pinna pinnacle,
feather, wing. See {Pin} a peg, and cf. {Pen} a feather,
{Pennat}, {Pennon}.]
1. A feather; a quill. --Shak.
2. A wing, literal or figurative.
Swift on his sooty pinions flits the gnome. --Pope.
3. The joint of bird's wing most remote from the body.
--Johnson.
4. A fetter for the arm. --Ainsworth.
5. (Mech.) A cogwheel with a small number of teeth, or
leaves, adapted to engage with a larger wheel, or rack
(see {Rack}); esp., such a wheel having its leaves formed
of the substance of the arbor or spindle which is its
axis.
{Lantern pinion}. See under {Lantern}.
{Pinion wire}, wire fluted longitudinally, for making the
pinions of clocks and watches. It is formed by being drawn
through holes of the shape required for the leaves or
teeth of the pinions.
Pinion \Pin"ion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pinioned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pinioning}.]
1. To bind or confine the wings of; to confine by binding the
wings. --Bacon.
2. To disable by cutting off the pinion joint. --Johnson.
3. To disable or restrain, as a person, by binding the arms,
esp. by binding the arms to the body. --Shak.
Her elbows pinioned close upon her hips. --Cowper.
4. Hence, generally, to confine; to bind; to tie up.
``Pinioned up by formal rules of state.'' --Norris.
Pinioned \Pin"ioned\, a.
Having wings or pinions.
Pinionist \Pin"ion*ist\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any winged creature.
Pinite \Pin"ite\, n. [So called from Pini, a mine in Saxony.]
(Min.)
A compact granular cryptocrystalline mineral of a dull
grayish or greenish white color. It is a hydrous alkaline
silicate, and is derived from the alteration of other
minerals, as iolite.
Pinite \Pi"nite\, n. [L. pinus the pine tree.]
1. (Paleon.) Any fossil wood which exhibits traces of having
belonged to the Pine family.
2. (Chem.) A sweet white crystalline substance extracted from
the gum of a species of pine ({Pinus Lambertina}). It is
isomeric with, and resembles, quercite.
Pink \Pink\, n. [D. pink.] (Naut.)
A vessel with a very narrow stern; -- called also {pinky}.
--Sir W. Scott.
{Pink stern} (Naut.), a narrow stern.
Pink \Pink\, v. i. [D. pinken, pinkoogen, to blink, twinkle with
the eyes.]
To wink; to blink. [Obs.] --L'Estrange.
Pink \Pink\, a.
Half-shut; winking. [Obs.] --Shak.
Pink \Pink\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pinked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pinking}.] [OE. pinken to prick, probably a nasalized form
of pick.]
1. To pierce with small holes; to cut the edge of, as cloth
or paper, in small scallops or angles.
2. To stab; to pierce as with a sword. --Addison.
3. To choose; to cull; to pick out. [Obs.] --Herbert.
Pink \Pink\, n.
A stab. --Grose.
Pink \Pink\, n. [Perh. akin to pick; as if the edges of the
petals were picked out. Cf. {Pink}, v. t.]
1. (Bot.) A name given to several plants of the
caryophyllaceous genus {Dianthus}, and to their flowers,
which are sometimes very fragrant and often double in
cultivated varieties. The species are mostly perennial
herbs, with opposite linear leaves, and handsome
five-petaled flowers with a tubular calyx.
2. A color resulting from the combination of a pure vivid red
with more or less white; -- so called from the common
color of the flower. --Dryden.
3. Anything supremely excellent; the embodiment or perfection
of something. ``The very pink of courtesy.'' --Shak.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The European minnow; -- so called from the
color of its abdomen in summer. [Prov. Eng.]
{Bunch pink} is {Dianthus barbatus}.
{China}, or {Indian}, {pink}. See under {China}.
{Clove pink} is {Dianthus Caryophyllus}, the stock from which
carnations are derived.
{Garden pink}. See {Pheasant's eye}.
{Meadow pink} is applied to {Dianthus deltoides}; also, to
the ragged robin.
{Maiden pink}, {Dianthus deltoides}.
{Moss pink}. See under {Moss}.
{Pink needle}, the pin grass; -- so called from the long,
tapering points of the carpels. See {Alfilaria}.
{Sea pink}. See {Thrift}.
Pink \Pink\, a.
Resembling the garden pink in color; of the color called pink
(see 6th {Pink}, 2); as, a pink dress; pink ribbons.
{Pink eye} (Med.), a popular name for an epidemic variety of
ophthalmia, associated with early and marked redness of
the eyeball.
{Pink salt} (Chem. & Dyeing), the double chlorides of
(stannic) tin and ammonium, formerly much used as a
mordant for madder and cochineal.
{Pink saucer}, a small saucer, the inner surface of which is
covered with a pink pigment.
Pinked \Pinked\, a.
Pierced with small holes; worked in eyelets; scalloped on the
edge. --Shak.
Pink-eyed \Pink"-eyed`\, a. [Pink half-shut + eye.]
Having small eyes. --Holland.
Pinking \Pink"ing\, n.
1. The act of piercing or stabbing.
2. The act or method of decorating fabrics or garments with a
pinking iron; also, the style of decoration; scallops made
with a pinking iron.
{Pinking iron}.
(a) An instrument for scalloping the edges of ribbons,
flounces, etc.
(b) A sword. [Colloq.]
Pinkish \Pink"ish\, a.
Somewhat pink.
Pinkness \Pink"ness\, n.
Quality or state of being pink.
Pinkroot \Pink"root`\, n.
1. (Med.) The root of {Spigelia Marilandica}, used as a
powerful vermifuge; also, that of {S. Anthelmia}. See
definition 2 (below).
2. (Bot.)
(a) A perennial North American herb ({Spigelia
Marilandica}), sometimes cultivated for its showy red
blossoms. Called also {Carolina pink}, {Maryland
pinkroot}, and {worm grass}.
(b) An annual South American and West Indian plant
({Spigelia Anthelmia}).
Pinkster \Pink"ster\, n. [D. pinkster, pinksteren, fr. Gr. ?.
See {Pentecost}.]
Whitsuntide. [Written also {pingster} and {pinxter}.]
{Pinkster flower} (Bot.), the rosy flower of the {Azalea
nudiflora}; also, the shrub itself; -- called also
{Pinxter blomachee} by the New York descendants of the
Dutch settlers.
Pink stern \Pink" stern`\ [See 1st {Pink}.] (Naut.)
See {Chebacco}, and 1st {Pink}.
Pink-sterned \Pink"-sterned`\, a. [See 1st {Pink}.] (Naut.)
Having a very narrow stern; -- said of a vessel.
Pinky \Pink"y\, n. (Naut.)
See 1st {Pink}.
Pinna \Pin"na\, n.; pl. {Pinn[ae]}, E. {Pinnas}. [L., a
feather.]
1. (Bot.)
(a) A leaflet of a pinnate leaf. See Illust. of {Bipinnate
leaf}, under {Bipinnate}.
(b) One of the primary divisions of a decompound leaf.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the divisions of a pinnate part or
organ.
3. [L. pinna, akin to Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.) Any species of
{Pinna}, a genus of large bivalve mollusks found in all
warm seas. The byssus consists of a large number of long,
silky fibers, which have been used in manufacturing woven
fabrics, as a curiosity.
4. (Anat.) The auricle of the ear. See {Ear}.
Pinnace \Pin"nace\, n. [F. pinasse; cf. It. pinassa, pinazza,
Sp. pinaza; all from L. pinus a pine tree, anything made of
pine, e.g., a ship. Cf. {Pine} a tree.]
1. (Naut.)
(a) A small vessel propelled by sails or oars, formerly
employed as a tender, or for coast defence; -- called
originally, {spynace} or {spyne}.
(b) A man-of-war's boat.
Whilst our pinnace anchors in the Downs. --Shak.
2. A procuress; a pimp. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Pinnacle \Pin"na*cle\, n. [OE. pinacle, F. pinacle, L.
pinnaculum, fr. pinna pinnacle, feather. See {Pin} a peg.]
1. (Arch.) An architectural member, upright, and generally
ending in a small spire, -- used to finish a buttress, to
constitute a part in a proportion, as where pinnacles
flank a gable or spire, and the like. Pinnacles may be
considered primarily as added weight, where it is
necessary to resist the thrust of an arch, etc.
Some renowned metropolis With glistering spires and
pinnacles around. --Milton.
2. Anything resembling a pinnacle; a lofty peak; a pointed
summit.
Three silent pinnacles of aged snow. --Tennyson.
The slippery tops of human state, The gilded
pinnacles of fate. --Cowley.
Pinnacle \Pin"na*cle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pinnacled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Pinnacling}.]
To build or furnish with a pinnacle or pinnacles. --T.
Warton.
Pinnage \Pin"nage\, n. [Cf. {Pinfold}.]
Poundage of cattle. See {Pound}. [Obs.]
Pinnate \Pin"nate\, Pinnated \Pin"na*ted\, a. [L. pinnatus
feathered, fr. pinna a feather. See {Pin} a peg, {Pen}
feather.]
1. (Bot.) Consisting of several leaflets, or separate
portions, arranged on each side of a common petiole, as
the leaves of a rosebush, a hickory, or an ash. See
{Abruptly pinnate}, and Illust., under {Abruptly}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having a winglike tuft of long feathers on each
side of the neck.
{Pinnated grouse} (Zo["o]l.), the prairie chicken.
Pinnately \Pin"nate*ly\, adv.
In a pinnate manner.
Pinnatifid \Pin*nat"i*fid\, a. [L. pinnatus feathered + root of
findere to split: cf. F. pinnatifide.] (Bot.)
Divided in a pinnate manner, with the divisions not reaching
to the midrib.
Pinnatilobate \Pin*nat`i*lo"bate\, a. [See {Pinnate}, and
{Lobate}.] (Bot.)
Having lobes arranged in a pinnate manner.
Pinnatiped \Pin*nat"i*ped\, a. [L. pinnatus feathered + pes,
pedis foot: cf. F. pinnatip[`e]de.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having the toes bordered by membranes; fin-footed, as certain
birds.
Pinnatiped \Pin*nat"i*ped\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any bird which has the toes bordered by membranes.
Pinner \Pin"ner\, n.
1. One who, or that which, pins or fastens, as with pins.
2. (Costume)
(a) A headdress like a cap, with long lappets.
(b) An apron with a bib; a pinafore.
(c) A cloth band for a gown. [Obs.]
With kerchief starched, and pinners clean.
--Gay.
3. A pin maker.
Pinner \Pin"ner\, n. [See {Pin} to pound.]
One who pins or impounds cattle. See {Pin}, v. t. [Obs.]
Pinnet \Pin"net\, n.
A pinnacle. [R.] --Sir W. Scott.
Pinniform \Pin"ni*form\, a. [L. pinna feather, fin + -form.]
Shaped like a fin or feather. --Sir J. Hill.
Pinnigrada \Pin`ni*gra"da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. pinna a feather +
gradi to walk, move.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pinnipedia}.
Pinnigrade \Pin"ni*grade\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An animal of the seal tribe, moving by short feet that serve
as paddles.
Pinniped \Pin"ni*ped\, n. [L. pinna feather, fin + pes, pedis, a
foot: cf. F. pinnip[`e]de.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of the Pinnipedia; a seal.
(b) One of the Pinnipedes.
Pinnipedes \Pin*nip"e*des\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Steganopodes}.
Pinnipedia \Pin`ni*pe"di*a\, n. pl. [NL. So called because their
webbed feet are used as paddles or fins.] (Zo["o]l.)
A suborder of aquatic carnivorous mammals including the seals
and walruses; -- opposed to Fissipedia.
Pinnock \Pin"nock\, n. [Of uncertain origin.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The hedge sparrow. [Prov. Eng.]
(b) The tomtit.
Pinnothere \Pin"no*there\, n. [Gr. ? a pinna + ? an animal.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A crab of the genus {pinnotheres}. See {Oyster crab}, under
{Oyster}.
Pinnula \Pin"nu*la\, n.; pl. {Pinnul[ae]}. [L.]
Same as {Pinnule}.
Pinnulate \Pin"nu*late\, a. [See {Pinnule}.] (Bot.)
Having each pinna subdivided; -- said of a leaf, or of its
pinn[ae].
Pinnulated \Pin"nu*la`ted\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having pinnules.
Pinnule \Pin"nule\, n. [L. pinnula, dim. of pinna feather: cf.
F. pinnule.]
1. (Bot.) One of the small divisions of a decompound frond or
leaf. See Illust. of {Bipinnate leaf}, under {Bipinnate}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of a series of small, slender organs,
or parts, when arranged in rows so as to have a plumelike
appearance; as, a pinnule of a gorgonia; the pinnules of a
crinoid.
Pinnywinkles \Pin"ny*win`kles\, n. pl.
An instrument of torture, consisting of a board with holes
into which the fingers were pressed, and fastened with pegs.
[Written also {pilliewinkles}.] [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
Pinocle \Pin"o*cle\, n.
See {Penuchle}.
Pinole \Pi*nole"\, n.
1. An aromatic powder used in Italy in the manufacture of
chocolate.
2. Parched maize, ground, and mixed with sugar, etc. Mixed
with water, it makes a nutritious beverage.
Pinon \Pi[~n]"on\, n. [Sp. pi[~n]on.] (Bot.)
(a) The edible seed of several species of pine; also, the
tree producing such seeds, as {Pinus Pinea} of
Southern Europe, and {P. Parryana, cembroides, edulis,
and monophylla}, the nut pines of Western North
America.
(b) See {Monkey's puzzle}. [Written also {pignon}.]
Pinpatch \Pin"patch`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The common English periwinkle. [Prov. Eng.]
Pint \Pint\, n. [OE. pinte, F. pinte, fr. Sp. pinta spot, mark,
pint, fr. pintar to paint; a mark for a pint prob. having
been made on or in a larger measure. See {Paint}.]
A measure of capacity, equal to half a quart, or four gills,
-- used in liquid and dry measures. See {Quart}.
Pint \Pint\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The laughing gull. [Prov. Eng.]
Pintado \Pin*ta"do\, n.; pl. {Pintados}. [Sp., painted, fr.
pintar to paint.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any bird of the genus {Numida}. Several species are found in
Africa. The common pintado, or Guinea fowl, the helmeted, and
the crested pintados, are the best known. See {Guinea fowl},
under {Guinea}.
Pintail \Pin"tail`\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.) A northern duck ({Dafila acuta}), native of
both continents. The adult male has a long, tapering tail.
Called also {gray duck}, {piketail}, {piket-tail},
{spike-tail}, {split-tail}, {springtail}, {sea pheasant},
and {gray widgeon}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The sharp-tailed grouse of the great plains and
Rocky Mountains ({Pedioc[ae]tes phasianellus}); -- called
also {pintailed grouse}, {pintailed chicken},
{springtail}, and {sharptail}.
Pin-tailed \Pin"-tailed`\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having a tapered tail, with the middle feathers longest; --
said of birds.
Pintle \Pin"tle\, n. [A diminutive of {Pin}.]
1. A little pin.
2. (Mech.) An upright pivot pin; as:
(a) The pivot pin of a hinge.
(b) A hook or pin on which a rudder hangs and turns.
(c) A pivot about which the chassis swings, in some kinds
of gun carriages.
(d) A kingbolt of a wagon.
Pintos \Pin"tos\, n. pl.; sing. {Pinto}. [Sp., painted,
mottled.] (Eyhnol.)
A mountain tribe of Mexican Indians living near Acapulco.
They are remarkable for having the dark skin of the face
irregularly spotted with white. Called also {speckled
Indians}.
Pinule \Pin"ule\, n. [Cf. {Pinnule}.] (Astron.)
One of the sights of an astrolabe. [Obs.]
Pinus \Pi"nus\, n. [L., a pine tree.] (Bot.)
A large genus of evergreen coniferous trees, mostly found in
the northern hemisphere. The genus formerly included the
firs, spruces, larches, and hemlocks, but is now limited to
those trees which have the primary leaves of the branchlets
reduced to mere scales, and the secondary ones (pine needles)
acicular, and usually in fascicles of two to seven. See
{Pine}.
Pinweed \Pin"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
Any plant of the genus {Lechea}, low North American herbs
with branching stems, and very small and abundant leaves and
flowers.
Pinworm \Pin"worm`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small nematoid worm ({Oxyurus vermicularis}), which is
parasitic chiefly in the rectum of man. It is most common in
children and aged persons.
Pinxit \Pinx"it\ [L., perfect indicative 3d sing. of pingere to
paint.]
A word appended to the artist's name or initials on a
painting, or engraved copy of a painting; as, Rubens pinxit,
Rubens painted (this).
Pinxter \Pinx"ter\, n.
See {Pinkster}.
Piny \Pin"y\, a.
Abounding with pines. [Written also {piney}.] ``The piny
wood.'' --Longfellow.
Pioned \Pi"o*ned\, a.
A Shakespearean word of disputed meaning; perh., ``abounding
in marsh marigolds.''
Thy banks with pioned and twilled brims. --Shak.
Pioneer \Pi`o*neer"\, n. [F. pionier, orig., a foot soldier, OF.
peonier, fr. OF. peon a foot soldier, F. pion. See {Pawn} in
chess.]
1. (Mil.) A soldier detailed or employed to form roads, dig
trenches, and make bridges, as an army advances.
2. One who goes before, as into the wilderness, preparing the
way for others to follow; as, pioneers of civilization;
pioneers of reform.
Pioneer \Pi`o*neer"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Pioneered}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Pioneering}.]
To go before, and prepare or open a way for; to act as
pioneer.
Pioner \Pi`o*ner"\, n.
A pioneer. [Obs.] --Shak.
Piony \Pi"o*ny\, n. (Bot.)
See {Peony}.
Piot \Pi"ot\, n. [See {Piet}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The magpie. [Obs. or Prov. Eng. & Scot.] --Holland.
Pious \Pi"ous\, a. [L. pius: cf. F. pieux.]
1. Of or pertaining to piety; exhibiting piety; reverential;
dutiful; religious; devout; godly. ``Pious hearts.''
--Milton. ``Pious poetry.'' --Johnson.
Where was the martial brother's pious care? --Pope.
2. Practiced under the pretext of religion; prompted by
mistaken piety; as, pious errors; pious frauds.
Syn: Godly; devout; religious; righteous.
Piously \Pi"ous*ly\, adv.
In a pious manner.
Pip \Pip\, n. [OE. pippe, D. pip, or F. p['e]pie; from LL.
pipita, fr. L. pituita slime, phlegm, rheum, in fowls, the
pip. Cf. {Pituite}.]
A contagious disease of fowls, characterized by hoarseness,
discharge from the nostrils and eyes, and an accumulation of
mucus in the mouth, forming a ``scale'' on the tongue. By
some the term pip is restricted to this last symptom, the
disease being called roup by them.
Pip \Pip\, n. [Formerly pippin, pepin. Cf. {Pippin}.] (Bot.)
A seed, as of an apple or orange.
Pip \Pip\, n. [Perh. for pick, F. pique a spade at cards, a
pike. Cf. {Pique}.]
One of the conventional figures or ``spots'' on playing
cards, dominoes, etc. --Addison.
Pip \Pip\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pipped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pipping}.] [See {Peep}.]
To cry or chirp, as a chicken; to peep.
To hear the chick pip and cry in the egg. --Boyle.
Pipa \Pi*pa\, n.; pl. {Pipas}. (Zo["o]l.)
The Surinam toad ({Pipa Americana}), noted for its peculiar
breeding habits.
Note: The male places the eggs on the back of the female,
where they soon become inclosed in capsules formed by
the thickening of the skin. The incubation of the eggs
takes place in the capsules, and the young, when
hatched, come forth with well developed legs.
Pipage \Pip"age\, n.
Transportation, as of petroleum oil, by means of a pipe
conduit; also, the charge for such transportation.
Pipal tree \Pi"pal tree`\
Same as {Peepul tree}.
Pipe \Pipe\, n. [AS. p[=i]pe, probably fr. L. pipare, pipire, to
chirp; of imitative origin. Cf. {Peep}, {Pibroch}, {Fife}.]
1. A wind instrument of music, consisting of a tube or tubes
of straw, reed, wood, or metal; any tube which produces
musical sounds; as, a shepherd's pipe; the pipe of an
organ. ``Tunable as sylvan pipe.'' --Milton.
Now had he rather hear the tabor and the pipe.
--Shak.
2. Any long tube or hollow body of wood, metal, earthenware,
or the like: especially, one used as a conductor of water,
steam, gas, etc.
3. A small bowl with a hollow steam, -- used in smoking
tobacco, and, sometimes, other substances.
4. A passageway for the air in speaking and breathing; the
windpipe, or one of its divisions.
5. The key or sound of the voice. [R.] --Shak.
6. The peeping whistle, call, or note of a bird.
The earliest pipe of half-awakened birds.
--Tennyson.
7. pl. The bagpipe; as, the pipes of Lucknow.
8. (Mining) An elongated body or vein of ore.
9. A roll formerly used in the English exchequer, otherwise
called the Great Roll, on which were taken down the
accounts of debts to the king; -- so called because put
together like a pipe. --Mozley & W.
10. (Naut.) A boatswain's whistle, used to call the crew to
their duties; also, the sound of it.
11. [Cf. F. pipe, fr. pipe a wind instrument, a tube, fr. L.
pipare to chirp. See Etymol. above.] A cask usually
containing two hogsheads, or 126 wine gallons; also, the
quantity which it contains.
{Pipe fitter}, one who fits pipes together, or applies pipes,
as to an engine or a building.
{Pipe fitting}, a piece, as a coupling, an elbow, a valve,
etc., used for connecting lengths of pipe or as accessory
to a pipe.
{Pipe office}, an ancient office in the Court of Exchequer,
in which the clerk of the pipe made out leases of crown
lands, accounts of cheriffs, etc. [Eng.]
{Pipe tree} (Bot.), the lilac and the mock orange; -- so
called because their were formerly used to make pipe
stems; -- called also {pipe privet}.
{Pipe wrench}, or {Pipetongs}, a jawed tool for gripping a
pipe, in turning or holding it.
{To smoke the pipe of peace}, to smoke from the same pipe in
token of amity or preparatory to making a treaty of peace,
-- a custom of the American Indians.
Pipe \Pipe\, v. i.
1. To play on a pipe, fife, flute, or other tubular wind
instrument of music.
We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced.
--Matt. xi.
17.
2. (Naut.) To call, convey orders, etc., by means of signals
on a pipe or whistle carried by a boatswain.
3. To emit or have a shrill sound like that of a pipe; to
whistle. ``Oft in the piping shrouds.'' --Wordsworth.
4. (Metal.) To become hollow in the process of solodifying;
-- said of an ingot, as of steel.
Pipe \Pipe\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Piped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Piping}.]
1. To perform, as a tune, by playing on a pipe, flute, fife,
etc.; to utter in the shrill tone of a pipe.
A robin . . . was piping a few querulous notes. --W.
Irving.
2. (Naut.) To call or direct, as a crew, by the boatswain's
whistle.
As fine a ship's company as was ever piped aloft.
--Marryat.
3. To furnish or equip with pipes; as, to pipe an engine, or
a building.
Pipe clay \Pipe" clay`\ (kl[=a]`).
A plastic, unctuous clay of a grayish white color, -- used in
making tobacco pipes and various kinds of earthenware, in
scouring cloth, and in cleansing soldiers' equipments.
Pipeclay \Pipe"clay`\, v. t.
1. To whiten or clean with pipe clay, as a soldier's
accouterments.
2. To clear off; as, to pipeclay accounts. [Slang, Eng.]
Piped \Piped\, a.
Formed with a pipe; having pipe or pipes; tubular.
Pipefish \Pipe"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any lophobranch fish of the genus {Siphostoma}, or
{Syngnathus}, and allied genera, having a long and very
slender angular body, covered with bony plates. The mouth is
small, at the end of a long, tubular snout. The male has a
pouch on his belly, in which the incubation of the eggs takes
place.
Pipelayer \Pipe"lay`er\, n., or Pipe layer \Pipe" lay`er\
1. One who lays conducting pipes in the ground, as for water,
gas, etc.
2. (Polit. Cant) A politician who works in secret; -- in this
sense, usually written as one word. [U.S.]
Pipelaying \Pipe"lay`ing\, n., or Pipe laying \Pipe" lay`ing\
1. The laying of conducting pipes underground, as for water,
gas, etc.
2. (Polit. Cant) The act or method of making combinations for
personal advantage secretly or slyly; -- in this sense,
usually written as one word. [U.S.]
Pipemouth \Pipe"mouth`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any fish of the genus Fistularia; -- called also {tobacco
pipefish}. See {Fistularia}.
Piper \Pi"per\, n. [L.]
See {Pepper}.
Piper \Pip"er\, n.
1. (Mus.) One who plays on a pipe, or the like, esp. on a
bagpipe. ``The hereditary piper and his sons.''
--Macaulay.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A common European gurnard ({Trigla lyra}), having a
large head, with prominent nasal projection, and with
large, sharp, opercular spines.
(b) A sea urchin ({Goniocidaris hystrix}) having very long
spines, native of both the American and European
coasts.
{To pay the piper}, to bear the cost, expense, or trouble.
Piperaceous \Pip`er*a"ceous\, a. [L. piper pepper.] (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the order of plants ({Piperace[ae]}) of
which the pepper ({Piper nigrum}) is the type. There are
about a dozen genera and a thousand species, mostly tropical
plants with pungent and aromatic qualities.
Piperic \Pi*per"ic\ (p[-i]*p[e^]r"[i^]k), a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or derived from, or designating, a complex
organic acid found in the products of different members of
the Pepper family, and extracted as a yellowish crystalline
substance.
Piperidge \Pip"er*idge\, n. (Bot.)
Same as {Pepperidge}.
Piperidine \Pi*per"i*dine\, n. (Chem.)
An oily liquid alkaloid, {C5H11N}, having a hot, peppery,
ammoniacal odor. It is related to pyridine, and is obtained
by the decomposition of piperine.
Piperine \Pip"er*ine\, n. [L. piper pepper: cf. F. piperin,
piperine.] (Chem.)
A white crystalline compound of piperidine and piperic acid.
It is obtained from the black pepper ({Piper nigrum}) and
other species.
Piperonal \Pip`er*o"nal\, n. (Chem.)
A white crystalline substance obtained by oxidation of
piperic acid, and regarded as a complex aldehyde.
Piperylene \Pi*per"y*lene\, n. [Piperidine + acetylene.] (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon obtained by decomposition of certain piperidine
derivatives.
Pipestem \Pipe"stem`\, n.
The hollow stem or tube of a pipe used for smoking tobacco,
etc.
Took a long reed for a pipestem. --Longfellow.
Pipestone \Pipe"stone`\, n.
A kind of clay slate, carved by the Indians into tobacco
pipes. Cf. {Catlinite}.
Pipette \Pi*pette"\, n. [F., dim. of pipe.]
A small glass tube, often with an enlargement or bulb in the
middle, and usually graduated, -- used for transferring or
delivering measured quantities.
Pipevine \Pipe"vine`\, n. (Bot.)
The Dutchman's pipe. See under {Dutchman}.
Pipewort \Pipe"wort`\, n. (Bot.)
Any plant of a genus ({Eriocaulon}) of aquatic or marsh herbs
with soft grass-like leaves.
Piping \Pip"ing\ (p[imac]p"[i^]ng), a. [From {Pipe}, v.]
1. Playing on a musical pipe. ``Lowing herds and piping
swains.'' --Swift.
2. Peaceful; favorable to, or characterized by, the music of
the pipe rather than of the drum and fife. --Shak.
3. Emitting a high, shrill sound.
4. Simmering; boiling; sizzling; hissing; -- from the sound
of boiling fluids.
{Piping crow}, {Piping crow shrike}, {Piping roller}
(Zo["o]l.), any Australian bird of the genus {Gymnorhina},
esp. {G. tibicen}, which is black and white, and the size
of a small crow. Called also {caruck}.
{Piping frog} (Zo["o]l.), a small American tree frog ({Hyla
Pickeringii}) which utters a high, shrill note in early
spring.
{Piping hot}, boiling hot; hissing hot; very hot. [Colloq.]
--Milton.
Piping \Pip"ing\, n.
1. A small cord covered with cloth, -- used as trimming for
women's dresses.
2. Pipes, collectively; as, the piping of a house.
3. The act of playing on a pipe; the shrill noted of birds,
etc.
4. A piece cut off to be set or planted; a cutting; also,
propagation by cuttings.
Pipistrel \Pi*pis"trel\, Pipistrelle \Pip`i*strelle"\, n. [F.
pipistrelle, It. pipistrello.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small European bat ({Vesperugo pipistrellus}); -- called
also {flittermouse}.
Pipit \Pip"it\, n. [So named from its call note.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of small singing birds belonging
to {Anthus} and allied genera, of the family
{Motacillid[ae]}. They strongly resemble the true larks in
habits, colors, and the great length of the hind claw. They
are, therefore, often called {titlarks}, and {pipit larks}.
Note: The {meadow pipit} ({Anthus pratensis}); the {tree
pipit}, or tree lark ({A. trivialis}); and the {rock
pipit}, or sea lark ({A. obscurus}) are well-known
European species. The common American pipit, or brown
lark, is {Anthus Pensilvanicus}. The Western species
({A. Spraguei}) is called the {American skylark}, on
account of its musical powers.
Pipkin \Pip"kin\, n.[Dim. of {Pipe}.]
A small earthen boiler.
Pippin \Pip"pin\, n. [Probably fr. OE. pippin a seed, as being
raised from the seed. See {Pip} a seed.] (Bot.)
(a) An apple from a tree raised from the seed and not
grafted; a seedling apple.
(b) A name given to apples of several different kinds, as
Newtown pippin, summer pippin, fall pippin, golden
pippin.
We will eat a last year's pippin. --Shak.
{Normandy pippins}, sun-dried apples for winter use.
Pippul tree \Pip"pul tree`\
Same as {Peepul tree}.
Pipra \Pi"pra\, n.; pl. {Pipras}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a woodpecker.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of small clamatorial birds
belonging to {Pipra} and allied genera, of the family
{Piprid[ae]}. The male is usually glossy black, varied with
scarlet, yellow, or sky blue. They chiefly inhabit South
America.
Piprine \Pi"prine\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the pipras, or the family {Piprid[ae]}.
Pipsissewa \Pip*sis"se*wa\, n. [From American Indian.] (Bot.)
A low evergreen plant ({Chimaphila umbellata}), with narrow,
wedge-lanceolate leaves, and an umbel of pretty nodding
fragrant blossoms. It has been used in nephritic diseases.
Called also {prince's pine}.
Pipy \Pip"y\, a.
Like a pipe; hollow-stemmed. --Keats.
Piquancy \Pi"quan*cy\, n. [See {Piquant}.]
The quality or state of being piquant.
Piquant \Pi"quant\, a. [F., p. pr. of piquer to prick or sting.
See {Pike}.]
Stimulating to the taste; giving zest; tart; sharp; pungent;
as, a piquant anecdote. ``As piquant to the tongue as salt.''
--Addison. ``Piquant railleries.'' --Gov. of Tongue.
Piquantly \Pi"quant*ly\, adv.
In a piquant manner.
Piqu'e \Pi`qu['e]"\, n. [F., p. p. of piquer to prick.]
A cotton fabric, figured in the loom, -- used as a dress
goods for women and children, and for vestings, etc.
Pique \Pique\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The jigger. See {Jigger}.
Pique \Pique\, n. [F., fr. piquer. See {Pike}.]
1. A feeling of hurt, vexation, or resentment, awakened by a
social slight or injury; irritation of the feelings, as
through wounded pride; stinging vexation.
Men take up piques and displeasures. --Dr. H. More.
Wars had arisen . . . upon a personal pique. --De
Quincey.
2. Keenly felt desire; a longing.
Though it have the pique, and long, 'Tis still for
something in the wrong. --Hudibras.
3. (Card Playing) In piquet, the right of the elder hand to
count thirty in hand, or to play before the adversary
counts one.
Syn: Displeasure; irritation; grudge; spite.
Usage: {Pique}, {Spite}, {Grudge}. Pique denotes a quick and
often transient sense of resentment for some supposed
neglect or injury, but it is not marked by
malevolence. Spite is a stronger term, denoting
settled ill will or malice, with a desire to injure,
as the result of extreme irritation. Grudge goes still
further, denoting cherished and secret enmity, with an
unforgiving spirit. A pique is usually of recent date;
a grudge is that which has long subsisted; spite
implies a disposition to cross or vex others.
Pique \Pique\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Piqued}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Piquing}.] [F. piquer. See {Pike}.]
1. To wound the pride of; to sting; to nettle; to irritate;
to fret; to offend; to excite to anger.
Pique her, and soothe in turn. --Byron.
2. To excite to action by causing resentment or jealousy; to
stimulate; to prick; as, to pique ambition, or curiosity.
--Prior.
3. To pride or value; -- used reflexively.
Men . . . pique themselves upon their skill.
--Locke.
Syn: To offend; displease; irritate; provoke; fret; nettle;
sting; goad; stimulate.
Pique \Pique\, v. i.
To cause annoyance or irritation. ``Every ?erse hath
something in it that piques.'' --Tatler.
Piqueer \Pi*queer"\, v. i.
See {Pickeer}. [R.]
Piqueerer \Pi*queer"er\, n.
See {Pickeerer}. [R.]
Piquet \Piqu"et\, n.
See {Picket}. [R.]
Piquet \Pi*quet"\, n. [F., prob. fr. pique. See {Pique}, {Pike},
and {Picket}.]
A game at cards played between two persons, with thirty-two
cards, all the deuces, threes, fours, fives, and sixes, being
set aside. [Written also {picket} and {picquet}.]
Piracy \Pi"ra*cy\, n.; pl. {Piracies}. [Cf. LL. piratia, Gr. ?.
See {Pirate}.]
1. The act or crime of a pirate.
2. (Common Law) Robbery on the high seas; the taking of
property from others on the open sea by open violence;
without lawful authority, and with intent to steal; -- a
crime answering to robbery on land.
Note: By statute law several other offenses committed on the
seas (as trading with known pirates, or engaging in the
slave trade) have been made piracy.
3. ``Sometimes used, in a quasi-figurative sense, of
violation of copyright; but for this, infringement is the
correct and preferable term.'' --Abbott.
Piragua \Pi*ra"gua\, n.
See {Pirogue}.
Pirai \Pi*rai"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Piraya}.
Pirameter \Pi*ram"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? trial + -meter.]
A dynamometer for ascertaining the power required to draw
carriages over roads.
Pirarucu \Pi`ra*ru"cu\, n. [From the native South American
name.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Arapaima}.
Pirate \Pi"rate\, n. [L. pirata, Gr. ?, fr. ? to attempt,
undertake, from making attempts or attacks on ships, ? an
attempt, trial; akin to E. peril: cf. F. pirate. See
{Peril}.]
1. A robber on the high seas; one who by open violence takes
the property of another on the high seas; especially, one
who makes it his business to cruise for robbery or
plunder; a freebooter on the seas; also, one who steals in
a harbor.
2. An armed ship or vessel which sails without a legal
commission, for the purpose of plundering other vessels on
the high seas.
3. One who infringes the law of copyright, or publishes the
work of an author without permission.
{Pirate perch} (Zo["o]l.), a fresh-water percoid fish of the
United States ({Aphredoderus Sayanus}). It is of a dark
olive color, speckled with blackish spots.
Pirate \Pi"rate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pirated}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pirating}.] [Cf. F. pirater.]
To play the pirate; to practice robbery on the high seas.
Pirate \Pi"rate\, v. t.
To publish, as books or writings, without the permission of
the author.
They advertised they would pirate his edition. --Pope.
Piratic \Pi*rat"ic\, a.
Piratical.
Piratical \Pi*rat"ic*al\, a. [L. piraticus, Gr. ?: cf. F.
piratique.]
Of or pertaining to a pirate; acquired by, or practicing,
piracy; as, a piratical undertaking. ``Piratical printers.''
--Pope. -- {Pi*rat"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Piraya \Pi*ra"ya\, n. [From the native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large voracious fresh-water fish ({Serrasalmo piraya}) of
South America, having lancet-shaped teeth.
Pirie \Pir"ie\, n. (Naut.)
See {Pirry}.
Pirie \Pir"ie\, n. [See {Pear}.] (Bot.)
A pear tree. [Written also {pery}, {pyrie}.] [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
Piririgua \Pi`ri*ri"gua\, n. [From the native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A South American bird ({Guira guira}) allied to the cuckoos.
Pirl \Pirl\, v. t. [Cf. {Purl}.]
1. To spin, as a top.
2. To twist or twine, as hair in making fishing lines.
Pirn \Pirn\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
A quill or reed on which thread or yarn is wound; a bobbin;
also, the wound yarn on a weaver's shuttle; also, the reel of
a fishing rod. [Scot.]
Pirogue \Pi*rogue"\, n. [Originally an American Indian word: cf.
F. pirogue, Sp. piroga, piragua.]
A dugout canoe; by extension, any small boat. [Written
variously {periauger}, {perogue}, {piragua}, {periagua},
etc.]
Pirouette \Pir`ou*ette"\, n. [F.; of uncertain origin.]
1. A whirling or turning on the toes in dancing.
2. (Man.) The whirling about of a horse.
Pirouette \Pir`ou*ette"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pirouetted}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Pirouetting}.] [F. pirouetter.]
To perform a pirouette; to whirl, like a dancer.
Pirry \Pir"ry\, Pirrie \Pir"rie\, n. [Cf. Scot. pirr a gentle
breeze, Icel. byrr a prosperous wind, bylr a blast of wind.]
A rough gale of wind. [Obs.] --Sir T. Elyot.
Pisasphaltum \Pis`as*phal"tum\, n.
See {Pissasphalt}.
Pisay \Pi"say\, n. (Arch.)
See {Pis['e]}.
Piscary \Pis"ca*ry\, n. [L. piscarius relating to fishes or to
fishing, fr. piscis a fish.] (Law)
The right or privilege of fishing in another man's waters.
--Blackstone.
Piscation \Pis*ca"tion\, n. [L. piscatio, fr. piscari to fish.]
Fishing; fishery. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Piscator \Pis*ca"tor\, n. [L.]
A fisherman; an angler.
Piscatorial \Pis`ca*to"ri*al\, Piscatory \Pis"ca*to*ry\, a. [L.
piscatorius, fr. piscator a fisherman, fr. piscari to fish,
fr. piscis a fish. See {Fish} the animal.]
Of or pertaining to fishes or fishing. --Addison.
Pisces \Pis"ces\, n. pl. [L. piscis a fish.]
1. (Astron.)
(a) The twelfth sign of the zodiac, marked [pisces] in
almanacs.
(b) A zodiacal constellation, including the first point of
Aries, which is the vernal equinoctial point; the
Fish.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The class of Vertebrata that includes the
fishes. The principal divisions are Elasmobranchii,
Ganoidei, and Teleostei.
Piscicapture \Pis"ci*cap`ture\, n.
Capture of fishes, as by angling. [R.] --W. H. Russell.
Piscicultural \Pis`ci*cul"tur*al\, a.
Relating to pisciculture.
Pisciculture \Pis`ci*cul"ture\, n. [L. piscis a fish + E.
culture.]
Fish culture. See under {Fish}.
Pisciculturist \Pis`ci*cul"tur*ist\, n.
One who breeds fish.
Pisciform \Pis"ci*form\, a. [L. piscis fish + -form.]
Having the form of a fish; resembling a fish.
Piscina \Pis*ci"na\, n. [L., a certain, fishpond, fr. piscis a
fish.] (Arch.)
A niche near the altar in a church, containing a small basin
for rinsing altar vessels.
Piscinal \Pis"ci*nal\, a. [L. piscinalis: cf. F. piscinal.]
Belonging to a fishpond or a piscina.
Piscine \Pis"cine\, a. [L. piscis a fish.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to a fish or fishes; as, piscine remains.
Piscivorous \Pis*civ"o*rous\, a. [L. piscis a fish + vorare to
devour: cf. F. piscivore.] (Zo["o]l.)
Feeding or subsisting on fish.
Pis'e \Pi`s['e]"\, n. [F. pis['e], from piser to stamp, pound,
L. pisare.] (Arch.)
A species of wall made of stiff earth or clay rammed in
between molds which are carried up as the wall rises; --
called also {pis['e] work}. --Gwilt.
Pish \Pish\, interj.
An exclamation of contempt.
Pish \Pish\, v. i.
To express contempt. --Pope.
Pishu \Pi"shu\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The Canada lynx. [Written also {peeshoo}.]
Pisiform \Pi"si*form\, a. [L. pisum a pea + -form: cf. F.
pisiforme.]
Resembling a pea or peas in size and shape; as, a pisiform
iron ore.
Pisiform \Pi"si*form\, n. (Anat.)
A small bone on the ulnar side of the carpus in man and many
mammals. See Illust. of {Artiodactyla}.
Pismire \Pis"mire\, n. [Piss + mire; so called because it
discharges a moisture vulgarly considered urine. See {Mire}
an ant.] (Zo["o]l.)
An ant, or emmet.
Pisolite \Pi"so*lite\, n. [Gr. ? a pea + -lite: cf. F.
pisolithe.] (Min.)
A variety of calcite, or calcium carbonate, consisting of
aggregated globular concretions about the size of a pea; --
called also {peastone}, {peagrit}.
Note: O["o]lite is similar in structure, but the concretions
are as small as the roe of a fish.
Pisolitic \Pi`so*lit"ic\, a. [Cf. F. pisolithique.] (Min.)
Composed of, containing, or resembling, pisolite.
Pisophalt \Pis"o*phalt\, n. [For pissasphalt.] (Min.)
Pissasphalt. [Obs.]
Piss \Piss\, v. t. & i. [OE. pissen, F. pisser; akin to It.
pisciare, D. & G. pissen, Dan. pisse, Icel. pissa.]
To discharge urine, to urinate. --Shak.
Piss \Piss\, n.
Urine.
Pissabed \Piss"a*bed`\, n. (Bot.)
A name locally applied to various wild plants, as dandelion,
bluet, oxeye daisy, etc.
Pissasphalt \Pis"sas*phalt\, n. [L. pissasphaltus, Gr. ?; ?
pitch + ? asphalt: cf. F. pissasphalte.] (Min.)
Earth pitch; a soft, black bitumen of the consistence of tar,
and of a strong smell. It is inflammable, and intermediate
between petroleum and asphalt. [Written also {pisasphaltum},
{pisasphalt}, etc.]
Pist \Pist\, n. (Man.)
See {Piste}.
Pistachio \Pis*ta"chio\, n. [It. pistacchio (cf. Sp. pistacho,
F. pistache), fr. L. pistacium, Gr. ?, ?, fr. Per. pistah.
Cf. {Fistinut}.] (Bot.)
The nut of the {Pistacia vera}, a tree of the order
{Anacardiace[ae]}, containing a kernel of a pale greenish
color, which has a pleasant taste, resembling that of the
almond, and yields an oil of agreeable taste and odor; --
called also {pistachio nut}. It is wholesome and nutritive.
The tree grows in Arabia, Persia, Syria, and Sicily. [Written
also {pistachia}.]
Pistacia \Pis*ta"ci*a\, n. [NL. See {Pistachio}.] (Bot.)
The name of a genus of trees, including the tree which bears
the pistachio, the Mediterranean mastic tree ({Pistacia
Lentiscus}), and the species ({P. Terebinthus}) which yields
Chian or Cyprus turpentine.
Pistacite \Pis"ta*cite\, n. [Cf. F. pistacite. So called from
its green color. See {Pistachio}.] (Min.)
Epidote.
Pistareen \Pis`ta*reen"\, n.
An old Spanish silver coin of the value of about twenty
cents.
Pistazite \Pis"ta*zite\, n. (Min.)
Same as {Pistacite}.
Piste \Piste\, n. [F., fr. L. pisere, pinsere, pistum, to
pound.] (Min.)
The track or tread a horseman makes upon the ground he goes
over. --Johnson.
Pistel \Pis"tel\, Pistil \Pis"til\, n.
An epistle. [Obs.]
Pistic \Pis"tic\, a. [L. pisticus, Gr. ?.]
Pure; genuine. [R.] --Jer. Taylor.
Pistil \Pis"til\, n. [L. pistillum, pistillus, a pestle: cf. F.
pistil. See {Pestle}.] (Bot.)
The seed-bearing organ of a flower. It consists of an ovary,
containing the ovules or rudimentary seeds, and a stigma,
which is commonly raised on an elongated portion called a
style. When composed of one carpel a pistil is simple; when
composed of several, it is compound. See Illust. of {Flower},
and {Ovary}.
Pistillaceous \Pis`til*la"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Growing on, or having nature of, the pistil; of or pertaining
to a pistil. --Barton.
Pistillate \Pis"til*late\, a. (Bot.)
Having a pistil or pistils; -- usually said of flowers having
pistils but no stamens.
Pistillation \Pis`til*la"tion\, n. [L. pistillum a pestle.]
The act of pounding or breaking in a mortar; pestillation.
[Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Pistillidium \Pis`til*lid"i*um\, n.; pl. {Pistillida}. [NL., fr.
E. pistil.] (Bot.)
Same as {Archegonium}.
Pistilliferous \Pis`til*lif"er*ous\, a. [Pistil + -ferous: cf.
F. pistillif[`e]re.] (Bot.)
Pistillate.
Pistillody \Pis"til*lo*dy\, n. [Pistil + Gr. ? form.] (Bot.)
The metamorphosis of other organs into pistils.
Pistol \Pis"tol\, n. [F. pistole, pistolet, It. pistola; prob.
from a form Pistola, for Pistoja, a town in Italy where
pistols were first made. Cf. {Pistole}.]
The smallest firearm used, intended to be fired from one
hand, -- now of many patterns, and bearing a great variety of
names. See Illust. of {Revolver}.
{Pistol carbine}, a firearm with a removable but-piece, and
thus capable of being used either as a pistol or a
carbine.
{Pistol pipe} (Metal.), a pipe in which the blast for a
furnace is heated, resembling a pistol in form.
{Pistol shot}.
(a) The discharge of a pistol.
(b) The distance to which a pistol can propel a ball.
Pistol \Pis"tol\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pistoled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pistoling}.] [Cf. F. pistoler.]
To shoot with a pistol. ``To pistol a poacher.'' --Sydney
Smith.
Pistolade \Pis"to*lade`\, n. [F.]
A pistol shot.
Pistole \Pis*tole"\, n. [F., probably a name given in jest in
France to a Spanish coin. Cf. {Pistol}.]
The name of certain gold coins of various values formerly
coined in some countries of Europe. In Spain it was
equivalent to a quarter doubloon, or about $3.90, and in
Germany and Italy nearly the same. There was an old Italian
pistole worth about $5.40.
Pistoleer \Pis`to*leer"\, n. [Cf. F. pistolier.]
One who uses a pistol. [R.] --Carlyle.
Pistolet \Pis"to*let`\, n. [F., a dim. of pistole.]
A small pistol. --Donne. Beau. & Fl.
Piston \Pis"ton\, n. [F. piston; cf. It. pistone piston, also
pestone a large pestle; all fr. L. pinsere, pistum, to pound,
to stamp. See {Pestle}, {Pistil}.] (Mach.)
A sliding piece which either is moved by, or moves against,
fluid pressure. It usually consists of a short cylinder
fitting within a cylindrical vessel along which it moves,
back and forth. It is used in steam engines to receive motion
from the steam, and in pumps to transmit motion to a fluid;
also for other purposes.
{Piston head} (Steam Eng.), that part of a piston which is
made fast to the piston rod.
{Piston rod}, a rod by which a piston is moved, or by which
it communicates motion.
{Piston valve} (Steam Eng.), a slide valve, consisting of a
piston, or connected pistons, working in a cylindrical
case which is provided with ports that are traversed by
the valve.
Pit \Pit\, n. [OE. pit, put, AS. pytt a pit, hole, L. puteus a
well, pit.]
1. A large cavity or hole in the ground, either natural or
artificial; a cavity in the surface of a body; an
indentation; specifically:
(a) The shaft of a coal mine; a coal pit.
(b) A large hole in the ground from which material is dug
or quarried; as, a stone pit; a gravel pit; or in
which material is made by burning; as, a lime pit; a
charcoal pit.
(c) A vat sunk in the ground; as, a tan pit.
Tumble me into some loathsome pit. --Shak.
2. Any abyss; especially, the grave, or hades.
Back to the infernal pit I drag thee chained.
--Milton.
He keepth back his soul from the pit. --Job xxxiii.
18.
3. A covered deep hole for entrapping wild beasts; a pitfall;
hence, a trap; a snare. Also used figuratively.
The anointed of the Lord was taken in their pits.
--Lam. iv. 20.
4. A depression or hollow in the surface of the human body;
as:
(a) The hollow place under the shoulder or arm; the
axilla, or armpit.
(b) See {Pit of the stomach} (below).
(c) The indentation or mark left by a pustule, as in
smallpox.
5. Formerly, that part of a theater, on the floor of the
house, below the level of the stage and behind the
orchestra; now, in England, commonly the part behind the
stalls; in the United States, the parquet; also, the
occupants of such a part of a theater.
6. An inclosed area into which gamecocks, dogs, and other
animals are brought to fight, or where dogs are trained to
kill rats. ``As fiercely as two gamecocks in the pit.''
--Locke.
7. [Cf. D. pit, akin to E. pith.] (Bot.)
(a) The endocarp of a drupe, and its contained seed or
seeds; a stone; as, a peach pit; a cherry pit, etc.
(b) A depression or thin spot in the wall of a duct.
{Cold pit} (Hort.), an excavation in the earth, lined with
masonry or boards, and covered with glass, but not
artificially heated, -- used in winter for the storing and
protection of half-hardly plants, and sometimes in the
spring as a forcing bed.
{Pit coal}, coal dug from the earth; mineral coal.
{Pit frame}, the framework over the shaft of a coal mine.
{Pit head}, the surface of the ground at the mouth of a pit
or mine.
{Pit kiln}, an oven for coking coal.
{Pit martin} (Zo["o]l.), the bank swallow. [Prov. Eng.]
{Pit of the stomach} (Anat.), the depression on the middle
line of the epigastric region of the abdomen at the lower
end of the sternum; the infrasternal depression.
{Pit saw} (Mech.), a saw worked by two men, one of whom
stands on the log and the other beneath it. The place of
the latter is often in a pit, whence the name.
{Pit viper} (Zo["o]l.), any viperine snake having a deep pit
on each side of the snout. The rattlesnake and copperhead
are examples.
{Working pit} (Min.), a shaft in which the ore is hoisted and
the workmen carried; -- in distinction from a shaft used
for the pumps.
Pit \Pit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pitted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pitting}.]
1. To place or put into a pit or hole.
They lived like beasts, and were pitted like beasts,
tumbled into the grave. --T. Grander.
2. To mark with little hollows, as by various pustules; as, a
face pitted by smallpox.
3. To introduce as an antagonist; to set forward for or in a
contest; as, to pit one dog against another.
Pita \Pi"ta\, n. [Sp.] (Bot.)
(a) A fiber obtained from the {Agave Americana} and other
related species, -- used for making cordage and paper.
Called also {pita fiber}, and {pita thread}.
(b) The plant which yields the fiber.
Pitahaya \Pit`a*ha"ya\, n. [Sp., prob. from the native name.]
(Bot.)
A cactaceous shrub ({Cereus Pitajaya}) of tropical America,
which yields a delicious fruit.
Pitapat \Pit"a*pat`\, adv. [An onomatopoetic reduplication of
pat a light, quick blow.]
In a flutter; with palpitation or quick succession of beats.
--Lowell. ``The fox's heart went pitapat.'' --L'Estrange.
Pitapat \Pit"a*pat`\, n.
A light, repeated sound; a pattering, as of the rain. ``The
pitapat of a pretty foot.'' --Dryden.
Pitch \Pitch\, n. [OE. pich, AS. pic, L. pix; akin to Gr. ?.]
1. A thick, black, lustrous, and sticky substance obtained by
boiling down tar. It is used in calking the seams of
ships; also in coating rope, canvas, wood, ironwork, etc.,
to preserve them.
He that toucheth pitch shall be defiled therewith.
--Ecclus.
xiii. 1.
2. (Geol.) See {Pitchstone}.
{Amboyna pitch}, the resin of {Dammara australis}. See
{Kauri}.
{Burgundy pitch}. See under {Burgundy}.
{Canada pitch}, the resinous exudation of the hemlock tree
({Abies Canadensis}); hemlock gum.
{Jew's pitch}, bitumen.
{Mineral pitch}. See {Bitumen} and {Asphalt}.
{Pitch coal} (Min.), bituminous coal.
{Pitch peat} (Min.), a black homogeneous peat, with a waxy
luster.
{Pitch pine} (Bot.), any one of several species of pine,
yielding pitch, esp. the {Pinus rigida} of North America.
Pitch \Pitch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pitched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pitching}.] [See {Pitch}, n.]
1. To cover over or smear with pitch. --Gen. vi. 14.
2. Fig.: To darken; to blacken; to obscure.
The welkin pitched with sullen could. --Addison.
Pitch \Pitch\, v. t. [OE. picchen; akin to E. pick, pike.]
1. To throw, generally with a definite aim or purpose; to
cast; to hurl; to toss; as, to pitch quoits; to pitch hay;
to pitch a ball.
2. To thrust or plant in the ground, as stakes or poles;
hence, to fix firmly, as by means of poles; to establish;
to arrange; as, to pitch a tent; to pitch a camp.
3. To set, face, or pave with rubble or undressed stones, as
an embankment or a roadway. --Knight.
4. To fix or set the tone of; as, to pitch a tune.
5. To set or fix, as a price or value. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Pitched battle}, a general battle; a battle in which the
hostile forces have fixed positions; -- in distinction
from a skirmish.
{To pitch into}, to attack; to assault; to abuse. [Slang]
Pitch \Pitch\, v. i.
1. To fix or place a tent or temporary habitation; to encamp.
``Laban with his brethren pitched in the Mount of
Gilead.'' --Gen. xxxi. 25.
2. To light; to settle; to come to rest from flight.
The tree whereon they [the bees] pitch. --Mortimer.
3. To fix one's choise; -- with on or upon.
Pitch upon the best course of life, and custom will
render it the more easy. --Tillotson.
4. To plunge or fall; esp., to fall forward; to decline or
slope; as, to pitch from a precipice; the vessel pitches
in a heavy sea; the field pitches toward the east.
{Pitch and pay}, an old aphorism which inculcates ready-money
payment, or payment on delivery of goods. --Shak.
Pitch \Pitch\, n.
1. A throw; a toss; a cast, as of something from the hand;
as, a good pitch in quoits.
{Pitch and toss}, a game played by tossing up a coin, and
calling ``Heads or tails;'' hence:
{To play pitch and toss with (anything)}, to be careless or
trust to luck about it. ``To play pitch and toss with the
property of the country.'' --G. Eliot.
{Pitch farthing}. See {Chuck farthing}, under 5th {Chuck}.
2. (Cricket) That point of the ground on which the ball
pitches or lights when bowled.
3. A point or peak; the extreme point or degree of elevation
or depression; hence, a limit or bound.
Driven headlong from the pitch of heaven, down Into
this deep. --Milton.
Enterprises of great pitch and moment. --Shak.
To lowest pitch of abject fortune. --Milton.
He lived when learning was at its highest pitch.
--Addison.
The exact pitch, or limits, where temperance ends.
--Sharp.
4. Height; stature. [Obs.] --Hudibras.
5. A descent; a fall; a thrusting down.
6. The point where a declivity begins; hence, the declivity
itself; a descending slope; the degree or rate of descent
or slope; slant; as, a steep pitch in the road; the pitch
of a roof.
7. (Mus.) The relative acuteness or gravity of a tone,
determined by the number of vibrations which produce it;
the place of any tone upon a scale of high and low.
Note: Musical tones with reference to absolute pitch, are
named after the first seven letters of the alphabet;
with reference to relative pitch, in a series of tones
called the scale, they are called one, two, three,
four, five, six, seven, eight. Eight is also one of a
new scale an octave higher, as one is eight of a scale
an octave lower.
8. (Mining) The limit of ground set to a miner who receives a
share of the ore taken out.
9. (Mech.)
(a) The distance from center to center of any two adjacent
teeth of gearing, measured on the pitch line; --
called also circular pitch.
(b) The length, measured along the axis, of a complete
turn of the thread of a screw, or of the helical lines
of the blades of a screw propeller.
(c) The distance between the centers of holes, as of rivet
holes in boiler plates.
{Concert pitch} (Mus.), the standard of pitch used by
orchestras, as in concerts, etc.
{Diametral pitch} (Gearing), the distance which bears the
same relation to the pitch proper, or circular pitch, that
the diameter of a circle bears to its circumference; it is
sometimes described by the number expressing the quotient
obtained by dividing the number of teeth in a wheel by the
diameter of its pitch circle in inches; as, 4 pitch, 8
pitch, etc.
{Pitch chain}, a chain, as one made of metallic plates,
adapted for working with a sprocket wheel.
{Pitch line}, or {Pitch circle} (Gearing), an ideal line, in
a toothed gear or rack, bearing such a relation to a
corresponding line in another gear, with which the former
works, that the two lines will have a common velocity as
in rolling contact; it usually cuts the teeth at about the
middle of their height, and, in a circular gear, is a
circle concentric with the axis of the gear; the line, or
circle, on which the pitch of teeth is measured.
{Pitch of a roof} (Arch.), the inclination or slope of the
sides expressed by the height in parts of the span; as,
one half pitch; whole pitch; or by the height in parts of
the half span, especially among engineers; or by degrees,
as a pitch of 30[deg], of 45[deg], etc.; or by the rise
and run, that is, the ratio of the height to the half
span; as, a pitch of six rise to ten run. Equilateral
pitch is where the two sloping sides with the span form an
equilateral triangle.
{Pitch of a plane} (Carp.), the slant of the cutting iron.
{Pitch pipe}, a wind instrument used by choristers in
regulating the pitch of a tune.
{Pitch point} (Gearing), the point of contact of the pitch
lines of two gears, or of a rack and pinion, which work
together.
Pitch-black \Pitch"-black`\, a.
Black as pitch or tar.
Pitchblende \Pitch"blende`\, n. [1st pitch + blende.] (Min.)
A pitch-black mineral consisting chiefly of the oxide of
uranium; uraninite. See {Uraninite}.
Pitch-dark \Pitch"-dark`\, a.
Dark as a pitch; pitch-black.
Pitcher \Pitch"er\, n.
1. One who pitches anything, as hay, quoits, a ball, etc.;
specifically (Baseball), the player who delivers the ball
to the batsman.
2. A sort of crowbar for digging. [Obs.] --Mortimer.
Pitcher \Pitch"er\, n. [OE. picher, OF. pichier, OHG. pehhar,
pehh[=a]ri; prob. of the same origin as E. beaker. Cf.
{Beaker}.]
1. A wide-mouthed, deep vessel for holding liquids, with a
spout or protruding lip and a handle; a water jug or jar
with a large ear or handle.
2. (Bot.) A tubular or cuplike appendage or expansion of the
leaves of certain plants.
{American pitcher plants}, the species of Sarracenia. See
{Sarracenia}.
{Australian pitcher plant}, the {Cephalotus follicularis}, a
low saxifragaceous herb having two kinds of radical
leaves, some oblanceolate and entire, others transformed
into little ovoid pitchers, longitudinally triple-winged
and ciliated, the mouth covered with a lid shaped like a
cockleshell.
{California pitcher plant}, the {Darlingtonia California}.
See {Darlingtonia}.
{Pitcher plant}, any plant with the whole or a part of the
leaves transformed into pitchers or cuplike organs,
especially the species of {Nepenthes}. See {Nepenthes}.
Pitcherful \Pitch"er*ful\, n.; pl. {Pitcherfuls}.
The quantity a pitcher will hold.
Pitch-faced \Pitch"-faced`\, a. (Stone Cutting)
Having the arris defined by a line beyond which the rock is
cut away, so as to give nearly true edges; -- said of squared
stones that are otherwise quarry-faced.
Pitchfork \Pitch"fork`\, n.
A fork, or farming utensil, used in pitching hay, sheaves of
grain, or the like.
Pitchfork \Pitch"fork`\, v. t.
To pitch or throw with, or as with, a pitchfork.
He has been pitchforked into the footguards. --G. A.
Sala.
Pitchiness \Pitch"i*ness\, n. [From {Pitchy}.]
Blackness, as of pitch; darkness.
Pitching \Pitch"ing\, n.
1. The act of throwing or casting; a cast; a pitch; as, wild
pitching in baseball.
2. The rough paving of a street to a grade with blocks of
stone. --Mayhew.
3. (Hydraul. Eng.) A facing of stone laid upon a bank to
prevent wear by tides or currents.
{Pitching piece} (Carp.), the horizontal timber supporting
the floor of a platform of a stairway, and against which
the stringpieces of the sloping parts are supported.
Pitch-ore \Pitch"-ore`\, n. (Min.)
Pitchblende.
Pitchstone \Pitch"stone`\, n. (Geol.)
An igneous rock of semiglassy nature, having a luster like
pitch.
Pitchwork \Pitch"work`\, n.
The work of a coal miner who is paid by a share of his
product.
Pitchy \Pitch"y\, a. [From 1st {Pitch}.]
1. Partaking of the qualities of pitch; resembling pitch.
2. Smeared with pitch.
3. Black; pitch-dark; dismal. ``Pitchy night.'' --Shak.
Piteous \Pit"e*ous\, a. [OE. pitous, OF. pitos, F. piteux. See
{Pity}.]
1. Pious; devout. [Obs.]
The Lord can deliver piteous men from temptation.
--Wyclif.
2. Evincing pity, compassion, or sympathy; compassionate;
tender. ``[She] piteous of his case.'' --Pope.
She was so charitable and so pitous. --Chaucer.
3. Fitted to excite pity or sympathy; wretched; miserable;
lamentable; sad; as, a piteous case. --Spenser.
The most piteous tale of Lear. --Shak.
4. Paltry; mean; pitiful. ``Piteous amends.'' --Milton.
Syn: Sorrowful; mournful; affecting; doleful; woeful; rueful;
sad; wretched; miserable; pitiable; pitiful;
compassionate. -- {Pit"e*ous*ly}, adv. --
{Pit"e*ous*ness}, n.
Pitfall \Pit"fall`\, n.
A pit deceitfully covered to entrap wild beasts or men; a
trap of any kind. --Sir T. North.
Pitfalling \Pit"fall`ing\, a.
Entrapping; insnaring. [R.] ``Full of . . . contradiction and
pitfalling dispenses.'' --Milton.
Pith \Pith\, n. [AS. pi?a; akin to D. pit pith, kernel, LG.
peddik. Cf. {Pit} a kernel.]
1. (Bot.) The soft spongy substance in the center of the
stems of many plants and trees, especially those of the
dicotyledonous or exogenous classes. It consists of
cellular tissue.
2.
(a) (Zo["o]l.) The spongy interior substance of a feather.
(b) (Anat.) The spinal cord; the marrow.
3. Hence: The which contains the strength of life; the vital
or essential part; concentrated force; vigor; strength;
importance; as, the speech lacked pith.
Enterprises of great pith and moment. --Shak.
{Pith paper}. Same as {Rice paper}, under {Rice}.
Pith \Pith\, v. t. (Physiol.)
To destroy the central nervous system of (an animal, as a
frog), as by passing a stout wire or needle up and down the
vertebral canal.
Pitheci \Pi*the"ci\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? an ape.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of mammals including the apes and monkeys.
Sometimes used in the sense of Primates.
Pithecoid \Pith"e*coid\, a. [Gr. ? an ape + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
1. Of or pertaining to the genus {Pithecia}, or subfamily
{Pithecin[ae]}, which includes the saki, ouakari, and
other allied South American monkeys.
2. Of or pertaining to the anthropoid apes in particular, or
to the higher apes of the Old World, collectively.
Pithful \Pith"ful\, a.
Full of pith. [R.] --W. Browne.
Pithily \Pith"i*ly\, adv.
In a pithy manner.
Pithiness \Pith"i*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being pithy.
Pithless \Pith"less\, a.
Destitute of pith, or of strength; feeble. --Dryden.
``Pithless argumentation.'' --Glandstone.
Pit-hole \Pit"-hole`\, n.
A pit; a pockmark.
Pithsome \Pith"some\, a.
Pithy; robust. [R.] ``Pithsome health and vigor.'' --R. D.
Blackmore.
Pithy \Pith"y\, a. [Compar. {Pithier}; superl. {Pithiest}.]
1. Consisting wholly, or in part, of pith; abounding in pith;
as, a pithy stem; a pithy fruit.
2. Having nervous energy; forceful; cogent.
This pithy speech prevailed, and all agreed.
--Dryden.
In all these Goodman Fact was very short, but pithy.
--Addison.
{Pithy gall} (Zo["o]l.), a large, rough, furrowed, oblong
gall, formed on blackberry canes by a small gallfly
({Diastrophus nebulosus}).
Pitiable \Pit"i*a*ble\, a. [Cf. OF. pitiable, F. pitoyable.]
Deserving pity; wworthy of, or exciting, compassion;
miserable; lamentable; piteous; as, pitiable persons; a
pitiable condition; pitiable wretchedness.
Syn: Sorrowful; woeful; sad. See {Piteous}. --
{Pit"i*a*ble*ness}, n. -- {Pit"i*a*bly}, adv.
Pitier \Pit"i*er\, n.
One who pities. --Gauden.
Pitiful \Pit"i*ful\, a.
1. Full of pity; tender-hearted; compassionate; kind;
merciful; sympathetic.
The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
--James v. 11.
2. Piteous; lamentable; eliciting compassion.
A thing, indeed, very pitiful and horrible.
--Spenser.
3. To be pitied for littleness or meanness; miserable;
paltry; contemptible; despicable.
That's villainous, and shows a most pitiful ambition
in the fool that uses it. --Shak.
Syn: Despicable; mean; paltry. See {Contemptible}. --
{Pit"i*ful*ly}, adv. -- {Pit"i*ful*ness}, n.
Pitiless \Pit"i*less\, a.
1. Destitute of pity; hard-hearted; merciless; as, a
pitilessmaster; pitiless elements.
2. Exciting no pity; as, a pitiless condition. --
{Pit"i*less*ly}, adv. -- {Pit"i*less*ness}, n.
Pitman \Pit"man\, n.; pl. {Pitmen}.
1. One who works in a pit, as in mining, in sawing timber,
etc.
2. (Mach.) The connecting rod in a sawmill; also, sometimes,
a connecting rod in other machinery.
Pitot's tube \Pi*tot's" tube`\ (Hydraul.)
A bent tube used to determine the velocity of running water,
by placing the curved end under water, and observing the
height to which the fluid rises in the tube; a kind of
current meter.
Pitpan \Pit"pan`\, n.
A long, flat-bottomed canoe, used for the navigation of
rivers and lagoons in Central America. --Squier.
Pitpat \Pit"pat`\, n. & adv.
See {Pitapat}.
Pitta \Pit"ta\ (p[i^]t"t[.a]), n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of a large group of bright-colored clamatorial birds
belonging to {Pitta}, and allied genera of the family
{Pittid[ae]}. Most of the species are varied with three or
more colors, such as blue, green, crimson, yellow, purple,
and black. They are called also {ground thrushes}, and {Old
World ant thrushes}; but they are not related to the true
thrushes.
Note: The pittas are most abundant in the East Indies, but
some inhabit Southern Asia, Africa, and Australia. They
live mostly upon the ground, and feed upon insects of
various kinds.
Pittacal \Pit"ta*cal\ (p[i^]t"t[.a]*k[a^]l), n. [Gr. pi`tta,
pi`ssa, pitch + kalo`s beautiful: cf. F. pittacale.] (Chem.)
A dark blue substance obtained from wood tar. It consists of
hydrocarbons which when oxidized form the orange-yellow
eupittonic compounds, the salts of which are dark blue.
Pittance \Pit"tance\ (p[i^]t"tans), n. [OE. pitance, pitaunce,
F. pitance; cf. It. pietanza, LL. pitancia, pittantia,
pictantia; perh. fr. L. pietas pity, piety, or perhaps akin
to E. petty. Cf. {Petty}, and {Pity}.]
1. An allowance of food bestowed in charity; a mess of
victuals; hence, a small charity gift; a dole. ``A good
pitaunce.'' --Chaucer.
One half only of this pittance was ever given him in
money. --Macaulay.
2. A meager portion, quantity, or allowance; an
inconsiderable salary or compensation. ``The small
pittance of learning they received.'' --Swift.
The inconsiderable pittance of faithful professors.
--Fuller.
Pitted \Pit"ted\ (-t[e^]d), a.
1. Marked with little pits, as in smallpox. See {Pit}, v. t.,
2.
2. (Bot.) Having minute thin spots; as, pitted ducts in the
vascular parts of vegetable tissue.
Pitter \Pit"ter\, n.
A contrivance for removing the pits from peaches, plums, and
other stone fruit.
Pitter \Pit"ter\, v. i.
To make a pattering sound; to murmur; as, pittering streams.
[Obs.] --R. Greene.
Pittle-pattle \Pit"tle-pat`tle\, v. i.
To talk unmeaningly; to chatter or prattle. [R.] --Latimer.
Pituitary \Pi*tu"i*ta*ry\, a. [L. pituita phlegm, pituite: cf.
F. pituitarie.] (Anat.)
(a) Secreting mucus or phlegm; as, the pituitary membrane, or
the mucous membrane which lines the nasal cavities.
(b) Of or pertaining to the pituitary body; as, the pituitary
fossa.
{Pituitary body} or {gland} (Anat.), a glandlike body of
unknown function, situated in the pituitary fossa, and
connected with the infundibulum of the brain; the
hypophysis.
{Pituitary fossa} (Anat.), the ephippium.
Pituite \Pit"u*ite\, n. [L. pituita: cf. F. pituite. Cf. {Pip} a
disease of fowls.]
Mucus, phlegm.
Pituitous \Pi*tu"i*tous\, a. [L. pituitosus: cf. F. pituiteux.]
Consisting of, or resembling, pituite or mucus; full of
mucus; discharging mucus.
{Pituitous fever} (Med.), typhoid fever; enteric fever.
Pity \Pit"y\, n.; pl. {Pities}. [OE. pite, OF. pit['e],
piti['e], F. piti['e], L. pietas piety, kindness, pity. See
{Pious}, and cf. {Piety}.]
1. Piety. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
2. A feeling for the sufferings or distresses of another or
others; sympathy with the grief or misery of another;
compassion; fellow-feeling; commiseration.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the
Lord. --Prov. xix.
17.
He . . . has no more pity in him than a dog. --Shak.
3. A reason or cause of pity, grief, or regret; a thing to be
regretted. ``The more the pity.'' --Shak.
What pity is it That we can die but once to serve
our country! --Addison.
Note: In this sense, sometimes used in the plural, especially
in the colloquialism: ``It is a thousand pities.''
Syn: Compassion; mercy; commiseration; condolence; sympathy,
fellow-suffering; fellow-feeling. -- {Pity}, {Sympathy},
{Compassion}. Sympathy is literally fellow-feeling, and
therefore requiers a certain degree of equality in
situation, circumstances, etc., to its fullest exercise.
Compassion is deep tenderness for another under severe
or inevitable misfortune. Pity regards its object not
only as suffering, but weak, and hence as inferior.
Pity \Pit"y\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pitied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pitying}.]
1. To feel pity or compassion for; to have sympathy with; to
compassionate; to commiserate; to have tender feelings
toward (any one), awakened by a knowledge of suffering.
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord
pitieth them that fear him. --Ps. ciii.
13.
2. To move to pity; -- used impersonally. [Obs.]
It pitieth them to see her in the dust. --Bk. of
Com. Prayer.
Pity \Pit"y\, v. i.
To be compassionate; to show pity.
I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy. --Jer.
xiii. 14.
Pitying \Pit"y*ing\, a.
Expressing pity; as, a pitying eye, glance, or word. --
{Pit"y*ing*ly}, adv.
Pityriasis \Pit`y*ri"a*sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?, lit.,
bran.] (Med.)
A superficial affection of the skin, characterized by
irregular patches of thin scales which are shed in branlike
particles.
{Pityriasis versicolor} [NL.] (Med.), a parasitic disease of
the skin, characterized by the development of reddish or
brownish patches.
Pityroid \Pit"y*roid\, a. [Gr. ? bran + -oid.]
Having the form of, or resembling, bran. --Smart.
Piu \Pi"[`u]\, adv. [It., fr. L. plus. See {Plus}.] (Mus.)
A little more; as, pi[`u] allegro, a little more briskly.
Pivot \Piv"ot\, n. [F.; prob. akin to It. piva pipe, F. pipe.
See {Pipe}.]
1. A fixed pin or short axis, on the end of which a wheel or
other body turns.
2. The end of a shaft or arbor which rests and turns in a
support; as, the pivot of an arbor in a watch.
3. Hence, figuratively: A turning point or condition; that on
which important results depend; as, the pivot of an
enterprise.
4. (Mil.) The officer or soldier who simply turns in his
place whike the company or line moves around him in
wheeling; -- called also {pivot man}.
{Pivot bridge}, a form of drawbridge in which one span,
called the pivot span, turns about a central vertical
axis.
{Pivot gun}, a gun mounted on a pivot or revolving carriage,
so as to turn in any direction.
{Pivot tooth} (Dentistry), an artificial crown attached to
the root of a natural tooth by a pin or peg.
Pivot \Piv"ot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pivoted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pivoting}.]
To place on a pivot. --Clarke.
Pivotal \Piv"ot*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a pivot or turning point; belonging to,
or constituting, a pivot; of the nature of a pivot; as, the
pivotalopportunity of a career; the pivotal position in a
battle.
Pix \Pix\, n. & v.
See {Pyx}.
Pixy \Pix"y\, Pixie \Pix"ie\, n.; pl. {Pixies}. [For Pucksy,
from Puck.]
1. An old English name for a fairy; an elf. [Written also
{picksy}.]
2. (Bot.) A low creeping evergreen plant ({Pyxidanthera
barbulata}), with mosslike leaves and little white
blossoms, found in New Jersey and southward, where it
flowers in earliest spring.
{Pixy ring}, a fairy ring or circle. [Prov. Eng.]
{Pixy stool} (Bot.), a toadstool or mushroom. [Prov. Eng.]
Pixy-led \Pix"y-led`\, a.
Led by pixies; bewildered.
Pizzicato \Piz`zi*ca"to\ [It., pinched.] (Mus.)
A direction to violinists to pluck the string with the
finger, instead of using the bow. (Abrev. pizz.)
Pizzle \Piz"zle\, n. [Cf. Prov. G. pissel, pesel, peisel,
peserich, D. pees a tendon or spring.]
The penis; -- so called in some animals, as the bull. --Shak.
Placability \Pla`ca*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. placabilitas: cf. F.
placabilit['e].]
The quality or state of being placable or appeasable;
placable disposition.
Placable \Pla"ca*ble\, a. [L. placabilis, fr. placare to quiet,
pacify: cf. F. placable. See {Placate}.]
Capable of being appeased or pacified; ready or willing to be
pacified; willing to forgive or condone.
Methought I saw him placable and mild. --Milton.
Placableness \Pla"ca*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being placable.
Placard \Pla*card"\, n. [F., fr. plaquer to lay or clap on,
plaque plate, tablet; probably from Dutch, cf. D. plakken to
paste, post up, plak a flat piece of wood.]
1. A public proclamation; a manifesto or edict issued by
authority. [Obs.]
All placards or edicts are published in his name.
--Howell.
2. Permission given by authority; a license; as, to give a
placard to do something. [Obs.] --ller.
3. A written or printed paper, as an advertisement or a
declaration, posted, or to be posted, in a public place; a
poster.
4. (Anc. Armor) An extra plate on the lower part of the
breastplate or backplate. --Planch['e].
5. [Cf. {Placket}.] A kind of stomacher, often adorned with
jewels, worn in the fifteenth century and later.
Placard \Pla*card"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Placarded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Placarding}.]
1. To post placards upon or within; as, to placard a wall, to
placard the city.
2. To announce by placards; as, to placard a sale.
Placate \Plac"ate\, n.
Same as {Placard}, 4 & 5.
Placate \Pla"cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Placated}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Placating}.] [L. placatus, p. p. of placare to placate,
akin to placere to please. See {Please}.]
To appease; to pacify; to concilate. ``Therefore is he always
propitiated and placated.'' --Cudworth.
Placation \Pla*ca"tion\, n. [L. placatio.]
The act of placating. [R.] --Puttenham (1589).
Place \Place\, n. [F., fr. L. platea a street, an area, a
courtyard, from Gr. platei^a a street, properly fem. of
platy`s, flat, broad; akin to Skr. p[.r]thu, Lith. platus.
Cf. {Flawn}, {Piazza}, {Plate}, {Plaza}.]
1. Any portion of space regarded as measured off or distinct
from all other space, or appropriated to some definite
object or use; position; ground; site; spot; rarely,
unbounded space.
Here is the place appointed. --Shak.
What place can be for us Within heaven's bound?
--Milton.
The word place has sometimes a more confused sense,
and stands for that space which any body takes up;
and so the universe is a place. --Locke.
2. A broad way in a city; an open space; an area; a court or
short part of a street open only at one end. ``Hangman
boys in the market place.'' --Shak.
3. A position which is occupied and held; a dwelling; a
mansion; a village, town, or city; a fortified town or
post; a stronghold; a region or country.
Are you native of this place? --Shak.
4. Rank; degree; grade; order of priority, advancement,
dignity, or importance; especially, social rank or
position; condition; also, official station; occupation;
calling. ``The enervating magic of place.'' --Hawthorne.
Men in great place are thrice servants. --Bacon.
I know my place as I would they should do theirs.
--Shak.
5. Vacated or relinquished space; room; stead (the departure
or removal of another being or thing being implied). ``In
place of Lord Bassanio.'' --Shak.
6. A definite position or passage of a document.
The place of the scripture which he read was this.
--Acts viii.
32.
7. Ordinal relation; position in the order of proceeding; as,
he said in the first place.
8. Reception; effect; -- implying the making room for.
My word hath no place in you. --John viii.
37.
9. (Astron.) Position in the heavens, as of a heavenly body;
-- usually defined by its right ascension and declination,
or by its latitude and longitude.
{Place of arms} (Mil.), a place calculated for the rendezvous
of men in arms, etc., as a fort which affords a safe
retreat for hospitals, magazines, etc. --Wilhelm.
{High place} (Script.), a mount on which sacrifices were
offered. ``Him that offereth in the high place.'' --Jer.
xlviii. 35.
{In place}, in proper position; timely.
{Out of place}, inappropriate; ill-timed; as, his remarks
were out of place.
{Place kick} (Football), the act of kicking the ball after it
has been placed on the ground.
{Place name}, the name of a place or locality. --London
Academy.
{To give place}, to make room; to yield; to give way; to give
advantage. ``Neither give place to the devil.'' --Eph. iv.
27. ``Let all the rest give place.'' --Shak.
{To have place}, to have a station, room, or seat; as, such
desires can have no place in a good heart.
{To take place}.
(a) To come to pass; to occur; as, the ceremony will not
take place.
(b) To take precedence or priority. --Addison.
(c) To take effect; to prevail. ``If your doctrine takes
place.'' --Berkeley. ``But none of these excuses would
take place.'' --Spenser.
{To take the place of}, to be substituted for.
Syn: Situation; seat; abode; position; locality; location;
site; spot; office; employment; charge; function; trust;
ground; room; stead.
Place \Place\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Placed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Placing}.] [Cf. F. placer. See {Place}, n.]
1. To assign a place to; to put in a particular spot or
place, or in a certain relative position; to direct to a
particular place; to fix; to settle; to locate; as, to
place a book on a shelf; to place balls in tennis.
Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown. --Shak.
2. To put or set in a particular rank, office, or position;
to surround with particular circumstances or relations in
life; to appoint to certain station or condition of life;
as, in whatever sphere one is placed.
Place such over them to be rulers. --Ex. xviii.
21.
3. To put out at interest; to invest; to loan; as, to place
money in a bank.
4. To set; to fix; to repose; as, to place confidence in a
friend. ``My resolution 's placed.'' --Shak.
5. To attribute; to ascribe; to set down.
Place it for her chief virtue. --Shak.
{To place} (a person), to identify him. [Colloq. U.S.]
Syn: See {Put}.
Placebo \Pla*ce"bo\, n. [L., I shall please, fut. of placere to
please.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) The first antiphon of the vespers for the
dead.
2. (Med.) A prescription intended to humor or satisfy.
{To sing placebo}, to agree with one in his opinion; to be
complaisant to. --Chaucer.
Placeful \Place"ful\, a.
In the appointed place. [Obs.]
Placeless \Place"less\, a.
Having no place or office.
Placeman \Place"man\, n.; pl. {Placemen}.
One who holds or occupies a place; one who has office under
government. --Sir W. Scott.
Placement \Place"ment\, n. [Cf. F. placement.]
1. The act of placing, or the state of being placed.
2. Position; place.
Placenta \Pla*cen"ta\, n.; pl. L. {Placent[ae]}, E. {Placentas}.
[L., a cake, Gr. ? a flat cake, from ? flat, fr. ?, ?,
anything flat and broad.]
1. (Anat.) The vascular appendage which connects the fetus
with the parent, and is cast off in parturition with the
afterbirth.
Note: In most mammals the placenta is principally developed
from the allantois and chorion, and tufts of vascular
villi on its surface penetrate the blood vessels of the
parental uterus, and thus establish a nutritive and
excretory connection between the blood of the fetus and
that of the parent, though the blood itself does not
flow from one to the other.
2. (Bot.) The part of a pistil or fruit to which the ovules
or seeds are attached.
Placental \Pla*cen"tal\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the placenta; having, or characterized
by having, a placenta; as, a placental mammal.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to the Placentalia.
Placental \Pla*cen"tal\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Placentalia.
Placentalia \Plac`en*ta"li*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Mammalia including those that have a placenta,
or all the orders above the marsupials.
Placentary \Pla*cen"ta*ry\, a.
Having reference to the placenta; as, the placentary system
of classification.
Placentation \Plac`en*ta"tion\, n.
1. (Anat.) The mode of formation of the placenta in different
animals; as, the placentation of mammals.
2. (Bot.) The mode in which the placenta is arranged or
composed; as, axile placentation; parietal placentation.
Placentiferous \Plac`en*tif"er*ous\, a. [Placenta + -ferous.]
(Bot. & Zo["o]l.)
Having or producing a placenta.
Placentiform \Pla*cen"ti*form\, a. [Placenta + -form.] (Bot.)
Having the shape of a placenta, or circular thickened disk
somewhat thinner about the middle.
Placentious \Pla*cen"tious\, a. [See {Please}.]
Pleasing; amiable. [Obs.] ``A placentious person.'' --Fuller.
Place-proud \Place"-proud`\, a.
Proud of rank or office. --Beau. & Fl.
Placer \Pla"cer\, n.
One who places or sets. --Spenser.
Placer \Plac"er\, n. [Sp.]
A deposit of earth, sand, or gravel, containing valuable
mineral in particles, especially by the side of a river, or
in the bed of a mountain torrent. [U.S.]
Placet \Pla"cet\, n. [L. placet it pleases.]
1. A vote of assent, as of the governing body of a
university, of an ecclesiastical council, etc.
2. The assent of the civil power to the promulgation of an
ecclesiastical ordinance. --Shipley.
The king . . . annulled the royal placet. --J. P.
Peters.
Placid \Plac"id\, a. [L. placidus, originally, pleasing, mild,
from placere to please: cf. F. placide. See {Please}.]
Pleased; contented; unruffied; undisturbed; serene; peaceful;
tranquil; quiet; gentle. ``That placid aspect and meek
regard.'' --Milton. ``Sleeping . . . the placid sleep of
infancy.'' --Macaulay.
Placidity \Pla*cid"i*ty\, n. [L. placiditas: cf. F.
placidit['e].]
The quality or state of being placid; calmness; serenity.
--Hawthorne.
Placidly \Plac"id*ly\, adv.
In a placid manner.
Placidness \Plac"id*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being placid.
Placit \Plac"it\, n. [L. placitum. See {Plea}.]
A decree or determination; a dictum. [Obs.] ``The placits and
opinions of other philosophers.'' --Evelyn.
Placitory \Plac"i*to*ry\, a. [See {Placit}.]
Of or pertaining to pleas or pleading, in courts of law.
[Obs.] --Clayton.
Placitum \Plac"i*tum\, n.; pl. {Placita}. [LL. See {Placit}.]
1. A public court or assembly in the Middle Ages, over which
the sovereign president when a consultation was held upon
affairs of state. --Brande & C.
2. (Old Eng. Law) A court, or cause in court.
3. (Law) A plea; a pleading; a judicial proceeding; a suit.
--Burrill.
Plack \Plack\, n. [F. plaque a plate of metal. Cf. {Plaque}.]
A small copper coin formerly current in Scotland, worth less
than a cent.
With not a plack in the pocket of the poet. --Prof.
Wilson.
Placket \Plack"et\, n. [F. plaquer to lay or clap on. See
{Placard}.]
1. A petticoat, esp. an under petticoat; hence, a cant term
for a woman. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
2. The opening or slit left in a petticoat or skirt for
convenience in putting it on; -- called also {placket
hole}.
3. A woman's pocket.
Placoderm \Plac"o*derm\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, tablet + ? skin.]
(Paleon.)
One of the Placodermi.
Placodermal \Plac`o*der"mal\, a. (Paleon.)
Of or pertaining to the placoderms; like the placoderms.
Placodermata \Plac`o*der"ma*ta\, n. pl. [NL.] (Paleon.)
Same as {Placodermi}.
Placodermi \Plac`o*der"mi\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a tablet
+ ? skin.] (Paleon.)
An extinct group of fishes, supposed to be ganoids. The body
and head were covered with large bony plates. See Illust.
under {Pterichthys}, and {Coccosteus}.
Placoganoid \Plac`o*ga"noid\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the Placoganoidei.
Placoganoidei \Plac`o*ga*noi"de*i\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a
tablet + NL. ganoidei. See {Ganoidei}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of ganoid fishes including those that have large
external bony plates and a cartilaginous skeleton.
Placoid \Plac"oid\, a. [Gr. ?, ?, a tablet + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Platelike; having irregular, platelike, bony scales, often
bearing spines; pertaining to the placoids.
Placoid \Plac"oid\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any fish having placoid scales, as the sharks.
(b) One of the Placoides.
Placoides \Pla*coi"des\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of fishes including the sharks and rays; the
Elasmobranchii; -- called also {Placoidei}.
Placoidian \Pla*coid"i*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the placoids.
Placophora \Pla*coph"o*ra\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ?, ?, tablet +
? to bear.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of gastropod Mollusca, including the chitons. The
back is covered by eight shelly plates. Called also
{Polyplacophora}. See Illust. under {Chiton}, and
{Isopleura}.
Plaga \Pla"ga\, n.; pl. {Plag[ae]}. [L. pl[=a]ga a blow, a welt,
a stripe.] (Zo["o]l.)
A stripe of color.
Plagal \Pla"gal\, a. [F., from Gr. ? sidewise, slanting.] (Mus.)
Having a scale running from the dominant to its octave; --
said of certain old church modes or tunes, as opposed to
those called authentic, which ran from the tonic to its
octave.
{Plagal cadence}, a cadence in which the final chord on the
tonic is preceded by the chord on the subdominant.
Plagate \Pla"gate\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having plag[ae], or irregular enlongated color spots.
Plage \Plage\, n. [F., fr. L. plaga.]
A region; country. [Obs.] ``The plages of the north.''
--Chaucer.
Plagiarism \Pla"gia*rism\, n. [Cf. F. plagiarisme.]
1. The act or practice of plagiarizing.
2. That which plagiarized.
Plagiarist \Pla"gia*rist\, n.
One who plagiarizes; or purloins the words, writings, or
ideas of another, and passes them off as his own; a literary
thief; a plagiary.
Plagiarize \Pla"gia*rize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plagiarized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Plagiarizing}.]
To steal or purloin from the writings of another; to
appropriate without due acknowledgement (the ideas or
expressions of another).
Plagiary \Pla"gia*ry\, v. i.
To commit plagiarism.
Plagiary \Pla"gia*ry\, n.; pl. {Plagiaries}. [L. plagiarius a
kidnaper, a literary thief, fr. plagium kidnaping; cf. plaga
a net, perh. akin to E. plait: cf. F. plagiaire.]
1. A manstealer; a kidnaper. [Obs.]
2. One who purloins another's expressions or ideas, and
offers them as his own; a plagiarist. --Dryden.
3. Plagiarism; literary thief. --Milton.
Plagiary \Pla"gia*ry\, a.
1. Kidnaping. [Obs.] --E. Browne.
2. Practicing plagiarism. --Bp. Hall.
Plagihedral \Pla`gi*he"dral\, a. [Gr. ? oblique + ? base, seat.]
(Crystallog.)
Having an oblique spiral arrangement of planes, as levogyrate
and dextrogyrate crystals.
Plagiocephalic \Pla`gi*o*ce*phal"ic\, a. [Gr. ? oblique + ? the
head.] (Anat.)
Having an oblique lateral deformity of the skull.
Plagiocephaly \Pla`gi*o*ceph"a*ly\, n. (Anat.)
Oblique lateral deformity of the skull.
Plagioclase \Pla"gi*o*clase\, n. [Gr. ? oblique + ? to break.]
(Min.)
A general term used of any triclinic feldspar. See the Note
under {Feldspar}.
Plagionite \Pla"gi*o*nite\, n. [Gr. ? oblique. So called in
allusion to its usually oblique crystallization.] (Min.)
A sulphide of lead and antimony, of a blackish lead-gray
color and metallic luster.
Plagiostomatous \Pla`gi*o*stom"a*tous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Plagiostomous}.
Plagiostome \Pla"gi*o*stome\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Plagiostomi.
Plagiostomi \Pla`gi*os"to*mi\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? slanting
+ ?, ?, mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of fishes including the sharks and rays; -- called
also {Plagiostomata}.
Plagiostomous \Pla`gi*os"to*mous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Plagiostomi.
Plagiotremata \Pla`gi*o*trem"a*ta\, n. pl.; [NL., fr. Gr. ?
slanting + ?, ?, a hole.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Lepidosauria}.
Plagiotropic \Pla`gi*o*trop"ic\, a. [Gr. ? aslant + ? to turn.]
(Bot.)
Having the longer axis inclined away from the vertical line.
Plagium \Pla"gi*um\, n. [L.] (Civil Law)
Manstealing; kidnaping.
Plagose \Pla*gose"\, a. [L. plagosus. See {Plague}.]
Fond of flogging; as, a plagose master. [R.]
Plague \Plague\, n. [L. plaga a blow, stroke, plague; akin to
Gr. ?, fr. ? to strike; cf. L. plangere to strike, beat. Cf.
{Plaint}.]
1. That which smites, wounds, or troubles; a blow; a
calamity; any afflictive evil or torment; a great trail or
vexation. --Shak.
And men blasphemed God for the plague of hail.
--Wyclif.
The different plague of each calamity. --Shak.
2. (Med.) An acute malignant contagious fever, that often
prevails in Egypt, Syria, and Turkey, and has at times
visited the large cities of Europe with frightful
mortality; hence, any pestilence; as, the great London
plague. ``A plague upon the people fell.'' --Tennyson.
{Cattle plague}. See {Rinderpest}.
{Plague mark}, {Plague spot}, a spot or mark of the plague;
hence, a token of something incurable.
Plague \Plague\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plagued}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plaguing}.]
1. To infest or afflict with disease, calamity, or natural
evil of any kind.
Thus were they plagued And worn with famine.
--Milton.
2. Fig.: To vex; to tease; to harass.
She will plague the man that loves her most.
--Spenser.
Syn: To vex; torment; distress; afflict; harass; annoy;
tease; tantalize; trouble; molest; embarrass; perplex.
Plagueful \Plague"ful\, a.
Abounding, or infecting, with plagues; pestilential; as,
plagueful exhalations.
Plagueless \Plague"less\, a.
Free from plagues or the plague.
Plaguer \Pla"guer\, n.
One who plagues or annoys.
Plaguily \Pla"gui*ly\, adv.
In a plaguing manner; vexatiously; extremely. [Colloq.]
``Ronsard is so plaguily stiff and stately.'' --Landor.
Plaguy \Pla"guy\, a.
Vexatious; troublesome; tormenting; as, a plaguy horse.
[Colloq.] Also used adverbially; as, ``He is so plaguy
proud.'' --Shak.
Plaice \Plaice\, n. [F. plaise, plais, prob. fr. L. platessa
flatish, plaice. See {Place}.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A European food fish ({Pleuronectes platessa}), allied to
the flounder, and growing to the weight of eight or ten
pounds or more.
(b) A large American flounder ({Paralichthys dentatus};
called also {brail}, {puckermouth}, and {summer
flounder}. The name is sometimes applied to other allied
species. [Written also {plaise}.]
{Plaice mouth}, a mouth like that of a plaice; a small or wry
mouth. [R.] --B. Jonson.
Plaid \Plaid\, n. [Gael. plaide a blanket or plaid, contr. fr.
peallaid a sheepskin, fr. peall a skin or hide. CF.
{Pillion}.]
1. A rectangular garment or piece of cloth, usually made of
the checkered material called tartan, but sometimes of
plain gray, or gray with black stripes. It is worn by both
sexes in Scotland.
2. Goods of any quality or material of the pattern of a plaid
or tartan; a checkered cloth or pattern.
Plaid \Plaid\, a.
Having a pattern or colors which resemble a Scotch plaid;
checkered or marked with bars or stripes at right angles to
one another; as, plaid muslin.
Plaided \Plaid"ed\, a.
1. Of the material of which plaids are made; tartan. ``In
plaided vest.'' --Wordsworth.
2. Wearing a plaid. --Campbell.
Plaiding \Plaid"ing\, n.
Plaid cloth.
Plain \Plain\, v. i. [OE. playne, pleyne, fr. F. plaindre. See
{Plaint}.]
To lament; to bewail; to complain. [Archaic & Poetic]
--Milton.
We with piteous heart unto you pleyne. --Chaucer.
Plain \Plain\, v. t.
To lament; to mourn over; as, to plain a loss. [Archaic &
Poetic] --Sir J. Harrington.
Plain \Plain\, a. [Compar. {Plainer}; superl. {Plainest}.] [F.,
level, flat, fr. L. planus, perhaps akin to E. floor. Cf.
{Llano}, {Piano}, {Plan}, {Plane} level, a level surface.]
1. Without elevations or depressions; flat; level; smooth;
even. See {Plane}.
The crooked shall be made straight, and the rough
places plain. --Isa. xl. 4.
2. Open; clear; unencumbered; equal; fair.
Our troops beat an army in plain fight. --Felton.
3. Not intricate or difficult; evident; manifest; obvious;
clear; unmistakable. ``'T is a plain case.'' --Shak.
4.
(a) Void of extraneous beauty or ornament; without
conspicious embellishment; not rich; simple.
(b) Not highly cultivated; unsophisticated; free from show
or pretension; simple; natural; homely; common.
``Plain yet pious Christians.'' --Hammond. ``The plain
people.'' --A. Lincoln.
(c) Free from affectation or disguise; candid; sincere;
artless; honest; frank. ``An honest mind, and plain.''
--Shak.
(d) Not luxurious; not highly seasoned; simple; as, plain
food.
(e) Without beauty; not handsome; homely; as, a plain
woman.
(f) Not variegated, dyed, or figured; as, plain muslin.
(g) Not much varied by modulations; as, a plain tune.
{Plain battle}, open battle; pitched battle. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.
{Plain chant} (Mus.) Same as {Plain song}, below.
{Plain chart} (Naut.), a chart laid down on Mercator's
projection.
{Plain dealer}.
(a) One who practices plain dealing.
(b) A simpleton. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Plain dealing}. See under {Dealing}.
{Plain molding} (Join.), molding of which the surfaces are
plain figures.
{Plain sewing}, sewing of seams by simple and common
stitches, in distinct from fancy work, embroidery, etc.;
-- distinguished also from designing and fitting garments.
{Plain song}.
(a) The Gregorian chant, or {canto fermo}; the prescribed
melody of the Roman Catholic service, sung in unison,
in tones of equal length, and rarely extending beyond
the compass of an octave.
(b) A simple melody.
{Plain speaking}, plainness or bluntness of speech.
Syn: Level; flat; smooth; open; artless; unaffected;
undisguised; frank; sincere; honest; candid; ingenuous;
unembellished; downright; blunt; clear; simple;
distinct; manifest; obvious; apparent. See {Manifest}.
Plain \Plain\, adv.
In a plain manner; plainly. ``To speak short and pleyn.''
--Chaucer. ``To tell you plain.'' --Shak.
Plain \Plain\, n. [Cf. OF. plaigne, F. plaine. See {Plain}, a.]
1. Level land; usually, an open field or a broad stretch of
land with an even surface, or a surface little varied by
inequalities; as, the plain of Jordan; the American
plains, or prairies.
Descending fro the mountain into playn. --Chaucer.
Him the Ammonite Worshiped in Rabba and her watery
plain. --Milton.
2. A field of battle. [Obs.] --Arbuthnot.
Lead forth my soldiers to the plain. --Shak.
Plain \Plain\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plained}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plaining}.] [Cf. {Plane}, v.]
1. To plane or level; to make plain or even on the surface.
[R.]
We would rake Europe rather, plain the East.
--Wither.
2. To make plain or manifest; to explain.
What's dumb in show, I'll plain in speech. --Shak.
Plainant \Plain"ant\, n. [See 1st {Plain}.] (Law)
One who makes complaint; the plaintiff. [Obs.]
Plain-dealing \Plain"-deal`ing\, a.
Practicing plain dealing; artless. See {Plain dealing}, under
{Dealing}. --Shak.
Plain-hearted \Plain"-heart`ed\, a.
Frank; sincere; artless. --Milton. -- {Plain"-heart`ed*ness},
n.
Plaining \Plain"ing\, n.
Complaint. [Poetic] --Shak.
Plaining \Plain"ing\, a.
Complaining. [Poetic] --Bryant.
Plain-laid \Plain"-laid`\, a. (Naut.)
Consisting of strands twisted together in the ordinary way;
as, a plain-laid rope. See Illust. of {Cordage}.
Plainly \Plain"ly\, adv.
In a plain manner; clearly.
Plainness \Plain"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being plain.
Plainsman \Plains"man\, n.; pl. {-men}.
One who lives in the plains.
Plain-spoken \Plain"-spo`ken\, a.
Speaking with plain, unreserved sincerity; also, spoken
sincerely; as, plain-spoken words. --Dryden.
Plaint \Plaint\, n. [OE. plainte, pleynte, F. plainte, fr. L.
plangere, planctum (plancta, fem. p. p.), to beat, beat the
breast, lament. Cf. {Complain}, {Plague}, {Plangent}.]
1. Audible expression of sorrow; lamentation; complaint;
hence, a mournful song; a lament. --Chaucer.``The
Psalmist's mournful plaint.'' --Wordsworth.
2. An accusation or protest on account of an injury.
There are three just grounds of war with Spain: one
of plaint, two upon defense. --Bacon.
3. (Law) A private memorial tendered to a court, in which a
person sets forth his cause of action; the exhibiting of
an action in writing. --Blackstone.
Plaintful \Plaint"ful\, a.
Containing a plaint; complaining; expressing sorrow with an
audible voice. ``My plaintful tongue.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
Plaintiff \Plain"tiff\, n. [F. plaintif making complaint,
plaintive; in Old French equiv. to plaignant complainant,
prosecutor, fr. plaindre. See {Plaint}, and cf. {Plaintive}.]
(Law)
One who commences a personal action or suit to obtain a
remedy for an injury to his rights; -- opposed to
{defendant}.
Plaintiff \Plain"tiff\, a.
See {Plaintive}. [Obs.] --Prior.
Plaintive \Plain"tive\, a. [F. plaintif. See {Plaintiff}, n.]
1. Repining; complaining; lamenting. --Dryden.
2. Expressive of sorrow or melancholy; mournful; sad. ``The
most plaintive ditty.'' --Landor. -- {Plain"tive*ly}, adv.
-- {Plain"tive*ness}, n.
Plaintless \Plaint"less\, a.
Without complaint; unrepining. ``Plaintless patience.''
--Savage.
Plaisance \Plai`sance"\, n. [F.]
See {Pleasance}.
Plaise \Plaise\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Plaice}. [Obs.]
Plaister \Plais"ter\, n. [Obs.]
See {Plaster}.
Plait \Plait\, n. [OE. playte, OF. pleit, L. plicatum, plicitum,
p. p. of plicare to fold, akin to plectere to plait. See
{Ply}, and cf. {Plat} to weave, {Pleat}, {Plight} fold.]
1. A flat fold; a doubling, as of cloth; a pleat; as, a box
plait.
The plaits and foldings of the drapery. --Addison.
2. A braid, as of hair or straw; a plat.
{Polish plait}. (Med.) Same as {Plica}.
Plait \Plait\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plaited}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plaiting}.]
1. To fold; to double in narrow folds; to pleat; as, to plait
a ruffle.
2. To interweave the strands or locks of; to braid; to plat;
as, to plait hair; to plait rope.
Plaited \Plait"ed\, a.
Folded; doubled over; braided; figuratively, involved;
intricate; artful.
Time shall unfold what plaited cunning hides. --Shak.
Plaiter \Plait"er\, n.
One who, or that which, plaits.
Plan \Plan\, n. [F., fr. L. planus flat, level. See {Plain}, a.]
1. A draught or form; properly, a representation drawn on a
plane, as a map or a chart; especially, a top view, as of
a machine, or the representation or delineation of a
horizontal section of anything, as of a building; a
graphic representation; a diagram.
2. A scheme devised; a method of action or procedure
expressed or described in language; a project; as, the
plan of a constitution; the plan of an expedition.
God's plans like lines pure and white unfold. --M.
R. Smith.
3. A method; a way of procedure; a custom.
The simple plan, That they should take who have the
power, And they should keep who can. --Wordsworth.
{Body plan}, {Floor plan}, etc. See under {Body}, {Floor},
etc.
Syn: Scheme; draught; delineation; plot; sketch; project;
design; contrivance; device. See {Scheme}.
Plan \Plan\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Planned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Planning}.]
1. To form a delineation of; to draught; to represent, as by
a diagram.
2. To scheme; to devise; to contrive; to form in design; as,
to plan the conquest of a country.
Even in penance, planning sins anew. --Goldsmith.
Planaria \Pla*na"ri*a\, n.; pl. L. {Planari[ae]}, E. {-rias}.
[NL. See {Planary}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of turbellarian worms belonging to {Planaria},
and many allied genera. The body is usually flat, thin, and
smooth. Some species, in warm countries, are terrestrial.
Planarian \Pla*na"ri*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Planarida, or Dendroc[oe]la; any turbellarian
worm. -- {Pla*na"ri*an}, a.
Planarida \Pla*nar"i*da\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Turbellaria; the Dendroc[oe]la.
Planarioid \Pla*na"ri*oid\, a. [Planaria + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Like the planarians.
Planary \Pla"na*ry\, a. [L. planarius level. See {Plane}, a.]
Of or pertaining to a plane. [R.]
Planch \Planch\, n. [F. planche.]
A plank. [Obs.] --Ld. Berners.
Planch \Planch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Planched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Planching}.] [F. planche a board, plank. See {Plank}.]
To make or cover with planks or boards; to plank. [Obs.] ``To
that vineyard is a planched gate.'' --Shak.
Plancher \Planch"er\, n. [F., planche. See {Planch}.]
1. A floor of wood; also, a plank. [Obs.] --Bacon.
2. (Arch.) The under side of a cornice; a soffit.
Plancher \Planch"er\, v. t.
To form of planks. [Obs.] --Golding.
Planchet \Planch"et\, n. [F. planchette a small board, dim. of
planche. See {Planch}.]
A flat piece of metal; especially, a disk of metal ready to
be stamped as a coin.
Planchette \Plan`chette"\, n. [F. See {Planchet}.]
1. A circumferentor. See {Circumferentor}.
2. A small tablet of wood supported on casters and having a
pencil attached. The characters produced by the pencil on
paper, while the hand rests on the instrument and it is
allowed to move, are sometimes translated as of oracular
or supernatural import.
Planching \Planch"ing\, n.
The laying of floors in a building; also, a floor of boards
or planks.
Plane \Plane\, n. [F., fr. L. platanus, Gr. ?, fr. ? broad; --
so called on account of its broad leaves and spreading form.
See {Place}, and cf. {Platane}, {Plantain} the tree.] (Bot.)
Any tree of the genus Platanus.
Note: The Oriental plane ({Platanus orientalis}) is a native
of Asia. It rises with a straight, smooth, branching
stem to a great height, with palmated leaves, and long
pendulous peduncles, sustaining several heads of small
close-sitting flowers. The seeds are downy, and
collected into round, rough, hard balls. The Occidental
plane ({Platanus occidentalis}), which grows to a great
height, is a native of North America, where it is
popularly called {sycamore}, {buttonwood}, and
{buttonball}, names also applied to the California
species ({Platanus racemosa}).
Plane \Plane\, a. [L. planus: cf. F. plan. See {Plan}, a.]
Without elevations or depressions; even; level; flat; lying
in, or constituting, a plane; as, a plane surface.
Note: In science, this word (instead of plain) is almost
exclusively used to designate a flat or level surface.
{Plane angle}, the angle included between two straight lines
in a plane.
{Plane chart}, {Plane curve}. See under {Chart} and {Curve}.
{Plane figure}, a figure all points of which lie in the same
plane. If bounded by straight lines it is a rectilinear
plane figure, if by curved lines it is a curvilinear plane
figure.
{Plane geometry}, that part of geometry which treats of the
relations and properties of plane figures.
{Plane problem}, a problem which can be solved geometrically
by the aid of the right line and circle only.
{Plane sailing} (Naut.), the method of computing a ship's
place and course on the supposition that the earth's
surface is a plane.
{Plane scale} (Naut.), a scale for the use of navigators, on
which are graduated chords, sines, tangents, secants,
rhumbs, geographical miles, etc.
{Plane surveying}, surveying in which the curvature of the
earth is disregarded; ordinary field and topographical
surveying of tracts of moderate extent.
{Plane table}, an instrument used for plotting the lines of a
survey on paper in the field.
{Plane trigonometry}, the branch of trigonometry in which its
principles are applied to plane triangles.
Plane \Plane\, n. [F. plane, L. plana. See {Plane}, v. & a.]
1. (Geom.) A surface, real or imaginary, in which, if any two
points are taken, the straight line which joins them lies
wholly in that surface; or a surface, any section of which
by a like surface is a straight line; a surface without
curvature.
2. (Astron.) An ideal surface, conceived as coinciding with,
or containing, some designated astronomical line, circle,
or other curve; as, the plane of an orbit; the plane of
the ecliptic, or of the equator.
3. (Mech.) A block or plate having a perfectly flat surface,
used as a standard of flatness; a surface plate.
4. (Joinery) A tool for smoothing boards or other surfaces of
wood, for forming moldings, etc. It consists of a
smooth-soled stock, usually of wood, from the under side
or face of which projects slightly the steel cutting edge
of a chisel, called the iron, which inclines backward,
with an apperture in front for the escape of shavings; as,
the jack plane; the smoothing plane; the molding plane,
etc.
{Objective plane} (Surv.), the horizontal plane upon which
the object which is to be delineated, or whose place is to
be determined, is supposed to stand.
{Perspective plane}. See {Perspective}.
{Plane at infinity} (Geom.), a plane in which points
infinitely distant are conceived as situated.
{Plane iron}, the cutting chisel of a joiner's plane.
{Plane of polarization}. (Opt.) See {Polarization}.
{Plane of projection}.
(a) The plane on which the projection is made,
corresponding to the perspective plane in perspective;
-- called also principal plane.
(b) (Descriptive Geom.) One of the planes to which points
are referred for the purpose of determining their
relative position in space.
{Plane of refraction} or {reflection} (Opt.), the plane in
which lie both the incident ray and the refracted or
reflected ray.
Plane \Plane\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Planed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Planing}.] [Cf. F. planer, L. planare, fr. planus. See
{Plane}, a., {Plain}, a., and cf. {Planish}.]
1. To make smooth; to level; to pare off the inequalities of
the surface of, as of a board or other piece of wood, by
the use of a plane; as, to plane a plank.
2. To efface or remove.
He planed away the names . . . written on his
tables. --Chaucer.
3. Figuratively, to make plain or smooth. [R.]
What student came but that you planed her path.
--Tennyson.
Plane-parallel \Plane`-par"al*lel\, a. (Optics)
Having opposite surfaces exactly plane and parallel, as a
piece of glass.
Planer \Plan"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, planes; a planing machine; esp., a
machine for planing wood or metals.
2. (Print.) A wooden block used for forcing down the type in
a form, and making the surface even. --Hansard.
{Planer centers}. See under {Center}.
Planer tree \Plan"er tree`\ [From J. S. Planer, a German
botanist.] (Bot.)
A small-leaved North American tree ({Planera aquatica})
related to the elm, but having a wingless, nutlike fruit.
Planet \Plan"et\, n. [OE. planete, F. plan[`e]te, L. planeta,
fr. Gr. ?, and ? a planet; prop. wandering, fr. ? to wander,
fr. ? a wandering.]
1. (Astron.) A celestial body which revolves about the sun in
an orbit of a moderate degree of eccentricity. It is
distinguished from a comet by the absence of a coma, and
by having a less eccentric orbit. See {Solar system}.
Note: The term planet was first used to distinguish those
stars which have an apparent motion through the
constellations from the fixed stars, which retain their
relative places unchanged. The inferior planets are
Mercury and Venus, which are nearer to the sun than is
the earth; the superior planets are Mars, the
asteroids, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, which
are farther from the sun than is the earth. Primary
planets are those which revolve about the sun;
secondary planets, or moons, are those which revolve
around the primary planets as satellites, and at the
same time revolve with them about the sun.
2. A star, as influencing the fate of a men.
There's some ill planet reigns. --Shak.
{Planet gear}. (Mach.) See {Epicyclic train}, under
{Epicyclic}.
{Planet wheel}, a gear wheel which revolves around the wheel
with which it meshes, in an epicyclic train.
Plane table \Plane" ta`ble\
See under {Plane}, a.
Planetarium \Plan`e*ta"ri*um\, n. [NL.: cf. F. plan['e]taire.
See {Planetary}.]
An orrery. See {Orrery}.
Planetary \Plan"et*a*ry\, a. [Cf. L. planetarius an astrologer,
F. plan['e]taire planetary. See {Planet}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the planets; as, planetary
inhabitants; planetary motions; planetary year.
2. Consisting of planets; as, a planetary system.
3. (Astrol.) Under the dominion or influence of a planet.
``Skilled in the planetary hours.'' --Drayton.
4. Caused by planets. ``A planetary plague.'' --Shak.
5. Having the nature of a planet; erratic; revolving;
wandering. ``Erratical and planetary life.'' --Fuller.
{Planetary days}, the days of the week as shared among the
planets known to the ancients, each having its day.
--Hutton.
{Planetary nebula}, a nebula exhibiting a uniform disk, like
that of a planet.
Planeted \Plan"et*ed\, a.
Belonging to planets. [R.] --Young.
Planetic \Pla*net"ic\, Planetical \Pla*net"ic*al\, a. [L.
planeticus, Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to planets. --Sir T. Browne.
Planetoid \Plan"et*oid\, n. [Planet + -oid.] (Astron.)
A body resembling a planet; an asteroid.
Planetoidal \Plan"et*oid*al\, a.
Pertaining to a planetoid.
Plane tree \Plane" tree`\ (Bot.)
Same as 1st {Plane}.
Planet-stricken \Plan"et-strick`en\, Planet-struck
\Plan"et-struck`\, a.
Affected by the influence of planets; blasted. --Milton.
Like planet-stricken men of yore He trembles, smitten
to the core By strong compunction and remorse.
--Wordsworth.
Planetule \Plan"et*ule\, n.
A little planet. [R.] --Conybeare.
Plangency \Plan"gen*cy\, n.
The quality or state of being plangent; a beating sound. [R.]
Plangent \Plan"gent\, a. [L. plangens, -entis, fr. plangere to
beat. See {Plaint}.]
Beating; dashing, as a wave. [R.] ``The plangent wave.'' --H.
Taylor.
Plani- \Plan"i-\, Plano- \Plan"o-\ [L. planus. See {Plane}, a.]
Combining forms signifying flat, level, plane; as
planifolious, planimetry, plano-concave.
Planifolious \Plan`i*fo"li*ous\, a. [Plani- + L. folium leaf.]
(Bot.)
Flat-leaved.
Planiform \Plan"i*form\, a. (Anat.)
Having a plane surface; as, a planiform, gliding, or
arthrodial articulation.
Planimeter \Pla*nim"e*ter\, n. [Plani- + -meter. Cf.
{Planometer}.]
An instrument for measuring the area of any plane figure,
however irregular, by passing a tracer around the bounding
line; a platometer.
Planimetric \Plan`i*met"ric\ (?; 277), Planimetrical
\Plan`i*met"ric*al\, a. [Cf. F. planim['e]trique.]
Of or pertaining to planimetry.
Planimetry \Pla*nim"e*try\, n. [Cf. F. planim['e]trie.]
The mensuration of plane surfaces; -- distinguished from
stereometry, or the mensuration of volumes.
Planing \Plan"ing\,
a. & vb. n. fr. {Plane}, v. t.
{Planing machine}.
(a) See {Planer}.
(b) A complex machine for planing wood, especially boards,
containing usually a rapidly revolving cutter, which
chips off the surface in small shavings as the piece to
be planed is passed under it by feeding apparatus.
Planipennate \Pla`ni*pen"nate\, a.
Of or pertaining to Planipennia.
Planipennia \Pla`ni*pen"ni*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. planus plane
+ penna wing.] (Zo["o]l.)
A suborder of Neuroptera, including those that have broad,
flat wings, as the ant-lion, lacewing, etc. Called also
{Planipennes}.
Planipetalous \Plan`i*pet"al*ous\, a. [Plani- + petal.] (Bot.)
Having flat petals.
Planish \Plan"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Planished}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Planishing}.] [OF. planir, F. planer. See {Plane},
v., and {-ish}.]
To make smooth or plane, as a metallic surface; to condense,
toughen, and polish by light blows with a hammer.
Planisher \Plan"ish*er\, n.
One who, or that which, planishes. --Weale.
Planishing \Plan"ish*ing\,
a. & vb. n. from {Planish}, v. t.
{Planishing rolls} (Coining), rolls between which metal
strips are passed while cold, to bring them to exactly the
required thickness.
Planisphere \Plan"i*sphere\, n. [Plani- + sphere: cf. F.
planisph[`e]re. See {Plain}, and {Sphere}.]
The representation of the circles of the sphere upon a plane;
especially, a representation of the celestial sphere upon a
plane with adjustable circles, or other appendages, for
showing the position of the heavens, the time of rising and
setting of stars, etc., for any given date or hour.
Planispheric \Plan`i*spher"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to a planisphere.
Plank \Plank\, n. [OE. planke, OF. planque, planche, F. planche,
fr. L. planca; cf. Gr. ?, ?, anything flat and broad. Cf.
{Planch}.]
1. A broad piece of sawed timber, differing from a board only
in being thicker. See {Board}.
2. Fig.: That which supports or upholds, as a board does a
swimmer.
His charity is a better plank than the faith of an
intolerant and bitter-minded bigot. --Southey.
3. One of the separate articles in a declaration of the
principles of a party or cause; as, a plank in the
national platform. [Cant]
{Plank road}, or {Plank way}, a road surface formed of
planks. [U.S.]
{To walk the plank}, to walk along a plank laid across the
bulwark of a ship, until one overbalances it and falls
into the sea; -- a method of disposing of captives
practiced by pirates.
Plank \Plank\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Planked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Planking}.]
1. To cover or lay with planks; as, to plank a floor or a
ship. ``Planked with pine.'' --Dryden.
2. To lay down, as on a plank or table; to stake or pay cash;
as, to plank money in a wager. [Colloq. U.S.]
3. To harden, as hat bodies, by felting.
4. (Wooden Manuf.) To splice together the ends of slivers of
wool, for subsequent drawing.
{Planked shad}, shad split open, fastened to a plank, and
roasted before a wood fire.
Planking \Plank"ing\, n.
1. The act of laying planks; also, planks, collectively; a
series of planks in place, as the wooden covering of the
frame of a vessel.
2. The act of splicing slivers. See {Plank}, v. t., 4.
Plank-sheer \Plank"-sheer`\, n. (Shipbuilding)
The course of plank laid horizontally over the timberheads of
a vessel's frame.
Planless \Plan"less\, a.
Having no plan.
Planner \Plan"ner\, n.
One who plans; a projector.
Plano- \Pla"no-\
See {Plani-}.
Planoblast \Plan"o*blast\, n. [Gr. ? to wander + -blast.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any free-swimming gonophore of a hydroid; a hydroid medusa.
Plano-concave \Pla"no-con"cave\, a. [Plano- + concave.]
Plane or flat on one side, and concave on the other; as, a
plano-concave lens. See {Lens}.
Plano-conical \Pla"no-con"ic*al\, a. [Plano- + conical.]
Plane or flat on one side, and conical on the other. --Grew.
Plano-convex \Pla"no-con"vex\, a. [Plano- + convex.]
Plane or flat on one side, and convex on the other; as, a
plano-convex lens. See {Convex}, and {Lens}.
Plano-horizontal \Pla"no-hor`i*zon"tal\, a. [Plano- +
horizontal.]
Having a level horizontal surface or position. --Lee.
Planometer \Pla*nom"e*ter\, n. [Plano- + -meter. Cf.
{Planimeter}.]
An instrument for gauging or testing a plane surface. See
{Surface gauge}, under {Surface}.
Planometry \Pla*nom"e*try\, n. (Mech.)
The art or process of producing or gauging a plane surface.
Plano-orbicular \Pla"no-or*bic"u*lar\, a. [Plano- + orbicular.]
Plane or flat on one side, and spherical on the other.
Planorbis \Pla*nor"bis\, n. [NL., fr. L. planus flat + orbis a
circle.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any fresh-water air-breathing mollusk belonging to
{Planorbis} and other allied genera, having shells of a
discoidal form.
Plano-subulate \Pla"no-su"bu*late\, a. [Plano- + subulate.]
Smooth and awl-shaped. See {Subulate}.
Plant \Plant\, n. [AS. plante, L. planta.]
1. A vegetable; an organized living being, generally without
feeling and voluntary motion, and having, when complete, a
root, stem, and leaves, though consisting sometimes only
of a single leafy expansion, or a series of cellules, or
even a single cellule.
Note: Plants are divided by their structure and methods of
reproduction into two series, ph[ae]nogamous or
flowering plants, which have true flowers and seeds,
and cryptogamous or flowerless plants, which have no
flowers, and reproduce by minute one-celled spores. In
both series are minute and simple forms and others of
great size and complexity. As to their mode of
nutrition, plants may be considered as self-supporting
and dependent. Self-supporting plants always contain
chlorophyll, and subsist on air and moisture and the
matter dissolved in moisture, and as a general rule
they excrete oxygen, and use the carbonic acid to
combine with water and form the material for their
tissues. Dependent plants comprise all fungi and many
flowering plants of a parasitic or saprophytic nature.
As a rule, they have no chlorophyll, and subsist mainly
or wholly on matter already organized, thus utilizing
carbon compounds already existing, and not excreting
oxygen. But there are plants which are partly dependent
and partly self-supporting. The movements of climbing
plants, of some insectivorous plants, of leaves,
stamens, or pistils in certain plants, and the ciliary
motion of zo["o]spores, etc., may be considered a kind
of voluntary motion.
2. A bush, or young tree; a sapling; hence, a stick or staff.
``A plant of stubborn oak.'' --Dryden.
3. The sole of the foot. [R.] ``Knotty legs and plants of
clay.'' --B. Jonson.
4. (Com.) The whole machinery and apparatus employed in
carrying on a trade or mechanical business; also,
sometimes including real estate, and whatever represents
investment of capital in the means of carrying on a
business, but not including material worked upon or
finished products; as, the plant of a foundry, a mill, or
a railroad.
5. A plan; an artifice; a swindle; a trick. [Slang]
It was n't a bad plant, that of mine, on Fikey.
--Dickens.
6. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) An oyster which has been bedded, in distinction from
one of natural growth.
(b) A young oyster suitable for transplanting. [Local,
U.S.]
{Plant bug} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous hemipterous
insects which injure the foliage of plants, as {Lygus
lineolaris}, which damages wheat and trees.
{Plant cutter} (Zo["o]l.), a South American passerine bird of
the genus {Phytotoma}, family {Phytotomid[ae]}. It has a
serrated bill with which it cuts off the young shoots and
buds of plants, often doing much injury.
{Plant louse} (Zo["o]l.), any small hemipterous insect which
infests plants, especially those of the families
{Aphid[ae]} and {Psyllid[ae]}; an aphid.
Plant \Plant\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Planted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Planting}.] [AS. plantian, L. plantare. See {Plant}, n.]
1. To put in the ground and cover, as seed for growth; as, to
plant maize.
2. To set in the ground for growth, as a young tree, or a
vegetable with roots.
Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees.
--Deut. xvi.
21.
3. To furnish, or fit out, with plants; as, to plant a
garden, an orchard, or a forest.
4. To engender; to generate; to set the germ of.
It engenders choler, planteth anger. --Shak.
5. To furnish with a fixed and organized population; to
settle; to establish; as, to plant a colony.
Planting of countries like planting of woods.
--Bacon.
6. To introduce and establish the principles or seeds of; as,
to plant Christianity among the heathen.
7. To set firmly; to fix; to set and direct, or point; as, to
plant cannon against a fort; to plant a standard in any
place; to plant one's feet on solid ground; to plant one's
fist in another's face.
8. To set up; to install; to instate.
We will plant some other in the throne. --Shak.
Plant \Plant\, v. i.
To perform the act of planting.
I have planted; Apollos watered. --1 Cor. iii.
6.
Plantable \Plant"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being planted; fit to be planted. --B. Edwards.
Plantage \Plant"age\, n.
A word used once by Shakespeare to designate plants in
general, or anything that is planted.
As true as steel, as plantage to the moon. --Shak.
(Troil. iii.
sc. 2).
Plantain \Plan"tain\, n. [Cf. F. plantain-arbre, plantanier, Sp.
pl['a]ntano, pl['a]tano; prob. same word as plane tree.]
1. (Bot.) A treelike perennial herb ({Musa paradisiaca}) of
tropical regions, bearing immense leaves and large
clusters of the fruits called plantains. See {Musa}.
2. The fruit of this plant. It is long and somewhat
cylindrical, slightly curved, and, when ripe, soft,
fleshy, and covered with a thick but tender yellowish
skin. The plantain is a staple article of food in most
tropical countries, especially when cooked.
{Plantain cutter}, or {Plantain eater} (Zo["o]l.), any one of
several large African birds of the genus {Musophaga}, or
family {Musophagid[ae]}, especially {Musophaga violacea}.
See {Turaco}. They are allied to the cuckoos.
{Plantain squirrel} (Zo["o]l.), a Java squirrel ({Sciurus
plantani}) which feeds upon plantains.
{Plantain tree} (Bot.), the treelike herb {Musa paradisiaca}.
See def. 1 (above).
Plantain \Plan"tain\, n. [F., fr. L. plantago. Cf. {Plant}.]
(Bot.)
Any plant of the genus {Plantago}, but especially the {P.
major}, a low herb with broad spreading radical leaves, and
slender spikes of minute flowers. It is a native of Europe,
but now found near the abode of civilized man in nearly all
parts of the world.
{Indian plantain}. (Bot.) See under {Indian}.
{Mud plantain}, a homely North American aquatic plant
({Heteranthera reniformis}), having broad, reniform
leaves.
{Rattlesnake plantain}, an orchidaceous plant ({Goodyera
pubescens}), with the leaves blotched and spotted with
white.
{Ribwort plantain}. See {Ribwort}.
{Robin's plantain}, the {Erigeron bellidifolium}, a common
daisylike plant of North America.
{Water plantain}, a plant of the genus {Alisma}, having acrid
leaves, and formerly regarded as a specific against
hydrophobia. --Loudon.
Plantal \Plant"al\, a. [L. planta a plant.]
Belonging to plants; as, plantal life. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Plantar \Plan"tar\, a. [L. plantaris, fr. planta the sole of the
foot.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the sole of the foot; as, the plantar
arteries.
Plantation \Plan*ta"tion\, n. [L. plantatio: cf. F. plantation.]
1. The act or practice of planting, or setting in the earth
for growth. [R.]
2. The place planted; land brought under cultivation; a piece
of ground planted with trees or useful plants; esp., in
the United States and West Indies, a large estate
appropriated to the production of the more important
crops, and cultivated by laborers who live on the estate;
as, a cotton plantation; a coffee plantation.
3. An original settlement in a new country; a colony.
While these plantations were forming in Connecticut.
--B. Trumbull.
Plant-cane \Plant"-cane`\, n.
A stalk or shoot of sugar cane of the first growth from the
cutting. The growth of the second and following years is of
inferior quality, and is called rattoon.
Plant-eating \Plant"-eat`ing\, a.
Eating, or subsisting on, plants; as, a plant-eating beetle.
Planted \Plant"ed\, a. (Joinery)
Fixed in place, as a projecting member wrought on a separate
piece of stuff; as, a planted molding.
Planter \Plant"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, plants or sows; as, a planterof
corn; a machine planter.
2. One who owns or cultivates a plantation; as, a sugar
planter; a coffee planter.
3. A colonist in a new or uncultivated territory; as, the
first planters in Virginia.
Plantership \Plant"er*ship\, n.
The occupation or position of a planter, or the management of
a plantation, as in the United States or the West Indies.
Planticle \Plant"i*cle\, n. [Dim. of {Plant}.]
A young plant, or plant in embryo. --E. Darwin.
Plantigrada \Plan`ti*gra"da\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A subdivision of Carnivora having plantigrade feet. It
includes the bears, raccoons, and allied species.
Plantigrade \Plan"ti*grade\, a. [L. planta sole of the foot +
gradi to walk: cf. F. plantigrade.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Walking on the sole of the foot; pertaining to the
plantigrades.
(b) Having the foot so formed that the heel touches the
ground when the leg is upright.
Plantigrade \Plan"ti*grade\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A plantigrade animal, or one that walks or steps on the sole
of the foot, as man, and the bears.
Planting \Plant"ing\, n.
1. The act or operation of setting in the ground for
propagation, as seeds, trees, shrubs, etc.; the forming of
plantations, as of trees; the carrying on of plantations,
as of sugar, coffee, etc.
2. That which is planted; a plantation.
Trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord.
--Isa. lxi. 3.
3. (Arch.) The laying of the first courses of stone in a
foundation. [Eng.]
Plantless \Plant"less\, a.
Without plants; barren of vegetation.
Plantlet \Plant"let\, n.
A little plant.
Plantocracy \Plan*toc"ra*cy\, n. [Planter + -cracy, as in
democracy.]
Government by planters; planters, collectively. [R.]
Plantule \Plant"ule\, n. [F., dim. of plante a plant, L.
planta.] (Bot.)
The embryo which has begun its development in the act of
germination.
Planula \Plan"u*la\, n.; pl. {Planul[ae]}. [L., a little plane.]
1. (Biol.) In embryonic development, a vesicle filled with
fluid, formed from the morula by the divergence of its
cells in such a manner as to give rise to a central space,
around which the cells arrange themselves as an envelope;
an embryonic form intermediate between the morula and
gastrula. Sometimes used as synonymous with {gastrula}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The very young, free-swimming larva of the
c[oe]lenterates. It usually has a flattened oval or oblong
form, and is entirely covered with cilia.
Planxty \Planx"ty\, n. [Cf. L. plangere to mourn aloud.] (Mus.)
An Irish or Welsh melody for the harp, sometimes of a
mournful character.
Plaque \Plaque\, n. [F. Cf. {Plack}, and see {Placard}.]
Any flat, thin piece of metal, clay, ivory, or the like, used
for ornament, or for painting pictures upon, as a slab,
plate, dish, or the like, hung upon a wall; also, a smaller
decoration worn on the person, as a brooch.
Plash \Plash\, n. [OD. plasch. See {Plash}, v.]
1. A small pool of standing water; a puddle. --Bacon. ``These
shallow plashes.'' --Barrow.
2. A dash of water; a splash.
Plash \Plash\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Plashed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plashing}.] [Cf. D. plassen, G. platschen. Cf. {Splash}.]
To dabble in water; to splash. ``Plashing among bedded
pebbles.'' --Keats.
Far below him plashed the waters. --Longfellow.
Plash \Plash\, v. t.
1. To splash, as water.
2. To splash or sprinkle with coloring matter; as, to plash a
wall in imitation of granite.
Plash \Plash\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plashed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plashing}.] [OF. plaissier, plessier, to bend. Cf.
{Pleach}.]
To cut partly, or to bend and intertwine the branches of; as,
to plash a hedge. --Evelyn.
Plash \Plash\, n.
The branch of a tree partly cut or bent, and bound to, or
intertwined with, other branches.
Plashet \Plash"et\, n. [Plash + -et.]
A small pond or pool; a puddle.
Plashing \Plash"ing\, n.
1. The cutting or bending and intertwining the branches of
small trees, as in hedges.
2. The dashing or sprinkling of coloring matter on the walls
of buildings, to imitate granite, etc.
Plashoot \Plash"oot\, n.
A hedge or fence formed of branches of trees interlaced, or
plashed. [Obs.] --Carew.
Plashy \Plash"y\, a. [From 1st {Plash}.]
1. Watery; abounding with puddles; splashy. ``Plashy fens.''
--Milton. ``The plashy earth.'' --Wordsworth.
2. Specked, as if plashed with color. --Keats.
Plasm \Plasm\, n. [L. plasma anything formed or molded, that
which is molded, Gr. ?, ?, from ? to form, mold: cf. F.
plasme. Cf. {Plasma}.]
1. A mold or matrix in which anything is cast or formed to a
particular shape. [R.] --Woodward.
2. (Biol.) Same as {Plasma}.
Plasma \Plas"ma\, n. [See {Plasm}.]
1. (Min.) A variety of quartz, of a color between grass green
and leek green, which is found associated with common
chalcedony. It was much esteemed by the ancients for
making engraved ornaments.
2. (Biol.) The viscous material of an animal or vegetable
cell, out of which the various tissues are formed by a
process of differentiation; protoplasm.
3. Unorganized material; elementary matter.
4. (Med.) A mixture of starch and glycerin, used as a
substitute for ointments. --U. S. Disp.
{Blood plasma} (Physiol.), the colorless fluid of the blood,
in which the red and white blood corpuscles are suspended.
{Muscle plasma} (Physiol.), the fundamental part of muscle
fibers, a thick, viscid, albuminous fluid contained within
the sarcolemma, which on the death of the muscle
coagulates to a semisolid mass.
Plasmatic \Plas*mat"ic\, Plasmatical \Plas*mat"ic*al\, a. [Gr.
?.]
1. Forming; shaping; molding. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
2. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to plasma; having the character
of plasma; containing, or conveying, plasma.
Plasmation \Plas*ma"tion\, n. [L. plasmatio.]
The act of forming or molding. [R.] --Grafton.
Plasmator \Plas*ma"tor\, n. [L.]
A former; a fashioner. [R.] ``The sovereign plasmator, God
Almighty.'' --Urquhart.
Plasmature \Plas"ma*ture\, n.
Form; mold. [R.]
Plasmic \Plas"mic\, a.
Of, pertaining to, or connected with, plasma; plasmatic.
Plasmin \Plas"min\, n. (Physiol. Chem.)
A proteid body, separated by some physiologists from blood
plasma. It is probably identical with fibrinogen.
Plasmodial \Plas*mo"di*al\, a. (Biol.)
Of or pertaining to, or like, a plasmodium; as, the
plasmodial form of a life cycle.
Plasmodium \Plas*mo"di*um\, n.; pl. {Plasmodia}. [NL. See
{Plasma}.]
1. (Biol.) A jellylike mass of free protoplasm, without any
union of am[oe]boid cells, and endowed with life and power
of motion.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A naked mobile mass of protoplasm, formed by
the union of several am[oe]balike young, and constituting
one of the stages in the life cycle of Mycetozoa and other
low organisms.
Plasmogen \Plas"mo*gen\, n. [Plasma + -gen.] (Biol.)
The important living portion of protoplasm, considered a
chemical substance of the highest elaboration. Germ plasm and
idioplasm are forms of plasmogen.
Plasson \Plas"son\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? to form.] (Biol.)
The albuminous material composing the body of a cytode.
Note: It is considered simpler than protoplasm of an ordinary
cell in that it has not undergone differentiation into
the inner cell nucleus and the outer cell substance.
--Haeckel.
Plaster \Plas"ter\, n. [AS., a plaster (in sense 1), fr. L.
emplastrum, Gr. ?, ?, fr. ? to daub on, stuff in; ? in + ? to
mold: cf. OF. plastre a plaster (in sense 2), F. pl[^a]tre.
Cf. {Plastic}, {Emplaster}, {Piaster}.] [Formerly written
also {plaister}.]
1. (Med.) An external application of a consistency harder
than ointment, prepared for use by spreading it on linen,
leather, silk, or other material. It is adhesive at the
ordinary temperature of the body, and is used, according
to its composition, to produce a medicinal effect, to bind
parts together, etc.; as, a porous plaster; sticking
plaster.
2. A composition of lime, water, and sand, with or without
hair as a bond, for coating walls, ceilings, and
partitions of houses. See {Mortar}.
3. Calcined gypsum, or plaster of Paris, especially when
ground, as used for making ornaments, figures, moldings,
etc.; or calcined gypsum used as a fertilizer.
{Plaster cast}, a copy of an object obtained by pouring
plaster of Paris mixed with water into a mold.
{Plaster of Paris}. [So called because originally brought
from a suburb of Paris.] (Chem.) Anhydrous calcium
sulphate, or calcined gypsum, which forms with water a
paste which soon sets or hardens, and is used for casts,
moldings, etc. The term is loosely applied to any plaster
stone or species of gypsum.
{Plaster of Paris bandage} (Surg.), a bandage saturated with
a paste of plaster of Paris, which on drying forms a
perfectly fitting splint.
{Plaster stone}, any species of gypsum. See {Gypsum}.
Plaster \Plas"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plastered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Plastering}.] [Cf. OF. plastrer to plaster (in sense
2), F. pl[^a]trer.]
1. To cover with a plaster, as a wound or sore.
2. To overlay or cover with plaster, as the ceilings and
walls of a house.
3. Fig.: To smooth over; to cover or conceal the defects of;
to hide, as with a covering of plaster. --Bale.
Plasterer \Plas"ter*er\, n.
1. One who applies plaster or mortar. ``Thy father was a
plasterer.'' --Shak.
2. One who makes plaster casts. ``The plasterer doth make his
figures by addition.'' --Sir H. Wotton.
Plastering \Plas"ter*ing\, n.
1. Same as {Plaster}, n., 2.
2. The act or process of overlaying with plaster.
3. A covering of plaster; plasterwork.
Plasterly \Plas"ter*ly\, a.
Resembling plaster of Paris. [R.] ``Out of gypseous or
plasterly ground.'' --Fuller.
Plasterwork \Plas"ter*work`\, n.
Plastering used to finish architectural constructions,
exterior or interior, especially that used for the lining of
rooms. Ordinarly, mortar is used for the greater part of the
work, and pure plaster of Paris for the moldings and
ornaments.
Plastery \Plas"ter*y\, a.
Of the nature of plaster.
The stone . . . is a poor plastery material. --Clough.
-plastic \-plas"tic\ (-pl[a^]s"t[i^]k). [Gr. ? fit for molding,
plastic, fr. ? to mold, to form.]
A combining form signifying developing, forming, growing; as,
heteroplastic, monoplastic, polyplastic.
Plastic \Plas"tic\ (pl[a^]s"t[i^]k), a. [L. plasticus, Gr. ?,
fr. ? to form, mold: cf. F. plastique.]
1. Having the power to give form or fashion to a mass of
matter; as, the plastic hand of the Creator. --Prior.
See plastic Nature working to his end. --Pope.
2. Capable of being molded, formed, or modeled, as clay or
plaster; -- used also figuratively; as, the plastic mind
of a child.
3. Pertaining or appropriate to, or characteristic of,
molding or modeling; produced by, or appearing as if
produced by, molding or modeling; -- said of sculpture and
the kindred arts, in distinction from painting and the
graphic arts.
Medallions . . . fraught with the plastic beauty and
grace of the palmy days of Italian art. --J. S.
Harford.
{Plastic clay} (Geol.), one of the beds of the Eocene period;
-- so called because used in making pottery. --Lyell.
{Plastic element} (Physiol.), one that bears within the germs
of a higher form.
{Plastic exudation} (Med.), an exudation thrown out upon a
wounded surface and constituting the material of repair by
which the process of healing is effected.
{Plastic foods}. (Physiol.) See the second Note under {Food}.
{Plastic force}. (Physiol.) See under {Force}.
{Plastic operation}, an operation in plastic surgery.
{Plastic surgery}, that branch of surgery which is concerned
with the repair or restoration of lost, injured, or
deformed parts of the body.
Plastical \Plas"tic*al\, a.
See {Plastic}. [R.]
Plastically \Plas"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In a plastic manner.
Plasticity \Plas*tic"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. plasticit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being plastic.
2. (Physiol.) Plastic force. --Dunglison.
Plastid \Plas"tid\, Plastide \Plas"tide\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, a
creator.]
1. (Biol.) A formative particle of albuminous matter; a
monad; a cytode. See the Note under {Morphon}. --Haeckel.
2. (Bot.) One of the many minute granules found in the
protoplasm of vegetable cells. They are divided by their
colors into three classes, chloroplastids, chromoplastids,
and leucoplastids.
Plastidozoa \Plas`ti*do*zo"a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?,
creator + ? animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Protoza}.
Plastidule \Plas"ti*dule\, n. [Dim. fr. {Plastid}.] (Biol.)
One of the small particles or organic molecules of
protoplasm. --Haeckel.
Plastin \Plas"tin\, n. [Gr. ? to form, mold.] (Biol.)
A substance associated with nuclein in cell nuclei, and by
some considered as the fundamental substance of the nucleus.
Plastography \Plas*tog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ?; ? fored, molded + ?
to write.]
1. The art of forming figures in any plastic material.
2. Imitation of handwriting; forgery.
Plastron \Plas"tron\, n. [F. plastron breastplate, plastron, LL.
plastra a thin plate of metal. See {Plaster}.]
1. A piece of leather stuffed or padded, worn by fencers to
protect the breast. --Dryden.
3. (Anc. Armor) An iron breastplate, worn under the hauberk.
3. (Anat.) The ventral shield or shell of tortoises and
turtles. See {Testudinata}.
4. A trimming for the front of a woman's dress, made of a
different material, and narrowing from the shoulders to
the waist.
-plasty \-plas"ty\ [Gr. ? to mold, form.]
A combining form denoting the act or process of forming,
development, growth; as, autoplasty, perineoplasty.
Plat \Plat\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Platted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Platting}.] [See {Plait}.]
To form by interlaying interweaving; to braid; to plait.
``They had platted a crown of thorns.'' --Matt. xxvii. 29.
Plat \Plat\, n.
Work done by platting or braiding; a plait.
Her hair, nor loose, nor tied in formal plat. --Shak.
Plat \Plat\, n. [Cf. {Plat} flat, which perh. caused this
spelling, and {Plot} a piece of ground.]
A small piece or plot of ground laid out with some design, or
for a special use; usually, a portion of flat, even ground.
This flowery plat, the sweet recess of Eve. --Milton.
I keep smooth plat of fruitful ground. --Tennyson.
Plat \Plat\, v. t.
To lay out in plats or plots, as ground.
Plat \Plat\, a. [F. plat. See {Plate}, n.]
Plain; flat; level. [Obs.] --Gower.
Plat \Plat\, adv.
1. Plainly; flatly; downright. [Obs.]
But, sir, ye lie, I tell you plat. --Rom. of R.
2. Flatly; smoothly; evenly. [Obs.] --Drant.
Plat \Plat\, n.
1. The flat or broad side of a sword. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
--Chaucer.
2. A plot; a plan; a design; a diagram; a map; a chart. [Obs.
or Prov. Eng.] ``To note all the islands, and to set them
down in plat.'' --Hakluyt.
Platan \Plat"an\, n. [L. platanus. See {Plane} the tree.]
[Written also {platane}.]
The plane tree. --Tennyson.
Platanist \Plat"a*nist\, n. [L. platanista a sort of fish, Gr.
?: cf. F. plataniste.] (Zo["o]l.)
The soosoo.
Platanus \Plat"a*nus\, n. [See {Plane} the tree.] (Bot.)
A genus of trees; the plane tree.
Platband \Plat"band`\, n. [F. plate-bande; plat, plate, flat,
level + bande a band.]
1. A border of flowers in a garden, along a wall or a
parterre; hence, a border.
2. (Arch.)
(a) A flat molding, or group of moldings, the width of
which much exceeds its projection, as the face of an
architrave.
(b) A list or fillet between the flutings of a column.
Plate \Plate\, n. [OF. plate a plate of metal, a cuirsas, F.
plat a plate, a shallow vessel of silver, other metal, or
earth, fr. plat flat, Gr. ?. See {Place}, n.]
1. A flat, or nearly flat, piece of metal, the thickness of
which is small in comparison with the other dimensions; a
thick sheet of metal; as, a steel plate.
2. Metallic armor composed of broad pieces.
Mangled . . . through plate and mail. --Milton.
3. Domestic vessels and utensils, as flagons, dishes, cups,
etc., wrought in gold or silver.
4. Metallic ware which is plated, in distinction from that
which is genuine silver or gold.
5. A small, shallow, and usually circular, vessel of metal or
wood, or of earth glazed and baked, from which food is
eaten at table.
6. [Cf. Sp. plata silver.] A piece of money, usually silver
money. [Obs.] ``Realms and islands were as plates dropp'd
from his pocket.'' --Shak.
7. A piece of metal on which anything is engraved for the
purpose of being printed; hence, an impression from the
engraved metal; as, a book illustrated with plates; a
fashion plate.
8. A page of stereotype, electrotype, or the like, for
printing from; as, publisher's plates.
9. That part of an artificial set of teeth which fits to the
mouth, and holds the teeth in place. It may be of gold,
platinum, silver, rubber, celluloid, etc.
10. (Arch.) A horizontal timber laid upon a wall, or upon
corbels projecting from a wall, and supporting the ends
of other timbers; also used specifically of the roof
plate which supports the ends of the roof trusses or, in
simple work, the feet of the rafters.
11. (Her.) A roundel of silver or tinctured argent.
12. (Photog.) A sheet of glass, porcelain, metal, etc., with
a coating that is sensitive to light.
13. A prize giving to the winner in a contest.
Note: Plate is sometimes used in an adjectival sense or in
combination, the phrase or compound being in most cases
of obvious signification; as, plate basket or
plate-basket, plate rack or plate-rack.
{Home plate}. (Baseball) See {Home base}, under {Home}.
{Plate armor}.
(a) See {Plate}, n., 2.
(b) Strong metal plates for protecting war vessels,
fortifications, and the like.
{Plate bone}, the shoulder blade, or scapula.
{Plate girder}, a girder, the web of which is formed of a
single vertical plate, or of a series of such plates
riveted together.
{Plate glass}. See under {Glass}.
{Plate iron}, wrought iron plates.
{Plate layer}, a workman who lays down the rails of a railway
and fixes them to the sleepers or ties.
{Plate mark}, a special mark or emblematic figure stamped
upon gold or silver plate, to indicate the place of
manufacture, the degree of purity, and the like; thus, the
local mark for London is a lion.
{Plate paper}, a heavy spongy paper, for printing from
engraved plates. --Fairholt.
{Plate press}, a press with a flat carriage and a roller, --
used for printing from engraved steel or copper plates.
{Plate printer}, one who prints from engraved plates.
{Plate printing}, the act or process of printing from an
engraved plate or plates.
{Plate tracery}. (Arch.) See under {Tracery}.
{Plate wheel} (Mech.), a wheel, the rim and hub of which are
connected by a continuous plate of metal, instead of by
arms or spokes.
Plate \Plate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plated}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plating}.]
1. To cover or overlay with gold, silver, or other metals,
either by a mechanical process, as hammering, or by a
chemical process, as electrotyping.
2. To cover or overlay with plates of metal; to arm with
metal for defense.
Thus plated in habiliments of war. --Shak.
3. To adorn with plated metal; as, a plated harness.
4. To beat into thin, flat pieces, or lamin[ae].
5. To calender; as, to plate paper.
Plateau \Pla*teau"\, n.; pl. F. {Plateaux} (F. ?; E. ?), E.
{Plateaus}. [F., fr. OF. platel, properly a little plate. See
{Plate}.]
1. A flat surface; especially, a broad, level, elevated area
of land; a table-land.
2. An ornamental dish for the table; a tray or salver.
Plateful \Plate"ful\, n.; pl. {Platefuls}.
Enough to fill a plate; as much as a plate will hold.
Plate-gilled \Plate"-gilled`\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having flat, or leaflike, gills, as the bivalve mollusks.
Platel \Pla"tel\, n. [OF. See {Plateau}.]
A small dish.
Platen \Plat"en\, n. [F. platine, fr. plat flat. See {Plate},
and cf. {Platin}.] (Mach.)
(a) The part of a printing press which presses the paper
against the type and by which the impression is made.
(b) Hence, an analogous part of a typewriter, on which the
paper rests to receive an impression.
(c) The movable table of a machine tool, as a planer, on
which the work is fastened, and presented to the action
of the tool; -- also called {table}.
Plater \Plat"er\, n.
One who plates or coats articles with gold or silver; as, a
silver plater.
2. A machine for calendering paper.
Plateresque \Plat`er*esque"\, a. [Sp. resco, from plata silver.]
(Arch.)
Resembling silver plate; -- said of certain architectural
ornaments.
Platetrope \Plat"e*trope\, n. [Gr. ? breadth + ? to turn.]
(Anat.)
One of a pair of a paired organs.
Platform \Plat"form`\, n. [Plat, a. + -form: cf. F. plateforme.]
1. A plat; a plan; a sketch; a model; a pattern. Used also
figuratively. [Obs.] --Bacon.
2. A place laid out after a model. [Obs.]
lf the platform just reflects the order. --Pope.
3. Any flat or horizontal surface; especially, one that is
raised above some particular level, as a framework of
timber or boards horizontally joined so as to form a roof,
or a raised floor, or portion of a floor; a landing; a
dais; a stage, for speakers, performers, or workmen; a
standing place.
4. A declaration of the principles upon which a person, a
sect, or a party proposes to stand; a declared policy or
system; as, the Saybrook platform; a political platform.
``The platform of Geneva.'' --Hooker.
5. (Naut.) A light deck, usually placed in a section of the
hold or over the floor of the magazine. See {Orlop}.
{Platform car}, a railway car without permanent raised sides
or covering; a f?at.
{Platform scale}, a weighing machine, with a flat platform on
which objects are weighed.
Platform \Plat"form`\, v. t.
1. To place on a platform. [R.]
2. To form a plan of; to model; to lay out. [Obs.]
Church discipline is platformed in the Bible.
--Milton.
Plathelminth \Plat*hel"minth\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Platyelminthes.
Plathelminthes \Plat`hel*min"thes\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Platyelminthes}.
Platin \Plat"in\, n. (Mach.)
See {Platen}.
Platina \Plat"i*na\, n. [Sp. or NL. See {Platinum}.] (Chem.)
Platinum.
{Platina mohr}, platinum black.
{Platina yellow}, a pigment prepared from platinum.
Plating \Plat"ing\, n.
1. The art or process of covering anything with a plate or
plates, or with metal, particularly of overlaying a base
or dull metal with a thin plate of precious or bright
metal, as by mechanical means or by electro-magnetic
deposition.
2. A thin coating of metal laid upon another metal.
3. A coating or defensive armor of metal (usually steel)
plates.
Platinic \Pla*tin"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or containing, platinum; -- used
specifically to designate those compounds in which the
element has a higher valence, as contrasted with the
platinous compounds; as, platinic chloride ({PtCl4}).
Platinichloric \Plat`i*ni*chlo"ric\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or designating, an acid consisting of
platinic chloride and hydrochloric acid, and obtained as a
brownish red crystalline substance, called platinichloric, or
chloroplatinic, acid.
Platiniferous \Plat`i*nif"er*ous\, a. [Platinum + -ferous.]
Yielding platinum; as, platiniferous sand.
Platiniridium \Plat`i*ni*rid"i*um\, n. (Chem. & Min.)
A natural alloy of platinum and iridium occurring in grayish
metallic rounded or cubical grains with platinum.
Platinize \Plat"i*nize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Platinized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Platinizing}.]
To cover or combine with platinum.
Platinochloric \Plat`i*no*chlo"ric\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid
consisting of platinous chloride and hydrochloric acid,
called platinochloric, or chloroplatinous, acid.
Platinochloride \Plat`i*no*chlo"ride\, n. (Chem.)
A double chloride of platinum and some other metal or
radical; a salt of platinochloric acid.
Platinocyanic \Plat`i*no*cy*an"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid compound
of platinous cyanide and hydrocyanic acid. It is obtained as
a cinnaber-red crystalline substance.
Platinocyanide \Plat`i*no*cy"a*nide\, n. (Chem.)
A double cyanide of platinum and some other metal or radical;
a salt of platinocyanic acid.
Platinode \Plat"i*node\, n. [Platinum + Gr. ? a way.] (Physics)
A cathode. [R.]
Platinoid \Plat"i*noid\, a. [Platinum + -oid.]
Resembling platinum.
Platinoid \Plat"i*noid\, n. (Chem.)
An alloy of German silver containing tungsten; -- used for
forming electrical resistance coils and standards.
Platinotype \Plat"i*no*type\, n. [Platinum + -type.] (Photog.)
1. A permanent photographic picture or print in platinum
black.
2. The process by which such pictures are produced.
Platinous \Plat"i*nous\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or containing, platinum; -- used
specifically to designate those compounds in which the
element has a lower valence, as contrasted with the platinic
compounds; as, platinous chloride ({PtCl2}).
Platinum \Plat"i*num\, n. [NL., fr. Sp. platina, from plata
silver, LL. plata a thin plate of metal. See {Plate}, and cf.
{Platina}.] (Chem.)
A metallic element, intermediate in value between silver and
gold, occurring native or alloyed with other metals, also as
the platinum arsenide (sperrylite). It is heavy tin-white
metal which is ductile and malleable, but very infusible, and
characterized by its resistance to strong chemical reagents.
It is used for crucibles, for stills for sulphuric acid,
rarely for coin, and in the form of foil and wire for many
purposes. Specific gravity 21.5. Atomic weight 194.3. Symbol
Pt. Formerly called {platina}.
{Platinum black} (Chem.), a soft, dull black powder,
consisting of finely divided metallic platinum obtained by
reduction and precipitation from its solutions. It absorbs
oxygen to a high degree, and is employed as an oxidizer.
{Platinum lamp} (Elec.), a kind of incandescent lamp of which
the luminous medium is platinum. See under {Incandescent}.
{Platinum metals} (Chem.), the group of metallic elements
which in their chemical and physical properties resemble
platinum. These consist of the light platinum group, viz.,
rhodium, ruthenium, and palladium, whose specific
gravities are about 12; and the heavy platinum group,
viz., osmium, iridium, and platinum, whose specific
gravities are over 21.
{Platinum sponge} (Chem.), metallic platinum in a gray,
porous, spongy form, obtained by reducing the double
chloride of platinum and ammonium. It absorbs oxygen,
hydrogen, and certain other gases, to a high degree, and
is employed as an agent in oxidizing.
Platitude \Plat"i*tude\, n. [F., from plat flat. See {Plate}.]
1. The quality or state of being flat, thin, or insipid; flat
commonness; triteness; staleness of ideas of language.
To hammer one golden grain of wit into a sheet of
infinite platitude. --Motley.
2. A thought or remark which is flat, dull, trite, or weak; a
truism; a commonplace.
Platitudinarian \Plat`i*tu`di*na"ri*an\, n.
One addicted to uttering platitudes, or stale and insipid
truisms. ``A political platitudinarian.'' --G. Eliot.
Platitudinize \Plat`i*tu"di*nize\, v. i.
To utter platitudes or truisms.
Platitudinous \Plat`i*tu"di*nous\, a.
Abounding in platitudes; of the nature of platitudes;
uttering platitudes. -- {Plat`i*tu"di*nous*ness}, n.
Platly \Plat"ly\, a.
Flatly. See {Plat}, a. [Obs.]
Platness \Plat"ness\, n.
Flatness. [Obs.] --Palsgrave.
Platometer \Pla*tom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? flat + -meter.]
See {Planimeter}.
Platonic \Pla*ton"ic\, Platonical \Pla*ton"ic*al\, a. [L.
Platonicus, Gr. ?: cf. F. platonique.]
1. Of or pertaining to Plato, or his philosophy, school, or
opinions.
2. Pure, passionless; nonsexual; philosophical.
{Platonic bodies}, the five regular geometrical solids;
namely, the tetrahedron, hexahedron or cube, octahedron,
dodecahedron, and icosahedron.
{Platonic love}, a pure, spiritual affection, subsisting
between persons of opposite sex, unmixed with carnal
desires, and regarding the mind only and its excellences;
-- a species of love for which Plato was a warm advocate.
{Platonic year} (Astron.), a period of time determined by the
revolution of the equinoxes, or the space of time in which
the stars and constellations return to their former places
in respect to the equinoxes; -- called also {great year}.
This revolution, which is caused by the precession of the
equinoxes, is accomplished in about 26,000 years.
--Barlow.
Platonic \Pla*ton"ic\, n.
A follower of Plato; a Platonist.
Platonically \Pla*ton"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a Platonic manner.
Platonism \Pla"to*nism\, n. [Cf. F. Platonisme.]
1. The doctrines or philosophy by Plato or of his followers.
Note: Plato believed God to be an infinitely wise, just, and
powerful Spirit; and also that he formed the visible
universe out of pre["e]xistent amorphous matter,
according to perfect patterns of ideas eternally
existent in his own mind. Philosophy he considered as
being a knowledge of the true nature of things, as
discoverable in those eternal ideas after which all
things were fashioned. In other words, it is the
knowledge of what is eternal, exists necessarily, and
is unchangeable; not of the temporary, the dependent,
and changeable; and of course it is not obtained
through the senses; neither is it the product of the
understanding, which concerns itself only with the
variable and transitory; nor is it the result of
experience and observation; but it is the product of
our reason, which, as partaking of the divine nature,
has innate ideas resembling the eternal ideas of God.
By contemplating these innate ideas, reasoning about
them, and comparing them with their copies in the
visible universe, reason can attain that true knowledge
of things which is called philosophy. Plato's professed
followers, the Academics, and the New Platonists,
differed considerably from him, yet are called
Platonists. --Murdock.
2. An elevated rational and ethical conception of the laws
and forces of the universe; sometimes, imaginative or
fantastic philosophical notions.
Platonist \Pla"to*nist\, n.
One who adheres to the philosophy of Plato; a follower of
Plato. --Hammond.
Platonize \Pla"to*nize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Platonized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Platonizing}.]
To adopt the opinion of Plato or his followers. --Milner.
Platonize \Pla"to*nize\, v. t.
To explain by, or accomodate to, the Platonic philosophy.
--Enfield.
Platonizer \Pla"to*ni`zer\, n.
One who Platonizes.
Platoon \Pla*toon"\, n. [F. peloton a ball of thread, a knot or
group of men, a platoon, from pelote a ball formed of things
wound round. See {Pellet}.] (Mil.)
(a) Formerly, a body of men who fired together; also, a small
square body of soldiers to strengthen the angles of a
hollow square.
(b) Now, in the United States service, half of a company.
Platt \Platt\, n. (Mining)
See {Lodge}, n. --Raymond.
Plattdeutsch \Platt"deutsch`\, n.
The modern dialects spoken in the north of Germany, taken
collectively; modern Low German. See {Low German}, under
{German}.
Platten \Plat"ten\, v. t. [See {Plat}, a.] (Glass Making)
To flatten and make into sheets or plates; as, to platten
cylinder glass.
Platter \Plat"ter\, n. [From {Plat} to braid.]
One who plats or braids.
Platter \Plat"ter\, n. [Probably fr. OF. platel, F. plateau. See
{Plateau}.]
A large plate or shallow dish on which meat or other food is
brought to the table.
The attendants . . . speedly brought in several large,
smoking platters, filled with huge pieces of beef.
--Sir W.
Scott.
Platter-faced \Plat"ter-faced`\, a.
Having a broad, flat face.
Platting \Plat"ting\, n.
Plaited strips or bark, cane, straw, etc., used for making
hats or the like.
Platy \Plat"y\, a.
Like a plate; consisting of plates.
Platy- \Plat"y-\
A combining form from Gr. platy`s broad, wide, flat; as,
platypus, platycephalous.
Platycephalic \Plat`y*ce*phal"ic\, Platycephalous
\Plat`y*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Platy + Gr. ? head.] (Anat.)
Broad-headed.
Platycnemic \Plat`yc*ne"mic\, a. [Platy + Gr. ? leg: cf. F.
platycn['e]mique.] (Anat.)
Of, relating to, or characterized by, platycnemism.
Platycnemism \Pla*tyc"ne*mism\, n. (Anat.)
Lateral flattening of the tibia.
Platycoelian \Plat`y*c[oe]"li*an\, a. [Platy + Gr. ? hollow.]
(Anat.)
Flat at the anterior and concave at the posterior end; --
said of the centra of the vertebr[ae] of some extinct
dinouaurs.
Platyelminthes \Plat`y*el*min"thes\, n. pl. [NL. See {Platy-},
and {Helminthes}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A class of helminthes including the cestodes, or tapeworms,
the trematodes, and the turbellarians. Called also
{flatworms}.
Platyhelmia \Plat`y*hel"mi*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Platyelminthes}. [Written also {Platyelmia}.]
Platymeter \Pla*tym"e*ter\, n. [Platy + -meter.] (Elec.)
An apparatus for measuring the capacity of condensers, or the
inductive capacity of dielectrics.
Platypod \Plat"y*pod\, n. [Platy + -pod.] (Zo["o]l.)
An animal having broad feet, or a broad foot.
Platypoda \Pla*typ"o*da\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Prosobranchiata}.
Platyptera \Pla*typ"te*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? broad + ? a
wing.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Pseudoneuroptera including the species which
have four broad, flat wings, as the termites, or white-ants,
and the stone flies ({Perla}).
Platypus \Plat"y*pus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? + ? foot.] (Zo["o]l.)
The duck mole. See under {Duck}.
Platyrhine \Plat"y*rhine\, a. [Platy + Gr. ?, ?, nose.] (Anat.)
Having the nose broad; -- opposed to {leptorhine}. -- n.
(Zo["o]l.) One of the Platyrhini.
Platyrhini \Plat`y*rhi"ni\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? broad + ?, ?,
nose.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of monkeys, including the American species, which
have a broad nasal septum, thirty-six teeth, and usually a
prehensile tail. See {Monkey}. [Written also {Platyrrhini}.]
Plaud \Plaud\, v. t.
To applaud. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Plaudit \Plau"dit\, n. [From L. plaudite do ye praise (which was
said by players at the end of a performance), 2d pers. pl.
imperative of plaudere. Cf. {Plausible}.]
A mark or expression of applause; praise bestowed.
Not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng.
--Longfellow.
Syn: Acclamation; applause; encomium; commendation;
approbation; approval.
Plauditory \Plau"di*to*ry\, a.
Applauding; commending.
Plausibility \Plau`si*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. plausibilit['e].]
1. Something worthy of praise. [Obs.]
Integrity, fidelity, and other gracious
plausibilities. --E. Vaughan.
2. The quality of being plausible; speciousness.
To give any plausibility to a scheme. --De Quincey.
3. Anything plausible or specious. --R. Browning.
Plausible \Plau"si*ble\, a. [L. plausibilis praiseworthy, from
plaudere, plausum, to applaud, clap the hands, strike, beat.]
1. Worthy of being applauded; praiseworthy; commendable;
ready. [Obs.] --Bp. Hacket.
2. Obtaining approbation; specifically pleasing; apparently
right; specious; as, a plausible pretext; plausible
manners; a plausible delusion. ``Plausible and popular
arguments.'' --Clarendon.
3. Using specious arguments or discourse; as, a plausible
speaker.
Syn: {Plausible}, {Specious}.
Usage: Plausible denotes that which seems reasonable, yet
leaves distrust in the judgment. Specious describes
that which presents a fair appearance to the view and
yet covers something false. Specious refers more
definitely to the act or purpose of false
representation; plausible has more reference to the
effect on the beholder or hearer. An argument may by
specious when it is not plausible because its
sophistry is so easily discovered.
Plausibleize \Plau"si*ble*ize\, v. t.
To render plausible. [R.]
Plausibleness \Plau"si*ble*ness\, n.
Quality of being plausible.
Plausibly \Plau"si*bly\, adv.
1. In a plausible manner.
2. Contentedly, readily. [Obs.]
The Romans plausibly did give consent. --Shak.
Plausive \Plau"sive\, a. [L. plaudere, plausum, to applaud.]
1. Applauding; manifesting praise. --Young.
2. Plausible, specious. [Obs.] --Shak.
Play \Play\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Played}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Playing}.] [OE. pleien, AS. plegian, plegan, to play, akin
to plega play, game, quick motion, and probably to OS. plegan
to promise, pledge, D. plegen to care for, attend to, be
wont, G. pflegen; of unknown origin. [root]28. Cf. {Plight},
n.]
1. To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for
the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot.
As Cannace was playing in her walk. --Chaucer.
The lamb thy riot dooms to bleed to-day, Had he thy
reason, would he skip and play! --Pope.
And some, the darlings of their Lord, Play smiling
with the flame and sword. --Keble.
2. To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be
careless.
``Nay,'' quod this monk, ``I have no lust to
pleye.'' --Chaucer.
Men are apt to play with their healths. --Sir W.
Temple.
3. To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball;
hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes.
4. To perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a
flute.
One that . . . can play well on an instrument.
--Ezek.
xxxiii. 32.
Play, my friend, and charm the charmer. --Granville.
5. To act; to behave; to practice deception.
His mother played false with a smith. --Shak.
6. To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with
alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as,
the fountain plays.
The heart beats, the blood circulates, the lungs
play. --Cheyne.
7. To move gayly; to wanton; to disport.
Even as the waving sedges play with wind. --Shak.
The setting sun Plays on their shining arms and
burnished helmets. --Addison.
All fame is foreign but of true desert, Plays round
the head, but comes not to the heart. --Pope.
8. To act on the stage; to personate a character.
A lord will hear your play to-night. --Shak.
Courts are theaters where some men play. --Donne.
{To play into a person's hands}, to act, or to manage
matters, to his advantage or benefit.
{To play off}, to affect; to feign; to practice artifice.
{To play upon}.
(a) To make sport of; to deceive.
Art thou alive? Or is it fantasy that plays upon
our eyesight. --Shak.
(b) To use in a droll manner; to give a droll expression
or application to; as, to play upon words.
Play \Play\, v. t.
1. To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a
fortification; to play a trump.
First Peace and Silence all disputes control, Then
Order plays the soul. --Herbert.
2. To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ.
3. To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to
play a waltz on the violin.
4. To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in
action; to execute; as, to play tricks.
Nature here Wantoned as in her prime, and played at
will Her virgin fancies. --Milton.
5. To act or perform (a play); to represent in music action;
as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to
represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to
play King Lear; to play the woman.
Thou canst play the rational if thou wilt. --Sir W.
Scott.
6. To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for
amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at
baseball.
7. To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.
{To play off}, to display; to show; to put in exercise; as,
to play off tricks.
{To play one's cards}, to manage one's means or
opportunities; to contrive.
{Played out}, tired out; exhausted; at the end of one's
resources. [Colloq.]
Play \Play\, n.
1. Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols.
2. Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement
or diversion; a game.
John naturally loved rough play. --Arbuthnot.
3. The act or practice of contending for victory, amusement,
or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as,
to lose a fortune in play.
4. Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair
play; sword play; a play of wit. ``The next who comes in
play.'' --Dryden.
5. A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition
in which characters are represented by dialogue and
action.
A play ought to be a just image of human nature.
--Dryden.
6. The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy;
as, he attends ever play.
7. Performance on an instrument of music.
8. Motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a
wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and
easy action. ``To give them play, front and rear.''
--Milton.
The joints are let exactly into one another, that
they have no play between them. --Moxon.
9. Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display;
scope; as, to give full play to mirth.
{Play actor}, an actor of dramas. --Prynne.
{Play debt}, a gambling debt. --Arbuthnot.
{Play pleasure}, idle amusement. [Obs.] --Bacon.
{A play upon words}, the use of a word in such a way as to be
capable of double meaning; punning.
{Play of colors}, prismatic variation of colors.
{To bring into play}, {To come into play}, to bring or come
into use or exercise.
{To hold in play}, to keep occupied or employed.
I, with two more to help me, Will hold the foe in play.
--Macaulay.
Playa \Pla"ya\, n. [Sp.]
A beach; a strand; in the plains and deserts of Texas, New
Mexico, and Arizona, a broad, level spot, on which
subsequently becomes dry by evaporation. --Bartlett.
Playbill \Play"bill`\, n.
A printed programme of a play, with the parts assigned to the
actors.
Playbook \Play"book`\, n.
A book of dramatic compositions; a book of the play. --Swift.
Playday \Play"day`\, n.
A day given to play or diversion; a holiday. --Swift.
Player \Play"er\, n.
1. One who plays, or amuses himself; one without serious
aims; an idler; a trifler. --Shak.
2. One who plays any game.
3. A dramatic actor. --Shak.
4. One who plays on an instrument of music. ``A cunning
player on a harp.'' --1 Sam. xvi. 16.
5. A gamester; a gambler.
Playfellow \Play"fel`low\, n.
A companion in amusements or sports; a playmate. --Shak.
Playfere \Play"fere`\, n. [Play + 1st fere.]
A playfellow. [Obs.] [Also, {playfeer}, {playphere}.]
--Holinsheld.
Playful \Play"ful\, a.
Sportive; gamboling; frolicsome; indulging a sportive fancy;
humorous; merry; as, a playful child; a playful writer. --
{Play"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Play"ful*ness}, n.
Playgame \Play"game`\, n.
Play of children. --Locke.
Playgoer \Play"go`er\, n.
One who frequents playhouses, or attends dramatic
performances.
Playgoing \Play"go`ing\, a.
Frequenting playhouses; as, the playgoing public. -- n. The
practice of going to plays.
Playground \Play"ground`\, n.
A piece of ground used for recreation; as, the playground of
a school.
Playhouse \Play"house`\, n. [AS. plegh[=u]s.]
1. A building used for dramatic exhibitions; a theater.
--Shak.
2. A house for children to play in; a toyhouse.
Playing \Play"ing\,
a. & vb. n. of {Play}.
{Playing cards}. See under {Card}.
Playmaker \Play"mak`er\, n.
A playwright. [R.]
Playmate \Play"mate`\, n.
A companion in diversions; a playfellow.
Playsome \Play"some\, a.
Playful; wanton; sportive. [R.] --R. Browning. --
{Play"some*ness}, n. [R.]
Playte \Playte\, n. (Naut.)
See {Pleyt}.
Plaything \Play"thing`\, n.
A thing to play with; a toy; anything that serves to amuse.
A child knows his nurse, and by degrees the playthings
of a little more advanced age. --Locke.
Playtime \Play"time`\, n.
Time for play or diversion.
Playwright \Play"wright`\, n.
A maker or adapter of plays.
Playwriter \Play"writ`er\, n.
A writer of plays; a dramatist; a playwright. --Lecky.
Plaza \Pla"za\, n. [Sp. See {Place}.]
A public square in a city or town.
Plea \Plea\, n. [OE. plee, plai, plait, fr. OF. plait, plaid,
plet, LL. placitum judgment, decision, assembly, court, fr.
L. placitum that which is pleasing, an opinion, sentiment,
from placere to please. See {Please}, and cf. {Placit},
{Plead}.]
1. (Law) That which is alleged by a party in support of his
cause; in a stricter sense, an allegation of fact in a
cause, as distinguished from a demurrer; in a still more
limited sense, and in modern practice, the defendant's
answer to the plaintiff's declaration and demand. That
which the plaintiff alleges in his declaration is answered
and repelled or justified by the defendant's plea. In
chancery practice, a plea is a special answer showing or
relying upon one or more things as a cause why the suit
should be either dismissed, delayed, or barred. In
criminal practice, the plea is the defendant's formal
answer to the indictment or information presented against
him.
2. (Law) A cause in court; a lawsuit; as, the Court of Common
Pleas. See under {Common}.
The Supreme Judicial Court shall have cognizance of
pleas real, personal, and mixed. --Laws of
Massachusetts.
3. That which is alleged or pleaded, in defense or in
justification; an excuse; an apology. ``Necessity, the
tyrant's plea.'' --Milton.
No plea must serve; 't is cruelty to spare.
--Denham.
4. An urgent prayer or entreaty.
{Pleas of the crown} (Eng. Law), criminal actions.
Pleach \Pleach\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pleached}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pleaching}.] [Cf. OF. plaissier to bend, and also F. plisser
to plait, L. plicare, plicitum, to fold, lay, or wind
together. Cf. {Plash} to pleach.]
To unite by interweaving, as branches of trees; to plash; to
interlock. ``The pleached bower.'' --Shak.
Plead \Plead\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pleaded} (colloq. {Plead}or
{Pled}); p. pr. & vb. n. {Pleading}.] [OE. pleden, plaiden,
OF. plaidier, F. plaider, fr. LL. placitare, fr. placitum.
See {Plea}.]
1. To argue in support of a claim, or in defense against the
claim of another; to urge reasons for or against a thing;
to attempt to persuade one by argument or supplication; to
speak by way of persuasion; as, to plead for the life of a
criminal; to plead with a judge or with a father.
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man
pleadeth for his neighbor! --Job xvi. 21.
2. (Law) To present an answer, by allegation of fact, to the
declaration of a plaintiff; to deny the plaintiff's
declaration and demand, or to allege facts which show that
ought not to recover in the suit; in a less strict sense,
to make an allegation of fact in a cause; to carry on the
allegations of the respective parties in a cause; to carry
on a suit or plea. --Blackstone. Burrill. Stephen.
3. To contend; to struggle. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Plead \Plead\, v. t.
1. To discuss, defend, and attempt to maintain by arguments
or reasons presented to a tribunal or person having
uthority to determine; to argue at the bar; as, to plead a
cause before a court or jury.
Every man should plead his own matter. --Sir T.
More.
Note: In this sense, argue is more generally used by lawyers.
2. To allege or cite in a legal plea or defense, or for
repelling a demand in law; to answer to an indictment; as,
to plead usury; to plead statute of limitations; to plead
not guilty. --Kent.
3. To allege or adduce in proof, support, or vendication; to
offer in excuse; as, the law of nations may be pleaded in
favor of the rights of ambassadors. --Spenser.
I will neither plead my age nor sickness, in excuse
of faults. --Dryden.
Pleadable \Plead"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being pleaded; capable of being alleged in proof,
defense, or vindication; as, a right or privilege pleadable
at law. --Dryden.
Pleader \Plead"er\, n. [F. plaideur.]
1. One who pleads; one who argues for or against; an
advotate.
So fair a pleader any cause may gain. --Dryden.
2. (Law) One who draws up or forms pleas; the draughtsman of
pleas or pleadings in the widest sense; as, a special
pleader.
Pleading \Plead"ing\, n.
The act of advocating, defending, or supporting, a cause by
arguments.
Pleadingly \Plead"ing*ly\, adv.
In a pleading manner.
Pleadings \Plead"ings\, n. pl. (Law)
The mutual pleas and replies of the plaintiff and defendant,
or written statements of the parties in support of their
claims, proceeding from the declaration of the plaintiff,
until issue is joined, and the question made to rest on some
single point. --Blackstone.
Pleasance \Pleas"ance\, n. [F. plaisance. See {Please}.]
1. Pleasure; merriment; gayety; delight; kindness. [Archaic]
--Shak. ``Full great pleasance.'' --Chaucer. ``A realm of
pleasance.'' --Tennyson.
2. A secluded part of a garden. [Archaic]
The pleasances of old Elizabethan houses. --Ruskin.
Pleasant \Pleas"ant\, a. [F. plaisant. See {Please}.]
1. Pleasing; grateful to the mind or to the senses;
agreeable; as, a pleasant journey; pleasant weather.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to
dwell together in unity! --Ps. cxxxiii.
1.
2. Cheerful; enlivening; gay; sprightly; humorous; sportive;
as, pleasant company; a pleasant fellow.
From grave to light, from pleasant to serve.
--Dryden.
Syn: Pleasing; gratifying; agreeable; cheerful; good-humored;
enlivening; gay; lively; merry; sportive; humorous;
jocose; amusing; witty.
Usage: {Pleasant}, {Pleasing}, {Agreeable}. Agreeable is
applied to that which agrees with, or is in harmony
with, one's tastes, character, etc. Pleasant and
pleasing denote a stronger degree of the agreeable.
Pleasant refers rather to the state or condition;
pleasing, to the act or effect. Where they are applied
to the same object, pleasing is more energetic than
pleasant; as, she is always pleasant and always
pleasing. The distinction, however, is not radical and
not rightly observed.
Pleasant \Pleas"ant\, n.
A wit; a humorist; a buffoon. [Obs.]
Pleasantly \Pleas"ant*ly\, adv.
In a pleasant manner.
Pleasantness \Pleas"ant*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being pleasant.
Pleasantry \Pleas"ant*ry\, n.; pl. {Pleasantries}. [F.
plaisanterie. See {Pleasant}.]
That which denotes or promotes pleasure or good humor;
cheerfulness; gayety; merriment; especially, an agreeable
playfulness in conversation; a jocose or humorous remark;
badinage.
The grave abound in pleasantries, the dull in repartees
and points of wit. --Addison.
The keen observation and ironical pleasantry of a
finished man of the world. --Macaulay.
Pleasant-tongued \Pleas"ant-tongued`\, a.
Of pleasing speech.
Please \Please\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pleased}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pleasing}.] [OE. plesen, OF. plaisir, fr. L. placere, akin
to placare to reconcile. Cf. {Complacent}, {Placable},
{Placid}, {Plea}, {Plead}, {Pleasure}.]
1. To give pleasure to; to excite agreeable sensations or
emotions in; to make glad; to gratify; to content; to
satisfy.
I pray to God that it may plesen you. --Chaucer.
What next I bring shall please thee, be assured.
--Milton.
2. To have or take pleasure in; hence, to choose; to wish; to
desire; to will.
Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he. --Ps.
cxxxv. 6.
A man doing as he wills, and doing as he pleases,
are the same things in common speech. --J. Edwards.
3. To be the will or pleasure of; to seem good to; -- used
impersonally. ``It pleased the Father that in him should
all fullness dwell.'' --Col. i. 19.
To-morrow, may it please you. --Shak.
{To be pleased in} or {with}, to have complacency in; to take
pleasure in.
{To be pleased to do a thing}, to take pleasure in doing it;
to have the will to do it; to think proper to do it.
--Dryden.
Please \Please\, v. i.
1. To afford or impart pleasure; to excite agreeable
emotions.
What pleasing scemed, for her now pleases more.
--Milton.
For we that live to please, must please to live.
--Johnson.
2. To have pleasure; to be willing, as a matter of affording
pleasure or showing favor; to vouchsafe; to consent.
Heavenly stranger, please to taste These bounties.
--Milton.
That he would please 8give me my liberty. --Swift.
Pleased \Pleased\, a.
Experiencing pleasure. -- {Pleas"ed*ly}, adv. --
{Pleas"ed*ness}, n.
Pleaseman \Please"man\, n.
An officious person who courts favor servilely; a pickthank.
[Obs.] --Shak.
Pleaser \Pleas"er\, n.
One who pleases or gratifies.
Pleasing \Pleas"ing\, a.
Giving pleasure or satisfaction; causing agreeable emotion;
agreeable; delightful; as, a pleasing prospect; pleasing
manners. ``Pleasing harmony.'' --Shak. ``Pleasing features.''
--Macaulay. -- {Pleas"ing*ly}, adv. -- {Pleas"ing*ness}, n.
Syn: Gratifying; delightful; agreeable. See {Pleasant}.
Pleasing \Pleas"ing\, n.
An object of pleasure. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pleasurable \Pleas"ur*a*ble\, a.
Capable of affording pleasure or satisfaction; gratifying;
abounding in pleasantness or pleasantry.
Planting of orchards is very . . . pleasurable.
--Bacon.
O, sir, you are very pleasurable. --B. Jonson.
-- {Pleas"ur*a*ble*ness}, n. -- {Pleas"ur*a*bly}, adv.
Pleasure \Pleas"ure\, n. [F. plaisir, originally an infinitive.
See {Please}.]
1. The gratification of the senses or of the mind; agreeable
sensations or emotions; the excitement, relish, or
happiness produced by the expectation or the enjoyment of
something good, delightful, or satisfying; -- opposed to
{pain}, {sorrow}, etc.
At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
--Ps. xvi. 11.
2. Amusement; sport; diversion; self-indulgence; frivolous or
dissipating enjoyment; hence, sensual gratification; --
opposed to labor, service, duty, self-denial, etc. ``Not
sunk in carnal pleasure.'' --Milton.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man. --Prov.
xxi. 17.
Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. --2
Tim. iii. 4.
3. What the will dictates or prefers as gratifying or
satisfying; hence, will; choice; wish; purpose. ``He will
do his pleasure on Babylon.'' --Isa. xlviii. 14.
Use your pleasure; if your love do not presuade you
to come, let not my letter. --Shak.
4. That which pleases; a favor; a gratification. --Shak.
Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure --Acts
xxv. 9.
{At pleasure}, by arbitrary will or choice. --Dryden.
{To take pleasure in}, to have enjoyment in. --Ps. cxlvii.
11.
Note: Pleasure is used adjectively, or in the formation of
self-explaining compounds; as, pleasure boat, pleasure
ground; pleasure house, etc.
Syn: Enjoyment; gratification; satisfaction; comfort; solace;
joy; gladness; delight; will; choice; preference;
purpose; command; favor; kindness.
Pleasure \Pleas"ure\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pleasured}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Pleasuring}.]
To give or afford pleasure to; to please; to gratify. --Shak.
[Rolled] his hoop to pleasure Edith. --Tennyson.
Pleasure \Pleas"ure\, v. i.
To take pleasure; to seek pursue pleasure; as, to go
pleasuring.
Pleasureful \Pleas"ure*ful\, a.
Affording pleasure. [R.]
Pleasureless \Pleas"ure*less\, a.
Devoid of pleasure. --G. Eliot.
Pleasurer \Pleas"ur*er\, n.
A pleasure seeker. --Dickens.
Pleasurist \Pleas"ur*ist\, n.
A person devoted to worldly pleasure. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Pleat \Pleat\ (pl[=e]t), n. & v. t.
See {Plait}.
Plebe \Plebe\ (pl[=e]b), n. [F. pl[`e]be, fr. L. plebs.]
1. The common people; the mob. [Obs.]
The plebe with thirst and fury prest. --Sylvester.
2. [Cf. {Plebeian}.] A member of the lowest class in the
military academy at West Point. [Cant, U.S.]
Plebeian \Ple*be"ian\ (pl[-e]*b[=e]"yan), a. [L. plebeius, from
plebs, plebis, the common people: cf. F. pl['e]b['e]ien.]
1. Of or pertaining to the Roman plebs, or common people.
2. Of or pertaining to the common people; vulgar; common; as,
plebeian sports; a plebeian throng.
Plebeian \Ple*be"ian\, n.
1. One of the plebs, or common people of ancient Rome, in
distinction from patrician.
2. One of the common people, or lower rank of men.
Plebeiance \Ple*be"iance\, n.
1. Plebeianism. [Obs.]
2. Plebeians, collectively. [Obs.]
Plebeianism \Ple*be"ian*ism\, n. [Cf. F. pl['e]b['e]ianisme.]
1. The quality or state of being plebeian.
2. The conduct or manners of plebeians; vulgarity.
Plebeianize \Ple*be"ian*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Plebeianized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Plebeianizing}.]
To render plebeian, common, or vulgar.
Plebicolist \Ple*bic"o*list\, n. [L. plebs the common people +
colere to cultivate.]
One who flatters, or courts the favor of, the common people;
a demagogue. [R.]
Plebification \Pleb`i*fi*ca"tion\, n. [L. plebs the common
people + -ficare (in comp.) to make. See {-fy}.]
A rendering plebeian; the act of vulgarizing. [R.]
You begin with the attempt to popularize learning . . .
but you will end in the plebification of knowledge.
--Coleridge.
Plebiscitary \Ple*bis"ci*ta*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to plebiscite. --The Century.
Plebiscite \Pleb"i*scite\, n. [F. pl['e]biscite, fr. L.
plebiscitum.]
A vote by universal male suffrage; especially, in France, a
popular vote, as first sanctioned by the National
Constitution of 1791. [Written also {plebiscit}.]
Plebiscite we have lately taken, in popular use, from
the French. --Fitzed.
Hall.
Plebiscitum \Ple`bis*ci"tum\, n. [L., fr. plebs, plebis, common
people + scitum decree.] (Rom. Antiq.)
A law enacted by the common people, under the superintendence
of a tribune or some subordinate plebeian magistrate, without
the intervention of the senate.
Plectile \Plec"tile\, a. [L. plectilis.]
Woven; plaited. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Plectognath \Plec"tog*nath\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Plectognathi. -- n. One of the
Plectognathi.
Plectognathi \Plec*to"gna*thi\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? twisted
(fr. ? to plait, twist) + ? jaw.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of fishes generally having the maxillary bone united
with the premaxillary, and the articular united with the
dentary.
Note: The upper jaw is immovably joined to the skull; the
ventral fins are rudimentary or wanting; and the body
is covered with bony plates, spines, or small rough
ossicles, like shagreen. The order includes the
diodons, filefishes, globefishes, and trunkfishes.
Plectognathic \Plec`tog*nath"ic\, Plec-tognathous
\Plec-tog"na*thous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Plectognathi.
Plectospondyli \Plec`to*spon"dy*li\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
plaited + ?, ?, a vertebra.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extensive suborder of fresh-water physostomous fishes
having the anterior vertebr[ae] united and much modified; the
Eventognathi.
Plectospondylous \Plec`to*spon"dy*lous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Plectospondyli.
Plectrum \Plec"trum\, n.; pl. L. {Plectra}, E. Plectrums . [L.,
fr. Gr. ? anything to strike with, fr.? to strike.]
A small instrument of ivory, wood, metal, or quill, used in
playing upon the lyre and other stringed instruments.
Pled \Pled\,
imp. & p. p. of {Plead} [Colloq.] --Spenser.
Pledge \Pledge\, n. [OF. plege, pleige, pledge, guaranty, LL.
plegium, plivium; akin to OF. plevir to bail, guaranty,
perhaps fr. L. praebere to proffer, offer (sc. fidem a trust,
a promise of security), but cf. also E. play. [root]28. Cf.
{Prebend}, {Replevin}.]
1. (Law) The transfer of possession of personal property from
a debtor to a creditor as security for a debt or
engagement; also, the contract created between the debtor
and creditor by a thing being so delivered or deposited,
forming a species of bailment; also, that which is so
delivered or deposited; something put in pawn.
Note: Pledge is ordinarily confined to personal property; the
title or ownership does not pass by it; possession is
essential to it. In all these points it differs from a
mortgage [see {Mortgage}]; and in the last, from the
hypotheca of the Roman law. See {Hypotheca}. --Story.
Kent.
2. (Old Eng. Law) A person who undertook, or became
responsible, for another; a bail; a surety; a hostage. ``I
am Grumio's pledge.'' --Shak.
3. A hypothecation without transfer of possession.
4. Anything given or considered as a security for the
performance of an act; a guarantee; as, mutual interest is
the best pledge for the performance of treaties. ``That
voice, their liveliest pledge of hope.'' --Milton.
5. A promise or agreement by which one binds one's self to
do, or to refrain from doing, something; especially, a
solemn promise in writing to refrain from using
intoxicating liquors or the like; as, to sign the pledge;
the mayor had made no pledges.
6. A sentiment to which assent is given by drinking one's
health; a toast; a health.
{Dead pledge}. [A translation of {LL}. mortuum vadium.] (Law)
A mortgage. See {Mortgage}.
{Living pledge}. [A translation of LL. vivum vadium.] (Law)
The conveyance of an estate to another for money borrowed,
to be held by him until the debt is paid out of the rents
and profits.
{To hold in pledge}, to keep as security.
{To put in pledge}, to pawn; to give as security.
Syn: See {Earnest}.
Pledge \Pledge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pledged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pledging}.] [Cf. OF. pleiger to give security. See {Pledge},
n.]
1. To deposit, as a chattel, in pledge or pawn; to leave in
possession of another as security; as, to pledge one's
watch.
2. To give or pass as a security; to guarantee; to engage; to
plight; as, to pledge one's word and honor.
We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our
fortunes, and our sacred honor. --The
Declaration of
Independence.
3. To secure performance of, as by a pledge. [Obs.]
To pledge my vow, I give my hand. --Shak.
4. To bind or engage by promise or declaration; to engage
solemnly; as, to pledge one's self.
5. To invite another to drink, by drinking of the cup first,
and then handing it to him, as a pledge of good will;
hence, to drink the health of; to toast.
Pledge me, my friend, and drink till thou be'st
wise. --Cowley.
Pledgee \Pledg*ee"\, n.
The one to whom a pledge is given, or to whom property
pledged is delivered.
Pledgeless \Pledge"less\, a.
Having no pledge.
Pledgeor \Pledge*or"\, Pledgor \Pledg*or"\, n. (Law)
One who pledges, or delivers anything in pledge; a pledger;
-- opposed to {pledgee}.
Note: This word analogically requires the e after g, but the
spelling pledgor is perhaps commoner.
Pledger \Pledg"er\, n.
One who pledges.
Pledgery \Pledg"er*y\, n. [Cf. OF. pleigerie.]
A pledging; suretyship. [Obs.]
Pledget \Pledg"et\, n. [Prov. E., a small plug.]
1. A small plug. [Prov. End.]
2. (Naut.) A string of oakum used in calking.
3. (Med.) A compress, or small flat tent of lint, laid over a
wound, ulcer, or the like, to exclude air, retain
dressings, or absorb the matter discharged.
Plegepoda \Ple*gep"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. (?) a stroke +
-poda. In allusion to the rapid strokes of the vibrating
cilia.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Infusoria}.
Pleiad \Ple"iad\, n.
One of the Pleiades.
Pleiades \Ple"ia*des\ (?; 277), n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. (?)]
1. (Myth.) The seven daughters of Atlas and the nymph
Pleione, fabled to have been made by Jupiter a
constellation in the sky.
2. (Astron.) A group of small stars in the neck of the
constellation Taurus. --Job xxxviii. 31.
Note: Alcyone, the brightest of these, a star of the third
magnitude, was considered by M["a]dler the central
point around which our universe is revolving, but there
is no sufficient evidence of such motion. Only six
pleiads are distinctly visible to the naked eye, whence
the ancients supposed that a sister had concealed
herself out of shame for having loved a mortal,
Sisyphus.
Plein \Plein\, a.
Plan. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Plein \Plein\, v. i. & t.
To complain. See {Plain}. [Obs.]
Plein \Plein\, a. [OF. & F., fr. L. plenus.]
Full; complete. [Obs.] ``Plein remission.'' --Chaucer. --
{Plein"ly}, adv.
Pleiocene \Plei"o*cene\, a. (Geol.)
See {Pliocene}.
Pleiophyllous \Plei*oph"yl*lous\, a. [Gr. ? more + ? leaf.]
(Bot.)
Having several leaves; -- used especially when several leaves
or leaflets appear where normally there should be only one.
Pleiosaurus \Plei`o*sau"rus\, n. [NL.] (Paleon.)
Same as {Pliosaurus}.
Pleistocene \Pleis"to*cene\, a. [Gr. ? most + ? new.] (Geol.)
Of or pertaining to the epoch, or the deposits, following the
Tertiary, and immediately preceding man. -- n. The
Pleistocene epoch, or deposits.
Plenal \Ple"nal\, a. [L. plenus full. Cf. {Plenary}.]
Full; complete; as, a plenal view or act. [Obs.]
Plenarily \Ple"na*ri*ly\, adv.
In a plenary manner.
Plenariness \Ple"na*ri*ness\, n.
Quality or state of being plenary.
Plenarty \Plen"ar*ty\, n.
The state of a benefice when occupied. --Blackstone.
Plenary \Ple"na*ry\, a. [LL. plenarius, fr. L. plenus full. See
{Plenty}.]
Full; entire; complete; absolute; as, a plenary license;
plenary authority.
A treatise on a subject should be plenary or full. --I.
Watts.
{Plenary indulgence} (R. C. Ch.), an entire remission of
temporal punishment due to, or canonical penance for, all
sins.
{Plenary inspiration}. (Theol.) See under {Inspiration}.
Plenary \Ple"na*ry\, n. (Law)
Decisive procedure. [Obs.]
Plene \Plene\, [ae]. [L. plenus full.]
Full; complete; plenary. [Obs.]
Plenicorn \Ple"ni*corn\, n. [L. plenus full + cornu horn.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A ruminant having solid horns or antlers, as the deer.
--Brande & C.
Plenilunary \Plen`i*lu"na*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to the full moon. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Plenilune \Plen"i*lune\, n. [L. plenilunium; plenus full + luna
the moon.]
The full moon. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Plenipotence \Ple*nip"o*tence\, Plenipotency \Ple*nip"o*ten*cy\,
n.
The quality or state of being plenipotent. [R.]
Plenipotent \Ple*nip"o*tent\, a. [L. plenus full + potens,
-entis, potent.]
Possessing full power. [R.] --Milton.
Plenipotentiary \Plen`i*po*ten"ti*a*ry\, n.; pl.
{Plenipotentiaries}. [LL. plenipotentiarius: cf. F.
pl['e]nipotentiaire.]
A person invested with full power to transact any business;
especially, an ambassador or envoy to a foreign court, with
full power to negotiate a treaty, or to transact other
business.
Plenipotentiary \Plen`i*po*ten"ti*a*ry\, a.
Containing or conferring full power; invested with full
power; as, plenipotentiary license; plenipotentiary
ministers. --Howell.
Plenish \Plen"ish\, v. t. [See {Replenish}.]
1. To replenish. [Obs.] --T. Reeve.
2. To furnish; to stock, as a house or farm. [Scot.]
Plenishing \Plen"ish*ing\, n.
Household furniture; stock. [Scot.]
Plenist \Ple"nist\, n. [L. plenus full; cf. F. pl['e]niste.]
One who holds that all space is full of matter.
Plenitude \Plen"i*tude\, n. [L. plenitudo, fr. plenus full; cf.
F. plenitude.]
1. The quality or state of being full or complete; fullness;
completeness; abundance; as, the plenitude of space or
power.
2. Animal fullness; repletion; plethora. [Obs.]
Plenitudinarian \Plen`i*tu`di*na"ri*an\, n.
A plenist.
Plenitudinary \Plen`i*tu"di*na*ry\, a.
Having plenitude; full; complete; thorough. [Obs.]
Plenteous \Plen"te*ous\, a. [From {Plenty}.]
1. Containing plenty; abundant; copious; plentiful;
sufficient for every purpose; as, a plenteous supply.
``Reaping plenteous crop.'' --Milton.
2. Yielding abundance; productive; fruitful. ``The seven
plenteous years.'' --Gen. xli. 34.
3. Having plenty; abounding; rich.
The Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods. --Deut.
xxviii. 11.
Syn: Plentiful; copious; full. {See Ample}. --
{Plen"te*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Plen"te*ous*ness}, n.
Plentevous \Plen"te*vous\, a.
Plenteous. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Plentiful \Plen"ti*ful\, a.
1. Containing plenty; copious; abundant; ample; as, a
plentiful harvest; a plentiful supply of water.
2. Yielding abundance; prolific; fruitful.
If it be a long winter, it is commonly a more
plentiful year. --Bacon.
3. Lavish; profuse; prodigal. [Obs.]
He that is plentiful in expenses will hardly be
preserved from --Bacon.
-- {Plen"ti*ful*ly}, adv. -- {Plen"ti*ful*ness}, n.
Plenty \Plen"ty\, n.; pl. {Plenties}, in --Shak. [OE. plentee,
plente, OF. plent['e], fr. L. plenitas, fr. plenus full. See
{Full}, a., and cf. {Complete}.]
Full or adequate supply; enough and to spare; sufficiency;
specifically, abundant productiveness of the earth; ample
supply for human wants; abundance; copiousness. ``Plenty of
corn and wine.'' --Gen. xxvii. 28. ``Promises Britain peace
and plenty.'' --Shak.
Houses of office stuffed with plentee. --Chaucer.
The teeming clouds Descend in gladsome plenty o'er the
world. --Thomson.
Syn: Abundance; exuberance. See {Abundance}.
Plenty \Plen"ty\, a.
Plentiful; abundant. [Obs. or Colloq.]
If reasons were as plenty as blackberries. --Shak.
(Folio ed.)
Those countries where shrubs are plenty. --Goldsmith.
Plenum \Ple"num\, n. [L., fr. plenus full.]
That state in which every part of space is supposed to be
full of matter; -- opposed to vacuum. --G. Francis.
Pleochroic \Ple`o*chro"ic\, a.
Having the property of pleochroism.
Pleochroism \Ple*och"ro*ism\, n. [Gr.? mor? + ? color.]
(Crystallog.)
The property possessed by some crystals, of showing different
colors when viewed in the direction of different axes.
Pleochromatic \Ple*och`ro*mat"ic\, a.
Pleochroic.
Pleochromatism \Ple`o*chro"ma*tism\, n.
Pleochroism.
Pleochroous \Ple*och"ro*ous\, a.
Pleochroic.
Pleomorphic \Ple`o*mor"phic\, a.
Pertaining to pleomorphism; as, the pleomorphic character of
bacteria.
Pleomorphism \Ple`o*mor"phism\, n. [Gr. ? more + ? form.]
1. (Crystallog.) The property of crystallizing under two or
more distinct fundamental forms, including dimorphism and
trimorphism.
2. (Biol.) The theory that the various genera of bacteria are
phases or variations of growth of a number of Protean
species, each of which may exhibit, according to
undetermined conditions, all or some of the forms
characteristic of the different genera and species.
Pleomorphous \Ple`o*mor"phous\, a.
Having the property of pleomorphism.
Pleonasm \Ple"o*nasm\,, n. [L. pleonasmus, Gr. ?, fr. ? to be
more than enough, to abound, fr.?, neut. of ?, more, compar.
of ? much. See {Full}, a., and cf. {Poly-}, {Plus}.] (Rhet.)
Redundancy of language in speaking or writing; the use of
more words than are necessary to express the idea; as, I saw
it with my own eyes.
Pleonast \Ple"o*nast\, n.
One who is addicted to pleonasm. [R.] --C. Reade.
Pleonaste \Ple"o*naste\, n. [Gr.? abundant, rich; cf. F.
pl['e]onaste.] (Min.)
A black variety of spinel.
Pleonastic \Ple`o*nas"tic\, Pleonastical \Ple`o*nas"tic*al\, a.
[Cf. F. pl['e]onastique.]
Of or pertaining to pleonasm; of the nature of pleonasm;
redundant.
Pleonastically \Ple`o*nas"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In a pleonastic manner.
Pleopod \Ple"o*pod\, n.; pl. E. {Pleopods}, L. {Pleopoda}. [Gr.
? to swim + -pod.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the abdominal legs of a crustacean. See Illust. under
{Crustacea}.
Plerome \Ple"rome\, n. [Gr. ? that which fills up, fr. ? to
fill.] (Bot.)
The central column of parenchyma in a growing stem or root.
Plerophory \Ple*roph"o*ry\, n. [Gr. ?; ? full + ? to bear.]
Fullness; full persuasion. ``A plerophory of assurance.''
--Bp. Hall.
Plesance \Ples"ance\, n.
Pleasance. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Plesh \Plesh\, n.
A pool; a plash. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Plesimorphism \Ple`si*mor"phism\, n. [Gr. ? near + ? form.]
(Crystallog.)
The property possessed by some substances of crystallizing in
closely similar forms while unlike in chemical composition.
Plesiomorphous \Ple`si*o*mor"phous\, a.
Nearly alike in form.
Plesiosaur \Ple"si*o*saur\, n. (Paleon.)
One of the Plesiosauria.
Plesiosauria \Ple`si*o*sau"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Plesiosaurus}.] (Paleon.)
An extinct order of Mesozoic marine reptiles including the
genera Plesiosaurus, and allied forms; -- called also
{Sauropterygia}.
Plesiosaurian \Ple`si*o*sau"ri*an\, n. (Paleon.)
A plesiosaur.
Plesiosaurus \Ple`si*o*sau"rus\, n.; pl. {Plesiosauri}. [NL.,
fr. Gr ? near + ? a lizard.] (Paleon.)
A genus of large extinct marine reptiles, having a very long
neck, a small head, and paddles for swimming. It lived in the
Mesozoic age.
Plessimeter \Ples*sim"e*ter\, n.
See {Pleximeter}.
Plete \Plete\, v. t. & i.
To plead. [Obs.] --P. Plowman.
Plethora \Pleth"o*ra\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to be or become
full. Cf. {Pleonasm}.]
1. Overfullness; especially, excessive fullness of the blood
vessels; repletion; that state of the blood vessels or of
the system when the blood exceeds a healthy standard in
quantity; hyper[ae]mia; -- opposed to an[ae]mia.
2. State of being overfull; excess; superabundance.
He labors under a plethora of wit and imagination.
--Jeffrey.
Plethoretic \Pleth`o*ret"ic\, a.
Plethoric. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Plethoric \Ple*thor"ic\, a. [Gr. ?; cf. F. pl['e]thorique.]
Haeving a full habit of body; characterized by plethora or
excess of blood; as, a plethoric constitution; -- used also
metaphorically. ``Plethoric phrases.'' --Sydney Smith.
``Plethoric fullness of thought.'' --De Quincey.
Plethorical \Ple*thor"ic*al\, a.
Plethoric. [R.] -- {Ple*thor"ic*al*ly}, adv. --Burke.
Plethory \Pleth"o*ry\, n.
Plethora. --Jer. Taylor.
Plethron \Pleth"ron\, Plethrum \Pleth"rum\, n.; pl. {Plethra}.
[NL., fr. Gr. ?.] (Gr. Antiq.)
A long measure of 100 Greek, or 101 English, feet; also, a
square measure of 10,000 Greek feet.
Plethysmograph \Pleth"ys*mo*graph\, n. [Gr. ? an enlargement +
-graph.] (Physiol.)
An instrument for determining and registering the variations
in the size or volume of a limb, as the arm or leg, and hence
the variations in the amount of blood in the limb. --
{Pleth`ys*mo*graph"ic}, a.
Plethysmography \Pleth`ys*mog"ra*phy\, n. (Physiol.)
The study, by means of the plethysmograph, of the variations
in size of a limb, and hence of its blood supply.
Pleura \Pleu"ra\, n.,
pl. of {Pleuron}.
Pleura \Pleu"ra\, n.; pl. L. {Pleur[ae]}, E. {Pleuras}. [NL., n.
fem., fr. Gr. ? a rib, the side.]
1. (Anat.)
(a) The smooth serous membrane which closely covers the
lungs and the adjacent surfaces of the thorax; the
pleural membrane.
(b) The closed sac formed by the pleural membrane about
each lung, or the fold of membrane connecting each
lung with the body wall.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Pleuron}.
Pleural \Pleu"ral\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the pleura or pleur[ae], or to the sides
of the thorax.
Pleuralgia \Pleu*ral"gi*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? rib + ? pain.]
(Med.)
Pain in the side or region of the ribs.
Pleurapophysis \Pleu`ra*poph"y*sis\, n.; pl. {Pleurapophyses}.
[NL. See {Pleura}, and {Apophysis}.] (Anat.)
One of the ventral processes of a vertebra, or the dorsal
element in each half of a hemal arch, forming, or
corresponding to, a vertebral rib. -- {Pleu*rap`o*phys"i*al},
a. --Owen.
Pleurenchyma \Pleu*ren"chy*ma\, n. [Gr. ? side + ?, as in
parenchyma.] (Bot.)
A tissue consisting of long and slender tubular cells, of
which wood is mainly composed.
Pleuric \Pleu"ric\, a. (Anat.)
Pleural.
Pleurisy \Pleu"ri*sy\, n. [F. pleur['e]sie, L. pleurisis,
pleuritis, Gr pleyri^tis (sc. no`sos), fr. pleyra` rib,
side.] (Med.)
An inflammation of the pleura, usually accompanied with
fever, pain, difficult respiration, and cough, and with
exudation into the pleural cavity.
{Pleurisy root}. (Bot.)
(a) The large tuberous root of a kind of milkweed ({Asclepias
tuberosa}) which is used as a remedy for pleuritic and
other diseases.
(b) The plant itself, which has deep orange-colored flowers;
-- called also {butterfly weed}.
Pleurite \Pleu"rite\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pleuron}.
Pleuritic \Pleu*rit"ic\, Pleuritical \Pleu*rit"ic*al\, a. [L.
pleuriticus, Gr. ?: cf. F. pleur['e]tique.] (Med.)
(a) Of or pertaining to pleurisy; as, pleuritic symptoms.
(b) Suffering from pleurisy.
Pleuritis \Pleu*ri"tis\, n. [L.] (Med.)
Pleurisy.
Pleuro- \Pleu"ro-\ [See {Pleura}.]
A combining form denoting relation to a side; specif.,
connection with, or situation in or near, the pleura; as,
pleuroperitoneum.
Pleurobrachia \Pleu`ro*brach"i*a\, n. [NL. See {Pleuro-}, and
{Brachium}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of ctenophores having an ovate body and two long
plumose tentacles.
Pleurobranch \Pleu"ro*branch\, n. [See {Pleuro-}, and
{Branchia}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of the gills of a crustacean that is attached to the
side of the thorax.
Pleurobranchia \Pleu`ro*bran"chi*a\, n.; pl.
{Pleuroeranchi[ae]}. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pleurobranch}.
Pleurocarp \Pleu"ro*carp\, n. [Pleuro- + Gr. ? fruit.] (Bot.)
Any pleurocarpic moss.
Pleurocarpic \Pleu`ro*car"pic\, Pleurocarpous
\Pleu`ro*car"pous\, a. (Bot.)
Side-fruited; -- said of those true mosses in which the
pedicels or the capsules are from lateral archegonia; --
opposed to {acrocarpous}.
Pleurocentrum \Pleu`ro*cen"trum\, n. [NL. see {Pleuro-}, and
{Centrum}.] (Anat.)
One of the lateral elements in the centra of the vertebr[ae]
in some fossil batrachians.
Pluroderes \Plu*rod"e*res\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? the side + ?
the neck.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of fresh-water turtles in which the neck can not be
retracted, but is bent to one side, for protection. The
matamata is an example.
Pleurodont \Pleu"ro*dont\, a. [Pleuro- + Gr. ?, ?, a tooth.]
(Anat.)
Having the teeth consolidated with the inner edge of the jaw,
as in some lizards.
Pleurodont \Pleu"ro*dont\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any lizard having pleurodont teeth.
Pleurodynia \Pleu`ro*dyn"i*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? side + ?
pain.] (Med.)
A painful affection of the side, simulating pleurisy, usually
due to rheumatism.
Pleuron \Pleu"ron\, n.; pl. {Pleura}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a rib.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of the sides of an animal.
(b) One of the lateral pieces of a somite of an insect.
(c) One of lateral processes of a somite of a crustacean.
Pleuronectoid \Pleu`ro*nec"toid\, a. [NL. Pleuronectes, name of
a genus (fr. Gr. ? rib + ? a swimmer) + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the {Pleuronectid[ae]}, or Flounder family.
Pleuropericardial \Pleu`ro*per`i*car"di*al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the pleura and pericardium.
Pleuroperipneumony \Pleu`ro*per`ip*neu"mo*ny\, n. [Pleuro- +
peripneumony.] (Med.)
Pleuropneumonia.
Pleuroperitoneal \Pleu`ro*per`i*to*ne"al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the pleural and peritoneal membranes or
cavities, or to the pleuroperitoneum.
Pleuroperitoneum \Pleu`ro*per`i*to*ne"um\, n. [Pleuro- +
peritoneum.] (Anat.)
The pleural and peritoneal membranes, or the membrane lining
the body cavity and covering the surface of the inclosed
viscera; the peritoneum; -- used especially in the case of
those animals in which the body cavity is not divided.
Note: Peritoneum is now often used in the sense of
pleuroperitoneum, the pleur[ae] being regarded as a
part of the peritoneum, when the body cavity is
undivided.
Pleuropneumonia \Pleu`ro*pneu*mo"ni*a\, n. [Pleuro- +
pneumonia.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the pleura and lungs; a combination of
pleurisy and pneumonia, esp. a kind of contagions and fatal
lung plague of cattle.
Pleuroptera \Pleu*rop"te*ra\, n. pl [NL., fr. Gr. ? side + ?
wing.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of Isectivora, including the colugo.
Pleurosigma \Pleu`ro*sig"ma\, n. [NL. See {Pleuro-}, and
{Sigma}.] (Bot.)
A genus of diatoms of elongated elliptical shape, but having
the sides slightly curved in the form of a letter S.
{Pleurosigma angulatum} has very fine striations, and is a
favorite object for testing the high powers of microscopes.
Pleurosteon \Pleu*ros"te*on\, n.; pl. L. {Pleurostea}, E.
{-ons}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a rib + ? a bone.] (Anat.)
The antero-lateral piece which articulates the sternum of
birds.
Pleurothotonus \Pleu`ro*thot"o*nus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. pleyro`qen
from the side + to`nos a stretching.] (Med.)
A species of tetanus, in which the body is curved laterally.
--Quain. --Dunglison.
Pleurotoma \Pleu*rot"o*ma\, n.; pl. L. {Pleurotom[ae]}, E.
{Pleurotomas}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? the side + tomh` a cut.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any marine gastropod belonging to {Pleurotoma}, and ether
allied genera of the family {Pleurotmid[ae]}. The species are
very numerous, especially in tropical seas. The outer lip has
usually a posterior notch or slit.
Plevin \Plev"in\, n. [OF. plevine. See {Replevin}.]
A warrant or assurance. [Obs.]
Plexiform \Plex"i*form\, a. [Plexus + -form: cf. F. Plexiforme.]
Like network; complicated.
--Quincy.
Pleximeter \Plex*im"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? stroke, percussion (from ?
to strike) + -meter.] (Med.)
A small, hard, elastic plate, as of ivory, bone, or rubber,
placed in contact with body to receive the blow, in
examination by mediate percussion. [Written also
{plexometer}.]
Plexure \Plex"ure\, n. [See {Plexus}.]
The act or process of weaving together, or interweaving; that
which is woven together. --H. Brooke.
Plexus \Plex"us\, n.; pl. L. {Plexus}, E. {Plexuses}. [L., a
twining, braid, fr. plectere, plexum, to twine, braid.]
1. (Anat.) A network of vessels, nerves, or fibers.
2. (Math.) The system of equations required for the complete
expression of the relations which exist between a set of
quantities. --Brande & C.
Pley \Pley\, v. & n.
See {Play}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pley \Pley\, a.
Full See {Plein}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pleyt \Pleyt\, n. (Naut.)
An old term for a river boat.
Pliability \Pli`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being pliable; flexibility; as,
pliability of disposition. ``Pliability of movement.'' --Sir
W. Scott.
Pliable \Pli"a*ble\, a. [F., fr. plier to bend, to fold. See
{Ply}, v.]
1. Capable of being plied, turned, or bent; easy to be bent;
flexible; pliant; supple; limber; yielding; as, willow is
a pliable plant.
2. Flexible in disposition; readily yielding to influence,
arguments, persuasion, or discipline; easy to be
persuaded; -- sometimes in a bad sense; as, a pliable
youth. ``Pliable she promised to be.'' --Dr. H. More. --
{Pli"a*ble*ness}, n. -- {Pli"a*bly}, adv.
Pliancy \Pli"an*cy\, n.
The quality or state of being pliant in sense; as, the
pliancy of a rod. ``Avaunt all specious pliancy of mind.''
--Wordsworth.
Pliant \Pli"ant\, a. [F. pliant, p. pr. of plier to bend. See
{Ply}, v.]
1. Capable of plying or bending; readily yielding to force or
pressure without breaking; flexible; pliable; lithe;
limber; plastic; as, a pliant thread; pliant wax. Also
used figuratively: Easily influenced for good or evil;
tractable; as, a pliant heart.
The will was then ductile and pliant to right
reason. --South.
2. Favorable to pliancy. [R.] ``A pliant hour.'' --Shak. --
{Pli"ant*ly}, adv. -- {Pli"ant*ness}, n.
Plica \Pli"ca\, n. [LL., a fold, fr. L. plicare to fold. See
{Ply}, v.]
1. (Med.) A disease of the hair (Plica polonica), in which it
becomes twisted and matted together. The disease is of
Polish origin, and is hence called also {Polish plait}.
--Dunglison.
2. (Bot.) A diseased state in plants in which there is an
excessive development of small entangled twigs, instead of
ordinary branches.
3. (Zo["o]l.) The bend of the wing of a bird.
Plicate \Pli"cate\, Plicated \Pli"ca*ted\, a. [L. plicatus, p.
p. of plicare to fold.]
Plaited; folded like a fan; as, a plicate leaf. --
{Pli"cate*ly}, adv.
Plication \Pli*ca"tion\, n.
A folding or fold; a plait. --Richardson.
Plicature \Plic"a*ture\, n. [L. plicatura, fr. plicare to fold.]
A fold; a doubling; a plication. --Dr. H. More.
Plicidentine \Plic`i*den"tine\, n. [LL. plica fold + E.
dentine.] (Anat.)
A form of dentine which shows sinuous lines of structure in a
transverse section of the tooth.
Plied \Plied\,
imp. & p. p. of {Ply}.
Pliers \Pli"ers\, n. pl. [From {Ply} to bend, fold.]
A kind of small pinchers with long jaws, -- used for bending
or cutting metal rods or wire, for handling small objects
such as the parts of a watch, etc.
Pliform \Pli"form\, a. [Ply a fold + -form.]
In the form of a ply, fold, or doubling. [Obs.] --Pennant.
Plight \Plight\, obs.
imp. & p. p. of {Plight}, to pledge. --Chaucer.
Plight \Plight\, obs.
imp. & p. p. of {Pluck}. --Chaucer.
Plight \Plight\, v. t. [OE. pliten; probably through Old French,
fr. LL. plectare, L. plectere. See {Plait}, {Ply}.]
To weave; to braid; to fold; to plait.[Obs.] ``To sew and
plight.''
--Chaucer.
A plighted garment of divers colors. --Milton.
Plight \Plight\, n.
A network; a plait; a fold; rarely a garment. [Obs.] ``Many a
folded plight.''
--Spenser.
Plight \Plight\, n. [OE. pliht danger, engagement, AS. pliht
danger, fr. ple['o]n to risk; akin to D. plicht duty, G.
pflicht, Dan. pligt. [root]28. Cf. {Play}.]
1. That which is exposed to risk; that which is plighted or
pledged; security; a gage; a pledge. ``That lord whose
hand must take my plight.'' --Shak.
2. [Perh. the same word as plight a pledge, but at least
influenced by OF. plite, pliste, ploit, ploi, a condition,
state; cf. E. plight to fold, and F. pli a fold, habit,
plier to fold, E. ply.] Condition; state; -- risk, or
exposure to danger, often being implied; as, a luckless
plight. ``Your plight is pitied.'' --Shak.
To bring our craft all in another plight --Chaucer.
Plight \Plight\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plighted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plighting}.] [AS. plihtan to expose to danger, pliht
danger;cf. D. verplichten to oblige, engage, impose a duty,
G. verpflichten, Sw. f["o]rplikta, Dan. forpligte. See
{Plight}, n.]
1. To pledge; to give as a pledge for the performance of some
act; as, to plight faith, honor, word; -- never applied to
property or goods. `` To do them plighte their troth.''
--Piers Plowman.
He plighted his right hand Unto another love, and to
another land. --Spenser.
Here my inviolable faith I plight. --Dryden.
2. To promise; to engage; to betroth.
Before its setting hour, divide The bridegroom from
the plighted bride. --Sir W.
Scott.
Plighter \Plight"er\, n.
One who, or that which, plights.
Plim \Plim\, v. i. [Cf. {Plump}.]
To swell, as grain or wood with water. [Prov. Eng.] --Grose.
Plimsoll's mark \Plim"soll's mark`\ (Naut.)
A mark conspicuously painted on the port side of all British
sea-going merchant vessels, to indicate the limit of
submergence allowed by law; -- so called from Samuel
Plimsoll, by whose efforts the act of Parliament to prevent
overloading was procured.
Plinth \Plinth\, n. [L. plinthus, Gr. ? a brick or tile, a
plinth, perh. akin to E. flint: cf. F. plinthe.] (Arch.)
In classical architecture, a vertically faced member
immediately below the circular base of a column; also, the
lowest member of a pedestal; hence, in general, the lowest
member of a base; a sub-base; a block upon which the moldings
of an architrave or trim are stopped at the bottom. See
Illust. of {Column}.
Pliocene \Pli"o*cene\, a. [Written also pleiocene.] [Gr. ? more
+ ? new, recent.] (Geol.)
Of, pertaining to, or characterizing, the most recent
division of the Tertiary age.
Pliocene \Pli"o*cene\, n. (Geol.)
The Pliocene period or deposits.
Pliohippus \Pli`o*hip"pus\, n. [NL., fr. E. pliocene + Gr. ?
horse.] (Paleon.)
An extinct genus of horses from the Pliocene deposits. Each
foot had a single toe (or hoof), as in the common horse.
Pliosaurus \Pli`o*sau"rus\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? greater + ?
lizard.] (Paleon.)
An extinct genus of marine reptiles allied to Plesiosaurus,
but having a much shorter neck.
Plitt \Plitt\, n. [Russ. plete.]
An instrument of punishment or torture resembling the knout,
used in Russia.
Ploc \Ploc\, n. [F.] (Naut.)
A mixture of hair and tar for covering the bottom of a ship.
Ploce \Plo"ce\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? complication, fr. ? to
entwine.] (Rhet.)
A figure in which a word is separated or repeated by way of
emphasis, so as not only to signify the individual thing
denoted by it, but also its peculiar attribute or quality;
as, ``His wife's a wife indeed.'' --Bailey.
Plod \Plod\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Plodded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plodding}.] [Gf. Gael. plod a clod, a pool; also, to strike
or pelt with a clod or clods.]
1. To travel slowly but steadily; to trudge. --Shak.
2. To toil; to drudge; especially, to study laboriously and
patiently. ``Plodding schoolmen.'' --Drayton.
Plod \Plod\, v. t.
To walk on slowly or heavily.
The ploughman homeward plods his weary way. --Gray.
Plodder \Plod"der\, n.
One who plods; a drudge.
Plodding \Plod"ding\, a.
Progressing in a slow, toilsome manner; characterized by
laborious diligence; as, a plodding peddler; a plodding
student; a man of plodding habits. --{Plod"ding*ly}, adv.
Plonge \Plonge\, v. t. [See {Plunge}.]
To cleanse, as open drains which are entered by the tide, by
stirring up the sediment when the tide ebbs.
Plong'ee \Plon`g['e]e"\, n. [F. See {Plunge}.] (Mil.)
A slope or sloping toward the front; as, the plong['e]e of a
parapet; the plong['e]e of a shell in its course. [Sometimes
written {plonge}.]
Plot \Plot\, n. [AS. plot; cf. Goth. plats a patch. Cf. {Plat} a
piece of ground.]
1. A small extent of ground; a plat; as, a garden plot.
--Shak.
2. A plantation laid out. [Obs.] --Sir P. Sidney.
3. (Surv.) A plan or draught of a field, farm, estate, etc.,
drawn to a scale.
Plot \Plot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plotted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plotting}.]
To make a plot, map, pr plan, of; to mark the position of on
a plan; to delineate.
This treatise plotteth down Cornwall as it now
standeth. --Carew.
Plot \Plot\, n. [Abbrev. from complot.]
1. Any scheme, stratagem, secret design, or plan, of a
complicated nature, adapted to the accomplishment of some
purpose, usually a treacherous and mischievous one; a
conspiracy; an intrigue; as, the Rye-house Plot.
I have overheard a plot of death. --Shak.
O, think what anxious moments pass between The birth
of plots and their last fatal periods! --Addison.
2. A share in such a plot or scheme; a participation in any
stratagem or conspiracy. [Obs.]
And when Christ saith, Who marries the divorced
commits adultery, it is to be understood, if he had
any plot in the divorce. --Milton.
3. Contrivance; deep reach of thought; ability to plot or
intrigue. [Obs.] ``A man of much plot.'' --Denham.
4. A plan; a purpose. ``No other plot in their religion but
serve God and save their souls.'' --Jer. Taylor.
5. In fiction, the story of a play, novel, romance, or poem,
comprising a complication of incidents which are gradually
unfolded, sometimes by unexpected means.
If the plot or intrigue must be natural, and such as
springs from the subject, then the winding up of the
plot must be a probable consequence of all that went
before. --Pope.
Syn: Intrigue; stratagem; conspiracy; cabal; combination;
contrivance.
Plot \Plot\ (pl[o^]t), v. i.
1. To form a scheme of mischief against another, especially
against a government or those who administer it; to
conspire. --Shak.
The wicked plotteth against the just. --Ps. xxxvii.
12.
2. To contrive a plan or stratagem; to scheme.
The prince did plot to be secretly gone. --Sir H.
Wotton.
Plot \Plot\, v. t.
To plan; to scheme; to devise; to contrive secretly.
``Plotting an unprofitable crime.'' --Dryden. ``Plotting now
the fall of others.'' --Milton
Plotful \Plot"ful\, a.
Abounding with plots.
Pletinian \Ple*tin"i*an\, a.
Of pertaining to the Plotinists or their doctrines.
Plotinist \Plo*ti"nist\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
A disciple of Plotinus, a celebrated Platonic philosopher of
the third century, who taught that the human soul emanates
from the divine Being, to whom it reunited at death.
Plot-proof \Plot"-proof`\, a.
Secure against harm by plots. --Shak.
Plotter \Plot"ter\, n.
One who plots or schemes; a contriver; a conspirator; a
schemer. --Dryden.
Plough \Plough\, n. & v.
See {Plow}.
Plover \Plov"er\, n. [OF. plovier, F. pluvier, prop., the rain
bird, fr. LL. (assumed) pluviarius, fr. L. pluvia rain, from
pluere to rain; akin to E. float, G. fliessen to flow. See
{Float}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of limicoline birds
belonging to the family {Charadrid[ae]}, and especially
those belonging to the subfamily {Charadrins[ae]}. They
are prized as game birds.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any grallatorial bird allied to, or resembling,
the true plovers, as the crab plover ({Dromas ardeola});
the American upland, plover ({Bartramia longicauda}); and
other species of sandpipers.
Note: Among the more important species are the {blackbellied,
or blackbreasted, plover} ({Charadrius squatarola}) of
America and Europe; -- called also {gray plover},
{bull-head plover}, {Swiss plover}, {sea plover}, and
{oxeye}; the {golden plover} (see under {Golden}); the
{ring or ringed plover} ({[AE]gialitis hiaticula}). See
{Ringneck}. The {piping plover} ({[AE]gialitis
meloda}); {Wilson's plover} ({[AE]. Wilsonia}); the
{mountain plover} ({[AE]. montana}); and the
{semipalmated plover} ({[AE]. semipalmata}), are all
small American species.
{Bastard plover} (Zo["o]l.), the lapwing.
{Long-legged}, or {yellow-legged}, {plover}. See {Tattler}.
{Plover's page}, the dunlin. [Prov. Eng.]
{Rock plover}, or {Stone plover}, the black-bellied plover.
[Prov. Eng.]
{Whistling plover}.
(a) The golden plover.
(b) The black-bellied plover.
Plow \Plow\, Plough \Plough\ (plou), n. [OE. plouh, plou, AS.
pl[=o]h; akin to D. ploeg, G. pflug, OHG. pfluog, pfluoh,
Icel. pl[=o]gr, Sw. plog, Dan. ploug, plov, Russ. plug',
Lith. plugas.]
1. A well-known implement, drawn by horses, mules, oxen, or
other power, for turning up the soil to prepare it for
bearing crops; also used to furrow or break up the soil
for other purposes; as, the subsoil plow; the draining
plow.
Where fern succeeds ungrateful to the plow.
--Dryden.
2. Fig.: Agriculture; husbandry. --Johnson.
3. A carucate of land; a plowland. [Obs.] [Eng.]
Johan, mine eldest son, shall have plowes five.
--Tale of
Gamelyn.
4. A joiner's plane for making grooves; a grooving plane.
5. (Bookbinding) An implement for trimming or shaving off the
edges of books.
6. (Astron.) Same as {Charles's Wain}.
{Ice plow}, a plow used for cutting ice on rivers, ponds,
etc., into cakes suitable for storing. [U. S.]
{Mackerel plow}. See under {Mackerel}.
{Plow alms}, a penny formerly paid by every plowland to the
church. --Cowell.
{Plow beam}, that part of the frame of a plow to which the
draught is applied. See {Beam}, n., 9.
{Plow Monday}, the Monday after Twelth Day, or the end of
Christmas holidays.
{Plow staff}.
(a) A kind of long-handled spade or paddle for cleaning
the plowshare; a paddle staff.
(b) A plow handle.
{Snow plow}, a structure, usually [Lambda]-shaped, for
removing snow from sidewalks, railroads, etc., -- drawn or
driven by a horse or a locomotive.
Plow \Plow\, Plough \Plough\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plowed}
(ploud) or {Ploughed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Plowing} or
{Ploughing}.]
1. To turn up, break up, or trench, with a plow; to till
with, or as with, a plow; as, to plow the ground; to plow
a field.
2. To furrow; to make furrows, grooves, or ridges in; to run
through, as in sailing.
Let patient Octavia plow thy visage up With her
prepared nails. --Shak.
With speed we plow the watery way. --Pope.
3. (Bookbinding) To trim, or shave off the edges of, as a
book or paper, with a plow. See {Plow}, n., 5.
4. (Joinery) To cut a groove in, as in a plank, or the edge
of a board; especially, a rectangular groove to receive
the end of a shelf or tread, the edge of a panel, a
tongue, etc.
{To plow in}, to cover by plowing; as, to plow in wheat.
{To plow up}, to turn out of the ground by plowing.
Plow \Plow\, Plough \Plough\ (plou), v. i.
To labor with, or as with, a plow; to till or turn up the
soil with a plow; to prepare the soil or bed for anything.
--Shak.
Doth the plowman plow all day to sow ? --Isa. xxviii.
24.
Plowable \Plow"a*ble\, Ploughable \Plough"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being plowed; arable.
Plowbote \Plow"bote`\, Ploughbote \Plough"bote`\, n. (Eng. Law)
Wood or timber allowed to a tenant for the repair of
instruments of husbandry. See {Bote}.
Plowboy \Plow"boy`\, Ploughboy \Plough"boy`\, n.
A boy that drives or guides a team in plowing; a young
rustic.
Plower \Plow"er\, Plougher \Plough"er\, n.
One who plows; a plowman; a cultivator.
Plowfoot \Plow"foot`\, Ploughfoot \Plough"foot`\, n.
An adjustable staff formerly attached to the plow beam to
determine the depth of the furrow. --Piers Plowman.
Plowgang \Plow"gang`\, Ploughgang \Plough"gang`\, n.
Same as {Plowgate}.
Plowgate \Plow"gate`\, Ploughgate \Plough"gate`\, n.
The Scotch equivalent of the English word {plowland}.
Not having one plowgate of land. --Sir W.
Scott.
Plowhead \Plow"head`\, Ploughhead \Plough"head`\, n.
The clevis or draught iron of a plow.
Plowland \Plow"land`\, Plougland \Ploug"land`\, n.
1. Land that is plowed, or suitable for tillage.
2. (O. Eng. Law) the quantity of land allotted for the work
of one plow; a hide.
Plowman \Plow"man\, Ploughman \Plough"man\, n.; pl. {-men}.
1. One who plows, or who holds and guides a plow; hence, a
husbandman. --Chaucer. Macaulay.
2. A rustic; a countryman; a field laborer.
{Plowman's spikenard} (Bot.), a European composite weed
({Conyza squarrosa}), having fragrant roots. --Dr. Prior.
Plowpoint \Plow"point`\, Ploughpoint \Plough"point`\, n.
A detachable share at the extreme front end of the plow body.
Plowshare \Plow"share`\, Ploughshare \Plough"share"\, n.
The share of a plow, or that part which cuts the slice of
earth or sod at the bottom of the furrow.
{Plowshare bone} (Anat.), the pygostyle.
Plowtail \Plow"tail`\, Ploughtail \Plough"tail`\, n.
The hind part or handle of a plow.
Plowwright \Plow"wright`\, Ploughwright \Plough"wright`\, n.
One who makes or repairs plows.
Ploy \Ploy\, n.
Sport; frolic. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Ploy \Ploy\, v. i. [Prob. abbrev. fr. deploy.] (Mil.)
To form a column from a line of troops on some designated
subdivision; -- the opposite of deploy. --Wilhelm.
Ployment \Ploy"ment\, n. (Mil.)
The act or movement of forming a column from a line of troops
on some designated subdivision; -- the opposite of
deployment.
Pluck \Pluck\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plucked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plucking}.] [AS. pluccian; akin to LG. & D. plukken, G.
pfl["u]cken, Icel. plokka, plukka, Dan. plukke, Sw. plocka.
?27.]
1. To pull; to draw.
Its own nature . . . plucks on its own dissolution.
--Je?. Taylor.
2. Especially, to pull with sudden force or effort, or to
pull off or out from something, with a twitch; to twitch;
also, to gather, to pick; as, to pluck feathers from a
fowl; to pluck hair or wool from a skin; to pluck grapes.
I come to pluck your berries harsh and crude.
--Milton.
E'en children followed, with endearing wile, And
plucked his gown to share the good man's smile.
--Goldsmith.
3. To strip of, or as of, feathers; as, to pluck a fowl.
They which pass by the way do pluck her. --Ps.
lxxx.?2.
4. (Eng. Universities) To reject at an examination for
degrees. --C. Bront['e].
{To pluck away}, to pull away, or to separate by pulling; to
tear away.
{To pluck down}, to pull down; to demolish; to reduce to a
lower state.
{to pluck off}, to pull or tear off; as, to pluck off the
skin.
{to pluck up}.
(a) To tear up by the roots or from the foundation; to
eradicate; to exterminate; to destroy; as, to pluck up
a plant; to pluck up a nation. --Jer. xii. 17.
(b) To gather up; to summon; as, to pluck up courage.
Pluck \Pluck\, v. i.
To make a motion of pulling or twitching; -- usually with at;
as, to pluck at one's gown.
Pluck \Pluck\, n.
1. The act of plucking; a pull; a twitch.
2. [Prob. so called as being plucked out after the animal is
killed; or cf. Gael. & Ir. pluc a lump, a knot, a bunch.]
The heart, liver, and lights of an animal.
3. Spirit; courage; indomitable resolution; fortitude.
Decay of English spirit, decay of manly pluck.
--Thackeray.
4. The act of plucking, or the state of being plucked, at
college. See {Pluck}, v. t., 4.
5. (Zo["o]l.) The lyrie. [Prov. Eng.]
Plucked \Plucked\, a.
Having courage and spirit. [R.]
Plucker \Pluck"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, plucks.
Thou setter up and plucker down of kings. --Shak.
2. A machine for straightening and cleaning wool.
Pluckily \Pluck"i*ly\, adv.
In a plucky manner.
Pluckiness \Pluck"i*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being plucky.
Pluckless \Pluck"less\, a.
Without pluck; timid; faint-hearted.
Plucky \Pluck"y\, a. [Compar. {Pluckier}; superl. {Pluckiest}.]
Having pluck or courage; characterized by pluck; displaying
pluck; courageous; spirited; as, a plucky race.
If you're plucky, and not over subject to fright.
--Barham.
Pluff \Pluff\, v. t. [Prob. of imitative origin.]
To throw out, as smoke, dust, etc., in puffs. [Scot.]
Pluff \Pluff\, n.
1. A puff, as of smoke from a pipe, or of dust from a
puffball; a slight explosion, as of a small quantity of
gunpowder. [Scot.]
2. A hairdresser's powder puff; also, the act of using it.
[Scot.]
Plug \Plug\, n. [Akin to D. plug, G. pflock, Dan. pl["o]k, plug,
Sw. plugg; cf. W. ploc.]
1. Any piece of wood, metal, or other substance used to stop
or fill a hole; a stopple.
2. A flat oblong cake of pressed tobacco. [U. S.]
3. A high, tapering silk hat. [Slang, U.S.]
4. A worthless horse. [Slang, U.S.]
5. (Building) A block of wood let into a wall, to afford a
hold for nails.
{Fire plug}, a street hydrant to which hose may be attached.
[U. S.]
{Hawse plug} (Naut.), a plug to stop a hawse hole.
{Plug and feather}. (Stone Working) See {Feather}, n., 7.
{Plug centerbit}, a centerbit ending in a small cylinder
instead of a point, so as to follow and enlarge a hole
previously made, or to form a counterbore around it.
{Plug rod} (Steam Eng.), a rod attached to the beam for
working the valves, as in the Cornish engine.
{Plug valve} (Mech.), a tapering valve, which turns in a case
like the plug of a faucet.
Plug \Plug\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plugged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plugging}.]
To stop with a plug; to make tight by stopping a hole.
Plugger \Plug"ger\, n.
One who, or that which, plugs.
Plugging \Plug"ging\, n.
1. The act of stopping with a plug.
2. The material of which a plug or stopple is made.
Plum \Plum\, n. [AS. pl[=u]me, fr. L. prunum; akin to Gr. ?, ?.
Cf. {Prune} a dried plum.]
1. (Bot.) The edible drupaceous fruit of the {Prunus
domestica}, and of several other species of {Prunus};
also, the tree itself, usually called {plum tree}.
The bullace, the damson, and the numerous varieties
of plum, of our gardens, although growing into
thornless trees, are believed to be varieties of the
blackthorn, produced by long cultivation. --G.
Bentham.
Note: Two or three hundred varieties of plums derived from
the {Prunus domestica} are described; among them the
{greengage}, the {Orleans}, the {purple gage}, or
{Reine Claude Violette}, and the {German prune}, are
some of the best known.
Note: Among the true plums are;
{Beach plum}, the {Prunus maritima}, and its crimson or
purple globular drupes,
{Bullace plum}. See {Bullace}.
{Chickasaw plum}, the American {Prunus Chicasa}, and its
round red drupes.
{Orleans plum}, a dark reddish purple plum of medium size,
much grown in England for sale in the markets.
{Wild plum of America}, {Prunus Americana}, with red or
yellow fruit, the original of the {Iowa plum} and several
other varieties. Among plants called plum, but of other
genera than {Prunus}, are;
{Australian plum}, {Cargillia arborea} and {C. australis}, of
the same family with the persimmon.
{Blood plum}, the West African {H[ae]matostaphes Barteri}.
{Cocoa plum}, the Spanish nectarine. See under {Nectarine}.
{Date plum}. See under {Date}.
{Gingerbread plum}, the West African {Parinarium
macrophyllum}.
{Gopher plum}, the Ogeechee lime.
{Gray plum}, {Guinea plum}. See under {Guinea}.
{Indian plum}, several species of {Flacourtia}.
2. A grape dried in the sun; a raisin.
3. A handsome fortune or property; formerly, in cant
language, the sum of [pounds]100,000 sterling; also, the
person possessing it.
{Plum bird}, {Plum budder} (Zo["o]l.), the European
bullfinch.
{Plum gouger} (Zo["o]l.), a weevil, or curculio ({Coccotorus
scutellaris}), which destroys plums. It makes round holes
in the pulp, for the reception of its eggs. The larva
bores into the stone and eats the kernel.
{Plum weevil} (Zo["o]l.), an American weevil which is very
destructive to plums, nectarines cherries, and many other
stone fruits. It lays its eggs in crescent-shaped
incisions made with its jaws. The larva lives upon the
pulp around the stone. Called also {turk}, and {plum
curculio}. See Illust. under {Curculio}.
Pluma \Plu"ma\, n.; pl. {Plum[ae]}. [L.] (Zo["o]l.)
A feather.
Plumage \Plum"age\, n. [F., from plume a feather.] (Zo["o]l.)
The entire clothing of a bird.
Note: It consist of the contour feathers, or the ordinary
feathers covering the head, neck, and body; the tail
feathers, with their upper and lower coverts; the wing
feathers, including primaries, secondaries, and
tertiaries, with their coverts; and the down which lies
beneath the contour feathers. See Illust. under {Bird}.
Plumassary \Plu*mas"sa*ry\, n. [Cf. F. plumasseau.]
A plume or collection of ornamental feathers.
Plumassier \Plu`mas`sier"\, n. [F.]
One who prepares or deals in ornamental plumes or feathers.
Plumb \Plumb\, n. [F. plomb, L. plumbum lead, a leaden ball or
bullet; cf. Gr. ?, ?, ?. Cf. {Plummet}, {Plunge}.]
A little mass or weight of lead, or the like, attached to a
line, and used by builders, etc., to indicate a vertical
direction; a plummet; a plumb bob. See {Plumb line}, below.
{Plumb bob}. See {Bob}, 4.
{Plumb joint}, in sheet-metal work, a lap joint, fastened by
solder.
{Plumb level}. See under {Level}.
{Plumb line}.
(a) The cord by which a plumb bob is suspended; a plummet.
(b) A line directed to the center of gravity of the earth.
{Plumb rule}, a narrow board with a plumb line, used by
builders and carpenters.
Plumb \Plumb\, a.
Perpendicular; vertical; conforming the direction of a line
attached to a plumb; as, the wall is plumb.
Plumb \Plumb\, adv.
In a plumb direction; perpendicularly. ``Plumb down he
falls.'' --Milton.
Plumb \Plumb\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plumbed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plumbing}.]
1. To adjust by a plumb line; to cause to be perpendicular;
as, to plumb a building or a wall.
2. To sound with a plumb or plummet, as the depth of water;
hence, to examine by test; to ascertain the depth,
quality, dimension, etc.; to sound; to fathom; to test.
He did not attempt to plumb his intellect. --Ld.
Lytton.
3. To seal with lead; as, to plumb a drainpipe.
4. To supply, as a building, with a system of plumbing.
Plumbage \Plumb"age\, n.
Leadwork [R.]
Plumbagin \Plum*ba"gin\, n. [L. plumbago leadwort, fr. plumbum
lead; cf. F. plombagin.] (Chem.)
A crystalline substance said to be found in the root of a
certain plant of the Leadwort ({Plumbago}) family.
Plumbagineous \Plum`ba*gin"e*ous\, a. (Bot.)
Pertaining to natural order ({Plumbagine[ae]}) of
gamopetalous herbs, of which Plumbago is the type. The order
includes also the marsh rosemary, the thrift, and a few other
genera.
Plumbaginous \Plum*bag"i*nous\, a.
Resembling plumbago; consisting of, or containing, plumbago;
as, a plumbaginous slate.
Plumbago \Plum*ba"go\, n. [L., from plumbum lead.]
1. (Min.) Same as {Graphite}.
2. (Bot.) A genus of herbaceous plants with pretty
salver-shaped corollas, usually blue or violet; leadwort.
Plumbean \Plum"be*an\, Plumbeous \Plum"be*ous\, a. [L. plumbeus,
from plumbum the metal lead.]
1. Consisting of, or resembling, lead. --J. Ellis.
2. Dull; heavy; stupid. [R.] --J. P. Smith.
Plumber \Plumb"er\, n. [F. plombier. See {Plumb}.]
One who works in lead; esp., one who furnishes, fits, and
repairs lead, iron, or glass pipes, and other apparatus for
the conveyance of water, gas, or drainage in buildings.
Plumber block \Plumb"er block`\
A pillow block.
Plumbery \Plumb"er*y\, n. [F. plomberie.]
1. The business of a plumber. [Obs.]
2. A place where plumbing is carried on; lead works.
Plumbic \Plum"bic\, a. [From {Plumbum}.] (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, resembling, or containing, lead; -- used
specifically to designate those compounds in which it has a
higher valence as contrasted with plumbous compounds; as,
plumbic oxide.
Plumbiferous \Plum*bif"er*ous\, a. [Plumbum + -ferous.]
Producing or containing lead. --Kirwan.
Plumbing \Plumb"ing\, n.
1. The art of casting and working in lead, and applying it to
building purposes; especially, the business of furnishing,
fitting, and repairing pipes for conducting water, sewage,
etc. --Gwilt.
2. The lead or iron pipes, and other apparatus, used in
conveying water, sewage, etc., in a building.
Plumbism \Plum"bism\, n. [From {Plumbum}.] (Med.)
A diseased condition, produced by the absorption of lead,
common among workers in this metal or in its compounds, as
among painters, typesetters, etc. It is characterized by
various symptoms, as lead colic, lead line, and wrist drop.
See under {Colic}, {Lead}, and {Wrist}.
Plumbous \Plum"bous\, a. [From {Plumbum}.] (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or containing, lead; -- used specifically
to designate those compounds in which it has a lower valence
as contrasted with plumbic compounds.
Plumbum \Plum"bum\, n. [L.] (Chem.)
The technical name of lead. See {Lead}.
Plume \Plume\, n. [F., fr. L. pluma. Cf. {Fly}, v.]
1. A feather; esp., a soft, downy feather, or a long,
conspicuous, or handsome feather.
Wings . . . of many a colored plume. --Milton.
2. (Zo["o]l.) An ornamental tuft of feathers.
3. A feather, or group of feathers, worn as an ornament; a
waving ornament of hair, or other material resembling
feathers.
His high plume, that nodded o'er his head. --Dryden.
4. A token of honor or prowess; that on which one prides
himself; a prize or reward. ``Ambitious to win from me
some plume.'' --Milton.
5. (Bot.) A large and flexible panicle of inflorescence
resembling a feather, such as is seen in certain large
ornamental grasses.
{Plume bird} (Zo["o]l.), any bird that yields ornamental
plumes, especially the species of Epimarchus from New
Guinea, and some of the herons and egrets, as the white
heron of Florida ({Ardea candidissima}).
{Plume grass}. (Bot)
(a) A kind of grass ({Erianthus saccharoides}) with the
spikelets arranged in great silky plumes, growing in
swamps in the Southern United States.
(b) The still finer {E. Ravenn[ae]} from the Mediterranean
region. The name is sometimes extended to the whole
genus.
{Plume moth} (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous small, slender
moths, belonging to the family {Pterophorid[ae]}. Most of
them have the wings deeply divided into two or more
plumelike lobes. Some species are injurious to the
grapevine.
{Plume nutmeg} (Bot.), an aromatic Australian tree
({Atherosperma moschata}), whose numerous carpels are
tipped with long plumose persistent styles.
Plume \Plume\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plumed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pluming}.] [Cf. F. plumer to pluck, to strip, L. plumare to
cover with feathers.]
1. To pick and adjust the plumes or feathers of; to dress or
prink.
Pluming her wings among the breezy bowers. --W.
Irving.
2. To strip of feathers; to pluck; to strip; to pillage;
also, to peel. [Obs.] --Bacon. Dryden.
3. To adorn with feathers or plumes. ``Farewell the plumed
troop.'' --Shak.
4. To pride; to vaunt; to boast; -- used reflexively; as, he
plumes himself on his skill. --South.
{Plumed adder} (Zo["o]l.), an African viper ({Vipera, or
Clotho cornuta}), having a plumelike structure over each
eye. It is venomous, and is related to the African puff
adder. Called also {horned viper} and {hornsman}.
{Plumed partridge} (Zo["o]l.), the California mountain quail
({Oreortyx pictus}). See {Mountain quail}, under
{Mountain}.
Plumeless \Plume"less\, a.
Without plumes.
Plumelet \Plume"let\, n. [Plume + -let.]
A small plume.
When rosy plumelets tuft the larch. --Tennyson.
Plumery \Plum"er*y\, n.
Plumes, collectively or in general; plumage. [R.] --Southey.
Plumicorn \Plu"mi*corn\, n. [L. pluma feather + cornu horn.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An ear tuft of feathers, as in the horned owls.
Plumigerous \Plu*mig"er*ous\, a. [L. plumiger; pluma a feather +
gerere to bear.]
Feathered; having feathers. --Bailey
Plumiliform \Plu*mil"i*form\, a. [L. plumula, or plumella a
little feather (dim. of pluma feather) + -form.]
Having the of a plume or feather. [R.]
Plumiped \Plu"mi*ped\, a. [L. plumipes, -edis; pluma a feather +
pes: cf. F. plumip[`e]de.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having feet covered with feathers. -- n. A plumiped bird.
Plummet \Plum"met\, n. [OE. plommet, OF. plommet, fr. plom,
plum, lead, F. plomb. See {Plumb}.]
1. A piece of lead attached to a line, used in sounding the
depth of water.
I'll sink him deeper than e'er plummet sounded.
--Shak.
2. A plumb bob or a plumb line. See under {Plumb}, n.
3. Hence, any weight.
4. A piece of lead formerly used by school children to rule
paper for writing.
{Plummet line}, a line with a plummet; a sounding line.
Plumming \Plum"ming\, n. [See {Plumb}.] (Min.)
The operation of finding, by means of a mine dial, the place
where to sink an air shaft, or to bring an adit to the work,
or to find which way the lode inclines.
Plummy \Plum"my\, a. [From {Plum}.]
Of the nature of a plum; desirable; profitable; advantageous.
[Colloq.] ``For the sake of getting something plummy.'' --G.
Eliot.
Plumose \Plu*mose"\, Plumous \Plu"mous\, a. [L. plumosus, fr.
pluma feather: cf. F. plumeux.]
1. Having feathers or plumes.
2. Having hairs, or other p['a]rts, arranged along an axis
like a feather; feathery; plumelike; as, a plumose leaf;
plumose tentacles.
Plumosite \Plu"mo*site\, n. (Min.)
Same as {Jamesonite}.
Plumosity \Plu*mos"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being plumose.
Plump \Plump\ (pl[u^]mp), a. [Compar. {Plumper} (-[~e]r);
superl. {Plumpest}.] [OE. plomp rude, clumsy; akin to D.
plomp, G., Dan., & Sw. plump; probably of imitative origin.
Cf. {Plump}, adv.]
Well rounded or filled out; full; fleshy; fat; as, a plump
baby; plump cheeks. --Shak.
The god of wine did his plump clusters bring. --T.
Carew.
Plump \Plump\, n.
A knot; a cluster; a group; a crowd; a flock; as, a plump of
trees, fowls, or spears. [Obs.]
To visit islands and the plumps of men. --Chapman.
Plump \Plump\, v. i. [Cf. D. plompen, G. plumpen, Sw. plumpa,
Dan. plumpe. See {Plump}, a.]
1. To grow plump; to swell out; as, her cheeks have plumped.
2. To drop or fall suddenly or heavily, all at
once.``Dulcissa plumps into a chair.'' --Spectator.
3. To {give} a plumper. See {Plumper}, 2.
Plump \Plump\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plumped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plumping}.]
1. To make plump; to fill (out) or support; -- often with up.
To plump up the hollowness of their history with
improbable miracles. --Fuller.
2. To cast or let drop all at once, suddenly and heavily; as,
to plump a stone into water.
3. To give (a vote), as a plumper. See {Plumper}, 2.
Plump \Plump\, adv. [Cf. D. plomp, interj., G. plump, plumps.
Cf. {Plump}, a. & v.]
Directly; suddenly; perpendicularly. ``Fall plump.'' --Beau.
& Fl.
Plumper \Plump"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, plumps or swells out something
else; hence, something carried in the mouth to distend the
cheeks.
2. (English Elections) A vote given to one candidate only,
when two or more are to be elected, thus giving him the
advantage over the others. A person who gives his vote
thus is said to plump, or to plump his vote.
3. A voter who plumps his vote. [Eng.]
4. A downright, unqualified lie. [Colloq. or Low]
Plumply \Plump"ly\, adv.
Fully; roundly; plainly; without reserve. [Colloq.]
Plumpness \Plump"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being plump.
Plumpy \Plump"y\, a.
Plump; fat; sleek. ``Plumpy Bacchus.'' --Shak.
Plumula \Plu"mu*la\, n.; pl. L. {Plumule}, E.{-las}. [L. See
{Plumule}.]
1. (Bot.) A plumule.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A down feather.
Plumulaceous \Plu`mu*la"ceous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Downy; bearing down.
Plumular \Plu"mu*lar\, a. (Bot.)
Relating to a plumule.
Plumularia \Plu`mu*la"ri*a\, n.; pl. L. {Plumularl[ae]}, E.
{Plumularias}. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any hydroid belonging to {Plumularia} and other genera of the
family {Plumularid[ae]}. They generally grow in plumelike
forms.
Plumularian \Plu`mu*la"ri*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any Plumularia. Also used adjectively.
Plumule \Plu"mule\, n. [L. plumula, dim. of pluma a feather; cf.
F. plumule.]
1. (Bot.) The first bud, or gemmule, of a young plant; the
bud, or growing point, of the embryo, above the
cotyledons. See Illust. of {Radicle}. --Gray.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A down feather.
(b) The aftershaft of a feather. See Illust. under
{Feather}.
(c) One of the featherlike scales of certain male
butterflies.
Plumulose \Plu"mu*lose"\, a.
Having hairs branching out laterally, like the parts of a
feather.
Plumy \Plum"y\, a.
Covered or adorned with plumes, or as with plumes; feathery.
``His plumy crest.'' --Addison. ``The plumy trees.'' --J. S.
Blackie.
Plunder \Plun"der\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plundered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Plundering}.] [G. pl["u]ndern to plunder, plunder
frippery, baggage.]
1. To take the goods of by force, or without right; to
pillage; to spoil; to sack; to strip; to rob; as, to
plunder travelers.
Nebuchadnezzar plunders the temple of God. --South.
2. To take by pillage; to appropriate forcibly; as, the enemy
plundered all the goods they found.
Syn: To pillage; despoil; sack; rifle; strip; rob.
Plunder \Plun"der\, n.
1. The act of plundering or pillaging; robbery. See Syn. of
{Pillage}.
Inroads and plunders of the Saracens. --Sir T.
North.
2. That which is taken by open force from an enemy; pillage;
spoil; booty; also, that which is taken by theft or fraud.
``He shared in the plunder.'' --Cowper.
3. Personal property and effects; baggage or luggage. [Slang,
Southwestern U.S.]
Plunderage \Plun"der*age\, n. (Mar. Law)
The embezzlement of goods on shipboard. --Wharton.
Plunderer \Plun"der*er\, n.
One who plunders or pillages.
Plunge \Plunge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plunged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plunging}.] [OE. ploungen, OF. plongier, F. plonger, fr.
(assumed) LL. plumbicare, fr. L. plumbum lead. See {Plumb}.]
1. To thrust into water, or into any substance that is
penetrable; to immerse; to cause to penetrate or enter
quickly and forcibly; to thrust; as, to plunge the body
into water; to plunge a dagger into the breast. Also used
figuratively; as, to plunge a nation into war. ``To plunge
the boy in pleasing sleep.'' --Dryden.
Bound and plunged him into a cell. --Tennyson.
We shall be plunged into perpetual errors. --I.
Watts.
2. To baptize by immersion.
3. To entangle; to embarrass; to overcome. [Obs.]
Plunged and graveled with three lines of Seneca.
--Sir T.
Browne.
Plunge \Plunge\, v. i.
1. To thrust or cast one's self into water or other fluid; to
submerge one's self; to dive, or to rush in; as, he
plunged into the river. Also used figuratively; as, to
plunge into debt.
Forced to plunge naked in the raging sea. --Dryden.
To plunge into guilt of a murther. --Tillotson.
2. To pitch or throw one's self headlong or violently
forward, as a horse does.
Some wild colt, which . . . flings and plunges.
--Bp. Hall.
3. To bet heavily and with seeming recklessness on a race, or
other contest; in an extended sense, to risk large sums in
hazardous speculations. [Cant]
{Plunging fire} (Gun.), firing directed upon an enemy from an
elevated position.
Plunge \Plunge\, n.
1. The act of thrusting into or submerging; a dive, leap,
rush, or pitch into, or as into, water; as, to take the
water with a plunge.
2. Hence, a desperate hazard or act; a state of being
submerged or overwhelmed with difficulties. [R.]
She was brought to that plunge, to conceal her
husband's murder or accuse her son. --Sir P.
Sidney.
And with thou not reach out a friendly arm, To raise
me from amidst this plunge of sorrows? --Addison.
3. The act of pitching or throwing one's self headlong or
violently forward, like an unruly horse.
4. Heavy and reckless betting in horse racing; hazardous
speculation. [Cant]
{Plunge bath}, an immersion by plunging; also, a large bath
in which the bather can wholly immerse himself.
{Plunge}, or {plunging}, {battery} (Elec.), a voltaic battery
so arranged that the plates can be plunged into, or
withdrawn from, the exciting liquid at pleasure.
Plunger \Plun"ger\, n.
1. One who, or that which, plunges; a diver.
2. A long solid cylinder, used, instead of a piston or
bucket, as a forcer in pumps.
3. One who bets heavily and recklessly on a race; a reckless
speculator. [Cant]
4. (Pottery) A boiler in which clay is beaten by a wheel to a
creamy consistence. --Knight.
5. (Gun.) The firing pin of a breechloader.
{Plunger bucket}, a piston, without a valve, in a pump.
{Plunger pole}, the pump rod of a pumping engine.
{Plunger pump}, a pump, as for water, having a plunger,
instead of a piston, to act upon the water. It may be
single-acting or double-acting
Plunket \Plun"ket\, n.
A kind of blue color; also, anciently, a kind of cloth,
generally blue.
Pluperfect \Plu"per`fect\, a. [L. plus more + perfectus perfect;
cf. F. plus-que-parfait, L. plusquamperfectum.]
More than perfect; past perfect; -- said of the tense which
denotes that an action or event was completed at or before
the time of another past action or event. -- n. The
pluperfect tense; also, a verb in the pluperfect tense.
Plural \Plu"ral\, a. [L. pluralis, from plus, pluris, more; cf.
F. pluriel, OF. plurel. See {Plus}.]
Relating to, or containing, more than one; designating two or
more; as, a plural word.
Plural faith, which is too much by one. --Shak.
{Plural number} (Gram.), the number which designates more
than one. See {Number}, n., 8.
Plural \Plu"ral\, n. (Gram.)
The plural number; that form of a word which expresses or
denotes more than one; a word in the plural form.
Pluralism \Plu"ral*ism\, n.
1. The quality or state of being plural, or in the plural
number.
2. (Eccl.) The state of a pluralist; the holding of more than
one ecclesiastical living at a time. [Eng.]
Pluralist \Plu"ral*ist\, n. (Eccl.)
A clerk or clergyman who holds more than one ecclesiastical
benefice. [Eng.]
Of the parochial clergy, a large proportion were
pluralists. --Macaulay.
Plurality \Plu*ral"i*ty\, n.; pl. {pluralities}. [L. pluralitas:
cf. F. pluralit['e].]
1. The state of being plural, or consisting of more than one;
a number consisting of two or more of the same kind; as, a
plurality of worlds; the plurality of a verb.
2. The greater number; a majority; also, the greatest of
several numbers; in elections, the excess of the votes
given for one candidate over those given for another, or
for any other, candidate. When there are more than two
candidates, the one who receives the plurality of votes
may have less than a majority. See {Majority}.
Take the plurality of the world, and they are
neither wise nor good. --L'Estrange.
3. (Eccl.) See {Plurality of benefices}, below.
{Plurality of benefices} (Eccl.), the possession by one
clergyman of more than one benefice or living. Each
benefice thus held is called a plurality. [Eng.]
Pluralization \Plu`ral*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of pluralizing. --H. Spencer.
Pluralize \Plu"ral*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pluralized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Pluralizing}.]
1. To make plural by using the plural termination; to
attribute plurality to; to express in the plural form.
2. To multiply; to make manifold. [R.]
Pluralize \Plu"ral*ize\, v. i.
1. To take a plural; to assume a plural form; as, a noun
pluralizes. --Earle.
2. (Eccl.) To hold more than one benefice at the same time.
[Eng.]
Pluralizer \Plu"ral*i`zer\, n. (Eccl.)
A pluralist. [R.]
Plurally \Plu"ral*ly\, adv.
In a plural manner or sense.
Pluri- \Plu"ri-\ [See {Plus}.]
A combining form from L. plus, pluris, more, many; as
pluriliteral.
Pluries \Plu"ri*es\, n. [So called from L. pluries many times,
often, which occurs in the first clause.] (Law)
A writ issued in the third place, after two former writs have
been disregarded. --Mozley & W.
Plurifarious \Plu`ri*fa"ri*ous\, a. [L. plurifarius, fr. L.
plus, pluris, many. Cf. {Bifarious}.]
Of many kinds or fashions; multifarious.
Plurifoliolate \Plu`ri*fo"li*o*late\, a. [Pluri- + foliolate.]
(Bot.)
Having several or many leaflets.
Pluriliteral \Plu`ri*lit"er*al\, a. [Pluri- + literal.]
Consisting of more letters than three. -- n. A pluriliteral
word.
Plurilocular \Plu`ri*loc"u*lar\, a. [Pluri- + locular.]
Having several cells or loculi; specifically (Bot.), having
several divisions containing seeds; as, the lemon and the
orange are plurilocular fruits.
{Plurilocular sporangia} (Bot.), many-celled sporangia, each
cell containing a single spore, as in many alg[ae].
Pluriparous \Plu*rip"a*rous\, a. [Pluri- + L. parere to bring
forth.]
Producing several young at a birth; as, a pluriparous animal.
Pluripartite \Plu`ri*par"tite\, a. [Pluri- + partite.] (Bot.)
Deeply divided into several portions.
Pluripresence \Plu`ri*pres"ence\, n. [Pluri- + presence.]
Presence in more places than one. [R.] --Johnson.
Plurisy \Plu"ri*sy\, n. [L. plus, pluris, more.]
Superabundance; excess; plethora. [Obs.] --Shak.
Plus \Plus\, a. [L., more; akin to Gr. ?, ?, and E. full. See
{Full}, a., and cf. {Pi[`u]}, {Pleonasm}.]
1. (Math.) More, required to be added; positive, as
distinguished from negative; -- opposed to {minus}.
2. Hence, in a literary sense, additional; real; actual.
Success goes invariably with a certain plus or
positive power. --Emerson.
{Plus sign} (Math.), the sign (+) which denotes addition, or
a positive quantity.
Plush \Plush\, n. [F. pluche, peluche (cf. It. peluzzo), fr. L.
pilus hair. See {pile} hair, and cf. {Peruke}.]
A textile fabric with a nap or shag on one side, longer and
softer than the nap of velvet. --Cowper.
Plushy \Plush"y\, a.
Like plush; soft and shaggy. --H. Kingsley.
Plutarchy \Plu"tar*chy\, n. [Gr. ? wealth + -archy.]
Plutocracy; the rule of wealth. [R.]
Pluteal \Plu"te*al\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to a pluteus.
Pluteus \Plu"te*us\, n.; pl. L. {Plutei}, E. {Pluteuses}. [L., a
shed.] (Zo["o]l.)
The free-swimming larva of sea urchins and ophiurans, having
several long stiff processes inclosing calcareous rods.
Pluto \Plu"to\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Class. Myth.)
The son of Saturn and Rhea, brother of Jupiter and Neptune;
the dark and gloomy god of the Lower World.
{Pluto monkey} (Zo["o]l.), a long-tailed African monkey
({Cercopithecus pluto}), having side whiskers. The general
color is black, more or less grizzled; the frontal band is
white.
Plutocracy \Plu*toc"ra*cy\, n. [Gr. ?; ? wealth + ? to be
strong, to rule, fr.? strength: cf. F. plutocratie.]
A form of government in which the supreme power is lodged in
the hands of the wealthy classes; government by the rich;
also, a controlling or influential class of rich men.
Plutocrat \Plu"to*crat\, n.
One whose wealth gives him power or influence; one of the
plutocracy.
Plutocratic \Plu`to*crat"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to plutocracy; as, plutocratic ideas.
--Bagehot.
Plutology \Plu*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? wealth + -logy.]
The science which treats of wealth.
Plutonian \Plu*to"ni*an\, a. [L. Plutonius, Gr. ?: cf. F.
plutonien.]
Plutonic. --Poe.
Plutonian \Plu*to"ni*an\, n. (Geol.)
A Plutonist.
Plutonic \Plu*ton"ic\, a. [Cf. F. plutonique. See {Pluto}.]
1. Of or pertaining to Pluto; Plutonian; hence, pertaining to
the interior of the earth; subterranean.
2. Of, pertaining to, or designating, the system of the
Plutonists; igneous; as, the Plutonic theory.
{Plutonic action} (Geol.), the influence of volcanic heat and
other subterranean forces under pressure.
{Plutonic rocks} (Geol.), granite, porphyry, and some other
igneous rocks, supposed to have consolidated from a melted
state at a great depth from the surface. Cf. {Intrusive
rocks}, under {Intrusive}.
{Plutonic theory}. (Geol.) See {Plutonism}.
Plutonism \Plu"to*nism\, n. [Cf. F. plutonisme.]
The theory, early advanced in geology, that the successive
rocks of the earth"s crust were formed by igneous fusion; --
opposed to the Neptunian theory.
Plutonist \Plu"to*nist\, n. [Cf. F. plutoniste.]
One who adopts the geological theory of igneous fusion; a
Plutonian. See {Plutonism}.
Plutus \Plu"tus\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Class. Myth.)
The son of Jason and Ceres, and the god of wealth. He was
represented as bearing a cornucopia, and as blind, because
his gifts were bestowed without discrimination of merit.
Pluvial \Plu"vi*al\, a. [L. pluvialis, fr. pluvia rain: cf. F.
pluvial. See {Plover}.]
1. Of or pertaining to rain; rainy. [R.]
2. (Geol.) Produced by the action of rain.
Pluvial \Plu"vi*al\, n. [LL. pluviale a garment which keeps off
the rain: cf. F. pluvial.]
A priest's cope.
Pluviameter \Plu`vi*am"e*ter\, n.
See {Pluviometer}.
Pluviametrical \Plu`vi*a*met"ric*al\, a.
See {Pluviometrical}.
Pluvian \Plu"vi*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The crocodile bird.
Pluviometer \Plu`vi*om"e*ter\, n. [L. pluvia rain + -meter: cf.
F. pluviom[`e]tre.]
An instrument for ascertaining the amount of rainfall at any
place in a given time; a rain gauge.
Pluviometrical \Plu`vi*o*met"ric*al\, a. [Cf. F.
pluviom['e]trique.]
Of or pertaining to a pluviometer; determined by a
pluviometer.
Pluviose \Plu`vi`[^o]se"\, n. [F. See {Pluvious}.]
The fifth month of the French republican calendar adopted in
1793. It began January 20, and ended February 18. See
{Vend['e]miaire}.
Pluvious \Plu"vi*ous\, a. [L. pluviosus, pluvius, fr. pluvia
rain: cf. F. pluvieux. See {Pluvial}, a.]
Abounding in rain; rainy; pluvial. --Sir T. Browne.
Ply \Ply\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Plied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Plying}.] [OE. plien, F. plier to fold, to bend, fr. L.
plicare; akin to Gr. ?, G. flechten. Cf. {Apply}, {Complex},
{Display}, {Duplicity}, {Employ}, {Exploit}, {Implicate},
{Plait}, {Pliant}, {Flax}.]
1. To bend. [Obs.]
As men may warm wax with handes plie. --Chaucer.
2. To lay on closely, or in folds; to work upon steadily, or
with repeated acts; to press upon; to urge importunately;
as, to ply one with questions, with solicitations, or with
drink.
And plies him with redoubled strokes --Dryden.
He plies the duke at morning and at night. --Shak.
3. To employ diligently; to use steadily.
Go ply thy needle; meddle not. --Shak.
4. To practice or perform with diligence; to work at.
Their bloody task, unwearied, still they ply.
--Waller.
Ply \Ply\, v. i.
1. To bend; to yield. [Obs.]
It would rather burst atwo than plye. --Chaucer.
The willow plied, and gave way to the gust.
--L'Estrange.
2. To act, go, or work diligently and steadily; especially,
to do something by repeated actions; to go back and forth;
as, a steamer plies between certain ports.
Ere half these authors be read (which will soon be
with plying hard and daily). --Milton.
He was forced to ply in the streets as a porter.
--Addison.
The heavy hammers and mallets plied. --Longfellow.
3. (Naut.) To work to windward; to beat.
Ply \Ply\, n. [Cf. F. pli, fr. plier. See {Ply}, v.]
1. A fold; a plait; a turn or twist, as of a cord.
--Arbuthnot.
2. Bent; turn; direction; bias.
The late learners can not so well take the ply.
--Bacon.
Boswell, and others of Goldsmith's contemporaries, .
. . did not understand the secret plies of his
character. --W. Irving.
The czar's mind had taken a strange ply, which it
retained to the last. --Macaulay.
Note: Ply is used in composition to designate folds, or the
number of webs interwoven; as, a three-ply carpet.
Plyer \Ply"er\, n.
One who, or that which, plies; specifically:
(a) pl. A kind of balance used in raising and letting down a
drawbridge. It consists of timbers joined in the form of
a St. Andrew's cross.
(b) pl. See {Pliers}.
Plyght \Plyght\, v. & n.
See {Plight}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Plymouth Brethren \Plym"outh Breth"ren\
The members of a religious sect which first appeared at
Plymouth, England, about 1830. They protest against
sectarianism, and reject all official ministry or clergy.
Also called {Brethren}, {Christian Brethren}, {Plymouthists},
etc. The {Darbyites} are a division of the Brethren.
Pneometer \Pne*om"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? to breathe + -meter.]
(Physiol.)
A spirometer.
Pneumatic \Pneu*mat"ic\, Pneumatical \Pneu*mat"ic*al\, a. [L.
pneumaticus, Gr. ?, fr. ?, ?, wind, air, ? to blow, breathe;
cf. OHG. fnehan: cf. F. pneumatique. Cf. {Pneumonia}.]
1. Consisting of, or resembling, air; having the properties
of an elastic fluid; gaseous; opposed to dense or solid.
The pneumatical substance being, in some bodies, the
native spirit of the body. --Bacon.
2. Of or pertaining to air, or to elastic fluids or their
properties; pertaining to pneumatics; as, pneumatic
experiments. ``Pneumatical discoveries.'' --Stewart.
3. Moved or worked by pressure or flow of air; as, a
pneumatic instrument; a pneumatic engine.
4. (Biol.) Fitted to contain air; Having cavities filled with
air; as, pneumatic cells; pneumatic bones.
{Pneumatic action}, or {Pneumatic lever} (Mus.), a
contrivance for overcoming the resistance of the keys and
other movable parts in an organ, by causing compressed air
from the wind chest to move them.
{Pneumatic dispatch}, a system of tubes, leading to various
points, through which letters, packages, etc., are sent,
by the flow and pressure of air.
{Pneumatic elevator}, a hoisting machine worked by compressed
air.
{Pneumatic pile}, a tubular pile or cylinder of large
diameter sunk by atmospheric pressure.
{Pneumatic pump}, an air-exhausting or forcing pump.
{Pneumatic railway}. See {Atmospheric railway}, under
{Atmospheric}.
{Pneumatic syringe}, a stout tube closed at one end, and
provided with a piston, for showing that the heat produced
by compressing a gas will ignite substances.
{Pneumatic trough}, a trough, generally made of wood or sheet
metal, having a perforated shelf, and used, when filled
with water or mercury, for collecting gases in chemical
operations.
{Pneumatic tube}. See {Pneumatic dispatch}, above.
Pneumaticity \Pneu`ma*tic"i*ty\, n. (Biol.)
The state of being pneumatic, or of having a cavity or
cavities filled with air; as, the pneumaticity of the bones
of birds.
Pneumatics \Pneu*mat"ics\, n. [Cf. F. pneumatique.]
1. That branch of science which treats of the mechanical
properties of air and other elastic fluids, as of their
weight, pressure, elasticity, etc. See {Mechanics}.
2. (Philos. & Theol.) The scientific study or knowledge of
spiritual beings and their relations to God, angels, and
men.
Pneumato- \Pneu"ma*to-\ (n[=u]"m[.a]*t[-o]- or
n[-u]*m[a^]t"[-o]-).
A combining form from Gr. pney^ma, pney`matos, wind, air,
breath, respiration; as, pneumatograph, pneumatology. [1913
Webster]
Pneumatocele \Pneu*mat"o*cele\, n. [Pneumato- + Gr. ? a tumor;
cf. F. pneumatoc[`e]le.] (Med.)
A distention of the scrotum by air; also, hernia of the
lungs.
Pneumatocyst \Pneu*mat"o*cyst\, n. [Pneumato- + cyst.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A cyst or sac of a siphonophore, containing air, and serving
as a float, as in Physalia.
Pneumatogarm \Pneu*mat"o*garm\, n. [Pneumato- + -gram.]
(Physiol.)
A tracing of the respiratory movements, obtained by a
pneumatograph or stethograph.
Pneumatograph \Pneu*mat"o*graph\, n. [Pneumato- + -graph.]
(Physiol.)
An instrument for recording the movements of the thorax or
chest wall during respiration; -- also called {stethograph}.
Pneumatological \Pneu`ma*to*log"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F.
pneumatologique.]
Of or pertaining to pneumatology.
Pneumatologist \Pneu`ma*tol"o*gist\, n. [Cf. F.
pneumatologiste.]
One versed in pneumatology.
Pneumatology \Pneu`ma*tol"o*gy\, n. [Pneumato- + -logy: cf. F.
pneumatologie.]
1. The doctrine of, or a treatise on, air and other elastic
fluids. See {Pneumatics}, 1.
2. (Philos. & Theol.) The science of spiritual being or
phenomena of any description.
Pneumatometer \Pneu`ma*tom"e*ter\, n. [Pneumato- + -meter.]
(Physiol.)
An instrument for measuring the amount of force exerted by
the lungs in respiration.
Pneumatometry \Pneu`ma*tom"e*try\, n.
See {Spirometry}.
Pneumatophore \Pneu*mat"o*phore\, n. [Pneumato- + Gr. ? to
bear.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Pneumonophora.
Pneumatothorax \Pneu`ma*to*tho"rax\, n. [Pneumato- + thorax.]
(Med.)
See {Pneumothorax}.
Pneumo- \Pneu"mo-\
A combining form from Gr. pney`mwn, pney`monos, a lung; as,
pneumogastric, pneumology.
Pneumococcus \Pneu`mo*coc"cus\, n. [See {Pneumo-}, and
{Coccus}.] (Biol.)
A form of micrococcus found in the sputum (and elsewhere) of
persons suffering with pneumonia, and thought to be the cause
of this disease.
Pneumogastric \Pneu`mo*gas"tric\, a. [Pneumo- + gastric.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the lungs and the stomach. -- n. The
pneumogastric nerve.
{Pneumogastric nerve} (Anat.), one of the tenth pair of
cranial nerves which are distributed to the pharynx,
esophagus, larynx, lungs, heart, stomach, liver, and
spleen, and, in fishes and many amphibia, to the branchial
apparatus and also to the sides of the body.
Pneumograph \Pneu"mo*graph\, n.
Same as {Pneumatograph}.
Pneumography \Pneu*mog"ra*phy\, n. [Pneumo- + -graphy.]
A description of the lungs. --Dunglison.
Pneumology \Pneu*mol"o*gy\, n. [Pneumo- + -logy.] (Anat.)
The science which treats of the lungs.
Pneumometer \Pneu*mom"e*ter\, n. [Pneumo- + -meter.] (Physiol.)
A spirometer.
Pneumometry \Pneu*mom"e*try\, n.
Measurement of the capacity of the lungs for air.
--Dunglison.
Pneumonia \Pneu*mo"ni*a\ (n[-u]*m[=o]"n[i^]*[.a]), n. [NL., fr.
Gr. pneymoni`a, fr. pney`mwn, pl. pney`mones the lungs, also,
pley`mwn, which is perh. the original form. Cf. {Pneumatio},
{Pulmonary}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the lungs.
Note:
{Catarrhal pneumonia}, or {Broncho-pneumonia}, is
inflammation of the lung tissue, associated with catarrh
and with marked evidences of inflammation of bronchial
membranes, often chronic; -- also called {lobular
pneumonia}, from its affecting single lobules at a time.
{Croupous pneumonia}, or ordinary pneumonia, is an acute
affection characterized by sudden onset with a chill, high
fever, rapid course, and sudden decline; -- also called
{lobar pneumonia}, from its affecting a whole lobe of the
lung at once. See under {Croupous}.
{Fibroid pneumonia} is an inflammation of the interstitial
connective tissue lying between the lobules of the lungs,
and is very slow in its course, producing shrinking and
atrophy of the lungs.
Pneumonic \Pneu*mon"ic\, a. [Gr. ?: cf. F. pneumonique.]
(a) Of or pertaining to the lungs; pulmonic.
(b) Of or pertaining to pneumonia; as, pneumonic symptoms.
Pneumonic \Pneu*mon"ic\, n. (Med.)
A medicine for affections of the lungs.
Pneumonitic \Pneu`mo*nit"ic\, a. (Med.)
Of or pertaining to pneumonitis.
Pneumonitis \Pneu`mo*ni"tis\, n. [NL. See {Pneumo-}, and
{-itis}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the lungs; pneumonia.
Pneumonometer \Pneu`mo*nom"e*ter\, n. [See {Pneumo-}, and
{-meter}.] (Physiol.)
A spirometer; a pneumometer.
Pneumonophora \Pneu`mo*noph"o*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a lung
+ ? to bear.] (Zo["o]l.)
The division of Siphonophora which includes the Physalia and
allied genera; -- called also {Pneumatophor[ae]}.
Pneumony \Pneu"mo*ny\, n. [Cf. F. pneumonie.]
See {Pneumonia}.
Pneumootoka \Pneu`mo*["o]t"o*ka\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pneumo-}, and
{O["o]ticoid}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Sauropsida}.
Pneumophora \Pneu*moph"o*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pneumonophora}.]
(Zo["o]l.) (Zo["o]l.)
A division of holothurians having an internal gill, or
respiratory tree.
Pneumoskeleton \Pneu`mo*skel"e*ton\, n. [Pneumo- + skeleton.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A chitinous structure which supports the gill in some
invertebrates.
Pneumotherapy \Pneu`mo*ther"a*py\, n. [Gr. ? air + therapy.]
(Med.)
The treatment of disease by inhalations of compressed or
rarefied air.
Pneumothorax \Pneu`mo*tho"rax\, n. [Gr. ? air + E. thorax.]
(Med.)
A condition in which air or other gas is present in the
cavity of the chest; -- called also {pneumatothorax}.
Pnigalion \Pni*ga"li*on\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? nightmare, fr. ? to
throttle.] (Med.)
Nightmare.
Pnyx \Pnyx\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?.] (Gr. Antiq.)
The place at Athens where the meetings of the people were
held for making decrees, etc.
Poa \Po"a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? grass.] (Bot.)
A genus of grasses, including a great number of species, as
the kinds called {meadow grass}, {Kentucky blue grass}, {June
grass}, and {spear grass} (which see).
Poach \Poach\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Poached}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Poaching}.] [F. pocher to place in a pocket, to poach eggs
(the yolk of the egg being as it were pouched in the white),
from poche pocket, pouch. See {Pouch}, v. & n.]
1. To cook, as eggs, by breaking them into boiling water;
also, to cook with butter after breaking in a vessel.
--Bacon.
2. To rob of game; to pocket and convey away by stealth, as
game; hence, to plunder. --Garth.
Poach \Poach\, v. i.
To steal or pocket game, or to carry it away privately, as in
a bag; to kill or destroy game contrary to law, especially by
night; to hunt or fish unlawfully; as, to poach for rabbits
or for salmon.
Poach \Poach\, v. t. [Cf. OF. pocher to thrust or dig out with
the fingers, to bruise (the eyes), F. pouce thumb, L. pollex,
and also E. poach to cook eggs, to plunder, and poke to
thrust against.]
1. To stab; to pierce; to spear, \as fish. [Obs.] --Carew.
2. To force, drive, or plunge into anything. [Obs.]
His horse poching one of his legs into some hollow
ground. --Sir W.
Temple.
3. To make soft or muddy by trampling --Tennyson.
4. To begin and not complete. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Poach \Poach\, v. i.
To become soft or muddy.
Chalky and clay lands . . . chap in summer, and poach
in winter. --Mortimer.
Poachard \Poach"ard\, n. [From {Poach} to stab.] [Written also
{pocard}, {pochard}.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A common European duck ({Aythya ferina}); -- called also
{goldhead}, {poker}, and {fresh-water, or red-headed},
{widgeon}.
(b) The American redhead, which is closely allied to the
European poachard.
{Red-crested poachard} (Zo["o]l.), an Old World duck ({Branta
rufina}).
{Scaup poachard}, the scaup duck.
{Tufted poachard}, a scaup duck ({Aythya, or Fuligula
cristata}), native of Europe and Asia.
Poacher \Poach"er\, n.
1. One who poaches; one who kills or catches game or fish
contrary to law.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The American widgeon. [Local, U.S.]
{Sea poacher} (Zo["o]l.), the lyrie.
Poachiness \Poach"i*ness\, n.
The state of being poachy; marshiness.
Poachy \Poach"y\, a. [See {Poach} to stab.]
Wet and soft; easily penetrated by the feet of cattle; --
said of land
Poak \Poak\, Poake \Poake\, n.
Waste matter from the preparation of skins, consisting of
hair, lime, oil, etc.
Pocan \Po"can\, n. (Bot.)
The poke ({Phytolacca decandra}); -- called also {pocan
bush}.
Pochard \Po"chard\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Poachard}.
Pock \Pock\, n. [OE. pokke, AS. pocc, poc; akin to D. pok, G.
pocke, and perh. to E. poke a pocket. Cf. {Pox}.] (Med.)
A pustule raised on the surface of the body in variolous and
vaccine diseases.
Of pokkes and of scab every sore. --Chaucer.
Pockarred \Pock"arred\, a.
See {Pockmarked}. [Obs.]
Pock-broken \Pock"-bro`ken\, a.
Broken out, or marked, with smallpox; pock-fretten.
Pocket \Pock"et\, n. [OE. poket, Prov. F. & OF. poquette, F.
pochette, dim. fr. poque, pouque, F. poche; probably of
Teutonic origin. See {Poke} a pocket, and cf. {Poach} to cook
eggs, to plunder, and {Pouch}.]
1. A bag or pouch; especially; a small bag inserted in a
garment for carrying small articles, particularly money;
hence, figuratively, money; wealth.
2. One of several bags attached to a billiard table, into
which the balls are driven.
3. A large bag or sack used in packing various articles, as
ginger, hops, cowries, etc.
Note: In the wool or hop trade, the pocket contains half a
sack, or about 168 Ibs.; but it is a variable quantity,
the articles being sold by actual weight.
4. (Arch.) A hole or space covered by a movable piece of
board, as in a floor, boxing, partitions, or the like.
5. (Mining.)
(a) A cavity in a rock containing a nugget of gold, or
other mineral; a small body of ore contained in such a
cavity.
(b) A hole containing water.
6. (Nat.) A strip of canvas, sewn upon a sail so that a
batten or a light spar can placed in the interspace.
7. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Pouch}.
Note: Pocket is often used adjectively, or in the formation
of compound words usually of obvious signification; as,
pocket comb, pocket compass, pocket edition, pocket
handkerchief, pocket money, pocket picking, or
pocket-picking, etc.
{Out of pocket}. See under {Out}, prep.
{Pocket borough}, a borough ``owned'' by some person. See
under {Borough}. [Eng.]
{Pocket gopher} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
American rodents of the genera {Geomys}, and {Thomomys},
family {Geomyd[ae]}. They have large external cheek
pouches, and are fossorial in their habits. they inhabit
North America, from the Mississippi Valley west to the
Pacific. Called also {pouched gopher}.
{Pocket mouse} (Zo["o]l.), any species of American mice of
the family {Saccomyid[ae]}. They have external cheek
pouches. Some of them are adapted for leaping (genus
{Dipadomys}), and are called {kangaroo mice}. They are
native of the Southwestern United States, Mexico, etc.
{Pocket piece}, a piece of money kept in the pocket and not
spent.
{Pocket pistol}, a pistol to be carried in the pocket.
{Pocket sheriff} (Eng. Law), a sheriff appointed by the sole
authority of the crown, without a nomination by the judges
in the exchequer. --Burrill.
Pocket \Pock"et\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pocketed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pocketing}.]
1. To put, or conceal, in the pocket; as, to pocket the
change.
He would pocket the expense of the license.
--Sterne.
2. To take clandestinely or fraudulently.
He pocketed pay in the names of men who had long
been dead. --Macaulay.
{To pocket a ball} (Billiards), to drive a ball into a pocket
of the table.
{To pocket an insult}, {affront}, etc., to receive an affront
without open resentment, or without seeking redress. ``I
must pocket up these wrongs.'' --Shak.
Pocketbook \Pock"et*book`\, n.
A small book or case for carrying papers, money, etc., in the
pocket; also, a notebook for the pocket.
Pocketful \Pock"et*ful\, n.; pl. {Pocketfuls}.
As much as a pocket will hold; enough to fill a pocket; as,
pocketfuls of chestnuts.
Pocketknife \Pock"et*knife`\, n.; pl. {-knives}.
A knife with one or more blades, which fold into the handle
so as to admit of being carried in the pocket.
Pock-fretten \Pock"-fret`ten\, a.
See {Pockmarked}.
Pockiness \Pock"i*ness\, n.
The state of being pocky.
Pockmark \Pock"mark\, n.
A mark or pit made by smallpox.
Pockmarked \Pock"marked`\, a.
Marked by smallpox; pitted.
Pock-pitted \Pock"-pit`ted\, a.
Pockmarked; pitted.
Pock-pudding \Pock"-pud`ding\, n.
A bag pudding; a name of reproach or ridicule formerly
applied by the Scotch to the English.
Pockwood \Pock"wood`\, n. [So called because formerly used as a
specific for the pock.] (Bot.)
Lignum-vit[ae].
Pocky \Pock"y\, a. [Compar. {Pockier}; superl. {Pockiest}.]
Full of pocks; affected with smallpox or other eruptive
disease. --Bp. Hall.
Poco \Po"co\, adv. [It.] (Mus.)
A little; -- used chiefly in phrases indicating the time or
movement; as, poco pi[`u] allegro, a little faster; poco
largo, rather slow.
{Poco a poco} [It.] (Mus.) Little by little; as, poco a poco
crescendo, gradually increasing in loudness.
Pocock \Po"cock\, n.
Peacock. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pococurante \Po`co*cu*ran"te\, n. [It. poco curante caring
little.]
A careless person; a trifler. [R.]
Pococurantism \Po`co*cu*ran"tism\ n.
Carelessness; apathy; indifference. [R.] --Carlyle.
Pocoson \Po*co"son\, n.
Low, wooded grounds or swamps in Eastern Maryland and
Virginia. [Written also {poquoson}.] --Washington.
Poculent \Poc"u*lent\, a. [L. poculentus, fr. poculum a cup.]
Fit for drink. [Obs.] ``Some those herbs which are not
esculent, are . . . poculent.'' --Bacon.
Poculiform \Poc"u*li*form\, a. [L. poculum a cup + -form: cf. F.
poculiforme.]
Having the shape of a goblet or drinking cup.
-pod \-pod\ [See {Foot}.]
A combining form or suffix from Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot; as,
decapod, an animal having ten feet; phyllopod, an animal
having leaflike feet; myriapod, hexapod.
Pod \Pod\, n. [Probably akin to pudding, and perhaps the same
word as pad a cushion; cf. also Dan. pude pillow, cushion,
and also E. cod a husk, pod.]
1. A bag; a pouch. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] --Tusser.
2. (Bot.) A capsule of plant, especially a legume; a dry
dehiscent fruit. See Illust. of {Angiospermous}.
3. (Zo["o]l.) A considerable number of animals closely
clustered together; -- said of seals.
{Pod auger}, or {pod bit}, an auger or bit the channel of
which is straight instead of twisted.
Pod \Pod\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Podded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Podding}.]
To swell; to fill; also, to produce pods.
-poda \-po*da\
A New Latin plural combining form or suffix from Gr. ?, ?,
foot; as, hexapoda, myriapoda. See {-pod}.
Podagra \Pod"a*gra\, n. [L. See {Podagric}.] (Med.)
Gout in the joints of the foot; -- applied also to gout in
other parts of body.
Podagric \Po*dag"ric\, Podagrical \Po*dag"ric*al\, a. [L.
podagricus, Gr. ?, fr. ? gout in the feet; ?, ?, Foot + ? a
catching.]
1. Pertaining to the gout; gouty; caused by gout.
2. Afflicted with gout. --Sir T. Browne.
Podagrous \Pod"a*grous\, a.
Gouty; podagric.
Podalgia \Po*dal"gi*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, foot + ? pain.]
(Med.)
pain in the foot, due to gout, rheumatism, etc.
Podarthrum \Po*dar"thrum\, n.; pl. {Podarthra}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?,
?, foot + ? joint.] (Anat.)
The foot joint; in birds, the joint between the metatarsus
and the toes.
Podded \Pod"ded\, a.
Having pods.
Podder \Pod"der\, n.
One who collects pods or pulse.
Podesta \Po*des"ta\, n. [It. podest[`a], fr. L. potestas power,
magistracy. See {Potent}.]
1. One of the chief magistrates of the Italian republics in
the Middle Ages. --Brande & C.
2. A mayor, alderman, or other magistrate, in some towns of
Italy.
Podetium \Po*de"ti*um\, n.; pl. {Podetia}, E. {Podetiums}. [NL.,
fr. Gr. ?, ?, foot.] (Bot.)
A stalk which bears the fructification in some lichens, as in
the so-called reindeer moss.
Podge \Podge\, n. [Cf. G. patsche puddle, mire.]
1. A puddle; a plash. --Skinner.
2. Porridge. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Podgy \Podg"y\, a.
Fat and short; pudgy.
Podical \Pod"i*cal\, a. [L. podex, podicis, the anus.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Anal; -- applied to certain organs of insects.
Podiceps \Pod"i*ceps\, n. [NL., fr. L. podex, podicis, anus +
pes foot.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Grebe}.
Podium \Po"di*um\, n.; pl. {Podia}. [L., fr. Gr. ?, dim. of ?,
?, foot. See {Pew}.]
1. (Arch.) A low wall, serving as a foundation, a
substructure, or a terrace wall. It is especially employed
by arch[ae]ologists in two senses:
(a) The dwarf wall surrounding the arena of an
amphitheater, from the top of which the seats began.
(b) The masonry under the stylobate of a temple, sometimes
a mere foundation, sometimes containing chambers. See
Illust. of {Column}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The foot.
Podley \Pod"ley\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A young coalfish.
Podo- \Pod"o-\ [See {Foot}.]
A combining form or prefix from Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot; as,
podocarp, podocephalous, podology.
Podobranch \Pod"o*branch\, n. [See {Podo-}, and {Branchia}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the branchi[ae] attached to the bases of the legs in
Crustacea.
Podobranchia \Pod`o*bran"chi*a\, n., pl. {Podobranchi[ae]}
(-[=e]). [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Podobranch}.
Podocarp \Pod"o*carp\, n. [Podo- + Gr. karpo`s fruit.] (Bot.)
A stem, or footstalk, supporting the fruit.
Podocephalous \Pod`o*ceph"a*lous\, a. [Podo- + Gr. ? head.]
(Bot.)
Having a head of flowers on a long peduncle, or footstalk.
Podogynium \Pod`o*gyn"i*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. poy`s, podo`s,
foot + gynh` woman.] (Bot.)
Same as {Basigynium}
Podophthalmia \Pod`oph*thal"mi*a\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Podophthalmic}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The stalk-eyed Crustacea, -- an order of Crustacea having the
eyes supported on movable stalks. It includes the crabs,
lobsters, and prawns. Called also {Podophthalmata}, and
{Decapoda}.
Podophthalmic \Pod`oph*thal"mic\, Podophthalmous
\Pod`oph*thal"mous\, a. [Podo- + Gr. ? an eye.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Having the eyes on movable footstalks, or pedicels.
(b) Of or pertaining to the Podophthalmia.
Podophthalmite \Pod`oph*thal"mite\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The eyestalk of a crustacean.
Podophyllin \Pod`o*phyl"lin\, n. [From {Podophyllum}.] (Chem.)
A brown bitter gum extracted from the rootstalk of the May
apple ({Podophyllum peltatum}). It is a complex mixture of
several substances.
Podophyllous \Pod`o*phyl"lous\, a.
1. (Zo["o]l.) Having thin, flat, leaflike locomotive organs.
2. (Anat.) Pertaining to, or composing, the layer of tissue,
made up of lamin[ae], beneath a horse's hoof.
Podophyllum \Pod`o*phyl"lum\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. poy`s, podo`s,
foot + ? leaf.]
1. (Bot.) A genus of herbs of the Barberry family, having
large palmately lobed peltate leaves and solitary flower.
There are two species, the American {Podohyllum peltatum},
or May apple, the Himalayan {P. Emodi}.
2. (Med.) The rhizome and rootlet of the May apple
({Podophyllum peltatum}), -- used as a cathartic drug.
Podoscaph \Pod"o*scaph\, n. [Podo- + Gr. ? boat.]
A canoe-shaped float attached to the foot, for walking on
water.
Podosperm \Pod"o*sperm\, n. [Podo- + Gr. ? seed: cf. F.
podosperme.] (Bot.)
The stalk of a seed or ovule.
Podostomata \Pod`o*stom"a*ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. poy`s,
podo`s, foot + ?, ?, mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of Bryozoa of which Rhabdopleura is the type. See
{Rhabdopleura}.
Podotheca \Pod`o*the"ca\, n.; pl. {Podothec[ae]}. [NL., fr. Gr.
poy`s, podo`s, foot + ? case.] (Zo["o]l.)
The scaly covering of the foot of a bird or reptile.
Podrida \Po*dri"da\, n. [Sp., rotten.]
A miscellaneous dish of meats. See {Olla-podrida}.
Podura \Po*du"ra\, n.; pl. L. {Podur[ae]}, E. {Poduras}. [NL.;
Gr. poy`s, podo`s, foot + ? tail.]
Any small leaping thysanurous insect of the genus {Podura}
and related genera; a springtail.
{Podura scale} (Zo["o]l.), one of the minute scales with
which the body of a podura is covered. They are used as
test objects for the microscope.
Podurid \Po*du"rid\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any species of {Podura} or allied genera. -- a. Pertaining to
the poduras.
Poe \Po"e\, n.
Same as {Poi}.
Poebird \Po"e*bird`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The parson bird.
Poecile \P[oe]"ci*le\, n.
Same as {Poicile}.
Poecilitic \P[oe]`ci*lit"ic\, a. [Gr. poiki`los many-colored,
variegated.] (Geol.)
(a) Mottled with various colors; variegated; spotted; -- said
of certain rocks.
(b) Specifically: Of or pertaining to, or characterizing,
Triassic and Permian sandstones of red and other colors.
[Also written {poikilitic}.]
Poecilopod \P[oe]*cil"o*pod\, n. [Cf. F. p[oe]cilopode.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the P[oe]cilopoda. Also used adjectively.
Poecilopoda \P[oe]`ci*lop"o*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
variegated, manifold + -poda.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Originally, an artificial group including many parasitic
Entomostraca, together with the horseshoe crabs
({Limuloidea}).
(b) By some recent writers applied to the Merostomata.
Poem \Po"em\, n. [L. po["e]ma, Gr. ?, fr. ? to make, to compose,
to write, especially in verse: cf. F. po["e]me.]
1. A metrical composition; a composition in verse written in
certain measures, whether in blank verse or in rhyme, and
characterized by imagination and poetic diction; --
contradistinguished from prose; as, the poems of Homer or
of Milton.
2. A composition, not in verse, of which the language is
highly imaginative or impassioned; as, a prose poem; the
poems of Ossian.
Poematic \Po`em*at"ic\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Pertaining to a poem, or to poetry; poetical. [R.]
--Coleridge.
Poenamu \Po*e"na*mu\, n. (Min.)
A variety of jade or nephrite, -- used in New Zealand for the
manufacture of axes and weapons.
Poenology \P[oe]*nol"o*gy\ (p[-e]*n[o^]l"[-o]*j[y^]), n.
See {Penology}.
Poephaga \Po*eph"a*ga\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. pohfa`gos grass
eating; po`a grass + fagei^n to eat.] (Zo["o]l.)
A group of herbivorous marsupials including the kangaroos and
their allies. -- {Po*eph"a*gous}, a.
Poesy \Po"e*sy\, n. [F. po['e]sie (cf. It. poesia), L. poesis,
from Gr. ?. from ? to make. Cf. {Posy}.]
1. The art of composing poems; poetical skill or faculty; as,
the heavenly gift of poesy. --Shak.
2. Poetry; metrical composition; poems.
Music and poesy used to quicken you. --Shak.
3. A short conceit or motto engraved on a ring or other
thing; a posy. --Bacon.
Poet \Po"et\, n. [F. po["e]te, L. po["e]ta, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to
make. Cf. {Poem}.]
One skilled in making poetry; one who has a particular genius
for metrical composition; the author of a poem; an
imaginative thinker or writer.
The poet's eye, in a fine frenzy rolling, Doth glance
from heaven to earth, from earth to heaven. --Shak.
A poet is a maker, as the word signifies. --Dryden.
{Poet laureate}. See under {Laureate}.
Poetaster \Po"et*as`ter\, n.
An inferior rhymer, or writer of verses; a dabbler in poetic
art.
The talk of forgotten poetasters. --Macaulay.
Poetastry \Po"et*as`try\, n.
The works of a poetaster. [R.]
Poetess \Po"et*ess\, n. [Cf. F. po['e]tesse.]
A female poet.
Poetic \Po*et"ic\, Poetical \Po*et"ic*al\, a. [L. po["e]ticus,
Gr. ?: cf. F. po['e]tiquee.]
1. Of or pertaining to poetry; suitable for poetry, or for
writing poetry; as, poetic talent, theme, work,
sentiments. --Shak.
2. Expressed in metrical form; exhibiting the imaginative or
the rhythmical quality of poetry; as, a poetical
composition; poetical prose.
{Poetic license}. See {License}, n., 4.
Poetically \Po*et"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a poetic manner.
Poetics \Po*et"ics\, n. [Cf. F. po['e]tique, L. po["e]tica,
po["e]tice, Gr. ? (sc. ?.]
The principles and rules of the art of poetry. --J. Warton.
Poeticule \Po*et"i*cule\, n.
A poetaster. --Swinburne.
Poetize \Po"et*ize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Poetized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Poetizing}.] [Cf. F. po['e]tiser.]
To write as a poet; to compose verse; to idealize.
I versify the truth, not poetize. --Donne.
Poetry \Po"et*ry\, n. [OF. poeterie. See {Poet}.]
1. The art of apprehending and interpreting ideas by the
faculty of imagination; the art of idealizing in thought
and in expression.
For poetry is the blossom and the fragrance of all
human knowledge, human thoughts, human passions,
emotions, language. --Coleridge.
2. Imaginative language or composition, whether expressed
rhythmically or in prose. Specifically: Metrical
composition; verse; rhyme; poems collectively; as, heroic
poetry; dramatic poetry; lyric or Pindaric poetry. ``The
planetlike music of poetry.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
She taketh most delight In music, instruments, and
poetry. --Shak.
Poetship \Po"et*ship\, n.
The state or personality of a poet. [R.]
Poggy \Pog"gy\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) See {Porgy}.
(b) A small whale.
Pogy \Po"gy\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The menhaden.
Note: Pogy is often confounded with porgy, and therefore
incorrectly applied to various fishes.
Poh \Poh\, interj.
An exclamation expressing contempt or disgust; bah !
Pohagen \Po*ha"gen\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Pauhaugen}.
Poi \Po"i\, n.
A national food of the Hawaiians, made by baking and pounding
the kalo (or taro) root, and reducing it to a thin paste,
which is allowed to ferment.
Poicile \Poi"ci*le\, or Poecile \P[oe]"ci*le\, n. [NL., fr. Gr.
? (sc. ?); cf. L. poecile.]
The frescoed porch or gallery in Athens where Zeno taught.
--R. Browning.
Poignancy \Poign"an*cy\, n.
The quality or state of being poignant; as, the poignancy of
satire; the poignancy of grief. --Swift.
Poignant \Poign"ant\, a. [F., p. pr. of poindre to sting, fr. L.
pungere to prick, sting. See {Pungent}.]
1. Pricking; piercing; sharp; pungent. ``His poignant
spear.'' --Spenser. ``Poynaunt sauce.'' --Chaucer.
2. Fig.: Pointed; keen; satirical.
His wit . . . became more lively and poignant. --Sir
W. Scott.
Poignantly \Poign"ant*ly\, adv.
In a poignant manner.
Poikilitic \Poi`ki*lit"ic\, a. (Geol.)
See {P[oe]cilitic}.
Poikilocyte \Poi"ki*lo*cyte\ (poi"k[i^]*l[-o]*s[imac]t), n. [Gr.
poiki`los diversified, changeable + ky`tos hollow vessel.]
(Physiol.)
An irregular form of corpuscle found in the blood in cases of
profound an[ae]mia, probably a degenerated red blood
corpuscle.
Poikilothermal \Poi`ki*lo*ther"mal\ (-th[~e]r"mal),
Poikilothermic \Poi`ki*lo*ther"mic\ (-th[~e]r"m[i^]k), a. [Gr.
poiki`los changeable + E. thermal, thermic.] (Physiol.)
Having a varying body temperature. See {Homoiothermal}.
Poikilothermous \Poi`ki*lo*ther"mous\ (-m[u^]s), a. (Physiol.)
Poikilothermal.
Poinciana \Poin`ci*a"na\, n. [NL. Named after M. de Poinci, a
governor of the French West Indies.] (Bot.)
A prickly tropical shrub ({C[ae]salpinia, formerly Poinciana,
pulcherrima}), with bipinnate leaves, and racemes of showy
orange-red flowers with long crimson filaments.
Note: The genus {Poinciana} is kept up for three trees of
Eastern Africa, the Mascarene Islands, and India.
Poind \Poind\ (poind), v. t. [See {Pound} to confine.]
1. To impound, as cattle. [Obs. or Scot.] --Flavel.
2. To distrain. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
Poinder \Poind"er\ (-[~e]r), n.
1. The keeper of a cattle pound; a pinder. [Obs. or Scot.]
--T. Adams.
2. One who distrains property. [Scot.] --Jamieson.
Poinsettia \Poin*set"ti*a\ (poin*s[e^]t"t[i^]*[.a]), n. [NL.
Named after Joel R. Poinsett of South Carolina.] (Bot.)
A Mexican shrub ({Euphorbia pulcherrima}) with very large and
conspicuous vermilion bracts below the yellowish flowers.
Point \Point\ (point), v. t. & i.
To appoint. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Point \Point\, n. [F. point, and probably also pointe, L.
punctum, puncta, fr. pungere, punctum, to prick. See
{Pungent}, and cf. {Puncto}, {Puncture}.]
1. That which pricks or pierces; the sharp end of anything,
esp. the sharp end of a piercing instrument, as a needle
or a pin.
2. An instrument which pricks or pierces, as a sort of needle
used by engravers, etchers, lace workers, and others;
also, a pointed cutting tool, as a stone cutter's point;
-- called also {pointer}.
3. Anything which tapers to a sharp, well-defined
termination. Specifically: A small promontory or cape; a
tract of land extending into the water beyond the common
shore line.
4. The mark made by the end of a sharp, piercing instrument,
as a needle; a prick.
5. An indefinitely small space; a mere spot indicated or
supposed. Specifically: (Geom.) That which has neither
parts nor magnitude; that which has position, but has
neither length, breadth, nor thickness, -- sometimes
conceived of as the limit of a line; that by the motion of
which a line is conceived to be produced.
6. An indivisible portion of time; a moment; an instant;
hence, the verge.
When time's first point begun Made he all souls.
--Sir J.
Davies.
7. A mark of punctuation; a character used to mark the
divisions of a composition, or the pauses to be observed
in reading, or to point off groups of figures, etc.; a
stop, as a comma, a semicolon, and esp. a period; hence,
figuratively, an end, or conclusion.
And there a point, for ended is my tale. --Chaucer.
Commas and points they set exactly right. --Pope.
8. Whatever serves to mark progress, rank, or relative
position, or to indicate a transition from one state or
position to another, degree; step; stage; hence, position
or condition attained; as, a point of elevation, or of
depression; the stock fell off five points; he won by
tenpoints. ``A point of precedence.'' --Selden. ``Creeping
on from point to point.'' --Tennyson.
A lord full fat and in good point. --Chaucer.
9. That which arrests attention, or indicates qualities or
character; a salient feature; a characteristic; a
peculiarity; hence, a particular; an item; a detail; as,
the good or bad points of a man, a horse, a book, a story,
etc.
He told him, point for point, in short and plain.
--Chaucer.
In point of religion and in point of honor. --Bacon.
Shalt thou dispute With Him the points of liberty ?
--Milton.
10. Hence, the most prominent or important feature, as of an
argument, discourse, etc.; the essential matter; esp.,
the proposition to be established; as, the point of an
anecdote. ``Here lies the point.'' --Shak.
They will hardly prove his point. --Arbuthnot.
11. A small matter; a trifle; a least consideration; a
punctilio.
This fellow doth not stand upon points. --Shak.
[He] cared not for God or man a point. --Spenser.
12. (Mus.) A dot or mark used to designate certain tones or
time; as:
(a) (Anc. Mus.) A dot or mark distinguishing or
characterizing certain tones or styles; as, points of
perfection, of augmentation, etc.; hence, a note; a
tune. ``Sound the trumpet -- not a levant, or a
flourish, but a point of war.'' --Sir W. Scott.
(b) (Mod. Mus.) A dot placed at the right hand of a note,
to raise its value, or prolong its time, by one half,
as to make a whole note equal to three half notes, a
half note equal to three quarter notes.
13. (Astron.) A fixed conventional place for reference, or
zero of reckoning, in the heavens, usually the
intersection of two or more great circles of the sphere,
and named specifically in each case according to the
position intended; as, the equinoctial points; the
solstitial points; the nodal points; vertical points,
etc. See {Equinoctial Nodal}.
14. (Her.) One of the several different parts of the
escutcheon. See {Escutcheon}.
15. (Naut.)
(a) One of the points of the compass (see {Points of the
compass}, below); also, the difference between two
points of the compass; as, to fall off a point.
(b) A short piece of cordage used in reefing sails. See
{Reef point}, under {Reef}.
16. (Anc. Costume) A a string or lace used to tie together
certain parts of the dress. --Sir W. Scott.
17. Lace wrought the needle; as, point de Venise; Brussels
point. See Point lace, below.
18. pl. (Railways) A switch. [Eng.]
19. An item of private information; a hint; a tip; a pointer.
[Cant, U. S.]
20. (Cricket) A fielder who is stationed on the off side,
about twelve or fifteen yards from, and a little in
advance of, the batsman.
21. The attitude assumed by a pointer dog when he finds game;
as, the dog came to a point. See {Pointer}.
22. (Type Making) A standard unit of measure for the size of
type bodies, being one twelfth of the thickness of pica
type. See {Point system of type}, under {Type}.
23. A tyne or snag of an antler.
24. One of the spaces on a backgammon board.
25. (Fencing) A movement executed with the saber or foil; as,
tierce point.
Note: The word point is a general term, much used in the
sciences, particularly in mathematics, mechanics,
perspective, and physics, but generally either in the
geometrical sense, or in that of degree, or condition
of change, and with some accompanying descriptive or
qualifying term, under which, in the vocabulary, the
specific uses are explained; as, boiling point, carbon
point, dry point, freezing point, melting point,
vanishing point, etc.
{At all points}, in every particular, completely; perfectly.
--Shak.
{At point}, {In point}, {At}, {In}, or On, {the point}, as
near as can be; on the verge; about (see {About}, prep.,
6); as, at the point of death; he was on the point of
speaking. ``In point to fall down.'' --Chaucer. ``Caius
Sidius Geta, at point to have been taken, recovered
himself so valiantly as brought day on his side.''
--Milton.
{Dead point}. (Mach.) Same as {Dead center}, under {Dead}.
{Far point} (Med.), in ophthalmology, the farthest point at
which objects are seen distinctly. In normal eyes the
nearest point at which objects are seen distinctly; either
with the two eyes together (binocular near point), or with
each eye separately (monocular near point).
{Nine points of the law}, all but the tenth point; the
greater weight of authority.
{On the point}. See {At point}, above.
{Point lace}, lace wrought with the needle, as distinguished
from that made on the pillow.
{Point net}, a machine-made lace imitating a kind of Brussels
lace (Brussels ground).
{Point of concurrence} (Geom.), a point common to two lines,
but not a point of tangency or of intersection, as, for
instance, that in which a cycloid meets its base.
{Point of contrary flexure}, a point at which a curve changes
its direction of curvature, or at which its convexity and
concavity change sides.
{Point of order}, in parliamentary practice, a question of
order or propriety under the rules.
{Point of sight} (Persp.), in a perspective drawing, the
point assumed as that occupied by the eye of the
spectator.
{Point of view}, the relative position from which anything is
seen or any subject is considered.
{Points of the compass} (Naut.), the thirty-two points of
division of the compass card in the mariner's compass; the
corresponding points by which the circle of the horizon is
supposed to be divided, of which the four marking the
directions of east, west, north, and south, are called
cardinal points, and the rest are named from their
respective directions, as N. by E., N. N. E., N. E. by N.,
N. E., etc. See Illust. under {Compass}.
{Point paper}, paper pricked through so as to form a stencil
for transferring a design.
{Point system of type}. See under {Type}.
{Singular point} (Geom.), a point of a curve which possesses
some property not possessed by points in general on the
curve, as a cusp, a point of inflection, a node, etc.
{To carry one's point}, to accomplish one's object, as in a
controversy.
{To make a point of}, to attach special importance to.
{To make}, or {gain}, {a point}, accomplish that which was
proposed; also, to make advance by a step, grade, or
position.
{To mark}, or {score}, {a point}, as in billiards, cricket,
etc., to note down, or to make, a successful hit, run,
etc.
{To strain a point}, to go beyond the proper limit or rule;
to stretch one's authority or conscience.
{Vowel point}, in Hebrew, and certain other Eastern and
ancient languages, a mark placed above or below the
consonant, or attached to it, representing the vowel, or
vocal sound, which precedes or follows the consonant.
Point \Point\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pointed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pointing}.] [Cf. F. pointer. See {Point}, n.]
1. To give a point to; to sharpen; to cut, forge, grind, or
file to an acute end; as, to point a dart, or a pencil.
Used also figuratively; as, to point a moral.
2. To direct toward an abject; to aim; as, to point a gun at
a wolf, or a cannon at a fort.
3. Hence, to direct the attention or notice of.
Whosoever should be guided through his battles by
Minerva, and pointed to every scene of them. --Pope.
4. To supply with punctuation marks; to punctuate; as, to
point a composition.
5. To mark (as Hebrew) with vowel points.
6. To give particular prominence to; to designate in a
special manner; to indicate, as if by pointing; as, the
error was pointed out. --Pope.
He points it, however, by no deviation from his
straightforward manner of speech. --Dickens.
7. To indicate or discover by a fixed look, as game.
8. (Masonry) To fill up and finish the joints of (a wall), by
introducing additional cement or mortar, and bringing it
to a smooth surface.
9. (Stone Cutting) To cut, as a surface, with a pointed tool.
{To point a rope} (Naut.), to taper and neatly finish off the
end by interweaving the nettles.
{To point a sail} (Naut.), to affix points through the eyelet
holes of the reefs.
{To point off}, to divide into periods or groups, or to
separate, by pointing, as figures.
{To point the yards} (of a vessel) (Naut.), to brace them so
that the wind shall strike the sails obliquely. --Totten.
Point \Point\ (point), v. i.
1. To direct the point of something, as of a finger, for the
purpose of designating an object, and attracting attention
to it; -- with at.
Now must the world point at poor Katharine. --Shak.
Point at the tattered coat and ragged shoe.
--Dryden.
2. To indicate the presence of game by fixed and steady look,
as certain hunting dogs do.
He treads with caution, and he points with fear.
--Gay.
3. (Med.) To approximate to the surface; to head; -- said of
an abscess.
{To point at}, to treat with scorn or contempt by pointing or
directing attention to.
{To point well} (Naut.), to sail close to the wind; -- said
of a vessel.
Pointal \Point"al\, n. [From {Point}: cf. F. pointal an upright
wooden prop, OF. pointille a prick or prickle.]
1. (Bot.) The pistil of a plant.
2. A kind of pencil or style used with the tablets of the
Middle Ages. ``A pair of tablets [i. e., tablets] . . .
and a pointel.'' --Chaucer.
3. (Arch.) See {Poyntel}. [Obs. or R.]
Point-blank \Point`-blank"\, n. [F. point point + blanc white.]
1. The white spot on a target, at which an arrow or other
missile is aimed. [Obs.] --Jonson.
2. (Mil.)
(a) With all small arms, the second point in which the
natural line of sight, when horizontal, cuts the
trajectory.
(b) With artillery, the point where the projectile first
strikes the horizontal plane on which the gun stands,
the axis of the piece being horizontal.
Point-blank \Point`-blank"\, a.
1. Directed in a line toward the object aimed at; aimed
directly toward the mark.
2. Hence, direct; plain; unqualified; -- said of language;
as, a point-blank assertion.
{Point-blank range}, the extent of the apparent right line of
a ball discharged.
{Point-blank shot}, the shot of a gun pointed directly toward
the object to be hit.
Point-blank \Point`-blank"\, adv.
In a point-blank manner.
To sin point-blank against God's word. --Fuller.
Point d'appui \Point` d'ap`pui"\ [F.] (Mil.)
See under {Appui}.
Point-device \Point`-de*vice"\, Point-devise \Point`-de*vise"\,
a. [OE. at point devis; at at + point point, condition +
devis exact, careful, OF. devis fixed, set. See {Device}.]
Uncommonly nice and exact; precise; particular.
You are rather point-devise in your accouterments.
--Shak.
Thus he grew up, in logic point-devise, Perfect in
grammar, and in rhetoric nice. --Longfellow.
Point-device \Point`-de*vice"\, Point-devise \Point`-de*vise"\,
adv.
Exactly. [Obs.] --Shak.
Pointed \Point"ed\, a.
1. Sharp; having a sharp point; as, a pointed rock.
2. Characterized by sharpness, directness, or pithiness of
expression; terse; epigrammatic; especially, directed to a
particular person or thing.
His moral pleases, not his pointed wit. --Pope.
{Pointed arch} (Arch.), an arch with a pointed crown.
{Pointed style} (Arch.), a name given to that style of
architecture in which the pointed arch is the predominant
feature; -- more commonly called {Gothic}. --
{Point"ed*ly}, adv. -- {Point"ed*ness}, n.
Pointel \Point"el\, n. [From {Point}. Cf. {Pointal}.]
See {Pointal}.
Pointer \Point"er\, n.
One who, or that which, points. Specifically:
(a) The hand of a timepiece.
(b) (Zo["o]l.) One of a breed of dogs trained to stop at
scent of game, and with the nose point it out to
sportsmen.
(c) pl. (Astron.) The two stars (Merak and Dubhe) in the
Great Bear, the line between which points nearly in the
direction of the north star. See Illust. of {Ursa Major}.
(b) pl. (Naut.) Diagonal braces sometimes fixed across the
hold.
Pointing \Point"ing\, n.
1. The act of sharpening.
2. The act of designating, as a position or direction, by
means of something pointed, as a finger or a rod.
3. The act or art of punctuating; punctuation.
4. The act of filling and finishing the joints in masonry
with mortar, cement, etc.; also, the material so used.
5. The rubbing off of the point of the wheat grain in the
first process of high milling.
6. (Sculpt.) The act or process of measuring, at the various
distances from the surface of a block of marble, the
surface of a future piece of statuary; also, a process
used in cutting the statue from the artist's model.
Pointingstock \Point`ing*stock`\, n.
An object of ridicule or scorn; a laughingstock. --Shak.
Pointless \Point"less\, a.
Having no point; blunt; wanting keenness; obtuse; as, a
pointless sword; a pointless remark.
Syn: Blunt; obtuse, dull; stupid.
Pointlessly \Point"less*ly\, adv.
Without point.
Pointleted \Point"let*ed\, a. (Bot.)
Having a small, distinct point; apiculate. --Henslow.
Pointrel \Poin"trel\, n.
A graving tool. --Knight.
Pointsman \Points"man\, n.; pl. {-men} (-men).
A man who has charge of railroad points or switches. [Eng.]
Poise \Poise\, n. [OE. pois, peis, OF. pois, peis, F. poids, fr.
L. pensum a portion weighed out, pendere to weigh, weigh out.
Cf. {Avoirdupois}, {Pendant}, {Poise}, v.] [Formerly written
also {peise}.]
1. Weight; gravity; that which causes a body to descend;
heaviness. ``Weights of an extraordinary poise.''
--Evelyn.
2. The weight, or mass of metal, used in weighing, to balance
the substance weighed.
3. The state of being balanced by equal weight or power;
equipoise; balance; equilibrium; rest. --Bentley.
4. That which causes a balance; a counterweight.
Men of unbounded imagination often want the poise of
judgment. --Dryden.
Poise \Poise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Poised}, ; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Poising}.] [OE. poisen, peisen, OF. & F. peser, to weigh,
balance, OF. il peise, il poise, he weighs, F. il p[`e]se,
fr. L. pensare, v. intens. fr. pendere to weigh. See {Poise},
n., and cf. {Pensive}.] [Formerly written also {peise}.]
1. To balance; to make of equal weight; as, to poise the
scales of a balance.
2. To hold or place in equilibrium or equiponderance.
Nor yet was earth suspended in the sky; Nor poised,
did on her own foundation lie. --Dryden.
3. To counterpoise; to counterbalance.
One scale of reason to poise another of sensuality.
--Shak.
To poise with solid sense a sprightly wit. --Dryden.
4. To ascertain, as by the balance; to weigh.
He can not sincerely consider the strength, poise
the weight, and discern the evidence. --South.
5. To weigh (down); to oppress. [Obs.]
Lest leaden slumber peise me down to-morrow. --Shak.
Poise \Poise\, v. i.
To hang in equilibrium; to be balanced or suspended; hence,
to be in suspense or doubt.
The slender, graceful spars Poise aloft in air.
--Longfellow.
Poiser \Pois"er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The balancer of dipterous insects.
Poison \Poi"son\, n. [F. poison, in Old French also, a potion,
fr. L. potio a drink, draught, potion, a poisonous draught,
fr. potare to drink. See {Potable}, and cf. {Potion}.]
1. Any agent which, when introduced into the animal organism,
is capable of producing a morbid, noxious, or deadly
effect upon it; as, morphine is a deadly poison; the
poison of pestilential diseases.
2. That which taints or destroys moral purity or health; as,
the poison of evil example; the poison of sin.
{Poison ash}. (Bot.)
(a) A tree of the genus {Amyris} ({A. balsamifera}) found
in the West Indies, from the trunk of which a black
liquor distills, supposed to have poisonous qualities.
(b) The poison sumac ({Rhus venenata}). [U. S.]
{Poison dogwood} (Bot.), poison sumac.
{Poison fang} (Zo["o]l.), one of the superior maxillary teeth
of some species of serpents, which, besides having the
cavity for the pulp, is either perforated or grooved by a
longitudinal canal, at the lower end of which the duct of
the poison gland terminates. See Illust. under {Fang}.
{Poison gland} (Biol.), a gland, in animals or plants, which
secretes an acrid or venomous matter, that is conveyed
along an organ capable of inflicting a wound.
{Poison hemlock} (Bot.), a poisonous umbelliferous plant
({Conium maculatum}). See {Hemlock}.
{Poison ivy} (Bot.), a poisonous climbing plant ({Rhus
Toxicodendron}) of North America. It is common on stone
walls and on the trunks of trees, and has trifoliate,
rhombic-ovate, variously notched leaves. Many people are
poisoned by it, if they touch the leaves. See {Poison
sumac}. Called also {poison oak}, and {mercury}.
{Poison nut}. (Bot.)
(a) Nux vomica.
(b) The tree which yields this seed ({Strychnos
Nuxvomica}). It is found on the Malabar and Coromandel
coasts.
{Poison oak} (Bot.), the poison ivy; also, the more shrubby
{Rhus diversiloba} of California and Oregon.
{Poison sac}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Poison gland}, above. See
Illust. under {Fang}.
{Poison sumac} (Bot.), a poisonous shrub of the genus {Rhus}
({R. venenata}); -- also called {poison ash}, {poison
dogwood}, and {poison elder}. It has pinnate leaves on
graceful and slender common petioles, and usually grows in
swampy places. Both this plant and the poison ivy ({Rhus
Toxicodendron}) have clusters of smooth greenish white
berries, while the red-fruited species of this genus are
harmless. The tree ({Rhus vernicifera}) which yields the
celebrated Japan lacquer is almost identical with the
poison sumac, and is also very poisonous. The juice of the
poison sumac also forms a lacquer similar to that of
Japan.
Syn: Venom; virus; bane; pest; malignity.
Usage: {Poison}, {Venom}. Poison usually denotes something
received into the system by the mouth, breath, etc.
Venom is something discharged from animals and
received by means of a wound, as by the bite or sting
of serpents, scorpions, etc. Hence, venom specifically
implies some malignity of nature or purpose.
Poison \Poi"son\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Poisoned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Poisoning}.] [Cf. OF. poisonner, F. empoissoner, L.
potionare to give to drink. See {Poison}, n.]
1. To put poison upon or into; to infect with poison; as, to
poison an arrow; to poison food or drink. ``The
ingredients of our poisoned chalice.'' --Shak.
2. To injure or kill by poison; to administer poison to.
If you poison us, do we not die ? --Shak.
3. To taint; to corrupt; to vitiate; as, vice poisons
happiness; slander poisoned his mind.
Whispering tongues can poison truth. --Coleridge.
Poison \Poi"son\, v. i.
To act as, or convey, a poison.
Tooth that poisons if it bite. --Shak.
Poisonable \Poi"son*a*ble\, a.
1. Capable of poisoning; poisonous. [Obs.] ``Poisonable
heresies.'' --Tooker.
2. Capable of being poisoned.
Poisoner \Poi"son*er\, n.
One who poisons. --Shak.
Poisonous \Poi"son*ous\, a.
Having the qualities or effects of poison; venomous; baneful;
corrupting; noxious. --Shak. -- {Poi"son*ous*ly}, adv. --
{Poi"son*ous*ness}, n.
Poisonsome \Poi"son*some\, a.
Poisonous.[Obs.] Holland.
Poisure \Poi"sure\, n. [See {Poise}.]
Weight. [Obs.]
Poitrel \Poi"trel\, n. [OE. poitrel, F. poitrail, fr. L.
pectorale a breastplate, fr. pectoralis, a. See {Pectoral},
a.] (Anc. Armor)
The breastplate of the armor of a horse. See {Peytrel}.
[Obs.] --Chaucer.
Poize \Poize\, n.
See {Poise}. [Obs.]
Pokal \Po*kal"\, n. [G.]
A tall drinking cup.
Poke \Poke\, n. (Bot.)
A large North American herb of the genus {Phytolacca} ({P.
decandra}), bearing dark purple juicy berries; -- called also
{garget}, {pigeon berry}, {pocan}, and {pokeweed}. The root
and berries have emetic and purgative properties, and are
used in medicine. The young shoots are sometimes eaten as a
substitute for asparagus, and the berries are said to be used
in Europe to color wine.
Poke \Poke\, n. [AS. poca, poha, pohha; akin to Icel. poki, OD.
poke, and perh. to E. pock; cf. also Gael. poca, and OF.
poque. Cf. {Pock}, {Pocket}, {Pouch}.]
1. A bag; a sack; a pocket. ``He drew a dial from his poke.''
--Shak.
They wallowed as pigs in a poke. --Chaucer.
2. A long, wide sleeve; -- called also {poke sleeve}.
{To boy a pig a poke} (that is, in a bag), to buy a thing
without knowledge or examination of it. --Camden.
Poke \Poke\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Poked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Poking}.] [Cf. LG. poken to prick, pierce, thrust, pok a
dagger, knife, D. pook, G. pocken to beat, also Ir. poc a
blow, Gael. puc to push.]
1. To thrust or push against or into with anything pointed;
hence, to stir up; to excite; as, to poke a fire.
He poked John, and said ``Sleepest thou ?''
--Chaucer.
2. To thrust with the horns; to gore.
3. [From 5th {Poke}, 3.] To put a poke on; as, to poke an ox.
[Colloq. U. S.]
{To poke fun}, to excite fun; to joke; to jest. [Colloq.]
{To poke fun at}, to make a butt of; to ridicule. [Colloq.]
Poke \Poke\, v. i.
To search; to feel one's way, as in the dark; to grope; as,
to poke about.
A man must have poked into Latin and Greek. --Prior.
Poke \Poke\, n.
1. The act of poking; a thrust; a jog; as, a poke in the
ribs. --Ld. Lytton.
2. A lazy person; a dawdler; also, a stupid or uninteresting
person. [Slang, U.S.] --Bartlett.
3. A contrivance to prevent an animal from leaping or
breaking through fences. It consists of a yoke with a pole
inserted, pointed forward. [U.S.]
{Poke bonnet}, a bonnet with a straight, projecting front.
Pokebag \Poke"bag`\, n. [So called in allusion to its baglike
nest.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European long-tailed titmouse; -- called also
{poke-pudding}. [Prov. Eng.]
Poker \Pok"er\, n. [From {Poke} to push.]
1. One who pokes.
2. That which pokes or is used in poking, especially a metal
bar or rod used in stirring a fire of coals.
3. A poking-stick. --Decker.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The poachard. [Prov. Eng.]
{Poker picture}, a picture formed in imitation of
bisterwashed drawings, by singeing the surface of wood
with a heated poker or other iron.
--Fairholt.
Poker \Pok"er\, n. [Of uncertain etymol.]
A game at cards derived from brag, and first played about
1835 in the Southwestern United States. --Johnson's Cyc.
Poker \Pok"er\, n. [Cf. Dan. pokker the deuce, devil, also W.
pwci, a hobgoblin, bugbear, and E. puck.]
Any imagined frightful object, especially one supposed to
haunt the darkness; a bugbear. [Colloq. U. S.]
Pokerish \Pok"er*ish\, a.
Infested by pokers; adapted to excite fear; as, a pokerish
place. [Colloq. U. S.]
There is something pokerish about a deserted dwelling.
--Lowell.
Pokerish \Pok"er*ish\, a.
Stiff like a poker. [Colloq.]
Poket \Pok"et\, n.
A pocket. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pokeweed \Poke"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
See {Poke}, the plant.
Pokey \Pok"ey\, a.
See {Poky}.
Poking \Pok"ing\, a.
Drudging; servile. [Colloq.]
Bred to some poking profession. --Gray.
Poking-stick \Pok"ing-stick`\, n.
A small stick or rod of steel, formerly used in adjusting the
plaits of ruffs. --Shak.
Poky \Pok"y\, a. [Written also pokey.]
1. Confined; cramped. [Prov. Eng.]
2. Dull; tedious; uninteresting. [Colloq.]
Polacca \Po*lac"ca\, n. [It. polacca, polaccra, polacra; cf. F.
polaque, polacre, Sp. polacre,] [Written also {polacre}.]
1. (Naut.) A vessel with two or three masts, used in the
Mediterranean. The masts are usually of one piece, and
without tops, caps, or crosstrees.
2. (Mus.) See {Polonaise}.
Polack \Po"lack\, n.
A Polander. --Shak.
Polacre \Po*la"cre\, n.
Same as {Polacca}, 1.
Polander \Po"land*er\, n.
A native or inhabitant of Poland; a Pole.
Polar \Po"lar\, a. [Cf. F. polaire. See {Pole} of the earth.]
1. Of or pertaining to one of the poles of the earth, or of a
sphere; situated near, or proceeding from, one of the
poles; as, polar regions; polar seas; polar winds.
2. Of or pertaining to the magnetic pole, or to the point to
which the magnetic needle is directed.
3. (Geom.) Pertaining to, reckoned from, or having a common
radiating point; as, polar co["o]rdinates.
{Polar axis}, that axis of an astronomical instrument, as an
equatorial, which is parallel to the earths axis.
{Polar bear} (Zo["o]l.), a large bear ({Ursus, or Thalarctos,
maritimus}) inhabiting the arctic regions. It sometimes
measures nearly nine feet in length and weighs 1,600
pounds. It is partially amphibious, very powerful, and the
most carnivorous of all the bears. The fur is white,
tinged with yellow. Called also {White bear}. See {Bear}.
{Polar body}, {cell}, or {globule} (Biol.), a minute cell
which separates by karyokinesis from the ovum during its
maturation. In the maturation of ordinary ova two polar
bodies are formed, but in parthogenetic ova only one. The
first polar body formed is usually larger than the second
one, and often divides into two after its separation from
the ovum. Each of the polar bodies removes maternal
chromatin from the ovum to make room for the chromatin of
the fertilizing spermatozo["o]n; but their functions are
not fully understood.
{Polar circles} (Astron. & Geog.), two circles, each at a
distance from a pole of the earth equal to the obliquity
of the ecliptic, or about 23[deg] 28', the northern called
the arctic circle, and the southern the antarctic circle.
{Polar clock}, a tube, containing a polarizing apparatus,
turning on an axis parallel to that of the earth, and
indicating the hour of the day on an hour circle, by being
turned toward the plane of maximum polarization of the
light of the sky, which is always 90[deg] from the sun.
{Polar co["o]rdinates}. See under 3d {Co["o]rdinate}.
{Polar dial}, a dial whose plane is parallel to a great
circle passing through the poles of the earth. --Math.
Dict.
{Polar distance}, the angular distance of any point on a
sphere from one of its poles, particularly of a heavenly
body from the north pole of the heavens.
{Polar equation of a line} or {surface}, an equation which
expresses the relation between the polar co["o]rdinates of
every point of the line or surface.
{Polar forces} (Physics), forces that are developed and act
in pairs, with opposite tendencies or properties in the
two elements, as magnetism, electricity, etc.
{Polar hare} (Zo["o]l.), a large hare of Arctic America
({Lepus arcticus}), which turns pure white in winter. It
is probably a variety of the common European hare ({L.
timidus}).
{Polar lights}, the aurora borealis or australis.
{Polar}, or {Polaric}, {opposition} or {contrast} (Logic), an
opposition or contrast made by the existence of two
opposite conceptions which are the extremes in a species,
as white and black in colors; hence, as great an
opposition or contrast as possible.
{Polar projection}. See under {Projection}.
{Polar spherical triangle} (Spherics), a spherical triangle
whose three angular points are poles of the sides of a
given triangle. See 4th {Pole}, 2.
{Polar whale} (Zo["o]l.), the right whale, or bowhead. See
{Whale}.
Polar \Po"lar\, n. (Conic Sections)
The right line drawn through the two points of contact of the
two tangents drawn from a given point to a given conic
section. The given point is called the pole of the line. If
the given point lies within the curve so that the two
tangents become imaginary, there is still a real polar line
which does not meet the curve, but which possesses other
properties of the polar. Thus the focus and directrix are
pole and polar. There are also poles and polar curves to
curves of higher degree than the second, and poles and polar
planes to surfaces of the second degree.
Polarchy \Pol"ar*chy\, n.
See {Polyarchy}.
Polaric \Po*lar"ic\, a.
See {Polar}. [R.]
Polarily \Po"lar*i*ly\, adv.
In a polary manner; with polarity. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Polarimeter \Po`lar*im"e*ter\, n. [Polar + -meter.] (Opt.)
An instrument for determining the amount of polarization of
light, or the proportion of polarized light, in a partially
polarized ray.
Polarimetry \Po`lar*im"e*try\, n. (Opt.)
The art or process of measuring the polarization of light.
Polaris \Po*la"ris\, n. [NL. See {Polar}.] (Astron.)
The polestar. See {North star}, under {North}.
Polariscope \Po*lar"i*scope\, n. [Polar + -scope.] (Opt.)
An instrument consisting essentially of a polarizer and an
analyzer, used for polarizing light, and analyzing its
properties.
Polariscopic \Po*lar`i*scop"ic\, a. (Opt.)
Of or pertaining to the polariscope; obtained by the use of a
polariscope; as, polariscopic observations.
Polariscopy \Po`lar*is"co*py\, n. (Opt.)
The art or rocess of making observations with the
polariscope.
Polaristic \Po`lar*is"tic\, a.
Pertaining to, or exhibiting, poles; having a polar
arrangement or disposition; arising from, or dependent upon,
the possession of poles or polar characteristics; as,
polaristic antagonism.
Polarity \Po*lar"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. polarit['e].]
1. (Physics) That quality or condition of a body in virtue of
which it exhibits opposite, or contrasted, properties or
powers, in opposite, or contrasted, parts or directions;
or a condition giving rise to a contrast of properties
corresponding to a contrast of positions, as, for example,
attraction and repulsion in the opposite parts of a
magnet, the dissimilar phenomena corresponding to the
different sides of a polarized ray of light, etc.
2. (Geom.) A property of the conic sections by virtue of
which a given point determines a corresponding right line
and a given right line determines a corresponding point.
See {Polar}, n.
Polarizable \Po"lar*i`za*ble\, a.
Susceptible of polarization.
Polarization \Po`lar*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. polarisation.]
1. The act of polarizing; the state of being polarized, or of
having polarity.
2. (Opt.) A peculiar affection or condition of the rays of
light or heat, in consequence of which they exhibit
different properties in different directions.
Note: If a beam of light, which has been reflected from a
plate of unsilvered glass at an angle of about 56[deg],
be received upon a second plate of glass similar to the
former, and at the same angle of incidence, the light
will be readily reflected when the two planes of
incidence are parallel to each other, but will not be
reflected when the two planes of incidence are
perpendicular to each other. The light has, therefore,
acquired new properties by reflection from the first
plate of glass, and is called polarized light, while
the modification which the light has experienced by
this reflection is called polarization. The plane in
which the beam of light is reflected from the first
mirror is called the plane of polarization. The angle
of polarization is the angle at which a beam of light
must be reflected, in order that the polarization may
be the most complete. The term polarization was derived
from the theory of emission, and it was conceived that
each luminous molecule has two poles analogous to the
poles of a magnet; but this view is not now held.
According to the undulatory theory, ordinary light is
produced by vibrations transverse or perpendicular to
the direction of the ray, and distributed as to show no
distinction as to any particular direction. But when,
by any means, these, vibrations are made to take place
in one plane, the light is said to be plane polarized.
If only a portion of the vibrations lie in one plane
the ray is said to be partially polarized. Light may be
polarized by several methods other than by reflection,
as by refraction through most crystalline media, or by
being transmitted obliquely through several plates of
glass with parallel faces. If a beam of polarized light
be transmitted through a crystal of quartz in the
direction of its axis, the plane of polarization will
be changed by an angle proportional to the thickness of
the crystal. This phenomenon is called rotatory
polarization. A beam of light reflected from a metallic
surface, or from glass surfaces under certain peculiar
conditions, acquires properties still more complex, its
vibrations being no longer rectilinear, but circular,
or elliptical. This phenomenon is called circular or
elliptical polarization.
3. (Elec.) An effect produced upon the plates of a voltaic
battery, or the electrodes in an electrolytic cell, by the
deposition upon them of the gases liberated by the action
of the current. It is chiefly due to the hydrogen, and
results in an increase of the resistance, and the setting
up of an opposing electro-motive force, both of which tend
materially to weaken the current of the battery, or that
passing through the cell.
Polarize \Po"lar*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Polarized}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Polarizing}.] [Cf. F. polariser.]
To communicate polarity to.
Polarizer \Po"lar*i`zer\, n. (Physics)
That which polarizes; especially, the part of a polariscope
which receives and polarizes the light. It is usually a
reflecting plate, or a plate of some crystal, as tourmaline,
or a doubly refracting crystal.
Polary \Po"lar*y\, a.
Tending to a pole; having a direction toward a pole. [R.]
--Sir T. Browne.
Polatouche \Po`la`touche"\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
A flying squirrel ({Sciuropterus volans}) native of Northern
Europe and Siberia; -- called also {minene}.
Polder \Pol"der\, n. [D.]
A tract of low land reclaimed from the sea by of high
embankments. [Holland & Belgium]
Poldway \Pold"way`\, n. [Cf. {Poledavy}.]
A kind of coarse bagging, -- used for coal sacks. --Weale.
Pole \Pole\, n. [Cf. G. Pole a Pole, Polen Poland.]
A native or inhabitant of Poland; a Polander.
Pole \Pole\, n. [As. p[=a]l, L. palus, akin to pangere to make
fast. Cf. {Pale} a stake, {Pact}.]
1. A long, slender piece of wood; a tall, slender piece of
timber; the stem of a small tree whose branches have been
removed; as, specifically:
(a) A carriage pole, a wooden bar extending from the front
axle of a carriage between the wheel horses, by which
the carriage is guided and held back.
(b) A flag pole, a pole on which a flag is supported.
(c) A Maypole. See {Maypole}.
(d) A barber's pole, a pole painted in stripes, used as a
sign by barbers and hairdressers.
(e) A pole on which climbing beans, hops, or other vines,
are trained.
2. A measuring stick; also, a measure of length equal to 5?
yards, or a square measure equal to 30? square yards; a
rod; a perch. --Bacon.
{Pole bean} (Bot.), any kind of bean which is customarily
trained on poles, as the scarlet runner or the Lima bean.
{Pole flounder} (Zo["o]l.), a large deep-water flounder
({Glyptocephalus cynoglossus}), native of the northern
coasts of Europe and America, and much esteemed as a food
fish; -- called also {craig flounder}, and {pole fluke}.
{Pole lathe}, a simple form of lathe, or a substitute for a
lathe, in which the work is turned by means of a cord
passing around it, one end being fastened to the treadle,
and the other to an elastic pole above.
{Pole mast} (Naut.), a mast formed from a single piece or
from a single tree.
{Pole of a lens} (Opt.), the point where the principal axis
meets the surface.
{Pole plate} (Arch.), a horizontal timber resting on the
tiebeams of a roof and receiving the ends of the rafters.
It differs from the plate in not resting on the wall.
Pole \Pole\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Poled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Poling}.]
1. To furnish with poles for support; as, to pole beans or
hops.
2. To convey on poles; as, to pole hay into a barn.
3. To impel by a pole or poles, as a boat.
4. To stir, as molten glass, with a pole.
Pole \Pole\, n. [L. polus, Gr. ? a pivot or hinge on which
anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to ? to move: cf. F.
p[^o]le.]
1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one
of the extremities of the earth's axis; as, the north
pole.
2. (Spherics) A point upon the surface of a sphere equally
distant from every part of the circumference of a great
circle; or the point in which a diameter of the sphere
perpendicular to the plane of such circle meets the
surface. Such a point is called the pole of that circle;
as, the pole of the horizon; the pole of the ecliptic; the
pole of a given meridian.
3. (Physics) One of the opposite or contrasted parts or
directions in which a polar force is manifested; a point
of maximum intensity of a force which has two such points,
or which has polarity; as, the poles of a magnet; the
north pole of a needle.
4. The firmament; the sky. [Poetic]
Shoots against the dusky pole. --Milton.
5. (Geom.) See {Polarity}, and {Polar}, n.
{Magnetic pole}. See under {Magnetic}.
{Poles of the earth}, or {Terrestrial poles} (Geog.), the two
opposite points on the earth's surface through which its
axis passes.
{Poles of the heavens}, or {Celestial poles}, the two
opposite points in the celestial sphere which coincide
with the earth's axis produced, and about which the
heavens appear to revolve.
Poleax \Pole"ax`\, Poleaxe \Pole"axe`\, n. [OE. pollax; cf. OD.
pollexe. See {Poll} head, and Ax.]
Anciently, a kind of battle-ax with a long handle; later, an
ax or hatchet with a short handle, and a head variously
patterned; -- used by soldiers, and also by sailors in
boarding a vessel.
Polecat \Pole"cat`\, n. [Probably fr. F. poule hen, and
originally, a poultry cat, because it feeds on poultry. See
{Poultry}.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A small European carnivore of the Weasel family
({Putorius f[oe]tidus}). Its scent glands secrete a
substance of an exceedingly disagreeable odor. Called
also {fitchet}, {foulmart}, and {European ferret}.
(b) The zorilla. The name is also applied to other allied
species.
Poledavy \Pole"da`vy\, n. [Etymology uncertain.]
A sort of coarse canvas; poldway. [Obs.] --Howell.
Poleless \Pole"less\, a.
Without a pole; as, a poleless chariot.
Polemarch \Pol"e*march\, n. [Gr. ?; ? war + ? leader, from ? to
be first.] (Gr. Antiq.)
In Athens, originally, the military commanderin-chief; but,
afterward, a civil magistrate who had jurisdiction in respect
of strangers and sojourners. In other Grecian cities, a high
military and civil officer.
Polemic \Po*lem"ic\, a. [Gr. ? warlike, fr.? war: cf. F.
pol['e]mique.]
1. Of or pertaining to controversy; maintaining, or
involving, controversy; controversial; disputative; as, a
polemic discourse or essay; polemic theology.
2. Engaged in, or addicted to, polemics, or to controversy;
disputations; as, a polemic writer. --South.
Polemic \Po*lem"ic\, n.
1. One who writes in support of one opinion, doctrine, or
system, in opposition to another; one skilled in polemics;
a controversialist; a disputant.
The sarcasms and invectives of the young polemic.
--Macaulay.
2. A polemic argument or controversy.
Polemical \Po*lem"ic*al\, a.
Polemic; controversial; disputatious. -- {Po*lem"ic*al*ly},
adv.
Polemical and impertinent disputations. --Jer. Taylor.
Polemicist \Po*lem"i*cist\, n.
A polemic. [R.]
Polemics \Po*lem"ics\, n. [Cf. F. pol['e]mique.]
The art or practice of disputation or controversy, especially
on religious subjects; that branch of theological science
which pertains to the history or conduct of ecclesiastical
controversy.
Polemist \Pol"e*mist\, n.
A polemic. [R.]
Polemoniaceous \Pol`e*mo`ni*a"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants
({Polemoniace[ae]}), which includes {Polemonium}, {Phlox},
{Gilia}, and a few other genera.
Polemonium \Pol`e*mo"ni*um\ n. [NL., fr. Gr.? a kind of plant.]
(Bot.)
A genus of gamopetalous perennial herbs, including the
Jacob's ladder and the Greek valerian.
Polemoscope \Po*lem"o*scope\, n. [Gr. ? war + -scope: cf. F.
pol['e]moscope.]
An opera glass or field glass with an oblique mirror arranged
for seeing objects do not lie directly before the eye; --
called also {diagonal, or side, opera glass}.
Polemy \Pol"e*my\, n. [See {Polemic}.]
Warfare; war; hence, contention; opposition. [Obs.]
Polenta \Po*len"ta\, n. [It., fr. L. polenta peeled barley.]
Pudding made of Indian meal; also, porridge made of chestnut
meal. [Italy]
Poler \Pol"er\, n.
One who poles.
Poler \Pol"er\, n.
An extortioner. See {Poller}. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Polestar \Pole"star`\, n.
1. Polaris, or the north star. See {North star}, under
{North}.
2. A guide or director.
Polewards \Pole"wards\, adv.
Toward a pole of the earth. ``The regions further
polewards.'' --Whewell.
Polewig \Pole"wig\, n. [Cf. {Polliwig}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European spotted goby (Gobius minutus); -- called also
{pollybait}. [Prov. Eng.]
Poley \Po"ley\, n. (Bot.)
See {Poly}.
Poley \Po"ley\, a.
Without horns; polled. [Prov. Eng.] ``That poley heifer.''
--H. Kingsley.
Polianite \Po"li*a*nite\, n. [Gr. ? to become gray.] (Min.)
Manganese dioxide, occurring in tetragonal crystals nearly as
hard as quartz.
Policate \Pol"i*cate\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pollicate}.
Police \Po*lice"\, n. [F., fr. L. politia the condition of a
state, government, administration, Gr. ?, fr. ? to be a
citizen, to govern or administer a state, fr. ? citizen, fr.
? city; akin to Skr. pur, puri. Cf. {Policy} polity,
{Polity}.]
1. A judicial and executive system, for the government of a
city, town, or district, for the preservation of rights,
order, cleanliness, health, etc., and for the enforcement
of the laws and prevention of crime; the administration of
the laws and regulations of a city, incorporated town, or
borough.
2. That which concerns the order of the community; the
internal regulation of a state.
3. The organized body of civil officers in a city, town, or
district, whose particular duties are the preservation of
good order, the prevention and detection of crime, and the
enforcement of the laws.
4. (Mil.) Military police, the body of soldiers detailed to
preserve civil order and attend to sanitary arrangements
in a camp or garrison.
5. The cleaning of a camp or garrison, or the state ? a camp
as to cleanliness.
{Police commissioner}, a civil officer, usually one of a
board, commissioned to regulate and control the
appointment, duties, and discipline of the police.
{Police constable}, or {Police officer}, a policeman.
{Police court}, a minor court to try persons brought before
it by the police.
{Police inspector}, an officer of police ranking next below a
superintendent.
{Police jury}, a body of officers who collectively exercise
jurisdiction in certain cases of police, as levying taxes,
etc.; -- so called in Louisiana. --Bouvier.
{Police justice}, or {Police magistrate}, a judge of a police
court.
{Police offenses} (Law), minor offenses against the order of
the community, of which a police court may have final
jurisdiction.
{Police station}, the headquarters of the police, or of a
section of them; the place where the police assemble for
orders, and to which they take arrested persons.
Police \Po*lice"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Policed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Policing}.]
1. To keep in order by police.
2. (Mil.) To make clean; as, to police a camp.
Policed \Po*liced"\, a.
Regulated by laws for the maintenance of peace and order,
enforced by organized administration. ``A policed kingdom.''
--Howell.
Policeman \Po*lice"man\, n.; pl. {Policemen}.
A member of a body of police; a constable.
Policial \Po*li"cial\, a.
Relating to the police. [R.]
Policied \Pol"i*cied\, a.
Policed. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Policy \Pol"i*cy\, n.; pl. {Policies}. [L. politia, Gr. ?; cf.
F. police, Of. police. See {Police}, n.]
1. Civil polity. [Obs.]
2. The settled method by which the government and affairs of
a nation are, or may be, administered; a system of public
or official administration, as designed to promote the
external or internal prosperity of a state.
3. The method by which any institution is administered;
system of management; course.
4. Management or administration based on temporal or material
interest, rather than on principles of equity or honor;
hence, worldly wisdom; dexterity of management; cunning;
stratagem.
5. Prudence or wisdom in the management of public and private
affairs; wisdom; sagacity; wit.
The very policy of a hostess, finding his purse so
far above his clothes, did detect him. --Fuller.
6. Motive; object; inducement. [Obs.]
What policy have you to bestow a benefit where it is
counted an injury? --Sir P.
Sidney.
Syn: See {Polity}.
Policy \Pol"i*cy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Policied}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Policying}.]
To regulate by laws; to reduce to order. [Obs.] ``Policying
of cities.'' --Bacon.
Policy \Pol"i*cy\, n. [F. police; cf. Pr. polissia, Sp.
p['o]lizia, It. p['o]lizza; of uncertain origin; cf. L.
pollex thumb (as being used in pressing the seal), in LL.
also, seal; or cf. LL. politicum, poleticum, polecticum, L.
polyptychum, account book, register, fr. Gr. ? having many
folds or leaves; ? many + ? fold, leaf, from ? to fold; or
cf. LL. apodixa a receipt.]
1. A ticket or warrant for money in the public funds.
2. The writing or instrument in which a contract of insurance
is embodied; an instrument in writing containing the terms
and conditions on which one party engages to indemnify
another against loss arising from certain hazards, perils,
or risks to which his person or property may be exposed.
See {Insurance}.
3. A method of gambling by betting as to what numbers will be
drawn in a lottery; as, to play policy.
{Interest policy}, a policy that shows by its form that the
assured has a real, substantial interest in the matter
insured.
{Open policy}, one in which the value of the goods or
property insured is not mentioned.
{Policy book}, a book to contain a record of insurance
policies.
{Policy holder}, one to whom an insurance policy has been
granted.
{Policy shop}, a gambling place where one may bet on the
numbers which will be drawn in lotteries.
{Valued policy}, one in which the value of the goods,
property, or interest insured is specified.
{Wager policy}, a policy that shows on the face of it that
the contract it embodies is a pretended insurance, founded
on an ideal risk, where the insured has no interest in
anything insured.
Poling \Pol"ing\, n. [From {Pole} a stick.]
1. The act of supporting or of propelling by means of a pole
or poles; as, the poling of beans; the poling of a boat.
2. (Gardening) The operation of dispersing worm casts over
the walks with poles.
3. One of the poles or planks used in upholding the side
earth in excavating a tunnel, ditch, etc.
Polish \Pol"ish\, a. [From {Pole} a Polander.]
Of or pertaining to Poland or its inhabitants. -- n. The
language of the Poles.
Polish \Pol"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Polished}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Polishing}.] [F. polir, L. polire. Cf. {Polite}, {-ish}]
1. To make smooth and glossy, usually by friction; to
burnish; to overspread with luster; as, to polish glass,
marble, metals, etc.
2. Hence, to refine; to wear off the rudeness, coarseness, or
rusticity of; to make elegant and polite; as, to polish
life or manners. --Milton.
{To polish off}, to finish completely, as an adversary.
[Slang] --W. H. Russell.
Polish \Pol"ish\, v. i.
To become smooth, as from friction; to receive a gloss; to
take a smooth and glossy surface; as, steel polishes well.
--Bacon.
Polish \Pol"ish\, n.
1. A smooth, glossy surface, usually produced by friction; a
gloss or luster.
Another prism of clearer glass and better polish.
--Sir I.
Newton.
2. Anything used to produce a gloss.
3. Fig.: Refinement; elegance of manners.
This Roman polish and this smooth behavior.
--Addison.
Polishable \Pol"ish*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being polished.
Polished \Pol"ished\, a.
Made smooth and glossy, as by friction; hence, highly
finished; refined; polite; as, polished plate; polished
manners; polished verse.
Polishedness \Pol"ished*ness\, n.
The quality of being polished.
Polisher \Pol"ish*er\, n.
One who, or that which, polishes; also, that which is used in
polishing. --Addison.
Polishing \Pol"ish*ing\,
a. & n. from {Polish}.
{Polishing iron}, an iron burnisher; esp., a small smoothing
iron used in laundries.
{Polishing slate}.
(a) A gray or yellow slate, found in Bohemia and Auvergne,
and used for polishing glass, marble, and metals.
(b) A kind of hone or whetstone; hone slate.
{Polishing snake}, a tool used in cleaning lithographic
stones.
{Polishing wheel}, a wheel or disk coated with, or composed
of, abrading material, for polishing a surface.
Polishment \Pol"ish*ment\, n.
The act of polishing, or the state of being polished. [R.]
Polite \Po*lite"\, a. [Compar. {Politer}; superl. {Politest}.]
[L. politus, p. p. of polire to polish: cf. F. poli. See
{Polish}, v.]
1. Smooth; polished. [Obs.]
Rays of light falling on a polite surface. --Sir I.
Newton.
2. Smooth and refined in behavior or manners; well bred;
courteous; complaisant; obliging; civil.
He marries, bows at court, and grows polite. --Pope.
3. Characterized by refinement, or a high degree of finish;
as, polite literature. --Macaulay.
Syn: Polished; refined; well bred; courteous; affable;
urbane; civil; courtly; elegant; genteel.
Polite \Po*lite"\, v. t.
To polish; to refine; to render polite. [Obs.] --Ray.
Politely \Po*lite"ly\, adv.
1. In a polished manner; so as to be smooth or glossy. [Obs.]
--Milton.
2. In a polite manner; with politeness.
Politeness \Po*lite"ness\, n.
1. High finish; smoothness; burnished elegance. [R.]
--Evelyn.
2. The quality or state of being polite; refinement of
manners; urbanity; courteous behavior; complaisance;
obliging attentions.
Syn: Courtesy; good breeding; refinement; urbanity;
courteousness; affability; complaisance; civility;
gentility; courtliness.
Usage: {Politeness}, {Courtesy}. Politeness denotes that ease
and gracefulness of manners which first sprung up in
cities, connected with a desire to please others by
anticipating their wants and wishes, and studiously
avoiding whatever might give them pain. Courtesy is,
etymologically, the politeness of courts. It displays
itself in the address and manners; it is shown more
especially in receiving and entertaining others, and
is a union of dignified complaisance and kindness.
Politesse \Pol`i*tesse"\, n. [F.]
Politeness.
Politic \Pol"i*tic\, a. [L. politicus political, Gr. ? belonging
to the citizens or to the state, fr.? citizen: cf. F.
politique. See {Police}, and cf. {ePolitical}.]
1. Of or pertaining to polity, or civil government;
political; as, the body politic. See under {Body}.
He with his people made all but one politic body.
--Sir P.
Sidney.
2. Pertaining to, or promoting, a policy, especially a
national policy; well-devised; adapted to its end, whether
right or wrong; -- said of things; as, a politic treaty.
``Enrich'd with politic grave counsel.'' --Shak.
3. Sagacious in promoting a policy; ingenious in devising and
advancing a system of management; devoted to a scheme or
system rather than to a principle; hence, in a good sense,
wise; prudent; sagacious; and in a bad sense, artful;
unscrupulous; cunning; -- said of persons.
Politic with my friend, smooth with mine enemy.
--Shak.
Syn: Wise; prudent; sagacious; discreet; provident; wary;
artful; cunning.
Politic \Pol`i*tic\, n.
A politician. [Archaic] --Bacon.
Swiftly the politic goes; is it dark? he borrows a
lantern; Slowly the statesman and sure, guiding his
feet by the stars. --Lowell.
Political \Po*lit"i*cal\, a.
1. Having, or conforming to, a settled system of
administration. [R.] ``A political government.'' --Evelyn.
2. Of or pertaining to public policy, or to politics;
relating to affairs of state or administration; as, a
political writer. ``The political state of Europe.''
--Paley.
3. Of or pertaining to a party, or to parties, in the state;
as, his political relations were with the Whigs.
4. Politic; wise; also, artful. [Obs.] --Sterne.
{Political economy}, that branch of political science or
philosophy which treats of the sources, and methods of
production and preservation, of the material wealth and
prosperity of nations.
Politicalism \Po*lit"i*cal*ism\, n.
Zeal or party spirit in politics.
Politically \Po*lit"i*cal*ly\, adv.
1. In a political manner.
2. Politicly; artfully. [Obs.] --Knolles.
Politicaster \Po*lit"i*cas`ter\, n. [Cf. It. politicastro.]
A petty politician; a pretender in politics. --Milton.
Politician \Pol`i*ti"cian\, n. [Cf. F. politicien.]
1. One versed or experienced in the science of government;
one devoted to politics; a statesman.
While empiric politicians use deceit. --Dryden.
2. One primarily devoted to his own advancement in public
office, or to the success of a political party; -- used in
a depreciatory sense; one addicted or attached to politics
as managed by parties (see {Politics}, 2); a schemer; an
intriguer; as, a mere politician.
Like a scurvy politician, seem To see the things
thou dost not. --Shak.
The politician . . . ready to do anything that he
apprehends for his advantage. --South.
Politician \Pol`i*ti"cian\, a.
Cunning; using artifice; politic; artful. ``Ill-meaning
politician lords.'' --Milton.
Politicist \Po*lit"i*cist\, n.
A political writer. [R.]
Politicly \Pol"i*tic*ly\, adv.
In a politic manner; sagaciously; shrewdly; artfully. --Pope.
Politics \Pol"i*tics\, n. [Cf. F. politique, Gr. ? (sc.?). See
{Politic}.]
1. The science of government; that part of ethics which has
to do with the regulation and government of a nation or
state, the preservation of its safety, peace, and
prosperity, the defense of its existence and rights
against foreign control or conquest, the augmentation of
its strength and resources, and the protection of its
citizens in their rights, with the preservation and
improvement of their morals.
2. The management of a political party; the conduct and
contests of parties with reference to political measures
or the administration of public affairs; the advancement
of candidates to office; in a bad sense, artful or
dishonest management to secure the success of political
candidates or parties; political trickery.
When we say that two men are talking politics, we
often mean that they are wrangling about some mere
party question. --F. W.
Robertson.
Politize \Pol"i*tize\, v. i.
To play the politician; to dispute as politicians do. [Obs.]
--Milton.
Politure \Pol"i*ture\, n. [L. politura, fr. polire to polish.
See {Polish}, v.]
Polish; gloss. [Obs.] Donne.
Polity \Pol"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Polities}. [L. politia, Gr. ?: cf.
F. politie. See 1st {Policy}, {Police}.]
1. The form or constitution of the civil government of a
nation or state; the framework or organization by which
the various departments of government are combined into a
systematic whole. --Blackstone. Hooker.
2. Hence: The form or constitution by which any institution
is organized; the recognized principles which lie at the
foundation of any human institution.
Nor is possible that any form of polity, much less
polity ecclesiastical, should be good, unless God
himself be author of it. --Hooker.
3. Policy; art; management. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Syn: Policy.
Usage: {Polity}, {Policy}. These two words were originally
the same. Polity is now confined to the structure of a
government; as, civil or ecclesiastical polity; while
policy is applied to the scheme of management of
public affairs with reference to some aim or result;
as, foreign or domestic policy. Policy has the further
sense of skillful or cunning management.
Politzerization \Po*litz`er*i*za"tion\, n. (Med.)
The act of inflating the middle ear by blowing air up the
nose during the act of swallowing; -- so called from Prof.
Politzer of Vienna, who first practiced it.
Polive \Pol"ive\, n.
A pulley. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Polka \Pol"ka\, n. [Pol. Polka a Polish woman: cf. F. & G.
polka.]
1. A dance of Polish origin, but now common everywhere. It is
performed by two persons in common time.
2. (Mus.) A lively Bohemian or Polish dance tune in 2-4
measure, with the third quaver accented.
{Polka jacket}, a kind of knit jacket worn by women.
Poll \Poll\, n. [From Polly, The proper name.]
A parrot; -- familiarly so called.
Poll \Poll\, n. [Gr. ? the many, the rabble.]
One who does not try for honors, but is content to take a
degree merely; a passman. [Cambridge Univ., Eng.]
Poll \Poll\, n. [Akin to LG. polle the head, the crest of a
bird, the top of a tree, OD. pol, polle, Dan. puld the crown
of a hat.]
1. The head; the back part of the head. ``All flaxen was his
poll.'' --Shak.
2. A number or aggregate of heads; a list or register of
heads or individuals.
We are the greater poll, and in true fear They gave
us our demands. --Shak.
The muster file, rotten and sound, upon my life,
amounts not to fifteen thousand poll. --Shak.
3. Specifically, the register of the names of electors who
may vote in an election.
4. The casting or recording of the votes of registered
electors; as, the close of the poll.
All soldiers quartered in place are to remove . . .
and not to return till one day after the poll is
ended. --Blackstone.
5. pl. The place where the votes are cast or recorded; as, to
go to the polls.
6. The broad end of a hammer; the but of an ax.
7. (Zo["o]l.) The European chub. See {Pollard}, 3
(a) .
{Poll book}, a register of persons entitled to vote at an
election.
{Poll evil} (Far.), an inflammatory swelling or abscess on a
horse's head, confined beneath the great ligament of the
neck.
{Poll pick} (Mining), a pole having a heavy spike on the end,
forming a kind of crowbar.
{Poll tax}, a tax levied by the head, or poll; a capitation
tax.
Poll \Poll\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Polled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Polling}.]
1. To remove the poll or head of; hence, to remove the top or
end of; to clip; to lop; to shear; as, to poll the head;
to poll a tree.
When he [Absalom] pollled his head. --2 Sam. xiv.
26.
His death did so grieve them that they polled
themselves; they clipped off their horse and mule's
hairs. --Sir T.
North.
2. To cut off; to remove by clipping, shearing, etc.; to mow
or crop; -- sometimes with off; as, to poll the hair; to
poll wool; to poll grass.
Who, as he polled off his dart's head, so sure he
had decreed That all the counsels of their war he
would poll off like it. --Chapman.
3. To extort from; to plunder; to strip. [Obs.]
Which polls and pills the poor in piteous wise.
--Spenser.
4. To impose a tax upon. [Obs.]
5. To pay as one's personal tax.
The man that polled but twelve pence for his head.
--Dryden.
6. To enter, as polls or persons, in a list or register; to
enroll, esp. for purposes of taxation; to enumerate one by
one.
Polling the reformed churches whether they equalize
in number those of his three kingdoms. --Milton.
7. To register or deposit, as a vote; to elicit or call
forth, as votes or voters; as, he polled a hundred votes
more than his opponent.
And poll for points of faith his trusty vote.
--Tickell.
8. (Law) To cut or shave smooth or even; to cut in a straight
line without indentation; as, a polled deed. See {Dee?
poll}. --Burrill.
{To poll a jury}, to call upon each member of the jury to
answer individually as to his concurrence in a verdict
which has been rendered.
Poll \Poll\, v. i.
To vote at an election. --Beaconsfield.
Pollack \Pol"lack\, n. [Cf. G. & D. pollack, and Gael. pollag a
little pool, a sort of fish.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A marine gadoid food fish of Europe ({Pollachius
virens}). Called also {greenfish}, {greenling}, {lait},
{leet}, {lob}, {lythe}, and {whiting pollack}.
(b) The American pollock; the coalfish.
Pollage \Poll"age\, n.
A head or poll tax; hence, extortion. [Obs.] --Foxe.
Pollan \Pol"lan\, n. [Cf. Gael. pollag a kind of fish.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A lake whitefish ({Coregonus pollan}), native of Ireland. In
appearance it resembles a herring.
Pollard \Pol"lard\, n. [From {Poll} the head.]
1. A tree having its top cut off at some height above the
ground, that may throw out branches. --Pennant.
2. A clipped coin; also, a counterfeit. [Obs.] --Camden.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A fish, the chub.
(b) A stag that has cast its antlers.
(c) A hornless animal (cow or sheep).
Pollard \Pol"lard\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pollarded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Pollarding}.]
To lop the tops of, as trees; to poll; as, to pollard
willows. --Evelyn.
Pollax \Poll"ax`\, n.
A poleax. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Polled \Polled\, a.
Deprived of a poll, or of something belonging to the poll.
Specifically:
(a) Lopped; -- said of trees having their tops cut off.
(b) Cropped; hence, bald; -- said of a person. ``The polled
bachelor.'' --Beau. & Fl.
(c) Having cast the antlers; -- said of a stag.
(d) Without horns; as, polled cattle; polled sheep.
Pollen \Pol"len\, n. [L. pollen fine flour, fine dust; cf. Gr.
?]
1. Fine bran or flour. [Obs.] --Bailey.
2. (Bot.) The fecundating dustlike cells of the anthers of
flowers. See {Flower}, and Illust. of {Filament}.
{Pollen grain} (Bot.), a particle or call of pollen.
{Pollen mass}, a pollinium. --Gray.
{Pollen sac}, a compartment of an anther containing pollen,
-- usually there are four in each anther.
{Pollen tube}, a slender tube which issues from the pollen
grain on its contact with the stigma, which it penetrates,
thus conveying, it is supposed, the fecundating matter of
the grain to the ovule.
Pollenarious \Pol`len*a"ri*ous\, a.
Consisting of meal or pollen.
Pollened \Pol"lened\, a.
Covered with pollen. --Tennyson.
Polleniferous \Pol`len*if"er*ous\, a. [Pollen + -ferous.] (Bot.)
Producing pollen; polliniferous.
Pollenin \Pol"len*in\, n. [Cf. F. poll['e]nine.] (Chem.)
A substance found in the pollen of certain plants. [R.]
Pollenize \Pol"len*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pollenized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Pollenizing}.]
To supply with pollen; to impregnate with pollen.
Poller \Poll"er\, n. [From {Poll}]
One who polls; specifically:
(a) One who polls or lops trees.
(b) One who polls or cuts hair; a barber. [R.]
(c) One who extorts or plunders. [Obs.] Baex>.
(d) One who registplws votplws, or one who enters his name as
a voter.
Pollex \Pol"lex\, n.; pl. {Pollices}. [the thumb.] (Anat.)
The first, or preaxial, digit of the fore limb, corresponding
to the hallux in the hind limb; the thumb. In birds, the
pollex is the joint which bears the bastard wing.
Pollicate \Pol"li*cate\, a. [L. pollex, pollicis, a thumb.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having a curved projection or spine on the inner side of a
leg joint; -- said of insects.
Pollicitation \Pol*lic`i*ta"tion\, n. [L. pollicitatio, fr.
pollicitari to promise, v. intens. fr. polliceri to promise:
cf. F. pollicitation.]
1. A voluntary engagement, or a paper containing it; a
promise. --Bp. Burnet.
2. (Roman Law) A promise without mutuality; a promise which
has not been accepted by the person to whom it is made.
--Bouvier.
Pollinate \Pol"li*nate\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Pollinose.
Pollinate \Pol"li*nate\, v. t. (Bot.)
To apply pollen to (a stigma). -- {Pol`li*na"tion}, n. (Bot.)
Pollinctor \Pol*linc"tor\, n. [L., fr. pollingere.] (Rom.
Antiq.)
One who prepared corpses for the funeral.
Polling \Poll"ing\, n. [See {Poll} the head.]
1. The act of topping, lopping, or cropping, as trees or
hedges.
2. Plunder, or extortion. [Obs.] --E. Hall.
3. The act of voting, or of registering a vote.
{Polling booth}, a temporary structure where the voting at an
election is done; a polling place.
Polliniferous \Pol`li*nif"er*ous\, a. [L. pollen, -inis, pollen
+ -ferous: cf. F. pollinif[`e]re.] (Bot.)
Producing pollen; polleniferous.
Pollinium \Pol*lin"i*um\, n.; pl. {Pollinia}. [{NL}. See
{Pollen}.] (Bot.)
A coherent mass of pollen, as in the milkweed and most
orchids.
Pollinose \Pol"li*nose`\, a. [L. pollen, -inis, dust.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having the surface covered with a fine yellow dust, like
pollen.
Polliwig \Pol"li*wig\, Polliwog \Pol"li*wog\, n. [OE. polwigle.
Cf. {Poll} head, and {Wiggle}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A tadpole; -- called also {purwiggy} and {porwigle}.
Pollock \Pol"lock\, n. [See {Pollack}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A marine gadoid fish ({Pollachius carbonarius}), native both
of the European and American coasts. It is allied to the cod,
and like it is salted and dried. In England it is called
{coalfish}, {lob}, {podley}, {podling}, {pollack}, etc.
Pollucite \Pol"lu*cite\, n. [See {Pollux}, and 4th {Castor}.]
(Min.)
A colorless transparent mineral, resembling quartz, occurring
with castor or castorite on the island of Elba. It is a
silicate of alumina and c[ae]sia. Called also {pollux}.
Pollute \Pol*lute"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Polluted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Polluting}.] [L. pollutus, p. p. of polluere to
defile, to pollute, from a prep. appearing only in comp. +
luere to wash. See {Position}, {Lave}.]
1. To make foul, impure, or unclean; to defile; to taint; to
soil; to desecrate; -- used of physical or moral
defilement.
The land was polluted with blood. --Ps. cvi. 38
Wickedness . . . hath polluted the whole earth. --2
Esd. xv. 6.
2. To violate sexually; to debauch; to dishonor.
3. (Jewish Law) To render ceremonially unclean; to disqualify
or unfit for sacred use or service, or for social
intercourse.
Neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the
children of Israel, lest ye die. --Num. xviii.
32.
They have polluted themselves with blood. --Lam. iv.
14.
Syn: To defile; soil; contaminate; corrupt; taint; vitiate;
debauch; dishonor; ravish.
Pollute \Pol*lute"\, a. [L. pollutus.]
Polluted. [R.] --Milton.
Polluted \Pol*lut"ed\, a.
Defiled; made unclean or impure; debauched. --
{Pol*lut"ed*ly}, adv. -- {Pol*lut"ed*ness}, n.
Polluter \Pol*lut"er\, n.
One who pollutes. --Dryden.
Polluting \Pol*lut"ing\, a.
Adapted or tending to pollute; causing defilement or
pollution. -- {Pol*lut"ing*ly}, adv.
Pollution \Pol*lu"tion\, n. [L. pollutio: cf. F. pollution.]
1. The act of polluting, or the state of being polluted (in
any sense of the verb); defilement; uncleanness; impurity.
2. (Med.) The emission of semen, or sperm, at other times
than in sexual intercourse. --Dunglison.
Pollux \Pol"lux\, n. [L., the twin brother of castor; also, the
constellation.]
1. (Astron.) A fixed star of the second magnitude, in the
constellation Gemini. Cf. 3d {Castor}.
2. (Min.) Same as {Pollucite}.
Polly \Pol"ly\, n.
A woman's name; also, a popular name for a parrot.
Pollywog \Pol"ly*wog\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A polliwig.
Polo \Po"lo\, n. [Of Eastern origin; -- properly, the ball used
in the game.]
1. A game of ball of Eastern origin, resembling hockey, with
the players on horseback.
2. A similar game played on the ice, or on a prepared floor,
by players wearing skates.
Polonaise \Po`lo*naise"\, a. [F. polonais, polonaise, Polish.]
Of or pertaining to the Poles, or to Poland. [Written also
{Polonese}.]
Polonaise \Po`lo*naise"\, n. [Written also Polonese and
Polonoise.]
1. The Polish language.
2. An article of dress for women, consisting of a body and an
outer skirt in one piece.
3. (Mus.) A stately Polish dance tune, in 3-4 measure,
beginning always on the beat with a quaver followed by a
crotchet, and closing on the beat after a strong accent on
the second beat; also, a dance adapted to such music; a
polacca.
Polonese \Po`lo*nese"\, a. & n.
See {Polonaise}.
Polony \Po*lo"ny\, n. [Prob. corrupt. fr. Bologna.]
A kind of sausage made of meat partly cooked.
Polron \Pol"ron\, n.
See {Pauldron}.
Polt \Polt\, n. [Cf. E. pelt, L. pultare to beat, strike.]
A blow or thump. --Halliwell. -- a. Distorted.
{Pot foot}, a distorted foot. --Sir T. Herbert.
Polt-foot \Polt"-foot`\, Polt-footed \Polt"-foot`ed\, a.
Having a distorted foot, or a clubfoot or clubfeet. --B.
Jonson.
Poltroon \Pol*troon"\, n. [F. poltron, from It. poltrone an idle
fellow, sluggard, coward, poltro idle, lazy, also, bed, fr.
OHG. polstar, bolstar, cushion, G. polster, akin to E.
bolster. See {Bolster}.]
An arrant coward; a dastard; a craven; a mean-spirited
wretch. --Shak.
Poltroon \Pol*troon"\, a.
Base; vile; contemptible; cowardly.
Poltroonery \Pol*troon"er*y\, n. [F. poltronnerie; cf. It.
poltroneria.]
Cowardice; want of spirit; pusillanimity.
Poltroonish \Pol*troon"ish\, a.
Resembling a poltroon; cowardly.
Polverine \Pol"ve*rine\, n. [It. polverino, fr. polvere ?ust, L.
pulvis, -veris. See {Powder}.]
Glassmaker's ashes; a kind of potash or pearlash, brought
from the Levant and Syria, -- used in the manufacture of fine
glass.
Polwig \Pol"wig\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A polliwig. Holland.
Poly- \Pol"y-\ [See {Full}, a.]
A combining form or prefix from Gr. poly`s, many; as,
polygon, a figure of many angles; polyatomic, having many
atoms; polychord, polyconic.
Poly \Po"ly\, n. [L. polium, the name of a plant, perhaps
Teucrium polium, Gr. ?.] (Bot.)
A whitish woolly plant ({Teucrium Polium}) of the order
{Labiat[ae]}, found throughout the Mediterranean region. The
name, with sundry prefixes, is sometimes given to other
related species of the same genus. [Spelt also {poley}.]
{Poly mountain}. See {Poly-mountain}, in Vocabulary.
Polyacid \Pol`y*ac"id\, a. [Poly- + acid.] (Chem.)
Capable of neutralizing, or of combining with, several
molecules of a monobasic acid; having more than one hydrogen
atom capable of being replaced by acid radicals; -- said of
certain bases; as, calcium hydrate and glycerin are polyacid
bases.
Polyacoustic \Pol`y*a*cous"tic\, a. [Poly- + acoustic: cf. F.
polyacoustique.]
Multiplying or magnifying sound. -- n. A polyacoustic
instrument.
Polyacoustics \Pol`y*a*cous"tics\, n.
The art of multiplying or magnifying sounds.
Polyacron \Pol`y*a"cron\, n.; pl. {Polyacra}, E. {Polyacrons}.
[NL., fr. Gr. poly`s many + 'a`kron summit.] (Geom.)
A solid having many summits or angular points; a polyhedron.
Polyactinia \Pol`y*ac*tin"i*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Poly-}, and
{Actinia}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An old name for those Anthozoa which, like the actinias, have
numerous simple tentacles.
Polyadelphia \Pol`y*a*del"phi*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s
many + ? brother.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an class of plants having stamens united in three
or more bodies or bundles by the filaments.
Polyadelphian \Pol`y*a*del"phi*an\, Polyadelphous
\Pol`y*a*del"phous\, a. (Bot.)
Belonging to the class Polyadelphia; having stamens united in
three or more bundles.
Polyandria \Pol`y*an"dri*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Polyandry}.]
(Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an class of monoclinous or hermaphrodite plants,
having many stamens, or any number above twenty, inserted in
the receptacle.
Polyandrian \Pol`y*an"dri*an\, a. (Bot.)
Polyandrous.
Polyandric \Pol`y*an"dric\, a. [Cf. polyandrique.]
Pertaining to, or characterized by, polyandry; mating with
several males. ``Polyandric societies.'' --H. Spencer.
Polyandrous \Pol`y*an"drous\, a. (Bot.)
Belonging to the class Polyandria; having many stamens, or
any number above twenty, inserted in the receptacle.
Polyandry \Pol`y*an"dry\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ?, ?, man, male: cf.
F. polyandrie.]
The possession by a woman of more than one husband at the
same time; -- contrasted with {monandry}.
Note: In law, this falls under the head of polygamy.
Polyanthus \Pol`y*an"thus\, n.; pl. {Polyanthuses}. [NL., fr.
Gr. ? rich in flowers; poly`s many + ? flower.] [Written also
{polyanthos}.] (Bot.)
(a) The oxlip. So called because the peduncle bears a
many-flowered umbel. See {Oxlip}.
(b) A bulbous flowering plant of the genus {Narcissus} ({N.
Tazetta}, or {N. polyanthus} of some authors). See
Illust. of {Narcissus}.
Polyarchist \Pol"y*ar`chist\, n.
One who advocates polyarchy; -- opposed to {monarchist}.
--Cudworth.
Polyarchy \Pol"y*ar`chy\, n. [Poly- + -archy: cf. F. polyarchie.
Cf. {Polarchy}.]
A government by many persons, of whatever order or class.
--Cudworth.
Polyatomic \Pol`y*a*tom"ic\, a. [Poly- + atomic.] (Chem.)
(a) Having more than one atom in the molecule; consisting of
several atoms.
(b) Having a valence greater than one. [Obs.]
Polyautography \Pol`y*au*tog"ra*phy\, n. [Poly- + autography.]
The act or practice of multiplying copies of one's own
handwriting, or of manuscripts, by printing from stone, -- a
species of lithography.
Polybasic \Pol`y*ba"sic\, a. [Poly- + basic.] (Chem.)
Capable of neutralizing, or of combining with, several
molecules of a monacid base; having several hydrogen atoms
capable of being replaced by basic radicals; -- said of
certain acids; as, sulphuric acid is polybasic.
Polybasite \Pol`y*ba"site\, n. [See {Polybasic}.] (Min.)
An iron-black ore of silver, consisting of silver, sulphur,
and antimony, with some copper and arsenic.
Polybranchia \Pol`y*bran"chi*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Poly-}, and
{Branchia}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Nudibranchiata including those which have
numerous branchi[ae] on the back.
Polybromide \Pol`y*bro"mide\, n. [Poly- + bromide.] (Chem.)
A bromide containing more than one atom of bromine in the
molecule.
Polycarpellary \Pol`y*car"pel*la*ry\, a. (Bot.)
Composed of several or numerous carpels; -- said of such
fruits as the orange.
Polycarpic \Pol`y*car"pic\, Polycarpous \Pol`y*car"pous\, a.
[Poly- + Gr. ? fruit.] (Bot.)
(a) Bearing fruit repeatedly, or year after year.
(b) Having several pistils in one flower.
Polychaeta \Pol`y*ch[ae]"ta\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. poly`s many
+ ? hair.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the two principal groups of Ch[ae]topoda. It includes
those that have prominent parapodia and fascicles of set[ae].
See Illust. under {Parapodia}.
Polychloride \Pol`y*chlo"ride\, n. [Poly- + chloride.] (Chem.)
A chloride containing more than one atom of chlorine in the
molecule.
Polychoerany \Pol`y*ch[oe]r"a*ny\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ?
wide-ruling.]
A government by many chiefs, princes, or rules. [Obs.]
--Cudworth.
Polychord \Pol"y*chord\, a. [Gr. ?; poly`s many + ? string,
cord.]
Having many strings.
Polychord \Pol"y*chord\, n. (Mus.)
(a) A musical instrument of ten strings.
(b) An apparatus for coupling two octave notes, capable of
being attached to a keyed instrument.
Polychrest \Pol"y*chrest\, n. [Gr. ? useful for many purposes;
poly`s many + ? useful, fr. ? to use: cf. F. polychreste.]
(Med.)
A medicine that serves for many uses, or that cures many
diseases. [Obs.]
{Polychrest salt} (Old Med. Chem.), potassium sulphate,
specifically obtained by fusing niter with sulphur.
Polychroism \Pol"y*chro*ism\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? color.]
Same as {Pleochroism}.
Polychroite \Pol"y*chro*ite\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? color: cf. F.
polychro["i]te.] (Chem.)
The coloring matter of saffron; -- formerly so called because
of the change of color on treatment with certain acids; --
called also {crocin}, and {safranin}.
Polychromate \Pol`y*chro"mate\, n. [See {Polychromic}.] (Chem.)
A salt of a polychromic acid.
Polychromate \Pol`y*chro"mate\, n. [See {Polychromatic}.]
(Chem.)
A compound which exhibits, or from which may be prepared, a
variety of colors, as certain solutions derived from
vegetables, which display colors by fluorescence.
Polychromatic \Pol`y*chro*mat"ic\, a. [Poly- + chromatic.]
Showing a variety, or a change, of colors.
{Polychromatic acid} (Old Chem.), a substance obtained by the
action of nitric acid on aloes.
Polychrome \Pol"y*chrome\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? color.] (Chem.)
Esculin; -- so called in allusion to its fluorescent
solutions. [R.]
Polychrome \Pol"y*chrome\, a. [Cf. F. polychrome.]
Executed in the manner of polychromy; as, polychrome
printing.
Polychromic \Pol`y*chro"mic\, a. [Poly- + (sense 1) Gr. ?, or
(sense 2) chromic.]
1. Polychromatic.
2. (Chem.) Pertaining to, or designating, any one of several
acids (known only in their salts) which contain more than
one atom of chromium.
Polychromous \Pol`y*chro"mous\, a.
Of or pertaining to polychromy; many-colored; polychromatic.
Polychromy \Pol"y*chro`my\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? color.] (Anc. Art)
The art or practice of combining different colors, especially
brilliant ones, in an artistic way.
Polychronious \Pol`y*chro"ni*ous\, a. [Poly- + Gr. ? for a long
time, ? time.]
Enduring through a long time; chronic.
Polyclinic \Pol`y*clin"ic\, n. [Poly- + clinic.] (Med.)
A clinic in which diseases of many sorts are treated;
especially, an institution in which clinical instruction is
given in all kinds of disease.
Polyconic \Pol`y*con"ic\, a. [Poly- + conic.]
Pertaining to, or based upon, many cones.
{Polyconic projection} (Map Making), a projection of the
earth's surface, or any portion thereof, by which each
narrow zone is projected upon a conical surface that
touches the sphere along this zone, the conical surface
being then unrolled. This projection differs from conic
projection in that latter assumes but one cone for the
whole map. Polyconic projection is that in use in the
United States coast and geodetic survey.
Polycotyledon \Pol`y*cot`y*le"don\, n. [Poly- + cotyledon: cf.
F. polycotyl['e]done.] (Bot.)
A plant that has many, or more than two, cotyledons in the
seed. -- {Pol`y*cot`y*led"on*ous}, a.
Polycotyledonary \Pol`y*cot`y*led"on*a*ry\, a. [Poly- +
cotyledonary.] (Anat.)
Having the villi of the placenta collected into definite
patches, or cotyledons.
Polycracy \Po*lyc"ra*cy\, n. [Poly- + -cracy, as in democracy.]
Government by many rulers; polyarchy.
Polycrotic \Pol`y*crot"ic\ (p[o^]l`[i^]*kr[o^]t"[i^]k), a.
[Poly- + Gr. krotei^n to beat.] (Physiol.)
Of or pertaining to polycrotism; manifesting polycrotism; as,
a polycrotic pulse; a polycrotic pulse curve.
Polycrotism \Po*lyc"ro*tism\, n. (Physiol.)
That state or condition of the pulse in which the pulse
curve, or sphygmogram, shows several secondary crests or
elevations; -- contrasted with {monocrotism} and {dicrotism}.
Polycystid \Pol`y*cys"tid\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of the Polycystidea.
(b) One of the Polycystina. -- a. Pertaining to the
Polycystidea, or the Polycystina.
Polycystidea \Pol`y*cys*tid"e*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Poly-}, and
{Cystidea}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Gregarin[ae] including those that have two or
more internal divisions of the body.
Polycystina \Pol`y*cys*ti"na\, n. pl. [NL. See {Poly-}, and
{Cyst}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Radiolaria including numerous minute marine
species. The skeleton is composed of silica, and is often
very elegant in form and sculpture. Many have been found in
the fossil state.
Polycystine \Pol`y*cys"tine\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the Polycystina. -- n. One of the Polycystina.
Polycyttaria \Pol`y*cyt*ta"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s
many + ?, dim. fr. ? a hollow vessel.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Radiolaria. It includes those having one more
central capsules.
Polydactylism \Pol`y*dac"tyl*ism\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? finger: cf.
F. polydactylisme.] (Anat.)
The possession of more that the normal number of digits.
Polydipsia \Pol`y*dip"si*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s much + ?
thirst.] (Med.)
Excessive and constant thirst occasioned by disease.
Polyedron \Pol`y*e"dron\, n.
See {Polyhedron}.
Polyedrous \Pol`y*e"drous\, a.
See {Polyhedral}.
Polyeidic \Pol`y*ei"dic\, a. [Poly- + Gr. ? form.] (Zo["o]l.)
Passing through several distinct larval forms; -- having
several distinct kinds of young.
Polyeidism \Pol`y*ei"dism\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The quality or state of being polyeidic.
Polyembryonate \Pol`y*em"bry*o*nate\, a. [Poly- + embryonate.]
(Bot.)
Consisting of, or having, several embryos; polyembryonic.
Polyembryonic \Pol`y*em`bry*on"ic\, a. [Poly- + embryonic.]
(Bot.)
Polyembryonate.
Polyembryony \Pol`y*em"bry*o*ny\, n. [See {Poly-}, and
{Embryo}.] (Bot.)
The production of two or more embryos in one seed, due either
to the existence and fertilization of more than one embryonic
sac or to the origination of embryos outside of the embryonic
sac.
Polyfoil \Pol"y*foil\, n. [Poly- + foil, n.] (Arch.)
Same as {Multifoil}.
Polygala \Po*lyg"a*la\, n. [L., milkwort, fr. Gr. ?; poly`s much
+ ? milk.]
A genus of bitter herbs or shrubs having eight stamens and a
two-celled ovary (as the Seneca snakeroot, the flowering
wintergreen, etc.); milkwort.
Polygalaceous \Pol`y*ga*la"ceous\, a.
Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants
({Polygalace[ae]}) of which Polygala is the type.
Polygalic \Po*lyg"a*lic\, a. (Chem.)
Of, pertaining to, or obtained from, Polygala; specifically,
designating an acrid glucoside (called polygalic acid,
senegin, etc.), resembling, or possibly identical with,
saponin.
Polygamia \Pol`y*ga"mi*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Polygamous}.] (Bot.)
(a) A Linn[ae]an class of plants, characterized by having
both hermaphrodite and unisexual flowers on the same
plant.
(b) A name given by Linn[ae]us to file orders of plants
having syngenesious flowers.
Polygamian \Pol`y*ga"mi*an\, a. (Bot.)
Polygamous.
Polygamist \Po*lyg"a*mist\, n. [Cf. F. polygamiste, polygame,
Gr. ?, a.]
One who practices polygamy, or maintains its lawfulness.
Polygamize \Po*lyg"a*mize\, v. i.
To practice polygamy; to marry several wives. --Sylvester.
Coleridge.
Polygamous \Po*lyg"a*mous\, a. [Gr. ? living ? polygamy; poly`s
many + ? marriage. Cf. {Bigamy}.]
1. Of or pertaining to polygamy; characterized by, or
involving, polygamy; having a plurality of wives; as,
polygamous marriages; -- opposed to {monogamous}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Pairing with more than one female.
Most deer, cattle, and sheep are polygamous.
--Darwin.
3. (Bot.) Belonging to the Polygamia; bearing both
hermaphrodite and unisexual flowers on the same plant.
Polygamy \Po*lyg"a*my\, n. [Gr. ?; cf. F. polygamie.]
1. The having of a plurality of wives or husbands at the same
time; usually, the marriage of a man to more than one
woman, or the practice of having several wives, at the
same time; -- opposed to monogamy; as, the nations of the
East practiced polygamy. See the Note under {Bigamy}, and
cf. {Polyandry}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The state or habit of having more than one
mate.
3. (Bot.) The condition or state of a plant which bears both
perfect and unisexual flowers.
Polygastrian \Pol`y*gas"tri*an\ (p[o^]l`[i^]*g[a^]s"tr[i^]*an),
n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Polygastrica. [Obs.]
Polygastric \Pol`y*gas"tric\ (-tr[i^]k), a. [Poly- + gastric:
cf. F. polygastrique.]
1. (Anat.) Having several bellies; -- applied to muscles
which are made up of several bellies separated by short
tendons.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Pertaining to the Polygastrica. [Obs.]
Polygastric \Pol`y*gas"tric\ (p[o^]l`[i^]*g[a^]s"tr[i^]k), n.
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the Polygastrica.
Polygastrica \Pol`y*gas"tri*ca\ (-tr[i^]*k[.a]), n. pl. [NL. So
called because they were supposed to have several stomachs,
or digestive cavities.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Infusoria. [Obs.]
Polygenesis \Pol`y*gen"e*sis\ (-j[e^]n"[-e]*s[i^]s), Polygeny
\Po*lyg"e*ny\ (p[-o]*l[i^]j"[-e]*n[y^]), n. [Poly- + genesis, or
root of Gr. gi`gnesqai to be born.] (Biol.)
The theory that living organisms originate in cells or
embryos of different kinds, instead of coming from a single
cell; -- opposed to {monogenesis}.
Polygenetic \Pol`y*ge*net"ic\, a.
1. Having many distinct sources; originating at various
places or times.
2. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to polygenesis; polyphyletic.
{Polygenetic mountain range} (Geol.), one which is composite,
or consists of two or more monogenetic ranges, each having
had its own history of development. --Dana.
Polygenic \Pol`y*gen"ic\ (-j[e^]n"[i^]k), a. (Biol.)
Of or relating to polygeny; polygenetic.
Polygenism \Po*lyg"e*nism\ (p[-o]*l[i^]j"[-e]*n[i^]z'm), n. [Cf.
F. polyg['e]nisme.] (Biol.)
The doctrine that animals of the same species have sprung
from more than one original pair.
Polygenist \Po*lyg"e*nist\ (-n[i^]st), n. (Biol.)
One who maintains that animals of the same species have
sprung from more than one original pair; -- opposed to
{monogenist}.
Polygenous \Po*lyg"e*nous\, a. [Poly- + -genous: cf. Gr. ? of
many families.]
Consisting of, or containing, many kinds; as, a polygenous
mountain. --Kirwan.
Polyglot \Pol"y*glot\, a. [Gr. poly`glwttos many-tongued; poly`s
many + glw^tta, glw^ssa, tongue, language: cf. F.
polyglotte.]
1. Containing, or made up, of, several languages; as, a
polyglot lexicon, Bible.
2. Versed in, or speaking, many languages.
Polyglot \Pol"y*glot\, n.
1. One who speaks several languages. [R.] ``A polyglot, or
good linguist.'' --Howell.
2. A book containing several versions of the same text, or
containing the same subject matter in several languages;
esp., the Scriptures in several languages.
Enriched by the publication of polyglots. --Abp.
Newcome.
Polyglottous \Pol`y*glot"tous\, a. [See {Polyglot}.]
Speaking many languages; polyglot. [R.] ``The polyglottous
tribes of America.'' --Max M["u]ller.
Polygon \Pol"y*gon\, n. [Gr. poly`gwnos polygonal; poly`s many +
gwni`a angle: cf. F. polygone.] (Geom.)
A plane figure having many angles, and consequently many
sides; esp., one whose perimeter consists of more than four
sides; any figure having many angles.
{Polygon of forces} (Mech.), a polygonal figure, the sides of
which, taken successively, represent, in length and
direction, several forces acting simultaneously upon one
point, so that the side necessary to complete the figure
represents the resultant of those forces. Cf.
{Parallelogram of forces}, under {Parallelogram}.
Polygonaceous \Pol`y*go*na"ceous\, a. [See {Polygonum}.] (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to a natural order of apetalous plants
({Polygonace[ae]}), of which the knotweeds (species of
{Polygonum}) are the type, and which includes also the docks
({Rumex}), the buckwheat, rhubarb, sea grape ({Coccoloba}),
and several other genera.
Polygonal \Po*lyg"o*nal\, a.
Having many angles.
{Polygonal numbers}, certain figurate numbers. See under
{Figurate}.
Polygoneutic \Pol`y*go*neu"tic\, a. [Poly- + Gr. ? offspring.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having two or more broods in a season.
Polygonometry \Pol`y*go*nom"e*try\, n. [Polygon + -metry.]
The doctrine of polygons; an extension of some of the
principles of trigonometry to the case of polygons.
Polygonous \Po*lyg"o*nous\, a.
Polygonal.
Polygonum \Po*lyg"o*num\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a kind of plant;
poly`s many + go`ny the knee, a joint of a plant. So called
in allusion to the numerous joints.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants embracing a large number of species,
including bistort, knotweed, smartweed, etc.
Polygony \Po*lyg"o*ny\, n. (Bot.)
Any plant of the genus Polygonum.
Polygordius \Pol`y*gor"di*us\, n. [NL. See {Poly-}, and
{Gordius}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of marine annelids, believed to be an ancient or
ancestral type. It is remarkable for its simplicity of
structure and want of parapodia. It is the type of the order
Archiannelida, or Gymnotoma. See {Loeven's larva}.
Polygram \Pol"y*gram\, n. [Gr. ? marked with many stripes;
poly`s many + ? a line.]
A figure consisting of many lines. [R.] --Barlow.
Polygraph \Pol"y*graph\, n. [Gr. ? writing much; poly`s much,
many + ? to write: cf. F. polygraphe.]
1. An instrument for multiplying copies of a writing; a
manifold writer; a copying machine.
2. In bibliography, a collection of different works, either
by one or several authors. --Brande & C.
Polygraphic \Pol`y*graph"ic\, Polygraphical \Pol`y*graph"ic*al\,
a. [Cf. F. polygraphique.]
Pertaining to, or employed in, polygraphy; as, a polygraphic
instrument.
2. Done with a polygraph; as, a polygraphic copy.
Polygraphy \Po*lyg"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ?; poly`s much + gra`fein to
write: cf. F. polygraphie.]
1. Much writing; writing of many books. [Obs.] --Fuller.
2. The art of writing in various ciphers, and of deciphering
the same. [R.]
3. The art or practice of using a polygraph.
Polygrooved \Pol"y*grooved`\, a. [Poly- + groove.]
Having many grooves; as, a polygrooved rifle or gun
(referring to the rifling).
Polygyn \Pol"y*gyn\, n. [Cf. F. polygyne. See {Polygyny}.]
(Bot.)
A plant of the order Polygynia.
Polygynia \Pol`y*gyn"i*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Polygyny}.] (Bot.)
A Linn[ae]an order of plants having many styles.
Polygynian \Pol`y*gyn"i*an\, Polygynous \Po*lyg"y*nous\, a.
(Bot.)
Having many styles; belonging to the order Polygynia.
Polygynist \Po*lyg"y*nist\, n.
One who practices or advocates polygyny. --H. Spenser.
Polygyny \Po*lyg"y*ny\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? woman, wife.]
The state or practice of having several wives at the same
time; marriage to several wives. --H. Spenser.
Polyhalite \Pol`y*ha"lite\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? salt.] (Min.)
A mineral usually occurring in fibrous masses, of a brick-red
color, being tinged with iron, and consisting chiefly of the
sulphates of lime, magnesia, and soda.
Polyhedral \Pol`y*he"dral\, Polyhedrical \Pol`y*hed"ric*al\, a.
[See {Polyhedron}.] (Geom.)
Having many sides, as a solid body.
{Polyhedral angle}, an angle bounded by three or more plane
angles having a common vertex.
Polyhedron \Pol`y*he"dron\, n.; pl. E. {Polyhedrons}., L.
{Polyhedra}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? with many seats or sides; poly`s
many + ? a seat or side: cf. F. poly[`e]dre.]
1. (Geom.) A body or solid contained by many sides or planes.
2. (Opt.) A polyscope, or multiplying glass.
Polyhedrous \Pol`y*he"drous\, a.
Polyhedral.
Polyhistor \Pol`y*his"tor\, n. [Gr. ? very learned.]
One versed in various learning. [R.]
Polyhymnia \Pol`y*hym"ni*a\, n. [L., from Gr. ?; poly`s many + ?
hymn.] (Anc. Myth.)
The Muse of lyric poetry.
Polyiodide \Pol`y*i"o*dide\, n. (Chem.)
A iodide having more than one atom of iodine in the molecule.
Polylogy \Po*lyl"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?; poly`s much + ? discourse.]
Talkativeness. [R.]
Polyloquent \Po*lyl"o*quent\, a. [Poly- + L. loquens, p. pr. of
logui to speak.]
Garrulous; loquacious. [R.]
Polymastism \Pol`y*mas"tism\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? a breast.]
(Anat.)
The condition of having more than two mamm[ae], or breasts.
Polymathic \Pol`y*math"ic\, a. [Cf. F. polymathique. See
{Polymathy}.]
Pertaining to polymathy; acquainted with many branches of
learning.
Polymathist \Po*lym"a*thist\, n.
One versed in many sciences; a person of various learning.
Polymathy \Po*lym"a*thy\, n. [Gr. ?; poly`s much + ?, ?, to
learn.]
The knowledge of many arts and sciences; variety of learning.
--Johnson.
Polymeniscous \Pol`y*me*nis"cous\, a. [See {Poly-}, and
{Meniscus}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having numerous facets; -- said of the compound eyes of
insects and crustaceans.
Polymer \Pol"y*mer\, n. [See {Polymeric}.] (Chem.)
Any one of two or more substances related to each other by
polymerism; specifically, a substance produced from another
substance by chemical polymerization. [Formerly also written
polymere.]
Polymeric \Pol`y*mer"ic\, a. [Poly- + Gr. ? part.] (Chem.)
Having the same percentage composition (that is, having the
same elements united in the same proportion by weight), but
different molecular weights; -- often used with with; thus,
cyanic acid ({CNOH}), fulminic acid ({C2N2O2H2}), and
cyanuric acid ({C3N3O3H3}), are polymeric with each other.
Note: The figures expressing the number of atoms of each
element in a number of polymeric substances are
respectively multiples and factors of each other, or
have some simple common divisor. The relation may be
merely a numerical one, as in the example given above,
or a chemical one, as in the case of aldehyde,
paraldehyde, and metaldehyde.
Polymerism \Po*lym"er*ism\, n. (Chem.)
(a) The state, quality, or relation of two or more polymeric
substances.
(b) The act or process of forming polymers.
Polymerization \Pol`y*mer`i*za"tion\, n. (Chem.)
The act or process of changing to a polymeric form; the
condition resulting from such change.
Polymerize \Pol"y*mer*ize\, v. t. (Chem.)
To cause polymerization of; to produce polymers from; to
increase the molecular weight of, without changing the atomic
proportions; thus, certain acids polymerize aldehyde.
Polymerize \Pol"y*mer*ize\, v. i. (Chem.)
To change into another substance having the same atomic
proportions, but a higher molecular weight; to undergo
polymerization; thus, aldehyde polymerizes in forming
paraldehyde.
Polymerous \Po*lym"er*ous\, a.
1. (Bot.) Having many parts or members in each set. --Gray.
2. (Chem.) Polymeric. [Obs.]
Polymnia \Po*lym"ni*a\, n.
See {Polyhymnia}.
Polymnite \Pol"ym*nite\, n. [Gr. ? full of moss; poly`s much + ?
moss.] (Min.)
A stone marked with dendrites and black lines, and so
disposed as to represent rivers, marshes, etc.
Polymorph \Pol"y*morph\, n. [Gr. ? multiform; poly`s many + ?
form: cf. F. polymorphe.] (Crystallog.)
A substance capable of crystallizing in several distinct
forms; also, any one of these forms. Cf. {Allomorph}.
Polymorphic \Pol`y*mor"phic\, a.
Polymorphous.
Polymorphism \Pol`y*mor"phism\, n.
1. (Crystallog.) Same as {Pleomorphism}.
2. (Biol.)
(a) The capability of assuming different forms; the
capability of widely varying in form.
(b) Existence in many forms; the coexistence, in the same
locality, of two or more distinct forms independent of
sex, not connected by intermediate gradations, but
produced from common parents.
Polymorphosis \Pol`y*mor*pho"sis\, n. [NL. See {Poly-}, and
{Morphosis}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The assumption of several structural forms without a
corresponding difference in function; -- said of sponges,
etc.
Polymorphous \Pol`y*mor"phous\, a.
1. Having, or assuming, a variety of forms, characters, or
styles; as, a polymorphous author. --De Quincey.
2. (Biol.) Having, or occurring in, several distinct forms;
-- opposed to monomorphic.
Polymorphy \Pol"y*mor`phy\, n.
Existence in many forms; polymorphism.
Poly-mountain \Po`ly-moun"tain\, n. (Bot.)
(a) Same as {Poly}, n.
(b) The closely related {Teucrium montanum}, formerly called
{Polium montanum}, a plant of Southern Europe.
(c) The {Bartsia alpina}, a low purple-flowered herb of
Europe.
Polymyodae \Pol`y*my"o*d[ae]\, n. pl. [NL. See {Polymyoid}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Oscines}.
Polymyodous \Pol`y*my"o*dous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Polymyoid.
Polymyoid \Po*lym"y*oid\, a. [Poly- + Gr. ?, ?, muscle + -oid.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having numerous vocal muscles; of or pertaining to the
Polymyod[ae].
Polyneme \Pol"y*neme\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? thread.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of tropical food fishes of the
family {Polynemid[ae]}. They have several slender filaments,
often very long, below the pectoral fin. Some of them yield
isinglass of good quality. Called also {threadfish}.
Polynemoid \Pol`y*ne"moid\, a. [Polyneme + -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the polynemes, or the family
{Polynemid[ae]}.
Polynesian \Pol`y*ne"sian\, a.
Of or pertaining to Polynesia (the islands of the eastern and
central Pacific), or to the Polynesians.
Polynesians \Pol`y*ne"sians\, n. pl.; sing. {Polynesian}.
(Ethnol.)
The race of men native in Polynesia.
Polynia \Po*lyn"i*a\, n. [Russ. poluineia a warm place in water,
i. e., a place which does not freeze.]
The open sea supposed to surround the north pole. --Kane.
Polynomial \Pol`y*no"mi*al\, n. [Poly- + -nomial, as in
monomial, binomial: cf. F. polyn[^o]me.] (Alg.)
An expression composed of two or more terms, connected by the
signs plus or minus; as, a^{2} - 2ab + b^{2}.
Polynomial \Pol`y*no"mi*al\, a.
1. Containing many names or terms; multinominal; as, the
polynomial theorem.
2. Consisting of two or more words; having names consisting
of two or more words; as, a polynomial name; polynomial
nomenclature.
Polynuclear \Pol`y*nu"cle*ar\, a. [Poly- + nuclear.] (Biol.)
Containing many nuclei.
Polynucleolar \Pol`y*nu*cle"o*lar\, a. [Poly- + nucleolar.]
(Biol.)
Having more than one nucleolus.
Polyommatous \Pol`y*om"ma*tous\, a. [Poly- + Gr. ?, ?, the eye.]
Having many eyes.
Polyonomous \Pol`y*on"o*mous\, a. [Poly- + Gr. ?, ?, name: cf.
Gr. ?.]
Having many names or titles; polyonymous. --Sir W. Jones.
Polyonomy \Pol`y*on"o*my\, n. [Cf. Gr. ? a multitude of names.]
The use of a variety of names for the same object. --G. S.
Faber.
Polyonym \Pol"y*o*nym\, n.
1. An object which has a variety of names.
2. A polynomial name or term.
Polyonymous \Pol`y*on"y*mous\, a.
Polyonomous.
Polyoptron \Pol`y*op"tron\, Polyoptrum \Pol`y*op"trum\, n. [NL.,
from Gr. poly`s many + ? seen.] (Opt.)
A glass through which objects appear multiplied, but
diminished in size. [R.]
Polyorama \Pol`y*o*ra"ma\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? a sight, view.]
A view of many objects; also, a sort of panorama with
dissolving views.
Polyp \Pol"yp\, n. [L. polypus, Gr. ?, ?, literally,
many-footed; poly`s many + ?, ?, foot: cf. F. polype. See
{Poly-} and {Foot}, and cf. {Polypode}, {Polypody}, {Poulp}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of the feeding or nutritive zooids of a hydroid or
coral.
(b) One of the Anthozoa.
(c) pl. Same as {Anthozoa}. See {Anthozoa}, {Madreporaria},
{Hydroid}. [Written also {polype}.]
{Fresh-water polyp}, the hydra.
{Polyp stem} (Zo["o]l.), that portion of the stem of a
siphonophore which bears the polypites, or feeding zooids.
Polyparous \Po*lyp"a*rous\, a. [Poly- + L. parere to produce.]
Producing or bearing a great number; bringing forth many.
Polypary \Pol"y*pa*ry\, n.; pl. {Polyparies}. [See {Polyp}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Polypidom}.
Polype \Pol"ype\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Polyp}.
Polypean \Pol`y*pe"an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to a polyp, or polyps.
Polyperythrin \Pol`y*pe*ryth"rin\, n. [Polyp + Gr. ? red.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
A coloring matter found in many simple Anthozoa and some
hydroids.
Polypetalous \Pol`y*pet"al*ous\, a. [Poly- + petal.] (Bot.)
Consisting of, or having, several or many separate petals;
as, a polypetalous corolla, flower, or plant. --Martyn.
Polyphagous \Po*lyph"a*gous\, a. [L. polyphagus, Gr. ?; poly`s
much, many + ? to eat: cf. F. polyphage.]
Eating, or subsisting on, many kinds of food; as, polyphagous
animals.
Polyphagy \Po*lyph""a*gy\, n.
The practice or faculty of subsisting on many kinds of food.
Polypharmacy \Pol`y*phar"ma*cy\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? the using of
medicine, fr. ? medicine: cf. F. polypharmacie.] (Med.)
(a) The act or practice of prescribing too many medicines.
(b) A prescription made up of many medicines or ingredients.
--Dunglison.
Polyphemus \Pol`y*phe"mus\, n. [L. Polyphemus the one-eyed
Cyclops who was blinded by Ulysses.] (Zo["o]l.)
A very large American moth ({Telea polyphemus}) belonging to
the Silkworm family ({Bombycid[ae]}). Its larva, which is
very large, bright green, with silvery tubercles, and with
oblique white stripes on the sides, feeds on the oak,
chestnut, willow, cherry, apple, and other trees. It produces
a large amount of strong silk. Called also {American
silkworm}.
Polyphone \Pol"y*phone\, n.
A character or vocal sign representing more than one sound,
as read, which is pronounced r[=e]d or r[e^]d.
Polyphonic \Pol`y*phon"ic\, a. [Gr. ?; poly`s many + ? sound:
cf. F. polyphone.]
1. Having a multiplicity of sounds.
2. Characterized by polyphony; as, Assyrian polyphonic
characters.
3. (Mus.) Consisting of several tone series, or melodic
parts, progressing simultaneously according to the laws of
counterpoint; contrapuntal; as, a polyphonic composition;
-- opposed to {homophonic}, or {monodic}.
Polyphonism \Po*lyph"o*nism\, n.
Polyphony.
Polyphonist \Po*lyph"o*nist\, n.
1. A proficient in the art of multiplying sounds; a
ventriloquist.
2. (Mus.) A master of polyphony; a contrapuntist.
Polyphonous \Po*lyph"o*nous\, a.
Same as {Polyphonic}.
Polyphony \Po*lyph"o*ny\, n. [Gr. ?.]
1. Multiplicity of sounds, as in the reverberations of an
echo.
2. Plurality of sounds and articulations expressed by the
same vocal sign.
3. (Mus.) Composition in mutually related, equally important
parts which share the melody among them; contrapuntal
composition; -- opposed to homophony, in which the melody
is given to one part only, the others filling out the
harmony. See {Counterpoint}.
Polyphore \Pol"y*phore\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? to bear.] (Bot.)
A receptacle which bears many ovaries.
Polyphyletic \Pol`y*phy*let"ic\, a. [Poly- + Gr. ? clan.]
(Biol.)
Pertaining to, or characterized by, descent from more than
one root form, or from many different root forms;
polygenetic; -- opposed to {monophyletic}.
Polyphyllous \Po*lyph"yl*lous\, a. [Gr. ?; poly`s many + ?
leaf.] (Bot.)
Many-leaved; as, a polyphyllous calyx or perianth.
Polypi \Pol"y*pi\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Anthozoa.
Polypide \Pol"y*pide\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the ordinary zooids of the Bryozoa. [Spellt also
{polypid}.]
Polypidom \Po*lyp"i*dom\, n. [Polypus + L. domus house.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A coral, or corallum; also, one of the coral-like structure
made by bryozoans and hydroids.
Polypier \Po`ly`pier"\, n. [F.]
A polypidom.
Polypifera \Pol`y*pif"e*ra\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
The Anthozoa.
Polypiferous \Pol*y*pif"er*ous\, a. [Polypus + -ferous.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Bearing polyps, or polypites.
Polypiparous \Pol`y*pip"a*rous\, a. [Polypus + L. parere to
produce.] (Zo["o]l.)
Producing polyps.
Polypite \Pol"y*pite\, n.
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of the feeding zooids, or polyps, of a coral,
hydroid, or siphonophore; a hydranth. See Illust. of
{Campanularian}.
(b) Sometimes, the manubrium of a hydroid medusa.
2. (Paleon.) A fossil coral.
Polyplacophora \Pol`y*pla*coph"o*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See {Poly-},
and {Placophora}.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Placophora}.
Polyplastic \Pol`y*plas"tic\, a. [Poly- + -plastic.] (Biol.)
Assuming, or having the power of assuming, many forms; as, a
polyplastic element which does not preserve its original
shape.
Polypode \Pol`y*pode\, n. [Cf. F. polypode. See {Polypody}.]
(Bot.)
A plant of the genus {Polypodium}; polypody. [Written also
{polypod}.]
Polypode \Pol"y*pode\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, the wood louse, milleped:
cf. F. polypode. See {Polyp}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An animal having many feet; a myriapod.
Polypodium \Pol"y*po`di*um\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, dim. of ?. See
{Polyp}, and cf. 2d {Polypode}.] (Bot.)
A genus of plants of the order {Filices} or ferns. The
fructifications are in uncovered roundish points, called
sori, scattered over the inferior surface of the frond or
leaf. There are numerous species.
Polypody \Pol"y*po`dy\, n. (Bot.)
Any plant of the genus {Polypodium}.
Polypoid \Pol"y*poid\, a. [Polyp + -oid.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Like a polyp; having the nature of a polyp, but
lacking the tentacles or other parts.
2. (Med.) Resembling a polypus in appearance; having a
character like that of a polypus.
Polypomedusae \Pol`y*po*me*du"s[ae]\, n. pl. [NL. See {Polyp},
and {Medusa}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Hydrozoa}.
Polyporous \Po*lyp"o*rous\ (?; 277), a. [Poly- + porous.]
Having many pores. --Wright.
Polyporus \Po*lyp"o*rus\, n.; pl. {Polypori}. [NL., fr. Gr.
poly`s many + ? a pore.] (Bot.)
A genus of fungi having the under surface full of minute
pores; also, any fungus of this genus.
Note: {Polyporus fomentarius} was formerly dried and cut in
slices for tinder, called amadou. {P. betulinus} is
common in America, and forms very large thick white
semicircular excrescences on birch trees. Several
species of {Polyporous} are considered edible.
Polypous \Pol"y*pous\, a. [Cf. F. polypeux. See {Polyp}.]
Of the nature of a polypus; having many feet or roots, like
the polypus; affected with polypus.
Polypragmatic \Pol`y*prag*mat"ic\, Polypragmatical
\Pol`y*prag*mat"ic*al\, a. [Poly- + pragmatic, -ical.]
Overbusy; officious. [R.] --Heywood.
Polypragmaty \Pol`y*prag"ma*ty\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? business.]
The state of being overbusy. [R.]
Polyprotodonta \Pol`y*pro`to*don"ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.
poly`s many + ? first + ?, ?, tooth.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of marsupials in which there are more fore incisor
teeth in each jaw.
Polypteroidei \Po*lyp`te*roi"de*i\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Polypterus}, and {-oid}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A suborder of existing ganoid fishes having numerous fins
along the back. The bichir, or Polypterus, is the type. See
Illust. under {Crossopterygian}.
Polypterus \Po*lyp`te*rus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s many + ?
feather, wing.] (Zo["o]l.)
An African genus of ganoid fishes including the bichir.
Polyptoton \Pol`yp*to"ton\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? having, or being
in, many cases; poly`s many + ? case.] (Rhet.)
A figure by which a word is repeated in different forms,
cases, numbers, genders, etc., as in Tennyson's line, -- ``My
own heart's heart, and ownest own, farewell.''
Polypus \Pol"y*pus\, n.; pl. E. {Polypuses}, L. {Polypi}. [L.
See {Polyp}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Polyp}.
2. (Med.) A tumor, usually with a narrow base, somewhat
resembling a pear, -- found in the nose, uterus, etc., and
produced by hypertrophy of some portion of the mucous
membrane.
Polyrhizous \Pol`y*rhi"zous\, a. [Gr. ?; poly`s many + ? root.]
(Bot.)
Having numerous roots, or rootlets.
Polyschematist \Pol`y*sche"ma*tist\, a. [Poly- + Gr. ? form,
manner.]
Having, or existing in, many different forms or fashions;
multiform.
Polyscope \Pol"y*scope\, n. [Gr. ? farseeing; poly`s much, many
+ ? to view: cf. F. polyscope.]
1. (Opt.) A glass which makes a single object appear as many;
a multiplying glass. --Hutton.
2. (Med.) An apparatus for affording a view of the different
cavities of the body.
Polysepalous \Pol`y*sep"al*ous\, a. [Poly- + sepal.] (Bot.)
Having the sepals separate from each other.
Polysilicic \Pol`y*si*lic"ic\, a. [Poly- + silicic.] (Chem.)
Of or pertaining to compounds formed by the condensation of
two or more molecules of silicic acid.
{Polysilicic acid} (Chem.), any one of a series of acids
formed by the condensation of two or more molecules of
silicic acid, with elimination of water.
Polyspast \Pol"y*spast\, n. [L. polyspaston, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?
drawn by several cords; poly`s many + ? to draw: cf. F.
polyspaste.] (Surg.)
A machine consisting of many pulleys; specifically, an
apparatus formerly used for reducing luxations.
Polyspermous \Pol`y*sper"mous\, a. [Gr. ?; poly`s many + ?
seed.] (Bot.)
Containing many seeds; as, a polyspermous capsule or berry.
--Martyn.
Polyspermy \Pol"y*sper`my\, n. (Biol.)
Fullness of sperm, or seed; the passage of more than one
spermatozo["o]n into the vitellus in the impregnation of the
ovum.
Polysporous \Pol`y*spor"ous\, a. [Poly- + spore.] (Bot.)
Containing many spores.
Polystomata \Pol`y*stom"a*ta\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. poly`s many
+ ?, ?, mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of trematode worms having more two suckers. Called
also {Polystomea} and {Polystoma}.
Polystome \Pol"y*stome\, a. [Gr. ? many-mouthed; poly`s + sto`ma
mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having many mouths.
Polystome \Pol"y*stome\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An animal having many mouths; -- applied to Protozoa.
Polystyle \Pol"y*style\, a. [Gr. ? with many columns; poly`s
many + ? column: cf. F. polystyle.] (Arch.)
Having many columns; -- said of a building, especially of an
interior part or court; as, a polystyle hall. -- n. A
polystyle hall or edifice.
Polysulphide \Pol`y*sul"phide\, n. [Poly- + sulphide.] (Chem.)
A sulphide having more than one atom of sulphur in the
molecule; -- contrasted with monosulphide.
Polysulphuret \Pol`y*sul"phu*ret\, n. (Chem.)
A polysulphide. [Obsoles.]
Polysyllabic \Pol`y*syl*lab"ic\, Polysyllabical
\Pol`y*syl*lab"ic*al\, a. [Gr. ?; poly`s many + ? syllable: cf.
F. polysyllabique.]
Pertaining to a polysyllable; containing, or characterized
by, polysyllables; consisting of more than three syllables.
Polysyllabicism \Pol`y*syl*lab"i*cism\, n.
Polysyllabism.
Polysyllabicity \Pol`y*syl`la*bic"i*ty\, n.
Polysyllabism.
Polysyllabism \Pol`y*syl"la*bism\, n.
The quality or state of being polysyllabic.
Polysyllable \Pol"y*syl`la*ble\, n. [Poly- + syllable.]
A word of many syllables, or consisting of more syllables
than three; -- words of less than four syllables being called
{monosyllables}, {dissyllables}, and {trisyllables}.
Polysyndetic \Pol`y*syn*det"ic\, a.
Characterized by polysyndeton, or the multiplication of
conjunctions. -- {Pol`y*syn*det"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Polysyndeton \Pol`y*syn"de*ton\, n. [NL., from Gr. poly`s many +
? bound together, fr. ? to bind together; ? with + ? to
bind.] (Rhet.)
A figure by which the conjunction is often repeated, as in
the sentence, ``We have ships and men and money and stores.''
Opposed to {asyndeton}.
Polysynthesis \Pol`y*syn"the*sis\, n. [Poly- + synthesis.]
1. The act or process of combining many separate elements
into a whole.
2. (Philol.) The formation of a word by the combination of
several simple words, as in the aboriginal languages of
America; agglutination. --Latham.
Polysynthetic \Pol`y*syn*thet"ic\, a. [Poly- + synthetic.]
Characterized by polysynthesis; agglutinative.
{Polysynthetic twinning} (Min.), repeated twinning, like that
of the triclinic feldspar, producing fine parallel bands
in alternately reversed positions.
Polsyntheticism \Pol`*syn*thet"i*cism\, n.
Polysynthesis.
Polytechnic \Pol`y*tech"nic\, a. [Gr. ?; poly`s many + ? an art:
cf. F. polytechnique.]
Comprehending, or relating to, many arts and sciences; --
applied particularly to schools in which many branches of art
and science are taught with especial reference to their
practical application; also to exhibitions of machinery and
industrial products.
Polytechnical \Pol`y*tech"nic*al\, a.
Polytechnic.
Polytechnics \Pol`y*tech"nics\, n.
The science of the mechanic arts.
Polythalamia \Pol`y*tha*la"mi*a\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Polythalamous}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Foraminifera including those having a
manychambered shell.
Polythalamous \Pol`y*thal"a*mous\, a. [Poly- + Gr. ? a chamber.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Many-chambered; -- applied to shells of Foraminifera and
cephalopods. See Illust. of {Nautilus}.
Polytheism \Pol"y*the*ism\, n. [Poly- + Gr. ? cf. F.
polyth['e]isme.]
The doctrine of, or belief in, a plurality of gods.
In the Old Testament, the gradual development of
polytheism from the primitive monotheism may be
learned. --Shaff-Herzog.
Polytheist \Pol"y*the*ist\, n. [Cf. F. polyth['e]iste.]
One who believes in, or maintains the doctrine of, a
plurality of gods.
Polytheistic \Pol`y*the*is"tic\, Polytheistical
\Pol`y*the*is"tic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to polytheism; characterized by polytheism;
professing or advocating polytheism; as, polytheistic
worship; a polytheistic author, or nation. --
{Pol`y*the*is"tic*al*ly}, adv.
Polytheize \Pol"y*the*ize\, v. i.
To adhere to, advocate, or inculcate, the doctrine of
polytheism. --Milman.
Polythelism \Pol`y*the"lism\, n. [Poly- + Gr. qhlh` a nipple.]
(Anat.)
The condition of having more than two teats, or nipples.
Polytocous \Po*lyt"o*cous\, a. [Gr. ?; poly`s many + ?
offspring.]
1. (Bot.) Bearing fruit repeatedly, as most perennial plants;
polycarpic.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Producing many or young.
Polytomous \Po*lyt"o*mous\, a. [Poly- + Gr. ? a cutting, fr. ?
to cut.] (Bot.)
Subdivided into many distinct subordinate parts, which,
however, not being jointed to the petiole, are not true
leaflets; -- said of leaves. --Henslow.
Polytomy \Po*lyt"o*my\, n. (Logic)
A division into many members. --F. Bowen.
Polytungstate \Pol`y*tung"state\, n.
A salt of polytungstic acid.
Polytungstic \Pol`y*tung"stic\, a. (Chem.)
Containing several tungsten atoms or radicals; as,
polytungstic acid.
{Polytungstic acid} (Chem.), any one of several complex acids
of tungsten containing more than one atom of tungsten.
Polytype \Pol"y*type\, n. [Poly- + -type.] (Print.)
A cast, or facsimile copy, of an engraved block, matter in
type, etc. (see citation); as, a polytype in relief.
By pressing the wood cut into semifluid metal, an
intaglio matrix is produced: and from this matrix, in a
similar way, a polytype in relief is obtained.
--Hansard.
Polytype \Pol"y*type\, a. (Print.)
Of or pertaining to polytypes; obtained by polytyping; as, a
polytype plate.
Polytype \Pol"y*type\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Polytyped}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Polytyping}.] (Print.)
To produce a polytype of; as, to polytype an engraving.
Poluria \Pol`*u"ri*a\, n. [NL. See {Poly-}, and {Urine}.] (Med.)
A persistently excessive flow of watery urine, with low
specific gravity and without the presence of either albumin
or sugar. It is generally accompanied with more or less
thirst.
Polyvalent \Po*lyv"a*lent\, a. [Poly- + L. valens, p. pr. See
{Valent}.] (Chem.)
Multivalent.
Polyve \Pol"yve\, n. [See {Polive}.]
A pulley. [Obs.]
Polyzoa \Pol`y*zo"a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. poly`s many + ? an
animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Bryozoa}. See Illust. under {Bryozoa}, and
{Phylactol[ae]mata}.
Polyzoan \Pol`y*zo"an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any species of Polyzoa; one of the Polyzoa.
(b) A polyzo["o]n.
Polyzoarium \Pol`y*zo*a"ri*um\, n.; pl. {Polyzoaria}. [NL.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Polyzoary}.
Polyzoary \Pol`y*zo"a*ry\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The compound organism of a polyzoan.
Polyzonal \Pol`y*zon"al\, a. [Poly- + zonal.]
Consisting of many zones or rings.
{Polyzonal lens} (Opt.), a lens made up of pieces arranged
zones or rings, -- used in the lanterns of lighthouses.
Polyzoon \Pol`y*zo"["o]n\, n.; pl. {Polyzoa}. [NL. See
{Polyzoan}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the individual zooids forming the compound organism of
a polyzoan.
Pomace \Pom"ace\ (?; 277), n. [L. ponum a fruit, LL., an apple:
cf. LL. pomagium, pomacium.]
The substance of apples, or of similar fruit, crushed by
grinding.
Pomacentroid \Po`ma*cen"troid\, a. [Gr. ? a cover + ? a prickle
+ -oid.] (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the {Pomacentrid[ae]}, a family of
bright-colored tropical fishes having spiny opercula; --
often called {coral fishes}.
Pomaceous \Po*ma"ceous\, a. [LL. ponum an apple.]
1. (Bot.)
(a) Like an apple or pear; producing pomes.
(b) Of or pertaining to a suborder ({Pome[ae]}) of
rosaceous plants, which includes the true thorn trees,
the quinces, service berries, medlars, and loquats, as
well as the apples, pears, crabs, etc.
2. Like pomace.
Pomade \Po*made"\ (?; 277), n. [F. pommade pomatum, OF. pomade
cider (cf. Sp. pomada, It. pomata, LL. pomata a drink made of
apples), from L. pomum fruit, LL., an apple. Cf. {Pomatum}.]
1. Cider. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
2. Perfumed ointment; esp., a fragrant unguent for the hair;
pomatum; -- originally made from apples.
Pomander \Po*man"der\, n. [Sp. poma.]
(a) A perfume to be carried with one, often in the form of
a ball.
(b) A box to contain such perfume, formerly carried by
ladies, as at the end of a chain; -- more properly
{pomander box}. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Pomarine \Po"ma*rine\, a. [Gr. ? a lid + ?, ?, nose.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having the nostril covered with a scale.
{Pomarine jager} (Zo["o]l.), a North Atlantic jager
({Stercorarius pomarinus}) having the elongated middle
tail feathers obtuse. The adult is black.
Pomatum \Po*ma"tum\, n. [See {Pomade}.]
A perfumed unguent or composition, chiefly used in dressing
the hair; pomade. --Wiseman.
Pomatum \Po*ma"tum\, v. t.
To dress with pomatum.
Pome \Pome\, n. [L. pomum a fruit: cf. F. pomme apple. Cf.
{Pomade}.]
1. (Bot.) A fruit composed of several cartilaginous or bony
carpels inclosed in an adherent fleshy mass, which is
partly receptacle and partly calyx, as an apple, quince,
or pear.
2. (R. C. Ch.) A ball of silver or other metal, which is
filled with hot water, and used by the priest in cold
weather to warm his hands during the service.
Pome \Pome\, v. i. [Cf. F. pommer. See {Pome}, n.]
To grow to a head, or form a head in growing. [Obs.]
Pomegranate \Pome"gran`ate\ (?; 277), n. [OE. pomgarnet, OF.
pome de grenate, F. grenade, L. pomum a fruit + granatus
grained, having many grains or seeds. See {Pome}, and
{Garnet}, {Grain}.]
1. (Bot.) The fruit of the tree {Punica Granatum}; also, the
tree itself (see {Balaustine}), which is native in the
Orient, but is successfully cultivated in many warm
countries, and as a house plant in colder climates. The
fruit is as large as an orange, and has a hard rind
containing many rather large seeds, each one separately
covered with crimson, acid pulp.
2. A carved or embroidered ornament resembling a pomegranate.
--Ex. xxviii. 33.
Pomel \Pom"el\, n.
A pommel. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pomelo \Pom"e*lo\, n. [Cf. {Pompelmous}.]
A variety of shaddock, called also {grape fruit}.
Pomely \Pome"ly\, a. [OF. pomel['e], F. pommel['e]. See {Pome}.]
Dappled. [Obs.] ``Pomely gray.'' --Chaucer.
Pomeranian \Pom`e*ra"ni*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Pomerania, a province of Prussia on the
Baltic Sea. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Pomerania.
{Pomeranian dog} (Zo["o]l.), the loup-loup, or Spitz dog.
Pomewater \Pome"wa`ter\, n.
A kind of sweet, juicy apple. [Written also {pomwater}.]
--Shak.
Pomey \Pom"ey\, n.; pl. {Pomeys}. [F. pomm['e] grown round, or
like an apple, p. p. of pommer to pome.] (Her.)
A figure supposed to resemble an apple; a roundel, -- always
of a green color.
Pomfret \Pom"fret\, n. [Perhaps corrupt. fr. Pg. pampano a kind
of fish.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of two or more species of marine food fishes of the
genus {Stromateus} ({S. niger}, {S. argenteus}) native of
Southern Europe and Asia.
(b) A marine food fish of Bermuda ({Brama Raji}).
Pomiferous \Po*mif"er*ous\, a. [L. pomifer; pomum fruit + ferre
to bear: cf. F. pomif[`e]re.] (Bot.)
(a) Bearing pomes, or applelike fruits.
(b) Bearing fruits, or excrescences, more or less resembling
an apple.
Pommage \Pom"mage\ (?; 48), n.
See {Pomage}.
Pomm'e \Pom`m['e]"\, a. [F. See {Pomey}.] (Her.)
Having the ends terminating in rounded protuberances or
single balls; -- said of a cross.
Pomme blanche \Pomme` blanche"\ [F., literally, white apple.]
The prairie turnip. See under {Prairie}.
Pommel \Pom"mel\, n. [OE. pomel, OF. pomel, F. pommeau, LL.
pomellus, fr. L. pomum fruit, LL. also, an apple. See
{Pome}.]
A knob or ball; an object resembling a ball in form; as:
(a) The knob on the hilt of a sword. --Macaulay.
(b) The knob or protuberant part of a saddlebow.
(c) The top (of the head). --Chaucer.
(d) A knob forming the finial of a turret or pavilion.
Pommel \Pom"mel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pommeled}or {Pommelled};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Pommeling} or {Pommelling}.]
To beat soundly, as with the pommel of a sword, or with
something knoblike; hence, to beat with the fists. [Written
also {pummel}.]
Pommelion \Pom*mel"ion\, n. [See {Pommel}: cf. LL. pomilio
pygmy.] (Mil.)
The cascabel, or hindmost knob, of a cannon. [R.]
Pommett'e \Pom`met`t['e]"\, a. [F.]
Having two balls or protuberances at each end; -- said of a
cross.
Pomological \Po`mo*log"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. pomologique.]
Of or pertaining to pomology.
Pomologist \Po*mol"o*gist\, n.
One versed in pomology; one who culticvates fruit trees.
Pomology \Po*mol"o*gy\, n. [L. pomum fruit + -logy: cf. F.
pomologie.]
The science of fruits; a treatise on fruits; the cultivation
of fruits and fruit trees.
Pomona \Po*mo"na\, n. [L., from pomum fruit.] (Class. Myth.)
The goddess of fruits and fruit trees.
Pomp \Pomp\, n. [OE. pompe, F. pompe, L. pompa, fr. Gr. ? a
sending, a solemn procession, pomp, fr. ? to send. Cf. {Pump}
a shoe.]
1. A procession distinguished by ostentation and splendor; a
pageant. ``All the pomps of a Roman triumph.'' --Addison.
2. Show of magnificence; parade; display; power.
Syn: Display; parade; pageant; pageantry; splendor; state;
magnificence; ostentation; grandeur; pride.
Pomp \Pomp\, v. i.
To make a pompons display; to conduct. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Pompadour \Pom"pa*dour\, n.
A crimson or pink color; also, a style of dress cut low and
square in the neck; also, a mode of dressing the hair by
drawing it straight back from the forehead over a roll; -- so
called after the Marchioness de Pompadour of France. Also
much used adjectively.
Pompano \Pom"pa*no\, n. [Sp. p['a]mpano.] [Written also
{pampano}.] (Zo["o]l.)
1. Any one of several species of marine fishes of the genus
{Trachynotus}, of which four species are found on the
Atlantic coast of the United States; -- called also
{palometa}.
Note: They have a brilliant silvery or golden luster, and are
highly esteemed as food fishes. The round pompano ({T.
thomboides}) and the Carolina pompano ({T. Carolinus})
are the most common. Other species occur on the Pacific
coast.
2. A California harvest fish ({Stromateus simillimus}),
highly valued as a food fish.
{Pompano shell} (Zo["o]l.), a small bivalve shell of the
genus {Donax}; -- so called because eaten by the pompano.
[Florida]
Pompatic \Pom*pat"ic\, a. [L. pompaticus.]
Pompous. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Pompelmous \Pom"pel*mous\, n.; pl. {Pompelmouses}. [D.
pompelmoes; cf. G. pompelmuse, F. pamplemousse, and F.
pompol['e]on.] (Bot.)
A shaddock, esp. one of large size.
Pompet \Pom"pet\, n. [OF. pompette.] (Print.)
The ball formerly used to ink the type.
Pompholyx \Pom"pho*lyx\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? a bubble, the slag on
the surface of smelted ore, from ? a blister.]
1. (Old Chem.) Impure zinc oxide.
2. (Med.) A skin disease in which there is an eruption of
bull[ae], without inflammation or fever.
Pompillion \Pom*pil"lion\, n.
An ointment or pomatum made of black poplar buds. [Obs.]
--Cotgrave.
Pompion \Pom"pi*on\, n. [OF. pompon. See {Pumpkin}.]
See {Pumpion}.
Pompire \Pom"pire\, n. [L. pomum a fruit, LL. also, an apple +
pirum a pear.]
A pearmain. [Obs.]
Pompoleon \Pom*po"le*on\, n. (Bot.)
See {Pompelmous}.
Pompon \Pom"pon\, n. [F.]
1. Any trifling ornament for a woman's dress or bonnet.
2. (Mil.) A tuft or ball of wool, or the like, sometimes worn
by soldiers on the front of the hat, instead of a feather.
Pomposity \Pom*pos"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Pomposities}.
The quality or state of being pompous; pompousness.
--Thackeray.
Pomposo \Pom*po"so\, a. & adv. [It.] (Mus.)
Grand and dignified; in grand style.
Pompous \Pomp"ous\, a. [F. pompeux, L. pomposus. See {Pomp}.]
1. Displaying pomp; stately; showy with grandeur;
magnificent; as, a pompous procession.
2. Ostentatious; pretentious; boastful; vainlorious; as,
pompous manners; a pompous style. ``Pompous in high
presumption.'' --Chaucer.
he pompous vanity of the old schoolmistress.
--Thackeray.
-- {Pom"ous*ly}, adv. -- {Pomp"ous*ness}, n.
Pomptine \Pomp"tine\, a.
See {Pontine}.
Pomwater \Pom"wa`ter\, n.
Same as {Pomewater}.
Poncho \Pon"cho\, n.; pl. {Ponchos}. [Sp.]
1. A kind of cloak worn by the Spanish Americans, having the
form of a blanket, with a slit in the middle for the head
to pass through. A kind of poncho made of rubber or
painted cloth is used by the mounted troops in the United
States service.
2. A trade name for camlets, or stout worsteds.
Pond \Pond\, n. [Probably originally, an inclosed body of water,
and the same word as pound. See {Pound} an inclosure.]
A body of water, naturally or artificially confined, and
usually of less extent than a lake. ``Through pond or pool.''
--Milton.
{Pond hen} (Zo["o]l.), the American coot. See {Coot}
(a) .
{Pond lily} (Bot.), the water lily. See under {Water}, and
Illust. under {Nymph[ae]a}.
{Pond snail} (Zo["o]l.), any gastropod living in fresh-water
ponds or lakes. The most common kinds are air-breathing
snails ({Pulmonifera}) belonging to Limn[ae]a, Physa,
Planorbis, and allied genera. The operculated species are
pectinibranchs, belonging to {Melantho}, {Valvata}, and
various other genera.
{Pond spice} (Bot.), an American shrub ({Tetranthera
geniculata}) of the Laurel family, with small oval leaves,
and axillary clusters of little yellow flowers. The whole
plant is spicy. It grows in ponds and swamps from Virginia
to Florida.
{Pond tortoise}, {Pond turtle} (Zo["o]l.), any freshwater
tortoise of the family {Emydid[ae]}. Numerous species are
found in North America.
Pond \Pond\, v. t.
To make into a pond; to collect, as water, in a pond by
damming.
Pond \Pond\, v. t. [See {Ponder}.]
To ponder. [Obs.]
Pleaseth you, pond your suppliant's plaint. --Spenser.
Ponder \Pon"der\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pondered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pondering}.] [L. ponderare, fr. pondus, ponderis, a
weight, fr. pendere to weigh: cf. F. pond['e]rer. See
{Pendant}, and cf. {Pound} a weight.]
1. To weigh. [Obs.]
2. To weigh in the mind; to view with deliberation; to
examine carefully; to consider attentively.
Ponder the path of thy feet. --Prov. iv.
26.
Syn: To {Ponder}, {Consider}, {Muse}.
Usage: To consider means to view or contemplate with fixed
thought. To ponder is to dwell upon with long and
anxious attention, with a view to some practical
result or decision. To muse is simply to think upon
continuously with no definite object, or for the
pleasure it gives. We consider any subject which is
fairly brought before us; we ponder a concern
involving great interests; we muse on the events of
childhood.
Ponder \Pon"der\, v. i.
To think; to deliberate; to muse; -- usually followed by on
or over. --Longfellow.
Ponderability \Pon`der*a*bil"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F.
pond['e]rabilit['e].]
The quality or state of being ponderable.
Ponderable \Pon"der*a*ble\, a. [L. ponderabilis: cf. F.
pond['e]rable.]
Capable of being weighed; having appreciable weight. --
{Pon"der*a*ble*ness}, n.
Ponderal \Pon"der*al\, a. [Cf. F. pond['e]ral.]
Estimated or ascertained by weight; -- distinguished from
numeral; as, a ponderal drachma. [R.] --Arbuthnot.
Ponderance \Pon"der*ance\, n. [L. ponderans, p. pr. of ponderare
to weigh: cf. OF. ponderant of weight.]
Weight; gravity. [R.] --Gregory.
Ponderary \Pon"der*a*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to weight; as, a ponderary system. [R.]
--M'Culloch.
Ponderate \Pon"der*ate\, v. t. [L. ponderatus, p. p. of
ponderare. See {Ponder}.]
To consider; to ponder. [R.]
Ponderate \Pon"der*ate\, v. i.
To have weight or influence. [R.]
Ponderation \Pon`der*a"tion\, n. [L. ponderatio: cf. F.
pond['e]ration.]
The act of weighing. [R.] --Arbuthnot.
Ponderer \Pon"der*er\, n.
One who ponders.
Pondering \Pon"der*ing\, a.
Deliberating. -- {Pon"der*ing*ly}, adv.
Ponderosity \Pon`der*os"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Ponderosities}. [OF.
ponderosit['e].]
The quality or state of being ponderous; weight; gravity;
heaviness, ponderousness; as, the ponderosity of gold. --Ray.
Ponderous \Pon"der*ous\, a. [L. ponderosus, from pondus, -eris,
a weight: cf. F. pond['e]reux. See {Ponder}.]
1. Very heavy; weighty; as, a ponderous shield; a ponderous
load; the ponderous elephant.
The sepulcher . . . Hath oped his ponderous and
marble jaws. --Shak.
2. Important; momentous; forcible. ``Your more ponderous and
settled project.'' --Shak.
3. Heavy; dull; wanting; lightless or spirit; as, a ponderous
style; a ponderous joke.
{Ponderous spar} (Min.), heavy spar, or barytes. See
{Barite}.
Ponderously \Pon"der*ous*ly\, adv.
In a ponderous manner.
Ponderousness \Pon"der*ous*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being ponderous; ponderosity.
Pondfish \Pond"fish`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of American fresh-water fishes
belonging to the family {Centrarchid[ae]}; -- called also
{pond perch}, and {sunfish}.
Note: The common pondfish of New England ({Lepomis gibbosus})
is called also {bream}, {pumpkin seed}, and {sunny}.
See {Sunfish}. The long-eared pondfish ({Lepomis
auritus}) of the Eastern United States is distinguished
by its very long opercular flap.
Pondweed \Pond"weed`\, n. (Bot.)
Any aquatic plant of the genus {Potamogeton}, of which many
species are found in ponds or slow-moving rivers.
{Choke pondweed}, an American water weed ({Anarcharis, or
Elodea, Canadensis}.) See {Anacharis}.
{Horned pondweed}, the {Zannichellia palustris}, a slender,
branching aquatic plant, having pointed nutlets.
Pone \Pone\ (p[=o]n), n. [Of Amer. Indian origin.]
A kind of johnnycake. [Written also {paune}.] [Southern U.
S.]
Ponent \Po"nent\, a. [OF., fr. It. ponente, properly, setting
(applied to the setting sun), fr. L. ponens, p. pr. of ponere
to set, put.]
Western; occidental. [R.]
Forth rush the levant and the ponent winds. --Milton.
Pongee \Pon*gee"\, n. [Of East Indian origin.]
A fabric of undyed silk from India and China.
Ponghee \Pon*ghee"\, n. [From the native name.]
A Buddhist priest of the higher orders in Burmah. --Malcom.
Pongo \Pon"go\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any large ape; especially, the chimpanzee and the
orang-outang.
Poniard \Pon"iard\, n. [F. poignard (cf. It. pugnale, Sp.
pu[~n]al), fr. L. pugio, -onis; probably akin to pugnus fist,
or fr. pugnus fist, as held in the fist. See {Pugnacious}.]
A kind of dagger, -- usually a slender one with a triangular
or square blade.
She speaks poniards, and every word stabs. --Shak.
Poniard \Pon"iard\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Poniarded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Poniarding}.]
To pierce with a poniard; to stab. --Cowper.
Ponibility \Po`ni*bil"i*ty\, n. [L. ponere to place.]
The capability of being placed or located. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Pons \Pons\, n.; pl. {Pontes}. [L., a bridge.] (Anat.)
A bridge; -- applied to several parts which connect others,
but especially to the pons Varolii, a prominent band of
nervous tissue situated on the ventral side of the medulla
oblongata and connected at each side with the hemispheres of
the cerebellum; the mesocephalon. See {Brain}.
{Pons asinorum}. [L., literally, bridge of asses.] See
{Asses' bridge}, under {Ass}.
Pontage \Pon"tage\ (?; 48), n. [LL. pontagium, from L. pons,
pontis, a bridge: cf. F. pontage.] (O. Eng. Law)
A duty or tax paid for repairing bridges. --Ayliffe.
Pontee \Pon*tee"\, n. [F. pontil, pontis.] (Glass Making)
An iron rod used by glass makers for manipulating the hot
glass; -- called also, {puntil}, {puntel}, {punty}, and
{ponty}. See {Fascet}.
Pontic \Pon"tic\, a. [L. Ponticus, Gr. ?, fr. ? the sea,
especially, the Black Sea.]
Of or pertaining to the Pontus, Euxine, or Black Sea.
Pontifex \Pon"ti*fex\, n.; pl. {Pontifices}. [L.]
A high priest; a pontiff.
Pontiff \Pon"tiff\, n. [F. pontife, L. pontifex, -ficis; pons,
pontis, a bridge (perhaps originally, a way, path) + facere
to make. Cf. {Pontoon}.]
A high priest. Especially:
(a) One of the sacred college, in ancient Rome, which had the
supreme jurisdiction over all matters of religion, at the
head of which was the Pontifex Maximus. --Dr. W. Smith.
(b) (Jewish Antiq.) The chief priest.
(c) (R. C. Ch.) The pope.
Pontific \Pon*tif"ic\, a. [Cf. L. pontificius.]
1. Relating to, or consisting of, pontiffs or priests. ``The
pontific college with their augurs and flamens.''
--Milton.
2. Of or pertaining to the pope; papal. --Shenstone.
Pontifical \Pon*tif"ic*al\, a. [L. pontificalis: cf. F.
pontifical. See {Pontiff}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a pontiff, or high priest; as,
pontifical authority; hence, belonging to the pope; papal.
2. Of or pertaining to the building of bridges. [R.]
Now had they brought the work by wondrous art
Pontifical, a ridge of pendent rock Over the vexed
abyss. --Milton.
Pontifical \Pon*tif"ic*al\, n. [F.]
1. A book containing the offices, or formulas, used by a
pontiff. --South.
2. pl. The dress and ornaments of a pontiff. ``Dressed in
full pontificals.'' --Sir W. Scott.
Pontificality \Pon*tif`i*cal"i*ty\, n.
The state and government of the pope; the papacy. [R.]
--Bacon.
Pontifically \Pon*tif"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a pontifical manner.
Pontificate \Pon*tif"i*cate\, n. [L. pontificatus: cf. F.
pontificat. See {Pontiff}.]
1. The state or dignity of a high priest; specifically, the
office of the pope. --Addison.
2. The term of office of a pontiff. --Milman.
Pontificate \Pon*tif"i*cate\, v. i. (R. C. Ch.)
To perform the duty of a pontiff.
Pontifice \Pon"ti*fice\, n. [L. pons, pontis, a bridge + facere
to make. Cf. {Pontiff}.]
Bridgework; structure or edifice of a bridge. [R.] --Milton.
Pontificial \Pon`ti*fi"cial\, a. [L. pontificius.]
Papal; pontifical. [Obs.] ``Pontificial writers.'' --Burton.
Pontifician \Pon`ti*fi"cian\, a.
Of or pertaining to the pontiff or pope. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Pontifician \Pon`ti*fi"cian\, n.
One who adheres to the pope or papacy; a papist. [Obs.] --Bp.
Montagu.
Pontil \Pon"til\, n.
Same as {Pontee}.
Pontile \Pon"tile\, a. [L. pontilis pertaining to a bridge.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the pons Varolii. See {Pons}.
Pontine \Pon"tine\, a. [L. Pontinus or Pomptinus, an appellation
given to a district in Latium, near Pometia.]
Of or pertaining to an extensive marshy district between Rome
and Naples. [Written also {Pomptine}.]
Pontlevis \Pont"le*vis\, n. [F., properly, a drawbridge.] (Man.)
The action of a horse in rearing repeatedly and dangerously.
Ponton \Pon*ton"\, n. [F.]
See {Pontoon}.
Pontoon \Pon*toon"\, n. [F. ponton (cf. It. pontone), from L.
ponto, -onis, fr. pons, pontis, a bridge, perhaps originally,
a way, path: cf. Gr. ? path, Skr. path, pathi, panthan. Cf.
{Punt} a boat.]
1. (Mil.) A wooden flat-bottomed boat, a metallic cylinder,
or a frame covered with canvas, India rubber, etc.,
forming a portable float, used in building bridges quickly
for the passage of troops.
2. (Naut.) A low, flat vessel, resembling a barge, furnished
with cranes, capstans, and other machinery, used in
careening ships, raising weights, drawing piles, etc.,
chiefly in the Mediterranean; a lighter.
{Pontoon bridge}, a bridge formed with pontoons.
{Pontoon train}, the carriages of the pontoons, and the
materials they carry for making a pontoon bridge.
Note: The French spelling ponton often appears in scientific
works, but pontoon is more common form.
Pontooning \Pon*toon"ing\, n.
The act, art, or process of constructing pontoon bridges.
``Army instruction in pontooning.'' --Gen. W. T. Shermah.
Ponvolant \Pon`vo*lant"\ (?; F. ?), n. [F. pont bridge + volant
flying.] (Mil.)
A kind of light bridge, used in sieges, for surprising a post
or outwork which has but a narrow moat; a flying bridge.
Ponty \Pon"ty\, n. (Class Making)
See {Pontee}.
Pony \Po"ny\, n.; pl. {Ponies}. [Written also {poney}.] [Gael.
ponaidh.]
1. A small horse.
2. Twenty-five pounds sterling. [Slang, Eng.]
3. A translation or a key used to avoid study in getting
lessons; a crib. [College Cant]
4. A small glass of beer. [Slang]
{Pony chaise}, a light, low chaise, drawn by a pony or a pair
of ponies.
{Pony engine}, a small locomotive for switching cars from one
track to another. [U.S.]
{Pony truck} (Locomotive Engine), a truck which has only two
wheels.
{Pony truss} (Bridge Building), a truss which has so little
height that overhead bracing can not be used.
Pood \Pood\, n. [Russ. pud'.]
A Russian weight, equal to forty Russian pounds or about
thirty-six English pounds avoirdupois.
Poodle \Poo"dle\, n. [G. pudel.] (Zo["o]l.)
A breed of dogs having curly hair, and often showing
remarkable intelligence in the performance of tricks.
Pooh \Pooh\, interj. [Of. imitative origin; cf. Icel. p[=u].]
Pshaw! pish! nonsense! -- an expression of scorn, dislike, or
contempt.
Pooh-pooh \Pooh`-pooh"\, v. t.
To make light of; to treat with derision or contempt, as if
by saying pooh! pooh! [Colloq.] --Thackeray.
Pookoo \Poo"koo\, n. [From the native name.] (Zo["o]l.)
A red African antelope ({Kobus Vardoni}) allied to the water
buck.
Pool \Pool\, n. [AS. p[=o]l; akin to LG. pool, pohl, D. poel, G.
pfuhl; cf. Icel. pollr, also W. pwll, Gael. poll.]
1. A small and rather deep collection of (usually) fresh
water, as one supplied by a spring, or occurring in the
course of a stream; a reservoir for water; as, the pools
of Solomon. --Wyclif.
Charity will hardly water the ground where it must
first fill a pool. --Bacon.
The sleepy pool above the dam. --Tennyson.
2. A small body of standing or stagnant water; a puddle.
``The filthy mantled pool beyond your cell.'' --Shak.
Pool \Pool\, n. [F. poule, properly, a hen. See {Pullet}.]
[Written also {poule}.]
1. The stake played for in certain games of cards, billiards,
etc.; an aggregated stake to which each player has
contributed a snare; also, the receptacle for the stakes.
2. A game at billiards, in which each of the players stakes a
certain sum, the winner taking the whole; also, in public
billiard rooms, a game in which the loser pays the
entrance fee for all who engage in the game; a game of
skill in pocketing the balls on a pool table.
Note: This game is played variously, but commonly with
fifteen balls, besides one cue ball, the contest being
to drive the most balls into the pockets.
He plays pool at the billiard houses.
--Thackeray.
3. In rifle shooting, a contest in which each competitor pays
a certain sum for every shot he makes, the net proceeds
being divided among the winners.
4. Any gambling or commercial venture in which several
persons join.
5. A combination of persons contributing money to be used for
the purpose of increasing or depressing the market price
of stocks, grain, or other commodities; also, the
aggregate of the sums so contributed; as, the pool took
all the wheat offered below the limit; he put $10,000 into
the pool.
6. (Railroads) A mutual arrangement between competing lines,
by which the receipts of all are aggregated, and then
distributed pro rata according to agreement.
7. (Law) An aggregation of properties or rights, belonging to
different people in a community, in a common fund, to be
charged with common liabilities.
{Pin pool}, a variety of the game of billiards in which small
wooden pins are set up to be knocked down by the balls.
{Pool ball}, one of the colored ivory balls used in playing
the game at billiards called pool.
{Pool snipe} (Zo["o]l.), the European redshank. [Prov. Eng.]
{Pool table}, a billiard table with pockets.
Pool \Pool\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pooled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pooling}.]
To put together; to contribute to a common fund, on the basis
of a mutual division of profits or losses; to make a common
interest of; as, the companies pooled their traffic.
Finally, it favors the poolingof all issues. --U. S.
Grant.
Pool \Pool\, v. i.
To combine or contribute with others, as for a commercial,
speculative, or gambling transaction.
Pooler \Pool"er\, n.
A stick for stirring a tan vat.
Pooling \Pool"ing\, n. (Law)
The act of uniting, or an agreement to unite, an aggregation
of properties belonging to different persons, with a view to
common liabilities or profits.
Poon \Poon\, n. [Canarese ponne.]
A name for several East Indian, or their wood, used for the
masts and spars of vessels, as {Calophyllum angustifolium},
{C. inophullum}, and {Sterculia f[oe]tida}; -- called also
{peon}.
Poonac \Poo"nac\, n.
A kind of oil cake prepared from the cocoanut. See {Oil
cake}, under {Cake}.
Poonga oil \Poon"ga oil`\
A kind of oil used in India for lamps, and for boiling with
dammar for pitching vessels. It is pressed from the seeds of
a leguminous tree ({Pongamia glabra}).
Poop \Poop\, n. (Arch.)
See 2d {Poppy}.
Poop \Poop\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pooped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pooping}.] [Cf. D. poepen. See {Pop}.]
To make a noise; to pop; also, to break wind.
Poop \Poop\, n. [F. poupe; cf. Sp. & Pg. popa, It. poppa; all
fr. L. puppis.] (Naut.)
A deck raised above the after part of a vessel; the hindmost
or after part of a vessel's hull; also, a cabin covered by
such a deck. See {Poop deck}, under {Deck}. See also
{Roundhouse}.
With wind in poop, the vessel plows the sea. --Dryden.
The poop was beaten gold. --Shak.
Poop \Poop\, v. t. (Naut.)
(a) To break over the poop or stern, as a wave. ``A sea which
he thought was going to poop her.'' --Lord Dufferin.
(b) To strike in the stern, as by collision.
Pooped \Pooped\, p. p. & a. (Naut.)
(a) Having a poop; furnished with a poop.
(b) Struck on the poop.
Pooping \Poop"ing\, n. (Naut.)
The act or shock of striking a vessel's stern by a following
wave or vessel.
Poor \Poor\, a. [Compar. {Poorer} (?; 254); superl. {Poorest}.]
[OE. poure or povre, OF. povre, F. pauvre, L. pauper; the
first syllable of which is probably akin to paucus few (see
{Paucity}, {Few}), and the second to parare to prepare,
procure. See {Few}, and cf. {Parade}, {Pauper}, {Poverty}.]
1. Destitute of property; wanting in material riches or
goods; needy; indigent.
Note: It is often synonymous with indigent and with
necessitous denoting extreme want. It is also applied
to persons who are not entirely destitute of property,
but who are not rich; as, a poor man or woman; poor
people.
2. (Law) So completely destitute of property as to be
entitled to maintenance from the public.
3. Hence, in very various applications: Destitute of such
qualities as are desirable, or might naturally be
expected; as:
(a) Wanting in fat, plumpness, or fleshiness; lean;
emaciated; meager; as, a poor horse, ox, dog, etc.
``Seven other kine came up after them, poor and very
ill-favored and lean-fleshed.'' --Gen. xli. 19.
(b) Wanting in strength or vigor; feeble; dejected; as,
poor health; poor spirits. ``His genius . . . poor and
cowardly.'' --Bacon.
(c) Of little value or worth; not good; inferior; shabby;
mean; as, poor clothes; poor lodgings. ``A poor
vessel.'' --Clarendon.
(d) Destitute of fertility; exhausted; barren; sterile; --
said of land; as, poor soil.
(e) Destitute of beauty, fitness, or merit; as, a poor
discourse; a poor picture.
(f) Without prosperous conditions or good results;
unfavorable; unfortunate; unconformable; as, a poor
business; the sick man had a poor night.
(g) Inadequate; insufficient; insignificant; as, a poor
excuse.
That I have wronged no man will be a poor plea
or apology at the last day. --Calamy.
4. Worthy of pity or sympathy; -- used also sometimes as a
term of endearment, or as an expression of modesty, and
sometimes as a word of contempt.
And for mine own poor part, Look you, I'll go pray.
--Shak.
Poor, little, pretty, fluttering thing. --Prior.
5. Free from self-assertion; not proud or arrogant; meek.
``Blessed are the poor in spirit.'' --Matt. v. 3.
{Poor law}, a law providing for, or regulating, the relief or
support of the poor.
{Poor man's treacle} (Bot.), garlic; -- so called because it
was thought to be an antidote to animal poison. [Eng]
--Dr. Prior.
{Poor man's weatherglass} (Bot.), the red-flowered pimpernel
({Anagallis arvensis}), which opens its blossoms only in
fair weather.
{Poor rate}, an assessment or tax, as in an English parish,
for the relief or support of the poor.
{Poor soldier} (Zo["o]l.), the friar bird.
{The poor}, those who are destitute of property; the
indigent; the needy. In a legal sense, those who depend on
charity or maintenance by the public. ``I have observed
the more public provisions are made for the poor, the less
they provide for themselves.'' --Franklin.
Poor \Poor\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small European codfish ({Gadus minutus}); -- called also
{power cod}.
Poorbox \Poor"box`\, n.
A receptacle in which money given for the poor is placed.
Poorhouse \Poor"house`\, n.
A dwelling for a number of paupers maintained at public
expense; an almshouse; a workhouse.
Poor-john \Poor"-john`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small European fish, similar to the cod, but of inferior
quality.
Poor-john and apple pies are all our fare. --Sir J.
Harrington.
Poorliness \Poor"li*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being poorly; ill health.
Poorly \Poor"ly\, adv.
1. In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or
sufficiency, or suitable provision for comfort; as, to
live poorly.
2. With little or no success; indifferently; with little
profit or advantage; as, to do poorly in business.
3. Meanly; without spirit.
Nor is their courage or their wealth so low, That
from his wars they poorly would retire. --Dryden.
4. Without skill or merit; as, he performs poorly.
{Poorly off}, not well off; not rich.
Poorly \Poor"ly\, a.
Somewhat ill; indisposed; not in health. ``Having been poorly
in health.'' --T. Scott.
Poorness \Poor"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being poor (in any of the senses of
the adjective). --Bacon.
Poor-spirited \Poor"-spir`it*ed\, a.
Of a mean spirit; cowardly; base. -- {Poor"-spir`it*ed*ness},
n.
Poor-will \Poor"-will`\, n. [So called in imitation of its
note.] (Zo["o]l.)
A bird of the Western United States ({Phal[ae]noptilus
Nutalli}) allied to the whip-poor-will.
Poor-willie \Poor"-wil`lie\, n. [So called in imitation of its
note.] (Zo["o]l.)
The bar-tailed godwit. [Prov. Eng.]
Pop \Pop\, n. [Of imitative origin. Cf. {Poop}.]
1. A small, sharp, quick explosive sound or report; as, to go
off with a pop. --Addison.
2. An unintoxicating beverage which expels the cork with a
pop from the bottle containing it; as, ginger pop; lemon
pop, etc. --Hood.
3. (Zo["o]l.) The European redwing. [Prov. Eng.]
{Pop corn}.
(a) Corn, or maize, of peculiar excellence for popping;
especially, a kind the grains of which are small and
compact.
(b) Popped corn; which has been popped.
Pop \Pop\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Popped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Popping}.]
1. To make a pop, or sharp, quick sound; as, the muskets
popped away on all sides.
2. To enter, or issue forth, with a quick, sudden movement;
to move from place to place suddenly; to dart; -- with in,
out, upon, off, etc.
He that killed my king . . . Popp'd in between the
election and my hopes. --Shak.
A trick of popping up and down every moment.
--Swift.
3. To burst open with a pop, when heated over a fire; as,
this corn pops well.
Pop \Pop\, v. t.
1. To thrust or push suddenly; to offer suddenly; to bring
suddenly and unexpectedly to notice; as, to pop one's head
in at the door.
He popped a paper into his hand. --Milton.
2. To cause to pop; to cause to burst open by heat, as grains
of Indian corn; as, to pop corn or chestnuts.
{To pop off}, to thrust away, or put off promptly; as, to pop
one off with a denial. --Locke.
{To pop the question}, to make an offer of marriage to a
lady. [Colloq.] --Dickens.
Pop \Pop\, adv.
Like a pop; suddenly; unexpectedly. ``Pop goes his plate.''
--Beau. & Fl.
Pope \Pope\, n. [AS. p[=a]pa, L. papa father, bishop. Cf.
{Papa}, {Papal}.]
1. Any ecclesiastic, esp. a bishop. [Obs.] --Foxe.
2. The bishop of Rome, the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
See {Note} under {Cardinal}.
3. A parish priest, or a chaplain, of the Greek Church.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A fish; the ruff.
{Pope Joan}, a game at cards played on a round board with
compartments.
{Pope's eye}, the gland surrounded with fat in the middle of
the thigh of an ox or sheep. --R. D. Blackmore.
{Pope's nose}, the rump, or uropygium, of a bird. See
{Uropygium}.
Popedom \Pope"dom\, n. [AS. p[=a]ped[=o]m.]
1. The place, office, or dignity of the pope; papal dignity.
--Shak.
2. The jurisdiction of the pope.
Popeling \Pope"ling\, n.
1. A petty or deputy pope.
2. An adherent of the pope. [R.] --Marlowe.
Popelote \Pop"e*lote\, n.
A word variously explained as ``a little puppet,'' ``a little
doll,'' or ``a young butterfly.'' Cf. {Popet}. [Obs.]
So gay a popelote, so sweet a wench. --Chaucer.
Popery \Pop"er*y\, n.
The religion of the Roman Catholic Church, comprehending
doctrines and practices; -- generally used in an opprobrious
sense.
Popet \Pop"et\, n.
A puppet. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Popgun \Pop"gun`\, n.
A child's gun; a tube and rammer for shooting pellets, with a
popping noise, by compression of air.
Popinjay \Pop"in*jay\, n. [OE. popingay, papejay, OF. papegai,
papegaut; cf. Pr. papagai, Sp. & Pg. papagayo, It.
pappagallo, LGr. ?, NGr. ?; in which the first syllables are
perhaps imitative of the bird's chatter, and the last either
fr. L. gallus cock, or the same word as E. jay, F. geai. Cf.
{Papagay}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The green woodpecker.
(b) A parrot.
The pye and popyngay speak they know not what.
--Tyndale.
2. A target in the form of a parrot. [Scot.]
3. A trifling, chattering, fop or coxcomb. ``To be so
pestered with a popinjay.'' --Shak.
Popish \Pop"ish\, a.
Of or pertaining to the pope; taught or ordained by the pope;
hence, of or pertaining to the Roman Catholic Church; --
often used opprobriously. -- {Pop"ish*ly}, adv. --
{Pop"ish*ness}, n.
Poplar \Pop"lar\, n. [OE. popler, OF. poplier, F. peuplier, fr.
L. populus poplar.] (Bot.)
1. Any tree of the genus {Populus}; also, the timber, which
is soft, and capable of many uses.
Note: The aspen poplar is {Populus tremula} and {P.
tremuloides}; Balsam poplar is {P. balsamifera};
Lombardy poplar ({P. dilatata}) is a tall, spiry tree;
white poplar is {Populus alba}.
2. The timber of the tulip tree; -- called also {white
poplar}. [U.S.]
Poplexy \Po*plex"y\, n.
Apoplexy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Poplin \Pop"lin\, n. [F. popeline, papeline.]
A fabric of many varieties, usually made of silk and worsted,
-- used especially for women's dresses.
{Irish poplin}, a fabric with silk warp and worsted weft,
made in Ireland.
Popliteal \Pop*lit"e*al\ (?; 277), a. [From L. poples, -itis,
the ham.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the ham; in the region of the ham, or
behind the knee joint; as, the popliteal space.
Poplitic \Pop*lit"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Popliteal.
Popper \Pop"per\, n.
A utensil for popping corn, usually a wire basket with a long
handle.
Popper \Pop"per\, n.
A dagger. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Poppet \Pop"pet\, n.
1. See {Puppet}.
2. (Naut.) One of certain upright timbers on the bilge ways,
used to support a vessel in launching. --Totten.
3. (Mach.) An upright support or guide fastened at the bottom
only.
{Poppet head}, {Puppet head}. See {Headstock}
(a) .
Poppied \Pop"pied\, a. [See 1st {Poppy}.]
1. Mingled or interspersed with poppies. ``Poppied corn.''
--Keats.
2. Affected with poppy juice; hence, figuratively, drugged;
drowsy; listless; inactive. [R.]
The poppied sails doze on the yard. --Lowell.
Popping \Pop"ping\,
a. & n. from {Pop}.
{Popping crease}. (Cricket) See under {Crease}.
Popple \Pop"ple\, v. i. [Cf. {Pop}.]
To move quickly up and down; to bob up and down, as a cork on
rough water; also, to bubble. --Cotton.
Popple \Pop"ple\, n.
1. The poplar. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U. S.]
2. Tares. [Obs.] ``To sow popple among wheat.'' --Bale.
Poppy \Pop"py\, n.; pl. {Poppies}. [OE. popy, AS. popig, L.
papaver.] (Bot.)
Any plant or species of the genus {Papaver}, herbs with showy
polypetalous flowers and a milky juice. From one species
({Papaver somniferum}) opium is obtained, though all the
species contain it to some extent; also, a flower of the
plant. See Illust. of {Capsule}.
{California poppy} (Bot.), any yellow-flowered plant of the
genus {Eschscholtzia}.
{Corn poppy}. See under {Corn}.
{Horn}, or {Horned}, {poppy}. See under {Horn}.
{Poppy bee} (Zo["o]l.), a leaf-cutting bee ({Anthocopa
papaveris}) which uses pieces cut from poppy petals for
the lining of its cells; -- called also {upholsterer bee}.
{Prickly poppy} (Bot.), {Argemone Mexicana}, a
yellow-flowered plant of the Poppy family, but as prickly
as a thistle.
{Poppy seed}, the seed the opium poppy ({P. somniferum}).
{Spatling poppy} (Bot.), a species of Silene ({S. inflata}).
See {Catchfly}.
Poppy \Pop"py\, Poppyhead \Pop"py*head`\, n. [F. poup['e]e doll,
puppet. See {Puppet}.] (Arch.)
A raised ornament frequently having the form of a final. It
is generally used on the tops of the upright ends or elbows
which terminate seats, etc., in Gothic churches.
Populace \Pop"u*lace\, n. [F. populace, fr. It. popolaccio,
popolazzo, fr. popolo people, L. populus. See {People}.]
The common people; the vulgar; the multitude, --
comprehending all persons not distinguished by rank, office,
education, or profession. --Pope.
To . . . calm the peers and please the populace.
--Daniel.
They . . . call us Britain's barbarous populaces.
--Tennyson.
Syn: Mob; people; commonalty.
Populacy \Pop"u*la*cy\, n.
Populace. [Obs.] --Feltham.
Popular \Pop"u*lar\, a. [L. popularis, fr. populus people: cf.
F. populaire. See {People}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the common people, or to the whole
body of the people, as distinguished from a select
portion; as, the popular voice; popular elections.
``Popular states.'' --Bacon. ``So the popular vote
inclines.'' --Milton.
The men commonly held in popular estimation are
greatest at a distance. --J. H.
Newman.
2. Suitable to common people; easy to be comprehended; not
abstruse; familiar; plain.
Homilies are plain popular instructions. --Hooker.
3. Adapted to the means of the common people; possessed or
obtainable by the many; hence, cheap; common; ordinary;
inferior; as, popular prices; popular amusements.
The smallest figs, called popular figs, . . . are,
of all others, the basest and of least account.
--Holland.
4. Beloved or approved by the people; pleasing to people in
general, or to many people; as, a popular preacher; a
popular law; a popular administration.
5. Devoted to the common people; studious of the favor of the
populace. [R.]
Such popular humanity is treason. --Addison.
6. Prevailing among the people; epidemic; as, a popular
disease. [Obs.] --Johnson.
{Popular action} (Law), an action in which any person may sue
for penalty imposed by statute. --Blackstone.
Populares \Pop`u*la"res\, n. pl. [L.]
The people or the people's party, in ancient Rome, as opposed
to the optimates.
Popularity \Pop`u*lar"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Popularities}. [L.
popularitas an effort to please the people: cf. F.
popularit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being popular; especially, the
state of being esteemed by, or of being in favor with, the
people at large; good will or favor proceeding from the
people; as, the popularity of a law, statesman, or a book.
A popularity which has lasted down to our time.
--Macaulay.
2. The quality or state of being adapted or pleasing to
common, poor, or vulgar people; hence, cheapness;
inferiority; vulgarity.
This gallant laboring to avoid popularity falls into
a habit of affectation. --B. Jonson.
3. Something which obtains, or is intended to obtain, the
favor of the vulgar; claptrap.
Popularities, and circumstances which . . . sway the
ordinary judgment. --Bacon.
4. The act of courting the favor of the people. [Obs.]
``Indicted . . . for popularity and ambition.'' --Holland.
5. Public sentiment; general passion. [R.]
A little time be allowed for the madness of
popularity to cease. --Bancroft.
Popularization \Pop`u*lar*i*za"tion\, n.
The act of making popular, or of introducing among the
people.
Popularize \Pop"u*lar*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Popularized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Popularizing}.] [Cf. F. populariser.]
To make popular; to make suitable or acceptable to the common
people; to make generally known; as, to popularize
philosophy. ``The popularizing of religious teaching.''
--Milman.
Popularizer \Pop"u*lar*i`zer\, n.
One who popularizes.
Popularly \Pop"u*lar*ly\, adv.
In a popular manner; so as to be generally favored or
accepted by the people; commonly; currently; as, the story
was popularity reported.
The victor knight, Bareheaded, popularly low had bowed.
--Dryden.
Popularness \Pop"u*lar*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being popular; popularity.
--Coleridge.
Populate \Pop"u*late\, a. [L. populus people. See {People}.]
Populous. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Populate \Pop"u*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Populated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Populating}.]
To furnish with inhabitants, either by natural increase or by
immigration or colonization; to cause to be inhabited; to
people.
Populate \Pop"u*late\, v. i.
To propagate. [Obs.]
Great shoals of people which go on to populate.
--Bacon.
Population \Pop`u*la"tion\, n. [L. populatio: cf. F.
population.]
1. The act or process of populating; multiplication of
inhabitants.
2. The whole number of people, or inhabitants, in a country,
or portion of a country; as, a population of ten millions.
Populator \Pop"u*la`tor\, n.
One who populates.
Populicide \Pop"u*li*cide`\, n. [L. populus people + caedere to
kill.]
Slaughter of the people. [R.]
Populin \Pop"u*lin\, n. [L. populus poplar: cf. F. populine.]
(Chem.)
A glycoside, related to salicin, found in the bark of certain
species of the poplar ({Populus}), and extracted as a sweet
white crystalline substance.
Populosity \Pop`u*los"i*ty\, n. [L. populositas: cf. F.
populosit['e].]
Populousness.[Obs.]
Populous \Pop"u*lous\, a. [L. populosus, fr. populus people: cf.
F. populeux.]
1. Abounding in people; full of inhabitants; containing many
inhabitants in proportion to the extent of the country.
Heaven, yet populous, retains Number sufficient to
possess her realms. --Milton.
2. Popular; famous. [Obs.] --J. Webster.
3. Common; vulgar. [Obs.] --Arden of Feversham.
4. Numerous; in large number. [Obs.] ``The dust . . . raised
by your populous troops.'' --Shak. -- {Pop"u*lous*ly},
adv. -- {Pop"u*lous*ness}, n.
Poraille \Po*raille"\, n. [OF. pouraille. See {Poor}.]
Poor people; the poor. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Porbeagle \Por"bea`gle\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A species of shark ({Lamna cornubica}), about eight feet
long, having a pointed nose and a crescent-shaped tail; --
called also {mackerel shark}. [Written {also probeagle}.]
Porcate \Por"cate\, a. [L. porca a ridge between two furrows.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having grooves or furrows broader than the intervening
ridges; furrowed.
Porcelain \Por"ce*lain\, n. (Bot.)
Purslain. [Obs.]
Porcelain \Por"ce*lain\ (277), n. [F. porcelaine, It.
porcellana, orig., the porcelain shell, or Venus shell
(Cypr[ae]a porcellana), from a dim. fr. L. porcus pig,
probably from the resemblance of the shell in shape to a
pig's back. Porcelain was called after this shell, either on
account of its smoothness and whiteness, or because it was
believed to be made from it. See {Pork}.]
A fine translucent or semitransculent kind of earthenware,
made first in China and Japan, but now also in Europe and
America; -- called also {China}, or {China ware}.
Porcelain, by being pure, is apt to break. --Dryden.
{Ivory porcelain}, porcelain with a surface like ivory,
produced by depolishing. See {Depolishing}.
{Porcelain clay}. See under {Clay}.
{Porcelain crab} (Zo["o]l.), any crab of the genus
{Porcellana} and allied genera (family {Porcellanid[ae]}).
They have a smooth, polished carapace.
{Porcelain jasper}. (Min.) See {Porcelanite}.
{Porcelain printing}, the transferring of an impression of an
engraving to porcelain.
{Porcelain shell} (Zo["o]l.), a cowry.
Porcelainized \Por"ce*lain*ized\, a. (Geol.)
Baked like potter's lay; -- applied to clay shales that have
been converted by heat into a substance resembling porcelain.
Porcelaneous \Por`ce*la"ne*ous\, Porcellaneous
\Por`cel*la"ne*ous\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to porcelain; resembling porcelain; as,
porcelaneous shells.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having a smooth, compact shell without pores;
-- said of certain Foraminifera.
Porcelanite \Por"ce*la*nite\, n. [Cf. F. porcelanite.] (Min.)
A semivitrified clay or shale, somewhat resembling jasper; --
called also {porcelain jasper}.
Porcelanous \Por"ce*la`nous\, Porcellanous \Por"cel*la`nous\, a.
Porcelaneous. --Ure.
Porch \Porch\, n. [F. porche, L. porticus, fr. porta a gate,
entrance, or passage. See {Port} a gate, and cf. {Portico}.]
1. (Arch.) A covered and inclosed entrance to a building,
whether taken from the interior, and forming a sort of
vestibule within the main wall, or projecting without and
with a separate roof. Sometimes the porch is large enough
to serve as a covered walk. See also {Carriage porch},
under {Carriage}, and {Loggia}.
The graceless Helen in the porch I spied Of Vesta's
temple. --Dryden.
2. A portico; a covered walk. [Obs.]
Repair to Pompey's porch, where you shall find find
us. --Shak.
{The Porch}, a public portico, or great hall, in Athens,
where Zeno, the philosopher, taught his disciples; hence,
sometimes used as equivalent to the school of the Stoics.
It was called "h poiki`lh stoa`. [See {Poicile}.]
Porcine \Por"cine\, a. [L. porcinus, from porcus a swine. See
{Pork}.]
Of or pertaining to swine; characteristic of the hog.
``Porcine cheeks.'' --G. Eliot.
Porcupine \Por"cu*pine\, n. [OE. porkepyn, porpentine, OF.
porc-espi, F. porc-['e]pic (cf. It. porco spino, porco
spinoso, Sp. puerco espino, puerco espin, fr. L. porcus swine
+ spina thorn, spine). The last part of the French word is
perhaps a corruption from the It. or Sp.; cf. F. ['e]pi ear,
a spike of grain, L. spica. See {Pork}, {Spike} a large nail,
{Spine}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any Old Word rodent of the genus {Hystrix},
having the back covered with long, sharp, erectile spines
or quills, sometimes a foot long. The common species of
Europe and Asia ({Hystrix cristata}) is the best known.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of {Erethizon} and related genera,
native of America. They are related to the true
porcupines, but have shorter spines, and are arboreal in
their habits. The Canada porcupine ({Erethizon dorsatus})
is a well known species.
{Porcupine ant-eater} (Zo["o]l.), the echidna.
{Porcupine crab} (Zo["o]l.), a large spiny Japanese crab
({Acantholithodes hystrix}).
{Porcupine disease} (Med.). See {Ichthyosis}.
{Porcupine fish} (Zo["o]l.), any plectognath fish having the
body covered with spines which become erect when the body
is inflated. See {Diodon}, and {Globefish}.
{Porcupine grass} (Bot.), a grass ({Stipa spartea}) with
grains bearing a stout twisted awn, which, by coiling and
uncoiling through changes in moisture, propels the
sharp-pointed and barbellate grain into the wool and flesh
of sheep. It is found from Illinois westward. See
Illustration in Appendix.
{Porcupine wood} (Bot.), the hard outer wood of the cocoa
palm; -- so called because, when cut horizontally, the
markings of the wood resemble the quills of a porcupine.
Pore \Pore\, n. [F., fr. L. porus, Gr. ? a passage, a pore. See
{Fare}, v.]
1. One of the minute orifices in an animal or vegetable
membrane, for transpiration, absorption, etc.
2. A minute opening or passageway; an interstice between the
constituent particles or molecules of a body; as, the
pores of stones.
Pore \Pore\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pored}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Poring}.] [OE. poren, of uncertain origin; cf. D. porren to
poke, thrust, Gael. purr.]
To look or gaze steadily in reading or studying; to fix the
attention; to be absorbed; -- often with on or upon, and now
usually with over.``Painfully to pore upon a book.'' --Shak.
The eye grows weary with poring perpetually on the same
thing. --Dryden.
Poreblind \Pore"blind`\, a. [Probably influenced by pore, v. See
{Purblind}.]
Nearsighted; shortsighted; purblind. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Porer \Por"er\, n.
One who pores.
Porgy \Por"gy\, n.; pl. {Porgies}. [See {Paugie}.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The scup.
(b) The sailor's choice, or pinfish.
(c) The margate fish.
(d) The spadefish.
(e) Any one of several species of embiotocoids, or surf
fishes, of the Pacific coast. The name is also given
locally to several other fishes, as the bur fish.
[Written also {porgee}, {porgie}, and {paugy}.]
Porifera \Po*rif"e*ra\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. porus pore + ferre
to bear.] (Zo["o]l.)
A grand division of the Invertebrata, including the sponges;
-- called also {Spongi[ae]}, {Spongida}, and {Spongiozoa}.
The principal divisions are Calcispongi[ae], Keratosa or
Fibrospongi[ae], and Silicea.
Poriferan \Po*rif"er*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Polifera.
Poriferata \Po*rif`e*ra"ta\, n. pl. [NL.]
The Polifera.
Poriform \Po"ri*form\, a. [L. porus pore + -form: cf. F.
poriforme.]
Resembling a pore, or small puncture.
Porime \Po"rime\, n. [Gr. ? practicable.] (Math.)
A theorem or proposition so easy of demonstration as to be
almost self-evident. [R.] --Crabb.
Poriness \Por"i*ness\, n.
Porosity. --Wiseman.
Porism \Po"rism\, n. [Gr. ? a thing procured, a deduction from a
demonstration, fr. ? to bring, provide: cf. F. porisme.]
1. (Geom.) A proposition affirming the possibility of finding
such conditions as will render a certain determinate
problem indeterminate or capable of innumerable solutions.
--Playfair.
2. (Gr. Geom.) A corollary. --Brande & C.
Note: Three books of porisms of Euclid have been lost, but
several attempts to determine the nature of these
propositions and to restore them have been made by
modern geometers.
Porismatic \Po`ris*mat"ic\, Porismatical \Po`ris*mat"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a porism; poristic.
Poristic \Po*ris"tic\, Poristical \Po*ris"tic*al\, a.[Gr. ? for
providing, ? provided.]
Of or pertaining to a porism; of the nature of a porism.
Porite \Po"rite\, n. [Cf. F. porite. See {Pore}, n.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any coral of the genus Porites, or family {Poritid[ae]}.
Porites \Po*ri"tes\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. po`ros a pore.] (Zo["o]l.)
An important genus of reef-building corals having small
twelve-rayed calicles, and a very porous coral. Some species
are branched, others grow in large massive or globular forms.
Pork \Pork\, n. [F. porc, L. porcus hog, pig. See {Farrow} a
litter of pigs, and cf. {Porcelain}, {Porpoise}.]
The flesh of swine, fresh or salted, used for food.
Porker \Pork"er\, n.
A hog. --Pope.
Porket \Pork"et\, n. [Dim. of F. porc. See {Pork}.]
A young hog; a pig. [R.] --Dryden. W. Howitt.
Porkling \Pork"ling\, n.
A pig; a porket. --Tusser.
Porkwood \Pork"wood`\, n. (Bot.)
The coarse-grained brownish yellow wood of a small tree
({Pisonia obtusata}) of Florida and the West Indies. Also
called {pigeon wood}, {beefwood}, and {corkwood}.
Pornerastic \Por`ne*ras"tic\, a. [Gr. ? harlot + ? to love.]
Lascivious; licentious. [R.] --F. Harrison.
Pornographic \Por`no*graph"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to pornography; lascivious; licentious; as,
pornographic writing.
Pornography \Por*nog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ? a harlot + -graphy.]
1. Licentious painting or literature; especially, the
painting anciently employed to decorate the walls of rooms
devoted to bacchanalian orgies.
2. (Med.) A treatise on prostitutes, or prostitution.
Porosity \Po*ros"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. porosit['e].]
The quality or state of being porous; -- opposed to density.
Porotic \Po*rot"ic\, n. [Gr. ? callus.] (Med.)
A medicine supposed to promote the formation of callus.
Porous \Por"ous\, a. [Cf. F. poreux. See {Pore}, n.]
Full of pores; having interstices in the skin or in the
substance of the body; having spiracles or passages for
fluids; permeable by liquids; as, a porous skin; porous wood.
``The veins of porous earth.'' --Milton.
Porously \Por"ous*ly\, adv.
In a porous manner.
Porousness \Por"ous*ness\, n.
1. The quality of being porous.
2. The open parts; the interstices of anything. [R.]
They will forcibly get into the porousness of it.
--Sir K.
Digby.
Porpentine \Por"pen*tine\, n.
Porcupine. [Obs.] --Shak.
Porpesse \Por"pesse\, n.
A porpoise. [Obs.]
Porphyraceous \Por`phy*ra"ceous\, a.
Porphyritic.
Porphyre \Por"phyre\, n.
Porphyry. [Obs.] --Locke.
Porphyrite \Por"phy*rite\, n. (Min.)
A rock with a porphyritic structure; as, augite porphyrite.
Porphyritic \Por`phy*rit"ic\, a. [Cf. F. porphyritique.] (Min.)
Relating to, or resembling, porphyry, that is, characterized
by the presence of distinct crystals, as of feldspar, quartz,
or augite, in a relatively fine-grained base, often aphanitic
or cryptocrystalline.
Porphyrization \Por`phy*ri*za"tion\, n.
The act of porphyrizing, or the state of being porphyrized.
Porphyrize \Por`phy*rize\, v. t. [Cf. F. porphyriser, Gr. ? to
purplish.]
To cause to resemble porphyry; to make spotted in
composition, like porphyry.
Porphyrogenitism \Por`phy*ro*gen"i*tism\, n. [LL. porphyro
genitus, fr. Gr. ?; ? purple + root of ? to be born.]
The principle of succession in royal families, especially
among the Eastern Roman emperors, by which a younger son, if
born after the accession of his father to the throne, was
preferred to an elder son who was not so born. --Sir T.
Palgrave.
Porphyry \Por"phy*ry\, n.; pl. {Porphyries}. [F. porphyre, L.
porphyrites, fr. Gr. ? like purple, fr. ? purple. See
{Purple}.] (Geol.)
A term used somewhat loosely to designate a rock consisting
of a fine-grained base (usually feldspathic) through which
crystals, as of feldspar or quartz, are disseminated. There
are red, purple, and green varieties, which are highly
esteemed as marbles.
{Porphyry shell} (Zo["o]l.), a handsome marine gastropod
shell ({Oliva porphyria}), having a dark red or brown
polished surface, marked with light spots, like porphyry.
Porpita \Por"pi*ta\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? brooch.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of bright-colored Siphonophora found floating in the
warmer parts of the ocean. The individuals are round and
disk-shaped, with a large zooid in the center of the under
side, surrounded by smaller nutritive and reproductive
zooids, and by slender dactylozooids near the margin. The
disk contains a central float, or pneumatocyst.
Porpoise \Por"poise\, n. [OE. porpeys, OF. porpeis, literally,
hog fish, from L. porcus swine + piscis fish. See {Pork}, and
{Fish}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any small cetacean of the genus {Phoc[ae]na},
especially {P. communis}, or {P. phoc[ae]na}, of Europe,
and the closely allied American species ({P. Americana}).
The color is dusky or blackish above, paler beneath. They
are closely allied to the dolphins, but have a shorter
snout. Called also {harbor porpoise}, {herring hag},
{puffing pig}, and {snuffer}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A true dolphin ({Delphinus}); -- often so
called by sailors.
{Skunk porpoise}, or {Bay porpoise} (Zo["o]l.), a North
American porpoise ({Lagenorhynchus acutus}), larger than
the common species, and with broad stripes of white and
yellow on the sides. See Illustration in Appendix.
Porporino \Por`po*ri"no\, n. [It.]
A composition of quicksilver, tin, and sulphur, forming a
yellow powder, sometimes used by medi[ae]val artists, for the
sake of economy, instead of gold. --Fairholt.
Porpus \Por"pus\, n.
A porpoise. [Obs.] --Swift.
Porraceous \Por*ra"ceous\, a. [L. porraceus, from porrum,
porrus, a leek.]
Resembling the leek in color; greenish. [R.] ``Porraceous
vomiting.'' --Wiseman.
Porrect \Por*rect"\, a. [L. porrectus, p. p. of porrigere to
stretch out before one's self, to but forth.]
Extended horizontally; stretched out.
Porrection \Por*rec"tion\, n. [L. porrectio: cf. F. porrection.]
The act of stretching forth.
Porret \Por"ret\, n. [F. porrette, fr. L. porrum, porrus, leek.
See {Porraceous}.]
A scallion; a leek or small onion. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Porridge \Por"ridge\, n. [Probably corrupted fr. pottage; perh.
influenced by OE. porree a kind of pottage, OF. porr['e]e,
fr. L. porrum, porrus, leek. See {Pottage}, and cf.
{Porringer}.]
A food made by boiling some leguminous or farinaceous
substance, or the meal of it, in water or in milk, making of
broth or thin pudding; as, barley porridge, milk porridge,
bean porridge, etc.
Porringer \Por"rin*ger\, n. [OE. pottanger, for pottager; cf. F.
potager a soup basin. See {Porridge}.]
A porridge dish; esp., a bowl or cup from which children eat
or are fed; as, a silver porringer. --Wordsworth.
Port \Port\, n. [From Oporto, in Portugal, i. e., ? porto the
port, L. portus. See {Port} harbor.]
A dark red or purple astringent wine made in Portugal. It
contains a large percentage of alcohol.
Port \Port\, n. [AS. port, L. portus: cf. F. port. See {Farm},
v., {Ford}, and 1st, 3d, & 4h {Port}.]
1. A place where ships may ride secure from storms; a
sheltered inlet, bay, or cove; a harbor; a haven. Used
also figuratively.
Peering in maps for ports and piers and roads. --Shak.
We are in port if we have Thee. --Keble.
2. In law and commercial usage, a harbor where vessels are
admitted to discharge and receive cargoes, from whence
they depart and where they finish their voyages.
{Free port}. See under {Free}.
{Port bar}. (Naut,)
(a) A boom. See {Boom}, 4, also {Bar}, 3.
(b) A bar, as of sand, at the mouth of, or in, a port.
{Port charges} (Com.), charges, as wharfage, etc., to which a
ship or its cargo is subjected in a harbor.
{Port of entry}, a harbor where a customhouse is established
for the legal entry of merchandise.
{Port toll} (Law), a payment made for the privilege of
bringing goods into port.
{Port warden}, the officer in charge of a port; a harbor
master.
Port \Port\, n. [F. porte, L. porta, akin to portus; cf. AS.
porte, fr. L. porta. See {Port} a harbor, and cf. {Porte}.]
1. A passageway; an opening or entrance to an inclosed place;
a gate; a door; a portal. [Archaic]
Him I accuse The city ports by this hath entered.
--Shak.
Form their ivory port the cherubim Forth issuing.
--Milton.
2. (Naut.) An opening in the side of a vessel; an embrasure
through which cannon may be discharged; a porthole; also,
the shutters which close such an opening.
Her ports being within sixteen inches of the water.
--Sir W.
Raleigh.
3. (Mach.) A passageway in a machine, through which a fluid,
as steam, water, etc., may pass, as from a valve to the
interior of the cylinder of a steam engine; an opening in
a valve seat, or valve face.
{Air port}, {Bridle port}, etc. See under {Air}, {Bridle},
etc.
{Port bar} (Naut.), a bar to secure the ports of a ship in a
gale.
{Port lid} (Naut.), a lid or hanging for closing the
portholes of a vessel.
{Steam port}, & {Exhaust port} (Steam Engine), the ports of
the cylinder communicating with the valve or valves, for
the entrance or exit of the steam, respectively.
Port \Port\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ported}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Porting}.] [F. porter, L. portare to carry. See {Port}
demeanor.]
1. To carry; to bear; to transport. [Obs.]
They are easily ported by boat into other shires.
--Fuller.
2. (Mil.) To throw, as a musket, diagonally across the body,
with the lock in front, the right hand grasping the small
of the stock, and the barrel sloping upward and crossing
the point of the left shoulder; as, to port arms.
Began to hem him round with ported spears. --Milton.
{Port arms}, a position in the manual of arms, executed as
above.
Port \Port\, n. [F. port, fr. porter to carry, L. portare, prob.
akin to E. fare, v. See {Port} harbor, and cf. {Comport},
{Export}, {Sport}.]
The manner in which a person bears himself; deportment;
carriage; bearing; demeanor; hence, manner or style of
living; as, a proud port. --Spenser.
And of his port as meek as is a maid. --Chaucer.
The necessities of pomp, grandeur, and a suitable port
in the world. --South.
Port \Port\, n. [Etymology uncertain.] (Naut.)
The larboard or left side of a ship (looking from the stern
toward the bow); as, a vessel heels to port. See {Note} under
{Larboard}. Also used adjectively.
Port \Port\, v. t. (Naut.)
To turn or put to the left or larboard side of a ship; --
said of the helm, and used chiefly in the imperative, as a
command; as, port your helm.
Porta \Por"ta\, n.; pl. {Port[ae]}. [L., a gate. See {Port} a
hole.] (Anat.)
(a) The part of the liver or other organ where its vessels
and nerves enter; the hilus.
(b) The foramen of Monro. --B. G. Wilder.
Portability \Port`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being portable; fitness to be
carried.
Portable \Port"a*ble\, a. [L. portabilis, fr. portare to carry:
cf. F. portable. See {Port} demeanor.]
1. Capable of being borne or carried; easily transported;
conveyed without difficulty; as, a portable bed, desk,
engine. --South.
2. Possible to be endured; supportable. [Obs.]
How light and portable my pain seems now! --Shak.
{Portable forge}. See under {Forge}.
{Portable steam engine}. See under {Steam engine}.
Portableness \Port"a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being portable; portability.
Portace \Por"tace\ (?; 48), n.
See {Portass}. [Obs.]
Portage \Port"age\ (?; 48), n. [From 2d {Port}.] (Naut.)
(a) A sailor's wages when in port.
(b) The amount of a sailor's wages for a voyage.
Portage \Port"age\, n. [3d {Port}.]
A porthole. [Obs.] --Shak.
Portage \Por"tage\, n. [F., from porter to carry. See {Port} to
carry.]
1. The act of carrying or transporting.
2. The price of carriage; porterage. --Bp. Fell.
3. Capacity for carrying; tonnage. [Obs.] --Hakluyt.
4. A carry between navigable waters. See 3d {Carry}.
Portage \Por"tage\, v. t. & i.
To carry (goods, boats, etc.) overland between navigable
waters.
Portage group \Por"tage group`\ [So called from the township of
Portage in New York.] (Geol.)
A subdivision of the Chemung period in American geology. See
Chart of {Geology}.
Portague \Por"ta*gue\, n. [See {Portuguese}.]
A Portuguese gold coin formerly current, and variously
estimated to be worth from three and one half to four and one
half pounds sterling. [Obs.] [Written also {portegue} and
{portigue}.]
Ten thousand portagues, besides great pearls.
--Marlowe.
Portal \Por"tal\, n. [OF. portal, F. portail, LL. portale, fr.
L. porta a gate. See {Port} a gate.]
1. A door or gate; hence, a way of entrance or exit,
especially one that is grand and imposing.
Thick with sparkling orient gems The portal shone.
--Milton.
From out the fiery portal of the east. --Shak.
2. (Arch.)
(a) The lesser gate, where there are two of different
dimensions.
(b) Formerly, a small square corner in a room separated
from the rest of the apartment by wainscoting, forming
a short passage to another apartment.
(c) By analogy with the French portail, used by recent
writers for the whole architectural composition which
surrounds and includes the doorways and porches of a
church.
3. (Bridge Building) The space, at one end, between opposite
trusses when these are terminated by inclined braces.
4. A prayer book or breviary; a portass. [Obs.]
{Portal bracing} (Bridge Building), a combination of struts
and ties which lie in the plane of the inclined braces at
a portal, serving to transfer wind pressure from the upper
parts of the trusses to an abutment or pier of the bridge.
Portal \Por"tal\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to a porta, especially the porta of the
liver; as, the portal vein, which enters the liver at the
porta, and divides into capillaries after the manner of an
artery.
Note: Portal is applied to other veins which break up into
capillaries; as, the renal portal veins in the frog.
Portamento \Por`ta*men"to\, n. [It., fr. portare to carry.]
(Mus.)
In singing, or in the use of the bow, a gradual carrying or
lifting of the voice or sound very smoothly from one note to
another; a gliding from tone to tone.
Portance \Por"tance\, n.
See {Port}, carriage, demeanor. [Obs.] --Spenser. Shak.
Portass \Por"tass\, n. [OF. porte-hors a kind of prayer book, so
called from being portable; cf. LL. portiforium.]
A breviary; a prayer book. [Written variously {portace},
{portasse}, {portesse}, {portise}, {porthose}, {portos},
{portus}, {portuse}, etc.] [Obs.] --Spenser. Camden.
By God and by this porthors I you swear. --Chaucer.
Portate \Por"tate\, a. [L. portatus, p. p. of portare to carry.]
(Her.)
Borne not erect, but diagonally athwart an escutcheon; as, a
cross portate.
Portative \Por"ta*tive\, a. [Cf. F. portatif.]
1. Portable. [Obs.]
2. (Physics) Capable of holding up or carrying; as, the
portative force of a magnet, of atmospheric pressure, or
of capillarity.
Portcluse \Port"cluse\, n.
A portcullis. [Obs.]
Portcrayon \Port`cray"on\, n. [F. porte-crayon; porter to carry
+ crayon a crayon.]
A metallic handle with a clasp for holding a crayon.
Portcullis \Port*cul"lis\, n. [OF. porte coulisse, cole["i]ce, a
sliding door, fr. L. colare, colatum, to filter, to strain:
cf. F. couler to glide. See {Port} a gate, and cf. {Cullis},
{Colander}.]
1. (Fort.) A grating of iron or of timbers pointed with iron,
hung over the gateway of a fortress, to be let down to
prevent the entrance of an enemy. ``Let the portcullis
fall.'' --Sir W. Scott.
She . . . the huge portcullis high updrew. --Milton.
2. An English coin of the reign of Elizabeth, struck for the
use of the East India Company; -- so called from its
bearing the figure of a portcullis on the reverse.
Portcullis \Port*cul"lis\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Portcullised};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Portcullising}.]
To obstruct with, or as with, a portcullis; to shut; to bar.
[R.] --Shak.
Porte \Porte\, n. [F. porte a gate, L. porta. See {Port} a
gate.]
The Ottoman court; the government of the Turkish empire,
officially called the {Sublime Porte}, from the gate (port)
of the sultan's palace at which justice was administered.
Porte-cochere \Porte"-co`ch[`e]re"\, n. [F. See {Port} a gate,
and {Coach}.] (Arch.)
A large doorway allowing vehicles to drive into or through a
building. It is common to have the entrance door open upon
the passage of the porte-coch[`e]re. Also, a porch over a
driveway before an entrance door.
Ported \Port"ed\, a.
Having gates. [Obs.]
We took the sevenfold-ported Thebes. --Chapman.
Portegue \Por"te*gue\, n.
See {Portague}. [Obs.]
Portemonnaie \Porte"mon*naie`\, n. [F., fr. porter to carry +
monnaie money.]
A small pocketbook or wallet for carrying money.
Portend \Por*tend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Portended}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Portending}.] [L. portendre, portentum, to foretell,
to predict, to impend, from an old preposition used in comp.
+ tendere to stretch. See {Position}, {Tend}.]
1. To indicate (events, misfortunes, etc.) as in future; to
foreshow; to foretoken; to bode; -- now used esp. of
unpropitious signs. --Bacon.
Many signs portended a dark and stormy day.
--Macaulay.
2. To stretch out before. [R.] ``Doomed to feel the great
Idomeneus' portended steel.'' --Pope.
Syn: To foreshow; foretoken; betoken; forebode; augur;
presage; foreshadow; threaten.
Portension \Por*ten"sion\, n.
The act of foreshowing; foreboding. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Portent \Por*tent"\ (?; 277), n. [L. portentum. See {Portend}.]
That which portends, or foretoken; esp., that which portends
evil; a sign of coming calamity; an omen; a sign. --Shak.
My loss by dire portents the god foretold. --Dryden.
Portentive \Por*tent"ive\, a.
Presaging; foreshadowing.
Portentous \Por*tent"ous\, a. [L. portentosus.]
1. Of the nature of a portent; containing portents;
foreshadowing, esp. foreshadowing ill; ominous.
For, I believe, they are portentous things. --Shak.
Victories of strange and almost portentous splendor.
--Macaulay.
2. Hence: Monstrous; prodigious; wonderful; dreadful; as, a
beast of portentous size. --Roscommon. --
{Por*tent"ous*ly}, adv. -- {Por*tent"ous*ness}, n.
Porter \Por"ter\, n. [F. portier, L. portarius, from porta a
gate, door. See {Port} a gate.]
A man who has charge of a door or gate; a doorkeeper; one who
waits at the door to receive messages. --Shak.
To him the porter openeth. --John x. 3.
Porter \Por"ter\, n. [F. porteur, fr. porter to carry, L.
portare. See {Port} to carry.]
1. A carrier; one who carries or conveys burdens, luggage,
etc.; for hire.
2. (Forging) A bar of iron or steel at the end of which a
forging is made; esp., a long, large bar, to the end of
which a heavy forging is attached, and by means of which
the forging is lifted and handled in hammering and
heating; -- called also {porter bar}.
3. A malt liquor, of a dark color and moderately bitter
taste, possessing tonic and intoxicating qualities.
Note: Porter is said to be so called as having been first
used chiefly by the London porters, and this
application of the word is supposed to be not older
than 1750.
Porterage \Por"ter*age\, n.
1. The work of a porter; the occupation of a carrier or of a
doorkeeper.
2. Money charged or paid for the carriage of burdens or
parcels by a porter.
Porteress \Por"ter*ess\, n.
See {Portress}.
Porterhouse \Por"ter*house\, n.
A house where porter is sold.
{Porterhouse steak}, a steak cut from a sirloin of beet,
including the upper and under part.
Portesse \Por"tesse\, n.
See {Porteass}. [Obs.] --Tyndale.
Portfire \Port"fire`\, n.
A case of strong paper filled with a composition of niter,
sulphur, and mealed powder, -- used principally to ignite the
priming in proving guns, and as an incendiary material in
shells.
Portfolio \Port*fol"io\, n. [F. portefeuille; porter to carry +
feuille a leaf. See {Port} to carry, and {Folio}.]
1. A portable case for holding loose papers, prints,
drawings, etc.
2. Hence: The office and functions of a minister of state or
member of the cabinet; as, to receive the portfolio of
war; to resign the portfolio.
Portglave \Port"glave\, n. [F. porte-glaive; porter to carry +
glaive a sword.]
A sword bearer. [Obs.]
Portgreve \Port"greve`\, Portgrave \Port"grave`\, [AS.
portger[=e]fa; port a harbor + ger[=e]fa a reeve or sheriff.
See {Reeve} a steward, and cf. {Portreeve}.]
In old English law, the chief magistrate of a port or
maritime town.; a portreeve. [Obs.] --Fabyan.
Porthole \Port"hole`\, n. (Naut.)
An embrasure in a ship's side. See 3d {Port}.
Porthook \Port"hook`\, n. (Naut.)
One of the iron hooks to which the port hinges are attached.
--J. Knowles.
Porthors \Port"hors`\, n.
See {Portass}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Portico \Por"ti*co\, n.; pl. {Porticoes}or {Porticos}. [It., L.
porticus. See {Porch}.] (Arch.)
A colonnade or covered ambulatory, especially in classical
styles of architecture; usually, a colonnade at the entrance
of a building.
Porticoed \Por"ti*coed\, a.
Furnished with a portico.
Portiere \Por`ti[`e]re""\, n. [F., fr. porte gate, door. See
{Port} a gate.]
A curtain hanging across a doorway.
Portigue \Por"ti*gue\, n.
See {Portague}. --Beau. & Fl.
Portingal \Por"tin*gal\, a.
Of or pertaining to Portugal; Portuguese. [Obs.] -- n. A
Portuguese. [Obs.]
Portion \Por"tion\, n. [F., from L. portio, akin to pars,
partis, a part. See {Part}, n.]
1. That which is divided off or separated, as a part from a
whole; a separated part of anything.
2. A part considered by itself, though not actually cut off
or separated from the whole.
These are parts of his ways; but how little a
portion is heard of him! --Job xxvi.
14.
Portions and parcels of the dreadful past.
--Tennyson.
3. A part assigned; allotment; share; fate.
The lord of that servant . . . will appoint him his
portion with the unbelievers. --Luke xii.
46.
Man's portion is to die and rise again. --Keble.
4. The part of an estate given to a child or heir, or
descending to him by law, and distributed to him in the
settlement of the estate; an inheritance.
Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.
--Luke xv. 12.
5. A wife's fortune; a dowry. --Shak.
Syn: Division; share; parcel; quantity; allotment; dividend.
Usage: {Portion}, {Part}. Part is generic, having a simple
reference to some whole. Portion has the additional
idea of such a division as bears reference to an
individual, or is allotted to some object; as, a
portion of one's time; a portion of Scripture.
Portion \Por"tion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Portioned}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Portioning}.]
1. To separate or divide into portions or shares; to parcel;
to distribute.
And portion to his tribes the wide domain. --Pope.
2. To endow with a portion or inheritance.
Him portioned maids, apprenticed orphans, blest.
--Pope.
Portioner \Por"tion*er\, n.
1. One who portions.
2. (Eccl.) See {Portionist}, 2.
Portionist \Por"tion*ist\, n.
1. A scholar at Merton College, Oxford, who has a certain
academical allowance or portion; -- corrupted into
postmaster. --Shipley.
2. (Eccl.) One of the incumbents of a benefice which has two
or more rectors or vicars.
Portionless \Por"tion*less\, a.
Having no portion.
Portise \Por"tise\, n.
See {Portass}. [Obs.]
Portland cement \Port"land ce*ment"\
A cement having the color of the Portland stone of England,
made by calcining an artificial mixture of carbonate of lime
and clay, or sometimes certain natural limestones or chalky
clays. It contains a large proportion of clay, and hardens
under water.
Portland stone \Port"land stone"\
A yellowish-white calcareous freestone from the Isle of
Portland in England, much used in building.
Portland vase \Port"land vase`\
A celebrated cinerary urn or vase found in the tomb of the
Emperor Alexander Severus. It is owned by the Duke of
Portland, and kept in the British Museum.
Portlast \Port"last\, n. (Naut.)
The portoise. See {Portoise}.
Portliness \Port"li*ness\, n.
1. The quality or state of being portly; dignity of mien or
of personal appearance; stateliness.
Such pride is praise; such portliness is honor.
--Spenser.
2. Bulkiness; corpulence.
Portly \Port"ly\, a. [From {Port} demeanor.]
1. Having a dignified port or mien; of a noble appearance;
imposing.
2. Bulky; corpulent. ``A portly personage.'' --Dickens.
Portman \Port"man\, n.; pl. {Portmen}.
An inhabitant or burgess of a port, esp. of one of the Cinque
Ports.
Portmanteau \Port*man"teau\, n.; pl. {Portmanteaus}. [F.
porte-manteau; porter to carry + manteau a cloak, mantle. See
{Port} to carry, and {Mantle}.]
A bag or case, usually of leather, for carrying wearing
apparel, etc., on journeys. --Thackeray.
Portmantle \Port*man"tle\, n.
A portmanteau. [Obs.]
Portmote \Port"mote`\, n.
In old English law, a court, or mote, held in a port town.
[Obs.] --Blackstone.
Portoir \Por"toir\, n. [OF., fr. porter to bear.]
One who, or that which, bears; hence, one who, or that which,
produces. [Obs.]
Branches . . . which were portoirs, and bare grapes.
--Holland.
Portoise \Por"toise\, n. [Perhaps fr. OF. porteis portative,
portable.] (Naut.)
The gunwale of a ship.
{To lower the yards a-portoise}, to lower them to the
gunwale.
{To ride a portoise}, to ride an anchor with the lower yards
and topmasts struck or lowered, as in a gale of wind.
Portos \Por"tos\, n.
See {Portass}. [Obs.]
Portpane \Port"pane\, n. [From L. portare to carry + panis
bread; prob. through French.]
A cloth for carrying bread, so as not to touch it with the
hands. [Obs.]
Portrait \Por"trait\, n. [F., originally p. p. of portraire to
portray. See {Portray}.]
1. The likeness of a person, painted, drawn, or engraved;
commonly, a representation of the human face painted from
real life.
In portraits, the grace, and, we may add, the
likeness, consists more in the general air than in
the exact similitude of every feature. --Sir J.
Reynolds.
Note: The meaning of the word is sometimes extended so as to
include a photographic likeness.
2. Hence, any graphic or vivid delineation or description of
a person; as, a portrait in words.
{Portrait bust}, or {Portrait statue}, a bust or statue
representing the actual features or person of an
individual; -- in distinction from an ideal bust or
statue.
Portrait \Por"trait\, v. t.
To portray; to draw. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Portraitist \Por"trait*ist\, n.
A portrait painter. [R.] --Hamerton.
Portraiture \Por"trai*ture\ (?; 135), n. [F. portraiture.]
1. A portrait; a likeness; a painted resemblance; hence, that
which is copied from some example or model.
For, by the image of my cause, I see The portraiture
of his. --Shak.
Divinity maketh the love of ourselves the pattern;
the love of our neighbors but the portraiture.
--Bacon.
2. Pictures, collectively; painting. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
3. The art or practice of making portraits. --Walpole.
Portraiture \Por"trai*ture\, v. t.
To represent by a portrait, or as by a portrait; to portray.
[R.] --Shaftesbury.
Portray \Por*tray"\, v. t. [Written also {pourtray}.] [imp. & p.
p. {portrayed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Portraying}.] [OE.
pourtraien, OF. portraire, pourtraire, F. portraire, fr. L.
protrahere, protractum, to draw or drag forth; pro forward,
forth + trahere to draw. See {Trace}, v. t., and cf.
{Protract}.]
1. To paint or draw the likeness of; as, to portray a king on
horseback.
Take a tile, and lay it before thee, and portray
upon it the city, even Jerusalem. --Ezek. iv. 1.
2. Hence, figuratively, to describe in words.
3. To adorn with pictures. [R.]
Spear and helmets thronged, and shields Various with
boastful arguments potrayed. --Milton.
Portrayal \Por*tray"al\, n.
The act or process of portraying; description; delineation.
Portrayer \Por*tray"er\, n.
One who portrays. --Chaucer.
Portreeve \Port"reeve`\, n.
A port warden.
Portress \Por"tress\, n.
A female porter. --Milton.
Port-royalist \Port-roy"al*ist\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
One of the dwellers in the Cistercian convent of Port Royal
des Champs, near Paris, when it was the home of the
Jansenists in the 17th century, among them being Arnauld,
Pascal, and other famous scholars. Cf. {Jansenist}.
Portsale \Port"sale`\, n. [Port gate + sale.]
Public or open sale; auction. [Obs.] --Holland.
Portuary \Por"tu*a*ry\ (?; 135), n. [Cf. {Portass}.] (R. C. Ch.)
A breviary. [Eng.]
Portuguese \Por"tu*guese\, a. [Cf. F. portugais, Sp. portugues,
Pg. portuguez.]
Of or pertaining to Portugal, or its inhabitants. -- n. sing.
& pl. A native or inhabitant of Portugal; people of Portugal.
{Portuguese man-of-war}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Physalia}.
Portulaca \Por`tu*la"ca\, n. [L., purslane.] (Bot.)
A genus of polypetalous plants; also, any plant of the genus.
Note: {Portulaca oleracea} is the common purslane. {P.
grandiflora} is a South American herb, widely
cultivated for its showy crimson, scarlet, yellow, or
white, ephemeral blossoms.
Portulacaceous \Por`tu*la*ca"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to a natural order of plants
({Portulacace[ae]}), of which Portulaca is the type, and
which includes also the spring beauty ({Claytonia}) and other
genera.
Porwigle \Por"wi`gle\, n.
See {Polliwig}.
Pory \Por"y\, a.
Porous; as, pory stone. [R.] Dryden.
Pos'e \Po`s['e]"\, a. [F., placed, posed.] (Her.)
Standing still, with all the feet on the ground; -- said of
the attitude of a lion, horse, or other beast.
Pose \Pose\, n. [AS. gepose; of uncertain origin; cf. W. pas a
cough, Skr. k[=a]s to cough, and E. wheeze.]
A cold in the head; catarrh. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pose \Pose\, n. [F. pose, fr. poser. See {Pose}, v. t.]
The attitude or position of a person; the position of the
body or of any member of the body; especially, a position
formally assumed for the sake of effect; an artificial
position; as, the pose of an actor; the pose of an artist's
model or of a statue.
Pose \Pose\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Posed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Posing}.] [F. poser to place, to put, L. pausare to pause,
in LL. also, to place, put, fr. L. pausa a pause, Gr. ?, fr.
? to make to cease, prob. akin to E. few. In compounds, this
word appears corresponding to L. ponere to put, place, the
substitution in French having been probably due to confusion
of this word with L. positio position, fr. ponere. See {Few},
and cf. {Appose}, {Dispose}, {Oppose}, {Pause}, {Repose},
{Position}.]
To place in an attitude or fixed position, for the sake of
effect; to arrange the posture and drapery of (a person) in a
studied manner; as, to pose a model for a picture; to pose a
sitter for a portrait.
Pose \Pose\, v. i.
To assume and maintain a studied attitude, with studied
arrangement of drapery; to strike an attitude; to
attitudinize; figuratively, to assume or affect a certain
character; as, she poses as a prude.
He . . . posed before her as a hero. --Thackeray.
Pose \Pose\, v. t. [Shortened from appose, for oppose. See 2d
{Appose}, {Oppose}.]
1. To interrogate; to question. [Obs.] ``She . . . posed him
and sifted him.'' --Bacon.
2. To question with a view to puzzling; to embarrass by
questioning or scrutiny; to bring to a stand.
A question wherewith a learned Pharisee thought to
pose and puzzle him. --Barrow.
Posed \Posed\, a.
Firm; determined; fixed. ``A most posed . . . and grave
behavior.'' [Obs.] --Urquhart.
Poser \Pos"er\, n.
One who, or that which, puzzles; a difficult or inexplicable
question or fact. --Bacon.
Posied \Po"sied\, a.
Inscribed with a posy.
In poised lockets bribe the fair. --Gay.
Posingly \Pos"ing*ly\, adv.
So as to pose or puzzle.
Posit \Pos"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Posited}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Positing}.] [L. ponere, positum, to place. See {Position}.]
1. To dispose or set firmly or fixedly; to place or dispose
in relation to other objects. --Sir M. Hale.
2. (Logic) To assume as real or conceded; as, to posit a
principle. --Sir W. Hamilton.
Position \Po*si"tion\, n. [F. position, L. positio, fr. ponere,
positum, to put, place; prob. for posino, fr. an old
preposition used only in comp. (akin to Gr. ?) + sinere to
leave, let, permit, place. See {Site}, and cf. {Composite},
{Compound}, v., {Depone}, {Deposit}, {Expound}, {Impostor},
{Opposite}, {Propound}, {Pose}, v., {Posit}, {Post}, n.]
1. The state of being posited, or placed; the manner in which
anything is placed; attitude; condition; as, a firm, an
inclined, or an upright position.
We have different prospects of the same thing,
according to our different positions to it. --Locke.
2. The spot where a person or thing is placed or takes a
place; site; place; station; situation; as, the position
of man in creation; the fleet changed its position.
3. Hence: The ground which any one takes in an argument or
controversy; the point of view from which any one proceeds
to a discussion; also, a principle laid down as the basis
of reasoning; a proposition; a thesis; as, to define one's
position; to appear in a false position.
Let not the proof of any position depend on the
positions that follow, but always on those which go
before. --I. Watts.
4. Relative place or standing; social or official rank; as, a
person of position; hence, office; post; as, to lose one's
position.
5. (Arith.) A method of solving a problem by one or two
suppositions; -- called also the {rule of trial and
error}.
{Angle of position} (Astron.), the angle which any line (as
that joining two stars) makes with another fixed line,
specifically with a circle of declination.
{Double position} (Arith.), the method of solving problems by
proceeding with each of two assumed numbers, according to
the conditions of the problem, and by comparing the
difference of the results with those of the numbers,
deducing the correction to be applied to one of them to
obtain the true result.
{Guns of position} (Mil.), heavy fieldpieces, not designed
for quick movements.
{Position finder} (Mil.), a range finder. See under {Range}.
{Position micrometer}, a micrometer applied to the tube of an
astronomical telescope for measuring angles of position in
the field of view.
{Single position} (Arith.), the method of solving problems,
in which the result obtained by operating with an assumed
number is to the true result as the number assumed is to
the number required.
{Strategic position} (Mil.), a position taken up by an army
or a large detachment of troops for the purpose of
checking or observing an opposing force.
Syn: Situation; station; place; condition; attitude; posture;
proposition; assertion; thesis.
Position \Po*si"tion\, v. t.
To indicate the position of; to place. [R.] --Encyc. Brit.
Positional \Po*si"tion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to position.
Ascribing unto plants positional operations. --Sir T.
Browne.
Positive \Pos"i*tive\, a. [OE. positif, F. positif, L.
positivus. See {Position}.]
1. Having a real position, existence, or energy; existing in
fact; real; actual; -- opposed to negative. ``Positive
good.'' --Bacon.
2. Derived from an object by itself; not dependent on
changing circumstances or relations; absolute; -- opposed
to relative; as, the idea of beauty is not positive, but
depends on the different tastes individuals.
3. Definitely laid down; explicitly stated; clearly
expressed; -- opposed to implied; as, a positive
declaration or promise.
Positive words, that he would not bear arms against
King Edward's son. --Bacon.
4. Hence: Not admitting of any doubt, condition,
qualification, or discretion; not dependent on
circumstances or probabilities; not speculative;
compelling assent or obedience; peremptory; indisputable;
decisive; as, positive instructions; positive truth;
positive proof. ``'T is positive 'gainst all exceptions.''
--Shak.
5. Prescribed by express enactment or institution; settled by
arbitrary appointment; said of laws.
In laws, that which is natural bindeth universally;
that which is positive, not so. --Hooker.
6. Fully assured; confident; certain; sometimes,
overconfident; dogmatic; overbearing; -- said of persons.
Some positive, persisting fops we know, That, if
once wrong, will needs be always. --Pope.
7. Having the power of direct action or influence; as, a
positive voice in legislation. --Swift.
8. (Photog.) Corresponding with the original in respect to
the position of lights and shades, instead of having the
lights and shades reversed; as, a positive picture.
9. (Chem.)
(a) Electro-positive.
(b) Hence, basic; metallic; not acid; -- opposed to
{negative}, and said of metals, bases, and basic
radicals.
{Positive crystals} (Opt.), a doubly refracting crystal in
which the index of refraction for the extraordinary ray is
greater than for the ordinary ray, and the former is
refracted nearer to the axis than the latter, as quartz
and ice; -- opposed to negative crystal, or one in which
this characteristic is reversed, as Iceland spar,
tourmaline, etc.
{Positive degree} (Gram.), that state of an adjective or
adverb which denotes simple quality, without comparison or
relation to increase or diminution; as, wise, noble.
{Positive electricity} (Elec), the kind of electricity which
is developed when glass is rubbed with silk, or which
appears at that pole of a voltaic battery attached to the
plate that is not attacked by the exciting liquid; --
formerly called {vitreous electricity}; -- opposed to
{negative electricity}.
{Positive eyepiece}. See under {Eyepiece}.
{Positive law}. See {Municipal law}, under {Law}.
{Positive motion} (Mach.), motion which is derived from a
driver through unyielding intermediate pieces, or by
direct contact, and not through elastic connections, nor
by means of friction, gravity, etc.; definite motion.
{Positive philosophy}. See {Positivism}.
{Positive pole}.
(a) (Elec.) The pole of a battery or pile which yields
positive or vitreous electricity; -- opposed to
{negative pole}.
(b) (Magnetism) The north pole. [R.]
{Positive quantity} (Alg.), an affirmative quantity, or one
affected by the sign plus [+].
{Positive rotation} (Mech.), left-handed rotation.
{Positive sign} (Math.), the sign [+] denoting plus, or more,
or addition.
Positive \Pos"i*tive\, n.
1. That which is capable of being affirmed; reality. --South.
2. That which settles by absolute appointment.
3. (Gram.) The positive degree or form.
4. (Photog.) A picture in which the lights and shades
correspond in position with those of the original, instead
of being reversed, as in a negative. --R. Hunt.
5. (Elec.) The positive plate of a voltaic or electrolytic
cell.
Positively \Pos"i*tive*ly\, adv.
In a positive manner; absolutely; really; expressly; with
certainty; indubitably; peremptorily; dogmatically; --
opposed to negatively.
Good and evil which is removed may be esteemed good or
evil comparatively, and positively simply. --Bacon.
Give me some breath, some little pause, my lord, Before
I positively speak herein. --Shak.
I would ask . . . whether . . . the divine law does not
positively require humility and meekness. --Sprat.
{Positively charged} or {electrified} (Elec.), having a
charge of positive electricity; -- opposed to {negatively
electrified}.
Positiveness \Pos"i*tive*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being positive; reality; actualness;
certainty; confidence; peremptoriness; dogmatism. See
{Positive}, a.
Positiveness, pedantry, and ill manners. --Swift.
The positiveness of sins of commission lies both in the
habitude of the will and in the executed act too; the
positiveness of sins of omission is in the habitude of
the will only. --Norris.
Positivism \Pos"i*tiv*ism\, n.
A system of philosophy originated by M. Auguste Comte, which
deals only with positives. It excludes from philosophy
everything but the natural phenomena or properties of
knowable things, together with their invariable relations of
coexistence and succession, as occurring in time and space.
Such relations are denominated laws, which are to be
discovered by observation, experiment, and comparison. This
philosophy holds all inquiry into causes, both efficient and
final, to be useless and unprofitable.
Positivist \Pos"i*tiv*ist\, n.
A believer in positivism. -- a. Relating to positivism.
Positivity \Pos`i*tiv"i*ty\, n.
Positiveness. --J. Morley.
Positure \Pos"i*ture\ (?; 135), n.
See {Posture}. [Obs.]
Posnet \Pos"net\, n. [OF. po[,c]onet, dim. of po[,c]on a pot, a
vessel.]
A little basin; a porringer; a skillet.
Posologic \Pos`o*log"ic\, Posological \Pos`o*log"ic*al\, a. [Cf.
F. posologique.]
Pertaining to posology.
Posology \Po*sol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? how much + -logy: cf. F.
posologie.] (Med.)
The science or doctrine of doses; dosology.
Pospolite \Pos"po*lite\, n. [Pol. pospolite ruszenie a general
summons to arms, an arriere-ban; pospolity general + ruszenie
a stirring.]
A kind of militia in Poland, consisting of the gentry, which,
in case of invasion, was summoned to the defense of the
country.
Poss \Poss\, v. t. [See {Push}.]
To push; to dash; to throw. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
A cat . . . possed them [the rats] about. --Piers
Plowman.
Posse \Pos"se\, n.
See {Posse comitatus}.
{In posse}. See {In posse} in the Vocabulary.
Posse comitatus \Pos"se com`i*ta"tus\ [L. posse to be able, to
have power + LL. comitatus a county, from comes, comitis, a
count. See {County}, and {Power}.]
1. (Law) The power of the county, or the citizens who may be
summoned by the sheriff to assist the authorities in
suppressing a riot, or executing any legal precept which
is forcibly opposed. --Blackstone.
2. A collection of people; a throng; a rabble. [Colloq.]
Note: The word comitatus is often omitted, and posse alone
used. ``A whole posse of enthusiasts.'' --Carlyle.
As if the passion that rules were the sheriff of
the place, and came off with all the posse.
--Locke.
Possess \Pos*sess"\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Possessed};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Possessing}.] [L. possessus, p. p. of
possidere to have, possess, from an inseparable prep. (cf.
{Position}) + sedere to sit. See {Sit}.]
1. To occupy in person; to hold or actually have in one's own
keeping; to have and to hold.
Houses and fields and vineyards shall be possessed
again in this land. --Jer. xxxii.
15.
Yet beauty, though injurious, hath strange power,
After offense returning, to regain Love once
possessed. --Milton.
2. To have the legal title to; to have a just right to; to be
master of; to own; to have; as, to possess property, an
estate, a book.
I am yours, and all that I possess. --Shak.
3. To obtain occupation or possession of; to accomplish; to
gain; to seize.
How . . . to possess the purpose they desired.
--Spenser.
4. To enter into and influence; to control the will of; to
fill; to affect; -- said especially of evil spirits,
passions, etc. ``Weakness possesseth me.'' --Shak.
Those which were possessed with devils. --Matt. iv.
24.
For ten inspired, ten thousand are possessed.
--Roscommon.
5. To put in possession; to make the owner or holder of
property, power, knowledge, etc.; to acquaint; to inform;
-- followed by of or with before the thing possessed, and
now commonly used reflexively.
I have possessed your grace of what I purpose.
--Shak.
Record a gift . . . of all he dies possessed Unto
his son. --Shak.
We possessed our selves of the kingdom of Naples.
--Addison.
To possess our minds with an habitual good
intention. --Addison.
Syn: To have; hold; occupy; control; own.
Usage: {Possess}, {Have}. Have is the more general word. To
possess denotes to have as a property. It usually
implies more permanence or definiteness of control or
ownership than is involved in having. A man does not
possess his wife and children: they are (so to speak)
part of himself. For the same reason, we have the
faculties of reason, understanding, will, sound
judgment, etc.: they are exercises of the mind, not
possessions.
Possession \Pos*ses"sion\, n. [F. possession, L. possessio.]
1. The act or state of possessing, or holding as one's own.
2. (Law) The having, holding, or detention of property in
one's power or command; actual seizin or occupancy;
ownership, whether rightful or wrongful.
Note: Possession may be either actual or constructive;
actual, when a party has the immediate occupancy;
constructive, when he has only the right to such
occupancy.
3. The thing possessed; that which any one occupies, owns, or
controls; in the plural, property in the aggregate;
wealth; dominion; as, foreign possessions.
When the young man heard that saying, he went away
sorrowful, for he had great possessions. --Matt.
xix. 22.
Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.
--Acts v. 1.
The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
--Ob. 17.
4. The state of being possessed or controlled, as by an evil
spirit, or violent passions; madness; frenzy; as,
demoniacal possession.
How long hath this possession held the man? --Shak.
{To give possession}, to put in another's power or occupancy.
{To put in possession}.
(a) To invest with ownership or occupancy; to provide or
furnish with; as, to put one in possession of facts or
information.
(b) (Law) To place one in charge of property recovered in
ejectment or writ of entry.
{To take possession}, to enter upon, or to bring within one's
power or occupancy.
{Writ of possession} (Law), a precept directing a sheriff to
put a person in peaceable possession of property recovered
in ejectment or writ of entry.
Possession \Pos*ses"sion\, v. t.
To invest with property. [Obs.]
Possessionary \Pos*ses"sion*a*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to possession; arising from possession.
Possessioner \Pos*ses"sion*er\, n.
1. A possessor; a property holder. [Obs.] ``Possessioners of
riches.'' --E. Hall.
Having been of old freemen and possessioners. --Sir
P. Sidney.
2. An invidious name for a member of any religious community
endowed with property in lands, buildings, etc., as
contrasted with mendicant friars. [Obs.] --Wyclif.
Possessival \Pos`ses*si"val\, a.
Of or pertaining to the possessive case; as, a possessival
termination. --Earle.
Possessive \Pos*sess"ive\, a. [L. possessivus: cf. F.
possessif.]
Of or pertaining to possession; having or indicating
possession.
{Possessive case} (Eng. Gram.), the genitive case; the case
of nouns and pronouns which expresses ownership, origin,
or some possessive relation of one thing to another; as,
Homer's admirers; the pear's flavor; the dog's
faithfulness.
{Possessive pronoun}, a pronoun denoting ownership; as, his
name; her home; my book.
Possessive \Pos*sess"ive\, n.
1. (Gram.) The possessive case.
2. (Gram.) A possessive pronoun, or a word in the possessive
case.
Possessively \Pos*sess"ive*ly\, adv.
In a possessive manner.
Possessor \Pos*sess"or\, n. [L.: cf. F. possesseur.]
One who possesses; one who occupies, holds, owns, or
controls; one who has actual participation or enjoyment,
generally of that which is desirable; a proprietor.
``Possessors of eternal glory.'' --Law.
As if he had been possessor of the whole world.
--Sharp.
Syn: Owner; proprietor; master; holder; occupant.
Possessory \Pos*sess"o*ry\, a. [L. possessorius: cf. F.
possessoire.]
Of or pertaining to possession, either as a fact or a right;
of the nature of possession; as, a possessory interest; a
possessory lord.
{Possessory action} or {suit} (Law), an action to regain or
obtain possession of something. See under {Petitory}.
Posset \Pos"set\, n. [W. posel curdled milk, posset.]
A beverage composed of hot milk curdled by some strong
infusion, as by wine, etc., -- much in favor formerly. ``I
have drugged their posset.'' --Shak.
Posset \Pos"set\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Posseted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Posseting}.]
1. To curdle; to turn, as milk; to coagulate; as, to posset
the blood. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. To treat with possets; to pamper. [R.] ``She was cosseted
and posseted.'' --O. W. Holmes.
Possibility \Pos`si*bil"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Possibilities}. [F.
possibilit['e], L. possibilitas.]
1. The quality or state of being possible; the power of
happening, being, or existing. ``All possibility of
error.'' --Hooker. ``Latent possibilities of excellence.''
--Johnson.
2. That which is possible; a contingency; a thing or event
that may not happen; a contingent interest, as in real or
personal estate. --South. Burrill.
Possible \Pos"si*ble\, a. [F., fr. L. possibilis, fr. posse to
be able, to have power; potis able, capable + esse to be. See
{Potent}, {Am}, and cf. {Host} a landlord.]
Capable of existing or occurring, or of being conceived or
thought of; able to happen; capable of being done; not
contrary to the nature of things; -- sometimes used to
express extreme improbability; barely able to be, or to come
to pass; as, possibly he is honest, as it is possible that
Judas meant no wrong.
With God all things are possible. --Matt. xix.
26.
Syn: Practicable; likely. See {Practicable}.
Possibly \Pos"si*bly\, adv.
In a possible manner; by possible means; especially, by
extreme, remote, or improbable intervention, change, or
exercise of power; by a chance; perhaps; as, possibly he may
recover.
Can we . . . possibly his love desert? --Milton.
When possibly I can, I will return. --Shak.
Possum \Pos"sum\, n. [Shortened from opossum.] (Zo["o]l.)
An opossum. [Colloq. U. S.]
{To play possum}, {To act possum}, to feign ignorance,
indifference or inattention, with the intent to deceive;
to dissemble; -- in allusion to the habit of the opossum,
which feigns death when attacked or alarmed.
Post- \Post-\ (p[=o]st). [L. post behind, after; cf. Skr.
pa[,c]c[=a]behind, afterwards.]
A prefix signifying behind, back, after; as, postcommissure,
postdot, postscript.
Post \Post\, a. [F. aposter to place in a post or position,
generally for a bad purpose.]
Hired to do what is wrong; suborned. [Obs.] --Sir E. Sandys.
Post \Post\, n. [AS., fr. L. postis, akin to ponere, positum, to
place. See {Position}, and cf. 4th {Post}.]
1. A piece of timber, metal, or other solid substance, fixed,
or to be fixed, firmly in an upright position, especially
when intended as a stay or support to something else; a
pillar; as, a hitching post; a fence post; the posts of a
house.
They shall take of the blood, and strike it on the
two side posts and on the upper doorpost of the
houses. --Ex. xii. 7.
Then by main force pulled up, and on his shoulders
bore, The gates of Azza, post and massy bar.
--Milton.
Unto his order he was a noble post. --Chaucer.
Note: Post, in the sense of an upright timber or strut, is
used in composition, in such words as king-post,
queen-post, crown-post, gatepost, etc.
2. The doorpost of a victualer's shop or inn, on which were
chalked the scores of customers; hence, a score; a debt.
[Obs.]
When God sends coin I will discharge your post. --S.
Rowlands.
{From pillar to post}. See under {Pillar}.
{Knight of the post}. See under {Knight}.
{Post hanger} (Mach.), a bearing for a revolving shaft,
adapted to be fastened to a post.
{Post hole}, a hole in the ground to set the foot of a post
in.
{Post mill}, a form of windmill so constructed that the whole
fabric rests on a vertical axis firmly fastened to the
ground, and capable of being turned as the direction of
the wind varies.
{Post and stall} (Coal Mining), a mode of working in which
pillars of coal are left to support the roof of the mine.
Post \Post\, n. [F. poste, LL. posta station, post (where horses
were kept), properly, a fixed or set place, fem. fr. L.
positus placed, p. p. of ponere. See {Position}, and cf.
{Post} a pillar.]
1. The place at which anything is stopped, placed, or fixed;
a station. Specifically:
(a) A station, or one of a series of stations, established
for the refreshment and accommodation of travelers on
some recognized route; as, a stage or railway post.
(b) A military station; the place at which a soldier or a
body of troops is stationed; also, the troops at such
a station.
(c) The piece of ground to which a sentinel's walk is
limited.
2. A messenger who goes from station; an express; especially,
one who is employed by the government to carry letters and
parcels regularly from one place to another; a letter
carrier; a postman.
In certain places there be always fresh posts, to
carry that further which is brought unto them by the
other. --Abp. Abbot.
I fear my Julia would not deign my lines, Receiving
them from such a worthless post. --Shak.
3. An established conveyance for letters from one place or
station to another; especially, the governmental system in
any country for carrying and distributing letters and
parcels; the post office; the mail; hence, the carriage by
which the mail is transported.
I send you the fair copy of the poem on dullness,
which I should not care to hazard by the common
post. --Pope.
4. Haste or speed, like that of a messenger or mail carrier.
[Obs.] ``In post he came.'' --Shak.
5. One who has charge of a station, especially of a postal
station. [Obs.]
He held office of postmaster, or, as it was then
called, post, for several years. --Palfrey.
6. A station, office, or position of service, trust, or
emolument; as, the post of duty; the post of danger.
The post of honor is a private station. --Addison.
7. A size of printing and writing paper. See the Table under
{Paper}.
{Post and pair}, an old game at cards, in which each player a
hand of three cards. --B. Jonson.
{Post bag}, a mail bag.
{Post bill}, a bill of letters mailed by a postmaster.
{Post chaise}, or {Post coach}, a carriage usually with four
wheels, for the conveyance of travelers who travel post.
{Post day}, a day on which the mall arrives or departs.
{Post hackney}, a hired post horse. --Sir H. Wotton.
{Post horn}, a horn, or trumpet, carried and blown by a
carrier of the public mail, or by a coachman.
{Post horse}, a horse stationed, intended, or used for the
post.
{Post hour}, hour for posting letters. --Dickens.
{Post office}.
(a) An office under governmental superintendence, where
letters, papers, and other mailable matter, are
received and distributed; a place appointed for
attending to all business connected with the mail.
(b) The governmental system for forwarding mail matter.
{Postoffice order}. See {Money order}, under {Money}.
{Post road}, or {Post route}, a road or way over which the
mail is carried.
{Post town}.
(a) A town in which post horses are kept.
(b) A town in which a post office is established by law.
{To ride post}, to ride, as a carrier of dispatches, from
place to place; hence, to ride rapidly, with as little
delay as possible.
{To travel post}, to travel, as a post does, by relays of
horses, or by keeping one carriage to which fresh horses
are attached at each stopping place.
Post \Post\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Posted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Posting}.]
1. To attach to a post, a wall, or other usual place of
affixing public notices; to placard; as, to post a notice;
to post playbills.
Note: Formerly, a large post was erected before the sheriff's
office, or in some public place, upon which legal
notices were displayed. This way of advertisement has
not entirely gone of use.
2. To hold up to public blame or reproach; to advertise
opprobriously; to denounce by public proclamation; as, to
post one for cowardice.
On pain of being posted to your sorrow Fail not, at
four, to meet me. --Granville.
3. To enter (a name) on a list, as for service, promotion, or
the like.
4. To assign to a station; to set; to place; as, to post a
sentinel. ``It might be to obtain a ship for a lieutenant,
. . . or to get him posted.'' --De Quincey.
5. (Bookkeeping) To carry, as an account, from the journal to
the ledger; as, to post an account; to transfer, as
accounts, to the ledger.
You have not posted your books these ten years.
--Arbuthnot.
6. To place in the care of the post; to mail; as, to post a
letter.
7. To inform; to give the news to; to make (one) acquainted
with the details of a subject; -- often with up.
Thoroughly posted up in the politics and literature
of the day. --Lond. Sat.
Rev.
{To post off}, to put off; to delay. [Obs.] ``Why did I,
venturously, post off so great a business?'' --Baxter.
{To post over}, to hurry over. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Post \Post\, v. i. [Cf. OF. poster. See 4th {Post}.]
1. To travel with post horses; figuratively, to travel in
haste. ``Post seedily to my lord your husband.'' --Shak.
And post o'er land and ocean without rest. --Milton.
2. (Man.) To rise and sink in the saddle, in accordance with
the motion of the horse, esp. in trotting. [Eng.]
Post \Post\, adv.
With post horses; hence, in haste; as, to travel post.
Post-abdomen \Post`-ab*do"men\, n. [Pref. post- + abdomen.]
(Zo["o]l.)
That part of a crustacean behind the cephalothorax; -- more
commonly called {abdomen}.
Postable \Post"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being carried by, or as by, post. [Obs.] --W.
Montagu.
Postact \Post"act`\, n.
An act done afterward.
Postage \Post"age\, n.
The price established by law to be paid for the conveyance of
a letter or other mailable matter by a public post.
{Postage stamp}, a government stamp required to be put upon
articles sent by mail in payment of the postage, esp. an
adhesive stamp issued and sold for that purpose.
Postal \Post"al\, a. [Cf. F. postal.]
Belonging to the post office or mail service; as, postal
arrangements; postal authorities.
{Postal card}, or {Post card}, a card sold by the government
for transmission through the mails, at a lower rate of
postage than a sealed letter. The message is written on
one side of the card, and the direction on the other.
{Postal money order}. See {Money order}, under {Money}.
{Postal note}, an order payable to bearer, for a sum of money
(in the United States less than five dollars under
existing law), issued from one post office and payable at
another specified office.
{Postal Union}, a union for postal purposes entered into by
the most important powers, or governments, which have
agreed to transport mail matter through their several
territories at a stipulated rate.
Postanal \Post*a"nal\, a. [Pref. post- + anal.] (Anat.)
Situated behind, or posterior to, the anus.
Postaxial \Post*ax"i*al\, a. [Pref. post- + axial.] (Anat.)
Situated behind any transverse axis in the body of an animal;
caudal; posterior; especially, behind, or on the caudal or
posterior (that is, ulnar or fibular) side of, the axis of a
vertebrate limb.
Postboy \Post"boy`\, n.
1. One who rides post horses; a position; a courier.
2. A boy who carries letters from the post.
Post-captain \Post"-cap`tain\, n.
A captain of a war vessel whose name appeared, or was
``posted,'' in the seniority list of the British navy, as
distinguished from a commander whose name was not so posted.
The term was also used in the United States navy; but no such
commission as post-captain was ever recognized in either
service, and the term has fallen into disuse.
Postcava \Post"ca`va\, n.; pl. {Postcav[ae]} . [NL. See {Post-},
and {Cave}, n.] (Anat.)
The inferior vena cava. -- {Post"ca`val}, a. --B. G. Wilder.
Postclavicle \Post*clav"i*cle\, n. [Pref. post- + clavicle.]
(Anat.)
A bone in the pectoral girdle of many fishes projecting
backward from the clavicle. -- {Post`*cla*vic"u*lar}, a.
Postcommissure \Post*com"mis*sure\, n. [Pref. post- +
commisure.] (Anat.)
A transverse commisure in the posterior part of the roof of
the third ventricle of the brain; the posterior cerebral
commisure. --B. G. Wilder.
Postcomminion \Post`com*min"ion\, n. [Pref. post- + communion.]
1. (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) The concluding portion of
the communion service.
2. (R. C. Ch.) A prayer or prayers which the priest says at
Mass, after the ablutions.
Postcornu \Post*cor"nu\, n.; pl. {Postcornua}. [NL. See {Post-},
and {Cornu}.] (Anat.)
The posterior horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain.
--B. G. Wilder.
Postdate \Post"date`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Postdated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Postdating}.] [Pref. post- + date.]
1. To date after the real time; as, to postdate a contract,
that is, to date it later than the time when it was in
fact made.
2. To affix a date to after the event.
Postdate \Post"date`\, a.
Made or done after the date assigned.
Of these [predictions] some were postdate; cunningly
made after the thing came to pass. --Fuller.
Postdate \Post"date`\, n.
A date put to a bill of exchange or other paper, later than
that when it was actually made.
Postdiluvial \Post`di*lu"vi*al\, Postdiluvian
\Post`di*lu"vi*an\, a. [Pref. post- + diluvial, diluvian.]
Being or happening after the flood in Noah's days.
Postdiluvian \Post`di*lu"vi*an\, n.
One who lived after the flood.
Post-disseizin \Post"-dis*sei"zin\, n. [Pref. post- +
disseizin.] (O. Eng. Law)
A subsequent disseizin committed by one of lands which the
disseizee had before recovered of the same disseizor; a writ
founded on such subsequent disseizin, now abolished.
--Burrill. Tomlins.
Post-disseizor \Post`-dis*sei"zor\, n. [Pref. post- +
disseizor.] (O. Eng. Law)
A person who disseizes another of lands which the disseizee
had before recovered of the same disseizor. --Blackstone.
Postea \Post"e*a\, n. [L., after these or those (things),
afterward.] (Law)
The return of the judge before whom a cause was tried, after
a verdict, of what was done in the cause, which is indorsed
on the nisi prius record. --Wharton.
Postel \Pos"tel\, n.
Apostle. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Postencephalon \Post`en*ceph"a*lon\, n. (Anat.)
The metencephalon.
Postentry \Post"en*try\, n. [Pref. post- + entry.]
1. A second or subsequent, at the customhouse, of goods which
had been omitted by mistake.
2. (Bookkeeping) An additional or subsequent entry.
Poster \Post"er\, n.
1. A large bill or placard intended to be posted in public
places.
2. One who posts bills; a billposter.
Poster \Post"er\, n.
1. One who posts, or travels expeditiously; a courier.
``Posters of the sea and land.'' --Shak.
2. A post horse. ``Posters at full gallop.'' --C. Lever.
Posterior \Pos*te"ri*or\ (p[o^]s*t[=e]"r[i^]*[~e]r), a. [L.
posterior, compar. of posterus coming after, from post after.
See {Post-}.]
1. Later in time; hence, later in the order of proceeding or
moving; coming after; -- opposed to {prior}.
Hesiod was posterior to Homer. --Broome.
2. Situated behind; hinder; -- opposed to {anterior}.
3. (Anat.) At or toward the caudal extremity; caudal; -- in
human anatomy often used for {dorsal}.
4. (Bot.) On the side next the axis of inflorescence; -- said
of an axillary flower. --Gray.
Posteriority \Pos*te`ri*or"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F.
post['e]riorit['e].]
The state of being later or subsequent; as, posteriority of
time, or of an event; -- opposed to {priority}.
Posteriorly \Pos*te"ri*or*ly\, adv.
Subsequently in time; also, behind in position.
Posteriors \Pos*te"ri*ors\, n. pl.
The hinder parts, as of an animal's body. --Swift.
Posterity \Pos*ter"i*ty\, n. [L. posteritas: cf. F.
post['e]rit['e]. See {Posterior}.]
1. The race that proceeds from a progenitor; offspring to the
furthest generation; the aggregate number of persons who
are descended from an ancestor of a generation;
descendants; -- contrasted with ancestry; as, the
posterity of Abraham.
If [the crown] should not stand in thy posterity.
--Shak.
2. Succeeding generations; future times. --Shak.
Their names shall be transmitted to posterity.
--Shak.
Their names shall be transmitted to posterity.
--Smalridge.
Postern \Pos"tern\, n. [OF. posterne, posterle, F. poterne, fr.
L. posterula, fr. posterus coming after. See {Posterior}.]
1. Originally, a back door or gate; a private entrance;
hence, any small door or gate.
He by a privy postern took his flight. --Spenser.
Out at the postern, by the abbey wall. --Shak.
2. (Fort.) A subterraneous passage communicating between the
parade and the main ditch, or between the ditches and the
interior of the outworks. --Mahan.
Postern \Pos"tern\, a.
Back; being behind; private. ``The postern door.'' --Dryden.
Postero \Pos"te*ro\
- (?). A combining form meaning posterior, back; as,
postero-inferior, situated back and below; postero-lateral,
situated back and at the side.
Postexist \Post`ex*ist"\, v. i. [Pref. post- + exist.]
To exist after; to live subsequently. [Obs. or R.]
Postexistence \Post`ex*ist"ence\, n.
Subsequent existence.
Postexistent \Post`ex*ist"ent\, a.
Existing or living after. [R.] ``Postexistent atoms.''
--Cudworth.
Postfact \Post"fact`\, a. [See {Post-}, and {Fact}.]
Relating to a fact that occurs after another.
Postfact \Post"fact`\, n.
A fact that occurs after another. ``Confirmed upon the
postfact.'' --Fuller.
Postfactum \Post`fac"tum\, n. [LL.] (Rom. & Eng. Law)
Same as {Postfact}.
Post-fine \Post"-fine`\, n. [Pref. post- + fine.] (O. Eng. Law)
A duty paid to the king by the cognizee in a fine of lands,
when the same was fully passed; -- called also the {king's
silver}.
Postfix \Post"fix\, n.; pl. {Postfixes}. [Pref. post- + -fix, as
in prefix: cf. F. postfixe.] (Gram.)
A letter, syllable, or word, added to the end of another
word; a suffix. --Parkhurst.
Postfix \Post*fix"\, v. t.
To annex; specifically (Gram.), to add or annex, as a letter,
syllable, or word, to the end of another or principal word;
to suffix. --Parkhurst.
Postfrontal \Post*fron"tal\, a. [Pref. post- + frontal.] (Anat.)
Situated behind the frontal bone or the frontal region of the
skull; -- applied especially to a bone back of and below the
frontal in many animals. -- n. A postfrontal bone.
Postfurca \Post*fur"ca\, n.; pl. {Postfurc[ae]}. [NL., fr. post
behind + furca a fork.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the internal thoracic processes of the sternum of an
insect.
Postgeniture \Post*gen"i*ture\ (?; 135), n. [Pref. post- + L.
genitura birth, geniture.]
The condition of being born after another in the same family;
-- distinguished from primogeniture. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Postglenoid \Post*gle"noid\, a. [Pref. post- + glenoid.] (Anat.)
Situated behind the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone.
Posthaste \Post`haste"\, n.
Haste or speed in traveling, like that of a post or courier.
--Shak.
Posthaste \Post`haste\, adv.
With speed or expedition; as, he traveled posthaste; to send
posthaste. --Shak.
Posthetomy \Pos*thet"o*my\, n. [Gr. po`sqh prepuce + te`mnein to
cut.] (Med.)
Circumcision. --Dunglison.
Posthouse \Post"house`\, n.
1. A house established for the convenience of the post, where
relays of horses can be obtained.
2. A house for distributing the malls; a post office.
Posthume \Post"hume\, Posthumed \Post"humed\, a.
Posthumous. [Obs.] --I. Watts. --Fuller.
Posthumous \Post"hu*mous\ (?; 277), a. [L. posthumus, postumus,
properly, last; hence, late born (applied to children born
after the father's death, or after he had made his will),
superl. of posterus, posterior. See {Posterior}.]
1. Born after the death of the father, or taken from the dead
body of the mother; as, a posthumous son or daughter.
2. Published after the death of the author; as, posthumous
works; a posthumous edition.
3. Being or continuing after one's death; as, a posthumous
reputation. --Addison. --Sir T. Browne.
Posthumously \Post"hu*mous*ly\, adv.
In a posthumous manner; after one's decease.
Postic \Pos"tic\, a. [L. posticus, fr. post after, behind.]
Backward. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Postticous \Post"ti*cous\, a. [L. posticus.] (Bot.)
(a) Posterior.
(b) Situated on the outer side of a filament; -- said of an
extrorse anther.
Postil \Pos"til\, n. [F. postille, apostille, LL. postilla,
probably from L. post illa (sc. verba) after those (words).
Cf. {Apostil}.]
1. Originally, an explanatory note in the margin of the
Bible, so called because written after the text; hence, a
marginal note; a comment.
Langton also made postils upon the whole Bible.
--Foxe.
2. (R. C. Ch. & Luth. Ch.) A short homily or commentary on a
passage of Scripture; as, the first postils were composed
by order of Charlemagne.
Postil \Pos"til\, v. t. [Cf. LL. postillare.]
To write marginal or explanatory notes on; to gloss. --Bacon.
Postil \Pos"til\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Postiled} (?) or
{Postilled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Postiling} or {Postilling}.]
To write postils, or marginal notes; to comment; to
postillate.
Postiling and allegorizing on Scripture. --J. H.
Newman.
Postiler \Pos"til*er\, n. [Written also postiller.]
One who writers marginal notes; one who illustrates the text
of a book by notes in the margin. --Sir T. Browne.
Postilion \Pos*til"ion\, n. [F. postillon, It. postiglione, fr.
posta post. See {Post} a postman.]
One who rides and guides the first pair of horses of a coach
or post chaise; also, one who rides one of the horses when
one pair only is used. [Written also {postillion}.]
Postillate \Pos"til*late\, v. t. [LL. postillatus, p. p. of
postillare.]
To explain by marginal notes; to postil.
Tracts . . . postillated by his own hand. --C. Knight.
Postillate \Pos"til*late\, v. i.
1. To write postils; to comment.
2. To preach by expounding Scripture verse by verse, in
regular order.
Postillation \Pos`til*la"tion\, n. [LL. postillatio.]
The act of postillating; exposition of Scripture in
preaching.
Postillator \Pos"til*la`tor\, n. [LL.]
One who postillates; one who expounds the Scriptures verse by
verse.
Posttiller \Post"til*ler\, n.
See {Postiler}.
Posting \Post"ing\, n.
1. The act of traveling post.
2. (Bookkeeping) The act of transferring an account, as from
the journal to the ledger.
{Posting house}, a post house.
Postliminiar \Post`li*min"i*ar\, a. [See {Postliminium}.]
Contrived, done, or existing subsequently. ``Postliminious
after applications of them to their purposes.'' --South.
Postliminiary \Post`li*min"i*a*ry\, a.
Pertaining to, or involving, the right of postliminium.
Postliminium \Post`li*min"i*um\, Postliminy \Post*lim"i*ny\, n.
[L. postliminium, post after + limen, liminis, a threshold.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) The return to his own country, and his
former privileges, of a person who had gone to sojourn in
a foreign country, or had been banished, or taken by an
enemy. --Burrill.
2. (Internat. Law) The right by virtue of which persons and
things taken by an enemy in war are restored to their
former state when coming again under the power of the
nation to which they belonged. --Kent.
Postlude \Post"lude\, n. [Pref. post- + -lude, as in prelude.]
(Med.)
A voluntary at the end of a service.
Postman \Post"man\, n.; pl. {Postmen}.
1. A post or courier; a letter carrier.
2. (Eng. Law) One of the two most experienced barristers in
the Court of Exchequer, who have precedence in motions; --
so called from the place where he sits. The other of the
two is called the tubman. --Whishaw.
Postmark \Post"mark`\, n.
The mark, or stamp, of a post office on a letter, giving the
place and date of mailing or of arrival.
Postmark \Post"mark`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Postmarked}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Postmarking}.]
To mark with a post-office stamp; as, to postmark a letter or
parcel.
Postmaster \Post"mas`ter\, n.
1. One who has charge of a station for the accommodation of
travelers; one who supplies post horses.
2. One who has charge of a post office, and the distribution
and forwarding of mails.
Postmaster-general \Post"mas`ter-gen"er*al\, n.; pl.
{Postmasters-general}.
The chief officer of the post-office department of a
government. In the United States the postmaster-general is a
member of the cabinet.
Postmastership \Post"mas`ter*ship\, n.
The office of postmaster.
Postmeridian \Post`me*rid"i*an\, a. [L. postmeridianus; post
after + meridianus. See {Meridian}.]
1. Coming after the sun has passed the meridian; being in, or
belonging to, the afternoon. (Abbrev. P. M.)
2. Fig., belonging to the after portion of life; late. [R.]
Post-mortem \Post-mor"tem\, a. [L., after death.]
After death; as, post-mortem rigidity.
{Post-mortem examination} (Med.), an examination of the body
made after the death of the patient; an autopsy.
Postnares \Post*na"res\, n. pl. [NL. See {Post-}, and {Nares}.]
(Anat.)
The posterior nares. See {Nares}.
Postnatal \Post*na"tal\, a. [Pref. post- + natal.]
After birth; subsequent to birth; as, postnatal infanticide;
postnatal diseases.
Postnate \Post"nate\, a. [LL. postnatus second or subsequently
born; L. post after + natus born.]
Subsequent. ``The graces and gifts of the spirit are
postnate.'' [Archaic] --Jer. Taylor.
Post note \Post" note`\ (Com.)
A note issued by a bank, payable at some future specified
time, as distinguished from a note payable on demand.
--Burrill.
Postnuptial \Post*nup"tial\, a. [Pref. post- + nuptial.]
Being or happening after marriage; as, a postnuptial
settlement on a wife. --Kent.
Post-obit \Post-o"bit\, n., or Post-obit bond \Post-o"bit bond`\
. [Pref. post- + obit.] (Law)
A bond in which the obligor, in consideration of having
received a certain sum of money, binds himself to pay a
larger sum, on unusual interest, on the death of some
specified individual from whom he has expectations.
--Bouvier.
Postoblongata \Post*ob`lon*ga"ta\, n. [NL. See {Post-}, and
{Oblongata}.] (Anat.)
The posterior part of the medulla oblongata. --B. G. Wilder.
Postocular \Post*oc"u*lar\, a. & n. [Pref. post- + ocular.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Postorbital}.
Post office \Post" of`fice\, n.
See under 4th {Post}.
Postoral \Post*o"ral\, a. [Pref. post- + oral.] (Anat.)
Situated behind, or posterior to, the mouth.
Postorbital \Post*or"bit*al\, a. [Pref. post- + orbital.] (Anat.
& Zo["o]l.)
Situated behind the orbit; as, the postorbital scales of some
fishes and reptiles. -- n. A postorbital bone or scale.
Postpaid \Post"paid`\, a.
Having the postage prepaid, as a letter.
Postpalatine \Post*pal"a*tine\, a. [Pref. post- + palatine.]
(Anat.)
Situated behind the palate, or behind the palatine bones.
Postpliocene \Post*pli"o*cene\, a. (Geol.) [Pref. post- +
pliocene.]
Of or pertaining to the period immediately following the
Pliocene; Pleistocene. Also used as a noun. See {Quaternary}.
Postpone \Post*pone"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Postponed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Postponing}.] [L. postponere, postpositum; post after
+ ponere to place, put. See {Post-}, and {Position}.]
1. To defer to a future or later time; to put off; also, to
cause to be deferred or put off; to delay; to adjourn; as,
to postpone the consideration of a bill to the following
day, or indefinitely.
His praise postponed, and never to be paid.
--Cowper.
2. To place after, behind, or below something, in respect to
precedence, preference, value, or importance.
All other considerations should give way and be
postponed to this. --Locke.
Syn: To adjourn; defer; delay; procrastinate.
Postponement \Post*pone"ment\, n.
The act of postponing; a deferring, or putting off, to a
future time; a temporary delay. --Macaulay.
Postponence \Post*pon"ence\, n. [From L. postponens, p. pr.]
The act of postponing, in sense 2. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Postponer \Post*pon"er\, n.
One who postpones.
Postpose \Post*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Postposed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Postposing}.] [F. postposer. See {Post-}, and {Pose},
v. t.]
To postpone. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Postposit \Post*pos"it\, v. t. [L. postpositus, p. p. See
{Postpone}.]
To postpone. [Obs.] --Feltham.
Postposition \Post`po*si"tion\, n. [Cf. F. postposition. See
{Postpone}.]
1. The act of placing after, or the state of being placed
after. ``The postposition of the nominative case to the
verb.'' --Mede.
2. A word or particle placed after, or at the end of, another
word; -- distinguished from preposition.
Postpositional \Post`po*si"tion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to postposition.
Postpositive \Post*pos"i*tive\, a. [See {Postpone}.]
Placed after another word; as, a postpositive conjunction; a
postpositive letter. -- {Post*pos"i*tive*ly}, adv.
Postprandial \Post*pran"di*al\, a. [Pref. post- + prandial.]
Happening, or done, after dinner; after-dinner; as,
postprandial speeches.
Postremogeniture \Pos*tre`mo*gen"i*ture\ (?; 135), n. [L.
postremus last + genitura birth, geniture.]
The right of the youngest born. --Mozley & W.
Postremote \Post`re*mote"\, a. [Pref. post- + remote.]
More remote in subsequent time or order.
Postrider \Post"rid`er\, n.
One who rides over a post road to carry the mails.
--Bancroft.
Postscapula \Post*scap"u*la\, n. [NL. See {Post-}, and
{Scapula}.] (Anat.)
The part of the scapula behind or below the spine, or
mesoscapula.
Postscapular \Post*scap"u*lar\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the postscapula; infraspinous.
Postscenium \Post*sce"ni*um\, n. [L., fr. post + scena a scene.]
The part of a theater behind the scenes; the back part of the
stage of a theater.
Postscribe \Post*scribe"\, v. t. [L. postscribere. See
{Postscript}.]
To make a postscript. [R.] --T. Adams.
Postscript \Post"script\, n. [L. postscriptus, (assumed) p. p.
of postscribere to write after; post after + scribere to
write: cf. F. postscriptum. See {Post-}, and {Scribe}.]
A paragraph added to a letter after it is concluded and
signed by the writer; an addition made to a book or
composition after the main body of the work has been
finished, containing something omitted, or something new
occurring to the writer. [Abbrev. P. S.]
Postscripted \Post"script*ed\, a.
Having a postscript; added in a postscript. [R.] --J. Q.
Adams.
Postscutellum \Post`scu*tel"lum\, n. [NL. See {Post-}, and
{Scutellum}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The hindermost dorsal piece of a thoracic somite of an
insect; the plate behind the scutellum.
Postsphenoid \Post*sphe"noid\, a. [Pref. post- + sphenoid.]
(Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the posterior part of the sphenoid bone.
Post-temporal \Post-tem"po*ral\, a. [Pref. post- + temporal.]
(Anat.)
Situated back of the temporal bone or the temporal region of
the skull; -- applied especially to a bone which usually
connects the supraclavicle with the skull in the pectoral
arch of fishes. -- n. A post-temporal bone.
Posttertiary \Post*ter"ti*a*ry\, a. [Pref. post- + tertiary.]
(Geol.)
Following, or more recent than, the Tertiary; Quaternary.
Post-tragus \Post"-tra`gus\, n. [NL. See {Post-}, and {Tragus}.]
(Anat.)
A ridge within and behind the tragus in the ear of some
animals.
Post-tympanic \Post`-tym*pan"ic\, a. [Pref. post- + tympanic.]
(Anat.)
Situated behind the tympanum, or in the skull, behind the
auditory meatus.
Postulant \Pos"tu*lant\ (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. postulans, p.
pr. of postulare. See {Postulate}.]
One who makes a request or demand; hence, a candidate.
Postulate \Pos"tu*late\, n. [L. postulatum a demand, request,
prop. p. p. of postulare to demand, prob. a dim. of poscere
to demand, prob. for porcscere; akin to G. forschen to
search, investigate, Skr. prach to ask, and L. precari to
pray: cf. F. postulat. See {Pray}.]
1. Something demanded or asserted; especially, a position or
supposition assumed without proof, or one which is
considered as self-evident; a truth to which assent may be
demanded or challenged, without argument or evidence.
2. (Geom.) The enunciation of a self-evident problem, in
distinction from an axiom, which is the enunciation of a
self-evident theorem.
The distinction between a postulate and an axiom
lies in this, -- that the latter is admitted to be
self-evident, while the former may be agreed upon
between two reasoners, and admitted by both, but not
as proposition which it would be impossible to deny.
--Eng. Cyc.
Postulate \Pos"tu*late\, a.
Postulated. [Obs.] --Hudibras.
Postulate \Pos"tu*late\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Postulated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Postulating}.]
1. To beg, or assume without proof; as, to postulate
conclusions.
2. To take without express consent; to assume.
The Byzantine emperors appear to have . . .
postulated a sort of paramount supremacy over this
nation. --W. Tooke.
3. To invite earnestly; to solicit. [Obs.] --Bp. Burnet.
Postulated \Pos"tu*la`ted\, a.
Assumed without proof; as, a postulated inference. --Sir T.
Browne.
Postulation \Pos`tu*la"tion\, n. [L. postulatio: cf. F.
postulation.]
The act of postulating, or that which is postulated;
assumption; solicitation; suit; cause.
Postulatory \Pos"tu*la*to*ry\, a. [L. postulatorius.]
Of the nature of a postulate. --Sir T. Browne.
Postulatum \Pos`tu*la"tum\, n.; pl. {Postulata}. [L. See
{Postulate}, n.]
A postulate. --Addison.
Postumous \Pos"tu*mous\, a.
See {Posthumous}. [R.]
Postural \Pos"tur*al\ (?; 135), a.
Of or pertaining to posture.
Posture \Pos"ture\ (?; 135), n. [F., fr. L. positura, fr.
ponere, positum, to place. See {Position}.]
1. The position of the body; the situation or disposition of
the several parts of the body with respect to each other,
or for a particular purpose; especially (Fine Arts), the
position of a figure with regard to the several principal
members by which action is expressed; attitude.
Atalanta, the posture of whose limbs was so lively
expressed . . . one would have sworn the very
picture had run. --Sir P.
Sidney.
In most strange postures We have seen him set
himself. --Shak.
The posture of a poetic figure is a description of
his heroes in the performance of such or such an
action. --Dryden.
2. Place; position; situation. [Obs.] --Milton.
His [man's] noblest posture and station in this
world. --Sir M. Hale.
3. State or condition, whether of external circumstances, or
of internal feeling and will; disposition; mood; as, a
posture of defense; the posture of affairs.
The several postures of his devout soul.
--Atterbury.
Syn: Attitude; position. See {Attitude}.
Posture \Pos"ture\ (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Postured}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Posturing}.]
To place in a particular position or attitude; to dispose the
parts of, with reference to a particular purpose; as, to
posture one's self; to posture a model. --Howell.
Posture \Pos"ture\, v. i.
1. To assume a particular posture or attitude; to contort the
body into artificial attitudes, as an acrobat or
contortionist; also, to pose.
2. Fig.: To assume a character; as, to posture as a saint.
Posturer \Pos`tur*er\, n.
One who postures.
Postzygapophysis \Post*zyg`a*poph"y*sis\, n.; pl.
{Postzygapophyses}. [NL. See {Post-}, and {Zygapophysis}.]
(Anat.)
A posterior zygapophysis.
Posy \Po"sy\, n.; pl. {Posies}. [Contr. fr. poesy.]
1. A brief poetical sentiment; hence, any brief sentiment,
motto, or legend; especially, one inscribed on a ring.
``The posy of a ring.'' --Shak.
2. [Probably so called from the use of flowers as having an
enigmatical significance. Wedgwood.] A flower; a bouquet;
a nosegay. ``Bridegroom's posies.'' --Spenser.
We make a difference between suffering thistles to
grow among us, and wearing them for posies. --Swift.
Pot \Pot\, n. [Akin to LG. pott, D. pot, Dan. potte, Sw. potta,
Icel. pottr, F. pot; of unknown origin.]
1. A metallic or earthen vessel, appropriated to any of a
great variety of uses, as for boiling meat or vegetables,
for holding liquids, for plants, etc.; as, a quart pot; a
flower pot; a bean pot.
2. An earthen or pewter cup for liquors; a mug.
3. The quantity contained in a pot; a potful; as, a pot of
ale. ``Give her a pot and a cake.'' --De Foe.
4. A metal or earthenware extension of a flue above the top
of a chimney; a chimney pot.
5. A crucible; as, a graphite pot; a melting pot.
6. A wicker vessel for catching fish, eels, etc.
7. A perforated cask for draining sugar. --Knight.
8. A size of paper. See {Pott}.
{Jack pot}. See under 2d {Jack}.
{Pot cheese}, cottage cheese. See under {Cottage}.
{Pot companion}, a companion in drinking.
{Pot hanger}, a pothook.
{Pot herb}, any plant, the leaves or stems of which are
boiled for food, as spinach, lamb's-quarters, purslane,
and many others.
{Pot hunter}, one who kills anything and everything that will
help to fill has bag; also, a hunter who shoots game for
the table or for the market.
{Pot metal}.
(a) The metal from which iron pots are made, different
from common pig iron.
(b) An alloy of copper with lead used for making large
vessels for various purposes in the arts. --Ure.
(c) A kind of stained glass, the colors of which are
incorporated with the melted glass in the pot.
--Knight.
{Pot plant} (Bot.), either of the trees which bear the
monkey-pot.
{Pot wheel} (Hydraul.), a noria.
{To go to pot}, to go to destruction; to come to an end of
usefulness; to become refuse. [Colloq.] --Dryden. --J. G.
Saxe.
Pot \Pot\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Potted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Potting}.]
To place or inclose in pots; as:
(a) To preserve seasoned in pots. ``Potted fowl and fish.''
--Dryden.
(b) To set out or cover in pots; as, potted plants or bulbs.
(c) To drain; as, to pot sugar, by taking it from the cooler,
and placing it in hogsheads, etc., having perforated
heads, through which the molasses drains off. --B.
Edwards.
(d) (Billiards) To pocket.
Pot \Pot\, v. i.
To tipple; to drink. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
It is less labor to plow than to pot it. --Feltham.
Potable \Po"ta*ble\, a. [F., fr. L. potabilis, fr. potare to
drink; akin to Gr. po`tos a drinking, po`sis a drink, Skr.
p[=a] to drink, OIr. ibim I drink. Cf. {Poison}, {Bib},
{Imbibe}.]
Fit to be drunk; drinkable. ``Water fresh and potable.''
--Bacon. -- n. A potable liquid; a beverage. ``Useful in
potables.'' --J. Philips.
Potableness \Po"ta*ble*ness\, n.
The quality of being drinkable.
Potage \Pot"age\ (?; 48), n.
See {Pottage}.
Potager \Pot"a*ger\, n. [F. fr. potage soup, porridge. See
{Pottage}.]
A porringer. [Obs.] --Grew.
Potagro \Po*tag"ro\, n.
See {Potargo}.
Potale \Pot"ale`\, n.
The refuse from a grain distillery, used to fatten swine.
Potamian \Po*ta"mi*an\, n. [Gr. ? river.] (Zo["o]l.)
A river tortoise; one of a group of tortoises ({Potamites},
or {Trionychoidea}) having a soft shell, webbed feet, and a
sharp beak. See {Trionyx}.
Potamography \Pot`a*mog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ? river + -graphy.]
An account or description of rivers; potamology.
Potamology \Pot`a*mol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? river + -logy.]
A scientific account or discussion of rivers; a treatise on
rivers; potamography.
Potamospongiae \Pot`a*mo*spon"gi*[ae]\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
river + ? a sponge.] (Zo["o]l.)
The fresh-water sponges. See {Spongilla}.
Potance \Po"tance\, n. [F. potence. See {Potence}, {Potency}.]
(Watch Making)
The stud in which the bearing for the lower pivot of the
verge is made.
Potargo \Po*tar"go\, n. [Cf. {Botargo}.]
A kind of sauce or pickle. --King.
Potash \Pot"ash`\, n. [Pot + ash.] (Chem.)
(a) The hydroxide of potassium hydrate, a hard white brittle
substance, {KOH}, having strong caustic and alkaline
properties; -- hence called also {caustic potash}.
(b) The impure potassium carbonate obtained by leaching wood
ashes, either as a strong solution (lye), or as a white
crystalline (pearlash).
Potashes \Pot"ash`es\, n. pl. (Chem.)
Potash. [Obs.]
Potassa \Po*tas"sa\, n. [NL., fr. E. potash.] (Chem.)
(a) Potassium oxide. [Obs.]
(b) Potassium hydroxide, commonly called {caustic potash}.
Potassamide \Pot`ass*am"ide\, n. [Potassium + amide.] (Chem.)
A yellowish brown substance obtained by heating potassium in
ammonia.
Pottassic \Pot*tas"sic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or containing, potassium.
Potassium \Po*tas"si*um\, n. [NL. See {Potassa}, {Potash}.]
(Chem.)
An Alkali element, occurring abundantly but always combined,
as in the chloride, sulphate, carbonate, or silicate, in the
minerals sylvite, kainite, orthoclase, muscovite, etc. Atomic
weight 39.0. Symbol K (Kalium).
Note: It is reduced from the carbonate as a soft white metal,
lighter than water, which oxidizes with the greatest
readiness, and, to be preserved, must be kept under
liquid hydrocarbons, as naphtha or kerosene. Its
compounds are very important, being used in glass
making, soap making, in fertilizers, and in many drugs
and chemicals.
{Potassium permanganate}, the salt {KMnO4}, crystallizing in
dark red prisms having a greenish surface color, and
dissolving in water with a beautiful purple red color; --
used as an oxidizer and disinfectant. The name {chameleon
mineral} is applied to this salt and also to potassium
manganate.
{Potassium bitartrate}. See {Cream of tartar}, under {Cream}.
Potassoxyl \Pot`ass*ox"yl\, n. [Potassium + oxygen + -yl.]
(Chem.)
The radical {KO}, derived from, and supposed to exist in,
potassium hydroxide and other compounds.
Potation \Po*ta"tion\, n. [L. potatio, fr. potare. See
{Potable}.]
1. The act of drinking. --Jer. Taylor.
2. A draught. ``Potations pottle deep.'' --Shak.
3. Drink; beverage. ``Thin potations.'' --Shak.
Potato \Po*ta"to\, n.; pl. {Potatoes}. [Sp. patata potato,
batata sweet potato, from the native American name (probably
batata) in Hayti.] (Bot.)
(a) A plant ({Solanum tuberosum}) of the Nightshade
family, and its esculent farinaceous tuber, of which
there are numerous varieties used for food. It is
native of South America, but a form of the species is
found native as far north as New Mexico.
(b) The sweet potato (see below).
{Potato beetle}, {Potato bug}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A beetle ({Doryphora decemlineata}) which feeds, both
in the larval and adult stages, upon the leaves of the
potato, often doing great damage. Called also
{Colorado potato beetle}, and {Doryphora}. See
{Colorado beetle}.
(b) The {Lema trilineata}, a smaller and more slender
striped beetle which feeds upon the potato plant, bur
does less injury than the preceding species.
{Potato fly} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of
blister beetles infesting the potato vine. The black
species ({Lytta atrata}), the striped ({L. vittata}), and
the gray ({L. cinerea, or Fabricii}) are the most common.
See {Blister beetle}, under {Blister}.
{Potato rot}, a disease of the tubers of the potato, supposed
to be caused by a kind of mold ({Peronospora infestans}),
which is first seen upon the leaves and stems.
{Potato weevil} (Zo["o]l.), an American weevil ({Baridius
trinotatus}) whose larva lives in and kills the stalks of
potato vines, often causing serious damage to the crop.
{Potato whisky}, a strong, fiery liquor, having a hot, smoky
taste, and rich in amyl alcohol (fusel oil); it is made
from potatoes or potato starch.
{Potato worm} (Zo["o]l.), the large green larva of a sphinx,
or hawk moth ({Macrosila quinquemaculata}); -- called also
{tomato worm}. See Illust. under {Tomato}.
{Seaside potato} (Bot.), {Ipom[oe]a Pes-Capr[ae]}, a kind of
morning-glory with rounded and emarginate or bilobed
leaves. [West Indies]
{Sweet potato} (Bot.), a climbing plant ({Ipom[oe]a Balatas})
allied to the morning-glory. Its farinaceous tubers have a
sweetish taste, and are used, when cooked, for food. It is
probably a native of Brazil, but is cultivated extensively
in the warmer parts of every continent, and even as far
north as New Jersey. The name potato was applied to this
plant before it was to the {Solanum tuberosum}, and this
is the ``potato'' of the Southern United States.
{Wild potato}. (Bot.)
(a) A vine ({Ipom[oe]a pandurata}) having a pale purplish
flower and an enormous root. It is common in sandy
places in the United States.
(b) A similar tropical American plant ({I. fastigiata})
which it is thought may have been the original stock
of the sweet potato.
Potator \Po*ta"tor\, n. [L.]
A drinker. [R.] --Southey.
Potatory \Po"ta*to*ry\, a. [L. potatorius, from potare to
drink.]
Of or pertaining to drinking. --Ld. Lytton.
Pot-bellied \Pot"-bel`lied\, a.
Having a protuberant belly, like the bottom of a pot.
Pot-belly \Pot"-bel`ly\, n.
A protuberant belly.
Potboiler \Pot"boil`er\, n.
A term applied derisively to any literary or artistic work,
and esp. a painting, done simply for money and the means of
living. [Cant]
Potboy \Pot"boy`\, n.
A boy who carries pots of ale, beer, etc.; a menial in a
public house.
Potch \Potch\, v. i. [Cf. {Poach} to stab.]
To thrust; to push. [Obs.] ``I 'll potch at him some way.''
--Shak.
Potch \Potch\, v. t.
See {Poach}, to cook. [Obs.] --Wiseman.
Potcher \Potch"er\, n.
One who, or that which, potches.
{Potcher engine} (Paper Making), a machine in which washed
rags are stirred in a bleaching solution.
Potecary \Pot"e*ca*ry\, n.
An apothecary. [Obs.]
Poteen \Po*teen"\, n. [Cf. Ir. potaim, poitim, I drink, poitin a
small pot.]
Whisky; especially, whisky illicitly distilled by the Irish
peasantry. [Written also {potheen}, and {potteen}.]
Potelot \Po"te*lot\, n. [F.,; cf. G. pottloth black lead.] (Old
Chem. & Min.)
Molybdenum sulphide.
Potence \Po"tence\, n. [F., fr. LL. potentia staff, crutch, L.,
might, power. See {Potency}.]
Potency; capacity. [R.] --Sir W. Hamilton.
Potency \Po"ten*cy\, n. [L. potentia, from potens, -entis,
potent. See {Potent}, and cf. {Potance}, {Potence},
{Puissance}.]
The quality or state of being potent; physical or moral
power; inherent strength; energy; ability to effect a
purpose; capability; efficacy; influence. ``Drugs of
potency.'' --Hawthorne.
A place of potency and away o' the state. --Shak.
Potent \Po"tent\, a. [L. potens, -entis, p. pr. of posse to be
able, to have power, fr. potis able, capable (akin to Skr.
pati master, lord) + esse to be. See {Host} a landlord, {Am},
and cf. {Despot}, {Podesta}, {Possible}, {Power},
{Puissant}.]
1. Producing great physical effects; forcible; powerful'
efficacious; as, a potent medicine. ``Harsh and potent
injuries.'' --Shak.
Moses once more his potent rod extends. --Milton.
2. Having great authority, control, or dominion; puissant;
mighty; influential; as, a potent prince. ``A potent
dukedom.'' --Shak.
Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors. --Shak.
3. Powerful, in an intellectual or moral sense; having great
influence; as, potent interest; a potent argument.
{Cross potent}. (Her.) See Illust. (7) of {Cross}.
Syn: Powerful; mighty; puissant; strong; able; efficient;
forcible; efficacious; cogent; influential.
Potent \Po"tent\, n.
1. A prince; a potentate. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. [See {Potence}.] A staff or crutch. [Obs.]
3. (Her.) One of the furs; a surface composed of patches
which are supposed to represent crutch heads; they are
always alternately argent and azure, unless otherwise
specially mentioned.
{Counter potent} (Her.), a fur differing from potent in the
arrangement of the patches.
Potentacy \Po"ten*ta*cy\, n. [See {Potentate}.]
Sovereignty. [Obs.]
Potentate \Po"ten*tate\, n. [LL. potentatus, fr. potentare to
exercise power: cf. F. potentat. See {Potent}, a.]
One who is potent; one who possesses great power or sway; a
prince, sovereign, or monarch.
The blessed and only potentate. --1 Tim. vi.
15.
Cherub and seraph, potentates and thrones. --Milton.
Potential \Po*ten"tial\, a. [Cf. F. potentiel. See {Potency}.]
1. Being potent; endowed with energy adequate to a result;
efficacious; influential. [Obs.] ``And hath in his effect
a voice potential.'' --Shak.
2. Existing in possibility, not in actuality. ``A potential
hero.'' --Carlyle.
Potential existence means merely that the thing may
be at ome time; actual existence, that it now is.
--Sir W.
Hamilton.
{Potential cautery}. See under {Cautery}.
{Potential energy}. (Mech.) See the Note under {Energy}.
{Potential mood}, or {mode} (Gram.), that form of the verb
which is used to express possibility, liberty, power,
will, obligation, or necessity, by the use of may, can,
must, might, could, would, or should; as, I may go; he can
write.
Potential \Po*ten"tial\, n.
1. Anything that may be possible; a possibility; potentially.
--Bacon.
2. (Math.) In the theory of gravitation, or of other forces
acting in space, a function of the rectangular coordinates
which determine the position of a point, such that its
differential coefficients with respect to the
co["o]rdinates are equal to the components of the force at
the point considered; -- also called {potential function},
or {force function}. It is called also {Newtonian
potential} when the force is directed to a fixed center
and is inversely as the square of the distance from the
center.
3. (Elec.) The energy of an electrical charge measured by its
power to do work; hence, the degree of electrification as
referred to some standard, as that of the earth;
electro-motive force.
Potentiality \Po*ten`ti*al"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being potential; possibility, not
actuality; inherent capability or disposition, not actually
exhibited.
Potentially \Po*ten"tial*ly\, adv.
1. With power; potently. [Obs.]
2. In a potential manner; possibly, not positively.
The duration of human souls is only potentially
infinite. --Bentley.
Potentiate \Po*ten"ti*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Potentiated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Potentiating}.]
To render active or potent. --Coleridge.
Potentiometer \Po*ten`ti*om"e*ter\, n. [Potential + -meter.]
(Elec.)
An instrument for measuring or comparing electrial potentials
or electro-motive forces.
Potentize \Po"ten*tize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Potentized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Potentizing}.]
To render the latent power of (anything) available.
--Dunglison.
Potently \Po"tent*ly\, adv.
With great force or energy; powerfully; efficaciously. ``You
are potently opposed.'' --Shak.
Potentness \Po"tent*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being potent; powerfulness; potency;
efficacy.
Potestate \Po"tes*tate\, n.
A chief ruler; a potentate. [Obs.] Wyclif. ``An irous
potestate.'' --Chaucer.
Potestative \Po*tes"ta*tive\, a. [L. potestativus, fr. potestas
power: cf. F. potestatif. See {Potent}.]
Authoritative. [Obs.] --Bp. Pearson.
Potgun \Pot"gun`\, n.
1. A pot-shaped cannon; a mortar. [Obs.] ``Twelve potguns of
brass.'' --Hakluyt.
2. A popgun. [Obs.] --Swift.
Pothecary \Poth"e*ca*ry\, n.
An apothecary. [Obs.]
Potheen \Po*theen"\, n.
See {Poteen}.
Pother \Poth"er\, n. [Cf. D. peuteren to rummage, poke. Cf.
{Potter}, {Pudder}.]
Bustle; confusion; tumult; flutter; bother. [Written also
{potter}, and {pudder}.] ``What a pother and stir!''
--Oldham. ``Coming on with a terrible pother.'' --Wordsworth.
Pother \Poth"er\, v. i.
To make a bustle or stir; to be fussy.
Pother \Poth"er\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pothered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pothering}.]
To harass and perplex; to worry. ``Pothers and wearies
himself.'' --Locke.
Pothole \Pot"hole`\, n.
A circular hole formed in the rocky beds of rivers by the
grinding action of stones or gravel whirled round by the
water in what was at first a natural depression of the rock.
Pothook \Pot"hook`\, n.
1. An S-shaped hook on which pots and kettles are hung over
an open fire.
2. A written character curved like a pothook; (pl.) a
scrawled writing. ``I long to be spelling her Arabic
scrawls and pothooks.'' --Dryden.
Pothouse \Pot"house`\, n.
An alehouse. --T. Warton.
Potichomania \Po`ti*cho*ma"ni*a\, Potichomanie
\Po`ti*cho*ma"nie\, n. [F. potichomanie; potiche a porcelain
vase + manie mania.]
The art or process of coating the inside of glass vessels
with engravings or paintings, so as to give them the
appearance of painted ware.
Potion \Po"tion\, n. [L. potio, from potare to drink: cf. F.
potion. See {Poison}.]
A draught; a dose; usually, a draught or dose of a liquid
medicine. --Shak.
Potion \Po"tion\, v. t.
To drug. [Obs.] --Speed.
Potlid \Pot"lid`\, n.
The lid or cover of a pot.
{Potlid valve}, a valve covering a round hole or the end of a
pipe or pump barrel, resembling a potlid in form.
Potluck \Pot"luck`\, n.
Whatever may chance to be in the pot, or may be provided for
a meal.
A woman whose potluck was always to be relied on. --G.
Eliot.
{To take potluck}, to take what food may chance to be
provided.
Potman \Pot"man\, n.; pl. {Potmen}.
1. A pot companion. [Obs.] --Life of A. Wood (1663).
2. A servant in a public house; a potboy.
Potoo \Po*too"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A large South American goatsucker ({Nyctibius grandis}).
Potoroo \Po`to*roo"\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any small kangaroo belonging to {Hypsiprymnus}, {Bettongia},
and allied genera, native of Australia and Tasmania. Called
also {kangaroo rat}.
Potpie \Pot"pie`\, n.
A meat pie which is boiled instead of being baked.
Potpourri \Pot`pour`ri"\, n. [F., fr. pot pot + pourri, p. p. of
pourrir to rot, L. putrere. Cf. {Olla-podrida}.]
A medley or mixture. Specifically:
(a) A ragout composed of different sorts of meats,
vegetables, etc., cooked together.
(b) A jar or packet of flower leaves, perfumes, and spices,
used to scent a room.
(c) A piece of music made up of different airs strung
together; a medley.
(d) A literary production composed of parts brought together
without order or bond of connection.
Potsdam group \Pots"dam group`\ (Geol.)
A subdivision of the Primordial or Cambrian period in
American geology; -- so named from the sandstone of Potsdam,
New York. See Chart of {Geology}.
Potshard \Pot"shard`\, Potshare \Pot"share`\, n.
A potsherd. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Potsherd \Pot"sherd`\, n. [Pot + sherd or shard.]
A piece or fragment of a broken pot. --Job ii. 8.
Potstone \Pot"stone`\, n. (Min.)
A variety of steatite sometimes manufactured into culinary
vessels.
Pot-sure \Pot"-sure`\ (-sh[udd]r), a.
Made confident by drink. [Obs.]
Pott \Pott\, n.
A size of paper. See under {Paper}.
Pottage \Pot"tage\ (?; 48), n. [F. potage, fr. pot pot. See
{Pot}, and cf. {Porridge}, {Porringer}.]
A kind of food made by boiling vegetables or meat, or both
together, in water, until soft; a thick soup or porridge.
[Written also {potage}.] --Chaucer.
Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils.
--Gen. xxv.
34.
Pottain \Pot"tain\, n.
Old pot metal. [Obs.] --Holland.
Potteen \Pot*teen"\, n.
See {Poteen}.
Potter \Pot"ter\, n. [Cf. F. potier.]
1. One whose occupation is to make earthen vessels. --Ps. ii.
9.
The potter heard, and stopped his wheel.
--Longfellow.
2. One who hawks crockery or earthenware. [Prov. Eng.] --De
Quincey.
3. One who pots meats or other eatables.
4. (Zo["o]l.) The red-bellied terrapin. See {Terrapin}.
{Potter's asthma} (Med.), emphysema of the lungs; -- so
called because very prevalent among potters. --Parkers.
{Potter's clay}. See under {Clay}.
{Potter's field}, a public burial place, especially in a
city, for paupers, unknown persons, and criminals; -- so
named from the field south of Jerusalem, mentioned in
--Matt. xxvii. 7.
{Potter's ore}. See {Alquifou}.
{Potter's wheel}, a horizontal revolving disk on which the
clay is molded into form with the hands or tools. ``My
thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel.'' --Shak.
{Potter wasp} (Zo["o]l.), a small solitary wasp ({Eumenes
fraternal}) which constructs a globular nest of mud and
sand in which it deposits insect larv[ae], such as
cankerworms, as food for its young.
Potter \Pot"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pottered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pottering}.] [Cf. W. pwtio to poke, or OD. poteren to
search one thoroughly, Sw. p[*a]ta, peta, to pick, E. pother,
put.]
1. To busy one's self with trifles; to labor with little
purpose, energy, of effect; to trifle; to pother.
Pottering about the Mile End cottages. --Mrs. Humphry
Ward.
2. To walk lazily or idly; to saunter.
Potter \Pot"ter\, v. t.
To poke; to push; also, to disturb; to confuse; to bother.
[Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Pottern \Pot"tern\, a.
Of or pertaining to potters.
{Pottern ore}, a species of ore which, from its aptness to
vitrify like the glazing of potter's wares, the miners
call by this name. --Boyle.
Pottery \Pot"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Potteries}. [F. poterie, fr. pot.
See {Pot}.]
1. The vessels or ware made by potters; earthenware, glazed
and baked.
2. The place where earthen vessels are made.
Potting \Pot"ting\, n.
1. Tippling. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. The act of placing in a pot; as, the potting of plants;
the potting of meats for preservation.
3. The process of putting sugar in casks for cleansing and
draining. [West Indies] --B. Edwards.
Pottle \Pot"tle\, n. [OE. potel, OF. potel, dim. of pot. See
{Pot}.]
1. A liquid measure of four pints.
2. A pot or tankard. --Shak.
A dry pottle of sack before him. --Sir W.
Scott.
3. A vessel or small basket for holding fruit.
He had a . . . pottle of strawberries in one hand.
--Dickens.
{Pottle draught}, taking a pottle of liquor at one draught. [
Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Potto \Pot"to\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A nocturnal mammal ({Perodictius potto}) of the Lemur
family, found in West Africa. It has rudimentary
forefingers. Called also {aposoro}, and {bush dog}.
(b) The kinkajou.
Pott's disease \Pott's" dis*ease"\ (Med.)
Caries of the vertebr[ae], frequently resulting in curvature
of the spine and paralysis of the lower extremities; -- so
named from Percival Pott, an English surgeon.
{Pott's fracture}, a fracture of the lower end of the fibula,
with displacement of the tibia. --Dunglison.
Potulent \Pot"u*lent\, a. [L. potulentus, fr. potus a drinking,
drink, fr. potare to drink.]
1. Fit to drink; potable. [Obs.] --Johnson.
2. Nearly drunk; tipsy. [Obs.]
Pot-valiant \Pot"-val`iant\, a.
Having the courage given by drink. --Smollett.
Pot-walloper \Pot"-wal`lop*er\, n.
1. A voter in certain boroughs of England, where, before the
passage of the reform bill of 1832, the qualification for
suffrage was to have boiled (walloped) his own pot in the
parish for six months.
2. One who cleans pots; a scullion. [Slang, U. S.]
Pouch \Pouch\, n. [F. poche a pocket, pouch, bag; probably of
Teutonic origin. See {Poke} a bag, and cf. {Poach} to cook
eggs, to plunder.]
1. A small bag; usually, a leathern bag; as, a pouch for
money; a shot pouch; a mail pouch, etc.
2. That which is shaped like, or used as, a pouch; as:
(a) A protuberant belly; a paunch; -- so called in
ridicule.
(b) (Zo["o]l.) A sac or bag for carrying food or young;
as, the cheek pouches of certain rodents, and the
pouch of marsupials.
(c) (Med.) A cyst or sac containing fluid. --S. Sharp.
(d) (Bot.) A silicle, or short pod, as of the shepherd's
purse.
(e) A bulkhead in the hold of a vessel, to prevent grain,
etc., from shifting.
{Pouch mouth}, a mouth with blubbered or swollen lips.
Pouch \Pouch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pouched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pouching}.]
1. To put or take into a pouch.
2. To swallow; -- said of fowls. --Derham.
3. To pout. [Obs.] --Ainsworth.
4. To pocket; to put up with. [R.] --Sir W. Scott.
Pouched \Pouched\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Having a marsupial pouch; as, the pouched badger, or
the wombat.
(b) Having external cheek pouches; as, the pouched gopher.
(c) Having internal cheek pouches; as, the pouched
squirrels.
{Pouched dog}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Zebra wolf}, under {Zebra}.
{Pouched frog} (Zo["o]l.), the nototrema, the female of which
has a dorsal pouch in which the eggs are hatched, and in
which the young pass through their brief tadpole stage.
{Pouched gopher}, or {Pouched rat}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Pocket
gopher}, under {Pocket}.
{Pouched mouse}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Pocket mouse}, under
{Pocket}.
Pouchet box \Pou"chet box`\
See {Pouncet box}.
Pouch-mouthed \Pouch"-mouthed`\, a.
Having a pouch mouth; blobber-lipped.
Pouchong \Pou*chong"\, n.
A superior kind of souchong tea. --De Colange.
Pouch-shell \Pouch"-shell`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small British and American pond snail ({Bulinus hypnorum}).
Poudre \Pou"dre\, n. [See {Powder}.]
Dust; powder. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
{Poudre marchant} [see {Merchant}], a kind of flavoring
powder used in the Middle Ages. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Poudrette \Pou*drette"\, n. [F., dim. of poudre dust, powder.
See {Powder}.]
A manure made from night soil, dried and mixed with charcoal,
gypsum, etc.
Poulaine \Pou*laine"\, n. [F. soulier [`a] la poulaine.]
A long pointed shoe. See {Cracowes}.
Pouldavis \Poul"da`vis\, n.
Same as {Poledavy}. [Obs.]
Poulder \Poul"der\, n. & v.
Powder. [Obs.]
Pouldron \Poul"dron\, n.
See {Pauldron}.
Poulp \Poulp\, Poulpe \Poulpe\, n. [F. poulpe, fr. L. polypus.
See {Polyp}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Octopus}.
{Musk poulp} (Zo["o]l.), a Mediterranean octopod ({Eledone
moschata}) which emits a strong odor of musk.
Poult \Poult\, n. [OF. pulte, F. poulet, dim. of poule fowl. See
{Pullet}.]
A young chicken, partridge, grouse, or the like. --King.
Chapman.
Starling the heath poults or black game. --R.
Jefferise.
Poulter \Poul"ter\, n. [OE. pulter. See Poult.]
A poulterer. [Obs.] --Shak.
Poulterer \Poul"ter*er\, n.
One who deals in poultry.
Poultice \Poul"tice\, n. [L. puls, pl. pultes, a thick pap; akin
to Gr. po`ltos. Cf. {Pulse} seeds.]
A soft composition, as of bread, bran, or a mucilaginous
substance, to be applied to sores, inflamed parts of the
body, etc.; a cataplasm. ``Poultice relaxeth the pores.''
--Bacon.
Poultice \Poul"tice\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Poulticed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Poulticing}.]
To apply a poultice to; to dress with a poultice.
Poultive \Poul"tive\, n.
A poultice. [Obs.] --W. Temple.
Poultry \Poul"try\, n. [From {Poult}.]
Domestic fowls reared for the table, or for their eggs or
feathers, such as cocks and hens, capons, turkeys, ducks, and
geese.
Pounce \Pounce\, n. [F. ponce pumice, pounce, fr. L. pumex,
-icis, pumice. See {Pumice}.]
1. A fine powder, as of sandarac, or cuttlefish bone, --
formerly used to prevent ink from spreading on manuscript.
2. Charcoal dust, or some other colored powder for making
patterns through perforated designs, -- used by
embroiderers, lace makers, etc.
{Pounce box}, a box for sprinkling pounce.
{Pounce paper}, a transparent paper for tracing.
Pounce \Pounce\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pounded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pouncing}.]
To sprinkle or rub with pounce; as, to pounce paper, or a
pattern.
Pounce \Pounce\, n. [Prob. through French, from an assumed LL.
punctiare to prick, L. pungere, punctum. See {Puncheon},
{Punch}, v. t.]
1. The claw or talon of a bird of prey. --Spenser. Burke.
2. A punch or stamp. [Obs.] ``A pounce to print money with.''
--Withals.
3. Cloth worked in eyelet holes. [Obs.] --Homilies.
Pounce \Pounce\, v. t.
1. To strike or seize with the talons; to pierce, as with the
talons. [Archaic]
Stooped from his highest pitch to pounce a wren.
--Cowper.
Now pounce him lightly, And as he roars and rages,
let's go deeper. --J. Fletcher.
2. To punch; to perforate; to stamp holes in, or dots on, by
way of ornament. [Obs.] --Sir T. Elyot.
Pounce \Pounce\, v. i.
To fall suddenly and seize with the claws; -- with on or
upon; as, a hawk pounces upon a chicken. Also used
figuratively.
Derision is never so agonizing as when it pounces on
the wanderings of misguided sensibility. --Jeffrey.
Pounced \Pounced\, a.
1. Furnished with claws or talons; as, the pounced young of
the eagle. --Thomson.
2. Ornamented with perforations or dots. [Obs.] ``Gilt bowls
pounced and pierced.'' --Holinshed.
Pouncet box \Poun"cet box`\ [Cf. F. poncette, fr. ponce pounce.
See {Pounce} a powder.]
A box with a perforated lid, for sprinkling pounce, or for
holding perfumes. --Shak.
Pouncing \Poun"cing\, n.
1. The art or practice of transferring a design by means of
pounce.
2. Decorative perforation of cloth. [Obs.]
Pound \Pound\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pounded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pounding}.] [OE. pounen, AS. punian to bruise. Cf. {Pun} a
play on words.]
1. To strike repeatedly with some heavy instrument; to beat.
With cruel blows she pounds her blubbered cheeks.
--Dryden.
2. To comminute and pulverize by beating; to bruise or break
into fine particles with a pestle or other heavy
instrument; as, to pound spice or salt.
Pound \Pound\, v. i.
1. To strike heavy blows; to beat.
2. (Mach.) To make a jarring noise, as in running; as, the
engine pounds.
Pound \Pound\, n. [AS. pund an inclosure: cf. forpyndan to turn
away, or to repress, also Icel. pynda to extort, torment, Ir.
pont, pond, pound. Cf. {Pinder}, {Pinfold}, {Pin} to inclose,
{Pond}.]
1. An inclosure, maintained by public authority, in which
cattle or other animals are confined when taken in
trespassing, or when going at large in violation of law; a
pinfold. --Shak.
2. A level stretch in a canal between locks.
3. (Fishing) A kind of net, having a large inclosure with a
narrow entrance into which fish are directed by wings
spreading outward.
{Pound covert}, a pound that is close or covered over, as a
shed.
{Pound overt}, a pound that is open overhead.
Pound \Pound\, v. t.
To confine in, or as in, a pound; to impound. --Milton.
Pound \Pound\, n.; pl. {Pounds}, collectively {Pound} or
{Pounds}. [AS. pund, fr. L. pondo, akin to pondus a weight,
pendere to weigh. See {Pendant}.]
1. A certain specified weight; especially, a legal standard
consisting of an established number of ounces.
Note: The pound in general use in the United States and in
England is the pound avoirdupois, which is divided into
sixteen ounces, and contains 7,000 grains. The pound
troy is divided into twelve ounces, and contains 5,760
grains. 144 pounds avoirdupois are equal to 175 pounds
troy weight. See {Avoirdupois}, and {Troy}.
2. A British denomination of money of account, equivalent to
twenty shillings sterling, and equal in value to about
$4.86. There is no coin known by this name, but the gold
sovereign is of the same value.
Note: The pound sterling was in Saxon times, about a. d. 671,
a pound troy of silver, and a shilling was its
twentieth part; consequently the latter was three times
as large as it is at present. --Peacham.
Poundage \Pound"age\, n.
1. A sum deducted from a pound, or a certain sum paid for
each pound; a commission.
2. A subsidy of twelve pence in the pound, formerly granted
to the crown on all goods exported or imported, and if by
aliens, more. [Eng.] --Blackstone.
3. (Law) The sum allowed to a sheriff or other officer upon
the amount realized by an execution; -- estimated in
England, and formerly in the United States, at so much of
the pound. --Burrill. Bouvier.
Poundage \Pound"age\, v. t.
To collect, as poundage; to assess, or rate, by poundage.
[R.]
Poundage \Pound"age\, n. [See 3d {Pound}.]
1. Confinement of cattle, or other animals, in a public
pound.
2. A charge paid for the release of impounded cattle.
Poundal \Pound"al\, n. [From 5th {Pound}.] (Physics & Mech.)
A unit of force based upon the pound, foot, and second, being
the force which, acting on a pound avoirdupois for one
second, causes it to acquire by the of that time a velocity
of one foot per second. It is about equal to the weight of
half an ounce, and is 13,825 dynes.
Pound-breach \Pound"-breach`\, n.
The breaking of a public pound for releasing impounded
animals. --Blackstone.
Poundcake \Pound"cake`\, n.
A kind of rich, sweet cake; -- so called from the ingredients
being used by pounds, or in equal quantities.
Pounder \Pound"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, pounds, as a stamp in an ore mill.
2. An instrument used for pounding; a pestle.
3. A person or thing, so called with reference to a certain
number of pounds in value, weight, capacity, etc.; as, a
cannon carrying a twelve-pound ball is called a twelve
pounder.
Note: Before the English reform act of 1867, one who was an
elector by virtue of paying ten pounds rent was called
a ten pounder.
Pounding \Pound"ing\, n.
1. The act of beating, bruising, or breaking up; a beating.
2. A pounded or pulverized substance. [R.] ``Covered with the
poundings of these rocks.'' --J. S. Blackie.
Poundkeeper \Pound/keep`er\, n.
The keeper of a pound.
Poundrate \Pound"*rate`\, n.
A rate or proportion estimated at a certain amount for each
pound; poundage.
Poup \Poup\, v. i.
See {Powp}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Poupart's ligament \Pou*part's" lig"a*ment\ (Anat.)
A ligament, of fascia, extending, in most mammals, from the
ventral side of the ilium to near the symphysis of the pubic
bones.
Poupeton \Pou"pe*ton\, n. [See {Puppet}.]
A puppet, or little baby. [Obs.] --Palsgrave.
Pour \Pour\, a.
Poor. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pour \Pour\, v. i.
To pore. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pour \Pour\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Poured}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pouring}.] [OE. pouren, of uncertain origin; cf. W. bwrw to
cast, throw, shed, bwrw gwlaw to rain.]
1. To cause to flow in a stream, as a liquid or anything
flowing like a liquid, either out of a vessel or into it;
as, to pour water from a pail; to pour wine into a
decanter; to pour oil upon the waters; to pour out sand or
dust.
2. To send forth as in a stream or a flood; to emit; to let
escape freely or wholly.
I . . . have poured out my soul before the Lord. --1
Sam. i. 15.
Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee.
--Ezek. vii.
8.
London doth pour out her citizens ! --Shak.
Wherefore did Nature pour her bounties forth With
such a full and unwithdrawing hand ? --Milton.
3. To send forth from, as in a stream; to discharge
uninterruptedly.
Is it for thee the linnet pours his throat ? --Pope.
Pour \Pour\, v. i.
To flow, pass, or issue in a stream, or as a stream; to fall
continuously and abundantly; as, the rain pours; the people
poured out of the theater.
In the rude throng pour on with furious pace. --Gay.
Pour \Pour\, n.
A stream, or something like a stream; a flood. [Colloq.] ``A
pour of rain.'' --Miss Ferrier.
Poureliche \Poure"liche`\, adv.
Poorly. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pourer \Pour"er\, n.
One who pours.
Pourlieu \Pour"lieu\, n.
See {Purlieu}.
Pourparler \Pour`par`ler"\, n. [F.] (Diplomacy)
A consultation preliminary to a treaty.
Pourparty \Pour`par"ty\, n.; pl. {Pourparties}. [See
{Purparty}.] (Law)
A division; a divided share.
{To make pourparty}, to divide and apportion lands previously
held in common.
Pourpoint \Pour"point\, n. [F.]
A quilted military doublet or gambeson worn in the 14th and
15th centuries; also, a name for the doublet of the 16th and
17th centuries worn by civilians.
Pourpresture \Pour*pres"ture\ (?; 135), n. (Law)
See {Purpresture}.
Poursuivant \Pour"sui*vant\, n.
See {Pursuivant}.
Pourtray \Pour*tray"\, v. t.
See {Portray}.
Pourveyance \Pour*vey"ance\, n.
See {Purveyance}.
Pousse \Pousse\ (p[=oo]s), n.
Pulse; pease. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Poussette \Pous*sette"\ (p[=oo]*s[e^]t"), n. [F., pushpin, fr.
pousser to push. See {Push}.]
A movement, or part of a figure, in the contradance.
--Dickens.
Poussette \Pous*sette"\, v. i.
To perform a certain movement in a dance. [R.] --Tennyson.
Down the middle, up again, poussette, and cross. --J. &
H. Smith.
Pout \Pout\ (p[=oo]t), n. [F. poulet. See {Poult}.]
The young of some birds, as grouse; a young fowl. --Carew.
Pout \Pout\ (p[=oo]t), v. i.
To shoot pouts. [Scot.]
Pout \Pout\ (pout), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pouted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pouting}.] [OE. pouten, of uncertain origin; cf. Prov.
pot lip, Prov. F. potte, faire la potte to pout, W. pwdu to
pout, be sullen, poten, potten, a paunch, belly.]
1. To thrust out the lips, as in sullenness or displeasure;
hence, to look sullen.
Thou poutest upon thy fortune and thy love. --Shak.
2. To protrude. ``Pouting lips.'' --Dryden.
Pout \Pout\, n.
A sullen protrusion of the lips; a fit of sullenness.
``Jack's in the pouts.'' --J. & H. Smith.
Pout \Pout\, n. [Cf. {Eelpout}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The European whiting pout or bib.
{Eel pout}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Eelpout}.
{Horn pout}, or {Horned pout}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Bullhead}
(b) .
Pouter \Pout"er\ (-[~e]r), n.
1. One who, or that which, pouts.
2. [Cf. E. pout, and G. puter turkey.] (Zo["o]l.) A variety
of the domestic pigeon remarkable for the extent to which
it is able to dilate its throat and breast.
Pouting \Pout"ing\, n.
Childish sullenness.
Poutingly \Pout"ing*ly\, adv.
In a pouting, or a sullen, manner.
Povert \Pov"ert\ (p[o^]v"[~e]rt), n.
Poverty. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Poverty \Pov"er*ty\ (p[o^]v"[~e]r*t[y^]), n. [OE. poverte, OF.
povert['e], F. pauvret['e], fr. L. paupertas, fr. pauper
poor. See {Poor}.]
1. The quality or state of being poor or indigent; want or
scarcity of means of subsistence; indigence; need.
``Swathed in numblest poverty.'' --Keble.
The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty.
--Prov. xxiii.
21.
2. Any deficiency of elements or resources that are needed or
desired, or that constitute richness; as, poverty of soil;
poverty of the blood; poverty of ideas.
{Poverty grass} (Bot.), a name given to several slender
grasses (as {Aristida dichotoma}, and {Danthonia spicata})
which often spring up on old and worn-out fields.
Syn: Indigence; penury; beggary; need; lack; want;
scantiness; sparingness; meagerness; jejuneness.
Usage: {Poverty}, {Indigence}, {Pauperism}. Poverty is a
relative term; what is poverty to a monarch, would be
competence for a day laborer. Indigence implies
extreme distress, and almost absolute destitution.
Pauperism denotes entire dependence upon public
charity, and, therefore, often a hopeless and degraded
state.
Powan \Pow"an\, Powen \Pow"en\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A small British lake whitefish ({Coregonus clupeoides}, or
{C. ferus}); -- called also {gwyniad} and {lake herring}.
Powder \Pow"der\, n. [OE. poudre, pouldre, F. poudre, OF. also
poldre, puldre, L. pulvis, pulveris: cf. pollen fine flour,
mill dust, E. pollen. Cf. {Polverine}, {Pulverize}.]
1. The fine particles to which any dry substance is reduced
by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or into which it
falls by decay; dust.
Grind their bones to powder small. --Shak.
2. An explosive mixture used in gunnery, blasting, etc.;
gunpowder. See {Gunpowder}.
{Atlas powder}, {Baking powder}, etc. See under {Atlas},
{Baking}, etc.
{Powder down} (Zo["o]l.), the peculiar dust, or exfoliation,
of powder-down feathers.
{Powder-down feather} (Zo["o]l.), one of a peculiar kind of
modified feathers which sometimes form patches on certain
parts of some birds. They have a greasy texture and a
scaly exfoliation.
{Powder-down patch} (Zo["o]l.), a tuft or patch of
powder-down feathers.
{Powder hose}, a tube of strong linen, about an inch in
diameter, filled with powder and used in firing mines.
--Farrow.
{Powder hoy} (Naut.), a vessel specially fitted to carry
powder for the supply of war ships. They are usually
painted red and carry a red flag.
{Powder magazine}, or {Powder room}. See {Magazine}, 2.
{Powder mine}, a mine exploded by gunpowder. See {Mine}.
{Powder monkey} (Naut.), a boy formerly employed on war
vessels to carry powder; a powder boy.
{Powder post}. See {Dry rot}, under {Dry}.
{Powder puff}. See {Puff}, n.
Powder \Pow"der\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Powdered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Powdering}.] [F. poudrer.]
1. To reduce to fine particles; to pound, grind, or rub into
a powder; to comminute; to pulverize; to triturate.
2. To sprinkle with powder, or as with powder; to be
sprinkle; as, to powder the hair.
A circling zone thou seest Powdered with stars.
--Milton.
3. To sprinkle with salt; to corn, as meat. [Obs.]
Powder \Pow"der\, v. i.
1. To be reduced to powder; to become like powder; as, some
salts powder easily.
2. To use powder on the hair or skin; as, she paints and
powders.
Powdered \Pow"dered\, a.
1. Reduced to a powder; sprinkled with, or as with, powder.
2. Sprinkled with salt; salted; corned. [Obs.]
Powdered beef, pickled meats. --Harvey.
3. (Her.) Same as {Sem['e]}. --Walpole.
Powderflask \Pow"der*flask`\, n.
A flask in which gunpowder is carried, having a charging tube
at the end.
Powderhorn \Pow"der*horn`\, n.
A horn in which gunpowder is carried.
Powdering \Pow"der*ing\,
a. & n. from {Powder}, v. t.
{Powdering tub}.
(a) A tub or vessel in which meat is corned or salted.
(b) A heated tub in which an infected lecher was placed for
cure. [Obs.] --Shak.
Powdermill \Pow"der*mill`\, n.
A mill in which gunpowder is made.
Powder-posted \Pow"der-post`ed\, a.
Affected with dry rot; reduced to dust by rot. See {Dry rot},
under {Dry}. [U.S.]
Powdery \Pow"der*y\, a.
1. Easily crumbling to pieces; friable; loose; as, a powdery
spar.
2. Sprinkled or covered with powder; dusty; as, the powdery
bloom on plums.
3. Resembling powder; consisting of powder. ``The powdery
snow.'' --Wordsworth.
Powdike \Pow"dike\, n. [Scot. pow, pou, a pool, a watery or
marshy place, fr. E. pool.]
A dike a marsh or fen. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Powdry \Pow"dry\, a.
See {Powdery}.
Power \Pow"er\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Poor}, the fish.
Power \Pow"er\, n. [OE. pouer, poer, OF. poeir, pooir, F.
pouvoir, n. & v., fr. LL. potere, for L. posse, potesse, to
be able, to have power. See {Possible}, {Potent}, and cf.
{Posse comitatus}.]
1. Ability to act, regarded as latent or inherent; the
faculty of doing or performing something; capacity for
action or performance; capability of producing an effect,
whether physical or moral: potency; might; as, a man of
great power; the power of capillary attraction; money
gives power. ``One next himself in power, and next in
crime.'' --Milton.
2. Ability, regarded as put forth or exerted; strength,
force, or energy in action; as, the power of steam in
moving an engine; the power of truth, or of argument, in
producing conviction; the power of enthusiasm. ``The power
of fancy.'' --Shak.
3. Capacity of undergoing or suffering; fitness to be acted
upon; susceptibility; -- called also {passive power}; as,
great power of endurance.
Power, then, is active and passive; faculty is
active power or capacity; capacity is passive power.
--Sir W.
Hamilton.
4. The exercise of a faculty; the employment of strength; the
exercise of any kind of control; influence; dominion;
sway; command; government.
Power is no blessing in itself but when it is
employed to protect the innocent. --Swift.
5. The agent exercising an ability to act; an individual
invested with authority; an institution, or government,
which exercises control; as, the great powers of Europe;
hence, often, a superhuman agent; a spirit; a divinity.
``The powers of darkness.'' --Milton.
And the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.
--Matt. xxiv.
29.
6. A military or naval force; an army or navy; a great host.
--Spenser.
Never such a power . . . Was levied in the body of a
land. --Shak.
7. A large quantity; a great number; as, a power o? good
things. [Colloq.] --Richardson.
8. (Mech.)
(a) The rate at which mechanical energy is exerted or
mechanical work performed, as by an engine or other
machine, or an animal, working continuously; as, an
engine of twenty horse power.
Note: The English unit of power used most commonly is the
horse power. See {Horse power}.
(b) A mechanical agent; that from which useful mechanical
energy is derived; as, water power; steam power; hand
power, etc.
(c) Applied force; force producing motion or pressure; as,
the power applied at one and of a lever to lift a
weight at the other end.
Note: This use in mechanics, of power as a synonym for force,
is improper and is becoming obsolete.
(d) A machine acted upon by an animal, and serving as a
motor to drive other machinery; as, a dog power.
Note: Power is used adjectively, denoting, driven, or adapted
to be driven, by machinery, and not actuated directly
by the hand or foot; as, a power lathe; a power loom; a
power press.
9. (Math.) The product arising from the multiplication of a
number into itself; as, a square is the second power, and
a cube is third power, of a number.
10. (Metaph.) Mental or moral ability to act; one of the
faculties which are possessed by the mind or soul; as,
the power of thinking, reasoning, judging, willing,
fearing, hoping, etc. --I. Watts.
The guiltiness of my mind, the sudden surprise of
my powers, drove the grossness . . . into a
received belief. --Shak.
11. (Optics) The degree to which a lens, mirror, or any
optical instrument, magnifies; in the telescope, and
usually in the microscope, the number of times it
multiplies, or augments, the apparent diameter of an
object; sometimes, in microscopes, the number of times it
multiplies the apparent surface.
12. (Law) An authority enabling a person to dispose of an
interest vested either in himself or in another person;
ownership by appointment. --Wharton.
13. Hence, vested authority to act in a given case; as, the
business was referred to a committee with power.
Note: Power may be predicated of inanimate agents, like the
winds and waves, electricity and magnetism,
gravitation, etc., or of animal and intelligent beings;
and when predicated of these beings, it may indicate
physical, mental, or moral ability or capacity.
{Mechanical powers}. See under {Mechanical}.
{Power loom}, or {Power press}. See Def. 8
(d), note.
{Power of attorney}. See under {Attorney}.
{Power of a point} (relative to a given curve) (Geom.), the
result of substituting the co["o]rdinates of any point in
that expression which being put equal to zero forms the
equation of the curve; as, x^{2} + y^{2} - 100 is the
power of the point x, y, relative to the circle x^{2} +
y^{2} - 100 = 0.
Powerable \Pow"er*a*ble\, a.
1. Capable of being effected or accomplished by the
application of power; possible. [R.] --J. Young.
2. Capable of exerting power; powerful. --Camden.
Powerful \Pow"er*ful\, a.
1. Full of power; capable of producing great effects of any
kind; potent; mighty; efficacious; intense; as, a powerful
man or beast; a powerful engine; a powerful argument; a
powerful light; a powerful vessel.
The powerful grace that lies In herbs, plants,
stones, and their true qualities. --Shak.
2. (Mining) Large; capacious; -- said of veins of ore.
Syn: Mighty; strong; potent; forcible; efficacious;
energetic; intense. -- {Pow"er*ful*ly}, adv. --
{Pow"er*ful*ness}, n.
Powerless \Pow"er*less\, a.
Destitute of power, force, or energy; weak; impotent; not
able to produce any effect. -- {Pow"er*less*ly}, adv. --
{Pow"er*less*ness}, n.
Powldron \Powl"dron\, n. [OF. espauleron, from espaule shoulder,
F. ['e]paule.]
Same as {Pauldron}.
Powp \Powp\, v. i.
See {Poop}, v. i. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Powter \Pow"ter\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Pouter}.
Powpow \Pow"pow`\, n.
1. A priest, or conjurer, among the North American Indians.
Be it sagamore, sachem, or powwow. --Longfellow.
2. Conjuration attended with great noise and confusion, and
often with feasting, dancing, etc., performed by Indians
for the cure of diseases, to procure success in hunting or
in war, and for other purposes.
3. Hence: Any assembly characterized by noise and confusion;
a noisy frolic or gathering. [Colloq. U. S.]
Powwow \Pow"wow`\, v. i.
1. To use conjuration, with noise and confusion, for the cure
of disease, etc., as among the North American Indians.
2. Hence: To hold a noisy, disorderly meeting. [Colloq. U.
S.]
Pox \Pox\, n. [For pocks, OE. pokkes. See {Pock}. It is plural
in form but is used as a singular.] (Med.)
Strictly, a disease by pustules or eruptions of any kind, but
chiefly or wholly restricted to three or four diseases, --
the smallpox, the chicken pox, and the vaccine and the
venereal diseases.
Note: Pox, when used without an epithet, as in imprecations,
formerly signified smallpox; but it now signifies
syphilis.
Pox \Pox\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Poxed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Poxing}.]
To infect with the pox, or syphilis.
Poy \Poy\, n. [OF. apui, apoi, a support, prop., staff, F.
appui, fr. OF. apuier, apoier, to support, F. appuyer, fr.
[`a] to (L. ad) + OF. pui, poi, a rising ground, hill, L.
podium. See {Podium}, {Pew}.]
1. A support; -- used in composition; as, teapoy.
2. A ropedancer's balancing pole. --Johnson.
3. A long boat hook by which barges are propelled against the
stream. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Poynado \Poy*na"do\, n.
A poniard. [Obs.] --Lyly.
Poynd \Poynd\, v., Poynder \Poynd"er\, n.
See {Poind}, {Poinder}.
Poy nette \Poy nette"\, n. [Cf. {Point}.]
A bodkin. [Obs.]
Poyntel \Poyn"tel\, n. [See {Pointal}.] (Arch.)
Paving or flooring made of small squares or lozenges set
diagonally. [Formerly written {pointal}.]
Poyou \Poy"ou\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A South American armadillo ({Dasypus sexcinctus}). Called
also {sixbanded armadillo}.
Poze \Poze\, v. t.
See 5th {Pose}.
Pozzuolana \Poz`zu*o*la"na\, Pozzolana \Poz`zo*la"*na\, n. [It.]
Volcanic ashes from Pozzuoli, in Italy, used in the
manufacture of a kind of mortar which hardens under water.
Praam \Praam\, n. [D. praam; cf. G. prahm, F. prame; all of
Slavonic origin, from a word akin to E. fare. See {Fare}.]
(Naut.)
A flat-bottomed boat or lighter, -- used in Holland and the
Baltic, and sometimes armed in case of war. [Written also
{pram}, and {prame}.]
Practic \Prac"tic\, a. [See {Practical}.]
1. Practical.
2. Artful; deceitful; skillful. [Obs.] ``Cunning sleights and
practick knavery.'' --Spenser.
Practicability \Prac"ti*ca*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being practicable; practicableness;
feasibility. ``The practicability of such a project.''
--Stewart.
Practicable \Prac"ti*ca*ble\, a. [LL. practicare to act,
transact, fr. L. practicus active, Gr. ?: cf. F. practicable,
pratiquer to practice. See {Practical}.]
1. That may be practiced or performed; capable of being done
or accomplished with available means or resources;
feasible; as, a practicable method; a practicable aim; a
practicable good.
2. Capable of being used; passable; as, a practicable weapon;
a practicable road.
{Practicable breach} (Mil.), a breach which admits of
approach and entrance by an assailing party.
Syn: Possible; feasible. -- {Practicable}, {Possible}. A
thing may be possible, i. e., not forbidden by any law
of nature, and yet may not now be practicable for want
of the means requisite to its performance. --
{Prac"ti*ca*ble*ness}, n. -- {Prac"ti*ca*bly}, adv.
Practical \Prac"ti*cal\, a. [L. practicus active, Gr. ? fit for
doing or performing, practical, active, fr. ? to do, work,
effect: cf. F. pratique, formerly also practique. Cf.
{Pragmatic}, {Practice}.]
1. Of or pertaining to practice or action.
2. Capable of being turned to use or account; useful, in
distinction from {ideal} or {theoretical}; as, practical
chemistry. ``Man's practical understanding.'' --South.
``For all practical purposes.'' --Macaulay.
3. Evincing practice or skill; capable of applying knowledge
to some useful end; as, a practical man; a practical mind.
4. Derived from practice; as, practical skill.
{Practical joke}, a joke put in practice; a joke the fun of
which consists in something done, in distinction from
something said; esp., a trick played upon a person.
Practicality \Prac`ti*cal"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being practical; practicalness.
Practically \Prac"ti*cal*ly\, adv.
1. In a practical way; not theoretically; really; as, to look
at things practically; practically worthless.
2. By means of practice or use; by experience or experiment;
as, practically wise or skillful; practically acquainted
with a subject.
3. In practice or use; as, a medicine practically safe;
theoretically wrong, but practically right.
Practicalness \Prac"ti*cal*ness\, n.
Same as {Practicality}.
Practicalize \Prac"ti*cal*ize\, v. t.
To render practical. [R.] ``Practicalizing influences.'' --J.
S. Mill.
Practice \Prac"tice\, n. [OE. praktike, practique, F. pratique,
formerly also, practique, LL. practica, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?
practical. See {Practical}, and cf. {Pratique}, {Pretty}.]
1. Frequently repeated or customary action; habitual
performance; a succession of acts of a similar kind;
usage; habit; custom; as, the practice of rising early;
the practice of making regular entries of accounts; the
practice of daily exercise.
A heart . . . exercised with covetous practices. --2 Pet.
ii. 14.
2. Customary or constant use; state of being used.
Obsolete words may be revived when they are more
sounding or more significant than those in practice.
--Dryden.
3. Skill or dexterity acquired by use; expertness. [R.] ``His
nice fence and his active practice.'' --Shak.
4. Actual performance; application of knowledge; -- opposed
to theory.
There are two functions of the soul, --
contemplation and practice. --South.
There is a distinction, but no opposition, between
theory and practice; each, to a certain extent,
supposes the other; theory is dependent on practice;
practice must have preceded theory. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
5. Systematic exercise for instruction or discipline; as, the
troops are called out for practice; she neglected practice
in music.
6. Application of science to the wants of men; the exercise
of any profession; professional business; as, the practice
of medicine or law; a large or lucrative practice.
Practice is exercise of an art, or the application
of a science in life, which application is itself an
art. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
7. Skillful or artful management; dexterity in contrivance or
the use of means; art; stratagem; artifice; plot; --
usually in a bad sense. [Obs.] --Bacon.
He sought to have that by practice which he could
not by prayer. --Sir P.
Sidney.
8. (Math.) A easy and concise method of applying the rules of
arithmetic to questions which occur in trade and business.
9. (Law) The form, manner, and order of conducting and
carrying on suits and prosecutions through their various
stages, according to the principles of law and the rules
laid down by the courts. --Bouvier.
Syn: Custom; usage; habit; manner.
Practice \Prac"tice\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Practiced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Practicing}.] [Often written practise, practised,
practising.]
1. To do or perform frequently, customarily, or habitually;
to make a practice of; as, to practice gaming. ``Incline
not my heart . . . practice wicked works.''
--Ps. cxli. 4.
2. To exercise, or follow, as a profession, trade, art, etc.,
as, to practice law or medicine.
2. To exercise one's self in, for instruction or improvement,
or to acquire discipline or dexterity; as, to practice
gunnery; to practice music.
4. To put into practice; to carry out; to act upon; to
commit; to execute; to do. ``Aught but Talbot's shadow
whereon to practice your severity.'' --Shak.
As this advice ye practice or neglect. --Pope.
5. To make use of; to employ. [Obs.]
In malice to this good knight's wife, I practiced
Ubaldo and Ricardo to corrupt her. --Massinger.
6. To teach or accustom by practice; to train.
In church they are taught to love God; after church
they are practiced to love their neighbor. --Landor.
Practice \Prac"tice\, v. i. [Often written practise.]
1. To perform certain acts frequently or customarily, either
for instruction, profit, or amusement; as, to practice
with the broadsword or with the rifle; to practice on the
piano.
2. To learn by practice; to form a habit.
They shall practice how to live secure. --Milton.
Practice first over yourself to reign. --Waller.
3. To try artifices or stratagems.
He will practice against thee by poison. --Shak.
4. To apply theoretical science or knowledge, esp. by way of
experiment; to exercise or pursue an employment or
profession, esp. that of medicine or of law.
[I am] little inclined to practice on others, and as
little that others should practice on me. --Sir W.
Temple.
Practiced \Prac"ticed\, a. [Often written practised.]
1. Experienced; expert; skilled; as, a practiced marksman.
``A practiced picklock.'' --Ld. Lytton.
2. Used habitually; learned by practice.
Practicer \Prac"ti*cer\, n. [Often written practiser.]
1. One who practices, or puts in practice; one who
customarily performs certain acts. --South.
2. One who exercises a profession; a practitioner.
3. One who uses art or stratagem. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Practician \Prac*ti"cian\, n. [F. praticien, OF. also
practicien.]
One who is acquainted with, or skilled in, anything by
practice; a practitioner.
Practick \Prac"tick\, n.
Practice. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Practisant \Prac"ti*sant\, n.
An agent or confederate in treachery. [Obs.] --Shak.
Practise \Prac"tise\, v. t. & i.
See {Practice}.
Note: The analogy of the English language requires that the
noun and verb which are pronounced alike should agree
in spelling. Thus we have notice (n. & v.), noticed,
noticing, noticer; poultice (n. & v.); apprentice (n. &
v.); office (n. & v.), officer (n.); lattice (n.),
latticed (a.); benefice (n.), beneficed (a.), etc. Cf.
sacrifice (?; n. & v.), surmise (?; n. & v.), promise
(?; n. & v.); compromise (?; n. & v.), etc. Contrast
advice (?; n.), and advise (?); device (?), and devise
(?), etc.
Practisour \Prac"ti*sour\, n.
A practitioner. [Obs.]
Practitioner \Prac*ti"tion*er\, n. [From {Practician}.]
1. One who is engaged in the actual use or exercise of any
art or profession, particularly that of law or medicine.
--Crabbe.
2. One who does anything customarily or habitually.
3. A sly or artful person. --Whitgift.
{General practitioner}. See under {General}, 2.
Practive \Prac"tive\, a.
Doing; active. [Obs.] --Sylvester. -- {Prac"tive*ly}, adv.
[Obs.]
The preacher and the people both, Then practively did
thrive. --Warner.
Prad \Prad\, n. [Cf. D. paard.]
A horse. [Colloq. Eng.]
Prae- \Pr[ae]-\
A prefix. See {Pre-}.
Praecava \Pr[ae]"ca`va\, n. [NL. See {Pre-}, and 1st {Cave}.]
(Anat.)
The superior vena cava. -- {Pr[ae]"ca`val}, a. --B. G.
Wilder.
Praecipe \Pr[ae]c"i*pe\, n. [L., imperative of praecipere to
give rules or precepts. See {Precept}.] (Law)
(a) A writ commanding something to be done, or requiring a
reason for neglecting it.
(b) A paper containing the particulars of a writ, lodged in
the office out of which the writ is to be issued.
--Wharton.
Praecoces \Pr[ae]"co*ces\, n. pl. [NL. See {Precocious}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A division of birds including those whose young are able to
run about when first hatched.
Praecocial \Pr[ae]*co"cial\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Pr[ae]coces.
Praecognita \Pr[ae]*cog"ni*ta\, n. pl. [L. praecognitus, p. p.
of praecognoscere to foreknow. See {Pre-}, and {Cognition}.]
This previously known, or which should be known in order to
understand something else.
Praecommissure \Pr[ae]*com"mis*sure\, n. [Pref. pr[ae] +
commissure.] (Anat.)
A transverse commissure in the anterior part of the third
ventricle of the brain; the anterior cerebral commissure.
Praecoracoid \Pr[ae]*cor"a*coid\, n. (Anat.)
See {Precoracoid}.
Praecordia \Pr[ae]*cor"di*a\, n. [L., fr. prae before + cor,
cordis, the heart.] (Anat.)
The front part of the thoracic region; the epigastrium.
Praecordial \Pr[ae]*cor"di*al\, a. (Anat.)
Same as {Precordial}.
Praecornu \Pr[ae]*cor"nu\, n.; pl. {Pr[ae]cornua}. [NL. See
{Pre-}, and {Cornu}.] (Anat.)
The anterior horn of each lateral ventricle of the brain.
--B. G. Wilder.
Praedial \Pr[ae]"di*al\, a.
See {Predial}.
Praefloration \Pr[ae]`flo*ra"tion\, n.
Same as {Prefloration}. --Gray.
Praefoliation \Pr[ae]*fo`li*a"tion\, n.
Same as {Prefoliation}. --Gray.
Praemaxilla \Pr[ae]`max*il"la\, n.
See {Premaxilla}.
Praemolar \Pr[ae]*mo"lar\, a.
See {Premolar}.
Praemorse \Pr[ae]*morse"\, a.
Same as {Premorse}.
Praemunire \Pr[ae]m`u*ni"re\, n. [Corrupted from L. praemonere
to forewarn, cite. See {Admonish}.] (Eng. Law)
(a) The offense of introducing foreign authority into
England, the penalties for which were originally intended
to depress the civil power of the pope in the kingdom.
(b) The writ grounded on that offense. --Wharton.
(c) The penalty ascribed for the offense of pr[ae]munire.
Wolsey incurred a pr[ae]munire, and forfeited his
honor, estate, and life. --South.
Note: The penalties of pr[ae]munire were subsequently applied
to many other offenses; but prosecutions upon a
pr[ae]munire are at this day unheard of in the English
courts. --Blackstone.
Praemnire \Pr[ae]m`*ni"re\, v. t.
1. The subject to the penalties of pr[ae]munire. [Obs.] --T.
Ward.
Praemunitory \Pr[ae]*mu"ni*to*ry\, a.
See {Premunitory}.
Praenares \Pr[ae]*na"res\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pre-}, {Nares}.]
(Anat.)
The anterior nares. See {Nares}. --B. G. Wilder.
Praenasal \Pr[ae]*na"sal\, a. (Anat.)
Same as {Prenasal}.
Praenomen \Pr[ae]*no"men\, n.; pl. {Pr[ae]nomina}. [L., fr. prae
before + nomen name.] (Rom. Antiq.)
The first name of a person, by which individuals of the same
family were distinguished, answering to our Christian name,
as Caius, Lucius, Marcus, etc.
Praenominical \Pr[ae]`no*min"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a pr[ae]nomen. [Obs.] --M. A. Lower.
Praeoperculum \Pr[ae]`o*per"cu*lum\, n. [NL.] (Anat.)
Same as {Preoperculum}. -- {Pr[ae]`o*per"cu*lar}, a.
Praeoral \Pr[ae]*o"ral\, n., Praepubis \Pr[ae]*pu"bis\, n.,
Praescapula \Pr[ae]*scap"u*la\, n., Praescutum \Pr[ae]*scu"tum\,
n., Praesternum \Pr[ae]*ster"num\, n.
Same as {Preoral}, {Prepubis}, {Prescapula}, etc.
Praeter- \Pr[ae]"ter-\
A prefix. See {Preter-}.
Praeterist \Pr[ae]t"er*ist\, n. (Theol.)
See {Preterist}.
Praetermit \Pr[ae]`ter*mit"\, v. t.
See {Pretermit}.
Praetexta \Pr[ae]*tex"ta\, n.; pl. {Pr[ae]text[ae]}, E.
{Pr[ae]textas}. [L. (sc. toga), fr. praetextus, p. p. of
praetexere to weave before, to fringe, border; prae before +
texere to weave.] (Rom. Antiq.)
A white robe with a purple border, worn by a Roman boy before
he was entitled to wear the toga virilis, or until about the
completion of his fourteenth year, and by girls until their
marriage. It was also worn by magistrates and priests.
Praetor \Pr[ae]"tor\, n.
See {Pretor}.
Praetores \Pr[ae]*to"res\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pretor}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of butterflies including the satyrs.
Praetorian \Pr[ae]*to"ri*an\, a.
See {Pretorian}.
Praetorium \Pr[ae]*to"ri*um\, n.
See {Pretorium}.
Praezygapophysis \Pr[ae]*zyg`a*poph"y*sis\, n. (Anat.)
Same as {Prezygapophysis}.
Pragmatic \Prag*mat"ic\, Pragmatical \Prag*mat"ic*al\, a. [L.
pragmaticus busy, active, skilled in business, especially in
law and state affairs, systematic, Gr. ?, fr. ? a thing done,
business, fr. ? to do: cf. F. pragmatique. See {Practical}.]
1. Of or pertaining to business or to affairs; of the nature
of business; practical; material; businesslike in habit or
manner.
The next day . . . I began to be very pragmatical.
--Evelyn.
We can not always be contemplative, diligent, or
pragmatical, abroad; but have need of some
delightful intermissions. --Milton.
Low, pragmatical, earthly views of the gospel.
--Hare.
2. Busy; specifically, busy in an objectionable way;
officious; fussy and positive; meddlesome. ``Pragmatical
officers of justice.'' --Sir W. Scott.
The fellow grew so pragmatical that he took upon him
the government of my whole family. --Arbuthnot.
3. Philosophical; dealing with causes, reasons, and effects,
rather than with details and circumstances; -- said of
literature. ``Pragmatic history.'' --Sir W. Hamilton.
``Pragmatic poetry.'' --M. Arnold.
{Pragmatic sanction}, a solemn ordinance or decree issued by
the head or legislature of a state upon weighty matters;
-- a term derived from the Byzantine empire. In European
history, two decrees under this name are particularly
celebrated. One of these, issued by Charles VII. of
France, A. D. 1438, was the foundation of the liberties of
the Gallican church; the other, issued by Charles VI. of
Germany, A. D. 1724, settled his hereditary dominions on
his eldest daughter, the Archduchess Maria Theresa.
Pragmatic \Prag*mat"ic\, n.
1. One skilled in affairs.
My attorney and solicitor too; a fine pragmatic.
--B. Jonson.
2. A solemn public ordinance or decree.
A royal pragmatic was accordingly passed.
--Prescott.
Pragmatically \Prag*mat"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a pragmatical manner.
Pragmaticalness \Prag*mat"ic*al*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being pragmatical.
Pragmatism \Prag"ma*tism\, n.
The quality or state of being pragmatic; in literature, the
pragmatic, or philosophical, method.
The narration of this apparently trifling circumstance
belongs to the pragmatism of the history. --A. Murphy.
Pragmatist \Prag"ma*tist\, n.
One who is pragmatic.
Pragmatize \Prag"ma*tize\, v. t.
To consider, represent, or embody (something unreal) as fact;
to materialize. [R.] ``A pragmatized metaphor.'' --Tylor.
Prairial \Prai`ri`al"\, n. [F., fr. prairie meadow.]
The ninth month of the French Republican calendar, which
dated from September 22, 1792. It began May, 20, and ended
June 18. See {Vendemiaire}.
Prairie \Prai"rie\, n. [F., an extensive meadow, OF. praerie,
LL. prataria, fr. L. pratum a meadow.]
1. An extensive tract of level or rolling land, destitute of
trees, covered with coarse grass, and usually
characterized by a deep, fertile soil. They abound
throughout the Mississippi valley, between the Alleghanies
and the Rocky mountains.
From the forests and the prairies, From the great
lakes of the northland. --Longfellow.
2. A meadow or tract of grass; especially, a so called
natural meadow.
{Prairie chicken} (Zo["o]l.), any American grouse of the
genus {Tympanuchus}, especially {T. Americanus} (formerly
{T. cupido}), which inhabits the prairies of the central
United States. Applied also to the sharp-tailed grouse.
{Prairie clover} (Bot.), any plant of the leguminous genus
{Petalostemon}, having small rosy or white flowers in
dense terminal heads or spikes. Several species occur in
the prairies of the United States.
{Prairie dock} (Bot.), a coarse composite plant ({Silphium
terebinthaceum}) with large rough leaves and yellow
flowers, found in the Western prairies.
{Prairie dog} (Zo["o]l.), a small American rodent ({Cynomys
Ludovicianus}) allied to the marmots. It inhabits the
plains west of the Mississippi. The prairie dogs burrow in
the ground in large warrens, and have a sharp bark like
that of a dog. Called also {prairie marmot}.
{Prairie grouse}. Same as {Prairie chicken}, above.
{Prairie hare} (Zo["o]l.), a large long-eared Western hare
({Lepus campestris}). See {Jack rabbit}, under 2d {Jack}.
{Prairie hawk}, {Prairie falcon} (Zo["o]l.), a falcon of
Western North America ({Falco Mexicanus}). The upper parts
are brown. The tail has transverse bands of white; the
under parts, longitudinal streaks and spots of brown.
{Prairie hen}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Prairie chicken}, above.
{Prairie itch} (Med.), an affection of the skin attended with
intense itching, which is observed in the Northern and
Western United States; -- also called {swamp itch},
{winter itch}.
{Prairie marmot}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Prairie dog}, above.
{Prairie mole} (Zo["o]l.), a large American mole ({Scalops
argentatus}), native of the Western prairies.
{Prairie pigeon}, {plover}, or {snipe} (Zo["o]l.), the upland
plover. See {Plover}, n., 2.
{Prairie rattlesnake} (Zo["o]l.), the massasauga.
{Prairie snake} (Zo["o]l.), a large harmless American snake
({Masticophis flavigularis}). It is pale yellow, tinged
with brown above.
{Prairie squirrel} (Zo["o]l.), any American ground squirrel
of the genus {Spermophilus}, inhabiting prairies; --
called also {gopher}.
{Prairie turnip} (Bot.), the edible turnip-shaped farinaceous
root of a leguminous plant ({Psoralea esculenta}) of the
Upper Missouri region; also, the plant itself. Called also
{pomme blanche}, and {pomme de prairie}.
{Prairie warbler} (Zo["o]l.), a bright-colored American
warbler ({Dendroica discolor}). The back is olive yellow,
with a group of reddish spots in the middle; the under
parts and the parts around the eyes are bright yellow; the
sides of the throat and spots along the sides, black;
three outer tail feathers partly white.
{Prairie wolf}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Coyote}.
Praisable \Prais"a*ble\, a.
Fit to be praised; praise-worthy; laudable; commendable.
--Wyclif (2 Tim. ii. 15).
Praisably \Prais"a*bly\, adv.
In a praisable manner.
Praise \Praise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Praised}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Praising}.] [OE. preisen, OF. preisier, prisier, F. priser,
L. pretiare to prize, fr. pretium price. See {Price}, n., and
cf. {Appreciate}, {Praise}, n., {Prize}, v.]
1. To commend; to applaud; to express approbation of; to
laud; -- applied to a person or his acts. ``I praise well
thy wit.'' --Chaucer.
Let her own works praise her in the gates. --Prov.
xxxi. 31.
We praise not Hector, though his name, we know, Is
great in arms; 't is hard to praise a foe. --Dryden.
2. To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on
account of perfections or excellent works; to do honor to;
to display the excellence of; -- applied especially to the
Divine Being.
Praise ye him, all his angels; praise ye him, all
his hosts! --Ps. cxlviii.
2.
3. To value; to appraise. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
Syn: To commend; laud; eulogize; celebrate; glorify; magnify.
Usage: To {Praise}, {Applaud}, {Extol}. To praise is to set
at high price; to applaud is to greet with clapping;
to extol is to bear aloft, to exalt. We may praise in
the exercise of calm judgment; we usually applaud from
impulse, and on account of some specific act; we extol
under the influence of high admiration, and usually in
strong, if not extravagant, language.
Praise \Praise\, n. [OE. preis, OF. preis price, worth, value,
estimation. See {Praise}, v., {Price}.]
1. Commendation for worth; approval expressed; honor rendered
because of excellence or worth; laudation; approbation.
There are men who always confound the praise of
goodness with the practice. --Rambler.
Note: Praise may be expressed by an individual, and thus
differs from fame, renown, and celebrity, which are
always the expression of the approbation of numbers, or
public commendation.
2. Especially, the joyful tribute of gratitude or homage
rendered to the Divine Being; the act of glorifying or
extolling the Creator; worship, particularly worship by
song, distinction from prayer and other acts of worship;
as, a service of praise.
3. The object, ground, or reason of praise.
He is thy praise, and he is thy God. --Deut. x.??.
Syn: Encomium; honor; eulogy; panegyric; plaudit; applause;
acclaim; eclat; commendation; laudation.
Praiseful \Praise"ful\, a.
Praiseworthy. [Obs.]
Praiseful \Praise"ful\, a.
Praiseworthy. [Obs.]
Praiseless \Praise"less\, a.
Without praise or approbation.
Praise-meeting \Praise"-meet`*ing\, n.
A religious service mainly in song. [Local, U. S.]
Praisement \Praise"ment\, n.
Appraisement. [Obs.]
Praiseer \Praise"er\, n.
1. One who praises. ``Praisers of men.'' --Sir P. Sidney.
2. An appraiser; a valuator. [Obs.] --Sir T. North.
Praiseworthily \Praise"wor`thi*ly\, adv.
In a praiseworthy manner. --Spenser.
Praiseworthiness \Praise"wor`thi*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being praiseworthy.
Praiseworthy \Praise"wor`thy\, a.
Worthy of praise or applause; commendable; as, praiseworthy
action; he was praiseworthy. --Arbuthnot.
Prakrit \Pra"krit\, n. [Skr. pr[=a]k[.r]ta original, natural,
usual, common, vulgar.]
Any one of the popular dialects descended from, or akin to,
Sanskrit; -- in distinction from the Sanskrit, which was used
as a literary and learned language when no longer spoken by
the people. Pali is one of the Prakrit dialects.
Prakritic \Pra*krit"ic\, a.
Pertaining to Prakrit.
Pram \Pram\, Prame \Prame\, n. (Naut.)
See {Praam}.
Prance \Prance\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pranced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Prancing}.] [OE. prauncen; probably akin to prank, v. t. See
Prank.]
1. To spring or bound, as a horse in high mettle.
Now rule thy prancing steed. --Gay.
2. To ride on a prancing horse; to ride in an ostentatious
manner.
The insulting tyrant prancing o'er the field.
--Addison.
3. To walk or strut about in a pompous, showy manner, or with
warlike parade. --Swift.
Prancer \Pran"cer\, n.
A horse which prances.
Then came the captain . . . upon a brave prancer.
--Evelyn.
Prandial \Pran"di*al\, a. [L. prandium a repast.]
Of or pertaining to a repast, especially to dinner.
Prangos \Pran"gos\, n. [From the native name in Afghanistan.]
(Bot.)
A genus of umbelliferous plants, one species of which ({P.
pabularia}), found in Thibet, Cashmere, Afghanistan, etc.,
has been used as fodder for cattle. It has decompound leaves
with very long narrow divisions, and a highly fragrant smell
resembling that of new clover hay.
Prank \Prank\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pranked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pranking}.] [Cf. E. prink, also G. prangen, prunken, to
shine, to make a show, Dan. prange, prunke, Sw. prunka, D.
pronken.]
To adorn in a showy manner; to dress or equip ostentatiously;
-- often followed by up; as, to prank up the body. See
{Prink}.
In sumptuous tire she joyed herself to prank.
--Spenser.
Prank \Prank\, v. i.
To make ostentatious show.
White houses prank where once were huts. --M. Arnold.
Prank \Prank\, n.
A gay or sportive action; a ludicrous, merry, or mischievous
trick; a caper; a frolic. --Spenser.
The harpies . . . played their accustomed pranks. --Sir
W. Raleigh.
His pranks have been too broad to bear with. --Shak.
Prank \Prank\, a.
Full of gambols or tricks. [Obs.]
Pranker \Prank"er\, n.
One who dresses showily; a prinker. ``A pranker or a
dancer.'' --Burton.
Prankish \Prank"ish\, a.
Full of pranks; frolicsome.
Prase \Prase\, n. [L. prasius, fr. Gr. ? of a leek-green, fr.
Gr. ? a leek: cf. F. prase.] (Min.)
A variety of cryptocrystalline of a leek-green color.
Praseo- \Pra"se*o-\ [Gr. ? leek-green, green, fr. ? a leek.]
A combining form signifying green; as, praseocobalt, a green
variety of cobalt.
Praseodymium \Pra`se*o*dym"i*um\, n. [Praseo- + didymium.]
(Chem.)
An elementary substance, one of the constituents of didymium;
-- so called from the green color of its salts. Symbol Ps.
Atomic weight 143.6.
Praseolite \Pra"se*o*lite\, n. [Praseo- + -lite.] (Min.)
A variety of altered iolite of a green color and greasy
luster.
Prasinous \Pras"i*nous\, a. [L. prasinus, Gr. ?, fr. ? a leek.]
Grass-green; clear, lively green, without any mixture.
--Lindley.
Prasoid \Pra"soid\, a. [Gr. ? leek + -oid.] (Min.)
Resembling prase.
Prate \Prate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Prated}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Prating}.] [Akin to LG. & D. praten, Dan. prate, Sw. & Icel.
prata.]
To talk much and to little purpose; to be loquacious; to
speak foolishly; to babble.
To prate and talk for life and honor. --Shak.
And make a fool presume to prate of love. --Dryden.
Prate \Prate\, v. t.
To utter foolishly; to speak without reason or purpose; to
chatter, or babble.
What nonsense would the fool, thy master, prate, When
thou, his knave, canst talk at such a rate ! --Dryden.
Prate \Prate\, n. [Akin to LG. & D. praat, Sw. prat.]
Talk to little purpose; trifling talk; unmeaning loquacity.
Sick of tops, and poetry, and prate. --Pope.
Prateful \Prate"ful\, a.
Talkative. [R.] --W. Taylor.
Prater \Prat"er\, n.
One who prates. --Shak.
Pratic \Prat"ic\, n.
See {Pratique}.
Pratincole \Pra"tin*cole\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any bird of the Old World genus {Glareola}, or family
{Glareolid[ae]}, allied to the plovers. They have long,
pointed wings and a forked tail.
Pratingly \Prat"ing*ly\, adv.
With idle talk; with loquacity.
Pratique \Prat"ique\, n. [F.; cf. It. pratica, Sp. practica. See
{Practice}.]
1. (Com.) Primarily, liberty of converse; intercourse; hence,
a certificate, given after compliance with quarantine
regulations, permitting a ship to land passengers and
crew; -- a term used particularly in the south of Europe.
2. Practice; habits. [Obs.] ``One of English education and
pratique.'' --R. North.
Prattle \Prat"tle\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Prattled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Prattling}.] [Freq. of prate.]
To talk much and idly; to prate; hence, to talk lightly and
artlessly, like a child; to utter child's talk.
Prattle \Prat"tle\, v. t.
To utter as prattle; to babble; as, to prattle treason.
--Addison.
Prattle \Prat"tle\, n.
Trifling or childish tattle; empty talk; loquacity on trivial
subjects; prate; babble.
Mere prattle, without practice. --Shak.
Prattlement \Prat"tle*ment\, n.
Prattle. [R.] --Jeffrey.
Prattler \Prat"tler\, n.
One who prattles. --Herbert.
Pravity \Prav"i*ty\, n. [L. pravitas, from pravus crooked,
perverse.]
Deterioration; degeneracy; corruption; especially, moral
crookedness; moral perversion; perverseness; depravity; as,
the pravity of human nature. ``The pravity of the will.''
--South.
Prawn \Prawn\, n. [OE. prane, of unknown origin; cf. L. perna a
sea mussel.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of large shrimplike Crustacea
having slender legs and long antenn[ae]. They mostly belong
to the genera {Pandalus}, {Pal[ae]mon}, {Pal[ae]monetes}, and
{Peneus}, and are much used as food. The common English prawn
is {Pal[ae]mon serratus}.
Note: The name is often applied to any large shrimp.
Praxinoscope \Prax*in"o*scope\, n. [Gr. ? action + -scope.]
(Opt.)
An instrument, similar to the phenakistoscope, for presenting
to view, or projecting upon a screen, images the natural
motions of real objects.
Praxis \Prax"is\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to do. See
{Practice}.]
1. Use; practice; especially, exercise or discipline for a
specific purpose or object. ``The praxis and theory of
music.'' --Wood.
2. An example or form of exercise, or a collection of such
examples, for practice.
Pray \Pray\, n. & v.
See {Pry}. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Pray \Pray\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Prayed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Praying}.] [OE. preien, OF. preier, F. prier, L. precari,
fr. prex, precis, a prayer, a request; akin to Skr. prach to
ask, AS. frignan, fr[=i]nan, fricgan, G. fragen, Goth.
fra['i]hnan. Cf. {Deprecate}, {Imprecate}, {Precarious}.]
To make request with earnestness or zeal, as for something
desired; to make entreaty or supplication; to offer prayer to
a deity or divine being as a religious act; specifically, to
address the Supreme Being with adoration, confession,
supplication, and thanksgiving.
And to his goddess pitously he preyde. --Chaucer.
When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou
hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in
secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall
reward thee openly. --Matt. vi. 6.
{I pray}, or (by ellipsis) {Pray}, I beg; I request; I
entreat you; -- used in asking a question, making a
request, introducing a petition, etc.; as, Pray, allow me
to go.
I pray, sir. why am I beaten? --Shak.
Syn: To entreat; supplicate; beg; implore; invoke; beseech;
petition.
Pray \Pray\, v. t.
1. To address earnest request to; to supplicate; to entreat;
to implore; to beseech.
And as this earl was preyed, so did he. --Chaucer.
We pray you . . . by ye reconciled to God. --2 Cor.
v. 20.
2. To ask earnestly for; to seek to obtain by supplication;
to entreat for.
I know not how to pray your patience. --Shak.
3. To effect or accomplish by praying; as, to pray a soul out
of purgatory. --Milman.
{To pray in aid}. (Law)
(a) To call in as a helper one who has an interest in the
cause. --Bacon.
(b) A phrase often used to signify claiming the benefit of
an argument. See under {Aid}. --Mozley & W.
Prayer \Pray"er\, n.
One who prays; a supplicant.
Prayer \Prayer\ (?; 277), n. [OE. preiere, OF. preiere, F.
pri[`e]re, fr. L. precarius obtained by prayer, fr. precari
to pray. See {Pray}, v. i.]
1. The act of praying, or of asking a favor; earnest request
or entreaty; hence, a petition or memorial addressed to a
court or a legislative body. ``Their meek preyere.''
--Chaucer
2. The act of addressing supplication to a divinity,
especially to the true God; the offering of adoration,
confession, supplication, and thanksgiving to the Supreme
Being; as, public prayer; secret prayer.
As he is famed for mildness, peace, and prayer.
--Shak.
3. The form of words used in praying; a formula of
supplication; an expressed petition; especially, a
supplication addressed to God; as, a written or
extemporaneous prayer; to repeat one's prayers.
He made those excellent prayers which were published
immediately after his death. --Bp. Fell.
{Prayer book}, a book containing devotional prayers.
{Prayer meeting}, a meeting or gathering for prayer to God.
Syn: Petition; orison; supplication; entreaty; suit.
Prayerful \Prayer"ful\, a.
Given to prayer; praying much or often; devotional. ``The
prayerful man.'' --J. S. Blackie. -- {Prayer"ful*ly}, adv. --
{Prayer"ful*ness}, n.
Prayerless \Prayer"less\ (?; 277), a.
Not using prayer; habitually neglecting prayer to God;
without prayer. ``The next time you go prayerless to bed.''
--Baxter. -- {Prayer"less*ly}, adv. -- {Prayer"less*ness}, n.
Praying \Pray"ing\,
a. & n. from {Pray}, v.
{Praying insect}, {locust}, or mantis (Zo["o]l.), a mantis,
especially {Mantis religiosa}. See {Mantis}.
{Praying machine}, or {Praying wheel}, a wheel on which
prayers are pasted by Buddhist priests, who then put the
wheel in rapid revolution. Each turn in supposed to have
the efficacy of an oral repetition of all the prayers on
the wheel. Sometimes it is moved by a stream.
Prayingly \Pray"ing*ly\, adv.
With supplication to God.
Pre- \Pre-\ [L. prae, adv. & prep., before, akin to pro, and to
E. for, prep.: cf. F. pr['e]-. See {Pro-}, and cf. {Prior}.]
A prefix denoting priority (of time, place, or rank); as,
precede, to go before; precursor, a forerunner; prefix, to
fix or place before; pre["e]minent eminent before or above
others. Pre- is sometimes used intensively, as in prepotent,
very potent. [Written also {pr[ae]-}.]
Preaccusation \Pre*ac`cu*sa"tion\, n.
Previous accusation.
Preace \Preace\, v. & n.
Press. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Preach \Preach\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Preached}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Preaching}.] [OE. prechen, OF. preechier, F. pr[^e]cher, fr.
L. praedicare to cry in public, to proclaim; prae before +
dicare to make known, dicere to say; or perhaps from
(assumed) LL. praedictare. See {Diction}, and cf.
{Predicate}, {Predict}.]
1. To proclaim or publish tidings; specifically, to proclaim
the gospel; to discourse publicly on a religious subject,
or from a text of Scripture; to deliver a sermon.
How shall they preach, except they be sent? --Rom.
x. 15.
From that time Jesus began to preach. --Matt. iv.
17.
2. To give serious advice on morals or religion; to discourse
in the manner of a preacher.
Preach \Preach\, v. t.
1. To proclaim by public discourse; to utter in a sermon or a
formal religious harangue.
That Cristes gospel truly wolde preche. --Chaucer.
The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings
unto the meek. --Isa. lxi. 1.
2. To inculcate in public discourse; to urge with earnestness
by public teaching. ``I have preached righteousness in the
great congregation.'' --Ps. xl. 9.
3. To deliver or pronounce; as, to preach a sermon.
4. To teach or instruct by preaching; to inform by preaching.
[R.] ``As ye are preached.'' --Southey.
5. To advise or recommend earnestly.
My master preaches patience to him. --Shak.
{To preach down}, to oppress, or humiliate by preaching.
--Tennyson.
{To preach up}, to exalt by preaching; to preach in support
of; as, to preach up equality.
Preach \Preach\, n. [Cf. F. pr[^e]che, fr. pr[^e]cher. See
{Preach}, v.]
A religious discourse. [Obs.] --Hooker.
Preacher \Preach"er\, n. [Cf. OF. preeschierre, prescheur, F.
pr[^e]cheur, L. praedicator.]
1. One who preaches; one who discourses publicly on religious
subjects.
How shall they hear without a preacher? --Rom. x.
14.
2. One who inculcates anything with earnestness.
No preacher is listened to but Time. --Swift.
{Preacher bird} (Zo["o]l.), a toucan.
Preachership \Preach"er*ship\, n.
The office of a preacher. ``The preachership of the Rolls.''
--Macaulay.
Preachify \Preach"i*fy\, v. i. [Preach + -fy.]
To discourse in the manner of a preacher. [Colloq.]
--Thackeray.
Preaching \Preach"ing\, n.
The act of delivering a religious discourse; the art of
sermonizing; also, a sermon; a public religious discourse;
serious, earnest advice. --Milner.
{Preaching cross}, a cross, sometimes surmounting a pulpit,
erected out of doors to designate a preaching place.
{Preaching friars}. See {Dominican}.
Preachman \Preach"man\, n.; pl. {Preachmen}.
A preacher; -- so called in contempt. [Obs.] --Howell.
Preachment \Preach"ment\, n.
A religious harangue; a sermon; -- used derogatively. --Shak.
Preacquaint \Pre`ac*quaint"\, v. t.
To acquaint previously or beforehand. --Fielding.
Preacquaintance \Pre`ac*quaint"ance\, n.
Previous acquaintance or knowledge. --Harris.
Preact \Pre*act"\, v. t.
To act beforehand; to perform previously.
Preaction \Pre*ac"tion\, n.
Previous action.
Preadamic \Pre`a*dam"ic\, a.
Prior to Adam.
Preadamite \Pre*ad"am*ite\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]adamite.]
1. An inhabitant of the earth before Adam.
2. One who holds that men existed before Adam.
Preadamitic \Pre*ad`am*it"ic\, a.
Existing or occurring before Adam; preadamic; as, preadamitic
periods.
Preadjustment \Pre`ad*just"ment\, n.
Previous adjustment.
Preadministration \Pre`ad*min`is*tra"tion\, n.
Previous administration. --Bp. Pearson.
Preadmonish \Pre`ad*mon"ish\, v. t.
To admonish previously.
Preadmonition \Pre*ad`mo*ni"tion\, n.
Previous warning or admonition; forewarning.
Preadvertise \Pre*ad`ver*tise"\, v. t.
To advertise beforehand; to preannounce publicly.
Preamble \Pre"am`ble\, n. [LL. praeambulum, from L. praeambulus
walking before, fr. praeambulare to walk before; prae before
+ ambulare to walk: cf. F. pr['e]ambule. See {Amble}.]
A introductory portion; an introduction or preface, as to a
book, document, etc.; specifically, the introductory part of
a statute, which states the reasons and intent of the law.
Preamble \Pre"am`ble\, v. t. & i.
To make a preamble to; to preface; to serve as a preamble.
[R.] --Feltham. Milton.
Preambulary \Pre*am"bu*la*ry\, a. [Cf. OF. preambulaire.]
Of or pertaining to a preamble; introductory; contained or
provided for in a preamble. ``A preambulary tax.'' [R.]
--Burke.
Preambulate \Pre*am"bu*late\, v. i. [L. praeambulare. See
{Preamble}.]
To walk before. [R.] --Jordan.
Preambulation \Pre*am`bu*la"tion\, n.
1. A walking or going before; precedence. [R.]
2. A preamble. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Preambulatory \Pre*am"bu*la*to*ry\, a.
Preceding; going before; introductory. [R.]
Simon Magus had preambulatory impieties. --Jer. Taylor.
Preambulous \Pre*am"bu*lous\, a. [See {Preamble}, n.]
See {Perambulatory}. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Preannounce \Pre`an*nounce"\, v. t.
To announce beforehand. --Coleridge.
Preantenultimate \Pre*an`te*nul"ti*mate\, a.
Being or indicating the fourth syllable from the end of a
word, or that before the antepenult.
Preaortic \Pre`a*or"tic\, a. (Anat.)
In front, or on the ventral side, of the aorta.
Preappoint \Pre`ap*point"\, v. t.
To appoint previously, or beforehand. --Carlyle.
Preappointment \Pre`ap*point"ment\, n.
Previous appointment.
Preapprehension \Pre*ap`pre*hen"sion\, n.
An apprehension or opinion formed before examination or
knowledge. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Prearm \Pre*arm"\, v. t.
To forearm. [R.]
Prearrange \Pre`ar*range"\, v. t.
To arrange beforehand.
Prease \Prease\, v. t. & i.
To press; to crowd. [Obs.] -- n. A press; a crowd. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
Preassurance \Pre`as*sur"ance\, n.
Previous assurance. --Coleridge.
Preataxic \Pre`a*tax"ic\, a. (Med.)
Occurring before the symptom ataxia has developed; -- applied
to the early symptoms of locomotor ataxia.
Preaudience \Pre*au"di*ence\, n. (Eng. Law)
Precedence of rank at the bar among lawyers. --Blackstone.
Preaxial \Pre*ax"i*al\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of any transverse axis in the body of an
animal; anterior; cephalic; esp., in front, or on the
anterior, or cephalic (that is, radial or tibial) side of the
axis of a limb.
Prebend \Preb"end\ (pr[e^]b"[e^]nd), n. [F. pr['e]bende (cf. It.
& Sp. prebenda), from L. praebenda, from L. praebere to hold
forth, afford, contr. fr. praehibere; prae before + habere to
have, hold. See {Habit}, and cf. {Provender}.]
1. A payment or stipend; esp., the stipend or maintenance
granted to a prebendary out of the estate of a cathedral
or collegiate church with which he is connected. See
{Note} under {Benefice}.
2. A prebendary. [Obs.] --Bacon.
{Dignitary prebend}, one having jurisdiction annexed to it.
{Simple prebend}, one without jurisdiction.
Prebendal \Pre*ben"dal\ (pr[-e]*b[e^]n"dal), a.
Of or pertaining to a prebend; holding a prebend; as, a
prebendal priest or stall. --Chesterfield.
Prebendary \Preb"en*da*ry\ (pr[e^]b"[e^]n*d[asl]*r[y^]), n. [LL.
praebendarius: cf. F. pr['e]bendaire. See {Prebend}.]
1. A clergyman attached to a collegiate or cathedral church
who enjoys a prebend in consideration of his officiating
at stated times in the church. See {Note} under
{Benefice}, n., 3. --Hook.
2. A prebendaryship. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Prebendaryship \Preb"en*da*ry*ship\, n.
The office of a prebendary.
Prebendate \Preb"en*date\, v. t. [LL. praebendatus, p. p. of
praebendari.]
To invest with the office of prebendary; to present to a
prebend. [Obs.] --Grafton.
Prebendship \Preb"end*ship\, n.
A prebendaryship. [Obs.] --Foxe.
Prebronchial \Pre*bron"chi*al\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of the bronchus; -- applied especially to
an air sac on either side of the esophagus of birds.
Precalculate \Pre*cal"cu*late\, v. t.
To calculate or determine beforehand; to prearrange.
--Masson.
Precant \Pre"cant\, n. [L. precans, -antis, p. pr. of precari to
pray.]
One who prays. [R.] --Coleridge.
Precarious \Pre*ca"ri*ous\, a. [L. precarius obtained by begging
or prayer, depending on request or on the will of another,
fr. precari to pray, beg. See {Pray}.]
1. Depending on the will or pleasure of another; held by
courtesy; liable to be changed or lost at the pleasure of
another; as, precarious privileges. --Addison.
2. Held by a doubtful tenure; depending on unknown causes or
events; exposed to constant risk; not to be depended on
for certainty or stability; uncertain; as, a precarious
state of health; precarious fortunes. ``Intervals of
partial and precarious liberty.'' --Macaulay.
Syn: Uncertain; unsettled; unsteady; doubtful; dubious;
equivocal.
Usage: {Precarious}, {Uncertain}. Precarious in stronger than
uncertain. Derived originally from the Latin precari,
it first signified ``granted to entreaty,'' and,
hence, ``wholly dependent on the will of another.''
Thus it came to express the highest species of
uncertainty, and is applied to such things as depend
wholly on future casualties. -- {Pre*ca"ri*ous*ly},
adv. -- {Pre*ca"ri*ous*ness}, n.
Precation \Pre*ca"tion\, n. [L. precatio.]
The act of praying; supplication; entreaty. --Cotton.
Preative \Pre"a*tive\, Preatory \Pre"a*to*ry\, a. [L.
precativus, precatorius, fr. precari to pray. See
{Precarious}.]
Suppliant; beseeching. --Bp. Hopkins.
{Precatory words} (Law), words of recommendation, request,
entreaty, wish, or expectation, employed in wills, as
distinguished from express directions; -- in some cases
creating a trust. --Jarman.
Precaution \Pre*cau"tion\, n. [F. pr['e]cation, L. praecautio,
fr. praecavere, praecautum, to guard against beforehand; prae
before + cavere be on one's guard. See {Pre-}, and
{Caution}.]
1. Previous caution or care; caution previously employed to
prevent mischief or secure good; as, his life was saved by
precaution.
They [ancient philosophers] treasured up their
supposed discoveries with miserable precaution. --J.
H. Newman.
2. A measure taken beforehand to ward off evil or secure good
or success; a precautionary act; as, to take precautions
against accident.
Precaution \Pre*cau"tion\, v. t. [Cf. F. pr['e]cautionner.]
1. To warn or caution beforehand. --Locke.
2. To take precaution against. [R.] --Dryden.
Precautional \Pre*cau"tion*al\, a.
Precautionary.
Precautionary \Pre*cau"tion*a*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to precaution, or precautions; as,
precautionary signals.
Precautious \Pre*cau"tious\, a.
Taking or using precaution; precautionary. --
{Pre*cau"tious*ly}, adv. -- {Pre*cau"*tious*ness}, n.
Precedaneous \Pre`ce*da"ne*ous\, a.
Preceding; antecedent; previous. [Obs.] --Hammond.
Precede \Pre*cede"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Preceded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Preceding}.] [L. praecedere, praecessum; prae before
+ cedere to go, to be in motion: cf. F. pr['e]ceder. See
{Pre-}, and {Cede}.]
1. To go before in order of time; to occur first with
relation to anything. ``Harm precedes not sin.'' --Milton.
2. To go before in place, rank, or importance.
3. To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce; -- used
with by or with before the instrumental object. [R.]
It is usual to precede hostilities by a public
declaration. --Kent.
Precedence \Pre*ced"ence\, Precedency \Pre*ced"en*cy\, n. [Cf.
F. pr['e]c['e]dence. See {Precede}.]
1. The act or state of preceding or going before in order of
time; priority; as, one event has precedence of another.
2. The act or state of going or being before in rank or
dignity, or the place of honor; right to a more honorable
place; superior rank; as, barons have precedence of
commoners.
Which of them [the different desires] has the
precedency in determining the will to the next
action? --Locke.
Syn: Antecedence; priority; pre["e]minence; preference;
superiority.
Precedent \Pre*ced"ent\, a. [L. praecedens, -entis, p. pr. of
praecedere: cf. F. pr['e]c['e]dent. See {Precede}.]
Going before; anterior; preceding; antecedent; as, precedent
services. --Shak. ``A precedent injury.'' --Bacon.
{Condition precedent} (Law), a condition which precede the
vesting of an estate, or the accruing of a right.
Precedent \Prec"e*dent\, n.
1. Something done or said that may serve as an example to
authorize a subsequent act of the same kind; an
authoritative example.
Examples for cases can but direct as precedents
only. --Hooker.
2. A preceding circumstance or condition; an antecedent;
hence, a prognostic; a token; a sign. [Obs.]
3. A rough draught of a writing which precedes a finished
copy. [Obs.] --Shak.
4. (Law) A judicial decision which serves as a rule for
future determinations in similar or analogous cases; an
authority to be followed in courts of justice; forms of
proceeding to be followed in similar cases. --Wharton.
Syn: Example; antecedent.
Usage: {Precedent}, {Example}. An example in a similar case
which may serve as a rule or guide, but has no
authority out of itself. A precedent is something
which comes down to us from the past with the sanction
of usage and of common consent. We quote examples in
literature, and precedents in law.
Precedented \Prec"e*dent*ed\, a.
Having a precedent; authorized or sanctioned by an example of
a like kind. --Walpole.
Precedential \Prec`e*den"tial\, a.
Of the nature of a precedent; having force as an example for
imitation; as, precedential transactions.
All their actions in that time are not precedential to
warrant posterity. --Fuller.
Precedently \Pre*ced"ent*ly\, adv.
Beforehand; antecedently.
Preceding \Pre*ced"ing\, a.
1. Going before; -- opposed to following.
2. (Astron.) In the direction toward which stars appear to
move. See {Following}, 2.
Precel \Pre*cel"\, v. t. & i. [See {Precellence}.]
To surpass; to excel; to exceed. [Obs.] --Howell.
Precellence \Pre*cel"lence\, Precellency \Pre*cel"len*cy\, n.
[L. praecellentia, from praecellens, p. pr. of praecellere to
excel, surpass: cf. OF. precellence.]
Excellence; superiority. [Obs.] --Sheldon.
Precellent \Pre*cel"lent\, a. [L. praecellens, p. pr.]
Excellent; surpassing. [Obs.] --Holland.
Precentor \Pre*cen"tor\, n. [L. praecentor, fr. praecinere to
sing before; prae before + canere to sing. See {Chant}.]
A leader of a choir; a directing singer. Specifically:
(a) The leader of the choir in a cathedral; -- called also
the {chanter} or master of the choir. --Hook.
(b) The leader of the congregational singing in Scottish and
other churches.
Precentorship \Pre*cen"tor*ship\, n.
The office of a precentor.
Precent \Pre"cent\, n. [L. praeceptum, from praecipere to take
beforehand, to instruct, teach; prae before + capere to take:
cf. F. pr['e]cepte. See {Pre-}, and {Capacious}.]
1. Any commandment, instruction, or order intended as an
authoritative rule of action; esp., a command respecting
moral conduct; an injunction; a rule.
For precept must be upon precept. --Isa. xxviii.
10.
No arts are without their precepts. --Dryden.
2. (Law) A command in writing; a species of writ or process.
--Burrill.
Syn: Commandment; injunction; mandate; law; rule; direction;
principle; maxim. See {Doctrine}.
Precept \Pre"cept\, v. t.
To teach by precepts. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Preceptial \Pre*cep"tial\, a.
Preceptive. [Obs.]
[Passion] would give preceptial medicine to rage.
--Shak.
Preception \Pre*cep"tion\, n. [L. praeceptio.]
A precept. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Preceptive \Pre*cep"tive\, a. [L. praeceptivus.]
Containing or giving precepts; of the nature of precepts;
didactic; as, the preceptive parts of the Scriptures.
The lesson given us here is preceptive to us.
--L'Estrange.
Preceptor \Pre*cep"tor\, n. [L. praeceptor, fr. praecipere to
teach: cf. F. pr['e]cepteur. See {Precept}.]
1. One who gives commands, or makes rules; specifically, the
master or principal of a school; a teacher; an instructor.
2. The head of a preceptory among the Knights Templars. --Sir
W. Scott.
Preceptorial \Pre`cep*to"ri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a preceptor.
Preceptory \Pre*cep"to*ry\ (?; 277), a.
Preceptive. ``A law preceptory.'' --Anderson (1573).
Preceptory \Pre*cep"to*ry\, n.; pl. {Preceptories}. [LL.
praeceptoria an estate assigned to a preceptor, from L.
praeceptor a commander, ruler, teacher, in LL., procurator,
administrator among the Knights Templars. See {Preceptor}.]
A religious house of the Knights Templars, subordinate to the
temple or principal house of the order in London. See
{Commandery}, n., 2.
Preceptress \Pre*cep"tress\, n.
A woman who is the principal of a school; a female teacher.
Precession \Pre*ces"sion\, n. [L. praecedere, praecessum, to go
before: cf. F. pr['e]cession. See {Precede}.]
The act of going before, or forward.
{Lunisolar precession}. (Astron.) See under {Lunisolar}.
{Planetary precession}, that part of the precession of the
equinoxes which depends on the action of the planets
alone.
{Precession of the equinoxes} (Astron.), the slow backward
motion of the equinoctial points along the ecliptic, at
the rate of 50.2[sec] annually, caused by the action of
the sun, moon, and planets, upon the protuberant matter
about the earth's equator, in connection with its diurnal
rotation; -- so called because either equinox, owing to
its westerly motion, comes to the meridian sooner each day
than the point it would have occupied without the motion
of precession, and thus precedes that point continually
with reference to the time of transit and motion.
Precessional \Pre*ces"sion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to pression; as, the precessional movement
of the equinoxes.
Precessor \Pre*ces"sor\, n. [L. praecessor.]
A predecessor. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Precinct \Pre"cinct\ (?; 277), n. [LL. praecinctum, fr. L.
praecingere, praecinctum, to gird about, to encompass; prae
before + cingere to gird, surround. See {Pre-}, and
{Cincture}.]
1. The limit or exterior line encompassing a place; a
boundary; a confine; limit of jurisdiction or authority;
-- often in the plural; as, the precincts of a state.
``The precincts of light.'' --Milton.
2. A district within certain boundaries; a minor territorial
or jurisdictional division; as, an election precinct; a
school precinct.
3. A parish or prescribed territory attached to a church, and
taxed for its support. [U.S.]
The parish, or precinct, shall proceed to a new
choice. --Laws of
Massachusetts.
Preciosity \Pre`ci*os"i*ty\, n.
Preciousness; something precious. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Precious \Pre"cious\, a. [OF. precious, precius, precios, F.
pr['e]cieux, L. pretiosus, fr. pretium price, worth, value.
See {Price}.]
1. Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone. ``The
precious bane.'' --Milton.
2. Of great value or worth; very valuable; highly esteemed;
dear; beloved; as, precious recollections.
She is more precious than rules. --Prov. iii.
15.
Many things which are most precious are neglected
only because the value of them lieth hid. --Hooker.
Note: Also used ironically; as, a precious rascal.
3. Particular; fastidious; overnice. [Obs.]
Lest that precious folk be with me wroth. --Chaucer.
{Precious metals}, the uncommon and highly valuable metals,
esp. gold and silver.
{Precious stones}, gems; jewels.
Preciously \Pre"cious*ly\, adv.
In a precious manner; expensively; extremely; dearly. Also
used ironically.
Preciousness \Pre"cious*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being precious; costliness; dearness.
Precipe \Prec"i*pe\, n. (Law)
See {Pr[ae]cipe}, and {Precept}.
Precipice \Prec"i*pice\, n. [F. pr['e]cipice, L. praecipitium,
fr. praeceps, -cipitis, headlong; prae before + caput,
capitis, the head. See {Pre-}, and {Chief}.]
1. A sudden or headlong fall. [Obs.] --Fuller.
2. A headlong steep; a very steep, perpendicular, or
overhanging place; an abrupt declivity; a cliff.
Where wealth like fruit on precipices grew.
--Dryden.
Precipient \Pre*cip"i*ent\, a. [L. praecipiens, p. pr. See
{Precept}.]
Commanding; directing.
Precipitability \Pre*cip`i*ta*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being precipitable.
Precipitable \Pre*cip"i*ta*ble\, a.
Capable of being precipitated, or cast to the bottom, as a
substance in solution. See {Precipitate}, n. (Chem.)
Precipitance \Pre*cip"i*tance\, Precipitancy \Pre*cip"i*tan*cy\,
n. [From {Precipitant}.]
The quality or state of being precipitant, or precipitate;
headlong hurry; excessive or rash haste in resolving, forming
an opinion, or executing a purpose; precipitation; as, the
precipitancy of youth. ``Precipitance of judgment.'' --I.
Watts.
Precipitant \Pre*cip"i*tant\, a. [L. praecipitans, -antis, p.
pr. of praecipitare: cf. F. pr['e]cipitant. See
{Precipitate}.]
1. Falling or rushing headlong; rushing swiftly, violently,
or recklessly; moving precipitately.
They leave their little lives Above the clouds,
precipitant to earth. --J. Philips.
Should he return, that troop so blithe and bold,
Precipitant in fear would wing their flight. --Pope.
2. Unexpectedly or foolishly brought on or hastened; rashly
hurried; hasty; sudden; reckless. --Jer. Taylor.
``Precipitant rebellion.'' --Eikon Basilike.
Precipitant \Pre*cip"i*tant\, n. (Chem.)
Any force or reagent which causes the formation of a
precipitate.
Precipitantly \Pre*cip"i*tant*ly\, adv.
With rash or foolish haste; in headlong manner. --Milton.
Precipitantness \Pre*cip"i*tant*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being precipitant; precipitation.
Precipitate \Pre*cip"i*tate\, a. [L. praecipitatus, p. p. of
praecipitare to precipitate, fr. praeceps headlong. See
{Precipice}.]
1. Overhasty; rash; as, the king was too precipitate in
declaring war. --Clarendon.
2. Lacking due deliberation or care; hurried; said or done
before the time; as, a precipitate measure. ``The rapidity
of our too precipitate course.'' --Landor.
3. Falling, flowing, or rushing, with steep descent;
headlong.
Precipitate the furious torrent flows. --Prior.
4. Ending quickly in death; brief and fatal; as, a
precipitate case of disease. [Obs.] --Arbuthnot.
Precipitate \Pre*cip"i*tate\, n. [NL. praecipitatum: cf. F.
pr['e]cipit['e].]
1. (Chem.) An insoluble substance separated from a solution
in a concrete state by the action of some reagent added to
the solution, or of some force, such as heat or cold. The
precipitate may fall to the bottom (whence the name), may
be diffused through the solution, or may float at or near
the surface.
{Red precipitate} (Old. Chem), mercuric oxide ({HgO}) a heavy
red crystalline powder obtained by heating mercuric
nitrate, or by heating mercury in the air. Prepared in the
latter manner, it was the {precipitate per se} of the
alchemists.
{White precipitate} (Old Chem.)
(a) A heavy white amorphous powder ({NH2.HgCl}) obtained
by adding ammonia to a solution of mercuric chloride
or corrosive sublimate; -- formerly called also
{infusible white precipitate}, and now {amido-mercuric
chloride}.
(b) A white crystalline substance obtained by adding a
solution of corrosive sublimate to a solution of sal
ammoniac (ammonium chloride); -- formerly called also
{fusible white precipitate}.
Precipitate \Pre*cip"i*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Precipitated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Precipitating}.]
1. To throw headlong; to cast down from a precipice or
height.
She and her horse had been precipitated to the
pebbled region of the river. --W. Irving.
2. To urge or press on with eager haste or violence; to cause
to happen, or come to a crisis, suddenly or too soon; as,
precipitate a journey, or a conflict.
Back to his sight precipitates her steps. --Glover.
If they be daring, it may precipitate their designs,
and prove dangerous. --Bacon.
3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution, or other medium, in
the form of a precipitate; as, water precipitates camphor
when in solution with alcohol.
The light vapor of the preceding evening had been
precipitated by the cold. --W. Irving.
Precipitate \Pre*cip"i*tate\, v. i.
1. To dash or fall headlong. [R.]
So many fathom down precipitating. --Shak.
2. To hasten without preparation. [R.]
3. (Chem.) To separate from a solution as a precipitate. See
{Precipitate}, n.
Precipitately \Pre*cip"i*tate*ly\, adv.
In a precipitate manner; headlong; hastily; rashly. --Swift.
Precipitation \Pre*cip`i*ta"tion\, n. [L. praecipitatio: cf. F.
pr['e]cipitation.]
1. The act of precipitating, or the state of being
precipitated, or thrown headlong.
In peril of precipitation From off rock Tarpeian.
--Shak.
2. A falling, flowing, or rushing downward with violence and
rapidity.
The hurry, precipitation, and rapid motion of the
water, returning . . . towards the sea. --Woodward.
3. Great hurry; rash, tumultuous haste; impetuosity. ``The
precipitation of inexperience.'' --Rambler.
4. (Chem.) The act or process of precipitating from a
solution.
Precipitator \Pre*cip"i*ta`tor\, n. [L. praecipitator an
overthrower.]
One who precipitates, or urges on with vehemence or rashness.
--Hammond.
Precipitious \Prec`i*pi"tious\, a.
Precipitous. [Obs.] -- {Prec`i*pi"tious*ly}, adv. [Obs.]
--Dr. H. More.
Precipitous \Pre*cip"i*tous\, a. [L. praeceps, -cipitis: cf. OF.
precipiteux. See {Precipice}.]
1. Steep, like a precipice; as, a precipitous cliff or
mountain.
2. Headlong; as, precipitous fall.
3. Hasty; rash; quick; sudden; precipitate; as, precipitous
attempts. --Sir T. Browne. ``Marian's low, precipitous
`Hush!''' --Mrs. Browning. -- {Pre*cip"i*tous*ly}, adv. --
{Pre*cip"i*tous*ness}, n.
Pr'ecis \Pr['e]`cis"\ (pr[asl]`s[=e]"), n. [F. See {Precise}.]
A concise or abridged statement or view; an abstract; a
summary.
Precise \Pre*cise"\, a. [L. praecisus cut off, brief, concise,
p. p. of praecidere to cut off in front, to cut off; prae
before + caedere to cut: cf. F. pr['e]cis. Cf. {Concise}.]
1. Having determinate limitations; exactly or sharply defined
or stated; definite; exact; nice; not vague or equivocal;
as, precise rules of morality.
The law in this point is not precise. --Bacon.
For the hour precise Exacts our parting hence.
--Milton.
2. Strictly adhering or conforming to rule; very nice or
exact; punctilious in conduct or ceremony; formal;
ceremonious. --Addison.
He was ever precise in promise-keeping. --Shak.
Syn: Accurate; exact; definite; correct; scrupulous;
punctilious; particular; nice; formal. See {Accurate}.
-- {Pre*cise"ly}, adv. -- {Pre*cise"ness}, n.
Precisian \Pre*ci"sian\, n.
1. One who limits, or restrains. [Obs.]
2. An overprecise person; one rigidly or ceremoniously exact
in the observance of rules; a formalist; -- formerly
applied to the English Puritans.
The most dissolute cavaliers stood aghast at the
dissoluteness of the emancipated precisian.
--Macaulay.
Precisianism \Pre*ci"sian*ism\, n.
The quality or state of being a precisian; the practice of a
precisian. --Milton.
Precisianist \Pre*ci"sian*ist\, n.
A precisian.
Precision \Pre*ci"sion\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]cision, L. praecisio a
cutting off. See {Precise}.]
The quality or state of being precise; exact limitation;
exactness; accuracy; strict conformity to a rule or a
standard; definiteness.
I have left out the utmost precisions of fractions.
--Locke.
Syn: Preciseness; exactness; accuracy; nicety.
Usage: {Precision}, {Preciseness}. Precision is always used
in a good sense; as, precision of thought or language;
precision in military evolutions. Preciseness is
sometimes applied to persons or their conduct in a
disparaging sense, and precise is often used in the
same way.
Precisive \Pre*ci"sive\, a.
Cutting off; (Logic) exactly limiting by cutting off all that
is not absolutely relative to the purpose; as, precisive
censure; precisive abstraction. --I. Watts.
Preclude \Pre*clude"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Precluded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Precluding}.] [L. praecludere, praeclusum; prae
before + claudere to shut. See {Close}, v.]
1. To put a barrier before; hence, to shut out; to hinder; to
stop; to impede.
The valves preclude the blood from entering the
veins. --E. Darwin.
2. To shut out by anticipative action; to prevent or hinder
by necessary consequence or implication; to deter action
of, access to, employment of, etc.; to render ineffectual;
to obviate by anticipation.
This much will obviate and preclude the objections.
--Bentley.
Preclusion \Pre*clu"sion\, n. [L. praeclusio. See {Preclude}.]
The act of precluding, or the state of being precluded; a
shutting out.
Preclusive \Pre*clu"sive\, a.
Shutting out; precluding, or tending to preclude; hindering.
-- {Pre*clu"sive*ly}, adv.
Precoce \Pre*coce"\, a. [F. pr['e]coce.]
Precocious. [Obs.]
Precoces \Pre"co*ces\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pr[ae]coces}.
Precocious \Pre*co"cious\, a. [L. praecox, -ocis, and
praecoquus, fr. praecoquere to cook or ripen beforehand; prae
before + coquere to cook. See 3d {Cook}, and cf. {Apricot}.]
1. Ripe or mature before the proper or natural time; early or
prematurely ripe or developed; as, precocious trees. [R.]
--Sir T. Browne.
2. Developed more than is natural or usual at a given age;
exceeding what is to be expected of one's years; too
forward; -- used especially of mental forwardness; as, a
precocious child; precocious talents.
Precociously \Pre*co"cious*ly\, adv.
In a precocious manner.
Precociousness \Pre*co"cious*ness\, Precocity \Pre*coc"i*ty\, n.
[Cf. F. pr['e]cocit['e].]
The quality or state of being precocious; untimely ripeness;
premature development, especially of the mental powers;
forwardness.
Saucy precociousness in learning. --Bp.
Mannyngham.
That precocity which sometimes distinguishes uncommon
genius. --Wirt.
Precoetanean \Pre*co`e*ta"ne*an\, n.
One contemporary with, but older than, another. [Obs.]
--Fuller.
Precogitate \Pre*cog"i*tate\, v. t. [L. praecogitatus, p. p. of
praecogitare. See {Pre-}, and {Cogitate}.]
To cogitate beforehand. [R.] --Sherwood.
Precogitation \Pre*cog`i*ta/tion\, n. [L. praecogitatio.]
Previous cogitation. [R.] --Bailey.
Precognition \Pre`cog*ni"tion\, n. [L. praecognitio, fr.
praecognoscere to foreknow. See {Pre-}, and {Cognition}.]
1. Previous cognition. --Fotherby.
2. (Scots Law) A preliminary examination of a criminal case
with reference to a prosecution. --Erskine.
Precognizable \Pre*cog"ni*za*ble\, a.
Cognizable beforehand.
Precognosce \Pre*cog"nosce\, v. t. [L. praecognoscere to
foreknow.] (Scots Law)
To examine beforehand, as witnesses or evidence.
A committee of nine precognoscing the chances.
--Masson.
Precollection \Pre`col*lec"tion\, n.
A collection previously made. [R.]
Precompose \Pre`com*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Precomposed};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Precomposing}.]
To compose beforehand. --Johnson.
Preconceit \Pre`con*ceit"\, n.
An opinion or notion formed beforehand; a preconception.
--Hooker.
Preconceive \Pre`con*ceive"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Preconceived}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Preconceiving}.]
To conceive, or form an opinion of, beforehand; to form a
previous notion or idea of.
In a dead plain the way seemeth the longer, because the
eye hath preconceived it shorter than the truth.
--Bacon.
Preconception \Pre`con*cep"tion\, n.
The act of preconceiving; conception or opinion previously
formed.
Preconcert \Pre`con*cert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Preconcerted};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Preconcerting}.]
To concert or arrange beforehand; to settle by previous
agreement.
Preconcert \Pre*con"cert\, n.
Something concerted or arranged beforehand; a previous
agreement.
Preconcerted \Pre`con*cert"ed\, a.
Previously arranged; agreed upon beforehand. --
{Pre`con*cert"ed*ly}, adv. -- {Pre`con*cert"ed*ness}, n.
Preconcertion \Pre`con*cer"tion\, n.
The act of preconcerting; preconcert. --Dr. T. Dwight.
Precondemn \Pre`con*demn`\, v. t.
To condemn beforehand. -- {Pre*con`dem*na"tion}, n.
Precondition \Pre`con*di"tion\, n.
A previous or antecedent condition; a preliminary condition.
Preconform \Pre`con*form"\, v. t. & i.
To conform by way anticipation. --De Quincey.
Preconformity \Pre`con*form"i*ty\, n.
Anticipative or antecedent conformity. --Coleridge.
Preconizate \Pre*con"i*zate\, v. t. [Cf. F. pr['e]coniser.]
To proclaim; to publish; also, to summon; to call. [Obs.]
--Bp. Burnet.
Preconization \Pre*con`i*za"tion\, n. [L. praeconium a crying
out in public, fr. praeco, -onis, a crier, a herald: cf. F.
pr['e]conisation.]
1. A publishing by proclamation; a public proclamation. --Bp.
Hall.
2. (Eccl.) A formal approbation by the pope of a person
nominated to an ecclesiastical dignity. --Addis & Arnold.
Preconize \Pre"con*ize\, v. t. (Eccl.)
To approve by preconization.
Preconquer \Pre*con"quer\, v. t.
To conquer in anticipation. [R.] --Fuller.
Preconscious \Pre*con""scious\, a.
Of or pertaining to a state before consciousness.
Preconsent \Pre`con*sent"\, n.
A previous consent.
Preconsign \Pre`con*sign"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Preconsigned};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Preconsigning}.]
To consign beforehand; to make a previous consignment of.
Preconsolidated \Pre`con*sol"i*da`ted\, a.
Consolidated beforehand.
Preconstitute \Pre*con"sti*tute\, v. t.
To constitute or establish beforehand.
Precontract \Pre`con*tract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Precontracted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Precontracting}.]
To contract, engage, or stipulate previously.
Precontract \Pre`con*tract"\, v. i.
To make a previous contract or agreement. --Ayliffe.
Precontract \Pre*con"tract\, n.
A contract preceding another; especially (Law), a contract of
marriage which, according to the ancient law, rendered void a
subsequent marriage solemnized in violation of it. --Abbott.
Precontrive \Pre`con*trive"\, v. t. & i.
To contrive or plan beforehand.
Precoracoid \Pre*cor"a*coid\, n. (Anat.)
The anterior part of the coracoid (often closely united with
the clavicle) in the shoulder girdle of many reptiles and
amphibians.
Precordial \Pre*cor"di*al\, a. [Pref. pre- + L. cor, cordis,
heart: cf. F. pr['e]cordial.] (Anat.)
Situated in front of the heart; of or pertaining to the
pr[ae]cordia.
Precrural \Pre*cru"ral\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of the leg or thigh; as, the precrural
glands of the horse.
Precurrer \Pre*cur"rer\, n.
A precursor. [Obs.] --Shak.
Precurse \Pre*curse"\, n. [L. praecursus.]
A forerunning. [Obs.] --Shak.
Precursive \Pre*cur"sive\, a.
Preceding; introductory; precursory. ``A deep precursive
sound.'' --Coleridge.
Precursor \Pre*cur"sor\, n. [L. praecursor, fr. praecurrere to
run before; prae before + currere to run. See {Course}.]
One who, or that which, precedes an event, and indicates its
approach; a forerunner; a harbinger.
Evil thoughts are the invisible, airy precursors of all
the storms and tempests of the soul. --Buckminster.
Syn: Predecessor; forerunner; harbinger; messenger; omen;
sign.
Precursorship \Pre*cur"sor*ship\, n.
The position or condition of a precursor. --Ruskin.
Precursory \Pre*cur"so*ry\, a. [L. praecursorius.]
Preceding as a precursor or harbinger; indicating something
to follow; as, precursory symptoms of a fever.
Precursory \Pre*cur"so*ry\, n.
An introduction. [Obs.]
Predacean \Pre*da"cean\, n. [L. praeda prey.] (Zo["o]l.)
A carnivorous animal. --Kirby.
Predaceous \Pre*da"ceous\, a. [L. praeda prey. See {Prey}.]
Living by prey; predatory. --Derham.
Predal \Pre"dal\, a. [L. praeda prey.]
Of or pertaining to prey; plundering; predatory. [R.]
--Boyse.
Predate \Pre*date"\, v. t.
To date anticipation; to affix to (a document) an earlier
than the actual date; to antedate; as, a predated deed or
letter.
Predation \Pre*da"tion\, n. [L. praedatio, fr. praedari to
plunder.]
The act of pillaging. --E. Hall.
Predatorily \Pred"a*to*ri*ly\, adv.
In a predatory manner.
Predatory \Pred"a*to*ry\, a. [L. praedatorius, fr. praedari to
plunder, fr. praeda prey. See {Prey}.]
1. Characterized by plundering; practicing rapine;
plundering; pillaging; as, a predatory excursion; a
predatory party. ``A predatory war.'' --Macaulay.
2. Hungry; ravenous; as, predatory spirits. [Obs.]
Exercise . . . maketh the spirits more hot and
predatory. --Bacon.
3. (Zo["o]l.) Living by preying upon other animals;
carnivorous.
Prede \Prede\, v. i. [L. praedari. See {Prey}.]
To prey; to plunder. [Obs.] --Holinshed.
Prede \Prede\, n.
Prey; plunder; booty. [Obs.] --Holinshed.
Predecay \Pre"de*cay`\, n.
Premature decay.
Predecease \Pre`de*cease\, v. t.
To die sooner than. ``If children predecease progenitors.''
--Shak.
Predecease \Pre"de*cease`\, n.
The death of one person or thing before another. [R.]
--Brougham.
Predecessive \Pred`e*ces"sive\, a.
Going before; preceding. ``Our predecessive students.''
--Massinger.
Predecessor \Pred`e*ces"sor\ (?; 277), n. [L. praedecessor; prae
before + decessor one who withdraws from the province he has
governed, a retiring officer (with reference to his
successor), a predecessor, fr. decedere: cf. F.
pr['e]d['e]cesseur. See {Decease}.]
One who precedes; one who has preceded another in any state,
position, office, etc.; one whom another follows or comes
after, in any office or position.
A prince who was as watchful as his predecessor had
been over the interests of the state. --Prescott.
Predeclare \Pre`de*clare"\, v. t.
To declare or announce beforehand; to preannounce. --Milman.
Prededication \Pre*ded`i*ca"tion\, n.
A dedication made previously or beforehand.
Predefine \Pre`de*fine\, v. t.
To define beforehand.
Predeliberation \Pre`de*lib`er*a"tion\, n.
Previous deliberation.
Predelineation \Pre`de*lin`e*a"tion\, n.
Previous delineation.
Predella \Pre*del"la\, n. [It.]
The step, or raised secondary part, of an altar; a
superaltar; hence, in Italian painting, a band or frieze of
several pictures running along the front of a superaltar, or
forming a border or frame at the foot of an altarpiece.
Predesign \Pre`de*sign"\, v. t.
To design or purpose beforehand; to predetermine. --Mitford.
Predesignate \Pre*des"ig*nate\, a. (Logic)
A term used by Sir William Hamilton to define propositions
having their quantity indicated by a verbal sign; as, all,
none, etc.; -- contrasted with preindesignate, defining
propositions of which the quantity is not so indicated.
Predestinarian \Pre*des`ti*na"ri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to predestination; as, the predestinarian
controversy. --Waterland.
Predestinarian \Pre*des`ti*na"ri*an\, n.
One who believes in or supports the doctrine of
predestination. --Dr. H. More.
Predestinarianism \Pre*des`ti*na"ri*an*ism\, n.
The system or doctrine of the predestinarians.
Predestinary \Pre*des"ti*na*ry\, a.
Predestinarian. [Obs.] --Heylin.
Predestinate \Pre*des"ti*nate\, a. [L. praedestinatus, p. p. of
praedestinare to predestine; prae before + destinare to
determine. See {Destine}.]
Predestinated; foreordained; fated. ``A predestinate
scratched face.'' --Shak.
Predestinate \Pre*des"ti*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Predestinated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Predestinating}.] [Cf.
{Predestine}.]
To predetermine or foreordain; to appoint or ordain
beforehand by an unchangeable purpose or decree; to
pre["e]lect.
Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son. --Rom. viii.
29.
Syn: To predetermine; foreordain; preordain; decree;
predestine; foredoom.
Predestination \Pre*des`ti*na"tion\, n. [L. praedestinatio: cf.
F. pr['e]destination.]
1. The act of predestinating.
Predestination had overruled their will. --Milton.
2. (Theol.) The purpose of Good from eternity respecting all
events; especially, the preordination of men to
everlasting happiness or misery. See {Calvinism}.
Predestinative \Pre*des"ti*na*tive\, a.
Determining beforehand; predestinating. [R.] --Coleridge.
Predestinator \Pre*des"ti*na`tor\, n. [Cf. F.
pr['e]destinateur.]
1. One who predestinates, or foreordains.
2. One who holds to the doctrine of predestination; a
predestinarian. --Cowley.
Predestine \Pre*des"tine\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Predestined}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Predestining}.] [Cf. F. pr['e]destiner. See
{Predestinate}.]
To decree beforehand; to foreordain; to predestinate.
--Young.
Predestiny \Pre*des"ti*ny\, n.
Predestination. [Obs.]
Predeterminable \Pre`de*ter"mi*na*ble\, a.
Capable of being determined beforehand. --Coleridge.
Predeterminate \Pre`de*ter"mi*nate\, a.
Determined beforehand; as, the predeterminate counsel of God.
Predetermination \Pre`de*ter`mi*na"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
pr['e]d['e]termination.]
The act of previous determination; a purpose formed
beforehand; as, the predetermination of God's will.
--Hammond.
Predetermine \Pre`de*ter"mine\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Predetermined}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Predermining}.] [Pref. pre-
+ determine: cf. F. pr['e]d['e]terminer.]
1. To determine (something) beforehand. --Sir M. Hale.
2. To doom by previous decree; to foredoom.
Predetermine \Pre`de*ter"mine\, v. i.
To determine beforehand.
Predial \Pre"di*al\, a. [L. praedium a farm, estate: cf. F.
pr['e]dial.]
1. Consisting of land or farms; landed; as, predial estate;
that is, real estate. --Ayliffe.
2. Attached to land or farms; as, predial slaves.
3. Issuing or derived from land; as, predial tithes.
Prediastolic \Pre*di`as*tol"ic\, a. (Physiol.)
Preceding the diastole of the heart; as, a prediastolic
friction sound.
Predicability \Pred`i*ca*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being predicable, or affirmable of
something, or attributed to something. --Reid.
Predicable \Pred"i*ca*ble\, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]dicable, L.
praedicabilis praiseworthy. See {Predicate}.]
Capable of being predicated or affirmed of something;
affirmable; attributable.
Predicable \Pred"i*ca*ble\, n.
1. Anything affirmable of another; especially, a general
attribute or notion as affirmable of, or applicable to,
many individuals.
2. (Logic) One of the five most general relations of
attributes involved in logical arrangements, namely,
genus, species, difference, property, and accident.
Predicament \Pre*dic"a*ment\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]dicament, L.
praedicamentum. See {Predicate}.]
1. A class or kind described by any definite marks; hence,
condition; particular situation or state; especially, an
unfortunate or trying position or condition. ``O woeful
sympathy; piteous predicament!'' --Shak.
2. (Logic) See {Category}.
Syn: Category; condition; state; plight.
Predicamental \Pre*dic`a*men"tal\, a.
Of or pertaining to a predicament. --John Hall (1646).
Predicant \Pred"i*cant\, a. [L. praedicans, -antis, p. pr. of
praedicare. See {Predicate}.]
Predicating; affirming; declaring; proclaiming; hence;
preaching. ``The Roman predicant orders.'' --N. Brit. Rev.
Predicant \Pred"i*cant\, n.
One who predicates, affirms, or proclaims; specifically, a
preaching friar; a Dominican.
Predicate \Pred"i*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Predicated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Predicating}.] [L. praedicatus, p. p. of
praedicare to cry in public, to proclaim. See {Preach}.]
1. To assert to belong to something; to affirm (one thing of
another); as, to predicate whiteness of snow.
2. To found; to base. [U.S.]
Note: Predicate is sometimes used in the United States for
found or base; as, to predicate an argument on certain
principles; to predicate a statement on information
received. Predicate is a term in logic, and used only
in a single case, namely, when we affirm one thing of
another. ``Similitude is not predicated of essences or
substances, but of figures and qualities only.''
--Cudworth.
Predicate \Pred"i*cate\, v. i.
To affirm something of another thing; to make an affirmation.
--Sir M. Hale.
Predicate \Pred"i*cate\, n. [L. praedicatum, neut. of
praedicatus, p. p. praedicare: cf. F. pr['e]dicat. See
{Predicate}, v. t.]
1. (Logic) That which is affirmed or denied of the subject.
In these propositions, ``Paper is white,'' ``Ink is not
white,'' whiteness is the predicate affirmed of paper and
denied of ink.
2. (Gram.) The word or words in a proposition which express
what is affirmed of the subject.
Syn: Affirmation; declaration.
Predicate \Pred"i*cate\, a. [L. praedicatus, p. p.]
Predicated.
Predication \Pred`i*ca"tion\, n. [L. praedicatio: cf. F.
pr['e]dication.]
1. The act of predicating, or of affirming one thing of
another; affirmation; assertion. --Locke.
2. Preaching. [Obs. or Scot.] --Chaucer.
Predicative \Pred"i*ca*tive\, a. [L. praedicativus.]
Expressing affirmation or predication; affirming;
predicating, as, a predicative term. -- {Pred"i*ca*tive*ly},
adv.
Predicatory \Pred"i*ca*to*ry\, a. [Cf. L. praedicatorius
praising.]
Affirmative; positive. --Bp. Hall.
Predicrotic \Pre`di*crot"ic\, a. (Physiol.)
A term applied to the pulse wave sometimes seen in a pulse
curve or sphygmogram, between the apex of the curve and the
dicrotic wave.
The predicrotic or tidal wave is best marked in a hard
pulse, i. e., where the blood pressure is high.
--Landois &
Stirling.
Predict \Pre*dict"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Predicted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Predicting}.] [L. praedictus, p. p. of praedicere to
predict; prae before + dicere to say, tell. See {Diction},
and cf. {Preach}.]
To tell or declare beforehand; to foretell; to prophesy; to
presage; as, to predict misfortune; to predict the return of
a comet.
Syn: To foretell; prophesy; prognosticate; presage; forebode;
foreshow; bode.
Predict \Pre*dict"\, n.
A prediction. [Obs.] --Shak.
Predictable \Pre*dict"a*ble\, a.
That may be predicted.
Prediction \Pre*dic"tion\, n. [L. praedictio: cf. F.
pr['e]diction.]
The act of foretelling; also, that which is foretold;
prophecy.
The predictions of cold and long winters. --Bacon.
Syn: Prophecy; prognostication; foreboding; augury;
divination; soothsaying; vaticination.
Predictional \Pre*dic"tion*al\, a.
Prophetic; prognostic. [R.]
Predictive \Pre*dict"ive\, a. [L. praedictivus.]
Foretelling; prophetic; foreboding. -- {Pre*dict"ive*ly},
adv.
Predictor \Pre*dict"or\, n.
One who predicts; a foreteller.
Predictory \Pre*dict"o*ry\, a.
Predictive. [R.] --Fuller.
Predigest \Pre`di*gest"\, v. t. (Med.)
To subject (food) to predigestion or artificial digestion.
Predigestion \Pre`di*ges"tion\, n.
1. Digestion too soon performed; hasty digestion. [Obs.]
--Bacon.
2. (Med.) Artificial digestion of food for use in illness or
impaired digestion.
Predilect \Pre`di*lect"\, v. t.
To elect or choose beforehand. [R.] --Walter Harte.
Predilection \Pre`di*lec"tion\, n. [Pref. pre- + L. dilectus, p.
p. diligere to prefer: cf. F. pr['e]dilection. See
{Diligent}.]
A previous liking; a prepossession of mind in favor of
something; predisposition to choose or like; partiality.
--Burke.
Prediscover \Pre`dis*cov"er\, v. t.
To discover beforehand.
Prediscovery \Pre`dis*cov"er*y\, n.
A previous discovery.
Predisponency \Pre`dis*po"nen*cy\, n.
The state of being predisposed; predisposition. [R.]
Predisponent \Pre`dis*po"nent\, a.
Disposing beforehand; predisposing. -- n. That which
predisposes.
{Predisponent causes}. (Med.) See {Predisposing causes},
under {Predispose}. --Dunglison.
Predispose \Pre`dis*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Predisposed};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Predisposing}.] [Pref. pre- + dispose: cf.
F. pr['e]disposer.]
1. To dispose or incline beforehand; to give a predisposition
or bias to; as, to predispose the mind to friendship.
2. To make fit or susceptible beforehand; to give a tendency
to; as, debility predisposes the body to disease.
{Predisposing causes} (Med.), causes which render the body
liable to disease; predisponent causes.
Predisposition \Pre*dis`po*si"tion\, n.[Pref. pre- +
disposition: cf. F. pr['e]disposition.]
1. The act of predisposing, or the state of being
predisposed; previous inclination, tendency, or
propensity; predilection; -- applied to the mind; as, a
predisposition to anger.
2. Previous fitness or adaptation to any change, impression,
or purpose; susceptibility; -- applied to material things;
as, the predisposition of the body to disease.
Predominance \Pre*dom"i*nance\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]dominance.]
1. The quality or state of being predominant; superiority;
ascendency; prevalence; predomination.
The predominance of conscience over interest.
--South.
2. (Astrol.) The superior influence of a planet. --Shak.
Predominancy \Pre*dom"i*nan*cy\, n.
Predominance. --Bacon.
Predominant \Pre*dom"i*nant\, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]dominant. See
{Predominante}.]
Having the ascendency over others; superior in strength,
influence, or authority; prevailing; as, a predominant color;
predominant excellence.
Those help . . . were predominant in the king's mind.
--Bacon.
Foul subordination is predominant. --Shak.
Syn: Prevalent; superior; prevailing; ascendant; ruling;
reigning; controlling; overruling.
Predominantly \Pre*dom"i*nant*ly\, adv.
In a predominant manner.
Predominate \Pre*dom"i*nate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Predominated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Predominating}.] [Pref. pre-
+ dominate: cf. F. pr['e]dominer.]
To be superior in number, strength, influence, or authority;
to have controlling power or influence; to prevail; to rule;
to have the mastery; as, love predominated in her heart.
[Certain] rays may predominate over the rest. --Sir. I.
Newton.
Predominate \Pre*dom"i*nate\, v. t.
To rule over; to overpower. [R.]
Predomination \Pre*dom`i*na"tion\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]domination.]
The act or state of predominating; ascendency; predominance.
--W. Browne.
Predoom \Pre*doom"\, v. t.
To foredoom.
Predorsal \Pre*dor"sal\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of the back; immediately in front, or on
the ventral side the dorsal part of the vertebral column.
Predy \Pre"dy\, a. [Cf. F. pr[^e]t ready.]
Cleared and ready for engagement, as a ship. --Smart.
Preedy \Preed"y\, adv.
With ease. [Prov. Eng.]
Preef \Preef\, n.
Proof. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Preelect \Pre`["e]*lect"\, v. t.
To elect beforehand.
Preelection \Pre`["e]*lec"tion\, n.
Election beforehand.
Preeminence \Pre*["e]m"i*nence\, n. [F. pr['e]['e]minence, L.
praeeminentia. See {Pre["e]minent}.]
The quality or state of being pre["e]minent; superiority in
prominence or in excellence; distinction above others in
quality, rank, etc.; rarely, in a bad sense, superiority or
notoriety in evil; as, pre["e]minence in honor.
The pre["e]minence of Christianity to any other
religious scheme. --Addison.
Painful pre["e]minence! yourself to view Above life's
weakness, and its comforts too. --Pope.
Beneath the forehead's walled pre["e]minence. --Lowell.
Preeminent \Pre*["e]m"i*nent\, a. [L. praeminens, -entis, p. pr.
praeminere to be prominent, to surpass: cf. F.
pr['e]['e]minent. See {Pre-}, and {Eminent}.]
Eminent above others; prominent among those who are eminent;
superior in excellence; surpassing, or taking precedence of,
others; rarely, surpassing others in evil, or in bad
qualities; as, pre["e]minent in guilt.
In goodness and in power pre["e]minent. --Milton.
Preeminently \Pre*["e]m"i*nent*ly\, adv.
In a pre["e]minent degree.
Preemploy \Pre`["e]m*ploy\, v. t.
To employ beforehand. ``Pre["e]mployed by him.'' --Shak.
Preempt \Pre*["e]mpt"\ (?; 215), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p.
{Pre["e]mpted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Pre["e]mpting}.] [See
{Pre["e]mption}.]
To settle upon (public land) with a right of preemption, as
under the laws of the United States; to take by
pre["e]mption.
Preemption \Pre*["e]mp"tion\ (?; 215), n. [Pref. pre- + emption:
cf. F. pr['e]emption. See {Redeem}.]
The act or right of purchasing before others. Specifically:
(a) The privilege or prerogative formerly enjoyed by the king
of buying provisions for his household in preference to
others. [Eng.]
(b) The right of an actual settler upon public lands
(particularly those of the United States) to purchase a
certain portion at a fixed price in preference to all
other applicants. --Abbott.
Preemptioner \Pre*["e]mp"tion*er\, n.
One who holds a prior to purchase certain public land.
--Abbott.
Preemptive \Pre*["e]mp"tive\, a.
Of or pertaining to pre["e]mption; having power to
pre["e]mpt; pre["e]mpting.
Preemtor \Pre*["e]mt"or\ (?; 215), n. [Cf. L. praeemptor.]
One who pre["e]mpts; esp., one who pre["e]mpts public land.
Preemptory \Pre*["e]mpt"o*ry\, a.
Pertaining to pre["e]mption.
Preen \Preen\, n. [AS. pre['o]n a clasp, bodkin; akin to D.
priem punch, bodkin, awl, G. pfriem, Icel. prj[=o]nn a
knitting needle, pin, Dan. preen a bodkin, punch.]
A forked tool used by clothiers in dressing cloth.
Preen \Preen\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Preened}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Preening}.] [See {Preen}, n.; or cf. {Prune}.]
1. To dress with, or as with, a preen; to trim or dress with
the beak, as the feathers; -- said of birds. --Derham.
2. To trim up, as trees. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
Preengage \Pre`["e]n*gage"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Pre["e]ngaged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Pre["e]ngaging}.]
To engage by previous contract; to bind or attach previously;
to preoccupy.
But he was pre["e]ngaged by former ties. --Dryden.
Preengagement \Pre`["e]n*gage"ment\, n.
Prior engagement, obligation, or attachment, as by contract,
promise, or affection.
My pre["e]ngagements to other themes were not unknown
to those for whom I was to write. --Boyle.
Preerect \Pre`["e]*rect"\, v. t.
To erect beforehand.
Prees \Prees\, n.
Press; throng. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Preestablish \Pre`["e]s*tab"lish\, v. t.
To establish beforehand.
Preestablishment \Pre`["e]s*tab"lish*ment\, n.
Settlement beforehand.
Preeternity \Pre`["e]*ter"ni*ty\, n.
Infinite previous duration. [R.] ``The world's
pre["e]ternity.'' --Cudworth.
Preexamination \Pre`["e]x*am`i*na"tion\, n.
Previous examination.
Preexamine \Pre`["e]x*am"ine\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Pre["e]xamined}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Pre["e]xamining}.]
To examine beforehand.
Preexist \Pre`["e]x*ist"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pre["e]xisted};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Pre["e]xisting}.]
To exist previously; to exist before something else.
Preexistence \Pre`["e]x*ist"ence\, n.
1. Existence in a former state, or previous to something
else.
Wisdom declares her antiquity and pre["e]xistence to
all the works of this earth. --T. Burnet.
2. Existence of the soul before its union with the body; -- a
doctrine held by certain philosophers. --Addison.
Preexistency \Pre`["e]x*ist"en*cy\, n.
Pre["e]xistence. [Obs.]
Preexistent \Pre`["e]x*ist"ent\, a.
Existing previously; preceding existence; as, a
pre["e]xistent state. --Pope.
Preexistentism \Pre`["e]x*ist"ent*ism\, n. (Philos.)
The theory of a pre["e]xistence of souls before their
association with human bodies. --Emerson.
Preexistimation \Pre`["e]x*is`ti*ma"tion\, n.
Previous esteem or estimation. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Preexpectation \Pre*["e]x`pec*ta"tion\, n.
Previous expectation.
Preface \Pref"ace\ (?; 48), n. [F. pr['e]face; cf. Sp. prefacio,
prefacion, It. prefazio, prefazione; all fr. L. praefatio,
fr. praefari to speak or say beforehand; prae before + fari,
fatus, to speak. See {Fate}.]
1. Something spoken as introductory to a discourse, or
written as introductory to a book or essay; a proem; an
introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.
This superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy
praise. --Shak.
Heaven's high behest no preface needs. --Milton.
2. (R. C. Ch.) The prelude or introduction to the canon of
the Mass. --Addis & Arnold.
{Proper preface} (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.), a portion
of the communion service, preceding the prayer of
consecration, appointed for certain seasons.
Syn: Introduction; preliminary; preamble; proem; prelude;
prologue.
Preface \Pref"ace\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prefaced}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Prefacing}.]
To introduce by a preface; to give a preface to; as, to
preface a book discourse.
Preface \Pref"ace\, v. i.
To make a preface. --Jer. Taylor.
Prefacer \Pref"a*cer\, n.
The writer of a preface.
Prefatorial \Pref`a*to"ri*al\, a.
Prefatory.
Prefatorily \Pref"a*to*ri*ly\, adv.
In a prefatory manner; by way of preface.
Prefatory \Pref"a*to*ry\, a.
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a preface; introductory
to a book, essay, or discourse; as, prefatory remarks.
That prefatory addition to the Creed. --Dryden.
Prefect \Pre"fect\, n. [L. praefectus, fr. praefectus, p. p. of
praeficere to set over; prae before + facere to make: cf. F.
pr['e]fet.]
1. A Roman officer who controlled or superintended a
particular command, charge, department, etc.; as, the
prefect of the aqueducts; the prefect of a camp, of a
fleet, of the city guard, of provisions; the pretorian
prefect, who was commander of the troops guarding the
emperor's person.
2. A superintendent of a department who has control of its
police establishment, together with extensive powers of
municipal regulation. [France] --Brande & C.
3. In the Greek and Roman Catholic churches, a title of
certain dignitaries below the rank of bishop.
{Apostolic prefect} (R. C. Ch.), the head of a mission, not
of episcopal rank. --Shipley.
Prefectorial \Pre`fec*to"ri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a prefect.
Prefectship \Pre"fect*ship\, n.
The office or jurisdiction of a prefect.
Prefecture \Pre"fec*ture\ (?; 277), n. [L. praefectura: cf. F.
pr['e]fecture.]
The office, position, or jurisdiction of a prefect; also, his
official residence.
Prefecundation \Pre*fec`un*da"tion\, n. (Physiol.)
A term collectively applied to the changes or conditions
preceding fecundation, especially to the changes which the
ovum undergoes before fecundation.
Prefecundatory \Pre`fe*cun"da*to*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to prefecundation.
Prefer \Pre*fer"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Preferred}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Preferring}.] [F. pr['e]f['e]rer, L. praeferre; prae
before + ferre to bear or carry. See 1st {Bear}.]
1. To carry or bring (something) forward, or before one;
hence, to bring for consideration, acceptance, judgment,
etc.; to offer; to present; to proffer; to address; --
said especially of a request, prayer, petition, claim,
charge, etc.
He spake, and to her hand preferred the bowl.
--Pope.
Presently prefer his suit to C[ae]sar. --Shak.
Three tongues prefer strange orisons on high.
--Byron.
2. To go before, or be before, in estimation; to outrank; to
surpass. [Obs.] ``Though maidenhood prefer bigamy.''
--Chaucer.
3. To cause to go before; hence, to advance before others, as
to an office or dignity; to raise; to exalt; to promote;
as, to prefer an officer to the rank of general.
I would prefer him to a better place. --Shak.
4. To set above or before something else in estimation,
favor, or liking; to regard or honor before another; to
hold in greater favor; to choose rather; -- often followed
by to, before, or above.
If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. --Ps.
cxxxvii. 6.
Preferred an infamous peace before a most just war.
--Knolles.
{Preferred stock}, stock which takes a dividend before other
capital stock; -- called also {preference stock} and
{preferential stock}.
Syn: To choose; elect. See {Choose}.
Preferability \Pref`er*a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being preferable; preferableness.
--J. S. Mill.
Preferable \Pref"er*a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]f['e]rable.]
Worthy to be preferred or chosen before something else; more
desirable; as, a preferable scheme. --Addison.
Preferableness \Pref"er*a*ble*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being preferable.
Preferably \Pref"er*a*bly\, adv.
In preference; by choice.
To choose Plautus preferably to Terence. --Dennis.
Preference \Pref"er*ence\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]f['e]rence.]
1. The act of Preferring, or the state of being preferred;
the setting of one thing before another; precedence;
higher estimation; predilection; choice; also, the power
or opportunity of choosing; as, to give him his
preference.
Leave the critics on either side to contend about
the preference due to this or that sort of poetry.
--Dryden.
Knowledge of things alone gives a value to our
reasonings, and preference of one man's knowledge
over another's. --Locke.
2. That which is preferred; the object of choice or superior
favor; as, which is your preference?
Preferential \Pref`er*en"tial\, a.
Giving, indicating, or having a preference or precedence; as,
a preferential claim; preferential shares.
Preferment \Pre*fer"ment\, n.
1. The act of choosing, or the state of being chosen;
preference. [R.]
Natural preferment of the one . . . before the
other. --Sir T.
Browne.
2. The act of preferring, or advancing in dignity or office;
the state of being advanced; promotion.
Neither royal blandishments nor promises of valuable
preferment had been spared. --Macaulay.
3. A position or office of honor or profit; as, the
preferments of the church.
Preferrer \Pre*fer"rer\, n.
One who prefers.
Prefidence \Pref"i*dence\, n.
The quality or state of being prefident. [Obs.] --Baxter.
Prefident \Pref"i*dent\, a. [Cf. L. praefidens overconfident.
See {Pre-}, and {Confident}.]
Trusting beforehand; hence, overconfident. [Obs.] --Baxter.
Prefigurate \Pre*fig"u*rate\, v. t. [L. praefiguratus, p. p. See
{Prefigure}.]
To prefigure. [R.] --Grafton.
Prefiguration \Pre*fig`u*ra"tion\, n. [L. praefiguratio.]
The act of prefiguring, or the state of being prefigured.
A variety of prophecies and prefigurations. --Norris.
Prefigurative \Pre*fig"ur*a*tive\, a.
Showing by prefiguration. ``The prefigurative atonement.''
--Bp. Horne.
Prefigure \Pre*fig"ure\ (?; 135), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Prefigured}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Prefiguring}.] [F.
pr['e]figurer, or L. praefigurare, praefiguratum; prae before
+ figurare to figure. See {Figure}, and cf. {Prefigurate}.]
To show, suggest, or announce, by antecedent types and
similitudes; to foreshadow. ``Whom all the various types
prefigured.'' --South.
Prefigurement \Pre*fig"ure*ment\, n.
The act of prefiguring; prefiguration; also, that which is
prefigured. --Carlyle.
Prefine \Pre*fine"\, v. t. [L. praefinire; prae before + finire
to limit, determine: cf. F. pr['e]finer.]
To limit beforehand. [Obs.] --Knolles.
Prefinite \Pre*fi"nite\, a. [L. praefinitus, p. p.]
Prearranged. [Obs.] `` Set and prefinite time.'' --Holland.
Prefinition \Pref`i*ni"tion\, n. [L. praefinitio.]
Previous limitation. [Obs.] --Fotherby.
Prefix \Pre*fix"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prefixed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Prefixing}.] [L. praefixus, p. p. of praefigere to fix or
fasten before; prae before + figere to fix: cf. F. pr['e]fix
fixed beforehand, determined, pr['e]fixer to prefix. See
Fix.]
1. To put or fix before, or at the beginning of, another
thing; as, to prefix a syllable to a word, or a condition
to an agreement.
2. To set or appoint beforehand; to settle or establish
antecedently. [Obs.] `` Prefixed bounds. '' --Locke.
And now he hath to her prefixt a day. --Spenser.
Prefix \Pre"fix\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]fixe.]
That which is prefixed; esp., one or more letters or
syllables combined or united with the beginning of a word to
modify its signification; as, pre- in prefix, con- in
conjure.
Prefixion \Pre*fix"ion\, n. [Cf. OF. prefixion.]
The act of prefixing. [R.] --Bailey.
Prefloration \Pre`flo*ra"tion\, n. [Pref. pre- + L. flos,
floris, flower.] (Bot.)
[AE]stivation.
Prefoliation \Pre*fo`li*a"tion\, n. [Pref. pre- + L. folium
leaf.] (Bot.)
Vernation.
Preform \Pre*form"\, v. t. [L. praeformare. See {Pre-}, and
{Form}.]
To form beforehand, or for special ends. ``Their natures and
preformed faculties. '' --Shak.
Preformation \Pre`for*ma"tion\, n. (Biol.)
An old theory of the pre["e]xistence of germs. Cf.
{Embo[^i]tement}.
Preformative \Pre*form"a*tive\, n.
A formative letter at the beginning of a word. --M. Stuart.
Prefrontal \Pre*fron"tal\, a. (Anat. & Zo["o]l.)
Situated in front of the frontal bone, or the frontal region
of the skull; ectethmoid, as a certain bone in the nasal
capsule of many animals, and certain scales of reptiles and
fishes. -- n. A prefrontal bone or scale.
Prefulgency \Pre*ful"gen*cy\, n. [L. praefulgens, p. pr. of
praefulgere to shine forth. See {Pre-}, and {Fulgent}.]
Superior brightness or effulgency. [R.] --Barrow.
Pregage \Pre*gage"\, v. t.
To pre["e]ngage. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Preglacial \Pre*gla"cial\, a. (Geol.)
Prior to the glacial or drift period.
Pregnable \Preg"na*ble\, a., [F. prenable. See {Impregnable}.]
Capable of being entered, taken, or captured; expugnable; as,
a pregnable fort. [R.] --Cotgrave.
Pregnance \Preg"nance\, n.
Pregnancy. [Obs.] --Milton.
Pregnancy \Preg"nan*cy\, n.
1. The condition of being pregnant; the state of being with
young.
2. Figuratively: The quality of being heavy with important
contents, issue, significance, etc.; unusual consequence
or capacity; fertility. --Fuller.
Pregnant \Preg"nant\, a. [L. praegnans, -antis; prae before +
genere, gignere, to beget: cf. F. pr['e]gnant. See {Gender},
2d {Kin}.]
1. Being with young, as a female; having conceived; great
with young; breeding; teeming; gravid; preparing to bring
forth.
2. Heavy with important contents, significance, or issue;
full of consequence or results; weighty; as, pregnant
replies. `` A pregnant argument.'' --Prynne. `` A pregnant
brevity.''
--E. Everett.
3. Full of promise; abounding in ability, resources, etc.;
as, a pregnant youth. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Wherein the pregnant enemy does much. --Shak.
{Pregnant construction} (Rhet.), one in which more is implied
than is said; as, the beasts trembled forth from their
dens, that is, came forth trembling with fright.
Pregnant \Preg"nant\, n.
A pregnant woman. [R.] --Dunglison.
Pregnant \Preg"nant\, a. [F. prenant taking. Cf. {Pregnable}.]
Affording entrance; receptive; yielding; willing; open;
prompt. [Obs.] `` Pregnant to good pity.'' --Shak.
Pregnantly \Preg"nant*ly\, adv.
In a pregnant manner; fruitfully; significantly.
Pregnantly \Preg"nant*ly\, adv.
Unresistingly; openly; hence, clearly; evidently. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Pregravate \Pre"gra*vate\, v. t. [L. praegravatus, p. p. of
praegravare to be heavy upon, fr. praegravis very heavy.]
To bear down; to depress. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Pregravitate \Pre*grav"i*tate\, v. i.
To descend by gravity; to sink. [R.] --Boyle.
Pregustant \Pre*gus"tant\, a. [L. praegustans, p. pr. of
praegustare to taste beforehand; prae before + gustare to
taste.]
Tasting beforehand; having a foretaste. [R.] --Ed. Rev.
Pregustation \Pre`gus*ta"tion\, n.
The act of tasting beforehand; foretaste. [R.] --Dr. Walker
(1678).
Prehallux \Pre*hal"lux\, n. [NL. See {Pre-}, and {Hallux}.]
(Anat.)
An extra first toe, or rudiment of a toe, on the preaxial
side of the hallux.
Prehend \Pre*hend"\, v. t. [L. prehendere. See {Prehensile}.]
To lay hold of; to seize. [Obs.] --Middleton.
Prehensi-ble \Pre*hen"si-ble\, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]hensible.]
Capable of being seized.
Prehensile \Pre*hen"sile\, a. [L. prehensus, p. p. of prehendere
to lay hold of, seize; pre- (equiv. to prae before) + hendere
(in comp.), akin to E. get: cf. F. pr['e]hensile. See {Get},
and cf. {Prison}, {Prize}, n.]
Adapted to seize or grasp; seizing; grasping; as, the
prehensile tail of a monkey.
Prehension \Pre*hen"sion\, n. [L. prehensio; cf. F.
pr['e]hension. See {Prehensile}.]
The act of taking hold, seizing, or grasping, as with the
hand or other member.
Prehensory \Pre*hen"so*ry\, a.
Adapted to seize or grasp; prehensile.
Prehistoric \Pre`his*tor"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to a period before written history begins;
as, the prehistoric ages; prehistoric man.
Prehnite \Prehn"ite\, n. [So called from the German Colonel
Prehn, who first found it.] (Min.)
A pale green mineral occurring in crystalline aggregates
having a botryoidal or mammillary structure, and rarely in
distinct crystals. It is a hydrous silicate of alumina and
lime.
Prehnitic \Prehn*it"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, a tetrabasic acid of benzene
obtained as a white crystalline substance; -- probably so
called from the resemblance of the wartlike crystals to the
mammill[ae] on the surface of prehnite.
Preindesignate \Pre`in*des"ig*nate\, a. (Logic.)
Having no sign expressive of quantity; indefinite. See
{Predesignate}.
Preindispose \Pre*in`dis*pose"\, v. t.
To render indisposed beforehand. --Milman.
Preinstruct \Pre`in*struct"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Preinstructed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Preinstructing}.]
To instruct previously or beforehand. --Dr. H. More.
Preintimation \Pre*in`ti*ma"tion\, n.
Previous intimation; a suggestion beforehand. --T. Scott.
Prejudge \Pre*judge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prejudged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Prejudging}.] [Pref. pre + judge: cf. F. pr['e]juger.
Cf. {Prejudicate}, {Prejudice}.]
To judge before hearing, or before full and sufficient
examination; to decide or sentence by anticipation; to
condemn beforehand.
The committee of council hath prejudged the whole case,
by calling the united sense of both houses of
Parliament`` a universal clamor.'' --Swift.
Prejudgment \Pre*judg"ment\, n.
The act of prejudging; decision before sufficient
examination.
Prejudicacy \Pre*ju"di*ca*cy\, n.
Prejudice; prepossession. [Obs.] --Sir. H. Blount.
Prejudical \Pre*ju"di*cal\, a.
Of or pertaining to the determination of some matter not
previously decided; as, a prejudical inquiry or action at
law.
Prejudicant \Pre*ju"di*cant\, a. [L. praejudicans, p. pr.]
Influenced by prejudice; biased. [R.] `` With not too hasty
and prejudicant ears.'' --Milton.
Prejudicate \Pre*ju"di*cate\, a. [L. praejudicatus, p. p. of
praejudicare to prejudge; prae before + judicare to judge.
See {Judge}.]
1. Formed before due examination. ``Ignorance and prejudicate
opinions.'' --Jer. Taylor.
2. Biased by opinions formed prematurely; prejudiced.
``Prejudicate readers.'' --Sir T. Browne.
Prejudicate \Pre*ju"di*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Prejudicated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Prejudicating}.] [Cf.
{Prejudge}.]
To determine beforehand, especially to disadvantage; to
prejudge.
Our dearest friend Prejudicates the business. --Shak.
Prejudicate \Pre*ju"di*cate\, v. i.
To prejudge. --Sir P. Sidney.
Prejudicately \Pre*ju"di*cate*ly\, adv.
With prejudice.
Prejudication \Pre*ju`di*ca"tion\, n.
1. The act of prejudicating, or of judging without due
examination of facts and evidence; prejudgment.
2. (Rom. Law)
(a) A preliminary inquiry and determination about
something which belongs to a matter in dispute.
(b) A previous treatment and decision of a point; a
precedent.
Prejudicative \Pre*ju"di*ca*tive\, a.
Forming a judgment without due examination; prejudging. --Dr.
H. More.
Prejudice \Prej"u*dice\, n. [F. pr['e]judice, L. praejudicium;
prae before + judicium judgment. See {Prejudicate},
{Judicial}.]
1. Foresight. [Obs.]
Naught might hinder his quick prejudize. --Spenser.
2. An opinion or judgment formed without due examination;
prejudgment; a leaning toward one side of a question from
other considerations than those belonging to it; an
unreasonable predilection for, or objection against,
anything; especially, an opinion or leaning adverse to
anything, without just grounds, or before sufficient
knowledge.
Though often misled by prejudice and passion, he was
emphatically an honest man. --Macaulay.
3. (Law) A bias on the part of judge, juror, or witness which
interferes with fairness of judgment.
4. Mischief; hurt; damage; injury; detriment. --Locke.
England and France might, through their amity, Breed
him some prejudice. --Shak.
Syn: Prejudgment; prepossession; bias; harm; hurt; damage;
detriment; mischief; disadvantage.
Prejudice \Prej"u*dice\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prejudiced}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Prejudicing}.] [Cf. F. pr['e]judicier. See
{Prejudice}, n.]
1. To cause to have prejudice; to prepossess with opinions
formed without due knowledge or examination; to bias the
mind of, by hasty and incorrect notions; to give an
unreasonable bent to, as to one side or the other of a
cause; as, to prejudice a critic or a juryman.
Suffer not any beloved study to prejudice your mind
so far as to despise all other learning. --I. Watts
2. To obstruct or injure by prejudices, or by previous bias
of the mind; hence, generally, to hurt; to damage; to
injure; to impair; as, to prejudice a good cause.
Seek how may prejudice the foe. --Shak
Prejudicial \Prej`u*di"cial\, a. [L. praejudicialis belonging to
a preceding judgment: cf. F. pr['e]judiciel.]
1. Biased, possessed, or blinded by prejudices; as, to look
with a prejudicial eye. [Obs.] --Holyday.
2. Tending to obstruct or impair; hurtful; injurious;
disadvantageous; detrimental. --Hooker.
His going away . . . was most prejudicial and most
ruinous to the king's affairs. --Clarendon.
-- {Prej`u*di"cial*ly}, adv. -- {Prej`u*di"cial*ness}, n.
Preknowledge \Pre*knowl"edge\, n.
Prior knowledge.
Prelacy \Prel"a*cy\, n.; pl. {Prelacies}. [LL. praelatia. See
{Prelate}; cf. {Prelaty}.]
1. The office or dignity of a prelate; church government by
prelates.
Prelacies may be termed the greater benefices.
--Ayliffe.
2. The order of prelates, taken collectively; the body of
ecclesiastical dignitaries. ``Divers of the reverend
prelacy, and other most judicious men.'' --Hooker.
Prelal \Pre"lal\, a. [L. prelum a press.]
Of or pertaining to printing; typographical. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Prelate \Prel"ate\ (?; 48), n. [F. pr['e]lat, LL. praelatus, fr.
L. praelatus, used as p. p. of praeferre to prefer, but from
a different root. See {Elate}.]
A clergyman of a superior order, as an archbishop or a
bishop, having authority over the lower clergy; a dignitary
of the church.
Note: This word and the words derived from it are often used
invidiously, in English ecclesiastical history, by
dissenters, respecting the Established Church system.
Hear him but reason in divinity, . . . You would
desire the king were made a prelate. --Shak.
Prelate \Prel"ate\, v. i.
To act as a prelate. [Obs.]
Right prelating is busy laboring, and not lording.
--Latimer.
Prelateity \Prel`a*te"i*ty\, n.
Prelacy. [Obs.] --Milton.
Prelateship \Prel"ate*ship\, n.
The office of a prelate. --Harmar.
Prelatess \Prel"a*tess\, n.
A woman who is a prelate; the wife of a prelate. --Milton.
Prelatial \Pre*la"tial\, a.
Prelatical. --Beaconsfield.
Prelatic \Pre*lat"ic\, Prelatical \Pre*lat"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to prelates or prelacy; as, prelatical
authority. --Macaulay.
Prelatically \Pre*lat"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a prelatical manner; with reference to prelates. --Milton.
The last Georgic was a good prelude to the [AE]neis.
Prelation \Pre*la"tion\, n. [L. praelatio: cf. F. pr['e]lation.
See {Prelate}, and cf. {Prefer}.]
The setting of one above another; preference. [R.] --Jer.
Taylor.
Prelatism \Prel"a*tism\, n.
Prelacy; episcopacy.
Prelatist \Prel"a*tist\, n.
One who supports of advocates prelacy, or the government of
the church by prelates; hence, a high-churchman. --Hume.
I am an Episcopalian, but not a prelatist. --T. Scott.
Prelatize \Prel"a*tize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prelatized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Prelatizing}.]
To bring under the influence of prelacy. --Palfrey.
Prelatize \Prel"a*tize\, v. i.
To uphold or encourage prelacy; to exercise prelatical
functions.
An episcopacy that began then to prelatize. --Milton.
Prelatry \Prel"a*try\, n.
Prelaty; prelacy. [Obs.]
Prelature \Prel"a*ture\ (?; 135), Prelatureship
\Prel"a*ture*ship\, n. [F. pr['e]lature, or LL. praelatura.]
The state or dignity of a prelate; prelacy. --Milman.
Prelaty \Prel"a*ty\, n.
Prelacy. [Obs.] --Milton.
Prelect \Pre*lect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prelected}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Prelecting}.] [L. praelectus, p. p. of praelegere to
read before. See {Pre-}, and {Lection}.]
To read publicly, as a lecture or discourse.
Prelect \Pre*lect"\, v. i.
To discourse publicly; to lecture.
Spitting . . . was publicly prelected upon. --De.
Quincey.
To prelect upon the military art. --Bp. Horsley.
Prelection \Pre*lec"tion\, n. [L. praelectio.]
A lecture or discourse read in public or to a select company.
``The prelections of Faber.'' --Sir M. Hale.
Prelector \Pre*lec"tor\, n. [L. praelector.]
A reader of lectures or discourses; a lecturer. --Sheldon.
Prelibation \Pre`li*ba"tion\, n. [L. praelibatio, fr. praelibare
to taste beforehand: cf. F. prelibation.]
1. A tasting beforehand, or by anticipation; a foretaste; as,
a prelibation of heavenly bliss.
2. A pouring out, or libation, before tasting.
Preliminarily \Pre*lim"i*na*ri*ly\, adv.
In a preliminary manner.
Preliminary \Pre*lim"i*na*ry\, a. [Pref. pre + L. liminaris
belonging to a threshold, fr. limen, liminis, threshold,
entrance: cf. F. pr['e]liminaire. Cf. {Limit}.]
Introductory; previous; preceding the main discourse or
business; prefatory; as, preliminary observations to a
discourse or book; preliminary articles to a treaty;
preliminary measures; preliminary examinations.
Syn: Introductory; preparatory; prefatory; proemial;
previous; prior; precedent; antecedent.
Preliminary \Pre*lim"i*na*ry\, n.; pl. {Preliminaries}.
That which precedes the main discourse, work, design, or
business; something introductory or preparatory; as, the
preliminaries to a negotiation or duel; to take one's
preliminaries the year before entering college.
Syn: Introduction; preface; prelude.
Prelimit \Pre*lim"it\, v. t.
To limit previously. [R.]
Prelook \Pre*look"\, v. i.
To look forward. [Obs.] --Surrey.
Prelude \Pre"lude\, n. [F. pr['e]lude (cf. It. preludio, LL.
praeludium), fr. L. prae before + ludus play. See {Prelude},
v. t.]
An introductory performance, preceding and preparing for the
principal matter; a preliminary part, movement, strain, etc.;
especially (Mus.), a strain introducing the theme or chief
subject; a movement introductory to a fugue, yet independent;
-- with recent composers often synonymous with overture.
The last Georgic was a good prelude to the [AE]nis
--Addison.
The cause is more than the prelude, the effect is more
than the sequel, of the fact. --Whewell.
Syn: Preface; introduction; preliminary; preamble;
forerunner; harbinger; precursor.
Prelude \Pre*lude"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Preluded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Preluding}.] [L. praeludere, praelusum; prae before +
ludere to play: cf. F. pr['e]luder. See {Ludicrous}.]
To play an introduction or prelude; to give a prefatory
performance; to serve as prelude.
The musicians preluded on their instruments. --Sir. W.
Scott.
We are preluding too largely, and must come at once to
the point. --Jeffrey.
Prelude \Pre*lude"\, v. t.
1. To introduce with a previous performance; to play or
perform a prelude to; as, to prelude a concert with a
lively air.
2. To serve as prelude to; to precede as introductory.
[Music] preluding some great tragedy. --Longfellow
Preluder \Pre*lud"er\, n.
One who, or that which, preludes; one who plays a prelude.
--Mason.
Preludial \Pre*lud"i*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a prelude; of the nature of a prelude;
introductory. [R.]
Preludious \Pre*lud"i*ous\, a.
Preludial. [R.] --Dr. H. More.
Prelumbar \Pre*lum"bar\, a. (Anat.)
Situated immediately in front of the loins; -- applied to the
dorsal part of the abdomen.
Prelusive \Pre*lu"sive\, a. [See {Prelude}.]
Of the nature of a prelude; introductory; indicating that
something of a like kind is to follow. ``Prelusive drops.''
--Thomson. --{Pre*lu"sive*ly}, adv.
Prelusorily \Pre*lu"so*ri*ly\, adv.
In a prelusory way.
Prelusory \Pre*lu"so*ry\, a.
Introductory; prelusive. --Bacon.
Premature \Pre`ma*ture"\, a. [L. praematurus; prae before +
maturus ripe. See {Mature}.]
1. Mature or ripe before the proper time; as, the premature
fruits of a hotbed.
2. Happening, arriving, existing, or performed before the
proper or usual time; adopted too soon; too early;
untimely; as, a premature fall of snow; a premature birth;
a premature opinion; premature decay.
3. Arriving or received without due authentication or
evidence; as, a premature report. -- {Pre`ma*ture"ly},
adv. -- {Pre`ma*ture"ness}, n.
Prematurity \Pre`ma*tu"ri*ty\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]maturit['e].]
The quality or state of being premature; early, or untimely,
ripeness; as, the prematurity of genius.
Premaxilla \Pre"max*il"la\, n.; pl. {Premaxill[ae]}. [NL. See
{Pre-}, and {Maxilla}.] (Anat.)
A bone on either side of the middle line between the nose and
mouth, forming the anterior part of each half of the upper
jawbone; the intermaxilla. In man the premaxill[ae] become
united and form the incisor part of the maxillary bone.
Premaxillary \Pre*max"il*la*ry\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of the maxillary bones; pertaining to the
premaxill[ae]; intermaxillary. -- n. A premaxilla.
Premediate \Pre*me"di*ate\, v. t.
To advocate. [R.]
Premeditate \Pre*med"i*tate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Premeditated}
(-t[=a]`t?d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Premeditating}.] [L.
praemeditatus, p. p. of praemeditari; prae before + meditari
to meditate. See {Meditate}.]
To think on, and revolve in the mind, beforehand; to contrive
and design previously; as, to premeditate robbery.
With words premeditated thus he said. --Dryden.
Premeditate \Pre*med"i*tate\, v. i.
To think, consider, deliberate, or revolve in the mind,
beforehand.
Premeditate \Pre*med"i*tate\, a. [L. praemeditatus, p. p.]
Premeditated; deliberate. [Archaic] --Bp. Burnet.
Premeditately \Pre*med"i*tate*ly\, adv.
With premeditation. --Burke.
Premeditation \Pre*med`i*ta"tion\, n. [L. praemeditatio: cf. F.
pr['e]m['e]ditation.]
The act of meditating or contriving beforehand; previous
deliberation; forethought.
Premerit \Pre*mer"it\, v. t.
To merit or deserve beforehand. [Obs.] --Eikon Basi??ke.
Premial \Pre"mi*al\, Premiant \Pre"mi*ant\, a. [L. praemialis.
See {Premium}.]
Serving to reward; rewarding. [R.] --Baxter.
Premices \Prem"i*ces\, n. pl. [F. pr['e]mices, L. primitiae. See
{Primitia}.]
First fruits. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Premier \Pre"mi*er\, a. [F. premier, fr. L. primarius of the
first rank, principal, fr. primus the first. See {Primary},
{Prime}, a.]
1. First; chief; principal; as, the premier place; premier
minister. --Camden. Swift.
2. Most ancient; -- said of the peer bearing the oldest title
of his degree.
Premier \Pre"mi*er\, n.
The first minister of state; the prime minister.
Premiership \Pre"mi*er*ship\, n.
The office of the premier.
Premillennial \Pre`mil*len"ni*al\, a.
Previous to the millennium.
Premious \Pre"mi*ous\, a. [L. praemiosus, fr. praemium a
premium.]
Rich in gifts. [R.] --Clarke.
Premise \Prem"ise\, n.; pl. {Premises}. [Written also, less
properly, {premiss}.] [F. pr['e]misse, fr. L. praemissus, p.
p. of praemittere to send before; prae before + mittere to
send. See {Mission}.]
1. A proposition antecedently supposed or proved; something
previously stated or assumed as the basis of further
argument; a condition; a supposition.
The premises observed, Thy will by my performance
shall be served. --Shak.
2. (Logic) Either of the first two propositions of a
syllogism, from which the conclusion is drawn.
Note: ``All sinners deserve punishment: A B is a sinner.''
These propositions, which are the premises, being true
or admitted, the conclusion follows, that A B deserves
punishment.
While the premises stand firm, it is impossible
to shake the conclusion. --Dr. H. More.
3. pl. (Law) Matters previously stated or set forth; esp.,
that part in the beginning of a deed, the office of which
is to express the grantor and grantee, and the land or
thing granted or conveyed, and all that precedes the
habendum; the thing demised or granted.
4. pl. A piece of real estate; a building and its adjuncts;
as, to lease premises; to trespass on another's premises.
Premise \Pre*mise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Premised}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Premising}.] [From L. praemissus, p. p., or E.
premise, n. See {Premise}, n.]
1. To send before the time, or beforehand; hence, to cause to
be before something else; to employ previously. [Obs.]
The premised flames of the last day. --Shak.
If venesection and a cathartic be premised. --E.
Darwin.
2. To set forth beforehand, or as introductory to the main
subject; to offer previously, as something to explain or
aid in understanding what follows; especially, to lay down
premises or first propositions, on which rest the
subsequent reasonings.
I premise these particulars that the reader may know
that I enter upon it as a very ungrateful task.
--Addison.
Premise \Pre*mise"\, v. i.
To make a premise; to set forth something as a premise.
--Swift.
Premiss \Prem"iss\, n.
Premise. --Whately. I. Watts
Premit \Pre*mit"\, v. t.
To premise. [Obs.] --Donne.
Premium \Pre"mi*um\, n.; pl. {Premiums}. [L. praemium,
originally, what one has got before or better than others;
prae before + emere to take, buy. See {Redeem}.]
1. A reward or recompense; a prize to be won by being before
another, or others, in a competition; reward or prize to
be adjudged; a bounty; as, a premium for good behavior or
scholarship, for discoveries, etc.
To think it not the necessity, but the premium and
privilege of life, to eat and sleep without any
regard to glory. --Burke.
The law that obliges parishes to support the poor
offers a premium for the encouragement of idleness.
--Franklin.
2. Something offered or given for the loan of money; bonus;
-- sometimes synonymous with interest, but generally
signifying a sum in addition to the capital.
People were tempted to lend, by great premiums and
large interest. --Swift.
3. A sum of money paid to underwriters for insurance, or for
undertaking to indemnify for losses of any kind.
4. A sum in advance of, or in addition to, the nominal or par
value of anything; as, gold was at a premium; he sold his
stock at a premium.
Premolar \Pre*mo"lar\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of the molar teeth. --n. An anterior molar
tooth which has replaced a deciduous molar. See {Tooth}.
Premonish \Pre*mon"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Premonished}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Premonishing}.] [Pref. pre- + monish: cf. L.
praemonere.]
To forewarn; to admonish beforehand. [R.] --Herrick.
To teach, and to premonish. --Bk. of Com.
Prayer.
Premonishment \Pre*mon"ish*ment\, n.
Previous warning or admonition; forewarning. --Sir H. Wotton.
Premonition \Pre`mo*ni"tion\, n. [L. praemonitio. See
{Premonish}.]
Previous warning, notice, or information; forewarning; as, a
premonition of danger.
Premonitor \Pre*mon"i*tor\, n. [L. praemonitor.]
One who, or that which, gives premonition.
Premonitory \Pre*mon"i*to*ry\, a. [L. praemonitorius.]
Giving previous warning or notice; as, premonitory symptoms
of disease. -- {Pre*mon"i*to*ri*ly}, adv.
Premonstrant \Pre*mon"strant\, n.
A Premonstratensian.
Premonstrate \Pre*mon"strate\, v. t. [L. praemonstratus, p. p.
of praemonstrare; prae before + monstrate to show.]
To show beforehand; to foreshow. [R.] --Herbert.
Premonstratensian \Pre*mon`stra*ten"sian\, n. [F.
pr['e]montr['e], fr. Pr['e]montr['e], fr. L. pratum
monstratum.] (R. C. Ch.)
One of a religious order of regular canons founded by St.
Norbert at Pr['e]montr['e], in France, in 1119. The members
of the order are called also {White Canons}, {Norbertines},
and {Premonstrants}.
Premonstration \Pre`mon*stra"tion\, n. [L. praemonstratio.]
A showing beforehand; foreshowing.
Premonstrator \Pre*mon"stra*tor\, n. [L. praemonstrator.]
One who, or that which, premonstrates. [R.]
Premorse \Pre*morse"\, a. [L. praemorsus, p. p. of praemordere
to bite off; prae before + mordere to bite.]
Terminated abruptly, or as it bitten off.
{Premorse root} or {leaves} (Bot.), such as have an abrupt,
ragged, and irregular termination, as if bitten off short.
Premosaic \Pre`mo*sa"ic\, a.
Relating to the time before Moses; as, premosaic history.
Premotion \Pre*mo"tion\, n. [Pref. pre- + motion.]
Previous motion or excitement to action.
Premunire \Prem`u*ni"re\, n. (Law)
See {Pr[ae]munire}.
Premunite \Prem`u*nite"\, v. t. [L. praemunitus, p. p. of
praemunire to fortify in front; prae before + munire to
fortify.]
To fortify beforehand; to guard against objection. [Obs.]
--Fotherby.
Premunition \Pre`mu*ni"tion\, n. [L. praemunitio: cf. F.
pr['e]munition.]
The act of fortifying or guarding against objections. [Obs.]
Premunitory \Pre*mu"ni*to*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to a premunire; as, a premunitory process.
Prenasal \Pre*na"sal\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of the nose, or in front of the nasal
chambers.
Prenatal \Pre*na"tal\, a.
Being or happening before birth.
Prender \Pren"der\, n. [F. prendre to take, fr. L. prehendere to
take.] (Law)
The power or right of taking a thing before it is offered.
--Burrill.
Prenomen \Pre*no"men\, n.
See {Pr[ae]nomen}.
Prenominal \Pre*nom"i*nal\, a.
Serving as a prefix in a compound name. --Sir T. Browne.
Prenominate \Pre*nom"i*nate\, a. [L. praenominatus, p. p. of
praenominare to give the prenomen to, to prenominate, fr.
praenomen prenomen.]
Forenamed; named beforehand. [R.] ``Prenominate crimes.''
--Shak.
Prenominate \Pre*nom"i*nate\, v. t.
To forename; to name beforehand; to tell by name beforehand.
--Shak.
Prenomination \Pre*nom`i*na*tion\, n.
The act of prenominating; privilege of being named first.
--Sir T. Browne.
Prenostic \Pre*nos"tic\, n. [L. praenoscere to foreknow; prae
before + noscere, notum, to know.]
A prognostic; an omen. [Obs.] --Gower.
Prenote \Pre*note"\, v. t. [L. praenotare; prae before + notare
to note.]
To note or designate beforehand. --Foxe.
Prenotion \Pre*no"tion\, n. [L. praenotio: cf. F. pr['e]notion.
See {Prenostic}.]
A notice or notion which precedes something else in time;
previous notion or thought; foreknowledge. --Bacon.
Prensation \Pren*sa"tion\, n. [L. prensatio, from prensare,
prehensare, v. freq. from prehendere to seize.]
The act of seizing with violence. [Obs.] --Barrow .
Prentice \Pren"tice\, n. [Aphetic form of apprentice.]
An apprentice. [Obs. or Colloq.] --Piers Plowman. ``My
accuser is my prentice.'' --Shak.
Prenticehood \Pren"tice*hood\, n.
Apprenticehood. [Obs.]
This jolly prentice with his master bode Till he was
out nigh of his prenticehood. --Chaucer.
Prenticeship \Pren"tice*ship\, n.
Apprenticeship. [Obs. or Colloq.]
He served a prenticeship who sets up shop. --Pope.
Prenunciation \Pre*nun`ci*a"tion\, n. [L. praenunciatio, fr.
praenunciare to announce beforehand. See {Pre-}, and
{Announce}.]
The act of announcing or proclaiming beforehand. [Obs.]
Prenuncious \Pre*nun"cious\, a. [L. praenuncius.]
Announcing beforehand; presaging. [Obs.] --Blount.
Preoblongata \Pre*ob`lon*ga"ta\, n. [NL. See {Pre-}, and
{Oblongata}.] (Anat.)
The anterior part of the medulla oblongata. --B. G. Wilder.
Preobtain \Pre`ob*tain"\, v. t.
To obtain beforehand.
Preoccupancy \Pre*oc"cu*pan*cy\, n. [See {Preoccupate}.]
The act or right of taking possession before another; as, the
preoccupancy of wild land.
Preoccupate \Pre*oc"cu*pate\, v. t. [L. praeoccupatus, p. p. of
praeoccupare to preoccupy. See {Preoccupy}.]
1. To anticipate; to take before. [Obs.] ``Fear preoccupateth
it [death].'' --Bacon.
2. To prepossess; to prejudice. [Obs.] --Sir H. Wotton.
Preoccupation \Pre*oc`cu*pa"tion\, n. [L. praeoccupatio: cf. F.
pr['e]occupation.]
1. The act of preoccupying, or taking possession of
beforehand; the state of being preoccupied; prepossession.
2. Anticipation of objections. [R.] --South.
Preoccupy \Pre*oc"cu*py\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Preoccupied}
(-p[=i]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Preoccupying}.] [Cf. F.
pr['e]occuper. See {Preoccupate}, {Occupy}.]
1. To take possession of before another; as, to preoccupy a
country not before held.
2. To prepossess; to engage, occupy, or engross the attention
of, beforehand; hence, to prejudice.
I Think it more respectful to the reader to leave
something to reflections than to preoccupy his
judgment. --Arbuthnot.
Preocular \Pre*oc"u*lar\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Placed just in front of the eyes, as the antenn[ae] of
certain insects. -- n. One of the scales just in front of the
eye of a reptile or fish.
Preominate \Pre*om"i*nate\, v. t.
To ominate beforehand; to portend. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Preopercular \Pre`o*per"cu*lar\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of the operculum; pertaining to the
preoperculum. -- n. The preoperculum.
Preoperculum \Pre`o*per"cu*lum\, n. [NL.] (Anat.)
The anterior opercular bone in fishes.
Preopinion \Pre`o*pin"ion\, n.
Opinion previously formed; prepossession; prejudice. --Sir T.
Browne.
Preoption \Pre*op"tion\, n.
Right of first choice.
Preoral \Pre*o"ral\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of, or anterior to, the mouth; as, preoral
bands.
Preorbital \Pre*or"bit*al\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front or the orbit.
Preordain \Pre`or*dain"\, v. t. [Pref. pre + ordain: cf. L.
praeordinare.]
To ordain or appoint beforehand: to predetermine: to
foreordain. --Milton.
Preorder \Pre*or"der\, v. t.
To order to arrange beforehand; to foreordain. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Preordinance \Pre*or"di*nance\, n.
Antecedent decree or determination. --Shak.
Preordinate \Pre*or"di*nate\, a. [L. praeordinatus, p. p. See
{Preordain}.]
Preordained. [R.] --Sir T. Elyot.
Preordination \Pre*or`di*na"tion\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]ordination.]
The act of foreordaining: previous determination. ``The
preordination of God.'' --Bale.
Preparable \Pre*par"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being prepared. ``Medicine preparable by art.''
--Boyle.
Preparation \Prep`a*ra"tion\, n. [F. pr['e]paration, L.
praeparatio. See {Prepare}.]
1. The act of preparing or fitting beforehand for a
particular purpose, use, service, or condition; previous
arrangement or adaptation; a making ready; as, the
preparation of land for a crop of wheat; the preparation
of troops for a campaign.
2. The state of being prepared or made ready; preparedness;
readiness; fitness; as, a nation in good preparation for
war.
3. That which makes ready, prepares the way, or introduces; a
preparatory act or measure.
I will show what preparations there were in nature
for this dissolution. --T. Burnet.
4. That which is prepared, made, or compounded by a certain
process or for a particular purpose; a combination.
Specifically:
(a) Any medicinal substance fitted for use.
(b) Anything treated for preservation or examination as a
specimen.
(c) Something prepared for use in cookery.
I wish the chemists had been more sparing who
magnify their preparations. --Sir T.
Browne.
In the preparations of cookery, the most
volatile parts of vegetables are destroyed.
--Arbuthnot.
5. An army or fleet. [Obs.] --Shak.
6. (Mus.) The holding over of a note from one chord into the
next chord, where it forms a temporary discord, until
resolved in the chord that follows; the anticipation of a
discordant note in the preceding concord, so that the ear
is prepared for the shock. See {Suspension}.
7. Accomplishment; qualification. [Obs.] --Shak.
Preparative \Pre*par"a*tive\, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]paratif.]
Tending to prepare or make ready; having the power of
preparing, qualifying, or fitting; preparatory.
Laborious quest of knowledge preparative to this work.
-- South.
Preparative \Pre*par"a*tive\, n.
1. That which has the power of preparing, or previously
fitting for a purpose; that which prepares. ``A
preparative unto sermons.'' --Hooker.
2. That which is done in the way of preparation. ``Necessary
preparatives for our voyage.'' --Dryden.
Preparatively \Pre*par"a*tive*ly\, adv.
By way of preparation.
Preparator \Pre*par"a*tor\, n. [L. praeparator.]
One who prepares beforehand, as subjects for dissection,
specimens for preservation in collections, etc. --Agassiz.
Preparatory \Pre*par"a*to*ry\, a. [L. praeparatorius: cf. F.
pr['e]paratoire.]
Preparing the way for anything by previous measures of
adaptation; antecedent and adapted to what follows;
introductory; preparative; as, a preparatory school; a
preparatory condition.
Prepare \Pre*pare"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prepare?}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Preparing}.] [F. pr['e]parer, L. praeparare; prae
before + parare to make ready. See {Pare}.]
1. To fit, adapt, or qualify for a particular purpose or
condition; to make ready; to put into a state for use or
application; as, to prepare ground for seed; to prepare a
lesson.
Our souls, not yet prepared for upper light.
--Dryden.
2. To procure as suitable or necessary; to get ready; to
provide; as, to prepare ammunition and provisions for
troops; to prepare ships for defence; to prepare an
entertainment. --Milton.
That they may prepare a city for habitation. --Ps.
cvii. 36
Syn: To fit; adjust; adapt; qualify; equip; provide; form;
make; make; ready.
Prepare \Pre*pare"\, v. i.
1. To make all things ready; to put things in order; as, to
prepare for a hostile invasion. ``Bid them prepare for
dinner.'' --Shak.
2. To make one's self ready; to get ready; to take the
necessary previous measures; as, to prepare for death.
Prepare \Pre*pare"\, n.
Preparation. [Obs.] --Shak.
Prepared \Pre*pared"\, a.
Made fit or suitable; adapted; ready; as, prepared food;
prepared questions. -- {Pre*par"ed*ly}, adv. --Shak. --
{Pre*par"ed*ness}, n.
Preparer \Pre*par"er\, n.
One who, or that which, prepares, fits, or makes ready.
--Wood.
Prepay \Pre*pay"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prepaid}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Prepaying}.]
To pay in advance, or beforehand; as, to prepay postage.
Prepayment \Pre*pay"ment\, n.
Payment in advance.
Prepenial \Pre*pe"ni*al\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of, or anterior to, the penis.
Prepense \Pre*pense"\, v. t. [Pref. pre + F. penser to think.
See {Pansy}.]
To weigh or consider beforehand; to premeditate. [Obs.]
--Spenser. Sir T. Elyot.
Prepense \Pre*pense"\, v. i.
To deliberate beforehand. [Obs.]
Prepense \Pre*pense"\, a. [See {Pansy}, and cf. {Prepense}, v.
t.]
Devised, contrived, or planned beforehand; preconceived;
premeditated; aforethought; -- usually placed after the word
it qualifies; as, malice prepense.
This has not arisen from any misrepresentation or error
prepense. --Southey.
Prepensely \Pre*pense"ly\, adv.
In a premeditated manner.
Prepollence \Pre*pol"lence\, Prepollency \Pre*pol"len*cy\, n.
[L. praepollentia.]
The quality or state of being prepollent; superiority of
power; predominance; prevalence. [R.] --Coventry.
Prepollent \Pre*pol"lent\, a. [L. praepollens, p. p. of
praepollere to surpass in power; prae before + pollere to be
powerful.]
Having superior influence or power; prevailing; predominant.
[R.] --Boyle.
Prepollent \Pre*pol"lent\, n.; pl. {Prepollices}. [NL. See
{Pre-}, {Pollex}.] (Anat.)
An extra first digit, or rudiment of a digit, on the preaxial
side of the pollex.
Preponder \Pre*pon"der\v. t.
To preponderate. [Obs.]
Preponderance \Pre*pon"der*ance\, Preponderancy
\Pre*pon"der*an*cy\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]pond['e]rance.]
1. The quality or state of being preponderant; superiority or
excess of weight, influence, or power, etc.; an
outweighing.
The mind should . . . reject or receive
proportionably to the preponderancy of the greater
grounds of probability. --Locke.
In a few weeks he had changed the relative position
of all the states in Europe, and had restored the
equilibrium which the preponderance of one power had
destroyed. --Macaulay.
2. (Gun.) The excess of weight of that part of a canon behind
the trunnions over that in front of them.
Preponderant \Pre*pon"der*ant\, a. [L. praeponderans, -antis:
cf. F. pr['e]pond['e]rant. See {Preponderate}.]
Preponderating; outweighing; overbalancing; -- used literally
and figuratively; as, a preponderant weight; of preponderant
importance. -- {Pre*pon"der*ant*ly}, adv.
Preponderate \Pre*pon"der*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Preponderated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Preponderating}.] [L.
praeponderatus, p. p. of praeponderare; prae before +
ponderare to weigh, fr., pondus, ponderis, a weight. See
{Ponder}.]
1. To outweigh; to overpower by weight; to exceed in weight;
to overbalance.
An inconsiderable weight, by distance from the
center of the balance, will preponderate greater
magnitudes. --Glanvill.
2. To overpower by stronger or moral power.
3. To cause to prefer; to incline; to decide. [Obs.]
The desire to spare Christian blood preponderates
him for peace. --Fuller.
Preponderate \Pre*pon"der*ate\, v. i.
To exceed in weight; hence, to incline or descend, as the
scale of a balance; figuratively, to exceed in influence,
power, etc.; hence; to incline to one side; as, the
affirmative side preponderated.
That is no just balance in which the heaviest side will
not preponderate. --Bp. Wilkins.
Preponderatingly \Pre*pon"der*a`ting*ly\, adv.
In a preponderating manner; preponderantly.
Preponderation \Pre*pon`der*a"tion\, n. [L. praeponderatio.]
The act or state of preponderating; preponderance; as, a
preponderation of reasons. --I. Watts.
Prepose \Pre*pose"\, v. t. [F. pr['e]poser; pref. pr['e]- (L.
prae before) + poser. See {Pose}.]
To place or set before; to prefix. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Preposition \Prep`o*si"tion\, n. [L. praepositio, fr. praeponere
to place before; prae before + ponere to put, place: cf. F.
pr['e]position. See {Position}, and cf. {Provost}.]
1. (Gram.) A word employed to connect a noun or a pronoun, in
an adjectival or adverbial sense, with some other word; a
particle used with a noun or pronoun (in English always in
the objective case) to make a phrase limiting some other
word; -- so called because usually placed before the word
with which it is phrased; as, a bridge of iron; he comes
from town; it is good for food; he escaped by running.
2. A proposition; an exposition; a discourse. [Obs.]
He made a long preposition and oration. --Fabyan.
Prepositional \Prep`o*si"tion*al\, a. [Cf. F.
pr['e]positionnel.]
Of or pertaining to a preposition; of the nature of a
preposition. --Early. -- {Prep`o*si"tion*al*ly}, adv.
Prepositive \Pre*pos"i*tive\, a. [L. praepositivus: cf. F.
pr['e]positif.] (Gram.)
Put before; prefixed; as, a prepositive particle. -- n. A
prepositive word. --Tooke.
Prepositor \Pre*pos"i*tor\, n. [NL.]
A scholar appointed to inspect other scholars; a monitor.
--Todd.
Prepositure \Pre*pos"i*ture\, n. [L. praepositura. See
{Preposition}, and cf. {Provost}.]
The office or dignity of a provost; a provostship. --Lowth.
Prepossess \Pre`pos*sess"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prepossessed};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Prepossessing}.]
1. To preoccupy, as ground or land; to take previous
possession of. --Dryden.
2. To preoccupy, as the mind or heart, so as to preclude
other things; hence, to bias or prejudice; to give a
previous inclination to, for or against anything; esp., to
induce a favorable opinion beforehand, or at the outset.
It created him enemies, and prepossessed the lord
general. --Evelyn.
Prepossessing \Pre`pos*sess"ing\, a.
Tending to invite favor; attracting confidence, favor,
esteem, or love; attractive; as, a prepossessing manner. --
{Pre`pos*sess"ing*ly}, adv.
Prepossession \Pre`pos*ses"sion\, n.
1. Preoccupation; prior possession. --Hammond.
2. Preoccupation of the mind by an opinion, or impression,
already formed; preconceived opinion; previous impression;
bias; -- generally, but not always, used in a favorable
sense; as, the prepossessions of childhood. ``The
prejudices and prepossessions of the country.'' --Sir W.
Scott.
Syn: Bent; bias; inclination; preoccupancy; prejudgment. See
{Bent}.
Prepossessor \Pre`*pos*sess"or\, n.
One who possesses, or occupies, previously. --R. Brady.
Preposterous \Pre*pos"ter*ous\, a.[L. praeposterus; prae before
+ posterus coming after, latter. See {Posterior}.]
1. Having that first which ought to be last; inverted in
order. [Obs.]
The method I take may be censured as preposterous,
because I thus treat last of the antediluvian earth,
which was first in the order of nature. --Woodward.
2. Contrary to nature or reason; not adapted to the end;
utterly and glaringly foolish; unreasonably absurd;
perverted. ``Most preposterous conclusions.'' --Shak.
Preposterous ass, that never read so far! --Shak.
Syn: Absurd; perverted; wrong; irrational; foolish;
monstrous. See {Absurd}. -- {Pre*pos"ter*ous*ly}, adv.
-{Pre*pos"ter*ous*ness}, n.
Prepostor \Pre*pos"tor\, n.
See {Prepositor}.
Prepotency \Pre*po"ten*cy\, n. [L. praepotentia: cf. F.
pr['e]potence.]
1. The quality or condition of being prepotent; predominance.
[Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
2. (Biol.) The capacity, on the part of one of the parents,
as compared with the other, to transmit more than his or
her own share of characteristics to their offspring.
Prepotent \Pre*po"tent\, a. [L. praepotens. See {Pre-}, and
{Potent}.]
1. Very powerful; superior in force, influence, or authority;
predominant. --Plaifere.
2. (Biol.) Characterized by prepotency. --Darwin.
Preprovide \Pre`pro*vide"\, v. t.
To provide beforehand. ``The materials preprovided.''
--Fuller.
Prepubic \Pre*pu"bic\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of, or anterior to, the pubis; pertaining
to the prepubis.
Prepubis \Pre*pu"bis\, n. [NL. See {Pre-}, and {Pubis}.] (Anat.)
A bone or cartilage, of some animals, situated in the middle
line in front of the pubic bones.
Prepuce \Pre"puce\, n. [F. pr['e]puce, L. praeputium.] (Anat.)
The foreskin.
Preputial \Pre*pu"tial\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the prepuce.
Preraphaelism \Pre*raph"a*el*ism\, Preraphaelitism
\Pre*raph"a*el*i`tism\, n. (Fine Arts)
The doctrine or practice of a school of modern painters who
profess to be followers of the painters before Raphael. Its
adherents advocate careful study from nature, delicacy and
minuteness of workmanship, and an exalted and delicate
conception of the subject.
Preraphaelite \Pre*raph"a*el*ite\, a.
Of or pertaining to the style called preraphaelitism; as, a
preraphaelite figure; a preraphaelite landscape. --Ruskin.
Preraphaelite \Pre*raph"a*el*ite\, n.
One who favors or practices art as it was before Raphael; one
who favors or advocates preraphaelitism.
Preregnant \Pre*reg"nant\, n.
One who reigns before another; a sovereign predecessor. [R.]
--Warner.
Preremote \Pre`re*mote\, a.
More remote in previous time or prior order.
In some cases two more links of causation may be
introduced; one of them may be termed the preremote
cause, the other the postremote effect. --E. Darwin.
Prerequire \Pre`re*quire"\, v. t.
To require beforehand.
Some things are prerequired of us. --Bp. Hall.
Prerequisite \Pre*req"ui*site\, a.
Previously required; necessary as a preliminary to any
proposed effect or end; as, prerequisite conditions of
success.
Prerequisite \Pre*req"ui*site\, n.
Something previously required, or necessary to an end or
effect proposed.
The necessary prerequisites of freedom. -- Goldsmith.
Preresolve \Pre`re*solve"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p.
{Preresolved}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Preresolving}.]
To resolve beforehand; to predetermine. --Sir E. Dering.
Prerogative \Pre*rog"a*tive\, n. [F. pr['e]rogative, from L.
praerogativa precedence in voting, preference, privilege, fr.
praerogativus that is asked before others for his opinion,
that votes before or first, fr. praerogare to ask before
another; prae before + rogare to ask. See {Rogation}.]
1. An exclusive or peculiar privilege; prior and indefeasible
right; fundamental and essential possession; -- used
generally of an official and hereditary right which may be
asserted without question, and for the exercise of which
there is no responsibility or accountability as to the
fact and the manner of its exercise.
The two faculties that are the prerogative of man --
the powers of abstraction and imagination. --I.
Taylor.
An unconstitutional exercise of his prerogative.
--Macaulay.
2. Precedence; pre["e]minence; first rank. [Obs.]
Then give me leave to have prerogative. --Shak.
Note: The term came into general use in the conflicts between
the Crown and Parliaments of Great Britain, especially
in the time of the Stuarts.
{Prerogative Court} (Eng. Law), a court which formerly had
authority in the matter of wills and administrations,
where the deceased left bona notabilia, or effects of the
value of five pounds, in two or more different dioceses.
--Blackstone.
{Prerogative office}, the office in which wills proved in the
Prerogative Court were registered.
Syn: Privilege; right. See {Privilege}.
Prerogatived \Pre*rog"a*tived\, a.
Endowed with a prerogative, or exclusive privilege. [R.]
--Shak.
Prerogatively \Pre*rog"a*tive*ly\, adv.
By prerogative.
Presage \Pre"sage\, n. [F. pr['e]sage, L. praesagium, from
praesagire. See {Presage}, v. t. ]
1. Something which foreshows or portends a future event; a
prognostic; an omen; an augury. ``Joy and shout -- presage
of victory.'' --Milton.
2. Power to look the future, or the exercise of that power;
foreknowledge; presentiment.
If there be aught of presage in the mind. --Milton.
Syn: Prognostic; omen; token; sign; presentiment.
Presage \Pre*sage"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Presaged} (-s[=a]jd");
p. pr. & vb. n. {Presaging}. ] [F. pr['e]sager, L.
praesagire: prae before + sagire to perceive acutely or
sharply. See {Sagacious}.]
1. To have a presentiment of; to feel beforehand; to
foreknow.
2. To foretell; to predict; to foreshow; to indicate.
My dreams presage some joyful news at hand. --Shak.
Presage \Pre*sage"\, v. i.
To form or utter a prediction; -- sometimes used with of.
--Dryden.
Presageful \Pre*sage"ful\, a.
Full of presages; ominous.
Dark in the glass of some presageful mood. --Tennyson.
Presagement \Pre*sage"ment\, n.
1. The act or art of presaging; a foreboding. [R.] --Sir T.
Browne.
2. That which is presaged, or foretold. [R.] ``Ominous
presagement before his end. '' --Sir H. Wotton.
Presager \Pre*sa"ger\, n.
One who, or that which, presages; a foreteller; a foreboder.
--Shak.
Presagious \Pre*sa"gious\, a.
Foreboding; ominous. [Obs.]
Presbyope \Pres"by*ope\, n. (Med.)
One who has presbyopia; a farsighted person.
Presbyopia \Pres`by*o"pi*a\[NL., from Gr. ? old, n., an old man
+ ?, ?, the eye.] (Med.)
A defect of vision consequent upon advancing age. It is due
to rigidity of the crystalline lens, which produces
difficulty of accommodation and recession of the near point
of vision, so that objects very near the eyes can not be seen
distinctly without the use of convex glasses. Called also
{presbytia}.
Presbyopic \Pres`by*op"ic\, a.
Affected by presbyopia; also, remedying presbyopia;
farsighted.
Presbyopy \Pres"by*o`py\, n. [Cf. F. presbyopie.]
See {Presbyopia}.
Presbyte \Pres"byte\, n. [Gr. ? an old man.]
Same as {Presbyope}.
Presbyter \Pres"by*ter\, n. [L. an elder, fr. Gr. ?. See
{Priest}.]
1. An elder in the early Christian church. See 2d Citation
under {Bishop}, n., 1.
2. (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) One ordained to the second
order in the ministry; -- called also {priest}.
I rather term the one sort presbyter than priest.
--Hooker.
New presbyter is but old priest writ large.
--Milton.
3. (Presbyterian Ch.) A member of a presbytery whether lay or
clerical.
4. A Presbyterian. [Obs.] --Hudibras.
Presbyteral \Pres*byt"er*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a presbyter or presbytery; presbyterial.
Presbyterate \Pres*byt"er*ate\, n. [L. presbyteratus: cf. F.
presbyt['e]rat.]
A presbytery; also, presbytership. --Heber.
Presbyteress \Pres"by*ter*ess\, n.
A female presbyter. --Bale.
Presbyterial \Pres`by*te"ri*al\, a. [Cf. F. presbyt['e]ral.]
Presbyterian. ``Presbyterial government.'' --Milton.
Presbyterian \Pres`by*te"ri*an\, a. [Cf. F. presbyt['e]rien.]
Of or pertaining to a presbyter, or to ecclesiastical
government by presbyters; relating to those who uphold church
government by presbyters; also, to the doctrine, discipline,
and worship of a communion so governed.
Presbyterian \Pres`by*te"ri*an\, n. [Cf. F. presbyt['e]rien.]
One who maintains the validity of ordination and government
by presbyters; a member of the Presbyterian church.
{Reformed Presbyterians}. See {Cameronian}.
Presbyterianism \Pres`by*te"ri*an*ism\, n. [Cf. F.
presbyt['e]rianisme.]
That form of church government which invests presbyters with
all spiritual power, and admits no prelates over them; also,
the faith and polity of the Presbyterian churches, taken
collectively.
Presbyterium \Pres`by*te"ri*um\, n. [L.] (Arch.)
Same as {Presbytery}, 4.
Presbytership \Pres"by*ter*ship\, n.
The office or station of a presbyter; presbyterate.
Presbytery \Pres"by*ter*y\, n.; pl. {Presbyteries}. [L.
presbyterium, Gr. ?. See {Presbyter}, and cf.
{Presbyterium}.]
1. A body of elders in the early Christian church.
2. (Presbyterian Ch.) A judicatory consisting of all the
ministers within a certain district, and one layman, who
is a ruling elder, from each parish or church,
commissioned to represent the church in conjunction with
the pastor. This body has a general jurisdiction over the
churches under its care, and next below the provincial
synod in authority.
3. The Presbyterian religion of polity. [R.] --Tatler.
4.
(a) (Arch.) That part of the church reserved for the
officiating priest.
(b) The residence of a priest or clergyman. --Gwilt.
Presbytia \Pres*byt"i*a\, n. [NL. See {Presbyte}.] (Med.)
Presbyopia.
Presbytic \Pres*byt"ic\, a. (Med.)
Same as {Presbyopic}.
Presbytism \Pres"byt*ism\, n.
Presbyopia.
Presscapula \Pres*scap"u*la\, n. [NL.] (Anat.)
The part of the scapula in front of, or above, the spine, or
mesoscapula.
Prescapular \Pre*scap"u*lar\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the prescapula; supraspinous.
Prescience \Pre"sci*ence\, n. [F. prescience, L. praescientia.
See {Prescient}.]
Knowledge of events before they take place; foresight.
God's certain prescience of the volitions of moral
agents. --J. Edwards.
Prescient \Pre"sci*ent\ (pr[=e]"sh[i^]*ent or -shent), a. [L.
praesciens, -entis, p. pr. of praescire to foreknow; prae
before + scire to know: cf. F. prescient. See {Science}.]
Having knowledge of coming events; foreseeing; conscious
beforehand. --Pope.
Henry . . . had shown himself sensible, and almost
prescient, of this event. --Bacon.
Presciently \Pre"sci*ent*ly\, adv.
With prescience or foresight.
Prescind \Pre*scind"\ (pr[-e]*s[i^]nd"), v. t. [L. praescindere
to cut off in front; prae before + scindere to cut asunder:
cf. F. prescinder.]
1. To cut off; to abstract. [Obs.] --Norris.
2. (Metaph.) To consider by a separate act of attention or
analysis. --Sir W. Hamilton.
Presciendent \Pre*sciend"ent\, a. [L. praescius; prae before +
scius knowing, fr. scire to know.]
Foreknowing; having foreknowledge; as, prescious of ills.
[R.] --Dryden.
Prescribe \Pre*scribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prescribed}; p. pr
& vb. n. {Prescribing}.] [L. praescribere, praescriptum; prae
before + scriebe to write. See {Scribe}.]
1. To lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule
of action; to impose as a peremptory order; to dictate; to
appoint; to direct.
Prescribe not us our duties. --Shak.
Let streams prescribe their fountains where to run.
--Dryden.
2. (Med.) To direct, as a remedy to be used by a patient; as,
the doctor prescribed quinine.
Syn: To appoint; order; command; dictate; ordain; institute;
establish.
Prescribe \Pre*scribe"\, v. i.
1. To give directions; to dictate.
A forwardness to prescribe to their opinions.
--Locke.
2. To influence by long use [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
3. (Med.) To write or to give medical directions; to indicate
remedies; as, to prescribe for a patient in a fever.
4. (Law) To claim by prescription; to claim a title to a
thing on the ground of immemorial use and enjoyment, that
is, by a custom having the force of law.
Prescriber \Pre*scrib"er\, n.
One who prescribes.
Prescript \Pre"script\, a. [L. praescriptus, p. p. of
praescribere: cf. F. prescrit. See {Prescribe}.]
Directed; prescribed. `` A prescript from of words.'' --Jer.
Taylor.
Prescript \Pre"script\, n. [L. praescriptum: cf. OF. prescript.]
1. Direction; precept; model prescribed. --Milton.
2. A medical prescription. [Obs.] --Bp. Fell.
Prescriptibility \Pre*scrip`ti*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being prescriptible. --Story.
Prescriptible \Pre*scrip"ti*ble\, a. [Cf. F. prescriptible.]
Depending on, or derived from, prescription; proper to be
prescribed. --Grafton.
Prescription \Pre*scrip"tion\, n. [F. prescription, L.
praescriptio, an inscription, preface, precept, demurrer,
prescription (in sense 3), fr. praescribere. See
{Prescribe}.]
1. The act of prescribing, directing, or dictating;
direction; precept; also, that which is prescribed.
2. (Med.) A direction of a remedy or of remedies for a
disease, and the manner of using them; a medical recipe;
also, a prescribed remedy.
3. (Law) A prescribing for title; the claim of title to a
thing by virtue immemorial use and enjoyment; the right or
title acquired by possession had during the time and in
the manner fixed by law. --Bacon.
That profound reverence for law and prescription
which has long been characteristic of Englishmen.
--Macaulay.
Note: Prescription differs from custom, which is a local
usage, while prescription is personal, annexed to the
person only. Prescription only extends to incorporeal
rights, such as aright of way, or of common. What the
law gives of common rights is not the subject of
prescription. Blackstone. Cruise. Kent. In Scotch law,
prescription is employed in the sense in which
limitation is used in England and America, namely, to
express that operation of the lapse of time by which
obligations are extinguished or title protected. Sir T.
Craig. Erskine.
Prescriptive \Pre*scrip"tive\, a. [L. praescriptivus of a
demurrer or legal exception.] (Law)
Consisting in, or acquired by, immemorial or long-continued
use and enjoyment; as, a prescriptive right of title;
pleading the continuance and authority of long custom.
The right to be drowsy in protracted toil has become
prescriptive. --J. M. Mason.
Prescriptively \Pre*scrip"tive*ly\, adv.
By prescription.
Prescutum \Pre*scu"tum\, n.; pl. {Prescuta}. [NL. See {Pr[ae]-},
and {Scutum}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The first of the four pieces composing the dorsal part, or
tergum, of a thoracic segment of an insect. It is usually
small and inconspicuous.
Preseance \Pre"se*ance\, n. [F. pr['e]s['e]ance. See {Preside}.]
Priority of place in sitting.[Obs.] --Carew.
Preselect \Pre`se*lect"\, v. t.
To select beforehand.
Presence \Pres"ence\, n. [F. pr['e]sence, L. praesentia. See
{Present}.]
1. The state of being present, or of being within sight or
call, or at hand; -- opposed to absence.
2. The place in which one is present; the part of space
within one's ken, call, influence, etc.; neighborhood
without the intervention of anything that forbids
intercourse.
Wrath shell be no more Thenceforth, but in thy
presence joy entire. --Milton.
3. Specifically, neighborhood to the person of one of
superior of exalted rank; also, presence chamber.
In such a presence here to plead my thoughts.
--Shak.
An't please your grace, the two great cardinals.
Wait in the presence. --Shak.
4. The whole of the personal qualities of an individual;
person; personality; especially, the person of a superior,
as a sovereign.
The Sovran Presence thus replied. --Milton.
5. An assembly, especially of person of rank or nobility;
noble company.
Odmar, of all this presence does contain, Give her
your wreath whom you esteem most fair. --Dryden.
6. Port, mien; air; personal appearence. ``Rather dignity of
presence than beauty of aspect.'' --Bacon.
A graceful presence bespeaks acceptance. -- Collier.
{Presence chamber}, or {Presence room}, the room in which a
great personage receives company. --Addison. `` Chambers
of presence.'' --Bacon.
{Presence of mind}, that state of the mind in which all its
faculties are alert, prompt, and acting harmoniously in
obedience to the will, enabling one to reach, as it were
spontaneously or by intuition, just conclusions in sudden
emergencies.
Presensation \Pre`sen*sa"tion\, n.
Previous sensation, notion, or idea. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Presension \Pre*sen"sion\, n. [L. praesensio, fr. praesentire to
perceive beforehand. See {Presentient}.]
Previous perception. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Present \Pres"ent\, a. [F. pr['e]sent, L. praesens,-entis, that
is before one, in sight or at hand, p. p. of praeesse to be
before; prae before + esse to be. See {Essence}.]
1. Being at hand, within reach or call, within certain
contemplated limits; -- opposed to absent.
These things have I spoken unto you, being yet
present with you. --John xiv.
25.
2. Now existing, or in process; begun but not ended; now in
view, or under consideration; being at this time; not past
or future; as, the present session of Congress; the
present state of affairs; the present instance.
I'll bring thee to the present business --Shak.
3. Not delayed; immediate; instant; coincident. ``A present
recompense.'' ``A present pardon.'' --Shak.
An ambassador . . . desires a present audience.
--Massinger.
4. Ready; quick in emergency; as a present wit. [R.]
5. Favorably attentive; propitious. [Archaic]
To find a god so present to my prayer. --Dryden.
{Present tense} (Gram.), the tense or form of a verb which
expresses action or being in the present time; as, I am
writing, I write, or I do write.
Present \Pres"ent\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]sent. See {Present}, a.]
1. Present time; the time being; time in progress now, or at
the moment contemplated; as, at this present.
Past and present, wound in one. --Tennyson.
2. pl. (Law) Present letters or instrument, as a deed of
conveyance, a lease, letter of attorney, or other writing;
as in the phrase, `` Know all men by these presents,''
that is, by the writing itself, `` per has literas
praesentes; '' -- in this sense, rarely used in the
singular.
3. (Gram.) A present tense, or the form of the verb denoting
the present tense.
{At present}, at the present time; now.
{For the present}, for the tine being; temporarily.
{In present}, at once, without delay. [Obs.] ``With them, in
present, half his kingdom; the rest to follow at his
death.'' --Milton.
Present \Pre*sent"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Presented}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Presenting}.] [F. pr['e]senter, L. praesentare, fr.
praesens, a. See {Present}, a.]
1. To bring or introduce into the presence of some one,
especially of a superior; to introduce formally; to offer
for acquaintance; as, to present an envoy to the king;
(with the reciprocal pronoun) to come into the presence of
a superior.
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to
present themselves before the lord. --Job i. 6
2. To exhibit or offer to view or notice; to lay before one's
perception or cognizance; to set forth; to present a fine
appearance.
Lectorides's memory is ever . . . presenting him
with the thoughts of other persons. --I. Watts.
3. To pass over, esp. in a ceremonious manner; to give in
charge or possession; to deliver; to make over.
So ladies in romance assist their knight, Present
the spear, and arm him for the fight. --Pope.
4. To make a gift of; to bestow; to give, generally in a
formal or ceremonious manner; to grant; to confer.
My last, least offering, I present thee now.
--Cowper.
5. Hence: To endow; to bestow a gift upon; to favor, as with
a donation; also, to court by gifts.
Octavia presented the poet for him admirable elegy
on her son Marcellus. --Dryden.
6. To present; to personate. [Obs.] --Shak.
7. In specific uses;
(a) To nominate to an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to
the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution.
The patron of a church may present his clerk to
a parsonage or vicarage; that is, may offer him
to the bishop of the diocese to be instituted.
--Blackstone.
(b) To nominate for support at a public school or other
institution . --Lamb.
(c) To lay before a public body, or an official, for
consideration, as before a legislature, a court of
judicature, a corporation, etc.; as, to present a
memorial, petition, remonstrance, or indictment.
(d) To lay before a court as an object of inquiry; to give
notice officially of, as a crime of offence; to find
or represent judicially; as, a grand jury present
certain offenses or nuisances, or whatever they think
to be public injuries.
(e) To bring an indictment against . [U.S]
(f) To aim, point, or direct, as a weapon; as, to present
a pistol or the point of a sword to the breast of
another.
{Pesent arms} (Mil.), the command in response to which the
gun is carried perpendicularly in front of the center of
the body, and held there with the left hand grasping it at
the lower band, and the right hand grasping the small of
the stock, in token of respect, as in saluting a superior
officer; also, the position taken at such a command.
Present \Pre*sent"\, v. i. (Med.)
To appear at the mouth of the uterus so as to be perceptible
to the finger in vaginal examination; -- said of a part of an
infant during labor.
Present \Pres"ent\, n. [F. pr['e]sent .]
Anything presented or given; a gift; a donative; as, a
Christmas present.
Syn: Gift; donation; donative; benefaction. See {Gift}.
Present \Pre*sent"\, n. (Mil.)
The position of a soldier in presenting arms; as, to stand at
present.
Presentable \Pre*sent"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]sentable.]
1. Capable or admitting of being presented; suitable to be
exhibited, represented, or offered; fit to be brought
forward or set forth; hence, fitted to be introduced to
another, or to go into society; as, ideas that are
presentable in simple language; she is not presentable in
such a gown.
2. Admitting of the presentation of a clergiman; as, a church
presentable. [R.] --Ayliffe.
Presentaneous \Pres`en*ta"ne*ous\, a. [L. praesentaneus. See
{Present}, a.]
Ready; quick; immediate in effect; as, presentaneous poison.
[Obs.] --Harvey.
Presentation \Pres`en*ta"tion\, n. [L. praesentatio a showing,
representation: cf. F. pr['e]sentation.]
1. The act of presenting, or the state of being presented; a
setting forth; an offering; bestowal.
Prayers are sometimes a presentation of mere
desires. --Hooker.
2. Hence, exhibition; representation; display; appearance;
semblance; show.
Under the presentation of the shoots his wit.
--Shak.
3. That which is presented or given; a present; a gift, as,
the picture was a presentation. [R.]
4. (Eccl.) The act of offering a clergyman to the bishop or
ordinary for institution in a benefice; the right of
presenting a clergyman.
If the bishop admits the patron's presentation, the
clerk so admitted is next to be instituted by him.
--Blackstone.
5. (Med.) The particular position of the child during labor
relatively to the passage though which it is to be brought
forth; -- specifically designated by the part which first
appears at the mouth of the uterus; as, a breech
presentation.
{Presentation copy}, a copy of a book, engraving, etc.,
presented to some one by the author or artist, as a token
of regard.
Presentative \Pre*sent"a*tive\, a.
1. (Eccl.) Having the right of presentation, or offering a
clergyman to the bishop for institution; as, advowsons are
presentative, collative, or donative. --Blackstone.
2. Admitting the presentation of a clergyman; as, a
presentative parsonage. --Spelman.
3. (Metaph.) Capable of being directly known by, or presented
to, the mind; intuitive; directly apprehensible, as
objects; capable of apprehending, as faculties.
The latter term, presentative faculty, I use . . .
in contrast and correlation to a ``representative
faculty.'' --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Presentee \Pres`en*tee"\, n. [F. pr['e]sent['e], p. p. See
{Present}, v. t. ]
One to whom something is presented; also, one who is
presented; specifically (Eccl.), one presented to benefice.
--Ayliffe.
Presenter \Pre*sent"er\, n.
One who presents.
Presential \Pre*sen"tial\, a. [LL. praesentialis.]
Implying actual presence; present, immediate. [Obs.]
God's mercy is made presential to us. --Jer. Taylor.
-- {Pre*sen"tial*ly}, adv. [Obs.]
Presentiality \Pre*sen`ti*al"i*ty\, n.
State of being actually present. [Obs.] --South.
Presentiate \Pre*sen"ti*ate\, v. t.
To make present. [Obs.]
Presentient \Pre*sen"tient\, a. [L. praesentiens, p. pr. of
praesentire to perceive beforehand; prae before + sentire to
feel.]
Feeling or perceiving beforehand.
Presentific \Pres`en*tif"ic\, a. [L. praesens, -entis, present +
facere to make.]
Making present. [Obs.] -- {Pres`en*tif"ic*ly}, adv. [Obs.]
--Dr. H. More.
Presentifical \Pres`en*tif"ic*al\, a.
Presentific. [Obs.]
Presentiment \Pre*sen"ti*ment\, n. [Pref. pre- + sentiment: cf.
F. pressentiment. See {Presentient}.]
Previous sentiment, conception, or opinion; previous
apprehension; especially, an antecedent impression or
conviction of something unpleasant, distressing, or
calamitous, about to happen; anticipation of evil;
foreboding.
Presentimental \Pre*sen`ti*men"tal\, a.
Of nature of a presentiment; foreboding. [R.] --Coleridge.
Presention \Pre*sen"tion\, n.
See {Presension}. [Obs.]
Presentive \Pre*sent"ive\, a. (Philol.)
Bringing a conception or notion directly before the mind;
presenting an object to the memory of imagination; --
distinguished from symbolic.
How greatly the word ``will'' is felt to have lost
presentive power in the last three centuries. --Earle.
-- {Pre*sent"ive*ly}, adv. -- {Pre*sent"ive*ness}, n.
Presently \Pres"ent*ly\, adv.
1. At present; at this time; now. [Obs.]
The towns and forts you presently have. --Sir P.
Sidney.
2. At once; without delay; forthwith; also, less definitely,
soon; shortly; before long; after a little while; by and
by. --Shak.
And presently the fig tree withered away. --Matt.
xxi. 19.
3. With actual presence; actually . [Obs.]
His precious body and blood presently three. --Bp.
Gardiner.
Presentment \Pre*sent"ment\, n.
1. The act of presenting, or the state of being presented;
presentation. `` Upon the heels of my presentment.''
--Shak.
2. Setting forth to view; delineation; appearance;
representation; exhibition.
Power to cheat the eye with blear illusion, And give
it false presentment. --Milton.
3. (Law)
(a) The notice taken by a grand jury of any offence from
their own knowledge or observation, without any bill
of indictment laid before them, as, the presentment of
a nuisance, a libel, or the like; also, an inquisition
of office and indictment by a grand jury; an official
accusation presented to a tribunal by the grand jury
in an indictment, or the act of offering an
indictment; also, the indictment itself.
(b) The official notice (formerly required to be given in
court) of the surrender of a copyhold estate.
--Blackstone.
{Presentment of a bill of exchange}, the offering of a bill
to the drawee for acceptance, or to the acceptor for
payment. See {Bill of exchange}, under {Bill}.
--Mozley & W.
Presentness \Pres"ent*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being present; presence. [Obs.]
``Presentness of mind in danger.'' --Clarendon.
Presentoir \Pres`en*toir"\, n. [Formed after analogy of French.]
An ornamental tray, dish, or the like, used as a salver.
Preservable \Pre*serv"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being preserved; admitting of preservation.
Preservation \Pres`er*va"tion\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]servation.]
The act or process of preserving, or keeping safe; the state
of being preserved, or kept from injury, destruction, or
decay; security; safety; as, preservation of life, fruit,
game, etc.; a picture in good preservation.
Give us particulars of thy preservation. --Shak.
Preservative \Pre*serv"a*tive\, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]servatif.]
Having the power or quality of preserving; tending to
preserve, or to keep from injury, decay, etc.
Preservative \Pre*serv"a*tive\, n.
That which preserves, or has the power of preserving; a
presevative agent.
To wear tablets as preservatives against the plague.
--Bacon.
Preservatory \Pre*serv"a*to*ry\, a.
Preservative. --Bp. Hall.
Preservatory \Pre*serv"a*to*ry\, n.; pl. {Preservatories}.
1. A preservative. [Obs.] --Whitlock.
2. A room, or apparatus, in which perishable things, as
fruit, vegetables, etc., can be preserved without decay.
Preserve \Pre*serve"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Preserved}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Preserving}.] [F. pr['e]server, from L. prae before +
servare to save, preserve; cf. L. praeservare to observe
beforehand. See {Serve}.]
1. To keep or save from injury or destruction; to guard or
defend from evil, harm, danger, etc.; to protect.
O Lord, thou preserved man and beast. --Ps. xxxvi.
6.
Now, good angels preserve the king. --Shak.
2. To save from decay by the use of some preservative
substance, as sugar, salt, etc.; to season and prepare for
remaining in a good state, as fruits, meat, etc.; as, to
preserve peaches or grapes.
You can not preserve it from tainting. --Shak.
3. To maintain throughout; to keep intact; as, to preserve
appearances; to preserve silence.
{To preserve game}, to protect it from extermination.
Syn: To keep; save; secure; uphold; sustain; defend; spare;
protect; guard; shield. See {Keep}.
Preserve \Pre*serve"\, v. i.
1. To make preserves. --Shak.
2. To protect game for purposes of sport.
Preserve \Pre*serve"\, n.
1. That which is preserved; fruit, etc., seasoned and kept by
suitable preparation; esp., fruit cooked with sugar; --
commonly in the plural.
2. A place in which game, fish, etc., are preserved for
purposes of sport, or for food.
Preserver \Pre*serv"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, preserves, saves, or defends, from
destruction, injury, or decay; esp., one who saves the
life or character of another. --Shak.
2. One who makes preserves of fruit.
{Game preserver}. See under {Game}.
Preshow \Pre*show"\, v. t.
To foreshow.
Preside \Pre*side"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Presided}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Presiding}.] [L. praesidere; prae before + sedere to
sit: cf. F. pr['e]sider. See {Sit}.]
1. To be set, or to sit, in the place of authority; to occupy
the place of president, chairman, moderator, director,
etc.; to direct, control, and regulate, as chief officer;
as, to preside at a public meeting; to preside over the
senate.
2. To exercise superintendence; to watch over.
Some o'er the public magazines preside. --Dryden.
Presidence \Pres"i*dence\, n.
See {Presidency}. [Obs.]
Presidency \Pres"i*den*cy\, n.; pl. {Presidencies}. [Cf. F.
pr['e]sidence.]
1. The function or condition of one who presides;
superintendence; control and care.
2. The office of president; as, Washington was elected to the
presidency.
3. The term during which a president holds his office; as,
during the presidency of Madison.
4. One of the three great divisions of British India, the
Bengal, Madras, and Bombay Presidencies, each of which had
a council of which its governor was president.
President \Pres"i*dent\, n.
Precedent. [Obs.] --Bacon.
President \Pres"i*dent\, a.
Occupying the first rank or chief place; having the highest
authority; presiding. [R.]
His angels president In every province. --Milton.
President \Pres"i*dent\, n. [F. pr['e]sident, L. praesidens,
-entis, p. pr. of praesidere. See {Preside}.]
1. One who is elected or appointed to preside; a presiding
officer, as of a legislative body. Specifically:
(a) The chief officer of a corporation, company,
institution, society, or the like.
(b) The chief executive officer of the government in
certain republics; as, the president of the United
States.
2. A protector; a guardian; a presiding genius. [Obs.]
Just Apollo, president of verse. --Waller.
Presidential \Pres`i*den"tial\, a.
1. Presiding or watching over. ``Presidential angels.''
--Glanvill.
2. Of or pertaining to a president; as, the presidential
chair; a presidential election.
Presidentship \Pres"i*dent*ship\, n.
The office and dignity of president; presidency. --Hooker.
Presider \Pre*sid"er\, n.
One who presides.
Presidial \Pre*sid"i*al\, Presidiary \Pre*sid"i*a*ry\, a. [L.
praesidialis and praesidiarius, fr. praesidium a presiding
over, defense, guard. See {Preside}.]
Of or pertaining to a garrison; having a garrison.
There are three presidial castles in this city.
--Howell.
Presidary \Pre*sid"*a*ry\, n. [L. praesidiarium.]
A guard. [Obs.] ``Heavenly presidiaries.'' --Bp. Hall.
Presiding \Pre*sid"ing\,
a. & n. from {Preside}.
{Presiding elder}. See under 2d {Elder}.
Presidio \Pre*si"di*o\, n. [Sp.]
A place of defense; a fortress; a garrison; a fortress; a
garrison or guardhouse.
Presignification \Pre*sig`ni*fi*ca"tion\, n. [?.
praesignificatio. See {Presignify}.]
The act of signifying or showing beforehand.
Presignify \Pre*sig"ni*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Presignified};
imp. & p. p. {Presignifying}.] [L. praesignificare; prae
before + significare to signify.]
To intimate or signify beforehand; to presage.
Presphenoid \Pre*sphe"noid\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of the sphenoid bone; of or pertaining to
the anterior part of the sphenoid bone (i. e., the
presphenoid bone).
{Presphenoid bone} (Anat.), the anterior part of the body of
the sphenoid bone in front of the basisphenoid. It is
usually a separate bone in the young or fetus, but becomes
a part of the sphenoid in the adult.
Presphenoid \Pre*sphe"noid\, n. (Anat.)
The presphenoid bone.
Presphenoidal \Pre`sphe*noid"al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the presphenoid bone; presphenoid.
Prespinal \Pre*spi"nal\, a. (Anat.)
Prevertebral.
Press \Press\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An East Indian insectivore ({Tupaia ferruginea}). It is
arboreal in its habits, and has a bushy tail. The fur is
soft, and varies from rusty red to maroon and to brownish
black.
Press \Press\, v. t. [Corrupt. fr. prest ready money advanced, a
loan; hence, earnest money given soldiers on entering
service. See {Prest}, n.]
To force into service, particularly into naval service; to
impress.
To peaceful peasant to the wars is pressed. --Dryden.
Press \Press\, n. [For prest, confused with press.]
A commission to force men into public service, particularly
into the navy.
I have misused the king's press. --Shak.
{Press gang}, or {Pressgang}, a detachment of seamen under
the command of an officer empowered to force men into the
naval service. See {Impress gang}, under {Impress}.
{Press money}, money paid to a man enlisted into public
service. See {Prest money}, under {Prest}, a.
Press \Press\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pressed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pressing}.] [F. presser, fr. L. pressare to press, fr.
premere, pressum, to press. Cf. {Print}, v.]
1. To urge, or act upon, with force, as weight; to act upon
by pushing or thrusting, in distinction from pulling; to
crowd or compel by a gradual and continued exertion; to
bear upon; to squeeze; to compress; as, we press the
ground with the feet when we walk; we press the couch on
which we repose; we press substances with the hands,
fingers, or arms; we are pressed in a crowd.
Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together.
--Luke vi. 38.
2. To squeeze, in order to extract the juice or contents of;
to squeeze out, or express, from something.
From sweet kernels pressed, She tempers dulcet
creams. --Milton.
And I took the grapes, and pressed them into
Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's
hand. --Gen. xl. 11.
3. To squeeze in or with suitable instruments or apparatus,
in order to compact, make dense, or smooth; as, to press
cotton bales, paper, etc.; to smooth by ironing; as, to
press clothes.
4. To embrace closely; to hug.
Leucothoe shook at these alarms, And pressed Palemon
closer in her arms. --Pope.
5. To oppress; to bear hard upon.
Press not a falling man too far. --Shak.
6. To straiten; to distress; as, to be pressed with want or
hunger.
7. To exercise very powerful or irresistible influence upon
or over; to constrain; to force; to compel.
Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the
Jews that Jesus was Christ. --Acts xviii.
5.
8. To try to force (something upon some one); to urge or
inculcate with earnestness or importunity; to enforce; as,
to press divine truth on an audience.
He pressed a letter upon me within this hour.
--Dryden.
Be sure to press upon him every motive. --Addison.
9. To drive with violence; to hurry; to urge on; to ply hard;
as, to press a horse in a race.
The posts . . . went cut, being hastened and pressed
on, by the king's commandment. --Esther viii.
14.
Note: Press differs from drive and strike in usually denoting
a slow or continued application of force; whereas drive
and strike denote a sudden impulse of force.
{Pressed brick}. See under {Brick}.
Press \Press\, v. i.
1. To exert pressure; to bear heavily; to push, crowd, or
urge with steady force.
2. To move on with urging and crowding; to make one's way
with violence or effort; to bear onward forcibly; to
crowd; to throng; to encroach.
They pressed upon him for to touch him. --Mark iii.
10.
3. To urge with vehemence or importunity; to exert a strong
or compelling influence; as, an argument presses upon the
judgment.
Press \Press\, n. [F. presse. See 4th {Press}.]
1. An apparatus or machine by which any substance or body is
pressed, squeezed, stamped, or shaped, or by which an
impression of a body is taken; sometimes, the place or
building containing a press or presses.
Note: Presses are differently constructed for various
purposes in the arts, their specific uses being
commonly designated; as, a cotton press, a wine press,
a cider press, a copying press, etc. See {Drill press}.
2. Specifically, a printing press.
3. The art or business of printing and publishing; hence,
printed publications, taken collectively, more especially
newspapers or the persons employed in writing for them;
as, a free press is a blessing, a licentious press is a
curse.
4. An upright case or closet for the safe keeping of
articles; as, a clothes press. --Shak.
5. The act of pressing or thronging forward.
In their throng and press to that last hold. --Shak.
6. Urgent demands of business or affairs; urgency; as, a
press of engagements.
7. A multitude of individuals crowded together; ? crowd of
single things; a throng.
They could not come nigh unto him for the press.
--Mark ii. 4.
{Cylinder press}, a printing press in which the impression is
produced by a revolving cylinder under which the form
passes; also, one in which the form of type or plates is
curved around a cylinder, instead of resting on a flat
bed.
{Hydrostatic press}. See under {Hydrostatic}.
{Liberty of the press}, the free right of publishing books,
pamphlets, or papers, without previous restraint or
censorship, subject only to punishment for libelous,
seditious, or morally pernicious matters.
{Press bed}, a bed that may be folded, and inclosed, in a
press or closet. --Boswell.
{Press of sail}, (Naut.), as much sail as the state of the
wind will permit.
Presser \Press"er\, n.
One who, or that which, presses.
{Presser bar}, or {Presser wheel} (Knitting machine), a bar
or wheel which closes the barbs of the needles to enable
the loops of the yarn to pass over them.
{Presser foot}, the part of a sewing machine which rests on
the cloth and presses it down upon the table of the
machine.
Pressgang \Press"gang`\, n.
See {Press gang}, under {Press}.
Pressing \Press"ing\, a.
Urgent; exacting; importunate; as, a pressing necessity. --
{Press"ing*ly}, adv.
Pression \Pres"sion\, n. [L. pressio: cf. F. pression. See 4th
{Press}.]
1. The act of pressing; pressure. --Sir I. Newton.
2. (Cartesian Philos.) An endeavor to move.
Pressiroster \Pres`si*ros"ter\, n. [L. presssus pressed (p. p.
of premere) + rostrum beak: cf. F. pressirostre. See 4th
{Press}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of a tribe of wading birds ({Pressirostres}) including
those which have a compressed beak, as the plovers.
Pressirostral \Pres`si*ros"tral\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the pressirosters.
Pressitant \Pres"si*tant\, a. [See 4th {Press}.]
Gravitating; heavy. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Pressive \Pres"sive\, a.
Pressing; urgent; also, oppressive; as, pressive taxation.
[R.] --Bp. Hall.
Pressly \Press"ly\, adv.
Closely; concisely. [Obs.]
Pressman \Press"man\, n.; pl. {Pressmen}.
1. One who manages, or attends to, a press, esp. a printing
press.
2. One who presses clothes; as, a tailor's pressman.
Pressman \Press"man\, n. [See 2d {Press}.]
One of a press gang, who aids in forcing men into the naval
service; also, one forced into the service.
Pressor \Press"or\, a. (Physiol.)
Causing, or giving rise to, pressure or to an increase of
pressure; as, pressor nerve fibers, stimulation of which
excites the vasomotor center, thus causing a stronger
contraction of the arteries and consequently an increase of
the arterial blood pressure; -- opposed to {depressor}.
--Landois & Stirling.
Presspack \Press"pack`\, v. t.
To pack, or prepare for packing, by means of a press.
Pressurage \Pres"sur*age\, n. [F.]
1. Pressure.
2. The juice of the grape extracted by the press; also, a fee
paid for the use of a wine press.
Pressure \Pres"sure\ (?; 138), n. [OF., fr. L. pressura, fr.
premere. See 4th {Press}.]
1. The act of pressing, or the condition of being pressed;
compression; a squeezing; a crushing; as, a pressure of
the hand.
2. A contrasting force or impulse of any kind; as, the
pressure of poverty; the pressure of taxes; the pressure
of motives on the mind; the pressure of civilization.
Where the pressure of danger was not felt.
--Macaulay.
3. Affliction; distress; grievance.
My people's pressures are grievous. --Eikon
Basilike.
In the midst of his great troubles and pressures.
--Atterbury.
4. Urgency; as, the pressure of business.
5. Impression; stamp; character impressed.
All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past.
--Shak.
6. (Mech.) The action of a force against some obstacle or
opposing force; a force in the nature of a thrust,
distributed over a surface, often estimated with reference
to the upon a unit's area.
{Atmospheric pressure}, {Center of pressure}, etc. See under
{Atmospheric}, {Center}, etc.
{Back pressure} (Steam engine), pressure which resists the
motion of the piston, as the pressure of exhaust steam
which does not find free outlet.
{Fluid pressure}, pressure like that exerted by a fluid. It
is a thrust which is normal and equally intense in all
directions around a point. --Rankine.
{Pressure gauge}, a gauge for indicating fluid pressure; a
manometer.
Presswork \Press"work`\, n.
The art of printing from the surface of type, plates, or
engravings in relief, by means of a press; the work so done.
--MacKellar.
Prest \Prest\,
imp. & p. p. of {Press}.
Prest \Prest\, a. [OF. prest, F. pr[^e]t, fr. L. praestus ready.
Cf. {Presto}.]
1. Ready; prompt; prepared. [Obs.]
All prest to such battle he was. --R. of
Gloucester.
2. Neat; tidy; proper. [Obs.] --Tusser.
{Prest money}, money formerly paid to men when they enlisted
into the British service; -- so called because it bound
those that received it to be ready for service when called
upon.
Prest \Prest\, n. [OF. prest, F. pr[^e]t, fr. OF. prester to
lend, F. pr[^e]ter, fr. L. praestare to stand before, to
become surety for, to fulfill, offer, supply; prae before +
stare to stand. See {Pre-}, and {Stand}, and cf. {Press} to
force into service.]
1. Ready money; a loan of money. [Obs.]
Requiring of the city a prest of six thousand marks.
--Bacon.
2. (Law) A duty in money formerly paid by the sheriff on his
account in the exchequer, or for money left or remaining
in his hands. --Cowell.
Prest \Prest\, v. t.
To give as a loan; to lend. [Obs.]
Sums of money . . . prested out in loan. --E. Hall.
Prestable \Prest"a*ble\, a.
Payable. [Scot.]
Prestation \Pres*ta"tion\, n. [L. praestatio a performing,
paying, fr. praestare: cf. F. prestation.] (O. Eng. Law)
A payment of money; a toll or duty; also, the rendering of a
service. --Burrill.
{Prestation money}, a sum of money paid yearly by archdeacons
and other dignitaries to their bishop.
Prester \Pres"ter\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, from ? to kindle or
burn, and ? to blow up, swell out by blowing.]
1. A meteor or exhalation formerly supposed to be thrown from
the clouds with such violence that by collision it is set
on fire. [Obs.]
2. pl. One of the veins of the neck when swollen with anger
or other excitement. [Obs.]
Prester \Pres"ter\, n. [OF. prestre. See {Priest}.]
A priest or presbyter; as, Prester John. [Obs.]
Presternum \Pre*ster"num\, n. [NL.] (Anat.)
The anterior segment of the sternum; the manubrium. --
{Pre*ster"nal}, a.
Prestidigital \Pres`ti*dig"i*tal\, a.
Nimble-fingered; having fingers fit for prestidigitation, or
juggling. [R.] ``His prestidigital hand.'' --Charles Reade.
Prestidigitation \Pres`ti*dig`i*ta"tion\, n.
Legerdemain; sleight of hand; juggling.
Prestidigitator \Pres`ti*dig"i*ta`tor\, n. [L. praesto ready +
digitus finger: cf. F. prestidigitateur.]
One skilled in legerdemain or sleight of hand; a juggler.
Prestige \Pres"tige\ (?; 277), n. [F., fr. L. praestigum
delusion, illusion, praestigae deceptions, jugglers' tricks,
prob. fr. prae before + the root of stinguere to extinguish,
originally, to prick. See {Stick}, v.]
1. Delusion; illusion; trick. [Obs.]
The sophisms of infidelity, and the prestiges of
imposture. --Bp.
Warburton.
2. Weight or influence derived from past success; expectation
of future achievements founded on those already
accomplished; force or charm derived from acknowledged
character or reputation. ``The prestige of his name must
go for something.'' --Sir G. C. Lewis.
Prestigiation \Pres*tig`i*a"tion\, n. [L. praestigiare to
deceive by juggling tricks, fr. praestigae. See {Prestige}.]
Legerdemain; prestidigitation. [Obs.]
Prestigiator \Pres*tig"i*a`tor\, n. [L. praestigiator.]
A juggler; prestidigitator. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Prestigiatory \Pres*tig"i*a*to*ry\, a.
Consisting of impostures; juggling. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Prestigious \Pres*tig"i*ous\, a. [L. praestigiosus.]
Practicing tricks; juggling. [Obs.] --Cotton Mather.
Prestimony \Pres"ti*mo*ny\, n. [LL. praestimonium, fr. L.
praestare to furnish, supply: cf. F. prestimonie. See
{Prest}, n.] (Canon Law)
A fund for the support of a priest, without the title of a
benefice. The patron in the collator.
Prestissimo \Pres*tis"si*mo\, adv. [It., superl. of presto.]
(Mus.)
Very quickly; with great rapidity.
Presto \Pres"to\, adv. [It. or Sp. presto quick, quickly. See
{Prest}, a.]
1. Quickly; immediately; in haste; suddenly.
Presto! begone! 'tis here again. --Swift.
2. (Mus.) Quickly; rapidly; -- a direction for a quick,
lively movement or performance; quicker than allegro, or
any rate of time except prestissimo.
Presstriction \Pres*stric"tion\, n. [L. praestrictio a binding
fast, fr. praestringere. See {Pre-}, and {Stringent}.]
Obstruction, dimness, or defect of sight. [Obs.] --Milton.
Presultor \Pre*sul"tor\, n. [L. praesultor; prae before + salire
to dance.]
A leader in the dance. [R.]
Presumable \Pre*sum"a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]sumable.]
Such as may be presumed or supposed to be true; that seems
entitled to belief without direct evidence.
Presumably \Pre*sum"a*bly\, adv.
In a presumable manner; by, or according to, presumption.
Presume \Pre*sume"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Presumed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Presuming}.] [F. pr['e]sumer, L. praesumere,
praesumptum; prae before + sumere to take. See {Assume},
{Redeem}.]
1. To assume or take beforehand; esp., to do or undertake
without leave or authority previously obtained.
Dare he presume to scorn us in this manner? --Shak.
Bold deed thou hast presumed, adventurous Eve.
--Milton.
2. To take or suppose to be true, or entitled to belief,
without examination or proof, or on the strength of
probability; to take for granted; to infer; to suppose.
Every man is to be presumed innocent till he is
proved to be guilty. --Blackstone.
What rests but that the mortal sentence pass, . . .
Which he presumes already vain and void, Because not
yet inflicted? --Milton.
Presume \Pre*sume"\, v. i.
1. To suppose or assume something to be, or to be true, on
grounds deemed valid, though not amounting to proof; to
believe by anticipation; to infer; as, we may presume too
far.
2. To venture, go, or act, by an assumption of leave or
authority not granted; to go beyond what is warranted by
the circumstances of the case; to venture beyond license;
to take liberties; -- often with on or upon before the
ground of confidence.
Do not presume too much upon my love. --Shak.
This man presumes upon his parts. --Locke.
Presumedly \Pre*sum"ed*ly\, adv.
By presumption.
Presumer \Pre*sum"er\, n.
One who presumes; also, an arrogant person. --Sir H. Wotton.
Presumingly \Pre*sum"ing*ly\, adv.
Confidently; arrogantly.
Presumption \Pre*sump"tion\ (?; 215), n. [L. praesumptio: cf. F.
pr['e]somption, OF. also presumpcion. See {Presume}.]
1. The act of presuming, or believing upon probable evidence;
the act of assuming or taking for granted; belief upon
incomplete proof.
2. Ground for presuming; evidence probable, but not
conclusive; strong probability; reasonable supposition;
as, the presumption is that an event has taken place.
3. That which is presumed or assumed; that which is supposed
or believed to be real or true, on evidence that is
probable but not conclusive. ``In contradiction to these
very plausible presumptions.'' --De Quincey.
4. The act of venturing beyond due beyond due bounds; an
overstepping of the bounds of reverence, respect, or
courtesy; forward, overconfident, or arrogant opinion or
conduct; presumptuousness; arrogance; effrontery.
Thy son I killed for his presumption. --Shak.
I had the presumption to dedicate to you a very
unfinished piece. --Dryden.
{Conclusive presumption}. See under {Conclusive}.
{Presumption of fact} (Law), an argument of a fact from a
fact; an inference as to the existence of one fact not
certainly known, from the existence of some other fact
known or proved, founded on a previous experience of their
connection; supposition of the truth or real existence of
something, without direct or positive proof of the fact,
but grounded on circumstantial or probable evidence which
entitles it to belief. --Burrill. --Best. --Wharton.
{Presumption of law} (Law), a postulate applied in advance to
all cases of a particular class; e. g., the presumption of
innocence and of regularity of records. Such a presumption
is rebuttable or irrebuttable.
Presumptive \Pre*sump"tive\, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]somptif.]
1. Based on presumption or probability; grounded on probable
evidence; probable; as, presumptive proof.
2. Presumptuous; arrogant. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
{Presumptive evidence} (Law), that which is derived from
circumstances which necessarily or usually attend a fact,
as distinct from direct evidence or positive proof;
indirect or circumstantial evidence. ``Presumptive
evidence of felony should be cautiously admitted.''
--Blackstone. The distinction, however, between direct and
presumptive (or circumstantial) evidence is now generally
abandoned; all evidence being now more or less direct and
more or less presumptive.
{Presumptive heir}. See {Heir presumptive}, under {Heir}.
Presumptively \Pre*sump"tive*ly\, adv.
By presumption, or supposition grounded or probability;
presumably.
Presumptuous \Pre*sump"tu*ous\ (?; 135), a. [L. praesumptuosus:
cf. F. pr['e]somptueux, OF. also presumptuous. See
{Presumption}.]
1. Full of presumption; presuming; overconfident or
venturesome; audacious; rash; taking liberties unduly;
arrogant; insolent; as, a presumptuous commander;
presumptuous conduct.
A class of presumptuous men, whom age has not made
cautious, nor adversity wise. --Buckminster.
2. Founded on presumption; as, a presumptuous idea. ``False,
presumptuous hope.'' --Milton.
3. Done with hold design, rash confidence, or in violation of
known duty; willful. ``Keep back the servant also from
presumptuous sins.'' --Ps. xix. 13.
Syn: Overconfident; foolhardy; rash; presuming; forward;
arrogant; insolent.
Presumptuously \Pre*sump"tu*ous*ly\, adv.
In a presumptuous manner; arrogantly.
Presumptuousness \Pre*sump"tu*ous*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being presumptuous.
Presupposal \Pre`sup*pos"al\, n.
Presupposition. [R.] ``Presupposal of knowledge.'' --Hooker.
Presuppose \Pre`sup*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Presupposed};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Presupposing}.] [Pref. pre- + suppose: cf.
F. pr['e]supposer.]
To suppose beforehand; to imply as antecedent; to take for
granted; to assume; as, creation presupposes a creator.
Each [kind of knowledge] presupposes many necessary
things learned in other sciences, and known beforehand.
--Hooker.
Presupposition \Pre*sup`po*si"tion\, n. [Pref. pre- +
supposition: cf. F. pr['e]supposition.]
1. The act of presupposing; an antecedent implication;
presumption.
2. That which is presupposed; a previous supposition or
surmise.
Presurmise \Pre`sur*mise"\, n.
A surmise previously formed. --Shak.
Presystolic \Pre`sys*tol"ic\, a. (Physiol.)
Preceding the systole or contraction of the heart; as, the
presystolic friction sound.
Pretemporal \Pre*tem"po*ral\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of the temporal bone.
Pretence \Pre*tence"\, n., Pretenceful \Pre*tence"ful\, a.,
Pretenceless \Pre*tence"*less\, a.
See {Pretense}, {Pretenseful}, {Pretenseless}.
Pretend \Pre*tend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pretended}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Pretending}.] [OE. pretenden to lay claim to, F.
pr['e]tendre, L. praetendere, praetentum, to stretch forward,
pretend, simulate, assert; prae before + tendere to stretch.
See {Tend}, v. t. ]
1. To lay a claim to; to allege a title to; to claim.
Chiefs shall be grudged the part which they pretend.
--Dryden.
2. To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for
something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden.
[R.]
Lest that too heavenly form, pretended To hellish
falsehood, snare them. --Milton.
3. To hold out, or represent, falsely; to put forward, or
offer, as true or real (something untrue or unreal); to
show hypocritically, or for the purpose of deceiving; to
simulate; to feign; as, to pretend friendship.
This let him know, Lest, willfully transgressing, he
pretend Surprisal. --Milton.
4. To intend; to design; to plot; to attempt. [Obs.]
Such as shall pretend Malicious practices against
his state. --Shak.
5. To hold before one; to extend. [Obs.] ``His target always
over her pretended.'' --Spenser.
Pretend \Pre*tend"\, v. i.
1. To put in, or make, a claim, truly or falsely; to allege a
title; to lay claim to, or strive after, something; --
usually with to. ``Countries that pretend to freedom.''
--Swift.
For to what fine he would anon pretend, That know I
well. --Chaucer.
2. To hold out the appearance of being, possessing, or
performing; to profess; to make believe; to feign; to
sham; as, to pretend to be asleep. ``[He] pretended to
drink the waters.'' --Macaulay.
Pretendant \Pre*tend"ant\, n.
A pretender; a claimant.
Pretended \Pre*tend"ed\, a.
Making a false appearance; unreal; false; as, pretended
friend. -- {Pre*tend"ed*ly}, adv.
Pretendence \Pre*tend"ence\, n.
The act of pretending; pretense. [Obs.] --Daniel.
Pretender \Pre*tend"er\, n.
1. One who lays claim, or asserts a title (to something); a
claimant. Specifically, The pretender (Eng. Hist.), the
son or the grandson of James II., the heir of the royal
family of Stuart, who laid claim to the throne of Great
Britain, from which the house was excluded by law.
It is the shallow, unimproved intellects that are
the confident pretenders to certainty. --Glanvill.
2. One who pretends, simulates, or feigns.
Pretendership \Pre*tend"er*ship\, n.
The character, right, or claim of a pretender. --Swift.
Pretendingly \Pre*tend"ing*ly\, adv.
As by right or title; arrogantly; presumptuously. --Collier.
Pretense \Pre*tense"\, Pretence \Pre*tence\, n. [LL. praetensus,
for L. praetentus, p. p. of praetendere. See {Pretend}, and
cf. {Tension}.]
1. The act of laying claim; the claim laid; assumption;
pretension. --Spenser.
Primogeniture can not have any pretense to a right
of solely inheriting property or power. --Locke.
I went to Lambeth with Sir R. Brown's pretense to
the wardenship of Merton College, Oxford. --Evelyn.
2. The act of holding out, or offering, to others something
false or feigned; presentation of what is deceptive or
hypocritical; deception by showing what is unreal and
concealing what is real; false show; simulation; as,
pretense of illness; under pretense of patriotism; on
pretense of revenging C[ae]sar's death.
3. That which is pretended; false, deceptive, or hypocritical
show, argument, or reason; pretext; feint.
Let not the Trojans, with a feigned pretense Of
proffered peace, delude the Latian prince. --Dryden.
4. Intention; design. [Obs.]
A very pretense and purpose of unkindness. --Shak.
Note: See the {Note} under {Offense}.
Syn: Mask; appearance; color; show; pretext; excuse.
Usage: {Pretense}, {Pretext}. A pretense is something held
out as real when it is not so, thus falsifying the
truth. A pretext is something woven up in order to
cover or conceal one's true motives, feelings, or
reasons. Pretext is often, but not always, used in a
bad sense.
Pretensed \Pre*tensed"\, a.
Pretended; feigned. [Obs.] -- {Pre*tens"ed*ly}, adv. [Obs.]
Pretenseful \Pre*tense"ful\, a.
Abounding in pretenses.
Pretenseless \Pre*tense"less\, a.
Not having or making pretenses.
Pretension \Pre*ten"sion\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]tention. See
{Pretend}, {Tension}.]
1. The act of pretending, or laying claim; the act of
asserting right or title.
The arrogant pretensions of Glengarry contributed to
protract the discussion. --Macaulay.
2. A claim made, whether true or false; a right alleged or
assumed; a holding out the appearance of possessing a
certain character; as, pretensions to scholarship.
This was but an invention and pretension given out
by the Spaniards. --Bacon.
Men indulge those opinions and practices that favor
their pretensions. --L'Estrange.
Pretentative \Pre*ten"ta*tive\, a. [Pref. pre- + tentative: cf.
L. praetentare to try beforehand.]
Fitted for trial beforehand; experimental. [R.] --Sir H.
Wotton.
Pretentious \Pre*ten"tious\, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]tentieux. See
{Pretend}.]
Full of pretension; disposed to lay claim to more than is
one's; presuming; assuming. -- {Pre*ten"tious*ly}, adv. --
{Pre*ten"tious*ness}, n.
Preter- \Pre"ter-\ [L. praeter past, beyond, originally a
compar. of prae before. See {For}, prep.]
A prefix signifying past, by, beyond, more than; as, preter-
mission, a permitting to go by; preternatural, beyond or more
than is natural. [Written also {pr[ae]ter}.]
Preterhuman \Pre`ter*hu"man\, a. [Pref. preter- + human.]
More than human.
Preterient \Pre*te"ri*ent\, a. [L. praeteriens, p. pr. See
{Preterit}.]
Passed through; antecedent; previous; as, preterient states.
[R.]
Preterimperfect \Pre`ter*im*per"fect\, a. & n. [Pref. preter- +
imperfect.] (Gram.)
Old name of the tense also called {imperfect}.
Preterist \Pret"er*ist\, n. [Pref. preter- + -ist.]
1. One whose chief interest is in the past; one who regards
the past with most pleasure or favor.
2. (Theol.) One who believes the prophecies of the Apocalypse
to have been already fulfilled. --Farrar.
Preterit \Pret"er*it\ (?; 277), a. [L. praeteritus, p. p. of
praeterire to go or pass by; praeter beyond, by + ire to go:
cf. F. pr['e]t['e]rit. See {Issue}.] [Written also
{preterite} and {pr[ae]terite}.]
1. (Gram.) Past; -- applied to a tense which expresses an
action or state as past.
2. Belonging wholly to the past; passed by. [R.]
Things and persons as thoroughly preterite as
Romulus or Numa. --Lowell.
Preterit \Pret"er*it\, n. (Gram.)
The preterit; also, a word in the preterit tense.
Preterite \Pret"er*ite\, a. & n.
Same as {Preterit}.
Preteriteness \Pret"er*ite*ness\, n.
Same as {Preteritness}.
Preterition \Pre`ter*i"tion\ (?; 277), n. [L. praeteritio: cf.
F. pr['e]t['e]rition.]
1. The act of passing, or going past; the state of being
past. --Bp. Hall.
2. (Rhet.) A figure by which, in pretending to pass over
anything, a summary mention of it is made; as, ``I will
not say, he is valiant, he is learned, he is just.''
Called also {paraleipsis}.
3. (Law) The omission by a testator of some one of his heirs
who is entitled to a portion. --Bouvier.
Preteritive \Pre*ter"i*tive\, a. (Gram.)
Used only or chiefly in the preterit or past tenses, as
certain verbs.
Preteritness \Pret"er*it*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being past. --Bentley. Lowell.
Preterlapsed \Pre`ter*lapsed"\, a. [L. praeterlapsus, p. p. of
praeterlabi to glide by. See {Preter-}, {Lapse}.]
Past; as, preterlapsed ages. [R.] --Glanvill.
Preterlegal \Pre`ter*le"gal\, a. [Pref. preter- + legal.]
Exceeding the limits of law. [R.]
Pretermission \Pre`ter*mis"sion\, n. [L. praetermissio. See
{Pretermit}.]
1. The act of passing by or omitting; omission. --Milton.
2. (Rhet.) See {Preterition}.
Pretermit \Pre`ter*mit"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pretermitted}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Pretermitting}.] [L. praetermittere,
praetermissum; praeter beyond + mittere to send. See
{Mission}.]
To pass by; to omit; to disregard. --Bacon.
Preternatural \Pre`ter*nat"u*ral\ (?; 135), a. [Pref. preter +
natural.]
Beyond of different from what is natural, or according to the
regular course of things, but not clearly supernatural or
miraculous; strange; inexplicable; extraordinary; uncommon;
irregular; abnormal; as, a preternatural appearance; a
preternatural stillness; a preternatural presentation (in
childbirth) or labor.
This vile and preternatural temper of mind. --South.
Syn: See {Supernatural}.
Preternaturalism \Pre`ter*nat"u*ral*ism\, n.
The state of being preternatural; a preternatural condition.
Preternaturality \Pre`ter*nat`u*ral"i*ty\, n.
Preternaturalness. [R.] --Dr. John Smith.
Preternaturally \Pre`ter*nat"u*ral*ly\ (?; 135), adv.
In a preternatural manner or degree. --Bacon.
Preternaturalness \Pre`ter*nat"u*ral*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being preternatural.
Preterperfect \Pre`ter*per"fect\, a. & n. [Pref. preter- +
perfect.] (Gram.)
Old name of the tense also called {preterit}.
Preterpluperfect \Pre`ter*plu"per`fect\, a. & n. [Pref. preter-
+ pluperfect.] (Gram.)
Old name of the tense also called {pluperfect}.
Pretertiary \Pre*ter"ti*a*ry\, a. (Geol.)
Earlier than Tertiary.
Pretervection \Pre`ter*vec"tion\, n. [L. praetervectio, fr.
praetervehere to carry beyond. See {Invection}.]
The act of carrying past or beyond. [R.] --Abp. Potter.
Pretex \Pre*tex"\, v. t. [L. praetexere. See {Pretext}.]
To frame; to devise; to disguise or excuse; hence, to
pretend; to declare falsely. [Obs.]
Pretext \Pre"text\ (?; 277), n. [F. pr['e]texte, L. praetextum,
fr. praetextus, p. p. of praetexere to weave before, allege
as an excuse; prae before + texere to weave. See {Text}.]
Ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or
cover for the real reason or motive; pretense; disguise.
They suck the blood of those they depend on, under a
pretext of service and kindness. --L'Estrange.
With how much or how little pretext of reason. --Dr. H.
More.
Syn: Pretense; excuse; semblance; disguise; appearance. See
{Pretense}.
Pretexture \Pre*tex"ture\ (?; 135), n.
A pretext. [Obs.]
Pretibial \Pre*tib"i*al\, a. (Anat.)
Situated in front of the tibia.
Pretor \Pre"tor\, n. [L. praetor, for praeitor, fr. praeire to
go before; prae before + ire to go. See {Issue}.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) A civil officer or magistrate among the
ancient Romans.
Note: Originally the pretor was a kind of third consul; but
at an early period two pretors were appointed, the
first of whom (praetor urbanus) was a kind of mayor or
city judge; the other (praetor peregrinus) was a judge
of cases in which one or both of the parties were
foreigners. Still later, the number of pretors, or
judges, was further increased.
2. Hence, a mayor or magistrate. [R.] --Dryden.
Pretorial \Pre*to"ri*al\, a.
Pretorian. --Burke.
Pretorian \Pre*to"ri*an\, a. [L. praetorians: cf. F.
pr['e]torien.]
Of or pertaining to a pretor or magistrate; judicial;
exercised by, or belonging to, a pretor; as, pretorian power
or authority.
{Pretorian bands} or {guards}, or {Pretorians} (Rom. Hist.),
the emperor's bodyguards, instituted by the Emperor
Augustus in nine cohorts of 1,000 men each.
{Pretorian gate} (Rom. Antiq.), that one of the four gates in
a camp which lay next the enemy. --Brande & C.
Pretorian \Pre*to"ri*an\, n.
A soldier of the pretorian guard.
Pretorium \Pre*to"ri*um\, n. [L. praetorium, fr. praetor.]
1. The general's tent in a Roman camp; hence, a council of
war, because held in the general's tent.
2. The official residence of a governor of a province; hence,
a place; a splendid country seat.
Pretorship \Pre"tor*ship\, n.
The office or dignity of a pretor. --J. Warton
Pretorture \Pre*tor"ture\ (?; 135), v. t.
To torture beforehand. --Fuller.
Prettily \Pret"ti*ly\, adv.
In a pretty manner.
Prettiness \Pret"ti*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being pretty; -- used sometimes in a
disparaging sense.
A style . . . without sententious pretension or
antithetical prettiness. --Jeffrey.
Pretty \Pret"ty\, a. [Compar. {Prettier}; superl. {Prettiest}.]
[OE. prati, AS. pr[ae]ttig, pr[ae]tig, crafty, sly, akin to
pr[ae]t, pr[ae]tt, deceit, trickery, Icel. prettugr tricky,
prettr a trick; probably fr. Latin, perhaps through Celtic;
cf. W. praith act, deed, practice, LL. practica execution,
practice, plot. See {Practice}.]
1. Pleasing by delicacy or grace; attracting, but not
striking or impressing; of a pleasing and attractive form
a color; having slight or diminutive beauty; neat or
elegant without elevation or grandeur; pleasingly, but not
grandly, conceived or expressed; as, a pretty face; a
pretty flower; a pretty poem.
This is the prettiest lowborn lass that ever Ran on
the greensward. --Shak.
2. Moderately large; considerable; as, he had saved a pretty
fortune. ``Wavering a pretty while.'' --Evelyn.
3. Affectedly nice; foppish; -- used in an ill sense.
The pretty gentleman is the most complaisant in the
world. --Spectator.
4. Mean; despicable; contemptible; -- used ironically; as, a
pretty trick; a pretty fellow.
5. Stout; strong and brave; intrepid; valiant. [Scot.]
[He] observed they were pretty men, meaning not
handsome. --Sir W.
Scott.
Syn: Elegant; neat; fine. See {Handsome}.
Pretty \Pret"ty\, adv.
In some degree; moderately; considerably; rather; almost; --
less emphatic than very; as, I am pretty sure of the fact;
pretty cold weather.
Pretty plainly professes himself a sincere Christian.
--Atterbury.
Prettyish \Pret"ty*ish\, a.
Somewhat pretty. --Walpole.
Prettyism \Pret"ty*ism\, n.
Affectation of a pretty style, manner, etc. [R.] --Ed. Rev.
Pretty-spoken \Pret"ty-spo`ken\, a.
Spoken or speaking prettily. [Colloq.]
Pretypify \Pre*typ"i*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pretypified}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Pretypifying}.]
To prefigure; to exhibit previously in a type. --Bp. Pearson.
Pretzel \Pret"zel\, n. [G. pretzel, bretzel. Cf. {Bretzel}.]
A kind of German biscuit or cake in the form of a twisted
ring, salted on the outside.
Prevail \Pre*vail"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Prevailed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Prevailing}.] [F. pr['e]valoir, OF. prevaleir, L.
praevalere; prae before + valere to be strong, able, or
worth. See {Valiant}.]
1. To overcome; to gain the victory or superiority; to gain
the advantage; to have the upper hand, or the mastery; to
succeed; -- sometimes with over or against.
When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and
when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. --Ex.
xvii. 11.
So David prevailed over the Philistine. --1 Sam.
xvii. 50.
This kingdom could never prevail against the united
power of England. --Swift.
2. To be in force; to have effect, power, or influence; to be
predominant; to have currency or prevalence; to obtain;
as, the practice prevails this day.
This custom makes the short-sighted bigots, and the
warier skeptics, as far as it prevails. --Locke.
3. To persuade or induce; -- with on, upon, or with; as, I
prevailedon him to wait.
He was prevailed with to restrain the Earl.
--Clarendon.
Prevail upon some judicious friend to be your
constant hearer, and allow him the utmost freedom.
--Swift.
Prevailing \Pre*vail"ing\, a.
1. Having superior force or influence; efficacious;
persuasive. --Shak.
Saints shall assist thee with prevailing prayers.
--Rowe.
2. Predominant; prevalent; most general; as, the prevailing
disease of a climate; a prevailing opinion.
Syn: Syn. See {Prevalent}.
Prevailingly \Pre*vail"ing*ly\, adv.
So as to prevail.
Prevailment \Pre*vail"ment\, n.
Prevalence; superior influence; efficacy. [Obs.] --Shak.
Prevalence \Prev"a*lence\, n. [L. praevalentia: cf. F.
pr['e]valence. See {Prevail}.]
The quality or condition of being prevalent; superior
strength, force, or influence; general existence, reception,
or practice; wide extension; as, the prevalence of virtue, of
a fashion, or of a disease; the prevalence of a rumor.
The duke better knew what kind of argument were of
prevalence with him. --Clarendon.
Prevalency \Prev"a*len*cy\, n.
See {Prevalence}.
Prevalent \Prev"a*lent\, a. [L. praevalens, -entis, p. pr. of
praevalere. See {Prevail}.]
1. Gaining advantage or superiority; having superior force,
influence, or efficacy; prevailing; predominant;
successful; victorious.
Brennus told the Roman embassadors, that prevalent
arms were as good as any title. --Sir W.
Raleigh.
2. Most generally received or current; most widely adopted or
practiced; also, generally or extensively existing;
widespread; prevailing; as, a prevalent observance;
prevalent disease.
This was the most received and prevalent opinion.
--Woodward.
Syn: Prevailing; predominant; successful; efficacious;
powerful.
Usage: {Prevalent}, {Prevailing}. What customarily prevails
is prevalent; as, a prevalent fashion. What actually
prevails is prevailing; as, the prevailing winds are
west. Hence, prevailing is the livelier and more
pointed word, since it represents a thing in action.
It is sometimes the stronger word, since a thing may
prevail sufficiently to be called prevalent, and yet
require greater strength to make it actually
prevailing.
Prevalently \Prev"a*lent"ly\, adv.
In a prevalent manner. --Prior.
Prevaricate \Pre*var"i*cate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Prevaricated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Prevaricating}.] [L.
praevaricatus, p. p. of praevaricari to walk crookedly, to
collude; prae before + varicare to straddle, fr. varicus
straddling, varus bent. See {Varicose}.]
1. To shift or turn from one side to the other, from the
direct course, or from truth; to speak with equivocation;
to shuffle; to quibble; as, he prevaricates in his
statement.
He prevaricates with his own understanding. --South.
2. (Civil Law) To collude, as where an informer colludes with
the defendant, and makes a sham prosecution.
3. (Eng. Law) To undertake a thing falsely and deceitfully,
with the purpose of defeating or destroying it.
Syn: To evade; equivocate; quibble; shuffle.
Usage: {Prevaricate}, {Evade}, {Equivocate}. One who evades a
question ostensibly answers it, but really turns aside
to some other point. He who equivocate uses words
which have a double meaning, so that in one sense he
can claim to have said the truth, though he does in
fact deceive, and intends to do it. He who
prevaricates talks all round the question, hoping to
``dodge'' it, and disclose nothing.
Prevaricate \Pre*var"i*cate\, v. t.
To evade by a quibble; to transgress; to pervert. [Obs.]
--Jer. Taylor.
Prevarication \Pre*var`i*ca"tion\, n. [L. praevaricatio: cf. F.
pr['e]varication.]
1. The act of prevaricating, shuffling, or quibbling, to
evade the truth or the disclosure of truth; a deviation
from the truth and fair dealing.
The august tribunal of the skies, where no
prevarication shall avail. --Cowper.
2. A secret abuse in the exercise of a public office.
3. (Law)
(a) (Roman Law) The collusion of an informer with the
defendant, for the purpose of making a sham
prosecution.
(b) (Common Law) A false or deceitful seeming to undertake
a thing for the purpose of defeating or destroying it.
--Cowell.
Prevaricator \Pre*var"i*ca`tor\, n. [L. praevaricator: cf. F.
pr['e]varicateur.]
1. One who prevaricates.
2. (Roman Law) A sham dealer; one who colludes with a
defendant in a sham prosecution.
3. One who betrays or abuses a trust. --Prynne.
Preve \Preve\, v. i. & i.
To prove. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Preve \Preve\, n.
Proof. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Prevenance \Prev"e*nance\, n. [F. pr['e]venance.] (Metaph.)
A going before; anticipation in sequence or order. ``The law
of prevenance is simply the well-known law of phenomenal
sequence.'' --Ward.
Prevenancy \Prev"e*nan*cy\, n.
The act of anticipating another's wishes, desires, etc., in
the way of favor or courtesy; hence, civility; obligingness.
[Obs.] --Sterne.
Prevene \Pre*vene"\, v. t. & i. [F. pr['e]venir, L. praevenire.
See {Prevent}.]
To come before; to anticipate; hence, to hinder; to prevent.
[Obs.] --Philips.
Prevenience \Pre*ven"i*ence\ (?; 106), n.
The act of going before; anticipation. [R.]
Prevenient \Pre*ven"i*ent\, a. [L. praeveniens, p. pr.]
Going before; preceding; hence, preventive. ``Prevenient
grace descending.'' --Milton.
Prevent \Pre*vent"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prevented}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Preventing}.] [L. praevenire, praeventum; prae before
+ venire to come. See {Come}.]
1. To go before; to precede; hence, to go before as a guide;
to direct. [Obs.]
We which are alive and remain unto the coming of the
Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. --1
Thess. iv. 15.
We pray thee that thy grace may always prevent and
follow us. --Bk. of
Common Prayer.
Then had I come, preventing Sheba's queen. --Prior.
2. To be beforehand with; to anticipate. [Obs.]
Their ready guilt preventing thy commands. --Pope.
3. To intercept; to hinder; to frustrate; to stop; to thwart.
``This vile purpose to prevent.'' --Shak.
Perhaps forestalling night prevented them. --Milton.
Prevent \Pre*vent"\, v. i.
To come before the usual time. [Obs.]
Strawberries . . . will prevent and come early.
--Bacon.
Preventability \Pre*vent`a*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being preventable.
Preventable \Pre*vent"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being prevented or hindered; as, preventable
diseases.
Preventative \Pre*vent"a*tive\, n.
That which prevents; -- incorrectly used instead of
preventive.
Preventer \Pre*vent"er\, n.
1. One who goes before; one who forestalls or anticipates
another. [Obs.] --Bacon.
2. One who prevents or obstructs; a hinderer; that which
hinders; as, a preventer of evils or of disease.
3. (Naut.) An auxiliary rope to strengthen a mast.
{Preventer bolts}, or {Preventer plates} (Naut.), fixtures
connected with preventers to re["e]nforce other rigging.
{Preventer stay}. (Naut.) Same as {Preventer}, 3.
Preventingly \Pre*vent"ing*ly\, adv.
So as to prevent or hinder.
Prevention \Pre*ven"tion\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]vention.]
1. The act of going, or state of being, before. [Obs.]
The greater the distance, the greater the
prevention. --Bacon.
2. Anticipation; esp., anticipation of needs or wishes;
hence, precaution; forethought. [Obs.] --Hammond. Shak.
3. The act of preventing or hindering; obstruction of action,
access, or approach; thwarting. --South.
Casca, be sudden, for we fear prevention. --Shak.
4. Prejudice; prepossession. [A Gallicism] --Dryden.
Preventional \Pre*ven"tion*al\, a.
Tending to prevent. [Obs.]
Preventive \Pre*vent"ive\, a. [Cf. F. pr['e]ventif.]
1. Going before; preceding. [Obs.]
Any previous counsel or preventive understanding.
--Cudworth.
2. Tending to defeat or hinder; obviating; preventing the
access of; as, a medicine preventive of disease.
Physic is either curative or preventive. --Sir T.
Browne.
{Preventive service}, the duty performed by the armed police
in guarding the coast against smuggling. [Eng]
Preventive \Pre*vent"ive\, n.
That which prevents, hinders, or obstructs; that which
intercepts access; in medicine, something to prevent disease;
a prophylactic.
Preventively \Pre*vent"ive*ly\, adv.
In a preventive manner.
Prevertebral \Pre*ver"te*bral\, a. (Anat.)
Situated immediately in front, or on the ventral side, of the
vertebral column; prespinal.
Previous \Pre"vi*ous\, a. [L. praevius going before, leading the
way; prae before + via the way. See {Voyage}.]
Going before in time; being or happening before something
else; antecedent; prior; as, previous arrangements; a
previous illness.
The dull sound . . . previous to the storm, Rolls o'er
the muttering earth. --Thomson.
{Previous question}. (Parliamentary Practice) See under
{Question}, and compare {Closure}.
{Previous to}, before; -- often used adverbially for
previously. ``Previous to publication.'' --M. Arnold. ``A
policy . . . his friends had advised previous to 1710.''
--J. H. Newman.
Syn: Antecedent; preceding; anterior; prior; foregoing;
former.
Previously \Pre"vi*ous*ly\, adv.
Beforehand; antecedently; as, a plan previously formed.
Previousness \Pre"vi*ous*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being previous; priority or
antecedence in time.
Previse \Pre*vise"\, v. t. [L. praevisus, p. p. of praevidere to
foresee; prae before + videre to see. See {Vision}.]
1. To foresee. [R.]
2. To inform beforehand; to warn. --Ld. Lytton.
Prevision \Pre*vi"sion\, n. [Cf. F. pr['e]vision.]
Foresight; foreknowledge; prescience. --H. Spencer.
Prevoyant \Pre*voy"ant\, a. [F. pr['e]voyant.]
Foreseeing; prescient. [R.] --Mrs. Oliphant.
Prewarn \Pre*warn"\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Prewarned}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Prewarning}.]
To warn beforehand; to forewarn. [R.]
Prey \Prey\, n. [OF. preie, F. proie, L. praeda, probably for
praeheda. See {Prehensile}, and cf. {Depredate},
{Predatory}.]
Anything, as goods, etc., taken or got by violence; anything
taken by force from an enemy in war; spoil; booty; plunder.
And they brought the captives, and the prey, and the
spoil, unto Moses, and Eleazar the priest. --Num. xxxi.
12.
2. That which is or may be seized by animals or birds to be
devoured; hence, a person given up as a victim.
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey. --Job iv.
ii.
Already sees herself the monster's prey. --Dryden.
3. The act of devouring other creatures; ravage.
Hog in sloth, fox in stealth, . . . lion in prey.
--Shak.
{Beast of prey}, a carnivorous animal; one that feeds on the
flesh of other animals.
Prey \Prey\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Preyed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Preying}.] [OF. preier, preer, L. praedari, fr. praeda. See
{Prey}, n.]
To take booty; to gather spoil; to ravage; to take food by
violence.
More pity that the eagle should be mewed, While kites
and buzzards prey at liberty. --Shak.
{To prey on} or {upon}.
(a) To take prey from; to despoil; to pillage; to rob.
--Shak.
(b) To seize as prey; to take for food by violence; to seize
and devour. --Shak.
(c) To wear away gradually; to cause to waste or pine away;
as, the trouble preyed upon his mind. --Addison.
Preyer \Prey"er\, n.
One who, or that which, preys; a plunderer; a waster; a
devourer. --Hooker.
Preyful \Prey"ful\, a.
1. Disposed to take prey. [Obs.]
The preyful brood of savage beasts. --Chapman.
2. Rich in prey. [Obs.] --Shak.
Prezygapophysis \Pre*zyg`a*poph"y*sis\, n.; pl.
{Prezygapophyses}. [NL. See {Pre-}, and {Zygapophysis}.]
(Anat.)
An anterior zygapophysis.
Prial \Pri"al\, n.
A corruption of pair royal. See under {Pair}, n.
Prian \Pri"an\, n. [Cornish, clayey ground, from pri clay.]
(Mining)
A fine, white, somewhat friable clay; also, the ore contained
in a mixture of clay and pebbles. [Written also {pryan}.]
Priapean \Pri`a*pe"an\, n. [Cf. L. Priapeius pertaining to
Priapus.] (Lat. Pros.)
A species of hexameter verse so constructed as to be
divisible into two portions of three feet each, having
generally a trochee in the first and the fourth foot, and an
amphimacer in the third; -- applied also to a regular
hexameter verse when so constructed as to be divisible into
two portions of three feet each. --Andrews.
Priapism \Pri"a*pism\, n. [L. priapismus, Gr. ?, from Priapus
the god of procreation, the penis, Gr. ?: cf. F. priapisme.]
(Med.)
More or less permanent erection and rigidity of the penis,
with or without sexual desire.
Priapulacea \Pri*ap`u*la"ce*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Priapism}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A suborder of Gephyr[ae]a, having a cylindrical body with a
terminal anal opening, and usually with one or two caudal
gills.
Pricasour \Pric"a*sour\, n.
A hard rider. [Obs.]
Price \Price\, n. [OE. pris, OF. pris, F. prix, L. pretium; cf.
Gr. ? I sell ? to buy, Skr. pa? to buy, OI. renim I sell. Cf.
{Appreciate}, {Depreciate}, {Interpret}, {Praise}, n. & v.,
{Precious}, {Prize}.]
1. The sum or amount of money at which a thing is valued, or
the value which a seller sets on his goods in market; that
for which something is bought or sold, or offered for
sale; equivalent in money or other means of exchange;
current value or rate paid or demanded in market or in
barter; cost. ``Buy wine and milk without money and
without price.'' --Isa. lv. 1.
We can afford no more at such a price. --Shak.
2. Value; estimation; excellence; worth.
Her price is far above rubies. --Prov. xxxi.
10.
New treasures still, of countless price. --Keble.
3. Reward; recompense; as, the price of industry.
'T is the price of toil, The knave deserves it when
he tills the soil. --Pope.
{Price current}, or {Price list}, a statement or list of the
prevailing prices of merchandise, stocks, specie, bills of
exchange, etc., published statedly or occasionally.
Price \Price\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Priced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pricing}.]
1. To pay the price of. [Obs.]
With thine own blood to price his blood. --Spenser.
2. To set a price on; to value. See {Prize}.
3. To ask the price of; as, to price eggs. [Colloq.]
Priced \Priced\, a.
Rated in price; valued; as, high-priced goods; low-priced
labor.
Priceite \Price"ite\, n. [From Thomas Price of San Francisco.]
(Min.)
A hydrous borate of lime, from Oregon.
Priceless \Price"less\, a.
1. Too valuable to admit of being appraised; of inestimable
worth; invaluable.
2. Of no value; worthless. [R.] --J. Barlow.
Prick \Prick\, n. [AS. prica, pricca, pricu; akin to LG. prick,
pricke, D. prik, Dan. prik, prikke, Sw. prick. Cf. {Prick},
v.]
1. That which pricks, penetrates, or punctures; a sharp and
slender thing; a pointed instrument; a goad; a spur, etc.;
a point; a skewer.
Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary.
--Shak.
It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
--Acts ix. 5.
2. The act of pricking, or the sensation of being pricked; a
sharp, stinging pain; figuratively, remorse. ``The pricks
of conscience.'' --A. Tucker.
3. A mark made by a pointed instrument; a puncture; a point.
Hence:
(a) A point or mark on the dial, noting the hour. [Obs.]
``The prick of noon.'' --Shak.
(b) The point on a target at which an archer aims; the
mark; the pin. ``They that shooten nearest the
prick.'' --Spenser.
(c) A mark denoting degree; degree; pitch. [Obs.] ``To
prick of highest praise forth to advance.'' --Spenser.
(d) A mathematical point; -- regularly used in old English
translations of Euclid.
(e) The footprint of a hare. [Obs.]
4. (Naut.) A small roll; as, a prick of spun yarn; a prick of
tobacco.
Prick \Prick\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pricked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pricking}.] [AS. prician; akin to LG. pricken, D. prikken,
Dan. prikke, Sw. pricka. See {Prick}, n., and cf. {Prink},
{Prig}.]
1. To pierce slightly with a sharp-pointed instrument or
substance; to make a puncture in, or to make by
puncturing; to drive a fine point into; as, to prick one
with a pin, needle, etc.; to prick a card; to prick holes
in paper.
2. To fix by the point; to attach or hang by puncturing; as,
to prick a knife into a board. --Sir I. Newton.
The cooks prick it [a slice] on a prong of iron.
--Sandys.
3. To mark or denote by a puncture; to designate by pricking;
to choose; to mark; -- sometimes with off.
Some who are pricked for sheriffs. --Bacon.
Let the soldiers for duty be carefully pricked off.
--Sir W.
Scott.
Those many, then, shall die: their names are
pricked. --Shak.
4. To mark the outline of by puncturing; to trace or form by
pricking; to mark by punctured dots; as, to prick a
pattern for embroidery; to prick the notes of a musical
composition. --Cowper.
5. To ride or guide with spurs; to spur; to goad; to incite;
to urge on; -- sometimes with on, or off.
Who pricketh his blind horse over the fallows.
--Chaucer.
The season pricketh every gentle heart. --Chaucer.
My duty pricks me on to utter that. --Shak.
6. To affect with sharp pain; to sting, as with remorse. ``I
was pricked with some reproof.'' --Tennyson.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their
heart. --Acts ii. 37.
7. To make sharp; to erect into a point; to raise, as
something pointed; -- said especially of the ears of an
animal, as a horse or dog; and usually followed by up; --
hence, to prick up the ears, to listen sharply; to have
the attention and interest strongly engaged. ``The courser
. . . pricks up his ears.'' --Dryden.
8. To render acid or pungent. [Obs.] --Hudibras.
9. To dress; to prink; -- usually with up. [Obs.]
10. (Naut)
(a) To run a middle seam through, as the cloth of a sail.
(b) To trace on a chart, as a ship's course.
11. (Far.)
(a) To drive a nail into (a horse's foot), so as to cause
lameness.
(b) To nick.
Prick \Prick\, v. i.
1. To be punctured; to suffer or feel a sharp pain, as by
puncture; as, a sore finger pricks.
2. To spur onward; to ride on horseback. --Milton.
A gentle knight was pricking on the plain.
--Spenser.
3. To become sharp or acid; to turn sour, as wine.
4. To aim at a point or mark. --Hawkins.
Prick-eared \Prick"-eared`\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having erect, pointed ears; -- said of certain dogs.
Thou prick-eared cur of Iceland. --Shak.
Pricker \Prick"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, pricks; a pointed instrument; a
sharp point; a prickle.
2. One who spurs forward; a light horseman.
The prickers, who rode foremost, . . . halted. --Sir
W. Scott.
3. A priming wire; a priming needle, -- used in blasting and
gunnery. --Knight.
4. (Naut.) A small marline spike having generally a wooden
handle, -- used in sailmaking. --R. H. Dana, Ir.
Pricket \Prick"et\, n. [Perhaps so called from the state of his
horns. See {Prick}, and cf. {Brocket}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A buck in his second year. See {Note} under 3d {Buck}.
--Shak.
Pricking \Prick"ing\, n.
1. The act of piercing or puncturing with a sharp point.
``There is that speaketh like the prickings of a sword.''
--Prov. xii. 18 [1583].
2. (Far.)
(a) The driving of a nail into a horse's foot so as to
produce lameness.
(b) Same as {Nicking}.
3. A sensation of being pricked. --Shak.
4. The mark or trace left by a hare's foot; a prick; also,
the act of tracing a hare by its footmarks. [Obs.]
5. Dressing one's self for show; prinking. [Obs.]
Pricking-up \Prick"ing-up\, n. (Arch.)
The first coating of plaster in work of three coats upon
laths. Its surface is scratched once to form a better key for
the next coat. In the United States called {scratch coat}.
--Brande & C.
Prickle \Pric"kle\, n. [AS. pricele, pricle; akin to LG.
prickel, D. prikkel. See {Prick}, n.]
1. A little prick; a small, sharp point; a fine, sharp
process or projection, as from the skin of an animal, the
bark of a plant, etc.; a spine. --Bacon.
2. A kind of willow basket; -- a term still used in some
branches of trade. --B. Jonson.
3. A sieve of filberts, -- about fifty pounds. [Eng.]
Prickle \Pric"kle\, v. t.
To prick slightly, as with prickles, or fine, sharp points.
Felt a horror over me creep, Prickle skin, and catch my
breath. --Tennyson.
Prickleback \Pric"kle*back`\, Pricklefish \Pric"kle*fish`\, n.
(Zo["o]l.)
The stickleback.
Prickliness \Prick"li*ness\, n. [From {Prickly}.]
The quality of being prickly, or of having many prickles.
Prickling \Prick"ling\, a.
Prickly. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Pricklouse \Prick"louse`\, n.
A tailor; -- so called in contempt. [Old slang] --L'Estrange.
Prickly \Prick"ly\, a.
Full of sharp points or prickles; armed or covered with
prickles; as, a prickly shrub.
{Prickly ash} (Bot.), a prickly shrub ({Xanthoxylum
Americanum}) with yellowish flowers appearing with the
leaves. All parts of the plant are pungent and aromatic.
The southern species is {X. Carolinianum}. --Gray.
{Prickly heat} (Med.), a noncontagious cutaneous eruption of
red pimples, attended with intense itching and tingling of
the parts affected. It is due to inflammation of the sweat
glands, and is often brought on by overheating the skin in
hot weather.
{Prickly pear} (Bot.), a name given to several plants of the
cactaceous genus {Opuntia}, American plants consisting of
fleshy, leafless, usually flattened, and often prickly
joints inserted upon each other. The sessile flowers have
many petals and numerous stamens. The edible fruit is a
large pear-shaped berry containing many flattish seeds.
The common species of the Northern Atlantic States is
{Opuntia vulgaris}. In the South and West are many others,
and in tropical America more than a hundred more. {O.
vulgaris}, {O. Ficus-Indica}, and {O. Tuna} are abundantly
introduced in the Mediterranean region, and {O. Dillenii}
has become common in India.
{Prickly pole} (Bot.), a West Indian palm ({Bactris
Plumierana}), the slender trunk of which bears many rings
of long black prickles.
{Prickly withe} (Bot.), a West Indian cactaceous plant
({Cereus triangularis}) having prickly, slender, climbing,
triangular stems.
{Prickly rat} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of South
American burrowing rodents belonging to {Ctenomys} and
allied genera. The hair is usually intermingled with sharp
spines.
Prickmadam \Prick"mad`am\, n. [F. trique-madame. Cf.
{Tripmadam}.] (Bot.)
A name given to several species of stonecrop, used as
ingredients of vermifuge medicines. See {Stonecrop}.
Prickpunch \Prick"punch`\, n.
A pointed steel punch, to prick a mark on metal.
Prickshaft \Prick"shaft`\, n.
An arrow. [Obs.]
Pricksong \Prick"song`\ (?; 115), n. [See {Prick}, v. t., 4.]
Music written, or noted, with dots or points; -- so called
from the points or dots with which it is noted down. [Obs.]
He fights as you sing pricksong. --Shak.
Prickwood \Prick"wood`\, n. (Bot.)
A shrub ({Euonymus Europ[ae]us}); -- so named from the use of
its wood for goads, skewers, and shoe pegs. Called also
{spindle tree}.
Pricky \Prick"y\, a.
Stiff and sharp; prickly. --Holland.
Pride \Pride\, n. [Cf. AS. lamprede, LL. lampreda, E. lamprey.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A small European lamprey ({Petromyzon branchialis}); --
called also {prid}, and {sandpiper}.
Pride \Pride\, n. [AS. pr[=y]te; akin to Icel. pr[=y][eth]i
honor, ornament, pr??a to adorn, Dan. pryde, Sw. pryda; cf.
W. prydus comely. See {Proud}.]
1. The quality or state of being proud; inordinate
self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own
superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, rank, etc., which
manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and
often in contempt of others.
Those that walk in pride he is able to abase. --Dan.
iv. 37.
Pride that dines on vanity sups on contempt.
--Franklin.
2. A sense of one's own worth, and abhorrence of what is
beneath or unworthy of one; lofty self-respect; noble
self-esteem; elevation of character; dignified bearing;
proud delight; -- in a good sense.
Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride.
--Goldsmith.
A people which takes no pride in the noble
achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve
anything worthy to be remembered with pride by
remote descendants. --Macaulay.
3. Proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; insolence or
arrogance of demeanor; haughty bearing and conduct;
insolent exultation; disdain.
Let not the foot of pride come against me. --Ps.
xxxvi. 11.
That hardly we escaped the pride of France. --Shak.
4. That of which one is proud; that which excites boasting or
self-gratulation; the occasion or ground of self-esteem,
or of arrogant and presumptuous confidence, as beauty,
ornament, noble character, children, etc.
Lofty trees yclad with summer's pride. --Spenser.
I will cut off the pride of the Philistines. --Zech.
ix. 6.
A bold peasantry, their country's pride.
--Goldsmith.
5. Show; ostentation; glory.
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war.
--Shak.
6. Highest pitch; elevation reached; loftiness; prime; glory;
as, to be in the pride of one's life.
A falcon, towering in her pride of place. --Shak.
7. Consciousness of power; fullness of animal spirits;
mettle; wantonness; hence, lust; sexual desire; esp., an
excitement of sexual appetite in a female beast. [Obs.]
{Pride of India}, or {Pride of China}. (Bot.) See {Margosa}.
{Pride of the desert} (Zo["o]l.), the camel.
Syn: Self-exaltation; conceit; hauteur; haughtiness;
lordliness; loftiness.
Usage: {Pride}, {Vanity}. Pride is a high or an excessive
esteem of one's self for some real or imagined
superiority, as rank, wealth, talents, character, etc.
Vanity is the love of being admired, praised, exalted,
etc., by others. Vanity is an ostentation of pride;
but one may have great pride without displaying it.
Vanity, which is etymologically ``emptiness,'' is
applied especially to the exhibition of pride in
superficialities, as beauty, dress, wealth, etc.
Pride \Pride\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prided}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Priding}.]
To indulge in pride, or self-esteem; to rate highly; to
plume; -- used reflexively. --Bp. Hall.
Pluming and priding himself in all his services.
--South.
Pride \Pride\, v. i.
To be proud; to glory. [R.]
Prideful \Pride"ful\, a.
Full of pride; haughty. --Tennyson. -- {Pride"ful*ly}, adv.
-- {Pride"ful-ness}, n.
Prideless \Pride"less\, a.
Without pride. --Chaucer.
Pridian \Prid"i*an\, a. [L. pridianus.]
Of or pertaining to the day before, or yesterday. [R.]
--Thackeray.
Pridingly \Prid"ing*ly\, adv.
Proudly. [Obs.]
Prie \Prie\, n. (Bot.)
The plant privet. [Obs.] --Tusser.
Prie \Prie\, v. i.
To pry. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pried \Pried\,
imp. & p. p. of {Pry}.
Priedieu \Prie`dieu"\, n. [F., literally, pray God.]
A kneeling desk for prayers.
Prief \Prief\, n.
Proof. [Obs.] --Spenser. Lydgate.
Prier \Pri"er\, n. [From {Pry}.]
One who pries; one who inquires narrowly and searches, or is
inquisitive.
So pragmatical a prier he is into divine secrets.
--Fuller.
Priest \Priest\, n. [OE. prest, preost, AS. pre['o]st, fr. L.
presbyter, Gr. ? elder, older, n., an elder, compar. of ? an
old man, the first syllable of which is probably akin to L.
pristinus. Cf. {Pristine}, {Presbyter}.]
1. (Christian Church) A presbyter elder; a minister;
specifically:
(a) (R. C. Ch. & Gr. Ch.) One who is authorized to
consecrate the host and to say Mass; but especially,
one of the lowest order possessing this power.
--Murdock.
(b) (Ch. of Eng. & Prot. Epis. Ch.) A presbyter; one who
belongs to the intermediate order between bishop and
deacon. He is authorized to perform all ministerial
services except those of ordination and confirmation.
2. One who officiates at the altar, or performs the rites of
sacrifice; one who acts as a mediator between men and the
divinity or the gods in any form of religion; as, Buddhist
priests. ``The priests of Dagon.'' --1 Sam. v. 5.
Then the priest of Jupiter . . . brought oxen and
garlands . . . and would have done sacrifice with
the people. --Acts xiv. 13.
Every priest taken from among men is ordained for
men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer
both gifts and sacrifices for sins. --Heb. v. 1.
Note: In the New Testament presbyters are not called priests;
but Christ is designated as a priest, and as a high
priest, and all Christians are designated priests.
Priest \Priest\, v. t.
To ordain as priest.
Priestcap \Priest"cap`\, n. (Fort.)
A form of redan, so named from its shape; -- called also
{swallowtail}.
Priestcraft \Priest"craft`\, n.
Priestly policy; the policy of a priesthood; esp., in an ill
sense, fraud or imposition in religious concerns; management
by priests to gain wealth and power by working upon the
religious motives or credulity of others.
It is better that men should be governed by priestcraft
than by violence. --Macaulay.
Priestery \Priest"er*y\, n.
Priests, collectively; the priesthood; -- so called in
contempt. [R.] --Milton.
Priestess \Priest"ess\, n.
A woman who officiated in sacred rites among pagans. --Abp.
Potter.
Priesthood \Priest"hood\, n.
1. The office or character of a priest; the priestly
function. --Bk. of Com. Prayer.
2. Priests, taken collectively; the order of men set apart
for sacred offices; the order of priests.
Priesting \Priest"ing\, n.
The office of a priest. [Obs.] --Milton.
Priestism \Priest"ism\, n.
The influence, doctrines, principles, etc., of priests or the
priesthood. [R.]
Priestless \Priest"less\, a.
Without a priest. --Pope.
Priestlike \Priest"like`\, a.
Priestly. --B. Jonson.
Priestliness \Priest"li*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being priestly. --R. Browning.
Priestly \Priest"ly\, a.
Of or pertaining to a priest or the priesthood; sacerdotal;
befitting or becoming a priest; as, the priestly office; a
priestly farewell. --Shak.
Priest-ridden \Priest"-rid`den\, a.
Controlled or oppressed by priests; as, a priest-ridden
people. --Swift.
Prieve \Prieve\, v. t.
To prove. [Obs. or Scot.]
Prig \Prig\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Prigged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Prigging}.] [A modification of prick.]
To haggle about the price of a commodity; to bargain hard.
[Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
Prig \Prig\, v. t.
1. To cheapen. [Scot.]
2. [Perhaps orig., to ride off with. See {Prick}, v. t.] To
filch or steal; as, to prig a handkerchief. [Cant]
Prig \Prig\, n.
1. A pert, conceited, pragmatical fellow.
The queer prig of a doctor. --Macaulay.
2. A thief; a filcher. [Cant] --Shak.
Priggery \Prig"ger*y\, n.
Priggism.
Priggish \Prig"gish\, a.
Like a prig; conceited; pragmatical. -- {Prig"gish*ly}, adv.
-- {Prig"gish-ness}, n.
Priggism \Prig"gism\, n.
1. The quality or state of being priggish; the manners of a
prig. --Ed. Rev.
2. Roguery; thievery. [Obs.] --Fielding.
Prighte \Prigh"te\, obs.
imp. of {Prick}. --Chaucer.
Prill \Prill\, n. [Cf. {Brill}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The brill.
Prill \Prill\, v. i.
To flow. [Obs.] --Stow.
Prill \Prill\, n.
A stream. [Obs.] --Davies (Microcosmos).
Prill \Prill\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
1. (Mining)
(a) A nugget of virgin metal.
(b) Ore selected for excellence.
2. The button of metal from an assay.
Prillion \Pril"lion\, n.
Tin extracted from the slag.
Prim \Prim\, n. [See {Privet}.] (Bot)
The privet.
Prim \Prim\, a. [OF. prim, prin, prime, first, principal. sharp,
thin, piercing, fr. L. primus first. See {Prime}, a.]
Formal; precise; affectedly neat or nice; as, prim
regularity; a prim person. --Swift.
Prim \Prim\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Primmed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Primming}.]
To deck with great nicety; to arrange with affected
preciseness; to prink.
Prim \Prim\, v. i.
To dress or act smartly. [R.]
Primacy \Pri"ma*cy\, n. [LL. primatia, fr. L. primas, -atis, one
of the first or principal, chief, fr. primus first: cf. F.
primatie. See {Prime}, a.]
1. The state or condition of being prime or first, as in
time, place, rank, etc., hence, excellency; supremacy.
[R.] --De Quincey.
2. The office, rank, or character of a primate; the chief
ecclesiastical station or dignity in a national church;
the office or dignity of an archbishop; as, the primacy of
England.
Prima donna \Pri"ma don"na\; pl. E. {Prima donnas}, It. {Prime
Donne . [It., fr. primo, prima, the first + donna lady,
mistress. See {Prime}, a., and {Donna}.]
The first or chief female singer in an opera.
Prima facie \Pri"ma fa"ci*e\ [L., from abl. of primus first +
abl. of facies appearance.]
At first view; on the first appearance.
{Prima facie evidence} (of a fact) (Law), evidence which is
sufficient to establish the fact unless rebutted.
--Bouvier.
Primage \Pri"mage\ (?; 48), n. [F.] (Com.)
A charge in addition to the freight; originally, a gratuity
to the captain for his particular care of the goods
(sometimes called {hat money}), but now belonging to the
owners or freighters of the vessel, unless by special
agreement the whole or part is assigned to the captain.
--Homans.
Primal \Pri"mal\, a. [LL. primalis, fr. L. primus the first. See
{Prime}, a.]
First; primary; original; chief.
It hath the primal eldest curse upon it. --Shak.
The primal duties shine aloft like stars. --Wordsworth.
Primality \Pri*mal"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being primal. [Obs.]
Primarily \Pri"ma*ri*ly\, adv.
In a primary manner; in the first place; in the first place;
in the first intention; originally.
Primariness \Pri"ma*ri*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being primary, or first in time, in
act, or in intention. --Norris.
Primary \Pri"ma*ry\, a. [L. primarius, fr. primus first: cf. F.
primaire. See {Prime}, a., and cf. {Premier}, {Primero}.]
1. First in order of time or development or in intention;
primitive; fundamental; original.
The church of Christ, in its primary institution.
--Bp. Pearson.
These I call original, or primary, qualities of
body. --Locke.
2. First in order, as being preparatory to something higher;
as, primary assemblies; primary schools.
3. First in dignity or importance; chief; principal; as,
primary planets; a matter of primary importance.
4. (Geol.) Earliest formed; fundamental.
5. (Chem.) Illustrating, possessing, or characterized by,
some quality or property in the first degree; having
undergone the first stage of substitution or replacement.
{Primary alcohol} (Organic Chem.), any alcohol which possess
the group {CH2.OH}, and can be oxidized so as to form a
corresponding aldehyde and acid having the same number of
carbon atoms; -- distinguished from {secondary & tertiary
alcohols}.
{Primary amine} (Chem.), an amine containing the amido group,
or a derivative of ammonia in which only one atom of
hydrogen has been replaced by a basic radical; --
distinguished from {secondary & tertiary amines}.
{Primary amputation} (Surg.), an amputation for injury
performed as soon as the shock due to the injury has
passed away, and before symptoms of inflammation
supervene.
{Primary axis} (Bot.), the main stalk which bears a whole
cluster of flowers.
{Primary colors}. See under {Color}.
{Primary meeting}, a meeting of citizens at which the first
steps are taken towards the nomination of candidates, etc.
See {Caucus}.
{Primary pinna} (Bot.), one of those portions of a compound
leaf or frond which branch off directly from the main
rhachis or stem, whether simple or compounded.
{Primary planets}. (Astron.) See the Note under {Planet}.
{Primary qualities of bodies}, such are essential to and
inseparable from them.
{Primary quills} (Zo["o]l.), the largest feathers of the wing
of a bird; primaries.
{Primary rocks} (Geol.), a term early used for rocks supposed
to have been first formed, being crystalline and
containing no organic remains, as granite, gneiss, etc.;
-- called also {primitive rocks}. The terms Secondary,
Tertiary, and Quaternary rocks have also been used in like
manner, but of these the last two only are now in use.
{Primary salt} (Chem.), a salt derived from a polybasic acid
in which only one acid hydrogen atom has been replaced by
a base or basic radical.
{Primary syphilis} (Med.), the initial stage of syphilis,
including the period from the development of the original
lesion or chancre to the first manifestation of symptoms
indicative of general constitutional infection.
{Primary union} (Surg.), union without suppuration; union by
the first intention.
Primary \Pri"ma*ry\, n.; pl. {Primaries}.
1. That which stands first in order, rank, or importance; a
chief matter.
2. A primary meeting; a caucus.
3. (Zo["o]l.) One of the large feathers on the distal joint
of a bird's wing. See {Plumage}, and Illust. of {Bird}.
4. (Astron.) A primary planet; the brighter component of a
double star. See under {Planet}.
Primate \Pri"mate\, n. [OE. primat, F. primat, L. primas, -atis
one of the first, chief, fr. primus the first. See {Prime},
a.]
1. The chief ecclesiastic in a national church; one who
presides over other bishops in a province; an archbishop.
2. (Zo["o]l.) One of the Primates.
Primates \Pri*ma"tes\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
The highest order of mammals. It includes man, together with
the apes and monkeys. Cf. {Pitheci}.
Primateship \Pri"mate*ship\, n.
The office, dignity, or position of a primate; primacy.
Primatial \Pri*ma"tial\, a. [Cf. F. primatial.]
Primatical. [R.] --D'Anville (Trans. ).
Primatical \Pri*mat"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a primate. --Barrow.
Prime \Prime\, a. [F., fr. L. primus first, a superl.
corresponding to the compar. prior former. See {Prior}, a.,
{Foremost}, {Former}, and cf. {Prim}, a., {Primary},
{Prince}.]
1. First in order of time; original; primeval; primitive;
primary. ``Prime forests.'' --Tennyson.
She was not the prime cause, but I myself. --Milton.
Note: In this sense the word is nearly superseded by
primitive, except in the phrase prime cost.
2. First in rank, degree, dignity, authority, or importance;
as, prime minister. ``Prime virtues.'' --Dryden.
3. First in excellence; of highest quality; as, prime wheat;
a prime quality of cloth.
4. Early; blooming; being in the first stage. [Poetic]
His starry helm, unbuckled, showed him prime In
manhood where youth ended. --Milton.
5. Lecherous; lustful; lewd. [Obs.] --Shak.
6. Marked or distinguished by a mark (') called a prime mark.
{Prime and ultimate ratio}. (Math.). See {Ultimate}.
{Prime conductor}. (Elec.) See under {Conductor}.
{Prime factor} (Arith.), a factor which is a prime number.
{Prime figure} (Geom.), a figure which can not be divided
into any other figure more simple than itself, as a
triangle, a pyramid, etc.
{Prime meridian} (Astron.), the meridian from which longitude
is reckoned, as the meridian of Greenwich or Washington.
{Prime minister}, the responsible head of a ministry or
executive government; applied particularly to that of
England.
{Prime mover}. (Mech.)
(a) A natural agency applied by man to the production of
power. Especially: Muscular force; the weight and
motion of fluids, as water and air; heat obtained by
chemical combination, and applied to produce changes
in the volume and pressure of steam, air, or other
fluids; and electricity, obtained by chemical action,
and applied to produce alternation of magnetic force.
(b) An engine, or machine, the object of which is to
receive and modify force and motion as supplied by
some natural source, and apply them to drive other
machines; as a water wheel, a water-pressure engine, a
steam engine, a hot-air engine, etc.
(c) Fig.: The original or the most effective force in any
undertaking or work; as, Clarkson was the prime mover
in English antislavery agitation.
{Prime number} (Arith.), a number which is exactly divisible
by no number except itself or unity, as 5, 7, 11.
{Prime vertical} (Astron.), the vertical circle which passes
through the east and west points of the horizon.
{Prime-vertical dial}, a dial in which the shadow is
projected on the plane of the prime vertical.
{Prime-vertical transit instrument}, a transit instrument the
telescope of which revolves in the plane of the prime
vertical, -- used for observing the transit of stars over
this circle.
Prime \Prime\, n.
1. The first part; the earliest stage; the beginning or
opening, as of the day, the year, etc.; hence, the dawn;
the spring. --Chaucer.
In the very prime of the world. --Hooker.
Hope waits upon the flowery prime. --Waller.
2. The spring of life; youth; hence, full health, strength,
or beauty; perfection. ``Cut off in their prime.''
--Eustace. ``The prime of youth.'' --Dryden.
3. That which is first in quantity; the most excellent
portion; the best part.
Give him always of the prime. --Swift.
4. [F. prime, LL. prima (sc. hora). See {Prime}, a.] The
morning; specifically (R. C. Ch.), the first canonical
hour, succeeding to lauds.
Early and late it rung, at evening and at prime.
--Spenser.
Note: Originally, prime denoted the first quarter of the
artificial day, reckoned from 6 a. m. to 6 p. m.
Afterwards, it denoted the end of the first quarter,
that is, 9 a. m. Specifically, it denoted the first
canonical hour, as now. Chaucer uses it in all these
senses, and also in the sense of def. 1, above.
They sleep till that it was pryme large.
--Chaucer.
5. (Fencing) The first of the chief guards.
6. (Chem.) Any number expressing the combining weight or
equivalent of any particular element; -- so called because
these numbers were respectively reduced to their lowest
relative terms on the fixed standard of hydrogen as 1.
[Obs. or Archaic]
7. (Arith.) A prime number. See under {Prime}, a.
8. An inch, as composed of twelve seconds in the duodecimal
system; -- denoted by [']. See 2d {Inch}, n., 1.
{Prime of the moon}, the new moon at its first appearance.
Prime \Prime\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Primed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Priming}.] [From {Prime}, a.]
1. To apply priming to, as a musket or a cannon; to apply a
primer to, as a metallic cartridge.
2. To lay the first color, coating, or preparation upon (a
surface), as in painting; as, to prime a canvas, a wall.
3. To prepare; to make ready; to instruct beforehand; to
post; to coach; as, to prime a witness; the boys are
primed for mischief. [Colloq.] --Thackeray.
4. To trim or prune, as trees. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.]
5. (Math.) To mark with a prime mark.
{To prime a pump}, to charge a pump with water, in order to
put it in working condition.
Prime \Prime\, v. i.
1. To be renewed, or as at first. [Obs.]
Night's bashful empress, though she often wane, As
oft repeats her darkness, primes again. --Quarles.
2. To serve as priming for the charge of a gun.
3. To work so that foaming occurs from too violent
ebullition, which causes water to become mixed with, and
be carried along with, the steam that is formed; -- said
of a steam boiler.
Primely \Prime"ly\, adv.
1. At first; primarily. [Obs.] --South.
2. In a prime manner; excellently.
Primeness \Prime"ness\, n.
1. The quality or state of being first.
2. The quality or state of being prime, or excellent.
Primer \Prim"er\, n.
One who, or that which, primes; specifically, an instrument
or device for priming; esp., a cap, tube, or water containing
percussion powder or other compound for igniting a charge of
gunpowder.
Primer \Prim"er\, a. [OF. primer, primier, premier, F. premier.
See {Premier}.]
First; original; primary. [Obs.] ``The primer English
kings.'' --Drayton.
{Primer fine} (O. Eng. Law), a fine due to the king on the
writ or commencement of a suit by fine. --Blackstone.
{Primer seizin} (Feudal Law), the right of the king, when a
tenant in capite died seized of a knight's fee, to receive
of the heir, if of full age, one year's profits of the
land if in possession, and half a year's profits if the
land was in reversion expectant on an estate for life; --
now abolished. --Blackstone.
Primer \Prim"er\, n. [Originally, the book read at prime, the
first canonical hour. LL. primae liber. See {Prime}, n., 4.]
1. Originally, a small prayer book for church service,
containing the little office of the Virgin Mary; also, a
work of elementary religious instruction.
The primer, or office of the Blessed Virgin. --Bp.
Stillingfleet.
2. A small elementary book for teaching children to read; a
reading or spelling book for a beginner.
As he sat in the school at his prymer. --Chaucer.
3. (Print.) A kind of type, of which there are two species;
one, called {long primer}, intermediate in size between
bourgeois and small pica [see {Long primer}]; the other,
called {great primer}, larger than pica.
Note: Great primer type.
Primero \Pri*me"ro\, n. [Sp. primera, fr. primero first, from L.
primarius. See {Premier}.]
A game at cards, now unknown. --Shak.
Primerole \Prim"er*ole\, n. (Bot.)
See {Primrose}. [Obs.] ``She was a primerole.'' --Chaucer.
Primeval \Pri*me"val\, a. [L. primaevus; primus first + aevum
age. See {Prime}, a., and {Age}.]
Belonging to the first ages; pristine; original; primitive;
primary; as, the primeval innocence of man. ``This is the
forest primeval.'' --Longfellow.
From chaos, and primeval darkness, came Light. --Keats.
Primevally \Pri*me"val*ly\, adv.
In a primeval manner; in or from the earliest times;
originally. --Darwin.
Primevous \Pri*me"vous\, a.
Primeval. [Obs.]
Primigenial \Pri`mi*ge"ni*al\, a.
First born, or first of all; original; primary. See
{Primogenial}.
Primigenious \Pri`mi*ge"ni*ous\, Primigenous \Pri*mig"e*nous\,
a. [L. primigenus, primigenius. See {Primogeniture}.]
First formed or generated; original; primigenial. --Bp. Hall.
Primine \Pri"mine\, n. [L. primus first: cf. F. primine.] (Bot.)
The outermost of the two integuments of an ovule.
Note: This word has been used by some writers to denote the
inner integument, which is formed earlier than the
outer. Cf. {Secundine}.
Priming \Prim"ing\, n.
1. The powder or other combustible used to communicate fire
to a charge of gunpowder, as in a firearm.
2. (Paint.) The first coating of color, size, or the like,
laid on canvas, or on a building, or other surface.
3. (Steam Eng.) The carrying over of water, with the steam,
from the boiler, as into the cylinder.
{Priming of the tide}. See {Lag of the tide}, under 2d {Lag}.
{Priming tube}, a small pipe, filled with a combustible
composition for firing cannon.
{Priming valve} (Steam Eng.), a spring safety valve applied
to the cylinder of a steam engine for discharging water
carried into the cylinder by priming.
{Priming wire}, a pointed wire used to penetrate the vent of
a piece, for piercing the cartridge before priming.
Primipara \Pri*mip"a*ra\, n. [L., fr. primus first + parere to
bring forth.] (Med.)
A woman who bears a child for the first time.
Primiparous \Pri*mip"a*rous\, a. [See {Primipara}.]
Belonging to a first birth; bearing young for the first time.
Primipilar \Pri*mip"i*lar\, a. [L. primipilaris, fr. primipilus
the centurion of the first cohort of a Roman legion, fr.
primus pilus the division made up of the triarii in the Roman
army.]
Of or pertaining to the captain of the vanguard of a Roman
army. --Barrow.
Primitia \Pri*mi"ti*a\, n.; pl. {Primiti[ae]}({Primitias},
obs.). [L. primitiae, pl., fr. primus first. Cf. {Premices}.]
(Eng. Law)
The first fruit; the first year's whole profit of an
ecclesiastical preferment.
The primitias of your parsonage. --Spenser.
Primitial \Pri*mi"tial\, a.
Being of the first production; primitive; original. [Obs.]
--Ainsworth.
Primitive \Prim"i*tive\, a. [L. primitivus, fr. primus the
first: cf. F. primitif. See {Prime}, a.]
1. Of or pertaining to the beginning or origin, or to early
times; original; primordial; primeval; first; as,
primitive innocence; the primitive church. ``Our primitive
great sire.'' --Milton.
2. Of or pertaining to a former time; old-fashioned;
characterized by simplicity; as, a primitive style of
dress.
3. Original; primary; radical; not derived; as, primitive
verb in grammar.
{Primitive axes of co["o]rdinate} (Geom.), that system of
axes to which the points of a magnitude are first
referred, with reference to a second set or system, to
which they are afterward referred.
{Primitive chord} (Mus.), that chord, the lowest note of
which is of the same literal denomination as the
fundamental base of the harmony; -- opposed to derivative.
--Moore (Encyc. of Music).
{Primitive circle} (Spherical Projection), the circle cut
from the sphere to be projected, by the primitive plane.
{Primitive colors} (Paint.), primary colors. See under
{Color}.
{Primitive Fathers} (Eccl.), the acknowledged Christian
writers who flourished before the Council of Nice, A. D.
325. --Shipley.
{Primitive groove} (Anat.), a depression or groove in the
epiblast of the primitive streak. It is not connected with
the medullary groove, which appears later and in front of
it.
{Primitive plane} (Spherical Projection), the plane upon
which the projections are made, generally coinciding with
some principal circle of the sphere, as the equator or a
meridian.
{Primitive rocks} (Geol.), primary rocks. See under
{Primary}.
{Primitive sheath}. (Anat.) See {Neurilemma}.
{Primitive streak} or {trace} (Anat.), an opaque and
thickened band where the mesoblast first appears in the
vertebrate blastoderm.
Syn: First; original; radical; pristine; ancient; primeval;
antiquated; old-fashioned.
Primitive \Prim"i*tive\, n.
An original or primary word; a word not derived from another;
-- opposed to derivative.
Primitively \Prim"i*tive*ly\, adv.
1. Originally; at first.
2. Primarily; not derivatively.
3. According to the original rule or ancient practice; in the
ancient style. --South.
Primitiveness \Prim"i*tive*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being primitive; conformity to
primitive style or practice.
Primity \Prim"i*ty\, n.
Quality of being first; primitiveness. [Obs.] --Bp. Pearson.
Primly \Prim"ly\, adv.
In a prim or precise manner.
Primness \Prim"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being prim; affected formality or
niceness; preciseness; stiffness.
Primo \Pri"mo\, a. [It.] (Mus.)
First; chief.
Primogenial \Pri`mo*ge"ni*al\, a. [See {Primigenial}.]
First born, made, or generated; original; primary; elemental;
as, primogenial light. --Glanvill.
Primogenitive \Pri`mo*gen"i*tive\, a. [See {Primogeniture}.]
Of or pertaining to primogeniture. [R.]
Primogenitive \Pri`mo*gen"i*tive\, n.
Primogeniture. [Obs.]
The primogenitive and due of birth. --Shak.
Primogenitor \Pri`mo*gen"i*tor\, n. [LL., fr. L. primus first +
genitor a begetter.]
The first ancestor; a forefather.
Primogeniture \Pri`mo*gen"i*ture\ (?; 135), n. [LL., fr. L.
primus first + genitura a begetting, birth, generation, fr.
genere, gignere, to beget: cf. F. primog['e]niture, L.
primogenitus firstborn. See {Prime}, a., and {Genus}, {Kin}.]
1. The state of being the firstborn of the same parents;
seniority by birth among children of the same family.
2. (Eng. Law) The exclusive right of inheritance which
belongs to the eldest son. Thus in England the right of
inheriting the estate of the father belongs to the eldest
son, and in the royal family the eldest son of the
sovereign is entitled to the throne by primogeniture. In
exceptional cases, among the female children, the crown
descends by right of primogeniture to the eldest daughter
only and her issue. --Blackstone.
Primogenitureship \Pri`mo*gen"i*ture*ship\, n.
The state or privileges of the firstborn. --Burke.
Primordial \Pri*mor"di*al\, a. [L. primordialis, from primordium
the first beginning; primus first + ordiri to begin a web, to
begin: cf. F. primordial.]
1. First in order; primary; original; of earliest origin; as,
primordial condition. ``The primordial facts of our
intelligent nature.'' --Sir W. Hamilton.
2. (Geol.) Of or pertaining to the lowest beds of the
Silurian age, corresponding to the Acadian and Potsdam
periods in American geology. It is called also {Cambrian},
and by many geologists is separated from the Silurian.
3. (Biol.) Originally or earliest formed in the growth of an
individual or organ; as, a primordial leaf; a primordial
cell.
{Primordial utricle} (Bot.), the interior lining of a young
vegetable cell.
Primordial \Pri*mor"di*al\, n.
A first principle or element.
Primordialism \Pri*mor"di*al*ism\, n.
Devotion to, or persistence in, conditions of the primordial
state. --H. Spencer.
Primordially \Pri*mor"di*al*ly\, adv.
At the beginning; under the first order of things;
originally.
Primordian \Pri*mor"di*an\, n. [L. primordius first of all, fr.
primordium.] (Bot.)
A name given to several kinds of plums; as, red primordian,
amber primordian, etc.
Primordiate \Pri*mor"di*ate\, a.
Primordial. [R.] --Boyle.
Primp \Primp\, v. i. & t. [Cf. {Prim}, a.]
To be formal or affected in dress or manners; -- often with
up. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.] --Halliwell.
Primrose \Prim"rose`\, n. [OE. primerole, F. primerole, a
derivative fr. LL. primula, from L. primus first. See
{Prime}, a.] (Bot.)
(a) An early flowering plant of the genus {Primula} ({P.
vulgaris}) closely allied to the cowslip. There are
several varieties, as the white-, the red-, the
yellow-flowered, etc. Formerly called also {primerole},
{primerolles}.
(b) Any plant of the genus {Primula}.
{Evening primrose}, an erect biennial herb ({Enothera
biennis}), with yellow vespertine flowers, common in the
United States. The name is sometimes extended to other
species of the same genus.
{Primrose peerless}, the two-flowered Narcissus ({N.
biflorus}). [Obs.]
Primrose \Prim"rose`\, a.
Of or pertaining to the primrose; of the color of a primrose;
-- hence, flowery; gay. ``The primrose path of dalliance.''
--Shak.
Primula \Prim"u*la\, n. [LL. See {Primrose}.] (Bot.)
The genus of plants including the primrose ({Primula vera}).
Primulaceous \Prim`u*la"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to an order of herbaceous plants
({Primulace[ae]}), of which the primrose is the type, and the
pimpernel, the cyclamen, and the water violet are other
examples.
Primum mobile \Pri"mum mob"i*le\ [L., first cause of motion.]
(Astron.)
In the Ptolemaic system, the outermost of the revolving
concentric spheres constituting the universe, the motion of
which was supposed to carry with it all the inclosed spheres
with their planets in a daily revolution from east to west.
See {Crystalline heavens}, under {Crystalline}.
The motions of the greatest persons in a government
ought to be, as the motions of the planets, under
primum mobile. --Bacon.
Primus \Pri"mus\, n. [L., the first.]
One of the bishops of the Episcopal Church of Scotland, who
presides at the meetings of the bishops, and has certain
privileges but no metropolitan authority. --Internat. Cyc.
Primy \Prim"y\, a. [From {Prime}, a.]
Being in its prime. [Obs.] ``The youth of primy nature.''
--Shak.
Prince \Prince\, n. [F., from L. princeps, -cipis, the first,
chief; primus first + capere to take. See {Prime}, a., and
{Capacious}.]
1. The one of highest rank; one holding the highest place and
authority; a sovereign; a monarch; -- originally applied
to either sex, but now rarely applied to a female.
--Wyclif (Rev. i. 5).
Go, Michael, of celestial armies prince. --Milton.
Queen Elizabeth, a prince admirable above her sex.
--Camden.
2. The son of a king or emperor, or the issue of a royal
family; as, princes of the blood. --Shak.
3. A title belonging to persons of high rank, differing in
different countries. In England it belongs to dukes,
marquises, and earls, but is given to members of the royal
family only. In Italy a prince is inferior to a duke as a
member of a particular order of nobility; in Spain he is
always one of the royal family.
4. The chief of any body of men; one at the head of a class
or profession; one who is pre["e]minent; as, a merchant
prince; a prince of players. ``The prince of learning.''
--Peacham.
{Prince-Albert coat}, a long double-breasted frock coat for
men.
{Prince of the blood}, {Prince consort}, {Prince of
darkness}. See under {Blood}, {Consort}, and {Darkness}.
{Prince of Wales}, the oldest son of the English sovereign.
{Prince's feather} (Bot.), a name given to two annual herbs
({Amarantus caudatus} and {Polygonum orientale}), with
apetalous reddish flowers arranged in long recurved
panicled spikes.
{Prince's metal}, {Prince Rupert's metal}. See under {Metal}.
{Prince's pine}. (Bot.) See {Pipsissewa}.
Prince \Prince\, v. i.
To play the prince. [R.] --Shak.
Princedom \Prince"dom\, n.
The jurisdiction, sovereignty, rank, or estate of a prince.
Thrones, princedoms, powers, dominions, I reduce.
--Milton.
Princehood \Prince"hood\, n.
Princeliness. [Obs.] --E. Hall.
Princekin \Prince"kin\, n.
A petty prince; a princeling.
The princekins of private life. --Thackeray.
Princeless \Prince"less\, a.
Without a prince. --Fuller.
Princelet \Prince"let\, n.
A petty prince. [R.]
Princelike \Prince"like`\, a.
Princely. --Shak.
Princeliness \Prince"li*ness\, n.
The quality of being princely; the state, manner, or dignity
of a prince.
Princeling \Prince"ling\, n.
A petty prince; a young prince.
Princely \Prince"ly\, a.
1. Of or relating to a prince; regal; royal; of highest rank
or authority; as, princely birth, character, fortune, etc.
2. Suitable for, or becoming to, a prince; grand; august;
munificent; magnificent; as, princely virtues; a princely
fortune. ``Most princely gifts.'' --Shak.
Princely \Prince"ly\, adv.
In a princely manner.
My appetite was not princely got. --Shak.
Princess \Prin"cess\, n. [F. princesse. See {Prince}, and cf.
{Princesse}.]
1. A female prince; a woman having sovereign power, or the
rank of a prince. --Dryden.
So excellent a princess as the present queen.
--Swift.
2. The daughter of a sovereign; a female member of a royal
family. --Shak.
3. The consort of a prince; as, the princess of Wales.
{Princess royal}, the eldest daughter of a sovereign.
Princesse \Prin*cesse"\, a. [F., a princess.]
A term applied to a lady's long, close-fitting dress made
with waist and skirt in one.
Princesslike \Prin"cess*like`\, a.
Like a princess.
Princewood \Prince"wood`\, n. (Bot.)
The wood of two small tropical American trees ({Hamelia
ventricosa}, and {Cordia gerascanthoides}). It is brownish,
veined with lighter color.
Princified \Prin"ci*fied\, a. [Prince + L. -ficare (in comp.).]
Imitative of a prince. [R. & Colloq.] --Thackeray.
Principal \Prin"ci*pal\, a. [F., from L. principalis. See
{Prince}.]
1. Highest in rank, authority, character, importance, or
degree; most considerable or important; chief; main; as,
the principal officers of a Government; the principal men
of a state; the principal productions of a country; the
principal arguments in a case.
Wisdom is the principal thing. --Prov. iv. 7.
2. Of or pertaining to a prince; princely. [A Latinism]
[Obs.] --Spenser.
{Principal axis}. See {Axis of a curve}, under {Axis}.
{Principal axes of a quadric} (Geom.), three lines in which
the principal planes of the solid intersect two and two,
as in an ellipsoid.
{Principal challenge}. (Law) See under {Challenge}.
{Principal plane}. See {Plane of projection}
(a), under {Plane}.
{Principal of a quadric} (Geom.), three planes each of which
is at right angles to the other two, and bisects all
chords of the quadric perpendicular to the plane, as in an
ellipsoid.
{Principal point} (Persp.), the projection of the point of
sight upon the plane of projection.
{Principal ray} (Persp.), the line drawn through the point of
sight perpendicular to the perspective plane.
{Principal section} (Crystallog.), a plane passing through
the optical axis of a crystal.
Principal \Prin"ci*pal\, n.
1. A leader, chief, or head; one who takes the lead; one who
acts independently, or who has controlling authority or
influence; as, the principal of a faction, a school, a
firm, etc.; -- distinguished from a subordinate, abettor,
auxiliary, or assistant.
2. Hence: (Law)
(a) The chief actor in a crime, or an abettor who is
present at it, -- as distinguished from an accessory.
(b) A chief obligor, promisor, or debtor, -- as
distinguished from a surety.
(c) One who employs another to act for him, -- as
distinguished from an agent. --Wharton. --Bouvier.
--Burrill.
3. A thing of chief or prime importance; something
fundamental or especially conspicuous. Specifically:
(a) (Com.) A capital sum of money, placed out at interest,
due as a debt or used as a fund; -- so called in
distinction from interest or profit.
(b) (Arch. & Engin.) The construction which gives shape
and strength to a roof, -- generally a truss of timber
or iron, but there are roofs with stone principals.
Also, loosely, the most important member of a piece of
framing.
(c) (Mus.) In English organs the chief open metallic stop,
an octave above the open diapason. On the manual it is
four feet long, on the pedal eight feet. In Germany
this term corresponds to the English open diapason.
(d) (O. Eng. Law) A heirloom; a mortuary. --Cowell.
(e) pl. The first two long feathers of a hawk's wing.
--Spenser. --J. H. Walsh.
(f) One of turrets or pinnacles of waxwork and tapers with
which the posts and center of a funeral hearse were
formerly crowned. --Oxf. Gloss.
(g) A principal or essential point or rule; a principle.
[Obs.]
Principality \Prin`ci*pal"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Principalities}. [L.
principalitas pre["e]minence, excellence: cf. F.
principalit['e], principaut['e]. See {Principal}.]
1. Sovereignty; supreme power; hence, superiority;
predominance; high, or the highest, station. --Sir P.
Sidney.
Your principalities shall come down, even the crown
of your glory. --Jer. xiii.
18.
The prerogative and principality above everything
else. --Jer. Taylor.
2. A prince; one invested with sovereignty. ``Next upstood
Nisroch, of principalities the prime.'' --Milton.
3. The territory or jurisdiction of a prince; or the country
which gives title to a prince; as, the principality of
Wales.
Principally \Prin"ci*pal*ly\, adv.
In a principal manner; primarily; above all; chiefly; mainly.
Principalness \Prin"ci*pal*ness\, n.
The quality of being principal.
Principate \Prin"ci*pate\, n. [L. principatus: cf. F.
principat.]
Principality; supreme rule. [Obs.] --Barrow.
Principia \Prin*cip"i*a\, n. pl. [L. principium. See
{Principle}.]
First principles; fundamental beginnings; elements; as.
Newton's Principia.
Principial \Prin*cip"i*al\, a.
Elementary. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Principiant \Prin*cip"i*ant\, a. [L. principians, p. pr. of
principiare to begin, fr. principium. See {Principle}.]
Relating to principles or beginnings. [R.] --Jer. Taylor.
Principiate \Prin*cip"i*ate\, v. t. [See {Principiant}.]
To begin; to initiate. [Obs.] --Sir M. Hale.
Principiation \Prin*cip`i*a"tion\, n.
Analysis into primary or elemental parts. [Archaic] --Bacon.
Principle \Prin"ci*ple\, n. [F. principe, L. principium
beginning, foundation, fr. princeps, -cipis. See {Prince}.]
1. Beginning; commencement. [Obs.]
Doubting sad end of principle unsound. --Spenser.
2. A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds;
fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance;
ultimate element, or cause.
The soul of man is an active principle. --Tillotson.
3. An original faculty or endowment.
Nature in your principles hath set [benignity].
--Chaucer.
Those active principles whose direct and ultimate
object is the communication either of enjoyment or
suffering. --Stewart.
4. A fundamental truth; a comprehensive law or doctrine, from
which others are derived, or on which others are founded;
a general truth; an elementary proposition; a maxim; an
axiom; a postulate.
Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of
Christ, let us go on unto perfection. --Heb. vi. 1.
A good principle, not rightly understood, may prove
as hurtful as a bad. --Milton.
5. A settled rule of action; a governing law of conduct; an
opinion or belief which exercises a directing influence on
the life and behavior; a rule (usually, a right rule) of
conduct consistently directing one's actions; as, a person
of no principle.
All kinds of dishonesty destroy our pretenses to an
honest principle of mind. --Law.
6. (Chem.) Any original inherent constituent which
characterizes a substance, or gives it its essential
properties, and which can usually be separated by
analysis; -- applied especially to drugs, plant extracts,
etc.
Cathartine is the bitter, purgative principle of
senna. --Gregory.
{Bitter principle}, {Principle of contradiction}, etc. See
under {Bitter}, {Contradiction}, etc.
Principle \Prin"ci*ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Principled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Principling}.]
To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain
principles; to impress with any tenet, or rule of conduct,
good or ill.
Governors should be well principled. --L'Estrange.
Let an enthusiast be principled that he or his teacher
is inspired. --Locke.
Princock \Prin"cock\, Princox \Prin"cox\, n. [Prim + cock.]
A coxcomb; a pert boy. [Obs.]
Prink \Prink\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Prinked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Prinking}.] [Probably a nasalized form of prick. See
{Prick}, v. t., and cf. {Prig}, {Prank}.]
To dress or adjust one's self for show; to prank.
Prink \Prink\, v. t.
To prank or dress up; to deck fantastically. ``And prink
their hair with daisies.'' --Cowper.
Prinker \Prink"er\, n.
One who prinks.
Prinpriddle \Prin"prid`dle\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The long-tailed titmouse. [Prov. Eng.]
Print \Print\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Printed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Printing}.] [Abbrev. fr. imprint. See {Imprint}, and {Press}
to squeeze.]
1. To fix or impress, as a stamp, mark, character, idea,
etc., into or upon something.
A look will print a thought that never may remove.
--Surrey.
Upon his breastplate he beholds a dint, Which in
that field young Edward's sword did print. --Sir
John Beaumont.
Perhaps some footsteps printed in the clay.
--Roscommon.
2. To stamp something in or upon; to make an impression or
mark upon by pressure, or as by pressure.
Forth on his fiery steed betimes he rode, That
scarcely prints the turf on which he trod. --Dryden.
3. Specifically: To strike off an impression or impressions
of, from type, or from stereotype, electrotype, or
engraved plates, or the like; in a wider sense, to do the
typesetting, presswork, etc., of (a book or other
publication); as, to print books, newspapers, pictures; to
print an edition of a book.
4. To stamp or impress with colored figures or patterns; as,
to print calico.
5. (Photog.) To take (a copy, a positive picture, etc.), from
a negative, a transparent drawing, or the like, by the
action of light upon a sensitized surface.
{Printed goods}, textile fabrics printed in patterns,
especially cotton cloths, or calicoes.
Print \Print\, v. i.
1. To use or practice the art of typography; to take
impressions of letters, figures, or electrotypes, engraved
plates, or the like.
2. To publish a book or an article.
From the moment he prints, he must except to hear no
more truth. --Pope.
Print \Print\, n. [See {Print}, v., {Imprint}, n.]
1. A mark made by impression; a line, character, figure, or
indentation, made by the pressure of one thing on another;
as, the print of teeth or nails in flesh; the print of the
foot in sand or snow.
Where print of human feet was never seen. --Dryden.
2. A stamp or die for molding or impressing an ornamental
design upon an object; as, a butter print.
3. That which receives an impression, as from a stamp or
mold; as, a print of butter.
4. Printed letters; the impression taken from type, as to
excellence, form, size, etc.; as, small print; large
print; this line is in print.
5. That which is produced by printing. Specifically:
(a) An impression taken from anything, as from an engraved
plate. ``The prints which we see of antiquities.''
--Dryden.
(b) A printed publication, more especially a newspaper or
other periodical. --Addison.
(c) A printed cloth; a fabric figured by stamping,
especially calico or cotton cloth.
(d) A photographic copy, or positive picture, on prepared
paper, as from a negative, or from a drawing on
transparent paper.
6. (Founding) A core print. See under {Core}.
{Blue print}, a copy in white lines on a blue ground, of a
drawing, plan, tracing, etc., or a positive picture in
blue and white, from a negative, produced by photographic
printing on peculiarly prepared paper.
{In print}.
(a) In a printed form; issued from the press; published.
--Shak.
(b) To the letter; with accurateness. ``All this I speak
in print.'' --Shak.
{Out of print}. See under {Out}.
{Print works}, a factory where cloth, as calico, is printed.
Printa-ble \Print"a-ble\, a.
Worthy to be published. [R.]
Printer \Print"er\, n.
One who prints; especially, one who prints books, newspapers,
engravings, etc., a compositor; a typesetter; a pressman.
{Printer's devil}, {Printer's gauge}. See under {Devil}, and
{Gauge}.
{Printer's ink}. See {Printing ink}, below.
Printery \Print"er*y\, n.
A place where cloth is printed; print works; also, a printing
office. [R.]
Printing \Print"ing\, n.
The act, art, or practice of impressing letters, characters,
or figures on paper, cloth, or other material; the business
of a printer, including typesetting and presswork, with their
adjuncts; typography; also, the act of producing photographic
prints.
{Block printing}. See under {Block}.
{Printing frame} (Photog.), a shallow box, usually having a
glass front, in which prints are made by exposure to
light.
{Printing house}, a printing office.
{Printing ink}, ink used in printing books, newspapers, etc.
It is composed of lampblack or ivory black mingled with
linseed or nut oil, made thick by boiling and burning.
Other ingredients are employed for the finer qualities.
--Ure.
{Printing office}, a place where books, pamphlets, or
newspapers, etc., are printed.
{Printing paper}, paper used in the printing of books,
pamphlets, newspapers, and the like, as distinguished from
writing paper, wrapping paper, etc.
{Printing press}, a press for printing, books, newspaper,
handbills, etc.
{Printing wheel}, a wheel with letters or figures on its
periphery, used in machines for paging or numbering, or in
ticket-printing machines, typewriters, etc.; a type wheel.
Printless \Print"less\, a.
Making no imprint. --Milton.
Printless \Print"less\, a.
Making no imprint. --Milton.
Printshop \Print"shop`\, n.
A shop where prints are sold.
Prior \Pri"or\, a. [L. prior former, previous, better, superior;
compar. corresponding to primus first, and pro for. See
{Former}, and cf. {Prime}, a., and {Pre-}, {Pro-}.]
Preceding in the order of time; former; antecedent; anterior;
previous; as, a prior discovery; prior obligation; -- used
elliptically in cases like the following: he lived alone [in
the time] prior to his marriage.
Prior \Pri"or\, n. [OE. priour, OF. priour, prior, priur, F.
prieur, from L. prior former, superior. See {Prior}, a.]
(Eccl.)
The superior of a priory, and next below an abbot in dignity.
{Conventical}, or {Conventual}, {prior}, a prior who is at
the head of his own house. See the Note under {Priory}.
{Claustral prior}, an official next in rank to the abbot in a
monastery; prior of the cloisters.
Priorate \Pri"or*ate\, n. [LL. prioratus: cf. F. priorat.]
The dignity, office, or government, of a prior. --T. Warton.
Prioress \Pri"or*ess\, n. [OF. prioresse.]
A lady superior of a priory of nuns, and next in dignity to
an abbess.
Priority \Pri*or"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. priorit['e]. See {Prior}, a.]
1. The quality or state of being prior or antecedent in time,
or of preceding something else; as, priority of
application.
2. Precedence; superior rank. --Shak.
{Priority of debts}, a superior claim to payment, or a claim
to payment before others.
Syn: Antecedence; precedence; pre["e]minence.
Priorly \Pri"or*ly\, adv.
Previously. [R.] --Geddes.
Priorship \Pri"or*ship\, n.
The state or office of prior; priorate.
Priory \Pri"o*ry\, n.; pl. {Priories}. [Cf. LL. prioria. See
{Prior}, n.]
A religious house presided over by a prior or prioress; --
sometimes an offshoot of, an subordinate to, an abbey, and
called also {cell}, and {obedience}. See {Cell}, 2.
Note: Of such houses there were two sorts: one where the
prior was chosen by the inmates, and governed as
independently as an abbot in an abbey; the other where
the priory was subordinate to an abbey, and the prior
was placed or displaced at the will of the abbot.
{Alien priory}, a small religious house dependent on a large
monastery in some other country.
Syn: See {Cloister}.
Pris \Pris\, n.
See {Price}, and 1st {Prize}. [Obs.]
Prisage \Pris"age\ (?; 48), n. [OF. prisage a praising, valuing,
taxing; cf. LL. prisagium prisage; or from F. prise a taking,
capture, prize. See {Prize}.] (O. Eng. Law)
(a) A right belonging to the crown of England, of taking two
tuns of wine from every ship importing twenty tuns or
more, -- one before and one behind the mast. By charter
of Edward I. butlerage was substituted for this.
--Blackstone.
(b) The share of merchandise taken as lawful prize at sea
which belongs to the king or admiral.
Priscillianist \Pris*cil"lian*ist\, n. (Eccl. Hist.)
A follower of Priscillian, bishop of Avila in Spain, in the
fourth century, who mixed various elements of Gnosticism and
Manicheism with Christianity.
Prise \Prise\, n.
An enterprise. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Prise \Prise\, n. & v.
See {Prize}, n., 5. Also {Prize}, v. t.
Priser \Pris"er\, n.
See 1st {Prizer}. [Obs.]
Prism \Prism\ (pr[i^]z'm), n. [L. prisma, Gr. pri`sma, fr.
pri`zein, pri`ein, to saw: cf. F. prisme.]
1. (Geom.) A solid whose bases or ends are any similar,
equal, and parallel plane figures, and whose sides are
parallelograms.
Note: Prisms of different forms are often named from the
figure of their bases; as, a triangular prism, a
quadrangular prism, a rhombic prism, etc.
2. (Opt.) A transparent body, with usually three rectangular
plane faces or sides, and two equal and parallel
triangular ends or bases; -- used in experiments on
refraction, dispersion, etc.
3. (Crystallog.) A form the planes of which are parallel to
the vertical axis. See {Form}, n., 13.
{Achromatic prism} (Opt.), a prism composed usually of two
prisms of different transparent substances which have
unequal dispersive powers, as two different kinds of
glass, especially flint glass and crown glass, the
difference of dispersive power being compensated by giving
them different refracting angles, so that, when placed
together so as to have opposite relative positions, a ray
of light passed through them is refracted or bent into a
new position, but is free from color.
{Nicol's prism}, {Nicol prism}. [So called from Wm. Nicol, of
Edinburgh, who first proposed it.] (Opt.) An instrument
for experiments in polarization, consisting of a rhomb of
Iceland spar, which has been bisected obliquely at a
certain angle, and the two parts again joined with
transparent cement, so that the ordinary image produced by
double refraction is thrown out of the field by total
reflection from the internal cemented surface, and the
extraordinary, or polarized, image alone is transmitted.
Prismatic \Pris*mat"ic\, Prismatical \Pris*mat"ic*al\, a. [Cf.
F. prismatique.]
1. Resembling, or pertaining to, a prism; as, a prismatic
form or cleavage.
2. Separated or distributed by a prism; formed by a prism;
as, prismatic colors.
3. (Crystallog.) Same as {Orthorhombic}.
{Prismatic borax} (Chem.), borax crystallized in the form of
oblique prisms, with ten molecules of water; --
distinguished from octahedral borax.
{Prismatic colors} (Opt.), the seven colors into which light
is resolved when passed through a prism; primary colors.
See {Primary colors}, under {Color}.
{Prismatic compass} (Surv.), a compass having a prism for
viewing a distant object and the compass card at the same
time.
{Prismatic spectrum} (Opt.), the spectrum produced by the
passage of light through a prism.
Prismatically \Pris*mat"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In the form or manner of a prism; by means of a prism.
Prismatoidal \Pris`ma*toid"al\, a. [Gr. ?, ?, prism + -oid: F.
prismato["i]de.]
Having a prismlike form. --Ure.
Prismoid \Pris"moid\ (pr[i^]z"moid), n. [Cf. F. prismto["i]de.]
A body that approaches to the form of a prism.
Prismoidal \Pris*moid"al\, a.
Having the form of a prismoid; as, prismoidal solids.
Prismy \Pris"my\, a.
Pertaining to a prism. [R.]
Prison \Pris"on\ (?; 277), n. [F., fr. L. prehensio, prensio, a
seizing, arresting, fr. prehendre, prendere, to lay hold of,
to seize. See {Prehensile}, and cf. {Prize}, n.,
{Misprision}.]
1. A place where persons are confined, or restrained of
personal liberty; hence, a place or state o? confinement,
restraint, or safe custody.
Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy
name. --Ps. cxlii.
7.
The tyrant [AE]olus, . . . With power imperial,
curbs the struggling winds, And sounding tempests in
dark prisons binds. --Dryden.
2. Specifically, a building for the safe custody or
confinement of criminals and others committed by lawful
authority.
{Prison bars}, or {Prison base}. See {Base}, n., 24.
{Prison breach}. (Law) See Note under 3d {Escape}, n., 4.
{Prison house}, a prison. --Shak.
{Prison ship} (Naut.), a ship fitted up for the confinement
of prisoners.
{Prison van}, a carriage in which prisoners are conveyed to
and from prison.
Prison \Pris"on\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prisoned}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Prisoning}.]
1. To imprison; to shut up in, or as in, a prison; to
confine; to restrain from liberty.
The prisoned eagle dies for rage. --Sir W.
Scott.
His true respect will prison false desire. --Shak.
2. To bind (together); to enchain. [Obs.]
Sir William Crispyn with the duke was led Together
prisoned. --Robert of
Brunne.
Prisoner \Pris"on*er\, n. [F. prisonnier.]
1. One who is confined in a prison. --Piers Plowman.
2. A person under arrest, or in custody, whether in prison or
not; a person held in involuntary restraint; a captive;
as, a prisoner at the bar of a court. --Bouvier.
Prisoner of Hope thou art, -- look up and sing.
--Keble.
{Prisoner's base}. See {Base}, n., 24.
Prisonment \Pris"on*ment\, n.
Imprisonment. [Obs.] --Shak.
Pristinate \Pris"tin*ate\, a.
Pristine; primitive. [Obs.] ``Pristinate idolatry.''
--Holinshed.
Pristine \Pris"tine\, a. [L. pristinus, akin to prior: cf. F.
pristin. See {Prior}, a.]
Belonging to the earliest period or state; original;
primitive; primeval; as, the pristine state of innocence; the
pristine manners of a people; pristine vigor.
Pritch \Pritch\, n. [See {Prick}.]
1. A sharp-pointed instrument; also, an eelspear. [Prov.
Eng.]
2. Pique; offense. [Obs.] --D. Rogers.
Pritchel \Pritch"el\, n.
A tool employed by blacksmiths for punching or enlarging the
nail holes in a horseshoe.
Prithee \Prith"ee\, interj.
A corruption of pray thee; as, I prithee; generally used
without I.
--Shak.
What was that scream for, I prithee? --L'Estrange.
Prithee, tell me, Dimple-chin. --E. C.
Stedman.
Prittle-prattle \Prit"tle-prat`tle\, n. [See {Prattle}.]
Empty talk; trifling loquacity; prattle; -- used in contempt
or ridicule. [Colloq.] --Abp. Bramhall.
Privacy \Pri"va*cy\, n.; pl. {Privacies}. [See {Private}.]
1. The state of being in retirement from the company or
observation of others; seclusion.
2. A place of seclusion from company or observation; retreat;
solitude; retirement.
Her sacred privacies all open lie. --Rowe.
3. Concealment of what is said or done. --Shak.
4. A private matter; a secret. --Fuller.
5. See {Privity}, 2. [Obs.] --Arbuthnot.
Privado \Pri*va"do\, n. [Sp., fr. L. privatus. See {Private}.]
A private friend; a confidential friend; a confidant. [Obs.]
--Fuller.
Private \Pri"vate\ (?; 48), a. [L. privatus apart from the
state, peculiar to an individual, private, properly p. p. of
privare to bereave, deprive, originally, to separate, fr.
privus single, private, perhaps originally, put forward
(hence, alone, single) and akin to prae before. See {Prior},
a., and cf. {Deprive}, {Privy}, a.]
1. Belonging to, or concerning, an individual person,
company, or interest; peculiar to one's self; unconnected
with others; personal; one's own; not public; not general;
separate; as, a man's private opinion; private property; a
private purse; private expenses or interests; a private
secretary.
2. Sequestered from company or observation; appropriated to
an individual; secret; secluded; lonely; solitary; as, a
private room or apartment; private prayer.
Reason . . . then retires Into her private cell when
nature rests. --Milton.
3. Not invested with, or engaged in, public office or
employment; as, a private citizen; private life. --Shak.
A private person may arrest a felon. --Blackstone.
4. Not publicly known; not open; secret; as, a private
negotiation; a private understanding.
5. Having secret or private knowledge; privy. [Obs.]
{Private act} or {statute}, a statute exclusively for the
settlement of private and personal interests, of which
courts do not take judicial notice; -- opposed to a
general law, which operates on the whole community
.
{Private nuisance} or {wrong}. See {Nuisance}.
{Private soldier}. See {Private}, n., 5.
{Private way}, a right of private passage over another man's
ground.
--Kent.
Private \Pri"vate\, n.
1. A secret message; a personal unofficial communication.
[Obs.] --Shak.
2. Personal interest; particular business.[Obs.]
Nor must I be unmindful of my private. --B. Jonson.
3. Privacy; retirement. [Archaic] ``Go off; I discard you;
let me enjoy my private.'' --Shak.
4. One not invested with a public office. [Archaic]
What have kings, that privates have not too? --Shak.
5. (Mil.) A common soldier; a soldier below the grade of a
noncommissioned officer. --Macaulay.
6. pl. The private parts; the genitals.
{In private}, secretly; not openly or publicly.
Privateer \Pri`va*teer"\, n. [From {Private}.]
1. An armed private vessel which bears the commission of the
sovereign power to cruise against the enemy. See {Letters
of marque}, under {Marque}.
2. The commander of a privateer.
Kidd soon threw off the character of a privateer and
became a pirate. --Macaulay.
Privateer \Pri`va*teer"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Privateered}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Privateering}.]
To cruise in a privateer.
Privateering \Pri`va*teer"ing\, n.
Cruising in a privateer.
Privateersman \Pri`va*teers"man\, n.; pl. {Privateersmen}.
An officer or seaman of a privateer.
Privately \Pri"vate*ly\, adv.
1. In a private manner; not openly; without the presence of
others.
2. In a manner affecting an individual; personally not
officially; as, he is not privately benefited.
Privateness \Pri"vate*ness\, n.
1. Seclusion from company or society; retirement; privacy;
secrecy. --Bacon.
2. The state of one not invested with public office.
Privation \Pri*va"tion\, n. [L. privatio: cf. F. privation. See
{Private}.]
1. The act of depriving, or taking away; hence, the depriving
of rank or office; degradation in rank; deprivation.
--Bacon.
2. The state of being deprived or destitute of something,
especially of something required or desired; destitution;
need; as, to undergo severe privations.
3. The condition of being absent; absence; negation.
Evil will be known by consequence, as being only a
privation, or absence, of good. --South.
Privation mere of light and absent day. --Milton.
Privative \Priv"a*tive\, a. [L. privativus: cf. F. privatif. See
{Private}.]
1. Causing privation; depriving.
2. Consisting in the absence of something; not positive;
negative.
Privative blessings, blessings of immunity,
safeguard, liberty, and integrity. --Jer. Taylor.
3. (Gram.) Implying privation or negation; giving a negative
force to a word; as, alpha privative; privative particles;
-- applied to such prefixes and suffixes as a- (Gr. ?),
un-, non-, -less.
Privative \Priv"a*tive\, n.
1. That of which the essence is the absence of something.
Blackness and darkness are indeed but privatives.
--Bacon.
2. (Logic) A term indicating the absence of any quality which
might be naturally or rationally expected; -- called also
{privative term}.
3. (Gram.) A privative prefix or suffix. See {Privative}, a.,
3.
Privatively \Priv"a*tive*ly\, adv.
In a privative manner; by the absence of something;
negatively. [R.] --Hammond.
Privativeness \Priv"a*tive*ness\, n.
The state of being privative.
Privet \Priv"et\, n. [Cf. Scot. privie, Prov. E. prim-print,
primwort. Prob. for primet, and perh. named from being cut
and trimmed. See, {Prim}, a., and cf. {Prime} to prune,
{Prim}, n., {Prie}, n.] (Bot.)
An ornamental European shrub ({Ligustrum vulgare}), much used
in hedges; -- called also {prim}.
{Egyptian privet}. See {Lawsonia}.
{Evergreen privet}, a plant of the genus {Rhamnus}. See
{Alatern}.
{Mock privet}, any one of several evergreen shrubs of the
genus {Phillyrea}. They are from the Mediterranean region,
and have been much cultivated for hedges and for
fancifully clipped shrubberies.
Privilege \Priv"i*lege\, n. [F. privil[`e]ge, L. privilegium an
ordinance or law against or in favor of an individual; privus
private + lex, legis, law. See {Private}, and {Legal}.]
1. A peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or
immunity not enjoyed by others or by all; special
enjoyment of a good, or exemption from an evil or burden;
a prerogative; advantage; franchise.
He pleads the legal privilege of a Roman.
--Kettlewell.
The privilege birthright was a double portion.
--Locke.
A people inheriting privileges, franchises, and
liberties. --Burke.
2. (Stockbroker's Cant) See {Call}, {Put}, {Spread}, etc.
{Breach of privilege}. See under {Breach}.
{Question of privilege} (Parliamentary practice), a question
which concerns the security of a member of a legislative
body in his special privileges as such.
{Water privilege}, the advantage of having machinery driven
by a stream, or a place affording such advantage. [ U. S.]
{Writ of privilege} (Law), a writ to deliver a privileged
person from custody when arrested in a civil suit.
--Blackstone.
Syn: Prerogative; immunity; franchise; right; claim; liberty.
Usage: {Privilege}, {Prerogative}. Privilege, among the
Romans, was something conferred upon an individual by
a private law; and hence, it denotes some peculiar
benefit or advantage, some right or immunity, not
enjoyed by the world at large. Prerogative, among the
Romans, was the right of voting first; and, hence, it
denotes a right of precedence, or of doing certain
acts, or enjoying certain privileges, to the exclusion
of others. It is the privilege of a member of Congress
not to be called in question elsewhere for words
uttered in debate. It is the prerogative of the
president to nominate judges and executive officers.
It is the privilege of a Christian child to be
instructed in the true religion. It is the prerogative
of a parent to govern and direct his children.
Privilege \Priv"i*lege\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Privileged}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Privileging}.] [Cf. F. privil['e]gier.]
1. To grant some particular right or exemption to; to invest
with a peculiar right or immunity; to authorize; as, to
privilege representatives from arrest.
To privilege dishonor in thy name. --Shak.
2. To bring or put into a condition of privilege or exemption
from evil or danger; to exempt; to deliver.
He took this place for sanctuary, And it shall
privilege him from your hands. --Shak.
Privileged \Priv"i*leged\, a.
Invested with a privilege; enjoying a peculiar right,
advantage, or immunity.
{Privileged communication}. (Law)
(a) A communication which can not be disclosed without the
consent of the party making it, -- such as those made by
a client to his legal adviser, or by persons to their
religious or medical advisers.
(b) A communication which does not expose the party making it
to indictment for libel, -- such as those made by persons
communicating confidentially with a government, persons
consulted confidentially as to the character of servants,
etc.
{Privileged debts} (Law), those to which a preference in
payment is given out of the estate of a deceased person,
or out of the estate of an insolvent. --Wharton.
--Burrill.
{Privileged witnesses} (Law) witnesses who are not obliged to
testify as to certain things, as lawyers in relation to
their dealings with their clients, and officers of state
as to state secrets; also, by statute, clergymen and
physicans are placed in the same category, so far as
concerns information received by them professionally.
Privily \Priv"i*ly\, adv.
In a privy manner; privately; secretly. --Chaucer. --2 Pet.
ii. 1.
Privity \Priv"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Privities} (-t[i^]z). [From
{Privy}, a.: cf. F. privaut['e] extreme familiarity.]
1. Privacy; secrecy; confidence. --Chaucer.
I will unto you, in privity, discover . . . my
purpose. --Spenser.
2. Private knowledge; joint knowledge with another of a
private concern; cognizance implying consent or
concurrence.
All the doors were laid open for his departure, not
without the privity of the Prince of Orange.
--Swift.
3. A private matter or business; a secret. --Chaucer.
4. pl. The genitals; the privates.
5. (Law) A connection, or bond of union, between parties, as
to some particular transaction; mutual or successive
relationship to the same rights of property.
Privy \Priv"y\, a. [F. priv['e], fr. L. privatus. See
{Private}.]
1. Of or pertaining to some person exclusively; assigned to
private uses; not public; private; as, the privy purse. ``
Privee knights and squires.'' --Chaucer.
2. Secret; clandestine. `` A privee thief.'' --Chaucer.
3. Appropriated to retirement; private; not open to the
public. `` Privy chambers.'' --Ezek. xxi. 14.
4. Admitted to knowledge of a secret transaction; secretly
cognizant; privately knowing.
His wife also being privy to it. --Acts v. 2.
Myself am one made privy to the plot. --Shak.
{Privy chamber}, a private apartment in a royal residence.
[Eng.]
{Privy council} (Eng. Law), the principal council of the
sovereign, composed of the cabinet ministers and other
persons chosen by the king or queen. --Burrill.
{Privy councilor}, a member of the privy council.
{Privy purse}, moneys set apart for the personal use of the
monarch; also, the title of the person having charge of
these moneys. [Eng.] --Macaulay.
{Privy seal} or {signed}, the seal which the king uses in
grants, etc., which are to pass the great seal, or which
the uses in matters of subordinate consequence which do
not require the great seal; also, elliptically, the
principal secretary of state, or person intrusted with the
privy seal. [Eng.]
{Privy verdict}, a verdict given privily to the judge out of
court; -- now disused. --Burrill.
Privy \Priv"y\, n.; pl. {Privies}.
1. (Law) A partaker; a person having an interest in any
action or thing; one who has an interest in an estate
created by another; a person having an interest derived
from a contract or conveyance to which he is not himself a
party. The term, in its proper sense, is distinguished
from party. --Burrill. Wharton.
2. A necessary house or place; a backhouse.
Prizable \Priz"a*ble\, a.
Valuable. --H. Taylor.
Prize \Prize\, n. [F. prise a seizing, hold, grasp, fr. pris, p.
p. of prendre to take, L. prendere, prehendere; in some
senses, as 2
(b), either from, or influenced by, F. prix price. See
{Prison}, {Prehensile}, and cf. {Pry}, and also {Price}.]
1. That which is taken from another; something captured; a
thing seized by force, stratagem, or superior power.
I will depart my pris, or may prey, by deliberation.
--Chaucer.
His own prize, Whom formerly he had in battle won.
--Spenser.
2. Hence, specifically;
(a) (Law) Anything captured by a belligerent using the
rights of war; esp., property captured at sea in
virtue of the rights of war, as a vessel. --Kent.
--Brande & C.
(b) An honor or reward striven for in a competitive
contest; anything offered to be competed for, or as an
inducement to, or reward of, effort.
I'll never wrestle for prize more. --Shak.
I fought and conquered, yet have lost the prize.
--Dryden.
(c) That which may be won by chance, as in a lottery.
3. Anything worth striving for; a valuable possession held or
in prospect.
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus. --Phil. iii.
14.
4. A contest for a reward; competition. [Obs.] --Shak.
5. A lever; a pry; also, the hold of a lever. [Written also
{prise}.]
{Prize court}, a court having jurisdiction of all captures
made in war on the high seas. --Bouvier.
{Prize fight}, an exhibition contest, esp. one of pugilists,
for a stake or wager.
{Prize fighter}, one who fights publicly for a reward; --
applied esp. to a professional boxer or pugilist. --Pope.
{Prize fighting}, fighting, especially boxing, in public for
a reward or wager.
{Prize master}, an officer put in charge or command of a
captured vessel.
{Prize medal}, a medal given as a prize.
{Prize money}, a dividend from the proceeds of a captured
vessel, etc., paid to the captors.
{Prize ring}, the ring or inclosure for a prize fight; the
system and practice of prize fighting.
{To make prize of}, to capture. --Hawthorne.
Prize \Prize\, v. t.
To move with a lever; to force up or open; to pry. [Written
also {prise}.]
Prize \Prize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prized}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Prizing}.] [F. priser, OF. prisier, preisier, fr. L.
pretiare, fr. pretium worth, value, price. See {Price}, and
cf. {Praise}.] [Formerly written also {prise}. ]
1. To set or estimate the value of; to appraise; to price; to
rate.
A goodly price that I was prized at. --Zech. xi.
13.
I prize it [life] not a straw, but for mine honor.
--Shak.
2. To value highly; to estimate to be of great worth; to
esteem. ``[I] do love, prize, honor you. '' --Shak.
I prized your person, but your crown disdain.
--Dryden.
Prize \Prize\, n. [F. prix price. See 3d {Prize}. ]
Estimation; valuation. [Obs.] --Shak.
Prizeman \Prize"man\, n.; pl. {Prizemen}.
The winner of a prize.
Prizer \Priz"er\, n. [See 3d {Prize}.]
One who estimates or sets the value of a thing; an appraiser.
--Shak.
Prizer \Priz"er\, n. [See 1st {Prize}.]
One who contends for a prize; a prize fighter; a challenger.
[Obs.] --Shak.
Appeareth no man yet to answer the prizer. --B. Jonson.
Prizing \Priz"ing\, n. [See 2d {Prize}.]
The application of a lever to move any weighty body, as a
cask, anchor, cannon, car, etc. See {Prize}, n., 5.
Pro- \Pro-\ [L. pro, or Gr. ?. See {Pro}.]
A prefix signifying before, in front, forth, for, in behalf
of, in place of, according to; as, propose, to place before;
proceed, to go before or forward; project, to throw forward;
prologue, part spoken before (the main piece); propel,
prognathous; provide, to look out for; pronoun, a word
instead of a noun; proconsul, a person acting in place of a
consul; proportion, arrangement according to parts.
Pro \Pro\, prep. [L.; akin to prae before, Gr. ?, and E. for.
See {For}, prep., and cf. {Prior}, a.]
A Latin preposition signifying for, before, forth.
{Pro confesso} [L.] (Law), taken as confessed. The action of
a court of equity on that portion of the pleading in a
particular case which the pleading on the other side does
not deny.
{Pro rata}. [L. See {Prorate}.] In proportion; proportion.
{Pro re nata} [L.] (Law), for the existing occasion; as
matters are.
Pro \Pro\, adv.
For, on, or in behalf of, the affirmative side; -- in
contrast with {con}.
{Pro and con}, for and against, on the affirmative and on the
negative side; as, they debated the question pro and con;
-- formerly used also as a verb.
{Pros and cons}, the arguments or reasons on either side.
Proa \Pro"a\, n. [Malay pr[=a]?, pr[=a]h?.] (Naut.)
A sailing canoe of the Ladrone Islands and Malay Archipelago,
having its lee side flat and its weather side like that of an
ordinary boat. The ends are alike. The canoe is long and
narrow, and is kept from overturning by a cigar-shaped log
attached to a frame extending several feet to windward. It
has been called the {flying proa}, and is the swiftest
sailing craft known.
Proach \Proach\, v. i.
See {Approach}. [Obs.]
Proatlas \Pro*at"las\, n. [Pref. pro- + atlas.] (Anat.)
A vertebral rudiment in front of the atlas in some reptiles.
Probabiliorism \Prob`a*bil"i*o*rism\, n.
The doctrine of the probabiliorists.
Probabiliorist \Prob`a*bil"i*o*rist\, n. [From L. probabilior,
compar. of probabilis probable.] (Casuistry)
One who holds, in opposition to the probabilists, that a man
is bound to do that which is most probably right.
Probabilism \Prob"a*bil*ism\, n. [Cf. F. probabilisme.]
The doctrine of the probabilists.
Probabilist \Prob"a*bil*ist\, n. [Cf. F. probabilists.]
1. One who maintains that certainty is impossible, and that
probability alone is to govern our faith and actions.
2. (Casuistry) One who maintains that a man may do that which
has a probability of being right, or which is inculcated
by teachers of authority, although other opinions may seem
to him still more probable.
Probability \Prob`a*bil"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Probabilities}. [L.
probabilitas: cf. F. probabilit['e].]
1. The quality or state of being probable; appearance of
reality or truth; reasonable ground of presumption;
likelihood.
Probability is the appearance of the agreement or
disagreement of two ideas, by the intervention of
proofs whose connection is not constant, but appears
for the most part to be so. --Locke.
2. That which is or appears probable; anything that has the
appearance of reality or truth.
The whole life of man is a perpetual comparison of
evidence and balancing of probabilities.
--Buckminster.
We do not call for evidence till antecedent
probabilities fail. --J. H.
Newman.
3. (Math.) Likelihood of the occurrence of any event in the
doctrine of chances, or the ratio of the number of
favorable chances to the whole number of chances,
favorable and unfavorable. See 1st {Chance}, n., 5.
Syn: Likeliness; credibleness; likelihood; chance.
Probable \Prob"a*ble\, a. [L. probabilis, fr. probare to try,
approve, prove: cf. F. probable. See {Prove}, and cf.
{Provable}.]
1. Capable of being proved. [Obs.]
2. Having more evidence for than against; supported by
evidence which inclines the mind to believe, but leaves
some room for doubt; likely.
That is accounted probable which has better
arguments producible for it than can be brought
against it. --South.
I do not say that the principles of religion are
merely probable; I have before asserted them to be
morally certain. --Bp. Wilkins.
3. Rendering probable; supporting, or giving ground for,
belief, but not demonstrating; as, probable evidence;
probable presumption. --Blackstone.
{Probable cause} (Law), a reasonable ground of presumption
that a charge is, or my be, well founded.
{Probable error} (of an observation, or of the mean of a
number), that within which, taken positively and
negatively, there is an even chance that the real error
shall lie. Thus, if 3[sec] is the probable error in a
given case, the chances that the real error is greater
than 3[sec] are equal to the chances that it is less. The
probable error is computed from the observations made, and
is used to express their degree of accuracy.
{The probable}, that which is within the bounds of
probability; that which is not unnatural or preternatural;
-- opposed to the marvelous.
Probably \Prob"a*bly\, adv.
In a probable manner; in likelihood.
Distinguish between what may possibly and what will
probably be done. --L'Estrange.
Probacy \Pro"ba*cy\, n. [See {Probate}.]
Proof; trial. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Probal \Pro"bal\, a.
Approved; probable. [Obs.] --Shak.
Probality \Pro*bal"i*ty\, n.
Probability. [Obs.] ``With as great probality.'' --Holland.
Probang \Pro"bang\, n. [See {Probe}.]
A slender elastic rod, as of whalebone, with a sponge on the
end, for removing obstructions from the esophagus, etc.
Probate \Pro"bate\, n. [From L. probatus, p. p. of probare to
prove. See {Prove}.]
1. Proof. [Obs.] --Skelton.
2. (Law)
(a) Official proof; especially, the proof before a
competent officer or tribunal that an instrument
offered, purporting to be the last will and testament
of a person deceased, is indeed his lawful act; the
copy of a will proved, under the seal of the Court of
Probate, delivered to the executors with a certificate
of its having been proved. --Bouvier. --Burrill.
(b) The right or jurisdiction of proving wills.
Probate \Pro"bate\, a.
Of or belonging to a probate, or court of probate; as, a
probate record.
{Probate Court}, or {Court of Probate}, a court for the
probate of wills.
{Probate duty}, a government tax on property passing by will.
[Eng.]
Probate \Pro"bate\, v. t.
To obtain the official approval of, as of an instrument
purporting to be the last will and testament; as, the
executor has probated the will.
Probation \Pro*ba"tion\, n. [L. probatio, fr. probare to try,
examine, prove: cf. F. probation. See {Prove}.]
1. The act of proving; also, that which proves anything;
proof. [Obs.]
When by miracle God dispensed great gifts to the
laity, . . . he gave probation that he intended that
all should prophesy and preach. --Jer. Taylor.
2. Any proceeding designed to ascertain truth, to determine
character, qualification, etc.; examination; trial; as, to
engage a person on probation. Hence, specifically:
(a) The novitiate which a person must pass in a convent,
to probe his or her virtue and ability to bear the
severities of the rule.
(b) The trial of a ministerial candidate's qualifications
prior to his ordination, or to his settlement as a
pastor.
(c) Moral trial; the state of man in the present life, in
which he has the opportunity of proving his character,
and becoming qualified for a happier state.
No [view of human life] seems so reasonable as
that which regards it as a state of probation.
--Paley.
Probational \Pro*ba"tion*al\, a.
Probationary.
Probationary \Pro*ba"tion*a*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to probation; serving for trial.
To consider this life . . . as a probationary state.
--Paley.
Probationer \Pro*ba"tion*er\, n.
1. One who is undergoing probation; one who is on trial; a
novice.
While yet a young probationer, And candidate of
heaven. --Dryden.
2. A student in divinity, who, having received certificates
of good morals and qualifications from his university, is
admitted to several trials by a presbytery, and, on
acquitting himself well, is licensed to preach. [Scot.]
Probationership \Pro*ba"tion*er*ship\, n.
The state of being a probationer; novitiate. --Locke.
Probationship \Pro*ba"tion*ship\, n.
A state of probation.
Probative \Pro"ba*tive\, a. [L. probativus: cf. F. probatif.]
Serving for trial or proof; probationary; as, probative
judgments; probative evidence. --South.
Probator \Pro*ba"tor\, n. [L.]
1. An examiner; an approver. --Maydman.
2. (O. Eng. Law) One who, when indicted for crime, confessed
it, and accused others, his accomplices, in order to
obtain pardon; a state's evidence.
Probatory \Pro"ba*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. probatoire.]
1. Serving for trial; probationary. --Abp. Bramhall.
2. Pertaining to, or serving for, proof. --Jer. Taylor.
{Probatory term} (Law), a time for taking testimony.
Probe \Probe\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Probed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Probing}.] [L. probare to try, examine. See {Prove}.]
1. To examine, as a wound, an ulcer, or some cavity of the
body, with a probe.
2. Fig.: to search to the bottom; to scrutinize or examine
thoroughly. --Dryden.
The growing disposition to probe the legality of all
acts, of the crown. --Hallam.
Probe \Probe\, n. (Surg.)
An instrument for examining the depth or other circumstances
of a wound, ulcer, or cavity, or the direction of a sinus, of
for exploring for bullets, for stones in the bladder, etc.
--Parr.
{Probe}, or {Probe-pointed}, {scissors} (Surg.), scissors
used to open wounds, the blade of which, to be thrust into
the orifice, has a button at the end. --Wiseman.
Probeagle \Pro"bea`gle\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Porbeagle}.
Probe-pointed \Probe"-point`ed\, a. (Surg.)
Having a blunt or button-shaped extremity; -- said of cutting
instruments.
Probity \Prob"i*ty\, n. [F. probit['e], fr. L. probitas, fr.
probus good, proper, honest. Cf. {Prove}.]
Tried virtue or integrity; approved moral excellence;
honesty; rectitude; uprightness. ``Probity of mind.'' --Pope.
Syn: {Probity}, {Integrity}.
Usage: Probity denotes unimpeachable honesty and virtue,
shown especially by the performance of those
obligations, called imperfect, which the laws of the
state do not reach, and can not enforce. Integrity
denotes a whole-hearted honesty, and especially that
which excludes all injustice that might favor one's
self. It has a peculiar reference to uprightness in
mutual dealings, transfer of property, and the
execution of trusts for others.
Problem \Prob"lem\, n. [F. probl[`e]me, L. problema, fr. Gr. ?
anything thrown forward, a question proposed for solution,
fr. ? to throw or lay before; ? before, forward + ? to throw.
Cf. {Parable}. ]
1. A question proposed for solution; a matter stated for
examination or proof; hence, a matter difficult of
solution or settlement; a doubtful case; a question
involving doubt. --Bacon.
2. (Math.) Anything which is required to be done; as, in
geometry, to bisect a line, to draw a perpendicular; or,
in algebra, to find an unknown quantity.
Note: Problem differs from theorem in this, that a problem is
something to be done, as to bisect a triangle, to
describe a circle, etc.; a theorem is something to be
proved, as that all the angles of a triangle are equal
to two right angles.
{Plane problem} (Geom.), a problem that can be solved by the
use of the rule and compass.
{Solid problem} (Geom.), a problem requiring in its geometric
solution the use of a conic section or higher curve.
Problematic \Prob`lem*at"ic\, Problematical \Prob`lem*at"ic*al\,
a. [L. problematicus, Gr. ?: cf. F. probl['e]matique.]
Having the nature of a problem; not shown in fact;
questionable; uncertain; unsettled; doubtful. --
{Prob`lem*at"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Diligent inquiries into remote and problematical guilt
leave a gate wide open to . . . informers. --Swift.
Problematist \Prob"lem*a*tist\, n.
One who proposes problems. [R.] --Evelyn.
Problematize \Prob"lem*a*tize\, v. t.
To propose problems. [R.] ``Hear him problematize.'' --B.
Jonson.
Proboscidate \Pro*bos"ci*date\, a. [See {Proboscis}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having a proboscis; proboscidial.
Proboscidea \Pro`bos*cid"e*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Proboscis}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An order of large mammals including the elephants and
mastodons.
Proboscidean \Pro`bos*cid"e*an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Proboscidian.
Proboscidial \Pro`bos*cid"i*al\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Proboscidate.
Proboscidian \Pro`bos*cid"i*an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the Proboscidea. -- n. One of the Proboscidea.
Proboscidifera \Pro*bos`ci*dif"e*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Proboscis}, and {-ferous}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) An extensive division of pectinibranchiate
gastropods, including those that have a long retractile
proboscis, with the mouth at the end, as the cones,
whelks, tritons, and cowries. See Illust. of {Gastropoda},
and of {Winkle}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A subdivision of the t[ae]nioglossate
gastropods, including the fig-shells ({Pyrula}), the
helmet shells ({Cassis}), the tritons, and allied genera.
Proboscidiform \Pro`bos*cid"i*form\, a.
Having the form or uses of a proboscis; as, a proboscidiform
mouth.
Proboscis \Pro*bos"cis\, n.; pl. {Proboscides}. [L. fr. Gr. ?; ?
before + ? to feed, graze.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A hollow organ or tube attached to the head, or
connected with the mouth, of various animals, and
generally used in taking food or drink; a snout; a trunk.
Note: The proboscis of an elephant is a flexible muscular
elongation of the nose. The proboscis of insects is
usually a chitinous tube formed by the modified
maxill[ae], or by the labium. See Illusts. of
{Hemiptera} and {Lepidoptera}.
2. (Zo["o]l.) By extension, applied to various tubelike mouth
organs of the lower animals that can be everted or
protruded.
Note: The proboscis of annelids and of mollusks is usually a
portion of the pharynx that can be everted or
protruded. That of nemerteans is a special long
internal organ, not connected with the mouth, and not
used in feeding, but capable of being protruded from a
pore in the head. See Illust. in Appendix.
3. The nose. [Jocose]
{Proboscis monkey}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Kahau}.
Procacious \Pro*ca"cious\, a. [L. procax, -acis, fr. procare to
ask, demand.]
Pert; petulant; forward; saucy. [R.] --Barrow.
Procacity \Pro*cac"i*ty\, n. [L. procacitas.]
Forwardness; pertness; petulance. [R.] --Burton.
Procambium \Pro*cam"bi*um\, n. [NL. See {Pro-}, and {Cambium}.]
(Bot.)
The young tissue of a fibrovascular bundle before its
component cells have begun to be differentiated. --Sachs.
Procatarctic \Pro`cat*arc"tic\, a. [Gr. ? beginning beforehand.
fr. ? to begin first; ? before + ? to begin; ? intens. + ? to
begin: cf. F. procatarctique. ] (Med.)
Beginning; predisposing; exciting; initial. [Obs.]
Note: The words procatarctic causes have been used with
different significations. Thus they have been employed
synonymously with prime causes, exciting causes, and
predisposing or remote causes.
The physician inquires into the procatarctic
causes. --Harvey.
Procatarxis \Pro`cat*arx"is\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? first
beginning.] (Med.)
The kindling of a disease into action; also, the procatarctic
cause. --Quincy.
Procedendo \Pro`ce*den"do\, n. [Abl. of the gerundive of L.
procedere. see {Proceed}.] (Law)
(a) A writ by which a cause which has been removed on
insufficient grounds from an inferior to a superior court
by certiorari, or otherwise, is sent down again to the
same court, to be proceeded in there.
(b) In English practice, a writ issuing out of chancery in
cases where the judges of subordinate courts delay giving
judgment, commanding them to proceed to judgment.
(c) A writ by which the commission of the justice of the
peace is revived, after having been suspended. --Tomlins.
Burrill.
Procedure \Pro*ce"dure\, n. [F. proc['e]dure. See {Proceed}.]
1. The act or manner of proceeding or moving forward;
progress; process; operation; conduct. ``The true
procedure of conscience.'' --South.
2. A step taken; an act performed; a proceeding; the steps
taken in an action or other legal proceeding. ``Gracious
procedures.'' --I. Taylor.
3. That which results; issue; product. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Proceed \Pro*ceed"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Proceeded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Proceeding}.] [F. proc['e]der. fr. L. procedere,
processum, to go before, to proceed; pro forward + cedere to
move. See {Cede}.]
1. To move, pass, or go forward or onward; to advance; to
continue or renew motion begun; as, to proceed on a
journey.
If thou proceed in this thy insolence. --Shak.
2. To pass from one point, topic, or stage, to another; as,
to proceed with a story or argument.
3. To issue or come forth as from a source or origin; to come
from; as, light proceeds from the sun.
I proceeded forth and came from God. --John viii.
42.
It proceeds from policy, not love. --Shak.
4. To go on in an orderly or regulated manner; to begin and
carry on a series of acts or measures; to act by method;
to prosecute a design.
He that proceeds upon other principles in his
inquiry. --Locke.
5. To be transacted; to take place; to occur. [Obs.]
He will, after his sour fashion, tell you What hath
proceeded worthy note to-day. --Shak.
6. To have application or effect; to operate.
This rule only proceeds and takes place when a
person can not of common law condemn another by his
sentence. --Ayliffe.
7. (Law) To begin and carry on a legal process.
Syn: To advance; go on; continue; progress; issue; arise;
emanate.
Proceed \Pro"ceed\, n.
See {Proceeds}. [Obs.] --Howell.
Proceeder \Pro*ceed"er\, n.
One who proceeds.
Proceeding \Pro*ceed"ing\, n.
1. The act of one who proceeds, or who prosecutes a design or
transaction; progress or movement from one thing to
another; a measure or step taken in a course of business;
a transaction; as, an illegal proceeding; a cautious or a
violent proceeding.
The proceedings of the high commission. --Macaulay.
2. pl. (Law) The course of procedure in the prosecution of an
action at law. --Blackstone.
{Proceedings of a society}, the published record of its
action, or of things done at its meetings.
Syn: Procedure; measure; step, See {Transaction}.
Proceeds \Pro"ceeds\, n. pl.
That which comes forth or results; effect; yield; issue;
product; sum accruing from a sale, etc.
Proceleusmatic \Proc`e*leus*mat"ic\, a. [L. proceleusmaticus,
Gr. ?, fr. ? to rouse to action beforehand; ? + ? to incite;
cf. F. proc['e]leusmatique.]
1. Inciting; animating; encouraging. [R.] --Johnson.
2. (Pros.) Consisting of four short syllables; composed of
feet of four short syllables each.
Proceleusmatic \Proc`e*leus*mat"ic\, n. (Pros.)
A foot consisting of four short syllables.
Procellarian \Pro`cel*la"ri*an\, n. [L. procella a storm.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of a family of oceanic birds ({Procellarid[ae]})
including the petrels, fulmars, and shearwaters. They are
often seen in great abundance in stormy weather.
Procellous \Pro*cel"lous\, a. [L. procellosus, fr. procella a
storm.]
Stormy. [Obs.] --Bailey.
Procephalic \Pro`ce*phal"ic\, a. [Pref. pro- + cephalic.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to, or forming, the front of the head.
{Procephalic lobe} (Zo["o]l.), that part of the head of an
invertebrate animal which is in front of the mouth.
Proception \Pro*cep"tion\, n. [Pref. pro- + L. capere to take.]
Preoccupation. [Obs.] --Eikon Basilik?.
Procere \Pro*cere"\, a. [L. procerus tall.]
Of high stature; tall. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Procerebrum \Pro*cer"e*brum\, n. [Pref. pro- + cerebrum.]
(Anat.)
The prosencephalon.
Proceres \Proc"e*res\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L. procer ? chief.]
(Zo["o]l.)
An order of large birds; the Ratit[ae]; -- called also
{Proceri}.
Procerite \Proc"er*ite\, n. [Pref. pro- + Gr. ? ? horn.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The segment next to the flagellum of the antenn[ae] of
Crustacea.
Procerity \Pro*cer"i*ty\, n. [L. proceritas.]
Height of stature; tallness. [R.] --Johnson.
Process \Proc"ess\, n. [F. proc[`e]s, L. processus. See
{Proceed}.]
1. The act of proceeding; continued forward movement;
procedure; progress; advance. ``Long process of time.''
--Milton.
The thoughts of men are widened with the process of
the suns. --Tennyson.
2. A series of actions, motions, or occurrences; progressive
act or transaction; continuous operation; normal or actual
course or procedure; regular proceeding; as, the process
of vegetation or decomposition; a chemical process;
processes of nature.
Tell her the process of Antonio's end. --Shak.
3. A statement of events; a narrative. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
4. (Anat. & Zo["o]l.) Any marked prominence or projecting
part, especially of a bone; anapophysis.
5. (Law) The whole course of proceedings in a cause real or
personal, civil or criminal, from the beginning to the end
of the suit; strictly, the means used for bringing the
defendant into court to answer to the action; -- a generic
term for writs of the class called judicial.
{Deacon's process} [from H. Deacon, who introduced it]
(Chem.), a method of obtaining chlorine gas by passing
hydrochloric acid gas over heated slag which has been
previously saturated with a solution of some metallic
salt, as sulphate of copper.
{Final process} (Practice), a writ of execution in an action
at law. --Burrill.
{In process}, in the condition of advance, accomplishment,
transaction, or the like; begun, and not completed.
{Jury process} (Law), the process by which a jury is summoned
in a cause, and by which their attendance is enforced.
--Burrill.
{Leblanc's process} (Chem.), the process of manufacturing
soda by treating salt with sulphuric acid, reducing the
sodium sulphate so formed to sodium sulphide by roasting
with charcoal, and converting the sodium sulphide to
sodium carbonate by roasting with lime.
{Mesne process}. See under {Mesne}.
{Process milling}, the process of high milling for grinding
flour. See under {Milling}.
{Reversible process} (Thermodynamics), any process consisting
of a cycle of operations such that the different
operations of the cycle can be performed in reverse order
with a reversal of their effects.
Procession \Pro*ces"sion\, n. [F., fr. L. processio. See
{Proceed}.]
1. The act of proceeding, moving on, advancing, or issuing;
regular, orderly, or ceremonious progress; continuous
course. --Bp. Pearson.
That the procession of their life might be
More equable, majestic, pure, and free. --Trench.
2. That which is moving onward in an orderly, stately, or
solemn manner; a train of persons advancing in order; a
ceremonious train; a retinue; as, a procession of
mourners; the Lord Mayor's procession.
Here comes the townsmen on procession. --Shak.
3. (Eccl.) An orderly and ceremonial progress of persons,
either from the sacristy to the choir, or from the choir
around the church, within or without. --Shipley.
4. pl. (Eccl.) An old term for litanies which were said in
procession and not kneeling. --Shipley.
{Procession of the Holy Ghost}, a theological term applied to
the relation of the Holy Spirit to the Father and the Son,
the Eastern Church affirming that the Spirit proceeds from
the Father only, and the Western Church that the Spirit
proceeds from the Father and the Son. --Shipley.
{Procession week}, a name for Rogation week, when processions
were made; Cross-week. --Shipley.
Procession \Pro*ces"sion\, v. t. (Law)
To ascertain, mark, and establish the boundary lines of, as
lands. [Local, U. S. (North Carolina and Tennessee).] ``To
procession the lands of such persons as desire it.''
--Burrill.
Procession \Pro*ces"sion\, v. i.
To march in procession. [R.]
Procession \Pro*ces"sion\, v. i.
To honor with a procession. [R.]
Processional \Pro*ces"sion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a procession; consisting in a procession.
The processional services became more frequent.
--Milman.
Processional \Pro*ces"sion*al\, n. [F. processionnal, LL.
processionale.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) A service book relating to ecclesiastical
processions. --J. Gregory.
2. A hymn, or other selection, sung during a church
procession; as, the processional was the 202d hymn.
Processionalist \Pro*ces"sion*al*ist\, n.
One who goes or marches in a procession. [R.]
Processionary \Pro*ces"sion*a*ry\, a. [Cf. LL. processionarius,
F. processionnaire.]
Pertaining to a procession; consisting in processions; as,
processionary service.
{Processionary moth} (Zo["o]l.), any moth of the genus
{Cnethocampa}, especially {C. processionea} of Europe,
whose larv[ae] make large webs on oak trees, and go out to
feed in regular order. They are covered with stinging
hairs.
Processioner \Pro*ces"sion*er\, n.
1. One who takes part in a procession.
2. A manual of processions; a processional. --Fuller.
3. An officer appointed to procession lands. [Local, U. S.
(North Carolina and Tennessee).] --Burrill.
Processioning \Pro*ces"sion*ing\, n.
A proceeding prescribed by statute for ascertaining and
fixing the boundaries of land. See 2d {Procession}. [ Local,
U. S.] --Bouvier.
Processive \Pro*ces"sive\, a.
Proceeding; advancing.
Because it is language, -- ergo, processive.
--Coleridge.
Proces verbal \Pro`c[`e]s" ver`bal"\ [ F.] (French Law)
An authentic minute of an official act, or statement of
facts.
Prochein \Pro"chein\, a. [F. prochain, fr. L. (assumed)
proximanus, fr. proximus.]
Next; nearest.
{Prochein ami} or {amy}(Law), the next friend. See under
{Next}.
Prochordal \Pro*chor"dal\, a. [Pref. pro + chordal.] (Anat.)
Situated in front of the notochord; -- applied especially to
parts of the cartilaginous rudiments in the base of the
skull.
Prochronism \Pro"chro*nism\, n. [Gr. ? preceding in time; ?
before + ? time: cf. F. prochronisme.]
The dating of an event before the time it happened; an
antedating; -- opposed to {metachronism}.
Prochronize \Pro"chro*nize\, v. t.
To antedate. --Fitzed. Hall.
Procidence \Proc"i*dence\, Procidentia \Proc*i*den"ti*a\,, n.
[L. procidentia, fr. procidens, p. pr. of procidere to fall
down forward.] (Med.)
A falling down; a prolapsus. [R.] --Parr.
Prociduous \Pro*cid"u*ous\, a. [ L. prociduus.]
Falling from its proper place.
Procinct \Pro*cinct"\, n. [L. procinctus, fr. procingere,
procinctum, to gird up.]
A state of complete readiness for action. [Obs.] ``War in
procinct.'' --Milton.
Proclaim \Pro*claim"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Proclaimed}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Proclaiming}.] [OE. proclamen, L. proclamare; pro
before, forward + clamare to call or cry out: cf. F.
proclamer. See {Claim}.]
1. To make known by public announcement; to give wide
publicity to; to publish abroad; to promulgate; to
declare; as, to proclaim war or peace.
To proclaim liberty to the captives. --Isa. lxi. 1.
For the apparel oft proclaims the man. --Shak.
Throughout the host proclaim A solemn council
forthwith to be held. --Milton.
2. To outlaw by public proclamation.
I heard myself proclaimed. --Shak.
Syn: To publish; promulgate; declare; announce. See
{Announce}.
Proclaimer \Pro*claim"er\, n.
One who proclaims.
Proclamation \Proc`la*ma"tion\, n. [F. proclamation, L.
proclamatio. See {Proclaim}.]
1. The act of proclaiming; official or general notice;
publication.
King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah;
none was exempted. --1 Kings xv.
22.
2. That which is proclaimed, publicly announced, or
officially declared; a published ordinance; as, the
proclamation of a king; a Thanksgiving proclamation.
Proclitic \Pro*clit"ic\, a. [Gr. ? to lean forward; ? forward +
? to lean or incline. Cf. {Enclitic}.] (Gr. Gram.)
Leaning forward; -- said of certain monosyllabic words which
are so closely attached to the following word as not to have
a separate accent.
Proclive \Pro*clive"\, a. [L. proclivis sloping, inclined; pro
forward + clivus hill: cf. F. proclive. See {Declivity}, and
cf. {Proclivous}.]
Having a tendency by nature; prone; proclivous. [R.] --Mrs.
Browning.
Proclivity \Pro*cliv"i*ty\, n. [L. proclivitas: cf. F.
proclivit['e].]
1. Inclination; propensity; proneness; tendency. ``A
proclivity to steal.'' --Abp. Bramhall.
2. Readiness; facility; aptitude.
He had such a dexterous proclivity as his teachers
were fain to restrain his forwardness. --Sir H.
Wotton.
Proclivous \Pro*cli"vous\, a. [L. proclivus. See {Proclive}.]
1. Inclined; tending by nature. [R.]
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having the incisor teeth directed forward.
Procoele \Pro*c[oe]le"\, n. [Pref. pro + Gr. ? hollow.] (Anat.)
A lateral cavity of the prosencephalon; a lateral ventricle
of the brain. --B. G. Wilder.
Procoelia \Pro*c[oe]"li*a\, n.; pl. {Proc[oe]li[ae]}. [ NL.]
(Anat.)
Same as {Proc[oe]le}.
Procoelia \Pro*c[oe]"li*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of Crocodilia, including the true crocodiles and
alligators, in which the dorsal vertebr[ae] are concave in
front.
Procoelian \Pro*c[oe]"li*an\, a. [See {Proc[oe]le}.] (Anat &
Zo["o]l.)
Concave in front; as, proc[oe]lian vertebr[ae], which have
the anterior end of the centra concave and the posterior
convex.
Procoelian \Pro*c[oe]"li*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A reptile having proc[oe]lian vertebr[ae]; one of the
Proc[oe]lia.
Procoelous \Pro*c[oe]"lous\, a.
Same as {Proc[oe]lian}.
Proconsul \Pro*con"sul\, n. [L., fr. pro for + consul consul.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
An officer who discharged the duties of a consul without
being himself consul; a governor of, or a military commander
in, a province. He was usually one who had previously been
consul.
Proconsular \Pro*con"su*lar\, Proconsulary \Pro*con"su*la*ry\,
a. [L. proconsularis: cf. F. proconsulaire.]
1. Of or pertaining of a proconsul; as, proconsular powers.
2. Under the government of a proconsul; as, a proconsular
province.
Proconsulate \Pro*con"su*late\, n. [L. proconsulatus: cf. F.
proconsulat.]
The office jurisdiction of a proconsul, or the term of his
office.
Proconsulship \Pro*con"sul*ship\, n.
Proconsulate.
Procrastinate \Pro*cras"ti*nate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Procrastinated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Procrastinating}.] [L.
procrastinatus, p. p. of procrastinare to procrastinate; pro
forward + crastinus of to-morrow, fr. cras to-morrow.]
To put off till to-morrow, or from day to day; to defer; to
postpone; to delay; as, to procrastinate repentance. --Dr. H.
More.
Hopeless and helpless [AE]geon wend, But to
procrastinate his lifeless end. --Shak.
Syn: To postpone; adjourn; defer; delay; retard; protract;
prolong.
Procrastinate \Pro*cras"ti*nate\, v. i.
To delay; to be dilatory.
I procrastinate more than I did twenty years ago.
--Swift.
Procrastination \Pro*cras`ti*na"tion\, n. [L. procrastinatio:
cf. F. procrastination.]
The act or habit of procrastinating, or putting off to a
future time; delay; dilatoriness.
Procrastination is the thief of time. --Young.
Procrastinator \Pro*cras"ti*na`tor\, n.
One who procrastinates, or defers the performance of
anything.
Procrastinatory \Pro*cras"ti*na*to*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to procrastination; dilatory.
Procrastine \Pro*cras"tine\, v. t.
To procrastinate. [Obs.]
Procreant \Pro"cre*ant\, a. [L. procreans, p. pr. of procreare.
See {Procreate}.]
Generating; producing; productive; fruitful; assisting in
procreation. [R.] ``His pendent bed and procreant cradle.''
--Shak.
Procreant \Pro"cre*ant\, n.
One who, or that which, procreates.
Procreate \Pro"cre*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Procreated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Procreating}.] [L. procreatus, p. p. of
procreare; pro forward, forth + create to create.]
To generate and produce; to beget; to engender.
Procreation \Pro`cre*a"tion\, n. [F. procr['e]ation, L,
procreatio.]
The act of begetting; generation and production of young.
--South.
Procreative \Pro"cre*a`tive\, a.
Having the power to beget; generative. --Sir M. Hale.
Procreativeness \Pro"cre*a`tive*ness\, n.
The power of generating.
Procreator \Pro"cre*a`tor\, n. [L.]
One who begets; a father or sire; a generator.
Procris \Pro"cris\, n. [L., the wife of Cephalus, Gr. ?.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any species of small moths of the genus {Procris}. The
larv[ae] of some species injure the grapevine by feeding in
groups upon the leaves.
Procrustean \Pro*crus"te*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to Procrustes, or the mode of torture
practiced by him; producing conformity by violent means; as,
the Procrustean treatment; a Procrustean limit. See
{Procrustes}.
Procrusteanize \Pro*crus"te*an*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Procrusteanized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Procrusteanizing}.]
To stretch or contract according to some rule or standard.
Procrustes \Pro*crus"tes\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to beat out,
to stretch; ? forward + ? to strike.] (Gr. Antiq.)
A celebrated legendary highwayman of Attica, who tied his
victims upon an iron bed, and, as the case required, either
stretched or cut of their legs to adapt them to its length;
-- whence the metaphorical phrase,
{the bed of Procrustes}.
Procrustesian \Pro`crus*te"si*an\, a.
See {Procrustean}.
Proctitis \Proc*ti"tis\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? anus + -itis.]
(Med.)
Inflammation of the rectum.
Proctocele \Proc"to*cele\, n. [Gr. ? anus + ? tumor.] (Med.)
Inversion and prolapse of the mucous coat of the rectum, from
relaxation of the sphincter, with more or less swelling;
prolapsus ani. --Dunglison.
Proctodaeum \Proc`to*d[ae]"um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? the anus + ?
to divide.] (Anat.)
See {Mesenteron}.
Proctor \Proc"tor\, n. [OE. proketour, contr. fr. procurator.
See {Procurator}.]
One who is employed to manage to affairs of another.
Specifically:
(a) A person appointed to collect alms for those who could
not go out to beg for themselves, as lepers, the
bedridden, etc.; hence a beggar. [Obs.] --Nares.
(b) (Eng. Law) An officer employed in admiralty and
ecclesiastical causes. He answers to an attorney at
common law, or to a solicitor in equity. --Wharton.
(c) (Ch. of Eng.) A representative of the clergy in
convocation.
(d) An officer in a university or college whose duty it is to
enforce obedience to the laws of the institution.
Proctor \Proc"tor\, v. t.
To act as a proctor toward; to manage as an attorney or
agent. --Bp. Warburton.
Proctorage \Proc"tor*age\, n.
Management by a proctor, or as by a proctor; hence, control;
superintendence; -- in contempt. ``The fogging proctorage of
money.'' --Milton.
Proctorial \Proc*to"ri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a proctor, esp. an academic proctor;
magisterial.
Proctorical \Proc*tor"ic*al\, a.
Proctorial. [R.]
Proctorship \Proc"tor*ship\, n.
The office or dignity of a proctor; also, the term of his
office. --Clarendon.
Proctotomy \Proc*tot"o*my\, n. [Gr. ? anus + ? to cut.] (Surg.)
An incision into the rectum, as for the division of a
stricture.
Proctucha \Proc"tu*cha\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? anus + ? to
have.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A division of Turbellaria including those that have an
intestine terminating posteriorly.
(b) The Nemertina.
Procumbent \Pro*cum"bent\, a. [L. procumbens, -entis, p. pr. of
procumbere to fall, bend, or lean forward; pro forward +
cumbere (in comp.), akin to cubare to lie down: cf. F.
procombant. Cf. {Incumbent}.]
1. Lying down, or on the face; prone. `` Procumbent each
obeyed.'' --Cowper.
2. (Bot.) Lying on the ground, but without putting forth
roots; trailing; prostrate; as, a procumbent stem.
Procurable \Pro*cur"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being procured; obtainable. --Boyle.
Procuracy \Proc"u*ra*cy\, n.; pl. {Procuracies}. [LL.
procuratia: cf. F. procuratie. See {Procuration}, and cf,.
{Proxy}.]
1. The office or act of a proctor or procurator; management
for another.
2. Authority to act for another; a proxy. [Obs.]
Procuration \Proc`u*ra"tion\, n. [L. procuratio: cf. F.
procuration. See {Procure}.]
1. The act of procuring; procurement.
2. The management of another's affairs.
3. The instrument by which a person is empowered to transact
the affairs of another; a proxy.
4. (Ch. of Eng.) A sum of money paid formerly to the bishop
or archdeacon, now to the ecclesiastical commissioners, by
an incumbent, as a commutation for entertainment at the
time of visitation; -- called also {proxy}.
{Procuration money} (Law), money paid for procuring a loan.
--Blackstone.
Procurator \Proc"u*ra`tor\, n. [L.: cf. F. procurateur. See
{Procure}, and cf. {Proctor}. ]
1. (Law) One who manages another's affairs, either generally
or in a special matter; an agent; a proctor. --Chaucer.
Shak.
2. (Rom. Antiq.) A governor of a province under the emperors;
also, one who had charge of the imperial revenues in a
province; as, the procurator of Judea.
{Procurator fiscal} (Scots Law), public prosecutor, or
district attorney.
Procuratorial \Proc`u*ra*to"ri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a procurator, or proctor; made by a
proctor. --Ayliffe.
Procuratorship \Proc"u*ra`tor*ship\, n.
The office or term of a procurator. --Bp. Pearson.
Procuratory \Pro*cu"ra*to*ry\, a. [L. procuratorius.]
Tending to, or authorizing, procuration.
Procure \Pro*cure"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Procured}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Procuring}.] [F. procurer, L. procurare, procuratum,
to take care of; pro for + curare to take care, fr. cura
care. See {Cure}, and cf. {Proctor}, {Proxy}.]
1. To bring into possession; to cause to accrue to, or to
come into possession of; to acquire or provide for one's
self or for another; to gain; to get; to obtain by any
means, as by purchase or loan.
If we procure not to ourselves more woe. --Milton.
2. To contrive; to bring about; to effect; to cause.
By all means possible they procure to have gold and
silver among them in reproach. --Robynson
(More's
Utopia) .
Proceed, Solinus, to procure my fall. --Shak.
3. To solicit; to entreat. [Obs.]
The famous Briton prince and faery knight, . . . Of
the fair Alma greatly were procured To make there
longer sojourn and abode. --Spenser.
4. To cause to come; to bring; to attract. [Obs.]
What unaccustomed cause procures her hither? --Shak.
5. To obtain for illicit intercourse or prostitution.
Syn: See {Attain}.
Procure \Pro*cure"\, v. i.
1. To pimp. --Shak.
2. To manage business for another in court. [Scot.]
Procurement \Pro*cure"ment\, n.
1. The act of procuring or obtaining; obtainment; attainment.
2. Efficient contrivance; management; agency.
They think it done By her procurement. --Dryden.
Procurer \Pro*cur"er\, n. [Cf. F. procureur.]
1. One who procures, or obtains; one who, or that which,
brings on, or causes to be done, esp. by corrupt means.
2. One who procures the gratification of lust for another; a
pimp; a pander. --South.
Procuress \Pro*cur"ess\, n.
A female procurer, or pander.
Procyon \Pro"cy*on\, n. [L., a constellation which rises before
the Dog Star, Gr. ?; ? before + ? a dog. ]
1. (Astron.) A star of the first magnitude in the
constellation Canis Minor, or the Little Dog.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of mammals including the raccoon.
Prod \Prod\, n. [Cf. Gael. & Ir. brod goad, prickle, sting, and
E. brad, also W. procio to poke, thrust.]
1. A pointed instrument for pricking or puncturing, as a
goad, an awl, a skewer, etc.
2. A prick or stab which a pointed instrument.
3. A light kind of crossbow; -- in the sense, often spelled
prodd. --Fairholt.
Prod \Prod\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prodded}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Prodding}.]
To thrust some pointed instrument into; to prick with
something sharp; as, to prod a soldier with a bayonet; to
prod oxen; hence, to goad, to incite, to worry; as, to prod a
student. --H. Taylor.
Prodd \Prodd\, n.
A crossbow. See {Prod}, 3.
Prodigal \Prod"i*gal\, a. [L. prodigus, from prodigere to drive
forth, to squander away; pro forward, forth + agere to drive;
cf. F. prodigue. See {Agent}. ]
Given to extravagant expenditure; expending money or other
things without necessity; recklessly or viciously profuse;
lavish; wasteful; not frugal or economical; as, a prodigal
man; the prodigal son; prodigal giving; prodigal expenses.
In fighting fields [patriots] were prodigal of blood.
--Dryden.
Syn: Profuse; lavish; extravagant; squandering; wasteful. See
{Profuse}.
Prodigal \Prod"i*gal\, n.
One who expends money extravagantly, viciously, or without
necessity; one that is profuse or lavish in any expenditure;
a waster; a spendthrift. ``Noble prodigals of life.''
--Trench.
Prodigality \Prod`i*gal"i*ty\, n. [F. prodigalit['e], L.
prodigalitas. See {Prodigal}.]
Extravagance in expenditure, particularly of money; excessive
liberality; profusion; waste; -- opposed to {frugality},
{economy}, and {parsimony}.``The prodigality of his wit.''
--Dryden.
Prodigalize \Prod"i*gal*ize\, v. i.
To act as a prodigal; to spend liberally. --Sherwood.
Prodigalize \Prod"i*gal*ize\, v. t.
To expend lavishly. --Ld. Lytton.
Prodigally \Prod"i*gal*ly\, adv.
In a prodigal manner; with profusion of expense;
extravagantly; wasteful; profusely; lavishly; as, an estate
prodigally dissipated.
Nature not bounteous now, but lavish grows; Our paths
with flowers she prodigally strows. --Dryden.
Prodigate \Prod"i*gate\, v. t.
To squander. --Thackeray.
Prodigence \Prod"i*gence\, n. [L. prodigentia, fr. prodigens, p.
pr. of prodigere. See {Prodigal}. ]
Waste; profusion; prodigality. [R.] --Bp. Hall.
Prodigious \Pro*di"gious\, a. [L. prodigiosus, fr. prodigium a
prodigy; cf. F. prodigieux. See {Prodigy}.]
1. Of the nature of a prodigy; marvelous; wonderful;
portentous. [Obs. or R.] --Spenser.
It is prodigious to have thunder in a clear sky.
--Sir T.
Browne.
2. Extraordinary in bulk, extent, quantity, or degree; very
great; vast; huge; immense; as, a prodigious mountain; a
prodigious creature; a prodigious blunder. ``Prodigious
might.'' --Milton.
Syn: Huge; enormous; monstrous; portentous; marvelous;
amazing; astonishing; extraordinary.
Prodigiously \Pro*di"gious*ly\, adv.
1. Enormously; wonderfully; astonishingly; as, prodigiously
great.
2. Very much; extremely; as, he was prodigiously pleased.
[Colloq.] --Pope.
Prodigiousness \Pro*di"gious*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being prodigious; the state of having
qualities that excite wonder or astonishment; enormousness;
vastness.
Prodigy \Prod"i*gy\, n.; pl. {Prodigies}. [ L. prodigium; pro
before + (perh.) a word appearing in adagium adage: cf. F.
prodige. Cf. {Adage}. ]
1. Something extraordinary, or out of the usual course of
nature, from which omens are drawn; a portent; as,
eclipses and meteors were anciently deemed prodigies.
So many terrors, voices, prodigies, May warn thee,
as a sure foregoing sign. --Milton.
2. Anything so extraordinary as to excite wonder or
astonishment; a marvel; as, a prodigy of learning.
3. A production out of ordinary course of nature; an abnormal
development; a monster. --B. Jonson.
Syn: Wonder; miracle; portent; marvel; monster.
Prodition \Pro*di"tion\, n. [L. proditio, from prodere to give
forth, betray: cf. OF. prodition.]
Disclosure; treachery; treason. [Obs.] --Ainsworth.
Proitor \Pro"i*tor\, n. [L.]
A traitor. [Obs.]
Proditorious \Prod`i*to"ri*ous\, a. [Cf. OF. proditoire.]
1. Treacherous; perfidious; traitorous. [Obs.] --Daniel.
2. Apt to make unexpected revelations. [Obs.] ``Nature is
proditorious.'' --Sir H. Wotton.
Proditory \Prod"i*to*ry\, a.
Treacherous. [Obs.]
Prodromal \Prod"ro*mal\, a. (Med.)
Of or pertaining to prodromes; as, the prodromal stage of a
disease.
Prodrome \Pro"drome\, n. [Gr. ? running before; ? before + ? to
run: cf. F. prodrome.]
A forerunner; a precursor.
Prodromous \Prod"ro*mous\, a.
Precursory. [R.]
Prodromus \Prod"ro*mus\, n. [NL.]
1. A prodrome.
2. A preliminary course or publication; -- used esp. in the
titles of elementary works.
Produce \Pro*duce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Produced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Producing}.] [L. producere, productum, to bring
forward, beget, produce; pro forward, forth + ducere to lead.
See {Duke}.]
1. To bring forward; to lead forth; to offer to view or
notice; to exhibit; to show; as, to produce a witness or
evidence in court.
Produce your cause, saith the Lord. --Isa. xli.
21.
Your parents did not produce you much into the
world. --Swift.
2. To bring forth, as young, or as a natural product or
growth; to give birth to; to bear; to generate; to
propagate; to yield; to furnish; as, the earth produces
grass; trees produce fruit; the clouds produce rain.
This soil produces all sorts of palm trees.
--Sandys.
[They] produce prodigious births of body or mind. --
Milton.
The greatest jurist his country had produced.
--Macaulay.
3. To cause to be or to happen; to originate, as an effect or
result; to bring about; as, disease produces pain; vice
produces misery.
4. To give being or form to; to manufacture; to make; as, a
manufacturer produces excellent wares.
5. To yield or furnish; to gain; as, money at interest
produces an income; capital produces profit.
6. To draw out; to extend; to lengthen; to prolong; as, to
produce a man's life to threescore. --Sir T. Browne.
7. (Geom.) To extend; -- applied to a line, surface, or
solid; as, to produce a side of a triangle.
Produce \Pro*duce"\, v. i.
To yield or furnish appropriate offspring, crops, effects,
consequences, or results.
Produce \Prod"uce\ (?; 277), n.
That which is produced, brought forth, or yielded; product;
yield; proceeds; result of labor, especially of agricultural
labors; hence, specifically, agricultural products.
Producement \Pro*duce"ment\, n.
Production. [Obs.]
Producent \Pro*du"cent\, n. [L. producens, p. pr.]
One who produces, or offers to notice. [Obs.] --Ayliffe.
Producer \Pro*du"cer\, n.
1. One who produces, brings forth, or generates.
2. One who grows agricultural products, or manufactures crude
materials into articles of use.
3. (Iron & Steel Manuf.) A furnace for producing combustible
gas which is used for fuel.
Producibility \Pro*du`ci*bil"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being producible. --Barrow.
Producible \Pro*du"ci*ble\, a.
Capable of being produced, brought forward, brought forth,
generated, made, or extended. -- {Pro*du"ci*ble*ness}, n.
Product \Prod"uct\, n. [L. productus, p. pr. of producere. See
{Produce}.]
1. Anything that is produced, whether as the result of
generation, growth, labor, or thought, or by the operation
of involuntary causes; as, the products of the season, or
of the farm; the products of manufactures; the products of
the brain.
There are the product Of those ill-mated marriages.
--Milton.
These institutions are the products of enthusiasm.
--Burke.
2. (Math.) The number or sum obtained by adding one number or
quantity to itself as many times as there are units in
another number; the number resulting from the
multiplication of two or more numbers; as, the product of
the multiplication of 7 by 5 is 35. In general, the result
of any kind of multiplication. See the Note under
{Multiplication}.
Syn: Produce; production; fruit; result; effect; consequence;
outcome; work; performance.
Product \Pro*duct"\, v. t.
1. To produce; to bring forward. ``Producted to . . .
examination.'' [Obs.] --Foxe.
2. To lengthen out; to extend. [Obs.]
He that doth much . . . products his mortality.
--Hackett.
3. To produce; to make. [Obs.] --Holinshed.
Productibility \Pro*duct`i*bil"i*ty\, n.
The state of being productible; producibility. --Ruskin.
Productible \Pro*duct"i*ble\, a. [Cf. F. productible.]
Capable of being produced; producible.
Productile \Pro*duc"tile\, a. [L. productilis, fr. producere to
stretch out.]
Capable of being extended or prolonged; extensible; ductile.
Production \Pro*duc"tion\, n. [L. productio a lengthening,
prolonging: cf. F. production. See {Produce}. ]
1. The act or process or producing, bringing forth, or
exhibiting to view; as, the production of commodities, of
a witness.
2. That which is produced, yielded, or made, whether
naturally, or by the application of intelligence and
labor; as, the productions of the earth; the productions
of handicraft; the productions of intellect or genius.
3. The act of lengthening out or prolonging.
Syn: Product; produce; fruit; work; performance; composition.
Productive \Pro*duc"tive\, a. [F. productif, L. productivus fit
for prolongation.]
1. Having the quality or power of producing; yielding or
furnishing results; as, productive soil; productive
enterprises; productive labor, that which increases the
number or amount of products.
2. Bringing into being; causing to exist; producing;
originative; as, an age productive of great men; a spirit
productive of heroic achievements.
And kindle with thy own productive fire. --Dryden.
This is turning nobility into a principle of virtue,
and making it productive of merit. --Spectator.
3. Producing, or able to produce, in large measure; fertile;
profitable. -- {Pro*duc"tive*ly}, adv. --
{Pro*duc"tive*ness}, n.
Productivity \Pro`duc*tiv"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being productive; productiveness.
--Emerson.
Not indeed as the product, but as the producing power,
the productivity. --Coleridge.
Productress \Pro*duc"tress\, n.
A female producer.
Productus \Pro*duc"tus\, n. [NL. See {Product}.] (Paleon.)
An extinct genus of brachiopods, very characteristic of the
Carboniferous rocks.
Proeguminal \Pro`e*gu"mi*nal\, a. [Gr. ?, p. pr. of ? to lead
the way: cf. F. pro['e]gum[`e]ne.] (Med.)
Serving to predispose; predisposing; as, a proeguminal cause
of disease.
Proem \Pro"em\, n. [L. prooemium, Gr. ?; ? before + ? way,
course or strain of a song: cf. F. pro[`e]me.]
Preface; introduction; preliminary observations; prelude.
Thus much may serve by way of proem. --Swift.
Proem \Pro"em\, v. t.
To preface. [Obs.] --South.
Proembryo \Pro*em"bry*o\, n. [Pref. pro- + embryo. ] (Bot.)
(a) The series of cells formed in the ovule of a flowering
plant after fertilization, but before the formation of
the embryo.
(b) The primary growth from the spore in certain cryptogamous
plants; as, the proembryo, or protonema, of mosses.
Proemial \Pro*e"mi*al\, a.
Introductory; prefatory; preliminary. [R.] --Hammond.
Proemptosis \Pro`emp*to"sis\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? to fall in
before; ? before + ? in + ? to fall.] (Chron.)
The addition of a day to the lunar calendar. [R.] See
{Metemptosis}.
Proface \Pro"face\, interj. [OF. prou face, prou fasse; prou
profit + faire to make, do.]
Much good may it do you! -- a familiar salutation or welcome.
[Obs.]
Master page, good master page, sit. Proface! --Shak.
Profanate \Prof"a*nate\, v. t.
To profane. [Obs.]
Profanation \Prof`a*na"tion\, n. [L. profanatio: cf. F.
profanation. See {Profane}, v. t.]
1. The act of violating sacred things, or of treating them
with contempt or irreverence; irreverent or too familiar
treatment or use of what is sacred; desecration; as, the
profanation of the Sabbath; the profanation of a
sanctuary; the profanation of the name of God.
2. The act of treating with abuse or disrespect, or with
undue publicity, or lack of delicacy.
'T were profanation of our joys To tell the laity
our love. --Donne.
Profane \Pro*fane"\, a. [F., fr. L. profanus, properly, before
the temple, i. e., without the temple, unholy; pro before +
fanum temple. See 1st {Fane}.]
1. Not sacred or holy; not possessing peculiar sanctity;
unconsecrated; hence, relating to matters other than
sacred; secular; -- opposed to sacred, religious, or
inspired; as, a profane place. ``Profane authors.'' --I.
Disraeli.
The profane wreath was suspended before the shrine.
--Gibbon.
2. Unclean; impure; polluted; unholy.
Nothing is profane that serveth to holy things.
--Sir W.
Raleigh.
3. Treating sacred things with contempt, disrespect,
irreverence, or undue familiarity; irreverent; impious.
Hence, specifically; Irreverent in language; taking the
name of God in vain; given to swearing; blasphemous; as, a
profane person, word, oath, or tongue. --1 Tim. i. 9.
Syn: Secular; temporal; worldly; unsanctified; unhallowed;
unholy; irreligious; irreverent; ungodly; wicked;
godless; impious. See {Impious}.
Profane \Pro*fane"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Profaned}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Profaning}.] [L. profanare: cf. F. profaner. See
{Profane}, a.]
1. To violate, as anything sacred; to treat with abuse,
irreverence, obloquy, or contempt; to desecrate; to
pollute; as, to profane the name of God; to profane the
Scriptures, or the ordinance of God.
The priests in the temple profane the sabbath.
--Matt. xii.
5.
2. To put to a wrong or unworthy use; to make a base
employment of; to debase; to abuse; to defile.
So idly to profane the precious time. --Shak.
Profanely \Pro*fane"ly\, adv.
In a profane manner.
The character of God profanely impeached. --Dr. T.
Dwight.
Profaneness \Pro*fane"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being profane; especially, the use of
profane language.
Profaner \Pro*fan"er\, n.
One who treats sacred things with irreverence, or defiles
what is holy; one who uses profane language. --Hooker.
Profanity \Pro*fan"i*ty\, n. [L. profanitas.]
1. The quality or state of being profane; profaneness;
irreverence; esp., the use of profane language; blasphemy.
2. That which is profane; profane language or acts.
The brisk interchange of profanity and folly.
--Buckminster.
Profection \Pro*fec"tion\, n. [See {Proficient}.]
A setting out; a going forward; advance; progression. [Obs.]
--Sir T. Browne.
Profectitious \Pro`fec*ti"tious\, a. [L. profectitius, fr.
proficisci to set out, proceed.]
Proceeding from, as from a parent; derived, as from an
ancestor. [R.]
The threefold distinction of profectitious,
adventitious, and professional was ascertained.
--Gibbon.
Profert \Pro"fert\, n. [L., he brings forward, 3d pers. pr. of
proferre. See {Proffer}. ] (Law)
The exhibition or production of a record or paper in open
court, or an allegation that it is in court.
Profess \Pro*fess"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Professed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Professing}.] [F. prof[`e]s, masc., professe, fem.,
professed (monk or nun), L. professus, p. p. of profiteri to
profess; pro before, forward + fateri to confess, own. See
{Confess}.]
1. To make open declaration of, as of one's knowledge,
belief, action, etc.; to avow or acknowledge; to confess
publicly; to own or admit freely. ``Hear me profess
sincerely.'' --Shak.
The best and wisest of them all professed To know
this only, that he nothing knew. --Milton.
2. To set up a claim to; to make presence to; hence, to put
on or present an appearance of.
I do profess to be no less than I seem. --Shak.
3. To present to knowledge of, to proclaim one's self versed
in; to make one's self a teacher or practitioner of, to
set up as an authority respecting; to declare (one's self
to be such); as, he professes surgery; to profess one's
self a physician.
Profess \Pro*fess"\, v. i.
1. To take a profession upon one's self by a public
declaration; to confess. --Drayton.
2. To declare friendship. [Obs.] --Shak.
Provessel \Pro*vessel"\, a.
Openly declared, avowed, acknowledged, or claimed; as, a
professed foe; a professed tyrant; a professed Christian.
{The professed} (R. C. Ch.), a certain class among the
Jesuits bound by a special vow. See the note under
{Jesuit}.
Professedly \Pro*fess"ed*ly\, adv.
By profession.
Profession \Pro*fes"sion\, n. [F., fr. L. professio. See
{Profess}, v.]
1. The act of professing or claiming; open declaration;
public avowal or acknowledgment; as, professions of
friendship; a profession of faith.
A solemn vow, promise, and profession. --Bk. of Com.
Prayer.
2. That which one professed; a declaration; an avowal; a
claim; as, his professions are insincere.
The Indians quickly perceive the coincidence or the
contradiction between professions and conduct. --J.
Morse.
3. That of which one professed knowledge; the occupation, if
not mechanical, agricultural, or the like, to which one
devotes one's self; the business which one professes to
understand, and to follow for subsistence; calling;
vocation; employment; as, the profession of arms; the
profession of a clergyman, lawyer, or physician; the
profession of lecturer on chemistry.
Hi tried five or six professions in turn.
--Macaulay.
Note: The three professions, or learned professions, are,
especially, theology, law, and medicine.
4. The collective body of persons engaged in a calling; as,
the profession distrust him.
5. (Eccl. Law.) The act of entering, or becoming a member of,
a religious order.
Professional \Pro*fes"sion*al\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to a profession, or calling; conforming
to the rules or standards of a profession; following a
profession; as, professional knowledge; professional
conduct. ``Pride, not personal, but professional.''
--Macaulay. ``A professional sneerer.'' --De Quincey.
2. Engaged in by professionals; as, a professional race; --
opposed to {amateur}.
Professional \Pro*fes"sion*al\, n.
A person who prosecutes anything professionally, or for a
livelihood, and not in the character of an amateur; a
professional worker.
Professionalism \Pro*fes"sion*al*ism\, n.
The following of a profession, sport, etc., as an occupation;
-- opposed to {amateurism}.
Professionalist \Pro*fes"sion*al*ist\, n.
professional person. [R.]
Professionally \Pro*fes"sion*al*ly\, adv.
In a professional manner or capacity; by profession or
calling; in the exercise of one's profession; one employed
professionally.
Professor \Pro*fess"or\, n. [L., a teacher, a public teacher:
cf. F. professeur. See {Profess}.]
1. One who professed, or makes open declaration of, his
sentiments or opinions; especially, one who makes a public
avowal of his belief in the Scriptures and his faith in
Christ, and thus unites himself to the visible church.
``Professors of religion.'' --Bacon.
2. One who professed, or publicly teaches, any science or
branch of learning; especially, an officer in a
university, college, or other seminary, whose business it
is to read lectures, or instruct students, in a particular
branch of learning; as a professor of theology, of botany,
of mathematics, or of political economy.
Professorial \Pro`fes*so"ri*al\, a. [L. professorius: cf. F.
professorial.]
Of or pertaining to a professor; as, the professional chair;
professional interest.
Professorialism \Pro`fes*so"ri*al*ism\, n.
The character, manners, or habits of a professor. [R.]
Professoriat \Pro`fes*so"ri*at\, n.
See {Professoriate}.
Professoriate \Pro`fes*so"ri*ate\, n.
1. The body of professors, or the professorial staff, in a
university or college.
2. A professorship.
Professorship \Pro*fess"or*ship\, n.
The office or position of a professor, or public teacher.
--Walton.
Professory \Pro*fes"so*ry\, a. [L. professorius.]
Of or pertaining to a professor; professorial. [R.] --Bacon.
Proffer \Prof"fer\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Proffered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Proffering}.] [OE. profren, proferen, F. prof['e]rer,
fr. L. proferre to bring forth or forward, to offer; pro
forward + ferre to bring. See {Bear} to produce.]
1. To offer for acceptance; to propose to give; to make a
tender of; as, to proffer a gift; to proffer services; to
proffer friendship. --Shak.
I reck not what wrong that thou me profre.
--Chaucer.
2. To essay or attempt of one's own accord; to undertake, or
propose to undertake. [R.] --Milton.
Proffer \Prof"fer\, n.
1. An offer made; something proposed for acceptance by
another; a tender; as, proffers of peace or friendship.
He made a proffer to lay down his commission.
--Clarendon.
2. Essay; attempt. [R.] --Bacon.
Profferer \Prof"fer*er\, n.
One who proffers something.
Proficience \Pro*fi"cience\, Proficiency \Pro*fi"cien*cy\, n.
The quality of state of being proficient; advance in the
acquisition of any art, science, or knowledge; progression in
knowledge; improvement; adeptness; as, to acquire proficiency
in music.
Proficient \Pro*fi"cient\, n. [L. proficiens, -entis, p. pr. of
proficere to go forward, make progress; pro forward + facere
to make. See {Fact}, and cf. {Profit}, (?)]
One who has made considerable advances in any business, art,
science, or branch of learning; an expert; an adept; as,
proficient in a trade; a proficient in mathematics, music,
etc.
Proficient \Pro*fi"cient\, a.
Well advanced in any branch of knowledge or skill; possessed
of considerable acquirements; well-skilled; versed; adept,
Proficiently \Pro*fi"cient*ly\, adv.
In a proficient manner.
Proficuous \Pro*fic"u*ous\, a. [L. proficuus.]
Profitable; advantageous; useful. [Obs.] --Harvey.
Profile \Pro"file\, n. [It. profilo, fr. L. pro before + filum a
thread, an outline, shape: cf. F. profil. See {File} arow,
and cf. {Purfle}, {Purl}, a fringe.]
1. An outline, or contour; as, the profile of an apple.
2. (Paint & Sculp.) A human head represented sidewise, or in
a side view; the side face or half face.
3.
(a) (Arch.) A section of any member, made at right angles
with its main lines, showing the exact shape of
moldings and the like.
(b) (Civil Engin.) A drawing exhibiting a vertical section
of the ground along a surveyed line, or graded work,
as of a railway, showing elevations, depressions,
grades, etc.
{Profile paper} (Civil Engin.), paper ruled with vertical and
horizontal lines forming small oblong rectangles, adapted
for drawing profiles.
Profile \Pro"file\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Profiled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Profiling}] [Cf. F. profiler, It. profilare. See
{Profile}, n.]
1. to draw the outline of; to draw in profile, as an
architectural member.
2. (Mech.) To shape the outline of an object by passing a
cutter around it.
{Profiling machine}, a jigging machine.
Profiling \Pro"fil*ing\, n. (Fort.)
In the construction of fieldworks, the erection at proper
intervals of wooden profiles, to show to the workmen the
sectional form of the parapets at those points.
Profilist \Pro"fil*ist\, n.
One who takes profiles.
Profit \Pro"fit\, n. [F., fr. L. profectus advance, progress,
profit, fr. profectum. See {Proficient}.]
1. Acquisition beyond expenditure; excess of value received
for producing, keeping, or selling, over cost; hence,
pecuniary gain in any transaction or occupation;
emolument; as, a profit on the sale of goods.
Let no man anticipate uncertain profits. --Rambler.
2. Accession of good; valuable results; useful consequences;
benefit; avail; gain; as, an office of profit,
This I speak for your own profit. --1 Cor. vii.
35.
If you dare do yourself a profit and a right.
--Shak.
Syn: Benefit; avail; service; improvement; advancement; gain;
emolument.
Profit \Prof"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Profited}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Profiting}.] [F. profiter. See {Profit}, n.]
To be of service to; to be good to; to help on; to benefit;
to advantage; to avail; to aid; as, truth profits all men.
The word preached did not profit them. --Heb. iv. 2.
It is a great means of profiting yourself, to copy
diligently excellent pieces and beautiful designs.
--Dryden.
Profit \Prof"it\, v. i.
1. To gain advantage; to make improvement; to improve; to
gain; to advance.
I profit not by thy talk. --Shak.
2. To be of use or advantage; to do or bring good.
Riches profit not in the day of wrath. --Prov. xi.
4.
Profitable \Prof"it*a*ble\, a. [F. profitable.]
Yielding or bringing profit or gain; gainful; lucrative;
useful; helpful; advantageous; beneficial; as, a profitable
trade; profitable business; a profitable study or profession.
What was so profitable to the empire became fatal to
the emperor. --Arbuthnot.
-- {Prof"it*a*ble*ness}, n. -- {Prof"it*a*bly}, adv.
Profiting \Prof"it*ing\, n.
Gain; advantage; profit.
That thy profiting may appear to all. --1 Tim. iv.
15.
Profitless \Prof"it*less\, a.
Without profit; unprofitable. --Shak.
Profligacy \Prof"li*ga*cy\, n. [See {Profligate}, a.]
The quality of state of being profligate; a profligate or
very vicious course of life; a state of being abandoned in
moral principle and in vice; dissoluteness.
Profligate \Prof"li*gate\, a. [L. profligatus, p. p. of
profligare to strike or dash to the ground, to destroy; pro
before + a word akin to fligere to strike. See {Afflict}.]
1. Overthrown; beaten; conquered. [Obs.]
The foe is profligate, and run. --Hudibras.
2. Broken down in respect of rectitude, principle, virtue, or
decency; openly and shamelessly immoral or vicious;
dissolute; as, profligate man or wretch.
A race more profligate than we. --Roscommon.
Made prostitute and profligate muse. --Dryden.
Syn: Abandoned; corrupt; dissolute; vitiated; depraved;
vicious; wicked. See {Abandoned}.
Profligate \Prof"li*gate\, n.
An abandoned person; one openly and shamelessly vicious; a
dissolute person. ``Such a profligate as Antony.'' --Swift.
Profligate \Prof"li*gate\, v. t.
To drive away; to overcome.
Note: [A Latinism] [Obs.] --Harvey.
Profligately \Prof"li*gate*ly\, adv.
In a profligate manner.
Profligateness \Prof"li*gate*ness\, n.
The quality of being profligate; an abandoned course of life;
profligacy.
Profligation \Prof`li*ga"tion\, n. [L. profligatio.]
Defeat; rout; overthrow. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Profluence \Prof"lu*ence\, n. [L. profluentia.]
Quality of being profluent; course. [R.] --Sir H. Wotton.
Profluent \Prof"lu*ent\, a. [L. profluens, p. pr. of profluere;
pro forward + fluere to flow.]
Flowing forward, [R.] ``In the profluent stream.'' --Milton.
Profound \Pro*found"\, a. [F. profond, L. profundus; pro before,
forward + fundus the bottom. See {Found} to establish,
{Bottom} lowest part.]
1. Descending far below the surface; opening or reaching to a
great depth; deep. ``A gulf profound.'' --Milton.
2. Intellectually deep; entering far into subjects; reaching
to the bottom of a matter, or of a branch of learning;
thorough; as, a profound investigation or treatise; a
profound scholar; profound wisdom.
3. Characterized by intensity; deeply felt; pervading;
overmastering; far-reaching; strongly impressed; as, a
profound sleep. ``Profound sciatica.'' --Shak.
Of the profound corruption of this class there can
be no doubt. --Milman.
4. Bending low, exhibiting or expressing deep humility;
lowly; submissive; as, a profound bow.
What humble gestures! What profound reverence!
--Duppa.
Profound \Pro*found"\, n.
1. The deep; the sea; the ocean.
God in the fathomless profound Hath all this choice
commanders drowned. --Sandys.
2. An abyss. --Milton.
Profound \Pro*found"\, v. t.
To cause to sink deeply; to cause to dive or penetrate far
down. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
Profound \Pro*found"\, v. i.
To dive deeply; to penetrate. [Obs.]
Profoundly \Pro*found"ly\, adv.
In a profound manner.
Why sigh you so profoundly? --Shak.
Profoundness \Pro*found"ness\, n.
The quality or state of being profound; profundity; depth.
--Hooker.
Profulgent \Pro*ful"gent\, a. [Pref. pro- + L. fulgere to
shine.]
Shining forth; brilliant; effulgent. [Obs.] ``Profulgent in
preciousness.'' --Chaucer.
Profundity \Pro*fun"di*ty\, n.; pl. {-ties}. [L. profunditas:
cf. F. profondite. See {Profound}.]
The quality or state of being profound; depth of place,
knowledge, feeling, etc. ``The vast profundity obscure.''
--Milton.
Profuse \Pro*fuse"\, a. [L. profusus, p. p. of profundere to
pour forth or out; pro forward, forth + fundere to pour: cf.
F. profus. See {Fuse} to melt.]
1. Pouring forth with fullness or exuberance; bountiful;
exceedingly liberal; giving without stint; as, a profuse
government; profuse hospitality.
A green, shady bank, profuse of flowers. --Milton.
2. Superabundant; excessive; prodigal; lavish; as, profuse
expenditure. ``Profuse ornament.'' --Kames.
Syn: Lavish; exuberant; bountiful; prodigal; extravagant.
Usage: {Profuse}, {Lavish}, {Prodigal}. Profuse denotes
pouring out (as money, etc.) with great fullness or
freeness; as, profuse in his expenditures, thanks,
promises, etc. Lavish is stronger, implying
unnecessary or wasteful excess; as, lavish of his
bounties, favors, praises, etc. Prodigal is stronger
still, denoting unmeasured or reckless profusion; as,
prodigal of one's strength, life, or blood, to secure
some object. --Dryden.
Profuse \Pro*fuse"\, v. t.
To pour out; to give or spend liberally; to lavish; to
squander. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Profusely \Pro*fuse"ly\, adv.
In a profuse manner.
Profuseness \Pro*fuse"ness\, n.
Extravagance; profusion.
Hospitality sometimes degenerates into profuseness.
--Atterbury.
Profusion \Pro*fu"sion\, n. [L. profusio: cf. F. profusion.]
1. The act of one who is profuse; a lavishing or pouring out
without sting.
Thy vast profusion to the factious nobles? --Rowe.
2. Abundance; exuberant plenty; lavish supply; as, a
profusion of commodities. --Addison.
Profusive \Pro*fu"sive\, a.
Profuse; lavish; prodigal.[Obs.]
Prog \Prog\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Progged}. p. pr. & vb. n.
{Progging}.] [Cf. D. prachen, G. prachern, Dan. prakke, Sw.
pracka, to beg, L. procare, procari, to ask, demand, and E.
prowl.]
1. To wander about and beg; to seek food or other supplies by
low arts; to seek for advantage by mean shift or tricks.
[Low]
A perfect artist in progging for money. --Fuller.
I have been endeavoring to prog for you. --Burke.
2. To steal; to rob; to filch. [Low] --Johnson.
3. To prick; to goad; to progue. [Scot.]
Prog \Prog\, n.
1. Victuals got by begging, or vagrancy; victuals of any
kind; food; supplies. [Slang] --Swift.
So long as he picked from the filth his prog. --R.
Browning.
2. A vagrant beggar; a tramp. [Slang]
3. A goal; progue. [Scot.]
Progenerate \Pro*gen"er*ate\, v. t. [L. progeneratus, p. p. of
progenerare to beget; pro forth, forward + generare to
generate.]
To beget; to generate; to produce; to procreate; as, to
progenerate a race. [R.] --Landor.
Progeneration \Pro*gen`er*a"tion\, n. [L. progeneratio.]
The act of begetting; propagation. [R.]
Progenitor \Pro*gen"i*tor\, n. [OF. progeniteur, L. progenitor,
fr. progignere, progenitum, to bring forth, to beget; pro
forth + gignere to beget. See {Gender} kind.]
An ancestor in the direct line; a forefather.
And reverence thee their great progenitor. --Milton.
Progenitorship \Pro*gen"i*tor*ship\, n.
The state of being a progenitor.
Progenitress \Pro*gen"i*tress\, n.
A female progenitor.
Progeniture \Pro*gen"i*ture\, n. [F. prog['e]niture.]
A begetting, or birth. [R.]
Progeny \Prog"e*ny\, n. [OE. progenie, F. prog['e]nie, fr. L.
progenies, fr. progignere. See {Progenitor}.]
Descendants of the human kind, or offspring of other animals;
children; offspring; race, lineage. `` Issued from the
progeny of kings.'' --Shak.
Proglottid \Pro*glot"tid\, n. (Zo["o]l)
Proglottis.
Proglottis \Pro*glot"tis\, n.; pl. {Proglottides}. [NL. fr. Gr.
? the tip of the tongue; ? forward + ? the tongue.] (Zo["o]l)
One of the free, or nearly free, segments of a tapeworm. It
contains both male and female reproductive organs, and is
capable of a brief independent existence.
Prognathi \Prog"na*thi\, n. pl. [NL. See {Prognathous}.]
(Zo["o]l)
A comprehensive group of mankind, including those that have
prognathous jaws.
Prognathic \Prog*nath"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Prognathous.
Prognathism \Prog"na*thism\, n. (Anat.)
Projection of the jaws. -- {Prog"na*thy}, n.
Prognathous \Prog"na*thous\, a. [Gr. ? before + ? the jaw]
(Anat.)
Having the jaws projecting beyond the upper part of the face;
-- opposed to orthognathous. See {Gnathic index}, under
{Gnathic}.
Their countenances had the true prognathous character.
--Kane.
Progne \Prog"ne\, n. [L., a swallow, traditionally said to be
fr. Progne (The sister of Philomela), who was changed into a
swallow, Gr. ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A swallow.
(b) A genus of swallows including the purple martin. See
{Martin}.
(c) An American butterfly ({Polygonia, or Vanessa, Progne}).
It is orange and black above, grayish beneath, with an
L-shaped silver mark on the hind wings. Called also {gray
comma}.
Prognosis \Prog*no"sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to know
beforehand; ? before + ? to know. See {Know}.] (Med.)
The act or art of foretelling the course and termination of a
disease; also, the outlook afforded by this act of judgment;
as, the prognosis of hydrophobia is bad.
Prognostic \Prog*nos"tic\, a. [Gr. ?. See {Prognosis}.]
Indicating something future by signs or symptoms;
foreshowing; aiding in prognosis; as, the prognostic symptoms
of a disease; prognostic signs.
Prognostic \Prog*nos"tic\, n. [L. prognosticum, Gr. ?: cf. F.
pronostic, prognostic. See {Prognostic}, a.]
1. That which prognosticates; a sign by which a future event
may be known or foretold; an indication; a sign or omen;
hence, a foretelling; a prediction.
That choice would inevitably be considered by the
country as a prognostic of the highest import.
--Macaulay.
2. (Med.) A sign or symptom indicating the course and
termination of a disease. --Parr.
Syn: Sign; omen; presage; token; indication.
Prognostic \Prog*nos"tic\, v. t.
To prognosticate. [Obs.]
Prognosticable \Prog*nos"tic*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being prognosticated or foretold. --Sir T. Browne.
Prognosticate \Prog*nos"ti*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Prognosticated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Prognosticating}.] [See
{Prognostic}.]
To indicate as future; to foretell from signs or symptoms; to
prophesy; to foreshow; to predict; as, to prognosticate evil.
--Burke.
I neither will nor can prognosticate To the young
gaping heir his father's fate. --Dryden.
Syn: To foreshow; foretoken; betoken; forebode; presage;
predict; prophesy.
Prognostication \Prog*nos`ti*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F.
prognostication.]
1. The act of foreshowing or foretelling something future by
present signs; prediction.
2. That which foreshows; a foretoken. --Shak.
Prognosticator \Prog*nos"ti*ca`tor\, n.
One who prognosticates; a foreknower or foreteller of a
future course or event by present signs. --Isa. xlvii. 13.
Program \Pro"gram\, n.
Same as {Programme}.
Programma \Pro*gram"ma\, n.; pl. {Programmata}. [ L. See
{Programme}.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) Any law, which, after it had passed the
Athenian senate, was fixed on a tablet for public
inspection previously to its being proposed to the general
assembly of the people.
2. An edict published for public information; an official
bulletin; a public proclamation.
3. See {Programme}.
4. A preface. [Obs.] --T. Warton.
Programme \Pro"gramme\, n. [L. programma a public proclamation,
manifesto, Gr. ?, fr. ? to write before or in public; ?
before, forth + ? to write; cf. F. programme. See {Graphic}.]
That which is written or printed as a public notice or
advertisement; a scheme; a prospectus; especially, a brief
outline or explanation of the order to be pursued, or the
subjects embraced, in any public exercise, performance, or
entertainment; a preliminary sketch.
{Programme music} (Mus.), descriptive instrumental music
which requires an argument or programme to explain the
meaning of its several movements.
Progress \Prog"ress\ (?; 277), n. [L. progressus, from progredi,
p. p. progressus, to go forth or forward; pro forward + gradi
to step, go: cf. F. progr[`e]s. See {Grade}.]
1. A moving or going forward; a proceeding onward; an
advance; specifically:
(a) In actual space, as the progress of a ship, carriage,
etc.
(b) In the growth of an animal or plant; increase.
(c) In business of any kind; as, the progress of a
negotiation; the progress of art.
(d) In knowledge; in proficiency; as, the progress of a
child at school.
(e) Toward ideal completeness or perfection in respect of
quality or condition; -- applied to individuals,
communities, or the race; as, social, moral,
religious, or political progress.
2. A journey of state; a circuit; especially, one made by a
sovereign through parts of his own dominions.
The king being returned from his progresse.
--Evelyn.
Progress \Pro*gress"\ (?; formerly pronounced like {Progress},
n.), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Progressed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Progressing}.]
1. To make progress; to move forward in space; to continue
onward in course; to proceed; to advance; to go on; as,
railroads are progressing. ``As his recovery progressed.''
--Thackeray.
Let me wipe off this honorable dew, That silverly
doth progress on thy checks. --Shak.
They progress in that style in proportion as their
pieces are treated with contempt. --Washington.
The war had progressed for some time. --Marshall.
2. To make improvement; to advance. --Bayard.
If man progresses, art must progress too. --Caird.
Progress \Prog"ress\ (?; see {Progress}, v. i.), v. t.
To make progress in; to pass through. [Obs.] --Milton.
Progression \Pro*gres"sion\, n. [L. progressio: cf. F.
progression.]
1. The act of moving forward; a proceeding in a course;
motion onward.
2. Course; passage; lapse or process of time.
I hope, in a short progression, you will be wholly
immerged in the delices and joys of religion.
--Evelyn.
3. (Math.) Regular or proportional advance in increase or
decrease of numbers; continued proportion, arithmetical,
geometrical, or harmonic.
4. (Mus.) A regular succession of tones or chords; the
movement of the parts in harmony; the order of the
modulations in a piece from key to key.
{Arithmetical progression}, a progression in which the terms
increase or decrease by equal differences, as the numbers
[lbrace2]2, 4, 6, 8, 1010, 8, 6, 4, 2[rbrace2] by the
difference 2.
{Geometrical progression}, a progression in which the terms
increase or decrease by equal ratios, as the numbers
[lbrace2]2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 6464, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2[rbrace2]
by a continual multiplication or division by 2.
{Harmonic progression}, a progression in which the terms are
the reciprocals of quantities in arithmetical progression,
as 1/2, 1/4, 1/6, 1/8, 1/10.
Progressional \Pro*gres"sion*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to progression; tending to, or capable of,
progress.
Progressionist \Pro*gres"sion*ist\, n.
1. One who holds to a belief in the progression of society
toward perfection.
2. One who maintains the doctrine of progression in organic
forms; -- opposed to {uniformitarian}. --H. Spencer.
Progressist \Prog"ress*ist\, n.
One who makes, or holds to, progress; a progressionist.
Progressive \Pro*gress"ive\, a. [Cf. F. progressif.]
1. Moving forward; proceeding onward; advancing; evincing
progress; increasing; as, progressive motion or course; --
opposed to retrograde.
2. Improving; as, art is in a progressive state.
{Progressive euchre} or {whist}, a way of playing at card
parties, by which after every game, the losers at the
first table go to the last table, and the winners at all
the tables, except the first, move up to the next table.
{Progressive muscular atrophy} (Med.), a nervous disorder
characterized by continuous atrophy of the muscles. --
{Pro*gress"ive*ly}, adv. -- {Pro*gress"ive*ness}, n.
Progue \Progue\, v. i.
To prog. [Obs.] --P. Fletcher.
Progue \Progue\, n.
A sharp point; a goad. [ Scot. & Local, U. S.] -- v. t. To
prick; to goad. [ Scot. & Local, U. S.].
Proheme \Pro"heme\, n.
Proem. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Prohibit \Pro*hib"it\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prohibited}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Prohibiting}.] [L. prohibitus, p. p. of prohibere
to prohibit; pro before, forth + habere to have, hold. See
{Habit}.]
1. To forbid by authority; to interdict; as, God prohibited
Adam from eating of the fruit of a certain tree; we
prohibit a person from doing a thing, and also the doing
of the thing; as, the law prohibits men from stealing, or
it prohibits stealing.
Note: Prohibit was formerly followed by to with the
infinitive, but is now commonly followed by from with
the verbal noun in -ing.
2. To hinder; to debar; to prevent; to preclude.
Gates of burning adamant, Barred over us, prohibit
all egress. --Milton.
Syn: To forbid; interdict; debar; prevent; hinder.
Usage: {Prohibit}, {Forbid}. To forbid is Anglo-Saxon, and is
more familiar; to prohibit is Latin, and is more
formal or official. A parent forbids his child to be
out late at night; he prohibits his intercourse with
the profane and vicious.
Prohibiter \Pro*hib"it*er\, n.
One who prohibits or forbids; a forbidder; an interdicter.
Prohibition \Pro`hi*bi"tion\, n. [L. prohibitio: cf. F.
prohibition.]
1. The act of prohibiting; a declaration or injunction
forbidding some action; interdict.
The law of God, in the ten commandments, consists
mostly of prohibitions. --Tillotson.
2. Specifically, the forbidding by law of the sale of
alcoholic liquors as beverages.
{Writ of prohibition} (Law), a writ issued by a superior
tribunal, directed to an inferior court, commanding the
latter to cease from the prosecution of a suit depending
before it. --Blackstone.
Note: By ellipsis, prohibition is used for the writ itself.
Prohibitionist \Pro`hi*bi"tion*ist\, n.
1. One who favors prohibitory duties on foreign goods in
commerce; a protectionist.
2. One who favors the prohibition of the sale (or of the sale
and manufacture) of alcoholic liquors as beverages.
Prohibitive \Pro*hib"it*ive\, a. [Cf. F. prohibitif.]
That prohibits; prohibitory; as, a tax whose effect is
prohibitive.
Prohibitory \Pro*hib"it*o*ry\, a. [L. prohibitorius.]
Tending to prohibit, forbid, or exclude; implying
prohibition; forbidding; as, a prohibitory law; a prohibitory
price.
{Prohibitory index}. (R. C. Ch.) See under {Index}.
Proin \Proin\ (proin), v. t. [See {Prune} to trim.]
To lop; to trim; to prune; to adorn. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
The sprigs that did about it grow He proined from the
leafy arms. --Chapman.
Proin \Proin\, v. i.
To employed in pruning. [Obs.]
Project \Proj"ect\ (?; 277), n. [OF. project, F. projet, fr. L.
projectus, p. p. of projicere to project; pro forward +
jacere to throw. See {Jet} a shooting forth, and cf.
{Projet}.]
1. The place from which a thing projects, or starts forth.
[Obs.] --Holland.
2. That which is projected or designed; something intended or
devised; a scheme; a design; a plan.
Vented much policy, and projects deep. --Milton.
Projects of happiness devised by human reason.
--Rogers.
He entered into the project with his customary
ardor. --Prescott.
3. An idle scheme; an impracticable design; as, a man given
to projects.
Syn: Design; scheme; plan; purpose.
Usage: {Project}, {Design}. A project is something of a
practical nature thrown out for consideration as to
its being done. A design is a project when matured and
settled, as a thing to be accomplished. An ingenious
man has many projects, but, if governed by sound
sense, will be slow in forming them into designs. See
also {Scheme}.
Project \Pro*ject"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Projected}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Projecting}.] [Cf. OF. projecter, F. projeter.]
1. To throw or cast forward; to shoot forth.
Before his feet herself she did project. --Spenser.
Behold! th' ascending villas on my side Project long
shadows o'er the crystal tide. --Pope.
2. To cast forward or revolve in the mind; to contrive; to
devise; to scheme; as, to project a plan.
What sit then projecting peace and war? --Milton.
3. (Persp.) To draw or exhibit, as the form of anything; to
delineate; as, to project a sphere, a map, an ellipse, and
the like; -- sometimes with on, upon, into, etc.; as, to
project a line or point upon a plane. See {Projection}, 4.
Project \Pro*ject"\, v. i.
1. To shoot forward; to extend beyond something else; to be
prominent; to jut; as, the cornice projects; branches
project from the tree.
2. To form a project; to scheme. [R.] --Fuller.
Projectile \Pro*ject"ile\, a. [Cf. F. projectile.]
1. Projecting or impelling forward; as, a projectile force.
2. Caused or imparted by impulse or projection; impelled
forward; as, projectile motion. --Arbuthnot.
Projectile \Pro*ject"ile\, n. [Cf. F. projectile.]
1. A body projected, or impelled forward, by force;
especially, a missile adapted to be shot from a firearm.
2. pl. (Mech.) A part of mechanics which treats of the
motion, range, time of flight, etc., of bodies thrown or
driven through the air by an impelling force.
Projection \Pro*jec"tion\, n. [L. projectio: cf. F. projection.]
1. The act of throwing or shooting forward.
2. A jutting out; also, a part jutting out, as of a building;
an extension beyond something else.
3. The act of scheming or planning; also, that which is
planned; contrivance; design; plan. --Davenant.
4. (Persp.) The representation of something; delineation;
plan; especially, the representation of any object on a
perspective plane, or such a delineation as would result
were the chief points of the object thrown forward upon
the plane, each in the direction of a line drawn through
it from a given point of sight, or central point; as, the
projection of a sphere. The several kinds of projection
differ according to the assumed point of sight and plane
of projection in each.
5. (Geog.) Any method of representing the surface of the
earth upon a plane.
{Conical projection}, a mode of representing the sphere, the
spherical surface being projected upon the surface of a
cone tangent to the sphere, the point of sight being at
the center of the sphere.
{Cylindric projection}, a mode of representing the sphere,
the spherical surface being projected upon the surface of
a cylinder touching the sphere, the point of sight being
at the center of the sphere.
{Globular}, {Gnomonic}, {Orthographic}, {projection},etc. See
under {Globular}, {Gnomonic}, etc.
{Mercator's projection}, a mode of representing the sphere in
which the meridians are drawn parallel to each other, and
the parallels of latitude are straight lines whose
distance from each other increases with their distance
from the equator, so that at all places the degrees of
latitude and longitude have to each other the same ratio
as on the sphere itself.
{Oblique projection}, a projection made by parallel lines
drawn from every point of a figure and meeting the plane
of projection obliquely.
{Polar projection}, a projection of the sphere in which the
point of sight is at the center, and the plane of
projection passes through one of the polar circles.
{Powder of projection} (Alchemy.), a certain powder cast into
a crucible or other vessel containing prepared metal or
other matter which is to be thereby transmuted into gold.
{Projection of a point on a plane} (Descriptive Geom.), the
foot of a perpendicular to the plane drawn through the
point.
{Projection of a straight line of a plane}, the straight line
of the plane connecting the feet of the perpendiculars let
fall from the extremities of the given line.
Syn: See {Protuberance}.
Projectment \Pro*ject"ment\, n.
Design; contrivance; projection. [Obs.] --Clarendon.
Projector \Pro*ject"or\, n. [Cf. F. projeteur.]
One who projects a scheme or design; hence, one who forms
fanciful or chimerical schemes. --L'Estrange.
Projecture \Pro*jec"ture\, n. [L. projectura: cf. F.
projecture.]
A jutting out beyond a surface.
Projet \Pro`jet"\, n. [F. See {Project}, n.]
A plan proposed; a draft of a proposed measure; a project.
Proke \Proke\, v. i.
To poke; to thrust. [Obs.] --Holland.
Prolapse \Pro*lapse"\, n. [L. prolapsus, fr. prolapsus, p. p. of
prolabi to fall forward; pro forward + labi to glide, fall.]
(Med.)
The falling down of a part through the orifice with which it
is naturally connected, especially of the uterus or the
rectum. --Dunglison.
Prolapse \Pro*lapse"\, v. i.
To fall down or out; to protrude.
Prolapsion \Pro*lap"sion\, n. [L. prolapsio.] (Med.)
Prolapse. [ Written also {prolaption}.] [Obs.]
Prolapsus \Pro*lap"sus\, n. [L.] (Med.)
Prolapse.
Prolate \Pro"late\, a. [L. prolatus, used as p. p. of proferre
to bring forth, to extend; pro + latus, p. p. See {Pro-}, and
{Tolerate}. ]
Stretched out; extended; especially, elongated in the
direction of a line joining the poles; as, a prolate
spheroid; -- opposed to {oblate}.
{Prolate cycloid}. See the Note under {Cycloid}.
{Prolate ellipsoid} or {spheroid} (Geom.), a figure generated
by the revolution of an ellipse about its major axis. See
{Ellipsoid of revolution}, under {Ellipsoid}.
Prolate \Pro*late"\, v. t.
To utter; to pronounce. [Obs.] ``Foun-der-ed; prolate it
right.'' --B. Jonson.
Prolation \Pro*la"tion\, n. [L. prolatio: cf. F. prolation.]
1. The act of prolating or pronouncing; utterance;
pronunciation. [Obs.] --Ray.
2. The act of deferring; delay. [Obs.] --Ainsworth.
3. (Mus.) A medi[ae]val method of determining of the
proportionate duration of semibreves and minims. --Busby.
Prolatum \Pro*la"tum\, n.; pl. {Prolata}. [ NL. See {Prolate}.]
(Geom.)
A prolate spheroid. See {Ellipsoid of revolution}, under
{Ellipsoid}.
Proleg \Pro"leg\, n. [Pref. pro- for, in place of + leg.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the fleshy legs found on the abdominal segments of the
larv[ae] of Lepidoptera, sawflies, and some other insects.
Those of Lepidoptera have a circle of hooks. Called also
{proped}, {propleg}, and {falseleg}.
Prolegate \Pro"leg`ate\ (?; 48), n. [L. prolegatus; pro for +
legatus legate.] (Rom. Hist.)
The deputy or substitute for a legate.
Prolegomenary \Prol`e*gom"e*na*ry\, a.
Of the nature of a prolegomenon; preliminary; introductory;
prefatory.
Prolegomenon \Prol`e*gom"e*non\, n.; pl. {Prolegomena}. [ NL.,
fr. Gr. ?, properly neut. pass. p. pr. of ? to say
beforehand; ? before + ? to say.]
A preliminary remark or observation; an introductory
discourse prefixed to a book or treatise. --D. Stokes (1659).
Sir W. Scott.
Prolepsis \Pro*lep"sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, from ? to take
beforehand; ? before + ? to take.]
1. (Rhet.)
(a) A figure by which objections are anticipated or
prevented. --Abp. Bramhall.
(b) A necessary truth or assumption; a first or assumed
principle.
2. (Chron.) An error in chronology, consisting in an event
being dated before the actual time.
3. (Gram.) The application of an adjective to a noun in
anticipation, or to denote the result, of the action of
the verb; as, to strike one dumb.
Proleptic \Pro*lep"tic\, Proleptical \Pro*lep"tic*al\, a. [Gr.
?: cf. F. proleptique.]
1. Of or pertaining to prolepsis; anticipative. ``A
far-seeing or proleptic wisdom.'' --De Quincey.
2. Previous; antecedent. --Glanvill.
3. (Med.) Anticipating the usual time; -- applied to a
periodical disease whose paroxysms return at an earlier
hour at every repetition.
Proleptically \Pro*lep"tic*al*ly\, adv.
In a proleptical manner.
Proleptics \Pro*lep"tics\, n. (Med.)
The art and science of predicting in medicine. --Laycock.
Prol'etaire \Pro`l['e]`taire"\, n. [F. See {Proletary}.]
One of the common people; a low person; also, the common
people as a class or estate in a country.
Proletaneous \Prol`e*ta"ne*ous\, a. [L. proletaneus.]
Having a numerous offspring. [R.]
Proletarian \Prol`e*ta"ri*an\, a. [L. proletarius. See
Proletary.]
Of or pertaining to the proletaries; belonging to the
commonalty; hence, mean; vile; vulgar. ``Every citizen, if he
were not a proletarian animal kept at the public cost.'' --De
Quincey. -- n. A proletary.
Proletariat \Prol`e*ta"ri*at\, n. [F.]
The indigent class in the State; the body of proletarians.
Proletariate \Prol`e*ta"ri*ate\, n.
The lower classes; beggars. ``The Italian proletariate.''
--J. A. Symonds.
Proletary \Prol"e*ta*ry\, n.; pl. {Proletaries}. [ L.
proletarius, fr. proles offspring. Cf. {Prol['e]taire}.]
(Rom. Antiq.)
A citizen of the lowest class, who served the state, not with
property, but only by having children; hence, a common
person.
Prolicide \Prol"i*cide\, n. [L. proles offspring + caedere to
kill.]
The crime of destroying one's offspring, either in the womb
or after birth. --Bouvier.
Proliferate \Pro*lif"er*ate\, v. t. [L. proles offspring + ferre
to bear.]
1. (Biol.) To produce or form cells; especially, to produce
cells rapidly.
2. (Zo["o]l.) To produce zooids by budding.
Proliferation \Pro*lif`er*a"tion\, n.
1. (Biol.) The continuous development of cells in tissue
formation; cell formation. --Virchow.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The production of numerous zooids by budding,
especially when buds arise from other buds in succession.
Proliferous \Pro*lif"er*ous\, a. [L. proles offspring +
-ferous.]
1. (Bot.) Bearing offspring; -- applied to a flower from
within which another is produced, or to a branch or frond
from which another rises, or to a plant which is
reproduced by buds or gemm[ae].
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Producing young by budding.
(b) Producing sexual zooids by budding; -- said of the
blastostyle of a hydroid.
(c) Producing a cluster of branchlets from a larger
branch; -- said of corals.
{Proliferous cyst} (Med.), a cyst that produces
highly-organized or even vascular structures. --Paget. --
{Pro*lif"er*ous*ly}, adv.
Prolific \Pro*lif"ic\, a. [F. prolifique, fr. L. proles
offspring (from pro for, forward + the root of alere to
nourish) + facere to make. See {Adult}, {Old}, and {Fact}.]
1. Having the quality of generating; producing young or
fruit; generative; fruitful; productive; -- applied to
plants producing fruit, animals producing young, etc.; --
usually with the implied idea of frequent or numerous
production; as, a prolific tree, female, and the like.
2. Serving to produce; fruitful of results; active; as, a
prolific brain; a controversy prolific of evil.
3. (Bot.) Proliferous.
Prolificacy \Pro*lif"ic*a*cy\, n.
Prolificness. [R.]
Prolifical \Pro*lif"ic*al\, a.
Producing young or fruit abundantly; fruitful; prolific. --
{Pro*lif"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Prolificate \Pro*lif"ic*ate\, v. t. [See {Prolific}.]
To make prolific; to fertilize; to impregnate. --Sir T.
Browne.
Prolification \Pro*lif`i*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. prolification, LL.
prolificatio.]
1. The generation of young.
2. (Bot.) Reproduction by the growth of a plant, or part of a
plant, directly from an older one, or by gemm[ae].
Prolificness \Pro*lif"ic*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being prolific; fruitfulness;
prolificacy.
Prolix \Pro*lix"\ (?; 277), a. [L. prolixus extended, long,
prolix, probably fr. pro before, forward + liqui to flow,
akin to liquidus liquid; cf. OL. lixa water: cf. F. prolixe.
See {Liquid}.]
1. Extending to a great length; unnecessarily long; minute in
narration or argument; excessively particular in detail;
-- rarely used except with reference to discourse written
or spoken; as, a prolix oration; a prolix poem; a prolix
sermon.
With wig prolix, down flowing to his waist.
--Cowper.
2. Indulging in protracted discourse; tedious; wearisome; --
applied to a speaker or writer.
Syn: Long; diffuse; prolonged; protracted; tedious; tiresome;
wearisome.
Usage: {Prolix}, {Diffuse}. A prolix writer delights in
circumlocution, extended detail, and trifling
particulars. A diffuse writer is fond of amplifying,
and abounds in epithets, figures, and illustrations.
Diffuseness often arises from an exuberance of
imagination; prolixity is generally connected with a
want of it.
Prolixious \Pro*lix"ious\, a.
Dilatory; tedious; superfluous. [Obs.] ``Lay by all nicety,
and prolixious blushes.'' --Shak.
Prolixity \Pro*lix"i*ty\, n. [L. prolixitas: cf. F.
prolixit['e].]
The quality or state of being prolix; great length; minute
detail; as, prolixity in discourses and writings. ``For
fulsomeness of his prolixitee.'' --Chaucer.
Idly running on with vain prolixity. --Drayton.
Prolixly \Pro*lix"ly\, adv.
In a prolix manner. --Dryden.
Prolixness \Pro*lix"ness\, n.
Prolixity. --Adam Smith.
Proll \Proll\, v. t. [See {Prowl}.] [imp. & p. p. {Prolled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Prolling}.]
To search or prowl after; to rob; to plunder. [Obs.]
--Barrow.
Proll \Proll\, v. i.
To prowl about; to rob. [Obs.] --South.
Though ye prolle aye, ye shall it never find.
--Chaucer.
Proller \Proll"er\, n.
Prowler; thief. [Obs.] --Chapman.
Prolocutor \Prol`o*cu"tor\, n. [L., from proloqui, p. p.
prolocutus, to speak out; pro for + loqui to speak.]
1. One who speaks for another. --Jeffrey.
2. The presiding officer of a convocation. --Macaulay.
Proocutorship \Pro`o*cu"tor*ship\, n.
The office of a prolocutor.
Prolog \Pro"log\, n. & v.
Prologue.
Prologize \Pro"lo*gize\, v. i. [Gr. ?. See {Prologue}.]
To deliver a Prologue. [R.] --Whewell.
Prologizer \Pro"lo*gi`zer\, n.
One who prologizes. [R.]
Prologue \Pro"logue\, n. [F., fr. L. prologus, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ?
to say beforehand; ? before + ? to say. See {Logic}.]
1. The preface or introduction to a discourse, poem, or
performance; as, the prologue of Chaucer's ``Canterbury
Tales;'' esp., a discourse or poem spoken before a
dramatic performance
2. One who delivers a prologue. [R.] --Shak.
Prologue \Pro"logue\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prologued}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Prologuing}.]
To introduce with a formal preface, or prologue. [R.] --Shak.
Prolong \Pro*long"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prolonged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Prolonging}.] [F. prolonger, L. prolongare; pro
before, forth + longus long. See {Long}, a., and cf.
{Prolongate}, {Purloin}. ]
1. To extend in space or length; as, to prolong a line.
2. To lengthen in time; to extend the duration of; to draw
out; to continue; as, to prolong one's days.
Prolong awhile the traitor's life. --Shak.
The unhappy queen with talk prolonged the night.
--Dryden.
3. To put off to a distant time; to postpone. --Shak.
Prolongable \Pro*long"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being prolonged; as, life is prolongable by care.
Each syllable being a prolongable quantity. --Rush.
Prolongate \Pro*lon"gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prolongated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Prolongating}.] [L. prolongatus, p. p. of
prolongare. See {Prolong}.]
To prolong; to extend in space or in time. [R.]
Prolongation \Pro`lon*ga"tion\, n. [F. prolongation.]
1. The act of lengthening in space or in time; extension;
protraction. --Bacon.
2. That which forms an additional length.
Prolonge \Pro*longe"\, n. [F. See {Prolong}.] (Field Artillery)
A rope with a hook and a toggle, sometimes used to drag a gun
carriage or to lash it to the limber, and for various other
purposes.
Prolonger \Pro*long"er\, n.
One who, or that which, causes an extension in time or space.
Prolongment \Pro*long"ment\, n.
Prolongation.
Prolusion \Pro*lu"sion\, n. [L. prolusio, fr. proludere to
prelude; pro before + ludere to play: cf. F. prolusion, It.
prolusione.]
A trial before the principal performance; a prelude; hence,
an introductory essay or exercise. ``Domestic prolusions.''
--Thackeray.
Her presence was in some measure a restraint on the
worthy divine, whose prolusion lasted. --Sir W.
Scott.
Promanation \Prom`a*na"tion\, n. [Pref. pro- + L. manatio a
flowing, fr. manare to flow.]
The act of flowing forth; emanation; efflux. [Obs.] --Dr. H.
More.
Promenade \Prom`e*nade"\, n. [F. (with a foreign suffix), from
promener to lead, take for a walk, se promener to walk, from
L. prominare to drive forward or along; pro forward + minare
to drive animals. See {Amenable}, {Menace}.]
1. A walk for pleasure, display, or exercise. --Burke.
2. A place for walking; a public walk. --Bp. Montagu.
Promenade \Prom`e*nade"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Promenaded}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Promenading}.]
To walk for pleasure, display, or exercise.
Promenader \Prom`e*nad"er\, n.
One who promenades.
Promerit \Pro*mer"it\, v. t. [L. promeritus, p. p. of promerere
to deserve; pro before + merere to merit.]
1. To oblige; to confer a favor on. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
2. To deserve; to procure by merit. [Obs.] --Davenant.
Promerops \Prom"e*rops\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? before + ?
bee-eater.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of very brilliant birds belonging
to {Promerops}, {Epimarchus}, and allied genera, closely
related to the paradise birds, and mostly native of New
Guinea. They have a long curved beak and a long graduated
tail.
Promethea \Pro*me"the*a\, n. [NL. See {Prometheus}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large American bombycid moth ({Callosamia promethea}). Its
larva feeds on the sassafras, wild cherry, and other trees,
and suspends its cocoon from a branch by a silken band.
Promethean \Pro*me"the*an\, a. [L. Prometh?us: cf. F.
prom['e]th['e]en.]
1. Of or pertaining to Prometheus. See {Prometheus}.
``Promethean fire.'' --Shak.
2. Having a life-giving quality; inspiring.
Promethean \Pro*me"the*an\, n. (Old Chem.)
(a) An apparatus for automatic ignition.
(b) A kind of lucifer match.
Prometheus \Pro*me"the*us\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, from ? to have
forethought for.] (Class. Myth.)
The son of Iapetus (one of the Titans) and Clymene, fabled by
the poets to have surpassed all mankind in knowledge, and to
have formed men of clay to whom he gave life by means of fire
stolen from heaven. Jupiter, being angry at this, sent
Mercury to bind Prometheus to Mount Caucasus, where a vulture
preyed upon his liver.
Prominence \Prom"i*nence\, Prominency \Prom"i*nen*cy\, n. [L.
prominentia: cf. F. prominence. See {Prominent}. ]
1. The quality or state of being prominent; a standing out
from something; conspicuousness.
2. That which is prominent; a protuberance.
{Solar prominences}. (Astron.) See {Solar Protuberances},
under {Protuberance}.
Prominent \Prom"i*nent\, a. [L. prominens, -entis, p. pr. of
prominere to jut out, to project; pro before, forward +
minere (in comp.) to jut, project: cf. F. prominent. See
{Imminent}, {Eminent}.]
1. Standing out, or projecting, beyond the line surface of
something; jutting; protuberant; in high relief; as, a
prominent figure on a vase.
2. Hence; Distinctly manifest; likely to attract attention
from its size or position; conspicuous; as, a prominent
feature of the face; a prominent building.
3. Eminent; distinguished above others; as, a prominent
character.
{Prominent' moth} (Zo["o]l.), any moth of the family
{Notodontid[ae]}; a notodontian; -- so called because the
larva has a hump or prominence on its back. Several of the
species are injurious to fruit trees.
Prominently \Prom"i*nent*ly\, adv.
In a prominent manner.
Promiscuity \Pro`mis*cu"i*ty\, n.
Promiscuousness; confusion. --H. Spencer.
Promiscuous \Pro*mis"cu*ous\, a. [L. promiscuus; pro before, in
place of, for + miscere to mix. See {Mix}. ]
1. Consisting of individuals united in a body or mass without
order; mingled; confused; undistinguished; as, a
promiscuous crowd or mass.
A wild, where weeds and flowers promiscuous shoot.
--Pope.
2. Distributed or applied without order or discrimination;
not restricted to an individual; common; indiscriminate;
as, promiscuous love or intercourse.
Promiscuously \Pro*mis"cu*ous*ly\, adv.
In a promiscuous manner.
Promiscuousness \Pro*mis"cu*ous*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being promiscuous.
Promise \Prom"ise\, a. [F. promesse, L. promissum, fr.
promittere, promissum, to put forth, foretell, promise; pro
forward, for + mittere to send. See {Mission}. ]
1. In general, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one
person to another, which binds the person who makes it to
do, or to forbear to do, a specified act; a declaration
which gives to the person to whom it is made a right to
expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a
specified act.
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more
of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
--Gal. iii.
18.
2. (Law) An engagement by one person to another, either in
words or in writing, but properly not under seal, for the
performance or nonperformance of some particular thing.
The word promise is used to denote the mere engagement of
a person, without regard to the consideration for it, or
the corresponding duty of the party to whom it is made.
--Chitty. Parsons. Burrill.
3. That which causes hope, expectation, or assurance;
especially, that which affords expectation of future
distinction; as, a youth of great promise. --Shak.
My native country was full of youthful promise. --W.
Irving.
4. Bestowal, fulfillment, or grant of what is promised.
He . . . commanded them that they should not depart
from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the
Father. --Acts i. 4.
Promise \Prom"ise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Promised}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Promising}.]
1. To engage to do, give, make, or to refrain from doing,
giving, or making, or the like; to covenant; to engage;
as, to promise a visit; to promise a cessation of
hostilities; to promise the payment of money. ``To promise
aid.'' --Shak.
2. To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of;
as, the clouds promise rain. --Milton.
3. To make declaration of or give assurance of, as some
benefit to be conferred; to pledge or engage to bestow;
as, the proprietors promised large tracts of land; the
city promised a reward.
{Promised land}. See {Land of promise}, under {Land}.
{To promise one's self}.
(a) To resolve; to determine; to vow.
(b) To be assured; to have strong confidence.
I dare promise myself you will attest the truth
of all I have advanced. --Rambler.
Promise \Prom"ise\, v. i.
1. To give assurance by a promise, or binding declaration.
2. To afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to expect
good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil.
Will not the ladies be afeard of the lion? I fear
it, I promise you. --Shak.
Promisee \Prom`is*ee"\, n. (Law)
The person to whom a promise is made.
Promiser \Prom"is*er\, n.
One who promises.
Promising \Prom"is*ing\, a.
Making a promise or promises; affording hope or assurance;
as, promising person; a promising day. -- {Prom"is*ing*ly},
adv.
Promisor \Prom"is*or\, n. (Law)
One who engages or undertakes; a promiser. --Burrill.
Promissive \Pro*mis"sive\, a.
Making a promise; implying a promise; promising. [R.]
Promissorily \Prom"is*so*ri*ly\, adv.
In a promissory manner. --Sir T. Browne.
Promissory \Prom"is*so*ry\, a.
Containing a promise or binding declaration of something to
be done or forborne.
{Promissory note} (Law), a written promise to pay to some
person named, and at a time specified therein, or on
demand, or at sight, a certain sum of money, absolutely
and at all events; -- frequently called a {note of hand}.
--Kent. Byles. Story.
Promont \Prom"ont\, n.
Promontory. [R.] --Drayton.
Promontory \Prom"on*to*ry\, n.; pl. {Promontories}. [ L.
promonturium, promunturium; pro before + mons, montis,
mountain: cf. F. promontoire. See {Mount}, n.]
1. (Phys. Geog.) A high point of land or rock projecting into
the sea beyond the line of coast; a headland; a high cape.
Like one that stands upon a promontory. --Shak.
2. (Anat.) A projecting part. Especially:
(a) The projecting angle of the ventral side of the sacrum
where it joins the last lumbar vertebra.
(b) A prominence on the inner wall of the tympanum of the
ear.
Promerphological \Pro*mer`pho*log"ic*al\, a. (Biol.)
Relating to promorphology; as, a promorphological conception.
Promorphologist \Pro`mor*phol"o*gist\, n. (Biol.)
One versed in the science of promorphology.
Promorphology \Pro`mor*phol"o*gy\, n. [Pref. pro- + morphology.]
(Biol.)
Crystallography of organic forms; -- a division of morphology
created by Haeckel. It is essentially stereometric, and
relates to a mathematical conception of organic forms. See
{Tectology}.
Promote \Pro*mote"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Promoted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Promoting}.] [L. promotus, p. p. of promovere to move
forward, to promote; pro forward + movere to move. See
{Move}.]
1. To contribute to the growth, enlargement, or prosperity of
(any process or thing that is in course); to forward; to
further; to encourage; to advance; to excite; as, to
promote learning; to promote disorder; to promote a
business venture. ``Born to promote all truth.'' --Milton.
2. To exalt in station, rank, or honor; to elevate; to raise;
to prefer; to advance; as, to promote an officer.
I will promote thee unto very great honor. --Num.
xxii. 17.
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee. --Prov. iv.
18.
Syn: To forward; advance; further; patronize; help; exalt;
prefer; elevate; dignify.
Promote \Pro*mote"\, v. i.
To urge on or incite another, as to strife; also, to inform
against a person. [Obs.]
Promoter \Pro*mot"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, forwards, advances, or promotes;
an encourager; as, a promoter of charity or philosophy.
--Boyle.
2. Specifically, one who sets on foot, and takes the
preliminary steps in, a scheme for the organization of a
corporation, a joint-stock company, or the like.
3. One who excites; as, a promoter of sedition.
4. An informer; a makebate. [Obs.] --Tusser.
Promottion \Pro*mot"tion\, n. [L. promotio: cf. F. promotion.]
The act of promoting, advancing, or encouraging; the act of
exalting in rank or honor; also, the condition of being
advanced, encouraged, or exalted in honor; preferment.
--Milton.
Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the
west, nor from the south. --Ps. lxxv. 6.
Promotive \Pro*mo"tive\, a.
Tending to advance, promote, or encourage. --Hume.
Promove \Pro*move"\, v. t. [See {Promote}.]
To move forward; to advance; to promote. [Obs.] --Bp. Fell.
Promover \Pro*mov"er\, n.
A promoter. [Obs.]
Promt \Promt\ (?; 215), a. [Compar. {Prompter}; superl.
{Promptest}.] [F. prompt, L. promptus, properly, brought
forth (to light or view), hence, visible, evident, at hand,
ready, quick, -- p. p. of promere to take or bring forth; pro
forth + emere to take. See {Redeem}. ]
1. Ready and quick to act as occasion demands; meeting
requirements readily; not slow, dilatory, or hesitating in
decision or action; responding on the instant; immediate;
as, prompt in obedience or compliance; -- said of persons.
Very discerning and prompt in giving orders.
--Clarendon.
Tell him I am prompt To lay my crown at's feet.
--Shak.
Any you, perhaps, too prompt in your replies.
--Dryden.
2. Done or rendered quickly, readily, or immediately; given
without delay or hesitation; -- said of conduct; as,
prompt assistance.
When Washington heard the voice of his country in
distress, his obedience was prompt. --Ames.
3. Easy; unobstructed. [Obs.]
The reception of the light into the body of the
building was very prompt. --Sir H.
Wotton.
Syn: Ready; expeditious; quick; agile; alert; brisk; nimble.
Usage: {Prompt}, {Ready}, {Expeditious}. One who is ready is
prepared to act at the moment. One who is prompt acts
at the moment. One who is expeditious carries through
an undertaking with constant promptness.
Prompt \Prompt\, n. (Com.)
A limit of time given for payment of an account for produce
purchased, this limit varying with different goods. See
{Prompt-note}.
To cover any probable difference of price which might
arise before the expiration of the prompt, which for
this article [tea] is three months. --J. S. Mill.
Prompt \Prompt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prompted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Prompting}.]
1. To assist or induce the action of; to move to action; to
instigate; to incite.
God first . . . prompted on the infirmities of the
infant world by temporal prosperity. --Jer. Taylor.
2. To suggest; to dictate.
And whispering angles prompt her golden dreams.
--Pope.
3. To remind, as an actor or an orator, of words or topics
forgotten.
Prompt-book \Prompt"-book`\, n.
The book used by a prompter of a theater.
Prompter \Prompt"er\, n.
1. One who, or that which, prompts; one who admonishes or
incites to action.
2. One who reminds another, as an actor or an orator, of the
words to be spoken next; specifically, one employed for
this purpose in a theater.
Promptitude \Prompt"i*tude\, n. [F., fr. L. promptitudo. See
{Prompt}, a.]
The quality of being prompt; quickness of decision and action
when occasion demands; alacrity; as, promptitude in
obedience.
Men of action, of promptitude, and of courage. --I.
Taylor.
Promptly \Prompt"ly\, adv.
In a prompt manner.
Promptness \Prompt"ness\, n.
1. Promptitude; readiness; quickness of decision or action.
2. Cheerful willingness; alacrity.
Prompt-note \Prompt"-note`\, n. (Com.)
A memorandum of a sale, and time when payment is due, given
to the purchaser at a sale of goods.
Promptuary \Promp"tu*a*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to preparation. [R.] --Bacon.
Promptuary \Promp"tu*a*ry\, n. [L. promptuarium, fr.
promptuarius belonging to distribution, distributing: cf, F.
promptuaire. See {Prompt}, a.]
That from which supplies are drawn; a storehouse; a magazine;
a repository. --Woodward.
Prompture \Promp"ture\ (?; 135), n. [See {Prompt}, a.]
Suggestion; incitement; prompting. [R.] --Shak. Coleridge.
Promulgate \Pro*mul"gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Promulgated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Promulgating}.] [L. promulgatus, p. p. of
promulgare to promulgate; of unknown origin. Cf. {Promulge}.]
To make known by open declaration, as laws, decrees, or
tidings; to publish; as, to promulgate the secrets of a
council.
Syn: To publish; declare; proclaim. See {Announce}.
Promulgation \Pro`mul*ga"tion\, n. [L. promulgatio: cf. F.
promulgation.]
The act of promulgating; publication; open declaration; as,
the promulgation of the gospel. --South.
Promulgator \Pro"mul*ga`tor\, n. [L.]
One who promulgates or publishes. --Dr. H. More.
Promulge \Pro*mulge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Promulged}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Promulging}.] [Cf. F. promulguer. See {Promulgate}.]
To promulgate; to publish or teach. --Blackstone.
Extraordinary doctrines these for the age in which they
were promulged. --Prescott.
Promulger \Pro*mul"ger\, n.
One who promulges or publishes what was before unknown.
--Atterbury.
Promuscis \Pro*mus"cis\, n. [L., corruption of proboscis.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The proboscis of hemipterous insects. See Illust. under
{Hemiptera}.
Pronaos \Pro*na"os\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; ? before + ? temple.]
(Arch.)
The porch or vestibule of a temple.
Pronate \Pro"nate\, a. [L. pronatus, p. p. of pronare to bend
forward. See Prone.]
Somewhat prone; inclined; as, pronate trees. --Kane.
Pronation \Pro*na"tion\, n. [Cf. F. pronation.] (Physiol.)
(a) The act of turning the palm or palmar surface of the
forefoot downward.
(b) That motion of the forearm whereby the palm or palmar,
surface is turned downward.
(c) The position of the limb resulting from the act of
pronation. Opposed to {supination}.
Pronator \Pro*na"tor\, n. [NL.] (Anat.)
A muscle which produces pronation.
Prone \Prone\, a. [L. pronus, akin to Gr. ?, ?, Skr. pravana
sloping, inclined, and also to L. pro forward, for. See
{Pro-}.]
1. Bending forward; inclined; not erect.
Towards him they bend With awful reverence prone.
--Milton.
2. Prostrate; flat; esp., lying with the face down; --
opposed to {supine}.
Which, as the wind, Blew where it listed, laying all
things prone. --Byron.
3. Headlong; running downward or headlong. ``Down thither
prone in flight.'' --Milton.
4. Sloping, with reference to a line or surface; declivous;
inclined; not level.
Since the floods demand, For their descent, a prone
and sinking land. --Blackmore.
5. Inclined; propense; disposed; -- applied to the mind or
affections, usually in an ill sense. Followed by to.
``Prone to mischief.'' --Shak.
Poets are nearly all prone to melancholy. --Landor.
Pronely \Prone"ly\, adv.
In a prone manner or position.
Proneness \Prone"ness\, n.
1. The quality or state of being prone, or of bending
downward; as, the proneness of beasts is opposed to the
erectness of man.
2. The state of lying with the face down; -- opposed to
{supineness}.
3. Descent; declivity; as, the proneness of a hill.
4. Inclination of mind, heart, or temper; propension;
disposition; as, proneness to self-gratification.
Pronephric \Pro*neph"ric\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the pronephros.
Pronephros \Pro*neph"ros\, Pronephron \Pro*neph"ron\, n. [ NL.,
fr. Gr. ? before + ? a kidney.] (Anat.)
The head kidney. See under {Head}.
Prong \Prong\, n. [Cf. D. prangen to pinch, press, LG. prange a
stick, or W. procio to thrust, E. prowl, pang.]
1. A sharp-pointed instrument.
Prick it on a prong of iron. --Sandys.
2. The tine of a fork, or of a similar instrument; as, a fork
of two or three prongs.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A sharp projection, as of an antler.
(b) The fang of a tooth.
Prongbuck \Prong"buck`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The springbuck.
(b) The pronghorn.
Pronged \Pronged\, a.
Having prongs or projections like the tines of a fork; as, a
three-pronged fork.
Prong-hoe \Prong"-hoe`\, n.
A hoe with prongs to break the earth.
Pronghorn \Prong"horn`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
An American antelope ({Antilocapra Americana}), native of the
plain near the Rocky Mountains. The upper parts are mostly
yellowish brown; the under parts, the sides of the head and
throat, and the buttocks, are white. The horny sheath of the
horns is shed annually. Called also {cabr['e]e}, {cabut},
{prongbuck}, and {pronghorned antelope}.
Pronity \Pro"ni*ty\, n. [L. pronitas.]
Proneness; propensity. [R.] --Dr. H. More.
Pronominal \Pro*nom"i*nal\, a. [L. pronominalis: cf. F.
pronominal. See {Pronoun}.]
Belonging to, or partaking of the nature of, a pronoun.
Pronominalize \Pro*nom"i*nal*ize\, v. t.
To give the effect of a pronoun to; as, to pronominalize the
substantives person, people, etc. --Early.
Pronominally \Pro*nom"i*nal*ly\, adv.
In a pronominal manner? with the nature or office of a
pronoun; as a pronoun.
Prononc'e \Pro`non`c['e]"\, a. [F. See {Pronounce}.]
Strongly marked; decided, as in manners, etc.
Pronotary \Pro*no"ta*ry\, n.
See {Prothonotary}.
Pronotum \Pro*no"tum\, n.; pl. {Pronota}. [NL. See {Pro-}, and
{Notum}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The dorsal plate of the prothorax in insects. See Illust. of
{Coleoptera}.
Pronoun \Pro"noun\, n. [Pref. pro- + noun: cf. F. pronom, L.
pronomen. See {Noun}.] (Gram.)
A word used instead of a noun or name, to avoid the
repetition of it. The personal pronouns in English are I,
thou or you, he, she, it, we, ye, and they.
Pronounce \Pro*nounce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pronounced}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Pronounging}.] [F. prononcer, L. pronunciare;
pro before, forth + nunciare, nuntiare, to announce. See
{Announce}.]
1. To utter articulately; to speak out or distinctly; to
utter, as words or syllables; to speak with the proper
sound and accent as, adults rarely learn to pronounce a
foreign language correctly.
2. To utter officially or solemnly; to deliver, as a decree
or sentence; as, to pronounce sentence of death.
Sternly he pronounced The rigid interdiction.
--Milton.
3. To speak or utter rhetorically; to deliver; to recite; as,
to pronounce an oration.
Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to
you. --Shak.
4. To declare or affirm; as, he pronounced the book to be a
libel; he pronounced the act to be a fraud.
The God who hallowed thee and blessed, Pronouncing
thee all good. --Keble.
Syn: To deliver; utter; speak. See {Deliver}.
Pronounce \Pro*nounce"\, v. i.
1. To give a pronunciation; to articulate; as, to pronounce
faultlessly. --Earle.
2. To make declaration; to utter on opinion; to speak with
confidence. [R.] --Dr. H. More.
Pronounce \Pro*nounce"\, n.
Pronouncement; declaration; pronunciation. [Obs.] --Milton.
Pronounceable \Pro*nounce"a*ble\, a. [Cf. L. pronunciabilis
declarative.]
Capable of being pronounced.
Pronounced \Pro*nounced"\, a. [F. prononc['e].]
Strongly marked; unequivocal; decided.
Note: [A Gallicism]
[His] views became every day more pronounced.
--Thackeray.
Pronouncement \Pro*nounce"ment\, n.
The act of pronouncing; a declaration; a formal announcement.
Pronouncer \Pro*noun"cer\, n.
One who pronounces, utters, or declares; also, a pronouncing
book.
Pronouncing \Pro*noun"cing\, a.
Pertaining to, or indicating, pronunciation; as, a
pronouncing dictionary.
Pronubial \Pro*nu"bi*al\, a. [L. pronuba bridesmaid; pro before
+ nubere to marry.]
Presiding over marriage. [R.]
Pronucleus \Pro*nu"cle*us\, n.; pl. {Pronuclei} (-[imac]). [NL.
See {Pro-}, and {Nucleus}.] (Biol.)
One of the two bodies or nuclei (called male and female
pronuclei) which unite to form the first segmentation nucleus
of an impregnated ovum.
Note: In the maturing of the ovum preparatory to
impregnation, a part of the germinal vesicle (see
{Polar body}, under {Polar}) becomes converted into a
number of small vesicles, which aggregate themselves
into a single clear nucleus. which travels towards the
center of the egg and is called the female pronucleus.
In impregnation, the spermatozo["o]n which enters the
egg soon loses its tail, while the head forms a
nucleus, called the male pronucleus, which gradually
travels towards the female pronucleus and eventually
fuses with it, forming the first segmentation nucleus.
Pronuncial \Pro*nun"cial\, a.
Of or pertaining to pronunciation; pronunciative.
Pronunciamento \Pro*nun`ci*a*men"to\, n.
A proclamation or manifesto; a formal announcement or
declaration.
Pronunciamiento \Pro*nun`ci*a`mi"en"to\, n. [Sp. See
{Pronounce}.]
See {Pronunciamento}.
Pronunciation \Pro*nun`ci*a"tion\ (?; 277), n. [F.
pronunciation, L. pronunciatio. See {Pronounce}.]
1. The act of uttering with articulation; the act of giving
the proper sound and accent; utterance; as, the
pronunciation of syllables of words; distinct or
indistinct pronunciation.
2. The mode of uttering words or sentences.
3. (Rhet.) The art of manner of uttering a discourse publicly
with propriety and gracefulness; -- now called {delivery}.
--J. Q. Adams.
Pronunciative \Pro*nun"ci*a*tive\, a. [L. pronunciativus.]
1. Of or pertaining to pronunciation.
2. Uttering confidently; dogmatical. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Pronunciator \Pro*nun"ci*a`tor\, n. [L., a reciter.]
One who pronounces; a pronouncer.
Pronunciatory \Pro*nun"ci*a*to*ry\, a.
Of or pertaining to pronunciation; that pronounces.
Proof \Proof\, n. [OF. prove, proeve, F. preuve, fr. L. proba,
fr. probare to prove. See {Prove}.]
1. Any effort, process, or operation designed to establish or
discover a fact or truth; an act of testing; a test; a
trial.
For whatsoever mother wit or art Could work, he put
in proof. --Spenser.
You shall have many proofs to show your skill.
--Ford.
Formerly, a very rude mode of ascertaining the
strength of spirits was practiced, called the proof.
--Ure.
2. That degree of evidence which convinces the mind of any
truth or fact, and produces belief; a test by facts or
arguments that induce, or tend to induce, certainty of the
judgment; conclusive evidence; demonstration.
I'll have some proof. --Shak.
It is no proof of a man's understanding to be able
to confirm whatever he pleases. --Emerson.
Note: Properly speaking, proof is the effect or result of
evidence, evidence is the medium of proof. Cf.
{Demonstration}, 1.
3. The quality or state of having been proved or tried;
firmness or hardness that resists impression, or does not
yield to force; impenetrability of physical bodies.
4. Firmness of mind; stability not to be shaken.
5. (Print.) A trial impression, as from type, taken for
correction or examination; -- called also {proof sheet}.
6. (Math.) A process for testing the accuracy of an operation
performed. Cf. {Prove}, v. t., 5.
7. Armor of excellent or tried quality, and deemed
impenetrable; properly, armor of proof. [Obs.] --Shak.
{Artist's proof}, a very early proof impression of an
engraving, or the like; -- often distinguished by the
artist's signature.
{Proof reader}, one who reads, and marks correction in,
proofs. See def. 5, above.
Syn: Testimony; evidence; reason; argument; trial;
demonstration. See {Testimony}.
Proof \Proof\, a.
1. Used in proving or testing; as, a proof load, or proof
charge.
2. Firm or successful in resisting; as, proof against harm;
waterproof; bombproof.
I . . . have found thee Proof against all
temptation. --Milton.
This was a good, stout proof article of faith.
--Burke.
3. Being of a certain standard as to strength; -- said of
alcoholic liquors.
{Proof charge} (Firearms), a charge of powder and ball,
greater than the service charge, fired in an arm, as a gun
or cannon, to test its strength.
{Proof impression}. See under {Impression}.
{Proof load} (Engin.), the greatest load than can be applied
to a piece, as a beam, column, etc., without straining the
piece beyond the elastic limit.
{Proof sheet}. See {Proof}, n., 5.
{Proof spirit} (Chem.), a strong distilled liquor, or mixture
of alcohol and water, containing not less than a standard
amount of alcohol. In the United States ``proof spirit is
defined by law to be that mixture of alcohol and water
which contains one half of its volume of alcohol, the
alcohol when at a temperature of 60[deg] Fahrenheit being
of specific gravity 0.7939 referred to water at its
maximum density as unity. Proof spirit has at 60[deg]
Fahrenheit a specific gravity of 0.93353, 100 parts by
volume of the same consisting of 50 parts of absolute
alcohol and 53.71 parts of water,'' the apparent excess of
water being due to contraction of the liquids on mixture.
In England proof spirit is defined by Act 58, George III.,
to be such as shall at a temperature of 51[deg] Fahrenheit
weigh exactly the 12/13 part of an equal measure of
distilled water. This contains 49.3 per cent by weight, or
57.09 by volume, of alcohol. Stronger spirits, as those of
about 60, 70, and 80 per cent of alcohol, are sometimes
called second, third, and fourth proof spirits
respectively.
{Proof staff}, a straight-edge used by millers to test the
flatness of a stone.
{Proof stick} (Sugar Manuf.), a rod in the side of a vacuum
pan, for testing the consistency of the sirup.
{Proof text}, a passage of Scripture used to prove a
doctrine.
Proof-arm \Proof`-arm"\, v. t.
To arm with proof armor; to arm securely; as, to proof-arm
herself. [R.] --Beau. & Fl.
Proofless \Proof"less\, a.
Wanting sufficient evidence to induce belief; not proved.
--Boyle. -- {Proof"less*ly}, adv.
Proof-proof \Proof"-proof`\, a.
Proof against proofs; obstinate in the wrong. ``That might
have shown to any one who was not proof-proof.'' --Whateley.
Proostracum \Pro*["o]s"tra*cum\, n.; pl. {Pro["o]straca}. [NL.,
fr. Gr. ? before + ? shell of a testacean.] (Zo["o]l.)
The anterior prolongation of the guard of the phragmocone of
belemnites and allied fossil cephalopods, whether horny or
calcareous. See Illust. of {Phragmocone}.
Prootic \Pro*["o]"tic\, a. [Pref. pro- + Gr. ?, ?, an ear.]
(Anat.)
In front of the auditory capsule; -- applied especially to a
bone, or center of ossification, in the periotic capsule. --
n. A pro["o]tic bone.
Prop \Prop\, n.
A shell, used as a die. See {Props}.
Prop \Prop\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Propped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Propping}.] [Akin to LG. & D. proppen to cram, stuff, thrust
into, stop, G. pfropfen, Dan. proppe, Sw. proppa; of
uncertain origin, cf. G. pfropfen to graft, fr. L. propago
set, layer of a plant, slip, shoot. Cf. 3d. {Prop},
{Propagate}.]
To support, or prevent from falling, by placing something
under or against; as, to prop up a fence or an old building;
(Fig.) to sustain; to maintain; as, to prop a declining
state. --Shak.
Till the bright mountains prop the incumbent sky.
--Pope.
For being not propp'd by ancestry. --Shak.
I prop myself upon those few supports that are left me.
--Pope.
Prop \Prop\, n. [Akin to LG., D., & Dan. prop stopple, stopper,
cork, Sw. propp, G. pfropf. See {Prop}, v.]
That which sustains an incumbent weight; that on which
anything rests or leans for support; a support; a stay; as, a
prop for a building. ``Two props of virtue.'' --Shak.
Propaedeutic \Pro`p[ae]*deu"tic\, Propaedeutical
\Pro`p[ae]*deu"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ? to teach beforehand; ? before
+ ? to bring up a child, to educate, teach, fr. ?, ?, a
child.]
Of, pertaining to, or conveying, preliminary instruction;
introductory to any art or science; instructing beforehand.
Propaedeutics \Pro`p[ae]*deu"tics\, n.
The preliminary learning connected with any art or science;
preparatory instruction.
Propagable \Prop"a*ga*ble\, a. [See {Propagate}.]
1. Capable of being propagated, or of being continued or
multiplied by natural generation or production.
2. Capable of being spread or extended by any means; -- said
of tenets, doctrines, or principles.
Propaganda \Prop`a*gan"da\, n. [Abbrev. fr. L. de propaganda
fide: cf. F. propagande. See {Propagate}.]
1. (R. C. Ch.)
(a) A congregation of cardinals, established in 1622,
charged with the management of missions.
(b) The college of the Propaganda, instituted by Urban
VIII. (1623-1644) to educate priests for missions in
all parts of the world.
2. Hence, any organization or plan for spreading a particular
doctrine or a system of principles.
Propagandism \Prop`a*gan"dism\, n. [Cf. F. propagandisme.]
The art or practice of propagating tenets or principles; zeal
in propagating one's opinions.
Propagandist \Prop`a*gan"dist\, n. [Cf. F. propagandiste.]
A person who devotes himself to the spread of any system of
principles. ``Political propagandists.'' --Walsh.
Propagate \Prop"a*gate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Propagated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Propagating}.] [L. propagatus, p. p. of
propagare to propagate, akin to propages, propago, a layer of
a plant, slip, shoot. See {Pro-}, and cf. {Pact}, {Prop},
{Prune}, v. t.]
1. To cause to continue or multiply by generation, or
successive production; -- applied to animals and plants;
as, to propagate a breed of horses or sheep; to propagate
a species of fruit tree.
2. To cause to spread to extend; to impel or continue forward
in space; as, to propagate sound or light.
3. To spread from person to person; to extend the knowledge
of; to originate and spread; to carry from place to place;
to disseminate; as, to propagate a story or report; to
propagate the Christian religion.
The infection was propagated insensibly. --De Foe.
4. To multiply; to increase. [Obs.]
Griefs of mine own lie heavy in my breast, Which
thou wilt propagate. --Shak.
5. To generate; to produce.
Motion propagated motion, and life threw off life.
--De Quincey.
Syn: To multiply; continue; increase; spread; diffuse;
disseminate; promote.
Propagate \Prop"a*gate\, v. i.
To have young or issue; to be produced or multiplied by
generation, or by new shoots or plants; as, rabbits propagate
rapidly.
No need that thou Should'st propagate, already
infinite. --Milton.
Propagation \Prop`a*ga"tion\, n. [L. propagatio: cf. F.
propagation.]
1. The act of propagating; continuance or multiplication of
the kind by generation or successive production; as, the
propagation of animals or plants.
There is not in nature any spontaneous generation,
but all come by propagation. --Ray.
2. The spreading abroad, or extension, of anything;
diffusion; dissemination; as, the propagation of sound;
the propagation of the gospel. --Bacon.
Propagative \Prop"a*ga*tive\, a.
Producing by propagation, or by a process of growth.
Propagator \Prop"a*ga`tor\, n. [L.: cf. F. propagateur.]
One who propagates; one who continues or multiplies.
Propagulum \Pro*pag"u*lum\, n.; pl. {Propagula}. [NL. See
{Propagate}.] (Bot.)
A runner terminated by a germinating bud.
Propane \Pro"pane\, n. [Propyl + methane.] (Chem.)
A heavy gaseous hydrocarbon, {C3H8}, of the paraffin series,
occurring naturally dissolved in crude petroleum, and also
made artificially; -- called also {propyl hydride}.
Propargyl \Pro*par"gyl\, n. [Propinyl + Gr. ? silver + -yl. So
called because one hydrogen atom may be replaced by silver.]
(Chem.)
Same as {Propinyl}.
Proparoxytone \Pro`par*ox"y*tone\, n. [Gr. ?. See {Pro-}, and
{Paroxytone}.] (Gr. Gram.)
A word which has the acute accent on the antepenult.
Proped \Pro"ped\, n. [Pref. pro- + L. pes, pedis, foot.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Proleg}.
Propel \Pro*pel"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Propelled}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Propelling}.] [L. propellere, propulsum; pro forward +
pellere to drive. See {Pulse} a beating.]
To drive forward; to urge or press onward by force; to move,
or cause to move; as, the wind or steam propels ships; balls
are propelled by gunpowder.
Propeller \Pro*pel"ler\, n.
1. One who, or that which, propels.
2. A contrivance for propelling a steam vessel, usually
consisting of a screw placed in the stern under water, and
made to revolve by an engine; a propeller wheel.
3. A steamboat thus propelled; a screw steamer.
{Propeller wheel},the screw, usually having two or more
blades, used in propelling a vessel.
Propend \Pro*pend"\, v. i. [L. propendere, propensum; pro
forward, forth + pendere to hang. See {Pendent}.]
To lean toward a thing; to be favorably inclined or disposed;
to incline; to tend. [R.] --Shak.
We shall propend to it, as a stone falleth down.
--Barrow.
Propendency \Pro*pend"en*cy\, n.
1. Propensity. [R.]
2. Attentive deliberation. [R.] --Sir M. Hale.
Propendent \Pro*pend"ent\, a. [L. propendens, p. pr.]
Inclining forward or toward. --South.
Propene \Pro"pene\, n. [Propyl + ethylene.] (Chem.)
Same as {Propylene}.
Propense \Pro*pense"\, a. [L. propensus, p. p. See {Propend}.]
Leaning toward, in a moral sense; inclined; disposed; prone;
as, women propense to holiness. --Hooker. -- {Pro*pense"ly},
adv. -- {Pro*pense"ness}, n.
Propension \Pro*pen"sion\, n. [L. propensio: cf. F. propension.
See {Propend}, {Propense}.]
The quality or state of being propense; propensity. --M.
Arnold.
Your full consent Gave wings to my propension. --Shak.
Propensity \Pro*pen"si*ty\, n.; pl. {Propensities}.
The quality or state of being propense; natural inclination;
disposition to do good or evil; bias; bent; tendency. ``A
propensity to utter blasphemy.'' --Macaulay.
Syn: Disposition; bias; inclination; proclivity; proneness;
bent; tendency.
Propenyl \Pro"pe*nyl\, n. [Propene + -yl.] (Chem.)
A hypothetical hydrocarbon radical, {C3H5}, isomeric with
allyl and glyceryl, and regarded as the essential residue of
glycerin. Cf. {Allyl}, and {Glyceryl}.
Propepsin \Pro*pep"sin\, n. [Pref. pro- + pepsin.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
See {Persinogen}.
Propeptone \Pro*pep"tone\, n. [Pref. pro- + peptone.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
A product of gastric digestion intermediate between albumin
and peptone, identical with hemialbumose.
Proper \Prop"er\, a. [OE. propre, F. propre, fr. L. proprius.
Cf. {Appropriate}.]
1. Belonging to one; one's own; individual. ``His proper
good'' [i. e., his own possessions]. --Chaucer. ``My
proper son.'' --Shak.
Now learn the difference, at your proper cost,
Betwixt true valor and an empty boast. --Dryden.
2. Belonging to the natural or essential constitution;
peculiar; not common; particular; as, every animal has his
proper instincts and appetites.
Those high and peculiar attributes . . . which
constitute our proper humanity. --Coleridge.
3. Befitting one's nature, qualities, etc.; suitable in all
respect; appropriate; right; fit; decent; as, water is the
proper element for fish; a proper dress.
The proper study of mankind is man. --Pope.
In Athens all was pleasure, mirth, and play, All
proper to the spring, and sprightly May. --Dryden.
4. Becoming in appearance; well formed; handsome. [Archaic]
``Thou art a proper man.'' --Chaucer.
Moses . . . was hid three months of his parents,
because they saw he was a proper child. --Heb. xi.
23.
5. Pertaining to one of a species, but not common to the
whole; not appellative; -- opposed to {common}; as, a
proper name; Dublin is the proper name of a city.
6. Rightly so called; strictly considered; as, Greece proper;
the garden proper.
7. (Her.) Represented in its natural color; -- said of any
object used as a charge.
{In proper}, individually; privately. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
{Proper flower} or {corolla} (Bot.), one of the single
florets, or corollets, in an aggregate or compound flower.
{Proper fraction} (Arith.) a fraction in which the numerator
is less than the denominator.
{Proper nectary} (Bot.), a nectary separate from the petals
and other parts of the flower. -- {Proper noun} (Gram.), a
name belonging to an individual, by which it is
distinguished from others of the same class; -- opposed to
{common noun}; as, John, Boston, America.
{Proper perianth} or {involucre} (Bot.), that which incloses
only a single flower.
{Proper receptacle} (Bot.), a receptacle which supports only
a single flower or fructification.
Proper \Prop"er\, adv.
Properly; hence, to a great degree; very; as, proper good.
[Colloq & Vulgar]
Properate \Prop"er*ate\, v. t. & i. [L. properatus, p. p. of
properare to hasten.]
To hasten, or press forward. [Obs.]
Properation \Prop`er*a"tion\, n. [L. properatio.]
The act of hastening; haste. [Obs.] --T. Adams.
Properispome \Pro*per"i*spome\, n. (Gr. Gram.)
Properispomenon.
Properispomenon \Pro*per`i*spom"e*non\, n.; pl.
{Properispomena}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to circumflex on the
penult; ? before + ? to circumflex. See {Perispomenon}.] (Gr.
Gram.)
A word which has the circumflex accent on the penult.
Properly \Prop"er*ly\, adv.
1. In a proper manner; suitably; fitly; strictly; rightly;
as, a word properly applied; a dress properly adjusted.
--Milton.
2. Individually; after one's own manner. [Obs.]
Now, harkeneth, how I bare me properly. --Chaucer.
Properness \Prop"er*ness\, n.
1. The quality of being proper.
2. Tallness; comeliness. [Obs.] --Udall.
Propertied \Prop"er*tied\, a.
Possessing property; holding real estate, or other
investments of money. ``The propertied and satisfied
classes.'' --M. Arnold.
Property \Prop"er*ty\, n.; pl. {Properties}. [OE. proprete, OF.
propret['e] property, F. propret['e] neatness, cleanliness,
propri['e]t['e] property, fr. L. proprietas. See {Proper},
a., and cf. {Propriety}.]
1. That which is proper to anything; a peculiar quality of a
thing; that which is inherent in a subject, or naturally
essential to it; an attribute; as, sweetness is a property
of sugar.
Property is correctly a synonym for peculiar
quality; but it is frequently used as coextensive
with quality in general. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Note: In physical science, the properties of matter are
distinguished to the three following classes: 1.
Physical properties, or those which result from the
relations of bodies to the physical agents, light,
heat, electricity, gravitation, cohesion, adhesion,
etc., and which are exhibited without a change in the
composition or kind of matter acted on. They are color,
luster, opacity, transparency, hardness, sonorousness,
density, crystalline form, solubility, capability of
osmotic diffusion, vaporization, boiling, fusion, etc.
2. Chemical properties, or those which are conditioned
by affinity and composition; thus, combustion,
explosion, and certain solutions are reactions
occasioned by chemical properties. Chemical properties
are identical when there is identity of composition and
structure, and change according as the composition
changes. 3. Organoleptic properties, or those forming a
class which can not be included in either of the other
two divisions. They manifest themselves in the contact
of substances with the organs of taste, touch, and
smell, or otherwise affect the living organism, as in
the manner of medicines and poisons.
2. An acquired or artificial quality; that which is given by
art, or bestowed by man; as, the poem has the properties
which constitute excellence.
3. The exclusive right of possessing, enjoying, and disposing
of a thing; ownership; title.
Here I disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity
and property of blood. --Shak.
Shall man assume a property in man? --Wordsworth.
4. That to which a person has a legal title, whether in his
possession or not; thing owned; an estate, whether in
lands, goods, or money; as, a man of large property, or
small property.
5. pl. All the adjuncts of a play except the scenery and the
dresses of the actors; stage requisites.
I will draw a bill of properties. --Shak.
6. Propriety; correctness. [Obs.] --Camden.
{Literary property}. (Law) See under {Literary}.
{Property man}
, one who has charge of the ``properties'' of a theater.
Property \Prop"er*ty\, v. t.
1. To invest which properties, or qualities. [Obs.] --Shak.
2. To make a property of; to appropriate. [Obs.]
They have here propertied me. --Shak.
Prophane \Pro*phane"\, a. & v. t.
See {Profane}. [Obs.]
Prophasis \Proph"a*sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? to show beforehand.
See {Pro-}, and {Phasis}.] (Med.)
Foreknowledge of a disease; prognosis.
Prophecy \Proph"e*cy\, n.; pl. {Prophecies}, [OE. prophecie, OF.
profecie, F. proph['e]tie, L. prophetia, fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to
be an interpreter of the gods, to prophesy, fr. ? prophet.
See {Prophet}.]
1. A declaration of something to come; a foretelling; a
prediction; esp., an inspired foretelling.
He hearkens after prophecies and dreams. --Shak.
Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man.
--2. Pet. i.
21.
2. (Script.) A book of prophecies; a history; as, the
prophecy of Ahijah. --2 Chron. ix. 29.
3. Public interpretation of Scripture; preaching; exhortation
or instruction.
Prophesier \Proph"e*si`er\, n.
A prophet. --Shak.
Prophesy \Proph"e*sy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prophesied}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Prophesying}.] [See {Prophecy}.]
1. To foretell; to predict; to prognosticate.
He doth not prophesy good concerning me. --1 Kings
xxii. 8.
Then I perceive that will be verified Henry the
Fifth did sometime prophesy. --Shak.
2. To foreshow; to herald; to prefigure.
Methought thy very gait did prophesy A royal
nobleness; I must embrace thee. --Shak.
Prophesy \Proph"e*sy\, v. i.
1. To utter predictions; to make declaration of events to
come. --Matt. xv. 7.
2. To give instruction in religious matters; to interpret or
explain Scripture or religious subjects; to preach; to
exhort; to expound. --Ezek. xxxvii. 7.
Prophet \Proph"et\, n. [F. proph[`e]te, L. propheta, fr. Gr. ?,
literally, one who speaks for another, especially, one who
speaks for a god an interprets his will to man, fr. ? to say
beforehand; ? for, before + ? to say or speak. See {Fame}. ]
1. One who prophesies, or foretells events; a predicter; a
foreteller.
2. One inspired or instructed by God to speak in his name, or
announce future events, as, Moses, Elijah, etc.
3. An interpreter; a spokesman. [R.] --Ex. vii. 1.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A mantis.
{School of the prophets} (Anc. Jewish Hist.), a school or
college in which young men were educated and trained for
public teachers or members of the prophetic order. These
students were called sons of the prophets.
Prophetess \Proph"et*ess\, n. [Cf. F. proph['e]tesse, L.
prophetissa.]
A female prophet.
Prophetic \Pro*phet"ic\, Prophetical \Pro*phet"ic*al\, a. [L.
propheticus, Gr. ?: cf. F. proph['e]tique.]
Containing, or pertaining to, prophecy; foretelling events;
as, prophetic writings; prophetic dreams; -- used with of
before the thing foretold.
And fears are oft prophetic of the event. --Dryden.
Propheticality \Pro*phet`ic*al"i*ty\, n.
Propheticalness.
Prophetically \Pro*phet"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a prophetical manner; by way of prediction.
Propheticalness \Pro*phet"ic*al*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being prophetical; power or capacity
to foretell.
Prophetize \Proph"et*ize\, v. i. [L. prophetizare, Gr. ?: cf. F.
proph['e]tiser. Cf. {Prophesy}.]
To give predictions; to foreshow events; to prophesy. [R.]
``Prophetizing dreams.'' --Daniel.
Prophoric \Pro*phor"ic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? utterance.]
Enunciative. [R.]
Prophragma \Pro*phrag"ma\, n.; pl. {Prophragmata}. [NL., fr. Gr.
? before + ?, ?, fence, screen. ] (Zo["o]l.)
An internal dorsal chitinous process between the first two
divisions of the thorax of insects.
Prophylactic \Proph`y*lac"tic\, n. [Cf. F. prophylactique.]
(Med.)
A medicine which preserves or defends against disease; a
preventive.
Prophylactic \Proph`y*lac"tic\, Prophylactical
\Proph`y*lac"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to guard against; ?
before + ? to guard: cf. F. prophylactique.] (Med.)
Defending or preserving from disease; preventive. --Coxe.
Prophylaxis \Proph`y*lax"is\, n. [NL. See {Prophylactic}.]
(Med.)
The art of preserving from, or of preventing, disease; the
observance of the rules necessary for the preservation of
health; preservative or preventive treatment.
Propice \Pro*pice"\, a. [OE., fr. F. propice, See {Propitious}.]
Fit; propitious. [Obs.] --E. Hall.
Propidene \Pro"pi*dene\, n. [Propyl + ethylidene.] (Chem.)
The unsymmetrical hypothetical hydrocarbon radical,
{CH3.CH2.CH}, analogous to ethylidene, and regarded as the
type of certain derivatives of propane; -- called also
{propylidene}.
Propination \Prop`i*na"tion\, n. [L. propinatio. See {Propine}.]
The act of pledging, or drinking first, and then offering the
cup to another. [Obs.] --Abp. Potter.
Propine \Pro*pine"\, v. t. [L. propinare, Gr. ?; ? before + ? to
drink.]
1. To pledge; to offer as a toast or a health in the manner
of drinking, that is, by drinking first and passing the
cup. [Obs.]
The lovely sorceress mixed, and to the prince
Health, peace, and joy propined. --C. Smart.
2. Hence, to give in token of friendship. [Obs.]
3. To give, or deliver; to subject. [Obs.] --Fotherby.
Propine \Pro*pine"\, n.
1. A pledge. [Obs. or Scot.]
2. A gift; esp., drink money. [Obs or Scot.]
Propine \Pro"pine\, n. [Propyl + ethine.] (Chem.)
Same as {Allylene}.
Propinquity \Pro*pin"qui*ty\, n. [L. propinquitas, from
propinquus near, neighboring, from prope near.]
1. Nearness in place; neighborhood; proximity.
2. Nearness in time. --Sir T. Browne.
3. Nearness of blood; kindred; affinity. --Shak.
Propinyl \Pro"pi*nyl\, n. [Propine + -yl.] (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon radical regarded as an essential residue of
propine and allied compounds.
Propiolate \Pro"pi*o*late\, n.
A salt of propiolic acid.
Propiolic \Pro`pi*ol"ic\, a. [Propionic + tetrolic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid (called also
propargylic acid) of the acetylene or tetrolic series,
analogous to propionic acid, and obtained as a white
crystalline substance.
Propionate \Pro"pi*o*nate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of propionic acid.
Propione \Pro"pi*one\, n. (Chem.)
The ketone of propionic acid, obtained as a colorless
fragrant liquid.
Propionic \Pro`pi*on"ic\, a. [Proto- + Gr. pi`wn fat.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an organic acid
which is produced in the distillation of wood, in the
fermentation of various organic substances, as glycerin,
calcium lactate, etc., and is obtained as a colorless liquid
having a sharp, pungent odor. Propionic acid is so called
because it is the first or lowest member of the fatty acid
series whose salts have a fatty feel.
Propionyl \Pro"pi*o*nyl\, n. (Chem.)
The hypothetical radical {C3H5O}, regarded as the essential
residue of propionic acid and certain related compounds.
Propithecus \Prop`i*the"cus\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? before, for + ?
ape.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus including the long-tailed, or diadem, indris. See
{Indris}.
Propitiable \Pro*pi"ti*a*ble\, a. [L. propitiabilis.]
Capable of being propitiated.
Propitiate \Pro*pi"ti*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Propitiated};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Propitiating}.] [L. propitiatus, p. p. of
propitiare to propitiate, fr. propitius favorable. See
{Propitious}.]
To appease to render favorable; to make propitious; to
conciliate.
Let fierce Achilles, dreadful in his rage, The god
propitiate, and the pest assuage. --Pope.
Propitiate \Pro*pi"ti*ate\, v. i.
To make propitiation; to atone.
Propitiation \Pro*pi`ti*a"tion\, n. [L. propitiatio: cf. F.
propitiation.]
1. The act of appeasing the wrath and conciliating the favor
of an offended person; the act of making propitious.
2. (Theol.) That which propitiates; atonement or atoning
sacrifice; specifically, the influence or effects of the
death of Christ in appeasing the divine justice, and
conciliating the divine favor.
He [Jesus Christ] is the propitiation for our sins.
--1 John ii.
2.
Propitiator \Pro*pi"ti*a`tor\, n. [L.]
One who propitiates or appeases.
Propitiatorily \Pro*pi"ti*a*to*ri*ly\, adv.
By way of propitiation.
Propitiatory \Pro*pi"ti*a*to*ry\, a. [L. propitiatorius: cf. F.
propitiatoire.]
Having the power to make propitious; pertaining to, or
employed in, propitiation; expiatory; as, a propitiatory
sacrifice. --Sharp.
Propitiatory \Pro*pi"ti*a*to*ry\, n. [L. propitiatorium.]
(Jewish Antiq.)
The mercy seat; -- so called because a symbol of the
propitiated Jehovah. --Bp. Pearson.
Propitious \Pro*pi"tious\, a. [L. propitius, perhaps originally
a term of augury meaning, flying forward (pro) or well; cf.
Skr. pat to fly, E. petition, feather.]
1. Convenient; auspicious; favorable; kind; as, a propitious
season; a propitious breeze.
2. Hence, kind; gracious; merciful; helpful; -- said of a
person or a divinity. --Milton.
And now t' assuage the force of this new flame, And
make thee [Love] more propitious in my need.
--Spenser.
Syn: Auspicious; favorable; kind.
Usage: {Propitious}, {Auspicious}. Auspicious (from the
ancient idea of auspices, or omens) denotes
``indicative of success,'' or ``favored by incidental
occurrences;'' as, an auspicious opening; an
auspicious event. Propitious denotes that which
efficaciously protect us in some undertaking, speeds
our exertions, and decides our success; as, propitious
gales; propitious influences. -- {Pro*pi"tious*ly},
adv. -- {Pro*pi"tious*ness}, n.
Proplasm \Pro"plasm\, n. [L. proplasma, Gr. ?; ? before + ? a
thing formed, fr. ? to mold.]
A mold; a matrix. [R.] --Woodward.
Proplastic \Pro*plas"tic\, a.
Forming a mold.
Proplastics \Pro*plas"tics\, n.
The art of making molds for castings. [R.]
Propleg \Prop"leg`\, n. [So called because it props up or
supports the body.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Proleg}.
Propodial \Pro*po"di*al\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the propodialia, or the parts of the
limbs to which they belong.
Propodiale \Pro*po`di*a"le\, n.; pl. {Propodialia}. . [NL., fr.
Gr. ? before + ?, dim. of ?, ?, foot.] (Anat.)
The bone of either the upper arm or the thing, the
propodialia being the humerus and femur.
Propodite \Prop"o*dite\, n. [Pref. pro- + Gr. ?, ?, foot.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The sixth joint of a typical leg of a crustacean; usually,
the penultimate joint.
Propodium \Pro*po"di*um\, n.; pl. {Propodia}. [NL. See
{Propodiale}.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The anterior portion of the foot of a mollusk.
(b) The segment which forms the posterior part of the thorax
of a hymenopterous insect. [Written also {propodeum}.]
Propolis \Pro"po*lis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; ? before + ? city.]
Same as {Bee glue}, under {Bee}.
Propone \Pro*pone"\, v. t. [L. proponere to propose. See
{Propound}.]
To propose; to bring forward.
Proponent \Pro*po"nent\, a. [L. proponens, p. pr.]
Making proposals; proposing.
Proponent \Pro*po"nent\, n.
1. One who makes a proposal, or lays down a proposition.
--Dryden.
2. (Law) The propounder of a thing.
Proportion \Pro*por"tion\, n. [F., fr. L. proportio; pro before
+ portio part or share. See {Portion}.]
1. The relation or adaptation of one portion to another, or
to the whole, as respect magnitude, quantity, or degree;
comparative relation; ratio; as, the proportion of the
parts of a building, or of the body.
The image of Christ, made after his own proportion.
--Ridley.
Formed in the best proportions of her sex. --Sir W.
Scott.
Documents are authentic and facts are true precisely
in proportion to the support which they afford to
his theory. --Macaulay.
2. Harmonic relation between parts, or between different
things of the same kind; symmetrical arrangement or
adjustment; symmetry; as, to be out of proportion. ``Let
us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.'' --Rom.
xii. 6.
3. The portion one receives when a whole is distributed by a
rule or principle; equal or proper share; lot.
Let the women . . . do the same things in their
proportions and capacities. --Jer. Taylor.
4. A part considered comparatively; a share.
5. (Math.)
(a) The equality or similarity of ratios, especially of
geometrical ratios; or a relation among quantities
such that the quotient of the first divided by the
second is equal to that of the third divided by the
fourth; -- called also {geometrical proportion}, in
distinction from arithmetical proportion, or that in
which the difference of the first and second is equal
to the difference of the third and fourth.
Note: Proportion in the mathematical sense differs from
ratio. Ratio is the relation of two quantities of the
same kind, as the ratio of 5 to 10, or the ratio of 8
to 16. Proportion is the sameness or likeness of two
such relations. Thus, 5 to 10 as 8 to 16; that is, 5
bears the same relation to 10 as 8 does to 16. Hence,
such numbers are said to be in proportion. Proportion
is expressed by symbols thus: a:b::c:d, or a:b = c:d,
or a/b = c/d.
(b) The rule of three, in arithmetic, in which the three
given terms, together with the one sought, are
proportional.
{Continued proportion}, {Inverse proportion}, etc. See under
{Continued}, {Inverse}, etc.
{Harmonical, or Musical}, {proportion}, a relation of three
or four quantities, such that the first is to the last as
the difference between the first two is to the difference
between the last two; thus, 2, 3, 6, are in harmonical
proportion; for 2 is to 6 as 1 to 3. Thus, 24, 16, 12, 9,
are harmonical, for 24:9::8:3.
{In proportion}, according as; to the degree that. ``In
proportion as they are metaphysically true, they are
morally and politically false.'' --Burke.
Proportion \Pro*por"tion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Proportioned};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Proportioning}.] [Cf. F. proportionner. Cf.
{Proportionate}, v.]
1. To adjust in a suitable proportion, as one thing or one
part to another; as, to proportion the size of a building
to its height; to proportion our expenditures to our
income.
In the loss of an object we do not proportion our
grief to the real value . . . but to the value our
fancies set upon it. --Addison.
2. To form with symmetry or suitableness, as the parts of the
body.
Nature had proportioned her without any fault. --Sir
P. Sidney.
3. To divide into equal or just shares; to apportion.
Proportionable \Pro*por"tion*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being proportioned, or made proportional; also,
proportional; proportionate. -- {Pro*por"tion*a*ble*ness}, n.
But eloquence may exist without a proportionable degree
of wisdom. --Burke.
Proportionable, which is no longer much favored, was of
our [i. e., English writers'] own coining. --Fitzed.
Hall.
Proportionably \Pro*por"tion*a*bly\, adv.
Proportionally. --Locke.
Proportional \Pro*por"tion*al\, a. [L. proportionalis: cf. F.
proportionnel.]
1. Having a due proportion, or comparative relation; being in
suitable proportion or degree; as, the parts of an edifice
are proportional. --Milton.
2. Relating to, or securing, proportion. --Hutton.
3. (Math.) Constituting a proportion; having the same, or a
constant, ratio; as, proportional quantities; momentum is
proportional to quantity of matter.
{Proportional logarithms}, logistic logarithms. See under
{Logistic}.
{Proportional scale}, a scale on which are marked parts
proportional to the logarithms of the natural numbers; a
logarithmic scale.
{Proportional} {scales, compasses, dividers}, etc.
(Draughting), instruments used in making copies of
drawings, or drawings of objects, on an enlarged or
reduced scale.
Proportional \Pro*por"tion*al\, n.
1. (Math.) Any number or quantity in a proportion; as, a mean
proportional.
2. (Chem.) The combining weight or equivalent of an element.
[Obs.]
Proportionality \Pro*por`tion*al"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F.
proportionnalit['e].]
The state of being in proportion. --Coleridge.
Proportionally \Pro*por"tion*al*ly\, adv.
In proportion; in due degree; adapted relatively; as, all
parts of the building are proportionally large. --Sir I.
Newton.
Proportionate \Pro*por"tion*ate\, a. [L. proportionatus. See
{Proportion}.]
Adjusted to something else according to a proportion;
proportional. --Longfellow.
What is proportionate to his transgression. --Locke.
Proportionate \Pro*por"tion*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Proportionated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Proportionating}.] [Cf.
{Proportion}, v.]
To make proportional; to adjust according to a settled rate,
or to due comparative relation; to proportion; as, to
proportionate punishment to crimes.
Proportionately \Pro*por"tion*ate*ly\, adv.
In a proportionate manner; with due proportion;
proportionally.
Proportionateness \Pro*por"tion*ate*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being proportionate. --Sir M. Hale.
Proportionless \Pro*por"tion*less\, a.
Without proportion; unsymmetrical.
Proportionment \Pro*por"tion*ment\, n.
The act or process of dividing out proportionally.
Proposal \Pro*pos"al\, n. [From {Propose}.]
1. That which is proposed, or propounded for consideration or
acceptance; a scheme or design; terms or conditions
proposed; offer; as, to make proposals for a treaty of
peace; to offer proposals for erecting a building; to make
proposals of marriage. ``To put forth proposals for a
book.'' --Macaulay.
2. (Law) The offer by a party of what he has in view as to an
intended business transaction, which, with acceptance,
constitutes a contract.
Syn: Proffer; tender; overture. See {Proposition}.
Propose \Pro*pose"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Proposed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Proposing}.] [F. proposer; pref. pro- (L. pro for,
forward) + poser to place. See {Pose}, v.]
1. To set forth. [Obs.]
That being proposed brimfull of wine, one scarce
could lift it up. --Chapman.
2. To offer for consideration, discussion, acceptance, or
adoption; as, to propose terms of peace; to propose a
question for discussion; to propose an alliance; to
propose a person for office.
3. To set before one's self or others as a purpose formed;
hence, to purpose; to intend.
I propose to relate, in several volumes, the history
of the people of New England. --Palfrey.
{To propose to one's self}, to intend; to design.
Propose \Pro*pose"\, v. i.
1. To speak; to converse. [Obs.]
There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice, Proposing
with the prince and Claudio. --Shak.
2. To form or declare a purpose or intention; to lay a
scheme; to design; as, man proposes, but God disposes.
3. To offer one's self in marriage.
Propose \Pro*pose"\, n. [F. propos, L. propositum. See
{Propound}, {Purpose}, n.]
Talk; discourse. [Obs.] --Shak.
Proposer \Pro*pos"er\, n.
1. One who proposes or offers anything for consideration or
adoption.
2. A speaker; an orator. [Obs.] --Shak.
Proposition \Prop`o*si"tion\, n. [L. propositio: cf. F.
proposition. See {Propound}.]
1. The act of setting or placing before; the act of offering.
``Oblations for the altar of proposition.'' --Jer. Taylor.
2. That which is proposed; that which is offered, as for
consideration, acceptance, or adoption; a proposal; as,
the enemy made propositions of peace; his proposition was
not accepted.
3. A statement of religious doctrine; an article of faith;
creed; as, the propositions of Wyclif and Huss.
Some persons . . . change their propositions
according as their temporal necessities or
advantages do turn. --Jer. Taylor.
4. (Gram. & Logic) A complete sentence, or part of a sentence
consisting of a subject and predicate united by a copula;
a thought expressed or propounded in language; a from of
speech in which a predicate is affirmed or denied of a
subject; as, snow is white.
5. (Math.) A statement in terms of a truth to be
demonstrated, or of an operation to be performed.
Note: It is called a theorem when it is something to be
proved, and a problem when it is something to be done.
6. (Rhet.) That which is offered or affirmed as the subject
of the discourse; anything stated or affirmed for
discussion or illustration.
7. (Poetry) The part of a poem in which the author states the
subject or matter of it.
{Leaves of proposition} (Jewish Antiq.), the showbread.
--Wyclif (Luke vi. 4).
Syn: Proposal; offer; statement; declaration.
Usage: {Proposition}, {Proposal}. These words are both from
the Latin verb proponere, to set forth, and as here
compared they mark different forms or stages of a
negotiation. A proposition is something presented for
discussion or consideration; as, propositions of
peace. A proposal is some definite thing offered by
one party to be accepted or rejected by the other. If
the proposition is favorably received, it is usually
followed by proposals which complete the arrangement.
Propositional \Prop`o*si"tion*al\, a.
Pertaining to, or in the nature of, a proposition; considered
as a proposition; as, a propositional sense. --I. Watts.
Propound \Pro*pound"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Propounded}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Propounding}.] [From earlier propone, L. proponere,
propositum, to set forth, propose, propound; pro for, before
+ ponere to put. See {Position}, and cf. {Provost}.]
1. To offer for consideration; to exhibit; to propose; as, to
propound a question; to propound an argument. --Shak.
And darest thou to the Son of God propound To
worship thee, accursed? --Milton.
It is strange folly to set ourselves no mark, to
propound no end, in the hearing of the gospel.
--Coleridge.
2. (Eccl.) To propose or name as a candidate for admission to
communion with a church.
Propounder \Pro*pound"er\, n.
One who propounds, proposes, or offers for consideration.
--Chillingworth.
Propretor \Pro*pre"tor\, n. [L. propraetor; pro for, before +
praetor a pretor.] (Rom. Antiq.)
A magistrate who, having been pretor at home, was appointed
to the government of a province. [Written also
{propr[ae]tor}.]
Proprietary \Pro*pri"e*ta*ry\, n.; pl. {Proprietaries}. [L.
proprietarius: cf. F. propri['e]taire. See {Propriety}, and
cf. {Proprietor}.]
1. A proprietor or owner; one who has exclusive title to a
thing; one who possesses, or holds the title to, a thing
in his own right. --Fuller.
2. A body proprietors, taken collectively.
3. (Eccl.) A monk who had reserved goods and effects to
himself, notwithstanding his renunciation of all at the
time of profession.
Proprietary \Pro*pri"e*ta*ry\, a. [L. proprietarius.]
Belonging, or pertaining, to a proprietor; considered as
property; owned; as, proprietary medicine.
{Proprietary articles}, manufactured articles which some
person or persons have exclusive right to make and sell.
--U. S. Statutes.
Proprietor \Pro*pri"e*tor\, n. [For older proprietary: cf. F.
propri['e]tarie.]
One who has the legal right or exclusive title to anything,
whether in possession or not; an owner; as, the proprietor of
farm or of a mill.
Proprietorial \Pro*pri`e*to"ri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to ownership; proprietary; as, proprietorial
rights.
Proprietorship \Pro*pri"e*tor*ship\, n.
The state of being proprietor; ownership.
Proprietress \Pro*pri"e*tress\, n.
A female proprietor.
Propriety \Pro*pri"e*ty\, n.; pl. {Proprieties}. [F.
propri['e]t['e], L. proprietas, fr. proprius one's own,
proper. See {Property}, {Proper}.]
1. Individual right to hold property; ownership by personal
title; property. [Obs.] ``Onles this propriety be
exiled.'' --Robynson (More's Utopia).
So are the proprieties of a wife to be disposed of
by her lord, and yet all are for her provisions, it
being a part of his need to refresh and supply hers.
--Jer. Taylor.
2. That which is proper or peculiar; an inherent property or
quality; peculiarity. [Obs.] --Bacon.
We find no mention hereof in ancient zo["o]graphers,
. . . who seldom forget proprieties of such a
nature. --Sir T.
Browne.
3. The quality or state of being proper; suitableness to an
acknowledged or correct standard or rule; consonance with
established principles, rules, or customs; fitness;
appropriateness; as, propriety of behavior, language,
manners, etc. ``The rule of propriety,'' --Locke.
Proproctor \Pro*proc"tor\, n. [Pref. pro- + proctor.] [Eng.
Univ.]
A assistant proctor. --Hook.
Props \Props\, n. pl.
A game of chance, in which four sea shells, each called a
prop, are used instead of dice.
Propterygium \Prop`te*ryg"i*um\, n.; pl. {Propterygia}. [NL.,
fr. Gr. ? before + ? a fin.] (Anat.)
The anterior of three principal cartilages in the fins of
some fishes. -- {Prop`ter*yg"i*al}, a.
Propugn \Pro*pugn"\, v. t. [L. propugnare; pro for + pugnare to
fight.]
To contend for; to defend; to vindicate. [Obs.] --Hammond.
Propugnacle \Pro*pug"na*cle\, n. [L. propugnaculum.]
A fortress. [Obs.] --Howell.
Propugnation \Pro`pug*na"tion\, n. [L. propugnatio.]
Means of defense; defense. [Obs.] --Shak.
Propugner \Pro*pugn"er\, n.
A defender; a vindicator. ``Zealous propugners.'' --Gov. of
Tongue.
Propulsation \Pro`pul*sa"tion\, n. [L. propulsatio. See
{Propulse}.]
The act of driving away or repelling; a keeping at a
distance. [Obs.] --Bp. Hall.
Propulse \Pro*pulse"\, v. t. [L. propulsare, v. intens. from
propellere to propel. See {Propel}.]
To repel; to drive off or away. [Obs.] --Cotgrave.
Propulsion \Pro*pul"sion\, n. [Cf. F. propulsion. See {Propel}.]
1. The act driving forward or away; the act or process of
propelling; as, steam propulsion.
2. An impelling act or movement.
God works in all things; all obey His first
propulsion. --Whittier.
Propulsive \Pro*pul"sive\, a.
Tending, or having power, to propel; driving on; urging.
``[The] propulsive movement of the verse.'' --Coleridge.
Propulsory \Pro*pul"so*ry\, a.
Propulsive.
Propyl \Pro"pyl\, n. [Propionic + -yl.] (Chem.)
The hypothetical radical {C3H7}, regarded as the essential
residue of propane and related compounds.
Propylaeum \Prop`y*l[ae]"um\, n.; pl. {Propyl[ae]a}. [L., fr.
Gr. ?; ? before + ? a gate.] (Anc. Classical Arch.)
Any court or vestibule before a building or leading into any
inclosure.
Propylene \Pro"pyl*ene\, n. [Cf. F. propyl[`e]ne.] (Chem.)
A colorless gaseous hydrocarbon ({C3H6}) of the ethylene
series, having a garlic odor. It occurs in coal gas, and is
produced artificially in various ways. Called also {propene}.
Propylic \Pro*pyl"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or containing, propyl; as,
propylic alcohol.
Propylidene \Pro*pyl"i*dene\, n. (Chem.)
See {Propidene}.
Propylon \Prop"y*lon\, n.; pl. {Propyla}. [NL., from Gr. ?; ?
before + ? a gate.] (Anc. Arch.)
The porch, vestibule, or entrance of an edifice.
Pro rata \Pro` ra"ta\ [L.]
In proportion; proportionately; according to the share,
interest, or liability of each.
Proratable \Pro*rat"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being prorated, or divided proportionately. [U.S.]
Prorate \Pro*rate"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prorated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Prorating}.] [From L. pro rata (sc. parte) according
to a certain part, in proportion.]
To divide or distribute proportionally; to assess pro rata.
[U.S.]
Prore \Prore\, n. [L. prora, Gr. ?: cf. It. & Sp. prora. See
{Prow}, n.]
The prow or fore part of a ship. [Poetic] ``Galleys with
vermilion prores.'' --Pope.
Prorector \Pro*rec"tor\, n. [NL. See {Pro-}, and {Rector}.]
An officer who presides over the academic senate of a German
university. --Heyse.
Prorectorate \Pro*rec"tor*ate\, n.
The office of prorector.
Prorenal \Pro*re"nal\, a. [Pref. pro- + renal.] (Anat.)
Pronephric.
Proreption \Pro*rep"tion\, n. [L. prorepere, proreptum, to creep
forth; pro + repere.]
A creeping on.
Prorhinal \Pro*rhi"nal\, a. [Pref. pro- + rhinal.] (Anat.)
Situated in front of the nasal chambers.
Prorogate \Pro"ro*gate\, v. t.
To prorogue. [R.]
Prorogation \Pro`ro*ga"tion\, n. [L. prorogatio: cf. F.
prorogation.]
1. The act of counting in duration; prolongation. [Obs.]
--South.
2. The act of proroguing; the ending of the session of
Parliament, and postponing of its business, by the command
of the sovereign. [Eng.]
Note: After an adjournment all things continue as they were
at the adjournment; whereas, after a prorogation, bill
introduced and nut passed are as if they had never been
begun at all. --Mozley & W.
Prorogue \Pro*rogue"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prorogued}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Proroguing}.] [F. proroger, L. prorogare, prorogatum;
pro forward + rogare to ask, to ask one for his opinion or
vote, or about a law. See {Rogation}.]
1. To protract; to prolong; to extend. [Obs.]
He prorogued his government. --Dryden.
2. To defer; to delay; to postpone; as, to proroguedeath; to
prorogue a marriage. --Shak.
3. To end the session of a parliament by an order of the
sovereign, thus deferring its business.
Parliament was prorogued to [meet at] Westminster.
--Bp. Hall.
The Parliament was again prorogued to a distant day.
--Macaulay.
Syn: To adjourn; postpone; defer. See {Adjourn}.
Proruption \Pro*rup"tion\, n. [L. proruptio, fr. prorumpere,
proruptum, to break forth; pro forth + rumpere to break.]
The act or state of bursting forth; a bursting out. [R.]
--Sir T. Browne.
Prosaic \Pro*sa"ic\, Prosaical \Pro*sa"ic*al\, a. [L. prosaius,
from prosa prose: cf. F,. prosa["i]que. See {Prose}.]
1. Of or pertaining to prose; resembling prose; in the form
of prose; unpoetical; writing or using prose; as, a
prosaic composition. --Cudworth.
2. Dull; uninteresting; commonplace; unimaginative; prosy;
as, a prosaic person. --Ed. Rev. -- {Pro*sa"ic*al*ly},
adv. -- {Pro*sa"ic*al*ness}, n.
Prosaicism \Pro*sa"i*cism\, n.
The quality or state of being prosaic; a prosaic manner or
style. [R.] --Poe.
Prosaism \Pro"sa*ism\, n.
That which is in the form of prose writing; a prosaic manner.
--Coleridge.
Prosaist \Pro"sa*ist\ (?; 277), n.
A writer of prose; an unpoetical writer. ``An estimable
prosaist.'' --I. Taylor.
Prosal \Pro"sal\, a.
Of or pertaining to prose; prosaic. [R.] --Sir T. Browne.
Proscenium \Pro*sce"ni*um\, n.; pl. {Proscenia}. [L., fr. Gr. ?;
? before + ? a tent, a wooden stage, the stage. See {Scene}.]
1. (Anc. Theater) The part where the actors performed; the
stage.
2. (Modern Theater) The part of the stage in front of the
curtain; sometimes, the curtain and its framework.
Proscolex \Pro*sco"lex\, n.; pl. {Proscolices}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
before + ?, ?, a worm.] (Zo["o]l.)
An early larval form of a trematode worm; a redia. See
{Redia}.
Proscribe \Pro*scribe"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Proscribed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Proscribing}.] [L. proscribere, proscriptum, to
write before, to publish, proscribe; pro before + scribere to
write. See {Scribe}. The sense of this word originated in the
Roman practice of writing the names of persons doomed to
death, and posting the list in public.]
1. To doom to destruction; to put out of the protection of
law; to outlaw; to exile; as, Sylla and Marius proscribed
each other's adherents.
Robert Vere, Earl of Oxford, . . . was banished the
realm, and proscribed. --Spenser.
2. To denounce and condemn; to interdict; to prohibit; as,
the Puritans proscribed theaters.
The Arian doctrines were proscribed and
anathematized in the famous Council of Nice.
--Waterland.
Proscriber \Pro*scrib"er\, n.
One who, or that which, proscribes, denounces, or prohibits.
Proscript \Pro"script\, n. [See {Proscribe}.]
1. A proscription; a prohibition; an interdict. [R.]
2. One who is proscribed. [R.]
Proscription \Pro*scrip"tion\, n. [L. proscriptio: cf. F.
proscription.]
1. The act of proscribing; a dooming to death or exile;
outlawry; specifically, among the ancient Romans, the
public offer of a reward for the head of a political
enemy; as, under the triumvirate, many of the best Roman
citizens fell by proscription.
Every victory by either party had been followed by a
sanguinary proscription. --Macaulay.
2. The state of being proscribed; denunciation; interdiction;
prohibition. --Macaulay.
Proscriptional \Pro*scrip"tion*al\, a.
Proscriptive.
Proscriptionist \Pro*scrip"tion*ist\, n.
One who proscribes.
Proscriptive \Pro*scrip"tive\, a.
Of or pertaining to proscription; consisting in, or of the
nature of, proscription; proscribing. --Burke. --
{Pro*scrip"tive*ly}, adv.
Prose \Prose\, n. [F. prose, L. prosa, fr. prorsus, prosus,
straight forward, straight on, for proversus; pro forward +
versus, p. p. of vertere to turn. See {Verse}.]
1. The ordinary language of men in speaking or writing;
language not cast in poetical measure or rhythm; --
contradistinguished from verse, or metrical composition.
I speak in prose, and let him rymes make. --Chaucer.
Things unattempted yet in prose or rhyme. --Milton.
I wish our clever young poets would remember my
homely definitions of prose and poetry, that is;
prose -- words in their best order; poetry -- the
best order. --Coleridge.
2. Hence, language which evinces little imagination or
animation; dull and commonplace discourse.
3. (R. C. Ch.) A hymn with no regular meter, sometimes
introduced into the Mass. See {Sequence}.
Prose \Prose\, a.
1. Pertaining to, or composed of, prose; not in verse; as,
prose composition.
2. Possessing or exhibiting unpoetical characteristics;
plain; dull; prosaic; as, the prose duties of life.
Prose \Prose\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prosed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Prosing}.]
1. To write in prose.
2. To write or repeat in a dull, tedious, or prosy way.
Prose \Prose\, v. i.
1. To write prose.
Prosing or versing, but chiefly this latter.
--Milton.
Prosector \Pro*sec"tor\, n. [L., an anatomist, from prosecare to
cut up; pro before + secare to cut.]
One who makes dissections for anatomical illustration;
usually, the assistant of a professional anatomist.
Prosecutable \Pros"e*cu`ta*ble\, a.
Capable of being prosecuted; liable to prosecution.
Prosecute \Pros"e*cute\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prosecuted}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Prosecuting}.] [L. prosecutus, p. p. of
prosequi to follow, pursue. See {Pursue}.]
1. To follow or pursue with a view to reach, execute, or
accomplish; to endeavor to obtain or complete; to carry
on; to continue; as, to prosecute a scheme, hope, or
claim.
I am beloved Hermia; Why should not I, then,
prosecute my right ? --Shak.
2. To seek to obtain by legal process; as, to prosecute a
right or a claim in a court of law.
3. (Law) To pursue with the intention of punishing; to accuse
of some crime or breach of law, or to pursue for redress
or punishment, before a legal tribunal; to proceed against
judicially; as, to prosecute a man for trespass, or for a
riot.
To acquit themselves and prosecute their foes.
--Milton.
Prosecute \Pros"e*cute\, v. i.
1. To follow after. [Obs.] --Latimer.
2. (Law) To institute and carry on a legal prosecution; as,
to prosecute for public offenses. --Blackstone.
Prosecution \Pros`e*cu"tion\, n. [L. prosecutio a following.]
1. The act or process of prosecuting, or of endeavoring to
gain or accomplish something; pursuit by efforts of body
or mind; as, the prosecution of a scheme, plan, design, or
undertaking; the prosecution of war.
Keeping a sharp eye on her domestics . . . in
prosecution of their various duties. --Sir W.
Scott.
2. (Law)
(a) The institution and carrying on of a suit in a court
of law or equity, to obtain some right, or to redress
and punish some wrong; the carrying on of a judicial
proceeding in behalf of a complaining party, as
distinguished from defense.
(b) The institution, or commencement, and continuance of a
criminal suit; the process of exhibiting formal
charges against an offender before a legal tribunal,
and pursuing them to final judgment on behalf of the
state or government, as by indictment or information.
(c) The party by whom criminal proceedings are instituted.
--Blackstone. Burrill. Mozley & W.
Prosecutor \Pros"e*cu`tor\, n. [Cf. L. prosecutor an attendant.]
1. One who prosecutes or carries on any purpose, plan, or
business.
2. (Law) The person who institutes and carries on a criminal
suit against another in the name of the government.
--Blackstone.
Prosecutrix \Pros"e*cu`trix\, n. [NL.]
A female prosecutor.
Proselyte \Pros"e*lyte\, n. [OE. proselite, OF. proselite, F.
proselytus, Gr. ?, adj., that has come, n., a new comer,
especially, one who has come over from heathenism to the
Jewish religion; ? toward, to + (prob.) the root of ? to
come.]
A new convert especially a convert to some religion or
religious sect, or to some particular opinion, system, or
party; thus, a Gentile converted to Judaism, or a pagan
converted to Christianity, is a proselyte.
Ye [Scribes and Pharisees] compass sea and land to make
one proselyte. --Matt. xxiii.
15.
Fresh confidence the speculatist takes From every
harebrained proselyte he makes. --Cowper.
Syn: See {Convert}.
Proselyte \Pros"e*lyte\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Proselyted}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Proselyting}.]
To convert to some religion, opinion, or system; to bring
over.
--Dr. H. More.
Proselytism \Pros"e*ly*tism\, n. [Cf. F. pros['e]lytisme.]
1. The act or practice of proselyting; the making of converts
to a religion or a religious sect, or to any opinion,
system, or party.
They were possessed of a spirit of proselytism in
the most fanatical degree. --Burke.
2. Conversion to a religion, system, or party.
Proselytize \Pros"e*ly*tize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{proselytized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Proselytizing}.]
To convert to some religion, system, opinion, or the like; to
bring, or cause to come, over; to proselyte.
One of those whom they endeavor to proselytize.
--Burke.
Proselytize \Pros"e*ly*tize\, v. i.
To make converts or proselytes.
Proselytizer \Pros"e*ly*ti`zer\, n.
One who proselytes.
Proseman \Prose"man\, n.
A writer of prose. [R.]
Proseminary \Pro*sem"i*na*ry\, n.
A seminary which prepares pupils for a higher institution.
--T. Warton.
Prosemination \Pro*sem`i*na"tion\, n. [L. proseminare,
proseminatum, to disseminate.]
Propagation by seed. [Obs.] --Sir M. Hale.
Prosencephalic \Pros*en`ce*phal"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the prosencephalon.
Prosencephalon \Pros`en*ceph"a*lon\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? toward,
near to + E. encephalon.] [Sometimes abbreviated to proen.]
(Anat.)
(a) The anterior segment of the brain, including the cerebrum
and olfactory lobes; the forebrain.
(b) The cerebrum. --Huxley.
Prosenchyma \Pros*en"chy*ma\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? near +
-enchyma, as in parenchyma.] (Bot.)
A general term applied to the tissues formed of elongated
cells, especially those with pointed or oblique extremities,
as the principal cells of ordinary wood.
Proser \Pros"er\, n.
1. A writer of prose. [Obs.]
2. One who talks or writes tediously. --Sir W. Scott.
Prosiliency \Pro*sil"i*en*cy\, n. [L. prosilere to leap forth.]
The act of leaping forth or forward; projection. ``Such
prosiliency of relief.'' --Coleridge.
Prosily \Pros"i*ly\, adv.
In a prosy manner.
Prosimetrical \Pros`i*met"ric*al\, a. [Prose + metrical.]
Consisting both of prose and verse. --Clarke.
Prosimiae \Pro*sim"i*[ae]\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pro-}. and
{Simia}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Lemuroidea}.
Prosiness \Pros"i*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being prosy; tediousness;
tiresomeness.
Prosing \Pros"ing\, n.
Writing prose; speaking or writing in a tedious or prosy
manner. --Sir W. Scott.
Prosingly \Pros"ing*ly\, adv.
Prosily.
Prosiphon \Pro*si"phon\, n. [Pref. pro- for + siphon.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A minute tube found in the protoconch of ammonites, and not
connected with the true siphon.
Proslavery \Pro*slav"er*y\, a. [Pref. pro- + slavery.]
Favoring slavery. -- n. Advocacy of slavery.
Prosobranch \Pros"o*branch\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Prosobranchiata.
Prosobranchiata \Pros`o*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
forward, further + ? a gill.] (Zo["o]l.)
The highest division, or subclass, of gastropod mollusks,
including those that have the gills situated anteriorly, or
forward of the heart, and the sexes separate.
Prosocoele \Pros"o*c[oe]le\, n. [Gr. ? forward + ? hollow.]
(Anat.)
The entire cavity of the prosencephalon. --B. G. Wilder.
Prosocoelia \Pros`o*c[oe]"li*a\, n.; pl. {Prosoc[oe]lle}, [NL.]
(Anat.)
Same as {Prosoc[oe]le}.
Prosodiacal \Pros`o*di"a*cal\, a.
Prosodical.
Prosodiacally \Pros`o*di"a*cal*ly\, adv.
Prosodically.
Prosodial \Pro*so"di*al\, a.
Prosodical.
Prosodian \Pro*so"di*an\, n.
A prosodist. --Rush.
Prosodical \Pro*sod"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. prosodique, L.
prosodiacus.]
Of or pertaining to prosody; according to the rules of
prosody. -- {Pro*sod"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Prosdist \Pros"dist\, n.
One skilled in prosody.
Prosody \Pros"o*dy\, n. [L. prosodia the tone or accent of a
syllable, Gr. ? a song sung to, or with, an accompanying
song, the accent accompanying the pronunciation; ? to + ?
song, ode: cf. F. prosodie. See {Ode}.]
That part of grammar which treats of the quantity of
syllables, of accent, and of the laws of versification or
metrical composition.
Prosoma \Pro*so"ma\, n.; pl. {Prosomata}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? before
+ ?, ?, body.] (Zo["o]l.)
The anterior of the body of an animal, as of a cephalopod;
the thorax of an arthropod.
Prosopalgia \Pros`o*pal"gi*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? face + ?
pain.] (Med.)
Facial neuralgia.
Prosopocephala \Pros`o*po*ceph`a*la\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.
pro`swpon face, appearance + ? head.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Scaphopoda}.
Prosopolepsy \Pros`o*po*lep"sy\, n. [Gr. ?; pro`swpon a face, a
person + ? a taking, receiving, ? to take.]
Respect of persons; especially, a premature opinion or
prejudice against a person, formed from his external
appearance. [R.] --Addison.
Prosopopoeia \Pros`o*po*p[oe]"ia\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; pro`swpon
a face, a person + ? to make.] (Rhet.)
A figure by which things are represented as persons, or by
which things inanimate are spoken of as animated beings;
also, a figure by which an absent person is introduced as
speaking, or a deceased person is represented as alive and
present. It includes personification, but is more extensive
in its signification.
Prosopulmonata \Pros`o*pul`mo*na"ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
forward + L. pulmo a lung.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of pulmonate mollusks having the breathing organ
situated on the neck, as in the common snail.
Prospect \Pros"pect\, n. [L. prospectus, fr. prospicere,
prospectum, to look forward; pro before, forward + specere,
spicere, look, to see: cf. OF. prospect. See {Spy}, v., and
cf. {Prospectus}.]
1. That which is embraced by eye in vision; the region which
the eye overlooks at one time; view; scene; outlook.
His eye discovers unaware The goodly prospect of
some foreign land. --Milton.
2. Especially, a picturesque or widely extended view; a
landscape; hence, a sketch of a landscape.
I went to Putney . . . to take prospects in crayon.
--Evelyn.
3. A position affording a fine view; a lookout. [R.]
Him God beholding from his prospect high. --Milton.
4. Relative position of the front of a building or other
structure; face; relative aspect.
And their prospect was toward the south. --Ezek. xl.
44.
5. The act of looking forward; foresight; anticipation; as, a
prospect of the future state. --Locke.
Is he a prudent man as to his temporal estate, that
lays designs only for a day, without any prospect
to, or provision for, the remaining part of life ?
--Tillotson.
6. That which is hoped for; ground for hope or expectation;
expectation; probable result; as, the prospect of success.
``To brighter prospects born.'' --Cowper.
These swell their prospectsd exalt their pride, When
offers are disdain'd, and love deny'd. --Pope.
Prospect \Pros"pect\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prospected}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Prospecting}.]
To look over; to explore or examine for something; as, to
prospect a district for gold.
Prospect \Pros"pect\, v. i.
To make a search; to seek; to explore, as for mines or the
like; as, to prospect for gold.
Prospection \Pro*spec"tion\, n.
The act of looking forward, or of providing for future wants;
foresight.
Prospective \Pro*spec"tive\, a. [L. prospectivus: cf. F.
prospectif. See {Prospect}, n.]
1. Of or pertaining to a prospect; furnishing a prospect;
perspective. [Obs.]
Time's long and dark prospective glass. --Milton.
2. Looking forward in time; acting with foresight; -- opposed
to {retrospective}.
The French king of Sweden are circumspect,
industrious, and prospective, too, in this affair.
--Sir J.
Child.
3. Being within view or consideration, as a future event or
contingency; relating to the future: expected; as, a
prospective benefit.
Points on which the promises, at the time of
ordination, had no prospective bearing. --W. Jay.
Prospective \Pro*spec"tive\, n.
1. The scene before or around, in time or in space; view;
prospect. --Sir H. Wotton.
2. A perspective glass. [Obs.] --Chaucer. Beau. & Fl.
Prospectively \Pro*spec"tive*ly\, adv.
In a prospective manner.
Prospectiveness \Pro*spec"tive*ness\, n.
Quality of being prospective.
Prospectless \Pros"pect*less\, a.
Having no prospect.
Prospector \Pros"pect*or\, n. [L., one who looks out.]
One who prospects; especially, one who explores a region for
minerals and precious metals.
Prospectus \Pro*spec"tus\, n. [L., a prospect, sight, view: cf.
F. prospectus. See {Prospect}.]
A summary, plan, or scheme of something proposed, affording a
prospect of its nature; especially, an exposition of the
scheme of an unpublished literary work.
Prosper \Pros"per\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prospered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Prospering}.] [F. prosp['e]rer v. i., or L.
prosperare, v. i., or L. prosperare, v. t., fr. prosper or
prosperus. See {Prosperous}.]
To favor; to render successful. ``Prosper thou our
handiwork.'' --Bk. of Common Prayer.
All things concur toprosper our design. --Dryden.
Prosper \Pros"per\, v. i.
1. To be successful; to succeed; to be fortunate or
prosperous; to thrive; to make gain.
They, in their earthly Canaan placed, Long time
shall dwell and prosper. --Milton.
2. To grow; to increase. [Obs.]
Black cherry trees prosper even to considerable
timber. --Evelyn.
Prosperity \Pros*per"i*ty\, n. [F. prosp['e]rit['e], L.
prosperitas. See {Prosperous}.]
The state of being prosperous; advance or gain in anything
good or desirable; successful progress in any business or
enterprise; attainment of the object desired; good fortune;
success; as, commercial prosperity; national prosperity.
Now prosperity begins to mellow. --Shak.
Prosperities can only be enjoyed by them who fear not
at all to lose them. -- Jer.
Taylor.
Syn: Prosperousness; thrift; weal; welfare; well being;
happiness.
Prosperous \Pros"per*ous\, a. [L. prosperus or prosper,
originally, answering to hope; pro according to + the root of
sperare to hope. See {Despair}.]
1. Tending to prosperity; favoring; favorable; helpful.
A happy passage and a prosperous wind. --Denham.
2. Being prospered; advancing in the pursuit of anything
desirable; making gain, or increase; thriving; successful;
as, a prosperous voyage; a prosperous undertaking; a
prosperous man or nation.
By moderation either state to bear Prosperous or
adverse. --Milton.
Syn: Fortunate; successful; flourishing; thriving; favorable;
auspicious; lucky. See {Fortunate}. --
{Pros"per*ous*ly}, adv. -- {Pros"per*ous*ness}, n.
Prosphysis \Pros"phy*sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?; ? to + ? to
grow.] (Med.)
A growing together of parts; specifically, a morbid adhesion
of the eyelids to each other or to the eyeball. --Dunglison.
Prospicience \Pro*spi"cience\, n. [L. prospicientia, fr.
prospiciens, p. pr. of prospicere. See {Prospect}.]
The act of looking forward.
Prostate \Pros"tate\, a.[Gr. ? standing before, fr. ? to set
before; ? before + ? to set: cf. F. prostate.] (Anat.)
Standing before; -- applied to a gland which is found in the
males of most mammals, and is situated at the neck of the
bladder where this joins the urethra. -- n. The prostate
gland.
Prostatic \Pro*stat"ic\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the prostate gland.
{Prostatic catheter}. (Med.) See under {Catheter}.
Prostatitis \Pros`ta*ti"tis\, n. [NL. See {Prostate}, and
{-itis}.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the prostate.
Prosternation \Pros`ter*na"tion\, n. [F. See {Prostration}.]
Dejection; depression. [Obs.] --Wiseman.
Prosternum \Pro*ster"num\, n. [NL. See {Pro-} and {Sternum}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The ventral plate of the prothorax of an insect.
Prosthesis \Pros"the*sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? an addition, fr. ?
to put to, to add; ? to + ? to put, place.]
1. (Surg.) The addition to the human body of some artificial
part, to replace one that is wanting, as a log or an eye;
-- called also {prothesis}.
2. (Gram.) The prefixing of one or more letters to the
beginning of a word, as in beloved.
Prosthetic \Pros*thet"ic\, a. [Cf. Gr. ? disposed to add, ? put
on.]
Of or pertaining to prosthesis; prefixed, as a letter or
letters to a word.
Prostibulous \Pros*tib"u*lous\, a. [L. prostibulum prostitute.]
Of or pertaining to prostitutes or prostitution;
meretricious. [Obs.] --Bale.
Prostitute \Pros"ti*tute\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prostituted}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Prostituting}.] [L. prostitutus, p. p. of
prostituere to prostitute; pro before, forth + statuere to
put, place. See {Statute}.]
1. To offer, as a woman, to a lewd use; to give up to
lewdness for hire. ``Do not prostitute thy daughter.''
--Lev. xix. 29.
2. To devote to base or unworthy purposes; to give up to low
or indiscriminate use; as, to prostitute talents; to
prostitute official powers. --Milton.
Prostitute \Pros"ti*tute\, a. [L. prostitutus, p. p.]
Openly given up to lewdness; devoted to base or infamous
purposes.
Made bold by want, and prostitute for bread. --Prior
Prostitute \Pros"ti*tute\, n. [L. prostituta.]
1. A woman giver to indiscriminate lewdness; a strumpet; a
harlot.
2. A base hireling; a mercenary; one who offers himself to
infamous employments for hire.
No hireling she, no prostitute to praise. --Pope.
Prostitution \Pros`ti*tu"tion\, n. [L. prostitutio: cf. F.
prostitution.]
1. The act or practice of prostituting or offering the body
to an indiscriminate intercourse with men; common lewdness
of a woman.
2. The act of setting one's self to sale, or of devoting to
infamous purposes what is in one's power; as, the
prostitution of abilities; the prostitution of the press.
``Mental prostitution.'' --Byron.
Prostitutor \Pros"ti*tu`tor\, n. [L.]
One who prostitutes; one who submits himself, of or offers
another, to vile purposes. --Bp. Hurd.
Prostomium \Pro*sto"mi*um\, n.; pl. {Prostomia}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
before + ?, ?, mouth.] (Zo["o]l.)
That portion of the head of an annelid situated in front of
the mouth. -- {Pro*sto"mi*al}, a.
Prostrate \Pros"trate\, a. [L. prostratus, p. p. of prosternere
to prostrate; pro before, forward + sternere to spread out,
throw down. See {Stratum}.]
1. Lying at length, or with the body extended on the ground
or other surface; stretched out; as, to sleep prostrate.
--Elyot.
Groveling and prostrate on yon lake of fire.
--Milton.
2. Lying at mercy, as a supplicant. --Dryden.
3. Lying in a humble, lowly, or suppliant posture.
Prostrate fall Before him reverent, and there
confess Humbly our faults. --Milton.
4. (Bot.) Trailing on the ground; procumbent.
Prostrate \Pros"trate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prostrated}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Prostrating}.]
1. To lay fiat; to throw down; to level; to fell; as, to
prostrate the body; to prostrate trees or plants.
--Evelyn.
2. to overthrow; to demolish; to destroy; to deprive of
efficiency; to ruin; as, to prostrate a village; to
prostrate a government; to prostrate law or justice.
3. To throw down, or cause to fall in humility or adoration;
to cause to bow in humble reverence; used reflexively; as,
he prostrated himself. --Milman.
4. To cause to sink totally; to deprive of strength; to
reduce; as, a person prostrated by fever.
Prostration \Pros*tra"tion\, n. [L. prostratio: cf. F.
prostration.]
1. The act of prostrating, throwing down, or laying fiat; as,
the prostration of the body.
2. The act of falling down, or of bowing in humility or
adoration; primarily, the act of falling on the face, but
usually applied to kneeling or bowing in reverence and
worship.
A greater prostration of reason than of body.
--Shak.
3. The condition of being prostrate; great depression;
lowness; dejection; as, a postration of spirits. ``A
sudden prostration of strength.'' --Arbuthnot.
4. (Med.) A latent, not an exhausted, state of the vital
energies; great oppression of natural strength and vigor.
Note: Prostration, in its medical use, is analogous to the
state of a spring lying under such a weight that it is
incapable of action; while exhaustion is analogous to
the state of a spring deprived of its elastic powers.
The word, however, is often used to denote any great
depression of the vital powers.
Prostyle \Pro"style\, a. [L. prostylus, Gr. ?; ? before + ?
pillar, column: cf. F. prostyle.] (Arch.)
Having columns in front. -- n. A prostyle portico or
building.
Prosy \Pros"y\, a. [Compar. {Prosier}; superl. {Prosiest}.]
1. Of or pertaining to prose; like prose.
2. Dull and tedious in discourse or writing; prosaic.
Prosylogism \Pro*sy"lo*gism\, n. [Pref. pro- + syllogism.]
(Logic)
A syllogism preliminary or logically essential to another
syllogism; the conclusion of such a syllogism, which becomes
a premise of the following syllogism.
Protactic \Pro*tac"tic\, a. [Gr. ? placing or placed before, fr.
? to place in front; ? before + ? to arrange.]
Giving a previous narrative or explanation, as of the plot or
personages of a play; introductory.
Protagon \Pro"ta*gon\, n. [Proto- + Gr. ? a contest. See.
{Protagonist}. So called because it was the first definitely
ascertained principle of the brain.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A nitrogenous phosphorized principle found in brain tissue.
By decomposition it yields neurine, fatty acids, and other
bodies.
Protagonist \Pro*tag"o*nist\, n. [Gr. ?; prw^tos first + ? an
actor, combatant, fr. ? a contest.]
One who takes the leading part in a drama; hence, one who
takes lead in some great scene, enterprise, conflict, or the
like.
Shakespeare, the protagonist on the great of modern
poetry. --De Quincey.
Protamin \Pro"ta*min\, n. [Gr. prw^tos first.] (Physiol. Chem.)
An amorphous nitrogenous substance found in the spermatic
fluid of salmon. It is soluble in water, which an alkaline
reaction, and unites with acids and metallic bases.
Protandric \Pro*tan"dric\, a. [Proto- + Gr. ?, ?, a man.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having male sexual organs while young, and female organs
later in life. -- {Pro*tan"trism}, n.
Protandrous \Pro*tan"drous\, a. (Bot.)
Proterandrous.
Protasis \Prot"a*sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to stretch
before, forward; ? before + ? to stretch.]
1. A proposition; a maxim. --Johnson.
2. (Gram.) The introductory or subordinate member of a
sentence, generally of a conditional sentence; -- opposed
to {apodosis}. See {Apodosis}.
3. The first part of a drama, of a poem, or the like; the
introduction; opposed to {epitasis}. --B. Jonson.
Protatic \Pro*tat"ic\, a. [Gr. ?: cf. L. protaticus, F.
protatique.]
Of or pertaining to the protasis of an ancient play;
introductory.
Proteaceous \Pro`te*a"ceous\, a. [From {Proteus}.] (Bot.)
Of or pertaining to the {Proteace[ae]}, an order of apetalous
evergreen shrubs, mostly natives of the Cape of Good Hope or
of Australia.
Protean \Pro"te*an\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to Proteus; characteristic of Proteus. ``
Protean transformations.'' --Cudworth.
2. Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or
forms; as, an am[oe]ba is a protean animalcule.
Proteanly \Pro"te*an*ly\, adv.
In a protean manner. --Cudworth.
Protect \Pro*tect"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Protected}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Protecting}.] [L. protectus, p. p. of protegere,
literally, to cover in front; pro before + tegere to cover.
See {Tegument}.]
To cover or shield from danger or injury; to defend; to
guard; to preserve in safety; as, a father protects his
children.
The gods of Greece protect you! --Shak.
Syn: To guard; shield; preserve. See {Defend}.
Protectingly \Pro*tect"ing*ly\, adv.
By way of protection; in a protective manner.
Protection \Pro*tec"tion\, n. [L. protectio: cf. F. protection.]
1. The act of protecting, or the state of being protected;
preservation from loss, injury, or annoyance; defense;
shelter; as, the weak need protection.
To your protection I commend me, gods. --Shak.
2. That which protects or preserves from injury; a defense; a
shield; a refuge.
Let them rise up . . . and be your protection.
--Deut. xxxii.
38.
3. A writing that protects or secures from molestation or
arrest; a pass; a safe-conduct; a passport.
He . . . gave them protections under his hand.
--Macaulay.
4. (Polit. Econ.) A theory, or a policy, of protecting the
producers in a country from foreign competition in the
home market by the imposition of such discriminating
duties on goods of foreign production as will restrict or
prevent their importation; -- opposed to {free trade}.
{Writ of protection}. (Law)
(a) A writ by which the king formerly exempted a person
from arrest; -- now disused. [Eng.] --Blackstone.
(b) A judicial writ issued to a person required to attend
court, as party, juror, etc., intended to secure him
from arrest in coming, staying, and returning.
Syn: Preservation; defense; guard; shelter; refuge; security;
safety.
Protectionism \Pro*tec"tion*ism\, n. (Polit. Econ.)
The doctrine or policy of protectionists. See {Protection},
4.
Protectionist \Pro*tec"tion*ist\, n. (Polit. Econ.)
One who favors protection. See {Protection}, 4.
Protective \Pro*tect"ive\, a. [Cf. F. protectif.]
Affording protection; sheltering; defensive. `` The favor of
a protective Providence.'' --Feltham.
{Protective coloring} (Zo["o]l.), coloring which serves for
the concealment and preservation of a living organism. Cf.
{Mimicry}. --Wallace.
{Protective tariff} (Polit. Econ.), a tariff designed to
secure protection (see {Protection}, 4.), as distinguished
from a tariff designed to raise revenue. See {Tariff}, and
{Protection}, 4.
Protectiveness \Pro*tect"ive*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being protective. --W. Pater.
Protector \Pro*tect"or\, n. [L.: cf. F. protecteur.]
1. One who, or that which, defends or shields from injury,
evil, oppression, etc.; a defender; a guardian; a patron.
For the world's protector shall be known. --Waller.
2. (Eng. Hist.) One having the care of the kingdom during the
king's minority; a regent.
Is it concluded he shall be protector ! --Shak.
3. (R. C. Ch.) A cardinal, from one of the more considerable
Roman Catholic nations, who looks after the interests of
his people at Rome; also, a cardinal who has the same
relation to a college, religious order, etc.
{Lord Protector} (Eng. Hist.), the title of Oliver Cromwell
as supreme governor of the British Commonwealth
(1653-1658).
Protectoral \Pro*tect"or*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a protector; protectorial; as,
protectoral power.
Protectorate \Pro*tect"or*ate\, n. [Cf. F. protectorat.]
1. Government by a protector; -- applied especially to the
government of England by Oliver Cromwell.
2. The authority assumed by a superior power over an inferior
or a dependent one, whereby the former protects the latter
from invasion and shares in the management of its affairs.
Protectorial \Pro`tec*to"ri*al\, a. [Cf. L. protectorius.]
Same as {Protectoral}.
Protectorless \Pro*tect"or*less\, a.
Having no protector; unprotected.
Protectorship \Pro*tect"or*ship\, n.
The office of a protector or regent; protectorate.
Protectress \Pro*tect"ress\, Protectrix \Pro*tect"rix\, n. [NL.
protectrix.]
A woman who protects.
Prot'eg'e \Pro`t['e]`g['e]"\, n. m. Prot'eg'ee
\Pro`t['e]`g['e]e"\, n. f.[F., p. p. of prot['e]ger. See
{Protect}.]
One under the care and protection of another.
Proteid \Pro"te*id\, n. [Gr. prw^tos first.] (Physiol. Chem.)
One of a class of amorphous nitrogenous principles,
containing, as a rule, a small amount of sulphur; an
albuminoid, as blood fibrin, casein of milk, etc. Proteids
are present in nearly all animal fluids and make up the
greater part of animal tissues and organs. They are also
important constituents of vegetable tissues. See 2d Note
under {Food}. -- {Pro"te*id}, a.
Proteidea \Pro`te*id"e*a\, n. pl. [NL. See {Proteus}, and
{-oid}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of aquatic amphibians having prominent external
gills and four legs. It includes Proteus and Menobranchus
({Necturus}). Called also {Proteoidea}, and {Proteida}.
Proteiform \Pro*te"i*form\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Changeable in form; resembling a Proteus, or an am[oe]ba.
Protein \Pro"te*in\, n. [Gr. prw^tos first: cf. prwtei^on the
first place.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A body now known as alkali albumin, but originally considered
to be the basis of all albuminous substances, whence its
name.
{Protein crystal}. (Bot.) See {Crystalloid}, n., 2.
Proteinaceous \Pro`te*i*na"*ceous\, a. (Physiol. Chem.)
Of or related to protein; albuminous; proteid.
Proteinous \Pro*te"i*nous\, a.
Proteinaceuos.
Proteles \Pro"te*les\, n. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A South Africa genus of Carnivora, allied to the hyenas, but
smaller and having weaker jaws and teeth. It includes the
aard-wolf.
Protend \Pro*tend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Protended}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Protending}.] [L. protendere, protensum; pro before,
forth + tendere to stretch.]
To hold out; to stretch forth. [Obs.]
With his protended lance he makes defence. --Dryden.
Protense \Pro*tense"\, n. [See {Protend}.]
Extension.[Obs.] `` By due degrees and long protense.''
--Spenser.
Protension \Pro*ten"sion\, n. [L. protensio.]
A drawing out; extension. [R.] --Sir W. Hamilton.
Protensive \Pro*ten"sive\, a.
Drawn out; extended. [R.]
Time is a protensive quantity. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Proteolysis \Pro`te*ol"y*sis\, n. [NL. See {Proteolytic}.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
The digestion or dissolving of proteid matter by proteolytic
ferments.
Proteolytic \Pro`te*o*lyt"ic\, a. [Proteid + Gr. ? to loose.]
(Physiol.)
Converting proteid or albuminous matter into soluble and
diffusible products, as peptones. `` The proteolytic ferment
of the pancreas.'' --Foster.
Proterandrous \Pro`ter*an"drous\, a. [Gr. ? earlier (fr. ?
before) + ?, ?, man, male.] (Bot.)
Having the stamens come to maturity before the pistil; --
opposed to {proterogynous}.
Proterandry \Pro`ter*an"dry\, n. (Bot.)
The condition of being proterandrous.
Proteranthous \Pro`ter*an"thous\, a. [Gr. ? earlier (fr. ?
before) + ? flower.] (Bot.)
Having flowers appearing before the leaves; -- said of
certain plants. --Gray.
Proteroglypha \Pro`te*rog"ly*pha\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? before
+ ? to carve.] (Zo["o]l.)
A suborder of serpents including those that have permanently
erect grooved poison fangs, with ordinary teeth behind them
in the jaws. It includes the cobras, the asps, and the sea
snakes. Called also {Proteroglyphia}.
Proterogynous \Pro`ter*og"y*nous\, a. [Gr. ? earlier (fr. ?
before) + ? woman, female.] (Bot.)
Having the pistil come to maturity before the stamens;
protogynous; -- opposed to {proterandrous}.
Proterosaurus \Pro`te*ro*sau"rus\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? earlier
(fr. ? before) + ? a lizard.] (Paleon.)
An extinct genus of reptiles of the Permian period. Called
also {Protosaurus}.
Protervity \Pro*ter"vi*ty\, n. [L. protervitas, from protervus
violent.]
Peevishness; petulance. [Obs.] --Fuller.
Protest \Pro*test"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Protested}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Protesting}.] [F. protester, L. protestari, pro
before + testari to be a witness, testis a witness. See
{Testify}.]
1. To affirm in a public or formal manner; to bear witness;
to declare solemnly; to avow.
He protest that his measures are pacific. --Landor.
The lady doth protest too much, methinks. --Shak.
2. To make a solemn declaration (often a written one)
expressive of opposition; -- with against; as, he protest
against your votes. --Denham.
The conscience has power . . . to protest againts
the exorbitancies of the passions. --Shak.
Syn: To affirm; asseverate; assert; aver; attest; testify;
declare; profess. See {Affirm}.
Protest \Pro*test"\, v. t.
1. To make a solemn declaration or affirmation of; to
proclaim; to display; as, to protest one's loyalty.
I will protest your cowardice. --Shak.
2. To call as a witness in affirming or denying, or to prove
an affirmation; to appeal to.
Fiercely [they] opposed My journey strange, with
clamorous uproar Protesting fate supreme. --Milton.
{To protest a bill or note} (Law), to make a solemn written
declaration, in due form, on behalf of the holder, against
all parties liable for any loss or damage to be sustained
by the nonacceptance or the nonpayment of the bill or
note, as the case may be. This should be made by a notary
public, whose seal it is the usual practice to affix.
--Kent. Story.
Protest \Pro"test\, n. [Cf. F. prot[^e]t, It. protesto. See
{Protest}, v.]
1. A solemn declaration of opinion, commonly a formal
objection against some act; especially, a formal and
solemn declaration, in writing, of dissent from the
proceedings of a legislative body; as, the protest of
lords in Parliament.
2. (Law)
(a) A solemn declaration in writing, in due form, made by
a notary public, usually under his notarial seal, on
behalf of the holder of a bill or note, protesting
against all parties liable for any loss or damage by
the nonacceptance or nonpayment of the bill, or by the
nonpayment of the note, as the case may be.
(b) A declaration made by the master of a vessel before a
notary, consul, or other authorized officer, upon his
arrival in port after a disaster, stating the
particulars of it, and showing that any damage or loss
sustained was not owing to the fault of the vessel,
her officers or crew, but to the perils of the sea,
etc., ads the case may be, and protesting against
them.
(c) A declaration made by a party, before or while paying
a tax, duty, or the like, demanded of him, which he
deems illegal, denying the justice of the demand, and
asserting his rights and claims, in order to show that
the payment was not voluntary. --Story. --Kent.
Protestancy \Prot"es*tan*cy\, n.
Protestantism. [R.]
Protestant \Prot"es*tant\, n. [F. protestant, fr. L. protestans,
-antis, p. pr. of protestare. See {Protest}, v.]
One who protests; -- originally applied to those who adhered
to Luther, and protested against, or made a solemn
declaration of dissent from, a decree of the Emperor Charles
V. and the Diet of Spires, in 1529, against the Reformers,
and appealed to a general council; -- now used in a popular
sense to designate any Christian who does not belong to the
Roman Catholic or the Greek Church.
Protestant \Prot"es*tant\, a. [Cf. F. protestant.]
1. Making a protest; protesting.
2. Of or pertaining to the faith and practice of those
Christians who reject the authority of the Roman Catholic
Church; as, Protestant writers.
Protestantical \Prot`es*tant"ic*al\, a.
Protestant. [Obs.]
Protestantism \Prot"es*tant*ism\, n. [Cf. F. protestantisme.]
The quality or state of being protestant, especially against
the Roman Catholic Church; the principles or religion of the
Protestants.
Protestantly \Prot"es*tant*ly\, adv.
Like a Protestant; in conformity with Protestantism. [R.]
--Milton.
Protestation \Prot`es*ta"tion\, n. [L. protestatio: cf. F.
protestation. See {Protest}.]
1. The act of making a protest; a public avowal; a solemn
declaration, especially of dissent. `` The protestation of
our faith.'' --Latimer.
2. (Law) Formerly, a declaration in common-law pleading, by
which the party interposes an oblique allegation or denial
of some fact, protesting that it does or does not exist,
and at the same time avoiding a direct affirmation or
denial.
Protestator \Prot"es*ta`tor\, n. [Cf. F. protestateur.]
One who makes protestation; a protester.
Protester \Pro*test"er\, n.
1. One who protests; one who utters a solemn declaration.
--Shak.
2. (Law) One who protests a bill of exchange, or note.
Protestingly \Pro*test"ing*ly\, adv.
By way of protesting.
Proteus \Pro"te*us\, n. [L., Gr. ?.]
1. (Class. Myth.) A sea god in the service of Neptune who
assumed different shapes at will. Hence, one who easily
changes his appearance or principles.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A genus of aquatic eel-shaped amphibians found in
caves in Austria. They have permanent external gills
as well as lungs. The eyes are small and the legs are
weak.
(b) A changeable protozoan; an am[oe]ba.
Prothalamion \Pro`tha*la"mi*on\, Prothalamium
\Pro`tha*la"mi*um\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? before + ? chamber,
especially, the bridal chamber.]
A song in celebration of a marriage. --Drayton.
Prothallium \Pro*thal"li*um\, n.; pl. {Prothallia}. [NL.] (Bot.)
Same as {Prothallus}.
Prothallus \Pro*thal"lus\, n.; pl. {Prothalli}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
before + ? a young shoot.] (Bot.)
The minute primary growth from the spore of ferns and other
Pteridophyta, which bears the true sexual organs; the
o["o]phoric generation of ferns, etc.
Prothesis \Proth"e*sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a placing in public,
fr. ? to set before; ? before + ? to set, put.]
1. (Eccl.) A credence table; -- so called by the Eastern or
Greek Church.
2. (Med.) See {Prosthesis}. --Dunglison.
Prothetic \Pro*thet"ic\, a. [Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to prothesis; as, a prothetic apparatus.
Prothonotary \Pro*thon"o*ta*ry\, or Protonotary
\Pro*ton"o*ta*ry\, n.; pl> {-ries}. [LL. protonotarius, fr. Gr.
prw^tos first + L. notarius a shorthand writer, a scribe: cf.
F. protonotaire.]
1. A chief notary or clerk. `` My private prothonotary.''
--Herrick.
2. Formerly, a chief clerk in the Court of King's Bench and
in the Court of Common Pleas, now superseded by the
master. [Eng.] --Wharton. Burrill.
3. A register or chief clerk of a court in certain States of
the United States.
4. (R. C. Ch.) Formerly, one who had the charge of writing
the acts of the martyrs, and the circumstances of their
death; now, one of twelve persons, constituting a college
in the Roman Curia, whose office is to register pontifical
acts and to make and preserve the official record of
beatifications.
5. (Gr. Ch.) The chief secretary of the patriarch of
Constantinople.
{Prothonotary warbler} (Zo["o]l.), a small American warbler
({Protonotaria citrea}). The general color is golden
yellow, the back is olivaceous, the rump and tail are
ash-color, several outer tail feathers are partly white.
Prothonotaryship \Pro*thon"o*ta*ry*ship\, n.
Office of a prothonotary.
Prothoracic \Pro`tho*rac"ic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the prothorax.
Prothorax \Pro*tho"rax\, n. [Pref. pro- + thorax.] (Zo["o]l.)
The first or anterior segment of the thorax in insects. See
Illusts. of {Butterfly} and {Coleoptera}.
Pro thyalosoma \Pro* thy`a*lo*so"ma\, n.; pl. {Prothyalosomata}.
[NL., fr. Gr. prw^tos first + "y`alos glass + ?, ?, body.]
(Biol.)
The investing portion, or spherical envelope, surrounding the
eccentric germinal spot of the germinal vesicle.
Prothyalosome \Pro*thy"a*lo*some\, n. (Biol.)
Same as {Prothyalosoma}.
Protist \Pro"tist\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Protista.
Protista \Pro*tis"ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. prw`tistos first.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A provisional group in which are placed a number of low
microscopic organisms of doubtful nature. Some are probably
plants, others animals.
Protiston \Pro*tis"ton\, n.; pl. {Protista}. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Protista.
Proto- \Pro"to-\ [Gr. prw^tos first, a superl. fr. pro` before.
See {Pro-}.]
1. A combining form prefix signifying first, primary,
primordial; as, protomartyr, the first martyr;
protomorphic, primitive in form; protoplast, a primordial
organism; prototype, protozoan.
2. (Chem.)
(a) Denoting the first or lowest of a series, or the one
having the smallest amount of the element to the name
of which it is prefixed; as protoxide, protochloride,
etc.
(b) Sometimes used as equivalent to mono-, as indicating
that the compound has but one atom of the element to
the name of which it is prefixed. Also used
adjectively.
Protocanonical \Pro`to*ca*non"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to the first canon, or that which contains
the authorized collection of the books of Scripture; --
opposed to {deutero-canonical}.
Protocatechuic \Pro`to*cat`e*chu"ic\, a. (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an organic acid
which is obtained as a white crystalline substance from
catechin, asafetida, oil of cloves, etc., and by distillation
itself yields pyrocatechin.
Protocercal \Pro`to*cer"cal\, a. [Proto- + Gr. ? the tail.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having a caudal fin extending around the end of the vertebral
column, like that which is first formed in the embryo of
fishes; diphycercal.
Protococcus \Pro`to*coc"cus\, n. [NL. See {Proto-}, and
{Coccus}.] (Bot.)
A genus of minute unicellular alg[ae] including the red snow
plant ({Protococcus nivalis}).
Protocol \Pro"to*col\, n. [F. protocole, LL. protocollum, fr.
Gr. ? the first leaf glued to the rolls of papyrus and the
notarial documents, on which the date was written; prw^tos
the first (see {Proto-}) + ? glue.]
1. The original copy of any writing, as of a deed, treaty,
dispatch, or other instrument. --Burrill.
2. The minutes, or rough draught, of an instrument or
transaction.
3. (Diplomacy)
(a) A preliminary document upon the basis of which
negotiations are carried on.
(b) A convention not formally ratified.
(c) An agreement of diplomatists indicating the results
reached by them at a particular stage of a
negotiation.
Protocol \Pro"to*col\, v. t.
To make a protocol of.
Protocol \Pro"to*col\, v. i.
To make or write protocols, or first draughts; to issue
protocols. --Carlyle.
Protocolist \Pro"to*col`ist\, n.
One who draughts protocols.
Protoconch \Pro"to*conch\, n. [Proto- + conch.] (Zo["o]l.)
The embryonic shell, or first chamber, of ammonites and other
cephalopods.
Proto-Doric \Pro`to-Dor*ic\, a. [Proto- + Doric.] (Arch.)
Pertaining to, or designating, architecture, in which the
beginnings of the Doric style are supposed to be found.
Protogine \Pro"to*gine\, n. [Proto- + root of Gr. ? to be born:
cf. F. protogyne.] (Min.)
A kind of granite or gneiss containing a silvery talcose
mineral.
Protogynous \Pro*tog"y*nous\, a. [Proto + Gr. gynh` a woman.]
(Bot.)
Same as {Proterogynous}.
Protohippus \Pro`to*hip"pus\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? first + ?
horse.] (Paleon.)
A genus of fossil horses from the Lower Pliocene. They had
three toes on each foot, the lateral ones being small.
Protomartyr \Pro"to*mar`tyr\, n. [LL., fr. Gr. ?; ? first + ?
martyr: cf. F. protomartyr. See {Proto-}, and {Martyr}.]
The first martyr; the first who suffers, or is sacrificed, in
any cause; -- applied esp. to Stephen, the first Christian
martyr.
Protomerite \Pro`to*mer"ite\, n. [Proto- + -mere + -ite.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The second segment of one of the Gregarin[ae].
Protomorphic \Pro`to*mor"phic\, a. [Proto- + Gr. ? form.]
(Biol.)
Having the most primitive character; in the earliest form;
as, a protomorphic layer of tissue. --H. Spencer.
Protonema \Pro`to*ne"ma\, n.; pl. {Protonemata}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
first + ?, ?, a thread.] (Bot.)
The primary growth from the spore of a moss, usually
consisting of branching confervoid filaments, on any part of
which stem and leaf buds may be developed.
Protonotary \Pro*ton"o*ta*ry\, n.
Same as {Prothonotary}.
Protoorganism \Pro`to*["o]r"gan*ism\, n. [Proto- + organism.]
(Biol.)
An organism whose nature is so difficult to determine that it
might be referred to either the animal or the vegetable
kingdom.
Protopapas \Pro`to*pap"as\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? a chief priest.]
(Gr. Ch.)
A protopope.
Protophyte \Pro"to*phyte\, n. [Proto- + Gr. ? a plant.] (Bot.)
Any unicellular plant, or plant forming only a plasmodium,
having reproduction only by fission, gemmation, or cell
division.
Note: The protophytes ({Protophyta}) are by some botanists
considered an independent branch or class of the
vegetable kingdom, and made to include the lowest forms
of both fungi and alg[ae], as slime molds, Bacteria,
the nostocs, etc. Cf. {Carpophyte}, and {O["o]phyte}.
Protophytology \Pro`to*phy*tol"o*gy\, n. [Proto- + phytology.]
Paleobotany.
Protopine \Pro"to*pine\, n. [Proto- + opium.] (Chem.)
An alkaloid found in opium in small quantities, and extracted
as a white crystalline substance.
Protoplasm \Pro"to*plasm\, n. [Proto- + Gr. ? form, fr. ? to
mold.] (Biol.)
The viscid and more or less granular material of vegetable
and animal cells, possessed of vital properties by which the
processes of nutrition, secretion, and growth go forward; the
so-called `` physical basis of life;'' the original cell
substance, cytoplasm, cytoblastema, bioplasm sarcode, etc.
Note: The lowest forms of animal and vegetable life
(unicellular organisms) consist of simple or unaltered
protoplasm; the tissues of the higher organisms, of
differentiated protoplasm.
Protoplasmatic \Pro`to*plas*mat"ic\, a.
Protoplasmic.
Protoplasmic \Pro`to*plas"mic\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the first formation of living bodies.
2. (Biol.) Of or pertaining to protoplasm; consisting of, or
resembling, protoplasm.
Protoplast \Pro"to*plast\, n. [L. protoplastus the first man,
Gr. ? formed or created first; ? first + ? formed, fr. ? to
form.]
1. The thing first formed; that of which there are subsequent
copies or reproductions; the original.
2. (Biol.) A first-formed organized body; the first
individual, or pair of individuals, of a species.
A species is a class of individuals, each of which
is hypothetically considered to be the descendant of
the same protoplast, or of the same pair of
protoplasts. --Latham.
Protoplasta \Pro`to*plas"ta\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of fresh-water rhizopods including those that have
a soft body and delicate branched pseudopodia. The genus
{Gromia} is one of the best-known.
Protoplastic \Pro`to*plas"tic\, a.
First-formed. --Howell.
Protopodite \Pro*top"o*dite\, n. [Proto- + Gr. ?, ?, foot.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The basal portion, or two proximal and more or less
consolidated segments, of an appendage of a crustacean.
Protopope \Pro"to*pope\, n. [Proto- + pope: cf. F. protopope,
Russ. protopop'.] (Gr. Ch.)
One of the clergy of first rank in the lower order of secular
clergy; an archpriest; -- called also {protopapas}.
Protopterus \Pro*top"te*rus\, n. [NL., from Gr. ? first + ? a
feather (taken to mean, fin).] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Komtok}.
Protosalt \Pro"to*salt\, n. [Proto- + salt.] (Chem.)
A salt derived from a protoxide base. [Obs.]
Protosilicate \Pro`to*sil"i*cate\, n. [Proto- + silicate.]
(Chem.)
A silicate formed with the lowest proportion of silicic acid,
or having but one atom of silicon in the molecule.
Protosomite \Pro`to*so"mite\, n. [Proto- + somite.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the primitive segments, or metameres, of an animal.
Protosulphide \Pro`to*sul"phide\, n. [Proto- + sulphide.]
(Chem.)
That one of a series of sulphides of any element which has
the lowest proportion of sulphur; a sulphide with but one
atom of sulphur in the molecule.
Protosulphuret \Pro`to*sul"phu*ret\, n. [Proto- + sulphuret.]
(Chem.)
A protosulphide. [Obs.]
Prototheria \Pro`to*the"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. prw^tos
first + qhri`on, dim. of qh`r beast.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Monotremata}.
Prototracheata \Pro`to*tra`che*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL. See {Proto-},
and {Trachea}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Malacopoda}.
Prototype \Pro"to*type\, n. [F., from L. prototypus original,
primitive, Gr. ?, ?; ? first + ? type, model. See {Proto-},
and {Type}]
An original or model after which anything is copied; the
pattern of anything to be engraved, or otherwise copied,
cast, or the like; a primary form; exemplar; archetype.
They will turn their backs on it, like their great
precursor and prototype. --Burke.
Protovertebra \Pro`to*ver"te*bra\, n.; pl. {Protovertebr[ae]} .
[Proto- + vertebra.] (Anat.)
One of the primitive masses, or segments, into which the
mesoblast of the vertebrate embryo breaks up on either side
of the anterior part of the notochord; a mesoblastic, or
protovertebral, somite. See Illust. of {Ectoderm}.
Note: The protovertebr[ae] were long regarded as rudiments of
the permanent vertebr[ae], but they are now known to
give rise to the dorsal muscles and other structures as
well as the vertebral column. See {Myotome}.
Protovertebral \Pro`to*ver"te*bral\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the protovertebr[ae].
Protoxide \Pro*tox"ide\, n. [Proto- + oxide: cf. F. protoxide.]
(Chem.)
That one of a series of oxides having the lowest proportion
of oxygen. See {Proto-}, 2
(b) .
{protoxide of nitrogen}, laughing gas, now called
{hyponitrous oxide}
. See under {Laughing}.
Protoxidize \Pro*tox"i*dize\, v. t. (Chem.)
To combine with oxygen, as any elementary substance, in such
proportion as to form a protoxide.
Protozoa \Pro`to*zo"a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? first + ? an
animal.] (Zo["o]l.)
The lowest of the grand divisions of the animal kingdom.
Note: The entire animal consists of a single cell which is
variously modified; but in many species a number of
these simple zooids are united together so as to form a
compound body or organism, as in the Foraminifera and
Vorticell[ae]. The reproduction takes place by fission,
or by the breaking up of the contents of the body after
encystment, each portion becoming a distinct animal, or
in other ways, but never by true eggs. The principal
divisions are Rhizopoda, Gregarin[ae], and Infusoria.
See also {Foraminifera}, {Heliozoa}, {Protoplasta},
{Radiolaria}, {Flagellata}, {Ciliata}.
Protozoan \Pro`to*zo"an\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the {Protozoa}. -- n. One of the
Protozoa.
Protozoic \Pro`to*zo"ic\, a.
1. (Zo["o]l.) Of or pertaining to the Protozoa.
2. (Geol.) Containing remains of the earliest discovered life
of the globe, which included mollusks, radiates and
protozoans.
Protozoon \Pro`to*zo"["o]n\ (-[o^]n), n.; pl. {Protozoa}. [NL.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) One of the Protozoa.
(b) A single zooid of a compound protozoan.
Protozoonite \Pro`to*zo"["o]*nite\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the primary, or first-formed, segments of an embryonic
arthropod.
Protracheata \Pro*tra`che*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pro-}, and
{Trachea}.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Malacopoda}.
Protract \Pro*tract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Protracted}; p. pr.
vb. n. {Protracting}.] [L. protractus, p. p. of protrahere to
forth, protract; pro forward + trahere to draw. See
{Portrait}, {Portray}.]
1. To draw out or lengthen in time or (rarely) in space; to
continue; to prolong; as, to protract an argument; to
protract a war.
2. To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer; as, to
protract a decision or duty. --Shak.
3. (Surv.) To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and
angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot.
4. (Zo["o]l.) To extend; to protrude; as, the cat can
protract its claws; -- opposed to {retract}.
Protract \Pro*tract"\, n. [L. protractus.]
Tedious continuance or delay. [Obs.] --Spenser.
Protracted \Pro*tract`ed\, a.
Prolonged; continued.
{Protracted meeting},a religious meeting continued for many
successive days. [U. S.] -- {Pro*tract"ed*ly}, adv. --
{Pro*tract"ed*ness}, n.
Protracter \Pro*tract"er\, n.
A protractor.
Protractile \Pro*tract"ile\, a.
Capable of being protracted, or protruded; protrusile.
Protraction \Pro*trac"tion\, n. [L. protractio.]
1. A drawing out, or continuing; the act of delaying the
termination of a thing; prolongation; continuance; delay;
as, the protraction of a debate.
A protraction only of what is worst in life.
--Mallock.
2. (Surv.)
(a) The act or process of making a plot on paper.
(b) A plot on paper.
Protractive \Pro*tract"ive\, a.
Drawing out or lengthening in time; prolonging; continuing;
delaying.
He suffered their protractive arts. --Dryden.
Protractor \Pro*tract"or\, n.
1. One who, or that which, protracts, or causes protraction.
2. A mathematical instrument for laying down and measuring
angles on paper, used in drawing or in plotting. It is of
various forms, semicircular, rectangular, or circular.
3. (Surg.) An instrument formerly used in extracting foreign
or offensive matter from a wound.
4. (Anat.) A muscle which extends an organ or part; --
opposed to {retractor}.
5. An adjustable pattern used by tailors. --Knight.
Protreptical \Pro*trep"tic*al\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to turn
forward, to urge on.]
Adapted to persuade; hortatory; persuasive. [Obs.] --Bp.
Ward.
Protrudable \Pro*trud"a*ble\, a.
That may be protruded; protrusile. --Darwin.
Protrude \Pro*trude"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Protruded}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Protruding}.] [L. protrudere, protrusum; pro forward
+ trudere to thrust. See {Threat}.]
1. To thrust forward; to drive or force along. --Locke.
2. To thrust out, as through a narrow orifice or from
confinement; to cause to come forth.
When . . . Spring protrudes the bursting gems.
--Thomson.
Protrude \Pro*trude"\, v. i.
To shoot out or forth; to be thrust forward; to extend beyond
a limit; to project.
The parts protrude beyond the skin. --Bacon.
Protrusile \Pro*tru"sile\, a.
Capable of being protruded or thrust out; protractile;
protrusive.
Protrusion \Pro*tru"sion\, n.
1. The act of protruding or thrusting forward, or beyond the
usual limit.
2. The state of being protruded, or thrust forward.
Protrusive \Pro*tru"sive\, a.
1. Thrusting or impelling forward; as, protrusive motion.
--E. Darwin.
2. Capable of being protruded; protrusile.
Protrusively \Pro*tru"sive*ly\, adv.
In a protrusive manner.
Protuberance \Pro*tu"ber*ance\, n. [Cf. F. protub['e]rance. See
{Protuberant}.]
That which is protuberant swelled or pushed beyond the
surrounding or adjacent surface; a swelling or tumor on the
body; a prominence; a bunch or knob; an elevation.
{Solar protuberances} (Astron.), certain rose-colored masses
on the limb of the sun which are seen to extend beyond the
edge of the moon at the time of a solar eclipse. They may
be discovered with the spectroscope on any clear day.
Called also {solar prominences}. See Illust. in Append.
Syn: {Projection}, {Protuberance}. protuberance differs from
projection, being applied to parts that rise from the
surface with a gradual ascent or small angle; whereas a
projection may be at a right angle with the surface.
Protuberancy \Pro*tu"ber*an*cy\, n.
The quality or state of being protuberant; protuberance;
prominence.
Protuberant \Pro*tu"ber*ant\, a. [L. protuberans, -antis, p. pr.
of protuberare. See {Protuberate}.]
Prominent, or excessively prominent; bulging beyond the
surrounding or adjacent surface; swelling; as, a protuberant
joint; a protuberant eye. -- {Pro*tu"ber*ant*ly}, adv.
Protuberate \Pro*tu"ber*ate\, v. i. [L. protuberare; pro forward
+ tuber a hump, protuberance. See {Tuber}.]
To swell, or be prominent, beyond the adjacent surface; to
bulge out. --S. Sharp.
Protuberation \Pro*tu`ber*a"tion\, n.
The act of swelling beyond the surrounding surface. --Cooke
(1615).
Protuberous \Pro*tu"ber*ous\, a.
Protuberant. [R.]
Protureter \Pro`tu*re"ter\, n. [NL. See {Proto-}, {Ureter}.]
(Anat.)
The duct of a pronephros. --Haeckel.
Protyle \Pro"tyle\, n. [Proto- + Gr. ? stuff, material.] (Chem.
& Astron.)
The hypothetical homogeneous cosmic material of the original
universe, supposed to have been differentiated into what are
recognized as distinct chemical elements.
Proud \Proud\, a. [Compar. {Prouder}; superl. {Proudest}.] [OE.
proud, prout, prud, prut, AS. pr[=u]t; akin to Icel.
pr[=u][eth]r stately, handsome, Dan. prud handsome. Cf.
{Pride}.]
1. Feeling or manifesting pride, in a good or bad sense; as:
(a) Possessing or showing too great self-esteem;
overrating one's excellences; hence, arrogant;
haughty; lordly; presumptuous.
Nor much expect A foe so proud will first the
weaker seek. --Milton.
O death, made proud with pure and princely
beauty ! --Shak.
And shades impervious to the proud world's
glare. --Keble.
(b) Having a feeling of high self-respect or self-esteem;
exulting (in); elated; -- often with of; as, proud of
one's country. ``Proud to be checked and soothed.''
--Keble.
Are we proud men proud of being proud ?
--Thackeray.
2. Giving reason or occasion for pride or self-gratulation;
worthy of admiration; grand; splendid; magnificent;
admirable; ostentatious. ``Of shadow proud.'' --Chapman.
``Proud titles.'' --Shak. `` The proud temple's height.''
--Dryden.
Till tower, and dome, and bridge-way proud Are
mantled with a golden cloud. --Keble.
3. Excited by sexual desire; -- applied particularly to the
females of some animals. --Sir T. Browne.
Note: Proud is often used with participles in the formation
of compounds which, for the most part, are
self-explaining; as, proud-crested, proud-minded,
proud-swelling.
{Proud flesh} (Med.), a fungous growth or excrescence of
granulations resembling flesh, in a wound or ulcer.
Proudish \Proud"ish\, a.
Somewhat proud. --Ash.
Proudling \Proud"ling\, n.
A proud or haughty person. --Sylvester.
Proudly \Proud"ly\, adv.
In a proud manner; with lofty airs or mien; haughtily;
arrogantly; boastfully.
Proudly he marches on, and void of fear. --Addison.
Proudness \Proud"ness\, n.
The quality of being proud; pride.
Set aside all arrogancy and proudness. --Latimer.
Proustite \Proust"ite\, n. [From the French chemist, J. L.
Proust.] (Min.)
A sulphide of arsenic and silver of a beautiful cochineal-red
color, occurring in rhombohedral crystals, and also massive;
ruby silver.
Provable \Prov"a*ble\, a. [See {Prove}, and cf. {Probable}.]
Capable of being proved; demonstrable. -- {Prov"a*ble*ness},
n. -- {Prov"a*bly}, adv.
Provand \Prov"and\, Proant \Pro"ant\, n. [See {Provender}.]
Provender or food. [Obs.]
One pease was a soldier's provant a whole day. --Beau.
& Fl.
Provant \Pro*vant"\, v. t.
To supply with provender or provisions; to provide for.
[Obs.] --Nash.
Provant \Prov"ant\, a.
Provided for common or general use, as in an army; hence,
common in quality; inferior. ``A poor provant rapier.'' --B.
Jonson.
Prove \Prove\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Proved}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Proving}.] [OE. prover, F. prouver, fr. L. probare to try,
approve, prove, fr. probus good, proper. Cf. {Probable},
{Proof}, {Probe}.]
1. To try or to ascertain by an experiment, or by a test or
standard; to test; as, to prove the strength of gunpowder
or of ordnance; to prove the contents of a vessel by a
standard measure.
Thou hast proved mine heart. --Ps. xvii. 3.
2. To evince, establish, or ascertain, as truth, reality, or
fact, by argument, testimony, or other evidence.
They have inferred much from slender premises, and
conjectured when they could not prove. --J. H.
Newman.
3. To ascertain or establish the genuineness or validity of;
to verify; as, to prove a will.
4. To gain experience of the good or evil of; to know by
trial; to experience; to suffer.
Where she, captived long, great woes did prove.
--Spenser.
5. (Arith.) To test, evince, ascertain, or verify, as the
correctness of any operation or result; thus, in
subtraction, if the difference between two numbers, added
to the lesser number, makes a sum equal to the greater,
the correctness of the subtraction is proved.
6. (Printing) To take a trial impression of; to take a proof
of; as, to prove a page.
Syn: To try; verify; justify; confirm; establish; evince;
manifest; show; demonstrate.
Prove \Prove\, v. i.
1. To make trial; to essay.
2. To be found by experience, trial, or result; to turn out
to be; as, a medicine proves salutary; the report proves
false. ``The case proves mortal.'' --Arbuthnot.
So life a winter's morn may prove. --Keble.
3. To succeed; to turn out as expected. [Obs.] ``The
experiment proved not.'' --Bacon.
Provect \Pro*vect"\, a. [L. provectus, p. p. of provehere to
carry forward.]
Carried forward; advanced. [Obs.] ``Provect in years.'' --Sir
T. Flyot.
Provection \Pro*vec"tion\, n. [L. provectio an advancement.]
(Philol.)
A carrying forward, as of a final letter, to a following
word; as, for example, a nickname for an ekename.
Proveditor \Pro*ved"i*tor\, n. [It. proveditore, provveditore,
fr. provedere, L. providere. See {Provide}, and cf.
{Purveyor}, {Provedore}.]
One employed to procure supplies, as for an army, a steamer,
etc.; a purveyor; one who provides for another. --Jer.
Taylor.
Provedore \Prov"e*dore\, n. [Cf. Sp. proveedor. See
{Proveditor}.]
A proveditor; a purveyor.
Busied with the duties of a provedore. --W. Irving.
Proven \Prov"en\, p. p. or a.
Proved. ``Accusations firmly proven in his mind.''
--Thackeray.
Of this which was the principal charge, and was
generally believed to beproven, he was acquitted.
--Jowett
(Thucyd. ).
{Not proven} (Scots Law), a verdict of a jury that the guilt
of the accused is not made out, though not disproved.
--Mozley & W.
Provencal \Pro`ven`[,c]al"\, a. [F., fr. Provence, fr. L.
provincia province. See {Provincial}.]
Of or pertaining to Provence or its inhabitants.
Provencal \Pro`ven`[,c]al"\, n. [F.]
1. A native or inhabitant of Provence in France.
2. The Provencal language. See {Langue d'oc}.
Provence rose \Prov"ence rose`\ [Provence the place + rose.]
(a) The cabbage rose ({Rosa centifolia}).
(b) A name of many kinds of roses which are hybrids of
{Rosa centifolia} and {R. Gallica}.
Provencial \Pro*ven"cial\, a. [See {Proven[,c]al}.]
Of or pertaining to Provence in France.
Provend \Prov"end\, n.
See {Provand}. [Obs.]
Provender \Prov"en*der\, n. [OE. provende, F. provende,
provisions, provender, fr. LL. praebenda (prae and pro being
confused), a daily allowance of provisions, a prebend. See
{Prebend}.]
1. Dry food for domestic animals, as hay, straw, corn, oats,
or a mixture of ground grain; feed. ``Hay or other
provender.'' --Mortimer.
Good provender laboring horses would have. --Tusser.
2. Food or provisions. [R or Obs.]
Provent \Prov"ent\, n.
See {Provand}. [Obs.]
Proventricle \Pro*ven"tri*cle\, n. (Anat.)
Proventriculus.
Proventriulus \Pro`ven*tri"u*lus\, n. [NL. See {Pro-}, and
{Ventricle}.] (Anat.)
The glandular stomach of birds, situated just above the crop.
Prover \Prov"er\, n.
One who, or that which, proves.
Proverb \Prov"erb\, n. [OE. proverbe, F. proverbe, from L.
proverbium; pro before, for + verbum a word. See {Verb}.]
1. An old and common saying; a phrase which is often
repeated; especially, a sentence which briefly and
forcibly expresses some practical truth, or the result of
experience and observation; a maxim; a saw; an adage.
--Chaucer. Bacon.
2. A striking or paradoxical assertion; an obscure saying; an
enigma; a parable.
His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou
plainly, and speakest no proverb. --John xvi.
29.
3. A familiar illustration; a subject of contemptuous
reference.
Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a
by word, among all nations. --Deut.
xxviii. 37.
4. A drama exemplifying a proverb.
{Book of Proverbs}, a canonical book of the Old Testament,
containing a great variety of wise maxims.
Syn: Maxim; aphorism; apothegm; adage; saw.
Proverb \Prov"erb\, v. t.
1. To name in, or as, a proverb. [R.]
Am I not sung and proverbed for a fool ? --Milton.
2. To provide with a proverb. [R.]
I am proverbed with a grandsire phrase. --Shak.
Proverb \Prov"erb\, v. i.
To write or utter proverbs. [R.]
Proverbial \Pro*ver"bi*al\, a. [L. proverbialis: cf. F.
proverbial.]
1. Mentioned or comprised in a proverb; used as a proverb;
hence, commonly known; as, a proverbial expression; his
meanness was proverbial.
In case of excesses, I take the German proverbial
cure, by a hair of the same beast, to be the worst.
--Sir W.
Temple.
2. Of or pertaining to proverbs; resembling a proverb. ``A
proverbial obscurity.'' --Sir T. Browne.
Proverbialism \Pro*ver"bi*al*ism\, n.
A proverbial phrase.
Proverbialist \Pro*ver"bi*al*ist\, n.
One who makes much use of proverbs in speech or writing; one
who composes, collects, or studies proverbs.
Proverbialize \Pro*ver"bi*al*ize\, v. t. & i. [Cf. F.
proverbialiser.]
To turn into a proverb; to speak in proverbs.
Proverbially \Pro*ver"bi*al*ly\, adv.
In a proverbial manner; by way of proverb; hence, commonly;
universally; as, it is proverbially said; the bee is
proverbially busy.
Provexity \Pro*vex"i*ty\, n. [L. provehere to advance. Cf.
{Provect}.]
Great advance in age. [Obs.]
Provide \Pro*vide"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Provided}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Providing}.] [L. providere, provisum; pro before +
videre to see. See {Vision}, and cf. {Prudent}, {Purvey}.]
1. To look out for in advance; to procure beforehand; to get,
collect, or make ready for future use; to prepare.
``Provide us all things necessary.'' --Shak.
2. To supply; to afford; to contribute.
Bring me berries, or such cooling fruit As the kind,
hospitable woods provide. --Milton.
3. To furnish; to supply; -- formerly followed by of, now by
with. ``And yet provided him of but one.'' --Jer. Taylor.
``Rome . . . was well provided with corn.'' --Arbuthnot.
4. To establish as a previous condition; to stipulate; as,
the contract provides that the work be well done.
5. To foresee.
Note: [A Latinism] [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
6. To appoint to an ecclesiastical benefice before it is
vacant. See {Provisor}. --Prescott.
Provide \Pro*vide"\, v. i.
1. To procure supplies or means in advance; to take measures
beforehand in view of an expected or a possible future
need, especially a danger or an evil; -- followed by
against or for; as, to provide against the inclemency of
the weather; to provide for the education of a child.
Government is a contrivance of human wisdom to
provide for human wants. --Burke.
2. To stipulate previously; to condition; as, the agreement
provides for an early completion of the work.
Provided \Pro*vid"ed\, conj.
On condition; by stipulation; with the understanding; if; --
usually followed by that; as, provided that nothing in this
act shall prejudice the rights of any person whatever.
Provided the deductions are logical, they seem almost
indifferent to their truth. --G. H. Lewes.
Note: This word is strictly a participle, and the word being
is understood, the participle provided agreeing with
the whole sentence absolute, and being equivalent to
this condition being previously stipulated or
established.
Providence \Prov"i*dence\, n. [L. providentia: cf. F.
providence. See {Provident}, and cf. {Prudence}.]
1. The act of providing or preparing for future use or
application; a making ready; preparation.
Providence for war is the best prevention of it.
--Bacon.
2. Foresight; care; especially, the foresight and care which
God manifests for his creatures; hence, God himself,
regarded as exercising a constant wise prescience.
The world was all before them, where to choose Their
place of rest, and Providence their guide. --Milton.
3. (Theol.) A manifestation of the care and superintendence
which God exercises over his creatures; an event ordained
by divine direction.
He that hath a numerous family, and many to provide
for, needs a greater providence of God. --Jer.
Taylor.
4. Prudence in the management of one's concerns; economy;
frugality.
It is a high point of providence in a prince to cast
an eye rather upon actions than persons. --Quarles.
Provident \Prov"i*dent\, a. [L. providens, -entis, p. pr. of
providere: cf. F. provident. See {Provide}, and cf.
{Prudent}.]
Foreseeing wants and making provision to supply them; prudent
in preparing for future exigencies; cautious; economical; --
sometimes followed by of; as, aprovident man; an animal
provident of the future.
And of our good and of our dignity, How provident he
is. --Milton.
Syn: Forecasting; cautious; careful; prudent; frugal;
economical.
Providential \Prov`i*den"tial\, a. [Cf. F. providentiel.]
Effected by, or referable to, divine direction or
superintendence; as, the providential contrivance of thing; a
providential escape. -- {Prov"i*den"tial*ly}, adv.
Providently \Prov"i*dent*ly\, adv.
In a provident manner.
Providentness \Prov"i*dent*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being provident; carefulness;
prudence; economy.
Provider \Pro*vid"er\, n.
One who provides, furnishes, or supplies; one who procures
what is wanted.
Providore \Prov"i*dore\, n. [See {Provedore}.]
One who makes provision; a purveyor. [R.] --De Foe.
Province \Prov"ince\, n. [F., fr. L. provincia; prob. fr. pro
before, for + the root of vincere to conquer. See {Victor}.]
1. (Roman Hist.) A country or region, more or less remote
from the city of Rome, brought under the Roman government;
a conquered country beyond the limits of Italy. --Wyclif
(Acts xiii. 34). Milton.
2. A country or region dependent on a distant authority; a
portion of an empire or state, esp. one remote from the
capital. ``Kingdoms and provinces.'' --Shak.
3. A region of country; a tract; a district.
Over many a tract of heaven they marched, and many a
province wide. --Milton.
Other provinces of the intellectual world. --I.
Watts.
4. A region under the supervision or direction of any special
person; the district or division of a country, especially
an ecclesiastical division, over which one has
jurisdiction; as, the province of Canterbury, or that in
which the archbishop of Canterbury exercises
ecclesiastical authority.
5. The proper or appropriate business or duty of a person or
body; office; charge; jurisdiction; sphere.
The woman'sprovince is to be careful in her economy,
and chaste in her affection. --Tattler.
6. Specif.: Any political division of the Dominion of Canada,
having a governor, a local legislature, and representation
in the Dominion parliament. Hence, colloquially, The
Provinces, the Dominion of Canada.
Provincial \Pro*vin"cial\, a. [L. provincialis: cf. F.
provincial. See {Province}, and cf. {Provencal}.]
1. Of or pertaining to province; constituting a province; as,
a provincial government; a provincial dialect.
2. Exhibiting the ways or manners of a province;
characteristic of the inhabitants of a province; not
cosmopolitan; countrified; not polished; rude; hence,
narrow; illiberal. ``Provincial airs and graces.''
--Macaulay.
3. Of or pertaining to an ecclesiastical province, or to the
jurisdiction of an archbishop; not ecumenical; as, a
provincial synod. --Ayliffe.
4. Of or pertaining to Provence; Provencal. [Obs.]
With two Provincial roses on my razed shoes. --Shak.
Provincial \Pro*vin"cial\, n.
1. A person belonging to a province; one who is provincial.
2. (R. C. Ch.) A monastic superior, who, under the general of
his order, has the direction of all the religious houses
of the same fraternity in a given district, called a
province of the order.
Provincialism \Pro*vin"cial*ism\, n. [Cf. F. provincialisme.]
A word, or a manner of speaking, peculiar to a province or a
district remote from the mother country or from the
metropolis; a provincial characteristic; hence, narrowness;
illiberality. --M. Arnold.
Provincialist \Pro*vin"cial*ist\, n.
One who lives in a province; a provincial.
Provinciality \Pro*vin`ci*al"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being provincial; peculiarity of
language characteristic of a province. --T. Warton.
Provincialize \Pro*vin"cial*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Provincialized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Provincializing}.]
To render provincial. --M. Arnold.
Provincially \Pro*vin"cial*ly\, adv.
In a provincial manner.
Provinciate \Pro*vin"ci*ate\, v. t.
To convert into a province or provinces. [Obs.] --Howell.
Provine \Pro*vine"\, v. i. [F. provingner, fr. provin a set,
layer of a plant, OF. provain, from L. propago, -aginis, akin
to propagare to propagate. See {Propagate}, {Prune}, v. t.]
To lay a stock or branch of a vine in the ground for
propagation. [Obs.] --Johnson.
Provision \Pro*vi"sion\, n. [L. provisio: cf. F. provision. See
{Provide}.]
1. The act of providing, or making previous preparation.
--Shak.
2. That which is provided or prepared; that which is brought
together or arranged in advance; measures taken
beforehand; preparation.
Making provision for the relief of strangers.
--Bacon.
3. Especially, a stock of food; any kind of eatables
collected or stored; -- often in the plural.
And of provisions laid in large, For man and beast.
--Milton.
4. That which is stipulated in advance; a condition; a
previous agreement; a proviso; as, the provisions of a
contract; the statute has many provisions.
5. (R. C. Ch.) A canonical term for regular induction into a
benefice, comprehending nomination, collation, and
installation.
6. (Eng. Hist.) A nomination by the pope to a benefice before
it became vacant, depriving the patron of his right of
presentation. --Blackstone.
Provision \Pro*vi"sion\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Provisioned}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Provisioning}.]
To supply with food; to victual; as, to provision a garrison.
They were provisioned for a journey. --Palfrey.
Provisional \Pro*vi"sion*al\, a. [Cf. F. provisionnel.]
Of the nature of a provision; serving as a provision for the
time being; -- used of partial or temporary arrangements; as,
a provisional government; a provisional treaty.
Provisionally \Pro*vi"sion*al*ly\, adv.
By way of provision for the time being; temporarily. --Locke.
Provisionary \Pro*vi"sion*a*ry\, a.
Provisional. --Burke.
Proviso \Pro*vi"so\, n.; pl. {Provisos}. [L., (it) being
provided, abl. of provisus, p. p. of providere. See
{Provide}, and cf. {Purview}.]
An article or clause in any statute, agreement, contract,
grant, or other writing, by which a condition is introduced,
usually beginning with the word provided; a conditional
stipulation that affects an agreement, contract, law, grant,
or the like; as, the contract was impaired by its proviso.
He doth deny his prisoners, But with proviso and
exception. --Shak.
Provisor \Pro*vi"sor\, n. [L., fr. providere: cf. F. proviseur.
See {Provide}.]
1. One who provides; a purveyor. [Obs.] ``The chief provisor
of our horse.'' --Ford.
2. (R. C. Ch.)
(a) The purveyor, steward, or treasurer of a religious
house. --Cowell.
(b) One who is regularly inducted into a benefice. See
{Provision}, 5. --P. Plowman.
3. (Eng. Hist.) One who procures or receives a papal
provision. See {Provision}, 6.
Provisorily \Pro*vi"so*ri*ly\, adv.
In a provisory manner; conditionally; subject to a proviso;
as, to admit a doctrine provisorily. --Sir W. Hamilton.
Provisorship \Pro*vi"sor*ship\, n.
The office or position of a provisor. [R.] --J. Webster.
Provisory \Pro*vi"so*ry\, a. [Cf. F. provisoire.]
1. Of the nature of a proviso; containing a proviso or
condition; conditional; as, a provisory clause.
2. Making temporary provision; provisional.
Provocation \Prov`o*ca"tion\, n. [F. provocation, L. provocatio.
See {Provoke}.]
1. The act of provoking, or causing vexation or, anger.
--Fabyan.
2. That which provokes, or excites anger; the cause of
resentment; as, to give provocation. --Paley.
3. Incitement; stimulus; as, provocation to mirth.
4. (Law) Such prior insult or injury as may be supposed,
under the circumstances, to create hot blood, and to
excuse an assault made in retort or redress.
5. An appeal to a court.
Note: [A Latinism] [Obs.] --Ayliffe.
Provocative \Pro*vo"ca*tive\, a. [L. provocativus: cf. OF.
provocatif.]
Serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate;
exciting.
Provocative \Pro*vo"ca*tive\, n.
Anything that is provocative; a stimulant; as, a provocative
of appetite.
Provocativeness \Pro*vo"ca*tive*ness\, n.
Quality of being provocative.
Provocatory \Pro*vo"ca*to*ry\, a.
Provocative.
Provokable \Pro*vok"a*ble\, a.
That may be provoked.
Provoke \Pro*voke"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Provoked}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Provoking}.] [F. provoquer, L. provocare to call
forth; pro forth + vocare to call, fr. vox, vocis, voice,
cry, call. See {Voice}.]
To call forth; to call into being or action; esp., to incense
to action, a faculty or passion, as love, hate, or ambition;
hence, commonly, to incite, as a person, to action by a
challenge, by taunts, or by defiance; to exasperate; to
irritate; to offend intolerably; to cause to retaliate.
Obey his voice, provoke him not. --Ex. xxiii.
21.
Ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath. --Eph.
vi. 4.
Such acts Of contumacy will provoke the Highest To make
death in us live. --Milton.
Can honor's voice provoke the silent dust? --Gray.
To the poet the meaning is what he pleases to make it,
what it provokes in his own soul. -- J.
Burroughs.
Syn: To irritate; arouse; stir up; awake; excite; incite;
anger. See {Irritate}.
Provoke \Pro*voke"\, v. i.
1. To cause provocation or anger.
2. To appeal.
Note: [A Latinism] [Obs.] --Dryden.
Provokement \Pro*voke"ment\, n.
The act that which, provokes; one who excites anger or other
passion, or incites to action; as, a provoker of sedition.
Drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things.
--Shak.
Provoking \Pro*vok"ing\, a.
Having the power or quality of exciting resentment; tending
to awaken passion or vexation; as, provoking words or
treatment. -- {Pro*vok"ing*ly}, adv.
Provost \Prov"ost\, n. [OF. provost (L. prae and pro being
confused), F. prev[^o]t, fr. L. praepositus placed before, a
chief, fr. praeponere to place before: cf. AS. pr[=a]fost,
pr[=o]fast. See {Preposition}, and cf. {Propound}.]
1. A person who is appointed to superintend, or preside over,
something; the chief magistrate in some cities and towns;
as, the provost of Edinburgh or of Glasgow, answering to
the mayor of other cities; the provost of a college,
answering to president; the provost or head of certain
collegiate churches.
2. The keeper of a prison. [Obs.] --Shak.
Note: In France, formerly, a provost was an inferior judge
who had cognizance of civil causes. The grand provost
of France, or of the household, had jurisdiction in the
king's house, and over its officers.
{Provost marshal} (often pronounced ?).
(a) (Mil.) An officer appointed in every army, in the
field, to secure the prisoners confined on charges of
a general nature. He also performs such other duties
pertaining to police and discipline as the regulations
of the service or the commander's orders impose upon
him.
(b) (Nav.) An officer who has charge of prisoners on trial
by court-martial, serves notices to witnesses, etc.
Provostship \Prov"ost*ship\, n.
The office of a provost.
Prow \Prow\, n. [F. proue (cf. Sp. & Pg. proa, It. prua), L.
prora, Gr. ?, akin to ? before. See {Pro-}, and cf. {Prore}.]
The fore part of a vessel; the bow; the stem; hence, the
vessel itself. --Wordsworth.
The floating vessel swum Uplifted, and secure with
beaked prow rode tilting o'er the waves. --Milton.
Prow \Prow\, n.
See {Proa}.
Prow \Prow\, a. [Compar. {Prower}; superl. {Prowest}.] [OF.
prou, preu, F. preux, fr. L. pro, prod, in prodesse to be
useful. See {Pro-}, and cf. {Prude}.]
Valiant; brave; gallant; courageous. [Archaic] --Tennyson.
The prowest knight that ever field did fight.
--Spenser.
Prow \Prow\, n. [OE. & OF. prou. See {Prow}, a.]
Benefit; profit; good; advantage. [Obs.]
That shall be for your hele and for your prow.
--Chaucer.
Prowess \Prow"ess\, n. [OF. proece, proesce, F. prouesse. See
{Prow}, a.]
Distinguished bravery; valor; especially, military bravery
and skill; gallantry; intrepidity; fearlessness. --Chaucer.
Sir P. Sidney.
He by his prowess conquered all France. --Shak.
Prowl \Prowl\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prowled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Prowling}.] [OE. prollen to search about; of uncertain
origin, perh. for proglen, a dim. of prog to beg, or proke to
poke. Cf. {Proke}.]
1. To rove over, through, or about in a stealthy manner;
esp., to search in, as for prey or booty.
He prowls each place, still in new colors decked. --
Sir P. Sidney.
2. To collect by plunder; as, to prowl money. [Obs.]
Prowl \Prowl\, v. i.
To rove or wander stealthily, esp. for prey, as a wild beast;
hence, to prey; to plunder.
Prowl \Prowl\, n.
The act of prowling. [Colloq.] --Smart.
Prowler \Prowl"er\, n.
One that prowls. --Thomson.
Prowling \Prowl"ing\, a.
Accustomed to prowl, or engaged in roving stealthily, as for
prey. ``A prowling wolf.'' --Milton. -- {Prowl"ing*ly}, adv.
Prox \Prox\, n. [Cf. {Proxy}.]
``The ticket or list of candidates at elections, presented to
the people for their votes.'' [Rhode Island] --Bartlett.
Proxene \Prox"ene\, n. [Cf. ?; ? before + ? a guest, stranger:
cf. F. prox[`e]ne.] (Gr. Antiq.)
An officer who had the charge of showing hospitality to those
who came from a friendly city or state.
Proxenet \Prox"e*net\, n. [L. proxeneta, Gr. ?.]
A negotiator; a factor. [R.] --Dr. H. More.
Proximad \Prox"i*mad\, adv. [Proximal + L. ad to.] (Anat.)
Toward a proximal part; on the proximal side of; proximally.
Proximal \Prox"i*mal\, a.
1. Toward or nearest, as to a body, or center of motion of
dependence; proximate.
2. (Biol.)
(a) Situated near the point of attachment or origin; as,
the proximal part of a limb.
(b) Of or pertaining to that which is proximal; as, the
proximal bones of a limb. Opposed to {distal}.
Proximally \Prox"i*mal*ly\, adv. (Anat.)
On or toward a proximal part; proximad.
Proximate \Prox"i*mate\, a. [L. proximatus, p. p. of proximare
to come near, to approach, fr. proximus the nearest, nest,
superl. of propior nearer, and prope, adv., near.]
Nearest; next immediately preceding or following. ``Proximate
ancestors.'' --J. S. Harford.
The proximate natural causes of it [the deluge]. --T.
Burnet.
{Proximate analysis} (Chem.), an analysis which determines
the proximate principles of any substance, as contrasted
with an ultimate analysis.
{Proximate cause}.
(a) A cause which immediately precedes and produces the
effect, as distinguished from the remote, mediate, or
predisposing cause. --I. Watts.
(b) That which in ordinary natural sequence produces a
specific result, no independent disturbing agencies
intervening.
{Proximate principle} (Physiol. Chem.), one of a class of
bodies existing ready formed in animal and vegetable
tissues, and separable by chemical analysis, as albumin,
sugar, collagen, fat, etc.
Syn: Nearest; next; closest; immediate; direct.
Proximately \Prox"i*mate*ly\, adv.
In a proximate manner, position, or degree; immediately.
Proxime \Prox"ime\, a. [L. proximus. See {Proximate}.]
Next; immediately preceding or following. [Obs.]
Proximious \Prox*im"i*ous\, a.
Proximate. [Obs.]
Proximity \Prox*im"i*ty\, n. [L. proximitas: cf. F. proximit['e]
See {Proximate}, and cf. {Propinquity}, {Approach}.]
The quality or state of being next in time, place, causation,
influence, etc.; immediate nearness, either in place, blood,
or alliance.
If he plead proximity of blood That empty title is with
ease withstood. --Dryden.
Proximo \Prox"i*mo\ [L., on the next, abl. of proximus next.]
In the next month after the present; -- often contracted to
prox.; as, on the 3d proximo.
Proxy \Prox"y\, n.; pl. {Proxies}. [Contr. from procuracy. Cf.
{Proctor}.]
1. The agency for another who acts through the agent;
authority to act for another, esp. to vote in a
legislative or corporate capacity.
I have no man's proxy: I speak only for myself.
--Burke.
2. The person who is substituted or deputed to act or vote
for another.
Every peer . . . may make another lord of parliament
his proxy, to vote for him in his absence.
--Blackstone.
3. A writing by which one person authorizes another to vote
in his stead, as in a corporation meeting.
4. (Eng. Law) The written appointment of a proctor in suits
in the ecclesiastical courts. --Burrill.
5. (Eccl.) See {Procuration}. [Obs.]
Proxy \Prox"y\, v. i.
To act or vote by proxy; to do anything by the agency of
another. [R.]
Proxyship \Prox"y*ship\, n.
The office or agency of a proxy.
Pruce \Pruce\, n. [OE. for Prussia: cf. F. Prusse.]
Prussian leather. [Obs.] --Dryden.
Prude \Prude\, n. [F., prudish, originally, discreet, modest;
shortened from OF. prudefeme, preudefeme, a discreet or
excellent woman; OF. preu, prou, excellent, brave + de of +
fete woman. See {Prow}, a., {Prowess}.]
A woman of affected modesty, reserve, or coyness; one who is
overscrupulous or sensitive; one who affects extraordinary
prudence in conduct and speech.
Less modest than the speech of prudes. --Swift.
Prudence \Pru"dence\, n. [F., fr. L. prudentia, contr. from
providentia. See {Prudent}, and cf. {Providence}.]
The quality or state of being prudent; wisdom in the way of
caution and provision; discretion; carefulness; hence, also,
economy; frugality.
Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be
done, and due means, order, seasons, and method of
doing or not doing. --Sir M. Hale.
Prudence supposes the value of the end to be assumed,
and refers only to the adaptation of the means. It is
the relation of right means for given ends. --Whewell.
Syn: Wisdom; forecast; providence; considerateness;
judiciousness; discretion; caution; circumspection;
judgment. See {Wisdom}.
Prudency \Pru"den*cy\, n.
Prudence. [Obs.] --Hakluyt.
Prudent \Pru"dent\, a. [L. prudens, -entis, contr. from
providens: cf. F. prudent. See {Provident}.]
1. Sagacious in adapting means to ends; circumspect in
action, or in determining any line of conduct; practically
wise; judicious; careful; discreet; sensible; -- opposed
to {rash}; as, a prudent man; dictated or directed by
prudence or wise forethought; evincing prudence; as,
prudent behavior.
Moses established a grave and prudent law. --Milton.
2. Frugal; economical; not extravagant; as, a prudent woman;
prudent expenditure of money.
Syn: Cautious; wary; circumspect; considerate; discreet;
judicious; provident; economical; frugal.
Prudential \Pru*den"tial\, a.
1. Proceeding from, or dictated or characterized by,
prudence; prudent; discreet; sometimes, selfish or
pecuniary as distinguished from higher motives or
influences; as, prudential motives. `` A prudential line
of conduct.'' --Sir W. Scott.
2. Exercising prudence; discretionary; advisory;
superintending or executive; as, a prudential committee.
Prudential \Pru*den"tial\, n.
That which relates to or demands the exercise of, discretion
or prudence; -- usually in the pl.
Many stanzas, in poetic measures, contain rules
relating to common prudentials as well as to religion.
--I. Watts.
Prudentialist \Pru*den"tial*ist\, n.
One who is governed by, or acts from, prudential motives.
[R.] --Coleridge.
Prudentiality \Pru*den`ti*al"i*ty\, n.
The quality or state of being prudential. --Sir T. Browne.
Prudentially \Pru*den"tial*ly\, adv.
In a prudential manner; prudently. --South.
Prudently \Pru"dent*ly\, adv.
In a prudent manner.
Prudery \Prud"er*y\, n.; pl. {Pruderies}. [F. pruderie. See
{Prude}.]
The quality or state of being prudish; excessive or affected
scrupulousness in speech or conduct; stiffness; coyness.
--Cowper.
Prudhomme \Prud*homme"\, n. [F. prud'homme. cf. {Prude}.]
A trustworthy citizen; a skilled workman. See Citation under
3d {Commune}, 1.
Prudish \Prud"ish\, a.
Like a prude; very formal, precise, or reserved; affectedly
severe in virtue; as, a prudish woman; prudish manners.
A formal lecture, spoke with prudish face. --Garrick.
Prudishly \Prud"ish*ly\, adv.
In a prudish manner.
Pruinate \Pru"i*nate\, a.
Same as {Pruinose}.
Pruinose \Pru"i*nose`\, a. [L. pruinosus, fr. pruina hoarfrost.]
Frosty; covered with fine scales, hairs, dust, bloom, or the
like, so as to give the appearance of frost.
Pruinous \Pru"i*nous\, a.
Frosty; pruinose.
Prune \Prune\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pruned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pruning}.] [OE. proine, probably fr. F. provigner to lay
down vine stocks for propagation; hence, probably, the
meaning, to cut away superfluous shoots. See {Provine}.]
1. To lop or cut off the superfluous parts, branches, or
shoots of; to clear of useless material; to shape or
smooth by trimming; to trim: as, to prune trees; to prune
an essay. --Thackeray.
Taking into consideration how they [laws] are to be
pruned and reformed. --Bacon.
Our delightful task To prune these growing plants,
and tend these flowers. --Milton.
2. To cut off or cut out, as useless parts.
Horace will our superfluous branches prune.
--Waller.
3. To preen; to prepare; to dress. --Spenser.
His royal bird Prunes the immortal wing and cloys
his beak. --Shak.
Prune \Prune\, v. i.
To dress; to prink; -used humorously or in contempt.
--Dryden.
Prune \Prune\, n. [F. prune, from L. prunum a plum. See {Plum}.]
A plum; esp., a dried plum, used in cookery; as, French or
Turkish prunes; California prunes.
{German prune} (Bot.), a large dark purple plum, of oval
shape, often one-sided. It is much used for preserving,
either dried or in sirup.
{Prune tree}. (Bot.)
(a) A tree of the genus {Prunus} ({P. domestica}), which
produces prunes.
(b) The West Indian tree, {Prunus occidentalis}.
{South African prune} (Bot.), the edible fruit of a
sapindaceous tree ({Pappea Capensis}).
Prunella \Pru*nel"la\, n. [NL., perhaps from G. br[ae]une
quinsy, croup.] (Med.)
(a) Angina, or angina pectoris.
(b) Thrush.
{Prunella salt} (Old Chem.), niter fused and cast into little
balls.
Prunella \Pru*nel"la\, Prunello \Pru*nel"lo\, n. [F. prunelle,
probably so called from its color resembling that of prunes.
See {Prune}, n.]
A smooth woolen stuff, generally black, used for making
shoes; a kind of lasting; -- formerly used also for
clergymen's gowns.
Prunelle \Pru*nelle"\, n. [F., dim. of prune. See {Prune}, n.]
A kind of small and very acid French plum; -- applied
especially to the stoned and dried fruit.
Prunello \Pru*nel"lo\, n. [F. prunelle, dim. of prune. See
{Prune} a plum.]
A species of dried plum; prunelle.
Pruner \Prun"er\, n.
1. One who prunes, or removes, what is superfluous.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of beetles whose
larv[ae] gnaw the branches of trees so as to cause them to
fall, especially the American oak pruner ({Asemum
m[oe]stum}), whose larva eats the pith of oak branches,
and when mature gnaws a circular furrow on the inside
nearly to the bark. When the branches fall each contains a
pupa.
Pruniferous \Pru*nif"er*ous\, a. [L. prunum a plum + -ferous.]
Bearing plums.
Pruning \Prun"ing\, n.
1. The act of trimming, or removing what is superfluous.
2. (Falconry) That which is cast off by bird in pruning her
feathers; leavings. --Beau. & Fl.
{Pruning hook}, or {Pruning knife}, cutting instrument used
in pruning trees, etc.
{Pruning shears}, shears for pruning trees, vines, etc.
Prunus \Pru"nus\, n. [L., a plum tree.] (Bot.)
A genus of trees with perigynous rosaceous flowers, and a
single two-ovuled carpel which usually becomes a drupe in
ripening.
Note: Originally, this genus was limited to the plums, then,
by Linn[ae]us, was made to include the cherries and the
apricot. Later botanists separated these into several
genera, as {Prunus}, {Cerasus}, and {Armeniaca}, but
now, by Bentham and Hooker, the plums, cherries, cherry
laurels, peach, almond, and nectarine are all placed in
{Prunus}.
Prurience \Pru"ri*ence\, Pruriency \Pru"ri*en*cy\, n.
The quality or state of being prurient.
The pruriency of curious ears. --Burke.
There is a prurience in the speech of some. --Cowper.
Prurient \Pru"ri*ent\, a. [L. pruries, -entis, p. pr. of prurire
to itch. Cf. {Freeze}.]
Uneasy with desire; itching; especially, having a lascivious
curiosity or propensity; lustful. -- {Pru"ri*ent*ly}, adv.
The eye of the vain and prurient is darting from object
to object of illicit attraction. --I. Taylor.
Pruriginous \Pru*rig"i*nous\, a. [L. pruriginosus: cf. F.
prurigineux.] (Med.)
Tending to, or caused by, prurigo; affected by, or of the
nature of, prurigo.
Prurigo \Pru*ri"go\, n. [L., an itching, the itch, fr. prurire
to itch.] (Med.)
A papular disease of the skin, of which intense itching is
the chief symptom, the eruption scarcely differing from the
healthy cuticle in color.
Pruritus \Pru*ri"tus\, n. [L.] (Med.)
Itching.
Prussian \Prus"sian\, a. [From Prussia, the country: cf. F.
prussien.]
Of or pertaining to Prussia. -- n. A native or inhabitant of
Prussia.
{Prussian blue} (Chem.), any one of several complex double
cyanides of ferrous and ferric iron; specifically, a dark
blue amorphous substance having a coppery luster, obtained
by adding a solution of potassium ferrocyanide (yellow
prussiate of potash) to a ferric salt. It is used in
dyeing, in ink, etc. Called also {Williamson's blue},
{insoluble Prussian blue}, {Berlin blue}, etc.
{Prussian carp} (Zo["o]l.) See {Gibel}.
{Prussian green}. (Chem.) Same as {Berlin green}, under
{Berlin}.
Prussiate \Prus"si*ate\, n. [Cf. F. prussiate.] (Chem.)
A salt of prussic acid; a cyanide.
{Red prussiate of potash}. See {Potassium ferricyanide},
under {Ferricyanide}.
{Yellow prussiate of potash}. See {Potassium ferrocyanide},
under {Ferrocyanide}.
Prussic \Prus"sic\, a. [Cf. F. prussique.] (Old Chem.)
designating the acid now called hydrocyanic acid, but
formerly called prussic acid, because Prussian blue is
derived from it or its compounds. See {Hydrocyanic}.
Prutenic \Pru*ten"ic\, a. (Astron.)
Prussian; -- applied to certain astronomical tables published
in the sixteenth century, founded on the principles of
Copernicus, a Prussian.
Pry \Pry\, n. [Corrupted fr. prize a lever. See {Prize}, n.]
A lever; also, leverage. [Local, U. S. & Eng.]
{Pry pole}, the pole which forms the prop of a hoisting gin,
and stands facing the windlass.
Pry \Pry\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pried}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Prying}.]
To raise or move, or attempt to raise or move, with a pry or
lever; to prize. [Local, U. S. & Eng.]
Pry \Pry\, v. i. [OE. prien. Cf. {Peer} to peep.]
To peep narrowly; to gaze; to inspect closely; to attempt to
discover something by a scrutinizing curiosity; -- often
implying reproach. `` To pry upon the stars.'' --Chaucer.
Watch thou and wake when others be asleep, To pry into
the secrets of the state. --Shak.
Pry \Pry\, n.
Curious inspection; impertinent peeping.
Pryan \Pry"an\, n. (Mining)
See {Prian}.
Prying \Pry"ing\, a.
Inspecting closely or impertinently.
Syn: Inquisitive; curious. See {Inquisitive}.
Pryingly \Pry"ing*ly\, adv.
In a prying manner.
Prytaneum \Pryt`a*ne"um\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? prytanis.]
(Gr. Antiq.)
A public building in certain Greek cities; especially, a
public hall in Athens regarded as the home of the community,
in which official hospitality was extended to distinguished
citizens and strangers.
Prytanis \Pryt"a*nis\, n.; pl. {Prytanes}. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Gr.
Antiq.)
A member of one of the ten sections into which the Athenian
senate of five hundred was divided, and to each of which
belonged the presidency of the senate for about one tenth of
the year.
Prytany \Pryt"a*ny\, n. [Gr. ?.] (Gr. Antiq.)
The period during which the presidency of the senate belonged
to the prytanes of the section.
Prythee \Pryth"ee\, interj.
See {Prithee}.
Psalm \Psalm\, n. [OE. psalm, salm, AS. sealm, L. psalmus,
psalma, fr. Gr. ?, ?, fr. ? to pull, twitch, to play upon a
stringed instrument, to sing to the harp: cf. OF. psalme,
salme, F. psaume.]
1. A sacred song; a poetical composition for use in the
praise or worship of God.
Humus devout and holy psalms Singing everlastingly.
--Milton.
2. Especially, one of the hymns by David and others,
collected into one book of the Old Testament, or a modern
metrical version of such a hymn for public worship.
Psalm \Psalm\, v. t.
To extol in psalms; to sing; as, psalming his praises.
--Sylvester.
Psalmist \Psalm"ist\, n. [L. psalmista, Gr. ?: cf. F. psalmiste.
See {Psalm}.]
1. A writer or composer of sacred songs; -- a title
particularly applied to David and the other authors of the
Scriptural psalms.
2. (R. C. Ch.) A clerk, precentor, singer, or leader of
music, in the church.
Psalmistry \Psalm"ist*ry\, n.
The use of psalms in devotion; psalmody.
Psalmodic \Psal*mod"ic\, Psalmodical \Psal*mod"ic*al\, a. [Cf.
F. psalmodique.]
Relating to psalmody.
Psalmodist \Psal"mo*dist\, n.
One who sings sacred songs; a psalmist.
Psalmodize \Psal"mo*dize\, v. i.
To practice psalmody. `` The psalmodizing art.'' --J. G.
Cooper.
Psalmody \Psal"mo*dy\, n. [Gr. ?; ? psalm + ? a song, an ode:
cf. F. psalmodie, LL. psalmodia. See {Psalm}, and {Ode}.]
The act, practice, or art of singing psalms or sacred songs;
also, psalms collectively, or a collection of psalms.
Psalmograph \Psal"mo*graph\, n. [See {Psalmographer}.]
A writer of psalms; a psalmographer.
Psalmographer \Psal*mog"ra*pher\, Psalmographist
\Psal*mog"ra*phist\, n. [L. psalmographus, Gr. ?; ? a psalm + ?
to write.]
A writer of psalms, or sacred songs and hymns.
Psalmography \Psal*mog"ra*phy\, n. [Cf. F. psalmographie.]
The act or practice of writing psalms, or sacred songs.
Psalter \Psal"ter\, n. [OE. psauter, sauter, OF. sautier,
psaltier, F. psautier, from L. psalterium. See {Psaltery}.]
1. The Book of Psalms; -- often applied to a book containing
the Psalms separately printed.
2. Specifically, the Book of Psalms as printed in the Book of
Common Prayer; among the Roman Catholics, the part of the
Breviary which contains the Psalms arranged for each day
of the week.
3. (R. C. Ch.) A rosary, consisting of a hundred and fifty
beads, corresponding to the number of the psalms.
Psalterial \Psal*te"ri*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to the psalterium.
Psalterium \Psal*te"ri*um\, n.; pl. {Psalteria}. [L., a
psaltery.] (Anat.)
(a) The third stomach of ruminants. See {Manyplies}.
(b) The lyra of the brain.
Psaltery \Psal"ter*y\, n.; pl. {Psalteries}. [OE. sautrie, OF.
psalterie, F. psalt['e]rion, L. psalterium psaltery, psalter,
from Gr. ?, fr. ?. See {Psalm}, {Psalter}.]
A stringed instrument of music used by the Hebrews, the form
of which is not known.
Praise the Lord with harp; sing unto him with the
psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. --Ps.
xxxiii. 2.
Psammite \Psam"mite\, n. [Gr. ? sandy, from ? sand: cf. F.
psammite.] (Min.)
A species of micaceous sandstone. -- {Psam*mit"ic}, a.
Psarolite \Psar"o*lite\, n. [Gr. ? speckled + -lite.] (Paleon.)
A silicified stem of tree fern, found in abundance in the
Triassic sandstone.
Psellism \Psel"lism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to stammer.]
Indistinct pronunciation; stammering.
Psephism \Pse"phism\, n. [Gr. ? a decree, fr. ? to vote with a
pebble, fr. ? pebble.] (Gr. Antiq.)
A proposition adopted by a majority of votes; especially, one
adopted by vote of the Athenian people; a statute. --J. P.
Mahaffy.
Pseudaesthesia \Pseu`d[ae]s*the"si*a\, n. [NL. See {Pseudo-},
and {[AE]sthesia}.] (Physiol.)
False or imaginary feeling or sense perception such as occurs
in hypochondriasis, or such as is referred to an organ that
has been removed, as an amputated foot.
Pseudembryo \Pseu*dem"bry*o\, n. [Pseudo- + embryo.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A false embryo.
(b) An asexual form from which the true embryo is produced by
budding.
Pseudepigraphic \Pseu*dep`i*graph"ic\, Pseudepigraphic
\Pseu*dep`i*graph"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to pseudepigraphy.
Pseudepigraphous \Pseu`de*pig"ra*phous\, a. [Gr. ? falsely
inscribed. See {Pseudo-}, and {Epigraphy}.]
Inscribed with a false name. --Cudworth.
Pseudepigraphy \Pseu`de*pig"ra*phy\, n.
The ascription of false names of authors to works.
Pseudhaemal \Pseud*h[ae]"mal\, a. [Pseudo- + h[ae]mal.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Pertaining to the vascular system of annelids.
{Pseudh[ae]mal fluid}, the circulatory fluid, or blood, of
annelids, analogous to the blood of vertebrates. It is
often red, but is sometimes green or colorless.
{Pseudh[ae]mal vessels}, the blood vessels of annelids.
Pseudo- \Pseu"do-\ [Gr. pseydh`s lying, false, akin to psey`dein
to belie; cf. psydro`s lying, psy`qos a lie.]
A combining form or prefix signifying false, counterfeit,
pretended, spurious; as, pseudo-apostle, a false apostle;
pseudo-clergy, false or spurious clergy; pseudo-episcopacy,
pseudo-form, pseudo-martyr, pseudo-philosopher. Also used
adjectively.
Pseudobacteria \Pseu`do*bac*te"ri*a\, n. pl. [Pseudo- +
bacteria.] (Biol.)
Microscopic organic particles, molecular granules, powdered
inorganic substances, etc., which in form, size, and grouping
resemble bacteria.
Note: The globules which divide and develop in form of chains
are organized beings; when this does not occur, we are
dealing with pseudobacteria. --Sternberg.
Pseudoblepsis \Pseu`do*blep"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. pseydh`s
false + ble`psis sight.] (Med.)
False or depraved sight; imaginary vision of objects.
--Forsyth.
Pseudobranch \Pseu"do*branch\, n. (Anat.)
Same as {Pseudobranchia}.
Pseudobranchia \Pseu`do*bran"chi*a\, n.; pl.
{Pseudobranchi[ae]}. [NL. See {Pseudo-}, and {Branchia}.]
(Anat.)
A rudimentary branchia, or gill. -- {Pseu`do*bran"chi*al}, a.
Pseudo-bulb \Pseu"do-bulb`\, n. [Pseudo- + bulb.] (Bot.)
An a["e]rial corm, or thickened stem, as of some epiphytic
orchidaceous plants.
Pseudocarp \Pseu"do*carp\, n. [Pseudo- + Gr. ? fruit.] (Bot.)
That portion of an anthocarpous fruit which is not derived
from the ovary, as the soft part of a strawberry or of a fig.
Pseudo-china \Pseu`do-chi"na\, n. [Pseudo- + china.] (Bot.)
The false china root, a plant of the genus {Smilax} ({S.
Pseudo-china}), found in America.
Pseudocoele \Pseu"do*c[oe]le\, n.
Same as {Pseudoc[oe]lia}.
Pseudocoelia \Pseu`do*c[oe]"li*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. pseydh`s
false + ? hollow.] (Anat.)
The fifth ventricle in the mammalian brain. See {Ventricle}.
--B. G. Wilder.
Pseudo-cone \Pseu"do-cone`\, n. [Pseudo- + cone.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the soft gelatinous cones found in the compound eyes
of certain insects, taking the place of the crystalline cones
of others.
Pseudo-cumene \Pseu`do-cu"mene\, n. [Pseudo- + cumene.] (Chem.)
A hydrocarbon of the aromatic series, metameric with
mesitylene and cumene, found in coal tar, and obtained as a
colorless liquid.
Pseudo-dipteral \Pseu`do-dip"ter*al\, a. [Pseudo- + dipteral:
cf. F. pseudodipt[`e]re.] (Arch.)
Falsely or imperfectly dipteral, as a temple with the inner
range of columns surrounding the cella omitted, so that the
space between the cella wall and the columns is very great,
being equal to two intercolumns and one column. -- n. A
pseudo-dipteral temple.
Pseudodox \Pseu"do*dox\, a. [Gr. pseydo`doxos; pseydh`s false +
do`xa an opinion.]
Not true in opinion or doctrine; false. -- n. A false opinion
or doctrine. ``To maintain the atheistical pseudodox which
judgeth evil good, and darkness light.'' --T. Adams.
Pseudofilaria \Pseu`do*fi*la"ri*a\, n.; pl. {Pseudofilari?}.
[NL. See {Pseudo-}, and {Filaria}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the two elongated vibratile young formed by fission of
the embryo during the development of certain Gregarin[ae].
Pseudo-galena \Pseu`do-ga*le"na\, n. [Pseudo- + galena.] (Min.)
False galena, or blende. See {Blende}
(a) .
Pseudograph \Pseu"do*graph\, n. [See {Pseudography}.]
A false writing; a spurious document; a forgery.
Pseudography \Pseu*dog"ra*phy\, n. [Gr. ?; pseydh`s false + ? to
write.]
False writing; forgery.
Pseudohalter \Pseu`do*hal"ter\, n.; pl. {Pseudohalteres}. [NL.
See {Pseudo-}, and {Halteres}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the rudimentary front wings of certain insects
({Stylops}). They resemble the halteres, or rudimentary hind
wings, of Diptera.
Pseudo-heart \Pseu"do-heart`\, n. [Pseudo- + heart.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any contractile vessel of invertebrates which is not of the
nature of a real heart, especially one of those pertaining to
the excretory system.
Pseudo-hyperthophic \Pseu`do-hy`per*thoph"ic\, a. [Pseudo- +
hypertrophic.] (Med.)
Falsely hypertrophic; as, pseudo-hypertrophic paralysis, a
variety of paralysis in which the muscles are apparently
enlarged, but are really degenerated and replaced by fat.
Pseudologist \Pseu*dol"o*gist\, n. [Gr. ?.]
One who utters falsehoods; a liar.
Pseudology \Pseu*dol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?; pseydh`s false + ?
speech: cf. F. pseudologie.]
Falsehood of speech. --Arbuthnot.
Pseudo-metallic \Pseu`do-me*tal"lic\, a. [Pseudo- + metallic.]
Falsely or imperfectly metallic; -- said of a kind of luster,
as in minerals.
Pseudo-monocotyledonous \Pseu`do-mon`o*cot`y*led"on*ous\, a.
[Pseudo- + monocotyledonous.] (Bot.)
Having two coalescent cotyledons, as the live oak and the
horse-chestnut.
Pseudomorph \Pseu"do*morph\, n. [See {Pseudomorphous}.]
1. An irregular or deceptive form.
2. (Crystallog.) A pseudomorphous crystal, as a crystal
consisting of quartz, but having the cubic form of fluor
spar, the fluor crystal having been changed to quartz by a
process of substitution.
Pseudomorphism \Pseu`do*mor"phism\, n. (Crystallog.)
The state of having, or the property of taking, a crystalline
form unlike that which belongs to the species.
Pseudomorphous \Pseu`do*mor"phous\, a. [Gr. ?; pseydh`s false +
? form: cf. F. pseudomorphe.]
Not having the true form.
{Pseudomorphous crystal}, one which has a form that does not
result from its own powers of crystallization.
Pseudonavicella \Pseu`do*nav`i*cel"la\, n.; pl.
{Pseudonavicull[ae]}. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pseudonavicula}.
Pseudonavicula \Pseu`do*na*vic"u*la\, n.; pl.
{Pseudonavicul[ae]}. [NL., fr. Gr. pseydh`s false + NL.
navicula, a genus of diatoms. See {Navicular}.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the minute spindle-shaped embryos of Gregarin[ae] and
some other Protozoa.
Pseudoneuroptera \Pseu`do*neu*rop"te*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Pseudo-}, and {Neuroptera}.] (Zo["o]l.)
division of insects (Zo["o]l.) reticulated wings, as in the
Neuroptera, but having an active pupa state. It includes the
dragon flies, May flies, white ants, etc. By some
zo["o]logists they are classed with the Orthoptera; by
others, with the Neuroptera.
Pseudoneuropterous \Pseu`do*neu*rop"ter*ous\, a. (Zool.)
Of or pertaining to the Pseudoneuroptera.
Pseudonym \Pseu"do*nym\, n. [Cf. F. pseudonyme. See
{Pseudonymous}.]
A fictitious name assumed for the time, as by an author; a
pen name. [Written also {pseudonyme}.]
Pseudonumity \Pseu`do*num"i*ty\, n.
The using of fictitious names, as by authors.
Pseudonymous \Pseu*don"y*mous\, a. [Gr. ?; pseydh`s false + ?,
?, a name: cf. F. pseudonyme. See {Pseudo-}, and {Name}.]
Bearing a false or fictitious name; as, a pseudonymous work.
-- {Pseu*don"y*mous*ly}, adv. -- {Pseu*don"y*mous*ness}, n.
Pseuso-peripteral \Pseu`so-pe*rip"ter*al\, a. [Pseudo- +
peripteral: cf. F. pseudop['e]ript[`e]re.] (Arch.)
Falsely or imperfectly peripteral, as a temple having the
columns at the sides attached to the walls, and an ambulatory
only at the ends or only at one end. -- n. A
pseudo-peripteral temple. --Oxf. Gloss.
Pseudopod \Pseu"do*pod\, n. [Pseudo- + -pod.]
1. (Biol.) Any protoplasmic filament or irregular process
projecting from any unicellular organism, or from any
animal or plant call.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A rhizopod.
Pseudopodial \Pseu`do*po"di*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a pseudopod, or to pseudopodia. See
Illust. of {Heliozoa}.
Pseudopodium \Pseu`do*po"di*um\, n.; pl. {Pseudopodia}. [NL.]
Same as {Pseudopod}.
Pseudopupa \Pseu`do*pu"pa\, n.; pl. L. {Pseudopup[ae]}, E.
{Pseudopupas}. [NL. See {Pseudo-}, and {Pupa}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A stage intermediate between the larva and pupa of bees and
certain other hymenopterous insects.
Pseudorhabdite \Pseu`do*rhab"dite\, n. [Pseudo- + Gr. ? a rod.]
(Zo["o]l.)
One of the peculiar rodlike corpuscles found in the
integument of certain Turbellaria. They are filled with a
soft granular substance.
Pseudo-romantic \Pseu`do-ro*man"tic\, a. Pseudo- + romantic.]
Falsely romantic.
The false taste, the pseudo-romantic rage. --De
Quincey.
Pseudoscope \Pseu"do*scope\, n. [Pseudo- + -scope.] (Opt.)
An instrument which exhibits objects with their proper relief
reversed; -- an effect opposite to that produced by the
stereoscope. --Wheatstone.
Pseudoscopic \Pseu`do*scop"ic\, a. (Opt.)
Of, pertaining to, or formed by, a pseudoscope; having its
parts appearing with the relief reversed; as, a pseudoscopic
image.
Pseudoscorpiones \Pseu`do*scor`pi*o"nes\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Pseudo-}, and {Scorpion}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of Arachnoidea having the palpi terminated by large
claws, as in the scorpions, but destitute of a caudal sting;
the false scorpions. Called also {Pseudoscorpii}, and
{Pseudoscorpionina}. See Illust. of {Book scorpion}, under
Book.
Pseudosphere \Pseu"do*sphere`\, n. [Pseudo- + sphere.] (Geom.)
The surface of constant negative curvature generated by the
revolution of a tractrix. This surface corresponds in
non-Euclidian space to the sphere in ordinary space. An
important property of the surface is that any figure drawn
upon it can be displaced in any way without tearing it or
altering in size any of its elements.
Pseudospore \Pseu"do*spore`\, n. [Pseudo- + spore.] (Bot.)
A peculiar reproductive cell found in some fungi.
Pseudostella \Pseu`do*stel"la\, n.; pl. {-l[ae]}. [NL., fr. Gr.
pseydh`s false + L. stella star.] (Astron.)
Any starlike meteor or phenomenon. [R.]
Pseudostoma \Pseu*dos"to*ma\, n.; pl. {Pseudostomata}. [NL. See
{Pseudo-}, and {Stoma}.] (Anat.)
A group of cells resembling a stoma, but without any true
aperture among them.
Pseudo-symmetric \Pseu`do-sym*met"ric\, a. (Crystallog.)
Exhibiting pseudo-symmetry.
Pseudo-symmetry \Pseu`do-sym"me*try\, n. [Pseudo- + symmetry.]
(Crystallog.)
A kind of symmetry characteristic of certain crystals which
from twinning, or other causes, come to resemble forms of a
system other than that to which they belong, as the
apparently hexagonal prisms of aragonite.
Pseudotetramera \Pseu`do*te*tram"e*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See
{Pseudo-}, and {Tetramerous}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of beetles having the fifth tarsal joint minute
and obscure, so that there appear to be but four joints. --
{Pseu`do*te*tram"er*al}, a.
Pseudotinea \Pseu`do*tin"e*a\, n.; pl. {Pseudotine[ae]}. [NL.
See {Pseudo-}, and {Tinea}.] (Zo["o]l.)
The bee moth, or wax moth ({Galleria}).
Pseudoturbinal \Pseu`do*tur"bi*nal\, a. [Pseudo- + turbinal.]
(Anat.)
See under {Turbinal}.
Pseudovary \Pseu*do"va*ry\, n.; pl. {Pseudovaries}. [Pseudo- +
ovary.] (Zo["o]l.)
The organ in which pseudova are produced; -- called also
{pseudovarium}.
Pseudovum \Pseu*do"vum\, n.; pl. {Pseudova}. [NL. See {Pseudo-},
and {Ovum}.] (Zo["o]l.)
An egglike germ produced by the agamic females of some
insects and other animals, and by the larv[ae] of certain
insects. It is capable of development without fertilization.
See Illust. of {P[ae]dogenesis}.
Pshaw \Pshaw\, interj. [Of imitative origin.]
Pish! pooch! -- an exclamation used as an expression of
contempt, disdain, dislike, etc. [Written also {psha}.]
Pshaw \Pshaw\, v. i.
To express disgust or contemptuous disapprobation, as by the
exclamation `` Pshaw!''
The goodman used regularly to frown and pshaw wherever
this topic was touched upon. --Sir W.
Scott.
Psilanthropic \Psi`lan*throp"ic\, a. [see {Psilanthropist}.]
Pertaining to, or embodying, psilanthropy. ``A psilanthropic
explanation.'' --Coleridge.
Psilanthropism \Psi*lan"thro*pism\, n.
Psilanthropy.
Psilanthropist \Psi*lan"thro*pist\, n. [Gr. ? bare, mere + ? a
man.]
One who believes that Christ was a mere man. --Smart.
Psilanthropy \Psi*lan"thro*py\, n.
The doctrine of the merely human existence of Christ.
Psilology \Psi*lol"o*gy\, n. [Gr ? mere + -logy.]
Love of empty of empty talk or noise. --Coleridge.
Psilomelane \Psi*lom"e*lane\, n. [Gr. ? bare + ?, ?, black.]
(Min.)
A hydrous oxide of manganese, occurring in smooth, botryoidal
forms, and massive, and having an iron-black or steel-gray
color.
Psilopaedes \Psi`lo*p[ae]"des\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr.? bare + ?,
?, offspring.] (Zo["o]l.)
birds whose young at first have down on the pteryl[ae] only;
-- called also {Gymnop[ae]des}.
Psilopaedic \Psi`lo*p[ae]d"ic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having down upon the pteryl[ae] only; -- said of the young of
certain birds.
Psilosopher \Psi*los"o*pher\, n. [Gr. ? bare, mere + ? wise.]
A superficial or narrow pretender to philosophy; a sham
philosopher.
Psittaceous \Psit*ta"ceous\, Psittacid \Psit"ta*cid\, a. [L.
psittacus a parrot, Gr. ?: cf. F. psittacide.] (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the parrots, or the Psittaci. -- n. One
of the Psittaci.
Psittaci \Psit"ta*ci\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
The order of birds which comprises the parrots.
Psitta-co-fulvine \Psit`ta-co-ful"*vine\, n. [Gr. ? a parrot +
L. fulvus yellow.]
A yellow pigment found in the feathers of certain parrots.
Psoas \Pso"as\, n. [Gr. ? a muscle of the loin: cf. f. psoas.]
(Anat.)
An internal muscle arising from the lumbar vertebr[ae] and
inserted into the femur. In man there are usually two on each
side, and the larger one, or great psoas, forms a part of the
iliopsoas.
Psora \Pso"ra\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.] (Med.)
A cutaneous disease; especially, the itch.
Psoriasis \Pso*ri"a*sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? psora.]
(Med.)
(a) The state of being affected with psora. [Obs.]
(b) A cutaneous disease, characterized by imbricated silvery
scales, affecting only the superficial layers of the
skin.
Psoric \Pso"ric\, a. [L. psoricus, Gr. ?: cf. F. psorique.]
(Med.)
Of or pertaining to psora.
Psorosperm \Pso"ro*sperm\, n. [Gr. ? itching + ? seed.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A minute parasite, usually the young of Gregarin[ae], in the
pseudonavicula stage.
Psychagogic \Psy`cha*gog"ic\, a. [Gr. ?. See {Psychagogue}.]
Attractive; persuasive. --J. Morley.
Psychagogue \Psy"cha*gogue\, n. [Gr.?; ? the soul + ? to lead.]
A necromancer. [R.]
Psychal \Psy"chal\, a. [See {Psychical}.]
Of or pertaining to the soul; psychical. --Bayne.
Psyche \Psy"che\, n. [L., fr. Gr. PSychh` Psyche, fr. psychh`
the soul.]
1. (Class Myth.) A lovely maiden, daughter of a king and
mistress of Eros, or Cupid. She is regarded as the
personification of the soul.
2. The soul; the vital principle; the mind.
3. [F. psych['e].] A cheval glass.
Psychian \Psy"chi*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any small moth of the genus {Psyche} and allied genera
(family {Psychid[ae]}). The larv[ae] are called basket worms.
See {Basket worm}, under {Basket}.
Psychiatria \Psy*chi`a*tri"a\, Psychiatry \Psy*chi"a*try\, n.
[NL. psychiatria, fr. Gr. ? the mind + ? healing.] (Med.)
The application of the healing art to mental diseases.
--Dunglison.
Psychiatric \Psy`chi*at"ric\, a. (Med.)
Of or pertaining to psychiatria.
Psychic \Psy"chic\, Psychical \Psy"chic*al\, a. [L. psychicus,
Gr. ?, fr. psychh` the soul, mind; cf. ? to blow: cf. F.
psychique.]
1. Of or pertaining to the human soul, or to the living
principle in man.
Note: This term was formerly used to express the same idea as
psychological. Recent metaphysicians, however, have
employed it to mark the difference between psychh` the
living principle in man, and pney^ma the rational or
spiritual part of his nature. In this use, the word
describes the human soul in its relation to sense,
appetite, and the outer visible world, as distinguished
from spiritual or rational faculties, which have to do
with the supersensible world. --Heyse.
2. Of or pertaining to the mind, or its functions and
diseases; mental; -- contrasted with physical.
{Psychical blindness}, {Psychical deafness} (Med.), forms of
nervous disease in which, while the senses of sight and
hearing remain unimpaired, the mind fails to appreciate
the significance of the sounds heard or the images seen.
{Psychical contagion}, the transference of disease,
especially of a functional nervous disease, by mere force
of example.
{Psychical medicine}, that department of medicine which
treats of mental diseases.
Psychics \Psy"chics\, n.
Psychology.
Psychism \Psy"chism\, n. [Cf. F. psychisme.] (Philos.)
The doctrine of Quesne, that there is a fluid universally
diffused, end equally animating all living beings, the
difference in their actions being due to the difference of
the individual organizations. --Fleming.
Psycho- \Psy"cho-\
A combining form from Gr. psychh` the soul, the mind, the
understanding; as, psychology.
Psychogenesis \Psy`cho*gen"e*sis\, n.
Genesis through an internal force, as opposed to {natural
selection}.
Psychography \Psy*chog"ra*phy\, n. [Psycho- + -graphy.]
1. A description of the phenomena of mind.
2. (Spiritualism) Spirit writing.
Psychologic \Psy`cho*log"ic\, Psychological \Psy`cho*log"ic*al\,
a. [Cf. F. psychologique.]
Of or pertaining to psychology. See Note under {Psychic}. --
{Psy`cho*log"ic*al*ly}, adv.
Psychologist \Psy*chol"o*gist\, n. [Cf. F. psychologiste.]
One who is versed in, devoted to, psychology.
Psychologue \Psy"cho*logue\, n.
A psychologist.
Psychology \Psy*chol"o*gy\, n. pl. {Psychologies}. [Psycho- +
-logy: cf. F. psychologie. See {Psychical}.]
The science of the human soul; specifically, the systematic
or scientific knowledge of the powers and functions of the
human soul, so far as they are known by consciousness; a
treatise on the human soul.
Psychology, the science conversant about the phenomena
of the mind, or conscious subject, or self. --Sir W.
Hamilton.
Psychomachy \Psy*chom"a*chy\, n. [L. psychomachia, fr. Gr.
psychh` the soul + ? fight: cf. ? desperate fighting.]
A conflict of the soul with the body.
Psychomancy \Psy"cho*man`cy\, n. [Psycho- + -mancy: cf. F.
psychomancie.]
Necromancy.
Psychometry \Psy*chom"e*try\, n. [Psycho- + -metry.] (Physiol.)
The art of measuring the duration of mental processes, or of
determining the time relations of mental phenomena. --
{Psy`cho*met"ric}, a.
Psycho-motor \Psy`cho-mo"tor\, a. [Psycho- + motor.]
Of or pertaining to movement produced by action of the mind
or will.
Psychopannychism \Psy"cho*pan"ny*chism\, n. [Psycho- + Gr. ? to
spend all night long; ?, ?, all + ? night.] (Theol.)
The doctrine that the soul falls asleep at death, and does
not wake until the resurrection of the body. --
{Psy`cho*pan"ny*chism}, n.
Psychopathy \Psy*chop"a*thy\, n. [Psycho- + Gr. ?, ?.] (Med.)
Mental disease. See {Psychosis}, 2. -- {Psy`cho*path"ic}, a.
-- {Psy*chop"a*thist}, n.
Psychophysical \Psy`cho*phys"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to psychophysics; involving the action or
mutual relations of the psychical and physical in man.
{Psychophysical time} (Physiol.), the time required for the
mind to transform a sensory impression into a motor
impulse. It is an important part of physiological or
reaction time. See under {Reaction}.
Psychophysics \Psy`cho*phys"ics\, n. [Psycho- + physics.]
The science of the connection between nerve action and
consciousness; the science which treats of the relations of
the psychical and physical in their conjoint operation in
man; the doctrine of the relation of function or dependence
between body and soul.
Psychopomp \Psy"cho*pomp\, n. [Gr. ?; psychh` the soul + ? to
send: cf. F. psychopompe.] (Myth.)
A leader or guide of souls . --J. Fiske.
Psychosis \Psy*cho"sis\, n. [NL. See {Psycho-}.]
1. Any vital action or activity. --Mivart.
2. (Med.) A disease of the mind; especially, a functional
mental disorder, that is, one unattended with evident
organic changes.
Psychozoic \Psy`cho*zo"ic\, a. [Psycho- + Gr. ? life.] (Geol.)
Designating, or applied to the Era of man; as, the psychozoic
era.
Psychrometer \Psy*chrom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. psychro`s cold + -meter:
cf. F. psychrom[`e]tre.]
An instrument for measuring the tension of the aqueous vapor
in the atmosphere, being essentially a wet and dry bulb
hygrometer.
Psychrometrical \Psy`chro*met"ric*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to the psychrometer or psychrometry.
Psychrometry \Psy*chrom"e*try\, n.
Hygrometry.
Psylla \Psyl"la\, n.; pl. {Psyll[ae]}. [NL., from Gr. ? a flea.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any leaping plant louse of the genus {Psylla}, or family
{Psyllid[ae]}.
Ptarmigan \Ptar"mi*gan\, n. [Gael. tarmachan; cf. Ir. tarmochan,
tarmonach.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any grouse of the genus {Lagopus}, of which numerous species
are known. The feet are completely feathered. Most of the
species are brown in summer, but turn white, or nearly white,
in winter.
Note: They chiefly inhabit the northern countries and high
mountains of Europe, Asia, and America. The common
European species is {Lagopus mutus}. The Scotch grouse,
red grouse, or moor fowl ({L. Scoticus}), is reddish
brown, and does not turn white in winter. The white, or
willow, ptarmigan ({L. albus}) is found in both Europe
and America.
Ptenoglossa \Pte`no*glos"sa\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr.? feathered +
? tongue.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of gastropod mollusks having the teeth of the
radula arranged in long transverse rows, somewhat like the
barbs of a feather.
Ptenoglossate \Pte`no*glos"sate\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Ptenoglossa.
Pteranodon \Pte*ran"o*don\, n. [Gr. ? wing + ? priv. + ?, ?, a
tooth.] (Paleon.)
A genus of American Cretaceous pterodactyls destitute of
teeth. Several species are known, some of which had an
expanse of wings of twenty feet or more.
Pteranodontia \Pte*ran`o*don"ti*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Paleon.)
A group of pterodactyls destitute of teeth, as in the genus
{Pteranodon}.
Pterichthys \Pte*rich"thys\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? wing + ? fish.]
(Paleon.)
A genus of Devonian fossil fishes with winglike appendages.
The head and most of the body were covered with large bony
plates. See {Placodermi}.
Pteridologist \Pter`i*dol"o*gist\, n.
One who is versed in pteridology.
Pteridology \Pter`i*dol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, a fern + -logy.]
That department of botany which treats of ferns.
Pteridomania \Pter`i*do*ma"ni*a\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, a fern + E.
mania.]
A madness, craze, or strong fancy, for ferns. [R.] --C.
Kingsley.
Pteridophyta \Pter`i*doph"y*ta\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ?, ?, a
fern + ? a plant.] (Bot.)
A class of flowerless plants, embracing ferns, horsetails,
club mosses, quillworts, and other like plants. See the Note
under {Cryptogamia}. -- {Pter"i*do*phyte`}, n.
Note: This is a modern term, devised to replace the older
ones acrogens and vascular Cryptogamia.
Pterobranchia \Pter`o*bran"chi*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a wing
+ ? ?.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of marine Bryozoa, having a bilobed lophophore and
an axial cord. The genus Rhabdopleura is the type. Called
also {Podostomata}. See {Rhabdopleura}.
Pteroceras \Pte*roc"e*ras\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a wing + ? a
horn.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of large marine gastropods having the outer border of
the lip divided into lobes; -- called also {scorpion shell}.
Pterocletes \Pter`o*cle"tes\, n. pl. [NL., fr Pterocles, the
typical genus, fr. Gr. ? feather + ?, ?, a key, tongue of a
clasp.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of birds including the sand grouse. They are in
some respects intermediate between the pigeons and true
grouse. Called also {Pteroclomorph[ae]}.
Pterodactyl \Pter`o*dac"tyl\, n. [Gr. ? a wing + ? finger, toe:
cf. F. pt['e]rodactyle.] (Paleon.)
An extinct flying reptile; one of the Pterosauria. See
Illustration in Appendix.
Pterodactyli \Pter`o*dac"ty*li\, n. pl. [NL.] (Paleon.)
Same as {Pterosauria}.
Pteroglossal \Pter`o*glos"sal\, a. [Gr. ? a feather + ? tongue.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Having the tongue finely notched along the sides, so as to
have a featherlike appearance, as the toucans.
Pteron \Pte"ron\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a wing.] (Anat.)
The region of the skull, in the temporal fossa back of the
orbit, where the great wing of the sphenoid, the temporal,
the parietal, and the frontal hones approach each other.
Pteropappi \Pter`o*pap"pi\, n. pl. [NL., from Gr. ? a feather, a
bird + ? a grandfather.] (Zool.)
Same as {Odontotorm[ae]}.
Pterophore \Pter"o*phore\, n. [Gr. ? a feather + ? to bear.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any moth of the genus {Pterophorus} and allied genera; a
plume moth. See {Plume moth}, under {Plume}.
Pteropod \Pter"o*pod\, n. [Gr. ? wing-footed; ? a feather, wing
+ ?, ?, foot: cf. F. pt['e]ropode.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Pteropoda.
Pteropoda \Pte*rop"o*da\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A class of Mollusca in which the anterior lobes of the foot
are developed in the form of broad, thin, winglike organs,
with which they swim at near the surface of the sea.
Note: The Pteropoda are divided into two orders:
{Cymnosomata}, which have the body entirely naked and
the head distinct from the wings; and {Thecosomata},
which have a delicate transparent shell of various
forms, and the head not distinct from the wings.
Pteropodous \Pte*rop"o*dous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Pteropoda.
Pterosaur \Pter"o*saur\, n. [Gr. ? wind + ? a lizard.] (Paleon.)
A pterodactyl.
Pterosauria \Pter`o*sau"ri*a\, n. pl. [NL.] (Paleon.)
An extinct order of flying reptiles of the Mesozoic age; the
pterodactyls; -- called also {{Pterodactyli}}, and
{{Ornithosauria}}.
Note: The wings were formed, like those of bats, by a
leathery expansion of the skin, principally supported
by the greatly enlarged outer or `` little'' fingers of
the hands. The American Cretaceous pterodactyls had no
teeth. See {Pteranodontia}, and {Pterodactyl}.
Pterosaurian \Pter`o*sau"ri*an\, a. (Paleon.)
Of or pertaining to the Pterosauria.
Pterostigma \Pter`o*stig"ma\, n.; pl. {Pterostigmata}. [NL., fr.
Gr. ? wing + ?, ?, a mark.] (Zo["o]l.)
A thickened opaque spot on the wings of certain insects.
Pterotic \Pte*ro"tic\, a. [Gr. ? wing + ?, ?, ear.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to, or designating, a bone between the
pro["o]tic and epiotic in the dorsal and outer part of the
periotic capsule of many fishes. -- n. The pterotic bone.
Note: The pterotic bone is so called because fancied in some
cases to resemble in form a bird's wing
Pterygium \Pte*ryg"i*um\, n.; pl. E. {Pterygiums}, L.
{Pterygia}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, properly a dim, akin to ? a
feather.] (Med.)
A superficial growth of vascular tissue radiating in a
fanlike manner from the cornea over the surface of the eye.
Pterygoid \Pter"y*goid\, a. [Gr. ?, ?, a wing + -oid.] (Anat.)
(a) Like a bird's wing in form; as, a pterygoid bone.
(b) Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the pterygoid
bones, pterygoid processes, or the whole sphenoid bone.
-- n. A pterygoid bone.
{Pterygoid bone} (Anat.), a bone which corresponds to the
inner plate of the pterygoid process of the human skull,
but which, in all vertebrates below mammals, is not
connected with the posterior nares, but serves to connect
the palatine bones with the point of suspension of the
lower jaw.
{Pterygoid process} (Anat.), a process projecting downward
from either side of the sphenoid bone, in man divided into
two plates, an inner and an outer. The posterior nares
pass through the space, called the pterygoid fossa,
between the processes.
Pterygomaxillary \Pter`y*go*max"il*la*ry\, a. [Pterygoid +
maxillary.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the inner pterygoid plate, or pterygoid
bone, and the lower jaw.
Pterygopalatine \Pter`y*go*pal"a*tine\, a. [Pterygoid +
palatine.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the pterygoid processes and the palatine
bones.
Pterygopodium \Pter`y*go*po"di*um\, n.; pl. {Pterygopodia}.
[NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a fin + ?, dim. of ?, ?, a foot.] (Anat.)
A specially modified part of the ventral fin in male
elasmobranchs, which serves as a copulatory organ, or
clasper.
Pterygoquadrate \Pter`y*go*quad"rate\, a. [Pterygoid +
quadrate.] (Anat.)
Of, pertaining to, or representing the pterygoid and quadrate
bones or cartilages.
Pteryla \Pte*ry"la\, n.; pl. {Pteryl[ae]}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
feather + ? wood, forest.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the definite areas of the skin of a bird on which
feathers grow; -- contrasted with apteria.
Pterylography \Pter`y*log"ra*phy\, n. [Pteryla + -graphy.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The study or description of the arrangement of feathers, or
of the pteryl[ae], of birds.
Pterylosis \Pter`y*lo"sis\, n. [NL., fr. NL. & E. pteryla.]
(Zo["o]l.)
The arrangement of feathers in definite areas.
Ptilocerque \Ptil"o*cerque\, n. [Gr. ? a feather + ? tail.]
(Zool.)
The pentail.
Ptilopaedes \Ptil`o*p[ae]"des\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a feather
+ ?, ?, offspring.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Dasyp[ae]des}.
Ptilopaedic \Ptil`o*p[ae]d"ic\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having nearly the whole surface of the skin covered with
down; dasyp[ae]dic; -- said of the young of certain birds.
Ptilopteri \Pti*lop"te*ri\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a downy
feather + ? wing.] (Zo["o]l.)
An order of birds including only the penguins.
Ptilosis \Pti*lo"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr ? a feather.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pterylosis}.
Ptisan \Ptis"an\, n. [L. ptisana peeled barley, barley water,
Gr. ?, from ? to peel, husk; cf. F. ptisane, tisane.]
1. A decoction of barley with other ingredients; a
farinaceous drink.
2. (Med.) An aqueous medicine, containing little, if any,
medicinal agent; a tea or tisane.
Ptolemaic \Ptol`e*ma"ic\, a.
Of or pertaining to Ptolemy, the geographer and astronomer.
{Ptolemaic system} (Astron.), the system maintained by
Ptolemy, who supposed the earth to be fixed in the center
of the universe, with the sun and stars revolving around
it. This theory was received for ages, until superseded by
the Copernican system.
Ptolemaist \Ptol"e*ma`ist\, n.
One who accepts the astronomical system of Ptolemy.
Ptomaine \Pto"ma*ine\, n. [From Gr. ? a dead body.] (Physiol.
Chem.)
One of a class of animal bases or alkaloids formed in the
putrefaction of various kinds of albuminous matter, and
closely related to the vegetable alkaloids; a cadaveric
poison. The ptomaines, as a class, have their origin in dead
matter, by which they are to be distinguished from the
leucomaines.
Ptosis \Pto"sis\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a falling.] (Med.)
Drooping of the upper eyelid, produced by paralysis of its
levator muscle.
Ptyalin \Pty"a*lin\, n. [Gr. ? spittle. See {Ptyalism}.]
(Physiol. Chem.)
An unorganized amylolytic ferment, on enzyme, present in
human mixed saliva and in the saliva of some animals.
Ptyalism \Pty"a*lism\, n. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to spit much, fr. ?
spittle, fr. ? to spit: cf. F. ptyalisme.]
Salivation, or an excessive flow of saliva. --Quain.
Ptyalogogue \Pty*al"o*gogue\, n. [Gr. ? spittle + ? driving.]
(Med.)
A ptysmagogue.
Ptysmagogue \Ptys"ma*gogue\, n. [Gr. ? spittle + ? driving: cf.
F. ptysmagogue.] (Med.)
A medicine that promotes the discharge of saliva.
Ptyxis \Ptyx"is\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a folding.] (Bot.)
The way in which a leaf is sometimes folded in the bud.
Pubble \Pub"ble\, a. [Perhaps fr. bubble.]
Puffed out, pursy; pudgy; fat. [Obs.] --Drant.
Puberal \Pu"ber*al\, a. [From L. puber, pubes, grown up, adult.]
Of or pertaining to puberty.
Puberty \Pu"ber*ty\, n. [L. pubertas, fr. puber, pubes, adult:
cf. F. pubert['e].]
1. The earliest age at which persons are capable of begetting
or bearing children, usually considered, in temperate
climates, to be about fourteen years in males and twelve
in females.
2. (Bot.) The period when a plant first bears flowers.
Puberulent \Pu*ber"u*lent\, a. [See {Pubis}.] (Bot.)
Very minutely downy.
Pubes \Pu"bes\, n. [L., the hair which appears on the body at
puberty, from pubes adult.]
1. (Anat.)
(a) The hair which appears upon the lower part of the
hypogastric region at the age of puberty.
(b) Hence (as more commonly used), the lower part of the
hypogastric region; the pubic region.
2. (Bot.) The down of plants; a downy or villous substance
which grows on plants; pubescence.
Pubescence \Pu*bes"cence\, n. [Cf. F. pubescence.]
1. The quality or state of being pubescent, or of having
arrived at puberty. --Sir T. Browne.
2. A covering of soft short hairs, or down, as one some
plants and insects; also, the state of being so covered.
Pubescency \Pu*bes"cen*cy\, n.
Pubescence.
Pubescent \Pu*bes"cent\, a. [L. pubescens, -entis, p. pr. of
pubescere to reach puberty, to grow hairy or mossy, fr. pubes
pubes: cf. F. pubescent.]
1. Arrived at puberty.
That . . . the men (are) pubescent at the age of
twice seven, is accounted a punctual truth. --Sir T.
Browne.
2. Covered with pubescence, or fine short hairs, as certain
insects, and the leaves of some plants.
Pubic \Pu"bic\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the pubes; in the region of the pubes;
as, the pubic bone; the pubic region, or the lower part of
the hypogastric region. See {Pubes}.
(b) Of or pertaining to the pubis.
Pubis \Pu"bis\, n. [NL. See {Pubes}.] (Anat.)
The ventral and anterior of the three principal bones
composing either half of the pelvis; sharebone; pubic bone.
Public \Pub"lic\, a. [L. publicus, poblicus, fr. populus people:
cf. F. public. See {People}.]
1. Of or pertaining to the people; belonging to the people;
relating to, or affecting, a nation, state, or community;
-- opposed to {private}; as, the public treasury.
To the public good Private respects must yield.
--Milton.
He [Alexander Hamilton] touched the dead corpse of
the public credit, and it sprung upon its feet. --D.
Webster.
2. Open to the knowledge or view of all; general; common;
notorious; as, public report; public scandal.
Joseph, . . . not willing to make her a public
example, was minded to put her away privily. --Matt.
i. 19.
3. Open to common or general use; as, a public road; a public
house. ``The public street.'' --Shak.
{Public act} or {statute} (Law), an act or statute affecting
matters of public concern. Of such statutes the courts
take judicial notice.
{Public credit}. See under {Credit}.
{Public funds}. See {Fund}, 3.
{Public house}, an inn, or house of entertainment.
{Public law}.
(a) See {International law}, under {International}.
(b) A public act or statute.
{Public nuisance}. (Law) See under {Nuisance}.
{Public orator}. (Eng. Universities) See {Orator}, 3.
{Public stores}, military and naval stores, equipments, etc.
{Public works}, all fixed works built by civil engineers for
public use, as railways, docks, canals, etc.; but
strictly, military and civil engineering works constructed
at the public cost.
Public \Pub"lic\, n.
1. The general body of mankind, or of a nation, state, or
community; the people, indefinitely; as, the American
public; also, a particular body or aggregation of people;
as, an author's public.
The public is more disposed to censure than to
praise. --Addison.
2. A public house; an inn. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
{In public}, openly; before an audience or the people at
large; not in private or secrecy. ``We are to speak in
public.'' --Shak.
Publican \Pub"li*can\, n. [L. publicanus: cf. F. publicain. See
{Public}.]
1. (Rom. Antiq.) A farmer of the taxes and public revenues;
hence, a collector of toll or tribute. The inferior
officers of this class were often oppressive in their
exactions, and were regarded with great detestation.
As Jesus at meat . . . many publicans and sinners
came and sat down with him and his disciples.
--Matt. 1x.
10.
How like a fawning publican he looks! --Shak.
2. The keeper of an inn or public house; one licensed to
retail beer, spirits, or wine.
Publication \Pub`li*ca"tion\, n. [L. publicatio confiscation:
cf. F. publication. See {Publish}.]
1. The act of publishing or making known; notification to the
people at large, either by words, writing, or printing;
proclamation; divulgation; promulgation; as, the
publication of the law at Mount Sinai; the publication of
the gospel; the publication of statutes or edicts.
2. The act of offering a book, pamphlet, engraving, etc., to
the public by sale or by gratuitous distribution.
The publication of these papers was not owing to our
folly, but that of others. --Swift.
3. That which is published or made known; especially, any
book, pamphlet, etc., offered for sale or to public
notice; as, a daily or monthly publication.
4. An act done in public. [R. & Obs.]
His jealousy . . . attends the business, the
recreations, the publications, and retirements of
every man. --Jer. Taylor.
{Publication of a libel} (Law), such an exhibition of a libel
as brings it to the notice of at least one person other
than the person libeled.
{Publication of a will} (Law), the delivery of a will, as his
own, by a testator to witnesses who attest it.
Public-hearted \Pub"lic-heart`ed\, a.
Public-spirited. [R.]
Publicist \Pub"li*cist\, n. [Cf. F. publiciste.]
A writer on the laws of nature and nations; one who is versed
in the science of public right, the principles of government,
etc.
The Whig leaders, however, were much more desirous to
get rid of Episcopacy than to prove themselves
consummate publicists and logicians. --Macaulay.
Publicity \Pub*lic"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. publicit['e].]
The quality or state of being public, or open to the
knowledge of a community; notoriety; publicness.
Publicly \Pub"lic*ly\, adv.
1. With exposure to popular view or notice; without
concealment; openly; as, property publicly offered for
sale; an opinion publicly avowed; a declaration publicly
made.
2. In the name of the community. --Addison.
Public-minded \Pub"lic-mind`ed\, a.
Public-spirited. -- {Pub"lic-mind`ed*ness}, n.
Publicness \Pub"lic*ness\, n.
1. The quality or state of being public, or open to the view
or notice of people at large; publicity; notoriety; as,
the publicness of a sale.
2. The quality or state of belonging to the community; as,
the publicness of property. --Boyle.
Public-spirited \Pub"lic-spir`it*ed\, a.
1. Having, or exercising, a disposition to advance the
interest of the community or public; as, public-spirited
men.
2. Dictated by a regard to public good; as, a public-spirited
project or measure. --Addison. -- {Pub"lic-spir`it*ed*ly},
adv. -- {Pub"lic-spir`it*ed*ness}, n.
Publish \Pub"lish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Published}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Publishing}.] [F. publier, L. publicare, publicatum.
See {Public}, and {-ish}.]
1. To make public; to make known to mankind, or to people in
general; to divulge, as a private transaction; to
promulgate or proclaim, as a law or an edict.
Published was the bounty of her name. --Chaucer.
The unwearied sun, from day to day, Does his
Creator's power display, And publishes to every land
The work of an almighty hand. --Addison.
2. To make known by posting, or by reading in a church; as,
to publish banns of marriage.
3. To send forth, as a book, newspaper, musical piece, or
other printed work, either for sale or for general
distribution; to print, and issue from the press.
4. To utter, or put into circulation; as, to publish
counterfeit paper. [U.S.]
{To publish a will} (Law), to acknowledge it before the
witnesses as the testator's last will and testament.
Syn: To announce; proclaim; advertise; declare; promulgate;
disclose; divulge; reveal. See {Announce}.
Publishable \Pub"lish*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being published; suitable for publication.
Publisher \Pub"lish*er\, n.
One who publishes; as, a publisher of a book or magazine.
For love of you, not hate unto my friend, Hath made me
publisher of this pretense. --Shak.
Publishment \Pub"lish*ment\, n.
1. The act or process of making publicly known; publication.
2. A public notice of intended marriage, required by the laws
of some States. [U.S.]
Puccoon \Puc*coon"\, n. [From the American Indian name.] (Bot.)
Any one of several plants yielding a red pigment which is
used by the North American Indians, as the bloodroot and two
species of {Lithospermum} ({L. hirtum}, and {L. canescens});
also, the pigment itself.
Puce \Puce\, a. [F., fr. puce a flea, L. pulex, pulicis.]
Of a dark brown or brownish purple color.
Pucel \Pu"cel\, n.
See {Pucelle}. [Obs.]
Pucelage \Pu"cel*age\ (?; 48), n. [F.]
Virginity. [R.]
Pucelle \Pu*celle"\, n. [F., fr. LL. pulicella, fr. L. pullus a
young animal. See {Pullet}.]
A maid; a virgin. [Written also {pucel}.] [Obs.]
Lady or pucelle, that wears mask or fan. --B. Jonson.
{La Pucelle}, the Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc.
Puceron \Pu"ce*ron\, n. [F., from puce a flea. See {Puce}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Any plant louse, or aphis.
Pucherite \Pu"cher*ite\, n. [So named from the Pucher Mine, in
Saxony.] (Min.)
Vanadate of bismuth, occurring in minute reddish brown
crystals.
Puck \Puck\, n. [OE. pouke; cf. OSw. puke, Icel. p[=u]ki an evil
demon, W. pwca a hobgoblin. Cf. {Poker} a bugbear, {Pug}.]
1. (Medi[ae]val Myth.) A celebrated fairy, ``the merry
wanderer of the night;'' -- called also {Robin
Goodfellow}, {Friar Rush}, {Pug}, etc. --Shak.
He meeteth Puck, whom most men call Hobgoblin, and
on him doth fall. --Drayton.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The goatsucker. [Prov. Eng.]
Puckball \Puck"ball`\, n. [Puck + ball.]
A puffball.
Pucker \Puck"er\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. {Puckered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Puckering}.] [From {Poke} a pocket, small bag.]
To gather into small folds or wrinkles; to contract into
ridges and furrows; to corrugate; -- often with up; as, to
pucker up the mouth. ``His skin [was] puckered up in
wrinkles.'' --Spectator.
Pucker \Puck"er\, n.
1. A fold; a wrinkle; a collection of folds.
2. A state of perplexity or anxiety; confusion; bother;
agitation. [Prov. Eng. & Colloq. U. S.]
Puckerer \Puck"er*er\, n.
One who, or that which, puckers.
Puckery \Puck"er*y\, a.
1. Producing, or tending to produce, a pucker; as, a puckery
taste. --Lowell.
2. Inclined to become puckered or wrinkled; full of puckers
or wrinkles.
Puckfist \Puck"fist`\, n.
A puffball.
Puckish \Puck"ish\, a. [From {Puck}.]
Resembling Puck; merry; mischievous. ``Puckish freaks.'' --J.
R. Green.
Pucras \Pu"cras\, n. [From a native name in India.] (Zo["o]l.)
See {Koklass}.
Pud \Pud\, n.
Same as {Pood}.
Pud \Pud\, n.
The hand; the first. [Colloq.] --Lamb.
Puddening \Pud"den*ing\, n. [Probably fr. pudden, for pudding,
in allusion to its softness.] (Naut.)
(a) A quantity of rope-yarn, or the like, placed, as a
fender, on the bow of a boat.
(b) A bunch of soft material to prevent chafing between
spars, or the like.
Pudder \Pud"der\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Puddered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Puddering}.] [Cf. {Pother}.]
To make a tumult or bustle; to splash; to make a pother or
fuss; to potter; to meddle.
Puddering in the designs or doings of others. --Barrow.
Others pudder into their food with their broad nebs.
--Holland.
Pudder \Pud"der\, v. t.
To perplex; to embarrass; to confuse; to bother; as, to
pudder a man. --Locke.
Pudder \Pud"der\, n.
A pother; a tumult; a confused noise; turmoil; bustle. ``All
in a pudder.'' --Milton.
Pudding \Pud"ding\, n. [Cf. F. boudin black pudding, sausage, L.
botulus, botellus, a sausage, G. & Sw. pudding pudding, Dan.
podding, pudding, LG. puddig thick, stumpy, W. poten, potten,
also E. pod, pout, v.]
1. A species of food of a soft or moderately hard
consistence, variously made, but often a compound of flour
or meal, with milk and eggs, etc.
And solid pudding against empty praise. --Pope.
2. Anything resembling, or of the softness and consistency
of, pudding.
3. An intestine; especially, an intestine stuffed with meat,
etc.; a sausage. --Shak.
4. Any food or victuals.
Eat your pudding, slave, and hold your tongue.
--Prior.
5. (Naut.) Same as {Puddening}.
{Pudding grass} (Bot.), the true pennyroyal ({Mentha
Pulegium}), formerly used to flavor stuffing for roast
meat. --Dr. Prior.
{Pudding pie}, a pudding with meat baked in it. --Taylor
(1630).
{Pudding pipe} (Bot.), the long, cylindrical pod of the
leguminous tree {Cassia Fistula}. The seeds are separately
imbedded in a sweetish pulp. See {Cassia}.
{Pudding sleeve}, a full sleeve like that of the English
clerical gown. --Swift.
{Pudding stone}. (Min.) See {Conglomerate}, n., 2.
{Pudding time}.
(a) The time of dinner, pudding being formerly the dish
first eaten. [Obs.] --Johnson.
(b) The nick of time; critical time. [Obs.]
Mars, that still protects the stout, In pudding
time came to his aid. --Hudibras.
Pudding-headed \Pud"ding-head`ed\, a.
Stupid. [Colloq.]
Puddle \Pud"dle\, n. [OE. podel; cf. LG. pudel, Ir. & Gael. plod
pool.]
1. A small quantity of dirty standing water; a muddy plash; a
small pool. --Spenser.
2. Clay, or a mixture of clay and sand, kneaded or worked,
when wet, to render it impervious to water.
{Puddle poet}, a low or worthless poet. [R.] --Fuller.
Puddle \Pud"dle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Puddled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Puddling}.]
1. To make foul or muddy; to pollute with dirt; to mix dirt
with (water).
Some unhatched practice . . . Hath puddled his clear
spirit. --Shak.
2.
(a) To make dense or close, as clay or loam, by working
when wet, so as to render impervious to water.
(b) To make impervious to liquids by means of puddle; to
apply puddle to.
3. To subject to the process of puddling, as iron, so as to
convert it from the condition of cast iron to that of
wrought iron. --Ure.
{Puddled steel}, steel made directly from cast iron by a
modification of the puddling process.
Puddle \Pud"dle\, v. i.
To make a dirty stir. [Obs.] --R. Junius.
Puddle-ball \Pud"dle-ball`\, n.
The lump of pasty wrought iron as taken from the puddling
furnace to be hammered or rolled.
Puddle-bar \Pud"dle-bar"\, n.
An iron bar made at a single heat from a puddle-ball
hammering and rolling.
Puddler \Pud"dler\, n.
One who converts cast iron into wrought iron by the process
of puddling.
Puddling \Pud"dling\, n.
1. (Hydraul. Engin.)
(a) The process of working clay, loam, pulverized ore,
etc., with water, to render it compact, or impervious
to liquids; also, the process of rendering anything
impervious to liquids by means of puddled material.
(b) Puddle. See {Puddle}, n., 2.
2. (Metal.) The art or process of converting cast iron into
wrought iron or steel by subjecting it to intense heat and
frequent stirring in a reverberatory furnace in the
presence of oxidizing substances, by which it is freed
from a portion of its carbon and other impurities.
{Puddling furnace}, a reverberatory furnace in which cast
iron is converted into wrought iron or into steel by
puddling.
Puddly \Pud"dly\, a.
Consisting of, or resembling, puddles; muddy; foul. ``Thick
puddly water.'' --Carew.
Puddock \Pud"dock\, n. [For paddock, or parrock, a park.]
A small inclosure. [Written also {purrock}.] [Prov. Eng.]
Pudency \Pu"den*cy\, n. [L. pudens, p. pr. of pudere to be
ashamed.]
Modesty; shamefacedness. ``A pudency so rosy.'' --Shak.
Pudenda \Pu*den"da\, n. pl. [L., from pudendus that of which one
ought to be ashamed, fr. pudere to be ashamed.] (Anat.)
The external organs of generation.
Pudendal \Pu*den"dal\, a. (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the pudenda, or pudendum.
Pudendum \Pu*den"dum\, n. [NL. See {Pudenda}.] (Anat.)
The external organs of generation, especially of the female;
the vulva.
Pudgy \Pudg"y\, a.
Short and fat or sturdy; dumpy; podgy; as, a short, pudgy
little man; a pudgy little hand. --Thackeray.
Pudic \Pu"dic\, a. [L. pudicus modest, fr. pudere to be ashamed:
cf. F. pudique.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the external organs of generation.
Pudical \Pu"dic*al\, a. (Anat.)
Pudic.
Pudicity \Pu*dic"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. pudicit['e], L. pudicitia.]
Modesty; chastity. --Howell.
Pudu \Pu"du\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A very small deer ({Pudua humilis}), native of the Chilian
Andes. It has simple spikelike antlers, only two or three
inches long.
Pue \Pue\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pued}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Puing}.]
To make a low whistling sound; to chirp, as birds.
--Halliwell.
Pueblo \Pueb"lo\, n. [Sp., a village, L. populus people. See
{People}.]
A communistic building erected by certain Indian tribes of
Arizona and New Mexico. It is often of large size and several
stories high, and is usually built either of stone or adobe.
The term is also applied to any Indian village in the same
region.
{Pueblo Indians} (Ethnol.), any tribe or community of Indians
living in pueblos. The principal Pueblo tribes are the
Moqui, the Zu[~n]i, the Keran, and the Tewan.
Puefellow \Pue"fel`low\, n.
A pewfellow. [Obs.]
Puer \Pu"er\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
The dung of dogs, used as an alkaline steep in tanning.
--Simmonds.
Puerco \Pu*er"co\, n. [Sp.]
A hog.
{Puerco beds} (Geol.), a name given to certain strata
belonging to the earliest Eocene. They are developed in
Northwestern New Mexico, along the Rio Puerco, and are
characterized by their mammalian remains.
Puerile \Pu"er*ile\, a. [L. puerilis, fr. puer a child, a boy:
cf. F. pu['e]ril.]
Boyish; childish; trifling; silly.
The French have been notorious through generations for
their puerile affectation of Roman forms, models, and
historic precedents. --De Quincey.
Syn: Youthful; boyish; juvenile; childish; trifling; weak.
See {Youthful}.
Puerilely \Pu"er*ile*ly\, adv.
In a puerile manner; childishly.
Puerileness \Pu"er*ile*ness\, n.
The quality of being puerile; puerility.
Puerility \Pu`er*il"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Puerilities}. [L.
puerilitas: cf. F. pu['e]rilit['e].]
1. The quality of being puerile; childishness; puerileness.
--Sir T. Browne.
2. That which is puerile or childish; especially, an
expression which is flat, insipid, or silly.
Puerperal \Pu*er"per*al\, a. [L. puerpera a lying-in woman; puer
child + parere to bear: cf. F. puerp['e]ral.]
Of or pertaining to childbirth; as, a puerperal fever.
Puerperous \Pu*er"per*ous\, a.
Bearing children. [R.]
Puet \Pu"et\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The pewit.
Puff \Puff\ (p[u^]f), n. [Akin to G. & Sw. puff a blow, Dan.
puf, D. pof; of imitative origin. Cf. {Buffet}.]
1. A sudden and single emission of breath from the mouth;
hence, any sudden or short blast of wind; a slight gust; a
whiff. `` To every puff of wind a slave.'' --Flatman.
2. Anything light and filled with air. Specifically:
(a) A puffball.
(b) a kind of light pastry.
(c) A utensil of the toilet for dusting the skin or hair
with powder.
3. An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially
one in a public journal.
{Puff adder}. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any South African viper belonging to {Clotho} and
allied genera. They are exceedingly venomous, and have
the power of greatly distending their bodies when
irritated. The common puff adder ({Vipera, or Clotho
arietans}) is the largest species, becoming over four
feet long. The plumed puff adder ({C. cornuta}) has a
plumelike appendage over each eye.
(b) A North American harmless snake ({Heterodon
platyrrhinos}) which has the power of puffing up its
body. Called also {hog-nose snake}, {flathead},
{spreading adder}, and {blowing adder}.
{Puff bird} (Zo["o]l.), any bird of the genus {Bucco}, or
family {Bucconid[ae]}. They are small birds, usually with
dull-colored and loose plumage, and have twelve tail
feathers. See {Barbet}
(b) .
Puff \Puff\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Puffed} (p[u^]ft); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Puffing}.] [Akin to G. puffen to pop, buffet, puff,
D. poffen to pop, puffen to blow, Sw. puffa to push, to cuff,
Dan. puffe to pop, thump. See {Puff}, n.]
1. To blow in puffs, or with short and sudden whiffs.
2. To blow, as an expression of scorn; -- with at.
It is really to defy Heaven to puff at damnation.
--South.
3. To breathe quick and hard, or with puffs, as after violent
exertion.
The ass comes back again, puffing and blowing, from
the chase. --L' Estrange.
4. To swell with air; to be dilated or inflated. --Boyle.
5. To breathe in a swelling, inflated, or pompous manner;
hence, to assume importance.
Then came brave Glory puffing by. --Herbert.
Puff \Puff\, v. t.
1. To drive with a puff, or with puffs.
The clearing north will puff the clouds away.
--Dryden.
2. To repel with words; to blow at contemptuously.
I puff the prostitute away. --Dryden.
3. To cause to swell or dilate; to inflate; to ruffle with
puffs; -- often with up; as, a bladder puffed with air.
The sea puffed up with winds. --Shak.
4. To inflate with pride, flattery, self-esteem, or the like;
-- often with up.
Puffed up with military success. --Jowett
(Thucyd. )
5. To praise with exaggeration; to flatter; to call public
attention to by praises; to praise unduly. `` Puffed with
wonderful skill.'' --Macaulay.
Puff \Puff\, a.
Puffed up; vain. [R.] --Fanshawe.
Puffball \Puff"ball`\, n. (Bot.)
A kind of ball-shaped fungus ({Lycoperdon giganteum}, and
other species of the same genus) full of dustlike spores when
ripe; -- called also {bullfist}, {bullfice}, {puckfist},
{puff}, and {puffin}.
Puffer \Puff"er\, n.
1. One who puffs; one who praises with noisy or extravagant
commendation.
2. One who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold
at suction to bid up the price; a by-bidder. --Bouvier.
3. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Any plectognath fish which inflates its body, as the
species of {Tetrodon} and {Diodon}; -- called also
{blower}, {puff-fish}, {swellfish}, and {globefish}.
(b) The common, or harbor, porpoise.
4. (Dyeing) A kier.
Puffery \Puff"er*y\, n.
The act of puffing; bestowment of extravagant commendation.
Puffin \Puf"fin\ (p[u^]f"f[i^]n), n. [Akin to puff.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) An arctic sea bird {Fratercula arctica}) allied
to the auks, and having a short, thick, swollen beak,
whence the name; -- called also {bottle nose}, {cockandy},
{coulterneb}, {marrot}, {mormon}, {pope}, and {sea
parrot}.
Note: The name is also applied to other related species, as
the horned puffin ({F. corniculata}), the tufted puffin
({Lunda cirrhata}), and the razorbill.
{Manx puffin}, the Manx shearwater. See under {Manx}.
2. (Bot.) The puffball.
3. A sort of apple. [Obs.] --Rider's Dict. (1640).
Puffiness \Puff"i*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being puffy.
Puffing \Puff"ing\,
a. & n. from {Puff}, v. i. & t.
{Puffing adder}. (Zo["o]l.) Same as {Puff adder}
(b), under {Puff}.
{Puffing pig} (Zo["o]l.), the common porpoise.
Puffingly \Puff"ing*ly\, adv.
In a puffing manner; with vehement breathing or shortness of
breath; with exaggerated praise.
Puff-leg \Puff"-leg`\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of numerous species of beautiful humming birds of the
genus {Eriocnemis} having large tufts of downy feathers on
the legs.
Puff-legged \Puff"-legged`\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Having a conspicuous tuft of feathers on the legs.
Puffy \Puff"y\, a.
1. Swelled with air, or any soft matter; tumid with a soft
substance; bloated; fleshy; as, a puffy tumor. `` A very
stout, puffy man.'' --Thackeray.
2. Hence, inflated; bombastic; as, a puffy style.
Pug \Pug\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pugged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pugging}.] [Cf. G. pucken to thump. beat.]
1. To mix and stir when wet, as clay for bricks, pottery,
etc.
2. To fill or stop with clay by tamping; to fill in or spread
with mortar, as a floor or partition, for the purpose of
deadening sound. See {Pugging}, 2.
Pug \Pug\, n.
1. Tempered clay; clay moistened and worked so as to be
plastic.
2. A pug mill.
{Pug mill}, a kind of mill for grinding and mixing clay,
either for brickmaking or the fine arts; a clay mill. It
consists essentially of an upright shaft armed with
projecting knives, which is caused to revolve in a hollow
cylinder, tub, or vat, in which the clay is placed.
Pug \Pug\, n. [Corrupted fr. puck. See {Puck}.]
1. An elf, or a hobgoblin; also same as {Puck}. [Obs.] --B.
Jonson.
2. A name for a monkey. [Colloq.] --Addison.
3. A name for a fox. [Prov. Eng.] --C. Kingsley.
4. An intimate; a crony; a dear one. [Obs.] --Lyly.
5. pl. Chaff; the refuse of grain. [Obs.] --Holland.
6. A prostitute. [Obs.] --Cotgrave.
7. (Zo["o]l.) One of a small breed of pet dogs having a short
nose and head; a pug dog.
8. (Zo["o]l.) Any geometrid moth of the genus {Eupithecia}.
Pug-faced \Pug"-faced`\, a.
Having a face like a monkey or a pug; monkey-faced.
Pugger \Pug"ger\, v. t.
To pucker. [Obs.]
Puggered \Pug"gered\, a.
Puckered. [Obs.] --Dr. H. More.
Pugging \Pug"ging\, n. [See {Pug}, v. t.]
1. The act or process of working and tempering clay to make
it plastic and of uniform consistency, as for bricks, for
pottery, etc.
2. (Arch.) Mortar or the like, laid between the joists under
the boards of a floor, or within a partition, to deaden
sound; -- in the United States usually called {deafening}.
Pugging \Pug"ging\, a.
Thieving. [Obs.] --Shak.
Pugh \Pugh\, interj.
Pshaw! pish! -- a word used in contempt or disdain.
Pugil \Pu"gil\, n. [L. pugillus, pugillum, a handful, akin to
pugnus the fist.]
As much as is taken up between the thumb and two first
fingers. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Pugilism \Pu"gil*ism\, n. [L. pugil a pugilist, boxer, akin to
pugnus the fist. Cf. {Pugnacious}, {Fist}.]
The practice of boxing, or fighting with the fist.
Pugilist \Pu"gil*ist\, n. [L. pugil.]
One who fights with his fists; esp., a professional prize
fighter; a boxer.
Pugilistic \Pu`gil*is"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to pugillism.
Pugnacious \Pug*na"cious\, a. [L. pugnax, -acis, fr. pugnare to
fight. Cf. {Pugilism}, {Fist}.]
Disposed to fight; inclined to fighting; quarrelsome;
fighting. --{Pug*na"cious*ly}, adv. -- {Pug*na"cious*ness},
n.
Pugnacity \Pug*nac"i*ty\, n. [L. pugnacitas: cf. F.
pugnacit['e].]
Inclination or readiness to fight; quarrelsomeness. `` A
national pugnacity of character.'' --Motley.
Pug nose \Pug" nose`\
A short, thick nose; a snubnose. -- {Pug"-nosed`}, a.
{Pug-nose eel} (Zo["o]l.), a deep-water marine eel
({Simenchelys parasiticus}) which sometimes burrows into
the flesh of the halibut.
Puh \Puh\, interj.
The same as {Pugh}.
Puisne \Puis"ne\ (p[=u]"n[y^]), a. [See {Puny}.]
1. Later in age, time, etc.; subsequent. [Obs.] `` A puisne
date to eternity.'' --Sir M. Hale.
2. Puny; petty; unskilled. [Obs.]
3. (Law) Younger or inferior in rank; junior; associate; as,
a chief justice and three puisne justices of the Court of
Common Pleas; the puisne barons of the Court of Exchequer.
--Blackstone.
Puisne \Puis"ne\, n.
One who is younger, or of inferior rank; a junior; esp., a
judge of inferior rank.
It were not a work for puisnes and novices. --Bp. Hall.
Puisny \Puis"ny\, a.
Puisne; younger; inferior; petty; unskilled. [R.]
A puisny tilter, that spurs his horse but on one side.
--Shak.
Puissance \Pu"is*sance\, n. [F., fr. puissant. See {Puissant},
and cf. {Potency}, {Potance}, {Potence}.]
Power; strength; might; force; potency. `` Youths of
puissance.'' --Tennyson.
The power and puissance of the king. --Shak.
Note: In Spenser, Shakespeare, and Milton, puissance and
puissant are usually dissyllables.
Puissant \Pu"is*sant\, a. [F., originally, a p. pr. formed fr.
L. posse to be able: cf. L. potens powerful. See {Potent}.]
Powerful; strong; mighty; forcible; as, a puissant prince or
empire. `` Puissant deeds.'' --Milton.
Of puissant nations which the world possessed.
--Spenser.
And worldlings in it are less merciful, And more
puissant. --Mrs.
Browning.
Puissantly \Pu"is*sant*ly\, adv.
In a puissant manner; powerfully; with great strength.
Puissantness \Pu"is*sant*ness\, n.
The state or quality of being puissant; puissance; power.
Puit \Puit\, n. [F. puits, from L. puteus well.]
A well; a small stream; a fountain; a spring. [Obs.]
The puits flowing from the fountain of life. --Jer.
Taylor.
Puke \Puke\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Puked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Puking}.] [Cf. G. spucken to spit, and E. spew.]
To eject the contests of the stomach; to vomit; to spew.
The infant Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
--Shak.
Puke \Puke\, v. t.
To eject from the stomach; to vomit up.
Puke \Puke\, n.
A medicine that causes vomiting; an emetic; a vomit.
Puke \Puke\, a. [Etymol. uncertain.]
Of a color supposed to be between black and russet. --Shak.
Note: This color has by some been regarded as the same with
puce; but Nares questions the identity.
Puker \Puk"er\, n.
1. One who pukes, vomits.
2. That which causes vomiting. --Garth .
Pulas \Pu"las\, n. [Skr. pal[=a][,c]a.] (Bot.)
The East Indian leguminous tree {Butea frondosa}. See {Gum
Butea}, under {Gum}. [Written also {pales} and {palasa}.]
Pulchritude \Pul"chri*tude\, n. [L. pulchritudo, fr. pulcher
beautiful.]
1. That quality of appearance which pleases the eye; beauty;
comeliness; grace; loveliness.
Piercing our heartes with thy pulchritude. --Court
of Love.
2. Attractive moral excellence; moral beauty.
By the pulchritude of their souls make up what is
wanting in the beauty of their bodies. --Ray.
Pule \Pule\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Puled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Puling}.] [F. piauler; cf. L. pipilare, pipire, to peep,
pip, chirp, and E. peep to chirp.]
1. To cry like a chicken. --Bacon.
2. To whimper; to whine, as a complaining child.
It becometh not such a gallant to whine and pule.
--Barrow.
Puler \Pul"er\, n.
One who pules; one who whines or complains; a weak person.
Pulex \Pu"lex\, n. [L., a flea.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of parasitic insects including the fleas. See {Flea}.
Pulicene \Pu"li*cene\, a. [From L. pulex, pulicis, a flea.]
Pertaining to, or abounding in, fleas; pulicose.
Pulicose \Pu"li*cose`\, Pulicous \Pu"li*cous\, a. [L. pulicosus,
from pulex, a flea.]
Abounding with fleas.
Puling \Pul"ing\, n.
A cry, as of a chicken,; a whining or whimpering.
Leave this faint puling and lament as I do. --Shak.
Puling \Pul"ing\, a.
Whimpering; whining; childish.
Pulingly \Pul"ing*ly\, adv.
With whining or complaint.
Pulkha \Pulk"ha\, n.
A Laplander's traveling sledge. See {Sledge}.
Pull \Pull\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pulled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pulling}.] [AS. pullian; cf. LG. pulen, and Gael. peall,
piol, spiol.]
1. To draw, or attempt to draw, toward one; to draw forcibly.
Ne'er pull your hat upon your brows. --Shak.
He put forth his hand . . . and pulled her in.
--Gen. viii.
9.
2. To draw apart; to tear; to rend.
He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in
pieces; he hath made me desolate. --Lam. iii.
11.
3. To gather with the hand, or by drawing toward one; to
pluck; as, to pull fruit; to pull flax; to pull a finch.
4. To move or operate by the motion of drawing towards one;
as, to pull a bell; to pull an oar.
5. (Horse Racing) To hold back, and so prevent from winning;
as, the favorite was pulled.
6. (Print.) To take or make, as a proof or impression; --
hand presses being worked by pulling a lever.
7. (Cricket) To strike the ball in a particular manner. See
{Pull}, n., 8.
Never pull a straight fast ball to leg. --R. H.
Lyttelton.
{To pull and haul}, to draw hither and thither. `` Both are
equally pulled and hauled to do that which they are unable
to do. '' --South.
{To pull down}, to demolish; to destroy; to degrade; as, to
pull down a house. `` In political affairs, as well as
mechanical, it is easier to pull down than build up.''
--Howell. `` To raise the wretched, and pull down the
proud.'' --Roscommon.
{To pull a finch}. See under {Finch}.
{To pull off}, take or draw off.
Pull \Pull\, v. i.
To exert one's self in an act or motion of drawing or
hauling; to tug; as, to pull at a rope.
{To pull apart}, to become separated by pulling; as, a rope
will pull apart.
{To pull up}, to draw the reins; to stop; to halt.
{To pull through}, to come successfully to the end of a
difficult undertaking, a dangerous sickness, or the like.
Pull \Pull\, n.
1. The act of pulling or drawing with force; an effort to
move something by drawing toward one.
I awakened with a violent pull upon the ring which
was fastened at the top of my box. --Swift.
2. A contest; a struggle; as, a wrestling pull. --Carew.
3. A pluck; loss or violence suffered. [Poetic]
Two pulls at once; His lady banished, and a limb
lopped off. --Shak.
4. A knob, handle, or lever, etc., by which anything is
pulled; as, a drawer pull; a bell pull.
5. The act of rowing; as, a pull on the river. [Colloq.]
6. The act of drinking; as, to take a pull at the beer, or
the mug. [Slang] --Dickens.
7. Something in one's favor in a comparison or a contest; an
advantage; means of influencing; as, in weights the
favorite had the pull. [Slang]
8. (Cricket) A kind of stroke by which a leg ball is sent to
the off side, or an off ball to the side.
The pull is not a legitimate stroke, but bad
cricket. --R. A.
Proctor.
Pullail \Pul"lail\, n. [F. poulaille.]
Poultry. [Obs.] --Rom. of R.
Pullback \Pull"back`\, n.
1. That which holds back, or causes to recede; a drawback; a
hindrance.
2. (Arch) The iron hook fixed to a casement to pull it shut,
or to hold it party open at a fixed point.
Pulled \Pulled\, a.
Plucked; pilled; moulting. `` A pulled hen.'' --Chaucer.
Pullen \Pul"len\, n. [Cf. L. pullinus belonging to young
animals. See {Pullet}.]
Poultry. [Obs.]
Puller \Pull"er\, n.
One who, or that which, pulls.
Proud setter up and puller down of kings. --Shak.
Pullet \Pul"let\, n. [OE. polete, OF. polete, F. poulette, dim.
of poule a hen, fr. L. pullus a young animal, a young fowl.
See {Foal}, and cf. {Poult}, {Poultry}, {Pool} stake.]
A young hen, or female of the domestic fowl.
{Pullet sperm}, the treadle of an egg. [Obs.] --Shak.
Pulley \Pul"ley\, n.; pl. {Pulleys}. [F. poulie, perhaps of
Teutonic origin (cf. {Poll}, v. t.); but cf. OE. poleine,
polive, pulley, LL. polanus, and F. poulain, properly, a
colt, fr. L. pullus young animal, foal (cf. {Pullet},
{Foal}). For the change of sense, cf. F. poutre beam,
originally, a filly, and E. easel.] (Mach.)
A wheel with a broad rim, or grooved rim, for transmitting
power from, or imparting power to, the different parts of
machinery, or for changing the direction of motion, by means
of a belt, cord, rope, or chain.
Note: The pulley, as one of the mechanical powers, consists,
in its simplest form, of a grooved wheel, called a
sheave, turning within a movable frame or block, by
means of a cord or rope attached at one end to a fixed
point. The force, acting on the free end of the rope,
is thus doubled, but can move the load through only
half the space traversed by itself. The rope may also
pass over a sheave in another block that is fixed. The
end of the rope may be fastened to the movable block,
instead of a fixed point, with an additional gain of
power, and using either one or two sheaves in the fixed
block. Other sheaves may be added, and the power
multiplied accordingly. Such an apparatus is called by
workmen a block and tackle, or a fall and tackle. See
{Block}. A single fixed pulley gives no increase of
power, but serves simply for changing the direction of
motion.
{Band pulley}, or {Belt pulley}, a pulley with a broad face
for transmitting power between revolving shafts by means
of a belt, or for guiding a belt.
{Cone pulley}. See {Cone pulley}.
{Conical pulley}, one of a pair of belt pulleys, each in the
shape of a truncated cone, for varying velocities.
{Fast pulley}, a pulley firmly attached upon a shaft.
{Loose pulley}, a pulley loose on a shaft, to interrupt the
transmission of motion in machinery. See {Fast and loose
pulleys}, under {Fast}.
{Parting pulley}, a belt pulley made in semicircular halves,
which can be bolted together, to facilitate application
to, or removal from, a shaft.
{Pulley block}. Same as {Block}, n. 6.
{Pulley stile} (Arch.), the upright of the window frame into
which a pulley is fixed and along which the sash slides.
{Split pulley}, a parting pulley.
Pulley \Pul"ley\, b. t.
To raise or lift by means of a pulley. [R.] --Howell.
Pullicate \Pul"li*cate\, n.
A kind of checked cotton or silk handkerchief.
Pullman car \Pull"man car`\ [Named after Mr. Pullman, who
introduced them.]
A kind of sleeping car; also, a palace car; -- often
shortened to {Pullman}.
Pullulate \Pul"lu*late\, v. i. [L. pullulatus, p. p. of
pullulare to sprout, from pullulus a young animal, a sprout,
dim. of pullus. See {pullet}.]
To germinate; to bud; to multiply abundantly. --Warburton.
Pullulation \Pul`lu*la"tion\, n. [Cf. F. pullulation.]
A germinating, or budding. --Dr. H. More.
Pullus \Pul"lus\, n.; pl. {Pulli}. [L.] (Zo["o]l.)
A chick; a young bird in the downy stage.
Pulmobranchiata \Pul`mo*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL.],
Pulmobranchiate \Pul`mo*bran"chi*ate\, a. & n.(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pulmonibranchiata}, {-ate}.
Pulmocutaneous \Pul`mo*cu*ta"ne*ous\, a. [L. pulmo a lung + E.
cutaneous.] (Anat.)
Of or pertaining to the lungs and the akin; as, the
pulmocutaneous arteries of the frog.
Pulmogasteropoda \Pul`mo*gas`te*rop"o*da\, n. pl. [NL. & E.
Gasteropoda.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pulmonata}.
Pulmograde \Pul"mo*grade\, a. [L. pulmo a lung + gradi to walk.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Swimming by the expansion and contraction, or lunglike
movement, of the body, or of the disk, as do the medus[ae].
Pulmometer \Pul*mom"e*ter\, n. [L. pulmo a lung + -meter.]
(Physiol.)
A spirometer.
Pulmonarian \Pul"mo*na"ri*an\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any arachnid that breathes by lunglike organs, as the spiders
and scorpions. Also used adjectively.
Pulmonary \Pul"mo*na*ry\, a. [L. pulmonarius, from pulmo, -onis,
a lung; of uncertain origin, perh. named from its lightness,
and akin to E. float: cf. F. pulmonaire. Cf. {Pneumonia}.]
Of or pertaining to the lungs; affecting the lungs; pulmonic.
{Pulmonary artery}. See the Note under {Artery}.
Pulmonary \Pul"mo*na*ry\, n. [Cf. F. pulmonaire. See
{Pulmonary}, a. ] (Bot.)
Lungwort. --Ainsworth.
Pulmonata \Pul`mo*na"ta\, n. pl. [NL., from L. pulmo, -onis, a
lung.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extensive division, or sub-class, of hermaphrodite
gastropods, in which the mantle cavity is modified into an
air-breathing organ, as in Helix, or land snails, Limax, or
garden slugs, and many pond snails, as Limn[ae]a and
Planorbis.
Pulmonate \Pul"mo*nate\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Having breathing organs that act as lungs.
(b) Pertaining to the Pulmonata. -- n. One of the Pulmonata.
Pulmonated \Pul"mo*na`ted\, a.
same as {Pulmonate}
(a) .
Pulmonibranchiata \Pul`mo*ni*bran`chi*a"ta\, n. pl. [NL., fr. L.
pulmo, -onis, a lung + Gr. ? a gill.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pulmonata}.
Pulmonibranchiate \Pul`mo*ni*bran"chi*ate\, a. & n. (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pulmonate}.
Pulmonic \Pul*mon"ic\, a. [L. pulmo, -onis, a lung: cf. F.
pulmonique.]
Relating to, or affecting the lungs; pulmonary. -- n. A
pulmonic medicine.
Pulmonifera \Pul`mo*nif"e*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pulmoniferous}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pulmonata}.
Pulmoniferous \Pul`mo*nif"er*ous\, a. [L. pulmo, -onis, a lung +
-ferous.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having lungs; pulmonate.
Pulp \Pulp\, n. [L. pulpa flesh, pith, pulp of fruit: cf. F.
pulpe.]
A moist, slightly cohering mass, consisting of soft,
undissolved animal or vegetable matter. Specifically:
(a) (Anat.) A tissue or part resembling pulp; especially, the
soft, highly vascular and sensitive tissue which fills
the central cavity, called the pulp cavity, of teeth.
(b) (Bot.) The soft, succulent part of fruit; as, the pulp of
a grape.
(c) The exterior part of a coffee berry. --B. Edwards.
(d) The material of which paper is made when ground up and
suspended in water.
Pulp \Pulp\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pulped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pulping}.]
1. To reduce to pulp.
2. To deprive of the pulp, or integument.
The other mode is to pulp the coffee immediately as
it comes from the tree. By a simple machine a man
will pulp a bushel in a minute. --B. Edwards.
Pulpatoon \Pul`pa*toon"\, n. [F. poulpeton, poupeton, a sort of
ragout.]
A kind of delicate confectionery or cake, perhaps made from
the pulp of fruit. [Obs.] --Nares.
Pulpiness \Pulp"i*ness\, n.
the quality or state of being pulpy.
Pulpit \Pul"pit\, n. [L. pulpitum: cf. OF. pulpite, F.
pulpitre.]
1. An elevated place, or inclosed stage, in a church, in
which the clergyman stands while preaching.
I stand like a clerk in my pulpit. --Chaucer.
2. The whole body of the clergy; preachers as a class; also,
preaching.
I say the pulpit (in the sober use Of its
legitimate, peculiar powers) Must stand
acknowledged, while the world shall stand, The most
important and effectual guard, Support, and ornament
of virtue's cause. --Cowper.
3. A desk, or platform, for an orator or public speaker.
Pulpit \Pul"pit\, a.
Of or pertaining to the pulpit, or preaching; as, a pulpit
orator; pulpit eloquence.
Pulpited \Pul"pit*ed\, a.
Placed in a pulpit. [R.]
Sit . . . at the feet of a pulpited divine. --Milton.
Pulpiteer \Pul*pit*eer"\, n.
One who speaks in a pulpit; a preacher; -- so called in
contempt. --Howell.
We never can think it sinful that Burns should have
been humorous on such a pulpiteer. --Prof.
Wilson.
Pulpiter \Pul"pit*er\, n.
A preacher. [Obs.]
Pulpitical \Pul*pit"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to the pulpit; suited to the pulpit. [R.] --
{Pul*pit"ic*al*ly}, adv. [R.] --Chesterfield.
Pulpitish \Pul"pit*ish\, a.
Of or pertaining to the pulpit; like preaching. --Chalmers.
Pulpitry \Pul"pit*ry\, n.
The teaching of the pulpit; preaching. [R. & Obs.] `` Mere
pulpitry.'' --Milton.
Pulpous \Pulp"ous\, a. [L. pulposus: cf. F. pulpeux. See
{Pulp}.]
Containing pulp; pulpy. `` Pulpous fruit.'' --J. Philips. --
{Pulp"ous*ness}, n.
Pulpy \Pulp"y\, n.
Like pulp; consisting of pulp; soft; fleshy; succulent; as,
the {pulpy} covering of a nut; the pulpy substance of a peach
or a cherry.
Pulque \Pul"que\, n. [Sp.]
An intoxicating Mexican drink. See {Agave}.
Pulsate \Pul"sate\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pulsated}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pulsating}.] [L. pulsatus, p. p. of pulsare to beat,
strike, v. intens. fr. pellere to beat, strike, drive. See
{Pulse} a beating, and cf. {Pulse}, v.]
To throb, as a pulse; to beat, as the heart.
The heart of a viper or frog will continue to pulsate
long after it is taken from the body. --E. Darwin.
Pulsatile \Pul"sa*tile\, a. [Cf. It. pulsatile, Sp. pulsatil.]
1. Capable of being struck or beaten; played by beating or by
percussion; as, a tambourine is a pulsatile musical
instrument.
2. Pulsating; throbbing, as a tumor.
Pulsatilla \Pul`sa*til"la\, n. [NL.] (Bot.)
A genus of ranunculaceous herbs including the pasque flower.
This genus is now merged in {{Anemone}}. Some species, as
{Anemone Pulsatilla}, {Anemone pratensis}, and {Anemone
patens}, are used medicinally.
Pulsation \Pul*sa"tion\, n. [L. pulsatio a beating or striking:
cf. F. pulsation.]
1. (Physiol.) A beating or throbbing, especially of the heart
or of an artery, or in an inflamed part; a beat of the
pulse.
2. A single beat or throb of a series.
3. A stroke or impulse by which some medium is affected, as
in the propagation of sounds.
4. (Law) Any touching of another's body willfully or in
anger. This constitutes battery.
By the Cornelian law, pulsation as well as
verberation is prohibited. --Blackstone.
Pulsative \Pul"sa*tive\, a. [Cf. F. pulsatif.]
Beating; throbbing.
Pulsator \Pul*sa"tor\, n. [L.]
1. A beater; a striker.
2. (Mech.) That which beats or throbs in working.
Pulsatory \Pul"sa*to*ry\, a. [Cf. F. pulsatoire.]
Capable of pulsating; throbbing. --Sir H. Wotton. .
Pulse \Pulse\, n. [OE. puls, L. puls, pultis, a thick pap or
pottage made of meal, pulse, etc. See {Poultice}, and cf.
{Pousse}.]
Leguminous plants, or their seeds, as beans, pease, etc.
If all the world Should, in a pet of temperance, feed
on pulse. --Milton.
Pulse \Pulse\, n. [OE. pous, OF. pous, F. pouls, fr. L. pulsus
(sc. venarum), the beating of the pulse, the pulse, from
pellere, pulsum, to beat, strike; cf. Gr. ? to swing, shake,
? to shake. Cf. {Appeal}, {Compel}, {Impel}, {Push}.]
1. (Physiol.) The beating or throbbing of the heart or blood
vessels, especially of the arteries.
Note: In an artery the pulse is due to the expansion and
contraction of the elastic walls of the artery by the
action of the heart upon the column of blood in the
arterial system. On the commencement of the diastole of
the ventricle, the semilunar valves are closed, and the
aorta recoils by its elasticity so as to force part of
its contents into the vessels farther onwards. These,
in turn, as they already contain a certain quantity of
blood, expand, recover by an elastic recoil, and
transmit the movement with diminished intensity. Thus a
series of movements, gradually diminishing in
intensity, pass along the arterial system (see the Note
under {Heart}). For the sake of convenience, the radial
artery at the wrist is generally chosen to detect the
precise character of the pulse. The pulse rate varies
with age, position, sex, stature, physical and
psychical influences, etc.
2. Any measured or regular beat; any short, quick motion,
regularly repeated, as of a medium in the transmission of
light, sound, etc.; oscillation; vibration; pulsation;
impulse; beat; movement.
The measured pulse of racing oars. --Tennyson.
When the ear receives any simple sound, it is struck
by a single pulse of the air, which makes the
eardrum and the other membranous parts vibrate
according to the nature and species of the stroke.
--Burke.
{Pulse glass}, an instrument consisting to a glass tube with
terminal bulbs, and containing ether or alcohol, which the
heat of the hand causes to boil; -- so called from the
pulsating motion of the liquid when thus warmed.
{Pulse wave} (Physiol.), the wave of increased pressure
started by the ventricular systole, radiating from the
semilunar valves over the arterial system, and gradually
disappearing in the smaller branches.
the pulse wave travels over the arterial system at
the rate of about 29.5 feet in a second. --H. N.
Martin.
{To feel one's pulse}.
(a) To ascertain, by the sense of feeling, the condition
of the arterial pulse.
(b) Hence, to sound one's opinion; to try to discover
one's mind.
Pulse \Pulse\, v. i.
To beat, as the arteries; to move in pulses or beats; to
pulsate; to throb. --Ray.
Pulse \Pulse\, v. t. [See {Pulsate}, {Pulse} a beating.]
To drive by a pulsation; to cause to pulsate. [R.]
Pulseless \Pulse"less\, a.
Having no pulsation; lifeless.
Pulselessness \Pulse"less*ness\, n.
The state of being pulseless.
Pulsific \Pul*sif"ic\, a. [Pulse + L. facere to make.]
Exciting the pulse; causing pulsation.
Pulsimeter \Pul*sim"e*ter\, n. [Pulse + -meter.] (Physiol.)
A sphygmograph.
Pulsion \Pul"sion\, n. [L. pulsio, fr. pellere, pulsum, to
drive: cf. F. pulsion.]
The act of driving forward; propulsion; -- opposed to
{suction} or {traction}. [R.]
Pulsive \Pul"sive\, a.
Tending to compel; compulsory. [R.] ``The pulsive strain of
conscience.'' --Marston.
Pulsometer \Pul*som"e*ter\, n. [Pulse + -meter.]
1. A device, with valves, for raising water by steam, partly
by atmospheric pressure, and partly by the direct action
of the steam on the water, without the intervention of a
piston; -- also called {vacuum pump}.
2. A pulsimeter.
Pult \Pult\, v. t.
To put. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
Pultaceous \Pul*ta"ceous\, a. [Cf. F. pultac['e]. See 1st
{Pulse}.]
Macerated; softened; nearly fluid.
Pultesse \Pul"tesse\, Pultise \Pul"tise\, n.
Poultry. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pulu \Pu"lu\, n.
A vegetable substance consisting of soft, elastic, yellowish
brown chaff, gathered in the Hawaiian Islands from the young
fronds of free ferns of the genus {Cibotium}, chiefly {C.
Menziesii}; -- used for stuffing mattresses, cushions, etc.,
and as an absorbent.
Purverable \Pur"ver*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being reduced to fine powder. --Boyle.
Pulveraceous \Pul`ver*a"ceous\, a. (Bot.)
Having a finely powdered surface; pulverulent.
Pulverate \Pul"ver*ate\, v. t. [L. pulveratus, p. p. of
pulverare to pulverize. See {Pulverize}.]
To beat or reduce to powder or dust; to pulverize. [R.]
Pulverine \Pul"ver*ine\, n. [L. pulvis, pulveris, dust, powder;
cf. F. pulv['e]rin.]
Ashes of barilla. --Ure.
Pulverizable \Pul"ver*i`za*ble\, a.
Admitting of being pulverized; pulverable. --Barton.
Pulverization \Pul`ver*i*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. pulv['e]risation.]
The action of reducing to dust or powder.
Pulverize \Pul"ver*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pulverized}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Pulverizing}.] [F. pulv['e]riser, L.
pulverizare, fr. pulvis dust, powder. See {Powder}.]
To reduce of fine powder or dust, as by beating, grinding, or
the like; as, friable substances may be pulverized by
grinding or beating, but to pulverize malleable bodies other
methods must be pursued.
Pulverize \Pul"ver*ize\, v. i.
To become reduced to powder; to fall to dust; as, the stone
pulverizes easily.
Pulverizer \Pul"ver*i`zer\, n.
One who, or that which, pulverizes.
Pulverous \Pul"ver*ous\, a. [Cf. L. pulvereus, from pulvis,
pulveris, dust, powder.]
Consisting of dust or powder; like powder.
Pulverulence \Pul*ver"u*lence\, n.
The state of being pulverulent; abundance of dust or powder;
dustiness.
Pulverulent \Pul*ver"u*lent\, a. [L. pulverulentus, fr. pulvis,
pulveris, dust, powder: cf. F. pulv['e]rulent.]
Consisting of, or reducible to, fine powder; covered with
dust or powder; powdery; dusty.
Pulvil \Pul"vil\, n. [It. polviglio, fr. L. pulvis, pulveris,
dust, powder: cf. Sp. polvillo.]
A sweet-scented powder; pulvillio. [Written also {pulville}.]
[Obs.] --Gay.
Pulvil \Pul"vil\, v. t.
To apply pulvil to. [Obs.] --Congreve.
Pulvillio \Pul*vil"li*o\, Pulvillo \Pul*vil"lo\, n. [See
{Pulvil}.]
A kind of perfume in the form of a powder, formerly much
used, -- often in little bags.
Smells of incense, ambergris, and pulvillios.
--Addison.
Pulvillus \Pul*vil"lus\, n.; pl. {Pulvilli}. [L., a little
cushion.] (Zo["o]l.)
One of the minute cushions on the feet of certain insects.
Pulvinar \Pul*vi"nar\, n. [L., a cushion.] (Anat.)
A prominence on the posterior part of the thalamus of the
human brain.
Pulvinate \Pul"vi*nate\, Pulvinated \Pul"vi*na`ted\, a. [L.
pulvinatus, fr. pulvinus a cushion, an elevation.]
1. (Arch.) Curved convexly or swelled; as, a pulvinated
frieze. --Brande & C.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Having the form of a cushion.
Pulvinic \Pul*vin"ic\, a. [From {Vulpinic}, by transposition of
the letters.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained by the
decomposition of vulpinic acid, as a white crystalline
substance.
Pulvinulus \Pul*vin"u*lus\, n.; pl. {Pulvinuli}. [L., a little
mound.] (Zo["o]l.)
Same as {Pulvillus}.
Puma \Pu"ma\ (p[=u]"m[.a]), n. [Peruv. puma.] (Zo["o]l.)
A large American carnivore ({Felis concolor}), found from
Canada to Patagonia, especially among the mountains. Its
color is tawny, or brownish yellow, without spots or stripes.
Called also {catamount}, {cougar}, {American lion}, {mountain
lion}, and {panther} or {painter}.
Pume \Pume\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
A stint.
Pumicate \Pu"mi*cate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pumicated}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Pumicating}.] [L. pumicatus, p. p. of pumicare to
pumicate, fr. pumex. See {Pumice}.]
To make smooth with pumice. [R.]
Pumice \Pum"ice\, n. [L. pumex, pumicis, prob. akin to spuma
foam: cf. AS. pumic-st[=a]n. Cf. {Pounce} a powder, {Spume}.]
(Min.)
A very light porous volcanic scoria, usually of a gray color,
the pores of which are capillary and parallel, giving it a
fibrous structure. It is supposed to be produced by the
disengagement of watery vapor without liquid or plastic lava.
It is much used, esp. in the form of powder, for smoothing
and polishing. Called also {pumice stone}.
Pumiced \Pum"iced\, a. (Far.)
Affected with a kind of chronic laminitis in which there is a
growth of soft spongy horn between the coffin bone and the
hoof wall. The disease is called pumiced foot, or pumice
foot.
Pumiceous \Pu*mi`ceous\, a. [L. pumiceus.]
Of or pertaining to pumice; resembling pumice.
Pumice stone \Pum"ice stone`\
Same as {Pumice}.
Pumiciform \Pu*mic"i*form\, a. [Pumice + -form.]
Resembling, or having the structure of, pumice.
Pummace \Pum"mace\, n.
Same as {Pomace}.
Pummel \Pum"mel\, n. & v. t.
Same as {Pommel}.
Pump \Pump\ (p[u^]mp), n. [Probably so called as being worn for
pomp or ornament. See {Pomp}.]
A low shoe with a thin sole.
--Swift.
Pump \Pump\, n. [Akin to D. pomp, G. pumpe, F. pompe; of unknown
origin.]
An hydraulic machine, variously constructed, for raising or
transferring fluids, consisting essentially of a moving piece
or piston working in a hollow cylinder or other cavity, with
valves properly placed for admitting or retaining the fluid
as it is drawn or driven through them by the action of the
piston.
Note: for various kinds of pumps, see {Air pump}, {Chain
pump}, and {Force pump}; also, under {Lifting},
{Plunger}, {Rotary}, etc.
{Circulating pump} (Steam Engine), a pump for driving the
condensing water through the casing, or tubes, of a
surface condenser.
{Pump brake}. See {Pump handle}, below.
{Pump dale}. See {Dale}.
{Pump gear}, the apparatus belonging to a pump. --Totten.
{Pump handle}, the lever, worked by hand, by which motion is
given to the bucket of a pump.
{Pump hood}, a semicylindrical appendage covering the upper
wheel of a chain pump.
{Pump rod}, the rod to which the bucket of a pump is
fastened, and which is attached to the brake or handle;
the piston rod.
{Pump room}, a place or room at a mineral spring where the
waters are drawn and drunk. [Eng.]
{Pump spear}. Same as {Pump rod}, above.
{Pump stock}, the stationary part, body, or barrel of a pump.
{Pump well}. (Naut.) See {Well}.
Pump \Pump\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pumped} (p[u^]mt; 215); p. pr.
& vb. n. {pumping}.]
1. To raise with a pump, as water or other liquid.
2. To draw water, or the like, from; to from water by means
of a pump; as, they pumped the well dry; to pump a ship.
3. Figuratively, to draw out or obtain, as secrets or money,
by persistent questioning or plying; to question or ply
persistently in order to elicit something, as information,
money, etc.
But pump not me for politics. --Otway.
Pump \Pump\, v. i.
To work, or raise water, a pump.
Pumpage \Pump"age\, n.
That which is raised by pumps, or the work done by pumps.
The pumpage last year amounted to . . . gallons. --Sci.
Amer.
Pumper \Pump"er\, n.
One who pumps; the instrument or machine used in pumping.
--Boyle.
Pumpernickel \Pump"er*nick`el\, n. [G.]
A sort of bread, made of unbolted rye, which forms the chief
food of the Westphalian peasants. It is acid but nourishing.
Pumpet \Pum"pet\, n.
A pompet.
{Pumpet ball} (Print.), a ball for inking types; a pompet.
Pumping \Pump"ing\,
a. & n. from {pump}.
{Pumping engine}, a steam engine and pump combined for
raising water. See {Steam engine}.
Pumpion \Pump"ion\, n. (Bot.)
See {Pumpkin}.
Pumpkin \Pump"kin\, n. [For older pompion, pompon, OF. pompon,
L. pepo, peponis, Gr. ?, properly, cooked by the sun, ripe,
mellow; -- so called because not eaten till ripe. Cf. {Cook},
n.] (Bot.)
A well-known trailing plant ({Cucurbita pepo}) and its fruit,
-- used for cooking and for feeding stock; a pompion.
{Pumpkin seed}.
(a) The flattish oval seed of the pumpkin.
(b) (Zo["o]l.) The common pondfish.
Pumy \Pu"my\, a. [Cf. Prov. E. pummer big, large, and E. pomey
pommel.]
Large and rounded. [Obs.]
A gentle stream, whose murmuring wave did play Amongst
the pumy stones. -- Spenser.
Pun \Pun\, v. t. [See {Pound} to beat.]
To pound. [Obs.]
He would pun thee into shivers with his fist. --Shak.
Pun \Pun\, n. [Cf. {Pun} to pound, {Pound} to beat.]
A play on words which have the same sound but different
meanings; an expression in which two different applications
of a word present an odd or ludicrous idea; a kind of quibble
or equivocation. --Addison.
A better put on this word was made on the Beggar's
Opera, which, it was said, made Gay rich, and Rich gay.
--Walpole.
Pun \Pun\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Punned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Punning}.]
To make puns, or a pun; to use a word in a double sense,
especially when the contrast of ideas is ludicrous; to play
upon words; to quibble. --Dryden.
Pun \Pun\, v. t.
To persuade or affect by a pun. --Addison.
Punch \Punch\, n. [Hind. p[=a]nch five, Skr. pa?can. So called
because composed of five ingredients, viz., sugar, arrack,
spice, water, and lemon juice. See {Five}.]
A beverage composed of wine or distilled liquor, water (or
milk), sugar, and the juice of lemon, with spice or mint; --
specifically named from the kind of spirit used; as rum
punch, claret punch, champagne punch, etc.
{Milk punch}, a sort of punch made with spirit, milk, sugar,
spice, etc.
{Punch bowl}, a large bowl in which punch is made, or from
which it is served.
{Roman punch}, a punch frozen and served as an ice.
Punch \Punch\, n. [Abbrev, fr. punchinello.]
The buffoon or harlequin of a puppet show.
{Punch and Judy}, a puppet show in which a comical little
hunchbacked Punch, with a large nose, engages in
altercation with his wife Judy.
Punch \Punch\, n. [Prov. E. Cf. {Punchy}.]
1. A short, fat fellow; anything short and thick.
I . . . did hear them call their fat child punch,
which pleased me mightily, that word being become a
word of common use for all that is thick and short.
--Pepys.
2. One of a breed of large, heavy draught horses; as, the
Suffolk punch.
Punch \Punch\, v. t. [OE. punchen, perhaps the same word as E.
punish: or cf. E. bunch.]
To thrust against; to poke; as, to punch one with the end of
a stick or the elbow.
Punch \Punch\, n.
A thrust or blow. [Colloq.]
Punch \Punch\, n. [Abbrev. fr. puncheon.]
1. A tool, usually of steel, variously shaped at one end for
different uses, and either solid, for stamping or for
perforating holes in metallic plates and other substances,
or hollow and sharpedged, for cutting out blanks, as for
buttons, steel pens, jewelry, and the like; a die.
2. (Pile Driving) An extension piece applied to the top of a
pile; a dolly.
3. A prop, as for the roof of a mine.
{Bell punch}. See under {Bell}.
{Belt punch} (Mach.), a punch, or punch pliers, for making
holes for lacings in the ends of driving belts.
{Punch press}. See {Punching machine}, under {Punch}, v. i.
{Punch pliers}, pliers having a tubular, sharp-edged steel
punch attached to one of the jaws, for perforating
leather, paper, and the like.
Punch \Punch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Punched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Punching}.] [From {Punch}, n., a tool; cf. F.
poin[,c]onner.]
To perforate or stamp with an instrument by pressure, or a
blow; as, to punch a hole; to punch ticket.
{Punching machine}, or {Punching press}, a machine tool for
punching holes in metal or other material; -- called also
{punch press}.
Puncheon \Punch"eon\, n. [F. poin[,c]on awl, bodkin, crown,
king-post, fr. L. punctio a pricking, fr. pungere to prick.
See {Pungent}, and cf. {Punch} a tool, {Punction}.]
1. A figured stamp, die, or punch, used by goldsmiths,
cutlers, etc.
2. (Carp.) A short, upright piece of timber in framing; a
short post; an intermediate stud. --Oxf. Gloss.
3. A split log or heavy slab with the face smoothed; as, a
floor made of puncheons. [U.S.] --Bartlett.
4. [F. poin[,c]on, perh. the same as poin[,c]on an awl.] A
cask containing, sometimes 84, sometimes 120, gallons.
Puncher \Punch"er\, n.
One who, or that which, punches.
Punchin \Pun"chin\, n.
See {Puncheon}.
Punchinello \Pun`chi*nel"lo\, n. [It. pulcinella, probably
originally a word of endearment, dim. of pulcina, pulcino, a
chicken, from L. pullicenus, pullus. See {Pullet}.]
A punch; a buffoon; originally, in a puppet show, a character
represented as fat, short, and humpbacked. --Spectator.
Punchy \Punch"y\, a. [Perhaps for paunchy, from paunch. See 3d
{Punch}.]
Short and thick, or fat.
Punctated \Punc"ta*ted\, Punctated \Punc"ta*ted\, a. [From L.
punctum point. See {Point} .]
1. Pointed; ending in a point or points.
2. (Nat. Hist.) Dotted with small spots of color, or with
minute depressions or pits.
Punctator \Punc*ta"tor\, n.
One who marks with points. specifically, one who writes
Hebrew with points; -- applied to a Masorite. --E. Robinson.
Puncticular \Punc*tic"u*lar\, a.
Comprised in, or like, a point; exact. [Obs. & R.] --Sir T.
Browne.
Punctiform \Punc"ti*form\, a. [L. punctum point + -form.]
Having the form of a point.
Punctilio \Punc*til"io\ (p[u^][ng]k*t[i^]l"y[-o]), n.; pl.
{Punctilios} (-y[=o]z). [It. puntiglio, or Sp. puntillo, dim.
fr. L. punctum point. See {Point}, n.]
A nice point of exactness in conduct, ceremony, or
proceeding; particularity or exactness in forms; as, the
punctilios of a public ceremony.
They will not part with the least punctilio in their
opinions and practices. --Fuller.
Punctilious \Punc*til"ious\ (-y[u^]s), a. [Cf. It. puntiglioso,
Sp. puntilloso.]
Attentive to punctilio; very nice or exact in the forms of
behavior, etiquette, or mutual intercourse; precise; exact in
the smallest particulars. ``A punctilious observance of
divine laws.'' --Rogers. ``Very punctilious copies of any
letters.'' --The Nation.
Punctilious in the simple and intelligible instances of
common life. --I. Taylor.
-- {Punc*til"ious*ly}, adv. -- {Punc*til"ious*ness}, n.
Punction \Punc"tion\, n. [L. punctio, fr. pungere, punctum, to
prick: cf. F. ponction. Cf. {Puncheon}.]
A puncturing, or pricking; a puncture.
Punctist \Punc"tist\, n.
A punctator. --E. Henderson.
Puncto \Punc"to\, n. [See {Punto}.]
1. A nice point of form or ceremony. --Bacon.
2. A term applied to the point in fencing. --Farrow.
Punctual \Punc"tu*al\, a. [F. ponctuel (cf. Sp. puntual, It.
puntuale), from L. punctum point. See {Point}.]
1. Consisting in a point; limited to a point; unextended.
[R.] ``This punctual spot.'' --Milton.
The theory of the punctual existence of the soul. --
Krauth.
2. Observant of nice points; punctilious; precise.
Punctual to tediousness in all that he relates. --
Bp. Burnet.
So much on punctual niceties they stand. --C. Pitt.
3. Appearing or done at, or adhering exactly to, a regular or
an appointed time; precise; prompt; as, a punctual man; a
punctual payment. ``The race of the undeviating and
punctual sun.'' --Cowper.
These sharp strokes [of a pendulum], with their
inexorably steady intersections, so agree with our
successive thoughts that they seem like the punctual
stops counting off our very souls into the past. --
J. Martineau.
Punctualist \Punc"tu*al*ist\, n.
One who is very exact in observing forms and ceremonies.
--Milton.
Punctuality \Punc`tu*al"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. ponctualit['e].]
The quality or state of being punctual; especially, adherence
to the exact time of an engagement; exactness.
Punctually \Punc"tu*al*ly\, adv.
In a punctual manner; promptly; exactly.
Punctualness \Punc"tu*al*ness\, n.
Punctuality; exactness.
Punctuate \Punc"tu*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Punctuated}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Punctuating}.] [Cf. F. ponctuer. See
{Punctual}.]
To mark with points; to separate into sentences, clauses,
etc., by points or stops which mark the proper pauses in
expressing the meaning.
Punctuation \Punc`tu*a"tion\, n. [Cf. F. ponctuation.] (Gram.)
The act or art of punctuating or pointing a writing or
discourse; the art or mode of dividing literary composition
into sentences, and members of a sentence, by means of
points, so as to elucidate the author's meaning.
Note: Punctuation, as the term is usually understood, is
chiefly performed with four points: the period [.], the
colon [:], the semicolon [;], and the comma [,]. Other
points used in writing and printing, partly rhetorical
and partly grammatical, are the note of interrogation
[?], the note of exclamation [!], the parentheses [()],
the dash [--], and brackets []. It was not until the
16th century that an approach was made to the present
system of punctuation by the Manutii of Venice. With
Caxton, oblique strokes took the place of commas and
periods.
Punctuative \Punc"tu*a*tive\, a.
Of or belonging to points of division; relating to
punctuation.
The punctuative intonation of feeble cadence. --Rush.
Punctuator \Punc"tu*a`tor\, n.
One who punctuates, as in writing; specifically, a punctator.
Punctuist \Punc"tu*ist\, n.
A punctator.
Punctulate \Punc"tu*late\, Punctulated \Punc"tu*la`ted\, a. [L.
punctulum, dim. of punctum point.]
Marked with small spots.
The studs have their surface punctulated, as if set all
over with other studs infinitely lesser. -- Woodward.
Punctum \Punc"tum\, n. [L., a point.]
A point.
{Punctum c[ae]cum}. [L., blind point.] (Anat.) Same as {Blind
spot}, under {Blind}.
{Punctum proximum}, near point. See under {Point}.
{Punctum remotum}, far point. See under {Point}.
{Punctum vegetationis} [L., point of vegetation] (Bot.), the
terminal cell of a stem, or of a leaf bud, from which new
growth originates.
Puncturation \Punc`tu*ra"tion\, n.
The act or process of puncturing. See {Acupuncture}.
Puncture \Punc"ture\, n. [L. punctura, fr. pungere, punctum, to
prick. See {Pungent}.]
1. The act of puncturing; perforating with something pointed.
2. A small hole made by a point; a slight wound, bite, or
sting; as, the puncture of a nail, needle, or pin.
A lion may perish by the puncture of an asp.
--Rambler.
Puncture \Punc"ture\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Punctured}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Puncturing}.]
To pierce with a small, pointed instrument, or the like; to
prick; to make a puncture in; as, to puncture the skin.
Punctured \Punc"tured\, a.
1. Having the surface covered with minute indentations or
dots.
2. (Med.) Produced by puncture; having the characteristics of
a puncture; as, a punctured wound.
Pundit \Pun"dit\, n. [Hind. pandit, Skr. pandita a learned man.]
A learned man; a teacher; esp., a Brahman versed in the
Sanskrit language, and in the science, laws, and religion of
the Hindoos; in Cashmere, any clerk or native official.
[Written also {pandit}.] [India]
Pundle \Pun"dle\, n. [Cf. {Bundle}.]
A short and fat woman; a squab. [Obs.]
Punese \Pu"nese\, n. [F. punaise, fr. punais stinking, fr. L.
putere.] (Zo["o]l.)
A bedbug. [R or Obs.]
Pung \Pung\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
A kind of plain sleigh drawn by one horse; originally, a rude
oblong box on runners. [U.S.]
Sledges or pungs, coarsely framed of split saplings,
and surmounted with a large crockery crate. -- Judd.
They did not take out the pungs to-day. -- E. E. Hale.
Pungence \Pun"gence\, n. [See {Pungent}.]
Pungency.
Pungency \Pun"gen*cy\, n.
The quality or state of being pungent or piercing; keenness;
sharpness; piquancy; as, the pungency of ammonia. ``The
pungency of menaces.'' --Hammond.
Pungent \Pun"gent\, a. [L. pungens, -entis, p. pr. of pungere,
punctum, to prick. Cf. {Compunction}, {Expunge}, {Poignant},
{Point}, n., {Puncheon}, {Punctilio}, {Punt}, v. t.]
1. Causing a sharp sensation, as of the taste, smell, or
feelings; pricking; biting; acrid; as, a pungent spice.
Pungent radish biting infant's tongue. --Shenstone.
The pungent grains of titillating dust. --Pope.
2. Sharply painful; penetrating; poignant; severe; caustic;
stinging.
With pungent pains on every side. --Swift.
His pungent pen played its part in rousing the
nation. --J. R. Green.
3. (Bot.) Prickly-pointed; hard and sharp.
Syn: Acrid; piercing; sharp; penetrating; acute; keen;
acrimonious; biting; stinging.
Pungently \Pun"gent*ly\, adv.
In a pungent manner; sharply.
Pungled \Pun"gled\, a. [Etymol. uncertain.]
Shriveled or shrunken; -- said especially of grain which has
lost its juices from the ravages of insects, such as the
wheat midge, or Trips ({Thrips cerealium}).
Pungy \Pung"y\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
A small sloop or shallop, or a large boat with sails.
Punic \Pu"nic\, a. [L. Punicus pertaining to Carthage, or its
inhabitants, fr. Poeni the Carthaginians.]
1. Of or pertaining to the ancient Carthaginians.
2. Characteristic of the ancient Carthaginians; faithless;
treacherous; as, Punic faith.
Yes, yes, his faith attesting nations own; 'T is
Punic all, and to a proverb known. -- H. Brooke.
Punice \Pu"nice\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
See {Punese}. [Obs. or R.]
Punice \Pu"nice\, v. t.
To punish. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Puniceous \Pu*ni"ceous\, Punicial \Pu*ni"cial\, a. [L. puniceus,
fr. Punicus Punic.]
Of a bright red or purple color. [R.]
Puniness \Pu"ni*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being puny; littleness; pettiness;
feebleness.
Punish \Pun"ish\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Punished}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Punishing}.] [OE. punischen, F. punir, from L. punire,
punitum, akin to poena punishment, penalty. See {Pain}, and
{-ish}.]
1. To impose a penalty upon; to afflict with pain, loss, or
suffering for a crime or fault, either with or without a
view to the offender's amendment; to cause to suffer in
retribution; to chasten; as, to punish traitors with
death; a father punishes his child for willful
disobedience.
A greater power Now ruled him, punished in the shape
he sinned. --Milton.
2. To inflict a penalty for (an offense) upon the offender;
to repay, as a fault, crime, etc., with pain or loss; as,
to punish murder or treason with death.
3. To injure, as by beating; to pommel. [Low]
Syn: To chastise; castigate; scourge; whip; lash; correct;
discipline. See {Chasten}.
Punishable \Pun"ish*a*ble\, a. [Cf. F. punissable.]
Deserving of, or liable to, punishment; capable of being
punished by law or right; -- said of person or offenses.
That time was, when to be a Protestant, to be a
Christian, was by law as punishable as to be a traitor.
-- Milton.
-- {Pun"ish*a*ble*ness}, n.
Punisher \Pun"ish*er\, n.
One who inflicts punishment.
Punishment \Pun"ish*ment\, n.
1. The act of punishing.
2. Any pain, suffering, or loss inflicted on a person because
of a crime or offense.
I never gave them condign punishment. --Shak.
The rewards and punishments of another life.
--Locke.
3. (Law) A penalty inflicted by a court of justice on a
convicted offender as a just retribution, and incidentally
for the purposes of reformation and prevention.
Punition \Pu*ni"tion\, n. [L. punitio: cf. F. punition. See
{Punish}.]
Punishment. [R.] --Mir. for Mag.
Punitive \Pu"ni*tive\, a.
Of or pertaining to punishment; involving, awarding, or
inflicting punishment; as, punitive law or justice.
If death be punitive, so, likewise, is the necessity
imposed upon man of toiling for his subsistence. -- I.
Taylor.
We shall dread a blow from the punitive hand.
--Bagehot.
Punitory \Pu"ni*to*ry\, a.
Punishing; tending to punishment; punitive.
God . . . may make moral evil, as well as natural, at
the same time both prudential and punitory. --A.
Tucker.
Punk \Punk\, n. [Cf. {Spunk}.]
1. Wood so decayed as to be dry, crumbly, and useful for
tinder; touchwood.
2. A fungus ({Polyporus fomentarius}, etc.) sometimes dried
for tinder; agaric.
3. An artificial tinder. See {Amadou}, and {Spunk}.
4. A prostitute; a strumpet. [Obsoles.] --Shak.
Punka \Pun"ka\, n. [Hind. pankh[=a] fan.]
A machine for fanning a room, usually a movable fanlike frame
covered with canvas, and suspended from the ceiling. It is
kept in motion by pulling a cord. [Hindostan] [Written also
{punkah}.] --Malcom.
Punkin \Pun"kin\, n.
A pumpkin. [Colloq. U. S.]
Punkling \Punk"ling\, n.
A young strumpet. [Obs.]
Punner \Pun"ner\, n.
A punster. --Beau. & Fl.
Punnet \Pun"net\, n. [Cf. Ir. buinne a shoot, branch.]
A broad, shallow basket, for displaying fruit or flowers.
Punnology \Pun*nol"o*gy\, n. [Pun + -logy.]
The art or practice of punning; paronomasia. [R.] --Pope.
Punster \Pun"ster\, n.
One who puns, or is skilled in, or given to, punning; a
quibbler; a low wit.
Punt \Punt\, v. i. [F. ponter, or It. puntare, fr. L. punctum
point. See {Point}.]
To play at basset, baccara, faro. or omber; to gamble.
She heard . . . of his punting at gaming tables.
--Thackeray.
Punt \Punt\, n.
Act of playing at basset, baccara, faro, etc.
Punt \Punt\, n. [AS., fr. L. ponto punt, pontoon. See
{Pontoon}.] (Naut.)
A flat-bottomed boat with square ends. It is adapted for use
in shallow waters.
Punt \Punt\, v. t.
1. To propel, as a boat in shallow water, by pushing with a
pole against the bottom; to push or propel (anything) with
exertion. --Livingstone.
2. (Football) To kick (the ball) before it touches the
ground, when let fall from the hands.
Punt \Punt\, n. (Football)
The act of punting the ball.
Punter \Punt"er\, n.[Cf. F. ponte. See {Punt}, v. t.]
One who punts; specifically, one who plays against the banker
or dealer, as in baccara and faro. --Hoyle.
Punter \Punt"er\, n.
One who punts a football; also, one who propels a punt.
Puntil \Pun"til\, Puntel \Pun"tel\, n. (Glass Making)
See {Pontee}.
Punto \Pun"to\, n. [It. punto, L. punctum point. See {Point}.]
(Fencing)
A point or hit.
{Punto diritto} [It.], a direct stroke or hit.
{Punto reverso} [It. riverso reverse], a backhanded stroke.
--Halliwell. ``Ah, the immortal passado! the punto
reverso!'' --Shak.
Punty \Pun"ty\, n. (Glass Making)
See {Pontee}.
Puny \Pu"ny\, a. [Compar. {Punier}; superl. {Puniest}.] [F.
pu[^i]t['e] younger, later born, OF. puisn['e]; puis
afterwards (L. post; see {Post-}) + n['e] born, L. natus. See
{Natal}, and cf. {Puisne}.]
Imperfectly developed in size or vigor; small and feeble;
inferior; petty.
A puny subject strikes at thy great glory. --Shak.
Breezes laugh to scorn our puny speed. --Keble.
Puny \Pu"ny\, n.
A youth; a novice. [R.] --Fuller.
Puoy \Puoy\, n.
Same as {Poy}, n., 3.
Pup \Pup\, n. [See {Puppy}.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) A young dog; a puppy.
(b) a young seal.
Pup \Pup\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Pupped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pupping}.]
To bring forth whelps or young, as the female of the canine
species.
Pupa \Pu"pa\, n.; pl. L. {Pup?}, E. {Pupas}. [L. pupa girl.
doll, puppet, fem. of pupus. Cf. {Puppet}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any insect in that stage of its metamorphosis
which usually immediately precedes the adult, or imago,
stage.
Note: Among insects belonging to the higher orders, as the
Hymenoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, the pupa is inactive
and takes no food; in the lower orders it is active and
takes food, and differs little from the imago except in
the rudimentary state of the sexual organs, and of the
wings in those that have wings when adult. The term
pupa is sometimes applied to other invertebrates in
analogous stages of development.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of air-breathing land snails having an
elongated spiral shell.
{Coarctate}, or {Obtected}, {pupa}, a pupa which is incased
in the dried-up skin of the larva, as in many Diptera.
{Masked pupa}, a pupa whose limbs are bound down and partly
concealed by a chitinous covering, as in Lepidoptera.
Pupal \Pu"pal\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to a pupa, or the condition of a pupa.
Pupate \Pu"pate\, v. i. (Zo["o]l.)
To become a pupa.
Pupation \Pu*pa"tion\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
the act of becoming a pupa.
Pupe \Pupe\, n. [F.] (Zo["o]l.)
A pupa.
Pupelo \Pu*pe"lo\, n.
Cider brandy. [Local, U. S.] --Bartlett.
Pupigerous \Pu*pig"er*ous\, a. [Pupa + -gerous.] (Zo["o]l.)
Bearing or containing a pupa; -- said of dipterous larv[ae]
which do not molt when the pupa is formed within them.
Pupil \Pu"pil\, n. [F. pupille, n. fem., L. pupilla the pupil of
the eye, originally dim. of pupa a girl. See {Puppet}, and
cf. {Pupil} a scholar.] (Anat.)
The aperture in the iris; the sight, apple, or black of the
eye. See the Note under {Eye}, and {Iris}.
{Pin-hole pupil} (Med.), the pupil of the eye when so
contracted (as it sometimes is in typhus, or opium
poisoning) as to resemble a pin hole. --Dunglison.
Pupil \Pu"pil\, n. [F. pupille, n. masc. & fem., L. pupillus,
pupilla, dim. of pupus boy, pupa girl. See {Puppet}, and cf.
{Pupil} of the eye.]
1. A youth or scholar of either sex under the care of an
instructor or tutor.
Too far in years to be a pupil now. --Shak.
Tutors should behave reverently before their pupils.
--L'Estrange.
2. A person under a guardian; a ward. --Dryden.
3. (Civil Law) A boy or a girl under the age of puberty, that
is, under fourteen if a male, and under twelve if a
female.
Syn: Learner; disciple; tyro. -- See {Scholar}.
Pupilage \Pu"pil*age\, n.
The state of being a pupil.
As sons of kings, loving in pupilage, Have turned to
tyrants when they came to power. --Tennyson.
Pupillarity \Pu`pil*lar"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. pupillarit['e]. See
{Pupillary}.] (Scots Law)
The period before puberty, or from birth to fourteen in
males, and twelve in females.
Pupillary \Pu"pil*la*ry\, a. [L. pupillaris: cf. F. pupillaire.
See {Pupil}.]
1. Of or pertaining to a pupil or ward. --Johnson.
2. (Anat.) Of or pertaining to the pupil of the eye.
Pupillometer \Pu`pil*lom"e*ter\, n. [L. pupilla pupil of the eye
+ -meter.] (Physiol.)
An instrument for measuring the size of the pupil of the
pupil of the eye.
Pupipara \Pu*pip"a*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pupiparous}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A division of Diptera in which the young are born in a stage
like the pupa. It includes the sheep tick, horse tick, and
other parasites. Called also {Homaloptera}.
Pupiparous \Pu*pip"a*rous\, a. [Pupa + L. parere to bring
forth.] (Zo["o]l.)
(a) Bearing, or containing, a pupa; -- said of the matured
larv[ae], or larval skins, of certain Diptera.
(b) Of or pertaining to the Pupipara.
Pupivora \Pu*piv"o*ra\, n. pl. [NL. See {Pupivorous}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
A group of parasitic Hymenoptera, including the ichneumon
flies, which destroy the larv[ae] and pup[ae] of insects.
Pupivorous \Pu*piv"o*rous\, a. [Pupa + L. vorare to devour.]
(Zo["o]l.)
Feeding on the pup[ae] of insects.
Puplican \Pup"li*can\, n.
Publican. [Obs.]
Puppet \Pup"pet\, n. [OE. popet, OF. poupette; akin to F.
poup['e]e a doll, probably from L. puppa, pupa, a girl, doll,
puppet. Cf. {Poupeton}, {Pupa}, {Pupil}, {Puppy}.] [Written
also {poppet}.]
1. A small image in the human form; a doll.
2. A similar figure moved by the hand or by a wire in a mock
drama; a marionette; a wooden actor in a play.
At the pipes of some carved organ move, The gilded
puppets dance. --Pope.
3. One controlled in his action by the will of another; a
tool; -- so used in contempt. --Sir W. Scott.
4. (Mach.) The upright support for the bearing of the spindle
in a lathe.
{Puppet master}. Same as {Puppetman}.
{Puppet play}, a puppet show.
{Puppet player}, one who manages the motions of puppets.
{Puppet show}, a mock drama performed by puppets moved by
wires.
{Puppet valve}, a valve in the form of a circular disk, which
covers a hole in its seat, and opens by moving bodily away
from the seat while remaining parallel with it, -- used in
steam engines, pumps, safety valves, etc. Its edge is
often beveled, and fits in a conical recess in the seat
when the valve is closed. See the valves shown in Illusts.
of {Plunger pump}, and {Safety valve}, under {Plunger},
and {Safety}.
Puppetish \Pup"pet*ish\, a.
Resembling a puppet in appearance or action; of the nature of
a puppet.
Puppetman \Pup"pet*man\, n.
A master of a puppet show.
Puppetry \Pup"pet*ry\, n.
Action or appearance resembling that of a puppet, or puppet
show; hence, mere form or show; affectation.
Puppetry of the English laws of divorce. --Chambers.
Puppy \Pup"py\, n.; pl. {Puppies}. [F. poup['e]e doll, puppet.
See {Puppet}, and cf. {Pup}, n.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The young of a canine animal, esp. of the
common dog; a whelp.
2. A name of contemptuous reproach for a conceited and
impertinent person.
I found my place taken by an ill-bred, awkward puppy
with a money bag under each arm. --Addison.
Puppy \Pup"py\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Puppied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Puppying}.]
To bring forth whelps; to pup.
Puppyhood \Pup"py*hood\, n.
The time or state of being a puppy; the time of being young
and undisciplined.
Puppyish \Pup"py*ish\, a.
Like a puppy.
Puppyism \Pup"py*ism\, n.
Extreme meanness, affectation, conceit, or impudence. --A.
Chalmers.
Pur \Pur\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Purred}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Purring}.] [Of imitative origin; cf. Prov. G. purren.]
To utter a low, murmuring, continued sound, as a cat does
when pleased. [Written also {purr}.]
Pur \Pur\, v. t.
To signify or express by purring. --Gray.
Pur \Pur\, n.
The low, murmuring sound made by a cat to express contentment
or pleasure. [Written also {purr}.]
Purana \Pu*ra"na\, n. [Skr. pur[=a]?, properly. old, ancient,
fr. pur[=a] formerly.]
One of a class of sacred Hindoo poetical works in the
Sanskrit language which treat of the creation, destruction,
and renovation of worlds, the genealogy and achievements of
gods and heroes, the reigns of the Manus, and the
transactions of their descendants. The principal Puranas are
eighteen in number, and there are the same number of
supplementary books called Upa Puranas.
Puranic \Pu*ran"ic\, a.
Pertaining to the Puranas.
Purbeck beds \Pur"beck beds`\ [So called from the Isle of
Purbeck in England.] (Geol.)
The strata of the Purbeck stone, or Purbeck limestone,
belonging to the O["o]litic group. See the Chart of
{Geology}.
Purbeck stone \Pur"beck stone`\ (Geol.)
A limestone from the Isle of Purbeck in England.
Purblind \Pur"blind`\, a. [For pure-blind, i. e., wholly blind.
See {Pure}, and cf. {Poreblind}.]
1. Wholly blind. ``Purblind Argus, all eyes and no sight.''
--Shak.
2. Nearsighted, or dim-sighted; seeing obscurely; as, a
purblind eye; a purblind mole.
The saints have not so sharp eyes to see down from
heaven; they be purblindand sand-blind. --Latimer.
O purblind race of miserable men. --Tennyson.
-- {Pur"blind`ly}, adv. -- {Pur"blind`ness}, n.
Purcelane \Purce"lane\, n. (Bot.)
Purslane. [Obs.]
Purchasable \Pur"chas*a*ble\, a.
Capable of being bought, purchased, or obtained for a
consideration; hence, venal; corrupt.
Money being the counterbalance to all things
purchasable by it, as much as you take off from the
value of money, so much you add to the price of things
exchanged. --Locke.
Purchase \Pur"chase\ (?; 48), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Purchased};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Purchasing}.] [OE. purchasen, porchacen, OF.
porchacier, purchacier, to pursue, to seek eagerly, F.
pourchasser; OF. pour, por, pur, for (L. pro) + chacier to
pursue, to chase. See {Chase}.]
1. To pursue and obtain; to acquire by seeking; to gain,
obtain, or acquire. --Chaucer.
That loves the thing he can not purchase. --Spenser.
Your accent is Something finer than you could
purchase in so removed a dwelling. --Shak.
His faults . . . hereditary Rather than purchased.
--Shak.
2. To obtain by paying money or its equivalent; to buy for a
price; as, to purchase land, or a house.
The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of
Heth. --Gen. xxv.
10.
3. To obtain by any outlay, as of labor, danger, or
sacrifice, etc.; as, to purchase favor with flattery.
One poor retiring minute . . . Would purchase thee a
thousand thousand friends. --Shak.
A world who would not purchase with a bruise?
--Milton.
4. To expiate by a fine or forfeit. [Obs.]
Not tears nor prayers shall purchase out abuses.
--Shak.
5. (Law)
(a) To acquire by any means except descent or inheritance.
--Blackstone.
(b) To buy for a price.
6. To apply to (anything) a device for obtaining a mechanical
advantage; to get a purchase upon, or apply a purchase to;
as, to purchase a cannon.
Purchase \Pur"chase\, v. i.
1. To put forth effort to obtain anything; to strive; to
exert one's self. [Obs.]
Duke John of Brabant purchased greatly that the Earl
of Flanders should have his daughter in marriage.
--Ld. Berners.
2. To acquire wealth or property. [Obs.]
Sure our lawyers Would not purchase half so fast.
--J. Webster.
Purchase \Pur"chase\ (?; 48), n. [OE. purchds, F. pourchas eager
pursuit. See {Purchase}, v. t.]
1. The act of seeking, getting, or obtaining anything. [Obs.]
I'll . . . get meat to have thee, Or lose my life in
the purchase. --Beau. & Fl.
2. The act of seeking and acquiring property.
3. The acquisition of title to, or properly in, anything for
a price; buying for money or its equivalent.
It is foolish to lay out money in the purchase of
repentance. --Franklin.
4. That which is obtained, got, or acquired, in any manner,
honestly or dishonestly; property; possession;
acquisition. --Chaucer. B. Jonson.
We met with little purchase upon this coast, except
two small vessels of Golconda. --De Foe.
A beauty-waning and distressed widow . . . Made
prize and purchase of his lustful eye. --Shak.
5. That which is obtained for a price in money or its
equivalent. ``The scrip was complete evidence of his right
in the purchase.'' --Wheaton.
6. Any mechanical hold, or advantage, applied to the raising
or removing of heavy bodies, as by a lever, a tackle,
capstan, and the like; also, the apparatus, tackle, or
device by which the advantage is gained.
A politician, to do great things, looks for a power
-- what our workmen call a purchase. --Burke.
7. (Law) Acquisition of lands or tenements by other means
than descent or inheritance, namely, by one's own act or
agreement. --Blackstone.
{Purchase criminal}, robbery. [Obs.] --Spenser.
{Purchase money}, the money paid, or contracted to be paid,
for anything bought. --Berkeley.
{Worth, or At}, {[so many] years' purchase}, a phrase by
which the value or cost of a thing is expressed in the
length of time required for the income to amount to the
purchasing price; as, he bought the estate at a twenty
years' purchase. To say one's life is not worth a day's
purchase in the same as saying one will not live a day, or
is in imminent peril.
Purchaser \Pur"chas*er\, n.
1. One who purchases; one who acquires property for a
consideration, generally of money; a buyer; a vendee.
2. (Law) One who acquires an estate in lands by his own act
or agreement, or who takes or obtains an estate by any
means other than by descent or inheritance.
Purdah \Pur"dah\, n. [Per. parda a curtain.]
A curtain or screen; also, a cotton fabric in blue and white
stripes, used for curtains. --McElrath.
Pure \Pure\, a. [Compar. {Purer}; superl. {Purest}.] [OE. pur,
F. pur, fr. L. purus; akin to putus pure, clear, putare to
clean, trim, prune, set in order, settle, reckon, consider,
think, Skr. p? to clean, and perh. E. fire. Cf. {Putative}.]
1. Separate from all heterogeneous or extraneous matter; free
from mixture or combination; clean; mere; simple; unmixed;
as, pure water; pure clay; pure air; pure compassion.
The pure fetters on his shins great. --Chaucer.
A guinea is pure gold if it has in it no alloy. --I.
Watts.
2. Free from moral defilement or quilt; hence, innocent;
guileless; chaste; -- applied to persons. ``Keep thyself
pure.'' --1 Tim. v. 22.
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a
pure heart, and of a good conscience. --1 Tim. i. 5.
3. Free from that which harms, vitiates, weakens, or
pollutes; genuine; real; perfect; -- applied to things and
actions. ``Pure religion and impartial laws.'' --Tickell.
``The pure, fine talk of Rome.'' --Ascham.
Such was the origin of a friendship as warm and pure
as any that ancient or modern history records.
--Macaulay.
4. (Script.) Ritually clean; fitted for holy services.
Thou shalt set them in two rows, six on a row, upon
the pure table before the Lord. --Lev. xxiv.
6.
5. (Phonetics) Of a single, simple sound or tone; -- said of
some vowels and the unaspirated consonants.
{Pure-impure}, completely or totally impure. ``The
inhabitants were pure-impure pagans.'' --Fuller.
{Pure blue}. (Chem.) See {Methylene blue}, under {Methylene}.
{Pure chemistry}. See under {Chemistry}.
{Pure mathematics}, that portion of mathematics which treats
of the principles of the science, or contradistinction to
applied mathematics, which treats of the application of
the principles to the investigation of other branches of
knowledge, or to the practical wants of life. See
{Mathematics}. --Davies & Peck (Math. Dict. )
{Pure villenage} (Feudal Law), a tenure of lands by uncertain
services at the will of the lord. --Blackstone.
Syn: Unmixed; clear; simple; real; true; genuine;
unadulterated; uncorrupted; unsullied; untarnished;
unstained; stainless; clean; fair; unspotted; spotless;
incorrupt; chaste; unpolluted; undefiled; immaculate;
innocent; guiltless; guileless; holy.
Pured \Pured\, a.
Purified; refined. [Obs.] ``Bread of pured wheat.'' ``Pured
gold.'' --Chaucer.
Pur'ee \Pu`r['e]e"\, n. [F.]
A dish made by boiling any article of food to a pulp and
rubbing it through a sieve; as, a pur['e]e of fish, or of
potatoes; especially, a soup the thickening of which is so
treated.
Purely \Pure"ly\, adv.
1. In a pure manner (in any sense of the adjective).
2. Nicely; prettily. [Archaic] --Halliwell.
Pureness \Pure"ness\, n.
The state of being pure (in any sense of the adjective).
Purfile \Pur"file\, n. [See {Purfle}.]
A sort of ancient trimming of tinsel and thread for women's
gowns; -- called also {bobbinwork}. [Obs.] --Piers Plowman.
Purfle \Pur"fle\, v. t. [OF. pourfiler; pour for + fil a thread,
L. filum. See {Profile}, and cf. {Purl} a border.]
1. To decorate with a wrought or flowered border; to
embroider; to ornament with metallic threads; as, to
purfle with blue and white. --P. Plowman.
A goodly lady clad in scarlet red, Purfled with gold
and pearl of rich assay. --Spenser.
2. (Her.) To ornament with a bordure of emines, furs, and the
like; also, with gold studs or mountings.
Purfle \Pur"fle\, Purflew \Pur"flew\, n.
1. A hem, border., or trimming, as of embroidered work.
2. (Her.) A border of any heraldic fur.
Purfled \Pur"fled\, a.
Ornamented; decorated; esp., embroidered on the edges.
{Purfled work} (Arch.), delicate tracery, especially in
Gothic architecture.
Purfling \Pur"fling\, n.
Ornamentation on the border of a thing; specifically, the
inlaid border of a musical instrument, as a violin.
Purgament \Pur"ga*ment\, n. [L. purgamentum offscourings,
washings, expiatory sacrifice. See {Purge}.]
1. That which is excreted; excretion. [Obs.]
2. (Med.) A cathartic; a purgative. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Purgation \Pur*ga"tion\, n. [L. purgatio: cf. F. purgation. See
{Purge}.]
1. The act of purging; the act of clearing, cleansing, or
putifying, by separating and carrying off impurities, or
whatever is superfluous; the evacuation of the bowels.
2. (Law) The clearing of one's self from a crime of which one
was publicly suspected and accused. It was either
canonical, which was prescribed by the canon law, the form
whereof used in the spiritual court was, that the person
suspected take his oath that he was clear of the matter
objected against him, and bring his honest neighbors with
him to make oath that they believes he swore truly; or
vulgar, which was by fire or water ordeal, or by combat.
See {Ordeal}. --Wharton.
Let him put me to my purgation. --Shak.
Purgative \Pur"ga*tive\, a. [L. purgativus: cf. F. purgatif.]
Having the power or quality of purging; cathartic. -- n.
(Med.) A purging medicine; a cathartic.
Purgatively \Pur"ga*tive*ly\, adv.
In a purgative manner.
Purgatorial \Pur`ga*to"ri*al\, Purgatorian \Pur`ga*to"ri*an\, a.
Of or pertaining to purgatory; expiatory.
Purgatorian \Pur`ga*to"ri*an\, n.
One who holds to the doctrine of purgatory. --Boswell.
Purgatory \Pur"ga*to*ry\, a. [L. purgatorius.]
Tending to cleanse; cleansing; expiatory. --Burke.
Purgatory \Pur"ga*to*ry\, n. [Cf. F. purgatoire.]
A state or place of purification after death; according to
the Roman Catholic creed, a place, or a state believed to
exist after death, in which the souls of persons are purified
by expiating such offenses committed in this life as do not
merit eternal damnation, or in which they fully satisfy the
justice of God for sins that have been forgiven. After this
purgation from the impurities of sin, the souls are believed
to be received into heaven.
Purge \Purge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Purged}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Purging}.] [F. purger, L. purgare; purus pure + agere to
make, to do. See {Pure}, and {Agent}.]
1. To cleanse, clear, or purify by separating and carrying
off whatever is impure, heterogeneous, foreign, or
superfluous. ``Till fire purge all things new.'' --Milton.
2. (Med.) To operate on as, or by means of, a cathartic
medicine, or in a similar manner.
3. To clarify; to defecate, as liquors.
4. To clear of sediment, as a boiler, or of air, as a steam
pipe, by driving off or permitting escape.
5. To clear from guilt, or from moral or ceremonial
defilement; as, to purge one of guilt or crime.
When that he hath purged you from sin. --Chaucer.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. --Ps.
li. 7.
6. (Law) To clear from accusation, or the charge of a crime
or misdemeanor, as by oath or in ordeal.
7. To remove in cleansing; to deterge; to wash away; -- often
followed by away.
Purge away our sins, for thy name's sake. --Ps.
lxxix. 9.
We 'll join our cares to purge away Our country's
crimes. --Addison.
Purge \Purge\, v. i.
1. To become pure, as by clarification.
2. To have or produce frequent evacuations from the
intestines, as by means of a cathartic.
Purge \Purge\, n. [Cf. F. purge. See {Purge}, v. t.]
1. The act of purging.
The preparative for the purge of paganism of the
kingdom of Northumberland. --Fuller.
2. That which purges; especially, a medicine that evacuates
the intestines; a cathartic. --Arbuthnot.
Purger \Pur"ger\, n.
One who, or that which, purges or cleanses; especially, a
cathartic medicine.
Purgery \Pur"ger*y\, n.
The part of a sugarhouse where the molasses is drained off
from the sugar.
Purging \Pur"ging\, a.
That purges; cleansing.
{Purging flax} (Bot.), an annual European plant of the genus
{Linum} ({L. catharticum}); dwarf wild flax; -- so called
from its use as a cathartic medicine.
Purging \Pur"ging\, n. (Med.)
The act of cleansing; excessive evacuations; especially,
diarrhea.
Puri \Pur"i\, n. (Chem.)
See {Euxanthin}.
Purification \Pu`ri*fi*ca"tion\, n. [F. purification, L.
purificatio. See {Purify}.]
1. The act of purifying; the act or operation of separating
and removing from anything that which is impure or
noxious, or heterogeneous or foreign to it; as, the
purification of liquors, or of metals.
2. The act or operation of cleansing ceremonially, by
removing any pollution or defilement.
When the days of her purification according to the
law of Moses were accomplished. --Luke ii. 22.
3. A cleansing from guilt or the pollution of sin; the
extinction of sinful desires, appetites, and inclinations.
Purificative \Pu"ri*fi*ca*tive\, a. [Cf. F. purificatif.]
Having power to purify; tending to cleanse. [R.]
Purificator \Pu"ri*fi*ca`tor\, n.
One who, or that which, purifies; a purifier.
Purrificatory \Pur*rif"i*ca*to*ry\, a. [L. purificatorius.]
Serving or tending to purify; purificative.
Purifier \Pu"ri*fi`er\, n.
One who, or that which, purifies or cleanses; a cleanser; a
refiner.
Puriform \Pu"ri*form\, a. [L. pus, puris, pus + -form: cf. F.
puriforme.] (Med.)
In the form of pus.
Purify \Pu"ri*fy\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Purified}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Purifying}.] [F. purifier, L. purificare; purus pure +
-ficare (in comp.) to make. See {Pure}, and {-fy}.]
1. To make pure or clear from material defilement, admixture,
or imperfection; to free from extraneous or noxious
matter; as, to purify liquors or metals; to purify the
blood; to purify the air.
2. Hence, in figurative uses:
(a) To free from guilt or moral defilement; as, to purify
the heart.
And fit them so Purified to receive him pure.
--Milton.
(b) To free from ceremonial or legal defilement.
And Moses took the blood, and put it upon the
horns of the altar, . . . and purified the
altar. --Lev. viii.
15.
Purify both yourselves and your captives. --
Num. xxxi. 19.
(c) To free from improprieties or barbarisms; as, to
purify a language. --Sprat.
Purify \Pu"ri*fy\, v. i.
To grow or become pure or clear.
Purim \Pu"rim\, n. [Heb. p[=u]r, pl. p[=u]r[imac]m, a lot.]
A Jewish festival, called also the Feast of Lots, instituted
to commemorate the deliverance of the Jews from the
machinations of Haman. --Esther ix. 26.
Purism \Pur"ism\, n. [Cf. F. purisme.]
Rigid purity; the quality of being affectedly pure or nice,
especially in the choice of language; over-solicitude as to
purity. ``His political purism.'' --De Quincey.
The English language, however, . . . had even already
become too thoroughly and essentially a mixed tongue
for his doctrine of purism to be admitted to the
letter. --Craik.
Purist \Pur"ist\, n. [Cf. F. puriste.]
1. One who aims at excessive purity or nicety, esp. in the
choice of language.
He [Fox] . . . purified vocabulary with a
scrupulosity unknown to any purist. --Macaulay.
2. One who maintains that the New Testament was written in
pure Greek. --M. Stuart.
Puristic \Pu*ris"tic\, Puristical \Pu*ris"tic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to purists or purism.
Puritan \Pu"ri*tan\, n. [From {Purity}.]
1. (Eccl. Hist.) One who, in the time of Queen Elizabeth and
the first two Stuarts, opposed traditional and formal
usages, and advocated simpler forms of faith and worship
than those established by law; -- originally, a term of
reproach. The Puritans formed the bulk of the early
population of New England.
Note: The Puritans were afterward distinguished as Political
Puritans, Doctrinal Puritans, and Puritans in
Discipline. --Hume.
2. One who is scrupulous and strict in his religious life; --
often used reproachfully or in contempt; one who has
overstrict notions.
She would make a puritan of the devil. --Shak.
Puritan \Pu"ri*tan\, a.
Of or pertaining to the Puritans; resembling, or
characteristic of, the Puritans.
Puritanic \Pu`ri*tan"ic\, Puritanical \Pu`ri*tan"ic*al\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to the Puritans, or to their doctrines
and practice.
2. Precise in observance of legal or religious requirements;
strict; overscrupulous; rigid; -- often used by way of
reproach or contempt.
Paritanical circles, from which plays and novels
were strictly excluded. --Macaulay.
He had all the puritanic traits, both good and evil.
--Hawthorne.
Puritanically \Pu`ri*tan"ic*al*ly\, adv.
In a puritanical manner.
Puritanism \Pu"ri*tan*ism\, n.
The doctrines, notions, or practice of Puritans.
Puritanize \Pu"ri*tan*ize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Puritanized};
p. pr. & vb. n. {Puritanizing}.]
To agree with, or teach, the doctrines of Puritans; to
conform to the practice of Puritans. --Bp. Montagu.
Purity \Pu"ri*ty\, n. [OE. purete, purte, OF. purt['e], F.
puret['e], from L. puritas, fr. purus pure. See {Pure}.]
The condition of being pure. Specifically:
(a) freedom from foreign admixture or deleterious matter; as,
the purity of water, of wine, of drugs, of metals.
(b) Cleanness; freedom from foulness or dirt. ``The purity of
a linen vesture.'' --Holyday.
(c) Freedom from guilt or the defilement of sin; innocence;
chastity; as, purity of heart or of life.
(d) Freedom from any sinister or improper motives or views.
(e) Freedom from foreign idioms, or from barbarous or
improper words or phrases; as, purity of style.
Purkinje's cells \Pur"kin*je's cells`\ [From J. E. Purkinje,
their discoverer.] (Anat.)
Large ganglion cells forming a layer near the surface of the
cerebellum.
Purl \Purl\, v. t. [Contr. fr. purfile, purfle. See {Purfle}.]
To decorate with fringe or embroidery. ``Nature's cradle more
enchased and purled.'' --B. Jonson.
Purl \Purl\, n.
1. An embroidered and puckered border; a hem or fringe, often
of gold or silver twist; also, a pleat or fold, as of a
band.
A triumphant chariot made of carnation velvet,
enriched withpurl and pearl. --Sir P.
Sidney.
2. An inversion of stitches in knitting, which gives to the
work a ribbed or waved appearance.
{Purl stitch}. Same as {Purl}, n., 2.
Purl \Purl\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Purled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Purling}.] [Cf. Sw. porla, and E. pur to murmur as a cat.]
1. To run swiftly round, as a small stream flowing among
stones or other obstructions; to eddy; also, to make a
murmuring sound, as water does in running over or through
obstructions.
Swift o'er the rolling pebbles, down the hills,
Louder and louder purl the falling rills. --Pope.
2. [Perh. fr. F. perler to pearl, to bead. See {Pearl}, v. &
n.] To rise in circles, ripples, or undulations; to curl;
to mantle.
thin winding breath which purled up to the sky.
--Shak.
Purl \Purl\, n. [See 3d {Purl}.]
1. A circle made by the notion of a fluid; an eddy; a ripple.
Whose stream an easy breath doth seem to blow, Which
on the sparkling gravel runs in purles, As though
the waves had been of silver curls. --Drayton.
2. A gentle murmur, as that produced by the running of a
liquid among obstructions; as, the purl of a brook.
3. [Perh. from F. perler, v. See {Purl} to mantle.] Malt
liquor, medicated or spiced; formerly, ale or beer in
which wormwood or other bitter herbs had been infused, and
which was regarded as tonic; at present, hot beer mixed
with gin, sugar, and spices. ``Drank a glass of purl to
recover appetite.'' --Addison. ``Drinking hot purl, and
smoking pipes.'' --Dickens.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A tern. [Prov. Eng.]
Purlieu \Pur"lieu\, n. [Corrupted (by influence of lieu place)
fr. OF. pural['e]e, poral['e]e (equiv. to LL. perambulatio a
survey of boundaries, originally, a going through); por (L.
pro, confused, however, with L. per through) + al['e]e. See
{Pro-}, and {Alley}.] [Written also {pourlieu}.]
1. Originally, the ground near a royal forest, which, having
been unlawfully added to the forest, was afterwards
severed from it, and disafforested so as to remit to the
former owners their rights.
Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied In some
purlieu two gentle fawns at play. --Milton.
2. Hence, the outer portion of any place; an adjacent
district; environs; neighborhood. ``The purlieus of St.
James.''
brokers had been incessantly plying for custom in
the purlieus of the court. --Macaulay.
Purlin \Pur"lin\, Purline \Pur"line\, n. [Etymol. uncertain.]
(Arch.)
In root construction, a horizontal member supported on the
principals and supporting the common rafters.
Purling \Purl"ing\, n. [See 3d {Purl}.]
The motion of a small stream running among obstructions;
also, the murmur it makes in so doing.
Purloin \Pur*loin"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Purloined}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Purloining}.] [OF. purloignier, porloignier, to
retard, delay; pur, por, pour, for (L. pro) + loin far, far
off (L. longe). See {Prolong}, and cf. {Eloign}.]
To take or carry away for one's self; hence, to steal; to
take by theft; to filch.
Had from his wakeful custody purloined The guarded
gold. --Milton.
when did the muse from Fletcher scenes purloin ?
--Dryden.
Purloin \Pur*loin"\, v. i.
To practice theft; to steal. --Titus ii. 10.
Purloiner \Pur*loin"er\, n.
One who purloins. --Swift.
Purparty \Pur"par`ty\, n. [OF. pourpartie; pour for + partie a
part; cf. OF. purpart a respective part.] (Law)
A share, part, or portion of an estate allotted to a
coparcener. [Written also {purpart}, and {pourparty}.]
I am forced to eat all the game of your purparties, as
well as my own thirds. --Walpole.
Purple \Pur"ple\, n.; pl. {Purples}. [OE. purpre, pourpre, OF.
purpre, porpre, pourpre, F. pourpre, L. purpura purple fish,
purple dye, fr. Gr. ? the purple fish, a shell from the
purple dye was obtained, purple dye; cf. ? dark (said of the
sea), purple, ? to grow dark (said of the sea), to be
troubled; perh. akin to L. furere to rage, E. fury: cf. AS.
purpure. Cf. {Porphyry}, {Purpure}.]
1. A color formed by, or resembling that formed by, a
combination of the primary colors red and blue.
Arraying with reflected purple and gold The clouds
that on his western throne attend. -- Milton.
Note: The ancient words which are translated purple are
supposed to have been used for the color we call
crimson. In the gradations of color as defined in art,
purple is a mixture of red and blue. When red
predominates it is called violet, and when blue
predominates, hyacinth.
2. Cloth dyed a purple color, or a garment of such color;
especially, a purple robe, worn as an emblem of rank or
authority; specifically, the purple rode or mantle worn by
Roman emperors as the emblem of imperial dignity; as, to
put on the imperial purple.
Thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of
fine twined linen, and purple, and scarlet. --Ex.
xxvi. 1.
3. Hence: Imperial sovereignty; royal rank, dignity, or
favor; loosely and colloquially, any exalted station;
great wealth. ``He was born in the purple.'' --Gibbon.
4. A cardinalate. See {Cardinal}.
5. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of large butterflies, usually
marked with purple or blue, of the genus {Basilarchia}
(formerly {Limenitis}) as, the banded purple ({B.
arthemis}). See Illust. under {Ursula}.
6. (Zo["o]l.) Any shell of the genus Purpura.
7. pl.(Med.) See {Purpura}.
8. pl. A disease of wheat. Same as {Earcockle}.
Note: Purple is sometimes used in composition, esp. with
participles forming words of obvious signification; as,
purple-colored, purple-hued, purple-stained,
purple-tinged, purple-tinted, and the like.
{French purple}. (Chem.) Same as {Cudbear}.
{Purple of Cassius}. See {Cassius}.
{Purple of mollusca} (Zo["o]l.), a coloring matter derived
from certain mollusks, which dyes wool, etc., of a purple
or crimson color, and is supposed to be the substance of
the famous Tyrian dye. It is obtained from Ianthina, and
from several species of Purpura, and Murex.
{To be born in the purple}, to be of princely birth; to be
highborn.
Purple \Pur"ple\, a.
1. Exhibiting or possessing the color called purple, much
esteemed for its richness and beauty; of a deep red, or
red and blue color; as, a purple robe.
2. Imperial; regal; -- so called from the color having been
an emblem of imperial authority.
Hide in the dust thy purple pride. --Shelley.
3. Blood-red; bloody.
May such purple tears be alway shed. --Shak.
I view a field of blood, And Tiber rolling with a
purple blood. --Dryden.
{Purple bird} (Zo["o]l.), the European purple gallinule. See
under {Gallinule}.
{Purple copper ore}. (Min.) See {Bornite}.
{Purple grackle} (Zo["o]l.), the crow blackbird. See under
{Crow}.
{Purple martin}. See under {Martin}.
{Purple sandpiper}. See under {Sandpiper}.
{Purple shell}. See {Ianthina}.
Purple \Pur"ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Purpled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Purpling}.]
To make purple; to dye of purple or deep red color; as, hands
purpled with blood.
When morn Purples the east. --Milton.
Reclining soft in blissful bowers, Purpled sweet with
springing flowers. -- Fenton.
Purpleheart \Pur"ple*heart`\, n. (Bot.)
A strong, durable, and elastic wood of a purplish color,
obtained from several tropical American leguminous trees of
the genus {Copaifera} ({C. pubiflora, bracteata, and
officinalis}). Used for decorative veneering. See {Copaiba}.
Purplewood \Pur"ple*wood`\, n.
Same as {Purpleheart}.
Purplish \Pur"plish\, a.
Somewhat purple. --Boyle.
Purport \Pur"port\, n. [OF. purport; pur, pour, for (L. pro) +
porter to bear, carry. See {Port} demeanor.]
1. Design or tendency; meaning; import; tenor.
The whole scope and purport of that dialogue.
Norris. With a look so piteous in purport As if he
had been loosed out of hell. -- Shak.
2. Disguise; covering. [Obs.]
For she her sex under that strange purport Did use
to hide. --Spenser.
Purport \Pur"port\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Purported}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Purporting}.] [OF. purporter, pourporter. See
{Purport}, n.]
To intend to show; to intend; to mean; to signify; to import;
-- often with an object clause or infinitive.
They in most grave and solemn wise unfolded Matter
which little purported. --Rowe.
Purportless \Pur"port*less\, a.
Without purport or meaning.
Purpose \Pur"pose\, n. [OF. purpos, pourpos, propos, L.
propositum. See {Propound}.]
1. That which a person sets before himself as an object to be
reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view
is directed in any plan, measure, or exertion; view; aim;
design; intention; plan.
He will his firste purpos modify. --Chaucer.
As my eternal purpose hath decreed. -- Milton.
The flighty purpose never is o'ertook Unless the
deed go with it. --Shak.
2. Proposal to another; discourse. [Obs.] --Spenser.
3. Instance; example. [Obs.] --L'Estrange.
{In purpose}, {Of purpose}, {On purpose}, with previous
design; with the mind directed to that object;
intentionally. On purpose is the form now generally used.
Syn: design; end; intention; aim. See {Design}.
Purpose \Pur"pose\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Purposed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Purposing}.] [OF. purposer, proposer. See {Propose}.]
1. To set forth; to bring forward. [Obs.]
2. To propose, as an aim, to one's self; to determine upon,
as some end or object to be accomplished; to intend; to
design; to resolve; -- often followed by an infinitive or
dependent clause. --Chaucer.
Did nothing purpose against the state. -- Shak.
I purpose to write the history of England from the
accession of King James the Second down to a time
which is within the memory of men still living.
--Macaulay.
Purpose \Pur"pose\, v. i.
To have a purpose or intention; to discourse. [Obs.]
--Spenser.
Purposedly \Pur"posed*ly\, adv.
In a purposed manner; according to purpose or design;
purposely.
A poem composed purposedly of the Trojan war. Holland.
Purposeful \Pur"pose*ful\, a.
Important; material. ``Purposeful accounts.'' --Tylor. --
{Pur"pose*ful*ly}, adv.
Purposeless \Pur"pose*less\, a.
Having no purpose or result; objectless. --Bp. Hall. --
{Pur"pose*less*ness}, n.
Purposely \Pur"pose*ly\, adv.
With purpose or design; intentionally; with predetermination;
designedly.
In composing this discourse, I purposely declined all
offensive and displeasing truths. --Atterbury.
So much they scorn the crowd, that if the throng By
chance go right, they purposely go wrong. --Pope.
Purposer \Pur"pos*er\, n.
1. One who brings forward or proposes anything; a proposer.
[Obs.]
2. One who forms a purpose; one who intends.
Purposive \Pur"po*sive\, a.
Having or indicating purpose or design. ``Purposive
characters.'' --Bastian.
Purposive modification of structure in a bone. --Owen.
It is impossible that the frog should perform actions
morepurposive than these. --Huxley.
Purpre \Pur"pre\, n. & a.
Purple. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Purpresture \Pur*pres"ture\, n. [Probably corrupted (see
{Prest}) fr. OF. pourprisure, fr. pourprendre: cf. LL.
purprestura. Cf. {Purprise}.] (Law)
Wrongful encroachment upon another's property; esp., any
encroachment upon, or inclosure of, that which should be
common or public, as highways, rivers, harbors, forts, etc.
[Written also {pourpresture}.]
Purprise \Pur"prise\, n. [OF. pourpris,fr. pourprendre to take
away entirely; pour for + prendre to take.]
A close or inclosure; the compass of a manor. --Bacon.
Purpura \Pur"pu*ra\, n. [L., purple, purple fish: cf. F.
purpura. See {Purple}.]
1. (Med.) A disease characterized by livid spots on the skin
from extravasated blood, with loss of muscular strength,
pain in the limbs, and mental dejection; the purples.
--Dunglison.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of marine gastropods, usually having a
rough and thick shell. Some species yield a purple dye.
Purpurate \Pur"pu*rate\, a.
Of or pertaining to purpura.
Purpurate \Pur"pu*rate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of purpuric acid.
Purpure \Pur"pure\, n. [L. purpura purple. See {Purple}.] (Her.)
Purple, -- represented in engraving by diagonal lines
declining from the right top to the left base of the
escutcheon (or from sinister chief to dexter base).
Purpureal \Pur*pu"re*al\, a.
Of a purple color; purple.
Purpureo- \Pur*pu"re*o-\
A combining form signifying of a purple or purple-red color.
Specif. (Chem.), used in designating certain brilliant
purple-red compounds of cobaltic chloride and ammonia,
similar to the roseocobaltic compounds. See {Cobaltic}.
Purpuric \Pur*pu"ric\, a. [Cf. F. purpurique.]
1. (Med.) Of or pertaining to purpura. --Dunglison.
2. (Chem.) Pertaining to or designating, a nitrogenous acid
contained in uric acid. It is not known in the pure state,
but forms well-known purple-red compounds (as murexide),
whence its name.
Note: Purpuric acid was formerly used to designate murexan.
See {Murexan}.
Purpurin \Pur"pu*rin\, n. (Chem.)
A dyestuff resembling alizarin, found in madder root, and
extracted as an orange or red crystalline substance.
Purpuriparous \Pur`pu*rip"a*rous\, a. [L. purpura purple +
parere to produce.] (Biol.)
Producing, or connected with, a purple-colored secretion; as,
the purpuriparous gland of certain gastropods.
Purpurogenous \Pur`pu*rog"e*nous\, a. [L. purpura purple +
-genous.] (Biol.)
Having the power to produce a purple color; as, the
purpurogenous membrane, or choroidal epithelium, of the eye.
See {Visual purple}, under {Visual}.
Purr \Purr\, v. i. & t.
To murmur as a cat. See {Pur}.
Purr \Purr\, n.
The low murmuring sound made by a cat; pur. See {Pur}.
Purre \Purre\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The dunlin. [Prov. Eng.]
Purree \Pur"ree\, n. [Hind. peori yellow.] (Chem.)
A yellow coloring matter. See {Euxanthin}.
Purrock \Pur"rock\, n.
See {Puddock}, and {Parrock}.
Purse \Purse\, n. [OE. purs, pors, OF. burse, borse, bourse, F.
bourse, LL. bursa, fr. Gr. ? hide, skin, leather. Cf.
{Bourse}, {Bursch}, {Bursar}, {Buskin}.]
1. A small bag or pouch, the opening of which is made to draw
together closely, used to carry money in; by extension,
any receptacle for money carried on the person; a wallet;
a pocketbook; a portemonnaie. --Chaucer.
Who steals my purse steals trash. --Shak.
2. Hence, a treasury; finances; as, the public purse.
3. A sum of money offered as a prize, or collected as a
present; as, to win the purse; to make up a purse.
4. A specific sum of money; as:
(a) In Turkey, the sum of 500 piasters.
(b) In Persia, the sum of 50 tomans.
{Light purse}, or {Empty purse}, poverty or want of
resources.
{Long purse}, or {Heavy purse}, wealth; riches.
{Purse crab} (Zo["o]l.), any land crab of the genus {Birgus},
allied to the hermit crabs. They sometimes weigh twenty
pounds or more, and are very strong, being able to crack
cocoanuts with the large claw. They chiefly inhabit the
tropical islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, living
in holes and feeding upon fruit. Called also {palm crab}.
{Purse net}, a fishing net, the mouth of which may be closed
or drawn together like a purse. --Mortimer.
{Purse pride}, pride of money; insolence proceeding from the
possession of wealth. --Bp. Hall.
{Purse rat}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Pocket gopher}, under {Pocket}.
{Sword and purse}, the military power and financial resources
of a nation.
Purse \Purse\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pursed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pursing}.]
1. To put into a purse.
I will go and purse the ducats straight. --Shak.
2. To draw up or contract into folds or wrinkles, like the
mouth of a purse; to pucker; to knit.
Thou . . . didst contract and purse thy brow.
--Shak.
Purse \Purse\, v. i.
To steal purses; to rob. [Obs. & R.]
I'll purse: . . . I'll bet at bowling alleys. --Beau. &
Fl.
Purseful \Purse"ful\, n.; pl. {Pursefuls}.
All that is, or can be, contained in a purse; enough to fill
a purse.
Purse-proud \Purse"-proud`\, a.
Affected with purse pride; puffed up with the possession of
riches.
Purser \Purs"er\, n. [See {Purse}, and cf. {Bursar}.]
1. (Naut.) A commissioned officer in the navy who had charge
of the provisions, clothing, and public moneys on
shipboard; -- now called {paymaster}.
2. A clerk on steam passenger vessels whose duty it is to
keep the accounts of the vessels, such as the receipt of
freight, tickets, etc.
3. Colloquially, any paymaster or cashier.
{Purser's name} (Naut.), a false name. [Slang]
Pursership \Purs"er*ship\, n.
The office of purser. --Totten.
Purset \Purs"et\, n.
A purse or purse net. --B. Jonson.
Pursiness \Pur"si*ness\, n.
State of being pursy.
Pursive \Pur"sive\, a.
Pursy. [Obs.] --Holland.
Pursiveness \Pur"sive*ness\, n.
Pursiness. [Obs. & R.]
Purslain \Purs"lain\, n.
Same as {Purslane}.
Purslane \Purs"lane\, n. [OF. porcelaine, pourcelaine (cf. It.
porcellana), corrupted fr. L. porcilaca for portulaca.]
(Bot.)
An annual plant ({Portulaca oleracea}), with fleshy,
succulent, obovate leaves, sometimes used as a pot herb and
for salads, garnishing, and pickling.
{Flowering purslane}, or {Great flowered purslane}, the
{Portulaca grandiflora}. See {Portulaca}.
{Purslane tree}, a South African shrub ({Portulacaria Afra})
with many small opposite fleshy obovate leaves.
{Sea purslane}, a seashore plant ({Arenaria peploides}) with
crowded opposite fleshy leaves.
{Water purslane}, an aquatic plant ({Ludwiqia palustris}) but
slightly resembling purslane.
Pursuable \Pur*su"a*ble\, a.
Capable of being, or fit to be, pursued, followed, or
prosecuted. --Sherwood.
Pursual \Pur*su"al\, n.
The act of pursuit. [R.]
Pursuance \Pur*su"ance\, n. [See {Pursuant}.]
1. The act of pursuing or prosecuting; a following out or
after.
Sermons are not like curious inquiries after new
nothings, but pursuances of old truths. --Jer.
Taylor.
2. The state of being pursuant; consequence.
{In pursuance of}, in accordance with; in prosecution or
fulfillment of.
Pursuant \Pur*su"ant\, a. [From {Pursue}: cf. OE. poursuiant.
Cf. {Pursuivant}.]
Acting in consequence or in prosecution (of anything); hence,
agreeable; conformable; following; according; -- with to or
of.
The conclusion which I draw from these premises,
pursuant to the query laid down, is, etc. --Waterland.
Pursuant \Pur*su"ant\, Pursuantly \Pur*su"ant*ly\, adv.
Agreeably; conformably.
Pursue \Pur*sue"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pursued}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Pursuing}.] [OE. pursuen, porsuen, OF. porsivre,
poursuivre, poursuir, F. poursuivre, fr. L. prosequi; pro
forward + sequi to follow. See {Sue}, and cf. {Prosecute},
{Pursuivant}.]
1. To follow with a view to overtake; to follow eagerly, or
with haste; to chase; as, to pursue a hare.
We happiness pursue; we fly from pain. --Prior.
The happiness of men lies in purswing, Not in
possessing. --Longfellow.
2. To seek; to use or adopt measures to obtain; as, to pursue
a remedy at law.
The fame of ancient matrons you pursue. --Dryden.
3. To proceed along, with a view to some and or object; to
follow; to go in; as, Captain Cook pursued a new route;
the administration pursued a wise course.
4. To prosecute; to be engaged in; to continue. `` Insatiate
to pursue vain war.'' --Milton.
5. To follow as an example; to imitate.
6. To follow with enmity; to persecute; to call to account.
The servant is not greater than his lord. If they
have pursued me, they shall pursue you also.
--Wyclif (John
xv. 20).
Syn: To follow; chase; seek; persist. See {Follow}.
Pursue \Pur*sue"\, v. i.
1. To go in pursuit; to follow.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth. --Prov.
xxviii. 1.
Men hotly pursued after the objects of their
ambition. --Earle.
2. To go on; to proceed, especially in argument or discourse;
to continue.
Note: [A Gallicism]
I have, pursues Carneades, wondered chemists
should not consider. --Boyle.
3. (Law) To follow a matter judicially, as a complaining
party; to act as a prosecutor. --Burrill.
Pursuer \Pur*su"er\, n.
1. One who pursues or chases; one who follows in haste, with
a view to overtake.
2. (Eccl. & Scots Law) A plaintiff; a prosecutor.
Pursuit \Pur*suit"\, n. [F. poursuite, fr. poursuivre. See
{Pursue}, v. t.]
1. The act of following or going after; esp., a following
with haste, either for sport or in hostility; chase;
prosecution; as, the pursuit of game; the pursuit of an
enemy. --Clarendon.
Weak we are, and can not shun pursuit. --Shak.
2. A following with a view to reach, accomplish, or obtain;
endeavor to attain to or gain; as, the pursuit of
knowledge; the pursuit of happiness or pleasure.
3. Course of business or occupation; continued employment
with a view to same end; as, mercantile pursuits; a
literary pursuit.
4. (Law) Prosecution. [Obs.]
That pursuit for tithes ought, and of ancient time
did pertain to the spiritual court. --Fuller.
{Curve of pursuit} (Geom.), a curve described by a point
which is at each instant moving towards a second point,
which is itself moving according to some specified law.
Pursuivant \Pur"sui*vant\, n. [F. poursuivant, fr. poursuivre.
See {Pursue}, and cf. {Pursuant}.] [Written also
{poursuivant}.]
1. (Heralds' College) A functionary of lower rank than a
herald, but discharging similar duties; -- called also
{pursuivant at arms}; an attendant of the heralds. Also
used figuratively.
The herald Hope, forerunning Fear, And Fear, the
pursuivant of Hope. --Longfellow.
2. The king's messenger; a state messenger.
One pursuivant who attempted to execute a warrant
there was murdered. --Macaulay.
Pursuivant \Pur"sui*vant\, v. t.
To pursue. [Obs. & R.]
Their navy was pursuivanted after with a horrible
tempest. --Fuller.
Pursy \Pur"sy\, a. [OF. pourcif, poulsif, poussif, fr. pousser
to push, thrust, heave, OF. also poulser: cf. F. pousse the
heaves, asthma. See {Push}.]
Fat and short-breathed; fat, short, and thick; swelled with
pampering; as, pursy insolence. --Shak.
Pursy important he sat him down. --Sir W. Scot.
Purtenance \Pur"te*nance\, n. [Abbrev. fr. appurtenance.]
That which pertains or belongs to something; esp., the heard,
liver, and lungs of an animal. [Obs.] `` The purtenaunces of
purgatory.'' --Piers Plowman.
Roast [it] with fire, his head with his legs, and with
the purtenance [Rev. Ver., inwards] thereof. --Ex. xii.
9.
Purrulence \Pur"ru*lence\, Purulency \Pu"ru*len*cy\, n. [L.
purulentia: cf. F. purulence.] (Med.)
The quality or state of being purulent; the generation of
pus; also, the pus itself. --Arbuthnot.
Purulent \Pu"ru*lent\, a. [L. purulentus, fr. pus, puris, pus,
matter: cf. F. purulent. See {Pus}.] (Med.)
Consisting of pus, or matter; partaking of the nature of pus;
attended with suppuration; as, purulent inflammation.
Purulently \Pu"ru*lent*ly\, v.
In a purulent manner.
Purveance \Pur"ve*ance\, Purveiaunce \Pur"vei*aunce`\, n.
Purveyance. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Purvey \Pur*vey"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Purveyed}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Purveying}.] [OE. purveien, porveien, OF. porveeir,
porveoir, F. pourvoir, fr. L. providere. See {Provide}, and
cf. {Purview}.]
1. To furnish or provide, as with a convenience, provisions,
or the like.
Give no odds to your foes, but do purvey Yourself of
sword before that bloody day. --Spenser.
2. To procure; to get.
I mean to purvey me a wife after the fashion of the
children of Benjamin. --Sir W. Scot.
Purvey \Pur*vey"\, v. i.
1. To purchase provisions; to provide; to make provision.
--Chaucer. Milton.
2. To pander; -- with to. `` Their turpitude purveys to their
malice.'' [R.] --Burke.
Purveyance \Pur*vey"ance\, n. [Cf. F. pourvoyance.]
1. The act or process of providing or procuring; providence;
foresight; preparation; management. --Chaucer.
The ill purveyance of his page. --Spenser.
2. That which is provided; provisions; food.
3. (Eng. Law) A providing necessaries for the sovereign by
buying them at an appraised value in preference to all
others, and oven without the owner's consent. This was
formerly a royal prerogative, but has long been abolished.
--Wharton.
Purveyor \Pur*vey"or\, n. [OE. porveour, OF. pourveor, F.
pourvoyeur. See {Purvey}, and cf. {Proveditor}.]
1. One who provides victuals, or whose business is to make
provision for the table; a victualer; a caterer.
2. An officer who formerly provided, or exacted provision,
for the king's household. [Eng.]
3. a procurer; a pimp; a bawd. --Addison.
Purview \Pur"view\, n. [OF. purveu, pourveu, F. pourvu,
provided, p. p. of OF. porveoir, F. pourvoir. See {Purvey},
{View}, and cf. {Proviso}.]
1.
(a) (Law) The body of a statute, or that part which begins
with `` Be it enacted, '' as distinguished from the
preamble. --Cowell.
(b) Hence: The limit or scope of a statute; the whole
extent of its intention or provisions. --Marshall.
Profanations within the purview of several
statutes. --Bacon.
2. Limit or sphere of authority; scope; extent.
In determining the extent of information required in
the exercise of a particular authority, recourse
must be had to the objects within the purview of
that authority. --Madison.
Pus \Pus\, n. [L., akin to Gr. ?, ?, and to E. foul: cf. F. pus.
See {Foul}, a.] (Med.)
The yellowish white opaque creamy matter produced by the
process of suppuration. It consists of innumerable white
nucleated cells floating in a clear liquid.
Pusane \Pu"sane\, n. (Anc. Armor)
A piece of armor for the breast; often, an addition to, or
re["e]nforcement of. the breastplate; -- called also
{pesane}.
Puseyism \Pu"sey*ism\, n. (Ch. of Eng.)
The principles of Dr. Pusey and others at Oxford, England, as
exhibited in various publications, esp. in a series which
appeared from 1833 to 1841, designated `` Tracts for the
Times;'' tractarianism. See {Tractarianism}.
Puseyistic \Pu"sey*is"tic\, Puseyite \Pu"sey*ite\, a.
Of or pertaining to Puseyism.
Puseyite \Pu"sey*ite\, n.
One who holds the principles of Puseyism; -- often used
opprobriously.
Push \Push\, n. [Probably F. poche. See {Pouch}.]
A pustule; a pimple. [Obs. or Prov. Eng.] --Bacon.
Push \Push\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pushed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Pushing}.] [OE. possen, pussen, F. pousser, fr. L. pulsare,
v. intens. fr. pellere, pulsum, to beat, knock, push. See
{Pulse} a beating, and cf. {Pursy}.]
1. To press against with force; to drive or impel by
pressure; to endeavor to drive by steady pressure, without
striking; -- opposed to {draw}.
Sidelong had pushed a mountain from his seat.
--Milton.
2. To thrust the points of the horns against; to gore.
If the ox shall push a manservant or maidservant, .
. . the ox shall be stoned. --Ex. xxi. 32.
3. To press or urge forward; to drive; to push an objection
too far. `` To push his fortune.'' --Dryden.
Ambition pushes the soul to such actions as are apt
to procure honor to the actor. --Spectator.
We are pushed for an answer. --Swift.
4. To bear hard upon; to perplex; to embarrass.
5. To importune; to press with solicitation; to tease.
{To push down}, to overthrow by pushing or impulse.
Push \Push\, v. i.
1. To make a thrust; to shove; as, to push with the horns or
with a sword. --Shak.
2. To make an advance, attack, or effort; to be energetic;
as, a man must push in order to succeed.
At the time of the end shall the kind of the south
push at him and the king of the north shall come
against him. --Dan. xi. 40.
War seemed asleep for nine long years; at length
Both sides resolved to push, we tried our strength.
--Dryden.
3. To burst pot, as a bud or shoot.
{To push on}, to drive or urge forward; to hasten.
The rider pushed on at a rapid pace. --Sir W.
Scott.
Push \Push\, n.
1. A thrust with a pointed instrument, or with the end of a
thing.
2. Any thrust. pressure, impulse, or force, or force applied;
a shove; as, to give the ball the first push.
3. An assault or attack; an effort; an attempt; hence, the
time or occasion for action.
Exact reformation is not perfected at the first
push. --Milton.
When it comes to the push, 'tis no more than talk.
--L' Estrange.
4. The faculty of overcoming obstacles; aggressive energy;
as, he has push, or he has no push. [Colloq.]
Syn: See {Thrust}.
Pusher \Push"er\, n.
One who, or that which, pushes.
Pushing \Push"ing\, a.
Pressing forward in business; enterprising; driving;
energetic; also, forward; officious, intrusive. --
{Push"ing*ly}, adv.
Pushpin \Push"pin`\, n.
A child's game played with pins. --L. Estrange.
Pusil \Pu"sil\, a. [L. pusillus very little.]
Very small; little; petty. [Obs.] --Bacon.
Pusillanimity \Pu`sil*la*nim"i*ty\, n. [L. pusillanimitas: cf.
F. pusillanimit['e].]
The quality of being pusillanimous; weakness of spirit;
cowardliness.
The badge of pusillanimity and cowardice. --Shak.
It is obvious to distinguished between an act of . . .
pusillanimity and an act of great modesty or humility.
--South.
Syn: Cowardliness; cowardice; fear; timidity.
Pusillanimous \Pu`sil*lan"i*mous\, a. [L. pusillannimis;
pusillus very little (dim. of pusus a little boy; cf. puer a
boy, E. puerile) + animus the mind: cf. F. pusillanime. See
{Animosity}.]
1. Destitute of a manly or courageous strength and firmness
of mind; of weak spirit; mean-spirited; spiritless;
cowardly; -- said of persons, as, a pussillanimous prince.
2. Evincing, or characterized by, weakness of mind, and want
of courage; feeble; as, pusillanimous counsels. ``A low
and pusillanimous spirit.'' --Burke.
Syn: Cowardly; dastardly; mean-spirited; fainthearted; timid;
weak; feeble.
Pusillanimously \Pu`sil*lan"i*mous*ly\, adv.
With pusillanimity.
Pusley \Pus"ley\, n. (Bot.)
Purslane. [Colloq. U. S]
Puss \Puss\ (p[.u]s), n. [Cf. D. poes, Ir. & Gael. pus.]
1. A cat; -- a fondling appellation.
2. A hare; -- so called by sportsmen.
{Puss in the corner}, a game in which all the players but one
occupy corners of a room, or certain goals in the open
air, and exchange places, the one without a corner
endeavoring to get a corner while it is vacant, leaving
some other without one.
{Puss moth} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of stout
bombycid moths belonging to {Cerura}, {Harpyia}, and
allied genera, esp. {Harpyia vinuli}, of Europe. The
larv[ae] are humpbacked, and have two caudal appendages.
Pussy \Pussy\, n. [Dim. of puss.]
1. A pet name for a cat; also, an endearing name for a girl.
2. A catkin of the pussy willow.
3. The game of tipcat; -- also called {pussy cat}.
{Pussy willow} (Bot.), any kind of willow having large
cylindrical catkins clothed with long glossy hairs,
especially the American {Salix discolor}; -- called also
{glaucous willow}, and {swamp willow}.
Pussy \Pus"sy\, a.
See {Pursy}. [Colloq. or Low]
Pustulant \Pus"tu*lant\ (?; 135), a. [L. pustulans, p. pr. See
{Pustulate}, v. t.] (Med.)
Producing pustules. -- n. A medicine that produces pustules,
as croton oil.
Pustular \Pus"tu*lar\, a.
1. Of or pertaining to pustules; as, pustular prominences;
pustular eruptions.
2. Covered with pustulelike prominences; pustulate.
Pustulate \Pus"tu*late\, v. t. [L. pustulatus, p. p. of
pustulare to blister, fr. pustula. See {Pustule}.]
To form into pustules, or blisters.
Pustulate \Pus"tu*late\, Pustulated \Pus"tu*la`ted\, a.
Covered with pustulelike prominences; pustular; pustulous;
as, a pustulate leaf; a pustulate shell or coral.
Pustulation \Pus*tu*la"tion\, n. [L. pustulatio.]
The act of producing pustules; the state of being pustulated.
Pustule \Pus"tule\ (?; 135), n. [L. pustula, and pusula: cf. F.
pustule.] (Med.)
A vesicle or an elevation of the cuticle with an inflamed
base, containing pus.
{Malignant pustule}. See under {Malignant}.
Pustulous \Pus"tu*lous\, a. [L. pustulosus, fr. pustula a
pustule: cf. F. pustuleux.]
Resembling, or covered with, pustules; pustulate; pustular.
Put \Put\, n. [See {Pit}.]
A pit. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Put \Put\, obs.
3d pers. sing. pres. of {Put}, contracted from putteth.
--Chaucer.
Put \Put\, n. [Cf. W. pwt any short thing, pwt o ddyn a squab of
a person, pwtog a short, thick woman.]
A rustic; a clown; an awkward or uncouth person.
Queer country puts extol Queen Bess's reign.
--Bramston.
What droll puts the citizens seem in it all. --F.
Harrison.
Put \Put\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Put}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Putting}.] [AS. potian to thrust: cf. Dan. putte to put, to
put into, Fries. putje; perh. akin to W. pwtio to butt, poke,
thrust; cf. also Gael. put to push, thrust, and E. potter, v.
i.]
1. To move in any direction; to impel; to thrust; to push; --
nearly obsolete, except with adverbs, as with by (to put
by = to thrust aside; to divert); or with forth (to put
forth = to thrust out).
His chief designs are . . . to put thee by from thy
spiritual employment. --Jer. Taylor.
2. To bring to a position or place; to place; to lay; to set;
figuratively, to cause to be or exist in a specified
relation, condition, or the like; to bring to a stated
mental or moral condition; as, to put one in fear; to put
a theory in practice; to put an enemy to fight.
This present dignity, In which that I have put you.
--Chaucer.
I will put enmity between thee and the woman. --Gen.
iii. 15.
He put no trust in his servants. --Job iv. 18.
When God into the hands of their deliverer Puts
invincible might. --Milton.
In the mean time other measures were put in
operation. --Sparks.
3. To attach or attribute; to assign; as, to put a wrong
construction on an act or expression.
4. To lay down; to give up; to surrender. [Obs.]
No man hath more love than this, that a man put his
life for his friends. --Wyclif (John
xv. 13).
5. To set before one for judgment, acceptance, or rejection;
to bring to the attention; to offer; to state; to express;
figuratively, to assume; to suppose; -- formerly sometimes
followed by that introducing a proposition; as, to put a
question; to put a case.
Let us now put that ye have leave. --Chaucer.
Put the perception and you put the mind. --Berkeley.
These verses, originally Greek, were put in Latin.
--Milton.
All this is ingeniously and ably put. --Hare.
6. To incite; to entice; to urge; to constrain; to oblige.
These wretches put us upon all mischief. --Swift.
Put me not use the carnal weapon in my own defense.
--Sir W.
Scott.
Thank him who puts me, loath, to this revenge.
--Milton.
7. To throw or cast with a pushing motion ``overhand,'' the
hand being raised from the shoulder; a practice in
athletics; as, to put the shot or weight.
8. (Mining) To convey coal in the mine, as from the working
to the tramway. --Raymond.
{Put case}, formerly, an elliptical expression for, put or
suppose the case to be.
Put case that the soul after departure from the body
may live. --Bp. Hall.
{To put about} (Naut.), to turn, or change the course of, as
a ship.
{To put away}.
(a) To renounce; to discard; to expel.
(b) To divorce.
{To put back}.
(a) To push or thrust backwards; hence, to hinder; to
delay.
(b) To refuse; to deny.
Coming from thee, I could not put him back.
--Shak.
(c) To set, as the hands of a clock, to an earlier hour.
(d) To restore to the original place; to replace.
{To put by}.
(a) To turn, set, or thrust, aside. ``Smiling put the
question by.'' --Tennyson.
(b) To lay aside; to keep; to sore up; as, to put by
money.
{To put down}.
(a) To lay down; to deposit; to set down.
(b) To lower; to diminish; as, to put down prices.
(c) To deprive of position or power; to put a stop to; to
suppress; to abolish; to confute; as, to put down
rebellion or traitors.
Mark, how a plain tale shall put you down.
--Shak.
Sugar hath put down the use of honey. --Bacon.
(d) To subscribe; as, to put down one's name.
{To put forth}.
(a) To thrust out; to extend, as the hand; to cause to
come or push out; as, a tree puts forth leaves.
(b) To make manifest; to develop; also, to bring into
action; to exert; as, to put forth strength.
(c) To propose, as a question, a riddle, and the like.
(d) To publish, as a book.
{To put forward}.
(a) To advance to a position of prominence or
responsibility; to promote.
(b) To cause to make progress; to aid.
(c) To set, as the hands of a clock, to a later hour.
{To put in}.
(a) To introduce among others; to insert; sometimes, to
introduce with difficulty; as, to put in a word while
others are discoursing.
(b) (Naut.) To conduct into a harbor, as a ship.
(c) (Law) To place in due form before a court; to place
among the records of a court. --Burrill.
(d) (Med.) To restore, as a dislocated part, to its place.
{To put off}.
(a) To lay aside; to discard; as, to put off a robe; to
put off mortality. ``Put off thy shoes from off thy
feet.'' --Ex. iii. 5.
(b) To turn aside; to elude; to disappoint; to frustrate;
to baffle.
I hoped for a demonstration, but Themistius
hoped to put me off with an harangue. --Boyle.
We might put him off with this answer.
--Bentley.
(c) To delay; to defer; to postpone; as, to put off
repentance.
(d) To get rid of; to dispose of; especially, to pass
fraudulently; as, to put off a counterfeit note, or an
ingenious theory
.
(e) To push from land; as, to put off a boat.
{To put on} or {upon}.
(a) To invest one's self with, as clothes; to assume.
``Mercury . . . put on the shape of a man.''
--L'Estrange.
(b) To impute (something) to; to charge upon; as, to put
blame on or upon another.
(c) To advance; to promote. [Obs.] ``This came handsomely
to put on the peace.'' --Bacon.
(d) To impose; to inflict. ``That which thou puttest on
me, will I bear.'' --2 Kings xviii. 14.
(e) To apply; as, to put on workmen; to put on steam.
(f) To deceive; to trick. ``The stork found he was put
upon.'' --L'Estrange.
(g) To place upon, as a means or condition; as, he put him
upon bread and water. ``This caution will put them
upon considering.'' --Locke.
(h) (Law) To rest upon; to submit to; as, a defendant puts
himself on or upon the country. --Burrill.
{To put out}.
(a) To eject; as, to put out and intruder.
(b) To put forth; to shoot, as a bud, or sprout.
(c) To extinguish; as, to put out a candle, light, or
fire.
(d) To place at interest; to loan; as, to put out funds.
(e) To provoke, as by insult; to displease; to vex; as, he
was put out by my reply. [Colloq.]
(f) To protrude; to stretch forth; as, to put out the
hand.
(g) To publish; to make public; as, to put out a pamphlet.
(h) To confuse; to disconcert; to interrupt; as, to put
one out in reading or speaking.
(i) (Law) To open; as, to put out lights, that is, to open
or cut windows. --Burrill.
(j) (Med.) To place out of joint; to dislocate; as, to put
out the ankle.
(k) To cause to cease playing, or to prevent from playing
longer in a certain inning, as in base ball.
{To put over}.
(a) To place (some one) in authority over; as, to put a
general over a division of an army.
(b) To refer.
For the certain knowledge of that truth I put
you o'er to heaven and to my mother. --Shak.
(c) To defer; to postpone; as, the court put over the
cause to the next term.
(d) To transfer (a person or thing) across; as, to put one
over the river.
{To put the hand} {to or unto}.
(a) To take hold of, as of an instrument of labor; as, to
put the hand to the plow; hence, to engage in (any
task or affair); as, to put one's hand to the work.
(b) To take or seize, as in theft. ``He hath not put his
hand unto his neighbor's goods.'' --Ex. xxii. 11.
{To put through}, to cause to go through all conditions or
stages of a progress; hence, to push to completion; to
accomplish; as, he put through a measure of legislation;
he put through a railroad enterprise. [U.S.]
{To put to}.
(a) To add; to unite; as, to put one sum to another.
(b) To refer to; to expose; as, to put the safety of the
state to hazard. ``That dares not put it to the
touch.'' --Montrose.
(c) To attach (something) to; to harness beasts to.
--Dickens.
{To put to a stand}, to stop; to arrest by obstacles or
difficulties.
{To put to bed}.
(a) To undress and place in bed, as a child.
(b) To deliver in, or to make ready for, childbirth.
{To put to death}, to kill.
{To put together}, to attach; to aggregate; to unite in one.
{To put this and that} (or {two and two}) {together}, to draw
an inference; to form a correct conclusion.
{To put to it}, to distress; to press hard; to perplex; to
give difficulty to. ``O gentle lady, do not put me to
't.'' --Shak.
{To put to rights}, to arrange in proper order; to settle or
compose rightly.
{To put to the sword}, to kill with the sword; to slay.
{To put to trial}, or {on trial}, to bring to a test; to try.
{To put trust in}, to confide in; to repose confidence in.
{To put up}.
(a) To pass unavenged; to overlook; not to punish or
resent; to put up with; as, to put up indignities.
[Obs.] ``Such national injuries are not to be put
up.'' --Addison.
(b) To send forth or upward; as, to put up goods for sale.
(d) To start from a cover, as game. ``She has been
frightened; she has been put up.'' --C. Kingsley.
(e) To hoard. ``Himself never put up any of the rent.''
--Spelman.
(f) To lay side or preserve; to pack away; to store; to
pickle; as, to put up pork, beef, or fish.
(g) To place out of sight, or away; to put in its proper
place; as, put up that letter. --Shak.
(h) To incite; to instigate; -- followed by to; as, he put
the lad up to mischief.
(i) To raise; to erect; to build; as, to put up a tent, or
a house.
(j) To lodge; to entertain; as, to put up travelers.
{To put up a job}, to arrange a plot. [Slang]
Syn: To place; set; lay; cause; produce; propose; state.
Usage: {Put}, {Lay}, {Place}, {Set}. These words agree in the
idea of fixing the position of some object, and are
often used interchangeably. To put is the least
definite, denoting merely to move to a place. To place
has more particular reference to the precise location,
as to put with care in a certain or proper place. To
set or to lay may be used when there is special
reference to the position of the object.
Put \Put\ (put; often p[u^]t in def. 3), v. i.
1. To go or move; as, when the air first puts up. [Obs.]
--Bacon.
2. To steer; to direct one's course; to go.
His fury thus appeased, he puts to land. --Dryden.
3. To play a card or a hand in the game called put.
{To put about} (Naut.), to change direction; to tack.
{To put back} (Naut.), to turn back; to return. ``The French
. . . had put back to Toulon.'' --Southey.
{To put forth}.
(a) To shoot, bud, or germinate. ``Take earth from under
walls where nettles put forth.'' --Bacon.
(b) To leave a port or haven, as a ship. --Shak.
{To put in} (Naut.), to enter a harbor; to sail into port.
{To put in for}.
(a) To make a request or claim; as, to put in for a share
of profits.
(b) To go into covert; -- said of a bird escaping from a
hawk.
(c) To offer one's self; to stand as a candidate for.
--Locke.
{To put off}, to go away; to depart; esp., to leave land, as
a ship; to move from the shore.
{To put on}, to hasten motion; to drive vehemently.
{To put over} (Naut.), to sail over or across.
{To put to sea} (Naut.), to set sail; to begin a voyage; to
advance into the ocean.
{To put up}.
(a) To take lodgings; to lodge.
(b) To offer one's self as a candidate. --L'Estrange.
{To put up to}, to advance to. [Obs.] ``With this he put up
to my lord.'' --Swift.
{To put up with}.
(a) To overlook, or suffer without recompense, punishment,
or resentment; as, to put up with an injury or
affront.
(b) To take without opposition or expressed
dissatisfaction; to endure; as, to put up with bad
fare.
Put \Put\, n.
1. The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a
push; as, the put of a ball. ``A forced put.''
--L'Estrange.
2. A certain game at cards. --Young.
3. A privilege which one party buys of another to ``put''
(deliver) to him a certain amount of stock, grain, etc.,
at a certain price and date. [Brokers' Cant]
A put and a call may be combined in one instrument,
the holder of which may either buy or sell as he
chooses at the fixed price. --Johnson's
Cyc.
Put \Put\, n. [OF. pute.]
A prostitute. [Obs.]
Putage \Pu"tage\ (?; 48), n. [OF. putage.]
Prostitution or fornication on the part of a woman.
Putamen \Pu*ta"men\, n. [L.] (Bot.)
The shell of a nut; the stone of a drupe fruit. See
{Endocarp}.
Putanism \Pu"tan*ism\, n. [F. putanisme, fr. putain harlot.]
Habitual lewdness or prostitution of a woman; harlotry.
Putative \Pu"ta*tive\, a. [L. putativus, fr. putare, putatum, to
reckon, suppose, adjust, prune, cleanse. See {Pure}, and cf.
{Amputate}, {Compute}, {Dispute}, {Impute}.]
Commonly thought or deemed; supposed; reputed; as, the
putative father of a child. ``His other putative (I dare not
say feigned) friends.'' --E. Hall.
Thus things indifferent, being esteemed useful or
pious, became customary, and then came for reverence
into a putative and usurped authority. --Jer. Taylor.
Putchuck \Put*chuck"\, n. (Bot.)
Same as {Pachak}.
Puteal \Pu"te*al\, n. [L., fr. puteus well.] (Arch.)
An inclosure surrounding a well to prevent persons from
falling into it; a well curb. --Weale.
Puteli \Put"e*li\, n.
Same as {Patela}.
Putery \Pu"ter*y\, n. [OF. puterie.]
Putage. [Obs.]
Putid \Pu"tid\, a. [L. putidus: cf. F. putide. Cf. {Putrid}.]
Rotten; fetid; stinking; base; worthless. Jer. Taylor. ``Thy
putid muse.'' --Dr. H. More.
Putidity \Pu*tid"i*ty\, Putidness \Pu"tid*ness\, n.
The quality or state of being putrid.
Putlog \Put"log`\ (?; 277), n. (Arch.)
One of the short pieces of timber on which the planks forming
the floor of a scaffold are laid, -- one end resting on the
ledger of the scaffold, and the other in a hole left in the
wall temporarily for the purpose. --Oxf. Gloss.
Put-off \Put"-off`\ (?; 115), n.
A shift for evasion or delay; an evasion; an excuse.
--L'Estrange.
Putour \Pu"tour\, n. [See {Put} a prostitute.]
A keeper of a brothel; a procurer. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Putredinous \Pu*tred"i*nous\, a. [L. putredo rottenness, fr.
putrere to be rotten. See {Putrid}.]
Proceeding from putrefaction, or partaking of the
putrefactive process; having an offensive smell; stinking;
rotten.
Putrefaction \Pu`tre*fac"tion\, n. [L. putrefactio: cf. F.
putr['e]faction. See {Putrefy}.]
1. The act or the process of putrefying; the offensive decay
of albuminous or other matter.
Note: Putrefaction is a complex phenomenon involving a
multiplicity of chemical reactions, always accompanied
by, and without doubt caused by, bacteria and
vibriones; hence, putrefaction is a form of
fermentation, and is sometimes called putrefaction
fermentative. Putrefaction is not possible under
conditions that preclude the development of living
organisms. Many of the products of putrefaction are
powerful poisons, and are called cadaveric poisons, or
ptoma["i]nes.
2. The condition of being putrefied; also, that which
putrefied. ``Putrefaction's breath.'' --Shelley.
Putrefactive \Pu`tre*fac"tive\, a. [Cf. putr['e]factif. See
{Putrefy}.]
1. Of or pertaining to putrefaction; as, the putrefactive
smell or process. --Wiseman.
2. Causing, or tending to promote, putrefaction. --
{Pu``tre*fac"tive*ness}, n.
Putrefy \Pu"tre*fy\, v. t. [Written also putrify.] [imp. & p. p.
{Putrefied}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Putrefying}.] [F. putr['e]fier;
L. putrere to be rotten + -ficare (in. comp.) to make; cf. L.
putrefacere. See {Putrid}, and {-fy}.]
1. To render putrid; to cause to decay offensively; to cause
to be decomposed; to cause to rot.
2. To corrupt; to make foul.
Private suits do putrefy the public good. --Bacon.
They would but stink, and putrefy the air. --Shak.
3. To make morbid, carious, or gangrenous; as, to putrefy an
ulcer or wound.
Putrefy \Pu"tre*fy\, v. i.
To become putrid; to decay offensively; to rot. --Isa. 1. 6.
Putrescence \Pu*tres"cence\, n.
The state of being putrescent; putrescent matter.
Putrescent \Pu*tres"cent\, a. [L. putrescens, p. pr.of
putrescere to grow rotten, v. incho. fr. putrere to be
rotten. See {Putrid}.]
1. Becoming putrid or rotten.
Externally powerful, although putrescent at the
core. --Motley.
2. Of or pertaining to the process of putrefaction; as, a
putrescent smell.
Putrescible \Pu*tres"ci*ble\, a.
Capable of putrefaction; liable to become putrid; as,
putrescible substances.
Putrescible \Pu*tres"ci*ble\, n.
A substance, usually nitrogenous, which is liable to undergo
decomposition when in contact with air and moisture at
ordinary temperatures.
Putrescin \Pu*tres"cin\, n. (Physiol. Chem.)
A nontoxic diamine, {C4H12N2}, formed in the putrefaction of
the flesh of mammals and some other animals.
Putrid \Pu"trid\, a. [L. putridus, fr. putrere to be rotten, fr.
puter, or putris, rotten, fr. putere to stink, to be rotten:
cf. F. putride. See {Pus}, {Foul}, a.]
1. Tending to decomposition or decay; decomposed; rotten; --
said of animal or vegetable matter; as, putrid flesh. See
{Putrefaction}.
2. Indicating or proceeding from a decayed state of animal or
vegetable matter; as, a putrid smell.
{Putrid fever} (Med.), typhus fever; -- so called from the
decomposing and offensive state of the discharges and
diseased textures of the body.
{Putrid sore throat} (Med.), a gangrenous inflammation of the
fauces and pharynx.
Putridity \Pu*trid"i*ty\, n. [Cf. F. putridit['e].]
The quality of being putrid; putrefaction; rottenness.
Putridness \Pu"trid*ness\, n.
Putridity. --Floyer.
Putrifacted \Pu"tri*fac`ted\, a. [See {Putrefy}.]
Putrefied. [Obs.]
What vermin bred of putrifacted slime. --Marston.
Putrification \Pu`tri*fi*ca"tion\, n.
Putrefaction.
Putrify \Pu"tri*fy\, v. t. & i.
To putrefy.
Putrilage \Pu"tri*lage\, n. [F. putrilage, L. putrilago
putrefaction.]
That which is undergoing putrefaction; the products of
putrefaction.
Putry \Pu"try\, a.
Putrid. [Obs.] --Marston.
Putry \Pu"try\, n.
Putage. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Putter \Put"ter\, n.
1. One who puts or plates.
2. Specifically, one who pushes the small wagons in a coal
mine, and the like. [Prov. Eng.]
Putter \Put"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Puttered}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Puttering}.] [See {Potter}.]
To act inefficiently or idly; to trifle; to potter.
Putter-on \Put"ter-on`\, n.
An instigator. --Shak.
Puttier \Put"ti*er\, n.
One who putties; a glazier.
Putting \Put"ting\, n.
The throwing of a heavy stone, shot, etc., with the hand
raised or extended from the shoulder; -- originally, a
Scottish game.
{Putting stone}, a heavy stone used in the game of putting.
Puttock \Put"tock\, n. [Cf. {Pout} a young bird, {Poult}.]
(Zo["o]l.)
(a) The European kite.
(b) The buzzard.
(c) The marsh harrier. [Prov. Eng.]
Puttock \Put"tock\, n. (Naut.)
See {Futtock}. [Obs.]
Putty \Put"ty\, n. [F. pot['e]e, fr. pot pot; what was formerly
called putty being a substance resembling what is now called
putty powder, and in part made of the metal of old pots. See
{Pot}.]
A kind of thick paste or cement compounded of whiting, or
soft carbonate of lime, and linseed oil, when applied beaten
or kneaded to the consistence of dough, -- used in fastening
glass in sashes, stopping crevices, and for similar purposes.
{Putty powder}, an oxide of tin, or of tin and lead in
various proportions, much used in polishing glass, metal,
precious stones, etc.
Putty \Put"ty\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Puttied}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Puttying}.]
To cement, or stop, with putty.
Putty-faced \Put"ty-faced`\, a.
White-faced; -- used contemptuously. --Clarke.
Puttyroot \Put"ty*root`\, n. (Bot.)
An American orchidaceous plant ({Aplectrum hyemale}) which
flowers in early summer. Its slender naked rootstock produces
each year a solid corm, filled with exceedingly glutinous
matter, which sends up later a single large oval evergreen
plaited leaf. Called also {Adam-and-Eve}.
Put-up \Put"-up\, a.
Arranged; plotted; -- in a bad sense; as, a put-up job.
[Colloq.]
Puy \Pu"y\, n.
See {Poy}.
Puzzel \Puz"zel\, n. [Cf. F. pucelle a virgin.]
A harlot; a drab; a hussy. [Obs.] --Shak.
Puzzle \Puz"zle\, n. [For opposal, in the sense of problem. See
{Oppose}, {Pose}, v.]
1. Something which perplexes or embarrasses; especially, a
toy or a problem contrived for testing ingenuity; also,
something exhibiting marvelous skill in making.
2. The state of being puzzled; perplexity; as, to be in a
puzzle.
Puzzle \Puz"zle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Puzzled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Puzzling}.]
1. To perplex; to confuse; to embarrass; to put to a stand;
to nonplus.
A very shrewd disputant in those points is dexterous
in puzzling others. --Dr. H. More.
He is perpetually puzzled and perplexed amidst his
own blunders. --Addison.
2. To make intricate; to entangle.
They disentangle from the puzzled skein. --Cowper.
The ways of Heaven are dark and intricate, Puzzled
in mazes, and perplexed with error. --Addison.
3. To solve by ingenuity, as a puzzle; -- followed by out;
as, to puzzle out a mystery.
Syn: To embarrass; perplex; confuse; bewilder; confound. See
{Embarrass}.
Puzzle \Puz"zle\, v. i.
1. To be bewildered, or perplexed.
A puzzling fool, that heeds nothing. --L'Estrange.
2. To work, as at a puzzle; as, to puzzle over a problem.
Puzzledom \Puz"zle*dom\, n.
The domain of puzzles; puzzles, collectively. --C. Kingsley.
Puzzle-headed \Puz"zle-head`ed\, a.
Having the head full of confused notions. --Johnson.
Puzzlement \Puz"zle*ment\, n.
The state of being puzzled; perplexity. --Miss Mitford.
Puzzier \Puz"zier\, n.
One who, or that which, puzzles or perplexes.
Hebrew, the general puzzler of old heads. --Brome.
Puzzlingly \Puz"zling*ly\, adv.
In a puzzling manner.
Puzzolan \Puz"zo*lan\, Puzzolana \Puz`zo*la"na\, n.
See {Pozzuolana}.
Pyaemia \Py*[ae]"mi*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? pus + ? blood.]
(Med.)
A form of blood poisoning produced by the absorption into the
blood of morbid matters usually originating in a wound or
local inflammation. It is characterized by the development of
multiple abscesses throughout the body, and is attended with
irregularly recurring chills, fever, profuse sweating, and
exhaustion.
Pyaemic \Py*[ae]"mic\, a.
Of or pertaining to py[ae]mia; of the nature of py[ae]mia.
Pycnaspidean \Pyc`nas*pid"e*an\, a. [Gr. ? thick, crowded + ?,
?, a shield.] (Zo["o]l.)
Having the posterior side of the tarsus covered with small
irregular scales; -- said of certain birds.
Pycnidium \Pyc*nid"i*um\, n.; pl. {Pycnidia}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
crowded.] (Bot.)
In certain fungi, a flask-shaped cavity from the surface of
the inner walls of which spores are produced.
Pycnite \Pyc"nite\, n. [Gr. ? thick.] (Min.)
A massive subcolumnar variety of topaz.
Pycnodont \Pyc"no*dont\, n. [Gr. ? thick, crowded + ?, ?, a
tooth.] (Paleon.)
Any fossil fish belonging to the Pycnodontini. They have
numerous round, flat teeth, adapted for crushing.
Pycnodontini \Pyc`no*don"ti*ni\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
An extinct order of ganoid fishes. They had a compressed
body, covered with dermal ribs (pleurolepida) and with
enameled rhomboidal scales.
Pycnogonid \Pyc*nog"o*nid\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
One of the Pycnogonida.
Pycnogonida \Pyc`no*gon"i*da\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ? thick
crowded + ? knee.] (Zo["o]l.)
A class of marine arthropods in which the body is small and
thin, and the eight legs usually very long; -- called also
{Pantopoda}.
Note: The abdomen is rudimentary, and the triangular mouth is
at the end of a tubular proboscis. Many of them live at
great depths in the sea, and the largest of them
measure two feet across the extended legs.
Pycnometer \Pyc*nom"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? dense, compact + -meter.]
(Physics)
A specific gravity bottle; a standard flask for measuring and
comparing the densities of liquids. [Also written
{pyknometer}.]
Pycnostyle \Pyc"no*style\, a. [Gr. ? with the pillars close
together; ? close + ? a column, pillar: cf. F. pycnostyle.]
(Anc. Arch.)
See under {Intercolumniation}. -n. A pycnostyle colonnade.
Pye \Pye\, n.
See 2d {Pie}
(b) .
Pyebald \Pye"bald`\, a.
See {Piebald}.
Pyelitis \Py`e*li"tis\ n. [Gr. basin + -itis.] (Med.)
Inflammation of the pelvis of the kidney.
Pyemia \Py*e"mi*a\, n. (Med.)
See {Py[AE]mia}.
Pyet \Py"et\, n.
A magpie; a piet. [Prov. Eng.]
Here cometh the worthy prelate as pert as a pyet. --Sir
W. Scott.
Pygal \Py"gal\, a. [Gr. ? the rump.] (Anat.)
Situated in the region of the rump, or posterior end of the
backbone; -- applied especially to the posterior median
plates in the carapace of chelonians.
Pygarg \Py"garg\, Pygargus \Py*gar"gus\, [L. pygargus, Gr. ?,
literally, white rump; ? the rump + white: cf. F. pygargue.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A quadruped, probably the addax, an antelope
having a white rump. --Deut. xiv. 5.
2. (Zo["o]l.)
(a) The female of the hen harrier.
(b) The sea eagle.
Pygidium \Py*gid"i*um\, n.; pl. {Pygidia}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, dim.
of ? the rump.] (Zo["o]l.)
The caudal plate of trilobites, crustacean, and certain
insects. See Illust. of {Limulus} and {Trilobite}.
Pygmy \Pyg"my\, Pygmean \Pyg*me"an\, a. [L. pygmaeus. See
{Pygmy}.]
Of or pertaining to a pygmy; resembling a pygmy or dwarf;
dwarfish; very small. `` Like that Pygmean race.'' --Milton.
{Pygmy antelope} (Zo["o]l.), the kleeneboc.
{Pygmy goose} (Zo["o]l.), any species of very small geese of
the genus {Nettapus}, native of Africa, India, and
Australia.
{Pygmy owl} (Zo["o]l.), the gnome.
{Pygmy parrot} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of very
small green parrots ({Nasitern[ae]}), native of New Guinea
and adjacent islands. They are not larger than sparrows.
Pygmy \Pyg"my\, n.; pl. {Pygmies}. [L. pygmaeus, Gr. ?, fr. ?
the fist, a measure of length, the distance from the elbow to
the knuckles, about 131 inches. Cf. {Pugnacious}, {Fist}.]
[Written also {pigmy}.]
1. (Class. Myth.) One of a fabulous race of dwarfs who waged
war with the cranes, and were destroyed.
2. Hence, a short, insignificant person; a dwarf.
Pygmies are pygmies still, though perched on Alps. And
pyramids are pyramids in vales. --Young.
Pygobranchia \Py`go*bran"chi*a\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. pugh` the
rump + ? a gill.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of opisthobranchiate mollusks having the
branchi[ae] in a wreath or group around the anal opening, as
in the genus Doris.
Pygopod \Py"go*pod\, n. [Gr. ? rump + -pod.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) One of the Pygopodes.
2. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of serpentiform lizards of the
family {Pygopodid[ae]}, which have rudimentary hind legs
near the anal cleft, but lack fore legs.
Pygropodes \Py*grop"o*des\, n. pl. [NL.] (Zo["o]l.)
A division of swimming birds which includes the grebes,
divers, auks, etc., in which the legs are placed far back.
Pygopodous \Py*gop"o*dous\, a. (Zo["o]l.)
Of or pertaining to the Pygopodes.
Pygostyle \Py"go*style\, n. [Gr. ? the rump + ? a pillar.]
(Anat.)
The plate of bone which forms the posterior end of the
vertebral column in most birds; the plowshare bone; the
vomer. It is formed by the union of a number of the last
caudal vertebr[ae], and supports the uropigium.
Pyin \Py"in\, n. [Gr. ? pus.] (Physiol. (Chem.)
An albuminoid constituent of pus, related to mucin, possibly
a mixture of substances rather than a single body.
Pyjama \Py*ja"ma\, n. [Hind. p[=a]e-j[=a]ma, literally, leg
clothing.]
In India and Persia, thin loose trowsers or drawers; in
Europe and America, drawers worn at night, or a kind of
nightdress with legs. [Written also {paijama}.]
Pykar \Pyk"ar\, n.
An ancient English fishing boat.
Pyla \Py"la\ n.; pl. L. {Pyl[ae]}, E. {Pylas}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?
an entrance.] (Anat.)
The passage between the iter and optoc[oe]le in the brain.
--B. G. Wilder.
Pylagore \Pyl"a*gore\, n. [Gr. ?; ? Pyl[ae], or Thermopyl[ae],
where the Amphictyonic council met + ? to assemble: cf. F.
pylagore.] (Gr. Antiq.)
a deputy of a State at the Amphictyonic council.
Pylangium \Py*lan"gi*um\, n.; pl. {Pylangia}. [NL., from Gr. ?
an entrance + ? a vessel.] (Anat.)
The first and undivided part of the aortic trunk in the
amphibian heart. -- {Py*lan"gi*al}, a.
Pylon \Py"lon\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? a gateway.]
(a) A low tower, having a truncated pyramidal form, and
flanking an ancient Egyptian gateway.
Massive pylons adorned with obelisks in front. --J.
W. Draper.
(b) An Egyptian gateway to a large building (with or without
flanking towers).
Pyloric \Py*lor"ic\, a. [Cf. F. pylorique.] (Anat.)
Of, pertaining to, or in the region of, the pylorus; as, the
pyloric end of the stomach.
Pylorus \Py*lo"rus\, n.; pl. {Pylori}. [L., fr. Gr. ? pylorus,
gate keeper; ? a gate + ? watcher, guardian.] (Anat.)
(a) The opening from the stomach into the intestine.
(b) A posterior division of the stomach in some
invertebrates.
Pyne \Pyne\, n. & v.
See {Pine}. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pynoun \Py*noun"\, n.
A pennant. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
Pyocyanin \Py`o*cy"a*nin\, n. [Gr. ? pus + ? dark blue.]
(Physiol. (Chem.)
A blue coloring matter found in the pus from old sores,
supposed to be formed through the agency of a species of
bacterium ({Bacillus pyocyaneus}).
Pyogenic \Py`o*gen"ic\, a. [Gr. ? pus + root of ? to be born.]
(Med.)
Producing or generating pus.
Pyoid \Py"oid\, a. [Gr. ? pus + --oid.] (Med.)
Of or pertaining to pus; of the nature of, or like, pus.
{Pyoid corpuscles} (Med.), cells of a size larger than pus
corpuscles, containing two or more of the latter.
Pyopneumothorax \Py`op*neu`mo*tho"rax\, n. [Gr. ? pus + E.
pneumothorax.] (Med.)
Accumulation of air, or other gas, and of pus, in the pleural
cavity.
Pyot \Py"ot\, n. (Zo["o]l.)
The magpie. See {Piet}.
Pyoxanthose \Py`o*xan"those\, n. [Gr. ? pus + ? yellow.]
(Physiol. (Chem.)
A greenish yellow crystalline coloring matter found with
pyocyanin in pus.
Pyracanth \Pyr"a*canth\, n. [Gr. ? fire + ? a thorn, prickly
plant.] (Bot.)
The evergreen thorn ({Crat[ae]gus Pyracantha}), a shrub
native of Europe.
Pyral \Py"ral\, a.
Of or pertaining to a pyre. [R.]
Pyralid \Pyr"a*lid\, n. [L. pyralis, -idis, a kind of winged
insect.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any moth of the family {Pyralid[ae]}. The species are
numerous and mostly small, but some of them are very
injurious, as the bee moth, meal moth, hop moth, and clover
moth.
Pyramid \Pyr"a*mid\, n. [L. pyramis, -idis, fr. Gr. ?, ?, of
Egyptian origin: cf. F. pyramide.]
1. A solid body standing on a triangular, square, or
polygonal base, and terminating in a point at the top;
especially, a structure or edifice of this shape.
2. (Geom.) A solid figure contained by a plane rectilineal
figure as base and several triangles which have a common
vertex and whose bases are sides of the base.
3. pl. (Billiards) The game of pool in which the balls are
placed in the form of a triangle at spot. [Eng.]
{Altitude of a pyramid} (Geom.), the perpendicular distance
from the vertex to the plane of the base.
{Axis of a pyramid} (Geom.), a straight line drawn from the
vertex to the center of the base.
{Earth pyramid}. (Geol.) See {Earth pillars}, under {Earth}.
{Right pyramid} (Geom.) a pyramid whose axis is perpendicular
to the base.
Pyramidal \Py*ram`i*dal\, a. [Cf. F. pyramidal.]
1. Of or pertaining to a pyramid; in the form of a a pyramid;
pyramidical; as, pyramidal cleavage.
The mystic obelisks stand up Triangular, pyramidal.
--Mrs.
Browning.
2. (Crystallog.) Same as {Tetragonal}.
{Pyramidal numbers} (Math.), certain series of figurate
numbers expressing the number of balls or points that may
be arranged in the form of pyramids. Thus 1, 4, 10, 20,
35, etc., are triangular pyramidal numbers; and 1, 5, 14,
30, 55, etc., are square pyramidal numbers.
Pyramidal \Py*ram"i*dal\, n. (Anat.)
One of the carpal bones. See {Cuneiform}, n., 2
(b) .
Pyramidally \Py*ram"i*dal*ly\, adv.
Like a pyramid.
Pyramidic \Pyr`a*mid"ic\, Pyramidical \Pyr`a*mid"ic*al\, a.
Of or pertaining to a pyramid; having the form of a pyramid;
pyramidal. `` A pyramidical rock.'' --Goldsmith. ``Gold in
pyramidic plenty piled.'' --Shenstone. --
{Pyr`a*mid"ic*al*ly}, adv. {Pyr`a*mild"ic*al*ness}, n.
Pyramidion \Pyr`a*mid"i*on\, n.; pl. {Pyramidia}. [NL., from L.
pyramis. See {Pyramid}.]
The small pyramid which crowns or completes an obelisk.
Pyramidoid \Py*ram"i*doid\, n. [Gr. ?, ?, pyramid + -id: cf. F.
pyramido["i]de.]
A solid resembling a pyramid; -- called also {pyramoid}.
--Barlow.
Pyramis \Pyr"a*mis\, n.; pl. {Pyramides}. [L.]
A pyramid.
Pyramoid \Pyr"a*moid\, n.
See {Pyramidoid}.
Pyrargyrite \Py*rar"gy*rite\, n. [Gr. ? fire + ? silver.] (Min.)
Ruby silver; dark red silver ore. It is a sulphide of
antimony and silver, occurring in rhombohedral crystals or
massive, and is of a dark red or black color with a metallic
adamantine luster.
Pyre \Pyre\, n. [L. pure, Gr. ?, fr. ? fire. See {Fire}.]
A funeral pile; a combustible heap on which the dead are
burned; hence, any pile to be burnt.
For nine long nights, through all the dusky air, The
pyres thick flaming shot a dismal glare. --Pope.
Pyrena \Py*re"na\, n.; pl. {Pyren[ae]}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, the
stone of fruit.] (Bot.)
A nutlet resembling a seed, or the kernel of a drupe. --Gray.
Pyrene \Py"rene\, n. [Gr. ? fire.] (Chem.)
One of the less volatile hydrocarbons of coal tar, obtained
as a white crystalline substance, {C16H10}.
Pyrene \Py"rene\, n. (Bot.)
Same as {Pyrena}.
Pyrenean \Pyr`e*ne"an\, a. [L. Pyrenaei (sc. montes) the
Pyrenees, fr. Pyrene, Gr.? a daughter of Bebryx, beloved by
Hercules, and buried upon these mountains.]
Of or pertaining to the Pyrenees, a range of mountains
separating France and Spain. -- n. The Pyrenees. --Shak.
Pyrenoid \Py*re"noid\, n. [Gr. ? like a kernel. See {Pyrena},
and {-oid}.] (Zo["o]l.)
A transparent body found in the chromatophores of certain
Infusoria.
Pyrethrin \Pyr"eth*rin\, n. [NL. Pyrethrum, generic name of
feverfew, Gr. ? feverfew.] (Chem.)
A substance resembling, and isomeric with, ordinary camphor,
and extracted from the essential oil of feverfew; -- called
also {Pyrethrum camphor}.
Pyrethrine \Pyr"eth*rine\, n. (Chem.)
An alkaloid extracted from the root of the pellitory of Spain
({Anacyclus pyrethrum}).
Pyretic \Py*ret"ic\, a. [Gr. ? burning heat, fever, from ? fire:
cf. F. pyr['e]tique.] (Med.)
Of or pertaining to fever; febrile.
Pyretology \Pyr`e*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? fever + -logy: cf. F.
pyr['e]tologie.] (Med.)
A discourse or treatise on fevers; the doctrine of fevers.
--Hooper.
Pyrexia \Py*rex"i*a\, n.; pl. {Pyrexi[ae]}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? to
be feverish, akin to ? fever.] (Med.)
The febrile condition.
Pyrexial \Py*rex"i*al\, Pyrexical \Py*rex"ic*al\, a. (Med.)
Of or pertaining to fever; feverish.
Pyrgom \Pyr"gom\, n. [Gr. ? a place furnished with towers, fr. ?
a tower.] (Min.)
A variety of pyroxene; -- called also {fassaite}.
Pyrheliometer \Pyr*he`li*om"e*ter\, n. [Gr. ? fire + ? sun +
-meter.] (Physics)
An instrument for measuring the direct heating effect of the
sun's rays.
Pyridic \Py*rid"ic\, a. (Physiol. Chem.)
Related to, or formed from, pyridin or its homologues; as,
the pyridic bases.
Pyridine \Pyr"i*dine\, n. [From Gr. ? fire.] (Physiol. Chem.)
A nitrogenous base, {C5H5N}, obtained from the distillation
of bone oil or coal tar, and by the decomposition of certain
alkaloids, as a colorless liquid with a peculiar pungent
odor. It is the nucleus of a large number of organic
substances, among which several vegetable alkaloids, as
nicotine and certain of the ptoma["i]nes, may be mentioned.
See {Lutidine}.
Pyridyl \Pyr"i*dyl\, n. [Pyridine + -yl.] (Chem.)
A hypothetical radical, {C5H4N}, regarded as the essential
residue of pyridine, and analogous to phenyl.
Pyriform \Pyr"i*form\, a. [L. pyrum, pirum, a pear + -form: cf.
F. pyriforme, piriforme.]
Having the form of a pear; pear-shaped.
Pyritaceous \Pyr`i*ta"ceous\, a. (Min.)
Of or pertaining to pyrites. See {Pyritic}.
Pyrite \Pyr"ite\, n.; pl. {Pyrites}. [Cf. F. pyrite. See
{Pyrites}.] (Min.)
A common mineral of a pale brass-yellow color and brilliant
metallic luster, crystallizing in the isometric system; iron
pyrites; iron disulphide.
Hence sable coal his massy couch extends, And stars of
gold the sparkling pyrite blends. --E. Darwin.
Pyrites \Py*ri"tes\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? fire. See {Pyre}.]
(Min.)
A name given to a number of metallic minerals, sulphides of
iron, copper, cobalt, nickel, and tin, of a white or
yellowish color.
Note: The term was originally applied to the mineral pyrite,
or iron pyrites, in allusion to its giving sparks when
struck with steel.
{Arsenical pyrites}, arsenopyrite.
{Auriferous pyrites}. See under {Auriferous}.
{Capillary pyrites}, millerite.
{Common pyrites}, isometric iron disulphide; pyrite.
{Hair pyrites}, millerite.
{Iron pyrites}. See {Pyrite}.
{Magnetic pyrites}, pyrrhotite.
{Tin pyrites}, stannite.
{White iron pyrites}, orthorhombic iron disulphide;
marcasite. This includes cockscomb pyrites (a variety of
marcasite, named in allusion to its form), spear pyrites,
etc.
{Yellow}, or {Copper}, {pyrites}, the sulphide of copper and
iron; chalcopyrite.
Pyritic \Py*rit"ic\, Pyritical \Py*rit"ic*al\, a. (Min.)
Of or pertaining to pyrites; consisting of, or resembling,
pyrites.
Pyritiferous \Pyr`i*tif"er*ous\, a. [Pyrites + -ferous.] (Min.)
Containing or producing pyrites.
Pyritize \Pyr"i*tize\, v. t. [Cf. F. pyritiser.]
To convert into pyrites.
Pyritohedral \Pyr`i*to*he"dral\, a. [See {Pyritohedron}.]
(Crystallog.)
Like pyrites in hemihedral form.
Pyritohedron \Pyr`i*to*he"dron\, n. [Pyrite + Gr. ? base.]
(Crystallog.)
The pentagonal dodecahedron, a common form of pyrite.
Pyritoid \Pyr"i*toid\, n. [Pyrite + -oid.] (Crystallog.)
Pyritohedron. [R.]
Pyritology \Pyr`i*tol"o*gy\, n. [Gr. ? of fire + -logy.]
The science of blowpipe analysis.
Pyritous \Pyr"i*tous\, a.
Pyritic.
Pyro- \Pyro-\, Pyr- \Pyr-\ . [Gr. ?, ?, fire.]
Combining forms designating fire or heat; specifically
(Chem.), used to imply an actual or theoretical derivative by
the action of heat; as in pyrophosphoric, pyrosulphuric,
pyrotartaric, pyrotungstic, etc.
Pyro \Py"ro\, n. (Photog.)
Abbreviation of pyrogallic acid. [Colloq.]
Pyroacetic \Pyr`o*a*ce"tic\, a. [Pyro- + acetic: cf. F.
pyroac['e]tique.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, and designating, a substance (acetone)
obtained by the distillation of the acetates. It is now
called also {pyroacetic ether}, and formerly was called
{pyroacetic spirit}.
Pyroacid \Pyr`o*ac"id\, n. [Pyro- + acid.] (Chem.)
An acid obtained by sybjecting another acid to the action of
heat. Cf. {Pyro-}.
Pyroantimonate \Pyr`o*an`ti*mo"nate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of pyroantimonic acid.
Pyroantimonic \Pyr`o*an`ti*mon"ic\, a. [Pyro- + antimonic.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of antimony analogous
to pyrophosphoric acid.
Pyroarsenate \Pyr`o*ar"se*nate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of pyroarsenic acid.
Pyroarsenic \Pyr`o*ar*sen"ic\, a. [Pyro- + arsenic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to or designating, an acid of arsenic analogous to
pyrophosphoric acid.
Pyroborate \Pyr`o*bo"rate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of pyroboric acid.
Pyroboric \Pyr`o*bo"ric\, a. [Pyro- + boric.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to derived from, or designating, an acid, {H2B4O7}
(called also {tetraboric} acid), which is the acid ingredient
of ordinary borax, and is obtained by heating boric acid.
Pyrocatechin \Pyr`o*cat"e*chin\, n. [Pyro- + catechu.] (Chem.)
A white crystalline substance, {C6H4(OH)2}, of the phenol
series, found in various plants; -- so called because first
obtained by distillation of gum catechu. Called also
{catechol}, {oxyphenol}. etc.
Pyrochlore \Pyr"o*chlore\, n. [Pyro- + Gr. ? pale green.] (Min.)
A niobate of calcium, cerium, and other bases, occurring
usually in octahedrons of a yellowish or brownish color and
resinous luster; -- so called from its becoming grass-green
on being subjected to heat under the blowpipe.
Pyrocitric \Pyr`o*cit"ric\, a. [Pyro- + citric: cf. F.
pyrocitrique.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, any one of three acids
obtained by the distillation of citric acid, and called
respectively {citraconic}, {itaconic}, and {mesaconic} acid.
Purocoll \Pur"o*coll\, n. [Puro- + Gr. ? glue.] (Chem.)
A yellow crystalline substance allied to pyrrol, obtained by
the distillation of gelatin.
Pyroelectric \Pyr`o*e*lec"tric\, a. [Pyro- + electric.]
(Physics)
Pertaining to, or dependent on, pyroelectricity; receiving
electric polarity when heated.
Pyroelectric \Pyr`o*e*lec"tric\, n. (Physics)
A substance which becomes electrically polar when heated,
exhibiting opposite charges of statical electricity at two
separate parts, especially the two extremities.
Pyroelectricity \Pyr`o*e`lec*tric"i*ty\, n. (Physics)
Electricity developed by means of heat; the science which
treats of electricity thus developed.
Pyrogallate \Pyr`o*gal"late\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of pyrogallic acid; an ether of pyrogallol.
Pyrogallic \Pyr`o*gal"lic\, a. [Pyro- + gallic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid called
pyrogallol. See {Pyrogallol}.
Pyrogallol \Pyr`o*gal"lol\, n. [Pyrogallic + -ol.] (Chem.)
A phenol metameric with phloroglucin, obtained by the
distillation of gallic acid as a poisonous white crystalline
substance having acid properties, and hence called also
{pyrogallic acid}. It is a strong reducer, and is used as a
developer in photography and in the production of certain
dyes.
Pyrogen \Pyr"o*gen\, n. [See {Pyrogenous}.]
1. Electricity. [R.]
2. (Physiol. Chem.) A poison separable from decomposed meat
infusions, and supposed to be formed from albuminous
matter through the agency of bacteria.
Pyrogenic \Pyr`o*gen"ic\, a. [Pyro- + -gen + -ic.] (Physiol.)
Producing heat; -- said of substances, as septic poisons,
which elevate the temperature of the body and cause fever.
Pyrogenous \Py*rog"e*nous\, a. [Gr. ? fire + genous: cf. F.
purog[`e]ne, Gr. ?.]
Produced by fire; igneous. --Mantell. .
Pyrognostic \Pyr`og*nos"tic\, a. [Pyro- + Gr. ? to know.] (Min.)
Of or pertaining to characters developed by the use of heat;
pertaining to the characters of minerals when examined before
the blowpipe; as, the pyrognostic characters of galena.
Pyrognostics \Pyr`og*nos"tics\, n. pl. (Min.)
The characters of a mineral observed by the use of the
blowpipe, as the degree of fusibility, flame coloration, etc.
Pyrography \Py*rog"ra*phy\, n. [Pyro- + -graphy.]
A process of printing, ornamenting, or carving, by burning
with heated instruments.
Pyrolator \Py*rol"a*tor\, n. [See {Pyrolatry}.]
A fire worshiper. [R.] --Southey.
Pyrolatry \Py*rol"a*try\, n. [Pyro- + Gr. ? worship: cf. F.
pyrol[^a]trie.]
The worship of fire. --Young.
Pyroligneous \Pyr`o*lig"ne*ous\, Pyrolignic \Pyr`o*lig"nic\, a.
[Pyro-+ L. lignum wood: cf. F. pyroligneux.] (Old Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, the acid liquid obtained in
the distillation of wood, consisting essentially of impure
acetic acid.
Pyrolignous \Pyr`o*lig"nous\, a.
Same as {Pyroligneous}.
Pyrolithic \Pyr`o*lith"ic\, a. [Pyro- + lithic.] (Old Chem.)
Same as {Pyrouric}, or {Cyanuric}.
Pyrologist \Py*rol"o*gist\, n.
One who is versed in, or makes a study of, pyrology.
Pyrology \Py*rol"o*gy\, n. [Pyro- + -logy: cf. F. pyrologie.]
That branch of physical science which treats of the
properties, phenomena, or effects of heat; also, a treatise
on heat.
Pyrolusite \Pyr`o*lu"site\, n. [Pyro- + Gr. ? to loose, or ? a
loosing.] (Min.)
Manganese dioxide, a mineral of an iron-black or dark
steel-gray color and metallic luster, usually soft.
Pyrolusite parts with its oxygen at a red heat, and is
extensively used in discharging the brown and green tints of
glass (whence its name).
Pyromagnetic \Pyr`o*mag*net"ic\, a. [Pyro- + magnetic.]
(Physics)
Acting by the agency of heat and magnetism; as, a
pyromagnetic machine for producing electric currents.
Pyromalate \Pyr`o*ma"late\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of pyromalic acid. [Obs.]
Pyromalic \Pyr`o*ma"lic\, a. [Pyro- + malic.] (Old Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called maleic
acid.
Pyromancy \Pyr"o*man`cy\, n. [Gr. ?; ? fire + ? divination: cf.
F. pyromancie.]
Divination by means of fire.
Pyromania \Pyr"o*ma"ni*a\, n. [Pyro- + mania.]
An insane disposition to incendiarism.
Pyromantic \Pyr"o*man"tic\, a.
Of or pertaining to pyromancy.
Pyromantic \Pyr`o*man"tic\, n. [Cf. Gr. ?.]
One who pretends to divine by fire. --Sir T. Herbert.
Pyrometer \Py*rom"e*ter\, n. [Pyro- + -meter: cf. F.
pyrom[`e]tre.]
1. (Physics) An instrument used for measuring the expansion
of solid bodies by heat.
2. (Physics) An instrument for measuring degrees of heat
above those indicated by the mercurial thermometer.
Note: It is usually constructed so as to register the change
which the heat to be measured produces in the length of
some expansible substance, as a metallic rod, or in the
intensity of a thermo-electric current.
Pyrometric \Pyr`o*met"ric\, Pyrometrical \Pyr`o*met"ric*al\ a.
[Cf. F. pyrom['e]trique.] (Physics)
Pertaining to, or obtained by, the pyrometer; as,
pyrometrical instruments; pyrometrical measurements.
Pyrometry \Py*rom"e*try\, n.
The art of measuring degrees of heat, or the expansion of
bodies by heat.
Pyromorphite \Pyr`o*mor"phite\, n. [G. pyromorphit, from Gr. ?
fire + ? form.] (Min.)
Native lead phosphate with lead chloride, occurring in bright
green and brown hexagonal crystals and also massive; -- so
called because a fused globule crystallizes in cooling.
Pyromorphous \Pyr`o*mor"phous\, a. [Pyro- + -morphous.] (Min.)
Having the property of crystallizing by the agency of fire.
Pyromucate \Pyr`o*mu"cate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of pyromucic acid.
Pyromucic \Pyr`o*mu"cic\, a. [Pyro- + mucic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, derived from, or designating, an acid obtained
as a white crystalline substance by the distillation of mucic
acid, or by the oxidation of furfurol.
Pyronomics \Pyr`o*nom"ics\, n. [Pyro- + Gr. ? law.]
The science of heat.
Pyrope \Pyr"ope\, n. [L. pyropus a kind of red bronze, fr. Gr.
?; ? fire + ? the eye, face: cf. F. pyrope.] (Min.)
A variety of garnet, of a poppy or blood-red color,
frequently with a tinge of orange. It is used as a gem. See
the Note under {Garnet}.
Pyrophane \Pyr"o*phane\, n. [See {Pyrophanous}.] (Min.)
A mineral which is opaque in its natural state, but is said
to change its color and become transparent by heat.
Pyrophanous \Py*roph"a*nous\, a. [Pyro- + Gr. ? to show, pass,
to shine.]
Rendered transparent by heat.
Pyrophone \Pyr"o*phone\, n. [Pyro- + Gr. ? sound.]
A musical instrument in which the tones are produced by
flames of hydrogen, or illuminating gas, burning in tubes of
different sizes and lengths.
Pyrophoric \Pyr`o*phor"ic\, Pyrophorous \Py*roph"o*rous\, a.
[Pyro- + Gr. ? to bear.]
Light-producing; of or pertaining to pyrophorus.
{Pyrophoric iron} (Chem.), finely reduced iron, which ignites
spontaneously on contact with air.
Pyrophorus \Py*roph"o*rus\, n. [NL. See {Pyrophorous}.] (Old
Chem.)
Any one of several substances or mixtures which phosphoresce
or ignite spontaneously on exposure to air, as a heated
mixture of alum, potash, and charcoal, or a mixture of
charcoal and finely divided lead.
Pyrophosphate \Pyr"o*phos"phate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of pyrophosphoric acid.
Pyrophosphoric \Pyr`o*phos*phor"ic\, a. [Pyro- + phosphoric.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid, {H4P2O7}, which is
obtained as a white crystalline substance. Its salts are
obtained by heating the phosphates.
Pyrophyllite \Py*roph"yl*lite\, n. [Pyro- + Gr. ? leaf.] (Min.)
A mineral, usually of a white or greenish color and pearly
luster, consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of
alumina.
Pyroscope \Pyr"o*scope\, n. [Pyro- + -scope: cf. F. pyroscope.]
(Physics)
An instrument for measuring the intensity of heat radiating
from a fire, or the cooling influence of bodies. It is a
differential thermometer, having one bulb coated with gold or
silver leaf. [R.]
Pyrosis \Py*ro"sis\, n. [NL., fr Gr. ? a burning, an
inflammation, fr. ? to burn, fr. ? fire.] (Med.)
See {Water brash}, under {Brash}.
Pyrosmalite \Py*ros"ma*lite\, n. [Pyro- + Gr. ? odor + -like. ]
(Min.)
A mineral, usually of a pale brown or of a gray or grayish
green color, consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of
iron and manganese; -- so called from the odor given off
before the blowpipe.
Pyrosome \Pyr"o*some\, n. [Pyro- + -some body.] (Zo["o]l.)
Any compound ascidian of the genus {Pyrosoma}. The pyrosomes
form large hollow cylinders, sometimes two or three feet
long, which swim at the surface of the sea and are very
phosphorescent.
Pyrosulphate \Pyr`o*sul"phate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of pyrosulphuric acid.
Pyrosulphuric \Pyr`o*sul*phu"ric\, a. [Pyro- + -sulphuric.]
(Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid called also
{disulphuric} acid) obtained by distillation of certain
sulphates, as a colorless, thick, oily liquid, {H2S2O7}
resembling sulphuric acid. It is used in the solution of
indigo, in the manufacture of alizarin, and in dehydration.
Pyrotartaric \Pyr`o*tar*tar"ic\, a. [Pyro- + tartaric.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid obtained as a white
crystalline substance by the distillation of tartaric acid.
Pyrotartrate \Pyr`o*tar"trate\, n. (Chem.)
A salt of pyrotartaric acid.
Pyrotechnian \Pyr`o*tech"ni*an\, n.
A pyrotechnist.
Pyrotechnic \Pyr`o*tech"nic\, Pyrotechnical \Pyr`o*tech"nic*al\,
a. [Pyro- + technic, technical: cf. F. pyrotechnique. See
{Fire}, {Technical}.]
Of or pertaining to fireworks, or the art of forming them.
{Pyrotechnical sponge}. See under {Sponge}.
Pyrotechnician \Pyr`o*tech*ni"cian\, n.
A pyrotechnist.
Pyrotechnics \Pyr`o*tech"nics\, n.
The art of making fireworks; the manufacture and use of
fireworks; pyrotechny.
Pyrotechnist \Pyr`o*tech"nist\, n.
One skilled in pyrotechny; one who manufactures fireworks.
--Steevens.
Pyrotechny \Pyr`o*tech`ny\, n. [Cf. F. pyrotechnie.]
1. The use and application of fire in science and the arts.
[Obs.] --Sir M. Hale.
2. Same as {Pyrotechnics}.
Pyrothonide \Py*roth"o*nide\, n. [Pyro- + Gr. ? linen.] (Med.)
A kind of empyreumatic oil produced by the combustion of
textures of hemp, linen, or cotton in a copper vessel, --
formerly used as a remedial agent. --Dunglison.
Pyrotic \Py*rot"ic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to burn, fr. ?, ?, fire:
cf. F. pyrotique.]
Caustic. See {Caustic}. -- n. (Med.) A caustic medicine.
Pyrotritartaric \Pyr`o*tri`tar*tar"ic\, a. [Pyro- + tri- +
tartaric.] (Chem.)
Designating an acid which is more commonly called {uric}
acid.
Pyrotungstic \Pyr`o*tung"stic\, a. (Chem.)
Polytungstic. See {Metatungstic}.
Pyrouric \Pyr`o*["u]"ric\, a. [Pyro- + uric.] (Old Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid now called {cyanuric}
acid. See {Cyanuric}.
Pyrovanadic \Pyr`o*va*nad"ic\, a. [Pyro- + vanadic.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid of vanadium, analogous
to pyrophosphoric acid.
Pyroxanthin \Pyr`o*xan"thin\, n. [Pyro- + Gr. ? yellow.] (Chem.)
A yellow crystalline hydrocardon extracted from crude wood
spirit; -- called also {eblanin}.
Pyroxene \Pyr"ox*ene\, n. [F. pyrox[`e]ne, from Gr. ? fire + ? a
stranger; -- so called because it was supposed to the be a
stranger, or of rare occurrence, in igneous rocks,] (Min.)
A common mineral occurring in monoclinic crystals, with a
prismatic angle of nearly 90[deg], and also in massive forms
which are often laminated. It varies in color from white to
dark green and black, and includes many varieties differing
in color and composition, as diopside, malacolite, salite,
coccolite, augite, etc. They are all silicates of lime and
magnesia with sometimes alumina and iron. Pyroxene is an
essential constituent of many rocks, especially basic igneous
rocks, as basalt, gabbro, etc.
Note: The pyroxene group contains pyroxene proper, also the
related orthorhombic species, enstatite, bronzite,
hypersthene, and various monoclinic and triclinic
species, as rhodonite, etc.
Pyroxenic \Pyr`ox*en"ic\, a. [Cf. F. pyrox['e]nique.]
Containing pyroxene; composed chiefly of pyroxene.
Pyroxenite \Py*rox"e*nite\, n. (Min.)
A rock consisting essentially of pyroxene.
Pyroxyle \Py*rox"yle\, n. [Cf. F. pyroxyle. See {Pyroxylic},
{-yl}.] Pyroxylic \Pyr`ox*yl"ic\, a. [Pyro- + Gr. ? wood.]
(Old Chem.)
Derived from wood by distillation; -- formerly used in
designating crude wood spirit.
Pyroxylin \Py*rox"y*lin\, n. (Chem.)
A substance resembling gun cotton in composition and
properties, but distinct in that it is more highly nitrified
and is soluble in alcohol, ether, etc.; -- called also
{pyroxyle}.
Pyrrhic \Pyr"rhic\, a. [L. pyrrhichius, Gr. ? belonging to the ?
(sc. ?) a kind of war dance.]
1. Of or pertaining to an ancient Greek martial dance. `` ye
have the pyrrhic dance as yet.'' --Byron.
2. (Pros.) Of or pertaining to a pyrrhic, or to pyrrhics;
containing pyrrhic; as, a pyrrhic verse.
Pyrrhic \Pyr"rhic\, n.
1. [Gr. ?: cf. F. pyrrhique, fem.] An ancient Greek martial
dance, to the accompaniment of the flute, its time being
very quick.
2. [L. pyrrhichius (sc. pes), Gr. ? (sc. ?): cf. F.
pyrrhique, masc.] (Pros.) A foot consisting of two short
syllables.
Pyrrhicist \Pyr"rhi*cist\, n. (Gr. Antiq.)
One two danced the pyrrhic.
Pyrrhonean \Pyr*rho"ne*an\, Pyrrhonic \Pyr*rhon"ic\, a. [L.
Pyrrhon[^e]us: cf. F. pyrrhonien.]
Of or pertaining to pyrrhonism.
Pyrrhonism \Pyr"rho*nism\, n. [From Pyrrho, the founder of a
school of skeptics in Greece (about 300 b. c.): cf. F.
pyrrhonisme.]
Skepticism; universal doubt.
Pyrrhonist \Pyr"rho*nist\, n.
A follower of Pyrrho; a skeptic.
Pyrrhotine \Pyr"rho*tine\, Pyrrhotite \Pyr"rho*tite\, n. [Gr. ?
flame-colored, fr. ? fire.] (Min.)
A bronze-colored mineral, of metallic luster. It is a
sulphide of iron, and is remarkable for being attracted by
the magnet. Called also {magnetic pyrites}.
Pyrrol \Pyr"rol\, n. [Gr. ? flame-colored (from ? fire) + L.
oleum oil.] (Chem.)
A nitrogenous base found in coal tar, bone oil, and other
distillates of organic substances, and also produced
synthetically as a colorless liquid, {C4H5N}, having on odor
like that of chloroform. It is the nucleus and origin of a
large number of derivatives. So called because it colors a
splinter of wood moistened with hydrochloric acid a deep red.
Pyrroline \Pyr"ro*line\, n. (Chem.)
A nitrogenous base, {C4H7N}, obtained as a colorless liquid
by the reduction of pyrrol.
Pyrula \Pyr"u*la\, n. [NL., fr. L. pyrus a pear.] (Zo["o]l.)
A genus of large marine gastropods. having a pear-shaped
shell. It includes the fig-shells. See Illust. in Appendix.
Pyruric \Py*ru"ric\, a.
Same as {Pyro["u]ric}.
Pyrus \Py"rus\, n. [L. pyrus, or better pirus, pear tree.]
(Bot.)
A genus of rosaceous trees and shrubs having pomes for fruit.
It includes the apple, crab apple, pear, chokeberry, sorb,
and mountain ash.
Pyruvic \Py*ru"vic\, a. [Pyro- + L. uva a grape.] (Chem.)
Pertaining to, or designating, an acid (called also
pyroracemic acid) obtained, as a liquid having a pungent
odor, by the distillation of racemic acid.
Pyruvil \Py*ru"vil\, n. (Chem.)
A complex nitrogenous compound obtained by heating together
pyruvic acid and urea.
Pythagorean \Pyth`a*go"re*an\, a. [L. Pythagoreus, Gr. ?.]
Of or pertaining to Pythagoras (a Greek philosopher, born
about 582 b. c.), or his philosophy.
The central thought of the Pythagorean philosophy is
the idea of number, the recognition of the numerical
and mathematical relations of things. --Encyc. Brit.
{Pythagorean proposition} (Geom.), the theorem that the
square described upon the hypothenuse of a plane
right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares
described upon the other two sides.
{Pythagorean system} (Astron.), the commonly received system
of astronomy, first taught by Pythagoras, and afterward
revived by Copernicus, whence it is also called the
{Copernican system}.
{Pythagorean letter}. See {Y.}
Pythagorean \Pyth`a*go"re*an\, n.
A follower of Pythagoras; one of the school of philosophers
founded by Pythagoras.
Pythagoreanism \Pyth`a*go"re*an*ism\, n.
The doctrines of Pythagoras or the Pythagoreans.
As a philosophic school Pythagoreanism became extinct
in Greece about the middle of the 4th century [B. C.].
--Encyc. Brit.
Pythagoric \Pyth`a*gor"ic\, Pythagorical \Pyth`a*gor"ic*al\,
a.[L. Pythagoricus, Gr. ?: cf. F. pythagorique.]
See {Pythagorean}, a.
Pythagorism \Py*thag"o*rism\, n. [Gr. ?.]
The doctrines taught by Pythagoras.
Note: Pythagoras made numbers the basis of his philosophical
system, as well physical as metaphysical. The doctrine
of the transmigration of souls (metempsychosis) is
associated closely with name of Pythagoras.
Pythagorize \Py*thag"o*rize\, v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Pythagorized}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Pythagorizing}.] [Gr. ?.]
To speculate after the manner of Pythagoras.
Pythiad \Pyth"i*ad\, n. [See {Pythian}.] (Gr. Antiq.)
The period intervening between one celebration of the Pythian
games and the next.
Pythian \Pyth"i*an\, a. [L. Pythius, Gr. ? belonging to Pytho,
the older name of Delphi and its environs: cf. F. pythien.]
Of or pertaining to Delphi, to the temple of Apollo, or to
the priestess of Apollo, who delivered oracles at Delphi.
{Pythian games} (Gr. Antiq.), one of the four great national
festivals of ancient Greece, celebrated near Delphi, in
honor of Apollo, the conqueror of the dragon Python, at
first once in eight years, afterward once in four.
Pythocenic \Pyth`o*cen"ic\, a. [Gr. ? to rot + ? origin.]
Producing decomposition, as diseases which are supposed to be
accompanied or caused by decomposition.
Python \Py"thon\, n. [NL., fr. L. Python the serpent slain near
Delphi by Apollo, Gr. ?.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of very large snakes of the genus
{Python}, and allied genera, of the family {Pythonid[ae]}.
They are nearly allied to the boas. Called also {rock
snake}.
Note: The pythons have small pelvic bones, or anal spurs, two
rows of subcaudal scales, and pitted labials. They are
found in Africa, Asia, and the East Indies.
2. A diviner by spirits. ``[Manasses] observed omens, and
appointed pythons.'' --4 Kings xxi. 6 (Douay version).
Pythoness \Pyth"o*ness\, n. [L. pythonissa: cf. F. pythonisse.
See {Pythian}.]
1. (Gr. Antiq.) The priestess who gave oracular answers at
Delphi in Greece.
2. Any woman supposed to have a spirit of divination; a sort
of witch. --Bp. Hall.
Pythonic \Py*thon"ic\, a. [L. pythonicus, Gr. ?. See {Pythian}.]
Prophetic; oracular; pretending to foretell events.
Pythonism \Pyth"o*nism\, n.
The art of predicting events after the manner of the
priestess of Apollo at Delphi; equivocal prophesying.
Pythonist \Pyth"o*nist\, n.
A conjurer; a diviner.
Pythonomorpha \Pyth`o*no*mor"pha\, n. pl. [NL. See {Python}, and
{-morphous}.] (Paleon.)
Same as {Mosasauria}.
Pyuria \Py*u"ri*a\, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ? pus + ? urine.] (Med.)
A morbid condition in which pus is discharged in the urine.
Pyx \Pyx\, n. [L. pyxis a box, Gr. pyxi`s a box, especially of
boxwood, fr. py`xos the box tree or boxwood. See {Box} a
receptacle.] [Written also {pix}.]
1. (R. C. Ch.) The box, case, vase, or tabernacle, in which
the host is reserved.
2. A box used in the British mint as a place of deposit for
certain sample coins taken for a trial of the weight and
fineness of metal before it is sent from the mint.
--Mushet.
3. (Naut.) The box in which the compass is suspended; the
binnacle. --Weale.
4. (Anat.) Same as {Pyxis}.
{Pyx cloth} (R. C. Ch.), a veil of silk or lace covering the
pyx.
{Trial of the pyx}, the annual testing, in the English mint,
of the standard of gold and silver coins. --Encyc. Brit.
Pyx \Pyx\, v. t.
To test as to weight and fineness, as the coins deposited in
the pyx. [Eng.] --Mushet.
Pyxidate \Pyx"i*date\, a.
Having a pyxidium.
Pyxidium \Pyx*id"i*um\, n.; pl. {Pyxidia}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, dim.
a ? a box. See {Pyx}.] (Bot.)
(a) A pod which divides circularly into an upper and lower
half, of which the former acts as a kind of lid, as in
the pimpernel and purslane.
(b) The theca of mosses.
Pyxle \Pyx"le\, n. (Bot.)
Same as {Pixy}.
Pyxis \Pyx*is\, n. [L.]
1. A box; a pyx.
2. (Bot.) A pyxidium.
3. (Anat.) The acetabulum. See {Acetabulum}, 2.